The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set

by Leslie E Heath

  The top half of the gate hung limply from its frame, but the bottom half still held its ground.

  “Lower!” Aibek shouted. “We can break it!”

  A tiny shiver of regret passed over him at the sight of the ruined gate. This had been his security as a child, and now he was responsible for breaking it to pieces. Still, it had to be done, and no other armies were likely to attack in the near future. The city’s blacksmiths could repair the gates before any real threat could challenge them.

  The dragon swung close, and this time, Aibek had to use his sword and all his training to keep the enemy soldiers from swarming when Gworsad’s body and tail raked the gate. The lock groaned but didn’t give way.

  Aibek directed Gworsad to give it one more try and hung on tight when the dragon looped back for another pass.

  This time, the dragon’s flank pressed against the creaking iron, and Aibek leaned over to give it a mighty shove. The lock sprung loose and the metal groaned as the enormous gate swung loose.

  Gworsad pressed high into the air and circled the city. Aibek glanced down, wondering why the dragon had left the battle, and noticed a stream of dark blood oozing from his friend’s flank.

  “You’re hurt!” He screamed to project his voice over the rushing wind.

  Gworsad swung around to circle the east side of the city.

  Below, Aibek spotted the market his mother had always favored. The broad streets were deserted except for a few individuals rushing toward the gates.

  “Over there, that looks safe enough. Can you land there? It looks like enough room. I’ll tend your wound and see if I can find anyone I know.” His throat burned from shouting, but his voice carried up to the dragon’s sensitive ears.

  Moments later, the dragon landed in the open area in the center of the market. Aibek shimmied down in a heartbeat and rushed to inspect the gash along the dragon’s rear flank. Up close, it didn’t look bad. Aibek thought it was just a shallow scrape, though dark red blood still oozed from the wound.

  “Aibek?” An excited voice cut through the darkness and interrupted Aibek’s inspection. “We heard you were dead! They said you’d been captured. Is this your dragon?”

  Aibek’s head snapped around, toward the familiar voice. He struggled to place it, then relaxed and grinned.

  “Mehribahn? Is that you? I haven’t seen you in forever!”

  The man chuckled low. “Yeah, not since you beat me in that tournament, right? You always were the best fighter in the academy. Are you here to free us?”

  Aibek choked back an awkward laugh and turned his attention back to Gworsad’s injury. He pressed a wad of cloth hard into the shallow wound to staunch the bleeding.

  “Yes, if I can find the governor that’s been ruling here. He’s vanished.

  “Oh, he’s out at the wall. Said he needed to be where the action was.” Mehribahn paused. “You know, most of the city guard are people we know from the Academy. They’d fight on your side in a heartbeat if they knew you were the one leading this attack.”

  A chill swept over Aibek and he froze, his hand covered in sticky dragon blood. “How would we let them know? I mean, how would I make myself known without making myself a target for our enemy?”

  “Stay here. I have an idea.”

  Before Aibek could object, the man disappeared into the shadows of the abandoned market.

  “Are you all right?” Aibek whispered to Gworsad in the sudden silence. “What can I do to make you better?”

  The great dragon swept his head around to peer at Aibek in the darkness. “The seeds Bokinna gave you. You have them?”

  “Not in pure form, but in the tincture she told Valasa to make, yes.”

  A great gust of wind rose up, throwing dust in Aibek’s eyes and stopping all conversation while another dragon landed beside Gworsad.

  Aibek blinked the dust out of his eyes and glanced up to see who had joined him. He stifled a smile at Marah’s tense form, her bow drawn tight and her arrow swinging in broad sweeps across the empty market.

  “It’s all right. We’re safe here.” His voice echoed against the empty shops.

  Instead of relaxing, Marah set out on a circle around the broad market. Aibek sighed and turned his attention back to Gworsad. Without a sound, he pulled out a vial of the tincture and rubbed the oily liquid into the tender, exposed tissue.

  His eyes grew wide as the wound puckered and pulled together under his hand.

  “That much better. Save rest for later, in case other dragons hurt.” The dragon’s voice had taken on a happy, rumbling quality. Aibek smiled, glad to hear the strained tones disappear.

  The dragon had just settled his head down on the dusty cobblestones to rest when footsteps echoed in a nearby alley. In a heartbeat, Marah drew her bow and slipped up beside him.

  “It’s all right. It’s just us. Hullo, have you got another dragon?” Mehribahn stepped into the faint light provided by the now-constant dragon flares, followed by at least a dozen battle-weary men.

  Aibek recognized all of them on sight. They had been schoolmates, if not classmates. Several he had personally tutored.

  “These are the city guard division leaders. They’re as glad to see you as I am, and they’ll tell their men to fight with you instead of against you.” Mehribahn’s voice rose to be heard over the clamor of greetings.

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Aibek said, grinning. “I’d rather avoid as much bloodshed as we can. Let your men know that my fighters have orders not to pursue anyone who isn’t actively fighting them. That may be enough to end the battle. We can figure the rest out later.”

  Without another word, Aibek turned and climbed onto Gworsad's back. Mehribahn and his friends vanished into the abandoned market. Gworsad took to the air, with Tukanli and Marah close behind. They raced to the wall, where Aibek instructed Gworsad to land on one of the round parapets.

  "Are you sure? No other dragons close."

  Aibek glanced up to confirm Marah's position. "I'm sure. If anyone tries to attack us, Marah will take care of them."

  Gworsad shifted and curled his tail closer around himself. There was barely enough space for him to turn around on the narrow wall. "Someone coming… the stairs."

  An instant later, Aibek heard it, too. Heavy booted feet running up the wooden stairs inside the tower.

  "Stay alert, but don't attack right away. They may be friendly." His heart pounded in his chest, and strength flooded his arms and legs. Somehow, he didn't believe the approaching soldiers would be on his side.

  A dozen men flooded the parapet, though they stayed far back from Gworsad. Clearly, they'd seen what the other dragons were capable of, and were in no rush to get too close to this one.

  They stood frozen, staring at Aibek and his dragon, unwilling to make the first move.

  "Throw down your weapons and leave us in peace, and you won't be pursued," Aibek shouted. The wind carried his voice down to the soldiers below the wall, and several shouted and looked up to watch.

  "What do you mean?" The soldier in front asked, his voice filled with fear.

  "I mean that we will not attack anyone who is willing to lay down their weapons. We're here only to oust the vile army that killed the king and imprisoned my friends. I have no interest in ruling the city or the land beyond."

  "No one will believe that," A deep voice shouted above the throng.

  Aibek glanced around, unsure where the voice had come from. "Show yourself, and I'll prove it to you."

  No one moved.

  Aibek locked gazes with the terrified soldier in front. "I mean it," he whispered. "Lay down your weapons. Go home. I'm not here to cause any more bloodshed."

  "Why would you attack with dragons if you wanted to make peace?" The deep voice echoed off the stone walls.

  "How else would we have breeched the walls? This city's defenses are legendary. I'm no fool. I'd have had zero chance of winning without the dragons."

  "Ah, now that's where you'
re wrong. You most certainly ARE a fool. Why else would you challenge me without even seeing what I can do?"

  "I've seen your army in action. I've seen them flee when we defeated them in Nivaka, and again when we kicked them out of the forest altogether. I've seen your men begging for their lives, and I've let them live to see another day, as long as they were willing to leave us in peace." Aibek raised his voice and shouted for all to hear, "I want no blood. I only want peace."

  "You don't think you're the only one with help from the ancient ones, do you? How do you think I know where the others are hiding?"

  Aibek frowned, struggling to keep up with the change in subject, but not wanting to give away his surprise.

  "What's the matter? Didn't they tell you about their brother? No, I don't suppose they would. They aren't exactly close."

  "Where are you?" Aibek shouted. "Show yourself. None of that matters. I just want to free the city."

  "I don't recall asking what you wanted. Nor do I care."

  Aibek drew his sword. "Show yourself. Face me like a man."

  "Do you take me for a fool? Send away your dragon and we'll face each other on equal footing."

  "I thought you said you had help, too." Aibek fought a smile.

  "I do, but not the same type that you have. Call off your dragon and you'll see what I can do."

  Aibek turned in a slow circle, searching for the source of the taunting voice. "I'm not sure I want to do that. Come out and talk to me."

  The silence stretched, punctuated by the clanging of metal as the soldiers shifted in their plate armor. In the distance, flashes of dragon fire illuminated the night.

  Finally, Aibek waved Gworsad away. A great gust of wind nearly blew the nearest soldiers over as the dragon took to the sky. Above, Tukanli circled. Marah had her bow trained on Aibek, and he knew she would protect him from any sneak attacks.

  "Ah, a wise decision at last."

  Aibek narrowed his eyes at the derision in the deep voice.

  The soldiers blocking the tower door parted and a man dressed in a crisp yellow uniform strode through. Aibek couldn't see his face in the dark.

  "You are?" Aibek asked, not raising his sword, but keeping a tight grip on its hilt.

  "I'm Helak, of course." The man swept low in a bow. "And you're the infamous Aibek. I've heard your name so much I despise the sound of it."

  "I'm afraid the feeling is mutual. Your men killed my parents, my uncle, and far too many of my friends. You've caused more death and destruction than any man should."

  The man laughed, the deep sound echoing between the low stone walls at the top of the city wall. "You think so? You want to know something funny? I didn't set out to kill anyone. That wasn't my plan. I certainly couldn't let a bunch of backward forest fools stop me from saving my family, though. Then you made it clear you weren't reasonable to work with me, so I had no choice but to summon you here so my men can finally take that blasted forest for me. I don't honestly care if they burn the whole thing to the ground. I only want the being you call The Bokinna."

  "Yes, I know all of this," Aibek said, laughing. "You think she's going to give you her seeds so you can reanimate your dead wife. But you've killed her friends and loved ones. Why would she ever help you?"

  "Oh, I don't need her to agree to anything. I just need to get to her without you and your fool friends getting in my way."

  "If you think I'm the one who's been stopping you, then you really are a fool."

  Helak growled and drew his sword, a long, jagged weapon with a curved blade unlike anything Aibek had seen before.

  “Very well, you’ve had your chance. Now you will die.” Helak brought his blade up and charged, moving faster than any man Aibek had ever seen.

  Fueled by the Bokinna’s tincture, Aibek stepped aside and dodged the attack.

  Rage filled Helak’s face, and for the first time, Aibek saw the scar running down the side of his enemy’s face.

  Overhead, Gworsad rumbled and used his firebreath to light the sky. Helak ducked his head and blinked at the unexpected brilliance, but Aibek pressed the attack, using his enemy’s hesitation to his advantage.

  Helak ducked left but wasn’t quite fast enough. Aibek’s blade pierced his leather armor and dug into the flesh of his sword arm.

  With a bellow of rage and pain, Helak shoved Aibek away and rushed in close for an attack. Aibek’s strength kept the shove from having much effect. He only took one step back. Helak overextended himself, apparently expecting Aibek to stumble further back, and Aibek swept his sword into the opening. His blade found flesh again, this time through the chest plate, though he didn’t have enough leverage to mortally wound his opponent.

  Helak clutched at the wound and stumbled back, crashing into a catapult fastened to the stone wall.

  Aibek rushed in, quick to take advantage before his enemy could regain his feet.

  “Where’s that kind and gentle ethos now,” Helak ground out over the clang of steel as their blades met.

  “I meant what I said. Any who throw down their weapons and stop fighting are free to go.” He drew back and gave the man time to stand. “Even you.”

  “Ha! You’ve caused me too much trouble to walk away now.” He took a few steps back toward his men.

  Helak raised both arms over his head and dropped them, as Aibek had seen people do at horse races outside the city.

  He shouted, “Hymossod!”

  Nothing happened.

  Helak turned back to the men watching from the ramparts. “What are you doing? I said, hymossod! Attack him!”

  They turned to each other and gave a confused shake of their heads, but none drew their blades.

  Helak turned back to Aibek. “What have you done?” His face bore an unhealthy purple hue when Gworsad lit the night once more.

  “I’ve done nothing to your men beyond offering them a chance to retreat without pursuit. Maybe they want the freedom instead of more of your lies.”

  Helak shook his head and repeated his command again. Still nothing happened. He raised his blade in one hand and drew a dagger in the other. “You’ll pay for this!”

  Aibek shrugged, unsure what he could have done to anger the enemy leader so much. In the back of his mind, he wondered if his parents had found a way to free the soldiers from the spirits who had previously possessed them. That would explain their confusion and Helak’s sudden lack of control.

  Before he could contemplate further, Helak was on him with a furious barrage. Aibek parried and blocked the initial attack and waited for his enemy to wear himself out, as his uncle had taught him early in his training. He backed along the corridor, allowing Helak to think he had the upper hand for a short time. When the thrusts and swings finally slowed, Aibek leaped up onto the short wall and ran along it, attempting to get behind his opponent.

  Helak recovered before he’d completed the maneuver and thrust his sword past Aibek’s side. Aibek jumped back to avoid the blade, but his feet found no purchase and he plummeted through the black night. He cursed, scrambling to catch hold of the slick marble wall.

  Panic clutched at his throat. There was nothing to hold on to. He landed hard on something rough and familiar, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. As soon as he could breathe again, he worked to figure out what had happened. Leathery wings stretched out and drove them higher, and he grinned and patted the dragon’s back.

  “Thanks!” His voice carried far enough for Gworsad to hear. The dragon peered back at him with a shining orange eye and rumbled deep in his chest.

  Then the moment was over and Gworsad lifted him back up over the wall.

  Helak’s face went from elated to horrified in an instant when Aibek leapt up onto the turret.

  “Did ya miss me?” Aibek asked, grinning. “He raised his blade and prepared for another onslaught.

  “You can’t win,” Helak growled. “You might as well give in now.”

  “And why would I do that? You’ve yet to show me any sp
ectacular ability.” Aibek blocked Helak’s swing and stepped in close. “In fact, I do believe I have you outmatched.”

  He stepped back and waited for Helak to attack again. This time, his enemy left an opening, and Aibek took it. The tip of his sword pressed through Helak’s leather armor and deep into his chest.

  Helak clutched at the blade, his eyes wide. Aibek pulled his sword free, allowing Helak to stumble backward toward his men. Instead of helping their commander, however, the men stepped back and watched as he struggled to draw his last breath on the cold marble wall.

  When he finally fell silent and still, the men on both sides let out a cheer that shook the very ground beneath them.

  * * *

  His assistants left him as suddenly as they’d appeared, and Eddrick opened his eyes, eager for a glimpse of the battle below. It didn’t look like the citizens had much of a chance against the dragons. Aibek’s army had already breached the gates and were flooding into the city. Eddrick had no idea how much time had passed. Without the moons to mark the passing of time, the battle seemed an endless struggle.

  “Hymossod!” The foreign word echoed through the night, igniting a new level of furor among the spirits the ancients had forced out of the city.

  Eddrick struggled to hold his part of the energy field together. Fatigue stole some of his resolve, but he pictured his son fighting for his life and squared his shoulders. The battle below had reached a fever pitch, with two men fighting on the wall. One of them had to be Aibek. He knew it as surely as he knew his own name, though he couldn’t see exactly what was happening.

  Without warning, one of the fighters below stepped up onto the narrow wall protecting the ramparts. Moments later, the man mis-stepped and tumbled from the wall. Eddrick strained to see; he had to see if his son was safe. Who had fallen? A dragon had him now.

  Pain shot through Eddrick’s back.

  “Ha! I’ve got you now!” The father had returned and had a weapon in his hand. He rammed it again into Eddrick’s back, and the pain exploded into a white-hot light.