House of Blood and Bone

by Kimberley J. Ward

  They burst out onto the street as beams and parts of the inn’s upper floors collapsed behind them, screeching and thundering in protest at their destruction. The heat was unimaginable. Unbearable.

  Nessa swiped her cheeks and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear them of tears and ash. She only managed to smear the black concoction more. Her vision was cloudy, blurred. Soot scratched against her eyelids as she forced her eyes to focus.

  Anarchy. That was what Nessa saw.

  Arncraft was in ruins, the marketplace destroyed, booths and stalls standing no chance against Dragon Fire. Buildings fared no better. Almost every one of them was ablaze. Flames devoured roofs and upper floors, quickly spreading, creating a crown of angry crimson claws that reached high into the sky. The air was thin, the fire hungry for it, consuming it greedily. Embers and ash rained down, gentle and soft, a cruel imitation of snow.

  People were everywhere, running and screaming, standing and gawking, not knowing what to do or where to go. Some were gathered in groups here and there, pointing and shouting, armed with buckets of water. Nessa thought that it was a futile and pointless venture, dangerous too, for them to even attempt to save their homes. Then she caught sight of movement from within a building, and she realised that they were trying to aid those trapped.

  With his hand still firmly clasped around Nessa’s wrist, Hunter hurried away from The Blackened Cauldron, his eyes sweeping over the faces of the bodies on the ground. Nessa gagged as the stench of burnt flesh reached her, as she caught sight of charred limbs. She kept her gaze locked onto Hunter’s back, unable to bear seeing any more horrors. Hunter was taking them down the street they’d come up earlier, retracing their steps in the hope of being able to escape quickly.

  “Keep your eyes open for Orm,” Hunter shouted over the wails of the injured and the dying, over the keening of those who were witnessing their entire world going up in flames.

  He’s about a hundred yards ahead of you, Aoife informed them. He says he’s standing next to what used to be a bakery.

  “Thanks, Aoife,” Hunter murmured, picking up speed. “Having a dragon locate your missing friend is remarkably helpful.”

  Glad my efforts are appreciated, Aoife remarked dryly.

  Wagons and tables littered the street, overturned and in disarray having been shoved aside by people fleeing. It was carnage and made for a slow and tedious passage. The people around them, panicked and many of them wounded, didn’t help matters, pushing and shoving past or standing in the way, shell-shocked and unable to move.

  A chorus of screams came from a short distance away, high pitched and filled with terror. Nessa looked over, but something rolled underfoot and she tripped, falling to the ground. Hunter’s grip was broken and he stumbled forwards, catching himself against a fallen beam.

  Nessa landed on something oddly soft.

  Arms trembling, she managed to push herself up onto her hands and knees, only for her gaze to meet that of another.

  She was staring into eyes that were large and angled, like those of a cat, slitted pupil and all. They were eyes that had once been full of secrets and knowledge. They were the eyes of an Old Blood. A dead Old Blood. Gone was the spark of life, replaced by glazed surprise.

  A scream rose in Nessa’s throat as she flung herself backwards, away from Eliza’s body.

  The body she had fallen atop.

  Nessa’s back hit a wooden cart that was overturned, resting on its side, one wheel still spinning slowly, flames licking the spokes. She huddled against it, unable to tear her gaze away from Eliza, from the blackened mess that used to be her torso.

  Hunter turned, about to dash towards her, when the screams of a crowd reached a fevered pitch. People came spilling out from an adjoining road in a frenzy, a mad rush, cutting across his path. Hunter reeled back, trying to avoid being trampled in the stampede. Nessa cringed beside the cart, pulling her knees up to her chest.

  Beware! Aoife cried. The beast is heading for you.

  There was no time to run.

  There was no time to hide.

  A shadow detached itself from the sky, hurtling towards them at a startling speed. The stampede suddenly made sense to Nessa: they were fleeing the dragon. In a suspended moment, her and Hunter’s eyes met through the crowd. They knew there was nothing they could do. They were utterly and completely helpless.

  Hunter mouthed two words. Take cover.

  Nessa lost sight of him.

  The dragon swooped low overhead, uncaring about the flames that caressed its black scales, or the tempest of cinders and smoke that were stirred up by its passing. Nessa was bewitched, unable to look away even as the dragon opened its jaws, fire glowing red at the back of its throat.

  It was a monster, but a beautiful one. Nessa couldn’t deny it.

  At least five times the size of Aoife, the dragon was huge, its muscles strong and defined, pearlescent spikes running down the length of its spine as sharp as swords. Its scales gleamed in the firelight, black but glinting with flecks of reds and greens, and its venomous eyes shone brightly with terrible glee as it beheld the destruction it had created. Upon its back, sat in an unusual saddle, was a man.

  Although dwarfed by the beast he rode, he was somehow as equally intimidating.

  Dressed in black armour with red inlay, the man was a likeness of his dragon, a villainous pair. His head was concealed by a decorative helm, leaving only his eyes and mouth visible. Despite this and the distance between them, Nessa somehow knew that he was smiling, laughing.

  Whilst they were a fear-inducing sight, their appearances weren’t the most terrifying thing about them. It was the power that came off them in waves, a dark and intoxicating magic which drifted through the air, thick and syrupy, heavy and oppressive. It brushed against Nessa, wrapping around her for a heart-stopping moment before slithering elsewhere.

  She sagged against the wooden cart, feeling sick and dizzy, choking back sobs.

  The magic…there was something about it…something not quite right…

  Fire burst forth from the dragon’s mouth, so hot it burned a blinding white. The force of it sent shockwaves through the air, sending lighter objects flying and knocking Nessa over. She curled into a ball with her arms wrapped around her head, waiting for it to end, for it all to stop. The heat from the Dragon Fire was staggering, overwhelming. Even though the overturned cart and her clothing sheltered her from the worst of it, it was scalding.

  Nessa could sense that Aoife was poised to take off, ready to come to Nessa’s aid. Aoife was watching through Nessa’s eyes, their minds melding together as if they were one soul.

  If you come here, Nessa murmured, struggling to breathe, ash and burning air catching in her throat. Then they will see you. They will kill you.

  Aoife didn’t respond, but Nessa could feel Aoife’s bleak agreement.

  I’m not hurt, Nessa continued. Petrified, yes, but not hurt. The best thing you can do right now is to stay where you are and keep an eye on Hunter and Orm. You can help us get out of this mess from where you are.

  I’m already doing that, Aoife said tensely, painfully alert. Orm’s nearly outside the town and Hunter’s on the other side of those flames. Only the gods know where Chaos is.

  Tell Hunter to get out of here!

  I have. Multiple times. He won’t listen. Although I’ve told him that you are unsinged, the idiot is still scared for you.

  Aoife’s alarm spiked as, with a shrug of its wings, the dragon changed direction. Watch out! He’s going to land behind you.

  Nessa twisted and crawled to the side of the cart, keeping close to the ground, trying to stay clear of the torrent of Dragon Fire. She watched, trembling, as the black dragon dropped down, forelegs outreached. It landed on the roof of a tall building that was faring better than those around it, and snapped its jaws closed, bringing an end to the violent stream of flames. Tiles were knocked free as the dragon’s claws grappled for purchase, and its wings buffeted the air for balance, fannin
g the flames, encouraging them to burn brighter and stronger.

  The dragon was facing away from Nessa, both it and its Rider’s attention focused on something in front of them. Nessa saw it as her chance to run, to get to Hunter without being noticed.

  She’d need to be quick about it. She knew that. Quick and silent. Otherwise, her spirit would be joining Eliza’s, wherever it had gone.

  Careful, Aoife whispered.

  Nessa peered down the street, trying to plan a route through the burning wreckage of the market. Thanks to the latest dose of Dragon Fire, everything was alight. Everything. Tables, wagons, buildings, people, even the damn cobblestones.

  This is going to be difficult.

  You’ll have to go a different way, Aoife told her, and circle around.

  And what about Hunter? Nessa asked, trying to catch sight of him amongst the growing destruction. There was a handful of survivors, a few who had managed to take cover in time. Is he alright? Where is he? I can’t see him.

  He’s safe, Aoife said soothingly. He’s alright, but he’s been forced to go further down the street. The buildings around him were starting to fall. Their roofs are collapsing. He didn’t want to be squished.

  Can you persuade him to get out of the town and find Orm? I can’t concentrate when I’m worried about them.

  Oh, give me a second, Aoife sighed. I’m having three separate conversations at once. It’s hard work keeping track of what everyone is saying.

  Aoife’s mind drifted away from Nessa’s as she endeavoured to persuade Hunter to get to safety. Nessa kept an eye on the monstrous dragon as she tried to figure out which direction she should go in. In all honesty, her options were rather limited, and none of them were particularly promising.

  The black dragon prowled over rooftops, only a street or two away from Nessa. The distance was rendered almost meaningless given the dragon’s size. As buildings gave way under its weight, timber and bricks snapping and crunching, the dragon stretched out its wings further, keeping itself steady. The right wing, although only partially extended, still reached over Nessa, a living canopy that blotted out the sky and trapped smoke and heat beneath it. With fires raging all around her, the heat was already stifling, but as soon as the dragon’s wing came over the street, it became horrendous. The air wavered and shimmered before her eyes, scorching her throat and lungs with each laboured breath. Sweat beaded on her forehead, only to instantly evaporate.

  I’ve managed to bully Hunter to go after Orm, Aoife told Nessa, but he says that if you’re not out of the town in ten minutes, then he’s coming back for you.

  If her eyes hadn’t been so dry, Nessa would have rolled them. So I have ten minutes to get out of here before he does something stupid?

  Pretty much. I suggest you get a move on.

  Which way do you think I should go? Nessa looked around in despair, allowing Aoife to survey the street through her eyes.

  Over there, Aoife advised, to your right.

  Are you sure? That would take me awfully close to the dragon.

  I think he’s moving towards the square or something. Maybe a park? I’ve seen him head in that direction a few times. It’s like he’s herding any survivors that way.

  Why would he do that?

  I don’t know, my little Rider. I cannot fathom why any dragon would want to cause such harm and destruction, even if their Rider wanted to. Sorrow and anger seeped through the bond. Now go! Before they take off for another loop of the town.

  I’m going. I’m going.

  Remember, you don’t have much time before Hunter tries to be a hero.

  You don’t have to remind me of that.

  No, but I warn you, he will be accompanied by me.

  Well, when you put it like that, I had better hurry.

  Indeed. Aoife’s mind withdrew to the very edge of Nessa’s mind with a whispered, Be careful.

  Without the distraction of worrying about Hunter and Orm, and with Aoife keeping her distance, silently watching and waiting, Nessa tried to calm the swarm of butterflies in her stomach. Slowly, carefully, she crept out from behind the cart.

  With the dragon so close, its wing only twenty or so feet above her head, Nessa couldn’t help but feel all too exposed. It didn’t help that the street was now suddenly deserted. Nessa was the only person there; she couldn’t see another living soul nearby. The stampede that had filled the street only a few minutes ago was gone. They had either ran for cover or had succumbed to the Dragon Fire. More than a few had been caught by falling wreckage.

  As quietly and as timidly as a mouse, Nessa tiptoed forwards, never taking her eyes from the black dragon for more than an instant, fearful that it would turn around at any second. Thankfully, as Nessa wormed her way around flaming wagons and tables, their former wares scattered across the ground, the dragon slowly prowled away, skulking across the rooftops, its gaze fixed elsewhere.

  As Nessa turned a corner, entering a narrow alleyway, she was momentarily freed from the oppressive shadow of the dragon’s wing. With only small piles of smouldering timber and tiles, the path was mostly clear. Nessa paused quickly and glanced up, making sure that nothing was hanging loosely overhead. It would be rather bad luck if she was killed by a falling bit of debris, especially after managing to escape from a burning building and having narrowly missed being roasted alive by Dragon Fire.

  Her eyes ran over looming buildings, finding that the jettied floors, which had appeared quaint upon arrival, had now turned sinister. They reached towards each other, unstable and broken, holes rapidly forming even as she watched, ash and embers gently raining down. Fire was steadily devouring them. Soon it would be impossible to tell that they had once been people’s homes and businesses.

  Despite the hazard of falling rubble, the alley was still the quickest and, ironically, the safest route. Wasting no more time, Nessa dashed down it, hopping over the growing mounds of smouldering rubble.

  The alley opened onto a street much like the one she’d just come from, wide and filled with burning debris. Most of it appeared to have come from the buildings, many of which were slowly falling down, their roofs caving in and their walls crumbling. Having a dragon clamber over them was only speeding up their ruin.

  The dragon wasn’t far away. It had only stepped over a couple of rows of houses and was stood to Nessa’s right, tail whipping overhead, twitching and jerking from side to side like that of an angry cat.

  Nessa watched the beast for a second, trying to gauge if it was likely to change course, and then darted to the other side of the road. She would be less visible there should the dragon and its Rider glance in her direction. Nessa prayed that they wouldn’t. She kept as close to the buildings as she could, but flames climbed out of empty doorways and windows, keeping her at arm’s length, spitting and hissing, reaching out hungrily as she made her way closer to a junction, a fork in the road where it split into two. The left road, Nessa presumed, would link back to the town’s main street. And hopefully back to Hunter, Orm and her beloved, non-murderous dragon, whose watchful presence hovered at the edge of Nessa’s mind.

  Excited at the prospect of nearly being free from Arncraft, Nessa hastened towards the split in the road.

  The air above her stirred and whistled. Nessa barely had time to flinch before the dragon’s tail smashed into a nearby building, the spiked tip catching against the unstable remains of a chimney stack.

  Wooden beams splintered and snapped, and masonry was sent flying. The building, already weakened by the ravaging fires, began collapsing, each floor falling down onto the one below it, the walls folding in on themselves.

  The building tumbled down like a house of cards.

  Nessa flung herself forwards, landing jarringly on the ground, narrowly avoiding being struck by some of the larger pieces that were launched like cannonballs. A cloud of smoke, dust and smaller pebble-sized lumps of brick engulfed her.

  Arms wrapped protectively around her head, shielding it from the worst of the fal
ling debris, Nessa waited for the pieces to settle, for the cloud to dissipate. It wasn’t doing so in a hurry.

  The heat was sweltering, and the soot made it near on impossible to breathe. Nessa clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to smother the coughs that tickled and caught in the back of her throat. The dragon was still too close for comfort. Nessa could hear the whistle of air as its tail jerked from side to side. She could feel the ground quiver with each of its steps, crushing roofs and walls alike. It was as if the dragon didn’t even notice them.

  Nessa wasn’t sure if the dragon would be able to hear her cough over the noise of its passage and the roaring fires, but she wasn’t going to risk it. Not when she heard the growls growing in its chest, deep, low and hair-raising.

  What’s happening? Aoife demanded.

  I was almost squished by a collapsing building.

  But you’re unsquished, right?

  My heart is beating so fast that I think it’s about to burst, and I’m pretty sure I have a whole, new collection of scrapes to add to the ones I already have. But yes, I am unsquished.

  Surely, you’re just one big walking wound by now?

  Ha, it certainly feels like that.

  Hmm.

  Aoife was about to say more but was interrupted by a mighty thud that made the earth rumble and shake.

  There was a pause.

  Thud.

  Another pause…

  Thud…

  Slowly, hesitantly, Nessa uncurled from her protective ball and pushed herself up onto her knees, wide eyes sweeping over the buildings. Well, what remained of them.

  Aoife, where’s the dragon? I can’t see the dragon.

  Nessa twisted around, searching for the slightest glimpse of a wing or tail. The buildings and far-reaching fires made the task impossible.

  I don’t know, Aoife said. He must be in a larger street, walking behind some of the taller buildings.

  Have we seriously lost sight of a giant bloody dragon?

  Nessa could sense Aoife’s displeasure as she mumbled, It would seem so.

  Clambering to her feet, Nessa peered at the walls of fire around her, at the dust from the building’s collapse that had yet to settle, spinning in a circle.