Dragon Magic: Lyric's Curse 2 (Dragonblood Sagas Book 4)

by Robyn Wideman

  “Kemoth told me something was happening with Sibylle?” said Celine as she approached.

  “She’s been kidnapped. Kemoth and I are going to go search for her. Marsden and the men are going to Redfall to meet up with Sir Chestmire and some new recruits. Do you want to travel with them or stay here?”

  “I will stay here. They don’t have extra horses, and if they are riding fast they don’t need to be carrying my weight.”

  Lyric nodded. Celine’s logic was correct. She would slow them down, and he knew she was more than capable of being alone by herself. “Right then. Marsden, when you get to Redfall meet up with the new recruits. You are now captain of my Daxrah. I know there is no time, but prepare for battle as best you can.” Of the four men, Marsden wasn’t the most experienced fighter, the Hayes brothers had far more experience, but Marsden was a natural leader and the others followed his example. Lyric knew there would be no dissent on the decision.

  “We will be prepared,” said Marsden. He then turned to the others. “Carvel, traveling rations for two days. Tripp, start gathering the horses. Jarvis, put on your armor and then finish readying the animals.”

  As the men scattered to their tasks, Celine gave Lyric a hug. “How are you?”

  “Worried,” said Lyric. “They captured her so they could get to me.”

  “Then they are fools,” said Celine. “They should know by now not to harm someone you love. Go make them pay for their foolishness. Get Sibylle home safe.”

  Lyric nodded. “You be careful, yourself. I hear there are trolls in these mountains.”

  Celine kissed him. “Ha, very funny. I will keep the gates closed. And I could use a few days to myself. I have some magic practice to do before Aunt Azina arrives. She will be cross if I haven’t gotten back into the habit by the time she arrives.”

  Lyric looked at Celine. “Back in the habit?”

  “A long story. I haven’t shared everything with you yet. I’ll tell you about it when you are back.”

  Lyric was curious, but his immediate concern was finding Sibylle. “Just be safe. Don’t blow the place up while I am gone.”

  Celine laughed. “Not that kind of magic, my dear. Now go. Find Sibylle.”

  Where are we searching? mindlinked Kemoth.

  Around the western pass. I need you to look for men watching the pass. And for a large party of warriors. Don’t go anywhere near them. They are dragon hunters.

  I will be careful.

  Lyric nodded. I know you will. I only need you to help find them. I will free Sibylle and deal with the dragon hunters.”

  Kemoth disappeared.

  Unlike the morning trip to Redfall where he took several small shifts to get there, this time Lyric shifted to a spot high above Middale. From there he spotted the northern road that branched off the main western road. That was where Jamison’s relative had property. Normally, he would’ve been worried about being spotted, but when he left Redfall estates he’d seen how cloudy it was over Middale. High in the clouds, Lyric could still see where he wanted to shift to, but would be almost invisible to anyone in the village.

  Once he found the road, he shifted into the clouds above it. While the trail to the house of Jamison’s relatives was hidden from the road, it was easy to spot from the clouds. Lyric then shifted to a spot near the top of a tall tree, only a few hundred yards from the buildings.

  From the tree, Lyric had a good vantage point where he could see the front door to the cabin, and the barn. The third building was not visible from his position, but it was small, far too small to hold many men.

  You see anything yet? Lyric mindlinked Kemoth.

  Yes. There is a man lurking in the woods along the road to the mountain pass, and another in the pass. I will keep looking for more.

  Lyric nodded to himself as he studied the cabin for signs of life. They had a huge advantage over Sibylle’s captures. They had no idea of Kemoth’s and his magical abilities. The ability to shift let them travel great distances in a fraction of the time of even a normal dragon, which was far faster than any human could move on the ground. Being able to shift meant they could cover all the territory west of Middale far faster than anyone imagined. Also, the fact that Lord Lamar had allies in the capital relaying vital information about Talon Horne and his dragon hunters gave them knowledge that allowed the search to be narrowed even further. Sir Chestmire, Sir Robert and Lord Lamar had already pieced together a strong search plan before Lyric had even mentioned focusing the search on the dragon hunters.

  Watching the cabin of Jamison’s relatives gave Lyric a weird feeling in his stomach. He didn’t want Jamison to be involved. Even though they had fought before, Lyric didn’t wish him any harm, and he hated the idea that someone who shared the same friends with Celine and Sibylle would be the one who helped get her kidnapped. But there was also a part of him that knew it was a possibility. When he’d seen the list, Jamison’s name popped out at him like a sore thumb. It didn’t mean anyone else on the list could hate him or have reason to sell out Sibylle, but the hatred Jamison had shown before made him the most likely person to do something to get back at him.

  The door to the cabin opened, and a man holding a plate walked outside and towards the storage building. The abandoned cabin wasn’t empty after all. Lyric knew there were other possible answers for the cabin being occupied. Hunters borrowing it, squatters, outlaws, or distant relatives moving in, but why take a plate of food outside? Who in the storage building needed food?

  When the man went back to the cabin, Lyric shifted down to the ground. With great caution to avoid being spotted, he made his way around the cabin towards the storage building. He spotted a man standing in the shadows of the shed. Whatever was in the shed was being guarded! The evidence was impossible to ignore, this was likely where Sibylle was being held.

  Kemoth, come to me, but stay in the clouds, mindlinked Lyric.

  It wasn’t long before Kemoth replied. I’m above you now.

  Can you stay up there and watch this shed? I think Sibylle is in it.

  Yes. Do you want me to keep an eye on the men watching it as well?

  How many can you see?

  There are three men outside right now. One by the shed, and two in the woods on the opposite side. One is hiding in the trees, the other is moving around. He’ll be near you in a few minutes.

  Yes, keep an eye out on them. If you see Sibylle, let me know. I’ll be back. Three men guarding the shed. There was no doubt in Lyric’s mind that Sibylle was in the shed, and that the cabin, and likely the barn, were full of dragon hunters just waiting for the signal to attack. Getting Sibylle out was going to be tricky.

  Lyric shifted back to the court yard at Redfall estates. It was late afternoon, and he expected that Allan would be back from visiting Azina and going over the search information while waiting to hear from him. Lyric knocked on the courtyard door and the same servant immediately opened the door.

  “Sir Chestmire is waiting for you,” said the servant.

  Lyric headed to the study. At the table sat Sir Chestmire.

  Allan looked up. “I hope you’ve had better luck than we have. We’ve crossed off half of the list and haven’t learned a thing.”

  “You can throw your list out,” said Lyric.

  Allan’s eyes widened. “Jamison.”

  Lyric nodded. “His family’s abandoned cabin has multiple men guarding a storage shed. There are also men watching the road and the pass.”

  Allan rapped his knuckles against the table. “That must be them. So how do you want to proceed?”

  “I will try to sneak her out tonight, under the cover of darkness.”

  “And what about the men holding her?”

  “My men from Fallstorm should arrive here before nightfall, or shortly after. How many men do you have here now?”

  “Between myself and Lord Lamar, a dozen good fighting men. The rest are scattered, searching for Sibylle or protecting the villages close to the southern border
s. Lord Lamar can’t trust the king or the southern lords not to try to take them if he leaves them unmanned. Most of my men are still in the valley. Corca cats have been stalking the new village. But your three new recruits will be here any minute with Azina and Valeria. They look like they could take on a small army themselves.”

  It wasn’t enough men, but waiting any longer to gather more men would allow the kidnappers to flee and regroup. They would have to attack with just the Daxrah and the men of Lord Lamar and Sir Chestmire. “Head out two hours before dawn. Take my men and yours and head for the cabin, you should be there by sunrise. I’ll take care of the man watching the road.

  “Anything else?”

  “Raid Lord Lamar’s store room. Make sure every one of my Daxrah have a bow and a quiver or arrows. Same for your men. If they are dragon hunters they are going to be heavily armed. Which gives them an advantage on the open field, but the cabin area is heavily treed.”

  “Turn their trap against them,” and you said you didn’t have a head for strategy.

  Lyric laughed. “I don’t, but I have a good memory. The highborn youth that almost killed me took military strategy classes. I watched them all the time. There was always one class a week that dealt with scenarios like this. Apparently kidnapping highborn is a lucrative business in parts of the world.”

  Allan smiled. “I went to a school just like that. But I only lasted a year before I was expelled. The place was full of snotty, self-indulgent prats. My father had to bring in tutors after I was expelled.”

  “What did you get expelled for?” asked Lyric.

  “Beating up bullies.”

  “I knew we were friends for a good reason,” said Lyric.

  Allan chuckled for a moment then grew serious again. “What else do you need?”

  “Food,” said Lyric. “Shifting this much drains me. I need to eat otherwise I’ll be useless tomorrow morning.”

  “Can’t have that. Let’s go to the kitchen and see what we can find you.” Allan rose and led Lyric to find some food. They ran into Izzy when they entered the kitchen.

  “Lyric, I didn’t know you were here,” said Izzy as she gave Lyric a big hug. “Allan told me that you and Kemoth were searching for Sibylle. Have you found anything?”

  “I think so,” said Lyric.

  “Really? Where is she? Is she alright? When are you going to rescue her?”

  “Izzy, one question at a time,” said Allan. “Give the lad a chance to answer.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Lyric, I’m just so worried about Sibylle.”

  “It is okay, Izzy. We all are. I haven’t seen her, but I think I know where she is. I’m going back to rescue her as soon as I get some food. Magic drains me.”

  “Then food we will get you.” Izzy started rummaging through the kitchen. “Sit I will get it. You will need something for the road, and who knows if they’ve been feeding poor Sibylle. I will add extra.” Izzy handed Lyric a sandwich. “Eat,” she instructed.

  Lyric looked at Allan who only smiled. Lyric had never seen Izzy so flustered or protective. She was obviously very worried about Sibylle. “Thank you, Izzy. Don’t you worry. I will bring Sibylle back.”

  “Of course you will, you are dragonblood and she is your friend. I know you will save her. It isn’t her that I am worrying about right now.”

  “It isn’t?” said Lyric and Allan at the same time.

  “No. I’ve seen the look on the faces of men going off to battle before. You both are going after her. Lyric is a dragonblood, dragons will protect him. But what of you Allan. Who is going to protect you? I can’t lose Sibylle and you?”

  Lyric watched Allan blush. So, Izzy was worried about Allan. Lyric knew Allan was courting Izzy, any fool could see he was smitten with Izzy. Suddenly Lyric felt like an intruder on a private moment. “I will be going now. Thank you for the food, Izzy. Allan, I will see you at dawn.”

  Instead of walking out of the room, Lyric shifted. The faster he was gone the less uncomfortable he would be.

  “Seven Hells,” swore Izzy. “Where did he go?”

  “Dragon magic,” said Allan. “Now what’s this about you being worried about me?”

  47

  Lyric shifted back to the woods surrounding the cabin. It was a strange feeling. Short shifts, ones where he could see where he wanted to go, were instantaneous, but these longer ones, where he had to visualize where he wanted to go, took longer. And during especially long ones, he felt cold, like his body went somewhere else before appearing where he wanted, and while only seconds passed for him, he knew that more time passed than that by the sun. The day was gone but in some ways if felt like only half that. He was sure it was the effect of the long shifts. It was something to consider for the future. He couldn’t rely on being able to shift in a specific amount of time, at least not yet.

  She hasn’t been moved,

  Good. Anything else happen while I was gone?

  The three men watching the shed are now inside the cabin. Three different men are now outside. And a man went from the cabin to the barns carrying arms full of food. He came back emptyhanded.

  Lyric smiled. Kemoth was an excellent spy. He observed everything.

  Isn’t that what you wanted me to do?

  You did perfect, Kemoth.

  Now Lyric needed to figure out a plan to rescue Sibylle. He needed to get her safely away from the area before the fighting started, and without causing a commotion.

  The other men come at dawn?

  Yes. We will attack them at dawn.

  We aren’t that far from the other dragons. I could fly there and get Leomaris.

  Not Rythin? Asked Lyric.

  Rythin is older, but Leomaris is a gold, harder to kill. He wouldn’t care if there is danger.

  Lyric thought about it. If Leomaris took Sibylle right before the attack he could fly her to Redfall and it would free up another man from having to escort Sibylle to safety. It was a better plan than anything he’d come up with. Aren’t you tired? You’ve been flying a lot today.

  I can make it. I’ve had long days of flying before.

  Lyric smiled. He could tell Kemoth wasn’t impressed that he was questioning his endurance. In that case. Yes, please go get Leomaris. That is an excellent plan.

  Kemoth disappeared.

  Lyric almost slapped himself on the forehead. No wonder Kemoth wasn’t worried about flying to Leomaris. He shifted there. Now Lyric must get the rest of the plan organized. He didn’t want Sibylle there when the fighting started, the chance of a stray arrow hitting her wasn’t worth it. Timing was the important thing here. Get Sibylle out safely, then turn the dragon hunters trap against them. He still didn’t know for sure that is was Talon Horne and his dragon hunters that had taken Sibylle, but his instincts told him it was. At dawn, he would find out.

  Dragon hunters serving the king, or the Sacred Blood, it made no odds, whoever was hiding in the cabin and barn was waiting for him to arrive. That meant they were planning to kill Kemoth as well. From Azina, Lyric knew that the Sacred Blood were weapons traders and manufacturers. The men would be heavily armed likely with spears and archers. Such armor was expensive and very hard armor that could withstand a dragon. Sir Chestmires men, and his own would be at a severe disadvantage when it came to armorer and weapons. But in the woods, with the element of surprise and chaos, they had a chance.

  Lyric waited there in the woods for hours, the guards rotated once more in the middle of the night, but other than that there was no movement. When Kemoth returned, he gave a sigh of relief.

  We are here, mindlinked Kemoth.

  Where is the guard watching the road? I need to get to him.

  Kemoth shifted down to where Lyric was standing. Hold me, I will shift you to where he is.

  Lyric touched Kemoth and together they shifted to the sky above the road.

  There mindlinked Kemoth. The large elm tree.

  Lyric spotted the tree and shifted to it. Landing behind the man who was sitt
ing against it watching the road. Lyric slammed the man’s head against the tree, knocking him out. “Sorry, friend, but can’t take the chance of you alerting them.”

  We got here just in time. I can see the men coming up the western road now, mindlinked Kemoth.

  Too close, I should’ve thought of this before I sent you to get Leomaris. They couldn’t afford mistakes, not when Sibylle’s life was in the hands of others. Lyric shifted back to the woods around the cabin. He settled back into waiting and watching.

  Kemoth, go meet Sir Chestmire and tell him where I am. Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere that can be seen by the men watching the shed.

  Lyric waited for Allan to arrive. It would be dawn soon and it was almost the perfect time to attack. The men who stayed up during the night would be tired, and the rest wouldn’t be quite awake yet.

  “I have to say, being met by a dragon on the road was somewhat alarming,” said Allan as he slipped up beside Lyric. “I believe a few of the men may have soiled their pants.”

  Lyric smiled. He had no doubt more than a few men would’ve been scared. “I was thinking we keep our men in the woods over here. I will get Sibylle out, and when I do the dragon hunters, or Sacred Blood, or whoever the heck they are will come pouring out of the cabin and the barn. The will be looking towards the shed.”

  Allan rubbed his chin. “They will have their backs to us. And the trees offer us excellent cover. It will work.”

  “As long as they stay in the open. Once they come into the trees it will be a different story,” said Lyric.

  “They won’t run into the woods. That isn’t how soldiers are trained. They will stay in formation. If they have shields they will form a shield wall and fire back. Once that happens we lose our advantage of surprise, but we will still have excellent cover. Eventually they will march forward, but it won’t happen right away. Not unless they have an exceptional commander that knows when to break from traditional training.”

  Lyric nodded. Now he just needed to get Sibylle out.

  Jarvis and Tripp Hayes then stepped up to Lyric and Allan. They knelt beside them and studied the cabin and barns.