by T R Kerby
A faint glow emanated from the tunnel ahead. Tegedir stopped on the threshold of an immense room. Sunlight fell in a thin shaft from a hole in the ceiling.
The perfect ray of sunshine fell across an impossible ransom - a single dragon egg.
The shaft of light shifted with the sun and the egg slid into shadow. Tegedir raised his torch and took in the rest of the dim cavern. An array of huge bones, white with age, coiled around the nest and ended in a skull Tegedir could have slept inside. Sword-length spiked teeth linked together into an ivory fence in the mandible. Great hollows marked where the eyes had been.
Caeth released a low whistle and stayed behind Tegedir.
Tegedir approached the skeleton. The vertebrae rose above his head, a row of pointed spines reaching toward the ceiling. He laid his palm on the massive skull and closed his eyes. Nothing came to him except the silence of the cave. What had she been like in life? Majestic. Fierce. Protective until the end. If she had lived, could he have taken her egg? Would he? Knowing the pain of someone taking his own children, he wasn't sure he could. But she was gone and her egg wasn't. He bowed to the great beast who once lived and thanked her for what she left behind.
He stepped over the tip of her bony tail and hesitated at the lip of the nest. The egg lay in a concave bed of compacted sand and discarded scales. Steam rose from cracks in the rock and condensed on the stone walls. He inched closer. He'd never seen anything like it but someone had. It matched the drawings Murdoc included with her book. Black scales tinged in blue covered the oblong egg. A thin dusting of ash coated it with grey.
He knelt and nudged it into his cupped hand. He lifted it from its bed with tender care. It was light. Too light. The ash slid off in a rain of silver dust, but it didn't stop there. The egg crumpled in on itself, then disintegrated in a fall of black and red scales.
"No!" Tegedir willed it to somehow be made whole again, this thing that could save his children. The remains slid through his fingers into tiny mounds of fine sand and useless scales, taking his hope with it.
It couldn't be happening. To have come all this way for nothing. Risked the lives of his people. Left his children with their captor. For what? A fool's quest. How could he be this stupid? He slammed his fist into the scale dust and flung it away in a cloud. Shimmering particles drifted down as his rage echoed from the damp stone walls.
Chapter 22
Randir soaked in the sun on the east side of their rock shelter. The plumes of his breath matched the steam vents surrounding them. His gaze raked the trees below. Nothing moved except snow dropping from branches. They should be together inside that cursed mountain. Waiting here, helpless and useless, drove him crazy. Where was Tegedir? He'd been gone one night, yet it seemed an eternity.
He stood, keeping the bulk of rock between himself and the forest. Fields of granite slide stretched away, filled with ankle breaking crevices and holes big enough to swallow a man. Nothing moved there either.
A sharp twang cracked the silence and he reacted without thought, throwing himself backward among the rocks. The arrow, fired at too great an angle, skipped across his breastplate and punched through the chain mail on his left bicep. He slithered across the rocks and dived into the shelter, landing on Aric who jerked awake and grabbed for his dagger.
"We're under attack." Randir gritted his teeth and plucked the arrow from his flesh. He tossed it aside and strung his bow.
Aric was on his feet and scanning through the hole. "Where?"
"From the right."
"How'd they get so close?" Trinn nocked an arrow.
"No idea."
A volley of arrows clattered against the rocks. Aric gathered several and stuck them in his quiver. "Look! They're sending us gifts."
Randir glanced between the rocks. A man in dark armor ascended a boulder below. He stayed beyond arrow range. "That was a request," he called. "We can drive you out, but decided to ask nicely first."
Trinn raised an eyebrow. "That was nice?"
"You trespass on Ilok lands," the man continued.
"Just passing through," Aric replied. "Be on our way by morning."
"No one passes through without consent."
"Can we have your permission then?" Aric shrugged when Randir glared at him. "Never hurts to ask."
The man laughed. "Cheeky. Come on out so we don't have to force you."
"How many are there?" Trinn whispered.
"Can only see one," Randir said. "How are they hiding?"
"Apparently you're not inclined to cooperate. Pity. Although it's no matter to me whichever way you want it." The man nodded and a volley of smoking projectiles filled the air.
Randir rolled away from the hole. "Down!"
The burning clay balls smacked against the surrounding rock and exploded in rains of fire and noxious smoke. Randir gagged on the fumes and his eyes watered until he was blinded. He crawled across the floor of their shelter. Mucous streamed from his nose and tears from his eyes. He would die right here under these rocks. No air existed in the tiny space. His stomach clenched and he gagged again. Someone grabbed his shoulders and dragged him into the air. His body heaved and he vomited.
Someone fanned fresh air across him and he collapsed on his side, coughing and spitting. Bright lights formed on his eyelids and he squinted through the burning tears. Shadowy shapes hovered above him. They stripped his weapons without a fight. Can't fight and suffocate at the same time.
"Aren't you a sight?"
Randir recognized the voice as the man from the rock.
"I did warn you."
They flipped Randir onto his stomach and tied his wrists. They nearly pulled his arms from the sockets as they jerked him to his feet.
"Wipe their faces off," the man commanded.
A rough cloth scoured Randir's face with no consideration of his comfort. It was better when it was done, though. He got some air and blurry forms took shape.
"Get them off the rocks and we'll chat."
Two men half-dragged, half-carried him off the rugged slope. They anchored Randir to a stout pine and bound his feet so he couldn't kick.
Trinn was across from him against her own tree, Aric on his knees in the midst of them. His body still heaved. Men surrounded him, waiting for the worst to pass.
The leader stopped next to Randir, his features hidden behind a carved leather mask. "He got the worst of it. Lucky he's alive. He'll be sick for days." He drew a dagger and examined its blade. "I could put him out of his misery. My misery actually. Keep me from being annoyed by his gagging."
"What do you want?" Randir asked.
The man smiled. "For you not to be here."
"We mean no harm." Randir didn't expect reason would have any effect, but it was his one tool right now.
"You are thieves. Anyone who comes to Ilok lands without consent, are thieves. What is it you seek?"
"We're passing through. Travelers."
The man sheathed his weapon. "Travelers? From where?"
"The south."
"Obviously. No one lives farther north."
Aric rolled onto his side and coughed.
The leader stepped away from Randir and stared at Aric. "Get him up."
They propped him on his unsteady legs.
Randir tested the ropes and cursed their strength. He rubbed them on the tree bark. It would take time Aric might not have to make any progress.
The man circled Aric while looking at Randir. "There are five of you. Where are the others?"
"It's just us."
The man clicked his tongue. "Lying. There is a price for lies." He struck Aric in the stomach, doubling him over in a new fit of gasping. "He pays for your lies."
Aric spit and straightened. "It's... just... us."
"I already saw the tracks," the man said. "This hero act is commendable but fruitless. We'll find them eventually."
His attention shifted to Trinn and Randir's guts knotted. Not this. He'd dreaded this kind of moment since he'd met her se
ven years ago. Anything but this. Not her.
"Perhaps your woman will be more talkative." The man scanned her from head to toe. "A warrior woman. Our women are softer. We keep them tenderized. Like meat." He winked at Randir and Aric. "How tough is she? Want to find out?"
Randir strained against the ropes but they tightened more.
The leader rubbed his chin. "I don't want to knock her out. She might be more willing to tell where your friends are, but I do want it to hurt. How might I accomplish that?" He glanced at Aric. "Any ideas? No? I'll make something up then."
His lightning hard slap split Trinn's lip and slammed her head against the tree.
Randir bucked against his restraints and Aric lunged, but a swift kick to the knee took him down.
"Boys. Boys. You obviously care for this delicate flower. Perhaps now you'll be more talkative. If I can get your entire party in one place, we can talk to the king about granting you safe passage."
Blood ran across Trinn's chin and dripped to the ground. He wound his fist in her hair and lifted her head. "Where are the others? My patience is dwindling." He took the blade from his belt. "I can take a lot of bite-sized pieces before she dies." The point rested against Trinn's cheek and a spot of blood, bright against her pale skin, blossomed.
Randir fought his bonds and beat his head against the tree. "Don't do this!"
Trinn closed her eyes. "I'll call them for you, though I doubt they can hear. If they do, they'll come right to you."
Aric staggered to his feet. "Don't. Please."
"I'm not strong like you," she said. "I'm scared."
"Do it," Randir said. "Call them back."
Tears rolled down her cheeks and she licked the blood from her lip.
The man removed the blade and sheathed it. "I'd rather you tell me where they are."
"I don't know."
He seemed to consider her words, then gestured to his men. They bound Aric and left him lie, then melded into the forest. "Call them."
Trinn's chest rose as she inhaled. Her whistle was long and clear, followed by a short chirp.
Randir fought to keep his expression neutral. The signal to stay away. The message said the odds were too high and no rescue could succeed. If Tegedir heard, he would know they were outnumbered and to avoid the area.
Her voice lifted in the Zinotti lullaby she'd used to guide them across the frozen waste.
His vision blurred for the second time that morning. Seven years wasn't enough. Their life together had barely begun. She managed a sad smile for him and inhaled to whistle again.
The leader's fist caught her temple and she slumped in her bonds. "Deceitful bitch."
He approached Aric and drew his sword. "Don't make me ask again. Where are they?" He raised his blade above Aric.
Aric rolled into the man's legs and knocked him off balance. Aric jumped to his feet, but three men took him to the ground with kicks and punches.
They lifted him to his feet and held him. The man sheathed his sword and drew his dagger. He pressed it against Aric's throat and gripped his hair. He met Randir's gaze. "This one dies. When the woman wakes, I take her apart a piece at a time. As you listen to her scream, you can decide whether to tell me what I want to know."
"Wait," Randir said. "Wait." There must be some escape. Some way to buy time and opportunity.
Aric shook his head. "Don't."
"I'll tell your king," Randir said. "Take us to him."
The man lowered his blade and backed away. His grin made Randir's skin crawl. He bowed and gestured to the trees.
Men formed a path between their spears. A massive man approached. His armor bore more intricate carvings than his minions and brown eyes peered from behind his exquisite dragon mask. He stopped before Randir and lifted the mask. "You may tell me now."
Chapter 23
Raised voices drifted into the cavern. Thera went to the partitioning blanket, but still couldn't discern the words. Should she risk taking a look? The sound of determined footsteps drove her to the safety of the trunk.
Murdoc swept the curtain aside and gestured for Thera to follow, then called the youngest of her men to her. "Do not let Neva come outside." He saluted her.
Oh Alimarae. Thera's palms slicked with sweat and her heart raced. Was Murdoc planning to execute her? Or worse, punish Brannon in some horrible way. She stopped at the entrance where dark met light.
Murdoc took Thera's elbow and propelled her into the sunlight. She passed her off to one of her men. Another held Brannon by the shoulders. The guard who had been the target of Brannon's distraction was bound on his knees between two trees, stripped to the waist, his back to them, arms extended.
A wooden box lay in the grass nearby. Murdoc removed the whip and freed the braided leather strands. "Failure, I can forgive. Complacency, I won't. You all know this. We have agreed on the punishment, and, as we have agreed, so shall it be delivered."
She stood in front of Brannon as she untangled the knotted cords. He focused on her fingers. She squatted before him and lifted his chin to meet her gaze. "Choices have consequences. Sometimes we pay the price, sometimes someone else does. Consider who might pay the next time you decide to flex your young muscles."
She took a position to the side of the bound guard.
"Please, Cap’.” He squirmed against his bonds. "It won't happen again. Don't do this."
Thera gasped as the lash whistled through the air and slapped across the guard's bare skin. Blood blossomed in crimson streaks as Murdoc swung the lash again, and again, and again.
Thera hid her face, but the man who held her pulled her hands away. Twelve times the lash whistled and smacked. The sound would haunt her for the rest of her days.
Brannon watched the beating without a word. His chin raised and his eyes wide open. His face was a neutral mask Thera couldn't read.
When the whipping was finished, Murdoc swirled the lash in a bucket until the water turned red. She gave the whip to another, who carried it away. The punished man hung limp against the ropes. Silent and still. Murdoc sloshed the salted water across his ragged flesh and he screamed for the first time. Blood cascaded off his back and onto the ground. "Get him down," she said. "Clean him up and nurse his wounds." She guided Brannon inside.
Thera followed, numb. Never had she seen anything so brutal. And Murdoc showed no more emotion than if she'd been threshing wheat.
"Take care of Brannon," Murdoc said as she disappeared behind her curtain.
Thera led him to the space the boys once shared. He tumbled onto his sleeping mat and rolled away from her. She draped a blanket over him. They were quiet for a while, then she asked. "Why'd you do it?"
"Because I knew it would work."
"Did Deru understand what was going to happen?"
"I tricked him. Told him it was a game of hide and seek."
"Why?"
"He wouldn't go otherwise. Now he's safe."
Thera brushed the hair away from his forehead. A six year old child showed more courage and initiative than she had. An exceptional child. A foretold child. Keeper of Light in the world. How heavy that burden would be. "You did a good thing. You helped your friend."
"But I didn't think about you." Silent tears rolled across his cheeks. "You'd get the blame. I should have known."
She rolled him to face her and wiped the tears away. "It worked out. We're okay."
"You should go home. She'll let you. You have to go."
She kissed his forehead. "I'm not leaving you and Neva. I'm here until the end."
He dragged the blanket to his chin. "Then stay close to us or you could get hurt."
"Are you afraid someone will hurt me?"
"Yeah." He twisted onto his side. "Me."
She sat up as a shiver crossed her skin. "What do you mean, Bran?" He didn't answer and Thera knew he wouldn't. She went to the main chamber and scooped a drink of water from the bucket near the fire. In the time they'd been captive, Brannon had transformed from a normal c
hild to a frightening one. He held some deep power she sensed building to a dangerous pressure. What it might mean was beyond her, but she'd adhere to his warning and not stray.
She hung the ladle in its place. What was that sound? So faint as to be almost beyond hearing. She crept to Murdoc's curtained door and peeked through the sliver of space between the blanket and the stone wall.
Murdoc sat on the trunk, crushing a thick quilted gambeson to her face. Her shoulders jerked and her body rolled in on itself like a fern not yet unfurled. Had Zila died? No, the girl still breathed. Seeing Murdoc weep like a child exposed her vulnerability. The woman wasn't as untouchable as she appeared.
Thera slipped through the curtain and waited for Murdoc to notice her. It took a long time.
At last, the shaking stopped and Murdoc took a few stuttering breaths. She wiped her face and straightened. She saw Thera and lurched to her feet, her lips flattened into a white line in her flushed face. Her entire body stiffened, but Thera held her ground and didn't react. If she didn't run, the predator wouldn't attack.
Murdoc sank onto the trunk. "You are a major pain in the ass."
Thera crossed the room and sat in the corner, a safe distance away. She kept silent, though a hundred questions rolled through her mind.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to get men to follow a woman?" Murdoc asked. "It's not in their nature. If I show one moment of weakness, they'll run over me. I'm fair to them. I pay them well. But I absolutely cannot tolerate, not for a single second, any of them stepping out of line or getting lazy. If I do, I'm done."
Thera held her tongue and waited.
"If I don't keep control of this situation, things will go bad. You think I want to do what I did? I don't. I hate it. It makes me want to puke, but I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice."
"There are only two choices in this world. Be tough or die." Murdoc ruffled her short hair and sighed. "Do you know how many times I endured the lash until they broke me?"
Thera shook her head.