by Bob Blink
“I’m going along,” Shyar said.
Jolan started to object, but she continued.
“Two of the skimmers should go. They can be pre-positioned as pickup vehicles in case there are problems. We can’t expect to be able to use the portals to get out of there any longer. Anything close to the Academy will be closely watched.”
“You’re determined to do this?” Vaen asked.
The dragons grinned their answer. Asari nodded to her as well. He had long waited for his chance at Cheurt. Now might be the time. Reluctantly Jolan nodded as well. He wasn’t as convinced, but he owed the dragons his life, and he wasn’t going to let Iach-Iss go into this battle alone. It just seemed to him that suddenly things were moving a bit too fast.
They spent the next couple of hours working over possibilities after Wylan was brought in, but there weren’t too many variations. In the end, they decided they would fly in overnight, the scouts moving a bit slower than their maximum speeds to allow the skimmers to keep pace. They would attack in the morning before everyone had started their daily routine. If anything looked bad, they would turn and head for the mountains. Escape should be easy.
* * * *
The plan had sounded easy enough when they laid it out the previous day, but as Jolan, Asari, and the two dragons conferred over the communications net earlier, he’d had a bad feeling about how this might go when he learned of the change of plans the two dragons had dreamed up on their own. He didn’t know how he had been talked into allowing he and Asari to be placed on the ground instead of staying at their proper place onboard the scouts with the weapons. Iach-Iss explained that if they were to get a chance at Cheurt, he was certain the wizard would remain protected and hidden from the air. He knew enough about the scouts to fear them, and wasn’t the kind to risk himself. Therefore Iach-Iss wanted the two of them on the ground with one of the dragon blasters ready to take a shot from an unexpected hidden location should the chance arrive. Iach-Iss and Den-Orok would do what they could to entice the wizard out into the open.
Now he and Asari carefully made their way down the steep hillside behind the castle where Cheurt resided. They had identified a spot where they could watch the entrance to the residence while remaining concealed. Jolan couldn’t help but remember what had happened the last time he had confronted the wizard not too far from here, and was more than a little anxious about being stuck on the ground with minimum options for escape. Shyar would go ballistic when she found out about this bit of madness. If anything went wrong or things looked bad, they had three pickup spots that had been prearranged before they left Cobalo. A call over the dragon’s communicator would reach either of the scouts and the two skimmers as well. There was a pickup point north of the Academy in the foothills, one to the south of the village, and another just across the river.
It was too late to change anything now. They were on the ground and had made the tricky climb with the blaster down the steep hills behind the castle. Jolan was pretty sure they wouldn’t be able to get back up that route, even if they left the heavy weapon behind. He could see the two scouts coming out of the rising sun on a run toward the Academy buildings. As they approached they started firing blast after blast of the intense blue-white energy from the main guns. Ale’ald was more than a little prepared. It was unclear whether the preparations reflected an expectation the dragons might attack or whether the preparations were long standing against any possible attack was unknown. The walls of the Academy itself were heavily shielded, and the incredible blasts of energy released from the scout’s weapons had only marginal effects on the structures. A few major pieces of the structure were knocked loose in one corner, but the damage was far less than would have been expected. Obviously, Ale’ald had access to some skills that the dragons expected would have been lost.
As the scouts passed swiftly overhead and banked in the distance for a return pass, Den-Orok saw a number of triads move out onto the roofs of the various buildings where they would have clear shots at the attacking planes. Now he knew. Cheurt had hoped to entice the dragons to come here, so they would be facing forces that were prepared and ready for them. He could tell that Iach-Iss had seen them as well. It might be wisest to pick up their friends and retreat and rethink this attack, but he was anxious to have a shot at the troublesome wizard. As the scout passed over the southern edge of town it banked out over the river and swung back around for another pass at the Academy.
Once again Den-Orok and Iach-Iss made simultaneous runs past the structures, releasing multiple shots against the structures, and using the on-board intelligence to pick out the weaker triads that revealed themselves. Multiple blasts were fired from the ships, and a number of triads fell from the withering fire. The dragons made a couple more passes, inflicting further damage on the wizards, and only minimal damage on the structures. They took fire as well, and while their systems flickered a bit at the simultaneous hits from below, thus far nothing had appeared to have seriously threatened the ships.
On the ground, Jolan and Asari watched as the dragon ships made repeated passes. He had seen one group of wizards take fire near the edge of one of the structures, and assumed that more were on the rooftops. He didn’t know how successful the dragons were being, but he sensed the structures themselves were protected better than had been expected. He was surprised that the dragons continued their attacks. He wished they were on board where they should be rather than waiting here. If they were on board they could be helping, or better yet they could simply pull back and rethink the attack. Part of him wondered if the dragons had deliberately put them off thinking to put them in a safer position. Unless they took action, they would essentially go unnoticed in the confusion, the enemy being focused on the skies. They could make it to one of the extraction points and wait for a safe time to call for evacuation.
Thus far they had been of no use in the fighting. Of course, they were supposed to remain hidden, hoping for a shot at Cheurt. If they started picking off wizards, they would forfeit their obscurity. Jolan was starting to wonder if Cheurt was going to sit out the battle, when Asari nudged him softly. There was movement near the entrance to Cheurt’s castle residence.
Then, there he was, along with two others that had to be part of his personal triad. There were also a half dozen other wizards that quickly spread out to somewhat protected positions around the side of the building. Cheurt quickly slipped down along the side a small structure that hid him from the skies and for the most part from Jolan and Asari.
Moments later Den-Orok and Iach-Iss passed quickly overhead. Three intense orange beams sprang skyward, Cheurt’s far outshining the other two. Cheurt’s beam struck Iach-Iss’ scout, and Jolan was certain he could see the ship wobble. The other two struck Den-Orok’s vehicle, but it seemed to continue on unaffected.
On the return pass, Den-Orok was in the lead, Iach-Iss seeming to hold back a bit, perhaps because of the strike he’d taken moments before. As Den-Orok passed overhead, a beam from the ship targeted one of the triads on the ground. Jolan watched as the three wizards crumbled to the ground. Then a vivid green beam that sparkled as it rose rose upward from Cheurt’s position. He was still down low enough that they couldn’t get a shot at him. Jolan had seen the beam once before, the last time he was here and the results had been fatal to Luzoke.
This time the sparkling magic struck Den-Orok’s scout as it passed overhead. Jolan held his breath as the plane seemed to suddenly become encased in the sparkling green energies, and then, as before, disaster struck. Suddenly the vehicle seemed to disintegrate, and a massive thundering explosion shook the skies. The fireball that errupted where the plane had once been made it certain that Den-Orok could not have survived.
Jolan heard a sharp intake of breath from Asari as he watched his friend die. Jolan knew how close he’d become to the dragon, and after such a short time he had now lost him. Cheurt had once again hurt Asari deeply.
Iach-Iss had also seen the destruction of the second scout, a
nd momentarily broke off his attack, moving out over the river. He passed by, looking at the falling wreckage, and then turned and began another pass, intent on targeting the area where the green beam had originated. As he approached, the scout was hit by a barrage of the orange beams which shook the ship, and at the last minute he broke off to get away from the powerful magic.
Jolan and Asari had watched as Iach-Iss made his approach, wondering what the dragon was thinking. Then Asari hissed softly, and Jolan realized that Cheurt had shifted position and he and his triad were now visible. Jolan knew the triad would have far superior shields to those of the other triads and wondered if they were inviting destruction down upon themselves, but it was time to act. He helped Asari steady the weapon, his mind focused on holding the weapon while Asari did the fine sighting. A peripheral part of his brain noted the repeated strikes against the scout, and then the fact it was puling away.
Then Asari fired. The shot was perfect, and the triad went down. Both he and Jolan saw the two members of Cheurt’s triad fall immediately, and then their long time enemy crumpled to the ground after them. His staff fell from his hand, rolling a few feet away from the inert form of the wizard.
“Got him,” Asari murmured softly with great satisfaction.
There was no time to celebrate. The shot had attracted attention, and several wizards and one triad were now sending beams of magical energy their way. Asari quickly shifted the weapon and finished off the remaining triad, and then followed up with two quick shots to dispatch the two lone wizards that were attempting to kill them.
Suddenly all was quiet, at least around them. Bolts of energy were still seeking the skies toward the remaining scout, which was firing from a distance, but not making the close in runs for the moment. Asari had let go of the weapon, leaving Jolan to support it, while he stood from his position. It was time for them to move away. As he stood, Asari looked in the direction where Cheurt lay on the ground, and was shocked to see the wizard making his way shakily to his feet and reaching for his staff. There was no time to reach for the dragon weapon, and Asari smoothly drew his Wilson .45 and with a two-hand hold fired two quick shots at the wizard. This time he aimed for the head, since following the training last time hadn’t worked. The first shot missed entirely, but the second, which was low and to the left of the head, caught Cheurt in the left shoulder. Jolan could see the impact and the blood splatter from the wound.
Cheurt moved quickly somehow. He dropped to the ground out of sight, abandoning his attempts to reach the staff. Asari set off on a run toward the position, and Jolan had no option but to follow along behind. The blaster was too cumbersome and was slowing him down, so he let it slip to the ground and he drew his own Kimber, following Asari as he ran to the spot where the wizard had fallen.
A triad appeared off to Asari’s left, and while Asari took down two of them, Jolan was able to target and kill the third. None of the wizards here were protected from the copper bullets. The heavy shields they used in the combat zones were not being employed here. They had wanted mobility and expected to be fighting the energy weapons from the aircraft.
Jolan came running up beside Asari who stood looking at the spot where Cheurt had fallen. The two other members of his triad lay dead on the ground, but Cheurt was nowhere to be seen.
“Where could he have gone?” Asari asked frustrated and angry.
Jolan shook his head. “I don’t know. There is nothing close that could conceal him. I can’t see how he could have escaped.”
As Jolan searched for any sign of the elusive wizard, Asari turned and walked toward the staff that lay on the ground. As he reached for it, Jolan started to yell out a warning, knowing how his own staff had reacted to anyone other than its owner. He was too late, and Asari’s hand closed around the shaft. Nothing happened, and his friend returned carrying the jeweled staff.
“Maybe this can help us,” Asari said.
Jolan heaved a sigh of relief that nothing had happened when Asari had picked up the staff. He was about to explain his concern when Iach-Iss’ voice suddenly came through their communicator.
“We must leave now,” he said, his voice strained.
“Cheurt escaped,” Jolan said.
“That is unfortunate, but we must leave.”
“Okay. We will head for the southern retrieval point,” Jolan said.
“No,” Iach-Iss replied. “I see where you are. Stay put, but be ready to move quickly. I will retrieve you there.”
Jolan wanted to complain that this was too risky for the scout, but the communicator was silent. Then, he saw the scout dropping rapidly as it came in from the west. The vehicle pulled up a few feet away, the doorway open and the vehicle hovering just above the ground. They ran and dove through the door, the vehicle already moving as several blasts of magic slammed against the outer hull. The door started closing as they rose, the ship moving rapidly away from the Academy before they found their way to their seats.
“We left the weapon,” Asari said as they scrambled forward.
“We can’t help it now,” was all Jolan could say. He was focused on the large burned hole that had been blasted into the lower deck and which had significantly damaged the overhead as well. As he scrambled into his chair he realized the ship wasn’t all that had been hurt.
Iach-Iss sagged in his seat, his right arm mostly blasted away and a large wound in his side. He had slapped some kind of seal over the wound to minimize the loss of his pinkish blood, but it was clear the dragon was in a bad way.
“We’ve got to get you to the base and into the medi-table,” Asari said when he realized the extent of the dragon’s injuries.
Iach-Iss grinned weakly, but shook his head. “This time it is too late. There is little the table can do for me, and past experience has shown your healing ring would have no effect either. I’m sorry, but it looks like we overestimated our ability. I have told the ship to take us home. I don’t think I will survive the trip.”
Asari looked at the dragon in horror. He had already lost Den-Orok, and now it seemed the last of the dragons was dying. It couldn’t be.
Iach-Iss coughed, a grimace passing across his face. “You say that Cheurt got away once again.”
“I think so, we shot his triad and they went down. The others are dead, but he seemed to survive the weapon. I also shot him with my pistol, but only got his arm.”
“That is indeed unfortunate. Is that his staff?” Iach-Iss asked looking at the staff Asari had thrown into the corner.
Asari nodded.
“Bring it too me.”
Asari retrieved the staff and brought it to Iach-Iss. The dragon indicated that Jolan should take it. When Jolan hesitated, the dragon grinned weakly. “Only the staffs you and Shyar hold were designed to protect their owner. It is safe enough, even for another with the power.”
Hesitantly, Jolan took the staff from Asari. It seemed dead and inert in his hand.
“Describe what you feel to me,” the dragon insisted.
After Jolan did, the dragon told him to try and bond with the staff.
“I sense nothing from it,” Jolan said after a minute.
“Cheurt is alive,” the dragon said with a sigh. If he were dead, the staff would seek a new owner. As long as he lives, the staff is bonded to him and will not work for any other. It is a way you can know if the man dies from his wounds.”
“How did he survive when the others all died?” Asari asked.
“I suspect it is the device he took from your friend. I told you the device had surprises, and it must be linking him to enough power to fight the impulse’s effects. It will fester inside of him, and he will grow much weaker, and might yet die. If he survives, however, he will be immune to further attacks from our weapon. Here is what must be done. I am sorry you will have to do this alone.”
They called the skimmers and told them to head for home. Then, for the next half hour, as he grew steadily weaker Iach-Iss explained to Jolan and Asari what options remain
ed open to them. By the time the scout landed back in Cobalo, there were no more living dragons on Gaea.
Chapter 183
They cremated Iach-Iss’ body per his stated wishes in a mostly private ceremony the next day. Only a double handful of those closest to the dragons were there. After centuries of being “lost”, the dragons barely had a chance to become known once again. Now they were gone, and this time there would be no more.
“We might have been able to save him if we’d got him back to the base,” Asari said sadly as they walked away from the rest of the group. “There were a couple of portals not too far away. We should have made directly for those and got him back.”
“Iach-Iss obviously didn’t think so,” Jolan countered. “Besides, I don’t think he wanted to survive. He would have been completely alone, the very last of his kind. When they checked at the Nexus, it was clear that after a thousand more years of waiting there were still no messages indicating their kind were coming for them. Once his last friend was killed, there was nothing for him.”
“Cheurt surprised them, didn’t he?” Asari said.
“Ale’ald obviously has uncovered some items the dragons thought long lost. It’s clear the degree of resistance was far greater then the dragons anticipated. They had hoped to eliminate Cheurt. Without him, the Ale’ald forces would be far less effective.”
“The staff seems to believe he is still alive.”
Jolan nodded. They had checked this morning. They didn’t know where the wizard might be, but it seemed he continued to hang on. Jolan wished he knew how badly Cheurt had been hurt. Iach-Iss had told him what to expect, but he would like to know the man’s current condition.
The previous day’s battle had been costly. Not only had they lost their two friends, but also a pair of the dragon’s special weapons. One had gone up with Den-Orok, and the other they had left behind when they fled unexpectedly. One of the scouts was destroyed, and without a dragon to control it, the other was now grounded forever. At least the four skimmers still worked, and would be useful in the efforts that remained. They also had a number of other dragon tools, and at some point Jolan would have to go back to the Dragon’s Nest and make use of the special crystal that Iach-Iss had given him a while back. That could wait. He didn’t think he would find anything there that would help with the remaining battles.