Another wrenching crack rent through the building. Kirynn glanced back. The floor and walls crumbled and separated. A wide chasm opened revealing the floors below. Large chunks of stone fell through the gap.
The building lurched around her more. She raced the last few paces and burst through the doors onto the balcony beyond. Above, Syrakynn knocked a smaller black dragon from the sky then dove toward her. The balcony swayed beneath her feet like the deck of a boat and broke away from the wall.
Kirynn bounded across it as it continued falling then jumped, using her one foot to shove off the stone railing, propelling herself into empty air. The wind rushed past her face as she closed her eyes and concentrated on Syrakynn, gauging the red’s progress...
...Now! She opened her eyes, arms reaching to grab the saddle as Syrakynn flew right underneath her. Kirynn struggled to hold on, her shoulder screaming in protest, as Syrakynn twisted to avoid the flames of a Shadow Dragon. She hooked one arm through one of the handles on the front pommel and managed to get one safety strap fastened.
The red rolled and banked to avoid another Shadow Dragon, leaving Kirynn dangling by one leg and one arm before Syrakynn righted herself again. Kirynn switched arms and pulled the other safety strap tight. The catcher strap would have to wait.
Below, the entire city of Marden shook and crumbled among the green flames of Shadow Dragons. People ran screaming in every direction. Border Guards and the group of Ke’han warriors battled side-by-side against Kojen. Men and women in black robes walked through the mass of Kojen, throwing weaves of magic into the Shaderian ranks.
Loki and Merru flew low over the Kojen, burning a swath through the creatures. A wide dome of light sprang up, protecting part of the city. Kirynn reached for Syrakynn, “Tell Merru that he and Loki need to try and get all of those people behind his shield and moving east out of the city.”
“They are switching courses,” Syrakynn returned.
Merru veered sharply and disappeared into Loki’s light-bending weave. The Shadow Dragon tailing Merru pulled up, hovering and swinging its head wildly around, searching for the invisible pair.
Syrakynn folded her wings and streaked through the air toward the stationary shadow. She hit it with such force it slammed Kirynn forward in the saddle. Another black dragon appeared and Kirynn twisted, sending a lance of fire through the rider’s chest. The black dragon shrieked and fell through the air with its dead rider flopping in the saddle.
Yanking her bow off her back, she nocked an arrow and sent it slicing through the air toward the first Shadow Rider. It missed and instead pinged harmlessly off the dark scales of the dragon.
“Call for help. There are too many Shadow Riders and mages,” Kirynn sent to the red.
“I already have. Calladar and New Sharren are also under attack. Serena comes with mages, but she cannot stay. She must reinforce the other two battles as well.”
Marcaius and his red, Tanis, battled with Shadow Dragons farther out over the city. A riderless Namir tore a black to pieces in mid-air. Dragons and fire filled the sky above Marden.
A Slide spun open. Mages and Defenders of Galdrilene, along with soldiers from Boromar and Kanther, poured out as Miya flew slowly through above them.
Serena caught Kirynn’s eye, casting her an agonized look as the last of those on the ground cleared the edges of the slide. The yellow disappeared back through and was gone.
Lances of glowing light, small fireballs, and bolts of lightning flew through the air, exchanging places with their shadow counterparts. Silver-robed mages quickly brought order to the evacuation of the city even as they dodged crumbling walls. Mages in yellow robes pulled the injured to the side, and worked to heal them. With them stood Nira, dropping any enemy that came near with weaves designed to kill. Her yellow, Saria, circled overhead, defending the group of healers from the air.
Another Slide opened. Jocelynn and her green, Adirynn, burst through, engaging a Shadow Dragon before the Slide fully closed. The green dragon snatched its black wing in her jaws and braced her back feet against the dark dragon. The black swung its head around and scored her side with shadow fire. Adirynn responded with a snarl as she ripped its wing off. Screaming, the black spiraled toward the ground. It struck the stones of the street, and crushed its rider.
A loud rumble echoed over the city. Kirynn turned in time to see the entire, massive keep disintegrate into a pile of rubble.
Kellinar wiped the sweat from his eyes and paused to assess the progress. The wall was nearly complete. The day was overly warm for early spring, but at least the ever-present wind was cool against his skin. It made the mid-day sun bearable.
Inside the wall, the tiled roofs of dwellings and buildings reflected the sunlight. On the far side of the city from where he stood, near the Dragon Hold, the newly finished University rose higher than any other building. With the help of Galdrilene, the New Sharrens had come far in the months since settling in their new home.
Kellinar reached for another massive stone block with his magic then stopped and drew back. Dark weather weaves flowed through the air all around him. Black clouds boiled in the sky, rolling over the city, and blotting out the sun. The wind picked up until it howled between the buildings. Kellinar ran a few steps toward the Dragon Hold before faltering to a stop. Shryden was in Galdrilene along with Keta getting more supplies of rock.
“Shryden, I’m going to need you here. Now.”
“What is happening?”
“Dark weather weaves are all over the sky. I can only assume we have seconds before Shadow Riders show themselves.”
“We are coming,” Shryden returned. And then, another sending from the blue, “Shadereen is under attack, as is Calladar. We will be there shortly. Given the reports from the other dragons, we are going to need reinforcements.”
Varnen came through a Slide opened above the city. His blue, Abrax, banked and swept a wide circle overhead. Kellinar threw together a quick weave to amplify his voice. “Take cover!” The shouted warning carried over the city.
It was the warning they had practiced and drilled since they first arrived. Instead of panic, the New Sharrens fell into an organized and practiced scramble. The elderly, young, and men and women with no weapon skills were ushered into the University while everyone else moved into battle positions, ready to give their lives in defense of their new home.
Two more Slides opened. Keta came through one while the other opened all the way to the ground. Mages and Defenders of Galdrilene marched through the Slide with Shryden. Nordhas sat on Shryden’s back. His blue, Arkhas, had just taken his first flights with his rider and was too young to Slide.
Kellinar turned his attention to the dark Weather magic. Though the Shadow mages remained unseen, their magic wasn’t. The clouds churned, growing darker. Lightning arced across the sky and several bolts jabbed the ground. Claps of thunder crashed over the city so loud they left Kellinar’s ears ringing.
He shook his head at the arrogance and disrespect the dark mages displayed for their magic. Natural elements couldn’t be used like this without causing ripples everywhere. It’s why the Earth Riders hadn’t raised New Sharren in a single week. Doing so wouldn’t allow the ground time to adjust and would, in turn, destabilize everything. The disturbed flow of the weather caused by this artificial storm was easily visible to Kellinar. The rivers of air that carried the weather were off. It would take weeks to straighten it out.
Reaching out with his own weaves, he worked to take control of the storm. The energy swelled as Varnen and Nordhas joined their magic with his, the three of them working together. A Jump ripped through the air. Black dragons, mages, and Kojen poured through.
Shryden landed long enough for Nordhas to leap off. Kellinar barely made it into the saddle with the safety straps secured before the blue launched himself back into the sky. “Should I call Paki, Adirynn, and Vasa?” Shryden sent.
Kellinar reached for the dragon, “No. We have no idea how wide spread this is.
If some of the Shadow Riders decide to Jump over these battles and start another farther west, we need them there. Both Haraban and Markene border enemy nations, they need to keep an eye on those as well.” He struggled to hold the storm back for a moment before continuing, “It’s going to take everything Varnen, Nordhas, and I have to keep any control over this storm.”
“You concentrate on that. I will take care of you,” Shryden returned. “Keta and Sumara are doing a good job of keeping the Shadow Dragons from bothering us too much. Keta’s speed is an asset; she’s practically in three places at once.”
It didn’t take long before it became obvious the dark weather weaves weren’t woven by dark mages. One of the weaves felt familiar, and Kellinar could sense Oksana’s hand in the storm. The other weaves had to be from other Shadow Riders who handled Weather magic, there was no way it could be this strong otherwise.
The wind increased and a deluge of rain poured down, soaking Kellinar within seconds. The lightning was constant now. A long finger of clouds poked toward the ground as it howled and shrieked. Dirt, grass, stones, and anything not secured went flying. The finger danced straight through the city though the houses, built by the riders and mages, withstood the destructive force.
Kellinar threw a second weave out and caught the twisting finger of clouds. Sweat beaded hot on his forehead and was washed away by the icy rain. He increased the flow of magic to the weave and with effort dissipated the destructive rope. Then he turned the full force of his magic on the storm.
A glance below showed the fields beyond the walls filled with Kojen and dark mages. Trebuchets hurled massive flaming balls into the invaders, while archers lined the walls shooting at will. The launcher pulled back and released, sending a long steel spear through the wing of a Shadow Dragon. Mages on the walls exchanged weaves with those down in the field. The launcher was loaded and released again. Its target rolled and the steel spear sailed through empty air.
Kellinar only spared a small amount of attention for the battle on the ground, the rest remained fixed on the storm. The world rushed by, filled with rain, lightning, wind, and small hail that smacked against his exposed skin. Sometimes everything yanked to the side, or flipped upside down as Shryden swerved and spun, keeping him safe while engaging Shadow Dragons.
In spite of the downpour, sickly green flames crawled up one side of the city wall. Kellinar reached for Shryden, “Make sure the mages are prepared to evacuate and they have everyone in the University ready to run out the door and into a Slide if necessary.”
Keta flashed past and grabbed the wing of a Shadow Dragon, flipping it off course and sending it spinning through the air. She immediately engaged another then streaked away like a green blur. Her speed, quick attack, and retreat offense took Kellinar’s breath away. The green appeared in a slash of teeth and claws, and then was gone before the Shadow Dragons could retaliate although they pursued. It was a game of cat and mouse, and Keta was the cat in this game.
Shryden righted for a moment and the rain slacked under the restraint of the three Guardians. Kellinar looked down and his hope dwindled. The city walls were completely surrounded by a seething mass of Kojen. The Defenders hadn’t made a dent in the invading force. More green flames ate at the wall, burning the stone as easily as if it were made of wood.
Only four Shadow Riders were present but with Kellinar and his companions trying to keep the storm from shredding the town, their dragons could do no more than fend off the Shadow Dragons. Kellinar scanned the area, searching through the falling rain for Oksana.
Anger curled in his stomach when he failed to find her. He wanted her dead.
“I want her dead as well, however, that is not our duty this day. Our duty is New Sharren,” Shryden sent, drawing Kellinar’s attention back to the city.
“You are right, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Have Abrax alert Varnen that I’m going to have to divert my attention from the storm,” Kellinar sent. “The people of New Sharren have to be evacuated. Varnen and Nordhas should be able to take the extra load long enough for me to get everyone out of here. Have Paki alert Taela that there will be an influx of people to Markene. Kalila will need to be ready as well. I would have Sumara and Keta evacuate everyone, but right now they are too busy keeping the Shadow Dragons tied in knots.”
“Consider it done.”
Kellinar sensed Shryden reach out to the other dragons as the blue angled his wings and dove through the rain toward the surrounded city.
“Abrax passes along his assurances that Varnen can take up the slack with the storm,” Shryden sent. “He also says not to worry about Nordhas; they will pick him up before they leave.”
The blue landed on the flat rooftop next to where Nordhas stood, his gaze locked on the storm above. Kellinar shouted over the noise that raged around the city walls. “We are evacuating. You and Varnen will have to control the storm while I move people. Varnen and Abrax will pick you up just before they Slide from here.”
Nordhas nodded as green embers from the burning wall flew past his bald head. “Just get the people out of here. Varnen and I can handle it alone for a while.”
Shryden leaped into the air again before Kellinar could answer. The flight to the University was more of a hop through the air for the dragon. He landed in the wide-open space in front of the large building.
Kellinar loosened the safety straps and jumped to the ground. A practiced flick of his wrist undid the catcher strap. He ran up the steps and used a weave to shove the wide double doors open.
Belan and Vesnar raised their weapons before recognition registered on their faces. Belan lowered his zahri and frowned. “What is happening?”
“We have to move—now.” Kellinar beckoned to the hundreds of people crammed in the building. “This battle is lost. It’s only a matter of time before the walls are breached. We must evacuate.”
“This is our home.” Belan shook his head. “We are not leaving. We will fight for it.”
“Burn it, Belan! This isn’t like Trilene. There is nothing you can do except get yourself and everyone in this building slaughtered! There. Is. No. Hope.” Kellinar ran a hand over his soaked braids. “Not this time.”
Vesnar glanced out the door where more acid-green embers sailed by, driven by the wind. “Where will we go?”
“For now, back to Markene.” Kellinar’s gaze swept the people who edged closer. “I know this isn’t the outcome you hoped for. However, buildings can be rebuilt, but only if you are alive to do so. New Sharren is your nation now. It will be reclaimed from the Shadow Riders, and then we will set to rebuilding it.” His eyes rested on Belan. “Sometimes it’s best to concede a battle and live to fight another day.”
Belan heaved a deep sigh and stood straighter then turned toward the crowd at his back. “He is right. Our deaths this day will accomplish nothing. This battle may be lost, but the war is not. Let us take our leave of New Sharren for now. When the threat of Shadow Riders has been put down, we will be back to pick up where we left off—even if that means starting from scratch.”
Vesnar nodded. “The Shadow Riders can take our home. They cannot take our spirits and our hope.”
“We had best get on with it then,” Po said, stepping to the front. “Standing here talking until a shadow decides to swoop in and dine on us won’t do us any good.”
Kellinar suppressed his relief. They understood and agreed. “Everybody outside. Shryden is going to open a Slide to Markene and then you must run as if your life depends on it.”
Po chuckled. “Because most likely it does.”
Everyone started for the door, walking quickly and helping those that were too young or too old to keep up. Po paused by Kellinar. “Clarene is not here. She refused the shelter of the University and chose to remain in her home.”
A knot tightened in Kellinar’s stomach. “Go on, I will get her and come through the next Slide with the soldiers and the mages.”
Kellinar
hurried across the courtyard area as Shryden lifted off. While the Slide opened behind him, Kellinar ran through the streets, choking on the thick, black smoke created by the shadow fire. It stuck in his throat and coated the inside of his mouth. He coughed, gagged, and brought up a wad of black-stained phlegm spitting it on the wet stones under his feet. More of the foul smoke swirled on the wind and tried to choke him. He kept running, coughing up more of it. Already soaked he didn’t bother avoiding the large puddles that formed in the partially paved streets.
He finally reached Clarene’s small dwelling and pounded on the door. Only silence answered. Kellinar shoved the door open. “Clarene!”
No answer.
He charged into the small front room and through the curtained doorway of the sleeping room beyond. Clarene lay on the bed, her gray hair spilling across the pillow, looking more frail than he could have ever imagined.
“Clarene?” Kellinar moved to the side of the bed and took her hand. “Why are you here instead of safe with the others?”
She turned her head toward him. Her pale blue eyes, nearly hidden by the wrinkled folds of her face, held nothing but peace. “This is my home, young man. I’m too old to find another. Too old to want to again.” Her voice was weak and thready.
“You can’t just lie here and wait for the Shadow Riders to kill you.”
“They won’t kill old Clarene. I feel the Fates; they already separated my string from the loom. It’ll be snipped soon.”
“Clarene…you can’t die.” Kellinar’s voice was soft with the sorrow that tugged at his heart.
“I told you once that I weren’t afraid to die. I have been around a long time. I’m ready for that nap I told you about.” She squeezed his hand weakly.
Kellinar hooked his foot around the leg of the small wooden stool near the wall and dragged it over. He settled down on it and clasped her hand in both of his. “When I was a boy, you were always there for me. I will stay with you until you no longer need me.”
Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) Page 22