by Lea Doué
Once he settled, she wrapped her arms firmly around his waist and buried her face against his shoulder.
It’s going to be all right. We’ll get your Gram out and break this curse. I’ll get you both to safety like I promised.
She nodded against his back but didn’t reply.
Keir lumbered through the trees until he reached the lake. After a short pause, he ran along the shore and leaped into the air, flying high and fast. Mel leaned into Baz, his muscles tense as he clung to the rope. He slipped back a few inches before they leveled off. Once Keir established a steady rhythm, Baz scooted forward and found a more secure seat along the scaly hide.
Mel felt far from secure and wished she had the basket, or even the saddle. Keir didn’t glide or soar this time. His muscles repeatedly tensed as his wings beat a steady rhythm. They needed to make good time, but they also needed to give Tharius time to distract the soldiers and draw them away from the tower.
Once they passed over the lake, the trees thinned out, giving way to scrubby grass and moss. The land rolled beneath them like bubbles running down to the sea, bumpy and barren from an old lava flow decades before. Still out of sight before them lay the black tower, and beyond that the Burnt River. Despite its grand name, the river consisted of nothing more than a hole in the ground where lava oozed up and flowed down to the sea. Baz had told them that from her tower room, Gram would be able to see the steam from the molten waterfall hitting the ocean. The glow from the Burnt River itself was visible at night from either window.
She almost asked Baz to relay something to Keir before remembering she could do it herself. She tried to direct the mind-talk to both of them. We should probably approach the tower from the beach side. They’ll be less likely to be looking for us there.
Keir changed direction ever so slightly. What’s the plan once we get there?
She flinched. How long had it taken them to get used to voices in their heads? Once Keir gets in position over the tower, I’ll swing down and get Gram.
Don’t you think I should go? Baz asked. I’m better able to lift her if she’s unconscious.
If she is, it makes more sense for me to go down, drag her to the window, and get her harnessed in the rope. I’ll need your strength up here to pull her to safety.
But if someone sees you—
They won’t see me. And besides, I can’t guarantee Gram will go with you if she’s awake.
No reply. Was he talking to Keir?
All right, but we have to be fast.
That went without saying. Unsure how Vanda would respond to that, she remained silent.
Finally, Keir spoke again. He’s done it. Look over my left shoulder.
Mel opened her eyes, unaware she’d closed them. The moon had set, and clouds blotted out many of the stars. In the distance, along the Burnt River, fireballs burst into the air, disappearing almost as quickly as they appeared. The ground below lay in shadow, but about halfway between them and Tharius’s distraction, orange dots of light flickered. Campfires and torches.
Get ready, Keir said. We’re close.
Baz sat up and took a rope off his shoulder. Hold on. I’m going to anchor a rope to the one around Keir’s neck.
Just as he finished tying off the end, Keir banked and descended rapidly. The rope slipped from his fingers and uncoiled, slithering down Keir’s shoulder where it dangled and flapped in the wind. Baz hooked an ankle in the neck rope and used both hands to pull up the loose one he’d nearly lost.
How could King Lotario not be proud of such a son?
Baz made a loop at the end of the rope. As soon as Keir is in position, I’ll get this round your waist and lower you down. Give it a tug when you’re ready to be hauled up.
She nodded against his shoulder.
Vanda, when this is all over—
Mel didn’t want to hear confessions or promises or anything intended for her friend. Don’t. Please. Wait until this is all over, and then we can talk.
The orange dots bloomed larger as Keir descended. He flapped and hovered for a moment before dropping to the rooftop. His black hide blended well with the obsidian tower.
If only the roof weren’t so slanted. Keir gripped the spire and pressed his belly against the smooth volcanic rock, folding his wings to keep them hidden as long as possible from prying eyes, which were at present focused on the exploding river. He braced himself against the window ledge with one back foot.
Baz laid himself flat, securing his own foot against the neck rope, almost standing on it, but Mel lost her grip and started sliding. He threw the loop over her, and she managed to get first one arm and then the other through. He pulled up the slack and lowered her down Keir’s back until her toes touched the windowsill.
No arrows had yet been fired. The darkness helped as much as Tharius’s distraction. Booted footsteps from the base of the tower and rumblings from the river echoed against the stone. Someone would eventually look up and notice the odd lump on the tower roof.
Mel gripped the upper window frame for balance, thankful Gram had left the shutters open. She crouched, ready to lower herself into the room.
Almost too soft to make out, Baz said, I love you.
Had he meant for her to hear? How could she know what Vanda would say to that? She couldn’t commit her to anything by repeating those words to him, so she ignored them.
She sat on the sill, lowered herself into the room, and blinked as her eyes adjusted to the yellow glow of a lamp. The large room held basic bedroom furnishings and one occupant, who was leaning out the far window.
“Gram?” She didn’t even know the woman’s proper name.
Gram turned. Tired blue eyes blinked at her from a pale face. Her white hair was coiled tightly in a braided bun. A black weaver dragon lay curled around her neck and peeked at Mel through one open eye. The woman looked more like a grandmother than Mel’s own Grandma Millicent—the retired former queen of Ituria. This woman exuded a different kind of strength.
Gram straightened her shoulders. “Where’s my Vanda?”
Chapter Nineteen
Mel stared dumbfounded at Gram, who stood at the far window of the tower. Had the ring stopped working for some reason? Mel glanced down at herself, but she still held Vanda’s form. Gram must have some sorcery-related way of knowing she wasn’t her granddaughter.
Mel approached until the rope pulled taut under her arms and whispered, “Vanda is safe. I’m Princess Melantha of Ituria. Please don’t let anyone know—it’s vital to breaking the curse. I wish I could explain more right now, but we don’t have much time. We’re here to get you out.” She held out a hand.
Gram shook her head wearily. “Save yourself the trouble and the time, girl, and go break the curse first. No one’s getting through that door anytime soon.”
Mel glanced at the door. A shout reached them from outside the tower.
Hurry! Keir and Baz spoke in unison.
Mel put her hands on her hips. “Vanda would not leave her Gram behind. If I go back out there without you, I’m announcing to everyone that something is wrong. Please come and we’ll get you to safety. Quickly!”
Gram shook her head. “Tell them I’m too frail to move. It’s not far from the truth.”
She wasn’t leaving her in the king’s custody. If he found out what they were doing, he might kill Gram out of spite. Mel stepped out of the rope and moved forward, putting an arm around Gram’s waist. “I’ll carry you over my shoulder if I have to, but I’m not leaving you.”
The weaver dragon hissed at her.
“Pipe down,” she said. “You know I’m doing the right thing.”
“Go on then,” Gram said to him. “Wait for me outside.”
He flew off, whacking Mel’s arm with the tip of his tail on the way.
“Don’t worry. He don’t hold grudges. Usually.”
Gram stood tall and gripped Mel tightly about the waist, not quite as frail as she’d claimed. If Mel were in her own form, Gram would stil
l be several inches shorter than she was. They took a few steps forward. When they got to the window, Mel put the rope around Gram’s waist.
All right, you’ve got her. I’ll help her out the window, and you pull her up.
Right, Baz said.
She stuck her head out the window to double-check Keir’s position. A couple of torches bobbed at the bottom of the tower six stories below, far enough away to make their position difficult for arrows to reach in the dark. But not impossible. She ran back and doused the lamp to give the soldiers less of a target.
“In all seriousness, ma’am, just how frail are you?” She checked the window again. Keir had managed to scoot down, or else he’d slipped. Either way, it brought Baz closer.
“You’re not going to break me, girl.” Gram patted her on the cheek. “Now help me onto this ledge.”
Mel scooped her up like a child and sat her on the ledge next to Keir’s foot. Baz pulled the rope taut, and an arrow whizzed by, pinging off the stones.
She put a hand to her hip, tempted to sling one of her daggers down as a warning and make them pause before firing more arrows—surely she could hit something by aiming at the torches—but her throwing daggers had disappeared when she’d twisted the ring. She grasped Vanda’s dagger instead. Since Vanda had been practicing, it wouldn’t be a complete giveaway if she hit someone’s helmet with it.
Give them a good roar, Keir. They already know you’re there.
He complied, and she leaned past Gram and threw a dagger. It glanced off a torch, knocking it to the ground.
Bullseye!
The little weaver is giving them a hard time, Keir said.
One of the soldiers shouted, and someone doused the other torch. Or the weaver knocked it down.
Mel helped Gram stand on the ledge, one arm tight about her hips. Gram turned around so she faced out, her legs shaking, and held on tight to the rope under her arms.
Ready!
Baz pulled up Gram gently by the rope until he got her close enough to reach out his hand. She grasped it with both her own, and he hauled her up behind him. Mel had made the right decision to have him stay with Keir. She never would have been able to pull up Gram like that.
Keir roared again, the sound full of anger and vibrating off the stone. His tail thrashed madly, knocking tiles from the roof.
They hit his tail! Baz said.
Keir’s talons slipped. He flapped to steady himself, and then he pushed off the roof and took to the air.
The soldiers still fired shots in the dark. She ducked back inside, unable to see anything below without the torches or the moon. The Burnt River still flared and sparked in the distance. How long would the distraction keep working? Already, spots of torchlight moved towards the tower.
How would she get out now?
She roughly guessed Keir’s general direction from the sound of his wings beating a steady whump whump in the night air as he circled the tower. She wiped a bead of sweat from her lip.
Keir spoke before panic set in. When I say now, jump out the window as far as you can. I’ll catch you.
That’s not my idea of a plan! She felt sure Vanda would answer the same way.
She huddled in the window near the side to avoid the flying arrows. If those soldiers had any idea who they really shot at, they’d be quaking in their boots.
After a few year-long moments, Keir roared. Now!
She pushed off hard from the window ledge.
Not far enough! Not far enough! Falling too fast!
Two black paws scooped her out of the air. Keir pulled up from a dive and flapped furiously towards the sea. Mel clung to him, trying not to kick her dangling legs. The adventure books never explained the sheer terror that accompanied such daring feats. After a moment, he tucked her up into his chest, which cut down on the wind, and moved one paw down to cup her feet.
Vanda, are you all right? Baz asked.
Yes.
That was amazing! You’re amazing! We did it!
Gram? She couldn’t manage any more words at the moment.
She’s fine, and she’s got Jak with her.
Jak? Oh, the weaver dragon.
I can see where you get your strength.
She would have to pass that along to Vanda sometime.
The Burnt River flowed about a quarter league to their left. On the horizon ahead, a slit of grey separated the ocean from the sky, enlarging every second.
Dawn.
Keir—
I know. I hope you have a plan for when we get there.
She had no plan.
The glowing river seemed to draw closer as they flew, but it was only curving in their direction and widening as it neared the sea. She hadn’t realized the chink would be so near it.
Plan. She needed a plan. Shivering, she blinked rapidly, trying to draw moisture back into her eyes. She needed to think as fast as they flew. Baz, ask Gram if there’s any way to know where the chink is.
After a pause, he said, Basically, no. Another pause, and then he added excitedly, Wait. She says Jak knows. He’ll lead us through. Keir, slow down so he can lead us.
Great! If she weren’t being squeezed by a dragon, she’d breathe a sigh of relief. She had the urge to giggle. They would just need to reunite with Vanda and Orin afterward, and everything would be perfect.
Keir slowed. Jak flitted in front of him, back and forth, and then he darted ahead. The grey light grew, and the river continued to widen.
Gram says slow up a bit more, Baz said. Jak is laying some webs so we can see.
How was she able to tell him to do that? She spoke to herself, mostly, not expecting an answer.
She didn’t tell him. He’s doing it on his own.
She had no idea weavers were so intelligent. Or that they could fly so well. They usually preferred navigating treetops and ruins rather than open skies. What a special dragon. But… how in all the world would he get his web to stick to an invisible barrier? Not that it mattered at this point.
If I slow up much more, we won’t make it before daybreak.
Keir flew straight at a spot dangerously close to the Burnt River. If the curse broke immediately after they flew through the chink, he would transform in midair and they would plummet into the water. Normally, that might be an ideal landing spot, but the water nearby steamed and boiled where the lava fell into the ocean.
Keir, can you see how big that hole is, yet?
Yes. If I tuck in my wings and everyone ducks, we should make it through.
She didn’t like the way he said should. How were they to avoid the lava or the boiling-hot seawater?
Baz spoke. Circle round and get as fast a dive as you can. Angle yourself away from the lava waterfall. We need to get enough speed that we’ll be thrown clear of the Burnt River when we pass the barrier. Understand?
Yes. I can do that.
Mel wanted to ask if everyone could swim, but Vanda would already know that about Gram. She couldn’t risk creating doubt in Baz’s mind when they were so close. Besides, it didn’t matter now, because they were all going to hit the water. And hard, no doubt.
Instead of circling round, Keir descended faster than he’d ever done before. I’m letting Gram off.
Do we have time? Mel said.
We’ll make time. I won’t risk taking her through.
He landed with a surge of his wings and balanced on his back legs, using his tail to steady himself. He held tight to Mel as dirt clouded the air. The waves crashed several dozen yards away on the other side of the barrier, and the lava hissed as it hit the salt water. Cloud-like steam escaped above the top of the cliffs, illuminated from behind by the invading sunlight. Baz helped Gram down, and she hobbled away to a safe distance. Jak swooped in and landed on her shoulder.
Keir gouged the earth as he kicked off and heaved himself into the air. He labored to get the height he needed, angling first away from the barrier, and then circling around a few times. Up and up and up.
Hold on!
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He tucked his wings and dove.
Mel squeezed her eyes shut and sucked in a deep breath, swallowing a scream. Keir’s heartbeat pounded against her back. She hadn’t noticed it before. Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.
Her ears popped.
Keir unfurled his wings and roared. His whole body vibrated with the agony of it.
She opened her eyes.
The ocean lay beneath them, and Keir glided slowly back to the beach. She gasped and tried to mind-talk to him. No response. She tried again with Baz, but got nothing. What had happened?
Keir landed at the base of the cliffs near a grassy slope and dropped her roughly on the ground. The Burnt River sizzled into the water in a cloud of steam about thirty yards away. After Baz slid down to join her, Keir stumbled down the beach, kicking up sand. He tried to fold his wings but gave up after two attempts and dragged them half closed at his side.
Baz watched his friend stagger along. “It didn’t work. We must have needed Mel after all. At least we’re safe on this side. Except for Gram!”
They both glanced up towards the barrier. A small figure slowly descended the grassy slope. Gram. She’d gotten through the barrier. Or…
“It did work,” Mel whispered, “but not for Keir.”
Chapter Twenty
Mel crossed her arms, shivering as the wind off the sea buffeted her. Why hadn’t the curse been broken for Keir? It made no sense.
“He’s going to change soon,” Baz said. “Assuming that hasn’t been affected.”
She put a hand on his arm. “Go stay with him. I’ll get Gram.”
She ran up the slope, even though her legs felt like water, and met Gram halfway up. Gram sank to the grass and propped her arms on her knees, panting and swaying to one side.
“Are you all right? You didn’t have to come all the way down here.”
She pointed over her shoulder. “Didn’t fancy staying with the soldiers. About a dozen headed this way, and that prince down there is the only one who can stop them.”
Mel knelt down. “Climb on my back.” Gram obeyed without a word, and Jak circled them, chirping as if to hurry them. Keir’s transformation on the beach barely registered as Mel kept her gaze on her feet so she didn’t slip.