by K J Taylor
But it wasn’t enough. In no time at all the ruby began to burn, and pain and weakness spread through his chest. He groaned aloud — but then Rutger’s hand shot out, catching him by the arm, and he felt new energy flow into him. The Drachengott’s magic, leached out of him by the Magic Taker. Of course!
With a great effort, Nils turned his head toward Elynor. ‘Take hold of me!’ he shouted at her. ‘Share the magic!’
Elynor didn’t seem to hear him, but Ambrose must have. He let go of Haedwig’s hand and took Nils’s other arm, and the magic flowed between the four of them — more and more of it, on and on.
Above them, the Drachengott began to make a strange groaning sound. The dragons above him started to fall away from him in clusters, like leaves in autumn. The Bond Breaker was doing its work. And still none of them attacked, and the Drachengott did not move.
Confusion twinged at Nils — was it really going to be this simple? Wasn’t the Drachengott even going to fight back?
Scales were beginning to flake away from the Drachengott’s chest, each one the size of a cottage roof. They crashed onto the mountainside, breaking chunks of rock which tumbled downward in a landslide. But then the massive beast’s groaning suddenly swung around into a roar. His head came up and the mountain beneath him shook, and Nils’s mouth dropped open in shock as the Drachengott stood up.
His wings opened, shards of stone falling away from their webs, and his great talons lifted out of the hollows they had worn into the mountain, pulling in under his belly to lift him.
His underside was pale mushroom grey, and covered in ugly, weeping sores where the rock of the mountain had worn the scales away. His legs seemed clumsy, but then they probably hadn’t held him up for hundreds of years.
Everyone faltered. Behind them the bulk of the army broke and ran. Even the Ketzer ran. But Rutger, Nils, Ambrose and Elynor did not move. Maybe they couldn’t anymore.
The Drachengott’s roar grew louder. TOO SOON! he bellowed. YOU CAME TOO SOON!
There was more than rage there, Nils realised with a shock — there was despair. But before he had time to consider that, it was too late. The Drachengott’s jaws opened wide, and something began to glow at the back of his throat.
YOU HAVE FAILED, he roared. NOW . . . THIS WILL BE YOUR PUNISHMENT.
‘Look out—’ Nils started to say, but there was no time to say anything else.
The Drachengott turned his head north, and breathed a torrent of fire. Green fire, enough to dry a lake. It shot clear over the lands beyond the mountain and disappeared onto the horizon, and the Drachengott turned, sending more of it, spreading it far and wide, to the north and to the east. The entire sky lit up with it, the mountain and the lands below it turning lurid green, and Nils heard Elynor scream. Panicking, he lowered the Soul Thief and withdrew his magic, and not a moment too soon. The Drachengott turned, and now the fire was coming closer, burning toward them.
‘Run!’ he yelled, and made a dash for it, heading straight for the cave with Rutger still holding onto his arm.
They dived through the entrance, falling over each other as the ground outside the cave vanished in a green inferno.
Inside all was unnaturally silent. The coloured flames were burning in their holes, and the heap of gems twinkled. But the Drachengott’s roars shook the ground beneath them and the mountain above.
Elynor caught hold of Ambrose. ‘We have to get out of here,’ she said. ‘The children—’
Nils lowered the Soul Thief. ‘Wait,’ he said. ‘Wait.’
Rutger had let go of him. ‘What is it?’ he asked shakily. ‘Are you all right, Theodor?’
‘I think so.’ Nils hurried over to the heap of gems. ‘Let’s take them. Now, while we have the chance.’
‘He’s right,’ Ambrose said quickly. ‘If that woman — Swanhild, or whoever she is — if she can teach us how to give other people magic, then we need gems.’
Nils gathered up an armload and stuffed them into his pockets. Once they were full to bursting he scooped more into his shirt. Rutger pulled his flying sails off his back and turned them into a makeshift bag. Elynor and Ambrose took as many as they could carry, and by the end they had reduced the pile by about half.
Outside the roars had stopped, and an eerie silence fell.
‘We have to go,’ said Rutger. ‘Now: is there another way out?’
‘I don’t think so,’ said Nils.
‘Yes, there is,’ said Elynor. ‘This way.’ She ran to the back of the cave, where there was indeed another entrance, mostly hidden behind a cluster of stalagmites.
Nils peered into its depths. ‘Where does it go?’
‘I don’t know, but it’s better than trying to go out the way we came in,’ said Elynor. ‘Hurry!’
She ran off down the tunnel, and the others followed.
Nils’s dragon eyes gave him good night vision, but even so he disliked the tunnel. It felt far too small and airless, and the weight of the mountain above was smothering. But it didn’t go too far. He turned a corner and saw light up ahead. Relieved, he made for it, with Rutger close behind.
The four of them emerged into daylight, all blinking uncomfortably. They were at the mountain’s base, on a side Nils had never seen before, and there was dense forest in front of them.
Elynor sniffed the air. ‘I think this is the north side,’ she said. ‘Come — we can hide in the trees.’
They bolted, not daring to look up at the Drachengott. But, even though there were still dragons above them, none of them seemed to notice the four fleeing humans. They reached the relative shelter of the trees and kept on going, knowing they had to get as fast and as far as they could. They didn’t stop until the mountain was no longer visible behind them, and Elynor finally collapsed, gemstones spilling out of her dress.
‘The children,’ she said in a strange, flat voice. She clutched at her husband’s hand. ‘Ambrose, the children.’
He gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I know. But they could have escaped . . .’
Nils gave his father a pained look. ‘Why?’ he said. ‘Why didn’t the Drachengott just kill us?’
‘He tried,’ said Rutger.
‘No he didn’t,’ said Ambrose. ‘He could have killed us before we ever reached him, but he let us come. Why?’
‘He said it was too soon,’ said Nils. ‘It doesn’t make any sense. Too soon for what?’
Rutger shrugged helplessly. ‘He killed the others. He must have. We’re all that’s left.’
‘Don’t say that,’ said Elynor. She had gone red around the eyes. ‘I won’t believe that,’ she said. ‘Not unless I see them dead.’
‘If they’re dead, then there might not be anything left to see,’ said Rutger. ‘All that fire . . .’
‘But what did he do that for?’ said Nils. ‘He sent it so far away — why? What was he burning?’
‘Gallia,’ said Ambrose. ‘And Swetzland. That’s what lies beyond the Wendisch borders to the north and the north-east. But he can’t have—’
‘It can’t have reached that far,’ said Nils.
‘Maybe it can,’ said Rutger. ‘We don’t know what he can do.’
Elynor straightened up. ‘Come,’ she said huskily. ‘We have to keep going. If we’re on the northern side of the mountains, then we can make for Ketzergard. We should be safe enough there.’
Nils wearily rubbed his forehead. ‘Let me do it,’ he said. ‘I can fly ahead and find it. Maybe I could fly back there and see what happened to the others—’
‘Don’t,’ said Rutger. ‘It’s too dangerous.’
But Nils shook his head. ‘I don’t care,’ he said. ‘My . . . my mother . . . What happened to her, she did that for me. To save me. I owe her this. I’ll find out what happened to them, and then I’ll come back and find you again.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes,’ said Nils.
Chapter Fourteen
Nils quickly found a spot where the others could shelter —
a rocky overhang at the edge of the mountains. He guided them there, and Rutger lit a blue fire. Elynor and Ambrose huddled by it, her arm around his shoulders, and Rutger sat opposite them. He put his head in his hands and heaved a sigh. He looked so utterly exhausted, so caught up in despair, that Nils went over to him and nudged him gently with his muzzle.
Rutger looked up. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked huskily.
I’m tired, Nils said honestly. And aching all over. But I’ll be all right. How are you?
Tentatively, Rutger reached over and touched him on the forehead. His fingertips were cool against Nils’s red scales. ‘I still can’t believe you’re my son.’
I still can’t believe you’re my father, said Nils.
Rutger smiled weakly. ‘It’s a lot to take in. But I’m proud of you, Theodor. You were very brave today.’
We failed, said Nils.
‘But we tried.’
‘Rutger’s right,’ said Elynor. ‘We tried. At least we tried. And it was working.’ Her fists clenched. ‘It was working. Our weapons — they truly did hurt him.’
‘Then we should try again,’ said Ambrose.
‘Next time we might not be so lucky,’ Rutger pointed out. ‘And anyway—’
‘That woman was right,’ said Elynor. ‘There must be four of us. One final weapon to complete it.’
What weapon, though? said Nils. And where do we find it — and whoever is meant to use it?
‘Only one person can tell us that,’ said Rutger.
Nils huffed a small cloud of smoke. Yes, he said. I have to go and find the others. He opened his wings. Wait here — I’ll be back.
‘Are you sure?’ said Ambrose. ‘Maybe you should rest first.’
No, said Nils. This is more important.
Rutger stood up. ‘Go on, then, and good luck.’
Elynor stood, too, with some help from Ambrose. ‘If you find them, tell them to go to Ketzergard,’ she said. ‘We can rejoin them there.’
Nils nodded. I’ll be as fast as I can, he promised, and flew off.
***
His wings were hurting, but it was good to be in the air again. He kept the Soul Thief with him, resting along his belly. From the air it was easy to see where he was. They were indeed on the north side of the mountains, on the north side of Drucht Valley. He could see all of the thick forest which, according to Elynor, hid the Ketzer stronghold.
He could also see the Drachengott’s mountain. The Drachengott was there, lying on his belly as though nothing had happened. There were plenty of other dragons about as well, some flying over the mountains like him, although they paid him no attention. But the strangest thing of all was this: he could see smoke, but no fire.
The forest was completely untouched by the Drachengott’s fire. The flames had apparently passed straight over it and, although he could see smoke, it was far away on the northern horizon, rising into the sky in grim grey columns. There must be massive fires burning somewhere out there. Had the Drachengott really sent his fire beyond the borders of Wendland and into Swetzland or Gallia, or both? And, if so, why? None of it made any sense. Nothing that had happened that day did.
Nils huffed to himself again, and headed south into the valley. He stayed well clear of the Drachengott, but as he came closer to the remains of the settlement his heart leapt. There were people there! Hundreds of them, scattered all over the place. And there were dragons with them. Nils could see the blackened ground where the Drachengott had attacked him and the others, but it was only a narrow strip. The forest where they had found Syn was burning, but only at its edge, and the survivors were fleeing.
Nils flew down toward them as fast as he could, only to be intercepted in the air. Spurling and two other dragons met him. What dragon are you? Spurling roared.
Nils tried to grin. It’s me, Theodor! he called back.
The grey dragon relaxed at once. Theodor! You are alive!
Nils came closer, and they circled around each other. The others, he said urgently. What happened to the others?
Haedwig is dead, said Spurling. The Drachengott’s fire turned her to ashes in a second — I saw it. But Peter von Jarlsberg survived, and Lilith and Tancred. Where is Elynor? Where is Ambrose? And the Dragonsbane? Are they—?
They’re alive, said Nils. We escaped together into the forest. I have to see Lilith and Tancred.
Come with me.
Nils followed Spurling, who flew down to the settlement. Some of the survivors had gathered there, while others had scattered. The supply wagons which had been at the rear of the army were here, and Nils found Lilith standing by one, trying to console her brother. Tancred was openly weeping.
Nils landed by them, and turned back into a man. ‘Lilith! Tancred!’
Both of them turned sharply toward them. Lilith’s face was tear-streaked. ‘Theodor!’ she exclaimed. ‘You’re alive!’
‘Yes, and so are your parents,’ Nils said quickly. ‘And R— my father. They’re hiding in the forest.’
Tancred sobbed harder. ‘Oh, thank you. Thank everything.’
‘They’re not hurt?’ said Lilith.
‘No, they’re fine,’ said Nils. ‘We all thought you must be dead.’
She took in a deep, shaky breath. ‘Plenty of people are. If Mama hadn’t sent Tancred and me back, we probably would have died with them.’
‘My mother,’ Nils said urgently. ‘Did you get her to safety? Is she—?’
‘She’s alive,’ said Tancred. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve. ‘But she’s badly hurt. You should come and see her.’
They showed him to another wagon nearby, which had a cloth cover over it. Syn was lying inside it on a makeshift bed. Her wounds had been dressed, but she was only half-conscious. Nils could hear her muttering to herself through swollen lips.
He gently touched her on the forehead. ‘Mother.’
Syn’s eyelids flickered. ‘Dead,’ she rasped. ‘All dead . . .’
Nils’s heart shook. ‘No,’ he said. ‘No, they’re alive. We all are. Mother, can you hear me?’
She didn’t answer, but she seemed to relax under his touch.
Nils looked up at Lilith. ‘Can anyone heal her?’
She looked troubled. ‘Yes, but there are people worse off than her, and our doctors . . . You know how dangerous healing is. They don’t think she’ll die.’
‘She has to live!’ Nils said fiercely. ‘We need her. I . . . I need her. She’s my . . .’ He looked down at Syn’s bruised face. ‘She’s my mother,’ he said, his voice softening.
‘I understand,’ said Lilith. ‘Really. We’re looking after her. But Theodor, what are we going to do now? What did Mama say?’
Nils looked up at her and Tancred. ‘She said we have to go back to Ketzergard,’ he said. ‘We’ll meet you there. Can you lead everyone there, Lilith?’
‘Well . . .’
‘You can do it,’ Tancred said unexpectedly. ‘You’re a better leader than me. Anyway, Peter likes you, and he and Mathilde are leading the Gottlosen now. You need them on your side.’
‘All right,’ said Lilith. ‘I’ll try.’ She jumped down off the wagon and hurried off. Tancred followed.
Left behind, Nils leaned down toward Syn. ‘Mother,’ he said quietly. ‘We need your help. You have to tell me where to find the other one. Who is the fourth one? Where is the last weapon?’
Syn stirred, but didn’t reply.
‘Where are they?’ Nils repeated. ‘Mother, where are they? What did you see in your dreams? Mother?’ He patted her carefully on the cheeks. ‘Please just tell me, and then you can rest.’
Syn’s eyes stayed closed, but she seemed to hear him. ‘Dreams,’ she whispered. ‘Follow the dreams. By wind, by earth, by fire and water . . . four stones, four weapons, four . . .’
‘I know,’ said Nils. ‘I know all that. Where’s the fourth?’
‘Peace,’ said Syn. Her voice was a painful rasp. After that she fell silent and did not respond to him again, a
nd Nils saw that there was no point. She was too hurt and too sick to tell him anything now.
‘I’ll go back to him now,’ he told her. ‘My . . . my father. I’ll tell him that you are alive, and we’ll see you in Ketzergard. You’re going to be all right. I . . .’ He hesitated, not wanting to see her injuries but unable to avoid it. ‘I’m sorry,’ he muttered at last. ‘So sorry.’
He finally turned away and climbed down off the wagon. Nearby, Lilith was talking to Peter, a pudgy young Gottlosen noble, and a tough-looking woman dressed in blue. Tancred stood nearby with a pale yellow-brown female dragon whom Nils had often seen flying close to Spurling.
Spurling, however, was still by the wagon. Theodor, he said. I will go with you. Elynor and Ambrose need my help, and I can carry Elynor to Ketzergard. Perhaps you can carry Ambrose.
Nils hadn’t thought of that. ‘We can talk about it when we get there,’ he said. ‘But who’s going to lead the dragons if you’re gone?’
Birch will lead in my place, said Spurling, with a glance toward the brown female. But others will come with us. He gave a short, commanding roar, and a pair of other dragons flitted down to join them, both female. One had scales the colour of clouds, the other was yellowy with golden eyes.
Storm, Sunray — you will come with us, Spurling told them.
Yes, Spurling, said the yellow female.
Wearily, Nils made his way over to Lilith. ‘Lilith,’ he said. ‘We’re going now — Spurling and me. We’ll meet you in Ketzergard, all right?’
Lilith smiled at him, and something jolted in his stomach. ‘Yes. I trust you, Theodor.’
Nils smiled back uncertainly. ‘Take care of them,’ he said.
Lilith patted him on the shoulder. ‘I will — and you take care of my parents.’
‘I promise,’ said Nils, still uncertain. He’d never really spoken to a girl his own age before.
An awkward silence fell, and neither of them moved.
‘Go on, then,’ Lilith said finally. ‘We have a long way to go, so we should get started.’