by Apryl Baker
“I’ll wake them.” Ryder nodded, her eyes finally starting to focus. “They have been asleep far too long and need to rejoin the world.”
Stephen drew in a frustrated breath, but kept silent. He knew better than to argue with Valeria. The woman was more stubborn than his own grandmother.
“Stephen, go with her.” Val watched the rest of their crew withdraw from the room, her eyes troubled. “I don’t want her there by herself in case things don’t go as planned. Get her out.”
“Of course.”
“Then come with me.” Serath took off at a rapid pace, and Stephen and Ryder ran to catch up with her fast-moving form. She led them deep into the heart of the hidden city and then down into the underbelly where crypts and catacombs ran the length of all of Atlantis. How she knew her way boggled Stephen’s mind, as he found it hard to remember the way they’d come.
Serath finally came to a stop outside a set of double doors that were a hundred times taller than anything Stephen had ever seen. This entire chamber was massive. It had to extend upward into the city itself. How had they not seen it? Magic. It had to be shielded by magic.
A loud rumble startled both Stephen and Serath, but Ryder simply smiled. “They’re snoring.”
Snoring? It sounded like an explosion.
Ryder pushed the doors open easily. They creaked, and Serath looked in nervously. Would the sound awaken them prematurely? Would they burn first and ask questions later? All these questions and more assaulted Stephen as Ryder strode into the eerily dark room. Serath touched her hand to a panel along the inside wall, and lights sprang on throughout the room. Not bright, but enough for Stephen to see the gigantic mass of Dragons in the center, sound asleep. The burnt orange one was on its back, feet stuck straight up in the air like a dreaming kitten. The deep green one lay curled in a tight ball, while the biggest of the three was stretched out, its head facing them. Its eyelid was bigger than Stephen was tall, and he took an involuntary step backward.
None of the Dragons on Roanoke Island came close to the massive size of these three. They were monstrously big.
Ryder walked right up to the one Stephen assumed was the king and whispered in its ear. A snort sent her reeling backward, her dress flying in the wind.
She got up, her face set in a mask of determination. “Kelestion, vamorialdia setendar!”
Her voice echoed around the chamber, thousands of times louder than it normally would have been. The tenor had gone gravelly, and the power in it staggered Serath. Stephen remained impervious to the effects. Why, he wasn’t sure, but Ryder impressed him. Like she had so many times over the last few weeks.
The king cracked an eyelid and studied the tiny woman shouting at him. The deep, bloody yellow eye roved around the room lazily and came back to settle on the girl.
“Kelestion.”
The Dragon yawned and stretched, and the razor-sharp spikes that spread from his neck down his back to his tail rippled as he moved.
“I am Ryderroux, daughter of Bromarhian, heir to the throne of all Dragons.”
Serath gasped at this statement, but the Dragon’s gaze grew sharper. He still had not spoken, but he was listening.
“I am here to ask for your help.”
The Dragon shook himself, and the movement seemed to awaken the others, as they began to stretch and move as well.
“What aid could the daughter of Bromarhian need from an ancient such as I?” The Dragon’s voice was raspy and low, probably from non-use for hundreds of years.
“You are in Atlantis, and we seek to take the city back from the thief who took it from the rightful ruler. They have magicians, more magicians than the small force going against them can handle.”
Kelestion stood, his head brushing the ceiling. He glanced at it irritably. “What do I care for the games of foolish humans?”
“They are the foolish humans who gave you refuge when you wanted peace.” Ryder stood her ground even when the massive beast barreled toward her. The other two stood and stretched, their wingspans reaching from one end of the chamber to the other.
“Again, they are just humans. Their games have nothing to do with me.”
“But they’re not just humans. The Dendalis have Dragon blood in them, your blood, specifically. You cannot desert your kin in their time of need. Dragons band together and protect what is ours. Because of Valeria’s Dragon blood, that means she is ours, and so is Atlantis and every citizen who carries even a minute amount of our lineage within them.”
Even from this distance, Stephen could see the glint of triumph in Ryder’s eyes. They shined with confidence. She’d struck a chord the elder Dragons could not deny. She called upon heritage and bloodlines.
“You dare to try to command me, girl?” Flames licked at the edges of the Dragon’s nostrils, teasing the air around him with smoke. Stephen didn’t hesitate. He ran and pulled Ryder away from the Dragon, shielding her with his own body. He’d failed her once; he wouldn’t do it again.
The beast looked at him, its glare telling him that he was no more than a fly to swat, but he did not move. “You will not harm her.”
“And who are you, human, to tell me what I will or will not do with one of my own?”
“I am her protector, and I will not let you harm her.” He held its gaze, shoving back his own fear.
It let out a sound that might have been a laugh. Stephen wasn’t sure.
“You are fragile, only a human. There is nothing you can protect her from, certainly not one of her own kind. You are nothing.”
“He’s more than nothing.” Ryder pushed him out of the way, which earned her a frustrated glare from Stephen, which she promptly ignored. “He has risked his life for mine, even though my foolish actions cost him his entire crew. He is not nothing.”
The old Dragon seemed to think on her words. “You have vowed to protect her?”
“I have, and I will.”
“Then you need to be able to do so.” He moved, his steps shaking the ground around them, and ordered them to follow him. Ryder didn’t hesitate, forcing Stephen to go along. He didn’t want her anywhere near these creatures because he couldn’t tell if they meant them harm.
Behind the mound of Dragon flesh lay another chamber just as large as the first. Treasure upon treasure was piled around the room. It was enough gold to finance the entire planet for millennia. He’d forgotten the old legend that Dragons were true hoarders who loved everything shiny. They typically amassed fortunes.
Kelestion nosed around in one of the piles until he found what he was looking for. He picked up a simple wooden box in his mouth and leaned down so Ryder could take it from him. She frowned, unsure what the ancient meant for her to do.
“It is for the boy,” Kelestion muttered, rolling his head. Stephen shuddered at the loud sounds of bones popping. It was the most unpleasant thing, making him remember how easily this creature could snap his bones.
Stephen took the box and opened it. Inside lay a set of garments, a shirt and a pair of leather pants. Peasant clothes. That was what it reminded him of. “Put them on, boy, and you’ll be worthy of being this princess’s champion.
The old beast was out of his mind if he thought a change of clothes would make him better able to protect Ryder.
“Do not make me change my mind, boy. Put them on now.”
Kelestion reminded Stephen of his grandfather and his way of commanding everyone around him. Stephen had often indulged him just to avoid being harassed. What harm could it do to put the clothes on if it meant the Dragon wouldn’t eat them and helped Valeria? He went behind one of the piles of gold for privacy and slipped the clothes on. They were a little big, but they would do.
Before he could take a step, a burning sensation consumed every inch of his body, the clothes molding to him like a glove. He screamed as the pain overwhelmed him. He was being incinerated. Ryder was yelling, but he couldn’t focus on her as his lungs were consumed in the intense burn, robbing him of breath. He staggere
d and fell, his arms catching his fall, but even those gave out as the pain destroyed everything in him that was human.
What felt like hours later, he was finally able to move, the breath returning to his oxygen starved lungs. He tested his limbs. Moveable, but sore. What happened to him?
When he sat up, he found Ryder and Serath at his side, tears falling softly from Ryder’s scared eyes.
“You woke up.” She threw herself at him, wrapping him in a hug so tight it might have crushed a man, but he only grunted and hugged her back.
“What did he do to me?”
“It’s the clothes.” She hiccupped and squeezed him tighter. “They are made of the oldest Dragon magic still left in the world. It turned you into someone capable of protecting me.”
“Turned me into…?”
She pulled away from him and nodded. This was not good at all. Not at all. She handed him a small mirror he assumed she’d found in the hoard. He looked down and then looked again. It was him, but it wasn’t. His features had sharpened, and his blue eyes now held a ring of gold in them. He stood and stretched. He was taller, a good foot taller than he’d been.
“See, boy?” the elder Dragon’s voice boomed around him. “You are now made of blood and magic, worthy of being her protector. You are stronger, faster, and harder to kill. You can even withstand my fire.”
“I…”
“I am sorry!” Ryder fell to her knees, her head bent. “I’ve taken so much from you already. This should have been your choice, you should have known…not have it thrust upon you. I am so very sorry, Stephen.”
He watched her shoulders shake as she wept. Her guilt was misplaced. This was not on her. He walked over and squatted in front of her. “Be at ease, little Dragon. This is not your fault, and I do not blame you. I do not even blame this beast.”
“No?” Ryder lifted her head, and he wiped her tears away.
“If it means I can protect you, I would have gladly accepted this. I wish I had known about the pain, though. I would have been better prepared.”
She gave him a half smile, and he helped her to stand. “Have your Dragons agreed to help Valeria?”
“Yes, we have.” Kelestion drew his attention from Ryder. “The Dendalis are descended from my bloodline, and I am bound by honor to give them aid.” He let out a keening noise, and the ceiling above them began to shake and then shift, folding in on itself, letting the bright blue sky bathe the dark room in light. “Where is the mordra?”
“The mordra?” Ryder frowned. “We do not have a mordra.”
“Yes, child, you do. I can feel him.”
“What is a mordra?” Serath asked, still a good way back from the Dragons. She trusted them about as much as Stephen did.
“A human who can lead the Dragons. We’ve haven’t had one in many years, though.”
“You’re wrong, girl.” Kelestion shook his head. “Have you not felt him? Think. Is there someone among you that you feel drawn to, that you can’t explain who or what he is?”
“Lukas!” she breathed. “I’ve been trying to figure out who he is since I met him. I knew he wasn’t quite human. He was kind to me, from the very beginning.”
“Of course, he was. It is bred into him to care for you. He is neither human nor Dragon, but he walks with one foot in the world of humans and one in the Dragon realm. Take me to him. Now.”
Stephen’s head wanted to split open. A headache bloomed behind his eyes, but he had to focus. Val was counting on him.
“Can you change into a human form? We don’t want Hera’s magicians to know about you until it’s too late.”
“Of course.” The elder Dragon grinned. “Take me to my mordra, and we will win this war for you.”
And for the first time all day, Stephen had hope that they could win this.
They would win this.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Marching with the Iron Brigade was like moving with a rolling earthquake. The army was made up of one half massive armored machines that stood fifteen feet tall, and one half ancient Atlantian warriors who had been under a sleeping spell, only to be woken by their next true leader.
Val walked at the head of her army along with Tobias, Arulian, Ya-You, and Serath. Serath had joined their group, asking to send Lukas to help Stephen and Ryder with their assignment. Val had reluctantly agreed. Lukas had promised her he would be back as soon as possible.
The day that had begun with Val discovering the sleeping city of Atlantis was now coming to an end. The sun which normally shone bright overhead was making its westward descent. Even now, the orange orb was falling behind Atlantis’s tallest buildings.
The fresh, salty breeze from the sea reminded Val of easier moments riding on The Emerald Queen, moments she would need to cling to if she was going to get out of the next few hours alive.
Her army—it still sounded strange to call it “her army”—assembled outside the recently risen city of Atlantis. They had begun their march to the palace in the center of the city only minutes before.
Word was already spreading. Citizens of Atlantis hurried this way and that to find cover from the coming engagement. Many of the people looked stuck in a state of awe and panic.
Val had to admit the military presence behind her was more than impressive. The mechanical suits of armor were made up of a heavy circular helmet that reminded Val of old pictures of deep sea divers before the seas had become contaminated. The armor covered them from helmet to heavy boots. Each of the machines carried an intimidating weapon ranging from some sort of light powered gun, to swords, to more archaic weapons like axes and maces.
The slumbering Atlantian soldiers were not as large but still more than impressive. They were tall, strong men and women who wore their own version of armor. Unlike the large machines, these soldiers all carried the same weapons. Every soldier had a bow and quiver of arrows slung around their shoulders. Along with this, they held a tall shield and carried a sheathed sword. At their side, a small pistol was slung. Val assumed these weapons shot the same green light as the bigger ones the machines carried.
Serath was acting as the go-between for Val and the rest of the soldiers while Ya-You was to head up the mechanical units.
“Are you sure we should put Ya-You in charge of—well, in charge of anything?” Val said in a whisper to her grandfather as she landed a skeptical sideways glance at the aged medicine man, who was lifting a bottle of his infamous mystery liquor to his own lips. “He’s more likely to pass out from drinking too much than make a strategic military move.”
“Ya-You won’t let you down,” Tobias said as if he too had asked himself this question. “Each member in your team has their own strengths and weaknesses. Ya-You’s strength is loyalty. He’ll hold whatever position you need to the last man—er, the last machine.”
Val pushed the thought of people dying in the battle from her mind. It was something she realized was coming, but there was no use tormenting herself with it. Right now, she should be concentrating on how to end the conflict quickly to save as many lives as possible.
Her green robe whipped around her, played with by the wind, as her boots crossed over the stone roads through the city. The only sound was the stomping of booted and mechanical feet behind her.
The city, alive with activity only hours before, was nearly a ghost town. The very last doors were being closed by those who chose to stay, the last windows latched shut to try to fend off any harm that would come the residents’ way.
“When Hera strikes, she’ll strike quickly,” Tobias said from her left. “I’ll deal with her when we meet her on the battlefield.”
“Not if I get to her first.” Val’s gaze searched the building outlines for any sign of the enemy. “I’m not sure what happened with you two before, but—”
Boom!
The harsh sound of something like a massive drum silenced Val. She reached for her weapon, unsheathing the blade, while at the same time channeling the magic that
lived inside of her.
Boom! Boom!
From around a corner, still several hundred yards away, a company of Titans walked toward them. The augmented soldiers were covered in heavy armor. The second line of the force carried giant war drums they pounded in sync with their march.
The street allowed for six of the enormous soldiers to stand shoulder to shoulder. Val gritted her teeth as she remembered how difficult it had been to take down a single Titan, let alone an entire company of them.
Ya-You and Serath were already preparing their units to hold a defensive position around Val. But that really wouldn’t be Val’s style.
“We’re going to charge them.” Val stared down the approaching enemy lines. “Get your units ready. I’ll go with the machines first, and then bring the rest of the soldiers.”
“I’m sorry, did you just say we’re charging into that?” Serath asked. The woman was far from a coward. Her gray hair was pulled back into a tight braid. Silver armor covered her torso, shoulders, and forearms, and she carried a heavy spear with a tip so long it made up half the weapon.
“Ya-You like plan.” Ya-You belched from his spot behind Val. Unlike his counterpart, the medicine man had no armor, neither did he carry any weapons, unless you counted his jug of alcohol. “Strong plan.”
“I’m not going to stand here and wait.” Val’s thoughts fled to what Tobias had said about Hera being a cunning strategist. “I’ll go in with Ya-You and the machines. Serath, on second thought, you hold back a moment to make sure this isn’t some kind of trap.”
Tobias didn’t offer any advice, but Val saw her grandfather nodding along with the changes she had made to her plan. “A queen should rally her troops.”
“Let’s get this done.” Val took a stance in front of her army. The machines looked at her through unblinking lenses while the men and women gazed on her with respect in their eyes.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!