Riders of the Realm #2

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

  When Dolfo was finished, he called for them. “I charge one full round per set of armor,” he said. “But I’ll take off twenty dramals from each of your sets because they’re small, requiring much less metal and leather than what I usually use.”

  Rahkki glanced at I’Lenna, and she nodded approval. Rahkki handed two gold coins to Dolfo, and then the man counted back forty bronze dramals. The Landwalkers slapped hands. “We’ll wear the armor home,” Rahkki said.

  Dolfo nodded. “Good idea. Best to get used to it right away.” He pointed to Echofrost. “She’s going to have some trouble lifting off at first.”

  Echofrost pranced on the sand as Rahkki dressed her. The adjustments Dolfo had made pleased her. The small annoyances where the metal had poked or scratched her hide were gone. He’d smoothed the chinks and bulges, narrowed and widened the metal in the right places, making it fit like a second hide.

  “You look tough,” Shysong whinnied, admiring her friend. Echofrost noticed that even Rahkki appeared larger and stronger in his armor.

  Rahkki thanked Dolfo, who returned to his tent. Then he handed I’Lenna a wrapped package.

  She took it, startled. “What’s this?”

  A flush crossed Rahkki’s cheeks. “It’s a late birthday present.”

  “Should I open it now?”

  Rahkki shrugged. “Open it whenever you want.”

  She clutched the present to her chest and then placed it gently in her satchel. “I’m going to wait. What else did you get?”

  Rahkki tapped his bag. “Hot pepper for Darthan, new boots for me, and a champion fighting beetle for Brauk. He needs something to do while he’s healing.”

  “That’s a nice present,” she admitted. “But the hot pepper—you know that’s the strongest spice in Daakur, right? It burns.”

  “The hotter the better for Darthan.”

  I’Lenna glanced west, toward home. “We should get back.”

  Rahkki nodded and climbed onto Echofrost’s back. She stumbled sideways under the weight of the boy and their two sets of armor. “I’ll never get off the ground,” she complained to Shysong.

  “Try a running start,” her friend suggested.

  Echofrost hadn’t anticipated this problem. With Rahkki leaning slightly forward, she galloped down the beach where the sand was moist and hard. She spread her wings and flapped. They lifted a winglength off the shore. Echofrost flapped harder, straining her wings. “Blast it!” she whinnied. “Until I get used to this, I don’t want to fly too high.”

  I’Lenna urged Shysong forward, and they caught up to Echofrost. The four of them cruised into the jungle, with Echofrost concentrating on staying aloft. Soon, warm sweat ran between her ears, and her wing muscles ached. They flew low and straight. They were almost back to the village when Echofrost spotted a bubbling stream. “I need water!” She landed near its banks with a hard stumble.

  I’Lenna and Shysong fluttered down next to her. Rahkki guessed Echofrost’s needs and slid off her back to give her a rest. I’Lenna dismounted too, and they let the mares drink in peace. Echofrost thrust her muzzle into the cool liquid and sucked long, deep mouthfuls.

  I’Lenna reached into her satchel and pulled out two white candies. “Peppermints,” she said to Rahkki, her voice teasing.

  “You got more?”

  “I have an endless supply.” I’Lenna whirled, running away.

  The princess zipped passed Echofrost, startling her. Then Rahkki rushed by, chasing I’Lenna. His armor clanged as he smacked into tree branches, and the princess squealed when he caught her.

  Rahkki laughed with her, and I’Lenna handed him the treat she held in her hand. The cubs rested in the leaves, staring up at the branches swaying overhead while sucking on their peppermints. Echofrost kept her ears pricked for danger, but the oppressive heat seemed to have squelched the jungle’s inhabitants. She scanned the trees. Monkeys were alarmists, and right now they were quiet. The area must be safe.

  I’Lenna sat up, selected a fallen tree branch, and began stripping off the leaves one by one. A soft, flowing croon emitted from her mouth.

  “Two in the jungle

  One in the sea

  Three in the fortress

  None with me.

  Strong as dragons, my children grow.

  Fast as arrows, my children go.

  Two in the jungle

  One in the sea

  Three in the fortress

  None with me.”

  Echofrost also rested and inspected her armor. Now she and Rahkki were ready to battle the giants, and her heart fluttered with excitement. They would free Hazelwind, Dewberry, and Storm Herd; and it would be happening soon!

  “Hsssss!”

  “What was that?” Rahkki whispered as he yanked I’Lenna upright.

  “I—I don’t know.” They all turned. Close behind them, waking from his slumber in the shadows, yawned a dragon.

  Granak!

  22

  Granak

  “DON’T MOVE,” I’LENNA WHISPERED AS SHE AND Rahkki stared up at the black-scaled dragon. The boy hadn’t heard Granak coming because the dragon was already there. He’d been so still in sleep that even the monkeys hadn’t realized his presence.

  Drool dripped from Granak’s jaws in a gleaming stream as he blinked into the sunlight. He hadn’t seen the kids—yet. The dragon’s tail disappeared into the jungle behind him, and bright colors flickered across his iridescent black scales. Rahkki remembered right then that Granak had refused to eat the Fifth Clan sow. “He’s hungry,” he whispered.

  The dragon’s forked yellow tongue whisked in and out. He swayed his head, tasting the air. His ribs expanded and then shrank with a loud hissing noise.

  “We’re downwind; he can’t smell us,” I’Lenna whispered back.

  The wild mares stood at least a hundred lengths away, also frozen in place, staring up at the giant lizard. If they moved, he’d hear them.

  Granak stepped forward, and his thick leg bent a tall sapling in half. The mares quietly spread their wings. Sula glanced at Rahkki as though calculating her odds of reaching him before the dragon did.

  Lowering his mighty head, Granak tasted the wind, revealing short serrated teeth. His long tail, naturally armored with bumpy scales, crashed between the trees.

  Suddenly a cross breeze swept through the jungle. It lifted I’Lenna’s long hair and fluttered Rahkki’s tunic.

  Granak cocked his head and twisted it, clearly smelling their scent. His dark round eyes flitted, then focused . . . on them. “Hsssssss.”

  “Run!” I’Lenna shouted.

  She and Rahkki bolted. The mares leaped off the ground. But one gigantic step put the dragon right behind Rahkki and I’Lenna as they skittered between the trees, holding hands, pulling each other faster. Rahkki’s heart hammered; his eyes blurred. He and I’Lenna yanked each other over roots and stumps, racing toward their village. Their Kihlara mares flew low, darting between the palms.

  Granak dropped his head and charged. The rain forest screamed to life as birds, deer, monkeys, insects, and rodents scattered. A band of orangutans swung from vine to vine, screeching at Rahkki and I’Lenna as if scolding them for waking the dragon.

  Rahkki skidded around a huge kapok tree and yanked I’Lenna down so hard she cried out. “Hide!” They quickly pushed vines and leaves over their bodies, but Granak reared back and uprooted their tree with his massive clawed foot. Thick roots popped out of the soil, throwing Rahkki and I’Lenna into the air. The broken kapok groaned, a dying monster. Granak’s toxic drool dripped down, sliming the jungle floor.

  The kids bounced onto the dirt. “This way!” I’Lenna shouted. She dragged Rahkki toward a cleared animal path where they could run faster, still holding hands.

  Leaves and dirt had fallen into I’Lenna’s hair; her shoulder was cut and bleeding. Granak thundered after them, and the tight trees mercifully slowed him.

  An image of I’Lenna caught between the reptile’s jaws flashed
through Rahkki’s mind so sharply that he heard her bones crunching in his ears. His friend was going to get eaten if he didn’t do something right now! Rahkki flicked his wrist, breaking her grasp on it.

  “Rahkki, no!” I’Lenna screamed.

  But then he was gone, running opposite her and waving his arms at Granak. “Over here!” he shouted.

  “Rahkki!” I’Lenna yelled. “Stop it! What are you doing?”

  Granak’s round eyes rolled toward the boy. His shimmering scales quivered. Rahkki ran as fast as he could, luring the dragon away from I’Lenna. This bleeding armor is going to get me killed, he thought, hating how the extra weight slowed him down. Then ahead, he spied his village.

  Echofrost caught up to the black dragon. “We have to help the cubs,” she whinnied to Shysong.

  The roan pinned her ears, and the pair swooped down, attacking like angry birds. Echofrost landed a barrage of kicks to Granak’s head. Shysong cracked him hard across his ear hole.

  The dragon peered up.

  Echofrost rose higher, fighting against the heaviness of her armor. Granak flicked out his tongue, almost reaching her, and saliva pooled at his feet. He hissed with a sharp contraction of his ribs.

  Echofrost coiled back her legs and glided a circle around the monster’s head, hoping that her bright feathers would keep his attention off the cubs. Below, Rahkki waved his arms, also trying to tease the dragon away. The princess had turned and was running toward Rahkki. Echofrost saw that these two were going to kill themselves trying to save each other. “Get the kids,” she neighed to Shysong.

  The roan mare peeled off and dived toward I’Lenna.

  Her quick movement attracted the lizard, and he stomped after her, picking up speed.

  “Behind you!” Echofrost whinnied.

  The lizard’s huge foot swung at the roan, just grazing Shysong’s wing. She spun out of control.

  “Get to the village! Get help!” Rahkki shouted.

  I’Lenna glanced at him, her cheeks blazing.

  “Please,” he mouthed.

  She turned and bolted toward the clan, toward help. Shysong spun into a tree and collapsed.

  “Firo!” I’Lenna ran back for her fallen mare.

  Echofrost gritted her teeth and flew into the dragon’s line of vision, angling her body so that her shiny armor reflected the sun into his eyes. The lizard paused, blinded.

  I’Lenna caught up to Shysong. The mare’s wing drooped, and she couldn’t fly, but she could run fast. The princess leaped onto her back, and the pair galloped toward the village.

  “Sula, watch out!” Rahkki shouted.

  Echofrost pinned her ears. The cub was trying to save her, but she had wings; she didn’t need saving!

  The black dragon heard the boy and charged Rahkki, cracking a tall palm tree in half. The trunk fell toward the cub, and Echofrost swooped down. She knocked the boy clear just as the tree landed where he’d been standing.

  Granak sprang, jaws wide.

  Echofrost thrust her tail toward Rahkki, and he snatched the end of it. “Go, go, go!” he cried. She galloped toward the village, dragging Rahkki through the brush behind her.

  The lizard followed, shoving his way through the dense forest, hissing in frustration. His long tongue flicked over their heads. Echofrost flapped her wings, and Rahkki dangled beneath her as she lifted a few lengths off the jungle floor. Rahkki’s weight, plus all the heavy armor, kept her from flying higher.

  Echofrost spied the fortress and the Kihlari training yard ahead. She flattened her neck, beating her wings harder and faster.

  I’Lenna and Shysong had already arrived, and the princess must have told the guards about Granak. Warning bells clanged from Fort Prowl, but something was wrong. The Landwalkers were fleeing into the fortress, into the barns, and into their huts. Two gate guards seized I’Lenna and dragged her, kicking and shouting, into the fortress. Doors slammed. Gates closed.

  Help was not coming!

  Echofrost surged forward, but the dragon was right behind her. Her muscles burned, her wings ached. She flew as fast as she could. Then suddenly Rahkki lost his grip on her tail and his weight was gone. She rocketed forward.

  Echofrost landed, her lungs burning. Rahkki hit the dirt in the Kihlari training yard and rolled onto his side.

  Granak burst out of the tree line and halted over the small boy, his shadow covering the yard. He roared, whipping his head toward Rahkki.

  “Help him!” I’Lenna screamed from the southernmost tower. Queen Lilliam snatched her daughter’s ear, yanked her into the tower, slammed the door, and returned to watching the dragon.

  Granak swiped his huge paw and slammed Rahkki’s chest. The boy tumbled across the yard.

  Echofrost brayed for help, but no Kihlari answered.

  Rahkki’s clanmates stared in openmouthed horror as the dragon clubbed the boy again. The queen, watching from the fortress wall, chewed her lip, breathless.

  And then Granak leaned in for the kill.

  23

  Commander of Dragons

  RAHKKI TUMBLED ACROSS THE SOIL, HIS BODY vibrating from the power of the dragon’s paw. His armor clanged, protecting his skin, and his satchel tore open, spilling the contents. Rahkki landed on his back, head spinning. Granak’s black-scaled face filled his vision, blocking out the sun and dwarfing the trees. Purple, blue, and orange colors slithered across his scales. His toxic drool dripped down, and rivulets of venom flowed toward Rahkki.

  The boy wheezed, trying to push himself upright. Where were the Riders, the soldiers? He’d glimpsed the queen, staring at him from the fortress wall. But the Sky Guard Riders had raced into the barn, and their faces now stared back at him through the windows.

  Understanding dawned. No one would battle the Fifth Clan’s guardian mascot. Rahkki should have guessed that.

  Granak crept closer, mouth open, his short teeth curved like small Daakuran swords.

  An explosive mixture of fear and anger unfroze Rahkki’s muscles. He was not going to die this way!

  The dragon slid his tongue toward Rahkki, and the whoosh of his breath blew the boy’s hair back. Sure of his target now, Granak poised to bite.

  Rahkki grasped for his dagger but it had been flung out of reach. Desperate, he glanced around and spotted something else he could use to fight. Turning and flopping himself onto his spilled belongings, Rahkki opened the sack of hot pepper and grabbed a handful.

  Granak lunged, and Rahkki tossed the powdered red spice straight into the dragon’s open mouth.

  Granak reared back with a roar and shook his great head. Drool flew in every direction. Rahkki rolled over and hid his mouth and eyes from the toxic saliva. Granak smacked his lips and then roared again in pain, a sharp keening wail, a sound Rahkki had never heard in the jungle.

  The boy crawled slowly away, holding up his hand and letting the breeze carry the hot pepper’s scent toward the dragon.

  Granak tracked him; his eyelids flickering as if his mind was trying to decide—was Rahkki predator or prey? Instinct drove him to hunt the boy even as the dragon’s eyes began to water.

  I’m backing away from him. Rahkki thought. But I should be moving forward. Show him I’m not afraid.

  Rahkki wobbled to his feet, thrust his hand higher, and strode forward. “Go back, Granak,” he shouted. “Back to the jungle!”

  The lizard lashed his ridged tail.

  “Back!” Rahkki repeated. His heart slammed his rib cage, and his breath caught in his throat. The beast loomed over him, hesitant, angry, injured.

  Rahkki lifted his voice. “By the Seven Sisters of the Realm, leave me be. I am your prince!” He blew on his hand, sending the final grains of hot pepper flying into the dragon’s nose and eyes.

  Granak stamped his front paws, his body shivering with pain and fury, but he obeyed! He turned and thudded away, disappearing into the thick foliage.

  The orphan prince stood alone and alive as absolute silence filled the Fifth Clan settlement. His
clanfolk stared, their mouths hanging open.

  Sula was the first to react. She lifted off and glided to her Rider’s side. The boy wrapped his arms around her neck, suddenly trembling. She steadied him, holding his weight with her wings. He leaned into her. “Let’s get this armor off our backs.” He retrieved his satchel and dagger, and then he and his mare walked toward the Kihlari stable together.

  The villagers on the hillside emerged from their huts and knelt, facing Rahkki. Atop the fortress walls, land soldiers and guards squatted, lowering their heads to him. Rahkki’s heart tumbled. What is happening?

  Only Queen Lilliam and her Borla stood upright, their lips pursed. Lilliam’s face twisted into an expression that Rahkki had never seen her wear before. It wasn’t anger or hatred—what was that look?

  He walked on, feeling embarrassed by the awed stares of his clan. The Riders had emerged from the stable and formed a line leading to the barn doors. Rahkki had to pass all of them to get to the armory inside. He crossed Tuni’s path first. “How did you do that?” she asked, her brown eyes aglow. “Was that . . . magic?”

  “I—” Rahkki was about to tell the truth, but then he pinned that unusual expression on Lilliam’s face—it was fear. The queen was afraid of him.

  Exhaling, Rahkki realized how things must have looked to his clan. Likely they hadn’t noticed the spiced powder he threw at Granak because they were too far away. What they saw was a dragon obeying a boy. Not just any dragon, but the guardian mascot of their clan, and not just any boy, but a bloodborn descendant of the Seven Sisters. Rahkki Stormrunner had ordered the Father of Dragons to return to the jungle, and the beast had complied. It was a powerful display. Clearly it had impacted the clan and frightened the queen.

  Rahkki clucked to himself, thinking fast. He should press his advantage. That’s what his brother, Brauk, would do. And hadn’t Brauk once instructed him never to dispute his own legend? Rahkki hadn’t actually commanded Granak, but would it hurt to let his clan believe he had? Weren’t all legends just stories? His thoughts jumbled and twisted, and then he made up his mind. Perhaps the clan’s belief that he commanded dragons would protect him from Queen Lilliam.