by Amy Bearce
“But this man’s dragon didn’t breathe fire,” Nell said. “I saw his dragon up close, and believe me, frost is just as deadly. Jasper says they’ll all be riding them, an army of them.”
Micah’s expression darkened. “If what you say is true, their very souls are enslaved. No wonder his dragon serves him. Taking a dragon’s fire is stealing the source of their power, their essence, if you will. It’s the worst kind of theft.”
A heavy silence filled the room before Sierra stated, “Then this fight isn’t against the dragons at all. It’s against the man who forced them do his bidding. I, of all people, know how terrible it is to enslave a magical being.”
Queenie flew over and caressed Sierra’s cheeks, bringing a small smile to her keeper’s face.
Nell stood and pulled on her backpack. “We’ve all made mistakes. Aluvia knows I’ve made my share. But we’ve fixed what we could and moved on. This Dragon’s made his own mistake, and we’re going to fix it for him. We’ll warn Port Iona he’s coming, free his dragon from his power, and then we’ll to stop him. Permanently. Let’s go.”
When they arrived at the cove, Tristan already waited in human form. His bird tattoos were striking against his usual pallor. Even in these dire circumstances, Phoebe’s face glowed with happiness when she ran to him.
Corbin reached over and took Nell’s hand.
After Phoebe shared the grim news, Tristan tensed as if ready to dive in the ocean immediately. “I’ll ask Mina to warn the elders after we reach Port Iona. I promise you, the merfolk will do what we can to help fight this so-called Dragon.”
“Thank you,” Nell said. “I know your people prefer to avoid conflict when they can.”
Tristan lifted his chin. “We will not go quietly into servitude ever again.”
As he spoke, his hands glowed. His magic was powerful now, thanks to Phoebe’s sacrifice.
Magic. So much magic.
Nell realized that in all the hubbub of the Dragon, she’d yet to tell the others about her own magic changing, possibly growing. As much as she hated to discuss it, she had to.
“Um, well.” She cleared her throat. “Before we start this journey, I have something strange to tell. Stranger, I guess. I’m, well, I’m hearing voices. Actually, just one voice. Which is more than enough.”
“Come again?” Sierra blinked.
“Inside my mind,” Nell pressed on doggedly though the tips of her ears burned. “A few times now, I’ve heard someone―or something―whisper something to me, but it wasn’t any of you, and it sure as fire wasn’t me. And it’s gotten louder.”
Corbin said nothing, but his dark eyes shone with hurt. Nell looked away.
“What did the voice say?” Micah asked in his calm way. Of course he wouldn’t find it strange or frightening. He had deer legs at least once a month.
“It’s said a few things, little bits at a time. That it was time for a change and that a sword can be a bearer of peace. And it… told me to believe things would be okay.” Her gaze went to Corbin, who still stood unmoving, lips tight.
“Do you think it’s the same prophetic voice we hear?” Phoebe wondered.
Nell shrugged. “If it is, it’s trying something new. But it did say there was more magic now, so maybe that’s why it’s changing.”
“How long has this been going on?” Corbin asked, his voice strangely controlled.
“Not long,” she assured him. “I didn’t want to say anything because–”
“Because poor Corbin doesn’t have as much magic as you, and now you have even more?”
She refused to flinch at his acidic tone. “There’s nothing poor about you.”
Grace flitted about like a crazed butterfly and finally pressed herself against Corbin’s neck. He gave a deep sigh and shook his head. “I’m glad you told us now, at least. Better late than never. But there shouldn’t be any secrets among us. Not even ones that might hurt.”
Guilt stung. She should tell him what the voice said, about him, though it seemed impossible that Aluvia wasn’t really first in his heart.
The voice spoke quickly inside Nell’s mind: The truth in his heart is one he must learn for himself. Give him time. His heart will bring healing when he learns to fully trust.
Nell bit down on her lip so hard it came close to bleeding. These new words would soothe him, she knew. But the voice said not to tell him, so she’d wait. And have a secret she didn’t want.
“I’ll tell you what I hear as soon as I can.” That was truth, as far as it went. Not even Corbin could argue with it.
Her friends all stared at her like they’d never seen her before.
“Okay, we’re done with that. Can we get going now?” Nell snapped.
“Everybody ready, then?” Tristan asked smoothly.
Even with all her preparations, Nell wasn’t sure she felt ready. “Let’s go.”
ell gripped her bag tighter. Going under water had sounded reasonable until she stood along the shore, staring at the glittering surface.
The others trooped into the sea, sloshing water further up their legs with each step. Corbin had already been under the sea with the merfolk several times, much to his delight. Nell was the only one who had never traveled under the waves with them, despite being a strong swimmer. It always seemed too much like drowning for her taste.
Mina, Tristan’s sister, waved above the gentle swells. Then she flipped down, her bronze tail slapping against the surface. Young Liam swam up to help transport Micah and Sierra, his brilliant skin tattoo-free. Though still just a seawee, a child among the merfolk, he was nearly as fast as Tristan.
The three merfolk’s eyes were black as night from their magic, ready to keep the humans alive underwater. Nell trusted Tristan and the others because Phoebe did. She was fine after days in the ocean.
Still, Nell’s hands felt clammy. Her lips curled at the sight of the green water, full of slimy algae and slippery fish, but she forced herself into the water. The fairies spiraled up and away from the ocean’s surface. If only she could join them, just fly into the sky and disappear into the clouds.
Doubt is natural. It takes courage to act despite fear, the voice spoke up with warmth.
Nell thought back, I’m not afraid.
Laughter like bubbles of water danced through her mind. So you say.
The voice was getting awfully talkative.
Nell gritted her teeth and dove.
Mina grabbed her hand, and a shock raced up Nell’s arm, unexpected and strong. It stole her breath, exploded inside her. Blue and red sparks danced in the water around them. She fought to race to the surface, but Mina wouldn’t let go.
“Relax, I’m allowing you to survive.” Mina frowned. “Your own magic must be fierce. It’s heightening mine, like two instruments complementing each other in a tune. Apologies, friend, but all should be well now. I’ve adjusted mine.”
The swelling of power inside settled to a low hum. Nell tried to stop struggling, and the sensation of pressure against her lungs eased. Calm down, she told herself. But no one else had ever described pain from the merfolk’s magic.
The magic of the sea has recognized you as belonging to another power. We’re with you, she heard in her mind, satiny smooth.
Belonging? She didn’t like the sound of that. And who was this we?
Her friends were waiting for her but had missed the strange shock Nell experienced. There wasn’t time to explain, and it didn’t matter anyway. The voice had already told them everything they needed to know.
“Let’s get to Port Iona.” She marveled at the clarity of her voice under the water.
The merfolk’s powerful tails sent them zooming. The fairy queens and their wee ones followed above the surface.
The sandy bottom sped past at a dizzying rate. Nell closed her eyes. With the merfolk’s smooth speed, she almost felt like she was flying.
The trip was over before she knew it. What would have taken two days on land was a straight shot through the o
cean, completed in just an hour. The tunnel Tristan had once used to sneak Sierra and Micah onto Port Iona had collapsed in the giant quake. Today, their group stepped out of the ocean just outside the city gates, which stood wide open.
As everyone did their best to dry off, Nell steeled herself. For the last four years, she’d been received in Port Iona with cheers, tears, kisses to her hands. Too many times to count.
The first time they’d returned to the port after Bentwood’s defeat, rubble still filled the streets. Nell had climbed the raised platform of the central square, just as on the day they’d rescued Phoebe. Children’s grubby faces peered up between terrified adults, and her heart swelled for them. She let go of her tight control and stepped aside for the voice.
“You’ve done well, our people!” the voice had said through her, rich and warm. “But you must never forget what has happened here. Strong foundations can be rebuilt, but your ways must remain changed if Aluvia is to be saved!”
Each time Nell and her friends journeyed back to Port Iona―or anywhere―the crowds came and called her name. No matter if Nell had come to research ancient magic or to warn of a new danger, she’d stand before the people and let that other presence bubble up until all she knew was the voice.
She wasn’t looking forward to another performance today. With the voice so newly strengthened, what if it tried to take over more than just her throat?
Nell hitched up her pack and tossed her wet braid behind her. Here came the prophetess, she guessed. But when she reached the cobbled streets, long repaired since the last quake, she stopped, cocked her head, and lifted one hand to her friends.
“Take a look around,” she said.
“What are we looking for?” Phoebe asked, eyes dark. Port Iona still gave her shivers, Nell knew, but the brave-hearted girl had come a long way since she’d been kept prisoner on this peninsula. Thank the stars for Tristan and Mina, who’d helped Phoebe heal, as did the magic of the ocean itself.
Corbin whispered, “Where is everyone?”
Nell narrowed her eyes. “Exactly.”
At this time of day, the fish mongers should be tossing their silvery prizes into baskets. The metal smith should have his forge heated, smelling of melted copper and money. Girls should be giggling over hair ribbons at the morning market.
Instead, only a handful of people skulked among the shops like thieves. A few men drank ale with low whispers. Not one person turned to greet them. No shouting crowd gathered to call her name.
Nell felt invisible. What should have brought relief sent a chill through her instead, warning of a dangerous change. Too sudden a change.
Jasper’s words came back to her. “They won’t see you as a savior forever.”
Which was fine. Better than fine. She wasn’t their savior; they were their own saviors. But if this Dragon had brainwashed them already, maybe the people would forget just how bad things had been before the voice intervened.
Their group paced down the street, the sound of their boots loud in the silence.
“This is creepy,” Sierra muttered, holding hands with Micah.
Nell wished she could disagree.
A few people met Nell’s eyes, opened their mouths as if to offer a greeting, but then fell silent. Their gazes darted around, like people afraid of being watched. Even worse, some stared and then turned to whisper to a neighbor, like snakes rustling through the grass.
In the city square, none awaited them to hear their message, but they gave it anyway.
“People of Port Iona, a new enemy is nearly among us!” Nell called. “He plans to take your city soon. You must protect your home. The voice has given a new message! Come hear and heed it!”
None came. The voice didn’t make an appearance either, as if it knew there was no one to hear.
“Something’s really wrong.” Corbin murmured in Nell’s ear.
“Agreed.”
She lifted her hand and waved her friends over. “Everyone split up in pairs and dig to see what you can learn about whatever’s going on. We don’t have much time.”
“Shouldn’t we each go in different ways then? We’d cover the port a lot faster,” Sierra suggested.
Nell shook her head. “I have a bad feeling. I want everyone to have backup and be ready to retreat into the ocean if need be.”
They parted without another word, each pair taking a different direction.
Nell and Corbin went first to the sweets shop that often gave free candy for her sisters.
“Hi, Jeannine,” she said, not even bothering to pretend cheerfulness. “I hear a man named the Dragon has been ’round these parts, talking about a take-over. Have you been in danger?”
“We’re fine, Nell. Just real busy.” Jeannine nodded at Corbin but said nothing else. Her hands shook as they formed balls of chocolate.
Nell stared hard at the woman, who turned red and still did not speak.
As they walked to the tailor, Corbin said, “Maybe let me have a go?”
“You couldn’t do any worse than I just did.”
He nudged her shoulder. “You say what you’re thinking. Everyone loves that about you.”
She laughed low. “Not everyone.”
“They’re the fools, then. But sometimes people prefer a more round-about conversation.”
“Okay, you’re up, then. I’m out of my league. Sweeten him up for us.”
Brett the tailor glanced up when the two approached his counter but then stared at his needle as if he were stitching up a critical wound instead of a torn pair of pants.
“Have you had a good summer, Master Brett?” Corbin asked, his tone light. He leaned on the counter and flashed his happy smile, the one that always got a smile in return.
The tailor looked past Corbin’s shoulder and squinted before returning to work. Nell pretended to settle her weapons better on her back and glanced back casually. A man leaned against the rough-hewed wall of the pub across the street, one leg bent so his booted foot tapped against the building.
She faced Brett again, raising her eyebrows. He gave a slight shake of his head, and though his eyes were dark with apology, he said only, “Everything’s been fine, thank you kindly.”
They received the same reception at the money lenders, the candle shop, and the market. Everything was fine. No one had anything to say.
Life had indeed gone on, but it didn’t feel natural. Jasper had to be at the root of it, preparing this city for an easy takeover by scaring the people half to death before they ever saw the first dragon.
Nell’s throat burned with unshed tears as they returned to the square. Corbin didn’t say anything but kept his arm around her waist, a reminder that at least one person still trusted her.
When they met up with their friends, Micah murmured, “The news I’ve gained is not pleasant. Discretion would be wise.” He pointed to the ancient temple just beyond the square, near the water. They’d explored it several times before, but no one had used the space in years. It sat just far off enough from the square to be left alone.
The temple was exactly like they left it, crumbling along the edges. The hallway ushered them down a narrow corridor with a small room on either side and emptied into a rotunda that opened to the sky through a small circle in the ceiling. The skylight was matched by a similar circle inlaid on the floor. The curved stone walls held rows of carved nooks where scrolls were tucked away.
Everyone had the same story.
“I can’t believe it,” Nell seethed, hand gripping the hilt of her dagger. “Are all of them stupid? They can’t go back to the way things were. It’ll all start over again.” She wanted to punch someone.
“If the voice tells them to stay true, I bet they’ll snap right out of it,” Phoebe said.
Sierra shook her head and met Nell’s eyes. Both practical people, they knew the golden era was over. They couldn’t preach to a crowd that wasn’t there. The real work had begun.
“It’s harder for healers and alchemists to make
elixirs without nectar,” Sierra said. “And people are tired of supporting fairy keepers with food offerings for nothing.”
“They’ve got a safe world! Isn’t that enough?” Nell snapped.
“I know it. You know it. But not everyone has magic in their lives like we do.”
Corbin nodded. “A clever person could easily fan dissatisfaction and fear into jealousy and hatred. Like the Dragon seems to have done.”
Sierra added, “And if dragons―the fire-breathing kind―start burning lands outside the mountains, the people might believe this man could contain their threat. Some are more than willing to hand over their freedom if they think it’ll keep them safe.”
“Admittedly, this situation doesn’t look good,” Tristan said, “but you’ve warned them as best you could. We have to continue to the Ice-Locked Lands and focus on what’s within our reach to affect.”
Nell swallowed her roiling frustration, knowing it didn’t help to get angry with people you couldn’t fight. Corbin was always saying how violence wasn’t the answer.
Not all anger leads to violence, the voice slid through her mind. It can instead lead to revolution. The voice was louder than before. A tremor ran through her. Revolution. She didn’t feel like a revolutionary. She felt like someone who’d failed the very ones she was supposed to care for.
Nell looked around the room to settle herself. During the early months of desperately trying to preserve Aluvia’s magic, she and her friends had gone through each part of the temple, reading everything. Whoever had built this place knew a good bit about conserving the magic of Aluvia. Unfortunately, much of what Nell and her friends had found only left them confused.
Today, though, she had a strange, new feeling, as if she had been here many times before, years and years ago. The image in her mind didn’t quite match the room in front of her, and she squinted under the open skylight, trying to figure out what seemed different.
Someone bumped her, hard, and she staggered. She dropped to one knee to catch her balance, hands pressed against the cool stone floor.