Bayzog and his staff erupted with fervent white power. The air shimmered. Ben shielded his eyes. A disintegrating force exploded forward in a thunderous flash. Ben gasped for air inside his lungs, coughing and gagging. A strong hand seized him.
“Are you alright?” Bayzog said.
Ben looked into the part-elf’s eyes and then behind him. The woman and two guards were skulls and bones, piled on ash. Similarly ashen was most of the garden behind him. Ben gaped.
“You did that,” he said.
Nearby, terrified onlookers stared. Others fled on unsteady feet.
“I did!” Bayzog yelled, raising his staff. “And I’ll do more if any more of you murderous deceivers comes any closer!”
More ran, but some stayed, evil eyes flicking to the skies now and then.
“Great Guzan, Bayzog! I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Hang on to my robes,” Bayzog said.
“Why?”
The dark-haired wizard pointed his staff toward the sky. A flock of black-winged dragons were whooshing through the air right at them. Ben counted at least a dozen of them. He clasped Bayzog’s arm.
“Now what!”
Streaks of fire erupted from the dragons’ mouths.
“Hold on!”
The Elderwood Staff blasted lightning into the sky, tearing a hole through two dragons. Flames exploded all around them. A split second later, Bayzog brought the end of the staff to the ground—and everything Ben saw disappeared.
CHAPTER 12
Nath sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed. He hadn’t meditated since he was a boy. It was something his father had taught him. A tool to maintain focus. Nath had never considered himself a deep thinker, but now it seemed time to be one. His brow furrowed. He envisioned himself with wings. He envisioned himself as a dragon.
He slammed his fists into the bed.
“Drat it all!”
He slung a pillow across the room.
“I can make fireballs out of flames, but I can’t turn into a dragon again. This makes no sense!”
He stormed out to his balcony, tripping over the feline fury’s tail.
“Will you go away?”
The big dragon-cat, lying down, yawned and reclosed its eyes.
Nath shook his head and leaned over the balcony’s edge. It was nearing midday, and people milled about the streets, staying uniform to their daily business. He could even hear some of them singing songs and praises in his name. He folded his arms over his chest. That’s right, heap praises on the dragon who is not a dragon at all. Preposterous!
The citizens of Narnum had been in unusually high spirits since the day he defeated Kryzak in the arena. Nath, after all, had been named the champion. And the people loved their champions. Still, everything seemed too ordinary. The smiles were too big. The laughter too loud. And there were odd disturbances. Fires and small riots that were quickly snuffed out.
Nothing is ever as good as it seems. He sighed. Four more years of this. I’m not sure I can take it.
He glanced back at the feline fury. The dragon-cat filled up half the balcony. Nath rubbed his chin and said, “You’re pretty big. Maybe you can take me for a ride, perhaps.”
The fury rose upon its paws and arched its back. Smoke snorted from its nose. It brushed by Nath, leapt straight off the balcony, and soared away.
“Great Dragons!” Nath said, yelling after it. “I’m not that bad of company!”
The fury vanished among the buildings.
Nath went back inside his room and closed his balcony doors, muttering, “I don’t need your company anyway.”
“Well that’s a shame. I came all this way to see you.”
Nath’s head snapped up.
“Sasha!”
He rushed over and hugged her.
“Easy now,” she said, patting his back. “I’m breakable.”
“Oh, sorry,” he said, letting go. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No,” Sasha said, laughing. “I was just teasing you.” She hugged him again. She wore a traveling cloak. Leather boots covered her ankles. Her auburn hair was soft and fragrant. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you,” he said. “It’s been so boring here.”
“Boring?” she said, eyeing him. “I’ve heard nothing but talk of your exploits in the arena since I got within five leagues of here.”
“Really?”
She clasped his hand, looked at him with soft eyes, and said, “It does my heart well to know that Kryzak is vanquished, and that it was done by your hand makes the tale even sweeter.”
“He had it coming.”
“He did,” she said, toying with the pendant on her neck. “How about we sit? Talk?”
“Maybe we should go for a walk,” he said. “I could use it.”
She grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a sofa and sat down.
“I’ve walked more in the past few weeks than I’ve walked all my life.” She patted the spot next to her. “You don’t mind, do you?”
He smiled and said, “No, certainly not. I assume you’re tired.”
“That’s an understatement, but I made it a priority to come and see you as soon as I returned. I was worried.”
“About me? Nath Dragon?” He nudged her. “You know I’ll be fine.”
“I can see frustration in your brows, Nath,” she said. “I can feel the tension. I know you. You know that. What is going on?”
“Sasha,” he said, “I actually became a dragon! A full-sized flying dragon!”
“You did?”
“Yes, and I could fly and everything!”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I turned back into this, and now I can’t turn back into the dragon,” he said, frowning, “and I don’t understand why not. I am a dragon. I should be able to turn whenever I want, the same as Selene.” He brushed his own auburn hair out of his eyes. “It’s frustrating. More than frustrating.”
“Maybe you’re trying too hard,” she said. “I think you need to relax. You always put too much pressure on yourself. It makes me think of Bayzog.”
“Hmmm,” Nath said, rubbing his chin. “And how is he?”
“He’s holed up in Quintuklen, spending time with his sons and doing well enough. But he is a little crankier these days.” She pulled her legs up underneath her. “He sends his regards. That’s about it, seeing how he’s a man of little words.”
“And how are other things in this world?” he said. “I’m only getting bits and pieces. Selene says we are soon to travel abroad, but I’m not so sure I believe her.”
“You’ll be pleased, Nath. The Truce has brought about many great things. Honestly, Nalzambor hasn’t felt so wonderful in a long time.” She yawned and stretched her arms. “And I’ve tried the most wonderful foods from all around. I even had a conversation with a pixlyn named Gorgy. A black-haired little sprite with plenty more attitude than size.”
“I’m happy for you,” he said, “but have you seen any dragons? Not the ones that are black winged and tailed either. My kind.”
“They are hard enough to find as it is,” she said. “And I can only say I’ve heard a few tales. Nothing noteworthy.”
It didn’t sit well with Nath. Not one bit. Something was going on out there, and he needed to see it.
“How well do you know Selene?” he asked Sasha.
“Well enough to not get too close.” She shrugged her eyes. “Why?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Nath said, “I just don’t know how much I can trust her. She has shown me so many things, and I feel we have so much in common, but ... I can’t explain what it is about her.”
“You like her.”
“Guzan no, Sasha!”
“She’s beautiful.”
“She’s evil.”
She shrugged and said, “We all have evil in us, Nath. We all have good in us, too. You know that. Besides, she is of your kind. It’s normal that you would be comforted by her. Nath,
I can see it in you. You are now more dragon than man. Before long, you might not relate so well to this world of men at all.”
“No,” he muttered. He couldn’t imagine not being friends with her, Brenwar, Ben, and Bayzog. Not to mention so many others. He liked people. Dragons often talked too much and were boring. Well, at least his father, Balzurth, was that way. Perhaps I am too attached to being a man instead of a dragon.
“It will be alright, Nath,” she said, patting his knee.
“I think this conversation has helped me,” he said. “I’m so glad you came. It really means a lot to me. You always know the right things to say.”
She got up.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to rest, Nath,” she said, yawning again.
“You can rest here. I have the most comfortable bed, but I don’t ever use it.”
“It looks like a good bed for brooding,” she said. “I bet Brenwar would like it.”
“Not if it’s softer than a rock, he wouldn’t.”
“Ha! There’s never been a truer statement.”
Gently, he grabbed her wrist. “Don’t go just yet, Sasha. There are so many things on my chest. The people chant my name, yet there’s strange commotion in the streets. You say things are better, but I find things disturbing. Even my lost neck hairs are prickling. And I can’t put my clawed finger on any of it.”
“It’s change,” she said. “Good change, at that. And I wouldn’t worry about those happenings in the streets. The races who are new to town have gotten settled and begun feuding with the locals. It will pass. Selene will see to that.”
“I’ll take your word for it, Sasha.”
“Good,” she said, heading for the door. “And I bet Selene will take you out of here soon so you can stretch those scaled legs of yours. Don’t worry, Nath. You’ll figure things out soon enough.”
“I hope so,” he said. “Say, Sasha, do that sorceress trick for me? It’s been a long time, and you know how much I love it.”
Her brows lifted.
“Uh … Nath, I’m so weary. How about next time? And I have to admit,” she said, touching the pendant hanging over her chest, “I haven’t been practicing magic as much as I should. Bayzog would swat me for it.” She glided over and gave him a quick hug. “I must go before my eyes fall from my head.”
“I understand,” he said, frowning. “Just don’t be gone so long this time.”
“I won’t,” she said, opening the door and walking out down the hall. She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I won’t.” Two Barnabus soldiers in chain armor escorted her down the hall and out of sight.
Nath closed the door and took a seat on the bed, filling his nostrils with a deep draw of air. Something smelled funny. The perfume Sasha normally wore was gone. Her eyes shimmered a little when she spoke. And she had said she would perform the trick later. The problem was, there had never been a trick. But everything seemed right about her otherwise.
Nath’s fingers drummed on his knees.
She’s trying to deceive me. Or Selene’s forcing her to deceive me. Don’t let on too much. Patience, Dragon. Patience. You’ll put it all together soon enough.
He got up to pace the room, his mind restless and angry. He flung the balcony doors open wide and scanned the streets below. Soldiers stormed back and forth through the streets, looking for something. Or someone. He wanted to know who it was. He climbed on the balcony wall and hung his legs over the edge. The stiff breeze billowed his hair. Looking down, he considered something.
Perhaps I can unlock my powers if I don’t rely on anyone else being around. He scooted closer to the rim. He could feel his dragon heart thumping in his chest.
Are you a man, or are you a dragon?
CHAPTER 13
A man in heavy armor wearing a commander of Barnabus’s insignia kneeled and bowed at the bottom of the dais. Selene sat on her throne, eyes elsewhere, and said, “Speak.”
“High Priestess, we have captured several of the culprits,” the man said in a deep but nervous voice. Sweat dripped from his brow. “I’m bringing the news directly to you as ordered.”
“Hmmm,” she said, “is that all the news that you bring?”
“They are shackled,” he said, “three in all. Ready for torment.”
“And are they the leaders of this movement?”
“I fear not,” he said, “but I’m certain they’ll lead us to them.”
“Certain, Commander?”
His downcast head lifted the slightest and drifted back downward.
“I’m fully confident in our methods,” he said. “They’ve never failed before.”
“Everything fails,” she said. “Especially people.”
The commander, a stout veteran judging by his appearance, trembled.
“Commanders,” she continued, “take me to them. I want to see these culprits for myself.”
“Er,” he said, standing up as she came down the dais, “it would be an honor.”
“Yes, yes it would.”
She made her way out of the chambers, followed by an entourage of acolytes, the commander, and a draykis. Taking the steps down the Great Tower took almost an hour, but Selene was in no hurry. She had plenty on her mind. Word had come earlier in the day. Bayzog had obliterated one of her finest servants in Quintuklen. The real Sasha and their sons had escaped. She rubbed her temples.
It’s starting. And it hasn’t even been a year yet.
She and her escorts bottomed out at the street level pavilion and were now passing by the gawking onlookers. It wasn’t often she came down from the tower. Many people kneeled and bowed, most averting their eyes from her gaze. Across the market, another series of steps under heavy guard led down below the tower. They stopped at a double gate of iron bars guarded by two lizardmen. Both saluted.
“Open,” the commander said.
The doors creaked open, and inside the dungeon they went. The air was rank with rot, mold, and sweat. A staleness hung in the air. The commander led Selene and her entourage toward the back, where they passed many cells crammed with moaning people. Many hollow eyes were pressed to the bars. Stomachs groaned. The miserable cried.
Selene’s breathing eased.
Ah, the sound of suffering. It does my heart well.
She stopped inside a cove carved out of stone, lit by two torches on the wall. Three prisoners huddled on the ground, shivering in heavy metal shackles. A table with many crude devices was pressed against the cove’s wall, and a burly man with a dropped shoulder and a crooked jaw stood alongside it.
“Well,” Selene said to the commander, “let’s see these torments you boasted about.”
“Yes, High Priestess,” he said, nodding to the tormentor.
The man grabbed a lash and shuffled toward the huddled crowd. He grabbed one man by the hair and pulled him aside.
“Tell us,” the tormentor said, glaring into the man’s weary eyes, “who were you putting those signs up for?”
“A man,” the prisoner said, trembling, “a man paid us. I swear it! We just did it for the money.”
The tormentor lashed the man.
Wupash!
Wupash!
The prisoner squealed, and the other two wailed.
“You’re lying,” the tormentor said.
“No, I swear it!”
“What did he look like, this man who paid you?”
“He was just a man, as ordinary as I am, with deep green eyes.”
The tormentor glanced back at the commander.
The commander nodded.
Wupash!
Wupash!
“You lie!”
“I don’t lie!” the prisoner said. Tears streamed down his face. “We just needed the money.”
“Don’t you raise your voice to me!”
Wupash!
Selene folded her arms over her chest and said, “Oh please. Do you expect me to stand here all day while you beat him until he cries himself to death?” Sh
e pointed at the prisoner. “Do you know who I am?”
“Y-Yes,” the disheveled man said, “you are the High Priestess.”
“And you wouldn’t be stupid enough to lie to me, would you?”
He swallowed and shook his sweat-soaked hair.
She approached within arm’s length of the prisoners and turned her stare toward the tormentor.
He backed away and fixed his line of sight elsewhere.
She stared deep into the first prisoner’s eyes, but he twisted his head away.
“Why won’t you look at me?”
“I don’t want to catch fire.”
“Ha!” she said. “Is that what they’re saying now?” She looked back at the others. “Well, are they?”
No one uttered a word.
“I see.” She bobbed her head. “So then, you put the signs up because you were hungry and you needed money. Hmmm. How much did this green-eyed man pay you, then?”
“A silver and a few coppers.”
“I have a feeling you are lying.”
The prisoner shook his head.
“You aren’t supposed to lie, you know. Bad things happen when you lie.”
“I know.”
“Remove his shirt,” she ordered.
With a few stiff tugs, the tormentor ripped it off. A few voices in the room gasped.
The prisoner had a circle with two slashes tattooed to his chest.
Selene recoiled.
“You!”
The prisoner looked her dead in the eye. Fearless.
“The king is coming, High Priestess. You can’t stop it. King Balzurth is com—”
A wash of fire erupted from her mouth. The man howled inside the fiery blaze. His flesh disintegrated from his bones, which collapsed into a pile of ash.
Everyone’s eyes were wide, their mouths breathless.
The other prisoners shuffled and twisted in their bonds.
Scowling, Selene backed away.
Metal cuffs and links snapped. The figures bound in them transformed into the sleek forms of metallic green dragons.
“You dare!” Selene roared.
Lightning blasted from the dragon mouths. A bolt slammed Selene off her feet. Another ripped through the draykis, dropping it stone-cold dead.
The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Page 109