“No you don’t!” Gorlee grunted. He cranked up the pressure.
Flames spread across the tavern. Soldiers scrambled for the doors, coughing.
The dragon’s neck was filled with muscle harder than stone. Even with his great strength, Gorlee’s efforts seemed futile. The beast was a knot of muscle. His giant fingers fumbled for the sword. Eyes bulging from his head, gasping for air, Gorlee clutched the hilt with his oversized fingers. He raised the blade and drove it through the dragon’s back into its heart.
The knot of scales went slack.
“Whew!”
Coughing, he peered through the mess. He couldn’t make out anyone through the smoke and the roar of the flames. Making his way toward the rear of the building, he stumbled over the man who had fallen to the draykis. He scooped him up and busted through the back wall that led into the alley. It was just him and a woman, the tall hooded one, coughing.
“Are you alright?” he said to her.
She leered at him. He changed his form, shrinking down into a human to look more pleasant, and set the dead man’s body down.
“Sorry about your friend,” he said. He lay the sword across the man’s body. “I’d take him somewhere, if I had a place to go.”
She limped over and knelt beside the fallen man’s body.
“Thanks for the help,” she said, “but we’ll be alright. It’s you who should go.” She unhitched the man’s sword belt, slid the blade into the scabbard, and offered it to Gorlee. “Take this.”
“I don’t have need of it,” he said. “I’m not so good with them.”
She shoved it in his chest and said, “Keep it safe then. I can’t take it with me.” She reached in a pouch, sprinkled dust over the man, and began chanting. She sprinkled dust on herself next.
“Again, thank you. May Balzurth be with you.”
She and the man shimmered, faded to dust in the wind, and vanished.
How interesting. Seems I’m not alone in this fight after all.
Gorlee strapped on the sword belt and assumed the form of a battered Barnabus soldier moments before dozens swarmed into the alley.
“Did you see anything?” the commander said.
Gorlee coughed and pointed at the flaming hole in the wall and said, “Something ran over me and went that way. Big as a troll. Cough-cough. Fast, too.” Scratching his head, he added, “No idea what it was, but it was ugly.”
“Get yourself to the infirmary, eh…” The sergeant paused. “I don’t know you. What’s your name?”
“Jason.”
“So be it. Now get those wounds looked at.”
Gorlee trudged along the wall, averting his eyes from the soldiers. Sadness swelled in his gut. He’d watched good people die for a great cause and realized something.
I have to keep close to Nath Dragon more now than ever. As Bayzog says, without him, everything is lost.
CHAPTER 26
Nath, Selene, and a battalion of soldiers departed Narnum and headed south again. A parade of cheers followed them all the way out of the city. Nath said little that next couple of days. Selene remained silent as well. They’d spoken enough already. Talked about many things. The War. The Truce. His scales. He eyed his hands wrapped around the reins of his horse.
I’m doing good. I know I am.
Several times, Selene had traced the outline of his white scales. There was a flicker of jealousy behind her eyes when she commented on them. It made him wonder if her scales could turn white as well.
Maybe I can help her.
He snapped the reins and trotted toward the front of the army. The battalion consisted of nearly a thousand heavily armored soldiers with swords and shields, pole axes, bows, and spears. They marched in steady ranks whose armored footsteps had the rhythmic sound of a dangerous army. Others accompanied them, too—robed men and women in the dozens, all with tattooed foreheads. They chanted, murmured, and carried burning canisters of incense.
There had been a time when Nath’s skin recoiled at the sight of them. Now, it didn’t seem so bad. Wasn’t peace what everyone wanted?
He glanced toward the sky. Dragons with dark wings and tails flew in tight formations. His fist tightened on the reins.
I should be up there.
He’d given up even trying to change into a dragon for now. Selene said it would just have to happen one day. More than likely when he least expected it.
The army remained on foot, with the commanders on horseback, cruising up and down the ranks and barking commands. They were a fit army, as fit as he’d ever seen. Banners and edged weapons gleamed in the sun’s dim light. Selene said the sight of Nath with an army at his back would make quite an impression on the commoners. It would encourage them and raise their hopes. So far, his presence had been well received by those they passed as word of his great deeds spread, but there was also fear of the dragons that battled in the skies and tore into their flocks. It was happening more often all the time.
He rode alongside one of the commanders in the front of the ranks. The man was tall in the saddle and protected by full plate armor. His helmet was dark and menacing, and a well-crafted sword hung from his saddle. He was one of the biggest men Nath had ever seen.
“Have you seen Selene?” he asked.
“She rides with the scouts,” the man said in a deep voice. “Departed at first light with them.”
Nath stiffened. He’d figured Selene was giving him space. She said he needed it. But this didn’t sit well with him. He’d been staying toward the front, figuring she remained in the rear with her acolytes and priests. But not seeing her after a half day had him circling the ranks, finding no sign of her.
“First light, you say?”
“Yes, Dragon Prince.”
Nath glanced at the hard eyes inside the man’s helmet.
“A simple yes or no will do,” he said.
“Yes, Dragon Prince.”
Nath spurred his mount ahead with a grunt. Selene had the entirety of her army calling him Dragon Prince, and it was beginning to have a nice ring to it. That and Peace Bringer, Truce Forger, and The Champion. He grinned, thinking about that, and then squinted his eyes. The roughshod road ran for miles up and down rocky plains and tall grasses.
Why would she leave without me? He eyed the sky. I bet she’s flying.
He stretched the distance between himself and the army. A squad of horsemen galloped after him, one being the commander, who pulled up short of him.
“What are you doing, Dragon Prince?”
“I should ask you the same.”
“We are not to leave you from our sight,” the commander said, shifting in his saddle. “It’s the order of the High Priestess.”
“Alright,” Nath said. “Fine then. Just make sure you can keep up.” He whipped the reins. “Ee-Yah!”
In seconds, the wind whistled through his ears and his hair billowed like a flag over his back in a streak of red.
It’s not my army. It’s Selene’s. She can watch after it herself!
He continued at a full gallop until his keen eyes picked up deep impressions going off the road in the tall grasses. He slowed down. Not waiting for the soldiers to catch up, he trotted down the newly formed trail.
“Dragon Prince,” the commander said. “We should not travel so far from the army.”
“Then go back,” Nath said.
The big commander let out a whistle, and several of the other men headed back toward the ranks. The commander kept pace behind Nath.
“The High Priestess won’t approve of this,” the commander said. “I advise you to return.”
Nath slowed his mount and turned. He pointed toward the sky. Dragons circled in the air.
“Selene has much better eyes on me than you, Commander. Perhaps it is you who should return to the ranks. I’d hate to be the one who leaves her army exposed.”
“Er … well…”
“Of course, you’re all being replaced by the draykis anyway. Just think, if you die
in battle, that just might be your fate. A fate worse than death.”
“Dragon Prince,” the commander said, “I’m following orders. I mean no offense.”
Nath turned his mount and headed down the trail. He didn’t care what the commander thought, or Selene. He was tired of being babysat. It stirred him. Made him think of Brenwar.
I wonder how ol’ Grizzly Beard is doing?
The trail led on another league and dipped down a hill into a narrow crevice. Mossy rock faces were steep on either side, and the trail was darkened by overhanging branches. The trail of the scouts and Selene’s men faded.
“This is interesting,” Nath said.
“What’s that?” the commander said, leaning forward on his horse.
“If you took that ugly helmet off, you could see better.”
The commander’s head creaked as it twisted toward the sky.
“Are you afraid of dragon droppings?” Nath said.
“Er … no, Dragon Prince. Just unneeded exposure.”
Nath slid out of the saddle and led his horse by the reins. The commander did the same, hopping off and raising a clamor with his armor.
“Big and loud,” Nath said, shaking his head. “Armor slows a skilled man down. It makes the instincts lazy.”
“You have scales.”
Nath’s head turned halfway back, and he said, “And what of it?”
“That’s armor.”
“I sense something odd about you,” Nath said, forging ahead. “I’m not sure I like it.”
He cut through the pass with the commander’s heavy armor licking at his ears. Brenwar’s gear never made a sound. This man behind him sounded like an entire army. Even his breath made noise.
Big. Heavy. Slow. Maybe I’ll throw him at something.
They had pushed through the crevice for another hour when Nath came to a stop, peering forward into a clearing. A rank smell drifted into his nose. The horses nickered. Something burned and reeked.
“What is it?” the commander said, trying to cover his nose with his mailed fist. “It’s foul.”
Nath pressed on, eyeing the rock walls that rose on either side. Anything could be hiding in the cliffs. The crevice opened up into a canyon. There was heavy brush and cave mouths everywhere. He happened upon the dead bodies of three soldiers. Scouts of Barnabus. Armor was torn. Bodies were broken. One was burned to cinders and still smoldered.
“Death is a rank smell,” the commander said. “Those wounds. Looks as if dragons did this.” He grabbed his sword belt and buckled it on. “We must find the High Priestess.”
Nath placed his hand in the large impression of a dragon’s paw. He could see signs of their passing everywhere.
Ambush! Another Ambush! There is no honor in that!
His nose twitched in the air, searching for the lingering scent of Selene.
Surely she can handle herself.
He traipsed through the canyon. Signs of battle were all over. Above, trees jutted toward the top of the canyon, but the skies were mostly hidden, and a strange yellow mist hung in the air, obscuring his vision. The scent of death lingered everywhere. He forged ahead, following a scuffled trail that smashed down the grasses.
“Where are you going?” the commander said.
“Stay with the horses,” Nath replied.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, you won’t be able to keep up.” He turned and faced the commander. “I’ve a feeling Selene’s in danger, so you can wait or you can go for help.”
“I insist I go,” the big man said, coming forward.
Nath shoved him backward, and the man toppled over.
“Stay put,” Nath said, turning away. “If she’s within these caves, I’ll bring her back. If not, we’ll resume the search elsewhere.” He started off.
“Dragon Prince, please …”
Nath kept moving on until the voice and figure of the commander vanished into the strange fog.
CHAPTER 27
Nath followed the impressions in the ground. Something was being dragged. Selene, perhaps. He couldn’t tell, but there were dragon prints. He dug his claws into the rock and started his climb. It didn’t seem possible that anything could surprise Selene. The dragons or whatever took her must have been clever. Sprung a perfect trap. Dragons were capable of that. They didn’t often work together, but with the war, things had changed.
He ran his hands over the loose rocks and noted claw marks scraped into the stone. The markings led him to a large cave mouth. Brush and trees were crushed down and pushed aside. Heart pounding, he made his way into the pitch black cave and traveled dozens of feet within. Coming to a stop, he closed his eyes and let his dragon instincts take over.
He could smell them, sometimes. Dragons. They were hard to track on the rock and in the air, but they did give off the faintest odor. Only the keenest noses could detect it. Dragons blended in well with their environments in all aspects. They were flowers among flowers. Part of the landscape. Part of the terrain. They melded into cave walls. Burrowed under the grasses. Nestled in the trees. Even insects didn’t note them.
He took a breath.
Alright, Selene, where are you?
Of all the people in Nalzambor, Selene would have been the last person he ever thought he would miss, but things change. She was the closest thing to him that he’d ever known. He needed her. He recollected something Brenwar had said.
‘Women are always trouble. Be mindful.’
The cave coiled through the rock at a gradual slope, twisted, and began to deepen. Eyes squinted, Nath traversed the tunnel that became slick with dirt and grime. There were many passages, some narrow, others wide and tall where giant bats rustled on the ceiling. Nath’s keen dragon eyes glowed with a faint golden light, and he could make out the outlines of the walls that were slick with water and glittering minerals. His hand fell to his sword Fang, but it was not there.
Guzan! I wish Fang were here!
The magnificent blade always gave him comfort, even when they didn’t get along. He set his jaw, waded through shallow waters, and scaled slippery walls. One thing about caves, they often became much bigger inside than out. He clambered up into another chamber and weaved his way through stalagmites that reminded him of giant chess pieces.
A gust of hot air stung his face.
Sultans of Sulfur!
A glimmer of light shone far below, a streak of lava flowing through a crevice. An eerie whining nipped his ears.
Selene!
Nath leapt down the next level and followed the river of lava deeper into the cave. The bubbling magma glowed on his face, lighting up the room and casting shadows through the cave. The whining continued on, a strange howl of the wind, or maybe a woman, or the call of a crafty dragon. Something moaned. Familiar. Distraught. He picked up the pace, jogging along the flaming stream, hopping over the rocks, and dashing from side to side. The lava spat and hissed at his trespass, but Nath did not slow until he came to an abrupt stop where the stream turned into a fall and splashed into a molten lake a hundred feet below.
Sweat beaded Nath’s head. The flaming cauldron of fire burbled and gurgled, beckoning for him. Scanning the steaming haze, he caught a glimpse of a figurine pinned down on an island of rock in the middle of the molten pond. The body sagged down in a crumpled heap, weighted down by great chains. Nath caught the glitter of the prisoner’s eyes.
Selene!
She stirred in her bonds, and he could see blood on her face. His heart jumped. He climbed down the rock face of the lava fall and jumped the last thirty feet onto the banks of the pond. A path of rocks led to the island where Selene lay still. Scathing bubbles of lava popped up between the rocks and splashed back down. Nath dipped his toe in the lava. He took a sharp draw of air through his teeth.
Great Guzan!
His toe throbbed, but his scales didn’t burn. He scanned all around the lake and everywhere around the rock island.
There must be a guardian somewhere
.
His mind raced. What manner of creature had dragged her into this cave and dropped her on the island? Red rock dragons might have been the culprits, but they couldn’t fly.
Need to move!
A geyser of lava erupted between him and the next rock on the path. He hopped thirty feet across the lava, landing just as it exploded again.
Sultans!
He timed it. Lava blasted. He hopped, rock to rock to rock. The lava blasted his tail end on the final heave to the island.
“Yipe!”
Crashing to the ground, he scrambled up and straight for Selene. He scooped her up in his arms and pushed her matted hair from her battered face.
“Selene,” he said, shaking her gently, “Selene.”
Her eyes fluttered open.
“Nath?”
“What happened?” he said, helping her into a sitting position.
“I sensed something,” she said, holding her head. “Took the scouts and wanted to see what it was for myself. We were ambushed inside the canyons.” She shuddered. “Hit hard and fast. Dragons. Bright ones. Tore into the men. I had started to take dragon form when a boulder the size of a city blasted into my head. At least that’s what I thought it was.” She looked up into his eyes. “They were waiting for me, Nath. They were ready.” She held up her arm.
“What is that?”
“Huh,” she said, rubbing the bright metal bracelet adorned in jewels cuffed to her arm. “It’s something I should have used on you. It crossed my mind, but I trusted you. They call it Nalzor’s Band of Negation. It blocks my magic powers.”
He grabbed her wrist and started to pull it off.
Selene shrieked and jerked her arm away.
“Don’t you think I tried that already?” She clutched her wrist. Agony was on her face. She said to him, “Don’t do that again!”
“Well, let’s get you out of here at least then,” he said, reaching down and trying to lift her up. She resisted. “Get up, Selene.”
“We aren’t going anywhere!”
“What do you mean?”
The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Page 116