“Seventy—”
“Seventy years!”
“No, no,” Ben said, waving his comment off. “So sorry. Seven years, Dragon. Seven. Sorry, but it’s been so long since I’ve spoken. My tongue was confused by the question.”
Nath felt the slightest bit of relief, but still … “Seven years?” He swallowed. “Ben, get me out of here! And why am I chained up like a prisoner?”
“Bayzog’s idea,” Ben said, raking off the hay.
“That figures. And where is Bayzog?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? When was the last time you saw him?”
“Uh, almost seven years ago.”
“Ben, just get me out of these chains, will you!”
“Hold on now, I have to find the key. Or remember the word.”
Ben shuffled around the cart, looking for something, and Nath lost sight of him. He could see the cloud-darkened sky, but that was about all.
“Ben, will you at least sit me up so I can take a look around?” Nath huffed. “Seven years? Where is everybody?”
Ben climbed into the cart and propped him up. He hugged Nath. “I can’t believe you’re back! It feels like it’s been a hundred years.”
“Ben, what’s going on?” Nath scanned the area. The landscape didn’t seem familiar. A faint road followed alongside the hills and mountains. Few leaves were left on the branches, yet the weather was warm. The tall grasses, normally the color of golden wheat, were grey. “And where are we?”
“North of Quintuklen,” he said, wrestling with the lock on Nath’s bonds. “Or what’s left of it.”
“Left of it? What do you mean by that?”
“They destroyed it.”
“You mean, Go—”
“Don’t say his name!” Ben whispered harshly. “Never utter it!”
“Fine, but what happened to Quintuklen?”
“Not more than a week after you fell asleep, the Floating City drifted to Quintuklen and burned it to the ground.” Ben looked him in the eyes. “Maybe one in ten remain in the ruins. All the rest are dead.”
“Get me out of these bonds!”
“It seems I’m missing the key.”
Nath snorted out a blast of fire. “What was Bayzog thinking?”
“He couldn’t have you squirming around. Said something about you moving too much could upset the cart’s magic.”
“Magic?”
“Sure, it conceals you and me from prying eyes. I keep moving you, from town to town, farmland to farmland. I get stopped a lot. The lizard men and draykis poke and prod a lot.”
“A habit you picked up.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind,” Nath said. “So you’ve been pulling me all over Nalzambor?”
“Bayzog says they won’t search for you in the open, and it’s worked up until this point.”
“And you’ve been doing it all alone?”
“Yep.”
Nath was moved. Ben was only a man, and seven years was a long long time in a man’s life. Hauling a cart along. Day in and day out. For his protection.
“I’d hug you if I could, Ben. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Ben said. “Ah, here’s the key.”
“Say, Ben, why didn’t the army of Barnabus kill you? I thought they were after humans.”
“They don’t see me as a man.” He shrugged and held out a small talisman. “It’s from the chest. It took some getting used to, but it works. It makes me look like a half orc, I think. Hmmm.”
“What now?” Nath said.
“Seems I’m having trouble with this lock. It’s rusted, jammed, or something.”
Nath gasped.
“What?” Ben said, drawing his sword and checking the skies. “What do you see?”
“My scales. They—They’ve changed color!”
Indeed they had. No longer black, they were pearly white, woven with gold and flecked with red.
Ben smiled. “Yes, and that was years ago. I thought you’d wake up when they changed, but you didn’t.”
Nath’s dragon heart warmed inside his chest. It told him that somehow, he’d made his wrongs right.
“Oh no,” Ben said, pointing. “Get back in the cart, Dragon.”
“Why, what’s wrong?”
A band of soldiers armored in dark grey metal galloped toward them.
“Riders of Barnabus,” Ben said. “And by the looks of them, draykis! Quick, get back under the hay. I can handle this.”
“Perhaps you could have, but I think they’ve already seen me.”
CHAPTER 28
“Ben,” Nath said, managing his way onto his knees. “We don’t need that key.” Nath set his jaw and flexed his muscles. The moorite chains started to groan, pop, and stretch.
Eyes widening, Ben gasped, “You’re bending the moorite.”
Chink. Chink. Snap!
The loose chain fell into the hay around Nath’s feet.
“Cover yourself up, Dragon,” Ben said. “They’re looking for you.”
In the distance, Nath could see the riders coming hard. Indeed, the five of them were draykis, and the sight of them churned his blood now more than ever before. He inspected the garb he was covered in. A hood covered most of his head, but the cloak that covered his scales hung open. Grabbing a length of moorite chain and tying it around his waist, he stepped out of the small cart and stood by Ben.
“That’s a lot of draykis,” Ben said, slowly shaking his head. “I’ve never encountered more than one before, Dragon. We can’t let them know who you are. If one gets away, the entire army of Barnabus will be on us.”
Narrowing his eyes, Nath said, “Good.” He then reached into the cart and filled his hands with the other length of chain.
“Brenwar’s not going to be happy that you busted his chain,” Ben said.
“When’s the last time you saw him?”
“Five years ago,” Ben said, “And it’s been pretty peaceful since.”
Nath stepped in front of Ben. “When this is over, you have a lot of explaining to do. Now wait here.”
Nath started up the road. The closer the draykis came, the harder his heart pounded. He could feel the evil. His aversion was enhanced like never before. In the past, their presence had been bothersome, but now that his scales had turned white, they were downright intolerable. Nath draped the chain over his neck and tucked his scaled hands into his cloak.
The draykis pulled their horses to a stop a mere twenty feet away. Their faces were covered in a patchwork of scales, and tiny horns cropped up on their heads. They were big and endowed with thick layers of muscle. Tongues licked from the mouths of half-dead, half-dragon men. One by one, they dismounted and gathered around Nath in a circle. All of them were tall, but not as tall as him. They wielded heavy, crude swords, clubs, and axes.
Nath jangled his chains. “I’ve some moorite to sell. Are any of you lizard faces interested?’
“You jest, mortal?”
“I’m only breaking the tension in the air. I’m not sure what to call your kind, but I’ve heard many things: smelly serpents, clawed ogres, ugly fiends, dragon rumpkins… Hah! The children use that one. Yes, it’s all in jest, of course.”
“We are draykis. We are death,” the leader said. It had a jagged scar on its bare chest. Its spiked metal shoulders were heaving. “Hand over those chains.”
“You’ll have to pay first, and I don’t think we’ve discussed a price.”
One of the draykis shoved Nath from behind.
“Last warning, mortal.”
“I don’t seem to recall the first warning, so how can that be the last?”
Another hard shove from behind knocked Nath to the ground. He lifted his chin, gold eyes blazing. “You shouldn’t have done that.” He took the chain from his neck and tossed it at the draykis’s feet. He undid the chain around his waist and tossed it aside as well.
The draykis laughed. “Not so mouthy now, are you?”
“Look at his hands,” another draykis said. “They have claws and scales.”
“What?”
Nath rose to his feet, lowered his hood, and dropped his cloak. The wind bristled his mane of red hair.
“Nath Dragon!” the leading draykis said, gaping. It recovered quickly and said to the others, “Kill him!”
***
Perspective can change in an instant.
One moment, Ben was slinking behind the cart and gathering Akron, ready to defend his friend, the outnumbered dragon. In the next, he was gaping in wonder.
Nath transformed. In seconds, he went from a seven-foot man to a thirty-foot dragon. Great horns and wings sprouted as he turned into the fiercest, most majestic creature Ben had ever seen. Nath’s tail whipped out.
Wupash!
It sent two draykis flying, head over scales.
The horses scattered.
The draykis fought back, striking their swords and axes into Nath’s scaled armor.
Nath crushed one down into the ground with his paw. Another he crunched in his jaws and slung away. The last one standing turned to run. Nath consumed it with a mouthful of bright-blue flames. One by one, Nath scorched every draykis to the bone. It happened in seconds.
Nath the dragon turned toward Ben and looked down at him. As smoke rolled from his mouth, he said in a great dragon voice, “That felt good.”
Trembling the slightest, all Ben could say was, “That was awesome.”
***
“Ah,” Nath said, dusting off his hands, “Stomping out evil, one draykis at a time. A good start for my return.” He fastened his eyes skyward. “Perhaps it’s time we took to some shelter. I sense more danger is near.”
“As you say, Dragon,” Ben said, unable to contain his smile. He grabbed the handles of the small cart and started to pull. “There’s some sanctuary a few miles beyond the next bend. We can hide in there.”
Nath nodded as he checked his garments. Once again, his shirt and trousers were still intact. He eyed Ben. “Something Bayzog did?”
“I believe.”
Nath donned his cloak, pulled on the hood, retrieved the chains, and resumed his trek alongside Ben. He felt great. Strong. Mighty.
“That was something else, Dragon.”
“Indeed. I can’t help but be impressed, myself. I feel so … free.” He glanced at the sky. “You know Ben, I could fly us wherever we need to go.”
“I’ll pass. I flew on a dragon once already, and my stomach still feels queasy. Perhaps if I was younger.” He frowned. “Walking and riding do me just fine.”
“When did you ride a dragon?”
“Oh, not long after you slept. She was a very pretty one, too. Gorgeous eyes, pearl-horned with turquoise scales. Something I’ll never forget.”
“Are you serious? A dragon let you ride her?”
“Rescued us, is more like it. We were trapped. Penned in near Jordak’s Pass. We were taking you to a new place to hide. Then wham! Dragons closed in.” Ben shook his head. “We escaped, barely. After that, Bayzog came up with another plan.”
Nath let Ben continue talking. He studied Ben. His friend’s brown hair had become greyish and wispy. There was a hitch in his step and a slight wheeze in his breath. Wrinkles lined his eyes, and more scars marked his face. It seemed like Ben had gone from a vibrant young man to an old iron war horse in an instant. But there was still light in Ben’s kind brown eyes and an avid curiosity.
“I see you looking at me, Dragon, but don’t fret. I’ve lived more than I’ve lost. And I live for what I’ve lost. My wife. My children. I miss them, but I understand that no matter what, this battle must be fought. And I’m honored I have a part in it, be it a small one or not.”
“Ben,” Nath said, “you have been everything a friend should be and more. I’m grateful.”
“So am I, Dragon. The things I’ve seen. The adventures we’ve shared. It’s been wonderful. But Dragon?”
“Yes.”
Ben looked him right in the eyes. “Promise me we’ll finish this before I die.”
Always keep your promises, His father always said. Never make a promise you cannot keep.
Nath shook his head no. “I wish I could promise you that, but all I can promise is that I’ll try my best.”
Ben nodded yes. “Well, that’s good enough for me.”
“Now, Ben, tell me everything I need to know.”
CHAPTER 29
Ben warmed his hands over a small fire just inside the mouth of a cave.
“Every time the sun drops, my bones get cold. And the rain makes my knuckles ache and my scars throb.” He glanced at Nath. “Do you have any aches and pains?”
Inside, Nath hurt. Selene had been gone seven years, but it felt like she had died yesterday.
“I’m fine.” Nath tossed a stick into the fire. “So get on with it. Where is everyone?”
“Barnabus has the world under its thumb. Men have been wiped out. Women and children enslaved.”
“All men?”
“Of course not. But after Quintuklen was stifled, it scattered them all. The Legionnaires that numbered thousands strong are maybe a few hundred now.”
It riled him. But men, always so conflicted with one another, were so easily scattered, unlike the other races that clung tightly together.
“Morgdon and Elome work together, though,” Ben said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Never imagined they’d team up as they did, but it was either that or annihilation. For seven years they’ve defended their lands from the wicked humanoid forces. Orcs, gnolls, and goblins swarm over and over. I’ve seen it for myself.
“Is that where Brenwar and Bayzog are?”
Shrugging, Ben stirred a stick in the fire. “I suppose. But I never know what they’re thinking.”
“What of the dragons?”
“They still war all over. Some with the races. Others without. It depends. I’ve seen quite a few while you’ve been asleep. But the battles are one thing and the search for you is another.” Ben combed his fingers through his beard. “Barnabus’s forces still search for you. I don’t think the dragon warlord is fully committed in his triumph until he knows you’re through. Things are at a standstill of sorts. Like the Truce, but worse.” His eyes reflected the firelight. “They’re sharpening their claws. Holding their foul, furnace-hot breath. Waiting for you to surface.”
“I’m here now,” Nath said, looking at his hand. His golden-yellow claws were as sharp as ever. His scales twinkled in the firelight. He was hungry. Hungry for another crack at Gorn Grattack. “So what was the plan once I awakened?”
“Ah,” Ben said, nodding. “I almost had forgotten.” He yawned. “Or have I forgotten? I haven’t thought about that for quite some time.” He shook his head. “I’m not so old, am I? Only fifty seasons.”
“Ben,” Nath said, aggravated, “how did you go about taking turns watching me? Was there a signal? Something? Anything?”
“Normally someone would just show up. Rerry and Samaz did. But now, I’m not so sure. Maybe something happened to them? I can’t be certain.”
“Ben, do you feel all right?”
“I’m just tired, Dragon. It’s been a long day.” Ben lay down on his blanket and fell fast asleep.
“Ben?”
Nath was surprised that his friend was out cold. And even more surprised that Ben seemed so old. Something was out of place that he couldn’t put his finger on. The world was off. Out of place.
Am I still dreaming?
Ben stirred and rustled in his armor. The beaten breastplate from his brief stint with the Legionnaires had held up quite well. It was good work for something that wasn’t dwarven.
Nath grabbed a blanket out of Ben’s pack and covered his friend. He then headed out of the cave to stretch his legs. The air was brisk, and a cool drizzle was coming down. The sensation felt soothing for a change.
Learn to appreciate the little things.
He glanced up the hill. The firelig
ht in the cave was dim. Nath fought the urge to wake Ben back up and ask more questions. He needed to know where everyone was. Where to start? Where to go? It seemed Ben didn’t know anything. Perhaps that was by design. It was the best way to keep everyone safe. The less everyone knew, the better. It was the best way to protect Nath and everyone else.
But I can’t just stand around. Not after seven years.
Nath wanted to take flight. Get a good look around. He glanced back again.
He never left me. I can’t ever leave him. Just let him rest. I’m sure he’ll have answers tomorrow. I slept seven years, so what’s one more night?
Nath sat on the hillside and reflected on things. He could turn into a dragon now and still just as easily maintain a man’s form. He tossed a small ball of orange and blue fire from palm to palm, wondering what other powers he might have. He needed to understand them, but he had no one to teach him. Selene could have, and had to some degree, but she had also deceived him. And where had Sansla Libor taken her? He closed his eyes and took a long draw of breath through his nostrils.
Focus, Nath. Trust your instincts.
He heard Ben’s heartbeat, slow, steady, and strong. Animals prowled the night. Pixlyns sang the song of crickets. The gentle wind tickled the leaves. The night could bring terror, but it could also bring peace. He eased his clawed hands into the ground. He felt the trepidation deep in the bowels of the world. Its life was in jeopardy. It was on a course that ended in death.
Where do I resume this battle? Where do I start?
He meditated until the dawn’s light caught his face.
He felt an unnatural tremor nearby. A rustle of armor. He cocked his head.
Two men approached on cat’s feet. He felt their hearts pounding in their chests.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Nath remained still.
Let the bandits strike. Their blades can’t cut my scales.
The soft shuffles came closer and closer. Nath could feel hard eyes on his back.
“If you’re going to kill me,” Nath said, raising his arms above his head, “Make it swift.”
CHAPTER 30
The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Page 126