by Brandon Mull
“What about Tanu?” Seth asked.
“I noticed your manservant over yonder,” Ryland said.
Seth peered in the direction the Somber Knight had indicated and noticed a cloud of gas shaped exactly like Tanu. “He took a gaseous potion,” Seth said.
“Where to now?” Eve asked.
“More dragons will be on their way,” Ryland said. “Not all are as foolhardy and incompetent as Chiro, or as careless as Numrum. First we should get back on the road.”
“What about the taurans?” Seth asked.
“Explain,” Ryland said.
“Amulon and the taurans forced us off the road,” Seth said bitterly. “They basically handed us over to the dragons.”
“I arrived too late to witness that,” Ryland said. “Yet your words reverberate with truth. Amulon has committed treason.”
“He isn’t alone,” Seth said.
“Amulon!” Ryland shouted in a voice that rivaled dragon roars. “Come face your judgment.”
The Somber Knight mounted Umbro, then extended a gauntleted hand down to Eve. After hoisting her aboard, he hauled Seth up as well. The back of the bull was too wide for Seth or Eve to straddle without doing the splits, so they knelt behind Ryland. The bull did not run smoothly, and Seth found it took all of his concentration to maintain his balance.
In a few moments they were back on the road, confronting Amulon and about twenty other taurans, who huddled together, weapons ready. They looked distrustful and angry.
“Amulon,” Ryland said, his voice more grave than Seth had ever heard it. “You forced the active caretakers of Wyrmroost off the road and into mortal peril. How plead you?”
For the first time since Seth had met Amulon, the rumitaur appeared uncertain. “Celebrant is also a caretaker. I was acting under his orders.”
“Celebrant was a lesser caretaker who has declared war against the rightful caretakers of Wyrmroost,” Ryland said. “You side with the dragons in this conflict?”
Amulon straightened. “We do.”
“And you are guilty of forcing the caretakers off the road?” Ryland asked.
Amulon thrust his powerful chest forward. “I am proud.”
“Then I find you guilty of treason,” Ryland said. “As no lives have been lost yet resulting from your actions, Seth can choose between death and exile for you.”
“Wait, I choose?” Seth asked.
“Yes,” Ryland said. “Shall I claim his head or banish him?”
Seth frowned. “Kendra is alive?”
“For now, yes,” Ryland said.
“I need no mercy from a whelp,” Amulon said. “If you want my head, you clattering relic from days long gone, come try to take it.”
“I await your command,” Ryland said to Seth.
“Exile,” Seth said. “Not fair to kill him if we all lived.”
“Very well,” Ryland said, raising his sword above his head. “Amulon, son of Warrow, seeing as you speak for the taurans, and a score of your fellows aided your crime, I hereby revoke your claim to your territory, along with access to the thoroughfares reserved for the friends of Blackwell Keep.”
“Celebrant will reinstate us,” Amulon said.
“Your new domain will encompass the barrows, lackluster wood, and the adjoining meadows,” Ryland continued.
“That is a domain of haunts and shades,” Amulon scoffed.
“And now of the taurans as well,” Ryland said. “Sleep lightly. Get to your new domain promptly. Anywhere else on this preserve, you are in extreme violation of trespass, with prejudice.” He slashed his sword twice in their direction.
“This cannot be,” Amulon said, beginning to look panicked.
“They’ll be hunted anywhere else they go,” Eve said. “Fair game to any creature.”
“Those taurans still at the Herdlands are also trespassing,” Ryland said. “Warn them if you can. Should they linger longer than a day, their lives are forfeit. Once they have departed, reentry is of course barred. And you will be rejected by the protections of this road the moment my sword touches the ground.”
Amulon and the taurans all scattered to the left side of the road—all except one rumitaur, who glared at Ryland until the tip of his sword touched the dirt. Brilliant streaks of energy enveloped the stubborn rumitaur, hurling him off the road to land on his side, fur badly singed. One of the cervitaurs shot an arrow at the Somber Knight, but it failed to cross the edge of the road, deflected with a flash.
“Begone, taurans,” Ryland called. “I will consider your lingering an invitation to combat. Do not forget, I am among the predators who can hunt you outside the barrows.”
“All this for bothering children?” Amulon cried.
“This is for siding with the dragons against the caretakers,” Ryland declared. “Let it be a warning to all.”
The taurans ran away.
“You have some serious power,” Seth said.
“In this instance, my power derives from the treaty they violated,” Ryland said.
“The dragons violated the treaty too,” Seth said.
“Which freed me to attack them,” Ryland said. “But the territories are tied to direct treaties with the caretakers. I could banish the taurans from their homes for treason. There is no equivalent for the dragons—except I can revoke Celebrant’s status as a caretaker.”
“You can?” Seth asked.
“He declared war,” Ryland said. “I can and will revoke his status. I will approach in my capacity as a herald. And I will endeavor to rescue your sister. I will likely perish.”
Seth didn’t want the knight to die. How did he speak so calmly of taking action that could end him? Could he die and still save Kendra?
“Celebrant has her?” Seth asked.
“I strongly suspect so,” Ryland said.
“How is she all right?” Seth said. “I saw the dragon eat her.”
“You saw Jaleesa scoop her up,” Ryland said. “I saw too, from a distance. The dragon did not swallow, but rather flew off toward Skyhold. If your sister had been killed, I would feel the crime. Such an act would reverberate across all the treaties of Wyrmroost.”
“You don’t think you can survive rescuing Kendra?” Seth asked.
“If I go as a herald in a time of war, the dragons cannot attack me,” Ryland said. “But stripping Celebrant of his caretakership constitutes an act of aggression, and that invites retaliation. A herald brings a message. Executing justice changes the nature of my visit. But the Dragon King’s status must be eliminated. The downgrade will weaken the dragon rebellion. Reduce their options. The dragons will kill me for it. I don’t know how I could get away. So I will do my best to save your sister before I expire.”
“I’ll come help,” Seth said.
“No,” Ryland said. “You cannot be jeopardized. Wyrmroost is in plenty of danger without handing both caretakers to the dragons.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?” Seth asked.
“Stay alive,” Ryland said. “Find shelter for the festival night in a roadhouse if need be. Then get back to Blackwell Keep alive and resist the dragons.”
“We’ll have to go by Stormguard Castle,” Seth said. “You don’t know the story, do you?”
“Stormguard Castle was never under my purview,” Ryland said. “It predates Wyrmroost. Old, powerful magic resides there. You would be wise to get no closer than necessary.”
The translucent, gassy form of Tanu drifted onto the road. “Hey, Tanu,” Seth said. “More dead dragons over there.”
Tanu covered his ears and shook his head, a pained expression on his wispy face.
“I bet you want their guts,” Seth said. “You probably can’t carry much more anyhow. Even if you weren’t made of smoke.”
Tanu slumped theatrically.
“Kend
ra is alive,” Seth informed him. “The Somber Knight is going to try to rescue her.”
Tanu brightened and gave a thumbs-up.
“I will most likely fail,” Ryland said. “If I fall, I will instruct Umbro to come find you, Seth, and to help you get home. If I live, I will come help you myself. You will probably get no assistance at all. The dragons will most likely destroy both of us.”
“You are not very positive,” Eve said.
“I am positive we will all eventually die,” Ryland said. “Only the timing remains in question. Soon, by all realistic forecasts.”
“He’s not the Cheerful Knight,” Seth said.
The Somber Knight looked skyward. “Berzog and Luria are circling up there. Keeping their distance while we are on the road, I imagine. Wait, what is this?”
Seth saw a griffin approaching in the distance, flying low, with three other dragons in pursuit. The griffin dove really low, disappearing into some trees, then popped out going a different direction.
“That’s Tempest,” Seth said. He waved his arms and shouted. “Come on, Tempest! You can make it.”
Tempest gained a little altitude, then plunged directly toward Seth and the road. The two circling dragons moved to intercept, but they were too slow, and the three in pursuit trailed by too far. All the dragons veered away as Tempest landed on the road.
Seth ran to the griffin and hugged her neck. Her feathers were damp with perspiration, and flecks of lather stood out on her fur.
“We might have a faster way home,” Seth said.
“You want to risk the dragons?” Ryland asked.
“She got here, didn’t she?” Seth replied.
“She will not be as maneuverable with riders,” Ryland said.
“What if one of the riders can disguise her?” Eve asked innocently.
The Somber Knight rapped his helmet twice and pointed at her. “That thought has potential. Indeed it does.”
Rescuers
“I have bad news, and I have worse news,” Doren announced the day after Knox and Tess had arrived at Blackwell Keep. “And a bit of minor good news. And some random news.”
Knox, Tess, and Doren stood in the nearest courtyard to the rooms where the satyrs were living. Several dragons patrolled up high, in the distance.
“You’re starting to lose me,” Knox said. “What is the bad news?”
“The griffins that we’re sending to rescue Seth and Kendra are no longer just getting turned back,” Doren said. “They’re getting killed by dragons. We’ve lost two so far.”
“What is the good news?” Tess asked.
“I finally learned how to make my yo-yo sleep,” Doren said. “You know, when it reaches the end of the string and just hangs there spinning? But a flick of the wrist will make it wind up again? It takes the right touch. I think I’ve got it.”
“What’s the worse news?” Knox asked.
“Still no sign of the barrel or the person who, um, did harm to the goblin,” Doren said. “The whole keep is on alert, and there are no leads.” He gave Tess a tentative smile. “But I’m sure we can all sleep tight and have happy dreams.”
“I know the goblin is dead,” Tess said. “This is a scary place. What is the random news?”
“I swiped a pie from the kitchen and ate it,” Doren said. “The whole pie. By myself. That could have been good news, but I saved none to share. I have selfish moments. Peach pie—never trust me around peaches.”
“I’m sick of waiting,” Knox said. “What can we do?”
“We really haven’t been waiting very long,” Doren said. “You just arrived last night.”
“I want to help Seth and Kendra,” Knox said. “They’re in real danger. And I wouldn’t mind seeing some dragons up close.”
Doren’s eyes widened. He gestured at the sky. “Those dragons are the perfect distance. Most people only see dragons up close one time. The experience does not last long.”
“But the magic walls will keep them out,” Knox said. “Can’t you lure some down? Leave out a dead deer or something?”
Doren put a hand to his forehead. “Where are we supposed to hunt deer? And why would a dragon want our shabby meal? These are apex predators. They eat whatever they want, pretty much whenever they want.”
“It would be fun to see one closer,” Tess said. “But not if it eats us.”
“You have seen dragons flying around all day,” Doren said. “Few ever see a dragon and live to tell the tale.”
“But they’re so far away,” Knox said. “They almost look like kites.”
“And where are the fairies?” Tess asked. “I thought this place was supposed to be so magical.”
“The fairies are probably hiding like everything else with a brain,” Doren said. “The dragons declared war.”
“Kind of a boring war,” Knox said with a sigh.
Doren raised his hands. “That’s the best kind of war. Trust me.”
“Have you been in a war?” Knox asked.
Doren folded his arms. “I’ve seen plenty on TV. And I lent a hand against some demons once. Not a comfortable day.”
Newel came trotting over, a shimmery length of fabric folded under one arm. He looked pleased.
“How did it go this time?” Knox asked.
“He finally gave me something,” Newel said.
“Not bagpipes?” Tess asked.
“Grippa is pretending he never mentioned bagpipes,” Newel said. “I keep pestering him to let us recover his investment for him by helping Kendra and Seth. That troll is stubborn. I was as frustrated as a lumberjack in a petrified forest. But he finally gave me this.” He unfolded the fabric with a flourish. It was a hooded cape. “Behold—the cloak of innocence.”
“That sounds weak,” Knox said.
“Shows what you know,” Newel said with a huff. “If somebody is new to a preserve, has caused no harm, and intends no harm, this creates a powerful shield around them and any traveling with them. Even if the companions are scoundrels.”
“How much protection?” Knox asked.
“It makes you invulnerable,” Newel said. “It was crafted by the wizards who first designed the preserves to provide complete protection to neutral visitors. It draws on the power of the treaty that founded the preserve. The whole sanctuary would have to fall in order for the cloak to fail.”
“What’s the catch?” Doren asked. “These things always have a catch.”
“Don’t interrupt,” Newel said. “I was getting to it. If anyone under the protection of the cloak harms a creature or steals something, the protection is ruined for all.”
“So the companions shouldn’t be scoundrels,” Knox said.
“Or go near peach pie,” Tess added with a smile.
“Why peach pie?” Newel asked. “I love peach pie!”
“Kids,” Doren said with a vague shrug. “You never know what arbitrary examples they’ll mention next.”
Newel looked betrayed. “You didn’t all share a peach pie without me?”
“Who would share peach pie?” Doren asked, absently wiping the corner of his mouth.
“The cloak,” Knox prompted.
“Yes, the cloak,” Newel said, shaking it slightly. “This might grant you the freedom you had last time, Knox. We can use your innocence to rescue Kendra and Seth.”
“I want to help them,” Knox said. “I feel terrible I messed up security here when I came through the barrel. Would the cloak protect against dragons?”
“It should,” Newel said.
“How will we know it’s working?” Knox asked.
“It will kind of gleam,” Newel said, putting the cloak around Knox’s shoulders. The entire piece of clothing turned black.
“Oh, dear,” Doren said.
“What have you been up to?” Newel asked.
>
“Nothing,” Knox said. “I’ve been with you guys.”
Newel hit himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand. “You took the scepter. After you brought it here, that must have counted as stealing something.”
“Am I innocent?” Tess asked.
All eyes slowly turned to her.
“She doesn’t even drink the milk,” Doren murmured.
“No,” Newel said. “We couldn’t. She’s so little.”
“I’m not little,” Tess said. “I’m ten. Two digits. Same as most people.”
“Most humans,” Newel corrected.
“Worth a try,” Knox said, taking off the cloak and putting it over his little sister’s shoulders. It shrank a little to fit her and turned a gleaming white, with faint hints of other colors.
“Looks like we have a winner,” Doren said.
“Take it off,” Newel said, removing the cloak. The fabric returned to a shimmery gray. “You’ll draw attention.”
“I have magic,” Tess said. “I knew I was really a fairy.”
Knox rolled his eyes. Newel glared at him.
“There is definitely a certain magic to innocence,” Doren said. “Why don’t you go play with my yo-yo for a little bit?” He handed it over.
Tess accepted the toy with a dubious look. “This is hard. It gets tangled.”
“Up and down,” Doren said. “Pop your wrist a little. It takes practice. Try it over by the wall. Stiller air there.”
“You want to talk without me,” Tess said. She skipped over to the wall.
“We can’t really take advantage of an innocent little girl?” Newel asked.
“You took advantage of me,” Knox complained. “With the bear that was actually a troll.”
“An ogre,” Newel corrected.
“And with the dragons,” Knox said.
“That was primarily Seth taking advantage,” Newel said.
“We were definitely accomplices,” Doren confessed.
“It’s the same,” Knox said. “She’ll be safe.”
“Were you safe?” Newel asked.
“I think so,” Knox said. “More or less.”
“Probably less,” Doren said. “But you survived.”