The Queen of Dragons (Tales from the New Earth Book 8)

by J. J. Thompson

  “It is beautiful in its own way, isn't it?” Veronique asked as she looked down at the raging river far below, its waters still partly hidden in shadow.

  “Imagine how many years it must have taken for water to dig into the earth that deeply? It amazes me to finally see it for myself.”

  Malcolm nodded as he contemplated the deep gorge.

  “No matter how strong our society ever thought it was, Mother Nature has always been stronger,” he said thoughtfully.

  “My goodness. Scratch a warrior and discover a philosopher,” Veronique said, teasing him.

  The warrior laughed, his deep rumble echoing out into the canyon.

  “That's a taste of the old me,” he told her with a grin. “I was always a kid who looked beyond the horizon, never satisfied with what life had to offer him. I guess I felt that I was missing out on things, growing up in a small town like I did. Even though Aiden and I didn't know each other back then, although we certainly had seen each other around, he tells me that he felt the same way. And to think, it only took the end of the world to allow me to visit the Grand Canyon. Lucky me,” he added bitterly.

  Veronique smiled in sympathy.

  “I know how you feel, my friend. My sister and I were not worldly people. We too grew up in a small village. But I was always more concerned for her future than my own. Having a younger sister who is blind places a lot of responsibility on you, if you are the only sibling and your parents are taken from you early in life.”

  She stood looking down at the distant river while her robe swirled around her ankles.

  “But I never felt like I was missing anything. I was too busy trying to make life bearable for Sylvie.”

  She glanced up at Malcolm and smiled at his expression.

  “Do not worry. I'm not brooding or resentful. My sister tells me that, as much as I worried about her, she felt the same way about me. The difference is that Sylvie was always afraid that she was a burden, that she was holding me back.”

  The mage shook her head in disbelief.

  “Imagine that, thinking that the person who knows and loves you more than anyone else in the world would resent caring for you? It breaks my heart even now thinking about it.”

  “Then don't,” Malcolm told her in his steady way. “That is the past, Veronique. This is the present. And in the present, you and your sister are two of the most powerful mages on the planet. And she can see,” he added with a wink. “So there's one less thing for you to worry about.”

  The woman laughed lightly.

  “One less, yes. And a hundred more have taken its place. Starting with this one: where is Simon?”

  They both watched from the edge of the canyon as the sun continued to rise, showing more and more details of the land below them.

  “We should wait until the river is in complete daylight before Gating down there,” Veronique told Malcolm.

  “I agree. This is unknown territory and we have no idea what might be living along the river. Or in it, for that matter. All we do know is that the dark gods have shoveled a hell of a lot of monsters back into the mix on this world and we'd be fools to rush in before looking.”

  “Another wise comment,” the mage said slyly. “You are full of surprises today, my large friend.”

  “Full of something, anyway,” Malcolm agreed with a laugh.

  They waited for the sun to rise high enough to illuminate the entire floor of the canyon. In the meantime, they exchanged stories about their lives before the Change and found that they weren't that dissimilar in a lot of ways, appearances to the contrary.

  “You have an admirable streak of loyalty in you, Malcolm,” Veronique observed at one point.

  “Funny,” he replied. “I was going to say the same about you. I have to credit my parents, actually. My father immigrated from Somalia before I was born and ended up in an almost all-white town in rural Canada. Can you believe that? My mother was from Trinidad. I never could quite get the straight story on how they even met. But they faced some hardships integrating into the community at first.”

  “I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for them,” the mage said sympathetically.

  “Actually, it wasn't as bad as you might think. When Mom became pregnant with me, I'm told that her neighbors, mainly the women around the area, offered her help and assistance every step of the way. First a couple at a time, then pretty much everyone else joined in.”

  He rumbled a laugh at the memories of the past.

  “In a small town, once the wind changes and attitudes change along with it, a lot of people tend to go with the tide. They had an easier time of it after that. Not always smooth, of course, but better. I certainly had to deal with a handful of bullies in school as I was growing up. But then, so do lots of others. You manage, somehow.”

  “Sylvie faced her own set of prejudices growing up sightless,” Veronique said as she sat down carefully on a large, flat rock.

  She folded her legs and rested her forearms on her knees.

  “People who didn't know her were always so sure that she was helpless. I cannot count the number of times some well-meaning person would rush up to her in the street and take her arm without asking if she needed their help. They were convinced that they were saving her life.”

  The mage ran her fingers through her short brown hair and shook it vigorously to clear out any dust that had gotten caught in it from the brisk wind that blew past them.

  “That must have been frustrating for her,” Malcolm commented.

  He knelt down on one knee, his armor creaking and jingling, and gave the woman a quizzical look.

  “And how did your sister respond to all of these good Samaritans?” he asked.

  Veronique looked out across the gorge and smiled into the wind.

  “With grace, always. She never showed her frustration or became angry. Instead she would explain that she was fine, that I was her sister and that I would lend her a hand if she needed it. She never raised her voice and always thanked them for their concern. It was a lesson in patience that I took to heart as well.”

  Malcolm nodded slowly.

  “She definitely seems like the most patient of people. But did she ever explain why? Why she didn't at least get irritated by so many strangers grabbing her like that?”

  Veronique laughed again.

  “Once. She said that a kind heart should never be bruised by harsh words. Can you imagine that statement coming from the mouth of a ten year old? Because that is how old my sister was when she said it. Extraordinary.”

  “Wow. If I wasn't already fond of her, I would be now.”

  The mage smiled as she stood up again with unconscious grace.

  “Don't put her on a pedestal, Malcolm. She has her off days, just like the rest of us. And we've had some memorable shouting matches over the years too. She is an amazing person, yes, but she is no saint. And those are Sylvie's words, not mine.”

  Malcolm pushed himself upright with a grunt and peered down at the turbulent river far below.

  “It looks fully lit now. Should we head down and poke around?”

  Veronique scanned the length of the river that they could see from their vantage point.

  “Certainly. That spot there, on this side of the water, looks clear. Will that do?”

  The big man bowed slightly.

  “You're the driver, my lady. Whatever suits you, suits me.”

  “Oh, so polite,” she said, teasing him. “Okay then, touch my sleeve and let's head down. Keep your fingers crossed that we find some sign that Simon was here. I'm getting quite worried about him.”

  “We all are.”

  Malcolm gingerly pinched a part of the mage's sleeve and took a deep breath. Gating was not his favorite mode of travel.

  Veronique quickly recited the incantation for the spell, keeping her eyes fixed on her chosen landing spot.

  “Invectis!”

  Chapter 11

  “My God, what is that smell?” Sebastian
asked as he entered the pyramid. “Did something crawl in here and die?”

  He was following Liliana and quickly summoned a mage light to bob along over their heads.

  “I have no idea,” she replied, a dozen feet ahead. “It is definitely ripe though, isn't it? Must be recent; things tend to desiccate and wither in the desert once they die, if the carrion eaters don't get them first.”

  “Lovely thought,” the mage said and swallowed nervously.

  His mouth was as dry as sand though and he almost choked.

  “I should have brought a canteen with me,” he told the paladin. “I can feel the moisture being sucked out through my pores.”

  “I doubt that we'll be in here long enough to worry about it,” Liliana reassured him. “If I remember correctly from some old TV shows that I watched, the tunnels inside this pyramid are fairly long but aren't extensive. Once we reach what was called the King's Chamber, we should have seen all that there is to see.”

  “Lead on then,” Sebastian told her. “The sooner we get through this, the sooner we can leave. How's your claustrophobia, by the way?”

  “Alive and well, thanks for asking,” she replied tightly.

  “Sorry. I'll shut up now.”

  “That might be for the best.”

  The two explorers slowly made their way deeper into the tunnels. Liliana's shield was still secured across her back and her sword was still sheathed, but Sebastian had seen how quickly she could arm herself and wasn't concerned. He debated with himself about whether or not to cast a Shield spell but, in the close quarters of the tunnel, he was afraid that it would be less than effective. Plus it might slam into the paladin accidentally. He decided to wait until it was actually needed and fervently hoped that it wouldn't be.

  “The tunnel splits up ahead,” Liliana said over her shoulder. “One part goes down, a long way to a dead end, I believe, and the other ascends toward the Grand Gallery and the King's and Queen's Chambers.”

  Sebastian stopped and wiped his sleeve across his forehead. He had expected it to be cool inside of the pyramid, but if anything it was hotter than it had been outside.

  “How do you even know that?” he asked in wonder.

  The paladin's smile looked oddly distorted in the wavering illumination of the hovering mage light.

  “I was a fan of the place in the old days. Always meant to come for a visit but never did. Until today, that is. And like I said, the tunnels aren't complex or confusing and I remember the layout fairly well. Now, which way should we go first; up or down?”

  “Which way is that stench coming from?” the mage asked nervously.

  Liliana walked ahead until she reached the split in the passageway. She looked back at the mage light and Sebastian hurriedly directed the floating globe forward to hover over her head.

  “Thanks,” she said as she looked between the two tunnels.

  The mage heard her sniffing loudly.

  “It's definitely coming up from below. Are you really that curious to find out what died down there?”

  After a moment's hesitation, Sebastian reluctantly answered her.

  “What if, and I hate to say it, but what if something happened to Simon and...and that's him?”

  He had never really seen Liliana angry before. Irritated or out of sorts, certainly, but never truly angry. But the expression that twisted her face made Sebastian step back instinctively. It was naked fury and it was frightening.

  And then it was gone as quickly as it had appeared and the paladin met his eyes calmly again.

  “Even if Simon had died in here, it's only been a day, Sebastian. Whatever is rotting inside of this pyramid has been dead for a lot longer than that.”

  He nodded vigorously.

  “Of course, of course. Sorry for thinking the worst. It's this place. It's so, I don't know, oppressive, don't you think?”

  She smiled and looked around at the ancient walls.

  “Not really. If my claustrophobia wasn't screaming at me that it was all about to collapse and crush us, I'd actually be loving it. Except for the smell.”

  “Maybe we should speed up our search then,” the mage told her. “Go ahead and choose the path you want, Liliana. I'll follow you.”

  “Fine then; down it is. At the risk of sounding morbid, now I'm actually curious about what died down below. This way.”

  “What is this place?”

  Sylvie was looking up in wonder at the hulking building that rose out of the thick forest around them.

  Ellas had led the three humans through the trees for several hundred yards until they were stopped by the mysterious construct that loomed out of the darkness of the woods.

  “I'm guessing that it was once a temple of some sort,” Chao replied as he fiddled absently with his fan.

  He was trying to read the inscriptions etched deeply into the stone pillars that stood on both sides of the gaping entrance to the building. The conjurer finally shook his head, baffled by the writing.

  “I don't recognize this script at all,” he told the mage and his brother. “I swear that it isn't even of Chinese origin. It's too blocky, too...aggressive, I suppose. But what language it is and what it says? I have no idea.”

  Lei was tapping the hilt of his sword, apparently unaware of the sharp sound of metal on metal that rang out as he did so.

  “I've never been a scholar,” he told his companions. “So if Chao doesn't know what we're looking at, I certainly don't. But as a paladin I will say this: this building reeks of Chaos. I can almost see the evil seeping out of the walls. Ellas,” he turned to look at the small hovering figure next to Sylvie, “are you sure that there is someone in there?”

  For once, the little female did not get offended by the man's doubtful tone.

  “I am sure,” she told him. “But whether it is your friend or someone else is unknown to me. I can tell you that it is male and that he is alone, but that is the extent of my knowledge.”

  Lei began to speak again but the sprite interrupted him.

  “Forgive me everyone, but I do not like this place. Sylvie, we will have to have our little chat some other time. I'm heading home.”

  She gave them all a warning look.

  “Be careful. If your friend is within, I doubt that it is by choice. And if he is not, you may be facing something very dark indeed.”

  And with those ominous words still hanging in the air, the sprite disappeared in a colorful explosion of sparks.

  The silence that followed was broken by Lei's long sigh.

  “Does she always have to be so dramatic? I was nervous enough before.”

  “You? Nervous?”

  Sylvie grinned up at the armored man.

  “Of the three of us, I'd say that you should be the least worried. Your brother and I, on the other hand, are quite breakable. Chao, I am going to raise a shield around us. You will be able to use your powers while you are inside of it, but you will have to keep up with me. If you stray and leave its protection, you won't be able to reenter unless I drop it and recast the spell. Do you understand?”

  “Of course, my friend,” the smaller man said calmly. “I will not lag behind, I assure you. Lei, would you take the lead please?”

  His brother nodded and slowly climbed the ten broad steps to the landing in front of the gaping entrance of the building. He kept a hand on his sword hilt, but Sylvie noted that he didn't draw the weapon.

  She was reminded that he refused to draw the sword unless he intended to use it and was somewhat reassured that it was still sheathed.

  “Stay close,” she murmured to Chao and rattled off the incantation for the Shield spell. When she invoked it, a round transparent globe appeared, encasing the two casters inside a shimmering barrier.

  The shield crackled and hissed faintly and emitted the bitter smell of ozone, but Sylvie was comforted by its presence.

  “Excellent,” Chao told her. “I feel much safer.”

  “Me too. Let's go. Lei?”

  �
��Follow me,” the paladin said from ahead of them. “But don't get too close. I will need room to fight, if it comes to that.”

  He gripped his sword hilt firmly and stepped through the doorway. Sylvie waited a moment and then followed, Chao keeping pace beside her as they climbed the steps and entered the building.

  Behind them the forest grew silent for a moment and a shadow seemed to pass over the sun.

  “Are you sure that that cry came from this area?”

  Tamara and Aiden were standing on a street choked with broken stone and twisted steel. There were several buildings around the perimeter that hadn't totally collapsed and their walls rose up several dozen feet.

  Looking around the area, Tamara realized that there was only one way in or out of this street and that was the way they had come.

  “I'm fairly certain, yes,” Aiden answered.

  He nodded toward the intact entrance to what had once been a department store.

  “Could have come from in there. At least, that is the only place that we can go. Is it just me, or is this a dead end?”

  “It is. It could also be a trap,” the mage replied as she turned slowly in a circle, looking up at the surrounding walls.

  “A trap for whom? Tamara, we're probably the only people to visit Paris since it fell, with the possible exception of Simon. Who would have set a useless trap? And how? These broken walls are rotting away. They certainly weren't constructed as a trap since the Night of Burning.”

  The mage nodded at his very reasonable arguments, but she wasn't reassured. Something felt very wrong here.

  “You can use existing terrain to corner prey, Aiden. I learned that years ago from a friend who was a hunter. Granted, he hunted deer not people, but the same rule applies. We only have a single path of retreat right now and going into that building could be exactly what someone wants.”

  “Who?”

  She frowned at the man.

  “How the hell should I know? Whoever lives here now, I suppose. All I know is that someone screamed and there are only two reasons for that to happen; either someone was in trouble or we were being lured here. But either way, now we have to decide on what to do next.”