Return of the Dragonborn: The Complete Trilogy

by N. M. Howell

  “It doesn’t help that the Dead are with them.”

  “Actually, I don’t think they are, or at least not completely. The Beautiful Dead are cunning and the greatest hunters and warriors the world has ever known. They were already master strategists before our race was even born. It seems...unwise to march with this army. The Dead are certainly bold, but they would never be so guileless as to attack us head on. I don’t know how to describe it other than to say they would consider it a bad hunt. No, whatever they’re planning you can be sure they won’t march with the army, with the exception of a few lesser lieutenants for distraction.”

  Andie leaned against the wall and looked over at Saeryn.

  “I don’t understand how you can both be descended from dragons and not have the same abilities.”

  “Look at the scales on your arm, princess. They’re very light, almost imperceptible, but if you look closely you can make out their shape.”

  Andie raised her arm and observed her skin as carefully and closely as she could. Before long she saw the pearlescent sheen and the beautiful scales. Upon looking closer, she saw that the scales were not the same shape as the dragons’. They were perfect heptagons.

  “They have seven sides.”

  “Because we were born from the blood of seven dragons. The Dead are descended from only five. And, of course, our progenitors were centuries apart.”

  “No matter how many times I come face to face with it or how many different shapes it takes I will never understand it.”

  “What?”

  “How much people can hate us.”

  “Well, we knew something was coming, right?”

  “Yes, but not this. Jacobi of House Clio wasn’t terribly specific. She wrote that the founding families only used the portal to travel to the future once, to this time, and that they saw a city consumed by war. The journal said that the descendants of dragons destroyed everything.”

  “Well, at least now we know it was not us they saw, but the Beautiful Dead.”

  “The journal described the war as the worst and most deadly they’d ever seen. The founding families were monsters who had thousands of men, women, and children killed for no reason at all and even they said this war was horrific. They described it as the end of all things.”

  “The End of Days,” Saeryn said. “Amanna Deireadh. It all makes sense now. The families returned to their own time and told their descendants what they’d seen. Over time the story made the descendants angry and more afraid until hate was all they knew. The mistaken future fueled everything they felt because they thought we were going to end the world. The story itself got twisted and grew into legend so that instead of ‘the descendants of dragons’ it became ‘the dragonborn.’”

  “The so-called end of times wasn’t the descendants of the dragonborn restoring their race and taking revenge, it was the Dead restoring the power they think we stole from them and taking revenge on us. Are you telling me that the history of Noelle was forged because a few families didn’t know how to tell a story?”

  “It would appear so.”

  “Super.”

  Andie and Saeryn didn’t stay in the chamber with the portal any longer than they had to. It was the only room in the entire university that hadn’t been repaired. Everyone thought leaving it to carry the signs of the first battle would be a fitting memorial to everything that followed. She and Saeryn made their way out and moved slowly through Leabharlann, Andie reminiscing on the days when all she had to worry about was searching for a book on the dragonborn. As they exited the massive library, they ran into Marcus in the hallway.

  “Professor Iceubes, hello,” Saeryn greeted him.

  “Your grace,” he said. “Andie, I’m glad I’ve run into you. Both of you, actually.”

  “Have you found something?” Andie asked.

  “Let’s take a walk,” he said, turning. “The question is what haven’t I found. The founding families were keeping secrets from everyone, even each other. You wouldn’t believe the people they’ve had killed, the petty jealousies, the secret wars, the unbelievable amounts of gold and silver they stole from the mint when they took over this building. I can’t stop finding things, but I haven’t come across anything on the Beautiful Dead. It’s almost as if the families didn’t even know they existed. But I do have good news. I’ve found the instructions to operating the portal.”

  “You mean we can control it now?” Saeryn asked, lighting up in hope.

  “I mean we can do whatever we want. Turn it off, turn it on, use it for past, future, teleportation. We can control it, instead of it controlling us.”

  “That may be the best news we’ve had all year,” Andie said. “Thank you, professor, so much.”

  “There’s more. The families didn’t destroy the portals. Collectively they all claimed to have taken responsibility for destroying their appointed lot, but secretly each family kept one and hid it.”

  “You mean there are six more portals out there?” Saeryn asked, crestfallen.

  “Seven,” Marcus said. “At least seven. They’re all over the place. There’s one in New Carthage, one in Thabes in the True Isles. I haven’t been able to find them all.”

  “Great,” Andie said. “One step forward, seven steps back.”

  “I know it’s not the news we were hoping for, but it gets worse. I’m not quite through the journals yet, but I doubt there’s much more. I know we were hoping for something major, but I think it’s essentially a dud.”

  “But there must be something.”

  “I’m sorry, Andie, but the truth is the later generations of the families weren’t as cunning or ambitious as their ancestors. They didn’t seem to have any interest in anything except wealth, prestige, and promiscuity. They certainly don’t have any secrets that are going to give us any sort of magical or tactical advantage.”

  Andie sunk her fingers in her head and closed her eyes. It was not even close to what she was hoping to hear. She felt Saeryn’s hand on her shoulder, comforting her. She opened her eyes, so frustrated she was almost crying.

  “It’s okay, Marcus,” she said. “We’ll just have to find another way. Thank you for all your help. Just learning how to control the one portal we do have is a help.”

  “I’ll let you know if I find anything else.”

  Marcus left. Andie turned to Saeryn and put her arms around her. They stayed like that for a moment, comforting each other.

  “I was really counting on those journals,” Andie said.

  “As was I, princess. But there is an aid for us out there somewhere.”

  “I’m sure you will. I think I’m going to take a walk and clear my head. I’ll see you later.”

  Andie was only walking for a minute before she realized what must be done. It was time. She made her way deliberately, not stopping to talk to anyone or look at anything, just moving forward with her purpose. Everything they’d tried so far had failed. Visiting the Church, hunting the battalion, protecting the city. There were still bombings along the edge of town and messages still appeared in the fields. Every time they poked their heads out, it was only to find they have a new threat. Every line they’d held for hope had dropped them. The journals, the grimoires, their scouting parties. Even the training seemed doomed to fail because the recruits simply weren’t tough enough. The enemy army was fast approaching, and, after the skirmish with Sarinda and the fighters, the army was no doubt invigorated, spurred on by the small victory and by the promises of the Church and the Dead.

  Andie checked the time on her phone, a slow smile threatening her face. She knew that Lymir’s office hours and classes were over, and sped toward his office without a look back.

  She found him sitting in his chair, lost in thought.

  “Lymir, it’s time.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen, citizens and dragonborn, thank you for coming,” Lymir began. “I want to thank you for your unconditional support and the way you’ve trusted each other and the University. What I’
m going to tell you today is both shocking and unsurprising. It’s no secret that people outside of western Noelle aren’t happy about the dragonborn return. They haven’t had the opportunity to live among the dragonborn and befriend them like we have. They still believe in the old lies and they have no intention of letting go of that hate. My staff and I, as well as the dragonborn warriors, have done our best to keep you sheltered and to protect you from a truth we didn’t think you were ready for, a truth that we weren’t sure would even come to pass, but it is my sad and heavy to duty to tell you this truth. Factions of heinous people from eastern, northern, and central Noelle have come together to form an army the size of which has not been seen in many cycles. With the help of the Church of Stone and Sea and another very old and powerful enemy, this army intends to make its way to us and destroy us. I ask you to forgive me for keeping this from you. We thought we were doing the best thing to preserve hope, but it is no longer prudent or helpful.

  “I don’t know if I still have the right to say this to you, but rest assured. The University has already been stocked with weapons, food, and supplies. We started stockpiling necessities before these threats even arose, just as a precaution. I urge you to take refuge in the University and its walls where you will be well protected. If the University reaches capacity, we have shelters and bunkers set up across the city and each and every one of them is well-equipped to withstand a siege. The rest of the dragonborn warriors should be arriving soon and you’ll have all the protection you need. I can see you’re scared and I won’t tell you not to be, but don’t for a second think we’ve abandoned you. Your safety is always paramount. Know, too, that the professors and a large number of students have been receiving specialized training and will be prepared to defend you. I urge you all to do your best to learn what you can in the coming days. We’ll need all the help we can get. Work on defending your families, your neighbors. We can survive this.

  “I know the future must seem dark and believe me, I am just as afraid as you are. But I’m not going to give in and I’m not going to run. For those of you who wish to get out of the city, do so only if you can do it safely. The enemy is everywhere and they will not hesitate to kill you and everyone you love. I won’t lie to you: we face the battle of our lives. But this is far from over. Our great city will not fall. The new university will succeed in its mission. No army of any size will take what is ours. There is always hope.”

  “If any warrior is left standing mount your dragon and fly for the west! Save whom you can and flee!”

  The mountain peak was completely overrun with the Beautiful Dead. They climbed the mountain in the night, unbothered by the lightning and the storms, and breached the clouds just as morning dawned. They were so silent and quick they’d already taken down fifty warriors before the alarm was sounded. They moved with a speed and agility the dragonborn were not ready for. They had forgotten how capable and how terrifying their old enemies could be. Once roused, the dragonborn warriors put up a remarkable defense, but then they were surprised by the appearance of the battalion. Ashur showed no mercy.

  Now every warrior left standing raced for their dragon, many being cut down in their stride. Oren was the last line of defense, doing his best to hold off the Dead and the battalion so that his friends could escape to warn the city. Only three dragons managed to take off from the mountain and of those three only one was allowed to escape. The dragonborn could not believe their eyes when the Dead were able to ride their dragons. A single dragonborn warrior became a dot on the horizon as he flew west. Oren continued to fight, cutting down battalion fighters and the Dead alike. He was truly a spectacular warrior, the best and strongest of all the dragonborn army.

  But Beladorion appeared. His strength, his speed, his instincts were too much for the already exhausted Oren. With a deft move, he caught Oren on the back of the head and smashed his face into the mountainside. He picked Oren up and landed a series of strikes so fast and fierce and powerful that it was all the bloody dragonborn warrior could do to stay conscious. Beladorion dragged him by his throat across the ground.

  “Have any of them died?” Beladorion asked.

  “No, my liege,” answered Olthrion. “We’ve managed to take them all without killing them, though this one has murdered four of our men and several battalion soldiers.”

  “Yes, he is quite the warrior. Truly exquisite and precise. He would have made a remarkable Dead. Gather all the captured and take them into the mountain. Help the battalion tend to their wounded. Have some of our men gather the dragons and break them in.”

  “Right away, my liege.”

  “That was glorious,” Ashur said, still covered in blood from his destructive rage. “I want more.”

  “And you shall have it, commander,” said Beladorion. “I have here a man who has killed both your people and mine. A superb warrior. What shall we do with him?”

  “I would say torture him, but I don’t think he’s got enough life left in him for that. Do you want to drink from him?”

  “It won’t do any good until the spell is broken. Besides, I don’t think I’d like the taste of him.”

  “Then it sounds as if you’ve already made up your mind. I’m going to plan our next movement and interrogate some of the dragonborn. I’ll start with the women. That should get their attention. If we leave now we should reach Arvall by—”

  “We must wait. I know the exact time that we should arrive in the city and we can’t come a moment before.”

  “Big plans?”

  “Enormous.”

  Ashur left Beladorion with Oren. Beladorion kicked the proud warrior down and stood with his foot on his chest, grinning.

  “It would appear you’ve reached the end,” Beladorion said, slowly increasing the force behind his foot. “There is but one thing left to say to you as you take the sleep of your fathers. Fhealltóir Fola.”

  And with that Beladorion put all of his weight into one swift movement and crushed right through Oren’s chest.

  Chapter Nine

  “Reports say the army is even closer. They’re moving fast and at this rate they’ll be here within two weeks,” Lymir said.

  “They’re ahead of schedule now,” said Raesh. “Even if all of Noelle came to our aid, they would never get here in time. We’re going to have to work with the forces we have.”

  “That was a great speech you gave, Lymir,” Andie said. “There’s not much hope to go around these days, but what’s left of it definitely spread through your speech. Also, I just noticed that you lost your accent. What happened?”

  “I just figured that if I was going to lead the University and speak on its behalf it was probably best that I work on my oratory skills.”

  “Lymir, your leadership is going to help in the next fortnight,” Saeryn said. “I’ve been to the city just this morning and while the people are banding together to help each other, it’s all they can do not to panic. I’ve been trying to resist the urge to take all the responsibility for this attack. If it weren’t for me and my people no army would be marching on this city.”

  “If it weren’t for the dragonborn it wouldn’t be an army threatening the city, but the University,” Raesh said. “And not just Arvall, but all of Noelle. People would still have hate and prejudice in their hearts. And anybody with dragon blood would be living in fear, just because of what they are. No matter what happens when that army arrives, the dragonborn saved us.”

  “I agree,” said Lymir.

  “Your words comfort me,” Saeryn said. “But my personal feelings are of no matter just now. I’ve had the chance to look over Sarinda’s report from her voyage. She wrote that a curious epidemic of Maeludrax disease was beginning in the True Isles. Thabes is almost completely shut down.”

  “That’s the last thing we need,” said Raesh. “The True Isles are supplying forty percent of our weapons and armor. Since when are there outbreaks in the True Isles? I thought their waters kept them disease free?”

  �
��Precisely,” Andie said. “It sounds like another trick of the army or the Church. If they can weaponize the red sand, then why not disease? The True Isles would be the perfect testing ground: a healthy population, secluded environment, almost nonexistent military presence. We can’t let this go on. The True Isles are close enough to the Church that the priests would have known the isles were supplying us. Attacking them with this weapon makes perfect strategic sense. We have to help them.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  “I can leave this evening,” Andie said. “I’ll take a small party and we can be there by morning.”

  “And what will you do?” Raesh asked. “I’m all for helping them, but the cure for Maeludrax isn’t something we can make or buy in Arvall. Taline had the last remaining vials in western Noelle, but they sent them across the continent last year to some poor villages. They haven’t synthesized anymore and the process would take at least three days. What can you do?”

  “I can give them my blood.”

  “What?”

  “Saeryn and I have been reading over the grimoires. Before they were executed by the University, some of our third cycle ancestors were scientists. They were experimenting with the healing properties of our blood. Up until that point, they’d all been so scared of the University and the hunting that they suppressed their abilities and pretended to be normal. But they found their courage and ran countless experiments over a decade. Their work was cut short by their deaths, but before that they hadn’t come across a single disease that their blood couldn’t cure.”

  “Don’t tell me the University killed a group of scientists who could have potentially eliminated disease from the world.”

  “They didn’t just kill them. The scientists were based right here in Arvall on the mountainside. Remember that thing they taught in school? ‘The Great Erosion of the Third Cycle?’ The University bombed the mountain, killing all seventy scientists and causing the top thousand feet of Brie to slide down in an avalanche, which they diverted away from the University and instead let fall on the city. They ended up killing almost a thousand people that day.”