by Nathan Roden
THOOM
THOOM
THOOM
Simon almost panicked and forgot about Boone. Simon heard Lucien scream and knew that Caleb had done the same.
“Cannons!” Simon screamed. “Caleb! Follow me!”
Simon banked to the south. The cannon fire came from the north, along a seldom used old road.
What are cannons doing here?
Oh, no…
Simon heard no more cannon blasts. But then he saw something just as terrifying.
Boulders. Huge boulders—flying across the sky.
Simon looked behind him. Caleb hadn’t seen the boulders yet.
“Caleb! Dive!”
Simon dove and Caleb followed. A boulder shot by where Caleb had been a second before.
“We have to cut the bundles!” Boone yelled.
“No!” Caleb screamed. “Hold on, Lucien!”
Caleb flew due south at a speed he had not shown before. Simon followed, though he could not keep Caleb’s pace.
They reached the north gates of Evenshire.
“Cut it!” Simon called to Lucien. Lucien cut the bundle loose and Caleb landed. Boone waved as Simon flew northwest.
Lucien stretched and flexed his fingers. They were approached warily by a group of thirty people.
“I thought we might draw a crowd,” Lucien said.
Lucien pulled the parchment from his coat; the note from Sheriff Jacobs.
“I told you it was him,” a man said, poking another man in the ribs.
“What’s the king doing riding a dragon?” the other man said.
“Are we supposed to bow or something?” the first man whispered.
“That won’t be necessary,” Lucien said. “We are not here on kingdom business.”
The people looked around.
“We? Who else is here?”
“He’s talking about me,” Caleb said.
Two people were knocked to the ground when the crowd jumped backward.
“No…are you…?”
“No, this is not my brother,” Lucien said.
“Are all the bloody dragons talking now?” a man said.
“No—”
“What is that?” a woman asked, pointing at the bundle.
“Those are coats,” Lucien said. “Ocean blue and white. The colors of Islemar.”
The people stared at Lucien.
“And what are you doing with them?” a man asked.
“We heard cannons,” another man said. “Just whose side are you on?”
Lucien studied the faces in the crowd.
“My uncle Sterling has sworn to kill me. The queen and I have allied with the rebellion force of Islemar—and with my brother, Simon. When the war is over, he will be your king. The way it should have been all along.”
“The queen is well?” a woman asked. “We heard such awful stories…”
“The queen is quite well,” Lucien said, “as is our son.”
“Aw, that is wonderful news!”
“I have a note here,” Lucien said, “from Sheriff Jacobs. I am to deliver it to his uncle, Saul.”
A man stepped forward.
“Why didn’t you say so? I’m Saul Jacobs.”
“My brother carries more coats to the outskirts of Morgenwraithe,” Lucien said. “Someone will need to let the people know they have the opportunity to join us. All will be accepted. None will be turned away.”
Saul handed the note back to Lucien.
“I’ll do it. I’ll get my horse and leave right away.”
Saul turned and then turned back. He held out his hand to Lucien. Lucien shook it.
“You’ve done a good thing, son,” Saul said. “A really good thing.”
The others gathered around, shaking Lucien’s hand and clapping him on the back. Lucien rubbed his eyes.
“I’m glad we don’t have to hate you anymore,” a man said. “You shouldn’t have to hate the king.”
“I agree—”
THOOM
THOOM
“Be careful, Lord Jacobs,” Lucien said.
Saul waved as he hurried away.
Lucien turned to Caleb.
“We have to go.”
“Go where?” Caleb asked. “We’re supposed to wait—”
“I know what Simon said. But he’s still under fire. We don’t know what Sterling and Raynard are doing. They’re waiting for our forces to travel the King’s Road while they lay in ambush to the south.”
“Simon will be angry—”
“Stay here if you like,” Lucien said. “I’ll take a horse and go myself. I lost my brother for twelve years. I’ll not stand idle while he risks his life.”
Caleb lowered himself to the ground.
“Let’s go.”
Thirty-Two
Nicholas Lamont climbed the stairs of the guard tower. The three guards nodded in his direction. They were being particularly quiet because Jaclyn stood at the railing. She held her sleeping baby to her chest as she stared out into the breaking light of dawn.
“You should go to bed,” Lord Lamont said. “They will be fine.”
“I know,” Jaclyn said. She yawned.
“It was a noble thing you meant to do,” Nicholas said. “Though it makes me want to tan your hide.”
Jaclyn smiled.
“It wasn’t that noble. What if we are forced to march on Morgenwraithe village? So many innocent people could be hurt. Or killed. Now, they will have a chance to leave.”
“They could have left before now, Jaclyn.”
“How?” Jaclyn said. “Sterling is not allowing anyone to leave—especially entire families. On the contrary, he has ordered all men and boys in the kingdom to serve in his army. What choice do they have?”
“Aye,” Nicholas said with a sigh. “But you must understand, my love. The innocent will often suffer—”
“You don’t have to talk to me like I’m a child, Father. I have murdered an innocent man.”
One of the guards gasped. Lamont turned and glared at them. They withdrew to the far wall, having been caught eavesdropping.
“Now, Jaclyn,” Lamont continued in a whisper. “These are trying times. I know you may wish people dead, but this is much different than performing the deed yourself. You must keep your wits about you—”
“I am perfectly in my right mind, Father. Simon was being held captive in the dungeon of Morgenwraithe castle. They were going to murder him the next night—when he took on his human form.”
“Except Helena helped him to escape,” Lamont said.
“No, Father. I did.”
“No…”
“Do you remember the dagger you gave me before my wedding?” Jaclyn asked. “The one you passed to me without a word? The gift we never spoke of?”
Lamont’s jaw hung slack as he stared at his daughter.
“Jaclyn, what are you saying—?”
“Helena unlocked Simon’s shackles—but only after I drove that dagger through the head of the dungeon guard.”
For several seconds Lamont could not speak.
“My precious daughter—” Lamont began.
And then cannon blasts echoed in the distance.
Jaclyn began to shake.
“They are in danger. I’m going to him.”
“There were only three reports,” Lamont said. “They can easily avoid that many.”
“Those are not merely soldiers, Father. That is the father of my child and my…the true king of the realm! I will not stand here behind these walls while they risk their lives for my cause!”
Jaclyn hurried down the stairs.
“Jaclyn!” Lamont said. He followed her.
Others had heard the sound of the cannons. They gathered in front of the gates. They stepped aside when Jaclyn rushed past, but pressed in front of Lord Lamont.
“We heard cannon fire, my lord! Does Sterling march on our gates? Should we assemble the men?”
Lamont tried to push past the crowd. He saw Captain
Finn approaching.
“Finn! Finn! You must stop Jaclyn!”
When Finn finally understood what Lamont was saying, he turned and ran. Moments later, a guard cried from the tower.
“A lone rider is taking the King’s Road to the west!”
Lamont continued to push through the crowd. He saw Robinette rushing toward him, holding the baby.
“Nicholas? What is happening?”
“Finn! Winston!” Lamont roared above the din of voices. “Assemble your men. We march on Morgenwraithe at once.”
Thirty-Three
Simon hovered west of the forest. He was flying high and heard the two cannon reports in time to avoid the cannon balls. He looked down at a massive clearing that was filled with both cannons and portable catapults.
It was an excellent idea after all, my queen, Simon thought. The people of Morgenwraithe have an opportunity to join in the resistance. And now I know that Sterling has no intention of coming to Islemar via the King’s Road.
He lies in wait for us like a serpent…hidden in the shadows.
Simon was a few miles from the site where he would drop the bundle of coats. He turned further west, not wishing to give the kingdom soldiers any hint about his destination.
Simon concentrated on the drop site. He had completely forgotten about the presence of the army.
“Simon!” Boone screamed.
Simon turned, but too late. A boulder struck the right side of his head. Simon struggled to stay aloft. He could barely see—the treetops became a wash of green that swam before his eyes.
“Did you see that?” Lucien cried.
Caleb did not take time to answer. He flew toward Simon as he and Boone lost altitude. Simon struck the tops of the trees and immediately drove himself higher into the air.
Boone was nowhere to be seen.
Caleb flew to Simon’s side.
“Simon! Are you all right?”
Simon shook his head and blinked.
“I was hit by a boulder, but I will live.”
Simon glared at Caleb.
“I told you to wait—!”
“Simon!” Caleb screamed. “Where is Boone?”
Simon turned his head.
“No! He’s fallen!”
“Hold on, Lucien!” Caleb yelled. Caleb spotted a small clearing and dove toward it. He landed roughly.
“Get off!” he yelled. Lucien jumped to the ground. Caleb crashed through the trees. He found Boone moments later. Boone sat on the ground rubbing his left arm.
“Is it broken?” Caleb asked.
Boone winced as he gingerly raised the arm.
“No. But if there is something you can do—”
“If there was something I could do it would be done already,” Caleb snapped. “I am not a god.”
Boone stood. He held his injured arm in front of him.
“Are all magic children so temperamental?”
“Lucien!” Caleb called. Lucien was already making his way toward them.
Caleb could hear trees crashing to the ground from the south. Kingdom soldiers were coming.
“Let’s go,” Caleb said. “We have to get into the air or we’re dead.”
“Are you hurt?” Lucien asked Boone.
“No.”
“Well, come on then.”
Lucien ran past Boone. He bumped into Boone’s arm.
“OW!”
Lucien stopped.
“You said you weren’t hurt!”
“That don’t mean you can run me over like a mad cow!” Boone snapped. “I haven’t had any magic children or magic dragons put their hands on me, like some people did.”
“If we don’t get into the air we’re going to die,” Caleb said.
Simon blinked furiously, willing his vision to clear. When he at last saw Caleb emerge in the clearing, the kingdom soldiers were not far behind.
Simon passed over them, bathing the forest in flames. The few men who were not killed instantly ran in the opposite direction. Simon turned toward the clearing. Lucien had pulled Boone onto Caleb’s back. Caleb ran and launched into the air, facing east. Simon followed on the same easterly track. Caleb turned north.
“No, Simon!” Caleb yelled. “The mission is not complete.”
Simon banked to the north.
“But…!”
They reached the edge of the forest.
“Lucien!” Caleb called.
“Get me as close as you can,” Lucien said.
Caleb held his breath. He stilled his wings and hovered beneath Simon. Lucien reached as far as he could. He almost fell. He swiped with his dagger. Once. Twice. A third time. At last, his blade reached the rope that held the bundle to Simon’s leg. The bundle ripped free and plunged through the trees.
Caleb turned south.
“Caleb! NO!” Simon yelled.
Boone had to concentrate to hold on.
“What is he doing?”
“He’s trying to lead the army away from the coats,” Lucien said. “He’s going to get us all killed.”
The sky filled with arrows. The cannons and catapults were being turned.
“Foolish child,” Simon growled to himself. He dove toward the treetops and sprayed fire at the line of men and weapons until he was forced to stop and inhale. A dozen arrows pierced his wings but Simon did not slow down as he followed Caleb south toward Evenshire.
Caleb struggled under the weight of two riders, but there was nothing Simon could do. Caleb continued to lose altitude. He flew awkwardly toward a haystack that stood on the edge of a field.
“Boone,” Lucien said. “You’re going to have to trust me. Caleb cannot carry us much further. We’re going to have to jump.”
“I can…I can do it,” Boone said, weakly.
“Wrap your arm around my neck,” Lucien said. Boone did so. And then he closed his eyes.
Boone and Lucien fell into empty air. Boone mouthed a prayer of desperation. Lucien rolled them over, placing himself under Boone. They hit near the middle of the haystack. Boone’s weight drove the air from Lucien’s lungs. Boone cried out in pain.
Caleb crashed to the ground, head-first. He rolled over twice and came to rest on his back. Simon landed beside him.
“Caleb!”
Caleb breathed heavily.
“I’m all right.”
Simon hurried toward the haystack.
“Boone! Lucien!”
Boone pushed the hay away from his face.
“What do you want?”
“Lucien!”
Boone uncovered Lucien’s head. Lucien exhaled. His eyes remained closed.
“Ow. Simon, your friend is heavy.”
Boone pushed himself with his right hand. He rolled down the side of the haystack. He grimaced and stifled a cry, clutching his arm.
Lucien helped Boone climb onto Simon’s back.
“Caleb, follow me and stay well south of the King’s Road,” Simon said. “We have to warn Lamont.”
“I…I can’t Simon,” Caleb said. “My stomach is burning. I don’t know what’s happening…”
Simon sighed.
“You’re going to have to eat. If your stomach is burning, you don’t have much time.”
Caleb’s head whipped to the right and then to the left in desperation.
“Are we near a lake? Or a stream?”
“No,” Simon said. “But where there is a haystack there will be livestock nearby.”
“Livestock?” Caleb said.
“Bison. Cattle. Animals raised to put meat on people’s tables.”
Caleb was breathing hard.
“Kill…kill and eat an animal? Simon…I can’t…”
Simon leapt in front of Caleb. He rammed his head against Caleb’s.
“Listen to me! You can—and you will!”
“No…”
“Do you want to see your brother and sister again?” Simon snapped. “Then you will do what you have to do. Follow me!”
Simon leapt into the a
ir. He spotted five fat cows. The cows ran. Simon bathed the slowest one in flames. It fell to the ground, its cries fading into the quiet crackling of its flesh.
“Eat!” Simon roared at Caleb.
Caleb landed and crept forward, his head hung low in shame and helplessness. He consumed the carcass with his eyes squeezed shut. Two minutes later, he landed next to Lucien and lowered himself to the ground. Lucien climbed on Caleb’s back without a word.
They leapt into the air and flew to the east.
Thirty-Four
The army of Islemar assembled on the King’s Road. Lord Nicholas Lamont raised his sword high and turned his horse toward the west. Without shouts or fanfare, they marched. The day was uneventful, but the soldiers were tired and on edge. Most of them had never seen battle. Only a few of the older members of the Islemar Guard had been forced to participate in the brutal raids of the past. None of those men took delight in their memories—making blood conquests in the name of King Bailin, and later, Lord Sterling. The former knights, Sir Gregory Beasley and Sir William Wood, rode among the infantry, offering words of encouragement. Rolf Roball and Lieutenant Winston did the same.
The soldiers looked back over their shoulders every few minutes. The dragons circled overhead behind them, staying low in the sky.
The sun faded toward the horizon. It was time to make camp for the night.
“I hope the men are tired enough to sleep,” Nicholas Lamont said to Captain Finn.
“Are you?” Finn asked.
“Not a chance,” Lamont said. “The river is just around the next bend. We’ll fill our skins and water the horses.”
As they rounded the bend, Lamont and Finn came to an abrupt halt.
“Great Vehaillion’s ghost,” Finn whispered. “What in the…?”
“Halt!” Lamont called out. He raised an open hand.