Chelandra jumped into the secured saddle, strapping her legs in with practiced swiftness, and nocked another arrow. The wagon shook dangerously as Ychthorn launched himself and Lana into the air. Thorn rose swiftly to meet their attacker and Lana noticed a human perched atop the dragon's shoulders. She aimed carefully, drawing on the hours of in-flight practice she and Thorn had committed to, and loosed the arrow. The human pulled on reins attached to the dragon's mouth and the dragon veered to the right, the arrow narrowly missing its target.
Thorn chased after the fleeing beast and together they raced toward the mountain. The creature swung around to meet Ychthorn head on as Lana fit another arrow. The other human brought his own bow to bear and Lana was forced to flatten herself against Thorn's back to avoid its deadly missile. The dragons played a deadly game of chicken, raking at each other wildly as they barely avoided a fatal collision. Thorn's talons left two deep gouges in the other dragon's flank, snapping one of the straps holding the saddle. The human wobbled precariously before righting himself.
The green beast swung in close, carefully avoiding Ychthorn's raking claws, and the man shouted through the wind.
"I am Commander Owen Locke. I demand you surrender in the name of Queen Slyvania."
Confusion passed between Lana and Thorn. They knew of King Alured's sister, but had never heard her referred to as a queen. They could only ponder the information for a brief moment before the other dragon closed with them, making another swiping attack, only to pull away again before Thorn could react. Ychthorn gave chase, following the attackers further up the mountain. The two beasts continued to dance in the air, their brief attacks causing only minor damage.
Lana glimpsed the peak of the mountain as it whipped past and on the other side lay a deep, black canyon. Its bottom was invisible from their current height and she warned Thorn to be cautious. He glanced away from his opponent for a brief moment to steal a peek at the canyon below and the green dragon took advantage. It threw its full weight into the pair, wrapping all four legs around Ychthorn, pinning one of the red dragon's wings against his side. Thorn had no choice but to clutch at the other beast, who beat its wings furiously to stay aloft with the added weight. The man on the red dragon's back was screaming instructions Lana could not understand and she searched desperately for her dagger.
A slashing swipe from the attacker shredded two of the three straps holding Lana's saddle to Thorn's back and she screamed in terror. Dropping her dagger, she threw her arms around his neck, clinging tightly. Commander Locke nocked another arrow and aimed it at the girl. She responded likewise, risking her precarious position, and loosed the arrow before he could get his bow completely cocked. It sunk deep into his left shoulder and he cursed her vilely.
The dragons, still locked in a death grip, lost height rapidly. Ychthorn, seeing the impossibility of their situation, closed his eyes for a very brief moment. He pictured the ejection lever on the saddle activating and immediately felt the weight on his back disappear. He heard Lana's scream of fear, fear that was not for herself, but for him. Still clinging to the dragon who kept his wing pinned, Ychthorn glanced up, watching the black dot of his best friend disappear into the clouds. She disappeared and he turned his attention back to the wicked duo in front of him. His teeth sunk deep into the other dragon's neck and they plummeted into the canyon.
Chapter 25
Lana's upward momentum slowed as she watched the two battling dragons sink below the clouds. Tears streamed from her eyes and her angry screams echoed off the rocky terrain. Her stomach lurched abruptly as she began plummeting through the open sky and she ripped at the string that would release the large, white cloth from her pack. It cracked loudly as it billowed above her and she gripped the strings on either side of her head tightly. Closing her eyes, she sobbed, slowly floating toward the earth. She hit the ground hard, her eyes still closed tightly, and she collapsed in an unmoving heap.
Chelandra lay there for more than half an hour before Bolgor reached her. He was out of breath and completely distraught when he found her in a lump, battered and unresponsive. He rolled her over and brushed the dirt and grass off her face. She had several small cuts from the battle and rough landing, and her leg was cocked at an unnatural angle.
He lifted her gently in his arms and made the long trek back to the road, where Bellithana and Prigol waited with the wagon. He laid her carefully on a large cushion in the main room, displaying a gentleness few knew he possessed. Bellithana brought a bowl of water, sprinkling it with some Gypsy soothing oil, and Bolgor used it to wet a clean rag. Wringing the rag out, he carefully wiped the dirt and blood off Lana's face.
She stirred briefly, but her eyes remained closed and puffy. He finished cleaning her arms and then he moved to her leg, working as gently as his rough hands would allow. Belli examined the leg, the same leg that had been broken back in the Gypsy camp near Jaje, and she determined that it was fractured. They could see bone poking just under the skin.
Belli wanted to set the leg, but she feared Lana would wake up with the pain. She put some sleeping oil on a cloth and held it gently over the young woman's nose. Her breathing slowed noticeably and they went to work. Bolgor helped set the broken bone and Belli placed splints on either side of the leg, wrapping it tightly in thin strips of cloth. When the leg was bandaged, Bolgor carried Chelandra upstairs to her bedroom, placing her gently on the bed. He pulled the thin sheet over her broken body and pulled up the wooden chair, preparing for the long night ahead.
Lana did not wake up the next day, nor did she wake the day after that. Bolgor and Bellithana took turns driving the wagon and sitting by her side. They had both seen the fight, albeit from quite a distance, and they knew the only way to find Ychthorn would be to find a way around the mountain. Their hopes dwindled when they realized it would take nearly three weeks to make it to the same spot where he went down. Their path would take them near Atina, where they hoped to enlist help in finding their lost friend.
The moon was bright in the sky when Lana's eyes finally fluttered open. Bellithana was asleep in the chair next to her and awoke at the movement of the young woman's fingers. Belli smiled brightly, drawing a weak smile from the invalid. Belli took a wooden cup of water from the dresser and held it to Lana's parched lips. Lana took a small sip, choking momentarily as the water dripped down her windpipe. Some dribbled down her chin and Belli wiped it off with the sleeve of her bright red shirt.
A moment later, the horrible battle came racing back to Lana's thoughts and tears flooded her vision. Belli sat next to her on the bed and held the distraught girl tight until her sobs subsided, much as she had years before. When Lana was finally able to compose herself, Belli helped her wash up and led her down the stairs, Lana leaning heavily on the woman's shoulder for support.
After settling Chelandra on a cushion by the table, Belli set Prigol to guard and retrieved Bolgor from the driver's seat. He rushed inside as she parked the wagon by the side of the road and fed and watered the horses. Bolgor knelt by Lana, holding her hand and kissing her forehead.
"How are you?"
"I lost him," she replied, tears welling up once again.
"No, no. It's not your fault. Don't you even think that." He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
Belli went to the kitchen after tending the horses and prepared them a meal of salted mutton, bread, and fruit. She also brought in a large pitcher of water, of which Lana drank several glasses. The injured girl then wolfed down two slabs of mutton, half a loaf of bread, and a bowl of fruit. After finishing their meal, they sat in silence for quite some time.
"We need to find him," Lana said into the still air.
Belli and Bolgor agreed immediately and shared their plan to find help in Atina before going off to look for their friend. Lana protested, wanting to head straight to the spot where Ychthorn fell, but her friends convinced her of the folly in this. It was too dangerous to proceed without help. It would only be an extra day to head t
o the town, and if Ychthorn had been captured, they would need all the allies they could get. After much debate, Lana acquiesced, but the excitement cost her all the energy she possessed. Bolgor carried her back to bed and she fell into a fitful sleep.
Chapter 26
A black wagon led by four black horses rolled into Atina under an orange sky. Weary travelers rode atop the wagon, desperate for assistance. The Gypsy woman accompanying the group leapt off the driver's bench, eager to converse with the guards who approached. Bellithana spoke with the two men for quite some time, gesturing at the wagon and the young couple waiting anxiously on the roof. The head guard eventually nodded, beckoning them to follow, and Belli jumped back on the wagon. The guard mounted a brown stallion and trotted toward the center of the camp. The Gypsy lady followed with the wagon, curious spectators on all sides watching the passage of the strange visitors.
The group of exhausted friends were led to a large red wagon near the middle of camp, off to the east of the biggest fire. A small fire was built in front of the wagon and an old woman had a savory stew boiling over the flames. The four hopped off the wagon, taking the seats offered on logs near the fire. Chelandra, Bellithana, and Bolgor were all handed wooden bowls of the thick stew and Prigol was served a hearty meal by some of the Hidden in the camp. They ate slowly, too tired physically and mentally to inhale the food as they normally would. The old woman said nothing, but watched them closely, gesturing and prodding them until they finished every morsel.
As Bolgor finally set down his second bowl, the wrinkled Gypsy woman rose and beckoned for them to follow her. Still maintaining her absolute silence, she led them through the labyrinthine camp, past closed market stalls and wagons full of Gypsies eating their evening meal and preparing to settle in for the night. Beyond the last wagon, she indicated for the group to follow her down a dirt path. Lana limped uncertainly along on the crutches the Gypsy had given her, leg in a splint. Bellithana continued on without fear, knowing the woman would never lead them astray.
At a wooden structure that looked much like a stable, the old woman opened a door in the side and waved the friends in. The two humans looked at their Gypsy friend questioningly, but she just nodded and entered. The interior was nearly pitch black, a single burning lantern hanging on the wall. The old Gypsy woman was too short to reach it and nudged Bolgor, pointing at the lantern until he handed it to her. A smile of thanks cracked her wrinkled lips and she turned from them, walking down the dark corridor. They heard the snuffling of sleeping dragons as they made their way down the dirt-covered aisle.
As the small group neared the last stall, the woman held up a shriveled hand, asking them to stop. Hobbling up to the door, she rose up on her tip toes to see over the wood. She nodded in satisfaction and beckoned them forward, pressing a finger to her lips. They approached the stall quietly and peered inside. The scene they saw caused Lana to throw the door open in disregard for the old woman's request, flinging herself at the creature inside.
The red dragon gasped in pain as Lana's arms wrapped around his bandaged neck, but he returned the hug and held Lana tight. Bolgor followed Lana into the stall, along with Prigol, all of them overjoyed with happiness at seeing the friend they thought they had lost. Bellithana entered last with the Gypsy, having caught the wobbly old woman as she tripped while moving away from the door. Tears of joy flowed freely all around and many minutes passed before they could be quieted.
Lana examined Ychthorn's wounds, which were many and deep, but they were healing nicely in the care of the experienced Gypsies. Lana wondered out loud how he could possibly have survived such a horrific fall. Thorn explained that, after they passed through the cloud cover, he managed to get his wing free, though it was badly torn. He lifted his wing in explanation. It was healing, but it was still ripped in several places and scabs covered a large portion of it. He explained that once he had his wing free, he was able to tear himself away from the other dragon. They were very near the ground at that point. He launched himself away from the other dragon and flew down the canyon to the east as far as his wounded body would take him. Ychthorn did not hear the thump of the other dragon hitting the water, but it did not pursue him.
He made his way as far as he could down the canyon before being forced to land on a large rock in the middle of the river at the bottom. He was badly wounded, could not fly, and had no idea where he was. He lay on the rock in despair, not knowing if he would ever see his friends again, or if Lana even survived.
He did not know how long he lay on that rock, but he knew he slept, for he awoke to a Gypsy man shaking him. The man was on his way to Atina, floating down the river on his wagon. His horses were inside and the wagon was sturdy enough to support a dragon, even while floating. With some help from the man, his wife, and their two daughters, Ychthorn was able to hop to the top of the wagon and settle down without overturning the floating home and he traveled with the family the rest of the way to Atina. Once there, he was taken in by the old Gypsy woman and her son, a skilled healer who immediately set to work caring for Thorn. The dragon explained that he was quite comfortable and the Gypsies of Atina were more than accommodating.
Amidst the happy smiles of his friends, Ychthorn's countenance fell unexpectedly in grief. Shock and dismay marred the once joyful faces of those around him as he related some of the rumors swirling through the Gypsy camp. A little orange dragon had been captured mid-flight just outside of the Flametongue Deadlands, his companions murdered. According to spies at the palace in Rona, the little creature was being held in the dungeons, tortured beyond the point of resistance into revealing information vital to the Secret Coalition. Against his will, Ator revealed the path the friends were to take from the Flametongue Settlement, past the Gelworth forest, and on to Atina. It was believed that Commander Locke took off with his dragon to intercept Ychthorn and his friends as soon as he relayed the information to the princess.
Tears rolled down Chelandra and Bellithana's faces. Bolgor wrapped an arm around the younger woman and held her tight. The little group stood in silence for a long while until Ychthorn coughed and nuzzled Lana's hand. Realizing how lucky they were to have Thorn back, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Once the travelers were satisfied that their friend was safe and sound in the dragon infirmary, the Gypsy woman touched Lana's shoulder.
"Come," she said, nodding toward the door. "You must sleep."
Lana allowed herself to be led outside after saying more goodbyes to Thorn. The rest of the group followed Lana and the Gypsy woman back to their wagon, where they climbed into their respective beds and slept peacefully for the first time in weeks.
Chapter 27
The dawn broke clear and bright the next day, bringing with it renewed hope and joy. Chelandra sprang out of bed as the first rays of light pierced through her lace curtains, dressing quickly before making her way to the infirmary. Ychthorn had yet to rouse himself and the Gypsy guard at the entrance cautioned her to slow her steps and approach quietly, for fear of disturbing the other sleeping dragons. The red beast cracked open an eye to view the visitor knocking on the wooden door to his stall. When he glimpsed the long, dark hair, he yawned deeply and stretched.
"Morning, Lana," he said, stifling another yawn.
"Mornin', Thorny." The young lady grinned and entered, carrying the large pail of food the Gypsy had given her. "Here's breakfast."
"Oh, good. I'm famished." The dragon tucked into his breakfast, devouring the porridge with a hearty appetite. Lifting a snout covered in boiled oats, he said, "Have you eaten?"
"No, not yet. The others are still sleeping. I'm going to wait until they get up."
"Do you want some?" He pushed the nearly empty bucket toward the girl, who wrinkled her nose and declined.
"We're meeting with the leader of the camp tonight, I guess," Lana said.
Thorn nodded. "That's Jora, the woman who brought you here last night."
Lana blushed in embarrassment. She had not realized the old wo
man from the previous evening was in charge of such a large establishment.
"Oh, she never told us her name. I thought she was the camp healer or something."
"She's that, too. I hear she's also pretty battle hardened and may even be leading the attack on Rona."
Lana looked at the Gypsy woman standing at the door to the stall. Bellithana held out a plate to Lana, who took it while gaping openly.
"What do you mean 'leading the attack on Rona'? She must be ancient. There's no way she can fight like that," declared the girl.
"Appearances can be deceiving, my dear Lana," said Bellithana. "Jora is one of the most revered Gypsy warriors. Rumor has it that she led some extremely successful raiding parties back when she was young, and she apparently still leads them every now and again. Her battle strategy is second to none and she has honed her skills to a level never seen before."
Lana plopped down on a pile of straw next to Thorn and picked up a slice of bacon. Munching it thoughtfully, she considered the implications of having a woman who was probably old enough to have seen King Aron's war lead them into battle against the most fortified city in Layr. She had just started on the buttery biscuit when Bolgor entered, chewing noisily on a crisp apple.
"Mornin'," he said around a mouthful of fruit. A small white chunk of previously chewed apple flew past his bright red lips and hit Thorn on the flank. The dragon curled his nose in disgust as Lana wiped it off with a handful of straw.
"Sorry," Bolgor offered, after swallowing another large bite. "How are you?"
"Much better," said his scaly friend. "I'm going to test my wings today. One of their dragons will go up with me. I need to be able to handle the flight to Rona. I don't want them postponing the attack just because I cannot be there."
Blood of the Dragon: An NA Epic Fantasy Page 14