Kai watched her cautiously.
Her trembling voice seemed distant to her ears. “When did you become so wise?”
He gripped one of her hands in his, and patted her shoulder with the other. “I’ve always been wise. Now let’s return to your room and get your boots, and we’ll figure out a plan to get Naoki back. But first you must meet Ealasaid at the gates. I heard some screams earlier, so I imagine the black dragon has arrived.”
Ashclaw. She’d nearly forgotten about him. She let Kai help her to her feet, then they walked side-by-side back toward her room.
As they reached her door, she turned to him. “Dragon instincts or no, if they harm Naoki, I will kill them all.”
He opened the door, gesturing for her to go inside. “I know, and I will help you. But for now, boots, Ealasaid, then we’ll make a plan.”
She walked into her room and went for her boots. When things were calm—if they were ever calm again—she’d ask him what he’d meant by hunger. The Dearg Due drank the blood of their victims, did that mean Kai was craving blood too? Did it mean that, like the dragons, she would begin to crave the magic of others? Was it possible she did already?
Her head spun as she sat on her bed lacing her leather boots. She could still feel a deep well of rage within her, ready to be unleashed. Perhaps this change had taken hold the moment she’d exchanged blood with Naoki, but Naoki wasn’t a wild beast, and she didn’t steal magic. Why had this change affected her in such a drastic way?
Kai watched her, his expression still cautious, as if he could read her every thought. She turned away from him as she stood. If there was something different in her eyes, something that hadn’t been there before, she didn’t want him to see it. She didn’t even want to see it herself.
Ealasaid
From atop the high wall near the gates, Ealasaid watched the black dragon stalking across the field beyond the western road. He was so much larger than the green and bronze dragons that had attacked the burgh. If he turned against them, she was not sure the burgh would survive.
“This is utter madness,” a voice sounded behind her.
She turned to Maarav, his black hair lifting gently in the wind. “What isn’t madness these days?”
He lifted a brow. “You are glad it is here?”
Was she glad she’d had to tell the people she’d sworn to protect that a dragon would guard them for the next ten days? Hardly. She’d left out the part that after that, the dragon may well kill them. Yet most still cowered in their homes, and would likely not emerge for many days.
She sighed, then turned her sights back to the dragon, its winged back facing away from the burgh. It did seem to be protecting them, for now. “I think the dragon would sooner kill us all, but for the time being, this is the situation we are in. We should use its protection to expand the burgh and plant winter crops, to perhaps even hunt and fish deeper into the woods.”
“And if the scouts sent north return with supplies, or worse yet, with reivers, and the dragon doesn’t realize they belong here and eats them before they can reach us?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, perhaps Finn can tell it not to.”
He laughed. “You’ve grown hard, woman. A year ago you would have shrieked at the sight of a dragon guarding your burgh.”
She smirked. “Well I have to live with you every day. Surviving that has enabled me to survive anything.”
They turned at the sound of footsteps as Finn, Kai, and Iseult reached the top of the stone stairs behind them, their eyes searching for the dragon beyond the wall. Ealasaid could tell immediately that something was wrong—more wrong than the humongous beast lurking nearby. Finn looked frail in her oversized woolen tunic and thick breeches, with Iseult and Kai twin pillars on either side—though one was a bit shorter, and slightly less stony-faced despite his pallid skin and red-rimmed eyes. Though it was not particular sunny, Kai had his omnipresent black cowl shading his features.
Finn glanced at the black dragon beyond. “Naoki has been taken. Kai and I are going to find her.”
For a moment, Ealasaid was at a loss for words. It was not the greeting she had expected. She looked to Iseult for a reaction, but he showed no signs of one. “Just the two of you? Who took her?”
“Who takes a dragon?” Maarav added.
Finn still watched the dragon beyond, her eyes never quite settling on the group even as she spoke. “The faie. I will defeat them. Kai and I will bring Naoki back. It would be senseless to risk taking any others when the faie will not be able to harm me.”
She wasn’t so sure. She’d heard what happened with the Dearg Due, but if Finn faced them again, they’d be prepared. They would not fall so easily. She shook her head. “So Kai will come because you think this is the Dearg Due’s doing, and he can lure them out?”
Finn nodded. “I can think of no others who would make so bold a move but the Dearg Due. They will come for Kai, but they will not kill him as they would anyone else.” She looked to Iseult as she added, “Having anyone they might kill is more dangerous for me than going alone. I must not be distracted.”
A rare flicker of frustration showed in Iseult’s features. This had obviously been a topic of argument between them. Frankly, Ealasaid was surprised Finn had won, though she agreed with the reasoning.
Maarav put a hand on Ealasaid’s shoulder, his eyes still on Finn. “What of that big black beast out there?” He gestured with his free hand behind them.
Finn shifted her weight in her knee-high boots, clearly impatient to depart. “For the next ten days he will protect everyone here. I advise you continue with your plans to expand.”
“And when the ten days are up?” Maarav persisted. “He kills us all?”
She shook her head, tossing her long hair over her shoulder as she stood a little straighter. “I will not fail. I swear it.”
Ealasaid held up her hand before Maarav could speak further. “We only have ten days, and we are wasting time here.” She looked to Finn. “Find Naoki, do what you must. Just make sure you come back and warn us if we need to prepare to fight a dragon. We did it before, we can do it again.” She didn’t add that this dragon was twice the size of the others, and she worried the burgh would not survive. It would do no good to worry. All they could do now was move forward.
Finn turned to leave, but hesitated. “We’ll return as soon as we are able. Kai and I will try to find the daytime resting place of the Dearg Due to face them while they are weakened. There are only so many caves in this area large enough to conceal a dragon.”
“Oh!” Ealasaid said at a sudden idea, stopping Finn before she could hurry off. She hated the look in Iseult’s eyes, and the thought of him having to worry while Finn was away. “Find Sage,” she instructed. “He should be in the front courtyard with the newest mages by now. Take him with you. I know you do not want to risk others, but he is fast with his fire, and most faie, especially the Dearg Due, seem to fear it.”
At her words, Iseult’s shoulders relaxed, ever so slightly.
Finn hesitated, then nodded. “Very well.” Her eyes seemed intentionally diverted from Iseult. It must have been quite the argument. Instead, she gripped his arm for a moment, still not looking at him, then turned to leave.
Kai gave them all an apologetic shrug, then followed after her, back down the stone stairs and into the burgh.
Left behind, Iseult stood rigid as a pole for several tense heartbeats, then turned and followed after Kai and Finn.
Maarav sighed as his brother’s back slipped out of view down the stairs.
“Go on,” she said with a small smile, already knowing what he was thinking.
He kissed her cheek, then hurried down the stairs after his brother. For a one-time assassin, occasional smuggler, and a bit of a con man all around, Maarav had become a rather loyal sort. She liked to think she’d had something to do with the change.
She smiled at the thought until she turned around and caught a glimpse of the black dragon, leadi
ng her to imagine her husband, her child, and all the burghsfolk below, falling victim to its fire.
She stared at the dragon for a long while, cool wind tugging frizzy curls free from her braid, and fluttering the hem of her dress. Despite her better judgement, she wished Keiren was with her, if only to give advice, as she always seemed full of that. For as things stood, she could think of no better plan on her own than to just wait and see what would happen.
Maarav
Maarav and Iseult walked through the burgh toward the estate, though Maarav could tell Iseult was eager to leave him behind. He was quite sure he knew why.
He glanced at Iseult, willing him to meet his gaze, but his eyes remained forward. “You’re going to follow her, aren’t you?”
Iseult did not reply, but his stony expression was telling.
“Her plan is wise,” Maarav pressed. “Bringing Kai to lure out the Dearg Due is risk enough. I have no doubt if one of those blood-suckers manages to disarm you, Finn will do anything they say to keep you from coming to harm. You will be a hindrance, not an asset.”
“She can drain their magic. I’ve seen it. They will not stand against her, and they already have the dragon’s life as leverage.”
Maarav rolled his neck, cracking joints stiff from sparring with Slàine. “You have a point there, I suppose. I imagine you told her this as well?”
“She feels Naoki is of hardier stock than I. She is not quite the hostage I would be.”
“And yet you’re still going?”
“Yes.”
Realizing he was running out of time to make Iseult see reason, he grabbed his brother’s arm.
Iseult stopped, eyeing him coolly.
Maarav nearly let go at the look. Though he knew Iseult cared for him, brotherly love might not be enough to prevent an attack, not where Finn was concerned.
He spoke quickly. “Brother, you must learn to trust her. Ealasaid is stronger than me, it is something I have had to accept. I can watch her back as much as I please, but in the end I must trust her judgement. She knows better than I of what she is capable, and if she needs my help, she will ask for it.” He was glad most the burgh dwellers were hiding in their homes, leaving the street near-desolate, preferring not to be overheard on this subject.
Iseult seemed to ponder his words for a brief moment, then shook his head. “Finn is too self-sacrificing. She would let the Dearg Due kill her if it would save the dragon.”
“I assure you, she would not. Can you not see how much she has changed?”
Iseult was silent. Maarav had a feeling he had indeed seen how much she had changed, but was refusing to process it.
Confident he would at least not hurry off, he released Iseult’s arm. “She loves you. She will not leave you behind.”
Iseult surprised him by actually acknowledging his words. “But if she becomes something else, something else entirely, is that not as bad as losing her?”
“You don’t want her to take the faie magic, do you, even if it will save us all?”
“It should not be her task to save everyone. She has never known peace in her existence.”
Maarav lifted a brow. “Well neither have you.”
“It is not the same.”
He sighed. “Unfortunately brother, it doesn’t really matter. You and I are mere pawns in this game. We are simple mortals. We cannot hope to outplay the gods. All we can do is support those who can. Do not risk yourself, because I assure you, if something happens, Finn will blame herself. She will utterly unravel, and we will all die. You hope to protect her physically, but that is not what she needs from you, not anymore. Protect her heart, and she will handle the rest.”
Iseult stared at him for a long, uncomfortable moment. “Our mother would have been proud of you.”
Maarav’s jaw dropped. Unable to handle the sincerity of Iseult’s statement, he grinned. “Our mother also sold me to assassins.”
Iseult did not return the grin. “Thank you, brother.”
Maarav watched Iseult as he turned and left him behind. Had he actually managed to get through to him, to sway the most stubborn person he’d ever met from his path?
He was quite sure he had. The world really must be ending. It was the only explanation.
Finn
Finn, Kai, and Sage walked through the forest bordering the western side of the burgh in pursuit of the Dearg Due. Finn hoped they would not have to go far—the worry would probably kill Iseult if it did. It never took the Dearg Due long to track Kai, so if they were nearby, perhaps they would emerge, even in daylight. If not, Sage would lead them to search the nearby caves.
Bringing Anna would have been wise as she could easily detect the Dearg Due magic, but the fewer present to witness what might happen when she faced Naoki’s captors, the better. She glanced at Kai and Sage, glad they were her only accompaniment. While she hadn’t lied about her worry for Iseult’s safety, that was not why she’d willed him to stay behind. Her new instincts might overcome her again, and that, she did not want Iseult to see—ever. He’d fallen in love with a much different person from what she was now, and she would not risk him viewing her differently.
Kai nudged her shoulder as their boots crunched across a mixture of needles and dead leaves. “Pay attention now. Sage might be quick with his fire, but you’re far more effective against the faie.”
Finn glanced at Sage on her other side. He didn’t comment, maintaining the drawn out silence. The only sound he made was the gentle hiss of his boots, and light tapping of his long oaken staff, used like a walking stick. She hadn’t spent much time with Ealasaid’s general, and it showed. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other since they’d left the burgh.
Sage stopped walking and pointed southwest. “The first cave is over there, if you would like to search it.”
Ah, so he had been paying attention. She’d halfway thought he’d forgotten he was the one who was supposed to guide them to the few nearby caves.
“You know this area by heart?” Kai questioned.
Sage’s eyes seemed to hold a bit of the fire he could summon in a heartbeat. “What kind of general would I be if I did not? We may have to flee the burgh with that black dragon lurking outside the gates.”
Finn mulled over how to reply. Perhaps her plan to enlist Ashclaw had not been well thought out, but it was too late to go back now. “I’ll enter the cave first. You two stay behind and watch my back.”
A rumbling voice startled her. “I’m pleased you came, Tree Sister.”
Sage was the first to react, lifting his staff defensively. Pixies swarmed around them, tiny sharpened sticks and occasional stolen sewing needles in hand. She knew how fast they could move. They could poke out an eye before one could blink.
Confused, Finn turned to face four trow. Beyond them, more trow were rooted, appearing almost like normal trees, though she had learned to tell the difference. Above their skyward-reaching branches flitted more colorful pixies. “Why have you come?” she asked them. “You should not linger here. We seek the Dearg Due.”
One trow’s heavy, rough brow lowered over his leaf-green eyes. His companions watched on silently. “You have not come to swear your oath to us?”
“You?” Kai gasped. “You sent her the note?”
The thought was so ridiculous, Finn could hardly comprehend what the trow was saying. Stunned, she waited for the trow’s response, no longer feeling safe beneath the shadows of its mighty boughs.
“You have crossed a line etched deeply in the earth, Tree Sister. To rob the faie, any faie, of that which makes them what they are—it is evil. We could not risk that you would do the same to us.”
She cleared her throat, silently warring with a waterfall of emotions crashing together in her heart. “You are the ones who took Naoki?”
“I assure you, the dragon has not been harmed. Swear a blood oath to us, ensuring you will not take our magic, and she will be returned to you.”
Kai glanced at her, seeming to note he
r tenuous grasp on remaining in rational control, and took the lead. “How did the lot of you manage to capture a dragon? Just trow and pixies?”
The trow straightened its spindly legs, the only way it could stand taller with its trunk too rigid to bend. “Trow are not so easily felled, not by the cold, nor by gnashing maw or swiping talons.”
Finn fought to keep her voice steady. “The trow fear fire more than cold.” She stepped forward, away from Kai and Sage. “I cannot give you what you want. I must restore balance to this land. Return Naoki to me now, and I will allow you to flee. Perhaps you will manage to avoid me in the future.”
The pixies darted up for the cover of inanimate trees, but the small group of trow stood their ground, hauntingly still for several drawn-out moments.
Finally, the lead trow spoke, “Harm us now, Tree Sister, and your dragon will be killed. She is not here with us.”
His threat made her temper rage. Words spilled from her lips without a second thought. “I will raze this entire forest if you do not return her now!”
The trow’s eyes widened, but he did not step away. “Just what has happened to you, Tree Sister? You are not as I remember.”
With her hands clenched into fists at her sides, she stepped toward the trow. “I will drain the magic from you one by one until Naoki is returned. Send a pixie to tell those who hold her captive, if they wish to save any of you, they will hurry.”
“Finn—” Kai’s hand on her shoulder didn’t feel quite real. She couldn’t banish the thought of Naoki’s fear from her mind. She was probably heavily bound, her wings pinned, when she never hurt anything more than rabbits and a few of the more destructive faie.
She shrugged Kai’s hand away and closed the distance between her and the lead trow. She raised her hands from her sides. “You will be the first to go.”
Pixies swarmed around her, but did not get too close. She could feel bursts of heat from Sage’s fire at her back, keeping them away.
Dawn of Magic: Sea of Flames Page 10