“Of course, Dominar.” Hubric – always focused and ready to spring – seemed even more intense as he replied.
“The boy says you brought with you another man and a Magika. Is she fully trained?”
Hubric shook his head. “The girl is Savette High Castelan of Leedris. She is no trained Magika but came into her power during torture by enemies. She may overcome her bounds and perish in the aftermath.”
The look on the dragoons faces was grim and one spoke so quickly his words tumbled over each other. “Please, my liege, do not allow her near you. We can not bear another attack today.”
“She’ll find better help in Dominion City than where we are headed.” The Dominar’s words were firm.
“Your message could be lost if she loses control,” the dragoon said.
“You would prefer her with us, then?”
The dragoon looked away and the Dominar said, “It is done. Now, there was another, a fighting man?”
“The Baojang prince,” Hubric said.
The dragoons straightened at his words, swords rasping as they were drawn hurriedly from sheaths. “You brought him here? Why?”
Hubric bowed. “My deepest apologies. We did not expect our Dominar – long my he reign – to be at our safehouse. We came here to regroup.”
“You were unaware of the secret passages to this farm on the trolley beneath the earth?” the dragoon asked.
“Very aware, but we had no suspicion that they would be used by you.”
“Enough. We have barely enough time to plan for the future without second guessing the past,” the Dominar said. “We require you, Green Dragon Rider, your apprentice and the lad who greeted us here to bear us to safety to the mountain hold of Gerdath. Have you the ability to bear Baojang with us as well?”
“Yes,” Ephretti said firmly. “It is an honor to serve.”
“Then so be it,” the Dominar said. “Gather the supplies immediately and prepare the dragons while I write the message for the Purples to carry.” He motioned to me and Hubric gently pushed me forward.
I hobbled to the side of the Dominar and he led me to a small table beside an open fireplace. A fire was set but not lit, and in the cold afternoon it felt very bleak.
“This is your first message, Sworn?” His tone was kind.
“Yes, my liege.”
“Then let’s make it memorable, hmm?”
“I don’t think that will be difficult, Lord Dominar.”
He laughed. “I suppose not.”
Chapter Five
If I had ever, in a fit of fancy, imagined what it was like to be with the Dominar – the great ruler over our vast land – I think I would have imagined bowing Castelans, fascinating subjects on bended knee, guards with flashing armor, and a sense of awe over everyone. What I wouldn’t have imagined was a man in a cold farmhouse sitting at the farmer’s table on a hand-hewn wooden chair. He worked a stub of pencil across paper, carefully writing out his note in a florid hand.
He must have brought the writing supplies with him. They were hardly the things farmers might have. The only thing that made him still look like a ruler was his ostentatious clothing and the fanciful mask that covered his face. In this weather, it must sting with cold. Was it my imagination, or did his head droop under the weight now that the attention and pomp were past?
He rubbed the mask over his forehead and I noticed it was more polished at that point as if this was his habit. Was he anxious? Was he broken-hearted over the loss of his dragoons and friends? What a strange time we lived in where tragedy and uncertainty swept up common people like me and the most uncommon person in the world in the same moment.
Tragedy and uncertainty are both things of which no one is immune. Not even dragons.
When he was done, he pulled a white cylinder from his waistband, rolled up the note, slid it into the cylinder and then pulled out a pouch with balls of wax and sealed either end with wax.
“Usually, I’d put my seal on the missive, but I’m afraid it was lost in transit,” he said, turning to me. What would it be like to relate to the whole world through that mask? “Amel Leafbrought, Sworn of the Purple, accept this missive from the hand of your Dominar and give it to none other than its recipient, Comard Eaglespring, General of the Spire, Lord of War. Or, if he has fallen, to his rightful heir. Swear this by the Truth which is all you have.”
I’d never done this before. I glanced around, but Hubric had disappeared. Had he gone to gather supplies? I’d have to do my best.
“I swear it by the Truth which is all I have. I’ll deliver the message.”
“Then fly like the wind, Sworn. Let nothing hinder you until you reach your destination.”
I bowed. It felt right under the circumstances. As I straightened, he placed the message cylinder in my hand and I shivered at the touch of his glove against my skin. Who would have thought that I would ever brush up against royalty? It was beyond belief. I’d better be sure not to disappoint him. It was time to fly.
Always ready for that!
My first mission! My first chance to really be a purple Dragon Rider.
Don’t get too excited yet. Bow again and get out of the Dominar’s view before you dance with joy.
I hastily bowed and tucked the cylinder into my leathers before I hobbled away. The Dominar’s dragoons watched the back door and windows, their movements twitchy.
“Tell your Green rider to hurry,” one of them said to me as if a trainee would say such a thing to a full Dragon Rider.
I tried to offer him a calm expression with a nod, but his face grew thunderous. Wrong move, Amel. I hurried out of the room and back into the corridor of supplies.
“Amel. You have the message?” Hubric had eight large leather satchels around him. They bulged with whatever he had packed in them. Food, I hoped, and other supplies. On top of the heap, he’d thrown three fur cloaks, leather gloves, and woolen cowls. They wouldn’t be enough in this weather, but they would have to do. Some sort of fur with lacings was thrown there as well – over-boots perhaps?
“Yes, master.”
“Good. A first message is a very important moment for any Purple Dragon Rider. The Dominar gave you a great honor by singling you out for it. He probably doesn’t realize that usually we would wait many months before you were given one of your own, but you will do fine. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
I smiled timidly.
“First rule to delivering messages?” His question was so fast that I wasn’t sure what to say. I hadn’t been taught this! He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “The first rule is: don’t lose it. It’s not like we can put magical beacons on them to find them if they are lost. Keep it on you. Keep it safe. Check often that you have not lost it.”
I nodded, gravely.
“Now,” he said. “Let’s get this gear loaded up. It will take a few trips, but we need to be gone as soon as we are able. Ephretti is almost ready to leave and we all must leave at once or we risk showing our location to our enemies. By now they may have regrouped enough to watch the skies.”
I slung one of the satchels over my shoulder and followed after him, glad the crutch he’d given me was rugged enough for the terrain. Things were uncertain and tragic and yet in the middle of it all, a little orange flicker of hope was on my horizon, bright and lively. I was going to chase that for as long as I could.
Chapter Six
Hubric was right about Ephretti. As we pushed through the doors and out into the dusk, I could see she had all her dragons lined up in a row. Lenora and Aldeen were loading them with gear. Lenora dropped hers and rushed over to me.
“Amel! Your first message! That’s so exciting.”
I smiled in return, pleased but not sure what to say.
“Listen,” she said, not waiting for me to respond. “We’re going to be split up for a while. But you and I are rising through the ranks fast. We’re going to see each other again. I want you to swear that we’ll stay friends.” She looked both d
irections like someone was going to overhear us, but everyone else was too busy with their own tasks. “Things are getting dangerous and chaotic so quickly and we Castelans have our alliances, our masters have our vows, but you aren’t a Castelan and you’ll need friends again. So, swear we’ll stay friends. Swear you’ll call on me when you need help. I swear that I’ll be there for you.”
I nodded, blinking back tears. “I swear.”
“And stay out of trouble! Especially if you run into Leng Shardson! That man is going to cause you trouble!”
She hugged me, smiled quickly, and ran back to her task, leaving me lightheaded as I hobbled toward Raolcan. I had another friend. It made me feel all soft and sweet.
I told you that more people would see your value. Just keep persevering and one day you’ll have more friends than you can fit on my back. Speaking of which, you might need to help Savette right now.
As I drew closer, I saw what he meant. Hubric and Ephretti were crouched over Savette and Rakturan. She was curled in a ball on the ground, her too-light cloak wrapped around her. Both her hands gripped one of Rakturan’s.
I dropped the satchel and hobbled over. Hubric looked up at me, concern on his face.
“She won’t let go of him.”
Ephretti looked up, too, her sharp, beautiful features etched with condemnation.
“We need to load Baojang with us. Those are our orders.”
“You shouldn’t separate us,” Rakturan said. His voice was tender, and one of his hands gently stroked her back.
Ephretti turned to him, frustration emanating from her face. “You shouldn’t be holding her like that. You’ve no more rights to her. You are promised to someone else.”
Rakturan flushed but his words were bold. “Your Dominar is still considering my request to return my troth to Savette Leedris. She needs my protection – especially now.”
“You can see her power as well as I can,” Ephretti hissed. “You want it for yourself and for your nation. This isn’t love, it’s a power play.”
“It’s not.” He shook his head, but now the blood drained from his face as Ephretti crossed her arms. “We leave in five minutes and by order, you fly with us.”
“By whose order?” He swallowed.
Hubric laid a hand on his arm. “Prince, we’re not friends, but stop for a moment while I talk to you like we are. I’d rather just knock you to the ground and throw you over Ephretti’s dragon, but I’m feeling gracious right now. Look at the girl. She clearly needs help. The sky city is in uproar and she won’t get it here. If you really care for her, you’ll let us take her to Dominion City to see the best Magikas there.”
Rakturan’s expression was torn, his hand shook in Savette’s.
“You want what’s best for her?” Hubric asked.
“Yes.” It sounded like a vow.
“Then let us take her to Dominion City.”
“Why can’t I go with her?” His eyes looked desperate. Why? Did he really care this much – could that be possible when he knew so little of her? – or was Ephretti right and it was all an act to get power?
“Orders.” Ephretti drew her blade. “And no, I won’t tell you whose. Not yet. You’re a prince of Baojang. Act like it. There is a war that needs to be prevented and you and I need to do that. You can’t chase after a girl when you have a nation to defend.”
He looked like he was being ripped in two and then he swore violently. I thought that I saw tears in his eyes as he stood, disentangling his hand from Savette’s grip. Was it a trick of my imagination? She reached toward him and I stepped forward and took her hand in my own, dropping to the ground to croon in her ear.
“It will be okay, Savette. I will keep you safe.”
“Stay with her and I’ll load the dragons,” Hubric said. “We’ll load her last. She’ll go with you on Raolcan?”
I nodded.
“Good. Best for everyone that way.”
He strode off and I rubbed Savette’s back like Rakturan had before. For a moment, I thought I was hearing things, but no. Raolcan was singing us both a dragon lullaby in our minds.
Towering, white in field of blue,
Soft and gentle as we flew,
Through the golden sunlight bright,
Dream of never-ending flight.
Chapter Seven
We flew through the night, the icy wind biting at us through the fur cloaks and woolen scarves.
How do you think I feel? I could use one of those cloaks.
For a wonder, Savette slept through most of the night, leaning against my back. Her gentle snores could be heard any time the wind quieted enough to hear anything.
She needs the sleep, poor girl. She hadn’t had a good sleep in a long time.
As if sleeping against my back as we rode Raolcan was any kind of rest.
It is compared to what she’s been through.
Did he know what that was?
Some secrets leak out, but I’ll guard them safe for her. She’s one of us now – broken.
Broken and yet terrifyingly powerful. If those blasts of magic back in Vanika were just little bits of her power overflowing, what more could she be capable of?
If it doesn’t consume her first.
The hours passed slowly, made slower by my anxiety about Savette and the intense cold. When had I last slept? I was tired enough to sleep for a week curled in a fur blanket with Raolcan on one side and a raging fire at the other...
Wake up. I don’t need you to guide me, but you do need to be awake when we fly.
Why? Wouldn’t the straps hold us in place?
Would you want me to fall asleep? If I fall, I might not wake up before we hit the ground. I’d be fine, but what about you two?
Was he teasing me? Whether he was or not, I worked to stay awake, wiggling my toes in my good foot and the fingers in both hands to try to keep the blood flowing. I had so much to think about, but in the cold, my thoughts just circled around and around on each other. Savette – cold – message – cold – Rakturan – cold – Savette – cold –
It makes for boring mental conversation.
Get me warm and I’ll be as interesting as you like!
Look! Dawn breaks.
To my left, the sky was lightening. Moments later, a ring of gold curved around the horizon. He was right. Day had come. My heart soared at the thought of the sun on me, warming my face, warming my back, warming...
Not yet, I’m afraid.
In front of us, Hubric and Kyrowat leaned into a dive. We followed them, tight on their heels. Plunging through the clouds, I saw the tops of the trees of the forest below us and a long cliff face. Kyrowat was aiming at the spot where the trees met the cliff face. We followed and then he turned, unexpectedly, and ducked into a cave on the cliff face, higher than the tops of the trees, but hidden by the curve of the rock. Raolcan followed him and the rising sun was eclipsed by the dark of the cave. It must have been massive to hold two dragons.
It’s going to be tight.
A light flared ahead and then Hubric strode forward with a lantern in hand. The cave was very tight. With both dragons pressed against the walls, there was only a tiny space in the middle. Already, I felt it warming up with the heat of our bodies.
We will keep warm enough in such a tight space. Two dragons can really heat things up.
Hubric helped me ease Savette down and then he spoke.
“We need some sleep, or we’ll drop out of the sky. Should be warm enough here for a few hours. Then we’ll mount up again and find an inn before nightfall. No need to stand watch. The dragons will know if anyone comes.”
I nodded, sleepily. I didn’t need convincing. We’d laid Savette against Raolcan to keep her warm and I lay down next to her, curling up in my cloak, making sure that as much of me as possible was against the side of my dragon.
Sleep well, spider.
Food and drink and other necessities could wait. For now, it was sleep, sweet, sweet sleep...
Chapter Ei
ght
“He was trying to help me to form a channel to let off the magic. It filled me up – too much, he said. It will overwhelm me if I can’t let it off, but it keeps building, building, building.” Savette’s voice was thin and shaky as she spoke. I woke to her words.
She’s speaking to Hubric. Stay resting for now.
“Magikas draw power from set wells throughout the land and they can contain it within themselves for a time. Too much and it overwhelms them.”
“I know that from my studies. But it’s not like that for me. I feel it in everything and I just keep drawing, drawing, drawing on it.”
“And is it letting off?”
“It did when I blasted Magika Hectorus. It did when I blasted those men trying to kill you.”
“And the explosion?”
Her words came through chattering teeth. “I felt him outside. I could tell he was full of magic. He was going to do something ... I didn’t know what. I warned the dragons. I rushed towards them down the steps. Magika Zavin and Ephretti Oakboon called to me to stop, but they hadn’t expected me to run. I screamed at them to follow, but they just stood there. We escaped. Just in time. The explosion – that’s what will happen to me if I don’t learn to control this.”
“We’ll find you help.” Hubric’s voice was full of confidence.
“No one can help.”
“And one will come from the north, burning, burning,
Judgment and Wisdom borne by the flow of spirit to spirit
Do not speak to us of the times that follow,
For they shall be as a dream of death as a nightmare walking,”
Hubric was quoting again, but it was Savette who finished his quote: “The dusk shall vanquish all but the covenant until the dawn of the tide.”
How many of these prophesies were there?
Hundreds. They speak of a day of desolation that will come and of the key to the rebirth of the whole world.
You know about them, too, Raolcan?
We dragons learn them by rote, just as your Castelans do.
Dragon School_Dusk Covenant Page 2