— They are coming! Announced one of the almakins who was on watch.
Soon Garo-lin heard the hum of a mombelula and then the blue eyes of the creature became visible in the dark sky.
She landed in the countryside, where she had no vision of where they were. But it did not take long for a committee of almakins to break through the cobbled stone, and in the midst of them the Lady of the Fire Capital was the most obvious figure. She approached the cage where her children were, with an attitude that reminded Garo-lin very much of someone who had just seen a product that had caught her in a sale without any intention of actually acquiring it, and then said:
— Good job. You will be generously rewarded for it. Now take them to the mombels.
— What about the others, Lady? – His commander asked in a humble tone, totally contrary to the personality he had shown when they were captured.
She cast a glance at the cage he indicated – the largest one, with the useless ones-and declared:
— I do not care about them. Do whatever you want.
The pirate smirked as someone who had already thought of ways to take advantage of those hostages and was just waiting for a permit to put his plans into practice.
— What do you want, old lady?! Asked the Fire Dragon – Leave them alone and we will go willingly!
— Do you think you can bring me something, Krission? – She hissed at her son – I never thought you would make me so disappointed as the worthless of your sister!
Kandara answered the insult with an angry look, but did not say anything, demonstrating having experience and knowing that facing her mother at that moment would not lead to anything. She just took a deep breath and clenched her fists, holding on.
— They and the princess go with me. – The Lady guided the almakins of her commission. – Take the other Dragons to the Royal Capital.
— Yes, ma'am – one replied, and they all bowed, and left immediately to carry out the orders.
— I will not go back with you! – The Fire Dragon raged – I do not want to be part of it!
— You will do what I want you to do Krission! For better or for worse!
It all happened so fast. As mother and son argued in the same tone, there were a series of soul-bursts.
Kandara was the first to see an opportunity when the Stone Carriers walked away so the almakins could approach and carry out their orders. Their intent seemed only to be around to ensure a more dignified escort of souls.
However, the bearers did not know how to act and took a few steps back, staying a reasonable distance so that the heiress could use his almaki and explode his cage. Following her example, the other Dragons quickly acted, and with only a steady movement of the Metal Dragon's fists on the ground, she managed to turn all the stones around in brambles, including the ruins.
Then a series of attacks of almakis powers began on both sides. Garo-lin only had time to see the Lightning Dragon running toward the princess and immediately knew what to do.
Releasing Kinaito – burning his ropes – and with his help, she took So-ren and lifted her, and they carried her away. As pirates approached to stop them, he used flames and hit them before they could get close enough to attack them with almaki or the Dark Stones.
— The mombels! Kinaito said, indicating the two creatures that could now be seen landed in the country.
This, too, seemed to be the idea of all the others, who were moving in such a way that they could reach the only means of escape. Having as opponents the Dragons, even though the pirates were in much greater numbers, it was quite obvious which side was stronger. Thus, forming an attack strategy that kept the pirates away while at the same time creating space for them to reach to the mombels, in a matter of seconds Garo-lin and Kinaito managed to get the lady safely inside a cabin.
Leaving So-ren with the Kodorin, Garo-lin soon returned to the stairs and helped Kidari up, taking her from the hands of Zawhart, who was able to assist in the attack from above without bothering to protect her. Wisely, the other four almakans from the Kandara group mounted on the other mombelula, so there would be no way to be followed later. The Water and Metal Dragons went up immediately, and only the heirs Dul'Maojin and the Wind Dragon remained on the ground to get enough time for everyone to be safely inside the booths.
That was when Garo-lin had a glimpse of the fighting that was happening right before the mombelulas. While the Fire Dragon and Wind fought against pirates and almakins, the Lady of the Fire Capital and her daughter were engaged in a duel of fire. And it was not necessary to be an expert to notice that things were well balanced, since what one had of experience, the other had of young strength.
When the Fire Dragon managed to reach a last pirate who was trying to approach using the bracelets as a shield, he looked around and checked everything that was happening. Sfairul was already climbing the stairs, and the wings of the mombelulas were already rolling.
— Kandara! – He called.
— GO, KRIS! – The sister ordered.
— I'M NOT GOING WITHOUT YOU!
— CLIMB IN THIS SHIT OF MOMBE...
And, just as before, it had all happened so fast. Now Garo-lin was able to record every second as if everything were happening under a lagging force.
Upon realizing that she was alone, the Lady of the Fire Capital handled a large ball of flame and threw it, forcing her daughter to move to avoid the attack. At that moment, she removed what appeared to be a small, long case from inside her robes and opened it in half. In spite of the darkness, it was possible to see that she was holding him by the white part, while the other end was black and shaped like a blade, and launched it in a rapid movement just after the fireball.
-KANDARA! The Fire Dragon screamed and ran, but not in time.
The sister was struck in the chest and only uttered a gasping sound, of which lost all the air of the lungs, and its knees yielded.
The dragon managed to catch her in time, before it fell to the ground, and quickly removed the object, realizing what it was and taking care to pick it up by the white handle.
-WHAT DID YOU DO?! He yelled at his mother, tossing the Dark Stone blade away and trying to stop the bleeding that stained the front of Kandara's robes.
At no moment did the Lady of the Fire Capital move and just watched the scene, impassive.
Without knowing for sure what force had driven her, Garo-lin threw himself to the edge of the cabin and shouted:
— KRISSION!
— GO! – He ordered.
And in front of the pleading gaze of the Fire Dragon, Garo-lin totally lost track of what was happening. She saw, as in a dream, Kidari passing by her screaming, being carried by her guardian cat toward the ground, and the Lightning Dragon trying to uselessly grab it, hanging out of the cabin. The Wind Dragon grabbed his friend and pulled him back as someone pulled her. And as he fell to the floor of the cabin as the mombelula flew up, the voice of the Royal Dragon sounded very close to his ear:
— We can not do anything, Garo-lin!
And those words echoed in her head without finding a place to stay, while all she could see were the starlight in the sky turned into blotches from the tears that dominated her eyes.
Chapter 28 – Beyond the sea
Garo-lin had lived those two days that had passed in an indefinable state.
An hour she had heard the Royal Dragon comment that it was as if she had lost all certainties and that she would need some time to resume. But when he heard that phrase something moved inside her again and she could not stand it any longer. After all, he had already had a moment of depression and would not let himself be dragged again.
Yes, something irreparable had happened. But she should remember her connections to the world and that her mission was far from complete. His village was still surrounded by pirates and a provision should be made in that regard.
Garo-lin, pulling the curtains tightly together, forced the sunbeams to brighten the room quickly. This was also the first gli
mpse she had of the Royal Capital, with its clear old buildings and elaborate palaces, and the blue sea that stretched out on the horizon. Then he took a deep breath of fresh new breeze through the open window and decided he should do something.
Not even speaking during that time, she was able to hear everything that happened, since they were all in a modest house in the city waiting and the Dragons did not seem to be used to circulate in a small space. However, what exactly they were expecting, she did not know. He did not know how they got that house either, since all the memories of the night they arrived were blurry and indistinct images that he could not remember properly, as if they were part of a dream he'd just let himself go. But it was obvious they were hiding.
As she entered the kitchen quietly and looked at those gathered there, she realized one thing: though she looked worse, there was a general desolation hovering through the air.
— Are you alright? – It was all Nu'lian asked when see her standing in the doorway, watching the Dragons sitting at the table, each more silent than the other.
— Hm – she said vaguely, sitting down in the first empty spot she'd seen at the table.
The Royal Dragon and the Wind Dragon were sitting at the table as well.
The Metal Dragon had chosen a bench in a corner, where he leaned over a small cabinet and found himself tidying up his locks that had loosened.
Kinaito was sitting by the window, peering and moving his fingers steadily on the wooden ledge. Even though he only seemed to be contemplating the landscape, Garo-lin could say with certainty that his thoughts ran frantically from side to side inside his head, to the point that he was the only one who had not realized that the vilashi had left the bedroom.
After a time of silence, she decided to ask who knew who was there but did not see:
— Where is So-ren?
— Went out to buy candies... she's the only one of us who does not stand out.
Which was the plain truth. Far from being recognized as a Dul'Maojin, she was just a white haired lady who would pass unnoticed in the city's movement.
Garo-lin did not know what had been the fate of the other almakins who were with them that night. But if they were wise, they would also be hidden. It was too risky to walk through the streets of Almakia after they had escaped so little from the clutches of the Lady of the Fire Capital. The strong side was now totally her. It did not matter if those around him were the Dragons. They had lost their counselor and their leader was with the enemy. That spoiled their confidence.
The only thing they could do now was to wait for information and then decide what could be done.
When the door opened and So-ren limped in with his new, but totally crooked and worn bengal, a substitute for the one he had lost on the run, Kinaito was the first to stand, as if he already foresaw what the lady brought with herself.
— Finally the news came out in the paper! – She dropped a heavy bag anyway on the floor and spread the crumpled paper on the table so everyone could read. – And I'm afraid they're the worst possible...
Swiftly, Garo-Lin leaned over to see what the text framed by an image of the Lady of the Fire Capital with Krission at his side, both in colorless clothes.
The mourning of Fire Family
In an official statement, the Lady of the Fire Capital, Kronar Dul'Maojin, today exposed the events leading up to the death of the Heiress of Fire Family, Kandara Dul'Maojin. With great regret, she revealed to us a great conspiracy that happened in a subtle way around us and with which she had been struggling silently to prevent a crisis of mistrust from spreading in our Society.
In her moving speech before the waiting crowd in the square of the Dul'Maojin Building in the Fire Capital, her words have shown that, despite the sense of loss, she will not let events shake her noble mission as representative of Almakia:
"My daughter had given up her dragon title and moved away from the first heir to the Fire Family because she had ambitions that did not fit with soulful attitudes. By revolting against the Almaki Society, which would not allow her to achieve her goals, she became involved with lowly people who influenced her to have this destiny. Unfortunately, before being betrayed by those who had poisoned her against her own Family, she had also been able to persuade the Dragons to rebel by deceiving them into utopian sovereignty in our Realm. So my daughter found her end, being betrayed by those she believed to be helping her. Then, with a much deeper lament, I inform the whole Almakia that, from now on, the Dragons of Water, Lightning, Wind and Metal are considered enemies, inside and outside our territories, by all peoples and Realms. Their titles are revoked permanently and they are being sought by the authorities as conspirators. Nu'lian Gillion, Vinshu Zawhart, Benar Sfairul and Sumerin Gran'Otto are extremely dangerous almakins because they know the Secrets of their Families. I ask for the collaboration of everyone in Almakia so that the capture of them can be carried out as soon as possible. Fortunately, my son, Krission, opened his eyes in time and returned home when he realized how hideous the thought of the supposed friends was. He deeply regrets that he had suffered this weakness and believed in his sister's sweet, poisonous words. Humbly, he intends to compensate for all the mistakes made by the Dragons and repair their lack by being a strong dragon in which the whole of Almakia can confidently trust."
Along with the touching talk of a mother who is still in mourning for the loss of her daughter, even if this has turned out to be a shame for all almakins, the Lady of the Fire Capital also brought a great newness.
In a formal guest celebration held at her palace the night before, she announced the engagement between the Fire Dragon and the Kodo Princess, a union that promises to transform Almakia's relations with the other Realms.
As everyone knows, Kidari Chanboni, the Kodo Princess, revealed to have almakins powers and got a special license to study at the Dul'Maojin Institute and be disciplined according to the customs of Almakia. There has never been a similar record throughout our laudable History...
And the text went on, counting on the likely advances that the union of the two strongest Realms could bring.
But Garo-lin could no longer read, and the information on that piece of paper seemed to be being tossed back and forth inside her head, as if she was in a Nanfan Storm.
Kandara Dul'Maojin was dead, and it was official.
The Dragons had lost their titles and were wanted as enemies of Almakia.
Kidari had fallen into the hands of the Lady of the Fire Capital and was at the mercy of her plans.
The Fire Dragon was going to marry her.
— What do we do?! Sumerin's worried question made her wake up and realize that the reaction of the others was a mixture of worry and wonder.
— We need to talk to Kris! – Said Benar urgently, then asked her – Can you do that, Garo-lin?
Automatically, she placed his hand on the glass ball that was stored in his pocket. All the while she had not dared to take her. Though she now knew that it was just wanting to communicate with the Fire Dragon, did not have the courage to try to call him.
— We need to know about him – Sumerin explained best, in the face of her visible hesitation. – We already know that the Lady of the Fire Capital was able to put Almakia against us. We need to know what he's doing, to take a stand.
Garo-lin took the ball out of his pocket and just stared at it, rocking.
With everything that had happened since he'd left Godan, he had clung to Kandara with absolute certainty that she could help. Now that this hope had been lost, I could not judge what should be done.
— I... I need to think about my village – she declared. – How will they stay now? Kandara was trying to help me. You have your problems, which are proportionally incomparable with ours. If...
— If you go after of the Fire Dragon, who will help you? – Nu'lian completed his sentence, showing that he perfectly understood her dilemma, and then said to the others – We can not arrest her with us if we can not support her.
— Now that I know what really is behind the pirate siege, I'm not afraid to use my almaki power to defend Godan. I need to get back.
They looked at each other, as if deciding what to do. Benar, having the ability to assess the situation around him, captured what everyone thought was the best thing to do and announced to her:
— Escort her to the limits of the Inland Valley is all we can do right now. Then we'll try to talk to Kris, and somehow we'll come back to help her, Garo-lin. It will not be so easy for us to go unnoticed by the Lady of the Fire Capital, but we will find a way. After all, they may have taken our titles, but we do not know not to be Dragons.
— I'll go with her. – Kinaito announced – I no longer have the protection of Kandara, and surely the pirates will be after me in any city. I'll be more useful in the village of Garo-lin.
It was a fact and everyone evaluated his decision positively.
— Thank you, Kinaito. – Garo-lin thanked her, a little embarrassed, with a small flame of fire lighting inside her.
— So, let's wait for nightfall and we'll leave with the mimbelulas! – Benar began to formulate a plan. – So-ren can stay here and make sure this place does not arouse suspicion. It's good to keep a person on this base of the Royal Capital if someone from the Kandara's group comes to look for us.
— It was good that we exchanged the mombelula with those merchants from the port as soon as we arrived – the Metal Dragon commented to Garo-lin. – Mimbelulas are easier to handle in the event of a leak. You will not have any problems, Garo. We can set up a flight plan and...
— Krission is here – So-ren said, as if he had been evaluating the best time to speak all that time and could not find him.
— What?! – They all looked at her.
— That newspaper is from yesterday – he explained, pointing to the date printed on the headline of the newslet, a fact no one had ever attempted before, and continued. "I could not get a copy of today's. But the entire Royal Capital is commenting and gathering all the information, just listening on the streets. Today, at the end of the afternoon, a boat will depart to Beyond, taking the Fire Dragon and the Princess to Kodo.
Almakia_The vilashi and the Dragons Page 38