Dragon Bond

by Ruby Lionsdrake

  “You’re going to have to share some of your beans,” Sandirr said after an hour. They had made a dent in the pile, but still could not tell for certain that a tunnel entrance lay anywhere behind the mess. “Give us an extra boost of energy.”

  “I didn’t think anyone else liked eating the beans straight. Salena said she would rather lick rocks.”

  “Well, she has a lot to choose from if she’s interested in rocks. Right now, I’d eat a slug if it would give me some energy. I’m getting too old for this.”

  Zala paused to wipe her hand and dig into her stash. She dropped some beans into the palms of anyone who wanted them. Given how sweaty and grimy she was, she doubted those beans would taste that good, but nobody complained as they crunched them down.

  “You sure you don’t want me to blow up just a few rocks, ma’am?” Sergeant Tandoir asked. “Might be able to stick a blasting ball in the hole we’ve already made, muffle things a touch.”

  The others involved in digging looked at Zala hopefully.

  She might have ordered them to keep going as they were, but her storm sword had fallen quiescent, implying there were not any dragons within a couple of miles. Either they had all taken off after Talon, or they had flown up to their headquarters’ entrance, at the top of the mountain. A part of her did not care if it took a couple more hours, since dragons weren’t any more nocturnal than humans and might be more likely to be sleeping after midnight, but it was always possible one of the creatures would chance across them, and they were vulnerable out here. The tunnels might be small enough that the dragons could not follow, not without shape-shifting into something that should be less dangerous.

  “How muffled, Sergeant?” she asked.

  “You’ll barely hear it. It’ll be softer than one of Gartonoth’s farts.”

  “That’s not saying much,” another soldier grumbled. “Gartonoth can break glass with his butt bombs.”

  Zala rubbed her forehead. She’d heard far worse over the years, but she always wondered at men—and women—who didn’t think to edit their words somewhat around a superior officer.

  “Try it,” she said, “but make sure to save us some explosives for later. I’d hate to rely on Gartonoth to bring down the walls around the dragon headquarters.”

  Tandoir responded instantly, jumping for his pack. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He was soon scurrying into the hollow they had made. Hoping she hadn’t made a mistake, Zala ordered everyone to back up and did the same, finding a wide tree to stand behind.

  “General Shaylinor?” Vorkan called softly from beyond the dig site.

  “Here. What is it?” Had she been premature in ordering the explosives? “More trouble?”

  “I’m not sure. Probably.” Vorkan pushed through the foliage, locating Zala by the light of her sword. “I rounded the base of the mountain and climbed up a tall tree to get myself a view of their cave entrance up at the top. Or at least the general area. It’s a good two or three thousand feet to the peak, but I could see their entrance because it’s all lit up with some magical silver glow.”

  “I suppose that means at least some dragons are still awake up there.”

  “A lot of them, ma’am. I was able to see a number of them flying into the cave. In the fifteen minutes I watched, they came in singles and pairs, at least twenty of them. I have no idea how many entered before I got up there.”

  “Twenty? Damn. There are only twenty in an entire cohort.” Zala raised her voice to call, “Sandirr? Salena? Come over here.”

  “Even with our entire unit and more storm sword wielders, we would be hard-pressed to deal with an entire cohort,” Vorkan continued when the others joined them. “And there could be more in there. Dozens, if not hundreds.”

  “Hundreds,” Zala said, feeling numb. “Our experts estimate their entire population is only about five hundred. If it was much higher...” She almost said that humans would have been entirely wiped from the face of the continent by now, but that was hardly a heartening thing to bring up. Besides, it wasn’t as if they were thriving as it was. Everyone here knew how much the last five years had taken from them. Her people had storm swords now, which they hadn’t had in the beginning, and they’d had some luck doing damage with black powder bombs, but those first couple of years had been devastating.

  “That many dragons can’t be here because of us or because of your prisoner,” Sandirr said.

  “No,” Zala said. “We may have lucked into some meeting.”

  “Lucked, ma’am?” Vorkan used the tip of his bow to scratch his head.

  “This could be a chance to strike at a lot of them at once.”

  Sandirr grunted. “Or for us to get killed extremely quickly.”

  “I ordered Sergeant Tandoir to bring all of his explosives along in the hope of bringing down their headquarters, maybe with a few key personnel in it,” Zala said. “I figured we would still have to fight, probably buy time for him to set up something, but I assumed all along that we would face impossible odds.”

  Sandirr regarded the rockfall where Tandoir was working. “Are we sure a mountain of falling rubble would kill a dragon?”

  “They’re not immortal.”

  “Damned near.”

  “At the least, we would make them fear us and deprive them of their headquarters. It’s more of a blow than we’ve ever managed to strike.” Zala clenched a fist. “Even if none of us make it out, that blow would be worth it.”

  Sandirr sighed. “Maybe so. But I’m planning to make it out.”

  She smiled. “Good.”

  “Gen’ral?” Tandoir called. “I’m ready.”

  Zala rested her hand on her sword. It lay quiet. Still no dragons nearby. Those flying into the main entrance were too far away to disturb the blade. Zala had no idea how long it would take them to wind their way through the tunnels inside the mountain and find a way to the top, even with Talon’s map in her mind, so they had better not delay. Whatever was going on up there, it would likely happen soon.

  “Blow it up, Sergeant,” she said.

  Chapter 16

  Talon? a voice spoke into his mind.

  He had just dropped off Zala’s soldier at a quiet pool at the far end of the jungle valley, and the man was sitting on a rock, apparently waiting for Talon to leave before limping off to who knew where. Some hidden human settlement, likely. The man had been an amiable enough passenger, thanking him frequently for helping, though he had hissed often at the pain in his leg. Once, the soldier had groaned and his limbs had loosened, causing him to slip. Talon had worried he would pass out and not be able to hang on. Talon had never carried a human that way before and did not know how to make the experience easier. He’d hoped that Zala would be the first one to ride on his back.

  Merathosius! Talon responded. You’re alive.

  Yes, I’m a faster flyer than Semptrusis. Once we got out of the trees, she couldn’t keep up with me. She did injure me, however, and now I’m stuck in the valley until I heal and am fit to join the unit again. I’m a little fortunate that she was far more interested in killing you than me.

  Do you know why? Talon searched the sky for his old comrade as he sprang from a boulder and into the night. He would not go far—he did not want to risk heading back to Zala’s team and turning dragon interest toward them. But he figured he should leave the soldier alone so he could sneak off to his secret spot. When I was a prisoner in the mine, Hul could have killed me any time, but he didn’t. Why does he want me dead now?

  From what I was able to gather, which is mostly speculation because nobody tells lieutenants anything, the king was content to have you in the mine, assuming you’d get sick of it eventually and ask to return. He didn’t want to lose his first commander, and he never wanted you dead. But there were spies in that mine, humans who serve our people, and some of them hid when General Shaylinor was freeing people. They reported back that you had willingly gone with the humans. Merath’s tone held a question. Was he wondering
about this himself?

  So, because they led me away by my collar, Hul wants me dead now? Talon asked. How could he know if I went voluntarily?

  He hasn’t forgotten your words from the last time you reported in, sir. That you were sympathetic to the humans. I think he believed you would give intelligence to our enemies.

  Talon did not know how to respond since that was exactly what he was doing. Would Merath ever understand?

  You’re not, though, are you, sir? They just captured you, and you couldn’t escape. But then you found a way to free yourself, and you’re... what are you doing now, sir? There are confusing reports coming in. Something about you attacking the chamber guards.

  Yes, I escaped. The chamber guards attacked me first, without ever asking anything of me, only making assumptions. Hul could have had me back if he had worked with me, and if he hadn’t left me in that mine to be tortured for a year.

  Tortured, sir? He said you were simply working.

  Tortured, Talon thought firmly, memories of Scarkoft’s cruel attentions flashing into his mind, even though he did not share those details with Merath. I do not know if Hul ordered it or simply allowed it or if he ignored it. But I will not forgive him for turning on me over a difference of opinion. He has made an enemy of me.

  Sir... I can understand resenting him, but it’s not wise to defy him openly. You’re not the only one who he’s made disappear this last year. Anyone who opposes him is in danger. There were others who did not feel he had the right to call himself king, and now that he’s trying to have himself declared a god like Malconoisthar and Jememeniah, there are—

  A god? Talon nearly fell out of the air.

  Yes, you hadn’t heard that?

  I’ve heard nothing.

  Hul says that because this is a new world, the old gods did not come with us, and it’s up to us to establish new ones. He is a distant descendant of Malconoisthar—that was why he could claim kingship, or so he said—and he thinks that and the fact that he built the portal that brought us here means he should rule all.

  You can’t be a living god. That’s blasphemy.

  Many believe as you do, sir. There’s a forum meeting in the mountain headquarters in the morning with the dragon commanders, the priests, and others who can make the same blood claims as Hul can. They’re pressuring Hul for a vote.

  Realization dawned as fresh raindrops fell from the clouds, spattering Talon on the head. That’s why there are so many dragons in the valley right now.

  Yes and no. That’s why there are so many in Mount Slash, in addition to the usual chamber guards. You’re the reason that so many are hunting in the valley though. I think Hul believes you plan to show up at the forum and speak against him.

  Speak against him? I want to sink my fangs into his throat.

  Sir... Please don’t say such things to me. I have an oath to my new commander and to the king. I risked much to speak with you, to come for you the other day.

  I know you did, and I appreciate that. But listen, Merath. It wouldn’t be the first time that dragons have fought over the succession or chosen to assassinate or dethrone a poor king. You can’t be shocked by my words.

  Not shocked, sir. I just don’t know if—sir, I’m not sure I’m ready to choose. If Hul comes out on top—I’m sorry. Maybe it’s cowardly, but I don’t want to be a hunted outcast. I’ve just been promoted to sub-commander. I am well respected by the other warriors, and I’m not even sure what you’re fighting for. I understand hating Hul, but if you’re protecting humans—known enemies like General Shaylinor… I don’t get it, sir.

  It’s all right. I understand. I don’t want you to give up the life you’ve made for yourself. Talon could not ask that of Merath or any of his former men. He had chosen to turn rebel—traitor. To take others along would be selfish. I appreciate you taking the risk to inform me. If I’m caught and tortured, I’ll speak nothing of your visit.

  Sir... Merath might object to the idea of Talon being tortured, but he did not say anything else about it. He merely sighed into Talon’s mind and said, I have to go.

  I understand. I wish you well. Talon almost added a warning to Merath to stay out of the mountain that night, but he couldn’t. That would put Zala at risk, and he would not do that, not even for his old comrade.

  As it was, he worried that Zala was walking into more trouble than either of them had imagined. All of the important and powerful dragons would be arriving, or would have already arrived, for that forum. Her little team couldn’t win against so many.

  Talon banked and flew back toward Mount Slash. He had to risk getting close enough again to warn her of this development.

  Chapter 17

  Zala lost all track of time as they walked through the maze of tunnels inside the bowels of Mount Slash, tunnels she had known nothing about before the dragons had claimed this place for themselves. Sergeant Tandoir’s explosives had worked, blowing out the jumble of dirt and broken rock and revealing an entrance that had been there all along.

  Faded cave paintings lined the sides of the tunnel, and in many places, alcoves had been chiseled in the limestone. In some of the recesses, broken pieces of pottery and yellowed bones lay scattered about. Talon had mentioned that the dragons had some slaves that used these tunnels, or had at some earlier point, but Zala suspected these remains long pre-dated the dragon occupation. Perhaps, they pre-dated many of the human cities and settlements on the continent.

  An archaeologist would find the tunnels fascinating, but Zala only found herself loathing them as her team continued on and on. They were climbing, but the angle did not seem steep enough to get them closer to the top of the mountain in a timely manner. What if this journey up to the headquarters took days—or weeks—instead of the hours she had anticipated?

  “Were you this far in before?” Zala asked Sandirr as the group trudged onward.

  “No. We didn’t get nearly this deep into the mountain before we were discovered.” Sandirr slanted a guarded look toward her. “Are you sure of the way? So far, you haven’t hesitated at the intersections, but there have been more than a few.”

  “I’m oddly sure of the way, yes. Talon put his own memories of the place into my mind. And actually—” Zala eyed a few stalactites dangling in front of a limestone waterfall that seemed to have poured from the ceiling before being frozen in place. “There’s a trap coming up soon.”

  “Good to know. I think.”

  “Stay back. I’ll lead the way. There’s a way past it.” Zala jogged forward, caught up with Vorkan and gave him the same information and the same order.

  She strode up an arching bridge that crossed a chasm, a chasm so deep that neither the grayish light from her storm sword, nor the yellow flames from the lanterns her team had lit could reach the bottom. The bridge appeared to be a natural formation, but Talon’s memories showed that his people had altered it, cutting a lengthy piece out of the top of the arch. It appeared normal to her eyes now, but she eased forward, poking at the rock ahead with the toe of her boot. She felt foolish until her toe encountered empty space. It brushed straight through the stone, as easily as it would pass through empty space.

  “There’s a gap?” Sandirr came up, crouched beside her, and squinted at the illusion. “Do you know how far it goes?”

  “Too far to jump.”

  Zala called for a rope and made a lasso, which she tossed a few times, finally managing to loop it over a broken pillar that thrust up from the ledge on the far side of the chasm. There weren’t any higher formations that she might have used, so they could swing across. This would have to do.

  “Wait here for me to throw it back,” she told those behind her, then tugged several times, throwing her weight against the rope to make sure it would hold. She also made Sandirr, who was heavier, test it. Then, with her heart pounding loudly enough that she heard it against her eardrums, she stepped off the bridge.

  Someone behind her gasped, and then the wind whistling past her ears stole any
other sounds.

  The rope made her fall toward the chasm wall instead of straight down, and that wall came up quickly. She bent her knees, trying to adjust her swing so her feet would strike first. They did, and the landing was jarring, but she kept her grip and soon perched on the side of the wall like a spider. A spider with a rope. She used it to help her climb toward the ledge more than forty feet above her. The pack that she had barely noticed when they were walking felt far more significant as she ascended, but she was conscious of all of her troops watching, and that gave her extra strength—the strength that came from the desire not to embarrass herself. This was not as easy as it would have been twenty years before, but she gritted her teeth and steadily climbed.

  By the time she made it to the top, her forearms were quivering, but she pulled herself over the edge before their strength gave out. She shook them out, pulled up the rope, and tied a rock to the end as a weight. She carried it as far out onto the bridge as she could before the ground was cut away, then tossed it across to Sandirr.

  “This will take a while,” he said.

  “I know. I’ll look around.”

  Sandirr frowned at her. He probably hadn’t intended for her to traipse off on her own. She would not go far.

  The mouths of three dark tunnels opened up from the ledge on this side of the chasm, the openings much larger than the passages they had been walking through earlier. A prick of unease stirred the hairs on the back of her neck. Dragons wouldn’t be able to fly through them, but the large creatures could certainly walk through them, at least in this area.

  “Maybe they narrow farther up the way,” Zala muttered, holding her sword aloft as she peered into each of them.

  Of course, if a dragon shape-shifted, he or she could enter any of the passages that humans could fit through—and maybe even ones they couldn’t. Still, she assumed they did not regularly come into these tunnels, since their natural size precluded it.