The Dragonslayer Series: Books 1-4: The Dragonslayer Series Box Set

by Resa Nelson

  Astrid glanced back at the Iron Maidens riding behind her.

  I won't let them die. I know they can fend for themselves, but if they need help I will be there for them. And maybe someday they can come to Guell.

  A few days ago, Thorda made it clear the Iron Maidens would stay in the Midlands and fight the Krystr soldiers to prevent them from taking over more territory.

  Astrid promised to stay until they'd recruited enough men from the Upper Midlands to stand and fight with them. Once their numbers grew strong enough, Astrid planned to cross the sea separating the Upper Midlands from the Northlands and spread the word to warn all Northlanders of what might come if the Iron Maidens and Upper Midlanders failed to keep Mandulane and his men at bay.

  Astrid became aware of a heated argument behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed Kikita and Banshi talking in their native Far Easterner language. Astrid caught Thorda's worried gaze. “What's wrong?” Astrid said.

  Thorda shook her head. “I do not know their words.” Thorda kicked her heels into her horse's sides. She rode in front of the other women and blocked their progress. To Kikita and Banshi, Thorda called out, “What problem?”

  Kikita spoke for both of them. “We disagree. Banshi insists we should continue to the Upper Midlands. I believe we must reconsider.”

  “Reconsider?” Astrid said. “Why?

  Kikita pointed to the skies above. “Look at the omen.”

  It seemed as if all the Iron Maidens held their breath at once, staring up at the threatening clouds that looked close enough to touch.

  The clouds reminded Astrid of the way Fee and Glee had transformed into shadowy smoke and vanished first through the floorboards of their cottage and then out the smoke hole in their roof when Krystr soldiers invaded their home in search of the alchemists. Had they died and turned into smoke? Or had they somehow escaped?

  Could it be them?

  Astrid touched her pouch and felt for the stone of darkness inside. Fee and Glee had been on verge of explaining the stone and its use when they'd been attacked by the Krystr soldiers.

  Have they come back to help me?

  Thorda shrugged. “It means nothing. Just clouds. Sometimes clouds come before summer.”

  “No,” Kikita said, looking to Astrid as if seeking confirmation. “These clouds are peculiar. It is a sign, and we must heed the warning given us.”

  Banshi spoke up, gesturing first at the sky and then at the road ahead. Although no one but Kikita understood the meaning of her words, everyone knew what Banshi wanted.

  “If we wait, the Krystr soldiers find us,” Thorda said with conviction. “We go to Upper Midlands.”

  “Who made you the Maidenhead?” Kikita said.

  Thorda and the other Maidens who understood the Northlander language looked at Kikita in confusion. “What?” Thorda said.

  “You may have been one of the best swordswomen when we studied with Vinchi,” Kikita said. “But you are not our leader. The most experienced one among us is Astrid. Therefore, she is the Maidenhead. She must make the final decision.”

  Astrid looked from Kikita to Thorda, wondering how the Midlander would respond to the Far Easterner's declaration.

  Thorda pressed her lips together in frustration for a moment, and then turned to Astrid. “Do we wait or go?”

  There it is. Whether I want the honor or not, I seem to have become the Maidenhead.

  Astrid gazed up at the sky for a few moments, as if looking at it long enough would allow her to gain new insight. But the clouds simply kept rolling, seemingly oblivious to the women. Astrid wondered if those clouds might be Fee and Glee watching over the Iron Maidens. And maybe even guiding them.

  “We keep going,” Astrid said.

  Kikita looked away in disappointment. Watching Kikita's reaction, Banshi smiled.

  CHAPTER 44

  A few hours later, the women spotted a coastal town in the distance.

  “Hagentown,” Thorda said to Astrid when they and the rest of the Iron Maidens dismounted and gathered to decide how to move forward. “It is lowest town in Upper Midlands by long lake. Opens to sea.”

  It took Astrid a moment to realize she knew what Thorda meant. DiStephan had often told Astrid about these lands and mentioned a lake running through the Upper Midlands and emptying into the sea.

  Banshi spoke passionately, gesturing ahead.

  “She believes we should waste no time.” Kikita looked down at the ground.

  “Tell her the Maidenhead disagrees,” Astrid said.

  Kikita looked up sharply, and the hint of a smile tugged at one corner of her mouth.

  Astrid looked at the women circled around her. “We don't know if the men in this town will believe we can fight. They might laugh at us.” She paused to give some women, like Kikita, time to translate her words into whatever language the others understood. “The worst thing we can do is ride into town and claim to be warrior women. We must think of a reason why a group of women would travel together and present ourselves that way.”

  Thorda frowned. “Lie to men who can help us?”

  “Not lie,” Astrid said. “Let's present ourselves in a way that won't make them dismiss us. Let them believe what they want to believe about us at first. We need time to learn who the best men are. We’ll have a better chance of convincing them we can fight together.”

  “What will they think when we ride into their town dressed like men and bearing weapons?” Kikita said.

  Shouting something Astrid couldn't understand, Banshi strode back toward her horse, mounted, and raced toward Hagentown.

  “No!” Astrid called out, but Banshi kept riding.

  When Kikita dashed to mount her horse, Astrid faced Thorda.

  “Keep the others here,” Astrid said. “If we don't return by sunset, leave this place without us.”

  Making sure no one followed, Astrid jumped on her horse and rode to catch up with Kikita and Banshi, coughing when she breathed the clouds of dust kicked up by their animals.

  They neared the edge of town, lined with stone walls separating the village from the outer fields of grazing cows. Kikita urged her horse to overtake Banshi. Kikita stole Banshi’s reins and slowed their horses to a halt.

  Astrid caught up with them.

  Banshi cried out, trying to grab the reins of her own horse out of Kikita's hands.

  When Astrid neared the Far Easterners, something at the edge of the Hagentown caught her attention.

  Not far ahead, the road led into the town. Dozens of men and women thronged the streets in the distance. Their own chatter made them oblivious to the presence of the Iron Maidens on the outskirts of town.

  However, a small gathering of women engulfed in white cloaks made their way through the crowds.

  The sun suddenly broke through the parting clouds, shining on the townspeople.

  In the unexpected sunlight, the blue legs of the white-cloaked women glowed brightly.

  CHAPTER 45

  “They're here,” Astrid said, her throat tightening in horror. “Mandulane's Krystr soldiers have taken over the Upper Midlands.”

  Kikita looked up sharply, following Astrid's gaze. “I don't see any soldiers.”

  “Look at that group of women in the white cloaks. Look at their legs. Those women belong to Mandulane. Or his men. Or both.” Astrid frowned. As always, she longed to help his women, but she'd already learned they didn't respond to any help she offered. She didn't want to give up on trying to reach them, but now wasn't the time.

  Banshi leaned in a vain attempt to take her horse's reins back from Kikita, whose face paled when she stared at the women in the distance. “We must retreat,” Kikita said.

  “Yes,” Astrid said. “Now.”

  They rode back to rejoin the Iron Maidens. Kikita led Banshi's horse, and the other Far Eastern women protested all the way.

  Pulling up alongside Thorda, Astrid said, “We have to go somewhere else. They've already invaded this town.”

>   Thorda's face sagged. “Hagentown is gate to all of Upper Midlands. We have no other way.”

  Astrid pressed her lips together in frustration. “We have to go somewhere. Anywhere.” She cast a worried glance over her shoulder. “They may have seen us, Thorda. We should move fast.”

  Thorda nodded, making up her mind. “We can ride on lake beach but on other side.” She pointed at the shimmering lake lying to the west of Hagentown. “This side belongs to Upper Midlands. Other side belongs to Outer Midlands where land is harsh and few people live.” Thorda pointed down the road from which they'd come. “We go back. Path from road takes us to Lake of Wolf. Follow lake and it takes us to sea between Midlands and Northlands.”

  “Fine,” Astrid said. “Let's ride.”

  * * *

  While the women backtracked, Banshi continued complaining and pointing behind them toward Hagentown. She became more upset when they turned onto a path leading toward the lake.

  Astrid held back when the Iron Maidens rode single file onto the small path. She waited for Banshi and Kikita, who would be last in line. “What's wrong?”

  Kikita sighed. “She makes no sense. I've told her that Hagentown isn't safe for us, but she won't listen. She keeps insisting we go back.”

  Startled, Astrid turned her attention to Banshi. Pointing behind the woman, Astrid said, “Krystr.”

  Impassioned, Banshi babbled at Astrid, who understood nothing she said. Kikita interrupted, arguing with equal passion.

  “Keep moving,” Astrid said, gesturing for the Far Eastern women to follow the other maidens onto the path.

  Still holding the reins to Banshi's horse, Kikita urged her own to walk forward, forcing Banshi to follow.

  Astrid took a final look in the direction of Hagentown. As far as she could tell, either no one had noticed them or no one cared. All that mattered was putting as much distance as possible between the Iron Maidens and the men who would happily destroy them.

  * * *

  Traveling the narrow path made Astrid nervous. Most roads they'd used until now had been wide enough for the women to ride close together. But this looked like a path worn by local animals, winding aimlessly through the thick trees.

  Branches crowded each side of the path, scratching arms and legs easily. A faint scent of fish permeated the breeze blowing from the direction of the lake, but Astrid thought she tasted the tang of salt at the back of her throat. Was the lake made of seawater?

  With every minute that Banshi kept complaining, Astrid grew more worried. She'd already asked Kikita to quiet the other woman. Astrid worried about Banshi giving away their presence on this clandestine path. If someone in Hagentown had noticed them, Krystr soldiers might be in pursuit at this very moment. Although the women traveled west of the road leading to Hagentown, anyone on it would surely hear Banshi's sharp voice rising above the forest.

  Why wouldn't she be quiet?

  Suddenly, Banshi succeeded in yanking her horse's reins from Kikita's grip. Banshi kicked her heels into her horse’s sides and bolted out of sight.

  Kikita turned around, looking as surprised as Astrid felt.

  Walking her horse up into the empty space left by Banshi, Astrid saw another path branching off from theirs. Pointing at it, she said, “There!”

  “Where is she going?” Kikita said in astonishment.

  Banshi screamed.

  “Stay here!” Astrid told Kikita.

  Astrid swung one leg across her horse’s back then dismounted by jumping to the ground. Dashing onto the branching path, she yanked her leather gloves from where she kept them tucked under her belt. Astrid shoved the gloves on her hands.

  She first noticed Banshi's spooked horse backing up frantically, having no room to turn around. Diving into the brush at the side of the path to avoid the panicking animal, Astrid saw the Iron Maiden a short distance ahead.

  Banshi cowered as an adult lizard twice the size of her horse lowered itself to the ground, eyeing her with delight while it thrashed its tail from side to side.

  CHAPTER 46

  Wrapping her hand around Starlight's grip, Astrid cried out when she thundered forward, trying to draw the lizard's attention away from Banshi.

  Pale light dappling through the forest leaves gleamed off the scales covering the animal's body, shining gray and lavender and white. Its nostrils flared slightly while it breathed in Banshi's fear. Wood cracked loudly as it thrashed its long tail between the surrounding trees.

  Once Astrid neared them, she felt the lizard's warm and pungent breath hovering in the air between it and Banshi. Still yelling, Astrid drew Starlight from its sheath. With the flat of the blade, she raised the sword above her head and delivered a downward blow that smacked the lizard's nose, intending to stun it.

  Startled, the reptile flinched and its gaze darted toward Astrid.

  “Go back!” she called out to Banshi. Even though she knew the woman wouldn't understand her words, Astrid hoped she'd grasp the meaning and run.

  The lizard charged Astrid, its bowed legs moving surprising swift despite the way it dragged the backs of its paws against the ground with each step forward. The spittle hanging from its jaw swayed and its eyes seemed hungry.

  Having fought lizards in all kinds of conditions and terrains, Astrid quickly evaluated her options.

  This narrow path barely parted the dense trees and bushes of the forest. She had no place to run.

  But at her side stood a tree with low-hanging branches that spiraled around the trunk like stair steps. Keeping a tight grip on Starlight, Astrid hauled herself onto the lowest branch and then hopped onto one branch after another. She climbed up and around the trunk as the lizard crashed through the underbrush beneath her.

  With a quick glance, Astrid saw the animal positioned perfectly with its belly still dragging on the ground and its head facing away. She shifted her gloved hands to grip Starlight by its blade and then jumped off the tree branch.

  Landing on the lizard's back, Astrid shoved the tip of her sword through the vulnerable and unprotected back of its neck, pinning the creature to the ground.

  She held on tightly to the blade while the lizard struggled to free itself. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the animal sighed and collapsed. Astrid kept her gloved hands on the blade, waiting to feel a heartbeat make it tremble, but none came.

  She pulled Starlight free of the lizard's neck and wiped the blood off with a cloth she kept in the pouch hanging from her belt. Kneeling on the lizard's back, Astrid dried the polished iron blade before putting it back in the wool-lined sheath.

  Footsteps crashed through the brush ahead of her, coming from the main path the Iron Maidens had taken. Kikita came into view first, followed closely by Thorda. “Banshi,” Kikita said. “Where is she?”

  “What do you mean?” Astrid said, feeling a sudden tug of worry. “Didn't she run back?”

  Thorda cried out, pointing at the lizard.

  Astrid jumped to the ground from the lizard’s back. Following Thorda's shaking finger, Astrid saw Banshi pinned under the dead animal's paw.

  CHAPTER 47

  Astrid rushed to Banshi's side. The lizard had trapped the woman beneath one of its front legs when Astrid killed it. The bowed leg draped across Banshi's back, seeming to cradle her in the crook behind its knee.

  Careful to avoid the sharp curved talons on the creature's paw, Astrid touched Banshi's neck, grateful to feel it throb. “She's alive,” Astrid said in relief. Looking up at Kikita and Thorda, she said, “Why didn't she run back to you?”

  Banshi spoke, and all of the other women jumped in surprise at the sound of her voice.

  Astrid looked to Kikita to translate.

  “Vinchi trained us to fight men,” Kikita said quietly. “The dragon frightened Banshi. She'd never seen one before, and she found herself so terrified that she couldn't force herself to move.”

  The brush rustled as more of the Iron Maidens walked the narrow path toward them.

&nbs
p; “Come and help!” Astrid called.

  She directed the women to crowd around her, making certain they all steered clear of the lizard's talons. Together, they grasped and heaved the lizard's leg up in the air, allowing Kikita enough space to haul Banshi out from underneath its heavy weight.

  “Lower it slowly,” Astrid told them. “Be as mindful letting it down as you were when you picked it up.” With the other women's help, she eased the animal's leg back onto the ground.

  “Astrid,” Kikita said. “I believe everyone should stay where they are until you see this.”

  Frowning, Astrid squeezed her way out from the women crowded around her. She stepped behind a tree to get to the place where Kikita had pulled Banshi out from under the lizard's dead body.

  Banshi's eyelids fluttered.

  Kikita pointed to her arm. Banshi's torn shirt revealed a bleeding gash below her elbow.

  “The dragon bit her,” Kikita whispered. “She will be dead within days.”

  * * *

  Astrid's mind raced. This couldn't be happening. Not to one of the Iron Maidens.

  “It might not be a bite,” she told Kikita. “She will only die if its spittle gets into the wound.”

  Suddenly, Astrid remembered what had happened several weeks ago. Something surprising and unexpected. She resisted the urge to touch the pouch hanging from her belt.

  Would it be wise to reveal a secret about a power she didn't understand? Or should it remain a secret for now?

  Again, Banshi spoke, looking up at Kikita.

  The back of Astrid's throat tightened. For a moment she felt as if she could hardly breathe.

  She remembered Margreet and the words she'd spoken that Astrid had never understood. She missed the unlikely friendship in which they'd discovered themselves and how it ended too soon. Vinchi had loved Margreet and he still loved her by training the Iron Maidens to protect themselves against a cult that threatened to destroy their hearts and minds and spirits. How could Astrid let an Iron Maiden die?