Devarius shook his head.
“Especially one that breathes fire! Now that is what I call fun!”
Devarius continued walking.
“What, do you not think it would be fun?” Paedyn asked.
“Perhaps a little.”
“Only a little?”
“Paedyn, I made you something.” Devarius turned around to hand an object to Paedyn.
Paedyn took it in his hands and looked at it. He tilted his head to the right, and then to the left before scratching his head. It was a flat piece of wood with a thin stick protruding out of its center, and a white piece of cloth at its tip.
“What is it?” Paedyn asked.
“It’s a toy boat.”
Paedyn’s chin dipped to his chest and his eyebrows raised into his hairline. “This?” he paused, “is a toy boat?”
“Yes. You can set it in a pond and the wind will blow the sail.”
Paedyn laughed.
“Don’t you like it?” Devarius asked.
“This is a piece of wood with a stick.”
“And a sail,” Devarius said. “I told you I would get you a toy boat … well, here you go.”
“No.” Paedyn shook his head. “This is a piece of wood. We saw a beautiful toy boat in Trevium, but you said I couldn’t have it. That was a toy boat, and that is what you need to make for me.”
“I can’t make something that nice,” Devarius said.
“Well, then you’re just going to have to find someone who can.”
Devarius rolled his eyes. “That’s the last time I make something for you.”
Paedyn tucked the boat into his bag.
“You’re keeping it?” Devarius asked.
“Well, sure. When I get a real toy boat, I’ll use your stick to race it.”
“Do you guys always talk like this?” Lilianya asked.
“Sometimes,” Paedyn said.
“Yes,” Devarius said.
They continued most of the day into the wilderness. There were only six of them in total, but Ayla and Pyro also accompanied them. Pyro was further back, watching them from behind. He also didn’t want to be too close to the front to scare the drakes away.
Before nightfall, they found the tracks of the drakes. Lilianya confirmed they were the drakes. They compared the prints with the size of Ayla’s foot, and they were similar in size, though a bit smaller. Ayla, by comparison to other wyverns, was nearly full-grown.
Devarius took over the scouting as he followed the tracks. They had planned to sleep the night and search for the drakes in the morning, but Devarius was too excited. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep no matter what with them being so close to the giant lizards. Not everyone was as excited as him, but several of the others wanted to finish the quest so they could return home. Devarius pushed on, and instead of making camp, they followed tracks deep into the night. The red sun had set, and the two moons filled the sky.
“Devarius,” Lilianya said. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to find them tonight. We best take a rest and search in the morning.”
He frowned as he looked back at her. At first, he wanted to pay her words little mind, but as he looked at the rest of his companions, he noticed their haggard faces. Relenting, he took a step toward his companions. A growl filled the night air. He paused, his eyes glowing alight with excitement.
“Lizards?” Paedyn asked.
Devarius grinned. “Lizards.”
Without waiting to see if anyone was going to follow him, Devarius began running forward. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, but otherwise, he made no other sign a weapon was needed. He turned around a corner and saw three drakes fighting over a desert mouse. The three drakes stopped eating as they turned to look at him.
Devarius gently moved his hand away from the hilt of the sword. He held out both his hands in front of him. The drakes cautiously approached him.
“I mean you no harm,” Devarius said.
The drake closest to him, with green scales, sniffed his fingers, then opened its mouth and attempted to bite his hand. Devarius jerked his hand back, then the other two came after him. Stepping backward, he unsheathed his sword. The others unsheathed their weapons and came to stand with Devarius. Another ten drakes appeared out of the darkness, approaching the others from behind.
“Ayla?” Devarius asked. “Can you communicate with these creatures?”
I’m trying. They don’t want to listen, or perhaps, they cannot understand me.
“Do you feel anything at all?”
They recognize my mind touching theirs, but they’re recoiling against it.
“Lovely,” Devarius muttered.
“What’s the plan?” Paedyn asked, his rapier held steady in front of his face.
“Survive,” Devairus said.
“I love a good plan,” Paedyn said.
The drakes charged. Devarius slashed and cut, his blade deflecting jaw and talon alike. It didn’t take long for the drakes to begin trying to use their abilities. Fire erupted, and Paedyn laughed, gleeful to see the flames. Ice formed on the ground from a few missed blocks of the ice drake.
Devarius took a step from the battle, watching with mild interest. Paedyn, of course, took on the fire drake. At first, he rolled his eyes as he watched Paedyn at first fight the beast, then maneuver himself onto the creature, riding him like a horse. After a few strong bucks, where the drake tried to throw Paedyn off of it, it slowed and accepted Paedyn on its back. Paedyn petted the drake behind the ears.
“Paedyn?’ Devarius asked.
“What?” Paedyn asked.
“You’re riding a drake.”
Paedyn grinned. “I told you I wanted to ride a giant lizard.”
“How did you get it to let you ride it?” Lilianya asked.
She was struggling to keep her defense up against a gold drake.
“Like a horse. You have to show it you can handle it. Then, compassion will go a long way.”
For the next hour, each person tried to tame the drake they fought. It took a lot of work at first, and even after a few of them were able to get on the back of a drake, it took a while longer for the drake to seem unbothered by the riders.
Once everyone mounted a drake, they changed their attention to directing the creatures. It still had a mind of its own and wasn’t quite as easy as directing a horse, though, most horses were tame and not wild. Devarius knew it would take some time, but now—he knew it was possible. Instead of breeding horses, could he breed drakes?
Chapter 38
Tynaer watched the city. His cloak black cloak fluttered in the wind. The city was calm and quiet. He liked it that way. Still, he was ready for anything. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. He kept his eyes alert. The last time he slipped in his duties, Paedyn had nearly paid for it with hils life. Tynaer didn’t plan to let that happen again. This time, the dragomen were secure in the wyvern camp, but he still checked on them every morning and night. Each time he did, he did a headcount. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the wyverns, but he didn’t trust the dragomen. If one of them got crafty, and slipped away, he would hold himself liable for any damage.
Unlike most other people, Tynaer enjoyed the winter. When they had stayed in the mountains in Saefron, he’d been comfortable. The mountains always had a little bit of snow on them except in the midst of summer. He relaxed slightly and moved his hand from his sword to place both arms behind his back where he crossed them. Tynaer paced the city. He did it every day. It was like routine, but he didn’t stick to any type of routine. He made sure he traveled a different path through the city every day. To him, his job was important. It could mean life or death for any one person, and he didn’t want that on his conscious. Not after he had failed his family.
A ship landed on the eastern coast. Tynaer headed for it, his hand back on his hilt. No one had been foolish enough to travel the western sea, but he still wanted to check every ship that came in. It was more supplies from the main land. Tynae
r and the others wished they had enough supplies from Adeth Peak Isle that they wouldn’t have to gather supplies from Kaeldroga, but it was enviadible. There weren’t enough resources on the small island. Every trip back and forth was another opportunity for the empire to find them. He didn’t like opportunities. At least not for the empire. This time was different. The ship had barely docked, when a man rushed out and toward Tynaer. Moving his hand from his sword to his dagger, he unsheathed it and brought it up to meet the boy’s throat as he reached the captain.
“Morning,” Tynaer said.
The boy gulped.
Tynaer had seen him before. The young man had been a great help, despite his young age. He was but twelve. However, he was the man of the house now. The empire had slaughtered his father and eldest brother. He now took care of his mother and youngest sister. The boy had taken extra responsibility to help the resistance as well as his family, by joining the convoys to Kaeldroga to gather supplies.
“What has you in such a hurry?” Tynaer asked.
“I have urgent news.” The boy gulped again. “Is Devarius here?”
Tynaer shook his head. “He has left into the mountains.”
“Paedyn?”
Tynaer huffed. “He left with Devarius.”
“Who does that leave in charge?” the boy asked.
“Me,” Tynaer growled.
“Sorry, milord. I have urgent news.”
“What news?” Tynaer asked.
“Could you move your dagger please?” the boy asked.
Tynaer scowled, but removed the dagger from the boy’s throat and sheathed it once more.
“I have a letter from the resistance enclave in Vaereal.”
“What does it say?” Tynaer asked.
“I don’t know,” the boy admitted.
“You don’t know?” Tynaer growled. “Then what prompted you to come charge like a raging bull to deliver this letter?”
The boy gulped. He seemed to be doing an awfully lot of gulping.
“I heard some things.”
“What things?” Tynaer asked.
“The talk around the city is that the empire has been attacking the northern cities, searching for the resistance.”
Tynaer furrowed his brows.
“And the word is,” the boy continued, “is they are heading south. Everyone in Vaereal is terrified.”
Tynaer snatched the parchment from the boy’s hands. His hands quivered as he held it. It was the moment he’d been waiting for. Battle. Real battle. But, were they ready? Tynaer debated for several long moments whether to wait on Devarius to open the scroll. He dared not wait. He broke the wax seal and read it.
The empire approaches to pillage and destroy the southern cities. Whether they know where the resistance is or not. They are furious over a stone, and are raging the countryside in search of it and the resistance.
The south is taking a stand. All cities have allied. And they are reaching out to all villagers and city folk for information about the resistance. Not to give the empire away, but to fight back. They want an alliance. I believe this is genuine, and I fear if you do not come to aid, there will be little remaining.
-C
Tynaer read it over and over again. He knew who C was. The person was a good judge of character, and if he believed the request for help was genuine, then Tynaer was inclined to feel the same. They needed help. But, were they ready? And if they took a stand, where would that leave them?
“Thank you,” Tynaer said.
“What are we going to do?” the boy asked.
“We’re going to wait.”
“Wait?” the boy asked.
“We need Devarius to return before we can decide anything. But, if I were you, I’d begin preparing.”
The boy grinned.
Tynaer paced back and forth for a long while before he decided he needed fresh air. Funny that, he was standing outside breathing all the fresh air he could want. But he needed a breeze; he needed to walk.
Taking a deep breath, he strolled over to the meadow by the city where the spell casters practiced. He watched for a moment, smiling slightly.
Zaviana turned to look at him. Surprise filled her face. Tynaer would stop there sometimes, but he’d never linger. He tilted his head backward and to the left, signaling her to come speak to him. She turned her instruction over to Naveen.
When Zaviana approached, she was patting down her pants with her hands. She ran her fingers through her long black hair, pushing it behind her brown ears.
“Good afternoon, captain,” she said. “What can I do for you?”
He looked around, his eyes searching for prying ears. Still feeling too close to everyone, he stepped back a few feet.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
“The empire is coming,” he said.
Her eyes bulged. “Here?”
“No. Not here.”
Tynaer passed her the scroll.
Zaviana read it over with wide eyes, blinked, then read it again. When she looked up at him, her mouth was open, her chin nearly touching the ground.
“Do you think your brother will go to their aid?” Tynaer asked.
Zaviana bit her lip. “He’d be cautious, but yes, I do believe he’d try to help.”
Tynaer nodded. “I suspected as much, but I have a more important question.”
Zaviana turned her head to the side, ready to listen.
“Are we ready?” he asked.
She spun her head around to study the spell casters. They had improved, but a few still made mistakes. Her shoulders sank a little bit. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 39
Devarius let a warm smile come across his face as he entered the city again. He’d only been gone for a day to the mountains in the north, but he was still grateful to be back nonetheless. One thing his journey to the northern island of Dragonia and through the city of Melonia showed him, was how much he missed his friends, and his home. One day, he’d like home to be one location and not what felt like a constant moving obstacle. Yet, every day, they grew closer and closer to being able to defeat the empire.
The red sun hung halfway in the sky, and even though it was only midday, Devarius was exhausted. He almost marched home to take a nap, but before he could decide on a course of action, Tynaer appeared.
The captain rushed forward at a faster pace than normal and Devarius wondered what was wrong. A parchment was held tightly in the captain’s fingers while his other hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Devarius glanced at the hilt, then to the parchment.
“Is everything all right, Tynaer?”
The captain handed the parchment over to Devarius.
“Vaereal requests aid.”
Devarius’ eyes bulged. “Requests aid?”’
Tynaer nodded. “The northern cities have been set to ruin by the Dragonia Empire. They’re angry and they’re after the resistance. The problem is, no one knows where we are, and so they’re killing everyone in their path in order to find us.”
Devarius bit his lip. “Are we sure this isn’t a trap?”
“Read the letter. It’s from a trusted agent in Vaereal.”
“Wasn’t Lilianya an agent in Vaereal?” Paedyn asked, who appeared behind Devarius, his hand resting on Devarius’ shoulder.
“Yes, yes she was,” Tynaer said.
“Can she vouch for this person?”
“I’m sure she would.”
Paedyn grinned. “I’m convinced. Shall we go help them?”
Devarius scratched his chin. “There are two ways this could be a trap. Either the city is spreading misinformation to lure us out of hiding to fight the empire so they can turn us in. Or, the Dragonia Empire is trying to lure us out by attacking innocent lives.”
“So, really,” Paedyn said, “no matter what, it’s a trap. Oh well, let’s live a little.”
“We can’t just ran over there to join a fight we know nothing about,” Devarius said.
“Sure we c
an. That’s what we do, isn’t it? Especially with fire.” Paedyn grinned.
“Are we to not help those in need then?” Tynaer asked. “This is why the resistance was created to begin with. To fight against the tyrannical empire who threatens everyone on Kaeldroga.”
“You know it’s not that, Tynaer,” Devarius said. “I want to help, but if we do, we need to be smart about this. We need a second opinion. One of us should travel to Vaereal and perhaps a few of the other cities. Perhaps then we can get a feel for the total impact of this attack, and which side we need to be cautious of. If the cities are legitimate in their desire to ally with us, this could be the most important alliance for the resistance, and the most important battle.”
“I agree,” Tynaer said. “But who do we send? I don’t think you should go. If we need to prepare, you need to be here.”
Devarius nodded.
“I’ll go,” Paedyn said.
Devarius tilted his head. “Are you sure? This could be a trap.”
Paedyn grinned. “I don’t mind traps. I’ll take my wyvern. If they try anything, we have fire. And besides, I’ve been trapped here on the island forever playing the leader. It’s my turn for an adventure.”
Devarius nodded. “It should go without saying what I’ll need you to do.”
“Talk to the leaders of Vaereal to find if they’re being forthcoming about wanting to ally with us. Spy on them to make sure they revealed the truth. Spy on a few of the other villages and cities to see if they’re on board with the alliance as well, perhaps talk with them. Do some exploration and research to find out how far away the empire is from reaching the south and how much time we have.”
Devarius nodded.
“And look at toy boats at the wood shop.”
Devarius raised his brows.
“Well, only if there’s time.”
“While you take care of that, I’m going to prepare everyone here for battle. If you return with news that there is no trap, we’ll leave straight away. I’ll make sure all the ships are ready,” Devarius said.
“What if it is a trap?” Tynaer said.
Devarius raised a brow.
“What if the southern cities are trying to bring us out so they can turn us in as an attempt to save their own lives from the marching empire? Can we condemn them for trying to save themselves?” Tynaer asked.
Dragonia: Dragon Stone (Dragonia Empire Book 3) Page 16