Dragon Tide Omnibus 1

by Sarah K. L. Wilson

  Chapter Eight

  “Maybe they are sleeping,” I suggested. After all, they’d gone to a lot of trouble to get me here. You’d think that they would say something now. “Vyvera brought me to one of them but he died. I don’t remember his name, but maybe one of the other Troglodytes will mention it when they wake up.”

  “Lies!” Atura hissed, shooting a viperous look at me.

  Whatever I expected, it hadn’t been the reaction around me. They weren’t even listening to my words about Troglodytes or Vyvera.

  Mournful songs felled the air as the dragons poured out their sorrow, flaming – almost constantly into the air in between their moans of despair.

  I looked around me, edgy now at the change in atmosphere, recognizing the fact that one upset dragon could stumble at any time and accidentally step on me or sneeze and flame me to cinders. This was not a great time to be a human. Not at all.

  What were they so upset about? Maybe I should have broken the news about the dead Troglodyte a little more gently.

  There was a loud hiss from the throne and the flames slowly flickered out and the mournful song grew quiet. Smoke hung in the air above us – a reminder of the high emotions surrounding us in the dragon community. I felt like my emotions were twanging like a fishing rod with a bite. There was something incredibly unnerving about this many dragons upset.

  I held Nasataa close as he yawned again. Oddly, the little dragon in Atura’s arms was still completely still.

  Silence. The whisper in my mind spoke again.

  After long moments where the dragons twitched and shifted as if they were listening to something, the Ilerioc spun to translate.

  “A decision has been reached temporarily. You will relinquish your dragonlet.”

  “Of course,” Atura said, offering hers to her Ilerioc. “Whatever the Queen wishes is hers. My Felroc is pleased to serve.”

  My Ilerioc reached for Nasataa and I leapt to my feet, stepping backward and holding my staff out in a protective stance. They weren’t taking Nasataa. I could see their emotions were high. I could see this meant a lot to them. But I didn’t trust them with Nasataa. They might call him a criminal and lock him up like they did to Heron.

  There was a hush around us and then Ileriocs rushed in from every side. I thought I might recognize Jeriath in one of the ones who rushed to surround me. They all carried Dragon Staffs just like mine, and they formed up in protective rings around both Atura and me.

  I watched them, puzzled. I couldn’t take on this many fighters if they wanted to take Nasataa from me, but they didn’t seem to want that at all.

  Atura’s Ilerioc handed Felroc back to her and mine said calmly, “It has been determined that you will keep the care of the dragonlets ... for now.”

  Why ask for him if they were just going to let me keep him after all? I looked around me, confused and still on edge.

  “It was a test,” Jeriath whispered under his breath.

  But had I passed it or failed it?

  It was impossible to say which, as the interpreter spoke again.

  “Prince Taoslil has determined you will need protection as this matter is decided. The Ilerioc Guard of the White has chosen to guard you. The Ilerioc Guard of the Red has chosen to guard your competitor. You will remain in their care as this next test proceeds. The Queen would like to take your measure and the measure of your dragonlet.”

  Well, that was better than taking him away. And at least Jeriath seemed to be trying to help a bit.

  “The guardian of a dragonlet should not be cowardly,” my interpreter said.

  Fair enough.

  “This next test will test your courage to see if you are made of strong enough stuff to care for a baby dragon.”

  Uh oh. That didn’t sound good.

  “You will remove those boots and give me your staff.”

  Reluctantly, I passed her the staff, quickly removing my boots. I didn’t mind being barefoot. If I was being honest, I’d had it with these heeled boots. They could kick them off the edge of the falls forever for all I cared.

  “This next task will be dangerous. You should not ask the dragonlet to do it with you. What if he were harmed?”

  Were they just trying to trick me to take Nasataa after all? He clung to my neck so tightly that I choked a little.

  “I will hold the dragonlet for you,” Jeriath offered, his eyes sober. “I swear to you that no harm will come to him and I will return him to you when your task is complete.”

  Could I trust him? I bit my lip, thinking.

  Across from me, Atura was easily handing over her dragonlet. I was pretty sure he was a fake somehow. How else could she give him up so easily?

  I pulled Nasataa off my neck, cuddling him to my chest for a moment. “Look, I’ll be back quickly, okay? But you need to stay with Jeriath. He’ll take care of you while I’m gone.”

  Nasataa chittered, cocking his head to one side.

  “I’ll be fine and so will you, but I need you to promise to be good for Jeriath.”

  Nasataa flamed my hand. Fortunately, that didn’t hurt me.

  “No flaming him. No running away. No eating his head scarf thing.”

  Nasataa seemed to snigger. Or was that my imagination? But he leapt easily into Jeriath’s arms, scrambling up to sit on his shoulder. Jeriath’s eyes were wide. He was probably worried that Nasataa really would eat his headscarf. That made me want to laugh. I wouldn’t put it past the baby dragon.

  “Be good, okay?” I said, leaning over to kiss Nasataa before I followed the Ilerioc translator out of the nest and toward the cliffs overlooking the city.

  I didn’t like that part. Why did we need to be so close to the edge?

  Atura’s interpreter already had her stepping up an open-sided bridge that spanned the top of the falls. They stopped at the very center as we followed. The mist of the top of the waterfall made the bridge slick and I was grateful not to be in those slippery heeled boots.

  When I was side by side with Atura there was silence again.

  I was beginning to realize that was when the dragons speak with their minds in the ways that we couldn’t hear.

  “At the determination of the Queen, you will leap off the edge of these falls to prove your courage to the Drazenloft of Haz’drazen. Fail, and your journey ends here.”

  Chapter Nine

  Wow! If I’d wanted an adventure, then I really had my wish! Leaping off waterfalls so high that I couldn’t see the bottom of them definitely counted as an adventure.

  You’d think these dragons would be more concerned with the missing Troglodytes than with testing us, but their priorities were different than mine would be. Or maybe they were taking care of that at the same time using their silent mind speech.

  My heart was pounding so hard that I could hardly think, my breath catching in my throat. I could breathe underwater. I could stay warm deep in the sea. What I could not do was survive enormous falls – or fly.

  “You will leap on my count,” our Ileriocs called in unison. Behind us, a growl rolled from the throats of many dragons, rumbling through the air like thunder.

  My insides felt like water, my legs like jelly. I was going to throw up. I could just tell.

  “Three.”

  Was I really going to jump? I wasn’t suicidal! This was crazy!

  “Two.”

  But if I didn’t then I’d be branded a coward and they’d take Nasataa and who knows if I’d be able to negotiate Heron’s freedom and ...

  “One.”

  ... and Atura would win. And besides, there must be some catch. They wouldn’t really plan to have both of us die, right?

  “JUMP!”

  Atura leapt first. Skies and Stars, but that girl was better than me at everything! I couldn’t let her beat me at this, too!

  With a grimace, I leapt, too. I arched up, turned, spreading my arms and dove head-first.

  I was going to die.

  My heart raced in my throat – which was w
here it seemed to have lodged itself.

  I was going to die.

  My eyes streamed with tears.

  I was going to die.

  I thought that maybe I was screaming. Or maybe that was Atura.

  I was going to die!

  A white body with a filmy, translucent mane rose up through the mist of the falls from underneath me, hovering on powerful wings. It was coming up too quickly! I was going to hit it!

  Ungh!

  The white dragon bobbed in the air under me as my hands grasped at that mane, tangling through the tendrils of it to hold on for dear life. I couldn’t hear a thing except my speeding heart. I tasted blood in my mouth and my head spun until I felt nothing but ill.

  Who came up with this brilliant idea? Just jump off a ledge. That will sort everything out.

  But it had definitely been an adventure.

  We soared up through the mist of the waterfall, the White Dragon dashing into the sky and me clinging for dear life. I expected him to level off at the rounded mountaintop where Haz’drazen held court, but instead, he climbed high in the air, speeding toward the other end of the city, plunging through clouds and burst of bright sunlight.

  I should have been scared.

  Instead, exhilaration filled me. I was alive. And I was riding a dragon. With no safety gear, no one to guide him, nothing but the dragon and me and the bright air whipping around us. We sped toward the sun and then, just like I had, the dragon arched upward and spun into a downward dive.

  I might have been screaming. But if I was, it was in sheer delight.

  There was no way I was holding on. I was holding his shoulders, of course, but that wouldn’t have stopped me from falling. We were just falling together in the same direction. The dragon plunged to the far end of the city and just when I thought I might be dashed to the ground, he dipped under me, catching my weight.

  I was laughing so hard and I couldn’t stop.

  This!

  This was the kind of adventure I’d been longing for. I was riding a dragon through the clouds, our exhilaration feeding off each other so that my joy was mingling with his and back again.

  I could hear his throaty chuckle mixing with my whoops of delight as we plunged through the city, close to the ground. His tail tip flicked a pond and his wing slapped at a dragon leaning too far forward as he tried to catch a glimpse of us.

  I giggled when he barrel-rolled, flicking his tail teasingly at a group of young dragons in a nest.

  This was glorious, perfect, fantastical. I was running out of words for it.

  Who was this magnificent, fun-loving beast? Here I’d been thinking the Whites were all stuffy protocol-followers.

  Oh, we do like our protocol.

  I shrieked in delight at his voice in my mind. I thought they didn’t like doing that.

  We don’t. But I like you. You’re different. And I taste the shadow of another mind. A Gold?

  Ramariri! My beloved dragon savior.

  I knew that one. He was a salty old dog. He saved you, did he?

  He was wonderful. The best of dragons.

  I felt a mental chuckle ripple through me, and I tried to hold onto the sensation. It was like laughing through your soul. My smile was ear-to-ear with excitement and if I could have smiled more, I would have.

  And the voice of the Blue – I taste that, too. He is powerful.

  And precious.

  And that, too.

  And who was this White Dragon who broke all custom to speak to me? And to save my life – I should thank him for that.

  No thanks necessary. We were both playing our parts in the ritual and for some reason, the Ilerioc’s decided to take you on despite no support from the White Dragons. That intrigued me, so I offered to catch you. Now I know why. Your good spirits are infectious.

  Who is saying so?

  I felt his mental laugh again.

  I am Taoslil, son of Haz’drazen, Prince of Dragons. And your friend. Whatever happens in these trials, you will have a place in my nest.

  Well, that was comforting. But what about Nasataa.

  Nasataa has always been welcome here. He is one of us.

  I felt bubbles of hope welling up in me, tickling my brain with promises of safety, comfort, fun and most of all – of exhilarating flights through the clouds and rainbows of this ethereal place.

  When we landed back on the platform to the fountaining cheers of the dragons around us, I couldn’t wipe my grin off my face.

  Not until I saw Atura already standing there, arms crossed and boots back on. She’d beat me back. Would that mean something?

  Chapter Ten

  I could hardly believe how quickly we were hustled away after Taoslil dropped me onto the rock floor. I had barely caught a leaping Nasataa and fished my hair out of his playfully tugging mouth and retrieved my Dragon Staff before my Ilerioc translator was rushing over.

  “Another test will be arranged,” my translator said. “But first, the dragons know the fragility of dragonlets and humans. We will feed you and make sure you are rested before the next challenge.”

  I glanced at Taoslil. He was approaching the throne of Haz’drazen, already distant and looking the other way. There would be no help from him on knowing what to do next.

  Fear not. I have chosen to speak for you. Let the Ileriocs take you for rest.

  I obeyed, nodding to my translator and following her as she led me back to the edge of the cliff. This time, she steered me to a narrow staircase cut into the rock. My heart did flip flops as we approached the stairs, but I had no real reason to fear. Hadn’t I just leapt from this cliff and lived? Though, in fairness, that had all been Taoslil. My heart soared at the thought of our flight. I was never going to forget that.

  Neither will I. I had no idea humans were so entertaining when you found the right one. It explains a lot about my brother.

  His brother? But he didn’t say anything more and it took all my concentration to follow my translator down the narrow, steep steps. I was glad I hadn’t put those boots back on. On a whim, I’d left them on the ground where I’d tossed them. In a time so long ago that it was hard to remember, I’d wanted those boots. Now, I just wanted to get all of us out alive.

  The guard I’d been assigned crowded around us, but we didn’t have to go far. A short flight down the steps led to a landing and a door cut into the cliffs. The translator led me inside.

  “This is Ilerioc property, so please show respect. We offer you the hospitality of our home for a brief respite.”

  The room she opened had a long row of windows carved in the rock wall, looking out over the city. On low tables, food and drink were heaped and chairs pulled up, but it didn’t look like it was usually a dining room. It looked like it was usually used for something else. As if reading my mind, she explained.

  “This is usually a waiting room for those waiting to seek the ear of Haz’drazen. Today, please stay only in this room and the small lavatory through that door.”

  I nodded in agreement, hurrying to the lavatory. I had been wondering if they had those here – they must, but I hadn’t been offered one and things were getting dire. When I emerged again, Nasataa chittered in my ear and looked across the room to see my Ilerioc guard arranged around the room with Jeriath at the door. He nodded to me.

  At the table, two strange people sat, watching me as if they were waiting for me to join them. They were not Ileriocs. Their heads and faces were uncovered and bare and one of the men – an ancient worn looking leathery man – wore his hair long with small braids interspersed through his gray locks. Feathers and beads were woven into the braids and his chiseled face was rough with day-old growth. Both men wore close-fitting black leathers with colorful scarves tied around wrists, elbows, and waist. One – a golden-haired man – had golden scarves and the old man’s scarves were purple.

  “Hello,” I said uncertainly, placing Nasataa on one end of the table. He promptly dove at a platter of meat, gulping it down in huge mouthfuls
. He should be careful. I tried to shoot him an image of himself laying on the ground moaning to show that he’d get a belly ache, but he ignored me.

  “My name is Gerond Carthauler,” the man with the golden hair said with a smile. “Are you Seleska and is this Nasataa?”

  “Yes,” I said, uncertainly, helping myself to water and food. Whatever they had to say, they would have to say while I ate. It had been days since I’d had anything to eat and my belly was rumbling audibly.

  The golden-haired man smiled. “I am a Dragon Rider of the Gold – an ambassador from the Dominion. I watched your testing today.”

  I tried to smile around a mouthful of food, nodding to let him know he could keep speaking. I was more interested in the food.

  “The Dominar sent me here to witness your arrival. She saw in a dream that a young dragon would arrive with an inexperienced protector and that this dragon would be the key to saving the world.”

  I looked up at him sharply and he smiled. I swallowed down my food hastily so I could speak.

  “Then why are you speaking to me now? You saw that the dragons have not determined who the real Chosen One and Guardian are.”

  “Ah, but we are here to lend the help of the Dominion to the true Chosen One.”

  “And how do you know that is Nasataa?” I pressed.

  “The Dominar’s dragon told her to watch to see who was caught by his brother – the Eldest Prince of Dragons. And that was you. It was our sign.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling foolish that I had nothing better to say. “Umm, thank you. It’s so kind of you to offer help, but I don’t know what you can –”

  “We’re offering you a mentor. Someone to teach you about dragons and help you in the middle of all of this,” Gerond said.

  “Oh, I’m sure you have better things to do than to help me,” I said, my face heating. Gerond seemed like a very important person and it made me feel incredibly uncomfortable to think of myself being a burden to him.

  He chuckled, “Oh, I definitely do.” He clapped the old man on the shoulder. “But this is Hubric Duneshifter, and he doesn’t have anything more important to do at all, do you, Hubric?”