Dragon's Revenge

by Debi Ennis Binder

  That was a question for later. Right now, they needed to get outside and look for Hagan.

  “Fauler is still missing,” Wolfe said, as he drew Mayra toward the exit.

  Mayra nodded. She spoke when a shudder went through the section of back wall flanking them, followed by a crack, tracing up the wall. Before either Mayra or Wolfe could react to that, an enormous crash sent them diving for shelter, close to the walled staircase.

  Rocks and debris from a part of the wall crumbled to the ground as a huge red foot emerged from the wall, followed by Hesta’s face. She slowly pushed her way through, enlarging the gap as she went.

  Hesta didn’t seem surprised to see the two witches who were staring at her as she rearranged the cave wall. Wolfe barely had time to appreciate what a magnificent dragon Hesta was before she finished pushing her way into the cavern and sped across the ground to them.

  “There you are!” The red dragon’s snout quivered as her leathery lips carefully formed the words. Mayra was apparently unsurprised as Hesta hunkered down next to her and sniffed her. Despite Wolfe’s ill-concealed grin, Mayra stood silently, enduring what looked undignified, at least. “I shan’t ever have a problem finding you, little witchling!”

  Wolfe couldn’t imagine why Hesta was acting so peculiarly toward Mayra, but it was discomfiting his mate and it was farking entertaining.

  * * *

  As Hesta nuzzled Mayra, the Ring-Witch narrowed her eyes at her mate, daring him to find amusement in this situation.

  “Laugh,” the Ring-Witch ground out, “I dare you.”

  Wolfe’s grin widened, but he did not take Mayra’s challenge.

  Hesta finally sighed softly and stepped back. Mayra was startled to see Fauler emerge from behind the red dragon, with his mate, Pinea. Fauler did not hide his amusement at Hesta’s greeting to Mayra, huffing softly as he walked around the witch, pausing himself to take a sniff. And then sneeze.

  Mayra shook her head and turned to Hesta.

  “Hesta, we must hurry and make our plans!” Mayra was exasperated with the dragons. “And Fauler, where have you been?”

  And why were the dragons so composed? Weren’t they anxious about Hagan? She knew she and the other humans were getting more and more apprehensive, but it seemed the dragons were less so. “Hesta, Hagan is coming!”

  “Yes, we sense him; he’s still at a distance,” replied the red dragon calmly. She sat back, and as Mayra moved back from the dragon, a glimpse of bright light distracted her. She bent forward to look around Hesta. “Where is the sunlight coming from?” the Ring-Witch asked.

  Her Rings quivered as though repeating the question.

  “Come over this way,” Fauler said abruptly, using his head to gesture Mayra and Wolfe closer to the jagged segment of the wall behind him. “While crawling around this maze, I discovered a way out the back. Over that section of wall is an opening that leads upward, and outside. It opens at the back of the mountain.”

  Spread out before her was a new cave. As Mayra looked around, its vast size gave her an idea. She started to share, but Fleura suddenly appeared at the top of the staircase; a few moments later, she was back with them, shaking her head.

  “Whew, I needed that—a chase through ice-cold caves—to get my blood moving!” Fleura took a deep breath and gave an unladylike snort. “That devious bitch disappeared into the caves.” The young witch-warrior shook her head. “I don’t like that farking female shape-shifter running around in here, looking for you and like you, Mayra. She knows these caves too well.”

  “Wait—she had changed to herself,” Mayra protested.

  Fleura shook her head. “Then she can change herself back, Mayra, because she still looks like you.”

  Mayra cursed softly. Fleura grinned. “I know Mayra has a plan, I’ve seen that look on her face before. I will be outside with the others

  “Yes, I do, Fleura,” Mayra said. “I need to talk to all of you. Bring everyone in. I know it will be tight, but we need to include everyone.”

  Fleura nodded. With a jaunty salute, she left the dragons and witches and went to deliver Mayra’s invitation to join her in the cavern. Mayra watched her go, smiling fondly. Though Fleura was only five years younger, Mayra often felt more like her mother than her friend.

  Hesta moved closer to Mayra and bent her head down to the Ring-Witch. For a moment, Mayra feared Hesta would start sniffing her again, but she only touched her snout gently against Mayra’s shoulder.

  “Do the others know what is in the basket?” the red dragon whispered, her faint words heavy with melancholy. Was that as close to speaking the words Tamsin, dead or alive, is in the basket that Hesta could come?

  Mayra heard the others entering behind her, stopping and growing silent when they saw Hesta and the others.

  “They know,” the Ring-Witch replied. She reached out and stroked a gentle hand down the red dragon’s jaw. “They all know of Tamsin, but not why Hagan has her. There wasn’t time. We must make ready for Hagan!” She hesitated. “Hesta, will you—and the others—wear saddles that Wolfe and I create?”

  A low rumbling noise came from Hesta, and Mayra smiled as she realized it was laughter, so similar to Gaulte’s that Mayra had to laugh softly. The Ring-Witch missed Gaulte, but not nearly as much as Hesta did.

  Hesta’s bearing was serene, but her reply to Mayra’s question was not. “Whatever we can do to make us one and kill that bastard, we will do.”

  Mayra turned back to the others to add, “Remember one thing for now. Do not kill that— stupid, stinking dragon—yet.”

  * * *

  After some discussion with Wolfe, and some changing around of whom would be doing what, Mayra’s plan was simple—split up the male and female dragons and their riders. The males would entice Hagan into flying around to the back of the mountain and then attack him. As Mayra was fairly certain Hagan didn’t know the female dragons were free, they would remain in the cavern, hidden away until the rogue dragon went after the male dragons. They would then attack Hagan from behind. Mayra hoped Hagan believed the absence of the female dragons meant they were still caged.

  But first—Mayra and Wolfe stood together as the other witches and Phailites piled together a stack of tarps and ropes, then formed a semi-circle behind the couple.

  Mayra and Wolfe each raised a hand and threaded their fingers. Wolfe raised a black eyebrow and Mayra felt her cheeks reddened. Though their magic had blended before—during some amazing lovemaking—this was the first time they had done it for another purpose, with an audience, no less. Combining magic wasn’t something any of the witches had experienced, but Wolfe and Mayra had learned quite delightfully that it could be done. But this wasn’t their warm bed; they weren’t slipping through each other’s magic as a means to enhance desire. This experience could be volatile.

  Mayra bit her bottom lip, trying not to smile as she felt her warm, nature-centric magic blend with that of Wolfe—secretive and darkly intense, and imparting upon her a sense of endlessness, a strange thing for something as ephemeral as most magic.

  They each raised their free hand over the raw materials. It had been Wolfe’s idea to blend and thus simplify the magic needed to create saddles and reins. They now cast their unified magic over the stack of debris.

  She knew that Wolfe saw and felt what she did—they were taking the base materials within the pile, and altering and re-purposing them. What their allies—both human and dragon—saw were vibrant pulses of black-and-pale-blue magic, merging and dancing in and out of the pile of rubble. Their glittering power wrapped itself around the many items, pulling, stretching, shrinking, and reworking them into a leather saddle and reins for each dragon that needed it.

  What they didn’t realize was someone was watching them—someone who felt the first stirrings of fear. These two witches were far more than Hagan thought they were.

  “Can we learn to do that?” an enchanted Fyrid softly asked Hesta.

  The red dragon looked down at t
he eager young face and rumbled gently. He was so like the young humans the Librarian had woven into the tales he once told young Hesta—innocent, enthusiastic, so impatient to make more of himself.

  “The blending of dragon magic and your people varies,” she replied. “Mayra and Wolfe are powerful, especially when their magicks meld as they have. But you will learn. We will help you, and you will help us.” Her beautiful green eyes passed over all the humans. “I am so pleased that Gaulte welcomed you into our Aerie.”

  Mayra, overhearing Hesta and Fyrid, grinned. She had learned that overall, dragons’ emotions were more restrained than those of humans, so a pleased dragon was the same as an elated human. Hesta had voiced her approval of the Ceshon Aerie including humans. Now, if only the red dragon would give the same pleased approval of the bond between her mate and the Ring-Witch. Mayra bit her bottom lip. Surely, Hesta must have sensed that bond by now. Why wasn’t she saying anything?

  * * *

  Mayra and Wolfe stood silently alongside Hesta and Fauler as the two dragons quickly delegated the dragons’ responsibilities for the plan that Mayra had laid out.

  Hesta remained still and silent as the Ceshon mates greeted each other, prior to joining up with their riders. The dragons controlled their emotions in a way that surprised Mayra. That morning the reptiles had not even known each other still lived, yet now they were working together, preparing for battle, as though they had never been apart. Hesta stepped closer to Mayra and tilted her head closer to the human

  “I see the mannerisms of dragon mates confuse you,” said the red dragon quietly. “Now is not the time for joy. When families are together again, and we are safe within our Aerie, then there will be a celebration.”

  Hesta was, Mayra understood, an endlessly patient creature. The Ring-Witch raised her hand to stroke Hesta’s neck, but halted. Hesta’s sad bearing prohibited such an inappropriate gesture. The red dragon radiated an aching that was sadly like what Mayra had felt after Leisher’s betrayal—hurt, lost, and grief-stricken. There wasn’t time to sort out such anguish right now.

  Instead of offering pity that Hesta did not want or need, the Ring-Witch said, “I don’t know how Hagan fights, but I suspect it will be both unfair and deadly.”

  “I agree.” Hesta turned her attention back to the others as Wolfe, atop Fauler, stepped up alongside her.

  “I sense Hagan closer now,” Hesta suddenly said, loud enough for all to hear her. “He draws closer as we speak. Once he sees female dragons and witchlings together, he will know that I have told you about Tamsin.” Neither her expression nor her voice changed, and Mayra’s heart ached for the grieving mother. “His purpose will be to escape with Tamsin.”

  “Once we are airborne,” Mayra told them, “Hesta and I will break away and look for the basket. But if any of you spot it before we do, remember two things: it contains a nestling, and I am certain Hagan will attack to kill anyone who goes near it.”

  After a moment’s silence, Hesta gently nudged Mayra. “Come, we will fight together!” the red dragon said softly. “Climb on, little witchling, and make ready!”

  Within a short while, the space in the outer cavern expanded as dragons and humans alike took their delegated places, with almost half the dragons and riders moving to the back cave.

  As they went, Hesta raised her voice. “The Ceshon dragons have joined forces with brave human warriors! We will defeat this evil once and forever!”

  Mayra laid her hand on Hesta’s neck. She acknowledged the longing she felt to battle with the black dragon Gaulte once again, but Mayra felt almost invincible sitting atop Hesta. This dragon, simmering with rage, was a beast with a purpose.

  The cavern was nearly silent as dragons and riders strived to ensure nothing gave away their presence. Mayra felt Hesta’s strong muscles relax beneath her as the dragon settled to wait. Mayra took a deep, cleansing breath. In a cavern with only half the dragons and a high ceiling, the air still seemed motionless and heavy. She wished they could leave, but a tactical advantage prohibited them from leaving the shelter.

  The only male who had stayed in the cave, Larek, ridden by Payk, sat in the shadows of the cave mouth with his mate, Aulera. The two dragons, with necks somewhat longer than the others, continued to watch vigilantly for Hagan, all the while keeping their large bodies concealed in the shadows of the cavern.

  Though Aulera was enjoying the company of Leyna, who sat comfortably at the base of the dragon’s extended neck, the pale-purple dragon continued to throw hard glances at Payk, the gruff Phailite on her mate’s back, until Larek gently nudged the female dragon.

  “These Phailites are friends, my dearest mate,” he said so quietly that he was barely discernable. “All others you may destroy.”

  Mayra smiled. The female dragons needed to learn, as the males had, that only certain Phailites were corrupt. Mayra watched Larek, carrying Payk, and Aulera, carrying Berent and Leyna, move closer to the cave mouth. Berent and Leyna, their eyes bright with excitement, whispered excitedly together.

  Mayra appreciated their eagerness. After all, hadn’t her enthusiasm led to a slight disagreement with Wolfe as to who should go out the back of the mountain first, and attack Hagan? Having Hagan think he only had to fight with the male dragons was a good tactic. Wolfe had voiced a good argument: it was likely that Hagan—if he even realized there were only male humans riding the Ceshon dragons—would think the human males had locked their females away. That brought a smile to Mayra’s face. And yes, it was a great strategic advantage. With a little mien of disappointment that charmed her mate, she yielded. And perhaps coming up on Hagan unawares might be more exciting!

  She took a deep breath. “I am doing to ask that vile dragon outright, what he did with Tamsin,” she said softly to Hesta.

  “Be careful, friend Mayra,” the red dragon returned as quietly. “You have freed us and joined us, where none others dared. I would not care to see you harmed.”

  Mayra swelled with pleasure. She had won Hesta over; that lessened the feeling that Mayra was missing something when she went into battle and Gaulte was not carrying her.

  Mayra flexed her arms and shoulders. She had been still too long. Her stomach rumbled. She pulled a small chunk of hard bread from her waist pouch and chewed on it; almost tasteless, but filling.

  I need to get back to a more normal life, with regular meals. And baths. An awareness of Wolfe suddenly replaced those wry thoughts. He wasn’t using mind-speak, but she could still feel him, his presence seeking hers from the other cave. How could she respond without—

  Her eyes widened. Something large and powerful was rolling their way. And then they all heard it together—a thunderous, screaming mind-speak—Larek’s warning echoed through the heads of dragons and witches alike.

  Hagan is here, across the chasm and above the cave!

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  In the Cavern of Hagan

  Day eleven of the First Moon of Wynter

  The dragons at the mouth of the cave became a flurry of commotion as two of the female dragons, Diaya and Hanne, tried to move forward. But Larek pushed his body past them and before anyone behind him could move, the gold dragon launched himself from the cave, with Payk drawing his sword as he hunkered down.

  Everyone froze. The two were gone. This was not the plan!

  “Damn you, Uncle!” Fyrid shouted furiously.

  Larek’s departure stunned his mate. Aulera mumbled a curse at the vanishing Larek, then turned her head to the two humans riding her, and angrily roared, “Hold tight to me!”

  The three flew out of the cave, following Larek and Payk. While those two, by breaking rank had possibly jeopardized the plans to capture Hagan, Aulera’s appearance in the sky would tell the rogue dragon the females were free. Mayra’s savage curse caused Hesta to turn and give her rider an assessing gaze before snorting in amusement.

  Another moment passed. Someone cursed, and dragons and humans burst into shouts of “Follow them!” and,
“Hurry, go!”

  “Stop!” Mayra shouted. She continued to curse under her breath. She should have known that Larek supported Payk’s desire for vengeance; they’d been whispering together all day, probably plotting the very maneuver she just witnessed. “We follow the plan,” she said through gritted teeth.

  * * *

  “Congratulations on winning a small battle with Mayra,” Fauler muttered dryly as he flapped his huge wings again, carrying them up from the back of the mountain.

  Wolfe, intent on watching the sides of the cave and ensuring Fauler didn’t brush against one of the sharp protrusions that surrounded them, gave a preoccupied, “Hmm?”

  Fauler chuckled. “She was set on having all the females back here to draw Hagan’s attention away from the males she wanted placed in the front cavern.”

  “Yes, she was,” Wolfe said with a grin. “She will always want to be at the forefront, leading the battle. But this time, it was strategically more advisable to have the male dragons and male riders rise from this hidden cave first and catch Hagan unawares, and she could not deny that.”

  Wolfe and Fauler slowly emerged from the back of the mountain and into the sunlight. The bright light set Wolfe blinking as they neared the edge of the cave opening. Around them rose the rocky crags and spires of Hagan’s cavern home. From this angle, it was easy to see that the exit at the back of the cave was much higher than the large cavern mouth at the front. The two had just moved aside to let others fly out of the cave when Larek’s mind-speak blasted into them, warning that Hagan had arrived.

  Movement near the edge of one of the high-rising spires revealed a section of dragon-wing, showing them where Hagan had stopped to hover, perhaps to inspect the cave mouth. Fauler and Wolfe immediately dropped back down, hovering close to the jagged cave opening from which they had just emerged. As they could only see the back part of Hagan, Wolfe was certain they could remain out of his sight. Fauler used both front feet to gesture to the other dragons behind him to stay low as they left the smaller cave entrance.