‘Then where do you propose?’
‘I don’t know, my lord; I have no alternative suggestions.’
The arguments continued, with various dragons offering their opinions regarding Dun Khatar or other sites where they could potentially settle on the continent of Khatanax.
Kelsey glanced up at Frostback. ‘Why are you not getting involved in the discussion?’
‘There are two reasons. Firstly, there is nowhere in Khatanax where I think we can settle; and secondly, there is only one thing I want to talk about, and my father has so far avoided it.’
‘Oh. Is this about you and him?’
‘Yes. He still hasn’t answered my plea.’
‘Maybe you should speak to Darksky first,’ said Aila. ‘If you can win her over, then things might go easier for you and your father.’
‘I cannot; she hates me. I have had a troubled relationship with Darksky. Some of it was my fault; I have behaved badly toward her, but she made it very difficult.’
‘Aila’s right,’ said Kelsey. ‘We could come with you if you want?’
Frostback lowered her head for a moment. ‘Very well, but you must stay back and say nothing. Darksky dislikes all humans.’
The silver dragon edged round the outside of the crowd until she reached Darksky, with Aila and Kelsey keeping up behind her. The dark blue dragon eyed Frostback as she approached.
‘What do you want?’ she said.
Frostback tilted her head. ‘To make my peace with you, Darksky.’
The dark blue dragon took a step forwards, to shield her children from Frostback. ‘I’m sure you do, now that you want something from Deathfang. You disrespected me daily in the Catacombs, and disobeyed your former father’s commands; but now that your unwise choices have rendered you alone and without a protector, you want to come crawling back? You should have thought of that before you went off with Blackrose.’
The silver dragon’s claws gouged tracks into the ground, but she bowed her head. ‘I apologise for all of the times I failed to show you the respect you were due.’
‘Fine words, Frostback, but that’s all they are – words.’
‘I promise that I will never disrespect you again.’
‘Of course you do, now that you’re desperate.’ She glanced at Aila and Kelsey. ‘I see you’ve brought your pet insects along; Blackrose has infected you with feelings for those vile creatures. You should get rid of them. My children are hungry; give me the insects so that my children may eat.’
Frostback’s red eyes burned. ‘No.’
‘So, you disrespect me again? You would take food from my children’s mouths?’
‘I do not own the humans, so they are not mine to give; but, if you try to hurt them, Darksky, then I will protect them.’
Flames lapped round Darksky’s jaws, and she tensed.
‘What’s happening here?’ said Burntskull, barging between the two dragons. ‘Darksky?’
‘Frostback is behaving in her usual manner – disrespectful and threatening.’
‘That’s not true,’ said Frostback; ‘I came here to make peace and apologise. Darksky wants to feed the humans to her children.’
‘One of the insects is a witch,’ said Burntskull; ‘she can sense the approach of the gods. We cannot kill her; she is useful to us.’
‘What about the other one?’ said Darksky.
Frostback growled. ‘I will not allow it.’
‘Would that not be a fair compromise?’ said Burntskull. ‘You’ll get to keep one of your insects.’
‘No,’ said Frostback. ‘Aila is going to be a mother, and I am her protector. I will defend her; I swear it.’
From behind Frostback’s half-raised forelimb, Aila could see that every dragon was watching.
‘Did you notice,’ said Darksky, ‘how she uses the insect’s name? She has fallen in love with these creatures. The insects are the reason we had to hide in the Catacombs; they infest the land and build ballistae to kill us, and yet Frostback thinks they are worth more than the lives of my children.’
‘You twist everything,’ cried Frostback. ‘I will go hunting, and bring back food for your children, but I will not let you kill the humans.’
‘Yes, leave,’ said Darksky. ‘Take your insects and go, but don’t bother coming back.’
Frostback glanced around at the watching dragons. ‘If no one wants me here, then I’ll go.’
Aila searched for Deathfang among the silent dragons, but couldn’t see him anywhere.
‘I want you to stay,’ said the young green dragon with blue wings. ‘I missed you when you were gone.’
‘Thank you, Halfclaw,’ said Frostback. She looked in vain for her father, then lowered her head.
‘I lost my mother in the Catacombs, and have no other family left,’ Halfclaw went on. ‘If you’re really leaving, then I’ll come with you.’
Halfclaw strode through the dragons towards Frostback and stood by her side.
‘Let’s consider this carefully,’ said Burntskull.
‘What is there to consider?’ said Frostback. ‘If everyone except for Halfclaw thinks as little of me as Darksky does, then I would be better off leaving.’
‘No one’s leaving!’ thundered Deathfang, as he shoved his way through the crowd from where he had been skulking.
‘There you are, my lord,’ said Burntskull, moving out of the way as Deathfang came to a halt next to Darksky.
‘I was staying back,’ the huge grey dragon said, ‘hoping that Darksky and Frostback would be able to settle their differences peacefully, but I was mistaken.’ He stared at Frostback and Halfclaw. ‘No one is leaving. Look around; see how few of us remain. We cannot afford to lose two healthy young dragons approaching their prime. This is how the insects beat us; they divide us and we turn on each other. If we are to survive, we must stay together.’
‘I will stay,’ said Frostback, ‘if you call me daughter.’
Deathfang’s gaze remained on the silver dragon, but he said nothing.
‘We discussed this earlier in the caves, Deathfang,’ said Darksky, ‘and I believe I made my feelings on this known to you.’
‘You did, my love, but my heart is torn.’
‘What about the compromise?’ said Burntskull. ‘Perhaps if Frostback was to give up one of her pet insects in order to feed the three infants, then everyone could be happy.’
‘But I offered to go hunting for her,’ said Frostback. ‘I will not surrender Aila to be ripped to shreds before my eyes. She is carrying a child…’
‘An insect child,’ said Darksky; ‘a child that will grow into yet another enemy we will have to face.’
‘Not all humans are evil; I learned this in the forests of Kinell. Kelsey used her powers to protect me from the Ascendant, and Aila used her cunning to provide me with good advice. They are my friends.’
Some of the gathered dragons gasped in horror at her words.
‘Your “friends?”’ said Darksky.
Frostback held her head high. ‘Yes. One of them, I may choose to be my rider.’
‘She condemns herself with her own words,’ said Darksky. ‘Those of us who escaped from the fighting pits of Alea Tanton, do you recall the way the insects jeered and mocked us in the arena? How they spat on us and laughed when we were injured?’
‘Some humans are evil,’ said Frostback; ‘that I will not deny. But if we are civilised beings, then we must be able to discriminate between the good and the wicked. Kelsey and Aila are not wicked.’
Darksky turned to face the others. ‘Hear me. I am prepared to accept the compromise offered by Burntskull. If Frostback surrenders one of her insects to me, then I will not object to her presence among us.’
Deathfang’s eyes beseeched Frostback. ‘Well? What do you say?’
Frostback turned from his gaze. ‘No.’
Burntskull turned to Halfclaw. ‘Speak up. Do you think this is right? Will you leave with Frostback, knowing that her heart has been corr
upted by her friendship with these creatures?’
‘That is up to her,’ said Halfclaw. ‘I loathe the insects, but I respect Frostback’s decision. Without a protector here, I will be at the mercy of any older dragon who wishes to throw their weight around.’
‘Do not listen to him,’ said Darksky; ‘he is clearly besotted with Frostback; he has always chased after her. He is looking for a mate, and is not thinking clearly.’
Halfclaw looked aggrieved at her words, but didn’t deny them.
‘If that is all there is to say,’ said Frostback, ‘we shall go.’
She turned, ensuring that Kelsey and Aila remained shielded behind her forelimbs, then nodded to Halfclaw. The other dragons backed off, clearing a space for them. Halfclaw extended his long blue wings, their surface gleaming in the moonlight.
‘Wait,’ cried Deathfang. ‘Wait, my daughter.’
Frostback froze, then slowly turned her head. ‘I will not give up either of my humans.’
‘I know that, but yet I claim you as my own. Do not leave us. You broke my heart once before, when I had to send you into exile, and now Ashfall has also left me. Do not break my heart again.’
Darksky gave him a look of contempt, while a few of the other dragons muttered.
Deathfang turned on them, his eyes full of rage. ‘A short time ago, you all pledged your loyalty to me as your chief and lord. Are your promises worth so little, that you would oppose me at the first hurdle? If you want me as your leader, then you have to accept my commands; that is the bargain we struck.’ He raised a giant forelimb, the claws extended. ‘Does anyone intend to break their vows to me?’
No one spoke.
‘Then, my word has the force of law. Frostback, you are my daughter once more, without conditions. You can keep your pet insects and, as my daughter, what is yours now comes under my protection. Halfclaw, I also pledge to protect you; the loss of your mother in the Catacombs was a bitter blow, but you shall not come to harm because of it.’ He turned to Darksky. ‘My love, I know that this is painful for you to accept. Frostback has not given you the respect you deserve. That will change, I assure you.’
Darksky refused to meet his eyes, and turned her head away. Deathfang gazed at her, then nodded.
‘Father,’ said Frostback, ‘thank you. I will stay.’
Halfclaw pulled his wings back in. ‘I also thank you, my lord.’
‘It’s settled,’ cried Burntskull. ‘The Lord of the Catacombs has spoken.’
Darksky strode away, leading her children with her, and the dragons began to disperse.
‘Remain here,’ said Deathfang, ‘for I have not finished.’ He waited until everyone was watching him again. ‘Earlier, I spoke of two responses to the destruction of our home, and we have only discussed one of these. I now wish to turn to the other.’ He paused, making sure he had everyone’s attention. Darksky glanced over, her irritation evident. ‘It carries risk,’ he went on, ‘but must be done. The god who ruined our home is currently luxuriating in comfort within the palaces of Alea Tanton. In order to restore our honour and our pride, I shall lead a pack of our strongest and fastest, and we shall deliver vengeance unto our enemies. The high promontory known as Old Alea shall be our target. We shall strike, and burn their palaces to the ground.’
‘But, my lord,’ said Burntskull, ‘won’t those same gods use their death powers upon us?’
Deathfang turned to Frostback. ‘Your insect; you said that she can block these powers?’
The silver dragon nudged Kelsey forward. ‘Tell them.’
Kelsey stood amid the massive dragons, her eyes wide.
‘Hello,’ she said. The dragons stared back at her. ‘Thanks for not eating me or Aila. I know that we humans must seem a little ridiculous to you at times, but…’
‘Get on with it,’ boomed Deathfang.
‘Of course. Right. It’s true; I can block the powers of the gods. Not all powers; I can’t prevent them using earthquakes or fireballs, but death powers – those I can stop. And, I can shield any dragon that stays within a hundred yards of me; if we stick close together, then no death powers will affect you. That’s the key – a hundred yards. Within that circle, no gods will be able to harm us.’
Deathfang stared at her. ‘You will accompany us.’
Kelsey gulped.
‘We are taking an enormous risk,’ said Burntskull. ‘Can we trust what the insect says?’
‘I am a witch, like Sable,’ said Kelsey. ‘I am a Holdfast.’
‘And I am a living witness that she speaks the truth,’ said Frostback. ‘Were it not for Kelsey, the Ascendant would have killed me in the forests of Kinell. I will carry Kelsey upon my back during the attack.’
‘Then you agree with my plan, my daughter?’ said Deathfang.
‘I will follow your lead, father.’
Aila stepped forward, her eyes darting from dragon to dragon. ‘I also want to come.’
‘Why?’ said Burntskull. ‘What use will you be?’
‘None, but the father of my child is in Alea Tanton. His name is Corthie Holdfast, Kelsey’s brother, and he is the greatest mortal warrior alive. He is fighting the Ascendants, as you intend to do. We could join forces with him.’
Deathfang pondered for a moment. ‘Will you carry her also, my daughter?’
‘I will, father.’
‘Then, it is agreed. The children will remain here in this valley, along with those assigned to protect them, and I will lead the attack, with Frostback by my right shoulder, and every other dragon capable of making the journey. Darksky, I appoint you to lead those who remain.’
Darksky tilted her head. ‘I shall do as you command, my lord.’
‘And I?’ said Burntskull. ‘Perhaps I should remain too, in order to help with the children.’
Deathfang laughed. ‘No, my old friend. You shall be on my left when we descend to Old Alea, to deliver flame and death to our enemies.’ He scanned the crowd. ‘Dragons, my beloved kin, prepare yourselves, for we will leave shortly. It shall be a red dawn, a bloody dawn of screams and terror; one that shall never be forgotten.’
Chapter 27
The Broken City
A lea Tanton, Tordue, Western Khatanax – 4th Kolinch 5252
Corthie and Van stole down the farm track, passing a burning barn on their left, the flames rising up into the night sky. The gelding was frightened of the flames, but Corthie urged him on with soft words and a firm hand on the reins. They were on foot again, after having ridden the gelding on and off for most of the journey south. The remains of the city of Alea Tanton were on their right, a mile or two away over the fields, which were crowded with the survivors of the waves and earthquakes. Beyond, huge flames were coming from an area of the city that Van had told him was the Shinstran district, and many injured civilians were lying out in the open, screaming and wailing from burns they had received in the inferno.
Van stumbled, and Corthie shot out his free hand to grab him before he could fall.
‘Do you need to go back on the horse again?’ he said.
‘No, I’m fine,’ said Van; ‘just keep going.’
Corthie frowned at the former mercenary. He looked far from fine. They had travelled over twenty miles since the last wave had struck the city, and Corthie had kept up a fast pace, hurrying towards the high promontory of Old Alea. He could see it clearly in the distance, the light sandstone cliffs reflecting the glow from the fires raging through the slums at its base.
He squinted. ‘Are there faces carved into the side of Old Alea?’
Van blinked, exhaustion etched into his features, along with the dried blood from the cut across his cheek.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘the faces of the gods who ruled Alea Tanton. I think a few of them might be dead.’
‘They carved their own faces into the rock?’
‘You may not have realised this,’ said Van, ‘but some of the gods have a high opinion of themselves.’
Corthie gave a wry smile.<
br />
‘Can we stop for a moment?’ Van said. ‘Just long enough for me to have a cigarette? It might be my last.’
They came to a halt once they had cleared the barn. Corthie looped the horse’s reins round a gate post as Van sat on the ground and lit a cigarette.
‘I can’t believe you handed over a gold sovereign to buy those things.’
Van shrugged. ‘The world is ending; what else am I going to spend my money on?’
The ground shook, and the horse whinnied in fear.
‘It’s alright,’ said Corthie, stroking its flank as the tremors settled.
‘But it’s not, though, is it?’ said Van. ‘The earthquakes are coming every few minutes. We passed the location of the Southern Pits a little while ago. You used to be able to see them from here, they were so tall, but they’ve gone, completely gone. Who knows what will be left by dawn?’
‘Old Alea will be left,’ said Corthie.
‘And how are we going to get in? I reckon that, by now, thousands of refugees will have tried to escape to the heights of Old Alea, but none of them will have made it through the gates. I’ve seen them; they’re as well protected as the fortifications in the Falls of Iron.’
‘We’ll think of something.’
Van nodded, but his eyes were disconsolate.
Four men emerged from the shadows of the burning barn, each armed with homemade weapons.
‘Your horse,’ cried one, brandishing a long, curved knife; ‘hand it over.’
Corthie eyed them. ‘Or what?’
‘We need that beast,’ the man shouted; ‘our families are starving.’
‘You’ll have to look elsewhere for food, lads,’ said Corthie. ‘The horse is mine.’
‘I don’t want to have to kill you; just give us the horse.’
‘He can’t be reasoned with,’ snapped another, wielding a blacksmith’s hammer; ‘he’s made his decision. Get him!’
Corthie decided not to wait. He clenched his fists and charged into them, his battle-vision singing. A single punch flattened the man with the hammer, then he dodged a jab from an improvised spear. He grabbed two men by the hair and cracked their skulls together, felling them both. The last man backed off, holding out a butcher’s knife in front of him, then turned and fled.
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