That should make all the other ship captains happy, I smirked to myself.
Inside my tent, I was now dry, warm, and protected from the falling rain. The hour was late, and things were relatively quiet as the camp had settled down for the night.
Wrapped snuggly in a heavy blanket, my feet crossed under me in a camp chair, I peered into the flames of my brazier, trying to focus on anything except how sick I was of dealing with both city and military officials.
Why can’t they all leave me alone and figure it out for themselves? Not like I’ve got a whole lot to contribute. I’m the Artan: not a queen or a general.
The entire evening had been spent in attempting to reassure city leaders, as well as turning down their persistent offers for me to make use of one of the city’s many beautiful residences. That, followed by another meeting with my own military leaders and advisors, had left my nerves strung to the breaking point.
I was never so grateful to the Simathe High-Chief as when he’d finally stepped in, saying the Artan needed her rest, and then shuffled me out of the meeting and back to my tent despite the protests from the others that followed us out the door. He’d left me there with nothing more than a reminder to eat before I slept and then took himself off to who-knew-where. I couldn’t help wondering when this rift between us would be fully healed. Was it his fault, or was I the one now holding onto hurt feelings?
I sighed, telling myself I needed to quit thinking. I needed some sleep, I needed to let my brain shut down, and I really should go to bed. Nevertheless, it was a long time before I finally quit mulling over my problems and actually followed my own advice.
Part Three
Last Battle, Final Victory
Dragons
The ruby glow of fire through canvas pressed against my closed eyelids, forcing consciousness. I bolted upright in bed, my sleep-clogged brain screaming warnings of, Fire, fire! Glancing wildly about my tent I sought the source, fearing my brazier had tipped and set my belongings ablaze. Only it hadn’t. Red embers glowed reassuringly in the partial darkness, secure inside their heater.
Which meant the fire was outside. Fully awake, I got to my feet, my ears already beset by the din of shouting people. I ran to the tent flaps, pushed them open, and choked back a cry. The camp, or large portions of it, was on fire. Countless tents were spread out in orderly array around the city walls, and flames were consuming hundreds of them. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
What in the world is going on here? It’s still raining. No fire should be spreading like this!
Barefoot, I dashed out into the wet night, grabbing the arm of one of the Simathe stationed outside my tent.
“What is it? What’s going on?” I shouted to be heard above the noise.
“The Warkin,” he shouted back. “Somehow, they’ve come upon us unawares.”
Somebody bellowed a name, and he shrugged apologetically. “I must go. I’m summoned.”
I nodded woodenly, allowing my grip on his arm to relax. He dashed off and was instantly swallowed up in the morass of moving figures, nighttime shadows, and drenching rain.
The Warkin…
Who were they? I couldn’t remember, couldn’t think of anything except those blazing tents, the screams of pain, and the frenzied figures hurtling past me on one mission or another.
The Warkin, the Warkin. Who are the Warkin?
By this point, the rain had thoroughly soaked my clothes, plastering the wet fabric to my body and my wet hair to my head and shoulders. The mud squelching between my bare toes was cold, but I scarcely noticed. I kept thinking, How are all these tents burning when it’s so wet out? What kind of fire can do this?
Then it hit me. I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach.
Oh, no…
I began to run, followed by the remaining Simathe guard, and I ran straight into Ilgard. He caught me by the arms even as I stumbled into him, saving me a fall. Pulling against his grasp, I cried, “Ilgard, the Warkin! It’s them… the dragons, the Dragonkind. We have to do something!”
His response was to slide his hands down to my wrists and stride off, pulling me with him—away from the burning tents, away from the turmoil, away from danger, and towards the relative safety of the city. As soon as I read his intentions I tried to free myself, protesting loudly, “No, Ilgard, let me go! We have to do something!”
He wasn’t paying attention. As we got closer to the city gates, the press of people—some fleeing inside and some exiting—thickened, threatening to separate us. He wasn’t about to have that. Stopping, he turned and wrenched me towards him, catching me with an arm across the back of the knees and tossing me across his shoulder. I landed so forcefully my breath was cut off, but once I recovered I yelled angrily, pounding my fists on his back. He took no notice. Fighting his way through the crowd of panicked civilians and grim warriors, he carried me inside the city and over to a sheltered hollow beside the wall where Risean, Lord Garett, and a Cortain First Lieutenant, Danyele Wis’ Cayne, had already gathered. Here, he finally lowered me to the ground.
Furious, I shoved him away, rounding on all of them. “How dare you? Do you really think I’m going to hide up here while our people are out there dying? I don’t know what you all plan to do, but I plan to help.”
“How?” The Ranetron High-Chief flung the word at me. “How do you propose to fight the Dragonkind, my lady? They—”
An earsplitting roar of thunder suddenly filled the air. It was so loud I swear the city walls trembled in the blast. I threw my hands over my ears and saw the rest of my companions do the same. Except Ilgard: he alone bore it out stoically. However, the moment the roar faded he tore my hands away, leaning close to my face.
“Do you hear? Those are dragons, and they cannot be fought!”
“Don’t tell me that,” I hollered back at him. “You fought them!”
“Aye, and their defeat required more time than we possess.”
“I don’t buy that. There’s got to be some way to stop them,” I protested.
But everyone’s faces were hard—even my uncle’s. Clearly they thought this was a lost cause, at least for the time being. I didn’t intend to give up so readily, though.
“Look, at least let me try,” I pleaded. “What do we have to lose?”
“What have we to lose? We have you to lose, my lady,” the Cortain Lieutenant cut in sharply. “We cannot peril your life.”
“So you’ll risk everyone else’s to make sure I’m safe? Let our warriors die so I don’t?”
“All that can be done is being done,” Lord Garett replied. “We are moving as many as we can inside the city. We—”
“There isn’t enough time, and they won’t all fit!” I cried, stamping my foot in frustration. “If something isn’t done, there’s no telling how many of our soldiers will die. Maybe it looks desperate, but maybe I can do something. You’ve never had an Artan to face the Warkin, so how do you know I can’t stop them?”
I looked straight into the Ranetron’s eyes then the Cortain’s. “Your men and women are being killed out there. Are you really going to let them be slaughtered like animals without giving me even a chance to help?”
The First Lieutenant shuffled her feet. Garett and Risean exchanged glances. The old Moonkind’s gaze fell to the ground, but the Ranetron High-Chief looked at Ilgard. When I saw this, I understood they were placing the decision in his hands. I didn’t bother trying to repress my urgency. I knew he could sense it, and I was letting it plead my case. He had to agree. He had to support me in this. And when he tilted his head, allowing the barest of smiles to soften his face, I knew he would.
“You’ll not be prevented, will you? So you may go to the walls. What you can do from there, do. But you’ll go no nearer.”
I opened my mouth to argue but snapped it shut at the warning in his eyes. This was all I was going to get, they said, and even this concession could be easily revoked if I pressed the issue. Taking heed, I made no objections but asked inste
ad, “How do I get on top of the walls?”
We snagged a passing soldier who led us directly to a stone staircase hugging Shayle’s massive wall. We rushed to the top and dashed out onto the parapet. 3wA as we did, another roar rent the night, earsplitting and terrifying. A ball of flame accompanied it, lighting up the darkness as it traced through the air. It smashed into a ring of tents, exploding into wicked streaks of scarlet flame. A second quickly followed the first, obliterating yet another cluster of tents.
I shook my head disbelievingly. “I can’t believe dragons can do this.”
“They’ve a power all their own,” Ilgard agreed.
Which doubtless accounted for the fire’s health in spite of the wet conditions.
“Can they really not be killed?”
“Rarely. Their handlers are easier,” the Simathe explained, “but slay the handler and their sole restraint is gone. They may then turn on the Warkin or rage into our camp.”
“Which means no going after the handlers, I take it.”
His shoulders rose and fell. “A free dragon is a greater threat than a restrained one.”
Peering over the wall to our damaged camp far below, I considered his advice.
There’s got to be a way, I told myself. You’re the Artan. You have to come up with something.
Another fireball lit the night. This time, in an effort to locate the enemy as well as test their strength, I released a seeking probe into its trail. First, the probe revealed four dragons, with a dozen handlers for each. They’d been smart about the attack: perching themselves on a hill overlooking the city, far enough away they could rain down shots at us while remaining out of reach of our weapons.
What I wouldn’t give for some cannons right about now, I thought sourly.
Pushing the probe, I delved deeper until I felt myself slam into an impenetrable wall. The impact was so strong it was physical: throwing me backwards, knocking me off my feet. Fortunately, Danyele, the Cortain Lieutenant caught me, saving me a fall.
“What is it?” she asked.
I shook my head, not bothering to reply.
Impossible! my mind objected. Nothing can be that strong. That… that huge!
These dragons were gigantic, their power going far beyond the physical. Somehow, they were being fed, sustained, by the Dark Powers. Nothing else could account for their mind-boggling strength, as well as the unholy aura surrounding them.
Despair grabbed me. All of my earlier bravado was gone, ripped away by harsh reality. My mind was blank. I couldn’t think or plan. Instead, I watched helplessly as another streak of fire sliced the dripping sky.
I’ve failed, I thought miserably. Even I can’t do anything here. What was I thinking?
No, there has to be a way. They’re still flesh and blood. Think, Hannah, think!
A soft green glow suddenly suffused the night, a comforting aura that defied the hellish flames produced by the beasts below. Aureeyah materialized beside me, placing a hand on my arm.
“Hannah, what may I do?”
“I’m not sure there’s anything anyone can do.”
The fairy didn’t disagree. There was no denying the odds we faced, odds that threatened to crush any hopes of rescuing our soldiers. My mind whirled, sifting through the different skills I’d conquered while learning to use my magic. Some had been nearly automatic: reactions to the need of the moment. Others I’d had to struggle for. Nevertheless, I’d never given up—not even when it almost killed me, like the healing of the Ranetron High-Chief.
Remembering all this told me I couldn’t quit now. It didn’t matter if I was harmed; I was here to assist our troops. I simply needed a way to do it.
It was Aureeyah who gave me the solution. Looking at her, I suddenly remembered something she’d told me long ago about fairies. How there were fairies for each of the different natural realms: a fairy of the forest, a fairy of the mountains, a fairy of the plains, a fairy of the sea…
A fairy of the sea…
An idea began to take shape in my brain. I grabbed the fairy’s arm.
“Aureeyah, you once told me about the different fairies and their vales, remember?” She nodded agreement. “Is there a fairy of the sea? Or river? If so, is there a possibility she might be nearby?”
The fairy’s eyes brightened. “You’ve a plan?”
“I think I do.”
“What is it?” The Cortain First Lieutenant joined our twosome.
“Can’t go into it now, but I have an idea. Aureeyah, the fairy—”
“Yes, of course. Aemela, fairy of the waters.”
“Can you send for her? I need her. I need both of you.”
“Certainly, my lady.”
“Good. How long before she can get here?”
“Give me leave to go. I shall return shortly with Aemela.”
She didn’t bother waiting for permission. Before our very eyes, Aureeyah vanished into one of her fairy doorways and was gone. There was nothing else to do except wait for her return. Which we did, in pensive, nervous silence.
In a few minutes’ time both fairies were materializing on the wall beside us. Aureeyah became visible first, followed by a second fairy every bit as entrancing as the first two I’d met. Aureeyah presented her as “Aemela,” and then I was pulling both of them aside to sketch out my plan. They listened intently.
“Well? What do you think? Will it work?”
The two fairies exchanged glances. It was Aemela who replied. Her gown, a deep midnight blue, was set off against the nighttime sky by the lighter blue of her aura. Her golden hair was piled high on top of her head, showcasing the pearls that dangled from her delicate earlobes. More pearls were scattered across her bodice, and from her back sprouted a pair of wings that trailed streamers resembling a sea anemone. Her teeth flashed white when she spoke.
“It’s a clever plan, my lady. Rest assured that Aureeyah and I shall do our parts. Are you able to do yours?”
I sighed, raking my fingers nervously through my tangled hair. “I don’t know… I think so. I’ve done something similar once before.”
Aureeyah touched my shoulder gently. “If you have done it in the past, you can do so again. Let your mind and your magic draw you there. Do not resist and do not fret.”
“I’ll try,” I promised.
The Ranetron High-Chief appeared beside us. “What have you decided?”
“We’ve got this, Garett. Just give us some room, and hang on.”
He gave me a quizzical look, but I didn’t have time to explain my use of the vernacular. Fortunately, he chose to step away without arguing, and I felt Ilgard draw up behind me and settle his strong hands on my shoulders. Deriving strength from both his presence and his touch, I told myself, Yes, you can do this, even as Aureeyah closed her eyes and spread her hands, her fingers opening wide. I could sense the power emanating from her and wasn’t surprised to hear a gasp from the Cortain officer and a grunt of surprise from Lord Garett as her power began to take visible form.
Aemela kept her gaze trained on Aureeyah, as did I, until the glow caught my eye. I lifted my face to the sky. A smile of pure wonder parted my lips as I saw a silvery-white dome created of sheer magic expanding slowly above the city, directly over our heads. Not only did it cover our ships on both river and sea, it soon encircled our army outside Shayle’s gates, as well. Lightning bolts raced along its top, sparkling and snapping feverishly. The thing pulsed with power, almost appearing to breathe in and out. My head turned, following its descent. A ball of flame hurtling towards it was smashed to pieces upon its translucent walls.
At last, the dome touched down. Aureeyah’s arms were outstretched as far as they could go, her face upturned and her eyes closed. Turning to me, Aemela said quietly, “It is done. Time for you to do your part, and then I shall do mine.”
I nodded and lowered my eyelids, simultaneously shutting off all recognition of the outside world, including the presence of the Simathe behind me. Giving myself over to the magi
c within, I lost myself while reaching for the power of the ocean outside Aureeyah’s protective dome…
Victory and Defeat
The citizens of Shayle had quieted as they observed the fairy’s dome sliding across the nighttime sky. Once they realized the creation was a protection from danger and no danger itself, marvel held them silent. Likewise, noise from the camp had mitigated as a hush fell both inside and outside the city walls. Now that hush began to be filled by the sound of a dull roar. A mighty blast.
But it was not the Warkin.
Looking out to sea, the Simathe High-Chief witnessed the beginnings of an immense wave that crept faster and faster towards the city, growing both in size and intensity as it advanced. Those inside the city who could see what was happening screamed and began to run, certain they were about to be drowned or swept away. Only a few were like him, standing stock-still, gazing in perverse fascination at this harbinger of death. Silent, they simply watched their fate as it approached…
Water smashed into the dome, striking it with all the force of an angry sea. Aureeyah’s fists clenched as she fought to hold the shield in place, then the water was gliding up and over.
Suddenly, the warrior understood what was happening, and he stared down in awe at the woman before him. The cries of the crowd had one more given way to spellbound awe, yet his full awareness as that colossal wall of water washed across the top of the fairy’s silvery-white dome, was of her. She had Become the sea and was lost so deeply in her magic that she could feel nothing except herself as the wave that slid down the far side of Aureeyah’s shield. She was exerting an incredible amount of power, every bit of which he could feel himself. It was by far the most she’d ever had to exert herself, and he feared for her being able to retain control.
He needn’t have. Not only was she managing the wave, but when he discerned a slight weakening that he tried to fill with his own strength, he collided with a defensive force. Somehow, she had blocked him without his knowledge. How had she done that? The Joining bond should not have permitted it, yet she had done it, as surely as the fairy was maintaining her own shield of power against the Artan’s wave.
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