Invasion and Dragons

by Jekka Jones

  “What I find funny,” said Will, “is the dragons are pretty much protecting us. You see,” he continued when Landon frowned in confusion, “the dragons have to keep the rogue away while the soldiers search for us. The rogue—”

  “Sri’Lanca,” Landon corrected without thinking. “His name’s Sri’Lanca.”

  This earned him a concerned look from both men, which Landon ignored. After hallucinating about the dragon so much, he was convinced that Sri’Lanca was akin to a human. It implied a creature incapable of emotions, a creature that survived on instinct and nothing more. But the pain in Sri’Lanca’s screams had been too deep to be an animal, too full of emotional suffering. It was the pain of a broken heart, and only sentient beings could experience such emotions.

  “Right, Sri’Lanca.” Will continued, seeing Landon wasn’t going to explain himself. “It keeps trying to attack and burn the areas of the forests where we’re hiding. Sometimes it burns a completely different patch of forest, waits for several dragons to fly there, and then attacks another area when there’s not as many dragons lurking about.”

  “How many are there usually? Dragons, that is.”

  “Over a hundred. And let me tell you, that rogue dragon is a match for all of them. It sounds like a cat fight except louder and with fire thrown in.” Will chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. “By what we gathered from the soldiers, the other dragons are trying to kill Sri’Lanca but he’s too fast and clever for them. Apparently, he takes their traps and turns it on them. Bottom line is, the Dagnorians are trying to find us, but Sri’Lanca is making it difficult for them and easier for us to move south.”

  Landon gave a low whistle. “Skies, I feel like I missed a lot even though I was here the whole time. How did I sleep through a bunch of dragon fights?”

  Although he was annoyed at himself, he couldn’t suppress a wave of pride for his people. It was just another example of the resourcefulness of Nircanians. They could gather enough knowledge on their enemies to make any spy jealous just from hiding in the earth for three days.

  “Go easy on yourself, Landon,” said Mr. Higgins, “you were fighting against angels know how many poisons that were in your blood. It’s nothing to be upset over.”

  “Still, if dragons were fighting in the sky I should’ve heard something.”

  “I think you did,” said Will. “You just thought they were hallucinations.”

  Landon shuddered, remembering the Angen hallucination. “I’m glad that’s over.” He looked from Will to Myra’s father. “Have you heard anything about our families?”

  Both shook their heads. “So far, no,” Mr. Higgins replied, not bothering to hide his worry. “But, if there’s one thing we know it is the kings will not harm them. They know how important they are to you.” Although he didn’t say it, Landon knew he was referring to Myra.

  They sat in silence until Sam returned, squeezing through the roots with a pail of water and a fresh change of clothes. He set the pail down and dusted his hands, snapping the three Nircanians out of their gloomy thoughts.

  “Good news,” he announced. “We’re leaving as soon as it’s dark. We need to pack up, and you,” he pointed to Landon and then the pail, “need to wash up. Your detoxification made it difficult to keep you clean.”

  “Yes sir,” said Landon, his spirits lifting. He got to his feet, shaky but otherwise fine, and went to the pail. He began to wash the sweat from his body, trying to stay under the blanket so no one would see his scars. He dressed and started to gather up the other blankets. He was immediately robbed of this chore.

  “Just sit by the coals and rest,” snapped Will, gently pushing Landon away from one of the makeshift beds. “You’ve only been up for two hours.”

  “I’ve been resting,” Landon argued. “And I’m pretty sure I ate half a pheasant—and most of the peaches. At least let me fold the blankets.”

  “No. Go sit down.”

  “Will . . .” Landon began threateningly, but Sam came up from behind and grabbed him by the shoulders.

  “Sit by the fire. Doctor’s orders,” he commanded, steering Landon towards the fire. He forced Landon to sit and shoved a handful of masonberries into his hands. “Eat these.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Eat.”

  “I just ate, Sam.”

  “Eat!”

  “Yes sir,” Landon grumbled. He was sick of being treated like a fragile doll, and he took out his frustration on the berries. He grounded them into a fine, sticky pulp in his mouth before swallowing. This drew chuckles from his brother.

  The sunlight faded, and soon the fire pit was their only source of light. All their supplies were piled near the entrance, and except for the glowing embers, the cave looked as if it had never been occupied. Will and Mr. Higgins began carrying the blankets and sacks out while Sam did one last check over Landon.

  “I feel dandy, Sam,” said Landon.

  “You say that now, but it might change when you’re on a horse,” he replied, examining Landon’s neck. “You’ve been sick for three days, so don’t go thinking you’re fit as a rabbit, Landon. It may not be like healing after Menrye, but I don’t want any nasty surprises sneaking up on me.”

  Landon rolled his eyes and was about to explain that this was nothing compared to Menrye when Will poked his head in. “We’re moving out. And someone’s here to see you, Lan.” He smiled and disappeared.

  Landon humphed and got to his feet. “I hate it when he does that.”

  “Does what?” asked Sam.

  “Tells me there’s someone here for me and then runs off. It usually means that Mom found out I got sick and never told her.”

  “You mean she found out you had skipped school that day,” Sam corrected. “I remember very well your teacher coming to my door and asking how you were doing. Do you know how awkward it is to tell a teacher that the student she had sent to the hospital never showed?”

  “Do you know how awkward it is coming home to find your teacher and mother standing in your living room?” Landon countered. “Not fun at all.”

  Sam smirked. “I have no sympathy for you.” He buried the rest of the coals, and they exited the cave.

  It was dark under the forest canopy. There was a sliver of moon that peeked through the branches and leaves. Landon smelled rain, and thunder rumbled in the west. He smiled, silently thanking Jeshua and His angels for sending the storm to hide them from their enemies. A group of twenty people were gathered together, talking in low voices. Several had lanterns covered by clothes that had finger-size holes cut into them, casting little pinpricks of light. Every few minutes, one would leave the group and walk out of sight. A whistle would pierce the air, sounding at random intervals, until the person returned with their horse trailing behind.

  Landon scanned the crowd, searching for Will. Will caught his eye and pointed to a group of grazing horses. Among them was a stallion with a coat that gleamed dark red in the pinpricks of lantern light. It munched at the grass, sometimes shouldering another horse out of the way.

  A joyous smile broke over Landon’s face. He hadn’t seen his horse, Oni, since the samurai forced him to Tsuregi. He had been captured from a wild herd, and was half-tamed—a fact that the horse trader failed to mention to Eli. Oni had a tendency to throw any rider on his back, and no amount of training on Landon’s part could break that habit. That, among his teasing nature to ignore Landon’s calls, gave him the Sikhan name meaning devil.

  “Oni,” Landon called. The horse’s ears pricked at the sound of his voice, and Oni was next to him in a flash. Oni nudged Sam out of the way and glared at all the men as if daring them to take Landon from him.

  “You know, for how much he likes to throw you, that’s one loyal horse,” Will remarked. “None of my horses would come looking for me if I disappeared.”

  “I think its more possessiveness than loyalty,” Landon said, stroking Oni’s neck. “He tried to start a war with the samurai when they took me to T
suregi. They made me ride a different horse, and he hated it.”

  Sam didn’t look thrilled about Landon riding Oni, but he said nothing. He gave Landon a cloak to wear, and Will gave him his sword. He buckled it to his waist, and then climbed onto his horse.

  Once everyone was mounted, Temmings waved an arm and the party set off into the night. Those with the lanterns were scattered along the group at intervals, the little pinpricks of light dancing with the horses’ movements. The effect made it appear as though the light came from fireflies. It was enough for the Nircanians to see the ground and nearby trees, but not enough that enemies would spot them. Oni frisked around a bit, excited to have Landon and another large company to travel with, but behaved far better than when Landon had traveled with Darrin and his six trainees last summer. Sam and Will rode beside him, taking turns to ask Landon in whispers how he was doing.

  “Still dandy,” Landon answered for the twentieth time. He felt tired and a bit queasy, but he wasn’t going to admit it. He knew he would have all day tomorrow to sleep. For once, his body wasn’t in pain, and he enjoyed keeping Oni under control. He forgot how much he’d missed Oni’s spirit even if the horse tried to throw him at random moments.

  The storm drifted closer. Clouds skittered across the moon, plunging the forest into darkness before pale light broke through again. The gentle breeze became a strong wind that tossed branches and showered the Nircanians with leaves. The wind increased until Landon could barely hear a thing. The Nircanians pressed on, pulling up their hoods against the gale, and the horses tossed their heads. Oni kept pausing and trying to turn back, forcing Landon to dig his heels into the horse’s sides and pull him around. After several minutes of this, Oni stopped and refused to move.

  “Oni, what’re you doin’?” Landon shouted over the wind. He kicked and dug his heels into the horse’s side, but Oni stayed immobile. He raised his head, ears turning and nostrils flaring.

  “What’s going on?” Will called to Temmings.

  “I don’t know,” said Temmings, “but be ready, it could be a wolf pack.”

  Landon looked around. Every single horse had stopped, heads erect and ears flicking around. Landon swallowed, nervous that twenty-three animals were on the alert.

  “It’s about to storm. Wolves don’t hunt during storms,” Rickins argued.

  In the dark, Landon saw Temmings turn towards the judge, and then his horse reared. Temmings was caught by surprise and slipped off his mount. The horse let out a piercing and terrified neigh, and soon all the horses were rearing and throwing off their riders.

  Oni’s head dropped, and his muscles tensed. Landon clamped onto Oni with his heels, knees, and thighs, gripping his mane and squeezing with all his might. Even then, he went flying on the first buck. He slammed into the ground, and laid there breathless for a moment. A lantern clattered to the ground beside him and the flame went out.

  “You stupid horse!” Landon shouted, but his words were drowned by a loud, ear-splitting howl. It overpowered the wind, screaming like a wounded animal. The sound shook Landon’s skull, and he clamped his hands over his ears. In the corner of his eye, he saw Will and the others do the same. Johnston staggered to his feet, his short sword drawn and ready for an attack. The horses scattered in all directions, and ten galloped towards Landon. He rolled to the side, the ground shaking and his hair tossing as the horses careened by.

  The demonic howling stopped, and a deep masculine voice boomed through the woods.

  “Put down your sword, Nircanian, or I will make you.”

  The hairs on Landon’s neck stood up straight. He scrambled to his feet as Johnston yelled, “Dragon! Everyone, run!” He turned to see the constable throw a lantern into the dark. It shattered against a tree, the brief burst of flame illuminating large eyes between the trunks.

  Landon hesitated, but Will shoved him. “Go! It wants you!”

  No one else was running away; they were drawing whatever weapon they had on their person and standing back to back. Landon wanted to draw his sword and stand with them, but he couldn’t risk getting caught a second time. The Dagnorians would put him in a place beyond rescue if that happened.

  Landon didn’t waste time arguing. With a shameful thought and whispered apology, he turned and ran. The men and women behind him shouted insults, and threw all their fury and terror at the dragon.

  He didn’t get far before a tree crashed to the ground in front of him. He skidded to the left only to have another tree fall across his path. A yell ripped from his throat as he swerved to the side. A third log crashed to the ground in front of him, but Landon didn’t have time to change his direction. He crashed into it. Instead of wood, he felt warm scales beneath his hands. They were hard yet smooth as rocks worn by the sea.

  He jerked his hands away and drew his sword. He was encircled by the dragon’s tail, completely cut off from the Nircanians. He hacked at the tail, but it merely scratched the scales. Landon sensed eyes watching him, and he spun towards the dragon’s head. He raised his sword and waited for the attack. The clouds cleared enough for the moonlight to illuminate the dragon.

  At first, Landon thought it was Sri’Lanca, but the head was wrong. This dragon’s head was rounded, and had small spikes along its jaw and eyeline. The spikes extended along the side and top of its neck and body to tail. It was smoky gray instead of Sri’Lanca’s mottled brown and red. Its orange eyes glowed, scrutinizing and intelligent. Landon stared at the dragon in confusion and so did not see its rider until she stepped over the tail.

  “Not you again,” Landon snarled.

  “Fate just keeps bringing us together, Landon Dayn,” said Liliana. “And I again benefit from our little reunions.”

  Chapter 10

  Landon leveled his sword at Liliana. “What do you want now?” he shouted, his fear feeding his annoyance. He had no intention of hurting her, but if he could make it seem as if he would, maybe her dragon would back down.

  Even in the dim light, Landon saw her mouth twitch with a smile. “Ti’Luthin,” she said, “please take care of the other peasants. I have a few words to say to Landon Dayn.”

  “The only words I want to hear from you is ‘Have a nice day’ followed by the back of your head,” Landon snapped. He flexed his hands on the hilt, hoping he appeared more threatening than he felt. His arms trembled with the effort to hold his blade steady. The hilt grew warmer as the Seal reached out to him, offering aid.

  “Landon! Landon! Are you all right?” Will shouted. Landon could see his brother and the others regrouping beyond the dragon’s bulk, weapons drawn and ready.

  “Attack!” cried Johnston. He and the others rushed forward, swords, knives, and spears leveled to pierce the thick hide.

  Liliana’s dragon, Ti’Luthin, snarled and flicked a wing. Startled cries and curses sounded, and the dragon got to his feet. The dragon gathered up the fallen lanterns, relit them with a short burst of flame, and set them inside the circle around Liliana. He kept Landon and Liliana encircled by his body, but it gave Landon a clear view of his companions. They were scattered everywhere, clambering to their feet and reaching for fallen weapons. For every person that managed to stand, Ti’Luthin knocked them over with his wing and took their weapons. He placed those in a growing pile by Liliana. Landon noticed that like Sri’Lanca, Ti’Luthin had three toes and a fourth that moved like a thumb. He was again unnerved with how human the dragon seemed.

  “Leave them alone!” Landon darted forward, swinging his sword overhead. He brought it down, but it was stopped by a clawed foot. The dragon’s fist swallowed up the katana and yanked it from his hands, sending him into a portion of the dragon’s tail. Ti’Luthin offered the sword to Liliana. She took it by the hilt and thrust it point first into the soil. Ti’Luthin returned his attention to systematically disarming the Nircanians.

  “That . . . you . . .” Landon wanted to give the girl and dragon a piece of his mind, but the words died faster than they could form. He had never been disar
med so quickly, even in the first few days of his training in Tsuregi. He tried to maintain a defiant posture even though he knew he was as good as caught. He and his companions were disarmed, and only divine intervention could stop Ti’Luthin from taking him back to Town.

  “Congratulations, Liliana Me’Yasu,” Landon said, surprising himself that he remembered her surname, “you caught me.” He threw his arms wide. “What are you going to do next?”

  Both dragon and girl regarded him with blatant curiosity, making Landon’s shoulders tighten. Having five lanterns around her made Liliana’s red hair glow like fire, and it threw dark shadows across her face. She folded her arms, looking like a judge about to announce a verdict.

  “What do you want?” Landon repeated. “Spit it out!”

  “The truth,” said Liliana, projecting her voice so the others could hear. “Did you kill my uncle?”

  Landon stiffened, but said nothing. How could he deny the truth? He was capable of lies and half truths to get out of trouble, but not when it came to murder. He hadn’t been able to lie to Angen when his life depended on it.

  “Yes,” Landon said at last. “I did. And I’m sorry.”

  Liliana closed her eyes as though in pain. She dropped her arms to her sides, and her left hand brushed against the katana. Landon tensed.

  “Don’t you dare hurt my brother!” Will bellowed.

  “Landon!” Shouted Mr. Higgins. “If you can run, go! Get away from here!”

  “That boy is as guilty as any soldier during war,” Temmings yelled. “Your uncle—”

  “Be silent,” said Ti’Luthin. Instead of flicking his wing, he stretched it out and made a wide sweep with it. The unarmed Nircanians shouted as the dragon scooped them to his side, trapping them under his wing. “I should have done that sooner. Beat away, Nircanians,” he said to his wing. “Good luck breaking my bones.” The dragon chuckled to himself.