Invasion and Dragons

by Jekka Jones

  “Baka!” Juan cried. Next thing Landon knew, Juan had shoved him in the chest, throwing him against a stump.

  “Juan!”

  “Here! He’s here!” bellowed Sairen, and he stepped into view.

  For one second Landon and the samurai stared at each other. Landon’s heart quickened as Sairen’s eyes went to the pouch at his waist. They widened in understanding. Juan’s mouth opened with a last desperate plea for Landon to escape. Landon’s muscles trembled, torn between the desire to run and to help Juan. All the while, his precious freedom slipped away with each second.

  The samurai’s face split into a triumphant leer. He drew his sword and leveled it at Juan.

  “Your services, Valdez, are no longer required,” Sairen crooned. He raised his sword.

  A dark red shape appeared out of nowhere and plowed into the samurai, knocking him off his feet and into a tree. Sairen’s head cracked against the trunk, and he crumpled to the ground, his katana slipping from his limp fingers. The red shape didn’t stop there but raced towards two more bobbing lanterns, neighing a challenge into the night.

  “Oni, no!” Landon shouted, jumping to his feet. “Come back! Come back, you stupid horse! We need you here!”

  As always, it was useless. Oni was in his element, and he was too smart—or too dumb—to recognize the samurai and terrorize them. The samurai’s eager shouts turned to confusion, and their curses mingled with Landon’s frantic whistles. None of the samurai were on horseback. If he could get that demon beast to hold still long enough for him to pull Juan onto his back, then they could get to safety.

  As soon as that thought entered his mind, the ground rumbled. More neighs filled the air. Landon looked every way, his neck cricking painfully, and saw thirty riders pelting towards him. Metal glinted in each hand.

  “Angels dammit!” he cried.

  “Caborcans?” Juan asked, terrified.

  Landon didn’t answer. He dashed to Sairen. The samurai was stirring, touching his head and blinking. He started, but Landon snatched up his sword and dashed back to Juan.

  “Hold still, mate,” Landon said, kneeling beside Juan.

  “Landon, just go!” Juan begged. He froze—eyes wide as Landon slid the sword between his knees. The keen blade sliced through the strands, and the ropes fell free. Landon jumped to his feet and pulled Juan to his. He turned towards the riders, raising Sairen’s sword and falling into a defensive stance. In the corner of his eye, he saw Juan raise both fists.

  The riders were upon them . . . and then rushing past them. They didn’t shout—unusual for the samurai or the Borikans—but instead leaned over their horse’s necks, eyes bright with rage. Landon, dumbfounded, turned on the spot. Will, Judge Rickins, Constable Johnston, Mr. Higgins, Edwin, Jake, Mr. Giles, and many more familiar faces blurred passed him. A gray mare swerved around Landon, bearing Morgan and Liliana. Morgan whooped and swung a quarterstaff as Darrin leapt into view. Darrin dodged it only to get whacked by Liliana’s staff. He grunted and fell to the ground.

  “Well done, my beauty!” Morgan said, crowing with laughter. “That’s three samurai for you! Oh look! Two more!” He steered his gray mare after the samurai racing to help Darrin.

  Darrin managed to get to his feet. He and the remaining samurai flocked together into a circle, swords drawn against the twenty horsemen. Each rider wielded a different weapon. The Nircanians fell on the samurai with the silent confidence of an owl on a rabbit. They harassed the samurai, forcing the warriors to defend rather than attack. Several samurai cried out in pain as the Nircanians’ weapons found the gaps in their armor. A few fell to the ground, moaning.

  Two horses skittered to a stop beside Landon and Juan. Landon’s heart soared, and all terror vanished at the sight of the two riders.

  “Dad!”

  “Eli! Diego!” cried Juan.

  “What are ya doing traipsing around with samurai, pup?” Eli bellowed, stretching out a hand towards Landon. “I thought I taught you better than that!”

  “Belt me later, pops, but let’s get out of here first,” Landon replied, laughing and swinging his leg up to sit behind Eli. He held the katana aloft so it wouldn’t cut the horse. Diego pulled Juan onto the back of his horse, Thirien.

  “Landon, where’s the sword?” Diego asked, noticing Sairen’s blade.

  “Long story but I have the Seal,” said Landon. “Myra’s around here though. She went to a spring.”

  “We found her, pup. She told us you were close by,” said Eli. He spurred his horse into a gallop and Diego urged Thirien to follow.

  “Where is she?” Landon shouted.

  “She’s on her way to our hideout with your mothers. They wanted to come but we didn’t have enough horses for them.”

  “I’m sure they were happy about that,” said Landon grinning. My mothers. Temmings and the others had succeeded in stealing his family from the samurai.

  “They’ll get over it. We got my boys!” Eli yelled as they passed the other Nircanians. “Let’s go!”

  As one, the Nircanians wheeled their horses and barreled after Diego, Juan, Eli, and Landon. Darrin shouted after them, but his words were lost to the pounding hooves. Landon clung to Eli, thanking Jeshua for sending help rather than suffering him to fall into another Seer’s grasp.

  Oni reappeared next to him. He bumped and nipped at Eli’s horse until it and Eli were annoyed. Eli swore and shoved Oni away, and the red horse skirted around to pester Morgan.

  “Oni, you lump!” cried Morgan. “Get away from my girl!”

  “Your girl?” said Liliana. She sounded annoyed, but Landon detected a hint of pride in her tone.

  “Excuse me, my girls. Chaney’s a she-male too. Didn’t I tell you that?”

  “Several times, I believe,” Liliana replied with a smile. She looked happier than Landon had ever seen her.

  They galloped for another mile before allowing their horses to walk. Landon was bursting to ask for the details of his parents’ rescue, and with great difficulty he held those questions at bay. Once they reached the hideout, it would be safe to talk.

  It felt like years before they reached a hideout that wasn’t on the map Juan had been given. It wasn’t a dugout or a cave, but a clearing hidden behind thick bushes that grew so close together the horses couldn’t enter. The horses were left to wander and graze on their own as their riders pushed through the brambles to the camp.

  “Is Sam with you?” Landon asked the back of Eli’s head. For the first time, he was looking forward to a bedrest sentence. Although his bones were healed, his bruised body ached. He winced every time a branch slipped free and whacked his chest.

  “Yes, and he’s already anticipating you being crippled or sick in some way.” Eli paused to run a searching eye over Landon’s face, though it was too dark to see the yellow bruises. “You look fine to me.”

  “Never been better,” Landon replied. It appeared they knew nothing about Landon’s involvement with Sri’Lanca—yet.

  “Good. Then I can belt you for getting mixed up with samurai again. Don’t argue with me, pup,” Eli snapped when Landon started to speak. “We’ve been worried out of our minds about you. Your mothers most of all. They almost set off alone to find you and Myra when we still had no word on your whereabouts.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No excuse, pup.” Eli then muttered a few choice words to express his displeasure. Landon chuckled softly. He knew Eli was acting the furious parent because he was so relieved to see his adopted son safe and, for once, not on his deathbed.

  They pushed through the last of the brambles into the hidden campsite. Canvas tarps had been strung up around it with branches and leaves scattered across them for camouflage. A single large coal pit burned in the center of the camp. Three tents were pitched along one side, the flaps held open to reveal bags and other provisions. Johnston was in there, using a small lantern to take stock of the supplies. About twenty men and women bustled around the camp, whispering as they a
ccounted for each person.

  On the opposite side from him, Myra was seated on a log with Sam already examining her burns. She was gesturing with her hands, obviously telling him how she had come by those wounds. Morgan, Liliana, and Myra’s father and brothers were standing around them, listening. As Landon watched, Jake reached out and stopped Judge Rickins as she passed, drawing the judge into the group.

  “What’s wrong with Myra?” asked Diego, appearing beside Landon.

  “That’s part of the long story.” He saw Juan step from the brambles. The Caborcan stared about him with a curious expression that didn’t fool Landon. “But Juan—”

  “Landon!” cried two women. Next thing he knew, Landon was bent in half by Alyssa hanging off his neck.

  “Ow! Mom!”

  “I. Was. So. Worried!” she said, punctuating each word with a forceful kiss on his cheek. “I am so glad you’re safe. And you proposed to Myra!” More kisses rained upon his cheeks. “Her ring is so beautiful!”

  “You’re breaking my neck!” Landon managed to force Alyssa’s arms away, only to give Sierra the chance to pin his arms against his side with a bear hug of her own. “You too?”

  “We’re your mothers; it’s our duty.” Sierra squeezed him until he thought his ribs would break. “I’m so glad you’re okay—and not hurt for once.”

  “Hurting,” Landon squeaked. Sierra’s arms tightened. “Really hurting. No joke.”

  Sierra released him, grabbed his face with both hands and planted a kiss on his forehead. “I love you.”

  “A little less love would be heavenly.”

  As his mothers continued to fawn over him, Landon spotted Juan. Juan was watching him and his mothers as if they were another species—a species he wanted to be a part of. The coal pit wasn’t that bright, but it was enough for Landon to see the wetness around his eyes. Their eyes met, and Juan turned away.

  “Okay, Mom. I love you too,” said Landon. He struggled past his mothers and approached Juan. He put a hand on his arm to catch his attention.

  “Juan . . . do you—erm, want to talk about it?” Landon asked, feeling stupid. What was he supposed to say? No words could heal the wound that Juan’s father had inflicted on his son’s heart.

  “I’m fine,” said Juan stiffly. He slid his arm from Landon’s grasp. “I think I’ll just see where I can—where I can find a place to sleep. I’m tired.”

  “Juan . . .”

  “I’ll be all right, Landon.” Juan began to move away.

  For a second, Landon was about to let him go, but Juan’s shoulders drooped. He lifted his feet as though iron balls were fastened to them. Landon thought about Juan’s father, Darrin, and the Seal. Anger that had been boiling beneath the surface for the past few days exploded. First Myra, then Nircana, and now Juan. Landon was sick of everything going from bad to worse, and if he could keep it from becoming a disaster, then by the angels he was going to try.

  Landon marched forward and grabbed Juan’s arm. “No, Juan,” he said quietly, struggling to keep his tone gentle. “You’re not all right and you won’t be. I’m . . .” Landon searched for something to say. “I’m just as horrified as you are. I’m sorry.”

  Juan gaped at him. “Landon, I am fine.” His eyes darted around the area.

  “False, Juan Valdez,” Landon hissed. “Only a soulless worm like a Borikan could be happy dandy after being exiled by his own father!”

  Juan snarled. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, pulling away.

  “Juan, I may not fully understand how much it hurts,” said Landon, keeping a firm grip on Juan’s elbow, “but I know your dad cares about you. He was trying to protect you.”

  “He was just trying to save his own name.” Juan snarled and ripped his arm from Landon’s hands.

  “No—he was trying to save yours, Don Juan Valdez,” Landon retorted. “I saw his face as clearly as I see yours right now and he hated what he was doing. He didn’t want to banish you any more than my dad would.”

  “Shut it, Landon” Juan shot back, his eyes blazing. “What’s done is done. Let’s forget about it and move on.”

  “Fat chance of that, Juan Valdez!” Landon said, furious. “Your own father disowned you and threw you to the vipers. There’s no brushing that off!”

  There were several gasps behind him. Landon glanced over his shoulder and gulped. He had been so focused on Juan that he hadn’t noticed everyone in the camp had stopped to listen. The Nircanians stood in place, frozen in mid-action and gaping openly.

  Diego stepped forward and asked, “Juan, what happened?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Juan, what did your father do?” asked Eli, concerned.

  “It’s none of your business, Eli. I can handle it.” Juan snapped.

  Landon snorted. “Sure you can.” Juan glared at him, and his hands curled into fists. Landon braced himself for an attack, but he went on. He spoke his thoughts as soon as they formed, hoping his words could dispel the pain in his friend’s eyes.

  “Don’t you understand? You were banished rather than executed, Juan. I bet your father had a hand turning you over to Darrin. He hoped our friendship would save you from the samurai. He knew that as soon as we heard of your banishment, none of us would rest until we had you safely out of Darrin’s grasp. Do you get what I’m saying?”

  Juan’s face was dark, and a tear slithered its way down his cheek. “Yes. You want me to cling to hope when there is none. You want me to believe that when this is all over, my father will forgive me, take me home, and everyone will live happily ever after. It’s Menrye all over again.” Juan’s laugh was cold and strained. “Thanks, Landon, but no thanks. You deal with your own problems and I’ll deal with mine.”

  “Dingbat! Your problems are my problems!” Landon yelled. He wanted to hit Juan—wanted to pound some sense into his thick, noble brain—yet a tiny part of his enraged mind held him back. Juan needed a friend, not a beating. “Everything is a mess, and it’s everybody’s fault, but that also makes it everybody’s problem. I don’t know if your dad will take back his words or welcome you home, but I know he wants you to be safe! It’s the truth, Juan Valdez, whether you like it or not!”

  They stood, glaring at each other while a camp full of Nircanians watched. Even the crickets were silent, startled by Landon’s outburst. A vein in Juan’s temple pulsed. Landon knew Juan wanted to punch him but was holding back for the same reason. No more beatings. They both had had enough beatings to last several lifetimes.

  Diego stepped between them and placed a gentle hand on Juan’s shoulder. “Come. Let us go somewhere private and you can tell me about it. Don’t argue,” he pressed when Juan began to complain. “Of everyone here, I can best help you.”

  Maybe it was Diego’s soothing tone, or the fact that he was a noble of a dead nation, but whatever it was Landon felt his anger ebb. He felt stupid for shouting and drawing unwanted attention to Juan. A part of him feared that Juan was right—that Raphael Valdez had banished his son to protect the family name. Yet a bigger part of him, the Nircanian part that valued families, refused to believe that a father could be that cruel.

  Juan looked as though he was going to brush off Diego like he had tried with Landon, but he didn’t. His shoulders drooped with defeat—his body trembling—and he nodded.

  “I really am sorry, Juan,” Landon said softly. “I’m sorry you got mixed up in all this.”

  Juan said nothing, but allowed Diego to lead him away. They disappeared into one of the tents, and Diego untied the flaps. The canvas doors flopped over the opening, giving them the privacy they needed. The Nircanians exchanged sympathetic looks, then returned to whatever tasks they had been doing before.

  Landon stayed where he was, unsure how to help and too tired to ask. He watched as bedrolls were unfurled and clothes bags pounded into pillow form. More than once, eyes flicked from him to the silhouettes of Diego and Juan. A few Nircanians whispered soothing words that were meant to give him
comfort, but it just made him feel worse. He didn’t notice when Eli and his mothers joined him until Alyssa embraced him.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled. He was apologizing a lot lately.

  Alyssa shook her head. “The only one we should be sorry for is Juan’s father, sweetie. He’s the one that is going to have to deal with this on his own. Come on. Sam wants to have a look at you before you go to bed. You look exhausted.” She took Landon’s arm as though he was escorting her to a dance and led him towards the doctor’s tent. Sierra and Eli followed, speaking softly to each other. They tried to keep their voices low, but Landon heard them. Even after months of being cured of his blindness, his ears were still sharp.

  “Is there any chance Juan could be un-banished?” Eli asked.

  “That’s up to the king,” Sierra replied. “What with everything that has happened, even if we are lucky to end this war without giving up the Seal, I doubt Guiterrez would allow Juan to return. If he did, he would make his life a nightmare.”

  Eli sighed. “Juan is better off with us, then?”

  Sierra didn’t say anything, and Landon assumed she had nodded or made some other gesture of agreement because Eli added, “Damn nobles.”

  “I promise, not all nobles are greedy and proud. The Seal just brings out the worst in humanity.” Sierra sighed. “I don’t know how we’ll stop this war without giving the Seers what they want.”

  “One day at a time, Sierra. One day at a time,” Eli replied. “I’m just glad we have everyone accounted for. I can sleep well tonight, as soon as I belt my boy for giving me such a fright,” he added in a louder voice.

  “Ha-ha,” said Landon, rolling his eyes. Beneath the scuffle and soft voices of people readying for bed, Landon heard Juan’s voice, choked and ragged with grief. His eyes slid to the silhouettes in the tent. Juan’s dark figure was bent over, elbows on knees, with his head buried in his hands. Diego sat near him with a shadowy arm around his shoulders.

  They reached Sam and the others. Sam took one look at Landon, his eyes going to the places where Landon once had broken bones, and pointed to a bed of blankets. “Bed. I’ll deal with you in the morning.”