by Jekka Jones
“For the last time, Liliana, I didn’t!”
“I think you did, Landon.” Her vibrant green eyes bored into his. Her body shook as though restraining herself from leaping at him. “Did you make eye contact? Did your heart skip beats as if trying to reset itself to a different rhythm?”
“Will you drop it?”
Liliana spoke over him, fighting to keep from yelling. “Did your muscles contract around your shoulder blades and lower back as if you had wings and a tail? Have you been feeling emotions that aren’t yours?”
“What are you, Sam’s assistant?” Landon snapped, jumping to his feet. He was rewarded with a sharp ache in his spine.
Liliana was on her feet in a flash, and she grabbed his arm. “Answer me, Landon. Did you feel those? Because that’s what it feels like when you bond with a dragon. I felt it with Ti’Luthin, and Sri’Lanca will know the feeling too. When he gets close to you, your muscles will react to his movements, increase your speed and agility—”
“Fly off!” Landon snarled, ripping his arm from her grasp. “You’re just grasping at straws because you want Sri’Lanca to be well again. You don’t want to lose him as you lost Judan.”
Liliana flinched. “Yes, I hate seeing Sri’Lanca mad with grief, but I’m not saying this out of a fool’s hope. I think you tamed him, Landon. I think he wanted to bond with you to be free of the pain, and was shocked that it worked. He wanted to be your dra—”
He had had enough. “Thanks for the insight into dragon behavior but we should get going,” Landon interrupted, turning his back on Liliana. He picked up the canteens, gritting his teeth from the weight.
“Landon!”
Landon headed back to his friends and family, fuming. Me, tame a dragon? Especially Sri’Lanca? It wasn’t a foolish thought—it was downright insane. Only Dagnorians could tame dragons.
However, Liliana didn’t say it was specific to race. It was a rite of passage today, but a thousand years ago there was no age restriction . . . humans and dragons bonded to fight the wizards, and they won. The wizards died because of dragon taming. . . .
“No,” Landon hissed. “I didn’t tame Sri’Lanca. I broke his mind and now he’s insane.” He remembered Liliana saying no one knew where Sri’Lanca was now. “Great. I still have a homicidal psycho fire-breathing dragon after me. As if I didn’t have enough problems.” He glanced at the sky, expecting to see a dark, dragon-shaped shadow bearing down on him. All he saw was an array of fluffy clouds against an ocean blue sky.
Landon forced the turmoil from his face. “All filled,” he said when he reached his family and friends. He slid the canteens off his shoulders, groaning with relief as the weight left his body.
“Took you long enough,” said Morgan, grabbing his two canteens. He paused, studying Landon’s face. “You okay?”
Landon hissed through his teeth. “For all that is holy, I feel happy as a lark.”
“Okay okay!” said Morgan, raising his hands. “No need to chop off my head. Liliana! I have an idea for dinner tonight, but it’s going to require you to get creative with some flour.”
“I would love to, Morgan, but something has come to my attention,” Liliana replied, distributing her set of canteens. “I need to discuss it with Ti’Luthin. Where did Judge Temmings go?”
“He’s over by the horses,” said Morgan.
“Ah, I see him.” Liliana brushed past Landon. Her arm bumped against his, sending a shiver down his spine. He sensed her trying to catch his eye, and he stared determinedly in the opposite direction.
“Wait! I’ll come with you.” Morgan scrambled to his feet. In seconds, he had both canteens in his pack, his pack on his shoulder, and his quarterstaff in hand. He bounded after Liliana.
“You don’t need to come with me, Morgan.”
“Excuse me? You think you can run off in a samurai-ridden forest all by yourself? Out of the question my pearl of pearls!”
“Do you even know what a pearl is?”
“It’s an exotic rock that is beautiful like you.”
“Morgan, you really don’t need to accompany me. Why don’t you stay with your friends? You haven’t seen them in a while.”
Morgan waved his hand, their voices growing softer as they walked away from Landon and the others. “We’re all heading to the same place. Besides, Landon and Myra will just make googily eyes at each other, and Juan will mope. I’d much rather stay with you.”
Myra snickered, and Juan’s dark complexion became tinged with pink. Liliana continued to protest until they reached the judges. Landon kept his back to them, trying with all his might to ignore Liliana. She was telling Temmings she needed to speak with Ti’Luthin and would meet the Nircanians later.
Landon took a swig of water from a canteen and noticed Eli and Alyssa staring at him. They both wore worried expressions. Landon raised a questioning eyebrow.
“Sweetie,” said Alyssa gently, “you look exhausted. Do you want to sleep for a bit?”
“I’m fine, Mom. Really.” Landon smiled, his stomach twisting with guilt. It had been hard to speak those words, and his smile felt weird.
Myra noticed, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. She was about to speak when Eli struck up a conversation about how much further they had to travel, and Landon participated with relish.
At one point, he saw Myra catch Juan’s eye and somehow, without words, she conveyed to the Caborcan that Landon was upset. He ignored Liliana and Morgan until they returned to his group to say goodbye, and didn’t watch as they walked off into the forest. All the while, Myra and Juan watched him from the corner of their eyes. Landon ignored that too.
It was a welcomed relief when they mounted their horses and resumed the journey. Oni frisked around as usual, and it gave Landon something to occupy his attention—well, most of it. He couldn’t shake Liliana’s explanation of dragon taming, nor the questions she had thrown at him. The questions kept floating to the front of his thoughts, nagging and pestering him, until he was forced to answer them.
Yes, he and Sri’Lanca had made eye contact. Yes, his heart had stuttered and had almost changed its rhythm. His entire back had gone into a seizure, moving in time with Sri’Lanca’s wings and tail. His emotions were often all over the place, and the guilt he felt was sharper than normal. It reminded him of when he had killed Ashrin.
Angels, he was starting to think he had tamed Sri’Lanca.
Chapter 17
Over the next several days, Liliana’s words about dragon taming haunted Landon. He tried to push it to the back of his mind, but it always seeped to the front and demanded his attention. He found himself paying more attention to his emotions, unsure if the mixed grief and simmering rage was his own or if it was being channeled from Sri’Lanca. Every twitch of his muscles sent his heart hammering with anxiety, afraid that he was responding to the dragon’s movements. He prayed Liliana’s suspicions were false. It was bad enough being bonded to the Wizard’s Seal by blood. He didn’t want a blood-thirsty dragon in the mix.
These thoughts plagued him during the long, silent rides through the forest. He started whenever he heard dragons flying overhead and found himself scanning the trees anxiously for Liliana and Morgan’s return. No one questioned this behavior. Landon wasn’t the only one jumping at wingbeats or unnatural sounds in the trees. Several times the party had to flee into a ravine when scouts warned them of enemies approaching or they heard dragons shrieking overhead.
Landon’s only problem was Myra and Juan. His paranoia was enough to deter his parents, doctor, and leaders, but Myra wasn’t fooled one bit. Years of lying to teachers and parents alike to get out of school had taught her to recognize when Landon was lying, and she passed it onto Juan. They asked him in soft whispers as they set up camp in the evenings, but Landon firmly assured them he was simply tired from the journey.
This went on for a few nights before they gave up. Landon was relieved that they had stopped. It was hard to lie, harder than he remembered, but he w
as determined to carry on the façade. He refused to believe that he had tamed Sri’Lanca.
“Myra,” said Juan after traveling for a week, “weren’t Morgan and Liliana supposed to be back by now?”
Landon’s heart did a series of irregular beats at Liliana’s name, but he kept it from showing on his face. He occupied his mouth with breakfast, waiting for the conversation to move onto a different topic. He looked at the Rillis Mountains peaking above the trees. Their granite heads jutted into the sky, sprinkled with snow that still hadn’t melted. A couple dragons wheeled above one of the peaks before gliding northwest. The Nircanian group was a half day’s ride from the nearest cave entrances, and no one had come across any enemy patrols. This lifted everyone’s spirits, and whispers flew around that maybe they had managed to pull ahead of the armies.
“Didn’t they say they were going to be gone for a few days?” Juan continued. “Liliana just wanted to ask Ti’Luthin something, but it shouldn’t take this long. Should it?”
“Unless they got a scouting assignment,” Myra responded, her eyes raking the sky. “Landon, have you heard anything?”
Landon shrugged, biting off enough jerky to stuff his cheeks. Myra tilted her head, a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. “Angles, you look like a chipmunk. Why would you want to stuff your face like Morgan after a Sabbath fast?”
“‘M hungry,” he managed to say. He swallowed the last of his meat. “Care to pass me an apple, Juan?”
A small bag of apples sat beside Juan, but his friend made no move. He instead smiled at Landon. “Only if you tell us what’s up with Liliana and Morgan.”
“How should I know?” he retorted, frowning. “I’m not their keeper. Apple, please?”
Juan scowled and glanced at Myra. Myra raised an eyebrow. “We don’t believe you, Lan. Something’s been eating at you for days, and we want to know why.”
Landon rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. If anything, I’d like to eat an apple.” He wiggled his fingers, hoping to goad Juan into surrendering the fruit.
Juan remained immobile. ”Liliana and Morgan left after you and she topped off the canteens at the spring,” he said, his gray eyes boring into Landon. “It took you a long time to fill up those canteens, remember? Don’t deny it, Lan, you know what day I’m talking about.”
Landon gaped. “You think I’m responsible for Liliana and Morgan taking off on a fly?”
“Yes,” said Juan, firmly. “Whatever you two were talking about at the spring, it worried her enough to go find Ti’Luthin.”
“I didn’t realize filling canteens was a cause for conspiracy.” Landon didn’t try to hide his anger. They hadn’t given up on him. Myra and Juan had stopped pestering him to lure him into a false sense of security, and he had fallen for it. He silently cursed himself for allowing Sri’Lanca to consume his thoughts. “I assure you, our conversation had nothing to do with her going off to find her dragon.” He turned an annoyed stare on Myra. “And we were just talking, as friends. I love you, and nothing will change that.”
“I know that!” Myra said, laughing. She sidled up to Landon, twining her fingers through his. She nestled her head on his shoulder, her breath tickling his neck. “But what were you two talking about?”
The sudden display of affection took him by surprise. After several spluttering attempts he managed to say, “Nothing. She was just asking me about the Rillis Mountains.”
“Oh?” said Myra, batting her eyes at him. “That’s strange.”
“It is?” Angels, she’s beautiful. She smelled good too.
“Morgan was telling her all about it during breakfast that day, right down to drawing maps of the tunnels in the dirt for her.” Her lips were really close to his. “What did she want to know from you that Morgan wasn’t willing to tell?”
“Uh . . .” Landon’s mind blanked. He looked to Juan for help, but Juan was grinning, thoroughly enjoying himself. Landon then realized what they were doing. He would’ve been impressed if he had been less stressed about Sri’Lanca, but it annoyed him. Praying that Myra wouldn’t be too offended, Landon pushed her off him. “She was asking about the valleys and which ones were big enough for Ti’Luthin to land in. Can I have an apple now?”
Myra’s loving behavior vanished in a flash. “No. What were you and Liliana arguing about?”
“We weren’t arguing.”
“Yes, you were,” Juan repeated firmly. “I heard you saying you didn’t do something, and Liliana was sure you did. What was that about?”
“Nothing,” Landon said, anger rising. “It was just a misunderstanding.”
“Liar,” said Juan and Myra together.
Landon’s eyes flashed, his anger rising. Then again, it always seemed to be lurking just below the surface, waiting to leap. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but it’s the truth. Nothing’s bothering me so drop it!” It was getting harder to lie. Every word he said tasted like bile on his tongue.
Juan snorted. “Right. You and Liliana didn’t have what was obviously an argument right before she and Morgan took off. Sri’Lanca hasn’t been seen for days, and you are acting like a rabbit waiting for the hawk to swoop down and grab it. Trust me, Landon, keep telling yourself everything’s fine and you will learn really fast it’s not. Tell us what’s going on before it explodes in your face.”
Landon clenched his teeth, searching for a suitable response, when two Nircanians entered their camp. They had their faces painted green, brown, and gray and had leaves and twigs sewn into their cloaks. One had mud smeared into his blonde hair. The two made a beeline for Temmings, who was sitting with Sam, Rickins, and Johnston.
“Landon . . .” Myra started, but Landon shushed her and nodded to the group. They were close enough to eavesdrop.
“We got your message, sir, but Crane’s Pass is blocked,” said the blonde Nircanian. “A rockslide sealed off the entrance.”
“Was it dragon-caused?” asked Rickins.
“No, sir. It looks like it happened earlier this spring. Emyrist Hollow is the closest entrance to you right now. From there you can get to Chatterlon’s Vale.”
Temmings and Johnston frowned. Landon called up a mental image of the mountain range. Emyrist Hollow was the farthest west entrance of the mountain caves. It would take them another week to reach it.
“What about Joran’s Pass, Liam?” asked Johnston to the blonde one. “I was there earlier this year and it was unblocked. It’s much closer.”
The two newcomers shared a look, and Liam’s companion said, “Every single country that means us harm is between you and that pass.”
“What?” exclaimed Johnston.
“I thought they were behind us!” added Rickins.
The two scouts looked uncomfortable. “The Dagnorians and their allies showed up yesterday,” said Liam, “but the samurai and their allies appeared out of nowhere three days ago like a devil-sent present. They probably pushed both horse and man to the breaking point to get there before the others. The samurai stand between the Dagnorians and our mountains. They spend most of the time battling each other, but will attack our fighters in the lower valleys. We think it’s to keep us on our toes—pick away at our defenses so that when they defeat the other group they can take us without a problem.”
“What about those too young or too old to fight?” asked Temmings.
“They stay near the caves and the inner valleys, helping the wounded as needed,” answered Liam’s companion. “It’s the dragons that cause us the most problems because they fly into the valleys and uproot trees. It’s difficult to forage for food and wood, but we’re managing. Everyone is cinching their belts a little tighter.”
“Don’t worry, we’re making sure the children, and the pregnant or nursing mothers are getting plenty to eat,” Liam’s companion interjected at the look on Sam’s face. “There are a few colds going around but nothing serious.”
“Have there been any deaths, Nathan?” asked Sam.
The temperature of the atmosphere
dropped, and the others became rigid statues.
“Yes, unfortunately,” Liam’s companion, Nathan answered. “And we have a lot of wounded. The other doctors and their apprentices have a good triage system going, but the fighters go right back on patrol after they’ve been patched up. No one forces them; they just do it on their own volition. However, it’s better for us if the armies keep fighting each other.”
The doctor’s features relaxed a fraction.
“At least that’s some good news,” said Temmings. “And we have plenty of food among us and have been gathering as much plants and game as our horses and backs can carry. We will distribute those to where it is most needed once we get to the caves. Diego,” he called to Landon’s father, who was sitting not too far away. “Can you come here for a moment?”
Diego rose and approached them. “How can I be of service?”
The corner of Temmings’ mouth twitched with a smile, amused at Diego’s subservient tone. “Which countries are allied with the samurai and dragon armies again?”
“Dagnor is allied with Menrye and Maisa. Tsuregi—the samurai—are allied with Lythra and Caborca,” Diego answered. “Nathan, correct? Are the armies posting their flags?”
Nathan nodded, “They’re flying huge sheets for everyone to see.” He and Liam stooped next to Diego and began to draw in the dirt. Landon listened as the scouts explained the flags of each circle and Diego identified the nation. The two judges, Johnston, and Sam leaned forward with grim faces. Landon couldn’t see the drawing from his vantage point, but he heard every word.
The samurai stood between the Dagnorian forces and the Nircanians. The Tsuregan army was flanked on either side by their allies, with the Lythrans to the east and the Caborcans to the west. Facing against Tsuregi were the Menrians, with the Dagnorians against the Caborcans and the Maisans against the Lythrans. The Nircanians had battalions scattered throughout the mountains, with the bulk of the people in the area being harassed by the samurai. That made Landon uneasy, and he suspected Darrin had a hand in their placement. He looked at Myra and Juan, noting the same uneasiness on their faces.