Kaleb strode into the fray, intercepting an axe-swing by the handle and wrenching it from its wielder's scaly grasp. At this, the Krah fled—and were quickly absorbed by other frays that were taking place all about the square.
“Father!” Minx knelt down beside Valdar, attempting to help him to his feet, but was stunned when he suddenly looked up at her and loosed an animalistic howl. He took a swing at his daughter with a quivering fist, his eyes remaining vacant. A thread of drool slipped from the corners of his gaping lips as Minx doubled back, narrowly avoiding the wild punch. “What's gotten into you?” she demanded, grasping his shoulders firmly and giving him a shake.
Valdar moaned weakly, his rage quickly transitioning into apparent sadness, and his eyes were soon dressed in tears. Finally, the old spark returned to them and he looked into his daughter's face with something like familiarity. “M-Minx...” he sighed clumsily, as if struggling with a foreign word.
“Yes...” Minx turned to Kaleb, her pulse racing. “Yes, father, it's me...” She gulped. “Are you... are you all right?” She looked him over carefully, trying to find evidence of some great injury. Had he been struck in the head by one of the Krah before she'd arrived? That was the only explanation she could think of for the violent confusion that'd gripped him. “They had you surrounded. Did they hurt you?”
Kaleb knelt beside her while Valdar sought to compose himself. “He was acting like this before,” he uttered. “Remember? I told you he wasn't himself the last time I spoke to him. Something's definitely wrong, but I don't think he was injured.”
The Faelyr agreed. Your father's not well, but I don't think it has anything to do with the battle.
After a pause, Valdar took to rubbing his brow and explained himself. “Minx... things have been difficult ever since your mother passed. We were bonded, the two of us, and her loss has affected me profoundly. I haven't spoken of my struggles... Now is not the time to mourn and complain, after all. Our people are facing ruin. And so, I've hidden my pain, my difficulties. But recently, when Torrent tainted the lake...” He shuddered. “As a member of the Silence, I am bound to the lake as well, you see—and when Heilo Lake is poisoned by the treachery of that dark mage, I, too, am poisoned.”
“How can we help, father?” asked Minx, taking one of his shaking hands in hers. “What can we do to reverse this? Torrent made it to the lake, but he isn't in full control yet. We're going to defeat him yet! Shall I administer a healing spell? Or, could the Elders assist you?”
Valdar shook his head solemnly. “I'm not sure that anything can be done. Your mother is gone, and unless we can heal the lake...” He took a deep breath. “I can no longer fulfill my duties, Minx. The Silence needs someone strong—someone that can be relied upon during these turbulent times.” He drew near to her, cradling her head with one of his hands. “Minx, I hereby transfer my title of Silence to you. You will be a part of the order now; you will rise and succeed where I have failed.”
Minx was moved at this, and not a little surprised that he still had faith in his reckless daughter. “But father... I don't know what to do. How can I be of service to the Silence? What will they ask of me? I have only been a disappointment to you. I have failed repeatedly in my efforts to secure reinforcements, and these lands would be safe if not for my decisions. Will they even have me, father?”
Valdar nodded. “You will do well, and your role will be clear in time,” he assured her. “Until then...” He glanced blearily about the burning square. “You must survive.”
Kaleb hauled Valdar to his feet, supporting him with one arm. “All right, let's get him to safety. The Trading Center has fallen. We should lead as many Fae as we can out of here and regroup on the outskirts of Pandling Grounds—or even in Pan itself.”
Valdar agreed with this course of action, shuffling uneasily under Kaleb's guidance. “We should also speak to the First,” he added. “I will inform him of your new role in the Silence, Minx.”
The Fae huntress took hold of her father while Kaleb ventured into the raging battles to round up as many Fae warriors as he could. They planned to meet on the edge of Pandling Grounds and to seek out the quarters of the First once they'd gathered as many survivors as possible. Mau followed sullenly behind her as they made their way through the war-ravaged square, appalled at the state of things. I can't believe it's come to this. Torrent beat us on our own turf. It's like the end of the world...
It's not over yet. Minx had to tell herself as much, had to repeat this as she surveyed the incredible destruction all about her. To give even the slightest credence to the alternative would be to give in to despair.
Chapter 21
In total, a few dozen Fae warriors—many of them injured—were led from the Trading Center and toward the edges of Pandling Grounds. Minx was reunited with Kaleb, and together with Mau and Valdar began the trek to Pan, where the private quarters of the First were located. Under ordinary circumstances, the First—leader of the Fae—could be summoned to the headquarters of the High Council by appointment only. When the Trading Center had been breached however, he'd been relocated by a squad of heavily-armed guards to a fortified location in Pan.
The remnants of the Fae army were posted around the entrances of the tree city, where they sought a bit of rest and kept their eyes peeled for unwelcome guests. On the way out of the Trading Center, Kaleb had added to the destruction—not to punish the Fae, but rather to make the dark army's progress through the Trading Center more difficult. Clusters of enemy warriors had been routed by the fearsome shifter, and at the sight of the mighty red dragon, many others had fled in terror. They would surely return to wreak havoc on the remainder of Fae territory, but it was hoped that these diversionary tactics would afford the beleaguered Fae a bit of extra time.
Kaleb, Minx, Mau and Valdar started into Pan, where the tree-dwelling Fae were on high alert. They muttered amongst themselves, noting the sorry states of the returning soldiers. The mood was tense. Minx did her best to ignore their queries, their disappointed expressions, and pressed on till her father made a brief motion with one of his feeble hands. “Here,” said Valdar, “pointing to a large habitation just ahead. It was built into a massive tree, the trunk of which was ringed in armed watchmen. At Valdar's sign, a few of the guards left their posts and assisted Minx in supporting him. “Gentlemen, please let us in. We must speak to the First. It's a very grave matter, I'm afraid.”
The quartet was guided by the silent guards, who all but lifted Valdar up the winding wooden steps leading to the First's dwelling. The four of them were taken into an ornately-carved chamber fronted by two additional footmen. They spared Kaleb a confused glance, but at Valdar's say-so did not move to exclude him. Idling in this room for some moments, the First finally emerged from deeper in, clad in an impressive suit of silvery armor. This suit of armor, a treasure of the Fae, was only donned during times of war. The First, young and wan, had about his gentle face an uncommon sternness, and wore not one, but two swords along his waist. He appraised his guests, sparing them a curt nod. It wasn't until his gaze met the weakened Valdar that his eyes softened and he took on something of the hospitable. “Valdar, my old friend,” began the First. “What troubles you?”
Valdar gave a slight bow in accordance with custom and took a shaky breath. “I wish I could tell you that the news I bring is good!” He chuckled slightly. “We have been routed. The Trading Center has fallen and Pandling Grounds is soon to be under attack. Some steps were taken to limit the enemy's spread, but now that the Trading Center has been breached, their ingress is all but assured. We fought as hard as we could and sought to rebuff them. Our defenses were weakened lately by the great quake, however, and they overwhelmed us. I am sorry to bring this news to you...”
The First arched a thick brow, his gaze growing steely. “I see... So they are threatening Pandling Grounds and they toppled the Trading Center. Is there anything else?”
“There is,” continued Valdar. “I am sorry to say that
I am no longer fit for your service. The strain of losing my wife has been difficult to shoulder... but the recent tainting of Heilo Lake has rendered me unstable.” He laughed again, this time in a self-conscious way, head low. “I have transferred my title of Silence to my daughter, Minx. I have no doubt that she'll be able to fill the role. Would that I could do it myself... but I have made a mess of things and no longer feel of sound mind.”
“I understand,” began the First. “These are trying times...” He glanced at Minx, asking, “Do you feel up to the challenge?”
She nodded—not because she was certain she could rise to the occasion, but because she couldn't find it in herself to refuse. “There is another matter I'd like to discuss,” she began, offering a bow of her own. “My friend Kaleb here, a dragon of the Pyra Clan, has been very helpful recently. But while we were flying over Pandling Grounds, I noticed something.” She pointed upwards. “The warding spell over these territories is failing. I could see it in the sunlight—it looked like a worm-eaten patchwork. Can anything be done to repair it in the short-term? Are the Elders aware of this damage?”
“As a matter of fact, they are aware, yes...” began the First. “And if memory serves, Valdar here sent you to seek out a fresh hide that would keep the ward going. Or am I mistaken?”
Minx blanched, averting her gaze. “Y-Yes, it's true.”
The First inhaled sharply through his nose, turning to pace through the room. The clacking of his metal boots produced a peculiar, almost musical sound as he stomped about. “If only the barrier were stronger... then we might have been able to resist these latest attacks. Because we have allowed our defenses to become weakened to this extent, we will soon be overrun. The wards over Pan itself are likely just as threadbare as what you saw elsewhere. We have run out of time. Perhaps we will have to evacuate—take the survivors far from here and become a nomadic people...”
Here, Kaleb piped up. “W-Wait, you're going to abandon these lands?”
The First shot him a firm glance. “It's a possibility. The alternative is less appealing. We can either abandon our homelands and live... or suffer total extinction.”
“And you're saying that a dragon's hide would fix this?” continued Kaleb. “A dragon's hide will strengthen the shields and save the people living here?”
“That's right,” replied the First. “It would have been easier had we attained a hide from the very start.” He spared Minx a sour look. “Our failure to reinforce the wards has led to our ultimate ruin.”
Kaleb, stewing briefly in a thoughtful silence, finally replied, “What if I were to offer myself?”
The question took all in attendance off guard.
“What are you talking about?” blurted Minx, cracking a smile. “You can't offer your hide.”
“Suppose I could,” continued the dragon shifter, peering at the First. “I'm a Royal dragon of the Pyra Clan. I could fill the need, couldn't I?”
The Fae huntress, shuddering as she listened, began to get the impression that he wasn't simply kidding. We've been over this before. A dragon's hide may be necessary, but Kaleb is the last person I'd ever take one from! What's he going on about?
This line of thought appealed greatly to the First, who met him with a firm nod. “You'd like to offer yourself, then—to offer up your hide for this important role?” His eyes lit up. “Am I hearing this correctly?”
“No, he isn't really—” began Minx.
But Kaleb had other plans. “Yes,” he replied. “To protect these lands and your people, I would like to offer myself to the Elders.”
Minx felt as though she'd taken a punch to the gut. She couldn't even argue with him or talk him down; she was rendered speechless at this request of his. He's just going to lay down his life? After everything we've been through, he's just going to... No, he can't do this! I understand that we're desperate right now, but this isn't going to work.
“Are you sure about this?” asked Valdar, equally in disbelief.
“I am,” replied Kaleb. “For the good of the Fae, I'll submit to the spell of the Elders. The magical ward needs rebuilt. There's no other way. If I don't do this, the lands of the Fae will soon be utterly ruined and your people will surely die.” He offered Minx a sheepish smile. “We tried things my way for a long time. Now... it's time to do things your way.”
The First was ecstatic. He shook Kaleb's hand furiously and then motioned to a few of his guards stationed near the door. “Fetch the skinners and the Elders, at once—we have a dragon's hide!”
“Hold on,” added Kaleb before the guards could stride off. “I'd like to offer myself up, but skinners won't be necessary.”
“What's that?” asked the First, taken aback.
“I'd like to offer myself as a living creature.” He grinned. “Don't just shear off my hide, use me as I am.”
Silence fell over the group. The First seemed to be making a series of mental calculations. Minx, still reeling at his willingness to go along with this long-resisted plan, couldn't find her tongue. Valdar, white in the face, was considering the logistics of such a thing with a knotted brow. Only Mau, in the silence of her telepathic link with Minx, had anything to say. He's finally done it. He's finally lost his mind—completely, quipped the Faelyr.
“I'm not even certain it'll work,” came the First's response after a long while. “And if it does, I still can't guarantee your safety. We will have to discuss this with the Elders, but...”
Minx felt moved to dissuade him—better still, to demand that he recant his offer—but couldn't do it. Her love for Kaleb was great, but so was her love for her people. Having to choose between the two of them left her shaken to her core. Or perhaps that wasn't the whole of it; perhaps she'd already made her choice—had long ago chosen Kaleb—and was now gutted to have her decision reversed.
The First, needing to speak to the Elders about the particulars of the warding spell, took his leave. “For the time being, please get some rest. If the hordes threaten Pan, it may become necessary for all of us to fight.” He turned to Minx. “Have the dragon stay with you, and I'll send a messenger along the moment the Elders have given me an answer. All of this hinges on their willingness.”
“Understood...” muttered Minx, bowing slightly.
The four of them were led out. Valdar and Mau strode down the steps first, while Kaleb and Minx followed behind. Though her father's strength had made a reprise, her own legs now failed her as she tried to leave the First's quarters. She watched Kaleb walking just ahead of her, eyes misting over with tears. This wasn't supposed to be the plan. Not now that I care about him... If I had taken his hide that day when I first met him, we could have avoided all of this. But I just had to get to know him. He had to wait to do this until... It was all she could do to bury her feelings. Very shortly, she'd have time to speak to him alone. In private, she'd be able to tell him everything that was on her mind.
Returning to the forest floor, Valdar offered the dragon shifter a brief word of thanks—and it was understood by all present that Minx and Kaleb needed some time alone to discuss this momentous development. “I need some rest,” he said, wrapping his daughter in an embrace. “I don't suppose Mau here could help me get to my quarters, could she?”
The Faelyr purred, striding up to Valdar's side. I'll see to it that your father gets home safely, and when I'm done I'll see what's happening throughout Pandling Grounds. In the meantime... try to stay calm, Minx.
This advice felt cold and hollow to her, but the Fae huntress nodded all the same as they wandered from the First's property.
When the two of them were alone, Minx seized Kaleb's arm without warning and began dragging him from the main footpaths. She kept it together as they passed beneath homes and walked in the shadow of old Winterlimb. Arriving in a secluded cluster of forest, Minx finally let go of him and felt all the strength flee her body. She slumped against a gnarled tree and set her teary gaze on him. “Why?” she asked.
“Why?” he echoe
d.
She would have elaborated, furthered the conversation, but her lips were quivering too hard to speak.
Kaleb offered a soft smile. “Why have I volunteered for this, you mean? It's simple, Minx. There's no other way. If I want to protect your people—if I want to protect you—then this is my only shot, isn't it?”
It felt terrible to hate him for this decision, to hold it against him. He was putting his life on the line for her good. Even so, she wished he'd change his mind. “But you'll... you'll die,” she spat out.
Kaleb, though, shook his head. “That's no guarantee. It's risky, of course, but I'm not too interested in dying. Maybe the Elders will be able to shine more light on the matter, but if I'm offering myself up as a living being—remaining in one piece—then who knows? Who's to say I won't live through it? I've been put through the wringer before, haven't I? This is no different. It's just the newest gamble in a long line of bets, right? I like these odds.”
She laughed in spite of herself, wiping tears from her cheeks. “If you die because of this, I'll never forgive you. I hope you understand that.”
Kaleb approached her forcefully, taking her trembling shoulders in his strong hands. His burning yellow eyes met hers as he leaned down towards her, continuing softly. “You're worth the risk, Minx.”
A shiver ran down her spine as she felt his hot breath streaming across her teary face. As if drawn by magnetism, she raised herself up on her toes and kissed him, her lips locking to his with an almost desperate force. With the merest taste of his lips, her heart grew calm once again and she was reminded of the peace she'd enjoyed the whole night prior at his side.
When she finally drew away, Kaleb spared her a grin and dried a few stray tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “You're sure getting worked up about this, huh? But you're forgetting something.”
“What's that?” she asked, sniffling.
How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2) Page 17