The Blood Stone

by Jason J. Nugent

  Ryn flew faster until they were close to the Garnet dragons. Suddenly, a flurry of voices crashed into Alushia’s mind. Then she singled out the one female voice, ignoring the rest.

  Alushia, my dear, she heard in her head. Oh, how my heart has longed for you! I leap for joy at your safety.

  “Mother?” she replied out loud. “But how? Why?”

  All will be revealed in time. Your father is about to make a mistake, and we must not allow this. He’s a good man.

  At her words, the other dragons erupted in angry roars.

  Despite what they think, he’s a good man. We must stop him.

  Alushia was at a loss for words, the moment overwhelming her. The dragons roared and she heard her mother command them.

  Do not harm the slayer or those with him! They are under my protection! The young one in black must not be harmed. Do not hurt him. Not yet. I may be able to reason with him still.

  One of the Garnet dragons roared displeasure. He’s evil, Etain! He must be stopped! Alushia heard.

  I know. But he’s also my son.

  CHAPTER

  Thirty-Nine

  Lailoken felt the warmth of the gem in his pocket. It vibrated and hummed. The temptation to pull it out and marvel at the dashing lights inside was strong. Knowing he held the soul of one or more dragons sent a shiver down his spine. He’d killed dragons; that was his duty. But to hold their souls captive was another thing. Even Driano had his doubts, and he was a Magus in need of dragon blood to enhance his power.

  A loud roar overhead halted the group.

  “Dragons?” Jor asked. The trees were thick and it was difficult to see the sky.

  “It has to be. The griffon roars are much different. Not as deep or deadly,” Lailoken replied. The sight of griffons was an omen and he’d been trying to work it out since they first flew by. Now with dragons overhead, the omen proved right.

  “Something’s not right. I have a bad feeling about this,” Jor said.

  “We’re slayers. We don’t back away from such danger,” Lailoken replied. Though in truth, he agreed with her. Something wasn’t right. Griffons and dragons heading north across the mountains into Tregaron wasn’t common. He had the feeling the Blood Stone had something to do with it.

  Belthos peered through the trees. “I think I see something.” Running off the path, he stopped when a small clearing afforded him an unobstructed view above. “There!” he shouted, pointing upwards. “Garnets. Three of them! One is twice the size of the others!”

  Lailoken sprinted after him, Jor and the rest trailing behind. When they got there and looked up, three Garnet dragons spewed flames and intertwined with one another in a deadly sky dance. Belthos was right. One of the dragons was a Garnet with long red wings and a tail longer than the height of three people.

  Lailoken stared in awe at the dragons, the thought of killing them never crossing his mind. Instead, he felt a peace; a connection to them he’d never felt before. “What are you?” he whispered.

  “Are you daft? Those are dragons! I bet the blood of that large Garnet holds immense power,” Driano said.

  “It would be hard to kill, but I’d try. One of those claws would look great hanging on my wall,” Jor said.

  Much to his surprise, Lailoken couldn’t muster the rage that fueled him to action. “No, we can’t. We—”

  The dragons raced away, the trees obscuring their view again.

  “Are you all right, Lai?” Jor asked. She approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He barely registered the touch or her words.

  “Huh?” he asked after several moments.

  “What’s gotten into you? Have you lost your nerve?”

  “No. You were correct when you said something isn’t right. Be on your guard, all of you. We approach danger and I will not allow us to die in vain.” The feeling of peace left him and his senses returned.

  “Come on, then. I want out of this forest before we all lose our minds,” Jor said. She guided them back to the path headed for Woodpine.

  Tozgan and Ori moved slow. Tozgan’s injury hindered him more than he let on.

  Driano had resumed a cordial dialogue with Belthos. Lailoken assumed it was more out of boredom than anything else. Belthos engaged the conversation quite a bit, his past shyness and cowering all but gone.

  Lailoken walked with Jor, trying hard to ignore the warmth from the gem.

  “I’m done with this,” Lailoken said to Jor.

  “With what? Walking? Breathing?” she replied with a grin.

  He shook his head. “No, not that. With tracking and slaying dragons. This is it. No more.”

  “The great slayer is retiring? Don’t kid yourself. It’s in your blood. You can’t deny what you are.”

  “Jor, I’m not sure anymore. I’m just…not.”

  She shrugged. “If that’s your plan, who am I to stop you? I guess I’ll have to carry the mantle of Greatest Slayer in Tregaron when you do.” She walked ahead of him, her long red ponytail swaying with each step. He knew she was angry; maybe even disappointed in him. It didn’t matter. The conviction to end his days as a slayer was powerful. Losing Darlonn was too much.

  “I can see the wall!” Jor shouted. The rest of the group caught up to her. Out beyond the forest, a wide open field gave way to the immense wall beyond. From that distance it looked small, though in truth it was the largest structure in all of Tregaron.

  A small band of people stood out against the light green of the field, their dark uniforms clearly marking them.

  “The Kull,” Driano said. “He’s grown impatient. And here with Tower Guards? This does not bode well.”

  Jor turned to Lailoken. “Now what?”

  Lailoken turned to the group. “I fear this may be a mistake. Something isn’t right. I’ve survived against much stronger opponents than a boy with a gem and a touch of power. Why does he need guards out here for us?”

  “He is the Kull Naga. A bit strange for my tastes, but he is the Kull,” Driano replied. “He never leaves the Tower without guards.”

  “Then it’s time we confront him and find out what he wants with this gem and be rid of this adventure,” Lailoken said. He felt the gem thrum in his pocket. “Let’s finish this.”

  Lailoken took the lead. As they neared the edge of the forest, Tozgan and Ori were far behind. “Belthos, do you have training in healing?” Lailoken asked.

  “Yes, sir. Not much, but some. The Black Tower isn’t known for it.”

  Lailoken smiled. “Good enough. See if you can help Tozgan. Relieve Ori. I want him with us when we meet the Kull. You and Tozgan stay back. Just in case.”

  Jor shot him a glance. “In case of what?”

  “In case those dragons come back. In case the guards decide to end our lives. I want witnesses. Besides, Tozgan isn’t very mobile right now anyway.”

  “And Myrthyd,” Driano interjected, “isn’t the most stable Magus I’ve ever encountered.”

  “And there’s that,” Lailoken agreed.

  Belthos ran to Tozgan and soon Ori approached the group.

  “Thanks for that. I was starting to tire of his stories about Oakenvault. I mean, how many times can one man hear the tale of the most difficult hunt ever?”

  Jor laughed and Driano cracked a smile.

  “I’d say he’s a distant second to my hunt along the western mountains,” Jor replied.

  “Be ready for anything,” Lailoken said. Jor’s smile vanished. Driano and Ori nodded. “Let’s go, then,” Lailoken replied. He felt the thrum of the gem against his chest and moved toward his destiny.

  Half an hour later when Myrthyd and his men met Lailoken and his group outside the edge of the forest, the smiling Kull couldn’t stop fawning over the slayer.

  “Lailoken, what a pleasure to see you again! My instincts tell me you got the gem?”

  Lailoken nodded. “Aye, that we did. At a cost.”

  Myrthyd knitted his brow. “Oh? How so? I see you left a couple of
your men back there,” he said pointing to the forest. The guards to either side of him puffed out their chests. They approached with unsheathed swords and flanked Myrthyd, a display of his power.

  “We lost Darlonn. The enemy was strong, as were the men who ambushed us in the cave. I don’t suppose you knew anything about that?”

  Driano huffed but remained quiet. Jor had unsheathed her sword and matched the menacing guards’ scowls.

  “My good man, what are you accusing me of? I’m the Kull Naga, not some terrible southern noble with a grudge.”

  “Kull Naga, how good it is to see you again,” Driano said, breaking the tension and bowing slightly.

  “Driano,” Myrthyd said, a touch of disgust seeping into his voice. Even Ori raised an eyebrow at the name. “I see you did your part to shepherd this group back from their quest. Where is your novice?”

  Driano sighed. “Former novice. He’s with Tozgan, attending to his injuries.”

  “Former novice?” Myrthyd asked.

  Driano nodded. “Swore off the Order. Claims to be done with his time.”

  “Then he is no longer welcome in Tregaron. That filth can stay in the mountains. Better yet,” he said, turning to the two guards at his right, “Take care of the boy. Leave nothing. Kill him.” The guards nodded and marched quickly toward the forest.

  “No!” Lailoken called. “Stop this! Leave the boy. He’s done nothing wrong.”

  “I cannot have loose ends, slayer,” Myrthyd said, his voice dripping with hate. “Too many stray threads spoil the garment.”

  Overhead, the three Garnet dragons returned. Following close behind was another Garnet dragon carrying a snowcat in its claws, and on its back…

  “Alushia?” Lailoken whispered. He was sure the vision was a trick. It was impossible to believe!

  The dragons roared, the larger Garnet breathing a wall of flame that sliced the sky.

  “Perfect timing. Give me the gem, slayer, or do I need to remove it by force?” Myrthyd commanded.

  The dragons raced downward, flames erupting and spreading toward them.

  Lailoken unsheathed his sword, preparing for the dragons. “In time, Kull. Now, we must kill.”

  “Indeed…we must. Men!” Myrthyd said, and the guards charged Lailoken.

  CHAPTER

  Forty

  Alushia clung to Ryn’s neck as the landscape beneath her crawled by. The loping movement in the air jarred her body, but she soon adjusted to the motion. It was a perfect distraction from the revelation she’d heard moments ago.

  The Garnet dragon, her mother, Etain—she was sure of it!—let loose a shocking secret. The Kull Naga, the boy Myrthyd who was no older than herself, was her…brother? She wasn’t sure she’d heard the words correctly. Maybe she’d misunderstood. Time was not kind to her, and she had to forget the words the moment they were spoken, as the dragons were in a dire need to stop her father from handing the Blood Stone to Myrthyd.

  We can make it! she heard Ryn’s voice in her mind.

  Do not harm Lailoken or Myrthyd. They must be allowed to live! she heard her mother in her mind. The voice startled her. It was powerful and commanding. The other two Garnets said very little. Their wills conformed to her mother.

  Wind whipped past Alushia, her hair flowing behind her. Her short sword clanked on Ryn’s back. Her knuckles were white and sore as she held on to whatever bit of hide she could cling to, praying to Menos she’d not fall from this height.

  Hold tight. I see them in the fields ahead!

  Over the rush of wind and the flapping wings, Alushia barely heard Brida’s cries of fright, a sound she rarely made.

  The dragons descended. Etain was in the lead, followed by the two smaller Garnets and then Ryn. Walls of flame spread across the sky and the dragons flew through it as though it were a cloud. She closed her eyes when Ryn smashed through the fire, which had no effect on them.

  The ground rushed up to great them. Waving fields of rough grass grew closer and more daunting. “Ryn, slow down!” she yelled. She heard him laugh in her head.

  It’s fine, trust me.

  A man wearing a black cloak surrounded by four black clad soldiers was talking to a man with three others next to him. Two of the guards left the meeting and headed for the forest. As they dove closer, she recognized them.

  “Father! Jor! Myrthyd…no! Don’t, Father!”

  Lailoken had unsheathed his sword and stared upwards. Myrthyd pointed at him and the remaining guards lunged at her father.

  “No!” she yelled, unable to stop the events unfolding below her.

  Hurry! her mother said. We must end this!

  Ryn opened his mouth and sent out a streak of fire that made Alushia cover her eyes and lose her grip, almost falling to her death. Brida roared.

  The men on the ground scattered as flames struck between them, burning the ground.

  Don’t harm them! her mother scolded.

  I would never. I only intend to break them apart, Ryn replied.

  Alushia clung tight as Ryn circled the men below.

  “You have to save my father!”

  Ryn exhaled a wall of flame as a black spike shot up through the flames and pierced his wing. He roared in pain and spiraled downward.

  “What happened? Ryn!”

  Brida growled as the ground grew closer, sending fear through Alushia. “Hold on, Brida!”

  Ryn pulled the snowcat closer, tucking her under him, then slammed into the ground. He tumbled and Alushia fell off him, landing far from where the other dragons had landed and were engaged in the fight. She rolled to a stop, her body aching and her world in confusion. For several long moments, she had no idea where she was. It wasn’t until she felt the heat from the flames nearby and the dragon roars did clarity return.

  “Brida,” she said weakly as she pushed herself off the ground. “Ryn? Are you all right?”

  Ryn lay on the ground, still in dragon form, with a black bolt lodged into his wing. Blood oozed from it and in a flash, he transformed to his human form. The bolt fell to the ground and he clutched his arm.

  Alushia ran to him. “Ryn!”

  She sensed Brida to her right, and when she looked over, the snowcat was sitting upright, shaking her large head. She appeared safe from the fall.

  “Alushia, we have to go. We can’t help now. Etain can take care of it. I have to keep you safe.”

  “No! My father needs me!”

  Brida approached, sending impressions of worry.

  “What is it, girl?”

  “I’m telling you, Alushia, we can’t stay here. I’m no good in this condition.” Ryn winced, his lips a tight line as he held back a scream. “Come on,” he said, “Our time here is done.”

  “But I can’t! My father!”

  “We’re not in a position to…” he winced again, “help. Etain will have to do it. Keeping you safe is my priority.”

  Alushia turned back to the blaze not far away, watching the dragons move and breathe flame, knowing her father was in the middle of it. With her mother directing the rescue, she’d have to trust.

  “Fine, we’ll go. Your arm is in bad shape. I understand.” She gave one last look toward the flames and let Ryn lead her away, hoping to avoid detection.

  She had come here to help, not to run. She hoped they were making the right decision.

  CHAPTER

  Forty-One

  Lailoken fell to the ground, the flames narrowly missing his foot. He fell on Driano while Jor and Ori were splayed out on either side of him. For a moment, it was difficult to understand what Myrthyd was doing. The man had jumped up from the ground and waved his hand furiously while barking orders at the guards, the stone at his chest glowing bright.

  Ori knocked a bolt and shot it at the dragon, screaming as he did so.

  Jor crawled to her feet and held her sword at the ready. “Come on! Fight me, then!” she cried out, and he heard the men shouting at Jor.

  “None shall live! Take the slayer b
ut remove the gem! I must have it!” Myrthyd shouted. Lailoken pushed himself to his feet, his head foggy. Before he understood what was happening, two guards were on him, wrestling him back to the ground. He felt a warm sensation cover him, like he was being dipped in a warm pool of water. Was Driano trying to protect him?

  “Kill the slayer! Grab the Blood Stone!” Myrthyd shouted. Lailoken noticed his gem glowed brighter and brighter with each word.

  Lailoken struggled against them, fighting to free himself. One of them kicked him in the stomach and he lost his breath. Clutching his chest to make sure the Blood Stone remained in his pocket, he fought for air. His lungs burned and spittle flew from his mouth.

  One of the guards punched his face, busting his lip. He felt warm blood run down his cheeks, but still he clutched his pocket, making sure the gem was inside. Strength sapped by each passing moment, Lailoken worried he’d not break free from their grip. He jerked his hand free of the pocket, a difficult decision, and frantically searched for his dagger or something to help him against the men overpowering them.

  A guard held his arm across Lailoken’s throat and he choked for air, his mouth working in silent gulps with nothing to show for it. The edges of his vision darkened and his thoughts slowed.

  Dragons roared above and everyone looked up. The guard’s arm moved off his throat and allowed him to inhale deep, burning breaths. A torrent of flame fell from the sky. The Garnets had worked together and encircled the group. The flames walled them in, flaring taller than the height of any of the men.

  The lead Garnet landed, sending shockwaves across the ground with its weight. The two smaller Garnets landed to either side of it and the last dragon flew past, heading toward Tozgan and Belthos.

  The guards jumped to their feet, entranced by the new threat. Lailoken scrambled away, pushing himself back from his attackers.

  The larger Garnet roared loudly, straining its neck, and flexing its wings wide. The smaller Garnets circled around Lailoken and his group, creating a barrier between the Kull and them.

  “These beasts won’t stand in my way! I will rid this world of them and their wretched halflings. Give me the gem, slayer!” Myrthyd screamed at Lailoken. Myrthyd’s stone glowed and he waved his hand. Lailoken had no idea what he was doing.