Projecting confidence, he replied, “Yes.”
Queen Lorella held his gaze a moment. Eric watched, knowing she was judging Matt, who managed to hold her gaze without flinching. “Then proceed.”
He nodded and went over the words and motions again, but just when he was about to do the spell, he paused. “Um, would you mind closing your eyes?” She complied without comment and he visibly relaxed and began the spell. One moment the queen stood there and the next she had vanished.
“Good work,” said Anna approvingly.
“I think you four had better be going,” remarked the invisible queen.
“Right,” Eric agreed.
Ryan and Eric unsheathed their swords before opening the door a crack. Golden torch light filled the hall. The rogue opened it wider, ready for anything, but nothing happened. He stuck his head out a bit further, but his forehead bumped into something invisible.
“Ouch,” he said, rubbing it. Then he reached out to feel the opening, discovering it was blocked from top to bottom with an invisible wall. Two guards to one side stepped into view, smug grins mocking him. Frowning, he turned to Matt and gestured for the wizard to do his thing, even though the guards would be ready. Matt focused his will on the staff and blockage but didn’t have any luck dispelling it.
Disappointed, the wizard remarked, “I can’t get rid of it. The other ones I did were by Soliander, and his staff helped a lot with his own spells, I guess. These are by the dragon, I bet, and they’re supposed to be very strong in magic. I guess I’m not much of a wizard,” he concluded.
Eric sighed and closed the door so they could talk in private. He wondered why the queen hadn’t mentioned it, but she had likely assumed Matt could get around it. Or maybe she hadn’t known. The dragon had known they were coming, clearly. Looking around the room, his eyes fell on the shards of glass.
“The window,” he said, starting for it. “She probably didn’t plan to bust through it like that so maybe it’s not protected.” He stuck a hand through it without trouble, then his head, peering down into the dark gulf, gusts of wind tearing at his black hair. The courtyard stood to one side far below, dense treetops to the other, and nothing but boulders directly beneath him and a window thirty feet straight down. Descending that would be tricky even for him, despite his years of rock climbing. He had none of the usual safety gear except chalk, but if he could make it to the window, he could come back up and take out the unsuspecting guards.
After hearing the plan, Ryan asked, “Even if that works, how are the rest of us going to get out? The door will still be blocked.”
“They can turn it off,” said the queen. “One of the guards has a little device that removes it and puts it back. It’s how they bring me food.”
“Great,” said Eric, projecting confidence he didn’t really feel. “See you in a few minutes.”
As the others exchanged worried looks, he clambered onto the window ledge, dangling his legs over the side. Rain soaked them quickly as he put chalk on his hands. The rain might wash it off, but it was better than nothing. He rolled onto his stomach and eased both legs out and down, searching with the leather boots for a foothold. The castle’s disrepair proved a boon, for chips and holes had been left unrepaired and he soon disappeared over the side, making his way down. Despite the rain and wind lashing at him, the rogue descending steadily until the ruin revealed its dangers. As he lifted one foot, the other foothold suddenly gave way, blocks of stones tumbling into the darkness and leaving him swinging by one wet hand.
“Eric!” Ryan called out, wanting to help, but there was nothing he could do. Then Matt appeared beside him, lance in hand. The knight extended it down to the rogue, who grabbed it in relief, able to trust it more than the castle. There seemed nowhere to hold onto the tower anymore except the one handhold he already had. Water dripped down the lance and over his hand as wind tore at him, but he was halfway to the other window.
“Hold on tight!” Eric yelled up to Ryan. “I’m gonna let go of the tower for a second!”
Ryan swore in protest and Eric had to just hope the big guy was as strong as he always seemed. This was a bad idea that wasn’t getting any better. Eric reluctantly let go of the wall, all of his weight on the slippery lance. He moved down the lance as fast as he dared, slipping once before finding the next handhold. He was past the trouble spot and soon made it to the window ledge without further incident.
Unfortunately the window was closed, with no handle on the outside for the obvious reason. Breaking the window might make too much noise, but among Andier’s tools he’d found a small glass cutter in one pocket. In short order he’d cut a hole big enough for his hand, unlocked the window, and climbed in, shutting it behind him.
He paused on the musty carpet, taking stock. He was alone, drenched, but free, and thankful to be alive. He reached a wooden door that seemed to lead into the castle and tried the handle, but it was locked. Out came the lock-picking tools once more, but this one was jammed, which might have accounted for why the room was still furnished. Fortunately he knew how to get around that and soon creaked open the door carefully. The dimly lit stairwell on the other side was empty and quiet.
The moons had glistened on the smooth surface of Lake Isinia when Joril and Siarra first rowed out into the beautiful, calm night. Their parents wouldn’t let them be together for reasons youths often chose to ignore, and this seemed the only way to consummate their love in private. No one on shore could see what they were doing and so it was that they lay together under the peaceful sky, not noticing the storm clouds gather overheard until the first drops roused them from a dreamy, post-coitus sleep. Joril sat up, realizing how far they’d drifted and that they had to get moving, and fast. And yet he sat still, for the first flash of lightning revealed something he thought impossible. He stared into the sky so intensely that Siarra asked what was the matter, but then another flash revealed their fate and his reply turned into a scream. A black dragon swooped down upon them, an ear splitting shriek accompanying the giant boulder it let fly. The stone smashed the boat to kindling and dragged them deep down to the lake’s depths, burying them together in death.
Not too distant, the trees rustled quietly as Morven rode along, eyeing the sky above the next ridge when he could. The stars seemed to fade in and out strangely when the tree tops parted. The elven village of Yulin lay over that ridge, and on cresting its top, he stopped in amazement at the sight below. The village stood ablaze, black smoke curling into the sky to obscure the stars, the smell of death and charred flesh heavy in the air. The cause made itself apparent when a red dragon landed before him with a thud, two hostile eyes afire with malice. Only instinct saved him as the dragon’s head snapped forward. Teeth covered in blood clamped down on the horse just as he rolled off. The dragon couldn’t spit it out fast enough to reach Morven, who fled into the woods as fast as mortal legs would fly.
In the kingdom of Nurinor, Lord Neelim sat astride his horse, watching the battle unfold below as his knights crushed ogres and trolls in a rampage to rid the region of them. His domain held no place for such uncivilized creatures. And so it was that suitable horror filled him on seeing another nightmare soaring across the plains below his cliff-top vantage point. Not one but a full score of death on wings came toward his realm. First one and then another roared from a distance until a chorus filled the air and all those below stopped to stare. Some dragons descended among the melee to roast men and beast alive while others soared past the carnage to his kingdom’s heart. Among them, one silver dragon headed straight for him, his armor catching the light and its attention. It plucked him from the horse and flew onward, crushing his bones with the force. His scream ended when the dragon bit him in half and swallowed him, armor and all.
A cargo ship on the Lisen Ocean found fire raining down upon it, setting it ablaze so that it burned to the waterline, all hands lost. A wizard’s tower on the Peaks of Normin toppled to the crags below, shattering into as many pieces as the dragon
s tore the wizard within. On the walls of Castle Roinin, men sounded the alarm to no avail, weapons of war unready for the onslaught of tooth and nail, fire and malevolence, might and magic. All of Honyn burned in disillusionment and despair. The Ellorians had failed them and hope disappeared as fast as life.
The mastermind of it all, Nir’lion flew over the still pristine city that was surely on everyone’s mind, for Kingdom Alunia had claimed the dragons were gone. That deception demanded the worst revenge humans could muster, but when she was through there’d be nothing left for humanity to destroy. She had warned the dragons to leave this gleaming city untouched, that had so prospered from their banishment. Its destruction was hers to enjoy, and relish it she would. The time had come. With a shriek that put other dragons to shame, she swept down from the sky, blasting the royal tower with fire before landing atop its battlements. Let all those below see her, know her, and fear her. This world belonged to her now.
In another castle not far away, Ryan figured he’d given the rogue enough time, having seen him disappear through the window below. His turn to help with their escape had come. He opened the door to see two men grinning as if particularly amused by his captivity. He’d seen looks of jealousy flung at Lord Korrin before and used it to his advantage, hoping to distract them for Eric. The bigger, blond guard seemed in charge from the way he carried himself.
Giving his own smirk, Ryan poured on the cockiness and said, “Why don’t the two of you and I settle this like men? Let me out of here and you can both take me on. Neither of you could hope to beat me by yourself, of course, but together you have nothing to lose except your pride.”
The blond guard spat on the floor. “I don’t need help to beat you, Korrin. You’re no champion. If it weren’t for all that magical armor, you’d be nothing more than a dandy.”
The other guard laughed as if to ingratiate himself with the other one and Ryan replied, “A fist fight, then. I should’ve known better than to expect something more sophisticated from you. Let’s get started, unless you’re afraid a dandy will beat you.” When the guard didn’t take the bait, he added, “Maybe when I’m done mopping the floor with you, I’ll enjoy your women, too, assuming you’re man enough to get any.”
The guard came closer, scowling. “I have more women than I know what to do with and–”
“Or do you prefer men?” Ryan interrupted with suggestive look at the other guard. “This one seems willing to please you.”
“You son of a bitch!” the guard yelled, coming up to the opening. “I know what you’re trying to do and I’m not pulling down this wall just to have a go at you.”
“You don’t need to,” replied Ryan before punching the unsuspecting man’s face, sending him flying backward into a crumpled, unmoving heap. Amazed silence followed and no one moved. Suddenly the other guard fell to the floor and lay still. A dripping Eric stood behind him, the blow to the back of the head having done its job.
“How did you hit the guard through the barrier?” Anna asked, looking shocked.
“I’ve got that magic ring, remember?” Ryan replied, holding up the hand with the Dispersion Ring, which made his arm unaffected by magic. “I forgot about it.”
“You seem to be getting past your aversion to violence,” Eric noted, using a small rod he found on the blond guard to disable the spell. Ryan frowned at the sense of approval but didn’t say anything as they filed out of the room, leaving the queen behind and giving her the rod so she could manipulate the barrier herself.
Matt and Eric quietly led the way down the stone steps, the wizard saying the staff should warn them of spells, and the rogue looking for more traps, though they doubted any existed, since the guards went up and down. They might have known to avoid a certain step or two, though footprints indicated they put their feet everywhere in the dust and dirt. He motioned for the others to follow the path just to be sure. Everyone kept quiet and Ryan in particular once again appreciated how quiet his armor was.
Halfway down the curling tower stairs, the rogue stopped, motioning for the others to remain still. He began a sign language conversation with Matt, and not for the first time, Ryan wished he knew what they were discussing. If this summoning thing became a real issue, with them being sent on quests again and again, both he and Anna had to learn this valuable skill.
The conversation finally stopped, and the wizard reached into a pocket, pulling out a small bag he stuck one hand into as he crept forward, Eric retreating to give him room. Finally, the wizard seemed to whisper something before throwing sand from the bag forward. The sound of someone falling with a small clatter reached his ears, but then Eric and Matt rushed forward.
“Stop him! Stop him!” Matt fiercely whispered, alarming Ryan, who made it to the corner just as the sound of something metal bouncing down stone stairs began. The guard that Matt had made fall asleep had collapsed and was now starting down the steps, his dislodged helmet already disappearing around the corner. Eric just missed grabbing an arm as the man followed with a horrible racket that just kept going and going as he went seemingly all the way to the bottom. Ryan exchanged a look of alarm with the others and shot Matt a glance.
“The whole castle probably heard that!”
“Sorry. I didn’t think of that.”
“I think we had better be going,” said Eric, who was still dripping with water and leaving a trail.
On reaching the tower’s bottom, they discovered the still sleeping guard. Eric hid the man’s weapons in case they encountered him again. Then he and Ryan dragged the man around a corner and left him there.
“Let’s keep moving,” Eric suggested, eyes assessing which way to go. “Remember we have to stay in halls that look like they’ve been used.”
They continued through the castle with only one minor fight, Eric’s flying feet and fists taking care of it quickly. Again they hid the unconscious men to avoid leaving a trail of bodies. Soon they stood at the gate room’s main entrance, hesitating. The huge carcass of Perndara still lay where it had fallen, the smell overpowering them, its teeth and scales harvested by Cirion or someone else. It sickened all of them.
“It’s too bad we didn’t find another door,” Ryan quietly remarked, eyeing the room. “We have to walk the entire length of the hall to reach the gate.”
“True,” agreed Eric, watching the rain fall in through the roof, “but finding another door might cause more problems than just heading across. I don’t see anyone, do you guys?” Aside from some sort of guard, it stood to reason another dragon might be here, but there wasn’t, at least not in dragon form.
“No,” replied the wizard, “but the staff feels something. I just don’t know what.”
“Then you go first,” suggested the rogue.
“Very funny.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“Let’s head along the side where we came in before,” suggested Ryan, “since we know what’s over there. Hopefully no one is hiding in here somewhere, but there’s bound to be something guarding the gate.”
They headed off, Matt and Eric in the lead again as they skirted the dragon. Anna pursed her lips on stepping by the place where a god had first touched her. Why had it needed to be at a scene of such pain and death? Was that just the way of it? She’d long known people found god when in their darkest moments. Until now, she’d never realized she’d revisit the place where it happened again, but it hardly felt like a special moment given the rotting corpse overpowering her nose and the fear of more death being imminent. She found herself whispering a prayer to the goddess Kiarin as they went.
They soon came around to the gate, which no longer looked as if it was off. Smoke curled along its surface just like when they’d first seen it, and it seemed unguarded. Together they mounted the steps but didn’t get far. Something began to form in the air above the top step. The shimmering figure of light and darkness resembled the ghost of a dead knight that had decayed in the ground for years. A wicked sword appeared in one hand as two h
ollow eyes swept over them, stopping on Anna. Before anyone else could react, it leapt from the steps to land before her, one ghostly hand grabbing her by the throat.
“You will be mine!” it said in a hollow voice. She stared in horror, drawn into its eyes and unable to look away. What she saw in them she couldn’t name, but she knew death would only be the beginning of a new existence beside this thing for eternity. And yet a longing overcame her, one so deep and urgent that she whimpered in terror, her will to live fading as a will to be its bride came over her. She heard the others shouting but their voices seemed far away as if she’d already left her body behind.
She became dimly aware of Ryan’s hand trying to grasp the spirit by its own neck, but his hand passed through it. The eyes that had bored into hers turned toward the knight and the mesmerizing lure of them left Anna. Ryan was gasping in pain as she reached for the medallion at her own neck, seeing the spirit’s head turning back toward her. As her fingers closed around it, urgency compelled her to scream out in her mind to Kiarin for help, all doubts or hesitation gone.
The goddess’ face appeared in her mind at once, a brief look of outrage preceding a wave of strength that filled Anna. Still gripping the medallion with one hand, she grasped the death knight by the forehead with the other. Bright light engulfed the ghost, which screamed as the darkness within it exploded with light. When Anna could next see her surroundings, nothing of the figure remained and her friends stood staring at her. Ryan’s arm was covered in frost and he stood wincing in obvious pain. She took it in both hands and thought to Kiarin with genuine thankfulness, Just a little more please, for Ryan. The touch came again and the frost melted away, leaving the knight’s hand warm and refreshed.
Ryan lifted the hand before him, flexing the fingers and turning to her with a smile. She suspected she knew what he was thinking. They had argued so many times about the existence of God and now she had used the power of one to heal him. She couldn’t deny it now, not after this, not that she felt much inclined to. This time she hadn’t just seen it, or been on the receiving end of it, but both, asking a god for help and being answered. She felt jubilant, but when Ryan swept her into a bear hug, she knew he’d expect her to do it back on Earth and there was no telling whether it would work.
The Dragon Gate (The Dragon Gate Series Book 1) Page 25
