First Flight

by Sarah K. L. Wilson

  Yes?

  You won’t really have to jump that chasm entirely alone. If you die, I won’t be far behind. And when you enter the life beyond this life, I’ll be right there to fly into that sky of skies with you. There’s nothing so dark that hope can’t burn. There’s nothing so tempestuous that it can blow out the flame of truth. There’s nothing so empty that it can’t be filled with love. Don’t give up yet. We have so much more to do.

  I wanted to believe him. I could feel that there was somehow more that he wanted to tell me but couldn’t. I wanted to believe that, too. But the dark of the night and the cold of the air and the terrible cries of men, women, and dragons dying were finally the last things to crack me.

  Chapter Twelve

  I was still standing to the side of the fight between Iskaris and Leng, leaning heavily on my brass crutch, ignoring the way the straps bit into my arm. After the way it had been flung here and there while I was dropped and caught, hobbling and lifted, riding and sitting, it was a wonder that the straps hadn’t broken yet.

  It was whole. But I was not. I always had something to hold on to. I always had some purpose, some goal, some hope. But here, watching everything washing away I felt like I’d been broken into pieces.

  You haven’t been.

  Like I’d lost some part of myself – my sanity maybe. I was barely holding on to clear thoughts.

  You are still sane.

  I was helpless. There was nothing I could do but stand still and watch my dreams shatter.

  You are never without help – as long as I live.

  I squinted my eyes and furrowed my brow and hoped for a burst of power to turn back time and change everything, but still, nothing came.

  See? You’re still hoping.

  I watched Leng dodge a blow from Iskaris, but the edge of the larger man’s blade bit into the side of Leng’s calf as he dodged. Blood flecked the burnt wood beneath his feet. He spun into the next form of the dance of swords, but Iskaris was faster. He moved like lightning, barely seeming to be hindered by his missing arm. His blade flashed and stung, more aggressive than artful. With his power and muscle behind the sword work, he didn’t need to be artful.

  He glanced at me from time to time as if watching to see if I was still there. Why did he care so much?

  He sounds like Iskaris, but he thinks like Starie. She controls him, though a shadow of him still remains. And she has always wanted to make you pay for something you didn’t do. She’s always seen you as a potential threat. She wants to watch as you lose Leng.

  And she would. There would be nothing I could do to stop it.

  The Silvers surrounded Raolcan, Ahlskibi, and Kyrowat. Whether they were once good or bad men, they served that mask. They’d always served it. Maybe people from the outside looking in wouldn’t understand that. Maybe they’d find our ways and culture confusing, but you had to serve something. You had to be loyal to something. This Dragon crown was what our people were loyal to. This dragon mask hid the man because it was the mask itself that was important.

  These Dragon Riders would keep my dragons from moving to help. Ifrits divided us from the rest of our allies. There was no way to cross their deadly clouded forms to bring aid.

  That left only Leng and me free to move, and he was tiring quickly as he fought off Iskaris. His attacks had faded, leaving only defensive parries and dodges as he was pressed backward in a circle. It was just like when Shonan fought Iskaris.

  Just like when he died at the hands of this man. Two brothers – companions in life, joined in death.

  I shivered in the cold and black of the night. I could see my own breath escaping through my parting lips, like my soul escaping to the world beyond. Leng’s breath gusted out, pale and white in the bright moonlight. We were nothing but breath, spent in a few short months. We were the last gasp of the Dominion trying to stay alive, but she was slain. Slain and in her final death throes.

  Stop and remember.

  Remember what?

  It’s always darkest before the dawn.

  Dawn was a long way off.

  Remember the prophecies, Amel. ‘When the skies are rent in sorrow,

  And the depths bring help no more,

  Then the lame and the blind shall lead them,

  And guide them from the storm.’

  It’s our time to guide the peoples.

  But how? We were both trapped. There was nothing either of us could do. Any move by us would kill us both.

  Iskaris beat on Leng’s sword, driving him backward. He fought to keep the blade back but sweat dripped down his face and his movements were growing slower.

  ‘But one shall rise,

  To stand in the place of the other,

  to bear the debt of nations,

  to give up the breath of life to dispel the dust of death’

  I think you’re that one, Amel. I think now is that time. It will take self-sacrifice, but that’s why we’re here. We’re here for our people. We’re here to stand for them and take down this evil.

  What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t even hobble fast enough to jump between Leng and Iskaris. They’d just dodge out of the way.

  I don’t know how this is going to work out. I just know that you need to be ready. Remember some of the first words of the book of prophecy, Amel, “When your salvation is near, you may lay hold of it. Do not wait. Do not doubt. Seize life while you still have breath and peace before it has dissolved like snow.” If there’s an opportunity, whatever it is, you have to take it.

  I swallowed. Maybe I’d already missed the opportunity. Maybe it had come and gone while I was busy doing something else.

  And then it happened.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Iskaris jabbed at Leng and Leng spun to the side in a sudden burst of speed, reversing the direction they were turning in. Now, as Iskaris forced him back, he was backing up toward me. He parried and dodged and danced, a wisp in the wind, a reed dancing on the shore. Leng’s movements were more graceful than I’d ever expected. I hadn’t realized how incredibly skilled he was with a sword.

  As he passed me, being driven backward, our eyes met for a moment – like a touch, like a caress, like a last goodbye.

  He stumbled, distracted by our shared moment and I gasped as he barely managed to parry a jab from Iskaris. He was on one knee – so close I could almost touch him. Iskaris advanced, his gaze never wavering from Leng as he unleashed a series of strikes toward my kneeling husband.

  Iskaris didn’t seem to even realize I was there as he passed within inches of me – as he stopped so close I could touch him.

  My heart leapt into my throat. An opportunity ... or a trap? I didn’t – couldn’t – hesitate. A sudden memory came to me of tending to Shonan when he lost his arm. Unbidden, his face swam into my mind. Another memory was hot on its heels – Iskaris dragging the limp form of the Dominar out of the circle right before we fled the warrens.

  I gasped.

  I reached out, and it seemed as if the moments stretched to minutes as I chose my spot and grabbed, grasping the sides of his mask, and ripping it away. It stuck for a moment and I had to throw my weight backward against it.

  There was the sound of something snapping – a leather cord, perhaps? And then all I heard was the gasping as I fell to the ground, hugging the Dragon Crown to my chest. The spikes along the top bit into my chin and jaw, but I didn’t care. Now that I had it, it would take more than pain to take it away again.

  “I ... Iskaris?” I recognized that voice. Ralk Wheelspinner – the Silver who had held me captive – broke away from where he stood, guarding our Purple dragons. His mouth was open, shock flooding his pale face.

  Hadn’t they heard him mocking us? Hadn’t they realized who he was?

  Even if they did – they couldn’t admit it. Not and remain true to their vows. But now ... now they can say what they would have wanted to say.

  “It can’t be,” one of them muttered. “He died when they fled. Died guardi
ng the ... Dominar.”

  Iskaris spun from their shocked gazes, finally finding his opening in that moment of distraction. He kicked Leng back and my husband went sprawling across the platform. His sword tumbled away.

  “No!” I cried, pulling myself to my feet.

  Iskaris stormed forward, sword held out. Two paces and he’d be close enough to ram it through Leng. There was no one close enough to stop him. No one but Ralk, but why would Ralk do anything to his Dominar?

  The seconds dragged like weeks.

  I glanced up, taking in our situation with a single glance.

  Savette and Rakturan were on their knees, a triumphant Starie poised above them. Our armies were overrun with Ifrits. The last glowing Troglodyte fell as I looked up, the mud coating his fallen body as he rolled across the field. Leng lay helpless on the platform.

  We were beaten.

  It was all over.

  All because of this betrayer who had stolen the mask from the true Dominar and ... put ... it ... on.

  I didn’t second guess it.

  Didn’t dare.

  I just put the mask on my head.

  “Stop him,” I ordered, raising my hand to point to Iskaris. Somehow, my voice seemed larger, deeper, fuller – the voice of the Dominar.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was a heartbeat before the dragoons understood what had happened. They looked at me, stunned, shocked. Even Iskaris spun to look.

  Another heartbeat before Ralk saluted.

  One more and the other dragoons joined him.

  Raolcan barrelled forward, darting past them all to launch himself at Iskaris. He grabbed the betrayer in his mouth, barreling over the edge of the platform and into the darkness.

  I gasped – but the sound was muffled by the heavy mask and crown. They were so heavy that already my head hurt. No time. No time to think about that.

  We had barely moved an inch before Raolcan was back, blood coating his snout. Whatever he had done had been quick.

  Leng was the first to move, scrambling to his feet and whistling for Ahlskibi. I hobbled to Raolcan, meaning to mount, but finding it impossible.

  Ummm ... should I pick you up? I’m afraid my mouth is a bit of a mess ...

  “Dominar! If you please!” Ralk Wheelspinner was at my side, a dragon saddle in his arms. I stepped back as he hurried to saddle Raolcan.

  It’s his saddle. The one you were tied to.

  When he was finished he dropped to one knee and a chill settled deep in my body as the other dragoons dropped with him, fists pressed over hearts, heads bowed.

  “We live to serve, Dominar.”

  I was their Dominar.

  Forever.

  I reached up and felt the heavy crown. There would be no way out of this now. I was as much a prisoner to it as I had been in those cages. As much a prisoner as I had been when I was tied to Ralk’s saddle.

  I turned to look for Leng. He sat on top of Ahlskibi staring at me, a look of apprehension on his face. Had I ever seen him so stunned? So worried?

  Tears filled my eyes as I realized how great the barrier was between us now.

  Light burst over us suddenly, and with a sigh of relief, I let it take me. We would go back in time. I would choose something different. Something other than this.

  It was all going to be okay. Thank the Skies and Stars for Savette and her magic!

  I opened my eyes as the bright light faded.

  The moon glinted over the helms of the dragoons still bending on one knee.

  No.

  No.

  No.

  Yes.

  Chapter Fifteen

  I stared at the dragoons kneeling before me.

  Do something.

  I cleared my throat.

  “I accept your loyalty. We fight now with Savette Leedris and our Baojang allies. Go through the field and tell our generals and our troops their new orders: we band together against the Ifrit horde.”

  “Dominar?” Ralk Wheelspinner’s voice was full of respect. “If we go, we will leave you unprotected. You are our charge now, and we are your bodyguards.”

  There’s no getting out of that. They live their lives to serve the Dominar – whoever that is.

  I was protected enough with Hubric and Raolcan and ... Leng. I could barely meet his eyes through the mask and what I saw made me flinch.

  “Then you’ll have to hurry, won’t you?” I replied. My voice still felt louder, deeper, more resonate. It didn’t feel like it was me talking at all.

  The dragoons bowed lower and then hurried to mount their dragons – all except for Ralk Wheelspinner.

  “One of us must stay with you, Dominar,” he said. “Always.”

  To do what? Keep someone else from snatching the crown off my head?

  Among other things. But yes – they were off their guard. They should never have allowed that to happen. I suspect that like so many others, they underestimated you, judging you by that brass crutch rather than by your iron will.

  I turned my back on Ralk and mounted Raolcan. The saddle was comfortable and a bit of a relief after riding bareback for the whole battle – and that was irritating. What right did Ralk have to make my life easier? What right did the dragoons have to guard me?

  The right of blood. They’ve given theirs to defend the Dominar.

  The false Dominar! Iskaris. While he was killing the true Dominar!

  It’s more complicated than that. I know you don’t like complicated - but it is.

  I frowned and strapped in. Next stop, dealing with the Ifrits. I turned to look at them when I felt something strange, like a thought trying to enter my mind from outside. It was as if I was being drawn to feed anger into the Ifrits rather than redirect them. As if I wanted to make them attack instead of retreat.

  I wanted, suddenly, the opposite of everything I’d thought I did. I wanted to take power and rule this land as Dominar without those fool Lightbringers. I’d throw the Troglodytes out, too, while I was at it! I’d–

  Raolcan snapped to attention, his head rising so suddenly that I thought we would take off into the air, but instead I saw what looked like a faint arch of light spring up from the battlefield, from the place where the Troglodytes had fallen, and arch over the battlefield to touch his head. He snarled and shook.

  All thought vibrated from my mind as I struggled to hold on, and then he was done. I felt like myself again. Immediately, I raised my hands, knowing somehow that it would stop the Ifrits in their tracks.

  They froze.

  All across the battlefield, they froze into pillars of air and fire, immobile but still present. What had happened to me that for a moment I had been on their side?

  Starie. She took hold of you through the mask and crown, just like she did to Iskaris.

  I shuddered.

  Did you know I was born on a mountain?

  What? Wait. The first prophecy I had ever heard spoke of a mountain. I had thought it was about Savette, but hadn’t Ralcan said that these prophecies could be about more than one person?

  Born high on the mountain,

  Blazing bright under the sun’s demise,

  Twice blind but still seeing,

  The only bulwark against the dark

  Watch as the arches proclaim

  Dominion of Light.

  Convenient.

  Sometimes magic is convenient.

  And strange. Where had that magic come from?

  Dragon magic. I did mention I was a prince, right? Sometimes, we can tap just a little of the power of the Troglodytes – if they’re willing, that is.

  But it seemed just a little too easy that he drew upon that now.

  Easy? I’ve been saving up that favor all my life. I didn’t use it until today, and I’ll never get it back. Easy, maybe. But not without cost.

  My dragon would never stop surprising me.

  And I wanted the prophecy to be about him. I wanted everything from here on in to be ruled by Light. I wanted peace. I wanted my pe
ople to be safe. I wanted the killing to be over and a happy ending for everyone – or at least everyone who could have one.

  I glanced over at Leng, but he was strangely silent, his back straight, and his face staring out into the field beyond. Hubric and Kyrowat snuck up beside him and my old mentor leaned in to speak to him. They both glanced at me before putting their heads back together.

  That was how it was going to be from now on, wasn’t it? Everyone else – and me.

  This crown, this mask, was my cage.

  I looked out over the battlefield, watching as the Silver dragons set down among clusters of men in the fields. Slowly, one group after another stopped fighting.

  A hush washed over the land.

  You did that.

  And it was worth it, wasn’t it?

  I watched a young soldier climb up on a mud hill and raise a banner. As the wind took it I could almost make out the moonlit crest.

  It’s the flag of the Lightbringers.

  A knot of white dragons swirled out of Dominion City, soaring down to the field below.

  They were waiting to bring healing. Waiting for the end. Someone always has to mop up at the end.

  They should have been there for the actual fighting. What good were they when everyone was fighting and dying?

  What can I say? That’s Whites for you.

  He seemed remarkably unaffected by our sudden entrapment. Wasn’t he as torn as I was?

  Remember, we were willing to die for our nation. Are we not willing to live for them, too? One day after another, giving ourselves to make them thrive?

  I felt tears prick my eyes. I tried with all my might not to look at Leng. I had been willing to die. I wasn’t sure I was willing to live like this.

  I might like seeing you receive the respect you deserve.

  Locked in a sky city, surrounded by Silvers?

  Who says you have to be that kind of Dominar? Who gets to say who you will become?

  I didn’t know. There were probably rules.

  When have I ever found a rule I couldn’t break?

  I almost laughed at that.