Dragonwatch, Book 2: Wrath of the Dragon King

by Brandon Mull

“Did anyone find it?” Seth asked.

  “It was found again,” Lockland said. “But none of us can hold more than one coin.”

  “Why not work together?” Kendra asked.

  Lockland laughed, loud and bitter. “I tried so hard to persuade them. I told them cooperation was the only way. Humbuggle was smart. He created a trial that can only be won by cooperation, with contestants who will never work together.”

  “Don’t the others want to break the curse?” Seth asked.

  “Sure,” Lockland said. “But mostly they want the prize. You know about the prize?”

  “The Wizenstone,” Kendra said.

  “Exactly,” Lockland said. “I suppose you three want it as well.”

  “We want to stop the dragons from getting it,” Kendra said.

  “Dragons have joined the hunt?” Lockland asked.

  “Celebrant,” Kendra said. “We think. And others.”

  “In human form, of course,” Lockland said.

  “Yes,” Kendra said.

  Lockland sighed. “The Wizenstone in the hands of dragons would be truly terrifying. Good thing nobody can win the contest.”

  “Somebody will win eventually,” Kendra said.

  “Will they?” Lockland asked. “From what I saw, despite the futility, my brothers were becoming more determined to win alone, not less. More set in their ways. What’s going to change?”

  “We’ll change things,” Kendra said.

  “You’ll try,” Lockland said. “Then shortly you will be turned to gold or silver. The dragons too. And the same old conflict will drag on.”

  “If winning requires cooperation, how will they win without you?” Seth asked.

  “If they ever decide to cooperate, my brothers will find me,” Lockland said. “Until then, I’d rather skip the drama.”

  “Can we hold coins?” Kendra asked. “Those of us not turned to metal?”

  “I’m not sure,” Lockland said. “Everyone in the castle already had a glove or had been turned to gold, silver, or platinum before the first coin was found.”

  Kendra realized that not everyone in the castle had been transformed, but she decided not to mention Augie. He deserved to have his secret protected.

  “Wait, some were turned to platinum?” Seth asked. “I thought you didn’t change people.”

  “Not on purpose,” Lockland said. “I transformed two accidentally. All it takes is careless contact.”

  “Do you know where any of the coins are?” Kendra asked.

  “I know where I hid the platinum one before entering the Quiet Box,” Lockland said. “It was a great spot, but they’ve had a long time to look.”

  “Help us retrieve it,” Kendra said.

  “Pointless,” Lockland replied.

  “Not necessarily,” Lomo said. “You have people here to help you. Don’t you want the contest to end?”

  “I don’t know,” Lockland said.

  “You’d rather stay trapped in this castle?” Seth asked.

  “If either one of my brothers gets the Wizenstone, it could be really bad for the rest of the world,” Lockland said. “Neither is fit to wield so much power. I’m not sure if anyone is, including myself. Keeping this contest going might protect the world much better than anyone winning it.”

  “Dragons are after the Wizenstone,” Kendra said. “I’d be more worried about them than about your brothers.”

  “The dragons are ancient, cunning, and wise,” Lomo said. “Even in human form, they stand a good chance of eventually solving this puzzle.”

  “You’re of the Fair Folk?” Lockland asked.

  Lomo gave a small bow. “At your service.”

  “Why not focus on stopping the dragons?” Lockland asked. “Rather than on winning the Wizenstone?”

  “The dragons are in the midst of a worldwide rebellion,” Lomo said. “Dragon sanctuaries are starting to fall. Great power may be needed to protect the world. Besides, if you stop these dragons, others will come. The secret is out.”

  Lockland folded his arms. “I see the argument. Even my brothers would be better custodians of the Wizenstone than dragons.” He glanced at Seth and Kendra, then turned to Lomo again. “You are aiding these mortals? What about neutrality?”

  “I don’t subscribe to neutrality in times of real crisis,” Lomo said.

  “You believe in these two?” Lockland asked.

  “None can know how they would wield the Wizenstone,” Lomo said. “But the girl is fairykind, and I believe in her sincerity. The boy is a shadow charmer but avoids dark influences. I believe they have more chance than most to deal with the Wizenstone without becoming corrupted.”

  “The only way to avoid corruption by the Wizenstone’s power would be not to use it,” Lockland said. “That’s part of the reason I have stayed out of the pursuit.”

  “We can’t let the dragons get it,” Seth said. “What if we promise to only use the Wizenstone to stop the dragon rebellion, and then to store it away after?”

  “Such a promise might not be so easily kept with the power of the stone in hand,” Lockland said.

  “Do you trust us less than the dragons?” Kendra asked. “Than your brothers?”

  “The dragons and my brothers are known,” Lockland said. “I would trust nobody with the Wizenstone, but I trust you more than myself, and I trust my brothers and any dragon much less. The presence of the dragons could shake things up here. Until the dragons are claimed to gold, silver, or platinum, or until you are all claimed or destroyed, I will help you.”

  “Thank you,” Seth said.

  “My own risk is small,” Lockland said, holding up the platinum glove. “I can’t be changed to gold or silver while wearing this. As for you three and the dragons—you will probably not last the night. Once the gold and silver figures get to a faster speed, you will find avoiding them extremely difficult. You mean to store your friend in the Quiet Box for now?”

  “He is turning to gold,” Seth said. “Outside of the box, he will quickly transform into another golden enemy.”

  “Very well,” Lockland said. “Follow me.”

  Coins

  Climbing the stairs out of the dungeon, Seth stayed a few paces behind Lockland. He didn’t expect the prince to try to turn them all to platinum, but he considered it best to be cautious. The lack of platinum statues seemed to support Lockland’s story of being the peaceful brother, but he could also be the incompetent brother who got shut in the Quiet Box by the others at the start of the competition.

  Lomo led the way out of the dungeon. He held a finger to his lips before opening the door at the top of the stairs. After stepping out for a moment and looking to the left and to the right, he waved for the others to proceed.

  Seth exited last, just as a woman stepped around a corner down the hall. Tall and lithe, with long, green hair and dramatic eyes, she wore light armor and carried a shield and sword. The shield looked to be made of pure gold.

  Seth turned to find a man coming around the corner in the other direction. With long hair down past his shoulders and a full beard, he wore a heavy breastplate and greaves and carried a golden ax.

  “We thought it might be you, Kendra, when we heard the gongs,” the woman said. “And your brother, Seth. Lomo, the Fair Folk will pay dearly for your involvement. I see you have found the platinum brother. Does he have the platinum coin?”

  “Should we retreat?” Lomo murmured, glancing at the stairs they had just climbed.

  “Dead end that way,” Lockland whispered.

  “Don’t try to flee,” the woman said.

  “Who are you?” Kendra asked.

  The woman smiled without warmth, emerald eyes glittering. “How could you forget me? Were you not comfortable? Your taste still lingers on my tongue.”

  “Jaleesa,” Kendra said.

  “And you?” Seth asked the man in the other direction.

  “As a dragon I was Obregon,” the man said in a gruff voice.

  “Didn
’t Raxtus replace you?” Seth asked.

  “He filled my position for a season,” Obregon said.

  “Celebrant trusts Obregon more than anyone in his guard,” Jaleesa said. “That’s why he could count on him to temporarily step down.”

  “Hand over the coin and we will spare your lives,” Obregon said.

  “We have no coin,” Lockland replied. “And you are in no position to threaten.”

  Growling, Obregon charged forward. Jaleesa dashed at them as well. Sword ready, Lomo stepped forward to confront Obregon. Heading the other way, Seth drew his sword to face Jaleesa.

  She was taller than him, emerald hair blowing behind her as she ran. Her long sword had a slight curve at the end. She looked eager.

  “Don’t resist them,” Lockland shouted, having made no move to defend himself.

  Sidestepping away from her charge, Seth deflected Jaleesa’s first swing, feeling the shock of impact in his wrists and elbows. Her next swing was too quick, the blade hissing through the air until it bit into the side of his neck.

  The instant the blade parted his skin, the entire sword turned to smoke, along with the arm wielding it. Surprised to be alive, blinking at the dissipating particles, Seth reached up to where the blade had kissed his neck. His fingertips came away red from the small cut there. The blade had disintegrated before it could bite deep.

  Shocked, Jaleesa staggered back, eyes roving the empty space where her arm should have been. No blood issued from her shoulder—skin had grown over the remaining nub as if it had been that way for a long time. Seth stared at the one-armed woman, deciding not to attack with his sword.

  Lomo had avoided several swings of the ax. After seeing Jaleesa, Obregon stepped back and let the weapon hang at his side, leaving himself open to an attack.

  “Don’t strike him!” Lockland called, lunging toward Jaleesa, who cowered away, cupping her armless shoulder with her remaining hand. He chased her until his gloved hand closed around her neck, and Seth watched platinum spread quickly across her from the point of contact.

  Obregon fled.

  “Should we chase him?” Lomo asked.

  “Not now,” Lockland said.

  “What happened to her arm?” Seth asked.

  “Shed no blood,” Lockland said. “Break no bones. Stop no heart. The warning is serious. The moment her blade drew blood it vanished, along with the arm wielding it.”

  “We should move,” Kendra said. “Obregon knows our location.”

  “This way,” Lockland said.

  “We’re going after the coin?” Seth whispered.

  “Just in case it remains where I left it,” Lockland said.

  “What are the chances?” Seth asked.

  “It’s possible,” Lockland said. “I was in the Quiet Box for a very long time. But the metallic people can move quickly only at the end of festival nights. Over an entire year, they move roughly as much as they would at normal speed in a single day. My brothers are free to search every day, and I’m sure they do. But I hid it well.”

  They started up some stairs.

  “Where did you originally find the gold coin?” Seth asked.

  “Cunningly hidden inside a tapestry,” Lockland said. “The image depicted a dragon with a treasure hoard. The coin was woven into the scene. Touching the coin caused it to detach from the image and materialize.”

  “That must have taken a long time to find,” Seth said.

  “A very long time,” Lockland said. “I found the platinum coin in the crypt. We place coins over the eyes of our dead. The platinum coin covered one of the eyes of my great-grandmother.”

  “And you lost the gold one when you grabbed it?” Seth asked.

  “The gold coin vanished and became concealed in a new spot,” Lockland said. “Whether I hold the coins or my platinum statues carry them in my behalf, it all works the same. They are direct extensions of my will, so together we can only hold one coin. Same for gold or silver.”

  “That means we really could help you,” Kendra said. “If we can each hold our own coin, working together, we could throw in all three.”

  “It’s worth a try,” Lockland said. “Assuming you can hold a coin. And if we can keep you from being transformed.”

  “Should we hunt down the dragons?” Seth asked. “Turn them to platinum?”

  “It may not be easy,” Lockland said. “Now that they understand they really can’t shed blood, break bones, or stop hearts, they’ll fight smarter.” He raised his gloved hand, flexing his fingers. “If they come our way, I’ll do my best to transform them.”

  “You accidentally touched some people?” Seth asked.

  “It happens,” Lockland said. “If I were you, I’d stay away from me, especially the side of me with the glove. If you get touched, I can’t reverse it.”

  “What about our friends who were changed?” Kendra asked.

  “It could be permanent,” Lockland said. “Only Humbuggle knows the whole story.”

  Seth didn’t like the news, but he was far from giving up on Tanu and Knox. Hopefully the dwarf would know a way to undo what happened. Or perhaps the power of the Wizenstone could help?

  Lockland opened a door to a covered walkway connecting two towers. They were up quite high. Though Seth could see beyond the castle walls, all seemed shrouded in darkness, perhaps because the light globes around the castle were ruining his night vision.

  “Somebody will probably see us up here,” Lockland said. “Can’t be helped.” He stepped onto the railing of the walkway and swung up onto the roof. After a moment, Seth heard a crunch, and then Lockland came down holding a single shingle. “Come on.”

  Seth, Kendra, and Lomo followed Lockland back indoors. They hurried down some stairs and then along a corridor.

  “These roof tiles are ceramic,” Lockland said. “Not only do they last a long time, but the spell on the castle seems to preserve the physical structure without maintenance. I learned how to make the roof tiles when I was younger, so I baked the platinum coin into one and swapped it with a tile on the walkway roof in the middle of the night. Stand back.”

  Seth stepped well away from Lockland, who raised the ceramic shingle high, then hurled it to the stone floor. The roof tile broke into three pieces. Part of the platinum coin projected from one of the fragments. Lockland grabbed the fragment with the coin and banged it against the floor until he had the coin free. After wiping the dust off as best he could, he held it up for inspection. Still dusty, the coin featured a bearded dwarf standing on the front and what looked like the back of the same dwarf on the opposite side.

  “Who wants to carry it?” Lockland asked.

  “Why not you?” Kendra asked.

  Lockland set the coin on the floor and raised both hands. “I chose to drop out of this contest. That decision stands. I’ll help you try to end it, but I’m not looking to win it.”

  “We’ve got company,” Lomo said as Tregain stalked into view.

  Seth drew his sword as Kendra retrieved the coin from the floor. Lomo took up a position between them and Tregain.

  “Lockland,” Tregain said, stopping several paces from Lomo. “You’re back in the hunt.”

  “I want this over,” Lockland said, striding past Lomo so he stood closest to his brother.

  “At any cost?” Tregain asked. “I had the gold coin. Intruders seized it.”

  “The dragons?” Lockland asked.

  Tregain gave a nod. “I suspected they might be powerful creatures in human form.”

  “They could hold it?” Lockland asked.

  “Aye,” Tregain said. “They filched it from my room when I was away.”

  “You didn’t keep it on you?” Lockland asked.

  “I was hoping to find another,” Tregain said through gritted teeth.

  “And you can’t possess two at once,” Lockland said. “I turned one of the dragons to platinum. Only two left. They can’t win the contest with two.”

  Tregain glanced past Lockla
nd to Lomo, Seth, and Kendra. “I see three people with you.”

  “Yes,” Lockland said. “Two mortals and one of the Folk.”

  “The girl has the platinum coin,” Tregain said.

  “I fail to see the problem,” Lockland said.

  A wild look came into Tregain’s eyes. “Don’t you? This is slipping away! Whatever happens, we have to keep it in the family, Lock.”

  “The family hasn’t gotten much done for several centuries, Treg,” Lockland said.

  “And so you would hand the prize over to strangers?” Tregain asked, spittle flying from his lips.

  “No offense, Tregain, but I know I can’t trust you,” Lockland said. “At least with the girl there is a chance.”

  Tregain grabbed at his hair and pulled, raising his voice even more. “Here I stand, betrayed by my own kin. You would rather dragons take the prize? Or children?”

  “I want the curse broken,” Lockland said. “We cursed ourselves by entering the contest. I want it finished.”

  “At what cost?” Tregain blurted. “The world will pay if the dragons win it! Or fools! Turn and help your brother. Let us purify these interlopers into silver and platinum. All platinum, if you prefer. Or all silver. And then the dragons. Then we can sort out the rest among family.”

  Lockland laughed. “You’ll use me, and then you’ll do the same as you’ve always done. Nothing will get sorted out.”

  Tregain started shouting. “Now is the time to teach me a lesson? Now is the hour to mistrust your own blood? By delivering power to strangers?”

  “They know it is the Wizenstone,” Lockland said.

  “Is that supposed to comfort me?” Tregain cried.

  “So do the dragons,” Lockland said. “They will keep coming. We must deliver the Wizenstone to the safest option.”

  “How is that not the rightful heir?” Tregain asked.

  “Because you care only about yourself,” Lockland said. “Heath too. We could have obtained the Wizenstone long ago had we worked together.”

  “You care about nothing!” Tregain spat, waving an arm. “You’re an anarchist! You prefer strangers over family!”

  “I prefer sanity over madness,” Lockland said.

  Growling, Tregain charged forward, and Lockland wrapped both arms around him, tackling him to the ground. Grunting and straining, they wrestled until Tregain ended up on top, holding Lockland down.