Rise of the Shadow Dragons

by Liz Flanagan

  Iggie fell out of the sky next to him, slamming down, wings outstretched to soften the impact.

  Their people were no better. Thom slumped forwards on his dragon’s back, unmoving. Milla rolled off Iggie and collapsed on the grass.

  ‘Milla! Thom!’ Joe yelled, running to them.

  Milla groaned, opening bloodshot eyes. ‘There’s no time. Must warn everyone.’

  ‘Warn them what? What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s Mount Bara,’ Thom said. ‘It’s starting to erupt. Soon it will blow. We have to get everyone to safety.’

  Joe held his water flask to Milla’s mouth, and she drank, then choked, spilling water.

  Isak was there too, lifting Thom’s shoulders. ‘He’s exhausted,’ he muttered. ‘Oh, and he’s burned! They need a healer, fast.’

  ‘No, no,’ Thom twisted away. ‘No time. Get under­ground. Everyone must get underground. When it blows, it will make a giant wave. There’ll be fire in the air, and a wall of water.’

  ‘We can’t go underground – that’s madness!’ Isak cried.

  ‘Anywhere else, yes. But the tunnels were built for this.’ Milla forced herself upright, almost slurring her words in her exhaustion. ‘The city may be damaged, but we’ll be safe down there. We read about it in some ancient texts.’

  Joe felt panic rising up, like smoke, threatening to choke him. He looked out to sea again. The sun was rising clear of the horizon. ‘How long do we have? How long?’ he demanded.

  Thom looked at him. ‘Hours? Once it blows, the wave will speed over the ocean, faster than a dragon.’ His eyes rolled back, as he slipped into unconsciousness.

  ‘Hurry!’ Milla croaked, leaning against her dragon’s flank now. ‘There’s no time. The air will be full of fire and ash and debris. Get everybody underground …’ She closed her eyes, gathering strength.

  ‘Oh, Milla!’ Isak fell on his knees next to the blue dragon. ‘You need a healer – now!’

  ‘No! She just told us to get underground – there’s no time!’ That was Winter, sharing Joe’s alarm.

  ‘Underground? How? The dragons can’t go underground. I won’t leave Belara!’ Isak insisted.

  ‘Listen to me, Isak,’ Joe said. ‘The dragons will fit – there’s a huge cavern down there.’

  ‘What about Tarya and Vigo and the baby? They’re still trapped in the palace.’ Isak stopped, daunted. ‘And what will they do on Sartola? Oh, Luca!’

  He was right: they had to save the whole city, but the battle still raged around the palace. Their sister and her baby were in there somewhere. How could they possibly rescue everyone in time?

  Joe felt overwhelmed. He looked at the faces of everyone around him – Winter, Conor, Amina, Isak, Flavia, Tiago, Yannic – trying to think clearly.

  Milla groaned in pain, making a decision for them.

  ‘We need to get them to safety, now,’ Joe said. ‘Isak, listen. If you take Thom and Milla to safety, I’ll get Tarya out of there.’ He spoke quickly in his brother’s ear.

  Isak listened to it all, and nodded. ‘We try your way first. But if it doesn’t work, I won’t rest till she’s safe. Belara will let me know.’ He took his glasses off for a moment, to wipe a tear that tracked through the blood and ash on his face. ‘Right. Where are these caves then, Joe?’

  ‘I’ll go.’ It was Winter, surprising him. ‘I’ll show you the way, if Ruby will let me ride her again. I can show you above the western beach, how to enter the caves. If you’ll take Fidell, Joe?’

  Joe was shocked. ‘Of course.’ Was she actually offering to take more people into the home she’d always kept secret?

  ‘Thank you,’ Isak said. ‘Is it really safe, do you think?’

  ‘That’s what Milla and Thom said. We’ll be protected by the rock.’

  ‘It’s not far.’ Joe pointed at the lower western side of the island. ‘Isak, can Belara manage Thom too?’

  ‘I think so. Her wound isn’t deep. If you lift him up, I can hold him.’

  Belara raised her head, listening, and gave a soft growl of agreement.

  ‘Let’s go,’ Winter said.

  ‘Winter … Thank you.’ Joe grabbed her hand for a moment and squeezed it, hoping she’d know how grateful he was. That he understood what this meant to her. ‘We’ll have to spread the word, get everyone from the city in there. All right?’

  ‘Of course,’ Winter said, nodding briefly. Then she approached the fallen red dragon and spoke quietly in her ear.

  Ruby opened her eyes blearily, staggered forward and fell again. Then, with a second effort, she got up.

  Winter slipped onto her shoulders, talking to her all the time. She was tall, but so slight that she couldn’t weigh much.

  Ruby flapped hard, harder. It seemed impossible, but the huge red dragon managed to fight her way into the air. Then, with wide open wings, she soared down towards the western beach, with Winter on her back.

  Together, Joe and Isak gathered up Thom’s limp body, and slung it over Belara’s shoulders with difficulty. He lay, face down, legs dangling. Isak clambered awkwardly behind him, his legs over Thom’s body, holding him in position.

  The golden dragon also struggled to launch, wings strain­ing, but she finally made it. Isak lost his balance, lurching to the right, straining to keep hold of his precious load.

  Joe sucked in his breath, fearing they would both tumble off. The dragon dipped, adjusting her flight, and tilting her huge golden wings. Then she glided down over the city, following Winter and Ruby, carrying Isak and Thom to safety.

  Iggie was the last to launch. The blue dragon was so weary it seemed hopeless. He flapped once, twice. The wind stirred up dust and leaves, but had no impact on Iggie’s vast bulk.

  ‘Come on, my Ig,’ Milla urged, bending low over his shoulders. ‘Almost done. One last effort. You can do it, brave soul.’

  Again Iggie flapped, with all his strength. He took a massive leap, pushing up with his hind legs, and finally he was airborne. He skimmed the palace walls, his feet dangling, and soared after the others, heading west.

  One problem solved. A dozen more to go, Joe thought, as he turned back to the circle of anxious faces.

  Time was running out. Would he have to choose between saving the city, and saving his sister?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Joe felt dazed, clutching at his dragon, while Fidell whined miserably at being left behind. He stared down at the trampled leaves and grass below his feet. It all looked so ordinary. Just another morning. Only this might be his last. He couldn’t believe that all this might be destroyed in a matter of hours. He didn’t see how they could manage the task ahead. He just knew he had to try.

  ‘We’ll have to split up,’ he said, finally, choosing one idea from the jumble in his mind. ‘Conor and Amina, Tiago and Flavia, can you go down into the city? Tell them the news – get everyone into the caves. You have your maps still?’

  ‘Yes, but—’ Amina gulped. ‘They’ll panic.’

  ‘They mustn’t,’ Conor said grimly. ‘Or we’ll all be crushed.’

  Joe had a vision of the narrow city streets packed with people, screaming and rushing.

  ‘We need more people,’ Tiago said. ‘We can’t reach every­one in time.’

  Joe’s gaze fell on the palace, where an uneasy stalemate held. The remaining Brotherhood had retreated inside. Vigo’s army and the dragonriders now surrounded the palace. If they needed more people to help, there was an obvious place to start.

  ‘I’ll ask them,’ Joe said, pointing. ‘Wait for me, just a little while. Keep Fidell with you. And Yannic? Hang onto your black jacket and stay out of sight. I am going to need you soon, when the Brotherhood are distracted.’

  With Ren by his side, he ran towards the palace, ignoring the weariness in his legs.

  Vigo’s soldiers swarmed the palace steps, filling the tiled courtyard, entirely covering the ancient black dragon mosaic. Heral and Petra were right on top of the palace, like heraldic beasts,
up among the stone struts and gargoyles that decorated its roof. The other dragonriders kept watch in a wide circle dotted all around the palace grounds.

  Joe saw a flicker of movement inside the palace, and he knew that the Brotherhood would be watching it all from inside. What about Tarya? Could she see him? Where were they keeping her?

  He pushed through the mass of soldiers surrounding the palace, looking for a face he knew – his sister’s second-in-command. ‘Rosa Demarco!’ he yelled. ‘Where’s Rosa?’ She’d known him all his life. The last time she’d seen him was at the hatching ceremony. He prayed she wouldn’t hold it against him now.

  Two burly soldiers grabbed his arms before he got anywhere near Rosa, reunited with her fierce orange dragon Ando. ‘What do you want, kid?’ one demanded.

  ‘Ouch!’ Joe yelped in pain. ‘There’s no time for this. Tell her Jowan Thornsen is here. Tell her it’s urgent.’

  Ren started attacking the men, biting their sleeves and earning a sharp cuff from one of them.

  ‘Ren! No! Stop,’ Joe cursed. ‘Please, you have to listen. And leave my dragon alone!’

  She ducked out of reach, hissing loudly.

  ‘Yeah, who says? Look at him. He’s one of them! Did the Brotherhood send you?’

  ‘No, I promise!’ Joe begged them. ‘Hurry, or we’re all dead.’

  The men exchanged a glance. ‘You go, I’ll hold this puppy still. Let it be the general’s decision.’

  One of the men rushed off. The other twisted Joe’s arms behind his back. ‘Don’t get any ideas meanwhile. And tell your funny-looking dragon to behave.’

  ‘Ren, please! Be still.’ Joe kept his eyes on her, praying she’d stay calm. He stopped struggling, trying not to burst with frustration. The sweaty stink of the soldiers filled his nostrils, and his feet slipped a little on the black mosaic, slick with mud.

  Finally, the first man returned. From the way the ranks of men parted respectfully, Joe knew he was followed by Tarya’s second-in-command, Rosa Demarco. He heard her raised voice before he saw her.

  She did a quick double-glance when she saw him, recov­ering in an instant. ‘You’re alive: I see the rumours were true. Explain yourself, Joe Thornsen,’ she called as she strode towards them. ‘Make it fast! I am doing my best to rescue your sister.’

  Rosa was tall, with a narrow cat-like face and high cheekbones. Her black hair was plaited in the dragonrider style, her uniform all crumpled and stained from her days in captivity, her boots were smeared with blood and soil.

  ‘We’re all in danger!’ Joe shouted. ‘Mount Bara will erupt – look over at the mainland if you don’t believe me. Milla and Thom just flew in to warn us of the wave that will follow. There are tunnels we can shelter in, but we need to evacuate the city, now.’

  The man holding Joe’s arms scoffed, ‘Nonsense!’

  Rosa silenced him with one gesture. ‘Release him. You, go check – confirm his story.’

  The man ran off towards the barracks.

  Joe fell forwards, rubbing his arms, and Ren ran to him, growling like a terrier.

  ‘So,’ Rosa said with a quick grin, ‘is it you I should thank for our release back there?’ She hauled him to his feet. ‘And for rescuing Ando – some kids, that’s what I heard.’

  ‘Yes, we used the tunnels then too—’

  She cut him off. ‘But now you want us to abandon our fight, is that what you’re saying? Go hide underground, like rats? So they can kill us down there?’

  ‘Or you can die up here, when the wave hits. It’s up to you,’ Joe snapped back. ‘But your city needs you. Will your soldiers listen?’ He explained everything Milla and Thom had said, how they needed to lead the city folk into the tunnels, and fast, and how they were built for this.

  ‘What about the Brotherhood?’ she said. ‘I don’t think they’re the listening kind.’

  ‘Leave them to me,’ Joe said, ‘and Heral and Petra.’ The green and red dragons were still perched on the top of the palace, waiting for the chance to free their people.

  ‘Oh, so you’re staying up here?’ Rosa sounded suspicious. ‘Why should I listen to you if you’re not willing to try these tunnels too?’

  Joe bit down his retort, fighting a wave of impatience. They didn’t have time for this! He knew he had to choose his next words carefully.

  ‘Milla and Thom risked their lives to warn us. We only have a short time left. When the volcano erupts fully, Arcosi will be in great danger. I know it’s hard to believe, so far away, but we need to get everyone into the tunnels, now. Without your help, we’re lost. They’ll listen to you, to the army. If you help us, I think we can do it, we can save every­one. Look, I’ve got maps here.’

  The first soldier sped back towards them, skidding in the mud. His face had turned grey and taut with fear.

  ‘All right,’ Rosa said, before the man even had a chance to speak, ‘we’re in.’

  ‘The beacons!’ the man yelled. ‘He’s right. Hurry!’

  ‘And there’s enough room for all the dragons, in these tunnels?’ Rosa demanded. ‘Even ones as big as Ando?’

  Joe nodded. ‘Yes, the city people can use any tunnel, but there’s only one entrance big enough for adult dragons. Ando and the others will need to go to the western beach, here’ – he showed her on the map – ‘when everyone else is safe.’

  ‘What about your sister and the duke? We just leave them here, at the mercy of the Brotherhood?’

  ‘I’ve got an idea …’ Joe explained it to her.

  There was a pause then. Joe watched Rosa flick her eyes back towards the palace, then over the ranks of soldiers. Everyone was listening, without seeming to, and she must know it. How long would they remain obedient if they knew disaster was headed their way?

  Rosa sighed, and turned back to Joe. ‘Right, Thornsen,’ she said, ‘we will do as you ask. Give me those maps.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He tried to show how grateful he was.

  Joe was astonished how quickly everything changed then. With Rosa bellowing orders, repeated down the lines, the soldiers organised themselves into small groups. Each was given a map, a tunnel entrance to aim for, a neighbourhood to lead to safety, and a dragonrider to herd the city folk. They beetled off to evacuate the city.

  Joe felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoul­ders, as he and Ren hurried back to the barracks. He found Yannic and the others where he’d left them.

  When he explained to Yannic what he wanted him to do, the ex-soldier burst out laughing, rubbing a hand over his badger-stripes of white hair. ‘Oh, Joe,’ he said, wiping his eyes with his knuckles afterwards. ‘I thought you just said you wanted me to walk in there, rejoin the Brotherhood, when there’s only hours before this whole island floods or burns, or whatever your mate said—’

  ‘Yes,’ Joe said steadily, interrupting, ‘that’s what I want you to do. There’s a whole pile of gold in it for you. That villa on Sartola? It’s yours.’ And your revenge, he thought, but didn’t say the words in front of his friends. ‘Look, here’s a little taster for you.’ He dug around in his pockets and brought out all the gold he’d taken the other day, gesturing for his friends to do the same. ‘Hold out your hands?’

  Yannic did so, not laughing now. They piled his out­stretched palms with all the gold coins they were carrying, till they were slipping from the top of the heap and his fingers grasped at them desperately.

  ‘Do we have a deal?’ Joe asked.

  ‘Deal,’ Yannic said, still looking stunned. He hurriedly found homes for all the coins, slipping them down his boots, under his shirt, in his pockets, till Joe was surprised he didn’t clink with every step. ‘Now tell me again, what do I need to do?’

  So Joe told him, very slowly.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  When Yannic had sneaked off to the kitchen entrance at the back of the palace, Joe, Conor and Amina, with Tiago and Flavia, hurried after the soldiers heading down into the city. There was no need to hide now that the remaining mem
bers of Brotherhood were all gathered in the palace. Speed was everything. Joe pushed himself on­wards, his friends keeping pace, and for a few moments they only spoke to their dragons in a low murmur.

  ‘Ren, whatever happens today … you’re my best friend. Ever. You know that, don’t you?’ Joe began, but a lump formed in his throat, and he couldn’t carry on.

  She reached up, and bumped her head against his chin, chittering softly.

  They were on the main road into the city, and the side streets were already filling with people fleeing from their homes. Soon Joe could barely think over the din. The dragonriders were yelling down instructions to their groups. Children were crying. People were calling frantic farewells and questions.

  Flavia and Tiago split up, heading to their own streets to evacuate their families.

  ‘Stay with your neighbours! Follow me,’ one dragonrider was yelling, struggling to keep her dragon steady as she circled above them.

  ‘No, bring only food and water, they said,’ a woman was shrieking at her young daughter, who was holding a strug­gling cat.

  ‘I won’t eat then! I can’t leave him.’ The girl stuck her lip out and refused to move.

  ‘Don’t rush! Steady now. We still have time,’ the dragon­rider was shouting down.

  Joe hoped it was true. If Thom was wrong, and the volcano blew now, everyone would be caught in the open. He pushed the awful images from his mind and threaded his way through the growing crush of bodies, heading home.

  When they reached the gates of the Yellow House, Joe found his mother and Matteo ready to leave, laden with bags of food and water.

  ‘Mum! How are you feeling? Are you better?’ Joe flew to Josi, his arms round her broad waist, resting his head down on her shoulder and breathing in the comfort of her.

  ‘Almost,’ she said.

  Prrt? Ren was asking.

  Joe pulled back. ‘Mum, this is Ren, and here’s Winter’s Fidell.’

  ‘Hello, Ren, Fidell. Aren’t you something?’ Josi smiled at the shadow dragons, then winced. The bruises had almost faded, but she was holding herself so carefully that Joe guessed she was still in pain. It kept his fury against the Brotherhood simmering inside him.