He tried to keep his head on a swivel as he drifted past the giant branches. Once or twice Rondo thought he saw movement, but whenever he looked closer there was nothing. They were nearly clear of the canopy when he saw the first creature.
It stood in the shadows just below the treetops and watched him with shining back eyes. They weren’t the eyes of a mindless beast. They held intelligence and malice the likes of which Rondo never thought to see outside of another human.
The creature continued to watch him until he cleared the trees and sailed toward the ship. Rondo tried his best to calm himself but failed miserably. He hadn’t fully understood the threat they faced until he saw those eyes. There was no chance they could finish their mission without another fight. That thing wouldn’t rest until they were all dead.
Rondo stood beside Shade and Umbra with the hairy monster between them on the ship’s deck. The mercenaries were enjoying a splash of rum below deck to mourn their lost companion. At least that was the excuse they used. Rondo would have been happy to celebrate being a good hundred yards above the treetops, well out of jumping range.
“So what the hell is it?” Shade asked.
Umbra’s cowl rustled and Rondo assumed he shook his head. “I haven’t the slightest idea. No book I’ve read says anything about a creature like this. If they’re common in the forest, it would explain why so many expeditions never returned. Judging from its size and musculature, I’d guess it was easily twice as strong as the average human.”
“They’re tough too,” Shade said. “Between the hair and muscle, I could barely get a dagger into the damn thing. It’s gonna be a bitch securing the tower for the boss.”
“Assuming you live long enough to find the tower,” Umbra said.
“We’ll follow that road Rondo found and be at the tower late tomorrow, no problem.” Shade snapped his fingers. “Maybe you could scare them off with magic.”
“Perhaps, but if I’m on the ground and something happens to me, how are you planning to get home? Neither of you can contact Lord Black or pilot the ship.”
Rondo’s throat tightened. He hadn’t even considered the possibility of being trapped here. On the other hand, having Umbra’s magic would give them a much better chance of reaching the tower in one piece. It was a horrible choice, but someone needed to make it.
“What if we call the boss for reinforcements?” Shade said. “With him and Domina helping, clearing the ugly things out would be simple.”
“That wasn’t the plan,” Umbra said.
“No one knew about these things when the plan was made,” Shade countered. “At the very least let him know. If the boss wants us to continue on our own, fine, but once he knows what’s happening, he might change his mind.”
“It seems like a reasonable suggestion,” Rondo dared offer.
Umbra’s cowl turned in Rondo’s direction and he caught the briefest flash of golden eyes before the wizard looked away.
“Very well. I will make contact. You two should sleep. If Lord Black wishes us to move on our own, we’ll be making an early start.”
Rondo followed Shade down the steps to the lower deck. The three leaders, if Rondo was so arrogant as to call himself a leader on this mission, each had a small cabin to themselves while the mercenaries camped out in the main hold with their supplies. Shade angled that way instead of toward his room. Probably going to console his men for the loss of their comrade. Rondo considered joining him but dismissed the idea at once. He knew his strengths, and idle chatter wasn’t among them.
The meager light coming through the room’s small window was just enough to allow him to pull his boots off and crawl into bed without stubbing a toe. After hours of hiking through the forest he should have been exhausted, yet his mind raced, keeping him wide awake. Moments like today’s attack made him wonder if he chose right when he accepted Crow’s offer to join the Dark Sages. No one could argue with his position, he was a member of the most high’s cadre after only two years and no notable successes. His peers would have laughed or cried if they saw how far and fast he’d risen.
He put his doubts aside and closed his eyes. He was committed now regardless, assuming he wasn’t willing to risk a less than friendly meeting with Shade, and he wasn’t, then for better or worse he was a Dark Sage for the rest of his hopefully long life.
The first tug of sleep had settled on him when a screech pierced the air. Rondo sat up so fast his head spun. What in the world was that?
He scrambled to put his boots on in the dark. When his door slammed open the light nearly blinded him.
The dark blob in the opening said with Shade’s voice, “Come on!”
Rondo rubbed his eyes, tugged on his second boot, and stumbled into the hall. Another shriek like nails on slate set his teeth on edge. At the top of the stairs he froze.
Three winged creatures flew around the ship. They looked like someone took a dragon and crossed it with a big cat. It had dragon wings and a dragon-like tail along with the head and body of a cougar the size of a horse. Rondo couldn’t even imagine how such creatures could fly until he remembered Lord Black’s lesson. The things must have one of the dragon’s magical organs. Hopefully they didn’t have the one that let them breathe fire.
When he was finally able to drag his gaze away from the dragon things Rondo spotted Umbra standing in the center of the deck swirling his glowing hands in slow circles. The monsters appeared to be moving in the same pattern. Umbra’s magic must be what was keeping them from attacking.
The mercenaries had heavy war bows in their hands and arrows nocked. Shade looked from the monsters to Umbra. For the first time since they met, the assassin appeared uncertain of his next move.
One of the mercenaries licked his lips. “Shade? Do we loose?”
“I don’t know. If we shoot and break whatever spell Jax is using to keep the bloody things from tearing us to pieces, but don’t kill them, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
“What happens if we don’t attack and Umbra runs out of magical power?” Rondo asked.
“Good point,” Shade said. “Alright, six per creature with two in reserve. Loose when ready. Keep shooting until they fall or flee.”
The mercenaries drew their bows and eighteen arrows arced into the sky. Everyone hit, but most of the arrows bounced off the monsters’ tough hide. The few that penetrated drew angry bellows.
They managed two more volleys before the monsters broke off and soared away. Umbra fell to his knees on the deck.
“Keep alert,” Shade said as he and Rondo ran over to the wizard.
They both crouched beside Umbra. He didn’t appear injured, only tired.
“What were those things?” Shade asked.
“Some sort of hybrid,” Umbra said between gasps. “Nothing I’ve ever heard of certainly. My magic entranced them, so they weren’t true dragons.”
“What did the boss say about reinforcements?”
“I haven’t contacted Leonidas yet. I was preparing the spell when those things came swooping in. It was just lucky I was on deck or they might have ripped the ship to pieces before we could get out of the hold.”
“Are you strong enough to contact Lord Black now?” Rondo asked. It was clearer than ever that they needed help.
“Of course,” Umbra said with cold disdain. “I merely needed to catch my breath. Keep watch while I prepare the spell.”
Umbra shifted to a sitting position with his legs tucked lotus style under his body. He held his hands out in front of him and began to chant. A glow appeared that quickly expanded into a circle with Lord Black’s face in the center.
“Have you found the tower?” Lord Black asked.
“Not yet,” Umbra said. “We’ve run into several unexpected obstacles. Some sort of aggressive, apelike monster lives in the trees and dragon hybrids patrol the skies. We did find an old imperial road but didn’t have time to fully explore it.”
“The hybrid creatures, you’re certain they’re part dragon?
” Rondo had never heard so much excitement in Lord Black’s voice.
“Judging by the wings and tail,” Umbra said. “Absolutely.”
“This is fantastic news. Set a sentinel spell to mark your location and withdraw. If you leave their territory, the hybrids won’t bother you. Domina and I will join you as soon as possible. Well done, all of you.”
The spell ended and Umbra climbed slowly to his feet. The wizard was clearly on his last legs. At least the dragon things hadn’t returned.
“That wasn’t the reaction I expected,” Shade said.
“Nor me.” Umbra chanted a quick spell and flicked his wrist. A glowing ball appeared in the sky off to the side of the ship. “Clearly Leonidas knows something we don’t.”
Shade grinned. “What else is new? Let’s get out of here.”
That was the best idea Rondo had heard in days.
Chapter 15
Callie sat behind the desk in her office and held her head in her hands. She seldom used the room, as she preferred to spend her time out amongst the students, but from time to time it was necessary to hold a private meeting. This afternoon was one such time. Seated across the bare cherry top from her was the most experienced instructor at the college. Lucy Drake had been teaching tamers since before Callie became headmaster. Of all the people that Callie had feared might do something really stupid, Lucy was at the bottom of the list.
“What were you thinking?” Callie asked at last.
“I’m a snake charmer,” Lucy said. “I can control anything with scales. I’ve never had a chance to test my powers on a dragon. The opportunity was too good to pass up.”
“And?”
Lucy looked at her with a haunted gaze. “I’ve never touched a mind like the dragon’s. Animals are simple creatures for the most part. But the dragons… Their minds are complex and alien, unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. That dragon knew exactly what I was trying to do and she didn’t like it at all. So much anger in such a little body.”
“And Ariel?” Callie asked.
“They would have killed me,” Lucy spoke as if she hadn’t heard the question. “If Ariel hadn’t spoken up when she did and calmed them, I’d be dead right now. That girl isn’t a tamer, Callie. I don’t know what she is, but her power works differently from mine, I can tell you that for sure. I don’t know how to teach her, and I doubt anyone else does either. She’s unique and that’s both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Just like all the others with a unique gift. The only thing I can suggest is that she study with the psychics. From the little I can tell, she coaxes more than controls the dragons.”
A unique talent. That was rare. Maybe one in fifty bards had an ability that fell outside one of the three primary paths. Callie’s own healing ability was a unique talent.
Anyway, she could hardly tear Lucy a new one when she was in this shape. Clearly there was no danger of her trying to control the dragons again. Which left the problem of what to do about Ariel. Callie had assumed right from the beginning, despite how the little girl described being friends with them, that her ability to control dragons worked the same as a tamer’s. If that was wrong, and it clearly was, how was anyone supposed to help her? Unique talents were the hardest since there was no mentor that could tell you how to use it. It was mostly trial and error, mainly error.
“Thanks Lucy, are you sure you don’t want me to heal your cut?”
Lucy reached up and touched the bandage covering her cheek. “No. Let it serve as a reminder for me not to reach for more than I can grasp. Is there anything else?”
“Not unless you have any more suggestions about…anything.”
“Sorry, Callie, I can’t help you on this one.” Lucy stepped out of the office, leaving Callie alone with her problems.
“Damn you, Moz, you’ve left me with a mess.” Callie rubbed her face and stood.
She couldn’t blame Moz. He did what he thought best for the girl. They were all in uncharted territory here. Somehow, she’d figure it out.
Callie sighed, pushed away from her desk, and stood. She had Amanda keeping Ariel company in case she was still upset about what happened. It wasn’t fair to Amanda to have her spending all her time looking after Ariel. She had her own studies and abilities to hone. She’d fall behind her classmates at this rate.
It was lunch time, so everyone should be gathered in the dining hall. That would make it easy to find her. Callie’s stomach rumbled. It wouldn’t hurt to get a bite of her own to eat. The walk from her second-floor office to the dining hall was a short one and her mind was so busy she hardly remembered making it as she walked into the gathering of chattering young people.
The tables were full, all but one anyway. Amanda and Ariel sat by themselves at a table near the wall. Amanda sipped her soup while Ariel fed bits of meat to her dragons. The little girl was smiling and seemed happy enough. Every once in a while, one of the other students looked toward her table before quickly looking away. Clearly word of the mishap that morning had spread. Things like today would only serve to make Ariel more of an outsider and that wasn’t good for anyone.
So many problems and so few solutions. Callie went to the serving line and selected a bowl of beef barley soup and a fresh roll. Her mouth watered as she crossed the room. She’d been in such a rush this morning she’d only had an apple for breakfast.
“Is this seat taken?” Callie asked when she reached Ariel’s table.
The little girl looked up at her, eyes wide and lower lip trembling. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t quick enough to stop the little ones. They really didn’t like whatever Miss Lucy did, but they still shouldn’t have scratched her.”
One of the dragons hissed to express what she thought of that idea. How much did they understand of human speech? People knew so little about dragons in this day and age. Had the imperials known more? Callie imagined they did, given how important they were to the empire, but that’s all it was, her imagining.
“It’s okay,” Callie said. “Lucy should have known better than to try and control someone else’s partner. She’s a snake charmer and couldn’t pass up the chance to test her abilities on a dragon. I hope your friends aren’t too angry.”
Ariel smiled and fished another piece of beef out of her bowl. One of the dragons swooped in and nipped it out of her fingers. “They’re fine. But it would be best if she didn’t try again.”
“I made that clear,” Callie said between bites of soup. “We’re thinking of having you try training with the psychics. Don’t worry, they won’t try controlling your friends.”
“That’s good. I don’t mind going to class with Amanda,” Ariel said.
“Great, that’s settled. You’ll start tomorrow.” What Callie didn’t add was that she had no idea if the psychic master would be any better able to help her than Lucy. With a silent prayer to the gods, Callie resolved to do her best.
After all, what else could she do?
Chapter 16
Leonidas sat in his portable chair below decks on the main flying ship while Jax and Shade alternately described the dragon hybrids and the ape monsters. Everything they said made him more and more certain he was correct about his theory. Rondo stayed silent and listened, a surprisingly intelligent decision.
It had taken three days for him and Domina to escape the citadel, collect two more squads of mercenaries, and make the long flight. Now that he had arrived and heard their stories, he couldn’t hide his excitement. From their expressions, his subordinates clearly had no idea why he was so excited.
“What’s got you so worked up, Boss?” Shade asked with his usual lack of restraint.
“What do you know about the mad emperor, Alexandros?”
Shade and Jax shared a look, clearly clueless about who he was talking about.
“He was the second-to-last emperor, right?” Rondo said.
The newest member of his cadre went up a notch in Leonidas’s esteem. “That’s correct. In addition to his ability to control dragon
s, Alexandros was a master alchemist. He was also distinctly lacking in even basic morals. He would conduct any experiment that struck his fancy. If it cost the lives of fifty or a hundred people, he wouldn’t bat an eye. I’ve read hints that he had a secret lab far from the capital where he carried out his most vile and dangerous experiments. At the end of his life he was obsessed with finding new types of dragons to add to his army.”
“If he already ruled the continent and controlled regular dragons,” Shade said. “Why would he need new types of dragons?”
“Did you miss the part earlier when I said he was mad?”
“Right, sorry Boss.”
“Anyway,” Leonidas continued. “Alexandros carried out his experiments in the middle of nowhere since he feared his ministers finding out, killing him, and putting his young son on the throne. I’ve long wondered what sorts of secrets this lab might hold. I further suspect it was built near the tower, so he’d have a convenient excuse for coming all the way out here.”
“So the monsters we encountered are escapees from this lab?” Jax asked.
“That’s my guess. Understand, gentlemen, that despite my exhaustive research, this is all speculation. The creatures you fought might be local mutations. Until we locate both the tower and the lab there’s no way to know for certain.”
“What’s the plan?” Shade asked.
“We return to the road Rondo found and explore in force. I brought heavy armor and tower shields for your men as well as mine. Shade and I will take one group while Domina and Rondo take the other. Jax, you’ll stay on the main ship in case we need picking up.”
“What am I supposed to do on my own if the dragon hybrids come back?” Jax asked.
“I suspect, given when they attacked the first time, that they’re nocturnal predators. But just in case I’m mistaken, we brought the Thunder Dome. Once that’s installed, nothing will bother you.”
Jax offered no more complaints and it was well that he didn’t. When the defensive magic was operational, he’d be the safest of all.
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