Fury

by E. L. Todd

  He quickly became overrun, far too many for him to handle in tight quarters. They were climbing up the table on all sides, from in front and behind, reaching for his legs and swiping at him with their claws. Even with Flare supplying his focus, there were just too many. He was outnumbered.

  “Rush!” Cora called from the entrance of the hall, the Fazurks oblivious to her because he was the meatier prize.

  He kicked another one out of the way and spun his sword, slicing two throats in one go.

  More climbed onto the table, suffocating him from all sides.

  Cora, run!

  “No!”

  Rush took a fist to the face, the momentum hitting him so hard he lost concentration for just a second. Another Fazurk moved in, teeth sharp and glistening. Everything became a blur for a short while, the roars fading as if they were far away.

  The face came closer, so many teeth in his mouth.

  Rush! Focus.

  Rush stabbed his blade into the Fazurk, right through the torso. He collapsed.

  He spun around to intercept the next one, but he collapsed—for no reason at all.

  A hand gripped his arm and gave him a tug. “Come on.”

  They jumped off the table and landed on shaky legs but kept running. When they rounded the corner to return the way they came, their speed dropped—because they were going against the wind.

  Push it.

  With a force strong enough to make their boots slide over the rock, the filtration system was as powerful as a storm. With every step they took, their bodies slid back a few inches, their cheeks stretched back. They kept their mouths closed. Otherwise, they couldn’t breathe with the wind slapping them in the face. They pressed on, but with difficulty.

  They’re close behind you—drafting.

  Rush grabbed her wrist and shoved her forward, keeping his body between her and the Fazurks. He could hear their roars for just a split second before the wind carried it away. He turned around, pulled out his sword, and stabbed the two closest on their heels.

  Rush!

  Keep going. I’ll hold them back.

  Use the wall.

  He sliced another and watched it collapse. The pile of bodies became an obstacle for the others, slowing them down a bit. They had a greater chance of escape than they had a second ago. What?

  Look at me.

  He sheathed his sword and turned around, tears streaking down his face from the unforgiving bite of the wind.

  She motioned for him to join her, her back flat against the wall. It’s a lot easier when you hug the wall.

  Instead of going straight against the wind, he went diagonally, feeling an instant relief once he was right up against the wall like Cora. Smart idea.

  Thanks.

  With their backs against the wall, they slid sideways, inching closer to the entrance.

  The gang stood in front of the opening, their hair swirling because the wind was coming from a hole in the ceiling that had opened once she’d pulled the lever. Bridge extended his hand and pulled Cora in first. Lilac got Rush.

  “Hurry up,” Bridge said. “They’re following you.”

  Rush became Flare as everyone else backed up to get out of his way.

  The Fazurks looked like the undead, popping out of the ground and walking with a slow gait, their arms outstretched.

  “They look so ridiculous right now,” Bridge said with a snigger.

  Flare inhaled a deep breath, compressed the air in his lungs, and then released an explosion of fire that was immediately sucked up by the wind, traveling down the tunnel with the speed of a flood.

  The Fazurks were knocked down and rolled back with the fire, disappearing.

  Flare continued to release the flames, only stopping to take a breath and recharge his lungs. Then more fire came, swept away by the tunnel wind. I will not stop—until every last one is dead.

  “No way anyone survived that.” Lilac dusted off the ash that had sprinkled her jacket in the chaos.

  “Maybe a few stragglers,” Bridge said. “But not enough to do any real damage.”

  “But the Stronghold must be utterly destroyed.” Liam looked back through the tunnel, which was still warm after the fire was gone. “They’ll have to completely rebuild.”

  “It’s better to start over than never to start at all,” Zane said.

  “Guys.” Cora pointed to the rock wall. “Look.”

  The rock had rolled aside—and revealed a dark passageway.

  They all remained quiet, staring intently at the place where the surviving dwarves would emerge.

  With her long hair, Queen Megora emerged first, her eyes wide, taking in the scene of destruction before her. She gazed at the destroyed scaffolding, the burned corpses scattered across the floor, and then met their looks.

  All Rush could see was pain—the pain at the devastation of their home.

  Durgin filed out behind her, armed to the teeth, ready to defend their queen.

  Rush stepped forward. “I know it’s not the way you remember, but at least it’s yours again.”

  The Durgin lowered their axes as they stood on either side of the queen, seeing the smoke rising up to the hole in the ceiling, seeing the place they hadn’t seen in months, a place they’d thought they would never see again.

  It took some time for Queen Megora to compose herself, to swallow the sorrow and find the strength to carry on. “We must seal the entryway before they return. Hurry.” The Durgin were the first to follow those orders, and as more dwarves came out of the passageway, it was clear that they’d come prepared for the job.

  Every dwarf that remained in the Stronghold responded to the command, rushing over to seal the gaping hole in the ceiling that the Fazurks had somehow created.

  “How are they going to do that…?” Lilac’s eyes watched them cross the cavern to the hole and get to work. “And more importantly, how are we going to get out?”

  Cora turned to Rush. “I didn’t think of that.”

  “There’ll be another way,” Rush said. “And it’ll be easy to find now that we actually have directions.”

  Minutes later, Queen Megora arrived at the bottom of the cavern, her commanding presence making up for her petite size. She had to look up to meet each of their gazes, like a child looking up to a parent. Few Durgin came with her, holding their axes at the ready. Her eyes settled on Rush the longest. “You fulfilled your promise—and swiftly.”

  Rush gave a nod. “I hope this is a dawn of a new relationship between men and dwarves—as well as dwarves and elves.”

  Her eyes shifted to Cora’s, examining her for a great length of time. “The Queen of Eden Star is not only half elven, but also fused with a dragon. Much has changed since the last time we ventured aboveground.”

  “Oh…I’m not the queen.” Cora dropped her gaze momentarily. “But I represent Eden Star.”

  Queen Megora examined her once again. “Are you the General of Eden Star?”

  “No,” Cora answered. “Callon Riverglade is still in charge. But I’m…Cora Riverglade. Tiberius’s daughter.”

  Rush felt his eyes flick away entirely on their own, focusing on the queen and nothing else.

  “Then I’m still in the presence of royalty. Thank you for coming to our aid.” Queen Megora gave her a slight bow before she regarded Rush once more. “When Talc insisted that I spare you, I almost denied her. There’s no human life worth saving, not when they’ve shown us who they really are. But I’m glad that she convinced me—because I was wrong. Most men are evil—but perhaps not all.”

  Rush gave a nod. “Thanks…that means a lot.”

  “If not for you, the dwarves would have passed from this life forever. Our lineages, our traditions, our hoards—all gone. We will come to your aid whenever you need it. But first, we need to rebuild our caves. We need to search for survivors and pray we aren’t all that’s left of the Stronghold.”

  “Can we help with that?” Rush could hear the dwarves hammering behind him, s
ealing the open rock that had allowed the Fazurks to pour in like a waterfall. But then those noises fell silent—as if they were finished.

  A stain of hostility used to be smeared across her face, but now she regarded him with kindness, with a gaze of respect that hadn’t been there previously. “We can take it from here. You’ve done enough—”

  Thud.

  The Queen’s eyes widened slightly at the sound.

  The chatter ceased. No one moved, as if a single breath would give away their location.

  Rooooooooaaaar!

  Obsidian.

  Rush turned around to regard the hole that had once been there, completely sealed with rock as if it’d never been broken in the first place. “Will that hold?” His voice emerged as an unnecessary whisper.

  The queen’s tone echoed his. “If it’s been given time to dry.”

  “And has it?” he asked.

  “Yes, but barely.”

  Thud.

  Rocks and sand sprinkled down from the ceiling under the weight.

  Rush’s eyes found Cora’s. “He brought backup this time…”

  Thud.

  A lot of backup.

  More sand fell from the ceiling, little rocks landing like drops of rain.

  “You have another way out of here?” Rush asked, turning back to the queen.

  “Several.” Her eyes were up on the ceiling too. “Assuming the Fazurks haven’t destroyed them.”

  “Then let’s get out of here.” Rush grabbed his friends and directed them toward the tunnel that had recently been full of fire. “Just in case that ceiling doesn’t hold.”

  Almost everything in the tunnels was burned to ash.

  Anything made of metal survived, but the cabinets, the tables, the sleeping bunks were all destroyed. Now there was a permanent aroma of smoke in the air. The ventilation system would have to be on for a straight week for that stench to leave.

  “I wish you could have seen us in all our glory.” Queen Megora escorted them through the endless passages, still knowing the way even though she’d been trapped for the last few months. Her Durgin remained at her side, armed and armored, as if they were still not to be trusted. “Not when it was invaded by rats. Not when it was burned to a crisp.”

  “It will be glorious once again,” Cora said. “And then, we’ll be able to see it.”

  “I hope so.” She led the way for hours, taking them through the long tunnels that branched in various directions, knowing exactly when to turn left and when to turn right. No one stopped for breaks—because the adrenaline was still too strong.

  They eventually returned to the cave system they’d seen at the start of their journey.

  “I remember this place.” Bridge pressed his palm against the wall to feel the texture of the stone. “We were too scared to go left or right, so we just went straight.”

  “I remember,” Lilac said. “That slide was pretty fun…”

  “That’s the supply chute,” Queen Megora said. “For nonperishable storage items.”

  “Where do you get your supplies?” Rush asked.

  “We pay private merchants to deliver our goods rather than venture out on our own,” Queen Megora said. “Anastille is such an unsafe place. I would never send dwarves out there unless I had no other choice.”

  “Then how do you know Mathilda?”

  The queen continued her graceful walk forward, her long hair in a thick and bushy braid. Nearly half the height of Rush, he could see right over her head without a compromise to the view. “Ah, the witch. I haven’t seen or heard from her in a long time.”

  Rush waited for the answer to his question, and when it didn’t come, he pressed further. “How do you know her?”

  “She’s come to our mountains to barter. Sell us items that were quite useful. But then asked for some of our dwarven goods, like our Durgin Glue, our Climbers, and Sun Orbs. They only grow in the Stronghold, and that’s where they are to remain. She didn’t like that decision. Never saw her again after that.”

  Rush exchanged a quick look with Cora beside him.

  That’s all she cares about—collecting things.

  Seems that way.

  They finally arrived at the entrance, the enormous rock exactly where they had left it. The Durgin worked together to roll it away, to reveal the cave and then the view beyond. It was twilight now, just enough sunlight to see the world beyond.

  Queen Megora faced Rush. “This is where we part. We’re in no place for war at the moment. Our mountain needs to heal first. We all do. But when we’re ready, we’ll join you in your war against King Lux.”

  “You have some time to do that,” Rush said. “Because we’ve got a lot of other things to take care of first. How will I contact you again?”

  “This entrance here.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment with a sharpened piece of rock. After she planted it against the wall, she sketched out the directions to the Great Hall. “Here you are.”

  Rush folded it and tucked it into his pocket. “Yes…directions.”

  “Take care on your journeys.” She gave a slight nod to everyone, except Cora. She received a bow, a custom of her people. Then Queen Megora turned to depart. All their matters had been settled, and it was time to part ways.

  “Whoa, hold on.” Rush moved forward, his hand raised. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” He waited for her to give a laugh at her carelessness, to say that the events of the day had distracted her mind.

  Queen Megora turned back around. “No.” The answer was hard as stone. Final.

  “Uh, Talc?” Rush said. “You agreed to release her.”

  I don’t like this, Rush.

  I don’t either.

  Her hands moved behind her back, and she regarded him, now cold. “By keeping Talc, I can be in communication with Cora even from a distance. That is the best strategy to prepare for war.”

  Cora locked her eyes on Rush, the anger in her gaze.

  Rush forced himself to breathe instead of losing his temper, from declaring war and slaying the Durgin that guarded her. “Dragons can’t stay underground. It’s unnatural.”

  Queen Megora kept her regal pose, as if she were addressing subjects rather than allies. “Well, she’s handled it quite well—”

  Cora withdrew her sword in a flash. “Hand over Talc, or I’ll slit your goddamn throat where you stand.”

  Rush glanced at her, his eyebrows raised. Damn.

  Queen Megora immediately stepped back so her Durgin could move forward and dissolve the threat.

  But they didn’t.

  Their axes dropped to the floor, they fell to their knees, and they winced with closed eyes, their hands gripping their skulls. Their screams bounced off the walls and echoed down the chamber, probably all the way back to the Great Hall.

  Queen Megora stared at her in horror. “What are you—”

  Cora gripped her sword with two hands, prepared to strike. “Release Talc, or they die.”

  Their screams grew louder.

  “Alright.” She threw her arms down, but the torture continued. “I said, alright!”

  Cora released the spell and lowered her sword.

  The Durgin came to, but they still winced, the pain in their minds lingering and leaving them incapacitated.

  Now Queen Megora stared at Cora with wide eyes, taking a step back to put even more distance between them.

  Cora moved forward, closing the gap between them, getting right in her face.

  Man, she’s so hot.

  If she were a dragon, her flames would burn hotter than the sun.

  Cora sheathed her sword as she kept her eyes locked on the queen. “Cross a dragon, you cross me. You’d do well to remember that.”

  Obsidian and the others must have departed because there were no signs of enormous dragons in the area. Their bodies didn’t block out the stars as they passed, and Flare and Ashe didn’t feel the presence of another dragon in their vicinity.

  Que
en Megora took her distance then unfused.

  A green dragon emerged, her scales difficult to see in just starlight.

  Just like Cora, the queen collapsed, her Durgin rushing to her to help her upright.

  Talc stretched her neck then gazed at the nighttime sky, her dark eyes reflecting the bright heavens. Her wings opened and closed several times, and then she tested her legs, dug her claws into the rocks, and marked the surface with her enormous talons.

  She’s beautiful.

  She really is.

  She was about the same size as Flare and just as ferocious.

  Queen Megora approached the dragon to place her palm against her scales. “Please take care of her.”

  Talc turned to look down at her—and issued a low and long growl.

  She immediately backed away with her Durgin and returned to the entrance of the tunnel.

  Connect me.

  Hold on.

  Rush stepped forward. You’re beautiful, Talc. I can only imagine how beautiful your scales will look in the sunlight.

  I can’t imagine at all. Because I’ve been a prisoner to men—and then to dwarves.

  I’m sorry that you had to go through that. But it’s almost over.

  She looked up at the skies again.

  I wish I could give you more time, but you’re too visible, even in the dark. It’s time to fuse—

  No.

  Talc, you can’t roam Anastille as a dragon. They’ll see you within seconds.

  I’ve only been in dragon form for seconds, and you already want me to submit to someone else.

  Not submit. It’s to keep you safe—and it’s temporary.

  She released a quiet growl.

  Bridge is a good guy. I promise you.

  Which one is he?

  Rush patted him on the shoulder.

  Talc turned to regard him, her eyes narrowed.

  Bridge gave a hesitant wave. “Hi…nice to meet you.”