I am Dragon (Dragon Fires Rising Book 2)
Page 31
Azania pointed to the elevation sketch of the building. “How tall is that balcony, Sankir Farizam?”
“Over thirty feet,” he said. “The doors are solid and the windows armoured, and – oh!” His dark eyes twinkled; Dragon suspected he had a very soft spot for the Princess. “We would consider deploying a very large Dragon, methinks?”
“As I thinks, so I do,” she joked.
Dragon put in, “Well, these small Dragonesses could not easily reach that height, but if the doors or windows are large enough …”
“Mrrrr-yum, I like your idea,” Aria agreed, touching his left wing. Apology included?
Rather less grumpily than a moment before, he explained, “Open windows, insert Dragonesses and Rangers. That should take care of matters inside the royal chambers. I could not be useful inside that building, judging by the dimensions. If there are catapult emplacements or enemy squads deployed inside the grounds, however … squish-gnarr-SPLAT!”
“Nice!” Azania growled.
The Sankir’s eyes popped wide.
Dragon said, “We’ve fought battles together, Sankir, most notably breaking the Skartunese siege of N’ginta Citadel. Azania is smart, quick on her feet and a deadly shot with a Dragon bow. We should tell you our story when we have time. Now, how long do we have to hit the capital? When’s the best time? Aria, just point this angry Dragon in the right direction!”
“Fire to my hearts,” the Dragoness purred.
Back on track.
“Let’s talk troop numbers and walk through the assault in detail,” said the Sankir. “One, we infiltrate the city and tap our contacts, confirming the royals’ location. Two, hit the Palace hard. Three, secure the building and the perimeter if possible.”
“Four, try to learn exactly where Azerim and his brothers may have been taken?” Azania suggested.
“Aye, good,” he agreed. “Aria, thoughts on the timing?”
“They will expect a night or pre-dawn assault, if anything,” she said. “I suggest we attack half an hour before sundown, right out of the setting suns. Today is Taramis ascendant. Which means, five, we should prepare contingency plans and alternative options for the Palace assault, and six, immediate plans to split up and fly north as quickly as Dragon wings can take us. Let’s do this. We have an hour and a half at most. I want to hear all ideas and concerns. Keep it snappy.”
They put their heads together.
Half an hour later, Dragon, Azania and two Rangers left for the first mission. He winged rapidly across the bay, keeping so low to the ocean that his wingtips regularly kicked up small splashes of spray. Three miles before the city, he took two terrified Rangers and one smug Princess into the snug confines of his jaw and submerged. They swam for the coastline, aiming for a small, secluded bay known to the Rangers, where an associate should be waiting for them.
Associate? Dragon gurgled.
I wonder if poor old Azerim knows how many ways his nice kingdom can be burgled? Azania’s mental voice was one huge grin, but it failed to hide her deep concern.
From several hundred Dragon paces offshore, he popped his jaw up briefly to give his cargo a breath of fresh air. Three persons used up his air supply much more quickly than one.
“He’s there,” the female Ranger said, wriggling on his tongue. “Let’s go terrify him.”
“That’s the spirit,” Azania approved.
A primordial beast walked out of the ocean, terrifying the local populace, numbering one.
The monster cracked open his jaw, revealing three Human heads who were terribly grateful not to be decorating his fangs, or sizzling delicately in his digestive juices.
After that the local populace emerged from hiding, quite possibly more shocked by the tightness of Azania’s trousers than the size of the fiery quadruped hulking behind her, to said quadruped’s vast annoyance. Although, when it came to his attractiveness to the Human male, he could not exactly compete with the Black Rose of the Desert. Might as well accept his fate.
Stop it, Dragon, you’re making me blush.
Oops. Sorry. Thinking aloud is a bit of a habit.
The Ranger had plenty of information for them; most importantly, that the King and Queen were definitely being held in their private chambers. He even knew how many troops were stationed inside each room, as well as outside the doors.
“Have to make it a smash and grab raid,” Azania noted. “Securing the royals is the number one priority.”
“They’re still mostly abed,” said the Ranger, eyeing up the royal legs.
Dragon flexed a talon beneath his nose. “Eyes.”
Dragon, please.
Dragon, please chop out his nasty little eyeballs? he grumbled back.
Intriguing to see how brown people could turn pale. Almost chameleon-like in ability, when properly threatened. No, he was not repentant. Not where her honour was concerned.
After the Ranger associate had shared all of the important points he had to make, Dragon took his Princess in jaw and slipped away across the reef once more. Gorgeous tropical fish, corals and plants! He had never imagined the ocean could be so colourful. Once they rescued this King and blew his little mind with all that was Azania, he would love to spend some time painting some of these scenes he had captured in his mind. Just … take a rest, from all this traipsing around Solixambria. Wars, coups, political shenanigans and romance.
Busy times made for busy Dragons.
This Dragon’s head spun as he slipped through a deeper channel between the reef and out into more open water offshore of Zunityne. He kept a close lookout for Sea Serpents, but the islanders had already told him that they preferred deeper, cooler waters rather than the shallow, considerably warmer coastal waters. The bottom here was sandy, about fifty feet deep, with scattered patches of green or purple seaweed.
So cool and lovely. How had he never awoken to this awareness of the glorious embrace of water?
Three miles offshore, he attempted his first in-water take-off. The actual attempt was rather less elegant than the theory stuffed inside his head, but by dint of diving deep and then exploding upward in a vertical breach, he was able – just – to clear his wings and thrash his way into the air.
Phew. Water was also heavy.
Back across the channel they skimmed, making top speed, meeting up with Aria’s force about two-thirds of the way to the far shore. Re-joining the wedge of warrior Dragonesses in the right wing position just behind Aria’s lead, they relayed the information received from the Ranger. It was gratifying to know that the kingdom’s forces were still working for the crown, the Cobalt Dragoness noted with satisfaction. Exactly as she had expected.
How had her work for the crown developed, Dragon wondered privately? Why the sympathy for Humans, which went against trends amongst his kind? He must ask for the story when they had a private moment together.
Didn’t even swallow any Rangers along the way, he put in once the serious talk was dispensed with.
She grinned. Feeding that beastly big gullet of yours must be quite the challenge.
Do you cook, Aria?
NO!!
Pah. Another cultural gaffe.
The Princess said, Aria, question. What will eat more than a Dragon?
A very hungry Sea Dragon?
No, two Dragons.
She guffawed merrily. In another cross-cultural surprise, Isles Dragonesses appreciated the sense of humour Dragon and Princess loved most.
Encouraged, Azania said, And, what happens if you kiss a Dragon? When no-one knew that, but the Dragons had finished expressing disgust and a few married Rangers had exchanged bawdy suggestions with their spouses, she said, I don’t know either, but you could ask a piece of burned toast.
Roars of laughter!
Mid-air, Dragon received onto his back the six Rangers chosen to lead the assault into the Palace. Several commented that the challenge of aerial transfer reminded them of their early Ranger training, which majored on physical, mental and surviva
l tests and the odd bit of hazing of recruits. He knew a thing or two about hazing! They swapped a few stories before, of one accord, Dragons and Humans alike dropped the banter to focus on the mission.
Flying northeast, they swung in line between the city and the setting suns. Taramis emerged as predicted, bathing the tranquil early evening ocean in brilliant white light. Anyone on the lookout in the city would have to look directly into the white-hot sun to see them coming. Absolutely the idea.
Remember, only red jackets and red feathers are enemy, Aria called. Take guidance from your Rangers. Dragons, battle speed!
He switched into his sprinting stroke, only for Azania to immediately warn him against racing ahead. Sigh. Throttle back and try not to be too narked when Aria growled at him to maintain the correct timing for the initial strike.
The city came up faster than expected. They blew over a ridge liberally tufted with tropical trees covered in great streamers of a flowering purple creeper, and suddenly the clay tile roofs flashed beneath them. Teams of ten Dragonesses apiece peeled off efficiently, bound for the Palace roof, different areas of the grounds, and an assault on the front door – more a feint than a serious attack, to throw the enemy soldiers off their real intent.
Dragon angled for the east wing.
“See that line of windows below the roof, Dragon?” Sankir Farizam pointed. “From the end count three, then there’s a balcony door. The next two windows are the royal bedchamber. Then, that next door’s their private balcony. Got it?”
“Clear,” said Dragon.
Aria smacked his haunches with her right wingtip. “Go!”
He surged into the lead. Four red-plumed helmets stood on the roof. Timing his arrival with a swing of his head, he hurled fire in their faces. Flare the wings! Brake hard! Stalling with a series of powerful wingbeats, he touched down only with his hind feet, gripping the balcony railing with his forepaws. The Rangers ran up his forearms and stood aside. Taking half a glance at the incoming Dragonesses, Aria in the lead, he smashed in the balcony doors in an explosion of glass and wood splinters, but the window only reverberated and stayed whole. Drawing back his fist, he hit the glass with flame and fist simultaneously at the same instant as the rushing wind of Aria’s wings brushed his back, and the Dragoness punched through what was left.
The Rangers darted through the broken doorway a second before the next Dragoness arrived. Perfect entry to the gap. Even though it scraped her flanks either side, she somehow had her wings folded back and out of the way. She skidded through on the marble flooring, shovelling soldiers out of her way.
“Azania!” Aria called. “King and Queen.”
“Coming!”
Light footsteps ran up to his paw; he tossed her lightly through the doorway. She took the boost smoothly, dashing inside to check on the royals. Aria had contrived to land upon their oval bed in such a way as to shield them with her body; with her right forepaw, she waved an eight-foot kaniaxi sword to devastating effect. Catching sight of a red helmet cowering beside the window hangings on the near side of the room, Dragon reached through the window and plucked him out before he developed any ideas regarding actual bravery. Meantime, three more Dragonesses whipped through the balcony door in quick succession.
“Your Majesties, are you well?” Azania asked.
“Thanks to you,” the King rasped. “Who are – who – I know Ariamyrielle, but girl, you look … T’nagrun?”
“We know you,” the Queen whispered.
At the same time as the Princess said, “Azania of T’nagru at your service, Your Majesties, with a Dragon army.”
She glanced up as Aria’s body quivered at an arrow shot point blank into her flank. One of the other Dragonesses sliced the enemy warrior in half, literally cleaving their torso in two. Two stood ready at the doors of the royal chambers, prepared to storm the rest of the apartment. With his free paw, Dragon caught Rangers tossed down to him by incoming Dragonesses. The quarters for Humans were luxurious, but less so once one tried to stuff rooms full of murderous scaly beasts.
Queen Vyioli nodded eagerly. “The little Princess! You remember her, don’t you, darling?”
“Of course I do. King N’gala’s youngest, correct? What joy you bring –”
She bowed briefly. “Catch up later. Do you know where your children are?”
“Taken to the North,” Vyioli quavered.
“Where?”
“Lord Gazaram’s citadel, we assume.”
Dragon eyed the soldier clasped in his fist. “Do you know? Tell me!”
“Not speaking.”
“TELL ME!”
“My lips are sealed,” he said defiantly.
“We’ll see if we can’t peel them open,” he snarled. Ignoring an invitation to do his worst, he shifted his grip and then set about melting the man’s boots. “You see, I’m a Dragon.” He paused to take stock; the man did not stop wailing. “I’m not a nice, friendly soldier. Not even an enemy soldier. I like my meat grilled. Left foot or right?”
Brutal he may be in Human eyes, but Dragon’s idea of mercy was to leave the man injured but alive. It took a few minutes of demented screaming, but eventually he tore from the soldier the names of the Lords and the children they had taken captive. Those who warred on children? He had no sympathy. Dropping the man off with several Rangers at the base of the building, as the sounds of fighting drew farther away, he rose up on his hind paws once more, and called to Aria and Azania.
“It’s more complicated than what we thought. They’ve split the children up between Gazaram, Hozim, Larazu and Jenarzam. Each Lord holds one hostage, but he didn’t know the whereabouts of the youngest –”
“My babies!” the Queen cried out, and fainted.
Dragon nodded slowly. For the first time, he understood why Humans fainted. Somewhat.
Chapter 29: The Gift of Fire
LEAVING AZANIA BRIEFING THE King, who sounded moderately awful but grateful, Dragon took to the air to do a little cleaning and tidying around the Palace grounds and building. Between them, the Dragonesses and Rangers had left slim pickings. While fighting still raged deeper within the building, the east wing was now reportedly secure. Dragon surprised a squad of Gazaram’s finest trying to sneak out of a side entrance.
Man meat done medium-rare, anyone?
Pausing to tank up from one of the handy ornamental fountains, he sprang into the air and wandered off for a few minutes to see if he could not find any of those pretty red plumes about Zunityne. Not a very large city. He found one pocket down by the harbour and did a round of cockroach extermination at the expense of no less than nine javelins in his hide. Perhaps being called cockroaches fired them up? Either way, they had to be the javelin champions of all Humankind. One lodged deep inside his left nostril, which was now bleeding and jolly sore after he had been forced to pick his own nose with the equivalent of a large pointed stick.
Perhaps Dragons who went looking for trouble might get their just desserts?
Just desert that smoking heap of bodies. Move on!
Ugh. His puns really were on a downhill run. Swooping back over the city, he surprised a squad of red jackets on the move up toward the Palace, and turned them into dessert, flambeau-style. Quite an improvement, if he did say so himself. Barely a shriek escaped the raging barbecue.
Back at the Palace, Aria had gathered her Council and the Sankir in front of the east wing for a quick consultation. Her eyes brightened perceptibly in his blurred vision as he swept in to land, having to execute a quick vertical drop between the tall trees and the azure Palace building. He noted a green Dragoness stationed at each window of the royal chambers. The Sankir’s troops had barricaded the front door of the Palace building. Four Dragonesses prowled alertly on the rooftops.
Turning to him, Aria said, Seen battle, Dragon?
Tidying up in town.
The Sankir said, “We were just discussing a swift assault on the army barracks in town before taking off for the North.”
That glare could freeze a Dragon’s very fires.
Paw down, Highness?
As she stepped onto his upraised paw, he realised a singular truth. He was not the only one who felt protective of their bond. A vision of a glittering Dragon hoard stood clear in his mind, symbolic of the worth she represented not in a functional economic sense, but in much deeper ways that elevated his draconic soul. He struggled for a moment to put words to his feelings. When had a simple collaboration between a Dragon and his Princess come to signify all this?
Why was the wind? Why was friendship or companionship or love?
With Aria he had a romantic connection, but none of these complicated ideas introduced by a Dragon Rider. All he knew, was that this was why Humans were not fleas, not even this tiny Princess who rode upon a large Dragon’s back. That image was wholly wrong.
Privately, he said, I apologise if I hurt you, Azania. Too hasty, these fires.
I wasn’t there for you.
I didn’t let you be – I … I ran away. He started at the insight. I suppose I was trying to prove something that ought not to need proving.
Ah, I never thought about it that way. I’m also trying to prove something, I guess. To whom? And why? There are times a girl just feels so … little, inside. And out.
Even a thumping paw monster feels the same. His five hearts warmed as they shared a mental smile, a realisation of mutual understanding. One paw in front of the next, Princess.