Jael shook his head grimly.
Master Giddi kicked the log. “Sharding dragon riders. To the Egg with the lot of them,” he cursed.
His voice shot through Fenni’s mind. “No gossiping. Keep your trap shut.” Not a muscle twitched in his master’s face. Not an outer sign he’d mind-melded with Fenni.
Fenni gazed at the silver dragon’s blazing scales as it grew ever smaller in the sky.
§
Wizards ringed the clearing, perched in trees, sitting on the roofs, and gathered in a group at the edge of the forest, but not too close—no one wanted to get caught in the crossfire of a wizard duel. They’d been watching for a while now. Fenni’s stomach was as a pond of frogs. Soon it would soon be his turn.
Velrama, the blonde who’d made the archway in the ice wall, was pitted against an older boy. She was good, blocking every flame the boy threw.
“Hey, Sorcha, you’re being bested,” someone called.
Face red, Sorcha flung a fireball at Velrama’s knees, but she froze it with a wall of ice. His blush deepening, Sorcha shot a plume of flame at her. She caught it and flung it back. Scowling and gritting his teeth, he threw a giant fireball that exploded over Velrama’s head, raining molten fire.
“Enough.” Master Giddi’s bellow shook the air. He raised his hands and doused the fire, then flung a hand at Sorcha, throwing him across the clearing to land in a snow drift.
Master Starrus shook his head. “Sorcha of the Flatlands, you know the purpose of the wizard trials is to demonstrate control over your power. Today, you lost control. Even though you have demonstrated great ability, you have failed. Velrama of Last Stop, your control in the face of his anger was exemplary. Master Reina will present you with your wizard crystal.”
Sorcha clambered to his feet and stomped into a cabin, slamming the door.
The woman from the Wizard Council placed a leather thong with a turquoise crystal around Velrama’s neck. Fenni wanted a crystal so badly, but his flame was still erratic. How in the Egg’s name was he going to show his skill against Jael? He mustn’t lose his temper, no matter what Jael flung at him. Or he’d never get to fight tharuks.
Master Reina called the next contestants. It was a routine demonstration with carefully-conjured and defended flame. No one wanted to repeat Sorcha’s mistake. At the end, both contestants were awarded turquoise crystals.
“Jael of Naobia and Fenni of Montanara,” called Master Reina from a table where she sat with the other two members of the Wizard Council—Master Starrus and Master Hemlon, a rotund wizard with hairy ears.
Fenni’s palms were sweaty as he stepped forward. Although he’d spent a few hours with Jael yesterday, he hadn’t seen him in action, so he had no idea what the Naobian was capable of.
“Now, remember, Fenni, play to your strengths,” Master Giddi said.
Jael’s master was nowhere to be seen. In fact, Fenni didn’t even know who it was. Poor Jael. At least he had Master Giddi to support him. “My strengths? What are those again?” Shards, those frogs in his stomach wouldn’t settle.
Giddi chuckled. “You’re a fast-thinker. Trust your instincts and make sure you—”
A horn cut off Master Giddi’s words. Well, that advice was as good as useless, wasn’t it?
Fenni sensed the sathir in the forest and drew the energy inside himself. He flung his hands. Bolts of flame flew from his fingers, straight at Jael. The Naobian conjured up a thick ice shield. Sweat beading on his forehead, Fenni shoved his flames through the ice, melting it. Rivulets of water ran down Jael’s shield. This was easier than he’d thought. Any moment now, he’d blast through.
Jael barely moved, but the water froze again. The shield thickened.
The Egg save him, no matter how much fire he threw, Jael’s shield stayed intact.
Jael tilted his head. A flurry of snow swirled at Fenni’s feet, then melted, turning to a pool of slush. Icy water trickled through Fenni’s bootlace holes. He ignored it. Jael was trying to distract him. Fenni blasted the shield with more power.
The shield collapsed. Fenni’s flame shot at Jael. Yes. He’d done it. Holding up his hand, the Naobian doused Fenni’s fire before it reached him—and smiled. Jael was playing with him.
The earth underfoot churned with the slush to form mud. A gale-force wind blasted Fenni face-first into the mud puddle. Crows and hoots of laughter rang out.
“Go Jael,” someone yelled.
“Show that Northerner how we duel.”
Kneeling, Fenni spat out mud, grabbing handfuls of snow and scrubbing his face. His belly burned with anger. How dare—
No, he couldn’t go there. If he lost his temper, he’d fail.
Fenni drew himself up to full height and pulled sathir inside himself until his whole body was humming and his fingers pulsing. Snow swirled around Fenni, but he ignored Jael’s attack. He tugged a vine from a tree behind Jael. He’d bind Jael the way the strangleton had bound him. The vine whipped from the tree, wrapping itself around Jael’s torso, trapping an arm against his side. Surprise shot across Jael’s face.
Hah. A one-armed wizard—that would serve him right.
Jael flung his remaining arm out. Snow hit Fenni, knocking him back a step, his footing slippery in the mud. Pulling more sathir, Fenni channeled the energy into a vortex, flinging a whirlwind at Jael. Jael stumbled, but his laughter echoed around the clearing as he spun the vortex, aiming it at the ground. The wind ripped through the snow, spraying white as it plowed toward Fenni—and knocked him down.
Shards, he’d been knocked down twice. Would he qualify? Fenni’s dreams of fighting tharuks flashed before his eyes. He saw Uncle Fennock’s dead body all over again, his cousins’ tears tracking down their faces. He’d vowed he’d grow up to be a mage and smite those awful beasts.
Jael’s vines froze and shattered, debris flying.
Fenni scrambled to his feet and created a wall of mage fire.
His forehead glistening with sweat in the green firelight, Jael waved a hand. Fenni’s flames fizzled and died. A plume of green mage fire arced through the air, right at Fenni.
Flaming shards. Desperate, Fenni flung one hand up to create an ice shield, and pointed his other hand toward the forest, searching for something, anything. A massive spiderweb, as wide as three men, hung between two trees. He squeezed his fingers into a fist. The web coalesced into a sticky mass, which he flung at Jael. The spiderweb wrapped itself around the Naobian mage. Jael’s fire guttered and fizzed out, and Jael fell to the ground.
He’d done it. He’d knocked him over—
Jael wasn’t moving. Murmurs rippled around the clearing. Oh gods, had he killed him?
Fenni ran over, kneeling by Jael, just as Master Giddi reached him. Jael was pale, eyes shut, his chest rising and falling with rapid gasps. “He’s still breathing,” Fenni cried. “He’s not dead.”
“I should hope not,” said Master Giddi. “Get him out of there, quick.”
Fenni used mage power to tear the spiderweb free and send it hurtling back into the forest. He shook Jael awake and helped him sit up. “You all right?” He didn’t look all right. He was still gasping for air. “I’m sorry. What happened?”
“It’s nothing.” Jael waved a hand, trying to laugh it off.
Master Giddi kept his voice low. “Jael’s mother was killed by a venomous gargantula when he was very young. Ever since then, he’s been terrified of spiders.”
Fenni hadn’t known, but everyone would think he’d exploited Jael’s fear. His face burned with shame. Surely, he’d failed his trials.
“Thanks, Giddi,” Jael snapped. “That’s not something I want everyone to know.”
“I’ve blown your secret. I’m sorry.” Fenni slumped.
Jael shrugged. “Too late now.”
Fenni helped him up and the crowd cheered. They stood, awaiting Master Starrus’ verdict.
“Master Jael, you dueled well, testing our trainee’s fire skills. We hope you have recovered.”
Still pale, Jael nodded, giving a tight smile.
Wait. What had Master Starrus said? “Jael’s a master?” Fenni asked. He’d had no idea.
Master Giddi twitched an eyebrow. “That’s why I let him train you.”
“Not that it did any good if I’ve failed my trials,” Fenni said, sighing.
“What do you mean?” said Master Starrus. “You exhibited control. You had no idea that the spiderweb would affect Master Jael like that.” He passed Fenni his turquoise crystal. “Now, you’re qualified as a wizard and have been endorsed by the Wizard Council. You may fight tharuks and use your powers to protect the realm.”
Fenni slipped the leather thong over his head, the crystal resting against his chest. Jael pounded his shoulder, his turquoise, jade and garnet earrings flashing.
“Hang on, those are your wizard crystals.”
Jael nodded as the crowd cheered and Master Giddi raised both of his infamous eyebrows in approval.
§
The sun sank behind the trees, shadows chasing its fiery rays from the sky. Wizard fires burned on stakes around the clearing, the makeshift torches casting a green hue on the snow and the onlookers’ faces as they huddled near the cabins. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
In the clearing, Master Giddi and Master Starrus were poised like dragons about to pounce.
The horn blew and the whispers died.
Fire arced from both of Master Starrus’ hands. Master Giddi twitched a finger. It sputtered out before it hit him.
Face red, Starrus aimed a firebolt at Giddi’s chest. The dragon mage caught it, extinguishing it.
Using both hands, Starrus drove a wall of fire at Giddi, then lifted it, arcing the crackling green blaze through the sky.
Dragon’s Eggs, Starrus had lost control. People screamed and ducked. Fenni’s heart hammered like a smith at an anvil.
“No.” Master Giddi’s strangled cry ripped across the clearing. A plume of fire shot from his hands, illuminating everyone’s faces in a blinding flash.
The two fires slammed together, forming a molten green ball bigger than Master Giddi’s cabin. Heat pressed down on Fenni. The onlookers fled. The fire erupted into a geyser of flame, shooting skyward, lighting up the entire clearing and surrounding forest.
“You fool,” Master Giddi cried, waving his hands. In another flash of light, the fire disappeared.
Master Starrus was flat on his back in the churned-up snow, jaw slack.
What had that dragon rider, Marlies said? Leave Starrus some vestige of pride. Although Giddi had won, he’d definitely lost her challenge.
Giddi strode over to Starrus. “You’d risk the entire Spanglewood forest, the spangles and every mage in Dragons’ Realm just to prove yourself? You’re more of an idiot than I’d suspected.” He spat in the snow near Starrus’ face and stalked off into the forest.
Rumors
Adelina was sewing an old pair of breeches, when someone knocked on the door.
Linaia, napping in the den adjoining her, melded instantly. “Do you want me to eavesdrop and ensure you’re safe?”
Adelina smiled. “No, I’ve managed this far without a guardian. I’ll be all right.”
“Up until now Roberto has protected you. He’s not here, so it’s my turn.” Linaia stayed melded.
Adelina opened the door to Mara and Leah.
“Can we see your dragon?” Mara asked.
“Your dragon?” Linaia huffed. “I’m not your dragon. You’re my rider.”
“Sure, come and meet Linaia,” Adelina showed the girls through her cavern out to Linaia’s den.
“Dragons’ tails. She’s huge,” exclaimed Mara.
Linaia preened her sapphire scales.
“Not as large as Erob,” said Leah knowingly. “He’s staying on the infirmary ledge, and he’s huge.”
Linaia stuck her snout in the air. “Size isn’t everything.”
“You’re so lucky.” Mara stretched her hand toward Linaia. “May I?”
“Yes, I’m sure Linaia won’t mind you petting her.”
“I’m not a dog, you know,” melded Linaia, woofing in Adelina’s mind.
Adelina stifled a chuckle as Mara rubbed Linaia’s nose. Linaia snorted. Mara jumped back.
“Come on, I’ll get you a drink.” Adelina fetched three cups of goat milk, adding dollops of honey. Linaia warmed them. “These may be a bit hot.” Adelina passed them their cups. “Linaia is still learning.”
“Huh. What about you, new rider?”
She bit back a smile. “And I’m still learning too. Come on, it’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
The girls went in and sat in comfy chairs, sipping their drinks.
“We came to tell you something, Adelina.” Mara nudged Leah. “Go on, tell her.”
Leah leaned forward. “It’s a little awkward. It concerns your brother.”
Adelina dropped her cup. It shattered on the stone, milk splattering her boots. “Sorry, I—”
“Thought it might be true,” said Mara, eying Adelina and the shattered crockery. “The council haven’t announced anything, but people are saying he’s working with Zens.”
Anger surged through Adelina. “Roberto would never work for that murderer.” Again. She hoped. No one was supposed to know where Roberto was. Had word got out? Or was this just another lie spread by Snake-tongue?
“We know he wouldn’t,” said Mara. “He’s a good man …” She blushed.
Adelina wanted to roll her eyes. Not another girl who admired her good-looking brother.
“We don’t believe he’s with Zens,” Leah said, “but we think we know where he is.”
“Where?” Adelina blurted. Shards, first dropping her cup, then thinking out loud like a littling. Where was her usual composure?
“Seppi, head of the blue guards, came to the infirmary earlier today, and told Marlies he’d seen a Naobian in the northern end of Spanglewood Forest, near Dragons’ Hold.”
A Naobian. So, it could be anyone. Tomaaz had said Roberto had been captured by Zens. Adelina’s hopes deflated. “Thanks.”
“There’s more,” said Leah. “He has long hair, like Roberto.”
Maybe he’d escaped. How could he have gotten across half the realm? Probably not by dragon or he would’ve come straight to Dragons’ Hold. “What was this Naobian doing?”
“The guard saw him in the forest.”
“Why was he telling Marlies?”
Leah blushed again. “Well, I shouldn’t really have been listening, but a while ago she told him to keep an eye out for Naobians in that part of the forest. And after she found out, she left on dragonback. She only just returned. I was on duty in the infirmary, so I couldn’t tell you earlier.”
Why? Why was the master healer looking out for Naobians? Unless Roberto had escaped. It was possible. They were trying to keep morale up, so no one was supposed to know that her brother was captive except her, Tomaaz, Lovina and the council. Adelina shook her head. “I’m sorry, girls. Master Roberto is on an errand in another part of Dragons’ Realm, so it must be another man. Thanks for letting me know.”
Leah slumped.
Adelina patted her shoulder. “It was good that you came to me. Don’t worry, the next information you bring me will probably be very valuable.” She waved a hand. “Roberto’s always here and there doing business for Master Lars. Sometimes he’s gone for weeks on end. People often gossip about him.”
After the girls left, she saddled up Linaia. “Where to, Adelina? Do you want to look for your brother?”
“Of course. But we don’t even know if it was him.”
“I melded with Septimor, Seppi’s dragon, and he showed me where he saw the man.”
“He did? Could you show me?”
“It’s only a short flight from Dragons’ Hold.” Linaia showed Adelina the image Septimor had shared with her. It was early morning, on the cusp of dawn. A man wearing a cloak was sitting in a strongwood grove. He did lo
ok like Roberto from above. Her heart pounded. He looked up as Septimor flew overhead, but the dragon’s shadow prevented Adelina from seeing his features. “Septimor has seen him in the same spot at dawn for three days running.”
It could be Roberto. He was about the right build and height, and his hair was a similar length.
But then again, it could be anyone.
If she talked to Marlies, she’d forbid her to go. Adelina climbed into the saddle. “We can’t leave Dragons’ Hold, I’ve only been a rider for a day. Lars would kill me.”
“If he killed you, he’d have to find me a new rider, silly.” Linaia’s chuckle reverberated through Adelina’s mind. “I often fly beyond Dragons’ Hold on my own. I see no difference in taking you.”
It was tempting, but what if something happened to her? “We shouldn’t go on our own.”
“Bring a friend. We can slip out before dawn and be back for breakfast.”
Adelina laughed. The tightness she’d felt in her chest for days eased. Even if this Naobian wasn’t Roberto, and even if she didn’t go, it was good to be planning something. If—and it was only an if—she did go, who could she take? Ezaara would have to tell the council. Gret was too straight-laced. She needed someone who didn’t mind bending rules.
“Linaia, let’s pay Kierion a visit.”
§
“Zaarusha, I’m going outside for a break. Please tell Reko to let Master Derek know I’ll be back soon.” Ezaara walked out of the main cavern, leaving the dueling trainees under Master Derek’s supervision. Her breath huffed in the cool air. She stretched her arms and cricked her neck.
Scales flashed in the sky. “Hello, Antonika.” Lately, every time she looked up, Tonio’s dragon was flying overhead. At first, she’d thought it a coincidence, but now she was sure Antonika was dogging her steps. She shrugged. What else could she expect from the spymaster’s dragon? She was one of Tonio’s sets of eyes and ears.
Nightmares had kept her up half the night again. She was drained after instructing the new riders with endless flight and stunt training, weapon drills and combat skills. She didn’t know what was worse—the constant need to put on a brave face or the horror-filled nights. Both left her chaffing at the bit to get Roberto.
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