She dashed in the other direction. Fenni waved a hand and another wall of flame sprung up.
“Sofia,” he said, holding out his hand and examining his nails. Sparks dripped off his fingertips, bouncing on the stone at her feet.
She hopped from foot to foot, avoiding them.
Fenni sped up the sparks. Now she was literally dancing. “It’s not nice to demean your Queen’s Rider.”
“It’s not nice to trap people with wizard flame,” she snapped, eyes burning with hatred.
“Of course not, but then again, I’m a wizard. Wizards aren’t nice.” A fireball shot from his fingers, flying at her head.
She ducked. “You sharding beast,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Do you promise to be loyal, now?” Fenni asked softly. The fireball circled Sofia, getting closer, until she stood stock still, her arms pressed against her sides, not daring to move. “Or do I have to visit you again?”
“You, you …” she faltered. “Yes. I’ll be loyal. I promise.” Her eyes slid away.
There was nothing more he could do. He’d get in enough trouble for threatening her. Fenni snapped his fingers and the fireball flew into his palm. He closed his hands, extinguishing it. “Thank you, Sofia.”
Sofia bolted, flinging words at them. “And I look forward to seeing Kierion before Lars and Tonio, explaining what this jumped-up mage trainee is doing here.”
“That was fun,” said Kierion, once she was gone.
“Come on, let’s get you to the latrines and back to the infirmary.”
When they returned, Marlies was concerned. “You’d better leave, Fenni. Riona will take you back to Mage Gate immediately. Alban’s been in here, asking about you. We don’t want a fight on our hands.” She shoved Fenni’s clothes at him. “Keep the riders’ garb. You may need it in the future.”
“Thank you.” Fenni fastened his cloak about him. Did she want him to keep the garb to fight with Kierion again? He’d thought all riders hated mages. He strode outside, mounted Riona and they were soon swallowed by the inky-black night.
§
As Fenni and Riona descended to Mage Gate, a volley of mage flame shot at them, no doubt one of Master Starrus’ defensive tactics. Conjuring an ice shield, Fenni stopped the fire. Riona landed with a thump in the soft snow, staying barely long enough for him to slide off her back.
He didn’t blame her; no one wanted to be attacked. Although, he’d just threatened Sofia. Did that make him just as bad? No, the hostile snipe had needed to be stopped—he trusted Kierion’s instincts. He held a hand high, sparks flitting from it to guide him across the dark clearing, the snow still pocked with gouges from their duels.
Within moments, he was surrounded by members of the Wizard Council—Masters Starrus, Reina and Hemlon. “Just one moment, young trainee,” Starrus said.
Fenni was tired of Starrus’ power trips. Everyone knew Master Giddi was more powerful than Starrus, so why wasn’t he head of the Wizard Council? “Apologies, Master Starrus,” Fenni said, “but I’m no longer a trainee. I’m a qualified mage. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, yes, as that may be, however, that doesn’t give you the right to come in at all hours of the night riding a dragon. They’re dangerous beasts and you shouldn’t bring them near here.”
“Dangerous?” Fenni raised his eyebrows, sure they weren’t as effective as Master Giddi’s. “Not as dangerous as the twenty tharuks I’ve just killed while on dragonback.”
Master Giddi was striding over the snow.
Master Starrus said, “We can’t tolerate this. You’ve overstepped your bounds.”
“Consorting with riders is despicable,” interjected Master Reina. “They insisted we banish our friends and loved ones, then shunned us for years.”
Master Hemlon gazed down his pudgy nose at Fenni. “Dragons can turn on you.”
Behind Starrus, Master Giddi raised an eyebrow. A sudden chilly wind wove its way between the three council masters. The masters clutched their cloaks around them to ward off the chill.
“I have a question, if I may?” Fenni asked. “What’s more dangerous? A dragon or a tharuk troop?”
Starrus snorted. “A tharuk troop, of course.”
“Zens’ blasted beasts,” replied Master Hemlon.
Fenni nodded. “I thought so. Well, the dragon and I have just killed troops of those beasts, so that leads me to my next question. What is more dangerous, a dragon or a bunch of prejudiced fools who would let their own hatred get in the way of killing a common enemy?”
Master Giddi stifled a snort.
“Which master authorized this activity?” Starrus snapped. “You’ll be raked across live coals if you’ve engaged in this manner without approval.”
Fenni glanced at Master Giddi, who shook his head.
So Master Giddi wasn’t going to get involved? Shards, he was about to have his new mage crystal stripped from him.
“I did.” A voice rang out of the forest. Jael walked into the clearing. “And I’ve just returned from burying the family we were trying to defend.” Ignoring the council masters, he came over, shaking Fenni’s hand. “Well done, Fenni. You fought admirably, as did the dragon rider who was hurt. Did you get him to safety?”
“Yes.”
“Well done. A successful skirmish.” Jael clapped his arm over Fenni’s shoulder and turned to the council masters. “Any more questions? If not, Fenwick and I are a little battle weary.” Without waiting for an answer, he steered Fenni toward the cabins.
Master Giddi’s voice drifted across the clearing. “I didn’t give up my wife just to let you fools ruin the Wizard Council. Those young ones have mettle, and from now on, I’ll be fighting with them for the good of Dragons’ Realm. Even if it means fighting you.”
Give up his wife? What was he talking about? Master Giddi had never been married, had he?
§
Kierion was used to waking up at dawn, so he was alert when Master Lars and Master Tonio marched into the infirmary. They chatted with Marlies, but by the way Lars’ gaze kept flitting to him, Kierion knew he was in trouble. “Riona, can’t I flee on dragonback?”
“Nonsense. Tell those men you were killing tharuks. Does it really matter who you fight with?”
“Good point. You’re sharper than my sword.”
Riona chuckled.
“Good morning, Kierion.” Lars loomed over him. “How are you feeling? Marlies tells me you banged your head.”
Had she said how? Could he get away with a lie?
At the foot of his bed, Tonio watched impassively, his eyes crawling over Kierion’s face. Some people said the spymaster could smell a lie. Others said he could read faces. Whatever the case was, Riona was right. He might as well take the dragon by the talons. “Morning.” Although the gash was healed, his head still throbbed. “Actually, a tharuk threw a rock at me, when I was fighting a group of them with two wizards, so it wasn’t technically banging my head.”
Marlies was at a nearby table, pounding herbs. She winked at Kierion.
“And you’re aware that consorting with wizards is forbidden?”
“I’m aware that tharuks are overrunning the realm. Does it really matter who I fight with?”
Riona interrupted. “Good choice of words. You’re quoting the wisest of dragons.”
“Kierion, I told you if you missed kitchen duty again, you’d be in deep trouble. I’ve spoken to Benji and you haven’t helped in days.”
“With all due respect, Master Lars, you told me I had to organize kitchen duty, which I did, impeccably, via my new roster.”
Lars huffed his breath out. “Start from the beginning and tell us everything. I want to know who you were with, how many tharuks you killed and how you did it.”
“And I want to know exactly how many times you’ve been out.” Tonio folded his arms.
Gods, that man was so austere.
“And who got hurt in each fight,” Master Lars added.
“I
might as well be honest,” Kierion told Riona. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“Except the privilege of riding me,” she said.
Well, there was that.
Master Lars took a seat, beard in hand. Kierion told him about fighting with Fenni, his best friend. Although Kierion felt as guilty as a dragonet stealing tidbits, he glossed over Adelina’s injuries, left Riona’s out, and downplayed his own.
When he was finished, Master Lars said, “Despite your kitchen duties, you seem to have spare time on your hands. So, tomorrow morning, bright and early before our dragon races, you must catch the entire quota of fish for the race day feast.” Master Lars looked at Tonio, and sighed. “The wizard was his best friend from Montanara. At his age, we might’ve done the same.” His blue eyes pierced Kierion. “Although the wizard was your friend, mages are dangerous. If you consort with them again, we’ll have no choice but to ban you from riding Riona.” He stalked from the room.
Kierion melded with Riona, “He has no right to prevent me riding you.”
“The council is the council. If Queen Zaarusha agrees to their ban, we dragons are bound to follow her edict.”
Tonio hung back. “I see from your expression that you feel this is unfair. After all, you were only with your best friend, whom you trust. Is that right?”
Kierion shrugged. What was the spymaster up to?
Tonio sat, steepling his fingers. “I have a delicate compromise,” he said quietly. “You may consort with mages if you agree to do me a favor.”
“And what’s that?” Kierion asked.
Tonio smiled, the type of smile a geezer in the Montanarian marketplace had given Kierion right before he’d nicked his purse full of coin. “You’ll see,” said Tonio. “Just the odd errand. All perfectly harmless.”
Dragon Stunts
It was dawn, once again, as Riona and Kierion headed out over the basin, but this time their saddlebags were bulging with Roberto’s fishing nets. He pulled his cloak tighter against the cold wind, and hunkered down on Riona’s neck. It was good to be outside again after being cooped up in the infirmary yesterday.
“This breeze should blow the last of the cobwebs from your mind,” Riona said as they flew toward the lake’s dark surface.
“I’m afraid the fish will still be asleep.”
“Do fish sleep?” Riona’s curiosity stirred in his mind.
Kierion laughed. “Who knows?”
They landed on the shore, and Kierion laid the nets out on the snow, then clambered back up into the saddle. Riona grasped the ends of a net and trailed it through the water.
“You know,” said Kierion, shaking his head, “using his nets makes me wonder how Roberto is.” A dark shiver snaked down his spine. It seemed so wrong to be preparing for a feast when their master of mental faculties was Zens’ captive.
§
Ezaara woke, gasping, her forehead beaded in sweat. She clutched her head, trying to clear the awful scenes from her mind. In this latest nightmare, Zens had held up his hands, squeezing them. A crushing pressure had tightened, like metal bands, around Roberto’s head. He’d collapsed, writhing on the stone, screaming. The band increased until his nose bleed.
Zens towered over a gasping Roberto. “You know you’re mine. I made you what you are. Everything you have, everything you’ve done, everything you will do, is because of me.”
000 had stalked in, claws dripping with green gunge. “Now, boss?” After a cursory nod from Zens, 000 raked Roberto’s chest. The green slime entered the wounds, dissolving in Roberto’s blood—limplock. He’d been poisoned and had a few days to live.
Ezaara’s heart was still rattling like a quiver of arrows. With such frightening dreams, no wonder she was afraid to sleep.
What if this was really happening to Roberto? Some kind of premonition, like her father, Taliesin and Lovina sometimes had?
She shook her head. Ridiculous. Although she had some talents, prophecy wasn’t one of them. Her hand flew to the comforting crystal at her neck. Oh, the teardrop was hot—not hot enough to burn, but hot enough to be uncomfortable. She touched it again. Yes, definitely warm. Strange. It shouldn’t be. She’d had it on the outside of her nightgown all night.
Ezaara got out of bed and dressed quickly. She touched the teardrop again. It was cooling already. Today was race day. Tomorrow, the council would rescue Roberto. In the seven days since she’d visited Death Valley, she’d rushed from flight training high on rocky crags, to strategy lessons in the main cavern, then to the target range—time and time again—training new dragon riders. Derek, master of instruction, had been observing her lessons. Shards, she’d been so distracted with Roberto being tortured, she was sure she’d done a lousy job, but yesterday, he’d given her the nod. After three moons here, she was now able to train new riders without supervision. The last task before she was inducted as Queen’s Rider was today’s race.
Zaarusha snorted. “Typical riders. I chose you back at the clearing in Lush Valley three moons ago. I knew you were right. But no, they had to perform mental tests and train you further … Ridiculous. They should trust their queen.”
“Roberto does trust you, Zaarusha. But dragons can be turned by swayweed. What if I was feeding it to you? Then the whole realm would be in danger.”
“At least you’ll be full Queen’s Rider with all the power to rule the realm after the race tomorrow.”
“What’s the race like?”
“Challenging but fun. They’ll test stunts and speed.” Zaarusha appeared at the archway between her den and Ezaara’s cavern. The queen huffed her breath out, warming the air. Ezaara scratched Zaarusha’s eye ridges. “Ah, that feels good, my favorite spot,” Zaarusha purred. “Your fingers are cold. You need a warm brew. Fetch your cup.”
She scalded the water. Ezaara added soppleberries to it, then sat back on her bed, drinking tea.
Feet sounded outside her door and someone knocked.
So early? Ezaara opened it to Tomaaz and Lovina. “Come in. Want some tea?”
“That would be great,” said Tomaaz, taking cups to Zaarusha.
Lovina drummed her fingers against a flat bundle wrapped in cloth, tucked under her other arm.
“What’s going on?” Ezaara asked.
Lovina chewed her lip. “I don’t know if Zaarusha will be safe at the race today. This morning I saw a vision and was overcome with a strong compulsion to paint. This came out.” She tugged the cloth away, exposing a painting of Zaarusha being swallowed by flame. The queen’s scales were blistered. Her wings charred and ragged.
Dread coiled in Ezaara’s stomach.
“I kept seeing it until I’d painted it.”
“It’s a shame you can’t see the dragon creating the flames. Then we’d know who it is.” Tomaaz brought the tea over. “We should go and see Pa. As master of prophecy, he’ll know how to interpret this.”
“I’m asking Zaarusha if she wants to cancel the race.” Ezaara melded with the queen.
“I’m racing, no matter what,” Zaarusha said. “You must lead the realm and the council. I’ve had enough politics.”
“I don’t want you hurt.” Gods, no.
“I’ll get Tonio and Lars to make a defensive plan.”
When they reached Ma and Pa’s chambers, Pa was just getting up.
“Lovina’s had a recurring vision that a dragon will flame Zaarusha during the race,” Ezaara said.
“You too?” Pa examined Lovina’s painting, shaking his head. “That’s an uncanny talent, Lovina. I’ve just woken from a similar dream.”
Lovina nodded, Tomaaz’s arm around her.
Ezaara felt a pang of jealousy. They got to express their love so freely, while she and Roberto had to hide theirs. Soon, when she was no longer his student, they wouldn’t hide any more.
Pa replied, “Taliesin and I have both had a similar dream. Handel tried to see who the dragon was, with no luck.”
“Zaarusha insists on racing,” Ezaara said.
“As she should,” said Pa. “There are enough rumors running wild in this place to unsaddle a dragon. So, race, Ezaara, and claim your rightful place. Hopefully we’ll be able to smoke out the rogue dragon without Zaarusha being hurt. I’ll sort something out with Tonio and Lars.” Pa’s eyes narrowed, fixing on the crystal teardrop at her neck. “Who did you say gave you that?”
Ezaara kept her voice offhand. “Oh, a friend.” A friend who was in danger, right now. Nothing must happen to Zaarusha the day before Roberto’s rescue.
§
Adelina bustled into Ezaara’s cavern. “I’ve decided what you should wear for the race today.”
Ezaara rolled her eyes.
“Come on,” Adelina cajoled, giving Ezaara an overly-bright smile. “It’s a public event and rumors are running rife about you. We need to do something that reminds people of who you are and what you can achieve.” Her eyes were circled with rings as dark as Death Valley.
Ezaara put a hand on her arm. “We’re rescuing Roberto tomorrow, Adelina.”
Her dark eyes lit up. “You are?”
“The council will be meeting first thing in the morning to discuss how.”
“More hot air.” Adelina sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I’m not holding my breath.”
“Adelina, they promised,” Ezaara said. “I’m hoping we’ll leave tomorrow.” She couldn’t stand waiting any longer.
Adelina’s answering smile wasn’t as perky as before. “I thought you could wear the same blue tunic you wore when you flew the loop. That’d remind people of how much they loved you. And your green ribbons.”
The green ribbons that had made Roberto her protector when she’d unknowingly given him one.
“You’d need to wear a few layers underneath to stay warm. What do you think?”
“Yes to the ribbons, but not that tunic. They need to see me as I am today.” Ezaara picked up her hairbrush. “Why don’t you have faith in the council?”
Adelina started plaiting Ezaara’s hair. “Apart from the fact that they recently banished my brother? It’s Tonio. Ever since Roberto and I arrived here, Tonio’s hated him, and I have no idea why.”
Surely, they wouldn’t leave Roberto, a valued master, languishing with Zens. Doubt prickled across her skin.
Dragon Rift: Riders of Fire, Book Three - A Dragons’ Realm Novel Page 21
