His laughter started as a deep rumble in his chest, but then he began to cackle, and in another moment of transformation, he spun and attacked. Balls of fire raced before bolts of fetid lightning, and a wave of nausea poured over Catrin as they approached. She hastily cast her defenses about her, but the onslaught threw her aside and pinned her to the chamber wall. Helplessly she watched as Prios joined the attack, his movements synchronized with Belegra's.
Inexorably, her sphere began to shrink under the pressure, and she could feel the heat on her face. Hot air burned her lungs as she sucked in desperate breaths, and still the attacks continued. Dizziness began to overtake her, and the world grew dark despite the flames that surrounded her.
* * *
The wailing drew Chase on, and he found himself in a rocky vale. When he saw grass stained with blood and a piece of the leather from Catrin's leggings, he was as frightened as he was relieved. There was too much blood, and he wondered how she could have walked away.
Turning to the mountain where the wails originated, Chase saw the stairways. He covered his eyes as he thought he saw a form moving up the rock face. Moments later, the wailing stopped, and Chase knew it must be Catrin. Taking off at a run, he climbed with abandon. Seeing flashes of light and hearing thunderous booms from above, he could only pray he got there in time.
* * *
Relent.
The command came just when the pain had reached its height, and Catrin was tempted to obey, tempted to just give up. It would be so much easier to let someone else be in control. She was so very tired. In the corner of her sight stood Prios, deep in the throes of compulsion, coerced to do that which was not his will. Kyrien, trapped in a tomb of stone, did not deserve such a horrid fate; she could not relent. They should suffer no more.
The pain began to fade, and her sphere slowly grew. Belegra looked spent, drenched with sweat and breathing hard, a wild look in his eyes. Prios looked worse, and Catrin knew Belegra would run him dry without another thought. Watching as a nimbus of power began to form around Belegra, who seemed to have found his strength, Catrin prepared a hasty attack. Prios lay, unmoving on the floor.
The nimbus grew brighter and more intense as Belegra drew an enormous amount of energy. The stone around his feet grew red hot, and he stepped back. Catrin launched her attack not on Belegra, but on the rock around him. Meanwhile, he cast a massive wave of raw energy at her, flames leaping out and forming the tortured faces of those she had lost, and they howled at her as they came. At the last moment, she cast up a sphere to protect herself, but it was insufficient, and she was thrown, tumbling, to the back of the hall.
Belegra howled in glee as Catrin fell before his attack, but he also took two steps away from the super-heated stone. As he raised his arms for the killing blow, his aura glowing like the sun, Kyrien struck like a massive viper. His head and neck shattered the wood and plaster that filled the doorway to his prison. Before the wood and stone hit the floor, he snapped Belegra up in his jaws and bit down hard. It was over in an instant, and Catrin could hardly believe what she had just seen. Consumed from within by blue flames, Belegra began to burn.
With only his head and neck freed, Kyrien gave Belegra's body one last shake then cast it aside. An instant later, Chase ran into the cavern. Seeing Catrin on the ground, smoking, he charged in, looking for someone to fight. His eyes landed on Prios, who was trying to stand, and Chase descended on him, howling. Even Catrin's screams could not pierce his blinding rage; only Kyrien's fierce visage kept him from killing Prios. Kyrien moved his head between Chase and Prios and locked eyes with Chase.
The sword dropped from Chase's hand, and he turned away from the dragon. Then he ran to Catrin. She was trying to stand as he approached, and he helped her to her feet.
"Anything broken? Are you hurt?"
"I'm bruised and burned and scraped, but I think I'll make it. Prios?"
He moved from behind Kyrien slowly. His face was still concealed, and he approached with his head down.
"Who is this?" Chase asked.
"Prios was one of Belegra's cadre. He was enslaved and compelled to attack me, but now he is free," Catrin said, and the hooded face snapped up at her words. Reaching up, Catrin pulled the hood back and looked on the face of Prios for the first time. He was only slightly younger than she, and to her, he looked beautiful.
I am free?
"You are free."
"Why doesn't he say anything?" Chase asked, suspicious.
"He speaks in my mind," Catrin said. "He has helped me in the past, despite the risks, and I trust him. He comes with us."
"What about the . . . uh . . . dragon?"
"We need to find a way get him out of there."
"The walls are really thick, Cat. It would take days to chip him out even if we had the right tools, which we don't."
"We're getting him out," she said in her most commanding tone, but then she remembered the others. "Where are Strom and Osbourne and Brother Vaughn?"
"I sent them back to the ship after the Gholgi attacked. Osbourne hurt his knee, and Brother Vaughn broke a few ribs, I think. Strom went with them so they would not be helpless in a fight. I came looking for you."
"I knew you would," Catrin said with tears in her eyes as she hugged him. "Thank you. You've always protected me."
"Who knows what kind of trouble you'd get yourself into if I wasn't around? I'm just saving myself the hassle. So how are we going to get this dragon out?"
There is water nearby, and I have a bucket, and this might be of use to you.
Prios approached, holding Belegra's dragon ore, and he handed it to Catrin. Even before it touched her skin, she could feel its power, far greater than anything she'd ever experienced before, as if the greater size allowed it to contain exponentially more energy. Even after the massive amount Belegra had drawn from the stone, it still held an enormous charge. Yet there seemed to be flaws. Something was simply not as it should be, and she was hesitant to use the stone.
Desperate for a way to free Kyrien, her mind reeled with possibilities, but then she remembered what Prios had said: There is water nearby. "Fill everything you can with water and bring it back here," Catrin said.
"What?" Chase asked. "What good is water going to do? We need tools, Cat."
"The water will be all we need. Please help Prios," Catrin said as Prios was already moving to obey her command. In that moment she made a vow to talk to Prios, to help him understand that he had to do what she asked only if he believed it was the right thing to do. He was free.
Chase looked smug when he and Prios returned, each with a large container of water. "Are we going to scrub the stone away?"
"Stand back and be ready to throw the water at the rock on my command," Catrin said. Chase still looked unconvinced. Using the same technique she had used against Belegra, she heated the rock until it glowed like a hot ember. "Now!"
Chase and Prios moved in unison, and a wall of water rushed toward the rock. It struck with a hiss and a series of loud cracks, and several chunks of rock fell away. "We need more water," Catrin said, and Chase did not hesitate. Kyrien huddled at the back of his cell, but Catrin sensed he knew what she was doing, and he occasionally bugled in what sounded like an expectant call.
Chase and Prios returned just as the rock began to glow almost white. "Again," Catrin said. More chunks erupted this time as the structural integrity of the wall began to break down. With each successive time they threw water on the glowing rocks, more of the wall fell, but the process took time.
Kyrien lost patience and roared as he charged from the back his prison and threw himself against the wall with percussive force. Brittle stone fell before his desperate need, and the chamber walls exploded. Catrin, Chase, and Prios fled before the dragon as he charged to the entranceway, seeing the sunlit sky for the first time in his life. Before Catrin could even say good-bye, he gave a triumphant roar, leaped over the edge, and disappeared from view.
Running to the ledge, C
atrin looked down to see Kyrien falling like a stone. He struggled to fully extend his wings, and even when he did, he still fell at tremendous speed. Suddenly, the air below was filled with activity. Other dragons, most larger than Kyrien, flocked around him. One of the largest, who Catrin thought she recognized as the one she had slept against, positioned himself directly beneath Kyrien, straining his wings to hold his own weight and that of Kyrien. Perilously close to the treetops below, the dragons halted their fall and began to gain altitude.
Crying out to his brethren, Kyrien wobbled in the air as they left him to soar the winds on his own. Twice other dragons kept him from crashing to the ground, but he seemed to be gaining confidence as he got the feel for flight. Flexing his wings, he soared high into the sky. He gave one last cry before disappearing into the clouds.
Chapter 13
Procrastination robs the world of countless treasures.
--Massimo Arturo, scribe
* * *
For a moment, Catrin simply stood, motionless. So much had happened in such a short time that she found herself in a state of shock. Only when Chase moved to her side and took her by the arm did she return to her senses.
"Come over here and sit down," he said, and she let him lead her. On a huge chunk of what had once been part of Kyrien's prison, she sat. "How bad is your leg?" Chase asked, looking over her wound. "I don't understand. You took this wound yesterday, yet it looks like it happened weeks ago."
"I'm not sure," Catrin said, not wanting to admit what she had done, and very much wanting to keep the struggle with her subconscious a secret. No matter how ashamed she was of healing herself, despite the potential consequences, she was alive. Her heart broke a little when she silently vowed to bear no children, but she would not repeat the mistakes made by Enoch Giest. If she had no children, then there was no way Catrin could pass along any deadly traits. Still, tears slid down her face.
"Whatever the reason," Chase finally said, "it's a blessing. Are you in pain?"
"Only a little, but I'll be fine."
"Is Prios hurt?"
I am uninjured, but I need to rest.
His voice was timid in Catrin's mind, and he approached her slowly, his eyes downcast. When he reached the chunk of rock, he climbed up next to Catrin, curled into a ball, and slept.
Chase finished his inspection of Catrin's wounds. "Looks like you'll live. I think we should stay up here for the night. I'm going to try and find some wood for a fire and some food."
Prios did not move or even open his eyes, but his voice whispered in Catrin's mind: Both can be found in the chambers at the back of the hall.
"There is food and wood back there," Catrin said, pointing.
"How do you know that?" Chase asked.
"Prios told me."
"I thought he was asleep."
"Not quite yet."
Chase left to explore the back of the hall but not before casting a suspicious glance at Prios, who still appeared to be asleep. When Chase returned, his arms were laden with wood, and he placed it within the existing fire ring. With plenty of kindling, he soon had a small fire going. On his next trip, he returned with salted fish and some hard cheese.
"Not much left after this," Chase said as he and Catrin ate. "Not sure how Belegra expected to survive up here."
In a moment of panic, both Chase and Catrin realized that there might still be Zjhon soldiers about. They could be out hunting and could return at any time. Chase quickly stood, and Catrin drew a sharp intake of breath.
They are all dead. I, alone, survived.
"I thought you were sleeping," Catrin said.
I would, if you would stop flooding me with anxiety. When you worry, your thoughts boom in my head like thunder.
"I'm sorry," she said, embarrassed.
"You have to tell me what he's saying," Chase said, "or this is going to make me crazy."
"He says the rest of the Zjhon soldiers are dead. He's all that's left. I'll tell you the rest, Chase. I promise. But first I need rest."
"You two sleep. I'll keep watch."
* * *
Standing at the gunwales, Strom tried to relax, but his hands seemed to constantly clench into fists of their own volition. Osbourne and Brother Vaughn were recovering from their wounds and Strom was torn.
"You can't go back in there alone," Kenward said. "It's just too dangerous."
"Yet that is exactly what Catrin and Chase are doing. I'd be in no more danger than them. I can't just stay here and wait while they struggle to survive. I've already seen the dangers they face, and I don't know how they could survive it alone."
In a moment that brought Strom to tears, three of Kenward's crew came forward: Farsy, Bryn, and Nimsy. "We'll go with him," Farsy said. "Others volunteered as well, but we know we can't all go."
Kenward seemed torn, and he paced the deck while he considered. Nora stood nearby, watching him, and she tapped the toe of her boot on the deck. "I'm sorry," Kenward said, "I can't let any of you go. If you were lost, then chances are none of us would ever see our homes again. We simply can't afford to lose--by the gods!"
Everyone turned to see what had frightened Kenward, and Strom saw a terrifying sight. Like a wave of death, a black tide raced toward them. Like a single, huge organism, it moved faster than the swiftest horse. Strom braced himself and offered a hasty prayer, knowing they would need every bit of help they could get. No longer could he hope to find Catrin and Chase; now he could only hope to survive.
* * *
"Get up," Chase said. "He's gone."
"What? Who's gone?" Catrin asked, still trying to clear her mind of sleep. Outside, it was still nearly dark, only the blush of the false dawn gave any light.
"Prios."
With a wide yawn, Catrin sat up, her body stiff and sore. "He'll be back."
"How can you be sure it's not a trap? He could be going for help. I know he said the rest were dead, but I don't trust him."
"Prios and I are connected," Catrin said. "There is a bond between us that I cannot explain, but I know it's there. We can trust him. I assure you of that." As if to prove her point, Prios returned to the hall in that moment, carrying a basket of freshly caught fish.
Breakfast.
"Thank you," Chase said after Catrin relayed Prios's words. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
Trust should be given only to those who have earned it. Maybe, someday, he and I will trust each other. Maybe today.
Catrin relayed his words, but Chase made no response; instead, he helped clean the fish while Catrin sliced the fresh roots Prios had found. Using Belegra's cook pot and a jar of fresh water from his stores, they made a bland but filling stew, and knowing they would need all the energy they could get, they ate all of what they had.
When they finished the meal, Prios took Catrin by the hand and silently led her to the back of the hall. Beyond the rooms used for storage and what had been sleeping quarters for the soldiers was the room Belegra had used. Inside were two rough stone slabs. One he'd used for a bed and the other as a table. On the table, next to the remains of a burned-out candle, was a stack of leather-bound books, and Catrin looked upon them with undisguised fear.
The books are not evil. They are just books. Perhaps you can do some good with them.
Despite his words, Catrin reached out for the books with trepidation, haunted by the fear that Belegra had left a trap for her. When she lifted the books from the table, though, nothing happened, and she felt foolish. Taking those and a few other items that could be useful, she loaded them into her pack. Chase and Prios rummaged through the stores and filled packs for themselves.
As they reached the entrance of the hall, Catrin looked out over the mountains, down the river valleys, and to the sea. There, the Slippery Eel waited. "Let's go home," she said.
* * *
"Prepare to fend 'em off," Kenward said as the tide of dark shapes gathered near his ship, hiding beneath the waves, waiting to strike. This was not an act of curiosity;
Kenward could feel the hostility. Unwilling to leave Catrin and Chase behind, he kept the Slippery Eel moving, but the dark shapes followed them wherever they sailed. With great speed and endurance, they moved faster and farther than the wind could drive the Eel. "We can't outrun them--whatever they are."
"Not sure we can fight 'em either," Nora said. "If they are Gholgi, as Brother Vaughn has guessed, then they have tough, armorlike skin that we are unlikely to penetrate with spears. If they try to board us, we must repel them as we would any other foe, but if they attack the underside of the ship--"
"We're helpless," Kenward finished the thought for her. "Put us under full sail. Let's just see how long these things can keep swimming."
* * *
Finding the way back to their boat proved to be more difficult than Catrin had imagined. Surrounded by dense forest, it was easy to lose their way, and each time Chase had to climb above the canopy to gauge their course, they lost precious time. As daylight began to fail, chilling fear nearly paralyzed Catrin, who knew the Gholgi would come. If only she knew when.
Climbing and cutting their way through the underbrush while trying to remain alert for danger was exhausting, and Catrin swayed on her feet, taken by a spell of dizziness. The world seemed to shift and move, and only the tree trunk she found herself clinging to kept her from falling.
Chase cursed and stopped. "I know you're tired, Cat, but we can't keep stopping," he said. "If we don't make it back to the ship before dark, we could be in big trouble."
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