Chronicles of the Half-Emrys Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Lisa Rector

  “Aneirin will not even know I’m there. I plan to face Caedryn alone. I’ll avoid the battle and seek him out on my own. He’ll be simple to find. I’ll sense his darkness above the chaos. He is, after all, my father.”

  “The darkness is strong,” Meinwen said. “It’s still a part of you, though it has weakened. Evil wants to claim you for his own. If you allow the darkness to take hold of you in your weakest moment, you’ll be lost to the emrys forever. Aneirin cannot follow you where the dark paths lead. You understand this? There will be no return. Your son will be lost to you forever. You must be strong. Lord Caedryn will not show mercy.”

  “I understand,” Ahnalyn breathed.

  The High Emrys would only speak the truth. Lady Meinwen was voicing the thoughts Ahnalyn was too afraid to admit to. Ahnalyn’s heart thudded with fear.

  “Stand firm,” Meinwen said. “Do not allow the fear to hold sway. You must face Lord Caedryn, or you’ll never be at rest. Your future will be decided today. Know I desire you to return safely. Aneirin is right. You have great potential. You could be a powerful emrys.”

  Lady Meinwen stepped forward. Her pale, white hand gently touched Ahnalyn’s heart. Heat blossomed in her chest as Meinwen whispered low, melodic words in Emryn.

  For one instant, it was as if Ahnalyn stepped beyond the physical, her spirit as though no body held it to the earth. Never in her entire life had she felt so whole.

  Lady Meinwen removed her hand, and as magnificent as it was, the moment was gone.

  Sparing one last look at her son, Ahnalyn turned away. She fled the hall before she could change her mind and more traitorous tears threatened to fall. Ahnalyn ran until she came to Seren waiting outside.

  “We’ll be all right. I know it,” Seren said. “Have faith in those who care about you.”

  Yes, and trust them. Wasn’t that what everyone had been telling her all along? “Let’s go.” Her body drooped as though a heavy weight hung around her neck.

  The flight to the gap in the Great Ridge was about three hours. Seren and Ahnalyn slipped into formation with the last of the dragons moving through the portal. First light was still two hours off. The front formation of the Dragon Riders would reach the battle approximately an hour before Ahnalyn and Seren.

  Nervousness filled Ahnalyn. What would she find as they came upon the battle?

  She wished she had her dragon stone so she could see in the dark through Seren’s vision. Ahnalyn didn’t bother to ignite a light to soften the gloom because she would need all the energy she had. Instead, she expanded the light to the limits of her body, building it. She would be ready.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  DRAGON-AND-DAGGER

  As Cephias and Cerys approached the battle, Aneirin saw men on both sides drawing up in ranks. The air was filled with the scent of fear, making the dragons restless. The clamor of chainmail and clank of swords drifted on the air.

  Lord Caedryn had a massive army, spanning the hillside before the mountain gap in which Sieffre’s men were spread out. On high ground in the midst of his army, General Gethen shouted commands at his captains.

  The sun rose over the horizon behind the Dragon Riders. The enemy would be blinded by the glare, an advantage for King Sieffre’s men. As the light broke over Caedryn’s army and the dragons flew into range, two things happened at once. When they saw the Dragon Riders, the armies of Sieffre broke out in a cheer. General Gethen barked a final command, and his men charged toward Sieffre’s army.

  With their riders shielding against oncoming arrows, the dragons swooped down, prepared for the first attack. The lead line of dragons fired flame in a unified torching of Gethen’s front rank. Screams rent the air in response. Sieffre’s men cheered. The dragons rose from their attack and circled to the back of the battle, allowing the next formation to attack.

  Dragon flame was only practical where Sieffre’s men weren’t fighting in the same area. As the front lines surged together in hand-to-hand combat, the dragons turned on the rear, raking through the ranks, picking up solders, and dropping them from deadly heights. Death was rising on Gethen’s side. Dragons were definitely the advantage.

  General Gethen lifted his sword into the air and shouted another command. From the rear of the battle, tarps were thrown off huge machines—trebuchets and ballista—hundreds of them. Gethen’s arm dropped, and a volley of boulders and bolts with deadly spearheads loosed right into a formation of dragons diving on his men.

  “Cephias look lively. We have objects to dodge!” Aneirin yelled over the commotion as he used his light to shatter an oncoming bolt.

  Dragons no longer flew in formation as they wove their way around the obstacles careening at them while still attempting to torch the enemy. Riders were doing their best to deflect as many oncoming boulders and bolts as they could.

  “Absolute chaos!” Cephias yelled. “I love it!”

  A rider missed with his deflection, and a boulder caught his lemony-yellow dragon square in the chest. A deafening crack signaled broken bones, and the dragon hurtled backward through the air. Cephias swerved to avoid being taken down with him.

  The bolts were deadly to the dragons as the sharp, pointed end could slide between two scales, dropping many dragons to the ground. A few fell back, too injured to fight. Others caught the bolt and threw it down on the enemy, bowling a dozen men over at once.

  Aneirin saw several riders defending fallen dragons. “Cephias, down there, we have to help.”

  An apricot-colored dragon had fallen and appeared to be unconscious. A couple of other dragons came to aid, plowing through the ranks of oncoming men. The dragon’s rider held a shield over his dragon while deflecting attacks, but his energy was visibly failing.

  Dragons were doing their best to destroy the machines, but it was challenging. Attacks came rapidly, and the air was thick with weapons. General Gethen had been prepared for the eventuality of dragons. What other tricks would Caedryn have up his sleeve?

  King Sieffre’s men lost ground as Gethen’s men fought their way up the hill in a ferocious, inhuman rage. They were falling all around, and Gethen’s men stepped over them if as they weren’t even there.

  Now that he saw destruction was going according to his desire, General Gethen stormed into the fray, brandishing a sword above his head and cutting men down with pleasure.

  Cephias dove to the aid of the apricot dragon but lurched unexpectedly.

  “Aneirin! I can’t see!” Panic in his voice. “I’m blind!” Cephias tried to pull out of the dive, but the earth was rapidly approaching.

  “Pull up, fly right!” Aneirin shouted. He knew what was wrong, though he could hardly believe it. “Caedryn’s using your dragon stone.”

  “I can’t see anything. How’s this happening?”

  “Dive left, Cephias! No—left! Now, up!” Aneirin winced. He deflected most objects headed in their general direction, but Cephias almost crashed into another dragon.

  Cerys flew up. “What’s going on?”

  Catrin exchanged an anxious look with Aneirin.

  “It’s Caedryn. He’s blinded Cephias! We have to retreat out of fire,” Aneirin yelled.

  “Cephias, block Caedryn from your mind.” Catrin yelled. “Don’t let him in.”

  “It’s not working. I have no control. His mind’s not open for engagement.”

  Cephias let out a deafening roar, lost consciousness, and plummeted hundreds of feet in a tailspin.

  Knowing a fall from this height would kill a dragon, Aneirin dove headfirst off Cephias, streamlining his body, using his light to speed his descent. His energy pushed out around his body to cushion against the impact. But even so, Aneirin landed hard, rolling onto his back. He threw his light energy up as a buoyant net. A second later Cephias slammed into the net, safely cradling his limp body. Aneirin had just enough strength to carefully set his dragon brother down before his body slackened.

  Cerys landed and Catrin jumped down, projecting a shield around them.
Cerys swiped charging men aside.

  They were right in the middle of the enemy lines.

  Catrin screamed, “Get up, Aneirin. Get up!” She rushed over to him and placed a free hand on his head.

  A rush of energy strengthened Aneirin’s limbs as Catrin yelled again. “Get up!” She yanked him to his feet.

  A coal-black dragon landed, and the rider dismounted, moving toward them. Urien. He projected a shield far brighter than Catrin’s, in a dome around them, and issued orders. “Catrin see what you can do for Cephias. Aneirin has not the strength to help him.”

  Catrin laid her hands on Cephias’s head.

  Feeling useless, Aneirin watched her harness her light, helping his dragon. Catrin was far superior with her skills at healing. Come on, Cephias.

  “I cannot push past the hold Caedryn has on him. For now he’s blinded. I’m sorry, Aneirin,” Catrin said.

  Aneirin staggered over to Cephias and placed his hands on his dragon’s head to verify what Catrin had said. Wake up! A wave of nausea washed over him. Nothing could be done for Cephias. Aneirin’s blood boiled over.

  “Caedryn!” He yelled. “You coward!”

  Catrin touched Aneirin’s shoulder, but he shook her off.

  “Aneirin, no. Calm down. This doesn’t help Cephias,” Catrin said.

  “He has to pay for this. Caedryn should suffer.” Aneirin turned to search the battlefield, feeling for the dark hole that was the lack of light he knew Caedryn would be. He had to be here somewhere. He wouldn’t sit in his citadel like a coward. Caedryn would want to watch the destruction unfold before him.

  Please tell me Ahnalyn stayed in Gorlassar, Aneirin thought. Seren would be in equal danger from Caedryn’s wrath.

  All around, the battle raged. Hoping to hold the entrance into his realm, King Sieffre and his men had retreated into the pass. For the moment, they held firm. The Dragon Riders had destroyed most of the trebuchets and ballista, which lay in a fiery blaze, smoking at the edge of the battle. General Gethen’s army was scattered. It wouldn’t be long. Their demise was imminent.

  Riders protected injured dragons. Many were already healed. As they charged into the fray, dragons slaughtered the rear of Gethen’s infantry, smashing men aside with their deadly claws.

  ***

  After a long flight, Seren and Ahnalyn reached the battle. The battlefield was a deluge of chaos. People were dead. Smoke darkened the sky. Swords clacked.

  Ahnalyn searched the area for Lord Caedryn. She found him easily as though she were drawn to him.

  “Seren, over there, near the edge of the forest. There’s a rock outcrop. I can sense him.”

  Seren broke off from the rear formation and headed toward Caedryn, but she let out a mournful groan.

  “What is it?” Ahnalyn asked.

  “I had a flash of Cephias and he’s injured.”

  “What do you mean? How?” Ahnalyn yelled.

  “He’s in my head! That’s what I mean,” Seren yelled. “Caedryn’s using our dragon stones against us. He’s wearing our dragon stones!” She roared, and it echoed across the battlefield.

  ***

  Aneirin’s head snapped up toward the roar. “No—I don’t believe it!” he yelled over the tumult. His eyes burned at the sight of Seren and Ahnalyn. What is she thinking?

  Aneirin followed their flight path and zeroed in at last on the dark hole emanating from the edge of the field.

  “Cerys! I need you! Please!” Aneirin yelled, running over to her. “Catrin, protect Cephias for me.”

  Catrin whirled around as Aneirin jumped on Cerys.

  “Aneirin, no!” Catrin exclaimed.

  “I have this!” Aneirin said. Cerys pawed at the ground, waiting for Catrin to relent.

  Catrin pressed her mouth into a tight line. “Fine!” She threw her hands up. “Be careful, Cerys. Fly true.”

  Cerys bolted as fast as her wings could flap.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  THE GREATER SACRIFICE

  Seren rushed toward Lord Caedryn, intent on raking him over with her claws. To Ahnalyn’s horror, she realized Caedryn was on the rock outcrop with someone. Her eyes zoomed in on the figure beside him, and her heart fell. It was her father, Owein.

  “Seren, no! That’s my father. Slow down or you’ll kill him!” Ahnalyn cried.

  Seren slowed and landed with an earth-shaking stomp right before Lord Caedryn. Her tail lashed out at him, but Caedryn pushed it aside with a powerful energy thrust. Seren lost her balance, nearly throwing Ahnalyn off, but she regained her footing by gripping the ground with her claws. A deep growl rumbled from her throat.

  “You’d be dead before you tried an attack,” Caedryn hissed at Seren. “Ahnalyn, Daughter, I’m so glad to see you again.” He sneered.

  Terror was evident all over Owein’s face as he struggled with an invisible hold over himself. He gripped at his throat as if he were being strangled.

  “Let him go! Why did you bring him here?” Ahnalyn growled through clenched teeth as she slid off Seren’s back.

  “Insurance. It would seem the Dragon Riders have the upper hand.” Caedryn laughed as he spread his arms apart, looking up into the sky. “Not for long.” The surrounding air filled with a strange static, and the hairs on Ahnalyn’s skin stood. Grim clouds formed over the battlefield, casting everything in pitch-blackness. A rumble sounded before a torrential downpour soaked the landscape. Visibility diminished to nothing. Rain soaked everything and everyone in a matter of seconds.

  Dripping wet, Ahnalyn screamed. “Stop this! Stop this right now!” She swiped at the rain streaming down her face, trying to see Caedryn through the storm.

  Lord Caedryn shouted a command in a language far rougher and barbaric than Ahnalyn had ever heard, different from Emryn. Dozens of lightning bolts lit up the sky, striking several dragons and dropping them to the ground.

  “Stop! You’ll kill them,” Ahnalyn screamed.

  “That’s the idea, Ahnalyn my darling,” Caedryn yelled. “If I can’t have a dragon, I’d rather see the rest of them dead.”

  Light flared across the darkened field as riders and dragons took the battle to the ground. The torrent and the lightning flashes were too dangerous for flight. But the storm kept pounding. Thunder boomed. The commotion was deafening, but it didn’t stop the fight. Men continued as unbidden, ferocious animals. Gethen’s men fought as though dragons themselves, with their sharp swords and spiked cudgels.

  Lord Caedryn roared with pleasure.

  Ahnalyn seethed inside. A heat grew in her heart-center, and she released a massive fireball at Lord Caedryn, falling to her knees from the effort. Her vision dimmed, and she struggled to rise to her feet.

  “Ahnalyn!” Seren cried out. Seeing her rider was unprotected, she lunged in front of her.

  Caedryn deflected the fire with a wave of his hand. “Useless. You lack the light to counter my darkness. You’re using the wrong feelings to fuel your light. Anger cannot increase your light. It feeds the darkness! Allow me to demonstrate.” Lord Caedryn jerked Ahnalyn’s father toward himself with a flick of his wrist.

  Ahnalyn looked up, her vision clearing. Caedryn lifted a knife and, without hesitation, plunged it into her father’s gut. Owein gasped, slumping over on the wet ground.

  “No!” Ahnalyn vaulted over Seren’s slippery tail to reach her father.

  Caedryn stopped her with a lift of his hand, casting a strong force, binding her in place.

  Ahnalyn struggled and thrashed with all her might, but his grip was secure. Her mind swam, unable to grasp ahold of a clear thought. Her insides ached. How could he? Ahnalyn looked at Caedryn, the man whose blood flowed through her veins, and wished for his death.

  “Relax. He won’t be dying anytime soon. This type of injury can take days to kill a man, but not until after he’s burning with fever and writhing in agonizing pain,” Caedryn said. “Can you feel the hatred? You want to strike me down and kill me. Why don’t you?”

  “No.”
Ahnalyn hung her head, heedless of the rain streaming off her chin, and moaned.

  “A little encouragement.” Caedryn looked at Seren, who immediately flopped over, thrashing in pain. “I miss the connection of having my own dragon stone. See what it can do!”

  “Leave her alone!” Ahnalyn screamed. Vexation swelled within her. Wielding inhuman strength, she broke Caedryn’s hold. Her arms trembled from the energy surging through them.

  Without knowing what she could do, Ahnalyn turned her hands toward the ground and released the dark power into it. Earth and rock shook, broke apart, and rose into the air. With a shriek, Ahnalyn cast them at Caedryn.

  Caedryn blasted each mass apart. “More—MORE! Strike me down and crush me as you crushed your mother! You hit her with such force every single one of her ribs broke.”

  “No! It wasn’t my fault, it was an accident!” Ahnalyn formed more dirt and stone together and pitched them at Caedryn. She would hurt him as he had hurt her father.

  The effort was taxing, but Ahnalyn intensified her attack, willing her fury to give her strength.

  “Oh, yes, an accident,” Caedryn snarled. “Who do you think gave that creature thought to kill your mother? Animals are so easy to manipulate.”

  “Why? Why would you do that? Why didn’t you leave us alone?” Ahnalyn pulled her hands apart, forming a fireball between them. She flung it at Caedryn, but he blocked the attack. Ahnalyn growled.

  A boulder rose into the air, and flew toward Ahnalyn with alarming speed. Followed by another and another.

  Ahnalyn blocked each shot with a rippling energy wall. It was different from what Aneirin had taught her. And wrong. Evil power instead of light. Fear spread through her. This is exactly what Caedryn wants, the darkness to control me.

  A rock slammed into her, knocking her backward off her feet, bruising her shoulder. A sudden unsureness caused Ahnalyn to collapse, panting, with tears running down her cheeks. Lord Caedryn was the enemy, but she was furious with herself. The anger ruled her. She couldn’t let it go. Why can’t I let it go?