by Lisa Rector
“I don’t understand. You should’ve been able to move through the protection. I always have. My darkness has never been strong enough to prevent me from entering.” Einion sidestepped toward the barrier.
Trahaearn held his stance. “What happened to you?”
Aerona weighed him. I can take him. Say the word.
One moment. “You see my change well. Never have you felt such evil. Meinwen warned you, didn’t she? Stupid fool, so trusting. How pitiful being in love is! Oh, Einion, I can see your heart breaking,” Rhianu said, in her most tragic voice. “Your darkness was all too easy to exploit. Slip in a trifle of lust and you fell completely to my influence.”
“Rhianu don’t”—His faced darkened—“What is this evil?” Einion ignored her baiting as he probed for answers, stalling.
Rhianu took joy in the pain on his face. “My power is more than just trivial matter filling space in my heart-center. It’s the essence of the First Evil. The Dark Master made me his vessel. I held his power at bay within myself for these long months while you fell to my charms. Who do you think started the lightning storm that caused me to fall? I did! I’ll admit, the Dark Master shocked me with my memory loss, an obstacle to overcome, but it authenticated my innocence. I knew a chivalrous prince would not be able to help himself.”
Einion’s eyes brightened with disappointment. “Meuric was never the servant spoken of in the prophecy. It was you! Aerona lied. You never had to escape Morvith, did you? It’s because of his evil. Cysgod is why you couldn’t enter. You serve him. Why? I don’t understand why.”
Rhianu sensed the darkness fighting with his light. She had dealt him a blow, and his body trembled to come to grips with it. Rhianu flinched. It doesn’t matter what this does to his light. Einion is collateral damage for a greater cause.
“So you could find the entrance to Gorlassar,” Einion said quietly. Though dawning with comprehension, his eyes did not move from her face. “So you could finish his failed war and destroy all the dragons.”
“You’re a quick one. Never did I even have to ask. As soon as you defiled my body, you were all too ready to make me your wife and bring me home to Father and Mother. What will your precious Catrin have to say about that?” Rhianu spat.
Her words stung him. She could see the anguish on Einion’s face, but his careful glance at Trahaearn also meant they were collaborating.
Einion stepped closer to the portal. “Why did you need me? You could have found the entrance yourself. What did you have to gain by dragging me through your deceitful web?”
“I often wonder at the motivations of the Dark Master. Interestingly enough, I didn’t realize the portal would prevent me from entering Gorlassar. Meinwen clued me in to that little tidbit. So where does that leave me? I guess I’ll have to start a war and draw the dragons from their protected immortal realm and annihilate them!”
Einion jerked, and he moved to attack.
Aerona, now! Rhianu lifted her hand and, with her unseen power, grabbed Einion by the throat. He gasped and clutched at his neck. In the same moment, Aerona and Trahaearn reared up and tore into each other. Teeth gnashed, and claws raked across each other’s scales while they grappled on the ledge. Rhianu dove to the side, uttering an expletive. The two dragons narrowly missed her.
Rhianu lost her grip on Einion. He used this opportunity to aid Trahaearn and shot an energy beam at Aerona. Rhianu jumped to her feet and deflected the blast with a shield of darkness. The two dragons took to the air, fighting wildly. They broke apart, firing flames.
Einion ran for the entrance. If he stuck his head through the barrier and alerted the guardians, it would be over before it started. Rhianu grabbed a handful of snow and laced it with dark magic, forming a hardened ice ball. She chucked it forcefully at Einion’s feet, and it made contact with a crunch. Einion fell headlong into the snow. Rhianu threw herself on top of him and cracked his skull with another rock-hard ice ball. He was out cold.
“Enough fooling around, Aerona!” Rhianu rose, clapped her hands together, and pulled them slowly apart, bringing a vast amount of dark power between her outstretched arms, creating a massive ball. With an outcry, Rhianu pushed the ball at the orange dragon. It moved with such speed, Trahaearn never saw it coming. The ball broadsided him, whipping him through the air. Rhianu watched as he plummeted into the immense chasm. He would be too broken and battered to pull out of that dive.
Rhianu smiled to herself. Now to leave the bait. She strode over to where Einion lay unconscious. Blood painted the snow around his head—she had bludgeoned him good. It would be a long while until he woke, and it wouldn’t be pretty. Still—she gazed down at him—it is a shame. His broken heart would be a lot harder to mend than his head.
She stooped down and tore the dragon stone off his neck. If Trahaearn survived the fall, she didn’t want him coming after Einion. The link needed to be removed. Given the fact Rhianu couldn’t breech the barrier, she would coax the dragons and their light-filled riders out. Catrin would find this calling card. Rhianu chucked the dragon stone at the impassible void, and it vanished. That would do it. They could go.
“Aerona, grab His Majesty, and let’s fly. They will be on us in no time.” Rhianu climbed onto Aerona.
At last, they were going home.
PART III
ABSOLUTION
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
IN GORLASSAR
Sitting cross-legged in the cave with Cerys, Catrin watched her blow a seemingly never-ending stream of fire. A ring of rocks surrounded a lavender egg nestled among glowing coals. Cerys spent her days blowing fire on the smooth, chalky oval. An egg could sit dormant for centuries, but as soon as the process of firing started, the dragon inside would grow and form—a creature of fire and light—born from the inferno and tempered with the magic from the flame.
This was the young dragon couple’s first hatchling, and they were thrilled. During the day, Awstin, Cerys’s mate, slept and ate and showed up at dusk to relieve Cerys, who would go home to her hollow and eat and sleep. Dragons preferred cushioned beds as opposed to a hard cave floor, but when hatching an egg, the surroundings needed to be inflammable. The same situation applied for raising the young dragons. Temporary aeries were built in the recesses of the mountains to avoid turning whole fields or groves into ash.
Producing a continual stream of heat was an exhausting process, and half a day’s rest was ideal. Cerys had Awstin, but the day’s tedium stretched on for her. Catrin did what she could to relieve the boredom. She came to the cave each day and spent several long hours with Cerys. When Catrin wasn’t in the cave, she opened her vision and gave her dragon images to see, other than gray stone walls. Catrin’s busy work schedule and school activities kept Cerys mentally occupied.
Catrin peered at the egg in the coals. The lavender color with the slightest purple veining meant the dragonling was probably female. The more feminine the color, the greater the chance. Blues were hard to guess, and occasionally a purple male dragon hatched. But Catrin had a good feeling about this egg.
The constant flaming process turned the cave into an oven. Catrin rose and stepped to the entrance for fresh air while unsticking her sweat-soaked clothes from her body. The late afternoon heat felt cooler than the interior of the cave and was a welcome relief. Raising her arms to the sky, Catrin stretched, and poor Cerys blew another flame.
Long weeks of flaming.
Long weeks since she last saw Einion.
Longer weeks still until she would see him again.
Hatching a dragon egg was not measured in weeks but rather measured in months. The time was uncertain with each dragon, depending on the heat from the parents to speed development along. The hotter the egg, the sooner it hatched. Catrin sighed and leaned against the entrance, gazing out at the heat lines rising off the dirt.
This makes the separation from Einion even more difficult for you. You don’t have to spend so much time with me in the cave, Catrin, Cerys said.
; Nonsense. This waiting for your baby to hatch doesn’t increase the pain. It brings me a bit of joy each day, watching you care for the egg and feeling your anticipation growing as she matures. It makes me want to start a family. Catrin walked over to Cerys, pressed their faces together, and trailed her fingers across her dragon’s scaly cheek.
You’re young yet. It will happen soon enough. You might not even know the direction your life must soon take.
You sound like my mother, always intuitive.
A stir of wind outside the cave signaled Awstin’s approach before he flew through the entrance. He let out a cheerful greeting. “Catrin, you’re needed at the palace for a matter of great urgency. Meinwen says to come immediately. Cerys, my love, take your leave, and I’ll care for our little one if you can fly Catrin.”
“Of course, Awstin,” Cerys replied.
Their noses touched, and their cheeks met before Cerys stepped to the entrance and spread her wings, flexing them. Cerys didn’t question, she could sense Awstin’s urgency even if it wasn’t for the unexpected arrival.
With no delay, Catrin climbed onto her dragon. “Thank you, Awstin, for the message.”
They were off. Catrin wondered what the haste was all about, and despite being on edge, she absorbed Cerys’s happiness over the chance to spread her wings and fly the distance to the capital city, Mared. She leaned into her dragon and rubbed her neck. In the distance, Catrin saw several more dragons flying ahead of them—Cephias and Seren, who were Aneirin and Ahnalyn’s dragons.
What do you think this is all about? Cerys asked.
Dread filled Catrin’s chest. Einion.
***
They reached the large square in the city’s center after Cephias and Seren. Aneirin and Ahnalyn waited while Cerys landed and Catrin climbed down.
“What’s going on?” Catrin embraced her brother and kissed Ahnalyn.
“No clue.” Lines of concern creased Aneirin’s forehead. “We just received the summons from a messenger.”
They hurried down a side street that led from the main square to the palace. Even in the growing dark, the palace glimmered from within. Torches, like beacons, lit the walk, drawing them to the main entrance. Aneirin pushed the golden double doors open without a break in his step. Growing apprehension bubbled inside Catrin.
Something was definitely wrong.
The trio walked down a short corridor and into the great hall with its high-arching ceiling. Catrin felt the power of Meinwen’s light in a smaller room off to the side, and they followed it to their destination. As they entered the chamber, Catrin immediately saw the worry on Meinwen’s youthful face, even though she masked her internal feelings. Lord Ithel stood at her side, lending a supportive hand to his betrothed’s shoulder.
Catrin froze. Lying on the table before Meinwen was a dragon stone—orange with golden veining, polished smooth and attached to a gold chain. Einion’s.
Ahnalyn gasped, and Catrin rushed forward and grabbed the stone. Trahaearn! Where are you? Where’s Einion?
“I tried that already,” Meinwen said. “Trahaearn is either unconscious or much worse, I fear.”
“What do we know?” Aneirin asked, his face serious for his stepson.
“The guards at the portal saw Einion’s stone fly from the barrier and land on the ground. They wasted no time going through the barrier and found evidence of a scuffle and traces of dark magic.”
“Rhianu—” Catrin’s anger flared.
You do not know that for sure, Cerys whispered.
Meinwen waved her down and continued. “After investigating circumstances on the ledge, the guards came immediately with the dragon stone, and I sent for you all straightaway. A team is analyzing the scene as we speak.”
“Where’s Trahaearn?” Catrin demanded.
Lord Ithel interjected. “We don’t know. The marks in the snow point to two dragons. I suspect Trahaearn and Aerona. If we can find Trahaearn, perhaps we can learn what became of Einion.”
“Why weren’t they traveling with a guard?” Aneirin asked.
“We don’t know,” Ithel said.
“They might still be together,” Ahnalyn said.
“You felt evil in Rhianu. We shouldn’t have allowed her to stay in Terrin with Einion. I fear this is my fault,” Catrin cried out. “I shouldn’t have left him!”
Don’t blame yourself, Cerys said.
But it’s my fault!
“Catrin, you couldn’t have known. What has happened was meant to be,” Meinwen said.
Catrin slammed her fists on the table. “How can you say that? You always say it has to do with some path or some purpose. That it’s up to others to find their own way. How is this Einion’s path that Trahaearn’s dragon stone was separated from his rider?”
“Meinwen is right,” Ahnalyn said. “We don’t know what’s happened here. We don’t know if Rhianu’s to blame. Trust, Catrin. All will be well.”
Aneirin spoke, and Catrin observed the irritation in her brother’s face. He’d always been annoyed with his mother’s insistence that circumstances are as they should be. “We must start a search party. Look for more answers. Meanwhile I should fly to Terrin. Court will be in an uproar if their king is missing. Send riders to notify King Kelyn and Lord Cadoc. They must be made aware of the situation. If Einion has truly fallen to some mischief, I fear we have other issues to worry about. It’s time we take action.”
“What do you mean?” Catrin asked.
“We should’ve stopped the Dark Emrys. Intervened in their affairs.”
“You believe they’re behind this?” Ahnalyn asked.
“Yes.” Aneirin looked deeply into his wife’s eyes. The pain of a past trauma surfaced behind them.
Ahnalyn grimaced, but nodded.
“It is as we discussed. We all heard Rhianu’s story. She said she was a captive. Perhaps they have come to retrieve her, and Einion was caught in the crossfire.”
Aneirin—always the one to believe a person was innocent until he had proof. Catrin loved that about her noble brother, but she still believed Rhianu was at fault.
Urien, the eldest son of Meinwen and Ithel, strode into the room with his robes swishing and his long chestnut blond hair trailing behind him. As the commander of the Dragon Riders, he would be head of the search. “We’ve found Trahaearn.” He turned to his sister. “Catrin, come with me. He’s badly injured, gravely so, but being healed as we speak. Trahaearn fell far down the mountain in a chasm. It’ll be some time before he can fly out. Nearly every bone in his body broke because of the great fall. He’s yet unconscious. His mind wouldn’t be able to handle that amount of pain.”
“That explains why I couldn’t feel him.” Tears of relief rolled down Catrin’s cheeks. She hastily brushed them aside, and before she could ask, Ahnalyn said the words she was thinking.
“Any sign of Einion?” Ahnalyn wrung her hands.
“No sign, I’m afraid,” Urien said.
You must find Einion, Catrin. Don’t worry about me. Go to Trahaearn, Cerys said.
Thank you, my dragon sister.
The egg will be here when you come home. You are brave. Be strong for Einion.
“I will wear the stone until we find Einion. Mother, let me go and find him. I need to do this.” Catrin slipped the stone around her neck. Still no sound from Trahaearn.
“What of Cerys?” Meinwen asked.
“She knows my mind already. She’s with me in this. The egg won’t hatch before my return. Cerys gives me strength to do this.”
Lord Ithel touched his son’s shoulder. “Urien, you know what you need to do. In light of the situation, Aneirin is right. We have procrastinated long enough. I fear we might never learn when to act. If the past conflict did not teach us, let us learn from this.”
“Yes, Father. I know what this means. Time to find my daughter. Time to bring Siana home and put an end to the darkness.”
“Aneirin, increase the patrols and assemble units in Rolant,” Urien sa
id. “I believe I know what’s to come. We need to be prepared. If Dark Emrys have ventured this far to retrieve Rhianu, then they will seek a greater conquest.”
“Lord Cadoc will not like this. He’ll look at it as an invasion,” Aneirin said.
“Lord Cadoc will not like a sudden attack from dragons who appear at the edge of his realm,” Urien said. “We’ll protect his people whether he likes the influx of dragons or not.”
“I still believe Rhianu is to blame,” Catrin whispered to herself. She just had this feeling.
Urien extended his hand to Catrin. “Are you ready? I’ll take you to Trahaearn. Cerys can return to her egg. Once Trahaearn is fit enough for flight, you and I shall fly to Rolant with the Dragon Riders and find Einion.”
“I’m ready,” Catrin grabbed her brother’s hand, and the two left the room as swiftly as they entered. Urien’s support and concern threaded into her pulse. She countered his feelings with a different attitude. Catrin was ready for a fight, and her claws would come out. She would meet Rhianu head-on.
Steady, Catrin. Not all is sure. Forgiveness leads to freedom, and hearts can be changed. One might appear to be lost forever, but it is not for you to judge. Meinwen spoke this straight to Catrin’s mind, a message for her alone.
Yes, Mother, I’ll tread cautiously.
Meinwen knew exactly how headstrong her daughter was, and for all the wisdom in it, this felt like a warning Catrin should heed.
***
The chasm Trahaearn had fallen into was deep indeed. Catrin shuddered as she counted the snowy ledges and drifts he had evidently bounced off, which had caused an avalanche of snow that was easy to track. In the end, the many breaks in his fall saved his life.
Before they reached the injured dragon, Catrin took off his stone. Trahaearn’s internal moaning roared through her mind, and his pain was so great, she couldn’t breathe. When Catrin and Urien reached the scene, several riders in the deep gash of the mountain stood around a bellowing Trahaearn. At least four of them had their hands on various parts of his body.
