“Yes.”
Jace wanted her to stay safe, and she would. If there was any sign of danger, she would hang back and return to Bel-gard or Arvael if she had to. But she couldn’t just sit here and wait for news. As much as she dreaded what would await her, she had to return to the ford.
It seemed some of the rain they’d left behind in Arcacia had finally made its way to Dorland. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and sheets of rain drifted across the meadows. Jace watched it from the cabin porch as he sipped a large cup of coffee. The liquid settled warmly in his stomach with the light breakfast he’d eaten, but it didn’t soothe the ache. The day had come. Soon, Dorland would be at war with Arcacia. They’d spent all of the previous day scouting the terrain and creating whatever obstacles they could to hinder Daican’s men. The rest was in Elôm’s hands.
He looked toward the forest to the south. Every time he glanced that way he hoped to see an army of ryriks led by Saul, but the open plain remained empty. Even if Saul had gathered men, it would have taken time to prepare and make the journey from the village. Jace prayed they would still arrive before it was too late.
He wrapped his left hand around the sword at his side, trying to get used to the unfamiliar grip. It was one of the Arcacian swords taken from the dead ryriks. Though a finely constructed weapon, it was not his sword. That one still resided with the ryriks. He frowned. Rayad had given him that sword a year after they’d come to the farm. He’d purchased it from a traveling merchant in Kinnim and given it to Jace on his birthday, or at least the day they’d chosen to celebrate his birthday. He’d rarely parted from it in the last four years. Not that it would really matter now, but if he had to go out fighting, he would have preferred to have a familiar weapon and not one that had so recently belonged to their enemy.
He glanced at the others, who stood on the porch with him. Some drank coffee while others inspected their weapons. It reminded him of the hours leading up to the battle at Stonehelm. Like Kyrin, he’d hoped not to face such an experience again. He could only pray that everyone would come out of this alive the same as they had then. He had to be realistic, though, at the improbability of them holding off Daican’s men. It would take a miracle.
At last, Captain Darq spoke. “I’m going to make sure Chand hasn’t worked himself loose and then saddle up.”
He left the porch and headed toward the barn where they’d left the crete for the night, looking like a giant spider had bound him to one of the support beams. Kaden, Talas, Naeth, and Aaron stepped out into the rain as well and walked toward the dragons. It would be up to the four of them and Darq to take on the twenty firedrakes and their riders.
Jace returned his coffee cup to the cabin and walked out after the riders to the dragons. Gem didn’t seem to mind the wet weather at all. She looked at him and purred when he stroked her rain-slicked scales.
“You’re a good girl,” he murmured.
She chirped and nosed his cloak before resting her chin on his shoulder. He wrapped one arm around her neck and continued stroking her with the other.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Jace looked over at Kaden, who stood next to Exsis. Everyone had agreed without question that Kaden and the others should take all the dragons with them. Even without riders, they could still fight. The extra dragons could mean the difference between life and death for them, and stopping the firedrakes had to take priority. They would do the most damage if they reached Bel-gard or any of the villages along the way.
“Just don’t risk your life to do it.” No dragon was worth a person’s life, even one as beloved as Gem.
A few minutes later, the rest of their group left the shelter of the porch. Marcus and Michael approached—Michael with a sword hanging from his belt. He walked with a confident stride, almost as tall as Marcus, yet uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Jace had been only a couple of months older than Michael when Jasper had thrust him into the arena for the first time. He remembered the fear leading up to it. It was easy to fake bravery outwardly, but not so much in the privacy of your own head. And this was the first time Michael would have to kill anyone. Jace had already known the horror of it before the arenas. He winced but shoved the past behind him where it belonged.
The two brothers stopped near Kaden, who turned from his dragon and faced Marcus.
“Well, you two take care of yourselves. Try not to take any more spears to the side.”
Marcus nodded. “And you try to avoid any more burns and dislocated limbs.”
They grinned at each other, and then Marcus shook his head, glancing at Michael. “You know, if we survive and make it back to Landale, Mother is going to kill us for this.”
Kaden raised his brows in agreement.
“You couldn’t make me leave,” Michael said.
“Don’t be so sure,” Marcus responded. “With Kaden’s help, I could have tied you to Kyrin’s dragon . . . I probably should have.”
Michael folded his arms. “Come on, I have as much right to stay here and fight as Kaden does.”
Marcus didn’t respond this time. As calm as he was, Jace still sensed his misgivings over allowing his little brother to get involved in this. Yet, the truth remained that they were at war. They needed every available swordsman, even if they were young.
Kaden then focused on Michael. “Just keep in mind everything Marcus has taught you. He knows what he’s talking about.”
“I will.”
Kaden hauled first him and then Marcus into a crushing embrace. “All right, let’s go get this taken care of so we can all sit down to a good supper tonight.”
Marcus smiled grimly. “Sounds good.”
He and Michael turned to join the others, who gathered nearby. Jace gave Gem a final pat and turned as well but paused to face Kaden. “Be careful.”
He nodded slowly, glancing toward the river. “I don’t know what it’ll be like out there for you, but keep yourself alive for Kyrin. She might lose us, but the two of you could have a good life together. I don’t want her to lose that too.”
Jace dragged a deep breath into his lungs, which had begun to tighten up. “I’ll do my best. But that good life would be even better for her with all of her brothers around too.”
“Elôm willing, we will be.”
Jace clasped Kaden’s arm. “See you at supper.”
Kaden echoed him, and they parted.
Jace joined the others in their ground force—twelve men in total, including Jorvik and his brothers—and they stood back as the dragon riders mounted. In a moment, they took to the air and called the riderless dragons after them. Most obeyed, though Gem hesitated, her brilliant eyes staring at Jace. He told her to follow and watched her spread her wings to obey him.
As she flew away, his eyes stung, and he cleared his throat. He drew another deep breath, but the ache in his chest only intensified as he looked around at his companions. Twelve against more than fifty. Jace had faced bad odds before but nothing like this. And yet, how many impossible situations had Elôm rescued him from? He reached out to Him, craving the reassurance of His presence, and prayed for deliverance.
“We should go,” Balen said, his voice deeper than usual.
Jorvik and his brothers took the lead, each carrying a pole with a long banner the same color as those on the walls of Bel-gard. They left the farmyard and trekked across the meadow as a light rain fell around them. A breeze caught the banners, sending them curling and flapping deep crimson against the slate colored sky.
They marched in silence. Rainwater dripped from Jace’s hair. When they arrived at the ford, they found the river had risen with the rain. They looked across to the other side, but so far, it lay empty. At the water’s edge, Jorvik stuck his banner forcefully into the sand and pebbles. Halvar and Levi did the same.
“I will die before I let an enemy of Dorland set foot beyond these banners.” Jorvik hung his head. “Elôm willing, it won’t come to that . . . for any of us.” He turned to face them. “L
ast chance to change your mind. We brought this on ourselves with our complacency. You need not risk your lives.”
Balen shook his head. “Whatever happens here affects the entire future of Ilyon. All of us—Arcacia, Samara, Dorland—we’ve all failed in some way and are all in part responsible for what has happened. It’s as much our fight as yours.”
Together, they crossed the ford, sloshing through the cool water to the opposite bank, and entered the forest. They proceeded cautiously, avoiding the trip ropes they had set and the hollows they had concealed. Jace peered ahead to pick out any movement or sound of approaching soldiers. About a mile from the ford, they stopped in a thickly wooded area of pines and tall ferns—the perfect ambush point. Here, they strung their bows and found cover. Nearby, Jace heard Marcus tell Michael, “Just stay close to me.”
Jace looked over to see Michael nod. Now that they were in position and there was no going back, his fear was more evident in his taut expression.
Jace scanned the trees ahead of them again before looking at Rayad, who waited at his side. “Have I ever told you how glad I am that you talked me into going to Landale? I can’t say it has been easy, but I would never trade everyone we’ve come to know for the solitude I thought I wanted.”
Rayad smiled faintly. “As nice as retirement and peace would be, I wouldn’t trade it either.”
“I can’t see you sitting with your feet propped up and lazing around anyway.” Even at the farm, he’d worked hard with Aldor.
Rayad chuckled. “You’re probably right. My father never slowed down either.”
“I look forward to meeting him one day.” Perhaps even soon, depending on how today went.
“He’d be right here with us, that’s for sure.”
Jace smiled at the thought of it. He imagined Rayad was very much like his father.
A distant sound snapped his attention back to the forest. He strained his ears to pick up a faint rustling. Jace waited a moment until the sound of marching feet grew more distinct.
“They’re coming.”
He signaled to the others and reached back for an arrow. After fitting it to the bowstring, he took a position next to a large tree where he’d be mostly hidden but still have a clear view to aim. Rayad and Holden took their positions to his left, while the others spread out to the right. Everyone with a bow stood ready.
Jace’s heart pumped hot blood through his body as the marching drew closer, though muffled by the wet conditions. After a couple of minutes, flashes of gold and black interrupted the green of the trees. The distance between them and Daican’s men decreased another several yards. Jace drew back his bowstring and peered down the arrow shaft, focusing on one of the soldiers.
His mouth went dry. He’d never killed anyone in a surprise attack before. This ambush was his idea. Had he been wrong to suggest it? Elôm?
For a brief moment, he wavered with the morality of it, but then he steeled himself. This was war. Their enemies had come to destroy, and it was up to the few here to defend Dorland to the best of their ability.
Two heartbeats later, he let his arrow fly. With a grunt, the soldier went down. A slight twinge of regret passed through Jace just before several of the other soldiers fell. But he reached for another arrow from his full quiver as chaos ensued among the enemy ranks.
Perched in the branches of the giant pines for camouflage, Kaden waited and watched the sky with Exsis. His heart beat a steady rhythm. His experiences while leading his men in Samara eliminated the fear of the unknown. He knew what he was facing and what he would have to do. Still, grim anticipation had his muscles wound taut. He rolled his shoulders to loosen them.
Exsis must have sensed it and released a low grumble, his leg muscles rippling as he gripped the branches. Kaden patted his dragon’s neck and then swiped at the raindrops dripping down his face. This moisture would make his saddle and weapons slick. On the bright side, his clothing would be less likely to catch fire.
He glanced downward but couldn’t see the forest floor through the dense foliage. They were close to the ambush site, and he listened, but all was silent . . . so far. If their calculations were correct, Daican’s men should show up any time now.
Black shapes materialized through the mist in the distance. Kaden sat up straighter, his pulse elevating. This was it.
The firedrakes rapidly grew in size as they drew closer. Exsis growled, lowering his head as he peered at the oncoming drakes. He exhaled loudly, and two streams of smoke curled around his nostrils.
“Easy,” Kaden murmured.
By now, the firedrakes had nearly reached them, but they maintained their position. They needed to give their ground force the opportunity to attack first before engaging the firedrakes and alerting Daican’s men of the danger. They waited until the firedrakes were just about to fly over before commotion erupted below them. Men cried out somewhere in the forest. With one look from Captain Darq, Kaden knew it was time.
He gripped the saddle bar. At the captain’s signal, all five of them burst from the forest canopy, straight toward the firedrakes. The riderless dragons followed. Kaden remained close to Talas. Working together gave them the best chance of survival. Two could take out a firedrake much more easily than one.
Exsis released a thundering roar as they shot up through the firedrake force. The air around them filled with the ear-piercing shrieks and surprised roars from the beasts. Kaden evened out the moment he cleared them and flew straight for the nearest firedrake, flaming its left wing and its rider before they had a chance to react. Talas flew directly behind him. The heat of Storm’s fire warmed his back. The firedrake released a panicked screech, unable to stay aloft with both its wings severely burned. It plummeted toward the forest in a trail of dark smoke. Two others joined it.
But the element of surprise died after this first attack, and the firedrakes fought back. Kaden dove sharply, barely missing a head-on collision with a drake, whose maw gaped open to spill out fire. He looked over his shoulder for Talas. His friend had managed to soar over the top of the firedrake and hit it with a good burst of fire in the process. This only incited the beast, and it pursued them.
Kaden glanced around for Gem. She and the other riderless dragons swooped among the firedrakes, blasting them with fire whenever they could. Satisfied she was all right for now, he focused again on the firedrake that still chased him. He pushed Exsis into a dive again, straight toward the trees. Their greatest advantage against the beasts was their mobility within the forest canopy. When he drew closer, he looked to his right to make sure Talas was with him. His friend gave him a nod and slowed a little, gaining the firedrake’s attention. Kaden split off from them, and the firedrake pursued Talas. Just as the beast came close enough to blast the crete with fire, Talas banked sharply around a pine. The firedrake struggled with the sharp turn and took it wide.
Kaden curved around in the opposite direction and cut across over the top of the firedrake, searing its wings, though not enough to immobilize it. A blasting roar from just behind him warned of approaching danger. He swung Exsis around one of the trees right before a ball of fire crashed into the pine just ahead. Now it all came down to a dangerous game of out-maneuvering and outwitting each other.
Jace reached for another arrow. His quiver was almost empty. Though their arrows had kept Daican’s men at bay, the enemy steadily gained ground. The soldiers still proceeded with caution, using the trees for cover as best they could. However, once they realized they were only up against twelve men, Jace had no doubt they would push forward for a full-scale attack.
Overhead, roars and screeching echoed across the sky like thunder. Every so often, tree limbs crackled and splintered, followed by the solid thud of something large hitting the ground. Every time, Jace prayed it was a firedrake and not a dragon.
After firing a shot at a soldier who tried to change positions, Jace motioned to Rayad and Holden. Staying low, they sprinted to a thick patch of undergrowth a couple of yards away. Every fe
w arrows, they changed positions so the soldiers wouldn’t have one area to focus on.
Still gripping his bow, Jace looked over his shoulder. Four arrows left. Once they ran out, it would be close quarter combat. He couldn’t tell how many men they had taken out but certainly not enough to even the odds.
Just as he reached for a final arrow, soldiers burst from the brush to their left. Jace dropped his bow and yanked out his sword. Metal rang through the forest as his blade collided with that of the first soldier. Though he’d hardly wielded a sword in a year, instinct took over, and his blood pulsed hot. After trading several back and forth blows, Jace left the man wounded on the ground and turned his attention to the next.
Swords clashed around him as the others engaged in battle. Jace took down another foe before looking ahead. Soldiers surged forward. Heat raced through his body and down into his hands with his desire to protect everyone. But even the advantage his blood might give him was not enough to make up for their lack of numbers.
Several more soldiers rushed at him, Rayad, and Holden. Jace barely blocked one before another lunged. He dodged the blade and used the man’s momentum against him, but others were moving in.
Then, behind him, Marcus yelled, “Fall back!”
Making sure Rayad and Holden were with him, Jace snatched up his bow, and they regrouped with the others to retreat to a new area of cover. Jace scanned the group. So far, they had not lost anyone, but they only had a couple dozen more arrows between them. They might be able to slow the advance of the soldiers again, briefly, but after that . . .
Forcing it from his mind, his attention jerked back to their pursuing foes, and he nocked an arrow from the handful Holden shared with him. Careful to make one of his precious few shots count, he released, and a soldier went down. The others fired. The soldiers did dive for cover but didn’t hide for long. They approached more boldly now. In only a couple of minutes, Jace and the others were out of arrows. Dropping his bow again, Jace gripped his sword. It would all be close combat from here.
Exiles (Ilyon Chronicles Book 4) Page 34
