With a heavy heart, he conceded. “Very well. How long will it take to gather them?”
Pendric gave a sad smile. “Not long at all. My home is but a stone’s throw away.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jahrra, Ellyesce and Dervit had two new traveling companions. Whinsey and Erron, Pendric’s wife and son, arrived atop a gentle, big-boned mare. A few bags and blankets were tied to her back.
Before mounting the horse, Whinsey turned to her husband. Jahrra watched as he gathered her up in his arms and kissed her as if the city was burning down around them. A small pang of remorse stabbed at her. Although she had never fully admitted it to herself, that was what she had wanted with Keiron, but now it all seemed rather ridiculous. There was something between Pendric and his wife that was never there with her and the regent’s son. True, she had been swept away by his attention and charms, but it had been nothing but whimsy. To love someone, you had to be willing to face not only your own demons, but your partner’s demons as well. Even when Jahrra had watched as Keiron got dragged away by the mercenaries, she hadn’t felt that desperate willingness to give over her life for his. She had been terrified and worried for him, and she still was, but she couldn’t feel it in the deepest recesses of her heart.
Pendric gave his wife one more gentle kiss, then bent to take his son in his arms. Jahrra bit her lip. She hated that he would be staying behind, hated that, should the Tyrant’s army breach the wall, the captain of the guard would be in the most danger.
Whinsey and Erron turned away and climbed back onto the horse. The massive gate before them creaked open, creating a narrow crevasse in the towering, black wall. Ellyesce, an arrow ready in his bow, led his semequin through, the pack horse trailing behind by the lead rope with Dervit nestled between the saddlebags, his red ears peaking above and swiveling, searching for stray sounds.
Jahrra let Whinsey and her son ride ahead of her, then she stiffened her spine and turned Phrym away to follow after her companions.
Before Phrym took two steps, Jaax said, “Jahrra, hold on.”
She turned her head, giving the dragon her full attention.
“I’ve asked Ellyesce to take you through the Serpent’s Tomb,” he spoke, his voice only loud enough for her to hear. “It is a series of caves that run up the western edge of the mountainside like a covered road. The passages are small and narrow, but wide enough for all of you to pass with the horses. The entrance to the caverns lies a few miles farther up the mountains, and it will take you within ten miles of Nimbronia. Ellyesce knows where to find it.”
He took a breath, closing his eyes as he did so. “I will stay behind and attempt to delay the commander and his army. You must promise me you will not turn back for any reason. Your safety means everything, and you must make it to Nimbronia, no matter what the cost.”
Jahrra’s grip tightened on Phrym’s reins, but she nodded. “And you’ll meet up with us as soon as you can, right?”
Jaax didn’t answer for a while, then, in order to avoid what she was truly asking him, he shook his head and said, “I cannot fit within the caves. I am too big. The plan was to take the easterly road up the mountainside, but circumstances have obviously changed. That path is far too exposed and will take much longer to travel.”
He didn’t look at Jahrra. He didn’t want to see the expression on her face when she finally understood what he wasn’t saying. What he himself didn’t want to consider.
“Jaax.”
It was a statement, not a question. Against his better judgment, he gave Jahrra his full attention. Her blue grey eyes were shining with unshed tears, but she held them back. He smiled. He couldn’t help it. His strong ward. Silly of him to think she would let anything defeat her. Had she not taken on a dragon before and removed one of his scales in the effort?
“I–” she began, but then paused and furrowed her brow before giving her head a small shake. Then, with a far steadier and much more determined voice, she said, “I’ll see you in Nimbronia.”
Jaax smiled, a weak smile, but a smile nonetheless.
Jahrra made to leave, but then lowered her voice one last time and whispered, “I need you to do something for me, if you can.”
Jaax glanced at her, his eyes clear. He nodded once. “Go ahead. What is it you ask of me?”
Jahrra bit the inside of her cheek and peered past her guardian. Pendric had turned around to give his men instructions. Good. He would be out of ear shot.
“Don’t let them take Pendric. Make sure he gets out, and bring him to Nimbronia with you.”
Jahrra hated the idea of any of the soldiers getting hurt, or worse, killed. She had practiced alongside them, had sparred with a few of them and they were all good people. They did not deserve to die. But the thought of Pendric dying was even worse. She could not imagine the pain his wife and son and unborn baby would have to bear if he fell defending the city so that she might escape to live another day.
She didn’t wait for Jaax’s answer because she feared it would be ‘no’. Instead, she stiffened her spine and encouraged Phrym to follow after the others.
“We will see you then, Pendric and I,” Jaax called after her, “when you exit the caves below Nimbronia.”
Jahrra turned her head and gave her guardian one last, brilliant smile, then tapped Phrym on the flanks. Jaax watched as she and the semequin disappeared into the darkness of night. He continued to gaze into the trees until he could no longer hear or smell them. As the captain of the guard readied his Resai soldiers for the impending battle at dawn, Jaax remained still and silent, his attention drawn northward, even when he knew he should take to the skies and head south to where the Tyrant’s army began to stir.
-Chapter Seventeen-
A Departure in the Dark
Jaax didn’t fly off to scorch the Crimson King’s army right away. Instead, he called Pendric back to speak with him. The captain of the guard looked like a different man in the orange glow of torchlight. His eyes shone darker, his face harder than usual. He held himself with a stiff resignation, yet he managed to remain steadfast on the outside as an example to his men. Jaax clenched his teeth. The regent’s captain was a good soul and did not deserve the wrath of the Red Flange because of a dragon’s whim to hide his ward within the city for a fortnight’s worth of rest. Jaax felt responsible, and more than ever, he hoped to keep that promise he’d made to Jahrra. Somehow, he would get Pendric out of the city before it succumbed to the enemy. For now, however, he needed to let the captain of the guard know every detail so that he might be prepared.
“You wished to speak with me?” Pendric asked, donning a cloak of patience as he stood alert before the dragon.
Jaax grimaced. What he was about to tell the young captain would bring him pain, but it had to be done.
“There is more to Dervit’s story than what he told you.”
Pendric nodded for Jaax to go on.
“The Crimson King’s men were not the only ones present at the meeting above the tavern this past night. And the attack on Jahrra the other day was orchestrated by citizens of Cahrdyarein.”
Pendric drew in a sharp hiss of breath, but managed to keep his composure. “Did the limbit catch their names by any chance?”
Jaax nodded grimly and closed his eyes, digging his talons into the muddy earth below his feet. “Keiron wasn’t kidnapped, Pendric. He arranged the entire thing, pretending to be a victim in case the plan backfired on him. While the commander of the Red Flange gathers his most elite fighters and sends word to his troops to start moving on the city, the regent’s son is to guard the southeastern section of the wall.”
“No!” Pendric gritted out through clenched teeth. “I have known the lad since he was my son’s age. He would not betray the people of Cahrdyarein!”
“Pendric,” Jaax began, but the Resai elf cut him off.
“You cannot tell me that a young man I’ve known for nearly twenty years has suddenly become a cold-blooded traitor!”
“He has
fooled all of us, Pendric!” Jaax insisted firmly. “Not just you. He’s deceived his father, his mother. He spent the past two weeks cultivating Jahrra’s friendship to the point of absolute trust.”
“I will not listen to you!” the captain of the guard growled, his fists clenched at his sides as he paced the small ledge on the staircase, his cloak billowing out behind him.
“You must!” Jaax stated with some heat, tendrils of smoke escaping between his sharp teeth. “It explains so much. Mine and Ellyesce’s distrust of him, the way the commander of the Red Flange was able to sneak into the city undetected, the fact that the men who accosted Jahrra knew exactly when and where she would be found alone.”
Pendric glared at the dragon with hard, blue eyes. “This is treason you speak of. Treason a son has committed against his own father,” he said.
Jaax shook his head. “It would be treason if Morivan were king. Morivan is not king, but it is treachery, nonetheless.”
The Resai elf paced for a few moments more, but he seemed to be losing his bluster. Eventually, he sank onto one of the stone benches nearby and dropped his face into his hands. Jaax gave him a few moments, only imagining the sort of turmoil he must be going through. To discover that the young man he had sworn to protect from all evil had turned on him and his people was an injury that would not heal anytime soon. Especially for someone with as much honor as Pendric.
“I cannot believe it,” he finally murmured.
Jaax had to strain his ears to hear the elf. Above and below them, the soldiers of Cahrdyarein were alive with activity, their leather and metal armor squeaking and clinking as they bustled about, making ready for battle. Every now and then, a voice would bark out an order for men and women to remain at their posts or to run off and awaken their comrades who slept safely in their homes, unaware of the impending danger that loomed on the horizon.
“You must,” Jaax said once again.
Pendric wrenched his dark head away from his hands. His pale eyes were haunted with rage, sorrow and disbelief. The captain of the guard swallowed.
“But you did not see him yourself. You did not hear his words with your own ears.”
Jaax shook his head somberly. “Dervit has proven himself honorable on more occasions than I can count on two hands. He would not lie.”
Pendric grit his teeth and bit out, “But you have known him less than a month!”
“Pendric!” Jaax snapped. “I understand the terrible shock this must be to you, but it is the truth! There was no lie in the limbit’s eyes, and a subtle darkness clings about your young lord. I sensed it, Ellyesce sensed it. Even Dervit sensed it.”
“Then why did I not notice?” Pendric cried out, standing up in a rush and facing Jaax head on.
So, this was what most troubled the captain. Not that Keiron had betrayed them, but that he, the captain of the guard, the one person responsible for the safety of the people of Cahrdyarein, hadn’t seen the evil in his young student’s soul.
“Pendric, listen to me,” Jaax said carefully. “You are not to blame for this misfortune. I have seen you work with the soldiers, I have heard Jahrra sing your praises. Just as the rain falls upon a forest, bringing its cool nourishment to the abundant life around it, there are those who will still curse it for daring to dampen their heads.”
The elf took a deep breath and regarded the dragon with a tired expression.
“You cannot cultivate honor in all those you meet, nor should you be expected to. All you can do is exude the goodness within your own soul and hope your influence falls upon willing hearts.”
To his relief, Pendric’s lip curled up in the corner. “You know, that is something Jahrra might say to someone having a bad day during practice. Not those exact words, of course, but the delivery would be the same.”
Despite himself, Jaax smiled. A true, full smile without a speck of his usual domineering arrogance.
“It’s something the Korli dragon Hroombramantu taught me, and seeing as Jahrra was also his pupil, I am not surprised in the least she might repeat the philosophies he impressed upon her.”
The Resai elf returned Jaax’s smile, but it didn’t last long. He released a deep breath as a shadow fell over his face again. “I still struggle to believe it, but you have no reason to lie to me, and you have shown your worth and honor these past weeks in Cahrdyarein.”
Jaax nodded, his own face grim.
A flurry of activity on the wall above drew Pendric’s attention away.
“Captain!” someone barked. “We have heard back from the runners. All troops have been told to prepare for battle and meet here to receive further word.”
Pendric nodded. “Good,” he said.
“Should I take my men and march upon the southeastern quarter of the wall?” the soldier asked.
Pendric shot Jaax a glance, then faced his second in command. “There is more to this impending battle than we were first told, Gendon. I need you to gather all the senior officers currently stationed near the north wall and bring them back here.”
The elf gave his captain a quick nod of the head and turned to the young soldiers surrounding him. He then barked out orders for them to disperse along the wall for a mile in each direction and to inform any first officers they met along the way to report to the north gate.
Pendric turned to Jaax. “I’m certain I can count on you to delay the horde gathered on the western road for as long as possible. The wall should hold, but now that I know Keiron has betrayed us, I cannot rely on our secret entrances being secret any longer. We have hidden chambers located beneath the city, and I will order all the young children and civilians to hide there until this fight is over. Tunnels running from those rooms lead to an extensive cave system that eventually empties into the river basin several miles down the valley. If the worst happens, they will know to head for the caverns.”
Jaax bowed his head. And this is why he had insisted upon sending his wife and child away with Jahrra. They would have a much better chance surviving with his ward than they would with the refugees. At least they had a head start, and their final destination was a guaranteed safe haven. And Jaax could only imagine the guilt Pendric felt for getting the chance to send his family to Nimbronia while others would watch theirs perish, or wonder if they’d ever escape the caverns once the enemy learned of their existence.
The dragon drew in a deep breath and let it out quickly. “You know I will do everything in my power to diminish their numbers, but I fear even my fire isn’t enough to destroy them all. And they have skurmages with them.”
He clenched his jaw, then added, “I do not fear death, should that be my fate. What I do fear is Jahrra continuing on her current path alone.”
The Tanaan dragon knew Ellyesce would not abandon her, nor would her new friend Dervit, but the idea of dying before Jahrra had her chance to confront the Crimson King dug at him in a way that made him want to defy Ethoes herself should death try to claim him. He would not let his ward face such horrors alone.
Pendric nodded once. “I understand.”
“Then, I had best get to my task. Dawn is not too far off, and the Tyrant’s troops have surely been called to march by now.”
Jaax turned and spread his wings, ready to launch himself into the sky.
“Raejaaxorix,” Pendric called out behind him.
The dragon turned and peered at the captain over his shoulder.
“Does Jahrra know? About Keiron?”
Jaax shook his head. “No. Not yet.”
Pendric placed his hands on his hips and let some of the tension drain away.
“Good. I am glad.”
Giving a terse nod in response, Jaax launched himself into the sky above the northern end of Cahrdyarein with one mighty thrust of his wings. He quickly gained altitude, the frosty air working its way between his scales. When he banked to sweep back over the north gate, he breathed a jet of emerald flame, hoping the sight of a dragon fighting on their side would give courage to those still
loyal to Cahrdyarein.
In a matter of minutes, Jaax soared beyond the sleeping city, heading west to where the Tyrant’s men had last camped. He gave the southern section of the wall a quick perusal as he flew over, but the black line of the barricade was not broken by a single flicker of light. Either Keiron and his followers had hunkered down against the stone until their comrades arrived, or they had left to take part in more nefarious deeds.
Jaax clenched his teeth. Even now, Jahrra’s attacker evaded him. No matter. The Tanaan dragon would not forget the young Resai elf who had dared to meddle with his ward’s trust and admiration. Keiron would pay. Perhaps he wouldn’t pay this day, but sometime in the future, Jaax would make the little miscreant regret his actions.
* * *
Jahrra had to rely upon Phrym’s senses of sight and direction, as her small party made their way as silently as they could up the rock-strewn and tree-clogged mountainside. To her great relief, the only sound coming from them was the gentle plod of hooves and the occasional huff of breath from one of the horses. Even Pendric’s young son didn’t whimper or cry out. But then again, being Pendric’s son, he was much like his father: brave and uncommonly patient. Thinking of the captain of the guard made the twinge of worry spike in Jahrra’s chest once again. She knew this whole wretched situation wasn’t her fault, not really, but she couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible for it.
Phrym’s foot slipped on some loose gravel, jarring Jahrra’s injured leg. She sucked in a sharp breath and willed the deep ache to pass. Sweat broke out on her forehead before it dimmed. If only she hadn’t sprained her knee, they could have been moving at twice their current speed. Oh well. Another thing she could not help. Up ahead, she spotted Ellyesce atop his brilliant white semequin, the two of them like statues against the dark that was slowly growing less and less black. Dawn approached, and soon, Cahrdyarein would be swarming with the Crimson King’s soldiers. Without warning, images of the innocent people of the mountain city falling victim to the Red Flange surfaced in her mind.
The Ascending Page 29
