Thunk!
Tevor screamed. An arrow struck his lower back.
Thunk!
Another hit his upper back as one came within inches of hitting Soren. Dex dove. Soren’s stomached tightened as he began to slip. He yanked Tevor one more time. Bevin grabbed his father, securing him arms around him. Bevin nodded at Soren. He let go of Tevor as Dex made a sharp turn. He grabbed the harness. His fingers tightened on the leather as he righted himself on Dex’s back. His eyes widened as he saw a dragon flying toward them. The brown dragon opened its massive jaws, shooting a fireball directly at them.
Chapter Nineteen
The light returned as it always did when they Blinked, but there was always a moment when they were lost in the darkness that Soren wondered if it ever would. His eyes scanned the blue sky. There were no dragons in the air, no fireball coming at them. He heard noise behind him. Turning, he saw a pale Tevor still gripped in his son’s arms. He could see the man’s mouth moving but any words he said were swept away in the wind. Dex flew over Camden before landing outside the city. As soon as the dragon’s feet hit the ground, Soren dismounted. He turned, catching Tevor as Bevin let go.
“Never again,” Tevor muttered.
“Why didn’t we land in the city?” Bevin asked as he slid to the ground.
Together he and Soren helped Tevor to a shady spot under a nearby tree.
“I did not see the other dragons,” Dex said. “I did not want to cause panic by landing in the city.”
“The others should arrive soon,” Soren said. “I wonder if Camden knows they are going to be the site of a major battle.”
Bevin laid a hand on his father’s side as he peered at the two arrows in his back. “He needs a healer.”
“No more dragons,” Tevor muttered. He lay on his side; his breathing labored. “Never again.”
Bevin took off toward the city as Soren knelt beside the older man. One look at the arrows told him how serious the man’s injuries were. The arrow in his upper back most likely penetrated his lungs. Removing it would mean his death.
“Get away.” Tevor swatted at him. “I don’t need…your help.” He clutched his chest as he coughed. “Abomination. This whole business with the dragon…the blood…Blinking.”
“I was only trying to help.”
Tevor coughed again. “There is noting to be done. I know this type of injury. The healers will not be able to help.” He wheezed. “The General…He will want…”
“Save your energy.”
Tevor shook his head and continued speaking in a weak voice. “No, we went to gather information.” He coughed again. Soren handed him a cloth, and Tevor wiped blood from his mouth. “The army numbers easily over five hundred. Their armor and weapons…” He gasped for breath, waving Soren away as moved closer. “Nothing out of the ordinary. The camp…it is set up with the more skilled…around the center. I suspect they will march the same way...protecting their leaders.”
Tevor coughed, his body shaking as he clutched his chest. Soren didn’t dare move forward, knowing the man would refuse his help. There was nothing he could do anyway beyond comfort the man, and Tevor didn’t want or need that. He prayed Bevin would return soon.
The sound of footsteps caused him to turn. Bevin and four other men ran into view. Three of the men skid to a stop, warily eyeing Dex. The red dragon flicked his tail and retreated a few steps back. The other man was obviously the healer as he rushed to Tevor’s side. Kneeling, he examined the wound. His face was grave as he ordered the others to load him on the stretcher. They moved quickly and carried him away with Bevin at his side. One man remained. He slowly approached Soren.
“Captain,” Soren said, noting the marks on the shoulder of the man’s tunic.
“Darvin Bayn,” he said, glancing at Dex. “We had heard you might be arriving, but the communication said to expect you no later than yesterday.”
“We decided to do a little scouting of the enemy first. How did you know we were coming?”
“Our wizard, Elden, received word. He told us to watch for you. He also said the sky should be full of dragons later this morning as the others arrive from Ballinger.” His eyes were drawn to Dex again. “You really ride that thing?”
“That thing is named Reddex,” Soren said, his voice cool. “Dex, say hello to Captain Bayn.”
“Nice to meet you, Captain.” He lashed his tail as he took a step forward.
Darvin jumped, his hand pressing to his chest. His eyes bulged. “He spoke!”
The dragon now towered over the man. Beads of sweat ran down the Darvin’s face. The Captain hastily took a step backward as Dex opened his mouth enough for the man to see his fangs.
“I…I…I didn’t mean any offense.” Darwin continued stepping backward. “I did not mean to call you a thing.”
Soren stepped between the two. “Take it easy, Dex. As you can see the Captain has learned something.”
“No offense taken.”
Soren wrapped his arm around Darvin’s shoulders and turned the man toward Camden. The guard glanced back a few times as if to make sure Dex wasn’t following them. He relaxed once they were safely beyond the dragon’s view.
“You said the other dragons will arrive today?” Soren said.
Darwin nodded. “That is what Elden said. You can give me your assessment of the approaching army, and I will talk with Bevin and his father…later.”
“We both know, and I am sure Bevin knows his father won’t last long. He gave me his thoughts on the army’s ranks while we waited for Bevin to return.”
Darwin sighed with relief. “Good. I wasn’t looking forward to questioning him.”
The Captain led him to a large building in the center of the city. They entered the first room off the long hall. While the desk was clear of paper, most of the other areas weren’t. Stacks of paper lined the table behind the desk, and several maps were pinned to the wall. Darvin walked around the desk and sat. Soren sat on the chair across for him. Darvin took notes as he asked Soren questions about what he had seen when they flew over the army. He gave him what little information he had about the leader and the one holding the scepter.
“A woman? Hmm,” Darwin said. “Are you sure?”
“Not positive but the long hair and the way the person moved makes me think it is a woman. They don’t move the same way as we do.”
Darwin smiled. “No, they don’t. Not that I am complaining.” He stood. “I don’t recognize the description of this man beside her. I will run it by Elden and Colonel Hadar. Feel free to stay here or go to the dining hall. They always have something cooking for the guards.”
Soren watched him leave. He rose. Something to eat besides travel rations sounded divine. He wandered out of the room and followed his nose until he found the dining hall. It was a long room. At one end, a fire roared in a giant hearth. A long, wide table laden with food was pushed against the back wall. Two huge tables filled the rest of the room. A few guards sat together at one table. They didn’t pay him any heed as he filled a bowl with stew and sat at the other end of the table.
As Soren ate, he listened to the guards. It seemed news of Dex’s arrival had reached them. One of the other guards kept insisting more dragons were supposed to be coming. The others didn’t seem to believe him. But it was the man beside him that had Soren’s interest. The man kept glancing his way. Finally, the man sat down his spoon and faced him.
“I saw you earlier with the Captain. Are you the dragon rider?”
Even though King Arden had referred to him as such, the term dragon rider seemed foreign to his ears. But he knew it was accurate, so he nodded. The others had stopped arguing and now stared at Soren with looks of awe. All of sudden they all began to pepper him with questions.
“What’s it like to fly? Were you scared?”
“Are the dragons back? Are more coming here?”
“How did you get a dragon?”
He held up his hand to stem the flow of questions. “Ye
s, the dragons are working with King Arden, and they are on their way here. Flying is scary and as to how I got a dragon…well that is a longer story. Let’s say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Soren rose, intent on escaping their questions. He might have time to wash up and find clean clothes before the others arrived.
“Hey, wait,” one of the guards said. “What is that mark on your neck?”
“Dragons!” A boy of about twelve ran into the room and up to the guards’ table. “Dragons! There are dragons in the sky outside!”
The guards rushed outside with the boy leaving Soren alone. If King Arden and the others had arrived, he figured he might have about a half an hour before someone began searching for him. He was sure the general would want a first-hand account of the other army. He knew the barracks had to be close to the dining hall. He walked down the empty halls, opening doors until he found a supply closet. He grabbed clean clothes and proceeded to open doors until he found a guard’s room.
The room he entered was small, barely big enough for the thin bed and narrow chest of drawers. It was the bowl and pitcher that had Soren’s attention. As he expected, the pitcher held water. He poured some in the bowl. In the top drawer, he found a rag. Wetting it, he proceeded to wipe the dirt from his face. He stripped away his soiled clothes, leaving on only his necklace. He washed off the rest of his body. He put down the rag and with his fingers traced the marks on his arms. No one who saw them would believe they had happened two days ago. The stab wound on chest was nearly healed too. He pulled on the new clothes. Before leaving, he retrieved the dragon scale from the pocket of his discarded pants. He slipped it into his pocket as he left the room. He didn’t get far when someone called his name.
“You must come with me,” the short man who hailed him said. “The King requests your presence.”
Soren followed the man through the halls. The room they entered was a bustle of activity. Several people came in carrying food as others rushed about the room doing who knew what. Soren moved off to the side, unsure what to do. Sitting at the table in the center of the room was the King, General Thayer, Captain Bayn and two other men he didn’t know.
“Clear the room,” General Thayer barked as the wizard, Cane, crossed the room to take one of the two remaining seats. The King leaned toward the General and said something. General Thayer scowled at Soren. “Join us.”
He crossed the room as others hurried out. He took the last empty seat, fidgeting as he watched the others fill their plates.
“Eat.” The General gestured at the food before them. “Captain Bayn said you flew over the army. Tell us what you learned.”
Soren had hoped to hear a trace of admiration in the General’s voice but there was none. It was obvious to him the General would rather Soren be anywhere but here. He took a piece of sweet bread more to be polite and to give himself time to collect his thoughts. He told them of Bevin and Tevor and their plan to observe the army. He had hoped to find who controlled the dragons. With the figure hidden beneath a cloak, he couldn’t tell them much. It didn’t matter as the General seemed more interested in the man beside the wizard.
“That man sounds familiar.” The General stroked his beard. “Didn’t someone, twenty years or so ago, attack Sholar. A relative of Bristol’s, perhaps?”
Colonel Hadar snapped his fingers. “I couldn’t place it before, but you are right. I think his cousin made a claim to the throne. What was his name?” He drummed his fingers on the table. “Kallen.”
“I have not heard from Bristol in months.” King Arden took a sip from his goblet. “If Bristol beat Kallen before, I wondered what changed this time.”
“The wizard,” Cane said. “It seems Kallen has found someone to support his claim.”
“Why attack us,” Darvin asked. “Isn’t it enough to gain control of Sholar?”
King Arden shook his head. “He must want more power. He wants our salt mines. With control of them, he would have power over all the surrounding countries.”
“Salt?” Soren asked and immediately regretted speaking as all eyes turned toward him.
“Yes. Salt,” General Thayer said in a tone that clearly conveyed he thought Soren an imbecile. “It is the greatest food preservative. We wouldn’t make it through our winters without it. Healers also use it.”
“And those of us with magic,” Cane said.
“Of course, he could just be wanting to expand his territory,” Colonel Hader said. “But why kill everyone they come across?”
General Thayer shrugged. “It is good military strategy not to leave the enemy alive, especially when you are invading. You don’t want anyone running for help or attacking you from behind.”
“If they kill everyone, there will no one for them to rule,” Darvin said.
“We know they are killing those in Walencroft,” the General said and held up his hand as Soren opened his mouth to object. “Yes, and that village near our border. We don’t know what has happened to the rest of Sholar. And frankly, at this point, I don’t care. It is Walencroft that is important.” He turned to Cane. “Who is the wizard helping him?”
“I don’t know,” the wizard said as he stroked his beard. “If it is someone from the Southern area, I am not sure I would know of him. He must be powerful to wield the Stave of Drachen.”
“I still say it is a woman,” Soren muttered.
General Thayer glared at him. “You have given your report. We don’t need you here. Go ensure the dragons have a respectable place to sleep.”
Soren rose and was halfway to the door when General Thayer called out to him again.
“We found someone to make us harnesses for the dragons. I think you might know him.”
Soren merely nodded, confused by the smirk on the man’s face. He wondered who they could have found. When he had left to meet with Warnox, he had not considered the King and his men would later be flying on the dragons and who would prepare those harnesses. He wondered who they had found.
Soren hurried out of the building, ready to return to Dex. When he reached the outskirts of Camden, he found the red dragon conferring with Warnox and Rakkah. He stared at the gold dragon. After General Thayer’s disapproving glances, he didn’t want to have to deal with Rakkah, so he headed back to Camden.
As he walked, he noticed a brown dragon sitting apart from the others. The last time he had seen Barth was when the dragon had thrown him off his back before Blinking. Remembering that horrible feeling of falling, he clinched his fist and stalked over to the brown dragon. Barth regarded him coolly as he approached.
“You! What the…why did you do that?”
“You were making a mistake,” Barth said, calmly.
Soren paced in front of him, waving his hands as he spoke. “You couldn’t have told me that and then landed? Instead, you threw me off your back while we were in the air! I could have been killed!”
“And yet, here you are.”
Soren took a deep breath and another. “What if Dex didn’t save me?”
“Then neither of you would have had to worry about the Blood Bond,” Barth said with amusement in his voice. His eyes focused on Soren and when he continued, he tone was serious. “You and Reddex share a Bond that is stronger than any I have seen. I knew he would save you, just as I knew you were acting out of anger. It would have been a mistake for you to leave. Do you regret choosing to stay with him?”
“No.” Soren sighed. “I don’t regret it.”
“Well, there you are. Perhaps you should be thanking me instead of being angry.”
Soren threw his hands up in the air and stalked away. Now he was more annoyed than he had been after dealing with the General. He didn’t want to return to Camden. He needed to work out his frustrations. He spied a rake leaning against a nearby building. Grabbing it, he returned to the place where Dex had originally landed. Though the dragon never complained about sleeping on the rough ground, Soren began clearing the area of rocks. Dex would probably po
int out he had been sleeping on them for the past week without a problem, but he needed something to do and removing the rocks and sticks, so they didn’t jab the dragon as he slept seemed the perfect distraction. As he worked, he considered erecting a tent nearby but dismissed the idea. He knew he too would probably be sleeping on the ground. He had become accustomed to sleeping against Dex. He found he slept better that way.
As he continued to clear the area, sweat dripped down his face. The manual labor felt good. What felt even better was to be out of the city. There was no chance he would be bombarded with questions out here or that anyone would doubt his observations. His thoughts went back to his report on the advancing army. He knew what he had seen. The cloaked figure was a woman.
“What are you doing here?”
Soren froze at the sound of a voice he hadn’t heard in years. His hands gripped the rake handle until his knuckles were white. He turned slowly. The man stood with a saddle thrown over one shoulder. His hair and beard were streaked with grey. A brown leather apron covered his clothes. The look of disgust on the man’s face was one he had seen thousands of times.
“Hello, father.”
His father dropped the saddle to the ground and took a step toward him. “I might expect to see Jerrick here but not you.”
His father could always tell them apart. He didn’t move as his father approached. He saw his father’s eyes travel down his face to the mark on his neck.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.”
Soren didn’t see the fist coming. It slammed into his jaw. Pain exploded across his face. He fell to the ground. He lay on his back, slowly bringing his hand to his mouth. He wiped away the blood. Anger coursed through him, and distantly he heard Dex calling to him.
“You don’t speak to me like that.” His father placed his foot on Soren’s shoulder, pressing down until he had him pinned to the ground. He leaned over him, applying a little pressure. “The mark?”
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