Keep of Dragons (The Azuleah Trilogy Book 3)

by Daniel Adorno

  “Is that?” Dudley began. His eyes narrowed as he studied the woman dressed in black beside Siegfried. Lucius noticed his hand drop to the hilt of his sword. “You're the assassin. The one who murdered King Alfryd!”

  The woman straightened at the accusation. Dudley stepped forward to confront her, but Siegfried moved to stop him.

  “Ravenmane saved my life, Dudley. She helped me escape Arkadeus and enlisted me in a plot to kill Memnon before we fled."

  Everyone's eyes widened at the news, including Lucius.

  “Were you successful?” Lucius asked eagerly.

  Siegfried shook his head bitterly.

  “None of that matters,” Dudley said. “She assassinated a sovereign ruler. Her fate lies in the hands of King Silas.”

  Ravenmane looked tentatively at Siegfried then at Dudley. She let her hand drop to her belt where Lucius noticed a dagger hung. Both Dudley and Avani instinctively grabbed the hilts of their swords. But Ravenmane raised a hand to discourage them. She unhooked the dagger sheath from her belt then tossed it at their feet. Dudley's brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I do not wish to fight you or resist what awaits me.” Ravenmane said.

  “Good, that will make things easier for all of us,” Dudley replied.

  Siegfried turned to Dudley. “We have to get out of here. There is a Draknoir company following us from Arkadeus. I believe we’ve lost them in the forest, but–”

  A rustle from a nearby bush caused the elf to stop speaking. Lucius noticed movement to his left among a cluster of trees. The overgrown underbrush and tangles at the base of the trees made it a perfect hiding spot for an ambush.

  “Over there!” Avani yelled, unsheathing her sword. The moment the words escaped her lips a trio of Draknoir warriors rushed out from the foliage.

  They charged at their party wielding scimitars and iron shields. Lucius hesitated, but then his training jolted him to action. He quickly drew the Requiem Sword and followed the others into the fray at the foot of the hillside. Avani stood next to him and yelled a command to her soldiers at the crest of the hill. The elves quickly rallied to their princess, spurring their steeds down the slope to engage the Draknoir. Lucius was hopeful they would easily dispatch the three intruders, but his confidence waned when another group of Draknoir emerged from the forest. He counted nine Draknoir who now charged on their right.

  Dudley shouted orders to the Drachengarde, who joined the elves rushing down the steep hill to meet them. Siegfried fired two arrows in quick succession, killing two of the Draknoir instantly. But he didn’t have time to release another shot before the new group was upon them. Ravenmane, who was previously unarmed, picked up one of the fallen Draknoir’s scimitars. She whirled the blade overhead and deflected a pair of oncoming attackers on either side of her. She then crouched low, swiped at their legs, and forced them to buckle to the ground. The rapid attack allowed the Numan elves to unleash a volley at the two vulnerable Draknoir, killing them instantly.

  Lucius clashed with a shorter, wiry Draknoir who wielded two scimitars in each clawed hand. At first, he thought the smaller warrior’s size would give him an advantage. But when he struggled to parry the Draknoir’s lightning fast strokes, he realized he might've underestimated his enemy.

  He stepped to the left as the Draknoir launched an attack at his side. Dodging the twin blades, he stepped in and thrust his sword at the warriors midsection. The smaller Draknoir hopped to the side then riposted. Though Lucius avoided the full thrust, he still felt a twinge of pain from his shoulder where the enemy’s blade cut through his tunic. Once more the Draknoir launched a flurry of swipes at his side. This time Lucius was ready. He parried the strikes then kicked the warrior’s shin. The move temporarily stunned the Draknoir, giving Lucius the opening he needed. He flicked his wrist upward and cut a deep gash in the creature’s throat. He fell into a heap at Lucius’s feet before another Draknoir took his place.

  Preparing for the next bout, Lucius took a few paces backward. But before he could launch a strike against his new challenger, two arrows found their mark into the creature’s heart. Lucius glanced to his right and saw his brother grinning broadly at him.

  “He was mine, you know,” Lucius protested.

  “Since when are we claiming our kills?” Siegfried asked, keeping smiling smugly as he loosed another arrow at a nearby enemy.

  The skirmish didn’t last much longer once the elven riders reached the battered Draknoir. The Numans unleashed several arrows at the enemy with devastating results. None of the Draknoir survived and Lucius' party suffered no casualties.

  Dudley surveyed the fallen Draknoir around him. He pushed one of the dead warriors over with his boot. The scarred visage of the brute coupled with the heavier armor he wore signified a higher ranking soldier. Dudley frowned then turned to Ravenmane.

  “Friend of yours?” He asked.

  Ravenmane regarded him coldly. “He's a battalion commander. And no, we're not acquainted. Contrary to what you may believe, I'm no ally of Nasgothar anymore. They are enemies to us all hence why I've defected.”

  “How very convenient for us that you finally figured that out,” Dudley sneered.

  “Enough of this arguing,” Avani said. “It’s time to make camp before the day gets away from us.”

  Lucius turned to Ravenmane. “Are there more of them coming?”

  Considering how close they were to Arkadeus, Lucius wasn’t entirely sure if the area was clear of the Draknoir. Although they added two more capable fighters to their numbers, he feared what they might be up against if a larger force was patrolling nearby.

  Ravenmane dispelled his fears. “There are probably a handful of scouts along the Dulan and Feilon. Perhaps more in the north, but no force as formidable as this company until you reach the garrison at Arkadeus. We should be fine as long as we're out of sight, preferably in the woods.”

  “And we're supposed to trust the word of an assassin previously under the employ of Memnon?” Dudley said, crossing his arms. “We still haven’t settled that little issue of you killing my king.”

  Avani placed a hand on Dudley’s shoulder. “There will be time enough for that later. Let’s move.”

  Lucius followed Avani and Dudley back up the hill on horseback along with the rest of the elves and Drachengarde. They had traveled with an extra pack horse which they quickly unloaded for Siegfried to ride. But—to Dudley’s dismay—Siegfried insisted Ravenmane ride the horse on account of her injured leg.

  As they ascended the hill and entered the surrounding woods, Lucius watched the sun break through the dense clouds overhead and cast a radiant glow on the tree tops. They traveled deep into the woods and settled in a spot where the thick trunks of mature oaks and pines provided ample cover from prying eyes. Avani’s soldiers scouted the perimeter of the area for at least five miles before they decided to make camp. The Drachengarde unfurled tents and unpacked provisions while a number of the Numans kept watch around the camp.

  Avani strolled around the camp, speaking with her subordinates and addressing their needs individually. Dudley kept a close watch on Ravenmane who he now considered their prisoner. The assassin remained calm and withdrawn from the entire situation. She seemed resigned to her fate, withdrawing from the group and choosing to sit alone on a rock at the edge of the camp. Occasionally, Siegfried walked over to her and they spoke briefly in a cordial manner. Lucius wondered if they had forged some mutual understanding during their ordeal in Arkadeus.

  When the soldiers finished assembling the tents and everyone had settled for the evening, Lucius found a place near the fire and sat next to his brother. He was on watch duty in several hours, so now was a good time to catch up with Siegfried about everything that had occurred in the last few months.

  “I’m so glad you’re safe. You don’t know the amount of worrying I’ve experienced over these past weeks,” Lucius said.

  “Worrying? That doesn’t seem like you at all,” Siegfried replied, suppre
ssing a smile.

  Lucius raised an eyebrow at him. “Funny. How wonderful that you kept your sense of humor during your captivity.”

  “All joking aside, if anyone had reason to fret and be anxious it was me, Lucius. I thought for sure I had lost you. The memory of your... death in Neroterra has haunted me for many nights. I’ve turned the whole scene over in my mind thousands of times. Thinking of ways I could have prevented the attack that brought you down,” Siegfried said.

  “It wasn’t your fault, Siegfried—you shouldn't blame yourself. I was a fool. The gauntlet made me believe I could save everyone. But instead, it devoured me from the inside out. I was arrogant and impulsive,” Lucius said, thinking back bitterly on that horrible night.

  Siegfried’s brow furrowed. “You never told me how you survived. The blow you suffered... it was a mortal wound.”

  Lucius shuffled uncomfortably. He’d been dreading this conversation with Siegfried for weeks now. Ever since their meeting with Lumiath in Sylvania, Lucius had chosen not to mention Yéwa or Yesu in conversation with his brother. As a D’aryan elf, Siegfried had a proud religious heritage and was not open to believing Lumiath’s assertion that the God of mankind was actually the God of all creatures and races. That truth had become more apparent to Lucius since he’d read the Genesian Chronicles and met Yesu face to face. The glorious moment of entering the kingdom of Caelum had not faded in his mind. Every image, sound, and smell from that place was inescapably real and vibrant in his mind. But would Siegfried put his faith in what many elves considered heresy?

  “I died, Siegfried. The blade pierced me clean through. I felt the life flow out of me as I laid on the ground in Neroterra. But that was not the end. One moment I was gazing at the fading stars overhead, dying... and the next I stood before Yesu in heaven.”

  Siegfried nodded slowly. There was a long silence between them before the elf spoke again. “And then what?”

  “Then I saw my mother. She looked very much like me. Same eyes, same hair. In many ways she was just as I pictured her. Beautiful and serene.”

  “And your father?”

  “He wasn’t there. He’s not dead.”

  Siegfried’s eyes widened. “He’s alive? That’s excellent news!”

  “Yes, when this whole adventure of ours is over, I’ll have to track him down,” Lucius said then gazed at the crackling fire. He hadn’t really considered how he’d be able to find his father. But as Brother Elendon had revealed to him several days ago, Simeon Nostra was last seen in the Kroshen Wastes. Somehow Lucius had to find a way to that desolate place, but that journey would have to wait.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to digress. But you said you were in heaven amidst those who have fallen. How is it that you are among the living again?” Siegfried asked.

  “Yesu told me that I still had work left to do here. I’m the Ellyllei and that requires me to slay Kraegyn.”

  Lucius looked over at his brother, surprised that he hadn’t reacted to any of this with skepticism or indignation. Perhaps the loss of his adopted brother caused the elf to rethink his stance on Yéwa. Feeling more confident, Lucius decided to test this theory and reveal one of the more troubling revelations during his time in Caelum.

  “Siegfried, there is something else I must tell you. When I met with Yesu, he told me that D’arya resides there. She apparently spends most of her time in the library of his palace.”

  Siegfried straightened at that statement. His shoulders tensed and his jaw clenched. Lucius awaited some terse remark or rebuke, but it did not come. Siegfried sighed deeply and his shoulders slumped.

  "It seems I’ve been wrong about a great many things," Siegfried said.

  Lucius raised his eyebrows in a questioning glance and his brother continued.

  “I came very near to death myself in Arkadeus. Ulric and I tracked down the Draknoir overlord who killed you. I wished to avenge you and slay that beast whose name I will not utter. But when the opportunity arose, the monster proved to be too powerful. So having no other recourse or help near me, I prayed to Yéwa. It was what you would have done and somehow it felt natural and right.”

  Lucius couldn't believe his words. He always held onto the hope that Siegfried might one day accept Yéwa as Lumiath, Helmer, and Avani did. Though he never expected it would happen so soon.

  “My prayer was answered, Lucius. Ravenmane intervened and killed the overlord before he could take my life. And ever since then I’ve felt a sense that some greater being is present within me,” Siegfried confessed, placing a hand over his heart. “Despite losing you and father, I felt a peace which surpassed understanding.”

  “That’s wonderful to hear, brother. Forgive me, but I forgot to mention the best news yet,” Lucius said. “Father, is alive and well! He escaped the destruction of the Breninmaur and is now living as a refugee in Aldron along with many other survivors.”

  Siegfried beamed at the news. Lucius had never seen his brother smile so broadly.

  “More reasons to thank Yéwa,” he said.

  “Indeed,” Lucius replied.

  After a meal of salted pork and a watery carrot stew, Lucius spoke briefly with Dudley and Avani about their next move. Dudley had spoken at length with Ravenmane about everything that occurred in Arkadeus since her departure. They learned about Memnon’s plans to overtake Aldron with a considerable number of dragons. Most disturbing was the news of the early breeding Kraegyn had instigated in Ghadarya. Ravenmane gladly shared all the details about the new defenses in Arkadeus, Draknoir numbers, and the destructive power Memnon now wielded with the Gauntlet of Iniquity in his control. With the bevy of information provided by the assassin and corroborated by Siegfried, both Dudley and Avani felt their scouting mission was pointless and discussed a different course of action.

  “We need to get back to Aldron to inform Silas about the Draknoir plans to invade the city,” Dudley said.

  “I agree. It’s best we don't waste time in these woods, especially when an attack is imminent and we don’t yet know if the Sangre troops have arrived,” Avani replied. She turned toward Ravenmane, who sat sullen on that same rock within earshot. “Do you have any idea how long we have until the dragons make their move?”

  Ravenmane looked at her curiously and moved a strand of hair from her face, the answered. “If I had to guess, I would say you have not more than a month before the dragon hatchlings are mature enough to attack. Memnon isn’t concerned with extensive training of the hatchlings. He’s just hoping they will follow their mature counterparts to attack and burn the city. If they lose hatchlings in the battle, it matters little to the Draknoir or even Kraegyn, I presume.”

  Lucius was not at all surprised by the willingness of Kraegyn to casually sacrifice his offspring to capture the city. But the Black Dragon’s desperation and callousness still disturbed him.

  “It’ll take us a few days to get back down to Aldron, but if we ride hard, we can return in time to prepare for a full defense of the city. Perhaps Numa can send more soldiers if Sangre doesn’t arrive in time?” Dudley asked, looking to Avani.

  The princess shook her head. “There won’t be enough time to rally forces to Aldron. Besides, my father is already overextended after the casualties we suffered during my brothers’ insurrection.”

  “Can we mount a counteroffensive like King Silas planned previously? Before the dragons attack?” Lucius asked.

  “Not likely. Remember, the whole point of a counteroffensive rested upon having those thousands of Sangre troops on our side. We simply don’t have enough men to attack a fortress like Arkadeus. Especially if what the assassin says is true about the new fortifications,” he said with a note of skepticism in his voice.

  “I have no reason to lie,” Ravenmane interjected.

  “Captain Dudley, I assure you, they are reinforcing their defenses and repairing the broken walls,” Siegfried added. “I saw them for myself.”

  “One thing is certain, Silas needs to be the one to make
these decisions not us. We’ll pack up and leave early in the morning for Aldron. Hopefully, we won’t run into any wandering Draknoir on the way,” Dudley said, glancing quickly at Ravenmane, who glared at the Drachengarde captain.

  As they were speaking, an idea suddenly formed in Lucius’ mind concerning the dragon hatchlings. “Dudley, did we bring any weapons for slaying dragons from Broughlin’s chamber?” he asked.

  “Of course. Darius packed everything we might need in case we encountered a stray dragon or two near Arkadeus. Why?”

  “What if instead of running back to Aldron, we push northwest to Ghadarya? If the den mothers have laid their eggs and the hatchlings are still too young to pose a threat, we could kill as many of them off as possible. It would weaken their attack on Aldron and balance the scales.”

  Everyone stared at him as if he grew an extra pair of limbs on his head.

  “That is the most insane idea I’ve heard yet,” Dudley said.

  Before he could say anything else, Avani cut in.

  "I have to disagree with you, Captain Dudley. I think Lucius is onto something here. If you go to Ghadarya, you may arrive before the dragons depart for their attack. Kraegyn will likely have gathered his best dragons in Arkadeus by now, so there won't be direct opposition from the mature males. You’ve told me before that the den mothers are less of a threat than the males. This could certainly be an opportunity to diminish Kraegyn’s forces," she said.

  “When I said the mothers are less dangerous, I wasn’t implying they would simply roll over and allow us to kill them. These are dragons! And with hatchlings nearby, they will be vicious and unpredictable,” Dudley contended. He then gestured toward Ravenmane and addressed the obvious. “Plus let’s not forget that we have criminal in our midst. She needs to be escorted back to the king and pay for her crimes.”

  “We could always send one of the Drachengarde or Avani’s soldiers to do that,” Siegfried said. “Then the rest of us will move toward Ghadarya. We’ll retain a smaller force, but that'll make the long journey go faster.”