“Brenton, you can fight. Come with me; we need to distract it. Give the others a chance to escape,” called Raylan, pulling Brenton with him. He looked over his shoulder as they sprinted off.
“Xi’Lao, get them to safety.”
“I can fight too,” objected Xi’Lao.
“I know, but someone needs to protect them,” Raylan shouted back as he ran off toward the ghol’m.
“Can your friend fire another one of those things?” said Brenton.
“I think so, but the ghol'm has to be immobilized. We need to destroy its head. That’s the only way I know of that works.”
Raylan scanned the plaza for something useful. He could really use a rope or a chain right about now.
Guards approached them and offered them each a sword and shield. Both refused the shield. Brenton preferred to fight with two swords, and Raylan had seen how little effect a shield had against a ghol’m’s punches. Better to try and use his speed to evade.
Above the ghol’m, Galirras launched a new attack. He hovered in the air and maneuvered his wings into longer, turning strokes.
Raylan felt the rush of wind flow across the plaza and observed the change in the air. The sparkles moved swiftly, urgently; he had never seen anything like it.
The dragon used his wind power to reach into the turmoiled air. Sparkling vortexes stretched and turned into lines. It took a moment to get the timing right, but as soon as he figured it out Galirras brought his wings together and shot a wave of compressed air forward. Even those who couldn't see the air sparkle noticed the curved wave shoot toward the ghol’m.
Each powerful stroke of Galirras’ wings drove forward another set of windblades. They rushed through the air and quickly caught up with the running ghol’m. The first ones hit just behind it, digging into the plaza’s floor to leave two shallow cuts in the stone. As he ran, Raylan watched the continuous barrage rain down on the ghol’m, but it seemed Galirras was struggling to aim. Small chips of stone flew off the moving statue’s body, the spears and arrows still stuck in its back splintering off with every attack that hit. The air filled with the sound of rushing wind, enhanced and compressed into a shape solid enough to leave an impact on stone. It was like a storm of invisible knives.
All around the ghol’m, scratches appeared on the ground, most of them several feet long. Raylan and Brenton skidded to a halt and quickly turned the other way.
“Go, go, go,” urged Brenton, recognizing the danger at the same time as Raylan.
Raylan was convinced Galirras would never intentionally let them be caught in the attack, but if there was a chance it could take the ghol’m down, he did not want to ruin it. Not to mention it always took a while for Galirras to get a firm grasp on new techniques. Those windblades would probably have no trouble cutting through flesh, perhaps even bone. Raylan looked over his shoulder.
Maybe even trees. Smaller ones, at least. Yet their impact on stone was minimal.
“It’s not enough,” Raylan reached out internally. “It’s like a sword. It barely does any damage. I think your stormball is our only chance.”
The ghol’m was now hot on their trail. The ground shook as a fist thumped right behind Raylan’s feet. He tried to speed up, but his pulse pounded in his head and his dry throat hurt from the rasping air. It was hard to swallow. Above him, Galirras broke off his attack; the ghol’m was too close to Raylan now.
“At least he took the bait,” called Brenton as they approached the end of the plaza.
“Yeah, but we’re running out of places to go,” Raylan panted, pointing to the destroyed stone railing at the edge of the plaza.
Right before they reached the end, the Talkarian prince jumped sideways to dodge a swipe from the black giant. He circled around to divide its attention, slashing both his swords across the ghol’m’s knee. The statue’s feet scraped across the stones as it broke off its pursuit of Raylan and jumped back toward Brenton.
The two swords blurred through the air in a flurry of slashes. Brenton’s feet moved in odd square stances as his arms alternated their attacks. This was not a fluent dance with weapons, more a firm set of steps to maximize stability and strength. Each slash was either a block or an attack. Brenton now knew—and respected—the strength of his opponent. The bruises he no doubt bore made sure of that. As Raylan watched, Brenton adjusted his timing so he did not block the ghol’ms punches head-on. Instead, he used the swords to deflect each incoming fist; to dive under, to sidestep, but it became harder with every breath. The ghol’m’s speed seemed to increase with every blow, and the prince’s swords only left sparks if they even connected at all.
“It’s too dangerous to stay in too close,” shouted Raylan, suddenly adding, “Stormball incoming!”
Brenton ducked out of the way. The hard stone plaza crunched beneath his armor as he rolled past the ghol’m. Raylan hit the floor flat.
Their stone enemy was just turning around to grasp its retreating attacker when the stormball hit. For the second time, an explosion boomed across the plaza. Raylan held his hands over his head. He felt the shock wave hit, but it did not seem as strong an impact as he expected.
“Did you get him?” Raylan asked Galirras.
He had expected the ghol’m to be nothing but dust, and was disappointed to see that the abomination was mostly intact. It was missing a large part of its right arm, but remained functional.
“It blocked the attack?” wondered Raylan inside Galirras’ mind as he looked around for something to help.
“I know,” roared the dragon out loud, frustrated. “I held back, or you two would have been blown off the plaza.”
Galirras swooped down.
“I am coming in low.”
Raylan spotted one of the guards’ shields. He jumped to his feet.
“Brenton, get up,” he shouted.
The shield was of a larger variety, not the small round version that Harwin liked to take onto the battlefield. No, this was a larger, oval-shaped version. Raylan had seen how city guards would form shield walls with them to push back attackers, or simply form a protective circle around their royalty. It weighed quite a bit.
Behind them, the ghol’m wasted no time reacting to Galirras’ incoming attack. It took a few giant steps toward the stone railing and broke off a part with its remaining arm. It was a smaller stone than before; less dangerous, but it also meant it could be thrown faster. Stone after stone it shot at the dragon, each swishing through the air as fast as an arrow. Galirras broke off his dive to evade them from a distance; even then, it took all his concentration and wind power to turn, roll and dive out of the way.
In the distance below, large chunks of debris rained down chaos on Azurna’s unsuspecting citizens. A market stand shattered; roofs broke apart; a wall crumbled. It did not take long before the people were screaming and running for cover.
Raylan had never seen Galirras fly like this. The dragon performed right-angled turns mid-dive, rolled onto his back, tucking his wings and spreading them back out at incredible speed. The air rumbled each time Galirras used his wind power to assist in a sudden turn.
Yet it was impossible to get close to the ghol’m and Raylan knew the dragon’s fatigue grew with every turn.
“If Galirras is done for, we’re all lost. We’ve got to help him. Grab hold; aim for the knee,” said Raylan to Brenton, who had joined up with him again.
Raylan looked up at the dragon to time their attack.
“We’ll distract it. Get ready,” he informed Galirras. “Now!”
Together with the dual sword wielder, Raylan ran as fast as he could, shield firmly held between them. The ghol’m’s focus remained on Galirras, who initiated a new low dive. Another piece of stone hurled through the air, but Galirras rose with a strong push of his wings and cleared it quickly. The giant warrior was already grabbing another piece of the railing, but Raylan and Brenton’s sneak attack was quicker.
The shield slammed into the back of the ghol’m’s knee. The un
expected impact did no damage, but that had not been Raylan’s goal. The ghol’m’s leg lost its stability. Their enemy’s only choice was to use its remaining arm to keep itself from falling over. It was precisely the opening Galirras needed.
Raylan heard the heavy beat of Galirras’ wings as the dragon increased his momentum. This time he caught the ghol’m off balance, and though it tried to brace itself for the impact, it was missing an arm. Galirras’ claws shot forward as the ghol’m turned its shoulder toward its flying enemy. In response, Galirras adjusted his angle of approach at the very last moment. He grasped the ghol’m’s arm and pushed off hard with his wings. This time his speed was great enough. The ghol’m stumbled back as its arm twisted around. Its second step found no resistance, as the ground beneath it was no longer there.
Raylan and Brenton watched as the ghol’m disappeared over the plaza’s edge, dragging Galirras with it. The dragon quickly released his claws and moved straight into a steep climb. Those on the plaza raced toward the handrail to see what followed. Raylan stretched out his neck and peered down. His head spun at seeing how high they were. Somehow, standing on ground this high was worse than sitting on Galirras’ back in the air. Here, the ground looked less forgiving.
Beneath them, the ghol’m first tumbled, then slid down the outer castle wall. Against all expectations, the ghol’m managed to stop its fall before hitting the water. Its hand scraped along the stone until it abruptly caught on a ridge in the stone. As soon as the ghol’m stopped its fall, it kicked its legs into the castle walls to create a foothold. Stone cracked and gave way, and slowly the ghol’m started its ascent.
“Is there no stopping this thing?” shouted one of the castle guards at the ledge.
“Find things to throw down,” called another.
“No, wait,” Raylan spoke with authority as he pointed at Galirras. “He’ll finish this—I know he will.”
The dragon circled high above the river. His wings beat calmly as he observed the slow and steady climb of the ghol’m.
“Are you okay?” asked Raylan privately.
“I am…just tired from the fight. They truly are remarkable things. For all the destruction that they bring, I cannot help myself to wonder how such uncommon beings are created,” said Galirras inside Raylan’s head. “One thing I do know; I have one shot left, and with that, I will claim my victory.”
With those words the dragon shot forward. He tucked in his wings to gain speed without wasting his energy. As he dove below the castle walls, he pushed out his wings to level off and align himself with the climbing ghol’m. The timing had to be perfect. He could not afford to waste the energy it took to create another storm ball. He already felt his muscles object, his breath shortened. He needed to rest soon, or they might have to fish him out of the river instead of the ghol’m.
The vortexes in his eyes swirled nervously as he locked his gaze on the ghol’m’s back. He prepared his focus for the stormball. A slight push with his wind power; an additional stroke of his wings. Perfect.
Galirras brought forth his claws and slammed into the ghol’m’s unprotected back. The stone giant smashed against the castle wall. Unable to let go with its one remaining arm, the ghol’m struggled and shook itself to throw the dragon off.
But Galirras had no intention of lingering. As his claws dug into the black stone, he used his legs to catch and absorb the force of the impact. Without hesitation, Galirras opened his mouth and pulled the stormball together. He built it fast and strong, using what energy reserves he had left to strengthen the shell of wind and push more air inside.
The ghol’m regained its balance with both feet and wildly swung its arm around to get the winged attacker off him. But Galirras remained just out of reach. The stormball pulsed in front of him. It was filled to the brim, with only the slightest touch needed to set it off.
Galirras released all the stored tension in his legs and pushed off. The ghol’m slammed into the castle wall a second time, but this would be its last. Galirras shot his stormball forward as he increased his distance from the wall. The ghol’m had nowhere to go.
The attack hit it right on the back of its head. Galirras spread his wings and sailed the shock wave of the explosion. Small pieces of stone bounced off his skin and wings as the ghol’m’s head completely shattered. A ring of the blue life energy which allowed the stone statue to move boomed through the air. The ghol’m collapsed and slid down along the castle walls, its stone just starting to crumble as it disappeared into the river with a loud splash.
The castle wall showed a neat, round impact crater from the attack. Together with the holes the ghol’m had made for its hand and feet, it almost resembled a giant flower growing from the river against the rising, fortified wall.
On top of the wall, everyone around Raylan broke out in cheers. Only Brenton, Lord Algirio, Lady Leandra and Xi'Lao kept their composure. The lord handed over care of his wife to the castle’s healers and called for Captain Whitflow. The man emerged from the group of guards to attend his lord.
“I want the man who delivered the statue found. Now!” bellowed the lord.
The captain and a handful of other guards immediately marched off. Those soldiers lucky enough to be alive were treated for their wounds. Others began to clear away the dead.
“Best to clear them quickly, before diseases sweep in,” said Brenton, who noticed Raylan’s silent look at the activities.
“We could have prevented this,” murmured Raylan.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
Raylan looked down to where Galirras was making wide circles above the river. It was clear the dragon was tired and using the rising air of the warm summer’s day to ascend back up to the castle’s plaza. When he finally cleared the edge of the plateau, Galirras landed gently, immediately laying down his head to close his eyes.
“Wonderful. So wonderful,” clamored Lord Algirio.
Now that his wife and unborn child were safe, the lord had regained his usual enthusiastic demeanor, as if there had never been a large stone statue trying to smash his brains in. Raylan started to doubt more and more whether the lord’s enthusiasm was genuine, or if it was just an act.
“What an extraordinary creature,” continued the lord. “Are you most convinced you will not reconsider my offer?”
“I’m certain, milord,” said Raylan with a forced smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, there are some things I think you should know.”
Chapter 14
Wave
“I do not really see the problem. It is not like I will need any of it after I die,” said Galirras.
“It’s disrespectful, that’s what it is,” vented Raylan. “All these people who think you’re an object to own. I bet he can’t wait for you to die.”
“Well, I agree there. Such an expectation is quite rude.”
“To say the least.”
Raylan had spent the remainder of the afternoon at the castle to discuss everything they had discovered. The Doskovian ships they had seen depart; the ghol’ms and the horrible truth about the scrolls that gave them life; the Stone King, ever a mystery; and Corza, who had nearly been the end of them all. It painted a convincing picture for Lord Algirio and his council of the Doskovian army’s dark intent.
When one of the councilmen expressed doubt toward Raylan’s incredible tales, Lord Algirio impatiently dismissed it. The Lord of Azurna assured the man he had not dreamed being chased through the castle by a giant stone statue, nor had those guards who lay dead. All in all, the question of the invasion’s reality was not up for discussion; the question was how long they had before the ships arrived.
Eventually, Raylan went out to get some air and see how Galirras was doing. The discussions had gotten heated and those present in the room had all but forgotten him.
He leaned on the stone rampart of the castle’s upper level, overlooking the city and harbor. The afternoon was pleasantly warm as the sun crawled low in the sky. It made the w
alls’ shadows stretch far across the city’s roofs. Around him, soldiers were surveying and clearing the damage done by the ghol’m’s rampage. The few commoners called in to help fix everything made sure to stay far away from the dragon, even though Galirras did not really pay them much attention.
Below them, the river flowed slowly toward the harbor. There, dark river water collided with the lighter blue seawater, both dancing back and forth with the movements of the tide. A handful of ships lay anchored near the docks and numerous others lay in wait farther out to sea. Raylan observed a few of the smaller ones moored directly against the pier, their sails neatly stored and their landlines securely fastened.
It was a scene he thoroughly enjoyed. After months at sea, the buzzing of a busy harbor was always a nice change of pace. In this case, it was just nice to be back in friendly territory. During his years sailing, new harbors had piqued his curiosity, though it was never long before he was ready to get back out on the water again. As an eager and resourceful part of the crew, Raylan usually joined his captain in search of new merchandise. It led him to meet plenty of interesting characters. Yet as he touched the smooth scales of Galirras’ skin next to him, he realized he did not miss it as much as he used to.
“I suppose you are right,” said Galirras, laying the subject of his remains to rest. “I did, however, very much enjoy meeting Lady Leandra. Did you know she has a small human inside her? She gave off a very peculiar, sweet smell because of it, I think. She even showed the tight-stretched skin of her belly when the guards were not watching.”
Galirras eyes swirled pleasantly at the memory.
“I could see the child’s foot push against her skin,” added Galirras.
Raylan smiled as he felt the warm connection with Galirras tingle at the back of his head. He loved it when the dragon’s curiosity made him see the world in a new light.
Wavebreaker (Book II of the Stone War Chronicles): Part 1 - Trickle Page 27
