What did he mean? Lyssa? The dark being? Then it struck me that I hadn’t told him of my adventures in the Citadel. True, he might have gleaned snippets of images and memories on the way to the Southern Isles, before I’d found out my mind was an open book to anyone with the ability to read it.
I looked ahead. We were already approaching the Citadel, and as I looked down I could see the sprawling expanse of the lower city, the hundreds of lower elves shielding their eyes from the noon sun as they watched the spectacular sight of a dozen dragons fly overhead.
‘Glyran, there’s something I need to tell you, but we don’t have time now. Can we meet?’ I glanced around at the hundreds of spires rising gracefully into the sky. ‘Do you know where in the Citadel might be safe enough? I doubt I’ll be allowed outside the walls by myself.’
Curiosity flowed from Glyran, but after a quick glance to his left an image appeared in my mind: a pattern of a transportation circle.
‘I shall be there at midnight every night from tomorrow night onward, child.’ I wanted to ask why not tonight, but he answered me first. ‘I have business tonight that cannot wait, and I suspect you could use a full night’s rest…after your recent nocturnal activities.’
His obvious amusement rippled over the link and caused my cheeks to flush, just as we came in to land in the large courtyard. I mentally harrumphed as I dismounted to Glyran’s chuckles washing through me. I turned to him but couldn’t stop the smile appearing on my face. Then it disappeared as I remembered the conversation we would soon be having.
‘Thank you, my friend.’ I raised my hand to rub the side of Glyran’s golden head, and he obliged by lowering it just enough so I could scratch the horned ridges behind his ear. ‘You know, there are big cats in the forest who purr when I do this?’
Glyran snapped his head away and puffed his chest out in what I took to be indignant pride. Had I insulted him? But then one of his gleaming crystal eyes closed in a wink before he blasted skyward in a cinnamon-scented breeze.
‘Dragons do not…purr, child. But we have been known to sing.’
As Glyran and the other dragons flew off to the north, to return home to the Fire Mountains, a whisper of a melody remained, ghosting through my mind. It was haunting. Both happy and sad, and so beautiful I didn’t know I was weeping until a snort of disgust broke me out of my daydream.
“Urgh.” Talyn gazed at me, a sneer twisting his lips into a crooked line. “My love, can’t you control your pets at all?”
Lyssa turned from where she greeted her parents and her eyes narrowed. In a few steps, she stood in front of me, and I suppressed a flinch as she raised her hand to wipe away the tears on my cheeks. To anyone else it might have looked like an expression of kindness, but I felt the scorn peeling from her in waves.
“Now Talyn,” she purred, “we have to forgive the simple folk their little weaknesses. They aren’t as strong minded as the eldar, after all, and I know Jes loves the dragons. I don’t see the attraction myself. It’s their eyes, I think. Too beady for my liking.”
The vision of her eating the eye of the ancient dragon in the cavern deep beneath us flashed through my head, and I clasped my hands behind my back to stop them shaking.
“I think she just needs a little rest,” she said, but her eyes were narrowed in anger. I’d be getting a visit from her soon. Then she turned away and crossed to Talyn, who raised an arm for her to take his elbow as she took him across to meet her parents for the first time.
Neither of them gave me a backward glance, and as fast as that, I was dismissed. I stood alone in the courtyard as the others crossed to the circle to be transported to wherever it was I wasn’t invited to. I looked toward the stables, considering visiting the unicorns, when a gruff voice cleared his throat behind me. I whirled, my mouth splitting into a huge grin.
Hoggan stood, his thumbs notched into his wide belt, his eyes gleaming with…were those tears? I felt my own eyes prick as I ran to him, almost knocking him off his feet.
“By the Smith, lass, do you want to cause an old dwelf an injury?” He chuckled.
I hugged him, and his arms enveloped me too. “Oh, I’ve missed you, Hoggan. I’ve missed you so much you wouldn’t believe.” It was hard to believe it had only been a few days since we’d last seen each other. “I have so much to tell you—”
Hoggan pushed back and raised a finger to his lips. “Not here, Jes.” His eyes darted back and forth. “Too many eyes and ears here for my liking. Come.”
He put his arm over my shoulder and guided me toward the circle. In an instant, we were somewhere else in the Citadel, somewhere I didn’t recognize. I turned to him, about to ask where we were going but was silenced by a brief shake of his head. We started toward one of the corridors leading off the hallway when I heard voices coming from one of the others. I never got to see them however, as we turned a bend and entered a stairway that spiraled downward.
We descended in silence for over five minutes before the staircase ended at a single door, made of the same crystal of the walls. That was strange. Up until now, all the doors I’d seen had been made of wood. What was also peculiar about this door was it seemed melded into the wall itself, only the difference in color identifying it to be anything other than a wall.
Hoggan put a palm on the surface of the dark red opening, muttering a few words under his breath. I smelled the unmistakable scent of magic as the door dissolved to reveal a darkened room within. Hoggan turned to me and bowed, extending a hand, inviting me to enter.
My mouth dropped open as I crossed the threshold. What had appeared like a darkened room from the outside transformed itself into a wonder. It wasn’t a room at all; it was a cave, but unlike any cave I’d ever been in. There were caves in the forest, the homes of bears and other animals, and then there were the caves and caverns beneath the Southern Isles, and while they were breathtaking in their beauty, nothing could have prepared me for this.
It was huge, the rock walls smooth and veined with multicolored precious metals, and they sparkled with what could only be gemstones of all varieties. A massive column rose from the center of the space into the darkness above. It must be some sort of illusion, I thought. We hadn’t climbed down far enough to reach something buried this deep.
Fist-sized diamonds, hanging in mid-air throughout the expanse, provided illumination with their inner brilliance, and it suddenly hit me that while we were in a cave, which should have been cold and dank, it was neither. It was comfortably warm, and a rich, earthy scent filled the air.
“Welcome to my home away from home, Jes,” said Hoggan, and I turned to see an expression of pride on his face as his chest puffed out. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve gathered by now that it’s not real, though you might be hard pressed to tell the difference if you ever visit the kingdom of Grongarth, under the mountain.” He swept his hands around. “This is but a taste, however.”
His eyes seemed to see something far off, perhaps his true home. I walked over to him and took his hand in mine. “It’s amazing, Hoggan. Truly wonderful.”
His expression brightened and he smiled. “One day, lass. One day we shall stand in the great hall of my people, and you will see how insignificant this little illusion is, but for now, ’tis all I have.” He gestured to a seating area surrounding a table that grew from the floor. It was littered with all manner of objects: papers, vials of colored liquids, and strange contraptions of a like I’d never seen before.
“Forgive the mess, Jes,” he said, his face flushing. “I wasn’t expecting to have to bring you here, but it is the only place in the entire Citadel where I know we won’t be overheard.”
I glanced across at the crystal doorway that was again sealed. “I take it you’re the only one who can open that?”
Hoggan grinned. “Quite observant of you, lass. Yes, I’m the only one in the Citadel with the talent to sing it open. Another dwelf could, of course, but there are other wards against unwanted entry. Now, you said you have news.”
<
br /> I sat down on a chair that seemed to flow gracefully from the floor. I expected it to be cold and hard, but again appearances deceived me. It was warm and comfortable. Hoggan handed me a glass of clear liquid, and I sighed as I took my first sip.
“How did you get honeysuckle nectar?” I asked incredulously. Honeysuckle nectar was only ever served at special court occasions back in the forest. It was incredibly hard to make, due to the nectar-bearing plants being so rare. They only bloomed for a day each year, and the nectar only came from the blooms.
Hoggan sat down, smiling smugly. “I have friends in lofty places, young one.”
I was too busy relishing the liquid to pursue his answer. The nectar caressed my taste buds, causing sparks of pleasure to flow around my mouth. I almost begged for another glass, but instead began my tale. I told Hoggan everything I’d told Glyran, again leaving out the parts about Wash. During the tale, Hoggan stopped me at certain points to ask questions, drawing out memories that I’d forgotten or deemed unimportant. He seemed to be incredibly excited to learn about the rebellion.
“My people and the faer? In unity again at last,” he said, a sparkle of moisture in his eyes. “I never thought I’d live to see the day.” Then his expression darkened. “You told this to Glyran?”
I nodded then jumped in fear as Hoggan slammed a clenched fist onto the table. It was like a crack of thunder. What was wrong? Hoggan actually looked angry…furious, even. Then, as if seeing me for the first time, he visibly wilted. He knelt before me and gently took my hands away from my ears, lowering them into my lap.
“Forgive me, Jes,” he said, his voice thick. “Of course you weren’t to know.”
Weren’t to know what?
Hoggan looked thoughtfully at me. “How much do you know of the way dragon leadership works, lass?”
My eyes widened. The answer was easy. “Nothing. I mean, I know Glyran is their chieftain…doesn’t that make him their ruler?”
Hoggan snorted. “If only. And if all dragons were as noble as my old friend, we wouldn’t have a problem. Ah, you’re still confused. Glyran is indeed their chieftain, but all that grants him is the position at the head of the dragon council.”
“Dragon council?”
Hoggan began pacing. “The council is a group of a dozen or so elder dragons, all golds like Glyran. While Glyran is their head, all major decisions are decided by vote.”
Okay, that wasn’t too bad, was it? I said so.
Hoggan shook his head. “As I said before, if all dragons were as likeminded as Glyran, it wouldn’t be too bad, as you say. But they are not.” He stopped pacing and looked at me. “Jes, I know you consider Glyran a friend, and I have no doubt he feels the same about you, but there are a few things you need to know about dragon kind.”
I nodded for him to continue.
“During the first rebellion, do you know why the dragons refused to take sides?”
I shook my head.
Hoggan’s expression darkened. “Because all dragons care about is dragons. They don’t give this”—he snapped his fingers— “about what is going on in the world outside their mountains, as long as their precious race is left alone.” His expression darkened even further. “Dozens of envoys were sent, begging for assistance, even if only in a defensive capacity, but no, they were happy to watch us die.
“Glyran and a couple of others were the only ones to take our side, but they were voted down and not allowed to assist us in any way.”
“But Glyran…Glyran wouldn’t do that. I know him. He—”
“Do you know him, lass? Can you really say you know him? Where do you think he is right now?”
I thought back to our parting earlier. “He said he had some things to do.” I still didn’t understand why Hoggan was being like this.
“I’ll wager right now he’s discussing everything you told him with the council, and they will use this knowledge to their own gain.”
“But…but what could they do? They can’t fight on the side of the rebellion, can they?”
Hoggan looked at me as if I were a youngling being walked through a difficult lesson at school. “No, Jes, they cannot fight with the rebellion, and I doubt they would, even if free of the bond. Now, would you agree that any rebellion would result in major losses, on both sides?”
I nodded. “Of course. But won’t it be worth it to gain our freedom?”
“Perhaps. But the eldar race is only now starting to increase their numbers again. Their births are so rare, and they lost so many in the first war.” His eyes stared into mine. “What do you think they’d do if the dragons came to them with this knowledge, offering it in exchange for their freedom…after one final task, of course.”
The pit in my stomach leapt into my chest, and my heart thundered. “They’d offer to quash the rebellion? They couldn’t…they wouldn’t. Glyran—”
“Glyran, and no doubt a few others might argue against it, but at the end of it all, dragons care only about dragons. This bond is an abomination, and any chance they could find to free themselves, they would take.”
I refused to accept it. All the tales told of how noble the dragons were. There was no way this was possible, was there?
“Maybe Glyran won’t tell them,” I said, clutching at desperate straws.
Hoggan shook his head, his expression grim. “They knew as soon as you told him, lass.” When my brows furrowed he explained. “Dragons have a racial memory, you see. When one learns something, it flows out throughout the race. They became aware of all you told Glyran shortly after he heard it. He flew back because he knew. He knew, Jes. He knew what the council might choose to do. Our only saving grace is that dragons do not make snap decisions. This will be debated for days, perhaps even weeks. We have time.”
Time? Time for what?
“I don’t understand, Hoggan,” I said. “What can we do?”
Hoggan stood up straight, his gaze piercing me with its sharpness. “We can find the spell that binds the dragons to the king, and destroy it before they betray the rebellion.”
Chapter Fifteen
Go away. Go away. GO AWAY!
I sat up in bed, my thin slip of a shirt drenched in sweat. My chest heaved and my heart thundered in my chest. The dream was still fresh in my mind, and it tormented me.
The scents of my home tortured my senses, even as I looked around the stark, cold walls of my room. The dream had been so vivid, almost like one of my visions, but just…not real. I tasted Lyssa’s twisted schemes, and even as I lay back on the thin mattress, the ghost of pressure on my shoulders, I knew she wanted me to cry.
I tried to roll over in bed but couldn’t. Why couldn’t I? I huffed, looking at the dark sky outside. It was the middle of the night, and I was tired. I rolled over, and a sharp pain rolled over me. What had she done now? What had the princess done to stop the only release I had? Had she realized how much I’d come to cherish the hours of oblivion?
I jerked up from the thin layer of mattress I lay on, searching for whatever she’d left there to torment me, but there was nothing, just a bare bed. I huffed and lay down again, but again I felt the pressure against my shoulders when I rolled over.
Dammit! I got up and crossed to the table to pour a glass of water. No nectar or wine for me, oh no.
I sat down at the dresser, rubbing my tired eyes with the palms of my hands. Maker, all I wanted to do was sleep.
I looked at the room. It was the same cold rock. I’d got used to the freezing air flowing around. The place was familiar, I supposed. So why couldn’t I sleep? When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I gasped. I almost sobbed. Two days ago, Vaeolet had stood behind me, fixing my hair, braiding it into plaits. I’d never been pretty, not in my eyes at least, but Vae had done wonders.
Now? It was like looking at a ghost. My skin drank in the pale moonlight to cast a grey confection over my features. The shadows under my eyes were like pools of midnight reflected in the murky ponds of my dull eyes.
&n
bsp; But worse than that were the shadows hovering behind me, and I knew now why I couldn’t, wouldn’t sleep. A childish giggle sounded in my mind, cruel and vicious. It pierced me like a blade as the shadows behind me unfurled into a twisted caricature of the graceful wings I’d once had.
Black talons reached over my shoulders to tear my cheeks. These were not a part of me, but I felt their hunger. The wings…the darkness…they wanted me.
I hit out at them, but recoiled when deep cuts sliced into my arms. I slammed myself into a wall, only to have the wings recoil. I was on the floor with the wings beating over me, and before I knew it, I was above my bed, looking down at my body.
Looking down? How could I be looking down?
I woke up, gasping and grabbing at the bed clothes I’d thrown off in my dream.
It had been a dream, hadn’t it? I felt sick. I glanced at the room to the bathing chamber, then at the dark floor in between. I set my head back down on the pillow, forcing my eyes shut. If I was going to be sick, I’d lie in it before setting foot outside this bed in the dark.
My shoulders throbbed. The ghost of laughter played over me again. Lyssa seemed to lean over and whisper in my ear, even though I knew she wasn’t there. I couldn’t make out the words, but I felt the intent.
‘You won’t sleep without my dreams, little faerie.’
And I knew she was right, even as I turned over in bed, pulling the thin blanket over me. She’d always torment me, always torture my waking moments, but as I drifted away to yet another nightmare, a voice caught me.
A deep voice with a burred accent sang a melody I’d never heard, and the princess’s voice receded. The blanket around me became a thick quilt, and I sank into a deep feather mattress.
As I fell asleep, I imagined I slept in a cave under the mountain, and for the first time in weeks, I felt safe.
Companion of Darkness: An Epic Fantasy Series (The Chaos Wars Book 1) Page 19
