“Humph,” Pilpin said. “I’m not worried about his death. He’d die for you, for me, for dwarven kind at least a hundred times. It’s his funeral I’m concerned about. We can’t have one without a body. I have to find that dragon. His body.” He rubbed his bearded chin. “Sky raider, you say. I seem to remember quite a few of them falling.” Pilpin sauntered off.
Hoven followed.
Nath sat down and buried his face in his hands, weeping.
“And I have to bury her.”
CHAPTER 25
“We’ll find the right spot for her,” Sasha said, wiping tears from his eyes. “A beautiful one.”
“Perhaps he needs some time to mourn,” Bayzog said, extending his hand to Sasha.
Nath’s thoughts were racing.
“No,” Nath said. “I’ll feel better looking for Brenwar.” He started up and eased back down. “Oof, I’m stiff.” He glanced at the torn scales on his arms and legs. “But I’m alive. Just paying for it.” Grimacing, he took Bayzog’s hand and pulled himself up. “Would some of you mind watching over her while I look?”
“Not at all,” Bayzog said. “I’ll stay here with my family while the rest of you go and look for Brenwar.”
Ben came forward. “I believe this is yours.” He held out Fang. “And it’s good to see you, Dragon.”
“You too, Ben,” Nath said, extending his hand. They shook and then he took Fang. The polished dragon pommel was warm in his hand. Invigorating. He caressed Fang briefly and strapped his scabbard around his waist. “I missed the both of you.” He noticed two men with strong elven features he hadn’t met before. “And this must be Samaz and Rerry?”
“Indeed,” Bayzog said. “And that man is…”
“Gorlee,” Nath said. “Yes, I know. Glad to see you survived, my friend.”
“I’m glad you made it through. I had my doubts when you departed for the valley.”
Nath nodded to Shum and Hoven, and they made slight bows in return.
“Well, let’s go find Brenwar. As much as it hurts, it will only be worse if we don’t give him a proper burial.” He glanced at Bayzog. “The next step in this war will have to wait, for now.”
“Agreed.”
Nath and his friends started off after Pilpin. He’d made it beyond the great stone portal he’d passed through before when his scales began to prickle.
“Nath!” Sasha yelled after him. “Nath!”
He whirled around. Shum and Hoven had their elven blades ready and had formed a wall in front of Selene. Bayzog and his family had backed off.
“What are you doing?” Nath said, jogging back toward the throne.
Shum and Hoven’s expressionless faces didn’t speak. Behind them, a monstrous winged ape appeared with Selene in his hulking arms.
“Put her down!” Nath yelled. He started to run, but he was so weak. His legs were like lead, and he was tired. So very tired. “Shum! Hoven! What are you doing?”
Sansla Libor’s eyes locked on his. A snarl bared his white fangs. He spread his wings and leapt into the sky.
“No!” Nath said, stretching out his hand, trying to change. “Bayzog! Use your staff! Stop him!”
Bayzog raised the Elderwood Staff over his head but then slowly let it down.
Sansla disappeared into the coming night.
Gathering what strength he had left, Nath rushed over and confronted Shum and Hoven.
“Traitors! What did you do that for?”
“He is our king,” Shum said, sheathing his sword. “He knows what is best.”
Gold eyes blazing, Nath grabbed Shum by the collar and picked the Roamer up off of his feet. “He’s a monster!”
“He is our king!
Nath slung Shum away. “No!” He fell to his knees and started pounding the ground with his fists. “No! No! No! No! No!” Chest heaving, he said. “Where is he taking her?”
“Where it is best.”
“That is not an answer.”
“I don’t know, but it will be for the best.”
“Is he going to bring her back?” Nath said, hopeful now that he remembered, “like he did you?”
“I’m afraid not. His magic only works on Roamers, and at that only every century or so. I was fortunate.” Shum rested his locked fingers on his belly. “I’m certain the High Priestess is gone. But evil still lives within her. It must be destroyed.”
Head down, kneeling, fists resting on the ground, Nath shuddered a breath. Selene had tormented him. Lied to him. Abused him. Was it even possible for her to be redeemed? Had she really given her life to see Gorn destroyed?
He pushed himself off the ground, swayed, and then straightened himself. All eyes were on him. He could feel the essence of his friends. They were resolute. Determined. Ready. Capable. Patient. Faithful. He lifted his chin and nodded.
“No looking back now,” he said. “Let’s find Brenwar. I can already hear him complaining about missing his funeral.”
CHAPTER 26
The mountainside had become a cemetery for dragons. Nath had never seen so many dead before. His stomach turned. It would be a poacher’s field day.
“They all need to be buried,” he said, picking up a blazed ruffie little bigger than a dog. Its orange scales still had a bright sheen to them.
“Won’t the dragons return and take care of that?”
Nath shrugged and laid the dragon corpse back down. It made little sense to see dragon fighting dragon. No more sense than seeing men fighting men. Sure, dragons didn’t always get along with one another, but they weren’t prone to killing each other, either. No wonder the last dragon war was so horrible. And by the looks of things, this one would be worse. He had to end it.
“Come! Come!” Pilpin said somewhere deep in the forest.
Nath limped through the trees toward the sound of the dwarf’s voice and found a sky raider in a patch of broken trees. His body still smoked, and his scales were in cinders. Both his horns were broken.
“Guzan must have taken this one,” Nath said, cocking his head and looking at its eyes.
“Does it look like the one that ate Brenwar?”
Nath shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“I’ve never seen such a huge dragon before,” Rerry said. He put his hands on the dragon’s head, which was bigger than a horse. “They seem smaller in the sky and so much bigger up close.” He swallowed and looked at Nath. “I’m sorry about your friend.” Using the pommel of his sword, he tapped on one of the dragon’s teeth, which were almost as tall as him. “One swallow, huh?”
“Rerry!” Sasha admonished. She took her son by the arm and led him away.
“Is it dead?” Ben said, cocking his head. “I swear I think it’s still moving.”
“Sometimes a dragon’s body, being so big, doesn’t go right away. It fights, but it will pass.”
“I can hear inside it,” Pilpin said. He had his ear pressed against the dragon’s great belly. “It sounds hungry, the way it’s groaning. Let’s cut it open. I say Brenwar is inside there, giving it a sour stomach.”
Again, all eyes fell on Nath, and he wasn’t certain what to say. With some effort, he shrugged again. “Do what you have to do.”
Shum and Hoven walked over and unleashed their elven blades. Nath turned away. He abhorred the thought of any dragon being carved into, but he hated the idea of his friend being in there more.
“What’s that?” Rerry said.
Nath turned. With a sparkle in his eye, the young part elf was staring at the dragon’s great neck. The scales were rippling.
“A spasm,” Nath said. “I’m certain.”
The spasm started at the lower end of the dragon’s neck near the belly and moved upward.
“Strangest death spasm I ever saw,” Shum said, tilting his head.
A knot of rippling scales made its way toward the head.
“It’s still alive,” Rerry said.
“I bet its fire’s coming back up,” Nath added, following th
e moving bulge. “Everyone should stand clear. His body might buck, and the entire forest might go ablaze.” The moving stopped in the next instant, and with bated breath everyone was silent.
Nath stepped in front of the mouth.
“Be careful, Nath,” Sasha said, gripping Bayzog’s arm.
“I hear something,” Nath said, looking at Shum. “Can you hear it?”
Shum rested his ear on the dragon’s upper neck. “It sounds like horrendous singing.”
“Singing?” Ben said. “What song is it singing?”
“I’m not sure,” Nath said, leaning closer, “wait …. It can’t be.”
Inside the dragon echoed a song that gave his white scales chills.
Home of the dwarves—Morgdon. Home of the dwarves—Morgdon!
We have the finest steel and ale—Morgdon! In battle we never fail—Morgdon!
Nath’s jaw dropped.
Kapow!
The dragon’s teeth shattered, leaving a gaping hole between them. Coated in dragon saliva, Brenwar stepped through the gap and slugged the dead dragon in the nose with his hammer.
“Nothing swallows a dwarf and lives!”
“Brenwar!” Nath cried.
Brenwar wiped the slime from his eyes and shook his bearded face like a dog. “Aye!”
“Brenwar!” Pilpin exclaimed.
“Brenwar!” injected Ben, rushing toward him.
Nath scooped his slime-coated friend up in his arms and hugged.
Brenwar eyed him. “Put me down, Nath Dragon.”
Nath squeezed him harder. “I know, I know. ‘Never hug a dwarf.’”
***
More than a mile away from the battle site, the party came to a stop and set up a small camp. The smell of death and battle didn’t reach this far. The smoke from the burning trees had faded. The pixlyns and fairies had done their job and disappeared back into the woodland.
Ben, Samaz, and Rerry returned with cut branches in their arms. They dropped them by the circle of stones Brenwar had set. The dwarven warrior patted the pouches outside his armor and growled.
“Sultans of Sulfur! That foul beast swallowed my striking stones.” He got up. “I’ll fetch them.”
“Brenwar, please,” Nath said. “Sit. I think I can handle it.”
Brenwar lifted a brow. “Is that so?”
Nath rubbed his index finger and thumb together, igniting a ball of orange flame. “Toss those sticks in there,” he said.
Brenwar did.
Nath flicked the ball of flame, igniting the wood. In seconds, it began to crackle and pop.
“That feels good,” Sasha said, nearing the fire and rubbing her shoulder. “I haven’t felt warmth for days.” She glanced at Bayzog. “Excluding your company of course.”
Bayzog showed a quick smile and turned to Nath. “You should save your powers. You need rest.”
“I’m tired, no doubt,” Nath said, stretching out his arms and yawning.
Bayzog’s violet eyes widened.
“What?” Nath said. “It’s been a long day.”
“We need to discuss things,” Bayzog said. “Many things.”
“Let’s break some bread first,” Nath said. “I’m sure everyone is hungry.”
Bayzog bowed a little. “As you wish.”
Nath combed his fingers through his mane and let out a sigh. Everyone needed rest. Clearly everyone had been through some dire things. Still, Nath felt better than he had earlier. Watching his bristling friend Brenwar grumble orders at everyone did his heart good. Losing Selene was one thing, but losing Brenwar might have been unbearable. He couldn’t be happier that his friend was alive.
Edging away from camp, he let the others go about their business. Bayzog and Sasha produced food and water. Ben, Rerry, Samaz, and Pilpin stuffed their faces. Shum and Hoven were nowhere to be found, but Nath could sense them nearby, watching in the woods for other dangers. And Brenwar, he leaned against a rotting stump and stuffed tobacco into a small pipe.
You can judge a dragon by the friends he keeps.
Bayzog had told him that. Nath painted a mental image of the scene and locked it away in his mind. Quietly they ate, speaking little, and before long they bedded down for rest. Sasha was the first asleep, covered in a dark-green blanket with her pretty face turned toward the fire. Rerry and Samaz lay on either side, and Bayzog sat behind them, staring into the fire.
Ben was lying down and talking to Pilpin. Seconds later, he fell asleep mid-syllable. Pilpin snorted, “How rude,” and waddled away. He stopped and started talking to Gorlee, who hadn’t said much of anything to anyone at all.
The forest became alive with nature song. Soothing. Strong. They were safe for now. Above, the moonlight cut through the dark leaves, darkening the shades around the camp. Through the foliage, Nath saw dragons streak through the night in winks of gold and silver. Balzurth’s forces were with them after all.
Still stiff limbed, Nath slipped into the forest. He passed through a clearing and stopped at another rocky overlook. His keen eyes searched the lowlands, looking for any bad signs at all.
Booted feet crunched up behind him. “Not thinking about running off again, are you?”
“Certainly not,” he said, turning around and facing Brenwar.
“I think you said that last time.”
“No, not with such certain effect.”
“Adverse effect is more like it,” Brenwar said, puffing on his pipe. “The Truce. Pah!”
“Well, it’s over now. You should be relieved.”
“I am,” Brenwar said. “But I’m more relieved to have you back in my line of sight. And I aim to keep it that way until the end. Do you understand me, Nath Dragon?”
“I do … now.” Nath yawned.
“Stop doing that,” Brenwar said as he blew three rings of smoke.
“Why?”
“I don’t like it. It makes me jittery.”
“You? Jittery?”
Brenwar grunted. “Just don’t go running off again, Nath Dragon. We have a war to win, and we need you to win it. I think you need us, too.” Brenwar turned to walk away. “I’m certain of it.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nath said. “I promise.”
Brenwar stopped and turned. “That’s a first. You’ve never promised me before. I think you’ve finally learned the importance of keeping your word.”
Nath smiled, covered his yawn with his elbow, closed his tired eyes, and fell down. He didn’t hear what Brenwar said next.
“Sultans of Sulfur! Not again. Bayzog! He sleeps again!”
CHAPTER 27
Dreams. Nightmares. Light. Darkness. Nath’s slumber was nothing short of restless. He saw Nalzambor burning and revived. Armies decimated: men, elves, dwarves, orcs, gnolls, lizard men, goblins, all races. Cities and towns were torched and burned. Giants marched over the wasteland. The dark dragons soared toward Dragon Home. The last of the good dragons were gathered there. So he dreamed.
Nath’s eyes popped open. Hay tickled his nose. He struggled against his unseen bindings.
What is this?
The last thing he remembered was talking to Brenwar.
What’s going on? How long did I sleep this time?
He squirmed, but the chains around him did not give.
Moorite!
Scenario after scenario rushed through his thoughts. Was he captured? Imprisoned? Where were his friends? How much time had passed? Another twenty-five years? A hundred maybe?
Guzan, no!
He fought harder against his bonds until he gathered his wits about him.
Why am I covered in hay?
He concentrated. Eased his breath. Listened. He heard the wheels of a cart rolling beneath him.
Am I in a cart?
He sniffed the dampness in the air. Heard heavy footsteps. The distant chirping of birds.
At least I’m outside, not inside. That’s a good thing, I think.
He listened longer to the wheels rumbling over a rough
road that made them bounce and jangle other things.
Who in Nalzambor is pulling this thing? And why am I in a hay cart?
The golden fibers tickled. He twitched his lips. Crinkled his nose.
Don’t sneeze. Don’t sneeze.
Nath didn’t have any idea if he was among friends or enemies. He pictured draykis in his mind. Perhaps lizard men.
“Achoo!”
The cart came to an abrupt stop.
Great Guzan!
Footsteps approached.
Nath’s body went taut. He flexed his muscles against the tight chains. He had to burst free. He felt hands feeling their way around in the hay. Clump after clump was being pulled off him. A rough hand dusted off his face. Nath held his eyes shut. Held his breath.
Let them think they were hearing things.
He could feel light on his face. Sunlight. The figure that loomed over him blocked out a portion of the light. A stiff finger poked his cheek. Poked his nose. A staff of some sort, or maybe a sword hilt, poked at his ribs. Nath didn’t flinch. The person continued the poking and prodding.
Enough already!
He heard a sigh that sounded like a man’s. A moment later, the figure covered him up again.
That was close. I think.
Nath wanted to wait things out before he revealed himself. He needed to know more about his captor.
But why did he sigh?
The cart lurched forward. The rumbling of the road began anew. Nath’s nose began to tickle again, too.
Uh oh, I can’t hold it, again!
“Achoo!”
The cart stopped and hasty feet rushed over. Handfuls of hay were scraped from his body. Fingers poked at his face.
Oh, enough of this game!
Nath popped his eyes open and said, “Boo!”
“Dragon!” a friendly voice exclaimed.
“Ben?” Nath said, squinting. Ben’s face was hidden behind a beard mixed of brown and grey. The thick muscles of his shoulders were leaner, the armor on his body looser than it had been before. Still, Ben’s happy countenance was in there. Nath dreaded his next answer. “How long has it been?”
The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Page 125
