Gorn Grattack’s eyes popped open. Smoke rolled from his nose. He lifted his ten-foot-tall frame from his throne and stepped down off the dais. Standing as a man, he stroked the horns on his head and spoke to one of the many draykis that guarded the throne room inside the Floating City.
“I sense our enemy has awakened.” He lifted his chin toward the glass dome above. “I can feel him.” He clenched his clawed fists. “And I hate it.”
“Shall I send more out in the search for him?” the winged draykis commander said.
“No, I will see to it that he comes to us. Come.”
Gorn’s tail slithered behind his back as he headed out of the throne room into the city. Legions of skeleton soldiers waited outside the cathedral that Gorn departed. Their black eyes flared with life and hunger. Gorn’s towering frame waded through them and down the street. Above, dragons crowed and snorted. Hundreds could be seen perched on spires and rooftops. Their eyes glowed green with energy. They were under Gorn’s control, thanks to the power of the jaxite stones, and for seven years his army had been growing.
He strode down the streets toward the Floating City’s edge. A grey-stone building stood in his path, dark and grim. Skeleton soldiers pulled open the tall iron doors as he approached. Unaccompanied, Gorn went in. He stood in the inner courtyard of a small covered prison. There were barred chambers three stories tall, open, most of them abandoned and empty.
Gorn’s rough voice echoed in the cold chamber. “I have great news.”
Several torches that illuminated the cages that lay in the room flickered at the sound of his voice.
Gorn headed for the largest one in the center. A lone figure leaned against the bars, huddled in tattered robes, shivering. There were other cages, but they were empty. Lying on the stone floor nearby were dragons, grey scalers. Heads down, their tongues slithered from their mouths.
“I said, I have news.” Gorn banged on the cage. “Nath Dragon is awake. How does that make you feel? Hopeful?”
From underneath the hood, a pair of violet eyes fastened on Gorn’s.
“I’m hopeful? Aren’t you, Bayzog?”
The part-elf wizard rose to his feet and coughed. Shackled, he teetered toward the bars, clasped his grubby hands on them, and faced off with Gorn. “The end nears, and I couldn’t be gladder.”
“I’m thrilled you share my thoughts,” Gorn said. “And now it’s time to draw out our needle in the haystack.”
“I’ve told you everything. I don’t know where he is.”
“Don’t toy with me, Bayzog! You might not know where he is, but you do know how to find him!”
“We’ve danced this dance before, to no avail. And it’s not my life I’m worried about. Even if I could help, I would never yield.”
“No, I’m certain you won’t.” Gorn snapped his fingers. The iron doors opened, and the draykis marched three hooded figures inside. “But perhaps they will.”
Bayzog stiffened.
Gorn stepped back and grabbed the hood on the nearest one. “We recently came across some persons you might be interested in.”
Bayzog’s eyes shone like moons as he pressed his face against the bars.
Gorn pulled off the hood, and there stood Sasha.
“No!”
“Yes,” Gorn replied. He plucked off the other two hoods, revealing Rerry and Samaz. “Tell me how to find Nath Dragon, or I’ll make your family pay.”
CHAPTER 31
“I ought to kill you,” Brenwar’s strong voice said, “fer falling asleep again.”
Nath twisted around and jumped to his feet. “Brenwar!”
With War Hammer slung across his back, the dwarf stood as tall and stout as ever. His beard was still mostly a prominent black, but more grey had taken over.
Pilpin stood beside him. “Enjoy your nap?”
“It’s good to see you, too,” Nath said. He stepped forward and clasped Pilpin’s hand. “The both of you.”
“It’s good to see you on your feet, Nath,” Pilpin said, combing his beard. “Especially during the exciting times we live in. I’m glad you’re back.”
Both of the dwarves were worse for wear. Their breastplates were dented, scars raced along their corded arms, and their other garments were tattered and rumpled.
“You knew where to find me, didn’t you?” Nath said to Brenwar.
Brenwar pulled a spyglass from his pocket and rattled it in the air. “I wasn’t letting you out of my sight no matter what Bayzog said. Not again. I’ve always been around, and if not me, Pilpin kept an eye out.”
“Does Ben know this?”
Brenwar shook his head. “He’s a bit daffy after he took a hard shot on the head. A giant clipped him good a while back.” Brenwar spied the cave. “Asleep is he? Hmmm.”
“He did seem a bit off. Is he all right?”
“He’s fine. Just fuzzy on the details of things. Nothing to worry about. He’s as good a fighter as ever.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“He’s fine.”
“Perhaps that’s why he couldn’t tell me anything. I asked and asked, but he was a bit clueless.”
Brenwar sank the axe end of his war hammer into a fallen log. “We’re here to fill you in. What do you know?”
“It’s only been a day …” Nath proceeded to tell all that Ben had shared. “And I’m eager to get on with things. Where’s Bayzog? He still lives, does he not?”
Brenwar looked away at Pilpin, who was staring at him.
“He’s dead?” Nath asked.
“No, just missing. It’s been a few years.”
Nath’s heart sank. “What happened?”
“Don’t know. We’ve had a rendezvous set up years in advance and he hasn’t been at the last few.”
“We think Gor—”
“Don’t say it,” Brenwar said to Pilpin.
“You really think that?”
“He’s not with the elves, and not even Shum and Hoven can find him.”
“At least the Roamers are still with us,” Nath said. “What about my father? Is he still aiding in all this?”
“Your father’s forces thin, Nath, but they still fight. Many have been tempted and taken by that city that floats on the jaxite.”
Nath rubbed his forehead and sighed. “Don’t you think we should rally one massive army to defeat them?”
“I believe that’s where you come in.”
“Me?”
“The dragons won’t listen to us.”
“They never listened to me before.”
Brenwar eyed his scales. “I’ve a feeling they will now.”
“Perhaps.”
“Pilpin, go and rustle Ben up, we need to get moving.”
The small dwarven warrior hopped to his feet and scurried away.
“I saw what you did to those draykis,” Brenwar said.
“And?”
“You should’ve had enough sense to bury them. Not long after we came along, others started to pick at them.” He scratched his beard. “I don’t think it will take long for the forces of Barnabus to figure out you are near.”
“You said we needed to get moving. If so, where are we going?”
“You woke up at the right time, it seems.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s near time for the next rendezvous.”
“And where might that be?”
Brenwar rubbed his face and muttered under his beard, “Near the City of Waste and Ruin.”
“I’ve never heard of that.”
“Quintuklen.”
Nath swallowed. “Ben says the Floating City is there. Why would you pick such a risky place to meet?’
“Because it was still a city when we made the plan. Can’t help the fact it’s not there now. It’s still the plan. Now let’s get moving. I’ve got a strange feeling in my bones.”
So do I, Nath thought. So do I.
CHAPTER 32
Late after nightfall five days later, traversing harsh elements and a
voiding prowling enemies, Nath and company arrived a league southwest of Quintuklen. They had moved day and night, taking little time to sleep, which only Ben seemed to need. His friend slept in the cart half the time while Brenwar and Nath took their turns pulling it.
“I can see it,” Nath said, peering skyward.
“See what?” asked Pilpin.
“The Floating City.”
It hung like a small moon east of Quintuklen, mostly hidden by a strange mist. He could see the jaxite that ebbed with glowing light beneath it. Dragons darted swiftly through its cloud.
Nath’s strange feeling only got stronger. “I can feel him.”
“Him who?” Brenwar said, glancing at the sky.
“Him.”
“Aye, I suppose you do.”
Nath looked at Brenwar.
Brenwar added, “Being a dragon and all.” He set the cart handles down and used his glass to spy the small farm they approached. He readied his axe. “We’ll go take a look.”
Nath started to object, but Brenwar and Pilpin were too quick to scurry away.
“Great.”
He leaned against the cart. Ben lay in the hay, snoring softly. Nath closed his eyes and stretched out his senses. He didn’t sense evil or danger. That ability had come in handy as they traveled, alerting them to take cover whenever dark forces approached. It took everything Nath had to hold his powers back. He was eager to unleash them, test them out. It was torture.
What else can I do? I need every edge I can get.
Almost an hour later, he noticed Ben beginning to stir.
“Dragon,” Ben said, sitting up in the hay and rubbing his blurry eyes. “Have we arrived?”
“They’re checking it out.”
Ben slid out of the cart and buckled on his sword. He stretched his arms and yawned. “I wish I didn’t get tired, like you.”
“Oh, I get tired. I just sleep for years when I do,” Nath said, laughing. “Come on, let’s catch up with the others. There’s no danger out there waiting.”
Together they wheeled the cart toward the farm until they found Pilpin standing outside the barn, waiting.
“I suppose they’re inside?”
Pilpin nodded. “Waiting on you. Ben, they want you to stand guard with me.”
“I’d rather—”
“I’m sure it’s for the best,” Nath said, patting Ben’s shoulder.
He proceeded inside the barn door, and Pilpin pulled it shut behind him. The ramshackle barn was typical, with stables and a loft. Brenwar sat at a large table lit by a lantern in the middle. Three other figures sat there as well, with hoods pulled over their heads. That strange feeling returned and knotted his stomach. He stopped at the edge of the table.
“Is there a need for secrecy?”
Two of the three cloaked figures that sat across from Brenwar dropped their hoods. It was Shum and Hoven. He almost didn’t recognize them. Their faces had been burned by fire and scarred by battle.
“Apologies,” Shum said, “we aimed to spare you displeasure.”
“Never say such a thing, my friend. I see only beauty, inside and out. But I hurt from all your suffering on my account.”
“It is our honor to serve,” Hoven said, adding a smile. “And these marks fill me with honor.”
Nath nodded and fixed his eyes on the person at the end of the table. “Are you scarred as well, my friend Bayzog?”
“Nay,” Bayzog said, dropping his hood. Tears were in his eyes. He wiped his sleeve on his cheek. “It is my shame that I hide, for I have failed.”
“What happened? Where is Sasha? Where are your sons?”
Bayzog rolled a crystal orb down the table. It hopped over the lantern and hovered above.
“It was here when I arrived, two days ago.”
It grew and brightened in swirls and colors until a clear image formed. Bayzog’s face emerged. He was inside an iron cage. His voice was pleading, “He has us. He has us all.”
The image panned backward, revealing the disheveled Sasha, Rerry, and Samaz in small separate cages. Sasha’s fingers were stretched through the bars toward her sons and theirs toward hers, but they could not touch.
Nath’s heart ignited. “We have to save them!”
The image altered, and Gorn Grattack’s terrifying countenance appeared. “I want Nath Dragon’s sword, Fang, or all of them die! You have one week.” The image vanished.
“Gorlee!” Nath said, pushing his hair back. “That was him, not you!”
Bayzog nodded. “Gorlee went there on his own in hopes of discovering more about the enemy by the time you awoke. That was years ago. This is the first I’ve seen him.” Bayzog sighed. “My family was separated from me, but only recently did I lose track of them. When I saw this, my horrors were confirmed.”
“We’ll save them, Bayzog.” Nath said. “We’re here, and we’ll go and save them today.”
Bayzog shook his head no. “We are not ready to rush into this. Too much is at risk.”
“They’ll die.”
“Perhaps, but they know the risks. We all do. So much is at stake. They’ll understand.”
“You’ll see them alive again,” Nath said. “I swear it.”
“Nath, heroes and dragons have tried to get in, and none of them have survived. Not one. The Floating City is impenetrable.”
Nath rapped his knuckles on the table and stood. “I’ve been inside it.”
Brenwar scowled at Nath.
Bayzog said, “Our kinds are working on something so we can go with you. It’s unknown if it’s ready yet, but we can check.”
“And why did he ask for my sword and not me?”
“I’d say your confrontation is inevitable, but I don’t follow why he would need Fang. It’s an odd request,” Bayzog said.
A thought struck Nath. “Perhaps it is the only blade that can kill him. I battled him once before, lanced him through the heart. He only laughed.”
“He might not have a heart as we understand it,” Bayzog said.
“Makes sense,” Brenwar added, shrugging his shoulders. “Or maybe he needs it to kill you.”
Nath leaned over the table. “Regardless, we have to give it to him.”
“Nath, that’s too dangerous,” Bayzog said.
“Your family is at risk, and time is short. I’ve made my decision. Where is it?”
The creaking barn doors opened and Pilpin burst through. “I tried to stop them, but eh,” he glanced back over his shoulder as two ominous figures entered the barn. The hulking winged figure of Sansla Libor emerged, and beside him stood Selene.
CHAPTER 33
Wielding his war hammer, Brenwar rushed between Nath and Selene.
Shum and Hoven stood ready on either side of him.
“The dead rise against us!” Brenwar said. “Stay back, Nath!”
Selene let out a soft chuckle, opened her palms, and took a knee. “I assure you I am not dead, Brenwar Bolderguild. And I’m not here to fight against you, either.” She rose back up, eyeing Nath. “I come to join you.”
Selene had changed. The hard lines on her face had softened. The black scales that had dressed her body were now lavender mixed with white. Her presence was soothing, almost radiant. And beautiful.
Nath’s heart pumped hard inside his chest. He sensed that hers rang as true as there had ever been.
Behind Selene, Sansla Libor let out a grunt.
Shum and Hoven sheathed their swords and backed away.
Nath folded his arms over his chest. “You have much to explain.”
“It would be my pleasure.” She grabbed the necklace around her neck and pulled it out from underneath her white robes, revealing a brilliant white amulet that illuminated the room.
Everyone shielded their eyes but Selene and Nath.
“The Ocular of Orray!” he said in amazement.
“I died,” she said, “but Sansla, Laedorn, and the elves redeemed me.”
Nath stepped closer. His eyes slid from he
rs to the amulet. “Why would they?”
“To help you, I believe.” She forced a smile. “The Ocular sustains me so long as it is in my possession. It’s temporary.”
Nath looked solemnly into her eyes. “You’ll die without it?”
“It’s uncertain, but most likely.” Selene tucked the Ocular back inside her robes. “That’s why I need to teach you all that I can in the little time we have left together.”
Nath reached out and held her face between his hands. She was warm and more real than she had ever been before. He felt the light within her. “Bayzog, did you know about this?” he said over his shoulder.
“I knew they had her. I did not know she was revived. It’s a wondrous thing that the elves would use the Ocular on Selene. A good sign, I believe.”
“A great sign.” He studied Selene’s eyes. “I’m glad you have returned, and I hope it’s not temporary.”
She squeezed his hand. “So do I.”
“Are there any other surprises?”
“Dragon!” Ben said, bursting inside. “Dragon! Come quick!”
Nath rushed outside the barn.
Dragons in flocks like birds were landing in the fields. Their bright eyes and colorful scales twinkled in the moonlight.
“Your army comes,” Selene said in his ear. “Are you ready to lead them?”
***
“Can you feel that?” Selene said to Nath. “What is she thinking?”
It was still nighttime. Nath stood facing a golden flare dragon. She had long lashes over her pretty eyes, and he could feel her heart beating under his fingertips.
“She thinks I’m handsome,” he said, showing a broad grin.
Selene rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh, and what else?”
“She’s ready to fight. Eager.”
“Tell her to do something. Bend her will.”
Nath didn’t like the sound of that. “I’d rather ask.”
Selene folded her arms across her chest. “A general doesn’t ask his soldiers to fight in the war. He’s a commander. He gives orders.”
“True, and they follow a commander they respect even better.”
“You’re proven, Nath. They wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”
The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) Page 127
