Wrath of the Dragon King

by Brandon Mull

  “I’m stuck here?”

  “For now. We’ll need to somehow get word to your Grandma and Grandpa Larsen. They will be worried. And we need to place the keep on high alert. Come with me.”

  Knox followed Stan into the hall, where Ruth stood hugging Tess. Stan patted Tess on the back. She looked up at him. “Who hurt the monster?” she asked.

  “We need to figure that out,” Stan said. “Probably something showed up in the barrel and the goblin made the mistake of touching it. Ruth, take the kids to the satyrs, then help me alert everyone.”

  “The satyrs?” Ruth questioned.

  “Do you have a better idea?” Stan asked. “We know Newell and Doren are on our side. They’re clever enough to sense danger and typically stay far away from it.”

  Ruth nodded. “I agree. But mostly because I can’t think of anyone else.”

  Stan patted her arm. “Keep an eye out for intruders.”

  Stan hurried away. Ruth walked Knox and Tess out a door and across a courtyard. They entered a hall, and Ruth knocked on a door.

  A satyr answered—horns on his head, wearing a loose vest over a bare chest, his bottom half supported by two goat legs. “Ruth, good evening. Knox? What’s he doing here?”

  “Are you one of the goats that came with us in the woods?” Knox asked.

  “You finally drank the milk,” the satyr said. “I’m Newel. My friend Doren was the other goat.”

  Doren came to the door. “Hello.”

  “We have a problem,” Ruth said.

  “We know about Kendra and Seth,” Newel said. “We were at the stables when Marat came to get the Luvians.”

  “That was recent,” Ruth said. “You came straight back here?”

  “We wanted to gear up,” Doren said. “See if we can help.”

  “Did you see anyone strange?” Ruth asked. “Anyone with a barrel?”

  “Did something happen to the barrel?” Newel asked.

  “It’s gone,” Ruth said. “The goblin who was guarding it is . . .”

  “I know already,” Tess said with a shiver. “He looked pretty dead to me.”

  “This is serious,” Newel said.

  “Dire,” Ruth said. “If access to the keep is open, we could all be in major trouble. And the dragons just declared war.”

  “What can we do?” Doren asked.

  “Watch the kids,” Ruth said. “Keep them safe. And keep an eye out for anyone who does not belong.”

  Newel saluted. “We’re on the job.”

  “You kids be good,” Ruth said, and she bustled away.

  “You guys are part goat?” Tess asked.

  “Only the best parts,” Doren said.

  “You know what goat stands for, right?” Newel asked. “Greatest Of All Time!”

  “Can I pet you?” Tess asked.

  “Ordinarily, no,” Doren said. “For you, I’ll make an exception.” He stuck out a leg, and Tess ruffled the fur on his outer thigh.

  “Not very soft,” Tess said.

  “We’re part goat, not part llama,” Newel replied.

  “So you looked like this the whole time we went to the bear?” Knox asked.

  “Yes,” Newel said. “Goat guys. And the bear was an ogre. Welcome to a stranger world than the one you knew.”

  “Strange is right,” Knox said. He looked around. “What now?”

  “Come inside,” Newel said, stepping back from the door. “We can get you some snacks.”

  Knox entered, followed by Tess. Newel shut the door.

  “Do you like cheese fondue?” Doren asked. “I improvised some. Not bad.”

  “Melted cheese sounds good,” Knox said.

  “We don’t have television,” Newel said. “We found some books, but they’re thick ones, and we haven’t gotten that desperate yet.”

  “Do you think Kendra and Seth will be all right?” Knox asked.

  “They have survived their share of scrapes,” Doren said. “This one could be a doozy, though.”

  “Doren and I were just scheming about how we might help,” Newel said. “We were getting ready to go see somebody.”

  “You go,” Doren said. “I’ll watch the young ones. Stuff them full of cheese.”

  Tess yawned. “I’m sleepy.”

  “You can rest,” Doren said. “Take my bed.”

  “Cheese first,” Tess said.

  “She has her priorities straight,” Newel said. “See you soon.” He exited the room, closing the door behind him.

  Doren went and locked the door. “Just in case,” he said.

  “Is somebody going to attack us?” Tess asked.

  “Probably not,” Doren said, his smile a bit forced. “Still a good habit, though.” He winked at Knox.

  Knox was not very comforted.

  Roadblock

  Seth awoke to find a little mouse doing push-ups on the floor beside his bed. Seth squeezed some magical walrus butter from the tube he kept with him and took a taste. The mouse became a tiny figure. Seth watched as Calvin leaped to his feet, dashed across the floor to touch one of Seth’s shoes, then sprinted to the other shoe, slapped it, and raced back to a midpoint between the footwear to drop for more push-ups.

  “You’re up early,” Seth said quietly.

  Calvin sprang to his feet and saluted. “You’re up last! The others just stepped outside.”

  Seth looked around. The other cots were made up and the roadhouse was empty. Charred logs fumed in the fireplace.

  “Did Lord Dalgorel show up?” Seth asked.

  “No,” Calvin said. “Eve sounded a little worried.”

  Seth paused at the mention of Eve. He had been a little goofy last night. Had he kissed her hand? What had he been thinking? They were both kids! Nonsense like that was only for the most embarrassing of adults. Must have been the potion. Hopefully she thought he was joking around. His attention returned to Calvin. “Do you exercise every morning?”

  “You don’t become a champion by relaxing,” Calvin said. “I spent a lot of yesterday in pockets.”

  “Sorry,” Seth said. “That must get old.”

  “Are you kidding? I went to a dragon castle! I saw dragons duel!”

  “Always good to count our blessings,” Seth said. He got out of bed and put on his shoes. “Lots of walking today. Can you keep up on the ground?”

  “I bet I could,” Calvin said. “I’m fast. But I’d rather stay close to you.”

  Seth placed him in a pocket and walked out the door. Tanu, Kendra, and Eve stood together eating cookies.

  “Who brought cookies?” Seth exclaimed.

  They turned to him. “The roadhouse had a stash,” Tanu said.

  “Trying to gobble them down without me?” Seth asked.

  “There are plenty,” Kendra said. “They’re probably not what you’re picturing.”

  “What do you mean?” Seth asked.

  “They taste healthy,” Eve said.

  Seth groaned. “Let me try one.” Kendra handed him a cookie, and he studied it. The treat looked suspiciously earthy. He could see little grains and nuts. “Are those weeds in it?”

  “Just try it,” Kendra said.

  Seth took a bite. It tasted bland and mealy. He chewed dutifully. “Gross. I need water.”

  Tanu passed him a flask. Seth guzzled some down.

  “It’s like concentrated oatmeal,” Seth said. “I feel it expanding inside of me.”

  “Can I try a bite?” Calvin asked.

  “You can have all of it,” Seth said, sliding the rest of the cookie into his pocket.

  “You should eat,” Tanu said. “We have a long way to go. All I have are raw dragon parts. I dumped all the rest I could dump.”

  Seth glanced at the pack. He could see where wetness was seep
ing through the material in places. “How are the parts holding up?”

  “Getting squishy,” Tanu said. “Dragon parts spoil slowly. Still, I’d love to get them on ice.”

  “Not bad,” Calvin said, munching the cookie. “Nutritious, with a hint of honey.”

  “A very subtle hint that only you noticed,” Seth said.

  “Functional food,” Calvin said. “It will keep us energized and alive.”

  “Who wants to survive if life tastes like that?” Seth asked.

  “Spoken like a kid who has never truly starved,” Tanu said. He handed Seth another cookie. “Finish that one.”

  “Then give me more water,” Seth said. “I won’t have any spit left after two bites.”

  “I snuck some food from the feast,” Eve said. “I was planning to come with you once I heard what happened. Made a few sandwiches out of bread and meat.”

  “Yes, please,” Seth said, handing the cookie back to Tanu. Eve gave him a sandwich.

  “Now that Seth is awake, we should walk as we eat,” Tanu said.

  “Do we have any chance of making it to Blackwell Keep by Midsummer Eve on foot?” Seth asked.

  Tanu scowled. “Not as we are. Maybe if I brewed a fleetness potion.”

  “Can you?” Kendra asked.

  “Improvising with dragon parts, probably,” Tanu said. “But without some of my gear, it would likely take most of the day. And I can’t guarantee it will work.”

  “We have less than two days until Midsummer Eve,” Kendra said.

  “Let’s make it to the next roadhouse,” Tanu said. “I want to get farther away from Skyhold.”

  Seth looked back. The mountain castle remained in plain view. Multiple dragons glided high overhead.

  “Can you cloak us?” Seth asked Eve.

  “I could try,” Eve said. “If we walk back inside and then come out already disguised, that gives us the best chance to slip away.”

  They reentered the roadhouse and waited for a moment.

  “Seth, you didn’t make your cot,” Kendra scolded.

  “I’m keeping the brownies employed,” Seth said.

  “Does this place have brownies?” Kendra asked.

  “Probably a skeleton crew,” Tanu said. “At least part-time. It is too remote to be so tidy otherwise.”

  “Let’s go,” Eve said, leading the way out the door.

  “I don’t see any difference in us,” Seth said.

  “I’m not wasting my energy concealing us from one another,” Eve said. “Only from external bystanders. Come on.”

  It was a bright morning, the sun already having crested the eastern peaks. The road wound along the base of forbidding mountains. Several large dragonflies hovered and darted near the road, their spindly bodies glossed in iridescent greens, blues, and purples. “Think you could ride one of those, Tiny Hero?” Seth asked.

  “I might be a little heavy for them,” Calvin said. “Maybe I could use one to glide from a high place to a low place.”

  “I bet the big ones could take you anywhere you wanted to go,” Seth said.

  “Dragonflies are really hard to catch and not very smart,” Calvin said. “I work better with animal brains.”

  “Still no sign of your dad,” Kendra said to Eve.

  “I’m worried about him,” Eve said.

  “I bet the dragons don’t want anyone near us,” Tanu said. “It might explain why we haven’t seen any griffins from Blackwell Keep, either.”

  “They need to send Tempest,” Seth said. “She could make it through.”

  “Maybe they will,” Kendra said.

  “Maybe they have,” Tanu added. “We need to plan like there will be no rescue. We may have to save ourselves.”

  “At least no dragons are right above us anymore,” Kendra observed. “Our camouflage might be working.”

  “It’s not a coincidence,” Eve said. “I’ll hold our disguise as long as I can.”

  The sun climbed. The day grew warm. Seth tied the sleeves of his coat around his waist. His fleet boots that Grippa the troll had recommended kept his feet incredibly comfortable. Walking at the current pace felt like no trouble at all, even though Tanu was gently panting. Seth could not help wondering what top speed he could reach in them and what pace he could sustain.

  “We have company,” Tanu said.

  Glancing to his right, Seth saw a trio of two-headed wolves come running out of the trees toward the road. He instinctively flinched away as one of the wolves collided with the unseen barrier at the edge of the road. After some barks and snarls, the wolves contented themselves with running alongside the travelers, sometimes racing ahead or behind. Their heads were as high as Seth’s chest. Soon a fourth and fifth wolf joined them.

  “Dreadwolves,” Tanu said. “Stay toward the center of the road, and be glad for the magical barrier. Those two heads coordinate well, attacking very effectively. While one is distracting, the other is drawing blood. Occasionally I’ve seen some with three heads.”

  Seth heard them making little growls and barks as they dashed along the roadside. Now and then one would snarl, showing vicious teeth.

  “I guess our disguises don’t work on them,” Kendra said.

  “No,” Eve said. “It is hardest for me to confuse creatures that hunt by smell.”

  “Looks like a couple of dragons are directly overhead again,” Tanu said. “The dreadwolves led them back to us.”

  “Then I’m dropping our disguises,” Eve said. “I’m already overtaxed. I’ll save my talent for an emergency.”

  The sun climbed higher, and the dreadwolves eventually stopped accompanying them. Seth studied the surrounding trees and rocks, wondering how far away the canines had actually gone.

  When the sun was directly overhead, Tanu paused and looked up, shielding his eyes. “Midday,” he said. “Somewhere, the war has begun.”

  “I think this war has been under way for a while,” Kendra said. “Celebrant just made it official.”

  “Sure felt like a war at Soaring Cliffs,” Tanu said.

  “Won’t be a war for the Fair Folk,” Seth said, glancing at Eve.

  “War is always war,” Eve said. “We’ll interact with it differently. It could still lead to our destruction.”

  “Then why not fight?” Seth said.

  “I’m not in charge,” Eve said.

  “Would you fight if you were in charge?” Seth asked.

  “Would I send my whole people to war?” Eve asked. “That’s a big choice. I’d have to make sure I fully understood the whole story, all aspects. Would I go to war personally? I’m here, aren’t I? I’m not supposed to be.”

  “Could you get your people in trouble?” Kendra asked.

  “Father warned he might have to disavow me if I helped you guys,” Eve said. “I can live with that.”

  “Can you?” Tanu asked. “They are your people.”

  “They live in one little territory on a closed sanctuary,” Eve said. “If exile means I get to explore the world, give me exile.”

  “You’re brave,” Seth said.

  “Are you just barely picking up on that?” Eve asked.

  “Sometimes leaving your people to explore new lands is necessary,” Calvin said.

  “You’re brave too, Calvin,” Seth assured him.

  “Are there Fair Folk elsewhere?” Kendra asked.

  “There are a few other populations around the globe,” Eve said. “The group of us here at Wyrmroost is not the largest.”

  “Where are they?” Seth asked.

  “That is not my secret to tell,” Eve said.

  They continued along the dusty road for another hour. As they came around a bend, they found several rumitaurs waiting, Amulon at the front, his impressive antlers reaching high above his head. Most of the othe
r rumitaurs had no horns; a couple of them were women. A few alcetaurs were also with them, reminding Seth of Hendrick, as well as some smaller cervitaurs and a centaur. In total at least twenty taurans confronted them, blocking the width of the road several ranks deep. All bore weapons, ranging from spears to bows to clubs to axes, and they had large shields. Amulon carried a mighty mace.

  “Greetings, caretakers,” Amulon said. “This road leads to the Herdlands and is closed to you. Kindly leave the road at once.”

  “We’re not anywhere near the Herdlands,” Eve complained.

  “Nevertheless, you are no longer permitted on this road,” Amulon said. “Please do not compel us to use force.”

  An alcetaur led several taurans off the road. They loped past Seth and his companions and lined up behind them, blocking any retreat along the road.

  “You sided with the dragons,” Kendra accused.

  “I sided against interference from humans on our preserve,” Amulon said. “Being watched over by novice children was the final insult.”

  “Friend,” Tanu began with a smile, “if you run us off the road, we will be killed.”

  “Dragon sanctuaries are perilous,” Amulon said grimly. “Those who cannot survive here should not visit. Let alone pretend to lead.”

  “You’re giving us a death penalty,” Kendra said.

  “I’m closing the road to you,” Amulon said. “What happens beyond that is none of my affair. I wish you good fortune.”

  “What did the dragons offer you?” Eve asked.

  “Does it matter?” Amulon said. “I struck a bargain with the caretaker I most respect.”

  “My father will not be pleased about this,” Eve said.

  “Who fears the displeasure of Dalgorel the Undecided?” Amulon asked. “It’s time for this sanctuary to service beings savvy enough to survive here. You were foolish to leave home, daughter of Dalgorel. Another overindulged child with delusions of grandeur.”

  “This is an act of war,” Tanu said.

  “This is a time of war,” Amulon replied.

  “War between you and the caretakers,” Tanu said. “You will lose your territory.”

  “War between the taurans and the human caretakers,” Amulon said. “I stand with Celebrant and the dragons.”