Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4

by Adolfo Garza Jr.

  Fillion stared at the spot she pointed at.

  Do you have it?

  I do. Hurry, let us go.

  He took the sketch from her and turned to leave.

  “Hey, hold the horses, Chip. What about Master Gella?”

  He spun on her. “It’s Fillion, damn you, and Chanté”—he pointed—“will take Quillan to Master Gella. Show him where she is and Nantli will have no trouble taking them. I’ve got to go rescue Preeti.”

  The girl pursed her lips as if trying to hide the little smile curving them. “Fine. Go save her.”

  Fillion turned and ran for the roof.

  By the time they hovered a few hundred feet over the manor, the sun was nearing the horizon.

  Fillion stared at the manor grounds through a pair of binocs. The group of buildings was much larger than he expected. What of Preeti? Do you sense her?

  I do. It is as Tobin said. She and another are in the room below, as he indicated on the drawing.

  The two weren’t the only ones here, either. Coatl mentioned that there were people inside near the room, two of whom seemed to be patrolling the hallway just outside it. They were likely some of those hired people Tobin had mentioned. Out on the grounds, there were several guards walking patrols, and two sentries, who were not wearing the uniform all the other guards did, stood constant watch near the room’s balcony. One faced the balcony, one faced away.

  What to do?

  He toyed with the idea of levitating Preeti and her aunt off the balcony, but the sentry facing the balcony would see and raise the alarm, and about half the guards outside carried bows and quivers slung on their backs. If the Guildmaster had released Chanté’s shield spell to them, it would have been perfect right now, but she and Master Doronal were still studying it. Apparently, it used some new method that they wanted to be certain was completely safe first.

  What if you enclosed those two near the balcony in Francisco’s Barrier? But modify it so that sound also cannot pass?

  Hmm. Fillion thought about it but then shook his head. I don’t think it would work. What if one of those on patrol saw them pounding on the barrier? Or, what if one of the two knows magic? They could just force the barrier down using Myung’s Manifestation.

  That is true.

  Movement at the edge of the field of vision in the binocs caught his attention. One of the guards on patrol was drawing near the balcony. But you know, there is a good amount of time between patrols that approach the balcony side of the grounds.

  How much?

  Let’s find out.

  As the guard turned and headed away, Fillion glanced at his wristwatch and waited for the next patrol to come close.

  A bit later, another glance revealed the exact amount of time elapsed.

  It looks like it’s right around four minutes. If not for those two near the balcony, that would be plenty of time to levitate Preeti and her aunt up to us.

  You must incapacitate them.

  Fillion scowled. You’re probably right. We can’t stay up here for too much longer, anyway. You will tire, and more importantly, we’ll stand out like a dragon-shaped moon with the setting sun lighting us up against the darkening sky.

  We must hurry, then.

  I will levitate myself down over those two, to about the height of the balcony. Then, I will drop onto the smaller one, surround us all with a barrier that will also keep sound from reaching the rest of the guards. I’ll knock out the small one and keep the remaining sentry occupied so she won’t have time to try to shut the barrier down. When I knock the second one out, we’ll rescue Preeti and her aunt.

  I will observe and help as needed.

  Good. He leaned over, unstrapped his bo, and retrieved it. I’ll start right after the next guard patrol turns around.

  Fillion wasn’t much scared of heights, but floating over three hundred feet above the ground with nothing under you was still unnerving. He quickly began lowering himself.

  When he passed through the enormous acoustic ward he’d set up to block the loud pounding of Coatl’s wings, its effectiveness became immediately apparent. Though he could see Coatl continuing to beat his wings to remain aloft, their sound was so reduced that the celebrations and music from the festival below nearly drowned them out. They’d be completely inaudible on the ground. Assuming he ever got there. Even going as quickly as he dared, it was taking longer than he liked.

  He eyed the two sentries as he floated lower and lower. Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Don’t look up.

  He was almost at the height he wanted when the bo tapped one of the steel rings that was used with the safety straps. The sound it made was faint, but it was loud enough, apparently, to catch the attention of the two below.

  “Did you hear—?”

  He immediately ended the levitation spell and plummeted down.

  As they looked up, he swung the bo at the head of the smaller sentry. The bo connected, the man grunted and fell, and Fillion landed on top of him.

  He quickly put up the modified barrier around himself and the other sentry. That last one needed to be taken down, fast!

  She reached for her waist with both hands.

  ’Ware!

  He slid to the left as she flung a pair of daggers. They clattered against the barrier, eliciting brief flashes.

  Her eyes narrowed at that and her gaze flicked to him. She drew out a sword and circled to the opposite side of the enclosed space from him.

  A third of the time has elapsed.

  Damn! Scowling, Fillion spun the bo and stepped forward, away from the barrier, giving him room to work with. He moved into a ready stance. “I’m just here to save the girl. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Hurt me?” The woman’s laughter pissed him off a bit. “That’s too bad, because I’m going to kill you, runt.”

  Tell Preeti to step out onto the balcony with her aunt. And in a moment, when I tell you, bind this sentry’s arms.

  The woman leapt for him, blade glinting orange in the evening sun.

  Bo spinning, he deflected her initial attack, and her parry. He used the momentum of the blocking swing to bring the bo around for an attack on her arm. She jumped back and the bo passed through empty air.

  “Not bad, little man.”

  I have told her.

  He glanced up to the balcony, and brows drawn together, the sentry quickly glanced up, too.

  Now!

  The moment he felt Coatl casting his spell, Fillion cast his own to bind the woman’s legs together. He then cast Meturato’s Gloom on himself.

  She was so distracted by everything else, she didn’t have much time to react to that spell except to glance his direction briefly before looking down to her legs.

  He felt power pulsing from her. She was likely breaking one of the binds, probably his. He slid toward her, and readied the bo to swing for her head. She would only have an instant to react once she was within the Gloom spell’s effective radius and could thus see exactly what he intended.

  He felt the backlash of his broken bind spell, but it was too late. She looked up, her eyes widened, and after the bo connected, they closed.

  She crumpled to the ground.

  Come down and hover above me, quickly. Descend and approach from the other end of the manor and fly just above it to avoid being seen by as many guards as possible.

  I am on the way.

  Fillion dropped the Gloom and barrier spell along with the acoustic ward and looked up. Preeti and her aunt were staring down at him. He placed a finger to his lips. If they were all quiet about this, then hopefully those inside would take longer to be alerted.

  Preeti and her aunt nodded.

  Coatl appeared from over the building. He dropped down a little, beating his enormous wings, and hovered above him at the height of the balcony. I was seen by some of them.

  The faint yells Fillion heard were testament to that. It will take them time to round the building and reach us.

  He used slide to quick
ly rise up, and just as the spell reached the peak and began to fade, he jumped over and onto Coatl.

  He tucked the bo away and began digging in the saddle bags. Which direction are the closest guards?

  Those running over from the east side of the building are closest.

  Fillion placed a very tall barrier to the east, extending from the ground to three feet above them.

  “Preeti! You and your aunt must remain calm. I am going to float you over to us one at a time. Do not be afraid.”

  Though her aunt grew quite pale, remarkably, Preeti smiled. “I am not afraid.”

  She did twitch a little when the spell took hold, but aside from that, she was calm and collected as he levitated her over, fifteen or so feet above the ground.

  Fillion set her down on the saddle—she had to hike up the skirt of the dress to sit properly—and handed her a riding belt. “Here. Put this on while I get your aunt.”

  The yelling guards were getting closer.

  Preeti took it. “Please hurry.”

  Fillion nodded. Any moment now he expected to feel magic being used. Surely, more of the guards knew sorcery. He shook off the thoughts and focused on getting her frightened aunt airborne.

  The first arrow struck the barrier just as Elke lifted up from the balcony. She let out a yelp at the clatter of the wooden shaft and the flash of light from the barrier.

  Fillion had to keep his gaze on Elke to get her over, so he could only call instructions behind. “Move to the rear saddle spot, Preeti, and strap yourself in with these.” Gaze still on the woman, he held out a set of safety straps. “I’m going to put your aunt in the middle, and we won’t have time to get her in a riding belt. You’ll need to wrap your arms around her waist and hold her tightly, understand?”

  “Y–Yes.”

  The straps were taken from his hand and he heard the sounds of clips. Good. Thankfully, he was proficient enough to attach straps to his riding gear without looking, and continue to draw Elke closer. Once she was safe on Coatl, he could clip the other ends of the straps to the saddle and—

  More guards are here!

  Damn! Fillion looked down toward the other side of the manor just in time to see an arrow suddenly sprout from his left arm. He stared at the thin shaft.

  It was odd. There wasn’t as much blood on the five or so inches protruding as he thought there would be.

  The pain arrived, a burning pulsation across his bicep, and air burst from his lips in a choking groan.

  Coatl roared.

  Through the link, Fillion felt a spell being woven—Safisha’s Flame. A pulse of magic washed over him and a yell came from the left and below.

  The backlash of his failed levitation spell hit him in the gut and another scream came to him. His lapsed concentration had ended the levitation enchantment and Elke was now falling.

  Hang on! Coatl gave one mighty beat of his wings, and angled sharply down.

  There was a gasp from behind, but Fillion had no time for instructions. He grabbed the handholds to keep his own seat and grunted as pain exploded in his bicep from the exertion.

  Through their connection, Fillion felt Coatl straining, reaching for Elke with his forepaws.

  Her screams ended with a yelp of surprise which was immediately followed by relief from Coatl.

  I have her!

  An arrow whizzed past.

  Go! Above the building and then up!

  As they rose into the air and over the building, he felt tugging at his waist and looked back.

  Preeti. She had leaned over and was clipping his safety straps to the saddle one-handed.

  “Thank you.”

  A grim look of determination on her face, she nodded.

  Fillion curved his lips into as much of a smile as he could manage at the moment. I like Preeti’s spirit.

  I do, too. Though, it is to be expected from a good candidate.

  His brows lifted. A good candidate?

  Above the manor, with the guards’ line of sight broken for now, Coatl lifted them higher and higher.

  Fillion dropped the barrier and hoped no more arrows found their marks.

  “Shouldn’t you take that out?” Preeti yelled. “Or get to a doctor?”

  He glanced back. “Nothing major was hit, only a little blood is coming out, so I should be fine for now. Leaving it in also helps reduce blood loss. First thing, we need to get you and your aunt somewhere safe. Then I can think about having this looked at.”

  Lips pressed together, she nodded.

  He cast his gaze about. Find a place to land. We need to get her aunt in the saddle. The woman’s probably terrified with only your paws between her and the ground.

  Coatl grunted and banked for a grassy square two streets away.

  After, we’ll go back to the investigators’ offices. Preeti and her aunt will be safe with them, and anyway, Tobin will probably look for them there later.

  You will have your arm looked at when we get to the offices.

  Fine. Just don’t make sharp moves. Anytime anything bumps this arrow it hurts like all hells.

  Remorse surged through the link. I am sorry I did not warn you sooner of their arrival.

  There was a great deal happening, big guy. I don’t blame you. Besides, there was enough time that I could have put up another barrier if I’d been thinking.

  Even so, I am sorry.

  I know, big guy, I know. I’m sorry, too, for not thinking. Let’s hurry and get these two safe so we can find out where Chanté and Quillan went.

  Left unsaid was his worry about what Gregor would think of the injury.

  A rumble thrummed through the saddle. We will go after your arm is looked at.

  Fillion smiled. Yes, after.

  + + + + +

  “Could this warehouse have been any farther away? My leg throbs.” Elizabeth sounded testy. Her upset must be great because she forgot to press her skirts to her body as she floated down.

  Quillan had been digging in his satchel while squatting, removing items in an effort to locate his notebook. His glance up at her as she was levitated down revealed a bit more than he’d expected.

  Pale blue with white lace trim.

  A surprising amount of light penetrated her skirts. She was bathed in the last rays of the low evening sun. Lancing between two buildings, they lit everyone up.

  He cleared his throat and returned to his task. “It would have taken far longer to arrive, if not for Chanté and Nantli’s assistance.”

  “True enough.”

  “I see you made it.” Master Gella stood in the large doorway. Her brows drew together. “Where are Fillion and Coatl?”

  “They went to rescue a girl,” Elizabeth said. “I think her name was Preeti?”

  “Preeti?” Master Gella stared walking over. “Why did she need rescuing?”

  Still digging in the carryall, Quillan said, “Her uncle raised a ruckus at your headquarters looking for Fillion. Apparently his niece is being held captive along with his wife.” He drew his brows together. “Though, he didn’t really explain why.”

  “Fillion did tell him that an explanation would be in order afterward.” Elizabeth took a fairly competent step toward Quillan. “What are you looking for in there?”

  Having finally located it, he held the volume up. “My notebook.” He set it down and began returning the rest of the items to the satchel. “I’ll need it once we get to the device Master Gella discovered.”

  “Speaking of which,” Elizabeth turned to the special investigator, “we made a discovery of our own.”

  “Oh?”

  “You may recall that I mentioned finding boxes of some sort of compound at that sham pest control company.”

  Master Gella nodded. “I do.”

  “Well, it turns out that that compound can be mixed with cuprethene to make a cheap lamp oil alternative.”

  Master Gella grunted. “That’s the accelerant.”

  Quillan nodded at her and stood. “We suspect so.
The mixture is less volatile than cuprethene alone, and thus, a bit safer for any use, even nefarious ones.”

  “And if there were forty or so containers of cuprethene,” Elizabeth crossed her arms, “combining that with all the compound I saw would make a great deal of accelerant. Fifty barrels worth? Sixty?”

  “Assuming the volume of the mixture increased,” Chanté murmured.

  “What do you mean?” Elizabeth said. “Obviously, the volume will go up. If you add a gallon of water to another gallon of water, you will have two gallons of water.”

  Chanté turned to her. “True, but these are different compounds. Tell me, do you like your coffee sweet?”

  Elizabeth looked confused. “I do. Why?”

  “Have you ever noticed that when you stir in teaspoon after teaspoon of sugar, the coffee doesn’t rise in the cup, but when you add cream, it does?”

  Elizabeth blinked.

  “That’s what I mean. In those amounts, the sugar, when in solution with the water of the coffee, doesn’t increase the coffee’s volume.”

  Hmm. Now that Chanté mentioned it, Quillan thought he’d read about—

  “And why is that?” Master Gella eyed Chanté with a small smile.

  Chanté twisted his lips. “It depends on whether the, ah, base structures of the compounds, the, ah . . .”

  She lifted a brow. “Molecules?”

  Chanté’s gaze went flat for a moment, and then he nodded. “Yes. It depends on whether the molecules of the mixed compounds fit within each other, or, if the compounds react with each other, whether the resultant molecules fit into each other, and so on. If they do, even by a little, the final volume will be less than the combined initial volumes. There are even cases where mixing something in will reduce the initial volume.”

  Finally remembering the article, Quillan grunted. “You’re talking about partial molar volumes.”

  “Indeed, he is,” Master Gella said. She tilted her head. “Dragonlinked continue to impress me.”

  She turned to Elizabeth. “I won’t count on a reduction in volume, however, so let’s assume these people have, at the very least, forty barrels of accelerant. If they use three barrels at each location, that’s thirteen locations they can burn.”