“Move away from the doors,” the Guildmaster said, voice amplified. “Please. The people in there need to get out before the place burns down.”
“Oh, can their money not save them?” A woman moved to the front of those blocking the front doors. “Their fancy clothes aren’t proof against flame? Their expensive food and drink don’t offer protection against heat, smoke, and fumes? Perhaps if they earned as much as we do,” she held her arms out, indicating those with her and in the plaza, “ate like us, dressed like us, they might survive. Or at least they might think so. After all, the work they make many of us do puts our lives in danger, yet they seem to think we can survive.”
She lifted her head and let out a short bark of a laugh. “Ha! But I jest. They know most won’t live through those harsh conditions! Every day we work for them, we toil, and we die, all for barely enough money to buy a cup of coffee in one of their fancy restaurants.”
She placed her hands on her hips and smiled at the Guildmaster. “This is only tit for tat!”
“Hear, hear!” “It’s our turn, now!” “We get to decide who dies!”
Renny moved closer to Uchu. Those shouts had come from more than one person around the plaza. Would they break out into one of those riots the other dragonlinked had talked about?
He comes for me! Uchu turned and cowered away from a man who was crouched in a half-run toward them.
Renny’s eyes widened when light from a large glow glinted off the edge of a blade. He started moving.
Attack stance, bo held just so.
Slide.
Swing.
The crack of bo on bone.
A yelp. The dagger skittering away on the flagstones.
Rotate body.
Use momentum to whip the bo around.
Connect butt end with solar plexus.
A grunt, a body collapsing, and strained breathing.
Spin into ready stance.
Bo held just so, feet planted.
Take in surroundings.
Renny blinked.
All was still. Then, eyes large, people near him began to move back slowly. An empty space formed around him and Uchu.
Renny lifted his brows. Holy hells. He’d done it. He had protected Uchu. He looked at his bo and vowed to never, ever, complain about hand-to-hand lessons again. He glanced behind.
Uchu stared at him, large eyes amber in the dim light. Y–You saved me!
Renny twisted his lips. One snap of Uchu’s jaws and that man would have lost an arm or a leg. Unbonded dragons really were too nervous for their own good. Of course, I saved you. That man was trying to hurt you and I will not let that happen.
He turned and eyed the people nearby. Is anyone else thinking of hurting anyone?
There are a few.
Which—
A strangled shout drew his attention to the side.
A man rose into the air, arms and legs moving about. “Let me down!”
“Who else, Chuki?” Hunter looked around at the people in the courtyard.
The brownish-yellow dragon turned. Him.
Another man rose into the air. “What do you think you’re—?”
Hunter ignored him. “Who else?”
Renny smiled. Great idea! What if the snake lost its head? He turned to the woman who seemed to be spurring on the others. A quick cast and she rose into the air.
“Y–You have no right to do this to me!” She glared at the Guildmaster.
“I wish I had done that,” Guildmaster Millinith said. “And you’re one to talk about rights.”
The beating of wings came from above.
Anaya barked and set down next to Guildmaster Millinith and Itzel. Why are the people not being evacuated? The building will soon be completely engulfed!
The Guildmaster stood in the stirrups and looked over those two dozen or so people in front of the doors. “We’ve asked politely long enough! Any who do not begin clearing the way in five seconds will be forcibly moved out of the way by us. We will try not to cause injury, but with as many as there are of you, some bumping may occur. Now move it!”
A rumbling, crashing sound drew Renny’s gaze to the building.
Uchu let out a surprised bark when the double-doors on the second floor balcony burst outward as their burning frames collapsed, sending glass and other small debris to the ground. Smoke and flames filled the gaping doorway and rose to lick the wall and the underside of the balcony above.
Was the whole floor going to collapse onto the one below?
“Move, I said!” The Guildmaster’s voice was loud with the amplification spell.
Renny looked at the front doors. Most of the people up there ran for the plaza. Some, however, did not.
Guildmaster Millinith turned to the plaza. “Available dragonlinked! Assist in levitating the holdouts! Move them away from the building so they don’t get hit by falling debris.”
That was fine by him. Renny lifted the one on the far left and moved him to the side of the plaza. He left the man in the air there, squirming and shouting, and turned to lift another. Three others were floating to the side. It seemed the Guildmaster, Willem, and Hunter were also working to clear out—
“Keep working on Quillan, Chanté. You’re almost done. I’ll raise a barrier against more debris.” Master Doronal looked up and a shimmer appeared briefly, outlining a large barrier above the four of them.
The shimmers faded away, but Renny knew the barrier still remained. After a glance at the unconscious young man, he turned back to his task.
It didn’t take long to move the rest of them to the side of the plaza. Guildmaster Millinith was in the process of moving the last, a woman, over to the others.
Renny stared up at the front doors. There was an occasional banging sound coming from up there, but no movement. Why weren’t those inside coming out, now?
Upon closer inspection, Renny saw that wide planks had been secured across the doors.
Pissing blades!
“They boarded up the doors!” He used Tretan’s Relocation on one of the planks across the middle doors, ripping it off the building, and then set it aside on the landing.
More boards tore off as well, as others worked to remove them, too.
One last board remained on the two middle doors when they crashed open, splitting it. A woman stood there with the man who must have helped her.
She pointed to the Guildmaster. “Work with Guildmaster Millinith and the dragonlinked to get the people away from the building. I’ll send a few to help, but I’ll need most to stay inside with me to make sure people don’t kill themselves trying to get out.”
The man, he wore some kind of dark uniform, nodded. “Understood.”
She hurried back inside, and within moments, three similarly uniformed people came out.
Guildmaster Millinith glanced at them, then looked around. “I want everyone to move away from the theater, and those not injured need to clear the entire plaza. The side of the plaza away from the building is where we will treat any injuries. Those not injured should leave. There is no room on the theater grounds for spectators, nor is it safe here.”
“Let’s go!” The man standing to the left of the doors made a pushing away gesture with his arms and hands. “Clear away! We have a lot of people about to come out!”
One of the guards moved to the other side of the doors, while the other two moved down to the plaza. They began moving the people away.
“Willem,” Guildmaster Millinith pointed to the side of the plaza, to the people still floating there, “keep an eye on our ‘guests,’ would you? I’m guessing Master Gella will wish to speak with them later on.”
The young man nodded. “Will do.” He and Balam headed off.
Coatl comes.
Renny turned to where Uchu was looking. Sure enough, Coatl, Fillion on his back, was flying in. They seemed to be following a carriage. It entered the gate but stopped just inside.
Coatl set down beside it as two men jumped down fr
om the back. Oddly enough, they were dressed just like the people helping clear spectators near the theater.
The door of the carriage opened and two more people in identical uniforms stepped out.
Fillion jumped down from Coatl and turned to the carriage. “We didn’t work so hard to get you out, only to have you set foot back into the nest of vipers!” He looked a little angry, but mostly worried.
A woman stepped out of the carriage.
Whoever that woman was, she was kind of pretty. Renny drew his brows together. She did seem a little—
“Who’s she?”
He jumped. Damn, but Hunter could move quietly. “She looks familiar, but I, ah, have no idea.”
“I thank you for your concern, Apprentice Dragonlinked Fillion, but I will not flee to safety while others remain in danger.”
Coatl chirped.
Fillion glared at him and turned back to the woman. “My lady, we stopped at the fire brigade as you asked and told them of the theater. Why come here yourself?”
Renny blinked. Fillion had called her ‘my lady.’ Who was—
“As High Lady,” she said, “I don’t often get a chance to personally help anyone.”
Renny raised his brows.
“Good gods,” Hunter whispered. “That’s the High Lady? And Fillion is scolding her?”
“And from what you and others have told me, all those people are in danger because of me.” High Lady Hasana’s gaze shifted. “Someone is injured?” She began walking to Master Doronal and Chanté.
“My lady, please!” Fillion hurried after her as did the four from the carriage.
Coatl trailed behind, gaze sweeping the area.
Both of them seemed rather familiar with the leader of the nation and both appeared to be concerned for her.
Hunter started chuckling.
Renny glanced at her. “What?”
Smiling, she looked at him. “There’s a lot more to this guild than I knew.” She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go see what she does next.”
Chanté looked tired. He stood as the High Lady, Fillion, and everyone else approached.
“My lady.” Master Doronal bowed.
“Master Doronal.” The High Lady inclined her head in return. “Who is the injured dragonlinked?”
“Quillan.” Chanté glanced from her to the injured young man. “I think I saved his arm and hand, but we should get him to a surgeon specialist.”
“Saved his—” She looked from Quillan to Chanté, brows drawn together. “He could lose them?”
Renny finally noted all the blood on the flagstones. Alandra’s merciful heart. What had happened here?
“Or the use of them.” Chanté didn’t look away from Quillan. “I need to get him back to the Guildhall, to the infirmary.”
“No. I have a better idea.” High Lady Hasana turned to one of the uniformed people from the carriage. “Mila.”
The young woman stood taller. “Ma’am.”
“The hospital I would have been taken to had I been injured on this trip, think hard about its location. Imagine it on a map.”
Mila looked confused. “Ma’am?”
“Just do it, now.”
“Y–Yes, ma’am.”
High Lady Hasana turned to Chanté and pointed to Nantli. “Have your dragon get the location from Mila.”
Chanté’s eyes opened wider. “Of course.”
Nantli chirped. I have it.
“That is the finest hospital in Stronghold,” High Lady Hasana said. “He’ll receive good care there.” She handed a small card to Chanté. “I doubt you brought coin with you, so show this to the admitting staff. The nation will cover his hospital expenses.”
He took the card and looked at her. “T–Thank you.” After tucking it away, he slowly climbed up into the saddle and strapped in.
His obvious exhaustion worried Renny. “Be careful Chanté. If you don’t make it there, it won’t matter how good those doctors are.”
Nantli barked. I will make sure we do.
“Let’s get clear so she can lift off.” Master Doronal stepped back from them.
As everyone made way, Chanté levitated Quillan to the saddle in front of him and strapped the machinist in.
Nantli lifted into the sky, and while Chanté held Quillan up, they flew off.
Quillan had looked very pale.
Renny let out a quiet breath.
Hunter took his hand. “I hope he’s okay, too,” she said.
The approaching sound of whistles, two different alarms, drew people’s attention.
High Lady Hasana glanced at Mila.
“Fire and police,” the young woman said.
With a nod, the High Lady turned toward the theater. “Good. Let’s see how else we can help, shall we?”
Fillion sighed and glanced at Coatl, gaze flat. His eyes returned to normal. “Good idea.”
More have arrived.
Renny looked up and saw Zolin and Xochi appear from over the theater, Jessip and Renata on their backs.
“About time more got here.” Fillion watched the two dragons angling down to land. “I could use some help with this fire.” He must have spied Anaya over by Itzel and the Guildmaster, because he said, “And speaking of helping with the fire, where’s Aeron?”
“Inside.” Master Doronal turned to the line of people exiting the building, some of whom were coughing. “He said he was assisting Master Gella by putting out fires. I think he wanted to give her more time to evacuate the building.”
“What?” Fillion looked up at the flames rising out of windows all over the theater. He raised his hand to his riding mask. “Aeron, how are you doing in there?” His brows drew together. “Aeron?”
+ + + + +
Aeron stood backstage, shoulders slumped, dreaming about a wonderfully long soak in a tub. With a few salts and oils added in, it would be fantastic. His stomach growled, then, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since lunch. Food would be nice, too, he decided. Lots of food. And a few hot, flaky, ever-so-delicious fried pies.
With a sigh, he rotated the sphere, directing its stream of water into a hole in the wall behind the wings at stage . . . left? . . . where flames had once again emerged.
This was his third time around the route he’d come up with to keep fire as far away from the lobby as he could. At least on this floor. Based on the continuing reemergence of flames along the way, however, it was plain to him that fire had spread to the rooms all around this area. Thankfully, the people were finally being evacuated.
How many have come out so far?
Seventy-three. Make that seventy-four, no seventy-five.
He smiled, not having enough energy to chuckle. You don’t have to give me a running count, dear-heart.
You are very tired. I will tell Willem to go in to help you.
An image of Willem surrounded by fire made his heart race. No!
I can feel how exhausted you are!
The idea of Willem getting trapped in here scared him, but she was right. All these water spheres, though small, were taking a toll on him. I am halfway through this route. I will see how many people are left in the lobby when I get up top. If there are a lot, then Willem can come in to help.
Alright.
His lips curved into a little smile. I love you.
As such, I expect you to be truthful about asking for help if a number of people remain.
Despite how tired he was, a chuckle escaped his lips. Fair enough.
With the obscuring curtains long since burned away, he was able to look out from the wings and into the auditorium. The place looked a great deal less fancy than before. Water stains, burned areas, and soot stains marred the formerly beautiful wall treatments and plaster details. Still, the smoke in the air made the place seem otherworldly, almost dreamlike.
It took a moment before he realized the faint pounding he’d been hearing off and on was, in fact, real. Brows draw together, he followed the intermittent pounding. It came from down t
he hallway he and Master Gella had used what seemed like days ago. He had to douse fires along the way, but eventually he followed the banging to the elevator.
Aeron pressed the stud to the side but nothing happened.
He stared at the closed doors. “H–Hello?”
“Yes! I’m in here! Help me!” The voice sounded male. “I think fire has damaged something! Earlier, I heard a very loud rumbling crash from the ceiling and the elevator stopped moving. It’s been getting warmer and warmer in here, too. Thank the gods you found me!”
Aeron eyed the door frame and the elevator’s doors. “Step to the back. I’m going to try something.”
“Alright!”
If he used reverse compression, a bit like he did to remove Anaya’s shackles that one time, he should be able to force the doors apart. He set the framework, placed the anchors, and then completed the spell. There was a bit of metallic-sounding groaning, then a clanging snap, a thump, and the doors flew apart.
Aeron blinked.
The elevator car itself was only halfway up the doorway. Rubble on top of the car filled the rest. A portion of the debris, parts of two burning timbers, fell out into the hallway, shedding coals.
Aeron jumped to the side and a yelp came from within the elevator when some tumbled in.
He wove the water sphere enchantment again, with a wide opening so as not to hurt the man inside with a too forceful stream, and drenched all the flames within and without the elevator.
“Are you alright?” He ended the portal spell.
“Fine, if a little soaked.” The metal grate interior doors slid apart, then hands appeared on the edge of the floor and a smiling face soon followed. “But I’ll take soaking wet over burned to a crisp any day.”
The man eyed Aeron’s gear and drew his brows together. “Do you know Fillion?”
“I do.” Aeron walked over and reached a hand down.
The man took it, and after a bit of straining and pulling, he rolled onto the floor of the hallway. “Thank you again, dragonlinked. It would have been a sad way to go, like a roast chicken in a baking dish.”
Aeron stared at him. “You know Fillion?”
Deep groaning from somewhere above followed by what definitely sounded like something collapsing drew both their gazes.
“Can we talk about this outside?” The man stood. “We should leave. Quickly.”
Of Gods, Trees, and a Sapling: Dragonlinked Chronicles Volume 4 Page 96
