War In The Winds (Book 9)

by Craig Halloran

  “Dragon Prince,” the commander said. “We should not travel so far from the army.”

  “Then go back,” Nath said.

  The big commander let out a whistle, and several of the other men headed back toward the ranks. The commander kept pace behind Nath.

  “The High Priestess won’t approve of this,” the commander said. “I advise you to return.”

  Nath slowed his mount and turned. He pointed toward the sky. Dragons circled in the air.

  “Selene has much better eyes on me than you, Commander. Perhaps it is you who should return to the ranks. I’d hate to be the one who leaves her army exposed.”

  “Er … well…”

  “Of course, you’re all being replaced by the draykis anyway. Just think, if you die in battle, that just might be your fate. A fate worse than death.”

  “Dragon Prince,” the commander said, “I’m following orders. I mean no offense.”

  Nath turned his mount and headed down the trail. He didn’t care what the commander thought, or Selene. He was tired of being babysat. It stirred him. Made him think of Brenwar.

  I wonder how ol’ Grizzly Beard is doing?

  The trail led on another league and dipped down a hill into a narrow crevice. Mossy rock faces were steep on either side, and the trail was darkened by overhanging branches. The trail of the scouts and Selene’s men faded.

  “This is interesting,” Nath said.

  “What’s that?” the commander said, leaning forward on his horse.

  “If you took that ugly helmet off, you could see better.”

  The commander’s head creaked as it twisted toward the sky.

  “Are you afraid of dragon droppings?” Nath said.

  “Er … no, Dragon Prince. Just unneeded exposure.”

  Nath slid out of the saddle and led his horse by the reins. The commander did the same, hopping off and raising a clamor with his armor.

  “Big and loud,” Nath said, shaking his head. “Armor slows a skilled man down. It makes the instincts lazy.”

  “You have scales.”

  Nath’s head turned halfway back, and he said, “And what of it?”

  “That’s armor.”

  “I sense something odd about you,” Nath said, forging ahead. “I’m not sure I like it.”

  He cut through the pass with the commander’s heavy armor licking at his ears. Brenwar’s gear never made a sound. This man behind him sounded like an entire army. Even his breath made noise.

  Big. Heavy. Slow. Maybe I’ll throw him at something.

  They had pushed through the crevice for another hour when Nath came to a stop, peering forward into a clearing. A rank smell drifted into his nose. The horses nickered. Something burned and reeked.

  “What is it?” the commander said, trying to cover his nose with his mailed fist. “It’s foul.”

  Nath pressed on, eyeing the rock walls that rose on either side. Anything could be hiding in the cliffs. The crevice opened up into a canyon. There was heavy brush and cave mouths everywhere. He happened upon the dead bodies of three soldiers. Scouts of Barnabus. Armor was torn. Bodies were broken. One was burned to cinders and still smoldered.

  “Death is a rank smell,” the commander said. “Those wounds. Looks as if dragons did this.” He grabbed his sword belt and buckled it on. “We must find the High Priestess.”

  Nath placed his hand in the large impression of a dragon’s paw. He could see signs of their passing everywhere.

  Ambush! Another Ambush! There is no honor in that!

  His nose twitched in the air, searching for the lingering scent of Selene.

  Surely she can handle herself.

  He traipsed through the canyon. Signs of battle were all over. Above, trees jutted toward the top of the canyon, but the skies were mostly hidden, and a strange yellow mist hung in the air, obscuring his vision. The scent of death lingered everywhere. He forged ahead, following a scuffled trail that smashed down the grasses.

  “Where are you going?” the commander said.

  “Stay with the horses,” Nath replied.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No, you won’t be able to keep up.” He turned and faced the commander. “I’ve a feeling Selene’s in danger, so you can wait or you can go for help.”

  “I insist I go,” the big man said, coming forward.

  Nath shoved him backward, and the man toppled over.

  “Stay put,” Nath said, turning away. “If she’s within these caves, I’ll bring her back. If not, we’ll resume the search elsewhere.” He started off.

  “Dragon Prince, please …”

  Nath kept moving on until the voice and figure of the commander vanished into the strange fog.

  CHAPTER 27

  Nath followed the impressions in the ground. Something was being dragged. Selene, perhaps. He couldn’t tell, but there were dragon prints. He dug his claws into the rock and started his climb. It didn’t seem possible that anything could surprise Selene. The dragons or whatever took her must have been clever. Sprung a perfect trap. Dragons were capable of that. They didn’t often work together, but with the war, things had changed.

  He ran his hands over the loose rocks and noted claw marks scraped into the stone. The markings led him to a large cave mouth. Brush and trees were crushed down and pushed aside. Heart pounding, he made his way into the pitch black cave and traveled dozens of feet within. Coming to a stop, he closed his eyes and let his dragon instincts take over.

  He could smell them, sometimes. Dragons. They were hard to track on the rock and in the air, but they did give off the faintest odor. Only the keenest noses could detect it. Dragons blended in well with their environments in all aspects. They were flowers among flowers. Part of the landscape. Part of the terrain. They melded into cave walls. Burrowed under the grasses. Nestled in the trees. Even insects didn’t note them.

  He took a breath.

  Alright, Selene, where are you?

  Of all the people in Nalzambor, Selene would have been the last person he ever thought he would miss, but things change. She was the closest thing to him that he’d ever known. He needed her. He recollected something Brenwar had said.

  ‘Women are always trouble. Be mindful.’

  The cave coiled through the rock at a gradual slope, twisted, and began to deepen. Eyes squinted, Nath traversed the tunnel that became slick with dirt and grime. There were many passages, some narrow, others wide and tall where giant bats rustled on the ceiling. Nath’s keen dragon eyes glowed with a faint golden light, and he could make out the outlines of the walls that were slick with water and glittering minerals. His hand fell to his sword Fang, but it was not there.

  Guzan! I wish Fang were here!

  The magnificent blade always gave him comfort, even when they didn’t get along. He set his jaw, waded through shallow waters, and scaled slippery walls. One thing about caves, they often became much bigger inside than out. He clambered up into another chamber and weaved his way through stalagmites that reminded him of giant chess pieces.

  A gust of hot air stung his face.

  Sultans of Sulfur!

  A glimmer of light shone far below, a streak of lava flowing through a crevice. An eerie whining nipped his ears.

  Selene!

  Nath leapt down the next level and followed the river of lava deeper into the cave. The bubbling magma glowed on his face, lighting up the room and casting shadows through the cave. The whining continued on, a strange howl of the wind, or maybe a woman, or the call of a crafty dragon. Something moaned. Familiar. Distraught. He picked up the pace, jogging along the flaming stream, hopping over the rocks, and dashing from side to side. The lava spat and hissed at his trespass, but Nath did not slow until he came to an abrupt stop where the stream turned into a fall and splashed into a molten lake a hundred feet below.

  Sweat beaded Nath’s head. The flaming cauldron of fire burbled and gurgled, beckoning for him. Scanning the steaming haze, he caught a glimpse of a
figurine pinned down on an island of rock in the middle of the molten pond. The body sagged down in a crumpled heap, weighted down by great chains. Nath caught the glitter of the prisoner’s eyes.

  Selene!

  She stirred in her bonds, and he could see blood on her face. His heart jumped. He climbed down the rock face of the lava fall and jumped the last thirty feet onto the banks of the pond. A path of rocks led to the island where Selene lay still. Scathing bubbles of lava popped up between the rocks and splashed back down. Nath dipped his toe in the lava. He took a sharp draw of air through his teeth.

  Great Guzan!

  His toe throbbed, but his scales didn’t burn. He scanned all around the lake and everywhere around the rock island.

  There must be a guardian somewhere.

  His mind raced. What manner of creature had dragged her into this cave and dropped her on the island? Red rock dragons might have been the culprits, but they couldn’t fly.

  Need to move!

  A geyser of lava erupted between him and the next rock on the path. He hopped thirty feet across the lava, landing just as it exploded again.

  Sultans!

  He timed it. Lava blasted. He hopped, rock to rock to rock. The lava blasted his tail end on the final heave to the island.

  “Yipe!”

  Crashing to the ground, he scrambled up and straight for Selene. He scooped her up in his arms and pushed her matted hair from her battered face.

  “Selene,” he said, shaking her gently, “Selene.”

  Her eyes fluttered open.

  “Nath?”

  “What happened?” he said, helping her into a sitting position.

  “I sensed something,” she said, holding her head. “Took the scouts and wanted to see what it was for myself. We were ambushed inside the canyons.” She shuddered. “Hit hard and fast. Dragons. Bright ones. Tore into the men. I had started to take dragon form when a boulder the size of a city blasted into my head. At least that’s what I thought it was.” She looked up into his eyes. “They were waiting for me, Nath. They were ready.” She held up her arm.

  “What is that?”

  “Huh,” she said, rubbing the bright metal bracelet adorned in jewels cuffed to her arm. “It’s something I should have used on you. It crossed my mind, but I trusted you. They call it Nalzor’s Band of Negation. It blocks my magic powers.”

  He grabbed her wrist and started to pull it off.

  Selene shrieked and jerked her arm away.

  “Don’t you think I tried that already?” She clutched her wrist. Agony was on her face. She said to him, “Don’t do that again!”

  “Well, let’s get you out of here at least then,” he said, reaching down and trying to lift her up. She resisted. “Get up, Selene.”

  “We aren’t going anywhere!”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nath, don’t you think I would have walked out of here if I could have?”

  “I saw none of your captors, Selene. Let’s go.”

  “You’ll see them soon enough,” she said, brushing her jet-black hair aside. “You’re trapped here the same as I am.”

  “Trapped by what?”

  She huffed the hair out of her face. “Nath, I’m pretty sure whatever they put on this island stays on this island.”

  “Again, I don’t see anything, Selene.” He reached for her. She jerked away. “I’ll carry you out of here over my shoulder if I have to.”

  She shot him a look.

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Don’t test me,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Tell you what, Nath. Go ahead and step toward the flaming pond’s edge.”

  He shrugged and made his way toward the lake of lava.

  Plop! Plop! Plop! Plop!

  The stones he had crossed on sunk into the magma.

  “Guzan!”

  “Told you,” she said, “and I don’t think Guzan will be of much help, either. Pretty sure he’s dead, to begin with.”

  Nath leered at her over his shoulder.

  “What?” she said, shrugging. “He’s just a legend. All legends are dead.” She laughed and said, “Except you.”

  “Funny, Selene.” He sat down and crossed his legs, staring out over the blazing lava lake. “Very Funny.”

  CHAPTER 28

  Nath pitched a loose rock into the lake.

  “Great.”

  His frustration was mounting. None of this would have been so bad if he could transform and fly.

  “Any suggestions?” he said, twisting toward Selene.

  “Maybe the draykis will show at some time. Maybe some dragons, but by then I figure it will be too late.”

  “You think your captors are coming to kill you?”

  “They went to great length to capture me,” she said. “I’d say they have a contingency for everything.”

  Nath dashed the sweat from his eyes. Any lesser person would have died from the suffocating heat of the molten lava, but dragons could survive in the harshest environments. Above, he could see bats hanging among the stalactites of the cave. He recalled the time he had drunk one of Brenwar’s potions and turned into a bat. He’d been blinded by it. It had almost killed him.

  He scooted back alongside Selene and asked, “Who do you think is behind all of this?”

  She rolled her eyes his way and said, “Are you really asking me that? Certainly you know who I think.”

  “My father?” He shook his mane. “No, I don’t believe it.”

  “Your father is as ruthless as he is good, Nath. Why wouldn’t he take me out? I’m the leader of his enemy. I’d take me out too, if I were him.”

  “I don’t think my father does things this way.”

  “Hah! Of course he does. Or he has someone else do it for him.” She shrugged and pulled her knees to her chest. “I can live with my fate, Nath.”

  It was the only time he’d seen her vulnerable. He felt for her. He put his hand on her shoulder and said, “I don’t think it’s him.” He didn’t say anything for a moment then added, “Perhaps you can teach me something about my powers that can help us.”

  “There’s not much I can think of, and besides”—her eyes pointed toward the ledges—“I think it’s too late for that. They come.”

  Nath stepped in front of her. Fiery eyes burned within the distant crevices. Humanoid globs of lava emerged from the fiery lake.

  “What are those things?” he said.

  “Fire goblins and lava trolls,” she said. “My guardians, but not my captors. As I said, this was well thought out. The dragons will come at any moment. You had better grab some steel. I don’t think your fire breath will be much help.”

  “I don’t have a sword,” he said.

  “Look around,” she said. “Many have perished here long before I came around. This island is full of strange treasures. Small amount of use most of them are now.”

  “MAAAAAH—ROOOOOOOO!”

  The lava troll came forward out of the red-hot sludge. Lava slid off its ghastly grey form as it stood towering over the lake. Its head was a monstrosity, its mouth foul with busted teeth. Its lumpy skin was as smooth as a fish belly.

  Nath rummaged through the decayed bones and rusting weapons.

  Great Dragons! I wish I had Fang!

  “Nath, look out!”

  The troll splashed a wave of lava right at him. Nath dove away and rolled.

  “Argh!”

  Drops of lava sizzled on his scales. Wading through the bones of the dead, he found a spear and jerked it out of a skull.

  “This’ll do.”

  The troll splashed another wave of lava and lumbered onto the shore.

  Nath danced away, squared up on the towering monster, and threw the spear.

  “URK!”

  The troll thrashed and flailed with the spear jutting from its chest. It teetered backward, and its head splashed into the lake of lava.

  “Nice shot,” Selene said.

  Nat
h walked over to the troll’s body and retrieved the spear. He tossed it to Selene, who plucked it from the air.

  “Defend yourself, Selene. There’s plenty of weapons around here.”

  “What can I say, Nath. You spoil me. I like seeing you in action…” She tossed the spear back to him. “Champion.”

  An ear-splitting shriek caught his ears.

  “Now what?”

  A dragon the size of three men streaked through a hole in the ceiling of the cave. Its belly scales were a pale shade of red, and its body scales were cinnamon. Its claws were long, thick, and sharp as razors. It circled its prey from above.

  “That’s the one, Nath,” Selene said, eyes wide. “That’s the one that’s going to kill me.”

  “Her?” Nath said. “I think I can handle her.”

  “Well, I can’t. Not without my power. It’s me or her, Nath. Me or her.”

  Nath lingered by Selene and said, “I think you’ll be just fi—uh!”

  A lightning bolt knocked him from his feet, and a blue streak buzzed right over him. Its talons tore a gash in his cheek. Nath sprang to his feet, only to catch another bolt in the chest. His teeth clattered off his chin, and he fell face first on the ground.

  “Ugh, that hurts!”

  ***

  From her knees, Selene watched Nath battle against the blue razor dragons.

  It’s working.

  Grasped inside the palms of her hands, an egg-shaped blue stone glowed. Jaxite. And her mind was attached to it.

  She wanted to laugh. All of her planning had worked to perfection. Nath believed it all. Everything from the dragons capturing her to Nalzur’s Band of Negation was a complete sham. She had all of her powers and then some, including control of the good dragons that she was setting Nath up to kill.

  Just a little longer, Selene. A little longer. She gave another command to the blue streak dragons. Keep him at bay as long as you can, and await my signal.

  The blue razors reared up on their hind legs, spitting jolts of lightening at Nath. He lunged with the spear at one only to get blasted in the back by another. The blue streaks were the fastest living dragons. They could keep Nath corralled for a time.