Rolf laughed as he turned away from us to navigate through the crowd. I stared after him, wishing I could’ve given him a piece of my mind.
“Cocky little punk, isn’t he?” I said.
“He’s family.”
“I still can’t believe you gave the throne to him.”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
The music and laughter grew louder, or maybe my headache grew worse, I wasn’t sure which.
“Would it be all right if we go now?” I asked. “I think I need some fresh air.”
“Yes, good idea.”
He took my hand and led me through the crowd, but it took a full twenty minutes just to get outside, as every person in the kingdom felt that now was the time to stop and chitchat with the king. Kull handled it better than I could have, and I got a few polite hellos, but for the most part, I got the usual comments.
Is he with that half-breed again? I heard a few people whisper. When do you think he’ll settle down and find a real Wult woman?
The gossip was enough to make me want to mouth off and tell everyone to mind their own damn business, but Kull thankfully led me outside into the crisp evening air, where my annoyance faded.
We walked along a path overshadowed by tall trees with branches that creaked in the wind. Brittle leaves curled from the branches, and as the wind tugged on the limbs, they were set free to spiral to the ground. The trail sloped downward, and we hiked the path with the sound of the leaves crunching beneath our feet.
The evening sun dipped toward the horizon as we traded the mountain path for a flat, rocky trail that led into an unfamiliar part of the forest. In the distance, I heard the sound of running water, and several times I spotted the river’s white-capped, glacier water rushing over smooth stones.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“You’ll see.”
Vines and green plants grew along the ground, choking the path and making it hard to see in the failing light.
“No one uses this trail anymore,” Kull said, “but a hundred years ago, this was a major thoroughfare linking the castle with the village.”
“Why doesn’t anyone use it now?”
“You’ll see.”
He pointed straight ahead. I followed his line of sight and found a large structure hidden by vines.
“What is that?” I asked.
He took my hand and pulled me along with him. “I’ll show you.”
We walked to the building and then circled the outer wall, which was when I realized the structure was massive and seemed to stretch in all directions.
“What was this place?”
“The old abbey. It was built almost three centuries ago. No one uses it now.”
He led me to a section of wall that had been cleared of vines, and we entered through an open doorway, where smells of damp earth filled the interior. His two bodyguards followed us, although I tried not to notice. Large, coral-colored flowers bloomed in some sections, while in other places, stones created floors and walls that looked almost untouched by time. In some places, the roof was still intact.
“What do you think?” Kull asked.
“It’s interesting, but I’m still not sure why you brought me here.”
“Because, Olive, you are standing on the site of Faythander’s very first universal library.”
“Library?”
“Well, soon-to-be library. I’ve already gotten the architects to take a look, and they say the foundation is still good. Most of the walls will have to be rebuilt, but give it a month or two, and it should be cleaned up and in good enough shape to start the construction. What do you think?”
“I… I’m a little shocked, to be honest.”
“Shocked?”
“Yes. I had no idea you wanted to build a library. What prompted this?”
“I was running out of room in my own library, for one thing. Plus, I’ve had to keep Kitten locked up in a vault downstairs, which isn’t really fair to anyone.”
“Kitten—your pet T-Rex?”
“Exactly. My hope was to have the ancient dragon bones on display in a place where everyone could learn from their history, but as it is, the keep is hardly a museum. It’s heavily defended and difficult for anyone but Wults to enter. My library is bursting at the seams, so I thought, what if I build a place where everyone could come? And not the way elves do it, where knowledge is kept under lock and key, but what if I made it a place open to everyone who wants to learn?” He ran his hands along one of the walls. The stones had turned a deep amber in the light from the setting sun. “And then one day, while I was out for a walk, I spotted the old abbey, and it just sort of hit me. This would be the perfect place for the library. What do you think?”
I smiled. It was good to see him happy about something.
“Yes, I have to admit, it would be a wonderful place for Faythander’s library. I only hope the elves don’t get involved.”
“I can handle the elves. They’ve controlled knowledge in Faythander for far too long.”
“Yes, and if they find the weapons of the Madralorde, they will be controlling it for a much longer time. Are you sure the elves will allow a place like this?”
“It doesn’t matter. Elves do not rule Faythander.”
“Not yet.”
“No, not yet. And not ever if I have anything to do with it.”
“Then we’d better find the sword before they do, or else they’ll control more than just knowledge.”
“Are you worried they’ll find the sword?”
“I don’t know. Fan’twar seems to think it’s safe, but even he knows they’re desperate enough to try and take Theht’s power without it.”
“Do you really think they would try such a thing?”
“Yes. It’s only a matter of time before they find Tremulac Island and initiate the spell to call Theht back to our world. Even without the sword.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“My dad’s an elf. I’m part elf. I hate to admit it, but I know how elves work. They don’t give up. Once the queen sets her mind to something, she’ll have her way. We’d be smart to stay wary of her.”
“I’m always wary of her.”
In the distance, the sound of the thundering river echoed—the sound of something we couldn’t see yet knew was there, just like the threat from the elves. Euralysia scared me. She’d caused the extinction of an entire race. She would stop at nothing to see her purposes fulfilled.
“Can you think of any way to stop her?” Kull asked me.
“Yes. Keep the staff safe. And I also think we should find the lost isle before she does.”
“Do you know where to look?” he asked.
“No, but I do know who to ask. Maveryck knows more than he’s telling us. If anyone knows where to start, it’s him.”
“Very well, when we return to the castle, I’ll ask him.” He grabbed my hand. “But before that, I’ve got one more thing to show you.”
He led me through a weed-choked room to a tower. Half the walls had crumbled, but the stairs were still intact. We climbed up the stairs with the sounds of our booted footfalls echoing through the surrounding forest. Kull’s two bodyguards trailed behind.
The stairs spiraled up the tower, and I ran my hands along the warm stones to keep my balance. As the last rays of light disappeared completely, leaving only the bright glow of the moon to light our way, we finally made it to the top.
When I stepped onto the floor beneath the partially open roof, I caught my breath. The view was more than I’d expected. The towers of the Wult keep rose in the distance, surrounded by white-capped mountain peaks. Moonlight reflected off the river as it snaked down the mountain. Treetops swayed gently in a breeze heavy with the rich scent of sap. Above us, the stars twinkled red and blue, brighter than I’d ever seen them before, so close I wanted to reach out and touch them.
“This,” Kull said, �
��will become the observatory. We’ll build a telescope that will allow us to see the stars, the planets, and distant galaxies. The elves may have built a station up there somewhere on the moon, but we’ll be the first to see if the rumors are true.”
I stared at the moon as it glowed over the forest. Its distant light hinted at the secrets it harbored.
“Do you think it’s true that the elves built a station up there?”
“No idea. But someday soon, I hope to find out.”
A gust of wind brushed a few strands of hair across my face. Kull reached out and tucked them behind my ear.
“You look so beautiful in the moonlight,” he said. “Almost as if…”
“As if what?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”
“Nothing? Tell me.”
He smiled and leaned forward, pressing his lips to my ear. “Almost as if you were made of magic.”
An explosion came from the Wult keep’s towers. A giant orange fireball ignited the topmost parapet, and in its glow, I saw the silhouette of a silver dragon.
Kull’s face fell. All the happiness I’d seen in him disappeared, replaced once again with the haunted look—a look conjured from his nightmares.
“Silvestra has returned,” he said quietly.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I ran with Kull down the stairs but felt that no matter how fast we went, it wasn’t fast enough. Time seemed to slow down as we raced up the hilltop to the castle. My only thought was of Kull’s family trapped inside the burning castle.
When we neared the keep, the dragon’s shrieks cut through the air. The silver dragon flew over the towers, pumping her massive wings that seemed to spread from one end of the horizon to the other. A pillar of flame burst from the dragon’s mouth, igniting the keep’s topmost tower.
A group of people had gathered outside the castle walls. We pushed through the crowd, though as we neared the gates, I wasn’t sure what we could do to stop the dragon. She would burn the castle to the ground without a second thought.
My heart raced as we finally made it through the main gates. As we raced for the keep’s entrance, the dragon screamed, and I stopped when I saw another form swoop down and block out the stars.
Fan’twar barreled into the dragon, knocking her back. The light cast from the flaming tower reflected off his gold and her silver scales. As the dragons fought, my heart clenched. Fan’twar hated violence. It had been the norm for his kind for so long, and he’d tried so hard to erase that stigma from their past, but now it looked as if he had no choice but to fight.
The silver dragon snapped her massive jaws, barely missing Fan’twar’s neck. He dodged to the side, then swung his tail and hit her side, knocking her off balance. She struck at him again, but he moved away.
Overhead on the tower, the flames had been doused, leaving large clouds of smoke to replace the flames. The sharp scent of burned wood filled the air and was carried through the valley on the breeze. Bright embers flitted on air currents, drifting away from what remained of the tower.
The crowd of people grew larger as everyone fled the keep to the open courtyard. Kull’s mother and Brodnik were among them. The queen’s cheeks were smudged with soot, and she couldn’t seem to stop coughing as they limped outside.
“Kull,” she said, grabbing his arm.
“Mother, what happened?”
“I… I was in the tower when the witch appeared.” Her coughing fit started again, and she motioned for Brodnik to continue.
“The witch demanded to speak to you and Olive. When we couldn’t find you, she transformed and blasted a hole right through the tower.”
Kull clenched his fists as he stared up at the battling dragons.
“Have you a sword, Brodnik?” he asked.
“Aye.” He pulled a short sword from a scabbard at his waist and handed it to Kull. “I doubt that blade will do anything against a dragon. You don’t mean to go and fight her, do you?”
“I will do what I must.”
I grabbed Kull’s arm. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?”
“Kull, no! She wants you back. It would be better to hide.”
“Olive,” he said calmly, though I saw the panic in his eyes, “don’t you see? She’ll never stop until she has me. We never escaped her at all. There is only one way to the end this.”
“But it’s suicide. You’re no match for a dragon.”
“Then you’d best stay here,” he said and entered the castle.
“Brodnik,” Kull’s mother said, “we must go after him. We can’t let him confront the dragon.”
Brodnik stared up at the two battling dragons, his face pensive. “There’s not a word I can say to convince him otherwise.”
“Then let me speak to him.” She choked as she spoke, and I knew her lungs were possibly damaged from inhaling so much smoke. “He can’t do this,” she said. “I’ve already lost his father…” Her voice wavered. “I can’t lose him, too.”
“Nay, it’s too dangerous in there, and you need a physician.”
“But someone has to stop him!”
I spoke up. “I’ll go,” I said, my eyes meeting hers. “I can stop him.”
“You, Olive? But, no, I didn’t mean you. It’s too dangerous for you.”
“It’s all right. I’ve had a little experience dealing with dragons. And with your son—who is more stubborn than the dragons, I assure you. I’ll make sure he doesn’t kill himself up there.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes.” I turned to Brodnik, speaking quietly. “Make sure she sees a physician soon.”
He nodded, and then I backed away to enter the castle. Most of the people had cleared out, making the place eerily quiet as I took the stairs up to the topmost tower. The beating of my heart thudded loud in my ears. The acrid scent of smoke grew stronger the higher I climbed.
As I passed one floor and then another, the dragon’s shrieks pierced the stillness. I reached the top of the tower and entered an enormous, circular room, where a few piles of wood still smoldered, casting their flickering lights over Kull’s silhouette. He stood at the center of the room, while above him, through the room’s ruined, open roof, the two dragons fought.
Against the backdrop of stars, the two massive creatures attacked one another. Sounds of ripping flesh echoed through the tower. Occasional bursts of flames blinded me as the dragons shot fireballs at one another.
Fan’twar drove his massive head into Silvestra’s chest. She shrieked as she tumbled from the sky, landing with a thunderous crash on the tower’s floor.
The dragon’s body blurred, and soon we no longer stood over a dragon, but a woman. Silvestra lay before us, bleeding and panting for breath. Her clothing was ripped and tattered in places. Blood dripped down her face, and she wiped it away from her eyes. Sweat slicked her dark skin.
Fan’twar landed beside her. My stomach soured as I took in his injuries. Several gashes looked deep enough to puncture organs.
“Why have you come here, Silvestra?” Fan’twar demanded.
She spat at him, though her breathing was still too labored for her to speak. “This,” she said and pulled something from her robes. She tossed the magic box at his feet, and it landed with a clatter on the tower’s floor.
“What is this?”
“A lotus cube. It is meant to test the magical strength of a practitioner. Your ward had but to break the spell and she would have freed herself and her companion. Instead, she tricked me and stole him from my castle. I will have my vengeance, Fan’twar.”
She stood slowly, and before I had a chance to blink she was at my side, her cold hand wrapping around my neck. The feel of her flesh sent shivers down my spine.
“Her blood is mine,” she said.
Kull pointed the sword at her. “You will not have her.”
“You cannot stop me, Wult.”
“Silvestra,
” Fan’twar shouted, moving closer to us. He held the cube in his claws. The faint glow of the skull illuminated his face. “There is dark magic in this stone. How did you intend for my ward to break through its spell?”
“It should have been a simple task for her.”
“She possesses no black magic, and she never has. I fail to see how she could have ever accomplished such a feat.”
“She could have! It is within her power.” Her nails cut into my skin as she wrapped my neck tighter. “How else will the Deathbringer prophecy be fulfilled if not with the black arts?”
“You are making assumptions,” Fan’twar said. “The prophecy mentions nothing about black magic.”
“It does. See for yourself.” She flung a fireball at the floor where it exploded, a deafening sound that thundered through the room. When the fireball died down, words written in flame appeared on the floor.
Marked by death from the beginning—she will come in flame and ash, wielding the fire gifted to her of her fathers. She will cross worlds and mend the rift. She will bring death to the unbelievers, life to those marked by the ancient one. Her life will bring death, for she is the Deathbringer.
“There, that is proof. How can you deny it?”
“I fail to see how this proves your point.”
“I will have my vengeance,” she said. “It is well within her abilities to break the spell, and she tricked me. I cannot allow this to go unpunished. You know this, Fan’twar. It is our way. We have never allowed injustice. You of all dragons know such things. I demand retribution. She destroyed the sword gifted to me by the Wult, and then she took him from me. Never have I been so wronged. Her blood is mine.”
My heart pounded in my chest. She wanted my death, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop her. Not even Fan’twar had the ability to break his own rules. No matter how I looked at it, there was no way out of this situation.
Fan’twar’s pain-filled eyes met mine. “Is it true? Did you destroy the sword?”
“Yes,” I answered quietly. “It’s true.”
Silverwitch Page 15
