Realm Of Blood And Fire (Book 3)

by Dionne Lister

  The king sighed and slid it into his weapons belt. “Happy?”

  “Very.”

  Edmund turned to his servant. “Make sure all the shutters are secured—the openings are too small for a gormon, but we don’t want to take any chances. They might decide to carry Inkrans on their backs. I have others securing the other rooms.” He looked at the realmist, whose calm demeanor surprised him. “You ready?”

  “Yes, my king. After you.” Elphus swept his arm toward the door then followed Edmund outside, four guards on their heels.

  They descended the sweeping staircase, and Edmund stopped halfway to briefly look at the portraits of his father and grandfather. I’ll do what I can to save our home. Please forgive me if I fail. He bowed his head then continued on his way. The reception area was eerily quiet, the seats empty—no farmers with land disputes awaited his judgment, no merchant with a claim for unpaid goods to beg his intervention.

  Even the courtyard was quiet compared to the past few weeks. The king looked up and scanned the top of the wall surrounding the city. Some of his men were visible—some were shielded by the parapet. From the part of the wall closest to the castle, one man waved. Edmund recognized Pernus, mostly because of the large dragon standing next to him. He waved back. “Can you send a message to Arcese and ask how they’re going?”

  “Yes, certainly.” Good afternoon, Arcese. King Edmund would like an update.

  We can’t see anything. They’ll probably wait until dark to attack—they can see well in the dark, and being out in the full sun is painful for them. They wouldn’t be traveling in daylight hours. Maybe they won’t make it tonight. Have you checked their position recently?

  I checked this morning, and they weren’t that far away, although it’s hard to be exact. I’d say four or five hours flying time.

  Thanks. Let Edmund know the archers are ready, the army is hidden throughout the city and the dragons my father is sending will be here within the hour.

  Will do. “Everything seems to be in order, and the dragons will be here within the hour.”

  “Good.”

  A boy, not much older than Arie, ran from the main castle doors to the king. He bowed, and his blond fringe fell in his face as he looked up at Edmund. When he stood straight, the top of his head barely reached the king’s shoulder.

  “What is it, lad?”

  “Captain Chapman said he needs Sir Elphus again. We’ve got another batch of arrows.”

  “Is that okay, Elphus?”

  “Of course, but this will be the last. All the power I’ve been using the last few days has tired me out, and I need my strength for tonight.”

  The king noticed the dark circles under the realmist’s eyes. “Go and do that, and then have a rest. I’ll send someone up to fetch you in two hours. We have time before they get here, don’t we?”

  “Around four or five hours.”

  “Go. I’ll see you later.”

  The king watched Elphus walk back to the castle and noticed that as large as he was, even he had lost weight. The stress of the coming battle was affecting everyone. Edmund took a deep breath. Facing his brother, after everything that had happened, would be heartbreaking. How had it come to this? He wondered if there was anything he could have done differently when they were growing up that would have averted this disaster. It’s too late now. Better focus on what I have to do.

  “King Edmund.”

  He turned to see a soldier, the brown vest over his armor marking him as one of Alaine’s soldiers.

  “I’m Captain Lingus, Your Highness.” The tall, broad-shouldered man bowed, and when he straightened, Edmund saw a faded scar that drew a line from his temple to his chin.

  “What can I do for you, Lingus?”

  “I wanted to walk through the placement of our troops, so you know where everyone is. Pernus has had a look, but he asked me to show you.”

  “Of course. It was on my list of things to do. Let’s go, Captain.” Edmund followed Lingus out of the gates and down through the city. What will be left after the gormons have been through? He wanted to slap himself for the morbid thoughts, but it was hard not to mope just a little. His wife and child were gone, his brother wanted him dead, and now his city and people would be next—unless they could stop them.

  The next hour was, thankfully, taken up by inspections with Lingus. And when they had finished, Fernis’s captain wanted his advice on the placement of his troops. By the time Edmund had reached the courtyard again, torches had been lit and all the shutters on the windows were locked. It was like Bayerlon castle didn’t want to see what was about to happen—the gods new Edmund didn’t either.

  “Excuse me, King Edmund.” It was Calen, Pernus’s errand boy. His huge blue eyes were open as wide as they would go. “I’ve been sent to tell you that the dragons are here.” He pointed to where Arcese and Pernus stood atop the wall, and then raced into the castle, back to his captain.

  The king followed the boy’s path through the reception area and into the great room. Whenever he entered this grand room with its vaulted ceiling, he felt at peace. He could still imagine his father reading to him and Leon while sitting on the rug in front of the massive hearth, the firelight throwing shadows on the shields and banners hanging from the walls.

  Before walking through the room, he turned right. Reaching the wall, he stood in front of an enormous tapestry depicting his great-great-grandfather kneeling in front of a priest of Decrus—god of order—on his coronation day. He pushed aside the tapestry to reveal an open door that led to the stairway accessing the top of Bayerlon’s walls.

  Ascending the stairs, the din of excited conversation floated to him.

  As soon as Edmund emerged at the top, he received a greeting.

  “King Edmund, I am Aramonius and am here to serve.” A blood-red dragon bowed as much as his body and the narrow confines would allow. When he straightened, he even towered over Arcese. He was the largest dragon Edmund had ever seen.

  “As are we.” Three other dragons, more rust colored than blood red, also bowed. Then Edmund noticed that Arcese was covered in patches of red.

  “Thank you. Veresia is most grateful. Why are you all red? I didn’t think there were that many red dragons.”

  “It is the color we wear in battle.”

  “Ah. Pernus, have we had any news on Perculus’s whereabouts?

  “No, my king. No doubt he will pop up when we least expect, or want.”

  “No doubt. Arcese, would you mind calling Elphus? I’m afraid there’s no more time for him to rest.” Edmund looked over the wall and into the countryside beyond. Thick clouds enclosed the moon, muffling its light, hiding the hills and fields. His skin prickled. They wouldn’t see the gormons until they were almost on top of them.

  “What are your tactics with the dragons?” Edmund, feeling more exposed, turned to Pernus.

  “We’re going to have them hang back at first. Once we’re engaged, and the gormons have other things on their minds, the dragons can intervene where they’re needed most.” Pernus lowered his voice. “They’re your only quick way out of here, and I don’t want to risk them if I don’t have to. If they die, you’ll likely be next. It’s the only viable exit strategy we have.”

  Edmund gripped his sword hilt, his veins bunching up under his gloves. “Pernus, if things deteriorate quickly, I want you on one of those dragons. We’ll need your expertise at Vellonia.”

  “I can’t abandon my army.”

  “I can’t abandon my people, yet I might have to. I won’t throw your life away. If we get to the point where we can do nothing more here, you know that’s the tactical thing to do.”

  Pernus gritted his teeth.

  “King Edmund!” Arcese called across the group of dragons. “It’s Elphus. He didn’t make it back to his room. He’s just woken up on the floor, near the dungeons.”

  “Is he all right—what happened?”

  “He says he was attacked.” She listened as Elphus finishe
d explaining what happened. “Almighty mother of Drakon! It was Perculus. Elphus says your advisor is turning into one of them.”

  “One of them?” Pernus asked.

  Edmund’s face paled, which went largely unnoticed in the dim torchlight. “One of them. He’s a gormon?”

  Arcese nodded.

  “Arcese, come with me. Pernus, let us know when the gormons arrive.” The king motioned for two soldiers to join them and hurried down the stairs, drawing his sword at the bottom. As he raced through halls and rooms, servants and soldiers stared in surprise—none of them had experienced battle. Seeing their king, sword drawn, reminded them that the time of peace was finally over. Death would visit soon, and none knew who would receive his invitation to the afterworld. After Edmund passed, soldier looked at soldier, servant at servant, and each wondered who would be His next guest.

  The musty air filled the king’s nostrils with the smell of earth as he marched through the underbelly of Bayerlon’s castle. The two soldiers ranged out in front of him, swords drawn, while Arcese walked behind, ready to draw power. They took a right-hand turn then a left into darkness—the torches had been extinguished. The dragon grabbed the nearest torch and passed it to Edmund.

  The voice that came from just out of sight was not quite a whisper but was strained nonetheless. “I’m over here.”

  They slowed, wary of walking into a trap. Eventually, Edmund’s torchlight found Elphus. He sat on the floor, leaning against a closed cell door. The soldiers checked the surrounding area and, convinced it was safe, motioned Edmund to approach. The king kneeled next to the realmist. “That’s a nasty gash on your head.” He pulled out a kerchief and wiped at a dried ribbon of blood that had crusted from his temple to jaw. “Sorry, it’s not going to come off.”

  Elphus’s laugh was weak. “If you spit on the kerchief and wipe my face like my mother used to do, I’ll zap you with lightning.”

  Edmund laughed. “Don’t worry—you won’t suffer my saliva today. So, what happened?”

  “We were in one of the rooms down that way.” Elphus pointed into the dark. “It was safer to do what I had to do away from the crowd. I’m making the arrow coatings flammable on contact with the gormon’s hides, for those who don’t have time to light them, but accidents happen, and I didn’t want anyone injured if one was accidentally set off.” He groaned and gently touched his fingertips to his injury. “Anyway, I was in there with one of the young men from the blacksmith’s—Fawl, his name was—and that young lad who fetched me earlier. He waited outside, on account of me saying it was too dangerous inside, so he was the first to die.” As old as he was, and as much as he’d seen, he still covered his face with one chubby hand to hide his sorrow.

  “Go on.” Edmund rested a hand on his shoulder.

  “I heard screaming from outside, and then silence.” He shuddered. “Then the door burst in, and it wasn’t clear at first if it was Perculus standing there or a creature from the Third Realm. It was hideous—worse than watching him eat.” The realmist tried to laugh, but only managed to make his lips tremble. “I concluded it was more monster than man. It still has Perculus’s face . . . but his body . . . and the tail….”

  “What happened next?”

  “He . . . it laughed and said ‘Give this message to your king’.” Elphus let his hand fall from his face, and he looked into Edmund’s eyes. “That’s when he grabbed Fawl and bit his neck. There was blood everywhere. He left Fawl on the ground and came for me. I tried to link to the Second Realm, but I was being blocked. He said, ‘Kwaad is coming, and Leon will take his revenge. Within hours, this city will be overrun with the rightful owners, and your king will be dead.’ And that’s when he knocked me out, I suppose, because I don’t remember any more.”

  “Can you stand up?”

  “Let me help.” Arcese nudged Edmund out of the way and placed her hands under the realmist’s arms, careful not to slice him with her claws. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Arcese effortlessly lifted him to his feet and held him to make sure he wasn’t going to fall. Elphus grabbed the rough stone wall to steady himself, his head hanging down for a moment. “I think I can walk.”

  “If you can’t, I can carry you.” Arcese slowly took her hands away.

  “I’m okay, just a bit of a headache. Let me see if I can draw power.” He opened himself up to the black corridor, and the way was clear. As a precaution, he drew power and kept the link open.

  “Your Highness, what’s that noise?” The soldier holding the torch edged past Edmund and looked down the lit hallway. “It’s coming from right down the end, there.”

  Arcese cocked her head to one side. “That is a definite noise that doesn’t sound like it should be here.” She stared at nothing for a few moments while she sent a mind-message to the captain. “I’ve asked Pernus to send one of the dragons and some men down here. I don’t like the feel of this. Something’s wrong.”

  “Do you think this is a trap?” King Edmund looked at Elphus then Arcese.

  “Maybe I was bait, to get you down here. I thought all the access tunnels under the castle had been closed off years ago.”

  “They had, but what if they’ve found a way to reopen them?”

  The young soldier with the torch looked back at Edmund. “Something’s coming.” He ducked his head back and waited behind the wall, his sword arm poised to strike.

  Edmund lowered his voice. “Can you tell what it is?”

  “They’re big, like Arcese, but they’re too far away for me to see exactly what they are. It looks like the torches have been put out down there too. There’s two, or three big shapes, maybe more.”

  The group waited, eyes fixed on the intersection of the corridor. The young soldier felt the urge to run, but he stayed still. Adrenaline warmed his stomach and throat. He turned to look at Edmund and saw fear and anger in his king’s eyes. I won’t let them kill my king, he thought as he turned back to watch.

  Arcese could feel the dragon’s ancient enemy—it felt as if the air was heavier and she couldn’t breathe properly. The gormons’ subtle stench preceded them. The dragon princess wanted to draw power and shield them, but she didn’t want their enemy to know she was there. Instead, she drew power from the river that lay deep beneath where they stood. The shield she created wasn’t as strong as if she’d used Second-Realm energy, but it was better than nothing.

  “Stay back,” she whispered to Edmund and Elphus. “Get ready.”

  They could hear the click of claws on stone coming closer. How many were there? The dragon felt as if she had stopped breathing, tense, waiting to strike. But then a noise from behind them—one small click.

  Elphus, Edmund and the soldier at the rear turned, the realmist creating a fireball that lit the passage as bright as day, making them squint in the sudden brightness. Perculus had returned.

  Edmund gasped. His former advisor had grown taller, wider, his skin a near-translucent gray. His forehead had widened and his jaw elongated, but the man who used to be Perculus was still there, staring out of eyes that were set farther apart than before.

  “Do you fear me, King? Don’t think I didn’t see you look down your nose at me over the years. You think you’re so much better than everyone, but I know the truth. And now Leon, our rightful ruler, has given me a chance to stand alongside him. Prepare to meet your fate.” Perculus swiped a clawed hand at the soldier. The man threw himself to the side. Too slow, he was knocked to the ground. Perculus smiled and turned to Elphus.

  The young man, who couldn’t have been more than nineteen Edmund surmised, clutched his stomach and looked down—but, to his surprise, Arcese’s shield had stopped the blow from gutting him. Sword still in hand, he scrambled to his feet as Perculus turned on Elphus.

  Without taking his eyes off the monstrosity, Elphus spoke to Arcese. I can’t throw the fireball with the shield in the way.

  I’d take it down, but I have my own problems.

  Elphus let th
e ball of fire die out and turned his head. Over his shoulder, he saw four gormons. The fully-matured version made Perculus look like a harmless puppy.

  Edmund, wanting to know what had made Elphus’s mouth drop open, turned to look behind himself. His own calm thought surprised him. So that’s what a gormon looks like. Hmm, they’re a bit bigger than a dragon but thinner and much uglier. How in the Third Realm are we going to kill them?

  Perculus tapped Elphus on the shoulder. “Ready to die?” He bit into the realmist’s neck, but his teeth stopped a centimeter from his flesh. The juvenile gormon hissed and bit down again, denied a second time. His frustrated scream made Elphus smile.

  “Aw, poor Perculus. Hungry, are we?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the soldier nearest him try to circle around the back of Perculus. “Lad, no. Come back!” But it was too late—he had walked through the shield’s boundary . . . out of its protection.

  The young man drew his sword back and stabbed at Perculus’s back, trying to run him through the middle. Perculus turned and swatted at the blade. He deflected the blow from his back, but his forearm felt the sharp bite of the blade—a slight flinch, the only sign that he felt the injury. Perculus grabbed the young man’s arm and drew him forward. While this close together, the soldier couldn’t maneuver his sword, and he stared up into Perculus’s eyes, the pupils ringed with red.

  Edmund looked on as his man struggled in the grip of the thing that used to be his advisor. The boy gagged when Perculus breathed on him. The king ran forward, sword poised, wanting to divest Perculus of his head. But Elphus grabbed his arm. “You’ll step out of the protective bubble that Arcese has made. If that boy had stayed in here….”

  Stricken, Edmund watched as the traitor breathed acid-infused fire into the soldier’s face. His skin melted before he had time to scream. The almost-gormon pushed him away and turned to face Edmund.

  The gormons standing near Arcese breathed their own acidic fire, but Arcese’s defenses held, and she noted that they didn’t have quite the range the dragons did. This standoff couldn’t go on indefinitely, though. She had to fight back while she still had the energy—she couldn’t hold this shield forever, and she imagined the gormons could spew their venom all night if they wanted. Elphus, I’m going to drop the shield. Attack as soon as I do. Fireballs work well, because their skin is coated with some kind of oil.