He found Hazel sleeping with her head on Fuchsia’s tail. He didn’t want to wake her, but he needed to find out how her evening had gone.
He turned into a human and shook her awake. She blinked her eyes opened and smiled. Then she dragged him down to lay next to her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him.
“How was your evening?”
“Amusing. Marlow is quite a character, and his bright blue scales are gorgeous. It’s a shame your family won’t accept him. Fuchsia’s totally in love, and their kids will be beautiful. Can you picture them?”
Val was glad she was happy about the whole thing, but he had bigger things on his mind. “You didn’t happen to ask if they’d fight if it came down to it?”
“No. I focused on befriending them, not enlisting them. I’m sorry. It was so relaxed and fun for a change.”
He squeezed her. “It’s okay. The fire dragons won’t align with us. They’ll reject the canyon dragons, but they’re not coming with.” Val wasn’t going anywhere though, not until he knew they were safe. If the canyon didn’t attack right away, he’d hang out for a few days. He might even be able to convince them to come fight with him.
“Do they know that if they don’t, they might be killed by the arctic?” Hazel asked.
“I’ve tried to tell them. They don’t believe me, but they do trust me, I think.” Val clenched his fists. He didn’t know what else to do.
“Let’s get rid of those two canyon and arctic dragons first. Then we can try to persuade the others to come to the mainland with us to fight.”
“What would I do without you?” Val asked.
“Never have any fun?”
He kissed her cheek. “Exactly.”
The fire dragons gathered again to meet with the canyon and arctic dragons. It was an incredible sight, seeing them all fly in. Hazel went into the crowd with Fuchsia. All the dragons cowered away when Fuchsia walked through, but they seemed curious about the human queen. Hazel said she didn’t want to be front and center. Val agreed. It would be best if it were just him and Eros to confront Yukio. Hoa stayed down in the crowd as well.
As the sun crested over the mountain, Yukio and two canyon dragons flew in. They settled in front of Eros. The tension was thick in the air.
Have you made your decision? Yukio asked.
We have, Eros responded. We will not align ourselves with you. We have a king. We will stand by him.
That is the wrong decision.
Yukio snatched Eros by the head. He gave a violent shake and tore Eros’s head from his body. For a second no one moved. As Eros’s body fell, Val and several others sprung at the arctic dragon. Yukio took to the sky, and so did Val. As he lifted, he saw a sight that made his heart still.
Hundreds of canyon and arctic dragons flew over the mountains. Yukio lunged at him, and he ducked in time to keep his head. He didn’t stay to fight. He fled. He had others to save. Including Hazel.
The mass of dragons were on top of the fire dragons before anyone could even react. The air was a flurry of red, orange, and white. There were too many canyon and arctic dragons. He wouldn’t be able to save his tribe after all.
Val threw himself in the middle of the fray, biting and clawing. He landed in front of a canyon dragon bearing down on a small child squalling next to a dead body. Val bit the dragon on the flank, and the dragon roared and spun around spewing fire. Val snapped at his neck, severing his head. Another canyon ducked in to finish the job of the first, but Val snatched up the child and flew into the woods. He dropped the child on the edge.
Stay here and hide.
Val returned to the middle of action. He saw a group of fire dragons fighting a single arctic dragon. He’d never be able to kill one on his own. They were too big, but he could give the others a better chance to kill. To take off the head of an arctic dragon, you needed at least three fire dragons, He flew up behind the white dragon and dived for his head. Just before he collided, he pulled up short and dug his claws deep into its eyes. The arctic swung his head and roared. The others lunged forward for the death kill.
Again and again he went after dragons who were in trouble, all the while looking for Hazel or Fuchsia. He didn’t see them anywhere. He managed to take the head off a few canyon dragons, but the arctic were too big. This was impossible. Very few dragons were working together. They needed to hide. They could barely defend themselves. The more fire dragons that fell, the more the canyon dragons were able to gang up on one dragon. If this kept up, no one would survive.
RETREAT, he screamed so everyone heard him. The canyon and arctic would as well, but this was the only way. He hoped everyone would listen to him.
RETREAT. HIDE, he yelled again.
He searched frantically for Fuchsia and Hazel. They were nowhere to be found, but there was a mass of bodies. Hazel could be lying dead underneath any of them. He did a wide circle, looking once again.
Dread filled his stomach, both for Hazel and for his tribe. The fire dragons weren’t retreating.
He fought his way to his uncle, who had an arctic dragon slashing at him with its foot-long claws. Val attacked from behind. Together he and Rojo beheaded the white dragon. While they were successful, others were not. No one retreated. They had to hide or they would all be gone.
Was this the end? Would they all die? Mostly red bodies littered the ground beneath him. Better to go down as a warrior than a coward. This would be his death. His end. Protecting his tribe.
He regretted not seeing Hazel again. His only hope was that Fuchsia got her away safely. He went after another canyon dragon, and killed over and over again. He must’ve killed at least ten of them, but it still wasn’t enough. Every living fire dragon was now battling two or three at a time.
He looked up and saw Fuchsia fly in with Hazel on her back. Val wanted to yell at her to leave, but a blinding pain came from his flank. He shook off the canyon dragon who’d latched onto him. He screamed, RETREAT, again in the hopes that both Fuchsia and Hazel would hear it. Then he saw a sight that filled him with relief. Over the mountain flowed a wave of blue. Thousands of blue dragons descended. The sea dragons had come to help. Thank the gods. They might survive.
With renewed energy, he fought. Tore off head after head. Slowly they battled the mass of canyon and arctic dragons. Val admired the way the sea dragons fought. They worked together and took out arctic dragon after arctic dragon. They reminded him of the precision in which the canyon dragons had taken out Las Vegas.
He hovered over an arctic dragon who was fighting against several sea dragons. Val wanted to help, but the sea dragons moved with such ease, it was almost like a dance the way the blue dragons wore the arctic out and went for the kill.
Claws pierced Val’s side, and he swiveled around to see a canyon dragon on top of him. He tucked his wings and rolled out of its grip, but the canyon swiped at his head. In a flash, Fuchsia barreled into the canyon dragon, and Hazel took a long swipe with her sword, taking off his head.
Then they were off to fight and artic. Another canyon dragon shot up at him from below. Val changed direction, taking it by surprise and ripped off its head. He swiveled around, looking for Hazel and Fuchsia, but he didn’t see them anywhere.
He dove into the tidal wave of dragons. At least they could identify each other by color, or he wouldn’t have a clue who was on each side.
It didn’t take long for the tide to change, and the few canyon and arctic dragons that survived retreated to the sky. Val didn’t pursue because then he’d put himself in danger unnecessarily. He hoped they went back to their witch and told her how the fire and sea dragons beat them.
Val searched for the one person he loved. Hazel stood next to Fuchsia with a bloody sword in her hand. She was hunched over breathing hard.
He landed next to her and changed into a human.
“Are you okay?” he
asked, searching her body for wounds. Blood covered her, but she didn’t seem to have any injuries.
She nodded but didn’t say anything.
She’s brave. That one. Fuchsia brought her head down so she could look into Hazel’s eyes.
“Yes, she is. Thank you for taking care of her, and I should thank you for rallying the sea dragons.”
Don’t thank me. Thank Marlow.
A deep blue dragon came and nudged her. Then he bowed to Val. He was tall and had an unusually long neck and tail.
Your Majesty, he said.
“You saved our lives. We are indebted to you.” Val wanted to make sure he understood how grateful he was. No one would ever forget that the sea dragons protected the fire when they were most needed.
Marlow returned to his full height and shook out his wings. We live to serve. Fuchsia told me about the war. We want to fight. Take out the arctic bastards once and for all.
Val changed into a dragon and flew up on a rock so he could see everyone. Bodies littered the field. Rojo joined him, his head hanging. Sorrow hung thick in the air.
Hoa is dead as well. You are our leader now, he said.
Val paused, looking over them. We will spend the day taking care of our dead. Don’t create jewels for the canyon or arctic. Let their ashes blow with the wind. They don’t deserve the honor. Tomorrow, I will leave with anyone who wants to avenge our dead.
They worked tirelessly throughout the day. By the day’s end, Val’s throat hurt so bad that he didn’t think he’d be able to produce flame if he tried.
They retired to a beach. Val moved among the living and comforted those who had lost loved ones. Which was everyone, really. The canyon and arctic dragons killed two-thirds of Val’s entire race. The sea dragons had only lost a handful.
Val settled next to Marlow. The sea dragons know how to fight well together.
You were thrust into the fight unexpectedly. We’ve been preparing for war for a long time.
Why?
A prophecy given long ago. We’ve been watching for a sign. When it came, we started training.
When did the sign appear? Val asked.
About fifty years ago.
What was the sign? Val couldn’t believe this. He’d thought the prophecy of the three kings was the only one out there. This was incredible.
When a sea dragon fell in love with the future king.
Val thought for a second. Wait, you mean you knew Obsidian would be king before he did.
We didn’t know, but it made sense. So we prepared. We could’ve been wrong, but we’d rather train and not have to use it than not train and regret it.
Who led the sea dragons to battle?
Marlow didn’t speak for a moment. I don’t want to brag or anything, but I am the leader of the warriors.
Val wasn’t surprised. The way they responded to Marlow was impressive. Val’s people never followed him like that.
When we get to Yellowstone, I want you on our war council. You’re a good leader. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.
Val and Hazel curled up next to Fuchsia that night to sleep.
“You did good today. Thank you for saving my life,” Val said.
Hazel smiled at him. “I saved your life twice.”
“Twice?”
“Yeah, twice. You didn’t see a dragon coming up behind you while you were fighting. We took him out.”
“I guess I owe you,” Val said.
“Yeah, you do. A lifetime of back massages. Can you handle that?”
Val chuckled. “Of course.”
The next morning Rojo approached Val.
How many are coming? Val worried that none would come even though his fear was irrational. Some would want to avenge their loved ones’ deaths.
All of them.
All of them?
Yes. Even the children. Though they won’t fight. A lot of them have lost parents, and now it’s up to all of us to take care of the orphans.
Val was dumbfounded. They were all going to fight for him. Don’t worry. We’ll avenge all of their deaths, Val said.
Hazel strolled down the beach toward him.
Are you ready?
“Not really. You might have permanent hand prints on your neck from me hanging on so tight.”
Thanks for being willing to go home this way. I need to lead them.
“I know.”
She climbed on his back, and he took off. He heard the whoosh of wings behind him. He flew out several hundred feet before he looked back. The sea of blue and red was a sight to behold. Thousands of dragons were heading to the mainland to fight, and if fate was on their side, to win.
The flight was long. Hazel was indeed hanging on with a death grip.
I see land. Are we close? Hazel asked.
Yes. But we will fly farther north before we go overland. The humans will be skittish.
Rojo pulled up alongside of him. Look ahead. What do you see?
Val saw fighter jets, and the fire in his belly turned to ice. After everything they’d been through, now they had to face the humans as well. If they split up, they wouldn’t draw any attention to themselves, but if they went in as a mass, the humans would think they were a threat. This was a complication Val had not thought of.
Sid probably would’ve. Val was shortsighted. He shouldn’t have yelled at Sid. Maybe then, Sid would be at his side right now helping him figure out what to do with a few hundred fire dragons and over a thousand sea dragons.
Rojo. Do you have any suggestions?
No, but I will go find Marlow.
When Val first spotted the fighter jets, they’d been flying away from them, but now they were coming closer. Marlow and Fuchsia joined him.
The humans will view us a threat. I think we should split into small groups. What do you think? Val asked.
The sea dragons can go underwater. Then you can all go overland in different parts. We can meet you in Yellowstone.
Very well. I’ll make an announcement.
Before he could say anything, a missile flew underneath him. He swiveled around. Fighter jets surrounded them.
SPLIT UP. We are under attack. The humans are scared of us. Defend yourselves, but do not initiate. Small groups, meet in Yellowstone. Sea dragons will go by water.
The sea dragons immediately dove into the ocean, and Val flew west, a jet on his tail. A missile buzzed past his wing.
Hazel, I have to fight. I’m sorry.
Do what you have to. She buried her head into his neck.
Val spun around and waited until the jet was close enough that he’d get a clear shot. Then he let out his flames, and the plane fell from the sky. Then he took out the plane that was bearing down on Fuchsia. He lingered a moment and saw several other planes going down. He looked around. He could still see several fire dragons, but no planes. They would have to answer for this.
He hovered in the air. Are there any casualties?
No one answered.
Very well. The humans are scared because of what the canyon and arctic dragons are doing. Go in small groups. Find a place to hide during the day, only fly at night. Meet at Mt. Washburn. We will regroup in twenty-four hours. Good luck.
His tribe disappeared in groups of twos and threes. Some flew north, others south. He waited until he could see no more red. Then he flew northwest.
Where are we going? Hazel asked.
Alaska.
But isn’t that the home of the arctic dragons?
We have to detour anyway, might as well make it useful. We can see what they’re up to.
That doesn’t sound good.
We won’t engage with any of them, but as long as we are detouring, we might as well see if we can bring information to Sid.
They flew until the sun began
to rise, and then they camped out in a small cave on the Alaskan coast. Val had to remain as a dragon so Hazel didn’t freeze. She had food packed away in a backpack, which was good because otherwise they would’ve starved. He didn’t plan on spending much time there, but he wanted to see if there was anything worth noting. As soon as the sun set, he took off over the land.
Hey, Val. Do you notice something weird?
No, I don’t see much of anything. The stars lit up the sky, but aside from that, the ground was dark. Val didn’t see what the big deal was. Alaska was mostly uninhabited.
Exactly. There are no lights. Isn’t this where Anchorage is supposed to be?
We are a little south of that. Alaska doesn’t have a large human population, Val said.
There are no lights. None. That’s not normal.
How was that possible? Humans had electricity down pat. To have it disappear altogether was not right.
Let’s fly a little farther and see if anything changes.
But it didn’t. The land was still dark as night. No lights anywhere.
Hazel thumped his flank. To the east. Look.
A brightness came from where she had pointed out, but it was not electricity. It was fire.
Let’s go check it out.
Sure enough a whole town was on fire, but this town appeared different. It wasn’t homes and restaurants.
Val, this is their power plant. No wonder the town was dark. I wonder how many other plants were taken out.
I don’t know, but we’ll need to let Sid know right away. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse.
How are we going to win a war against the evil dragons and the humans? Last year, they were ready to take out all the dragons in Yellowstone because one dragon was killing people. They won’t let you live. In fact, the fighter jets were probably just the beginning, and they won’t distinguish between the different races. To them you are all just dragons.
The Kings: The Dragon Kings Book 5 Page 6
