Sarah rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Calvin. Thank you for showing us this room, Blackscale, but may we move on? I’m worried about how long we’ve been gone from the others.”
Blackscale nodded. “Of course. Follow.”
He led us out into the main chamber, then into the next room to the left. I stepped through the doorway and froze.
A stone circle in the floor. Six pillars set around it, equidistant from each other. Carvings on the pillars. A ball of fire. A human head surrounded by circles. A diamond, a lightning bolt, a drop of water.
A gust of cold winter’s air.
“The rune circle!” I blurted.
Sarah was staring at it, her mouth open in shock. Blackscale glanced back and forth between us.
“You know of this place?” he said.
“This…this is the rune circle!” I said. “Or a rune circle. There’s another one just like it in the kingdom of Athorn. It’s where we first gained the powers that made us Realm Keepers.”
Blackscale’s yellow eyes expanded. “Truly? I knew nothing of this. This room has always been a mystery to me.”
I glanced at him. “How is that possible? Weren’t you around when the last Realm Keepers visited? They must have come here all the time.”
“I was but a hatchling,” said Blackscale. “I did not come to the temple. The transformation was too difficult, and I never saw the purpose. Even then, tension grew between human and dragon. I was content to let the Realm Keepers have this temple to use, or not, as they saw fit.”
“But don’t any of the other Elders know about this?” I said. “I mean, what about that Longtooth guy? He’s got to know.”
Blackscale studied the six pillars in the room. “Perhaps he does. He has not visited the temple since before I began coming here myself. Age is as great a deterrent to earthbinding as is youth. I never thought to ask him.”
Sarah couldn’t tear her eyes away from the pillars. “Why would they be here?” she said softly. “I can’t imagine why the dragons would have their own rune circle. Unless…”
“Unless the Realm Keepers can be summoned here, instead of the other one,” I said, finishing the thought. “Maybe that’s it! Maybe that’s why we have to rebuild the alliance! As an insurance policy in case one of us…or, I guess, when one of us…well…”
“Doesn’t make it,” Sarah said softly, her eyes growing sad.
I shot her a look. “If that’s real,” I said. “I’m still not convinced.”
She shook her head as if rousing from a daydream. “You’re right. But Calvin, we’ve got to go tell the others about this. This is important. This has got to have something to do with why we’re here—something to do with the alliance. We need to figure out what it means.”
“You got it,” I said. I turned to Blackscale. “Thank you so much for showing us all this, but we’ve got to go.”
Blackscale nodded. “As you wish. Let us proceed.”
We went back to the platform at the temple entrance. I looked down and could just see Nightclaw’s massive form, and next to her, ten little ants that had to be the others.
I glanced at Sarah and grinned. “Want a ride? I could carry you piggy-back.”
“Ugh,” she said with a sniff. She stomped her foot, and a plate of rock erupted from the edge of the platform. She stepped onto it like an elevator, and the plate began sliding down the steep slope of the mountain.
I laughed and flung myself from the edge. Air whistled around me as I snatched my arms and legs up in jets of air, catapulting through the air. I heard a foomp behind me and glanced back to see Blackscale, in his natural form once again, plummeting down behind me.
Some days, life is just awesome, I thought to myself.
A RARE HONOR
RAVEN
CALVIN DRIFTED DOWN TO US on jets of air, and Sarah’s rocky platform settled into the stone near where we stood.
“My Lord,” said Darren, speaking slowly as he put a hand on Calvin’s shoulder. “You do realize that I cannot begin to protect you if you keep flying away from me, don’t you?”
“Can you blame me, though?” said Calvin. “I mean, that must have looked awesome, right?”
Darren tried to look serious, but his mouth twitched. “I will admit it was…impressive.”
Calvin was wearing his usual puppy-dog grin, but Sarah looked serious.
“What?” I said. “What did you see?”
Sarah looked around. “I don’t want to talk about it here. Too many ears.”
Blackscale came down with a heavy crash nearby. Sarah looked at him. “Blackscale, where can we go to talk privately? I don’t want any dragon passing by to be able to hear us.”
Blackscale snuffed, a massive sound that ruffled my hair. “It is a problem. Never do we seek privacy upon the Spire. If a dragon needs isolation, the air may carry them leagues away from here in moments.”
Tess brushed her hair to uncover just a sliver more of her eyes. “Couldn’t we go to Nightclaw’s nest and muffle the door?” she said quietly. “Calvin and I can do it.”
Sarah snapped her fingers. “Good thinking, Tess. Come on.”
We left the platform and followed the winding trail down the outside of the mountain. Blackscale led the way, and Nightclaw followed us in the rear. It was hard not to feel like celebrities being escorted around by big bodyguards. Now that Redwing had backed down, I didn’t know how real it was to expect another attack. But I sure was glad to have them around, just in case.
Since I was waiting to find out what had happened, the walk seemed to take forever. Finally we reached Nightclaw’s nest. I marveled again at how big it was; there was plenty of room for everyone, even with two dragons inside.
Once we’d all entered, Calvin and Tess stood at the doorway and began to gesture. I couldn’t see anything, except a very faint ripple in the air. But I knew they were weaving barriers of Mind and Air.
“All right,” said Calvin, lowering his hands. “That should do it.”
“I’m done, too,” said Tess.
“Okay,” said Sarah. “Here’s the deal. In the temple, Calvin and I found another circle of stone pillars.”
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then everyone started talking at once.
“Whoah, whoah!” said Sarah. “Hold on. One at a time.”
“What do you mean, another one?” I said. “Like, a replica?”
“I guess it could have been, but I don’t think so,” said Sarah. “The carvings were too exact. The pattern on the floor was exactly the same. It even looked like it was made from the same kind of rock—which isn’t what the rest of Wyrmspire is made of. I think it’s a real circle, just like the one that brought us here.”
“Why?” said Miles. “Why would there be another one? And why would it be here?”
“That’s what we want to figure out,” said Calvin. “We’ve got one theory, which is that it’s another place to summon Realm Keepers from Earth. In case the first circle is destroyed or, you know, surrounded by Chaos like it is right now.”
I shook my head. “That could be important, but only if we die.”
“Right,” said Sarah. “And according to the prophecy, one of us will. What happens at that point? Are we down to five? Maybe this is why Aurora told Greystone to send us to Wyrmspire. Maybe we need to secure this circle so that when one of us…you know…”
“Dies,” I said flatly.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Anyway, so that we’ll still have the whole team here to finish the job.”
“Why don’t we ask Aurora’s sister?” I said, glancing at Blade. “She’d know.”
I have no inkling of the purpose to my sister’s childish meddling, said Meridia, her voice echoing in our minds. And what if I did? I am not your servant.
I snorted. “Maybe you should be a little nicer to us,” I said. “This mountain has a lot of cliffs we could drop that ring off of.”
You know not the havoc you would invite upon yourself if you did
so. Meridia’s voice was oddly solemn.
Nightclaw’s head was swinging back and forth with everything we were saying. “The meaning of your words rings clear in my mind,” she said suddenly. “But the meaning beneath them eludes me. What is this circle you speak of?”
Calvin looked up at her and gave a big grin. “Oh, right. Sorry Nightclaw, Blackscale. Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version: there’s a circle of stone pillars in the human kingdoms. When a Realm Keeper dies, a new one is summoned from Earth and appears inside the circle. But Terrence has the circle surrounded right now, so if one of us were to die, we’d never get a new Realm Keeper back. Terrence would either kill them as soon as they left the circle, or he’d capture them and use them as bait or something.”
“You must find it in your hearts to forgive Nightclaw,” said Blackscale. “Young she is, fresh from the egg, and much knowledge of your world is no longer passed to our young.”
Sarah bowed, a reflex she seemed to have picked up ever since the first time we met Blackscale. “It’s no problem. What about you, Elder Blackscale? We were in such a rush to leave that we didn’t ask you about the stone circle. Do you know anything about it? Have Realm Keepers ever been summoned there?”
Blackscale gave a long sigh and shook his head. “Certainty is difficult to claim in this case. As I said, I was in my golden youth when last humans visited the Wyrmspire. But my heart tells me no. Much knowledge of the humans has faded from our teachings, but if the circle were for this use, I feel certain that this knowledge would have reached me, at least.”
Sarah sighed. “Okay, so I guess we’ve got one guess and not much else. I wish we could ask Greystone. Tess, have you had any luck with the telestone?”
Tess shook her head and spoke, her voice not much higher than a whisper. “No. I’ve tried him a bunch today and yesterday. He’s not answering.”
Blade gave a frustrated growl. “That freaking guy!” he spat. “Just one more thing he doesn’t tell us about, and when we need to ask him about it, where is he? Who knows?”
Sarah’s brow furrowed. “Greystone couldn’t have known about it, Blade. How could he? Humans haven’t been to Wyrmspire since longer than he’s been alive, much less been the Watcher.”
“You mean eternity?” said Calvin.
Blade’s face remained stony, but I forced a chuckle. The truth was, the thought of Greystone gave me a pang of regret. I’d have died before admitting it to the others, but I missed him.
He’d spent so much time training us, instructing us how to use our powers. But after a while, it was like we barely needed him any more. There’s only so many ways to fire a lightning bolt into something’s head. Strength in magic wasn’t our problem. Now we were in something completely different, something political. We needed diplomacy and tact. Greystone might not have been the best at those, but he knew how to navigate his way through situations like this. And now he’d abandoned us.
Miles sighed and slumped where he sat on the ground. “So basically, we don’t know anything about the circle, really.”
“Looks that way,” said Sarah with a sigh. “At least not for now.”
A deep rumble issued from Blackscale’s throat, drawing my attention. It might have been a laugh, a growl or a clearing of the throat. It was impossible to tell with dragons.
“The day’s hours march away,” he said. “A summons has come for you already, brought while we visited the temple. Elder Cloudsplitter wishes to see you.”
“Already?” I said. “But you didn’t show us practically anything about Wyrmspire.”
“Time is short,” said Blackscale. “Without the support of the Elders, we will not have the Spire’s aid against Chaos. My home’s sights are both beautiful and plentiful, but both must wait until their safety is assured with your mission’s success.”
I blinked.
“Basically what he’s saying is work before play,” said Calvin.
“Got it,” I said, casting Blackscale an annoyed glance.
“Tomorrow we may expect summons from Elder Longtooth and Elder Windfang,” Blackscale continued. “They are the oldest members of the Council. They will likely hear reports of your visits to myself and Cloudsplitter before they see you. The Council will meet on the day after that.”
“What about the fifth one?” said Sarah. “Redwing? The one who came while we were sleeping?”
“Concern for her is both necessary and unnecessary,” said Blackscale. “She will not ask to see you. She believes she knows everything she needs to know of you. She will not seek to help you. She may seek the Council’s approval to kill you. It is grievous, but unavoidable. Efforts spent trying to convince her would be a waste—guide your thoughts instead to the other Elders.”
“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. “She wants to eat us, but we’re not supposed to worry about it. Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If we’re moving on already, I’m just glad we saw the temple first,” said Calvin, his grin not dying away in the slightest. “I mean, if we hadn’t looked up, I might never have noticed it. We could have toured the mountain all day and not seen it.”
You think it is luck? said Meridia haughtily. You merely walk the path that almighty Destiny has laid out before you.
“Oh, you’re one to talk,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You’re the one stuck in a ring, being carried around by Captain McMoodypants.”
“Hey!” said Blade.
“Let’s go, then,” said Sarah. “Calvin, Tess? Can you please remove the barrier?”
“Um, hold on,” said Miles, holding up a hand. “Can we grab a bite to eat first? I’m starving.”
Sarah clapped a hand to her forehead. “Of course. I’m sorry. I got so caught up after the temple, I completely forgot. Let’s do lunch.”
“The frequency with which you must eat continues to astound me,” said Nightclaw.
“Nightclaw!” barked Blackscale.
She ducked her head. “That is, if I may be so bold, honored Realm Keepers.”
Calvin laughed. “You’re hilarious.”
Sarah and Cara sat on the floor in front of Blackscale’s curled forelegs. I plopped down against a wall nearby, Barius sitting in front of me. I began to dig into my pack for some food, though the day hadn’t gone on long enough for me to be really hungry.
“So what can you tell us about Cloudsplitter?” said Sarah.
“Of all Council members, he is freshest from the egg,” said Blackscale. “Not yet a thousand years has he flown the skies.”
“Great,” said Blade. “We’re fantastic at dealing with nine-hundred-year-olds.”
I laughed, thinking of Greystone.
“Cloudsplitter springs from good stock,” said Blackscale. “I have no fear that he will stand with you in the Council meeting. His early endorsement will stand you in good stead when meeting with Longtooth and Windfang. I am glad he asked to see you today.”
“So he’ll help us against Chaos?” I said.
“We may count upon his vote falling in your favor,” said Blackscale. “But that is not the same thing. The Council’s word is absolute. If they decline your request, no action may be taken. No Elder may disobey the Council. Not even me.”
His eyes grew narrower as he spoke, and his neck seemed to grow more rigid. He got up, shaking himself in agitation as he turned to the door.
“Eat well, little Realm Keepers,” he said. “I find myself unable to sit idly now. There are some I must summon. Farewell.”
The conversation lulled. I studied Barius as he sat across from me. He ate his food without comment.
“Hey,” I said. “What’s up?”
His eyes glanced up. “My Lady?”
“You’ve been quiet.”
He shrugged and took another bite of meat. “I don’t have much to say. Would you like me to sing you a song?”
I cringed. “Please, no. Usually you’re just dishing with the advice. Or at least complaining about something.”
“I have little advice to give when it comes to dragons, having seen them for the first time yesterday,” said Barius wryly. “As for complaining…when surrounded by hundred-foot lizards who can hear a mouse fart from six miles away, I find it best to keep a civil tongue.”
I burst out laughing. Everyone in the room looked at me. I covered a mouth with my hand and pointed an accusing finger at Barius. “Sorry. He made me do it.”
Barius kept his eyes on his food, but I saw him smirk.
A few minutes later, the heavy pounding of dragon footsteps interrupted our meal. Blackscale appeared at the door, and behind him were two other dragons.
“I bring more from the fold,” said Blackscale, nodding first to his left, then to his right. “Bonebreaker, and his sister Swifttail. More eyes to guard you, if little Realm Keepers decide to flee from the pack again.” He looked at Calvin, and his lips pulled back from his teeth. Calvin ducked his head sheepishly.
“My time shall be count as lost if you do not lead me into a fight, little humans,” said Bonebreaker, touching the tip of his nose to the ground. “So do not take care to guard your words overmuch while I stand by you.”
“Alone stands Bonebreaker in these thoughts,” said Swifttail, turning her gaze on him. “Happier my days would be without fighting.”
“Be silent,” said Blackscale sharply. “As guards have I brought you here, not as bleating sheep.”
Miles was looking at the new arrivals funny. “You look familiar,” he said. “Why do you look familiar?”
Bonebreaker looked up at Blackscale, and his teeth bared in what I was beginning to learn was a dragon smile, not a growl. “You see, Elder? He knows me! Did I not say he would know me?”
Blackscale nodded slowly. “Aye, you did. Sharper are the eyes of humans than I credited them. Bonebreaker stood by Nightclaw in your defense when Redwing attacked.”
Sarah leapt to her feet and bowed. “Thank you. Without your help, we might not be here.”
Bonebreaker’s lips peeled back. “You are welcome, though I intervened only because I saw two facing off against more than a dozen. A pleasant early morning’s diversion.”
Wyrmspire (Realm Keepers Book 2) Page 56
