“No, he’s right,” said Calvin. “Everything we’ve been doing recently has been because of the prophecy. If that’s been wrong the whole time, then what does that mean for us?”
Cara spoke up suddenly. “It means we fight this war the way that war has always been fought. With the strength of the Realm Keepers and the might of our armies. The fact that our every step is not guided by Destiny does not mean that we will be defeated.”
“And hey, look at it this way,” said Raven. “Maybe now none of us have to die.”
I snorted. Somehow I doubted it. If anything, now I was thinking it was going to be more than just one.
Soon the slopes evened out. We turned right, as we’d planned with Blackscale, riding for the foothills of the mountain ranges to the west.
The dragons still swooped through the air above us. Every once in a while they dipped in their flight. They came just low enough that we could hear the heavy flapping of their wings above. I thought they must be doing it for reassurance; hearing the sound reminded us that they were still there, they were still watching over us, and for the moment we were in no danger.
We reached the mountain’s feet and turned north again, pushing the horses as hard as we dared. None of us even thought about stopping for a meal. If we were lucky, we’d reach the pass by nightfall. We’d have to push through it by moonlight. We didn’t want to brave it during the day and risk being spotted by crows.
By the time we reached the bottom of the pass, the sun was hidden behind the western mountains above us, though there was still plenty of light to see by. We stopped for a moment, looking at the ground that sloped sharply up. I kept glancing up at the sky, expecting to see huge winged shapes above us, but they were empty. Apparently Terrence was smart enough not to send even scouts into dragon territory.
Sarah turned to face us. “There’s no roads or paths through the mountains,” she said. “The dragons don’t need them. So we’re going to have to find our own way. A couple of the Runegard will scout the way ahead. The last thing we want is to take some route that leads us to an impasse. If we waste time retracing our steps and finding a new way forward, that could kill us.”
I pointed to the thick trees that covered the slopes all the way up. “Does that forest keep going?” I said. “If not, we’re going to be totally exposed when we reach the other side.”
Sarah nodded. “Blackscale said yes, at least until we’re free and clear on the other side. Once we’re there, it’s open flatlands again, and we’re not going to have much to hide behind. I figure we stick close to the mountains as long as we can, and hope we can find boulders or something to hide behind if we see crows.”
“Nora and I will ride ahead first,” said Cara. “We’ll rotate every two hours. We’ll climb that ridge first.” She pointed to show the way. “That should run a good distance through the mountain range. After that, we’ll just have to keep our eyes open for the best route.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” said Blade. “Let’s do this.”
Cara looked to Sarah, who nodded. Cara and Nora spurred their horses to a gallop, and in a few minutes they were lost beneath the trees above us.
“Come, Lady Tess,” said Samuel. “Ride with me while Nora is scouting.” Blade gave him a grateful look.
“I will watch over you if you wish, Lady Sarah,” said Darren.
Sarah gave him a little smile. “Thanks, Darren. I’d appreciate that.”
Together we kicked our horses into a canter and began to climb the slope. The ground shot upward alarmingly fast, and it seemed that with every step the air lost a few degrees of temperature. Soon I was shivering beneath my thick wool cloak.
“Can we stop for a sec to grab some more clothes?” I said.
“No time,” said Sarah. “Blade, can you do anything about this?”
Blade held up a hand, closing his eyes in concentration. Almost immediately, the air around us lost some of its bite. We pushed on, only now the air grew warmer with every step instead of colder.
“Jeez, this is harder than it should be,” said Blade, grunting with the exertion.
“Then stop,” said Sarah. “Never mind. If it’s going to take a lot out of you, save it for when we get higher and things get really cold.”
I glanced up at the sky again, and for the first time I began to notice dark clouds gathering in the sky above us.
“That might happen sooner than later,” I said. “Look.”
Sarah glanced up. She muttered something that might have been a swear word. “Great. Rain is the last thing we need.”
“It might actually be a blessing, Lady Sarah, begging your pardon,” said Darren. “Weather will block sight if crows are indeed sent into the air to find us.”
“Besides, look on the bright side,” said Blade, sporting a manic grin. “It’s cold enough that it probably won’t rain. It’ll snow instead!”
Sarah glared at him.
All of us jumped as the air erupted in thunder. I looked up, expecting to see the flash of lightning in the rain clouds, but instead I saw Blackscale and the other dragons swooping down upon us. The thunder had been the flapping of their wings, not a product of the weather.
With six great crashes, they slammed into the ground between the trees. The dragons flexed their muscles, and trees fell before them like matchsticks. Blackscale dipped his snout for a moment before speaking.
“We now come to the borders of the homeland of the dragons,” said Blackscale. “And I must leave you, though it makes my heart most heavy to do so.”
“We understand,” said Sarah. “Thank you again. For everything.”
“It was my honor to aid you,” said Blackscale, and this time he bowed low and long.
“Our honor,” corrected Bonebreaker. “It is not every day I get to converse with humans, much less Realm Keepers. Events upon Wyrmspire will be much less…exciting without you.”
In unison, the other five dragons dipped their snouts to the ground, leaving them there for a solid few seconds. Led by Sarah, we bowed awkwardly from our saddles.
I felt a lump rising in the back of my throat, which surprised me. We’d only known all of them for a few brief days. Friendships seemed to form faster here in Midrealm. Maybe it was because life seemed cheaper, too. When the world was at war and life could end at any time, we had to be skilled at spotting good people, whatever their species. When we found them, we didn’t want to let them go.
“Travel in safety, Keeper of the Earth,” said Blackscale. “My every hope travels with you, save one that I keep with me: that we may meet again one day.”
Calvin sat up suddenly in his saddle and blurted out, as though he’d been fighting with himself, “I’ll miss you!”
Blackscale’s massive head swiveled to him. His lips drew back slightly, displaying a thin line across his teeth. “The life of a dragon is long, and that of a Realm Keeper much longer. To miss a friend is to think you may not see them again. Do not lose hope.”
“Would it be all right if I…” Calvin stammered. “I mean, do you mind if…oh, forget it.”
Calvin flung himself out of the saddle and hit the ground running. He dashed up to Blackscale and, before the dragon could react, wrapped his thin arms around one scaly foreleg in a hug. Blackscale very nearly drew back, his eyes shooting wide as he stared down at Calvin’s tiny form. He glanced up at Sarah, uncomprehending.
“Calvin,” said Sarah. But the warning tone in her voice held no force, and Calvin didn’t listen to her. It was another couple of seconds before he let Blackscale’s leg go and stepped back, swiping furiously at his eyes.
Then, to my astonishment, Blackscale lowered his head once more. Instead of touching it to the ground, he placed the tip of his snout to Calvin’s forehead, almost like a kiss. Though he tried to be gentle, the sheer size of him still caused Calvin’s head to bounce back just a bit. Then he withdrew. Calvin made his miserable way back to his horse, hauling himself clumsily into the saddle.
“Destiny watch over you all,” said Blackscale. Then he and his kin launched from the ground, flapping up and away in the air back to Wyrmspire.
“Let’s go,” said Sarah. She turned her horse, and we did the same. Together, we rode into the pass as the sky grew dark above us.
It was less than an hour before snow began to fall, thick and heavy around us. The higher we climbed, the colder the air grew. The wind blew harder, and the snow fell thicker. Soon it covered the ground in a thin blanket.
“We cannot travel fast enough in this,” said Barius.
“Blade, do what you can, but don’t use all your strength,” said Sarah. “If we’re spotted, we’ll need enough magic to fight our way out. Calvin, stop the wind as best you can. Miles, can you keep the snow off us?”
“No problem,” I said. I could already feel the snow, tiny particles of water flitting through the air. I barely had to flex my mind to guide the flakes gently out of our path. I extended my reach to the ground in front of us, sweeping a path forward through the snow.
We climbed higher and higher. Sometimes stars appeared between the clouds above, the sky turning from deep orange to mellow blue. Soon the moon appeared, giving a little more light to ride by. Still it was dark, and we had to slow down, careful not to let our horses stumble and fall.
Raven summoned a ball of blue lightning, but Sarah turned to her immediately. “Put it out,” she said. “We can’t risk being seen.”
Raven doused the lightning with a sullen look. “Just trying to help. Miles, Blade and Calvin shouldn’t be the only ones doing anything.”
“Right now, they’re the only ones who can,” said Sarah. “Just keep going.”
With only moonlight illuminating the trees, the shadows grew thick and pressed close. I kept glancing over my shoulder and all around, afraid that I’d see shapes of blackness pushing in at us through the night. We were out of dragon territory now. That meant that we could run into Shadows at any time. I tried to tell myself that they wouldn’t be here, that Blackscale had scouted the pass and said it was clear. But I still kept a watchful eye.
My concentration was starting to tire when we heard hoofbeats in the night before us. We reined up, and the Runegard drew their swords. But Tess held up a hand. “It’s Cara and Nora,” she said.
The two of them rode into sight through the trees. They reined up right in front of us, both of them bringing their hands to their mouths and blowing hard into them. Their breath misted in the air.
“Chaos above, it’s a bit warmer down this low, at least,” said Nora, looking around appreciatively.
“That’s Blade,” said Sarah. “What’s ahead? Anything dangerous?”
“No, my Lady,” said Cara. “The way is clear for many miles yet. As night fell, we could not see far ahead. But our present course will do for now.”
“Captain Gaskill,” said Melaine. “I’d like to volunteer for the next scout.”
Cara nodded silently. I looked at Melaine in surprise. “What are you doing that for?”
Her eyes flashed as she looked at me, not in anger but in frustration. “You, Lord Blade and Lord Calvin are expending much to see us safely through the pass,” she said. “I want to feel as though I’m helping, too.”
“Go on, then,” said Cara. “Barius, ride with—”
For a half-second I thought I was the only one who heard the twig snap, but Cara’s words cut off immediately, and all of us turned toward the sound. Once again the hiss of steel filled the air as the Runegard drew their swords. A ball of fire burst to life in Blade’s hand, and I grasped the moisture in the air, ready to send it forward in great spikes of ice.
“Make sure they’re Shadows before you attack,” Sarah hissed. “We don’t want to kill some innocent traveler.”
“We can’t take the risk, my Lady,” whispered Cara. “Whoever they may be, your safety is more important.”
“I said make sure they’re Shadows!” said Sarah, her voice steely. “There are other people who live near the dragons’ territory.”
Cara’s leather gloves creaked as she tightened her grip on her sword, but she made no reply.
A single horse emerged in the moonlight, bearing a reader wrapped heavily in cloaks. It came from higher up the mountain pass, and it stopped as soon as it saw us sitting there in the blackness of night. From the woods behind it emerged a group of more riders, more than a dozen. All of them were silent as they stared at us.
“Turn around or forfeit your lives,” called Cara in a clear voice. “We will not hesitate to kill you.”
“Oh?” said the rider in the lead. We waited for a moment for him to continue, but that was all.
“We are traveling through this pass,” said Cara. “You need not die if you leave us be.”
“I, too, seek to traverse these mountains, but first I must find six utterly incompetent wizard children who were supposed to save the world. Oh yes, and their semi-sufficient bodyguards.”
The figure threw back his hood, and every fiber of my being burst with joy as I recognized the face of Greystone.
“Greystone!” screamed Sarah. Without another word, all six of us leaped from our horses and ran to him, despite Cara’s shouted protests. Greystone dismounted before we reached him and was nearly tackled to the ground as Calvin and Tess reached him first, throwing their arms around his middle. Then he did hit the ground as Blade hit him in a full tackle. The four of them went down in a tangled mass of limbs.
“Chaos above, get off of me, you fools!” shouted Greystone. His wasted, hairy legs poked out from beneath the lot of them. I saw his staff wiggle, and an invisible force threw them all off him like they’d been jerked on strings.
Slowly the old wizard got to his feet, grumbling and glaring at them. His wild grey hair bore great clumps of snow, and it looked like he hadn’t washed it in days. But he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching as he tried not to smile.
I stepped forward and extended a hand. Greystone eyed me for a moment before taking it. I squeezed hard—maybe a little harder than I should have—but he didn’t wince as he shook it.
Raven merely raised an eyebrow and said, “Sup, old man.”
Finally Sarah stood forward and gave Greystone a more gentle, reserved hug. “I can’t believe it’s you. What on earth are you doing here, Greystone?”
“You mean why am I precisely where I must be at the time I must be there?” said Greystone. “I am the Watcher. I watch, and I do what I see needs doing. But what are you doing here, fleeing through a mountain pass in the dead of night when you should be marching north with an army of dragons at your back?”
Sarah’s eyes fell for a moment, but when she looked up again I saw anger flashing in them. “The dragons refused to join us. We tried to reach you over and over again for help, but you never answered. Where have you been, Greystone? We needed you.”
“Ah,” said Greystone. He glanced uneasily over his shoulder at the riders behind him, who still sat on their horses, unmoving. “For that, I must apologize.”
I blinked. “You what now?”
Greystone glared at me. “Do not grow used to it, Lord Miles. Yes, I must apologize for my absence. I had intended to communicate with you, truly. But a…friend shed light upon something I had not anticipated. I assume that upon the Wyrmspire you learned the purpose of the golden chairs?”
Sarah and I looked at each other, surprised. “Yes,” said Sarah. “How do you know what they do? You didn’t when we left.”
“Well, that is one of the matters that my…friend…illuminated for me,” said Greystone. “But the scrying chairs cannot merely communicate with each other. They are conduits, of a sort. All forms of scrying lay open before them like a book. If we had spoken, any dragon upon a chair could have overheard. And I had some suspicion that not all upon Wyrmspire would have been friendly to our aims.”
“You got that right,” I said. “But who cares if they overheard? We just needed advice on how to handle the
ir Council.”
“You do not understand,” said Greystone sadly. Then I caught a little glint in his eye. “As usual. The dragons are immensely proud. If they sensed that you were trying to interfere with their politics—if your request for an alliance was anything more than that, an honest plea for help, they would have slain you out of hand. I could not risk it. By the time my friend informed me of all this, you were already beyond my reach.”
Sarah gave an exasperated sigh. “Greystone, who is this friend you keep talking about?”
Greystone smirked. Then he turned and waved a hand at the riders behind him. “Dismount, comrades. We have at last found what we have been looking for.”
The people behind him swung from their saddles. Their thick boots crunched as they sank into the snow. They threw back their hoods and unwrapped their capes in the heat of Blade’s magic.
The first thing I noticed, that I couldn’t help but notice, was that their skin was as dark as the night around us. They were tall, broad-shouldered, and every one of them had shaved his head right down to the skin. Their skin looked mottled, but on second glance I realized that they were covered in tattoos that were only a couple of shades darker than their skin. They all had piercings in their ears and nose, but no two looked the same; some had simple gold studs, while others had large hoops. They carried broad, curved blades at their waists, and beneath their cloaks I saw simple armor made from hardened leather.
But one among them was different. He stood tall, even taller than the men. Where their skin was almost as black as the sky, his was so pale that it looked like sunlight. His eyes flashed as they studied us, and a grin curved his mouth.
What really gave him away, though, was the pointed ears.
“You’re…” said Calvin, sounding out of breath. “You’re a…”
“Yinnilith?” said Sarah, skeptically.
“No way,” said Raven. Her voice was more awestruck and more joyous than I’d ever heard from her. Beside her, I saw Barius’ eyebrows draw together in a scowl.
“You know this guy?” I said, glancing at the girls.
Wyrmspire (Realm Keepers Book 2) Page 68
