by David Ekrut
The bearded man nodded, and the others obeyed.
The woman walked forward and climbed the side of the statue, using the scales like a ladder. When she reached the opening, she stood on the edge and looked inward for several seconds. She pushed back the sleeve of her loose robes, revealing tattoos. The archaic scripts glowed a soft white. While chanting in the odd language, the monk pulled out an orb filled with pulsing energy.
With the crescendo of the strange words, the monk’s trembling fingers slammed into the side of the sleeping creature. The thing within the stone casing jolted.
More rocky scales fell away. The monk slipped from her perch. She flailed, trying to right herself, as she plummeted to the cobbles. Those on the ground leapt aside. One man screamed as a boulder crushed him to the courtyard.
The bearded man stood alone. He spoke quick words in the strange tongue. Scales and debris shot away from him. The falling woman froze inches above the ground. She planted her feet and jumped back as man-sized stones crashed around where she’d been.
Out of harm’s way, the monk held the orb high and continued her chanting.
None turned to regard the dead man. Blood splatter painted the ground around the fallen stone. Jernod felt bile in his throat. He swallowed hard to keep from vomiting. What had he done? Coming here had been a mistake.
The woman never relented. Her chanting rose once more. She repeated some of the words from before.
Blue-white light rose from her tattoos like a slow fog. The tendrils met with the orb and snaked out in brilliant streaks. A strand of light struck the creature’s side. He could feel its inhale stir the Air around the courtyard. The thing roared. Jernod felt the vibrations beneath his boots.
He stumbled backward and froze, afraid they would turn to see him.
The final remnants of light leaked out of the monk’s arms, leaving her skin smooth. The creature churned, knocking aside more of the stony cocoon. As the glowing fog entered into the scales, the thing inside jerked.
He knew he should flee. This was madness. But Jernod could not tear his gaze away as more of the stones fell. This was not possible. The wings and head were the first to come free. Then the body.
No sum of gold was worth facing this.
Taming Air to conceal himself behind a veil, Jernod turned as if to go and froze. The head of the great creature pivoted toward him. He could feel the wind from its movement gush past him and into the alley. The slits in its massive eyes narrowed as it looked right at him.
He felt weak. For several breaths, he could not force his legs to move. When the thing spread its wings, Jernod did not hesitate. Filling himself with as much Air as he could hold, he tamed flight, surging above the highest building of Abadaria.
Jernod felt more than heard the beast leap into the air behind him. Before he could turn to see it give chase, pain seized hold of his body. He tried to tame a lightning hurl, but the power was ripped from his essence.
Agony beyond imagining cut through his neck. For the briefest of moments, he felt as though he was falling. Then darkness.
~
Asalla stood atop the cliffs of the small island, watching the colossal clouds chase the ship. The crew raced to keep ahead of the storm wall. Waves rocked their vessel with relentless strength. Lightning struck down like rain. Tributaries of crackling light broke off in all directions. The ship would fail, but he could not aid them. Within minutes the storm would overtake the vessel. He could save one or two, perhaps. Loathe as he was to admit it, those lives would not affect the futures that concerned him.
He turned his attention to the dark clouds and swirling energies. These had been crafted by elementalists and magi working together. He could sense Abaddon’s will at work here, as well. He could not stop such a colossal event. Its power had grown beyond that now, but he need not dissolve the forces. He need only keep it from bearing west toward the Island Nations.
Gathering his will, he spoke the incantation, adding his power to the storm. He felt the energies devour the ship in the same way he’d feel the crunch of an insect beneath his boot.
It sickened him, but he did not dwell on the loss.
The storm sped toward him. Just as the wall of force enveloped him, he pushed his will into the storm, urging it to move north.
Winds battered him. Lightning slammed into the cliffs. Waves threatened to swallow him. He did not break his concentration. He moved his will through the clouds, incantation never ceasing. Seconds more and the energy would be too much for him to withstand.
He continued pushing. Ever so slowly, the storm veered. He’d given so minuscule a nudge. Would it be enough? Either way, he was out of time.
A towering wave surged toward him. If he stayed, the waters would swallow him into the sea. He spoke the words of a different incantation and willed himself away.
He materialized atop a different cliff. The storm no longer battered him. Clear skies shone above. He could see the hint of the storm on the horizon to the east, too far away to see if his efforts had changed anything.
In the gulf below, elemental energies swirled around another vessel sailing away from the Island of Justice. The cargo aboard this ship was far more precious. One life above all others needed to be preserved. He was not the greatest piece at play on this great board, but he was far too valuable to lose just yet.
He could feel the tamings of the Air masters, manipulating the winds and speeding the ship onward. Little did they know, their power would be like a flame for the moths, a beacon to draw them here.
“Stay strong, child. We will meet again before the ruins, where I will give you one last nudge.”
Chapter 1
When Dragons Stir
Once upon a time, people quaked to see the long shadows appear at their feet. The dragons took from the villages of men without fear of reprisal. The magi first formed their orders to balance out the dragonkin’s powers. We came together, not against the elementalist, but to keep the dragons from hunting us like rabbits or pinning us like cattle. Together with the elementalist, we crafted the heartblades to remind the dragons of the strength of our union. They must feel the edge of the sword once more, or mankind will be lost.
The future is volatile, more so than any of the histories and prophecies ever written. This must seem a great irony to you, since it was I who freed the first of the dragons. But if I can realize my error, perhaps you can reconsider this war. As the heads of the conclaves, only you have the power to bring our brethren to heel. I beg you to aid in returning the dragons to their slumber, before all of Arinth is destroyed. Only you can unite the shattered remnants of the conclaves and save us.
~Ricaria Beratum, 2999 A.S.
~
Three figures stood at the center of an expansive courtyard, holding swords at the ready. None moved as the cool breeze brought the first promise of a winter soon to come. The wind strengthened to a steady gust, surging up into the trees and knocking loose red and brown leaves.
The leaves fell, together at first, then they parted. Several followed a steady wind high above the courtyard. They darted over the gate and through the long streets filled with people toward the gulf to the north. One by one, they fell into the darkened waters and rode the waves away from the shore. Some sank beneath the churning tide, while a few found their way out to sea.
One red leaf with flecks of yellow hovered atop a stream of air, twirling above the three figures for a few moments. An old man stood as if posed while two younger pupils imitated his stance. As the old man in front lunged, the leaf was carried away by an unexpected push of warm air.
The leaf flew through the crowded market, where people spoke gossip as if all tales were absolute truth. And though their stories varied, all eyes watched the horizon, expecting armies of skeletal warriors to appear.
And though he’d sacked the capital city of Justice, Bain was barely a
whisper. More lips spoke the name Wilton Madrowl, cursing the traitor who’d opened the gates to the invader’s armies. He could not be found, but because of him the unconquerable city had been conquered. Undead abominations and black savants now roamed the white streets of their great capital. The king was dead, beheaded in the square like a common criminal, and the new queen had been stolen away before the king-in-waiting could be crowned.
An unspeakable tragedy on every tongue, but the wind still blew and carried the red leaf with yellow flecks high above tall buildings and into the air. The voices grew distant, as the lone leaf ventured far from the long docks and over the gulf.
All around, teams of sailors worked ships of great sizes, pushing their vessels across the wide gulf. Some would journey through the Island Nations in search of the daily catch to be sold at the markets on the morrow. Others were bound for distant lands, large sails filled with the morning’s wind, placing their lives at the mercy of the ocean’s tides and whatever nefarious creatures might be lurking in the distance.
The leaf came to rest atop the mast of a colossal vessel. The vantage looked over a broad city, hugging the coast along the gulf. As the ship carried the lone leaf further out to sea, the tall tree it once knew as home seemed smaller, as did the three figures still dancing beneath the barren branches.
“Stop.”
Elwin Escari froze mid-strike and turned to look at the old man in leather armor. A frown was permanently etched into the wrinkles of his weathered face. His expression of disgust increased the depth of the Air master’s scowl.
“You,” a grizzled finger shot out at Elwin, “are never going to master a blade. What do you call that stance.”
Elwin looked down at his base. “It’s Earth. Isn’t it?”
“If you need to ask, then clearly it isn’t. Bend your knees. Root yourself like this. See that. Square and wide. Not … whatever it is you are doing.”
“Can we just begin the kata over?”
“I can. I know she can. You are a lost cause. Why does Jasmine think you are special again?”
Zarah said, “Keep your voice down, Master Breaklin. You know very well who he is, and more importantly, that he can tame all of the Elements.”
“Bah. That’ll do him no good if someone sticks a sword in him.”
“Yes,” Elwin said through gritted teeth. “Isn’t it your job to train me so that won’t happen?”
The ground rushed up to meet him. Unsure of how it had happened, he found himself on his back.
The old man stood over him. “Never saw the blow coming, did you, boy?”
Elwin bit his tongue, not trusting it to answer without sarcasm.
The Air master leaned closer, his voice taking a sharper edge. “Did you see the strike?”
He took a deep breath and tried to speak without emotion. “I saw your shoulders move. I didn’t realize it was a strike until I had fallen.” And to himself, he added, Because I had not expected you to thumping hit me for asking an honest thumping question.
“See there,” Master Breaklin said, “That’s your problem, boy. No discipline. You need conditioning. Always expect an attack.” He waved a dismissive hand. “You’ll not be battle-ready by the time your journey begins. I need another year, at least.”
“You’ll probably have that long,” Elwin muttered. “If not longer.”
“What was that?”
It had been over a tenday since they’d arrived in Northport. Twice as long since the battle with Zeth and the rest of Bain’s black savants at Goldspire. Feffer and Jasmine had been taken. Instead of going after them, they languished here. Why? What in the abyss were they waiting for? But he knew the answer. They’d boarded the Dancing Lady, ready to make their journey to Alcoa but halted when news of the capital city’s fall came. Zaak had been crowned, and the king made plans without divulging any hints of his intentions. King Lifesong could not afford to take any journeys. Not with his nation in shambles.
“Well?” Breaklin said, standing over him.
Elwin took in a quick breath to reply, but Zarah spoke first. “Master Breaklin, is not the purpose of this kata to teach us to use the Elements to increase our ability to fight with the sword?”
“Aye,” he admitted. “It is at that. But you must know the forms first, so you can feel the difference.”
“We know the moves within the form,” she said. “Should we master them before understanding how taming complements fighting with the blade?”
His scowl deepened. “You know the moves. This one has nubs for toes. But no. I am not looking for mastery with this introductory form. I can share some of the next steps then let you practice for a few hours. Get up, boy. Observe.”
Elwin stood, moving back with Zarah to give the Air master room.
Master Breaklin held his blade up in a salute then bent into Earth stance while pulling in Air. As he lunged, energy flowed around him and lifted, springing forward at a blinding speed. His sword moved synchronous to his leap, ending with the tip outstretched. Just before he stopped moving, he kicked out with another taming. A wind thrust emanated from his foot. At the same time, his body surged to the side and up. His sword moved in a full arc on one side, then the other. Breaklin’s feet touched the ground once more, but only briefly, before he leapt back in Elwin’s direction, the sword held at Breaklin’s midsection, blade out.
The old man stood from his stance and walked toward them. “Now, do you think you can try the first few steps without skewering yourself?”
Elwin had seen the moves before without the aid of the tamings, but the kata made more sense now. He might not ever master the sword, but he could fly with the best of them.
“I think I can,” Elwin said.
“Aye,” Zarah said.
“Bow and begin.”
Elwin saluted and inclined his head. He gathered power as he bent into Earth form. As the Air filled him, he could feel the ripples of movements all around. Without turning to look, he could sense Zarah’s movements beside and Breaklin’s behind him.
Bringing his sword upward, he tamed a burst of flight and leapt. Wind surged all around him. He ended the lunge and flowed through the next steps, coming to an end several seconds before Zarah.
“Well,” Breaklin said with a smirk. “Maybe there’s hope for you aft—”
A deep shadow fell over him. Screams erupted from the market beyond the courtyard.
Elwin looked up.
The underbelly of the massive creature was lighter in hue than the blue-green scales along its muscled sides. A sinewy neck stretched out from its torso, ending in a head unlike any animal he’d seen. With a face somewhere between a dog and a snake, it’s teeth looked almost human as it opened it’s mouth.
More shadows appeared. Several more of the scaled creatures flew above the red-tiled buildings. Elwin only spared them a glance.
“Dragons,” Zarah breathed. “Lifebringer save us. They are dragons.”
Elwin felt dizzied by the pronouncement, but he did not doubt her words.
The one above flapped its giant wings, causing the dying leaves to come loose from the trees all around them. It spread its wings wide as it dropped to the ground. One of its colossal feet landed on the gate at the edge of the courtyard. Another crushed the statue of King Justice in the square. It looked down on Breaklin with a very human-like expression of hunger.
“Get back to the manor,” Breaklin ordered them. “I’ll deal with this creature.”
Before Elwin could object, Breaklin lurched into the Air. The dragon jolted to a stop, a look of surprise clear in its eyes, quickly followed by bemusement. The sides of its mouth lifted into what could only be a grin as Breaklin’s sword struck at its long throat. The dragon did not move from the blow. Breaklin’s blade struck with a clang.
“Little man,” the dragon said in a clear voice. “I admire your
bravery, but you do not bear the bonded blade and I have my orders. I will not enjoy destroying you.”
Its next words were in a foreign tongue. The sounds tickled a memory. He knew it from somewhere. But how was that possible? No, he’d think about it later. He needed to help. But how?
Energy shimmered in the air around its claws as it reached for Breaklin. The Air master lurched to the side and downward. He looked like a gnat fighting a horse. He sliced at the claw as he buzzed by. His blade struck several times in rapid succession. Sparks danced off the metal. And did nothing. The dragon did not flinch at the attacks.
It swatted at Breaklin. The man dodged. The claw ripped through his cloak. Power surged around him. Lightning crackled around his weapon. Breaklin lurched upward. A swipe from the dragon’s tail clipped his arm. The man spun with the blow. If it pained him, Elwin could not tell.
Breaklin swept to the right, then down. The energy in his sword grew by the second. Arcs of light leapt free of his sword. Elwin held his breath, willing Breaklin to get close enough to strike. That much power could fell ten giants.
The dragon drew short, massive wings beating. Breaklin did not hesitate. He lunged. His sword struck. The energy fizzled away.
And the dragon struck. Breaklin dodged. But he was too slow. A talon ripped through his shoulder. He spun backward, righting himself just in time to dodge another attack.
The Air master fled. The dragon followed. Breaklin gave up pretenses of fighting. Air surged through him to aid his retreat.
“It’s invincible,” Elwin said.
“No. It isn’t,” Zarah said. Then to Breaklin, she shouted. “Go for its eyes!”
Breaklin glanced down, irritation clear in his glower. “I said go!”
The dragon’s claw almost hit the old man a second time. The creature no longer smirked. Still, it never ceased speaking those foreign words. Breaklin surged out and away, giving him some distance from the dragon. The words died on the dragon’s lips.
It stared at the old man for a few seconds. Then power surged around the dragon as Air flooded into where it hovered. Breaklin’s eyes widened. Elwin hadn’t noticed until this moment, but the thing’s essence was immense.
