Riders of the Realm #3

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

  Brauk nodded and then flung the dagger. It whirled end over end toward him. The metal glinted. Rahkki held his breath. The dagger slammed into the spider’s belly. Blue blood squirted from the wound and splattered Rahkki and the tree. A hiss of air seemed to whoosh from the huge creature, its eight eyes locked on Brauk—then it fell out of the tree, dragging Rahkki with it.

  His belly floated as his body dropped. Brauk raced to get under him. Koko retrieved her pitchfork. Rahkki and the wounded spider fell fast. Mut swept Tak out of the way and cradled the frightened dragon to his chest.

  Rahkki smacked into Brauk’s waiting arms and they crashed onto their sides. The spider landed upside down. It hissed, injured and furious, its legs kicked the air.

  Koko lifted her pitchfork.

  “Don’t kill it,” Ossi cried. She leaped onto the injured spider and began wrestling with its thin, razored legs. “Hold the head,” she gasped. Without questioning her, Koko dropped her weapon and put the spider into a headlock.

  Rahkki and Brauk sat up, watching in shock as Ossi reached into the spider’s wounded belly and pushed her hand up toward its throat. The overturned spider thrashed its eight legs, fighting for its life. Ossi grabbed something inside the beast, set her jaw, and yanked it out. She held her prize triumphantly over her head—the venom sack, the Queen’s Elixir. “Now you can kill it,” she said to Koko.

  Koko gave the spider’s head a hard, fast jerk, killing it instantly.

  Ossi wiped her forehead with a clean section of her arm. “The venom’s only good if you collect it while the spider’s alive,” she reminded everyone.

  Mut gaped at her. “You’re brilliant, Ossi.”

  She flushed and they all turned to check on Rahkki. Brauk touched him all over, like the spider had done. “Are you okay? Is anything broken?” he asked, his voice cracking.

  Rahkki wasn’t sure. Everything hurt.

  Brauk sat back and studied Rahkki’s face, his eyes swallowing him whole. “I can’t believe you’re here. You got away from the giants?”

  Then he pulled Rahkki close, hugging him tight. His chest heaved from the aftermath of the spider attack, and something else. Some emotion he refused to let Rahkki see. Everyone caught their breath while the brothers reunited.

  Mut squinted down at the dragon cradled in his arms. “Is this burner friendly?” he asked Rahkki. “Or am I holding a wild dragon right now?”

  Rahkki smiled. “Tak’s friendly.”

  Looking somewhat doubtful, Mut carried Tak to the water to wash the sticky silk off his body and wings.

  Brauk stood and pulled Rahkki to his feet. “It’s true,” Rahkki said. “You’re healed.” Relief filled the boy. He’d relied on Brauk’s strength since their mother died when he was four years old. His brother was the sun to him, and after Sula accidentally paralyzed Brauk, it was as if both their worlds had darkened.

  Brauk grinned. “I’Lenna healed me.” He explained about the Queen’s Elixir I’Lenna had stolen.

  I’Lenna, Rahkki thought. The image of her quick smile and shining eyes filled his mind. “Is she with you?”

  Brauk grinned and hugged Rahkki again. “Yes, let’s go see her.” He pulled away. “Wash the spider’s blood off first,” he said to Rahkki, Koko, and Ossi. “The spider army might be able to track the smell.”

  “I’ll get the horses,” Jul said, and Brauk threw him a quizzical look. “We borrowed them from the clan,” he explained, and Jul vanished into the blackwoods, returning with three warhorses.

  “Our camp isn’t far from here,” Brauk said. “We’ll ride these horses of yours back.” He helped Rahkki out of the pond, suddenly beaming. “I have a surprise for you,” he said.

  A surprise sounded nice to Rahkki, but he felt sick and bruised from his close encounter and his fall, so he simply nodded.

  Mut handed Tak back to him. The little burner was clean and trembling, but seemed uninjured. Rahkki held him tight and rubbed noses with him. The gesture soothed Tak. Rahkki felt the dragon’s heartbeat slow as he settled close to Rahkki’s skin.

  Brauk watched this with an amused expression. “A wild Kihlara mare and now a young dragon, what’s next, a pet jaguar?”

  Rahkki grinned and the group mounted the three horses, each riding double, and Brauk steered Rahkki’s large black stallion away from the pond and toward his camp, and toward I’Lenna.

  28

  Reunited

  WHEN ECHOFROST SPOTTED RAHKKI ENTERING camp on a land horse, she blinked in astonishment. Kol was the first to greet her cub. The winged chestnut glided to his side, snuffling Rahkki’s hair and lipping at his pockets. One of the miniature volcanic dragons, a burner, lay nestled in Rahkki’s arms. It chortled at Kol, then ignored him. The stallion pressed his muzzle into Rahkki’s belly and nickered happily.

  “I don’t have anything for you,” Rahkki said, smiling.

  Then the Landwalkers surrounded Rahkki, overwhelming him with hugs and greetings. Animated speech flowed from their mouths. Smiles lit their faces. They touched his skin and his hair, pet his dragon, and lifted him off the horse.

  As Echofrost watched, she felt the eyes of Storm Herd watching her. This was her Rider, the one they’d come to save. Matching brands marked his flesh and hers. This boy had ridden on her back and taught her to trust him. She studied him with fresh eyes, watching how his people pressed their faces to his, how they inhaled his scent, and how they needed to touch him. A herd would greet a foal who had been lost in much the same manner.

  The longing to inhale her cub’s scent filled Echofrost, suddenly and fiercely. She nickered a high-pitched greeting.

  He turned and spotted her. “Sula!” He dived away from his friends and rushed her. His worried face broke into a sharp-toothed grin. Startled, his little dragon lifted off and landed on a tree branch. Rahkki launched himself against Echofrost’s chest, jostling her onto her hind hooves.

  Storm Herd backed away, also startled by his enthusiasm.

  Rahkki’s past wariness with Echofrost had vanished. He wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed. “Sula,” he whispered.

  She closed her eyes, inhaling his essence deep into her nostrils. He was filthy and full of odors she couldn’t place, but his woody, spiced breath was familiar. She stretched her wings and then wrapped her purple feathers around his body, creating a warm cocoon for him. She used to be so afraid of this boy. His scent had filled her with such revulsion; his touch had sent fury down her spine. Now she couldn’t imagine fearing this small, brave creature.

  He stepped back and touched the arrow wound that Brim had stitched for her. “Did you come back for me?” he asked, turning his eyes to hers.

  She saw bruises up and down his arms, no doubt made by the giants. Healing welts covered his skin, probably insect bites, and he was taller, stronger. New, wiry muscles defined his arms. His voice had deepened. Her cub was growing up, and somehow this eased her mind, for their time together was coming quickly to an end.

  Storm Herd would finish this battle against Rahkki’s enemy, Queen Lilliam, and then their detour into the Sandwen Realm would be over forever. Storm Herd would migrate south, to the lands that Redfire had discovered.

  She nuzzled Rahkki as Brauk and Darthan approached them.

  “Is this my surprise?” Rahkki asked, smiling up at Echofrost.

  Brauk studied them both, his old fury at her now gone from his eyes. “It is not,” he answered. He put his arms on Rahkki’s shoulders. “I need to talk to you about our mother.”

  Rahkki’s body stilled, while his pulse sped up. “You found her, didn’t you?” he said, but felt gutted. “You found her bones.” He said bones because Rahkki knew in his heart that his mother was dead. He’d known it the day I’Lenna had asked him, If you’re mother’s alive, then why hasn’t she returned? This question had tumbled around and around Rahkki’s mind, but there was only one answer, only one reason why a pantheress would not return for her cubs. Reyella was gone.

  “Not
her bones,” Brauk answered, and he explained how their mother had died. “We found this.” He and Darthan moved aside, allowing a short Daakuran warrior to approach.

  “Actually, I found you,” the warrior said. Her voice was high and sweet.

  Rahkki blinked. This was not a soldier; this was a girl. She pushed back her dark hair, exposing golden eyes, tan skin, and long black lashes. Rahkki felt confused, dizzy. He knew her but he didn’t know her.

  Darthan smiled and cried at the same time. “Rahkki, meet your sister. This is Feylah Stormrunner.”

  The girl gazed up at him, as wonderstruck as he. “So you’re the one who sold the Kihlara blanket?”

  “What?” Rahkki stared at the girl who was dressed in clothing from the empire, feeling more confused than ever. “You’re my sister?”

  She nodded and joy burst in Rahkki’s chest. He felt like he’d just been shoved into the sunlight after a lifetime of living in cold fog. He gaped from Darthan, to Brauk, to Feylah. “My sister,” he repeated, shaking his head in disbelief.

  She cocked her head and grinned, looking exactly like Brauk.

  Rahkki grabbed her and hugged her. He couldn’t speak. For eight years, he’d had a hole in his stomach. His sister’s return filled it somehow, even though he hadn’t known she existed. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “My sister.”

  She grinned, then squeaked—he was hugging her too tight.

  That’s when Rahkki spotted the bay stallion. His breath caught and the ground shifted below him. He hadn’t seen this stallion since he was four years old, but Rahkki would know him anywhere. “Drael,” he whispered.

  Everyone backed a step away as the bay stallion pricked his ears and trotted to the boy. “You’re alive,” Rahkki said. His knees buckled and Brauk rushed to help him, explaining how Thaan and Tully had freed Drael from the spiders. Rahkki regained his legs and pressed his forehead to Drael’s. “Dee Dee,” he cried, using his childhood nickname for the bay. Drael nickered and sighed with contentment. Rahkki wrapped his arms around his neck.

  “We’re all together now,” Darthan said. He and Brauk and Feylah joined the hug. Rahkki’s friends and several soldiers wiped their eyes as the Stormrunner family reunited.

  After a long embrace, they broke apart and retreated into the shade. Darthan produced slices of fish jerky and skins of water. Ravenous and thirsty, Rahkki, Jul, and Koko gulped the jerky and quenched their thirst. Rahkki chatted with his sister about life in Daakur and she questioned him about his time with the giants.

  “Where’s I’Lenna?” Rahkki asked, surprised and hurt that she hadn’t rushed to greet him like the rest of the crowd.

  “She’s sleeping. She’s been sick with fever,” Darthan said.

  Tuni approached. “Hey, Sunchaser,” she said, using her nickname for him.

  “Tuni!” He grabbed her hands, suddenly bursting with his unspoken news. “The giants have Rizah. She’s alive.”

  Tuni bent over, gasping. “Alive?”

  “Yes. The giants have healers like we do. They were helping her.”

  “Which horde?” she asked, breathless. Color flooded her wan features, like a statue coming to life.

  “Highland,” he answered. Rahkki went on to explain how he’d ruined Fire Horde’s soup and how the three Gorlan armies would soon leave Mount Crim to attack the Fifth Clan. The hordes had their own rivalries and had never joined forces before. The news was devastating. “I’m sorry,” he finished.

  “Stinkin’ giants,” Brauk said, and everyone spit on the ground.

  “We need to deal with Lilliam and Harak before the giants get here,” Tuni said. “If they catch our clan divided, we’ll lose to them for sure. Even united, fighting three hordes will be challenging.” The rebel soldiers nodded.

  But Rahkki felt hopeful. His team from Mount Crim was reunited, Sula stood beside him, his brother could walk again, and his sister was home. The only thing missing was his best friend. “Is I’Lenna still sleeping?” he wondered aloud, surprised that all the talking hadn’t roused her.

  Darthan rose to his feet. “I’ll wake her. She’s going to be so happy to see you.” He retreated into the shadows and then returned a moment later, his face ashen. “I’Lenna’s gone.”

  “What?” Rahkki’s insides crumbled.

  “Maybe she’s with Firo,” Tuni guessed.

  “Her satchel and bedroll are gone too,” Darthan said. “I think she’s been gone for a while, probably left sometime last night.”

  “Why would she leave?” Mut asked.

  Rahkki grimaced. “I can guess why.” Everyone turned to him. “We’re plotting to destroy her family, aren’t we?”

  The group went silent a moment. Then Mut spoke. “But she’s the one who started the rebellion against her mother.”

  Rahkki stood, tugging on his hair. “I know, but she was in charge of it then, and she believed her mother would go peacefully. Now the rebellion is out of I’Lenna’s hands. I—I mean, how can we expect her to help us? I don’t blame her for running off.”

  “Will she give us up?” Tully asked.

  “No!” Anger sharpened Rahkki’s reply. “She would never give us up.” He paced, putting himself in I’Lenna’s mind. Where would she go? Not to the fortress. Not to the village, where Harak might spot her. He turned to Darthan. “You said she’s sick?”

  “She was feverish last night.”

  Rahkki grimaced. “She may not be thinking straight. Did she leave any tracks?”

  The group searched the area. To Rahkki’s chagrin, Firo stood with the wild herd. That meant I’Lenna had left on foot, and a sick girl alone in the jungle could quickly attract predators. The soil was so trampled by his family and the rebel soldiers that no one could make out I’Lenna’s tracks.

  “Where would she go?” Darthan wondered.

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Rahkki said.

  Brauk and Darthan exchanged a look. “Rahkki,” Brauk warned.

  “You know I’m going after her,” he replied, belting his Gorlan dagger. “I’ll take Sula.”

  “What?” Feylah said, her eyes rounding. “I just found you. We’re finally together.” Her bottom lip trembled, reminding Rahkki how young she was in spite of the gleaming sword strapped to her belt.

  “I’m sorry, but I’Lenna is my best friend.” Rahkki regretted leaving his sister so soon too. “I’ll be safe on Sula’s back.”

  Brauk’s jaw clenched and Darthan sighed.

  Rahkki fidgeted anxiously. “I’Lenna can’t have gone far yet. The sooner I fly out, the better. When will you attack the fortress?”

  “Tomorrow morning,” Brauk said. “We’ll finish making weapons and shields today. Our first stop tomorrow will be at the Ruk to free the Fliers kept there. I’m not sure these wild steeds are safe to ride.”

  Rahkki nodded. “If I find I’Lenna today, I’ll meet you back here. If it takes longer, I’ll meet you at the Ruk tomorrow at dawn.”

  “I’m sending soldiers with you,” Brauk said.

  Rahkki laughed. “I’m flying, Brauk, and you just said these wild steeds aren’t safe to ride. Unless you lend out Kol or Drael, you’ll have to send foot soldiers, and they’ll slow me down.”

  Brauk hesitated and Tuni spoke to him in a lowered voice. “Let Rahkki go after his friend,” she said. “He commanded a dragon, put an army of giants asleep, slayed the Mother of Serpents, tamed a wild Kihlara, and escaped from Fire Horde’s warren—all without help.”

  Brauk rolled his eyes and loosed a long breath.

  Rahkki offered a thin smile. “I didn’t really—”

  “Tssh,” Brauk interrupted. “Never dispute your own legend.” The brothers hugged and Rahkki felt Brauk’s continued reluctance in his tight embrace, but his acceptance too. Brauk wasn’t going to stop him. “Keep your eyes on your path,” he said. It was a Rider’s phrase.

  Rahkki nodded. “I will.”

  Darthan packed a satchel of supplies and handed Rahkki a whittl
ed spear to go with the dagger he’d stolen from Miah. “Fly low and fast,” he said. “When you find I’Lenna, take her to my farm. She can hide there, and tell her that she and her siblings can live with the Stormrunners, always. We won’t abandon them.”

  Rahkki nodded. Now he just had to convince his silver mare to let him fly her. He approached Sula, his eyes gliding over her shaded purple wings and small back. She nickered at him, but instead of flinching away as he expected, Sula trotted forward.

  Rahkki leaped swiftly onto her, slipped his legs tight below her wings, and gripped her sparkling white mane in one hand. “Thank you,” he whispered. Then he whistled for I’Lenna’s mare to join them. These two brayas, while wild, were familiar enough with Sandwen ways to understand what Rahkki wanted, and Firo flew to his side.

  Rahkki nudged Sula off the ground, reveling in the lush drop of his belly as she lifted off. Firo flapped beside them, and golden Tak soared above. The wild herd pranced anxiously. Sula whinnied and the buckskin stallion lifted off, also joining them. The rest of the herd settled.

  Rahkki hugged Sula’s neck as they soared away. Riding her felt like another kind of homecoming. He thrived on the lush beat of her wings, the powerful bunching of her muscles, and the bite of her mane against his cheek.

  As they flew, he kept his eyes down, searching for I’Lenna. His friend was good at sneaking around unseen, but Darthan had said she was sick. Rahkki was counting on that to slow I’Lenna down. He was pretty sure he could find her, but not as sure he could convince her to stay in the Realm.

  I’Lenna couldn’t watch the rebels destroy her mother, he understood that, but what if they could save Lilliam? Rahkki clenched his jaw. He had a very terrible idea, but somehow, it also felt like the right one. If he could just find I’Lenna, he could tell her, and maybe she would stay and help him.

  29

  The River

  I’LENNA RACED THROUGH THE BLACKWOOD FOREST, heart pounding. Don’t run in the jungle, she chided herself. She knew better! But her feet didn’t listen. They skipped faster, hurtling her away.