At that moment, one of those from the darkness ambled into the light. Putwyn, Lamwen recognized. “My friend,” he growled under his breath, certain they had been betrayed.
“I’m sorry, my captain,” the smaller dragon stated in a shaky voice. “I had to tell them. The omen was too great to ignore.”
“You speak of the prophecy,” Lamwen replied. “What foolishness is this? The word of an underling scarcely more than a hatchling? What would he know of the oracle’s words?”
“He knows enough to speak of the signs, those which you have hidden,” Ziewen hissed. “I asked you about the girl when they arrived, and you insisted she was harmless.”
“Nay, my queen, I informed you of her use of magic to the best of my recollection. It was your king who insisted that we proceed with caution and bade I should retire to the role of spy,” Lamwen growled.
“Her king?” Gwirwen sneered. “Am I no longer your king, my faithful servant?” His long white tail swished in anticipation, confident his former captain’s end lay near.
His eyes shifting between them, Lamwen considered their motives. “Ami, hurry,” he begged across the miles.
“We’re gathering all that we can. Are they coming?”
“Perhaps.”
“Why do you stall?” Ziewen asked in turn, toying with him.
“I’m afraid I am at a loss for words,” Lamwen said with all the calm he could muster. His heart raced within his chest, and it took all that he could do to refrain from leaping into the air to fly to her side. My queen is in danger, his thoughts raced; he knew it in the depths of his being. But how to protect her?
“What would you have of me?” he asked aloud, still shifting his gaze between them. “What has this child said of me?” he demanded more forcefully, indicating his former associate.
“You have begun building an army,” Freiwen spoke to him for the first time. “This is what you are accused of. Is it true?”
Staring with glazed green orbs, Lamwen swallowed. All he could buy was time. Maybe. If the king’s guard had already been dispatched, he couldn’t even do that. “I serve my king with the deepest of honor,” he all but whispered.
“That does not answer my question,” Freiwen spat, on his feet to pace with the others, his side in the argument clear. “Our Supreme Dragon has many traitors, and we suspect his captain to be among them. What say you? Speak the truth, and we will serve your justice swiftly.”
Leaping into the air, Lamwen fled. Flying south, he beat his wings as fast and hard as he could, hoping to lead them away from that he wished to protect. Those who followed caught him on the edge of the marshes, one landing on his back and forcing him to the ground.
Rolling, Lamwen flapped and clawed as they dove at him in turns, tearing at his thick hide with their sharp talons. Returning the jabs whenever he was able, he could tell he would not last long against the group who assaulted him. “Ami, please tell me you have fled.”
“We are away,” she replied.
“Thank God,” he prayed. “Be safe, my queen.”
Crimson Caves
“Stay close,” Piers commanded, leading his comrades up the slope.
Marching into the forest, each member of the group carried a bundle; all accept Oldrilin. She walked, her pouch on Rey’s chest in case he needed to scoop her into it quickly. Meena had taught both Ami and Animir to use many of her spells, and so nearly their entire household had been shrunken and packed when the call had come that they must flee. It amazed Amicia how quickly and easily the chore had been accomplished, as little of value remained below.
Their mood tense, none of them spoke of their fears, but each wondered at the dire warning the girl had shared hardly an hour before, and during their dinner no less. They had moved quickly, rolling their blankets and packing food. Meena had brought the water stone in case they needed it. It had not run out yet, so they would have at least one more pot from it if they were able. Supplies would not be the issue this time, but they must hide if they were to escape and ever have a chance to use them.
“Are we going to Lamwen’s cave?” Amicia called, doubtful it would be a good place to remain hidden from the other dragons if he had used it.
“I’m not sure where we are going,” their leader replied. “At this point, we are just putting some distance between us and the cabin.” He hoped the alarm would be for nothing and they would be allowed to return to their lives there by the sea in a day or two.
Reaching the clearing where Lamwen had lain and watched them for almost a year, the group paused to look down at their domain. Their cabin snug in the summer darkness, smoke billowed from the chimney as if they remained inside, preparing their evening meal.
On the beach before it, a half-finished vessel cast a moon-shadow across the sand. They had continued to add to it to keep up appearances, but all knew full well it would never sail. They had all resigned themselves that they would remain in Eriden, as they had each come to discover that the land held a power over them and a grip they had no hope to ever break.
“We should keep moving,” Piers ordered gently, his hand resting on Ami’s shoulder.
Blinking back tears, she turned to follow with the others falling into line. “I wish we knew where we were going,” she sniffed. “His warning sounded dire, and we must therefore not chance being discovered.”
“We’ll look for another cave. One the dragon has not marked,” he clarified, puffing at the steepness of the trail. “Watch your footing!”
Taking it slowly, they had not gone far when a screech startled them an instant before a ball of flame slammed into the side of their cottage. Hunkering down, they formed a small cluster, glaring at the destruction as a trio of Lamwen’s kin dismantled the house and boat before they turned on the fields.
“Dear God,” Rey whispered, watching as their crops burned. His gaze fixed upon the rows of plants and vines, a tear escaped and ran across his stubble.
Pushing her arm through his, Amicia hugged him. “It’s ok, love,” she soothed.
“No, it isn’t,” he croaked. “They destroyed our farms so many times,” he recalled. “I never watched them do it, though. We simply awoke to the carnage,” he sobbed. His heart aching, he thought he should be angry, but he felt no rage. Fear and sorrow crashed over him in waves, as if he were again a small boy hiding beneath his covers on his family’s farm.
“They’ve taken it all,” Bally observed as even their loo burned, along with a good number of trees.
“They are just things,” Meena stated quietly. “We have each other, and as long as they don’t find us, it will remain so.”
“Perhaps they think we are still inside,” Animir suggested.
“Doubtful,” the Mate grimaced. “There would have been screaming and a try for an escape even if it had only been a few of us.”
“I think you’re right,” Amicia sighed, still gripping Reynard firmly. “They’ll be looking for us.”
Hearing the sound of bare feet on the trail, Piers stood and pivoted slowly, his eyes narrowed as he peered into the darkness beneath the trees. “Someone is here,” he announced. “A troll, perhaps.”
“Amicia?” a voice called in a loud whisper, a slender blue body presenting itself from behind a large trunk.
“I’m here,” she replied, standing as well and recognizing Traok.
“My father has sent me to assess the damage,” the king’s oldest son informed her as he drew near. “We feared you destroyed.”
“We were not harmed,” she grinned, their escape easing their loss. “But we must hide. Do you know of a place?”
Considering his instructions he pointed, “To the east, you will find a shallow cave. Hide within it, and I will let my father know of your location.” Not waiting for a reply, he scampered away, the toughened soles of his feet thumping against the earth as he fled.
“Stay beneath the shadows of the branches,” the Mate warned. “Their eyesight is keen even in darkness. If they see us mov
ing, they will be on us for sure.”
Obediently forming a line, the group snaked along beneath the shelter of the trees. The cave turned out to be almost three miles distant, and it was well after midnight before they reached it. Below them, the dragons had searched the woods all around their former dwelling but could find no sign of their whereabouts.
“I’m surprised they don’t smell us,” Animir observed of the great hunters. “Surely we leave a scent.”
“I have masked our path,” Meena chuckled, thumping the ground with the long staff that she carried. “We have been enchanted, at least for the time being.”
“Can you make us invisible as well?” Bally gasped, still amazed the old wan had tricks they had not yet seen.
“I’m afraid that would take a bit more doing,” she sighed. “The trees will be good enough to hide us. I can see the cave from here,” she added, pointing at the dark maw that loomed above a group of rocks on the hill.
“Aye,” the Mate agreed, “but it’s going to be tricky to approach, as the forest does not provide shelter the entire way. When we make the final climb, we will be easy to spot against those light-colored stones.”
“I will try to provide the cover,” his wife agreed with more confidence than she felt. She knew of a spell but had never attempted it for herself. Thinking of the hamar gem, she turned to the girl. “Perhaps you can do it instead. I think your talents would lend themselves to this task.”
“My talents?” Ami gasped. Meena had been working with her for months, training her how to use her special stone. The older woman believed it to be a focus point for the girl’s magic but not the source of it, something Amicia herself was yet to be convinced of. “You want me to light it up? Won’t that make us easier to see, not hide us?”
“I believe you can cast a shade, as if you are a tree,” Meena smiled. “When we reach the edge of the climb, I will explain.”
“Yes, explain,” her apprentice groaned, often feeling as if her master expected more from her than she could provide.
“Do not fear, Amicia,” Animir grinned confidently. “You are far stronger than you know. Casting a little shade should prove a simple task, of this I am certain.” He had also been part of the training and had realized the growth of his own strength, but nothing compared to the girl.
Arriving at the edge of the clearing, Piers glared up at the expanse of large stones and smaller rocks. Clearly a point where the snow melt ran, he knew the ground beneath them could be unstable. “Well, I have my own doubts about this,” he voiced his concern evenly, “and they have nothing to do with Ami’s abilities. This path would be perilous on a good day, much less under darkness and threat of dragon’s fire.”
“We will be fine,” Meena coerced. “A slow climb, be assured, but we are capable.”
Glancing at her, he could see her eyes picking out their course. “Fine,” he agreed reluctantly. “Show her how to hide us.”
“Place the gem in your hand,” Meena instructed, observing as Amicia removed it from her pocket and wrapped her fingers around it. The stone naturally glowed when she touched it, and the girl put forth the effort to snuff the extra light. “Good. Now breathe as I have shown you.”
Inhaling quickly through her nose, Ami’s lungs filled with air, which she then pushed out via her mouth in a slow exhale. The action helped her to focus, and she felt more at ease with each one. On the third, she said quietly, “I am ready.”
“Focus on the darkness. Imagine that the moon itself has been extinguished.”
Holding up the crystal, Amicia followed the command.
“Good. Now imagine yourself within the shadow of the darkened moon.”
Again, Amicia did as she was instructed.
“Holy shit,” Bally whispered. “Her arm is gone!”
“Aye,” the Mate replied in an equally quiet tone. “You’re doing well, love. Can you expand the shadow?”
“How is her arm gone?” Rey asked doubtfully. “It’s still there, right?”
“The light no longer shines upon it,” Meena explained in a soothing voice. “Ami, increase the shadow.”
Using another cleansing breath, Amicia complied, and the entire company disappeared.
“Oh, God,” Zae squealed. “How do we climb without bumping into each other?” Hidden from the dragons was good, but unable to see each other as well presented a problem.
“Slowly,” Amicia hissed. Reaching out with her free hand, she caressed the smaller girl gently. “Let’s hold each other, as we did through the foreboding forest. I will take the front, and each of you stay aware of the one in front of you even if you can’t hold on to them all the time,” she suggested.
“That’s a good plan,” the Mate agreed, helping to form the chain and taking up the rear. “At least this time there are no goblins to leap out at us. But be aware of the stones. Some of them may be loose, and we can’t risk the fall.”
Taking a few steps, Amicia could hear the others scuffling along behind her. Pausing to refocus her energy, she smiled at her own abilities. Meena sees such greatness in me; even more than she could see for herself. It had been by accident that the older woman had been discovered and joined their group, but the girl had never been more thankful for it than at that moment.
“We go slow,” Amicia reminded them, taking a few steps and allowing them to catch up.
“Of course,” Piers agreed. “We have all night to get there, if we must.”
Continuing until they reached the center of the barren hill, a shadow suddenly crossed their path, then circled for another pass. Pausing, Amicia glared up at the wide wings, noting the darkness of the edges and thinner material that almost glowed as the moonlight shone through it. In the pale light, she could not see the color of the beast’s belly, but she felt certain it did not belong to her friend. Swallowing, she considered waiting for it to move on before resuming their climb.
Her heart heavy, she only allowed herself a brief moment to contemplate what might have become of Lamwen. “You don’t see us,” she breathed, confident the dragon did not; if he had, they would already be dead.
Braving another step, the rock shifted beneath her weight, and a few loose stones rolled down the incline. The noise faint, it carried through the still night air, and the hunter made another turn, a large moon-shadow passing near once more.
Undaunted, Amicia used her free fingers to steady herself as she crept another few inches, then paused again as the others slithered up behind her, as if they were a snake coiling its way along. Why didn’t they bring the storm? Her thoughts scattered, it occurred to her that the dragons had in fact performed a sneak attack, blasting their cabin without warning.
I’m glad they didn’t, she realized a moment later, as she felt certain their hiding trick would do little to shield them from rushing water. Recalling how they had weathered the storm at Abolia, she grinned. Having magic at our disposal has gotten us out of quite a few predicaments for sure.
Arriving at the top a few minutes later, the cave formed a dark haven as they each crawled inside. Waiting at the mouth to assure each would remain hidden until safely inside, Amicia watched as the three dragons continued to search the forest in a circular pattern. They’ve got us trapped here, she observed to herself. If they choose not to leave, we will be forced to eat our stores and pray they don’t run out.
When Piers finally cleared the dark orifice, Amicia followed him inside, at last lowering her arm. “The dragons are searching for us,” she informed the others in a whisper. “We should be quiet. Maybe not even eat until they are gone.”
“Everyone sit,” the Mate instructed. “We can’t light a fire, so who knows what we’ll find in this filthy cave.”
“Our cave is not filthy,” Yaodus informed him tartly.
“How did you get in here?” Amicia gasped. Using the gem to add a faint glow to the cavern, her hand found his firm, muscled arm in the near darkness to give him a warm squeeze.
“We live within th
e mountain,” the king replied. “Come.”
Their eyes adjusted to the dim light, they followed the tall creature through a narrow passage that lay at the back of the cave. Once they had cleared the smaller opening, he turned and spread his fingers, speaking to the earth before it crumbled, closing in behind them.
Her breath shallow, Amicia gasped, “You are a wielder of magic!” She had known the trolls for months now, but she had never guessed this of any of them.
“In Eriden, all possess at least a bit of power,” he replied. “Come,” he repeated, leading them through the tunnel to their city hidden within the ground.
Holding up her gem, Ami produced a pure white glow to illuminate their path. The walls made of a dark, rich earth, they glowed with a deep rose color that sparkled as small glass stones. Lumbering through the tunnel, the ceiling seemed to open up to allow for his height ahead of them and taper off and close behind. Walking within the bubble felt oddly exciting, and she briefly considered if her friend might teach her how to perform such a trick.
Arriving at a wide cavern, a room spread before them filled with trolls enjoying the night together. “Welcome to the Crimson Caves,” the king announced, presenting his palace with a sweeping motion of his arm.
“I can’t believe it,” Rey breathed, moving to stand beside Amicia. Finding her hand, he grasped it, entwining her fingers between his. “This place is incredible,” he gushed, gazing at the sparkle of the walls made of ruby red crystals, which pulsed around them, coating the expanse in a warm glow.
“Thank you for helping us out,” Piers offered, remembering his manners. He had never forgotten the king had once taken his life and still found it hard to think of the trolls as friends.
“Is only right,” Yaodus replied with a crooked grin. “Come. We will give you a pod along the wall.”
After showing them the area that functioned as their toilet, a curiously civilized thing for such wild creatures, they were provided with their accommodations. A pod turned out to be a small alcove, which afforded each family a bit of privacy among their crowded town beneath the crust. The large chamber in the center, long tunnels exited in every direction, even angled up and down so that the mountain itself was actually a honeycomb.
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