The King's Scrolls

by Jaye L. Knight

  “There’s a lot of activity northeast of here, toward the palace,” Marcus said, “but it’s pretty quiet to the south. Is there a gate near here going that way?”

  Kyrin nodded. “We’re pretty close to one.”

  “Then I say we get to it and get out. We can use the forest for cover to get back to camp.”

  Readily agreeing to this plan, Kyrin handed Meredith to Kaden. Cautiously, they left the tower, taking full advantage of the darkness to make their way stealthily toward the city wall. When they arrived at the small gate, they stopped in the shadows of the alley. The area appeared deserted, but torches bobbed up the street, still at a distance, but approaching fast.

  “Go!” Marcus urged them, and they all ran through the gate, not slowing until they’d crossed the road and ditch to reach the trees on the other side. Only then did they stop to catch their breath, hunkering down in the underbrush to watch the gate. No shouts or pursuing footsteps broke the cold stillness of the night.

  A couple of minutes later, the torches appeared at the gate and illuminated a handful of soldiers. The shriek and clank of metal pierced the night air as the heavy portcullis lowered to the ground, closing off the gate. Once it was secure, the soldiers moved on. Kyrin looked at her brothers. They’d made it out just in time.

  Kyrin trudged up the mountain slope toward the beckoning glow of firelight. Her feet hurt, and the rest of her body felt weighted. Once she stopped moving, it wouldn’t take long for the biting wind that froze her cheeks to suck the rest of the warmth from her body. Pressing on for the last few yards, she and the others entered the ring of firelight. The cretes and Timothy jumped up to meet them.

  “You made it,” Darq said.

  “Barely.” Kaden set Meredith down and stretched his arms.

  The little girl immediately attached herself to Kyrin’s skirt. Kyrin touched her shoulder and was about to tell her not to be scared, but it was the same moment she realized the other half of their group was missing. Her already aching muscles flushed with dread. “The others haven’t returned yet?”

  Darq shook his head. “You didn’t see any sign of them?”

  “No.”

  The crete glanced into the darkness beyond camp. “Maybe they’re not far behind you.”

  Kaden turned to look the way they’d come as if contemplating going back. “If they didn’t get out of the city yet, they’ll be trapped.”

  Darq frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Soldiers were closing all the gates,” Marcus said. “We just made it out. All the ones we passed on the way here were closed already.”

  “They’re closing all the gates?”

  “Looked that way.”

  “Even for you, it seems unlikely they’d go to the trouble of sealing off the city,” Darq said. “It must be on account of the others. That’s both good news and bad news. It means they initially made their escape but, like you said, now they’re likely trapped inside.”

  Kyrin shivered hard. Everything was falling apart again. “What can we do?”

  “We’ll take the dragons and see if we can spot them and pick them up.”

  “We should hurry before they get caught.” Kaden set off for Exsis, but Darq stopped him. Kaden’s brows sunk low as he looked down on the captain. After all, it was the third time someone had stopped him from taking action today, and Kyrin thought for sure he’d argue, but the captain spoke first.

  “You aren’t going anywhere. For one, you won’t be able to see in the dark, so you’ll be of no help to anyone, and you also look like you need rest.”

  Kaden’s jaw clenched, but he kept quiet and nodded. As the cretes saddled their dragons, Kyrin guided Meredith and her younger brothers to the fire. Just before they left, Kyrin hurried to Darq. “Captain, if they’ve been captured, the emperor could try to execute them right away at dawn. We can’t let that happen.” She swallowed. “Not again.”

  “We won’t,” Darq assured her solemnly.

  A subtle golden glow spread in the east with the breaking of dawn. Kyrin buckled Ivoris’s saddle, and then blew on her icy fingers before tugging her gloves back on. A yawn tried to push its way to her lips. Sleeplessness weighed on her. All night she’d lain awake, staring at the stars or sitting near the fire as the cretes had come and gone from their searching with no success. It was as if their friends had disappeared. Either they’d found a place to hide from the searching soldiers or they were locked up in the emperor’s dungeon. It was impossible to say. Soldiers still searched the city, but they could be after her and her brothers. She couldn’t see her grandfather giving up the search for them after only a few hours.

  Kyrin clung to the hope that their friends were safe, yet even if they had hidden somewhere, the night had been perilously cold. Frost coated the surrounding trees and stiffened the grass. This alone made it imperative that they find them. Now that it would soon be light, they could mount a full-scale search. Every dragon and rider would go out, while Marcus and Liam stayed behind to watch over the boys, Timothy, and Meredith.

  As soon as Darq gave the word, they all flew out and glided soundlessly toward the city. Leetra and her dragon immediately headed toward the square. Darq had put her in charge of monitoring any activity there. The rest of them spread out to canvass the city. Darq and Glynn kept the riderless dragons following and ready for their riders to reclaim them.

  Kyrin couldn’t see much of the dark streets below, so she remained near Jace. He would spot something long before she would. Still, she strained her eyes for any sight of them as they skimmed the tops of the buildings.

  “We don’t know where they are, Lord, or what’s happened to them,” she murmured into the wind. “Please guide us to them.”

  She glanced ahead to where Leetra circled the square and then to the east. The first sliver of sun was just rising above the distant horizon. In another couple of minutes, it would spill its rays across the city and aid their search.

  It did so in a dazzling display of gold and orange that glittered on the dragons. They couldn’t be overlooked now. Soon the whole city would discover their presence, but it didn’t matter. For once, Kyrin felt they were in control. The emperor couldn’t stop them if he couldn’t catch them.

  She brought Ivoris in a small circle over the northeastern portion of the city and leaned over the dragon’s shoulders to get a view of the streets that had not yet filled up with morning travelers. Where are you? Though a few people stood in the streets, looking up and pointing, none were their missing group members.

  Reaching the wall, Kyrin straightened and turned to locate the others. Her eyes picked out movement on a nearby building. Aaron! He ran along the roof, waving his arms. How he’d gotten up there she could only guess, but joy burst through her. Elôm willing, the others were alive as well and Aaron would know where they were. Darq steered his dragon down to land on the same building, and Aaron scrambled up behind him. Before taking off again, Darq’s dragon gave a loud call, and the captain beckoned everyone to follow.

  They turned south. In only moments, Kyrin caught a glimpse of the sight she’d prayed for—all their friends gathered on the street below. A thrill raced through her, but just as swiftly turned into a knot in her stomach. Dozens of soldiers poured into the street from both sides to cut off any escape.

  Leetra and Glynn’s dragons each gave a shattering roar and dove straight down toward the men. Kyrin’s mouth fell open. Would they even fit in such a narrow space? But both dragons and their riders were experts at treacherous navigation. Folding their wings just enough to fit, yet stay airborne, they glided over the street. The soldiers’ orderly ranks dissolved into disarray as they scrambled to escape the dragons, which spewed out fire just behind them.

  Two at a time, the riderless dragons dove down to pick up their riders. Kyrin’s heart gave a leap as each one of her friends made it into the air, including Sam. They’d done it! They were safe.

  The shattering echo of a war horn and thunderclap mixed
into one blasted these thoughts right out of her head. Something with the force of a boulder slammed into her. Her vision flashed and darkened for an instant. But a jolt of panic cleared her head. She was in the air. Falling. Her saddle and Ivoris were gone with nothing between her and the ground. She didn’t have time to think or even scream. She only knew for that brief moment that she was going to die.

  The cobbled street raced up to meet her, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Elôm! Something latched around her midsection and jerked her upward. The bruising force drove the air from her lungs. A sharp point scraped into her skin. But instead of rushing closer, the ground shrank away. Kyrin struggled to expand her throbbing ribs and wrapped her hands around scales and claws. Coughing, she forced her head up and caught sight of the underside of Ivoris’s neck.

  Until that moment, all sounds had seemed muted, but horrific roars and shrieks broke in around her. She twisted to look over her shoulder. What little breath she’d managed died in her chest. Trailing right after her and her dragon was one of the most terrifying beasts she’d ever encountered. Pitch black and monstrous, its dark wings outspanned Ivoris’s by almost double. Thick, ribbed horns curved down around its head toward its wide snout, and its beady eyes glinted as black as its scales.

  The beast’s mouth hung open, and heat shimmered around its powerful jaws and pointed teeth. It opened wider to reveal the glow of fire. A scream clawed up Kyrin’s throat, and she covered her head as a heatwave blasted her. Ivoris shrieked, piercing Kyrin’s ears with the volume. Kyrin’s stomach jumped toward her throat as they lost altitude under a cascade of flames. Please, Elôm, I don’t want to die! The buildings drew nearer as Ivoris flapped frantically.

  Another deeper, guttural roar rang out as the fire behind them finally faded. They rose higher in the sky, and Kyrin looked back. One of the other dragons dove at the massive beast and sunk its teeth and claws into its scales. The other beast had a crete rider. But not only that, the attacking dragon was Exsis. Standing in his stirrups, Kaden dragged out his sword and leaned over to drive the blade into the black dragon’s side. The animal gave a horrifying shriek. As Ivoris circled around, Kyrin caught sight of a second dragon speeding toward them. Falcor.

  “Kaden!” she screamed as the crete dove straight toward him, but it was too late. She lost sight of her brother behind a fountain of fire.

  “No!” Her heart almost died in anguish. She couldn’t lose him!

  She struggled to remember how to direct Ivoris and reach him, but the terror rushing through her body destroyed her ability to recall even the simplest command.

  A moment later, Talas and Storm swooped in. As Falcor lifted higher into the air to take on his foe, Exsis broke away from the wounded black dragon. Kyrin let out a small cry. Kaden was still in the saddle. Part of his sleeve looked burnt away, but he was alive. Thank You!

  Kyrin twisted in Ivoris’s grip again in an attempt to locate the others. Five black dragons dotted the sky, including the one Kaden had wounded, and all bore crete riders. Then there was Falcor. He and Talas were locked in battle, their dragons diving, rolling, clawing, biting, and spewing fire. The very sight of it left Kyrin breathless. Her fear for Kaden shifted to Talas. Was he really up to such a challenge? The maneuvering it took for such combat looked like it should have thrown them both right out of their saddles. What if Talas wasn’t as recovered as he claimed to be? It would give Falcor a huge advantage.

  An enraged roar echoed from nearby. Leetra and her dragon streaked across the sky. She came across the top of Falcor and shredded part of his dragon’s wing. The dragon faltered, struggling for stability. This was the turning point. With a blast of fire for distraction, Falcor dove past his attackers and retreated in the direction of Auréa Palace. Though Leetra pursued, she fell back when the black dragons followed Falcor’s lead.

  What had just happened? Kyrin’s head swirled in an attempt to process the overload of emotions, and dangling from the claws of a dragon didn’t help. The streets and buildings below her started to spin, and shadows narrowed her vision. She scrunched her eyes together and fought not to succumb to the tug of unconsciousness or her stomach’s threat to heave.

  When Ivoris started to descend, Kyrin forced her eyes open. The sight of camp sent a cool wash of relief through her tensed-up muscles, and Ivoris set her gently down on the edge. The moment her feet hit solid ground, she fell to her knees and dragged in one breath after another. Her arms shook as she swept her wind-whipped hair out of her face. Amidst a flurry of dragon wings and pounding feet, came the cries of, “Are you all right?”

  She looked up. Marcus had reached her first, but more faces crowded into view—all tense with worry. Her brother helped her to her feet, and she caught her breath enough to say, “Yes, I’m all right.”

  Her ribs throbbed, and a fierce ache engulfed her shoulder but, as far as she could tell, she would live, which was better than she’d thought a few minutes ago. She sought Kaden in the crowd. The skin on his right arm was raw and blistered, but he appeared to be the only one with visible injury.

  For a long moment, the whole group just stood staring at each other. Despite the pain and memories it had left her with, the last few minutes almost felt like a horrible dream to Kyrin. No matter how vividly flashes of the fight flitted through her mind, the shock of it left her wondering how it could possibly be real.

  The others seemed to share her disbelief but, finally, Darq stepped up to take charge. “We need to gather our supplies and leave immediately.”

  They all jumped to action, spurred on by one thought: What if those black dragons regrouped and attacked again? Ice crystalized along Kyrin’s spine. She rushed to her pack and stuffed her supplies into it. Grabbing it up with her bedroll, she carried it over to Ivoris. She paused at the sight of burnt scales along her dragon’s back. Ivoris had taken the brunt of the black dragon’s attack, saving Kyrin from severe, possibly life-threatening, burns. Twice, her dragon had saved her life today. She set her supplies down and patted Ivoris on the shoulder. “Good girl. Thank you.” And thank You, Elôm.

  She lifted her pack again and attached it to her saddle, wincing at the pain that shot down her arm.

  “You’re sure you’re all right?”

  Jace’s voice drew Kyrin around. The same half-sick look of concern as before strained his expression.

  “You’re bleeding,” he said with a nod.

  Kyrin frowned and looked down. Red tinged the edges of a rip in her coat. She pushed it aside. A little more stained her overdress. “I must have gotten scratched when Ivy caught me.” She looked up. “I don’t think it’s that deep. I’ll be all right.”

  His eyes held hers, a deep disturbance glowing in them as if he were reliving something. He must have seen what happened—seen her fall, and thought, as she did, that she would die.

  “Really, Jace.” She reached out and gave his arm a squeeze in assurance. “Don’t worry.”

  He glanced down at her hand, and his chest rose as he drew in a deep breath and nodded. Kyrin managed an encouraging smile just for him, and he turned toward Gem. Her smile lingered, and his concern for her comforted and soothed her overwrought nerves. But the commotion of camp reminded her of their haste and the still-present danger.

  Scanning the group, her eyes caught on Meredith. The little girl stood petrified. In all the rush, Kyrin hadn’t considered how terrifying this must be for her. From camp, they would have had a clear view of what took place over Valcré. Kyrin hurried over and knelt in front of her. Keeping her voice light in spite of the way her heart still pattered, she asked, “Are you ready to go to your new home?”

  Meredith shook her head and whimpered. “I don’t want to fly.”

  Kyrin cupped her small, trembling shoulders. “Oh? Why is that?”

  “What if the monsters get us?”

  “Don’t worry,” Kyrin soothed, “they won’t catch us. That’s why we’re leaving, so we’re gone before they come back. Flying is fun. I promise. Come o
n, you get to ride with me.”

  She rose and offered Meredith her hand. The little girl stared at it for a long moment before slipping her own into it. Kyrin led her over to Ivoris.

  “This is Ivy. She’s really nice. She’ll take good care of us while we’re flying. First though, we have to get you bundled up. Flying can be cold.”

  She took a blanket from her bedroll and wrapped it snuggly around Meredith. She then paused to look her in the eyes. “I’m going to look after you, just like I did in Tarvin Hall, remember? I never let anything bad happen to you, did I?”

  Meredith shook her head.

  “Well, I won’t now either.”

  Kyrin helped her climb up onto Ivoris and settled into the saddle with her, tucking the blanket in so Meredith would stay wrapped and warm. The rest of the group mounted. Following Darq’s lead, they took to the sky, anxious to put miles between them and the disturbing creatures that now, apparently, inhabited Valcré.

  Kyrin sagged with relief when they set down in a meadow that opened up in the forest around midday. By now, the mountains lay well behind them, along with the danger of a second attack. Her whole body ached, and burning pain radiated from her shoulder and ribs. She’d gone over the attack several times, but everything had happened so fast that, even for her, it was a blur. She was quite sure the black dragon had rammed her and Ivoris and thrown her from the saddle. Her right shoulder must have been the point of impact, which would explain the sharp pain.

  A groan pressed up her throat as she swung her leg over the saddle.

  “Are you all right?”

  She gave Meredith a weary smile. “Yes, just a little sore.”

  In fact, despite her aches and pains, she was quite all right. Maybe now it was safe to believe they’d succeeded in their missions, though she didn’t think she’d fully relax until they set down in camp. She wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her guard down again.