Speaking of sinister designs, a week after leaving land, a rider came back early from a scouting mission to report a pair of suspicious ships to the north. What made them so was the way they turned their bows to point southwest in less favorable winds when intercepting us was the only conceivable reason for doing so.
To stress the fact that no ordinary mercenaries safeguarded Montagu’s passengers and imports, I summoned Aranath. With all the riders taking to the air, I rode the large lizard’s back as he swam toward the mystery boats. When I figured we strayed near enough, I told the dragon to breathe his flame as he swam a hundred yards in front of one bow to the other. Whoever occupied the ships observed a long line of steam spouting upward in a cloud taller than their vessels. From their point of view, Montagu disappeared behind this boiling mist wall.
To prevent the message from blowing away in the breezy chill, the dragon added more vaporous walls ahead of the ships. His roars capped the end of every hazed barrier. In a few minutes, the riders signaled that the ships had gotten the hint and were making their turn. I stayed on the dragon awhile longer to confirm no minds changed. I also wanted a reason to expend my corrupted prana.
Climbing back on my own ship, the sailors and passengers applauded and whistled. I had to remind them that we may have only scared away some innocent seafarers. Anyway, seeing a dragon in person made the stories those in my group told all the more real. Ancient giants and a would-be god had truly been physical enemies who needed to be taken care of before they gained a foothold in Orda. Stories they would get to spread themselves now, including the exaggerated ones Ujin told. No doubt telling Ujin’s descriptions would make me taller and broader than my true self.
A few of the sailors started singing an old song about dragon knights. It was not a sea shanty often sung due to the scarcity of dragon knights the past five centuries, so even the ones that cared to learn it had to add some words of verses slipping their minds. Even so, they gladly taught their revised and improvised rendition to the others. Unsurprisingly, Ujin strummed his instrument to the vocal melody.
With scaly sight and cheery sounds inspiring him, Remy became resolute on devising a game based around dragons and their knightly partners. I had never seen a man other than Ghevont so fixedly happy scribbling unarranged rules and sketches on pieces of parchment. He was certain that once word spread of my role in Jegeru, a game referencing the event would surely spread similar to incessantly fed dragon fire. I provided my opinion when he asked for it, such as preferring a balance between elements of strategy and chance, but I deferred to his expertise on the details.
The admiration received would have driven me to the lower decks not so long ago, but embracing my second dose of corruption ostensibly had me accepting the part accountable for meting out dragon flame as well. How could I not bear that responsibility when I witnessed a valkrean princess braving her regal demands daily with such grace? She was going to do it for the rest of her life, so I should at least try being amiable to unoffending people for part of mine. Naturally, my cordiality depended on how much Clarissa was able to divert the bulk of the direct attention away from me.
Not looking forward to the day when she separated from my group, I still needed to ask Odet when she planned to head back to Alslana. Her answer would also affect Clarissa, since she wished to reunite with Ethan. The princess, knight, and vampire could potentially take the guild riders across Kozuth as soon as we reached the shore, but Odet replied she first wanted to see how my visit to the dragon temple went.
The young cold season brought with it plenty of blustering winds to push along Montagu at a nice clip on most days. It made for rough seas, but nothing that endangered our fine, heavy ship. Even with a lull in gusts coming three and a half weeks into the voyage, the coastline of Dracera came within sight of a griffin scout three days later. Despite the failing light, we bade our farewell to the ship’s crew and her passengers as the riders summoned their wings.
Right before the eknuil flapped his wings, Remy popped up from below deck and ran to the beast I sat on. He held up a little wooden figure, which he handed over to me. The image was of a cloaked man with dragon wings.
“A close example of what your game unit will look like, my lord. I wish I had time to color it a bit, but, please, take the only gift I can give.”
I bowed my head. “I’m not certain how safe he’ll be with me, but only protecting my comrades will take precedence over him.”
We took flight, the altitude and dimming sky allowing us to spot the flickering fires of lighthouses and torches. The lights brightened and grew until we flew over and beyond them. The rate at which we flew and rested brought the clusters of dragon spires within sight three days after entering Dracera. It took another day and a half to get us to the thelki temple at the foot of the dragon spires.
Chapter Four
Dashay welcomed us back. She acted less enthusiastic with Ghevont, making me think their initial affection had faded. Hotter fires burn quickest and all that. The acolyte wished to know everything we had been through right then and there, but since we would be repeating it a few minutes later, I asked her to take me to the sages. She called for Gollo, who jumped down from his roost on the temple roof. The thelki’s bumpy liftoff smoothed out as he ascended toward the dragon spire peaks. A light mist hung above the narrow, twisting valleys, distorting the late afternoon rays and long shadows.
Still in midair, Gollo responded to his squawking kin with squawks of his own. Our presence thus announced, our landing by the Dragon Spire Temple already had sages walking out of it. Master Hermoon was among the last one out, and it was clear why. He sneezed hard right as the sunlight hit his face, followed by wet coughing.
“You’re not well?” I asked.
“Better than I was only two days ago. Please do not wear such a disquieting look. I get it enough from everyone else here.” A smaller cough. “I’m glad to see you are alive. Yet I see no Aranath? Has something happened to him?”
“A minor wing injury he picked up in a decisive battle against the Advent. Any survivors are on the run. With any luck from Enir, they will be found out before they can hide permanently. At any rate, their defeat has left me with questions. I’m here to speak with the dragon realm. I’m hoping they can help Aranath with his injury and answer my questions.”
“A meeting with Iterra will be arranged. Would you like to rest first?”
“I can rest after the talk.”
“Then we will place the crystals immediately.”
“I appreciate it. I’ve arrived with riders from the Warriors Guild. May they bring my companions up here?”
“Hmm… I suppose it will be fine. As long as it’s a temporary stay. There’s a limit to how many outsiders you can bring.”
“Fair enough. Their stay won’t be long-lasting. In fact, the faster I can get answers from the dragon realm, the fewer reasons they have to stay.”
“Then let’s get…” The sickliest, slimiest cough yet. “…to it.”
A few minutes later, a circle of sages and I splayed our hands at the edge of the summoning rune. The red glow of the vlimphite crystals spread throughout the indentations. We had to wait a few minutes before the dark purple body of Iterra whisked itself into the human realm.
Rising, I said, “Welcome back to Orda, Iterra.”
The serpentine head and neck sniffed the air five feet in front of me. With the lowest of growls, the dragon said, “Mytariss spoke the truth. Corruption flows freely in you.”
“She spread the word, huh? Well, it’s not so free that it holds mastery over me.”
“We’ll see, child.” Her head pulled back a little. “Now, why I am I here?”
“So you can help me seek an audience with your elders, or any dragon who can get Aranath out from his cage. As I’m sure Mytariss also explained to your elders, he helped stop the Advent’s goal. He at least deserves for his wing to be tended to.”
“He is wounded?”
�
��A minor injury, but if he ever suffers something substantial, I don’t want him to be on his own. How difficult do you think it will be to convince those responsible for Aranath’s fate that he has paid for his transgressions?”
“Much will depend on what a diviner sees in both him and you, if they agree to see anything at all.”
“Will a dragon diviner also be able to answer some questions I have?”
“What kind of questions, child?”
“I’m becoming curious about a few things. The Advent claimed to want to strengthen humans so we may defend ourselves from threats brought by dragons, fiends, and who knows what else. Whatever their true intentions on that front, it did get me wondering about how vulnerable Orda is to external forces. I’d just like a clearer idea of what’s out there, and you dragons seem to have a good grasp of it. Do you?”
“Some of us. I do not. My responsibilities are too narrow to be immediately acquainted with anything beyond the happenings of my home realm. I do know my kind strive tirelessly to nurture and defend the realms that need it.”
“And I’m wondering how Orda fits into all that. In any case, the priority is Aranath’s liberty. Not to press you, but how soon can I expect a reply?”
“My elders may not rank Aranath’s circumstances as highly as you do. However, I can promise my wings will be swift, child.”
“That’s all I ask.” I bowed. “And that is all from me, madam dragon. Breathe deep and fly high.”
Her eyes closed and her head dipped, then she departed to her realm.
The sages and I went to join the others, who we found under and around the open-air temple preparing meals for us all. For the next few hours, most of the sages, riders, and my companions ate the vegetable broth and discussed the topical events we went through. It was then off to a soporific bed.
At dawn, I summoned Aranath to collect some of his dislodged scales so the sages could use them to repair the cracked parts of my armor. Moreover, I wanted a few of the scales to be attached to the inside of my hood, something I had been contemplating since my jaw injury. I hoped that gave me better protection than no helmet, while likewise solving my inclination to not lug around a piece of equipment all the time.
Besides a little light training, everyone took it easy for the day. Clarissa especially slept a lot. Despite trying to accommodate her lifestyle as best I could, she no doubt got the short end of the stick when it came to how much she was able to sleep and eat in our travels. I looked forward to her reposing at her own leisure in Alslana.
Near the end of this latest day, Odet walked up to the middle of the bridge, where I paused to observe the brightly tinged scenery before the falling sun masked it all.
Taking the spot by my right shoulder, Odet said, “You know, without any travel or heavy training to tire me out, I’m going to have trouble sleeping. Are you up for frittering your corruption?”
“I’m fine. You, on the other hand, will be traveling back home before long, so you’ll get back your tired days soon enough.”
“Do you want me to leave already?” she asked with fabricated confusion.
Not feeling playful, I turned my head to look her right in her immaculate eyes and said, “If I had my way, I would fly us to every village and city Orda has to offer in order to solve whatever problem they can give us. We’d do that until you finally got fed up by people, Clarissa tasted every kind of blood, and Ghevont learned everything there is to learn. But you have your obligations, princess. You need to make certain your sister goes through with the deal you made with the Chiszir, and I need to learn my obligations better.”
Through a faint smile, she sighed. “You’re right, as much as I’d enjoy freely flying across Orda with you and our friends, I need to return to my home and family. Not to mention learn more about Mytariss’ condition. Still, if I ever do find myself with some free time, or whenever you need the help…”
“I’ll pick you right up. Do you have an idea when you’ll get going?”
“I suppose there’s no reason to stay here longer than another day. You’re really not certain when your business here will end?”
“It depends too much on the dragon realm for me to tell you anything definitive.”
“Except for the moments we were fighting for our lives, I’m pleased you brought me, Mercer.”
“Me too. I only wish we had a clearer idea of whether Thanatis lived or not. If he does live, I swear the guild will hear about it and track him down.”
“There’s no question in my mind you’ll do everything you can, and that’s honestly enough to make me feel better. Regardless, Thanatis may have been the one to kill my mother, but it was his master who desired it, and we know he’s dead. That aspect gives me some comfort.”
“Doesn’t Duality say something about not seeking comfort in another’s death?”
“It also says something about not seeking power in the corrupted realm, yet here we both are.”
“Ah, got me there.”
“In all seriousness, please never feel comfortable with that caustic power. You may have found a way to keep it in check, but that is not the same as forever mastering it. All it needs is one moment of weakness for it to gain the upper hand.”
“I hope I did not lose too much of your trust in my judgment after I accepted corruption back into my life.”
“No, don’t do try making me feel guilty, because you did lose a little of my trust. However, plenty remains if you don’t insist on acting out desperate plans I don’t approve of.”
I nodded. “I’ll limit myself to one desperate plan a year.”
Even if Odet wanted to leave earlier, a chilly, blustery downpour lasting half the next day kept us inside for the most part. A lighter, warmer rain supplanted it. That scattered gift of sky-water persisted into the young morning. Clarissa avoided touching on the subject of our impending separation until shortly before it arrived. We were in the open-air temple, where I ate a black bean stew I had requested be ready earlier than everyone else’s meals.
Clarissa, who had waited for me to wake up to follow me out, scooted right up to my right. “Are you sure I can’t go to Alslana once Aranath can fly again?”
“I want you to be with Odet. Having your nose and nighttime eyes by her side will let me worry less about her making it home.”
“But that leaves you without my nose and nighttime eyes.”
I took a moment to chew and swallow, then said, “You’re anxious about my brother.”
“Aren’t you?”
“A little.”
“Then let me stay with you a bit longer. Odet will be fine with the guild riders and Gerard protecting her.”
“And I’ll be fine with a dragon protecting me.”
“Aranath can’t watch him from another realm.”
“Clarissa, he might want to run from me, he probably wants to hit me, but he won’t kill me.”
“How can you be sure?”
“For one, despite fewer people and vampires around, Ghevont, Ujin, and I won’t stop keeping an eye on him. And two, I just want to give him a chance. He’ll either adjust or he won’t. And I think the fewer people around him, the less suffocated he’ll feel. That’s how it was for me, anyway.”
“Okay. Just don’t forget that he’s not you, no matter how much you relate to him.”
“Aye, he’s not. I’ll remember that.”
“Good. Now, once Aranath is nice and healthy, you come to Alslana and pick up me and Ethan. Without Odet able to join us as often, you’ll need other warriors to fill the void.”
“Make sure you don’t take it easy on him when you train. He has to try and replace a valkrean princess and a High Guard knight. No mean feat.”
“I’ll get him strong, don’t worry.”
A mildly brighter gray sky an hour later saw the guild riders summon their beasts. Clarissa pried herself off me and re-embraced me several times between my breakfast and this point. After a round of goodbyes on their feet and another w
hen they saddled their steeds, the princess, knight, and vampire ascended. They swiftly shrank away into the horizon, far faster than I thought possible. If Aranath were two weeks healthier, I would have flown alongside them for a few hours.
The forest and mountains became exceptionally quiet with so many people leaving at once. I didn’t realize how much I had grown accustomed to background chatter and the bustle of bodies. Nevertheless, several hours reacquainting myself with the familiar placidness encroaching my senses felt like putting on a snug glove that had gone ignored for a while. It helped knowing a mended Aranath put Alslana or any place in Orda well inside my range.
The time waiting for the dragon realm’s response was mainly spent training Ujin to do more than summon Shifa and her father. A useful way to remember the fundamentals, if not tire me out. When I did want to push my spirit, I depended on Ghevont and multiple sages to cast their spells against my flame. As for my body, only Alex had the potential to match or surpass my strength, but he was too aloof to play well with others.
As I practiced manipulating my black dragon fire by the precipice of a pillar, the scholar came up beside me carrying some items he wanted me to burn so he could study the effects. After a few minutes observing how wood, leather, and different pieces of metal melted and vaporized, Ghevont stated, “I’ve never seen fire palpitate so much. It’s powerful, yet it appears confused as to whether it wishes to burn a given material or extinguish itself.”
“That’s not too far from how it feels.”
“Why don’t you spin it?”
“What?”
“Sometimes you compress your dragon fire to make it explosive. It sometimes spins when you do so. At least from my perspective, the spin appears to add some stability of the fireball.”
The Dragon Knight and the Steam World Page 4
