She blinked, her vision blurry. Was there a dragon standing next to her? It was a trick of her mind, she told herself, then collapsed to the ground again. Something nudged her, something large and scaly.
‘Are you able to climb onto my back?’
Sable opened her eyes again. Something was blocking out the rays of the sun.
‘I would rather you didn’t die,’ said the voice. ‘It would cause Sanguino pain.’
Sable focussed her eyes, and saw grey scales next to her. ‘Ashfall?’
A gigantic head came down, and she felt the dragon’s breath against her cheek.
‘Are you really here?’ said Sable.
‘I am.’
‘Why?’
‘Sanguino said he cannot live without you. It is weak of him to think in such a way, but I respect him, and when he requested that I fly out here to look for you, I could not refuse. He needs you.’
Sable drew herself up into a sitting position, the words of the dragon sinking into her. She glanced around, as if remembering where she was. She went to pull on her battle-vision, then realised that she had been burning it for hours.
Ashfall’s eyes were watching her. ‘Did you hear what I said?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sanguino has defied Blackrose in this matter. She ordered that no one attempt to rescue you.’
‘Will you be in trouble with her?’
‘No. Blackrose is Sanguino’s mother, therefore she is responsible for his actions. He asked me to go, and she will have to take responsibility for that. If there is any conflict, it lies between them. Are you well enough to climb onto my back? I have never carried an insect that way, and I will not offer again.’
Sable placed her hands against the grey scales of a forelimb and pulled herself up.
‘How long were you looking for me?’
‘Since dawn,’ said Ashfall. ‘Blackrose refused to specify your exact location, and I have covered a hundred miles of desert.’
‘Does she know you left to search for me?’
‘She was sleeping when Sanguino made his request. Some of the wounds she picked up in the pits are quite severe, and I think she will need time to recover. As will you, by the look of you.’
Sable put her right foot onto the dragon’s forelimb and climbed up. The sun resumed its ferocious glare as soon as she had moved out of the shadow cast by Ashfall, and she felt dizzy again.
‘Hold on tight,’ said the dragon.
She extended her long, grey wings, and ascended into the air. Sable grasped the folds around the dragon’s shoulders, the breeze helping to lessen the heat from the sun. Ashfall gained altitude, then soared away to the north. Sable closed her eyes, and concentrated on not falling off.
‘Did you truly lie to Blackrose?’ said the dragon as they flew.
‘Yes.’
‘That was foolish.’
‘It was a calculated risk.’
‘Are you sorry?’
‘No. I would do it again.’
A low sound like laughter came from the dragon. They flew on, and Sable retreated within herself, her grip on the dragon’s shoulder the sole thought in her mind. The minutes passed, until she had lost all track of time, then they began to descend.
‘Are we there?’
‘Not yet.’
Sable opened her eyes, and saw the high cliffs approaching. Behind them, one of the volcanoes was spewing fresh torrents of lava down the steep mountainside. Ashfall landed on a flat ledge close to the base of the cliffs, and turned her long neck to look at Sable.
‘Dismount.’
‘Do I have to walk from here?’
‘No. I will carry you in my forelimb.’
‘Why?’
‘Sanguino will be waiting, and his one good eye will be watching. I do not want to arouse any feelings of envy within him, therefore I will not carry you into the tomb on my back. You are his insect after all, not mine.’
Sable released her grip and slid down from the dragon’s back. She staggered, then Ashfall’s talons grasped round her waist, keeping her upright. The grey dragon took off again, and they soared over the first river of lava, low enough for Sable to feel the wave of heat that rose up from it. She coughed as the vapours enveloped them, then Ashfall started to climb as the tomb openings came into view. At least a dozen dragons were watching, their heads poking out of their homes as Ashfall approached. Sanguino lifted his neck as he caught sight of her.
Ashfall hovered by the entrance to the tomb.
‘I have done as you asked,’ said the grey dragon. ‘I have brought your insect back.’
‘You have my thanks, Ashfall,’ said Sanguino. ‘I will not forget this.’
Ashfall tilted her head, then dropped Sable onto the ledge at the entrance of the tomb. The grey dragon turned, then climbed away out of sight.
‘Sable,’ said Sanguino, his face nuzzling her as she crouched on the rough floor of the cavern. ‘My rider; you are back. If you had died, I… I would have…’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘Thank you for sending Ashfall to look for me.’
‘I would have done anything to see you return to me. If Ashfall hadn’t gone, I would have walked.’
‘I was over a hundred miles away; you would have died.’
‘Without you, my rider, I’d rather be dead. It’s not just about the flying, though that is very important to me. You are dear to my heart, Sable.’
She smiled. ‘And you are dear to mine.’
His good eye narrowed a little. ‘Blackrose doesn’t know that Ashfall went for you; she has been sleeping since yesterday evening. You shouldn’t have lied to her.’
‘I happen to disagree.’
‘An apology to her would be in order.’
‘I disagree with that too, but I’ll do it for you.’
Maddie ran over, a waterskin in her hands. She passed it to Sable, and the Holdfast woman grabbed it and drank, her hands trembling from exhaustion.
‘You look a right state,’ said Maddie. ‘Still, better than being dead. Blackrose is going to freak out when she sees you, though. Are you hungry? Stupid question, I guess. Millen is heating something up for you on the fire.’
‘What about you?’ said Sable, resting the waterskin on her knee for a moment. ‘Are you in trouble with her Highness as well?’
‘No. She blames you, completely. To her, I’m an innocent victim of your manipulation.’
‘Good. Let’s ensure we keep it that way.’
‘But… well, it isn’t really true, though, is it? I knew what we were doing.’
Sanguino’s green eye glowed. ‘It’s not right that you should take all of the blame, my rider.’
‘It is right,’ said Sable. ‘It was my idea; my plan. Maddie and Millen had no choice in the matter.’
‘But I’ve used the Quadrant a dozen times to get supplies,’ said Maddie.
‘Yes, but you didn’t know how to use it to rescue her. You would have tried had you known.’
‘What about before that? I knew you had it before Blackrose was captured at Yoneath.’
‘I was using my mind powers on you then.’
Maddie raised an eyebrow. ‘Were you? I don’t think so.’
‘If I say I did, then I did, and that’s all Blackrose needs to know. It’s vital that your relationship with Blackrose isn’t compromised. Let me take the blame, alright? Now, where’s that food you promised me?’
Maddie helped Sable stand, and put an arm round her shoulder as they hobbled over to where Millen was sitting by the hearth. Sanguino turned and followed them, keeping his good eye on Sable the entire time. They sat by the fire, and Millen looked up from a pot that was bubbling over the flames.
‘Sable,’ he said. ‘This seems familiar – me cooking your dinner while you’re off doing crazy, reckless stuff.’
She smiled. ‘Next time, tell me when the important games are on in the city.’
‘I doubt there will be a next time. Blackrose said she’s lea
ving for Dragon Eyre as soon as her wounds have healed. She blames you for those wounds as well, by the way.’ He glanced at Maddie. ‘She’s going to go mental when she wakes up.’
‘I will not let any harm come to Sable,’ said Sanguino. ‘Blackrose was too fast for me last time, and I didn’t know what she was going to do. This time, I will be prepared.’
Millen spooned food from the pot into a bowl and passed it to Sable. She took it, and began to eat, her throat sore, and her fingers still trembling. The warm food felt wonderful, and she devoured the contents of the bowl in minutes, then drank the rest of the waterskin.
‘Like Blackrose,’ she said, putting down the empty bowl, ‘I’m going to need to sleep for a while. I’ve used up most of my battle-vision reserves, and when I relax, I’m liable to fall over.’
‘I will protect you while you sleep, my rider,’ said Sanguino. ‘You need fear nothing.’
She smiled, then her eyes closed and she slid off the seat into unconsciousness.
* * *
She awoke in Sanguino’s cavern, upon a low mattress with the dark red dragon’s tail coiled round it. Raised voices were coming from somewhere else in the tomb.
‘You’re awake,’ said Sanguino, his head resting on his forelimbs as he watched her.
‘So too is Blackrose by the sound of it.’
‘Indeed. She has discovered that you have returned.’
Sable stretched. ‘How long was I asleep?’
‘For a day and a night,’ said the dragon. ‘The dawn has come again.’
‘That explains why I feel better. I’m thirsty, though.’
‘There is water by the bed. Maddie left it there for you.’
She glanced down and saw the waterskin. Next to it was a pile of clean clothes, a hairbrush and another bowl filled with water, with a bar of soap next to it.
‘I think she’s trying to give me a hint,’ Sable said. She sniffed what she had on. ‘And she’s not wrong. Let me get cleaned up, and then I’ll face Blackrose.’
Sanguino turned, and went to the entrance of the cavern, blocking it with his bulk. Sable undressed, and washed. Her limbs were aching and stiff, and she scrubbed the sand and sweat from her skin, then gave her hair a clean in the bowl. She pulled on the clothes that Maddie had left her, and found a pack of cigarettes in a pocket, along with some matches. She lit one, and smoked it while she brushed her wet hair. It could do with a trim, she thought, wondering if she could trust Maddie to do a decent job with a pair of scissors.
She stubbed the cigarette out and stood, listening to the voices coming from the rest of the tomb. There were other dragons there, not just Blackrose.
‘I’m ready,’ she said to Sanguino.
The dark red dragon moved to the side and Sable walked to the entrance of the cavern. To her left, Deepblue and Broadwing were sitting in the long tunnel that led to the open air, while directly in front of her, Blackrose’s head was sticking out of her own cavern.
‘The traitor approaches,’ said the black dragon, her red eyes burning as she stared at Sable. ‘You should be dead.’
Sable put a hand on her hip. ‘If I hadn’t rescued you, you would be dead. I’m still waiting on a thank you for that.’
Maddie groaned from where she and Millen were sitting by the hearth.
‘You see?’ said Blackrose. ‘Sable is not contrite. She is shameless. She lied to me and she doesn’t care. We could have been in Dragon Eyre…’
‘Yes, yes; I know,’ said Sable. ‘You could have been in Dragon Eyre ages ago, blah, blah. You know what, if you had, then you’d probably be dead. I did the right thing, and you can’t admit it.’ She shrugged. ‘That’s fine. I can live with your ingratitude for all that I’ve done for you.’
Flames flickered over Blackrose’s jaws. ‘Are you trying to provoke me?’
‘I’m trying to make you see sense. Look at what we’ve achieved by being patient, instead of rushing off to Dragon Eyre at the first opportunity. We have supplies, but much more importantly, we have allies.’ She pointed towards Deepblue and Broadwing, who were watching in silence. ‘We have these two fine dragons, and we have Sanguino, who is able to fly again. And, if we wait a little longer, other dragons might join us.’
Blackrose’s eyes burned as she stared at Sable. ‘Wait even longer? Just who do you think you are? I am going home, to Dragon Eyre. My home, not yours. You have nothing to do with this expedition; you are not in charge, and it was not your decision to take.’
Sanguino nudged Sable’s arm. ‘Didn’t you promise to say something to Blackrose?’
‘Of course,’ said Sable. ‘Blackrose, I apologise for lying to you.’
‘Another lie?’ said Blackrose. ‘Do you even know how to be sincere, witch?’
‘I lied to you, because I believed you would take my Quadrant and immediately go to Dragon Eyre. Do you deny it?’
‘A Holdfast took my Quadrant; taking yours would seem fair.’
‘I said, do you deny it? Answer me.’
‘I do not deny it,’ said Blackrose; ‘that is what I would have done.’
‘You would have gone to Dragon Eyre unprepared? Right. And now you will be going with at least three other dragons, plenty of supplies, and a ton of gold.’
‘What gold?’
‘The gold I accumulated before I came to the Catacombs. What did you think I was doing during that period? Sleeping?’
Blackrose turned towards the hearth. ‘Maddie, have you heard about this?’
‘No,’ said Maddie. ‘Sable’s never mentioned any gold to me.’
‘Of course not,’ said Sable. ‘I was waiting to tell you all. My little secret. To be honest, you’ve kind of ruined the surprise, but never mind. Blackrose, will you admit to me that the circumstances of you going now are immeasurably better than if you’d gone earlier?’
‘They are not “immeasurably” better, witch.’
Sable smirked. ‘But they are better, yeah?’
‘Where is the gold?’
‘Answer my question and I might tell you.’
‘Fine. I admit it. The preparations you and the others have made will stand us in good stead, but that does not excuse what you did. You don’t trust me. You are a shameless liar, working for your own advantage.’
‘I risked my life to save you. I have risked my life several times for you and your cause. I hardly see how dying would be to my own advantage.’
‘But why?’
‘Because I want to go to Dragon Eyre with you, but I didn’t want to go unprepared. I knew you’d take my Quadrant, so I had to keep it a secret from you. It’s really as simple as that.’
Blackrose remained silent for a moment, then scraped her claws across the floor of the cavern. ‘You will not be coming to Dragon Eyre with me. You have proved that you are unworthy and a liar.’
‘Then you’ll also have to do without Sanguino and the gold. Your choice.’
Maddie jumped to her feet. ‘Hold on a minute; let’s all calm down. There’s no need to make rash threats. Blackrose, please think about this. I know Sable lied to you, but you’ve already punished her by leaving her in the desert, and she has apologised. We can’t go to Dragon Eyre without Sanguino; he’s your son.’
‘I can speak for myself,’ said the dark red dragon. ‘Mother, what Sable did was wrong, and I do not excuse it; but, if you leave her here, then I will stay by her side. She is my rider; would you be separated from Maddie? You have admitted that her plan has brought us many benefits. If you would hear my advice, I would tell you to accept her apology and forgive her.’
Blackrose turned her head away.
‘What if Sable promised not to lie to you again?’ said Maddie.
‘Her promises are worthless,’ said Blackrose. ‘I believe that she could stand there and swear on all she holds dear that she would never utter a lie again, but she would not mean it.’
‘And you would be right,’ said Sable.
‘You see?’ said the black
dragon, her tone almost mournful. ‘Sable is incapable of sincerity. Her only virtue is that she can admit it.’
‘Think how useful I would be to you on Dragon Eyre,’ said Sable. ‘I could help win your realm back, and you know it.’
‘May I speak?’ said Deepblue, her voice soft compared to Blackrose’s.
They turned to her.
‘Sable has been a good friend to me,’ the small dragon said. ‘In the Catacombs, I am treated with nothing but contempt, but Sable made me feel wanted, and useful. I know she lies, but as she said to me, humans have their lies just as we have our fire and claws. If you force her to stay here, Blackrose, then I will also stay. I will not betray my friendship with her.’
‘She has bewitched you all!’ Blackrose bellowed. ‘Damn the Holdfasts. All the curses in the world would not suffice to satiate my anger.’ She turned to Broadwing. ‘And you?’
‘I, uh, I will do as you say, Blackrose,’ the big dragon said, bowing his head. ‘You are the chief of the expedition.’
‘Thank you, Broadwing,’ said Blackrose. ‘That settles it. I shall leave with Maddie and Broadwing, and Millen if he is willing. I have no need for disloyal companions.’
Maddie looked panicked, her eyes wild. ‘Can I speak to you alone, please?’
‘I already know what you will say, rider.’
‘Even so, please?’
Blackrose sighed, then retreated into her cavern, Maddie hurrying after her.
Sable nodded. ‘That went better than I thought.’
Millen laughed as he walked over. ‘Do you ever back down?’
‘Not when I’m right, and I’m usually right.’
‘You have a stubborn streak, my rider,’ said Sanguino. ‘I sense it will get us into a lot of trouble. However, without your stubbornness, I doubt I would have flown again. I do wish you had made your apology sound a little more sincere.’
Sable lit a cigarette. ‘Thank you for what you said, Deepblue; I appreciate it. And Broadwing, your loyalty to Blackrose does you proud.’
‘What about the ton of gold?’ said Millen.
‘What about it?’
‘Is it real?’
Sable looked shocked. ‘Are you accusing me of making it up? That hurts, Millen. Of course it’s real. I didn’t weigh it though, so it might not be exactly a ton.’
Gates of Ruin (Magelands Eternal Siege, #6) Page 23
