by K. A. Linde
“Helly has been tending to you day and night. She stabilized you but has had to funnel you magic hourly since you collapsed. Speaking of, I should wake her. I don’t want to since she’s barely slept since you got here, but it’s almost morning. I don’t want her anger if I let her sleep longer.” She looked back at Kerrigan. “You’ll be okay?”
“I feel fine,” she told her. Which was strange and miraculous all on its own.
Clover darted out of the room, and a minute later, a bedraggled Helly stepped into the room. She still walked with the air of someone confident in their place in the world, but she was running on empty.
“Kerrigan,” she breathed. “It’s good to see you awake.”
“I hear that I have you to thank for that.”
“It was nothing.”
Kerrigan doubted that very much, but Helly was already turning to Clover. “Fetch Fordham. He’ll want to know her condition.”
“How did I end up here?” Kerrigan asked as Clover ducked out.
While Helly checked Kerrigan’s vitals, she explained that Fordham had the sense to fly her to Helly immediately after her collapse. She made a noise of relief. “You’re renewing your own magic again. That’s a good step. I’d feared the magic sickness was too severe.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem anymore.”
“I’d like to be that optimistic, but if this last episode was any indication…”
“I found a spiritcaster teacher.”
Helly’s eyes widened with barely suppressed disbelief. “How in the world did that happen?”
“It was an accident really. I was on the spiritual plane during all of… this,” she said, gesturing around her, “and I was trying to figure out how to get back into my body. I guess it was noisy and irritating her.”
Helly laughed softly. “She sounds like someone I’d like. Where does she live? We’ll go there at once.”
“Well, that’s sort of the problem.”
“Oh?”
“She’s not from Alandria.”
Helly sighed. “Should I prepare a way for you to use the portal to get you to Eleysia? I’m certain Cyrene would welcome you back.”
Kerrigan shook her head. “As much as I’d like that, it wouldn’t help. She doesn’t live on this… world.”
“This world,” Helly repeated. “She’s from a different world?”
“I’m really unclear, and she was spouting explanations for how we could have crossed dimensions on the plane.” Kerrigan shrugged. “I didn’t follow. Regardless, she agreed to teach me so that I don’t die.”
Helly looked skeptical. “That’s awfully convenient. Are you sure that you can trust her?”
“Not particularly, but what other choice do I have? There hasn’t been a spiritcaster here in a thousand years, Helly. Zina disappeared as soon as we got started, and she isn’t her mother. I’m not progressing, and my magic is poisoning me. If this teacher can help, then it’s worth a try.”
Helly sighed. “Let’s try for a controlled environment at least. Allow me to be there when you go under, so I can keep you stable.”
Kerrigan glanced down and back up. “There’s only one problem. I’m no longer welcome here.”
Helly sank onto the bed next to her. “That trial was a sham. It was circus performers bellowing out fears and propaganda. Before you fled, I was planning to appeal the decision. Nothing is ever final unless the vote is unanimous, and it was far from that.”
“Oh,” Kerrigan said sheepishly. “I didn’t know that.”
“I gathered that by your quick escape. How did you even get out?” Helly asked.
Kerrigan buttoned her lips. “I’ll never tell.”
“Well, Lorian is furious. I filed the appeal, but the council left for spring holiday. Lorian was lucky that no one had left yet or else I could have called for a mistrial. They likely won’t all be back until the spring Season event. The mountain is shockingly empty. Which is to our benefit. No one wondered where I was the last couple days, except Lorian when he found out about the appeal.” She shook her head. “Regardless, we need to work together from now on. If you want to get back in the council’s good graces and back into the Society, we need a plan. There’s no guarantee, but…”
She was cut off by a sudden rush of feet at the door. Fordham and Clover dashed inside. Fordham took one look at Kerrigan, crossed the room, and fell to his knees before her. He took her hands carefully in his own and looked up at her as if she were a vision.
“You made it.”
“Thanks to you.”
He pressed a kiss to her hand. “I feared we were going to lose you.”
Clover cleared her throat. “Not to interrupt, but there’s someone else at the door.”
Helly’s brows furrowed, and she stepped out of the bedroom. “Zina!”
Kerrigan tossed the covers off of her.
“What are you doing?” Fordham demanded.
“I haven’t seen Zina since the Night of the Dead. No news whatsoever. I need to speak with her.” She straightened up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Fordham asked.
“Has that ever mattered?”
She rose to her feet, spinning slightly. She was weak after three days of being unconscious. But she had waited this long to hear from her. She wouldn’t wait another moment. Fordham put his hand out to steady her, and she was grateful for his support. Clover darted to her other side. Though she looked worse for wear as well. Kerrigan wondered when she’d last had a smoke.
As if reading her mind, Clover said, “Helly lets me use her balcony. She doesn’t approve, but I wanted her to focus on you, not me.”
Kerrigan nodded, and then the trio was in the sitting room. Zina was gesticulating wildly, and Helly had her arms crossed. She looked alarmed.
“You!” Zina said when she caught sight of Kerrigan.
“Hello, Zina,” Kerrigan said calmly. “Find what you were looking for?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I found it and more. Did you do it?”
“Do what?”
Zina floated toward her. Her magic so tight that she didn’t even move her feet. She pointed her finger at Kerrigan. “Did you do it? Don’t lie to me.”
“I’ve been unconscious for three days. I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“It’s true,” Helly said. “What is this about?”
“The wall came down,” Zina said, clutching her hand to her throat. “The House of Shadows is free.”
Fordham went preternaturally still at those words. “Excuse me?”
“Someone brought down the bloody wall, boy. Are you faint of hearing?”
“You must be mistaken. You can’t even see the wall.”
“Yeah, well, I have eyewitness reports of the wall turning a shimmering blue and dropping like falling stars. Then, poof, the three mountains appeared out of nowhere. People are talking about it for miles.”
“How has this not reached us?” Helly asked.
“I have no idea. Maybe whatever magic kept the mountains hidden kept its destruction hidden as well. How the hell should I know?” Zina demanded. “All I know is that when I flew over to check it out for myself, the House of Shadows military had already trekked out of the mountain and was on the way to Lethbridge.”
Fordham paled. “Oh gods.”
“What?” Kerrigan asked. “What’s Lethbridge?”
“The closest known city to the original borders,” Zina said.
“The humans who we trade with, the ones who managed to escape, they live in Lethbridge,” Fordham said icily. His gaze was distant. “They’re going to take the city.”
“You’re certain?” Helly asked, releasing the days of exhaustion and immediately stepping into the strong Society Council member.
“Yes. They’d do it for the insult of having to debase themselves. Even if expansion wasn’t central,” Fordham said. He met Helly’s gaze evenly. “It
would have been my first move.”
She nodded, understanding instantly. “Then, we need to go.”
Zina sighed heavily. “I was afraid you’d say that. You know that most of the aerie is empty?”
“Yes. We’ll take who we have today to try to stop them at Lethbridge. We’ll send who we can spare to the main tribes for support,” Helly said confidently.
“I brought you a favor then. Actually, the bastard insisted after he saw what happened at the wall.” Zina cupped her hands and yelled, “Come on in here and stop eavesdropping, old man.”
The man who stepped through the door made Kerrigan gasp in shock. She’d know that face anywhere. Even old, completely gray with a scar puckering around one of his eyes, he was quite clearly Trulian.
“Master Trulian,” Helly gasped, bowing deeply.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” he said as he returned the gesture. “It’s a pleasure to be back at Draco Mountain. I thought I’d never see battle again. But from what I can see, you’re going to need an old man for one more battle.”
“We would be honored.”
“Oh, honor,” Zina said, waving her hand. “Let’s get on with it. Sound the alarm, Hellina.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll rouse the Society.”
“And you, girl. You’re coming with us,” Zina said.
Kerrigan frowned. “I’m not certain that the rest of the council will approve of that. I was recently kicked out.”
Zina rolled her eyes. “I’ll put this legend in front of them, and they’ll all bow and scrape, won’t they, Dad?”
Trulian scowled. “You’re safe with us. If you’re anything like my Mei, we’ll need you.”
“Then, I’m in.”
Fordham interjected, “You just recovered from being unconscious for three days.”
“It’s battle, kid,” Zina said. “We’re running at an empty aerie. We’re going to need everyone we can get. Training’s over. Now, the fun begins.”
Kerrigan and Fordham didn’t argue. She hugged Clover, thanked her for all she’d done, and followed Fordham out the door. They all but ran back to their quarters.
Audria and Roake were seated in the main room, going over some assignment when they entered.
“Kerrigan!” Audria gasped. “What are you doing here? I heard what happened.”
“No time to explain,” she said, wheezing from the exertion.
“The House of Shadows has been released from isolation,” Fordham said calmly. As if none of this affected him. As if he wasn’t about to go to war with his own people. “They’re heading to Lethbridge to take the city. We’ve been called to stop them.”
“What?” Roake asked. “But we’re still trainees.”
“Not anymore,” Kerrigan said. “There aren’t enough members in the aerie. They need every last dragon in the sky.”
“Gods,” Audria whispered. “I know we’ve been training for it, but who thought we’d ever see battle?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Fordham said. He’d already seen battle. Civil war in his tribe was common. “What matters is that we answer the call. Get packed and get to the aerie.”
Audria and Roake nodded. And for the first time in all of their training, Fordham moved into the natural leader position. Despite the fact that he’d always shown this aptitude, he usually fell back and let Audria take the lead. She was precocious and well-liked. She was the one that the Society wanted to be the leader. But what they wanted and what was reality were two different things. The head of their troop had given them orders. No one argued as they burst into activity to meet his demand.
Luckily, Kerrigan’s room had been left untouched. Within minutes, she had everything she needed in her saddlebag. Then, she met Fordham in the armory. She strapped a sword to her belt and a staff to her back. Armor went in a second bag. She hoisted them both up, nearly toppling over at the weight of it. Her magic was refueling but slowly. She needed to eat and drink and sleep for another day. But she didn’t have the luxury.
Fordham went to help her with the burden, but she stepped back. “I have it.”
He nodded and went to help Audria.
With the few minutes alone, she dropped gracefully into the spirit world and called Tieran to her. “Come back to the mountain. The walls fell in the House of Shadows, and we’re being called to battle.”
Are you certain? We were just removed from service, he said when he appeared.
“I don’t have time to explain, but I’ll tell you on the way. Meet me in the western aerie.”
We’re still not bonded.
Kerrigan smiled. “I have good news. We don’t have to be.”
What do you mean?
“I figured out a way around it.”
This sounds like trouble.
Kerrigan laughed. “Might be.”
Tieran looked intrigued but just nodded and promised to meet her. She was back in her body when Audria and Roake were finished. Then, the four of them left the training quarters behind forever.
55
The Crux
Tieran waited for Kerrigan in the aerie when they arrived.
She threw her arms around him. “It is so good to see you. We have so much to talk about.”
Indeed, we do. I came at your behest. I will fly into battle with you, Kerrigan, but I thought this was the end for us.
Tieran anxiously looked around the aerie. Luckily, with the upcoming battle, no one paid a lick of attention to which dragons were and weren’t present.
“It’ll be okay. Helly said that she is going to appeal the decision on our behalf. Nothing is set in stone.”
He huffed. Then, why did they detain me?
“Things changed quickly. I am sorry. You didn’t deserve what happened. Can I explain the rest in the air?”
Tieran nodded, and she climbed onto his back. Helly appeared next to her, astride her dragon, Tavry.
“Ready?” she asked.
Nerves pricked at her. In the rush of getting ready, she hadn’t considered what she was doing. This wasn’t the first time she had flown into battle. She’d gone with Helly and Tavry across the world to protect Cyrene’s homeland, but somehow, it felt different now that she was in charge of her own dragon.
“As I’ll ever be,” she finally said.
Helly smiled kindly. “You’ll do just fine. Instincts will kick in.”
Tavry touched her mind. Just like we did in Eleysia, right?
Kerrigan laughed. She loved Tavry so much. “Right. Let’s do this.”
One moment, they were all waiting, and the next, Trulian led them into the skies on the back of his beautiful dragon, Androma. Tieran took off in the middle of the pack. Fordham, Audria, and Roake formed around Kerrigan, settling into an easy formation with Fordham at the head. In practice, Audria had flown lead, but things had shifted, and Fordham had taken over.
It was a several hours’ flight north to the House of Shadows and then east to Lethbridge. Trulian hoped to cut the House of Shadows off before they reached the fortified town. It had a large stone wall surrounding it, and if they took it, they would be in a much better position than if they were out in the open. They had no explicit ground forces. Lethbridge was Sayair tribe territory, but their standing guard would be much farther north, high in the Vert Mountains. Which meant that Bryonican forces would be called in and they were several days away by foot, maybe farther. Kerrigan hoped it wouldn’t last that long.
Once in the air, the dragons spaced out. Kerrigan got her first glimpse of what an aerial army looked like, flying in formation. It was terrifying. Even with so few active dragon riders in the mountain, at least forty or fifty were flying out today with more on the way.
I never thought that I’d see battle, Tieran said in her mind.
“Our circumstances changed quickly—that’s for sure.”
How did this come to be? Explain yourself.
Kerrigan leaned forward on Tieran’s back and began to recount her story of what had happened
after she left his side. How she had inspired a march through the streets and then come back and blacked out, only to remain locked in her own mind on the plane for three full days, where she saw what had really caused the wall for the House of Shadows.
And you believe that your blackout caused the wall to come down? he asked carefully.
She shivered. Zina had suggested that she’d had some part in what happened. She’d connected to the wall when she was in the House of Shadows. She’d received the visions from Mei’s memories. It was possible that she had also caused the wall to shatter when her magic was erratic.
“I didn’t mean to do it, but… yes. I don’t have another explanation.”
There was no judgment in Tieran’s voice, just curiosity. That is very powerful indeed. And do you think you can put it back up?
“No,” she said immediately. “Mei sacrificed herself to do it. I’m not strong enough, nor do I have sufficient motivation, as she did. The wall is down, and it must remain so.”
You went into the House of Shadows. You are one of their people. What do you believe we will see when we reach Lethbridge?
Kerrigan cringed at that assessment. She doubted it looked good that she and Fordham were part of the tribe they were warring with. Even if technically, she wasn’t part of the House of Shadows, she’d made sure no one knew that.
“I don’t know. They’re prepared for this—Fordham is a good commander for a reason—and they hate the people of Lethbridge. They traded with them during all these years of isolation. I doubt they’ve forgiven that they needed help from humans.”
I see. You left something out of your story.
Kerrigan smiled. “You noticed that?”
I have been with you nearly a year. I know your pauses have weight. And you told me that you found a way to fix the bond. How did you discover this, and what must we do?
Kerrigan liked that he knew her well enough to see it. She had been reluctant with Tieran from the start, but now, they were past that earlier antagonism. They were one and the same. “When I was trapped in my head after I had the vision of Mei, I met a woman, Cleora. She was also a spiritcaster but from a different world.”
