How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2)

by J. A. Culican

  Thoughts of Torrent sent Minx's pulse hammering. His foul powers, so effortlessly exercised, were the stuff of nightmares. She never thought she'd see the day that Heilo Lake itself would be tainted—brought to ruin—by the work of a single man. Torrent was no ordinary spell-caster, however. If her intuition was correct, he was the reemergence of an age-old villain—the resumption of a knighted role that Fae history sought never to discuss aloud. Torrent could be the Dark Mage. After all this time, it's possible that the great villain has returned...

  “Whatever you do, be careful,” she warned. Though she tried to sound calm and collected, there could be no hiding the nervousness in her tone.

  Kaleb picked up on it, sparing her a warm smile. “Aw, worried, are you? You don't have to worry about me. I'll be soaring so high up that they'll hardly know I'm there. That is, unless I find a really good opening for a fireball...”

  Hours passed, and the dragon shifter busied himself discussing the layout of the Fae territories in depth with a handful of former scouts. Meanwhile, Minx and Mau assisted where they could with the reconstruction efforts, dragging stacks of bricks, mortar and tools to the workmen assiduously laboring at the breaches. She was pleased at the progress; the walls looked nearly mended, and would surely set up to be stronger than those that had stood before—if, of course, the dark army would keep its distance.

  This was not to be, however. An hour after the start of Kaleb's first patrol, when his vast red wings had long faded from view and he'd been sent to canvass the eastern plains for signs of Torrent's forces, a band of heavily-armed marauders rushed the Trading Center. A few dozen Krah and Plurn, wielding hammers and battle axes, descended upon the unfinished westward wall with savage cries. Archers were summoned to the completed sections of wall, but even as Minx stood upon the cobblestones and began emptying her quiver, she realized she was too late.

  The Fae huntress cut down the first wave of Krah two at a time, but narrowly missed being skewered by an arrow fired by a Wuff archer positioned some distance from the wall, behind a pile of rubble. The threat of being sniped by hidden archers put a damper on her efforts, slowing her down and making her more cautious. In the interim, the mass of Plurns swarmed the wall, cleaving at the newly-set stones with their axes and thrusting blades through the yet-unpatched openings, where they injured the terrified workers.

  Another arrow flew straight at her from behind the mess of rubble, and in dodging it Minx nearly tumbled from the top of the wall. She backed off for a moment, seeking out Mau who was standing at the ready down below. They planted a sniper out there, in the hopes of picking off our archers. We're busy enough defending the wall. Can you slip out and handle their archer for us?

  The Faelyr strode across the square, seeking one of the narrow openings in the opposite wall. I'd be happy to. Just make sure to cover me! Slipping through the minor breach, Mau rounded the corner and took off across the field at a furious pace. The marauders attacking the wall were startled at her appearance, and their shock gave Minx and the other archers a much-needed opportunity. While the Fae archers loosed a rain of arrows and warded off the wall-breakers, Mau slipped past the fray completely and singled out the Wuff sniper. Minx never saw hide nor hair of him after that, but heard his terrible cries as Mau swiftly dispatched him.

  The dozens of raiders were cut down in nearly as many minutes, and an eerie silence fell over the Trading Center as the archers were finally called back down. The workmen resumed their bricklaying, though not without taking many nervous glances through the gates in anticipation of more trouble. Minx and Mau were reunited near the medical tent, and the Fae huntress sat on a pile of unused bricks, catching her breath. Upon seeking out Kaleb and returning to Pandling Grounds with him, she'd envisioned a very different outcome to their collaboration. She'd assumed that the days of unexpected raids and close-calls would end—that Torrent would gather his forces for one last offensive and that she and Kaleb together would crush him, despite the odds.

  Instead, she'd merely picked up where she'd left off. The constant skirmishes seemed poised to stay. The Fae, though natural-born fighters, had not been made to bear this sort of strain. The immense interruption to their usual way of life had whittled away the nerves of many of the inexperienced warriors, and even the seasoned fighters like Minx were at wit's end. She missed Kaleb, and though she knew he was more useful surveying the field and picking his own battles, she selfishly wished that he'd return to fight by her side. There'd always been something self-centered in her desire to bring Kaleb and the other dragons on-board. It was true that the dragon shifter was a great asset to her people, and could single-handedly turn the tide of the war in favor of the Fae, but it was equally true that her own romantic interests had been the strongest motivating factor in her seeking him out again.

  Returning to the wall, she looked up into the skies, trying to find Kaleb soaring amidst the clouds. She trained her ears on the wind, hoping to hear his roar, or the eruption of a far-off fire blast. Only the sounds of the workmen registered, however. I hope he's all right. He's strong enough to take care of himself, but he can be stubborn. He'd better not get in over his head... else I won't be able to rescue him.

  Lost in thought, she almost didn't notice the ache spreading across her chest. Minx set down her bow and stretched, doing her best to dull the pain. She'd been burning the candle at both ends and could scarcely remember what it was like to go without the aches and pains of battle. This, though, was different. It wasn't a muscle pain, exactly—nor was it a bruise. She winced through it, kneaded the spot through her armor and held her breath till it began to fade. You've been pushing yourself way too hard. If these battles don't let up, you're going to fall to literal pieces!

  Minx and Mau busied themselves with odd jobs throughout the Trading Center, stopping only for a half hour in the late afternoon for a meal. When they returned to the square, they found Kaleb, who'd just returned from his first scouting mission. He looked well enough—uninjured—but the toll of the trip was plain in the way he panted. He was dripping with sweat, and his arms and legs were shaky with fatigue.

  “Kaleb,” started Minx, marching toward him, “how did it go? Are you OK?”

  The dragon shifter nodded as convincingly as he could, pawing the matted hair from his brow. “Yeah, I'm doing all right.” He hiked a thumb at the gate. “It's a mess out there, though. I encountered a few groups of Wuffs. One such group won't be joining up with Torrent,” he said with a short-lived smirk. Sighing, he went on. “But I ran into another group, a larger one. The hunter's.”

  “The hunter? You met him?” asked Minx.

  Kaleb nodded. “I did. And he's currently traveling with a much larger force than what we encountered at his camp. I swooped down and tried to take them on, but that hunter...” He chuckled. “He's a better shot than I gave him credit for, and he's got spell casters in his ranks that nearly stripped me of my power. I flew off just in time—another minute there and I might have been left in the field unable to shift.”

  Minx nudged him angrily in the side. “Way to be reckless! You could have gotten yourself killed! And then what good would you be to us?”

  The dragon shifter continued, taking a few paces toward the gate. “Well, it wasn't all bad. While I was out, I managed to stumble upon a few common dragons. I've brought them along—they'll help you repel any unwanted visitors. They aren't as vicious as us royals are, but they'll do the trick. The Wuffs will think twice about tangling with these guys.” Outside, a handful of small fire dragons—each of them scarcely larger than a grown man—ambled about the grounds. They looked something like Kaleb's dragon form, but in miniature. Their reddish coloration was duller, and their scales didn't seem as hard and impenetrable as his did, but they were ferocious-looking things, with long fangs and imposing horns. “How were things here? Looks like the walls are coming along nicely.”

  “We got attacked,” replied Minx flatly. “We handled it, of course, but they're going to smas
h these walls before we even get them rebuilt at this rate.” She remembered the pain that had assailed her chest and rubbed at her breastbone as if to keep it from returning. “I wish the hunter would show up here—let us get it over with. He's talented, no doubt, but let's see how he fares against the Fae on their own turf.”

  Kaleb laughed to himself. “Slow down, Minx. I just told you, he put me in a tight spot! Better that he stay far, far away while we get these walls repaired. Tell you what—see if the builders need a break. I'll try my hand at bricklaying as soon as I've spoken to your father and briefed him. I have a bit of time before my next patrol starts.”

  “All right...” She watched as Kaleb sauntered off, admiring the swagger in his step. He looked as tired and filthy as everyone else did, but despite the wear of recent skirmishes he still had an air of confidence about him. She made the rounds and spoke to the wall-builders, who reacted enthusiastically to the offer of Kaleb's help, and with Mau's assistance managed to drag more of the freshly quarried stones across the square. The Fae workmen were diligent; now that the threat of battle had passed, they unanimously threw themselves into their work, measuring, shaping the large stone bricks as necessary and meticulously mixing their mortar. So long as Torrent kept his distance till the work was through, Minx imagined walls of this quality would stand for hundreds of years. She was filled with pride as she watched her people work, and made small-talk with a few of the resting stonemasons till Kaleb returned.

  When the dragon shifter came back, running a hand through his black hair, he had a peculiar look on his face. He approached Minx and nudged her arm in an almost conspiratorial manner, urging her away from the workers to a then unoccupied corner of the square. Minx left Mau with the laborers and joined him in the dim corner of the Trading Center square, curious about his expression. The furrowing of his brow and the pursing of his lips lent him something of the vaguely troubled, the uncomfortable.

  “Minx,” began Kaleb, “is your father all right?”

  The Fae huntress cracked a weak smile. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

  Kaleb hesitated.

  “You just spoke to him, didn't you?” She motioned across the square. “Of course he's all right. I saw him just a little while ago myself. Why do you ask?”

  “It's just that...” He laughed and tossed his shoulders. “You're right, it's probably nothing. When I spoke to him, he seemed a bit... off. That's all. Forgetful, frazzled. You know what I mean?”

  Minx cocked her head to the side. “I'm not sure that I do. When I spoke to him he seemed very much himself—perhaps a bit worn out, sure, but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.”

  “Right, of course.” Kaleb shook his head. “I'm sure you're right. The stress has been getting to all of us. I'm sure that's all it was. It's just, he seemed a bit out of it and I was concerned.” He put on a broad smile. “Forget I mentioned it, I'm probably imagining things.”

  The last thing I need to worry about is my father! He's bearing a heavy burden right now, overseeing the reconstruction, commanding troops and coordinating with the High Council! Of course he seems a little out of sorts—we're at war! Minx cleared her throat. “So, what did my father tell you? Are you going to keep patrolling, then?”

  Kaleb nodded. “Yes, I'll take up a new patrol within the next few hours. This time, I think I'll keep my distance from the larger forces—else my new role might be short-lived.”

  “Good idea.” Minx led him back to the stonemasons, where they spent some time assisting with the rebuilding efforts. This lull in battle proved extremely pleasant; Minx and Mau helped haul materials and equipment while the dragon shifter attempted—clumsily—to lend a hand with the bricklaying. He did little to advance the project, but his stumbling through the process brought the workers some much-needed levity.

  Finally, when the time came for his next patrol, he thanked the stonemasons and started through the main gate. “OK, it's go-time.” He shot Minx a grin before donning his dragon form and leaping into the sky.

  “Be careful!” she warned, calling to him through the bars in the gate.

  The ruby-colored titan gave a bob of his head and then spread his wings, gaining altitude on a powerful gust that swept across the plains. She watched him as he mingled with the clouds, tracking his movement till he fully vanished from sight.

  With Kaleb gone, so too was Minx's joy. Though she and the Faelyr remained close by to assist the workers, the smiled dropped from her face and she found herself slumping in the shade, anxiously awaiting Kaleb's return. She knew the threats he faced beyond the borders of the Trading Center, and understood, too, his propensity for getting in over his head. The dragon shifter was a force to be reckoned with, but sometimes his pride got the better of him.

  Mau, noticing her partner's moodiness, placed a paw atop Minx's knee and gently needled her. He's going to come back! No need to act so clingy, Minx. You might lose him if you start acting like this every time duty calls!

  I hope he comes back, countered Minx, but nothing is certain right now. For all I know, he'll fly a few miles from here and meet Torrent himself. Then what?

  The Faelyr fell silent.

  Minx would have continued her brooding if not for the sound of the alarm bells ringing through the square. She and Mau both shot to their feet at the sound, glancing through the gate. One of the watchmen had evidently discovered a nearby threat and was alerting all warriors in the area to get ready for battle.

  Minx climbed to the top of one of the undamaged walls and took a look into the distance for herself. At first, as she scanned the fields and neighboring forests, she saw nothing amiss. It wasn't until she was about to climb back down that she noticed an odd stirring amidst the trees and found, with a start, a pair of Wuffs emerging from the woods. They were armed with bows and began unloading the moment they came within range, sending a chaotic flurry of arrows over the top of the wall before the other Fae archers could even mobilize.

  These wild arrows crashed indiscriminately about the square, skewering sacks of cement and becoming embedded in the heavy wooden wagons parked about the construction area. The workmen dove behind the wagons and stacks of bricks for cover, while one of the archers, rushing toward his usual place on the wall, caught an arrow in the chest and collapsed mid-climb.

  All the while, the alarm bell kept ringing, and Minx caught a glimpse of other figures in her periphery. A handful of Krah with shields darted out of the woods and began in the opposite direction, hugging the western edge of the Trading Center wall. The archers, then, had been a distraction meant to allow these presumed wall-breakers easier access to the structure. Minx nocked an arrow, but the constant fire of the Wuffs below made it impossible to take a shot. Ducking for cover, she jumped over an unfinished portion of wall and tried to set her sights on the Krah.

  The heavily-armored footmen were keeping too close to the wall for her to get a proper shot from her vantage point, however. Unless she jumped over the wall and engaged them on the ground below, she'd have no choice but to sit and wait for them to absentmindedly wander into range. This brought with it too many risks; a single archer leaving the Trading Center to engage with a handful of rogues could easily be overrun if more were lurking in the forest. She grit her teeth, side-stepping yet another arrow. This was one of the craftier raids yet—the enemy troops had coordinated enough to strike at the Trading Center from multiple points. This was a great change from their usual straight-forward attacks.

  Down below, from one of the sections of newly-repaired wall, the sounds of hammer blows resounded. They're going to bust down the wall! exclaimed Mau. We've got to get out there and put a stop to it!

  Another arrow raced past Minx. She knelt atop the wall, squared the Wuffs in her gaze, and returned fire. Her shot narrowly missed one of the archers, who sprang just out of range and then paused in his assault to taunt her with a shaking of his furry fist. I'd love to go down there and show him what's what, but the enemy isn't behaving
like normal. They're playing games with us, and we don't know how many are out there, waiting in the woods. If I jump down there and start firing, it's possible they'll rush me. It's a bit risky...

  At this, the Faelyr sneered. Of course it's risky! It's war! Mau found her way to the gate, where she pawed angrily at the bars.

  Minx called out to the warrior guarding the entrance. “Let her out!” she demanded—though inwardly she wasn't certain it was a good idea.

  The guard obeyed, disarming the meaty lock with a loud clunk and opening the large gate just enough for Mau to speed out into the field. The Faelyr would first be running into the arrow-slinging Wuffs, and based on experience Minx knew that Mau would be able to handle herself. Those archers had been pests, but from close-range they would have no answers to Mau's incredible muscle. No longer under threat of being shot in the back, Minx turned her attention to the Krah whose terrible poundings were shattering the newly-lain stones in the wall.

  To jump from the top of the wall she presently stood on would make for a painful—perhaps unsafe—landing. Rather than leap, Minx sat down upon the outer edge of the wall and began to bend backward, so that her upper body was extended beyond the edge of the fortress. Using her bent knees to anchor her to the cobblestones, she slowly moved herself into position, leaning until her back met the outside of the wall. It was an awkward movement, and the stretch taxed the muscles in her upper legs and abdominals immensely. Controlling her breathing to ignore the discomfort it caused, she leveled her weapon upon the Krah below without their even realizing it.

  When she was sure she could fire a few well-placed arrows without loosening her grip on the wall, Minx let them have it. With a mere three shots, she cut down the pair of wall-breakers, dropping them where they stood. The damage to the wall was not minor, but they'd failed to fully penetrate the bricks. Large divots had been left in the stone where their hammers had gone to work, but these could likely be patched by the stonemasons when the rest of the work had been completed. Groaning, Minx clung to the wall as hard as she could and began to rise. Her core exploded in fiery pain as she finally returned to a seated position upon the edge, and with the threat neutralized, she remained there a long while, regaining her breath and kneading at her abdomen.