He is a buffoon.
Maybe so, but he’s trying to protect Iskandia and bought us time to get my jar.
Phelistoth grumbled again. You tell him to break apart then. He’s not listening to me.
Tolemek doubted it was a matter of not listening as not having the opportunity to pay attention. Yisharnesh was the aggressor, fangs and talons sinking in, shaking her head as she tried to gnaw off the smaller dragon’s shoulder. It was as if thousands of years of anger were being unleashed at once. Maybe she was angry that her mate had left her—or maybe she was too enraged to even be aware of it. Tolemek barely knew Bhrava Saruth, but he regretted that they hadn’t found a way to bring back the emperor without bringing this trouble back with them.
Another tower toppled, as if some giant had batted it with the back of his hand. The dragons were not near it and did not strike it physically, but Tolemek recognized the power being unleashed, a wave of energy that could have killed a man instantly. Yisharnesh stumbled back, releasing her grip, and Tolemek assumed that Bhrava Saruth had hurled that attack.
“Now’s our chance,” he said, holding the jar in front of him. “Are her defenses down?”
Phelistoth dove toward the courtyard.
Yisharnesh recovered and retaliated before they reached her. She launched a counterattack with her mind, and Bhrava Saruth was hurled over the roof of the castle and toward the interior courtyard. He smashed into the top of Angulus’s atrium, glass shattering everywhere. Leaves and broken branches flew upward as he slammed onto the table inside.
“Now,” Tolemek ordered. Yisharnesh stood alone in the yard, but already she crouched to spring after her foe. Was she aware of them coming? Were her defenses up?
The air between Phelistoth and the female dragon seemed to ripple, and Tolemek sensed the power flowing outward. Phelistoth’s attack was not meant to hurl her about, but to batter at her mind, perhaps to lower her shields. All Tolemek could do was guess.
The female shook her body like a dog knocking off water droplets, not bothering to look at them.
The ceramic jar rose out of Tolemek’s hands. It floated into the air above Phelistoth’s head. Yisharnesh sprang toward the atrium where Bhrava Saruth struggled to rise. Tolemek groaned, certain they were too late, and also certain that her defenses were still up.
The jar hurtled through the air. It struck Yisharnesh in the back as she flew over the rooftop. A logger swinging an axe at the jar couldn’t have broken it into more pieces. Tolemek winced as some of those shards flew into the side of the building and out onto the rooftop. Dragon scales weren’t the only things that acid could eat through. But much of the formula struck her, spreading across her back like jam on toast.
Relieved her defenses had been down and it had gotten through, Tolemek thumped Phelistoth on the back. “That’ll do it.”
She does not appear harmed, Phelistoth responded.
Yisharnesh had been midair when the jar struck, and she continued along her arc, sailing out of their sight as she jumped down into the atrium. Phelistoth landed on the rooftop, careful to avoid smoking places where some of the acid had landed.
A shriek rang out with such power that it rattled every bone in Tolemek’s body. Yisharnesh leaped into the air, almost crashing into them. He ducked as she flew over his head. Bhrava Saruth followed her. They clashed in the air once again. He landed a few good bites, but she flung him aside, the physical blow augmented with magic. He was hurled all the way to the front courtyard wall where he slammed into it and crumpled to the ground. Phelistoth, at the very edge of that magical attack, stumbled. He would have fallen off the roof, if he hadn’t flapped his wings and taken to the air again.
Tolemek hung on, confused. He knew Yisharnesh had been hit. Why was she still fighting? Was it taking time to sink in? She had shrieked. Had that been pain? Or fury? What if his acid hadn’t worked on her for some reason?
He expected her to go after Bhrava Saruth, to finish him off, or perhaps to attack Phelistoth. Instead, she shrieked again and dropped to the grass in the courtyard. She flung herself onto her back and rolled about, legs and wings in the air, as if she were trying to rub biting ants off her scales.
Tolemek clenched a fist. “It did work.”
If I attacked her, might some of the acid touch me and harm me? Phelistoth asked.
“It shouldn’t. But...” He trailed off, watching as Yisharnesh sprang into the air. He doubted rolling on the grass would have done anything to help, but he waited warily, afraid of another attack.
All she did was fly over the courtyard wall and out to sea. Phelistoth sprang up to the top of a tower with a flier sitting perched oddly upon it, giving Tolemek a view of the big dragon flapping away. She dove into the waves, came out, flew upward, and then dove in again. Like a dolphin, she went in and out of the water as she fled toward the horizon.
It slowly dawned on Tolemek that his goo had worked and that she wouldn’t be coming back, not anytime soon. He looked down at the destruction in the courtyard, two of the four walls completely leveled. At least half of the castle had fallen to the same fate, and other portions still smoked and burned. Bhrava Saruth wasn’t moving—he lay crumpled on his back next to the wall. Tolemek couldn’t tell if he even breathed.
On wobbly legs, he slid off Phelistoth’s back. “I’m going to find Captain Kaika, make sure she still has the emperor.”
If they lost their prisoner, all of this would have been too high a price to pay.
• • • • •
Sardelle kept her hand on Ridge’s shoulder as they left the harbor and flew toward the castle, in part because she wanted him to know he had her support, in this and in everything, and in part because she didn’t want to let go. At his order, the rest of Wolf Squadron had waited for him to collect Kasandral before heading back to the castle. Now they streamed out behind him, ready to help in whatever way they could. As the demolished courtyard came into view, the female dragon streaked into the sky. Ridge’s finger tightened on his machine gun trigger, but she did not fly toward his squadron. Instead, she raced straight out to sea, diving into the waves as she put distance between herself and the coast.
Tolemek found some of his acid, Sardelle said into Ridge’s mind as she used her senses—and common sense—to piece together what had happened.
Ah. Ridge sounded more disappointed than relieved, perhaps having hoped to send the second dragon fleeing himself, with Angulus looking on.
She squeezed his shoulder. They had done enough. It was better not to have to continue the fight, especially since he seemed extra reckless today. She had been tempted to jump out of the flier when he had been diving straight for that dragon’s throat.
Ridge nodded and patted her hand again. Yes, being done with the fighting is a good thing. Out loud, he said, “Crash and Beeline, follow me down to the castle, so we can check on the king. Everyone else, stay in the air and keep watch for now. I understand our people brought back an important prisoner. It’s possible some Cofah might be heading this way.”
As they descended, Sardelle noticed the collapsed tower where Angulus was still directing the digging—he had recruited more people. She also spotted Bhrava Saruth at the opposite end of the courtyard, and her heart sank. He lay against the remains of a crumbling wall, stones littering the ground all around his supine form. With his legs crooked in the air and his wings limp at his sides, he looked much as he had when he had requested a belly rub beside the road. This time, his eyes weren’t open, and he was far too wounded to appear content, with bloody gashes on his sides, neck, and head where the female dragon’s talons had bit in. Was he even alive? Several of the castle staff who hadn’t been assigned to dig had drifted over to him, to gawk and to touch.
As soon as the flier touched down, Sardelle leaped from the cockpit, not even waiting for the thrusters to die down fully. Ridge hopped down, too, but he jogged toward the king and General Ort, Kasandral in one hand and Wreltad in his other. His head was higher than
it had been when Angulus had been berating him, but he still carried himself with wariness, not certain of the reception he would receive from his king or from General Ort.
Normally, Sardelle would have stood at his side as he faced them, but she had to check on Bhrava Saruth.
As she ran in his direction, guilt swelled in her chest. This hadn’t even been his fight. He had deliberately battled the female for the sake of the humans in the castle and in the city. What if he had been mortally wounded?
When she drew close, she raised her hands, intending to shoo away the castle staff—one man was standing on his wing, damn it. But she paused when she heard a couple of the people talking.
“Did you see him drive the other dragon away?” a woman in an apron asked, touching one of his rear legs reverently.
“He fought to protect us. Got himself killed doing it. Those other dragons wanted to destroy us all.”
Killed? Sardelle’s eyes widened with alarm, and she checked Bhrava Saruth with her senses. No, he wasn’t dead. To her surprise, though his eyes were closed, he didn’t even seem to be unconscious.
Unnoticed by those regarding him, Sardelle walked around to his head, which lay upside down on the earth beside the wall.
“Bhrava Saruth?” she asked. “Are you all right?”
A single green eye opened part way, focusing on her. Ssh.
Pardon?
Since I am so grievously wounded, these humans are admiring the sacrifice I made for them. They do not fear me like this.
Are you grievously wounded?
I could get up if I wished.
But you’re lying here, feigning death instead, so they’ll sympathize with you?
Not death, just grievous injury. I am healing myself while they admire me. And touch me. Will you tell them that recovering dragons need belly rubs?
Sardelle’s first instinct was to say that she certainly would not, but that green eye gazed imploringly at her. He had fought bravely for them, even when he had no real reason to risk himself to defend the king and the castle. It wasn’t as if this was his king and castle. In addition to the battle, he had been helping her all week.
She rested a hand on his head, then cleared her throat, drawing the eyes of the people gathered around him. “This is Bhrava Saruth. He’s a noble dragon who likes to help humans. When he has recovered from his injuries, he would be willing to heal you of any injuries you may have received. That goes for all of those in the castle, I’m certain. All he hopes for in exchange is your regard.” She couldn’t bring herself to mention worshipping.
Bhrava Saruth cleared his throat in her mind. Belly rubs.
“Ah, yes. He also likes to have his belly rubbed.”
Several eyebrows rose at this statement.
“It’s good luck,” Sardelle added.
That might work on Ridge. She wasn’t sure if it would on castle servants.
“Oh,” the woman in the apron said. “Like putting a lucky dragon statue above your hearth.”
“Exactly like that,” Sardelle said. She wouldn’t mention how Ridge’s last house had been blown up while a lucky dragon statue perched on his hearth. “There you go,” she encouraged as a couple of the women stepped forward and ran their hands along his scales. “Yes, there’s room for more. Don’t step on his wings, please.”
A soft contented sound drifted from the dragon’s vocal cords. Not quite a purr, but something akin to one.
I believe you have officially accepted the job of high priestess, Jaxi observed. Either that, or you’re his procuress.
I don’t remember signing a form promising I would be either.
Tacit assent. Resign yourself to getting a robe. And building a temple. Maybe Ridge will help you. It will give you time to reacquaint yourselves with each other. Of course, given the way Angulus keeps glowering at him, he may get assigned to a very distant duty station next. Do you think Bhrava Saruth minds if his temple is next to the crystal mines?
I better get over there to make sure that doesn’t happen. Sardelle gave Bhrava Saruth a parting pat and trusted that his needs were being met.
Maybe you can comfort Ridge with more hugs and kisses.
I wouldn’t mind that.
Though he seems to be busy chatting with Therrik right now.
Chatting? Sardelle wouldn’t classify any of the conversations Ridge had with Therrik as chats.
When she reached the gathering, Sardelle found Ridge holding up Wreltad while rocks shifted and floated away from the collapsed tower. Tolemek was staying out of the way, pacing and looking toward the sky above the sea. Phelistoth perched on one of the more distant towers, also looking out toward the sea.
Therrik stood next to Ridge. He had either taken back Kasandral or Ridge had given the sword to him.
“That witch was far more of a pest than the dragon,” Therrik said.
“We barely knew the dragon,” Ridge said. “He could have become a pest.”
“Once cut, he fled like a whipped hound. It took far more courage to strike down the witch.”
“The witch was already wounded and barely standing when you cut her down. The dragon was a bigger threat.”
“Had you taken me up there and let me wield the sword, I would have killed the dragon, not just driven him away.”
“You would have been too busy throwing up in my back seat to kill anything except my upholstery.”
“What’s going on?” Sardelle asked, coming up and linking her arm with Ridge’s, though she had gotten the gist of the chat.
I believe they’re arguing over whose penis is larger, Jaxi said.
Humans have changed very little in three thousand years, Wreltad remarked.
The soulblades must have shared their words with Ridge, as well as Sardelle, because one of his eyebrows cocked as he looked down at Wreltad. Oddly, Jaxi did not get a similar look.
He’s used to my keen observations.
Angulus paced as Wreltad continued to move rocks, barely acknowledging the arguing men or shaking off the comforting words Ort offered. Judging by his bleeding nails and fingers caked with dust, he’d had to be pulled bodily away from the rubble, and he had probably only allowed it because the magic was more efficient.
“Will our dragon ally live?” Ridge asked Sardelle, adjusting their linked arms so that the sides of their bodies touched.
She leaned against him, pleased to be close, and looked toward Bhrava Saruth. He still lay in the supine position, but no less than ten people were stroking his scales at various points on his body. Now that she knew that his injuries were not too serious, she could see that he was far more relaxed than tense. His tail twitched in contentment as the strokes continued.
“He’ll live,” Sardelle said.
Jaxi started moving rocks, too, and the pace picked up, boulders whizzing past so that people had to scoot back lest they be brained. About half of that was Jaxi and half Wreltad. Sardelle decided Therrik and Ridge weren’t the only ones comparing the size of their... attributes.
A disdainful Hmmph sounded in her mind.
Sardelle smiled.
Wreltad pulsed a handsome shade of silvery blue, blowing up some of the boulders as they whizzed past while shielding them within invisible bubbles so the shards wouldn’t fly away and hurt anyone. It made for quite an impressive display, having an artistic aesthetic.
I’ve changed my mind, Jaxi said. I think Wreltad would be perfect for Tylie.
Because they’re both creative? Or because you’re jealous that Ridge is waving around another soulblade?
He better not start oiling Taddy’s blade.
Sardelle let her senses trickle through the dwindling pile of rubble blocking the base of the tower and stairs leading down to a basement level. She located Kaika’s aura and smiled, finding her more annoyed with the situation than injured. The second person was even more annoyed. Sardelle’s first brush with the Cofah emperor struck her as strange, if only for its utter mundaneness. There wasn’t any dragon blo
od in his veins, nor did she sense anything special or unique about him. He was just a man in his sixties, whose feelings vacillated between righteous indignation and outright fear. Nobody had told him yet whether he was to be allowed to live or whether he would be interrogated and forced into signing treaties, and all Kaika was doing was glowering at him and fondling her grenades.
No, you’ll only be exiled, Sardelle thought, but did not share the words with him. He would find out soon enough.
As the final stones were removed from the stairs to the lower level of the tower, she sensed more fliers arriving, these coming from the direction of the ocean. She checked the pilots, worried the Cofah had sent air and sea forces to retrieve their emperor.
Four fliers cruised toward the harbor, none of them belonging to the enemy.
Tolemek met Sardelle’s eyes. “Is that Cas?”
Sardelle nodded. “Cas, Blazer, Pimples, Duck, Tylie, an officer I haven’t met, and a young woman I also haven’t met.”
“That would be Colonel Quataldo and Princess Zilandria,” Tolemek said.
“Princess who?” Angulus had been forced to step back, his guards insisting on going first down the stairs and into the dark tower basement. “My orders didn’t say anything about kidnapping a princess.”
Tolemek held up his hands. “You’ll have to take that up with Farris.”
Ridge lowered Wreltad, a bemused expression on his face. “Pimples went along on a covert overseas mission? Was math required?”
“My understanding is that the math interest helped in securing the rather bookish princess,” Tolemek said. “Cas has more details. Pimples even more.”
Ridge’s puzzled expression did not fade. Sardelle, also knowing nothing about what had transpired over there, could not enlighten him.
“Out of my way,” came Kaika’s voice from the bottom of the stairs. “If I wanted your paws all over me, I would have let you know when we first met. Scoot, move.”
A thump sounded, someone being shoved against the stone wall as Kaika barreled past, her prisoner in tow. Covered with dust and soot, she burst into view, barely slowing as she thrust the bound and gagged emperor at two guards, then launched herself at Angulus.