Descent (34 page)

I hear you,
he told her, and in his voice there was a new determination.
They won’t be coming down, even if it’s the last thing I make sure of.

‘I’ll take Locktar and leave now,’ Anna said, as they ran back towards the castle.

‘It’s nearly night, An. You can’t go now.’

Anna felt the first ugly grip of fear take hold of her, but gave Jane a wild, reckless grin. ‘I dare the Valkyries to try and catch me.’

For a moment Anna thought she was about to have
an argument on her hands, but Jane’s face broke into an identical grin. ‘I feel sorry for whatever goes up against you, woman! Help Harry stall. I’ll get Fern and Altor and meet you there.’

‘How will you make it in time?’

‘I have a way,’ Jane assured her. They stopped briefly to give each other a hug, and then went their separate ways.

Storming into the palace, Jane asked for Fern and Altor to be found and to join her in the meeting room.

‘We have to leave right now,’ she told them. ‘Accolon wants to take down the dream protectors in Amalia.’

‘
What?
’ Fern exclaimed. ‘That’s insane!’

‘He’ll get everyone in the city killed,’ Altor said flatly.

Jane nodded. ‘We have to stop him. Come with me.’

As they flew through the hallways, Jane stopped briefly to knock on a door. Captain Bayard opened it and smiled at her.

‘My lady, how are you?’

‘Captain, we’re headed to Amalia,’ Jane replied without preamble. ‘Something bad is happening. We need your help. Bring Luca, and get aboard a ship for Uns Lapodis as fast as you can.’

She knew she was being selfish—it would be dangerous in Amalia, especially for someone who couldn’t protect himself—but she couldn’t bear to leave Luca alone.

‘Why, Jane?’ Bayard asked.

Jane looked at him. ‘I fear,’ she said eventually, ‘that the High King has betrayed his people.’

Up on the roof, Jane let out a piercing whistle. Fern had his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and Altor had his arms folded tightly. Both of them looked murderous.

‘I knew there was something wrong with the way he’s been acting,’ Jane said. ‘But why? Why would he do something like this?’

‘He might have been compromised.’ Altor said, his voice dark.

‘What does that mean?’

‘His dreams. They might have gotten to him in his dreams.’

‘Who have you told to come, Jane?’ Fern asked quickly.

‘The Captain.’

‘Is anyone coming with him?’ The Elf’s voice was strained as he stared at her intently. The dark circles under his eyes had not dissapeared since he’d learnt of his wife’s death. He looked haggard and worried.

‘He’s bringing Luca,’ Jane said. ‘Maybe this will snap him out of his stupor.’ Fern’s jaw clenched. ‘Why, Fern?’

‘‘We may need fighters—real ones—and as many as we can get.’

Jane and Altor looked at him, feeling cold.

And then, for the first time, the right question was asked. ‘What is making the Valkyries do this?’ Fern said, his voice raw.

The unicorns appeared in the sky and landed on the roof, and the three of them mounted the beautiful creatures. Then they set off, bound on a desperate rescue mission for the people of Amalia, not knowing what they would find when they got there.

Part 6

‘Are you insane?’ Jack yelled, dismounting his horse and handing his reins to Luca who was on the horse next to him. ‘I told you to stay at home!’

The girl with the red hair ignored him, as she usually did, and walked straight ahead.

‘Lina!’ Jack shouted. ‘A battle is no place for a woman! Go home!’

Lina only tossed her brilliant mane and smiled charmingly at Luca, who was watching on with exasperation. Jack knew the look on his face. It was the look that everyone gave them when they fought. Which happened a lot. She was just a girl, an infuriating, headstrong girl from the house next to his—why wouldn’t she listen to him?

Jack stalked after her on the dirt road, his jaw clenched. ‘Besides which, you are far too young to even think about becoming a soldier!’

‘If you’re old enough, Jack darling,’ she murmured mildly, ‘then I fail to see how I’m not, since I’m two months older than you.’

‘Jack, we’re late as it is,’ Luca called. ‘Bring her along if she wants to fight so much.’

‘Quiet!’ he hissed over his shoulder at his friend. Lina was right—Jack and Luca were too young to be joining the army, but they’d lied about their ages in order to fight for their country. It was war—they had to fight.

Lina turned and gave Luca a dazzling smile. Funny how she never gave that smile to Jack. ‘You know, Jack, you might want to listen to your friend—he’s a lot smarter than you. And a lot prettier.’

‘Gods, girl,’ Jack sighed in frustration, shaking his head. ‘Why do you make things so difficult? You can’t come, and that’s that.’

‘Tell me, when was it decided that you’d be my keeper?’ she hissed. ‘I can do whatever I want! I never asked you to take me with you! I’m making my own way there!’

‘On foot?’ he yelled. ‘You won’t make it to the next town before you turn back to your maids and your cooks!’

‘How dare you?’ Lina screamed, her famous temper always as quick as lightning. ‘You think you’re so brave and noble, but you’re a fool, Jack! You’re a stupid, juvenile fool who doesn’t know the first thing about fighting!’

Jack threw his pack on the ground and stormed over to her, grabbing her arms roughly. ‘I know that when your army captain calls you, you go. You don’t waste time fighting with silly little girls.’

‘I agree,’ she hissed at him. ‘Let go of me. Now.’

‘Are you going to make me?’ he said, his voice low. That’s when she smiled. Her dazzling smile that made her eyes light up. He was a fool for that damn smile.

‘Of course I am,’ she murmured, her voice husky, and then she kissed him.

‘Oh for gods sakes,’ he heard Luca swear. ‘I’ve just about had enough of you two. Hurry up!’

Jack grinned and continued to kiss her. ‘If you weren’t going to be my wife next summer,’ he said, pulling away, ‘I’d definitely be drawing my sword right now.’

‘The sword you have no idea how to use?’ she teased, smirking. ‘Go on, I dare you.’

‘I’m serious, Lina. You have to go home. Your father would kill me if he knew I’d let you come.’

‘I do as I want.’

‘Then, please, can’t you just “want” to go home?’ He hated pleading with her. But this was something he was not willing to risk. If it was between his pride, and her
safety, the latter would always win, no matter how much he wanted to throttle her sometimes.

Lina tossed her red hair again. She squinted into the sun. Then she shrugged. ‘Fine. I’ve changed my mind. It’s too hot to go traipsing around in the country.’

And with that she turned on her heel and began walking back the way she’d come. He waited for her to stop as he knew she would, and then he ran to catch up with her, putting his arms around her.

‘You know what I want to hear,’ she said, not returning the embrace. Jack sighed, pulling back to look at her.

‘Clearly,’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘I love you, Lina. You are the best part of me.’

‘Thank you,’ she purred, her smile making his insides turn to jelly. ‘You’re right. I am. Now give me a kiss, off you go and please do try not to die. I really don’t want to be a widow before I’m even married.’

He kissed her deeply, feeling in her response the true way she felt about him. He knew her well enough to know that her feelings weren’t in her words, but in her eyes, and her touch. Just then she clung to him in a way she’d never done, and he realised this had never been about her wanting to come, but about not wanting to let him go.

‘I’ll try,’ he whispered into her hair, holding her for a moment longer before letting her go.

She stalked away without a backwards glance and after he’d watched her disappear, Jack turned and mounted his horse once more.

‘You do realise she’s got you in the palm of her hand,’ Luca told him.

‘Don’t say another word,’ Jack warned sharply. Luca just smiled and the two of them spurred their horses on, down the path to where their leaders were amassing the army, to where they would fight the darkest, mightiest force Paragor had ever seen.

She had been at death’s door. She had known, with certainty, that she was going to die. And yet, here she was, still alive, her cancer having somehow cowed back into remission. Anna didn’t understand it. Perhaps it had been the fear, the shock of learning about Luca. Perhaps it was the physical strain of the journey to Karangul, but whatever it was, a day after her arrival, she was back to the state of limbo she had spent the past two years in.

As she flew through the air, her body flattened against her beloved dragon, Anna tried to think of what she would do when she got to Amalia. They’d all noticed the changes in Accolon. But they’d done nothing about it. Not one of them.

‘Faster, darling,’ she whispered to Locktar. She felt his pace quicken and glanced down at the dizzying drop to the ocean.

‘Please don’t let them come. Not tonight,’ she muttered, urging the dragon on. They flew into the darkness, Anna’s heart thumping heavily. If they could just make it without being spotted, then maybe she could get there in time to help.

But her fear must have been like a beacon for the creatures, because sure enough, coming into the home stretch, Anna heard a sound from behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she felt a chill creep into her bones.

There was not one, not two Valkyries chasing her. There wasn’t even a score. A score she could have handled—had indeed handled before. But coming up behind her, close on her tail, must have been fifty of the deadly creatures. They swarmed the sky, filling it with shadow, gaining on her and her dragon.

Anna felt a tremble of terror and clutched Locktar tighter, urging him on with everything she had left. Locktar saw the threat, felt her panic, and he began to fly faster, faster than she’d ever expected him to be capable. She couldn’t fight that many. If they caught her, it would be the end.

‘Something’s wrong,’ Mia whispered.

‘What is it, highness?’ Tye asked her as she stared out the window, wrapping her arms around herself.

‘I don’t know. Something very bad is happening. I can’t get through to any of them. I can only feel their panic.’

He looked at her, wishing he could do something to help, but not knowing what to say.

Elixia ran through the hallways looking for Harry. She sped around one of the corners and nearly collided with him.

‘Did you contact them?’ she asked breathlessly.

Harry nodded ‘They’re on their way. They’ll know what to do.’

‘But in the meantime—’ she said as the two of them rushed back to her office.

‘In the meantime we stall him,’ Harry said firmly. Satine was waiting for them outside Elixia’s door.

‘I’ve just been speaking to Accolon,’ she said as the three of them entered Elixia’s study and locked the door behind them. ‘He won’t budge!’

‘We’ve all been trying to convince him,’ Harry said. ‘Nothing seems to be getting through to him.’

‘He wants the protectors taken down in the morning in preparation for tomorrow night,’ Elixia said. ‘That’s actually what he said—
in preparation.
’

‘Gods, what does he think he’s preparing for?’ Satine breathed. ‘The deaths of all his people?’

‘Should we tell them?’ Harry asked. ‘Is it time to start evacuating everyone to somewhere safer?’

‘There is nowhere safer!’ Elixia snapped. ‘No other city could possibly hold so many people, nor could we get them there in time. Telling them will only cause panic and make them easier targets.’

‘But surely they need to know so that they can do something—’

‘There is nothing they can do!’ the High Queen pressed. ‘Nothing. They will be vulnerable once the city is exposed. Slowly we will all fall.’

‘Can’t you teach people how to control their dreams?’ Satine asked.

Elixia sighed. ‘It takes many hours to teach one person how to even begin fighting within their dreams. How could I possibly do that for everyone in this city? I haven’t even been able to help Jack.’

‘Where is Jack?’ Harry asked suddenly.

‘I do not know. But he hasn’t been doing well.’

‘Has he been able to sleep yet?’

Elixia shrugged sadly. ‘I don’t know. He’s resisting it—he doesn’t think I know what I’m talking about.’

There was a silence. The three of them looked at each other.

‘We have to stop this,’ Harry said finally.

‘Yes, but how?’ Satine exclaimed. ‘No one can overrule Accolon. The El~araih will kill anyone that poses a threat to him.’

‘Gods, this is a mess,’ Elixia muttered. ‘I have men of my own, but they are too few to fight Accolon—he has every soldier in the city working for him.’

‘What if they could be told that what they’re doing will get them killed?’ Harry said. ‘Surely people would stand up to him if they knew that.’

Elixia shook her head. ‘You don’t know the fear that the El~araih command. No one will do a thing against them. All we can do, I think, is try to convince Accolon, and hope the others get here with an idea.’

Her words sounded hollow and hopeless even to her own ears.

‘We’ll stop him,’ Harry said. ‘Even if I have to shoot the man myself.’

Neither of the women bothered to tell him that if he tried that he would be dead before he could draw an arrow.

‘This is it,’ Anna said to Locktar. The dragon breathed a puff of smoke in fury. ‘No matter what, I need you to keep going. You have to get to Amalia, even without me—you are the best weapon we have.’

The Valkyries were closing in. Anna drew her sword, looking over her shoulder. One of the creatures reached her, and she swung viciously, catching it in the neck.

All at once they were surrounding her, swooping through the air from every direction. Locktar gave a mighty roar and blew a gust of fire, killing several that had been flying too close. Anna dodged the dives that flew past her head, trying to catch the creatures with her sword. There were so many, and she couldn’t protect all sides.

She hacked at them as their talons raked through her hair and her clothes and too close to her skin.

Finally, at last, Amalia came into view. Sobbing with
relief, Anna swung her sword, over and over again, killing more of the creatures, but not nearly enough. The Valkyries started attacking Locktar. He bellowed fire, but they were attacking him from below now, raking their claws into his fleshy underbelly.

Locktar shrieked in fury and pain, flapping his wings as hard as he could, but Anna could tell he was tiring. There was no way he could keep this pace up for long. Amalia grew larger, but it was still so far away, and they were attacking his wings now.

Crying, Anna tried to defend her beloved, but she couldn’t reach all of the Valkyries. She had been too hasty upon leaving Sitadel, and they were both going to pay the price. Usually when Anna flew she strapped herself onto the dragon’s back with a series of leather ties to ensure he could move freely without her falling off. In this way the two of them had developed a series of moves that could beat a huge number of Valkyries in the sky. But she’d left in such a state of panic that she’d forgotten about the harness, which meant that Locktar couldn’t properly fight or evade the creatures, lest he buck Anna from his back.

A frustrated cry tore from her lips—how could she have been so stupid? Were they both to die now because of one ridiculous mistake?

‘Just a bit farther,’ she told him desperately. ‘You can do it, darling.’

With a mighty roar, Locktar dove towards the city. Blood poured from his body, and the creatures continued to attack. Anna managed to kill another two before, finally, they crossed through the dream protectors and the Valkyries could follow them no longer.

Anna cried out in relief. She waited for Locktar to pull out of his dive and land safely on the ground, but he didn’t. He just kept falling.

Horrified, Anna watched as the ground sped towards them. The dragon was either unconscious, or too weak to do anything about it.

Finally Anna threw herself against the neck of her dragon. Squeezing her eyes shut, she whispered, ‘I love you.’ At the end, there was nothing else in her heart.

Locktar opened his eyes one final time, a surge of strength coursing through his body with her words. He gave a final, weak flap of his wings.

The dragon swooped out of its headlong dive and pummelled sideways into the ground, taking the brunt of the impact from the crash. Anna flew from Locktar’s back and slammed into the ground, the wind instantly knocked out of her.

She tried to scream but no sound came out of her mouth. Her vision clouded with red as she tried desperately to suck air into her lungs, panic and shock throbbing through her.

Gasping for air, Anna dragged herself to her knees, looking for him. A great chasm had been cleaved out of the ground where Locktar landed, a huge hole that seemed to be as wide as it was deep. And within it lay the unmoving form of the dragon.

Anna crawled as fast as she could, through the ache of her bones, to the edge of the chasm. She let herself tumble down the side of it, dirt filling her eyes and mouth, until she crashed into the side of her beloved animal. Clutching at his scales, she managed to pull herself up to face him, his eyes closed, his breath still.

‘No,’ Anna cried, her voice a terrible hacking sound. She cleared the dirt from her face so that she could look at him properly, but her vision became shrouded with tears instead. ‘No, no, no,’ she wept. ‘Please get up. You have to. Don’t leave me here!’

But the mighty beast did not move.