Dragon Airways (14 page)

Not opening his eyes, Emmet allowed his other senses to expand into the area around them. Much in the same way he sensed magic, he could sense life; deep down, he knew the two were the same. While life sometimes felt cold and mundane, existence itself was magical. Too few recognized the mystical world around them, only seeing the pain and suffering. He gently included Riette within his energy field, and she stopped crying.

Tuck and the Zjhon soldier worked on the carriage, but Emmet barely noticed. The sensation emanating from Azzakkan's Eye drowned out just about everything else. It moved away from him as Barabas approached Dashiq's face, and he could feel its influence fading the farther away it got. A soft click was followed by a moan Emmet felt through his fingertips. An instant later, warmth once again flowed into his hands, just as when he'd held Azzakkan's Eye. The physical bond had been reestablished with the dragon, who acted as a conductor. The stone was at home in her artificial eye socket, and the dragon reveled in the magic pulsing through her. Barabas had modeled the eye socket using detailed descriptions of the ancient artifact, hoping someday he would find the magic needed to make Dashiq whole. He had expected too much.

So tightly connected to the dragon and the power flowing through them both, Emmet experienced Dashiq's pain. Even possessing one of the greatest and most complex magics ever known, the dragon could not defeat death. Determined to do everything he could for her, Emmet drew deeply. Never would he have imagined such glory. From the black stone beneath him, he felt the land's energy flowing upward and through him, infusing him with its majesty. The green crystals resonated in harmony with the land itself and played a majestic tune inaudible to most but like a sweet lullaby to Emmet. Empowered, he reached through Dashiq, allowing her to become an extension of himself. Drawing from Azzakkan's Eye, he now understood its true purpose. This magic joined dragon and human into one. Such intelligence and compassion overwhelmed Emmet, and he felt shock from Dashiq, too, as if she'd never imagined such nimble thoughts.

Though he could have marveled at their connection for days, Emmet now felt the dragon's pain as his own. Beside him, Barabas drew a sharp breath. Through the bond, Emmet knew the man had just laid hands on her side once again. He, too, would feel the magic and the pain—and the connection. Emmet was grateful for the help; already he felt drained.

"What are you doing?" Riette asked. "What's happening?"

Doing his best to ignore his sister and everything else, Emmet concentrated on the pain, allowing himself to feel all of it: the broken ribs, puncture wounds, and more on top of already arthritic joints. Even Riette wept from the agony. How could they ask Dashiq to go on? It was too much for any living creature to endure, especially one so well loved and who'd done everything within her power to protect them. Emmet had known the dragon for a short time but had already grown attached. Now, through the magically enhanced bond, he learned she had fought for all of mankind, acting as a protector he'd just never known he possessed. No longer able to feel his own body, Emmet soothed and mended, using what was now Dashiq's Eye to focus and channel the energy flowing from the land and crystals and filling the air. It was glorious and torturous all at once.

"Emmet!" Riette shouted, though she sounded far away.

He hadn't meant to stop; he wasn't done yet. The dragon still had pain. No matter his desires, he found himself faceup on the black stone, a painful lump forming on the back of his head.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt?"

Her words drifted past him but didn't sink in. Only when Dashiq nudged him with her maw did he become truly conscious again. Even in her weakened state, she somehow found the energy to send him healing. It did not take away his wounds, but he felt them less acutely and his vision gradually returned. The worry on Riette's face made him feel terrible. So many times he'd seen that look, and he hated being such a source of stress in her life. Someday he would find a way to change that.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not!" Riette said, and she carried him to a place where soft grasses grew. He felt cold and disconnected, but he appreciated the effort nonetheless. The grasses cradled him, and the cold helped ease his pain. The touch of her fingers brought the sense he was loved, and that helped more than anything else.

* * *

Barabas walked to Riette's side. "How is he?"

"He's weakened and injured thanks to you."

"He fought honorably and may have saved us all. I did my best to protect him."

"It wasn't good enough," Riette said, aware she was being unreasonable. Somehow knowing was not enough to change it. "What's next? Have him fight Argus Kind himself?"

"He came close already," Barabas said.

The Zjhon soldier's eyes went wide at this statement, and the man seemed to shrink in on himself.

Riette could find no words.

"Your brother is braver and stronger than you believe. Size and age are not limits on the power of one's spirit."

"Surely you've figured that much out," Tuck said from behind her. When Riette spun on him, he recoiled.

"Next," Barabas said, ignoring the exchange, "we need to get the carriage back on Dashiq and get away from here. They'll be back. With a few modifications to one of their airships, they'll be able to get here more safely. I want to be gone within the hour."

"She needs longer," Emmet said.

"No, I don't," Riette argued.

"He's talking about Dashiq," Barabas said. "And he's right but we don't have any more time. We've reduced their capabilities, but they still have greater resources than we do. We need food and safe haven if such a thing still exists." The Zjhon soldier remained silent. Barabas turned on him. "How many more aircraft do you have?"

"Many," the man said, but whatever defiance remained in him drained away under the combined gazes of those assembled. "Have you seen the fleet at the Heights?"

"Many times," Barabas growled.

"That is but a quarter of our strength. Three fleets have sailed. The last is divided up into a dozen pods kept at a safe distance."

Barabas nodded. The man's words explained how more and more aircraft kept arriving. "Get the carriage loaded," he said. "It's time to go."

Everyone worked together to get the bulky carriage onto Dashiq's back. The dragon had to land to allow it, and already she appeared less comfortable. Riette felt terrible inflicting pain on the old dragon while struggling to help secure the cumbersome carriage, which was even more unwieldy due to the damage and hasty repairs. With the cinching of each strap, Dashiq groaned, and Emmet moved to put his hands on her again.

Riette grabbed her brother by the shoulders. "Not yet," she said. "You need your strength as well." For once, her brother obeyed in silence, and Riette was thankful. Her heart already ached with worry. The swelling in his face had gone down some, but still he looked like a different person, which freaked her out. Soon, though, they were boarding.

No longer did Riette feel like a mere passenger fleeing the Al'Zjhon. Now she felt like a true combatant in the war. Emmet's contribution was greater than hers, but she, too, had faced death and had killed. It was not something she could think about without tears gathering in her eyes, but she refused to cry, refused to show any sign of weakness. Emmet needed her; she was all he had. Part of her knew the statement wasn't true; Tuck, Barabas, and Dashiq had become like family to Emmet in many ways. Riette had tried to keep her distance, especially knowing they hadn't always acted in her and her brother's best interest, but they had also saved his and her lives multiple times. Like family, she didn't agree with everything they did, nor did she always like them, but they had thus far proven loyal. Also like family, she was pretty well stuck with them, at least for a time.

Once she and Emmet were strapped in, Tuck and Barabas climbed to their saddles. Before they were secured, Dashiq disconnected herself from the land once again. The remaining Zjhon soldier looked up with fearful eyes.

"You've two choices," Barabas said. "You can stay here and hope your brethren are kind enough to come back for you, or we can take you down. Which will it be?"

The man stood speechless for a few moments, considering his words.

"You have three seconds."

"Take me."

The man had no chance to say more before Dashiq snatched him up in her claws. His screams echoed within the valley but ended in a strangled cry. Three times the dragon circled the rising winds emanating from the secluded valley before she cleared the peaks and flew to the far side of the Firstland, where the land was wild and unruly. Here no structures or other signs of human settlement existed.

Soaring low over a black beach, Dashiq released the Zjhon soldier and sent him tumbling along the sands. Perhaps it was a cruel fate, but at least this way the man had a chance at survival. There were no guarantees the rest of them would fare any better. Still, it made Riette cringe when towering creatures emerged from the forest, possibly drawn by human scent. The last she saw the soldier, he was running along the shoreline. In spite of his being her enemy, she wished him well.

Dashiq turned out to sea, and Riette prepared herself for a long journey. There simply was no way to cover vast distances quickly. Barabas had not said where they were headed, most likely due to the presence of the Zjhon soldier.

"Where are we going?" Riette asked.

"Home," Barabas said.

It was enough.

Beside her, though, Emmet stirred. Turning to look back at the largest of the hollowed mountains on the Firstland, he pointed. "Magic."

"We have what we came for." No matter what Barabas said, though, Dashiq turned toward where Emmet pointed.

At first, Riette thought Barabas might protest, but he remained silent, presumably trusting his dragon's instincts. She was still trying to figure out how they communicated and which of them was truly in control. The more she observed, the more she thought it was the dragon. Their current circumstances served to strengthen that belief.

People shouted from within the fabled halls of Windhold, and Riette began to wonder if the dragon simply wished for a quicker end. They were flying into enemy territory in the full light of day. Already heavy weapons fired on them in spite of their being well out of range. Still following Emmet's direction, Dashiq moved higher. Riette looked down her brother's arm to the exact spot where he pointed. Near the peak, far from the mighty wind channels in the heart of the mountain, a dark entrance became visible. No people or aircraft could be seen, and the channel did not go all the way through the mountain as the larger, lower channels did.

All the hair on Riette's neck stood as they closed in. Despite her condition, Dashiq executed a landing so soft and controlled, it felt as if they were still flying. Darkness awaited them, yet Emmet still pointed.

Barabas lit a lantern and left the saddle as quickly as his body would allow. "We don't have long. They will come."

Emmet climbed down before Riette could get herself unstrapped, and she hurried to join them before the precious light moved too far away. Within a few breaths, she raced after them. It didn't take long for her to catch up. Both had stopped and stood in silent disbelief. Before them, on an ancient stone pedestal, was a saddle not unlike the one Dashiq currently wore, save it was studded with clear gemstones that sparkled despite what might have been thousands of years of disuse and neglect. By her guess, the Zjhon had not discovered this place. Layers of dust on the floor gave evidence it had long been undisturbed. How the saddle remained so clean was a mystery, but she had her guesses.

No one spoke. Dashiq moved to where they stood and lowered herself. Barabas unstrapped his saddle but appeared uncertain. Based on the wear, she guessed his saddle was very old, perhaps the only one he'd ever used. The one awaiting them appeared far older, and Riette hoped none of it had rotted over the eons.

With practiced movements, Tuck and Barabas removed the saddle, able to leave the carriage strapped in place. The new saddle was perhaps a bit too large for Dashiq, but Barabas used an awl from his bags to make new holes farther up the straps before buckling them. Soon he climbed up and strapped himself in to the sparkling saddle. Riette took her seat once again, and even she felt the power coursing through the dragon. Perhaps Emmet had saved them all—again.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

When flying with dragons, sometimes the best one can hope for is a well-executed dangle.

—Tuck, dragon groom

* * *

With her hair tied up in the tightest bun possible, Riette let the wind hold her in place. Never had Dashiq flown so fast, nor had any dragon in a thousand years. Having the tales she'd grown up on suddenly become reality, heroic figures now flesh and blood, made Riette question everything. Nothing was as it had been in Sparrowport, but not everything was bad. No matter how difficult and terrifying things had been, she knew Emmet better now than she had her entire life. She was proud of him and understood his behavior so much better. The more magic he came into contact with, the less frequent his outbursts and episodes became.

No matter how fast they flew, nothing could make such a journey short.

"And for today's inflight meal, we have smoked fish strips and pickled eggs," Tuck said.

Riette wrinkled her nose. It felt like forever since she'd eaten anything other than smoked fish and pickled eggs.

"And whatever you do," Tuck continued, "don't ask for salt."

Diving low, Dashiq extended her claws forward and dragged them through the water, sending thick spray over her passengers. Barabas shook his head. It didn't take long for them to dry, and they ate in silence, having long since run out of things to talk about. When Dashiq roared, even Barabas jumped. Moments later, a form was visible in the air before them. His movements erratic and his flight path too low for comfort, Berigor carried two passengers. No matter how she'd felt about Keldon Tallowborn in the past, Riette was happy to see the men alive, grateful for what they had done to help Barabas, Dashiq, and Emmet. If not for their bravery and ingenuity, Riette would likely have had to watch her companions die. She'd seen the battle from above; Dashiq would not have been able to dodge such overwhelming fire. Based on Berigor's flight, he had not come away unscathed.

"We were going to come back for you," Keldon said after the initial shock of seeing Dashiq approaching at such high speed and wearing a glittering saddle, "but he's hurt bad."

"You did plenty," Barabas said. He would have gone on, but the dragons interrupted with a conversation of their own. Riette had no idea what their roars conveyed until Berigor moved over top of them. Dashiq slowed, matching his speed. Lower the larger dragon came, claws extended. Riette trusted Dashiq implicitly, and she didn't think Berigor would intentionally hurt them, but he was an enormous creature who was visibly injured; one mistake could be deadly. A moment later, his claws closed around the root of Dashiq's tail.

Firmly connected together, the two dragons wobbled in the air, dangerously close to the waves below. Riette nearly screamed when Berigor's torso came close to crushing them all. As Dashiq pushed them higher, the larger dragon exerted tremendous downward force. Soon, though, the majestic creatures found synchronicity. Trimming his wings, Berigor moved into a more aerodynamically sound position, and the air around them became less turbulent. Gradually their speed increased, but never did they quite reach the speed Dashiq could attain alone.

Whatever comfort level Riette had developed with regard to flying adragonback, nothing had prepared her for this. Emmet appeared unconcerned, but at least Tuck had the sense to look worried.

"What are we going to do?" Riette asked, unable to endure the silence any longer.

Tuck shrugged. "The war ain't over yet, but at least the war ain't over yet." He had a way of saying things that made no sense yet made perfect sense. "The gods have been watching over us thus far. I just hope they haven't grown tired of us."

"The gods?" Riette asked. "With all the terrible things that have happened, you really think the gods are watching over us?"

"Perhaps they are having a good laugh at our expense," Tuck admitted. "I like to think there might be someone on my side, and maybe every once in a while, they might nudge things in my favor."

"And what if you're wrong?" Riette asked.

He shrugged. "What's the use of being right if it don't make you feel no better?"

Resisting the urge to correct his grammar, Riette responded, "What's the use of feeling better if you're wrong?"

"I suppose it's all in how you look at it," Tuck said.

Barabas nodded and Riette let the conversation drop. All she really wanted was to be back on dry land, able to walk and stretch. She worried her bum would be completely flat when the trip was finally over. Seeing the dragon's blood trees come into view was among the happiest moments of her life. They had at least made it this far. She was not home yet, but she was one step closer. Part of her wondered if any home remained for her, but just being back in the land of her birth would be reassuring. Not until she'd had to leave had she realized how comforting familiar surroundings could be. Another part of her wanted to see the faces of people she cared about. The thoughts brought tears. The wind sent them streaming back along her cheeks, and she rubbed her eyes. Dashiq made the final approach. With a roar, Berigor released his grip on Dashiq and soared away from her, his wings popping and cracking as he extended them after so much time mostly retracted.

Moments after Dashiq alighted on the rocky, shell-filled shoreline, Berigor landed not far away, groaning on impact. Everyone dismounted with haste and remove the saddles. Keldon and Tarin attended to Berigor. Riette helped Emmet down and assisted in unstrapping the carriage. Their makeshift repairs had made it more difficult to remove and apparently far less comfortable for the dragon. Once they had the carriage lowered to the rocks, Dashiq moved to Berigor, her glittering saddle still firmly secured. The two dragons had a low conversation of rumbling, whines, and woofing grunts.

"You should have told me what you were doing," Barabas said to Keldon. For a moment the two men just stood and stared at one another. "But I also appreciate what you did. Your sacrifice was great."

"You would not have agreed to the plan," Keldon said. "I knew we could do it but didn't have the time to explain it to you, so we left while you all slept. It was clear you needed the rest before you would be fit for battle. I took a calculated risk."

Barabas nodded his head and said no more. Reaching for the pocket of his long coat, he found it torn, the contents lost to the wind. He sighed.

"Let me have your coat," Riette said.

Barabas gave her a confused look.

"Just take it off, and let me have it."

The tall man nodded and did as she instructed. From within her bags, still stowed away in the carriage, she retrieved her sewing kit. It had been so long since she'd sewn, the needle felt strange in her hands. Even with a thimble, her fingertips were soft and tender in comparison to when she had worked as a seamstress on a daily basis. It did not take long, though, before she found a rhythm that soothed her senses and brought a familiar calm. It was as if her mother were there with her. Stitches became difficult to see through her tears, and when she wiped them away, she did a double take. What was that sticking out of the water?

"Look out!" she shouted.

Emmet hit her then, knocking her sideways and causing her to fall on the stones, skinning her palms. The coat, needle, and thread flew to one side. An instant later, heavy shot struck the place where she'd been standing a moment before. A shower of hot rock and shells erupted, stinging anyone close. More cannon barrels were visible when Riette looked back to the water. Scrambling to get herself and Emmet to safety, Riette realized there was no safe place to hide. The island was smooth and worn. The dragon's blood trees, all that protruded above the surrounding stone, were too far away to be much use at that moment.

Her brother's coat collar in her hand, she ran for the trees. Berigor roared and thrust himself between the air cannons and the six people on the shoreline. Those lurking below the waves were relentless, and the dragon cried out. Dashiq, though, took to the air. Never had Riette seen such an angry creature. Light flared around the metal structure embedded in the right side of her face and the glittering saddle, which was currently empty. Azzakkan's Eye blazed. Electric plasma erupted from Dashiq's open jaws. Like a tornado of fire laced with lightning, the torrent blasted back the shallow waters and exposed three oblong ships somehow operating while fully submerged. Riette couldn't imagine how terrifying it must be onboard such a vessel and counted her blessings she was a dragon rider. She'd never thought of it that way until then, but the benefits were obvious when your mode of transportation can also act on its own to protect you.

In that moment, Riette was exceedingly thankful for dragons. No more shots were fired, and what remained of the underwater craft disappeared back under the waves. Cannon barrels still protruded from the water but now rested at odd angles, the ships listing and turning in the surf.

"There will be more!" Barabas barked.

No one needed to be told what to do next. Wiping blood from a cut not far from her eye, Riette considered herself lucky. Once again her brother had saved her life. She had underestimated him, indeed. It made her swell with pride and guilt at the same time, though she'd begun to forgive herself for being wrong for so many years. She'd done her best and would do better going forward. Nothing was more important at that instant than getting the carriage strapped back on. It seemed foolish now to have taken it off; even knowing Barabas had wanted to inspect Dashiq for wounds. They were at war, and they had been careless; a price would be paid.

Al'Drakon and Tarin ran toward their saddle, but Berigor removed that option. Swooping across the shoreline, the dragon grabbed one man in each claw and flapped his mighty wings, no matter how much it must hurt. Lacking Azzakkan's Eye and the stone-encrusted saddle, he flew away looking no better than when they had first encountered him.

"To the Heights!" Keldon shouted while dangling from Berigor's claws.

"We'll meet you there!" Barabas bellowed.

* * *

Smoke on the air was the first sign they had reached the war zone. Cloudy skies made for unpleasant flying and low visibility. In spite of that, wreckage that was scattered across the waves was unmistakable. Here and there masts protruded from the water, and in some cases, large sections of dirigible remained afloat. Some wreckage was still occupied by airmen clinging to it in hopes of being rescued. Cries for help were replaced with warning shouts. Dashiq ignored them.

There had been no sign of Berigor for days, and now Riette suspected she knew why. The larger dragon was headed for the Heights. Dashiq had taken them farther south to where the fleet gathered. The hum of engines announced airships ahead, and they were on full alert. Urgent orders being issued made it clear they knew Dashiq and her passengers were coming. The dragon exerted power with grace and ease, flying with a level of confidence and speed that put even airplanes to shame. Fire and lightning danced along the copperwork reconstruction of her face, and Riette braced herself, habitually double-checking Emmet's straps to make certain he was secure.

Chaos erupted when Dashiq burst from the clouds above the main Zjhon fleet. Airships crowded the skies, many of which still bearing the planes they had transported across the vast seas. Riette thought for an instant they might not be too late, that there might be a way to save her homeland yet, but then planes streamed from the naval fleet and dropped from the airships carrying them. The air became the most dangerous place on the planet. While the cannons below were no doubt loaded with heavy shot, they did not dare fire into the air above them, knowing they would take out their own ships and aircraft as well. Small shot, however, was a much better risk, and U-jets screamed through the air, casting streams of scatter shot before them.

Dashiq navigated the wind, guided by a symphony she alone heard. With subtle movements, she dodged fire and aircraft alike, all the while placing herself in such a way that any fire directed at her and her passengers was also aimed at another jet or airship. Many pilots realized this too late when the dragon darted out of their path, revealing one of their own now in the line of fire.

Dancing through the air fleet, Dashiq used the planes against the naval fleet, causing them to collide with one another and damage the ships below. Some, though, she simply grabbed out of the air with her jaws and whipped her neck to send them hurtling toward her target. Those above and below the carnage saw what was happening and abandoned caution. Heavy weaponry opened fire; no one was safe or immune.

Completely changing her tactics, Dashiq dropped low and raced along the waves, forcing all the guns to follow. It took a few moments for the lumbering guns to move into place and commence firing again. It was a foolish thing to do, but panic had set in. Dashiq was no normal dragon. Lightning danced over her entire body now, and Riette gasped when she realized it pulsed over herself and Emmet as well. There was no pain; she felt invigorated by the energy. It flowed from the saddle and around them all. Riette noticed the stones decorating the saddle no longer shone as brightly and slick as they once had. She didn't know how much power the saddle possessed, but there appeared to be limits.

At the sound of air cannons firing, Dashiq soared straight upward, large stone shot narrowly missing her exposed breast. Some had expected this move and left their cannons aimed skyward, but the dragon had effectively divided their fire and made evasion more manageable. From the high-pitched shouts below, it was clear her tactic had been effective in getting the Zjhon to attack themselves. The air fleet moved north, toward the Heights, their bomber fleet mostly intact. Dashiq pursued and only then released the pent-up energy pulsing around them. Riette felt it rush out of her along with her breath. Emmet appeared ready to pass out, even Barabas swayed in his saddle. Wood canvas and even metal burned at the touch of dragon fire. Within minutes, the entire fleet of airships lit the clouds before crashing into the sea.