The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) (60 page)

CHAPTER 13

“Nath,” a soft voice said. Someone shook my shoulder. “Nath, he’s going to be fine.”

I looked up and found Sasha’s soft eyes. She sounded confident, but I wasn’t so sure. Ben had looked gaunt and pasty when I left. I’d wanted to stay by his side, but Bayzog and Brenwar had insisted that I go. Said they had it under control. At least someone did.

“He’s breathing well now, Nath.”

“And the fever?” I said.

“It will break,” she said, taking a seat on a stone bench beside me.

It was late in the night. The clouds covered the moon, and the villagers’ lanterns twinkled from inside their homes. It was a peaceful setting.

“Sasha,” I said, “I-I just couldn’t forgive myself if Ben died. And I’m far from over Shum being gone.”

The stiff wind blew her hair into her face, and she pushed it away and offered the sweetest smile.

“You can’t control everything, Nath. You can only control yourself. You can’t protect everyone. Not your friends or the dragons. You just have to do your best with what you have.”

I shook my head.

“That’s not helping, Sasha. Sorry.”

“Oh, Nath …” She looked away up the hill and sighed.

I sat there pondering all that had taken place, searching for answers. The Clerics of Barnabus were trying either to kill me or to scare me. The question was why? Did they think I would give up? That I would quit trying to save the dragons?

“Why didn’t they just kill me when they had me, Sasha? Why go after my friends instead?”

“Evil has a twisted way of doing things.” She pulled her robes tighter and scooted closer. “They must know something we don’t.”

I stiffened.

“I don’t like that.”

“I don’t either,” she said, looking back at me. “I think we should go after them, Nath. Find answers to your questions. They hunt you. Perhaps you should start hunting them. We’ll find that Kryzak and put an end to him.”

“Sasha! I like the way you think.”

Her eyes were bright sapphires. Her voice was excited.

“Well, I can’t help it, Nath. I think it’s too much that you can’t kill those who try to kill you. If it’s me or them, it’s going to be them.” A spark of energy burst from her hand into the ground. “Oops.”

“Well, I can kill, but only as a last resort. I’m not supposed to seek it out. I’m supposed to find another way.”

“It seems the other way will get you killed.”

“It hasn’t killed me yet, and plenty of dragons have been saved. Perhaps I should focus on that again.” I sighed. “Maybe Brenwar and my father are right. Maybe I need to focus on saving the dragons and not dally with all the problems of the rest of the world. Sorry, Sasha, but I really need to be more careful.”

I couldn’t believe I’d said that.

“Perhaps you’re right,” she said.

I caught her trying to hide a smile.

“Hold on,” I said. “Are you toying with me, Sasha?”

“I don’t follow.”

I stood up and glared at her.

“Yes you do,” I said. “You’re doing that thing.”

“What thing?” she said, touching her chest.

“That thing. That thing Bayzog does. Whenever I want to do something he doesn’t like, he’ll go along with it and for some reason I talk myself out of it.” I pointed at her. “It’s deceitful.”

“No, it’s thoughtful,” she said, standing up. “And you found the right path on your own. Vengeance is not the way. You need to do what your father told you to.”

Now I was mad. Seething. It seemed everyone was against me.

“No Sasha, I like your suggestion. I think I should go after them and put an end to them. Who’s to stop me?”

I turned to walk away. She grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

“Nath! When you came out of those tunnels …” her voice trailed off.

“What?”

“I …”

I could see more than worry in her eyes. There was fear, real fear. But for what?

“Just say it, I won’t tell anyone.”

“You scared me, Nath.” Her voice trembled. “You weren’t yourself, but something else. Savage and unpredictable. And when you killed that ettin?” She paused. “I didn’t know you.”

My heart dropped into my toes.

“I’d never hurt you, Sasha, or any of my friends.” I touched her cheek and brushed her hair from her eyes. “That couldn’t ever, ever happen. I swear it.”

She grabbed my hand and held it to her face. She started crying.

“Don’t do that, Nath. Don’t swear anything. It’s better that way.”

I’d never felt smaller. How could this woman be scared of me? I was her protector. I slumped back down on the bench and buried my head in my claws. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I’m going to go check on Ben,” she said, wiping her eyes. “And then I’m going to get some sleep. Perhaps you should do the same.”

I didn’t wave or do anything, but I heard her walking away. Each step left me emptier inside until I was all alone.

CHAPTER 14

“I’m all right, Dragon, really,” Ben said. He swung himself up onto his horse and groaned.

“You don’t need to be riding, Ben,” I said. “It’ll shake your guts out. Just give it another day or so.” I grabbed his horse by the reins. “Get off. Go rest. That’s an order.”

“I’ll not do it,” Ben said. “No offense, Dragon, but I know when I’m ready.”

It had been almost a week, and in that time, Ben’s fever had broken and his belly had mostly healed. I still hadn’t spoken with Brenwar and had said very little to Bayzog or Sasha. But I’d made my intentions clear. I was going after Kryzak.

But now Ben wanted to come along.

Everyone gathered around. Bayzog, Sasha, Brenwar, and I sat on our horses watching Ben. He was tormented. Garrison was dead. A man who’d pretended to be our friend had betrayed us, and it had almost cost Ben his life.

Ben’s face became long and downcast.

“I should have just let him be,” he said. “I should have walked away, but he was just, so… ”

“Evil,” Sasha said.

Ben nodded.

I felt sorry for him. I think we all did. He’d killed a man whom he’d come to trust as a friend―only to be betrayed.

“You did the right thing,” Sasha said. “His deception led to Shum’s death. Ben, more people could have died if you hadn’t stopped him.” She rode over and patted his back. “I’m grateful.”

Ben didn’t even look at her.

“The Legionnaires were going to hang me!”

It was true. The Legionnaires were a brotherhood, sworn to give their lives to one another and never to harm one another.

Ben had known that, but he’d gone after Garrison anyway. It was a brave thing. Risky too.

Given Sasha’s abduction and Garrison’s evil magic totem, Ben had been spared. But humiliation followed. His helmet, sword, and armor were gone. His bow and arrows as well. He was an outcast like me now.

“Ben,” I said, releasing his reins. “Let’s go, shall we?”

He sat up in his saddle. “You’re letting me go with you after Kryzak?”

“No, I’m letting you go as far as I let you.”

Brenwar harrumphed and took the lead.

I knew I needed to talk with him, but there would be plenty of time along the way. Plus, I needed to find the right words to say. It would have to wait.

It was morning when we left, and Brenwar led us in a zigzag north of the village.

Bayzog made his way along my side for a chat. His violet eyes were tired for a change, and I knew the loss of Shum had shaken him.

“You look like you might yawn,” I said.

“Me? Not ever,” he said, offering a smile. “How are you feeling, Nath?”

“Well enough. And you?”

“I’m not sure what we’re doing?” Bayzog said.

“We’re looking for Kryzak,” I said. “And the best way to find him is to find the poachers. At least now we have the advantage of knowing who is in charge of all this.” I gave him a hard look. “You don’t have to come along, Bayzog. I think you, Sasha, and Ben should go back to Quintuklen. Brenwar and I can handle this.”

“You and Brenwar aren’t even speaking.”

I smiled.

“I don’t miss the nagging. You don’t plan to fill in for him, do you?”

“Come now, Nath,” Bayzog said. “Do you know so little of me? We’ve all been through much the past few days. I think it’s time we stopped and talked things out for a change. Right now I’m not so sure what we’re doing―or rather, if what we’re doing is best.”

“It’s best for me,” I said. “That’s all that matters. I need to save dragons. You need to save yourself from me.”

“You need us, Nath.”

“You mean what’s left of us? Shum died, remember. Ben almost died and so did you and Sasha. Not to mention Brenwar. What would you have me do?”

He grabbed my arm, narrowed his eyes, and spoke through his teeth.

“Slow down and think, will you? Perhaps they set another trap. An ambush perhaps. We need more caution and less action. We need council.”

Council. Elves loved councils and long meetings. So did dwarves, for that matter, but I wasn’t going to bite on any of it. No, all he wanted to do was talk me out of doing what I wanted. I was going to save the dragons, and in order to do that, I was going to stop the poachers that captured them.

“Here is my counsel for you, Bayzog. Go home and leave my life to me.”

Bayzog led his horse away, saying, “You’re as stubborn as Brenwar.”

I had to admit: that stung a little.

CHAPTER 15

We scoured the countryside over the next few days, taking our time on the journey. No one was saying much of anything, and we hadn’t sat down for council. They had offered, but I’d refused. For the most part, they were all just tagging along, and that was fine by me. Eventually we’d be close enough to Quintuklen and they’d head home. That was my plan, anyway.

“So, Dragon,” Ben said. “How do we go about tracking down someone when the world’s so big?”

It was a good question. I waded into a nearby river and acted like I didn’t hear him. I was getting hungry, and I had an appetite for fish. The cold water rushed past my knees as I searched for signs of life. The sun was bright and the water was clear, and I could see my reflection shimmering in it. My mane of auburn hair looked fine. Of course, it always did.

A fish darted through my feet, followed by another. Moments later one of them settled.

I readied my claws and licked my lips. I could taste the meat already. I slipped my hands into the water.

Ben sloshed up behind me.

The fish squirted between my fingers.

“Ben!” I cried. “Quit scaring the fish. I’ve taught you better than that.” I frowned and shook my head at him.

“Then you stop ignoring me,” he said. “You’ve been ignoring everyone, and I’m getting tired of it.”

“They you should go home,” I said.

“To what?” he said. “I don’t have anyone anymore. Just you, Dragon.”

“I’m sure Quinley could use you in the cornfields,” I said. “And you’re a better bowman than you were. You’d be the best shot for miles around.” I sloshed away, eyeing the water.

“What’s wrong with you, Dragon?” he said. “You didn’t used to be like this. You used to be nice. Now you’re just—”

I turned and faced him with my hands on my hips.

“I’m just what, Ben? Mean?”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” he said.

His eyes drifted to the left.

“You were going to say that,” I said. “And guess what, Ben. I don’t care. I’m being mean because I don’t want you here, and I’ve told you that. I’ve told all of you that, but none of you listen.”

“You need us,” he said.

I laughed.

“For what, Ben? You don’t even have a sword or bow. What are you going to fight with, your hands?”

I took a jab at another fish and missed.

“Blast it!”

My stomach was growling. I was growling. Why wouldn’t they leave me alone?

“UGH!” Ben said. He threw up his arms and sloshed away in the stream.

“Goodbye, Ben,” I said.

He stopped and turned. His pleasant face was turning red and his fists were balled up at his sides.

“You know, Dragon, there’s a saying in Quinley.
You can tell a lot about a man by the friends he keeps.
”

I shrugged and said, “So, I’ve heard that one before, and you didn’t say it quite right.”

“I don’t care if it sounds right or not, because I’ve got a better saying.
You can tell a lot more about a man who doesn’t have any friends
.” He pointed at me. “That’s for you, Dragon!” He stormed through the water, fell, and completely soaked himself.

I started laughing and holding my belly.

Soaked, Ben shook his fist at me and stormed away. As he was leaving, Brenwar, Bayzog, and Sasha were coming up along the sandy riverbank. I rolled my eyes.

“What’s the matter, Ben?” I heard Sasha say.

“Nothing!”

They all stood there gawping at me except Brenwar. He was glaring. I didn’t care, though. I just wanted to eat some fish and be left alone. I made my way downriver a ways, and when I looked back, they were gone. Good.

I readied my hands, spread my feet in the river bed, and waited for the next fish to pass. A fat-bellied bass swam by. My hands splashed into the water and dug into its scales. I got him! A big one. He wriggled in my hands, tail flopping back and forth with his wide mouth gawping.

“You look like some people I know,” I said.

My belly groaned again. I was hungry. I made my way out of the water, sat down and gutted the fish and scaled it with my claws. I could feel my fire in my belly.

“Hmmm,” I said to myself, “I have an idea.”

I tried to summon my fire. Just a little bit. Only enough to roast the fish whole. Who needs a fire when the fire’s in you already? Gently, I exhaled. Nothing came forth. I put a little more wind and belly behind my next breath. A whoosh of flame rushed out.

The fish charred and crumbled in my hands.

“Sultans of Sulfur!”

I stormed back into the water. A minute later I found my next fish. It was bigger than the last, green scaled, and speckled. I licked my lips. The speckled bass were the best. I wasn’t going to waste this one.

I plunged my hands in and snatched him up.

“Woohoo—
ulp
!”

Something wrapped around my neck and jerked me under the water. I couldn’t breathe. I clutched at the creature that coiled itself around my neck. I didn’t know what it was. I ripped at it with my claws. It dragged me to the middle of the river and down toward a dark hole.

“Brenwar! Ben! Help!” I said in my frog voice.

No one could hear me.

No one would even know.