The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) (20 page)

              After just a moment, the heavy pounding continued after Rayden.  As Kade hoped, the creature was focused on the dragon’s scent. 
So far so good
, he thought.

He was sure that without the boost of strength, he would not have fared well with how hard he had hit the ground.  He ignored the pain in his side and leapt to his feet.  He moved to the center of the path and grinned evilly, eager to kill.  He turned to face the way he had just come.  His heart was pounding wildly now.  He forced his mind to focus as he reached out for the dragon.  The time for his revenge was at hand.  He did not want to think of how his master might disapprove of such a dark thing.  Zayle had always said, “When one embarks on a journey of revenge, do not plan on returning.”

Wait until you see what I have for you,
Kade thought viciously as he watched the smoke trailing after the creature.  His lust for revenge was strong, but he hesitated, almost hearing his masters disapproving voice.  It was only a second, and then he hardened his heart.  Blackness covered his soul as his lip curled in a sneer.  A primeval urge to kill enveloped his very being as the Divine begged to fill him.  And then, it was as if a dam had burst.  The Divine rushed in, as if it were a raging storm eager to be used.  His special gift was glorious and it made him one of the most powerful Chosen to ever walk the land.  Kade was staggered momentarily, as the onslaught of raw power almost overcame him.  He steadied himself as he forced his mind to return to his task.

He clenched his jaw, eager for what was to come.  Again, he reached out with his mind for the dragon.  Rayden was struggling to keep the speed.  Kade’s eyes widened in fear, as the possibility of this not working crept into his thoughts.

You can do this Rayden.  Now run.  Run for all your life is worth!  RUN!
Kade thought fiercely.  The dragon responded, and Kade could feel its renewed effort.  It had to be enough.  There was no more time for planning.

The dragon was coming, and it was coming fast.  Kade could sense Rayden was about to turn the last corner.  It was only moments away when the dragon would be coming directly at him.  But, he did not need the sense from the dragon.  The smoke coming off the targoth told Kade exactly where it was.  Kade felt his heart pounding hard as his pulse raced wildly.  The adrenaline mixed with the Divine Power was enough to burst his heart, but he did not care.  He wanted this badly; needed this more than he ever needed anything ever in his life.  His craving for the kill consumed him.

The dragon rounded the corner, and not more than a hairs breath behind was the giant.  It was gaining.  But, Kade was sure it was enough. 

Now for the easy part
, Kade thought as he straddled the path and squared his shoulders.  He ground his teeth hard in fierce determination and started the moves.

Kade focused more on this moment than he had at any other time since starting his training.  Unlike like the first time he performed this calling, he knew it would come because he wanted it to come.  There was no room for mistakes, and he was going to make sure it was perfect.

Eager to bring death, Kade spun through the first move.  He was vaguely aware of the smoke from the creature in the distance, as he quickly flew through the next three moves in rapid succession.  As much as he tried to keep his breathing relaxed and calm, it was almost impossible.  His heart was racing, making it almost too difficult to focus, but he must if he was to have the revenge he so desperately craved.  His concentration was slipping as the Divine pounded at him, eager to be used.  He clenched his jaw in sheer determination as he forced himself to ignore the distraction.  There was only the smoke, his dragon and the calling.  He judged the distance of the creature momentarily, and for an instant, feared it might be coming too fast.  His lip curled as he let out a growl and flowed through the next seven moves as fluid as water.  He knew that even Zayle would be impressed with his skill, as he eagerly closed on the last move.  He knew this calling as well as any Chosen Master. 

Now, the twelfth move
he thought in confidence as the power thrummed in him, causing his heart to pound as if it were trying to break free from his chest.  The familiar roar in his head was like a drug to him now.  He reveled in it.  The amount of Divine Power he was channeling was seductive.  It was addicting, and for a brief moment, he wanted to hold onto it, regardless of the consequences.  With a flourish, he aimed directly at the creature and let the violent blast of Divine energy explode from his outstretched hand.  The lightning sent a shockwave that flattened nearby bushes.  The bolt sped toward its target with perfect aim.  It slammed into the targoth’s chest, causing it to scream in pain.

The dragon turned instantly and lunged.  It drove its talons deep into the creature’s thigh and tore with its deadly jaws.  It leapt clear of the targoth’s claws just in time.  The next bolt of Divine Power struck home, destroying the monsters vision for good.  Kade was learning quickly that monsters fell hard when they were plunged into darkness.  It screamed in pain and agony, and probably for the first time in its life, it screamed in fear.  The creature’s hands came up as it covered its face in an attempt to protect its already destroyed eyes.  Kade sent another quick command to the dragon.  Rayden reacted in a flash.  His claws tore at the ground as he raced to flank the creature.  He lunged and sank his teeth deep into the targoth’s heel, bringing his jaws together in a vice-like grip.  He dug his claws into the leg for purchase and pulled with all his might.  Before the creature could react, there was a sickening, loud snap and the tendon was done.  The beast roared in pain and fell hard to the ground but not before raking the dragon and sending it sprawling.  Rayden landed like a cat and rebounded so quick that Kade paused in shear awe.  He hesitated only for a second and then was back to ending the miserable creature’s life.

Kade went back and forth between lightning and fire, even though lightning was doing the most damage.  The dragon flew in for a quick strike at critical points and was back out before the monster could react.  The targoth was back up on its good leg as it struggled forward, desperate to find its target, but the dragon quickly tore at the other tendon, pulling the giant down onto all fours.  Kade could feel the heat from the fire as the beast lit up like a pyre, but he was not moving back one inch.  Never again would he run from this creature.  He wanted it to suffer, needed to hear it cry in agony.  He only wished he could look it in the eye.

The targoth inched closer and closer, trying to reach its goal.  Kade continued his dance as he delivered death over and over, feeling drunk with power while the Divine raged in him.  No matter how much closer this creature moved toward him, he would never again run from it.  Retreat was not an option.

Rayden sensed Kade’s refusal to move back and roared at him in frustration.  Through his link with the dragon, along with the roar, it was clear that Rayden was chastising him hotly.  The creature was struggling to breathe as it reached for Kade, yet again.  The Apprentice Chosen opened himself up fully to the Divine and reached for the unlimited amount of power.  Yes, his gift was powerful.  Within arm’s reach now, Kade let go a blast of lightning with such hatred and malevolence that the creatures head rocked back violently and then slammed down so hard Kade stumbled.  The arm landed next to Kade, causing the ground to shake.  The weight of that arm alone could have crushed him, but he did not care.  He had to watch it die.  At this close distance, Kade could just barely make out the creatures face.  He smiled as he looked into its eyes…or what was left of them.  He needed this.  He needed this for himself.  Its breath hissed out of its body, and it only twitched a few times before it lay still for good.

Kade walked up to the creature and reached into his pocket.  As the tears started to flow, he unfolded the piece of paper and let it drift down to land in the targoth’s open hand.  It was only a blank piece of paper, but it once held the name of someone he loved dearly.

“You’re next,” Kade said to no one in particular.  “You…are…next!” he said fiercely as he put emphasis on each word.

*CH5*

              Feeling a bit of closure, Kade forced himself to clear his head and check his dragon for injuries.  There were two deep gouges along the dragon’s side where the giant had raked it viciously.  Working the healing calling, Kade mended the wounds almost without thought and then felt a twinge of guilt.

             
“Seeing you hurt at my expense is almost normal now,” Kade said with regret.  He hung his head and pressed his lips together in a thin line as he looked at the ground.  Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and let it out.  Walking up and putting his hand affectionately on the dragon’s strong, fierce jaw, he said, “I will never forget what you risk every time you help me.  Nor will I forget the many times you have saved my life.”

             
Rayden’s mouth opened slightly in what probably passed for a smile amongst dragons.  Kade blinked a few times, surprised at the feeling of pride that drifted through the link.  The quiet rumble that came from deep within Rayden told Kade more than any words could ever say, and he smiled in return.

             
“You, my friend, are more precious than I could ever say,” Kade said as he patted the dragon again as exhaustion washed over him.  He walked to the side of the dragon, and with his back against the fearsome creature, he slid down to a sitting position.  He knew he should keep moving, but he needed a few minutes rest. He could also feel himself crashing from his adrenaline high.  His muscles ached more than he realized and his nerves were frayed.

             
“We cannot stay long, my friend.  The longer we are in one place, the more chance there is that something else will show up,” Kade said as much to himself as he did to Rayden.

             
As soon as his heart slowed to a normal pace, Kade dragged himself to his feet, ignoring his muscles as they protested strongly and walked to the head of his friend.  He looked into Rayden’s eyes, feeling a strong sense of understanding as the dragon fought to lift its head off the ground.  It had run for its life and was exhausted beyond words.  It desperately wanted to just let its muscles turn to water.  Even though it was still breathing harder than normal, its half lidded eyes said loud and clear that sleep would have been a very welcomed friend right then.  Unfortunately, that was a luxury he was not able to indulge in just yet.

             
Planting his feet firmly, he performed the Healing Calling and placed his hands on the dragon’s head.  Rayden’s eyes cleared and it seemed to give him a boost of energy.  Although it did help in the short run, Kade knew it was only temporary.  The body needed rest and it was going to get it sooner or later.

             
“That’s more like it,” Kade said as he patted the dragon on the side, wishing for the hundredth time that he could cast a healing on himself.  Unfortunately, it just did not work that way.  There was a calling that helped with alertness and a calling that helped with fatigue, neither of which he knew.  If there was a calling for self-healing, he was not aware of it.

             
Rayden was up and ready to go.  Placing his foot on the dragon’s knee, Kade reached up, grabbing Rayden’s ridges and swung himself up, landing just in front of the wings.  There was a natural divot between the wings that made for a comfortable seat, and Kade appreciated this as he settled in for the ride.  Resting his arms on the slightly up-raised wings, Kade sent a mental message to the dragon, giving him a direction.  He needed to head to his hometown of Arden to find out what part his parents played in discovering who or what was behind the attacks.  He wished his message from Zayle was more specific.  How they were involved in this was a mystery…for now.

             
His parents lived in a town eight days east on foot.  Feeling the press of time start to work on him, he urged the dragon to go.  He hoped his delay did not cause their demise, but if they were in danger, he was certain that Zayle would have warned him.  He considered how long he took in preparing his revenge against the targoth and his mind started to work.

Was this another mistake?  No,
he thought firmly. 
That thing was waiting and I had to be prepared.  No.  Getting to my parents alive just happened to coincide with exacting my revenge.
  Kade did not want to focus too deeply on this. 

It did not take much to make him feel guilt, even when it was unwarranted.  He would question his decision and then rethink it again almost as if he expected to find a flaw in his logic.  For most of his life, he would brazenly charge into any situation, acting first and thinking later.  He knew, sooner or later, he must change this, but for now, it was who he was.  He chastised himself for his dangerous ways and started to examine his decisions over the last month.  Guilt slowly slid over him and he sank into a somber mood. 

The dragon went from a gentle walk to a brisk, gliding gait, jolting Kade back to the present.  He chastised himself for being so self-absorbed that he had lost touch with what was going on around him.  Daydreaming was definitely something he was going to have to do less of.