Burned: Dragons' Trust Book 2 Read online

  "I have to hurry. Grahm and Thane will be searching for me." Renick turned to look over his shoulder as if they would barge into the clearing at any moment.

  "That is unfortunate. But I can be brief if I stick to the most essential details." She lifted her head and sniffed at the air. "We are safe for the time being."

  Renick nodded and then found a comfortable spot to sit under a nearby tree. Wrytha also settled herself onto the soft forest floor. "I have spoken with Derth in the dragon city. He told me some of the black dragon's history. His name is Folgyn Darkwing, and until the cave-in, which I am sure you remember, he was a prisoner in the mines."

  "Why? I remember Boren saying something about having a thief and a—a—"

  "Murderer." The word snaked out of Wrytha's mouth like a sentence being passed. "Folgyn was the murderer Boren spoke of. Many years ago his mate fell prey to the dragon hunters. Derth thinks that he may have been driven mad by her death, for Folgyn became convinced that his mate's brother had lured her to her demise and that he was working with the hunters."

  Fascinated, Renick sat completely still, soaking in Wrytha's words. She was not as good a story-teller as his father, but she did well enough. "So he killed him?"

  Wrytha dipped her head in acknowledgment. "And was sent to the mines for his crimes. Before that it had been hundreds of years since one of the Dragon Kind had taken the life of another."

  "But why is he attacking Trevinni? Simply because he is mad? Is it because of us?" The last was his greatest fear. If Folgyn was attacking the three of them, then all of the destruction was their fault.

  "I am not sure," Wrytha paused as if considering her words. "Some humans enjoy hunting our kind for sport." She growled a little before regaining her composure. "What you see in killing for something other than food or protection, I will never know."

  Renick felt cold. He could not imagine killing a dragon, let alone for no reason other than to say that you had. "We don't all do that." His voice sounded small even to him.

  Wrytha's posture softened and he felt a wave of comfort from the old dragon. "Peace, young one. Old habits are not easy to overcome. I forget that not all your kind are evil." She shifted around and tried to find a different way to lie down in the clearing, but it was too small, so she returned to her original place, and then continued. "Folgyn's mate was killed by a human hunting for sport. Renick-Trusted, this is a dangerous situation. Folgyn is very single-minded in his madness. He will not stop until he has what he wants."

  Renick lifted his head from where it rested on his knees. "What does he want?" If they could just give it to him then maybe this whole thing would be over.

  Wrytha shook her head. "I do not know."

  His heart sank, though he knew he should not have expected this to be easy. "The people in Trevinni, they won't just let him keep killing and destroying."

  "I know. They have a right to protect themselves. But if Folgyn falls at the hands of a human, the Dragon Kind will see it as an act of war."

  That awful, gnawing pit in the center of Renick's stomach grew. The Dragon Kind already hated humans for enslaving them and causing a generation of mute dragons to be born. He and his friends had firsthand experience with how little the Dragon Kind trusted humans. But why would Folgyn's death lead to war? He voiced his concerns to Wrytha. "Why is Folgyn different? Humans have been killing dragons all along."

  "Some of my kindred can be very irrational." That was not enough for Renick. Wrytha must have sensed as much from him because she sighed and continued. "You three, the Circle of the Trusted, have brought the decades-old tension between the two factions of our kind to a head. But those are matters to discuss at another time."

  Wrytha suddenly lifted her head and sniffed the air. "There is much more I must tell you, but I fear we do not have time. There is a way that Lainey-Kind can communicate with me over a long distance. I am going to attempt to teach you how to instruct her in the necessary magic. If you are unsuccessful, she must seek me out herself."

  Fidgeting, Renick glanced around the clearing as if he could find someone else to volunteer for the task. "Me? You want me to teach Lainey something about magic?"

  "Renick-Trusted, I have faith in you. This is vital if we are to safely communicate. If Horrin comes here we will all be at risk, and I cannot leave you without a way to speak with me. Will you try?"

  Her eyes bored into him, like they always did. They seemed to look past his skin into his very heart. He nodded, though he wanted to shrug instead. "I will."

  "Then let us begin. Listen very carefully, for you must repeat what I am about to say back to Lainey-Kind exactly."

  Renick closed his eyes. He was good at committing things to memory—he had done so with many of his father's stories and fables. The fables with talking dragons, which were actually truer than he had ever dreamed. He told Wrytha to continue.

  "Begin by pulling your magic like a thread …"

  Wrytha's instruction went on for longer than Renick expected, and still it felt rushed. She would tell him something and then have him repeat it back to her over and over until he got it right.

  "Enough," Wrytha said, sounding not at all satisfied. "You will have to rely on your memory. Thane-Brave and his companion are on their way here. I must leave you now. Take care, Renick-Trusted. You tread through dangerous waters." With that she launched herself into the air and flew out of sight. Not a handful of breaths later he heard the rustling of trees.

  "Are you sure his tracks lead this way?" Thane said, his voice echoing across the small clearing.

  Renick chuckled. The older boy was trying to give him an advanced warning. Grahm was probably cringing at all the noise.

  "Thane! Grahm! Is that you?" Renick called, trying to sound a little nervous. He shrugged, even though no one could see him, because he thought the result lacking.

  Grahm emerged into the clearing. "There you are, Renick." Relief was evident on his face. This took Renick aback. Grahm usually showed very little emotion.

  "Sorry." Renick tried to look innocent. "I was following a patch of burn wort and got turned around."

  Grahm considered him with a stern look. Renick's eyes flitted to Thane, who was standing behind Grahm's imposing figure. Thane's eyebrows were pinched together and the corners of his mouth turned down in condolence.

  After a moment Grahm's stance relaxed. "I'll excuse your lack of attention this time. Now we must be getting back. It is imperative that we get inside the city walls before nightfall."

  Renick looked up at the darkening sky. He had not realized it was so late in the day. Without further discussion the three of them marched into the forest and headed for safety.

  Chapter 10: Night Flight

  Fear.

  The air was thick with the scent of it. Folgyn breathed in the lush aroma—it fed the anger deep within his black heart. The anger radiated through him, giving him strength and keeping his purpose clear. Many humans would die tonight.

  Death.

  The thought gave him some pleasure, but it was tainted by the fact that the one he truly wanted to hurt was still out of reach. The cowardly bug hid behind walls built with stone ripped out of the mountains and shaped for the greedy purposes of men. He longed to taste the human's flesh.

  That day would come.

  Patience.

  Air, cooled by the approaching night, slid along his wings and scales. Soon it would be dark and he would be nearly invisible against the black sky. The night was his home, his battlefield, the place where he had the advantage. For the moment he was an ominous black streak against the red and gold of the setting sun. Exposed.

  The stench of horse and sweat cut through the perfume of fear and tickled his nose.

  Hunger.

  The need to devour meat rippled through him, always forgotten until survival would not let it be ignored. His thoughts were consumed by only one goal. His beloved would be avenged. But now his body betrayed him. Its needs must be met before the needs of
his anger. Hunting was an acceptable diversion, for he could obtain sustenance and strike at the humans all in one blow.

  Hunt.

  Folgyn looped past the road that led to the human city teeming with the wretched creatures. A single box—what the humans called a carriage—was being pulled by two horses. Inside were humans, he could smell them, taste them on the wind, and his mouth watered. They called to him. Time to feast.

  Strength.

  Opening his jaws wide, he let out a roar that held all the pain, frustration, and anger he had felt for years. The anger was the loudest, lingering much longer than the other notes of his song. He followed the announcement with a jet of flames directed at the road just in front of the startled horses. Folgyn was rewarded with a new waft of fear stronger than all the others, for it spoke of desperation and a subconscious knowledge that they would not live.

  Fear.

  Folgyn roared again, this time with pleasure. The horses panicked and bolted. The thrill of a chase followed by a satisfying meal would be a nice treat. Not to mention the blood and mess he would leave on the doorstep of his enemy. A message. A message that this dragon was not here merely to eat a few cows and scare a few children. He was not like the little worms they kept in stables and used as beasts of burden. He was magnificent. One of the Dragon Kind.

  Folgyn would torment and destroy until he had what he wanted.

  Revenge.

  He dove for the carriage. It fled as fast as the terrified horses could carry it toward the stinking city. He swept the side of the road with another blast of fire. And then, just as he reached the black box containing his prize, he pulled up and raked his claws across the top. Through the shredded remains he could see the faces of four humans, eyes wide with fear. Folgyn laughed.

  Fear me, humans. Fear the black beast of the night.

  But his joy was short-lived. He felt the presence again, like the night of his first attack and again when the humans tried to trap him. Folgyn growled. He would not let this victory be taken from him.

  The magic burned through the night, pulsing like a message. Except this time it was stronger. No, not stronger, there were two sources. Two marks. He pulled himself high into the air. His eyes pierced the darkness of night, searching. Searching for the origin of the powerful dragon magic.

  There, moving through the forest toward the road, three small shapes.

  Humans.

  Beasts.

  What were these humans? Who were they that they were marked by the Dragon Kind as kindred? Humans protected by his kind, accepted into their society. It was a betrayal only overshadowed by that of the cursed one. A rage almost as powerful as his thirst for vengeance filled Folgyn, tore through him like a fire devouring a dry tree. He released it in another jet of flame. He would have his victory, no matter the costs.

  Revenge.

  It would be hard to fight with the marked ones near. Hard to keep from hurting them. The magic pushed on him. He felt it forcing him to leave them alone. He could ignore the magic. He had broken the code of the Dragon Kind before.

  No. Tonight he would let the humans live. Let them think that they could defeat him.

  But first, I feast.

  He flattened his wings against his body and pointed his head straight toward the carriage, which was still too far from its goal to ever achieve safety. Folgyn plummeted toward the earth, falling through the sky like death.

  Chapter 11: On Fire

  Folgyn flew so low over their heads that Renick thought the dragon would decapitate them with his tail. He could feel the heat of Folgyn's dragon breath and the gust of air as his massive body passed them. Renick pushed his legs to move faster. Having seen the attack from the edge of the forest, the three of them plunged headlong into a run. Grahm and Thane held their swords at the ready while Renick gripped his knife.

  Renick did not know how they could possibly reach the carriage in enough time to do any good. The horses pulling it were panicked and running at breakneck speed. With every footstep he saw the carriage moving farther away. Then the carriage leaned to the side, one of the wheels coming loose. The harness holding the horses snapped, and they surged forward, away from the attacking predator. The black box of the carriage fell over and skidded for several yards before it came to a stop.

  Folgyn flew past and perused the horses. He caught one is his terrible claws and carried it away.

  By the time they reached the toppled coach, Renick's legs were burning and his shirt was damp with sweat. Thane immediately leapt up and yanked the door off the carriage. Grahm turned to face the dragon, who was circling back for another pass, and swung his blade to the ready position. Not knowing what else to do, Renick shoved his knife back in its hiding place in his right boot and moved to help Thane with the passengers. Thane bent into the coach and came out, his arms cradling a child that was no older than Renick's littlest sister, Angie.

  A tightening constricted Renick's heart and chest. For one terrible moment he could hear Angie's cry, see her face burned. A flash of fear was replaced by an amazing numbness. Something buzzed in his ears and the air felt heavy around him. Then the child squawked in protest at the clumsy way Thane was holding her. Renick was brought back to the present moment. Gently he took the little girl in his hands and bounced her up and down, cooing. He was not strong like Thane or brave like Grahm, but this was something he could do to help.

  The little girl sniffled a few times and then reached up and started batting at his nose. It was odd to hear a baby giggle in the center of chaos and flames.

  The child's mother came to Renick once Thane had extracted her from the carriage. "Thank you," she breathed.

  Renick passed her the squirming bundle. "It was nothing."

  "You have younger siblings?" she asked.

  He nodded. "Lots."

  Thane cleared his throat. "Renick, do you really think this is a good time for small talk?"

  He looked up into Thane's stern expression. The older, higher-ranking boy had his hands on his hips and his nose scrunched in disapproval.

  "No sir!" Renick called, doing his best imitation of a dragon knight salute and turning his attention back to helping the other passengers get to safety. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Thane shake his head, his dark hair catching the light of the brush fires burning all around them. The black smoke choked the air and drifted up to blend with the darkening sky.

  "To the city!" Grahm called over his shoulder.

  Renick looked up. To his amazement, the four passengers were still standing close by.

  "The driver!" one of the women called.

  "We'll get him," Renick said, trying to herd the adults forward. "Just get to the city."

  "Not without you," the mother of the little girl insisted.

  Renick turned to face her and was not prepared for the look of determination that he found there. "I'll be right behind you. Go."

  She pursed her lips as if preparing to argue but then nodded her head. Turning, she convinced the others to start running.

  "Renick!" Thane jerked his head in the direction of the front of the carriage.

  Understanding, Renick moved around the fallen coach, squinting in the growing darkness in search of the driver. He lay motionless not twenty paces from where the coach had overturned. Renick rubbed his hands along his pants and rolled his shoulders before running to kneel at the man's side.

  "Um … sir?" Renick gently shook the man. The driver just grunted and rolled over. Relieved that he was still alive, Renick leaned back on his heels and tried to assess the man's injuries. There were a few scratches on his face and a nasty burn on his forehead, but nothing seemed too serious. Melatheen and Lainey could probably have it patched up pretty quick. Other than that, the man seemed whole and well.

  Renick resisted the urge to look over his shoulder and search for Folgyn. The dragon had been quiet for some time, and he wondered what was holding him back. Renick had to focus on what he was doing and not get distracted.
/>   Sacrificing his second-best linen shirt for bandages, Renick used a technique Lainey had shown him to wrap up all the man's wounds until they could be seen by a proper healer. Then he started the arduous task of dragging the man to his feet.

  "Hurry," Thane said as he ran past, almost knocking Renick over.

  Renick struggled for a second to regain his footing under the weight of the driver's limp body. The man was not much help at all. By then Thane had stopped and trained his sword in the direction of the dragon. A few passengers sped past Thane, followed by Grahm, who served as the rear guard.

  It took all Renick's powers of persuasion and every ounce of strength from the years of working on a ranch and in a stable to get the driver moving.

  "Come on," he urged. "One more step. Good, now another."

  Thane growled at them. "Hurry up!"

  "Not exactly helpful, Sir Shaytorrin." The look on Thane's face told Renick that he had made his point.

  With a smug toss of his head, Thane sheathed his sword, jogged to meet them, and took the man's free arm around his shoulders. "Better?"

  Renick did the best attempt at a nod that he could manage with a heavy arm laid across his neck.

  "Good, now let's move, peasant," Thane smirked.

  "Dragonhand," Renick tried to say, but the wind was knocked out of him as Thane launched forward, almost pulling Renick to the ground.

  The gates into the city seemed impossibly far away. Grahm and the group of passengers were pulling farther ahead with every step. "Keep going," Thane said, all trace of joking aside. Things were really serious now.

  Renick concentrated on the image of the gate, which was wide open to let the refugees in. In the light of the two giant torches on either side of the gate, Renick could see the silhouettes of half a dozen guards.

  "Where are the dragon knights?" Renick muttered. For a moment, he was worried that Thane had heard him and would be offended. Then the older boy voiced much the same opinion—just with more colorful words.

  Step by agonizing step they drew closer to safety. He tried not to look up. Not to search the sky for Folgyn. He could hear the dragon's wing beats and deep ragged breathing come and go behind them.