Burned: Dragons' Trust Book 2 Page 8

  "It's here somewhere," Thane said quietly.

  "What?" Renick looked around. The sunlight was fading fast and it would soon be dark. He already had to strain to see the trees closest to them.

  "I marked the tree next to where I found the tracks."

  They fanned out and started looking. Renick made sure to always keep both Thane and Lainey in his sight so they would not get separated. Carefully he inspected each tree he passed, running his fingers over the bark to be sure he did not miss anything.

  Renick's fingers brushed against a small slash. He traced his finger over it. The impression in the bark made a very lopsided, downward-facing arrow. "Over here!" he called as loudly as he dared. Thane and Lainey made their way over to him.

  "Yep, that's it," Thane confirmed. He searched the ground until he found the tracks and motioned them forward.

  They moved through the forest as quickly and quietly as possible. Folgyn usually attacked at night, so he was probably awake and alert. A breeze brushed past his cheek, and with a start Renick realized that they were traveling upwind. Which meant Folgyn could smell them and already knew they were coming. Thane must have realized this as well, for he slowed his pace and started moving more cautiously.

  Up ahead a dark shape rose out of the ground. It was a small hill. As they drew closer, Renick could see the hill was hollow, forming a cave of sorts that was held together by the massive roots of an ancient tree.

  A dark shadow moved near the opening of the cave. Renick froze. The sounds of the forest were swallowed up by the beating of his pulse. His breathing sounded loud and harsh in his own ears. His whole body felt numb.

  I see you. Folgyn's voice hissed in his mind.

  Thane's hand went to his sword, and Lainey moved to stand closer to him. Thane and Renick exchanged a glance.

  Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Renick stood up to his full height. Thane and Lainey moved to stand behind and to either side of him. Their presence and supportive stance gave him a little more confidence. He squared his shoulders.

  "I am Renick-Trusted of the Circle of the Trusted, and Trusted of the Dragon Kind. Come out and face us, Folgyn Darkwing." To his amazement the words came out sounding strong and forceful. Renick was glad he had not tripped over the many repeated words in his full dragon title.

  "Trusted," Folgyn's gravelly voice broke from the darkness of the cave. Renick saw two small flashes of red. The dragon laughed, and curls of smoke drifted up from the cave. "What business do three human children have meddling in the affairs of dragons?"

  An image of the three of them being munched on by the enormous jaws of the dragon flashed through his mind. Renick shuddered but then stood tall again. "We've been sent by the Inner Circle to warn you." It was not exactly a lie. Renick hoped there was enough truth in his words that the dragon would not sense the deceit. "The dragon hunters have come. You must leave now and never return to Trevinni."

  Flames burst forward from the depths of the cave, and in the brief flash of light Renick got a look at Folgyn's menacing form. He was just as big as Wrytha, with scales as black as hers were white. It took all of Renick's willpower not to step back in fear.

  Insults. Fool. The disdain dripping off of Folgyn's thoughts was almost tangible. "I will not leave until I have my revenge," he growled.

  "They'll find you," Thane promised.

  "Let them come." Folgyn leapt from the cave and snapped his jaws impatiently. Renick stepped back in surprise. Lainey let out a little gasp and Thane's arm went out in front of her protectively. "I am nothing without my beloved. I only aim to survive long enough to crush that heartless-beast. Once that is done, I have no more cause to live."

  "What heartless-beast?" Lainey asked.

  "The one that sits in the stone fortress like a coward." Folgyn growled in frustration.

  "Lord Krane," Thane said under his breath.

  "We can't allow you to do that," Renick said. "You will be stopped."

  The dragon laughed again. Renick heard sticks and leaves crunching as Folgyn reared back on his hind legs and spread his wings. With a quick burst of flame, Folgyn ignited the underbrush, bathing himself in firelight. The result was very intimidating. Renick took an involuntary step backwards and cringed at his own weakness.

  I will not be stopped. I will avenger her.

  "Run, Renick you fool. Run!"

  Chapter 17: Wounded

  Renick turned and realized that Thane and Lainey were already running through the forest back to the safety of Trevinni. It took a moment for his feet to catch up with his mind and follow them. Folgyn crashed through the forest, roaring and breathing fire.

  Up ahead, Lainey, whom Renick could see only because her blonde hair glowed slightly in the moonlight, disappeared between two trees. At that moment a cloud drifted over the moon, casting the world into darkness. Renick slowed down to avoid tripping. A bone-chilling dragon call startled him and he lost his footing.

  As he fell to the ground, Renick twisted to see Folgyn's giant jaws lunging toward him.

  Thane appeared from a group of trees to his left. Without breaking stride, the young dragon knight-in-training reached down, hauled Renick to his feet, and continued through the trees. Renick struggled to keep up with him but finally regained his footing.

  "You cannot escape me, Trusted of the Dragon Kind," Folgyn's gruff voice seemed to come from everywhere. His laugh echoed off the trees surrounding them. Thane and Renick ran faster.

  They broke through the line of trees and had to change course a little to head straight for the city. Lainey was already almost halfway across the open area between the forest line and the wall. She glanced back, searching for them.

  "Keep going!" Thane called. Lainey hesitated for a moment. Thane started to repeat his command, but the words were swallowed by Folgyn's roar.

  Heat from another blast of flames warmed Renick's back. He put on a burst of speed. His legs burned and protested but carried him to safety. A strangled cry stopped Renick in his tracks. He spun around to see flames completely engulfing Thane. Time stopped and Renick felt terror like never before in his life. It was worse than when one of his father's dragons went rogue, or when his baby sister Angie had gone missing. The ice-cold fear was even more powerful than when he had been caught by Horrin's hunters, or when the dragon mines had collapsed with Renick and his friends inside.

  Then everything snapped back into focus and he moved forward, acting instinctively. He lunged for Thane, bringing him to the ground, and rolled through the long grass. Small fires clung to the dry stalks as they went. The flames around Thane died. Renick pushed himself to his knees and leaned protectively over Thane. He looked around, frantically searching for Folgyn.

  Two dragon bugles sounded from above his head. Relief as intense as the terror he had just experienced rushed through Renick as he saw two dragon knights with their mounts driving the giant black dragon back. With the threat of further attack removed, Renick steeled himself and looked down at Thane. It was not as bad as he had been expecting. Thane's face, hands and arms were burned pretty badly, but not beyond repair. His clothing seemed to have received most of the damage.

  "Lainey!" Renick called, but she was too far away to hear over the sounds of the dragons fighting overhead. Lainey! he repeated in dragon speak. Thane's hurt.

  He found her still running among the long grass. Instantly she turned and started heading back toward him. What seemed like hours later she skidded to a halt and fell to her knees next to him. Fear, worry, and pain flashed across her face as she examined Thane. He moaned softly and tossed his head.

  Lainey looked up and met Renick's eyes. "We have to get my aunt." She moved to stand.

  Renick grabbed her hand. "No, Lainey, we don't have time. You have to heal him."

  She looked around nervously and rested her tightly clasped hands in her lap in an attempt to keep them from shaking. "I … I can't."

  "No one will see," Renick assured her. "You have to heal hi
m."

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled over her cheeks. "No … I mean … I can't. Aunt Melatheen says … when it's … Renick, he's my friend. What if, what if …"

  She stopped when Renick laid a hand on her shoulder. "Lainey-Kind, you're strong enough. You faced the dark to save Junther and Flyn. You can save Thane."

  Lainey pressed her lips together in determination and nodded her head. She took a few deep breaths, and her hands, which she held over Thane's chest, stopped trembling. A faint yellow glow hovered under her palms and then fell down into Thane. It flashed across his face and then disappeared. Thane stopped moaning and lay very still. Renick was relieved to see he was still breathing.

  A whimper came from Lainey, but she shook it off and tried again. Renick returned his hand to her shoulder and felt her back straighten with the gesture of encouragement. This time the glow was more like a thousand candles burning. It was so bright he could not see Thane when it engulfed him. Moments later the light dissipated to reveal Thane whole.

  Thane blinked a few times and then sat up. Lainey threw her arms around his neck and started weeping. Renick and Thane shared startled expressions.

  "Uh, it's okay, Lainey," Thane said awkwardly. "Thanks. For … uh … saving me."

  Lainey sat back and wiped the tears from her face. "Any time." She gave her best effort at a smile.

  Just then Renick heard a shout, and they all turned to see Melatheen racing through the tall grass toward them. Lainey and Renick stood, then reached down to assist Thane. He brushed away their help.

  Melatheen stopped in front of Lainey and inspected her for injuries, then moved on to Renick and Thane. When she found all of them well—save for Thane's singed shirt—the concern on her face changed to rage. "Lainey Temrick, what in the sky and earth did you think you were doing!"

  Renick was taken aback by how loud the usually quiet and reserved woman could really be.

  Tears sprang back into Lainey's eyes. "I'm … I'm sorry … we were just …"

  "You could've been killed! Did you ever stop and think that I might worry about you? How I might feel if you never came back?" Melatheen's voice caught at the last bit and she pulled Lainey in for a tight hug. Melatheen was crying too.

  "I'm sorry," Lainey sobbed into Melatheen's shoulders.

  "It was our fault," Renick jumped in.

  "Yeah, we wanted to—" Thane looked over at Renick.

  "We wanted to explore the forest—"

  "And—"

  Melatheen turned a look laced with daggers on them. "I thought the three of you were smarter than this. Shame on you."

  Of all the things she could have said, of all the punishments and reprimands she could have doled out—this was the worst. Renick's shoulders dropped with the weight of his crimes.

  Melatheen escorted them back to the safety of the city. Uncle Loren and Grahm were waiting for them, disapproval evident not only on their faces but in their stances. Thane looked devastated that he had let his friend and teacher down. He hung his head and followed silently after Grahm, who turned toward the dragon knight barracks.

  Renick could not face his uncle.

  "Renick," there was anger in Uncle Loren's voice, but also something else. That same something his father always had when he was trying to help Renick learn a life lesson.

  "It was wrong to sneak out. It was dangerous and we could've been hurt, or worse, killed." Renick studied his shoes intently. "I can't explain, but please believe me, we had good intentions. It was very important."

  "Important to whom?" Uncle Loren asked. "What could possibly possess you to put your life and the lives of your friends at risk? Without even a thought of what it might be like for me to tell your parents you were gone?"

  The guilt settled in more deeply. Renick could not imagine what it would be like for his parents to receive that kind of news.

  "Well?" Uncle Loren was tapping his foot impatiently.

  Renick could not answer. He wanted to. He wanted to tell his uncle about the Dragon Kind, about the precarious balance between the two factions. If only Renick could just explain the impending war, and how they were the only ones that could stop it. But he could not. Renick and the others had taken an oath, and the lives of so many hinged on them keeping it.

  In the end, Renick just shrugged.

  Chapter 18: Dragon Fight

  Grahm would never say anything, but Thane could tell by the set of his shoulders that he was disappointed. In all his life Thane had only disappointed Grahm twice before. But this was the worst, because Thane knew that if he could explain, Grahm would understand.

  Thane opened his mouth but closed it again when the magic dragon mark on his hand burned. Instead, he jogged ahead of Grahm and stopped him. "Grahm, I—"

  A sudden rush of feet interrupted him. Three squires hurried down the hall. "The dragon's attacking the manor," one of them called as he passed by. "Everyone's being summoned to help."

  Without a moment's hesitation Thane launched into action.

  Since he was already dressed and armed, he headed straight for the courtyard. Grahm was only a half a step behind him. The dragon knights were mostly assembled, their mounts saddled and ready to fly. Sir Oberron was giving out orders. When he reached what appeared to be the end of his instructions, he started again. "For those who are just arriving, the dragon is attacking the manor. All efforts to subdue it from the ground have failed. We're taking to the air. Squires, you won't be riding with your assigned knights tonight. We need you all on fire watch. His lordship is very concerned about his property being damaged." He looked around to see if there were any stragglers. "Right, be careful and stay sharp."

  Typical for a highborn to care only about the possessions and not the people. His father was the same way. Thane hated being counted among such men.

  The group that was gathered in the courtyard of the dragon knight headquarters disbursed. Thane followed the other squires as they sprinted out of the main gate. Sir Oberron called to Grahm. Thane looked over his shoulder and saw Grahm change direction. As Thane turned back, he caught sight of a dark figure.

  Horrin was watching him. A shiver ran across Thane's skin and his senses were suddenly more alert. Then his feet carried him out of the courtyard and Horrin's line of sight, but the feeling of that one eye boring into him followed Thane all the way to the westernmost side of Trevinni where the gate to the manor stood.

  The manor's gardens and several of its outbuildings were already burning, small fires licking up their sides. Thane found the fire line with the fewest people and joined in as they passed buckets back and forth. He kept glancing up from his work, scanning the sky and looking for the shadow of the dragon.

  Thane felt Folgyn before he saw him. The air thrummed with black hatred. A deep roar full of malice ripped through the night. While the aftereffects of the note hung in the air, everything was still and quiet. Then the guards on the manor walls started shouting to each other.

  "Where is it?"

  "Coming from the east across the second battlement," one called.

  "I don't see it."

  "There!"

  "In my sights!" The man operating a large crossbow turned the giant weapon and trained it on the approaching dragon. Folgyn swooped low over the soldier's head and then turned sharply, slashing his spiked tail across the wall. There were shouts of alarm as many of the guards fell. Thane felt the thud of their landing in his stomach. The air was filled with panicked calls for the healers.

  A few healers came out of the manor and started assisting the wounded. Thane knew Lainey and Melatheen would not be among them, but he looked for them just the same.

  Someone tapped his arm. Thane turned to see an annoyed squire holding out a bucket full of water. Thane apologized and resumed his work.

  The rhythm of passing the buckets back and forth was so steady that Thane only had a chance to watch the battle out of the corner of his eye. As he shifted a large bucket full of water, he was grateful for the thoro
ughness of Lainey's healing. He felt no hint of the burns or even the slightest bit of soreness, although his head was beginning to ache.

  All around him he could hear the beating of wings and the cries of dragon mounts as Folgyn engaged each in turn. He kept them separated and unable to join together in an attack. A lone dragon knight was no match for the massive black dragon.

  "Coming around again!" a voice above Thane called. Thane looked up and spotted the second giant crossbow.

  The bowmen had a bolt loaded and were aiming straight ahead, where Folgyn hovered just out of range.

  "It's like he knows," the stable boy next to Thane in the fire line whispered. "Like he can sense they can't reach him there."

  A pit formed in Thane's stomach. If a stable boy was noticing that, what must the guards think?

  "He's the smartest dragon I've ever seen," another boy commented.

  Thane was trying to formulate a response that would call the dragon's intelligence into question when he heard the string of the crossbow snap.

  The bolt flew through the night air toward the dragon's heart, light from the fire gleaming on the iron tip. Just as the bolt reached him, Folgyn twisted around it, coming up the other side, and snatched the wooden blot in his back claws. He flew over the heads of the bowmen, flipped again in the air, and launched the bolt back at them. The men managed to dodge out of the way just in time. The bolt slammed into the crossbow, shattering it. Broken wood exploded into the air and rained down on the people below. Thane threw his arm up to protect his eyes from the debris.

  There was no chance of explaining that away.

  Shaking his head, Thane looked around him. Everyone had stopped, their mouths open, watching the black dragon as it looped around for another pass.

  "Ho!" A loud voice echoed through the manor grounds. "Look sharp, men. We've got a smart one on our hands."