Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (33 page)

He held up his hand to stop Mannoc from interrupting him. “Consider the option. No more women learning weapons and running around in men’s clothing. No more common people being considered for positions they have no business holding within the city and the nation. No more wasting time teaching Border Guards and others like them to read. No more nonsense. What need does a servant have of the written word? I am meeting with Kovan in the cistern later this day. I would like to inform him that I have found an ally among the Council.”

Mannoc stared at him in silence. “As appealing as that sounds, the Shadow Riders cannot be trusted. Beyond that, the people of Shadereen have embraced the new laws with more willingness than I would have thought. As a member of the Council, it is my place to do what is best for Shadereen, not myself.”

“I am not wholly convinced the people really know what they want. All of this is a new novelty. How will they feel once the shine has worn off? I approached you, because of all the members of the Council, I thought you would most understand.”

Mannoc shook his head. “I am sorry, my king. As much as I would like Shadereen to be as it was, for my wife to behave like a proper woman again, for the ridiculous freedoms of Dragon Law to be over with, I will not be a party to handing Shadereen over to the Shadow Riders. I would rather see it burn.”

Alrendoc shook his head, disappointment flowing through him, along with regret for what he must now do. “Then burn it shall—the Shadow Rider Kovan has assured me of that.”

“Then we must alert the Guardians.”

“I agree.” Alrendoc strode toward the writing desk at the side of the room and beckoned Mannoc to follow. He bent over it, pulled a sheet of paper from a small stack, and dipped a pen in the inkwell. “Will you take this missive to the first one you can locate?”

“Certainly.” Mannoc drew closer, standing at the side of the desk. “I am relieved I was able to talk you out of such treachery.”

“Indeed.” Alrendoc discreetly slid his dagger from its sheath. He straightened and in one smooth movement drove the blade under Mannoc’s ribs then yanked it out with a twist.

Mannoc gasped and clutched weakly at his chest as he sagged away. Blood flowed between his fingers. “Wha…” He dropped to his knees, slumping to the floor.

Alrendoc stepped forward and gazed down. Mannoc’s stunned, golden eyes stared back as blood soaked the front of his shirt and dripped off the hand still clutched to his chest. “You get your wish. Shadereen
will
burn.”

Azurynn stared at the five black chains hanging on the wall in her chambers. She should destroy them. Once, she wanted nothing more than to see the chain complete Separation. Now, it no longer appealed because it could also separate her from Murynn. Her skin crawled.

No Shadow Rider could be trusted. Would anyone think to place a chain upon her? Did she dare take a chance?

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip and grappled with the best choice—destroy or keep. There were several forward movements planned in the western nations with the warming of the weather. Best to keep them…for now. One never knew what might be needed.

Her chambers faded as fuzzy images swam across her mind. She could almost feel the world shifting as across the land alliances were formed and the attention turned east. She sensed the ache of betrayal, and the cloud of fear that rolled in with the warmer weather.

The room snapped back into place, and she swayed slightly, putting a hand to her forehead. It wasn’t the clearest vision, more of a warning. But of what? A war she already knew was coming, one she was helping to perpetuate? Or of something else? There was more to the shifting allegiances than just what the nations were doing. A sense of change for herself drifted through everything.

Taela exited the negotiations with a sigh of relief. After weeks of constant talks and some well-placed practical statements by Serena, the peace treaty between Kanther and Boromar was finally sealed. It took nearly two weeks just for Taela and Mage Councilor Amariel to sort through who was exaggerating and who was telling half-truths. It didn’t help that both nations felt completely justified in their actions. It was hard to detect a lie when a person believed it was the truth.

Now with it settled, the plans to move both armies east could be put into motion. With the apparent limitation that kept the Shadow Dragons from Jumping any farther than the Galdar River, that was where the armies were needed most. Boromar and Kanther were safe providing the armies were able to hold the Shadow Riders and Kojen should they push past the border nations.

“Good afternoon,”
Paki sent as she watched Taela walk into the courtyard.

“The treaty is finally signed.”

“To give the army credit, when news of the successful treaty came down and the heads of the Kantherian army were informed they would now be fighting alongside the Boromari, none of them even batted an eye, though I could tell they didn’t like it much,”
Paki returned
.

Taela nodded.
“Both armies are trained to fight their enemies. Now that there’s peace between their nations, they’re no longer adversaries. It also helps they’ve both been given a common enemy to fight against. Without that, I doubt it would be as easy for them to see past centuries of their fighting. Even so, I don’t imagine it will be quite as easy for the rank and file.”

“I suspect you are right. When will we begin moving the armies?”
Paki asked.

“Immediately. Normally, it would take weeks to move an army. With our help, it will go much faster.”

“Which shall we gather first, the Boromari or the Kantherian?”

“Both. Messengers have already been sent out by both nations to the nearest contingents. We’ll gather up those that are scattered the farthest. Amariel’s going to remain here for a while to ensure everything continues to move smoothly. Serena will return the Boromari ambassadors home, and then rejoin Amariel here.”

“We should be going then.”

Taela snugged the catcher strap around her ankle.
“No time like the present.”
She climbed in the saddle and fastened the safety straps. Paki rose into the air as Taela tightened her fur-lined hood.

The dragon soared over the capitol where trees were starting to bloom and the first flush of green washed the grass. As they flew northeast, the green was replaced by brown and then large patches of snow that looked like white islands.

Paki spotted the Kantherian soldiers moving quickly through the camouflage of the leafless trees toward a large meadow where a battle already raged.

Boromari soldiers slipped through the trees as well but not toward the meadow where their comrades fought. They moved in a wide arc to either side of it.
“They plan to flank the Kantherians,”
Paki sent.

“I see that. Are you prepared to end this battle?”
Taela sent back

“Looking forward to it.”

“Whenever you’re ready, love.”

The silver angled her wings and dove for the battlefield. She pulled out of the dive just above the treetops and came out over the meadow with wings spread wide, her thunderous roar drowning out all sounds.

In the meadow, the soldiers of both sides covered their ears and turned fearful eyes up at Paki. She made a sharp turn on the other side of the clearing and came at them lower. Both sides scrambled back. The Boromari, possessing knowledge of Galdrilene and the dragons, wore expressions of respect. The Kantherians, however, had no prior knowledge. They ran for the trees in panic.

“You will lower you weapons and remain where you are.”
Paki broadcast the thought over the two armies, bringing both to their knees and effectively stopping the Kantherian retreat.

The silver landed gracefully in the middle of the field. Taela undid the safety straps and leaped to the ground, a roll of parchment held high in her hand. “Your nations have signed a peace treaty. You now have a new task before you. The instructions and seals from both the King of Kanther and the Queen of Boromar are in this treaty.”

The ranking Boromari officer sidestepped forward. She cast a wary eye at Paki though she didn’t falter in her approach. Taela nodded to her when she stopped. “I am Di’shan Taela Shamirrin, Rider of the Silver Dragon Paki and a Guardian of Galdrilene.”

The woman flipped her long blonde braid over her shoulder and glanced at Paki again. “I am Commander Aralanni Bellanar of the Seventh Finger of the Boromari Defenders. The parchment, please. I do not wish to doubt the word of a rider of Galdrilene, but I must see the seal of my queen before I can stand down my position.”

“Of course.” Taela handed the rolled paper to her.

As Aralanni unrolled it and began reading, the ranking officer of the Kantherians moved toward them and stopped three paces to the side of Aralanni. She removed her helmet revealing shoulder-length, dark red hair. “What tis this, and why have we Kantherians not heard o’ it before?”

Aralanni shot the woman a look of disdain. “We tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen. Instead, you called us liars and insisted on war again.”

Taela cut in, repeating her introduction, before the two could begin arguing. The redhead glared at Aralanni then turned to her. “I am Karalene Adaren o’ the Fourth arm o’ the Kantherian army.” Her hazel eyes swept Paki. “So the rumors are true. The dragons have returned.”

“They have,” Taela said. “In more ways than one.”

Aralanni frowned and handed the parchment to Karalene. “It says we are both to move our commands to the Galdar River near Markene.”

Karalene read the document and looked up with a furrow between her brows. “Markene? I fear I’ve not o’ heard much beyond basic messages out here. What tis happening in the world tha’ sends us to Markene?”

“Would you prefer to impart all of this information to your commands yourselves, or would you rather gather them around so all can hear at once?” Taela asked. “You have a new enemy, one that is more dangerous than any faced before.”

Aralanni studied her then said, “I have no objections to my command hearing it from you.”

“I too have no objections,” Karalene said.

It took time to gather them altogether. When the meadow was packed with soldiers, Taela looked at them. “Because each rider is limited to the one magic they use, I can’t project my voice for all to hear. That would take a Blue Rider or mage. Instead, Paki will tell you. It will be uncomfortable for you, but she will be as gentle as possible.”

Paki’s thoughts filled the field.
“The people standing next to you are not your enemies. A much greater and far more dangerous enemy lays to the east. You see me before you, and I am not a black dragon, however, black dragons have also returned. They are everything your tales have taught you to believe and worse.”

The dragon let images of the battle at Trilene flow over the gathered soldiers. Taela watched the hardened faces tighten at the visual of more carnage than they had seen in any of their wars. As the last image faded, she broadcast her thoughts again.
“This is the enemy you face. This is the reason you move to Markene. Dragons can move long distances in a very short time. The Shadow Dragons, Fates be thanked, have limitations in how far they can Jump. Their ability seems to end at the Galdar River. From there, they must take their armies over land. Your nations are safe as long as the river is held.”