Dragonhold (Book 2) (12 page)

Distinguishable by their flaky, white bark; roughly triangular leaves; and shorter stature, the trees grew best where high winds were not prevalent. This hidden valley provided an ideal environment for them to flourish. Sucking in air and trying to speak, Kenward remained mute. As if proving he knew Kenward's mind, Valterius circled lower and landed by a rock outcropping that dominated the clearing.

Dismounting first, Sinjin said nothing about his dragon's choice of landing place. Kenward tried not to appear rushed in his escape from the saddle, but Valterius watched him intently. This was unnecessary since the dragon apparently knew his thoughts.

After stretching until his bones popped and shifted, Sinjin regarded his friend. "Sorry for the rough ride. Valterius gets a little carried away sometimes."

Kenward just grunted. Trapped in this remote place, he didn't want the dragon to hear his words. "Does he read your thoughts?"

"It seems that way sometimes, but no," Sinjin said.

"Are you
sure?
"

The question unnerved Sinjin. "Well, I mean, we communicate without words if that's what you're asking. But even that is mostly body language and physical contact . . . I think." Sinjin was no longer certain of his words.

"Why did we land here?"

Sinjin nodded as if understanding. "He landed here on his own. Sometimes he just needs a break. Why do you ask?"

"Because there's a grove of lightwood trees over those hills."

This took Sinjin back a step. "And you saw them . . ."

"Right before we landed."

Sinjin turned to Valterius, who gazed back at the two of them with an unflinching stare. With a shrug, he turned back toward where Kenward indicated. "Let's go have a look."

In no way clear, the walk was, in many places, more of a climb. "He could've set us down a little closer," Kenward said.

"I'm telling you. He may have excellent instincts, but I seriously doubt he can read your thoughts."

"Laugh all you want," Kenward said. "Mael has been playing with all of our heads for decades. Think about it! How many of the events that shaped your life were driven by an ancient dragon trying to get free of his prison?" He really hadn't meant to say the words, but they poured out nonetheless. "I'm sorry," he said before Sinjin could respond.

"Don't be. You're correct. I cannot change what Mael has done. But do not attribute his deeds to all dragons. They're like us, you know. There are good dragons and greedy dragons and malicious dragons. I'll admit there's an entire breed with debts to settle, but that doesn't change the good Kyrien and the Drakon have done."

"Sorry," Kenward said again, not knowing what else to say.

Ahead, flashes of white could be seen, and soon the lightwood trees became visible. Kenward counted as they walked, knowing there needed to be at least twice the number of trees he required for his ship. Only a fool would cut down all the trees to build a ship. All too soon, though, elm, oak, and pine intruded, blotting out the sun the shorter lightwood trees craved. Not seeing enough to satisfy his conscience, Kenward did the next best thing. "Help me gather the seed pods," he said.

"What for?" Sinjin asked.

"We'll need to cut down more than half of these trees to get the very minimum lightwood I'll need. I may be a man of the sea, but what kind of steward would I be if I did not replace what I take? We can pot these and water them to help them along. Then when we cut the trees, we'll do so strategically and plant new trees in place of those we take."

Sinjin nodded. "It's a good plan. I'm just trying to figure out how we get all these trees out of this valley."

"We don't," Kenward said with an evil grin. "We just need to bring the other components here."

"Oh, sure. No problem. You do remember the ride in, don't you?"

This point Kenward could not argue. It was a maddening situation. He had found all the components he needed yet couldn't quite bring the pieces together. It made him want to scream.

"I am sorry, though," Sinjin said, perhaps sensing his mood. "I would've liked it if this were easier. Unfortunately the trip out of the valley is not much better than the way in. We're sort of trapped in a little bowl, surrounded on all sides by steep peaks."

Those were the exact conditions that made it perfect for lightwood to grow. Kenward sighed. Nothing was ever easy. "Well, at least we know there's lightwood growing on the island. Perhaps we can search for some that are more accessible."

"A reasonable plan but not today."

"We still have some daylight left," Kenward argued.

"We do, indeed. Building your inventions is not my only priority."

Nodding, Kenward reminded himself just how much he asked of the Drakon and the Dragon Clan. He consumed almost all of their time, which caused their resources to dwindle. Sinjin had goals of his own, and caring for his people trumped Kenward's dreams. If not for the fact that his new ships would greatly benefit the people of the Firstland and the rest of the world, he might have felt bad about it.

"I need to make a stop on the way back to Windhold," Sinjin continued. "Getting there might be a bit of a bumpy ride. We could probably come back for you if you would rather abstain."

"Might?" Kenward asked, already knowing Sinjin and his dragon would not leave his sight until he was back within Windhold. Sinjin he trusted. He tried not to think the next thought and hoped Valterius was too far away to know. It had the potential to be a terrifying ride, and Kenward's guts churned.

Valterius watched them approach with impatience in his unflinching gaze. It made Kenward feel like prey, another thought he hoped was his alone. Sinjin mounted with practiced ease and offered his hand. To his credit, Kenward found his seat easily this time, and Valterius barely complained. He did give a huff while the two strapped themselves in. Sinjin was still double-checking straps when Valterius launched, his powerful wing strokes sending dust into the wind. Kenward pulled his goggles back on, now thankful for them.

After going almost straight up until they cleared the trees, Valterius turned on his wingtip and soared along the steep walls. The valley's end approached faster than Kenward would have thought, and he held on to Sinjin with all his might, trying unsuccessfully to determine what the dragon would do next.

Sending them straight up into the air but without enough speed to escape the valley, Valterius flipped over backward and spun. Now pointed back at the treetops, they raced on trimmed wings, gaining even more speed. Twice more Valterius picked up momentum before escaping the bowl-shaped valley. It was clear these trees were beyond their reasonable reach.

Chapter 12

Never stand in the shadow of dragons.

--Benjin Hawk, father

* * *

With Larissa watching over them, the Black Spike was not nearly as frightening. Durin sat, cross-legged, with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Strom and Osbourne both paced the area to which they were restricted. Larissa had not forbidden them from going anywhere else, but she had asked them not to go near the tree or the glistening pool. Whatever they needed, she brought them, and no one had any desire to venture back into the darkness, even with the amber figurines.

"You'll not have to wait here much longer," Larissa had said, but she quietly declined to elaborate.

Escape from this place was perhaps more than they could wish for. Even if they could get past the stone defenses that had closed behind them during their descent, they would have no way to tell the dragons they were ready to leave. Durin and Valterius were going to have a long talk if he managed to survive this and track down the ornery dragon.

When Larissa returned, she brought cool water; large, thick nuts Durin didn't recognize; and a bit of honey in which to dip them. It was delicious and restored his spirit. He tried not to think about his wounds. The saltbark leaf had undoubtedly saved his life, and many of his injuries were no longer visible, but he felt fragile and weak, as if he might crumple from any sudden movement.

Strom and Osbourne had explored the immediate area and reported a sizable stone landing jutting into cold seawater. From that direction came a muted roar. Rising slowly to his feet, he and the others were on full alert, though Larissa continued to wear a placid smile. It made Durin feel a little better. He was in no condition for a fight.

Walking toward the growing noise, Strom held the amber figurine high. Osbourne grabbed the other and followed. Despite Larissa's reassurance, Durin trembled and nearly passed out when a dragon's fierce visage appeared in the water, air bubbles dancing around it as it rushed toward the surface. All three took a step backward.

Kyrien emerged in his full glory to dominate the hall. On his back rested Catrin's original leather saddle.

"He's going to take us out of here," Strom said after a long stare from Kyrien. The smith appeared torn.

"We should let him take Durin first," Osbourne said. "Getting him back to the sunlight would be best."

The last of the regent dragons gazed at them, his eyes focusing on Strom.

"All three of us go at once," Strom said.

"But--" Osbourne started. A look from Kyrien silenced him.

"Climb up, Osbourne," Strom said. "I'll show you how he wants us to strap ourselves in. It's not perfect, but it should work."

Durin didn't like the sound of the word
should,
but he liked the thought of staying here forever even less, no matter how pleasant Larissa's company.

"Before you go," she said, "I've a gift for each of you."

The dryad presented each of them with a glistening saltbark leaf--a precious gift indeed. Strom and Osbourne pressed theirs in parchment Larissa provided. For Durin and Kyrien, however, the dryad placed the leaf on their tongues. There was magic in that placement Durin didn't understand but was somehow undeniable. Her actions also proved her bravery. Not many would have had the courage to place something on a dragon's tongue.

Kyrien, though, bowed his head in respect of Larissa and moved his forehead closer to her. She laid her hands on him, and his eyes closed. For some time they stood in silent communion, and Durin wondered what transpired between them. Strom and Osbourne stashed the amber figurines in their jackets to protect them.

Reaching down, Strom pulled Durin up and showed him where to put his legs. It didn't look as if it would work, but it was more comfortable than he had feared. Soon Strom had all three of them strapped in. They turned almost as one to say a final farewell to Larissa, who waved with tears in her eyes. She hadn't known them long, but Durin suspected she would be all alone again after they departed. He also knew the tears were more likely for the loss of Kyrien's company. Still, Durin almost felt bad for leaving--not that he had any choice.

He was still trying to figure out just how they would get out of the Black Spike without drowning when Kyrien leaped into the water. Durin's scream cut short as he was almost instantly submerged. Somehow the dragon moved fast enough and with enough force that a cavitation formed in the water behind his massive head. In his own terror, Strom raised a fist holding the spider stone, blue plasma crawling over his outstretched arm.

Lightning and sheets of plasma pressed outward on the water and added to the effect. Moving in a bubble of compressed air, Durin's ears popped just before Kyrien burst into the open sky. The sudden change in pressure made him queasy, but gulping fresh air outweighed all else in that moment.

* * *

His stomach churning, Kenward hoped Valterius wouldn't need to do any more aerial acrobatics. Things didn't go his way. Wind gusts made flying erratic, and Kenward didn't care for being pushed around in the air. Aboard the
Serpent
, he'd always compensated for wind, but he never intentionally flew so close to rocks and trees and all sorts of things waiting to impale them.

Sinjin was confident and flew without worry; it disgusted Kenward. How could anyone be so calm when hurtling toward peaks of black rock? Valterius twisted and turned, just barely clearing the peaks before crystals came into view. What Kenward saw was distressing. The place resembled the Grove of the Elders. Green crystals as big around as greatoaks but only a little taller than the average man ringed a black stone carving that must have once been beautiful. Now though, the place looked as if Vestra had struck it with a hammer.

Deep fissures divided the ancient carving into hundreds of smaller pieces. Smoking chasms glowed orange, the air shimmering above them. Of the gem plinths themselves, all appeared damaged save one. The others existed in various states of disarray. One had almost completely disintegrated into fist-sized chunks. Others remained largely whole, save for visible cracks bifurcating them.

Valterius hovered above the broken stone, the heated updraft suspending him. The air was cooler than Kenward would have expected, and he wondered if the heat were the only source of the wind. It felt as if he could step off the dragon and hang in the air, not that he would dare such a thing. Kenward Trell was loosely wrapped, but he wasn't that crazy.

"Put us down outside of the ring, please," Sinjin said.

It took a moment for Valterius to obey. Kenward got the sense the dragon was basking in the energy there. Like the other keystones, there was an immediate sense of power when one entered their sphere of influence. In spite of the damage done to the crystals and stone, the energy persisted, and somehow that gave Kenward comfort.

"I thought you wanted a whole team to come up here," Kenward said, unsure if he wanted to explore this place. Going into holes in the world was not something the sailor ever wanted to do again. Dragonhold had been enough for a lifetime, but caves were what Sinjin wanted to explore. Kenward knew he was in trouble when he saw the damage done to the ancient barriers blocking the entrances.

"It's a dangerous place to get to," Sinjin said, and Kenward knew the truth of his words all too well. "And I wanted to take a look for myself."

"Thanks for bringing me along."

"This shouldn't take much time," Sinjin said, and he pulled a herald globe from his jacket.

"You knew we were coming here and didn't mention it on purpose."

Sinjin just grinned. "Come on. It won't be so bad."

Kenward mimicked him in a most unflattering way. In truth, he owed Sinjin for what the Drakon and Dragon Clan were doing for him, but he couldn't help his sarcasm. It came naturally and unbidden.

Free of his burdens, Valterius immediately returned to the air above the broken stone and hovered, his eyes mostly lidded.

"At least he's having a good time," Kenward said.

Exploring was far less fun than it sounded. Mostly, in this case, it involved moving large pieces of rock while hoping the rest didn't suddenly fall on them. Help was a long ways off, and Kenward didn't want to find out how Valterius was at moving rocks unless he could watch from a great distance.

Due to the shift in the landscape, it wasn't all that long before Sinjin slipped into the darkness, the herald globe's light showing the way. For several long moments, Kenward tried to decide whether to follow or guard the entrance. Valterius was the only other living creature there, but the sense of ancient power and the creepiness of the broken crystals and the giant carved black stone made him not want to be left alone. Looking into the cave, he saw the ring of light moving away.

After a deep breath and a fair amount of cursing, Kenward slipped into the semidarkness. "Wait for me."

"I thought you might guard the dragon," Sinjin said with a malicious grin.

"You're just a little bit evil. Do you know that?"

"I wonder where I get it," Sinjin said, and Kenward couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like this cave goes back for quite a distance and there's plenty of room in here for more than one dragon."

"You're really thinking about moving in here?"

"We need a much more defensible position with better protection from weather and other natural threats," Sinjin said.

"And I thought being landbound was bad enough. Now you have to live in a hole in the ground. What has this world come to?"

"We'll get you back in the air soon enough, I hope," Sinjin said. "And I'm not saying the place couldn't use a little . . . freshening up."

The detritus of ages littered the cave floor, but the walls and ceiling were rounded and smooth. As they moved deeper, the entranceway opened into a much larger chamber honeycombed with what could be sleeping nooks for dragons larger than regals.

"I knew it!" Sinjin said. "I knew this had to be where the ancient dragon riders lived."

"I see evidence of dragons," Kenward said. "I see nothing to indicate riders . . ."

The silence was all that told of Sinjin's thoughts. Looking as if he would move deeper into the cave, he held the herald globe high. There were carvings in the stone above, but the lines were wide and deep, as if dragon claws had made them. Kenward had never wondered if animals and other creatures might be artistic, and the thought bothered him more than he would have expected. If dragons created art, then what separated them save their physical forms? The question rang in Kenward's consciousness, and as with all things, the more he tried not to think about it, the more it persisted.

The cavern's acoustics made even small sounds echo loudly. Kenward tried to imagine what it would be like with dragons and people living in there but failed. A chill ran down his body when a distant roar cascaded through the hall. Neither had to say a word. Both moved back toward the entrance and Valterius.

Knowing more than a few tales of Valterius's behavior, Kenward prayed the dragon was still there and wouldn't leave them stranded. Sinjin moved with renewed urgency. Kenward did his best to keep up; failure meant being left in the dark, and he wanted nothing to do with that. The place gave him the crawls.

Smaller rocks tumbled down as Sinjin climbed, and he waited impatiently for the way to be clear. Then, feeling the specter of darkness at his back, he scrambled up with exaggerated urgency.

"Are you hurt?" Sinjin asked. "Your hand is bleeding."

"I'll be fine." Kenward sucked his thumb. To his relief, Valterius waited for them, still hovering in an apparent state of bliss.

"We need to go," Sinjin said. Valterius ignored him. "Didn't you hear that? We need to
go!
"

As if to remind Sinjin of his place, the dragon took a few moments more before opening his hooded eyes and winging over to where they stood. Knees trembling, Kenward waited for Sinjin to mount. He dreaded the ride back but certainly didn't want to be left behind. When the dragon turned his level gaze on them, he tried to think of anything else.
Never anger the dragon you are about to ride
became one of Kenward's life rules.

The journey out of the valley was shockingly easy. Valterius turned a tight circle over the shattered keystone. The hot air and whatever other forces were in effect pushed them higher and higher until Valterius simply turned on a wingtip and soared back toward Windhold. Shouts and cries cut across the distance, and even Valterius showed some sense of urgency.

Triple-checking his straps, Kenward quailed, hearing another deep roar. Most times, Valterius and the other dragons approached Windhold at a moderate speed. This was not one of those times. Knuckles and knees clenched, Kenward screamed as Valterius plummeted toward Windhold's main flight deck. "You're going to get us killed!" He could almost see Sinjin's grin. The tables had turned.

One instant they raced toward the hold; the next, they were screaming through it with Kyrien roaring at them. Speeding past the last of the regent dragons was among the most terrifying things Kenward had ever experienced, with the noted exception of their high-speed landing. It left him with the taste of blood in his mouth, and he teetered in his seat.