The Dragon Hunter and the Mage (42 page)

“Hey, look who’s here,” Trissa said. “How does he always find us?”

Aric turned and saw Geric climb down from the wreckage of a fruit stall. The desert lynx did not stay for long, however, and quickly disappeared, sneaking down some dark alley.

“Don’t let him fool you,” Aric said. “He just likes to pretend that he’s helpful. Now come on. Follow me.”

With their backs curved, the group sprinted towards the square and squatted behind a pile of darkened bricks that had once been a wall.

“Clea!” Aric screamed. “Open fire.”

He saw the curved shape of three bows appear over the ridgeline of the roofs to his south. The arrows released almost simultaneously, but only one of them hit its target. However, it was more than enough to infuriate the Dragon. The Glowstone pierced the beast’s neck and it reeled in pain, releasing a shriek so powerful it made the stones the Company was hiding behind tremble.

What Aric did not expect, however, was what he saw next. The Dragon circled around, slashing through the air. Then, it spat a jet of fire aimed precisely at the archers hiding place.

Aric’s heart sank and a scream froze in his throat. Then, to his huge relief, three bows appeared slightly to the southeast and released another volley.

Oh, thank the Goddess…

They had been smart enough to move after firing, but Aric chided himself for not having thought of it before and telling them to.

This was insane
, he thought. They were clearly in way over their heads.

Hunter,
a voice rang inside Aric’s head. A mix between a hiss and an echo repeated tenfold.

“Wha…” Aric mumbled, baffled.

You do not need to speak.
Although distorted and metallic, it was clearly Eliran’s voice.
I can hear your thoughts.

You… You can read my mind?

I can
. The voice seemed to vibrate inside his skull.
But I won’t dig inside. I’m just listening, don’t worry. You are doing a wonderful job. Sohtyr wasn’t expecting that. We almost got him from the surprise alone, but it wasn’t enough. I’ll need you to hit the Dragon even harder if I’m going to take that mind tether down.

Fire take this!
Aric thought.
What am I supposed to do!?
The question was for himself, however. Had she heard that as well?
It’s very uncomfortable to know you’re listening in, you know?

I’m sure you have worse things to worry about right now. Keep the pressure on and I’ll take Sohtyr’s spell down in no time. Give that Dragon heck, Hunter.

And with that, she was gone. Aric had no idea how he knew she had left. He just… did.

Another barrage of arrows rained down on the Dragon. This time, all of them hit their target. The archers were clearly learning the gist of the Dragon’s swift movements, but all it did was make the beast angrier. This time, instead of gushing fire at the source of the arrows, the Dragon spread it over a wider area, setting an entire neighborhood on fire.

Aric cursed. Clea and the others wouldn’t be able to take this much longer.

“Why won’t that thing land!?” Aric hissed.

The plan was clearly not working.

“I have an idea,” Aric said. “Ergon, give me your spear.”

Sheathing his own sword, Aric grabbed the weapon. Its pole was taller than Nahir, and its blade was as long as a broadsword’s.

“All of you stay here. I’m going to try to get it to present its hind legs to you. The moment he lands, give him Ava’s wrath.”

Without waiting for a reply, Aric jumped up, but Leth held him down.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing!?” Leth demanded.

“What do you think? I’m getting that thing down on the ground,” Aric replied.

“Are you mad!?” Leth asked.

Aric looked at the spear. The Glowstone glistened from the fires surrounding them.

“Remember the Frostbound tunnels?” he asked. “When we found those things attacking Ashur, Orisius, and the others? You and Clea told me to stand back because I didn’t know how to fight and you two did.”

“Yeah, so what?” Leth said.

“Well,” Aric smiled. “I’ve since learned how to fight.” He winked and darted away.

Aric crossed the cobble stone towards the center of the square, limbs of maimed statues littering the way. Once there, he climbed the pile of rubble that once had been a glorious monument to the Empire’s might and waved his spear, drawing defiant circles above his head.

“Hey!” he screamed from the top of his lungs. “Down here, you fat lizard!”

It took no time for the Dragon’s keen senses to notice the tiny human so willingly presenting itself for the kill.

This better work…

As the Dragon dove, roaring towards him, Aric turned around and fled. He ran faster than he had ever run. Faster than in the Frostbound. Faster than in their training runs across the desert. Faster than he had run inside the Gauntlet to get that red flag out.

The once neatly paved roads conspired to trip him with hundreds of scattered stones, forcing Aric to watch where he stepped very carefully while sending quick glances over his shoulder at the incoming Dragon.

Aric saw the beast’s mandibles spread open and jumped sideways, rolling on the ground just in time to avoid a jet of fire. Feeling a couple of sharp rocks carve into his skin, Aric picked himself up quickly, resuming his flight. He checked over his shoulder again, measuring the distance to the Dragon. It was getting terrifyingly closer, but it was also a mere few feet from the ground now.

“Got you, you big, ugly thing,” Aric muttered to himself. Then, he took a sharp turn and snuck into a narrow street to his right.

Seeing Aric disappear around a corner, the Dragon angled his wings forward, braking so it didn’t fly past its prey. The creature lost speed instantaneously, and the whole ground shook as it lost altitude and landed.

Aric turned around, waiting for the Dragon to burst around the corner. He didn’t have to wait long.

A colossal black head, riddled with horns of every shape and size, exploded between the buildings, roaring under a rain of stone bricks. The nauseating smell of sulfur stung Aric’s nostrils, and once again he jumped sideways, this time through a window and into the bowels of some building.

Flattened against the floor, he felt the heat of flames as they flooded through the windows.

Then, as abruptly as they had come in, the flames stopped, replaced by a growl that made Aric’s belly turn to water. Expecting the entire creature to burst through the wall, Aric scrambled across the floor as far into the building as possible. The Dragon, however, did not come. Instead, wild screaming and yelling echoed from outside.

No, not screaming, nor yelling. Those were battle cries.

Right on time,
Aric thought.

He strode towards a window, hurrying back outside, but stopped at the threshold.

Where’s the spear?

Aric cursed as his head spun around, searching every corner of the room. The Dragon fire had destroyed the furniture inside, and charred pieces of wood smoldered everywhere.

“There you are,” he let out, hurrying to pick up the lance.

When he did, however, he found that the pole was broken in half. Dragon Hunter’s lances were built to be particularly long so as to give the Hunter some distance from the Dragon’s deadly paws. Now, all that was left was an arm’s length worth of spear, making it barely safer than a knife. …

Well, it’ll have to do.

Aric jumped out the window and found the Dragon whipping his tail back and forth at the Hunters behind. The narrow street kept it from circling around to face them. It had also become a much easier target. Arrows kept raining down on it, sending it into a blinding fit of rage.

In fact, the creature was so distracted, its neck curved backwards, that it did not notice Aric as he emerged from the building.

Taking a deep breath, Aric felt the weight of the spear in his hands and snuck closer to the Dragon. With its long neck stretching backwards, looking for the attackers harassing his hind legs and tail, the beast had left its chest wide open. It was perfect!

Too bad the spear was now too short to reach that high…

Well, why approach a Dragon if you can strike it from afar?

Aric raised his arm and pulled the spear back, then hurled the half spear in the air, his entire body lending strength to the throw. The weapon flew away. It climbed and climbed until it carved itself right into the base of the Dragon’s neck.

The whole world shook. Howling and roaring at the same time, the Dragon staggered, colliding into nearby buildings, its head swirling around madly.

Walls crumbled all around, and a chimney crashed down right next to Aric. Bricks rained from every side, ricocheting to the ground. He felt a powerful blow between his shoulder blades, stumbled, lost his balance, and fell face first against the ground.

Somewhere in the distance, a deafening roar shook his body. He tasted iron, and a rattle filled his brain as darkness swallowed him whole.

Aric’s ears were ringing.

Hunter!

“Aric!”

His nose and his mouth felt wet. He tried to move, but it was as if his entire body was made of led.

Hunter!

“Aric!”

A burst of light flooded his eyes and the world came into focus. The first thing he saw was Geric, lavishly slapping his tongue across his face.

“Are you alright?” Lyra asked. She was kneeling beside him.

The rest of the Company was huddled around him, anxiously waiting for a reply.

“Yeah…” Aric said, his voice as hoarse as if he hadn’t spoken in days.

Pushing Geric’s tongue aside, he sat up, cringing as every bone and muscle in his body complained.

“You are positively insane,” Leth told him. “Did you know that?”

“I think you were brilliant,” Clea said cheerfully.

Hunter,
a voice rang in his head.
Are you alright? Can you hear me?

Yeah. Yeah… I’m okay.
Aric replied.

“It’s a miracle you’re alive, you know?” Lyra said. She sounded almost angry.

“I’m fine,” Aric replied. “Just help me up, okay?”

Leth and Ergon slid their arms under Aric’s and hoisted him up.

It seems your plan worked,
Aric thought. It still felt very weird to talk with his mind.

I know. I’m in pursuit of Sohtyr as we speak.

Who is he?
Aric asked.
Why did he attack the city? I think I deserve to know.

You’re right,
Eliran said.
You do deserve to know. But not right now. I can’t afford to lose him.

Do you need help? He’s obviously dangerous.

Is that worry, Hunter?

Aric felt an amused drumming in his skull that mildly resembled a chuckle.

Don’t worry,
Eliran said.
We evil Witches can handle ourselves.

So when will I see you again?
Aric asked, but it was too late. She was already gone.

“Dragon Hunters, I assume.”

Aric turned around towards the voice. A tiny man wearing a colorful jacket and the largest golden pendant Aric had ever seen navigated between the wreckage as if he was trying to avoid getting dust on his pointy shoes.

“We are,” Aric replied. “Who wants to know?”

The man stopped and gave a flamboyant bow. “I am Kortush, Nish’s Master of Keys. His Lordship Narim Parvad, Imperial Governor of the city, demands your presence immediately.”

“Really?” Aric asked. He turned to his Hunters, looking impressed. “I guess we get to be rewarded. Nice.”

The Company smiled, exchanging proud looks.

“I hardly think so!” Kortush said indignantly. “A Dragon in the skies of Nish? The whole Guild should drown in shame. His Lordship will see you immediately, and you better have a very good explanation for this.”