May I ask why you’re traveling with the human and elf? Anders heard the dragon question. While he could sense that Zahara was searching for an explanation, Raffagaun was quick to answer for them.
Leaning forward and crouching as if to pounce, the red dragon growled, What we’re doing is none of your concern, Kodoulen.
Kodoulen flared a fanlike set of leather spikes out around his face and hissed. Raffagaun. I should’ve known it was you. If you defend these intruders, I’ll be forced to report you.
Raffa unleashed a deafening roar and sprang forward snapping at the dragon. Kodoulen leapt back, dodging the red dragon’s snapping jaws.
So be it, the dragon snapped, lunging at Raffa before Anders or Zahara could react.
Raffagaun reared back and slashed out at Kodoulen’s advance. With two pounding strikes from his front paws, Raffa swatted his attacker, driving his head into the ground. Anders could see the shimmer of blood from the other dragon’s snout in the dim light.
Stepping forward with Lazuran in hand, Anders prepared to join the fighting, but Maija grabbed him while Zahara said, Don’t be foolish. We need our strength. Raffa can handle him.
Watching the two large dragons square off again, Anders listened to her advice and allowed Maija to pull him back.
Raffa burst forward in a thundering charge. Snapping down, he caught the dragon’s neck in his jaws as he plowed into him. Thrashing to escape Raffa’s tight grip, they tumbled into the river with a monstrous splash. Raffagaun never let loose his grip as they crashed into the water. Regaining his footing, Raffa pulled himself out from the water, dragging the other dragon in his mouth. Letting go, Raffa positioned himself between Kodoulen and his companions. Breathing heavily from the sudden burst of energy, Raffa said to the other dragon, Leave now and I’ll spare you your life.
Kodoulen rose, rattling his scales as he shook off the water. Snarling, he pulled back, rearing slightly and Anders could see his chest beginning to glow in the darkness.
“Cover!” Anders shouted to Maija as he recognized that deadly source of fire.
As the dragon released his fire, Raffagaun met the dragon’s jet of fire with his own. The dragon flames exploded as they collided halfway between the two. The fireball ballooned out to either side as the streams of fire met. After the initial explosion, Anders saw Kodoulen’s flames driven back and soon Raffa’s flow bathed him in a plume of fire.
Screeching in pain, the dragon bolted upward, taking flight. Anders could see his leathery wings smoldering as he flew away. You’ll pay for this Raffagaun, the fleeing dragon called back.
Returning to them, Raffa said, We’re going to need to move much more quickly than before. He’ll be back with more dragons.
In that moment, Anders realized this was the first time he’d heard the scarlet dragon’s voice. Its depth was much richer than anything he would’ve imagined, and he was impressed with how the dragon handled himself in the fight.
Zahara can’t fly, Anders noted.
She can without your weight, Raffa responded. The girl can run almost as fast as we fly, especially over this flat ground. I’m not the fastest because of my size, but I will fly faster by only carrying one of you.
Are you suggesting leaving me behind? Anders asked.
No, human, you will fly with me, Raffa said shortly.
Anders shook himself, the idea of being left for the dragons quickly vanishing from his mind. He looked to Maija and asked, “Can you keep up if I go with him.”
“Yes, I can probably run faster than Zahara can fly right now with her injuries. Just go and we’ll look for a place to hide,” she said.
Anders nodded, sheathing Lazuran and running to Raffa’s side. The red dragon bent and Anders used his spiny protrusions to climb onto his back the way he’d seen Maija climb up earlier. Anders paused, trying to remember where Maija had been sitting to avoid more spikes. In the shadowy darkness, Anders saw the spines retract into scales, creating a comfortable seating area. Filling the gap with his rear, Anders gripped the bony protrusions as Maija had and held on as Raffagaun jolted into flight. The massive dragon overwhelmed Anders; he felt minuscule compared to the creature. How had Maija come to befriend this magnificent creature? Admiring the red dragon, Anders felt Zahara’s shared interest in the dragon and looked to see her flying at his side.
Are you feeling okay to continue? Anders asked her.
For a short while. We’re going to need to find a place to hide soon, though. I won’t be able to stay in the air for long. My wings still don’t feel fully healed.
Anders searched the darkened landscape for anything they could use to their advantage. He saw Maija moving with elven speed under them and wondered how long she could keep up the pace. As he searched for a place to hide, Anders saw only flattened valley bottom and realized they were more than likely going to have to face the dragons when they came searching. He swallowed hard knowing he wasn’t rested enough to use magic effectively. He’d never attempted to fight a dragon with just his sword. Focusing on the task of finding a hiding place, Anders scanned the evening shade of Nagano’s landscape.
Chapter 52
Keep the Necklace On
“Ah!” Kirsten yelped as she caught a glimpse of the markings on her arm for the first time. Turning her left hand palm up, she used her right hand to slowly peel back her sleeve, following her dark red veins as they tracked the length of her arm up through her shoulder. “What is that?” she gasped, lifting the collar of her shirt and peering down at the venom as it tapered near her heart.
“Don’t take the necklace off!” Thomas exclaimed, raising a hand to block her if she tried. “Kirsten, please, whatever you do, do not take that necklace off!”
“What happened?” she asked holding her arm up, twisting her inflamed arm toward them and searching their faces for an explanation.
“Don’t you remember?” Britt asked, narrowing her eyes. Kirsten’s gaze fell on her and Britt added, “You don’t remember the goblins?”
Kirsten’s eyes widened. Instantly, she reached for her left shoulder where the goblin had bitten her. Her shirt was torn where they’d ripped her sleeve to expose the injury. Kirsten pushed her shoulder forward, trying to get a better look at the bite. All that remained from the once gruesome sight were goblin teeth marks etched in a serrated oval outline on her shoulder. The patch of skin taken by the goblin had been healed with Solomon’s potion, filling in with pale new flesh. Feeling at the scar while also looking around Solomon’s living room, she asked, “How long have I been out?”
“Almost two full days?” Bo said, taking the open seat between Thomas and Kirsten.
“But this scar, it’s healed; and why are my veins like this?” she asked, holding her arm out where she could again see the streaking.
Thomas leaned forward to look past Bo and said, “The goblin poisoned you and it spread through your arm in seconds. We thought you were going to die, but suddenly that crystal of mother’s started glowing and you, you started breathing again. The poison appeared to recede from your heart and we got you here.”
“The crystal,” Kirsten said, remembering the one she’d taken from the governor. “What happened to the other crystal that I took from Rankstine?”
Thomas gasped, slapping his hand against the couch, “What the hell, Kirsten, you almost died! All you can think about is the crystal you stole? Have some respect for the people who’ve been worried that you weren’t coming back.”
Kirsten cringed slightly, “I’m sorry, Thomas. I’m so grateful to you for taking care of me. It must’ve been terrifying seeing me like that.” She looked down at her necklace and clutched it against her chest, “Family is everything to me.”
Thomas swiped at the tears that had started to roll down his cheeks. Pushing Bo back, he threw himself around his sister again, hugging her tightly, “Don’t you ever take that necklace off. I can’t imagine doing this without you.”
As Kirsten returned Thomas’ embrace, she looked over his shoulder at the others surrounding them. Britt held up the crystal from Rankstine, wagging it to show her that they still had the magical stone. Kirsten grinned and saw Bo scooting out from under Thomas’ lower half on the couch. Max and Britt smiled, drawing Kirsten’s attention back to them. The bags under their eyes and their grimy faces told her they’d gone to great lengths to save her life. She knew she was lucky to have such loyal friends.
