“I thought the magic protecting the city didn’t allow anyone to enter if they meant harm?” Maija asked.
Just then Raffa landed at Maija’s side. Preparing to ride, Anders answered, “I’m not exactly sure how the magic of Cedarbridge works, but something about all of this just doesn’t feel right. Stay alert when we approach.”
Unsure what to expect from the dragons flying north, they climbed into their saddles and launched into flight. Rising from the charred patch of ground on the edge of the Bareback Plains, Anders saw the destruction from their battle in the light of day. The mix of autumn beauty rippling across the landscape marred by the blackened patch of grass near the forest’s edge stood as a bleak reminder of the horror that had ensued. Leveling out at elevation with the swath of dragons, Anders caught sight of the thunderhead still settled over the elves’ capital city.
Zahara, I thought the storm over Cedarbridge had dissipated when we captured Merglan and Killdoor? he asked.
It had, she confirmed, and he could feel her attention focusing on the distant bulge of dark gray billowing beyond the mountains.
Anders’ thoughts drifted to the possibility that Merglan might have used them to gain entry into the protected city. He didn’t need to share words with Zahara, he could sense in her that they shared a fear of the same deception.
Closing in on the last of the group of dragons, Anders connected to Maija’s thoughts again, Help me search for a dragon we may know among the group. They might be more inclined to tell us what’s happening.
Will do, she confirmed.
Hey, you’re getting better at that, he complimented her ability to speak with her mind.
Thanks, but I am a quick learner, you know, she replied.
Anders touched on the magic flowing through him and Zahara. Using its charge, he sent out his mind like a probe to see if he could make contact with one of the dragons. The group’s thoughts were like a room full of people shouting, making it difficult to discern what one individual was thinking. Anders contacted one and like a hush over a crowd, all of their defenses went up, walling him off.
I should’ve known they might be spooked by an outsider, he thought to himself.
Indeed, Tarron said, his smooth voice sounding as if he wanted to say I told you so, but he never did.
You might’ve warned me, Anders said, irritated at the soul’s lack of communication.
If I had, you still would’ve tried it. Nobody flies up on a mass of dragons this large without trying to say hello first, he replied smugly.
How about from now on, you only talk when you have something useful to say, Anders said.
Uh, that’s quite rude, Tarron said.
As I said, something useful, Anders repeated.
Fine, be a jerk. It’s just my luck to have been stuffed away in silence for centuries, being so close to many who would’ve given their right arm to even know I was there, but when I finally make contact, it’s with some young inexperienced buck who can’t begin to appreciate what I have to offer.
Just stay out of my head for a while, okay? I can’t think when you’re commenting, Anders demanded. He didn’t hear Tarron respond and from the way Zahara shifted uncomfortably when she flew, he suspected Tarron had turned his attention on her.
I can’t sense their thoughts, Maija said after several moments of silence. I think I’m doing it wrong.
You’re not doing it wrong, Anders said. I tried to make contact, but I should’ve known they would shut us out at the first sign of an outsider.
How are we going to talk to them? Maija asked.
I guess we’re going to have to get close enough to speak over the wind to one of them.
Is that a good idea? she asked.
We have no other choice unless we find one we already know. I don’t see Zahara’s parents or the dragons she was working with during her training at the grounds.
I don’t see one either. I had no idea this many dragons were living in the elven kingdom.
If that’s where they came from, Anders added. I’m going to try to get a little closer. Maybe I can separate one from the pack.
Be careful, Anders, Maija warned.
I will, he assured her.
Anders and Zahara advanced toward the dragons, now just two mountain peaks ahead of them. As they neared, Anders noticed two dragons drop down from the pack. The black and the tan scaled dragons turned, flying directly beneath them. Trying to open a communication link, Anders attempted to speak with the two dragons through his mind. His heart jumped when they swerved upward, flying aggressively toward Zahara’s underside. Evasively she rolled sideways. Anders gripped the saddle horn, trying to avoid being thrown by the sudden movement. The magic in his saddle helped him stay seated when flying, but as he’d come to learn, a quick enough jerk could cause the bond to break.
The black dragon sped past them, jaws snapping as he missed his mark. As the tan dragon followed close behind, Anders instinctively produced a barrier between Zahara and the dragon. The instant Anders felt the energy from his body create the protective layer around Zahara’s exposed underside, he felt its strength being tested. The impact from the tan dragon came almost as suddenly as the black dragon’s attack. Anders felt a combination of the jarring collision and an immediate strain on his physical energy from the dragon’s bite.
The tan dragon carried them at an upward angle away from the others. Anders groaned as he held off the crushing weight of the dragon’s enormous jaws. His mouth was wide enough to fit Zahara’s entire midsection between his jaws. The only thing separating her from the dragon’s jagged teeth was Ander’s thin layer of magic. Its broad spread application used more energy than if he’d focused the magic on a smaller location.
In the moments after impact, Anders gathered his awareness and shouted, “We’re friends! We come in peace!” His words didn’t slow the dragon’s assault, so he shouted again, “I just want to talk!” Anders wasn’t sure if it was out of anger or frustration, but he sent a pulse of energy down through to his shield barrier. He intended for the jolt to give him and Zahara a moment’s separation from their attacker, but the dragon’s head whipped back, stopping all of its upward momentum. The tan dragon began to fall back down toward the ground.
Shoot, Anders cursed in his thoughts.
Zahara regained her orientation in the air and turned around to chase after the unconscious dragon. Anders, why did you hit her so hard? Now the others will think we’re attacking them.
I didn’t mean to, he said. While Zahara sped down to catch the falling dragon, Anders quickly scanned the sky for the black dragon, but didn’t see it anywhere. He caught a glimpse of Maija and Raffa desperately trying to catch up with them.
Seeing the tan dragon’s wings wrapped around his body instead of cupping the air to slow its descent, Anders had an idea. Sharing his thoughts with Zahara, she dipped under the limp dragon’s body. Anders produced a shield of magic similar to that which he’d used before, but this time he cradled the unconscious dragon in it. While they maneuvered into position, a black shape whizzed past them from behind. Anders flinched but managed to secure himself under the falling dragon. Using all his strength from their combined power source, Anders pressed up on the massive creature’s body while Zahara beat her wings to slow the fall. Suddenly Anders saw the black dragon fly by again, but slower this time, observing what they were doing.
What are you doing? the black dragon asked, his voice breaking into Anders and Zahara’s minds.
We’re trying to save your friend! Anders shouted through his thoughts. Anders could tell the dragon wanted to fight but needed to help his friend first.
