“I don’t speak to you, traitor,” he barked. “Where’s Erisay?”
Queen Rynda reverently placed the body of Erisay on the ground, and those present sucked in their breath. In the last few weeks Erisay had become a beacon of hope to the alliance, and her sudden loss would hit all races hard.
“She died to destroy the Gate,” Melora said. She straightened. “She died to stop Draeken.”
“Then she died in vain,” Justin growled, and then turned to the group. “Have you gone mad? We barely survived their assault, while you were off trying to play hero.”
“We saved this entire army.” Fire folded his arms. “If we had not done what we did, the fiends would still be pouring from the Gate, and the alliance would be trod under their feet.”
“No one asked you to intervene,” he growled. “You and your fragments are the cause of all of this.”
“We’re stopping it,” Water said with uncharacteristic heat.
King Justin took a step towards him. “You’re the source of this war. You merely have to look at the dragonrider to see the truth.”
The mighty dragon swooped to the ground and alighted on the opposite side of the river, his enormous wings sending gusts across the river and into their group. Draeken’s expression had shifted from fury to cold calculation.
“I’m afraid the king is correct,” he called. “The fragments were my host, and because of them, I exist.”
“Elenyr should have killed you,” Justin spat on the ground.
“Why?” Water demanded. “Because we existed? She taught us how to use our magic to protect the kingdoms. To protect your kingdom.”
“You’re destroying my kingdom,” Justin snarled.
“Come now,” Draeken said. “Your bickering is tedious. Perhaps you have forgotten that I am your foe. Do you require a reminder?” The dragon’s jaw’s opened and fire kindled in his throat.
“We destroyed your vaunted army,” King Justin called. “You are nothing to us.”
Draeken chuckled and patted the dragon’s neck. “I’m afraid my former brothers are correct, King Justin. My servant will rebuild the Dark Gate, and when it is opened this time, I’ll be prepared to control my army. We’ll sweep across this land and destroy every city and village, until there is nothing left but broken streets and bones.”
“Why?” Fire asked. “Why do this?”
“Because Serak gave me power,” Draeken said, “and power is meant to be used.”
Serak’s dragon dropped from the clouds and landed next to Draeken’s own mount. Serak tried to speak to Draeken, his features surprisingly full of doubt. Fire exchanged a look with Water, who shook his head in confusion.
“Serak says the dark army was never supposed to attack us,” he murmured. “He says it was merely supposed to show the people their strength so they would relinquish their crowns to Draeken.”
Draeken jerked his hand in dismissal, his features clouding with anger. “The army is mine, Serak, and I will use it as I see fit.”
Serak’s eyes flicked to Water and Fire, his features clouded, uncertain. Draeken straightened as if he could salvage the situation, and swept a hand to the battlefield, and Fire noticed that surviving soldiers had gathered and closed ranks, as if preparing for an attack.
“Serak brought you here so you could witness my might,” he called, raising his voice so the soldiers could hear. “And you have witnessed but a fraction of the blood that will be spilt. When the Dark Gate opens again, we will flood these lands until any that oppose me are destroyed. Only those who swear allegiance to me will retain their lives.”
“You seek to rule us all?” King Justin sneered.
“I do not seek,” Draeken said, a scowl forming on his face. “I desire, and I obtain.”
“You will never possess my kingdom,” King Justin growled. “I am not afraid of you, your dragon slaves, or your supposed army. I think we destroyed everything you had, and you merely want us to cower in—”
Fire burst from Gorewrathian’s maw and streaked across the river. The flames engulfed King Justin and the guards. Nearby soldiers leapt away. Fire stepped into the blast and sought to deflect it, but his magic was subdued, and he could only deflect a portion upward.
Water leapt to the river and brought his hands into a rising clap. The water rose upward at his command, extinguishing the flames in a wall of water. Steam burst from the contact, billowing upward until the dragon cut off its assault.
“Be my subjects,” Draeken said coldly. “Or join your king.”
The dragon launched into the sky. Serak stared at the burning corpse of King Justin before he too departed. Fire and the others gathered around the remains. Fire shook his head, confused and uncertain. They’d delayed defeat, but victory seemed even more daunting.
Chapter 22: Retreat
Without a human king, and their enemy certainly protecting against another attempt to destroy the Dark Gate, the alliance was forced to withdraw. Led by the trudging troops of Griffin, Talinor, and Erathan, the entire force retreated west. Dead were carried in wagons, while the wounded were also in wagons, the healers fighting to save their lives.
Fire conjured a horse of flames and rode it beside Water, his gaze fixed ahead, to where Rynda argued with the remaining monarchs. Many of the soldiers cast their eyes at their feet, and Fire wondered how they had so utterly failed.
For six days they worked their way through the middle cities on their way to Griffin, pausing each night to cook a meal and rest. Many cast their eyes into the dark night, and Fire read the fear in their eyes. How soon would the Dark Gate be opened anew? Were fiends even now spreading into the forest? Would they attack tonight?
Almost a week since the battle of Xshaltheria, the army reached Terros. Word had reached the city of their impending arrival, and many families lined the road, searching for their loved ones in the line of infantry and cavalry.
Fire and Water separated themselves from the march and ascended a small hill to watch the alliance return to their camps. Fire frowned as he surveyed the trudging soldiers, wondering what they were supposed to do now. Melora, Dothlore, and Rynda also joined them.
“We need a new plan against Serak and Draeken,” Melora said.
Fire spared her a look. He’d been doubtful of the woman’s loyalty. She’d been a member of the Order of Ancients, betrayed her people and her mother, even tried to become one of Draeken’s generals, but her mother’s sacrifice had changed her. She’d taken the lead of her people, since her older sister was absent, and done so with humility and conviction. Many had spoken in doubt, even to her face, but she had withstood their accusations, and Fire realized her dark ambitions had died on the summit of Xshaltheria. Some had called for her to be in shackles, but the haunted look in her eye was more pain than any imprisonment.
