“It’s almost dawn,” Fire said, peering into the clouds below. “Are we almost there?”
“We are close,” Senia said. “I can foresee our arrival.”
“How many fiends are still in the fortress?” Fire asked.
“Too many to fight,” Senia said.
“I can fight a lot of foes,” Fire retorted.
“They are still coming through the Dark Gate,” Senia said.
“Still?”
The news shocked Fire. Before the clouds had obscured the earth, he’d watched the entire landscape undulate and shift as the fiends advanced to the southwest. Much of southern Griffin was covered in their dark forms. If they were still coming through the Dark Gate, that meant they numbered well into the millions.
We will be victorious, Isray rumbled.
“I like your optimism,” Senia said, patting the white dragon on the neck.
“As long as the Dark Gate shuts, we will be fine,” Lachonus said from the back of the group.
“Easy,” Fire said.
Lachonus laughed. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s do this.”
“Don’t take this lightly,” Senia said, her tone filled with disapproval. “Everything hangs on us.”
“I’m not taking it lightly,” Fire said. “Life is just better when you focus on the amusing bits.”
Lachonus grinned, and Fire decided he liked the man. Fire wondered how he’d been born of such a terrible woman, but perhaps his better qualities had come from his father’s side. Isray rumbled in irritation and banked to the side, dropping into the clouds in order to stay hidden.
“What’s the plan to get inside the fortress?” Fire asked.
“Draeken and his generals were spotted at Ilumidora,” Senia said. “Unless they have one of Serak’s Gates, they cannot return to Xshaltheria.”
“So it’s just us and a million fiends,” Fire nodded. “That’s not so bad.”
I can land on the east side of the mountain, Isray said. There are less defenses there, and we should be able to ascend to the fortress unseen.
“And what about getting inside?” Lachonus asked. “From what you’ve described, there is a large gap between the rim of the volcano and the fortress. If we fall, we fall into the volcano.”
“It’s nice this time of year,” Fire said.
“Says the one who is immune to heat.”
Fire grinned. “I should be able to shape the heat into a bridge we can use to reach the fortress.”
Senia agreed with a nod. “Once we are inside, I’ll watch our immediate future so we can sneak inside the fortress and find the Dark Gate. When we get there, Lachonus will need to do his part.”
“And what part is that?” Lachonus asked. “You’ve been irritatingly silent on the matter.”
“All I know is that Draeken placed a sentry at the Gate,” Senia said. “One he crafted with his own hands.”
“So it will be powerful,” Fire said. “Probably some sort of golem. Possibly a sentient.”
“I thought a sentient takes years to craft,” Lachonus said.
“For a normal mage,” Fire said. “Not a guardian, and Draeken is the most powerful guardian ever created.”
“How am I supposed to kill a sentry like that?” Lachonus tapped the hilt of his sword. “I like my blade, but it’s not like it will do much against a being of magic.”
“Look at your sword,” Senia said.
Lachonus frowned and pulled his sword partly out of its scabbard. His eyes widened at the dark metal and he pulled it the rest of the way free. He touched the smooth black blade and whistled in appreciation.
“It’s my sword.”
Senia smiled at his surprise. “A new sword would not have had the same balance as yours. Plus it’s rather hard to find a katsana with anti-magic attached to the steel.”
“When did you do this?” Lachonus asked.
“I had it crafted last night,” Senia said. “My friend did not have time to cast an enduring charm, but it will last for a few weeks, or long enough for a single battle.”
“Don’t touch me with that thing,” Fire said.
Lachonus abruptly cursed, drawing their attention. His hand was empty, and he was looking over the side of the dragon. He grimaced and turned to Senia, his expression apologetic. Senia’s features clouded with anger.
“Did you drop it?”
