Revelations

  Not a logical feeling, but she couldn’t deny it. Maybe it was more that she resented having such a weakness to exploit.

  Reminding herself the battle wasn’t yet over, Rysha peered about to see where she could help—and where her sword had gone. That was when she saw not two but three gold dragons in the chamber. She cursed.

  Her first assumption was that the new dragon had shown up to help the others, but it dawned on her that it was battling the others. In between the lightning and fireballs launching from Trip’s soulblades, the dragon whirled and wheeled in the air, snapping and tearing at the larger of the two other golds. The female, Yisharnesh? She appeared injured, but she was also larger than the newcomer—another male?—with powerful muscles rippling under her scales.

  The smaller male dragon that had been wounded earlier now hunkered against a wall, wings furled, eyes closed. Maybe that one was already dead?

  Blood streamed from the aerial combatants, drenching the icy floor. Some of it splattered on three dead people, their features charred beyond recognition.

  The Cofah? Or—where was Kaika? Rysha’s heart lurched. She saw Leftie, Blazer, Dreyak, and Duck, but not Kaika.

  “Trip,” Major Blazer called from the back tunnel. “Let Phelistoth out too.”

  Trip looked at Rysha as he turned toward one of the alcoves. The glow of the soulblades bathed his face, and his intense green eyes gleamed with power.

  She jerked her hands up, palms open, afraid for a moment. She remembered them battling, trying to strike each other down. But no, he’d never done more than defend himself. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, not then and not now.

  He strode past her now, shifting the blades so he could plant his hand on the wall.

  “You can get the sword,” Trip told her, tilting his head toward where Eryndral lay on the floor, abandoned. “The sorceress is gone. I’ll watch your back.”

  Rysha nodded and crept toward it. As she did, light flared and went out inside the alcove he stood near. The silver dragon—and the woman who had been trapped with him—stirred.

  A squeal of sheer pain thundered in the chamber, reverberating from the walls. The female dragon had been flying up near the portal, but she plummeted to the ground, landed on her side, and did not move.

  The great male dragon soared around the chamber, his head high. I, the god Bhrava Saruth, have avenged the pain and indignity inflicted upon me by Yisharnesh the Conniving.

  Rysha peered around, expecting attacks from more sides. But the remaining Cofah appeared to have fled the chamber.

  The dragon—Bhrava Saruth—dropped to all fours, his wings stretched wide.

  You did have a little help, Jaxi pointed out, and Rysha twitched, not accustomed to hearing the soulblade speak. We injured her and the other one before you woke up.

  Yes, I am awake! It is most glorious. Bhrava Saruth spun slowly, flexing his leathery wings like a bird ruffling its feathers. Where is my high priestess? Was she the one to wake me? He lowered his head to human level and gazed at Trip and Rysha, large luminous green eyes radiating power. His entire muscular form did that.

  Those eyes had a familiarity to them, despite the reptilian slits in them. The green…

  She glanced at Trip. Was it a common color for dragons? She’d rarely seen humans with eyes as deep and dark a green as Trip’s. Her father was the geneticist in the family, but she thought she remembered some studies about how brown was the more dominant eye color among humans. What about with dragon-human pairings? Did the dragon eye color win out and appear for many generations?

  Of course, if she’d translated those words correctly, and Trip truly was the offspring of a human-dragon pairing, then there wouldn’t have been many “generations” involved.

  Trip lifted his chin, holding the dragon’s powerful gaze. Rysha found it difficult to meet those eyes, and was glad when they shifted toward Blazer, Leftie, Duck, and Dreyak, because she didn’t have an answer to the question.

  Lastly, the dragon’s gaze turned upward, toward the portal. Would he object to having it destroyed? What would they do if these dragons didn’t want to allow that?

  Sardelle stayed home with Ridge to protect the city and birth another baby, Jaxi announced. Judging by the way Leftie shared uneasy glances with the others, the rest of the team was hearing the soulblade’s words too.

  I thought you would all want to know what we were talking about, Jaxi added.

  Hrummph. Bhrava Saruth ruffled his wings again, then stretched them outward. An intimidating sight, though he did not appear to mean it to be one. It does not seem fitting that my high priestess is not here but her mouthy sword is.

  I am delightful, not mouthy. And I was paramount in freeing you.

  “How did she free the dragon?” Rysha whispered. “Wasn’t Trip the one who touched the wall with his special fingers?”

  Trip grimaced, looking down and rubbing his fingers together.

  I told him to touch the wall, Jaxi informed them.

  “How did you end up imprisoned, mighty Bhrava Saruth?” Rysha asked, aware of the silver dragon watching from his alcove, his wing draped protectively over the woman, Tylie, who was slumped against him, her eyes not yet open. Rysha noticed an old sword scabbard decorated with faded runes hanging from her belt. Some family heirloom? Or another soulblade?

  Mighty, yes! Bhrava Saruth lifted his head, and Rysha turned her attention back to him. You acknowledge my mightiness? And my godliness? Perhaps you could make a good interim high priestess.

  Sardelle will lament how easily she’s being replaced, Jaxi said.

  Rysha was too busy feeling alarmed by the statement. That was definitely not a job she wished to pursue. What would the real gods think of such proclamations?

  “I acknowledge your mightiness, yes,” she said carefully.

  As to how I was imprisoned, that thief Yisharnesh found my secret spot where I had hidden the Akii Shard. Bhrava Saruth tilted his head toward the portal, or perhaps the purple crystal embedded in it. She stole it. I sensed this at once, but I did not immediately realize she was bringing it here to open the portal of old. I wouldn’t have guessed that she wanted more dragons in the world to compete with, but I did not realize she had the audacity to see herself as a queen of dragons who wished to invite only those she could command into her fold.

  Imagining yourself a queen, Jaxi said. It’s almost as audacious as imagining yourself a god.

  “Uh, Jaxi,” Trip said, dropping his hand to the soulblade’s hilt, perhaps wishing she had lips that he could cover. “Maybe we shouldn’t deliberately irk an ally.”

  I, the god Bhrava Saruth, and those dragons I could talk into helping, stole the portal from Yisharnesh and brought it here to hide it from her, but we were followed and ambushed. They forced us into these prison cells, and they went back through the portal into their old world, to gather reinforcements, those who would also be loyal to Yisharnesh. Bhrava Saruth looked toward the portal. Did they come through? Do you know?

  “Breyatah’s breath, I hope not.” Blazer rubbed the back of her neck.

  “Captain… Wasley?” an uncertain voice asked from the alcove with the silver dragon.

  Captain who?

  The dark-haired woman—Tylie—had stepped out in front of the silver dragon, and she peered toward Blazer, Leftie, and Duck.

  “Tylie,” Duck said, waving and running toward her. “I’m glad you’re all right. Your brother has been more worried than a rooster that knows there’s a fox in the henhouse.”

  “Is Tolie here? And Sardelle?”

  “No, they’re back at home, but we’re here to take you to them.”

  Tylie smiled and stepped forward to hug Duck. The silver dragon—Phelistoth—also strode out of the alcove, but he didn’t look like he wanted hugs. He gazed around, his eyes frosty, as if he sought the ones who had imprisoned him, so he could promptly slay them.

  Phelistoth’s gaze settled on Trip with the kind of power that could bring a man to his
knees. Rysha was glad it wasn’t directed at her, but she worried because the dragon had singled out Trip.

  Trip gazed back at Phelistoth, seemingly fearless as he crossed his arms to rest his hands on the hilts of the soulblades hanging from his belt.

  Who is this? Phelistoth asked.

  Tylie looked curiously at Trip, and Bhrava Saruth also swung his gaze down to him.

  Rysha was impressed that Trip didn’t squirm under all that scrutiny, human and dragon. He had changed since she first met him. That was probably a good thing—they needed people who didn’t tremble and hide when dragons showed up—but she couldn’t help but feel wistful, remembering the awkward young man from the pub. Was that person still in there? She struggled to see it now.

  He smells familiar, Bhrava Saruth announced, and his massive head lowered on his long neck so his eyes could look straight into Trip’s. He inhaled, nostrils quivering like those of a hound.

  “Smells?” Trip stepped back. “Not like roasted lamb or a pot roast or anything, right?”

  Rysha grinned. Ah, there was a bit of his old awkwardness.

  Like one of the elder dragons. Agarrenon Shivar, I believe. Once, before the Rider Wars started, he had a voice on the Council of Elders and many listened to him, even though he had the personality of a malignant mushroom. He had great power, and dragons respect power. But I did not think he was still in the world. When I woke, only Phelistoth and Morishtomaric and those who woke with me were here. That we sensed. Has he been in hiding?

  “I really don’t know,” Trip said.

  Rysha gazed at him and noticed everyone else doing the same. No, not gazing. Gawking. Bhrava Saruth was lending evidence to the theory of Trip as the son of a dragon. A powerful dragon.

  You have never sought out he who gave life to you? Bhrava Saruth asked. Are you not curious to know him? Or perhaps, the human books also speak of his malignant mushroom personality, and you have no interest. This is understandable. Not all dragons have the charisma and will to become gods to humans.

  Trip didn’t look like he knew what to say.

  “Is that dragon saying Trip is the son of a dragon?” Leftie whispered.

  “You hadn’t figured that out yet?” Blazer replied. “When magical dragon doors started opening for him?”

  “I did. I just didn’t really believe—” Leftie gripped the icy wall for support. “I don’t see how it’s possible. Wouldn’t he be better at sports if his blood was that magical?”

  Trip smiled faintly. At least Leftie sounded more surprised than hateful.

  “Can either of you strapping dragons give me a lift down?” Kaika called.

  She sat atop the portal, her legs dangling through the hole.

  “Captain,” Rysha blurted with enthusiasm, relieved to see her uninjured. And doing her duty. She never should have expected anything else. “You’re alive.”

  “A little dragon fire can’t kill me.” Kaika brushed ashes off her sleeve. “A forty-foot drop might. Bhrava Saruth? A little help? I’ll bring some chocolate dragon-horn cookies by your temple when we get back.”

  I do appreciate a worshipper who provides appropriate offerings to her god. Bhrava Saruth stopped sniffing Trip and rose to his full height, so his head was directly under Kaika.

  “You got things on a timer?” Blazer asked her.

  Kaika nodded. “We’ve got thirty minutes to get out of here. I can change that if we need to, but I figured with our helpers here, we could get a ride back out in time.”

  You seek to destroy the portal? Bhrava Saruth asked, sounding shocked.

  “Well, it’s our mission,” Blazer said, watching him warily. “Dragons have been killing people and leveling towns all over Iskandia. And the rest of the world, as well.” She waved toward Dreyak, who hadn’t said much, merely watching everything unfold. “And if more dragons that are friendly to the empire might be coming, as you suggested, that seems like an extra reason to destroy it.”

  From what Bhrava Saruth had suggested, Rysha feared those dragons might already be here.

  Your mission was not to free your god?

  You are a fool, Bhrava Saruth, Phelistoth said. As if humans would care if you disappeared from the world.

  They would miss me greatly. I am a kind and benevolent god, and I now have three hundred and eighty-seven worshippers that I bless and receive offerings from.

  Phelistoth gave him a dark look, and Rysha wondered just how much of an ally to Iskandia he was. He certainly didn’t seem to be an ally to Bhrava Saruth.

  Tylie stepped close to Phelistoth and patted his flank. “I’m sure they would have rescued you—us—if they had known where we were.”

  “I reckon that’s true,” Duck said. “Tolemek was real worried about his sister, and I know the king was upset when you dragons disappeared.”

  You see? Bhrava Saruth said. Even the human king missed us. We are very valuable dragons. And now, we must free these other dragons. They are also valuable.

  “Uh, hold on.” Blazer held up a hand. “We don’t know these other dragons.”

  They were also imprisoned because they helped us steal the portal and wished Yisharnesh’s plan to fail. They are good dragons. Even the surly ones. Bhrava Saruth eyed Phelistoth.

  “Twenty-eight minutes, people,” Kaika said, then dropped to the top of Bhrava Saruth’s head. From there, she slid down his neck, to his back and to the floor. The dragon didn’t seem to mind. “How about we save the reunion chat for later and get out of here?”

  Bhrava Saruth eyed the portal, or maybe that purple crystal, but turned his attention to the alcoves. As soon as I free our allies.

  Blazer fingered her rifle, looking like she wanted to oppose that. But what could she do? What could any of them do?

  Rysha looked at Trip, wondering if he thought this would be a good idea or a bad one. Not that he could do anything to stop it. Being half dragon could make him one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world, but he still wouldn’t be the equivalent of a dragon.

  As Bhrava Saruth walked to the various alcoves, touching a wing to the squares on the wall, Rysha picked up and sheathed the chapaharii blade. Kaika had already picked up hers.

  Everyone else fingered weapons as they watched the barriers disappearing from the alcoves. Everyone except Tylie. She smiled and clasped her hands together in front of her mouth, her eyes alight.

  Rysha hoped she knew something the rest of them didn’t.

  Are we certain we want them free? Phelistoth asked, a long-suffering aspect to his words. The female was—is—young and goofy.

  You believe every dragon that is not as moody and morose as you are is goofy, Bhrava Saruth replied.

  Dragons are meant to be stately and majestic, not…

  Freedom, a new voice rang out, and a gold dragon hopped out of an alcove, her wings spread. She twirled. Rysha had never seen such a maneuver from a dragon, but it was definitely a twirl. Humans!

  She looked around at all of them. Despite Phelistoth’s promise that she was goofy, she was still a dragon and had that powerful aura and a compelling allure in her violet eyes.

  I have always wanted to meet humans, she announced.

  These humans freed us, Bhrava Saruth said as he opened more alcoves.

  Then they are goodly humans? Like the riders from the stories? Wonderful! The female dragon finished bouncing about and turned toward Rysha.

  She scrambled back a few steps as the creature’s large head lowered on its—her—long neck. The deep violet eyes stared into her soul, and her maw opened, fangs gleaming.

  Though Rysha had sheathed the sword, the blade hurled the urge to draw it into her mind, to leap forth and slay the dragon.

  Are you a goodly human? the female asked. Your sword wishes to slay me.

  “What it wishes is not necessarily what I wish,” Rysha said, choosing her words carefully. “I only want to protect my homeland, Iskandia. Dragons—un-goodly dragons—have been raiding it lately, killing our people and
destroying our towns. That is why I carry the sword.”

  Don’t take it personally, female dragon, Jaxi said. Her sword wants to slay almost everyone. Just minutes ago, it attacked her lover.

  Rysha’s mouth dropped at this unexpected—and inaccurate—defense.

  “Trip isn’t my lover,” she blurted aloud, then wondered if she should have responded in her mind. Had Jaxi’s announcement been for everyone, or only for her and the dragon?

  Blazer’s eyebrows arched. Captain Kaika smirked.

  Trip smiled at Rysha, though it seemed tinged with sadness. Regret?

  She hadn’t meant to imply that he could never be her lover. Though after she’d lost control of the chapaharii blade, she reluctantly admitted that wasn’t something that should happen for a while. Until… she wasn’t sure when. Someone else took the sword. Or she found a more reliable way to control it. Seven gods, what if something happened, and she ended up attacking him while he slept and couldn’t defend himself?

  No, for now, her words had been accurate. They couldn’t be lovers.

  The young female, Shulina Arya, was born in Dyrashinor, the temporary world, Bhrava Saruth explained. She knows humans only from stories the others told her. He extended a wingtip toward the dragons shambling out of their alcoves, flexing their muscles and spreading their wings.

  The chamber was growing crowded, and Rysha was tempted to ease over to the tunnel where Kaika now stood with the others. Only Trip stood near her still, near the dragons. But he probably had the power to keep himself from being stomped on.

  Un-goodly dragons? Shulina Arya responded to Rysha’s earlier words, as if she had been considering the idea and found it perplexing.

  “Those who pick on humans and threaten to kill or enslave us,” Rysha said. “While it’s true that good and evil are in the eye of the beholder, I must consider anyone who threatens my country an enemy. In addition to those who simply enjoy rampaging through my homeland, I must seek to keep out those who align themselves with the Cofah Empire, an empire that has, for more than two thousand years, sought to squash out or forcibly assimilate other weaker nations.” Rysha hoped she sounded fair in her assessment and that the dragon appreciated such things.