“That’s new.” I nodded to the creatures.
“We don’t like to chance the steeds we have left to raiding parties. The gorts are fast and mean. And they’re a lot quicker to breed.” The guard motioned for us to proceed.
The Barrow Mounds were remnants of days long past. A thousand years before, they had once sheltered the heart and soul of the Elfin nation. An oracle, she had been half Svartan and half elf. Worshiped almost as a goddess, she had read the future for all who passed by. But bandits had overwhelmed the Mounds and killed her. Since that day, the area had been haunted and barren, a stark contrast to the lushness that was Kelvashan.
I glanced over at Delilah, who was staring at the mounds. “What do you see?”
“Women and warriors . . . wounded men. Ghosts of the past, all whispering by me. They know I see them—I’m letting them know. There are so many elves here who died during the storm, too. I see them everywhere I turn. The rites of the dead haven’t been performed for most. At some point, Sharah needs to preside over one mass ritual for all who were taken by Telazhar’s fury.” She turned back to me, her face drawn. “So many died. The entire world—both here and over Earthside—will be a walking graveyard if we don’t come through this.”
Her voice broke, catching on the words, and she hung her head. Beside her, Shade wrapped his arm around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.
I reached out to take her hand, holding tight. She was right. If we could take down Telazhar, then we would make a wonderful, blessed impact on Shadow Wing’s efforts. “Then we win. Regardless of what it takes or the price we pay, we win. We won’t let that happen.”
Delilah squeezed my hand. “Oh, this is too funny.”
“What is?”
“You, cheering me up. Usually I’m the eternal optimist and you’re the realist. Though I can’t say that I’ve felt much like an optimist lately. The bright-eyed young woman that I was when we first set eyes on the portals and went Earthside . . . she’s long gone.” She said it almost wistfully, but when I started to ask if she missed that side of herself, she held up her hand. “What’s gone is gone. As Camille would say, It is what it is. And that’s okay. Say, do you think she’ll come in riding on Smoky’s back?”
I laughed. “That’s a lovely sight. She knows how, for sure.”
Our sister and her dragon husband often went out for a flight, him in dragon form and her on his back, holding on with gleeful delight. He had helped her with her fear of heights, though she still didn’t like standing on the edge of a cliff. But somehow, being astride her husband’s back with his giant wings seemed to take the fear of flying right out of her.
The carriages were comfortable, though we cautiously avoided the gorts as we climbed in. Iris sat next to me, and Rozurial sat opposite. Morio, Trillian, and Vanzir went in the second carriage. Shade, Delilah, and Tanne rode in the third.
Iris leaned back against the seat. She looked as tired as the rest of us. “I really don’t want to be here, but I know I had to come.” She frowned. “I received a note from the Temple of Undutar not long ago.”
I cocked my head. She hadn’t told us about this. “Oh, and what did it say?”
“They would like it if I would bring my children to them for an official blessing. They can take their note and shove it up their . . . iceholes.” Iris shook her head. “I know what they want. They want to punish me for what happened by claiming one of my children for the temple. But Undutar herself made me her Earthside High Priestess. They don’t dare go against her wishes, so I’m pretty sure they were going to do their best to be inclusive . . . in other words, use guilt to talk me into claiming one of my children.”
“Can they do that? Doesn’t the fact that you are the Goddess’s Earthside agent give you the right to set your own rules?”
I had no clue how the Priestesshood worked. It was different for every temple, every deity. Iris was the priestess of Undutar, the Finnish goddess of mist and ice and fog. She had been cast out of her temple for a terrible crime, long ago, and had managed to extricate herself from the charges, but it hadn’t healed the breach caused by their violence against her when they had exiled her. Iris was quick to forgive small slights, but when it came to holding a grudge for an egregious act, she was one of the best.
“I operate under that assumption, but I’m thinking they aren’t betting on my lack of cooperation. I have no clue why they’re being so asinine about it. Perhaps the High Priestess of the order has gone dotty or something.” She shrugged. “Whatever the case, they better not be waiting by the mailbox for an answer from me.”
Roz was leaning back against the seat, his eyes closed. But I knew he wasn’t asleep. He was listening to every word we said. The incubus had started out a bounty hunter; he was after the same vampire who had turned me. Dredge had destroyed Roz’s entire family. But Rozurial had ended up joining forces with us and had been part of our extended tribe for years now. He had also developed a mad crush on Iris, though it went unrequited, and he did his best to remain on a friends-only basis. Even if she had not married Bruce, nothing would have come of it. Incubi and succubi couldn’t have normal relationships—not and remain true to their nature.
The Barrow Mounds were located right outside Elqaneve, the capital city of Kelvashan. Unfortunately, Elqaneve was a pale shadow of its former glory. My sisters and I had been at the palace the night the storm came thundering down from the sky, and by morning, the city and most of the Elfin countryside lay in charred, smoking ruins. The Queen was dead, and the storm had rolled on to attack a new target. Telazhar and his band of sorcerers had created the sentient mass out of rogue magic and anger—and it had rained death and destruction from the sky over several of the cities before being destroyed.
As we rode through the outskirts of the city, fires lit the sides of the roads. Some were in houses that had been hastily cobbled back together. Others were out in the open, where we could just make out the shadows of tents and makeshift camps. It had been about six months—almost seven—since the sorcerers marched on the city, but even now, I could still smell the heavy scent of charcoal and dust in the air. Luckily, I didn’t have to breathe.
Iris coughed, shaking her head. “So much madness in the world. So much destruction. I knew it was bad, but I haven’t been back to Otherworld since then—at least not to Elqaneve. There used to be row after row of brightly lit houses lining this road. Now everything is gone.”
I followed her gaze out the window of the carriage. We were being escorted by twenty guards, all on alert, all with weapons drawn. Was it really still so dangerous here? Were the goblins still overrunning the lands? The thought of Camille and Smoky leading the dragons down through Elqaneve made me smile, because when they came in, the elves would rally. They would have something to gather behind and support. Sharah would be able to whip them into a frenzy. And right now, hope was our greatest ally. Hope for the future, hope for the present.
As we wound our way into the city proper—or what was left of it—my mood perked up a little. I didn’t realize how much the fall of the Elfin city had hit me, but now, staring at the remains of the toppled buildings, I could only wish that the storm had hit anywhere but here. The city had been graceful, beautiful in its simplicity, yet as majestic as they came. But as I gazed at the flickering fires that lined the city streets, I realized that here and there, new life was springing from the rubble. Where a row of apartments had stood, a new building was slowly being erected. A devastated fountain was flowing again—next to the ruins of the first. Slowly, but surely, the elves were taking back their city, reclaiming Elqaneve from the damage done.
Iris followed my gaze. “They’re rebuilding. Even in the midst of such total destruction, they are rebuilding.”
“Life will go on. Survival isn’t enough. They’re doing as best they can to recover. We need to make Otherworld safe for them to start over. I
f Telazhar is eliminated and his armies destroyed, then the elves—and everyone over here—stands a chance.” I found my hopes beginning to rise.
“Aren’t you forgetting about Shadow Wing? He will still be pressing.”
“Ah, yes. But how demoralizing will it be if we destroy his host here in Otherworld? If we grind his army down to the ground? And if we can defeat Telazhar, maybe . . .”
“Maybe we can defeat the Demon Lord himself?” She smiled softly. “Optimism and hope—we are in dire need of it. I’m glad to see you find your way through the mire. I will follow you in that hope. Because the world has to survive if my children are to grow and thrive in it.”
She was right. And I suddenly understood something about caring for others. I might not have children, but I had Nerissa. And I had my sisters and Iris and all my friends. And the thought of them walking into a future built on the fires and destruction of Shadow Wing was too much to handle. I had to keep hope in order to make it possible to even try.
“You’re right.” I glanced over at Roz. “Quit pretending you’re asleep, dude. I know you aren’t.”
He grinned and opened his eyes. “Right. I’m not.”
“Will you hold hope with us, Roz?” I caught his gaze, challenging him.
He let out a soft breath, looking out the windows. “If I didn’t hold hope for the future, I would have let Dredge kill me when I was young. I would have thrown myself on my sword when Zeus and Hera destroyed my marriage. If I didn’t have any hope for the future, I’d be long gone, leaving all of you in the dust. It’s because of you that I believe we can make it through this. Without the three of you . . . without Iris and all the others, there is no defense. So we have to believe we can defeat him.”
When put like that, it was even simpler. I smiled softly and leaned back as the carriage wound through the streets. It wasn’t far to the palace, but there had been so much destruction that we were taking detours right and left.
“Sing something for us, Menolly.” Iris leaned close to me. “Sing us a song . . . you have such a beautiful voice.”
I was about to say no, but then decided what the hell. Why not? After thinking for a moment, I remembered a song that Sephreh—our father—had sung to us when we were children. It had been called “Courage, My Child,” and Father had always sung it to us the night before he had to leave for a mission, the nights when we were so afraid he wouldn’t come back.
“There are times in the world when you must raise your sword,
When peace is lying in tatters.
There are times in this world when you must go to war,
Before all hope is shattered.
So listen to me, my child, my love,
Courage—in your heart must be burning.
The gods will watch from the heavens above,
And the world will go right on turning.
“In the heart of the wood, an oracle speaks,
She tells you of death and destruction,
But in the heart of the world, a single drum beats,
And the light finds a pathway to shine in.
So listen to me my child, my love,
Hope—in your heart must be burning.
The gods will watch from heavens above,
And the world will go right on turning.”
I let the words drift away as we pulled into what had been the courtyard of the palace. Every wall had been shattered, so much marble into dust, but the bodies had been moved and buried, and the moonlight shimmered down on the scene, a melancholy and eerie sentinel from above.
“Why are we meeting here? I thought they moved headquarters to a secret area.”
As we hopped out of the carriage—with Roz helping Iris down—I couldn’t help but wonder. After all, this was an easy target and if Sharah had taken up residence in the ruins again, then it wouldn’t be that hard to find her.
But Iris had the answer, or at least one that made sense until we talked to Trenyth. “Dragons. There’s a lot of open space here and it will be the easiest place for the dragons to gather before heading out. Once they get here, they probably won’t stay long—while the word will likely pass ahead, if they can travel through the Ionyc Seas, then they won’t have to worry about Telazhar being prepared for their arrival.”
That made total sense. “I think you’re probably right. So where are—” I stopped as Delilah and the others joined us. As we stood there, a contingent of white-robed figures rose from behind the giant stones that had been tossed around like gumballs falling out of a machine. Trenyth, and with him Sharah, as well as a number of guards behind them.
“Sharah!” I started to run forward but then stopped. She was the Queen of Kelvashan now, and she deserved our respect, especially in front of her comrades. Nudging Delilah in the side, I did a half curtsey, half bow. Delilah followed suit. Iris had swept into a low curtsey, and the men bowed, paying their respects. We rose, waiting for her to speak.
“I’m so grateful to see you all again!” Sharah hurried forward, Trenyth by her side. She didn’t hug us—that wouldn’t be appropriate—but in the light of the torches, her eyes were glimmering. “How are Chase and my Astrid?” The hunger in her voice spoke volumes.
“They’re fine, Your Highness. They are both well and both are being watched over.” Delilah looked delighted at being able to give some good news for a change. “We’re so happy to see you again. And . . . at least these are better circumstances . . . more or less.”
Trenyth was about to speak when one of the guards shaded his eyes and looked past the moon. “There they are! They’re coming. The dragons!”
Like kids in a candy shop, we all crowded forward, staring up into the sky. The dark shadows of massive wings came flying toward us—and then the glimmer of their scales began to show. I hadn’t realized that dragons in their natural form had a faint luminosity, but they did, like bioluminescent plankton or deep sea jellies. And then, the next moment, they lit up the sky. The entire horizon was glowing with the great winged beasts, magnificent in their flight. The dragons had, indeed, arrived.
“A grandeur of dragons,” I whispered. “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful and terrifying? I’m so glad they’re on our side.”
“You and me both.” Trenyth was standing near me, and he glanced over at me with a brilliant smile on his face. “I can’t believe I’m actually seeing this. I never in the world thought they would actually keep their promise.”
“My sister would have their heads if they didn’t.” But I was thinking the same thing, to be honest. Some dragons played fair, but I wasn’t really sure if I had believed they would come to help us out. Yet here they were, at least a thousand strong.
The front beast circled overhead—a great dragon with shades of white and silver mingling throughout his body, and massive wings that stretched out to steer his way. He slowly settled down onto what had once been the plaza of the Court. I suddenly realized it was Smoky—with Camille riding on his back. She slipped off as he lowered his head to the ground, using the silky mane to balance herself. Once her footing was secure, she stepped to the side and within seconds, Smoky stood there in his human form. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her up for a kiss.
Other dragons began to land, setting up a significant wind as they circled in for landing. One by one, they began to shift and move aside for others to land until there was a host of extremely tall, brilliantly beautiful men and women standing in front of us. Next to Smoky, I recognized Vishana—Smoky’s mother. There were others, all kinds—reds, golds, blues, whites, silvers, even shadow dragons.
Camille and Smoky escorted his mother forward to Sharah first. “Your Majesty, Queen of the Elfin lands, may we present Lady Vishana, Countess of Silver, and Most Valued Friend to the Throne of the Dragon Reaches.”
In dragon-speak, that meant Smoky’s mother wasn’t a princess
but she might as well be. Smoky had been referred to more than once as a prince of the realm. Vishana was tall—seven feet if she was an inch. Her skin was as pale as Smoky’s, her eyes gunmetal gray. Her hair was pure spun silver, flowing to her knees. The strands twisted and wound themselves to curl around her as she adjusted her ice blue gown. Diaphanous, it looked as though it could tear at the simplest breeze, but I had a feeling it was stronger than spider silk.
She inclined her head, then slowly curtsied to Sharah. An incoming monarch always bowed to the one with home court advantage. At least, that was how it worked in Otherworld.
“Your Majesty, I am pleased to meet you.” Vishana glanced around at the destruction. “Let’s dispense with small talk. There is so much damage here that I cannot imagine prattling on about nonsensical things. We are here to go to war. I have given my promise to my daughter-in-law, and the Dragon Reaches owe her more than we can ever return to her. Therefore, we are ready to take up arms against your foes. I declare that your enemy is our enemy.”
And that sealed it—a strong, firm bond created in a promise.
Sharah’s pale demeanor brightened. “I cannot thank you enough. I declare the elves allies of the Dragonkin, and may our bond hold.” And then—it was all down to business. She motioned for Vishana, Smoky, Camille, Delilah, and me to follow her, leaving the rest of our crew to make certain the dragons didn’t go ballistic on the elves for any wayward reason.
As we approached what had once been the grand ballroom of the palace, it was clear the elves had been busy. The rubble had been cleared away to show a cracked and shattered foundation. But in the parts that were still stable, long tables had been set up, with rough benches. Another table held loaves of bread stacked high, and what looked like a couple of roast pigs. A mound of apples and a massive bowl of spring greens sat beside them. Simple fare, but filling.