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  Dragon School: Ancient Allies

  Dragon School, Volume 14

  Sarah K. L. Wilson

  Published by Sarah K. L. Wilson, 2018.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  DRAGON SCHOOL: ANCIENT ALLIES

  First edition. July 2, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 Sarah K. L. Wilson.

  Written by Sarah K. L. Wilson.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  For my patient Cale.

  Chapter One

  Kneel and place both palms on your forehead, Raolcan told me mentally.

  He was low as well, his wing tips placed against his horns in a similar pose to mine.

  It’s how we show respect to the Troglodytes – if we ever meet them at all. What you are witnessing today is truly historic. It is not something that we have seen before or will likely ever see again.

  Now, with the dust settling around the Edge of the World, the Troglodytes were arranged in a circle. There were fewer of them than I had thought at first – but they were larger than dragons and the way their insides glowed and sparked under their transparent skin made them a thing of wonder. Raolcan said that they lived underground.

  The warrens are theirs – their roads. Their magic. They are the elders of dragonkind – much older than we. Our Queen rules us, but she does nothing without consulting them.

  Then what were they doing here?

  The Ifrits and the followers of the Crescent Prince had scattered, leaving Prince Rakturan, a handful of others who had been suspended over the edge in baskets, Renn, Raolcan, and me.

  They are not happy that the Ya’kar and the Dusk Covenant are calling forth Ifrits. The Ifrits are our mortal enemies – and they have been enemies of the Troglodytes since the days before dragons.

  There were days before dragons?

  Everyone has to be born some time. We have not always existed. Just like humans, we had a first day.

  Rakturan stood, straight-backed and square-shouldered, in the center of the Troglodyte ring. His eyes glowed again – right through the blindfold – and he had a regal presence, like a man in his own home. He was welcoming guests, rather than gasping for life on the edge of a cliff.

  He suits this role. He looks like a true prince.

  Raolcan would know. After all, he was a prince of dragons. Did the Troglodytes care about that?

  They are not much concerned with hierarchy. In their minds, everyone dies shortly after becoming interesting.

  How long did these creatures live?

  The youngest here today is more than five hundred years old.

  Good grief. Rakturan had been standing there in silence for a long time. Was he going to speak?

  They can speak to his mind. They require no words.

  Of course not. So, maybe Purples got their ability to speak to minds from the Troglodytes.

  Or from our mothers. They speak as we do.

  Purple mothers?

  All dragon mothers.

  Curious. I was already learning a lot.

  “Amel,” Renn tugged at my sleeve. I turned to him and he smiled. “Nice work with whatever that light thing was. Looks like we’ll get to negotiate with someone after all.”

  “I don’t think so, Renn.”

  “I’m the Gold here, Amel.” He was mild in his scolding, but I still almost laughed. “It’s my prerogative to handle negotiations.”

  “You’re going to negotiate with the elders among the dragons when Prince Rakturan is already speaking with them?”

  He frowned, clearly reconsidering. “And do you think we can convince this Rakturan to broker peace?”

  “With who?”

  “With the Dominion!” He was looking at me like I’d lost my mind.

  “He’s already married to the Chosen One. I’m not sure what more he could do. I’m here to ask him for military help on her behalf. If you have something else to add to that ... ?”

  He rubbed a hand through his hair. “I’m suddenly feeling a bit like an extra dragon on dragon-picking day.”

  Poor guy. He really did believe he was doing good things. Maybe what I saw as wishy-washiness was just him trying to run in too many directions at once.

  “I bet there will be a lot of negotiating to come, Renn. Prince Rakturan needs to rally the enemies of the Crescent Prince under his own banner and march to the Dominion. I’m willing to be that will require at least some negotiation.”

  He perked up. “More than you could possibly guess.”

  “And isn’t that Ahummal on the horizon?”

  I saw the golden frilled dragon in the sky flying toward us, but he wasn’t alone. Beside him, flagging slightly, flew a pearly white dragon. Enkenay! I’d almost grown to miss his stubborn face.

  He missed us, too.

  They landed beside us – to Renn’s delight – and Raolcan leaned in toward Enkenay companionably. Renn turned back to me.

  “I read the book for you. We were in that basket together. Was that enough for you to finally trust me?”

  Not even close. But you couldn’t say that to someone, could you?

  “Friends,” I offered, saluting.

  “Friends!” He looked much more buoyant, clearly taking my words at face value.

  And now, we are being summoned.

  I swallowed. I was nervous to meet the Troglodytes.

  Not by them. By the man you saved.

  We stepped forward at the same moment that Rakturan turned to look at us. The remaining refugees had gathered behind us – possibly thinking it was the safest place to be – but his eyes found me immediately and he signaled for me to step forward. I obeyed.

  “I owe you a debt of gratitude, Amel Leafbrought of the Purple and Raolcan, Prince of Dragons,” he said.

  “Savette sent a message with me,” I replied, too shy to acknowledge his thanks. “She begs that you bring your allies and come to support her in the war at the heart of the Dominion.”

  He watched us, perhaps considering what to say. Glowing eyes and a blindfold made it hard to guess what was going on in a person’s mind. Eventually, he spoke.

  “That will be a problem. Before we can help with anything, we’re going to need some allies.”

  Chapter Two

  DO YOU THINK WE CAME HERE FOR NOTHING?

  The words sounded like they were in my mind – but not like Raolcan’s. These words felt almost as if they were being hammered into my skull. I fell to my knees once again. It was hard to concentrate with their booming words lacerating my mind.

  That’s why they don’t make a lot of friends.

  OUR HOME, LONG SAFE FROM THE STORMS OF THE UPPER WORLD, HAS BEEN THREATENED.

  Was the whole world being affected by this battle? I leaned down deeper into the dust and I felt Renn doing the same beside me. There was something about the Troglodytes that demanded respect.

  YOU WILL FIGHT FOR US.

  “We have no armies. No weapons. No way to fight for you,”
Rakturan protested.

  WE SHALL GIVE ALL PRESENT HERE A TOUCH OF OUR GIFT.

  What was their gift?

  Visions. They see things that no one else can.

  That didn’t seem like a way to win a war. I could think of much better gifts for that.

  This is the only one they are offering.

  “Thank you,” Rakturan was bowed down, too.

  YOU SHALL RETURN THE IFRITS TO THE EARTH.

  Why would they want that? Didn’t they want the Ifrits gone? And didn’t they live beneath the earth?

  They mean that we should eradicate them – kill them all.

  I was going to get along just fine with these Troglodytes. Anyone who wanted the Ifrits gone was good in my books.

  They deserve our respect. Dragons owe everything to them.

  That was a story I needed to hear.

  Another time, perhaps.

  One day I was going to sit him down and make him tell me all these stories he kept on putting off, even if it took a full week.

  From behind us, the dozen or so survivors pushed in, trying to see the Troglodytes and yet hide behind us at the same time. Wouldn’t I feel the same way if there was anyone to stand in front of me?

  For someone who claims to prefer the background, you sure push yourself to the front a lot.

  Push myself? Ha! I was shoved into these situations.

  Face it, you could still be a girl living in a farmhouse doing kitchen chores. You chose this life and even if it’s a bit scary sometimes, it suits you.

  Why were the Troglodytes so quiet? Was that all they had to say?

  Traditionally, they say very little, but they are speaking to Rakturan directly now. They have chosen him as their Champion to quell the Ifrit invasion.

  Champion?

  Occasionally the Troglodytes will choose a Champion for a mission they feel is of vital importance in the upper world. It is a very rare thing. Clearly, they are furious about the Ifrits.

  DO YOU AGREE TO DESTROY THE IFRIT THREAT?

  Those words seemed to be for me.

  “I do,” I said standing up out of my bow of respect. Fortunately, my crutch had survived the battle. Now that the power had faded from me, I needed it again.

  Surprisingly, I heard a chorus of agreement from behind me as the other survivors rose to accept the challenge.

  Rakturan raised his fists up and his proclamation was both for them and for us. “I swear by my honor and the honor of Baojang, we will cleanse our land of these Ifrits and pursue them across the whole of the earth if we must. I will build up my nation and restore her glory and together we will destroy the Ifrits.”

  RAKTURAN SHALL BE OUR CHAMPION. AS OUR PART IN THIS, ACCEPT OUR GIFT.

  I felt a vibration, like a small earthquake rippling beneath me. I clutched Raolcan’s side as my leg and crutch trembled under me and a cold sensation passed through me. The cold and vibration left as suddenly as they had come, leaving me with a headache and a hungry belly, but not much else.

  WE SHALL SPEAK TO THE ONE WHO CALLED US HERE.

  Called them? Didn’t they just come here on their own? I looked around curiously until Raolcan shoved me from behind with his snout. I stumbled forward.

  WE HEARD THE CRY OF YOUR HEART. WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU.

  The Troglodytes flared suddenly, a bright burst of light in the night, and then – as one – they slid across the ground and back into the Edge of the World. I wasn’t the only one who gasped at their departure. What did they mean that they heard me?

  What did you do exactly?

  I’d only been copying Shonan, trying to access the power of Truth and the prophecies.

  Clearly, it worked. It also spoke to the Elders. I’m honored to be the dragon of someone who has caught their notice.

  He actually sounded serious.

  Dead serious.

  I looked around at the barren desert and the tall tower. Our enemies had fled, and our allies were gone. What did we do now?

  The survivors behind me rushed forward, pushing past the dragons as if they were nothing more than landscape and crowding around Rakturan. They spoke rapidly in their language, excitement in their voices. He stood out among them like a raven among sparrows, his fierce expression even fiercer than usual as he answered. He perfectly fit this place of stark sun and rock.

  “They pledge their loyalty to him,” Renn said from beside me. He looked tired. “He accepts it. It looks like we’re about to be a part of a major fight for the Baojang throne.”

  “I’ve already delivered my message. It’s time for me to fly on,” I said.

  “Amel?” Rakturan silenced the man speaking to him with a raised hand, his attention on me now. I felt like I was caught in the gaze of a predator. “You aren’t talking about leaving, are you?”

  I shuffled slightly. There was no reason to stay. I’d delivered my message. I didn’t even know the language here.

  “Why should I stay?”

  He left the crowd of people around him and joined us, standing where he could face both Raolcan and me directly.

  “This situation is a difficult one – fraught with the potential for disaster. I need people I can trust to stand with me and I need the guidance of another prince.” Here he looked at Raolcan. “I can trust you both. We’ve seen battle together. We value the same things. We are fighting to bring help to Savette – my wife. Will you stay with me and help me to gather the support I need?”

  If I did, then it would be long weeks or even months before I saw Leng or Hubric or Savette again. I nibbled my lip, worrying about what he wanted me to commit to. I wasn’t sure that I could. They needed me at home.

  “What would you want from us?”

  “I have an uncle to the north. Rumor has it that he has not thrown his support to either side of the civil war yet. I want you to take this Gold Dragon Rider with you – he speaks our language – and deliver to my uncle a message asking for his support. The Gold can help with the negotiations. And, of course, my uncle and those of high positions speak Dominion.”

  I grimaced. If I had been born a Castelan like Savette, I’d be able to speak the tongue of Baojang. What did Raolcan think of this plan?

  I think that we can’t help Savette if we return without the allies she needs. Let’s commit to this first step, at least.

  “I’ll deliver the message, Rakturan, and of course I want what you want. But I don’t want to promise to stay here if I need to go later.”

  He nodded, frustration in his eyes. “But you’ll stay for as long as you can?”

  “Yes,” I agreed. But now I was worried. I felt a constant pull toward the Dominion and my friends there and I had no desire to stay here with Rakturan. Everything about this place was foreign and strange and I felt like I was packed in wool – I couldn’t understand what I was hearing or speak to anyone except Rakturan or Renn.

  “Then we’ll speak about the details in the morning.”

  I nodded, but my heart was sinking. I felt unmoored – like a ship adrift at sea. I had no purpose in this place. I was just extra.

  See, I told you that you like being at the center of things. Why don’t you get some sleep? You’ll feel better in the morning.

  Chapter Three

  We searched the tower before anyone went to bed. It was empty of people but had water and supplies within as well as beds. It appeared to be an outpost of some kind. Perhaps a hidden fortress for the Ya’kar, like the Lightbringer safehouses back home. I listened as the people around me divided up the beds and spoke together, often consulting Rakturan. They were warriors, if I was guessing correctly. Though they had no weapons, they moved with the muscular power of people who were used to using their bodies for a purpose. He’d be fine here with them.

  I slept the night with the dragons. Life was safer and happier when Raolcan was near and it was nice to be reunited with Enkenay – even if he did snore. Raolcan hadn’t explained where he was when Rakturan was captured. He said it was none of our bus
iness.

  I was surprised when I turned over in my sleep and found Renn sleeping next to Ahummal. He’d never explained what had happened to his dragon when he was captured, but he seemed as attached to him as I was to Raolcan. Maybe there were good traits to Renn after all.

  I finally fell into a fitful sleep – or was it sleep? – because if I was dreaming, then this was the most real dream I’d ever had. I was watching as Hubric and Haskell snuck through the shadows. I knew – without knowing how I knew – that Kyrowat was waiting at a nearby safehouse. They paid a man in the shadows, coins glinting in the moonlight, as he hustled them into a wide basket. The rope tightened and hauled them upward.

  “It will be fine, Haskell. Cara has a place for us in the city.” He kissed her gently on the cheek. It was still strange to see Hubric acting gently.

  “You heard the news as clearly as I did, Hubric. Purple Dragon Riders aren’t just barred from the city. Any found here are being imprisoned – if they live long enough for the authorities to find them. I’m worried about you.”

  “If we can get to Handras and the Lightbringers in the city there’s still time to rally support for Savette. If we can’t, then she’ll ride into a trap. Stay hopeful, Haskell. We aren’t beaten yet.”

  The vision merged into a view of Shonan. He stood at a gate very similar to the Dawn’s Gate, but smaller – only wide enough for a single dragon to enter. He stepped through and the dream faded again.

  This time I saw Leng sleeping beside a lake. Something dark shuffled through the nearby shadows. He woke suddenly, and I felt a pang at seeing his face. I missed him! I missed the calm way that he stood up, drew his knife and furtively loaded his dragon without being seen by the shadows. I missed his cool expression as he carefully slid onto Ahlskibi’s back, missed the bravery in his eyes as Ahlskibi leapt into the sky at the same moment that the shadows behind him pounced.

  An Ifrit roared behind Ahlskibi, its hand barely missing him as it snatched out and tried to snag Leng off his back, but the Purple was too quick. He corkscrewed through the air in a wide trajectory, evading attack and then flung his wings outward, cupping the air, and swooping through a low grass-brushing dip before flapping madly to gain back the height he’d lost.