Dragon School_Dusk Covenant Read online

  Table of Contents

  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

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Dragon School: Dusk Covenant

  Dragon School

  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: DUSK COVENANT

  First edition. February 6, 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

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  for Alex

  Chapter One

  A deafening roar filled my ears as we fell away from the edge of the sky city Vanika. Kyrowat banked to the left, letting the blast of magic hit him on the belly, blocking us from the worst of it.

  Hold tight.

  His command in my head was so powerful that I found myself obeying before he’d finished the order. We corkscrewed through the air and my world was a blur of orange fire, rending steel and a force so powerful that it was all I could do to cling to his back. Hubric bucked and twisted in the saddle in front of me, his wiry frame moved almost fluidly despite the chaos, as if this was far from the first time he’d weathered such storms.

  Are you safe?

  Raolcan’s thoughts had an edge of anxiety. He didn’t need to be worried about me. I was more worried about the city behind us. The Dusk Covenant was destroying it one piece at a time. Sad enough that they were ruining such a mind-blowing structure and center of culture, even worse that there were thousands of innocent people within the city who didn’t have the time or means to get out. Not everyone could fly away on dragon-back.

  Kyrowat’s spin ended and I gathered my balance enough to look out across the afternoon vista. The sun was dipping toward the horizon and soon it would be nightfall. Where would we go? The city was in flames and filled with our enemies. We had no supplies, and already I felt the cold biting through my leathers. How would Rakturan feel, being carried in the mouth of a dragon?

  He’s not fond of my breath and he thinks I’m drooling too much. Does he have any idea how hard it is to fly with your mouth open and not drool? He should try it!

  He should just be glad Raolcan was purple or he’d probably have been chomped in two by now.

  It’s a favor to you – and to Savette. She likes him for some reason.

  I hadn’t expected Raolcan to do Savette a favor.

  I’m growing fond of her. She might be cold and distant, but it’s a shell around a very sensitive interior.

  I felt a pang of jealousy. Raolcan and I – our bond was supposed to be special.

  So, I can’t be friends with anyone else?

  My cheeks felt hot despite the freezing cold. He could feel my jealousy! But how did you keep from feeling fear when it just welled up on its own? I’d saved Savette, and now I’d risked the one thing I had – his friendship.

  Two things: First, she saved you this time, so you’re probably even. Second, you haven’t lost my friendship. I can be her friend and yours at the same time. I’m a pretty amazing dragon that way. And just so you know, we have a bond that no one else can have. It doesn’t matter who I am friends with, it won’t lessen that.

  There was no one as good as Raolcan. Chastened, I watched where we were going and tried to push aside my embarrassment at being so foolish. Ephretti led us toward the mountain foothills to the north-east like she had a place in mind. She was angling to a point where the forest cleared and a river ran through the snow, unfrozen so early into winter.

  I risked a look behind us. Dragons bubbled out of the sky city like a pot boiling over and all around the perimeter, ropes and cables extended to the ground. We were too far by now to see the colors of the dragons that swirled around the city or the contents of the baskets and boxes being lowered to the ground. I fought a roiling belly as I thought of the panic that must fill those busy streets and the fear in the hearts of the people there. I should be there helping them. It wasn’t fair that I was safe when so many others weren’t.

  I’m glad you’re safe. It’s why I came for you. We can only do what we can.

  Maybe we could go back and ferry people to safety.

  Then what of Savette? She’s still too full of magic. What about Rakturan? Your comrades will happily kill him if you don’t stop them. What about Hubric? Did you not swear to him? None of us can do everything, spider. Crushing yourself under responsibilities that aren’t yours is not wise.

  We sped toward the forest floor. I could make out a small farm along the bank of the river. Smoke billowed from a chimney and there were cleared animal pens – although I saw no animals. Someone stood in the farmyard looking up at us, as if waiting for us to land. Ephretti descended first with her two dragons and Lenora’s.

  Her dragons are twins. They can’t bear to be separated. One of them should be carrying this foul-tasting prince!

  How had Raolcan brought them all in time to save us? I still didn’t understand that.

  I was listening to Savette’s thoughts while you were gone. Chaotic. Yellow and black and white. She was worried about magic she sensed in the city. She could feel it like wells being tapped all around her with golden streams flowing upwards. They were drawing too much. Too much. It was filling her up, too. She didn’t want it, but she couldn’t stop. The Magika – Zavin – who was helping her didn’t believe it when she tried to warn him – but I did. I could feel it was real.

  He must have been scared.

  I knew I had to act. I spoke to the boy – Aldeen – and he saddled us all and opened the doors. He took Dashira’s dragon. We were preparing to leave when I could sense conflict above. Dashira was up there and Zavin and two others – enemies, maybe. Their thoughts were chaotic. There was golden light and a feeling of power and then Savette came running down the steps to us and leapt on my back. I didn’t wait. I could feel she was terrified. As we launched through the door, power surged behind us ripping the place apart. We barely made it out alive. Enkenay has an injured leg.

  How could Aldeen ride Dashiva’s dragon?

  She’s his mother. Dragons respect blood. Even Whites.

  He’s a trainee?

  Too young for that.

  And now without a mother.

  We don’t know that. We don’t know anything except that
we are alive. Hold on to that, spider. If my senses are right, this is only the beginning.

  Chapter Two

  He touched down on the grassy field before the farmhouse moments before we did. I held on tight as Kyrowat skidded to a stop beside Raolcan. Beside us, Ephretti and Lenora were already leaping off Bellrued’s back while Raolcan spat Rakturan out with the force of someone dispelling phlegm.

  Rakturan rolled across the snowy ground and spun up to a ready stance, on one knee with his sword held ready before him.

  I need a drink. Anything to wash the taste of him out of my mouth.

  Raolcan flared fire off in a safe direction. Maybe that would burn the taste away.

  Hubric held his hands up. “No need to begin fighting all over again. We’re here now and we’ll deal with things as they stand.”

  “You were going to leave me to die.” Rakturan’s features stood out on his beautiful face as if anger intensified them. “How do I know you won’t kill me now?”

  “I’m a Dragon Rider of the Purple, boy.”

  “That means nothing to me!” Was that fear he was hiding in his voice?

  “It means lies don’t suit me. You should know that. If you don’t, then you shouldn’t be in the Dominion.”

  “I am a foreigner in this land, come in peace to marry one of your own, and this is how you treat me!”

  Hubric cleared his throat, but there was a warning in the action. Kyrowat flamed dramatically to the side, as if to remind Rakturan that he was a dragon, too.

  “Amel, do you remember what happened back there in the throne room?” Hubric asked, tilting his head to one side.

  Rakturan looked puzzled at his words, and so was I.

  “Of course, master.” I tried to keep my tone neutral.

  “And who was it that tried to kill our Dominar?”

  “Baojang, master.”

  Rakturan’s eyes narrowed, but I was more interested in Savette. Her eyes were still white like the heart of the sun and she still had not moved or spoken, like a statue made of flesh.

  “And where is this man a prince of, Sworn?” Hubric asked.

  “Should her eyes be glowing like that?”

  Hubric glanced at Savette. “Do I look like a Magika? If Zavin didn’t sort her out, then it’s up to her now. Get back on point, Sworn. Where is this man from?”

  “Baojang.”

  “There. Are you surprised that I treat you like who you are?”

  “I fought beside you!”

  “And for that, I shall spare your life.”

  The young man – Aldeen – strode forward and bowed, his fist to heart, before Ephretti. I climbed down from Kyrowat and made it to Raolcan’s side at the same time that Rakturan sheathed his sword and rushed to Savette. We were both anxious about her, it would seem.

  “Is the farm secure, Aldeen?” Ephretti asked. I didn’t listen for his response. He huddled in with Ephretti and Lenora but I was absorbed in greeting Raolcan.

  “Are you hurt, friend?”

  I’m whole and safe. Sorry about your hair. I can see it’s falling off in chunks below shoulder length.

  I grasped a handful and it came off in my hand, falling to the ground. It was only hair. It felt good to be close to Raolcan again.

  Like warm honey.

  We should never be apart.

  I agree.

  What should I do about Savette? I hobbled along Raolcan to where she sat. Rakturan murmured to her, unaware or unconcerned with my presence.

  “Are you seeing strange visions, diviner?” he cooed. “They are not real except to you. Calm your heart, let your breath flow free. You are safe with me, pale bird. Do not fly away.” His tone was so gentle that it almost calmed me, too.

  He was so calming that when Hubric spoke his voice startled me. I hadn’t realized that he followed me to her side.

  “Born high on the mountain,

  Blazing bright under the sun’s demise,

  Twice blind but still seeing,

  The only bulwark against the dark

  Watch as the arches declare

  Dominion of Light.”

  “What’s that?” I asked. “I’ve never heard it before.”

  “It’s one of the Ibrenicus Prophesies. Castelan children know them by rote. They quote them to ward off evil or danger.”

  “Why do you say it now?”

  His hand shook as he reached up to Savette, ignoring my question. “Come on down now, child. There’s a girl. You are safe with us. Steady. Steady now.”

  Rakturan rushed around Raolcan to where we were and helped Hubric lift Savette down. She didn’t seem to know where she was, and I couldn’t tell what she was thinking because her eyes still blazed so brightly that it was impossible to see her thoughts in them.

  “Let’s get her inside and then we talk,” Hubric said.

  Ephretti threw up a hand. “One moment, Dragon Rider. We have more pressing issues.”

  Chapter Three

  Ephretti leaned toward Hubric and whispered in his ear. He looked at Aldeen who nodded his head, confirming whatever she was whispering, and then gazed around our group for a moment before rubbing his chin and then speaking.

  “Prince Rakturan, you’ll wait here with Savette. We will bring warm clothes and supplies out of the farmhouse for you. Until then, build a fire and keep her warm and close.”

  “Now you trust me?” Rakturan’s face was twisted with suspicion.

  Hubric laughed. “Didn’t you see how quickly our dragons turn a man to ash? It’s not you that I trust. Kyrowat will flame you the moment you step out of line. If you ask him nicely, he might even light your fire for you.”

  “I’ll take care of my bride-to-be.”

  Hubric raised an eyebrow, but he must have been satisfied because he turned to Aldeen. “See to the dragons please, son. And don’t fear for your mother. She is among the most promising Dragon Riders I’ve seen and a powerful woman on her own. If she survived the blast she will be on her way to this safehouse. Let’s wait patiently before we assume something has gone wrong.”

  Aldeen nodded, but his young face was grim.

  “Either way, the Lightbringers will care for you. You are not alone.”

  “We should hurry,” Ephretti said and Hubric nodded, signaling to me to follow in the dragon rider way. I hurried behind him and Lenora behind Ephretti as they strode toward the farmhouse. What made that abandoned building so important to our masters?

  Lenora and I shared a look and she shrugged. She didn’t know any better than I did. Maybe they just wanted us to gather supplies, or maybe there was another Dragon Rider here. Savette still needed help and if we could find someone – maybe a White? – to help her, that would be worth it.

  She is beyond Dragon Rider help. Maybe beyond Magikas could help. This is something more – something bigger and more epic than we’ve ever seen. We’ll ask Hubric when we get a chance.

  Couldn’t he ask Kyrowat?

  Kyrowat isn’t thinking about Savette right now. He’s thinking about who is in the farmhouse.

  So, there was someone in there. The door was just ahead of us and I saw a simple sign had been branded into the wooden door – the sign of a sun rising over a hill. Was that the sign of the Lightbringers? Hubric had called this a safe house for them. Was it where they went in emergencies?

  Ephretti opened the door only enough to slip through and Lenora slipped in after her. Hubric waited for me to push through the narrow opening – difficult with my crutch – and then followed me, shutting the door with care. That was awfully suspicious. Why take so much trouble to enter a simple farmhouse without opening the door all the way?

  The front room was stuffed with crates and boxes in stacks as high as my head. From the open tops, I saw fur cloaks and blankets as well as rings of sausage and cheese wheels. Provisions for winter were exactly what we needed. I reached for a cloak, but Hubric shook his head, finger to lips. From a back room, heated voices argued, and we followed the sound throu
gh the crates and baskets.

  “We need to wait until the Silvers arrive. They will be here soon from Gerdath in the mountains.”

  “We can’t afford to wait. We blocked the passage, but it’s plain to see where it is and where it leads. Any hesitation gives our enemy a chance to break through and come to us. We should take the dragons that are here and push through to Gerdath before we lose any time. It’s fortunate that they arrived when they did.”

  “I have need of two of them.” That voice had so much authority that the others fell silent, the pause lasting as he waited to speak again. “A message must be sent to Dominion City.”

  “A message is not as important as your life.”

  “I will be the judge of that.”

  We broke through the narrow supply corridor and into an open room beyond. The man with the authoritative voice had his back to us, and two other men, rough, bloody, and wearing dented armor, stood in front of him. Were they dragoons?

  “As you say, of course, my liege,” one of them said, but worry etched deep lines across his forehead.

  The man with his back to us turned and I gasped when I saw the mask that covered his face. The Dominar! He was alive!

  Chapter Four

  We dropped to our knees, but the Dominar waved a dismissive hand. “No time for that.”

  Hubric stood, and I fought my way back up to standing.

  “It’s good that you’re here, Dragon Riders. I have need of you.” It would be easier to tell what the Dominar thought if he didn’t wear the mask. “Grim are the circumstances and dire the need.”

  “We are your servants,” Hubric said, fist to heart. We all joined him in the salute. I glanced at Lenora and her eyes were wide when they met mine. Were we really here? Helping the Dominar in the middle of an insurrection?

  “A message must be delivered to Comard Eaglespring, General of the Spire, Lord of War in Dominion City. I demand your service, Purple rider, and that of your Sworn apprentice.”