Dragon School: Troubled War Read online

  Dragon School: Troubled War

  Dragon School, Volume 18

  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: TROUBLED WAR

  First edition. September 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

  Behind the Scenes:

  For Annaliese whose thoughts have been invaluable to me.

  Chapter One

  “They fled like rats from a flaming city,” Jalla said, looking out across the plains below Leedris where Ifrits, dragons, and soldiers left a long trail of dust. Broken brush and abandoned items were scattered across the sides of the road, evidence of their flight.

  I shivered at her analogy. The thought of a flaming city still filled me with shame. Especially now that we stood in yet another ravaged city. I looked behind my shoulder at the smoke trails rising up through Leedris City. It hadn’t burned like Vanika, but there had been a half a dozen small fires in the conquest. And other horrors that my mind shied away from.

  Our army had worked through most of the night to clean out the last pockets of resistance from the city and now Habrida’s war leaders had guards stationed on the walls and the turrets of the Castel. They were looking for any Castelans they could find among the people. I doubted they would find many. Any who had been here were either fleeing with the Dominar across the plains below or already dead. It was a grim day for the Dominion – and a grim day for Leedris. My heart felt heavy at the thought of having to tell Savette about her family’s involvement. She had believed them to be loyal to the Dominion. Perhaps it was that connection with the underground plots and not their loyalty that had pressed them to offer her as a bride to Baojang. Perhaps, this had been going on for far longer than we suspected.

  “And now we need to discuss the governance of the city,” Hubric said to Jalla. It wasn’t like him to talk about something like that – not like him to thrust himself into the spotlight, but by the gleam in his eye, I could tell he was as worried as I was about the citizenry here. These were our people. We needed to protect them as much as we needed to pursue Iskaris.

  It had been hours before Rakturan and Jalla returned from chasing the Dominar the night before. Grimy and weary, they had been forced to admit that it would take more than a pair of war leaders to hunt down and destroy an army. Iskaris’ escape had been too well executed to catch him before he reached his greater forces.

  I would have been irritated at them, but I was too grateful to be angry. Without Rakturan, I would have died on a wooden ‘X’ hung over the city.

  “I’ll leave a War Leader here, Dragon Rider. He will maintain order.” Jalla looked tired. I didn’t think she’d slept the night before, making this the third night in a row for her without sleep.

  “Not Habrida?”

  “That wouldn’t be a question if you had obeyed orders in the warrens. But no, not Habrida.”

  I’d finally fallen asleep halfway through the night when my own exhaustion would wait no longer. Raolcan, Ahlskibi, Leng and I had formed a ring in the attic above the audience room – away from the massive hole torn in the floor – and fallen asleep under the high beams of the ceiling there. Doubtless, there were other more comfortable rooms, but the attic was high up in the Castel, hard to access, and it was easy to hear any intruders enter. I’d fallen immediately into a deep sleep and hadn’t woken until Jalla stormed into the room and demanded we talk about the present situation.

  We were standing now in the rubble-strewn attic, looking out from the wide windows over the city and the surrounding plains. The attic was large enough for dragons to stand easily and as we spoke, Raolcan yawned dramatically, stretching like a cat.

  “You could use the current systems and structures to run the city until you return,” Hubric suggested in a way that was incredibly diffident for him. “Not to rule, obviously, but to keep everything working – food coming in and waste going out, business and commerce, the care of the people and prevention of disease.”

  Jalla’s gaze was eagle-like as she turned from the window to consider him through narrowed eyes. “You could arrange for that?”

  “I have contacts here with the Lightbringers-”

  “The religious sect,” Jalla said.

  “If you want to call it that. They are seeded throughout the city infrastructure and could help to maintain order and commerce under whoever you leave to govern.”

  Jalla considered for a long moment. “I will leave Avdam, the Sand Prince, to guard our hold here. Go and arrange to have the city work under his rule. Work quickly. We march again tomorrow.”

  Hubric nodded briskly, hopefulness in his eyes. I breathed a sigh of relief. He would arrange to protect the people here. We would do what we could to make there suffering more endurable. At least that was done.

  “And now we make plans,” Jalla said as Leng joined us. He adjusted his scarves as if he wasn’t really paying attention, but I knew he was.

  “An army on the run is vulnerable,” he said, looking through the window.

  “Exactly,” Jalla said with a smile. “I have half a mind to chase them now, but that would be irresponsible. I have armies to lead, and Amel failed to kill the Serpent Prince, so I have that headache to deal with.”

  My eyes widened, and I saw Leng’s start to widen before he fought them under control. She thought of killing a man as a mere headache! Jalla’s ruthlessness would never stop surprising me.

  “You need scouts to keep an eye on where they are going,” Leng said. He must have some sort of plan. “Amel and I could scout for you.”

  Ah, that was the plan. I couldn’t fault him for it. I wanted to be away from all of this, too, but life was rarely so simple.

  Jalla tapped her chin with a finger. “Yes. But more than that. We need to lay a trap ahead of them and hold them in place so my army can catch up and destroy them.”

  I cleared my throat. “Shouldn’t we wait and attack them from the rear when they hit Savette’s army to the south? Then they will have enemies on every side.”

  Jalla shook her head. “We don’t know how well or poorly your friend is faring. Perhaps her army is already destroyed. Better to take this army on the run before he can find his own allies or a place to make a stand. You and this bald one can go and scout for me. Take the Pipe and the dragons. When you find a likely place for a trap, set it up and send back a message to let me know where you are. If you can hold the Dominar’s army in a likely place until we arrive, we can pinch him between us and destroy him where he is most vulnerable.”

  I swallowed. Warfare was not for me. If it was, I would have been a Red.

  “I’ll send Hubric to help you when he is done arranging things here. Watch for him.”

  “And Rakturan?” I asked.

  Her face was tight when she said, “The Dark Prince stays with me. I have
need of him.”

  She turned and strode away, purpose in every movement and I watched her go with concern. Jalla was planning something and Rakturan was the key to whatever it was. That worried me. Was my theory correct that Rakturan could watch me through visions?

  Ironic, isn’t it? He watches you and you watch everyone else.

  Chapter Two

  Leng and I hadn’t talked last night – we’d been too busy fighting and managing problems and then we’d collapsed into sleep. And now that we were alone in the attic, I felt oddly shy. I glanced up to see him lean against the window frame, a smile flickering on his face before he bit his lip.

  We’re here, too, but sure, ignore the dragons. Everyone does.

  “You’re alive,” he said. His voice was magnetic. It drew me in and made me want to hear more.

  “I should probably mention that I’ve been seeing you in visions,” I said awkwardly.

  He chuckled. “As long as you aren’t dreaming about anyone else.”

  I felt my face heat, but I didn’t need to tell him I’d been seeing other people in visions, too. That wasn’t what he meant. His true meaning made a lump form in my throat. He wanted me to be his alone. Someone – other than Raolcan – wanted me to be his.

  “I’ve been worried about you,” I said. “You’ve been doing dangerous things.”

  He laughed. “More dangerous than leading an army of dragons? I knew you were different when you came to Dragon School.”

  He was smirking and the way he looked at me ... I had to look away. That much emotion made me feel overpowered.

  “How was I different?” Better to distract him with conversation.

  “Purples always choose their dragons. And bonds are formed that are close. But they take years. Ahlskibi barely tolerated me that first year even though he chose me. We weren’t friends until I was through training. He certainly didn’t like me touching him! But Raolcan let you in like a true friend right from the beginning.” He licked his lips. “The thing about Purples is that they can read people so well – even when they aren’t listening to their thoughts – that they know who a person is right away. They can warm up to someone over time, of course, and they have strong instincts about who they might come to like, but to attach to a human that quickly? You had to be pretty special. Pure of heart. Full of truth. Rare.”

  I looked up to meet his eyes and I could barely breathe. I felt like I was tingling all over with his gaze on me. He approved of me – maybe even admired me. I didn’t think another human had ever felt that way. Especially not someone so incredibly amazing as Leng. He stunned me with his easy ability to do anything necessary. I was bowled over with his confidence and quiet authority – and he liked me!

  Okay, that’s nice. Now settle down before you give us all an emotional hangover.

  Leng stepped forward and took my hand. I was suddenly glad that it was free to take. It was nice to only need one crutch again.

  “I hope you still feel the same way about me,” he said. “But I understand if you don’t.”

  I looked away, suddenly nervous. How could I tell him that he made me feel better, bigger, fuller when I was with him?

  Just tell him that and put us all out of our misery!

  I was startled when Ahlskibi snorted, filling the attic with a puff of smoke.

  “Leng, you know I’m ... I’m in love with you.”

  I glanced up, nervously, and was surprised when he took my face gently in one hand and kissed me.

  “Good.” He smiled. “It would be awkward if I was the only one.”

  I laughed, so nervous now that my body felt like it was awash with acid, making every part of me feel delighted and ill at the same time, like one person couldn’t hold so much emotion.

  He kissed me again.

  “We might not have many of these moments left,” he said, eyes sad.

  I nodded. After all, we were about to try to set a trap for an army.

  “As long as I’m alive, I want to have these moments. But Leng?”

  “Yes?” his voice was husky.

  “What if things change after?”

  “How would they change?”

  I shrugged. How did I put into words my fears? Raolcan was a prince. I was blood sisters to a crazy Baojang War Leader. I knew the True Dominar and the Chosen One by their first names. He was the brother of the Dominar. How could things not change?

  He pulled me into a hug and I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of being perfectly and totally safe.

  “No matter how they change, Amel, it won’t change how I care for you. You have my word on that.”

  I sniffed, trying to keep from crying and trying to remember this moment all at once.

  There was a cough on the other side of the room and my eyelids flared bright red for a moment.

  “Alright you old goon, we’re just about done,” Leng growled.

  I laughed and a moment later Leng’s chest shook from his own laughter. When he relaxed the hug, I stepped back.

  “I guess we should get ready to go before these two burn down the Castel after all.” I gave Raolcan a pointed look, but he was still snickering.

  Chasing an army! Now that’s a lot more fun than kissing is!

  I didn’t agree.

  Chapter Three

  I think you should hold the Pipe, Raolcan said as I finished packing his saddle. Leng and I had found provisions and water to restock our dragons and warm cloaks and clothing to wrap around ourselves now that Autumn was here. I was grateful for the thick fur cloak and wool scarf.

  Holding the Pipe wasn’t a good idea. I’d seen what that Pipe could do and now that we knew our enemies wanted the dragons, it was too dangerous for me to hold it. I couldn’t protect it.

  I don’t trust anyone but you and I can hardly carry it in my mouth indefinitely.

  Why not? Did it taste bad?

  Ha ha. How about you carry a twig around in your mouth and after a few hours when you feel like screaming we’ll talk again.

  Admittedly, that couldn’t be comfortable. How had he held it in there while he was flaming and fighting?

  I’m a dragon of many talents. But seriously, I tucked it under my tongue.

  Raolcan spat the Pipe onto the ground where it bounced slightly with a ting. I was about to scold him that he might damage it – but wasn’t that what we wanted?

  We’ll keep it safe until we can dispose of it somehow. It would probably be best to give it back to the Elders.

  That made a lot of sense.

  “What’s that thing?” Leng asked as I gingerly picked up the slobbery pipe, trying to wipe it with an old curtain from the corner of the attic.

  “It’s the Pipe of Wings. It can control dragons,” I said casually.

  Ahlskibi growled behind me.

  “I’m not using it, Ahlskibi!” I protested, but he gave me a wicked look. Raolcan better explain this quickly or I’d be nothing more than a smoking pair of boots.

  “What happened to your eye, old fella?” Leng asked Raolcan, changing the subject.

  “He lost it in a battle against the Dusk Covenant,” I said quietly.

  “It makes me think of one of the Ibrenicus Prophecies. Have you read this one?” he asked.

  “When the people of the earth sound horn of battle,

  And the land trembles and is torn,

  When the skies are rent in sorrow,

  And the depths bring help no more,

  Then the lame and the blind shall lead them,

  And guide them from the storm.”

  I looked at Raolcan.

  I’m not blind. I’m just missing an eye. Just like you aren’t lame. Tell this fool to quote something else.

  Well, he was feeling cranky!

  “Raolcan says he’s not blind,” I said.

  Leng laughed and gestured for me to come over to Raolcan’s blind side before he snuck a kiss.

  “We’d better take off,” he whispered.

  Don’t think I didn’
t see that. I don’t need an eye to see.

  He didn’t?

  It’s one of the advantages of reading minds. I can track anyone anywhere and if I really concentrate, I can even see where walls and objects are through their minds.

  Handy. I wished I could make up for my bad leg so easily.

  I didn’t say it was easy. It’s a crutch. And one that’s hard to use if I’m distracted.

  Was he ready to fly?

  Always.

  I smiled at Leng as Raolcan helped to nudge me up into the saddle. I didn’t really need the extra help anymore, but it was still nice to have – and it felt less humiliating all the time.

  You have a prince lifting you into a saddle – and that’s humiliating?

  I strapped in quickly, stowing my crutch and then Raolcan was ambling across the attic floor, climbing up the window ledge and leaping through, his wings spread to catch the air as we fell and then lifted, soaring upward into the pink morning sky.

  I would never get sick of the feeling of flying. The freedom was worth the price.

  Play the pipe now to call the dragons.

  But didn’t we decide it was unethical?

  Not when I’m telling you to do it.

  I pulled out the pipe, my nose wrinkling when I remembered his slobber dripping from it.

  Get over yourself.

  And then I put it to my lips and played my three-note call. Leng and Ahlskibi leveled off beside us while below us in the sky city colorful dragons swirled up into the air like flocks of birds over a dewy field.

  They joined us slowly, lazy despite the brisk Fall air, a group here and a straggler there, and then we were flapping hard to gain height and hit an airstream heading south.

  Would we even be able to catch Iskaris? He was probably riding one of those Silver dragons that guarded the Dominar. He probably had hundreds of Ifrits with him and they could move as quickly as any dragon. And they had a big head start.

  But he also has an army to lead. Men on horses and marching on foot. It’s too great an asset to leave behind. And the army has to travel by the road while we can fly directly over the mountains.