Chapter Thirty-Nine
Is this the city?
Wade cracked his eyes open, trying to peer through the rushing wind and darkness. Aurum's expectant energy flooded through their bond, prickling at the back of his mind. Wade squinted at the ground, which was washed in a dull gray from the moonlight. Shadows pooled between the vague shapes of trees and hills, making it nearly impossible to see anything. He could just pick Caeli's form out in the air beside them. The dragon's scales reflected the moon and stars, little silver pricks against a backdrop of deepest blue. Her flying was clearly strained, the beat of her wings uneven.
Not below us, Aurum chided, pulling Wade's attention from the sorry condition of their group. Look further ahead. Is that the city?
Dragging his gaze across the ground, Wade spotted a few glimmers of light resting at the edge of the horizon. From such a distance size was deceptive, but he could tell that they spread across a long, massive stretch of land. He squeezed his eyes shut, tucking his face into his arm as he tried to remember the last town they passed. I think so, yes. Crisea...
Aurum tipped to the side, swinging his head around to scan the layout of the area. Wade tensed as his body shifted forward, but the series of knots and ropes he and Serafina had rigged in place of saddles held firm. He still couldn't bring himself to relax, though.
Which was probably why he couldn't fall asleep, even though they were so deep into the night it was probably morning.
Sighing, Wade tightened his grip on Aurum. How far behind them are we?
...Only a little less than two days, still. They sped up once they hit flatter ground, and with us having to avoid the towns...
I understand. Wade glanced up at those distant lights, dread seeping through him. I just hope... skies, Aurum, what are they going to do to him? What have they already done?
I don't know. Aurum shook his head, weaving sharply to the side with the motion. But he is alive: I know it. We need a plan.
Wade thought for a long moment. Your bond with him—can you contact him at all?
Rivas severed it. Although... Aurum fell quiet, his thoughts withdrawing. Asher somehow reformed it. I haven't sensed him since... since he lost consciousness, but I could try.
Since he what?
Aurum ducked his head, guilt and sadness rushing through his thoughts. I was trying to stay close to him, but he couldn't sense me. They forced him to drink something, and he fell asleep. He was in much pain.
Heat flooded through Wade's veins, and he felt himself start to shake. Asher. His friend, who would help Wade with his chores when he didn't have to. Who would sit on his bed, book open on his lap, and talk with Wade far into the night. They should not be able to get away with this.
But they do, because your king allows it. I do not understand why all the power of your world rests in the hands of one man.
Wade tensed. I don't care. I just want to save Asher.
Maybe something needs to change, Aurum said with a sort of mental shrug, his mind drifting. But ideals do not matter. We're going to get Asher back, and if we can make your king and his followers pay for what they've done along the way, all the better.
Wade nodded, his attention drifting to the weight of his sword at his belt. His anger grew worse, throbbing in his temples. They will. Maybe not today, or for another decade but they will. I'll make sure of it.
<><><>
When they neared Crisea, the sheer size of the city revealed itself. It was a messy sprawl of buildings, tall and low, spread across both sides of the Crisen—a river that Serafina had mentioned when they mapped out their course. Wade knew little of it, except that it ran down the length of Eldernia before eventually reaching the sea. Ships clogged the river; on its banks, the city continued for miles in each direction.
Aurum turned to Caeli, some invisible message passing between them. Get ready, Wade.
Wade swore under his breath and hugged the dragon tighter, more grateful than ever for the straps around his waist and legs as gravity began to tug him upwards.
You're getting better at this, Aurum said, deepening into a full dive.
No. Wade felt like he'd left his stomach behind them. He couldn't close his eyes; he hated waiting for Aurum to spread his wings more than watching the ground hurtle closer, though the wind made it hard to see even that. I just managed to stop screaming.
Considering the first few times, that's better.
Wade would have laughed if terror wasn't squeezing his heart so tightly. Shut up.
Finally, Aurum snapped his wings open and gradually evened out over a stretch of forest at the edge of the city. Wade couldn't see much except a blur as they skimmed across the top of the canopy; the scattering of buildings some distance to their left became thin lines of light, streaking past, disappearing, and streaking again. Then there was a long moment of darkness, broken by nothing.
Aurum reared back and flapped his wings a few times to slow down, slipping through a gap in the trees. Wade jerked as the dragon struck ground. With a rush of air, Caeli landed next to them.
Wade sat up a little, glancing in the direction of the city. He couldn't see anything through the trees. The moon shone full tonight, making it surprisingly easy to see the details of the clearing.Where did we land?
Serafina said there was a castle, Aurum replied, carefully toying with the word. We're on a hill next to it; once you get past these trees, you should have a good view.
Thank you.
You're welcome. Now get these cursed bindings off of me.
Wade chuckled and shook the numbness from his hands, glancing over at Serafina. She was already untying the knots that held her in place; Wade followed suit, sticking his tongue between his teeth as he struggled with the complicated patterns. Serafina had made them; he, unfortunately, was terrible with knots.
"Did they hold?" Serafina called over, slipping to the ground. Wade stared at her in astonishment as she tugged on a rope and removed the entire mess from Caeli's back in a single, swift motion.
"Yes, they did." Wade turned his attention back to the straps holding him down, willing his fingers to move faster.
Clumsy human, Aurum noted slyly, twisting his head around to watch.
Adorable dragon.
Aurum tossed his head. If you keep calling me that, I will eat you.
You're so cute when you threaten me. It's like watching a kitten try to roar.
A low growl built in Aurum's throat, sending an instinctive trickle of fear down Wade's spine. He shut up.
Serafina stepped away from Caeli and looked Wade up and down. She'd tied her braid more tightly than usual, but a few locks of hair had still fallen down the left side of her face. She tucked them behind her ear as she drew closer, grinning. "Do you need help, Wade?"
"Yes," Wade admitted sullenly. They'd landed more than a few times with these straps, but he still couldn't make sense of them. At least this was the last stop.
Last stop. Wade shook his head, forcing the finality of his thoughts away as he feebly tried to help Serafina. She snickered and pushed his arm away, her fingers dancing through the mess of ropes.
"Do you do this often?" Wade asked, holding his hands up in defeat.
"You'd be surprised how many things there are to tie at a farm." Serafina dismantled a knot, and, to Wade's surprise, the entire system holding him in place loosened. Serafina helped him get his legs out of it, and then Wade tumbled down Aurum's side to the ground.
"I still feel wind in my face," Wade grumbled, stretching his arms and then leaning down to touch his toes. "Should I still feel wind in my face?"
"Not a clue." Serafina tugged the rest of the ropes from Aurum, casting them to the ground. "I guess we won't need these anymore..."
Good, Aurum and Caeli replied at the same time.
Serafina clapped a hand over her mouth, and Wade snorted. Their laughter died away quickly, however. There was a brief silence.
"So..." Wade shook his head and moved toward Crisea, already feeling guilty for the moment of amusement. They should not waste time. "Let's take a look at that castle."
Beyond the trees, the ground dropped into a steep slope. Wade hesitated at the edge: on a hill a few hundred yards away, a castle towered above them. It was a smooth, graceful structure, made of stone that seemed to suck in the light around it. Even the bright moon seemed to struggle to illuminate it enough for Wade to see more than a few scattered details. Wade shivered: oddly enough, it reminded him of that strange, eerie mountain he'd found Serafina and Kira under so long ago.
Serafina soundlessly drew to Wade's side, her eyes glinting as they roved across the castle. "It looks well built."
Wade nodded. There was an outer wall that ringed the whole structure, sturdy and thick. A few pricks of orange light wavered atop the battlements: soldiers, Wade guessed. Judging by their size compared to the wall, he measured it at about thirty to forty feet tall. Unfortunately, that made it difficult to see much more than the roof of the castle within.
Here. Aurum showed a mental image of the castle from above through their bond. Wade closed his eyes and concentrated on it, matching their location to the map. A few buildings were scattered about the grounds, which consisted mainly of grass and a few groves of trees. The castle sat in the middle, a massive structure that Wade found difficult to truly comprehend.
You have a good memory, he told Aurum, opening his eyes and letting the vision fade.
"We'll need to figure out a way inside," Serafina said after a moment. "But how...?"
"Wait! First, we should make sure Asher is there." Wade turned around to look at Aurum, who had sprawled across the ground. The dragon rolled onto his back and blinked at him. Aurum, can you sense him?
The dragon retreated for a long moment, and his eyes slid half-shut. ...Not exactly, but he's definitely inside there.
Can't you rebuild the bond and talk to him?
Maybe, but... I feel like that would be a bad idea.
"It's the Valkir," Serafina interrupted, glancing between Wade and the dragons. "I think they'd be able to sense us if we tried to contact Asher: I can't tamper or touch these connections, but they're still visible through the magic. It's like a thread connecting us, and to unravel it over a distance only increases the risk of being found."
Wade stiffened; he'd forgotten the length of the power their enemies held. "Could they have already sensed us?"
"I hope not. With so many people in Crisea, it would be difficult," Serafina muttered, biting her lip.
"Unless we're looking for you."
That voice. A little rough around the edges, flat, almost bored. Wade whirled around, drawing his sword and stepping in front of Serafina. He stood no fighting chance. But for the very same reason, if one of them were to die, it had to be him. It had to be.
Rivas stood beneath a tree, where the shadows were deepest. He wore no cloak this time, but a simple dark tunic and pants. The man had his arms folded; his eyes darted between Wade, Serafina, and the dragons.
With a bloody snarl, Aurum lunged forward. Rivas threw out his hands, shifting his stance; the air around him shimmered, and the dragon crashed into some kind of barrier. Wade winced as a dull shock filtered through their bond. Serafina pushed past Wade at the same time, the air around her sparking with energy.
Wade clutched his sword tighter, fighting the urge to get back in front of Serafina. He'd only get in her way. Aurum, where did he come from?
I don't know! He must have hidden himself. Aurum stepped back, sharply tossed his head, and lashed out again. His claws scraped against air, mere feet away from the Valkir. Behind them, Caeli melted from the darkness and began to pace around the other edge of the barrier. Stay back, both of you. We'll take care of him.
"I'm—" Aurum clashed against the barrier again, and Rivas flinched. He glanced back at Caeli, worry cracking through his expression. "I'm not here to fight."
Serafina looked around them, shifting her feet into a fighting stance and ignoring the Valkir. "He wouldn't have come alone. Do you see anything, Wade?"
"No." Wade was still staring at Rivas, frozen to the spot. He was making no move to attack as the dragons circled around him. The man could've easily caught them by surprise, slit Serafina's throat or stabbed Aurum when they weren't looking. Why was he just standing there? Was this some sort of trick?
Caeli reared back and slashed at the barrier, a low snarl ripping from her throat. Rivas stumbled, and Aurum took the opportunity to drive his shoulder against the invisible wall.
"Stop!" Rivas shouted, faltering as the dragon stepped back, preparing to lunge again.. The man's stormy eyes were as cool as ever, filled with a forced calm. But there was something else behind them. Something different.
Wade shook his head, anger surging through him. The Valkir was a wonderful actor, but he had tried to kill Wade's father. He caught the man's eye and lifted his sword, his blood roaring in his ears.
Rivas' gaze wavered, and his shoulders fell a little. Slowly, the man lowered his arms, palms up in surrender. He went to his knees. Wade watched, stunned, as the barrier wavered and fell away, leaving Rivas completely exposed.
Caeli darted forward, using one leg to throw Rivas to the ground. The assassin grunted as he struck the earth; before he could get up, Aurum had pinned him to the ground. Wade saw a flash of silver appear in Rivas' hand and cried out a warning, but neither of them moved.
"There isn't time for this," Rivas said stiffly. His eyes flicked from the dragon to Wade to Serafina and back to Aurum, nervousness cracking through their calm. "You need to leave. Now."
Serafina glanced back at Wade, her eyes wide. What? she mouthed.
I don't know, Wade replied, staring at the Valkir.
"Serafina," Rivas continued swiftly. "You can tell if I'm lying, no? Use your magic; have the dragon read my thoughts. I don't care what you do, but you must listen to me."
Should I kill him now? Aurum asked, wariness and hesitation trickling through his thoughts. His golden eyes drifted to Rivas' knife, and his growl grew louder. What did he say?
I... he wants us to leave.
It is a trap. The dragon snarled, dipping his head lower. Rivas tensed.
Serafina shook her head, and Wade felt Aurum withdraw as they spoke. A moment later, Rivas cried out. Aurum released the man, who immediately brought a hand to his head. Wade watched nervously, unsure what the Valkir was trying to do.
Alright, Aurum finally said. His thoughts were sharp, filled with an anger Wade had never felt from the dragon. Speak, shadow. That wasn't the name he used, of course, but it was the best word Wade could think of for Aurum's nameless address of the assassin.
Rivas slowly lifted his head. When he spoke, his voice was strained. "We've been waiting for you. Soren and I are strong enough to sense the arrival of two dragons, so we've been alternating keeping watch. Soren is asleep right now, but the others may have seen me leave. You must go. Now."
Aurum reared back, flaring his wings as his eyes widened. He... He is right. We must hurry.
"Come on!" Serafina sprinted past Rivas, her hair flying behind her, and leapt atop Caeli. The blue dragon leapt into the air, and with a blast of wind they were shooting into the sky. Wade, however, didn't move.
"Then what?" he growled. "You want us to forget we ever came? Or will you track us down again?"
Wade, you idiot! Aurum snarled and leapt forward, reaching out with his forelegs. Wade threw himself forward, barely avoiding being lifted into the air by the dragon.
I'm not abandoning Ash. Not again. I won't run.
Rivas shot up, his eyes flashing as he sunk into a crouch. "Leave! I don't—"
A shout, distantly familiar, cut Rivas off. The Valkir stiffened and vanished, melting away into the shadows. Wade felt the air shift behind him, and choked as he was yanked backwards by the neck of his shirt. He shouted and twisted; something seemed to catch on his sword, wrenching it from his hands. The cold, bitingly sharp edge of a blade slid against his neck.
"I'm sorry," Rivas muttered. "You were too slow."
A blond man materialized from the darkness before them, running towards Aurum as a sword appeared in his hand. Kain. Wade writhed as Aurum batted the Valkir's blade aside, his thoughts flashing with shock and anger.
"More are here." Rivas' voice was still quiet, but no less urgent. Wade swore and fought harder, but he couldn't break the man's hold. Rivas was telling the truth: two other figures were darting towards Aurum, driving him further and further away. The moonlight wasn't strong enough for Wade to make sense of what was happening, but the stabs of pain that kept flashing through his bond with Aurum told him more than enough.
I am coming, Caeli reassured Wade. He could sense her diving, preparing to fight.
No. He swallowed, pushing the words to Aurum as well. There's too many. Go, go!
Caeli hesitated. Wade was distantly aware of her slowing, ignoring Serafina's cry of protest. But...
"Tell your dragon I'll contact him," Rivas whispered, pulling Wade further back. "But unless he wants to die, he must go."
I can hear you, shadow. Aurum roared as agony seared through his mind. Wade screamed a curse, unable to see much more than a blur of motion through the semidarkness. Wade, I cannot leave you as well.
This is my fault: go! Wade threw the thought as harshly as he could, willing the dragon with all his might to move. It didn't matter if Rivas was sincere. Wade had gotten himself caught, and Aurum needed to live.
Aurum skittered away from the Valkir and let out a new sort of roar—angry, yet lonely and hurt, like the howl of a wolf. He jumped into the air, driving his wings down. Kain threw something at the dragon's leg; Aurum swerved with a scream of pain, losing control. Somehow, however, he managed to free himself just in time to dodge of blast of lightning. Then he was racing away, his dark figure quickly fading away.
The shadow will cut our bond again, Aurum declared solemnly, his presence still close and comforting. But if he is not lying—and I do not think he is—I will speak to you again soon.
You place much trust in the man who tried to kill my father. Wade closed his eyes for a moment, still very aware of the knife against his neck. He'd been in this same position, once. He couldn't help but recall how that had ended.
I saw his mind. Aurum sounded so helpless, so full of anger at himself. No. I'm coming back. I'm not—
Stop. I should have listened.
Wade...
I'll be fine. If they wanted me dead they would have killed me.
Aurum retreated for a moment. He must cut the bond now. I will see you soon.
Wade closed his eyes. Goodbye. Tell Serafina I am sorry.
Rivas shifted, and Aurum's presence abruptly cut away. Wade grimaced, shifting his attention to the other Valkir. He recognized Kain, but the other two—a woman with cropped black hair and a man with a mask pulled up over the lower half of his face—were unfamiliar to him. They both hung back, murmuring to each other as Kain stalked over to Rivas.
"I'm supposed to be the rash idiot, Riv," Kain snarled, his sword still in hand. Blood smeared the blade. "Why did you come here alone? How on earth did you get pinned down?"
Rivas' hand jerked, and Wade winced as the blade of the dagger cut into his neck. "I didn't sense the dragons, and I did not mean for them to spot me. I was taken by surprise."
"No." Kain stepped closer, his face stony. "You overestimated yourself. You made a mistake. You failed. Or..." He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "Perhaps you are still unbalanced from this morning. Did you break his other arm this time? I heard the screams. You never could handle them, could you?"
Wade sucked in a sharp breath, curling his hands into fists. He was going to kill them. He was going to kill all of them.
"That was years ago," Rivas sighed, the usual calm filtering back into his words. "And I didn't fail. I still caught this boy."
"Lovely. Another one to deal with." Kain peered at Wade for the first time. Wade squirmed, suddenly very aware of the distant ache in his chest. The man only blinked, however."Oh. You. You're alive."
"No thanks to you," Wade spat, thrashing in Rivas' grip.
Kain snickered. "If I was trying to kill you, kid, I would've stabbed you in the heart. We were going to take you as well, but... ah, nevermind." He looked over Wade's shoulder at Rivas. "If you will take the honor of alerting King Soren, we can go after the other ones."
"Alright. Go."
Kain's eyes roved across Wade's face once more, and then he turned. "Cole, Maria—they went north. Come on."
"You're leaving him alive?" The man jerked his head at Wade, narrowing his eyes at Rivas.
"He's the boy's friend," Kain answered, hesitating beside a tree. "He may be useful to Soren."
Wade swore at the man's back, still uselessly trying to shrug Rivas away from him. It was idiotic to do such a thing with a knife at his neck, but he was too enraged to care.
With a roll of his eyes, Cole followed Kain out of sight. Maria stared at Wade with dark eyes before following, tossing a dagger in her hand.
"Saev." After waiting a few seconds, Rivas slowly lowered his dagger and moved away. "This wasn't supposed to happen."
Wade whirled around, baring his teeth. "What did you do to Ash?"
Rivas' face clouded over. He quickly turned away, waving his hand. Wade's sword, still left in the dirt, disappeared. "I'll keep that for now... nobody would believe that you escaped me alone, so I'm afraid you'll have to follow me back to the castle."
"What did you do?" Wade hissed, grabbing the man's arm. Rivas whipped around, knocking Wade's hand aside and wrapping his wrist in a stone grip.
"I cracked his spirit," Rivas said tightly. "Kain shattered it. And Soren is about to take care of the rest."
Wade flinched, his breathing ragged in his ears. "Murderer," he spat, the word wavering with the force of his emotions.
Rivas closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I am aware of what I am, boy."
"What do you really want?" Wade whispered, gritting his teeth.
"I want you to come with me." Rivas tugged Wade forward, dragging him in the direction of the castle. "If you do not, I will have to make you."
Wade scoffed, but kept pace with the man. "Liar."
"Believe what you wish: you have no reason to trust me," Rivas said coolly. "Nobody ever has."
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