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Alyra stared up at the dark sky dotted with pale stars. “What was ... that?” She turned in a slow circle wondering if she’d truly heard what she thought she’d heard.
Tarek wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pushed her toward the shelter of the stately spruce. “I’m not sure.”
At least he’d heard it too. She wasn’t hallucinating. That climb had left her breathless and her head swimming a little. When they stopped beneath the pine-scented boughs, she glanced down into the valley below, hoping to catch a sign of Stitch or Ethan. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make out anything in the shadows. Digging into her pack, she lit up her palm as she searched for her Ledge-o-graph.
“Stop!” Tarek warned, his voice tense as his grip on her intensified. “It’s still out there. I caught sight of a shadow blocking out some of the stars.” He moved deeper into the thick woods and crouched beneath the shelter of some low limbs. Both remained silent. Alyra strained her ears, trying to listen for any unusual sounds. The wind whistling through the pines, the chirping of crickets, and her pounding heart were the only—
“There.” Tarek pointed to a large, black object soaring over their heads, high in the air.
Now that she had it in her sights, she tracked the creature as it circled several times, then swooped down over the valley before returning in their direction. “It’s a dragon. I’m sure of it.”
Tarek gasped and pulled her closer to him. She tried not to laugh at his nervousness, remembering he didn’t know the winged creatures as she did.
His voice rasped when he asked, “Are they still on good terms with Aloblase?”
“I believe so.” She hadn’t seen her friend Crystal since the drakes had taken her, Ethan, and Riyah to Wilderland. She’d been so sick at the time, that she barely remembered much about the ride except for arriving during a fiery battle. “We better stay hidden until we know for sure. I need to find out where Stitch is.”
“Okay, I’ll stand guard. Just try not to glow too much, love. And make it a quick letter. I hope Issah is with them. I have no idea where we’re at. Do you?”
She snorted a laugh. “Of course not. It’s too dark to see anything in these woods.” As she flipped open the journal, it shuddered and glowed on the next empty page. Stitch’s words were short and to the point. She rushed off a quick reply.
We’ve reached the brow, but I have no idea where exactly we’re at. Is Issah with you? Something is flying in the sky above us. We’ve taken shelter in the woods. I’m afraid to go any farther. Where are you? Did you make it to the hills?
She signed her name, hoping he’d respond quickly and wasn’t still on the run.
“It’s heading this way again,” Tarek warned, blocking her with his body as he brandished the dagger she’d given him.
“Don’t hurt it.” She whispered.
The flapping of wings came from directly overhead. Alyra held her breath, keeping perfectly still with the journal pressed against her chest with one hand, while she grasped Tarek’s wrist with the other.
“It’s moved away again. Do you suppose Darnel obtained another dragon?”
“I hope not. Surely, they’re all being more careful now. Besides, he never let Crystal fly past the mountain range, remember?”
He sat on the ground beside her, pulling his knees to his chest. “You were more the expert on that dragon than me, love. All I knew was how to make sure I stayed out of its range.”
The book vibrated again. “I’ll need to glow so I can read Stitch’s response.”
Tarek pulled her cloak over her shoulders, creating a bit of a tent over her. “Only enough to read.”
She nodded and read out loud:
“We can’t get across the plain. Too many soldiers patrolling. We’ve taken shelter outside the city, in the cover of trees. I can see that cursed castle from here. Our Katrina is there. We’re so close, but so far. What am I to do?”
“Why, nothing, of course!” Alyra hissed. He so better not get any wild ideas.
“Keep reading,” Tarek advised.
“I think we should all hunker down until dawn. Soon as the scouts give up, we’ll start making our way across the plain. They have to go to sleep eventually. I hope Issah will show up soon. Last I saw he was surrounded by an angry mob and then the fountain exploded.
I was too busy trying to keep Ethan from falling off my back. He’s fine. Just a bump on the head from a rock. He really annoyed those people.
Stay hidden, Missy. We’re fine. If anything changes, write, and I’ll do the same.
Tarek is in for it when I get my hands on him!
Furious, Stitch”
She didn’t miss Tare’s grimace as his hand swiped across his brow.
Alyra readied her graphite stick. “You might want to avoid him. I’ll write him back and try to explain why you came here.”
Tarek rested his hand on hers and shook his head. “Not now. It’s back and looks ready to land.” He stood and motioned for her to do the same. “You have any white stones with you? And that trusty slingshot?”
After setting aside her book, Alyra untied the bag of small rocks she kept on her utility belt. Inside was Jerin’s slingshot he’d given her. She’d become a skilled marksman with the little weapon and had found the white rocks absorbed her light energy and made for a formidable projectile in times of need.
Slipping a stone into the leather pocket, she followed him toward the edge of the woods. “We need to make sure it’s an enemy before we try to fight, don’t you think?”
“If it’s a dragon, it can shoot fire at us before the first question leaves our lips,” he answered in a harsh whisper.
She placed her hand on his arm. “Let me go first. I can throw up a shield if necessary. We can’t hurt one of the dragons. I’m sure they’ve all pledged themselves to King Shaydon, Tare. We have to be careful.”
He seemed reluctant for a moment, then finally gave a nod. Still, he kept his hand on her arm as if ready to pull her back if things turned bad.
She held back a smile over his protectiveness. That hadn’t changed at least.
They crept forward. The beast landed and crouched on the ground, sniffing the air, its wings still spread out. “I smell her.”
Alyra stopped. The voice sounded familiar, which was a bit of a relief, yet so much older. How long did it take a dragon to mature into adulthood? They could live several hundred years from what she’d read. Ethan had been the dragon expert, not her.
Biting her lip to keep herself from speaking out, she crept a little closer, wanting to send out an orb of light, but deciding against it.
“Is it you?” The shadow asked, sending a wave of relief over Alyra. The force of it nearly buckled her knees.
“It’s me.” Her steps quickened until Tarek pulled her to a stop with a quick shake of his head. “It’s Crystal,” she explained. Then the oddity of the situation hit her, and she moved backward a couple of steps. Why would the dragon come here? Now? “But wait... how?”
Maybe this was a trick, and she’d been too hasty in responding. Warning bells went off, causing a glow to emanate from her chest.
Tarek pulled her against him. “Stop. Breathe, love.” They both froze in place, standing against each other. His warmth and calmness helped to temper her energy so she could think more clearly. She waited for the creature to make the next move, needing to be sure. The voice sounded like her dragon friend but was so different, all the same.
“I know that other scent,” growled the creature. “Is my friend in trouble?” A rumbling sounded from its’ throat as fire glowed along the scales over the dragon’s neck.
Alyra threw up a wall of light, just in case. At the same time, she and the dragon said, “It is you.”
Then Crystal’s gaze narrowed. “But what is he doing here? Step away friend, I will take care of him.”
* * * *
Stitch couldn’t stop staring at the castle glowing against the night sky. His fingers ran over the spot on his upper arm that used to be darkened with that traitor’s mark. The moon and stars in a circle of what he always thought looked like chains.
How did that traitorous thief manage to get his hands on Katrina? Who was responsible for watching over her? Alyra had said Kat had broken Darnel’s portal device when she’d started to run toward them. Little Miss wasn’t fast enough to reach them before the fissure in the earth closed up, taking Darnel, Katrina, and those Racans who’d managed to get through the fissure in time. For that, he was glad. That thief could not be allowed to get his hands on Alyra!
Issah insisted the Curian was still alive. But for how long? If only Kat had taken her journal with her, they might still be able to communicate. Might be able to form a plan of escape. Somebody needed to do something.
The book tucked under his arm vibrated. Stitch opened to the glowing page as Little Miss’s note appeared. “Praise Shaydon, they at least reached the hills.” Stitch looked around when no answer came from his companion.
He found Ethan huddled against the base of a tree, asleep. Nudging the lad with his hoof, Stitch roused him. He sure hoped that head injury wasn’t more serious than he thought. He wished Issah would come to find them. “Your sister wrote me back.”
Ethan sat up, rubbing his eyes and wincing as he pressed his palm to his head. “Is she with Issah?” He stood and staggered a moment until Stitch helped steady him. This wasn’t good. The boy didn’t seem in any condition to travel far. He might need to let him ride again if they hoped to get anywhere.
Stitch read the letter again out loud.
Ethan moved toward the edge of the trees, his gaze searching the skies. “What do you think might be flying around up there? Maybe Issah sent a dragon to help us.”
Gulping down his fear of the drakes, Stitch shook his head. “But how? And I’m sorry, but there’s no way I can ride on the back of a dragon, so what good is that going to be anyway?”
Ethan shrugged. “It was a guess. I’m finding it hurts to try to think too much. I have a horrible headache. Can you write her back and ask if she put anything in my bag that might help? I know she asked me to carry a few of her remedies, but I have no idea what is what.” He sat down and began rummaging through his pack again.
Stitch had just sent off another letter warning her to remain hidden and wait for now. Soon as the night settled and the town’s lights began to fade, he planned to try getting across the valley. Hopefully whatever was patrolling the skies, if there was anything, would soon fly away. Who knew what it might be, considering how this town liked to tamper with creatures using Darnel’s mind-altering powder.
His book vibrated again as relief washed over him. If Alyra was responding to his letters, she must be safe. But the new arrival wasn’t from her. Lotari’s fanciful penmanship filled half the page.
Stitch,
Issah just traveled by the portal through Many Rivers. He asked me to pass on this message from him to you: Stay right where you are. For now, you are safe. I’m to remind you that Marya packed some of her healing tea in a leather pouch which Alyra put into her brother’s bag. That should fix whatever injury Ethan suffered. Issah wouldn’t stay long enough to explain any more than he deemed necessary. You can fill me in while you heat water for the lad. Do not use any water flowing in that area. I’m sure you’ve probably already figured that out.
He is sending the drake Crystal to fetch Alyra and Tarek. Again, he instructs you to remain patient as he works out a way to get you to safety. So please, son, remain where you are. Issah is working on your situation. And from his haste, I’m sure many other situations, as well. Maybe you can fill me in on what happened. He did seem a little troubled which perplexed me.
Keep me posted. I’m to write Alyra next.
Stay safe, Lotari
Stitch related the information to Ethan who started gathering wood. “There is some of the Healer’s cream, too. Maybe that’ll stop the bleeding.” He folded his long legs and set to building a small fire. Lotari suggested they were safe in this spot. Issah knew exactly where they were, which eased Stitch’s worries some. They simply needed to wait.
Except, he couldn’t get past why Issah had left them. What had happened in the town after he ran away with Ethan? Something must be brewing.
They munched on some of the grain cakes Lotari and Marya made for their trip. Stitch warned Ethan to conserve what water they had. He didn’t want to even touch the tainted Racan stream.
A laugh escaped from Ethan after he poured the last of his pouch into the small pot to be heated. “Shaydon provides in times of need, does he not?” The lad tipped the pouch over his open mouth and more trickled out.
Stitch breathed out a comforted sigh. They’d be all right. Issah hadn’t abandoned them, and he hated himself for allowing that traitorous thought a chance to wriggle its way in.
“Any word from my sister? Maybe we should warn her that Issah is sending a dragon?”
“Lotari was to write her. I think you and I should take turns resting. You first, once you drink your tea and finish tending to your head. I’ll stand guard.”
A little while later, Ethan settled beside the dying fire, wrapped in his cloak. Stitch wandered off a short distance, still transfixed on the mountain city. So many mixed emotions stirred within him at the sight. He blinked back the blurriness forming in his eyes. Blast! He swiped the back of his hand across his face. Images returned of the stables. His mother. The brutal men lording over the stock creatures. Their cutting whips and cruel words.
His book vibrated with a new note from Alyra.
Crystal has arrived with instructions to fly us back to Many Rivers where her family awaits further instruction from Issah. I think this is it. Even Tarek thinks Issah is ready to move.
But I’m worried about you. Lot said you would be rescued soon, but he didn’t know in what way. Please, please, promise me you will take care of my brother.
Can you really see Racah from where you’re at? Our Katrina is there, bless her. I can’t stand this. As much as I want to return to a safer place, I hate that we are so close, yet so far.
“Indeed. So, close.” Muttered Stitch, his gaze crossing the expanse of open land between him and the mountain. “So, so close.”
I’ll see you soon, Stitch. Make sure you check on Ethan every couple of hours. Hopefully, he’ll feel back to his normal self after some rest. So glad I thought to put a few of my healing medicines into his pack. Issah had made the suggestion. Strange now that I think about it.
I have to end this. Crystal is ready to go. For a moment, I was afraid Tarek wouldn’t live to face you again. She remembered him from our time in Racah and thought for sure he was up to no good.
“I see I’m not the only one who still has doubts.” Stitch shook his head at the dark thought. No, Tare had proved himself time and again. He needed to get over the past and look to what lay ahead. Unfortunately, what lay right ahead of him was the last place in the world he thought he’d ever want to return to. But how could he turn away from Katrina now? Who knew how long it would take Issah to gather his army? Or how long she had before the Dark One disposed of her.
He checked the sky, realizing more time than he thought had passed. He needed to check on the lad.
“Hey there, wake up you snoring lump.” He crouched beside the boy, folding his legs beneath him.
“Is it my turn to stand watch?” Ethan slowly sat up, touching his head. His brows raised in surprise. “I think the medicine is already working. I feel much better.”
“Glad to hear that. Listen, I have a completely wild idea, but I need you to hear me out. Give me a chance to explain. If you’re totally against it, I’ll leave you here to wait for Issah.”
“What? Wait...” Ethan crossed his legs as he faced him. “What do you mean wait for Issah? Just where will you be going, centaur?”
“I’ve been devising a plan.”
