* * *Once their mounts were back in the stables, they ventured to a small bar at the edge of town. Or at least what was now the edge of town. Samuel had been surprised to see it open and serving, but Drakkar and Tatsu acted as though it was perfectly normal to be cooking so close to a battle.
They hadn’t been at the high table long before Samuel told Tatsu their plan to return to Canopy. He only hoped the dragonrider would agree to go soon, because Samuel knew he’d feel awkward returning to the treetop city without Rin or Tatsu in their party.
Tatsu finished chewing a pastry loaded with strips of fatty meat, spices, and ground potatoes before responding. “It’s a good plan. We should go today, before the sun sets. The council gathers every evening in wartime. I suspect everyone will be there. Much like the first time you visited Canopy.”
Samuel bit into his own pastry, savoring the rich flavor that reminded him of an Ancoran stew, only with more fat and less salt. “Can the Dragonwings make the flight? I mean, have they had enough time to rest?”
“Once they are full of Sweet-Flies, they can fly for hours. Far longer than we’ll need to return to Canopy.”
Drakkar finished his pastry and took a long drink of water. “They are as resourceful as the Walkers we prefer in the desert. Remarkable, considering their speed.”
“I suppose they are much lighter than your Walkers. Less energy to move less weight.”
“But to propel that weight through the air?” Drakkar arched an eyebrow.
“You’d have to ask the tinkers. Frederick enjoys the calculations for that sort of thing.”
“I bet he would have gotten along with Charles really well,” Samuel said. “You should see his notebooks sometime, Tatsu. More numbers and measurements and nonsense than I’d ever need to know. Jacob makes sense of it, though.”
“Tinkers,” Drakkar and Tatsu said in unison.
It amused Samuel how quick Tatsu was to speak negatively about some of the tinkers’ crafts when he himself was so knowledgeable in the way of machines. Perhaps it was different for him. More instinctive. Regardless, Samuel would have thought that would be a bond when it came to the tinkers.
“Come,” Tatsu said. “It is time to go.”
“Now?” Samuel asked.
“Yes. This was your idea to leave so soon, Spider Knight, so it hardly seems the time to complain about it.”
“I wasn’t complaining!” His voice fell to a whisper. “Yet.”
Drakkar grinned at Samuel before pulling the Spider Knight off his stool. “I will relay a message to Lady Katherine and tell her of our plans.”
Tatsu hesitated and then nodded. Whatever mistrust the dragonrider had in the Lady of Belldorn, some of that suspicion had cracked in the time he’d fought with Belldorn. “To the stables.”
* * *
Before they took to the air, Tatsu warned Samuel and Drakkar they were going to go fast. Samuel had assumed that meant there would be small bursts of speed of varying length, but as he kept his face against the saddle and watched the world below disappear in a green and brown blur, he came to a greater understanding of why Tatsu had warned them.
The Dragonwing Mountains came and went, the chill of the mountain air clawing at them before they dove once more, skimming just above the canopy of the forest. They stayed like that, moving faster than he could comprehend, until the Dragonwing came to a violent stop, forcing Samuel into Drakkar’s back and Drakkar into the front of the saddle.
“How was it?” Tatsu called out.
Samuel cracked his eyes open, only then realizing he’d shut them with the impact. “We’re … here?”
“More importantly, we are alive,” Drakkar said. “You failed to explain how fast our mounts would be traveling.”
Tatsu shrugged and hopped down from his Dragonwing, boots thudding against the wooden floor of Canopy’s stables. “Not quite full speed. Two riders slow them down a bit.”
Samuel groaned and slid off the back of the Dragonwing, only to get affectionately whacked in the face by the beast’s tail. “Oww.”
“He likes you,” Tatsu said with a laugh. “Seen more than one rider in the hospital after a good tail thumping.”
“He’s growing on me,” Samuel said, brushing at the detritus that had gathered on his armor. Small bugs and sap and pine needles had made a mess out of it. “I didn’t think I’d ever find a speed I was uncomfortable with. I was wrong.”
“It is only a fraction faster than we traveled before,” Tatsu said. “You can grow accustomed to it in time, but you feel the pressure from the air with more prevalence at those speeds.”
Drakkar rubbed the fur of the Dragonwing’s neck as the beast plunged its face into a trough of Sweet-Flies. “I worried my cloak might lash Samuel like a whip.”
“It probably would have if I didn’t keep my face down on the saddle the entire time. Quite a view, though. I’ll give you that.”
Tatsu looked to the far end of the stables. “The sun will be setting soon. We must hurry if we wish to attend the beginning of the council’s gathering.”
* * *
Drakkar stopped at the foot of the ramp after Tatsu led them to it. Metal bands in the trees that formed the stables caught his eye, reminding him of the miniature trees some of the lords and ladies would keep in Belldorn.
“Tatsu, were these trees trained to form your stables for the Dragonwings?”
Tatsu paused and looked back to Drakkar before following his gaze to the woods. “Observant of you to notice the ties. And yes. For many years, there were anchors all around the stables, securing them to the ground below. It damaged the illusion of the netting, so in time they came up with this as the solution.”
Samuel patted a thick branch. “So you trimmed the new growth? Doesn’t that hurt the trees?”
“It can, certainly. There are enough fungi to kill even the giants of the Shadowed Woods. Much like we have net walkers to keep that material clear of debris, we have a group of arborists who care for Canopy itself.”
“It is impressive, to be sure.” Drakkar inclined his head and gestured for Tatsu to continue.
At the top of the ramp, they turned onto one of the main walkways, flanked by countless small homes and storefronts in the treetops of the Shadowed Woods. It wasn’t as busy as the streets of Cave, but there were similarities to the stories he’d heard of Ballern.
Tatsu adjusted his cloak when a strong breeze came down from the mountains. They made their way through Canopy and passed the large trunk Drakkar recalled being a hotel.
They turned down another path, crowded with slender trees. Drakkar marveled at that archway, so neatly trimmed, and formed into a nearly symmetrical tunnel for its entire length. The last time he’d been there, he hadn’t had as much time to take in their surroundings. He’d been far too preoccupied with watching for an ambush. After fighting together, he felt more of a bond to Canopy. At times it was difficult to extend trust to those outside Cave but doing so had gained him allies from Ancora to Ballern.
The silver tree at the end of that tunnel turned to fire in the setting sun. Tatsu didn’t slow as he made his way through the tall doors that came to a rounded peak, but Drakkar didn’t miss Samuel’s whispered thoughts.
“This place is beautiful.”
“Perhaps a new home when the war is done?” Drakkar asked.
Samuel shook his head. “Maybe for a vacation, but I’ll still take the stone and brick of Ancora, thank you very much.”
Drakkar smiled as he slipped through the doorway, stepping into a chamber of copper and brass and far more faces than he’d expected.
“The council is popular this evening.”
He looked toward that voice, finding Allie focused on him. “Madame Councilor.” He gave a short bow.
“I believe we are well past such formalities, unless you would prefer I call you Cave Guardian for the rest of your days.”
Drakkar’s smile widened. “As you will, Allie.”
She returned the briefest of smiles to Drakkar before gesturing to the crowded benches. “Find a seat where you can. I assume you are here to give support to Rin’s most unsavory requests.”
Near the end of the second row, Rin fidgeted in his seat. The tiered ebony thrones at the head of the council chambers were no less imposing than he recalled. Drakkar suspected Rin had already had issues persuading Allie to join in yet another fight.
Samuel led the way to a long bench to the far right. The place was nearly full.
“I’ve never seen this many people in here,” Tatsu whispered. “Let’s see how this goes.”
The woman beside Allie stood and addressed the room a short time later. “I call to order this evening council. Matters to deliberate include the outcome of the battle in Belldorn …” She glanced at Rin as she trailed off. “And the decision to pursue further measures against Ballern.”
Mutterings whispered around the room, sounds Drakkar had heard before. Some of the citizens of Canopy were not subtle about their anger. Any sound at all would be frowned upon in such a formal setting, but to voice protest in that moment was a bold statement in itself.
Allie stood beside the first councilor, who called the assembly to order. She raised her hand. Silence fell, and the speaker took her seat. “You will respect this council in these chambers. Lodge your objections, as is tradition. Speak out of turn, and we will escort you from this place.”
She paused to let those words make their impact before continuing. “Many of you protested the engagement at Belldorn. But still, we stand victorious and have walked away with what I consider a tentative alliance with the coastal city. That does not mean I am promoting the idea of sending our dragonriders across the sea to engage with both Fel and Ballern. We do not have the strength for such a front.”
“Then why are we here?” an older councilman asked from the topmost row of thrones.
Allie turned to face the tiers of her contemporaries, her gaze roaming the thrones until they fell on Rin. “I would ask one of our own to speak to that. One who has spent more time among Belldorn’s citizens, and whose experience in Ballern perhaps qualifies him better than any of us. Rin.” She gestured to him and then returned to her own seat.
Rin stood and made his way to the end of the risers before taking the narrow stairs down to the floor. “Thank you, Allie.” He gave a short bow to the councilor before facing the citizens. “I do not have much more to add than I did the last time we spoke, and the decision was made to engage with Belldorn. But what I do have to add is of utmost importance.”
Drakkar liked that Rin spoke to the crowd instead of the council. As if the real decision would be made by the citizens of Canopy and not the whim of their leaders. That was a thin line that was often trampled in cities like Ancora and even Bollwerk. Drakkar was sure Archibald would be offended by the mere thought he didn’t always act out of concern for his city. He didn’t stop the smile from lifting the corner of his lips.
“I say this to all the people of Canopy. Gregory Mordair cannot be allowed to rule Ballern. He has been given the role of Steward, and with that, I have no doubt he will crush the Skyborn. Do you not all remember what happened in Fel? To those who once tended the docks and hatcheries? An entire caste wiped out and hung from the walls like slabs of meat to dry. It will be the same here if Mordair is not brought to heel.”
Drakkar stiffened as the chamber exploded into shouts and accusations. Rin stood in silence, waiting for the raucous denials and calls to war to abate. As much as Drakkar had honed his patience over the years, even he was impressed by Rin’s composure.
“Is this about to get rough?” Samuel whispered under his breath.
“Peace, Spider Knight,” Tatsu said with far less caution.
“Listen to Tatsu,” Drakkar said. “Raised voices are not raised swords.”
Samuel didn’t say more, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t leave. Drakkar knew that posture well and did not think it was entirely unwarranted. The Spider Knight was ready for things to go very bad, very fast.
Rin held up a hand, fingers splayed, when the arguing quieted in the chamber. “While I ask you for peace inside this place, it is not the time for peace in the land itself. Consider what followed in Dauschen and Ancora. You have all heard the stories. We have a Cave Guardian and a Spider Knight in this very chamber. They have seen Mordair’s machinations with their own eyes. Imagine the ruin if that were combined with the Children of the Dark Fire’s ambitions? This world will be as ash. If not for us, for our children. For future generations. We have to stop this.”
The dragonrider let his head fall in a short bow before returning to his seat. Drakkar expected whispers or more shouted objections, but the chamber sat in silence.
Allie stood. “And so now you know what walks behind the walls of Ballern and why I have invited Rin to speak before you once more. The legend, or perhaps more appropriately, the abomination known as the Children of the Dark Fire is no mere tale. Many of us were Skyborn. Many of us heard the old stories before they were erased from our libraries and halls.” Allie raised her chin, her eyes glistening, her voice falling to a whisper. “Do you know what they have taken from us? They tried to take everything, but we …” Her voice rose to a thunder. “We are still here!”
There were no shouts of protest. There was only a roar, a terrifying reminder that sent a chill down Drakkar’s spine. A memory of something his brother once told him. Rally to glorious war. It is a fool’s end. Not even the survivors come home. Not really.
* * *
Samuel sat in silence until the chamber quieted. He’d heard that kind of speech before. He didn’t know if it was comforting or terrifying. There were still whispers of objection, but they were drowned out by a new fervor, a demand for schedules and strategies, supply lines and logistics.
Allie started welcoming the observers in the chamber to speak. The first was Tatsu.
“What do you intend to do if the fight moves into the Gray Woods?” he asked. “I agree the alliance between Ballern and Fel needs to be broken, but what allies can we count on? And if we are the aggressors? As you know, the Dragonwings are nearly unbeatable in the open air, but a fight in the forests would not be above the canopy. We could take the Dragonwings underneath it, between the towering trunks of the Gray Woods, but it would be risky with Bombardiers and Tree Killers waiting. Not to mention the rumors of Acidwings nearer the Great Machines themselves. We’d be better off outside the woods.”
Samuel perked up at that. He started to raise his hand, frowned, and then crossed his arms.
“It would appear our Spider Knight has a thought in that regard, Tatsu. Might you introduce him to the chamber?”
Before Samuel understood what was happening, Tatsu had his arm hooked at the elbow and was hauling him to his feet. He didn’t miss the small chuckle Drakkar let slip.
“Some of you may already know Samuel. He trained here briefly and flew with us at the battle of Belldorn. He is a Spider Knight of Ancora. One who rides a giant Jumper.”
That got a few whispers and an awkward smile from Samuel.
“We intended to ask your opinion,” Allie said, “but I feared waiting any longer might cause you to explode.”
It was the first lighthearted comment of the entire assembly, and it raised more than a few low laughs.
“Please, speak.”
“It’s … uh …” Samuel started. “Well, you mentioned the woods are hard to navigate with the Dragonwings. What about spider mounts?”
“We have very few, though they are agile on the ground.”
“What if … what if you had a lot more? And possibly more soldiers to ride them at your side?”
“Are you referring to the Spider Knights of Ancora? I would not reject their aid if it was offered, but the distance you speak of is nearly insurmountable.”
“I know a guy,” Samuel said, a smile lifting one corner of his mouth.
Drakkar jabbed him in the ribs.
“Right, apologies. I’m … I’m not good at formal. Actually got reprimanded a few times in … well, that’s not important. We know Archibald. Between his warships and transports, we could easily bring a company of Knights to Belldorn. From there, we can take whatever transport is available. We feed most of our spiders the same diet I see you feeding the Dragonwings.”
“It is a fascinating proposition,” Allie said. “But it is only that. You’ll need the pledge of your Spider Knights before we can move forward with this in mind.”
“After the Fall …” Samuel trailed off. “After the Butcher and Mordair did so much damage to Ancora, we have far more spiders than we have Knights. I think our leaders would be sympathetic to your plight. And perhaps, even more, they’ll want Mordair defeated as much as I do. To let him rule anywhere in the world gives him a path back to Ancora. He could attack my home again, and I’ve already lost too much.”
“Then visit with the Speaker of Bollwerk and those who have taken the reins of Parliament in Ancora.”
“I will.”
Drakkar stood beside Samuel and waited for Allie to acknowledge him.
“Drakkar. Cave Guardian. Do you dissent?”
“No, Madame Councilor. I agree with Samuel. While I wish war upon no people, there are times when one must fight or lay down their life without protest. I will go to Cave. They have been sheltering refugees from Ancora and Dauschen. The Guardians who are not needed to keep the peace may be willing to fight at our side.”
“You intend to join this new war against Mordair?”
“No. The war has always been against Mordair. We just did not know it. I intend to see this war ended.”
Allie turned away from the chamber and looked at the other councilors. Each, in turn, placed their thumbs and index fingers together, forming the semblance of a square. It took Samuel a moment to realize they were voting. A few made a different symbol, a circle with an X in the middle. Rin was the last to vote, and he too formed the square.
“So be it,” Allie said. “We will join this battle until it has been proven unwinnable, or until a better course of action presents itself. Go, all of you. Spread the word to the citizens of Canopy. We fight.”