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‘A problem’ was a mild way of putting it. Cold fear washed over me as I looked at the ground before the skycity of Estabis. I had hoped we would be in time. I had hoped that we were flying fast enough even with the delays. But we were too late.
Below us, lit with the rising dawn, the thick forest stopped abruptly, becoming the fields and roads surrounding the towering skycity. On the edges of the forest, miles long and three-deep stood motionless golems. As if the city had built a series of statue tributes to wolves, these golems sat in long rows, faces forward. Eyes dark.
Just like I had in the yellow rain, I felt a pull to them. I stared at one, wondering what it was that connected us. What possible kinship could there be between me and a thing of metal and magic?
As if I had called the golem’s name, his head lifted, eyes flaring to life. He looked up at me and I gasped.
That was all. The rest remained still and silent. It was just that one golem staring at me, following me with his head as we flew overhead. And I could feel, like something pulling at the edge of my cloak, every single one of them lined up there, looking at me, waiting for ... something.
My skin crawled worse than if I’d been covered in ants. I could almost see the future spinning out – these golems marching forward and covering the city. Or ... what if it went otherwise? What if it didn’t have to be that way? What if they turned around and marched the other way? I felt a barrier when I thought that, as if the threads simply wouldn’t spin that way. But in the center of their weaving was something soft – some single point in the weaving of the future that if pressed on, could change everything.
My hand flared cold at the thought. Truth. Interesting. If I could just find that point, that one place where a little pressure could change everything ...
Tor?
Done making moon-eyes for now, Saboraak?
Don’t be bitter. It’s not a good flavor for you.
Well, I don’t know about that. Hubric drinks something called caf and the bitterness is quite pleasant.
She sighed.
Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just strategizing to prevent a war. You go ahead and meld your heart with a group of Green dragons. Don’t mind me. I’m just the human on your back who thought he could count on you.
I’m sorry, Tor. I got ... caught up.
“This is your chance!” The mimic said, flaring to life. “Use this to get her attention back!”
Whatever he said, I should do the opposite. But it took a moment for me to collect myself enough to push him mentally away. Saboraak had been begging me to learn compassion. Shouldn’t I offer at least a little bit to her?
Your city had better be amazing, Saboraak. For the record, I’d prefer a place with a real bed. I don’t ever seem to get to sleep in one.
I could feel flickers of a smile through our connection.
And no golems. That’s a deal-breaker for me, I’m afraid.
I promise there won’t be golems.
And you name the first baby dragon after me.
Aren’t you demanding!
If I’m basically going to spend my life as a dragon babysitter, there should be some perks. Oh, and can you wait until we’re finished stopping this war? Because I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been a bit busy with armies of golems, mad Magikas, soul-stealing artifact dealers, and face-marking prophecies.
I did notice that, yes.
And that’s not really the best environment to raise a family in.
Tor?
Yes?
Can we just make peace without all the sass?
Then I wouldn’t be me.
“I caught most of that,” Zyla said from behind me. “It’s a good thing you two have made up. You know you’re lucky to have her, right?”
“Are all the women in my life telepathic?”
“Saboraak lets me listen in sometimes,” Zyla said a little too smugly.
I gritted my teeth. Were all women in a massive conspiracy against me or did it just feel that way sometimes? Now, even my own thoughts weren’t private!
“Maybe you should be thinking about what you’re going to say to the Castelan when we reach Estabis,” I suggested to Zyla.
“Me?” She sounded nervous.
“Well, you’re the one with the spy-knowledge, not me. You’re the one with the famous family. And you’re the one with the intimidating polearm in her hand. I’m not sure why you thought it would be anyone else.”
“You’re the one with a permanent crown on your face.”
I smirked. “That’s just to impress the ladies.”
“We are not impressed.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the shrinking sight of the line of golems. If only my worries could be limited to teasing Zyla instead of a war with inhuman enemies.
“Stand ready!” Nostar called from beside us and I turned my gaze forward again in time to see the Black dragons breaking off from circling the city to meet us in the air.
These ones had better be real. I couldn’t take one more encounter with a shadow city. I felt a creeping sensation reach up my spine and tickle the back of my neck. Those golems behind us weren’t shadows and if we didn’t find a way to stop them and the other golems rushing to join them from Woelran, shadows would be the least of my worries.