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NATALIA STOPPED TO CATCH her breath, watching the blackened figure as it flew outlined against the blue sky. Her battered and bruised ribs still throbbed from the orc’s war hammer. Keeping her gaze fixed on the now-distant dragon, she was reminded of the last time she’d seen the rider pair. The loss of her dragon and their bond cut deeper than any physical injury ever could.
One day, I’ll get back at them for what they did to me, she thought as Killdoor flew from view, continuing to burn the forested areas along the Drakeshead.
A touch to her shoulder startled her from her memories of that night over two months ago when she faced Merglan over the Eastland Mountains. Spinning around, Natalia’s brilliant green eyes found the old wise man’s wrinkled face.
“Natalia, are you okay?” Solomon asked as she continued to stare at him in surprise for too long. “We can rest if you need more time to heal.”
Natalia saw him searching her face, trying to read what she was thinking. Touching the side of her body where the hammer had struck hardest, she said, “I’ll make do. I can keep going.”
Stepping around him, Natalia joined the line of Lumbapi hurrying through the forest. The Southland natives followed trails little known to anyone on the island; only a random hunter might stumble his way across the interior network of lightly traveled paths the Lumbapi used in secrecy. She continued on, pushing through her pain, using her magical talents sparingly now that she was the only one among them who could wield the energy. Natalia knew she was weakened physically as well as in magical strength from the battle they’d just fought.
That night, Natalia sat with her back against a tree trunk thinking through countless possible scenarios of what might’ve happened to Anders and Ivan. She couldn’t explain it, but something inside her told her that Merglan was holding them prisoner. The Lumbapi Princess Inama’s voice cut through her thoughts. The Lumbapi accent in Inama’s voice felt light and calming to Natalia, not startling her as Solomon’s touch had earlier.
“I must thank you, elf, for your efforts in saving my life. If it weren’t for you and your unworldly powers, I’d be septic by now and beyond the healing forces of our medicines,” Inama said.
Natalia opened her eyes to see the sinewy young woman sinking into a squat and settling on the ground at the base of a tree directly across from her. Keeping her head against the tree as she spoke, Natalia said, “You can direct your thanks to Solomon for that. His lizards gave me the strength after the dwarfs rescued us; all I did was channel the energy for them.”
“You are a proud woman and I admire your strength. I can find more reasons than healing me to thank you. Your skills with the blade helped us to escape the orc horde,” the Lumbapi princess continued.
Natalia stared at the quaking leaves rustling in the evening air overhead. “How is it healing up since the magic effort?” Natalia asked. She lowered her gaze and watched as the short-haired young woman exposed her tanned torso and looked to the pink mark where a serious gash had been.
“No infection or weeping. I expect it to leave only a slight scar,” Inama said, running her finger over the recently-healed skin.
“How about yours?” the princess asked.
Natalia arched slightly as she pulled her shirttails out from her waistline. She showed Inama the black and blue bruising fringed in yellow that covered a majority of her side.
Inama flinched at the sight, “Can’t you heal it more?”
Letting her shirt drop and shrugging, Natalia said, “Well, with only three days and considering my situation,” she paused, trying to force down thoughts of her dead dragon. “I’m doing a little more each day. I used most of my stored energy during the battle and I don’t want to overwork myself. I need my strength to travel.”
“Can’t Solomon help you?” Inama asked with a frown.
Natalia shook her head, “Those lizards were his channel for magic. Now that he’s sent them to mislead Killdoor and Merglan, he doesn’t have any power.” She gave a half chuckle, adding, “I’d only heard rumors that the razor-backed lizards were still in existence. Fitting that they should end up in the hands of a man who doesn’t believe in wielding a blade.”
“How long do you expect Merglan will chase them before they find out we aren’t with the lizards?” Inama asked scratching at her head through her short black hair.
“If they’re clever enough, they could make him think he’s already dealt with all of us,” Natalia said closing her eyes again.
“How so?” the princess asked.
“The dragon’s fire consumes all,” she replied. “If the lizards followed Solomon’s instructions, Merglan and Killdoor will think they’ve located us in the dense forest. Assuming our location and sensing we’re trapped,” Natalia said spreading her hands. “The dragon’s fire consumes all. Trusting that Killdoor’s deadly fire would claim our camp, they’ll think the Lumbapi in the Drakeshead have been taken care of.
“Would it really work?” Inama asked wrapping her tattooed arms around to hug her knees and nervously tongued at her septum piercing.
“Solomon used those two little creatures’ magical abilities to shield us from Merglan’s mind’s eye. From what I saw today, Merglan returned to destroy us after learning of Lageena’s fate. The lizards’ concealing presence should have done the trick. To Merglan, the space created by their concealment spell would appear to be a large group hiding in the forest. That’s what would make him think he’s trapped us. If the lizards end their spell, he’ll be encouraged to think that the fire consumed us. If I were him and had more pressing matters to deal with, like controlling the entire world, I would assign my army of orcs to hunt out any survivors and trust that the matter will be resolved. With luck, Merglan will think the Lumbapi have been disbanded and defeated; his gaze will turn elsewhere.”
“Your magic is like that of the other riders, but you don’t ride a dragon. Did you also lose your bonded partner?” Inama asked.
Natalia bit the inside of her lip. She nodded as she opened her eyes to look at the blurred canopy through the tears welling up in her eyes.
“Like Ivan,” Inama said. “I’m sorry for this pain you must carry. It has to be difficult.”
Natalia forced herself to respond in a steady voice, “I’ve lost both my parents and thought I lost my sister for over a decade, yet I can tell you that there’s nothing that cuts deeper than the loss of your dragon. It’s a part of you, a part of your soul. Once you’ve bonded, that’s it. You’d do anything for your dragon.”
“How long until,” Inama began, but the question faded from her lips.
“It could be years or months,” she said.
“But Ivan,” the princess started, only to have Natalia speak over her.
“Ivan’s different, he’s one of a kind, a king among men. I’m not sure how he’s retained his powers for so long. I can already feel the effects of my loss and it’s been almost two-and-a-half months.” Natalia closed her eyes again, searching for her slowly depleting powers.
“That’s why you can’t risk healing yourself? You don’t have the power?” Inama asked.
“A year ago, I would’ve had no problem. Now I’m tapped and it feels like it’s taking longer to regenerate more energy.”
“You’re good to keep going, though? Solomon told me that he’s worried about you,” Inama said.
Looking sideways toward the other Southland natives gathered nearby, she said, “The bones are healed, he was able to do that much before we left. I should be better by the time we get to the Ramhorn, unless we come across some unforeseen difficulties.”
Inama nodded, “It won’t be long. If we keep moving quickly and the evil dragonrider doesn’t find us, we’ll be reunited with the bulk of our people in a week.”
“Maybe by then I’ll know for certain whether Ivan and Anders are in Kingston,” Natalia said.
“And if they are?” Inama asked.
“I’ll go to them,” Natalia said.
Inama nodded, “I can’t force the others to attack, but as for me, I’ll go with you. I owe them that much.”
“For a mission like that, a smaller group is better. Merglan won’t expect it, so we’ll have the surprise to our advantage.”
“If there is an army in Kingston, it will be hard to sneak in unnoticed.”
“That’s where your army would come in handy. The army could draw out or distract Merglan’s forces while we complete our mission. That’s what Nadir wanted.”
“My people will do what is best for their country. If going to battle outright is best, then they will do so, but if they decide we can win the war by slowly pushing the invaders out, then that’s what they’ll do. Like I said, I owe a debt to Ivan and Anders, and to you, so I will help you in your mission.”
“Thank you,” Natalia said with genuine appreciation. “With surprise in our favor, we might be able to extract them unharmed; if they’re still alive.”
“Let’s hope so,” Inama said, rising and leaving Natalia to her thoughts.
Natalia remained distant from the bulk of the Lumbapi. Gripping the mirror Nadir had given her, she fell asleep waiting for his call.
***
The trek from the Drakeshead to the Ramhorn took the battle-worn Lumbapi longer than they had anticipated. Inama had told Natalia that it would take one week to reach the bulk force of her people, yet the seventh day passed with no sign of the others. They’d lost a fair number during the fighting in the Ryedale canyon and Inama gave her tired soldiers more time to rest in the mornings than Natalia desired. Though she blamed her frustration on their slower pace, she was angrier with herself for not knowing the way to Kingston. She could’ve led Maylox there if she knew where they were, but the dense forest and her lack of familiarity with the area left her at the pace of the Lumbapi. Knowing she needed to heal and store more energy before venturing into the capital, Natalia struggled with her current frustration.
Each night she waited for Nadir to call via the magic mirror he’d given her. They each had one but could only talk when each was listening. Nadir insisted that she should not call him, because while he was trying to win back the favor of his generals, he wanted her mission to stay private. He could not risk losing his control over his elven army. If he lost favor and was forced out as king, the elves would revert to their usual self-preservationist ways and abandon the humans to Merglan’s rule. Natalia understood why the elves generally wanted to preserve their race, but she didn’t understand how her people, as a whole, could be so selfish as to turn a blind eye toward Merglan and the expansion of his dangerous power. Nadir called only once during her trek to let her know that his troops had dropped off the dwarfs in Eastland and were heading toward the Everlight Kingdom. Natalia wished he’d offered news about Ivan and Anders’ location, but for now, she would have to continue on her quest to find them.
By the tenth day of travel, Natalia and the Lumbapi had reached the western coast of Southland and entered the province known as the Ramhorn. Villages dotted the expansive area. The most densely populated towns were concentrated along Kingston Road, close to the coast. As they walked the short distances from village to village, Natalia became more aware of the people’s firm resistance to Merglan and his invading forces. Word of the orcs’ presence spread much faster than the orcs and those who were old enough to remember the last time Merglan had been in Southland fled to the southwest of the country. Natalia hoped everyone who saw their large group of battered and bloodied soldiers would look kindly on them and not set off any alarm that might alert the imposing ruler to their march. Their presence had been kept a secret as far as she knew and Natalia hoped it would continue to stay that way.
Freedom wishers passed on the word that the Lumbapi from the Drakeshead had arrived in the Ramhorn and word then came back to the group regarding the location of the sizable force of the natives’ army. Inama’s father sent a letter to intercept them within a few hours of their arrival. He would meet them that afternoon in a town not far from their current location. Inama shared the news with Natalia that the allied forces were gathering on the coast.
Natalia walked amid the Lumbapi soldiers, her feet sliding slightly with each muddy step as the host of fighting men and women processioned along Kingston Road. The wool traveling cloak she’d bargained for weighed heavily on her shoulders, its saturated hood drooping around her face and shielding her from a constant drizzle of rain. She glanced crossways over Maylox, who walked at her side. Maylox’s short dwarf stature allowed Natalia a clear sight down the line of soldiers. The long line of Lumbapi snaked down an open hillside, entering the largest town she’d seen since leaving Cedarbridge.
“Lucky thing, you trading for that cloak and all,” Maylox said as Natalia stared directly over her head.
Natalia glanced down at the dwarf, who still wore her full suit of plate armor. She hobbled along through the mud under the weight. “I asked you if you wanted me to try and get you one,” Natalia replied.
“That was before it started raining,” Maylox grumbled.
“I recall the Lumbapi soldier and I pointing out that the rains were bound to set in with the changing season, and what was it you said? Oh yeah, that your suit was ‘watertight,’” Natalia continued with a slight grin.
Maylox shrugged, “That’s what they told me anyway.”
“It sounds like someone was pulling your leg,” Natalia said as several Lumbapi soldiers hurried past them as they neared the town.
“No, my legs weren’t touched. And what’s that got to do with it?” Maylox asked, looking at Natalia as rain tinkled on her armor.
Natalia inhaled, ready to explain the idiom, but decided to let it go. The dwarf didn’t have the easiest go along the trail. Natalia found her lagging far behind over their first several days in the forest. Hanging at the back of the pack because of her injuries, Natalia struggled to keep up. After seeing Maylox struggle under the weight of her armor and the short stride of her steps, Natalia suggested that Maylox join her and Solomon at the head of the army each morning. If they started in the lead, they could remain in sight of the group over the course of the day, even at their slow pace.
“What do you think about our presence being broadcasted like this?” Natalia asked.
“Inama said we’re in a safe area now,” Maylox said. “And, it will be nice to sleep somewhere warm and dry for a change.”
“Yeah,” Natalia responded slowly, catching her first glimpse of villagers.
“From the sounds of it, everyone in town is here to welcome us,” Maylox said with a tinge of joy.
How safe can we really be? Natalia wondered.
Strangers lined the road as it entered the town, watching and cheering as the Lumbapi soldiers from the Drakeshead walked their streets. Hearing a roar erupt from the town’s interior, Natalia wondered whether Inama and her father had just been reunited. It was all Inama could talk about over the last several days when she’d learned of their meeting place.
Once in town, Natalia grew uncomfortable. She didn’t like the way people looked at her, their smiles fading at her appearance among them. The idea that so many people living so close to the capital would know their location after they’d worked to keep it a secret for so long put her further on edge. The Lumbapi thoroughly trusted the residents of Ramhorn, but she was skeptical. Besides the fact that she was an elf, walking alongside a dwarf of all things, she didn’t see why the townspeople stared at her so intently.
With the hood of her dark green cloak concealing her elven ears, she didn’t think anyone would recognize that she was an elf. And with her exposed tan hands and waves of brown hair cascading from under the hood, she figured she could pass as Kewian and that Southerners wouldn’t take special note of her. She looked away each time she awkwardly made eye contact with those who stared at her. At first, she thought the people were staring at Maylox, but she could see that their looks rose above Maylox’s head toward her.
“Are you well known around here or something?” Maylox asked as they neared the town center.
Natalia pulled the cloak tighter and replied quietly, “I’ve never seen them in my life. I haven’t ever come this far south.”
“Strange, people keep pointing at you and whispering to each other as we pass,” Maylox said as she struggled to keep up with Natalia.
Natalia kept her head down for the remainder of their trek into the sprawling coastal town. She wanted to be gone from this place as soon as possible, never mind the idea of Merglan and Killdoor coming for them. She wanted the hushed words and stares to go away.
Branching off to one side of the gathering troops, Natalia joined Solomon as he stood waiting for them in the steady drizzle. “I got us a room at this fine establishment,” Solomon said, motioning to the building behind them.
“Good, let’s get out of this rain,” Maylox said as she rushed passed Sol and Natalia toward the inn.
Stepping onto the inn’s covered porch, Natalia pushed back her hooded cloak, revealing her damp brown hair and striking features. Looking back out at the people still watching the last of the soldiers walk by, she asked, “Why do these people act like they know about me or surprised to see me?”
Stroking his gray and white beard, Solomon said, “I thought I saw that reaction just now. I don’t see how they could’ve spotted you as an elf with that hood up. You could pass for Kewian as long as you keep your hair down.”
Natalia unlaced the broach and, with a fluid movement, spun the cloak off her back, holding it away from her as it dripped onto the wooden boards. She watched as the last of the soldiers continued down Kingston Road, “I’ll be going to Kingston tomorrow.”
She could see the old man’s expression lined with concern as he asked, “You’re going to try tomorrow? But don’t you want to see what the Lumbapi King has to say?”
Natalia turned from the street to face Solomon, “I could hear what he has to say, but I’m going tomorrow. Anders and Ivan could still be trapped there and every second we waste is time Merglan could be using them to get some kind of upper hand over all of us.”
Maylox hobbled over to them, most of her armor disassembled and removed. She reached for the ties for her chest and backplate, the last two pieces she needed to remove to be rid of the suit. “Could one of you help me out here?” she asked.
Reaching down to help her loosen the straps, Natalia said, “You’re not planning on wearing that noisy suit on our mission to Kingston, are you?”
Grunting as she hoisted the remaining armor over her head, Maylox said, “No. I’ll leave it in a bag at the gates.”
Natalia raised an eyebrow at her and watched as Maylox’s look became unsure.
“Or not? Maybe I can leave it here and come get it afterward,” she tried again.
Natalia shook her head slightly.
“I’ll ask the Lumbapi if we can put it on a wagon or something now that we’re back in civilization,” Solomon said placing a hand on Maylox’s shoulder.
She grinned, her saturated underclothes sticking to her skin and her matted thick hair a fiery mess. Chuckling slightly, Natalia said, “Okay. Let’s get into some dry clothes; then we’ll enjoy a good meal before tomorrow.”
As she led them into the inn, Solomon called out, “Inama has requested your presence tonight at the Brokencurl. It’s five buildings to the right.”
Natalia waved to acknowledge she’d heard him. Getting the room number and key from the attendant, Natalia and Maylox hurried to their room. Solomon must’ve arranged for them to have new clothing because when they opened the door, they found dry clothes folded on the bed. After starting a fire and climbing out of her damp clothes, Natalia relaxed in a chair near the flame’s warmth. It was nice not having to sit on the ground for once. Her thoughts turned to Maija and wondering how her sister was faring in the North. She hoped the girl would find that dragon. The connection they shared outside Hardstone was undeniably strong.
After drying off and warming up, Natalia stood to leave for the Brokencurl. “Coming?” she asked Maylox as she moved toward the door.
Maylox grabbed one of the coats Solomon had placed in the room before their arrival and said, “Yep,” as she joined Natalia in the hallway.
They ran the short distance, trying to lessen their exposure to the rain, but the five blocks to the Brokencurl Inn proved to be more than enough time to drench their clothes and hair again. After knocking the mud off her boots at the inn’s doorframe, Natalia entered the establishment. Muffled street noise now turned to loud laughs and shouts within. Natalia looked around the dimly lit room for Solomon or Inama. Not seeing either near the entrance, she stepped farther into the Brokencurl.
Lumbapi crowded the room, filling each table beyond its capacity as they feasted and drank in merriment. Natalia led Maylox in search of Solomon’s dreadlocked mess of gray hair. She spotted Solomon seated on a stool at the bar. She squeezed her way into a gap next to him.
Looking up from his mug, Solomon said, “Natalia! You’re here! You just have to meet Puconathini.”
Natalia glanced from Solomon to the mug and back again, noticing the frothy line of bubbles stuck to his mustache. “Puco who?” she asked.
Rising from the stool, Solomon said, “Puconathini. Come now, I’ll introduce you.”
Natalia and Maylox followed Solomon through the mingling Lumbapi toward the back of the room. Coming to a table where Inama was seated, Solomon stopped, attracting the group’s attention. “This is who I was telling you about,” he said, placing his hand on a bronzed man with a thick array of short black hair pricking out from his skull.
The man’s muscles rippled as he rose from his seat, smiling brightly as he looked at Natalia. “So, this is the woman who will be infiltrating the castle.”
Maylox came from behind Natalia and the man’s smile broadened further.
“And this is the other daredevil who will be entering the city of danger,” the man said in a full voice, lightly accented in the Lumbapi way.
“Natalia, Maylox, this is Puconathini, leader of the Lumbapi people,” Solomon said, grinning and sipping from his mug.
She watched the large man place a hand on Solomon and say, “Please call me King Puco.”
Natalia bowed slightly, “You’ve raised a fine warrior for a daughter, your Majesty.”
Puco turned, looking at Inama and said, “She didn’t tell me that she owed a debt to the veiled huntress.”
Natalia shifted, that description catching her off guard. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean?” she asked.
“No need to apologize. Forgive my rudeness. Please sit with us,” the king said, waving to three of those at his table to offer their seats.
Natalia didn’t understand how the Lumbapi leader knew of the veiled huntress, a figure described from a prophecy she had put her faith behind, but accepted the seat next to Inama. Maylox and Solomon joined her with ease.
“So, tell me, elf. What is your plan to infiltrate the castle,” Puco asked, not caring if anyone overheard their talk of strategy.
Natalia described in detail how she, Inama and Maylox would enter the city disguised as farmers transporting grain from their harvest. She went on to describe their plans to climb the castle’s back wall, and begin their search for Ivan and Anders. Once they were freed, the group could use their magic to locate Zahara and fly from the city.”
“She is bold,” Puco chuckled as he looked to Inama. When she met him with a steady expression, he looked to Natalia again. “And when will you be attempting this suicide mission?” he asked, folding his hands and leaning forward.
“Tomorrow,” Natalia said straight-faced.
The king’s eyebrows rose and he tongued at something stuck in his front teeth, “Will you be requiring assistance or can you pull this off on your own?”
Natalia glanced to Inama, “It was my understanding that you and your army would be launching an assault on Kingston after our arrival. I won’t lie to you; my plan would be better executed with the distraction of an opposing army at the capital’s gates, but I can get along just fine without it.”
Puconathini didn’t respond instantly, and Natalia thought he was mulling over his options before replying. “You’re right in the fact that I’ve been planning an assault on Kingston. As we speak, most of our forces are moving into position. With the help of our friends sailing in from the north, we’ll be ready for our assault tomorrow.”
Natalia sat up, “Friends from the north?” she asked.
“Ships from the Rollo Islands have been landing along our shores over the last several days. Their numbers continue to grow as they readily embrace our cause for freedom from this evil ruler.”
“What’s your strategy?” Natalia asked.
“Tomorrow the Rollo ships will sail just to the edge of view of the city. When their presence is known, the Kingston Navy will send out a sizable force, big enough to squash the attackers. What they won’t know is that we’ll be waiting for them in ambush. Once they get to the beach, we’ll wipe out the force before they can set sail. Then donning their clothing as a disguise, we’ll enter the city, acting as a victorious war party. Once they open their gates, we’ll storm in unopposed. Catching the orcs off guard, we’ll take over their city, fighting in the town’s close quarters and preventing them from organizing. They’ll be thrown into chaos and we’ll win the day.” The king sat back in his chair, grinning and exposing his teeth that appeared even whiter in contrast to his darkened skin.
Natalia nodded, “You haven’t accounted for Merglan and his dragon.”
“Nope. But that’s where you’ll come in. An elf sneaking around the castle. That will catch his attention and he’ll be distracted while we carry out our plan.”
Rising from the table, Natalia said, “Make sure your ships are seen.” She walked swiftly through the crowded bar and back to the front door. Maylox and Solomon caught up to her at the door. Before she could leave, Solomon grabbed her by the hand and said, “Don’t leave without me tomorrow.”
Natalia shook her head, “You’re not coming with us, Sol. We’re already two people too many on this mission. I can’t risk having you there, too.”
“I will be of use,” he pleaded.
“How? You can’t use magic without the lizards.”
“Just don’t leave without me, okay?” he said, retreating back into the crowd.
Turning, Natalia forced the door open and rushed out into the street. She ran back to the inn, the rain consuming her again. Natalia could hear the squishing steps of the dwarf behind her. Entering the quiet inn, she walked past the rooms and took a seat at the lonely bar. Maylox joined her and they ordered drinks, sipping in silence and enjoying the peace and quiet compared to the commotion at the Brokencurl.
“What did he call you?” Maylox asked.
Natalia sipped from her mug, then replied, “That comment didn’t sit well with me. He called me the veiled huntress.”
Maylox shrugged, “Don’t know what that means?”
Natalia stared into the froth in her mug. She didn’t know how, but the Lumbapi king knew something about the Prophecy. She recalled the way the people in the streets stared at her, as if she were a threat they hadn’t expected to see that day. In her gut, she knew the king’s comment connected to the way the townspeople looked at her, but she didn’t yet know how.
After a hot meal, Maylox and Natalia returned to their room, now warmed by the fire and their clothes hanging dry for the next day’s events. Natalia went to sleep wondering if their plan to free Ivan and Anders would work and whether the two were even still being held in the capital at all. Regardless, she knew she had to try this plan to rescue them. Luckily, warriors were going to attack the city and distract most of the orcs. King Puco was right when he said Merglan would know she was there. Natalia would have to work extra hard to hold onto her concealment spell to prevent Merglan from finding her too soon.