Desperately, I searched the buildings. I had to barricade myself, that was my only chance. I dropped closer to the ground, approaching the only building I knew very well. Without stopping, I burst through the wooden doors. My face slammed against the wooden panels, impacting my neck, my spine, mywings. I crashed to the floor inside the ceremonial chamber. The crawler dragon followed me into the temple.
I shifted and scrambled to the first torch I saw lying on the floor. But before I could reach it, fire filled the space between us, and my hands and my face were burned. I kept going, grabbing the torch, and sprinting through the tunnel, heading for the pool. If I could make it to the sacred chamber, there was enough water there to kill an army of dragons. But I needed to get there first. I breathed a small flame and the oiled top of the torch exploded with fire. I could not stop running, the sound of wings and claws scratching the rock hard floor was growing louder.
Then flames erupted from behind, and rushed toward me, burning my back. I growled, tripping and falling. My charred hands found the dropped torch as I stumbled forward. I tried to breathe in, but my lungs were filled with smoke and for a moment, I nearly blacked out from excruciating pain.
I was losing. The monster was deliberately killing me slowly. I was no more than a bug under a magnifying glass ready to burst into flames.
Ahead, like the last flicker of hope, my last chance to survive, appeared an opening. I used all my remaining strength to push my burned body. The blackness beyond was overwhelmingly complete. The light of my torch could no longer reach the walls, and the sounds of claws on the floor came so insanely close. Suddenly, I heard the deep inhale and I knew that this blast would be my last. The air on the back of my head turned unbearably hot. I could feel my hair melting on the back of my neck. Just steps away was the pool and in my last attempt to save myself, I dropped the torch and I dove in. The cool water closed in on my tortured flesh. Right above me, the flames, like a current of liquid lava, stretched from one end to the other.Through the ripples on the surface I saw the everchanging shimmers of scarlet and bright orange that turned into intricate golden patterns, like the scales of a magical beast. I remained hidden under water even when the dragon exerted its charge. The beast walked along the edge, leaning closer to the water, searching. Several bubbles escaped my lips and lifted up just like silver ribbons. I slowly took out my blade and floated toward the crawler dragon. I could barely see its shape after the flames died down. But the dim light of my torch, still burning on the ground, gave me enough to go by. Just when the dragon shifted its head away from me, I jumped up with my dagger extended in my hand. My blade went through the side of the beast’s skull, sinking in to the hilt. The massive body slammed against the floor. Its ghostly, dead eyes staring into the water.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
TYNAN
“Sir, Alsaard is on the other side of the mountain range,”Mayer’s voice sounded in my head.
Making sure Alina was well secured on my back, I banked in the air. After the chaotic morning, the group of white clan knights escorted us to Alsaard following the orders of the old clan leader.
I scrutinized Steiner, the first knight to the clan leader. His dragon was slightly darker than the other warriors from the white clan. His scales appeared to be light gray, almost the same color as Victor’s. And like Victor, he was not very tall. Steiner was about sixty, clean shaven with a lean, well exercised body. The way he addressed me was not very reassuring. It was clear that no one had expected us to come, and behind his forced politeness, was an underlying hostility. I could not blame him for his feelings. He probably watched Rutherford grow up and take his father’s post, only to lose his leader to an enemy’s clan.
When he saw Alina, his demeanor completely changed. I had witnessed that before when she spoke to the clan elders, and when the soul searchers of Riolle bowed to her. People had instant respect for her. Whenever I thought about the way she had been mistreated in the capital, anger burned my insides. She was so much more than any of those high ranking officials who took over Talman and considered themselves elite.
Sage moved closer to my side, but I hardly reacted. He took it upon himself to check on Alina with annoying frequency. The old man had completely lost his head. To him, Alina could do no wrong, and it was quite entertaining, most of the time. He even softened his attitude toward me, considering me a necessary evil.
The land surrounding Alssard was vast, full of vegetation and freshwater that created intricate patterns when seen from above. The city stretched over several hills and filled the spaces between them. Sturdy wooden logs created a wall surrounding the settlement, and beneath it was a deep trench that circled around the city. It was meant to catch the crawlers and easily dispose of them. The wooden bridge, unlike the one in Riolle, must not have been used much because we flew over the gates. Then the white clan warriors landed in the clearing by their castle, one by one. The central building of Alsaard was carefully crafted from chalk white bricks with narrow windows. They even went so far as to paint the roofs lighter colors to intensify the contrast between the sky, and the lush vegetation of the mountains behind the building.
I observed the line of people who waited for us in front of the castle. Our stance would be made clear as soon as we knew who came to greet us. If the old lord waited for us below, that meant that the clan was ready to acknowledge me as their ruler.But if there were only servants and knights, things could get complicated.
My legs touched the ground and I lowered my body so that Alina could get down.
“Milady, careful.” Sage was already beside her.
“Thank you.” Alina accepted his outstretched hand.
I could not explain why I found it so irritating. I adjusted my shoulders, watching Alina. Her hair was braided and pinned atop of her head. To the untrained eye, she appeared confident and in control. But, I could see the faint trembling of her fingers, the paleness of her cheeks. She was tense, uncertain. I could also feel her like never before. With every passing day, our connection only grew stronger.
The ripple went through my body as I transformed. I turned to the dragonborns who were waiting for us. As I looked at the faces of nobles, my eyes unexpectedly landed on familiar features. Erin. The coward was here. Probably came straight here after leaving Darragh. Realizing that I was watching him, he disappeared into the crowd. I inhaled and took a step forward, concentrating on the task at hand.
Steiner attempted to intercept me, but I did not need his permission to approach the leaders of Alsaard. Alina and I walked straight to the entrance, followed by Sage, with Steiner behind him.
“Milord, milady.” A tall, middle aged woman with an elongated face and straw colored hair gave us a slight bow.
It was set. Lord Rutherford could not face his clan’s rightful successor. That told me everything I needed to know. We wereofficially entering hostile territory. I glanced at all the men in white leather who surrounded us. Even if there were thousands of knights and we were outnumbered, we could do so much damage in an open fight, it would hardly be worth it. That being said, I was not going to be reckless. But I had to consider every citizen of Alsaard as a potential enemy.
The young woman in front of me straightened, her pale blue eyes taking in the number of warriors from the black clan, probably harboring a similar conclusion. Then her eyes landed on Alina. I could see nothing but a carefully guarded coolness on her face, not the usual reaction.
“Lady Rutherford.” I bowed.
Her eyes lowered to my family sword and her face hardened as she clenched her hands in front of her. No doubt, the blade reminded her of the brother she had lost, taken by this very steel.
“Would you care to join us inside? I am sure Alsaard will not disappoint you,” she added.
“Thank you,” Alina smiled, but the woman only stared at her.
I did not like this woman.
After a short pause, we followed Augusta into the building. Her long dress slid up the stairs as she walked with her back artificially straight. I frowned, offering Alina my arm.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
