Page 123 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

‘My mate’s empathy and compassion are not her weakness,’ he growled. ‘She feels for you Donavyn. Take care who you underestimate.’

“I’m sorry,” I sent genuinely, raising my hands to both of them. “And… I don’t underestimate. I only wish you weren’t endangered by this as well. I’m here, Keg. Tell me what you see. I’m ready.”

My dragon snorted, but returned his attention to the discussion of our plan. ‘There is no reason to take caution. It is time for me to attempt direct intervention with these dragons. It is not a safe environment for frail humans to stand amid. Donavyn, you may come with me to observe, but I insist you keep a safe distance. Whether they have a true Primarch, or Carnage attempts to challenge me, or not, the males among them may react. To insert myself in their minds is an act of aggression that cannot be avoided.’

I ached for my dragon—and admired his determination. He hated what he was about to do, but would not hesitate. He saw the wisdom in it, and would follow it to its conclusion, yet still grieved the need for it.

I felt the same way about the Furyknights that followed me through this. Assuming Kgosi and I survived, these wild dragons were only the first step. When we returned to Vosgaarde, it would be as rebels, no longer serving a traitorous king. The men—and their dragons—would have a choice to make. And while I was certain it was the right course, I hated putting them in that position. But that was the next step. Right now, we had to focus on the dragons here in Fyrehold, and Ruin’s plan with them.

‘If they actually follow Carnage, or he’s connected with them… will he know when you insert yourself among them?’

‘He will. Even if he is only allied, if he speaks and is accepted as part of their herd, he will feel the… presence I bring.’

I smiled at that. ‘Good.’

‘Not good, Donavyn. It will call him. As herd member, or as a leader among them, he will come to fight. And he is not weak.’

There was no fear in Kgosi at the statement, only the simple statement of truth.

‘I know you can take him, Keg.’

‘I’m certain I can, as well. Carnage is not blackscale—even if these dragons follow him, which I cannot be certain they do—he is still a challenger to me. His link belongs to my herd. Until he defeats me, or submits and flees—which would weaken him—he remains under my authority. I thought this was caution against stepping into this herd, but now I see it as a provision from the Creator. It takes something from him that he faces his own Primarch, and weakens his hold on any other dragon. A piece of his authority belongs to me. Which could aid us in taking this herd if they do follow him. But we must protect our mates to ensure he doesn’t weaken me through Akhane.’

‘But won’t Carnage just send them to kill you as a herd? He won’t even have to face you.’

‘Not if he comes as a challenger. Once I have broken into their link, I am a usurper—and if he truly leads, he must challenge me for Primarcy. No dragon would fight for a Primarch challenge, because they will not follow a dragon that couldn’t win his own dominance.’

‘Could they choose to follow you over him, even if he’s not dead?’ Bren asked.

‘Yes, but it is unlikely. My intrusion on their link will breach their trust—which he has, apparently, gained. It is a hurdle, though not insurmountable.’

‘If they follow him, does Ruin hold any authority in their herd?’ I asked. Though I didn’t hold true sway amongst the dragons, I was afforded a level of respect and patience other humans didn’t enjoy, simply by my association with Kgosi.

‘I do not know how this herd is connected, or what they offer each other,’ Kgosi rumbled. ‘I will know more when I intervene.’

I sighed, swallowing back a surge of nerves. ‘Do we take Benji? Can he help?’

Bren broke in before Kgosi answered. ‘He’s in the city—I left him there because we thought Ruin was going to send or receive again tomorrow. Just in case.’

Tendrils of smoke rose from Kgosi’s nostrils. ‘I will need to consider the boy. It’s not yet clear whether he is equipped for this. I will speak to the Creator on it tonight—for now, we should keep our plans to ourselves here. Inform Bren’s brothers if any action must be taken among the people. Ruin will face what we bring. He has no true authority that I know—beyond murderous intent. But we cannot forget, he has likely been empowered by the king. And Alexi holds sway over an entire army. While our kind can defeat yours… I hold no joy for leading any dragons against humanity, even less against humans that we have worked and bonded with.’

I patted his leg, so grateful for the gravity with which he took any conflict. Even battles we’d fought with clear enemies, even times when Vosgaarde was under threat and we knew the target, he’d never reveled in killing.

My dragon was a good male.

I prayed he felt my admiration and respect. And I prayed I’d have many years left after this night to share them with him.

‘How risky is it for you to fly into the dragons?’ Bren asked timidly. ‘Would you be doing Ruin’s job for him? If he’s already received orders… wouldn’t appearing among those dragons risk kicking their orders into action?’

Akhane and Kgosi both flattened their ears and shook their heads as if they were shaking off a pain.

‘I do not like this,’ Akhane offered before Kgosi spoke. ‘We have flown in, we have reached for these dragons. They’ve remained aloof, but never aggressive. To walk into battle and intrude on them… it feels like a violation.’

‘I share my mate’s abhorrence for this. And yet, I see no other choice. Knowing what is plotted behind us, and what yet comes, there is no safer way forward—for any of us. Including the wild dragons. I hope and pray that the reason they have not attacked before is because these plans have not been shared with them. That their consciences and the voice of the Creator might guide them if those orders are given. But I fear… I fear their minds have been intruded upon already. That they lack free will. And this pair, along with whatever power was offered them by Alexi, have somehow taken their wits. And with that… I do not know how they will react. I do feel certain it’s time to break them free of any shackles held on their minds.’

I laid a hand to his leg. ‘The dragons will follow you. Both here and in Vosgaarde. I’m certain of it.’

‘The dragons of your Furyknight brothers will be torn over any fighting that would involve their own. Their riders will be conflicted, and that will increase the dragon’s hesitation. The more time we can give our kin to think and discuss the realities of this conflict with their riders, the better. They should see our actions as efforts to provide stability. But they may not. I have not faced this kind of division in the past. I cannot anticipate how it will resolve.’