I am Dragon (Dragon Fires Rising Book 2) Marc Secchia (most read books .TXT) 📖

– I need a squad to finish clearing this town. The Sankir tells me there are still substantial enemy forces from the four northern Lords at work here, endangering the citizenry. Three more volunteers to join Gyrielle and the kingdom’s soldiers!

The Dragoness genuflected fiercely. This, I shall accomplish.

Chapter 30: Dark Fortress

POWERING UPWARD INTO THE fully dark night sky, sprinkled with constellations he could recite by name, Dragon tuned his ears to Azania, riding his neck with the Sankir in second position. Gnarr. Put his arms around his Princess, would he? Those hands had better behave themselves, or he’d chew them off slowly!

Azania said, “Your men told me you were married before, Sankir Farizam?”

Oh. Had he misjudged the man? He tuned in to listen.

“Aye, for six years. I lost my wife and three children to Sea Serpents.”

Heat like heartburn built inside his chest as the desert Princess whispered, “I’m awfully sorry. I had no right to –”

“That’s alright. She was a merchant’s daughter from the Isles, but her father originally came from the Kingdom of Onyxil. He found the Archipelago very much to his liking. Still lives about twenty miles from here, actually, out near the mangrove swamps. She was returning from Onyxil with our children when they were attacked and sunk. They must have drowned, or –” his voice cracked “– or worse. Ever since, I’ve hated myself for not going on that trip.”

“You wanted to die with them?”

“Aye.”

“That’s so hard,” she said, clasping his hands in hers.

“It was nine years ago, before we were forced to close all the shipping lanes,” he added. Grief still shaded his tone. “We were aware of the danger, but I guess … I guess we just thought it would never happen to us. The ship had a Dragoness escort, even. All three were killed in the battle – shot out of the air and drowned or crushed, is what I heard. There was only one survivor, a young man. He never recovered his right mind afterward.”

“I’m sorry to hear of your tragedy,” he rumbled, causing the man to startle. The eight Rangers on his back murmured between themselves.

Azania said, “Sankir, I’m sorry if my teasing was hurtful.”

After a long silence, he said, “I have told myself I should be over it by now, but how do you ever recover from such a grief?”

“I lost my father a few months ago. It’s … impossible. I have no answers.”

Farizam touched her shoulder in sympathy.

Dragon spread his wings into a resting glide position. He flew wing-second to Aria’s lead. He wanted to tell her that he moved a great deal more wind than her and was the more powerful flier, so he should take the front position. No. When it came to warrior Dragonesses, her place was at the forefront of the flying wedge. The Dragonwing already found his presence strange enough. Pick one’s battles. Sneak his ideas into their heads slowly.

Even the fact of a male flying with them into battle was novel enough!

By his dam’s egg, he was weary in every bone of his body. They faced another long haul up to the northern edge of the island – not far from where Aria’s personal lair was located, he had learned during one of their briefings. Two Lords lived on headlands of this island, one on the large island between the major Human and Dragon domains, and one just shy of the interior mountains, on the western slopes. Gazaram’s fortress was regarded as easily the most challenging to penetrate. The others were more standard castles, vulnerable to an air attack. Almost as if Gazaram had expected such a day …

To Aria, he said, I am concerned about Lord Gazaram’s level of preparedness. We should scout the castles with extra care before engaging.

We know this, she said, but her tone invited explanation.

The detail of the metal tower bothers me. Why should he expect Dragon attack? We know they likely worked with this faction against your dam. It seems an unusual precaution to take. Either he’s playing the long game, or he knows something we do not. I … could not say what that might be, but my scales itch.

Your scales, Dragon? the orange Dragoness to his left wing queried.

Before he could reply in wrath, the Princess put in quietly, For example, were there ever any suspected links to the Terror Clan?

Aria said, Not to my knowledge.

At the very same time, the light blue Yalia said, There were rumours. The Dragonesses eyeballed one another over his back. You were much younger then, Aria Seaspray. This was before – I forget. Maybe ten or twelve years ago? Just around the time your dam assumed leadership of the Isles Dragons. We were much more fragmented then, as you’ll know from the histories. What I know is two things: one, there were rumours of Terror Clan visiting our shores, and two, rumours that they were the sinister talon behind Faylielle’s assassination. I have no proof. Your dam might well know more. As to potential cooperation with the Humans? No idea.

The cobalt nodded. I did not know this.

Dragons and Humans alike digested this for a few minutes.

Turning, the Cobalt Dragoness called, “Be on the alert for dark magic at the citadels. Let’s reconfigure the teams to distribute our most capable magic users amongst the four hit squads. We leave no stone unturned when we scout, we hit them hard and acquire each target as planned. Rendezvous at my lair after the mission is accomplished. Remember that the youngest brother, the six year-old, has not yet been located. Upon acquisition, question your target about him. We must find little Varazim – they call him ‘tay-Varazim’ after his father.”

Acquisitions. Targets. He had the impression Ariamyrielle Seaspray liked to acquire targets of the large scaly variety.

Onward they sped,