Chapter 4
________
ENDRE
Thick storm clouds made excellent cover. Even using the lenses which gifted them with far sight, human eyes could not penetrate the darkness of pure night and weather. Nor could they pick my scales out of the sky.
For the best. We would have risked being seen for this, but it was better if we weren’t. And the storm ensured I didn’t tax my power to hide us.
Sirius sailed higher, banking to the north. I’m tempted to hide in the river.
Smoke and embers flew from my throat in a laugh. As comical as it might be, I wouldn’t trust the contents of that river. You’d be picking grime out of your scales for weeks.
True. He said. But the looks on the human’s faces when a dragon rises from their river might be worth it.
Zovai dropped out of the clouds and arrowed straight towards the palace grounds. Can you hold your breath that long?
You two are ruining the fun.
I lowered my head through the bottom of the clouds, observing the city beneath. The rain made it shimmer with every flash of lightning, adding to the few torches that managed to cling to life. From this high up it was beautiful, though we knew up close that was hardly the case.
As with so many things, the bitterness and ugliness disappeared at a distance. It was when you drew close that you saw the raw filth, pain, and anger underneath. And fun was the last thing we were here for, though we pretended otherwise.
It was better than despair.
We could draw them out,Zovai said. I’m sure a blast of dragonfire to the Craisos travel caravan will have them come running. Even the King and Prince.
I growled, allowing the sound to fill the space between our minds. While it was true, and would likely be the swiftest solution, we would not. Why even mention it? Not like having them there will do us much good.
His growl answered my own. The ones who accompany them are likely just as zealous as their royalty.
But we have no proof, Sirrus said. Speak no more of it. We won’t cause unnecessary harm to people who could be innocent.
Despite his suggestion, Zovai knew we were right, and he felt it too. It echoed in our connection. But I understood the friction within him, and the desire to send a message that would make an impression.
Yet, in spite of the rare opportunity to access the leaders of Craisos, we weren’t here to kill them. We couldn’t kill them. Long ago they’d learned to fortify themselves against dragonfire, a skill taught to them by the dragons when we were in a time of peace. Now it was used against us, and we could not overcome the protection we ourselves had given them. Or the weapons we’d helped them make. Our only tools were teeth and claws, which put us in close range of those weapons.
It was frustrating.
The alliance between the two kingdoms could not be allowed to proceed. Never before had kingdoms outside the Bowl and inside it come to an agreement. If one alliance happened, more would surely follow. And the only thing keeping us from being overwhelmed was the humans’ fractured lands and beliefs, and repelling them whenever they came near the border.
The poison of Craisos had already spread too far.
Here, Sirius said. This is the best I see.
Rensara butted up against the northern mountains of the Bowl, giving us a unique place to hide and keep the element of surprise. I wondered if the Fallen had sent this storm to aid us.
More likely it was only good luck.
I followed a flash of blue wing behind the nearest peak to the city. He was right. The rocks would allow us to stay close and sweep directly down to the palace when it was time to do so.
If we’d had more warning, I might have tried to infiltrate in my human form. But along with success, we needed to make an impression. Most humans were unaware we held two forms, and a simple assassination wasn’t enough for the Elders. They wanted a statement that dragonkind would not tolerate the unity of the humans in order to destroy us. Only in peace would unity be tolerated.
Or after the return of the Fallen.
The fools didn’t even understand the havoc their actions were taking on their own land and people.
I settled on the mountain, draping my wings over rocks and allowing the rain to cool them, enjoying the sensation. Zovai followed, landing harder than necessary.
I hope it’s indoors, he said.
Feeling the need to crush something, Z? Sirrus’s voice held a note of brotherly teasing.
Yes. I would prefer it to be Andaros’s skull, but since that isn’t to be, I’ll take some palace towers.
Another laugh warmed my chest, steam from my nostrils hissing in the rain. I guess we’ll see how long the weather holds.
I moved my head so I could see over the summit, barely, but still able to observe both the city and the palace. Once the sun rose, I would disguise us with my power, but for the moment it wasn’t needed.
Most of the humans were asleep. And I hoped the daughter of King Rhole was sleeping well and peacefully. If tonight was the last night her soul inhabited this plane, she deserved that.
Prince Andaros and his father couldn’t be touched. But she could. The magic that protected the Craisos forces was a closely guarded secret that did not leave their borders. They couldn’t protect her until she returned with them.
The three of us avoided unnecessary harm wherever we could, but as much as we tried to pretend otherwise, we were still at war.
Tomorrow, before the marriage was complete, we would destroy any alliance. It had been decided and ordered, the Elders dispatching us here.
King Rhole of Gleira’s only daughter had been sentenced to die, and we would make sure of it.