17. Talon
17
TALON
I walked through the trees, the fog heavy like mist. My bow was in my grasp with the quiver of arrows across my back. Calista hadn’t woken and since she was fragile in these elements, I chose to let her body get all the rest it needed. She didn’t realize it, but her dance with hypothermia had almost killed her.
My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for game in the distance, listening for the sound of hooves on the forest floor. Instead, I heard footsteps—footsteps that weren’t mine. I spun on my heel and nocked the arrow to the string simultaneously, aiming it high to pierce a man in the face.
Bahamut’s face was just inches from the tip of the arrow, and he smiled. “I’ve been following you for five minutes.”
I lowered the bow and turned back in my original direction. “Liar.”
“You should never make a deal with a liar, especially for the price you paid.”
I continued to walk, knowing there was no chance I would find game when our voices traveled through the mist. “Why are you here?”
“You’ve finally made some progress—wanted to congratulate you.”
“I still haven’t found the dragon.”
“But you’re close. A lot closer than you were when you were bedding that prisoner every night.”
“You need to learn to mind your own business.”
“I can’t mind my own business when my business is to know everyone’s business.”
I stopped walking and surveyed the surroundings. It was quiet. No sign of anything alive except for me.
Bahamut stopped beside me.
“Anything else?” I stood there with the bow in my hand, the arrow still fastened to the string.
“There’s a herd of elk a quarter mile east.”
“I didn’t ask for your help—” I turned to him beside me, but he was already gone.
I returned to the camp, Khazmuda still curled up around Calista.
I dropped the elk on the ground and got to work.
Khazmuda cracked one of his eyes open and stared. Elk. Again?
Sorry to disappoint you.
I told you I wanted bear.
Well, I can’t take down a grizzly as easily as you can.
Then I’ll hunt next time.
I cleaned the animal then hung the meat over the fire. Life in the castle was luxurious, with an abundance of gourmet food. After so many days had passed, I missed the options. I felt my lean body get leaner.
I’m glad you finally told her.
I sat on the log and stared at the meat.
Seems to have brought you closer together.
I asked Khazmuda for privacy but shared no justification or detail. Since he could feel my emotions at great distances and hers as well, he probably already knew just how connected we were.
But I’m afraid your story wasn’t enough.
I turned away from the fire and looked at him across the clearing, staring at his single open eye.
I asked her to help me free my kin, and she said nothing.
You shouldn’t have put her on the spot.
I needed to put her on the spot because she’s about to fuse with a dragon and become your equal.
I looked at the fire again. I’m not concerned.
Why?
I’m just not.
You aren’t afraid she’ll turn on you the second she’s able?
There was no hesitation. No .
Is there something you know that I don’t?
We hadn’t spoken of it. When I’d told her my story, I could see my pain mirrored in her gaze. We’d both suffered deeply, and that connected us by an invisible string. We were more alike than either one of us wanted to admit. We have a connection, the kind that’s not easily broken.
You think she has feelings for you.
More like affection, the same I have for her.
But will that be enough?
If she fuses with a dragon and then chooses to oppose me as the ruler of this land, that means she’ll have to kill me. And not just me—but you. She would never do either of those things.
Khazmuda turned quiet.
Your worry is needless.
Calista woke up, and we had breakfast in front of the fire. Her eyes were tired like she could have continued to sleep, but she didn’t complain about our inconvenient circumstances.
That was something I liked about her, that she never complained. Whether it was pride or her fear of looking weak, it didn’t matter to me. She had a spine that was more rigid than most men.
“I found these for you.” I handed her a bowl of berries.
She stared at their vibrant color for several seconds as she absorbed the sight. “Wow.” She squeezed one between her fingers to test its plumpness. “They look delicious.” She handed the bowl back to me. “There’s plenty for both of us.”
“I already had my portion.” That was a lie. I knew she wasn’t a fan of meat every morning and night.
She took the bowl back and ate each one, choosing to eat the berries and ignore the meat. “What’s the plan?” Our passionate night together seemed to be ignored, but I suspected it was as vivid in her mind as it was in mine.
“We’ll search with Khazmuda.”
“On foot?”
“On his back. The marshes are too dangerous.”
She continued her breakfast in silence.
I stared at the fire as I waited for her to finish, my arms on my knees, thinking about the moment when we would come face-to-face with that ferocious dragon. I’d have been more concerned about the meeting if I didn’t have Khazmuda at my side.
She finished breakfast, and we put out the campfire and packed our belongings to depart. We climbed upon Khazmuda’s flank, and she hooked her arms around my waist to hold on as we launched into the sky.
She gripped me tightly every time we did this, holding on for dear life like she might slip off.
My arm moved over hers and squeezed, showing her I would never let her fall.
We soared just above the tree line, and Khazmuda glided toward the mountain, the gray, rocky outcropping that divided this land from the west. The shroud of mist was so thick, it was hard to see anything more than a few feet ahead of us.
Be careful. We can’t crash into the mountain.
I can see better than you.
I hope that’s true.
We glided for a while, Khazmuda turning left at some point, like we were close to the mountain. His mind is the most distinguishable here. He dipped farther, and then the ground at the mountain wall became visible. The marshes below looked like dirt. They were deceptive, a trick of the eye that would kill the most experienced hunter if they weren’t careful. But there was no cave. Khazmuda continued to soar past the mountain, and once Inferno’s mind dwindled, he circled back. An unsolvable riddle.
My eyes combed the mountainside, searching for a clue to the dragon’s whereabouts. He was definitely inside the mountain—but where?
“What if the entrance to the cave is from above?” Calista asked. “He can fly…”
My eyes lifted to the top of the mountain and the jagged peaks. She’s right.
Khazmuda flapped his wings harder and rose to the top of the peaks before he soared over the top, gliding over the surface in search of an entrance to the inside of the mountain.
“There!” Calista pointed to the west. “I see a shadow.”
Khazmuda changed direction and headed to the location, and the closer we approached, the clearer the shadow became. The shadow turned into a hole, an opening in the rock that led to something far below.
Khazmuda landed on the edge of the crevasse and dipped his head inside. He’s here. I can feel it.
I looked at Calista over my shoulder. “Ready?”
“To face a dragon who doesn’t want visitors? I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that.”
Khazmuda tilted his body forward then fell into the hole, his wings open to catch the air, and free fall was slowed to a gentle glide. The cave was dark, shadow-obscured, and the details of the walls disappeared the farther we went.
It runs deep.
A minute passed, and then light from the bottom emerged, a glow from flames that cast shadows along the walls.
He knows we’re here.
Calista gripped my waist a little harder.
My arms moved over hers. “There’s nothing to fear.”
“I’d be pretty pissed off if someone walked into my house without knocking.”
“I mean, there’s nothing to fear as long as you have me.”
Khazmuda finally landed on the bottom of the cave, a massive fire in the center, filling the inside of the rock with so much warmth it was hard to believe it was cold and misty outside. The base of the mountain was enormous, at least a mile across. Bones of dead animals and tree branches were littered everywhere.
And then he emerged, uncurling from the ball he’d been in, his red scales extending as the dragon came forth on the other side of the bonfire. He straightened, the scales catching the light and creating an orange brilliance. He was the same size as Khazmuda, with fire-red eyes, his tail unfurling and whipping at the air in hostility before he released a quiet growl that echoed against every single side of the cave.
WE MEET AGAIN . Inferno’s voice was deeper than Khazmuda’s, possessed more wisdom because he was several hundred years older. His head was dipped slightly, in attack mode, like his words would be limited. AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME WE’LL EVER MEET.
“What’s happening?” Calista whispered.
I spoke to Khazmuda. Calm him.
I apologize for the intrusion, Inferno. Khazmuda spoke with tranquility in his voice, keeping his position on the other side of the fire. But we need to speak, and your mind is blocked.
IT’S BLOCKED FOR A REASON . He released another low growl. I HAVE NO DESIRE TO SPEAK TO YOU. AND IF YOU WONDER IF MY POSITION HAS CHANGED—LET ME TELL YOU IT HAS NOT. I DESIRE TO LIVE ALONE IN THIS CAVE FOREVERMORE.
Why would you want to live alone when one of your kin stands before you?
YOU MAY BE A DRAGON, BUT YOU AREN’T MY KIN.
I disagree.
YOU CLAIM TO HAVE YOUR OWN FREE WILL, BUT THAT HUMAN IS PULLING YOUR REINS LIKE YOU’RE A DAMN HORSE.
My mind is my own. We’re bonded by love—not force.
Inferno’s eyes flicked up to mine, and he looked at me with a hint of disgust.
He wants to free our kin.
HE WANTS TO USE YOU FOR HIS OWN PURSUITS. YOUR AMBITIONS JUST HAPPEN TO ALIGN.
Even if that were so, that still makes us allies. Join us.
I TOLD YOU I’VE FOUND MY PLACE.
Khazmuda seemed to be getting nowhere, so I intervened. With all due respect, you’re living like a rat feeding on scraps. A dragon is meant for the skies, not the caves. A dragon is meant to symbolize beauty and strength. You waste your immortality hiding beneath the earth like a dwarf rather than a majestic creature of the sky. You disgrace your scales by hiding them from the sun.
Inferno stared at me and released a low growl.
“What did you do?” Calista whispered.
Khazmuda spoke to me privately. Do you wish to die a fiery death?
YOU COMPARE ME TO A RAT?
I held my ground. I see no difference.
Now, his growl grew louder, so loud it made the mountain shake.
“Fuck, we’re going to die, aren’t we?” Calista said as she latched on to me.
My intention is not to insult you ? —
FOOLED ME.
I just think you deserve more. You deserve the land and the sky. You deserve to be free. This is not free.
He stared, and this time, there wasn’t a growl. AND LET ME GUESS—THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO BE FREE IS TO SERVE YOU.
I would never ask a dragon to serve me. But I would ask to be allies. Khazmuda and I aren’t enough to usurp the dictator who sits upon the throne of the Southern Isles. The armies I’ve claimed aren’t enough ? —
WHAT OF HER? YOUR ALLIANCES SEEM TO HAVE GROWN.
I stared at him before I looked at her over my shoulder. “Speak to him—with your mind.”
She hesitated as she looked past me, staring at the dragon that would make any man lose his bladder. My name is Calista—and it’s an honor to meet you, Inferno.
He blinked. Tilted his head slightly. Narrowed his eyes on her face. SHE SPEAKS.
She, too, has the gift.
Calista hesitated before she spoke again. The first time I saw Khazmuda, I was in awe of his power and ferocity. And now, I look at you and can’t help but admire the color of your scales, the way you look like the fire that burns in your belly. I thought the novelty of seeing a dragon in the flesh would wear off after my time with Khazmuda, but after looking at you, I realize I’ll never get used to your beauty.
To someone else, it probably felt like false flattery and manipulation, but I knew she spoke with sincerity.
Inferno seemed to be as mesmerized by her. WHY DO YOU COME HERE, CALISTA?
To ask for your aid. Talon shared his story with me, and I wish to avenge his family and free the dragons who have been enslaved by dark magic. Talon is right—we need more help if we’re to accomplish that.
TWO DRAGONS AND TWO HUMANS AGAINST AN ENTIRE KINGDOM AND AN ARMY OF DRAGONS CONTROLLED BY SHAMANS. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO SEES HOW PREPOSTEROUS THAT IS?
We’ll find more dragons.
He shifted his gaze to me. THERE ARE NO MORE DRAGONS.
I disagree.
THEN WHY AREN’T YOU PROPOSITIONING THEM INSTEAD OF ME?
Because I still haven’t found them.
His stare shifted back to Calista. I ASSUME YOU EXPECT ME TO FUSE WITH YOU.
I don’t expect anything, Inferno.
BECAUSE THAT IS AN INTIMATE REQUEST FOR STRANGERS.
We ask for your help—in whatever way you wish to give it.
I HAVE FAR MORE TO LOSE IN A FUSE, AND YOU HAVE FAR MORE TO GAIN. THAT IS A REQUEST I’LL NEVER HONOR.
I was disappointed but unsurprised. To expect a bond so strong to happen in an hour was unrealistic.
Again, I didn’t ask you to.
MY INTELLIGENCE SURPASSES YOURS, HUMAN. I KNOW WHAT YOU SEEK. IF YOU FUSE WITH ME, YOUR ABILITY IN BATTLE WILL BE UNMATCHED. YOU CAN AID TALON WITH THE BLADE. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, JUST BECAUSE WE BOTH LOST OUR KIN THAT DAY DOES NOT MAKE ME OBLIGATED TO HELP YOU.
You’re never obligated to help us. But you should feel obligated to help those you left behind. You shouldn’t be sitting in this cave alone while others suffer. Wouldn’t you rather die than continue this lonely existence? Isn’t death preferrable to this?
Inferno stared her down, his intelligent eyes fixed in place.
We have the same objectives. It’s an opportunity you should take, because what you’re doing now is benefiting no one, not even yourself. There is no peace with guilt. There is no happiness with despair. What you’re doing isn’t living—but existing. Choose not to help us, and we’ll continue on our way. But you’ll stay here and never know the outcome of the battle because you’ll still be here in this cave—existing.
Khazmuda spoke to me privately. She’s good with words.
She is.
A stare-down ensued, the mighty red dragon staring at her while she stared back. A dragon’s thoughts were hard to decipher because they didn’t have facial expressions like humans did. I couldn’t always tell how Khazmuda felt by looking at his face.
A solid minute passed, and words weren’t exchanged. Then Inferno spoke. I WISH TO SPEAK TO CALISTA—PRIVATELY.
You can communicate without us.
THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
I’m not leaving her here alone ? —
It’s okay. I’m not scared .
Maybe she wasn’t, but I was.
I PROMISE I HAVE NO ILL WILL TOWARD YOUR FEMALE COMPANION. AND I’VE JUST HAD LUNCH—SO MY HUNGER IS SATIATED.
“It’s okay,” Calista said. “Really.”
I looked at her over my shoulder. “I don’t like this.”
“How can we ask him to trust us if we aren’t willing to trust him in return?” Her green eyes flashed with an intelligence that she’d shown before, but never as brightly as she did now. “I’m not scared.”
“It’s okay if you are…because I would be.”
She continued to hold my gaze, utterly fearless. “I’d take this dragon over General Titan any day.” She grabbed on to my arm as she lifted her leg from across the saddle. Then she climbed down, dropping to the cave floor on a pile of bones that seemed to have belonged to a bear. It was picked clean. She gave me one final look before she nodded toward the ceiling.
I’m worried…
Inferno is an honorable dragon. He’ll keep his word.
Why do you think he’s honorable? We hardly know him.
He’s always told us the truth—even when it’s cast him in a bad light. He’s chosen to hide in a cave instead of save his people. He may be cowardly, but he’s also honest. I don’t know why he would lie to us now. Besides, Calista is bony and an undesirable choice of meat.
I disagree with that last part.
She’ll be fine, Talon.
I hesitated, looking at Inferno for another moment. If you’re certain…
I am.
Then let’s fly.
Khazmuda pushed off the ground and launched toward the top of the cave, flying up over the bonfire to the opening far above.
My eyes were down on Calista, where she stood and watched us slowly rise out of the cave. Good luck.
Thanks…I think I’m going to need it.