The Dragon Eater, page 20
part #1 of The Tharassas Cycle Series
Desla glared at him through narrowed eyes but said nothing.
Raven’s own eyes went wide — Spin must be saying something crass in his ear.
Aik turned his attention back to the task at hand. Malin went around the back while Aik surveyed the damage. The wheel must have come loose and started wobbling, but the axle was intact. Aik said a prayer for small favors. He’d helped to repair enough broken wheels with the Guard that he knew his way around the basic mechanics.
Malin rolled the wheel around the grounded carriage. It was a beautiful thing, hand-crafted from oak and iron. “Only have the one, so knock on wood …” He leaned it against the bridge railing.
Aik stayed away from the edge, not wanting to see how far up they were. Concentrate on the task at hand. He shivered in the clammy dampness.
“I need you all to lift the carriage up so I can take off the broken wheel, and then let it down again when I say.” He pulled a heavy iron wrench out of his back pocket.
“Of course. I’ve done this before. I helped maintain the Guard carriages.” He’d always loved using his hands — real, honest work.
“Good man.” Malin knelt beside the wreckage of the broken wheel. “Ready?”
The others nodded.
“As I’ll ever be —”
The bridge shook, a low rumble that quickly grew into a crescendo, and the span began to sway crazily under Aik’s feet. “Quake! Hold on!”
The new wheel started to roll. Malin let go of the carriage to reach for it as it spun by, but another jolt threw him hard against the rail. He cried out and collapsed to the ground. The wheel spun away on its own down the shaking bridge.
The urse struggled against its bonds, dragging the downed carriage forward a couple meters, and Aik and his friends held on for dear life.
There was an ear-splitting crack, and then a sudden silence. Throughout it all, the rain continued unabated.
Aik let out a sigh of relief. “Everyone all right?” Thank Ay’Oss that’s over.
The urse wherried nervously, as if in response. The patter of the rain on the bridge was the only other sound.
“Yes, I think so.” Raven let go of the carriage. “Wet as a school of kerint. But nothing broken.”
“I’ll grab my bag and check on Malin.” Desla popped into the carriage and then back out, vanishing into the rain behind them.
Aik surveyed their ride and shook his head. One of the other wheels had broken now too. They’d have to send someone back into Gullton for help. Silya wasn’t going to like the delay.
The bridge under his feet groaned ominously, a shudder that he felt in his bones.
Rave’s eyes met his. “That can’t be good.” The anger was gone from his tone, replaced by fear.
Aik shuddered. If the thrice-damned thing is breaking …
“Malin’s fine.” Desla materialized back out of the rain, holding the driver up. He walked with a limp.
The bridge shifted sharply under his feet, almost knocking Aik to the ground. “We have to get off of the bridge. Now.”
Desla stiffened. “What’s happening?”
Aik could feel it in his bones. “The whole cursed thing is falling. Move!”
“Farking hell.” She blanched. “Sorry — I'll take care of Malin.”
“Go — we’ll be right behind you.”
“Hurry!” The two of them started off toward the far side as quickly as they could manage, vanishing once again like ghosts into a curtain of rain.
“I’ll release the urse. Then we go too.”
Raven shook his head, spraying Aik with droplets of cold water. “I need to grab our things!” He slipped back to the door and wrenched it open, almost leaping inside the carriage.
“There’s no time!” Aik shouted after him. “This thing could collapse any second!” He opened the quick release clip that bound the urse to the carriage and slapped its rear, sending it galloping down the bridge after the others. Hope Desla has the sense to get out of the way. “Raven, come on!”
The structure shifted again, the metal supports groaning so loudly that they drowned out the sounds of the rain. The bridge was going to take both of them down with it if they didn’t get off of it soon.
Aik reached into the carriage and pulled Raven out by his shirt. “Let’s go!” Fear painted his vision red.
“Got it! And I got your sack too.” He slipped his over his shoulders, and Aik hurriedly did the same.
“Hope you’re happy. We might die here with them. Run!” They squeezed past the carriage and onto the open bridge and took off toward the North Shore.
The entire structure listed to the right, and they broke into an all-out run as the world shifted around them, the horrible sounds of twisting, breaking metal ripping through the air. Aik’s stomach twisted along with it, fear loosening his bowels. He struggled to keep control of himself as the whole bridge shifted left, then right again with a terrible metallic groan.
Lighting struck the bridge a few meters behind them, brightening the dim, gray morning with a shock of brilliance before fading quickly back to gray.
How much farther? I don’t want to die here.
The bridge dropped abruptly half a meter, throwing them sideways against the railing and bruising Aik’s ribs, almost making him lose his breakfast. The rain let up for a few seconds, and he could see the long fall down to the Elsp below. I hate heights.
Raven was sprawled on the ground behind him, scrambling to get back up. Aik reached out to help his friend, and the gauntlet flickered into existence, hauling Raven up onto his feet.
Another thunderous clap, and the bridge sagged toward the narrows.
“Ruuuuuun!” He hoped to the Gods that Des and Malin had already reached the far side.
The rain had slowed, and he could see the shore at last, just ten meters away. “We’re going to make it!” He glanced over his shoulder at Raven, who was just a couple meters behind him, panting heavily. His friend’s face went pale as the bridge rumbled again.
He turned to see the bridge ripping away from its mooring on the bluff. Oh sweet mother of Jas. “Jump!” His feet pumped under him.
“Too … far!”
“No … choice.” The edge of the bridge was coming up fast. “Jump!” Don’t look down. Aik leapt off the bridge, crossing the intervening two meters to land on the bluff, scrambling to catch himself on the remains of one of the bridge pilings that jutted up from the ground like a broken tree. He turned to see Raven leap as the bridge fell away from under him.
Raven flew toward him, arms flailing, suspended in midair for what seemed like half a minute but could only have been a second.
Then he slammed hard into the ground just below Aik.
The soil crumbled away beneath him, and a look of horror crossed Raven’s face as he slipped down the muddy ground toward the chasm, grasping hold of an exposed root to halt his fall.
Aik fought his fear at the gaping drop beneath him.
“Grab this!” Ser Kek’s voice rang out above him over the noise as the bridge collapsed into the canyon.
Aik glanced upwards, and a rope slithered down into his hands. Without thinking, Aik grabbed it with his gauntleted hand. He let go of the piling, scrambling down the slope to reach out to Raven’s gloved arm. The gauntlet flickered out of existence again. He grunted, trying not to see the drop-off below, concentrating instead on Raven’s face. “Take my hand!”
“I can’t” Raven’s eyes were squeezed shut.
“Dammit, Raven, try! I can’t lose you.”
Raven’s eyes opened, meeting his.
“You can do it.” The whole world squeezed down to just the two of them.
Raven’s fear-filled eyes met his. He nodded and gathered himself, thrusting his hand toward Aik, but missed as Aik reached the literal end of his rope.
“Again!” He lunged forward as far as he could, extending his fingers.
Raven strained upward, and at last their hands clasped one another’s.
Golden light lit up the space between them as Spin poked a tendril out of Raven’s pocket. “Things don’t look good for our heroes.”
“Not … now … Spin.” Aik tried to pull Raven up, but he was too heavy, and the strain on both his arms was growing. The rain was starting up again, making things slicker and cutting off his view. Thank the gods for small favors.
Raven held his bag in one hand.
“Let it go! It’s too heavy.” It might be enough to make the difference.
Raven shook his head. “I can’t! I clipped it to my belt!” Raven’s glove was slipping off his arm.
Aik rolled his eyes. Raven and his stupid things. He adjusted his grip to grab hold of Raven’s forearm. “I can’t hold you much longer —” Anger flooded him at Raven’s stupid theft of the egg, at Silya for dragging them on this ill-fated expedition, and at himself for being such a lunkheaded idiot. He was going to lose his best friend —
The crashing sound reached a crescendo as, somewhere far below and hidden by the incessant rain, the ruins of the bridge collapsed into the Elsp.
Warmth flowed through Aik’s right arm, and the gauntlet reappeared, lighting up Raven’s face.
His eyes went wide.
Aik’s grip tightened around Raven’s arm. He pulled again, and it was as if Raven was as light as a feather. Aik heaved him up to the metal piling he’d been clinging to a moment before. “Grab on!”
Raven threw his arms around the broken column as if it were his own dear departed mother, his chest heaving.
“Damn. You work out, Aik? And what the hell was —”
“Spin, sleep.” Raven’s voice was sharp.
Aik took hold of the rope in both hands, climbing up it after Raven.
“Aw boss …”
“Now.”
“Yes, boss.” The golden light vanished.
Aik took hold of the ruined column and settled in next to Raven, his chest heaving. They just sat there for a moment, grasping the tortured metal, sharing a look as Raven tried to catch his breath too. He did his best to ignore the yawning chasm just a couple meters away.
“What the … green holy hell … was that?” Raven’s breath came in gasps. His short hair was plastered to his forehead, and he looked like a wet dog. He stared at the gauntlet, rubbing his arm where Aik had grabbed him. “That’s gonna leave a mark.”
Aik looked away. This was not how he’d wanted to give Raven the news. “I’ll tell you later.” The gauntlet faded out of existence.
Raven blinked. He stared at Aik’s arm a moment longer, then closed his eyes, his breathing slowly returning to normal. “This is what you wanted to talk about last night, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Aik met his gaze, his eyes wet. Just the rain. “I meant to tell you. I’m sorry about what I did —”
Raven shook his head. “I should have let you talk. And maybe I was wrong —”
“You were what?” Aik had never heard Raven admit that before.
“You two all right down there?” Silya’s voice interrupted Raven from above, through the pounding of the rain.
Raven met Aik’s gaze. “We’re fine,” he called. “Scared as a cornered ix, but fine.”
A cheer went up from their friends above.
Aik searched Raven’s face for some clue to what he was thinking. His features were uncharacteristically blank. “We’re alive.”
Raven laughed harshly. “Thanks to you. You saved me.”
Aik shook his head vehemently. “You jumped, and you made it across, even though you didn’t think you could.”
“I guess I did, didn’t I.” Wonder filled Raven’s voice. “I’m a better athlete than I thought.”
Aik grinned. That’s more like the Raven I know. “You ready?”
Raven stared at him for a long moment before replying. “I think so. But we’re going to talk about that thing on your arm later. And not just that.”
“Yes, we will. I promise.” He offered Raven the rope. “You go first. I’ll be behind to catch you.” Like always.
“You two coming?” Ser Kek sounded irritated.
“What if he drops me?” Raven shot a glance at the sergeant. “He hates me, you know.”
“Then he’ll have to deal with me.” Aik put a hand on his sword hilt.
They shared a grin, and for a moment everything was like it used to be between them. “On our way.”
Raven threw an arm around him, hugging him. “Thank you.”
Aik shivered at Raven’s touch. “It’s not a big deal.” He felt awkward around his friend. Too much strangeness between us. “Go! I’ll be right behind you.”
Raven pulled his carry sack over his shoulders again and took the rope in both hands. “Coming up!”
Aik watched him go, wishing things were different. Longing for something Raven didn’t want to give him. And hoping he hadn’t ruined what they did have with his stupid decision to mess with Raven’s artifacts. What a pair we make, lizard boy and gauntlet man.
With a sigh, he started after Raven, glad to be on solid ground once more. As he clambered up onto the bluff, Silya ran down the hill to embrace him, the dignity of the Hencha Queen vanished in the rain and mud. “Thank the Gods you’re alive.” She pulled him close. “We didn’t know there was anything wrong until Ser Kek stopped us.” She glanced at Raven over Aik’s shoulder. “Glad you made it too.”
Raven laughed. “I get your sloppy seconds, huh?”
She let go of him and gave Raven a hug too. “Yes, you do, and you should be grateful for them, after everything you’ve put me through.” She squeezed him so tightly his eyes bulged out of their sockets.
Ser Kek watched the whole thing impassively. Aik snorted under his breath — the man truly was made of stone.
“Thanks for the rope.” Aik put out his hand.
Kek stared at it for a moment, then shook it. His grip was as firm as his gaze. “Guards look out for one another.” He shot Raven a pointed look.
Ah. “You saved his life, and probably mine too.” Bet you would have let Raven drop into the Elsp if he’d been alone.
“Part of the job, son.” He let go of Aik’s hand and went to untie the rope from around an auley tree. Its conical purple leaves were open to the rain, funneling it into its swelling trunk.
Son? Aik frowned. The sergeant was only a few years older than he was.
“Let’s get out of the rain. We can all squeeze into my carriage for the rest of the trip.” Silya turned to go.
Desla cleared her throat. “Malin here injured his ankle. Can he ride inside? I’ll sit with the driver if there’s not enough room.”
Aik was impressed. “I don’t mind sharing the driver seat … I’d rather be able to see what’s coming, to be honest.” Besides, it would get him away from Raven for a couple hours.
Raven’s eyes narrowed. “You’re going to throw me into that orinth’s nest alone?”
Aik snorted. “You’ll survive.”
Desla ignored Raven. “You sure? It’s cold and wet out here.”
“Yeah.” Aik wasn’t thrilled about facing the awful weather, but he would use the time to decide what he would tell Raven. And how.
He just hoped Raven let him down easy. And that Silya’s mother had enough water for a good hot bath when they got there.
“That settles it. Come on. I want to get to the Manor House before nightfall, so I can send word back to the Temple that we arrived safely.” Silya peered into the chasm. “I hope no one else was on the bridge behind us.”
Aik glanced back the way they’d come. The rain was lifting, and he could see all the way across the canyon to the far side now. A crowd had gathered there, staring at the bridge wreckage below.
Strange things were afoot in the world. I wish I lived in less interesting times.
He cracked his knuckles, ignoring a look from Raven, and followed Silya and the others up the hill to the remaining carriage.
15
The Manor
Silya stepped out of the carriage onto the cobblestone courtyard that fronted her mother’s sandstone manor, happy to get out of the humid cabin and away from the sullen looks Raven kept giving her. He was in a foul mood, and she didn’t know why — only that it had to do with Aik. It always had to do with Aik. Still, she had to make allowances. Lo’Oss knew he’d been through a lot in the last few days.
She hadn’t missed the awkward glances between them after the incident, nor the fact that Aik suddenly wanted fresh air. Raven had been uncharacteristically quiet during the long climb up through the purple, sedge-grass covered foothills.
They’ll work it out. Gods knew she had enough of her own to worry about.
Ser Kek was dismounting, the handsome guard tying up his mount to a post provided for that purpose. Silya looked away quickly before he could notice her interest.
She’d watched approvingly as Desla cleaned up the driver’s — Malin’s? — arm. She missed the simple acts of being a healer. Life has other plans for me. Speaking of which … She braced herself for her encounter with Tri’Aya, glad to be breathing cool, fresh air again after the warm, dank interior of the carriage.
The storm clouds had fled inland, leaving behind their tattered remains, and in the west the sun was setting over Gullton. From the lower slopes of Heaven’s Reach, it looked like a miniature village, lights flickering on one by one as night fell. The air was fresh, carrying just a hint of the sea. A whirlwind full of wisps swept across the courtyard, scrambling her already-tangled hair.
I must look a fright. She ran her fingers through her now-dry mane, trying to rearrange it into something more befitting the Hencha Queen before facing her mother.
“Here, let me.” Sister Dor appeared before her, holding a wooden comb.
“I can do it myself —”
“This is why you have an aide.” Dor combed out her long blond hair.
I doubt that’s in the Temple charter. Still, it was nice to have someone to take care of her. She grimaced as Dor worked out a knot, pulling at her scalp.
“Hey, can you do mine next?” Raven smirked at her.
