Dragon Racers: The Complete Trilogy, page 31
She looked over and saw that Meifeng wasn’t clinging to her out of excitement. Her friend and mentor must have been struck by the loss of She’en. She had her eyes clenched shut and was sobbing. Sharrah put her arm around her, and her mouth near her ear. “It must be hard,” she comforted.
“It is sooo hard,” a damn broke inside Meifeng. “I should be out there. We should be out there. She’en was small. She and I would have dominated here.”
“I know you would have,” Sharrah hugged her close and tried to see what color the finish pole’s orb was glowing, for it would be the color of the dragon who was leading. To Sharrah’s disappointment it was red, and by the way Cholt and Rom were saying yes over and over again, it was clear, it was Shimmer who was winning.
She saw them pass before the standing crowd. Mala was battling for third position with another green dragon of a similar size. Third wasn’t bad after one time around, and starting in the back row. Another two wyrms were right on their tails, but Kin would have two more chances to get Mala around the leaders.
“Let me be, dear,” Meifeng unshouldered Sharrah’s arm. “Enjoy the race. Pay me no mind. I need to master myself.”
Sharrah put her arm right back around her friend, but did focus her attention on the course. She hadn’t caught the color of the two other dragons near the front. She knew only of Shimmer, Mala, and the other green, so when the orb shifted to green, she wasn’t sure if she should be excited or not.
She found she was right to reserve her enthusiasm, for it was the green Mala had been contending with, racing for the lead with Shimmer now. Kin was right behind them, and looked to be focused on finding a way to make a move. He looked her way, and Sharrah stood. She patted her heart and thought he saw.
She watched him put his eyes back forward and then Mala surged so close to the tails of the others, had it not been so narrow, she might have been able to pass them right then.
When they disappeared around into the last circuit of the race, Sharrah’s heart was thumping with excitement. She sensed Cholt and Master Rompart standing behind her, and felt herself pulling Meifeng to her feet.
This was it, the finish was coming.
Chapter Twenty – Five
“This young contender Kin Kuul has managed to pass Artem Wik on Trunk. And he just might be able to pass Pavril and Shimmer!” The announcer’s voice blasted out of the megaphone. Sharrah tried to keep track of what he was saying, but now she could see them coming around to the finish and the roar of the crowd drown him away.
The people were cheering so loud she thought her ears were going to burst.
Kin was ahead, then he wasn’t, then he was ahead again. And here they came.
When Sharrah saw his dejected posture she knew what was wrong, but if there was any doubt of her father telling him to let Shimmer win, it was removed when Cholt cursed the boy for not letting up at the end.
Sharrah watched Mala skip a beat at the very last moment causing them to lose by just a head. It was impressive actually. It looked like Mala strained and injured herself, but she hadn’t. Now Luumin would probably spread that very rumor so Kin’s odds would be bigger next time. She had no doubt he could have won. The whole last bit of surging and falling back was for show. Mala could have gone ridged and undulated right past Shimmer had she wanted.
As crafty as they were, it made Sharrah sick to her stomach. She promised herself she would try to win any race she got in, and she wouldn’t deviate from that goal for anything or anyone.
It was hard to be angry with Kin Kuul, though. Her father was undoubtedly influencing his decisions, and probably using her in some way or another to do it. As much as she believed in mighty Master Luumin’s cause to save the Qilin and stop King Grayscon’s terrible reign over the fae, she was beginning to disapprove of his methods. The idea he’d involved Kin, and even Meifeng and Cholt in this madness was as aggravating as anything, but then again, they were his crew. They did what he said, without question.
She knew there was a better way than cheating. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew there was an honorable way, even it was letting Kin fly an honest race and winning over and over again at lower odds.
“Come Sharrah,” Meifeng directed her to follow Cholt. They’d just won a sizable wager, and needed to collect. Sharrah couldn’t help but search the crowds for the faces of the two thieves. She wasn’t sure if it was because she wanted to see them, or didn’t want to. They never showed themselves, though. The exchange and the trek back through the crowd to the fancy private steam truck her father secured went smooth and uneventful.
“Now we can afford to create a practice course for the Race of the Dead,” Master Rompart told Sharrah as they bobbed along the road. It was no surprise when Cholt nudged him and motioned for him to keep his mouth shut.
Sharrah wasted a silver coin on Kin, but Kin lost so they would be guaranteed enough winnings to build a practice course for her to use? She couldn’t get her mind around it. She still wasn’t all that pleased, but she had to admit she was less angry. She couldn’t wait to be on Azure’s back getting a feel for the chalice race ahead.
There was something else coming up that she wanted to do, and she needed to ask Meifeng about it, but the excitement of flying a real course again made her forget what it was.
Meifeng must have been reading her mind, “We need to figure out how to get your father to let us go watch Sky Island. If you are to race there next year, you should see what it is all about. That style of race, starting from flight, instead of from the ground, will favor Azure.”
“I know,” Sharrah grinned. “I saw from King Hotei’s hilltop and thought the very same thing. But I have to win the chalice first. As for Master Luumin, I do not need his permission, Meifeng.”
“No you don’t,” Cholt shook his head, “but she does, and you’ll want his blessing and her company. You’ll not be going alone with Mister Kuul, if that is what you were thinking.”
“I will if that is what I choose, Cholt. You are not the boss of me. And you don’t need his permission either,” Sharrah looked at Meifeng. “Do you?”
“No, not really,” Meifeng gave Cholt a hard look. “I mean, he is my captain, so in a way I do. But unless he orders me not to go, I am going.”
Sharrah looked out the curtain, and saw they were not going to see Kin and help him celebrate getting second place and winning thirty silvers. She let out a huff that fogged the glass between her and the humid night. They were almost back to the property.
The big moon was backlighting the clouds over the place, and when lightning flashed, Sharrah thought she saw the old crone standing at the gate with her cat in her arms. There was something very familiar about her eyes and it seemed like she was guarding the entry.
Thunder rumbled long and low, and in another flash, she saw the emaciated husk of a man standing in her place. He was some sort of ghostly apparition. This time she threw the curtain closed and wondered if she was losing her mind.
She peeked out again, and saw she’d just imagined it all. No one was there standing sentry. Then the old crone’s cat leapt from the ground shadows to the top of the gate pole, and Sharrah decided, she’d spooked herself enough.
“Do you have the plans, for the chalice course?” She asked Cholt, trying to get her mind off of what she’d seen.
“It was approved by the queen’s committee today,” he shrugged. “Master Luumin will be bringing us the specifications soon enough.”
“I guess I’m asking how long until I can start using the course to practice?”
“It will take a few days, once we know the layout,” he nodded his respect for her dedication. “I will start procuring what we need to replicate it on the morrow.”
“Good,” Sharrah gave them each a look. “I’ll not be attending the wild wing races again,” she declared. “I have better things to do than collaborate with fools and profiteers.”
“Inula,” Sharrah called. “Inula Ki, where are you?”
After returning to the house, Sharrah had taken a bath then studied the Book of Spells while waiting for everyone to go to sleep.
“I am here, Sharrah.” The doll sized fairy came to a fluttering hover in the lamp light before her.
“It worries me so, when you do not answer,” Sharrah sighed out her relief. “You don’t know how many days I spent looking and calling for you around Dragon’s Keep.”
“I’m safe, Sharrah,” Inula curtseyed from her hover. “How can I serve you?”
“First you can stop acting like I am some sort of queen, or slaver,” She shook her head again. “You don’t serve me, silly. You can help me, but only if you want to.”
“But I do want to help,” Inula fluttered in a circle and came back to the same place she’d been. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to get Tammarand he--” Sharrah didn’t even finish before the yellow-haired fairy man was there.
“Hi Tam,” Sharrah gave him a wave. He waved back and looked at Inula curiously.
Sharrah leaned close to him and whispered. “Do you still know the fastest way to find King Hotei?”
The little guy thought about it for a moment. He even scrunched up his face in concentration. Then he lit up, and zipped to and fro with excitement.
“I do,” he grinned, as surprised at having the knowledge as anyone. “I do know the fasted way to find King Hotei.”
“Good,” Sharrah seemed satisfied. “Tomorrow we will go for a visit.”
As she lay awake trying to decide what she was going to say to the mantai king, she wondered about Inula and Tam’s loyal obedience. They were like the other fae, without much sense of self purpose, after all. The only difference Sharrah decided was, Inula and Tam didn’t lick the intoxicating film off the windows in the Dregs and ride the high of the muck into dullness. They served her father, and by his order, they now served her, and she wondered just why her father had such loyal fae.
She supposed it had more to do with the Qilin, than her father.
The old crone appeared in her mind’s eye. She narrowed her brows and glared at Sharrah. It has to do with you, her raspy voice whispered before she faded away. Sharrah’s mind followed the words like she was drifting on a floating blanket, the ripples were soft and confusing, and they carried her swiftly into slumber.
Chapter Twenty – Six
The morning was drizzly, and a heavy fog hung over the estate like a shroud. Sharrah didn’t care. She donned her racing goggles, rain boots, and a dark hooded slick. She snuck to the barn with Inula and Tam each in their own of her front pockets. Inula was on the right and Tam on the left, both under the damp leather cloak. Though she thought to Azure what she was doing, she didn’t bother with him. Instead, she took a horse that was already saddled and ready to go. She had no idea who it belonged to, but she wasn’t going far, well maybe far was a matter of perspective.
Sharrah unlaced the front of the rain slicker. Like the horse, it was stolen. By the size and smell she figured it belonged to Morto or Liamoko, or one of those guys. Her original intent was to be clandestine about the trek, but since the weather was a mess, she decided to be quick instead.
All she wanted to do was talk to King Hotei for a moment. She knew she couldn’t linger, but she also had an idea of where she wanted to really watch the Sky Island race from. She was going to at least ask him about it. What was there to lose in that?
She let Tam point the way, and urged the horse as he directed. The fairies had their tiny heads poking out of the opening, and looked like wet gophers. At some point Sharrah sensed the Qilin, and then a portal. The fog had her as lost as she’d ever been, but Tam kept guiding them, and they eventually passed right out of the forest into the Otherworld.
Sharrah found herself sitting atop the startled horse in the crowded Freemarket of the Xuanpu Dregs. The fairy folk there were oddly silent, all staring at something besides the girl on a horse who had just appeared. She looked around and saw hundreds upon hundreds pairs of dead eyes all looking in confusion, at—at what?
Then she followed them and saw.
King Hotei was on an elevated pedestal huddled over something and-- was he crying? Sharrah heard Inula sob, and Tam followed, and then she saw the golden hair, and she couldn’t help but gasp.
Queen Komandra was laying beneath King Hotei, who was crying over her. He lifted his head, and looked around finding Sharrah instantly. When he pointed, his brows narrowed, and she saw anger there. Anger at her? Many of the dullards turned and stared at her with him, as many, if not more stepped up toward them in defiance. The rest paid attention for a moment, but within the span of a deep breath, they were back to scraping the filmy muck from the windows.
The knee jerk allegiance of the fae was baffling.
King Hotei stood and bowed, his expression no less distasteful while doing so. It wasn’t anger, she saw in his eyes though, it was fear.
“I see you’ve attracted the attention of the gods,” he indicated the ghostly form hovering a few strides behind her. When Sharrah saw it, the horse sensed her shock and flinched. Sharrah was so afraid she climbed down and made sure to put the animal’s frightened body between her and the ghoulish apparition.
How long had it been following her? Was this what she’d seen at the gate in the rain?
“The egui is a guardian, Sharrah.” King Hotei’s mantai eyes were brimming with tears. “Tis good for you,” he dropped his fist sized orbs, and looked away. “They killed mighty Komandra,” he crumbled then, and Sharrah ran over to see the elf Queen’s limp body. There was a spiral worked iron shaft jutting out of her. The mark on each of the hammered metal fins was the spread winged racing dragon emblem of King Grayscon’s Kingdom of Spoils.
It was unnerving having the terrible looking ghost watching, even if it was there to watch over her. She gave the egui a hard look and then dismissed it from her train of thought.
“Who did this?” she asked. “You said they. Was it the Icari?”
“Yes and something stronger was leading them,” Sharrah saw the majority of the fae looking at her and all nodding in agreement.
“Why?”
“My guess is because, King Grayscon will be racing this year.” King Hotei shook his head dejectedly. “He hasn’t shown himself for most of a decade and now this.”
“But why did he kill her?”
“Because she was one of the few who had a chance to beat him,” the mantai king pulled his hood up, to hide his strangeness, or maybe to keep from being seen with her. “They will be coming for you too, once you win that chalice.”
“Is there any way to watch the Sky Island race from the lake, below?” she blurted out what she’d came to ask. She knew she sounded insensitive, but she couldn’t stay, no matter what was happening here, and she knew King Hotei understood. Seeing Queen Komandra’s body was a stark reminder of the forces around which she knew nothing about, and now she wanted nothing more than to be home. “From the lake we could see it all from start to finish.”
“Bah, girl. You’ve much to learn,” Hotei shook his head and wiped away another tear. “Looking down through a designed viewing portal through a blimp’s deck, not looking up from the lake, is the best view of all. It might be the way to go this year. I do not want to face the crowd while grieving. Watching in private,” he looked around. “In mourning I suppose, is what we shall do. Find me as you did, Tammarand, on the morning of the race.”
An elf Sharrah thought she’d seen the last time she was here, parted the gathering fae. He found the elf Queen’s side and let out a harrowing wail of anguish. He looked at Sharrah a moment, his beautiful face pleading and as pitiful as anything she’d ever seen. For whatever reason, she wasn’t transfixed this time.
“We will take it in from the sky, so you can see it all, but when you come Sharrah, be discrete.” He gave Sharrah’s shoulders a squeeze and urged her to lead the horse back through the shimmering portal her coming had opened. “I’ve much to do, and others are coming. We don’t want them seeing you here.”
“I would like to bring a friend, Lady Meifeng, if that is alright with you.”
“It is,” King Hotei nodded, “Now go, before you’re seen by something with a memory.”
Sharrah did as he asked and led the horse back through the portal. She was startled when she found a handful of gnomes, and a wingless pixy man, standing around the magical opening, in the misty forest. Had they just wandered out?
She was rattled. Knowing King Grayscon would send assassins to murder anyone who might beat him, was too much. He might have sent an army into Deggari, just to find her. She wasn’t a threat to him yet, but King Hotei was right. She would be as soon as she won the chalice.
She decided she would worry about crossing that bridge when she came to it. Right now she had to get past seeing her undead guardian, a murdered elf, and learning the depth of her grandfather’s evil.
Chapter Twenty – Seven
Watching Sharrah leave Xuanpu from a nearby tree branch, the old crone’s cat crouched as still as could be. It was undetectable as it spied on her comings and goings, at least to Sharrah and all the fae around her.
Little did the cat know, something else was watching them all.
As Sharrah made her way back to the estate, a large crow leapt from a treetop and glided in a slow circle above. Sitting on the crow’s shoulders was the doll sized mogwai. He pursed his cherry lips, and watched the cat as much as he watched the girl. The mog couldn’t help but wonder how Sharrah happened to gain notice of the gods and gather an egui guardian, but it was done. How she’d picked up a witch’s familiar was another matter. It was clear she was gathering forces. If she was to be stopped, it would have to be soon, before she grew too powerful.
Knowing he would need help, the mog cast a spell that summoned some more of his kind. It would take them a while to get there, but he doubted Sharrah was going anywhere soon. There was no doubt now she intended to race for a chalice. His fellows would arrive long before the Night of the Dead, which would give them plenty of time to prepare.
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