Michael Stackpole - When Dragons Rage

The expression worn by the Kingsmen was not one of glee. “Hurry, General, it is the Duke.”

Adrogans slipped through the port and followed quickly. His guide led him through Varalorsk. In his mind Adrogans could see his route winding through Mikhail’s models. Deep inside they went, then up and up to the top level. His guide indicated the door to what should have been the commanding officer’s quarters, then stood aside.

Adrogans stepped over the body of a dead kryalniri and reached a wooden cot upon which an ashen-faced Mikhail lay. The dark brown clothes he wore hid much of the blood, but the fingers he clutched to his middle could not hide his wound. A hideous slash had opened his belly.

The Jeranese general turned to Phfas. “Get me an elven healer now”

“No, General.” Mikhail’s words came hissed and barely above a whisper. “There is no time.”

Adrogans looked back at him and saw a thin trickle of blood trail from the corner of his mouth. One of the other men standing there dabbed at it with a red cloth. “We’ve taken the towers, you know. Your plan worked.”

The dying Okrans noble nodded. “I know. It was as I dreamed.”

Adrogans narrowed his eyes. “Did you dream…”

“This? No.” He snorted weakly. “I am neither so brave nor foolish to walk into this. In my dream we won. We did. Then my dream ended. Now my life ends.”

Outside the roar of the archers rose as they revealed themselves and slew the arriving reinforcements. Their cries would signal the other Kingsmen waiting to emerge, and Krakoin would fall.

Mikhail smiled. “General, you will take Svarskya. I know it.”

“You’ll be there with me.”

“No, no I will not. I shall watch, though.” Mikhail’s eyes flared wide and white, then a spasm of pain shook him. More blood dripped from his mouth and stained his teeth. “A favor.”

Adrogans leaned closer as the man’s voice faded. “Anything.”

“Tell Alexia dreams can come true. Tell her to trust her dreams.”

“I will, my friend, I will.”

Mikhail’s body shook once more, then went limp.

Adrogans reached down and closed the man’s eyes. He mouthed a silent prayer even as Pain raked her talons across his belly. He winced, then looked up at the other Kingsmen standing around the cot. They looked stricken and he could tell each one of them would have gladly given his life in exchange for that of the duke. They even think his death is their fault .

Adrogans let his eyes harden and kept his voice grim. “I would speak no ill of Duke Mikhail, but he lied. He was a brave man, the bravest, for only the bravest could have taken Varalorsk.”

He hesitated for a moment as Mikhail’s men looked up at him and blinked. He waited until they could truly comprehend what he was saying, and once he read that in their dark eyes, he continued. “The duke did foresee his death, but he knew it was the sacrifice that would win the Three Brothers. He knew it would let us win Svarskya, so let no one think his death could have been prevented. He offered himself for the rest of us, for Okrannel. I charge you with making certain the truth of his death is known. Long shall his courage be sung.”

The trio of Kingsmen there nodded, then one met his gaze openly. “It will be our sacred duty, General.”

“Then I shall leave the master of the Three Brothers to your care.” Adrogans nodded once, then left the room.

Phfas caught up with him quickly. “Why lie for the dead?”

“Was I lying, uncle, or had Mikhail forgotten that part of his dream?” Adrogans narrowed his eyes. “His memory will drive them further than he would have alive. He wanted Svarskya free, and this way he will win it. He gave everything to this cause, and we shall make sure his effort bears the fruit he intended.”

For the barest of innocent moments, Princess Alexia’s heart leaped when she first looked upon fair Caledo. The city of white stone rose from the snowy plains as if it had been crafted from the snows itself. Eight towers soared above the points of the octagonal city walls, each stout, each sheathed in alabaster flesh. Within the walls stood four more towers, each sleek and softly curved, with high arching bridges linking them. Beyond the city, Lake Calessa lay covered in ice and deep snow.

From the crest of the hills to the east of the city, only two elements spoiled the snowy vision. The first was the pair of black stones set near the eastern gate. Alexia had heard of Murosan mages meeting to duel at these stones, but she’d somehow relegated such tales to the realm of fancies. Yet here they stood, tall and imposing. Their stark contrast with the city itself, both in color and angularity, made them seem jarring and menacing. Alexia read them less as a sign of Muroso’s strength than foreshadowing of Chytrine’s onslaught.

The second divergent element was more reassuring. Bright banners of red and blue, green and yellow, purple and gold hung from tower windows. Pennants, long and bright, waved and snapped from tower tops.

Alexia reined back and studied the city, and the empty expanse leading up to it. She forced herself to memorize every detail: the city’s majesty, its gentle strength and its unmarred walls. She noted the lack of carrion birds, and drank in the peace of the lakeshore city.

Snow crunched beneath the hooves of Crow’s horse as he rode up beside her. “It is breathtaking.”

She smiled and nodded. “I fear, given what will come, it will only be in our memories that Caledo lives.”

Crow sighed out a plume of vapor. “Win or lose, Chytrine’s invasion will reshape the world.”

Alyx nodded slowly. She’d seen that in Bokagul, where the shock of the invasion had stirred the populace. The urZrethi had thought themselves invulnerable in their mountain fastness, but that illusion had been shattered forever. And while a debate still raged within that nation as to how many troops they should send to help, there was indeed resolution to act. Already small units were patrolling the mountains and heading toward Sarengul to warn others. Alyx felt certain that the Boka would send warriors to help defend Caledo since it had been Princess Sayce who had brought all of them to Bokagul.

I just have to hope they will get here in time.

The urZrethi had been generous in showing their thanks to Kerrigan and the others for their assistance in turning back the invasion. While the ability to shift shape had obviated the need for the urZrethi to use weapons and armor, their metalsmiths were quite adept at fashioning the same. Alexia had been given a thick-bladed sword with a reinforced forte and slightly curved blade of incredible lightness. The steel, which had an exquisite swirl pattern worked through it, was flexible, yet held an edge that was sharp enough to split a floating feather.

The Murosan troops and the Freemen had all been given light suits of mail that they said weighed less than silk. UrZrethi smiths fashioned new bladestars for Resolute, which he accepted with only a minor grumble. The others he’d been willing to leave behind; these he would have to collect. But, despite his protest, it was quite clear he was pleased. Peri had been given a winged helm light enough for her to wear in flight, Crow a sheaf of arrows with steel broadheads that would, it was said, pierce a dragon’s scales. And, along with a light coat of mail, Will received beaten gold bracers, each set with a sapphire as long as his thumb.

Princess Sayce, Kerrigan, and Bok, however, received unique gifts. The Murosan princess was given a silver mask to replace the one that she’d worn when shot. The left side had been set with amethyst in memory of the purple bruise she’d worn. Despite riding into the cold, Sayce had chosen to wear it, and there was no denying it enhanced her beauty.