Brian Rathbone - The Dawning of Power

"Go for their eyes!" Kenward shouted, but he knew it would not be enough; there were simply too many.

Swaying on her feet, Catrin prepared to deliver another blast of power. Prios was nearly drained, and she could ask no more of him. Using her energy alone, she cast out a desperate attack. In the momentary pause it created, she watched as the Slippery Eel was slowly and inexorably pulled under water. Gholgi clung to the ship like a writhing mass of ants. The attack on land began again, just as the Slippery Eel's prow dipped below the water.

Above the roar of the attack, a keening wail could be heard that made every Gholgi take pause. Looking up, Catrin saw a circling cloud of dragons. Calling out in unison, the mighty serpents folded their wings and dived. Many struck the water, full speed, and others pulled up to skim over the shore. In the next instant, the air was filled with activity and the screams of the Gholgi.

Catrin watched in awe as Kyrien swept down in front of her and cast the Gholgi aside. Using his head and tail, he sent them flying through the air. His brethren continued to strike the water, looking like giant seabirds.

"Now's our chance," Chase shouted above the din. Prios and Catrin raced to his aid as he began sliding the small boat to the water.

Kyrien stayed near Catrin and snapped up any Gholgi that came too close. Once they were in the water, though, the situation became even more dire. Dragons continued to crash into the river, only to launch back into the skies a moment later. Tossed by growing waves, Catrin and the others barely held on. When she looked around, Kyrien was nowhere to be found.

Though progress was slow, the Slippery Eel grew ever closer. The ship was now riding higher in the water, as most of the Gholgi were now fighting for their lives. Catrin, Chase, and Prios rowed as hard as they could and approached the Slippery Eel. Apparently not wanting to waste time retrieving the boat, the crew dropped a boarding net over the side. Catrin leaped to the net first; the others followed. But her leg no longer wanted to hold her weight, and she had difficulty climbing. When Chase reached the deck, he leaned over the gunwale and extended his hand to her. "Grab on, Cat. I'll pull you up!"

Exhausted, she reached out to him, but before their hands met, a reptilian claw reached from the water and grabbed her legs. Desperate, Chase extended himself further, kept on the ship only by Prios, who grabbed him by the ankles. His hand connected with Catrin's, and she clung to it. With all her strength, she tried to hold on, but slowly she began to slip.

"No!" Chase screamed. "Don't you dare let go!"

There was nothing more she could do; she had no strength left, and she felt her fingertips sliding over his, as the Gholgi's grip grew ever tighter. Just as she thought she would succumb, the Gholgi released her and screamed, its lower half engulfed in Kyrien's jaws. After tossing the Gholgi away, Kyrien nudged Catrin from behind, and she let Chase pull her onto the deck. The last thing she saw before she passed out was Kyrien, wheeling in the sky, circling over the ship.

Our weather is controlled by the ocean currents. Should they ever falter, all will lament. -Sister Meigan, Cathuran monk

Coming awake with a start, Catrin sat up in her hammock. Her head spinning, she wiped the sweat-soaked hair away from her face. The door opened, and daylight streamed in.

"It's good to see you awake," Osbourne said as he closed the door. "I brought you some broth."

"Thank you. How long did I sleep?"

"Not that long. Since last night. You look horrible."

"Thanks," Catrin said before sipping the broth.

"Brother Vaughn wanted me to report back on your condition. You rest."

The broth was weak, almost tasteless, but it warmed Catrin's belly. After a yawn and stretch, she climbed from the hammock. Her legs were unsteady, and she leaned on the door for a moment before opening it. Cool sea air greeted her, and she breathed in deeply, taking strength from it. The decks were near empty; by the sound of things, most were belowdecks making repairs. Brother Vaughn and Osbourne emerged from the hold and walked toward Catrin as soon as they saw her.

"Back to bed with you," Brother Vaughn said, holding his ribs and sounding like a scolding father. Osbourne walked with a severe limp.

"The ship needs repairs, and everyone is needed," Catrin said.

"You'll be no use to us if you drop from exhaustion, not to mention the loss of blood. Your wounds are healing exceedingly well, but you still need to rest."

"I will, but first I need to know what dangers we still face."

"Things have improved a great deal," Brother Vaughn said. "The dragons have driven off the Gholgi, and the crew has been able to make many of the needed repairs. There are men on shore now gathering materials to make additional repairs."

"The dragons are still here?" Catrin asked.

"Only your dragon remains," Brother Vaughn said. "He's kept a vigilant watch, and there have been no more attacks."

"Kyrien? Where is he?" Catrin asked, and Brother Vaughn pointed.

High above, resting on an outcropping of rock, Kyrien sunned himself. Somehow sensing Catrin's gaze, he extended his serpentine neck and looked back at her. Then he gave a triumphant call. Moments later he leaped from the rocks and soared above the Slippery Eel.

"You see?" Brother Vaughn said. "We are well protected. Now back in you go."

Captivated by the sight of Kyrien soaring majestically on the thermals, Catrin was held in thrall, but she allowed Brother Vaughn to escort her back to her cabin. Once inside, she realized he was correct about her condition. The short walk left her winded, and she collapsed back into the hammock, her dreams filled with wings and green-flecked, golden eyes.

Master Beron walked in silence, his mind consumed with the dilemma he faced. Master Edling wanted him to convince the others to declare everyone north of the Wall a traitor, but Master Beron disagreed. Only the threat of poison in his food or a knife in the ribs kept him from siding with the others.

Through the halls of the Masterhouse, he walked, taking corridors he rarely used just to delay his audience with Master Edling. When his legs began to ache and he had still come up with no solutions, he gave up hope. As he walked into Master Edling's apartments, he was a beaten man. "I'm sorry, sir," he said. "I cannot convince the others. They still care for their countrymen, and they fear the wrath of the Herald."

"I told you I would attend to the Herald myself!"

"I believe you, but they don't believe me. They cannot understand that you have the power to protect us from her."

"Come, then," Master Edling said, his robes gliding across the floor as he led Master Beron from his apartments. "I'll show how I will defeat the Herald. Then you can convince the others. If you don't do it, I will. I'm certain it would be better for them if you made them believe. My methods might be slightly less gentle."

Master Beron cringed. Master Jarvis had always been a good friend to him. He was kind and honest. The same could not be said for Master Edling, but still Beron struggled against his own fears. Should he flee? Should he, too, go north of the Wall? Would they even accept him there? His thoughts were interrupted when Master Edling made an unfamiliar turn. "Isn't this a servant passage?"

"Keep quiet, or I'll silence you myself."

Master Beron closed his mouth and allowed Master Edling to lead. After three more turns, which Beron committed to memory, Master Edling stopped. He turned his back to Beron and, in some unseen way, triggered a doorway to open. "Get in there."