The Blood Stone Read online

  “Silence!” Myrthyd shouted. The crowd’s roar dulled and Kreel dropped to his knees.

  “Please, Kull! Spare me. I’m not a halfling.”

  “But yet, you confessed. To me and to Tower guards. Are we to take it you were lying, then?”

  “No! I don’t…I’m not a halfling. I was not in my right mind. I didn’t confess.”

  “Yet you did. I heard it with my own ears, as did others, all of your own accord.”

  Myrthyd turned to the crowd. “The evil of halflings knows no bounds. Their lies and tricks will not be tolerated here. Tregaron belongs to humans. Rowyth belongs to humans. Death to the Drakku!”

  The crowd roared approval. Myrthyd turned his attention to Kreel, whose face was streaked with tears.

  “Please don’t do this. You know I’m innocent.”

  Myrthyd opened his arms and two small balls of flame surrounded Kreel.

  “No! Stop this!” he cried, straining against his binds.

  Myrthyd motioned again and the balls of flame inched closer to Kreel, moving slowly. Myrthyd enjoyed making his victims squirm with the anticipation of their death. The crowd hushed as the flames moved closer to Kreel, who screamed and thrashed.

  In Myrthyd’s mind, he heard none of it. The young man, no more than a couple years younger than he, morphed into a conglomeration of himself and a brilliant red Garnet dragon. The wailing young man who at one time served him well was no more, but was Myrthyd himself, dressed in novice robes and screaming for his release. Myrthyd brought the flames down until they burned the hands of the vision before him. As he watched the flames engulf himself, he waited for the pain to come, but it never did. The dream-like version of himself suddenly vanished and the man turned back into Kreel, the novice clinging to the burnt pole in a vain attempt to escape the flames. Myrthyd opened his hands and the balls of flame grew. They settled on the screaming novice, scorching him and turning his skin pitch black. A sickening stench of burnt flesh emanated from him. His screams died and he slumped over the burnt pole, crumpling to the platform.

  The two guards ran to him, checking for signs life, but Myrthyd knew there were none. It was punishment for his crime of viewing the forbidden book. It must remain a secret no matter what.

  Myrthyd turned to the stunned crowd and they erupted in applause for the death of a halfling. Like him, they knew how harmful the Drakku were. The more he killed, the better off they’d be. But with the Blood Stone in his possession, maybe he’d not have to resort to such brutal measures.

  CHAPTER

  Twenty-One

  When they left the cavern, Lailoken led the slayers toward Dragonfire Peak, the largest of the Dragonback Mountains. It was the next closest summit and their destination on the treacherous mountains.

  Six hours after leaving the cavern, they came to a large clearing protected from the fierce winds by a mountainside on the north and a small stand of trees running along the western and eastern sides. The men made camp near a tree and unloaded their gear, taking a much-needed break from the harsh path they’d traveled.

  No sooner had they dropped their bags than a loud roaring rained down from the sky. Lailoken’s hairs stood on end and he scanned the cloud-covered sky for the foe. The Garnet dropped through the clouds and streaked downward, flames belching forth from its open mouth. It looked familiar.

  “Indrar?” Lailoken asked aloud. None of the slayers replied, scrambling to get their weapons and returning to Lailoken’s side.

  “Our former foe has returned. This time, we don’t stop until he’s dead. Is that understood?” Lailoken asked, turning to the slayers. Jor was ready, her sword clasped tightly in her hands, while Ori and Tozgan prepared their crossbows. Darlonn nodded, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Driano and Belthos scurried to hide behind trees.

  Indrar circled above, creating a ring of fire in the sky. His roar echoed across the clearing, the sound of his beating wings adding to their anxiety.

  “The vile creature has returned for its death!” Lailoken had let it get away once. He wouldn’t let that happen again.

  “Driano, do what you came here for!” A warmth spread over Lailoken.

  “Ori…Tozgan! To me!”

  The two crossbowmen raced to his side. “Prepare your bolts. At my command, fire at the dragon.” The men nodded and raised their crossbows. Above them, Indrar roared louder, fire arching across the sky. Lailoken’s senses were on alert, his thoughts vanishing until only one remained: to kill the dragon.

  Jor yelled at Indrar. “I’ll kill you with my bare hands! Come down here, coward!”

  Darlonn stood next to her, his sword clutched tight.

  Indrar blasted fire toward the slayers and burst forth from the flames with talons extended, diving at the slayers.

  “Now! Fire now!” Lailoken screamed. Tozgan and Ori let their bolts fly, but they both missed.

  “To cover!” Lailoken cried out. Indrar engulfed the area in flames, scorching the earth around them. Lailoken smashed his fist to the ground. “Damn crossbowmen!”

  “Get those bolts ready!” he yelled across the flaming field. He had no idea if they heard him or not. Indrar roared again, the sound of his wings beating the air as he flew by, making Lailoken stay hidden.

  The flames died out, leaving behind a blackened trail and Indrar once again flew into the sky, roaring angrily at the slayers.

  “We may yet get another chance! Everyone, be ready!” Lailoken called out. He felt the familiar warmth of Driano’s spell covering his body. At least the Magus was prepared. He only hoped the rest were.

  Lailoken sprung from his hiding spot onto the smoking grass. “Come here, Indrar! Face me, dragon!” He held his broadsword with both hands, ready for the dragon’s attack.

  Indrar circled above, roaring and belching flames, then dove from the sky, his aim straight for Lailoken.

  “Ready the crossbows! He’s coming again!”

  Lailoken stood his ground, trusting his slayers were in position. Indrar came at him fast. Moments before colliding with Lailoken, the crossbowmen fired, each one striking the dragon’s side. Indrar howled and rolled in the air, falling to the ground and landing with a massive thud next to Lailoken.

  “Spare no mercy!” Lailoken screamed. He and Jor ran at the writhing dragon, Darlonn on their heels.

  Ori and Tozgan followed, both men preparing another bolt to help their cause. Once Tozgan had his ready, he stopped, aimed, and fired. The bolt pierced Indrar through the wing and lodged in his leg. The dragon bellowed, flames bursting from his mouth. Tozgan rolled to the side, narrowly escaping certain fiery death.

  Lailoken’s anger grew more intense, his determination forged. Indrar would die.

  The Garnet dragon writhed on the ground, its arms unable to pry the crossbow bolts free. An eruption of flame burst from its mouth and the dragon roared. In a white flash of light, the men were blinded and it disappeared. What lay before them was a boy, nude and bleeding. The crossbow bolts lay on the ground, but the wounds were sufficient to stall the eager dragon-boy.

  “I let you go once. You will not enjoy the same fate this day,” Lailoken said. He rushed to the groaning boy, intent on slaughtering him.

  “Tozgan!” Ori shouted from his side. Lailoken glanced up to see him kneeling next to the crossbowman. He appeared alive. That was all that mattered.

  Lailoken rose his sword high and stood above the clearly wounded dragon-boy. “Your evil will never harm another human. This day, I claim your life for being the disgusting thing you are.”

  “No, wait!” Driano spoke.

  “Let him be! He may have information we can use. We can hold him prisoner.”

  “But he’s Drakku! They’re responsible for what ails Tregaron!” Lailoken replied. His arms strained from holding the sword for so long that the veins on his forehead pulsed with each passing moment.

  Indrar groaned, blood oozing from his wounds.

  “I want him dead, but alive he’s more valuable to us�
�for now,” Driano replied. Lailoken lowered his sword and ran a hand through his long hair.

  “What’s your proposal, then? My confidence in you has been waning for some time.”

  “Wounded as he is, he lacks the strength to shift back to dragon form. We can interrogate him until he poses a threat, and then we kill him.”

  Lailoken grinned. Driano had his faults, but this idea had merit. Maybe Indrar knew something of the Blood Stone. It wouldn’t take much for them to keep him prisoner until they had to kill him.

  “No! He must die!” Jor shouted, pointing her sword at the boy on the ground.

  “He will die, trust me. But until then, Driano is right. He knows things we don’t. If we can extract that from him, we may finish our task much sooner than anticipated. Besides, he can’t go anywhere, and if he tries to flee, we can stop him.”

  Jor’s face reflected her disappointment. “If that’s how it’s going to be.” She dropped to the ground next to Indrar and pulled out a large dagger.

  “Jor, no!” Lailoken said.

  “I’m not going to kill him. We’ll leave that for later. I want to make sure he doesn’t run.” She grabbed Indrar’s leg and dragged the blade across his Achilles, severing the tendon. Indrar screamed in agony as blood poured profusely from the cut.

  “Now he’ll find it harder to flee,” Jor said. Darlonn went to console Ori. Lailoken said nothing. It was a cruel gesture and now they had to carry the dragon-boy, but Jor was correct.

  “We have our prisoner, Jor. Tend to his wounds so he doesn’t die on us. Not yet.” Lailoken left the two of them and joined Darlonn with Ori, looking over Tozgan for any major injuries.

  CHAPTER

  Twenty-Two

  Indrar’s wound bled profusely. He’d been given a spare cloak to stay warm. It had been a day since their encounter and they’d barely made it down the mountain on their trek to Dragonfire Peak. Jor’s cut completely severed Indrar’s tendon and at the same time seemed to prevent him from shifting back to dragon form, resulting in a lot of wailing and complaining from the dragon-boy. It grated on Lailoken’s nerves.

  “Shut up already! We know you’re in pain. Deal with it. You’re either in pain or dead. Which would you rather have?” Lailoken scolded Indrar. The whining tortured them and made Lailoken want to slit the boy’s throat no matter what information he may possess. He saw him as dragon and nothing more.

  “You idiots maimed me so much that I can’t shift and be free of your ignorance. When I am, I’ll burn you all, no matter what my mother’s orders are. She’ll have to live with it.”

  Lailoken rushed Indrar and knocked him to the ground. Darlonn was holding him up. Indrar screamed when Lailoken turned him to look into his eyes.

  “Never speak my wife’s name again! Her name is of no concern to you! I will find her and rescue her and slaughter every last dragon that dares cross my path. You will be one of them.” Lailoken slammed Indrar’s head to the ground and stood, leaving the young Drakku moaning in pain. Darlonn helped him up but not without landing a kick to the ribs.

  “How much longer are we going to listen to him complain and cry?” Jor asked. “He’s not been forthcoming with information and I tire of his sound.”

  Lailoken ran a hand through his long hair. Jor was right. They were getting nowhere fast. The thought of Indrar divulging useful information was good to begin with, but so far nothing had come of it. They might be better off without being slowed by his presence.

  “I agree. He’s becoming more of a burden than anything else. Indrar, for the last time, I ask you. Where are there caves among Dragonfire Peak that are inhabited by your kind? Where is the Blood Stone hidden? I’m done protecting you and allowing you to live. Speak the truth now and give us information, or we will slaughter you on the spot. I have no love for Drakku and would gladly see you bleed.”

  “I do have several rubies that could use his blood,” Driano said.

  Indrar turned to Darlonn then to Lailoken.

  “You best speak or you will die,” Darlonn said, raising fear on Indrar’s face.

  “On the north face of Dragonfire Peak,” Indrar nodded to the mountain, “lies a cavern I’ve never been to. You might find what you seek there.”

  Ori stepped closer to Indrar, the dragon-boy a head taller than him. He pressed his finger into Indrar’s face. “How do we know you aren’t going to kill us if we go there?”

  “You don’t. You’ll have to trust my word.”

  Ori slapped him, almost knocking him over. Darlonn strained to keep him upright.

  “I don’t trust him,” Ori said, turning away and rejoining the others.

  “What’s he got to gain from treachery?” Darlonn asked. “He knows we have his life in our hands. He cannot escape. The moment we’re attacked by his fellow dragons, we’ll have slit his throat. His only chance of survival is to help us as best he can.”

  Lailoken nodded slowly. “We have no other choice but to trust his words, but hear me, Indrar. One false move…one hint of betrayal, and we’ll kill you. Understood?”

  Indrar nodded.

  “We follow his lead,” Lailoken said, motioning to Indrar. Darlonn helped Indrar hobble toward the base of the north side of Dragonfire Peak and the cave Indrar mentioned.

  As they trekked through the desolate valley, dusk settled in and Lailoken ordered them to camp for the night. Jor and Ori set off in search of wood while Darlonn, Tozgan, and Lailoken erected shelters and kept an eye on Indrar. Driano attempted to help but was useless. Belthos helped arrange their gear. Not long after the first shelter was in place, a familiar roar echoed through the mountains, Lailoken’s eyes lit up. Driano cowered. Indrar tried to stand but fell down in the attempt.

  “A dragon?” Belthos asked, wincing as he awaited a backhand from Driano that never came.

  “It seems we have company,” Lailoken replied.

  “He came,” Indrar whispered. “You’ll all die now.”

  The dragon’s roar grew closer, flames streaked across the sky from an unseen source. Then the giant Garnet dragon showed itself, its form blotting out much of the remaining light in the sky. It was above them, circling their camp and roaring madly.

  “I’m here! I’m here!” Indrar yelled. Darlonn shoved him back and knocked him to the ground.

  “Get out of the way!” Darlonn yelled at him.

  The giant Garnet spread its wings and dove for the camp, breathing fire. Lailoken and Darlonn ran from the flames, both men clutching their swords as the flames separated them.

  The dragon roared again, swooping upwards, circling, and dove for the ground, flames announcing his presence. Then it landed with a large thunderous sound that shook the ground. It roared, turning its head, and breathed flames all around it.

  “Hurry before it gets Indrar!” Lailoken yelled.

  You will release him to me, slayer! His life is not yours to take. Grymryg demands it! Lailoken heard in his head. He furrowed his brows.

  “I will take what I want and you cannot stop me!”

  Etain’s commands grow weak. Grymryg knows better. Release him or I will slaughter all of you. Lailoken heard the slow deep voice in his mind.

  “Never!” Lailoken yelled.

  Jor and Ori had returned. Jor unsheathed her sword and rushed at the dragon with disregard to the flames in front of her. She ran through the fire, yelling.

  “Jor!” Lailoken screamed. “No!” He turned toward Driano, the stone around his neck glowing as the Magus did what he could to protect them from the dragon’s flames.

  Jor ignored Lailoken and struck out at the giant dragon. It roared and swung its tail, knocking the slayer to the ground. Her sword flew from her hands as she rolled away. Tozgan was unarmed and stood at a distance with a look of shock on his face.

  “Darlonn, do something!” Lailoken screamed. The slayer brandished his sword. Darlonn nodded and approached the dragon from the right, carefully maneuvering through the flames to gain distance on the dragon. La
iloken shifted to the left, hoping to catch the dragon between them. They were closing in when the dragon roared again, stomping its feet, and shaking the ground. Then it flapped its large leathery wings and breathed fire all around itself. The slayers jumped back to avoid a fiery death. Driano’s enchantment might help slow the fury of the flames, but eventually they’d be burnt. It was a thin layer of protection that helped them survive long enough to do their job. Against an Onyx dragon, they’d be much more protected. The dragon stepped closer to Indrar, covering the injured boy with his massive body.

  “Hurry! It’s trying to take Indrar!” Lailoken called out.

  But it was too late. The dragon jumped into the air, roaring, and flew away with the dragon-boy firmly in its grasp.

  I told you to give him back. When we meet again, I will savor your death. The dragon’s words were clear in Lailoken’s head.

  The remaining flames were fanned taller by the dragon’s wind. As Lailoken watched the Garnet flee with Indrar, the flames began to slowly fade, leaving behind scorched ground and someone moaning in pain.

  Jor.

  Lailoken ran to where she writhed on the ground. She appeared to be fine besides having singed hair and slight burns on her arms.

  “Did we get it?” she asked.

  “No. It escaped with Indrar. We lost this fight.” Jor slammed her fists on the ground. “Be easy, friend; you may have more injuries that I cannot see,” Lailoken said.

  He turned toward Driano. “Can you help with her wounds?”

  Driano grumbled but approached, the stone hanging from his neck glowing.

  Lailoken helped Jor up. The slayer winced from the pain, but she stood and dusted herself off.

  With their source for knowledge gone in the air, Lailoken’s anger raged inside.

  “Clean up this mess and prepare yourselves. Our quest is now more important than ever,” Lailoken said. Soon, they might all be dead and without the gem to show for it.

  CHAPTER