looked like it was from a nightmare. When she walked it sounded like she was on over-sized tap shoes. Sasha was a little confused about how thick all the armor was. if it was as strong as the metal that the fenna was made of then it should be unbreakable. She asked Iselin about it and she heard a voice from behind.
“I told you that you would be hard pressed to break it, but for a dragon, well, they’re just a little bit stronger.”
Sasha turned around. “Arkin! How have you been?”
“Well. that plating on her feet is for blocking the tail blades of other dragons. The rest is just for show. it’s not even up to human standards and will be shredded within the first few minutes of battle.”
Iselin folded her wings and Cat turned into a ball of light that flew under Iselin’s right horn and out of sight. Iselin flew out of the dome. on the other side Sasha saw Sydin, his mirror-like armor and snow-white horns and claws contrasting with his black wings and scales. All of the dragons were starting to leave. each and every one looked ominous and terrifying to her, but Sydin by far was the most intimidating.
Mantic was walking up to them with a bright yellow familiar in cat form in tow.
“Un Prosa, I would be honored if you would allow Feena here to act as your familiar during the battle. I will be in the back helping command and will not have a use for him as you will.”
Feena looked cute, but Sasha didn’t think that cute did much in a fight. apparently Legon didn’t either.
“Thank you, but won’t he get-”
“He won’t get hurt, trust me. But he may save your life. you will see.”
She felt Legon’s apprehension through their connection, but in the end he agreed. Feena walked over to both of them and rubbed appreciatively against their legs. she reached down and picked him up. he nuzzled against her neck. these things were so odd, but she had to admit she wanted one. After that they started in the direction of the horses, soon to make the journey to the Sentinels, two large hills that marked the road into the Precipice, where the empire waited.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I look at life as a bridge with a toll on it. Depending on what part of the river you are crossing, you must decide if the toll is too high and how badly you need to cross the river. If the toll is too high then you move downriver to the next bridge. in my experience, I have never found a bridge whose toll is too low. Find the toll you are willing to pay and pay it. once paid, cross the bridge and move forward.”
Legon walked next to Sasha as he took in his surroundings. They were nearing the lip of a hill. on the other side of it was a large flat area of rock where the battle would take place. This hill was rock as well. there was a slight breeze and his nostrils caught the scent of something foul. He thought back, wondering where he’d smelled it before. He had when he had fought the Iumenta who killed Kovos in the clearing. maybe he could find him in the battle. Right behind them was his guard, a group of Elves that were loyal to house Evindass. they would be his guard during the fight, allowing him to fight with magic without too much hand-to-hand interference. They wore the same armor as he, with House Evindass’ crest emblazoned on their chest plates. They all tensed with distaste as they smelled the vermin in the distance.
As they crested the hill they were immersed in the ranks of humans and Elves. they walked in between catapults and ballista. In this battle there would be no time for trebuchets. Nervous, Sasha closed the space between them. this was not her element and she would have to wait until just before battle to go into the Mahann state needed for the fight. He extended his arm and held her hand, interlacing their fingers. He felt that her pulse was high, but it slowed as he ran his thumb along the side of her hand.
“Sorry I’m not brave like you and Iselin,” she said with a hint of shame.
“You shouldn’t have to be,” Legon replied.
He tugged on her hand, making her shoulder gently bump against his. her pulse slowed down some more. He saw the guard closing ranks around them and felt Sasha’s apprehension through the mental network he was running. As they closed ranks she calmed more as she felt their concern and, surprisingly, love for her.
Taking his attention from Sasha, Legon looked at the sky. It was dark gray and no doubt it would rain soon. He brought his eyes downward and out over the sea of people on the other side of the battlefield. they were like waves with sparkling armor, blades, and banners. Along the back row were the dragons, their armor dull looking as they leached light. It was not difficult to see their colors. they had the same armor as the Elves with their leathery wings uncovered except for the leading edge.
They were approaching Iselin, with Feena trotting right in front of them. Iselin was standing stone still, and he felt a drop of rain on his cheek as he reached her side.
“Will we fight in the rain?” he asked.
She answered in their minds, as all dragons did. “No, we won’t fly in rain, nor will the Iumenta. it will be a big storm. We will wait it out.”
“Sash, give me the store. I will hold it,” Legon said.
“It’s not too heavy. I’m ok.”
“I know you are, but it feels like a small rock to me.”
She took off the pack that held the store crystal and handed it to him. He slung one of the straps over his shoulder. The rain was starting to come down much harder now and he too saw that this was going to be a bad storm. This land was hot and muggy, making the rain warm and not refreshing in the least. he was on the verge of placing a spell over Sasha to keep her dry when Iselin extended her wing out over them. The rain sounded like it was hitting canvas as it struck the pink membrane. she craned her neck down and winked at them.
“This won’t wear out your wing, will it?” Legon asked.
Legon heard a deep growl, but Iselin’s mind felt playful. “I am fine. This is like standing around for me.”
He looked behind him to see water flowing from the back of her wing like little waterfalls. He noticed that all the Elven dragons were doing the same. he saw this on the other side as well. but whereas the Elves let anyone who was nearby stand out of the rain, he noticed there were only Iumenta under their dragons.
The downpour helped clear his mind. the sound of rain on Iselin’s wing acted as white noise that quieted all of his worries and apprehension. Sasha was now sitting next to Iselin’s front leg resting against it. water was running under the massive armor and streaming out over Iselin’s pearl claws and gemstone scales. When he thought about it, he never really had seen anything so beautiful in his life as Iselin. maybe Sasha was right to try and set them up.
“No, don’t think about that now,” he thought.
Still, the thought of either of them getting hurt bothered him profoundly. It felt like only a few moments had passes, but it must have been longer. The rain was now starting to slow, and as he looked out over the landscape he saw large burlap sheets over both sides protecting them from the rain, and a steady stream running in the middle of the soon-to-be battlefield.
A sound woke Sasha from a shallow sleep. there were chills running along her spine. her eyes were still closed, but what was that sound? She opened them and listened to the eerie sound more intently. It sounded like animals, all small ones, all angry. she was still batting the mental fog away when she noticed the loudest one. it was a cat yowling. She looked to see Feena with his fire fur raised, teeth bared, yowls coming from his open mouth. She looked around to see other familiars in the forms of many different animals and elements, some bear cubs, some dogs, some cats-all predators. Then she realized the din was also coming from the opposition as well. all of the Iumenta familiars joined their cries, begging their masters to let them loose on the enemy.
Sydin joined her thoughts, directing her to go stand with the other spotters. These were the spouses of Elven
