I’d never felt close to them, but I hated to hear that they had died. “So you’re saying our fighting force is nothing but elderly and unbonded. And commoners.”
*I’m not sure anyone would have joined us, anyway. Merram’s last command was to stay back.*
“Is he dead?” When Mettalise answered that she would have felt the death, I climbed the harness to her back. “Then let’s go. We weren’t there when Merram made the command. Can you stay in the sun until the last minute?”
Mettalise grinned, guessing my thoughts. *Ooo, dive in from the air.*
“Try to drop me on the nearest platform to the Dragonmaster.” I didn’t tie myself to the makeshift harness I’d made from some ‘borrowed’ bedding I’d found along the way. Instead, I took a single strand of bedsheet and wound it around my palm. “If Thorkel’s men are guarding the entrances, then I should be able to get to Merram before they can run down the hallways.”
Mettalise took to the air with powerful thrusts. I skidded, grabbed, steadied. I prayed I’d be able to hold on during battle. I seriously considered tying myself in one other place…
Mettalise laughed, a sound that still sent the back of my mind quivering with fear. *Raul doesn’t approve of our plan.*
My gut twisted. Did that mean Shamino disapproved? That he wanted me safe?
*Raul says you may be a blue, and that I’m a good flier, but we can’t take on the enemy all by ourselves. I told him he’s always been too cautious.*
I mulled over a response. The wind made my cheeks icy, my eyes seep. Finally, *Tell Raul that I am more than a blue. I am Thorkel’s daughter, and I know why his spells are so strong. I’m the only one who can stop him.*
A surge of uncertainty from Mettalise, but she told him. *Well. That was an impressive wave of shock. He’s going to tell Shamino.*
I knew he would, and I was glad. Never again did I want to keep the truth from Shamino.
The blockade of dragons came into view. All the enemies faced the valley of the Kyer. Some patrolled the air, while others speckled the mountainside as they rested their wings. Definitely twenty. Maybe more.
Joy radiated from Mettalise. *Shamino’s coordinating a diversion with the Quarters’ dragons!*
*What!* I wished I could scream at Shamino, but Mettalise would have to do. *Over half of the unbonded are elderly!*
*Yes, and I’m sure they’re shivering with glee.* Mettalise checked the sun behind us and adjusted her angle. *Without mages, they have never gone on a patrol or dealt with raiders or anything. For the first time in their lives, they have some excitement. Now be quiet.*
I sulked while Mettalise and a group of half-blind, creaky, slow dragons plotted how to get themselves killed. A tiny hope of Shamino still loving me tried to break through. I told myself that hope was not the appropriate emotion to be feeling.
*We’re ready. Leave all telepathy to me. I won’t raise the block until we hit the platform.*
*What’s the plan?* I said. The enemy was visible now. Their scales were ragged, rough, like they hadn’t been cared for by a human for a long time.
*To get you inside. Save your Gift and hold on. The dragons are our problem.*
I leaned forward, wrapped the sheet one more time around my hand, and sent a quick prayer to the First One.
Mettalise pumped her wings faster and faster. Our speed increased until my braid hovered in the air. Trees whizzed beneath us. Bursts of warmth flew in my face as we descended and the enemy grew closer. In the valley, corpses of dragons became clear enough that I could identify them.
The enemies on the ground jerked; I tightened my grip as they took to the sky. They didn’t fly toward us—they veered left, to Mountain Four. To the Dragon Quarters.
My beloved dragons took to the sky with roars of challenge. One of the mostly blind ones took off in the wrong direction entirely before cocking his head and sharply turning. The younger ones shot forward like eager puppies, then halted with a backbeat of their wings. They hovered as they waited for the elderly to catch up. Some of the oldest I’d never seen fly before; they wobbled in the sky.
The clusters of dragons collided in a hovering mass of fire, claws, and blood. For a brief moment they resembled colorful butterflies alighting on flowers and springing away. Beauty mingled with violence.
*Five left for me to break through,* came a cheerful Mettalise. *If I dive past the garden platform, can you jump and cushion yourself with air?*
I eyed the flowerbeds that zoomed larger as we spoke. *Sometimes your confidence in me is terrifying.*
*Yes, then.*
Mettalise folded her wings. She dropped like a rock, leaving the safety of the blinding sunset. I rose in my seat. Soon I didn’t ride Mettalise, I fell with her, keeping pace thanks to the thin sheet wound about my hand. I may have screamed.
An orange enemy looked over his shoulder. As one, the four others whipped about. They started toward us.
*Mettalise, we’re falling really fast.*
*Ten more seconds.*
First One, she was going—I fumbled to unwrap my hand while simultaneously holding on to her spines. My stupid dragon was literally dropping straight past the platform. * This isn’t a dive!*
The enemy dragons halted midair. A collision with a dragon going Mettalise’s speed would cause more than a few broken bones. From their expressions, they thought Mettalise insane.
*Run as soon as you hit the platform. I won’t be able to cover you.*
I tucked my legs, ready for a push-off. *Will you live through this?*
A mental chuckle. *Maol and I used to dare each other to do this all the time, until the Council banned it. Go!*
I kicked against her back as she raised a mental and emotional block. Falling, without a
