‘He is,’ she said, watching as the Banner forces retreated back across the gardens, their numbers lessening as they attempted to withdraw.
‘We shall protect him,’ said the man; ‘and you. You broke down the gates.’
‘You’ll protect him? You swear it?’
‘We swear it, miss.’
Another civilian, with a red band round his arm looked closer at the dragon. ‘It’s Sanguino!’
The other rebels gasped.
‘You can’t trust the Blue Thumbs to protect him, miss,’ cried the Shinstran. ‘They wanted to kill him in the arena.’
‘We did,’ said the Torduan, ‘but that seems a long time ago now.’
Two men pushed their way through the crowd.
‘Are you both alright?’ said Corthie, his eyes wide.
Next to him, Van was staring at the fallen dragon.
‘I’m fine, nephew,’ she said, ‘but Sanguino…’
Corthie rushed forwards, his hand fumbling in a pocket. He took out a small vial, and opened the dragon’s jaws with his free hand, his heels digging into the ground as he strained. He emptied the contents of the vial onto Sanguino’s tongue and stood back.
The dragon shook, causing the crowd to edge away a few feet, then he opened his eyes. He glanced around at the crowd, then his gaze settled on Sable.
‘You’re safe,’ she said. ‘Corthie used his salve on you.’
The Shinstrans in the crowd cheered, while a few Torduans looked nervous.
‘Thank you, Corthie,’ said the dragon. He turned to Sable. ‘We should fly, my rider. My heart aches for vengeance against that damned Ascendant.’
‘No,’ she said. ‘If you go up again, he will strike you down again, and that was the last of the salve.’
‘None of us can get close to the Governor’s residence, miss,’ said a Torduan. ‘Anyone who tries has their skin melted off.’
Sable glanced at Corthie. ‘You’re like me, aren’t you? Immune.’
He nodded.
‘Van,’ she said, ‘stay here with Sanguino; protect each other. Corthie and I will go to the residence.’
‘But, my rider,’ said the dragon; ‘I fear for you.’
‘This is the only chance we’ve got. On foot, Corthie and I might be able to break into the residence. The death powers of the Ascendants cannot harm us.’
‘No,’ said Van, ‘but a crossbow bolt through the throat would.’
‘Then do your job,’ she said. ‘The job of everyone here is to keep the soldiers busy.’ She glanced around the crowd. ‘Do you hear me? Keep the soldiers’ attention over here. Loot, burn and destroy the mansions of the gods, but leave the homes of the mortals untouched. Corthie and I will do what needs to be done. Are you with me, nephew?’
‘I’ll be right by your side.’
She smiled, then glanced back at the crowd. ‘If we’re successful, we’ll bring Quadrants back with us, and everyone left alive will be saved.’
‘But where will we go?’ said a Shinstran. ‘Corthie told us that Lostwell is being destroyed.’
‘I don’t know yet,’ said Sable; ‘one thing at a time.’
She walked over to Sanguino and placed her palm against the dark red scales. ‘Wait here for me, my beloved. You will draw the soldiers to you. Van and the other humans will fight by your side today.’
‘Please, my rider, be careful.’
She kissed the side of his head. ‘I will.’
‘Folk of Alea Tanton,’ cried Corthie; ‘the dawn that approaches will be the last that Lostwell sees. This night, let Torduans, Shinstrans and Fordians fight as one, alongside the red dragon. If we survive this, you can quarrel again tomorrow; but for now, your unity is all that will save you.’
Van stuck out his hand. ‘Good luck, Corthie.’
He shook it, then he and Sable raced away, running towards the gates leading to the residence, the thick crowds parting to let them through.
‘What’s the plan?’ said Corthie, as they entered the streets outside Felice’s estate.
‘Kill everything in our path until we have a Quadrant in our hands.’
‘Do you know how to use one?’
‘Come on, Corthie; this is Auntie Sable you’re talking to. Of course I know how to use a Quadrant.’
They turned a corner and saw the huge residence ahead of them. They ducked into the shadows along the side of the street and slowed their pace.
‘This is it,’ he said. ‘Are you ready?’
‘The world is ending,’ she said, ‘and millions are dead; I’m ready for anything.’
Chapter 29
The Key
A lea Tanton, Tordue, Western Khatanax – 4th Kolinch 5252
Belinda paused behind the smoking ruins of the barricade by the door, allowing her powers time to heal the wounds inflicted by the three crossbow bolts. Hundreds had been loosed at her in a barrage that had lasted minutes, but her new armour had deflected most. Beyond the barricade, the bodies of the soldiers were piled so deep that they were blocking the landing leading to the stairwell. The attack had been brought to a halt, but her escape route was sealed off.
She didn’t care. She would go down with Lostwell, and her only hope was to prevent the Second Ascendant from being able to take her or the Sextant back with him when he returned to Implacatus.
The massed soldiers with their bows had been the second wave that had attempted to breach Leksandr’s old study that night. The first had been a team of demigods, each equipped with battle-vision and death powers, and she had cut them down and thrown their bodies from the window, the Weathervane singing in her hands as she had wielded it.
She glanced outside, searching in vain for signs of the coming dawn, then sat down next to the Sextant, the Weathervane across her knees. She paused for a moment, then turned back to the window. Lady Felice’s estate was ablaze, and more flames were coming from the vicinity of the gatehouse that guarded the approach to Old Alea.
She stood to get a better look. As she did so, the air shimmered behind her. Without hesitating, she rolled to the floor, as Arete lunged forward with a sword, a Quadrant clutched in her left hand. Belinda sprang back to her feet, the Weathervane held out.
‘Leksandr got me that way,’ she said. ‘Did you
