Visions? What visions?
A city in flames, galleys rowing across an endless sea, marching armies . . . the West Bank.
Nothing good then, Kanin observed, troubled.
It will all be fine, Khollo replied confidently. We’ll rally the Sthan Kingdom and drive the vertaga back with your flame and my steel.
I like the sound of that, Kanin murmured drowsily. Flame, steel. A low rumble emanated from the dragon and Khollo realized that Kanin had dropped off to sleep.
“Sleep well,” Khollo murmured. “Dream of flame and steel. When you wake, we fly to war.”
Chapter 38
As soon as Kanin woke, Khollo ate a quick meal and began preparing for battle. He checked his quiver, packed with twenty-four arrows, and his weapons belt, with the Sen-teel pieces and a heavy dagger. Next, his armor, which master smith Tarrik had made for him. The strange triangular pieces wrapped around his torso comfortably, protecting his damaged ribcage.
Kanin meanwhile stretched and yawned, revealing all of his razor-sharp fangs. Then, he flexed his claws against the ground, kneading the soil. His thick tail whipped back and forth a few times, scattering sand, then the dragon looked over at Khollo.
Let’s go.
Khollo grinned and climbed up onto Kanin’s back, eager to be off despite the nervousness that was building within him. Kanin was calm by comparison, rock steady while Khollo adjusted the fighting straps.
“Here goes nothing,” Khollo muttered quietly. Off we go, Kanin.
The dragon spread his great wings, the sun shining through them. Then with three tremendous beats Kanin was airborne, slowly turning towards the northeast, where Ishkabur waited.
Khollo leaned forward over Kanin’s neck, peering downwards. He had spent the afternoon poring over the map of the coastline, memorizing landmarks so he would know the way. Now, he found there was little need. He knew that Ishkabur lay at the narrow end of the inlet, and he could see both banks now from this height. Kanin sped up, beating his wings even faster, growling to himself in anticipation.
Are you up to a battle? Khollo asked. You have flown far in the last few days.
I have rested and will be fine, Kanin replied. Do not worry.
Khollo nodded. Ishkabur is near. See how the northern coast grows closer?
Yes. We will see the city any moment.
Khollo looked back to the west, where the setting sun was glowing radiantly above the horizon. That was ideal. The vertaga would not be able to see them as well, flying out of the sun as they were.
There it is, Kanin reported.
Khollo swung around to face east again and saw stone walls looming up before them. The city’s fortifications were impressive, much higher than those at the West Bank, but they were stained with soot and in some places crumbling from multiple heavy impacts. Beyond the outer wall, Khollo could see another, even higher wall and a central building composed of multiple towers, each flying Lord Horam’s wolf head device, pale blue on white.
The young warrior shifted his focus to the base of the west wall and his heart leapt into his mouth. Vertaga swarmed among ruined stone watchtowers and charred wharves, weapons and armor gleaming in the setting sun. Three galleys were standing just off shore, firing arrows and other missiles into the vertaga ranks. There were also archers on the walls of Ishkabur, and the western gate was open with men battling valiantly in the breach.
They must have been trying to smuggle in more provisions, Khollo told Kanin. Then the vertaga surprised them with more troops and this fight started.
Then let’s end it, Kanin said, grinning wolfishly. A few flaming passes will have a great effect here.
Make sure it’s obvious we’re flaming the enemy, Khollo said quickly. There are a lot of archers around.
I’ll be careful, Kanin promised. Now, we fight.
Kanin adjusted his course so he was coming at the city from the south, then swooped low so that he was only twenty meters off the ground. Khollo heard shouts from both armies as Kanin was sighted, then the dragon opened his mouth and spewed a blistering wall of fire across the vertaga’s southern flank, cutting off their escape in that direction.
For a moment, there was stunned silence from the defenders. Then, they began to cheer as Kanin continued flying north, flaming vertaga as he went. A few of the monsters launched arrows up at Kanin, but he rolled easily to avoid them.
Kanin completed the first pass and climbed rapidly into the sky. Khollo looked down at the battle, surveying the damage. Fire still blazed in places along the vertaga line, and at least twenty of the enemy were killed or wounded by Kanin’s flames.
Let’s keep to the air and clear this side, Khollo said to Kanin.
Do we drive them away or pen them up and slaughter them? Kanin asked, preparing for another run.
Khollo considered this. Trap them, he decided finally. Our allies have all the advantages: high walls, ranged weapons, and galleys protected by several meters of open water.
Good. I like crushing vertaga.
Kanin dove, flame already launching from his mouth. Khollo hefted his bow and began looking for targets among the enemy, perhaps a general or some other leader. There was a cluster of the beasts around a black standard at the northern end of the burned wharf. One was wearing an elaborate helm with sharp edges and silver designs.
Khollo drew back, sighted, and released. There was a pause as the arrow was lost among the chaos of battle, then the vertaga with the elaborate helm staggered suddenly, dropping to one knee. Khollo did not see where he hit the beast, but the shot had been a good one. Those nearest their leader looked around uncertainly, unsure of what to do.
The young warrior ducked low behind Kanin’s neck as the dragon
