The elves, however, were already proving themselves a wicked foe. Their magic tore through the ranks of his Reavers, lighting up the darkness as they cast numerous bodies into the air. It only bolstered Alijah’s resolve to extinguish their entire race. With the death of magic, they could have experienced full and rich lives, but they had taken that option away with their reckless action.
It was with reckless action in mind that Alijah turned to the eyes of his Dragon Rider, Vilyra. Through her, he saw a small band of rebels who believed they alone could defeat him in his own fortress. They were brought to his door on the backs of Athis, Ilargo, and a third dragon he couldn’t name.
Is that Asher I see? he queried through his bond.
Malliath, who was also watching events unfold via their connection with Vilyra, replied, It is of no consequence. His dragon is a youngling - their scales will not stand up to my bite.
A pity, Alijah mused. In another life, Asher would have made an excellent Dragon Rider.
Soon, Malliath purred, he won’t even have this life.
As the dragons neared and Godrad acquired a better look at their passengers, Alijah rose to his feet, knocking the chair out from behind him. Inara was always going to challenge him, chained to her duty as she was, but she had brought their parents along to aid in killing him.
I told you, Malliath said. They have chosen their side.
Alijah’s fists balled into tight knots until his knuckles cracked. This was it, the day The Crow had warned him about so many years ago, the day when those who claimed to love him would challenge him.
Sacrifice without hesitation.
Now he truly understood what that lesson meant. Tonight, he was going to spill his family’s blood for the sake of the realm, sacrificing any hope of rekindling what they had lost. And he knew there were none who could ever love him as Inara and his parents had, but he would find a way to live without it - what other choice did a good king have?
The northman is among them, Malliath informed him, bringing Alijah back to the present. I would taste his flesh.
He is protected by that wretched Golem, Alijah remarked. They are notoriously difficult to destroy.
I have slaughtered my kin by the score, Malliath boasted. I pay no mind to the likes of a Golem.
Indeed, Alijah could feel his companion’s appetite coming alive at the thought of it all. Rather than comment on the dragon’s desires, the king returned his gaze to the mountain tops. Vilyra and Godrad were following closely from behind, using the encroaching clouds as cover. Sharpening Godrad’s reptilian eyes, Alijah quickly spotted Galanör and Aenwyn astride Ilargo. Though he was to be attacked by the few, The Rebellion had brought together the realm’s fiercest warriors.
Let us begin, Malliath declared with hungry glee.
Wait, Alijah cautioned. They are a menacing group to be sure, but their real strength is drawn from their belief that together, they can overcome anything. I would break them first, and let them see the end, before that final blow.
Hmm. Malliath mulled it over with growing anticipation. Fear does make the meat sweeter.
Alijah couldn’t attest to that but, in their fear, he hoped his enemies - those who had been so close to him - reflected on their misjudgement of him and the error of their ways before they died. Let us divide and conquer, he suggested.
Vighon narrowed his eyes at the black stone of The Bastion. As dark clouds rolled in, dimming any light from the moon, the ancient fortress almost disappeared entirely into the mountain. He had never seen the desolate place before but, seeing it now, he decided that none of the accounts had given its aura of malevolence enough credit. From Atilan, to The Crow, and now Alijah, The Bastion had provided shelter to naught but evil.
Before Athis touched down on the wide steps that led up to the main doors, the red dragon released its grip of Sir Borin. The Golem landed on his feet and required only the slightest bend in the knees to absorb the bone-breaking drop.
Along with Reyna and Nathaniel, the king climbed down and joined Sir Borin on the icy steps. Inara remained in her new saddle for the moment, surveying the walls that stretched high into the mountain rock.
The ground shuddered when Ilargo came down on the snowy slope beside the steps. Galanör and Aenwyn practically glided down the dragon’s side. Like Vighon and the others, they quickly, without the dragon’s radiating warmth, adjusted their hoods and cloaks to protect them against the vicious winds that battered the mountain side.
Being smaller, Avandriell was able to land on the hewn stone between the steps and main doors. With his green hood up, Asher cut a formidable figure astride the bronze dragon, his silvyr blade and quiver over his back and his broadsword on his hip.
“What’s wrong?” Reyna shouted up to Inara.
“Malliath’s scent is in the wind!” Inara yelled down.
No sooner had she said his name than the black behemoth thundered onto the steps behind them. His purple eyes appeared to almost flare as he lowered his head to reveal Alijah astride the base of his neck. Vighon braced both his stance and his courage as he stared the pair down. From his back, he retrieved the rounded enchanted shield and, from his belt, the flaming sword of the north, its flames a gift of elven magic.
“As king of these lands,” Alijah boomed, “I sentence every man, elf, and dwarf in that valley to death!” A wicked grin spoiled his features. “Death by fire!”
With that decree, Malliath launched back into the air and curled his body round to take them into the mountains. Vilyra and Godrad swiftly dived out of the clouds, summoned by their masters to join in the fiery carnage.
Athis and Ilargo didn’t
