The mastermind of it all, Nir’lion flew over the still pristine city that was surely on everyone’s mind, for Kingdom Alunia had claimed the dragons were gone. That deception demanded the worst revenge humans could muster, but when she was through there’d be nothing left for humanity to destroy. She had warned the dragons to leave this gleaming city untouched, that had so prospered from their banishment. Its destruction was hers to enjoy, and relish it she would. The time had come. With a shriek that put other dragons to shame, she swept down from the sky, blasting the royal tower with fire before landing atop its battlements. Let all those below see her, know her, and fear her. This world belonged to her now.
In another castle not far away, Ryan figured he’d given the rogue enough time, having seen him disappear through the window below. His turn to help with their escape had come. He opened the door to see two men grinning as if particularly amused by his captivity. He’d seen looks of jealousy flung at Lord Korrin before and used it to his advantage, hoping to distract them for Eric. The bigger, blond guard seemed in charge from the way he carried himself.
Giving his own smirk, Ryan poured on the cockiness and said, “Why don’t the two of you and I settle this like men? Let me out of here and you can both take me on. Neither of you could hope to beat me by yourself, of course, but together you have nothing to lose except your pride.”
The blond guard spat on the floor. “I don’t need help to beat you, Korrin. You’re no champion. If it weren’t for all that magical armor, you’d be nothing more than a dandy.”
The other guard laughed as if to ingratiate himself with the other one and Ryan replied, “A fist fight, then. I should’ve known better than to expect something more sophisticated from you. Let’s get started, unless you’re afraid a dandy will beat you.” When the guard didn’t take the bait, he added, “Maybe when I’m done mopping the floor with you, I’ll enjoy your women, too, assuming you’re man enough to get any.”
The guard came closer, scowling. “I have more women than I know what to do with and–”
“Or do you prefer men?” Ryan interrupted with suggestive look at the other guard. “This one seems willing to please you.”
“You son of a bitch!” the guard yelled, coming up to the opening. “I know what you’re trying to do and I’m not pulling down this wall just to have a go at you.”
“You don’t need to,” replied Ryan before punching the unsuspecting man’s face, sending him flying backward into a crumpled, unmoving heap. Amazed silence followed and no one moved. Suddenly the other guard fell to the floor and lay still. A dripping Eric stood behind him, the blow to the back of the head having done its job.
“How did you hit the guard through the barrier?” Anna asked, looking shocked.
“I’ve got that magic ring, remember?” Ryan replied, holding up the hand with the Dispersion Ring, which made his arm unaffected by magic. “I forgot about it.”
“You seem to be getting past your aversion to violence,” Eric noted, using a small rod he found on the blond guard to disable the spell. Ryan frowned at the sense of approval but didn’t say anything as they filed out of the room, leaving the queen behind and giving her the rod so she could manipulate the barrier herself.
Matt and Eric quietly led the way down the stone steps, the wizard saying the staff should warn them of spells, and the rogue looking for more traps, though they doubted any existed, since the guards went up and down. They might have known to avoid a certain step or two, though footprints indicated they put their feet everywhere in the dust and dirt. He motioned for the others to follow the path just to be sure. Everyone kept quiet and Ryan in particular once again appreciated how quiet his armor was.
Halfway down the curling tower stairs, the rogue stopped, motioning for the others to remain still. He began a sign language conversation with Matt, and not for the first time, Ryan wished he knew what they were discussing. If this summoning thing became a real issue, with them being sent on quests again and again, both he and Anna had to learn this valuable skill.
The conversation finally stopped, and the wizard reached into a pocket, pulling out a small bag he stuck one hand into as he crept forward, Eric retreating to give him room. Finally, the wizard seemed to whisper something before throwing sand from the bag forward. The sound of someone falling with a small clatter reached his ears, but then Eric and Matt rushed forward.
“Stop him! Stop him!” Matt fiercely whispered, alarming Ryan, who made it to the corner just as the sound of something metal bouncing down stone stairs began. The guard that Matt had made fall asleep had collapsed and was now starting down the steps, his dislodged helmet already disappearing around the corner. Eric just missed grabbing an arm as the man followed with a horrible racket that just kept going and going as he went seemingly all the way to the bottom. Ryan exchanged a look of alarm with the others and shot Matt a glance.
“The whole castle probably heard that!”
“Sorry. I didn’t think of that.”
“I think we had better be going,” said Eric, who was still dripping with water and leaving a trail.
On reaching the tower’s bottom, they discovered the still sleeping guard. Eric hid the man’s weapons in case they encountered him again. Then he and Ryan dragged the man around a corner and left him there.
“Let’s keep moving,” Eric suggested, eyes assessing which way to go. “Remember we have to stay in halls that look like they’ve been used.”
They continued through the castle with only
