Page 54 of Dragon Sword

“The eagles,” Will surmised as he limped over to the railing and grasped the wood with one hand. A cloud settled on his brow as he turned his attention to the palace. “And we aren’t the only ones who have noticed their presence.”

A flurry of troops hurried out of the weapon bunker on the training ground armed and armored for war. They positioned themselves in columns facing their oncoming foe and I noticed the figure at the front didn’t show the same bravado as Luja.

I squinted at the leader. “Is that the knight guy?”

Will shook his head. “No. That person is Terve’s second-in-command.”

We watched the scene unfold as the eagles entered the city airspace. Terve’s second used his hands to gesture around them and the soldiers dispersed to various parts of the city.

One of the huge birds flew close and I saw it was the king himself. The eagle majesty’s sharp eyes noticed us in the high tower and flew over where he landed with a heavy thump atop the cone. He stretched his neck and his upside down head appeared to us.

“We have come to hear news you may have about my sick people. What do you have to report, vassal?” he questioned us.

Will shook his head. “There is no time to explain other than to say the elves were attacked and the efforts were repelled, but I suspect the attempt will be tried again. If the danger is not stopped it will consume everything around the vali.”

The eagle king studied him for a moment before he nodded. “What would you suggest we do?”

Will pointed at the dark patch in the shadowed forest. “Can you fly my companions there? The source of all the troubles lies in those deep shadows.”

The eagle glanced at Alisa and a dark look slipped into his eyes. “We will do so this once but will only your companions need our wings?” He looked pointedly at Will’s leg.

“And Will,” I added as I moved to stand at his side. “Please carry us there as quickly as you can.”

“And whoever’s taking me has to take my bag, too,” Sylvia spoke up as she hefted her bag over her shoulder.

I glanced at the contingent of guards before I returned my focus to Will. “What about the elf soldiers? They might be able to help us?”

The eagle king’s feathers ruffled. “We will not carry them.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Will met my gaze and softly shook his head. My protests died in my throat and he looked back to the eagle. “Then call your other vassals and show us your swift flight.”

The king’s head disappeared and a great whoosh was heard as he dove from the high tower. He opened his beak and a great call came from him. The other eagles came to us and circled the Vahti.

Sylvia leaned over the edge and frowned. “They’re too big to land here, so how do we get on them?”

Will turned to look at us and pressed his back against the railing. “Like so.”

He flung his full weight backward and tumbled over the side. “Will!” I screamed as I tried to snatch him but he slipped from my grasp.

Will plummeted to earth with a smile on his face. The king of the eagles flew beneath him and Will landed neatly on his back. My heart plummeted for a second time as I comprehended his plan.

“Oh shit,” Sylvia muttered as she, too, stared in terror at the high drop.

“Come on then!” Alisa snapped as she tried to ease her short self over the railing.

A sly smile slipped onto Sylvia’s lips and she sauntered over to the struggling elf. “Let me help.”

Alisa paused in her attempt and glared at her. “What are you-hey!”

Sylvia grabbed her legs and flung her backward. The old elf tumbled over the side and into the abyss. I leaned over the wall and watched an eagle catch her in its claws. A noise near me made me look up. Sylvia was approaching with a glint in her eyes.

“I don’t need help!” I protested as I scrambled over the wall.

I flung myself over the side and immediately regretted my decision. Turbulence and vertigo struck me at the same time and I couldn’t help but scream. A swift shadow flew in from my side and a pair of claws wrapped around my waist. A soft ‘oomph’ escaped me when my descent was abruptly interrupted. Sylvia soon flew past riding atop one of the birds with her bag clutched against her front.

My eagle soared over the city, taking me with it as it followed its king over the vali. I felt a distinct cold sink into my bones the moment we passed over the canyon. The air grew heavy with the miasma of shadows that had tried to cover the city. I risked a look down and could faintly see the forest floor. Slender tendrils of darkness slithered their way over the ground like dens of snakes. They twisted about the trees and bushes, the bark of which were now covered in the hideous black spots.

But the darkest was yet to come.

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