Page 66 of Of Scale and Blood

Greta motioned us on. I went first and climbed out into the remains of what had obviously once been a grand building. It had no roof and only two walls remained, neither of which looked particularly stable, but the plaster that clung to the stone was brightly painted, and the windows were ornate in style even if no glass remained.

After Hannity had climbed out, I thanked the two soldiers, then waited until they’d retreated and closed the hatch. The thing all but disappeared. If I squinted hard enough, I could see the faint outline of one edge, but other than that, there was absolutely no indication it existed, and no sign of soil disturbance, meaning there was some form of earth magic happening here. Which made sense. I dared say there were multiple protections—aside from the guard stations—inside the tunnels that we hadn’t even noticed.

Near,came Kaia’s thought.Where land?

I glanced around and realized we were halfway between the green strip behind the admin buildings and the remnants of the older port buildings.Land on the undestroyed pier. It should fit two of you easily enough—you keep watch and land last.

Am biggest, need more room.

That too, I said with a smile.

The three drakkons appeared on the horizon as we made our way through streets littered with destruction and the vague scent of decay—the latter no doubt coming from the birds and the riders we’d killed and whose bodies remained scattered about.

“I will never get over the awe of seeing them,” Hannity said, her gaze on the distant specks that were the drakkons rather than where she was placing her feet. “Nor will I ever forget the fact I was lucky enough to ride one.”

“Me neither,” Kele agreed softly.

Or me,I echoed, though I didn’t say it out loud. “They’re going to land on the remaining pier. You two mount up first and then rise to keep watch while Kaia lands.”

“We heading straight home or on through Mareritten?” Kele asked.

“Why would we go through Mareritten?” Hannity asked.

Kele glanced at her. “Apparently the riders have three boats docked there in need of destruction.”

“I’m up for that.”

“We may or may not investigate that report tomorrow once I’ve discussed tactics with the commander, but for now, we’re going home. Kaia has a drakkling she needs to see.”

Miss, came Kaia’s comment.

I know.

“Not to mention,” Kele was saying, amusement playing through her expression, “that need she mentioned earlier in regard to you.”

“Thathas nothing to do with my decision. You two harness up and head down, but on your way, can you collect some of the armor scattered about? Our mages and smiths can use it to design weapons able to pierce it. I’ll contact Esan to let them know we’re on our way.”

Kele gave me a sketchy salute and, once she and Hannity had their harnesses on and ropes at the ready to clip on, they moved out. I pulled out the scribe quill and its tablet and quickly sent a message to my father.

Be wary coming over Dante’s Peak,came his response.We’ve spotted riders flying there.

Dante’s Peak lay midway between the part of the Black Glass Mountains Kaia hunted over and the Beak, and it was just over an hour’s riding—not flying—away from Esan. He must have reinstated the old watch towers there.

I doubt they’d want to risk the destruction of any more of their “control” birds and riders just yet,I replied,and we should be well home by dusk and the time the rest of them rise.

Hope you’re right, but remain on guard.

We will. See you soon.

I tucked the tablet and quill away, pulled on my harness, and clipped on the various ropes, ready to connect, then slung my packs over my shoulder and moved down to the dock, collecting various bits of rider armor and stuffing them in my packs along the way. Yara and Rua swept in, the force of air coming off their wing sweeps had the whole pier swaying in an alarming fashion.

“I would suggest we don’t linger,” Hannity said, her expression dubious as she studied the pier. “Because that thing doesn’t look like it’ll hold too much more.”

“Then move fast but light.” I paused as the two drakkons landed, then added, “Go.”

They ran onto the dock and mounted their respective drakkons. Once they were both tied on, I ordered the two drakkons to rise. Kaia swept in under them; though she landed lightly, her larger bulk had the old pier groaning alarmingly.

I ran down to her, the old wooden planking swaying under my feet, and chunks of wood splashed loudly into the sea underneath. She offered her leg, and I scrambled up fast, wanting to get off the pier before the whole thing collapsed. She was rising before I fully strapped on; several large gaps appeared in the pier as wood disintegrated, but the bulk of it remained doggedly upright.

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