Page 55 of Of Scale and Blood

As I uncapped and drank one of the pain tonics, Kaia appeared overhead, the force of each wing sweep stirring the ashen splinters of buildings, beasts, and men that littered the ground, sending them rolling away from me.

No more gilded ones.

I nodded, not really surprised. When they’d all but erased Jakarra, they’d done so with a force of twelve riders. They’d increased that to fifteen here, but the main change was the fact they’d apparently sent in their boats—and their ground forces—at the same time, perhaps in response to a perceived greater threat. If they’d scouted before they attacked, they would have been aware of the military presence here, even if they had no knowledge of the numbers they’d be facing.

In truth, while Hopetown’s forces were well trained, they didn’t have the battle experience of those who protected Esan, simply because, up until now, it hadn’t been necessary. And given the utter destruction of the port and admin quarters, I couldn’t help but wonder if the military had simply abandoned those areas in order to protect its evacuating citizens. After all, a town and its buildings could all be replaced. It’s people could not.

So why had the gilded riders left the outer reaches of Hopetown untouched? Was it because they planned to use the port as their base in Arleeon? It made military sense to do so, giving them a foothold on our continent from which they could reach the rest of Arleeon. It wouldn’t help their attack on Esan, however, as we’d see them coming from Hopetown far more easily than we would from Jakarra. Unless, of course, they took the course we had coming here and flew along the sea side of the Black Glass Mountains.

How bad hurt?came Kaia’s soft question.

She was well aware how bad it hurt, because she’d feel it in my mind.I’ll survive.

No want die.

I half smiled, despite my annoyance.Not something I want either.

Next time will listen.

Which was probably as close to an apology as I was likely to get from our queen.I’d appreciate that. If it’s safe to land, do so, and I’ll remove the net.

She carefully obeyed, raising another storm of dust and debris and forcing me to tug up the neck of my undershirt in an effort to stop breathing in the muck. Once she was down, I carefully pushed upright. My leg twinged, but the expected tidal wave of pain didn’t eventuate; the potion and the salve had both kicked in. Which, of course, meant I needed to be extra careful, because I likely wouldn’t feel anything if I somehow damaged the leg further, and that could be deadly.

I picked up the medikit, then hobbled over to her. She hunkered as close to the ground as she could, then spread out her wing. I thanked her and began the odious task of cutting away all the damn rope. In some areas, it had bitten so deep there was nothing but bare bone. Left any longer, and there might not have been even that.

By the time I’d removed the last of it, I was drenched in sweat and shaking with fatigue, the latter not helped by the multitude of cuts littering my back that continued to ooze blood. Still, Kaia was bleeding a whole lot more than me, so she had priority.

I sealed the worst of her wounds and patched the torn section of membrane as best I could, then stepped back. “That’s the best I can do for now.”

Is good. I heal fast.

“That is certainly a gift I wish I had.” I rubbed my head wearily. “Could you ask Yara to land so Kele can dismount, then tell Rua to fly over the ocean and see if there’s any boats approaching the port. But ask her to fly over us first so I can signal Hannity and let her know what is happening.”

She immediately did so. Rua, who was closer, swept in and hovered low, creating yet another mini storm of soot and debris. Once Hannity had acknowledged my message, she slapped Rua’s shoulder, and the drakkon immediately swept away. The two might not share mind communications, but they’d obviously worked out a crude means of communication. That definitely gave me hope that this whole crazy scheme of ours to pair fire witches with drakkons might just work.

But would it be enough to stop the riders? That was a question none of us could answer just yet.

With the younger drakkon gone, Yara landed with a harrumph and a quick,Am hungry, go hunt.

Night comes. Hunt not safe,Kaia said.

Find roost. Will be.

I hesitated, not wanting either to go too far or get too close to the Black Glass Mountains. As Kaia had noted, the approaching night brought with it the danger of more riders. Those who’d been sent here undoubtedly had some means of direct communication back to their main encampment, whereverthatmight be located, so it was logical to presume they’d managed to send a missive off before we’d wiped them out. Even if they hadn’t, the lack of subsequent communications would be warning enough of a calamity having befallen them, and would no doubt elicit a response. I didn’t want the drakkons in the way of that.

There’s a small island off the coast that would provide a perfect roost for the night,I said, sending Kaia an image so she knew what to look for.It’s about fifty wing sweeps from here if you head in the direction of the sunrise?—

What sun?Yara immediately cut in.

Light in sky that gives day,Kaia said for me.

It’s not inhabited by humans, I continued,and the cliffs are a popular roosting grounds for birds. But there’s large herds of wild, fat capras inland, and the riders aren’t likely to attack you there, even if they hit us overnight.

What you do?Kaia asked.

Look for survivors, and see if we can contact those who rule here.

And Rua?

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