Page 127 of Chaos and Destiny
I pulled back several layers of my mental shields as I prepared for my first question, setting the trap as carefully as I could.If you lose, my entire group will be allowed to pass through this gap whenever we wish, and you will owe me one favor.
Deal,he said eagerly. A deep shimmer of ancient magic crossed my body. I had just made a magically binding deal with a dragon on a hunch. It was our only chance though.
Ask your question.
I lifted my chin.Who is my king?
You would try to trick me, strange one, but you didn’t know I could see into your mind. Though you look to be southern with tan skin, you smell southern, and you travel with the prince of the Flame Court, your king is King Coro of the Marsh Court.
Fen cleared his throat beside me. I ignored him as he took an exaggerated breath.
How could I have thought I could trick you? We might as well just give up.
You cannot. Futile as it might be, you must complete the bargain.
I looked down to my hands, casually examining my nails as my heart raced.Well then, I guess it doesn’t matter what I ask you. What is your name?
Heat filled the air as my question settled over him.That is not a truth of yours, but a truth of mine. I will not answer.
So, you will agree to set us free?
I will not.
Then you have to answer the question, beast.I lifted an eyebrow and pursed my lips.
Fen had asked Lichen what he knew of dragons, but he never thought to ask me. I knew a few things. A dragon’s name was his freedom. He likely thought there was no one left on Alewyn who remembered this truth. Even though I hadn’t believed they existed, I was still taught the legend. I pushed more memories toward the doorstep of my mind, just in case I did get to my third question.
There was an eerie clicking as the dragon’s massive scales brushed together. He roared and launched himself into the putrid air.
“Are they back yet?” I asked quickly, knowing the dragon would have to return soon.
“Not yet. What are you doing, Ara? Has he asked you to make a bargain?”
“Can you shield your minds?” I asked.
“Of course,” Fen answered. “Though it is more difficult with a dragon.”
“Do it now and do nothing else but reinforce your shields until we are out of this fucking gap. He cannot find the answers in your minds.”
“What the fuck did you do?” Greeve growled.
“Don’t make me kill you in a cage, Greeve. You will not speak to me like that. I’m trying to save our asses. Have some faith in me like you asked me to have in you.”
Fen stepped between us, but the rage within him was palpable. He was as mad as the dragon. His silence was a lethal weapon, as sharp as a blade.
Greeve said, “If you just bargained off my life—”
“Don’t,” Fen warned, staring him down. “If she did, it was because she had to.”
You’ve angered the prince, the dragon said, shaking the ground below him as he landed.
I don’t care. He’s nothing to me. Will you free us now?
I will not. I will offer my name to you, strange one. It is of no use to anyone anyway.His lie was so believable I would have doubted my own memory had it not evoked an initial reaction from him.My name is Pathog.
Your full name is required, dragon.
Pathog the Unyielding,he snapped.It has been ages since I’ve thought of my own name, I’ve nearly forgotten.
