Page 73 of Earth Dragon
“What is not possible?” Ewan asked. “You think you’re the only one with tricks up their sleeves?”
In that moment, Lady Marigold stepped into view, throwing off her cloaking spell while holding one hand firmly in front of her. She was mumbling words, keeping a firm lock on the door that was meant to bring those the lord was expecting into the space.
Lord Taggart gave a roar of protest, taking a step forward to get to her.
“Now!” Ewan yelled and the rope that had hoisted the bell to the ceiling gave way with a thick snap.
The bell fell, and everything seemed to slow down. Everyone knew what was expected of them and sprang into action, eight people moving like one well-constructed machine.
As the lord directed his attention upward, he raised his hands to protect himself, leaving Lady Marigold to keep her focus entirely on the door. The lord’s focus was entirely on breaking the trajectory of the bell to keep it from crushing him. This was the diversion. Had he not chosen to place himself near the bell they would have had to improvise, but Shannon had been certain that he would play on the theatrics and ring the bell until she showed. Ewan had to grant her that she knew her father well.
The lord managed to suspend the bell, but it was heavy, and he would have to heave it aside. This bought them a few moments to intervene and get Shannon close. She had to get the crystal against his skin, or it was all for nothing.
As Lady Marigold was busy keeping the door closed, Maize was the one who stepped forward, directing her magic at the lord’s feet and sweeping them out from underneath him. He gave a yell and fell with the bell tumbling towards his head.
But Hugh had already shifted into dragon shape and his mighty tail swiped at the bell, making it fly into the nearest row of plants, smashing through them with a loud cracking noise.
“The bell!” Ewan heard his father cry. “Ewan!” his father changed his tune, continuously shouting encouragement to everyone involved in keeping the lord on the ground as Ewan dove onto the lord’s legs; Malcolm grabbed his right hand while Blair kneeled on his left. Ionna kept his head still, looking up as Shannon approached them, determination blazing in those dark eyes of hers.
The lord started laughing, shaking his head at their endeavor until a heatwave sent them all flying backwards.
“Fools,” he said. “Stop that now!” he added, swiping out a hand at Lady Marigold and sending her flying as well.
She landed with a soft sigh, her eyes slowly closing. Ewan went cold all over again. She must be faking it, playing her part. She could not be sincerely injured. He was about to crawl over to her when he was interrupted by the lord, who was laughing again. To himself, it seemed. He was shaking his head, looking around at the crowned heads at his feet.
“This is our new reality,” he stated. “Accept it. Fighting it is only going to get you all killed. Starting with you,” he finished, eyes going to Shannon.
She was the only one still left standing and Ewan struggled to get to his feet, but it was as though the heatwave had drained him of energy. He had trouble even lifting his head.
Shannon.
She had her right hand clutched tight around the crystal. Her left hand was hidden in the folds of her dress.
Come on, Ewan thought.Take the bait.
And then the lord made one small gesture with his right hand and Shannon glided slowly across the floor toward him. She looked frightened to death. Her father’s fingers closed around her throat, his dark eyes flashing with blue dragon fire.
“Daughter, I accuse you of being a traitor to the world order,” the lord declared. “How do you plead?”
Ewan raised his head off the floor, then brazed himself against it, pushing himself off it and haltingly getting to his feet. He had promised he would be by her side and so by her side he would be. But the lord’s gaze met his on his first step towards them and the lord’s free hand made a gesture that had Ewan’s legs lock themselves in place. He could not move.
“See?” the lord said gently to Shannon. “This is what happens when you disobey me. The people around you get hurt. You get hurt. Because you made me have to teach you a lesson. I thought you had learned it already, but apparently you still need your father’s steady guidance. He cannot move. And now…” The lord made another small movement with his hand and Ewan felt his throat begin to close up. His hands went to it of their own accord. “Now he cannot breathe,” the lord said, tone as even. “So, what have we learned?”
Shannon was struggling for air as well, her father’s hold on her throat so tight it seemed to be crushing her windpipe.
“Not… to…. disobey,” she got out.
The lord smiled a slow smile, then released Ewan, who fell to the floor dragging air into his lungs in rasping mouthfuls.
“Know your place,” the lord said, nose practically touching Shannon’s before he slowly released her. She did not fall to her knees, she kept herself upright, but she was gasping for air the same way Ewan was. “Where is your place, daughter?”
Shannon kept her eyes lowered to the floor, fighting her breathlessness as she brought her hands demurely together, replying, “Wherever you say it is, father.”
“Good girl,” the lord nodded. “Open your hand.”
Shannon slowly opened her right hand, and the lord made her drop the glass bead on the floor. He whispered a few words and the bead pulverized. The pleasure on his face was unmistakable. It made Ewan feel sick to his stomach that such a dragon had ever saved the life of his father.
Lord Taggart looked back at Shannon, saying, “Now, come stand by me and let us greet our guests.”
