Desolation (Dragonlands Book 4) (16 page)

They ran.

The ground shook beneath Tressa with every stomp of the beast's feet.

Donovan and Onva hung back, letting Hildie go by them with Fi bouncing in her arms. Despite their losses, they were still trying to protect Fi, as they’d sworn to do. Tressa brought up the rear, denying the weariness in her bones.

Hildie disappeared. She’d made it to the tent. A moment later Onva was gone. All but Donovan’s arm disappeared. His fingers waved to Tressa, beckoning her inside.

The beast bore down. Tressa could feel his dank, fetid breath on the back of her neck. With one last burst of speed, she leapt toward Donovan’s arm and rolled into the tent, bumping up against Onva.

"I'm sorry," Tressa said, breathless.

"Shhh!" Donovan covered her mouth with his hand.

Tressa huddled next to Donovan and Onva. Hildie sat across from the them, her legs crossed. Fi lay in the middle, still asleep, her chest softly rising and falling. The beast roared in confusion. All of its prey had disappeared. Tressa couldn't help but smile. The invisible tent would keep all of them safe. The magic of Desolation was truly a wonder.

The beast screamed again. The horses nickered, their hooves pounding the ground. Donovan rushed over to them, petting as many as he could. Onva and Hildie joined him, their hands caressing the horses' manes as they whispered into their ears.

Tressa scooted closer to Fi, taking her friend's hand. She was relieved at how warm it was. It was the warmth of life. Tressa pushed Fi's black and pink hair behind one ear. She looked perfectly healthy. Whatever else was wrong with her, she had no cuts or bruises.

The beast stalked relentlessly. Tressa saw its shadow on the tent walls as it moved around outside, searching for the people who'd so easily escaped. The shadow began to recede, each step taking it farther away from them.

Donovan patted his horse as it calmed down, then returned to Tressa and Fi. "We will find a way to awaken her."

"I know," Tressa said. "We'll take her back to the Red castle. Let her see the healers. They'll know what to do."

"No," Donovan said. "She will go back to Ergoth. They will care for her there. You and I still have unfinished business in Desolation, and I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to leave until it has been done."

Tressa nodded. He'd held up his end of the bargain; she would do the same.

"My brother is a healer," Hildie said, sitting down next to them. "He will do his best to help your friend." The flat tone in her voice didn't match the promise.

"Let's all lie down," Donovan said. "We should have some sleep before we start off for Ergoth."

No one argued. Tressa laid her bedroll out next to Fi. As Tressa drifted off to sleep, images flashed in her mind. She saw Kadrin laugh as Fregar glared at her. She’d never forget Accore's sure smile. Tressa swore she'd take a moment with their families when they got back to Ergoth and thank them for their service while expressing her deepest condolences.

Fi sprang to sitting; her eyes wide open. Tressa sat up groggily, glad to see her friend had woken.

Tressa placed a hand on Fi's shoulder. "Hi. You okay?"

Fi looked at Tressa, her eyes wild. Her mouth dropped open and a high-pitched shriek ripped through the tent. Tressa reached out, but Fi's limbs jerked as she fought against Tressa.

"It's okay," Tressa said over and over, but Fi wouldn't stop.

"Make her shut up!" Hildie said, rubbing her eyes.

Donovan dashed across the tent, kneeling next to Fi. He slapped a hand over her mouth. Fi bit him, drawing blood. Still, Donovan did his best to muffle her screams.

The ground reverberated. Tressa looked at the tent wall and saw the shadow of the beast growing quickly as the creature returned.

"Fi, you have to stop," Tressa begged. "Stop screaming."

Fi didn’t seem to be conscious of what she was doing. The screams poured out of her, a purging she couldn't seem to stop.

The beast bellowed outside the tent.

"He can't see us," Tressa said to Donovan. "Right?"

"No, but he can damn well hear her screams. If she doesn't stop, he will find us."

Frustration welled up in Tressa. She wanted to scream, too. Instead, she hauled off and slapped Fi on the cheek.

The screams abruptly stopped. Fi looked around, dazed. Her hand rested on her bright pink cheek. The shadow outside the tent paused, then turned away from them again.

Fi looked at Tressa. Black circles ringed her haunted eyes. Her lips quivered and her forehead crinkled. "Where am I?"

"Desolation," Tressa said. "We just rescued you from the shades. Do you remember anything about the time while you were away from us? When we found you, you seemed to be in some deep sleep."

"I do." She grabbed Tressa's hands. "I have so much to tell you. But..." She looked up at Hildie and Onva. "Who are they?"

"We are the people who saved your arse. My twin sister and two of my good friends died to bring you out of the catacombs so you could scream like a fool and attract the attention of that monster." Onva's nostrils flared, her legs planted wide.

"Thank you," Fi said, bowing her head. "I am in your debt forever."

Based on Onva's surprised expression, it was not the answer she'd been expecting. "I, well..."

Hildie pushed Onva out of the way, sitting next to Tressa and Fi. "I am Hildie. Donovan asked us to save you. Despite the loss of three of our warriors, I am relieved we completed our mission successfully." Hildie's expression softened as she looked into Fi's eyes.

"Hi," Fi said, a slight smile on her face. "My thanks to all of you."

A wail interrupted as the shadow of the beast grew larger. The beast shrieked, and the top of the tent punched down toward them. Fire flashed in Tressa's veins. Her body contorted, and before she could scream out in pain, she changed into her dragon. The tent fell in shreds around her, and the horses bolted.

Tressa screeched into the sky, blowing fire down at the stone beast. It cowered in fear for only a moment, then ran off after the horses. Tressa fought the urge to chase it. Instead she flew back to the ground where her friends stood, stunned. She tried to turn back into her human form, but it wouldn’t come.

Fi gaped at Tressa. Fi closed her eyes and balled her hands in fists. After a moment, her eyelids snapped open. “Why can’t I change into my dragon if Tressa can?” she yelled at Donovan.

He shook his head. “I do not know. This should not have happened.”

"Now how are we going to get home?" Hildie yelled, her one soft moment erased. "This entire expedition has been a complete nightmare!"

Tressa could feel the words forming in her mind.
I'm sorry.
It was all she could think to say, over and over again. Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell them. Not like this. There was nothing left. The tent was destroyed. Their horses were gone.

Donovan rested his head in his hands. "We will have to walk."

Tressa bowed her giant head to the ground, nudging Hildie with her snout. They had done so much for her, and she had taken so much from them. But, she could save them now.

"No," Hildie said, baring her teeth. "I will not ride on the dragon. I'd rather die."

"That is your choice," Donovan said. He reached out for Fi's hand, helping her to her feet. The two of them walked over to Tressa's back and climbed on.

Onva looked at Hilde, then back at the catacombs. "I cannot leave my mother with no daughters. I will ride." She clambered on Tressa's back behind Donovan.

Hildie crossed her arms over her chest. "No."

"Don't be ridiculous," Donovan said. "I know how you feel, but it is worth dying for?"

"Yes! It has always been worth dying for. It is why we stay in Desolation and shun the Dragonlands."

"Then I have only one final question for you, Hildie," Donovan said. "Is it worth dying for today?"

Hildie's shoulders fell. She slowly made her way over to Tressa and climbed on.

Tressa took to the sky, happy she'd finally done something helpful.

The cool mist tickled Connor's snout as he glided through the fog surrounding Hutton's Bridge. He flew straight past the tallest ash tree, whose branches reached above the hazy mist. It wasn't long before he spied the open circle in the center of the fog. The village of Hutton's Bridge appeared below. Connor landed in the village square. He waited until Hazel and Bastian slid off his back before turning into his human form.

"I'll talk to Farah before anyone sees you." Hazel gave Bastian's arm a little squeeze before she headed toward the village hall.

"She'll be okay," Connor said to his friend.

Bastian only nodded. There was no bravado or confidence about him. Connor waited with Bastian in silence until the door to the village hall reopened. Farah walked out, her curls bouncing around her shoulders. Hazel followed quietly behind the little girl.

Farah wrung her hands and bit her lower lip. "Papa?" she asked.

Bastian knelt on one knee. "It's me, Farah."

"They said you were dead, Papa," she said, hesitating before moving any closer. "I didn't see your body in the village square, so I wondered if it was true or not..."

Connor held his breath. Would Bastian tell his daughter the truth? Would he admit to dying and being brought back a dragon?

"Everyone thought I was dead," Bastian said, his voice low and sure. "But I'm not, now. I am a little different, though."

"How?" Farah asked, twirling a finger in her hair.

"Well, you know how Connor can turn into a dragon?" Bastian pointed over his shoulder at Connor, who tossed Hazel a smile. "I can do that now, too. What do you think of that?"

Farah's arm dropped to her side as her eyes bulged. "That's the greatest thing ever, Papa!" She ran into Bastian's waiting arms, burying her head into his shoulder.

Connor was pleased to see Bastian return her affection so easily. His best friend had changed with his rebirth. Bastian was still confident, but in a sure, silent manner instead of the boastful brawn of the past.

Bastian tossed Farah into the air. She giggled as he caught her again and spun her around.

"Now, Bastian," Hazel said with a laugh, "don't make the poor girl sick."

"Again, again!" Farah yelled.

Bastian set her on the ground. Connor wasn't sure whose smile was bigger.

"Papa, does this mean I'm going to grow up to be a dragon, too? I wanna!" Farah jumped up and down, clapping.

Connor locked eyes with Bastian. They had been in agreement before Bastian's death—the life of a dragon was not a life for them. Yet, since Bastian had become like him, they hadn't spoken of it. Connor wondered if his friend's mind had changed.

"We'll have to wait and see," Bastian said, ruffling his daughter's hair. "Now go back to whatever you were doing inside. We have some grownup business to attend to."

Farah stuck out her tongue. "I don't wanna. That horrible woman is in there. She says the baby she's carrying in her tummy will be my little brother or sister. I don't want a little brother or sister, so I kicked her leg."

Hazel gasped, throwing her hand over her mouth. Connor had to repress a smile. Pia wasn't the easiest person to get along with, and she'd made it clear how she felt about children. Farah's outburst probably hadn’t helped.

"Ah, so she's here?” Bastian looked to Connor. With everything that had happened in the Meadowlands, Connor and Hazel had forgotten to mention Pia’s presence.

"Yes, I was able to do as you asked," Connor said. "Sorry we didn't tell you about Pia before landing."

"It's okay," Bastian said. "She's safe here and so is the baby. I'll speak to her later. There's something else I need to do." He bent down, poking his daughter on the nose. "But first, you need to go back to the village hall."

"Okay." Farah kicked the ground a couple of times with her boot, then took off in a run. She slammed the hall door behind her.

Bastian straightened up. "I want to see Elinor's grave. Where is it?"

Hazel rubbed Bastian's shoulder. "I'm so sorry you lost her. I know you two were just starting a relationship." She looked at Connor, her eyes quizzical. "When did you have time to tell him?"

Connor had to sort through the secrets in his mind before he answered her. Bastian had explained his connection to Elinor before they entered the battle with the Red—the same battle where Bastian died. They hadn't spoken of it since they'd met again, though. Bastian must have assumed Elinor had died, severing their connection.

"Um, I mentioned it in passing," Connor said. His answer sounded stupid. He wasn't sure what else to say. While he didn't like hiding the true reason from Hazel, he knew it was Bastian's story to tell.

"That's no way to tell a man his love is gone." Hazel rubbed Bastian's arm. "I'm so sorry. I was with her, if that's any consolation."

"You were?" Bastian asked. "Tell me how she died."

Hazel squeezed her eyes shut. "Well, we were just standing there, and all of sudden she got this strange look on her face. She fell to the ground, convulsing. She died before any of the healers could get to her. It was quite strange, actually. She must have been sick and not known."

Bastian grabbed Hazel's shoulders. "And you're sure she's dead?"

Hazel looked at Connor, then back at Bastian. "Yes. She wasn't breathing. We laid her out for a day before commending her body to the fog. Just as we always did with the dead since we ran out of burial space."

Bastian dropped his hands, regaining his composure. "I'm sorry. This is all still a shock. There's a lot to deal with."

"Of course," Hazel said. "I understand. We've all experienced change and loss. We'll get through it together.”

“I wish Tressa were here to get through it with us,” Connor said.

The three fell silent at the mention of the one person who should be with them, but always seemed to find a reason to be away.

"I think I'll go in and see to the boys and the dragonlings," Hazel said. "I need hugs from my little men, and I have to admit, I do miss those two little dragons. They've become very special to me, even more so now."

Connor kissed Hazel on the cheek. He waited until she'd entered the inn before he turned to Bastian. "Why were you asking about Elinor?"

"I want to make sure she's dead," Bastian said. His face turned as red as his hair. "After what she did to me… I just need to know she didn't rise from the dead, too."

"What exactly did she tell you about the magical link?" Connor asked. "Can you remember?" He was also curious how much Bastian knew about his past. Connor still couldn't access his memories before awakening in Stacia's arms.

"She said that as long as one of our hearts beats, we would both live." Bastian took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his eyes closed. "I made sure that she would die by sacrificing myself on the Isle of Repose. It also kept her away from Farah. She had made veiled threats against my daughter."

Connor shook his head. "In the short time I knew Elinor, she seemed like a nice person. Please don't think I'm questioning you. I'm just amazed how some people can seem so good and turn out to be so bad."

"Like Jarrett," Bastian said, his hands forming into fists. "Is that bastard dead at least?"

Connor hesitated before answering. He'd dreaded this moment ever since he realized Bastian had been resurrected. "He's alive. But in a coma and surrounded by guards at all times."

"Where?" Bastian asked. "Don't tell me he's with Tressa. She can't continue to claim she loves him."

"He's at the Red castle," Connor said. "Tressa had him brought there, but she's on a mission elsewhere now."

"Do I even want to know?" Bastian asked.

"Probably not. Maybe later." Connor clapped his friend on the back. "Are you ready to go to the village hall now?"

"No," Bastian said. "I need to prove to myself that Elinor is dead. Will you walk with me?"

Connor nodded, and the two headed toward the southwest corner of the village in silence. He wasn't sure what Bastian was looking for. The small cemetery of Hutton’s Bridge had run out of room long ago, so in a tradition spanning generations, the bodies of the dead were left in the fog. It was the only place the villagers could think to dispose of the bodies. Since returning to Hutton’s Bridge, there was always one question Connor had wanted to ask. "When the fog lifted, what did they see over here?"

"I don't know," Bastian said. "When I was here I avoided this place, knowing that it was likely a horror of bones and partially decomposed bodies. Perhaps the next time we have the fog lifted, we should come here and bury the bodies properly."

"If everything doesn't end in fire," Connor said, thinking of the ancient illustration Blythe had shown them.

"Do you really think it'll happen?" Bastian asked. He reached into the fog, letting his hand disappear into the mist.

"I don't know," Connor admitted. He'd seen too much truth in the picture to completely discount it. He thought of his boys, and he couldn't imagine forcing them to change into dragons.

"I guess I won't know if Elinor is truly dead until I see her body," Bastian said. He pulled his hand back.

"If your heartbeat was the connection, then it's over. Don't let her haunt you from the grave. Let her go. Move on." Connor was more than a little jealous Bastian still had his memories. "Let's go back and get some shuteye."

They walked away from the ghosts of Bastian’s past. Connor only wished he could remember enough of his to do the same.