The Finding (40 page)

Jaax nodded grimly and set his focus on the ground ahead of him. Sapheramin and Tollorias were important delegates in the courts of Nimbronia, two of the many consulates living in that city and serving the king. Sapheramin’s position was considered more important than Tollorias’, and although she was regarded as very valuable to the king, she’d insisted on helping out in the cause to keep the human child protected.

“And how is our young Jahrra? Did she look well since you last saw her? Is my uncle taking good care of her?”

A mischievous grin flashed across Sapheramin’s young, yet wrinkled face.

Jaax answered that with a light chuckle, “Oh, well, you know Hroombramantu. He’s spoiled her rotten, I assure you.”

“That sounds about right.” She sighed contentedly and Jaax felt his spirits lift.

“But how does she look? You must describe her for I have never seen her,” Sapheramin laughed.

Jaax furrowed his brow and narrowed his mouth, trying to get a clear picture of Jahrra in his mind.

“She’s tall compared to her friends, but not thin and gangly or petite like the Resai. Her eyes are blue, but not as bright as yours, and her hair is a deep blond color. And she’s strong for a girl, something that surprised me. The last time I saw her she dislodged one of my scales.”

Shiroxx cleared her throat behind them and Jaax turned to look at her. Her eyebrows were raised and she nodded her head towards Tollorias. He’d made it to the edge of the peak and was waiting for Jaax’s command to take flight. Jaax sighed and smiled at Sapheramin. He hoped that his description of Jahrra satisfied her curiosity.

Their job tonight was simple and was the same as it had been the last hundred nights: to fly to the large camp of the Tyrant’s soldiers in the East Crein Mountains and terrorize them until they retreated further into Rhiim. So far it had been somewhat successful, but it was only a matter of time before the men realized it was only a small group of dragons and not a huge colony that was trying to drive them away. That is why they always attacked at night, so the only thing the enemy could see were the streams of multi-colored fire raining down on them.

Jaax took a deep breath and sighed.

“Is everyone ready?” he asked.

The other three dragons nodded and Jaax climbed to the edge of the precipice. This one was even steeper than the cliff top he’d slept on earlier that day.

“May Ethoes grant us another successful night,” he said solemnly.

The four dragons quietly mumbled an ancient blessing in their own dialect of Kruelt. On Jaax’s signal they launched themselves off the mountain, their giant reptilian bodies invisible against the black of night.

Don’t worry Jahrra
, Jaax thought as they crossed over the Oribiy River, the moonlight sparking off its surface far below,
I’ll stop them, I won’t let them find you.

As the miles fled by, Jaax found his thoughts returning to his nightmare once again. He felt so helpless in that world, unable to move, unable to shout out a warning to Jahrra, unable to confront the demon who attacked her. But he wouldn’t let that world become reality; he wouldn’t allow his nightmare to take form in the world of the living. He would fight, fight to the death if he had to in order to keep Jahrra safe. With a renewed vigor, Jaax set his teeth and felt the flames building deep in his chest as the weak firelight of a large camp came into view. Someday he would defeat the Crimson King, but tonight he would simply delay him.