The Last Dragon

Chapter 18 - The Tower

The Champion waited at a thick wooden door. It was open a crack, and inside was pitch dark. She swung the door open wide enough to slip through. The big knight followed. Eri nudged Ilia gently, and she angled herself through the opening. Eri followed behind her.

Light flared, and Ilia covered her eyes. She blinked furiously as her eyes watered. The light hovered over the big knight's shoulder, following him as he walked around the space. There was a table and chairs, and a hearth. Embers still smoldered in the hearth. A cup of tea sat on the table next to a partially eaten sandwich.

"There's no sign of anyone," the Champion whispered. "They haven't been gone long, though."

Ilia peered up the spiraling stone staircase around the edge of the tower. Weren't there any windows at all? No mage-light lamps or anything?

The big knight took the lead, his light illuminating the stairs for them. Eri took Ilia's hand and followed, keeping her beside him. The Champion kept rear guard, her sword drawn and a spell on her fingertips.

Their breathing echoed in the stone stairway. She brushed a hand over the cool stone wall. Her heart pounded in her chest. What lurked in the gloom above? Would they leave the eggs unguarded, or was someone lying in wait for them?

They stepped around the stone wall and into another room. This one had beds and chairs with cushions for relaxing. Wardrobes stood against one wall. Rough-spun carpets cushioned the stone floor. She spun at a motion behind her. Her shadow flickered against the wall. Ilia pressed her hand to her heart and let out a breath.

"Get them."

Men leapt from the wardrobes and under the beds, knives and swords drawn. Ilia's armour snapped in place, her sword at her side. She drew it and thrust it out into a man charging at her. His eyes widened, and he fell to the floor. She tightened her grip as her sword slid free.

"Good catch." The Champion spun past her, thrusting her sword into another mage. "Now, focus on the battle. We'll talk about this after."

Battle, right. Her eyes dropped to the man on the floor. Metal clashed against metal around her. Ilia barely heard it. Flickers of movement happened around her. A fireball sped past, the heat making her flinch. Ilia ducked as it spattered against the wall behind her.

"Come on." Eri grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs.

She stumbled down the steps after him, at the mercy of his powerful grip. He stopped at the bottom and pulled her around the wall. Eri held her under his arm, his sword out, and pointed at the stairs. Light flashed against the wall. Heat flowed down from a deflected fireball.

Silence. No more light flashes, no yelling, no clashing metal. Ilia tightened her fingers around her sword hilt. Her palms sweat. A light shone down from above, and two shadows approached the stairs. Who did they belong to, though? Eri tensed, his sword unsteady.

"We're fine. Come on up."

Ilia knew that deep voice. She grinned. Her knees shook. Did she have to go up there?

"How are you both?"

"We're unhurt," Eri called back.

He sheathed his sword and wrapped an arm around Ilia. She fumbled and dropped her sword. She gripped his tunic as her legs gave out.

"We'll be a moment," Eri called. He lowered her to the stone and shifted her back to the wall.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs. The light appeared, slowly brightening their hiding space as the knights approached.

A familiar warm hand unfastened Ilia's helmet, the fingers brushing against her chin. "Ilia."

She looked up and saw the shining eyes of the Champion.