The Dragon Hunter

21

Luna followed Vienna and Axel up a flight of pure white stairs. Torches exploded to life as the continued onwards, vanishing as soon as their light was no longer needed. She clenched her free hand in an effort to stop it from shaking and flicked her hat back, squeezing Quin's hand reassuringly. At the back of the group Nyx groaned, his head occasionally thumping against Mendax's shoulder loud enough for Luna to hear the impact. Each time, she winced. Whatever had happened to him, he hadn't fared well; his face was covered in soot and there was so much ash his hair had changed from pitch black to a dusty grey. Quin tugged her arm, distracting her from Nyx as they turned left into a much narrower corridor at the top of the landing. Vienna was barely visible in the low light, only the rhythmic clicking of her necklace giving Luna some idea of where the shadow walker was.

"This place, it's...it's very impressive," Minx piped up. Luna glanced back, almost smiling as she saw Jags still clinging to Minx's back as though she were his mother. Almost.

"Yes, the shadow walkers are far more developed than the rest of Pasirima and Meden's creations. Though we are still beasts, and thus we have worked hard with the hunter's society to make sure each and every one of us is catalogued. And if I am right in my assumptions, our relationship is in jeopardy," She sighed, padding ahead into a huge decorated hall.

The walls were covered in mosaics, colours faded in placed but bright and fresh in others. Other shadow walkers had gathered in balconies and stands around the room, pacing back and forth, dozing or simply observing. Luna caught sight of the shadow walker who had brought them here, Alistar, waiting beside a large, glossy oak throne, another shadow walker guarding the opposite side. Vienna nodded once and Axel held out a hand, signalling for them to stop. Mendax continued forwards, placing Nyx at the base of the throne as Vienna took her place atop it. Luna felt a chill run down her spine and mumbling broke out amongst the watching crowd. After a moment, Alistar stepped forwards and the crowd silenced, only the sound of his paws against the marble floor audible above Luna's own laboured breathing.

"The court of shadows is now in session. All will observe, all will decide, all will vote on the fate of the ones brought before us today. A decision will be made as to which one will die to save each and everyone of us," He announced and Luna's stomach dropped. Quin whimpered, burying his face in her damp jacket. "We will now hear testimony from each of the guilty, and a decision will be made." He prowled over to Nyx, bringing his snout close to his face. "Awaken."

Nyx gasped, his back arching at an impossible angle as he struggled to breath. Luna stepped forwards to help but a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. She whirled around to see Mendax. He shook his head sadly at her before pulling her back to stand beside him.

"We mustn't interfere," he hissed, "If we want to save both of them then we need to play by the rules of the court."

"What rules?" She asked, keeping her voice down as Axel helped Nyx to stand. He glanced back and caught her gaze before turning back to face Vienna.

"Mystic," Vienna purred, staring down and inspecting Nyx with bright, intelligent eyes. "I am Vienna, ruler of our kind. You stand in the judgement hall of the shadow walkers. You are expected to answer each and every question honestly without hesitation, in the presence of our god Meden. You will take the trial of the shadow walkers to determine your fate. Do you except?"

Luna's eyes trailed upwards, settling on the ceiling. A huge, three headed dragon stared back at her. She shuddered.

"I accept," Nyx replied quickly, shuffling around nervously. He glanced back at them and Luna winced. His skin was deathly white in the places not obscured by soot, his eyes sunken but wild. He gulped and turned back to Vienna.