The Early Chronicles Book Six: Dragon Wing

Chapter 5

Swanwhite was happily enjoying an evening ride on Kismir with Goran on Valeon beside her on the castle grounds.  The sun had just been swallowed by the horizon and they would soon need to head back, but she relished the last few quiet moments in the cool evening air when she and her husband could enjoy some time alone.

"I spoke with Otar the swan this morning," Goran said as they slowed to a trot.  "He saw our strange newcomers as well after he heard what Khani saw."

"What did he think?"

"The same as what Khani said; strange clothing, little supplies, strange demeanor.  He also said they spoke differently, similar to Calormen but not quite the same."

"Did they look Calormen?"  

"He didn't think so."

Swanwhite pursed her lips together in thought.  "I want to meet them formally soon.  Perhaps they will find their way to us, but if not, I wish to take a few swans and go to them once Thasian and Laurel's stay is over."

"As you wish, darling."

Swanwhite's stomach still did flips whenever Goran called her "darling" or "dearest".  Some days she felt as if she had to pinch herself, had she truly married this wonderful man?  She turned and smiled at him.  "You know how perfect you are, don't you?"

"But of course."  He said with a side smile.  

Suddenly their peaceful ride was shaken and ended abruptly in one horror-stricken moment.  The dark navy night landscape was illuminated by a blast of red-gold fire from behind.  The horses reared but their riders quickly got control of their heads and wheeled them around.  Swanwhite couldn't stop herself from crying out at what she saw.

One of the wooden roofs of a watch tower in Chateau Kent was ablaze with fire.  The flames leapt upwards towards the black sky, making the tower look like an oversized torch.  The culprit was quite easy to spot.  The looming dark shape of a dragon flew westward and began making a huge banking turn to come back for another strike.  As it grew closer to the light of the flames, Swanwhite could make out its bloody-red color and bright golden underside.  Its wings were stretched out and looked similar to a bat's wings with iron scales similar to chainmail.  Its teeth glinted in the firelight as its mouth opened to release another wave of flames.

"Watch out!"  Goran shouted and veered Valeon in front of her just as a blast of the dragon's fire sent wood and debris flying from the castle towers and raining down quite near them.  Once the dragon had passed, they urged Valeon and Kismir as fast as they could up the hill and around to the front of the castle courtyard.  There was already a great tumult of activity, as many of the guards had begun evacuating the palace as soon as the first strike hit the watchtower.  Guards and other people shouted and hurried out of the courtyard, backlit by the red glow surrounding the black stone.  Swanwhite dismounted Kismir quickly and began searching for familiar faces.  She spotted Captain Rufus the Minotaur hauling a young servant over his shoulder away from the flames. 

"Rufus!  Where are Thasian and Laurel?"  She shouted.  

"Haven't seen them yet!"  The Minotaur shouted between some gruff coughs.  Swanwhite raced through the courtyard, then spotted her maidservant Genevieve.  She rushed forward and embraced her dear friend.

"Genevieve, are you all right?"  She asked.  The Dryad looked frightened but nodded.  "Get away from the castle.  If the flames keep getting higher it will begin collapsing."

Another blast of flames from the beast over head made the ground shake and people scream.  The extreme heat from the fire sent a wave of hot air throughout the courtyard and Swanwhite felt as if she had been slammed with it like it was a physical force.  Some of the swans were dumping buckets of water on the flames, but it was clear there was nothing that could be done.  They had to get away from the castle.  Goran appeared beside Swanwhite covered in black smudges from the soot, and Swanwhite realized she must look quite the same herself.

"I've been ordering everyone to make for the woods."  He said in a loud voice above the ruckus.  "We have to set the horses free."

Swanwhite looked at the stables and at Kismir with a pain in her heart, but deep down she knew he was right.  The horses had a better chance of surviving if they were left to their own instincts.  She mustered up the courage, then nodded to Goran.  He seemed to understand her feeling as his eyes softened and he gripped her shoulder briefly for encouragement.  They attended to Valeon and Kismir first, taking off the saddles and bridles before releasing them.  

"I know you'll find me later, boy."  Swanwhite whispered to her beloved stallion before kissing him on the nose and turning him loose.  Valeon and Kismir wasted no time, charging out of the courtyard and disappearing into the night.  Next they rushed to throw open the stall doors and releasing the other horses.  Most needed no urging, as they were all stamping and whinnying nervously in their stalls.  The old mare Ruby needed a bit of coaxing, but eventually even she galloped after her stablemates.  Smoke was beginning to fill the air, causing Swanwhite and Goran to begin coughing.  They pulled their cloaks around her noses and mouths and continued rushing through the near-empty courtyard.  

"Thasian!  Laurel!"  Swanwhite shouted as loud as she could.  Pieces of the castle had begun falling more often and she had to constantly watch around her.  A piece of flaming wood flew close to her, and as she jumped out of the way to avoid it, her ankle suddenly twisted and she collapsed to the ground, crying out in pain at the sudden jolt.  She looked around for Goran but didn't see anyone else around, so she pushed herself to her knees, then stood, grimacing at the pain squeezing around her ankle.  Mustering her strength, she limped as fast as she could around the side of the castle.  Relief flooded through her when she saw Thasian sheltering Laurel as she held Lillian and a few bundles.

"Thasian!  This way!"  Swanwhite shouted.  She saw similar relief in Thasian's eyes mixed with the pure fright on both of their faces.  Swanwhite sheltered Laurel and the baby on the other side and together they made their way through the falling debris and back to the front of the castle.  Goran ran up to them as soon as he saw them and led them to the gate.

"Go west through the forest and don't come back to Kent or anywhere out in the open until we find you."  Goran ordered.  "Do you understand?"

Thasian nodded and gripped Laurel around the shoulders.  Laurel looked down at Lillian as the tears rolled down her cheeks.  Swanwhite squeezed Laurel's shoulder in comfort though she too felt like curling up into a ball.  She watched painfully as her two dear friends and their young daughter rushed out of the gate and made for the woods to the west.  Her ankle suddenly flared up with pain again and she gripped Goran for support.  

"What happened?"  He put his arms around her to stabilize her and there was concern in his eyes.

"Just my ankle.  I'll be all right, but we have to get out of here."  She looked up and saw the cruel shape of the dragon turning back towards them.  Goran nodded and looked around at the courtyard to ensure it was empty, then he helped her limp down the cobblestone and out of the gate.  They tried to keep low, ducking into shadows and behind trees as best they could.  Swanwhite succumbed to her temptation and turned around to look at Kent possibly for the last time.  Her heart twisted at the sight of her childhood home, her library, her garden, and all her beloved memories ablaze with the horrible flames and crumbling to the ground.  The dragon roared from above it as if to declare his triumph.  Her throat clenched tightly and but she fought the urge of tears and forced herself to look forward and focus her attention on getting away.