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What’s your idea, Lyd? Daniel ducked under another swipe of the dragon’s claws. He listened for her response as he continued fighting – though that meant he was reduced to dodging and letting Ebona attack.

Well, dad can control dragons, right?

Not at this range without the collars, Matthias said. And I’d struggle to cope with this many without them as well.

Okay, but Andrew can as well, Lydia said. So it’s likely me, Dan and Kaz can as well. What if we surround the group and hit them from all sides – we could probably make them all sleep. Read the rest of this entry »

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Andrew turned at Bennu’s mental scream and immediately spotted the new flight of black dragons arrowing towards them. His stomach twisted at the sight.

Damn! This was all a trap?

Don’t get distracted, Naria said. Concentrate on our fight.

He looked back and saw her standing between him and the dragon they’d been fighting. She was breathing heavily and bright blue blood was dripping from a deep cut in her upper arm. He shuddered convulsively as he realised that she must have leapt between him and an attack while he was distracted.

Nari! He gasped in a breath then flung himself, screaming, at their attacker. Shard after shard of red ice ripped from his skin and peppered the dragon, tearing through its shield before ripping into its body. He didn’t relent until it collapsed to the ground, more pulp than corpse. Even so he pushed his mind towards it to make sure it was dead before turning to Naria, who was swaying on her feet.

“A bit of overkill, maybe,” she said.

“I wanted to be sure. Are you okay?”

She put one hand to her wound and it stopped bleeding. “I think so. It’s not too bad and his venom’s pretty weak. The generic antidote should be enough.” She pulled the flask Alaryia had given her before the fight from her hip, took a couple of gulps and closed her eyes for a moment. “Yeah, that’s working. I’ll be fine. We’d better move on to the next one before the reinforcements get here.”

***

Valeria had the throne open the door for Alban as he came running into the courtyard, then slam it shut again as soon as he was through.

“I’ve got antidote.” He handed several flasks to one of the guards “Alaryia thought you might need it and that this would be the best place to bring anyone who got injured.”

“More like the only place.” Valeria waved some of the dryads to pick them up. “Do you want to go back out to the fight?”

Alban shook his head. “No, my job’s to guard you if any of the attackers get past the others. Though I don’t have my bow. We really weren’t expecting a fight tonight.”

“And it’s a bit rude to take weapons to dinner,” Valeria agreed. “But you should be fine without it. It was just to even things up while you were stuck in resting form.”

“I know,” he said. “But it’s still helpful. Anyway, I’d better get back to the gate and watch for incoming.”

“Of course,” she said. “But could your mother have a hug first?”

“Of course!” He ran up the steps and hugged her.

“Take care, Alban,” she said, hugging him back.

“I will, mother.” He raced back outside, leaping up to take a position on top of the gate.

***

Karen, Daniel and Ebona had already taken out the second dragon and were heading for a third when Bennu yelled his warning. She forced herself to not look away from her opponent.

Where is everyone? she asked Bennu as she concentrated a bolt of light into the dragon’s eyes.

Jumping back, she let Daniel and Ebona tear into it as Bennu put an image of the state of the battle into her head in response. Her parents and Alaryia were still toe to toe with Mitakrian and seemed to be giving him major problems. Kyle and Lyrrekka were fighting one of the other dragons and it looked like Naria and Andrew were fighting the last dragon from the original group. Most of the dragons on their side had formed a flight of their own and were heading towards the incoming dragons, but they’d be outnumbered.

Lydia and Halia were standing together staring in the direction of the incoming dragons rather than fighting. Before Karen could snap at them, Lydia’s voice sounded in all their minds.

Everyone! I have an idea.

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Before Kelaria had even landed, Karen leapt from her back and dove towards one of the circling dragons. Alban leapt down after her and raced towards the Storm Palace.

I wish I had my spear, Daniel said, following  just behind Karen. I wish Ebona was here. Read the rest of this entry »

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“I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” Hannah squeezed Valeria’s shoulder reassuringly as they watched Sarah check the Storm Palace’s wards. Sarah had called her, Jason and Lucas as soon as she’d received Valeria’s imp and they’d jumped in to help. The throne was projecting an image of what was happening outside into te air. Several black dragons were circling the palace and draining the life from the area. Already the grass was blackened and the trees were losing their leaves. If they didn’t stop them soon, the area around the palace might be barren for decades. “You sent your imp to Matthias at the same time, right?”

“Yes.” Valeria sounded uneasy. “But will they be able to get past him if they’re coming in from this world? I doubt they’ll jump to your world and back to here.”

“They will if they can’t relieve us the other way.” Sarah came over to join them. “And The wards are holding well for now. What does the throne say?” Read the rest of this entry »

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“This is lovely.” Karen tasted another spoonful of the pale pink frozen sorbet. “Sweet without being too sickly. But I don’t recognise the flavour. It’s not fruit…”

“It’s made from rose petals,” Alaryia said. “It’s one of my favourite desserts.” She gave Karen a half-smile, then frowned at Matthias. “Is something bothering you, Mattthias-idan.”

“Yes, no… I don’t know.” He shook his head, looking pensive. “I was just wondering – and forgive me if this is impolite – but aren’t you worried I’ll challenge you the way you want Sonia to challenge Mitakrian?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Lydia told them her about her conversation with Fellaria while they were eating. When she mentioned her saying that the rebels had no reason to trust her, Kylissan began to chuckle.

“That’s probably an understatement, Lydia-ida,” he said. “Fellaria-ida used to help hunt the rebels down and drag them back to their courts. She backed away from that a couple of centuries ago but there’s still a lot of anger and hatred for her. Living so long, we tend to hold grudges.” He frowned at the faintly glowing carvings in the crystal walls of the dining room. “She knows this so she must be really desperate.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Lydia was mildly surprised that Alaryia wasn’t waiting for them when the gate opened to her palace. Instead, they were met by a man with dark hair, gold eyes and wings of golden light. He extended his hands to them and smiled.

“Welcome, honoured guests. I am Kylissan, Alaryia-miria’s first lieutenant and consort.”

“Thank you.” Matthias cocked his head at Kylissan. “You are Kithreian?”

“I am,” Kylissan said. “Alaryia will join us presently – she wanted me to see if I could help your prisoner first and was worried she might frighten him.” He turned to Yedan. “You’re well warded. May I see your brand?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Why won’t you talk to me? Lydia was sitting in the conservatory trying to contact her mentor. She’d been trying for a couple of hours and her patience was wearing thin. I know you can hear me. I can feel you listening. You’re supposed to be my mentor but you clam up every time something happens.

I can’t talk to you! The terse reply finally came. I’m trying to find somewhere to hide from Xantaria.

But- Read the rest of this entry »

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“She wants Taloa; I’m sure you know that,” Yedan said.

“Yes,” Matthias said. “But from what I know that ought to be impossible.”

“Xantaria won’t let ‘ought’ get in the way of her trying,” Yedan said. “She can’t conceive of being wrong.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Andrew found his parents in the sitting room, though the TV was off for once. His mother was sorting through a pile of newspapers while his father was looking at a tablet. Both of them were frowning.

“Wouldn’t you be better doing that online?” he asked.

“Possibly,” Sonia said. “That’s what your father’s doing. But I find it easier to do it this way.”

“What are you looking for?” Read the rest of this entry »