Dare to Defy (21 page)

“Draiken…I need the pain. It makes me feel alive. I don’t understand this.”

“As I said, I will explain later, but now, let us take flight. Are the People ready?”

“They are, my son. Summon them.”

Daynel held her hands to her ears as a high-pitched shriek lifted from Draiken’s throat. She watched as he began to transform, his body growing again to the wondrous creature that blocked the sun from the sky. She looked around her as the People, including Modir, reached to the sky and their flesh turned to scale.

Draiken looked down at her, waiting.

“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered, shaking as she touched his scaled leg. He lifted a talon to touch the fang that hung from her throat. Daynel grasped it in her hand and, on impulse, stabbed her thumb upon its tip. A single blood of blood trickled down her hand and she felt her wings come to life. Draiken crouched low to the ground, offering his long neck for her to climb onto. Still naked, she straddled the cold, sparkling spine and wrapped her arms around his throat. With a roar, he launched himself into the air, followed by a hundred dragons in every color of the rainbow.

Higher and higher they climbed, their glistening scales catching the attention of the earth dwellers below. Power poured into them as faith was renewed by the thousands, and fervent prayers began to touch their hearts. Modir flew close, offering words of encouragement to the frightened young woman. Draiken said nothing, focusing upon one thought. Saving his sister and his family from the evil that was spreading.

“How long will we have strength to fly, Modir? You said the magic comes from those who believe,” Daynel asked, trying not to look down from their dizzying height. She had wrapped her wings about her body for warmth, wishing she had the protection of clothing.

“You are our source of strength, child. The people have discovered Ilesbet and Günter’s abduction by now, and their prayers are filling our hearts. Other humans have seen our flight and are adding power to the faith. We will win this battle now, my child. Fear no longer.”

“Clothe her, Mother,” Draiken suddenly spoke, feeling her shiver against his back. “She is delicate of nature. We cannot have her weaken now.”

“We forget about the needs of human flesh. I give you a warrior’s garb, my daughter.”

Daynel felt leather encasing her naked body, taking from her the cold that was bringing her to numbness. She glanced at her clothing. Dragon skin. And, at her side, her sword.

“This is the sword Günter gave me. How…”

“It holds the eye of an old one; therefore, it must join us on our quest. He will be allowed to sleep once it is over,” Modir stated, banking to the right.

“But my brother killed one of your people. How are you not angry?”

“The old one wished to give himself to the man so that prophecy would be fulfilled and we would be freed. Our ability to fly in the earthly realms ceased fifteen years ago when evil offered the first royal sacrifice. It prevented us from coming to earth in the form of either human or dragon.”

“Ethan said he ridded himself of his brothers…”

“His first sacrifice happened the day that Ilesbet wedded your brother. The Great One was the strongest among us and was the only one able to break through the barriers to seek the priestess. He declared your brother the Guardian of Three at that time, and gave his life so that you might be protected.”

“What is the Three?”

“Truth, Peace, and Light,” Modir answered. “You, Princess, are the instrument to bring all three back to this broken world. We begin our descent. You must fly now, Daynel. Dragon skin is safe from weapons and fire, but our throats are vulnerable. We must beware of arrows.”

“You are of flesh, but magic will protect you. Spread your wings and fly, my love!” Draiken commanded, dipping suddenly. Daynel felt herself being flung from his back. Her wings caught her as she fell and she righted herself clumsily. It took only moments for instinct to take over and she soon soared beside her escorts with grace. She glanced at the setting sun. They had very little time before the sacrificial ceremony would begin.

* * *

Ilesbet looked up into the sky, still weak from the poisoned wine that has been given to her during her morning prayers the day before. Glittering rainbows sparkled before her eyes as she struggled to remember what had happened. Günter had accompanied her to the temple that morning and a woman dressed as one of the sisters had offered her refreshment before she departed. She had barely taken two steps when she collapsed in the arms of an unknown man. Günter had drawn his sword and was battered from behind by three others. Ilesbet swallowed back her tears. They had not harmed her or the babies. They were being saved for sacrifice.

“Please help,” she prayed to the gods, “save my husband and my children. I offer my life for theirs.”

In the back of her mind, she heard the screaming of a Night Hawk and another rainbow of sparkling light. She felt something stir within her…hope? The screeching grew louder and she saw rainbows of light reflecting in the dusky sky. Could this be? Yes! How could she have doubted! She began to pray with all her might that the army raised by Kres and Ran would see the dragon’s flight and join her in faith. The only weapon she required at that moment was prayer.

“Do not enter that compound without me,” Draiken ordered, flapping his wings heavily. “We must rescue Ilesbet and Günter first before we hunt down Ethan.”

“You rescue them, Ethan is mine!” Daynel shouted into the wind.

“His evil is too great for you to take on yourself! I forbid it,” Draiken barked, fire leaping from his throat.

“He has brought harm to my family and my kingdom. I am the princess of the north and it is my responsibility to protect my people. I will destroy him with my own two hands,” Daynel announced, suddenly backing away from the massive animal. Draiken roared angrily as she slid from his sight.

Daynel skimmed the large encampment, looking for clues as to where Ethan would be. Ahh, the large tent surrounded by guards! Her wings were silent as she fluttered to the top of the enclosure and, using her sword, she ripped a large hole in the top of the tent and silently crawled through. She tucked her wings tightly to her side as she tiptoed through the great room and into the sleeping quarters. Ethan stood there, admiring himself in a large mirror.

“I was wondering when you would arrive, Princess,” he said, turning toward her. Daynel held her sword out.

“You will pay for everything you have done. Starting with killing Baldric.”

“Really? And how will you have me do that when you are my prisoner?” he asked, grinning as she was taken from behind by two guards and disarmed. He laughed as he stretched out a wing. “My, my, we have become very efficient with magic, haven’t we? Do you know how we keep our little birds from flying away? We cut off their pretty little wings.”

Daynel screamed with pain as his knife sliced through the top joint of her left wing. It fell with a soft thud to the ground, covered with her blood. Swooning from the pain, Daynel swayed under the grip of the men who held her.

“You bastard,” she gasped, “you might maim me, but you will not win.”

Fire erupted around them and Ethan laughed, walking through the flames as though they did not exist. His guards were not so fortunate. Daynel grabbed at her injured shoulder as she watched their flesh melt from their bodies. She followed Ethan through the flames, her vengeance stronger than any fear. Ethan pounced upon her from the shadows and held her own sword to her throat.

“You lose, witch. I would have liked to place you on the altar and collect your royal blood, but you have become too much of an inconvenience to me. Your brother can watch you die slowly. That should bring him some pleasure after all these years of tolerating your disobedience.”

“You are a despicable worm,” Daynel hissed as he shoved her ahead of him. “You have already lost this battle. My brother’s army has arrived and has slaughtered your soldiers and scattered your followers. They have seen the dragons now, and know that you serve a false god!”

He frowned as he saw the disarray of the camp, heard screaming from the followers and, worse of all, noticed that the altar and the shackles were empty of their prisoners. He held the sword against Daynel’s throat, looking about him as he tried to find those who had helped her.

“You lie! There are no dragons! Your magic is nothing compared to the Darkness!”

“Keep telling yourself that, little man,” Daynel said calmly, feeling something grow inside her. “Look ahead of you, you fool. Every one of those soldiers serving my kingdom is on their knees in prayer. Surrender or die.”

“You dare challenge me as I hold a sword to your throat? I will enjoy seeing your blood soak into the ground before I leave this place.”

“The gods will not allow you to harm their own. It is the gods who did this damage, not men,” Daynel hissed, feeling something hard grow in her hand. A dagger! Modir gave her a dagger!

“Tell them to show themselves or you die here and now!”

“The gods show themselves to no one but the believers. And you,” she turned the dagger in her hand and sank it into his crotch, “are not a believer.”

The excruciating pain caused the man to fold over, clutching his severed organ. His hand shook with anger as he plunged her own sword into her chest. He grinned with satisfaction as she clutched it, staring down as it protruded from her body. His smile slid away as her pupils narrowed to vertical slits and began to glow with fire.

The violet eye in the pommel blazed angrily. It would not allow the priestess to be harmed. The sword burst into a flame and disappeared, leaving Daynel’s chest free of harm. As Ethan stood in shocked silence, she grabbed the fang from around her neck and plunged the tip into the man’s throat and released it as it sprung to life. The fang buried itself into Ethan’s body, digging deeper and deeper as he grabbed at his torso in panic. His eyes widened as fire burst from the inside of his belly and he slowly turned into ashes before her.

Daynel stood in silence, numbly watching as a breeze lifted the ashes from the ground and scattered them. A hand upon her shoulder caused her to turn. It was Günter.

“You saved our lives. Thank you,” he choked out before pulling her close to a hard embrace. He pulled his hand from her shoulder, seeing it covered with blood. “You are injured? We must get you help!”

“I will tend to her,” a beautiful golden woman said as she gracefully approached them. Günter held her at sword’s length.

“Halt! You will not touch the princess Daynel.”

“Brother, she is my friend. Her name is Modir. She is also the mother of Draiken and Ilesbet,” Daynel explained, gently pushing the sword down with her hand. “Is Ilesbet harmed? Were any of the People injured?” she asked Modir.

“My daughter rests right now, child, and none were harmed. Draiken, however,” Modir gently touched the severed wing, “is not pleased with your defiance.”

“Daynel has that effect on people. How did this happen?” Günter asked, watching in fascination as Daynel’s back became smooth with only the marking of the wings visible behind the slashed leather blousing.

“I will explain soon. Thank you, Mother,” Daynel said respectfully, joining Modir in a strong hug. “You have taught me so much today.”

“Yes, she did. Everything except how to obey one’s husband,” Draiken’s strong voice stated. “I feared for you.”

“Husband?” Günter asked. Daynel made the introductions and gratefully embraced Ilesbet when she joined the little group.

“Draiken, this is the Guardian of Three. My husband, Crown Prince Günter. We have one final task to accomplish this day,” the older priestess said. “We must destroy this grove and then approach the king of the southern realm. He must be told the truth of his son.”

“He will not believe us,” Günter said sourly.

“Perhaps not, but he will believe them,” Ilesbet stepped aside and pointed. “He will not be able to refuse the truth when spoken by the gods themselves.”

Günter’s eyes widened as Modir and her clan transformed before him. He grabbed Daynel, pushing her behind him and drew his sword.

“No, Günter. I am one of them. I am a dragon’s wife and I fly on the wings of a Night Hawk,” Daynel said, stretching her newly healed wings to the sky as Draiken took on his massive form. “The dragon from whom you made my weapons gave himself to you so that this day would come. He is free now,” she advised Modir. “Ethan is dead by the touch of his fang.”

“Then no power can return him. The fang of the Great One will destroy any power that Ethan may have purchased through murder,” Draiken commented. “Many have seen the dragon’s flight this day. Hope and faith will once again spring up in our world. We still must destroy the places that were desecrated so that any remnants of the Darkness will not have a place to meet. Clear the grove of humans and we will burn it.”

“Come, daughter. Allow me to take you and your husband home,” Modir spoke, lowering her head for Ilesbet. “We have many years to talk about. And I have grandchildren that I wish to meet.”

“Daynel?” Draiken called through the thicket. “You cannot hide from me forever. It is time to meet the consequences of your defiance.”

Daynel wrinkled her nose, wondering how long she would be able to avoid his wrath. They had been back on the Eastern Islands for two weeks to allow her time to heal from her wounds and regain her strength. The fight had taken its toll on her body. Modir had warned her that they would be drawing on her for strength until that time that the people renewed their faith in full. True enough, it left her exhausted.

Accompanied by King Rufus, the four traveled south with a horde of dragons by their side to speak truth to the old king. The dragons’ appearance in the southern realm stirred new celebrations and the sickly king declared that the kingdom would be run by the dragon priesthood upon his passing. His newfound faith was rewarded as Modir stepped forward and healed him of the poison that was slowly draining him of life. She then announced that she would take it upon herself to train the new priestess in the ways of the dragon gods. Daynel groaned. She had hoped that her days of lessons were finally over!