66

Asher, Zebulon and Orin

Passing so close to the Necromancer's fortress and the Olduvai Gate is just asking for trouble, said Asher, shaking out his wings in the rain, which had lessened to a soft patter. The drops fell on the already wet humans, and Zephi, who ducked behind the bulk of Candle's body. The Necromancers do not dare come close to the Rock of the Ever Night, but here you are on the border of their territory. It is unwise.

"We didn't need any help," said Zephi, despite all evidence to the contrary. The small girl was peering up at the dragon from behind Candle's wing. Her hair was dark and matted with mud, and her dress torn up where the lightning bird had slashed it. Candle saw with some relief that her horns were not visible. She didn't get the impression that Asher was fond of Necromancers, and quite frankly she didn't blame him. It would probably be best to keep Zephi's heritage hidden until she learned more.

Murmux stepped up next to her, his eyes hard.

You are indeed mistaken, he said, tilting his head at the large dragon. A sizzle of energy rippled through his wings and coursed down his thin bird legs. It streaked away into the ground, stinging Candle's feet a little. We had everything under control.

Asher turned his head, narrowing his eyes.

This is your...pet? He asked Candle. The disdain in his voice clear. Candle had to choke back a laugh at the expression on Murmux's face.

My servant, she said, pressing her lips firmly together, and trying not to look at Murmux's brow, which was tight with anger.

How very... unusual. Forgive me. I did not mean to interfere, but I saw them harassing your humans.

My humans, thought Candle, a shiver running down her spine. But she pulled herself together.

Thank you, she said. I appreciate the assistance. She frowned at Murmux and nudged Zephi to one side. The irate little girl was glaring up at Asher with her hands balled into fists. Candle widened her eyes meaningfully at Narimab, and thankfully the older woman took the hint, bundling the child to one side. She fussed over Zephi and managed to tie a headscarf over the muddy thicket of Zephi's hair, making sure the small silver horns were firmly tucked out of sight. Candle breathed a sigh of relief, but she need not have worried. It seemed Asher had eyes only for her.

The large black dragon tracked her every movement with a golden-eyed intensity that Candle found uncomfortable.

You are from the... Rock? She asked, with some hesitation. She held her head high and tried to project a confidence she did not feel, her stomach tangling into a churning knot.

My apologies, I should have introduced myself properly, said the dragon, flexing his wings a little impatiently. He inclined his head. Where are my manners? I am Asher of the Black Dawn. My clan home is at Angarrack – The Rock of the Ever Night – at least until I establish my own seat. Who are your clan? Is it your first year at the Midwinter party?

The Black Dawn, thought Candle. This young dragon was then indeed a relative of Jotham's. A brother? A nephew?

I'm Candle of ... East Midnight, she said quickly, drawing on the name of her ruined childhood home for inspiration. My family come from ... the north. She waved a talon vaguely towards the mountains behind them.

Smooth, muttered Murmux, but only Candle heard him.

Before Asher could comment, the earth was rocked by two impacts. Two more dragons dropped out of the sky landing on either side of Asher. Some of the humans toppled over, clutching each other and squealing. Murmux shook out his feathers, fluffing them up in anger, and tilting his head back as light rippled across his chest.

Easy, muttered Candle, although she shifted her feet in the mud. Her instinct was to fly away, to make herself small, but her undeniable curiosity gave her strength. Her Ancestors had been dragons after all. These were her distant relations. If they were related to Jotham then, by proxy they were her distant kin as well.

What's taking so long, Asher? One of them asked. This dragon's hide a lighter, metallic copper and his eyes were a gold so pale as to almost be yellow. They bored into Candle with such feral intensity that she had to steel herself not to take a step backwards. The other dragon was a little smaller, and darker, although not the night dark of Asher's scales. His eyes were bright silver and his scales frosted with blue.

Hello! He said, I'm Zeb, who are you?

Hi, said Candle, a little taken aback.

My brothers, said Asher, curtly, Orin and Zebulon. This is Candle of East Midnight. I was just helping her with a little buzzard problem.

Orin growled a deep threatening noise that reverberated through his chest and into the ground with a rumble. Some of the humans squealed, and those who were not already clustered behind Candle's wings, moved closer, making it difficult for her to move without accidentally trampling a human.

You seem to have missed one, he said. His gaze sung to Murmux who snapped his beak at him, sparks crackling.

No, said Candle and Asher at the same time. Asher moved sharply to one side, shoving his brother with one muscular shoulder.

That is her servant. Don't break the peace.

Fine, said Orin, surveying Candle with those penetrating pale eyes. Interesting.

Are you coming to the Festival? Piped up the third dragon.

Of course she is, said Orin. Why else would she be here? He sniffed at Candle, who leaned back with a snarl. Orin did not seem to notice. You smell strange, he said, and you stink of human, he looked around at the watching crowd, which isn't really surprising.

Candle's lip twitched, revealing a hint of fang. She mentally chastised herself. She did not want to antagonise these creatures but being in her dragon body made her dangerously bold. Instincts she had long suppressed rose to the surface, and she found herself thinking how much better Orin would look with a face full of mud.

Forgive my brother, said Asher, he doesn't mean to be rude. He just doesn't get out much and is over-excited about the Festival. It's been a while since we met someone new.

Orin turned flat eyes on him.

Sure, he said, why not. But tell me again – why are we standing in a muddy valley in the rain when we could be at the Rock right now?

We were just leaving, said Asher. He looked at Candle and raised an eyebrow.

They can't fly, said Candle, gesturing at the watching group.

Leave the humans to make their way, he said, with a shrug. No one will bother them as they cross the isthmus, not at this time of the year.

How long will it take? Where is Angarrack anyway?

Everyone stared at her.

Hmmph, said Murmux.

You must be from a very long way away, said Zebulon. How nice! It's over there – at the very end of the mountains where the cliff meets the sea. When you stand on the tower, you can see both oceans and the storms coming from the deep south.

He gestured with one blue-tinted claw across the isthmus and the wide bay to the distant range of mountains that Candle knew as the Roseland Peninsula.

That's a long way, said Candle.

A few minutes flight.

But how long to walk?

Asher looked taken aback at this question as if it was something he had never considered.

Two days, said Zebulon. He looked at his brothers. What? I did it once as a dare.

Candle glanced down at the humans. Narimab nodded and gestured for her to go.

I will look after them, said Murmux. We will meet you there, at the Rock. Have no worries... Mistress. His beak opened in a mocking avian laugh, and she wondered for the hundredth time if she could trust him. But the three dragons were watching her and clearly expected her to go with them. She looked down at Zephi. The half Necromancer girl had lost interest in the conversation and was standing with one of the toddlers, bent double over a giant moth. The pair was examining it with looks of wonder on their young faces. There was no way she was leaving Zephi or the others behind. She was, however, undeniably curious about where and how the dragons lived.

No, she said, to Asher's clear surprise. I will stay with them. I am sworn to protect them. She glared at him, daring him to argue.

As interesting as this has been, said Orin, I have things to do. I'll see you at the Rock. He nodded to Candle and leapt into the air, his wings momentarily blotting out the stars.

There's really no need to stay with them, said Asher.

Candle shrugged, the powerful muscles of her shoulders moving under her scales.

I'm sure we can find the way, she said, without your aid.

She felt strange. She hadn't been prepared to meet other dragons, especially ones who looked like they were related to Jotham and especially since she wasn't sure if she liked them.

Asher heaved a mighty sigh.

Then I guess we will go on foot, he said and transformed into a human-sized body.