02 Unicorn Rider (5 page)

Her father looked slightly awkward. ‘Were you alone with him?’

‘Tide was there.’

‘You should have told me.’

‘I know. Sorry.’

‘You should have...’ He paused again, scratching his shoulder distractedly. He looked as though he would itch himself right out of his skin if he could. ‘There was no breakfast.’

‘Breakfast?’

‘Never mind. I just didn’t know what had happened.’

‘It’s okay, Dad. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to worry about me. I just wanted to support Hawk during the competition. He needs friends right now.’

Her father swallowed as hard as if he was eating a chunk of granite. ‘I need you too.’

‘I do what I can, Dad.’

‘I know.’

‘I’m trying my best to be a good daughter for you. I cook and clean. But I’m not...’

‘I know that.’

They fell silent, both looking at their feet. Eventually, Sky said, ‘I miss her too.’

Around them, the crowd roared with excitement as Nimbus and Cloud appeared at the end of the street. Onyx trotted close behind them, with Glass slumped in his saddle.

‘I’m going to stay here for a while,’ Sky said. ‘I want to see if I can meet up with Nim.’

‘He’s not the boy you used to know, Sky.’

‘He’s still Nimbus.’

‘The time has come when he must put away the things of his youth and concentrate on his duty.’

‘Nimbus will never turn his back on his friends.’

Her father put a hand on her shoulder. There were sore, open wounds on his knuckles, like those that could be picked up in a fist fight. ‘You haven’t spoken to him for days now, Sky. When is it going to sink in?’

There was a long pause. Sky chewed on her bottom lip, unwilling to break the silence.

A large man, who was known in the village as Ox because of his bullish attitude, barged through the crowd and slapped Sky’s father on the shoulder. ‘Salamander,’ he roared. ‘There you are. We’ve been looking for you. Today is a day for celebrating, and if you don’t get a move on we’ll be starting without you.’

‘In a minute,’ her father said.

‘Come on, Sal. Leave the little girl to play.’

‘I said, in a minute.’ Her father’s sore fingers clenched into fists, and a muscle popped nervously in his jaw.

‘Okay, but hurry up.’

Ox wandered off.

‘Will you be back for dinner?’ Sky’s father asked.

‘You mean, will I be back to make you dinner? Yes. I will.’ She gave him a quick hug. ‘I’m not Mum, remember?’

***

Hawk was sitting at the edge of the beach, plucking the string of his bow thoughtfully as the waves rolled over his feet. Tidal reluctantly sat beside him, examining the choppy water carefully for shimmering scales in the foam.

‘I wanted to be alone,’ Hawk said.

 Tidal’s scars itched uncomfortably, as though they wanted to remind him they were still there; and even though there was no sign of the sea serpent that had caused the wounds, he couldn’t shake the feeling he was being spied on. ‘What happened back there?’ he asked.

‘Nobody told me the dragon would be at the village,’ Hawk snapped.

‘There’s no reason to be scared of Cumulo. He’s one of the good guys.’

‘What would you know? You’re just a kid. How can you possibly know what’s going on in that big lizard’s head?’

‘I know what’s going on in your head.’

Hawk put aside his bow and drew his knees up to his chest so that his feet were no longer in the water. ‘You don’t know me.’

‘You’re a soldier. One of Crystal Shine’s finest archers. That means something.’

‘It means I made a bad career choice, that’s all.’

Tidal stood, brushing sand off his tunic. ‘You know, I think that what people are saying is true. A war is coming. Sorrow was just the beginning of it.’

‘I have no intentions of being a hero.’

‘If this village comes under attack, you may not get a choice in the matter.’

‘When the fighting gets here, I will already be gone.’

‘The world is full of magical creatures. There’s nowhere to run.’

‘I’ll find somewhere safe.’ Hawk jerked his head towards the sea. ‘Out there, perhaps.’

Tidal half–smiled. He could see bubbles popping on the surface of the water, not far from the shore. He had terrible visions of what might be lurking in the depths: A vile thing with scales and fangs that waited to lure unsuspecting sailors into its deadly coils. ‘I very much doubt you will find safety out there,’ he said. ‘I think the time of peace in this world has come to an end.’

‘It is the Wing Warrior’s job to maintain peace. Not mine.’

‘I know Nimbus. He isn’t going to be able to do this on his own. He isn’t strong enough.’

‘Maybe you’re underestimating him. I heard he wants to discuss peace treaties with the other races. If he can do that...’

‘Be realistic. The goblins, the trolls, the gargoyles and harpies, the minotaurs... do you believe any of them are prepared to negotiate with humans?’

Hawk stared vacantly at the ocean. ‘So many races. All so eager to kill each other. They spend their lives preparing for war, and they forget to dream of peace.’

At that moment a winged shadow fell over them, and the quiet calm of the beach was broken by the leathery flap of huge wings. Tidal caught sight of a creature with scaly green skin and sharp talons diving out of view within a bank of clouds.

‘Hawk, did you see that?’ he whispered.

‘I saw it,’ Hawk said, in a cracked and frail voice.

‘Did you get a good look?’

‘Good enough.’

‘What was it?’

Hawk breathed deeply. His face had gone as pale as it had back at the village square. ‘It was a dragon.’

‘You mean it was Cumulo?’

‘No.’ Hawk grabbed his bow with shaking fingers. ‘I mean it was another dragon.’

CHAPTER FIVE

‘So,’ Cloud said, as he and Nimbus led Onyx through the village, ‘is it worth asking if you have been practicing your horsemanship?’

Nimbus smiled cheekily. ‘I just didn’t seem to have the time between negotiating with mermaids, protecting our borders from the troll bandits, and almost getting turned into plant food by those dryads back there. My schedule has been quite full recently.’

‘Yet you expect to win the race today?’

‘I’m riding the fastest horse in the derby. You know as well as I do, there isn’t a horse south of Crystal Shine that can match Onyx. This race is in the bag.’

‘Must I remind you that in order to win, the horse has to pass the finish line with you still in the saddle?’

‘Great.’ Nimbus waved a hand as if to dismiss Cloud’s doubts. ‘So I just hold on and let Onyx do what he does best.’

Onyx snorted appreciatively and flicked his mane. He was really looking forward to the race. Racing didn’t have anything to do with weird monsters or deadly battles, and that was just the way he liked it. Racing was something he understood.

‘Remember you’re a Wing Warrior now,’ Cloud said. ‘Your actions have more impact than you ever thought possible. Whatever you do, and however you do it, the eyes of the people are on you always.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means the people look up to you. It will be important for you to do well today.’

‘So I’m not allowed to lose?’

‘Everybody loses sometimes, Nimbus. But you can’t undertake anything in the carefree way you used to. I spoke out of turn this morning when I called you a fool in front of the children. I should not have done that. You must inspire people.’

‘Okay, I get it. I won’t lose. Understood.’

Cloud sighed heavily. ‘That’s not what I said, Nimbus.’

Glass yawned and stretched in Onyx’s saddle, blinking sleepily. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘we’re home. I must have been sleeping.’

‘Snoring,’ Nimbus laughed.

‘I don’t snore.’

‘Must have been an earthquake then, Snot Monster.’

‘Bog Breath.’

‘Harpy.’

‘Hobgoblin.’

‘Stink Witch.’ Nimbus bit his tongue, suddenly aware of what he had said. Tidal often called Glass a witch, and it always upset her. ‘I mean...’

Glass’s smile didn’t falter for a second. ‘Toad,’ she said.

Nimbus smiled back gratefully, and led Onyx into the square. The cheering crowd gathered around as he helped Glass out of the saddle. Cloud rested a hand on his shoulder. ‘You are in public now,’ he said. ‘Think before you speak.’

Cumulo padded over proudly, his red scales glinting in the sunlight. His eyes narrowed slightly and he puffed smoke at Nimbus when he spoke. ‘You finally made it back then.’

‘It takes a little longer going by foot,’ Nimbus said.

‘Then maybe next time you should fly.’ The dragon gave his wings a quick flap to emphasise the point.

‘Are you still sore with me for asking you to look after the children?’

Cumulo snorted. ‘You acted very foolishly today. You ignored my advice, and you rushed into danger. You are no good to your people dead.’

‘I’ve just had this lecture from Dad.’

‘Well now you can have it from me.’

‘Oh, come on, don’t be mad.’ He touched Cumulo’s neck. ‘We can’t fight in front of everyone. We’re a team.’

Cumulo nodded slightly. ‘I understand. But please... Next time, try to be more careful.’

‘Yes, yes. Careful. I’ve got it. Careful. I wish everyone would stop fussing so much. Everything worked out in the end.’

‘Cumulo told us all about how clever and heroic you were,’ someone in the crowd said, and there was an outburst of congratulatory clapping.

‘He did?’ Nimbus said, trying not to sound surprised.

‘It’s only right everybody should hear about your heroic deeds,’ Cumulo said. ‘Everybody likes to hear stories of bravery and cleverness, during such troubling times.’

‘Of course,’ Nimbus said, cautiously. Then, more confidently, ‘I mean, of course I couldn’t have done it without a little help.’ He looked at Glass, but she was frantically shaking her head as if to say he shouldn’t mention her involvement. ‘By which, of course, I mean my good friend, Cumulo. We’re a team, and together there isn’t anything that can get the better of us.’

‘Well said,’ Cloud said, slapping Nimbus on the back. ‘Now come on. As I understand it there is an archery competition and a race to get underway. This is a day of celebration.’

There was more cheering from the crowd, and many people started trying to speak to Nimbus about his adventures; but he was no longer paying attention. He had spotted Tidal and Hawk on the beach in the distance. They were running as fast as they could, flapping their arms wildly.

‘Dad?’ Nimbus whispered. ‘What do you think that’s all about?’

Suddenly, a green–skinned monster ripped through the clouds and swooped down at Tidal, missing him by just a few feet. Screeching in frustration, the monster soared higher, circling around before diving once more on Tidal with horrible, snapping fangs that protruded from an unpleasantly sharp mouth.

 ‘Cumulo,’ Nimbus said. ‘We have work to do.’

Cloud crouched next to Glass. ‘I need you to run home now,’ he said. For a second Glass looked as if she intended to argue; but then she dashed up the road. ‘And the rest of you,’ Cloud said, addressing the crowd. ‘You have to get inside.’

As Nimbus was leaping up on Cumulo’s back, Sky came running across the square. ‘Nim,’ she shouted. ‘What is that thing?’ But by then Nimbus had already urged Cumulo into the air. The earth rushed away as the dragon’s mighty wings propelled them over the villagers.

‘Be careful,’ Sky shouted.

‘You should find cover,’ Cloud said, drawing his sword. ‘If that thing reaches the village, it could pick you up and carry you away. It must be as big as a horse.’

Sky watched Nimbus as he rose above the clouds, and as each flap of Cumulo’s wings took her friend farther away, her heart sank. ‘I didn’t even get to speak to him,’ she said.

The winged monster was now hovering over Tidal, snatching at him with the two powerful limbs that hung down underneath its bloated stomach.

‘What is it?’ Nimbus asked, as Cumulo rushed across the sky.

‘I have no idea,’ Cumulo replied.

‘Did the old dragons give you any memories of anything like it?’

Cumulo dipped his left wing and swept around behind the clouds in an attempt to sneak up on the creature. ‘I have been searching my memory library but I can’t find anything that even slightly resembles this thing. I don’t think it is a creature any of the old dragons ever saw.’

The wind roared in Nimbus’s ears as they went higher, moving into an attack position.

‘We should be careful,’ Nimbus shouted. ‘If we don’t know what it is, we don’t know what it can do.’

‘Wise all of a sudden, aren’t you?’ Cumulo laughed, and he went into a dive.

Nimbus held on as his stomach lurched. The ground hurtled up to meet them. The ground was very big and hard, and Nimbus was only too aware of how small and squishy he was by comparison. He closed his eyes as their descent picked up speed, and he tried not to think about the puddle of goo that would be all that was left of him if Cumulo didn’t pull out of the dive in time.

‘The creature is directly below us,’ Cumulo said. ‘Hold on, because this is going to get ugly.’

There was a dull thud, a screech of pain, and then the world began to tumble crazily. Nimbus fastened his arms around Cumulo’s neck and pressed his face against the dragon’s scales as he was enveloped by a flurry of wings and scrabbling claws.

‘Cumulo!’ Nimbus screamed, but the word was lost in the maddening noise.

A thrashing tail whipped around, hitting Nimbus on the back of the head and sending his senses reeling. His grip on Cumulo’s neck loosened and he slipped, almost falling completely before he could grab hold again. In that second his eyes opened, and he could see just how close the other creature’s jaws were to his face. The monster was clambering over Cumulo, ignoring the dragon completely in an attempt to get to Nimbus.

With a massive effort, the thing craned its head forwards to within striking distance. If Nimbus let go to avoid those fangs he would plummet to his death; if he held on, his face was going to be bitten off. He glanced around for a third option.