Shieldwolf Dawning (24 page)

Ryeno shrugged. "Maybe the golems are strong enough to keep whatever's inside, inside."

"I guess I'm about to find out." Samarra propped her staff in the darkest corner, grabbed a booster, and broke its seal. "Let's test one out first."

Ryeno watched her quietly as she guzzled the liquid. Her vision went black and white when she faded into vapour form.

"Can you see me?"

"Not anymore."

"Good."

"I can smell you, though." He crinkled his nose. "You're a bit gassy. Like the ones you drop after a bowl of butter bean eggs and—"

"It must be a side effect of the clearspores," she said quickly. Samarra could feel a hot blush spreading over her cheeks. Thank goodness she was invisible.

"Probably, but don't worry." Ryeno grinned. His teeth were perfect and white. "You always smell like roses to me, except for the times when you don't." He reached out in her general direction. Samarra backed away on instinct and sank into the wall behind her. She stepped out when she felt she was safe from his grubby fingers.

"I won't be able to speak with you when I'm in there. If you hear someone coming, drink your booster and hide. If we lose each other, we'll meet up behind the rosebushes in the courtyard, okay?" Colour seeped back into Samarra's vision and she felt her body return to solid form.

"I can see you!" Ryeno clapped with enthusiasm.

Samarra took the second booster out of her pocket and broke the seal. "This time it's for real." When she drank the liquid, her vision went black and white and she faded into vapour form again. "I'll be back out in a minute." Samarra walked through the wall and right into the vault.

The walls inside the vault were lined with heavy metal lockboxes all arranged in alphabetical order. In each corner, a large steel golem stood on guard. The golems wore thick suits of gilded armour polished to a gleam.

This is way too easy
, Samarra thought as she crept past them to the lockbox marked with Suthum's name. She reached inside and felt around until she touched a small leather pouch. Her hand went right through the pouch when she tried to pick it up.
Maybe this isn't so easy after all
. Samarra worked quickly and focused her thoughts on picking up the pouch. She was able to grab the item on her third try. Too scared to put the pouch in her pocket just in case it fell out, she held it in a firm grip and took a step in the direction she had come. Instantly, a gong went off to indicate there was an intruder in the vault. All four golems burst to life.

"Ryeno, help," she yelled without thinking.

"I'll save you, my treasure!" he called out in a heroic panic from behind thick doors.

Although Samarra couldn't see Ryeno enter the vault, she heard him taunting the golems to distract them from her. But one wrong move trapped him in a beam that made him visible. When he realized there was no way for him to escape, he cried out valiantly, "Run, Samarra, run!"

The golems charged at him, giving Samarra just enough time to race for the exit. The last thing she saw before she left the room was a circle of knives dropping from the ceiling, trapping Ryeno in a cell of spinning blades. Samarra grabbed her staff and took the stairs three steps at a time. By the time she reached the terrace, she had returned to solid form. She ducked into the shadows moments before Irik came flying past her. He was followed by a large group of Shieldwolves, all headed for the vault.

"Poor Ryeno." Samarra took a moment to catch her breath before she snuck away from the terrace. She hoped her friend would be okay.

By the time Samarra reached her hiding spot in the courtyard, the Shieldwolves were harnessing their flying horses in the stables. Merganser stood amongst them, shouting orders. When Shieldwolf Longmane appeared, Samarra's heart almost stopped. He spoke with Merganser before he put on his visor and mounted his flying horse. Moments later, he was off. The rest of the battlegroup followed him in pairs. They climbed one by one to the exit hatch and disappeared from view. Samarra rushed to the mess hall. There was no time to grab her armour. The mess hall was empty and quiet except for the crackling fireplace. Samarra made a beeline for the kitchen and rummaged around for food. She grabbed a tablecloth and wrapped two loaves of bread, cheese, mixed nuts, and a canteen of water.

On her way out, she paused at the fireplace and watched the flames licking the air — golden heat warmed her inside out. As usual, the salamander was fast asleep at the foot of the fireplace. If Samarra hadn't been in a rush, she would have stayed to admire the creature, but she had important things to do. Instead, she rushed out of the mess hall, sprinted to the trapdoor, and jumped into the bunker.

"What are you doing?"

The quiet voice took her by surprise. It was Brin. "I'm going to find Cass," she replied.

"By yourself?" He moved closer.

"I wasn't by myself before."

"Really?"

Samarra was anxious to get going. "It's a long story. I'll tell you later."

"I can help if you want."

Thoughts of Ryeno rose in Samarra's mind. She didn't want anything else to happen to her friends. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"It's boring in there," Brin grumbled. "Whistler is driving me up the wall."

Samarra sighed. "Okay, why not? I'll probably want company, anyway."

Brin smiled. "I have to get my staff."

"Don't let anyone see you," she warned.

"I'll be careful." He blended into the wall like a chameleon. A minute later he returned with his staff in hand.

"Let's go." Samarra explained her plan on their way through the tunnel. The moment she said the name Suthum, Brin flinched.

"Are you forgetting what happened the last time we saw her?" he asked.

"No, I'm not forgetting, but she's our only way out of here. Shieldwolf Proper is on lockdown. The only ones leaving the biodome are battlegroups, and they're doing that through the roof. If we tried to get out on a flying horse we'd be seen for sure. There's no other way to Cass. Are you coming or not? It's your choice."

Brin didn't hesitate. "I'm coming."

****

The pair continued down the tunnel for a while. When they reached the end, Samarra stepped on the stone that gave access to the exit and the door appeared. With a deep breath, she walked out into the sunlight. She made her way down the sandy path and gestured for Brin to follow her. "All we have to do is find Suthum," she said. "The rest is easy — just a lot of walking, but I'm used to that. I've come up with all of my best ideas while walking."

"Good for you," Brin said.

"Hmph!" Samarra couldn't tell whether or not he was being sarcastic.

They found the cave in no time. At first, the thought of facing Suthum made the hairs on Samarra's neck stand on end. She wasn't sure what the dragon would do — whether the creature would attack her, accept her request, or something entirely different. She did know, however, that she would try anything for Cassian's sake.

Brin stood by Samarra at the mouth of the cave. "Suthum," she called in her bravest voice. She waited a while. Nothing stirred. "Suthum," she said a little louder.

"Maybe she's not in there. Maybe she's gone looking for something to eat." Brin gulped at the thought.

Before Samarra could answer him, a low rumble emerged from the cave. "Who dares to disturb my sleep?" roared the dragon as she appeared from the darkness. Samarra held her breath, saddened at the sight. Suthum looked old and haggard, as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. Her scales had turned dull, and hopelessness had cast a cloud on her wizened face. She narrowed her eyes when she saw Samarra and Brin.

"What brings you back to my cradle?" she growled.

"I want to ask you for something." Without fear, Samarra stepped up to the dragon. Brin remained where he was. "My brother has been taken and I need your help."

"My help? And what can I possibly do to help
you
?"

"What would you do if I released you from your chains?"

"Little girl, do not play games with me. The last time we met, you gave me a gift. I could almost touch freedom. But I was foolish to believe that I could leave this prison once and for all. My gift was taken away. Now, leave me be." Suthum made her way back into the cave. Her head was downcast.

"I have magic dust," Samarra announced.

Suthum froze. Her ears pricked up and she cocked her head to the side. "You do?"

"I do." Samarra was hopeful. "I can dispel the chains, but you have to promise to give me something in return."

"Show me the dust," the dragon said with suspicion.

Samarra took the pouch from her pocket and held it up for Suthum to see. "The dust is in here. Will you consider my request?"

The dragon nodded. Smoke came out of her nostrils when she exhaled.

"My brother has been taken to the Caverns of Azalor in the north." Samarra gestured at Brin. "My friend and I need you to carry us over these mountains so that we can reach him in time. Will you help us?"

Suthum stood as if deep in thought. "Even if you were to release me from my bonds, I could not guarantee my ability to fly you such a distance…" She let her sentence trail off. "My wings have been pinned together for years. I am not sure if I remember how to use them."

"But you can try." Samarra crossed her fingers for luck. "What do you have to lose?"

"If I agree—" Suthum drew closer to Samarra, "—what else will you expect of me once I have fulfilled my promise to you?"

"Nothing. Not one thing. You'll be free to leave, to go wherever your wings will take you. Your life is your own to control."

"Ahh..." The dragon was wistful. "I would like to see my birthplace before my body passes on to the Otherlands." She looked like she was staring off into a space that only she could see. "I would like to take my dragonling to the hot deserts of my youth, and plunge in and out of coral reefs in search of treasure." She spoke more quietly. "And I would like to visit the bones of my ancestors to pay my respects."

Samarra felt a tight ball form in her chest. She went to Suthum. "Here, let me get onto your back and we'll see if this dust works."

Suthum crouched down low and gestured to the end of her tail.

Samarra walked up the dragon's tail and then her back until she reached the area between Suthum's wings. "Do I have your word that you will help us?" Samarra opened the pouch. "If I do this, will you fly us over the mountains?"

"You have my word." The dragon trembled with anticipation.

Samarra sprinkled prismatic dust over the magical chains.

At first nothing happened. Samarra counted to ten. Still nothing happened. Hopeful, she placed a gentle hand on Suthum's neck and waited. It wasn't long before the chains started to fizzle. Samarra jumped up excitedly as they bubbled and burned, slowly disintegrating.

"It's working," she cried. "It's working."

For the first time in years Suthum stretched out her wings. Samarra smiled when the dragon roared with delight. "Get down," the dragon said. Samarra obeyed.

With a flap of her wings, Suthum launched into the air. At first she was unsteady, but she soon glided through the skies like the magnificent dragon she was. Suthum circled the area a few times before she disappeared from view.

Minutes ticked by. "She's gone," Brin remarked in an
I told you so
way. "A dragon's word can't be trusted."

"You're wrong." Samarra pointed at the gleaming creature swooping out of the sky.

Suthum landed with ease in front of Samarra. "I am ready to take you over the mountains."

Samarra and Brin climbed onto the dragon. They sat down one in front of the other. Samarra grabbed onto Suthum's neck and the dragon leaped into the air. The beast jerked upward and began to gain altitude, moving faster than Samarra thought possible. Brin held onto Samarra for dear life.

They reached the ice-capped peaks in seconds. Samarra shivered. The air was suddenly much thinner, colder. It was harder to breathe. She hoped this part of the journey would pass quickly.

"I know where the caverns are," Suthum said. "But I can only take you as far as the entrance of the Jade Forest. The Green Woman has forbidden dragons from flying through her territory."

"That's not a problem." Samarra knew to not ask for too much. "We'll walk the rest of the way."

The dragon soared through the sky. She flew over grassy plains and local farms. When the landscape started to thicken with trees, Suthum began her descent. Brin tightened his grip on Samarra's waist. He breathed a loud hiss of relief the moment Suthum touched the ground.

"Thank you." Samarra patted the dragon's neck.

"No, thank
you
," Suthum replied. "The Shieldwolves will not take kindly to what you have done."

"I'll deal with that later. Right now, I have to find my brother. Besides, you shouldn't be trapped in that place for the rest of your life. You're a mighty dragon, after all."

Suthum looked like she was seeing Samarra for the first time. "Is there anything else I can do for you? You have given me my freedom. I am indebted to you."

"No. We'll be okay from here."

"As you wish." Suthum roared and, with a flap of her powerful wings, took off toward the sun. Samarra watched the dragon disappear into the clouds.

"Well." Brin's tail thumped nervously on the ground. "What now?"