Gates of Ruin (Magelands Eternal Siege, #6) by Christopher Mitchell (ebook reader for surface pro txt) 📕

‘That was just dragon hyperbole. I’ll wear her down.’

‘Knowing Maddie, that’s probably how she did it.’

They walked to the entrance of the cave, and sat by the alcove, where a scorched and blackened circle lay, surrounded by small stones. Kelsey began to clear out the ashes from the previous evening’s fire, while Aila stacked the remaining firewood.

‘I wonder what Corthie’s doing,’ said Aila.

‘Normally, I’d have a ready reply to such a question, but it seems weird to be discussing him with his girlfriend. The mother-to-be of his child.’

‘You’ll tell me if you have a vision about him, won’t you?’

‘Aye, but I’ve not had a proper vision in a while. I’ve tried looking into Frostback’s eyes but I don’t know if it works on dragons, and it only encourages the stupid lizard to think that I’m gazing at her in adoration.’

‘How come you get to call her that, but you tell me off I say anything bad about her?’

Kelsey smirked. ‘Because I’m going to be her rider.’

* * *

Frostback returned an hour later, carrying the carcass of a wild boar in her long talons. She dropped it onto the ledge, then landed.

Kelsey clapped her hands in joy. ‘Roast pork tonight! Good job, o high protector of the insects.’

‘I sense sarcasm in your tone,’ Frostback said, ‘and I do not like it.’

‘That’s tough, because I’m not going to change. And, strictly speaking, it was more a gentle teasing based upon feelings of affection, rather than sarcasm.’

Frostback stared blankly at her. ‘You are a strange insect. Regardless, I have news, though nothing that should cause you any anxiety. I saw a small group of soldiers not too far from here, moving towards the lair. A mere dozen or so, but they have shiny steel armour that reminds me of the Banner soldiers I saw in Yoneath.’

Aila narrowed her eyes. ‘Banner soldiers? Were they alone? Was anyone accompanying them?’

Frostback was silent for a moment, as if pondering. ‘I did not think of that. I noticed the soldiers because their armour was glinting in the sun. There may have others with them who did not stand out. Sound advice, demigod. When I return to kill them, I will make sure that none escape. You can be quite wise at times, Aila; is that due to your extreme old age?’

Kelsey laughed.

‘This isn’t funny,’ said Aila. ‘If those soldiers belong to a Banner, then who sent them and how did they get so close to the lair without us spotting them?’ She glanced at Frostback. ‘You fly out two or three times a day; is this the first you’ve seen of them?’

‘Yes, it is.’

Aila stood, and began pacing up and down the ledge. ‘This could be bad, very bad.’

‘You always say stuff like that,’ said Kelsey. ‘Try to be optimistic for once; you might like it.’

The demigod glared at her. ‘Either the soldiers have just put their armour on, or they used a Quadrant to come here. If the second option is true, then it will have been a god who held the Quadrant; they would never entrust one to a soldier. If it’s a god, then he or she will have been sent here to kill a dragon, so we have to assume that the god will have death powers, and battle-vision, and…’

‘You’re hurting my head,’ said Kelsey. ‘I’ve never heard so many “ifs” in a single sentence before. All the same; Frostback, please be careful.’

‘I will eat first,’ said the dragon, ‘and then I will kill these new soldiers.’

Kelsey drummed her fingers off her knee. ‘Maybe you should stay here, and let them come to us.’

Frostback glanced up from the carcass. ‘Why? That sounds weak. They will think I am cowering in my lair.’

‘I hate to say it, but maybe Aila has a point. If they’ve sent someone with god powers, then I’ll be able to protect you from them.’

The dragon’s eyes lit with anger. ‘I told you not to bring that up again. I protect you, not the other way around. To imagine! The shame of being protected by an insect. Besides, your claims are ridiculous and foolish, and my opinion of you lessens every time you mention them.’

Kelsey’s face fell, and she looked hurt.

‘Her claims are true,’ said Aila to the dragon; ‘you should listen to her.’

‘Nonsense,’ said the dragon. ‘Not even the gods can protect themselves from death powers.’

‘But you know Sable has powers, and you know that Kelsey is Sable’s niece. Think of Corthie as well, you’ve heard of his powers. The Holdfasts are different, Frostback; that’s why the gods are hunting them.’

‘I have seen no evidence that the gods are hunting Kelsey; the attacks of the soldiers have been directed at me. If what you say is true, then hordes of gods and their minions would be chasing her through the forest.’

‘But they can’t sense her; that’s the entire point. Kelsey blocks all of their powers. Haven’t you been listening?’

The dragon’s eyes glowed. ‘Be careful of your tone, demigod, or I may have to chastise you.’

Aila opened her mouth, but Kelsey put a hand on her arm. ‘Frostback is being reasonable. She needs evidence, not words.’

‘Sorry,’ said Aila; ‘you’re right.’

The dragon stared at the carcass. ‘Your bickering has made me lose my appetite. Sometimes, I wonder why I tolerate your presence. I shall work off my anger on the soldiers, and when I return, I will expect to receive the respect you owe me.’

She beat her wings and soared away.

‘You need to be careful,’ said Kelsey. ‘She has a temper.’

Aila sighed. ‘I know, but it’s so frustrating. It’s like speaking to a child; she just doesn’t listen.’

They stood and watched as the silver dragon headed to the north-west. She circled in the distance, then swooped low, sending a blast of flames down into the trees below her.

‘That’s only a mile from here,’ said Kelsey. ‘Those soldiers got close.’

Frostback rose and circled again.

‘Looks like you were wrong, though,’