Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle
Mellary sat and shivered. Rain pounded down on her head, chilling her even through the hood over her head. She glared at the sodden pile of twigs sitting in front her. She had been trying for the last half hour to light a fire. Her flint hadn't worked, and even when she finally lost her temper and tried to use magic the wood had stubbornly remained cold and dull.
It had been raining since morning. Small pockets of snow clung to the shadows. Even in the heights of summer, snow could still be found on the ground this far north. It made Mellary melancholy to see the never ending grey skies.
In the weeks since Embrald first spoke to her he had grown to rival Tanyian in size. Each translucent green wing was twice as long as she was. They looked awkward, disproportionate to his body. But then again, Mellary had never seen another dragon to compare him to. She knew about the sage and his golden dragon hidden in the city, but she had been shepherded away every time she tried to get close. No elf wanted the taint of a half elf anywhere near their precious dragon. Mellary snorted a cloud of icy breath. Wouldn't they be surprised to see her now.
The green of Embrald's scales was the brightest color in their surroundings. The trees were green, but it was a dull, life-less color. Most of the luster had been leeched by the low clouds that Embrald disappeared into when he flew. It made him stand out a bit too much.
This far north there were few villages and even fewer people outside the villages. But it wasn't people Mellary was worried about running into. More and more frequently Embrald had been spotting parties of Urgals in the countryside. So far the groups had stayed small, no more than raiding parties. But they were still something to be avoided. Embrald helped guide Mellary around the Urgals from the sky while she rode Tanyian.
Mellary stretched and curled up on her side, moving closer to Embrald. He spread a giant wing and draped it over her. It was an excellent way to keep warm during the cold nights. Tanyian didn't need similar protection; she had grown a thick coat on the journey.
Mellary drifted into a deep sleep to the chorus of a family of bobcats somewhere in the night.
Mellary! Embralds voice screamed in her mind. Mellary bolted to her feet, the dagger she kept in her boot top shining in her hand. But the clearing where they had camped for the night was empty. Mellary whirled, scanning the trees for the slightest movement. Her loosed hair drifted around her waist and the cold breeze chilled her ear tips.
Mellary suddenly felt the stiffness of her joints. The cold had settled deep into her bones while she had been sleeping. The giant mass of the green dragon was no where to be seen. He must have left while she had been sleeping, leaving her to the cold.
Embrald! She shrieked. Tanyian rolled her eyes. Mellary finally caught the waves of fear rolling off Tanyian's bronze coat. She slid the dagger back into her boot sheath and hurried to her horse, grabbing Tanyian's nose right before the horse reared. She held the beast down, stroking the velvet nose. Tanyian fidgeted, but the white around her eyes gradually disappeared.
What's wrong? Mellary asked. Now that she was concentrating, something bugged her. It was a subtle feeling of danger, nothing she could name, but something wasn't right. It was like being slightly off balance but not really noticing and not knowing why. She shushed Tanyian once more and let go.
Mellary buckled on her sword belt. The weight of the twin blades was comforting. As she rapidly braided her hair she searched for Embrald. He was flying, off north of where they were. And he was very agitated.
Embrald? Mellary asked, softer. What's wrong? She scanned the patchy skies. For once the clouds only half covered the sky, letting beams of sunlight lance down.
Urgals. Embrald replied.
Mellary spun in a tight circle. She didn't see anything through the gaps in the trees. The plains were flat and empty.
Something behind her eyes pulled and she gasped as her vision flashed green. When it cleared she wasn't looking at the trees in front of her.
The ground sped below her at an incredible speed. The road was only a thread and she could see the mountains in the distance. The sky around her was a clear blue and patch-worked with fuzzy clouds.
What… Mellary asked in amazement. She heard Embrald chuckle.
The world from my view. Mellary noticed how all the colors were twisted. All were muted except for green. It shone bright. The trees and grassland were ablaze with color.
She noticed something moving on the road so far below. Suddenly the vision swooped, the ground rushing up so fast it made her stomach spin. Seeing the ground coming closer but feeling her feet firmly on the ground made her dizzy.
But what she saw drove the dizziness right out of her mind. Coming up the road at a fast trot was a column of Urgals. And not just the average, everyday Urgal. Marching four to a row were Kull. Each Kull was armed with a shield and a broadsword that looked too heavy for Mellary to lift. Each had a chest plate at least an inch thick and a solid helmet.
Some had long bows, probably about six feet in length, strapped to their backs. She had never shot one, but had watched as some of the elven archers practiced with them. Even some of the strongest had trouble pulling the heavy string back. What was worrying about the bows was the strength. Shot properly, an arrow could punch straight through a wooden target and keep right on going. Mellary was sure it could do the same with a human.
The vision shifted again, looking up the trail. Only a little ways away Mellary could see the grove of trees they had spent the night in. Looking closer, she could see herself, standing stock still with wide and vacant eyes. The gap between the Kull and the grove was rapidly closing. Their snuffling noses couldn't miss her scent once they got close enough.
Gotta run. Mellary thought anxiously to Embrald as she pulled away, trying to return to her own mind. She pulled a little too hard.
Reeling from mental whiplash, Mellary stumbled to her packs and threw them over Tanyian's back. She never rode with a saddle, preferring to guide her horse with thoughts. Mellary extinguished the fire with a word as she jumped up on her horse's back. Tanyian took off as soon as Mellary climbed on. She had to wrap her arms around the horses neck to keep from falling off. Tanyian was galloping as fast as she could, having caught Mellary's fear.
They sprang out of the clearing and dashed across the plains with a speed made Mellary gasp. The grove shrank quickly.
Thirty seconds after they left a deep, guttural shout came from behind them. Several more bellows rose instantly. Suddenly silence, except for the pounding of Tanyian's hooves, reigned. Mellary bowed her head over her bronze horse's neck and squeezed her eyes shut. She could see them, milling about in confusion and sniffing the ground, searching for the scent the suffused the clearing. She could imagine them following her scent out of the grove and listening for Tanyian's loud, rapid hoof beats.
There was a crash from behind and Mellary glanced back to see the Kull burst through the trees. Their long powerful legs ate up the ground between the fleeing horse and the broken ranks of Urgals as they charged.
Fortunately for Mellary, Urgals, not even Kull, could run as fast as a horse galloping at full speed. They had a lead, and they were managing to keep it. They raced through the grass.
Mellary, STOP! Embrald's command ripped through her mind. Tanyian, who caught the edge of the shout, reared and plunged. Mellary shouted to her.
Air moved past her head, followed by a tearing sound. A wickedly sharp, hooked arrow buried itself in the ground next to them with a thump. The shaft had to be as long as her arm.
Mellary pulled Tanyian's head down and dug her heels in. She hated to use such measures, but it was the only way to communicate with the frightened animal. Tanyian jumped forward again.
MELLARY! You have to STOP! There's more Urgals ahead of you! Embrald called down.
WHAT? Mellary screamed back. She felt the tug of Embrald pulling on her mind and threw her arms around Tanyian's neck. She grabbed her wrist and hung on tight as her vision twisted, and she was suddenly looking down on herself as Tanyian traveled through the grass.
Behind them charged the mass of Kull that had stumbled onto them at the grove. They were keeping a steady pace behind Tanyian. As she watched one of them fell back and put an arrow to his bow. By the time the arrow was arcing through the air Tanyian had moved out of range.
Suddenly a high, whining bugle sounded. Embrald looked ahead and she saw new movement. The vision focused on a second group of Kull, traveling in the same direction as the first. She saw them look up and raise their noses to the wind. They broke ranks and charged toward her.
Mellary snapped back to herself as Embrald let her go. She pulled Tanyian's head around to face away from both groups.
But the horse was beginning to tire. Mellary could sense it. Tanyian was pulling in deep breaths of air and froth flew from her mouth. Mellary bit her lip. Tanyian was a long distance runner, not a sprinter. Sweat was running down her sides. Soon the horse would falter, or tire. The Kull wouldn't. They were notorious for their endurance.
Would they make it?
Mellary nearly flew over Tanyian's head as the horse put her hoof in a hole and stumbled. She banged her nose hard on Tanyian's neck.
Embrald! Mellary called. Her head buzzed as she felt the dragon looking through her eyes. She took in the Kull rapidly closing on her from both sides, the never ending plains, Tanyian's rough gait as she favored her injured leg, the small grove of trees directly ahead of her.
Make for the trees. Embrald told her, obviously.
You think? Mellary shot back. She waited a breathless minute for Tanyian to crash through the undergrowth before she reined her horse in. Tanyian stood with her sides heaving and her eyes white all the way around. Mellary sent her half convincing soothing thoughts.
I hope you have a plan because I sure don't. Mellary told Embrald. He didn't respond as she heard the Kull getting closer. Embrald? She leaned down and healed Tanyian's ankle. Tanyian and I need to get moving. She was about to tell Tanyian to start running when Embrald finally spoke.
No. You can't outrun the Kull. You know that. The relative silence was shattered by a crash. Branched and leaves rained down around Mellary's head. Her green dragon landed next to the mare with a thud and extended one wing. We have to fly.
Mellary stared at the dragon. Can you lift me? He had never tried to carry things before.
You're small. I'll manage. Mellary scowled at the slur to her height. She had never been as tall as most of the elves. Even by human standards she was small.
What about Tanyian? She stroked the mare's short hair.
Embrald whipped his long head back and forth in impatience. I can't fly the horse. Not yet. They'll let her go. But we need to hurry.
Mellary slid off the horse and grabbed her packs. Seeing Embrald's eyes narrow as she slung them over her shoulder she shrugged. If you can carry me, a few more pounds won't matter.
Mellary stroked Tanyian's nose. "I'm sorry to leave you." She murmured. They had been together for a long time. Mellary, we don't have time. Embrald hissed. But surely she could do something for the horse?
Mellary put her forehead against the horse's nose. "May you go unnoticed by those who would misuse and mistreat you." She whispered in the ancient language, invoking her magic. She felt the words settle over the horse like a soft blanket.
MELLARY! By now even she could hear the thud of iron boots outside the trees. Mellary dashed over and climbed into the grooved between two of the spikes on Embrald's back.
The great green wings lifted around her head and slammed down, jolting them into the air. Mellary's stomach dropped as they left the ground. Branches whipped her face, one scoring a red mark down her cheek. Then they burst through the trees and into the air.
Flying was better than it had looked, all those times when she had watched Embrald soar from the ground. It was better than the dreams she had. Her body felt lighter than air. Her mind was blank, free from fear and anxiety as the wind whipped past her face. It was like all earthly ties had fallen away and she was free.
Shouts from below brought her back to reality. She looked below, already so far down, and saw the Kull storming through the trees and coming out the other side, looking confused. Away from the trees she could see Tanyian's bronze body, head high, galloping away through the grass.
Embrald climbed higher and the air grew colder. Mellary shivered. She was going to have to get some warmer clothes if she was going to be riding Embrald this far north. But the view made up for the cold.
The whole plain was laid out before her as they rose. It made her feel small, to see the expanse of grass before them. They were hanging in empty air. Mellary wrapped her arms tighter around Embrald's neck. Mellary scanned the expanding horizon, and noticed a dark smudge.
What's that? She asked. Embrald's head whipped around. He studied the smudge and growled. The deep rumble vibrated through Mellary's bones.
Suddenly one wing dipped down and they banked, streaming toward the spot. The green wings pulsed and they sped forward. They flew fast, and it didn't take as long as Mellary though it would to reach the smudge. Still, her legs were aching after an hour.
As they grew closer the smudge resolved into individual columns of smoke. The smoke rose from massive fires scattered over a huge patch of ground that had been completely cleared of green. Something moved over the ground, something Mellary couldn't quite see.
Lower? She asked Embrald. He dipped his wings and they glided down in a slow circle. The things on the ground came into horrible focus. Mellary leaned back, stunned. Her gripped on Embrald loosened. Startled, the dragon pulled upward with a jerk that almost made Mellary fall. She wrapped her arms around Embrald again. By now she was shaking so bad she could barely keep her grip. And not all of her tremors were shivers.
Alarmed and concerned for his Rider, Embrald shot away from the area and landed quickly. The sudden impact jolted Mellary loose and she tumbled off the dragon, landing on her back in the dirt. Her mind was still reeling from what she had seen.
Urgals. Not just Urgals. Kull. Hundreds of thousands of Kull, camped out on a patch of ground a mile in diameter.
"That was no raiding party." She whispered hoarsely. "That was an army." An army of Kull.