Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle
There they are. Mellary watched as the purple haze of the Beor Mountains dissolve into distinct peaks. They were flying above of the army, high enough to make Mellary short of breath. She breathed deeper, pulling in as much of the thin air as she could.
How long do you think it will take them to reach the mountains? Mellary asked.
No longer than a week. At the rate they run, it will only take a few days for them to cross the desert, even camping every night. Embrald responded.
Mellary stared at the peaks. Even miles away they seemed impossibly tall.
What happens then? She wondered. Embrald had no answer for that. Neither of them did.
Nothing we can do right now. Embrald said calmly. Mellary almost bounced up and down with impatience.
Suddenly the dragons head and long neck dipped down and vanished. Mellary gripped the spike in front of her hard and clenched her legs. Then the ground was rushing up at her before flipping over and hovering over her head as Embrald did a front flip. She was jerked sideways as he rolled over and unfurled his wings, steadying them. It was one of his favorite maneuvers, instead of simply banking.
Mellary had fallen off the first few times he suddenly flipped over in mid air. It was startling, and slightly scary. One second she could feel the rhythmic pulse of Embrald's great wings and feel his warmth through the thick leggings of her pants, and the next she was falling through empty air. However, she had never fallen more than fifty feet before she was either scooped up by a claw or he appeared under her and let her settle onto his back while they fell.
On one hand, it was annoying to be tossed in every which way without warning. On the other, they had both become really great flyers.
One of these days a Kull is going to be looking up just as you do that and know that no natural bird would ever attempt something like that. He might have enough brains to realize that we're up here. Mellary said wryly.
I doubt it. Embrald said back.
They are after they found that squashed Urgal two days back. They had done their customary drop from the sky, but Embrald had heard another Urgal coming up before they could fly away. The Urgal, one of the biggest Kull Mellary had ever seen, was much too heavy for Embrald to lift after a hard days work. They had had to leave him, ribs and skull pulverized, in order not to be discovered.
You could just use magic. Embrald had suggested. But Mellary was afraid that use of magic would be reported to the shade on some of his regular visits. If someone thought about it, there was really only one way that someone could trail the army and have enough power to take out the number of Urgals they did daily.
They flew back along the length of the army, past the few supply wagons and began to look for stragglers.
It was harder now to pick off individuals. Now they traveled in groups of at least six or seven. It was more of a challenge for Mellary and Embrald. They had to make a clean kill for obvious reasons. Mellary didn't want the might of an army of Kull turned against her and Embrald alone.
The last group they saw was a group of five. They were nervous, looking in every direction, and hurrying to catch up with the army.
Embrald passed them before dropping behind a hill. They kept low, shooting over the rough terrain. The green hills disguised Embrald in the dying sunset. The Urgals didn't see them until they were right above the group. Embrald dropped, claws digging into four of the five. His head snaked out, jaws open and white teeth flashing as they sank into the last Urgal. He took off, an Urgal hanging from each claw and one clenched in his jaws.
And you think they smell bad. He thought to Mellary as he let the bodies fall.
By the time they had flown ahead the army had made camp at the side of a river. From above Mellary recognized it as the shallowest, narrowest point of the Ramr. She also knew the water was fastest here.
They're going to have a fun time crossing. I hope they know how to swim.
I think they weigh too much to swim. It goes with the size/weight issue.
Mellary watched the lights below. Suddenly she frowned and looked again. Counted. Recounted.
Embrald! We're missing some!
What? His head moved back and forth as he scanned the army below. Mellary could feel panic rising in her. The army was short a company or Kull, around one hundred. Just gone.
They must have gone up ahead. A vanguard.
But WHEN? And why? I really don't like this.
Embrald shoved down with his wings and they sped up. Over rapidly fading hills and into the Hadarac Desert.
Mellary whistled. In the sunset the sand glowed red, making the desert seem like it was on fire. Hot, arid air washed over her face and caught at Embralds green wings, pulling them upward.
Not tracks. Embrald said. Too much wind.
They can't have gotten that far. Mellary said, trying to sound optimistic. She could feel his doubt.
A little while later Mellary rubbed her eyes and leaned forward on Embrald's neck. She was exhausted, and her eyes were tired. All light had faded and she could see nothing in the dark. And she could only imagine how tired her dragon had to be. He had been flying all day long.
It's late. We need to rest. She hated to admit it, but it was true. They glided down and settled between two dunes.
Did you see anything? She asked Embrald as she pulled her packs off.
There's a big fire several miles away. It's far enough for you to sleep. He knew she had an intense fear of Urgals. They must have been gone a few days to get this far. Also, His tone was… confused, Mellary thought.
There's another fire beyond theirs. I can only see a glow in the distance, nothing else.
Must be their prey. Mellary stretched out a hand and started a fire. It burned on the sand without wood.
So they're definitely headed for the Varden. It's the only prize the king wants, out in the Beors. Mellary leaned back against Embrald. So what do we do? Do we help their prey or do we stay with the army? I think we could do more damage if we stayed with the army. She showed him all her plans and ideas. But if we stay we could get killed to help some random stranger. That would do nothing to help the Varden.
I believe you are right. Still, I wouldn't like to abandon another traveler to the Kull.
How far away were they? Embrald showed her the memory. After a few seconds she nodded. They'll be fine if they keep moving. I do think we need to stay by the army. Those travelers may be going to the Varden, and I have no desire to arrive there before the army. The longer I can delay the politics, the better.
Excellent idea. You have no tact. Mellary made a face at her dragon. Still…
What? Embrald whipped his great head back and forth. She tried to pry into his mind and figure out what he was hiding from her, but he had thrown up a wall. One she wouldn't be able to break. Mellary sighed and gave up.
Fine. Keep your secrets. We'll leave in the morning.
Do you know this was here? Embrald asked as he carefully circled in the shadows of the high cavern of the hollow mountain.
I had no idea. Mellary responded in astonishment as she gazed over his side at the city below.
The army had reached the eastern edge of the Beor Mountains. From above, Mellary had seen gaping holes in the earth. The Urgals began to file into these, eventually vanishing from sight. Only then did Embrald land, squarely on the last of the Urgals to approach the entrance.
The holes, as they discovered, had been sections of tunnel ceiling that had collapsed. The stone that had once supported them was worn and the entrances were covered in vines. She guessed that the tunnels had once been built by dwarves, ages ago, and had collapsed under the pressure of time.
Neither Mellary nor Embrald had really wanted to enter the dark, slightly dank tunnel after the Urgals.
You only live once. Mellary had said as she sucked in her breath and jumped into the tunnel.
That's a good reason NOT to go into the dangerous tunnel. Embrald commented dryly as he slid into the hole.
A sphere of light bloomed in Mellary's hand as she spoke the ancient word. She turned and looked at Embrald.
Good thing you're not too big. Mellary laughed.
Embrald was crouched inside the narrow tunnel. His wings were pressed tightly against his back, leaving only a foot on either side. His head was on the level of his shoulder blades. Another week and he might not have been able to fit.
He bared his teeth and growled at her. Mellary turned and cupped her fingers around the light, dimming it. Mellary took care to make sure they didn't move too fast. The last thing she wanted was to run into the rear of the army with so little room to swing her swords. So they inched their way through the darkness. Embralds scales made tiny whispers as they brushed against the rock walls, accompanied by the click of his talons.
Is it brighter in here? Mellary asked after what seemed like a lifetime of creeping through the darkness.
It has been for a while. There's an opening ahead.
You could have said something. Mellary grumbled.
I'm sorry your eyes aren't as good as mine. Embrald said, indignant and unapologetic. I would have told you if you needed to know.
You might want to put out the light. Mellary stopped short of grinding her teeth as Embrald's voice rang through her mind a few steps later. But she did as he said and extinguished the light. And, sure enough, when she looked back she could see Embrald's slit green eyes in the darkness.
The light was coming through a narrow opening that emerged behind a building. Mellary poked her head out of the tunnel and, seeing nothing, darted behind a wall. Embrald follow silently.
They crept through the empty city made of stone, Mellary riding so no footsteps rang out. The ornately carved buildings were empty. Some were grand chambers, some had benches, beds, shelves, some were tiny, and some were carved directly into the rock. Above there was only darkness. Light came from deeper into the city.
It's dark here. Take off. Embrald spread his huge green wings and they rose in to the darkness, above the buildings.
Did you know this was here? Embrald asked as he banked and flew closer to the center of the city, where the light was coming from.
I had no idea. What has Fate wrought … Mellary trailed off in astonishment as the passed over the center of the city.
The remains of a great arena surrounded an open field. A huge bonfire was lit in the middle, shedding light over a teeming mass of Urgals. The army of Kull they had followed from the north had doubled in size, swollen by what looked like companies of Urgals. And, in the middle of the mass, standing with his back to the fire, was the shade. His maroon eye glittered evilly with the light from the fire as he raised one hand and pointed. The mass turned like a tide and tore through the city, howling loud enough to make Mellary cover her ears. The army entered a series of wider tunnels on the opposite side of the city and began to run, slowly forming ranks as the stronger Urgals shoved to the front.
Later Mellary was once again standing in an empty city. She stared at the tunnel entrance.
Not again. She groaned.