Page 30 of Crown of Ashes and Awe

And now he had proven me a liar, at least in deed.

Nogel rang a small bell and a skylith appeared—a small, dragon-like beast the size of Minkin but with wings. Since theAthrú Ash, they’d been used for carrying messages across Hestia. Demius said they had frightening speed.

“Old Grim,” Nogel said, as if the skylith understood completely. “Go.”

Both dragon rider and skylith left us standing on that ledge for a long while. Tearloch and his friends eyed my escorts who eyed them back. No one spoke, everyone playing their part, with no reason to give anything away.

To Morrow, the others were servants who dared to request passage to Ristat. To the others, Morrow and his men were either being duped or else I’d lied to everyone, including Dower, and I truly was royalty.

Shouts went up and all attention turned back to the great pit from which a dragon rose with Nogel on its back.

At least it resembled a dragon…

Grim indeed.

It flew in a circle over our heads, then wobbled awkwardly in the air as it descended onto the flat expanse before us. I saw at least half a dozen holes in its wings and a few on its body where its skin had grown thin. On closer look, its flesh was half a dozen shades of grey, and its eyes shone with either madness or excitement. I couldn't say which.

Nogel climbed down and faced us with a grin. "Not bad at all."

Tearloch looked doubtful, but he said nothing. Sweetie folded his arms and scowled at the young man as if his intimidation could somehow result in the appearance of a higher quality dragon.

I returned Nogel's smile. "Grim will do nicely," I said with all confidence. After all, if I were truly royalty, I would have ridden on all manner of dragons in my lifetime. "My company may need a bit of instruction," I added. "Some may have never ridden before."

Nogel nodded and lifted his voice for the others. "They are bringing a seat that will attach to the dragon's neck and back. I realize it's warm here in the south, but you will want a nightcoat when we hit cooler climes. Collect one from the wall there, and a rig from the tack barrel. Put the rig around your waist now. Once aboard, you'll use it to lock onto your seat. Then hold tight. Don't panic. And whatever you do, don't dig in with your heels. He's too old for that nonsense."

"How long will the ride take?" Minkin looked nervous.

Nogel shrugged. "With Grim, we'll need to stop a few times along the way. But we should arrive at the palace just after dawn. A younger dragon could do it in half the time, of course, but even if we waited for one to return, it would need rest first. And even then, I'm not sure the rider would consent."

"We are grateful," I assured him.

Nogel blushed, then puffed out his chest and barked at the half-dozen men carrying a twenty-foot, spine-like structure that had to be our seat. Metal, hinged, and far too delicate to keep Sweetie in place, but again, I had to trust Nogel to know what he was doing. Grim, I noticed, had sized up our motley band, and hadn't balked.

Did he realize we would all be climbing on his back? Was he sentient enough to know what was happening or where he was going?

I had read that dragons, long ago, could communicate with a personally chosen rider. The DeNoy, who were bonded to their magical creatures, could speak telepathically. And there were histories, recorded, of actual speeches given by ancient and famous dragons. But was that all myth? Could current-day dragons speak? Could they reason? Or had it been bred out of them after so many millennia?

Morrow helped me don a nightcoat—a heavy, black cloth contraption that no wind could penetrate. It was long enough in front to cover my thighs and closed firmly with buckles all the way to my chin. Then he attached a rig around my waist before seeing to his own.

Though the dragon's head swung my way, I kept walking, kept pretending that I was someone important who had dealt with dragons often. Nogel's outstretched arm stopped me, however, and we both waited while Old Grim lowered his head in some sort of acknowledgement of who was about to ride on his back. For the mere impression of being important, I inclined my head and gave the dragon a smile of thanks, whether or not he would understand.

When the giant head swung away again, I glanced to the side and noticed a number of mouths hanging open, one of which belonged to Tearloch, and I stifled a laugh. Any more such displays and he would start believing I truly was some member of the royal household who had been hiding in Redstone Canyon. The more fool he.

One of the guards brought my satchel to me so I could place my circlet of jewels inside. He promised to keep them safe.

When the saddle was fastened in place—an undertaking that looked painful for the dragon—Nogel motioned me forward and offered his hand for balance. He pointed out where to step and helped me up to the dragon's shoulders. "Best if you sit just behind me, my lady. I can give you some warning of the turns and such."

He helped me connect my thick leather rigging to the seat, then went to check on the others. After jockeying with Sweetie, Tearloch ended up sitting just behind Minkin, who sat just behind me. Sweetie, the brothers, and the guards took up the rear.

I was supremely aware of Tearloch and his immediacy. I was still hurt by his lack of trust, but I couldn’t deny that I was pleased not to be on my own with only Lady Edeen’s men for company. His presence helped me keep a calm façade, for the sake of my pride, though I was absolutely terrified.

Unexpectedly, the dragon shifted, and my seat with it. It happened so suddenly I couldn't stop a scream from escaping my lips. Immediately, a black gloved hand clamped around my upper arm, holding me in place.

"Easy now." Tearloch's voice was deep, soothing, and I wondered if he meant the words for me, for Minkin, or for Old Grim. In any case, the dragon settled, as did my heart, and the hand disappeared.

"Don't worry," Minkin said quietly. "We'll all hold tight, yes?”

I nodded and forced my grip on the saddle to ease, otherwise, none would believe I'd ever ridden dragonback before.

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