Page 57 of Consort's Dragon
Everyone stood on deck, staring at the haze hovering over Merisu as the wind that blew from the continent brought the taste of ash to their lips.Those who’d been present during Verlora’s last moments knew what it meant.
A volcano had erupted.
It didn’t take Argent murmuring, “And then there were five,” for Griff to know the other dragons had been hatched.
Chapter14
The journeyto Mount Ygnis took three days.Three days of Avera struggling with the decision to hatch the eggs.It occurred to her that she was taking the word of three women who claimed they saw the future and had manipulated events to achieve what they perceived as the best outcome.Everything that occurred they’d allowed to happen.Wantedto happen.But what if they lied and didn’t have the world’s best interest at heart?
They acted nonchalant about the deaths thus far, as if the almost complete extermination of the Verlorians didn’t matter to them.Avera’s family certainly hadn’t.Nor did they precisely answer when Avera asked, “What of Daerva?Will my people survive what’s to come?”
The choice of sacrificing some for the good of many bothered.Could she really be so callous as to possibly condemn people on their word alone?
Despite her trepidation, she couldn’t deny a thrill of excitement as the volcano came into view.As tall if not taller than Fuego Spire, the top of the cone-shaped mountain couldn’t be seen due to a cloudy haze.A faint hint of ash could be tasted when she breathed.It made her wonder if it truly was safe to approach.
“It’s the magma heating the air,” Titus murmured as if reading her thoughts while he brought his steed alongside hers.
“I thought your volcano was dormant.”
“If it’s not spewing, then it’s dormant, but the magma at its heart is always bubbling and as the heated air rises, it hits the cold and condenses into clouds.Or so I was taught,” he added with a laugh.
Her brow knit as she eyed the empty plain surrounding it.No trees or shrubs, just hard-packed dirt and rock.A wooden plank and rope bridge spanned a wide chasm that literally ran in a circle around the volcano.
Of more interest were the lines radiating outward from the volcano like spokes.“Are those trenches?”
“Yes, they’re used to direct the lava flows, ensuring it spreads out evenly and tumbles harmlessly into the ravine.Once the rock has cooled after each eruption, teams are dispatched to excavate the ditches.The rock they produce is then transported to be used in building projects.”
“You really do have a method for dealing with it,” she murmured.He’d said it, she’d just not actually believe it until now.
“We know what Mount Ygnis is capable of, and we’ve learned to work with it.I told you, there’s nothing to fear.We’ve much experience in managing eruptions.Come.”He beckoned as his horse began moving away.“We should cross the plain before nightfall.”
“Why before night?”
“Because there are things that hunt only in the dark.They emerge from the chasm and use the ditches to ambush unsuspecting travelers.”
Her eyes widened.“And you’ve not dealt with it?”
“Sending soldiers into the ravine always fails.None ever return.”
She glanced at the people setting up camp.“Won’t they be in danger remaining here?”
“Oddly enough, the creatures don’t cross to this side.The plain and the chasm are their exclusive hunting ground.”
“What do they look like?”
“Giant lizards with sharp teeth.Very fast.Very tough to kill.I have a figurine of one back at the palace I can show you when we return.”
Avera wondered if she’d already encountered them, recalling the totems that had come to life and tried to kill her when she fled her castle in Daerva.Those monsters sounded just as he described.Did that mean they’d originated here?
Titus headed for the bridge, and Avera hesitated only a moment before following.As her horse clomped across the wooden planks, she couldn’t help but glance over the edge.The walls of the canyon on either side were sheer.The creatures must climb using their claws.
It took reaching the other side without the bridge collapsing before her taut body relaxed slightly.Titus waited for her before continuing to lead the way.
A glance over her shoulder showed the carriage taking its turn crossing, a pair of soldiers guiding the horses while the rest remained in the camp.
“I’m surprised we’re not bringing any of your army with us.Aren’t you worried about being attacked?”she asked.
“By whom?No one lives here at the moment.”
