Page 29 of Oath of Betrayal
Despite the upcoming battle, I marvelled at his willingness to talk and hoped it would continue. Since meeting Ani, Vahin had clearly changed, seeming more and more aware and interested in the world around him every day. He had even begun seeking my company instead of soaring the skies, descending only whencalled. And now, with a voice of his own, he felt more like a fellow warrior than the beast I rode.
‘Stay back,’ I told him, this time aloud for Ani’s benefit.
She wheezed in a breath when the dragon rumbled in response, and I felt a tremor run through her body. That was how I knew Vahin had stopped projecting his calming aura. I tightened my grip around her waist, feeling sorry but impressed that she was holding her own.
‘How can I help?’ she gasped, leaning forward as the swarm of spectrae came close enough to see each individual enemy floating on invisible winds. ‘You can’t, unless you can somehow make them physical before they touch the dragons.’
I gestured to my second-in-command to take on the role of bait. Tomma’s dragon wasn’t as strong as Vahin, and I prayed to all the gods that he could withstand the assault while we attacked the spectrae.
Tomma saluted, and his dragon roared in challenge, surging forward to meet the threat. But my heart stuttered when I saw the lieutenant’s face; there was no hope in his eyes, only the determination of a man ready to die to keep others safe.
I knew the pair would fight to the bitter end to buy us time to destroy the enemy. If they survived, I would do everything I could to reward them appropriately, though looking at the size of the swarm, I knew our chances were slim.
‘Before you ask, I wish we could outfly them, but we can’t. The spectrae will follow the dragons to the fortress, and that would endanger everyone there. I’m so sorry, Ani. I should have let you travel by horse.’ I inhaled her herbal scent, knowing I’d likely have to sacrifice my men for her today.
‘When the spectrae attack, Tomma and Rahsul will draw them in, flying a figure of eight to lure them all. When they latch onto his dragon … It won’t be pleasant to watch, but if he occupies them long enough, the squadron might be able to incineratethem while they feed. That means we’ll have to fly fast and hard in order to dodge any stray spectrae and use dragon fire to destroy those attached to Rahsul. Our only chance lies in disrupting the swarm’s connection. If we kill enough of them, they may retreat,’ I finished, feeling Ani’s breath quicken.
‘I know, don’t worry about me. But the rider … Orm, he’ll die. I’ve read about it. The bait dragon almost always dies.’
‘We don’t have a choice. We have no other means of fighting them. Our only weapon is dragon fire and sacrifice.’ I wrapped one arm around Ani and placed the other on Vahin’s neck.
‘Brace yourself. We’re going in,’ I shouted, seeing the swarm cloud split apart at the edges to release a single spectra that drifted towards the squadron. At the same time, the rest headed towards the single, weaving dragon.
I grimaced as Vahin beat his wings forcefully, surging towards the periphery of the formation. The howling wind in my ears couldn’t drown out the agonised screams. The spectrae attack had begun and crackling red aether pierced the dragon’s midriff, pulsing in time with his steady heartbeat.
The sickening sight shone against the darkening sky, its ghastly crimson hue so reminiscent of blood that I almost looked away. The parasites feasting on Rahsul became more solid with each bright pulse, and I couldn’t help but snarl in disgust and hatred. When their forms were solid enough to block the last rays of the sun, I commanded the squadron to attack.
‘Now!’
Vahin roared, evading a stray tendril and tilting to the left as intense heat erupted from his mouth, bathing Rahsul’s scales in coruscating1 flame. Muffled cries cut through the sounds of battle as the terrified women in their baskets panicked. Unlike them, Ani gasped but didn’t scream. Her heart hammered so hard I could feel it through our clothing as she bent forward toflatten herself against Vahin’s back while holding the saddle’s pommel with trembling hands.
We almost collided with the squadron’s youngest rider as he slipped out of formation, his dragon succumbing to an aetheric tether. The frantic beast was trying to burn itself free while his rider leaned down to stop a panicking woman from jumping from her basket. I directed Vahin to attack the spectrae to release them from the choking strands.
After aiding the rider, I joined the others circling Tomma, burning our enemies with unyielding determination—but there were too many, and they were relentless. Despite moving in a well-executed formation, more and more dragons broke off into solitary battles, fighting two or three enemies, leaving them unable to assist in the main attack.
Vahin manoeuvred with the agility of a swallow, but I could sense his agitation and guilt, especially when Tomma’s dragon shuddered, dropping several metres.
‘They are dying, Orm.’
Ani’s voice sounded so strange, flat and devoid of emotion. The woman who’d been plastered against the dragon’s back, whimpering during the rapid, wrenching manoeuvres now sat up as if she had a steel rod fused to her spine.
‘We’re all going to die,’ I snapped, unable to control my frustration because I knew we were losing.
‘I won’t let it happen again. Ask Vahin if he’ll let me Anchor him,’ she said, and I frowned, unsure what she meant, but before she had finished speaking, an ecstatic roar made me shake my head.
Yes! Tell her I said yes!
‘He said yes, but now’s not the time …’ I started, the words dying in my throat when she turned to look at me.
‘Fly forward and take Tomma’s place,’ she demanded.
Vahin instantly changed direction without my command. When I tried to protest, Ani placed her hand on my chest. ‘You don’t have enough dragons to fight them all, but you have me. I won’t let good men die. Not again. It is time for you to see what I’m capable of.’
It wasn’t the frightened request of a soldier or a lowly town mage. No, death and vengeance stared into my soul, and if I’d been able to retreat from its scrutiny, I would have.
Instead, I thanked the gods her ire was aimed towards my enemies and watched Ani continue.
I will give you the stars you pray upon if you can save us now,I thought, watching as Ani leant forward and placed her hands on the warm scales of Vahin’s neck.
