Page 124 of The Dragonrider and the Void
“You want me to believe that you alone made the rimeshade wither away and eradicated the corruption that was causing the King’s insanity?” the rider asked.
“Not alone. In collaboration with the fae courts, we’ve thwarted the being known as the Void Drinker, trapping and imprisoning its power within a vessel suspended between our two realms. The source of your King’s corruption that caused the twisting of his mind to serve the Void Drinker and its followers, the rimeshade, has been contained at great sacrifice.”
The dragonriders exchanged skeptical glances, but their Paragon studied Lark more carefully, eyes widening through the visor in her helmet as she seemed to notice the faint starlight still visible beneath Lark’s skin.
“Gods beyond the veil,” the Paragon breathed. “You’re the one the prophecy spoke of. The one with Aether’s gift.”
“Aether’s gift,” the Knights whispered among themselves. “The strongest gift of the gods… Born only once every five hundred years…”
“What is your name, Paragon?” Lark asked.
“Leona,” the woman supplied. “Paragon Leona of the Vermillion Keep’s Third Wing.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’d heard rumors Heartfell was being held captive in the Keep. He is Nordraven’s most feared dragonrider, yet here you stand, claiming to be him and you are a woman? How do you expect us to trust that you’re really this fearsome?—”
“Believe whatever suits you but now is not the time or place for me to prove my worth to you. Not with what’s amassing outside the city,” Lark cut in.
Leona shifted her gaze. “And how do we know you’re not here with them?” she gestured to the army.
“If I were, with my bonded gifts, I wouldn’t be trying to convince you to work with us,” Lark said.
“As fair and honest a reply as I could ask for. After seeing our own turn against its citizens, anyone who is offering to help protect this city is an ally in my eyes. If Lark is what you want us to call you, then Lark it shall be,” Leona said, letting her sword vanish as she removed her brismil armor.
Venrick did the same as the rest of the Vermillion Keep’s riders eased up on their hostile positions.
“We’ve seen the ways the corrupt magic turned those of us affected against our City and our Kingdom’s best interests. Now that it’s over, people have returned to themselves. We have just swept the city, ensuring our troops know the threat that has arisen outside our gates,” Leona said.
“Cheyanne’s rebel forces will not attack the Keep or Astral City troops now that the threat the Void Drinker posed is over,” Lark said.
“Whether they like it or not, our two forces have no choice but to face this threat outside the wall,” Leona said.
“What of the Archmagus, is the Magi Order still working against us?” Venrick said
“The last we saw of Hierro De Vonte was shortly after the Morsythians and that dwarf breached the gates. He and General Ashbrook left the city intending to convince Storm Keep’s Paragons to come to our aid,” she said.
Venrick looked to Lark, saying under his breath, “Or was that their cover for joining your cousin’s forces?”
Lark frowned. “If that’s the case, Hierro could’ve done serious damage to the wards before he fled.” She addressed Leona again, saying, “Where is your King? His support among the City troops will be essential if I can’t convince King Greggor to stand down.”
As if summoned by her words, a commotion erupted on the landing platform. Guards appeared, half-dragging, half-supporting a man in tattered royal regalia. King Agadorn’s once-proud features were haggard, his eyes wild with confusion and terror. He babbled incoherently, occasionally breaking into shouts about darkness and stars.
“Your Majesty!” Paragon Leona rushed forward, dropping to one knee before him.
The King’s gaze darted about frantically, settling on nothing for more than a heartbeat. “Shadows,” he muttered. “In my mind. In my blood. It showed me... everything. Everything!” His voice rose to a shriek before he collapsed into broken sobs.
Venrick stepped forward. “I can only imagine what he is feeling now. I suffered the effects of the Void Drinker for a short time, as did Yarla, but his condition, must be much, much worse. Even with the Void Drinker contained, the effects he had on the King for so long, must be terrible. With healers, maybe he’ll recover, but for now,” he shook his head.
“For now, Lamar must continue without its leader,” Leona finished grimly, rising to her feet. She turned to her riders. “Escort His Majesty to the royal chambers. Post guards, healers, whatever he needs.”
As the guards led the broken King away, Leona faced Lark again, her expression hardened with new resolve. “If you really are Marcel Heartfell, why have you suddenly turned on Nordraven and joined this rebel alliance that’s emerged from the Everburning Forest?”
“Because the corruption among our rulers was evident before the rimeshade revived the Void Drinker. I saw what was coming and tried to make a difference. I was targeted by my uncle, who made it seem as though the Vermillion Keep was responsible. Now, they’ve escalated things too far. I may have come upthrough the rands as a dragonrider for Nordraven but now I fight for the people of Sataran.”
“Heartfell or not, your knowledge of what’s happening is set within a strong foundation of honor,” she said, checking with nods of affirmation from her Knights. Leona continued, “The Keep is in chaos. Half the Paragons claim the King committed treason by working with the North, the other half say he was enchanted and acting without his own knowledge. Meanwhile, Nordraven has slipped an army into position while our backs were turned.”
“So, Leona, Paragon of the Vermillion Keep, what do you believe? Will you join us?” Lark asked.
Leona’s gaze flicked to the celestial marks on Lark’s skin, to the silver traces highlighting the corruption’s scarring on Venrick’s skin. “I believe I’m looking at two people who’ve been through damnation and back to do what’s right.”
The Paragon’s decision seemed to solidify in real time. “I am among the top-ranking Paragons here in the Vermillion Keep. My riders are yours to command,” she stated, her voice carrying to the other five dragonrider Knights, who straightened at her words. “Whatever you faced below the Keep, it seems you’ve succeeded where we failed.”
