Page 125 of The Dragonrider and the Void
A ball of orange and yellow catapulted up from the approaching army. The flaming ball hurled from a Nordraven ballista crashed into the ward boundary, breaking into hundreds of pieces that rained fire down in an arc back to the ground just outside the city wall. A tremor shook the city, causing the Keep to tremble. Lark’s confidence in the magical shield protecting them came into question when she saw it flickering after the hit.
“That was a single projectile,” Venrick said. “If they continue with more, those wards aren’t going to hold.”
Lark turned to Leona. “How many dragonriders remain loyal to you?”
“Eighteen, not counting any in your group,” Leona replied promptly. “The rest fled when the Flashover began.”
“Take to the skies. Position yourselves just inside the wards. All our combined troops need to be ready. I’m going to attempt to speak with King Greggor and get him to see reason. But if reasoning fails, or the wards fall…”
“Our wards are among the oldest and most complex on Sataran,” Leona said.
“That may be true, but we know that the Archmagus serving in this Keep was aligned with the Void Drinker’s vision for Sataran. The Magi Order was helping the rimeshade’s quest for total dominion over magical power. Now that the Void Drinker and the rimeshade are not a threat, we fear that he’ll turn to his alliance in the North.”
Leona’s furrowed brow told Lark she wasn’t convinced, but Lark didn’t need her to be.
“All that matters now is Cheyanne’s rebels and the forces of Astral City focusing themselves and preparing for what’s out there,” Lark said. “You do your part, and we’ll do ours.”
As the Paragon gave orders to her riders, Venrick said, “I’m going with you out there.”
“Depending on how this goes, we may need more help in the skies.”
“I’ll be ready if it comes to that, but until then, I’m not leaving your side.”
Leona looked to Lark and said, “My riders will be ready if this goes poorly. If it does, join us. Looks like we’ll need the air support.” She nodded to the cluster of dark shapes growing larger as the Nordraven flight drew closer.
Lark remounted White Eye and, alongside Ingmar and Venrick, they soared out over the city.
As they angled down toward the Northern Gate, Quinthara rose into view. Hardin leveled out alongside them. “Cheyanne’sbeen on the same wavelength as us. She kept one step ahead and has already established her troops in positions to defend the city. Any hostilities toward them from the city and the Keep seem to have shifted. Their focus is now on the large threat outside the wall. Yarla, Sasja, and Ezra are taking positions among the rebels near the North Gate. From what I’ve seen, looks like the city and the Keep are allocating their forces to the other city gates and filling in along the wall where they’re needed.”
“That’s progress,” Lark said. “I just hope it’s enough.”
“What should we do about the Nordraven dragonriders?” Hardin asked.
“Prepare yourself to join the riders of the Vermillion Keep. If this fight begins, we’ll assist them as we’re needed.”
Hardin nodded, keeping pace with them as they approached the edge of the city.
White Eye and the other dragons flared their wings, landing just within the city walls. As the three of them dismounted among the rebel forces at the North Gate, Cheyanne strode in to greet them.
“We’re pinned in here unless we can defuse the situation,” Cheyanne said, her face dirtied with the grime of battle.
“Hardin just updated us. And just so you know, the Vermillion Keep dragonriders are with us in this.”
Cheyanne nodded, “As long as we’re turning our focus away from the Keep, I expected as much.”
“Venrick and I are going out there to talk to Greggor,” Lark said.
“I’m going with you,” Cheyanne said.
“As am I,” Hardin said.
“I won’t stop you,” Lark said.
She signaled to the Morsythians guarding the gate. The gate mechanism groaned as guards operated the ancient winches, creating just enough space for a small party to exit. Lark andVenrick passed through, accompanied by Cheyanne and Hardin. Outside the wall, they stood in the narrow space between the city’s physical defenses and its magical wards.
On the other side of the shimmering ward barrier, the Nordraven army pounded their weapons against their shields, stamping spears against the ground, and shouting battle cries. Dragons roared overhead as a dragonrider in maroon brismil armor led a flight of forty dragons and their riders in over their army. Lark recognized him instantly.
“I thought Thorn had retired to train Nordraven Paragons,” Venrick said.
