The Unmaking (The Last Days of Tian Di, #2)(63)

“You are the Xia Sorceress,” said Gautelen in a whisper. “That was your storm I sent.”

“And it was magnificent. I thank you,” said Nia. “The storm spoke to me, Gautelen. It told me that you and I were meant to help each other. How do you like the Realm of the Faeries, your Majesty?”

Gautelen did not reply. Her heart was racing, her mouth suddenly dry. She had heard many terrible stories about this Sorceress, who had terrorized Tian Xia for three hundred years before being banished by the Triumvira. It was widely known that the Sorceress was barred forever from Tian Xia by the most terrible Magic and that the Mancers had imprisoned her in their world with the most powerful barriers. Yet here she was. It could not be Illusion or trickery. She was too real. Gautelen knew she should be afraid, but what she felt was elated. She had endured this imprisonment for a year, and every word the Sorceress spoke was a promise of freedom. Gautelen would gladly have followed her to the end of the worlds.

“I know how you feel, little one,” said Nia, taking Gautelen’s chin in her hands. Gautelen stared into the Sorceress’s eyes, brilliant green flickering with gold light. “I know exactly how you feel.”

And then Gautelen could hold her tongue no longer. “I hate him,” she declared vehemently, tears springing to her eyes. “I want him to die!”

“That’s right, him you hate,” Nia laughed. “I’m afraid he cannot die, dearest, but he will suffer, I promise you that.”

“You hate him too,” Gautelen whispered.

“Yes,” said Nia, as tenderly as if she was confessing love. “I am going to destroy him, and then you will be free. But I cannot fight all the Faeries if they choose to stand by their king. I must ensure that they do not. Will you help me?”

“I’ll do anything you ask,” said Gautelen fiercely. “Anything.”

“Good girl. We will help each other.” Nia held out a hand to her. Gautelen dropped to her knees before the Sorceress and kissed the hand rapturously.

“Now,” said Nia, stroking her cheek, “let’s fix your hair. You look a fright.”

~~~

Rumours abounded among trolls, centaurs and other mountain-dwellers about the mysterious new creature spotted in the skies of Tian Xia, a roaring, flying thing with giant eyes. Quite unaware of the confusion they were causing, Ander, Nell, Charlie and Jalo flew southeast in the helicopter, over the mountains and the slate-grey cliffs of Batt, which formed a towering, ragged cleft along the northernmost edge of the Dead Marsh. Jalo’s myrkestra was waiting for them by the ruins of Swarn’s house.

Nell and Ander had arrived the first time when the slaughter was still fresh. Now the stench of dead dragons was overpowering. Jalo had to work an Illusion so that they smelled only lilies in order for them to be able to get out of the helicopter. Even spared the smell, it was a terrible sight to see.

“She’s completely insane,” said Charlie hoarsely, looking around at the miles of broken dragon bodies. “Why would she do this?”

The young dragon lay motionless by the still-burning house and, when she saw it, Nell was afraid that they were too late. But as she approached its golden eyes flicked in her direction and a weak puff of smoke came from its nostrils.

“We need something that will catch fire easily,” said Nell. “Like dry bracken.”

“I have a fire stick,” said Jalo, taking out a slender black rod that he kept next to his sword.

“What is that?”

“It feeds the flame without burning down,” he said. “It’s a very useful item. It can be used for a fire that will never go out or a torch.”

“Good. We just need to get the dragon to breathe on it, aye. Can you talk to dragons?”

“Not these dragons,” said the Faery.

“Lah, give me the gourd,” said Nell, and he handed it to her. “Blood will be easy to get. He’s covered in wounds.”

The dragon did not even lift his head as Nell went to examine his torn wing. The blood there was congealed, no longer running freely. Deep black pits full of green fire had formed in his side and on his back.

“We have to cut him,” said Nell, a lump coming to her throat.

“You should not be so close,” said Jalo, drawing his sword and joining her. “Remember how easily you die. Let me do this.”

Charlie and Ander hung back together, watching.

“She’s quite a girl, aye,” said Ander, rubbing his stubbled chin ruefully. “She’s just a kid, but somehow...lah, there’s no telling her what to do, is there?”

“No, I spose not,” said Charlie gloomily. “Do you think he’s handsome?”

“What? Who?” asked Ander. “The Faery?”

“Yes,” said Charlie. “I mean, I spec he is, obviously. He’s a Faery.”

Ander gave Charlie an incredulous look. “Praps...I’m no judge, but I’d say so...” he faltered.

“Nary mind,” said Charlie crossly.

Jalo cut into the dragon’s wound with his sword. The dragon shuddered but did not otherwise protest. Nell quickly unstopped the gourd and caught the bright red running blood with it. Obtaining the flame was more difficult. The dragon was so weak that he could not be angered to fight, and none of them had the heart to torment him.