Ascendant - A Dragon Rider Fantasy (Songs of Chaos Book 1) by Miller Michael R

Author:Miller, Michael R. [Miller, Michael R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Monolith Books
Published: 2020-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

35

Pieces of the Puzzle

Holt remained kneeling on the dirt and damp of the forest floor. He’d felt weak enough even before the exertions of the battle. Now he fought to stay conscious. Thankfully, a faint beat let him know the bond had not frayed. But if they got into another fight now, and he drew on any more magic, it would fray for sure. Then he’d be useless. Still, the bond had burned hot during the skirmish, meaning its strength must have developed due to the battle. Time would tell.

“Is anybody hurt?” Brode called.

Groaning, Holt struggled to his feet. “I’m okay…” he trailed off as he took in the aftermath of their battle for the first time. Bodies. Men and women. Torn cloaks. And blood. Everywhere blood. He’d had the fortune to pass out at Midbell. At the Crag they’d been burning or covered in ash.

Holt had killed some of these people.

He retched. Bile coated his mouth and he coughed, and spat, desperate to be rid of the taste. Bent double, he gasped only to suck in the sticky air of the Withering Woods.

Brode was by his side then. “You’re all right,” he said, heaving Holt upright and pulling him into a rare embrace. “You’re all right.”

Holt sobbed. Tears rolled before he could stop himself, and he pressed his face hard into Brode’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” he choked.

“You’re all right,” Brode said again, patting Holt’s back. “You did well. Very well.”

Holt gulped, trying to control himself.

“They wanted to kill you,” Brode said. “They weren’t nice people. They wanted to kill you and skin Ash. You’re all right.”

Holt’s heart began to subside. His breathing settled.

After what seemed a long time, he righted himself and pulled back from Brode.

“Ash got hit,” he said, still half-dazed.

He searched for the dragon and quickly found him closer to Pyra and Talia. By the time they caught up, Pyra’s legs finally gave up supporting her weight. She sunk to the ground with a heavy thud.

“There are so many,” Talia said as she yanked out another bolt lodged in Pyra. She inspected the arrowhead then tilted it to show Brode. “Looks specially hardened.”

Brode picked up one of the crossbows. “Heavier poundage than I’ve seen before. Mechanical crank. Superior to a standard military issue.”

Pyra groaned and slowly blinked her big amber eyes.

“Is it poison?” Holt asked.

“A numbing agent,” said Brode. “A potent one and extremely difficult to acquire. A lot of time and money is spent by these zealots preparing for just one attack.”

“Only they couldn’t have been preparing for us specifically,” Holt said.

“No… not for us,” Brode said. Whatever he was brooding on, he seemed to push it to one side for now. “I’ll take the bolts out of Ash.”

“He’s my dragon,” Holt said. “I’ll do it.”

“That poison can affect a dragon the size of Pyra,” Brode said. “Do you want to find out what it will do to your unenhanced body if you accidentally cut yourself?”

Holt’s next words died in his throat. He’d rather not find out. Plus, Talia seemed to be heaving with a great effort with a bolt stuck fast in Pyra’s haunch.

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