Crimson by Tai Manivong

Author:Tai Manivong
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781977083982
Publisher: Tai Manivong

Chapter 12

THE three companions walked with heavy steps on the east bank of the Sapphire River. Warm sunlight spread across the land, but the world was darker. They traveled through the red willows. The fire had gone out, but the once beautiful landscape was now a blackened reminder of the painful events. The greener willows had survived, and their wet roots and shoots near the muddy riverbank still stood. They would grow back, but they wouldn’t be the same. The dam was reduced to dust and broken sticks.

“Crimson,” Chalcedony whimpered. “What are we going to do?”

A hard knot stuck in Crimson’s throat. She couldn’t speak and had no comforting words to offer.

“We find a new home,” Midnight said.

The muddy landscape gave way to the grasslands between the rivers.

“It wasn’t your fault, Crimson.” Midnight said as they walked. “It could have happened to any keeper. No one could have known that they could break through our shields.”

It didn’t happen to anyone, it happened to me, to Azuran. I should have been more prepared, Crimson thought. Midnight brushed against her side. He was trying to be comforting she knew. “You came back. That’s what matters. How did you make the shield? Isn’t Magnet gone?”

“I have no idea. I just wanted to protect Chalcedony. I think I used her power. She must have let me use it. Maybe all keepers can tap in to all dragon’s powers, not just the ones they keep. I don’t think any protectors know that, because we’re always alone.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense.”

“I need to warn the elders of the serpent. They need to know that our shields will not protect against them.

That must have been how Morian was killed.”

“Was he the one who was supposed to train me?”

“Yes. Now we know why he never came. I will go to the Underground City after you’re safe.”

“You’re going to leave us? What if the serpent comes back? I can’t protect Chalcedony alone.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can, two days at most. It’s my duty as a warrior to let them know.”

Your duty? Crimson did not reply, but a sudden heat flared up in her body, and her jaw clenched.

“Come with me then. Maybe it is worth the risk to take Chalcedony to the city.”

Crimson didn’t say anything, but followed Midnight through what was left of the willows. Up a head on the left was a fallen tree recently toppled over into the Sapphire River making a bridge. Its branches stretched like arms into the water, roots holding firm to the river bank. The green leaves still caught the sun and kept the tree alive. Crimson stopped to study it. Perhaps it had not been rooted deep enough in the soil, or the water had eroded the bank and the roots could no longer hold it. It must have fallen recently.

Is it a sign?

“What are you doing?” Midnight asked.

“I think we should cross the river,” she said looking at the tree and not looking toward Midnight.

“I thought we agreed that we should go back to the city or my den.

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