Rogue Dragon Rising, part one by TJ Shaw

Author:TJ Shaw [Shaw, TJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: high fantasy romance
Publisher: Forgotten Dreams Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-07-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

REMAINS

“Find her, Crispin,” Jaxon ordered.

Crispin nodded and jumped off his gray. With two running steps, he shifted, and his powerful wings propelled him into the soot-filled sky.

Jaxon dismounted Thrax and walked toward Nicula and another panther shifter, both of whom were crouched over a body. He scanned the devastation as he approached them. The smell of blood and death seared his nostrils. Wagons smoldered like beacons, warning others away. The soft cries of those mourning loved ones filled his ears. Only two tents had survived the madness and had been turned into aid stations. Both were filled to capacity while a single harried healer scurried about, shouting orders.

He opened his mental link with Dax, the commander of his guard, and told him to bring the healer they had just acquired at the auction to assist with the wounded. His dragon pressed close, and Jaxon clenched his teeth, sharing his beast’s sentiments. They didn’t like arriving late to the party. With an indifferent glance at a dead boar rogue, he sidestepped the thickened pool of blood and stood a discreet distance from the grieving men.

Nicula looked up, his hand clasping the dark-haired man’s shoulder, who knelt beside the shifter’s body.

“The smoke drew us here. I’m sorry we didn’t arrive sooner.”

Nicula nodded, but his attention returned to the young man, whom Jaxon recognized.

Gavin, a panther shifter, was holding his dead brother’s hand. A blood-stained bandage covered his bicep, but Gavin seemed oblivious to his physical pain. Some cat shifter families bonded in tight packs and experienced loss on a deep level.

“I’m sorry about your brother,” Jaxon said, offering the young panther his condolences.

With a shuddered breath, Gavin stood. “I’ll scout for survivors,” he said, his voice thick.

Nicula appeared as if he was about to argue, but instead, his gaze softened. “Very well. I’ll have Emun attend to your brother.”

Gavin tipped his head to acknowledge Jaxon before walking away.

Nicula ran a hand through his black hair. “Gabe was a good man. He’ll be missed.”

Jaxon’s dragon paced beneath his skin, anxious to find Amari. “What happened here?”

“Soon after we parted yesterday, scouts spotted someone following us.”

“Any idea who?”

“No. They evaded my men.” Nicula’s lips pressed in a firm line. “And I sent pack members to search for them.”

Jaxon understood Nicula’s meaning. Nic’s pack had an unparalleled reputation for tracking and capturing their quarry. They were not used to failure.

“We pushed the caravan hard, choosing the middle of the clearing as our campsite so we would see them coming if they left the trees.”

“Who attacked you?”

Nicula’s hands curled into fists. “Rogues.”

Jaxon’s eyebrows lifted. “A few rogues couldn’t have done this much damage.”

“They were packing. Over fifty streamed from the forest.”

Jaxon shook his head. “Rogues don’t run in groups.”

Nicula’s black eyes hardened. “These did, and they were organized.”

Jaxon’s thoughts drifted to Amari. Apprehension turned his stomach sour. Crispin should have found her by now.

“They were driving herbs into the woods. We managed to keep most together and protected, but some bolted. And look here.” Nicula toed the ground beside the dead boar.

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