The New Age by Chris d'Lacey

Author:Chris d'Lacey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2018-03-25T04:00:00+00:00

In time, night fell as it usually did with a slow shift from light into darkness. Yet there was no hint of a setting sun. It made Gus wonder how the island world worked. Where did its gentle warmth come from? What turned its sky this strange shade of orange? What was the mysterious Aether?

He was dreaming on these things, when Pine tapped his shoulder. They were still by the entrance to Garon’s cave, which was lit by the glow from the flutterflies and the few faint stars that had blossomed above. The Wyvern choir was still in voice.

Pine’s touch made him snort and her draw back. A dragon’s waking breath was not the most pleasant of odors.

“Come, skaler. It’s time.”

Gus rose sluggishly and looked around him. The Wyvern were awake and active. Their gauzy wings glowed in the dark, making it easy to pick them out. To his surprise, their eyes shined a pale shade of blue, not unlike his in dim conditions. “Where’s Gariffred?” he asked. Panic gripped his hearts when he realized the drake was not among the Wyvern, a feeling that grew a magnitude worse when Pine said casually, “In the cave with—”

“WHAT?!”

Gus exploded past her, scattering the Wyvern that had gathered around the entrance. To his relief, he found Gariffred at the first bend of rock. L’wen-Gar and two of her kind were with him. The drake was unharmed, but his eyes had a forlorn look about them. Gus immediately knew what it meant.

“Has he seen it?”

L’wen-Gar gave a wary nod.

Pine hurried up. She wrapped an arm across Gariffred’s back. With her shoulders set firm, she faced the big roamer. “I showed him the goyle so he would know what it is—who it is.”

Gus rumbled like a bruised volcano. But the deed was done, the drake unharmed. There was nought to be gained by taking Pine’s head off. He checked his anger and pushed her away. “Wait for me outside.”

Pine wisely said no more. She guided Gariffred into the night, leaving Gus to do what he must.

Gus took a breath to steady his nerves. No per on Ki:mera had ever given counsel on a situation as challenging as this. He prayed it would not be a false endeavor.

Battle stigs bristling, he moved cautiously into the cave, into the chamber where the creature lay. Every wall was lit by flutterflies. Garon was awake and making shadows, clearly aware that something was happening.

Gus laid his isoscele over his breast. He took another deep breath and spoke. “My name is Gus. I was born of the line Karnayen. I fly with your noble son, Gabrial. You have my word on his trust that I mean you no harm. I am to take you to a place where you might be healed. But first I must bring you out of this cave. It may cause some discomfort. I beg you, do not resist.”

With that, he put his jaws around Garon’s neck and began to drag him toward the exit. Brutal, perhaps, but the only way.

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