Dragonspawn Catalyst

PART ONE

A Crack Between the Realms

Prologue

Sarveaux

An eye for an eye, and the world goes blind.

– Mahatma Gandi

The birth was a first. First-time mother, first-time father. First Dragonspawn.

The infant was a girl child, healthy and perfect. She was innocent, pure, unaware of the evil in the world. Her parents, although of modest means, were attentive and doting. The child never wanted for anything, and knew the value of being kind.

When she was born, Dragons already roamed the world and settled within the borders of their chosen villages. They married Humans and sired or birthed the first generation of Dragonspawn. The girl’s own village was claimed by four such Dragons and housed eighteen Dragonspawn, four of which were her younger brothers. The children of the village knew the truth of their lineage, but were treated like any other children. All, that is, but she, the very first to hold both Human and Dragon blood in her veins. That made her unique.

She lived an idyllic life until the evil in the world found her in her early adulthood. When she was in her mid-twenties, the first rumors came of evil Dragons who were turning against the very villages they were sworn to protect. The stories were sick and brutal, and whispered of slavery, rape, and annihilation. As time passed, those rumors turned to fact, and fact eventually turned to war. In short, Humanity rebelled.

Survival was the only instinct. Annihilation of the Dragons became the only option. Over time, it was achieved, through relentless slaughter. Then came the purge. With the Dragons gone, the Dragonspawn were targeted. False Dragons, pure Humans called them. There could be no Dragon bloodline left in existence.

They became feared. They became stigmatized. They became hunted.

The Dragons had tried to create as many spawn as they could, in hopes of wiping out the pure Human bloodline. Thousands were born within the final years of the Dragons’ existence. They were simply murdered in their own beds by their Human parents. Most were infants and toddlers who bore the stigma of reptilian bloodline. Those older, who could flee did so, but in the end none escaped.

The first-born Dragonspawn – she resolutely refused to acknowledge Humanity’s name for her – got as far as the great Henge on Salisbury Plain before she was found. She had escaped with her youngest child and her husband; her other four children had already been slaughtered by the people of her village – people she had grown up with, people she had known and trusted. Now she could run no further, and stood her ground among the circled plinths of blue stone, watching with a deadened heart as riders bore down upon her position. She would not wheedle nor beg for her life, nor for the life of her remaining son. She would stand.

One man approached on foot, passing through the ring of stones with determined steps. She stared unwaveringly at him, eyes flashing with betrayal, just as his burned with pain, tears streaming down his face. The feeling of betrayal was fleeting, though, as she knew this was the only way – death at the hands of her own Dragonspawn husband. He would be the one to kill them. They were family.

He kissed the child on the top of his small head, and enfolded her in a tight embrace. Then he stepped away covered in fresh blood, the two bodies on the ground at his back. He tossed his weapon to the ground and knelt beside it, waiting for the other riders to approach. They would realize what happened. He would not fight against them. Their steel would be welcome; it would reunite him with his wife and children.

The first Dragonspawn had no control over her birthright. Her birthright alone damned her. She was murdered for the sins of her mother’s race. But she was unique.

Her name was Sarveaux. She was the first. And she is not forgotten.

Chapter 1

1Threat

Pandemonium did not reign; it poured.

– John Hendrick Bangs

She was back in the hospital. That must be it; she’d nearly bought it in the barn fire and now she was back in for a relapse of some kind. There was just no way she had been fighting shadowy demon things in her kitchen. It couldn’t be true that her quiet, unassuming mother had just turned Ninja and fought those demon things like something out of a Bruce Lee movie. It was impossible that she’d been snatched by a Dragon and taken to another – what was this place, another dimension, another time? A fucking Dragon, by God. And now she was surrounded by those half-animal, half-Human beings she’d seen in that vision, and they were protecting her from the Dragon. In her wildest dreams, she couldn’t have come up with something like this.

As time went on, though, and she didn’t wake up, she didn’t see her family in the hospital – or even a hospital, for that matter – she finally began to accept the truth, that she wasn’t dreaming, that she wasn’t crazy. Furthermore, she became more and more convinced that the Halflings were real, and that they were protecting her…and for that, she was realizing just how much of a bullet she had dodged when they rescued her from the Dragon.

Once she accepted the truth, Kira found that she adjusted quickly to the Halflings’ routines. For weeks she followed the minotaur Correy and the leonine Cet around, learning all the passages beneath the city. She was a quick learner and never got lost, even when the groups would split up for scouting in the dark, labyrinthine tunnels. She attempted to explain that she had an eidetic memory, but the concept was lost on the Halflings. Only the lizard Halfling named Kestrel even remotely seemed to understand many of the things she talked about; she found herself spending more and more time with him, and a close friendship blossomed as the days went by. The pair spent hours rummaging in the ruins above, looking for items that may assist them against the Fomorii.

One evening, after one of these scavenging sessions, Kira and a few of the other Halflings had just sat down for a meal when the sound of scrabbling footsteps filtered in from the hallway. They grew louder and louder, and suddenly Staad burst into the small room. She was extremely agitated; her thin neck ruffle stood out around her head and was flushed bright cherry red, and her tail stuck out behind her, rigid as a board.

Leeza just returned with the outer patrol, and they were tracked, she hissed. The Fomorii are inside the city and they are coming. She said we must move, right now.

Cet looked astonished. "Here? But – they never venture this far into the city! What’s possessed them to do that?" One at a time, they all looked at the young woman in their midst.

What? Kira asked through a mouthful of mutton. She forced herself to swallow. Me? You think they’re looking for me?

Hell and damnation, Kestrel growled, Yes, you. I’d bet my life on it. If they were determined enough to risk coming through time to track you down, then it would be easily done here. No gates to traverse. It just took them a little while to figure out where we had you.

Correy snorted. You’re right, Kes, he answered. It’s hard to hide anything from the Dragon man and that witch mother of his, Kira.

It is said that she can see right through your eyes, Cet explained, flaring a pair of claws at his own eyes. She can sense any darkness in your soul and use it to turn you into –

Enough, Cet! Correy admonished harshly.

But it’s true! the young Halfling protested.

Correy grunted. Yes, it’s true. I’m sorry I snapped at you. He looked back at Kira. "Their black magic is powerful," he explained.

And that means?

He held out a meaty hand. That means we’ve got to run, brown eyes. Now. Kira swallowed the grapes she’d stuffed into her mouth and took his hand.

I’ve tangled with these guys once already, she said, as she grabbed an apple off the plate. I’m not in any hurry to do it again, and I sure don’t want to tangle with a nut who can become a Dragon. Let’s go.

Weapons room first, Kestrel said.

What?

The lizard Halfling nodded. You’re unarmed.

Kira looked unsure. Oh. Well, um…the only weapons I’m capable of using is a double-barrel shotgun and my own two hands. Wouldn’t happen to have any guns, would you? At Kestrel’s negative response, Kira sighed. Okay, what are my choices?

In here. The group shoved Kira into a small room no bigger than a walk-in closet. Studs had been hammered into the walls and from these studs hung several battered holsters, sword belts, and sheathes, all showing jutting hilts or handles. Kira noticed there weren’t many of them, and none of them were new.

We have swords, staffs, and knives, Cet offered, indicating the weapons with a broad sweep of his arm. Pick something.

I can’t take these, Kira started to protest, but Correy cut her off.

No time, honey. We don’t keep an armory. We steal what we have, and share what we must. Resources are commonly scarce.

Oh. Kira studied the wall again. Okay, that’d be a ‘no’ to the swords; I’d probably cut my leg off. How ‘bout...let’s see... She felt like she was shopping at the hunting department in Wal-Mart. I’ll take a staff, I suppose, and maybe a couple of knives – balanced enough that I can throw. A number of Halflings stepped forward and offered her a choice of knives. There were so many different kinds that Kira hesitated.

Hurry, Kira, Correy urged. We need to get a head start. They’ll be mounted.

That was enough to spur Kira into making a selection. She chose a narrow, solid staff roughly six feet long; a long dagger in a shabby sheath and belt; and a dozen throwing knives in a battered bandoleer. Kira took them all with due ceremony and a murmured thank you to the providers. She buckled the belt on and stuffed the dagger in one side. Quickly she flipped the bandoleer over her head, and adjusted it until it felt comfortable across her shoulder and hip.

I’m ready, she said.

Come now, Staad hissed, swishing her stiff tail and blinking the nictating membrane over her eyes. If the Fomorii catch us, we will become their meal – or worse. In response, Correy grabbed Kira’s arm and pulled her from the room. Her new weaponry clinked against her body as she ran.

With Larzz and Kestrel in the lead, the companions rapidly made their way out of the ruins they’d been hiding in, heading deeper into the core of the ruined and decaying city. They moved cautiously, lest they stumble into the raiding Fomorii themselves. They had only gone a short while when Larzz stopped, sniffing the air and growling softly. Two scouts appeared ahead of them, running like the hounds of Hell were at their heels. The analogy apparently had merit, for Larzz snarled and whipped around to face the group.

Too soon! They’re ahead of us, coming fast! he reported, ears flat to his head.

Split up! Kestrel ordered. We have a better chance that way. As the group splintered and fled in different directions, Kestrel pushed Kira toward Correy. You go with him, he advised.

No! Kira hissed. I’m not leaving without you!

Aye, you are, he replied. Correy is the strongest of us, and will keep the Fomorii from you. He looked over his shoulder as sudden braying howls filled the air. Damn, they’re right on top of us. Kira, there is no time to argue here. Begone now.

All right, she replied, seeing the logic, but make sure you join back with us!

Don’t worry about me. Go. Come on, Larzz. Larzz nodded to them and bounded off silently behind Kestrel.

Kira and Correy followed several other Halflings as they sped through the weedy London streets. It became a game of cloak and dagger as they hid from the roving bands of Fomorii and their enchanted hounds. They tried desperately to lose themselves among the decaying buildings and vast overgrowth, but they were eventually spotted and the beasts gave chase.

The sounds of the eerily braying animals and the thunder of hooves reached their ears, and Kira and the Halflings ran down the road, hoping to make it to an intersection. The Fomorii exploded from the side street behind them. None in this group were purebred, and they presented a very demonic front indeed, with their scaly blue-white, grey-green, or black skin. Their painted and greased manes stuck out behind them in thick rigid tendrils, framing their angular faces like stone snakes.

They were riding diar – horse-like creatures whose hides showed patches of scaly skin, belying their own ill-gotten nature from the dregs of black magic. The equines’ heads sported wide, pointed antlers that angled down across their jaws and noses like freak exoskeletons. Sharp, carnivorous teeth jutted across the lower lips, and when the equine beasts opened their mouths in parodies of screaming neighs, the remaining multiple rows of teeth that showed were crooked and jagged, like endless caverns of ivory stalactites and stalagmites.

The other horrific beasts were xa’abrii salthounds, half-canine, half-sea creature hybrids covered with fishlike scales the color of storm-tossed water. Their flat black eyes reminded Kira of sharks, as did their slavering jaws. They were held in check with woven ropes of seaweed, and their webbed feet sported cruel talons and sharp dewclaws that tore into the crumbling road like it was tissue paper. When the Fomorii released the xa’abrii on a victim, there was usually nothing left.

Spurred by a constantly gnawing fear, Kira ran as fast as she could, waiting for the teeth of one of those spectral creatures to close on her shoulder. She and a group of the others turned down a street, hoping to lose their pursuers by dodging into tight, dark alleyways, but their luck ran out as one of those alleyways dead-ended, and they found themselves staring up helplessly at a prison of high brick walls, too high for them to climb over. Behind them, the Fomorii blocked the way out. They were trapped.

Well, Correy observed, turning toward the beasts. How nice. We have company. Kira glanced around madly, hoping for a fire escape, a window, a drain pipe, anything to get them above the hunters. There was nothing. The minotaur motioned to the Halflings behind him, and without a word, they spread out, circling Kira in a flattened diamond configuration, with Correy at the front. They were remarkably quiet, but weapons were at the ready. As if it were a signal, Correy stomped the ground with a booted foot and swung his massive horned head back and forth, loosening up his thick neck muscles.

The lead demon raised a gauntleted hand, halting the advance of her own crew. The Human is the property of Lord Banczack, she hissed showing crusted, brown teeth. Turn her over and we will kill you quickly.

Lord Banczack can kiss my ass, lady ugly, Kira snapped, and so can you.

The Fomorian laughed, an unpleasant, nails-scraping-against-a-blackboard kind of sound. "Brave words. Come with us or see these creatures die horribly, after they are properly abused." She glanced back as another contingent of Fomorii rode up from behind.

Kira took a step forward to stand next to Correy. Well, I suppose you’ll have to come get me, then, she challenged, because I’m not moving. She planted the end of her staff in the ground. I assume that you’ll understand that when I beat your brains in, she added.

I’m afraid we are not authorized to oblige you in this matter, another Fomorian soldier said stiffly, striding forward. He nodded at the female Fomorian, who bowed respectfully and moved out of the way. The soldier stopped and put his hands on his hips, observing the crowd of Halflings. Although he was Fomorii, he was purebred, and did not have the hideous appearance of the others; in fact, he could have been described as handsome had it not been for the flaring gill slits in his neck, permanent sneer, and cold eyes.

Those eyes surveyed Kira with interest before flicking over to address the minotaur. You have been told to turn over the Human, he repeated softly. Lord Banczack is on his way, and it would be easier on all of you if you just obeyed us now.

Correy growled in anticipation and pawed the ground. The champion stays with us! he bellowed at the purebred soldier. He flexed his powerful shoulders and slammed both fists to his chest in defiance.

The soldier held up two fingers and gestured forward with them. In response, a pair of Fomorii nudged their mounts forward to flanking positions. Between them, six others on foot positioned themselves in the narrow alleyway. Another gesture from the lead soldier started them moving toward the Halflings and Kira.

We’ve got to punch a hole, now, Kira hissed at Correy. The minotaur gestured to those behind him with a shake of his massive head. The lions and reptiles shifted, moving forward. Satisfied, he nodded and as a group, they charged.

Startled by the attack, the Fomorian line was blown apart in the middle. Kira and the Halflings poured through the gap with little more effort than a howl and a single swipe at a belated counter-attack.

Their triumph was cut short, however. The Fomorii recovered quickly, turning as a single unit and charging after them, the purebred Fomorian in the lead. The Halflings and Kira had to move quickly to stay out from under the hooves and jaws of the vicious diar. They tried throwing the army off by frantically scrambling over piles of rubble, but the diar proved very agile.

Correy! Kira squealed as a set of snapping semi-equine teeth caught the tail of her shirt. She dropped her staff and grabbed the antlers of the beast, which began backing away dragging her with it.

Hold on, Kira!

The Fomorian rider laughed and pulled on the diar’s bit, forcing it back. No use fighting, he hissed. Captain Matta’aine wants to see you before Lord Banczack gets here.

Like hell! Kira cried, grabbing her shirt and trying to yank it free with one hand, still gripping the antler hard in the other. She was too afraid to completely release the head of the diar, knowing it would snap her hand off at her wrist if she let go. Her peripheral vision caught motion and she instinctively ducked away; a moment later, the diar’s left antler shattered in her hand as the minotaur’s heavy sword sheared it off at the skull.

The creature roared in pain and swung its heavy head back and forth. The rider was hard pressed to control the beast, and he sawed at the reins, glaring with burning eyes at the minotaur, whose sword still wavered before them. Then he was suddenly hit from behind by Kira’s abandoned staff, in the paws of the lion Halfling Cet, who had slipped in unawares while the rider’s attention had been diverted. The rider swung backward with his sword but still mounted, his cut was high and Cet easily dodged under it. Several leonine hands reached from behind and dragged the Fomorian from the diar.

Kira staggered away to the top of the rubble pile, chest heaving with adrenaline, and she watched dispassionately as Correy and the lions made short work of the Fomorian and his mount. A noise behind her drew her attention, and she turned to see the other Halflings prying open a sewer grate. Then someone grabbed her arm and she tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yelp.

Are you all right? It was Correy, his large bovine nose shining with blood.

Kira nodded, wide-eyed, and gestured feebly. Your, um, nose is, uh…

It’s not mine, he said shortly, scrubbing his arm across his face to clean it. That better? he asked, with a snort.

Ah – yeah.

Good. Correy took her arm as again. Let’s go.

Where?

He nodded at the sewer opening. Now you get to see the real underground.

You’re kidding me. Kira gaped as the lion Halflings ran past her and jumped into the opening one by one. Larzz tossed her her staff as he ran by, and somersaulted gracefully into the hole. Kira blinked, shook her head, and said emphatically, "I’m not going in there."

Sighing with exasperation, the minotaur turned and pointed up the street, where several more mounted Fomorians were approaching fast. See that? It’s either come with us, or stay and play with the ponies. She was still staring at the onslaught when he let go of her shoulder and vanished into the sewer. She stepped to the edge, shut her eyes, and jumped.

She screamed as she fell, and stopped abruptly as she was caught in the minotaur’s strong arms. The fall hadn’t taken two seconds. Obviously the hole wasn’t as deep as she thought.

Well! she said brightly, to cover her embarrassment. That was…exhilarating.

Indeed. Correy chuckled and put her down, gesturing to the retreating backs of the other Halflings. Follow them.

♦ ♦ ♦

Let them go, Matta’aine instructed his soldiers. They will have to resurface. We can wait. He looked across the ruined streets to where the river ran through the city. They can’t go that way. Send riders to watch for them inward.

They are to locate them but not to engage them.

Matta’aine nodded in acknowledgement. As you wish.

Corral them where they can be controlled, but find a place outside of the city. They have too much advantage here.

The purebred Fomorian bowed. It will be as you command, Lord Banczack.

Chapter 2

1To Almost Escape

Victims…aren’t we all?

– Eric Draven, The Crow

Kira and the Halflings stayed on the run, unable to meet back up with any of the others. Their time in the sewers was short, only long enough to get away from the initial chase. They exited by way of a pipe on the river’s edge and made their way across the marshy sludge. They took refuge that night in an unknown building, with no food, no water, and only each other to keep warm.

Their refuge was short-lived, for a day and a half later they were once again dodging the sharp hooves of the diar and the teeth of the xa’abrii. They were on the outskirts of the city, charging through areas that were not completely familiar to the Halflings. They tried circling back into the ruins, but the Fomorii blocked them at every turn. Inevitably the Halflings were once again cornered; this time in the belly of a shallow and recently mined quarry.

I think we screwed up, one of the lizards trilled, her tongue tasting the air nervously. There was a uniform and unanimous grunt of agreement from the other Halflings and Kira as they searched in vain for an escape. Their space was growing short as the Fomorii pushed them to the back wall of the stone pit.

The purebred captain, Matta’aine, reined in his diar, well away from the weapons of his prey. Human! he yelled to the group, his eyes locking with Kira’s. Come forward! You are cornered! Your running is finished! His words were met with resolved silence. Come! he ordered, and make this easier on you and your companions!

No response.

The captain sighed and looked over his shoulder at his waiting garrison. Do what you wish with the Halflings, but the girl is not to be harmed, he ordered. Weapons, hup! Prepare to advance –

No need to advance, Captain Matta’aine, said an amused voice. Stand down, all of you. The soldiers parted and the captain bowed out of the forefront as Banczack strode up next to him. He stood before the group, taking in the scene.

Kira was tired of running and hiding, but she was scared to death knowing this man could become a Dragon. If he had any reminders of his injuries at the hands of her parents, he didn’t show it. The sword and gunshot injuries he had suffered appeared to be completely healed.

Banczack studied the crowd of Halflings with deceptive laziness. His gaze stopped on Correy and he pointed a finger at him. I remember you, he said pleasantly. Yes…you had the gall to attack me when I was already injured. You got my attention. He flashed a quick, cat-like smile. Your head will make a nice trophy on my wall. He addressed the rest of the crowd in his bored, amused voice that meant he was anything but bored or amused. "You’ve only put off what you know to be the inevitable. Haven’t you learned yet that you can’t defeat me? I am the undisputed master of this realm. My mother may rule the kingdom...but I keep the law! He crooked a finger at Kira. As for you – it would just be best if you came with me now. You need not be involved with what will further transpire here."

You have no power here, Kira snapped, forcing bravado she didn’t feel.

Really? Banczack looked truly amused now. And who told you that?

A Dragon! she snarled with false bluster, hoping the others wouldn’t see through her.

Oh, yes, them. I forgot that you could hear them. Banczack casually hooked a thumb over his shoulder at his soldiers. "They have no power here. I, on the other hand, have all the power I need. He extended his hand, clearly expecting her to take it. Come, girl, I tire of this game."

And just like that, I’m expected to obey? Kira snorted. You’re out of your fucking mind.

A young lizard Halfling named Perceti ruffled his crest as he moved before her. His whipcord tail flung straight out behind him, giving him ready balance should he suddenly spring at the enemy. You can’t have her, Banczack, the reptile snarled. You don’t have the right.

Banczack sighed as if exhausted. Halflings, he muttered, as if the word was a curse indeed. He nodded briefly to the purebred captain, who waved his arm and the troops came to attention. Banczack turned his attention back to Kira and again held out his hand.

Not a chance, Kira replied deliberately.

It’s just a courtesy, really, he told her, wiggling the fingers of his outstretched hand. I was raised to be polite.

Sure you were.

You’re wasting time, my dear. You’re going to do what I say anyhow, but if you insist on this show of defiance, then I will have to sacrifice all of your friends here.

Let her go! a lion Halfling in the group snapped before she could reply. He bared his large fangs. We’re the ones you want, anyhow. We will fight with you if that is your wish.

Do shut up, moth-eaten furball, Banczack ordered in disgust. You’re already on borrowed time. The Fomorii haven’t eaten yet today.

You leave them alone! Kira ordered angrily.

"Of course I will leave them, if you come with no more defiance, Banczack offered. I’ll play into a fair trade."

Kira hesitated. You’ll let them go, if I come with you? she repeated.

Banczack nodded. I guarantee I will.

Stop! The minotaur grabbed her shoulder, turning her toward him. He lowered his voice. I see where this is going with you. Under no circumstances are you to willingly surrender to him. Regardless of what he says or promises, there are no compromises! We’ve learned that the hard way.

I can’t allow all your deaths to be on my hands, she hissed back at him. If you’ve got the chance to leave, I suggest you take it. If I give up and he lets you go –

No, Correy said as he glanced over his shoulder at her. He won’t.

She shook her head stubbornly. But he’ll let you go, she whispered. That’s worth it.

Kira, listen to me on this! He won’t let us go, didn’t you hear him? He wants us all dead! Whether we stay here or not, we’re all on his hit list. We’re stuck fighting with him, regardless of what you do.

But –

He squeezed her shoulder. Don’t let your sense of duty get you killed. It’s honorable, but it’s not worth this. Honor is only good when it is offered on both sides of the fight.

Kira was torn between what she believed was the obvious choice and what Correy laid out in reality. She looked at the others and saw that they were grasping their weapons tightly, silently urging her to stay with them. Taking a deep breath, she looked up into Correy’s eyes and nodded.

I think you ought to reconsider that position, Banczack warned. Last chance.

Kira glared at him as she drew her courage around her. "As my mother would say, go piss on an electric fence!"

Banczack shrugged. I suppose we have to go to Plan B, then. He smiled charmingly, and then Kira watched in horror as he began to transform. His pupils elongated and their golden color brightened to a sickening yellow. A fractional hide of scales rippled over his skin with tiny tearing sounds, and blood welled and dripped unchecked from several places. He cocked his head to one side and four small horns erupted slowly from his forehead. He opened his mouth in fake pain, groaning dramatically, and his canines elongated, the gums around them splitting like cheesecloth. Finally, thick leathery wings popped from his shoulder blades and slowly curled around him like a gnarled cape. Kira had the impression that he was stretching the transformation out as long as possible to frighten her into doing his bidding. It was working too, dammit. She grasped the staff in her hands, clenched her teeth, and planted her feet wide apart. She didn’t care how scared she was at the moment – she was not going with him.

Banczack stopped his transition, not yet Dragon but certainly not Human – apparently, he intended to keep his appearance as hideous as possible for maximum effect. He grinned at her and licked the blood from his lips with a horrible half-Human/half-serpent tongue, and with one sweep of his wings, he took to the sky. He circled them once, then easily settled on the ledge they were cornered against. He crouched against it, a hellish gargoyle come to life. Grabbing the rough edge of the stone with one hand, he waved the other hand in a semi-circle and plucked a black, shining orb straight from the air. It glinted in the fading light for a split second as he held it up for them to see, and then he threw it down against the striated rock behind the Halflings. It shattered, recollected, and became a living line of black shadows, which darted quickly up the scored and marked stone, solidified again, and separated into a ragged realm gate.

The scene through the gate was a surreal Stygian mass of black and purple hills and dark, thunderous skies. Kira felt a jolt as she recognized it as the place that she and Thalia had visited before. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she turned to stare at the beast perched on the building, and he gave her a mock salute, sharp teeth flashing.

The Fomorii, meanwhile, had been moving closer, hemming the Halflings in tighter against the stone. Soldiers left on the rim of the quarry threw brush debris into the pit, where their brethren piled it high before the Halflings.

This does not bode well, Correy snuffed, raking his large arm in front of Kira and shoving her behind him.

At Matta’aine’s command, three soldiers came forward with torches and set the debris ablaze. It didn’t take long for the stone around them to warm up like an oven, the ledge above effectively trapping the rising heat. What air there was in the rock pit began to get uncomfortably warm, and the group of Halflings – and Kira – backed closer to the rift.

Kira glanced over her shoulder at the scene of black and purple dust. It was now the only exit route available to them. She glared up at Banczack, who was now back to being a full man, sitting on the overhanging rock, watching with interest. You bastard! she shouted over the roar of the flames.

You had best go through there before you and your friends burn up, he called back pleasantly.

Cursing under her breath, Kira turned to the group. We don’t have a choice, she advised them. We’ll have to go through and figure it out later.

I’ll go first, Correy volunteered. He moved to the edge of the rift, a battle axe loosely cradled in his hand, and charged into the next realm. Another Halfling swallowed hard, held his breath, and followed. Kira and the others were only a moment behind. The rift belched off a cloud of steam, and disintegrated into chunks of flaming lava, which burned out as they hit the sand. They were cut off from whatever world it was they knew.

We’ve got to find cover, Correy stated, glancing about. I don’t know how long before he’ll follow us through.

Perceti pointed to a rocky outcropping not far away. There’s a cave over there. We could hide there temporarily. Correy nodded sharply, and the group ran toward the cave.

♦ ♦ ♦

The chilling winter winds buffeted Guierin as he sat atop his diar with a garrison of guards, overlooking the coastal cliff. He burrowed further into his lion-fur cape as he watched the sandy beach below, where his Fomorian squadron and their captain, Kronin badh-Catha, waited for the appearance of Banczack’s captives.

Kro, as he was known, was not a man to be trifled with. His blood-red armor was easily recognized, reflected the waning light with demonic presence. A black crow, his namesake, was etched and carefully painted on his breastplate. His nasal helm boasted a half-foot nose-guard shaped like a beak, and cheek guards that extended down to the chin and ended in razor-sharp blades. Elaborate black feathers carved from flattened steel crested his helm from eyeslit to nape. The empty sockets of a perfectly preserved crow skull peered from the crown of the helm. Bulging with muscles, he appeared to be sculpted from stone, and his dull blue eyes were just as cold and hard. He rested easily upon his towering mount, ever watchful of the incoming tide.

Kro’s gaze scanned the beach and the lower areas of the cliffs. He was determined that the girl and the Halflings would not escape him as they’d escaped Banczack. Slowly, his gaze scanned the beach and the lower areas of the cliffs. Something was definitely amiss here. He could feel it. Next to him, a Fomorian rubbed a grey-green hand with too many fingers across its nose, snorted, and spat a blob of dark yellow phlegm into the sand. Other than that disgusting sound, the squadron sat noiselessly astride their mutated horse-beasts, watching the churning sea. Every now and again one of them would glance at the captain, waiting for a signal.

The winds suddenly shifted, covering the beach and the group in a dense, salty fog. In a moment, the visibility had been reduced to less than ten feet. It was the hallmark of the seas and the magic near Lyonnesse. All they had to do was wait it out and see what prey the fog left behind.

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Kira and the Halflings had entered the cave and found that it ran deep into the black rock. The few supplies they’d fled with included a single small torch and they’d lit it at the last possible moment before entering the total darkness of the cave. They traveled further and further back, hoping that maybe it would lead to a side tunnel that once again resurfaced. Not far into the cave they found its walls covered with a yellow lichen that glowed with its own phosphorescent light, so they put out the torch, saving it for an emergency.

They came to a fork in the dark tunnel, one rocky trail going left and the other going right. Correy suddenly stopped, putting his hand up for silence, and the little party froze in their tracks. Warily he looked around the cave and tested the air with an upraised nose. Kira stepped up beside him and tentatively sniffed, but she could detect nothing. Then again, she didn’t have the animal senses of a minotaur.

Whatcha smell? she murmured, inhaling deeply. Nothing.

Water, he finally said, still testing the air. There’s something else, though...I can’t identify it. Tyor, come here and smell this.

An older minotaur, tall and lanky with rangy muscles that rippled through his greying brown hide, stepped forward and looked closely at both paths worn along the cavern floor. He inhaled deeply and frowned. Water, he confirmed, but the other…I’m not sure.

Musk, Perceti interjected tensely, thrusting his hand between them. Something twinkled in the scaled palm, iridescent and unmistakable. A Dragon scale.

Dragon musk, Tyor replied, eyes widening as he looked around. The Dragon’s den.

Shit, Kira breathed, staring at the scale.

Perceti’s crest flared, drawing their attention. We need to move, he warned, and Kira turned in the direction he was looking. A pair of half-slitted yellow eyes blinked lazily at her from the darkness.

"Jesus Christ! Move, everyone move!" She bolted down the left fork, and the entire group followed, running for everything they were worth. Behind them the clicking of talons followed them down the rocky trail. No roars, no growls. Just clicking. That was eerie as hell.

The clicking increased to a kind of shuffling scraping, and Kira, unable to stand it, glanced behind as she ran. It was dark, but she was certain she saw…

There’s more than one! she observed, panting. Holy shit, there’s a – a –

Three in front! Correy roared and suddenly reversed direction, slamming into her. The others stumbled into them and there was a minor scuffle before they all clumped together in the tunnel.

What are they? Kira panted. Big, small? Can you even see them?

They are small, the minotaur declared. Nothing like Banczack.

They’re False Dragons, Tyor identified, shifting his thick-bladed back sword.

False –?

Normal-sized Dragons; strong, but no magic.

"How is that false? They’re still fucking Dragons!"

How many are behind us? Correy asked.

Just two, Perceti reported, flattening his crest against his head. They’re small, very small.

Kira’s eyes locked with the minotaur. Charge, she whispered and he nodded his agreement.

Split! Correy yelled, darting forward toward the trio of Dragons. He hefted his heavy sword as he neared them. The Dragons took him up on his singular challenge, but were not strong enough to fend him off. Within moments the trio was a