Ryath spread her wings and swooped into a low glide above the heads of the attackers, as Tomas waved his golden sword aloft. She trumpeted her battle cry and the goblins beneath her broke and ran.
Tomas looked about, seeking signs of this Murmandamus, but could see only a sea of horsemen and infantry in all directions. Then arrows began to speed past. Most were harmlessly bouncing off the dragon’s scales, but the Prince Consort of Elvandar knew a well-placed shot could strike between the overlapping plates or in the eye and the dragon could be injured. He ordered Ryath to enter the city.
The dragon landed in the market, some distance from the gate, but Arutha was already running toward them, with Galain behind. Pug and Tomas both leaped lightly down, while Macros was more sedate in his dismount.
Arutha gripped Pug’s hand. “It is good to see you again, and making so timely an entrance.”
Pug said, “We hurried, but we had some delays upon the way.”
Tomas had been greeted by Galain, and Arutha in turn clasped his hand, both of them obviously pleased to see each other alive. Then Arutha saw Macros. “So you didn’t die, then?”
Macros said, “Apparently not. It is good to see you again, Prince Arutha. More pleasant than you can imagine.”
Arutha looked at the signs of battle about him and considered the relative quiet. From distant quarters the sounds of battle carried, signifying only that the assault upon the gate had ceased. “I don’t know how long they’ll wait before they rush the barbican again.” He glanced down the street toward the gate. “You gave them a start, and I think Murmandamus is having trouble with some of his chieftains, but not enough to benefit us, I’m afraid. And I don’t think I can hold them here. When they come again, they’ll swarm over that ram.”
“We can help,” said Pug.
“No,” said Macros.
All eyes turned toward the sorcerer. Arutha said, “Pug’s magic could counter Murmandamus’s.”
“Has he used any spellcraft against you so far?”
Arutha thought. “Why no, not since Armengar.”
“He won’t. He must harbour it against the moment he has won into the city. And the bloodshed and terror benefit his cause. There is something here he wants, and we must keep him from getting it.”
Arutha looked at Pug. “What is happening here?”
A messenger came running toward them. “Highness! The enemy masses for another attack on the gate.”
Macros said, “Who is your second?”
“Guy du Bas-Tyra.”
Pug looked startled at the news but said nothing. Macros said, “Murmandamus will not use magic, except perhaps to destroy you if he can, Arutha, so you must turn command of the city over to du Bas-Tyra and come with us.”
“Where are we going?”
“Some place near here. If all else fails, it will be our cause to prevent the complete destruction of your nation. We must keep Murmandamus from his final goal.”
Arutha considered a moment. He said to Galain, “Orders to du Bas-Tyra. He is to take command. Amos Trask is to assume his role as second-in-command.”
“Where will Your Highness be?” asked the soldier next to the elf.
Macros took Arutha by the arm. “He’ll be someplace where no one can reach him. If we are victorious, we shall all meet again.” He didn’t bother saying what would happen if they were defeated.
They hurried down the street, past shuttered doors as the citizens huddled safely within their homes. One bold boy looked out a second floor window just as Ryath lumbered past, and with wide eyes slammed the window. The sounds of battle came from the walls as they rounded a corner into an alley. Macros spun to face the Prince. “What you see, what you hear, what you learn must always remain a trust. Besides yourself, only the King and your brother Martin may know the secrets you’ll learn today - and your heirs,” he added with a dry note, “if any. Swear.” It was not a request.
Arutha said, “I swear.”
Macros said, “Tomas, you must discover where the Lifestone lies, and, Pug, you must take us there.”
Tomas looked about. “It was ages ago. Nothing resembles . . .” He closed his eyes. He appeared to the others to be in some trance state. Then he said, “I feel it.”
Without opening his eyes, he said, “Pug, can you take us . . . there!” He pointed down and to the centre of the city. He opened his eyes. “It is below the entrance to the keep.”
Pug said, “Come, join hands.”
Tomas looked toward the dragon, saying, “You have done all you can. I thank you.”
Ryath said, “With thee I shall come, one more time.” She regarded the sorcerer and then Tomas. “With certainty do I know my fate. I must not seek to avoid it.”
Pug looked at his companions and said, “What does she mean?” Arutha’s expression mirrored Pug’s.
Macros did not speak. Tomas said, “You have not told us before.”
“There was no need, friend Tomas.”
Macros interrupted. “We can speak of this once we’ve reached our destination. Ryath, once we have ceased moving, come to us.”
Tomas said, “The chamber will be large enough.”