A Solstice of Dragons (Rise of the dragons Book 2) Read online

  I shook my head dragging my eyes away from her wrist, “Nothing. I woke up so I guess I scared them off.” I wasn’t convincing myself, let alone the formidable Agent. “They did this to my bell, have you seen it before?”

  Agent Jones squinted at the bell as I turned it over to show her the clapper fused to the dome and sniffed. “Is it magical?”

  “It wasn’t before, but I think magic melted it. It’s weird but I think it might be elven magic.”

  “I can have the Magical Liaison Office take a look at it if you like, we’ve got experts in practically everything magical.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. Agent Jones nodded, retrieved an evidence bag from her polished fake crocodile skin purse and bagged up the bell carefully before putting it into the bag.

  “So…are you looking for anything in particular?” I asked, gesturing to the shop, hoping she had come to browse and not to ask for more statements.

  “Actually yes,” she replied crisply, “you.”

  I frowned, trying to puzzle out where this was going. “Me?”

  Agent Jones nodded curtly. I got the impression she was not a lady who dealt kindly with idiots and I was trying her patience. “You. This dragon has got everyone worked up and a taskforce has been set up. We want you.”

  “Me?” I said again, this time with more disbelief in my voice, “to do what? I make jewellery.” I waved my hand around the shop.

  “That’s not all you do though is it, Ms Haernson.” Agent Jones raised an eyebrow at me.

  I froze. My weapons business wasn’t entirely illegal but it was definitely under the counter and I thought I had been discreet enough that the authorities didn’t know about it.

  She smiled and carried on, “We want you with us in case we need anything made quickly, your dwarven learnings will be valuable and you have experience with dragons after your encounter with the cult… and Aloora insisted you and her came as a “package deal”.”

  I sighed. Things were making more sense now. My experience with dragons was limited to watching in terror and praying not to be eaten or cowering in parks as they flew overhead. Aloora was an expert on dragons, of course they’d want her as part of the team and of course my best friend would want me to share in her success.

  “Assuming you say yes, there’s a fact finding expedition coming up that I’d like you to be part of.”

  “Expedition? I run a shop. I can’t just up and leave,” bewilderment fought with indignation at the nerve of this woman.

  “We would of course compensate you for your time…” That got my attention. “Would this much a week cover the expense of losing you from this valuable business for a week?”

  Agent Jones had pulled a large wad of notes from her purse and skimmed a chunk off the top. How much money does the Magical Liaison Office have access to? I wondered briefly as I accepted the cash and quickly counted it, trying not to seem too eager. Agent Jones’ smirk showed me I hadn’t been entirely successful in not showing my glee.

  “Yes, that will be adequate,” I replied calmly trying to keep my composure, “and I’ll just be making anything you need er…weapons wise.” I clarified.

  Agent Jones nodded, causing her immaculate bobbed hair to fall forward. She pushed it back deliberately then opened her handbag again. It didn’t look like it was big enough to contain the dossier she pulled out but she snapped it shut before I could look more closely.

  “Here are the details of the rendez-vous.”

  I picked the brown cardboard folder up. “Don’t believe in e-mail I see,” I quipped then regretted it as she eyed me.

  “No Ms Haernson, sometimes I prefer the old fashioned method,” she frowned, “But don’t leave it lying around for thieves to find.” An odd look appeared on her face as her amber eyes scanned the shop, before she settled back into her usual in charge pose. It almost seemed like she was worried. “You’re one of mine now, I’ll send someone over to help with protection.”

  “Really, there’s no need,” I tried.

  “Consider it done,” Agent Jones’ tone was final, “and welcome aboard Ms Haernson.” She held out her hand. I manoeuvred the dossier under my arm to free up my hand and shook hers. Her skin was smooth and warm against my calloused hands, her handshake was as firm as I expected and I squeezed back as we eyed each other. I seemed to have passed some sort of test as she grunted and broke off the handshake.

  “Call me Amethyst or Ame,” I said defiantly, “my friends do.”

  Agent Jones blinked at the lack of formality. “Alright then…Amethyst, I’ve included a few items I’d like you to make for the team before we set off.”

  I opened the dossier and nodded along then my ears caught up with the conversation. “Wait, who is paying for the materials for these?”

  She smiled and straightened her blazer, “Just bring me a receipt and keep it honest.”

  I started to bluster that I was always honest, but she was gone, her heels tapping on the hard floor as she swept out of the shop.

  “What the dzrak?” I resorted to swearing again as I focused on the dossier. It was sparse on details of the expedition, just a time and place for meeting and suggested dress code – casual and easy to move in - so no cocktail dresses then, not that I owned a cocktail dress. The list of items was at the front and was the most comprehensive part of the file: gold fireproof charms, crossbow bolts, a couple of enchanted short swords, daggers…it went on. Not much then! I wondered at the choice of gold rather than a cheaper metal for the charms, then shrugged; it was her money.

  I checked the date of the rendez-vous – a week’s time! My mind started whirling and I was suddenly grateful for a slow sales day as I compiled a list of components on the back of the dossier and started to plan. Sketches and component lists crowding the countertop in place of my defensive enchantment plans.

  The time passed quickly and when I glanced at the large clock on the wall behind my counter, I realised I’d have to rush to make games night. Luckily it was at my best friend Aloora’s house share and I didn’t have to look my best so my superhero top and jeans would do.

  I tugged on a hoody for warmth. As an afterthought, I raced upstairs and grabbed Bane. Although it was invisible to anyone who kept out of my personal space, I decided to shove it in a duffel bag – much more casual than looping it through my belt, that was my rationale anyway.

  I checked on Errol. He was sleeping in the forge, snoring softly. I smiled and left him to it. He’d had a busy day helping me make a start on some of the simpler requests on Agent Jones’ list and was half way through a bucket of coal already.

  As I left, I locked the door and muttered a charm over the lock, personalising it to me. Maybe I was paranoid but the thought of someone breaking in last night was creeping me out and I hadn’t put any of my other enchantments in place yet.

  I needed to think more carefully about what I placed where as I didn’t want Errol or myself to accidentally trigger something. The personalised lock was a charm I had learned as a teenager when I kept a diary and didn’t want anyone else to read my angsty thoughts.

  I pulled my hood up to protect my head from the chilled breeze that blew through the city that evening and walked with pace towards Aloora’s house, duffel bag on my shoulder and hands in the large pocket on my hoody. The axe handle hit my thigh through the cheap bag fabric with every stride. Maybe a duffel bag wasn’t a great way to carry an axe. I would have a bruise tomorrow. I tried to vary the angle at which it hit me but that meant I was walking in a very bizarre way, part trot, part long step, wholly inelegant.

  I fell into pace behind some students as we walked along Park Place towards the Student’s Union. I was planning to cut through to the street behind, a slight shortcut to Aloora’s place.

  I couldn’t help frowning at their conversation.

  “So a crap tonne is bigger than a butt load.” the tallest one said in a London accent.

  “Agreed,” said his friend, “but a shit tonne is bigger by fa
r.”

  “Alright,” the third one chimed in, “but is it a metric or imperial shit tonne?”

  They all paused to think and I overtook them, taking care not to hit any of them with my bag as it swung wildly when I quickened my pace.

  “I think you’ll find the largest measure is a dwarven dzraktun.” I couldn’t help throwing over my shoulder as I hastened away. I grinned. Sometimes I couldn’t help being a smart ass. My grin turned to a frown as the hairs pricked up on the back of my neck.

  Something had changed. I looked around nervously, unconsciously drawing my duffel bag across my body in case I needed access to my axe. Then I realised what was wrong. The background noise had changed. The traffic still rumbled past but all birdsong had stopped.

  Oh schiztz.

  That was my thought before I saw the shadow fall across the pavement. Schiztz. Schiztz. Schiztz.

  The group of students behind me gaped and one of them pulled his phone out of his baggy jeans and began filming as the dragon flew overhead.

  “Run! Hide!” I shouted as I hugged the bag to my body and began to run towards the Student’s Union. The steps went up two levels, were solid concrete and, most importantly, had a large overhang that I could hide under.

  The dragon roared as it swept low over the road, the sound reverberated around and I felt like my head might explode trying to contain the noise. I kept going, panting hard and staying close to the wall. A crunch of metal and tyres screeching to a halt made me turn just as I reached the safety of the steps.

  The dragon had landed on a Cardiff city bus, crushing the green coach with its weight. It was on the back half of the bus, facing the back and crunched its teeth into the glass window. I winced at the sound. Other cars had unsurprisingly stopped and a smart few at the back were reversing.

  Most people were crouching as low as they could in their car seats and I saw a family risk leaving the car and dashing across the road to a nearby building, huddling behind a wall.

  I wanted to be surprised that a couple of drivers had their smartphones out, filming the destruction, but there were always people who would film anything. This was probably live streaming on social media right now. As if posing for them, the dragon lifted its head and roared loudly again, triumphant at catching the large bus.

  The front door of the bus opened with a hiss. The dragon’s head whipped round, a menacing growl rumbling in its throat.

  The people in the bus were trying to get out. The dragon’s full attention was now on the open doors. Smoke was curling from its nostrils and its lips curled back from its teeth intimidatingly.

  My face scrunched up in indecision. I couldn’t let those people get eaten without trying to help. It’s not like they were cultists, just innocent shoppers riding the bus into town. Schiztz.

  I unzipped the duffel bag and grabbed Bane, gripping tightly.

  “Here!” I yelled, or tried to. Fear made my voice croak. I tried again, stepping from my hiding place, “Here! Dragon!”

  The dragon turned its head slowly, menacingly. I waved frantically trying to both keep its attention and gesture to the people inside the bus to get out. I even mouthed the words “Get out!” as I jumped up and down on the spot.

  The dragon narrowed its green eyes at me. It shifted on the bus but didn’t seem to want to leave it. Its claws dug in as it faced me.

  The passengers took that opportunity to pile out as quietly as they could. The group of students had stopped filming and were helping shepherd the shell shocked people to one of the nearby university buildings. A terrified lecturer was ushering people in through a red painted door.

  I licked my lips as the dragon faced me. My brain raced as I tried to calculate how much time I needed to buy them and where I could hide safely assuming I wasn’t killed. As that cheering thought entered my head, I realised where I’d seen this before. The dragon was acting like Errol with the mangled bell!

  It clawed its scaly talons into the bus and eyed me like I wanted to take its prey, but it was too interested in the bus to actually want to chase me. I thought I could use that. I had to make it think I wanted the bus but wasn’t enough of a threat for it to bother pursuing me instead of the twisted metal. With some sort of plan forming, I moved to the right. The dragon turned its neck, keeping me in its eye line. It lowered its large head, saliva dripping from between its teeth as it bared them at me. I moved back to the left, staying back and out of reach of those sharp fangs.

  My plan was simple. Keep moving, make it think I was interested in the bus without getting too close and as soon as everyone was out of the bus, run and pray it stayed focused on the bus.

  It seemed to be working pretty well. I weaved between cars, ignoring the eyes and cameras of the helpless passengers who gaped at me. The dragon kept its eyes narrowed and followed my movements. Hurry up bus passengers, I urged silently, glancing at the doors every time I ranged left and got them in my sights.

  It was going well until a mother with a baby exited the bus. The baby started crying as it felt the breeze on its chubby cheeks and the mother desperately tried to hush it as she stood on the step by the doors and fought indecision over getting back into the bus or running for the relative safety of the university building.

  The dragon heard the cry and twisted round, startled by the harsh sound. Schiztz. I cried out. The dragon stayed focused on the baby. I banged Bane on the ground. Nothing. I banged on the door of the nearest car – a sporty orange Porsche that looked like it belonged on a race course.

  “Honk your horn!” I yelled. The driver looked at me like I was crazy. I probably was. The wind was blowing my hair around and I was waving a double-headed battle axe at a dragon in the middle of a main road. I brandished the axe at him and moved my hand to open the orange car door. The man shook his head, his mouth open and his mousy brown hair swaying. He pushed the locking button quickly. I widened my eyes, pursed my lips, glared, and pulled my axe back as if to break his window. Finally he pushed the centre of the steering wheel and the horn blared out.

  I mouthed “Thank you,” at him sweetly as he gave me an unfriendly gesture. I smiled and turned back to the dragon. The horn had worked. It was facing me and the car. I resisted the urge to stay close to cover and stepped away from the Porsche so the dragon could see me. I waved Bane high and took a couple of steps closer to the bus.

  The setting sun illuminated us and shone brightly on the polished blade of my axe. By pure chance, the reflected light hit the dragon’s eyes. It stretched its large wings. They flared orange in the sunlight as it flapped them and took off, the bus still in its claws.

  The bus driver jumped as the bus left the ground and hastened to join the other passengers. The dragon was using its powerful wings to hover above the road. The downdraught washed over me as it stayed airborne. It lifted its head back, hissed and then opened its mouth wide.

  I realised what was happening too late and dived behind an empty Vauxhall estate as it released its flames. I shouted “Sheld!” Bane glowed in my hands at the Dwarfish word. Its shield activated.

  I still felt the heat as I cowered next to a tyre and watched as the flames poured across the tarmac. What an idiot. Of course it didn’t need to get up to kill me. It had fire. I stayed where I was, not daring to look out. The passengers were safe, I had played my part. Now it was time to get out of here.

  I deactivated Bane’s shielding power and began to crawl forward, the large axe hampering me somewhat when I heard the cries of alarm. I risked looking around the car.

  The dragon was flying back and forth along the road, taking chunky bites out of the bus and letting the deformed metal crash to the ground as it realised the bus wasn’t meat. I saw a large piece of metal hit the front of a sedan and the car engine burst into flames as people screamed and flung themselves out of the vehicle.

  I watched in horror as it made a last pass over us, swooped upwards and dropped the bus entirely. It was almost like it was in slow motion as the wreckage fell, spinning
towards the ground. I tensed, and offered a silent prayer that it didn’t hit anyone.

  It was a miracle that it hit the steps of the Student Union. The concrete exploded downwards forcefully. Dust and rubble flew out of the impact zone. I saw a large portion of concrete hit the road a few feet from me. A few smaller chunks of concrete hit my back hard as I lay on the ground. I shielded my head with my hands, gripping Bane tightly, my knuckles turning white as I waited for the debris to settle.

  The bus teetered on the pile of rubble where the steps had been. One supporting column defiantly remained standing. I looked around. Amazingly, it looked as if no one had been hurt. I huffed in relief. I debated my options: stay here and be questioned by the Magical Liaison Office or have a cold drink with my friends. I overheard someone calling the police and made my decision.

  Covered in dust, I hefted Bane onto my shoulder and walked slowly through the dust cloud to Aloora’s house.

  Chapter 3

  I knocked on the door of the shabby student rental house that Aloora shared with Marco and a couple of other housemates. I wheezed slightly from the dust and used Bane like a walking stick to prop myself up on the hundred year old Victorian tiles lining the small alcove that served as a porch while I waited.

  Aloora answered the door with a smile before looking me up and down. “What happened to you?” I loved my friend, always so direct.

  “Dragon dropped a bus on the Union steps,” I croaked.

  Aloora frowned slightly, “That’s unusual behaviour…” she looked at a point above my shoulder. I knew she was thinking about her next podcast or social media post on dragon behaviour. Since the dragon had awakened earlier in the year, her online following as Aloora Dragonquest had spiked massively and she was enjoying the newfound audience and debates about dragons.

  I coughed dramatically, drawing her attention back to me.

  “Sorry. Come in and tell me all about it. What can I get you to drink?” her eyes flicked back down my dirty clothes, “and I can lend you some clothes…”