Dragon Through Darkness Read online

  Dragon Through Darkness

  The Order Chronicles: Book Two

  T R Kerby

  Copyright © 2019 by T R Kerby

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Untitled

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  About the Author

  Also by T R Kerby

  To Kelly. Everytime for all time.

  Prophecy of Cendír the Seer

  Darkness shall swallow the Light,

  From the depths shall come creeping Night.

  In the trail of its greed and lust,

  Shall be left smoke, ash, and dust.

  Darkness shall seize the Light

  And bend it to its will,

  But break, it will not,

  For strength lies in it still.

  From the Laughter of a Leader

  Will come an endless son.

  A Warrior forged of

  Healer's magic and iron will,

  Dragon's fire and tempered steel,

  Immortal blood, the Creator's skill.

  The Fruit will ripen early

  And the Vine will surely die.

  Laughter will fade

  Beneath a darkened sky.

  The Gift will guide them

  Through sun and gale.

  The Strength lies in his hands.

  Light will prevail.

  Chapter 1

  Tegedir crouched behind the bush. For a successful ambush, the timing must be precise. His wary targets approached, bent over, checking right and left as they scanned the sides of the path. He nudged a twig out of his view, careful to prevent the leaves from rustling. They were almost to him. One more moment.

  He leapt from his hiding spot, arms raised above his head, and roared like a bear.

  The targets squealed and bolted, their voices reaching the shrill pitch accessible only by the very young. The boys giggled and scurried in front of Tegedir. They dove behind railings and rocks to pounce at him as he passed.

  They darted into a wide clearing. Grass shimmered emerald in the sun, except for the black scar where nothing ever grew. His own son leapt at him from a stump. He caught the boy and swung him around before setting him on the ground to race away in a fit of laughter. The two boys chased one another and wrestled in the grass.

  How different they were.

  His son, Brannon, with hair as dark as midnight and eyes grey as a summer squall. He hunted adventure and welcomed trouble. Destined for an immortal life in a mortal world.

  The other child, Deru, had hair like a maple leaf in fall and eyes green as jade. It was a matter of time before he learned of his origins. A product of rape and treachery. Tegedir wished they could hide it forever and let him become the man his father should have been.

  Brannon pinned Deru against the earth until the smaller boy tapped the ground. They jumped up and started again. If only they could stay like this forever. Safe, innocent, neither knowing their history or their future.

  A tiny warm hand squeezed his. He looked into his daughter's earthy eyes. "Boys are silly," she said. His son had been foretold. His daughter had not. Neva, Brannon's twin. An unexpected and wholly adored extra gift.

  "Are they?" he asked.

  "Yes." Her lower lip stuck out as she appraised the wallowing boys with six years' worth of seriousness.

  He sat on a rock and she crawled into his lap. "Neva, are you jealous?"

  "They never play with me."

  "You could go play with them now if you wanted."

  "They'll get mad."

  "Why?"

  "Because I always beat them." She grinned, her teeth miniature pearls in her tan face.

  He laughed and kissed the top of her head. She hugged his neck. Never in his long life had he imagined this kind of happiness, or this much fear. His children ruled his heart. He worried about them, held ridiculous dreams for them, would die for them.

  Neva ran her fingers along the soft leather covering the remains of his left arm. "Did it hurt?"

  "I don't remember much. I imagine it did." The loss of his hand and part of his forearm had been a token price to pay to protect his mate and children. Their laughter more than repaid the days and nights of agony.

  "Does it hurt now?"

  "Sometimes."

  "When sometimes?"

  "If it's very cold or I train too hard."

  The boys scrambled onto the rock and sat on either side of him, panting from their play. "Can we go see the horses?" Deru asked.

  Tegedir glanced at the lowering sun. "Stay out of the stalls and be in the hall for dinner by sunset." All three children dashed toward the barn. Whoever was feeding tonight was about to have their hands full.

  The waterfall turned gold in the sinking sun. Birds sang in the shrubs framing the path to his chambers. He climbed the stairs two at a time and paused at the railing to take in the scene. Aernan was peaceful. Order members strolled toward the hall for dinner. Their laughter carried to his spot on the balcony.

  He sensed his mate before he heard her. Lalaith hugged his waist and formed herself to his side. "Did you foist our children off on some other poor soul?"

  "Commanders prerogative." He traced her pointed ears with his fingertips.

  "We should go to dinner."

  "We could be late."

  She raised an eyebrow. "We could." They ran toward their quarters, laughing like children.

  An hour later they entered the great hall. He scanned the room, inclining his head in greeting to those who met his gaze. Where were the children? He caught a young private's elbow as he passed. "Have you seen Brannon and Company?"

  "No, sir."

  Tegedir frowned. They probably lost track of time. "Listen up." He raised his voice above the crowd's clamor. Silence fell. "Anyone seen the kids?"

  A chorus of no's filled the hall.

  Lalaith put down the plate she filled.

  "They're still playing in the barn," Tegedir said. "I'll go round them up." He tried to ignore the tightness in his chest. Black shadows stretched across the trail as he jogged toward the stable. Hairs rose on his neck. He slowed to a walk and stepped from the path into the woods.

  Was he overreacting? Maybe, but his warrior senses screamed otherwise. The barn loomed out of the darkness. No light showed under the doors. No squeals
or laughter from inside. Night sounds rose around him. Crickets and birds. Something rustled in the undergrowth. He reached for his sword, and patted a bare hip instead. Damn. Complacency in peace. A careless mistake he'd never repeat, if he survived the night.

  He rushed to the barn and pressed himself against the rough stone. He lifted the door latch and the door swung open on silent hinges. The inside of the barn was black as a cave. Horses nickered, undisturbed by whatever he sensed. Maybe he really was out of his mind. Too many battles. Too many close calls.

  The horses returned to their hay, but the rhythmic grind of their chewing failed to soothe his nerves. "Brannon?" No response. This wasn't a good time for hide and seek. "Neva?"

  "Tegedir?" Lalaith called from the walk. A circle of light preceded her and several others followed behind.

  "Here." He met her outside and took her torch. Firelight and fear glimmered in her eyes. "We'll find them." He gestured to the others. "Spread out. One of you go to the hall and get everyone else." Footsteps ran into the night.

  Tegedir entered the stable, Lalaith on his heels. He raised the light above his head. A parchment page was impaled on a hay fork. His throat closed. Lalaith gasped and started inside. He blocked her and guided her behind him. "Stay here."

  He glanced into the loft. Nothing stirred, but that didn't mean there wasn't someone, or something, there. He passed the torch to Lalaith and extended his hand behind him. "Sword." A hilt connected with his palm and he brought the blade up. Its weight and balance was a comfort. He tipped his head right and three men fanned out along the wall. They secured the barn as a unit.

  The creak of bowstrings filled the silence as two archers took positions in the doorway. A man climbed the loft ladder as the archers covered him. Tegedir held his breath. The man peered over the top of the ladder. "Nothing."

  Tegedir exhaled, propped the sword against his thigh, and yanked the parchment from the pitchfork.

  Dragonlord:

  If you value your children, meet me in the pass at sunset in three days' time. Bring as many men as you want. If anything happens to me, you'll get your babies back in pieces.

  Murdoc

  Chapter 2

  Tegedir clenched his fist around the parchment until his nails dug into his palm. He would grind this man's skull under his boots until the eyeballs popped from their sockets. Never had he wanted anyone dead as much as this Murdoc. Who was he? What did he want?

  Lalaith pried his fingers open and snatched the page. She bit her lip and raised her gaze to him. "Who is this?"

  "I don't know."

  "He knows you."

  "Not necessarily."

  "He calls you Dragonlord. He knows what you are."

  Tegedir addressed the men. "Prepare to leave at sunrise. Every Company. Every able body who's trained. Only enough remain to care for those too young to go." They saluted with their fists to their hearts and rushed out.

  Lalaith latched onto his sleeve. "What does he want with our children?"

  "You know as much as I do. We'll find out and we'll get them back." How did this Murdoc get into and out of Aernan without anyone knowing? Once before their borders had been breached, by treachery from inside. He rubbed the stump of his arm. The results had been disastrous. A third of their number dead. Was there another traitor among them? Some new threat he hadn't perceived?

  "Tegedir!" Lalaith shook his shoulders. "Can't you track him? Send our scouts after him!" Her pupils were huge black pools.

  "We know where he's headed. If we go after him now, he might hurt them."

  "He might already be hurting them."

  "I don't think so. He wants something from me. He won't hurt them unless he doesn't get it. We'll get them. I swear it."

  "I'm going with you."

  "You haven't left Aernan in centuries. You don't want to see what's out there."

  "I'm not an invalid and my children need me."

  What could he say? He couldn't force her to stay. "You ride in the center of the Companies and keep your head covered. We don't need you becoming a target as well."

  Deru's grandmother, Bronwyn, burst through the barn door. Her face was red from running and strands of wild hair flew from her braid. "Where's Deru?"

  Lalaith took both her hands in hers. "Taken with the others."

  "Why are we standing here? We should be after them!"

  Both women turned to Tegedir. The weight of their fear and accusation landed on his shoulders. "We leave at daybreak when we can see. This Murdoc is headed for the pass. Chasing him blindly at night will do us no good and might cause him to do something we'll regret."

  It was the longest night of Tegedir's life. Outwardly, he maintained control and directed the Companies' preparations. Inwardly, he raged and screamed and sought outlets for his anger. He directed as many Order members as could be spared to rest. At least some would be fresher for the trial ahead.

  Three days to the pass was a comfortable time frame. It stood to reason Murdoc knew the route and had opened his own trails to facilitate his escape. When this was over and the man lay in a pool of his own blood, Tegedir vowed to find those trails and close them.

  When the first silver light trimmed the eastern peaks, he stepped into the saddle and led the full complement of Order forces under the arch of Aernan. He twisted around and located Lalaith centered in the line of riders, surrounded by Badger Company, her personal guard. He sighed and settled his gaze forward.

  The sun crested the mountains in a shower of golden warmth, but the heat didn't reach his core. He never should have let the children go to the barn. It didn't matter that they'd done it a hundred times before. That they had free run of Aernan. That everyone protected them. What kind of father let someone sneak into his home and steal his babies? A complacent one. A failed one. What kind of leader did that make him? Weak. Half a man. Unfit.

  Narthan, Tegedir's Second, dropped a gloved palm on his shoulder. "Wherever your mind is, it's dark. Don't go there. They need you here. We need you here, clear headed."

  Tegedir nodded. Narthan was right of course. Stay focused on the task at hand. He raised his stump. At hand. That was funny. A small smile crossed his lips. He was losing his mind.

  Three days later, he and Narthan lay next to a fallen log overlooking the pass. Winter's last snow clung to the shadows on the north facing slope across from them. A stream meandered through the greening grass and caught the late afternoon sun. Granite peaks rose around them like a dragon's spine.

  "Nothing," Narthan whispered.

  "He's there. I can feel it," Tegedir said. "Watching for us like we're watching for him."

  "Ambush?"

  "Probably."

  Narthan looked sideways at him. "You're not going down there alone."

  Tegedir closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll take half a company."

  "We all go. The whole contingent. Three hundred strong. Should make an impression if nothing else."

  "I don't want to give away our advantage. Not yet. You hold them here. If I run into trouble, you can bring them in."

  "What if we can't get to you in time?"

  "Then take care of my family."

  "Not funny."

  "Not meant to be."

  "Someone else can hold the Companies here. I go with you."

  Tegedir recognized the stubborn set of Narthan's jaw and relented. Narthan had been his closest friend for more years than he could count. "I'm going to kill Murdoc."

  Narthan grinned. "Not if those mama bears get to him first."

  "They are terrifying."

  "Truly."

  As the sun changed the stream to a winding orange ribbon, Tegedir and Narthan led half a Company off the ridge. At the bottom, they spread to right and left, came to a halt, and waited. Minutes dragged by, stretching to infinity. Tegedir scanned the tree line.

  A cloaked form emerged from the deepest shadows but didn't leave the shelter of the trees. "Dragonlord. Good of you to come." The v
oice carried across the open space, husky, but unmistakably feminine.

  Narthan glanced at Tegedir. "A woman?"

  "Where's Murdoc?" Tegedir asked her.

  "Waiting to meet you. You didn't think he'd show himself with fifty warriors at your back, did you? Surprised you only brought fifty since you have at least two hundred more. We'll keep it between us, though. Our little secret."

  "Where are the children?"

  "Safe. Unharmed. Come with me and I'll show you."

  "Bring them out," Tegedir said.

  "Impossible." The woman stepped backward. "To see them, you must come with me. I understand your hesitation, so I will compromise. Blood relation to the children may accompany you. I expect you not to lie. It would not be good for negotiations, to start with dishonesty."

  The woman's hypocrisy fanned Tegedir's anger, but he squelched it and dismounted.

  Narthan followed his lead.

  "Get me Deru's family," Tegedir said.

  "You can't be serious."

  "I am. Get them please."

  Narthan saluted and walked down the line of horses. He returned a few moments later with Bronwyn and her family. Her daughter, Thera, shared her striking beauty and auburn hair. Her son, Randir, took after his father. Tall and dark with the steel grey eyes of the elders. Randir's mate, Trinn, hopped from her horse beside him. "If he goes, I go," she said.

  Lalaith dismounted among them.

  "If we follow that woman," Tegedir said, "we may not come back. There's no way to know how many there are. No way to know what they plan. Truth is, our kids might already be dead. We could be next."