Fall of the Last Dragon Rider - 83 - Finding Stioks II

Kaen released a basket, untying the rope that held it, and watched as it fell into the ruins beneath them.

Three hundred arrows… that castle is no more and yet nothing… can he still be hiding somewhere?

I have watched the sky in every direction, and there is no way they can sneak up on us. Let me land, and we shall make one of those who fled the castle tell us what they know.

Do you want me to torture someone?

If you cannot ask in a way that will get them to answer, I am certain I can help loosen their tongues.

Sighing, Kaen nodded. 

Very well, let’s see what we can learn.

-----

“Don’t kill us!” 

“We’re not like him!”

Kaen frowned as the pack of about twelve people cowered beneath Pammon. They had tried to split up and run in different directions, but Pammon had herded them together better than most sheepdogs keep their flocks.

“Silence!” Kaen shouted, holding up both hands to show they were empty.

A few whimpers came from the group, but no one said a word as Pammon lowered his head. Each moved their eyes between the massive bronze dragon before them and the dragon rider on his neck.

“Where is Stioks?! Where has he gone?!”

“We don’t know!” one of the men shouted back. “He left yesterday with his dragon Taerar!”

“What do you mean he left? Which direction?!”

The man shook as Kaen yelled, the fear of his master and the things he must have endured noticeably by the smell of urine that Pammon had commented on as he landed.

“South! Yesterday afternoon! That’s all we know! Spare us, please!”

“Spare us!”

“Mercy!”

Their cries angered and hurt at the same moment. What Pammon and he had seen since they flew into the heart of this land was a sign of the monster Stioks really was. At one point, this kingdom had been flourishing, it had been said. Food, gold, art, and more came from here, and the people had thrived. Now, it looked as bad as the place Tioanoe had fled. A mere fragment of a shell of its former self.

Where could he have gone? He wasn’t at the battle with Amaranth and them unless he was hiding and waiting to strike.

Are you expecting me to have an answer? Could he have gone to the orc castle to take it over or bring more troops? Can he be waiting in ambush to attack my wife and son? Or would he have possibly flown south before changing directions and heading north to help against the dwarves?

Kaen cursed and saw how the people reacted, realizing he had said it louder than he had planned.

“You are free to go. We mean you no harm. Our goal is to kill Stioks and free the land from his grip.”

The people all lifted their heads and stared at Kaen momentarily.

“Are… do you really mean that, sir? We were told all dragon riders were worse than him.”

“Believe what you will, but unlike him, I will not sell your children to orcs and goblins. Once the battle is over, we will come back to try to free you from them.”

A few began to cry, holding their clenched hands in the air as they thanked them. 

“We need to go. Is there anything else you can think of that might help us find Stioks?”

They looked at each other, and Kaen could tell they could not help.

“Very well. Be safe!”

Pammon turned and leaped into the air.

This has cost us almost half a day. 

Ask Amaranth and Glynnis if they have any news.

It will take time due to the distance, but I will ask. I’m sure they would have cried out if one of them saw him at all.

Rubbing his eyes with his gloved hands, Kaen felt lost.

I guess I'll fly in the middle of both armies. We shall see who can give us the most information and then perhaps go and help. That is the only thing I can do unless you have a better solution.

Pammon flapped his wings as he gained altitude and adjusted his angle slightly between both armies.

He knew we were coming, and he prepared. His armies are fighting, and his home is left defenseless without him here. If we are to–

Thats it!

Kaen’s shout cut off Pammon’s words, and as his dragon read Kaen’s thoughts, both of their hearts sank.

It is the only thing I can think of, and you know it is true.

Then we must hurry. I will tell both Glynnis and Amaranth.

Kaen’s heart broke when he realized what he could only imagine was happening right now. If Pammon told Amaranth, Ava would not stay.

Don’t… don’t tell Amaranth or Glynnis… please.

But–

You know I’m right, even though you don’t want to admit it. If Stioks has gone to Ebonmount and Ava believes that, she will convince Amaranth to take her. She may even persuade Foros and Phillip to come. Together, those two would be no match for Stioks. 

We both would lose more than we can imagine.

Pammon’s heart and mind were reeling from the pain that Kaen was experiencing.

Your children…

Fly… as fast as you can. I will give you every ounce of power that I have.

Pammon felt Kaen’s lifestone roar to life. Those few moments in their life together, it had burned like this and yet none of those previous times felt like now.

[ Flight Burst ]

Pammon lurched forward with a speed and intensity that neither had experienced before. Not even the day they saved Hess could compare to the angst both felt at the belief that Stioks would do to their home what they had done to his.

How… long… can you… burn like that…

Pammon struggled to speak as his body and core were flooded with Kaen's power.

Leaning against his dragon, Kaen pressed his gloved hands against Pammon’s scales, willing himself to be drained completely.

Until I pass out… fly, my friend.