Rudiger nodded, and Borisin began to walk away. They took it slow. It wasn’t far, and there was no need to rush.

We’re really doing this?

Like I said to Gabby, got any better ideas?

A whole bunch, but they’ll take too long to implement.

My point exactly, Rudiger said.

They reached the corner of the Crown Prince Garden and waited.

Rudiger wondered what Zandrue was doing. Assuming she was alive, of course, but he didn’t want to entertain the thought that she wasn’t. With luck, she was now on her way back to Arnor City.

He needed to make certain there was still an Arnor City for her to return to.

Gods, what would she think when she arrived to find him dead?

If it’s any consolation, I don’t plan on dying.

Me neither, buddy, but let’s face it. That thing burned what was it...fifteen horses? And Tianna. All of them with just one breath. So Quilla described it. If it breathes on us, we’re dead.

The horses were hobbled and Tianna was tied up. They couldn’t get away. I plan on running as fast as I can.

Rudiger chuckled. Good plan.

I thought you’d approve.

Gabby rode up beside them sometime later. “Thilin says you’re a fucking idiot.”

Rudiger smiled. “Tell him if I wasn’t heading to certain death, I’d make him regret those words.”

Gabby smiled. “I will. The archers are ready, by the way. Some are positioned on the Palace roof. Others are spread out from there in a rough semicircle, all of them with as much cover as possible. The dragon is still on the ground, about halfway between the Palace and the Great Bear statue. From what can be seen, Lidda Plavin is on the dragon. She’s going to ride it.”

Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll fall.

Rudiger laughed.

“That wasn’t exactly my reaction,” Gabby said, “but I guess I see how that might be funny.”

“Oh, Borisin was just saying maybe she’ll fall.”

Gabby shook her head. “Right. Talking horse.”

I mean, she can’t actually have any experience riding a dragon, Borisin added. And I doubt she’s got a dragon saddle. How’s she going to hang on?

“He’s making some good points. With a little luck, maybe she really will fall.”

“We can only hope,” Gabby said. “At any rate, everything’s ready. The archers will wait for the dragon to come for you, and then will open fire at once. You’re a good man, Rudy. I’ll miss you, and I swear to you, if Zandrue is still alive, she will get your message.”

“Thanks.” Rudiger closed his eyes for a moment.

Can I make a confession? Borisin said.

Of course.

I’m terrified. Like, really, truly terrified.

Me too, buddy.

We’ve had a good run, haven’t we?

Rudiger nodded. We sure have. He leaned forward and patted Borisin’s neck. Love you, buddy.

Same back at you. Come on, let’s get this over with. If I’m going to die, I don’t want to draw it out any longer than I have to.

Rudiger leaned over and untied the straps holding Slay. He unsheathed the sword and handed the sheath to Gabby. “Memento.”

She smiled and took it. “Thanks.”

“Right. I’m trusting all the movement to you, buddy. I need both hands for the sword. Let’s go. Take me half the distance to Lidda and the dragon, maybe just past the Folith Arch. It could give us a bit of cover.”

You got it.

They moved out from the shelter of the garden wall and headed west towards the front of the Palace, then turned south across the courtyard. They headed along the path in the middle of the Grand Gardens until they reached the Folith Arch. They stopped on the other side.

The hillside leading to the Great Bear Fountain spread out ahead of them. Partway along it sat the dragon, a tiny human-shaped figure moving about on its back at the base of the neck. Probably experimenting for the best seating.

Be ready to turn around, Rudiger said. We need to lead it back towards the Palace so the archers can get a good shot.

I know. Trust me, okay?

Rudiger nodded. Sorry.

He held Slay above his head. “Lidda Plavin!” He yelled as loud as he could, though he wasn’t sure if she was close enough to hear.

The dragon lifted its head and looked in his direction. It narrowed its huge eyes.

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“All right, dragon then,” he yelled. “I’ve got something here that your mistress wants. Want to come get it?”

The dragon tilted its head and pulled back its face into a snarl. Then it pulled its head back.

It’s going to breathe from there! Borisin said.

I’d hoped we were out of range, Rudiger said.

But the dragon didn’t breathe fire at them. Instead, it only let out a loud roar.

Well, that’s a relief, Borisin said.

“Well?” Rudiger called out.

She’s responding, Borisin said.

I can’t hear her. She’s too far away.

I can barely hear her. She says the archers will be useless, but yes, she’d very much like the sword. She’s offering you the opportunity to put it down on the ground and walk away.

“Not gonna happen!” Rudiger yelled. “You want it? You come and get it!”

The dragon rose to its feet. Lidda slid a little on its back, but grabbed hold of its scales. Maybe she really would fall.

The dragon spread its wings.

Gods, that thing is huge, Borisin said. Time to go, I think. He turned and broke into a gallop.

Rudiger kept Slay raised and turned his head to look behind them.

The dragon leapt into the air. He couldn’t see Lidda Plavin any longer. The dragon’s breast and front of its neck kept her hidden from view.

Rudiger looked forward again and raised Slay higher, as high as he could manage. They were getting close to the courtyard.

A cloud of arrows shot out all around them, flying over their heads. Rudiger looked behind him again. Most of the arrows just flew threw empty air. Others hit the scales of the dragon and bounced off. It was impossible to watch all of them, so maybe a few got through the scales. Maybe one would even hit Lidda Plavin. That would be nice, since she didn’t seem to be falling off.

Coming up on the Palace. Borisin began a wide turn to the right, circling round.

Why hadn’t the dragon breathed on them yet?

As they completed the circle, Borisin galloped back the other way, towards the dragon.

More arrows flew at it. The dragon pulled back its head and opened its mouth.

This is it, Rudiger said. He shut his eyes and gripped Slay tighter.

The roar of flames passed overhead, but nothing hit him. He opened his eyes and looked up, then behind him as Borisin came to a stop.

“Shit.”

The roof of the Palace was in flames. The archers there were screaming, leaping from the roof and hitting the ground as burning husks.

“It didn’t work.”

The dragon flew over the Palace and breathed down into the north courtyard.

“I’m here!” Rudiger yelled. “I have the sword, damn it!”

More arrows from the archers on the ground flew out, but the dragon was too far and on the other side of the Palace.

Gabby galloped up beside him and Borisin. “It was a valiant try.”

“It was a fucking disaster.”

Gabby nodded. “Yeah, it was, but you were right. It was our only option. But even if it had come after you, those arrows did nothing. Now we just have to get as many people out alive as we can. Oh gods, I’m pretty sure Thilin was on the roof with archers. There was no way he survived that. Oh gods, Thilin. He was so young.”

The dragon flew back over the Palace, its shadow passing right over Rudiger and Gabby. It breathed again, but on the gardens to the east of them. The screams of the archers positioned there cut out almost as soon as they started.

She’s playing with us, Borisin said. Saving us for last.

“She’s playing with us,” Gabby said.

“Yeah, Borisin said the same thing.”

“Come on, we need to find Quilla and the others. Get them to safety before that thing kills us all.”

They rode straight towards the Palace. As soon as they reached the stairs, Gabby leapt off her horse. Rudiger handed Slay to her, then dismounted as well.

“Damn, this sword is heavy,” Gabby said, handing it back to him.

Incoming!

Rudiger looked up.

The dragon was coming straight at them, red flames taking shape in its gaping maw.

Rudiger raised Slay. Maybe the flames would melt the blade, denying Lidda her prize.

The flames shot forward. Heat washed over him. Such intense heat. The flames pressed against Slay, threatening to push him over.

And there they parted. They split to either side, then curved around him, Gabby, and the horses.

Then the flames had passed.

The dragon pulled up, flying over the Palace again.

Rudiger looked behind him. The stairs leading to the main entrance of the Palace were on fire, as were the main doors.

But he, Gabby, and the horses were unharmed.

Gabby wiped sweat from her brow. “What the fuck?”

The letters carved into Slay’s blade—the ones in the language no one had ever deciphered—were glowing a bright, fiery red. Rudiger gaped. “Holy shit.”

“And you were offering her the chance to take that?” Gabby said. “Come on. We have to move before the Palace burns down. We’ll use one of the servant entrances.”

Rudiger nodded slowly, still staring at Slay. “What about the horses?”

Don’t worry about me, Borisin said. I’ll get Druna here to safety. I’ll see you...when I see you.

Rudiger lowered Slay and patted Borisin’s neck. Be careful, buddy.

Always.

“I’m not sure there’s anything we can do,” Gabby said.

“It’s okay. Borisin’ll see to things.”

Gabby nodded. “Come on!”

Rudiger unstrapped Slay’s sheath from Gabby’s horse, then hurried after her. The two horses took off. The letters on the sword were dimming as he slid it into its sheath. A mystery for another day. Right now, he needed to follow Gabby and…

No. He stopped as Gabby held the door open.

“Coming?” she asked.

He shook his head and pulled Slay back out of its sheath. “You find them. I’ve got the only thing here that is any defence against that dragon. I might be able to save a few lives.”

Gabby paused only a moment before nodding. “You’re right. Be careful.” She closed the door.

Rudiger took a moment to breathe deeply. Then he took off in search of anyone still alive.