The ragged man

CHAPTER 9

Ilumene couldn't stop himself grinning. Despite the early hour and the dew seeping into his breeches, he found himself waiting with a handful of others to ambush a deranged dragon – it was so daft, it was hilarious. They lurked under a damaged roof in the ruined building nearest to the Byoran tunnel in the Library of Seasons. Next to him stood the immortal mercenary, Aracnan, who was by contrast, still and entirely emotionless. He looked asleep but Ilumene knew that sleep eluded him, no matter how tired or how hard he tried.

Aracnan was meditating as a way to deal with the pain the King's Man had inflicted upon him, using his millennia of experience to block out the fire in his veins. His hairless skin looked different now, greying and stale where once it had been ivory and full of unnatural vitality. He had lost none of his bulk, but the toll of his shoulder injury was evident to all. Ilumene had fought with the King's Men long enough to know the poison they had used – and the festering hole that would have opened up when Aracnan tried to heal himself with magic.

The stink of Aracnan's flesh was revolting, but Ilumene had spent the summer months in Rojak's company, while the minstrel decayed from the inside out as Scree slowly collapsed. After that he could endure any stink.

'This is crazy,' whispered one of the soldiers for the fourth time that morning. 'Styrax has gone mad with grief.'

His taciturn companion, a white-eye with a mass of scars on his face and throat, grunted in agreement. It was the most noise the man made, and Ilumene was starting to wonder if that was all he could say.

Ilumene's grin widened even more. 'You think?'

He looked over at the valley wall, twenty yards to the left of the Akell tunnel entrance. Tethered to the rock was a thick-shouldered fighting dog. It had been unmuzzled ten minutes ago, but instead of barking to draw the dragon's attention it had settled down and contentedly gone to sleep.

'Foot-traps?' the soldier hissed. 'Ballistae to pin its wings? Soldiers on foot? That's no way to hunt a fucking dragon!'

Ilumene shrugged and patted the crowbill axe he'd brought from the Ruby Tower's armoury. There was a second strapped to his back and a normal axe on the ground behind him; the crowbills were the best thing a man on foot had to pierce a dragon's scales, but if he did, the weapon would most likely lodge there and he'd best have a back-up ready.

'Something of a speciality of yours, is it?' Ilumene asked lightly.

Major Fenter Jarrage, of the Knights of the Temples, was in full battle armour, which told Ilumene that the man hadn't thought too hard about what they were about to do. The white-eye was too, but he looked far stronger and quicker. Despite being the poorest fighter of the four Jarrage nodded emphatically, as though he were a veteran leading a squad of recruits. Just around the cover were four more noblemen from Akell and Fortinn – they were all past forty summers and they were dressed in gaudy hunting leathers, so Ilumene hadn't bothered with their names.

'Done a bit in my time,' the Major went on, 'not dragons, but sand wyverns are close enough, I reckon. Was stationed in Tserol for a time and they would come in from the desert.'

'How would you do it then?'

Jarrage slapped the crossbow slung over his shoulder. 'Bloody regiment with these would be a good start, lined up where we are. They punch through armour well enough; reckon they'll manage dragon scales too, and they're easier to aim than ballistae. Biggest problem is stopping it flying away, you put a hole in its wing, you ain't stopping it, and if it can choose when and how it's going to fight you're lost.'

Ilumene didn't bother to ask how one got a hundred crossbowmen out of those tunnels without making a sound, nor point out the bolts wouldn't go deep enough to do much more than irritate a gigantic, deranged, fire-breathing dragon.

Nice to know someone's probably going to die before me though. He was well aware that they were all most likely a distraction when it came to the actual killing. They might get a lucky blow in, but it would be someone rather more than human who did the real damage.

No, we're not just a distraction, Ilumene reminded himself. Styrax is building himself a legend and he needs witnesses. They say he killed a daemon-prince in Thotel and won over the Tachrenn of the Ten Thousand – now he's going to add a dragon to the tally of his kills.

Even Ilumene had to admit it was an impressive list; killing Lord Isak was nowhere near the greatest feat Styrax had achieved, notable though it was.

Show the priests you can face down and kill a daemon-prince. Show the commoners you're a dragonslayer. Remind the soldiers like me you cut down Koezh Vukotic, one of the greatest swordsmen in history. If my loyalty were up for grabs I'd be persuaded.

'Bugger this for a game of soldiers,' Ilumene announced suddenly. 'I'm bored now.'

He picked up a broken stone the length of his thumb and threw it with unerring accuracy at the dog. The stone thwacked into its flank, causing the dog to wake and yelp. It looked up and Ilumene waved to attract its attention, swearing at it under his breath. The fighting dog jumped to its feet and began barking as loudly as it could, straining at the chain tethering it to the cliff. The sound echoed around the still valley, strangely loud as it reverberated back off the cliffs.

'Piss and daemons, Kayel!' Jarrage exclaimed, hurriedly winding back the mechanism of his crossbow and slotting a bolt into place. He did have a halberd as back-up for the slow-loading crossbow and Ilumene was keen to see how that fared, albeit from a suitable distance.

'I've got a busy afternoon planned,' Ilumene said with a cruel grin and turned to Aracnan to attract the Demi-God's attention. His eyes were open and Ilumene saw a moment's confusion before Aracnan focused on the barking dog and remembered where he was.

'It is time,' Aracnan said, and he rose to one knee with a wince.

His right arm was bound to his chest to keep the wound from working further open, but Ilumene knew he was as capable with his left arm. Aracnan drew his black sword and Ilumene saw the Crystal Skull he possessed moulded around the guard – the Skull called Knowledge that Aracnan had taken from the original owner, though he had claimed it had been destroyed. Although any use of magic would cause Aracnan unbelievable pain, the Skull's power could still augment that of his sword. The blade's surface was swirling and surging with pinpricks and trails of faint light, like a meteor shower in the sky.

Ilumene reminded himself of the plan, such as it was. Ballistae were hidden inside the two tunnels. Behind one were three Litse white-eyes, the Jesters and a Ruby Tower captain, while Lord Styrax, General Gaur and four more Menin were positioned behind the other.

The dragon would be attracted by the noisy snack, then snagged by the foot-traps that, with luck, would keep it distracted long enough for the ballistae to wound it and keep the beast on the ground. After that Ilumene had stopped listening to the briefing. He was confident Styrax would be the one to kill it; all he had to do was concentrate on staying alive.

On cue a low sound rumbled across the valley like distant thunder. The fighting dog hesitated and stared into the distance, then started to bark a challenge. Ilumene kept his eyes on it, moving to one knee and working his muscles to loosen them up after the wait.

The only real armour he was wearing were the long steel-backed gloves he used to cover the scars on his arms. The rest of his outfit was tailored black linen, like he'd worn when still a member of the Narkang Brotherhood, and a stiffened brigandine. It wouldn't stop the dragon's claws, but it might protect his ribs if he was knocked flying.

A second rumbling growl was followed by a single whoosh of wings against the air. The dog faltered, turning in a circle, trying to run and bark, while keeping its eyes on the dragon. Ilumene followed the beast's approach by watching the dog, gauging distance by the increasingly frantic barks.

Two more wing-beats, then a thump as the dragon landed. From the sound it was just around the corner of the building. For a moment it didn't move, then there was a loud hissing rasp, like a snake moving through leaves, and the dog yelped in fear as the creature advanced into view.

Ilumene gaped for a moment; it was vast, bigger than any living creature he'd ever seen. The dragon's body was long and lithe with a bulky knot of muscle at the base of its wings, a deep emerald colour that shone in the pale winter light. It had three sets of black horns; one shorter pair swept low and forward to protect its throat, a long recurved pair above those and a third set pointing back to complete the protection of its head. The dragon's muzzle was thick and snub-nosed, sporting a large pair of upper canines – inelegant but powerful.

Ilumene glanced over at the tunnel doors. They remained closed, ready to jerk back the moment the order came.

'Now's our chance,' he breathed, looking back at the dragon. Its wings were half-furled, doubled over, but standing high on its back like a butterfly's. 'Gods, it's a perfect target.'

He jumped to his feet, waving frantically towards the tunnel doors. 'Now! Now, you bastards!' Ilumene screamed as loud as he could, 'Fire!'

The dragon snarled and jerked its head around. Seeing them it half-turned, pushing up from the ground with its powerful forelimbs, but dropping back with a jolt as one snagged. The beast roared with fury and lunged forward but the movement was awkward as a second cable on the ground hooked its rear talons.

'Fire, you bastards!' Ilumene roared again, waving his axe madly to keep the dragon concentrating on him.

For a moment nothing happened and he felt a cold trickle of terror run down his spine, from the left a black bolt flashed across the valley and sped past the dragon, causing it to rear up in surprise and rage. Now it was facing the doorway where the shot had come from. It roared at the new threat, a deep bellow magnified by the cliff-walls that Ilumene felt like a blow to the head.

He clapped his hands over his ears, taking a step back as the dragon moved and the cables hidden under the turf whipped up like striking snakes. Before the creature could take the strain and rip the cables from the ruined building they were anchored to, a black spot appeared in the centre of one of the pale green wings and caused it to billow like a sail.

The dragon reeled from the blow, its right wing pitching over its back before it caught its balance. It roared again, and tried to leap up into the air to gain some advantage, but only one wing opened and the powerful jump became an ungainly fall as its right wing remained folded, pinned by the fish-hooked ballistae bolt caught in it.

'Come on!' Ilumene yelled to his companions, feeling the familiar sense of bloodlust welling up inside.

The others jumped up and Aracnan moved alongside Ilumene. Out of the corner of his eye Ilumene saw a flash of white and realised the winged Litse white-eyes had emerged, but he didn't slow his charge. The dragon had its back to him, concerned only with the source of the bolt. With an ear-splitting roar the dragon spat a gout of flame towards the door. Ilumene couldn't see what it hit, but he took the opportunity to close the ground, crow-bill axe raised above his head.

He and Aracnan reached the dragon together. Ilumene ran up the beast's planted hind leg and jumped off it, throwing himself up onto the body of the beast so he could put his entire weight behind the blow Aracnan headed for its belly. While its wing was still outstretched Ilumene slammed the axe below the muscles at the wing's base.

The axe bit in, and was torn from his grip, and Ilumene rolled clear as the dragon bellowed again, recoiling from the blow and rearing, just as Aracnan struck. The Demi-God dropped at the last minute and let his momentum carry him right underneath the creature's body, slashing its belly as he passed.

Ilumene fought his way upright. As he scrambled away he glimpsed two Litse in the sky above him, hurling javelins at the dragon's armoured head. A moment later he ducked as he heard the thwack of a crossbow bolt strike the dragon's scales and glance off, followed by the deeper thunk of the tail against an armoured body. Ilumene threw himself to the ground and crawled out of range as fast as he could.

Once back he saw figures surrounding the dragon, all looking pathetically small against it. One of the Litse swooped too low, trying to get close enough to hit its eyes, and the dragon bit like a striking snake. The Litse howled as his leg was caught and he was dragged from the sky, tossed up and bitten again before being thrown away and crashing in a broken heap against the cliff. One of the hunting noblemen tried to exploit its distraction, but while the dragon snapped at another Litse it crushed him with a foot.

Ilumene pulled his dagger and cut the ties that affixed his second axe to his back, catching it as it dropped. The dragon's head swung past him, focusing on the noblemen running at it. With a flick of its tail the dragon bowled the pair over, swatting them with ease. As that happened the Jesters ran forward with long easy strides, their weapons drawn but in no apparent rush. Captain Latiar of the Ruby Tower was behind them, carrying a boar-spear, but they all leapt away when the dragon spat a ball of flame at them.

The nearest Jester wasn't quick enough. His leg was caught by the unnatural flames and in a moment the fire had caught on his clothes and it had swept up to consume his entire body before anyone could attempt to help him. The Demi-God's grey-skinned brothers watched the thrashing figure for a moment, all emotion hidden by their leather masks, then charged again. The dragon raked at the air with its dextrous forelimb, forcing both to stop, or be eviscerated.

And a black-armoured figure leaped from the cliff-face onto the creature's back.

The dragon reared again, roaring furiously as Lord Styrax hacked down at the shining green scales underfoot. The impact of sword and scales produced an explosion of light that momentarily blinded Ilumene, and when his eyes cleared he saw the dragon had reached around to gore Styrax, only to have one of its long horns chopped in half by his fanged broadsword. The dragon snarled and shook Styrax off its back. The white-eye seemed to be expecting the move, leaping clear and rolling to his feet in one smooth movement. The dragon clawed at him with a forelimb and he threw himself aside, rolling again as it furrowed the ground.

The dragon turned to follow him, swinging its tail around in a wide arc to keep the remaining Jesters clear. Its head dipped again and Ilumene saw a blast of red sparks from Styrax's sword as he warded off the blow. The white-eye struck back, two swift blows that missed, but gave him enough time to leap left again and avoid being gored. A green haze suddenly filled the air around the dragon and the Jesters cried out, covering their faces as though a sudden inferno had flared up.

Darting streams of emerald light began to race through the air like hunting swallows, arrowing down at Styrax and forcing him to parry strike after strike. A heartbeat later and his sword flared red, and the streams started to explode as Styrax struck them. Once the majority had been destroyed Styrax chanced another blow at the dragon, the light of his sword extending from the tip like a whip to slash across its broad chest again and again. The dragon spat fire at him, but a white shield appeared between the two and the fire was absorbed. It tried to turn and bring its tail to bear, hammering it down towards Styrax's head, but he battered it aside.

The white-eye reached forward with his scarred left hand and grabbed at the air, drawing the white shield back to his body. As it reached him the magic expanded and became a swirling ball of blistering energy. He planted his feet and threw the ball forward, where it exploded on the dragon's chest. The impact drove it upright, its one good wing spreading to steady it. It was the opportunity Styrax had been waiting for, and he was already moving.

He threw himself forward in a blaze of magic and lunged with his fanged sword. The points bit and drove deep between the scales of the dragon's forelimbs. The dragon howled and raked down, an explosion of emerald fire and sparks obscuring them for a moment before it cleared.

Styrax was still standing. He cut left and right, severing one clawed toe entirely, and the dragon slammed its head down, unmindful of the risk, and sideswiped Styrax before he could reverse his sword, knocking the Menin lord from his feet.

General Gaur saw the danger and tried to buy Styrax time, throwing his huge axe so the dragon had to dodge instead of readying itself for the killing blow. The beast warrior hurled himself aside to avoid the dragon's lashing tail that crashed down a moment later.

Ilumene blinked. Styrax was up again, rising higher than any normal man could and hacking at the dragon's neck. Through a mist of blood and magic Styrax struck again, then cut upwards with a reverse-blow. The injury didn't seem to slow the dragon, but this time its attempt to gore Styrax was parried and he caught it a glancing blow on the jaw before it pulled back.

Shapes appeared around Styrax's head, too fast for Ilumene to make out before they exploded in white sparks. In response Styrax cut a circle in the air, a trail of golden light spinning and coalescing in its wake. The dragon lashed down, gripping the ring with its claws to rip it away. Somehow it held long enough for Styrax to duck underneath and cut upwards at the dragon's stunted dew-claw.

The dragon jerked back immediately, forelimb curling protectively inwards, and Styrax moved closer, sword swinging across his body to fend off its other set of claws. It lunged down at him again with its horns, only to be smashed aside with a sudden flare of magic that opened up its defences. Styrax immediately hacked deep into its massive jaw, putting his full weight into the blow.

The beast reeled and as it pulled back Styrax swung up in another long loop. A golden arc appeared above the dragon's head, yanking it down as he tugged at the air with his left hand. The head came back into range and Styrax roared with triumph as he hacked into its throat with all his unnatural strength.

Not trusting that to be the killing blow he struck again and again while the golden tether held it, but still somehow the beast strained and burst through the restraint. Styrax grabbed a handful of empty air and pulled himself higher off the ground to chop again at the dragon's long neck. He was forced to twist in midair and barely avoided the lunging jaws.

He grabbed the dragon's horns for leverage and somehow hauled himself up so he could slam Kobra's double-tip into its throat, thrusting up with the huge broadsword as he dragged down on the horn. Surrounded by a glittering corona of magic Styrax forced the head down below his body and hacked into the wound as hard as he could.

Dragon head and white-eye fell to the ground together. Styrax was up in a flash to cut again at the beast, but Ilumene could see it was unnecessary. The dragon's huge body convulsed and spasmed briefly, then slumped still.

It was dead, but Styrax didn't stop, slashing at the corpse with all the fury of an enraged white-eye, with all the passion of a man grieving. When finally he realised it was over the beast's head was attached only by a few sinews. He let his sword fall from his hands, forgotten, and slumped to his knees. The echoes faded and a sudden silence fell over the scene.

Ilumene looked around. Even the Jesters looked stunned by the battle they had witnessed. It had been mere moments since Styrax had leaped into the battle. Neither of the surviving Demi-Gods had managed to take a step closer. Their sword-tips rested on the grass. The dispassionate Ilumene had to remind himself to breathe again as he stared at the figure in black armour.

Styrax knelt with his head bowed, a foot away from a horn almost as long as his own body, staring at the corpse but not making a sound. Slowly, carefully, he got to his feet and retrieved his sword, wiping it and sheathing the weapon before he turned his back on them all.

And you thought to fight him, Lord Isak? Ilumene thought with wonder and scorn. As a pawn of Azaer's machinations you were a fool. As a boy trying to choose his own destiny, you were even worse. It's a shame you were so keen to run towards your own death. I'd have enjoyed that moment when you realised you never stood a chance against us.