Dragon Down Read online

  “I disagree. I’m afraid if we wait for reinforcements they may kill Traygen. You can wait for reinforcements if you want, but I’m going after Traygen.”

  “Lauren, General Wingo, I think you both make good points. I suggest we take out the sentries together. Then Lauren and I’ll look for Traygen. You, general, can wait for reinforcements and direct the attack. Can we agree on this compromise?” Trevor asked as he glanced at each of us in turn. The general nodded his consent, but he didn’t look happy. “Lauren, what do you say?”

  “I can live with it. Now can we get this show on the road?” The general nearly ran me down in his haste to take control. His men moved swiftly behind him. Trevor and I brought up the rear. I didn’t mean to step on any toes, but I wasn’t going to take any chances with Traygen’s life.

  We fell in line behind the general and started our climb. There appeared to be only one-way out of the cave. Unfortunately, the minute we moved five or six feet down the tunnel we were swallowed by the darkness. Total and complete inky blackness and the air felt hot and close around us. It made it hard to breathe. I didn’t wait for permission. I whispered a chant in the direction of my wrist causing my bracelet to flare. The Uroborus bracelet on my wrist channels energy, wherever I aim it. It emitted enough light for us to see several feet ahead.

  The general nodded curtly at me and continued down the tunnel. We moved along in silence for a short time before we came to the first branching of the tunnel. Standing still and covering the bracelet, we stood in silence. It didn’t take long to detect a faint breeze from the tunnel on our left. Trevor discreetly marked the point we’d entered in case we needed to retreat the same direction. I could feel the ground start to rise, while the darkness began to lighten. Mumbling softly, I removed the spell on the bracelet, and it blinked out. General Wingo motioned for us all to stop. He signaled for one of the men to move ahead. I knew he was checking to see if there were any Vikings in the area. The scout returned within minutes and held up three fingers. He sent the three men to dispatch the Vikings.

  Several minutes passed before one of the men returned and motioned us forward. They’d subdued the Vikings. However, they weren’t the sentries. They were the rear guard. The general directed the men to take the guards uniforms and put them on. Dressed as members of the Viking army, the men moved swiftly ahead of us. The three of us left a little distance between us and our disguised men. We inched slowly forward, straining to hear sounds from the guards or anyone else that might be heading our way. The tunnels were lighted and we waited while the men checked to make sure the way was clear.

  I could smell fresh air. Yes. We were almost to an outside opening. Movement ahead made us drop and draw our weapons. Thankfully, it was one of our men. We followed closely behind him. Rounding a turn we were nearly blinded by sunlight. The men had disabled the sentries and were signaling to the dragons below. Nodding to the general, Trevor and I headed down another tunnel on our right. This tunnel was lit by torches and we had to move slowly in case we were spotted. Our ears straining to pick up the slightest sound, I activated my bracelet and palmed the knife I kept in my boot. We both heard it at the same time. Someone was coming, we raced back the way we’d come. Flattening ourselves against the opposite tunnel entrance, we waited.

  I saw them first. There were two men headed toward us. They looked like they were going to replace the sentries. I signaled to Trevor that I had the one on the right. We waited for the men to pass us before we pounced. I stunned mine with a blast from my bracelet and Trevor tackled his. They rolled around a few times before Trevor choked him into unconsciousness.

  “No fair,” he whispered and pointed to my bracelet.

  We dragged the two men further down the tunnel in the direction from where we’d originally come. The man Trevor choked began to cough. We tied his hands behind his back and lifted him to his feet. The man I’d stunned had not regained consciousness. We rolled him into a dark corner and turned our attention to Trevor’s captive.

  I took my knife from my boot and put the tip under the man’s throat. “You will tell us what we want to know, or I’ll skin you alive.” He spat in my face, and I cut off his left ear. Falling to his knees, screaming in pain, he writhed in agony. I wiped the spittle from my face and began again.

  Trevor pulled him to his feet. “I’d tell her what she wants to know before she clips more than your ear.”

  “How many men do you have in these caves?” I asked as I wiped my knife on his sleeve. The color drained from his face, and I thought he would faint on us.

  “There are thirty men and more on the ship.”

  “Where is Ragnar? Is he here or on board?” I jabbed him lightly to keep him motivated.

  “I wouldn’t lie to her. You can plainly see she is crazy.” Trevor said.

  The man’s eyes darted from Trevor to me before he answered. “He and his son are here.”

  “Do you have any prisoners?” I croaked.

  “Yes, they are being held in one of the smaller caverns that have been sealed off.”

  “Good. Now you will take us to where we can find Ragnar and if you make one mistake, I’ll kill you. Slowly, painfully, am I making myself clear?”

  The man stumbled forward, he was afraid to take his eyes from me. Trevor and I walked on either side of him. Our weapons were drawn and we had them trained on our captive. He led us back the way we had come. Turning a corner, we nearly ran into the general and his men. Not stopping, we motioned for everyone to spread out behind us. Then the man started to slow, and he motioned to a tunnel on our left. I shoved him ahead and we followed. It wasn’t long before we heard voices. I signaled for everyone to halt, and we listened. It sounded like we were interrupting breakfast. Weapons drawn, we pushed the man into their eating area.

  “Don’t move and we may let you live.” I shouted as the general and his men fanned out behind me. There always has to be one idiot who doesn’t listen. I shouted and aimed my bracelet at the nitwit. A burst of bluish light leaped from the bracelet and incinerated the man on the spot. Kill one and the others usually fall in line.

  “Anyone else here that can’t follow directions?” No one moved and I motioned for the men to start disarming the Vikings. I watched as the general and his men confiscated their weapons. “Tie them up and get them out of here.” I yelled. “Which one of you is Ragnar?”

  No one spoke. I felt a little sorry for them. They really were between a rock and a deadly hot place. If they spoke up Ragnar would kill them, and if they didn’t I would. Sighing I raised my bracelet and took aim at the nearest Viking.

  “Stop, I’m Ragnar.” The voice came from a big man at the back of the room.

  “Bring him to me.” I turned to look at General Wingo who moved over to stand by me.

  “Is this man who he claims to be?”

  The general stared hard at the man as he was pushed forward. “He is and I would like a few minutes with him when you’re done.” The general snarled and griped the hilt of his sword tighter.

  “You can do anything you want to him once I’m finished with him. Let’s take him somewhere with a little privacy to question him.” I walked back the way we’d come. Trevor and several of his men escorted Ragnar from the room. They followed me as I searched for a place to question our prisoner. I finally found what I was looking for. It was a small room being used to store supplies.

  “Bring him in here and tie his hands and feet. You can attach his hands to the ring set into the stone.” I pointed at the ring in the corner of the room. There were bags of grain and dried nuts stored underneath where I pointed. Trevor bound Ragnar, tying his hands to the ring behind his back. We formed a semi-circle around him, alert hands on our weapons, while beads of sweat popped up on his forehead. Still, he said nothing.

  I stepped forward and pointed my bracelet at Ragnar’s heart. “You will tell me what I want to know or I’ll make sure you die a slow, painful merciless death. We are looking for Prince Traygen and we h
ave reason to believe that you have him.”

  Ragnar didn’t answer my question, but a smirk spread across his face like the sun breaking over the land at dawn. Bad idea, I could see he would need some convincing. I aimed my bracelet at his feet and fired. A jet of bluish light leaped from the bracelet, setting his boots on fire. He did a fair rendition of the quick step before begging me to put out the flames.

  “I’ll tell you whatever you want. Put out the flames,” he cried.

  I nodded for one of the men to stomp out the flames, and I did mean stomp. These men all loved Traygen. When the flames were finally put out I moved closer to Ragnar. He flinched as I approached. He was a quick learner. I’ll give him that.

  “I’m only going to ask you one more time. Tell me what I want to know, or I’ll roast you slowly over an open flame.” I tapped my bracelet for emphasis. His eyes darted around the room, the realization that he was truly a ‘Ratnar in a trap’ slowly dawning on him. I could see him struggling with what to say and how to say it. Nausea threatened to engulf me and I struggled to breathe.

  “I don’t have him. The…”

  I raised my bracelet and aimed it at his head.

  “No, wait,” he screamed. “We did have him, but the vampires took him. I swear. He was alive the last time I saw him.”

  “Which vampires? Where did they take him?”

  “I don’t know which vampires or where.”

  I raised my arm and set his hair on fire. He yowled in pain, twisting violently at his restraints.

  “Lauren, stop or you’ll kill him. We need answers.” Trevor shouted as he put out the flames.

  “That was my intent. Now Ragnar, I’m going to give you one last chance to tell me something that will persuade me to let you live.” I glared at Ragnar, fighting to gain control of my anger.

  “I don’t know who has him now. However, the vampire that controlled the Einherjar ordered me to surrender him. I wanted to hold him for ransom, but the vampire threatened to turn the Einherjar against us. I had no choice. We could not defeat them.”

  “When did this happen? Where did they take him?”

  “It was just before the last full moon, and I swear I don’t know where they took him. It was night and we didn’t know they’d gone until the next day.”

  I started to raise my arm, but before I could kill Ragnar, Trevor stopped me.

  “How did you find this vampire in the first place? Did you know about Einherjar before the vampire told you about them?” Trevor asked as he put himself between Ragnar and me.

  “The vampire contacted us. I never trusted him but, we were losing ground. I knew without the help of the Einherjar we would have been defeated.”

  “And you didn’t think it strange a vampire would contact you for no reason at all? Do you often associate with vampires? You need to do better than that, or I’ll have no reason to let you live.”

  Ragnar’s eyes darted from my face to Trevor’s. He wasn’t the brightest crayon in the pack. His ass is in a sling, and he is trying to figure out whom to approach. I could eliminate one option - me.

  “Ragnar, the only rational person in this room is Prince Trevor. You may as well make your case with him because my mind is made up. Tell me something I want to hear or your dead.”

  “All right, all right. We have sided with the vampires from time to time. I guess you could say we have similar aims and objectives. Still, I swear I never knew who the vampires worked for. Our two groups always work independently for obvious reasons. Even with the Einherjar, they had vampire handlers.”

  Trevor stepped forward and held up a hand to silence Ragnar. “Describe what these vampires looked like? What did they eat? Tell us anything that might help us figure out who they are.”

  Ragnar cleared his throat and hesitated before speaking. “They looked like royalty and kept to themselves. Oh, and when they fed they didn’t kill their prey.”

  I motioned for Trevor to join me. We left Ragnar under heavy guard and moved down the tunnel out of earshot.

  “Lauren, what do you make of that? Do you think you know who might have taken Traygen?”

  “Yes and no. They sound like vampires from the white court, but white court vampires would not attempt anything of this magnitude without help. If they did take Traygen, then they are working for another court. Perhaps, they owe someone.”

  “Any ideas about what court could have wanted to kidnap Traygen?”

  “Trevor, I honestly don’t know. The Whites are the least deadly. They couldn’t handle Traygen unless he was hurt. That leaves the herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous-otherwise known as the Jade Court, Black Court, and Red Court. I don’t honestly think the Jade Court would have much of an interest. My money would be on the Black Court or Red Court. They’re both deadly and nervy enough to try something like this.”

  “I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Do you know where these vampire courts are?”

  “No, it’s not like they advertise their existence. It is rumored the three courts have islands somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. I’ll have Jason contact the council. They’ll have some ideas. Meanwhile what do you want to do with the Vikings?”

  “Take them back to the kingdom to stand trial. I’ll have the men transport them back. It is time for me to return and start rebuilding the kingdom, at least until my father regains his health. You know I’d rather come help you find Traygen but, we don’t…”

  “Don’t say it Trevor. I understand you have to stay. I’ll get help from the council, and I’ll keep you informed. I just can’t give up on finding Traygen alive. Can you spare a dragon to return me to the castle? I want to find Jason and get started. Besides if I hang around here, I may kill Ragnar before he stands trial.”

  “Lauren, I understand, and I’ll fly you back. General Wingo can manage this without us. That will give me time to prepare for the prisoners. I will also need to speak with my father. I’ll go talk to General Wingo and then we can leave.”

  Chapter Two

  Trevor had us airborne within the hour. It seemed like it took us much longer to get back. Maybe, I just missed the adrenaline rush. All I’m certain of us is that I missed my twenty-first century creature comforts. I would kill for a hot shower but, I’d have to settle for a tepid bath. When the young woman drew my bath, I was nearly asleep on my feet. Luckily, I didn’t doze off in the tub.

  Once I cleaned up and poured myself a glass of wine, I curled up in front of the fire. There was no sense in contacting Jason until daybreak. He got crankier than normal if I got him out of bed for anything short of death. I took the time to try to figure out my next move. I’d need more help than Tokem could provide. As much as I hated to admit it, I was The Bionic Woman without her Six Million Dollar Man. I just couldn’t believe that Traygen wasn’t at my side.

  A hesitant knock, at my door woke me some time later. It was Trevor checking to see if I was all right. I assured him I was fine and I was going to contact Jason for help and advice. I dressed in a hurry, not bothering to put on makeup, which is something I’m loathed to do. Time was of the essence. I put on my bracelet and summoned Jason. Then I sat down to wait. It didn’t usually take long but, he could be anywhere in several universes.

  Next, I put out a call to Tokem. I’d need the little guy’s help, and I knew he’d never forgive me if I went without him. He popped in several minutes later.

  “What took you so long? I thought you’d left without me.” He said as he settled on my outstretched hand.

  “Are you kidding, I can’t find Traygen without you.” He beamed from head to toe, which was only about six inches.

  “I didn’t really think you’d leave me. What have you learned since I last saw you? Any news about Traygen?”

  “We tracked the Vikings to the Isle of Man and convinced them to tell us what they knew. They don’t have him and they claim that vampires took him.”

  Tokem marched up my arm to look me squarely in the eye. “Do you be
lieve them? It isn’t as if the Vikings or the vampires are trust worthy.”

  “Let’s just say I gave Ragnar every reason to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. He claims he doesn’t know which vampires, but his description sounded like the White Court. ”

  “That is a little rich for their blood isn’t it, err no pun intended. A full-grown dragon is out of their league. Unless he was hurt or bound so he couldn’t change. They know he would eventually get free.”

  “My thoughts exactly. If it was a White Court vampire then they are working for someone else. I can imagine them as a go-between, but beyond that they are in over their heads with Traygen.” I was interrupted by a flash of light, which announced Jason’s arrival.

  “Lauren, Tokem, is there any knew news about Traygen?”

  “A little. We found Ragnar and the Vikings on the Isle of Man. They claim Traygen was taken by the vampires that trained the Einherjar. Ragnar claims he doesn’t know who they are or where they took him. He wasn’t lying.”

  Jason didn’t say anything for several minutes. “I don’t know if the two are connected or not but the council is on high alert. It seems they have reason to believe the Black Court is planning a major assault. The details are still coming in.”

  “What would kidnapping Traygen do for the Black Court? I know the Black and Red Courts have warred with the council over the centuries. Why on earth would they be starting something now? I’m not aware of anything that has set them off.”

  “Honestly, we have no idea either. There are members of the council working on it. I just thought you should know if you are planning on dealing with the vampires.”

  “Jason, do you or anyone at the council know where I can find the vampire courts? I know the four courts make up the Lazarian Court. Yet, I don’t know how to find the locations of their various courts.”