By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,14
said Endil.
“Imagine the look on old Ittonifer’s stone cold face if that happened,” said Timlin.
Everyone laughed except for Talya.
“How were all seven of these dragons together if a dragon can only lay one egg at a time?” asked Tanel.
“Someone maybe gathered several eggs together from different mothers,” said Talya.
She glared at Edandir.
“I will tell you about it one day, but for now, we have a mission to complete,” said Edandir.
“Yes, Sir,” they all replied in unison.
They remounted their dragons and flew to the south side of Ittonifer’s homeland. They landed in a dense forest and tied their dragons to the thick tree stumps.
A dirt road just past the forest led them to Malinor City. Edandir had not been there since his youth, but it had not changed at all. It was strange to experience the sights and smells he hadn’t been around for decades.
The city’s sharp, jagged architecture, all built of black stone, hinted of Malinor’s brutality. Merchants clothed in dull, drab colors yelled at darkly dressed townspeople on the street.
The general and his spies walked by a large crowd of what appeared to be the Malinorian elite. Men in well-tailored black tunics and shined leather boots were accompanied by tall, beautiful ladies adorned with dark makeup and tightly laced corset gowns.
There were no children. In Malinor, the very young were neither seen nor heard.
The crowd was most likely watching either a public torture or a slave auction.
Edandir flinched. Talya had drifted over to the group of people. She stood on tiptoe, trying to see over some of the men.
Tanel grabbed her arm and brought her back to the group.
Edandir shook his head.
There were several Malinorian knights patrolling the streets. Talya should have known that she had to be extra careful so as not to draw any attention to them.
“We are here solely for this mission, Talya,” whispered Edandir. “This is not a leisurely excursion. Don’t make me regret asking you to be here.”
She nodded, but he knew beneath that mask was a scowl. It was a mistake to bring her along.
“Where do you think Ittonifer is?” asked Tanel.
“Probably on the training field.”
They left the bustling city and traveled down another dirt road that led to the military base. Edandir felt like he had been there just yesterday. It was so familiar. Thousands of soldiers dueled and sparred on the training field.
Edandir scanned the area for Ittonifer. The man often personally trained his knights, but today there was no sign of him.
An alarming shofar’s cry pierced the air. It had come from the inner city.
All of the Malinorian soldiers sheathed their swords and marched toward the city.
Edandir jogged over to one of them.
“Why is everyone quitting so early?”
“Where have you been? Everyone’s to be at the coliseum this afternoon. Ittonifer’s got something special planned.”
I’ll bet.
Edandir and his spies followed the hundreds of soldiers to a grand amphitheater in the center of the city.
“Stay close to me, everyone. If we get separated somehow, then we will meet back in the forest. Go there as soon as this meeting is over,” said Edandir.
They all walked inside.
Edandir had never been on the inside of the great structure before. He remembered back when it was first being built. It was larger than he had imagined it would be.
Thousands of people already sat on stone benches. The Malinorian knights were seated at the bottom rows of the circular building.
Edandir and his small clan sat down side by side. He was relieved they hadn’t been scattered by the crowds.
“I’ve never seen anything like it!” Talya exclaimed.
She was sitting next to him, but anyone within earshot could have heard her unmistakably feminine voice.
“Please don’t speak until we leave this place,” Edandir hissed.
He was about to continue the lecture, but a series of horns interrupted him. The audience instantly fell silent.
The orchestra began to play a soft, mournful piece of music.
Edandir had heard that song once before. He had nearly forgotten. The intoxicating tune took him back to a time over twenty years ago. He didn’t want to go there again.
Ittonifer stepped onto the field wearing his armor and battle helmet.
The crowd cheered, drowning out the song and its enchantment.
The Malinorian ruler looked imposing as always with his prominent stature and powerful build. He had barely aged.
Ittonifer stopped once he reached the middle of the field. The music ceased. Another tall, fully armored man approached Ittonifer and then bowed at his feet.
It was Jalarn.
*****
Talya watched the warrior that had nearly killed her bow at his uncle’s feet. She