A disastrous discovery
#11 of The Knights of Juno
Alrighty, the next two chapters of the Knights of Juno are finally ready for submission. I apologize for taking so long but I have been very busy. I hope you will enjoy them.
As always, comments are apprecaited and requested.
Continued from 'Emotional bombshells...'
Malcolm yawned widely, drawing heavily on the thin, frigid air that was streaming past his face. He shivered slightly and shook his head, clearing it of the fog of exhaustion that seemed determined to drag him under its sway. He was tired, more tired than he had ever been before. Not even when he had been on the campaign in Europe, fighting every day had he ever felt this drained. And, never in his past had it ever been this important for him to stay awake and aware. Taking a draft of water from a canteen hanging from his belt, he returned his gaze to the endless landscape below, the frigid drink focusing his mind despite his exhaustion. Turquoise was soaring over a valley in the Rockies far to the north of the mountain, a valley that looked almost identical to the last one, or indeed, the last ten, that they had surveyed. Both rider and dragon were scanning the walls of the valley carefully, seeking for their prize. And, there below, Malcolm spied another possible place where it might rest. Signaling Turquoise with his mind, the knight braced back against his mount's shoulder as she dove, spirally down towards their goal from the heights.
The pair had been spending every free moment they had searching the mountains for most of the last four and half months, ever since Karen and Twilight had shared their secret with them. In the weeks after that revelation, the quartet had met a few times out in the wilds, the one place where they could be sure they would not be overheard. At Malcolm's suggestion, both pairs had started searching the mountains for a place where Karen could hide when her pregnancy had gotten to the point where she couldn't hide it anymore. But, even though they had searched many miles of wilderness for a cavern where they could hide, neither of them had found one that was secluded and large enough to serve their purposes, and they seemed to be swiftly running out of time. Although she was only about six and half months along, Karen's belly was already big enough that she couldn't ride Twilight without great discomfort, and walking was difficult. In fact, she looked about the same as someone well into their eighth or ninth month. She was still hiding her changing shape with her magic, but nothing could hide the discomfort or the morning sickness.
Already, the other members of the flight were starting to get suspicious, and that wasn't all. Other knights, and other dragons too, had started expressing concerns about her. And, though Malcolm had no proof, he could have sworn that Scarlon, the eldest of all the dragons, seemed to be showing up more and more frequently around them. The only bright spot of the whole complicated mess was that their wing had not been called on to fight since the European campaign had ended, but it was only a matter of time until they would be, and Malcolm knew they couldn't risk being called on to fight, not with Karen in her condition. So, while Karen and Twilight stayed in the mountain as much as they could, Malcolm and Turquoise had stepped up their search, giving up all their free time and even most of their nights to find a safe haven for their friends. Malcolm shook his head once more, clearing the fog from it and slipped sideways off his mount's neck, landing lightly in a crouch beside the opening in the side of the valley. Looking up, the young knight waited for his mount to settle to his side on the earth, taking on her hybrid form even as her feet touched the earth. When she had fully transformed once more, Malcolm looked back at the cave entrance, hiding the thoughts that were brewing inside him.
That was another thing that was keeping him from getting sleep on the rare occasions he actually got the chance to do so. Malcolm and Turquoise had been matched as a dragon and knight pair since they were about two or three months old. As a result, she had been his friend for longer than they had known what a friend was. She had always been the one he could turn to when he was troubled, and she understood him like no one else did. And despite their closeness, their relationship had gone no farther than that. She had comforted him when Karen had told him she didn't think of him as more than a friend. But, ever since they had found out just how deeply their friend's relationship went, their own had been changing as well. It had been a subtle change, and they had been so busy that Malcolm hadn't noticed it for a long time. And when he had finally noticed it, he found that they had been getting closer and closer for years, and Malcolm had often found his thoughts drifting to her when they were idle. It had taken him a month to realize what it might mean, and it had taken even longer for him to admit it to himself. He still hadn't said it out loud, not even when he was alone, afraid of what it meant, and what would happen if he admitted it.
"This looks promising..." Turquoise commented, ducking into the cave. Though the opening wasn't even large enough for a human to walk upright into, the cavern seemed to open up considerably further inside. While his dragon explored, Malcolm looked around the valley and smiled. It was certainly secluded enough. No one around for about thirty miles, which meant that no one would see them coming or going, especially if they were careful. Nodding, he followed his dragon inside the small cave opening. The entrance to the main cavern was a tunnel a few meters long, small enough that one had to crawl on hands and knees to reach the interior, but as Malcolm got to his feet, he couldn't help but smile. This looked nearly perfect. Beyond the narrow opening, the cavern was huge, big enough to accommodate a young dragon or two in their true forms, though it would be a tight squeeze. What was more, it wasn't an abandoned mine like so many caves were in these mountains, and therefore probably wasn't mapped out. In fact, it was doubtful that anyone knew it existed. Looking at his draconian companion, he grinned in the dim light, receiving a similar grin in reply.
"I think we have a winner." Malcolm said and Turquoise nodded, magic already crackling around her hands as she brought the power to bear. With a smile, she touched the side of the cave with a hand, a brilliant flash of magic lighting the open space, blinding the knight. When Malcolm's sight had cleared, a perfect glowing handprint had been left behind on the wall, marking the site for them alone. Malcolm could already feel the magic mark in his mind, drawing him to it like a ceaseless beacon. "Let's get back to the mountain."
"After you." Turquoise said, gesturing to the opening of the cave. When the pair was back out in the sunlight once more, Malcolm swung easily onto the neck of his friend. Even with the speed dragons were capable of, it would be an hour at least before they would be back at their home with the good news, unless of course they teleported with magic. With a smile, Malcolm hung on tightly to the smooth scales of his mount as she took off. And then, as the valley floor receded behind them, all the stress that had been building in him for weeks was suddenly released, leaving him feeling suddenly worn out, exhausted as if he had nothing left to draw on. They had finally done it. They had found a place for their friends to hide. With a sigh, he slumped forward, laying his cheek on the warm scales of his mount, his eyes closing drowsily despite the chill of the high air. He truly wished that he was on leave once again, so he could take the next few days to sleep, and maybe figure out everything that he was feeling. He had been awake and on the go for entirely too long. Malcolm shook his head and leaned back upright once more, resigned to staying awake, no matter how tired he got. Then, he looked up at his mount's head as a low rumble passed through her. She looked back at him and smiled a knowing smile.
"Sleep now, my dear friend." She said, chuckling again. "I will wake you when we are close." Malcolm smiled in reply and laid his head back down on the warm blue-green surface before him. As his mind began to fade into the seductive fog of sleep, he marveled at how soft his dragon's scales seemed to him. All his life, he had considered her scaly hide hard and uncomfortable, strange and alien, always preferring the molded leather saddle to riding bareback. But, when they had fought for their lives together, shed their blood in defense of one another, growing closer all the time, he had been surprised to find his attitude swiftly changing. He had abandoned the saddle midway through the campaign, preferring the close contact to her that riding bareback gave. Somehow, odd as it was, flying around unsecured upon her back made him feel safer than the saddle ever had. And now, he almost found her to be more comfortable than his actual bed, her smooth scales seeming soft like pillows of the softest down. Smiling, Malcolm closed his eyes to the pleasant blur of the landscape below, and let himself drift away...
***
Back in the towering pinnacle of stone that the dragons and their companion knights called home, Twilight sat beside his mate on the soft bed in her quarters, propped up against the headboard as she lay back beside him. It had been a long time since they had needed these rooms, since Karen now slept inside his nest in the Aerie, and thin layer of dust had covered everything. But the rooms could offer one thing that the nest couldn't. They needed privacy, and with her having a hard time riding, they had started using her quarters as a place to be together. In this room, in these quarters, they could at least drop the spells of concealment that hid his mate's condition. And that was about as much joy as they could muster these days.
"Oo!" Karen exclaimed, putting a hand to her swollen belly. "It moved."
Twilight smiled and allowed his human mate to place his hand on her stomach. The dark-scaled dragon grinned when he felt the movement beneath her flesh, nuzzling his mate as their child shifted. At first, Twilight had been tempted to use his magic to learn everything about his child that he could, but Karen had wanted to wait until it came into the world. Twilight felt his grin grow wider as he thought about how devoted he had become to his mate. As a dragon, he had been brought up with the understanding that he didn't have to follow the orders of any human, and that even trying to give an order to a dragon was insulting. But with Karen, her every request, her every desire became as an order to him, and he knew he didn't care. It had been that way for years, since before they had realized their feelings for one another. And, since they had shared their secret names, her needs had become even more important to him. But now, with his human mate carrying his child, he obeyed her without question, holding her wishes as much more important than his. And, Karen knew that, and loved him all the more for it.
And, as the new life shifted again within his love, Twilight settled back beside her, letting her lean her head against his shoulder. Even though the two of them conceiving a child had made their lives immeasurably more difficult, Twilight had never been so happy in his entire life. He loved Karen so much that he was willing to endure anything, take on any challenge, to protect her and their family. But still, it would not be long until they could hide it no longer. Very soon, they would have to leave the mountain, and hide away somewhere, possibly for the rest of their lives. Twilight sighed and put both hands on his lover's waist, gently pulling her closer.
"You know Karen," he began, his mate nestling her raven-haired head under his chin. "It won't be long until you won't be able to ride anymore. You should ask for a leave of absence. We can't just refuse to go somewhere because you can't ride."
"I know, my love." She replied, closing her eyes and giving a small smile. "But if I ask, they will want to know why. And we will have to tell them about our little one, and about us. And all the rules we have broken together."
"Maybe it is time." Twilight said, his heart starting to hammer with nervousness. "We can't keep this a secret forever. And I don't think it is a good idea to wait until you are in labor to tell them."
"I agree." Karen said, tears collecting at the corners of her eyes. "But every time I think about it, it feels like everything is closing in on me. I can't bring myself to do it." The young woman wiped at her tears before continuing, "I keep imagining what my parents will say, what they will do when they find out I fell for my dragon."
"Don't worry Karen." Twilight said, hugging his mate closer and gently kissing the top of her head. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise. And whatever happens, we will face it together."
"I love you so much Twilight." Karen whispered, kissing his chin in reply. A moment later, a quiet knock sounded at the door, making the pair reluctantly separate, Karen bringing her magic to bear, raising the illusion spells once more. "Come in."
"It's just us." Malcolm said as he entered and Karen smiled at her friend, tempted to allow the magic illusion to fade, but she restrained the urge, her instincts keeping the magic intact. "We have good news."
"We found a place where you can hide." Turquoise continued as she entered behind her rider. "It's far from here, but it should be easy enough to move what you need there."
"Thanks, I..." Karen started to say, trying to get to her feet but she stumbled and sank back down on the bed, making Turquoise and Malcolm smirk. "Agh...Thanks for helping us." With a smile Twilight helped his mate to stand and steadied her when she was on her feet. "It's getting hard to get around anymore."
"It is no trouble." Malcolm said, and then jumped, for footsteps had sounded behind him in the doorway. Turning quickly, he snapped to attention and saluted Lord Mikael as he walked into the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you on your day off," The Lord said, returning the salute of his subordinate knights. "But I have news that you all need to hear."
"What is it sir?" Karen asked, standing straight beside her mate, managing to appear as if nothing was wrong.
"Our friends in Europe got word to us earlier today," The lord began, looking at the young lieutenant with a smile. "A few weeks ago one of the survivors of the Light of Truth's High Command made contact with them, saying that he wanted to defect. Members of le Ordre de la Chimèra managed to extract him, and one of our flights checked him for traps. Though he is clean, and his defection seems to be authentic, our friends have insisted that he be brought out of Europe. We offered him a safe haven here, and the escort flight has gotten him as far as Nova Scotia, but they have already narrowly avoided three separate ambushes. As a result, the defector has insisted that he isn't going any further until Argil and I, as well as your flight, are there to escort him the rest of the way."
"My flight?" Karen exclaimed, startled. "Why my flight?"
"It probably has something to do with your diffusing of that nuke." Mikael said. "Word did get around pretty quickly. Gather your flight, lieutenant, and gear up. We will be leaving in an hour."
"Yes, my lord." Karen said, bowing. The lord returned the bow and left the room quickly, completely missing the difficulty Karen had with straightening back up from her bow. But Malcolm and Turquoise didn't.
"Are you sure you can manage to go on this flight?" Malcolm said, hurrying to her side as she winced.
"How can I refuse to go?" Karen asked, grimacing as she straightened up all the way. "I would have to tell them about being pregnant, and about my relationship with Twilight. I am just not ready for that yet. I can make it, I think."
"Alright, if you are sure..." Malcolm said, leading his dragon from the room, but giving Karen a worried look. "We will meet you in the Aerie." When the other pair had left, Twilight turned to his mate and regarded her carefully.
"Karen, I didn't want to bring it up when Malcolm and Turquoise were here, but..." Twilight began.
"I know Twilight." She replied. "But what can we do? We don't have a choice. We have to go."
"Then let me take your pain." Twilight said, and Karen immediately shook her head. "I have done it before. I can handle it if you will let me."
"No Twilight." She insisted, hefting her rifle from its stand. "I can't let you do that for me. I will be fine, I promise..."
***
Malcolm yawned tiredly, trying not to nod off. It had been almost twelve hours since the flight had left the mountain and Malcolm was feeling the weight of his lack of sleep. The brief nap he had had on the way back to the mountain had not given him nearly enough strength for this. He had tried downing almost a liter of coffee before they had left, but the caffeine had worn off a long while ago. But he couldn't very well nod off in the middle of this flight. He and the other knights of his flight were supposed to be watching for threats, along with the knights and dragons of the two flights of the command wing that were spread out to his right. Up ahead, the great white and silver dragonlord Argil glittered in the sunset, his bright scales reflecting the brilliant orange and red like dozens of sparks, winking here and there as his wings pumped almost lazily to keep him aloft. Malcolm shook his head, trying once again to keep himself awake. He was fighting a losing battle, he knew, but he was desperately trying not to give in.
Instead of focusing on the unending sprawl of wilderness below his dragon's wings, he focused instead on his flight leader. Malcolm was growing increasingly worried about her. For the last hour, she had been shifting restlessly in her perch upon Twilight's shoulders, the rocking motion of her lover's wings apparently making her uncomfortable. In response, Twilight had quickly changed the way his wings swept up and down, making it much more difficult for him to fly, but the rocking had eased. But still she seemed uncomfortable. And on the few occasions she had looked back, Malcolm had seen that her face was pale, drawn in pain. But she was still sitting upright, and still apparently aware, so, he thought that she may yet make it. After all, they were already on their way back to the mountain. But still, this settled it. She was going to have to ask for a leave of absence regardless of how much she might fear it. Sighing, the dreadlocked knight glanced back once again, feeling a somewhat irrational hatred for the individual that had made them come out this far to get him. Behind the formation of dragons of which Turquoise was only a part, four more dragons flitted protectively around a trio of identical hovercopters, one of which carried the defector, the source of his anger.
Sighing once again, Malcolm shifted his attention back to the other members of his flight. Kelsie and Thoron, the newest members, were flying to his right, their eyes downward, searching the forest below as they had been trained, the inexperienced pair trying not to look excited at having been specifically called on for a flight. Shiriki and his copper scaled mount were flying in the rear guard position, neither rider nor dragon having noticed his flight leader's distress. The dark skinned knight shook his head as his eyes began to close again; the boredom of the flight was going to drive him crazy if it went on any longer.
With a suddenness that made him jump, all the boredom was driven from his head in an instant. A cry of terrible, deafening agony suddenly split the silence of his mind, shattering his concentration. All the dragons in the vicinity reared suddenly upward, their wings flaring as they tried to keep themselves aloft despite the cry, which echoed in their minds as well as their ears, and every rider clamped their hands to their heads, unable to bear it. The scream echoed with the force of a dragon's cry, but its voice was human, a voice that Malcolm recognized in an instant. It was Karen's.
Worry twisting in his guts, Malcolm forced his eyes to open despite the pain of the echoing cry, staring at his flight leader in surprise. She was cringing, doublewd over on her mate's back, the illusion spells long gone. Both hands clutched at her swollen belly, her face contorted in agony, the scream echoing throughout the entire formation of dragons. And Twilight too was in pain, it seemed, his body arching as agony swelled within him too. And then, in moments, everything seemed to happen at once. Lord Mikael looked back from ahead, seeking the source of the cry, and Malcolm watched in horror as comprehension dawned on the Lord's face. He urged his mount to turn and the huge dragonlord was suddenly flying back towards them, anger kindling bright in his eyes. And then, even worse than that, Malcolm saw Karen topple from her perch atop her dragon, falling from the sky, Twilight falling the other way, his body contorting in pain, wings fluttering limply. And then, as if the entire world had frozen like a picture, the cry faded in his mind, and he and Turquoise reacted in the same instant.
Turquoise dove with such suddenness that it was as if she had lost her wings altogether, aiming straight for the falling dragon. And, in the same instant, Malcolm reached out with his magic in the other direction, cradling Karen with a net of energy. And then, as a fisherman draws in his catch, Malcolm drew the net in, catching his friend in his arms just as Turquoise seized Twilight in her claws, the male dragon writhing in almost perfect sync with his mate. But, even as he caught Karen, Malcolm could see Argil diving upon them, his blue eyes bright with anger. This was it. Karen and Twilight were going to be punished, and who knew what they would do to the unborn child. And he and Turquoise would be in just as much trouble for knowing about it. And then, something miraculous happened, something he had never expected. As the huge dragon lord drew near them, two shapes were suddenly in the way.
Thoron and Shrike, their eyes strangely unfocused, suddenly swooped in the way of the dragonlord, their wings spread wide, blocking his path and even his view, beating at the dragonlord's head with their wings. Their riders were yelling at them, trying to get them under control, but the dragons acted as if they couldn't even hear them. The huge Dragonlord reared backward in surprise, and the two young dragons flitted back and forth before him, baring their teeth and snarling, their riders holding on for dear life. It was as if they were challenging the huge white dragon, an absurd act, the massive dragon at least ten times as large as they were. Stunned by their good fortune, Malcolm and Turquoise tapped their magic in the same instant, the surge of power flooding through their bodies, enveloping their writhing charges. Both knight and dragon focused on the tug in their minds, the spell that had drawn them to it since they had cast it. And then, in an instant, both pairs disappeared from the bright sky...