I nodded.
The Dragon King waved Sir Foxren ahead.
The knight pulled his hood up and stepped onto the lava rock. Two knights went after him, and then the King and I. The rest of the knights closed in behind us in a jagged line that slowly became a semi-circle. Up close, I saw why Foxren had vanished. He crouched low until his cloak became one with the landscape, even going to his hands when needed. I followed his lead, bending over so that my wings formed a turtle shell above me.
Black, lightweight stone crunched beneath my boots. Picking my way carefully, I avoided the larger pieces. There were a few types of lava formations, and I got to know them well on my journey across that field. There was the smooth stones that shone like glass. You could see the flow of magma frozen within these rocks as threads. Then there were the airy rocks, full of pockets like bubbles. Lastly, were the most solid of the rocks, compacted into chunks. All were lightweight and had sharp edges.
I glanced at Raven and his lava-glass sword. It wasn't made of any of these stones. The swords Tabaa was known forwere forged from magma. Magic guided the liquid rock into molds and then infused it with strength. Without the magic, the swords would have shattered upon the first strike. A lot like me. I was stronger now because of the Dragon King's magic.
Not just his magic.Hemade me stronger.
Raven met my gaze. “Almost there. Are you all right?”
I nodded. The truth was—I had cut myself numerous times on the rocks, the stones slicing through my pants to nick my shins. Blood slid down my legs, but I wouldn't complain. He'd only stop to attend me, and that would be a disaster. We had to keep moving. So, I let him think I was unscathed. And I felt damn proud of myself for it.
Grinning, I climbed over the vicious stones. Such a small thing really—conquering rocks. But it wasn't just the cuts. They mended within minutes thanks to my newly improved healing. It was conquering my fear of Nahel and Bara's magic that made my chest inflate. I was crawling across razor rocks to confront evil, and I wasn't whining about it. I was a warrior, painted in coal, and hunting a villain. No longer was I the simpering, teary-eyed captive, making help-me eyes at guests. I was the freer of captives now.
Did it matter that I had only reached this level because of the Dragon King? No, it was still my achievement. He said I made him a better man too. So, it was a symbiotic relationship. Together, we were more than we were apart.
“Over here,” Sir Foxren whispered.
We'd made it over the lava field. Thank the Gods. Straightening, I held back my groan. Wings and back stretching, I peered up at Mount Henochtuclan. I could see the magma'spath down the side of the volcano. The hardened river shone in the sunlight, slithering like a giant snake to the lava field. How appropriate for Nahel's fortress.
Sir Foxren led us around a large, jagged rock formation and into a shadow that blended with the mountain. Within the darkness was a steel door hanging open. Lanterns came forth, pulled from leather satchels. In the light, claw marks became visible near the handle, the steel peeled back like a banana.
“Maybe it would be better to go in the dark?” I suggested. “Your eyesight is good enough to see, right?”
“Yes, but who knows what kind of traps Nahel has left in there? The light will make them easier to spot.” Raven waved Sir Neriver in ahead of us.
The Dragon knight took a lantern and slipped past the door. More knights followed, Raven and I were next, and then the rest, just as we had crossed the field. We entered a broad tunnel that roughly reflected the light back to us. I looked from the floor up to the ceiling. It was all black, going from striated rock below to bubbling walls and then a pitted ceiling that looked as if it were dripping.
“This is a lava tube,” I whispered.
“Yes, I suppose it's best to make use of the natural architecture when you build beneath a volcano.” Raven held his lantern up to shine the light over the ceiling. “Neriver?”
“Nothing so far, Sire,” the Dragon knight said and then crept forward. A few minutes later, he called back, “Halt!”
“What did you find?” the King demanded.
“A false floor. Pass on the right.”
We edged around a trap in the floor and kept going. But that was just the start. The tunnel was full of vicious traps. They got worse the further we went, ending with a magical doozie that would have collapsed the entire tube if Sir Neriver hadn't found and incinerated it.
“This can't be his only entrance,” I said once we passed it.
The King nodded. “He wouldn't have laid that trap if it were. It would slow him down.” He grabbed Sir Vanoak's arm. “When we get inside, search for another exit and guard it. I don't want any of them getting away.”
“Yes, Sire.” Vanoak moved to the head of the group with Neriver, who stood before yet another steel door.
Neriver didn't claw it open. Instead, he crouched and pulled some slender steel tools from his pocket. With Vanoak shining a lantern's light over the door, Neriver picked the lock. With a click, he achieved success and stood. The knights paused to look back at the Dragon King.
“Go carefully,” the King whispered.
Neriver turned the handle. Another click came. Everyone froze. When nothing happened, Neriver eased the door open. Golden light entered the tube along with a strange odor. My nose wrinkled at the acidity.
Neriver crept past the door. The rest of us waited. A few seconds later, he returned and stood in the light of the lanterns, his expression blank.
“What is it?” Raven asked.
