I'm on my way.
I turn away from the guard.Really?
Really. I'll grab you, and we will track them.
I look up into the sky.Let me guess—Noxlyn is gone too.
Yes, and he wouldn’t tell me where he was going.
I shake my head.I don’t get it. Why is it such a secret? Where do they go?
That’s what we’re going to find out.She sounds confident; that’s for sure. It only takes a few minutes for her to land in the center of town. If I wasn’t drawing attention before, I sure am now.
I walk over to her.Ready? I’m coming up.
Let's go,she says rather impatiently.
Moments later, I’m on her back.Let’s go.
She takes a few steps and then flaps her powerful wings, and up we go. I lean forward, so her neck can block some of the icy wind.Any ideas on how we’re going to find them?I ask her.
I think I can track Nox or at least get close to him. I can tell the general direction he’s in, and I think it will get better the closer we get.
Sounds like a plan. Are they far?
I don’t think so.
We fly for a little while in silence. I take in the view below us. So far, we’re still in the Dragon Kingdom, but I have a feeling that will end soon. I’m right, and we come to the end of the kingdom. The huge walls are up ahead. We’re almost on top of them when a huge black dragon suddenly flies into our path. I squeeze my legs tightly to keep my seat when Redara jerks upward to avoid collidingwith Nox. When I’ve regained my seat and my breath, I glance over at the powerful dragon and notice right away that Rauk is not with him.Ask him where Rauk is,I tell Redara.
Working on it,she says in response. I try to see what’s beyond the wall but can’t see anything from this height; the walls block my view. Redara suddenly starts to descend. Seconds later, we’re on the ground. Nox lands with a thud next to us.What are we doing? Where’s Rauk?
We can’t go any further,Redara says.
“What?” I ask out loud. “Why not?”
Nox snorts out a puff of air, and I get the feeling he doesn’t like my question. Or maybe he just doesn’t like me; that’s definitely a possibility.Nox said we can’t go outside the city walls; it’s dangerous.
Um, you’re a dragon; I think we’ll be fine.
Yes, I am aware.
Well, then tell him that we’re going to go out there.
She doesn’t say anything in return, and I know she’s communicating with Noxlyn. I have a feeling it’s going to be a dead end. If he’s as stubborn as Rauk—and I’m sure he is—he’s not going to change his mind. I climb down and walk towards the towering wall. There are several guards on the ground near the huge door. When I look up, there are guards along the top of the wall as well. I remember that from when we flew over to get here. The guards on top the walls are facing out, but the guards on the ground are watching the two dragons and me with an intensity that I can understand. I glance up at Redara, but she’s locked in a silent battle with Noxlyn. I leave them behind and walk over to the guard nearest me.
Chapter 23
The guard doesn’t move a muscle as I approach. “Hi,” I call out, trying to put him at ease. “I’m Harper.” Having learned my lesson, I address my question very respectfully. “I am looking for His Royal Highness.” I think I manage to say the words without showing how I feel about him.
“He’s unavailable right now.”
I take a breath.Apparently, they’re all only capable of one answer.I take a deep breath.All right, here goes.“Okay. Thanks.” I start towards the doors in the middle of the wall.
He lifts his chin. “What are you doing?”
“Just going to find Rauk.”
“You can’t go out there,” he says, stepping forward.
