Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

  I met the young guard as he broke past Ryko, each of my swords singing in a lethal figure-eight. He blocked the lower

  blade, but mistimed his deflection of the higher slice. It caught the side of his face, snapping his head back and opening his cheek to the bone. I lunged, aiming for the shouldei weakness in the armour, revelling in the borrowed skill and fluid movement, He countered the thrust hut the move was soft and clumsy with shock. Even as 1 swung my other sword around, 1 knew it would hit home. My blade hit into his neck, smashing hone and severing column into a bloody mess. As he started to topple, the ancient part of me was already pulling my weapon free, ready to move on.

  I checked on Lady Dela. She was edging behind the stack near the grate, the folio angled to catch the moonlight. Ahead, Ryko was fighting with his back against the bales, two guards raining blows on him. He was blocking most of them and frantically dodging those that he missed, the slicing thrusts ripping dusty holes in the bale behind him.

  'Oy' I shouted, running at the closest of his attackers.

  The man spun around. I saw Ryko's eyes cut to me — shock turning to fury — then my view was blocked by the guard. This one was older, more cautious, shrewd calculation on his lean face.

  'You should surrender,' he said. 'Then perhaps your friends will survive.'

  I answered with the Monkey Dragon Third: a series of quick cuts aimed at the neck. But this man was no over-confident youngster. He stopped me by sweeping his swords outwards, the weight of each connection pushing my swords wide. I felt my grips slip and loosen. He swung his right sword back, lining up a hilt punch to my head. Gritting my teeth, I tightened my right grip and brought my blade down onto his hilt. I heard him curse as the cut just missed his fingers and sliced into the leather binding. He broke away, deftly swinging the sword around.

  Kinra's knowledge was still bright within me, but my body was tiring. Her rage could not keep me going much longer.

  At the corner of my vision, I saw Ido, swords drawn, coming up the alley. Ryko saw him too and, in a desperate lunge that left

  him unprotected, slashed a wild stroke at the Dragoneye's head. It missed, and Ryko's back arched as his opponent's sword plunged into his right side. Then the guard in front of me attacked and my focus narrowed into deflecting the flicking thrusts that threatened to disarm me. Was Ryko hurt? Dead? I could not take my eyes off my opponent, but the clanging sounds of sword on sword and the heavy pants of pained effort gave me hope.

  'Pull out,' Ido ordered.

  My swinging cut sliced through air as my opponent immediately ducked sideways, making way for his master.

  'Try and take the islander alive,' Ido ordered, jerking his head back at Ryko. 'And then find the freak.'

  The guard dipped his head and retreated. If Ryko was hurt, he would not last long against such a cunning fighter. I raised my swords, trying to catch extra breath in the momentary lull.

  Ido smiled at me, and swung his swords up into a mirror of my own. He had discarded the heavy embroidered Ascendant coat and his thin linen undershirt showed the broad lines of his shoulders and chest. I had felt his massive strength in the Dragon House at Daikiko. He was quick too. I flexed my toes, trying to ease the weakness of exhaustion already trembling through my legs.

  'You fight very well for a cripple,' he said. 'Perhaps you have access to more power than you claim.'

  I met his amber eyes. There was no silver Hua threaded through them — he was not using his dragon power — but there was a light in their depths made of madness. How did you fight a madman? I tightened my grip on Kinra's swords; a wordless prayer for the power to stop him.

  'You've killed all the other Dragoneyes, haven't you? Even the apprentices,' I said, watching for the flicker of tension that would herald his attack. The sounds of Ryko's grim battle echoed against the stone walls, but I could not look away from Ido's eyes.

  He edged forwards, pushing me back a step. 'Sethon has forced my hand. He thought he could use me to take the throne, then turn around and use the Council to kill me 'He snorted, his heavy jaw lifting with disdain. 'Now there is no Council, Only you and me, and more power than Sethon could evei imagine'

  All you've done is left the land without its guardians,' I said. 'There will be no land to rule.'

  'Don't you see? When 1 have you, I'll be its guardian.' I lis face was alight with his own truth.

  'It's time for the dragon throne to be reunited with the dragon power.'

  Suddenly his blades were hissing through the air. Kinra's reflexes raised my swords in time to stop the sledgehammer blows, but the impact forced me backwards. I le swung his weapons around again, the high bludgeoning connections scraping against my hilts and locking into them. My borrowed knowledge told me he was well trained; far more accomplished than a normal Dragoneye. He leaned into the crossed swords, the pressure of his weight straining my muscles into shaking fatigue. Up close, I could see the rings of exhaustion and drug use under his eyes; my attempt on his dragon had depleted his power. Even so, his strength was overwhelming. And the smile on his face filled me with sick fear. He wanted to hurt me. The only way I could disengage was to retreat. But if I went further down the alley, he would see Lady Dela behind the last stack. It would be her death.

  Horse rears and kicks.

  My body knew the form and my mind snatched at the hope. Calling on Kinra's energy, I pushed up against his blades and thrust them outwards, sending a vicious kick at his knee that jarred my bad hip. He jumped back and slashed at my foot, just missing it. I staggered a few steps to regain balance and realised I was level with Lady Dela's hiding place. She had slipped down the wall and was crouched on the ground, still hunting through the pages. Her head snapped up. For a second I saw panic in her

  eyes, and then she recognised me, the fear shifting into a moment of desperate, silent communication. She was close to finding something.

  I looked back at Ido, terrified he would follow my focus. The sounds of Ryko's battle were further apart. Was his staunch strength finally failing?

  'Your skill is far too great for your training,' Ido said. 'What kind of dragon power is this?'

  1 ignored the question, watching as he gathered himself for his next attack. I could not risk retreating any further. I spun my swords into the whirring Goat Second and ran at him. The shock of the collision resonated through my whole body. My right sword blocked his chest cut, the strength of his blow too light to be anything more than a feint. The knowledge was not mine nor was the swinging angle of my left blade that stopped the vicious attack on my legs. Ido pulled back, his smile gone.

  'Don't be a fool, girl,' he said. 'Even with this extra skill, you'll fail. I need you alive, but I don't care what condition you're in.'

  I suddenly understood his pattern of attack: hacking at hands, slicing at ankles. He didn't want me dead. He wanted me helpless. For a second, the realisation made my vision haze with white terror.

  'My lord, we have the islander,' the older guard called.

  Ido kept his eyes on me. 'Is he alive?' he asked.

  'Yes, my lord.'

  Ido smiled. 'If you surrender now, Eona, you can save your friend a great deal of pain.'

  I tightened my grip on my swords.

  Ido raised his eyebrows. 'Or do you have enough steel to let him die in agony?'

  'No,' I whispered.

  He started forwards. I raised the swords and stepped back. If I gave up, he would take my will forever.

  Ido's smile widened. 'Bring the islander here,' he ordered.

  The two remaining guards approached us with Ryko's body slumped between them. I lis head was bowed and a dark spread of blood from under his armour had seeped into the cloth of his trousers. It clung wetly to his thigh, Ido motioned to the guards to drop their burden at his feet. Ryko's body lolded onto the stone with a slapping thud. His lace was turned towards me, his dark skin drained into grey hollows. I chanced a look at the guards — both of them were injured, deep lines of pain and ex
haustion on their faces. Ryko had made them work hard for their victory.

  Ido kicked Ryko's injured side, forcing a moan out of the islander. He was barely conscious.

  Ido looked over at me. 'Well?'

  I knew Ryko would not want me to surrender. But I also knew Lord Ido: there was no mercy in the man. He would make me watch my friend suffer. And he would enjoy both kinds of pain. I kept my eyes fixed on the Dragoneye although every part of me longed to glance across at Lady Dela. Was she any closer to the name? But I could not risk bringing her to the attention of this monster.

  'Hold him down.'

  The older guard settled his knee between Ryko's shoulders and leaned his forearm into the back of his neck. The islander stirred, but did not rouse.

  'Spread his hand and hold it still,' Ido ordered the other guard.

  The man squatted beside Ryko and pulled his hand from under his body, pressing it flat onto the stone paving and holding it by the wrist. Ido raised his sword and positioned the tip over Ryko's knuckles. He licked his lips as though savouring the moment.

  'Put your swords down, Eona,' he said softly.

  May the gods and Ryko forgive me: I did not move.

  For a hung moment, Ido stared across at me with an odd smile, then he drove the sword tip through Ryko's hand. My

  friend's scream shuddered through me. He thrashed, trying to pull his speared, spasming hand free, but one guard held his wrist /down and the other was on his back, locking him against the stone. A thin line of blood oozed from under his palm and collected in the cracks between the flags.

  'More?' Ido asked, but he didn't wait for my answer. He jerked the sword, tearing another scream from the big man. I heard Ryko's teeth connect as he clenched the terrible sound back, his agony forced into rasping pants.

  'Get his other hand,' Ido ordered.

  'No!' I shouted. 'No!'

  Ryko's pain-glazed eyes found me. 'Don't,' he breathed.

  I dropped Kinra's swords. They hit the stone with an echoing clang.

  'Good girl,' Ido said.

  He motioned to the older guard to take his place. 'Hold the sword. If she makes any move, rip open his wrist.'

  The guard released his grip on Ryko's hand and stood, grasping Ido's sword. The grinding shift of the blade sent a shudder through Ryko.

  'And you,' Ido said to the other guard. 'Get the freak. She's behind that last row of crates.'

  I felt all my hope leave me. Ido had won.

  Lady Dela's head was still bent over the book, her forefinger tracing a line along a page, her lips moving in silent translation. She, at least, had not given up. The guard pushed himself off Ryko's back and pulled a knife out of a wrist scabbard.

  'Don't kill her,' Ido added. 'Not yet.'

  The man nodded and advanced. I watched him pass me and warily round the corner of the stack. Lady Dela glanced up at his cautious approach, her face flaring with fear, then she bowed her head, still reading.

  And then Ido was coming at me, so fast I didn't have time to move. He grabbed my right arm in a bruising hold and steered me

  backwards towards the end of the alley, I stumbled and felt my feet leave the ground. I le half turned, hall dragged me to the wall, my shoulder twisting up into agony, With B grunt, he rammed my back against the grimy stone and let go ol my aim, only the solid press of his hips keeping me upright. His face was so close that I couldn't focus; all I saw was his mouth framed by the neat line of his black oiled beard and the blur of his dilated eyes. I le was so heavy; solid muscle made of Sun drug and hard training. I strained, trying to turn from his overwhelming strength, but I felt the warm pressure of his hand curl around my throat. I clawed at his fingers. He gave a slight shake of his head and squeezed. Gasping, I dropped my hands away and held very still. I le bent his head and pressed his lips against mine, slowly relaxing his hold so that I gulped for air, opening my mouth to him. I lis tongue licked mine, bringing the taste of vanilla-orange, and then he was dragging his teeth across my lower lip, biting the tender skin into sharp pain. I jerked away, tasting the copper warmth of blood.

  'So now we find out,' he said softly against my cheek, each word brushing me like a kiss.

  'Now we find out what really happens when the last two Dragoneyes become one.'

  'We're not the last two,' I croaked.

  He pulled his head back slightly 'You mean Dillon?'

  I met his eyes. Thin threads of silver slid through the amber. The caress of his charisma stroked my skin.

  'Poor Dillon,' he said. 'I've bound his Hua to mine. He no longer has his own link to the Rat Dragon.' He traced his forefinger along my jaw. And what little power he has will soon be drained.' His other hand yanked at the neck of my undertunics. The thin silk gave way, exposing my shoulder and the tight breast-band.

  The sound of scuffling snapped his head around but I could not see past him.

  Lady Dela's voice screamed, 'She's the Mirror Dragon, she —' I Ier voice was suddenly muffled as if someone had slapped their

  hand over her mouth. What was Dela trying to tell me? I already knew she was the Mirror Dragon.

  Ido turned back. 'She? The dragon is female too?' He gave a low, wondering laugh. 'Of course, I should have guessed; it is the feminine where your power exists. No wonder the black folio speaks of the Sun and Moon joining.'

  His hand skimmed over the tight bindings at my breast and dropped to my waist, pulling at the thin linen of my undershorts. I flinched, but his other hand tightened on my throat again.

  The alley closed around me in a haze of grey suffocation. Again he released the pressure, allowing me precious air. His face had hardened into harsh purpose and I knew I could not stop him physically But he was not going to get all of me.

  I lifted my chin. 'You cannot make me go into the energy world.'

  'Do you think I can only force my way into your body?' His eyes were a wash of silver. I felt his power buffet me like a physical blow. 'Every time you called my dragon's power, you opened your pathways to him,' he whispered against my ear. And to me.'

  Sweet vanilla-orange filled my mouth. I felt power pressing into me, searching. Blue power that bent and distorted the alley into roiling colours and shifted Ido's face from flesh and bone to planes of pulsing energy, then back again. He looked up, his fingers ramming my head back; the Rat Dragon was above us, the cloudy blue scales of his underbelly like a summer sky. The beast curled his massive head around to watch us, the pearl at his throat shimmering with power. His huge spirit eyes reached further into me and found a silvered pathway still darkened with the grey welcome of the Sun drug.

  Ido was in my mind. Now you are truly mine.

  'No,' I gasped.

  A shrill voice sliced into the blue storm that was rolling over my senses. 'She's the Mirror Dragon. Do you hear me? Her name is your name! She's the mirror.'

  Lady Dela. I struggled to focus on her words, My name? How could that be? Then, like a mined kaleidoscope, the last few weeks shifted into a new pattern of bitter understanding, At the moment of union, the Mirror Dragon had not tried to rip my true name from me, she had tried to give me her name. Oui name. All along at my master's house, in the bathing room, on the roadside I had denied her, blocked her, stifled her with drugs. And all along, the tiny gold kernel of my power had been locked within me, waiting.

  'Eona,' I whispered and the truth of the name was like a claw of light ripping through the misunderstanding, shredding the fear and the fading veil of drugs. It reached into the overwhelming blue, forcing a thin sliver of hope.

  Ido's fingers dug into my flesh. What are you doing''

  'Eona,' I screamed, the name shaking his hold on my mind. I felt his comprehension and his sharp grab of anticipation.

  Tou have called her.

  A shrieking rise of power rushed into my pathways, rocking me against the wall. Ido's body slammed into mine. He was not going to let go. Not now. The Rat Dragon howled, his heavy blue force driven back by the onslaught of sinuous
gold. Raw, rejoicing energy flooded my seven centres of power; opening, pushing, seeking. And behind it all, a presence exulting in the joy of release and reunion. I looked up and finally my mind-sight was clear: I could see the Mirror Dragon. My dragon.

  She was rearing on the roof behind me, obscuring the smaller blue dragon, the gold pulsing pearl at her chin bright against the crimson scales on her chest. Her forelegs slammed down onto the roof and two sets of long ruby claws grabbed the edge and sliced into the stone.

  Fragments of rock showered down, sending up clouds of dust at either end of the alley Her fragile wings spread for balance as she ducked her head, the moonlight rippling across her arched neck in fiery reflections. Her warm breath was a summer breeze, spicing my mouth with cinnamon; the taste of power. And joy.

  I can see her. I felt Ido's awe shift into stark desire. Delicately, she lowered her huge muzzle and offered me the pearl nestled under her chin. The luminescent gold orb was the size of a barrel and thrummed with the song of a thousand years, of old wisdom and new life, of balance and chaos.

  I reached up and pressed my palms against the hard velvety surface. Gold flames rose and jumped across my skin in flicks of stinging promise.

  Ido's hands closed around my wrists. Bring her to me.

  The scream of his dragon shivered in his mind, sending an echo of pain through me. I laughed and felt an answering exultation through the flaming pearl. The blue power was a mere shadow under the glorious incandescence of our connection. The red dragon's fathomless eyes met mine and her question — deeper than words — rode the rush of my Hua.

  Would I give her Eon?

  I groped for understanding. What did she mean by Eon? The answer rose through me: she was asking for the masculine power within me. She wanted the male energy I had fostered from my core. The only identity I had come to trust.