The Dragon Queen's Gambit novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Torvald Rides

At sundown the river guard came up the roof stair in two ranks of six.

Their captain carried the council's order in a leather tube, and he held it.

Ysmera stood at the roof gate in her riding leathers with the old red dragon at her back.

Fia stood behind her skirts.

"By vote of the council," the captain began.

"I heard the vote," Ysmera said. "I was there."

"Majesty, I am to take the girl."

"Then come and take her."

He looked at the dragon.

The dragon looked back at him with one gold eye and let a thread of smoke curl from its nostril.

The captain swallowed.

His men did not advance, and he did not order them to.

"Majesty," he said, lower, "I have no wish to see this go badly."

"Neither have I."

Behind him, far out over the western ridge, the sky gave a low, uneven hum.

Ysmera heard it before the river guard did.

It was the sound of wings, many of them, beating in the same rhythm.

Eleven dragons came out of the red sunset in a staggered line, black against the glow.

The roof stones shook as the first one landed.

The rider swung down before it had folded its wings.

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