She felt alive. Happy and alive and gloriously free. Wind whipped up the cliff, tossing about her clothes and hair, revealing the toothy, dangerous grin she wasn't even aware she was known for. This was a perfect end to her day. “Now boys, was that smart? You're stuck between me-” Kailey's grin grew wider, her eyes alert. “And that. Be smart and just surrender.”                                                                

“Surrender?” the braver of the two street thieves she'd cornered raised an eyebrow at her. “I hate fighting, but I'd rather that than give in to the Guard.” He snorted, drawing his sword to match hers. “Two of us, one of you. Odds are in my favor, I think.”

“Wanna bet?” She nodded, looking over the pairs' shoulders.

Silhouetted against the setting sun  was a shape, large and menacing. But still, there was no denying the form-a dragon, headed fast in their direction. “Odds just changed boys. Now, we can finish  this here and I haul you peacefully into the station, or we can finish this now and I drag your unconscious bodies into the jail house.”

The brave one glared at her. “Bloody wench-”

She laughed, wagging a finger as if he were merely a naughty child. “I've faced stampeding cattle and hungry 'Ven. A couple of cranky thieves don't bother me.”

Both grinned wryly, and the one continued to speak. “I was going to finish with 'now that's not playing very nice'. You're the Mornrush girl. Bad things happen to those who annoy you in a fight.” His gaze flicked meaningfully to the dragon that had settled to hover at the hedge of the cliff.

“Fortunately the only thing that annoys me are unfair odds and cheating.” She held out a hand for their weapons-all of them-clipping them on to her belt. Briefly she exchanged a look with the blue-edged red that eyed her, then nodded. “Now, we've got two choices. Ride, and be there shortly, or walk and possibly take all night. Me, I prefer riding.”

“You're the boss.” He shrugged, eying the dragon warily. “What are we being charged with, anyway?”

“Three counts of Petty Theft.” Kai laughed again, a light sound. “I'd only go for the one, but the jeweler's one of those self-important types. And don't worry about things like evading arrest. I don't tack that on unless someone ticks me off.” Her grin softened into one of amiable cheer, and she absently reached up to tickle the dragon's chin when he landed behind her. “This is Jarquenail'. Arguably my better half.”

Both she and the man who'd challenged her watched quietly as his quiet companion approached, almost reverently, and offered her hand to Jar-and only then did Kai realize that the small figure was a girl.

The man spoke before she could question it. “I'm Samyne, and she's Karn. I've been looking out for her for a while now.” He shrugged, approaching them, more at ease after watching Karn and Jar. “She's obviously more inquisitive than I am.” Sam looked up, his expression a blend of amusement and reluctance. “The Old Legends weren't kidding about how fearsome dragons looked, were they?”

“I think he looks like a big goof ball,” Kai admitted, grinning and sticking her tongue out at her partner when the Jar rolled his eyes. “But then again, I grew up with him.”

“Aye, you would be a bit biased, that way.” The old street thief just grinned and shrugged. “Anyway, the sooner we leave, the sooner I can set me feet on solid ground.

****


Samyne Freeman hated to admit this to himself, but the city did look beautiful from this height. The setting sun shimmered against the edge of the plateau the sprawling city of Finq Mowari was built from, and brushed the very tops of the gleaming stone buildings with a soft layer of rosy gilt. Fertile farmland spread below the towering cliffs, watered by the river that plunged into the valley.

Finq Mowari was one of the oldest cities, according to the Storyteller. He believed her.

What Sam didn't believe, until he saw them, were the stories of strange beasts that haunted the Zurach'belnaifinqua. He felt Kai shiver-though that may have just been Jar growling.

The creatures did no justice to the stories of their kind. Black wings spread across the sky, set off against the blood red spikes of its body. He would have thought he was hallucinating, except the smell was the most horrific thing-old blood and burned flesh.

“Shit,” Kai swore weakly. “Bloodwings-why are they here?”

He turned to look at her, and noticed the beads of sweat against her ashen
face. “I take it you've encountered these lovelies before?”

She gave a soft chuckle, hands clenching and unclenching in the harness
straps. “Yeah, we've run across them before.” She shook her head. “Though 'them' is a loose term-we've only ever come against one or two. No more than that. Even then, it was enough to make us dizzy.” Again, she shook, this time her whole body.

“Can they be killed?” Sam was already shifting as she nodded, grabbing the loop of leather that'd been around his waist in one hand. “Then I'm going to grab my sword. You concentrate on flying.” He managed to stand, feet braced against the dragon's haunches. “Karn, do what you can to help her!”

He counted, sending prayers to whatever gods still looked upon him favorably, and watched as the monsters gained on the Guard and her charges.

With an unnatural shriek, the Bloodwing leader folded in his wings to dive, aiming for the kill. The time for prayer was long gone-what benevolent god, Sam thought, would create a living nightmare?  With a war cry of his own, the former thief lashed out, catching the Bloodwings off guard.