Liberator by Bryan Davis Page A

Northlands border and were entering the flowered meadow, but the dragon stalking them was nowhere in sight.
    Koren tried to take in a deep breath, but the pain kept her respiration shallow. Only a pathetic “Beware” escaped her lips, probably not loud enough for even her carrier dragon to hear.
    Soon the men began to shout. Some lifted spears and swords as well as shields, but at a command from their leader, they held back. Perhaps he was fearful they would hit the wrong target.
    “This will be easier than I thought,” the dragon said. “All I have to do is drop you from a height beyond the reach of their weapons and then fly away. If the fall kills you, it will be no matter. You will be freshly dead, so the contagion will be delivered.”
    The dragon flew higher, providing a wider view of the surrounding area. From the north, another dragon approached, beating its wings furiously. Reddish brown and snorting sparks, his powerful lines drew a familiar form.
    “Magnar,” Koren whispered. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she summoned every bit of energy remaining and called out, “Dragon … I appeal to you …. Put me down … safely away from the humans … and summon Magnar…. He must hear from me.”
    The dragon circled overtop the soldiers but stayed quiet, as if unsure what to do. Below, the men spread out under the dragon, but whether to present a less concentrated target or to be ready to catch her should it decide to drop her, Koren couldn’t be sure.
    Magnar closed in, shouting in the dragon tongue, “Why are you transporting this Starlighter?”
    “At Taushin’s bidding. She carries a disease that we wish to spread among the invading humans. Considering your disdain for the vermin, I assume that you approve.”
    “I do not approve,” Magnar said as he joined the carrier dragon in his orbit. “Put her on my back. I have need of the human army.” He lowered his voice to a quiet growl. “We can dispose of them later.”
    “Taushin is king now,” the carrier dragon said. “Since you left our world, his coronation was legal. We must repel this attack. The vermin must die.”
    Magnar eyed him for a moment before replying. “You are Braynor.”
    “Yes.”
    “You are one of the Zodiac priests.”
    “I am.”
    “You heard the human’s appeal. By law, you must at least listen to what she has to say. If we land well away from the humans, there will be no danger.”
    “Very well. I see no harm in it.” Braynor flew southward, then swooped low and released his grip. Koren tumbled into a somersault, then skidded on her stomach across a stretch of flowers and feathery grass. When her momentum stopped, her cloak wafted over her, covering her head.
    Groaning again, she turned and threw the cloak to the side. The dragon sat on its haunches beside her, its neck extended upward while it waited for Magnar to land. With Solarus now behind the trees to the west, twilight was nearing.
    Her shoulders throbbing, Koren rose to a sitting position and looked at Braynor. Even in her blurry vision, his nervousness was obvious as his ears twitched and his body shifted from side to side.
    Magnar dove toward the ground and landed in a graceful slide. When he settled, he extended his neck toward Koren. “Speak, human. Make your appeal.”
    Her arms shaking, Koren pulled her hood up over her head and glanced to the north. Perhaps five hundred paces away, the soldiers marched toward her at a rapid pace. She had to do this before they arrived, or they would be exposed to the disease. After taking another deep breath, she whispered, “I … I need to … tell you … a tale.”
    “What?” Braynor’s ears perked. “I cannot hear you!”
    Magnar growled. “I hope you have not damaged her beyond her ability to speak.”
    Braynor backed up, nearly stepping on Koren’s foot before halting. “If she cannot appeal, then my vow is fulfilled.”
    Pushing against the grass with her feet, Koren slid away. If a fight