Book 3: Chapter 59: Whitaker Couldn't Be That Stupid...

Book 3: Chapter 59: Whitaker Couldn't Be That Stupid...

As Arthur crossed the threshold out to the ledge, the hive-wide scourge-eruption alarms started to blare: a long tone followed by the deep ringing of bells, which were quickly picked up and repeated throughout the levels.

Arthur paused, frowned, and glanced around. Whitaker had seemed all gung-ho to go out and fight, which had been a help during the meeting. But Arthur had expected there would be a quick meeting or a conversation about tactics ahead of time. After all, this wasnt like a typical eruption. This would be dragons against other, mind-controlled dragons. They had to go in with a plan.

A bad feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. He wasnt a complete idiotthere was every chance Valentina had been playing her own game and trying to poison Arthur against Whitaker for her own ends. Though based on what Arthur had seen so far of the man, he hadnt doubted her.

Still, this was different.

Hes not really going just to throw the hive at the Mind Singer, is he? he thought, the sense of dread increasing. No, Whitaker couldnt be that much of a fool.

Arthur cupped his hands around his mouth and called, Brixaby!

He spotted his dragon a few moments later, speaking with Elissa. Her massive head rested on her paws, her expression fierce as she seemed to lecture the younger dragon. It was a direct mirror to what had happened inside Valentinas room.

At Arthurs call, both dragons looked his way. Elissa nodded as if granting Brixaby permission to leave.

But Brixaby being Brixaby didnt bother waiting for her approval and quickly flew to Arthurs side.

I need you to get in contact with the hives white dragons, Arthur said before he had fully settled to land. Tell them what were about to face and that the hive needs protection against mind-to-mind intrusion.

After all, there was no point in sending people and dragons to fight only to have them get captured and turned against their friends.

Id like to see the Mind Singer try to ensnare me, Brixaby snarled.

She probably couldnt, Arthur admitted. And she might have to work hard to take over the Rares since shes one herself, but the Uncommons and Commons make up the bulk of our forces.

Brixabys expression turned even more fearsome, which was his way of showing concern.

He buzzed off without another word.

He hadnt been gone a moment before Cressida jogged up to Arthur. Joys been talking with the other dragonsthe females, mostly.

Arthur nodded. I heard she was spreading the word about the eggs.

Yes, well, they had some news of their own to share. Her expression was pinched with concern. Whitaker has sent orders to absorb all of Valentinas retinue into his own. He took every one of her Rares and cut loose the lower ranks.

Arthur let out an annoyed breath but nodded. He wasnt surprised. Valentina wont be fighting with us. It would be nice if she could rally herself one more time, but she hadnt shown any sign of doing so. She might really be dying.

Cressida gave him an impatient look. Arthur, hes trying to undermine you before you even have time to establish yourself as a leader. He hasnt taken any dragon pairs that claim to be under your retinue yet, because that would be a direct challenge. But hes setting himself up to be the leader with the most power.

Again, Arthur felt the weight of responsibility and helpless frustration settle over his shoulders. What was the point of all this? Part of him wanted to say, He can have the hive if he can figure out how to run it himself.

Instead, he asked, Horatio and Sams?

They managed to stay back after the Buck Moon Hive leader left. But Whitaker

I know. Ill figure something out, Cress, but we have to stop the Mind Singers plans. And with all luck, gain a powerful card to add to Brixabys core. He didnt have time for Whitakers power play.

He would have said more, but there was a sudden shift in the air. Below, all the dragons and their riders, alerted by the scourge-eruption alarms, were getting into position. Sleepy riders, jolted awake, were preparing their linked mounts with saddles and straps. They had a few minutes until everyone was properly ready.

I need to speak to Whitaker, Arthur thought, regretting his decision to send Brixaby away.

He had a whole retinue. He could have sent Cressida, Horatio, or even Laird on an errand instead of his own dragon. He needed to delegate better.

A sharp whistle cut through the air. Arthurs head whipped around in that direction so swiftly that he momentarily felt like his body wasnt under his own control. A bare moment later, as the impulse dissipated, he realized that it hadnt been.

Someone had just used a spell on him to yank all his focus and attention in a certain direction. And judging by the sudden silence from the hive below and all around, it had happened to everyone.

Likely, it had been a mind spell of some sort.

But he didnt have time to think about the implications of that, because at that very moment, Whitakers new, strengthened retinue appeared.

An entire group of dragons nearly two dozen strong seemed to float down from the misty clouds. Their visibility in the fading storm was enhanced by several yellow light dragons that illuminated them all with a heroic glow.

It was an impressive display.

Whitakers voice, magically enhanced, boomed across the sky. Wolf Moon Hive! Ascend with me to the portal! Today, we fight the scourgelings without the interference of the other hives, which means more bounty for the rest of us. We will show the rest what we are made of. Follow me!

Cursing, Arthur grabbed another stack of cards from the outstretched hands of a mind-mage, tossed it into his storage, and quickly mounted Brixaby.

Stop him! They dont even know theyre not heading for an eruption! Stop!

Brixaby surged forward before Arthur was properly seated, throwing him back. But by leaning on his Dragon Riding skill, Arthur was able to hold on.

Brixaby was incredibly fast and ridiculously maneuverable, but Whitaker, who sat at the head of his retinues V formation, had a massive head start.

Even as they raced to intercept, Arthur knew that they would be too late.

Whitaker, with his powerful retinue of dragons behind, was already heading toward the nearest portal. The rest of the hive streamed up after them.

They were heading into a fight that they were completely unprepared for. Whitaker was practically feeding new recruits to the Mind Singer.

Arthur saw a flash of pink as Cressida raced to join him. Joy flew at a flat sprint just to meet Brixaby halfway in the sky. Cressida cried out, He said to follow his lead and then dismissed me. Arthur, I tried to stop him

At that moment, Whitaker disappeared into the portal.

Brixaby, Arthur said, send a message to the dragons, anybody who will listen. Tell them not to enter the portal until they take a mind-block card anchor!

For one of the first times since Arthur had met Brixaby, he felt the dragon hesitate. You want me to tell . . . everyone?

Thats not too much for a Legendary, right?

Of course not! Brixaby snarled. Then Arthur heard his own message relayed right into the middle of his mind as Brixaby used his messaging ability to blast it out. But his mental voice was more of a whisper than his usual boomstretched out and thinand he staggered in midair afterward. That action had cost him.

I only ate a Rare card to gain that ability. There are thousands of minds, Brixaby said, much more subdued than usual. I believe I reached them all, but the message is . . . faint.

Arthur patted his neck. You did good.

But not good enough. Some dragons and riders who were right behind Whitaker stopped at Brixabys message, looked around in confusion, and then continued on through the portal. Others took heart from seeing them pass through and followed as well.

However, a few of the more prudent dragon pairs peeled off and circled around in confusion. They were a minority, however. Perhaps one in four.

Looking down, Arthur noticed that the dragons who had followed him from Mesa Free Hive hadnt made a move toward the portal at all. Most were busily accepting the card anchors that Arthurs retinue was passing out. But that still left the Wolf Moon Hive dragons who were still flowing through the portal.

Arthur wanted to call out to them, but he couldnt project his voice across the vast expanse of the hive in the open air. Not even with any skill. He watched helplessly as more dragons followed Whitaker through the portal.

It was going to be a slaughter.

Finally, Brixaby said, There are fewer minds now.

Then I need you to relay this message: We will be fighting other dragons whose minds have been taken over by a scourgeling. Use the card anchors we will pass out as a mental shield and watch the red bar. When it runs low, return to get another.

His retinue riders continued passing out cards, but the process was taking too long, and he knew that the ones whod gone through the portal were fighting for their lives. They needed to hand out the cards faster.

He caught a flash of purple out of the corner of his eye. Arthur turned to see quite a few riderless purples had made their way to the top cone of the hive. Likely to watch the excitement.

Brixaby, send a message to all the purple couriers. Heres what I need to have done . . .

A few minutes later, purple couriers were gleefully passing out cards to anyone who would accept them. They were thrilled to assist, even if they couldnt fight.

Brixaby, meanwhile, had recovered his breath from that first message. What are we waiting for?

Knowing better than to say You, Arthur looked up at the portal. No one had come back out from the other side yet.

Arthur looked up toward the portal. All right, its time. Retinue riders, with me.

Brixaby surged forward and was quickly followed by Joy, Sams, Laird, Digger, and Tannai.

There was a secondary roar as the dragons who had followed Arthur from Mesa Free Hive and the dragons who had heeded Brixabys warning all gathered up behind him.

Brixaby aimed for the shimmering portal.