Chapter 238: Dargot After Dark

Chapter 238: Dargot After Dark

So who is your master? I asked Biadet.

Youll have to come and find out.

What if I dont want to just follow you into the night.

Then stay here.

Trying to bait Biadet wasnt going to work like it did on Evand. The others were waiting for me to decide but I got the feeling they were just as curious as me. It wasnt like we had a plan to put into action, and her master might have some of the answers we needed.

Or it could be a trap.

I looked up at the elf, still no more substantial than a mist, and decided Id rather not be here when she finished turning into Optimus Prime or whatever her final transformation was.

Okay, so its off to Dargot, is it? Biadet didnt say anything. We cant get there if you dont give us directions.

Yes, said Biadet. Dargot. You will find help there. She walked off towards the dragon.

Laney walked past her as she came towards me. You are going to Dargot, and then Fengarad?

I dont know. Depends what happens in Dargot.

This is your moment, Colin. Her dander was up again. The whirlpool of madness was back in her eyes. Crazy people often have a lucid moment, but then its right back to Looney Town, express train, no stops. Today you find out if youre a real man. I can help you check.

I wasnt sure if she was offering me support on the field of battle or a medical examination. Neither was very appealing. A hand on her collar pulled her away.

We should get going, said Jenny. Itll be getting dark soon.

You realise well probably die doing this, I told her.

Then well all die together, she said.

That doesnt make it better.

Her smile made me think maybe this would be our last adventure together. Not because wed go out in a blaze of glory, but because when we made that final, insane, suicidal push for victory, I might just hang back a bit.

We boarded the dragon. Vikchutni snorted in my face and Flossie pursed her lips, but neither tried to stop me. Bertie, on the other hand, came up to me and lay down next to where I was sitting. He curled himself into a doughnut pressed up against my legs and fell asleep. At least he understood the basics of gratitude: you dont stop owing someone just because theyre a dick to you.

I hardly noticed the takeoff. Flossie had gotten so good with the whole Dragonrider thing, she could easily have claimed the title of most impressive talent in the group.

We steered clear of the giant elf. She might not have been ready to take down Tokyo, but she was still very intimidating. I didnt envy the people in Requbar the next couple of days.

It was early evening and the flight to Dargot would take a couple of hours. Maurice sat down on the other side of the sleeping dragon and opened his notebook.

Ive been talking to Nyx. He says the Queen had fifty-three children in total.

Nyx was sitting opposite me looking dazed. Occasionally he sniffed at his clothes and pulled a face. Hed been told what had happened to his mother and made a point of not looking up. He didnt seem able to take it all in. Even fantasy creatures have a limit to how much crazy they can handle.

Even if elves cant have kids the normal way, what if the Queen made them to store part of her energy? he said.

I leaned over and shouted over the rush of wind, Its elfs, not elves.

He ignored me. She might be keeping herself protected by not having her energy all in one place.

You mean like a lich keeping its soul in a jar?

Sort of. I was thinking more like a horcrux.

Whore cuck?

Horcrux.

Whats that? I asked, not sure Id even heard him right.

Yes, Master, said Biadet.

I do wish you wouldnt call me that.

Yes, Mother.

Youre her mother? I asked a little incredulously. The age gap would mean shes have had to repeal a couple of menopauses to squeeze her out thirteen years ago.

Not biologically. I bought her from Peter. She was his property. I made her my daughter.

And you want me to help you defeat Peter?

Oh no, she said. I want you to kill him. He isnt a good person.

Are you? I asked.

She laughed and then broke into coughing. All the masked people who had backed off came rushing in to attend to her. She brushed them away. No, no, leave me be, she wheezed at them. They reluctantly returned to their stations. As you can see, I am not long for this world. Where to next? Fantasy heaven, perhaps.

You came here with Peter.

Yes. Me and Peter and.. and I forget. You must be careful. He is a bad, bad person. Cant be trusted. Her voice was drifting off. But I will help you. Help you drain the spires of their power. Biadet.

She waved a feeble hand and Biadet went to a drawer and took out something shiny. She held it out for me.

It was a spike. Exactly like the one Id had made for myself. A simple, sharp point with a curved handle, but the metal was like a mirror, reflecting all the colours of the rainbow.

I thought youd prefer it like this, said Biadet. A local blacksmith made it.

The spike felt good as I moved it around. Whats it made of?

Chrome-plated steel, said the Queen.

I had expected unicorn tears or manticore talons, but steel was just as exotic here, I suppose.

You must insert it into the core under the spire, said the Queen. It will drain the gem of all its power.

What about the elf? I asked.

Once the gem is empty, the elf wont be able to complete its transformation. It will be powerless. Without the spires, Peter will be helpless. She began coughing and her attendants rushed in again, pushing us out of the way.

Biadet ushered us out. You have what you need now. The rest is up to you. She left us at the door and went back to the commotion around the bed.

Gullen and his men took us back to the dragon.

Ah liked her, said Flossie.

Shame shes so ill, said Claire. Maybe you could heal her?

Lets see if we survive this first, said Jenny.

Reminds me of my old grandmama, said Dudley.

Maurice was the only one not praising our new weapon supplier. He was busy making notes, probably for his Harry Potter fan fiction.

And how did you find Her Majesty? Laney asked me with cool disdain.

I looked at the shiny new spike in my hand, my own personal magic weapon. About time. I wouldnt trust her as far as I could drop kick her.

A smile filled Laneys dour face. Every day, Colin, I like you a little bit more.

I swiftly moved Jenny from my left to my right to act as a buffer. She looked at me no less madly than Laney. Me too.

Thats the trouble with life. Not enough buffers.