Tomb

of

Oaths

Dragon Riders of Osnen Book 15

RICHARD FIERCE

Tomb of Oaths © 2024 by Richard Fierce

This is a work of fiction. All events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form without the express permission of the publisher.

Cover design by Richard Fierce

Cover art by Nimesh Niyomal

Dragonfire Press

e-Book ISBN: 978-1-958354-60-5

First Edition: 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

OTHER BOOKS

1

The sun crested over the horizon, bathing the landscape in a warm, golden glow. I stood atop a windswept cliff and watched the countryside come into sharp focus. Squinting against the sun, I stared into the distance. Master Anesko was late. He and a small group of riders had gone out to restock our supplies, but they’d yet to return.

Something wasn’t right.

They should have returned yesterday. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be cause for concern, but recent times were anything but ordinary now that Shadamar had declared war on the Order.

While we tried to remain within the safety of the Citadel, there were times such as now when it was unavoidable. The wind picked up, tussling my hair and pulling at my cloak.

Do you see anything?

I glanced up at Sion, who wheeled lazily overhead in a wide circle.

Nothing, she replied.

I’ve got a bad feeling. Perhaps we should scout around to see if we can find any sign of them.

Sion landed gracefully beside me and snorted, thin tendrils of smoke rising from her nostrils.

If Shadamar has done something to them—

You’ll flame them, I said, finishing her sentence.

Indeed.

I smiled and patted her gleaming red neck scales, then climbed up her shoulder and settled into the saddle. With a powerful flap of her wings, we were airborne, climbing into the clouds. The wind stung my face, but I relished the feeling of flight. Soaring through the sky, all my problems seemed… inconsequential. Temporarily, anyway.

Sion and I moved as one, banking and diving in effortless synchrony. We twisted through a narrow ravine, timing our movements perfectly to avoid the jagged walls. I leaned into each turn, feeling the pull of momentum. Sion responded to my subtle shifts of weight, angling her wings to ride the currents rising from the valley below. Our bond was strong, deeper than words could express.

As we burst from the ravine into the open sky, I scanned the area beneath us. There was no sign of Anesko or the others. Sion’s determination to find them matched my own, our twin hearts beating as one, but it wasn’t safe out here. Not alone. As if to prove that, Sion sniffed the air and growled.

We’ve got company.

I spotted them almost immediately coming from the south. A group of five riders. They didn’t need to be closer for me to know they were Shadamar’s men.

We’re outnumbered. Get us back to the Citadel.

Sion’s rage filled the bond. She wanted to fight, but common sense prevailed and she circled back, heading for the safety of the school. The king’s riders took up pursuit. Sion tucked her wings closer to her body, gaining speed as we sped across the landscape. The dragons were quick, though, and they drew closer, the shouts of their riders carried by the wind.

Hold on, Sion said.

She issued a fierce roar and flapped her wings, propelling us forward with a burst of speed. I gripped the saddle as tightly as I could, my heart hammering with adrenaline. Sion was a powerful dragon, but even she had her limits, and her haste was short-lived.

The soldiers whooped with excitement as they gained on us. I clenched my jaw and silently urged Sion to go faster. We flew past the cliffs we’d been at shortly before and the Citadel came into view. Its grand towers and thick walls towered over everything around it, a beacon of protection.

We’re almost there, I said. We can make it.

Sion let out a defiant growl, her wings beating with renewed vigor. The riders behind us were no longer closing the gap, but we weren’t gaining ground. A horn blared, and I could see people scrambling along the parapets. If the king’s riders were smart, they’d give up the chase before they got too close to the walls, but they weren’t letting up.

If they open the barrier, the soldiers will get through behind us.

That would be foolish of them, Sion huffed, her focus on keeping up the frenzied pace.

Yes, unless… unless they don’t intend to capture us. The realization suddenly struck me. Their orders might be to kill on sight. If that were the case, then it explained why they hadn’t turned back. For them, the risk was worth the possible reward.

They will not harm you. I’ll flame them from existence before they get close.

The confidence behind her words brought a smile to my lips. I leaned forward in the saddle and squeezed my legs against her, knowing what she aimed to do. With a final flap, she wrapped her wings around herself and barrel rolled.

Once, twice, three times. The world spun around me, a dizzying display of color. I felt more than saw the barrier recede, and then Sion leveled out and spread her wings wide, catching the air and quickly descending to the courtyard.

I looked back to see one of the royal riders slam into the barrier. The hole that was opened for Sion was already closed, and the dragon roared in anger and pain. The others swooped up in time to avoid colliding with the magical shield, temporarily blotting out the sun as they passed overhead.

Maren rushed down from the wall, taking the stairs two at a time.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” I answered as I slid down Sion’s shoulder. “That was close, but I wasn’t expecting trouble.”

“Where are the others?”

I shook my head. “They never arrived. It’s not like Anesko to be late.” I lowered my voice and glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. “I think they might have been captured.”

Maren’s expression turned grave. “We need to inform the other Curates. If Shadamar has taken them, we’re in trouble. Anesko knows all the secrets of the Citadel.”

“He would never reveal them,” I said.

“Not willingly, no, but my uncle has used his magic to break people before. I don’t doubt he’ll try the same tactics now.”

“I’ll gather the others. We should be prepared for the worst, but we also need to plan for the inevitable. The days of mourning are almost at an end.”

2

The council room was too warm. A fire burned low in the brazier, but it produced enough heat to make the space uncomfortable. I blinked several times, feeling drowsy. Almost all the other Curates had joined us, but we were waiting on Henrik.

I glanced around the table. They were all tired, their exhaustion evident by the look in their eyes. Despite that, they carried on. Would any of them bend under the weight of another problem? I hoped not. We were sorely outnumbered as it was, and although the Assembly pledged to aid us, I feared it would not be enough.

The door swung open and Henrik stepped inside. “Sorry,” he grunted. “I had a few things to finish.”

“No need to apologize,” I said. “We’re all overburdened. This will be quick.”

He took a seat, and I looked at Maren. She nodded, indicating I should be the one to break the news. I cleared my throat and stood.

“As you are all aware, Master Anesko and the others have not returned. Sion and I did some scouting, but there was no sign of them. I believe they may have been captured by Shadamar.”

No one moved or said anything, but the silence told me all I needed to know. Finally, Master Katori spoke.

“Have you tried to reach him by magical means?”

“I tried a few times,” Maren answered. “Each time, I encountered something blocking me. My uncle is a powerful sorcerer, so it would be a simple task for him to block my magic. I’m with Eldwin on this. I think Anesko has been captured.”

“This poses several problems, especially since Anesko knows things about the Citadel that no one else does.” I glanced at each of the Curates in turn. “We’re running low on supplies, and there are only a few days left before Shadamar marches his army back to our gates. Even if Anesko isn’t being held prisoner, we need a plan.”

“This is the last thing we need,” Curate Mila said. She had been the one to replace Curate Josephine after her betrayal. Thinking back on that reminded me of the battle against the False King. It felt as though that had been an eternity ago.

“It is not ideal, but we’ve faced worse.”

“Have we?” Mila huffed. “Things look pretty dire right now. I gave up my family for the Order, and now it seems that I will die for my decision.”

“I, too, know what it means to sacrifice for the Order,” Maren said. “It is my uncle who seeks our destruction, after all.”

Mila’s face flushed pink. “Yes, I know. Forgive my outburst. I’m tired.”

“We all are,” Maren replied soothingly. “These are difficult times at best.”

I nodded in agreement. “Yes, we do not face the best odds, but I am sure we will prevail.” I hoped my words sounded more confident than I felt. “Let us tackle one problem at a time. We will need supplies to outlast a siege. It will be risky, but we need to send a few groups out to get what we need. Curate Henrik, can you organize that?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“Good. Whoever goes outside these walls must understand the danger, and they must return before the days of mourning are over.”

Henrik nodded.

“The next issue is the barrier.” The eyes of several Curates widened. I raised a hand to silence their fears. “It is secure, but we must be prepared if anything happens to it. As Maren said, Shadamar is a powerful sorcerer. I think we should shorten the shifts of those who are lending their energy to power it. If there is any weakness at all, Shadamar will find it. Master Katori, I trust you will handle that?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. We may be outnumbered, but that makes us fiercer than Shadamar’s men. We have everything to lose, but they do not.”

“I have an idea,” Maren said. All eyes turned to her, including mine. “I know this may sound crazy, but I think we should request aid from Valgaard.”

I blinked in surprise, then immediately frowned.

“We haven’t heard from Valgaard since Hrodin was imprisoned for his treachery,” Henrik said, speaking exactly what I was thinking. “None of our letters have been replied to.”

“I’m aware of that, which is why I think we need to go there in person. I volunteer myself, since it is my idea.”

“Not alone, you won’t,” I said. “I’m coming with you.”

Katori steepled her fingers and spoke up. “We should not weaken our defenses on a whim. Who knows if the riders of Valgaard will greet you warmly or with chains? I do not think this is wise.”