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7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com
http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 1/21
ORIGINAL FICTION
FireAbove,FireBelowGarth Nix
7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com
http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 2/21
illustratedbyRobert Hunt editedbyEllen Datlow
7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com
http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 3/21
Wed May 8, 2013 9:00am 20 comments 1 Favorite [+]
FireAbove,FireBelowisaboutthecrisisthatthedyingofadragonlivingbelowamajorcitycauses,andthepactmademanyyearsearliertodealwithsuchasitutation.
ThisshortstorywasacquiredforTor.combyconsultingeditorEllenDatlow.
Thebubblingtarmaconthelowerlevelofthecarparkbelowtheofficeblockwasthefirstsign,butnoonenoticedit,becausetherewasnooneparkedthereatmidnightonaFridaynight.Thesecondsignwasthesmokecurlingandtwistingthroughtheexpansionjointsoftheconcretepillars.Noonenoticedthiseither,becausethecarparkattendantwasfourlevelsup,andfastasleepinhisbooth.
Thethirdsigncouldnotbemissed,asthetarmacreachedacriticaltemperatureandexplodedintofire,firethatleapedtothenearervehiclesandsettheirgastanksoffoneafteranotherlikefireworks,forthefirewasalreadyfar,farhotterthanitshouldhavebeen.
Sensorssenttheirwarningevenastheymelted,andthesprinklersystemworkedforafullthirtysecondsbeforetheheadsandpipesturnedtoslaganddrippedfromtheceiling.
Thefireracedthroughthelevelabove,explodingmorecarsasitpassed.TheattendantsawhisCCTVmonitorsflashyellowandorangeandwhiteandgoblankinasecond.Hereachedforthephonetocallitin,buthisinstinctsweregood,andasthemonitorsfortwolevelsbelowhimflaredanddiedatthesametime,andhefeltthefirstflushofthewaveofsuperheatedairfrombelow,hedroppedthephoneandranfromtheboothinstead,sprintinguptherampasthefirebellschattered,highandsharpabovethebassboomofexplodingcars.
Theattendantkeptonrunningwhenhegotoutside,whichsavedhislife.Hewasaroundthenextcorner,pantinglikeafishsnatchedfromwater,whenthefireroaredupfromthecarparkintothebuilding,andwithinaminute,turneditintoatorchfifteenstorieshigh.
Lateranalysisshowedthetimefromthefirstradiantheatdetectortripinthelowestcarparkfloortotheimmolationoftheentirebuildingwassixandahalfminutes.Thefirstfirefightingunitwasonthesceneinsevenandahalfminutes,buttherewasnothingtheycoulddo,savetotryandestablishaperimetertostopthefirefromspreading.This,withthehelpofseventyotherunits,eightytrucks,threehundredsixtyfirefighters,andeight
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milliongallonsofwater,theyeventuallymanagedtodo,thoughthecorefirewithintherubbleofthebuildingcontinuedtoburnthroughoutthenightandwellintothenextday.
Threepeoplediedinthefire.Twocleanersinanofficeonthetwelfthfloorandonefirefighter,whohadaheartattackasheputonhisbreathingapparatus.Buteveryoneknewifthefirehadhappenedonaworkingday,therewouldhavebeenatleastathousanddead.Thefirewassohotandsofasttherewouldhavebeennochanceofevacuation.
Evenbeforetheforensicteamshadfinishedsiftingthetwisted,ruinedremnantsofconcreteandsteel,thefirechiefcalledanemergencymeetingwiththemayor.Unusually,thechiefrequestedtheymeetontheroofofLadderCompanyNumberOnesfirehouse,oneoftheoldestpublicbuildingsinthecity,asixstorygothicrevivaltowerofblackstonethatsquatteddarklybetweentwogleamingnewskyscrapersofglassandshiningsteel.
ThemayorthoughtitmustbeforsomePRgimmick,andwassurprisedwhenhefoundthechiefalone,withoutatelevisioncreworreporters.ThemayorhadatroupeofPRadvisors,aides,andfollowershimself,alllinedupbehindhim.
Thechiefwaswaitingbythedooratthetopofthestairs,whichwasshut.Heshookhandswiththemayorandsaid,Sendyourpeoplebackdown,please,sir.Weneedafewminutesprivatediscussion,andtheressomethingyouneedtoseeuphere.
Themayorshruggedandsenthisassembledflackerybackdownstairs.Thechiefwaitedtilltheyweregone,thenopenedthedoortotheroofandescortedthemayoroutside.
Whatsthisabout,Hansen?growledthemayor.
TheOldgatebuildingfire,repliedthechief.Hepointedatthesmallshedoveronthecorneroftheroof.Ithadchickenwirewallsandacorrugatedironroof,andpigeonswereroostingontopofit.Letsgooverthere.
WhatstheOldgatefiregottodowithapigeonhouse?askedthemayorsuspiciously.
Nothingdirectly,saidthechief.Heledtheway,shooingsomepigeonsoffsohecouldopenthedoor.Butthereissomethingyouneedtoknowaboutthefire.
Listen,yourpeoplesaiditwassomekindofoneinathousandgasmainexplosion.Wetoldthemediaitwasagasexplosion!Whydoyouneedtodragmeuptoapigeonhousetotellmeanythingdifferent?
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Iwantedtoshowyousomething,saidthechief.Whichhappenstobehere,withthepigeons.
Hebrushedthestrawfromthefloortorevealatrapdoorfastenedwithabigbrasspadlock.Heopenedthiswithakeyheworeonachainaroundhisneck.Thekeywasiron,bigandold,andthemayorthoughtitmustbedamneduncomfortabletohaveithangingaroundyourneck.Hebegantowonderaboutthesanityofhisfirechief.
Thenthechiefopenedthetrapdoor,andthemayorbegantowonderabouthisownsanity.Underthetrapdoorwasacavity,andcurleduponabedofgoldtwentydollarpieces,therewasasmalldragon.Itseyeswereclosed,butitsscaly,scarletchestslowlyroseandfell,suggestingitmerelyslept.
Whatthehellisthat?askedthemayor.
Amessenger,saidthechief.Listen,didyourpredecessorevertalktoyouabout...theDragonborn?
Themayorscowledandlookedaround.Thenhelookeddownatthesmall,sleepingdragon.
Yeah,hesaidreluctantly.Ithoughthedgonesenile.Somethingaboutpeoplewhowerehalfdragonandhalfhuman,andtheyddoneadealwiththecityalongtimeago.Idontrememberallofit.
Wedo,saidthechief.EveryonehereinLadderCompanyNumberOneremembers.Youeverwonderwhy,ifyoulookatanychiefsrecord,theyalwaysdidtimewithLadderNumberOne?
No,whythehellwouldI?askedthemayor.AndwhatswiththisDragonbornthing?
Firstthingsfirst.Thefire,theOldgatebuildinginferno.Adragonstartedit
What!?
Letmefinish.Adyingdragonstartedthefire.Itwouldhavebeencomingupfromthehotcenteroftheearthforitsfinalflight.Onlyitdidntmakeit.Nowitsstuckdownthere,anduntilwegetridofit,itsgoingtocausemorefires.Veryintense,veryfastfires,liketheonelastweek.Itcoulddestroyalotofthecity.
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Sosortitout,saidthemayor.Hetookoffhishatandwipedhisforehead.Eventhistalkofveryhotfiresmadehimsweat,andthethoughtofanotheroneliketheOldgatefire...Itwouldfinishhischancesforreelection.Plus,alotofpeoplemightdie.
Evenwithourmostadvancedsuits,chillertechnology,theworks,wecantgetanywherecloseenoughtoadyingdragontodealwithit,saidthechief.ButoneoftheDragonborncould.Itswhattheydo.
Sowhatllitcost?askedthemayorreluctantly.Yourbudgetisalreadyover
Theresasmallamountofgoldinvolved,nothingsignificant,saidthechief.Themostimportantthingisthatwehavetoreaffirmthepact.Themayorandthefirechieftogether.Wepersonallyguaranteeit,withourlives.
Thewhat?Whatpact?
TheagreementbetweenthecityandtheDragonborn,repliedthechiefevenly.Hewastallerthanthemayor,andhadtolookdownathimfortheireyestomeet.Thisreinforcedthepoliticianssuspicionthatthefirefighterdidntthinkmuchofhimastheleaderofhiscity.Twohundredyearsback,themayorandtheheadofwhatwascalledtheFireWatchagreedwitharepresentativeoftheDragonbornthatwewouldkeeptheirsecret,protectthemifnecessaryfromourcitizenry,andinreturntheywoulddealwithanydyingdragonswhocameupfrombeneaththeearth.
Bullshit!exclaimedthemayor.Youremakingthisup!Thedragonthingthere,somefilmstudiomadeit
No,saidthechief.Youllseewhenwewakeit.
Therearenodragons,saidthemayor.Yousaidagasmain
ThelasttimewecalledontheDragonbornwasthirtythreeyearsago,saidthechief.Youwouldhavebeenwhat,twentyfiveorso?Youremember?
Themayorlookedacrosstothewest,tothebuildingsliningtheriver.Theydidntlooksleekandnewnow,butnoneweremorethanthirtyyearsold.Therehadbeentenementbuildingstherebefore,huddledtogetheragainstthemudflats.Theyhadallburnedoneterribledaythirtythreeyearsbefore,withtremendouslossoflife.
Yeah,hesaidslowly.Hecouldneverforgetthecolumnsofsmokeboilingup,thegreat
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mantleofdarknessuponthecity,theashfallinglikeblacksnow...
Thatwasadragon,saidthechief.Onetootiredandoldtomakeittothesurface.Thefireswereitslastattemptstogetthrough.Theywouldhavekeptburning,constantlygettinghotterandmorewidespread,exceptChiefGramowitzandMayorTellcalledintheDragonborn.
OK,saidthemayor.Heknewwhenhehadtofaceuptosomething,whenitcouldnotbesweptunderthecarpetorsmotheredinspin.Itwasoneofhisvirtuesasapoliticianhewouldaccepttoughrealitieswhentherereallywasnoalternative.Howdowedothis?
Thechieftookafoldingknifeoutofhispocketandopenedit.Themayorwatchedthefiremanseyes,andinstinctivelyturnedsidewaysalittle,readytobrawl.Hedgrownupwithknifefights,andthemuscleprogrammingwasstilltherefortyyearsafterithadbeennecessary.Hehadscarstoshowaswell,evidenceofhardlessonsnevertobeforgotten.
Thechiefslicedtheendofhisthumbandheldouttheknife,handlefirst,tothemayor.
Afewdropsofbloodfromthechiefandthemayor,hesaid.Wedripitonthedragonssnout.
Thisgoingtogiveitatasteforhumanblood?askedthemayor,stillsuspicious.Myblood?
Itsceremonial,saidthechief.Heheldhisthumbnearthedragonsheadandletthedropsfall,redsplashesonthegold.
Themayorheldtheknife,butdidntcuthisthumb.Thedragonmoved,itswingsflexingalittle,asifitwerewakingfromalongandrestfulsleep.Ascarlettongue,forkedlikeasnakes,flickeredoutofamouthonlyslightlyajarandlickedtheblood.
Quickly!orderedthechief.
Themayormoved.Theknifewasmuchsharperthanheexpected,andheslicedhisthumbtothebone,sodeephecriedoutanddroppedtheknife.Butherepressedthepainandheldhisthumbagainstthechiefs,theirnailstouching,andbothbledstraightintothedragonsrapidlywideningmouth.
Thecreaturecontinueditsyawn,gulpedafewtimes,thencloseditsjawswithasoundliketheharshsnapofamousetrap,makingbothmenjump.Atthesametime,itopened
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itseyes,brightgoldeneyeswithnovisiblepupilatall.
WecallupontheCompact,saidthechief.Hesoundednervous,whichsurprisedthemayor,tillheconsideredthiswasasfaroutsidetheothermansexperienceashisown.
Yeah,wecallupontheCompact,addedthemayor.
Thedragonliddeditseyestwice,archeditsback,andspreaditswings.Themensteppedbacktogiveitroom.Thecreaturemadeanoiseratherlikethecoughingbarkofaseal,andshotasmall,multicoloredflameoutofitscrocodiliannostrils.Thenitlauncheditselfupanddovestraightintothedarkstoneofthecornerbuttress.Foramomentaredandgoldimprintremainedonthestone,afadingafterimageofitspassage.
Wherediditgo?askedthemayor.Hewasholdinghisthumbtighttostopthebleeding.
Intothestone,anddown,saidthechief.Thefirehouseiscladinsixteeninchgraniteblocks,andbuiltonfoundationsofstonedowntothebedrock.
Sowhathappensnow?
ADragonbornwillcome,saidthechief.Heretothefirehouse,withinthreedays.
Wherefrom?
Idontknow,saidthechief.Youdbettergetyourcutseento.Welltellthemyoudiditontheglassontheparapet.
Hetookaslimradiohandsetfromunderhisjacket.
Tenthirtysevenontheroof,Connie.Nothingserious.Sendsomeoneupwithanaidkit.
TheDragonbornarrivedthenextafternoon,whichwasearlierthanexpected.Thoughthechiefhadhalfexpectedsomeonetoflyinandlandontheroof,oremergefromthestoneofthefirehouse,theDragonbornactuallyturnedupinacabandthefirstheknewaboutitwaswhenhisassistantbroughtinhercard.
Theresawomantoseeyou,saidConnie.Saidshehasanappointment,butshesnotonyourschedule.
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Thechieflookedatthecard.Itwasprintedinaraised,metallicredinkandsimplyhadthenameYlaneSmithonit,anemailaddress,andinthecorner,asymbol.Ittookhimamomenttorealizeitwasastylizedversionofthemessengerdragonheandthemayorhadsentfromthepigeonhouse.
Ah,yes,hesaid.Pleasesendherin.
OK,saidConnie.Buzzifyouneedrescuing.Wealreadyhadtogiveoxygentosomeoftheboysdownstairs.
What!?askedthechief.
Youllsee,saidConniedryly,andleft.
YlaneSmithcamein,andthechiefrealizedwhatConniemeant.TheDragonbornwhichiswhathepresumedshewaswasverytall,strikinglybeautiful,hadskinthecolorofpolishedbronze,andasfarashecouldtell,wasonlywearingalong,looselybuttonedalligatorskintrenchcoat,withnothingunderneath.Shelookedlikeanexoticmodelwhodjuststeppedoffthecatwalk,rightupuntilshetookoffherbigdarkglassesandhesawhereyes.
Shehadexoticeyes,too,buttheydidnotaddtoherbeauty.Thoughalmondshapedandlinedwithlonglashes,hereyeswereentirelysmooth,shininggold,withoutirisorpupil.
FireChiefErikHansen,saidtheDragonborn.YouhavecalledupontheCompact.
Yes,saidthechief.Yes,uh,MissSmith.
CallmeYlane,saidtheDragonborn.Shecrossedtheroomandlookedatthephotographsonthewall.SomewereoftheCausewayfires.Thenshemovedtothemapofthecity.Intheolddaysithadbeenconstantlyreplacedandupdated,butsincethedepartmentwentelectronicthechiefhardlyeverlookedatit,anditwasatleastthreeyearsold.TheSmithpartisjusttohavesomethingonthere.Whereisthedragon?
Letme...letmeshowyouonthescreen,here,saidthechief.Hestartedtoswivelhismonitoraround,butYlanehelduponeperfectlymanicuredhand.Hernailsweregold,too,henoted,longandsharp.
No.Onthismap.Wecannotseeilluminatedimageswell.
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Yes,yes,ofcourse.
Hecameoutfrombehindhisdeskandcautiouslyapproachedthemap,almostasifhewasabouttoenteraburningbuilding.Intruth,hewouldhavebeengladtobewearinghisprotectiveclothing,includingthebreathingapparatus.
Youneednotbeafraid,saidYlane.
Thechiefnoddedandtappedthemap.Hecouldfeeltheheatemanatingfromher,likeasidewalkbakedinthesummersunallday,andthosegold,pupillesseyes,givingnoindicationofwhatshewaslookingat...
Thechiefgaveaninvoluntaryshiver,onebornoffearratherthancold,andtappedthemapagainmoreforcefully.
Here,hecroaked.Wethinkitshere.
Ylanebentherheadtowardthemap.
Oldgate,shesaid.Whatisthehistoryofthesite?
Thechiefretreatedtohisdeskandpouredhimselfaglassofwater,drinkinghalfofitdownbeforeheanswered.
Wedontknowtheoriginofthename,hesaid.ThefirsthousebuilttherewasforaChinesemerchant,whocalledhimselfLin...uh...Smith.HecalledthehouseOldgate.Ithadextensivegrounds,andstayedinthefamilyupto,letssee,tenyearsago,whenthelastSmithdied,thoughhedrevertedtotheoriginalname
ChuanRenorsomethingsimilar,interruptedYlane.
Yes,howdidyou
Nevermind.Thehouseandgardenswerebuiltover?
Yes.Anofficeblock.Itwasentirelydestroyedbythefirelastweek.Asuperintensefire,originatingfrombelowtheground.Thekindmypredecessortoldmemeanttherewasadragonsomewhereunderneath.
Yes,saidYlane.Whenlastweek?
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Friday,repliedthechief.Daybeforeyesterday.
Thenwehavelittletime.Iwillneedavolunteerfromyourdepartment.Someoneunmarried,withoutchildrenorotherties.Mostpreferablyanorphan.Also,thirtykilogramsoftwentyfourcaratgold,incoins,notbullion.
Thechiefdroppedhisglassonthedesk.Itdidntbreak,butwaterspilledacrossthepolishedmahoganyandranunderapileofbudgetpapers.Hemadenoattempttosavethem,ortorighttheglass.
What!?
Ylaneturnedherheadfromthemap,andhergoldeyescaughttheoverheadlight,makingthemflash.
Ineedafirefightertohelpme,butitwillbeextremelydangerousforthem,soitisbesttohavesomeonewhohasfewties.Thegoldisto...distractthedragon.
Thechiefleanedbackonthewetpatchonhisdesk,sprangforward,almostcollidedwithYlanewhodidnotmoveatall,andthenretreatedcrablikearoundtohischair.
Isee.Iguess...uh...wecanarrangeavolunteer...andthegold.
Thereissomethingelse,saidYlane.Sheleanedoverthedesk,sawthepuddle,andelegantlyplantedherhandpalmfirstinthespilledwater.
Thechiefavertedhiseyesfromthetopofhercoat.
Yes...hesaid,nervouslyfingeringhisowntopbutton.
TheOldgatesite.Itmustnotbebuiltonagain.Turnitintoapark.
Illtalktothemayor,saidthechiefwithagulp.ThepuddleofwaterunderYlaneshandwasstartingtosteam,wispsofvaporcoilingupfrombeneathherpalm.
Itmustbedone,saidYlane.ThatsitewascalledOldgateforareason.Itisagate,apointwheredragonspassfromgroundtosky.Yourfireontheriverwasanaberration,adragontoosickandoldtomakeittotheOldgate.Beforethat,eveninthetimethecityhasbeenhere,hundredsofdragonshavepassedthroughthegardensoftheLongDeChuanRen.Youhavebeenveryluckythatonlyonesick,olddragonhasfounditsway
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blockedbysteelandconcrete,andwastoobigforanyotherpassage.
Hundredsofdragons...whisperedthechief,theimageofahundredfiresliketheOldgatebuildingflashingthroughhismind.Itwillbeapark...andIwillfindyouavolunteer,andthegold.
Good,saidYlane.Shestoodback.Thedeskwasnolongerwet,andthebudgetpapersweredryandcurlingatthecorners.Beforemidnight,ifyoudonotwantanotherfire.IllbeattheHilton.
TheHilton,repeatedthechief.Somehowhethoughthehadntheardright.
AsYlaneopenedthedoor,thechiefhadanotherthought.
Uh,MissSmith...Ylane...doesitmatterifitisa...maleorfemale...firefighter?
Ylanelookedbackathimandsmiled,asmileshowingteethwhichwerenotpreciselyreptilian,butsharperthananormalhumans.
Iwould...prefer...aman.Abigstrongman.
LieutenantArminJaxontouchedthesilverbaronhiscollarasherodeupintheelevator,andwonderedwhyhispromotionhadcomethroughsoquickly.Hedbeenexpectingitsometimeinthenextcoupleofyears,ashedscoredextremelywellintheexam,andhadthetimein,witha100percentpositiverecord.Butitwaswaytoosoonaftertheexamresults,andhecouldnthelpfeelingitwassomekindofweirdpreemptiverewardforvolunteeringforthisspecialmission.
Thisspecialextremelyhazardousandsecretmissionthatthecaptainhadactedsostrangeabout,andthenthechiefhadactedevenstranger.Bothofthemaskingafterhisparents,whodbeendeadforyears,andwhetherhewassettlingdownorhadplansforafamily...Oddquestions,whichwhenhethoughtaboutthetoneofvoiceandthegeneralcautionsuggestedthatthisspecialmissionwasprobablygoingoverthelineofacceptableriskandintoentirelynewterritory.
ButJaxonhadntgotwherehewasbyavoidingtrouble.Hewasntfoolhardy,buthewasalwaysreadytostepin,andwhateverlayahead,hefiguredbeingmadelieutenantearlywasworthit.
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Atthetopfloor,hegotout,steppingpastatrioofarmedBrinksguardswhowerewaitingfortheelevator.Whichwasweird,sincetherewasonlytheonepenthousesuiteonthefloor,wherethepersonhewastoreporttowasstaying.
Hey,howreyoudoing?saidJaxon.
Theguardsdidntspeak.Theywentstraightpastintotheelevator,notoneofthemmeetinghiseyes.
Well,youallhaveagoodevening,saidJaxon.Hemeantit,too.Hewantedeveryonetobehappyonhispromotionday,andhecouldntstophimselffromadmiringhisnewbadgesofrankintheornate,giltedgedmirroronthewalloppositebeforeheknockedonthedoubledoorsofthesuite.
Awomanopenedonedoorimmediately,butnotjustanywoman.Jaxonfoundhimselfstaringatthesupermodelgorgeouswomanwhowaslookingathimthroughherbugeyedsunglasses,despitethefactthatthesunwasdownandthehotellighting,asalways,fairlydim.
YouarethevolunteerIaskedChiefHansentosend?
Yes,maam,saidJaxon.PresumingyoureYlaneSmith.
Iam,saidYlane.Shelookedhimupanddownappraisingly.Youlookbigandstrongenough.
Shepointedtooneoftheinteriordoorsandsaid,Letsgetonwithitthen.Everythingiswaitinginthebedroom.
Ah,justholdononeminute,maam,saidJaxonawkwardly.ImnotquitesurewhatIvolunteeredfor,butitdidntincludeany...Youknow,firefightersmayhaveacertainreputation,butasapointoffactwhileyoureveryattractive,Imkindofoldfashioned
Whatareyoutalkingabout?interruptedYlane.ThereisanaluminizedNomexproximitysuitinthereforyou,andbreathingapparatus.Iwilltellyouwhatwearegoingtodowhileyouputiton.
Jaxondidntimmediatelymove.Insteadhelookedaround.Thepenthousesittingroomlookedentirelyusualforahotel.TheonlythingoutoftheordinarywasabigleatherGladstonestylebagonthefloorwhichwaspadlockedatthetopandsealedwithtape
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markedBrinks.
Thatiswhatyouwillneedtocarrywhenyouaresuitedup,saidYlane.Itcontainsthirtykilogramsofgold.
Jaxonfrowned.Thiswasgettingweirder,butalsomoreinteresting.
Ithinkyoudbettertellmewhatsgoingon,hesaidfirmly,andsatdownonthewhiteleatherlounge,upattheendneartothegold.
Ylanesighed,tookoffhersunglasses,andlookedathim.
Jaxonjerkedback,hishandsinstinctivelycurlingintofists,thefightorflightreflexkickingin.NowheknewwhytheBrinksguardshadlookedsocowed.Shemusthavenotbeenwearinghersunglasseswhentheymadetheirdelivery.Therewassomethingaboutthoseeyes,somethingthatmadehimwanttogetaway,torununtilhecouldntseethemanymore.
IamDragonborn,saidYlane.Hervoicesoundedhuskierandmoresibilantnow,asifshehadbeenputtingonsomeotheraccentbefore.Ahumanaccent.Thatistosay...parthumanandpartdragon.Longago,mypeoplemadeaCompactwiththiscity,agreeingwewouldhelpiftherewaseveraproblemwithdyingdragonscausingfires.TheOldgatefireonFridaywascausedbyadyingdragon,whoisnowtrappedsomefortyfeetbelowtheOldgatesite.AmImakingmyselfclear?Yourexpressionindicatesalackofcomprehension.
Youreclearenough,maam,snappedJaxon.Butcould...couldyouputyourglassesbackon,please?
Ylanedidasheasked,andcontinued.Jaxonbreathedalittlemoreeasily,butheslidacrossthelounge,togetclosertothedoor.Justincase.
Wecangetquitenearthedragonspositionbygoingdowntothebottomlevelofthehotelcarparkandalongamainlinesewerforsomefivehundredmeterstoapointonlyafewmetersaboveandtothenorthofthedragonshead.Wewilllayoutthegoldthereinaparticularpattern,toattractthedragon.Iwillthenperformthemercykilling.
Whatdoyouneedmefor?askedJaxon.Ifhehadntseenhereyes,andfelttheirpower,hemighthavethoughtthiswasanelaboratepracticaljoke,somekindofpromotionhazing.Butheknew,deepinside,thiswasallforreal.
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Ineedyoutocarrythegold,saidYlane.Andarrangethepattern,undermydirection.
Jaxonthoughtaboutthisforafewseconds.
WhydoIneedthesuit?
ThedragonwillflameasIkillit.
Howhotisdragonfire?Andhowlongwillitlast?
Thebreathlastsonlyafewseconds.Idontbelievethetemperaturehaseverbeenmeasured,saidYlane.Butinsimilarsituationsinthepast,assistantshavewornnothingmorethanwatersoakedwoolencloaks.
Andsurvived?askedJaxon.
Thereweresurvivors,repliedYlane.
OK,saidJaxonslowly.Hismindfeltasifitwasastepbehind,havingdifficultyprocessingwhathewashearing.Butheknewaboutfires,andifthesuitwasOK,andthechiefhadsaidtodowhatthiswomansaid...Whatareyougoingtodothe...ah...mercykillingwith?
Youwillsee,saidYlane.
Itakeityoudontneedasuit?
Ylanelaughed.
IamDragonborn.Fireisnotaproblemforme.Getinthesuit.Wemustcompleteourbusinessbeforethenextparoxysm.
Paroxysm?askedJaxon,overhisshoulder.Hewasalreadyheadingforthebedroom,wherehecouldseethesuit.
Thedragonistoooldandweakto...dowhatitneedstodo.Itcannotmakeitswaythroughallthetonsofrubblethatnowlieaboveit.Itisdying,saidYlanethroughtheopendoor.Itgathersitsremainingstrengthtobreathefireallaboutitself,inthehopethatitcanburnitswayfree.IdonotbelieveyourchiefwouldlikeanotherfiresuchastheonethatconsumedtheOldgatetower.
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No!agreedJaxonashecheckedoutthesuit.Itwasatopofthelinemodel,fullycertified,readytogo.Itwashotinside,asalways,buthewasinpeakconditionandhefiguredhecouldcarrythirtykilosofgoldasfarasthewoman...theDragonborn...said.Hellofaloteasierthancarryingacasualty.
Thebreathingapparatusrigwouldaddtotheweight,butagainhewasusedtoit.Hecheckedtheaircylinder,regulator,mask,andharness,beforeshruggingitonandadjustingthestraps.
Ylanewaswaitingintheotherroom.ShehadchangedheralligatorskincoatforapairofcoverallsmarkedHotelMaintenance,buthadkeptthebugeyesunglasses,whichmadeanoddcombination.Shehadwhatlookedlikeacarryingcaseforfishingrodsinherhand,athreemeterlongplasticcylinder,aboutfifteencentimetersindiameter,whichunscrewedinthemiddle.
Whatsinthere?askedJaxon.
Anexplosiveharpoon,repliedYlane.Getthegold.Weneedtogo.
Jaxonpickedupthegold.Itwastooheavytoeasilycarryinonehandforanydistance,sohecradleditlikeababyandfollowedYlaneouttotheelevator.Ylaneusedakeytoturnthefireserviceon,andtheywentstraightdowntothecarpark.
Atthelowestlevel,sixfloorsbeneaththelobby,theygotout.Ylaneledthewaytoanunmarkeddoor,whichsheopenedwithanotherkey,exposingaconduitstuffedwithpipesandcables.Therewasjustenoughspacetoshuffledownthemiddle,thoughJaxonhadtowatchhiselbows,makingsurethesuitdidntcatchonanythingandtear.
Sowelayoutthesecoinsinapattern,hesaid.Distractthisdragon.WhatdoIdothen?
Run,saidYlane.Shedidntlookathim,andseemeddistracted.Keyedup,liketheguyswhentheywereallracingtoahotone.ButJaxondidntfeelasuperchargedsenseofthingsabouttohappen,partlybecausehestillcouldntbelieveit.Hewasevenkindofdoubtingthegoldeneyes,nowthatYlanehadhersunglassesbackon.Thehotelroomhadbeendim,maybeitwassomesortofspecialeffect,apromotiondaygagofsomekind,andhewasbeingfilmedonaclosedcircuitsystemorthewomanhadaspycamanditwouldallbeuponYouTubeinadayortwo.
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Buthewasntsure,andthecaptainhadtoldhimtodowhatthechiefsaid,andthechiefhadtoldhimtoobeythiswoman,andneitherofthoseguyswasintopunkingjuniors...
HowfardoIneedtorun?heasked,astheyclimbeddownametalladderfromtheconduitintoasewer.Itwasoneoftheoriginaltunnels,allnineteenthcenturybrickwork,likehedlovetohaveinhisapartment,withpatternsabovethearchesandeverything,thoughhereitwasspoiledbythedanglingelectriccordstrungbetweenthe1950sutilitylights,someofwhichwerestillworking.
Maybeonalieutenantspayhecouldmoveintoanoldbuilding,getoutoftheplasterboardandsprayedconcreteholehedbeenrentingthelasttwoyears...
Runasfarasyoucan,saidYlaneabsently,answeringhisquestionafullminuteafterhedaskedit.Hewasbehindher,sohecouldntseeexactlywhatshewasdoing,butitlookedlikeshewassniffingtheair.Whichdidntsmelltoobad,consideringtheywereinasewer.Ormaybeitwasastormwaterdrain,becausetherewasonlyathintrickleofwaterJaxonwasprettysureitwaswaterrunningdownthecenterofthetunnel.
Stop,saidYlane.Sheturnedaround,nostrilsflaring,andbentdowntowardthetunnelfloor.Sheinhaleddeeplyandsaid,Yes.Itishere,justbelowus.
OK,saidJaxon.Heputthebagofgolddown,andflexedhisarms.Hedidntneedtodoit,butitwasawelcomestretch.Whatnow?
Ylanetookastickofyellowchalkoutofthepocketofhercoveralls,andstarteddrawingsmallcirclesonthebricks,oneithersideofthetrickleofwater.Youcantakethebreathingapparatusofffirst.Thenyouneedtoputcoinsdownonthesecircles,untilIdrawthelastone.Forthelastone,youwait,whileIgettheharpoonready.Thenyoucloseupyoursuit,turnonyourairandprepareyourself.Youplacethecoinandyourun...
Shelookedalongthetunnelinbothdirections.Gobackthewaywecame,Ithink.Whenyoufeeltheflash,hunkerdownandhopeforthebest.
Thebest?askedJaxon.Hewasntexactlyapprehensive,buthewasfeelingtheenergy.Actioncoming.Lifeordeath.
Hopeisalwaysnecessary,saidYlane.
Ifguysindampcloaksmadeitintheoldendays,Illmakeit,saidJaxon.Hebentdown
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andopenedthebag.Thecoinswereinpaperrolls.Hedneverseengoldcoinsbefore,andwassurprisedwhenhetoreopenarolltofindouthowheavyeachonewasindividually.Andthesoundtheymadewhentheyfellonthebrickstheyreallydidringtrue.
Becareful,saidYlane.Wellneedallofthem.Oralmostall.Thereareninehundredandsixtyfiveandweneedninehundredandsixtyfour.
Shewasworkingquickly,drawingcircles.Jaxonconcentratedonthejob,followingherwithgoldcoins,tryingtocatchup.Thepatternshewasmakingseemedtobecircleswithincircles,akindofgeometricpatternliketheonesheusedtomakeasakidwithaspirograph.Shehadagoodeye,notneedinganyaidtogetthecurvesright.Hetriedtodoasgoodajobplacingcoins,gettingthemexactlyonthesmallchalkcircles.
Ittookaboutanhourandahalftogetthecoinsdown.WhenJaxonhadtwoleft,Ylanestoppeddrawing.
Thiswillbethelastone,shesaid,hernostrilsconstantlyflaring,herheadmovingasshesniffedtheair.Jaxonthoughthecouldsmellsomethingnow,too,achemicalwhiff,maybesulfur.Theresjustonemorething.
Shecameupclosetohimandheflinchedalittle,eventhoughhereyeswerestillhidden.Thensheleanedforwardsuddenlyandkissedhimfullonthelips,anoldfashionedkiss,lipsclosed,thoughtheyfelthotuponhisown.KindoflikeaftereatingaMexicanapizza,whichheliked,theafterburnofchilispreadingacrosshismouth.
Whatwasthatfor?heasked.
Goodluck,shesaid.Forbothofus.Getyoursuitready.
Sheopenedthefishingrodcaseandtookouttheharpoon.ItlookedoldtoJaxon,theshaftapaleagedwoodandtheheadadarkironwithabulbousridgetoholdtheexplosive.Ylanecheckeditover,andscrewedsomethingintothebulb,whileJaxongothisbreathingapparatusbackonandwentthroughhischecklist,tastingthecool,metaltangedairflowingthroughhismask,makingsurehishoodwasclosed,thatallsealsshuttightatwristandankles,hisglovessecure.Hehadagoldcoinineachhand.Theoneinhisrighthandtogoonthecircle,theoneonthelefthefiguredhecouldkeepasasouvenir.
Ylanemovedbackabouttenfeetandtookhersunglassesoff,throwingthemaside.Then
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sheadoptedanOlympicjavelineerspose:legsspread,leftarmforward,rightarmwithharpoonbackreadytothrow.
Jaxonkneltdowncarefully,balancedontheballsofhisfeet.Heheldthecoinbetweenthumbandforefinger,aninchawayfromthecircle,andlookedoveratYlane.
Now!
Thecoinwentdown.Jaxonspunhalfaround,alreadymoving,legsstretchingoutashewentuponesideofthetunnel,likeabicycleonavelodrome,andbackdownagaintosprintalongthemiddle,andeventhroughthesuitheheardavastbellowandawaveofairpushedhiminthebacklikethepressurewavefromasubwaytrain,sendinghimstumbling,andheglancedback,eventhoughheknewitwasabadidea,andhesawthegreatorangesnoutbreakthroughthetunnelfloor,sendingbricksexplodinglikeaLegodisaster,andYlane,theflashofmovementand
Bang!
Thatwastheexplosiveharpoon,butthedragondidntjustdie.Insteadtheairpressureinthetunnelreversed.AsavagewindsmackedagainstJaxon,dragginghimback.Thedragonwasbreathingin,suckinginoxygen,oxygentofuelafireJaxonjustknewwasgoingtobehotterthananythinghedeverseenorheardorevenbelievedcouldexistupontheearth,andYlanestalkaboutthewetwoolencloakswashorseshitandhewasgoingtodieinthistunnelafterall,andhisnamewouldgoupingoldlettersonthememorialboardathisoldcompany...
Buthekepttryingtorunforwardbecauseyounevergaveup,notevenwheneverythingwasgonetohell,especiallythen,becauseifyouhadtodiethenyoudiditdoingsomething,notjustgivingup
Theflamewasmorethanahundredmeterslong,andinitshairthincore,ashotastheouterreachesofthesun.
Jaxondovefortheflooramomentbeforetheflashcame,buthewastoocloseanditwastoolatetomakeanydifference.Thestrapsholdinghisaircylindervaporized,thecylinderitselfdeformingasitfell.Thesuit,thebestmoneycouldbuy,faredlittlebetter,thoughitsmakerscouldbeproudthatevenasash,smallpiecesofitclungtogetherinuselessclumps.
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Hisskin,whichshouldhavecharredthroughtotheboneinamicrosecond,didnotchar.Hishair,shortasitwas,didnotgouplikealitmatch.Thesoft,wettissueofhiseyesandearsandmouthdidnotinstantaneouslyboilaway.
Hefeltonlypleasantlywarm,thoughhewaslyingonbricksglowingasredhotasthedaytheyleftthekiln,andhewasentirelynaked.
Inhisrighthand,heheldaglobuleofmoltengold.
Somethingflutteredintheairabovehim.Jaxonrolledoverandlookedup.Therewasatiny...dragon,allscarletandgreen,itseyesasgoldenasYlanes...
Ylane?croakedJaxon.Thecroakwaspsychological.Therewasnothingwrongwithhisthroat.Hejustcouldntbelievehewasaliveatall,orthathecouldspeak.Helookedathishands,andsawthathisskinwasasredasthebricksbeneathhim,butitwaswhole,andhefeltnopain.
Yes,saidthedragon,thoughhervoicewasnotaudible.Jaxonhearditinhishead.
Whatthehellhappened?
Youknow,saidYlane.
Jaxonthoughtaboutitforamoment,andhedidknow.
Adragondies,adragonisborn,hesaid.
Yes.
Iamadragon,hesaid,andashespokeherealizedhewasOKwithit,becauseheknewwhatitwastobeadragonandtobeadragonwasimmeasurablybetterthantobemerelyhuman.
Hepoppedthecooling,misshapengolddiscintohismouthandateitwithsomerelish,themetalsoftunderhisteeth.Thenhejumpedup,andinthatmotion,therewasnolongeramanwithgoldeneyesandskinthecolorofdusk,butanothersmalldragon,asresplendentasthefirst.
Yes,saidYlane.Sheledhimintothehotbricksandthebedrockbeneath,andtheydoveintoittogether,headingdeeperanddeepertowardthehotcenteroftheearthwhere
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dragonslivedandgrew,tilltheybecameancient,androselikesalmontoawaterhead,toseektheirbirthplace,andbeginanew.
Adragondies,adragonisborn.Butsometimestheyneedalittlehelp.
FireAbove,FireBelowcopyright2013byGarthNix
Artcopyright2013byRobertHunt