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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 4/21

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?

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 5/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 6/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 7/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 8/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 9/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 10/21

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?

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 11/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 12/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 13/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 14/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 15/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 16/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 17/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 18/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 19/21

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.

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 20/21

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

7/31/2015 FireAbove,FireBelow|Tor.com

http://www.tor.com/2013/05/08/fireabovefirebelow/ 21/21

dragonslivedandgrew,tilltheybecameancient,androselikesalmontoawaterhead,toseektheirbirthplace,andbeginanew.

Adragondies,adragonisborn.Butsometimestheyneedalittlehelp.

FireAbove,FireBelowcopyright2013byGarthNix

Artcopyright2013byRobertHunt