Free World's End by Will Elliott Page B

such looks on their faces before. They did not turn to him when Aziel finally noticed his arrival. She made not the least motion to cover her breasts; infact she stood up proudly, naked as all the Invia were. Her smile beamed down at him.
    This was so contrary to what he’d envisioned – tears, anger, accusations – that all he could say was, ‘Aziel … be careful up there.’
    â€˜They won’t let me fall. Watch!’ She jumped into the air, her ripped clothes and hair trailing gracefully behind her, face filled with light and joy. As she began to arc down from her leap, all the Invia rose from their perches, the two nearest reaching her in a blink, taking her by an arm each and setting her gently down. They flew straight back to their perches, watching her.
    â€˜I have learned so much,’ she said. A touch of sadness came to her smiling eyes. ‘We have to leave soon and take the castle. The ones there now aren’t allowed there any more. It’s ours. I suppose you’re nobility now. They said you’re coming with me.’
    â€˜I’m sorry about your dress, Aziel. And … the rest of it.’
    â€˜Don’t be a fool! We have a world to govern, Eric, and you bother yourself over a ripped dress?’
    â€˜It wasn’t just the dress.’
    â€˜I’m aware of what happened,’ she said, and he was glad to see a touch of her familiar regal annoyance. ‘It was a dream we both had, did you not know it? A dream, and real, all at once. As is life itself. Come. We should leave soon.’
    â€˜Won’t your father still be at the castle? Won’t the Arch?’ She shrugged as if neither was of great import. ‘Aziel, they might have other ideas about us claiming their home.’
    â€˜They’re entitled to whatever ideas they like in the privacy of their own minds.’ She sounded solemn and – he could not deny it – powerful. Then her voice and manner changed to those of a delighted girl: ‘You must meet Hauf! He’s nearby; he’s been waiting for you. Hauf! Come. He has a gift for you, Eric.’
    A shape loomed in from beyond the perimeter. It was a dragon, but one smaller even than Case the drake. Its skin was dark as the cavern floor and walls, cracking as the dragon moved with apparent difficulty towards him. If not for Aziel’s light manner, he’d have run from it, for its face was vicious. Its body was lean but heavy muscles rippled about its shoulders and legs. It came slowly, straight for Eric, dark eyes glittering.
    â€˜This is Hauf. Don’t be afraid of him. He’s the smallest dragon here, I think. But he’s very strong. He’s made of stone, on the outside at least. The Invia say he doesn’t use magic. He can fight, though. He survived a fight with one of the Majors, long ago. He didn’t win of course, but he survived. That’s what they say, at least. It made him famous among the lesser dragons. Hauf doesn’t fear magic at all.’
    The dragon paused with its head lowered at Eric’s feet, eyes glaring up as if it meant for all the world to rip his throat out. Instead it set down a small, plain-looking amulet. From deep in Hauf’s throat came a growl like angry stone. Words were faintly discernible in the sound: ‘You may call me three times. Then I am free.’
    â€˜Oh!’ said Aziel. She clasped her hands together. Eric reached for the amulet, only because he feared Hauf would bite him if he did not. ‘He won’t hurt you,’ Aziel assured him.
    The dragon watched him pick it up, grinding its teeth with the sound of rocks being chewed to powder. Slowly Hauf turned to limp into the dark beyond the roost.
    â€˜He’s nicer than he looks,’ Aziel confided. ‘Most dragons are, I think.’
    He looked at her, wondering who had convinced her of this, and how. ‘I can think of an exception. I’m sure you can