The Nian Chronicles
Chapter Ten

Alaene listened to the birds chattering outside her barracks nest, not wanting to get up but knowing she had to. Something was off about the day that she couldn’t identify. She had learned the colonists were starting today, and scouts had reported they were already gathering. She still hoped some would stay.

Wanting to see them leave, she struggled to get up and prepare herself for the day. When she flew outside, Linae was waiting for her.

“What do we do today?” the girl asked.

“I want to watch the colonists leave.”

They flew to the treetops and headed west. At the village boundary she and Linae stopped, respecting Nadia’s warning not to return. A bright ribbon of wings fluttered in the meadow under the late morning sun. Alaene looked for gold and black wings and found them at the head of the column forming near Nadia’s orange and white wings.

At a yelled signal, they mounted up and started their journey, heading west into the unknown. Zabor was leaving, and she would never see him again.

“Commander?” Linae whispered. “We should make our rounds.”

They flew to the north edge of the forest and hovered at the meadow at treetop level. The foliage below had started to grow back, and nature almost looked normal for the middle of summer. No clouds hid the hazy blue sky, and she could see for miles around.

In the forest behind her, commoners continued as they had for three weeks to prepare for a hasty evacuation; but with the colonists leaving, a sense of foreboding settled over the villagers. The spear throwers had been assembled and put into place along the borders and at the shelter. All was ready.

They Lizia were coming. It was only a matter of time.

Alaene turned to continue on, but Linae stopped her. “What is that?”

Alaene peered north at the horizon where Linae pointed. Heat from the land radiated towards the sky, blurring her vision. She squinted, sure she had seen something through the haze; or was she just so nervous she was seeing shadows?

“There!” Linae spoke. “Do you see it?”

Alaene saw it again for just a second; a dark line across the horizon. Was it? Could it be? She peered harder, but it had disappeared again behind the heat haze.

“I saw something.”

They hurried to the closest hard-eyed sentry, who turned with quivering wings. “Commander, I think. . . I think I saw something. I’m not sure.”

“Describe what you saw.”

“It looked like a dark line on the horizon. Just a glimpse. I’m not even sure if I really saw it or if the haze is tricking me.”

Alaene nodded. “We saw it as well.”

She turned north and they watched together, peering through the shimmering heat for a few minutes and waiting for another glimpse of something they weren’t sure they had seen the first time. Finally the haze parted, and again they saw a gray line, only now it was thicker and darker. Alaene stared at it, willing it to go away.

“Is it them?” Linae asked.

Alaene swallowed. “I don’t know.”

Yet even they hesitated it shifted, growing wider and thicker and changing to a dark brown. Alaene's heart thudded against her ribs.

“It looks like a cloud,” the guard murmured.

Alaene nodded. “But like no cloud I've ever seen.”

“It’s brown,” Linae murmured. “Lizia are brown.”

Alaene fidgeted. Now was the time to make the alarm, but she seemed to be frozen.

“Should I blow the horn?” the guard asked.

“Yes,” Alaene whispered, every fiber of her body screaming. They were coming!

They guard lifted the horn to his lips and blew long, loud, and hard. After a moment more horns answered. Soon they were blowing all over the forest. Voices rose in panic calling to each other, “The horns are blowing! Get to the shelter!”

Hatchlings started crying, and parents called out for family members.

Please let my family be safe! Alaene thought.

Down in the meadow the spear launchers moved out to get a clear shot. Alaene studied the cloud on the horizon one more time then she and Linae dived to the Dancers loading the weapons.

“They come from the north!” Alaene warned. “They look like a brown cloud! Be at the ready!”

When she flew back up to tree level, Alaene found the border guards being joined by Dancers on the wing. “You are the first defense!” she challenged. “Hold them off as long as possible! I have to replace Sergeant Ramal and get the Dancers ready at the shelters!”

She and Linae zipped to the rocky creek as fast as they could fly. Nia were already fleeing through the forest to the caves. “Hurry!” Linae shouted. “Hurry! They come!”

Alaene found Sergeant Ramal at the caves barking orders to the Dancers as the first citizens arrived. Catapults were ready. Spear launchers were loaded. Dancers on the ground and in the air waited in positions with swords, arrows, and shieldd, but Alaene heard clinking armor and knew they were shaking as hard as she was.

“What news?” Ramal asked as she flew to his position near the caves.

“They come! I saw them! They look like a low cloud on the horizon, but it’s brown, and it grows and moves as it nears.”

“How many?”

“I have no idea. They’re too far away to see clearly.”

“Is the first defense in place?” Ramal urged.

“They are! Where are the Younglings?”

“Stationed with their trainers.”

“I’m afraid for them!”

“They’ve advanced well. They should be able to hold their own.”

Alaene looked around at Linae. “Stay with me! Stay close!”

Linae wrung her hands. “The colonists! They’re going to get caught!”

Alaene jerked west. They were still close enough Alaene could stop them. The Lizia were far enough away she had time to go. But would the dissenters return or continue to run?

“I have a duty here, Linae; to the villagers and Dancers who stayed.”

“Then let me go!” Linae pleaded. “They have to be warned!”

Alaene was torn as she looked around. Everything was in place. Villagers had taken the warning seriously and arrived at the shelter in droves, rushing into the safety of the caves.

Two Dancers approached that Alaene recognized as scouts. “Commander!” they gasped. “Another flock of Lizia are coming from the west. Both will be here in an hour!”

“That’s where the colonists are heading!” Linae pleaded to Alaene. “We need to warn them! They might not know about the west invaders!”

Sergeant Ramal nodded. “I agree. Go to them.”

“But I am needed here!” Alaene protested.

I will follow the plans exactly,” Ramal assured. “If something happens we haven’t planned for, we’ll improvise until you return.”

Alaene hesitated until Linae yanked on her. “Commander, please! We must hurry!”

Alaene wailed and flung herself to the sky. There was still a chance Nadia would change her mind. It was worth one more try.

Zabor jerked as the first warning blew, gazing toward the north side of the forest. More horns sounded in reply. “That’s the warning system!”

Nadia turned, her face drawn into a scowl as she noticed the lines of colonists flitting out of order. Most were looking back at the village to see what was happening. “What are they doing?” she demanded. “Saren, Keep them moving.”

“But the horns!” Zabor urged. “Those are only used in severe danger!”

Nadia, paused ticking off days on her fingers. “Three weeks. Just when we are leaving.” She laughed. “Don’t you see?” she yelled at her colonists. “They timed it right when we decide to leave! To scare us into going back!”

Some of the colonists glanced at her, but cries and yelling erupted from the larger village. Bright- and dull-winged villagers raced through the forest in opposite directions of each other. Zabor watched his former comrades congregate on the north edge of the forest.

“Zabor, come on. We are not falling for their tricks.”

Zabor turned to follow Nadia, but he kept glancing north to see if the ruckus was just a drill or a real threat. “I don’t know, Nadia. They look serious.”

Nadia shook her head. “It’s a trick, Zabor. Why else would it happen right when we're leaving? They're doing it on purpose!”

Zabor glanced at the horizon, almost wishing it was real; then he saw the cloud. “What is that?”

Nadia glanced at the horizon and sniffed. “A rain cloud. We need to hurry before we get wet! Our scouts told us of several areas for shelter, so let’s get moving before it starts raining!”

Zabor followed meekly but his heart screamed, Go back! Go back! Saren met his gaze, his eyes also flickering north. The horns were still blowing, and the Dancers were still standing at the ready. Drills usually were done by now.

Saren shook his head, his eyes wide. “I don’t know, Zabor. I don’t like this.”

“Nor do I,” Zabor muttered, glancing at the lines behind him.

Others watched the cloud, their eyes also doubting their governor’s explanation. Two streaks came at them from the forest, one silver and white, the other silver and blue.

“Alaene is coming with her Youngling,” he warned Nadia.

“Saren, stop them.”

Saren obligingly left with Kalec, and Zabor felt a chill run down his spine.

If Alaene was coming, so were the Lizia.

Alaene kept an eye on the north as she and Linae flew as fast as spears from a launcher. The clouds had doubled in size, and ahead to the west she saw the second, smaller cloud. Alaene almost thought she could see individual shapes. She also saw the colonists had stopped. Had they seen? Would they listen to reason, now?

Saren and Kalec with several guards flew up to block her, but she and Linae zipped around them. “Halt, Commander!” Saren challenged as he chased after. “I’m warning you!”

For an answer, Alaene pointed to the north. “They come, Saren!”

She flew on as he paused to study the cloud with a frown. The column of colonists milled in confusion, some looking north, others at the head of the line. Two figures argued so loudly Alaene could hear them before she arrived.

One was Nadia. “We are leaving, Zabor! Get out of the way!”

Alaene zipped to the head of the column where Zabor and Ardena were blocking Nadia’s way. “Alaene was right, Nadia!” Zabor challenged. “They are coming! Those are the Lizia!”

“They’re storm clouds!” Nadia retorted. “We need to keep moving to replace shelter before it rains!”

“But the horns blew!” Ardena insisted.

“It was a trick by Alaene to make us stop and come back!”

Was Nadia that stubborn? “Nadia!” Alaene yelled. “Nadia!”

The orange and white ex-Dancer turned to her. “Get away from me! I have nothing to say to you!”

Alaene pointed north. “Nadia, they are here! Those are the Lizia! There are two groups coming, one from the north and one from the west! You’re going to run into them!”

“Get out of my way!”

“Please! We need your help! All of you!” She turned to the columns. “And those who are not dancers get to the shelter, now! They are coming!”

Panic ensued in the lines as some began to flee.

“No!” Nadia raged at them. “Hold your places! She lies to trick you!”

But even more citizens fled in panic.

Zabor grabbed Nadia. “Look at your clouds! They are not normal!”

The brown clouds had shifted, spreading over the land lower than normal clouds would have done.

“Let me go!” Nadia screeched and tore loose. “We are leaving, Alaene! You will not stop us with this trickery!”

Zabor moved to Alaene’s side. “I’m staying.”

Ardena snapped her wings and flanked Linae on the commander’s other side. “So am I!”

“Fools!” Nadia hissed.

“You are the fool!’ Linae challenged. “While we stand here arguing, the Lizia come closer!” She turned to the Dancers. “How long will you refuse to believe? Look! They’re almost here!”

The cloud was close enough they could see individual shapes break off the edge and swoop over the ground in the distance. As one climbed back to the sky they saw a distinct winged lizard shape holding some hapless animal it its claws. Several citizens still among the column dropped their baggage and scrambled to the forest.

Nadia stared in horror at the growing flock. “No!” she wailed.

“Nadia, please come back with us!” Alaene begged. “You need to rejoin the Dancers!”

But Nadia jerked away. “Flee!” she commanded her forces. “Flee to the south! Find shelter!”

A dozen Dancers followed her in panic but most stayed, looking to Alaene for guidance.

“No!” Zabor yelled at the ones leaving. “We must stand and fight!”

“What are your orders, Commander?” Saren asked as he buzzed up to Alaene.

Alaene sobbed as Nadia’s group continued to flee south and a few Lizia turned in their direction. “We fight! All of you return to the forest. Saren, are these Dancers armed?”

“Yes. Nadia ordered it in case you tried to stop us.”

Alaene gaped at the spears he held out, wondering who had stolen one to copy. She didn’t have time to ask them. “Take one third to the front defenses. Zabor, take a third to join the west defenses. Linae and I will take the rest and escort the civilians to the shelters. Hurry! We have to hurry!”

The dancers leaped to obey. They may have temporarily defected, but old habits and training took over guided by instincts. Those under Zabor and Saren left for their positions. Kalec stayed with Alaene and marshaled the remaining Dancers after the citizens fleeing to the shelters.

A familiar twang echoed over the forest, and Alaene looked north in time to see a spear impale one of the Lizia on the leading edge of the flock. Several more twangs followed, each followed by a Lizia plummeting from the sky.

“Wow,” Kalec gasped. “What was that?”

“Our new spear launcher,” Alaene told him. “To even up the odds. They’re working.”

As they neared the forest, a second group of Lizia broke off and headed south. “Hide well, Nadia!” Alaene wailed.

Ardena growled in frustration and flew off. “I’ll go replace her.”

The main flock of Lizia broke up, some going east, some hovering on the edge of the forest. More spears shot as Lizia dived towards the ground. The sounds of battle reached Alaene’s ears as Dancers rose up from the forest to attack the main advancement. Her group was almost to the edge of the forest when Kalec shouted and pointed to a small flock of Lizia headed towards them.

Alaene stopped. “All citizens fly below tree level! Straight to the shelters! Stay out of sight! Kalec! Prepare the Dancers!”

Alaene and Linae hovered above the citizens racing for the trees to distract the Lizia. As the enemy neared, Alaene drew her sword. “It is time!” she yelled. “Time to stand and defend your people! They are counting on us! Do not fail them!”

Stark, cold terror rose in her throat as she faced the invaders the size of a house cat. Brown leathery skin covered their bodies, and a thin membrane attached between their front legs and shoulder blades. Long tails snapped behind them, and long legs ended in razor sharp claws. Beady green eyes bulged from hideous faces, and long pointy teeth filled their blunt snouts. Their shrill screams clawed at Alaene’s nerves as they neared the Dancers.

“Remember!” Alaene called. “They don’t see well except for color and motion! If they notice a citizen, you must distract them!”

Linae sobbed next to her. She was not supposed to be in a battle, but it was too late to change that now. As the Lizia approached, the Dancers plunged for eyes and throats with their swords then zipped away.

A Lizia approached Alaene, and she raised her sword to meet it. It was time, and she was ready. “For you, Talek!” she screamed and charged.

Mattan jerked up from the top of the nest as the first horn blew, his wings snapping open. “Mother! The horns!”

Shania popped out of the nest. “To the shelter, hurry!”

Mattan jerked around. “Where’s Father?”

“At the shelter already! Go, now!”

Mattan zipped as fast as his wings could go, but he soon realized his mother was not right behind him. He jerked around and saw her struggling to keep up. She seemed so much older than when he had first been born.

“Mother!”

“Keep going! Don’t wait for me!”

But he let her catch up and pulled her with, speeding her up but not as fast as he could fly alone. “I can’t leave you behind.”

The sound of horns echoed around the forest along with the faint sound of horrible screeching that grated on his ears. “Is that them?”

Shania glanced back, and he did also. A great brown cloud obscured the horizon, shifting and changing as it came. “Oh, that looks horrible, Mother.”

“Fly! Go!”

“I won’t leave you!” Mattan refused, pulling her harder.

Their wings bumped, and he let go to fly above her, following the other villagers rushing to the caves. Many breezed past his aging mother, and she began to gasp for breath. Mattan glanced behind and saw the cloud become individual Lizia, horrible winged creatures as ugly as the fake one the engineers had made.

“They’re getting close, we have to hurry!” he urged.

Shania seemed to replace a last reserve of energy, because she zoomed ahead. He rushed to keep up, his wings also getting tired; but they were so close! They had to make it!

Leathery flapping overhead made him look up to see a Lizia at the tree top level. Its beady eyes surveyed the forest between the trees, and his mother took the most covered path she could replace. Eventually their cover began to run out as they neared the cave area, and the roaming eyes of the Lizia above spotted them between two giant ferns.

“It saw us,” he groaned.

“Fly your very fastest!” she urged, and he zipped after her, still flying above. “Get down!”

He reduced his altitude just as the Lizia dove through a break in the trees, heading straight for them. “Mother, look out!”

Shania glanced up and zipped around a tree, almost looking like a Dancer if not for her pale coloring. The Lizia followed her and not Mattan, but he sped up to keep pace with them. Shania flitted and zipped between the trees and bushes with the Lizia snapping close at her heels. Mattan growled softly and flew up higher, drawing the enemy’s eye.

“No Mattan! Stay down!”

But the Lizia swerved towards him, and Mattan dove around a tree, smiling as the reptile plowed face first into it. More Lizia had followed the first into the forest, and he rushed to catch his mother’s brown wings, terrified that the enemy would catch her before they could reach the shelter; and then they were at the creek!

A battle in the air and on the ground hampered their efforts to get to the cave, but Mattan swerved and dove to avoid every snapping muzzle and every outstretched clawed wing; except one. A sharp pain sheared his wing, and he screamed. His mother reached the cave entrance just as he crashed onto the ground, feeling his leg bone shatter under him. Shania screamed as he did, but other villagers wouldn’t let her come back for him.

The pain from his leg intensified, and he wanted to just give up; but Alaene wouldn’t have, and he couldn’t let his sister down. He crawled to the body of a dead Lizia and hid under its sprawled wing, hoping he didn’t get spotted. The smell of the animal made him throw up but he stayed put, hoping he survived to see his family again.