Interlude I: Samuel

Author's Note: This chapter, while taking place during The Dragon Chase, is also an introduction to the next Tale of the Everburning City, Bitter Cold Truth.

Fire howled at the night, and the sky answered with cannons.

"Samuel!" Lieutenant Arnold Effran bellowed, despite being close enough that the older inspector could rest a hand on Samuel's shoulder. "Stand out in the open, in the middle of that street! Have everyone who comes out of these buildings run past you, towards the station! We're setting up an emergency shelter in the Agora!"

"Sir!" a uniform orderly shouted, staring over at the living inferno in the distance. "Is the Agora safe?"

Samuel could see the terror wash over Lieutenant Effran, like a wave crashing against a levee wall. His face went pale, his posture faltered just a little, and the hand resting against his truncheon shivered just a little.

But like a wave, it crested, and then faded. What was left behind, as Arnold Effran grimaced and offered the orderly with a sympathetic smile, was nothing but hard resolve. "Nowhere is safe. The Sixth is here. Help them anyway."

Louder, Arnold said, "go from door to door, use crowbars if the doors are still locked. You skip an apartment, you've killed a family. Let's go!"

Samuel could only step back and wave as Lieutenant Effran and two dozen orderlies sprinted away from where he stood, towards nearby doors leading to the apartment towers.

Samuel took up a torch and made himself as visible as possible in the middle of the street. He tried his best to focus on watching for people coming out of their homes, but he couldn't help himself as he looked back at the ongoing battle.

Grey streaks cut through the air, so fast Samuel would barely believe he saw it, except as a terrifying droning note mixed with a faint whistling sound that he couldn't place.

In the distance, the mass of fire collapsed back onto the street ahead, howling so loudly it stabbed at Samuel's ears, forcing him to cover them with his hands.

Only then, as that mass of fire raised itself off the street again, could Samuel make out a shape.

Wings. Nearly as long as a train, and bright red, the beast beat against the air just to righten itself. The wind swept past Samuel like a gale, and the scalding hot air threatened to steal the air from his lungs.

"Burn me!" someone exclaimed from behind Samuel. He turned to see a dozen soldiers coming towards him at a run, only to stagger to a halt as they reached him.

"Civilian, what the burning hell are you doing out here?" One of them asked. From the pips on his shoulders, Samuel recognized the man as the squad's sergeant.

"Inspector Samuel Fraser, Orderlies. We're trying to evacuate the civilians. I'm here to guide people towards the trains," Samuel reported, as he raised his torch again. "My people just went inside."

The army sergeant nodded approvingly. "I can't guarantee you're safe out here. Not with that."

The beast in the distance roared again, a thunderous note that shook Samuel to his bones.

Another set of grey streaks cut through the air, except one seemed to cut against the side of the building closest to the monster, and swept through the street past Samuel in a hazy blur.

Behind Samuel, someone screamed. He whirled around, to see one of the soldiers on her knees, grasping at what was left of her right arm.

"Spit and ash!" the squad's sergeant barked, as he pointed to his fallen soldier. "Keep pressure on that, tie a tourniquet on her arm, just above the bicep! Tristan, if the bleeding stops, take her back to the FOB."

"Sir, I'm sorry," the wounded soldier managed to mutter.

"Can the inspector take her, sir?" The soldier assigned to accompany his wounded companion asked.

"No. The inspector has a job to do. As do we."

The sergeant pointed ahead, where red fire was blooming the air around the beast.

"Keep to the sides of the street, duck behind buildings whenever you can. Shoot for that thing's eyes, or where its wings connect with its body," the Sergeant ordered.

Samuel watched, stunned enough that for a moment he forgot about the beast.

"Who are we?" The sergeant bellowed to his soldiers.

"We are the walls!" They answered back, just as loudly. Even the injured soldier who only just finished having her tourniquet attached.

Samuel watched them sprint off towards the haze of red in the distance, still holding his torch in the air.

"Inspector," the wounded soldier called out. Samuel turned back just in time to see a long metal tube slide to a stop by his foot. "In case you need it!"

Samuel crouched down to pick up the Salamander, just as a bag of ammo skidded to a stop by his other hand. He slung the weapon over his shoulder and tied the ammo pouch to his belt.

"Thanks!" Samuel managed to say.

"Shoot some Gloamtaken for me!" the woman called out, as her fellow solder lead her away.

Samuel waved before he turned to see the first group of people begin to stream out of their homes.

"Head to the train! Take it to Government Square; they're setting up a shelter at the Agora!" Samuel called out, drawing out his badge and holding it in his other hand. "Go!"

To Samuel's relief, none of the people running out the door stopped to gawk at what was happening down the street. A family, a pair of adults shepherding four small children turned in the direction Samuel pointed and ran.

A trickle of people began to emerge from the other buildings; one or two families at a time, but just close enough together that Samuel could point to the last group running to the train station, and send them after.

A few dozen families passed by, and Samuel just began to relax, before an explosion walked up behind and him and hit him like a train.

Samuel was shoved forward and skidded along the ground until he rolled to a stop. His ears rang, deafening him to any other noise, as rain seemed to fall in a glossy stream onto the ground around him.

Samuel stared at the sight for a moment, unable to make any sense of what he saw.

"It never rains in Central," Samuel muttered, confused. "We're too close to the Bore."

Only as the ringing in his ears faded, and he could hear the strange tinkling sound the rain made, did Samuel realize he was watching glass shards falling from the windows.

Belatedly, Samuel covered the back of his head with his hands and closed his eyes for a moment longer, until the sound stopped.

He stood to watch the fading red haze of light in the sky, as a violent bloom of fire evaporated. Behind it, seemingly unscathed, a ship hung beneath a glowing grey bag, partially silhouetted by the larger of the sky's two moons.

Six flashes of light blossomed across the deck of the floating ship, and six more grey streaks cut through the air before smashing into the monster in the distance.

The beast flinched before it raised its head and rightened itself. It stood on its massive legs and raised its monstrous head towards the flying ship. Its fires seemed to congeal, and it grew brighter.

"Burn me," Samuel whispered.

But a streak of grey cut across the air above Samuel and smashed into the side of the beast's head. Its head swung to the side and crashed into a nearby building.

Samuel finally managed to turn his eyes away from the fight and glanced around to see if more civilians were coming out of the nearby buildings. In the apartment closest to him, he could see a small crowd of people near the broken entrance.

He sprinted towards them, his boots growling in protests as they clomped over the pulverized glass that now littered the street.

"Come on!" Samuel shouted, waving to them. "We're evacuating people to the Agora; they'll have sent Crafters there! You'll be safe!"

Abyss below, Samuel thought to himself. He hoped that was true.

One of the civilians, a young boy, stepped forward first and led his little sister into the street, and ran for the train station.

"Keep to the sides of the buildings!" Samuel shouted. "If you see fire, duck inside as much as you can!"

The crowd from inside the apartment followed the little boy, and Samuel breathed a sigh of relief.

Samuel turned back, and his heart nearly stopped.

The monster was looking at him. A half-mile of distance lay between Samuel and that beast made of flame, but he could see its luminous yellow eyes, and nearly choked at the rage in them.

The beast opened its mouth and disappeared behind a an oncoming maelstrom of fire.

"Take cover!" Samuel managed to cry out, as he dashed towards the building with the open entranceway.

He only made it halfway.

The passing fire felt like he was standing in front of an oven, lit the night up so brightly Samuel could see his shadow, and began to single his exposed skin.

It was only as a cool wind blew past Samuel that he realized the fire had been shot well over his head.

"Lieutenant," Samuel whispered as he stared across the street at the building his superior, and his longest mentor had vanished inside just a few minutes ago.

"Hurry," Samuel added.

Ahead of Samuel, fleeing from the monster, there was a single man leading a dozen children with him, all holding hands as they ran. The man, seeing Samuel and pointing in his direction, turned the group of children and began leading them towards him.

"Hug the buildings as much as you can!" Samuel called out to them, waving with his torch. "Quickly!

The crowd took his advice and hustled towards the side of the nearby apartment tower before continuing to sprint towards him.

Samuel held up his badge again. "Inspector Samuel Fraser, Orderlies!" he called out as they approached. "The Agora is being set up for refugees. Take the children to the train, they'll look after you!"

Behind Samuel, a staccato of crackling drumbeats beat at the air. In the distance lances of bright blue flame struck at the monster, as what must be dozens of soldiers engaged it.

"Get it!" Samuel couldn't help but cheer.

"Come on, kids!" the man leading the children said. "You heard the inspector; we have to make the train!"

"But," one of the children said.

Samuel's heart caught in his throat, as a little girl pulled at the man's trousers and gestured back in the direction where they fought the beast.

Another crack bellowed through the air, a noise Samuel was beginning to recognize as cannon fire.

The man knelt down in front of the little girl and put his hand on her shoulder. "Your parents are out there fighting, aren't they?"

The little girl nodded.

"They're fighting for you, to keep you safe," Samuel said.

The little girl shook her head and glared at Samuel.

The man leading the children smiled. "You want to fight, too?"

The little girl nodded. A few of the other children nodded or quietly said; "yes."

The man laughed a little and rubbed the little girl's head. "A man I know said there was nothing worse than being a child during an invasion. Do you know who said that?"

The children shook their heads, and stared mutely, waiting for an answer.

"Lord Captain Benden Tammerlane. He was eight years old during the Fifth. Too young to hold a Salamander or swing a sword. So, do you know what he did?" the man asked.

"What, mister Argente?" One of the kids asked.

"He ran messages, brought water, and lead people to safety. He helped when he could, and he knew that staying out of the way was helping," Argente told them. "So, our first mission is to regroup at the Agora. We get there, check-in, and wait for our deployment orders. Right, mister Inspector?"

Samuel smiled and tried his best to stop the shaking in his hands. "That's right. So get mister Argente to the train. Okay?"

"Okay!" the little girl said.

"Thanks," the tired looking man said, shaking his head. But the man's smile was warm, as he herded the train of children down the street again.

"Look out!" someone screamed in the distance.

Samuel turned back to see the monster in the distance raise its terrifying head again, and expel a deluge of flame so bright it stung his eyes.

"Argente!" Samuel shouted as he turned about, and grabbed two of the nearest children. "Get behind the building!"

Samuel sprinted ahead, tucking a child under each arm as he ran to the end of the building. Once he reached the edge, he pushed the children ahead.

"Keep running!" Samuel shouted, as he stepped away from the edge and waved the others past him. "Run!"

The children, and after them Argente, sprinted around the corner just as a blast of hot air struck Samuel from behind. It shoved him ahead, throwing him ahead.

He blinked quickly, confused, as he raised his chin to find himself on his stomach, with a few of the children beating their costs against his back.

"That's enough," Argente said. Samuel looked to his side to see the older man crouched down next to him. "How are you, inspector?"

"He was on fire!" one of the children exclaimed.

"I'm okay," Samuel said, as he pushed himself to his feet. He was sore, and his back felt a little tender, but nothing hurt badly enough to worry him. He rested his hand on Argente's shoulder, and stared into the older man's eyes.

"Get them out of here," Samuel ordered.

The older man nodded and turned away. "With me, everyone! We'll take the next street down to the station!"

Samuel watched the small group disappear around the next corner before he let himself return to the street he had been standing in.

The air stank of ash. Samuel coughed once and covered his nose with his shirt as he strode forward.

The stone street was scarred with burns, and was blanketed in a thin film of ash that Samuel's steps left footprints in. The buildings ahead of him were stripped open, the ones to Samuel's left outright gutted. Pieces of stone were scattered across the distance, and small jets of fire from shattered pipes spat little tendrils of fire into the open air.

But the monster was gone.

Ahead, Samuel could see a single woman sprawled on the street, her limbs flung to the sides, and her left arm bent at an unnatural angle. He ran as fast as he could until he reached her side and knelt down.

Her red coat was badly burnt, her hair still smoked, and her clothes were a mess of ash and seared fabric. But her unbroken hand was upraised, and a small flame danced between her fingers.

Red Coat.

"Madam Crafter," Samuel said. "Are you hurt?"

"The Dragon has flown off," the Crafter said as if she didn't hear Samuel. She pointed with her flame-enveloped finger towards where the monster.

Samuel looked up to see nothing but ruined buildings and a shattered street where the beast had fought.

"I'm hurt," the Crafter added, with a smile. "But not seriously."

Samuel's eyes immediately returned to her arm, which jutted-out of her sleeve in an extra bend below the elbow.

"A broken arm won't kill me, and as long as I'm crafting, I can ignore the pain," the Crafter explained. She moved her hand, and in a motion of civility so absurd it shocked Samuel, held it out to him.

"Isolde Grutchers," she said, offering her hand.

Samuel eyed her hand warily and didn't offer his own in return.

"Oh, right! Fire," Isolde said with a laugh, as she slowly reached with her good hand to her broken arm. The fire danced away from her fingers and hovered in the air in front of her.

Samuel slid his hand to her back and helped push the Crafter into a sitting position. Impressively, the Crafter didn't even flinch as her arm flopped onto her lap.

"Spite of the abyss," the Crafter breathed, wearily. "That monster, its power, I didn't think that was real. Who the burning hell are in those Airships?"

Samuel blinked and shook his head. Thankfully, the Crafter saw his confusion, and added, "I wasn't even the target of the Dragon's last Craft, and it nearly killed me. I couldn't even handle the burning Craft it uses to fly!"

"I think you might have saved my life," Samuel noted.

"Hah. More likely, whoever was in there saved you," Crafter Gruchers noted, pointing towards the nearby building. "That building took the hit. By rights, it ought to be rubble."

Samuel looked up.

The building was half-ruined, and nearly a third of its towering height had been scattered aside, now lying in the street behind it. And beneath the building, the floors were stripped bare, as if a fire had been allowed to burn through every floor in the building. What was left was little more than a smouldering skeleton.

"I doubt they made it, whoever they were,"

To Samuel's surprise, the Crafter than pushed herself to her feet. Despite her claim of being able to ignore the pain, she cringed as she wrapped her good arm under the broken one. "I'm heading back to the army's temporary camp. I'd stay and help, but if I don't get my arm splinted, I'll be a gibbering wreck the moment I stop Crafting. Goodbye, um..."

"Inspector Samuel Fraser," Samuel said.

"Stay safe, Inspector," Crafter Grutchers said, as she made her way down the street.

It took Samuel a long moment to realise why he was still staring at the gutted building. A harrowing realisation struck him only as he heard another, more distant crackle of cannon fire. His Lieutenant, Arnold, had gone into building to try and evacuate people.

"Burn me," Samuel said, staring numbly up at the building. But his budding grief was interrupted as he caught sight of a single figure silhouetted in the moonlight, clutching something to her chest as a wispy dress fluttered in the breeze.

Samuel was halfway to the building before he even realized he had moved. He dashed through the shattered doorway and took the stairs two or three at a time.

Samuel's vigour faded just enough to let his mind return to him, as he pushed himself up three dozen flights of stairs, until he reached the last shattered stair rise, and strode onto what was now the roof of this ruined building.

All around him was ash and ruined cement. Metal bars jutted out of what were once foundation pillars, and the breeze carried a small wave of grey across the nearly empty floors.

In the midst of that devastation, a young girl stood with her back to Samuel. Her white night-dress fluttered in the wind, her thin form shivered as she clutched whatever she was holding, and her bare feet were planted inches from the edge of the building.

"Miss," Samuel called out, extending his hand as he walked across the ruined floor gingerly. "Miss, let's get you somewhere safe."

The girl didn't turn. Or even acknowledge that she heard him. Samuel approached carefully until he was able to rest a hand on her shoulder.

The girl jumped at the contact and slipped on the edge. Even as she began to tumble, her grip on the object she was holding didn't falter.

Samuel managed to wrap an arm around her before she teetered too far off the edge, and pull her back. "You'll be okay, kid."

The little girl shook her head, her hair shaking violently as she moved.

Samuel was startled to see her hair was the same colour as the ash on the ground.

In the sky, a bloom of firelight painted the sky a hazy orange, and a howl of inhuman fury beat at the air.

The little girl screamed and hugged Samuel tightly.

Samuel held her close, even as they both began to weep.