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ORIGINAL FICTION

FireAbove,FireBelow
Garth Nix

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illustratedbyRobert Hunt

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editedbyEllen Datlow

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20 comments

1 Favorite [+]

FireAbove,FireBelowisaboutthecrisisthatthedyingofadragonlivingbelowa
majorcitycauses,andthepactmademanyyearsearliertodealwithsuchasitutation.
ThisshortstorywasacquiredforTor.combyconsultingeditorEllenDatlow.
Thebubblingtarmaconthelowerlevelofthecarparkbelowtheofficeblockwasthefirst
sign,butnoonenoticedit,becausetherewasnooneparkedthereatmidnightona
Fridaynight.Thesecondsignwasthesmokecurlingandtwistingthroughtheexpansion
jointsoftheconcretepillars.Noonenoticedthiseither,becausethecarparkattendant
wasfourlevelsup,andfastasleepinhisbooth.
Thethirdsigncouldnotbemissed,asthetarmacreachedacriticaltemperatureand
explodedintofire,firethatleapedtothenearervehiclesandsettheirgastanksoffone
afteranotherlikefireworks,forthefirewasalreadyfar,farhotterthanitshouldhave
been.
Sensorssenttheirwarningevenastheymelted,andthesprinklersystemworkedfora
fullthirtysecondsbeforetheheadsandpipesturnedtoslaganddrippedfromtheceiling.
Thefireracedthroughthelevelabove,explodingmorecarsasitpassed.Theattendant
sawhisCCTVmonitorsflashyellowandorangeandwhiteandgoblankinasecond.He
reachedforthephonetocallitin,buthisinstinctsweregood,andasthemonitorsfortwo
levelsbelowhimflaredanddiedatthesametime,andhefeltthefirstflushofthewaveof
superheatedairfrombelow,hedroppedthephoneandranfromtheboothinstead,
sprintinguptherampasthefirebellschattered,highandsharpabovethebassboomof
explodingcars.
Theattendantkeptonrunningwhenhegotoutside,whichsavedhislife.Hewasaround
thenextcorner,pantinglikeafishsnatchedfromwater,whenthefireroaredupfromthe
carparkintothebuilding,andwithinaminute,turneditintoatorchfifteenstorieshigh.
Lateranalysisshowedthetimefromthefirstradiantheatdetectortripinthelowestcar
parkfloortotheimmolationoftheentirebuildingwassixandahalfminutes.Thefirst
firefightingunitwasonthesceneinsevenandahalfminutes,buttherewasnothingthey
coulddo,savetotryandestablishaperimetertostopthefirefromspreading.This,with
thehelpofseventyotherunits,eightytrucks,threehundredsixtyfirefighters,andeight
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milliongallonsofwater,theyeventuallymanagedtodo,thoughthecorefirewithinthe
rubbleofthebuildingcontinuedtoburnthroughoutthenightandwellintothenextday.
Threepeoplediedinthefire.Twocleanersinanofficeonthetwelfthfloorandone
firefighter,whohadaheartattackasheputonhisbreathingapparatus.Buteveryone
knewifthefirehadhappenedonaworkingday,therewouldhavebeenatleasta
thousanddead.Thefirewassohotandsofasttherewouldhavebeennochanceof
evacuation.
Evenbeforetheforensicteamshadfinishedsiftingthetwisted,ruinedremnantsof
concreteandsteel,thefirechiefcalledanemergencymeetingwiththemayor.Unusually,
thechiefrequestedtheymeetontheroofofLadderCompanyNumberOnesfirehouse,
oneoftheoldestpublicbuildingsinthecity,asixstorygothicrevivaltowerofblackstone
thatsquatteddarklybetweentwogleamingnewskyscrapersofglassandshiningsteel.
ThemayorthoughtitmustbeforsomePRgimmick,andwassurprisedwhenhefound
thechiefalone,withoutatelevisioncreworreporters.ThemayorhadatroupeofPR
advisors,aides,andfollowershimself,alllinedupbehindhim.
Thechiefwaswaitingbythedooratthetopofthestairs,whichwasshut.Heshookhands
withthemayorandsaid,Sendyourpeoplebackdown,please,sir.Weneedafew
minutesprivatediscussion,andtheressomethingyouneedtoseeuphere.
Themayorshruggedandsenthisassembledflackerybackdownstairs.Thechiefwaited
tilltheyweregone,thenopenedthedoortotheroofandescortedthemayoroutside.
Whatsthisabout,Hansen?growledthemayor.
TheOldgatebuildingfire,repliedthechief.Hepointedatthesmallshedoveronthe
corneroftheroof.Ithadchickenwirewallsandacorrugatedironroof,andpigeonswere
roostingontopofit.Letsgooverthere.
WhatstheOldgatefiregottodowithapigeonhouse?askedthemayorsuspiciously.
Nothingdirectly,saidthechief.Heledtheway,shooingsomepigeonsoffsohecould
openthedoor.Butthereissomethingyouneedtoknowaboutthefire.
Listen,yourpeoplesaiditwassomekindofoneinathousandgasmainexplosion.We
toldthemediaitwasagasexplosion!Whydoyouneedtodragmeuptoapigeonhouse
totellmeanythingdifferent?
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Iwantedtoshowyousomething,saidthechief.Whichhappenstobehere,withthe
pigeons.
Hebrushedthestrawfromthefloortorevealatrapdoorfastenedwithabigbrass
padlock.Heopenedthiswithakeyheworeonachainaroundhisneck.Thekeywasiron,
bigandold,andthemayorthoughtitmustbedamneduncomfortabletohaveithanging
aroundyourneck.Hebegantowonderaboutthesanityofhisfirechief.
Thenthechiefopenedthetrapdoor,andthemayorbegantowonderabouthisown
sanity.Underthetrapdoorwasacavity,andcurleduponabedofgoldtwentydollar
pieces,therewasasmalldragon.Itseyeswereclosed,butitsscaly,scarletchestslowly
roseandfell,suggestingitmerelyslept.
Whatthehellisthat?askedthemayor.
Amessenger,saidthechief.Listen,didyourpredecessorevertalktoyouabout...the
Dragonborn?
Themayorscowledandlookedaround.Thenhelookeddownatthesmall,sleeping
dragon.
Yeah,hesaidreluctantly.Ithoughthedgonesenile.Somethingaboutpeoplewho
werehalfdragonandhalfhuman,andtheyddoneadealwiththecityalongtimeago.I
dontrememberallofit.
Wedo,saidthechief.EveryonehereinLadderCompanyNumberOneremembers.
Youeverwonderwhy,ifyoulookatanychiefsrecord,theyalwaysdidtimewithLadder
NumberOne?
No,whythehellwouldI?askedthemayor.AndwhatswiththisDragonbornthing?
Firstthingsfirst.Thefire,theOldgatebuildinginferno.Adragonstartedit
What!?
Letmefinish.Adyingdragonstartedthefire.Itwouldhavebeencomingupfromthe
hotcenteroftheearthforitsfinalflight.Onlyitdidntmakeit.Nowitsstuckdownthere,
anduntilwegetridofit,itsgoingtocausemorefires.Veryintense,veryfastfires,like
theonelastweek.Itcoulddestroyalotofthecity.
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Sosortitout,saidthemayor.Hetookoffhishatandwipedhisforehead.Eventhistalk
ofveryhotfiresmadehimsweat,andthethoughtofanotheroneliketheOldgatefire...
Itwouldfinishhischancesforreelection.Plus,alotofpeoplemightdie.
Evenwithourmostadvancedsuits,chillertechnology,theworks,wecantgetanywhere
closeenoughtoadyingdragontodealwithit,saidthechief.ButoneoftheDragonborn
could.Itswhattheydo.
Sowhatllitcost?askedthemayorreluctantly.Yourbudgetisalreadyover
Theresasmallamountofgoldinvolved,nothingsignificant,saidthechief.Themost
importantthingisthatwehavetoreaffirmthepact.Themayorandthefirechief
together.Wepersonallyguaranteeit,withourlives.
Thewhat?Whatpact?
TheagreementbetweenthecityandtheDragonborn,repliedthechiefevenly.Hewas
tallerthanthemayor,andhadtolookdownathimfortheireyestomeet.Thisreinforced
thepoliticianssuspicionthatthefirefighterdidntthinkmuchofhimastheleaderofhis
city.Twohundredyearsback,themayorandtheheadofwhatwascalledtheFireWatch
agreedwitharepresentativeoftheDragonbornthatwewouldkeeptheirsecret,protect
themifnecessaryfromourcitizenry,andinreturntheywoulddealwithanydying
dragonswhocameupfrombeneaththeearth.
Bullshit!exclaimedthemayor.Youremakingthisup!Thedragonthingthere,some
filmstudiomadeit
No,saidthechief.Youllseewhenwewakeit.
Therearenodragons,saidthemayor.Yousaidagasmain
ThelasttimewecalledontheDragonbornwasthirtythreeyearsago,saidthechief.
Youwouldhavebeenwhat,twentyfiveorso?Youremember?
Themayorlookedacrosstothewest,tothebuildingsliningtheriver.Theydidntlook
sleekandnewnow,butnoneweremorethanthirtyyearsold.Therehadbeentenement
buildingstherebefore,huddledtogetheragainstthemudflats.Theyhadallburnedone
terribledaythirtythreeyearsbefore,withtremendouslossoflife.
Yeah,hesaidslowly.Hecouldneverforgetthecolumnsofsmokeboilingup,thegreat
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mantleofdarknessuponthecity,theashfallinglikeblacksnow...
Thatwasadragon,saidthechief.Onetootiredandoldtomakeittothesurface.The
fireswereitslastattemptstogetthrough.Theywouldhavekeptburning,constantly
gettinghotterandmorewidespread,exceptChiefGramowitzandMayorTellcalledinthe
Dragonborn.
OK,saidthemayor.Heknewwhenhehadtofaceuptosomething,whenitcouldnotbe
sweptunderthecarpetorsmotheredinspin.Itwasoneofhisvirtuesasapoliticianhe
wouldaccepttoughrealitieswhentherereallywasnoalternative.Howdowedothis?
Thechieftookafoldingknifeoutofhispocketandopenedit.Themayorwatchedthe
firemanseyes,andinstinctivelyturnedsidewaysalittle,readytobrawl.Hedgrownup
withknifefights,andthemuscleprogrammingwasstilltherefortyyearsafterithadbeen
necessary.Hehadscarstoshowaswell,evidenceofhardlessonsnevertobeforgotten.
Thechiefslicedtheendofhisthumbandheldouttheknife,handlefirst,tothemayor.
Afewdropsofbloodfromthechiefandthemayor,hesaid.Wedripitonthedragons
snout.
Thisgoingtogiveitatasteforhumanblood?askedthemayor,stillsuspicious.My
blood?
Itsceremonial,saidthechief.Heheldhisthumbnearthedragonsheadandletthe
dropsfall,redsplashesonthegold.
Themayorheldtheknife,butdidntcuthisthumb.Thedragonmoved,itswingsflexinga
little,asifitwerewakingfromalongandrestfulsleep.Ascarlettongue,forkedlikea
snakes,flickeredoutofamouthonlyslightlyajarandlickedtheblood.
Quickly!orderedthechief.
Themayormoved.Theknifewasmuchsharperthanheexpected,andheslicedhis
thumbtothebone,sodeephecriedoutanddroppedtheknife.Butherepressedthepain
andheldhisthumbagainstthechiefs,theirnailstouching,andbothbledstraightinto
thedragonsrapidlywideningmouth.
Thecreaturecontinueditsyawn,gulpedafewtimes,thencloseditsjawswithasound
liketheharshsnapofamousetrap,makingbothmenjump.Atthesametime,itopened
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itseyes,brightgoldeneyeswithnovisiblepupilatall.
WecallupontheCompact,saidthechief.Hesoundednervous,whichsurprisedthe
mayor,tillheconsideredthiswasasfaroutsidetheothermansexperienceashisown.
Yeah,wecallupontheCompact,addedthemayor.
Thedragonliddeditseyestwice,archeditsback,andspreaditswings.Themenstepped
backtogiveitroom.Thecreaturemadeanoiseratherlikethecoughingbarkofaseal,
andshotasmall,multicoloredflameoutofitscrocodiliannostrils.Thenitlauncheditself
upanddovestraightintothedarkstoneofthecornerbuttress.Foramomentaredand
goldimprintremainedonthestone,afadingafterimageofitspassage.
Wherediditgo?askedthemayor.Hewasholdinghisthumbtighttostopthebleeding.
Intothestone,anddown,saidthechief.Thefirehouseiscladinsixteeninchgranite
blocks,andbuiltonfoundationsofstonedowntothebedrock.
Sowhathappensnow?
ADragonbornwillcome,saidthechief.Heretothefirehouse,withinthreedays.
Wherefrom?
Idontknow,saidthechief.Youdbettergetyourcutseento.Welltellthemyoudidit
ontheglassontheparapet.
Hetookaslimradiohandsetfromunderhisjacket.
Tenthirtysevenontheroof,Connie.Nothingserious.Sendsomeoneupwithanaidkit.

TheDragonbornarrivedthenextafternoon,whichwasearlierthanexpected.Thoughthe
chiefhadhalfexpectedsomeonetoflyinandlandontheroof,oremergefromthestone
ofthefirehouse,theDragonbornactuallyturnedupinacabandthefirstheknewaboutit
waswhenhisassistantbroughtinhercard.
Theresawomantoseeyou,saidConnie.Saidshehasanappointment,butshesnot
onyourschedule.
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Thechieflookedatthecard.Itwasprintedinaraised,metallicredinkandsimplyhad
thenameYlaneSmithonit,anemailaddress,andinthecorner,asymbol.Ittookhima
momenttorealizeitwasastylizedversionofthemessengerdragonheandthemayorhad
sentfromthepigeonhouse.
Ah,yes,hesaid.Pleasesendherin.
OK,saidConnie.Buzzifyouneedrescuing.Wealreadyhadtogiveoxygentosomeof
theboysdownstairs.
What!?askedthechief.
Youllsee,saidConniedryly,andleft.
YlaneSmithcamein,andthechiefrealizedwhatConniemeant.TheDragonbornwhich
iswhathepresumedshewaswasverytall,strikinglybeautiful,hadskinthecolorof
polishedbronze,andasfarashecouldtell,wasonlywearingalong,looselybuttoned
alligatorskintrenchcoat,withnothingunderneath.Shelookedlikeanexoticmodel
whodjuststeppedoffthecatwalk,rightupuntilshetookoffherbigdarkglassesandhe
sawhereyes.
Shehadexoticeyes,too,buttheydidnotaddtoherbeauty.Thoughalmondshapedand
linedwithlonglashes,hereyeswereentirelysmooth,shininggold,withoutirisorpupil.
FireChiefErikHansen,saidtheDragonborn.YouhavecalledupontheCompact.
Yes,saidthechief.Yes,uh,MissSmith.
CallmeYlane,saidtheDragonborn.Shecrossedtheroomandlookedatthe
photographsonthewall.SomewereoftheCausewayfires.Thenshemovedtothemapof
thecity.Intheolddaysithadbeenconstantlyreplacedandupdated,butsincethe
departmentwentelectronicthechiefhardlyeverlookedatit,anditwasatleastthree
yearsold.TheSmithpartisjusttohavesomethingonthere.Whereisthedragon?
Letme...letmeshowyouonthescreen,here,saidthechief.Hestartedtoswivelhis
monitoraround,butYlanehelduponeperfectlymanicuredhand.Hernailsweregold,
too,henoted,longandsharp.
No.Onthismap.Wecannotseeilluminatedimageswell.

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Yes,yes,ofcourse.
Hecameoutfrombehindhisdeskandcautiouslyapproachedthemap,almostasifhe
wasabouttoenteraburningbuilding.Intruth,hewouldhavebeengladtobewearing
hisprotectiveclothing,includingthebreathingapparatus.
Youneednotbeafraid,saidYlane.
Thechiefnoddedandtappedthemap.Hecouldfeeltheheatemanatingfromher,likea
sidewalkbakedinthesummersunallday,andthosegold,pupillesseyes,givingno
indicationofwhatshewaslookingat...
Thechiefgaveaninvoluntaryshiver,onebornoffearratherthancold,andtappedthe
mapagainmoreforcefully.
Here,hecroaked.Wethinkitshere.
Ylanebentherheadtowardthemap.
Oldgate,shesaid.Whatisthehistoryofthesite?
Thechiefretreatedtohisdeskandpouredhimselfaglassofwater,drinkinghalfofit
downbeforeheanswered.
Wedontknowtheoriginofthename,hesaid.Thefirsthousebuilttherewasfora
Chinesemerchant,whocalledhimselfLin...uh...Smith.HecalledthehouseOldgate.
Ithadextensivegrounds,andstayedinthefamilyupto,letssee,tenyearsago,whenthe
lastSmithdied,thoughhedrevertedtotheoriginalname
ChuanRenorsomethingsimilar,interruptedYlane.
Yes,howdidyou
Nevermind.Thehouseandgardenswerebuiltover?
Yes.Anofficeblock.Itwasentirelydestroyedbythefirelastweek.Asuperintensefire,
originatingfrombelowtheground.Thekindmypredecessortoldmemeanttherewasa
dragonsomewhereunderneath.
Yes,saidYlane.Whenlastweek?
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Friday,repliedthechief.Daybeforeyesterday.
Thenwehavelittletime.Iwillneedavolunteerfromyourdepartment.Someone
unmarried,withoutchildrenorotherties.Mostpreferablyanorphan.Also,thirty
kilogramsoftwentyfourcaratgold,incoins,notbullion.
Thechiefdroppedhisglassonthedesk.Itdidntbreak,butwaterspilledacrossthe
polishedmahoganyandranunderapileofbudgetpapers.Hemadenoattempttosave
them,ortorighttheglass.
What!?
Ylaneturnedherheadfromthemap,andhergoldeyescaughttheoverheadlight,making
themflash.
Ineedafirefightertohelpme,butitwillbeextremelydangerousforthem,soitisbestto
havesomeonewhohasfewties.Thegoldisto...distractthedragon.
Thechiefleanedbackonthewetpatchonhisdesk,sprangforward,almostcollidedwith
Ylanewhodidnotmoveatall,andthenretreatedcrablikearoundtohischair.
Isee.Iguess...uh...wecanarrangeavolunteer...andthegold.
Thereissomethingelse,saidYlane.Sheleanedoverthedesk,sawthepuddle,and
elegantlyplantedherhandpalmfirstinthespilledwater.
Thechiefavertedhiseyesfromthetopofhercoat.
Yes...hesaid,nervouslyfingeringhisowntopbutton.
TheOldgatesite.Itmustnotbebuiltonagain.Turnitintoapark.
Illtalktothemayor,saidthechiefwithagulp.ThepuddleofwaterunderYlaneshand
wasstartingtosteam,wispsofvaporcoilingupfrombeneathherpalm.
Itmustbedone,saidYlane.ThatsitewascalledOldgateforareason.Itisagate,a
pointwheredragonspassfromgroundtosky.Yourfireontheriverwasanaberration,a
dragontoosickandoldtomakeittotheOldgate.Beforethat,eveninthetimethecity
hasbeenhere,hundredsofdragonshavepassedthroughthegardensoftheLongDe
ChuanRen.Youhavebeenveryluckythatonlyonesick,olddragonhasfounditsway
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blockedbysteelandconcrete,andwastoobigforanyotherpassage.
Hundredsofdragons...whisperedthechief,theimageofahundredfireslikethe
Oldgatebuildingflashingthroughhismind.Itwillbeapark...andIwillfindyoua
volunteer,andthegold.
Good,saidYlane.Shestoodback.Thedeskwasnolongerwet,andthebudgetpapers
weredryandcurlingatthecorners.Beforemidnight,ifyoudonotwantanotherfire.Ill
beattheHilton.
TheHilton,repeatedthechief.Somehowhethoughthehadntheardright.
AsYlaneopenedthedoor,thechiefhadanotherthought.
Uh,MissSmith...Ylane...doesitmatterifitisa...maleorfemale...firefighter?
Ylanelookedbackathimandsmiled,asmileshowingteethwhichwerenotprecisely
reptilian,butsharperthananormalhumans.
Iwould...prefer...aman.Abigstrongman.

LieutenantArminJaxontouchedthesilverbaronhiscollarasherodeupintheelevator,
andwonderedwhyhispromotionhadcomethroughsoquickly.Hedbeenexpectingit
sometimeinthenextcoupleofyears,ashedscoredextremelywellintheexam,andhad
thetimein,witha100percentpositiverecord.Butitwaswaytoosoonaftertheexam
results,andhecouldnthelpfeelingitwassomekindofweirdpreemptiverewardfor
volunteeringforthisspecialmission.
Thisspecialextremelyhazardousandsecretmissionthatthecaptainhadactedsostrange
about,andthenthechiefhadactedevenstranger.Bothofthemaskingafterhisparents,
whodbeendeadforyears,andwhetherhewassettlingdownorhadplansforafamily...
Oddquestions,whichwhenhethoughtaboutthetoneofvoiceandthegeneralcaution
suggestedthatthisspecialmissionwasprobablygoingoverthelineofacceptablerisk
andintoentirelynewterritory.
ButJaxonhadntgotwherehewasbyavoidingtrouble.Hewasntfoolhardy,buthewas
alwaysreadytostepin,andwhateverlayahead,hefiguredbeingmadelieutenantearly
wasworthit.
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Atthetopfloor,hegotout,steppingpastatrioofarmedBrinksguardswhowerewaiting
fortheelevator.Whichwasweird,sincetherewasonlytheonepenthousesuiteonthe
floor,wherethepersonhewastoreporttowasstaying.
Hey,howreyoudoing?saidJaxon.
Theguardsdidntspeak.Theywentstraightpastintotheelevator,notoneofthem
meetinghiseyes.
Well,youallhaveagoodevening,saidJaxon.Hemeantit,too.Hewantedeveryoneto
behappyonhispromotionday,andhecouldntstophimselffromadmiringhisnew
badgesofrankintheornate,giltedgedmirroronthewalloppositebeforeheknockedon
thedoubledoorsofthesuite.
Awomanopenedonedoorimmediately,butnotjustanywoman.Jaxonfoundhimself
staringatthesupermodelgorgeouswomanwhowaslookingathimthroughherbug
eyedsunglasses,despitethefactthatthesunwasdownandthehotellighting,asalways,
fairlydim.
YouarethevolunteerIaskedChiefHansentosend?
Yes,maam,saidJaxon.PresumingyoureYlaneSmith.
Iam,saidYlane.Shelookedhimupanddownappraisingly.Youlookbigandstrong
enough.
Shepointedtooneoftheinteriordoorsandsaid,Letsgetonwithitthen.Everythingis
waitinginthebedroom.
Ah,justholdononeminute,maam,saidJaxonawkwardly.ImnotquitesurewhatI
volunteeredfor,butitdidntincludeany...Youknow,firefightersmayhaveacertain
reputation,butasapointoffactwhileyoureveryattractive,Imkindofoldfashioned
Whatareyoutalkingabout?interruptedYlane.ThereisanaluminizedNomex
proximitysuitinthereforyou,andbreathingapparatus.Iwilltellyouwhatwearegoing
todowhileyouputiton.
Jaxondidntimmediatelymove.Insteadhelookedaround.Thepenthousesittingroom
lookedentirelyusualforahotel.Theonlythingoutoftheordinarywasabigleather
Gladstonestylebagonthefloorwhichwaspadlockedatthetopandsealedwithtape
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markedBrinks.
Thatiswhatyouwillneedtocarrywhenyouaresuitedup,saidYlane.Itcontains
thirtykilogramsofgold.
Jaxonfrowned.Thiswasgettingweirder,butalsomoreinteresting.
Ithinkyoudbettertellmewhatsgoingon,hesaidfirmly,andsatdownonthewhite
leatherlounge,upattheendneartothegold.
Ylanesighed,tookoffhersunglasses,andlookedathim.
Jaxonjerkedback,hishandsinstinctivelycurlingintofists,thefightorflightreflex
kickingin.NowheknewwhytheBrinksguardshadlookedsocowed.Shemusthavenot
beenwearinghersunglasseswhentheymadetheirdelivery.Therewassomethingabout
thoseeyes,somethingthatmadehimwanttogetaway,torununtilhecouldntseethem
anymore.
IamDragonborn,saidYlane.Hervoicesoundedhuskierandmoresibilantnow,asif
shehadbeenputtingonsomeotheraccentbefore.Ahumanaccent.Thatistosay...
parthumanandpartdragon.Longago,mypeoplemadeaCompactwiththiscity,
agreeingwewouldhelpiftherewaseveraproblemwithdyingdragonscausingfires.The
OldgatefireonFridaywascausedbyadyingdragon,whoisnowtrappedsomefortyfeet
belowtheOldgatesite.AmImakingmyselfclear?Yourexpressionindicatesalackof
comprehension.
Youreclearenough,maam,snappedJaxon.Butcould...couldyouputyourglasses
backon,please?
Ylanedidasheasked,andcontinued.Jaxonbreathedalittlemoreeasily,butheslid
acrossthelounge,togetclosertothedoor.Justincase.
Wecangetquitenearthedragonspositionbygoingdowntothebottomlevelofthe
hotelcarparkandalongamainlinesewerforsomefivehundredmeterstoapointonlya
fewmetersaboveandtothenorthofthedragonshead.Wewilllayoutthegoldthereina
particularpattern,toattractthedragon.Iwillthenperformthemercykilling.
Whatdoyouneedmefor?askedJaxon.Ifhehadntseenhereyes,andfelttheirpower,
hemighthavethoughtthiswasanelaboratepracticaljoke,somekindofpromotion
hazing.Butheknew,deepinside,thiswasallforreal.
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Ineedyoutocarrythegold,saidYlane.Andarrangethepattern,undermydirection.
Jaxonthoughtaboutthisforafewseconds.
WhydoIneedthesuit?
ThedragonwillflameasIkillit.
Howhotisdragonfire?Andhowlongwillitlast?
Thebreathlastsonlyafewseconds.Idontbelievethetemperaturehaseverbeen
measured,saidYlane.Butinsimilarsituationsinthepast,assistantshavewornnothing
morethanwatersoakedwoolencloaks.
Andsurvived?askedJaxon.
Thereweresurvivors,repliedYlane.
OK,saidJaxonslowly.Hismindfeltasifitwasastepbehind,havingdifficulty
processingwhathewashearing.Butheknewaboutfires,andifthesuitwasOK,andthe
chiefhadsaidtodowhatthiswomansaid...Whatareyougoingtodothe...ah...
mercykillingwith?
Youwillsee,saidYlane.
Itakeityoudontneedasuit?
Ylanelaughed.
IamDragonborn.Fireisnotaproblemforme.Getinthesuit.Wemustcompleteour
businessbeforethenextparoxysm.
Paroxysm?askedJaxon,overhisshoulder.Hewasalreadyheadingforthebedroom,
wherehecouldseethesuit.
Thedragonistoooldandweakto...dowhatitneedstodo.Itcannotmakeitsway
throughallthetonsofrubblethatnowlieaboveit.Itisdying,saidYlanethroughthe
opendoor.Itgathersitsremainingstrengthtobreathefireallaboutitself,inthehope
thatitcanburnitswayfree.Idonotbelieveyourchiefwouldlikeanotherfiresuchasthe
onethatconsumedtheOldgatetower.
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No!agreedJaxonashecheckedoutthesuit.Itwasatopofthelinemodel,fully
certified,readytogo.Itwashotinside,asalways,buthewasinpeakconditionandhe
figuredhecouldcarrythirtykilosofgoldasfarasthewoman...theDragonborn...
said.Hellofaloteasierthancarryingacasualty.
Thebreathingapparatusrigwouldaddtotheweight,butagainhewasusedtoit.He
checkedtheaircylinder,regulator,mask,andharness,beforeshruggingitonand
adjustingthestraps.
Ylanewaswaitingintheotherroom.Shehadchangedheralligatorskincoatforapairof
coverallsmarkedHotelMaintenance,buthadkeptthebugeyesunglasses,whichmade
anoddcombination.Shehadwhatlookedlikeacarryingcaseforfishingrodsinher
hand,athreemeterlongplasticcylinder,aboutfifteencentimetersindiameter,which
unscrewedinthemiddle.
Whatsinthere?askedJaxon.
Anexplosiveharpoon,repliedYlane.Getthegold.Weneedtogo.
Jaxonpickedupthegold.Itwastooheavytoeasilycarryinonehandforanydistance,so
hecradleditlikeababyandfollowedYlaneouttotheelevator.Ylaneusedakeytoturn
thefireserviceon,andtheywentstraightdowntothecarpark.
Atthelowestlevel,sixfloorsbeneaththelobby,theygotout.Ylaneledthewaytoan
unmarkeddoor,whichsheopenedwithanotherkey,exposingaconduitstuffedwith
pipesandcables.Therewasjustenoughspacetoshuffledownthemiddle,thoughJaxon
hadtowatchhiselbows,makingsurethesuitdidntcatchonanythingandtear.
Sowelayoutthesecoinsinapattern,hesaid.Distractthisdragon.WhatdoIdo
then?
Run,saidYlane.Shedidntlookathim,andseemeddistracted.Keyedup,liketheguys
whentheywereallracingtoahotone.ButJaxondidntfeelasuperchargedsenseof
thingsabouttohappen,partlybecausehestillcouldntbelieveit.Hewasevenkindof
doubtingthegoldeneyes,nowthatYlanehadhersunglassesbackon.Thehotelroomhad
beendim,maybeitwassomesortofspecialeffect,apromotiondaygagofsomekind,
andhewasbeingfilmedonaclosedcircuitsystemorthewomanhadaspycamandit
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Buthewasntsure,andthecaptainhadtoldhimtodowhatthechiefsaid,andthechief
hadtoldhimtoobeythiswoman,andneitherofthoseguyswasintopunkingjuniors...
HowfardoIneedtorun?heasked,astheyclimbeddownametalladderfromthe
conduitintoasewer.Itwasoneoftheoriginaltunnels,allnineteenthcenturybrickwork,
likehedlovetohaveinhisapartment,withpatternsabovethearchesandeverything,
thoughhereitwasspoiledbythedanglingelectriccordstrungbetweenthe1950sutility
lights,someofwhichwerestillworking.
Maybeonalieutenantspayhecouldmoveintoanoldbuilding,getoutofthe
plasterboardandsprayedconcreteholehedbeenrentingthelasttwoyears...
Runasfarasyoucan,saidYlaneabsently,answeringhisquestionafullminuteafter
hedaskedit.Hewasbehindher,sohecouldntseeexactlywhatshewasdoing,butit
lookedlikeshewassniffingtheair.Whichdidntsmelltoobad,consideringtheywerein
asewer.Ormaybeitwasastormwaterdrain,becausetherewasonlyathintrickleof
waterJaxonwasprettysureitwaswaterrunningdownthecenterofthetunnel.
Stop,saidYlane.Sheturnedaround,nostrilsflaring,andbentdowntowardthetunnel
floor.Sheinhaleddeeplyandsaid,Yes.Itishere,justbelowus.
OK,saidJaxon.Heputthebagofgolddown,andflexedhisarms.Hedidntneedtodo
it,butitwasawelcomestretch.Whatnow?
Ylanetookastickofyellowchalkoutofthepocketofhercoveralls,andstarteddrawing
smallcirclesonthebricks,oneithersideofthetrickleofwater.Youcantakethe
breathingapparatusofffirst.Thenyouneedtoputcoinsdownonthesecircles,untilI
drawthelastone.Forthelastone,youwait,whileIgettheharpoonready.Thenyou
closeupyoursuit,turnonyourairandprepareyourself.Youplacethecoinandyourun.
..
Shelookedalongthetunnelinbothdirections.Gobackthewaywecame,Ithink.When
youfeeltheflash,hunkerdownandhopeforthebest.
Thebest?askedJaxon.Hewasntexactlyapprehensive,buthewasfeelingtheenergy.
Actioncoming.Lifeordeath.
Hopeisalwaysnecessary,saidYlane.
Ifguysindampcloaksmadeitintheoldendays,Illmakeit,saidJaxon.Hebentdown
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andopenedthebag.Thecoinswereinpaperrolls.Hedneverseengoldcoinsbefore,and
wassurprisedwhenhetoreopenarolltofindouthowheavyeachonewasindividually.
Andthesoundtheymadewhentheyfellonthebrickstheyreallydidringtrue.
Becareful,saidYlane.Wellneedallofthem.Oralmostall.Thereareninehundred
andsixtyfiveandweneedninehundredandsixtyfour.
Shewasworkingquickly,drawingcircles.Jaxonconcentratedonthejob,followingher
withgoldcoins,tryingtocatchup.Thepatternshewasmakingseemedtobecircles
withincircles,akindofgeometricpatternliketheonesheusedtomakeasakidwitha
spirograph.Shehadagoodeye,notneedinganyaidtogetthecurvesright.Hetriedtodo
asgoodajobplacingcoins,gettingthemexactlyonthesmallchalkcircles.
Ittookaboutanhourandahalftogetthecoinsdown.WhenJaxonhadtwoleft,Ylane
stoppeddrawing.
Thiswillbethelastone,shesaid,hernostrilsconstantlyflaring,herheadmovingas
shesniffedtheair.Jaxonthoughthecouldsmellsomethingnow,too,achemicalwhiff,
maybesulfur.Theresjustonemorething.
Shecameupclosetohimandheflinchedalittle,eventhoughhereyeswerestillhidden.
Thensheleanedforwardsuddenlyandkissedhimfullonthelips,anoldfashionedkiss,
lipsclosed,thoughtheyfelthotuponhisown.KindoflikeaftereatingaMexicanapizza,
whichheliked,theafterburnofchilispreadingacrosshismouth.
Whatwasthatfor?heasked.
Goodluck,shesaid.Forbothofus.Getyoursuitready.
Sheopenedthefishingrodcaseandtookouttheharpoon.ItlookedoldtoJaxon,the
shaftapaleagedwoodandtheheadadarkironwithabulbousridgetoholdthe
explosive.Ylanecheckeditover,andscrewedsomethingintothebulb,whileJaxongot
hisbreathingapparatusbackonandwentthroughhischecklist,tastingthecool,metal
tangedairflowingthroughhismask,makingsurehishoodwasclosed,thatallsealsshut
tightatwristandankles,hisglovessecure.Hehadagoldcoinineachhand.Theonein
hisrighthandtogoonthecircle,theoneonthelefthefiguredhecouldkeepasa
souvenir.
Ylanemovedbackabouttenfeetandtookhersunglassesoff,throwingthemaside.Then
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sheadoptedanOlympicjavelineerspose:legsspread,leftarmforward,rightarmwith
harpoonbackreadytothrow.
Jaxonkneltdowncarefully,balancedontheballsofhisfeet.Heheldthecoinbetween
thumbandforefinger,aninchawayfromthecircle,andlookedoveratYlane.
Now!
Thecoinwentdown.Jaxonspunhalfaround,alreadymoving,legsstretchingoutashe
wentuponesideofthetunnel,likeabicycleonavelodrome,andbackdownagainto
sprintalongthemiddle,andeventhroughthesuitheheardavastbellowandawaveof
airpushedhiminthebacklikethepressurewavefromasubwaytrain,sendinghim
stumbling,andheglancedback,eventhoughheknewitwasabadidea,andhesawthe
greatorangesnoutbreakthroughthetunnelfloor,sendingbricksexplodinglikeaLego
disaster,andYlane,theflashofmovementand
Bang!
Thatwastheexplosiveharpoon,butthedragondidntjustdie.Insteadtheairpressurein
thetunnelreversed.AsavagewindsmackedagainstJaxon,dragginghimback.The
dragonwasbreathingin,suckinginoxygen,oxygentofuelafireJaxonjustknewwas
goingtobehotterthananythinghedeverseenorheardorevenbelievedcouldexistupon
theearth,andYlanestalkaboutthewetwoolencloakswashorseshitandhewasgoingto
dieinthistunnelafterall,andhisnamewouldgoupingoldlettersonthememorial
boardathisoldcompany...
Buthekepttryingtorunforwardbecauseyounevergaveup,notevenwheneverything
wasgonetohell,especiallythen,becauseifyouhadtodiethenyoudiditdoing
something,notjustgivingup
Theflamewasmorethanahundredmeterslong,andinitshairthincore,ashotasthe
outerreachesofthesun.
Jaxondovefortheflooramomentbeforetheflashcame,buthewastoocloseanditwas
toolatetomakeanydifference.Thestrapsholdinghisaircylindervaporized,thecylinder
itselfdeformingasitfell.Thesuit,thebestmoneycouldbuy,faredlittlebetter,thoughits
makerscouldbeproudthatevenasash,smallpiecesofitclungtogetherinuseless
clumps.

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Hisskin,whichshouldhavecharredthroughtotheboneinamicrosecond,didnotchar.
Hishair,shortasitwas,didnotgouplikealitmatch.Thesoft,wettissueofhiseyesand
earsandmouthdidnotinstantaneouslyboilaway.
Hefeltonlypleasantlywarm,thoughhewaslyingonbricksglowingasredhotastheday
theyleftthekiln,andhewasentirelynaked.
Inhisrighthand,heheldaglobuleofmoltengold.
Somethingflutteredintheairabovehim.Jaxonrolledoverandlookedup.Therewasa
tiny...dragon,allscarletandgreen,itseyesasgoldenasYlanes...
Ylane?croakedJaxon.Thecroakwaspsychological.Therewasnothingwrongwithhis
throat.Hejustcouldntbelievehewasaliveatall,orthathecouldspeak.Helookedathis
hands,andsawthathisskinwasasredasthebricksbeneathhim,butitwaswhole,and
hefeltnopain.
Yes,saidthedragon,thoughhervoicewasnotaudible.Jaxonhearditinhishead.
Whatthehellhappened?
Youknow,saidYlane.
Jaxonthoughtaboutitforamoment,andhedidknow.
Adragondies,adragonisborn,hesaid.
Yes.
Iamadragon,hesaid,andashespokeherealizedhewasOKwithit,becauseheknew
whatitwastobeadragonandtobeadragonwasimmeasurablybetterthantobemerely
human.
Hepoppedthecooling,misshapengolddiscintohismouthandateitwithsomerelish,
themetalsoftunderhisteeth.Thenhejumpedup,andinthatmotion,therewasno
longeramanwithgoldeneyesandskinthecolorofdusk,butanothersmalldragon,as
resplendentasthefirst.
Yes,saidYlane.Sheledhimintothehotbricksandthebedrockbeneath,andtheydove
intoittogether,headingdeeperanddeepertowardthehotcenteroftheearthwhere
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dragonslivedandgrew,tilltheybecameancient,androselikesalmontoawaterhead,to
seektheirbirthplace,andbeginanew.
Adragondies,adragonisborn.Butsometimestheyneedalittlehelp.

FireAbove,FireBelowcopyright2013byGarthNix
Artcopyright2013byRobertHunt

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