by Bianca D'Arc
“So what’s this? Nellin’s taken a mate?”
“He has. Lady Jenet.”
“But she’s been pining away for some poet for the past decade or more, so they say.”
“You just met him.” Mace started walking toward the inn and Gareth fell in beside him. “Have you ever heard of the bard called Drake of the Five Lands?”
“Who hasn’t? He’s played for every monarch but our own. He’s the most famous of all Jinn bards.”
“He’s also Jenet’s knight partner. Newly chosen and in need of training.” Mace slowed his pace just before they reached the door. “He’s also, I’m sure you saw, a mage of great power, newly discovered. Something called a Firedrake. He can call magical fire at will and it only burns what he wishes it to burn. Go easy on him. This has all happened in the past three days. It’s been a bit of a shock.”
“To you as well as him, if I don’t miss my guess.” Mace fought not to wriggle under Gareth’s scrutiny. “Why are you so easy with this, Mace? How can you partner so easily with a stranger?”
“He’s not a stranger.” Mace felt his heart rise to defend his fighting partner. “We grew up together. He’s Sir Declan’s son.”
Gareth whistled between his teeth. “I heard Dec was so hard on his only boy, the kid ran off.” He looked to the doorway and back to Mace. “Declan is a great knight and he’s mellowed over the years, but he’s always been a ball-buster. I always felt sympathy for his son, though I’d never met the lad, but he’s turned out to be quite a surprise, hasn’t he?”
“You can say that again.” Mace shook his head. “Drake’s taken all life has thrown at him and he always comes out on top. Give him a chance. I know you’ll like him. He’s even more talkative than you are.” Mace said the last with a mocking grin. Gareth was a garrulous sort and though Mace liked him very much, he got along with his fighting partner, Lars, better. Lars spoke even less than Mace did and the two men understood each other well.
“Congratulations on your joining, Mace.” Gareth stopped him with a warm hand on his shoulder. “Once we get Wil to safety, we’ll celebrate it properly.”
“I look forward to it.” Mace led the way into the dark interior of the tavern.
The wounded were given a place in one of the large private parlors that served as a sort of hospital when needed. Princess Belora organized the villagers to patch up folks as best they could, while Drake, Krysta and Mace went off with the men to help the able-bodied villagers set up watches and deal with the aftermath of the day.
After she’d reorganized what was left of the village Guard, Krysta left the warriors to see what she could do inside the inn. She wasn’t much of a healer, but she could wrap a bandage properly. She also set herself the task of watching over Princess Belora and the wounded. If further attack should come, Krysta would be on hand to defend them until help could arrive, if needed.
They spent long hours putting the village back to rights. Many had been injured, but when the princess finally told Krysta to seek her bed because she was swaying on her feet, she went. The dragons had bedded down in the tavern yard where a pool of sand had been set aside for their use. Drake escorted Krysta to the room that had been assigned them. Mace was already there when they entered and stopped short.
Mace lay sprawled on the bed, sitting up against the headboard. In his right hand, he toyed with a small ball of flame as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. His usual stoic expression was replaced by curiosity as he regarded the fire bouncing merrily in his palm.
“Sweet Mother!” Drake swore.
The flame winked out as Mace closed his fist.
“How can this be?” Krysta asked, astonished.
Mace stood. “I have no idea, but…” he paused, clearly uncomfortable with his thoughts, “…when I walked into the fire, I felt something…” Again he trailed off as his thoughts jumbled. “I felt something open up between us. And between me and the fire. It’s there now. I can feel it deep within me, very near the place Nellin and I share in our souls. It comes when I call and it leaves when I close the connection.”
“It’s like a river of fire beneath your feet, only it’s not one of substance, but of pure energy.” Drake moved into the room. “Isn’t it?”
“That’s a good way of putting it. But this isn’t my power, Drake. I’ve had some time to think about it. The only reason it’s accessible is because of you. It exists in the same place in my soul that’s joined now to you, through Krysta and then to Jenet. It’s a convoluted path, but it’s open now, as it’s never been before. I think the only reason I can use this power of yours,” he emphasized the last word, “is because we’re bonded partners now.”
“But that’s great!” Krysta started forward, hugging him. “Isn’t it?” She pulled back, enthusiasm gripping her. “I mean, that makes two Firedrakes instead of just one. Think of the tactical advantage if you can both work the fire magic. If today was any demonstration, it’s formidable. Especially against skiths. It worked even faster than dragon fire and it didn’t harm the surrounding area.”
“She’s got a point.” Drake leaned back, watching them both.
“And if you can show your father how to access his fire,” Krysta went on, addressing Drake. “He might possibly be able to share it with Sir Ren and then there will be four of you. We can use every weapon we can get if all these portents are to be believed. This is a good thing.”
“If you say so.” Mace still looked uncertain.
Chapter Nineteen
Gareth and Lars, along with Belora, Kelvan and his mate, Rohtina, escorted them back to the castle. It was quite an honor guard for one black dragon and a newly joined family. Word spread quickly, and Drake wasn’t surprised to find a crowd gathered on the landing platform when they arrived. Jenet and Nellin landed first, making way for Wil between them. They weren’t taking any chances with his safety. They all knew what a shock it would be for his family to find him so changed.
Drake helped Krysta down from Jenet’s back and Mace met them, flanking her other side as they faced Roland. The king was understandably confused.
Drake bowed. “My liege, we found your brother, but he’s a bit…” Even the golden-tongued bard was at a loss for words, it seemed.
“I’m older than they expected.” Wil’s voice carried from behind the trio. Drake moved aside to allow William—now clad in black fighting leathers—to walk forward and face his brother. William didn’t bow, but he did nod his head in respect to his king, his brother. “I know it’s shocking, but for me, five years have passed, while for you it’s been five days.”
“How in the world…?” Roland looked to Mace for an explanation. Mace was the steadiest of the lot and stepped forward, making his bow as well.
“We traveled to Gryphon Isle and met the wizard Gryffid.” The dragons who gathered all around hushed, as did their knights. “He had your brother abducted in order to train him with his army of fair folk.”
“What you’re telling me sounds like a fairy tale,” Roland said with disbelief clear in his voice as he gazed at Wil.
Mace nodded. “I know, my liege. But every word is true. And there’s more, but I think it should wait ’til we are more private.” Mace shifted his eyes to the attentive audience all around and Roland sobered.
“Good idea.” Roland stepped forward to face the tall young man clad in scarred black leather. “Wil? Is it really you?”
William nodded, clearly choked up. “It’s really me, Rol.”
Roland reached out to his little brother, cupping the side of his head. A flare of power from each of them met and held as they recognized each other. Roland knew the flavor of his brother’s magic and knew in that moment—somehow—his brother had grown up.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Wil said, breaking the silence.
“Stars!” Roland whispered his amazement as he drew his youngest brother into a crushing embrace. “It is you!”
Drake followed everyone into a private chamber
big enough for Nellin, Jenet, Kelvan and Rohtina to join them and give their version of events. Roland, Lana, Nico and Riki listened to every detail of the chase and discovery of William on Gryphon Isle.
“I spent five years there, training with the fair folk” Wil picked up the story where they’d left off, “and learning the legacy of our line. Rol, there’s a lot we didn’t know—a lot the dragons were charged to remember for us—and Gryffid thinks the time is coming when we’ll have to settle the ancient feuds once and for all. That’s why he took me.”
Drake saw Roland’s eyes narrow in anger. “He could have asked. He didn’t have to kidnap you and grievously injure two of our best fighting pairs in the process.”
“He did apologize for that,” Drake put in with a raised eyebrow. “Apparently, the mercs he hired to do the job got a little overzealous. Still, I agree, he should have just asked. Then again, would any of us really have believed one of the wizards still lived?”
“Good point.” Roland nodded in Drake’s direction. “So what’s the dire news from your new wizard friend?”
“There’s a place in the far North. It’s called the Citadel.” The dragons perked up as Wil spoke.
“I’ve heard of it. Recently, in fact. Salomar was giving King Lucan of Skithdron safe passage through the Northern wasteland for his search parties in exchange for diamond blades to take down our dragons. They were looking for the Citadel.”
Wil’s expression grew dark at his brother’s words. “So Gryffid feared.” Wil seemed to take a moment to gather his thoughts. “When the wizards left this realm, some stayed behind. A few, like Gryffid, voluntarily exiled themselves. Some were exiled by force—imprisoned in the ice at the top of the world—in the Citadel. It’s likely that our neighbor, King Lucan, is looking to free the worst of the worst of our enemies from the ice. Probably hoping they’ll reward him for his efforts. Roland—” his voice dropped low with deadly seriousness, “—the wizard Skir was imprisoned up there after he created the skiths.”
Silence reigned for a long moment while everyone digested this awful news.
“And the dragons knew this?” Roland looked to the dragons gathered behind the human party. Four large heads nodded.
“So we were taught,” Jenet responded. “It is our place to remember where our human friends do not. It is our task to be ever vigilant and ready to defend the lands should any of the entombed wizards seek to escape their punishment. Ours, and the Guardian’s.”
“What Guardian?” Roland demanded.
“We know not,” Jenet said sadly. “We only know there is a Guardian in the North. A being of great power, born to watch over the Citadel.”
“A hereditary Guardian, then. A human?” the king insisted, echoing the concern Drake saw in everyone’s expression.
“Perhaps a human born of wizard blood,” Nellin mused. “Like you, my liege. It would make sense.”
“That’s only a theory,” Jenet groused.
“But a good one, I’ve always thought,” Nellin countered.
“You two bicker like a married couple.” Nico’s voice was laced with suspicion.
“That’s because we are,” Jenet answered, sticking her tongue out at the Prince of Spies, much like a human child would.
Drake was a little appalled the dragons would choose that particular moment to reveal the truth of their mating…and all the implications for their humans that entailed. If it had been up to him, he would have chosen a less tense moment for their news. After they’d settled the question of why Wil had been taking and what their enemies were up to.
“My congratulations to you!” Nico walked over to Jenet and touched her neck, now entwined with Nellin’s. “I’m very happy for you both.” He turned to the human part of the new family. “And you three as well.” Nico winked and slapped both men on the back. “It’s about time you claimed your rightful place, Drake.” Drake accepted Nico’s back-pounding hug and felt the warmth of acceptance as Nico turned to give Krysta a kiss of welcome.
The others added their congratulations and Drake was a little amazed at how easily everyone accepted him as a knight. He’d thought for sure there would at least be some doubtful looks, if not outright denial of his ability to fulfill the new role.
It was a joyous moment, but it was overshadowed by the serious issues they had yet to discuss. Nico moved to Riki’s side, taking his wife in his arms and pulling her back against him so they faced the rest of the discussion together. Drake liked the way the other couple fit together and hoped that in time, he, Mace and Krysta would be as comfortable as the Prince of Spies and the Queen of the Jinn were now.
“So you found Wil on Gryphon Isle…” Nico prompted so they could resume the story. Drake was just as glad to have the attention taken off himself and his new family.
“We met Gryffid and his army of fair folk.” Drake shifted uncomfortably, thinking about the revelations still to come.
“And Gryffid advised Drake of his heritage,” Mace said, spilling the beans. Drake threw his new fighting partner a dirty look, but Mace only grinned at him. “Seems our Drake is descended of the wizard Draco, through Sir Declan’s line and possibly the fair folk, through his mother’s.”
“You’re joking.” Riki’s eyes widened as she looked at Drake. Everyone was looking at him again, much to his chagrin. The master bard was uncomfortable being the center of attention. What a joke.
“I’m afraid not, milady.” Mace continued, a light of humor in his eyes that was new to the usually serious knight. “More than that, the wizard Draco gifted his descendants with fire magic, and through our new bond, I seem to have gotten some of it too.” Mace opened his fingers to display a plume of flame, conjured in his palm.
“Sweet Mother!” Lana breathed.
“Firedrake!” Kelvan said with awe.
“What in blazes is a Firedrake?” Roland wanted to know.
“Apparently, I am, my liege.” Drake smiled ruefully, glad now that the secret was out. “As is Mace now, and perhaps my blood-father too, if we can show him how to tap into the flame.”
Mace closed his fingers, making the fire wink out. “Drake has already used this magic in battle against skiths in the village of Bayberry Heath on our way back from Gryphon Isle. As a weapon, it is formidable.”
“And a little uncontrollable at the moment,” Drake admitted. “I need a lot more practice, I’m afraid.”
“Astounding,” Roland said. “And it’s effective against skiths?”
“Burns them to ash quicker than dragon fire. And Drake can selectively target what he likes. He can flame the skith and leave everything else unharmed,” Mace added.
“Now that sounds familiar.” Nico turned his gaze to his lady wife. “Riki can do that too.”
“Only against evil,” she reminded her husband, then turned back to the group. “I did it once, when I was cornered by a skith. I can’t call flame in my fingers like Mace just did.”
“Drake becomes a pillar of flame,” Krysta added with some pride in her voice. Drake felt the warmth of her regard down to his toes. “It’s very effective.”
“I bet.” Roland looked over the newly made knight with interest. “So you’re more than a pretty voice and glib tongue, eh?”
Drake liked the way Roland took all this news in stride. He especially liked that Roland felt at ease enough to tease him. Drake had spent a lot of time away from home, but already, Draconia and the people in it were coming to know him again as he learned their changes. It felt like he had picked up where he left off with the king, and that easy camaraderie they had once shared was renewing itself as the days passed.
“I pray I prove to be a credit to your service, my liege. I know…” Drake hesitated briefly. “I know I’m not exactly knight material, but now that the deed is done, I vow to do everything in my power to live up to the expectations of knighthood.”
Roland chuckled and shook his head. “You already have, my friend. You were ever blind when it came to your own
stature. You are the best—the only—partner for Jenet. We’ve all known it for as long as we’ve known you both. As for being worthy of being a knight…” Roland grasped Drake by the shoulder. “You’ve always been worthy, Drake. Your love for Jenet, your loyalty to the land and people of Draconiaeven as you traveled far and wideyour honor, your courage. All of those things make you one of the champions of this land. You found Wil, as you promised. You’re more than worthy. You’re one of our elite, just like Mace. A better matched pair, I’ve never seen.”
Drake was floored by the king’s words. He was actually stunned speechless, which was a rare condition for the master bard. Before Drake could come up with a reply, Roland had turned to Krysta.
“Welcome to the family, Krysta. Your brother and I had a long talk while you were away. We’ll be glad of your skills in the coming days.”
So the king had exchanged intelligence with his Master of the Guard. Good. They would need all the help they could get if the battle Gryffid feared really did come to pass.
“Thank you, my liege.” Krysta replied, bowing with her gaze kept on Roland’s in a show of respect.
She said nothing about her brother for the moment. She would not speak Jinn secrets for all to hear. She was still a spymaster, with all the cunning and caution that implied, and Drake loved that—and so much more—about her.
Hours later, Drake, Mace and Krysta had a hastily prepared wedding celebration and their dragons flew in a mating flight, long anticipated since that first time they’d been together. Even Drake was astounded by the speed with which they’d been able to get the party together. It was a mix of Jinn and Lair traditions, with Prince Nico and his wife Riki standing as witnesses, though all agreed neither Drake nor Mace needed any guidance in making love to their wife as was custom for newlyweds in many of the Jinn clans.
After feasting and dancing, they were shown to a small enclosure on the battlements traditionally used for such celebrations. The party was held up there so the dragons could join in the festivities and be near their human counterparts until the very last moments before they took to the sky.