by V B Gilbert
“How’s she going to talk to the dragons?” Ciaran scoffs. “Or is this something you’ve been hiding from me? The ability to speak to dragons?”
Sighing, I rip apart a piece of bread, before answering. “I’m not sure what you know, or remember Ciaran. And frankly, at this point, everything you say is suspect. But a lot has happened in the last month. You’ll have to wait to hear about it when I give a report to the council.” With a knife I slice a strawberry and fold it into my bread. “I can speak to the dragons. That’s all you need to know for now.”
This does not sit well with Ciaran, but he turns his attitude on Cathmor. “When will you release my wrists, Enforcer?”
Cathmor angrily eyes the other man over his mug, “That’s for the council to decide.” He raises an eyebrow when Ciaran starts to object. “No arguments, there are many things I am arresting you for. And make no mistake, you are under arrest. The main item, though, is kidnapping and attempted murder.” Slamming his mug to the table, Cathmor stands and starts pacing, fury driving each step as he lets loose on Ciaran. “You almost killed Sage and yourself on the side of that volcano, Ciaran. I don’t care if you were under a spell, to me, that is unforgivable.”
Ripping his cloak off a hook, Cathmor swings it over his shoulders and storms out, the slam of the door punctuating his words. My hands tremble as I take a bite of my strawberry-filled bread. I forgot how intimidating Cathmor can be. He’s always gruff, though lately he’s been very sweet to me. But the Cathmor that just slammed out of the house? That’s the Enforcer who was so condescending on Samhain.
Egan gives me a side hug, whispering in my ear, “Why don’t I take Ciaran outside and leave you to freshen up? Then you can speak to the dragons, and we can be on our way. All will be well, Mo Chroí. All will be well.”
I nod against his chest, flicking my gaze to Ciaran. He’s staring at his bound wrists in confusion, brow furrowed. He doesn’t resist when Egan instructs him to stand and follows my mate meekly outside.
The tension drains from my body when the door clicks shut. I flex my hands around my mug and quickly finish breaking my fast. My pack is leaning against the hearth, and I take it back to my room to change, bracing myself against all that is to come.
I have always been more comfortable on the fringes of society, but Ciaran, my bondings, and the dragons have dragged me right into the center of the unknown. I need to be strong. If I could live and thrive for twenty-seven years as a Mundane, I can adapt to my new world. I have to.
34
The dragons agree to carry everyone back to Lámhach. Cathmor says he’ll ask for some of the champions to return for the horses. Onyx is joking — I think — about accidently dropping the wagon halfway on top of a mountain. The pirates stare wide-eyed at the thick vines running underneath the wagon, some struggling to climb out when it’s revealed how we will be traveling. One snap of Flynn’s jaws settles them down.
I will ride on Onyx, along with half of the supplies. There’s an argument between Liam and Flynn, which results in dirt and snow showering us as they stomp and circle each other. Neither dragon wants to carry Ciaran.
Stop! One of you needs to step up and carry him. Along with Egan and Murphy. My words halt the dragons, and they stand proud, huffing in anger.
Flynn lets out a loud roar and a thin stream of fire, before stomping over to the men. >I shall take them, Báirseach. It will be an honor to carry your bondmates. And the scum, if I must.<
Liam slinks to Cathmor, head hanging. >I’m sorry, Báirseach. That was unbecoming of me.<
Laughter fills me at the ridiculous dragon. His body language may be saying he feels bad, but his tone is smug. He’s not really sorry that Flynn will be carrying Ciaran.
Wiping my eyes, I nod to my mates, “The dragons are ready.”
The trip is uneventful, save for the struggle to get Ciaran near and then on the massive red dragon. It’s also very quick. The mountains are put behind us, and we are soon soaring above the dragon stables.
In just a month, new homes have been built. I see the champions running to their dragons, familiar and unfamiliar faces running from the houses, as well as Renny and Master Riordan stepping out from the large stone stable.
I instruct the dragons to deposit the wagon in the large pasture that marks the beginning of the dragon lands. It rolls free once it’s on the ground, and Onyx and I land heavily before it to stop the momentum.
Flynn and Liam land further out, choosing and needing more area due to their larger size. As they stride towards us, the sound of confused voices reaches us before the crowd appears around the stables.
“Sage, what is the meaning of this? How . . . where . . .? Why are there dangerous dragons in our field?” Master Riordan takes command of the situation, stuttering at the sight of Flynn and Liam.
“It’s a very long story, Master. One I’d like to only recount once if possible.” Walking down Onyx’s spine to dismount, I approach. Straightening my ponytail, I gesture for my bondmates to bring Ciaran forward. “We did have a few problems, and we need to speak to the council. Please be assured that the dragons are not dangerous. Flynn is the red, and Liam is the silver.” The dragons dip their heads as I introduce them. Looking past Master Riordan, I address Laurel, “Could you or one of the other champions please get Elder Thyme and the council? I’m sure they saw us approach, but we have prisoners, and it is urgent.”
“Of course, Sage.” Laurel gives one more awestruck glance at the unfamiliar dragons before spinning and running towards the village.
As I move to speak with Master Riordan again, my eye catches the four black dragons who had stayed behind in Lámhach. Each is gazing at me and striding forward. Their girth makes the people shy away, and they take advantage to sit in a line to my left.
>Báirseach< They greet me and bow their heads.
With a wide grin, I run to them, gently rubbing a hand over a snout, or leg of each. Hello, my dragons. I have missed you. But tell me, how did the invaders get past you? We found them by the Lake of Sorrows.
>We were not here. We were training with young Renny out in the dragon lands. We’ve just returned and were told what happened . . . there are no excuses. We failed you.< Raven, Laurel’s dragon admits what had occurred.
Never. You did not fail me. You could not have known. Rest easy. They each relax, spreading out and laying in the sun at my words.
Turning back, I smile as I walk to Master Riodran. Murphy is there as well, Renny clinging to his side. “Hi, Renny!”
“Hey, Sage. I missed you.” he squeaks when Murphy ruffles his shaggy brown hair. “Stop. I might have missed you, too, Murphy.”
“Did you learn something new while I was gone?” I cross my arms and question the intern.
Renny bounces on his toes, eyes sparkling and his words rushing out. “I did! The champions let me observe their training, and they taught me how to care for them and, Sage! Sage! Ronan let me ride Slate!”
Pleased, I praise him, “Great job, you and I will talk later. Perhaps you learned something I don’t know. I’m eager to find out.”
Master Riordan eyes the dragons before asking me. “What of the eggs and hatchlings, Sage? Did they make it? Did you leave them at the lava pools?”
Taking a deep breath, I admit, “The eggs . . . there was a complication. But it is all part of our story and must wait for the council. I’m sorry, but I think . . . I think it must be relayed in order for it all to be clear.”
“I’ll be patient, Sage. I trust your judgment.” Master Riordan claps his hands and address the spectators, “Back to your homes! This is a council matter now.”
As they disperse, I notice one woman hanging back. She has long black hair and is thin as a twig. Arms crossed, she warily eyes the dragons before calling out. “Egan!”
My bondmate glances up at his name, then smiles as he lopes forward. “Jasmine. Sage, come meet my cousin.”
Excusing myself, I leave Murphy talking with Master Riordan and Renny, joggi
ng to Egan’s side.
Placing his arm around my shoulders, Egan introduces us. “Sage, this is my cousin Jasmine. Jasmine, this is Sage, my bondmate.”
With a scowl, Jasmine eyes me from tip to toe. “Aye, I heard about that. Sage. You are the reason I was pulled across the Midding Gate?”
“I . . . yes, it is because of me, that you are stuck here.” I accept that though Ciaran cast the spell, it was his obsession with me that drove him to it. “I apologize for disrupting your life in such a manner.”
Jasmine purses her lips, giving me a hard glare. Then suddenly, she starts laughing. “I can’t keep it up. Oh, Sage, it’s grand to meet you. I know this is supposed to be a bad thing, but living here? I feel like I belong. Everyone has been very welcoming. They built us a house, and your parents are thinking of moving their store here so that I can help them, and they can be closer to you.” Tears leak from the corners of her eyes. “For the first time in my life, I’m with others like me. And the dragons! The sight of the dragons alone, has made it wonderful.” She steps forward to hug me. “Don’t let an ex-boyfriend’s mistakes get to you. You have nothing to be sorry for. He chose his actions. You are a victim of that just like I am. Don’t ever apologize for someone else’s mistakes.”
I didn’t realize I needed to hear that until just now. With a warm feeling in my chest, I lean in for another hug, “Thank you, Jasmine. Welcome to Lámhach.”
My parents arrive with the council, and I run into their arms. “Mam. Da. I missed you both so much.”
Mam brushes my bangs to the side as she scans my face. “Dearheart, what’s happened? It’s only been a month. We weren’t expecting you until the vernal equinox. Did the invaders catch up with you?”
“We’ve had quite a time. There’s so much to tell you. But I need to tell you, I have a third bondmate.” Turning my head, I smile sheepishly at Da. “It’s Cathmor.”
Da can’t hide his pleasure and looking over my head he yells out, “Oy, Padraig. Your son bonded my Sage!”
Padriag bounds over, and lifts me in a hug. With a laugh, I cling to his shoulders and gaze down at a shorter, greyer version of my mate.
“Da! Are you trying to steal my Daisy?” Cathmor pulls me from his da’s arms and nestles me in front of him, my back flush with his chest.
Before our parents can get too carried away in conversation — did my mom say grandchildren? — Elder Thyme gains everyones’ attention.
“I know we are all excited to see our loved ones, but let’s have some order. Master Riordan has provided the main room of the stable to meet. The champions, save for Cathmor, will guard the prisoners. The dragons, I trust, are safe in the field, Sage?”
“Yes, they are safe for the villagers to approach if any are brave enough to try. Perhaps, Renny could be in charge of that?” I rush to assure her that my dragons pose no threat.
Raising her eyebrows, Elder Thyme comments, “Indeed.”
The three council members enter the space first, taking seats on hay bales. My bondmates follow, with Ciaran in tow. I enter asking, “May our parents be present as well?” Murphy’s parents arrived at some point, and I wasn’t sure if all would be welcome at the meeting.
“We’ll call them if we feel there is something they need to be informed about. For now, I think we should keep the meeting small. Master Riordan, if you could let them know we will call them as needed?” Elder Quinn answers my question and sends Master Riordan to speak to our parents.
Once we are all seated and Master Riordan has returned, Elder Thyme takes control of the meeting. “Now then, Sage. Start at the beginning.”
35
Relating the journey was a series of stops and starts. When I told them Onyx followed us, Elder Quinn questioned Cathmor about the dragon’s behavior. When we explained waking up to Cathmor’s arrival and Ciaran’s desertion, there were numerous comments and inquiries—all to the point and with the council keeping neutral expressions.
We got stuck on that topic for awhile as the elders attempted to interrogate Ciaran and were exposed to his ranting and confusion. Elder Thyme finally silenced him with a spell before asking, “What is wrong with Ciaran?”
Cathmor dug in his pocket for the crystal and passed the jar to the council. “We believe Lennon was controlling his nephew. This needs to be studied, but he’s been acting erratically since it fell off of him on the way home.”
“Lennon?” Elder Quinn inspects the crystal then passes the jar on. “Was Lennon with you?”
Murphy picked up the story, explaining our theory that Lennon aided Ciaran. He described the ice barrier and how it differed from the ward on the Midding Gate.
I broke in at this point. “Is the ward still up?”
“It is, we were hoping to get some resolution when you returned.” Elder Thyme pauses and spares a glance for Ciaran. “I’m not sure what help he will be if he remains . . . confused.”
Determined to see if I can pass through with my bondmates, I move and discuss finding Ciaran’s horse, the book, and the trolls.
This grabs the Elders’ interest, and for the first time, I see concern cross their faces. “What book is this?” Elder Roarke asks.
Egan reaches into his pack and passes over the book The Power of the Elements and the note we’d found in Ciaran’s things. Passing from elder to elder, the play of emotions across their faces is interesting. Elder Roarke is amused by the book, Elder Quinn is angry, but Elder Thyme? Elder Thyme is furious. Her fury grows when she reads Ciaran’s notes.
“He wanted to find the elemental dragons? He knew enough to try to bind you to find them?” I have never seen Elder Thyme as anything but calm and reserved — until right now, as she shakes the paper in Ciaran’s face. “What were you trying to do? Do you know what his plan was?” The last question she asks of Cathmor.
“He spoke of taking over the council and the academy. He will not get the elementals,” Cathmor asserts firmly. I look to my men, knowing the dragons are tucked in their cloaks. Each slightly shakes their heads. I take that to mean now is not the time to expose them.
“Of course not. That would be dangerous.” Setting the note and book to the side with the crystal, Elder Thyme composes herself, folding her hands into her lap. “Let us continue.”
Murphy picks up our tale, though he’s stopped when he describes my kidnapping. At that point, I had to relate the five days with Lennon and Ciaran and how they grew more and more delusional. I spoke of the trek to the volcano, Lennon’s collapse, and Ciaran’s and my close call on the side of the path.
Elder Thyme cuts in, “Were they the elemental dragon eggs?”
With a sigh, I lean into Egan’s shoulder. At this rate we were never getting through the whole story. “No. Instead we almost died. Cathmor sent out vines, he almost got us to safety. It’s when our binding happened.”
“What do you mean he almost got you to safety?”
“You have a third binding?”
“How did you get off the volcano?”
The questions ring out one on top of the other. What do I answer first?
Cathmor reaches over Egan and grips my arm. Pushing up my sleeve, he lifts my ivy mark for inspection. “Aye. Bonded and mated. We are all bonded and mated with Sage.” Kissing my wrist, he releases it and gives me a wink. “It is a lucky thing she completed the bonding when she did. The second it happened, my vines burned away, and I fell back. Flynn, the red dragon, swooped in and picked Sage and Ciaran off the volcano.”
Silence rings. It stretches on. Elder Thyme is staring at me, several times opening her mouth but closing it again without saying anything.
Master Riordan finally breaks the silence. “Did the eggs hatch? Were there any problems?”
Elder Thyme overrides him, waving a hand. “We’ll get to the dragons in a minute. Tell me about the prisoners you brought back. They landed a day and a half ago and didn’t stop until they got through the Midding Gate. The spell compelled them. Master Riordan relayed that the
y stopped briefly before heading for the pass. They knew where they were going.”
“They did know. Only one of them was able to communicate with us. When we encountered them they were stopped by the ice barrier. We managed to corral and bind them at the Lake of Sorrows.” Sitting forward, I let my hands dangle between my knees, looking earnestly at the council. “He was able to tell us that they had a pact with the Báirseach. They supplied weapons and were given permission to take a dragon.”
“We will not recognize that pact. They must not be allowed to take any dragon. There is no leeway we will give there.”
Liam speaks to me, startling me and almost making me fall to the floor of the stable. Murphy catches me as I turn my concentration inward. >You could make a new pact with them and the council. Think, Báirseach. We can supply what they want. Dragons lose scales and claws all the time. And horns? Even we die.<
“Sage! Miss Sage!” Elder Thyme’s strident voice grabs my attention, and I look her way as I settle myself against Murphy. “What has come over you, girl?”
“I was thinking. At the moment, the invaders are stuck here. They can’t cross the barrier to the north, nor can they cross the Midding Gate. If we manage to take the ward down, we can still rework the pact.” Feeling more confident, I continue. “We can send Witches to the dragon lands to collect scales and claws that have been shed by the dragons. Occasionally, offer a pair of horns if they come across the corpse of a dragon.”
“I need to walk and think. Come, we can continue this in the yard.” Elder Thyme leads the way past the forge and the half wall, the Midding Gate visible in front of us.
Shaking her head, Elder Thyme rejects my suggestion. “We cannot speak for the dragons. The Báirseach was . . . he was misguided and drunk on power. That cannot happen again.”
“We can try to speak to Bjorn. He’s the invader we were communicating with at the lake.” Walking in front of the council, I continue. “We can try. Otherwise, they will keep coming.”