Legacy of the Curse

by Deborah Grace White

  In a movement so synchronized it would have been impressive if intentional, all the villagers—except two who were unconscious at Kincaid’s feet—threw down their weapons and fled back the way they had come, some of them squealing like pigs as they ran.

  “There, I said they wouldn’t bother us,” said Elddreki serenely, surveying the men over the top of the rocks which now hid them from his companions’ view.

  Kincaid paused for the briefest of moments in the act of putting away his sword, his eyes meeting Jocelyn’s with a rueful look. He was still breathing hard from the exertion of fighting their attackers.

  Jocelyn couldn’t help but reflect that if Elddreki had been awake from the beginning, Kincaid wouldn’t have needed to fight at all. And if he had time to wake her, surely he had time to wake the dragon. He must have chosen not to. But she shook the thought away, remembering her nighttime musings. It was foolish to think—and even more foolish to hope—that Kincaid wanted to impress her.

  The dragon was looking around curiously, still blinking away sleep. “It’s not dawn yet. Do you want to start so early?”

  “I don’t think I’ll be going back to sleep,” said Kincaid dryly, and Jocelyn nodded agreement.

  Kincaid shot her a quick look, but she didn’t meet his eyes this time. Her gaze fell instead on one of the men who was still out cold in the dew-dampened grass, and she realized with a jolt that she recognized him. He was the man who had grabbed her outside the tavern. Kincaid must still have been watching her, because her involuntary shiver brought his attention to the man. Jocelyn saw his expression darken as he also identified him.

  “I should run him through right there,” he said sternly. He didn’t seem to see Jocelyn shaking her head, his eyes moving instead to the dragon. “Unless you want to eat him, Elddreki.”

  “Dragons don’t eat humans, young Kincaid,” said Elddreki placidly.

  Kincaid chuckled. “I know. I was joking.” His eyes came to rest on Jocelyn, who was still shaking her head. “I was joking on both counts,” he clarified. “As much as he might deserve it, I wouldn’t kill an unconscious man.”

  Jocelyn nodded, relieved, and shouldered her pack. Kincaid frowned at her, obviously having noticed her silence, but didn’t comment.

  “Well, let’s get moving then,” said Elddreki cheerfully. “We should easily reach Dragoncave today, even moving at your pace.”

  Jocelyn just rolled her eyes again. It was a new day, and she was resolved not to be as careless with her speech as she had been the night before. She had probably just gotten lucky with how little Kincaid had been affected. She could not afford for him to dig too deeply.

  “Dragoncave?” Kincaid asked when they were moving, the first hints of dawn beginning to touch the horizon. “Is that where we’re going?”

  His eyes were on Jocelyn, but it was Elddreki who answered. “Yes, or at least that’s what the locals call the place. Have you heard of it?”

  Kincaid shook his head. “No, I haven’t. But it’s not surprising. I’m from Bryford, and I haven’t spent much time up this way.”

  “Well, I’m not actually sure of the true name of the location,” admitted Elddreki cheerfully. “Just that it is known colloquially as Dragoncave. Jocelyn has agreed to enter the cave for me. She will attempt to discover any clue it might contain as to the movements of a group of dragons who left Vasilisa long ago, and who I believe may have traveled to Valoria.”

  “You think there are dragons in Valoria?”

  “Perhaps,” said Elddreki, his tone as placid as always. “I hope we will know more after Jocelyn enters the cave.”

  Kincaid frowned. “Why does it have to be Jocelyn?”

  He glanced over at her, and his frown deepened at the sight of her passive countenance. She supposed that after their easy conversation the night before, it must be strange to see her so unresponsive.

  “Because she is petite,” answered Elddreki, apparently not bothered by Jocelyn’s silence.

  “So am I, compared with a dragon,” said Kincaid dryly.

  “True,” Elddreki agreed.

  “Is it dangerous?” Kincaid persisted. “I could enter the cave instead of Jocelyn.”

  Jocelyn frowned at him, and he raised his eyebrows, as if daring her to vocalize any objections. She didn’t.

  “If you want to enter the cave, it is your own affair,” said Elddreki, a hint of sternness entering his tone. “But Jocelyn has agreed to assist me. Is a promise worth so little to humans?” He transferred his gaze to Jocelyn, as if she had been the one to suggest that she stay out of the cave. “First your father and now Kincaid. No one seems to consider it important that you keep your word.”

  “I do,” said Jocelyn hastily, then wished she hadn’t spoken. She could feel the swirl of power that accompanied her declaration, and Kincaid had looked up eagerly in response to the first words she had spoken that day. She didn’t dare dig deeper into Elddreki’s comment about her father.

  But Elddreki at least seemed satisfied by her contribution. “I am glad to hear it. I would think less of you if you tried to go back on your offer to search Dragoncave for me.”

  Jocelyn reflected to herself that “offer” was not quite how she would have phrased it, but it made no difference.

  “So what will we be looking for in this cave?” Kincaid asked, edging closer to Jocelyn as they walked.

  Jocelyn refused to meet his eyes, instead looking expectantly at Elddreki. It was a moment before the dragon noticed her gaze, but when he did, he compliantly took up the conversation.

  “Any sign that dragons might have been there. Dragon runes, markings, a lingering feeling of magic. Jocelyn should be able to sense it.”

  Jocelyn shot Elddreki a warning look, afraid that he was about to say something about her strange power, but she didn’t need to worry.

  “Jocelyn’s heritage as part of the Kyonan royal family gives her a connection to dragon magic that on its own would be enough to allow her to detect its presence,” Elddreki continued. “But even without it, she would probably sense the signature of power. She has mountain blood in her.” The dragon turned his head toward Kincaid. “As do you, young Kincaid. Do you not?”

  “I do,” said Kincaid, surprised at the dragon’s perception.

  Jocelyn turned startled eyes on him, and he shrugged.

  “I’m from Bryford, remember? The city is a day’s walk from Montego. The mountains might technically be within Kyona, but mountain folk who want to leave the mountains for city life usually make for Bryford rather than Kynton. I’m not saying it happens a lot, but people do sometimes leave the mountains. There are plenty of people in Bryford with mountain blood. In my family it’s generations back, I believe, but it’s there. I think that’s why they allowed me to stay in Montego as long as they did.”

  He flashed a grin. “Although after I ran off in the night, abducting the princess in the process, I’m not sure whether I’ll be welcome back again.”

  Jocelyn’s steps faltered, her mouth hanging open in surprise. Kincaid chuckled at her expression.

  “I’m joking, Jocelyn, relax. Although I imagine some people will place that construction on our joint disappearance. Had the possibility not occurred to you?”

  Jocelyn shook her head, swallowing uncomfortably.

  “I’m sure it’ll all get straightened out,” said Kincaid easily. He certainly didn’t seem to be a worrier. “I imagine rumor will spread very quickly about the pair of humans traveling with a dragon, after our little altercation with those villagers this morning.”

  Jocelyn glanced back toward the town. They had given it a wide berth, but had now rejoined the river and were continuing north. She had half expected an angry mob to appear from the village, pitchforks in hand, ready to hunt down the beast. But it seemed they had opted to hide from the dragon, which she reflected was the first sign of wisdom she had seen from the aggressive villagers.

  “I never asked you,” said Kincaid, startling her with
how close he was. Their arms were almost touching as they walked, and although he spoke lightly, there was a keenness in his glance that told her he was once again trying to figure her out. “How did you sleep last night?”

  Jocelyn shrugged, and gave a little half smile. She could see Kincaid’s curiosity warring with frustration at her prolonged silence. Perhaps she should speak occasionally, just to keep his suspicions in check.

  “Fine. You?”

  The burst of power was small but potent. For a moment Kincaid’s expression shifted. He didn’t look confused exactly, more like he was recalculating.

  “Uh…you know, I hadn’t really thought about it. I slept well enough, I think. Until the little visit from our friends.”

  Jocelyn nodded, and the silence stretched awkwardly. She chanced a glance sideways and saw that Kincaid looked as ill-at-ease as she felt. A familiar ache spread through her, the old grief at the distance her powers placed between her and everyone else.

  But now it was laced with a small but invigorating shot of anger. Why had Kincaid followed her? She had been able to speak openly with Elddreki. She had felt free, for the first time in a long time. And now she was back to being silent and isolated. Sullen. Empty-headed. That’s how Kincaid would see her. And she couldn’t even correct the impression, because the alternative—Kincaid figuring out the secret behind her silence—was far too dangerous.

  Knowing it was unreasonable to blame Kincaid, but preferring the anger to the grief, she strode forward more vigorously, placing herself alongside Elddreki and putting some distance between her and the overly observant Valorian.

  If he thought he could figure her out so easily, he would soon learn his mistake. She wasn’t a puzzle for him to solve, and he had no right to weasel his way into her adventure. However good he might be at searching, she would be better at hiding. She had to be.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Well, you weren’t wrong about one thing, Elddreki. You won’t fit.”

  Jocelyn smiled at Kincaid’s understatement. He had taken the words right out of her mouth. Where she was holding them firmly in check.

  She sighed, and Kincaid’s eyes flicked quickly to her. His expression—that mix of frustration and curiosity—was already familiar. For all she was trying to keep her thoughts to herself, he seemed to have a way of knowing when she particularly wanted to speak. And he was clearly becoming more desperately curious by the hour to know why she didn’t.

  Shaking the thought off, she returned her attention to the sight before her. She had expected Dragoncave to be part of a small mountain range, given how close they were to the Kyonan mountains. But there were no mountains in this part of Valoria. Dragoncave was only a stone’s throw from the river, but it stood all alone, an enormous rocky dome rising gently up out of the flat scrubby grassland around it. It wasn’t difficult to imagine how the anomalous formation had captured the interest of the locals and become the focus of folklore.

  The mound was large, although Jocelyn suspected the bulk of the cave was underground, making its size impossible to guess. But however big the cavern itself might prove to be, the only opening they had been able to find was anything but. If Jocelyn hadn’t known it was a cave, she would have thought it was just a rocky hill, and wouldn’t have dreamed there was anything underneath it. But on closer inspection, a slit had been found at ground level, barely big enough for a human to squeeze through, if that human was willing to crawl on his belly.

  Jocelyn was fairly sure she would make it. She glanced up at Kincaid, taking in his broad shoulders. The weather was warm, and he had rolled up the sleeves of his light tunic, so his muscled arms were clearly visible. It was a good thing his was a lean strength, she reflected, rather than the stocky build of some of the knights who had come to Kynton for a tournament a couple of years before.

  She and Luciana had giggled over the more handsome ones at every opportunity. But even then she had been able to see from the direction of Lucy’s eyes that her friend found the lithe form of the then far-from-muscled Eamon more appealing. Jocelyn had rolled her eyes at the time, but on reflection she had to agree—she also found the understated strength of a slim build much more attractive than she had ever thought the bulky muscles of the tournament’s victor.

  Kincaid was studying the entrance to the cave, a look of calculation on his own face. But he seemed to suddenly feel her scrutiny, and he glanced over too quickly for Jocelyn to avert her gaze. He raised an eyebrow, and she felt herself flushing at being caught staring at his muscles.

  “You won’t have any difficulty,” said Kincaid humorously. “Elddreki phrased it perfectly when he said you’re petite.” He frowned. “Although I still think you should stay out here and let me go into the cave.”

  Jocelyn scowled, turning her body pointedly back toward the opening.

  Not that she was eager to crawl through the hole, exactly. The darkness beyond the thin entrance seemed more black than should be possible on such a sunny day. It yawned menacingly, and she felt claustrophobic just looking at it.

  But that was beside the point. This was her task, and Kincaid needed to stop trying to interfere. She looked up to find Elddreki watching her expectantly. With a curt nod she started toward the opening.

  “Whoa, hold on!” Kincaid reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. She glared at him, and he quickly let go.

  Jocelyn once again started toward the opening, but Kincaid was in front of her instantly.

  “Just wait a moment, Jocelyn. I’m not trying to stop you from going in, I swear. Just listen.”

  She stopped, letting out a sigh. She raised her eyebrows impatiently.

  “I don’t think we’re ready to go straight in. We don’t have any way to make light once we’re in there, for one thing.” He turned to Elddreki. “Plus, I’ve been thinking as we walked about what you said about dragon runes. If we find some in there, we won’t know what they mean.” He looked back at Jocelyn. “Unless you’re going to tell me you know how to read dragon runes.”

  Jocelyn shook her head, conceding the point reluctantly.

  “That’s what I thought,” said Kincaid. “But if we have the right supplies, we can make a copy and bring it out for Elddreki to read.” He gestured to the east. “I think we need to visit the town first.”

  “Certainly, if you would like to,” said Elddreki placidly. “I’m in no hurry, as you know.”

  Jocelyn frowned at the dragon, and Kincaid pushed on winningly.

  “Come on Jocelyn, you know I’m right. It will be a good chance to find out what, if anything, the locals know about any connection between the cave and dragons.” When she still hesitated, he added with a grin, “What if I promise to do all the talking?”

  Jocelyn shot him a sharp look, and he raised his eyebrows challengingly. She felt a cold rush go over her. Just how much had he figured out? Flustered, she gave a curt nod, doing what she had done all too often before—agreeing because arguing would be too difficult without speech.

  “If you don’t mind,” Kincaid said, turning to Elddreki. “I think it might be best if you stay out here.” He was still grinning. “It’s not that I don’t want your company, but it will be difficult for us to buy supplies from salespeople who are hiding in their homes, with the doors barred and the windows shuttered.”

  Elddreki chuckled. “I can see how that would be difficult. I don’t mind staying here. I will investigate the exterior of the cave, and see if I find anything else of interest.”

  “Good plan,” said Kincaid politely, but the dragon had already turned away to begin his explorations, sniffing at the opening like a dog on a scent.

  It only took about fifteen minutes to reach the town, and they walked in unbroken silence. Perhaps Kincaid had finally accepted the futility of trying to get Jocelyn to speak.

  This town was the first they had passed since the village near which they had slept. The memory of her trip into that hamlet was fresh in Jocelyn’s mind, but she felt no fe
ar as she entered this town beside Kincaid, by the light of a hot afternoon sun. Still, this town seemed no more prosperous than the last one.

  Thanks to the time of day, they were more fortunate in finding market stalls. Jocelyn trailed behind Kincaid, letting him do the talking as he gathered the supplies he thought would help them in the cave. A rope was easy to acquire, as was charcoal, although Jocelyn couldn’t imagine what Kincaid wanted with that item. They had to traipse all over the town before Kincaid was able to find parchment. He grimaced at Jocelyn after the purchase was made, clearly aware he had paid far too much for it, but it couldn’t be helped in such a remote location.

  Jocelyn had been feeling gradually more uncomfortable as Kincaid spent his own money on items which were as much for her use as his. She wished she had something to contribute, but no coins had magically appeared in her pack since the day before. She did consider offering her bracelet, but she wasn’t given the opportunity. Kincaid looked up from the purchase of a pair of oil lamps to see her playing with it, and once again demonstrated his uncanny ability to guess what she was thinking. He reached over quickly, placing his hand over her wrist, as if securing the bracelet in place.

  “No,” he said, his voice soft. “Keep it. I have enough coins.”

  Jocelyn felt her heartbeat pick up a little at the unexpected contact, but she met his look evenly, her forehead creased. It didn’t seem right to let him pay, but she decided not to argue with him.

  She recanted on this decision a short time later, however, when she realized Kincaid was bartering with an eagle-eyed woman for a dress. Jocelyn had been looking away, distracted by the wrestle of a nearby boy with his trio of goats. But her attention returned abruptly to the conversation when the woman seized her arms and held them out, assessing her size in a shrill voice.

  Jocelyn shook her head frantically, her cheeks flaming. Neither Kincaid nor the woman paid her any heed. She grabbed Kincaid’s arm.