The dragons circled wide out over the ocean, going so far at one point that Brianna couldn’t see the shore. Then they angled back in toward the mountains. They were well ahead of the enemy army now. She guessed the attack would come late the following afternoon. It was well past midnight when she arrived back at Walheta’s Gate. She sent the dragons to find food and rest. They would be needed the next day, but for the rest of the night they could do as they pleased.
She slid off Ryzzo’s back and flipped her way to the ground. She was still covered in flame, but found a blanket that had been left in the back of a supply wagon. It was damp but Brianna didn’t care. She folded the blanket around her and went into the feasting hall. The room was dark, the fire having died down. She found food and went to Mansel’s room.
“Nycoll,” she whispered. “Nycoll its Brianna.”
She knocked gently on the door and soon it opened.
“Brianna?”
“It’s me. I need clothes.”
“What happened to your clothes?” Nycoll asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.
“They burned up, you know?” Brianna said with a lopsided smile.
“Oh, ok, just a second.”
A moment later Nycoll came out onto the balcony landing with clothes—a pair of baggy pants and a woollen shirt. Brianna had to roll up the sleeves and trouser legs. Nycoll found a leather belt and Brianna pulled it tight.
“Thank you,” she said.
“It’s nothing. Are you alright?”
“No,” Brianna said. “You better wake Mansel and Quinn. Have them meet me in King Wilam’s rooms.”
“Okay,” Nycoll said.
Brianna went to the large anteroom that led to Wilam’s sleeping chamber. She couldn’t believe the man she knew would take control of the dragons, but there was no other explanation. He had given them an order and somehow the dragons were powerless to resist. That order had led to their deaths, Brianna was sure of that. She had hoped perhaps Tig had survived and would be nearby, but she hadn’t felt the small, blue dragon’s presence.
Her anger was so great that it took all her self control not to set the whole feasting hall ablaze. She opened the door to a dark room. It surprised her a little that none of the king’s men were in the anteroom, but she pushed on, expecting to find the injured king in his bed. She kicked open the door and set her hand ablaze to give light in the dark room. It was empty.
“What’s going on?” Mansel asked.
“Where’s Wilam?” Brianna demanded.
“He pulled back,” Quinn said. “It took some convincing, but he didn’t need to be here when the enemy arrived. The Royal Guard took him back to Green Glenn yesterday afternoon.”
Brianna felt the tears streaking down her face, but there was no way to stop them.
“What’s wrong?” Quinn asked.
“That damn fool found a way to control the dragons,” Brianna explained. She sank onto the little bed, the flame in her hand dying down to a single flickering tongue of fire.
Nycoll came into the room with a lamp, and turned up the wick so they could all see.
“He’s got control of the dragons?” Quinn asked softly.
“Not all of them,” she said, through her tears. “Just Selix, Gyia, and Tig. He discovered how his father had done it and now he’s doing it too.”
“Well, I’m sure that’s not great news, but it isn’t the end of the world, is it?” Quinn asked, placing a hand Brianna’s shoulder.
“He sent them to their deaths,” she said and her whole body shook with sobs.
“Bastard!” Mansel said.
“What can we do?” Quinn asked.
“Nothing,” Brianna said, collapsing back on the bed and covering her face with her hands. “It’s too late now. They’re gone.”
Nycoll found a blanket and Quinn stayed with Brianna. She cried herself to sleep and dreamed of Zollin. He was in a dark corridor, but he wasn’t afraid. He just lay there, in the darkness, not moving, not caring about anything.
“Zollin,” Brianna said, but he didn’t hear her, so she shouted. “Zollin!”
He stirred, his eyes blinking softly in the darkness. Brianna had grown used to the ability to see in the dark, and she often forgot that other people couldn’t. It was strange to see Zollin straining to see. She felt sorry for him. She tried to go to him but she couldn’t. No matter how hard she tried, she never got any closer to him. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that she couldn’t hold him, couldn’t comfort him.
“Oh, Zollin,” she cried.
“Brianna?”
“Why have you given up?”
“What? I don’t know what’s happening.”
“You have to come back to me, Zollin. I’ve lost so much. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You aren’t,” he said, but there was no confidence in his voice.
“Don’t give up,” she said.
Then she woke up. Quinn was looking over her with concern.
“You all right, dear?” he asked.
“Yes,” Brianna said, the pain of realizing she had only been dreaming and Zollin wasn’t there with her was like an open wound. “I was just having a bad dream.”
“I understand,” Quinn said. “But you’re safe now. The sun is just coming up. Do you want to sleep some more?”
“No,” Brianna replied, an edge returning to her voice. “I have to find King Wilam.”
“He’s in Green Glenn, but General Hausey has operational command of the army.”
“Tell him the dragons and I will be back, but we have to find King Wilam.”
“Alright,” Quinn said, he looked puzzled but he didn’t argue.
“Thank you for staying with me, Quinn.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said softly. “Do you always see him in your dreams?”
“Who?” Brianna asked.
“Zollin,” Quinn said sadly.
“No,” she said. “I don’t.”
He nodded but didn’t say more.
Brianna got up and splashed cold water onto her face. There was a soft towel next to the basin and she dried her face with it. Then she tied her hair back into a ponytail with a leather thong. She started to leave but Quinn caught her arm.
“The enemy will arrive today?” he asked.
“They will. Probably this afternoon.”
“Well then,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “If I don’t see you again I want you to know something.”
“Don’t talk like that Quinn,” she said, but there was no confidence in her voice.
“You and I both know the odds of us surviving are slim. You stay in the air, stay with your pride of dragons. We don’t know what may become of Zollin, but I’d feel better knowing he had you to come home too, even if you are in love with King Wilam.”
Brianna’s face darkened with anger.
“No,” she said boldly. “I love Zollin and I won’t deny it anymore. Not for a king, or his army, or anyone else.”
Quinn smiled, but he didn’t respond.
“I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around Quinn’s neck.
“And I love you too. I couldn’t love you more if you were my natural born daughter.”
He kissed her check and they pulled away from each other. Brianna gave him one last smile and then she hurried away. She didn’t want him to see the tears in her eyes. She was almost out of the feasting hall when Mansel spoke from a dark corner near the door.
“You leaving without saying goodbye?” he asked.
“I didn’t know you were up yet,” Brianna said, hesitating by the door.
“It’s hard to sleep the night before a battle,” he said.
“I wish you didn’t have to fight,” Brianna said. “I wish you could take Quinn and Nycoll and leave right now.”
“And miss all the fun? I don’t think so.”
“It won’t be fun,” Brianna warned. “You stay with Quinn and look after each other. I’ll try to check on you when I can.�
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“Brianna, the little girl from Tranaugh Shire, always so bold,” Mansel said. He was smiling and the tone in his voice was wistful. “Who would have thought you would be checking on me in a battle.”
“I always did,” she said, then she slipped out the door.
The dragons were waiting. They were anxious. Sorva swooped down and landed near Brianna. An image of Brianna riding on the black dragon flashed into her mind. Sorva was smaller than Selix or Ferno, but still big. Brianna had made only one of the many dragons she had fashioned out of stone deep in the heart of the mountains a black dragon. Bartoom was the ancient beast that had ravaged northern Yelsia, destroying whole villages in its quest for gold. Her dragons hadn’t fallen under the spell of gold yet, but she knew in time they would. As they became more independent and more acquainted with the ways of man, they too would seek gold. The rare metal was both a healing agent and a comfort for the dragons, Brianna had learned that much from Bartoom. But she had been leery of fashioning a dragon who would be associated with Bartoom. Sorva was similar in temperament, but different in build. Sorva had a shorter neck and taller body than the others. Where most of the dragons looked out of place on the ground, Sorva looked right at home. The black beast had four powerful legs, and could run on the ground almost like a horse. It also had a tail that split into three sections, like a trident, each ending in a flat, bony tip that was deadly to any creature that got too close.
“Alright,” Brianna said. “But if you get tired we have to switch.”
Sorva growled. The black dragon had a long snout with curved fangs that protruded up and over its top lip. Smoke billowed from the large nostrils as Sorva's growl rumbled in the beast’s thick chest.
Brianna sprang into the air and settled lightly on Sorva’s back. The black dragon’s back was narrow at the top and Brianna realized it would be easier to ride on Sorva’s back than any of the other dragons. Sorva leapt into the air and soon they were soaring south, the remaining eight dragons following along behind them. The clouds were dark and angry looking, pushing lower and lower to the ground, or perhaps the ground was rising higher and higher above sea level, Brianna wasn’t sure. Soon they were flying through snow and her clothes were soaked.
It took them less than an hour to fly from Walheta’s Gate to Green Glenn, but Brianna was shivering by the time they arrived. They circled over the encampment and saw soldiers positioned outside the small inn. Brianna guessed the inn was the best place for King Wilam to rest. His wounds were severe and the trip north would have weakened him. She was so angry at Wilam that she didn’t notice Tig at first. The small blue dragon was in a little pen that was filled with hay. It lay still, its head down, but Brianna saw Tig’s eyes watching her and the other dragons.
Brianna didn’t wait for Sorva to swoop down. Instead she stood up, spreading her arms and let the air catch her. She flew backward off of Sorva and then dove straight down. She danced and twirled on the updrafts just enough to slow her descent. Then she landed near the pen were Tig was resting.
“Are you alone?” Brianna asked the dragon.
Tig’s eyes followed her, but it did not speak or move. Brianna vaulted over the fence and came near Tig, placing her hand on the dragon’s head. Tig was bruised and there were small lacerations along its softer underbelly. Brianna sighed. Tig was fast and agile, but it hadn’t flown through the gauntlet of Leffers unscathed.
“I will free you soon,” Brianna swore. “One way or another you will be free, I swear it.”
Tig growled softly, almost a purr, and then Brianna stood up.
“You aren’t supposed to be in there,” said a soldier who came walking toward the pen.
“I’m not?” she asked. “Why?”
“King’s orders?”
“King Wilam?”
“Yes.”
“Take me to him.”
“I’m sorry?” he said in surprise.
“I want to see King Wilam,” Brianna repeated.
“No one is seeing the king,” the soldier said.
“Not even his betrothed?”
The soldier looked confused.
“I am Brianna, soon to be King Wilam’s queen.”
“I’m sorry, my lady, I didn’t recognize you in those clothes.”
Brianna didn’t respond, she just jumped over the fence and started walking toward the inn. The soldier had to hurry to keep up with her.
“How is he?” she asked over her shoulder.
“The king? I’m not sure, my lady. We just guard the inn.”
“You’re not a Royal Guard,” Brianna said.
“No, I’m actually just a volunteer. The King insisted that most of the Royal Guard stay with General Hausey. He has a half dozen of his guards in the inn with him. The rest of us just watch the perimeter.
“I see,” Brianna said.
There were more soldiers near the door of the inn. As they approached two of the guards lowered their spears.
“Oi, Dynal, what are you doing?” one of them asked.
“I’m escorting her ladyship to see the king,” the soldier named Dynal said.
“Are you sure? She doesn’t look like the King’s bride.”
Brianna smiled and Sorva came flying low over the inn, roaring angrily.
“Oh!” said the soldier. “Forgive me my lady, I didn’t recognize you.”
Brianna didn’t bother to reply. She pressed forward and the guards raised their spears. Inside the inn Brianna found a hive of activity. There were people preparing meals in the kitchen. On the long tables women worked hard fletching arrows. In another corner a group of women were preparing bandages and other supplies that would be sent out to the troops. Brianna looked to the small staircase and found two of the king’s Royal Guards standing shoulder to shoulder blocking access to the floor above where the guest rooms were located.
Brianna went straight to the guards and presented herself.
“I am Brianna, the king’s betrothed. I’m here to see him.”
“The king isn’t seeing anyone,” said one of the guards.
“He will see me,” Brianna insisted.
“He’s resting. Wait here and when he wakes perhaps he will see you.”
Brianna sighed. Then she jumped. The two guards weren’t expecting trouble and Brianna didn’t seem like much of a threat to the two burly men. She flipped over their heads and landed on the platform halfway up the staircase. The voices in the common room all fell silent.
“What the hell?” said the guard, as both men turned and looked up at Brianna, their hands on their throwing knives.
“I don’t want trouble,” Brianna said, producing a large tongue of fire over her hand. “I’m going to see King Wilam.”
The two guards looked at each other and shrugged. Brianna went up the stairs and found a long hallway. At the end of the hall were two more guards. Brianna approached them and was surprised they didn’t challenge her. They merely stepped aside. She pushed open the door and found a large room, with several well made wooden chairs near a small fireplace. Opposite from the sitting area was a large bed. King Wilam was propped on pillows, his face glistening with sweat. He had no shirt on, but he wore the royal crown. Brianna frowned, surprised to see Wilam wearing the crown. She had never known him to be one to cling to the trappings of royalty.
There were two guardsmen in the room, sitting in the straight backed wooden chairs. They stood up as Brianna entered. There was also a healer rinsing cloths in a wash basin. Brianna guessed the healer had recently changed the king’s bandages.
“It’s okay,” the healer said. “It’s His Highness’ betrothed.”
The royal guards relaxed and Brianna crossed to the healer.
“He’s got a fever, but it isn’t too worrisome. I’m keeping him bathed with cool water. You can help if you like.”
“No,” Brianna said. “I have work to do. Will he live?”
“Of course,” the healer said. “Unless there’s some unforeseen compl
ication.”
“Good. Can he talk?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t wake him.”
“Wilam!” Brianna snapped. “Wake up!”
The guards looked alarmed but Wilam’s eyes fluttered open and he looked at Brianna.
“What have you done?” she asked, tears streaking down her face.
Wilam shook his head, but didn’t speak.
“Don’t ignore me!” Brianna said. “You killed them. You know that, right? Selix and Gyia are dead and it’s your fault.”
“Really, my lady,” scolded the healer. “I don’t think this is the time or the place-“
“He will answer my questions!” Brianna said loudly.
The guards stood up, drawing their short swords and moving toward Brianna. She turned and faced them, flames erupting from her hands and around her head. The guards hesitated, their eyes wide with surprise.
“I will have an answer,” Brianna demanded.
The guards didn’t move.
“I am king,” Wilam said weakly. “I did as I thought best.”
“I asked you what you discovered about controlling the dragons. You lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie,” he said. “I only recently discovered what I could do.”
“But why did you do it?” Brianna said, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “Why?”
“I need them here, to protect me. I’m the king.”
“Well they aren’t here,” Brianna said. “Because they were slaughtered. Don’t you see that you can’t control them. It’s inhumane. They have to do what you tell them even if it means flying straight into a horde of Leffers. They died because of you.”
“I know that,” Wilam said, his face darkening with anger and a crazy light shining in his eyes. “But this is a war. We all have to make sacrifices.”
“Don’t,” Brianna said. “Don’t turn into your father.”
“I am king and I will do as I please, woman.”
“Tell me how you’re controlling them,” she demanded.
“I will not.”
“Wilam,” Brianna said, her voice measured but the anger in her tone was all too clear. “You will tell me how you are doing it or I swear to you, I’ll will burn this inn down with you in it.”
Five Kingdoms: Book 07 - Wizard Falling Page 18