Dragon Through Darkness

by T R Kerby

  "You shouldn't." She walked away, but left the book.

  Chapter 29

  Lalaith rushed toward camp, still reeling from her revelation. She stopped short at the fifty men surrounding her party. They made no move toward their weapons, but her people had swords drawn and were backed into a knot against the beached ship.

  The wind carried their voices. "Your Commander sends us to take you to him. Sheath your weapons, we mean you no harm."

  Tegedir sent them? Why did he not come himself? Apparently Erien wanted the same answer. "Why isn't he with you?" she asked.

  "He is the guest of our king. We were dispatched to save time and allow your Commander and his group a chance to recover from the trials of their journey. You will sail south after you arrive. Keep your weapons as a token of our faith."

  Lalaith trotted down the slope. Though it might be a trap, what choice did she have? They were outnumbered and they would die before they revealed her. Her cloak hood blew off and she didn't bother to replace it. Concealing what she was made no difference. "I am Commander here. You address me."

  At her voice, the entire group faced her. To her shock, they took a knee. "Forgive us, Lady," their leader said. "Commander Tegedir calls for you to join him. We are to escort you. We brought extra horses."

  "Give us a moment to confer. Alone."

  He led his men to the trees.

  Badger Company cocooned her in the safety of their bodies. "I don't like it," Erien said.

  "We are outnumbered five to one. They are better armed and clearly trained. I will not have you all die on this beach."

  "This beach is as good a place as any."

  "What if they're telling the truth? What if Tegedir did send them?"

  "He didn't. They have no password."

  Lalaith blinked at the realization that she understood little about the tactical aspects of their world. "He must be their prisoner. These men knew where we camped and obviously know Tegedir as our Commander." She refused to speak the other possibility - that their information came from torture. The faces surrounding her sought an answer she was unqualified to give. "Erien, please advise me."

  "We go with them, but we follow at a short distance. When we approach their settlement, we demand to see the others before proceeding. Chances are it will still end poorly, but at least it gives us an opportunity. They can take us by force at their whim, but not without losses on their side, too. They'll want to avoid a fight if possible."

  "If they meant to force us, why not disarm us here and now?"

  "They could be telling the truth. Or they could lead us to a place that gives them an even greater advantage. Would you not be a superb bargaining chip if I wanted something Tegedir wasn't inclined to deliver?"

  They could use her against her mate. She shouldn't have come. She put him at risk with her presence. She should have stayed with Narthan and let Tegedir pursue the egg alone. "I've endangered you all by coming."

  Erien gripped her arm. "I would have died had you not come. We'll face this next problem head on." Erien straightened. "What are your orders... Commander?"

  Lalaith squared her shoulders. It was time she acted like the Commander they needed, with help and advice of course. "We do as Erien suggests. We accept their extra horses. Do not allow them to surround us. If it appears we are to be ambushed, we escape in the best way possible and regroup to rescue our people."

  They saluted her as one.

  "Gather what supplies we have left." She took Cirrus' hand. "This is not your affair. You and your men have no reason to accompany us. Thank you for your help."

  He kissed her fingers. "I wish you well. Perhaps our paths will cross again."

  She approached the outsiders and presented her terms. They agreed and brought the horses forward. Lalaith and her Company mounted and followed at a reasonable distance. She glanced back and Cirrus waved farewell as the mist obscured her view. When it cleared, he was gone.

  At sunset, they camped separate from their escort and posted a watch. Erien sat on her blanket near the fire, a dark stain soaked her thigh.

  "You're bleeding again. It was too soon for you to ride," Lalaith said.

  "Imagine what it would be like if I'd walked."

  "You always find the positive side, don't you?"

  Erien gave a short laugh. "Someone has to offset my brother's less than sunny disposition."

  "Your brother is a good man and a steadfast warrior. I have the utmost faith in him."

  "You see something in him most don't."

  "Aric hides behind his bravado, but Tegedir and I know what he is."

  "Thank you for that."

  "Let me tend your leg." Lalaith sat next to her.

  "Not tonight," she said. "When we get where we're going. If something happens, I don't want to be caught with my pants down."

  "Thank you for your help earlier. I'm out of my element."

  "My advice may prove to be our demise, but you're welcome."

  Lalaith passed a sleepless night, aware of every rustle and shift. By dawn they were on the move again. The ocean boomed into the coastline and faded to a distant rumble as they delved deeper into the ancient forest. Snow muffled the horses' footfalls. Their escort talked and laughed among themselves while Lalaith's people stayed silent and alert.

  A palisade of spiked tree trunks came into view. Erien raised her hand and they halted. The escort stopped and Lalaith rode forward, positioning herself at the front of her troop. "Send out our people before we come any closer," she said. "Let us see them."

  "You can see them when you get inside. There's hot food and comfortable beds for you," their leader said. "King Lyov awaits you."

  "We will wait. And so can he."

  A murmur passed among the escort and more than a few frowns formed. The leader bowed his head. "As you wish, Lady." He gestured and three riders galloped away toward the fortress. "It will take a few moments if you care to dismount."

  "We're fine as we are." Lalaith stared across the open space between them and calculated the distance.

  "We're beyond arrow range," Erien whispered.

  "I'm glad you're here."

  "It is my honor."

  Several minutes later, the escort stirred and split in two. Lalaith stiffened. What were they doing? She exhaled and relaxed when Tegedir strode toward her with the confidence that inspired others to follow him without question. Randir walked on his right. Trinn and Aric behind. Armed and armored.

  She hopped from her horse and ran into Tegedir's strong embrace. It reassured her everything was right with the world, even if it wasn't. He smiled. "I'm glad to see you," he said.

  "And I, you."

  He looked over her head. "Erien, lead them inside." She saluted him and brushed her brother's hand as she rode past.

  Tegedir returned his attention to Lalaith. "There is a lot to explain, and much to tell you."

  "I have had a revelation myself."

  "I can't wait to hear." He offered his elbow and she took it.

  On the fortress stairs waited a man, white headed with a close cropped beard. A silver circlet sat on his brow and matching buttons trimmed his tunic.

  Caeth stood next to him. Cocksure and proud. Nothing like the reclusive urchin they'd brought with them. He smiled at her, but it was not a smile she found endearing.

  The older man descended the steps. "I am King Lyov. Welcome to our home. I never thought the day would come when we would entertain Zinotti, let alone a Dragonlord and his exquisite mate. Unfortunately, our time here is short, as we have a mutual errand."

  "Mutual errand?"

  Tegedir gave her fingers a light squeeze. "King Lyov and his grandson, Prince Caeth, have agreed to assist us in regaining our children."

  She glanced at him and noted the caution concealed behind his smile. She gave Lyov a slight bow. "In that case, we are in their debt."

  "Come," Lyov said. "You must be tired. You may have dinner together in my hall. A reunion calls for feasting."<
br />
  "You are too kind."

  As she walked next to Tegedir through the halls, her unease grew. Though he appeared calm, she could sense his tension. He opened the door to his room and followed her inside. Someone dropped the bar into place. She didn't expect to be a prisoner after the welcome they'd received. "What is —"

  He touched a finger to her lips and pulled her against him. His lips warmed her ear as he whispered, "I have made an alliance I do not like, with a man we cannot trust, to gain something we must have. Our children."

  Chapter 30

  Thera expected Murdoc to take the book back, but she never did. Thera tucked it into her bedding. She'd give it to Tegedir unread, despite her raging curiosity.

  Murdoc read with Neva, sounding out words and being corrected by the six year old. She explored each book in her trunk, learning history and medicine, laughing at fairy tales and living the excitement of great adventures. And that was four books. What could she form herself into with an entire library at her disposal?

  "Where will you go when this is finished?" Thera asked.

  "I don't know." Murdoc set the book aside.

  "How do you believe it will end?"

  "I don't know that either." She touched Zila's pale cheek.

  "Surely you won't do what you threatened? It's not who you really are. I understand that now."

  "I will not discuss tactics with you."

  "But it's not tactics. It's children. Innocents."

  Murdoc stalked from the room. Thera leapt to her feet and followed her outside. They stopped at the spring where Murdoc splashed water across her face. "You never quit, do you?"

  "No."

  "Don't press the issue. You won't like the answer. I do what I must to survive."

  "What if there was another way to survive? And not only survive, but thrive, too? Become the something more you dreamed about?"

  Murdoc glared down her nose at Thera.

  "You've already learned to read. What if you could learn other things? What if you learned to trust someone?"

  She rolled her eyes and looked away. "Then I'd be a fool."

  "What if you came to live with us?"

  Her bark of laughter rang from the stone walls and echoed through the trees. "No doubt your people will welcome me with open arms after I infiltrated their safe haven, abducted their children, threatened them with death. They'd throw a party and make me the guest of honor... at my own execution. Don't be ridiculous, Thera."

  "I can talk to them. Make them understand."

  "It will never happen. If I were your Commander, I'd use the opportunity to imprison me and have my vengeance."

  "But you're not him. He's not like that."

  "Every parent is like that when their child is threatened."

  "Let me try."

  "No."

  "You're scared." Thera smiled.

  "I am not."

  "Yes you are. Afraid of letting down your guard."

  "I've suffered enough betrayal. Not volunteering for more." Murdoc snatched the water bucket and dunked it into the spring. Water swirled into the wooden container and some splashed free as she hoisted it out.

  "We've all experienced betrayal, but you can't let it stop you from trusting every single person."

  "What do you know about betrayal?"

  "Too much."

  Murdoc snorted. "I bet." She started around her with the bucket.

  "My brother and my father betrayed the entire Order. Cost hundreds of lives." Thera's lower lip quivered and tears flooded her eyes. "I live with the shame and shock and guilt every day. I loved them so much. I didn't believe it at first although it was true."

  Murdoc shifted the bucket. "At least they didn't sell you for favor."

  "Because they were stopped. My brother would have made me and my mother into mindless brood mares. His sick idea of peace and freedom." Thera stepped closer and reached for the bucket. "Give me a chance. Let me talk to them. You could belong somewhere. Be part of something."

  Murdoc didn't give her the pail. "They'd slit my throat while I slept."

  Neva raced toward them. "Come quick," she huffed. "Zila's not breathing."

  The bucket slipped from Murdoc's fingers. They sprinted to the cave. One of the men held the blanket aside. Another squatted beside Zila. "Tried to rouse her, Cap'."

  "Get out." Murdoc dropped to her knees on the pallet.

  The men hurried from the room as Thera knelt next to Murdoc. Zila's skin was grey as the morning ash and her chest ceased to rise. Murdoc pressed her ear to her daughter's chest. Her eyes slid closed and she stayed there for a long moment.

  Thera dared not speak.

  Murdoc sat up and stroked her daughter's hair. "I wanted her to grow up safe. Away from the diseased minds of Ilok men. Free from their violence and their hatred. She was sweet and kind. I would die to protect her from a fate like mine." A tear slipped down her cheek.

  Thera touched Murdoc's shoulder and opened a floodgate. Murdoc turned her face into Thera's shoulder and wept. Her body quivered as she cried, and Thera shed tears of her own.

  As the sobbing subsided to a few sporadic hiccups, Murdoc withdrew and wiped her eyes. "I wanted to save them both."

  "Both?"

  "My son."

  Thera straightened the blanket covering the dead girl. What son? Where was he now?

  "I failed them."

  "Where is your son?"

  "I let him return to that horrible place. He insisted on helping to save his sister. If they took the route I told them to, they should be safe. They won't cross Ilok land, just skirt its border."

  "Caeth? He's your son?"

  "He's seventeen. A man, how could I stop him? How could I deny his desire to save her?"

  Sweet Alimarae preserve her. Tegedir had Murdoc's son, and she had his. It was a checkmate and Tegedir didn't know. Unless he'd figured it out, in which case an exchange could be made. Murdoc could not hurt the twins without risking the death of her own son. A grievous tactical error on her part. Thera surprised herself with the thought. Murdoc must be rubbing off on her.

  "So you see, little girl. Love is our downfall. I loved my children enough to give away my advantage. His insistence tied my hands, and I will pay the price."

  "Let me help you," Thera said. "We can make it right."

  "How?"

  "Let me send a message to Narthan. Tell him you wish to release the children and surrender. Your men can leave uncontested. My people will recognize your intentions are honorable. Your son will be safe, as will you. No harm will come to either of you. I give you my word."

  "I abducted his children."

  "Out of desperation. And you'll return them safe." Hope sparked in Thera as the words flowed. "You could have a life. A good one. It might take some time, but it could be yours."

  Murdoc lifted the blanket over Zila's peaceful face.

  "If you won't do it for yourself, do it for your son. Give him the kind of life you wanted."

  Murdoc's nod was so slight Thera almost missed it.

  Neva's shrill scream brought them to their feet and through the curtain.

  "Don't touch him!" Neva struggled in the arms of one of Murdoc's men while Brannon clawed and scratched like a cat in the clutches of another.

  "What's going on?" Murdoc's voice brought the shouting to silence.

  "They tried to get together," someone explained. "You said not to let them."

  "I told you to keep them apart, not let them get together in the first place."

  "They slipped past us. Because of... you know." He gestured at the curtain.

  "The death of my daughter does not grant you leave to abandon your duty."

  "She died?" Brannon stopped wiggling.

  Murdoc addressed her men. "Prepare a pyre, then pack camp."

  "Sorry, Cap'." They muttered and dropped their heads.

  "What happens to us?" Brannon asked.

  "Put him in his room," Murdoc said.

  Neva cried as
Brannon was led past her. At the last moment, he dove toward her and she reached for him.

  "No!" Murdoc ran forward.

  The twin's fingertips touched and a brilliant blue bolt of energy crackled into the air. A silver sphere engulfed them in a blinding flash searing the image from Thera's view. A shockwave snuffed the torches and knocked the wind from her. She staggered backward, thrown against the stone walls. She rolled into a ball and protected her head as rubble rained and crashed around her.

  Chapter 31

  Tegedir needed sleep, but it never came. He filled Lalaith in on what he'd learned regarding his elusive family and she told him about the prophecy. That gave him a measure of comfort. His children would survive. But in whose hands?

  Other factors also weighed heavy on him. He was leading an army to Aernan's doorstep without a warning to Narthan. The thought kept him staring at the ceiling until banging on the door told him it was daybreak.

  Lyov waited in the courtyard surrounded by his men. One hundred strong. Twice the number Tegedir anticipated. Lyov greeted him. "I trust your dinner was satisfactory last night and you are rested."

  Tegedir took the reins of the horses offered to him. "Dinner was excellent. We thank you." He helped Lalaith into the saddle and mounted his own horse. His people gathered around. They looked better for their meals and comfortable beds. He needed an opportunity to speak with them alone, but doubted he'd be given a chance.

  "Ride with me, Dragonlord," Lyov said. "We have much to discuss."

  Tegedir trotted his horse to the front as the column passed through the gate and rode west toward the sea. As he overtook Lyov's soldiers, he inventoried their weapons. Swords, spears, crossbows, daggers. A few shields. He suspected their bags held the noxious clay pots they'd used to drive Randir and the others from their shelter. It could be employed to force Murdoc from her lair, but he didn't want it used on his twins.

  His stirrup bumped Lyov's and he drew his horse to a walk. "This many men to catch one woman?"

  "You do not know her like I do."

  "Guess she's not that weak." Tegedir kept his eyes forward as he said it.