The Emerald Dagger (Daradawn Book 2)

by Barbara Hodges

  She heard the door open behind her, flooding the cabin with the scents of damp grass, trees, and him. She would know his smell anywhere —" a mix of leather, spices, and a hint of chocolate. What woman could not love a man who smelled of chocolate? "You hungry?"

  "I could eat."

  Kelsey smiled. He always could, even with a horde of Black Vipers skulking in the hills around them.

  "There's some apples here, and bread and cheese." She gathered everything together and laid it on the table. Without conscious thought, she began to peel and quarter the apple just the way he liked it.

  Rourk covered her hand with his. "You need not. I can see to it myself."

  Kelsey went very still. She closed her eyes as the heat from his hand traveled her arm. "No," she said, opening her eyes. "You see to the horses and I take care of the meal." She pushed the apple slices toward him. "See, already finished."

  He picked up a slice of apple and popped it into his mouth. Mesmerized, she watched as he chewed. Sweet Goddess, why am I torturing myself? "It's white cheese. Okay?"

  "Fine."

  She watched as he tore a piece of bread from the round loaf, the firelight illuminating the fine reddish hairs on the back of each hand. She noticed a crooked white line across the span of his left hand. When had it happened? Why the scar? Helena or Margeaux could heal any wound without leaving a mark of any kind.

  "You're looking at my hand," Rourk said. He held it up and looked at it himself. "Ugly, isn't it?" He glanced at her. "You want to know why I have it."

  Kelsey shrugged.

  "I received it the night I sought Caitlan." His voice grew harsh. "A razor-vine sliced it as I turned over her savaged body. Bread?"

  She tore off a chunk and handed it to him. Should I tell him my marriage is off? Could we still make it work? I have to go back and face Duncan. I could go back early, tell Duncan and still return to Daradawn.

  The fairie king was a boorish bully. No doubt some of his subjects had fled to start a new village of their own. And as for Zara, Regan could handle her. What help can I be with a dragon?

  And what about the wolf demons? A voice inside her head chided.

  What demons? It was regular forest wolves that brought Zara's son down. Granted, it would take a huge pack, but she'd seen them in action, and a large pack working in unison could do it.

  Yes. An obligatory visit to Enid-Etain, and then she'd go back through the rift and sever her ties. Daradawn was where she belonged. Kelsey smiled. She would keep it for a surprise for when everything was settled.

  *****

  Just ahead of him, Peter watched the stiff-backed form of his son. Stilted quiet reigned between them. The moonlight vanished and he glanced upward. Dense, gray clouds scudded across the sky and shrouded the moon. Zipper stumbled.

  Peter rode Skylar up beside the pony and touched Daniel's arm. "We will stop here."

  Without meeting Peter's eyes, Daniel reined the pony in.

  "We will await dawn. I will not risk the pony's welfare." He heard his son's sharp intake of air and peered at him. "You are all right?"

  Daniel slid from Zipper's back. "I'm fine."

  Peter's glance slid over his son's woolen jerkin. "The night grows chill. Are you warm enough?"

  A ray of moonlight escaped the clouds and shown upon Daniel's slight form. His face was pinched with cold. Swearing beneath his breath, Peter dismounted and slipped his own jerkin over his son's head.

  "Put this on. If you take ill, your mother will have my hide for a new pair of boots." His breath formed a cloud with each word as he wrapped the jerkin around Daniel's trembling shoulders. This will not do. We should have remained at the cottage for the rest of the night. I let Regan's urgency to hold our son blind my common sense. He sighed. What is done is done. Now we need a fire. Peter glanced up and down the trail, but their path contained only brown, soggy pine needles. No matter. He would see to their warmth.

  He drew the Power upward from within. A small marble-sized sphere of blue blossomed in his palms. He stared at it, willing it to grow. It enlarged, filling his palms. He parted his hands and the blue ball hovered in the air before him. Its warmth radiated, bathing his face. "Come, stand near."

  Daniel moved to within inches of the ball, and Peter watched the pinched expression slowly fade from his son's face.

  Peter's knees began to quake and threatened to deposit him on the ground. Damnation. He still remained weak in his use of the Power since his healing of Kelsey. How long can I hold the Power in this form? He pressed his lips together. Until dawn and the sun's rays warm us, if I need to.

  "Sit," Peter said, dropping where he stood. Daniel's eyes widened, but he settled down on the damp pine needles beside his father.

  Peter stared into Daniel's face, startled by the angles he saw there. When had his son's baby chubbiness vanished? What he saw now were the features of the man to be. He grows up, and I do not notice.

  "Daniel," he said.

  "Yes, Father?"

  "If you wish to foster with Lord Hafgan, I will not hinder you."

  The boy's shoulders slumped. "But Momma…"

  "I will make her understand."

  Daniel rapidly blinked his eyes. "It is for the best. Catherine will need all your time for her training."

  Peter leaned close and peered into his son's face. Those were not the words of a five-year-old. Whose thoughts did he parrot?

  "Your mother and I have been wrong in not paying more attention to you, but we love you and want you to remain with us."

  Daniel looked away. His voice quivered as he spoke. "Catherine's got the blue flame mark, and I don't."

  "Yes, your baby sister has been chosen by the Power, and she will need us all in her training as she grows. Your mother and I cannot do it alone. What if we are called away?"

  "Help train? Me?"

  Peter lowered his head so his son could not see his smile. "Simple exercises will sharpen her control. All practice sessions will not require a user of the Power to oversee."

  "She'll have to do as I say?"

  Peter nodded. "We need your help but, if you wish to go to Hafgan, we will not stop you. What is it you wish to foster in?"

  Daniel drew back his shoulders. "I will be a great warrior like Rourk, or Queen's-Commander like Aunt Kelsey."

  "A noble ambition," Peter said. "Do you need to start your training at five years of age?"

  Daniel did not answer.

  "Rourk is at Raya. Would it not be better to take your training from him?"

  Daniel's face brightened. "Rourk will train me?"

  "I will ask him to do so. At Raya, the boys do not enter their training until they are ten years of age. Can you wait?"

  "When I'm ten, Catherine will be five. Will her training be over by then?"

  "The Power's training never stops. Even now, your mother and I still learn."

  "But if I'm helping with her…?"

  "Your part will be over. By then she will need only those who have the Power for lessons."

  "Then I want to go home."

  Peter felt the tension drain from his body. "Good, son, for it is where I want you to be." He reached and pulled Daniel against him. "Now rest. It will soon be dawn."

  *****

  Peter looked skyward, but the moon might as well not have been there, for the stretching time had brought with it a thick, damp fog. The mage-globe still glowed, but pulsed slower. Peter feared when he tried to stand his legs would not hold him. "Blessed Goddess, will this night ever end?" At the words, Daniel stirred beside him."Sleep," Peter murmured, kissing the top of his son's head.

  The wind sighed through the upper bows of the pines, but did not descend to whisk the growing shroud of fog away. The brush to their right rustled. Peter stiffened, stared into the gloom. When no more sound came, he relaxed.

  Vicious snarls rent the air. Zipper screamed in fright as Skylar trumpeted his war cry. Pain lanced Peter's side and he felt warm blood flow. Another blow struck hi
s head and he toppled forward. He struggled onto his knees. Shaggy beasts, as big as Zipper, were everywhere. They are wolves. But it cannot be. And what is astride them? Fur-covered fairies, the size of Daniel?

  Peter saw Skylar rear and lash out with his hoofs. A wolf-beast yelped and toppled to the ground. The fairie on its back leapt free.

  Peter could see its snarl as it approached the stallion. It held its hands outstretched, and he saw that dagger-pointed nails extended, inches, from each finger. Was that what had made the wound in his side that even now pumped blood and burned as if a hot brand lay upon it? Poison. I have been poisoned. The fairie drew its hand back and made to thrust the nails into the chest of Skylar.

  "No," Peter screamed.

  The fairie whirled to face Peter, and the white stallion broke free and fled into the brush.

  "Daddy! Daddy!"

  Peter struggled to his knees.

  They had tied Daniel's arms and legs together and now carried him toward the panicked pony.

  "No," Peter tried to stand, but his knees buckled.

  Three fairies gripped Zipper's mane, but the pony still reared and bared his teeth.

  "Zipper, hold," Peter cried. At his command, the pony quieted, but even from where he was, he could see its trembling.

  They tossed his son across Zipper's back. From the darkness came the shrill cry of Skylar's rage. A fairie, the only female among them, turned and smiled at Peter. A man's voice came from her lips. "Find. Kill." She pointed to two wolves and the beasts loped into the darkness.

  Peter went rigid. The voice. I know it. It cannot be. "Dirkk?"

  The fairie faced him and again the voice came from her. "You should have killed me. Now I have Regan's son, and you will die." She pointed at Peter. "He is yours. Enjoy the feast." Six wolf-beasts paced toward him, low growls rumbling in their chests. The fairie leapt upon the back of a wolf and rode into the trees, leading Zipper behind.

  "Daniel," Peter cried. "I will come for you, I promise." His son did not answer.

  With lips drawn back in a snarl, one beast stepped closer. Its saliva-dripping canines glowed bone-white in the moonlight.

  Why do they take their time? Why do they not just attack in force? The answer came to him. Dirkk controls them. He wishes to flaunt my helplessness before me.

  Peter felt inside for the Power, but it was just an ember of blue.

  "Do you like my children?" Dirkk's taunting voice came from the closest wolf. "I shape more daily."

  "Give me back my son."

  "Your son? A pity. The boy should have been mine. First you take Tessa from me, and then Crag Castle. And now you claim the woman and child that by all rights should be mine."

  "Regan was never yours," Peter cried, slumping to his side as the world grayed around him. A wolf darted forward. Peter kicked out and caught it on the snout with his heel. It yelped and drew back, shaking its head. He struggled to stand. "I'll send you to hell."

  "Farewell, High Mage Peter," Dirkk said. The wolf tilted its head back and howled a too-human laugh. "Feed and then return."

  The wolf-beasts sprang. Snarls deafened him. Fangs latched onto Peter's ankle, piercing the boot to puncture his skin with the pain of a thousand needles. A blow upon his right shoulder sent him sprawling. His hands flew upward and he grasped a lunging wolf's head. Teeth snapped within inches of his face. More teeth tore into his right upper thigh. Blood dripped into his eyes and he blinked them wildly. Through a bloody haze, he saw that beyond the lunging wolf's head the brush glowed reddish-silver. A wolf cried out, and then another.

  The silver light burned brighter.

  Peter shook his head, tried to clear his eyes.

  A silver form charged from the trees and brush. Hoofs lashed out and a wolf fell.

  It was Skylar.

  Run, Peter tried to scream; you cannot stand against all of them. They will take you down with me. But no, it wasn't just Skylar. His jumbled mind recognized DaKar.

  With the help of a tree, Peter stood. "No. No, there are too many of them."

  Three wolves sprang from the brush. They advanced on Peter.

  Skylar's cry of rage came again from behind him. Peter turned. Silvery-white bodies flowed from the trees. Not only DaKar is here. There are other unicorns. A body crashed into his back and Peter pitched forward onto his knees. Another joined the first, drove Peter's head down onto a sharp rock. Pain exploded and he knew no more.

  *****

  A sudden howl rent the air and as one the surviving wolves turned and fled into the trees.

  Skylar approached Peter and nudged his shoulder. DaKar moved to stand beside the stallion. The unicorn touched his horn to Peter's head. The mage moaned, but did not open his eyes. DaKar turned to survey the rest of his horn herd. A young stallion came forward. He had been the one shadowing the wolf-beasts and had cried the alarm when he had witnessed their attack upon Peter. They had come, but were they in time? DaKar's nostrils quivered at the stench of blood covering the mage's still form. They could not move him, but moved he must be, or he would die.

  The unicorn sent out a silent cry. "Zara, heed my call."

  "I hear."

  "The High Mage has been attacked by the wolf-demons. You must come to carry him to Raya."

  "I cannot."

  "He is the mate of Thea, and you will not come?"

  Rage blasted into the unicorn's mind. "Thea holds Lilith and I prisoner in my own cave."

  "Then send Llyr," DaKar sent. "The mage must be saved."

  "For Thea? I care not." Zara's indifference traveled through the unicorn's thoughts.

  "They have taken Thea's son," DaKar said.

  Silence was the response.

  "Zara?"

  "I think." The dragon's mind-tone was speculative. "One moment."

  "Zara, there is not time." But the connection was severed.

  *****

  Regan lay on the bed, her eyes wide open in the darkness. Catherine curled next to her, a warming form, but the presence of the child was not enough to chase away the chilling dread weighing in her stomach like a stone. When would Peter and Daniel return? She'd expected them both by now.

  "Thea."

  The word startled Regan. She sat up, careful not to waken her daughter. Relief flowed through her. "Zara?"

  "The High Mage is hurt."

  "What?" Regan felt panic rip through her body. "Daniel?"

  "Your son has been taken by the wolf-demons." As mine was. The unspoken words stretched uncomfortably between them.

  Regan surged to her feet. "Where are they?" She sprang toward the chamber door and flung it open, surprising a kneeling maid scrubbing the stone floor. "Stay with my daughter."

  "The High Mage's life flows from him. You've not the time."

  Regan swayed. "No."

  "Release me," Zara bargained, "and I will bring him to you."

  Regan lifted a hand to do so, and then hesitated.

  "Release me, Thea, or your mate will die, and perhaps your son also."

  "You will leave the fairies to me?" Regan said.

  The dragon did not answer.

  Regan leaned her forehead against the chill stone of the stairwell.

  "You tarry and condemn the High Mage to certain death," Zara said.

  "Do not do it, Regan." Peter's voice was as clear in her mind as if he stood before her. "Daniel can yet be saved, and I will not be spared at the cost of thousands."

  But Peter, she silently begged, dropping her hand. "Zara, I can't release you without your promise to leave the fairies alone. Will you give it? Swear by the goddess you will do so."

  Rage blasted Regan's mind, and she sank to her knees and pressed her palms against the sides of her head.

  "I will not promise."

  Tears filled Regan's eyes and overflowed. "Peter, Peter," she murmured despairingly. "Without the promise I cannot free you."

  "So be it, Thea." And the dragon was gone.

  "No," Regan cried. She pushed away from the w
all and sprinted down the stairs. As she rushed into the hallway, she reached upward and touched the opal earring in her left ear. "Kelsey."

  "What?" her sister's startled voice answered.

  "Peter's hurt and Daniel's been taken."

  "No. They should be almost back at the castle."

  "They're not. You've got to find them. I'm rousing the castle, but you've got to look, too."

  "We will." And the connection was broken.

  "Please, Peter, don't you die on me," Regan begged as she ran toward Angus' room.

  *****

  "DaKar," Zara sent. "I cannot come. Thea will not free me."

  The unicorn had settled on the ground next to Peter's still form. Shudders shook the mage. His life force was fading; he could see it in the mage's sallow face.

  "Then Llyr?" he sent.

  "My son still mends. And he has no love for humans."

  "He will do as you command," DaKar pleaded.

  "And if I do not wish to command? Thea has made the choice." The dragon's tone was sullen.

  "I ask it of you. I have seen in the crystal pool there is much strife ahead for Daradawn. We need the High Mage."

  "I care not." Disdain dripped from the dragon's thoughts.

  "Dirkk lives," DaKar sent. "It is he who formed the beasts that slew your son."

  Taut silence stretched before at last the dragon answered. "I will send Llyr, but listen well, Silver One. Thea betrayed me and it will not be forgotten."

  "So be it."

  *****

  The sun's first glow crested the horizon as Angus, Regan, and a score of soldiers readied to leave the castle.

  Regan lifted her eyes toward the morning rays of light. "Goddess, let us be in time."

  Suddenly, the horses neighed in panic and reared. A soldier still afoot pointed skyward. A dark form glided between them and the rising sun.

  "A cloud," Angus said, grunting in disgust. "Control your mounts. Are you but smooth-cheeked boys?"