Ice Dragon Tales

by Hurri Cosmo

  "Actually, I wasn't. The king forced me to stay in my rooms for a while but then... Well, he had a change of heart. He...he forbade me to come to you until now." Kinnabe looked around the room and blushed. "Contrary to what I thought, my prince, he... I think he will be a good king."

  Joron gave Kinnabe one more fierce hug and then pulled away. Surprisingly, he was not at all shocked hearing that about Diagus. He looked up into Kinnabe's moist eyes. "Tell me."

  Kinnabe smiled. "I am so happy to see you, my prince." He looked around the room suspiciously. "I have to say I am not too thrilled to be directed here, to the king's chambers, especially this time of day." He let his gaze come back and rest on Joron. "But you are home again. That's all that matters."

  "Thank you, Kinnabe, but tell me... What is it that makes you think Diagus will make a good king?"

  "I was allowed to be at his first session with the people, my prince. He was magnificent."

  Joron's heart fluttered a bit. He wasn't sure what it meant. He wasn't unhappy about the prospect Diagus would be a good king--quite the opposite. He was looking forward to being released from the obligations he had put himself and his castle servants under by that very thing. So why the twinge in his heart?

  "Let's...let's go and sit down." He turned back into the room. He should try to go somewhere else, should try to go back to his own rooms, pack a bag, but he was not sure his feet would support him that far. There were comfortable, pillow-filled chairs inside this room, and he needed to sit instead of fall. They sat facing each other.

  "So, he is a good king?" He was happy for this. A dream come true. But for some reason a tear escaped his eye and ran down his face.

  Kinnabe's eyes went wide. "My prince? What's wrong?"

  "I...I don't really know. It's just that I... It's just for so long... I guess..." Was it simply he was being replaced? The king was going to be the king he had always wished for, prayed for. It was good, all very good, but...but...

  Kinnabe reached over and took Joron's trembling hands in his own. "Dearest prince, no one--not even a wonderful king--can ever take the place of you in the hearts of the people. They don't know it has been you who has been helping all this time, but they're aware you are involved in the most intimate way. Don't think you are not needed, loved, held closely in all of their hearts."

  Joron shook his head. "I know." He was being stupidly selfish. How could he be so self-centered? How could his own ego be more important than the health and well-being of the people? It couldn't. "I'm sorry. It feels like...yes, I'm being replaced, and that's good. So good." And it was. He knew it in his head. His heart would follow soon enough. "So tell me. How did it go?"

  Kinnabe told him then. Told him everything. He told him about how Diagus did all of it as if Joron himself were directing it. He gave when need was true and held back when he detected laziness or greed. He talked about the doling out of the help with hired hands when it could be afforded and loans when it was shown there was ability, and even free of all charges when one particular family was able to move the stoic heart of the king to that point. He told Joron that Diagus laughed over the fact the castle seemed shocked at the proclamations but after only a small hesitation, filled the royal requests in a flash, surprising Kinnabe with the efficiency and speed.

  "As if they had been doing such things all along," Kinnabe finished with a wink. "My prince, the man I thought was more selfish than the late king has proven me to be as wrong as I could have ever been. I believe it is with your influence this has been done. He is a changed man. A good king." He leaned back. "But of course, time will tell. This could be a diversion for him, a game. As much as it looked real, it could be something that will not last."

  Joron smiled and slowly shook his head. No, this would last. This was his brother. For all his big talk and selfish attitude, he had a good head on his shoulders. His "generosity" came from completely different motivations than Joron's, but it hardly mattered. In fact, such motivations would do far better than Joron's would have ever done. Joron had seen it when they had first gotten back, when he was ordering his personal needs right along with the most important things to be done for the people. His brother was selfish but kind, hard but fair. So much like Aric that Joron's heart ached.

  They spent the rest of the morning and into the afternoon talking. A tray of fruits and cheeses had been brought in with a note from Diagus, saying he would not be joining them but he was glad Joron was having a nice time with Kinnabe. Diagus also wrote he had released the two Claymoor spies and sent them home.

  Kinnabe smirked at the note. "See what I mean, your highness? He really is a good man."

  Then Kinnabe asked Joron about his imaginings of the medical facilities he wanted to build along with local food banks for the needy. "Wouldn't this be the perfect time for it? King Diagus would do anything for you." Joron heard the edge in Kinnabe's voice.

  Joron nodded. Yes, Diagus would, but there was still the matter of his broken heart, and Blade Rain was no longer his home. "No, I...can't. Something like that... I'm... It's good to know the people of Blade Rain finally have what they truly deserve. For that, I am happy." Kinnabe looked down and away. "What is it, Kinnabe? What's wrong?"

  "It's...you, my prince. I'm worried about you." He looked around the room they were in, no longer looking at Joron. "You have sacrificed too much, gone too far."

  Joron laughed an angry laugh. "No, don't worry about me. Now with the people finally taken care of and you safe, I don't plan on sticking around. Kinnabe, I haven't sacrificed too much, but I've sacrificed enough." He sighed. "It's time to move on." The shocked look on Kinnabe's face was the incentive Joron needed. "Come with me. Come with and we'll explore the countries and lands together."

  "Your highness!"

  Suddenly there was commotion outside of the doors. A shout, scuffling, and a loud bang, as if something large had hit the wall, then silence. Then the doors opened slowly to reveal four men. The first man, large and imposing, stepped forward to address both men.

  "Prince Joron, we have been instructed by the king to put you under protective custody. Please come with us." He stood and waited then, black eyes staring directly at Joron. When Joron did not move, he spoke again. "Please, your highness. We must hurry. There are those who would do you harm and we are only directed to protect you." Then the big man shuffled his feet for a moment before adding, "I would give my life for you, your highness. I will protect you with everything I am."

  Joron saw nods from the three standing in attendance behind the man. "Who would do me harm?"

  The man looked up then, right into Joron's eyes. "The queen, your highness."

  "The queen? You mean Erora?" It wasn't Joron had forgotten her motives but he had thought with Diagus he would be safe from her wrath for a small amount of time. Maybe not.

  "Yes, Prince. We must hurry." The man took a step back and indicated he would follow the prince.

  Still, these men were unfamiliar to Joron. A tremor of uncertainty traveled up his spine. "Where...where are you taking me?"

  "Someplace safe for the moment. We are unsure how many have turned."

  "Turned?"

  "Please, Prince Joron. I will explain all I know when we are somewhere safer."

  Joron looked to Kinnabe, who was as confused as he was, but he took those few steps to the side of the large man and turned to Joron. "Your highness. Come. I will go with you. You will be safe."

  Joron made a decision then. This would be his escape. He had no desire to follow these men. Something about this seemed too odd. Besides, he would no longer be needed here anyway. He could steal away to the faraway village of his mother's and start healing his broken heart. For the moment, it would seem he needed to appear to be obedient. He walked those few steps to stand in front of the large man. "Lead away. I will follow." For a moment anyway.

  The man gave a curt nod to Joron, then turned to do the same to the other three. Two of the men turned and headed out the door. The first
man held up his hand for both Joron and Kinnabe to follow, so they fell in line. The two remaining came up behind them. Joron turned to Kinnabe and quietly said, "I don't have a good feeling about this."

  Kinnabe hazarded a quick look at his prince. "No, Prince, nor do I. We need to escape from them as soon as we can."

  Two slight men taking on four large guards.

  Could the odds have been better?

  Chapter 4

  Two in front and two behind. How were they going to escape? They were being led into the deeper parts of the castle to who knew where, so if they were going to do something, they would have to do it now. Joron knew he could most likely outrun these guards. His years of manual labor helping the citizens like he did, he was definitely in shape. Once he slipped their grasp, they would follow him, not Kinnabe. Conceivably Kinnabe would be safe.

  Or at least it was his hope, because the deeper they went in the castle, the more desperate the situation. It quickly became their only choice.

  He leaned in close to Kinnabe and whispered, "Meet me back at my little servant's room." The look on Kinnabe's face was at first confusion, then realization, then fear, and then total rejection of whatever idea it was Joron had cooked up. Joron raised an eyebrow to silence and still his protest. "That's a direct order from your prince." Joron knew with that directive he could do nothing but listen and obey. When he figured Kinnabe was with him, he leaned in again and whispered, "Get ready to run. You run forward, and I will run back." Again Kinnabe made it clear he did not agree, but even so, Joron could see he would do as he was told.

  "NOW." Joron turned and ran, ducking down and between the two surprised guards behind him and never looked back. He heard shouts and exclamations and then the pounding of footsteps too close behind him. Damn. One of them was a hell of a lot faster than Joron thought he would be. He hazarded a look back and sure enough, all four of the huge ass apes were in hot pursuit. He pushed himself harder. Even if he was caught, he gave Kinnabe a way to escape.

  * * * *

  Aric had pushed himself and his people all the rest of the day, all the following night, and into the next day before resting for a few hours. He lost a few of the men to utter exhaustion. He knew Nochi was keeping track and taking care of it. This group was not used to the pace, so he wouldn't be too upset with them. Not under the circumstances. However, he continued to push the rest of them as hard anyway, right after the short rest, needing to be through the pass before total darkness fell.

  It helped that the regiment he brought with him was smaller than he normally led into situations of possible battle. They could move with much greater speed. They were able to squeeze the three to four days of travel it normally took between the two castles into only over two and a half. Of course, it was mainly due to not allowing for sleep and rest for themselves, just the horses. They arrived at Blade Rain the next afternoon. Through the last several miles, his men were able to capture a couple of the scouts who were charged with warning the castle. There was no doubt in Aric's mind they missed a few. The castle and the townspeople more than likely had been informed of his pending arrival. And according to one of the scouts they had captured, it would not be a warm welcome for him, like it had been the last time.

  Again Diagus surprised him. He had told the people their beloved prince had been kidnapped and held prisoner in Claymoor Doom and the new King Diagus himself rode to successfully rescue him. It didn't matter it wasn't true--or mostly not true. But it was going to make his entrance messy. If he had time, if he had better sense about this, he would have held back and sent in spies. But he was not going to risk anyone on this mission if he wouldn't risk himself. Besides, he held the key in the form of a letter--a letter whose purpose he was sure now he had figured out.

  In the distance he could see the tallest spires of Blade Rain and his heart did a leap. He was coming to claim and take back what was his. It didn't matter it would be hell getting in and more so getting out with his cherished Joron in tow, because it was the most right thing he had ever done. In his lengthy experience in kingly duties, he had done many "right" things, many ethical, correct, kind, and generous things. As proper and true as all of those choices were, he never, ever felt more right about a choice than he did at this moment. Sure it was selfish. He was as guilty of self-indulgence as anyone else in this moment. It even shocked him how base and carnal this choice would appear to anyone close to the king. But he also knew Joron was in trouble, too--and not only from his brother.

  And if he kept telling himself he was doing all of this for noble reasons, at some point he would believe it. If nothing else, maybe those around him would. But none of it truly mattered to him in this moment, because in this moment, he was doing the right thing.

  As they neared the main entrance, Aric was surprised to be met by King Diagus. He smirked as he watched the man. He didn't see Joron, so he knew the young man was in a place where Aric would not be able to find him. It would be what he himself would do, chain Joron up in a faraway obscure room in the farthest reaches of the castle. Maybe he wouldn't even be in the castle.

  The people around King Diagus did not look happy. They all held weapons of some sort but Aric never wavered. He kept coming until his horse was directly in front of Diagus. "King Diagus, you have something of mine. I came to take him back."

  "I have nothing of yours. And I would be very careful, Tamusi." Diagus's horse fidgeted slightly, as it felt its master's mood. Diagus indicated the people around him and all the way back up through the main gate. "These people will protect what they perceive to be theirs as well. They will make sure you leave empty-handed." His horse whinnied and stamped its front hoof. "You're lucky I met you out here. If I hadn't, I suspect they would have torn you apart."

  "I understand, since you let them believe Prince Joron was kidnapped and held in my castle. Of course, it's not true." He said it loud enough for more than the normal range of ears to hear. "Maybe we should take this conversation inside?"

  "If you're trying to obtain an invitation to the inside of my castle so you can once again steal from me, I think not."

  Aric's voice dropped to a low deep tone. "I wouldn't be that foolish. It's simply we have more to discuss than to whom your brother belongs."

  "What could that possibly be?"

  Aric held his horse perfectly still, although he could tell the steed was very nervous underneath his powerful thighs. "Again, King Diagus, this is not something we should discuss out in the open. There is more afoot here than whom Joron will end up with." He lowered his eyes to stare right into Diagus's. "This will determine if he will still be alive at the end of the day."

  That got to his adversary. He watched Diagus take a deep breath, let it out in a slow sigh, and then made a gesture for Aric to follow. Turning his horse, Diagus headed back up to the main buildings. Aric would have smirked at how easy it was to gain entry into the enemy camp, but he was simply grateful.

  * * * *

  Grace and peace to you,

  I pray this letter finds you in good health. I will come straight to the point. I am in need of your presence as soon as possible. I have a matter of grave importance to discuss. I apologize for my elusiveness where this matter is concerned but I have come to the conclusion to trust no one, perhaps even the carrier of this letter. The only hint I can give you is that she has done me in and I do not have much time. Please hurry.

  King Oxys Amar

  Diagus looked over the letter and into Aric's hard gaze. "'She has done me in.' What does he mean by that? Who did him in? An actual she or is it...a...metaphor? Like for...illness? Fate? What?"

  Diagus and Aric were in the king's meeting room, totally alone with the doors closed. There was a tray in front of them with glasses of wine and various cheeses, but none of it had been touched. Diagus had decided on mead, offering one to Aric as well, but Aric had turned it down, telling Diagus even one drink would have him sleeping like a baby. Instead he stood while Diagus sat on his throne, studying the
letter Aric had given him.

  Aric sighed. "I thought metaphor, too. I didn't pay it much attention, especially after I had learned he had been ill for a while. I believed he was being poetic or nostalgic or--forgive me--dramatic. And to be honest, with everything that's gone on since, I forgot about it. But now... Well, I think differently now. The fact the letter wasn't addressed but that a boy was charged to deliver it to me, personally, finally had me questioning."

  "A boy? You mean the letter came by way of a boy and not a messenger? I don't understand."

  "Neither did I. Like I said, I didn't pay a lot of attention to it, only the urgency it alluded to. Plus...the handwriting is...odd."

  Diagus looked again at the paper in his hand but shook his head. "I never saw much of my father's handwriting."

  "Well, trust me. This handwriting does not have the flourish, the design, of your father's. I admit I haven't received many of his missives but the few I've gotten are quite literally unforgettable."

  Diagus nodded his head. "Yes, you're probably right. I honestly don't remember." He tilted his head. "But he was sick and this... I don't know, it looks like it may have been written by a sick man."

  "Possibly. Believe me, I mulled this around and around, trying to decide, trying to figure it out. I wasn't sure what to think. But since I needed to discuss the Ice Dragon Pass with your father anyway I decided to step my visit up by a few weeks. If nothing else, I would simply ask him."

  "Which, of course, never happened."

  "Right."

  "So what do you think?"

  "I think your father dictated this letter. It did have the king's seal and I don't know if others here would have access to the king's official seal, but they do not in my house. Then I think he directed whomever it was he dictated it to, to deliver it to me. That's where it gets cloudy. I questioned the boy and he said a man gave him one hundred silver pieces to bring it to me and directed him to tell no one. He claimed to not know who the man was, only that he wore royal attire of Blade Rain, so my guess is, he was the one to whom the letter was dictated. Why he didn't deliver it himself...I don't know. Then, of course, when I arrived here, I found out the king was dead. It gave me a bit of a jolt, but from what I understand, it had been a long-term illness, so I didn't give it any more thought...until..."