Ice Dragon Tales

by Hurri Cosmo

  The tears tumbled down his face.

  Never come back.

  He would go somewhere where they would never think to look for him. He would go to a place where even the people there had no idea who he was. He would learn to be a commoner, and someday maybe he would have a healed enough heart that he could fall in love again.

  Because it was true.

  Joron was so very much in love.

  And if Aric was, too, then he had only one choice and that was to get as far away from him as he could. This needed to be Joron's decision. He needed to be the one to decide this relationship was over. He had to give Aric the freedom to choose his wife and queen and to not muddy the water with Joron's feelings, because Aric would choose it anyway. Even if he didn't want to, he would have to. He would have to ignore his feelings, ignore Joron's feelings, and chose what was right for his son, right for his people, and right for his kingdom. It would kill Joron to be told to leave, as opposed to leaving now on his own terms.

  He furiously wiped away the tears and pushed himself away from the door. No more crying...at least for the moment. He had the beginnings of a plan and it was a good one. Nochi would help him. He would not ask him to go with him, but he would ask for survival basics, like a good, strong horse, food and water, and a portable shelter. He could go back to Blade Rain first for those things, show his respects to the king and to his own people, but that would be a huge mistake. Once Diagus learned of all of this craziness here, he would send troops to drag him home if he didn't come home on his own. His brother would make sure there would be no way for him to ever leave, and Blade Rain was far too close. No, he could not go home. So Nochi needed to provide for him.

  * * * *

  When Joron didn't come out, Nochi walked to the chamber pot door and leaned against it. He heard soft sobs coming from the other side. Damn that Aric to hell. You may be my king but you are making a fine mess of this.

  The kid had tossed and turned all night, and any time he had been awake, he cried. No, he wept. But being awake was not something he wanted, so he slept. Of course, it had only been a number of hours since they had all heard the news of the Queen of Claymoor Doom's miraculous rising from the dead.

  Nochi was a soldier of the highest rank, of the highest standing, and he did not get there by asking questions of his king. He got there by total submission to his king. But this...this was not something he could simply accept for a number of reasons, not the least of them being this poor young man on the other side of this door. What does the king plan for him? Anything at all? Why has he let the kid hang like this? What the hell is he thinking? Of course, he understood the king's desire to honor a commitment. For that he could only applaud Aric. But to not, at the very least, send word of what would be expected for this boy he had taken was simply wrong, and Joron was waiting. Nochi had never questioned his king before. He had never found a reason to, but now...

  He sighed. It wasn't his place.

  But he would not sit like this for much longer either. He would not watch this young man continue to fall apart. If the king didn't do something soon, he would force the issue himself.

  "Joron? Please come out. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday. You have to keep up your strength. Please come out and try this soup again."

  Nochi was rewarded with the click of the lock. The door came open gradually and Joron slowly slipped out. He floated across the room and sat perched on the end of the bed, his hands clasped tightly between his legs. Not meeting Nochi's eyes, he mumbled something Nochi did not understand. Nochi quickly fell to his knees in front of the prince, placing his hands on either side of him on the bed. "What did you say, my prince?"

  Joron used the hem of his tunic to wipe the tears from his swollen face. "I need to leave. I...can't stay here."

  "You are safe here, Joron. I will protect you with my life, as will any guard who stands at my door. You have nothing to fear."

  "No. That's not what I meant. I...I can't be here. I..." The tears came again and he covered his face with his hands.

  Nochi sat beside him on the bed and put his arms around him. He waited out the sobs and finally Joron was able to speak again.

  "I need to leave this castle," he finally whispered. "I need to get out of his way."

  Anger rose up so quickly in Nochi that it surprised him. "You are not in his way."

  "Yes." Joron leaped up from the bed, tearing himself away from Nochi. "Yes, I am. He has a wife now." He battled--Nochi could hear it--for control over the tears. Nochi was happy to see he was beginning to win. "His queen, Taiyo's mother, is alive." He lost it again.

  Nochi shook his head, rising and pulling Joron back into an embrace. He led him back to the bed and forced him to sit. "Listen to me. You're going to eat something. Then I'll see what I can do about getting you out of here. But first, you will eat. Do you understand?"

  Joron looked up at him with a mixture of surprise and hope. Nochi smirked. He should have thought of this before. Bribery. He turned and grabbed the tray, holding not only a bowl of hearty soup, cold now, but breads, cheeses, fruits, and one tall stein of ale, especially ordered by Nochi himself, and set it before Joron. The kid needed something to take off the edge and the ale, he figured, would do the trick.

  "You eat at least half of what is on this tray and drink all of this"--he tapped the stein--"and we'll talk about getting you out of here, okay?"

  Joron's look of surprise and hope turned into one of disbelief. "I can't..."

  "You can and you will. Now pick up that spoon."

  Joron immediately picked up the wide spoon.

  That one act stirred Nochi's heart. If nothing else, the boy was good at following orders. He acted on direct commands. Another good thing to know.

  "Eat."

  Joron dipped the spoon into the bowl and brought it to his lips. He hesitated, then shoved the spoon into his mouth.

  "Good boy." Nochi sat again beside him, ruffling Joron's hair. He was going to make sure Joron got through this. For some reason, he was feeling more and more protective of him, like this was his lot in life, to protect this man-child.

  "Are you going to...watch?"

  "Yes. I need to make sure you eat enough to regain your strength."

  Joron picked up a piece of cheese and handed it to Nochi. He turned his swollen, bloodshot eyes to him, pleading for him to eat as well. Nochi smiled. He took the cheese. "Fine, you can share, but don't think I won't keep track. You're still going to eat half. Got me?"

  Joron nodded, having taken another spoon full of the soup.

  There was something so familiar about him, something that wasn't Joron exactly. He wished he could figure it out because every once in a while he would see it, a certain tilt of the head or look in the eye or the way he said something. It was Joron, yes, but there was something else...

  He shook his head again.

  Joron did the best he could, downing most of the bowl of soup. He choked past a few bites of cheese and finished about a third of the ale. Nochi drank the rest. He had forced Nochi to eat about the same as well, which was the only way he actually ate what he did. Joron remained on the edge of the bed when Nochi removed the tray. Then Nochi sat on a small stool and faced Joron.

  "So you want to leave?"

  He saw Joron sigh before he nodded.

  "You had a message earlier, did you hear it?"

  Again he nodded.

  "Do you want to go back to Blade Rain?"

  "No. She was not my mother."

  Nochi nodded this time. "I know."

  "I'll send word back to my brother but I...don't...want to go back there."

  "That's fine. Where then?"

  Joron looked up and into Nochi's eyes. "To my mother's village."

  Nochi's eyes widened at those words. "Your mother...you mean your real mother? Do you know..."

  Joron smiled. Once again Nochi's heart tripped. Not only was the smile beautiful but so damn familiar. For some reason, today he kept seeing
someone else to the point of not being able to concentrate on the words Joron was saying. "Yes. I know who she was and where she was from. It's a place faraway from here. It's called Eldhaven. Have you heard of it?"

  "Eldhaven." Nochi snapped his attention back and thought about the name. Yes, the name was recognizable. He had heard of it. But the only thing he knew was it was on the sea. But on the other side of the massive Shadowmere Bay, which dipped deeply into the Land of Ice Dragon. The bay was so large it was a sea unto itself. He had never been to Eldhaven, but still quickly mapped out a course in his mind, noting having to travel through dangerous marshes, unknown territories, and treacherous landscape.

  Exactly the place to take him.

  Nochi nodded slowly. "Okay. When would you like to leave?"

  "When can I?"

  "Well, it's not going to be you alone, that's first, so you can stop with the I business. We will leave when you want to, as long as I have enough time to ready us for such a journey."

  "I'll be fine on my own. I don't need to have anyone with me."

  The words echoed in Nochi's head, ricocheting and slamming back into his memory. She said those words!

  I'll be fine on my own. I don't need to have anyone with me

  This cannot be happening.

  It hit him hard. So hard, at first, he couldn't breathe. He slowly rose and stepped away from Joron, looking back at him, his mind dressing him in those ribbons and gown.

  Of course. It's obvious. How could I have missed it?

  His mind tripped back to the time after his king saved Momisa, his beloved Momisa, from that vile stable hand and then sent Nochi with her on her mission to deliver lifesaving medicine to a man named Hawklin. She had argued with Aric, had told him, I'll be fine on my own. I don't need to have anyone with me.

  Those very words, that very voice.

  Oh no, no, no.

  It was her. Joron was her. No!

  "Momisa?" The name came out a whisper, a choked murmur.

  The look on Joron's face said it all.

  How? How could this be? But, of course, it made perfect sense now. That was the reason the king had given up on her. It was why Nochi could never find her--because Momisa was Joron.

  The look on Joron's face was one of shock and fear. What did the boy think, that Nochi was going to attack him? Did he think he would ever hurt even one hair on his head?

  But, oh, he wanted to. She was sitting right there, on his very bed.

  But she wasn't a she.

  She wasn't his Momisa.

  Momisa didn't exist.

  Damn you to hell. With an anguished cry, he leaped at Joron and crushed Joron's mouth with his own, forcing his tongue in--exploring, claiming, wishing. Suddenly Nochi came back to himself and collapsed on top of Joron. He slowly removed his hands from Joron, incredulously finding he truly didn't want to, as tears were now pouring from his eyes.

  Was Joron holding him?

  Oh, sweet mother, Joron was. His arms had gone around Nochi's shoulders, barely reaching to his back at all, and Joron was stroking him, a tickle, up and down his shoulders. Small murmurs came from him, and when Nochi finally calmed enough, he heard the words.

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Forgive me."

  Joron was asking for forgiveness from him? After what Nochi had just done?

  "No. Quiet." Nochi slowly pulled himself out of Joron's arms and up off of him to allow him to sit up again. "Please, my prince, forgive me. I have never lost control before...please."

  Joron pulled him back into his arms again, as if he didn't want to be away from them. "No! I should have told you. I should never have done it in the first place. It was...just that Diagus and his mother... It was the only way to get away without them seeing me." He buried his face in Nochi's shoulder.

  "I understand." And he did, but it didn't mean he wasn't devastatingly heartbroken. If Momisa had died, at least there would be a death to mourn, a grave to visit, but this. This was too cruel. Momisa didn't even exist. And for whatever reason, he had fallen for her hard. The pain washed over him in waves to the point of making it hard to breathe. He had never felt this way. He wasn't sure how to get through such pain. Is this like the pain Joron is feeling?

  It was. This was exactly what Joron was going through, too. And still Joron stroked his back, apologizing, as if he was the one in the wrong tonight.

  Yes, he should have been told.

  But in all reality, Nochi should have been able to figure it out.

  Because he was a soldier first.

  Soldiers are observant and attentive, watchful and vigilant. He should have recognized her/him immediately. It was a learned skill and a skill he, as a seasoned soldier, should have absolute and complete control over. For someone of Nochi's rank to not know was unforgivable, because not knowing got people killed.

  And soldiers did not do what he did to Joron.

  "No, Joron. I understand. I do. Quiet now."

  Joron gently pulled back from Nochi's shoulder and looked up into his eyes. He stroked Nochi's face with a trembling hand. "You say that, and maybe on some level you do understand, but I am still sorry. You were...are, so kind and protective. I have been blessed to have you by my side. It's why I won't ask you to accompany me any longer. You need to protect your king. You have a life and obligation here. I no longer have that...anywhere." He pushed away this time and stood. "I have no idea how far it will be, but I think maybe a two-week journey. May I impose on your castle kitchens to give me provisions to get me there? I don't need a fast horse, only a strong one. I can send it back when I get to Eldhaven. Help me to leave, Nochi, so your king can have peace with his family again."

  Nochi looked into those still swollen eyes. Help him leave? He would do more than that.

  He lifted a calloused hand to stroke Joron's soft cheek. Looking into his beautiful face, he could see Momisa in his eyes. How could he allow for this creature to venture anywhere alone and unprotected?

  "My prince, I will do whatever you want me to do, unless you tell me to stay away from your side. That is the only thing I will not do. My loyalty to my king is now matched by my loyalty and willingness to protect you." He turned and picked up the tray of mostly eaten food. "I will leave Martin on the door. I trust him, my prince, but I would still prefer you do not open it to anyone but me. When I leave, bolt it, and drop this bar." He indicated the bar as he lifted it out of the way. "I'll go and prepare horses and provisions. It won't take long." He looked back to Joron. "I'll lend you my own clothes, so you will not need to revisit the king's chambers. They will be big on you, but they'll have to do. Help yourself to whatever you find, pack for the both of us, and prepare to leave shortly. We'll depart before dusk." He turned, opened the door, and quickly slipped out, closing it behind him. He waited on the other side until he heard the bolt slide into place and the bar drop.

  Good boy, he thought, as he wiped away a tear, and walked down the hall with purpose.

  * * * *

  "What were you doing out there?"

  Aric was sitting with Abydell alone in one of his areas he kept for mediators. He was incredibly agitated and anxious, due to the fact he hadn't allowed himself to go to Joron or even send a message to him. He cringed when he thought the only contact he had permitted for himself was to send into the castle the communication about the Queen of Blade Rain, knowing he owed Joron at least that.

  He battled every other need he had for Joron.

  This was his wife in front of him now--Taiyo's mother, the queen of the land.

  But he loved Joron. He wished he could have admitted his love to him in person before any of this had started. But what difference would it have made? In fact, maybe it was simply better he hadn't, because his wife was back.

  And he needed to know why.

  The question he asked her was a hard one for him to ask, too. They had argued that dark night, argued late into it. They had both said things they shouldn't have and finally, she said she had had enough. Again. A
bydell hadn't even put on a jacket when she ran out into the rain and wind. What he was asking now was what in the world had she done out there? Where did she go? He was so convinced she had gone over the cliff, convinced he had heard her. He remembered distinctly her scream, how it sent tremors up his spine. He raced over the rise in the land that hid the cliffs from the chateau, the same direction he saw her run, right to the edge, nearly going over himself. He shouted her name as he frantically tried to see down into the inky blackness, but the wind snatched his voice away every time. They searched at the first light. But, of course, they found nothing. The sea had claimed her.

  He regretted then, taking those few days away from the castle and coming to the chateau near the sea. Though Abydell hadn't wanted to come that time, they both did love it, although for different reasons. She loved it for the beauty and majesty of the ocean pounding on the sheer cliffs where the chateau was located. He loved it for its solitude and remoteness. She loved the quaintness of the small twenty-room castle and he loved the reduced number of servants it took to run it. She loved the gardens and he loved the vast library that actually rivaled the one at Claymoor Castle. But that night they had both been on edge, and the fact it was storming and they were ensconced together for the first time in months, had worn on both of their nerves.

  It had been a very tough couple of weeks. Aric had had issues with several of the provinces, all the way from mineral disputes to all out uprisings. He had dealt with disturbances of mainly irritating sizes, but so many that he had trouble finding enough troops to dispatch to take care of them. Plus fixing some tax inconsistencies with newly acquired lands should have gone smoother than it did, but he was evidently not fixing them quick enough. Pockets of discontent were popping up without rhyme or reason and some of them were violent. He had lost several of his best men, two stupidly to a drunken brawl where one was killed and the other landed in the dungeon with accusations of rape and pillage. He lost two more in one of the more vicious border battles. One had finally taken his last breath, having battled a flesh eating parasite the doctors could not get ahead of, yet another from ferreting out the Cetin Gang of marauders, hell-bent on causing as much chaos as they humanly could. The gang blindsided the man, beat him within an inch of his life, and left him to die. Aric was horrified when he happened on the scene and vowed then and there he would see the gang, if not dead, at the very least, so deep underground they might as well be.