The King's Treasure

by Carol M. Vaughn

  “No, that’s not true!” Arianwyn jumped to her feet. He was going to order her death anyway; she may as well speak up. Her hands flew to the bandages, pulling them off as quickly as she could. “I would never—“

  “How dare you interrupt His Majesty!” one of the thanes gasped.

  The wrappings fell from her hands and she pushed her sleeves up to her elbows. At the same time, Dragon trumpeted outside the Keep. Dragon was furious, her rage burning red in the back of Arianwyn’s mind. Another startled gasp filled the Hall at the sight of her arms, silver dragon head on the back of her left hand, circling up her arm, then back down her right arm, tip of the tail on the back of her right hand. King Rael’s dragon joined the roaring outside and pandemonium erupted.

  “Enough!” the king was on his feet. Everyone, even the dragons, fell silent. He walked down the stairs, shock joining the fury still echoed in his eyes. He approached her, grabbed her left hand and stared at the dragon. “What is the meaning of this?” His eyes burned into hers, his grip bruising her wrist.

  “I told you, I would never betray the secret,” she whispered.

  The king looked her in the eyes a moment longer, and then strode from the room. As he had not released Arianwyn, she was dragged behind him. His personal guard fell into step around them and King Rael adjusted his pace slightly so his guard could keep up. Arianwyn had to keep running. He dragged her through the halls and back to his study. Behind the guards, the thanes followed quickly. “No one is to enter,” he said to his guard.

  “Your Majesty! Wait, allow me to offer my—“ one of the thanes said. King Rael shut the door in the thane’s face. He finally released her arm and kept walking. He stopped in front of the fire, clasping his hands behind his back. His knuckles were white. Arianwyn stood nervously by the door, waiting.

  “A dragon. Another dragon. How long have you been here? Why haven’t you come forward before?” He swore, pounding a fist on the mantle. The mantle shivered under the blow, candles wobbling.

  Arianwyn stood trembling. She was uncertain if the dragon markings had changed anything. She only hoped they proved she would not betray the king or his dragon. “Please, Sire, I’m not certain why you’re angry or what you want me to say.”

  He let his breath out explosively and turned to look at her again. “Do you know what preparations I have been making the last several weeks?”

  “Your marriage?”

  “Yes, my marriage. A pact with one of my thanes that would mark a beginning of a new era. A time where the king did not marry because a woman happened to be dragon Bonded, but because of political reasons. Now, you show up. Dragon Bonded. And a peasant. Do I marry you because of your Bond to the dragon? Or do I marry Lady Ethelinda because it makes sense politically?”

  Arianwyn stared at him blankly, the blood draining from her face. “I think I would be a poor choice as queen, Your Majesty.”

  “Absolutely. There’s no question about that. I doubt you’re educated; you’ve never spent time in court. And yet, there’s the dragon to consider.”

  “Begging your pardon, Majesty, I think Dragon would be just as happy to disappear into the mountains.”

  King Rael laughed at her, the sound harsh. “Oh no. Now that you have revealed yourself, you will stay close to the Castle, regardless of what your dragon desires. We cannot risk you getting killed—on purpose or on accident. Besides, my dragon will certainly be interested in your dragon at the proper time.”

  “What?”

  “Mating. Our dragons must mate. I know of no other female.”

  “What?” Arianwyn's cheeks turned red. “Your Majesty, again I think I’m missing the importance or the necessity. Please forgive my ignorance…”

  She trailed off under his look of amazement. “You really don’t understand, do you?” She swallowed and looked to the floor. “I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. The legends are old and the tales are infrequently told. Not to mention that many in our kingdom do not realize our Totem is more than just a figurehead.” He walked over to a side table and poured himself something to drink, looking into the fire. “Once, there were many dragons wandering these mountains. It was their land. We were originally visitors. Fearful visitors.

  “Dragons and man clashed. Especially when man brought their herds into the mountains. It made easy hunting for the dragons. So man became savvy of the ways to fight the dragons. There was war between them.

  “A few brave young men discovered a devastatingly effective way of dealing with the dangers dragons naturally impose. They discovered the dragon nests and destroy the eggs before the dragons could hatch.

  “The dragons, of course, noticed this. Frightened for their children, they met in a council to discuss what should be done. Unbeknownst to the council, their problem had already been solved.

  “Two young dragons ventured out to hunt. One of them became entangled in the thick woods of the eastern mountains. Two human youths were in the forest at the same time. Perhaps it was coincidence, a male and a female dragon and a male and a female human. Perhaps it was the gods, directing affairs to preserve our people. I honestly don’t know. I’m not a religious man. I believe in preserving my people though.

  “In a series of events, the humans ended up freeing the dragon. In order to do so, however, they had to Bond with the dragons. They were the first king and queen our tribes knew and the solution to the dragons’ problem.

  “A peace treaty was created between the dragons. In time, the dragons were called our Totems, or protectors, of our people. Certain skills were awakened in the humans Bonded to them and the dragons, in return, gained safety from the more numerous humans.” He took a drink from his glass, looking sternly at Arianwyn. “Are you following all of this?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” she lied. Her mind was reeling. She was unnerved at how nearly it matched her own story with Dragon. :Did you know any of this?: she asked Dragon.

  :Of course, although it has been a long time since I’ve thought of it. I was more interested in being free from humans than Bonded to them.:

  King Rael continued, “In the last hundred or so years, the dragons have been disappearing. Until this morning, I believed that my dragon was the last of his kind.”

  “So, why is Bonding to the dragons important?” she dared to ask.

  He drained his glass and set it on the mantle. “Every king and every queen from every kingdom Bonds to their Totem. In return, they are granted special skills or talents. In some way, these skills have assisted the monarchs in protecting their people from their enemies. In other cases, wisdom in governance was granted.

  “Our enemy is the Manticore Clan, to the south. I believe that he is preparing to attack, which is why I have been concerned about marrying a woman who was unBonded. She would have no skills granted her by association with dragons, which would make it more difficult to protect my people. So my question is the same. Which woman do I marry now?”

  Arianwyn bit her lips. “I cannot give you good counsel, Your Majesty. I don’t know what the best choice would be.”

  He looked at her in surprise. “You have the chance to be queen, to raise yourself from your position, and you do not seize it with both hands?”

  “A queen should be the greatest servant to her people, Your Majesty. I do not believe that I could serve them best.”

  “Then make your bid to the Lady Ethelinda. Her family is powerful and she knows how to rule. She is quite skilled in the art of negotiation and persuasion.”

  Arianwyn remembered how she had felt while using Spirit and looked down at her feet again. “I could not in good conscious recommend someone I believe to have other motives for being queen.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “What other reason, than power, would a woman have to become queen?”

  Arianwyn shrugged helplessly. She did not have an answer. King Rael sighed and rang a small bell on his desk. One of his bodyguards opened the door. “Assign four of my best bodyguards to this girl, two du
ring the day, two for the night. Escort her to the East Wing of the Keep and see that she stays there.”

  The man saluted and disappeared briefly. He reentered a moment later, followed by three more men. King Rael looked over the selection and nodded, apparently satisfied by the choices. “Girl, this is Halvard, Sigurd, Edmund, and Wymond.” They each nodded as their names were given. “You go nowhere unless accompanied by at least two of them. Understand?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” She turned to follow the guards. She hesitated and turned back. “Does this mean you're not going to have me killed?” she whispered.

  “Of course not!” he snapped. The king waved them away and she followed her assigned body guards from the room.

  They walked down the hall. The noblemen were still crowding the hall, forcing the body guards to push them roughly out of the way. Splutters and demands to be treated with more respect followed. Her bodyguards did not seem to care much. Arianwyn noticed that, despite the press of people, no one came within arms’ length of her.

  When they had left the crowd behind, Arianwyn worked up her courage and said, “I’m Arianwyn.” They kept walking, causing her to wonder if they had heard her.

  “I suppose we’ll pass that on to the king,” Edmund remarked. Arianwyn was embarrassed and fell silent. She recognized this section of the Keep. She had cleaned every room in this Keep at one point or another. But it felt strange, knowing that she was walking here not as a servant, but as a guest.

  “Do you think I could speak with Tess?” she ventured.

  They arrived at the door to the East Wing. “It must first be approved by the king,” Edmund replied. He opened the door and stopped her. Sigurd and Wymond entered ahead of them, moving rapidly from room to room, opening closet doors and checking under beds. Arianwyn was astonished. All of this fuss for a peasant girl?

  :No. All of this fuss for a woman Bonded to a dragon,: Dragon responded. She then added smugly, :I told you I was important.:

  When they finished the inspection of her room, they ushered her inside and closed the door, leaving her alone. Arianwyn looked around the room. She reassessed her opinion of her status. She had not entered these rooms as a guest. She was still a prisoner in a different cage.

  Rael

  Rael braced his hands on the desk, staring at its surface but seeing nothing. :That was the female,: Charon said, a cheerful yellow color in his tone.

  “Thanks,” Rael said. His sarcasm was not missed by Charon.

  Rynert opened the door. “The thanes wish to speak with you.”

  Rael closed his eyes. “Of course they do. Burning parasites.” Rynert grinned at him. Rael took a deep breath and sat down. “Send them in.”

  Rynert had no sooner moved from the front of the door than the thanes burst in, each talking over the other. They marched into his study, arranging themselves in a semi-circle around his desk.

  “You must put the woman to death,” Thane Malcom demanded. “She is a danger to the kingdom!”

  “That's a bit harsh, don't you think?” Thane Cael responded. “She is a girl, nothing more. Give her a chance to prove herself.”

  Thane Julius laughed. “Prove herself? She's a peasant! What will she prove? Her stupidity? Her ignorance? Maybe she can teach us all to scrub the floor.”

  Thane Merari snorted. “You're all being ridiculous. How long have you been planning this, Sire? Did you drag us all here to see your cleverness at hiding a dragon-bonded wench?”

  Thane Malcom glared. “As if we needed a reminder of your power, Your Majesty. Do you believe us ungrateful for your protection?”

  Thane Cael threw his hands in the air. He sat down without being invited, scowling around the room. Rael raised an eyebrow at the man. Cael waved away the silent reprimand. “You three are being ridiculous. The girl is not a plant by the king. She is a mere peasant girl who showed up at the wrong time and place. You're just upset because she may unbalance your schemes.”

  “Just because Lady Blythe has no chance at wedding the king is no reason to imply that—“ Thane Merari began.

  “Ah, yes, Lady Alyssa has such good odds at marrying the—“ Thane Cael responded, voice dripping acid.

  “Don't you dare speak—“

  “Be silent,” Rael ordered. He did not raise his voice. He did not hide his growing anger, either. The thanes cut off, glaring at each other. “The rest of you, sit down.” Rael waited until they were all sitting down. “The girl has appeared at an inconvenient time. But even she must be considered.”

  “But—“ Thane Merari began.

  “But nothing,” Rael cut him off. “You should each be aware of the situation with the dragons. Even more than your political maneuverings, the Totem must be maintained! Or would you rather bow down to the Manticore in a few years?”

  No one spoke into the silence. Thane Cael looked around the room and pushed himself to his feet. “Your Majesty, I hope that you will give the girl the same consideration that you have given the rest of us. Know that whoever you choose, you have the support of the northern thaneship.” Cael bowed to Rael and left the room. Again without awaiting permission, Rael noted.

  The other three stood up, mumbling something in a similar vein as Cael. Rael shook his head when they left. He did not believe a one of them for a minute. Maybe Thane Cael. The man was too good for his own good.

  Rael pushed out of his seat and threw open the door. “The training arena?” Rynert asked. Rael nodded shortly, stalking down to the barracks. Rynert sighed while the rest groaned. “I wish you'd find some other way to relieve your stress than beating the rest of us senseless.”

  Rael grinned. It was a tight grin that did not light his eyes. “Be sure to tell Sigurd to report everything the girls says or does to me. I want to know her habits, her friends, what she likes to eat, everything.”

  “I'm certain Sigurd already knows to do that,” Rynert replied. Rael nodded. He knew that. Just as he knew Rynert would still tell Sigurd his orders. He wished he could trust his thanes as thoroughly.

  10-Changes

  The East Wing was buried most of the way into the mountain. There were no windows to these rooms, although narrow shafts had been drilled to the mountain surface at one point to allow fresh air to enter. Perhaps because of the lack of windows, entire walls were dedicated to murals depicting scenes of mountains and meadows. One wall even contained a picture of the ocean, although Arianwyn doubted so much water could really exist in one place.

  She sat on one of the chairs, too nervous to touch anything else. She wished she knew what she was to do with herself now. Time passed slowly as she sat and waited for something to happen.

  Eventually, a knock sounded at the door. Arianwyn started to her feet and stared at the door, waiting. After a short time, another knock sounded. Arianwyn blushed as she realized they were waiting for her to respond. “Come in.”

  Edmund poked his head in. “Tess is here.”

  Arianwyn sighed in relief. “Thank you.” He waited, watching her. “Um, can she come in?”

  “Yes, she can.” He continued to watch her.

  “Will you send her in, then?” He shrugged and stepped out of the room. Tess took his place, walking inside and shaking her head.

  “If you’re going to be a lady, you had better start acting like one. Ladies do not ask permission, they command. What did you wish to see me for, Lady Arianwyn?”

  Arianwyn blushed again. “Oh, Tess, I’m not a lady! I’m not even sure what’s happening. I…I really didn’t have anyone else to ask and was hoping you could help me,” she finished lamely.

  Tess regarded her, as if measuring her up. “You have worked well for me in the past. And you were apparently truthful in the dungeon, which I appreciate. It helps me feel less betrayed. I have no reason to doubt your sincerity. Very well, what do you need help with?”

  “Do you know what’s happening?”

  “Oh yes. The entire keep is talking about how you escaped from your dungeon to swoop i
n on a dragon, demanding the king forgo his right to choose a bride and marry you instead.” Arianwyn blinked in surprise. Tess chuckled at the look on her face. “Child, you know how gossip travels in this Keep! You’ve upset His Majesty, that’s certain. He now has an even more difficult decision ahead of him.”

  “I can’t marry the king!”

  Tess raised her eyebrows. “You may not have a choice. You’re dragon Bonded. That means you have duties and obligations that normal folk are not required to meet.”

  Arianwyn stood wringing her hands. “I don’t know the first thing about being a lady. Maybe I could be some sort of advisor instead? One who is never asked questions?”

  Tess snorted. “And now you’re dreaming foolishness. If you are chosen to be queen, you must be educated. Can you read?” Arianwyn shook her head. “Sew?” She nodded. “Sing?”

  “What?” Arianwyn scowled at Tess, certain she was being teased.

  “Sing. On occasion, the queen is required to be the entertainment. She must be trained in all things genteel. Art, history, music, dancing, politics, horseback riding, leadership, reading, writing, mathematics. All things the king is able to do, the queen must also be able to do and more. You never know when you will be called upon to take command.”

  “You must be touched in the head if you think I can learn all of that,” Arianwyn commented.

  Tess just smiled at her. “If you thought you worked hard as one of my girls, you can think again. By your leave, I will send the appropriate tutors in to begin your royal education.” Arianwyn felt sick. “Do I have your permission or not?”

  “If I say no, will it matter?”

  “Of course not! It’s a formality. If you say no, I’ll just convince the king to order it done.”

  Arianwyn sighed, defeated. “I may as well give you ‘permission,’ then. At least if I’m willing for it to happen, it will be slightly more palatable.” Tess chuckled, curtsied, and left.

  :Dragon, there’s no way I can learn and remember all of that!: