Sisera's Gift (Dragonblood Sagas Book 2)

by Robyn Wideman

  “Good luck, Kai,” said Isabella.

  Raven just gave Kai a nod.

  Kai smiled, “I’ll be fine, and if I’m captured, Sisera can come rescue me.”

  “Perhaps,” said Sisera.

  Kai wasn’t sure if the dragon was jesting or not. Either way it was probably best if he didn’t get caught. Kai broke away from the group and started heading east towards the mountains. He’d get to the mountains before dark, but he’d wait till late into the night to approach the camp.

  18

  “WHAT IS THE HOLDUP?” asked the annoyed Prince Ramsey. They were over the summit of the mountain pass and headed down the trail.

  Jaime looked up at the prince. It was a shame the man was about to be king. At least King Ramsey had a practical side and understood the value of the Dragon’s Tail Brigade. Young Eric liked to use them as his personal scouts, a task that was far below their stature. The members of the brigade were some of the finest warriors in the world, not lackeys for a spoiled noble. “I think we have a problem, Sir.”

  “Problem? What do you mean?”

  Jaime pointed to the cairn of rocks on the side of the road. “There was an ambush. One of Princess Isabella’s guardians is dead and the other is lucky to be alive after falling down the mountain on a horse. The horse died, but the rider lived. The princess is now in someone else’s hands.”

  “Gods, this girl is annoying me already! Who has her now?” asked Prince Erik Ramsey.

  “Sorry, Your Highness, I can’t tell you that. The rains wiped away the tracks. I believe the tracks we picked up on the north side of the mountain are of trackers. They seem to be following the trail. We’ll follow them until we have the trail again.”

  “Well get on with it. The princess is key to my plans. We must not let her escape! Nor can we let someone else control her. We need to find out who has her and get her back.”

  Jaime nodded, it was a shame such a young girl was seen as a tool. The girl was a chess piece to Prince Erik, a disposable piece to be used to achieve a goal. No thoughts of the girl’s safety crossed his mind, other than to make sure she lived long enough for them to be married so he could declare Prozia part of his kingdom. “Yes, Prince Ramsey, we shall find the girl.”

  Jaime wasn’t as confident as he sounded, but telling the prince how difficult it was to follow week old tracks was pointless. Luckily, whoever was following the girl was only a day ahead of them, and much easier to follow. His suspected the female warrior who had been accompanying the princess found help, a local tracker perhaps, and was trying to regain the princess from an unidentified third party. Jaime could tell from the tracks that the woman’s new companion was the one doing the tracking, and from what little evidence Jaime could find of the trail, the man was good.

  Jaime turned to Roland, the other Dragons Tail member acting as a scout for the prince’s warriors. “What do you think?”

  “Same as you, an ambush. The woman warrior’s horse is down the mountain, but her body is not. She found a tracker and they came over the mountain. That means they likely went southeast first. When they got to where the trail turns into the northern valley, they turned back. I think they saw us coming up the valley and backtracked. Now they’re going south again. I think within the day we’ll end up going west.”

  “West? A ship?” asked Jaime.

  Roland shrugged. “That or back northwest. Until we know who has the girl it will be hard to tell what their intentions are.”

  “What can you tell me of the new person accompanying the woman?”

  “He knows the area. They gained at least half a day by going over the mountain like that. Light on his feet but not a small man. His stride is almost as long as the woman’s and she’s a big one. I can also tell you he’s very skilled. If he finds the girl first, we’ll have a hard time tracking them. He’ll make them disappear.”

  Jaime scratched his chin as he thought about Roland’s words. They echoed what he’d already been thinking, and Roland was an even better tracker than he was. The situation was getting more complicated by the day.

  “By your frown, I can guess your thoughts on this mission,” said Roland.

  “Aye, but we’ll not be putting such thoughts to voice. To do so would put us in danger of losing our heads. I’m much too beautiful to be walking around without a head.”

  Roland chuckled, “Agreed. But you’re not that attractive.”

  “Roland, have you ever noticed how your youngest son looks more like me than you? Your wife thinks I’m very attractive.”

  Roland’s eyes narrowed and his forehead furrowed in a deep frown at the thought. “I was wondering where that blonde hair came from. If that were true, I would have to start calling you Prince Jaime.”

  “Another comment that could lead to one’s head being removed,” warned Jaime. As much as they joked about such things, the fact was Prince Erik was exactly the type of womanizing piece of dung that would bed another man’s wife. He in fact had already done so. many times. Jaime looked over his shoulder. The prince and his men were far enough back that there was no danger of them hearing the conversation, but they were treading on dangerous water just by uttering such words. No matter what Jaime or Roland thought of the prince, it wasn’t worth dying over. “Just focus on tracking down the girl. The sooner we find her, the sooner we can rid ourselves of this situation.”

  Roland nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

  19

  AS THEY MADE THEIR WAY SOUTHWEST, Isabella kept glancing towards the sky looking for Sisera. She couldn’t see the dragon, but she knew she was close. She was starting to be able to tell how close Sisera was just by the way she felt. It was a strange, yet comforting thing to have a connection to another living being.

  Glancing down at Raven, Isabella felt bad that they only had one horse. She would’ve offered to take a turn running, but she knew it was pointless. Raven was a far superior runner and had no problem keeping up to the horses. Isabella didn’t have nearly enough stamina or speed to attempt such a feat.

  “Do you think we’ll see him again?” asked Isabella. They’d reached a thick part of the forest. They now had to navigate through the trees slowly, slowly enough so that Raven would be able to talk.

  “I believe we will. He may’ve let himself become a slovenly drunk, but he a first rate tracker. He picks up things I would never be able to see, and even when he is running he makes no noise. I’ve never met a man so stealthy. If anyone can sneak into an enemy’s camp to talk to their scouts, it’s Kai Woods,” said Raven.

  “Good, I still think he doesn’t look like much, but Sisera says he is the type to be loyal and trustworthy. I trust Sisera’s judgment on that. I also remember a wise woman telling me to never judge the contents of a letter by how fancy the script is.”

  “Hmm, that sounds familiar. Obviously a very intelligent person told you that one,” said Raven.

  Isabella snickered. It was one of Raven’s saying that had stuck over the years. Books were a rarity, but when she was younger Isabella loved to deliver messages to her mother. She’d marvel at how intricate some of the letters and scrolls were. She’d tell Raven how important the letters must be, especially when the letters were scripted so fancifully and beautifully. Raven had gently scolded her and taken out two pieces of parchment. She’d made Isabella write two notes. One a silly note, scripted artfully about the sky being pink and full of cloud bunnies. The second note was brief and in simple plain letters claiming a plague had been discovered to the north and to send healers. Raven had then asked Isabella which letter would be more important to receive. The fancy one or the one about a disaster. From that day forward it, it always stuck in Isabella’s mind, never judge a letter by its script.

  “Sisera seems excited to see the tower. I wonder what it’s like?” asked Isabella.

  “I’ve never been to the Tower of King’s, but I’ve heard stories. It’s built right into the side of a mountain cliff. Heavy rock walls and one large tower that soars into
the sky. It’s said to be a dreary place, but easily defended. I’m afraid that Sisera will enjoy the tower more than us, but it will suffice. Now that the decision to stay in Seron has been made, we must put the comforts of Balta out of our minds.”

  “I never wanted to go to Balta. I’d rather stay in a dirty old stone tower then leave Seron. I’m glad that Sisera found me. Now I don’t have to leave.”

  “I’d like to say that life isn’t going to be more dangerous now, but that is a lie. No matter where you live, you will always be in danger, it is part of who you are. I don’t know how many men Kai is going to be able to produce for your protection, but all will be needed, and more if you are going to rule these lands.”

  “I’m in no hurry to claim rule over any lands,” said Isabella. “I need to learn magic and how to rule. I also need to get to know Sisera better. A Dragonblood is a vital connection between the world of man and dragon, I need to learn that role before I try to take my rightful place as queen.”

  Raven smiled as she pushed a tree branch away from her head. “So you were listening to your mother’s lessons. I often wondered how much of them you were absorbing.”

  “Probably not enough,” admitted Isabella. “I did try my best to learn all she and you taught me. I will do my best to make her proud, make both of you proud of me.”

  “Darling, there hasn’t been a bonded Dragonblood in over a hundred years, most things about being a Dragonblood are probably not in the history books. You will learn much from Sisera, and discover much more on your own. Don’t worry too much about that. Keep doing what you’ve been doing. Surround yourself with a few people you trust, learn from your dragon, listen to all our advice, but trust your own instincts. For now, that you are bonded to a dragon, your instincts will get stronger, sharper, because of Sisera’s influence.”

  Isabella nodded thoughtfully. From her vantage point on the horse, with the warrior woman by her side, Isabella’s eyes noticed the trees were starting to spread out ahead. She could see the open green of the valley Kai had mentioned. It was time to head west. Soon they’d be in Shelby. “Should we stay in Shelby tonight, or sleep outside the village?”

  “We’ve no idea when Kai will return. Sisera can manage on her own for a night. We’ll talk to Britt and see what supplies we can get from Shelby. It’s a respectable sized village and all the nearby farms that I passed seem fairly prosperous. A decent bed and a good meal would serve you well, child.”

  Isabella wanted to say that she was fine, that she could keep going. but the truth of the matter was she was tired. Being captured and held prisoner, then dramatically rescued by Sisera had been emotionally and physically exhausting. The idea of a bed and a hot meal was pleasing to her ears. “A bed does sound good. Who knows when we’ll have the chance to sleep in another.”

  20

  KAI CREPT PAST THE CAMP GUARD. Only one moon was visible and it was mostly hidden behind thick clouds that helped darken the night, making sneaking into the camp much less difficult than it might have otherwise been.

  It wasn’t hard to find the Dragon’s Tail scout’s beds. They were the furthest away from the fire, separated from the king’s knights who foolishly made their beds near the fire. The warmth of the fire lured them in close, but the habit of staring into the fire was one habit any wise woodsman avoided, as one’s eyes would take too long to adjust to looking into the dark. Also, if an enemy attacked, those closest to the fire would be easy targets to see.

  Kai crouched and waited. He was only feet from the Dragon’s Tail beds. While neither body moved, Kai knew they would likely be awake. While his approach was silent and hidden by the dark, a ranger often had a sixth sense about danger and would know something or someone was approaching. “I just want to talk,” he whispered.

  One of the men stood up and walked away from the camp. He walked a distance into the woods while Kai slowly followed. When they were out of sight of the camp the man turned. “What ye want?”

  Years had passed, and the night gave no clue to what the man looked like, but Kai recognized that voice. “I want that gold you owe me, plus interest.”

  The man paused for a moment, “Kai? Is that you? I thought you were dead.” His voice had a hopeful, surprised tone.

  “Close enough, I’ve been drunk and drowning in self-pity ever since you last saw me,” said Kai.

  “It’s good to hear your voice, man,” said Jaime. “What in the seven hells are you doing here?”

  “You’ve been following me for days, I thought it time we had a talk.”

  Jaime chuckled. “You mean we’ve been trying to follow you. We lost the trail days ago. You’re a hard man to track down. So you are the one the woman got to track down the princess? How is the child?”

  “Alive and well. She’s waiting for you now. I told her it would take a few weeks for you to round up the others, but if you leave now, I think the prince and his men won’t notice. They certainly won’t be able to track you.”

  “Did you fall down a mountain and addle your brain, Kai? You know we are bound to the prince.”

  “No! You were bound to the king, and through him to the prince, that is true enough. But did you or the others disavow your loyalties to the brigade?”

  “Watch it, Kai, I’ll not take such talk lightly,” warned Jaime.

  “I’ll speak plainly, brother, Princess Isabella is Dragonblood, and has bonded with a dragon. I’ve seen them together.”

  “By the gods!” exclaimed Jaime. “You witnessed them together? A bonded dragon and a Dragonblood? That’s incredible. You’re not jesting with me are you? It’s been lifetimes since a dragon was seen here.”

  “Yes, it has,” said Kai. “It also means that she has the right to call upon us. The Dragon’s Tail serves the Dragonblood, above kings and queens. King Ramsey is no longer your patron. It is the sacred vow all of us spoke.”

  “I know my vows. I just never thought I’d see the day when they actually mattered. What is it that you want us to do?”

  “Does Camdyn still lead the brigade?” asked Kai.

  “Yes, he’s aging fast, but his mind is still sharp. I’m now his first lieutenant. A position that should have been yours.”

  Kai wasn’t so sure he’d have made a good lieutenant. Not with the way he’d reacted to losing Rosalie, his former fiancée, and being banished from Kosal. A true leader had to be able to withstand adversity, something he’d not done. “No point worrying about old wounds. Besides, I’m on a first name basis with the princess. I’m afraid I’ll be outranking both you and Camdyn now. What a disaster in the making this could be!” Kai chuckled before continuing, “Head back to camp, wake your men, gather your gear and sneak off. Go back to Kosal and tell Camdyn what I’ve told you. Meet us at the Tower of Kings.”

  “The Tower of Kings? You’ll not take her back to Prozia?”

  “No, her stepfather will surely not like learning his daughter is now the rightful queen and ruler of all Seron. Nor will King Ramsey and that bastard son of his. Once word is out that dragons are back and a Dragonblood has bonded, there will be trouble.”

  “That is an understatement. Prince Eric will bring every man he has to kill us and the dragon when he finds out. Yes, I suppose the Tower of Kings is the only place defensible by such a small number as we shall have. I’ll head to see Camdyn right away.” Jaime paused, “Tis good to hear your voice again, brother, I missed you. We all did.”

  Kai smiled into the dark. He too had missed the men of the brigade, his brothers in arms. Jaime, his friend, he missed above all others. “It’s a mutual feeling, friend. Now go. We’ll break bread again soon.”

  Jaime grabbed Kai by the shoulder and gave it a squeeze before slipping off to the camp. A sudden, long forgotten warmth started to grow in Kai’s chest.

  Kai started back towards Shelby. But his thoughts turned to Mara and the Tower of Kings. He had lots of work to do preparing the tower for when Jaime and the Dragon’s Tail Brigade showed up. Hopefully, they
would show up before anyone else. Right now the princess’s army consisted of one recovering drunk and a woman, a fierce and powerful woman, who’d probably kick his ass for thinking her as anything other than a warrior, because despite her size and warrior status it was impossible for Kai to not notice that Raven the warrior was distinctly female. The princess’s army was definitely small. On the positive side of their ledger was the fact that young Isabella now had a fire breathing dragon as her personal protector. They would need all the help they could get. Isabella and her dragon represented a shift in power in the land. One unexpected shift that those in power would rebel against. King Ramsey and every other lord in the land would likely be wanting her dead. They would be putting a huge price on Isabella’s head. It was now his sworn duty to protect her life, protect every precious hair on the child’s head.

  21

  THE DAMP MORNING AIR CLUNG TO Prince Eric’s skin. His tent was comfortable, practically luxurious in comparison to those of his men, but while thick furs could soften even the hardest ground, they did nothing about the weather. Even where they camped, still in the mountains, he could feel the humidity and moisture of the nearby sea. The morning sun was warming the air in his tent and he was starting to sweat, despite not being active.

  Prince Eric tried to count the number of days it had been since he’d had bedroom activity. To his dismay, he was able to count a full two weeks! Two weeks of celibacy was the longest he’d gone without a woman since he’d bedded his first. It was infuriating that the simple task of going to Prozia to retrieve his new bride was turning into a wild goose chase. His “so called” scouts, those damned snotty Dragon’s Tails, seemed to not be up to the task of tracking down a simple child. Today, he’d have results or someone was getting whipped.

  Prince Eric rose and stretched. He dressed and prepared for another day of riding. Why hadn’t that idiot King Byrne done something about his meddlesome wife? A man that couldn’t control his woman had no business trying to rule a kingdom. The sooner he married the little brat, the sooner he could remove King Byrne. As he stepped out of the tent, Prince Eric was greeted by Logan Hart. Logan and his twin Daniel, were Eric’s main confidants. Knights raised by a wealthy duke, the men shared Eric’s tastes for violence and women.