Sisera's Gift (Dragonblood Sagas Book 2)
Page 28
“It sounds wonderful. What’s Lady Isabella like? Does the dragon really talk to you? Is it scary looking?”
Kai laughed at Rosalie’s rapid fire questions, not only had age not affected her beauty … it had done nothing to her inquisitive nature. “Lady Isabella is a child, yet she’s wise beyond her years. Having to flee from her home, being kidnapped and then bonding with a dragon had stripped away much of her youthful ignorance, but it’s revealed a strength of character that will make her a good ruler. There are still times when she sounds like a child, when you hear her laugh you would think she’s the sweetest and most innocent child, but she also has strength like no one I’ve ever known. Her dragon magic is just starting to be developed, but already I can tell she will have power like has not been seen in centuries. I know there are mages around the world with powers like hers, but most mages need years of dedicated study to hone and develop their skills. Lady Isabella gains her powers from her bond with Sisera, it’s a significant advantage for one so young. The dragon, Sisera, can talk. She is smart, and at times a little sassy, especially if she’s not eaten for a day or two. She’s not one of the big dragons like those skulls in the throne room of the Ramsey Castle, but she’s by no means small. She’s a most beautiful and dangerous creature.”
“And what of the Dragon’s Tail? I’ve talked to Jaime a few times over the years, but other than him and Camdyn they all shunned me. Not that I blame them, I will own my mistakes.” Kai felt sad for Rosalie, but he didn’t blame the men of Dragon’s Tail. Only a few likely knew as much as Jaime, the rest would only know that Kai had been banished. That they would look at Rosalie with suspicion seemed unavoidable.
“Let’s not talk of mistakes. I’ve made more than enough of my own. I am glad we are here now and have another chance to make a life together. The Dragon’s Tail is no longer. Well, actually it has just been renamed back to our original name Daxrah. They are good, Camdyn is aging fast, but his mind is still sharp. Jaime is Jaime. I don’t think he’ll ever change other than he has matured some He will be a leader, but he’s still a wild ladies man and smiles like life is always grand. There are many members that I don’t know at all. Others that I barely knew before, it’s like meeting them all over again.”
“Sometimes meeting all over again can be a good thing. I’m not the same person I was before, Kai. I’ve changed. I can tell you’ve changed as well. I hope we can continue to change together, if you understand what I mean.”
Kai did understand. He knew he was a different person now. The years of being a drunk had changed him, his new position as one of Lady Isabella’s advisors and his return to the Daxrah had changed him, but somethings were the same. At the core, he was still the same man who had loved Rosalie with all his heart and however different she was now that wouldn’t change. “I do know what you are saying. I like that you’re different, I shall take pleasure in getting to know those changes. I only hope you can live with the changes within me.”
“I love you no matter what, Kai. Know that my love for you never changed, and never will. I too look forward to discovering your changes.”
Kai rubbed his belly, it was starting to shrink due to a better diet and increased exercise, but he was not the toned and fit warrior he’d once been. “Some changes are for the worse. I’ve become a fat old man.”
“Don’t be vain. You’ll start to sound like Jaime. You’ve only the littlest belly and it’s not like I haven’t put a pound or two on as well.”
“Yes, but your pounds went to all the right places, I do believe your bosom and bottom are even more fetching than ever.”
Rosalie laughed. The sound was like music to Kai. “I’ll take that compliment.”
Kai was about to expand on his appreciation of her breasts when he noticed a rider coming up the road from the south. Two men were jogging to keep up to the rider. “Rosalie. Listen carefully,” said Kai. The tone of his voice made clear that he was serious. “Fall back. If I fall, I want you to continue south without me.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Kai Woods. There are only three men ahead of us. One on a horse riding like a noble with two soldiers to guard him. I will wait here while you deal with this. The day a Daxrah can’t dispatch three men hasn’t yet come.”
Kai shook his head. He wasn’t going to argue with Rosalie, not now. The way the man rode while the soldiers ran behind him told Kai everything he needed to know. It had been a long time since Kai had seen Eric Ramsey, but one thing that hadn’t changed about the prince was his armor. The man ahead of him was none other than the hated prince.
How the prince ended up here alone with only minimal protection was beyond Kai, but one thing Kai knew was that even if the entire army of Kosal were hidden behind the next curve in the road, Kai would take his chances here and now. It was time for a long overdue conversation with Prince Ramsey.
Confident that Rosalie was now far enough back to be out of any danger, Kai slowed his horse. He subtly shifted the quiver of arrows sitting on his right until they were leaning against his leg. His bow was slung over his shoulder and his sword was sheathed on his left, a small dagger sat in his belt behind his back. Kai took a deep breath—he couldn’t let his emotions come into play. He needed to control his anger towards the prince or he would die. He was facing three men in combat and had no idea of the value of the warriors accompanying the prince. The prince himself was well-trained and wearing full armor. He would be difficult to defeat if his companions proved of any assistance. As the prince grew closer, Kai started to smile. He’d always hated the prince, but now that he knew the extent of how far the prince had gone to ruin his life, he would exact a measure of revenge.
…
Eric Ramsey frowned as he noted the pair of riders ahead. The woman stopped while the man rode ahead. What is this about? thought the future King of Seron as he slowed his horse to allow the two tired soldiers to catch up. The man was dressed in plain woodsmen garb, with a bow slung over his shoulder and a sword hanging from his left hip. But it wasn’t the man’s weapons that interested Eric. There was something about the man’s face that was familiar. Where have I seen this man before? pondered Eric as the man stopped his horse a short distance from them. The man had his horse directly in the middle of the road, Eric and his men would have to stop or go around the man. A king does not ride around a woodsman, ever! Eric’s frown deepened when he saw the man smiling. There was something about this man, something Eric needed to remember.
“Good day,” said the stranger. “I see you’ve only one horse between the three of you. Did you win a contest to see who got to use the horse?”
Eric bristled at the comment. Did this fool not recognize his royal armor? “Move your horse aside. You are addressing King Eric Ramsey of Kosal!”
“King Ramsey? I thought the King of Kosal was an old man?” said the stranger.
“My father fell in battle. I am the new King of Kosal. Now move aside so I may continue on my way,” barked Eric.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear your father passed in battle. I was hoping old age would bring pain and suffering to him in exchange for his years of desecrating this land. I suppose death in battle is for the best. Now Kosal will be able to rid itself of the Ramsey name. You don’t have any bastard brothers that no one knows of, do you?”
Eric’s face went red, how dare this man insult his father so? Eric drew his heavy sword. “How dare you insult the Ramsey name!”
The stranger just kept smiling. “You don’t remember me at all do you? That scar over your left eye, I’m pretty sure that I gave it to you. You remember me now?”
Eric stared at the smiling stranger. The scar was small; a token of the only beating Eric had ever taken. Eric’s eyes went wide, he looked past the stranger to the woman waiting up the road. Surely this wasn’t that man. He’d been banished from these lands all those years ago. But even at a distance, Eric could see the woman’s face. And now that he looked closely, he recognized her. Rosalie, an
d that made this— “Kai Woods,” said Eric in disbelief.
“Oh you do remember me! That is wonderful, I thought I would have to explain the whole story over again in front of your men. They’d probably be embarrassed to know how pathetic their leader truly is.”
Eric had heard enough, “Kill that son of a filthy flee-bitten whore,” he screamed.
The soldiers charged towards Kai. Eric waited for them to get closer before he’d join the attack. But as his men got within ten feet of Kai, the man finally made his move. With a flip of his neck and a twist of his hand, Kai’s bow went from behind his head to in his left hand. At the same time, Kai drew two arrows out of his quiver. By the time his left had stretched out to aim his bow, his right was already lining up his first arrow. Eric watched in awe as Kai fired both arrows in rapid succession. Both of his soldiers went down as the arrows took one in the eye and the other took an arrow to the neck. Eric swore and roughly kicked his horse in the side, sending the war horse galloping towards the deadly archer.
Kai simply nudged his mount and the animal lunged forward.
As the two horses passed by each other, Eric swung his sword at Kai, he’d chop the bastard’s head right off! But Kai ducked at the last moment and Eric’s sword sliced nothing but air. Suddenly, Eric felt something around his neck. Kai had thrown his bow over Eric’s head. As Eric’s horse went forward, the bow snapped against Eric’s neck with tremendous force. Eric was launched backwards off the back of his horse. He hit the ground with a crash!
Eric groaned. His armor had taken the brunt of the fall, but his neck was throbbing from being snatched by Kai’s bow. His throat was swollen and breathing was difficult. Eric struggled to his feet. He still had his sword in his hand. He watched as Kai jumped down from his horse and drew his sword.
“I’m going to kill you, you ignorant bastard,” swore Eric, his voice sounded raspy to his own ears and talking hurt. Eric vowed to himself he’d cut the man’s tongue out in retribution.
Eric waited as Kai moved forward. Kai wasn't wearing any armor Eric could see. It was a huge advantage, one Eric intended to use to insure victory. Eric swung viciously at Kai’s midsection.
Kai blocked the attack, and stalked Eric, moving sideways around Eric.
Eric pivoted and attacked again. This time a high arching swing that Kai slipped under. Eric’s sword struck the ground hard. He lifted the blade and lunged forward with a series of strikes. Kai blocked or ducked each of the attacks.
Eric could feel his energy sapping. How was the damned man avoiding all his strikes?
When Kai blocked Eric’s next attack, Eric reached out with his gauntlet and grabbed hold of Kai’s sword. He pulled the sword and the man towards himself. “I’ve got you now,” he hissed into Kai’s face.
Eric watched in confusion and then horror as Kai’s right hand left his blade, went behind his back and came back with a small knife. Before Eric could push Kai away, the small blade slammed into Eric’s eye. Eric fell to the ground, screaming in agony.
…
Kai left the new King of Kosal to die. His anger was gone—all the hate he’d felt for so many years had poured out through him into the knife he’d embedded in the man’s skull. Kai felt enormous relief he’d been able to exact some justice on the man who’d had such an impact on his life. Now his heart could heal and he and Rosalie could put this horrid past behind them for a brighter future—one he's mistakenly thought was lost to him. He gathered his bow, surprisingly intact besides having a broken string, and remounted his horse.
Rosalie rode up, she only gave Eric Ramsey the smallest glance before looking at Kai. “I’m done resting. It’s time to go.”
Kai looked at Rosalie. She didn’t seem perturbed or out of sorts about the battle. Perhaps she too felt it was long overdue justice. The fact that she refused to acknowledge what had happened was anything of importance was interesting, but it was not unwelcome. Kai would gladly put the new king and all he’d done to them in the past.
Kai nodded and nudged his horse forward. “Yes. Let’s get going. They are waiting for us at Mara.”
Author’s Notes:
Thank you for reading SISERA’S GIFT, the second of the Dragonblood sagas. If you enjoyed, please check out my website or follow me on twitter!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robyn_wideman
Webpage: www.robynwideman.com
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Other titles by Robyn Wideman
Soron’s Quest the prequel to the Stoneblood Saga novels. http://goo.gl/Oz5JNM
Son of Soron, Book one of the Stoneblood Saga novels http://goo.gl/egIMKi
Akira Rises, by Robyn and Nonie Wideman(Talented artist making the move into writing and my lovely mother ) http://amzn.to/1We7s9t
www.robynwideman.com
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