by Simone Pond
The thought of her mother still being alive filled Evelyn with hope and dread. She didn’t want to hang on to some false wish only to be destroyed again. But her father was right, they needed to move forward. There was nothing left in Ocelum.
***
The journey to Eshlan took weeks. Doran was correct about the cold and wet weather conditions causing delays through the mountain passes. The spear of Gorias did a fine job of leading the three through safer and less strenuous routes, but that added more time to the trip. Evelyn worried they wouldn’t reach Clovis before Prince Kieran and his army attacked.
“Aine will have warned them,” said Doran.
“But if the prince has the dragon with them, Clovis and his men might not be prepared.”
“It’s better we show up late than not at all,” said Doran.
Evelyn chuckled, turning her head slightly so her cheek met Doran’s lips. He kissed her softly. Her face warmed up. How she longed to be with Doran. They’d had a couple of close calls, yet the two still hadn’t become one. The endless yearning for him had only made her desires grow stronger.
Doran whispered into her ear, “When this war is over and you’ve killed all of the dragons of Galicia, you and I have some unfinished business.”
That time Evelyn’s entire body heated up. She was sure Doran could feel it through her cloak. She yanked on the reins and urged their horse to keep up with Lugh, who had already made it through the narrow pass. They were close to Eshlan. Only another day of travel. Evelyn forced herself to refocus on the journey ahead, though her insides had been set ablaze just thinking about finally being with Doran.
In the distance, the White Sea glimmered in golden waves as the sun settled beyond the horizon. They reached the outskirts of the Eshlan territory within two weeks. Though evening was approaching, the air was warm and soothing to Evelyn. It was a nice change from the brisk mountains.
She removed her cloak and situated it over the back of the horse. “We made it.”
“And now we must get to the estate,” said Lugh. “Let’s hope your friend made it here and alerted them of our coming.”
“I’m sure she did,” said Doran. “Aine is quite the rider.”
As they continued along the edge of the cliffs, Evelyn thought about what she would say to Clovis when they met. What would the dragon warrior make of her as slayer? Would he find her an amateur? Why did she care? She wanted his respect as a fellow warrior with the same goals—to get rid of the dragons of Galicia once and for all.
“Halt!” a voice barked.
Two burly men came forth from a hidden spot behind a cluster of strange trees Evelyn had never seen before. The men wore leather pants only. They didn’t wear tunics or breastplates of armor. They left their chests exposed, showing off their heaping muscles and thick hair. They also didn’t don helmets; unlike the knights of Verubri, these men had long, unkempt hair and unruly beards to match. Each held his own club and battle-axe. Evelyn thought they looked more like beastly scavengers than warriors.
She quickly jerked the reins to stop the horse. Lugh slowed down and trotted up to her side.
“I’m Lugh of Gorias and this is my daughter Evelyn,” he shouted. “We are here to meet with Clovis.”
To her surprise, the two men of the Oxybii tribe took a knee and bowed their heads in respect.
“That is not necessary,” said Lugh. “We are all dragon warriors.” He paused and glanced over to Doran. “And we’re all in this together.”
Evelyn could see the swell of pride rising in Doran’s chest. Words he’d told Evelyn back in Ocelum. Words that had become their code.
One of the men stood up and strutted over to the horses. “It is an honor to meet you, Lugh of Gorias.” He turned to Evelyn. “And you as well, dragon slayer.”
Evelyn almost slid off the horse, shocked to hear such a powerful man refer to her as such. Was that what they were calling her now? Dragon slayer. He hadn’t said the same about her father, who was the legendary dragon slayer. She didn’t know whether to feel pride or worry. The title held much responsibility.
“My name is Granger. Come with me,” he told them. “Clovis has been awaiting your arrival.”
Evelyn asked, “Is the girl who delivered the message okay?”
Granger nodded. “She is. But she is in a nearby village, helping to restore it from the dragon’s fire. Said she needed to keep busy. That you were taking too long.”
Evelyn laughed. “That sounds like Aine.”
Granger mounted his horse and nodded at his partner. Then he led the group along the edge of the cliffs toward the majestic white structure not too far off in the distance. Evelyn was relieved it looked nothing like Verubri, with its dark stones and turrets. Instead the enormous edifice was crisp white marble made up of rectangular shapes and straight lines. The windows were giant archways that stood stories tall and overlooked the White Sea. More of those peculiar tall skinny trees surrounded the grounds. And the entire estate was filled with exotic flower gardens.
At the gate, Granger instructed them to leave their horses, saying someone would tend to them. He then escorted them down the stone pathway to the front entrance of the massive structure. Evelyn found herself amused at the juxtaposition of the brutish Granger entering the pristine building.
Once inside, they passed through a courtyard and walked along open corridors. The sea air gently brushed over Evelyn’s cheeks. One could get used to such a magnificent place, she mused.
“It’s awfully quiet,” said Doran.
“Most of the men have been traveling north these last months to intercept Kieran’s army,” explained Granger. “Clovis doesn’t want any battles in Eshlan. We’ve been fighting in the midland territories.”
Granger continued down the breezy corridor until he reached a door made of turquoise. He opened it and gestured for everyone to enter.
When Evelyn stepped inside the grand hall she stopped to take in the beauty. The room was wide open and had sweeping views of the White Sea. Soft panels of white fabric fluttered in the breeze.
“Exquisite,” she said.
Granger pointed to the far end of the hall toward a large platform. “Clovis awaits you.” Then he turned to leave.
The three walked across the room toward Clovis. As they got closer, Evelyn noticed that a throne that must’ve once sat atop the platform had been dismantled and its pieces were now strewn about the floor. A statement, she thought.
Evelyn stopped as they reached the outer perimeter of what seemed to be a royal or sacred area.
Lugh nudged her shoulder. “Go on, Daughter.”
“Aren’t you coming?” She sounded like a little girl.
“He’s waiting to speak to you,” he told her with a smile.
“But I thought we were in this together,” she said.
Lugh laughed and gently pushed her forward. Clovis looked up from his desk and stood.
“You must be the dragon slayer,” he said in a voice that cracked like thunder.
Evelyn lifted her chin and nodded. “I am Evelyn of Gorias, dragon slayer.”
Clovis stepped around his desk and hopped down from the platform, taking long strides toward Evelyn. He reached out his hand and pulled her in for a hug.
“Good to meet you, dragon slayer. Good indeed!” He had the slightest hint of an accent, lingering on his syllables as they did in the southern regions.
“Sir.” She bowed respectfully.
“No need to bow! I should be on my knee before you.” He paused a moment and peered behind Evelyn toward her father and Doran. “And the legendary Lugh of Gorias.” He walked over to Lugh and bowed before him. “It is an honor.”
“Clovis of Oxybii, I’ve heard many good things about you from this man.” Lugh put his arm around Doran’s shoulders and said, “This is Doran of Navia. Son of the once great king.”
Doran nearly gushed at the gesture, but held his composure.
Clovis reached out for Doran’s forea
rm and squeezed it. “Ah yes, Navia. Your father was a noble king and ruled a fine city. Before that demon of the north and his dragons destroyed it.”
“Speaking of the devil …” Evelyn smiled. “Shall we get down to business?”
Clovis motioned for them to follow him over to his desk, where he spread out a map of the region. He pointed out where his men had been positioned throughout the midlands.
“We’ve done a good job taking down much of Kieran’s army, but he keeps poaching villages and forcing others to join him. Then his dragon burns down the villages. So far, the dragon has been afraid to engage with the tribe of dragon warriors, but its confidence is building.” Clovis pressed his finger onto the map in a region just south of Verubri. “We will join my men here and push for a decisive attack.”
Evelyn nodded in agreement, then looked at Lugh. “What say you, Father?”
“I say it will be a glorious sight to behold.”
The spear lit up in her hand as if declaring the end of the discussion.
“Ah, the spear speaks,” said Clovis.
Evelyn yawned. “And it’s telling me that we must rest before battle.”
Clovis stood again and laughed. “Yes, of course. There are plenty of rooms in the castle. Take any you’d like.” He turned and shouted, “Sister! Come, assist our guests.”
A few moments later, a lady came from another room off to the side and stepped up onto the platform. Evelyn recognized her dark hair and eyes … The chambermaid who liked to talk.
“Kateline?”
She smiled as she came forward and kissed Evelyn’s cheeks. “Yes, my lady. It is me. I wanted to tell you of my plans, but there was never an appropriate time. The castle halls have eyes, as they say.”
“You can fill me in while you’re showing us to our rooms,” said Evelyn.
“Absolutely! But first, I have something for you.” Kateline reached into the pocket of her trousers and removed a book and handed it over.
Evelyn clutched her father’s journal, smiling. She couldn’t wait to read the pages and discover its secret knowledge and wonders.
18
Late at night when the castle staff was sound asleep, Ciara used the set of keys she’d stolen from Prince Kieran’s desk to unlock her chamber door and sneak out into the hallway. She quietly made her way through the dimly lit corridors of the silent castle to the dungeons.
The shiny gold coins easily took care of the half-asleep guard at the door. She took his torch and descended into the dank hollows underneath the castle. Soon she would free Olen from the wretched dungeons.
She reached his prison cell and unlocked the iron gate. Olen sat chained to the stone wall.
She gasped at the sight of him and rushed over. “Damned be all of Verubri … I’m so sorry, my love.”
“Ciara,” he murmured.
He looked nothing like the Olen she had known in the prior months. This version was rail thin and reeking of rot. She needed to cover her face with the skirt of her dress as she worked on unlocking his cuffs. She pulled him off the ground, trying not to cry, but it was difficult to hide her emotions.
Olen coughed and choked for air. “I’ll be okay, my lady. Just get me out of here …”
Ciara let Olen balance his weight on her shoulder as the two shuffled out of the prison cell. She stopped every few feet to catch her breath, for though Olen had lost a significant amount of weight, he was still a tall man, and she was very pregnant. But she kept going, not letting his weakness or her exhaustion get in the way. She spoke of plans for their future together.
“I’ve taken care of the prince. But there’s one more thing I must do before Verubri is truly mine …”
Olen stumbled to his knees and hacked, then sputtered out, “Verubri will be yours?”
“It will be ours, my love. That’s been my plan from the beginning. And everything is falling into place. Just one more thing I must take care of. And then we’ll get you fixed up with the healer.”
Olen attempted to stand on his own, but fell into another coughing fit. Ciara once again let him rest his weight on her shoulder.
“Why?” he muttered.
“Why what?”
“We must leave Verubri. Not stay.”
“We will. I’ve secured the estate in Eshlan. But I must establish myself here first.”
He stopped walking and looked directly into Ciara’s eyes, and pleaded, “Forget about this deplorable kingdom.”
Ciara kissed Olen’s wan cheek. “You’re delirious. You’ll feel better after I get you into the baths and the healer tends to you.” She paused a moment, then added, “But first, I must make a quick stop.”
Olen crumpled to the ground again.
“I’ll let you rest while I take care of some business just down that other tunnel. I’ll be right back.” Ciara smiled and walked off carrying the torch, leaving Olen in the dark.
When she arrived at Evelyn’s cell, she found it empty. Her thoughts began flashing like a lightning storm.
***
Ciara continued half-dragging Olen down the corridors to the baths. She suppressed her consternation over Evelyn’s escaping the dungeons—for a second time. She was so riled up, she had no problem heaving Olen into one of the steaming pools. He lowered himself into the water and closed his eyes. While he soaked, she went to get the healer.
She arrived at the healer’s private quarters and found the white-haired enchantress rocking in her chair next to a wood-burning stove.
“Been expecting you.” She rose and handed Ciara a piping hot cup of tea.
The healer gestured for Ciara to sit.
“But Olen …”
“He soaks for now.” The healer’s turquoise eyes radiated as she scanned Ciara. “Baby healthy,” she said in her heavy ancient.
“That’s a relief.” Ciara sighed, thinking about Olen taking her to bed after he’d been healed.
“Not good to lie with Olen.” The healer took a sip of her tea.
Ciara put down her tea and crossed her arms over her round belly. “How dare you suggest such a thing! I’m married to the prince.”
The healer laughed until tears filled her captivating eyes. She leaned forward and reached for Ciara’s hands. “No prince in your heart.”
A soft breeze brushed over Ciara as the healer held her hands. Warmth poured over her head and down over her shoulders. She was filled with a comforting peace. “My heart belongs to Olen.”
“Yes,” said the healer. “And together you leave.”
Ciara pulled her hands away. “As in leave Verubri?”
The healer sat back and nodded.
“We will eventually go to Eshlan. But if we leave now, we’ll be on the run and never safe.”
The room grew still. Ciara waited for the healer to say something more, but the woman stood and walked to the door. “Olen ready.”
Ciara pulled herself up and trailed behind the woman through the corridors and into the baths.
Olen looked half-dead or completely relaxed. The healer helped him out of the water. She took Olen toward a private room off to the side. Before entering, she looked at Ciara. “You wait.”
Ciara stood outside the room and waited.
A short while later, Olen came out of the room fully restored to his former self, tall and broad-shouldered. His skin was refreshed and his hair brushed and gleaming. He wore clean clothes and a bright smile. At a loss for words, she held out her arms. He reached out and embraced her, kissing her softly.
“I love you,” she whispered, realizing she meant it.
“And I love you,” he replied.
The healer glided over to Olen. “You remember what I speak.”
His smile vanished as he nodded. “We will depart at first light.”
“We are not leaving Verubri,” said Ciara.
Olen cupped her face. “It’s for the safety of our daughter.”
Ciara pulled away. “Leaving before I have secured my place in the kingdom will
be detrimental to our daughter’s safety!” She looked to the healer to scorn her, but the woman was already gone.
19
The room Evelyn selected for herself and Doran was located in the east wing of the estate. The weather was warm enough in Eshlan for Evelyn to sit outside on the balcony. She took her father’s journal and sat in one of the chairs, kicking her feet up on a table made of mosaic tiles, and read until the stars came out.
Doran stepped onto the balcony and rested his hand on Evelyn’s shoulder. “You planning on staying out here all night?”
A charge of energy flamed through Evelyn as she soaked in Doran’s touch. He made her heart flutter. But she wanted to read the journal until every word and illustration resonated in her blood.
“There seem to be a couple of pages missing,” she said. “I’m trying to figure out what they might’ve contained.”
Doran sighed.
Evelyn glanced up to him. “I want to know how to fully use the spear of Gorias. I can’t go into battle dull-witted.”
Doran knelt down and placed his hands on her knees. “You’ll do fine, Evelyn.”
She loved it when he said her name. It sent shockwaves of delight through her entire body. He reached for the journal and set it down on the mosaic table, then he stroked his hands along her knees and thighs.
“You’re making it very difficult to concentrate on this upcoming battle,” Evelyn whispered.
“Good.”
Doran reached underneath Evelyn and lifted her out of the chair and carried her into the bedroom. He tossed her onto the enormous bed, laughing. When Evelyn opened her mouth to argue, he placed his lips over hers and smothered her with a long and intense kiss. A kiss that set her heart aflame. She wanted Doran and denying herself was pointless. She pressed hard against him and moaned as he grabbed her closer. They locked into one another, their hands working quickly to remove their clothes.
The warm breeze blew in from the ocean over their naked bodies as they rolled about the blankets, exploring each other from head to toe. Moans of delight escaped Evelyn’s mouth. He moved lower and kissed her everywhere. They made love. And when they reached pure bliss, it was as though the entire sky of stars exploded and sprinkled down over their bodies.