by Ashenden, V.
"Come on," he said, glancing over his shoulder. The dragon let off a burst of flame, a tree catching fire before the rain extinguished it. "We have to get under the tree, hide in the leaves."
"I, I can't go underwater."
"You can," he said. "You have to. Just hold your breath and I'll do the rest. If you need to breathe, tap my arm."
"Court..."
"Sienna, please. Be brave."
"Okay," she whispered.
He slipped his arm around her waist, holding her back to his chest. "Ready?"
She took a deep breath and then nodded. He pulled her under the surface, his hand on the bottom of the tree to guide his way. Sienna immediately began tapping his arm. He kicked his legs harder, pushing them underwater. She began hitting his arm frantically as he pulled them along. Then he surfaced, pulling her up. She gasped loudly, her golden hair falling over her eyes as she coughed.
"Shh!" Court whispered, putting his hand over her mouth.
Her nose began pulsing frantically. She looked where he looked. The dragon was standing on the shore, its long neck stretching out over the water, sniffing the lake as the rain hammered into its back. It took a step forward, its paw disappearing under the surface.
"He's coming," Sienna whispered, her whole body shaking against his. "He's coming for me."
"Shh!" he said. "Not a sound."
Sienna continued to shiver in his arms, holding him tight to keep her head above the water. Court's back was braced up against a branch, his nose up against her head. They watched as the dragon crawled into the water. Half its body was underneath, its neck stretching to stay above the surface, a low growl humming from its throat.
"Court..."
"He'll stop," he whispered so softly she barely heard his voice. "He'll stop when it gets too deep. Just wait."
Suddenly the dragon roared and sent out a blast of fire, the flames skipping over the surface. Sienna screamed and Court pulled her down under the tree. The flames enveloped the trunk and foliage, burning their hiding place. Sienna began to struggle, but Court turned her around, shoving his mouth into hers, breathing into her lungs. She stopped struggling for a moment, taking his breath. And then the dragon jumped, landing on the tree, its talons crushing into the trunk, making the whole thing bob. Court kept his hand on the tree, holding them down.
Sienna began tapping his arm, slow at first, and then quicker, but the tree was still bobbing, the dragon still there. Court shoved his lips into hers again, giving her the last of his air, his own lungs burning in protest. But then the trunk bobbed and rose higher in the water. Court immediately kicked up, breaching the surface amidst the burned branches, gasping. Sienna started to cough, but he wrapped his hand around her lips.
He could see the dragon on the shore again, its head high, tilted like a bloodhound on a scent. It let out one last roar, and then it disappeared into the trees.
"Are you okay?" he whispered into her ear, his mouth over her shoulder.
She nodded. "You?"
"Bit winded."
"You kissed me again."
"Again? I didn't kiss you. I gave you air. And I can't kiss you again, because I've never kissed you a first time. Now, be quiet; he's still nearby."
Sienna turned around in the water, slipping her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes.
"You saved me," she whispered.
"Not yet. Be quiet," he said, looking past her.
"Thank you."
"Sienna, please, shh," he said, his head swiveling.
"Court, I really want to say—"
"Sienna, enough. I'm an engaged man."
"I know. I know that. I do."
"Then hush," he said firmly.
"Okay," she said, tightening her grip, her head coming down on his shoulder. She was shivering.
"Are you cold?"
"Freezing," she said, her teeth chattering.
"Me too. We'll wait here for a little bit, make sure he's gone, then we'll risk the forest. If we can get away from the rain, we'll know he's not nearby."
"Okay," she said, her cold nose on his neck.
Court gently rubbed her back up and down under the water, hoping the friction would warm her up.
"That feels nice," she whispered.
"Don't talk," he said.
She looked up into his eyes. "I think I want to tell you something."
"Sienna, whatever it is, it can wait. And for God's sake, will you please be quiet? There is a dragon about."
"I can't keep this in any longer. I have to tell you."
"Look, I already heard everything you said in the cave."
"I know, but—"
"No, you don't know," he said firmly. "Sienna, you're a great person, and you're going to make someone very happy one day, but Celeste is the one who makes me happy. I am engaged to be married. My wedding is in seven days. I am flattered you feel the way you do, but believe me when I say I am a phase you will get over. Everywhere I go, women throw themselves at me because I'm a prince, but they're not attracted to me. They're attracted to my power, my money, my influence. And that's what you're attracted to. I know you've had a hard life. I've seen it. But I am not the answer to your problems, at least not how you want them to be answered. However, if I can, I will help you free yourself from your uncle. I will help you find a place to live in town and I will ask someone to give you a job, a job that pays, and I will make sure your life is better. But I cannot be more than a friend. Do you understand?"
She swallowed, nodding. "Yes, your highness. Forgive me. I let myself forget who I am. It won't happen again."
She turned around, breaking contact, grabbing a branch and holding on to it. Court shook his head. He knew he had hurt her, but he was loyal to Celeste, and he could not let this girl go on.
After half an hour passed, the rain began to turn from a downpour to a drizzle and Court knew, or at least hoped, the dragon had moved on. He took Sienna's hand, swimming out from under the tree. She was very distant, trying not to ask for help as she paddled her way into shore. She was coughing as she crawled onto the grass, lying on her side, breathing.
"Come on," he said. "We don't have time to waste."
"I can't walk," she said.
He glanced at her leg. Her ankle was swollen and her calve had a terrible bite mark. He could see the blood now that they were out of the water. He removed his belt and wrapped it around her knee, tightening it. She cringed. Then he ripped both sleeves off his shirt, tying them around her calve. He helped her up, and she whimpered as her weight came down on her leg.
He slipped his arm around her waist, half carrying her as she hobbled on her bare feet, moving into the forest. Court was glancing at the sky, looking for rainclouds, trying to move away from them.
"I can't...can't go on," Sienna said. "I'm sorry, your highness. It hurts so much."
He shook his head, picking her up, carrying her as he walked. He was getting tired, too tired to carry her for long. The moment the sky began to clear above him and the rain disappeared, he set her down. She slumped to the forest floor, and he sat on a large stone.
"It'll be sunrise soon, not more than an hour," he said.
She nodded. Court kept his head down, rubbing his shoulder. Now that he had slowed down, he felt sore all over, especially his back where the dragon had crushed him. Sienna, he imagined, felt worse.
"How's the leg?"
"Okay, your highness."
He nodded. "That dragon is really out for you. Any idea why?"
"No, your highness."
"Hmm."
"Are you going to hunt it down?" she asked.
"Yes, but I'll be prepared next time."
"Your highness, I don't think you should. It's so strong. Nothing hurts it."
"It slew my men, Sienna. I shall never forgive it. I shall risk anything for it."
"I just don't want it to hurt you," she whispered.
"And I don't want this monster to hurt anyone else. This will be my kingdom soon,
mine and Celeste's, and I won't have that beast terrorizing my citizens."
She swallowed. "You'll be a good king, your highness."
As the sun pierced the forest, Court and Sienna began walking again. He carried her when she could walk no more, and after she had a few moments off her feet, she asked to be put back down and walked a little farther. Soon, they saw their first sign of hope, a soldier decorated in Avelot armor. They called to him and he quickly escorted them out of the forest.
"Wellington!" Court called when he saw Wellington pacing along the edge of the forest.
"Your highness!" he called, relief covering his face as he ran over. "Thank heavens!"
Court set Sienna down on her feet. She stood with difficulty on her own but then gave up, slumping down to the grass.
"Wellington, it's good to see you," Court said.
"Sir, when we found your horse abandoned, we feared the worst."
"You found Striker?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Can you call for a healer to care for Sienna? She was wounded by the dragon."
"Well, sir, there's a problem."
"Problem?"
Court glanced around. He noticed the soldiers were standing in a circle around Sienna, more joining them, coming out of the forest.
"There is dire news, sir," Wellington said. "The queen has died this very night."
"Oh, no. That's terrible. Things are no better here, Wellington. Our company is lost, every last man."
"The knights, sir, all of them?" Wellington said, his face in despair.
"I'm afraid so. Take Sienna to be cared for, and then these men and I will return to the dragon's nest and take its head from its scaly body."
"Sir, there is one other matter."
One of the soldiers stepped forward, suddenly grabbing Sienna, pulling her to her feet.
"Is this the girl?"
"Yes, that's her," Wellington said.
"Wellington?" Court said.
The soldier spoke up, "By order of her majesty, Queen Celeste, this girl is under arrest for high treason."
"Oh, no," Sienna whispered.
"Wait, on Queen Celeste's order?" Court said. "What is this?"
"You're off to the dungeon, girl," the soldier said, clapping irons around Sienna's wrist. "And soon, you'll hang by the neck for your crimes!"
"Hold on!" Court said. "This is ridiculous! She has committed no treason!"
"I have my orders, your highness," the soldier said. He began to drag her away, but Court rushed forward, stepping in front of him.
"Halt!" he said. "I will not let you take this girl without a full explanation."
"Sir, she is being arrested under the direct orders of the queen. Do you intend to defy her majesty?"
A few of the soldier stepped forward, their spears in hand. Court seemed to be thinking of his answer.
"Court," Sienna whispered, "it's okay. I'm...I'm guilty."
"What?" he said, his eyes flying open. "What did you do to commit high treason?"
"You'll find out," Sienna said, giving him a troubled smile. "I wanted to tell you. But the truth is, I think I'd do it all over again, just the same, just to be with you, if only for one more night. I'm just so sorry I'm not what you wanted."
"Sienna..."
The guard yanked her away and she stumbled with him, hobbling on her weak leg. Court was too stunned to follow. Sienna was put into a barred carriage, and then two soldiers mounted the seat and rode away. Court watched as she vanished down the road. Wellington approached his side.
"I'm so sorry you had to learn about it this way, your highness."
"Wellington, what did she do?"
"Murder, sir. She killed the queen."
"What?" Court said in wild confusion. "How? When? She was held by the dragon all night!"
"It was poison, sir, put in the queen's tea while Sienna worked in the kitchens."
"But why? What reason would she have to kill the queen?"
"To that, I have no answer. What shall we do?"
"I must speak to Celeste," Court said, taking one step, but then stopping. "But Sienna said she did it, didn't she?"
"I must say, I was rather surprised to hear her admit it as well."
Court took a deep breath. "I will find out what this is about, but I can't leave the forest now. We must find the dragon and slay it. It knows its nest is known. We have to move, lest it slip from our grasp. It has much to pay for."
"Indeed, sir. And with a hundred men, we are sure to have its hide."
Court looked at the men around him. "Men, are you up for a dragon hunt?"
They shouted a cheer.
"Good," Court said, drawing his sword. "Then let us show the dragon the pride of a knight!"
* * *
Sienna watched the countryside roll by, the big castle getting larger in the distance. Then they passed through the town. People suddenly began booing her, and an egg smashed right into her face. She gasped. It was followed by lettuce, tomatoes, even an onion, all while the people shouted, calling her horrible names, her beautiful dress, already muddy and dirty, turning all sorts of new colors.
She had no idea why they were so furious with her. Wouldn't any of them pose as the princess if they were told to, just for one night, if they could have spent the evening with Court? She covered her head, hoping it would all go away, somehow.
Finally, they arrived at the castle, the great gate opening. She was hauled out of the carriage and dragged away by two soldiers. Her leg was burning in pain as she stumbled down a winding staircase and then down a long, dark corridor. The sounds came first, the wailing and crying of prisoners. She saw the iron bars, the arms hanging out, begging the guards for food, for water, for a magistrate.
She lowered her eyes, horrified by the sounds and smells. She felt sick deep in the pit of her stomach, not just to imagine this was her life now, but to know she would never see Court again, and that soon, she would hang by the neck.
And then the torture devices came to her eyes, an iron-maiden, a pillory stock, a rack, and tools to do hideous harm on anyone so accused. A large man appeared before her, a whip slung around his neck as if it were a necklace.
"This is her then?" the man said in a gruff voice.
"This is her, warden," the soldier said.
"She's got backbone, this one," the warden said.
"The queen ordered a confession." The soldier pulled out a scroll, handing it to the large man. "Have it returned by the end of the day."
"End of the day? This one will sign it by the end of the hour. Half an hour, maybe. Half a minute, even."
"Bring it to me when you're done," the soldier said, dropping Sienna. She slumped to the floor, too weak to stand. The other soldier removed her iron shackles.
"She's been hurt?" the warden asked.
"Yes. Had a run in with a dragon, it sounds like."
"Heh. I got teeth sharper than any dragon."
"Have at it then," the soldier said. He and his companion moved off, the sounds growing louder at each cell they passed.
Sienna looked up at the large man, trembling. "Please, sir, I—"
His whip was off his back and in the air so quickly she did not even see it uncoil, nor see it snap back, but she did feel it. She shrieked as it ripped into her back, cutting through her dress like butter. She fell on her chest, sobbing out in pain.
"Rule one, you don't talk. I talk. This is my jail. If I want you to say something, I'll tell you what to say."
He grabbed her by her short, golden hair. She cried out as he dragged her across the dungeon, ramming her neck down into a pillory stock, pulling up her hands and shoving her wrists into the shackles, locking it closed. She was not tall enough for it, the tips of her toes struggling to keep her upright. She was gasping and struggling.
"Bit too much for you, eh?" the warden said. "We'll give you an hour to think about your confession, than we'll have you sign it."
"I'll...I'll...sign...sign it...now," Sien
na gasped desperately. "Please...please."
He chuckled. "You really didn't last long, did you?"
Thankfully, the stock opened. He grabbed her hair and she cried out as he pulled her over to a small table, pushing her down onto her knees. She slumped forward, leaning across it, still coughing to get her air back. The warden unrolled the scroll, stuffing a pen in her hand. He even dipped it in ink for her, moving her hand beneath the text. She was too exhausted to read it. She signed her name quickly.
"I think that might be a new record for me," he said, rolling it up.
He grabbed her hair and dragged her away. She held his wrist as best she could, trying to walk, trying to do anything to stop the pain. And then he pulled open a cell door and threw her in. She stumbled and fell on her chest, gasping and sobbing, listening to it close.
"Sienna?" someone whispered.
Sienna turned her head, and her eyes tried to focus. She blinked a few times to see if it was true. "Madam Homa?"
Homa was in the next cell, reaching through the bars. Sienna crawled to her, taking her hand. Homa looked in terrible shape, thin from starvation, her lips cracked from thirst, her clothes filthy, wearing the same dress she had worn the night of the ball.
"Madam Homa," Sienna whimpered, wrapping her arms around her neck through the bars.
"Oh, dear child," Homa said, stroking her hair. "What a state you're in. Whatever did they do to you?"
Sienna whimpered. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you're well too, though looking at you, perhaps you're not."
Sienna shook her head, sniffling. "They arrested me for impersonating the princess."
"But why? The queen pardoned you."
"I heard Wellington say the queen died last night," Sienna said. "I think Princess Celeste is the queen now."
"What?" Homa said. "How?"
"I don't know, but they said Queen Celeste wanted me arrested. I guess she was angry with me. I don't blame her. She's probably upset I pretended to be her."
"But Celeste is such a sweet girl. I couldn't imagine her imprisoning you."
"I don't know. She might know that, that I'm in love with Court."