Xerxes stood up and gazed towards the north east, the breaking dawn shedding a weak light over the route he would take, ‘So, to the left of the gully running down from the short peak there –’ he pointed to the mountain, his eyes narrowed in concentration. ‘I can position Cain and Brutus to the right and my brother and I on the opposite side.’
Fabian nodded, ‘The dragons’ nesting site is higher up on the northern side. They will fly down once they catch the bestra’s scent,’ he looked up and studied the sky; an unbroken swathe of pearl grey that held the distinct promise of snow. ‘The conditions are good. There will be no sun today to obscure our vision.’
Xerxes licked a finger and held it aloft, ‘Perfect,’ he gave a satisfied nod. ‘There’s a light breeze from the east. It’ll carry the bestra’s scent nicely but shouldn’t cause our arrows too much trouble.’
Mistral chewed slowly on a piece of cold rabbit and listened to them planning the hunt. Despite his usual devil-may-care attitude in most aspects of his life, Xerxes was nothing but professional when it came to work. She felt no urge to join in, her mind was preoccupied with the thoughts she had Seen in Malachi’s mind the night before. She couldn’t help feeling responsible for the backlash Leo would face when he returned to the Valley. It had been she who had forced him into giving her the cull, no-one else; once again demonstrating her endlessly ability to act with absolutely no thought for the consequences of her selfishness. Setting her guilt aside, she let her mind return to the one shadowy figure that was central to the whole matter, yet seemed to have been overlooked by everyone –
‘Are you ready Mistral?’
She looked up, startled out of her reverie by Fabian’s voice, ‘Sorry, miles away.’
He frowned, ‘Is there something you need to tell me?’
She glanced over at her brothers; they were breaking camp, packing away the tents and loading all of the provisions onto one bestra, the other two would be used as bait. She stared silently at the two doe-eyed creatures, feeling a wave of pity sweep over her.
‘Mistral?’
‘Sorry.’ Mistral tore her gaze away from the bestra. What was wrong with her these days? Rescuing kittens, and now feeling sorry for two cows! Maybe she was really ill after all ... ‘I keep thinking about how Leo’s name is going to be mud when he gets back to the Valley, and as usual it’s my fault,’ she explained with a sigh.
‘Leo could have refused to give you the Contract Mistral, just as he could have turned down your offer to work solely for him to pay back your apprenticeship. He’s more guilty of selfishness than you are. If Leo were less driven by his own ambitious desires, he might have seen the full implications of giving you the cull. You cannot, and you will not, take all the blame for this.’
‘Maybe not, but I can definitely take some of it. But, there’s something else I need to tell you – I think we’re overlooking someone –’
‘Gleacher.’ Fabian finished quietly. ‘Yes. I agree. He holds the warriors, and that makes him integral to both Leo’s and Malachi’s chances of success.’
Mistral frowned and dropped her voice, ‘Malachi must have some sort of hold over him, or he’d never have agreed to be involved in the export of illegal potions. Yet, no-one could question his dedication to the Ri ... and that’s the part I’m most puzzled about. How can he be loyal to the Ri yet have betrayed us by helping Malachi?’
‘I agree that something must be amiss between Malachi and Gleacher, and that could be dangerous for Leo’s campaign to be the next Divinus. All the warriors trust Gleacher implicitly. They would follow whichever Divinus he favored without hesitation. So far, Gleacher has remained outwardly neutral but I am certain his loyalties lie with Leo, however we need to know the nature of the hold Malachi has over him. He may use it to force Gleacher to act against Leo, and that would be disastrous.’
‘I can try to read him if you like.’ Mistral offered.
Fabian regarded her for a moment before reaching out to gently trace the dark shadows beneath her eyes, ‘No, I think that trying to read Etienne and then reading Malachi last night was enough of a strain for you. Besides, if we are to trust Gleacher then he should speak freely when confronted with the question. I will ask him, when the right opportunity arises; he is not a man that can be easily intimidated.’
‘No,’ Mistral agreed with a frown, ‘which makes me wonder what it could be that Malachi has on him.’
I’d love to know that too …
‘I’m sure you would brother.’ Mistral murmured with a wry smile, looking over to where Phantom was pretending to be checking his bow.
‘Are you ready to leave yet Mistral?’ Xerxes called in a brisk voice. ‘Only I want to be in position before the sun hits the nesting site and wakes the dragons. If they get wind of the bestra while we’re still trekking it’ll get a bit messy.’
‘Yes brother, I’m ready.’ Mistral grinned and leapt to her feet, filled with excitement at the prospect of the hunt. Dragons! The one creature she had always dreamed of having the chance to hunt … well, apart from giants – but there was always time for that opportunity to arise.
‘We’ll leave Marietta here.’ Xerxes said, giving the bestra laden with all their provisions an affectionate pat. ‘So she doesn’t accidently become bait too.’
Mistral laughed, ‘You named the bestra after one of your sweethearts?’
Xerxes looked at the bestra tenderly, ‘Well, they have many similarities; long hair, nice eyes, not too demanding –’
‘Don’t forget the wet nose and short legs.’ Cain reminded him.
‘They sound the same too.’ Brutus added unkindly.
Xerxes gave them both dark looks and slung his bow across his back, ‘We’ll shoot gloveless and cloakless,’ he ordered snappily. ‘Less room for error.’
‘Yes, oh mighty one!’ Brutus called cheerfully and grabbed his bow.
Laughing quietly, Mistral grabbed her own longbow only for Fabian to instantly take it from her and add it to his own. Phantom looked hopefully at his brother who ignored him and strapped his own bow on before following Mistral and Fabian out of the camp. Xerxes strode up alongside Fabian to resume their conversation about the hunt, going over the dragons’ few weak points and discussing where to position each warrior and which order to shoot in. Mistral listened with half an ear; she already knew from experience that the best laid plans usually went straight out of the window when the action happened. Preparation was all very well, but she believed in relying on instinct and not wasting too much effort on trying to plan everything right down to the last detail. They had bait and bows, what more did they need?
‘You feeling alright today?’
Mistral looked round to see Brutus walking next to her. She glanced quickly at Fabian; he was deep in conversation with Xerxes about the pros and cons of different types of bow. ‘Fine. You didn’t say anything did you?’ She whispered back.
Brutus shook his head.
‘Good.’ Mistral sighed with relief. ‘I definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on today!’
Brutus beamed out from beneath the heavy fur hat he was wearing, ‘No, it is going to be something to tell the grandchildren about!’
Mistral looked at him in surprise, ‘Something you’re not telling us Brutus? Or is Xerxes not the only one with children littered all over the Isle?’
‘Oh he hasn’t got any. Mother was just winding him up. But seeing her again, it makes me think about things like that, you know, family. ’
Mistral pulled a face, ‘Not really Brutus. I never knew my real parents and I don’t think I’d want to either. They were only too happy to dump me at the first opportunity … both my adoptive parents are long gone and Fabian’s are too. Sadly, you lot are all the family I have now.’
Brutus grinned, ‘And what more could anyone ask for in a family but a bunch of thieves and assassins?’
A megalomaniac brother-in-law with ambitions to rule the world …
Mistral shot Phantom a so
ur look but he was conveniently busy adjusting the ties on his boots.
‘Oh I don’t know Brutus, maybe a nice portrait of you all to hang in our house?’ Mistral suggested casually. ‘Know anyone that paints portraits Phantom?’
The temperature dropped steadily as the climbed further into the mountains. The sky above was iron grey, heavy with the threat of snow. After an hour of trekking they reached the point where they were to divide into two parties and halted, passing around a gourd of Floris’ liquor and sharing last minute banter until Fabian called them all to attention to go over the final details.
‘As agreed, we can communicate using Mistral and the twins. Mistral will listen in to Brutus’ thoughts and the twins will use their gift to keep Xerxes informed of any changes.’
Mistral deliberately avoided Xerxes’ reproachful look. Fabian had asked her to read him but she’d refused point blank, stating that she was barely over her sickness and didn’t want a relapse.
‘We shoot until all of the dragons are down. Only use poisoned arrows for the first successful round of fire then revert to sedated ones. Remember the cull is only for two of the juvenile females and not the queen.’
Mistral ignored the pointed look Phantom gave her but couldn’t shut out his thoughts.
Yes, let’s not get carried away shall we?
‘Cain, are you carrying enough Theriac to treat us all should the need arise?’
Cain nodded and reached into his saddle bag to draw out a red glass bottle, ‘Cures all known poisons, hopefully including the one I’ve brewed for the dragons,’ he passed it to Fabian. ‘I’ve got two more bottles with me if we need it.’
Fabian took the bottle and stowed it carefully in his own saddlebag before glancing around the group, ‘Any questions?’
Everyone shook their heads.
‘Then, it is time. Good hunting.’
‘Good hunting!’
Their lively response echoed off the dark face of the mountain. Mistral watched Xerxes, Brutus, Cain and Grendel leading their bestra away and felt the eager burn of anticipation unfurl in her stomach, its heat obliterating any lingering doubts she had about the deal she’d made to get the Contract. It had been worth it. They were finally hunting dragons.
Recognising the wild gleam in her eyes, Phantasm sighed heavily, ‘Remember, no reckless heroics today please Mistral. Just shoot your bow and try to repress the impulse to have a go at a dragon armed with just your dagger.’
Fabian looked over to give her a private smile from beneath the fur trim of his hood. She grinned back, knowing that he shared in her thrill at the day’s hunt. Access to his dreams had provided her with a deep insight to the mind of her Mage. The protectiveness he displayed towards her was a direct contrast to the complete lack of regard he showed for his own safety. He had an innately fearless nature that, if possible, made her feel even more drawn to him than before. Tearing her gaze away from Fabian, Mistral looked up at the rugged path winding away in front of them. A startled mountain hare leapt out and bounded away and Mistral reached out instinctively to restrain Prospero.
‘I wish Prosp was here,’ she sighed, suddenly wistful for the company of her huge dog. ‘It doesn’t feel right going hunting without him. He would’ve loved all this.’
‘You can tell him all about it when we get back.’ Phantasm murmured consolingly.
‘Well I wish he was here too.’ Phantom muttered, hauling savagely on the bestra’s rope harness to hurry the slow creature along. ‘His teeth would make this thing move a bit faster!’
The final part of the journey was a climb up to their shooting positions. Before they began their ascent Phantom led the bestra to the point Fabian indicated and tethered the beast to a jutting outcrop of rock. Mistral watched him walk away from the bestra. It tried to follow, coming up short against its length of rope and snorting with surprise.
‘I wish there were something else we could have used as bait,’ she said unhappily.
‘Yes, it’s a shame the Mages are no longer with us. They’d have been ideal.’ Phantom sighed regretfully. ‘Well, let’s look on the bright side,’ he gave her a sidelong look. ‘If you’re half as good with a bow as you pretend to be, then the dragons might not even get a chance to try the taste of bestra meat.’
Mistral ignored his jibe, privately resolving to do her very best to bring down any dragon that got close to the tethered creature now lowering dolefully at them.
Fabian pointed out their routes up to a pair of narrow ledges in the rockface above them. The twins climbed up first, scaling the rock with the same lithe grace with which they accomplished any physical task.
Satisfied that the twins had safely reached their ledge, Fabian turned to Mistral, ‘I will climb after you. Please … try to be careful.’
Mistral raised an eyebrow in mock disdain and walked over to start her climb. Taking off her gloves and stuffing them inside her jerkin while she studied the rough surface of the rock Mistral quickly spotting a series of flaws running up to a larger vertical split. She immediately jumped up and rammed her fingers into the first crack, curling her fingers into claws she clung on and braced her boots flat against the rock, taking her weight while she prepared to push off and throw herself up to the next set of holds. She was not as swift or graceful in her ascent as the twins, often taking unnecessary risks by reaching for a hold that was only just within her reach when another one closer to her would have sufficed; but she climbed with a fearless relish that made Fabian smile. He watched her reach the ledge then turn to wave at him with a wild grin.
Swinging both of their saddlebags and bows over his shoulders, Fabian began to climb. Mistral watched him from the ledge, admiring the sinewy strength of his lean frame. He didn’t waste energy on reckless leaps like she did but was more economic, executing each move with a calculated precision that brought him swiftly up to the ledge.
‘And now begins the boring part,’ she sighed, taking her bow and saddlebag from him.
‘Waiting.’ Fabian smiled. ‘A regrettable part of every hunt, however, at least we have each other for company.’
Mistral looked up to meet his gaze. His dark eyes were shining, exhilarated by danger. Unable to resist the lure of being alone with him, she abruptly threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Oh please! You know we can see you! Can’t you ever behave?
Mistral ignored Phantom’s disdainful thoughts and continued to pass the time in the best way she knew how. Laughing softly, Fabian pulled her closer and kissed her back, eventually reaching up to untwine her hands from around his neck and push her firmly away. She relinquished her hold with a reluctant sigh.
‘You could prove too much of a distraction,’ he smiled ruefully. ‘An entire flock of dragons could have descended on us then and I think I would have failed to notice.’
She grinned unrepentantly, ‘I’m sure the twins would tell me if that happened. Phantom’s already been whining in my ear about behaving properly.’
‘I’m sure he has,’ murmured Fabian distractedly, his attention already back on the hunt. He looked over at the twins first, and then checked the positions of the other warriors.
Mistral sighed and knew that she had lost out to business, but couldn’t really complain, considering the frankly amazing nature of the business. She followed his gaze to see Grendel’s huge bulk dwarfing Cain’s slightly built frame on a ledge opposite. Further around to the left she could see Brutus and Xerxes, both were knelt, busily adjusting the strings on their bows. Elves and their bows, Mistral smiled to herself and looked away to the north. The mountains curved around in a horseshoe shape, facing the dragon nest. Mistral stared off into the black peaks, watching intently for any signs of dragons. The wind had stayed light and kept its direction from the east. It was perfect for driving the bestra scent to the dragons, but what about the scent of the warriors?
‘Will the dragons go for us?’ she asked Fabian with a frown.
He shook his head, ‘The best
ra have a much stronger scent and present more of a meal than we do, although I confess to being unsure of how they will react to Grendel.’
Mistral raised her eyebrows and looked over at Grendel again, now tugging experimentally at the thick string of a specially reinforced longbow, ‘Yes, he is rather … aromatic,’ she said then shrugged unconcernedly. ‘But I’m sure he’s up to the challenge if they decide to have a go at him. Grendel’s fairly indestructible. It’s one of his few redeeming features,’ she added with an affectionate smile.
Fabian looked at her and with a curious expression, ‘You and your brothers Mistral; the bond you share. It is unique. You are aware of that, aren’t you?’
Mistral looked at him in surprise, ‘Is it? I see the same between you and Samson.’
‘Ah, yes. Samson and I go back a long way … well, I think you probably know that now you hear my dreams, but that bond took years to develop. What you all share is instinctive. I have truly never seen it’s like before.’
She shrugged and avoided his gaze, the painful memory of the brother that was missing casting a sudden shadow over her good mood, ‘I think I’ll check in on Brutus.’ Mistral looked over at the distant figure of Brutus and listened in to his thoughts, smiling at the excitement in them, the irritation at Xerxes’ bossiness, the sudden desire for something to eat only to be instantly washed away by excitement again. She sighed and broke the contact with his mind. ‘No problems there. He’s thinking about killing things and eating; all perfectly normal.’
‘Good.’ Fabian said in a quietly satisfied voice. ‘Then I think we should prepare.’
They spent the next half an hour carefully dousing their arrows in poison and checking their bows, talking little but working in harmony, completely at ease with one another. Reaching into her saddlebag for her water skin Mistral saw a linen-wrapped parcel and realised that Phantasm had packed food for her. Smiling, she pulled it out and was reminded of the day before, when she had been forced to admit the depths of her feelings for the twins in order to break the spell. Mulling over in her mind how it was possible to love, but not be in love, she looked again at Fabian and was instantly captivated by his serious expression, the determined line of his jaw, the sharp planes of his face sweeping up to meet impossibly high cheekbones ... the way his pale skin contrasted so strongly with his dark eyes and hair. She sighed. How could she ever love anyone but him? The angelic beauty of the twins paled into insignificance compared to his brooding perfection.
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