The Captive

by Paul Lauritsen

  “Three days, wasted! No kill, no meat. You think,” she said angrily, jabbing her bow at Khollo, “Just because you have a dragon you can hunt and kill anything in this swamp? What about the people who live here, the people who survive on these animals? You didn’t think of them, did you, dragon boy?”

  The taunt stung Khollo out of his stupor. He took a step back and raised the Sen-teel slightly, keeping it between them. The girl’s eyes flicked to the weapon, then back to Khollo. Amber eyes, hard and clear.

  “Um . . .” Khollo finally managed. “Sorry?”

  “Sorry! Ha! That’s all you have to say for yourself?”

  “I’m sorry,” Khollo repeated. “I didn’t know you were hunting this particular group. But Kanin was really hungry. He hasn’t eaten since before we crossed the Najni in that snowstorm and even a dragon needs food every couple of – ”

  “Cut the story,” the girl snapped. “I don’t want to hear it.” Her expression did soften a little though as she glanced at the emerald dragon, who was crouched over his kills, head cocked curiously in her direction. After a moment, Kanin leaned down and nudged the third carcass, the one he had not touched yet, away from the rest of his meal.

  Here, he said gently, you can have this one, daughter of the hunt. One with your courage should not walk away empty-handed.

  Khollo winced, wondering if Kanin really expected him to repeat this message word for word. But as Kanin was speaking the girl gasped and her eyes went wide.

  “He speaks?” she asked incredulously.

  “You can hear him?” Khollo asked stupidly.

  “Apparently,” she snapped, turning to Kanin. Hesitantly, she stepped forward, extending one hand, palm outward. Kanin extended his neck, reaching his head towards her. She paused, then gently laid a hand on his snout. Kanin rumbled approvingly deep in his chest. The girl did not even flinch at the sound.

  This one will do, the dragon announced.

  Immediately, the girl stepped back warily, gripping her bow. “What is he talking about?” she demanded of Khollo.

  The young Keeper hesitated, glancing at Kanin. “Well, you see . . . ” He took a deep breath, pulling himself together. He had explained this a dozen times, why was this time so much harder?

  “Kanin and I are the Keepers,” he explained. “An Order of dragons and men – ”

  “ – sworn to protect and preserve,” the girl finished. “Yeah. They’ve been gone for a thousand years though. Where did you two come from?”

  “You know of them?” Khollo asked, stunned.

  “Of course,” she replied, “The first Keeper was from this area, or near here at any rate. A lot of people know the story. And everyone knows their history about dragons, or at least about the wild dragons of the north and the dark times before the Keepers.” She frowned. “What did you say your name was?”

  “Khollo,” the young Keeper replied. “Yes, like the original Keeper. And this is Kanin,” he added, indicating the dragon.

  “Like the first of the Keeper’s dragons,” she observed. “Hmm. You still haven’t explained where you came from.”

  “It’s a long story,” Khollo replied. “But I could tell you if you have time?” he said hopefully.

  The girl wavered, then sighed and sat down across the fire from him. “Fine,” she grunted. “Talk fast. I’ve got a long journey home.”

  Khollo nodded. “I’ll do my best. Feel free to help yourself while I talk,” he added, gesturing to the haunch suspended over the fire. The girl hesitated, then drew a long, narrow dagger and leaned forward, slicing a section from the deer. She blew on it to cool it off, then took a bite.

  “Not bad,” she admitted grudgingly. “Could use some spices though.”

  Khollo shrugged. “Kanin and I were too hungry to worry too much about taste. What did you say your name was?”

  “I didn’t,” the girl replied. “But it’s Aralye.”

  “Aralye,” Khollo repeated trying it out. It had a slightly musical lilt to it that he liked. “A good name.”

  “Glad you like it,” Aralye muttered. “Now, I thought you had a story to tell?”

  The young Keeper took a deep breath, then started his tale. He did not begin with meeting Kanin, but with the second vertaga war. He explained how the dragon had reached out to him after the battle, drawn him south to the mountains. He briefly summarized how he and his friends had found and freed the dragon, then moved on to how Kanin had kidnapped him and flown off. Aralye grinned fiercely at this, glancing at Kanin appreciatively.

  Khollo did not mention Kanin had flown them to a remote island, nor did he mention Ethgalin by name. He said only that he and Kanin had found a secluded place untouched by man for thousands of years and spent many weeks learning more about their legacy. He did not mention Ezraan either, focusing on his growing relationship with Kanin. Khollo then summarized the events which had ended the war in the South, and moved on to their current search for new Keepers. While he was talking, Aralye remained silent, occasionally cutting another slice from the haunch. For the most part though, she listened to his words with rapt attention. A few feet away, Kanin listened as well, watching Khollo and the huntress with an unblinking gaze.

  When Khollo had finished, they sat in silence for a few moments. The girl turned slowly and studied Kanin, meeting his gaze without fear or suspicion.

  “So,” she said finally. “This is what he meant when he said I would do? You want me to become a Keeper?”

  “Yes,” Khollo said immediately. “You are the only other person we have met who could easily hear Kanin without effort. The other two recruits could vaguely hear him at best.”

  Aralye nodded. “And if I come with you? What then? Are there more dragons?”

  Khollo hesitated. “There will be,” he said evasively. “Soon.”

  “You’ve found dragon eggs?”

  The young Keeper pressed his lips together firmly, refusing to divulge more.

  Aralye rolled her eyes. “You can trust me. I won’t tell anyone else.”

  “Yes,” Khollo said grudgingly. “Kanin and I have found dragon eggs. And they are ready to hatch.”

  The girl smiled triumphantly. “I knew it,” she said. “So, when do we leave?”

  Khollo frowned. “That easy? You don’t have family or anyone you need to talk to or – ”

  Aralye’s face hardened, her amber eyes blazing. “They’re gone,” she said shortly. “It’s just me now.”

  “Oh,” Khollo said awkwardly, “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault, so no reason you should be sorry. Life happens. People die.”

  Khollo winced at the blunt philosophy. “Right. Well, if you’ve nothing else to take care of, we can leave at once. I’ll fly you to Ruqvale. Another recruit is on his way there by barge from Welmire. His name is Sven, a northman. He’ll be carrying an axe and little else.”

  “And I’m just supposed to find him, tell him you sent me, and expect him to take me along?” Aralye demanded. “Where will you be when all of this is happening?”

  “Finding a fourth recruit,” Khollo replied, “Kanin and I are thinking of trying around Gobel-Tek.”

  “Not bad,” Aralye said, nodding, “Most people there will be farmers. Disciplined, strong, patient.”

  “Good qualities all,” Khollo agreed. “But, you’re right, leaving you in Ruqvale might not end well. We need a better plan.”

  I have one, Kanin rumbled, speaking up for the first time. It will be much more fun. He outlined the plan to Khollo briefly. The young Keeper roared with laughter, and Aralye grinned mischievously.

  “Well, with that settled, we might as well be going,” Khollo said, getting to his feet. He climbed into the saddle, then reached down to offer Aralye a hand. The girl pointedly ignored it and climbed up on her own. While they were sorting out the flying straps, Kanin buried the fire and what remained of the deer, sweeping dirt and mud over the whole clearing with his tail and claws. The moment Khollo and Ara
lye were settled, the emerald dragon leapt for the sky.

  Chapter 8:

  A New Council

  Relam was the last one to the meeting, despite his best efforts to be on time. It wasn’t his fault, he thought angrily as he hurried through the palace. There was just so much he was responsible for as king, and Clemon always had something else –

  “Your majesty!” Galen called from behind him. “Could you slow down for a moment? The meeting’s not going anywhere.”

  “No, but its participants might,” Relam grunted, quickening his pace. “Come on, Galen. You too, Wil.”

  “We’re doing our best, sir,” Wil said, jogging a few paces to catch up. “But, truth is, chasing you around isn’t a very effective deployment strategy for your personal guard.”

  “Aye,” Galen grunted. “We won’t be able to protect you as well if something were to happen.”

  “Actually, I was referring to the aching legs and the uncomfortable shortness of breath,” Wil grunted. “I thought this was supposed to be a nice, easy job!”

  “I hope you’re kidding,” Galen muttered.

  “When am I not?”

  “Bloody hard to tell,” the other guard replied under his breath.

  Khollo ignored them, rounded the final corridor and slowed to a more sedate pace. The entrance to the palace’s council room, normally reserved for meetings between the king and the High Council, was just a few meters ahead. Two palace guards flanked the entrance, and Eckle was pacing back and forth in front of the portal.

  “Your majesty!” he said, noticing Relam. “We were beginning to worry. I just sent guards after you – ”

  “I’m not a child, commander,” Relam snapped. “I can find my way around the palace. Are they all assembled?”

  “Yes, but – ”

  “Good. See to it we’re not disturbed. Wil, Galen, you can come with me.”

  Relam and his guards shoved through the council room door, ignoring the spluttering Eckle, and quickly shut the entrance behind them. Relam took a deep breath as he walked around the table to his place, doing a head count.

  The five lordlings were ranged around the table, spread out in no particular order, some with multiple empty chairs between them. They were a small group for a room this size, and none had experience with a meeting quite like this. Cevet sat facing the door, and had not even removed his cloak. Sebast was lounging indolently in a chair a couple seats left of Relam’s. Delan sat two seats down from Sebast, tracing the grain of the wood table. Just beyond him was Knet, sitting nervously on the edge of his seat. Jatt sat about midway between Knet and Cevet, looking around curiously, a puzzled frown on his face. He brightened immediately when he saw Relam though.

  “Relam, you’re here!” he said, grinning.

  The young king paused, glancing at Jatt quizzically. “Of course. I called this meeting, remember?”

  “Then where have you been?” Delan asked.

  Relam sighed ruefully. “Time got away from me, and Clemon – ”

  “Hah, knew it!” Sebast interrupted. “Pay up, Delan.”

  The young heir of the Laurencian house sighed and flipped the grinning Garenes heir a five-royal piece. “I bet you were training,” he explained, shaking his head in disappointment. “You used to spend all your time with Oreius.”

  “I wish I still could,” Relam replied, taking his seat and leaning forward. “That’s part of the reason I asked you to gather here today.”

  The others leaned forward as well, sensing a shift in the mood. Even Jatt looked vaguely interested.

  “First of all,” Relam said, gathering his thoughts. “You need to know why we’re here. The burden of ruling the kingdom is too great. It’s wearing me down, and there is simply too much to do. I could try and hire some additional administrators, but I’m not sure it would help the situation. Besides,” he added, glancing at Cevet, “I’m not entirely sure who can be trusted right now.”

  Sebast looked at him sharply. “What happened?” he asked, “Another attack?”

  “Not yet,” Relam said, “But I’d be a fool if I thought D’Arnlo’s conspiracy died with him.”

  “The supremacists are still strong,” Knet agreed, gnawing on his lower lip worriedly. “I haven’t heard them referring to D’Arnlo or openly trying to further his work, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “What does this have to do with any of us?” Delan asked.

  Relam looked around at each one of them in turn. “You are some of the only people I can trust. I need your help to run the kingdom, and make sure it continues to last.”

  “Whoa,” Jatt murmured.

  “What?” Knet asked.

  Cevet nodded slowly. “It makes sense.” The others rounded on him immediately. “We’re the future,” Cevet explained, “We’ve always known that. Heirs to houses of great lords, heirs to prominent positions in the Assembly. We always knew one day we would be the face of this kingdom.”

  “Yeah, but it wasn’t supposed to happen until our parents all retired,” Delan pointed out.

  “The Sthan Kingdom covers the entire world,” Relam reminded them. “The South too, now that the vertaga are finished. It’s way too much for one person to manage.”

  “So, what do you want us to do?” Sebast asked. “I mean, I’m willing to help, but I don’t know exactly what you need.”

  “Neither do I,” Relam admitted. “There are a lot of ways we could handle this. I could make you regents over various areas of the kingdom, but that would scatter you and I would rather keep you here in Etares for a number of reasons.”

  “Good,” Knet said, clearly relieved.

  “I could make you some sort of chatelain or advisor,” Relam continued. “But I don’t know what you would do in such a role. I could assign you to special projects on a case by case basis – ”

  “Sounds exciting,” Sebast said eagerly.

  “ – but just now I don’t really have any of those,” Relam finished, frustrated. “I’m open to suggestions.”

  They sat in silence for several moments, until a new voice broke the silence. “I have a suggestion.”

  Relam looked up, astonished, as Oreius stepped away from the entrance to the room.

  “How did you get in here?” he demanded.

  “Easy,” the sword master said, shrugging. “I waited for you all to be distracted then slipped in. Wil and Galen didn’t see me as a threat so they didn’t raise the alarm.”

  “I would’ve alerted you,” Wil interjected quickly. “ ‘cept I didn’t notice him either.”

  “What?” Galen demanded. “You’re standing right by the door, just like me.”

  “Yeah, but unlike you I was paying attention to the meeting.”

  “You’re supposed to be – ”

  “If I may,” Oreius interjected, silencing the guards with a look, “I like the idea of setting up regents.”

  “Scattering us?” Knet asked.

  “Not exactly,” Oreius said, shaking his head. “Keep everyone in Etares, but make sure all the problems associated with a region go to a certain individual. Then, have a meeting say once a week to discuss the major things going on.”

  “That could work,” Relam said thoughtfully.

  “How can we effectively govern from a distance?” Sebast asked, frowning. “Won’t we be more effective if we go to the people we are working with?”

  “A fair question,” Oreius said, nodding to the Garenes heir. “In this case, I believe it would be better for you to keep your distance. All of you,” he added, looking around the table. “You are still young by most standards, and some of the lords around the kingdom may not take kindly to being suborned to you.”

  Sebast nodded, considering Oreius’ point. “Good thinking,” he agreed at last. Relam raised an eyebrow in surprise. Those two had certainly come a long way since Oreius had thrown Sebast into the river a year ago. Of course, the substantial changes in Sebast’s attitude were probably the primary cause.

&
nbsp; “So,” Relam said, reclaiming control of the meeting. “How do we divide the world up? Are any of you familiar with a particular area?”

  The lordlings all thought about this, then shook their heads. Knet was chewing on his lip again, and casting furtive, worried glances in Oreius’ direction. The sword master’s presence was definitely unsettling to the nervous lordling.

  Relam glanced at Cevet, who shrugged in reply. “I’ve lived in Etares my whole life,” he said unapologetically. “I was raised to interact with the Assembly and the High Council, not the other regions of the kingdom.”

  “Fair enough,” Relam said, sighing. “Well, since we can’t decide who to assign where, let’s at least divide the world up and establish six regions of responsibility.” He glanced at Oreius. “Could you have Eckle find a map for us? And he can fetch Lord Clemon as well, his input would be valuable.”

  “Why?” Delan asked as Oreius left. Like much of the nobility, the lordling had little respect or patience for the chatelain.

  “Because he understands better than all of us how much work is required to maintain each region, which groups should be kept together,” Relam explained. “That way, no one gets overloaded and there is some continuity among neighboring regions.”

  “Oh,” Delan said. “I guess that makes sense.”

  “Just how much work are we looking at here, Relam?” Sebast asked. “I’m willing to help, and I think this is a good idea, but we have other responsibilities as well. Except Cevet,” he added, a trifle apologetically.

  Cevet did not react, but merely turned to Relam to see what his reply would be. The young king hurried to smooth things over.

  “I don’t know how much work, Sebast. We’re not looking at the all-day every-day workload I’ve been trying to maintain. And failing,” he added miserably. “I never get through everything that needs to be done. With six of us helping out though . . . maybe a few hours a day? It could vary some I suppose.”

  “That’s reasonable,” Cevet said. “And it will leave us time for our other responsibilities.” He smiled slightly as he said this, eliciting puzzled expressions from the others. Relam waited, wondering if Cevet was going to divulge his own special assignment, but the lordling kept silent on the issue, instead letting the others simmer with curiosity.