Dragon Mates: Dragon Knights (The Sea Captain's Daughter Trilogy Book 3)

by Bianca D’Arc

  Gowan just glimpsed them both heading out the door to the inn yard before another pirate in plain clothes swung at his head. Gowan thought he saw Seth heading out after them, but he couldn’t be sure.

  Dammit! How had this all gone so wrong so fast? And where in heaven’s name was Livia?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Seth saw what was happening and knew he couldn’t get involved too deeply in the fighting. It killed him to do so when Livia was in the middle of it all, but he had to go after the book. And Fisk. Neither could be allowed to escape, but if it came down to it, he knew he had to choose the book over the pirate. The book was too dangerous.

  Of course, so was Fisk, but Seth figured they’d found him once. They would just have to find him again if he managed to elude them here. But with two dragons waiting outside, Seth didn’t like Fisk’s chances.

  “Fisk and the Skithdronian agent are on their way out the door. The agent has the book,” he told the dragons, following as quickly as he could.

  He had to disentangle himself from a ruffian who seemed intent on bashing Seth’s skull in first, but he made it out the door just in time to see Genlitha grab the Skithdronian agent in her claws. She hopped onto the barn roof with the terrified man and held him there. Seth could see he still held the book clutched close to his chest, but his arms were pinned, so he couldn’t use it in any way. Good. One down.

  Now if they could capture Fisk, they’d have achieved both their goals. The book was, of course, the priority, but nabbing the pirate would be the icing on the cake.

  “Where’s Fisk?” Seth asked both dragons.

  “He went running down the alley,” Genlitha reported at once while Hrardorr remained silent.

  “We have to go after him!” Seth wanted to shout, but Fisk didn’t know about the dragons. If Seth played his cards right, he could sneak up on the man with Hrardorr’s help and nab him. “Hrardorr, come with me!”

  Seth began to run, but he hadn’t gone ten steps before he realized the blind dragon wasn’t following. Seth slowed. It pained him to think that Fisk might be escaping.

  “I can’t,” Hrardorr finally said, his voice shamefully low. “I can’t see anymore. The spell is over.”

  Seth stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face the dragon. He was on the ground, standing forlornly in the inn yard. People spilled out of the inn, running from the brawl that was still ongoing. They took one look at the dragon and ran the other way, giving him a wide berth. It would have been funny…except for the horror of a situation they found themselves in at the moment.

  Seth walked right up to Hrardorr and touched his face so the dragon would know where he was. The time had come. Seth took a deep breath.

  “Speak the words of Claim, Hrardorr. We have no choice. Fisk is getting away, and only we can stop him.”

  “I can’t condemn you—”

  “You condemn us all if you don’t! Don’t you see? This is what was meant to be. It was always our fate. Do it, and we’ll both live with the consequences. I have no regrets, and I promise you I will have no regrets if you choose to spend the rest of my life with me as your less-than-perfect knight. I’m only sorry I’m not a better man, more deserving of you.”

  “You couldn’t be more wrong. You’re noble, Seth. In a way even I cannot match. I…” Hrardorr’s voice trailed off. All the while, the clock was ticking, and Fisk was getting away. He might already be gone, in fact, but they had to try to catch him. Hrardorr settled his wings and closed his eyes. “Seth, I claim you as my knight partner. Prepare yourself for the bond.”

  And then, it was happening. Lines of connection opened wide, never to be severed until death parted them. A rush of power hit Seth, unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Not only did the bond form, but the wizard’s spell sprang back into life, as Gryffid had said it would.

  “I can see again. Seth, are you steady enough to hunt?” There was purpose in Hrardorr’s tone now.

  Seth took a moment to get his bearings, aware that he was wobbling a little, weaving with the power flowing through him. He was aware of Hrardorr in ways he couldn’t even describe. They were joined. Two entities sharing…so much. He’d have to sit down and ponder the connection in depth later. For now, they had to hunt. And Hrardorr still needed Seth’s eyes to see.

  “I’m all right. Let’s go.”

  Seth forced his legs into motion, careening down the alleyway, looking up from time to time so Hrardorr could follow along from above.

  There were too many people in the streets now. The guard was pounding down toward the inn while people who’d been inside the taproom scurried to get away from the mayhem that was trying to spill out into the courtyard. The alley Fisk had disappeared down fed into a main street that was teeming with horses, carts and people taking goods to and from the docks and warehouses, even at this time of night. A port city was one that never really shut down when ships would arrive with the tide, morning and night.

  Hrardorr and Seth refused to give up, though. They were one in their determination. Single-minded in their pursuit. They blocked out all distraction, and Seth got a feel for the focus of a dragon when he was truly on the hunt. Hrardorr’s influence sharpened Seth’s senses until he could identify the groups of pirates, masquerading as townsfolk, making their way from the direction of the inn, toward the docks.

  “No doubt, Fisk will escape with his men to his ship, taking the gold with him,” Hrardorr surmised. “Perhaps the wisest course is to follow his men for now. He’s probably hiding among them.”

  “Agreed.” Seth didn’t see a better alternative. They’d taken too much time before launching their hunt. He didn’t want to think it, but it was looking increasingly like Fisk had gotten away.

  Still, the logical place for him to run would be toward his ship. He had his money. He’d want to make good his escape with it. Wouldn’t he?

  Seth ran along the street, following the fleeing pirates. At every alleyway, one or two more would join their number until the group that headed toward the dock was sizeable indeed. Fisk had to be among them. He just had to.

  Hrardorr followed above, gliding and walking along rooftops when he could. Seth did his best to look ahead to point out obstacles to his new partner.

  Partner. Seth was dazzled by the idea, but there was no time to think about it now. Later. Later he would ponder just how much his life had changed. How much their lives had changed. For the better? Or worse? Only time would tell.

  “I can’t take on that many alone,” Seth thought, the communication between himself and Hrardorr easier than it had ever been before.

  “I can.” The confidence in the dragon’s tone didn’t bode well for the pirates. “I just need enough room to maneuver. The dock ought to do nicely.”

  Seth wasn’t sure what Hrardorr had in mind, but he trusted the dragon’s instincts. Seth followed, making sure to look up every few steps so that Hrardorr knew where to go. Finally, the buildings thinned and the dockyards began. The pirate group made for one spit of wooden planks in particular, and Hrardorr was ready.

  Seth could see three boats moored at the dock. Hrardorr waited until all the pirates were on the thin wooden walkway before dropping down to the ground, blocking the way off the dock. Seth stood just in front of him.

  “Gentlemen,” Seth said in a loud voice, once they had all the pirates’ attention. “If Captain Fisk is among you, send him out now.”

  Muttering followed as the pirates shuffled their feet on the dock. A few tried to board the boats, but there was a great disturbance in the water, and they fell back to the dock as not one, but three dragonish heads broke the surface. Sea dragons!

  Seth recognized Lord Skelaroth and his companions. “We couldn’t let you have all the fun,” the sea dragon leader said to Seth and Hrardorr, winking one jewel-like eye as he placed a claw on the dock, making the entire structure shudder.

  “Your presence here is most welcome,” Hrardorr replied politely. He filled the sea dragons in on t
heir hunt. Seth watched the pirates while the dragons conferred. The pirates were going to make a break for it soon. He could feel it.

  “Fisk!” Seth shouted. “Show yourself! The jig is up.”

  “Fisk ain’t here,” one of the pirates called back, eliciting answering jeers from his fellows.

  They were getting restless, those closest to the water jostling the others and forcing the group back toward Seth and away from the menacing sea dragons. Only Hrardorr and Seth stood against the throng, and it looked like the pirates were calculating the odds of escaping three sea dragons or one blind dragon and a lone swordsman. The odds weren’t in Seth’s favor.

  *

  Livia saw Seth leave and tried her best to get to the door herself, but the way was blocked, repeatedly, by brawlers. A few seemed to be aiming for her head, but she was good at ducking at the last moment and managed to escape most of the mayhem. When a hand grabbed her elbow, she whirled around swinging, but pulled her punch when she saw the face of the old Jinn minstrel. He was beckoning to her.

  “This way, milady. This is no place for the likes of you,” he said, turning to show her a hidden way out of the melee. She followed where he led, out a side door that had been secreted beside the hearth, under a heavy tapestry.

  When the door closed behind them, she found herself in the inn yard, right behind the stables. She couldn’t see anything of the action out front, but she noticed when Genlitha bounded to the top of the barn’s roof, the Skithdronian agent dangling in her claws. He had the book!

  “Sweet Mother of All,” she heard the minstrel whisper. “Is she with you?”

  “Yes. That is Lady Genlitha. Partner to Sir Gowan, the burly dark-haired fellow who came to my rescue.”

  “Genlitha! Good work. Can I help in any way?” Livia sent to the dragon silently.

  “I’ve got him for now, and he’s not going anywhere. The magic of the book…tickles…a bit, but I won’t let it go, and he can’t use it while I’ve got my claws around him. I’m good for now. But Hrardorr! He went off with Seth after Fisk, but I don’t think they went the right way.” Livia heard the concern in the dragoness’s tone.

  “Master—” Livia paused as she turned toward the minstrel. “I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.”

  “Jarvis, milady,” he supplied, and Livia counted it a small victory that the spy so willingly handed over his name now that he knew she was friendly with a dragon and her knight.

  “Master Jarvis, Lady Genlitha says she doesn’t think Seth and the dragon Hrardorr are on the right trail. She thinks Fisk went another way, but she can’t go after him. She has to keep the Skithdronian agent and the book safe.”

  “Of course,” Jarvis nodded. “The book is paramount, but I might be able to help with Fisk.” Jarvis seemed to look at her strangely for a moment. “You can bespeak dragons,” he said finally. Livia merely nodded. “All right then.” Jarvis seemed to have come to a decision. He stepped out into the light of the torches and made a hand signal she didn’t entirely see. A moment later, a half dozen heavily armed Jinn stepped out of the shadows all around the courtyard.

  Livia was duly impressed. These Jinn were stealthy.

  “Milady, can you ask the dragon which way he went?” Jarvis turned back to her. Livia did as he asked and passed along the information. Jarvis handed out assignments to his people, and within moments, they were gone, disappearing among the people fleeing the taproom into the night.

  “Now, milady, I will keep you safe until the fight is over and you can rejoin your friends.” Livia went with Jarvis, through another hidden door, into a back room she would never have guessed existed at the rear of the barn.

  *

  When Gowan finally had a moment to breathe, he sent his thoughts to Genlitha. The report of events outside the inn he received back from his partner made his eyebrows rise in surprise. The Jinn had come to Livia’s aid? And Hrardorr ran off with Seth after some kind of heated argument Genlitha could see, but not well, because she was being tickled by the magic of the book? It all sounded very strange, indeed.

  The taproom emptied out quickly once the pirates decided to flee en masse. Gowan went outside to see what he could do as the town guard finally made an appearance. Genlitha swooped down from the barn roof to back up Gowan’s claim of being a knight, and the Skithdronian agent was taken into custody after being relieved of the book. Gowan stowed the all-important tome in the secure leather pouch Genlitha had worn around her neck for just that purpose.

  The fight at the inn was over, and the town guard was putting things to rights. They’d arrested a few of the unruly townsfolk who’d been caught up in the melee and done some damage, but the pirates had all fled.

  Gowan was about to go looking for Livia when she appeared, walking out of the barn with the Jinn minstrel by her side. When she saw him, she ran into his arms, and he caught her, never happier to have her in his embrace.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, whispering against her cheek as he held her close for a moment.

  “I’m fine. Gowan, I think Seth probably needs help. He went after Fisk with Hrardorr, but I think all those pirates are going to be meeting up on the waterfront to row back to their ship. You should go help them.” She pulled back, worry in her lovely eyes.

  “Yes, of course. I just wanted to be sure you were all right.” He let her go reluctantly, but she was right. He had work still to do. “Master Jarvis, is it?” Gowan held out one hand to the Jinn minstrel, and they shook. “Thank you for your assistance and for keeping my lady safe. If you would be so kind as to keep her company a little while longer?”

  “Of course, sir. I am at your service.” The minstrel made a slight bow and smiled, but Gowan appreciated his willingness to help.

  “Thank you, Master Jarvis. We’ll be back shortly.” Gowan gave Livia a quick kiss, then mounted and took to the air with Genlitha. They had to go help Seth and Hrardorr.

  And, if at all possible, find Fisk.

  Gowan and Genlitha found Seth facing off against a crowd of pirates on the dock. Instead of heading for their boats, though, the ruffians were clearly thinking about trying their luck against the blind dragon and his lone human friend. That is, until Genlitha landed next to Hrardorr in the middle of the street, and Gowan slid off her back, steel raised and ready.

  “How’s it going?” Gowan asked Seth, pretending more nonchalance than he was feeling at the moment.

  “About the same as always,” Seth quipped, sparing a glance for Gowan that was tinged with relief.

  “That good, huh?” Gowan replied, not bothering to fight the smile that wanted to break free. Seth was an able warrior, though he didn’t have quite as much real world experience as Gowan did in these sorts of situations. “Mind if I take the lead here?” Gowan thought it only right to ask before he stepped forward and took over. He’d back off if Seth preferred to handle this. He didn’t want to insult Seth in any way.

  “Be my guest,” Seth said, seeming glad to have Gowan’s help, which pleased the knight greatly. Seth was sensible as well as brave, and he knew when to give over authority to those with more experience. Just as Gowan would defer to Seth when it came to a question of healing.

  “Look here, lads,” Gowan called in a voice that carried. It was a variation on the voice he’d used to order the battalion he used to train around the battlefield. He’d noted, with pleasant surprise, the three sea dragons holding steady around the dock. They had the pirates boxed in. “The town guard is nearly here. You can’t get to your boats, and you can’t get past us. If Fisk is among you, give him up now. If you cooperate, things will go much better for you in the long run.”

  The pirates seemed to think about his words for a moment. Gowan could see more than a few wanted to duke it out, but they eyed the dragons with fear. As well they should. They seemed to debate the idea of cooperating just long enough for the guard to arrive, for which Gowan was grateful. He really didn’t want to fight anymore tonight. The taproom brawl had been
more than enough for him.

  Gowan signaled the guard to take the pirates into custody, but he and Seth looked over each and every one of the men carefully before they were taken away. Fisk was not among them.

  When the last of the brawlers were led away, Gowan turned to Seth. He was just about to speak when a shadow detached itself from the nearest building and took the form of a man. No, scratch that, it was a Jinn. A warrior, by the look of her.

  “There is no time to waste,” the shadow said, coming closer. She was dressed all in black and had two curved swords strapped to her back. “Fisk is escaping through the city. He took off over land rather than seek the water. My brethren are chasing him, but the trail is fouled by magic. You might have better luck spotting the trail from above.” The mysterious woman turned to the dragons. “A few of us can converse with your kind, if you will allow it. I am Rivka of the Black Dragon Clan.” She bowed quickly but respectfully to the two dragons.

  “I am Genlitha, and this is Hrardorr,” Genlitha spoke, surprising Gowan. It was rare that a dragon spoke to strangers. “We will take to the air at once. Fisk must not be allowed to escape.”

  What followed was hours of fruitless searching, flying low over the city streets. They would pick up a trail, only to have it grow cold moments later. Genlitha was coordinating with the Jinn on the ground, directing them to search areas she suspected of hiding Fisk, but nothing panned out. According to her, there were magical traces of Fisk leading everywhere…and nowhere.

  The bastard had escaped the city, in all likelihood, while the melee was still going on. He hadn’t taken the expected route straight down to the water and then to a boat to get to his ship. No, he’d gone out of the city over land and then to parts unknown.

  He might still be in Draconia, making his way in any direction—perhaps toward the Skithdronian border, perhaps toward the capital and the Northlands beyond the River Arundelle. Frankly, he could be anywhere.