Ansel inhaled sharply. Out of the corner of my eye I could see by his tense body that he was ready to move against the man antagonizing me. Chains or not.
“Eshshah, tell Ansel to hold off. Now is not the time.” I saw that he got my message.
“Well boys,” the soldier said, “our little treasure just became a big pot of gold. What we got here is not just any little dragon rider, ya hear? It’s the girl from the Prophecy. King Galtero has been scouring the kingdom for her. And we got her right here, yeah. Prepare for a life of luxury.” He laughed so loud, Eben stirred from unconsciousness. The other four joined in the laughter.
“Bort, go get the captain an’ tell him we’ll need more men. The five of us ain’t enough to transport these three to the king. Especially this one. I hear she’s a might slippery, yeah. I’ll make sure she ain’t gettin’ away.”
He personally herded us to the back room.
Ansel and I sat on the floor, back-to-back, chained to the leg of a heavy piece of furniture. We told our dragons to hold until we had a course of action. Our situation, although dire, did not appear hopeless. At the moment, we knew Galtero wanted us alive — to be delivered to Castle Teravinea.
Eshshah and Sovann intercepted Bort en route to the captain. I snickered to myself as I pictured what the poor boy’s face must have looked like when he ran into two full-sized dragons.
I assessed our situation. I’d been in worse predicaments. I shook my head at the turn of events. What an evening. A marriage proposal one minute, chained prisoner to my betrothed the next. Not quite how I pictured our night to progress.
“Maybe some time in the future,” I whispered over my shoulder to Ansel, “when we’re just sitting around, enjoying each other’s company, with nothing else to do, you can explain to me how this quest was not life threatening.”
Ansel groaned. “I’m so sorry, Amáne.”
“I should have warned you that most of my undertakings involve capture and restraints. Next time you should think before inviting me along.”
“Amáne,” he warned, not appreciating my humor.
Truthfully, my light mood seemed inappropriate, considering the circumstances. Eben had been beaten; my eye had swelled shut; Ansel maintained a sour disposition; and the room stunk. Perhaps I’d finally lost my mind. Strangely, I wasn’t afraid. Ansel and I were in this together. I didn’t have to worry about him worrying about me. And even more appealing — this trip was his idea. However, this didn’t mean that I’d resigned myself to defeat.
“Are you ready to leave now?” I asked.
“Amáne.” He whispered loudly. “Stop joking. Have you gone mad? This is serious.”
“I am serious. Are you ready to go?” As I finished my sentence, I whispered, “Aperio,” and turned my dragon-scale key. Ansel’s manacles slid from his wrists.
I’d always kept Aperio’s key around my neck. This time, fortune was on my side. Fiona and I agreed it made more sense to have the key available closer to my hands. She devised a small pocket that she sewed inconspicuously inside the sleeves of all my clothing.
As I sat annoying Ansel, I’d worked the key from my sleeve and then into the keyhole to his restraints.
He took the key from my hand and whispered Aperio’s name as he unlocked my irons.
I held my hand out for my key. “Sorry, Rider, you’ll have to get your own.”
Without a sound, we leaped to our feet. I caught him shaking his head in wonder.
“That time in the future that you were talking about,” he said in a whisper, “... remind me to tell you all the reasons why I love you.”
A corner of my mouth went up, “Deal.”
I took in our surroundings. It appeared to be Eben’s workshop. That would explain the sulfer-like smell in the room. Eben was fond of conducting experiments with chemical compounds, always looking for a stronger metal or a more effective weapon.
“So, now what, Ansel? We can’t very well run out there empty handed. They have crossbows.”
He bent over and revealed hidden sheaths in his boots, a sturdy throwing knife tucked in each one. I eyed the blades and then his face. With a smile, I shrugged as if to say, “They’ll do.” I was rather impressed. I’m going to have to get Dorjan to put knife sheaths in my boots.
A broken tapestry rod leaning on a bookcase caught my eye. I grabbed it and tested its balance. It was a far cry from my glaive, but I could make it work as a quarterstaff.
“I have an idea,” Ansel said. He motioned toward the door. We moved silently in that direction. In a combination of pantomime and whispers, he revealed his plan. I nodded in understanding, then positioned myself to the right of the closed door. It would open on my side. Ansel retreated a bit further into the room.
After a nod to make sure I was ready, he called out, “Guard! There’s something wrong with the girl. If you don’t help her, she’ll die.”
The door flung open. The man had his sword drawn, but not at the ready. I thrust the heavy rod in front of him as he entered. He flew headlong and crashed to the floor. His sword clattered ahead of him.
Ansel made a split decision. Instead of sending him to his ancestors, he struck the butt of his knife against the side of the guard’s head. The man lay motionless.
The commotion brought another guard rushing into the room, his blade poised for action. Ansel stood ready for him, holding the other guard’s sword in a strike position. Unexpectedly, the man turned and threw a shot at me. I blocked it with the tapestry rod. He hesitated. I brought my makeshift weapon around and struck his sword hand. The guard grimaced in pain. His sword went flying. I followed though with my shoulder and he went down backwards. Ansel lowered the point of his sword to the man’s throat. A mixture of fear and surprise filled the guard’s eyes as he waited for the death stroke. It never came.
“Move your friend over there,” Ansel said, pointing to the piece of furniture to which he and I had been chained.
The frightened man hastily complied.
Ansel locked the manacles on the two guards. With one of Ansel’s knives, I cut strips from my already-shredded sleeve. We stuffed their mouths with the fabric and tied another strip over.
Ansel and I shot a quick nod at each other assuring the other we were fine. He grabbed the second guard’s sword and handed it to me. I hefted it to get its feel. It was not well made. It seemed Galtero spent little on his men or their weapons. Poor equipment for poorly trained soldiers. I doubted he compensated them any better than he equipped them. These two might be persuaded to fight on our side. We could offer substantial pay and could use more soldiers.
We both listened to make sure no one else approached. Hearing nothing, Ansel cautiously stuck his head out the door and looked both ways. He leaned into the hallway and came up with a crossbow. Handing it to me, he ducked out again and procured another. Ansel and I sheathed the borrowed swords. He checked the hall once more, then signalled all clear. We rushed to find Eben.
“What’s takin’ Bort so long? He shoulda been back by now,” a voice came from up ahead. “Go see if you can find him. At his pace, I’ll be old and grey before I can spend my reward.”
“Eshshah, there’s another heading your way.”
“We’ll take care of him,” Eshshah said.
Ansel and I made our way to the doorway of the room where the lead guard held Eben. The soldier was the last of the five who had come for the dragon rider. Eben, still tied to the chair, had at least gained consciousness. The guard sat on a bench nearby with his crossbow on his lap.
Turning back to me, Ansel made hand gestures indicating our next move. I signalled my understanding. Ansel counted, one, two, three on his fingers and we simultaneously leaped into the doorway.
“Surrender, and you live,” Ansel shouted.
The guard sprang to his feet and raised his crossbow.
Ansel and I pulled the levers on our weapons. Each of our bolts found their mark. Unfortunately, the soldier released his shot before h
e hit the ground. His bolt also found its mark.
Pain exploded in my chest. The impact threw me backwards. My head hit the floor. The room swam around me.
My lungs emptied. My eyes widened. I couldn’t take in a breath. Squeaking sounds were all I could manage.
Ansel spun about to find me thrashing on the floor.
“Amáne!” he screamed. He dropped to his knees beside me. Cradling me, he put his head in the crook of my neck.
“Amáne,” he whispered. “No.”
I felt Eshshah’s concern, but unlike Ansel, she knew I would find my breath.
I’d had the wind knocked out of me before. I would recover shortly, but it didn’t ease my panic. I saw the terror on Ansel’s face as he searched me for a fatal blow. If it wasn’t for my dragon-scale breastplate, the shaft would have gone right through me at that close range. Ansel would have found the wound easily. I wanted to assuage his agony, but I had no voice.
At last my lungs filled, painfully.
“I’m all right, Ansel.” My words came out in a scratchy whisper. “Ansel ... I’m not dying ... look ... my breastplate ... it saved me.”
It felt like I cracked a rib. I couldn’t take a deep breath, but it was something Eshshah could take care of as soon as I got to her. I kept it to myself.
“You’ll smother the girl, Lord Ansel, if you don’t back off and let her breathe,” Eben said in a hoarse voice.
“Thank you, Eben,” I said.
Ansel, still in shock, pulled back. He gave a short exhale.
“Amáne, I thought ...”
“I know.”
Trying to relieve Ansel’s anxiety, I added. “Do you think it’ll leave a bruise?”
Ansel shook his head, but managed a lopsided smile. “I believe you’ve finally gone mad. But I’ll never question you wearing your breastplate again.”
I let him help me up. It took a moment to steady myself. My head throbbed. I reached back and felt the knot at the base of my skull. I kept it to myself as well.
Before Ansel could discover my pain, I turned to Eben. I used Aperio’s key to release his chains. He scrunched his face and grunted when he tried to get to his feet.
“Let me help you, Eben,” I said. I prepared to place my hands on his shoulder, suspecting he had a broken collar bone.
“Amáne, you should let Eshshah and Sovann treat him,” Ansel said quickly.
“He’s in too much pain to move him. I’ll be careful. He needs just a bit of attention so we can take him to our dragons.” I gave Ansel what I hoped was an assuring look. “Please, Ansel?”
Ansel nodded, but stood close by to stop me if he felt it necessary. My hands heated as I began to will Eben’s pain away. I reached the end of my strength before I felt I’d finished. But, I was learning my limits. My injuries had taken their toll. I didn’t have enough energy left to do any more for Eben. Before I spent myself, I released my hands.
“Thank you, Amáne. I can breathe now,” Eben whispered.
Which is more than I can say, I thought as I took in shallow breaths.
“Good control, Amáne,” Eshshah said. “You’re learning. I was about ready to tell you to ease up. You need attention yourself.”
I felt her strength flow into me.
“Thank you, Eshshah.”
My head cleared enough for me to stay on my feet. Without her help, I don’t think I could have made it to where she and Sovann waited. I let Ansel half-carry Eben to our dragons as I struggled slowly behind.
When they finished healing Eben, Eshshah turned to me. She placed her nose on my chest and breathed as she hummed her healing tune. Then she treated my head.
At last I could take a deep breath. I closed my eyes and inhaled.
Ansel caught my great relief and scowled. “Don’t ever hide your pain from me again, Amáne.” He looked hurt, almost angry.
“Yes, Ansel. I’m sorry.”
Everything had been put back in order at Eben’s. We’d contacted the Healer and relayed the events, then spent time with Eben, discussing our plans. He’d thanked us profusely for our aid. I shuddered to think what would have happened to him if we hadn’t arrived when we did. I knew what nightmares awaited in that castle. And I knew the cruelty of which Galtero was capable. With Eben in his hands, our cause would have suffered along with Eben.
A deal had been struck with our four captive soldiers. They jumped in eagerly when Ansel presented them with the option to join our side. They had no loyalty to Galtero or anything for which he stood. I read the esteem they held for Ansel, once they were allowed his identity. In fact even before they knew, I noted the respect they showed him. When Eben revealed Ansel’s surname, all four soldiers fell to one knee before him. I choked up with pride.
Ansel and I stood facing each other, his arms around my waist. My hands rested on his chest. The satchel of Salama’s scales, the original reason for our perilous trip, hung at my side. The time had come to part while we could still fly under cover of darkness.
Gazing into Ansel’s deep green eyes, I said, “I think we made a good team tonight. I could get used to going on quests with you.”
“If I had my way, you wouldn’t go on any more quests.”
“Don’t say that. Anyway, I don’t always get restrained. Sometimes I get a ride in a wild river, and sometimes I get to make friends with dark things that lurk under the castle.”
He gave me a pained expression. I laughed.
“You have to admit, it was quite an exciting night.” I said.
“Now that it’s over and I know you’re all right.”
“We should do this more often.”
“Enough, Amáne.”
“As you wish, but truthfully, Ansel, the most exciting part, was how this trip started.” My hand went to my beautiful ring that hung around my neck. I stood on my toes and kissed him.
“It’s hard to believe it’s still the same outing,” he said.
I nodded, then rested my forehead on his chest. He pulled me closer. Both of us became silent. Neither wanting to let the other go.
I turned my face up to his. With an effort to smile, I said, “So, you’ll let me know if you need me to bring some chicken eggs from Nunn?”
“What?”
“I’m going back to my punishment — my ban from flight, and a house empty of you. I’m just trying to think up an excuse for Eshshah and me to go on a flight.” I shrugged. “And see you again.”
He ran his finger over my quivering lip. My effort to hold my tears failed.
“Deal. I think I will be needing chicken eggs from Nunn.”
He covered my mouth with his in a passionate kiss.
Our flight back home went quickly, but a sadness surrounded Eshshah and me. Our separation from Sovann and Ansel became more difficult each time.
We received a hardy welcome home when we landed in the courtyard. Both the Healer and Gallen shared the relief we were home safely, and the excitement of our betrothal. Although it was nearly morning, we sat for a long time at the table over cheese and hot mulled wine. I shared the details of our evening, including Ansel’s proposal.
The days passed slowly as I returned to my duties at the Healer’s. The weapons classes went well. We trained quite a capable company, here in Dorsal — elite soldiers whose hearts were fully into our cause.
Gallen worked with Eshshah and me on our aerial tactics. He had us use the smaller, lighter fighting saddle. The rider is secured by straps at the boot pegs, whereas on our every day saddle the straps buckle over the thighs. The fighting saddle allows more movement. The rider can stand and twist as necessary during battle.
The Healer spent a lot of time on the communication device. Ansel and she discussed battle strategies with the other dragon riders. They formulated the plan to gather the trainees and recruits from the various localities and advance them to the City of Teravinea. Our direction toward our goal was no longer a dream. We fell headlong into the task of taking the throne from Galtero.
> Ansel and I stayed in contact as best we could. His duties took him to various camps set up to amass our army. Most of these encampments did not have a communication device. I lived on edge when Ansel traveled to these locations. It gave me a taste of what he must have gone through each time my whereabouts made me unavailable.
One evening I joined Gallen and the Healer in the library after a long relaxing soak.
“Amáne, we have an assignment for you.”
My eyes lit up. My mouth spread in a wide grin.
The Healer gave a short laugh. “You’re reacting without even hearing what we’re tasking you.”
“No matter, Healer, anything will make us happy, just as long as we get to fly together. You could send us to Nunn for chicken eggs and we would jump at the chance.”
She eyed me curiously, not knowing my joke with Ansel.
Eshshah rumbled a laugh.
“Never mind.” I shook my head and smiled. “What is it you need us to do?”
“The time has come for us to stop working under the cover of darkness.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Ansel must reveal his identity to Teravinea. And we must let the kingdom know that dragons now live.”
The importance of this moment sunk in instantly. “How?” I asked.
“We’ll go on a campaign to the larger townships and cities, especially the ones where the riders have been stationed. We’ll introduce Ansel in the proper manner — as the son and rightful heir of King Emeric Drekinn. Eshshah and Sovann will fly in full daylight.”
A ripple of excitement went through me. “At last.”
I felt Eshshah as she joined in my elation.
The Healer continued, “With your permission, and Eshshah’s, I’ll ride with you. Our task is to announce the heir to the throne lives. The barons, lords and mayors will have the opportunity to pledge their fealty to our lawful king, or decline and be marked as our enemy.
Our king, I repeated in my head. It had been a while since I’d thought of him as such. It made me nervous to think it. To me he was Ansel. My love. My best friend.
Amane of Teravinea - The Crown (The Teravinea Series Book 3) Page 16