My captors pushed me closer.
“King Galtero, here she is.” The guard bowed.
The king uttered a disapproving grunt. His eyes held one of my guards with a dark glare. The man twitched in fear.
“What did you do to her?”
“We didn’t do nothin’, King Galtero. She fell.”
“Couldn’t you have cleaned her up?”
“Yes, m’lord, sorry m’lord. We can do that straightaway, m’lord,” said the head guard.
The man called Gahn turned to me a with a lewd snicker. “I’ll clean ’er up, Yer Magesty.”
My stomach clenched.
“Never mind,” growled the king. “He’ll have to accept her in her present condition.”
He addressed an attendant, “Show our guest in.”
A door opened to my left and a most striking young noble set foot into the room. Two men accompanied him. The three were similarly dressed in tunics, tights and black knee-high boots. But the younger of the three, the noble, stood out with a regal bearing. The glint of a formidable gold ring on his finger reflected the light from the windows. Behind them followed a dozen nervous-looking armed guards of the same company as those that surrounded me. All with their hands on the hilts of their sheathed swords.
Scrunching my eyes, I tried to focus on the young man’s face. The word ‘striking’ did not do him justice. He was beautiful, if that could be said of a man.
King Galtero cleared his throat. “It appears my staff is not as well trained in hospitality skills as I would have hoped. I will deal with them.” He shot a seething look at the man supporting me, who recoiled in reaction to the king’s glare.
“I am sure her injuries are minor,” he said to his guests.
Why are they discussing me? What would this man care about my injuries?
The striking young man turned to me. I jerked at the shock and anguish in his deep green eyes. They held me as if in a spell. My heart stalled. He started to move in my direction, but was prevented by the king’s men nearest him.
Without breaking eye contact, he groaned, “What have they done to you?”
I noted the blood and filth that covered my clothing, the dirty rag that wrapped my finger, and I felt shame for my disheveled appearance in front of this refined lord.
The young noble spun around and lunged in an aggressive move toward the king. I believe he would have slain him that moment if it were possible. His companions got hold of his arms and one of them gave the young man a warning tip of his head.
The sound of dozens of swords being drawn filled the room. My guards crowded around me and brandished their halberds. The king’s personal guards raised their crossbows.
“Move against me, Ansel Drekinn, and I’ll cut her down, now,” King Galtero growled.
Life froze in suspension. Not a movement from any of the room’s occupants. A silent battle ensued as Ansel Drekinn and the king pitted glare against blazing glare.
After what seemed an endless space of time, King Galtero barked out a laugh. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Ah, but where are my manners? I gave you safe passage, and I am a man of my word.”
His assertion rang of untruth, but the atmosphere in the room lessened its tension.
King Galtero peered at Ansel Drekinn suspiciously and said, “Your arrival in Orchila is certainly sooner than I expected. You must have swift dragons.”
The noble locked eyes with the king for an uncomfortable moment before he answered, “Our dragons are swift.”
He turned away from the throne and took a few steps closer to me. Two of my guards moved quickly and crossed their halberds to block his advance.
“Amáne? Can you see me? Can you speak? It’s Ansel.” His suffering seemed as great as mine.
Pain and turmoil spun my thoughts, adding to the confusion of the garbled voice that echoed in my mind.
Amáne? That’s one of the words the voice keeps repeating. The only one I can understand.
I dipped down in a painful curtsy. I thought it to be the proper response to the young man. He seemed more royal than the one they called King Galtero.
“I beg your pardon, m’lord — do I know you?”
The man’s knees appeared to weaken. I’d caught his agony when I first saw him, but the way his face just paled stole my breath.
“Amáne,” he cried.
My heart constricted.
I curtsied again. “Perhaps you have me mistaken for someone else, sir. I am ... that is, my name ... er ... I ...” My mouth went dry.
King Galtero let out a laugh that filled the room. I cringed at the sound.
The pale lady stepped down from the dais and glided close to the young man. She slipped between his companions as she circled him. Tracing her hand along his shoulders and back, she inhaled deeply, appearing to drink in every part of Ansel Drekinn. He stood rigid, unresponsive to her caresses. Stopping before the noble, the black widow ran her fingers over his lips as she observed me out of the corner of her eye. He didn’t appear to enjoy her attentions.
I blinked in confusion. What is she doing?
She leaned in closer as if to kiss him.
“Enough, Ravana,” the king barked. “That is sufficient proof. The girl is oblivious.”
Ravana spun on her heels and sulked back up to the side of the throne. Throwing the young man one last hungry look, she turned her attention to King Galtero.
“Ha, Ansel Drekinn, it appears you may be trading your freedom for a half-wit. Deal, or no deal? She is still worth an egg to me. You need but walk away, deliver the egg and you can have what’s left of her.”
Ansel Drekinn turned to his two companions and gave a small jerk of his head. Both men hesitated, their expressions doubtful.
In an authoritative voice, he said to his men, “Take her out of here. Have Eshshah see to her immediately.”
They both dipped their heads and saluted him in a curious fashion. Even in his youth, he outranked the two older men.
He turned to Galtero and said in a strong voice, “You will have me in exchange. But we need two more days to procure the egg.”
Galtero’s face turned red. After a long silence, he said, “Very well. Two more days. No more!”
The noble’s two companions moved toward me. The larger one shoved aside the guards who had crossed their halberds. One of my guards puffed out his chest in defiance, but a withering stare from the man in the black boots was all it took to deflate him. I shrank back at their approach.
“Everything’s all right, now, Amáne. We came to help you. Please trust us,” said the younger of the two.
“I’m not Amáne, and I don’t know who you are.”
He blinked in disbelief, but recovered quickly. “I’m Avano. My friend, Braonán and I will take you somewhere safe.”
I had nowhere to escape, no strength to fight. The room spun. My vision went dark at the edges. Avano caught me before I crumpled to the ground.
Half conscious, I could feel his long strides as he carried me, hopefully away from this dreadful castle.
We stopped and I could make out the silhouette of Ansel Drekinn bending over me. He softly stroked my hair and kissed my forehead. His scent and his touch were not unpleasant.
I vaguely remembered being carried out of the castle. Bright sunlight warmed my face. I could smell the turf and the aromatic sea air from far off. The difference between that moment and the stifling oubliette in which I’d awoken was like moon and sun.
The name Amáne echoed loudly in my head once again.
“No,” I whispered.
“Shh, it’s alright. You’ll be in a safe place soon,” Avano said.
I shook my head from side to side, trying to rid myself of the voice. A pressure on the top of my head sent a relaxing warmth over me. Before I succumbed to this welcomed comfort, I heard Avano say, “The quicker we’re out of here, would be to our advantage. Eshshah, Braonán will take her back to the inn. You can continue to treat her once we get ther
e.”
In my dream, the sensation of the air moving fast around me almost seemed real.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Shadows played against my eyelids as I moved into consciousness. I lay on something soft. My eyes were heavy, difficult to open. A weight pressed on my forehead and the scratching voice in my head started again.
“Stop, please. Who are you? Leave me alone,” I pleaded. I reached my hand up to remove the weight. Fear gripped me when I touched something solid and smooth. Forcing my eyes open, I found my vision filled with large fangs.
My scream startled the monster that was about to devour me. It pulled its head away as I scrambled backwards like a crab. Pain shot through my body when I fell off the bed. I rose to my feet and moved further from the red dragon until my back pressed against the far wall.
Before I could scream again, the door flew open and two men rushed in, swords drawn. A large man with a beard and a younger good-looking man stood, ready to fight. The two whom I had seen in my nightmare of a castle and a king.
Am I still dreaming?
“Watch out!” I shouted. “Behind you. There’s a dragon.”
They glanced over their shoulders and then back at me. Both twisted their faces in a puzzled gaze. They sheathed their swords, glanced back at the dragon and then again at me.
“That’s Eshshah,” the younger man said, in a soothing voice, the way one would speak to a child.
“It’s a dragon and it’s about to eat me — to eat us all.”
“Amáne?” said the younger man.
“I keep telling people I’m not Amáne. I’m ... er ... you can call me Vann. And what do you want with me? Avano, right?”
The castle dream must have been real.
He nodded.
I flattened myself closer to the wall as my eyes went from each man to the dragon. They didn’t appear to have any fear of the large creature in the room. In fact, they seemed more concerned with me.
“Don’t worry about Eshshah,” the young warrior said. He tipped his head, a searching look in his eyes. “She won’t hurt you. She’s ... that is ... you are ...”
At a gesture from the larger man, he stopped whatever he was about to say, and instead said, “You remembered my name. That’s good. In case you’ve forgotten, this is Braonán. We are at your service.” They both bowed.
“Thank you, but I don’t need your service. And please don’t bow to me. I’m a commoner.” I shifted uncomfortably. “Tell your dragon to stop staring at me.”
“She’s not my — ” Avano said. “— Of course. She’ll stop staring at you.”
As I eyed her a thought crossed my mind. “Is she the noise or voice I’ve been hearing in my head?” I said.
Avano raised his eyebrows, but gave a slight nod.
“Tell her to stay out of my head.”
“As you wish.” He turned to Eshshah. Something passed between the two, followed by an apologetic gesture from Avano. For the first time since the oubliette, silence filled me. I breathed a sigh of relief and sneaked a glance at Eshshah. I must have been mistaken — how could a dragon have feelings — but her golden eyes seemed to reflect sorrow.
“Eshshah would like to help you, Amá — Vann. She can heal your injuries.” Avano gently explained.
“No! No, please don’t let her any closer.”
“Avano is right,” repeated Braonán. “Eshshah possesses healing powers. She needs more time with you, if you’ll only let her —”
“Just keep her away from me. I’m afraid she’ll bite me.”
“Dragons don’t bite,” Braonán said.
“Yes, they do. I ... I remember. I was bitten by one once, when I was a small child ... I think. It nearly sent me to my ancestors.” My hand went to my temple in a effort to bring back that memory. It slipped away as soon as I had spoken it. It may have just been another one of my dreams.
“I thought there weren’t supposed to be any such creatures as dragons,” I added.
The two men shot each other a troubling glance before turning their attention back to me.
“Vann, food and a warm bath will do you well,” Braonán said. “Avano, I’ll send the girl to attend her. As soon as she gets here, you go contact the Healer, then we’ll gather the riders for a meeting.”
Braonán turned and strode out of the room.
Avano nodded to Eshshah, and again something passed between them, as if she could understand him without him uttering a word. She slid out of the room. I knew nothing of dragons, but I had to admit, she acted forlorn.
Taking in my surroundings, I found myself in a large chamber with an equally large door, like it had been built to allow entry to a dragon. The bed was on the other side of the room. A dip in the floor lay close to the bed.
“What is this place? What am I doing here? Am I your hostage, now?”
“No, you’re not a hostage. We’re on the island of Orchila, in a building that used to be an inn for us dragon riders.”
“Dragon riders?”
My head throbbed. Mentally I’d hit a wall. I swayed. Avano took my arm and gently led me back to the bed. I perched on the edge.
“If I’m not a hostage, then let me leave.”
“You’re in no condition to go anywhere. Someone is coming to help you get more comfortable. This will all get straightened out. Try not to worry about it.”
“Try not to worry about it?” I threw my hands in the air. “I don’t remember my past. People are mistaking me for someone named Amáne. I wake up in a room filled with a dragon. You know more than you’re telling. And I’m not to worry?” My voice rose with each sentence.
Avano seemed at a loss for words. He opened his mouth to say something, but was saved the trouble as a young girl entered with clothes and towels draped over her arm. She had a dark complexion and long dark hair, a colorful cloth wrapped around her waist for a skirt. Her top, just as colorful, appeared to me that part of it was missing. Her stomach remained bare.
The girl curtsied. “I Mora’ina m’ lady —”
“No, don’t curtsy to me. Don’t call me m’ lady.”
“Yes, m’ lady. As you wish. Please to come with me.”
I looked to Avano. He nodded and backed out the door, leaving me with the native girl.
Mora’ina put a strong arm around my waist, helped me up and led me down a hallway to a human-size door. She opened it and a perfumed steam surrounded me. A bathing room. Finally, something I knew about.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I sank down into the hot scented water and searched my shattered mind for what I could remember of dragon lore. It had to be just that — lore, stories, fables. They were mythical creatures. But here, in this place called Orchila, I awoke to one staring me in the face.
I shook my head in disbelief. But however improbable, Eshshah was real. I saw her. I felt her. Braonán and Avano were dragon riders, and they were gathering other riders for a meeting.
The more I searched my memories, the more nothing came to mind. No impression that could help me understand.
How could I be so lost?
A tear slid down my cheek. I took in a shaky breath. Somehow I needed to try to fill in the holes in my damaged memory.
But how?
And what of Eshshah? How could she help me as those two riders say she could?
I realized the pain in my head was nearly gone.
Did the dragon do that? Can she give me back my past? I doubt it.
The thought of getting that close to her again made me tremble. Seeing her fangs so near terrified me. Still, she didn’t deserve the disrespect I’d shown her. I couldn’t get over the sorrow in her eyes as she left the room.
Maybe a dragon could get their feelings hurt. I’ll have to think of how I can offer her my apology. This is madness — I’m actually talking about seeking pardon from a dragon.
I shook my head. Enough of my debate regarding the emotions of dragons. Truthfully, I needed to concentrate my efforts on bringing bac
k something about my past. Anything. But my recollections went only as far as my release from the oubliette.
My panic rose. Closing my eyes, I took in a large calming breath and released it slowly. After several breaths, my heart slowed its beat.
My concerns wouldn’t leave me. What could be the reason for that scene at the castle with the young noble, Ansel Drekinn? His eyes — those green deep eyes that were so full of concern. Now he was in danger on account of me.
Why had such value been placed on my life?
A stranger had exchanged himself as a hostage to give me my freedom. Galtero had said something about trading me for an egg. What kind of egg would be worth human lives?
What have I gotten into? Who am I?
Ansel Drekinn acted as if he knew me, somehow. Perhaps I was a member of his staff. Maybe part of the kitchen help, or a handmaiden to his lady.
Does he have a lady?
Someone of that station and those looks, I was sure, had a lady, or more likely many ladies vying for his attention. A twinge of envy shot through me. I nearly laughed out loud. It was preposterous that a commoner, like me, should dare entertain even one thought of being anything other than staff. I probably was not even that. But, the probability he knew me wouldn’t go away.
Sighing, I slipped down lower in the tub and proceeded to wash the stench that lingered on my skin from the oubliette and whatever else happened in that castle. I gasped. What I’d thought to be dirt and dried blood on my right shoulder turned out to be a tattoo-like mark. It was the likeness of a dragon. It didn’t come off, as hard as I scrubbed. My skin went raw from the effort.
I nearly inhaled the bath water as I discovered another tattoo on my ankle. It, too was in the likeness of a dragon, but misshapen and evil looking.
Why do I have a dragon on my shoulder and another on my ankle?
I must have known more about dragons than I’d thought. Perhaps I’d been a stable hand for dragons.
Do dragons live in stables?
Too many unanswered questions. My head started to throb again. The room began to spin. Mora’ina entered the bath chambers before the pressure that weighed on my chest could send me into hysterics.
Amáne of Teravinea - Black Castle (The Teravinea Series Book 4) Page 9