by Nathan Roden
“No!” Simon roared. Lamont held up his hands. The crowd silenced.
“First, we will mourn our fallen allies.”
****
The small number of kingdom soldiers who escaped with their lives met at a southern crossroads.
“We were instructed to report back to Sterling should the assault fail,” one man said.
Another man spat on the ground.
“And what do you think such a report will be met with? We were not meant to succeed! We were a sacrifice! Do you think Sterling will hug you to his chest and thank you for your service? No. You will be seen as a dismal failure—he’ll likely run you through right there to scare make the rest of his men piss themselves.”
The man took two steps to the south and turned. He took off his crude crimson and gold coat and threw it on the ground.
“I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago. I’m going home. I’m taking my wife and children and we’re going south until the land will no longer take a spade and sprout a seed. I’ll take my chances in the wilds of the south rather than wait to die by Sterling’s sword or dragon fire!”
When the man turned onto the south road, he was not alone.
****
Sterling and Raynard stared out from the eastern watchtower. Sterling swore and pushed the tight bandage away from his left eye.
“Surely someone escaped,” Sterling snapped. “We need to know what we’re up against.”
“We sent lambs to the slaughter, Sterling,” Raynard said. “A handful of regular infantry backed by two dozen cannons, a squad of mediocre archers, and a battalion of farmers and shepherds.”
“Spare me your pity for the livestock, Captain,” Sterling spat. “This is not a war for principle or for territory. This is a war for our survival.”
“I am aware of that, my lord,” Raynard said. “But I am also aware of the value of morale. Frightened men do not make good soldiers.”
“Do not preach to me, Cap—!”
“My preaching does far less harm than the appearance of a Regent with his face covered in bandages,” Raynard said.
Before Raynard could react, Sterling grabbed Raynard by the throat. He pressed the tip of his dagger against Raynard’s cheek.
“Perhaps the time has come to examine your loyalty, Captain Raynard. This is no time to grow soft and sentimental. Sacrifices will have to be made for the greater good. These choices have been necessary since the dawn of time.”
Raynard stared into Sterling’s eyes without fear.
“You know I am your most valuable ally, my lord. We have reaped benefits from that alliance for years. But you do not need someone who accepts every command without question. A stable boy could do that. You keep me at your side to voice my opinions—to challenge you to consider opinions that differ from your own. Opinions that might serve both of us well.”
Sterling’s face softened. He lowered the dagger.
“You have spoken well, Captain. Perhaps I am being impatient. Survivors will come.”
Any survivors will flee as far away as they can, Captain Raynard thought.
Seventeen
The people of Islemar were in the mood for celebration. The scent of roasted pig and bison filled the air. Musicians played merry tunes along the streets of the village square. Simon tried to avoid the crowds, but everyone wanted to congratulate the leader of the dragon clan. Simon finally located Caleb.
“Well done, Caleb,” Simon said. “Please ask the dragons to go and feed as soon as possible. And give them my thanks—and the gratitude of us all.”
Caleb made a sour face.
“Some of them…just ate.”
Simon sighed.
“I know. Ask them anyway. Please.”
“I’ll do it now.”
“And then get back here for the celebration,” Simon said. “You deserve it as much as anyone.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Simon left the village, alone. He thought it good that the people celebrated—but he didn’t want to take part. He would not celebrate until Sterling and his forces were dead.
Simon took to the air and circled the village. He watched and listened for anything out of the ordinary in the forest. After several passes, he thought he heard something. Simon landed in a small clearing and crept through the trees.
What he heard was Magdalena’s crying. Tanner stood next to his sister, trying to console her.
Magdalena was still growing. The clothes that belonged to the large soldier had ripped at the seams and hung from her like rags.
Simon backed away. There was nothing he could do or say to make the situation any better. And truth be told, he did not understand why Magdalena was so despondent. She had always been a loner. As the only remaining sorceress in the kingdom, she was used to being different. And she reveled in the fact that she had no fear of Lord Sterling.
So why did it bother her to be—?
Suddenly, Simon understood. Things were much different now.
Magdalena was in love.
Her brother was with her. Captain Finn was not. Simon remembered the look on Finn’s face when Magdalena returned. He was shocked, the same as everyone else. But Finn was not everyone else.
Simon had seen them together several times before. Holding hands. Looking at each other in that certain way.
The way he looked at Jaclyn.
It is not the same! A voice in his head screamed at him.
And why not?
She is a beautiful queen and your brother’s wife. And you are a cursed beast!
Magdalena and Finn fell in love when they looked into each other’s eyes. Now, she is a giant. A freak. A beast!
Well, maybe she’s getting what she deserved since the beginning!
The voices paused.
You can’t mean that.
Tears blurred Simon’s vision. He shook his head and walked away.
Simon returned to the village. From a distance he watched Lucien and Jaclyn with the baby. Brendan and Reese came and spoke to Lucien. Simon could not hear the conversation, but Lucien left with them.
Jaclyn stared in Simon’s direction, though Simon knew he was hidden.
“Come out, Simon. I know you’re there.”
Simon stood still and held his breath, but he didn’t know why. He stepped into the castle courtyard.
“Why were you hiding?”
“I wasn’t—well, I didn’t want to disturb you. Lucien has just met his son. He wasn’t sure either of you was alive. How did you know I was there?”
Jaclyn smiled up at him.
“I know when you are close. I always have.”
Simon shuffled his feet. He cleared his throat.
“What is it?” Jaclyn asked.
“Did you see Magdalena?” Simon asked.
“Yes,” Jaclyn said. “I never thought the time would come that I would feel sorry for her…but I do.”
“Because of Captain Finn?”
“Yes. It is no secret how they feel about each other. But now…”
“He’s the same,” Simon said. “And she’s…not.”
“So, she’s taller,” Jaclyn said. “Bigger. Why should that matter?”
“She thinks she’s become a monster,” Simon said.
“You’ve spoken to her?” Jaclyn asked.
“No. But I’ve seen her weeping, alone—hiding in the forest. She has burst out of the clothes of the largest man in the village.”
A tear slid down Jaclyn’s cheek.
“That’s terrible.”
“I’m going to speak to Tanner,” Simon said.
“Why?”
Simon looked away.
“Tanner is a gifted sorcerer. And he has Magdalena’s journals.”
“What are you saying?”
Simon turned and looked into Jaclyn’s eyes.
“I’m going to ask him to remove the curse.”
Jaclyn stared with her eyes opened wide.
“The…curse? Your curse?�
��
“The curse—that now seems to belong to two of us.”
“But…but…the dragons…the war—”
“The dragons take direction from Caleb. And that makes me only one dragon among many. This morning’s battle was no battle at all. It was a slaughter. We did not have to risk one man’s life. It is true we lost six of the dragons, but now we know they are capable of launching spears from their cannons. We can tell the dragons how to avoid them. Their army has no answer for the fire.”
“Have you spoken to father about this?” Jaclyn asked.
“Not yet. I would not go propose such a thing without speaking to him.”
Jaclyn sighed.
“It would do everyone’s heart good to behold their true king. It would certainly be good for mine.”
“This has crossed my mind,” Simon said. Simon moved uncomfortably.
“About the people, I mean.”
“Simon,” Jaclyn said.
“Yes?”
“Would you bend down, please?”
“What…what for?”
“Give me your face.”
Simon bent over slowly, keeping a wary eye on the baby in Jaclyn’s arms.
Jaclyn leaned in and kissed the side of Simon’s mouth. The baby cooed.
“He likes you, you know.”
“He’s a beautiful child,” Simon said. “How could he not be?”
****
Simon asked a castle guard to go inside and ask Lord Nicholas Lamont to join him in the courtyard. Lamont arrived moments later along with his son, Noah.
“What’s on your mind, Simon?” Lamont asked.
Simon hesitated.
“I’ll go back inside, if you wish,” Noah said.
“No. I value your opinion as well. I am thinking that maybe my usefulness as a dragon has come to an end.”
“I don’t understand,” Lord Lamont said. “We are at war—”
“And I am only one of fifty dragons,” Simon said. “The clan has learned more from Caleb than from me. They know that the scarlet and gold uniforms of the Morgenwraithe army represent the enemy. The moment this war is over, the people of the kingdom will expect to welcome a man as their king—not a beast.”
“Perhaps the time has come, Father,” Noah said. “You’ve seen what has happened to Lady Magdalena. Who knows where this might end?”
“Why doesn’t she do something about it?” Nicholas asked. “It was her bloody curse in the first place!”
“Magdalena’s primary training happened when she was just a child,” Simon said. “What she learned later was done in secret from a very old sorcerer. He died as soon as he taught Magdalena how to perform the curse.”
“How do you know she has the ability to break the curse?” Lamont asked. “What if she does something wrong? She could kill you.”
“I want to speak to Tanner,” Simon said. “He has his sister’s journals. Tanner has much more experience with magic.”
Lamont rubbed his chin.
“Tanner loves his sister dearly. It pains him to see her suffering. He may be willing to try anything to help her, even if it puts your life at risk.”
“I have to trust my friends,” Simon said. “Does it matter if it is now or in a week? Or a month?”
Nicholas and Noah said nothing. Simon turned his head away, loosing a small burst of flame followed by a cloud of black smoke.
“I have something to tell you, because you are my dear friends,” Simon said.
“No, I consider you my family. I…I fear that I am losing control of my thoughts…and my actions.
“I sense that the dragon is trying to consume me—to take over my will. I cannot let happen. I will plunge myself into the sea before I allow it.”
Nicholas and Noah shared a look.
“Then I believe the time has come,” Nicholas said.
“I believe so, too,” Noah said. “Though one thing disturbs me.”
“What is that?” Simon asked.
“Lucien has renounced the throne,” Noah said. “Does Jaclyn remain the queen?”
“I had not thought of that,” Nicholas said.
“She never wanted the throne,” Noah said. “I dare say it would not bother her in the least to leave it behind.”
“We should not even think about such things now,” Simon said. “Sterling wishes all of us dead—including Jaclyn’s child.”
“Jaclyn and Lucien’s child,” Noah said.
“Of course,” Simon said. “The child holds claim to the throne—especially if something should happen to me. And now, with my life connected to Magdalena’s, we are both vulnerable.”
“Let us speak with Tanner,” Lamont said.
Tanner listened to Simon and to Lord Lamont. He searched their faces as well as Noah’s.
“I have had little time to study the journals,” Tanner said.
“What if Magdalena assisted you,” Noah said.
Tanner’s face held a pained expression. He sighed.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. She is so despondent—I’m afraid she could do more harm than good.”
Tanner paused.
“There are other changes taking place than merely the physical.”
“Like what?” Lamont asked.
“In the forest,” Tanner said. “One moment she was sobbing into her hands, and the next she was filled with rage.”
“Anyone would be upset under these circumstances, Tanner,” Lamont said.
“Upset?” Tanner said. “She felled four full-grown trees with her bare hands.”
“Will you agree to attempt the removal of the curse by yourself?” Lamont asked.
Tanner rubbed his cheek.
“You may think me mad—but I want to have Caleb at my side.”
“Caleb?” Noah said. “He is only a —”
“Yes, he is only a child,” Tanner said. “But these children are more gifted than any I have ever imagined—and straight from their mother’s womb with little training! The abilities they may possess in the future are beyond my comprehension. Yes, I would trust having Caleb Brewer at my side more than anyone else I know.”
Nicholas Lamont pressed his palms against his head.
“Why not? This is certainly not the strangest thing I have heard since my daughter became queen.”
Eighteen
Nicholas and Noah went back to the castle. They were looking for Jaclyn, but she was not there. Robinette was watching the baby.
“Jaclyn is at the assembly hall,” Robinette said.
“What is she doing there?” Nicholas asked.
“The hall is filled with seamsters and volunteers,” Robinette said. “They are making banners and coats. And right now, they are making a dress for Lady Raven.”
“Lady Raven?” Noah said. “Oh, yes. Of course. Lady Magdalena.”
“That’s good,” Nicholas said. “We must speak with Jaclyn. We…may not be back until late.”
“Late?” Robinette said. “All of you?”
“Yes,” Nicholas said. “Not too late. Not to worry.”
“I’ve known you for many years, Nicholas Lamont,” Robinette said with a smirk. “When you say not to worry, I am going to worry.”
Lamont kissed Robinette’s cheek and winked at her.
“Don’t upset the baby, Grandmother.”
“Try not to throw out your back, Grandfather.”
They found Jaclyn at the assembly hall. One of the seamsters wiped his brow and blew out a long breath.
“This is the largest dress I have ever made! It’s larger than the banners!”
“Shh!” Jaclyn said. “She feels bad enough without your comments. And she could turn you into a toad if she chose to.”
The man spun his head around wearing a terrified look.
“Is she…is she here?”
“No,” Jaclyn said. “I don’t know where she is. Is the dress almost finished?”
“Just a few more laces.”
“Jaclyn?” La
mont said.
“Oh, hello, Father. What are you doing here?”
“We’ve come to ask a favor,” Noah said.
“Would you accompany two of the guards to take the dress to Magdalena?” Lamont asked.
“I was planning to do that already.” Jaclyn said.
“I would like for you to make certain that she remains west of the castle—for a little while longer.”
Jaclyn narrowed her eyes.
“Why?”
“There is something that may upset her—I do not have time to explain,” Lamont said. “I need you to trust me, and do this for me.”
Jaclyn held up her hands.
“Of course.”
Nicholas kissed Jaclyn’s cheek.
“Thank you, my love.”
****
Noah followed his father, who hurried through the village by way of back alleys.
“Where are we going?” Noah asked. “It will be dark soon.”
“To get Finn and Winston,” Nicholas said. “And perhaps one or two more men.”
“Why?”
“I understand that Simon’s transformation to a man has always involved excruciating pain,” Lamont said. “I don’t know if tonight will prove different.”
“Oh,” Noah said. His excitement over the coming events had now turned to worry. Or even fear.
Not just fear for Simon’s life, but the effect it could have on the people. And on his sister.
The six men walked quietly through the main gates of the village. Lord Lamont stopped to tell the guards not to mention their whereabouts to anyone. They walked quite a distance to meet with Tanner, Simon, and Caleb. Lamont told Caleb who was present. The men lit torches and lined them in a circle.
Noah looked at Tanner. Tanner held two coils of rope.
“What is that for?” Noah asked.
“It is at my insistence,” Simon said. “I should be bound before Tanner begins.”
“Is that necessary?” Finn asked.
“I don’t know,” Simon said.