Quest: The Clans of Arcadia

by Arwen Chandler

  A smile danced on his lips. He put his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. “It’s been a long time since I’ve held a woman.”

  Annielie leaned into him. “My Lord. I’m your servant. Do as you please.”

  A wicked smile flashed on his lips, and he picked her up in his arms, laying her on the bed. “It’s time you know what it means to serve Elanvanin.”

  Annielie’s heartbeat so hard she thought her chest would explode.

  Elanvanin tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth, and Annielie moaned. He kissed her deeply, thennuzzled her neck and bit her shoulder.

  He growled as the flame grew inside him. “It’s time, Annielie. You are mine.” He exhaled filling her lungs with the red flame, and she gasped. As the flame consumed her, she passed into a deep sleep, and Elanvanin left her side in search of Fridtjof. “It’s time to see who the real ruler of Arcadia is, Viper.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  TROUBLE

  Lilia placed her light blue dress in her shoulder bag and then hugged Paladia. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, my friend.”

  Paladia smiled. “I shall miss you.” She took Lilia’s hand and squeezed it. “If you’re ever back in Langerhorn, please visit.”

  Lilia nodded and slung her bag onto her shoulder. “I will, of course.” She hugged Paladia again, then released her. “I guess it’s time.”

  She turned to leave, and Paladia followed.

  Karn, Ian, and Dierdriel waited next to Aslaug, bags packed. Karn spoke to a few curious elves, then checked the hitch on Aslaug’s back. “Looks like you’re good. According to the raven we got from Mercer, they should be at the beach by sunup.”

  Aslaug shuffled under her load. “I’ll be glad to get this gear off my back.”

  Ian scratched her head. “It won’t be long, dragon.”

  Aslaug shook her head, then nudged his arm with her snout. “We are going to have words, human.”

  Ian chuckled and glanced at Dierdriel. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, hope in her eyes. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

  Lilia put a hand on her hip. “Well, it's about time.”

  Karn glanced around. “Where’s Queen Sola? Shouldn’t she see us off?”

  Dierdriel frowned. “She’s angry. I doubt she’ll come.”

  The company started down the cobblestone path in the direction of the sea. They passed houses, trees, and climbing gardens. With each step, Dierdriel grew more excited, but her anxiety increased. As they approached the gates, they noticed a large crowd gathering.

  Karn scowled. “I guess, they’ve come to see us off.”

  Lilia grabbed his hand, and they strolled forward.

  Dierdriel stepped behind Ian and removed her bow from her shoulder. She carried it, with the arrow ready to shoot, but pointed at the ground.

  Ian glanced behind him. “You think something’s wrong?”

  Dierdriel shuddered. “It has to be. That’s the Queen’s guard.”

  Ian unsheathed his dagger and jogged ahead to catch up with Karn. “Brother, Dierdriel says there’s trouble up ahead.”

  Karn stopped, then took a step backward. “What kind of trouble?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Karn motioned to Aslaug. “Can you carry us above that wall?”

  Aslaug huffed, blowing smoke from her nose. “I can carry the three of you, but not more, and I can’t carry you and your gear.”

  Dierdriel’s face paled. “Aslaug, take them. I’ll make my own way out.”

  Lilia grabbed Karn’s arm. “Perhaps Aslaug can fly our gear to the beachhead around the side of the mountain?”

  Karn looked back at Aslaug, and down the path at the approaching guard. “How long would that take?”

  Aslaug shook her head back and forth, “I don’t know. Five minutes maybe?”

  Karn pursed his lips. “Okay. You go, we’ll hold them off.”

  Aslaug lurched into the sky, and the guard ran forward.

  Karn placed his palms in the air, shielding them with a wall of blue flame. “I can’t hold it for long. Dierdriel, go now while they can’t see you.”

  She took off into the forest, barely making it out of view before the magic collapsed. The guard jogged forward, and Karn, Lilia, and Ian strolled down the path in their direction.

  Meri motioned for them to stop. “Where is Dierdriel?”

  Karn shrugged. “I’m not sure. Why?”

  “The Queen has changed her mind. Dierdriel will remain here.”

  Karn growled. “I had Queen Sola’s word that she could go with us.”

  Meri shook her head. “It is not for you to question her decisions, human, Loch-rognaif or not.”

  Karn lifted his hands into the air, palms facing upward. “She’s not here.”

  Meri glared. “I can see that.”

  Ian stepped forward. “Haven’t seen her, she disappeared back on the road at the edge of town, perhaps she changed her mind?”

  Meri pointed toward the city, and a group of elves took off in that direction. “If I find that you are lying to me, you will pay for it with your life.”

  Ian’s green eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’d like to see you try, she-elf.”

  Meri snarled. “Don’t tempt me, human.”

  Lilia rested a hand on Ian’s shoulder. “Not now. Let’s go.”

  Karn searched Meri’s face. “You have no orders to detain us, am I right?”

  Meri dropped her spear. “No. You’re free, but don’t think about coming back to get Dierdriel. If you’re caught, you’ll die.”

  Karn took a deep breath. “Look, we have a dragonship to catch. Let us go. You can see she’s not with us.”

  Meri signaled to the guard, and they stepped out of the way. Karn, Lilia, and Ian walked to the gate, and it swung open. They walked through, and it slammed closed behind them.

  They stopped on the outside of the gate. Lilia studied the gate and wall. “What are we going to do, Karn? There’s no way in.”

  The sound of dragon wings grew loud overhead. The group looked to the sky. Avila and Aslaug hovered above, then landed with a thud.

  Avila walked toward them. “Dierdriel is not safe here. She must leave with you. Meri’s soldiers found her, and she is already back at camp in a cell.”

  Ian chewed on his lip. “Can you get us back in?”

  She shook her head, “Not all of you, but one could ride my back, and as long as they stay low, they would not be seen from below.”

  Karn dropped the bag from his shoulder. “Well, take me. I’ll go.”

  Ian, stepped in front of him, tossing his bag to the ground. “No, Karn, I’m going.”

  Lilia searched his face, then studied Karn. “Karn, it must be him. If you go, it could cause a war between the elves and the other creatures in Arcadia. It would spread like wildfire that you didn’t protect the Queen’s decrees, but if Ian were to go. He’s just a traveling companion.”

  Ian nodded, anxiously. “Come on, Karn. I’ve got this.”

  Karn took a step back, then looked at his boots. His thoughts raced, as he considered all the ramifications of his next decisions. He looked up. “Ian, Lilia is right. It has to be you.”

  Ian grabbed his forearm. “I’ll be back before daybreak brother. We’ll be at the pickup location.”

  Karn nodded. “We’ll wait for you, but hurry. Once Sola’s realized she’s gone, we need to be off this island.”

  Ian nodded. “Alright, Avila. Take me to Dierdriel.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  BETRAYAL

  Elanvanin waited in the darkness of Fridtjof’s study. He paced back and forth. Fridtjof’s footsteps echoed in the hall, outside the door. They stopped, and the door sprung open. Fridtjof walked inside.

  He sat in a sturdy chair and slipped his boots off, then rubbed his feet. “Been a long day.” He yawned and pulled his shirt over his head. He walked over to his desk and sat down behind it. He pou
red over the map of Arcadia and smiled. “It’s all mine.”

  Elanvanin stepped out of the dark and into the light. “It’s yours, human?”

  Fridtjof knit his brows. “What are you doing back there, mage?”

  Elanvanin laughed. “I’ve come to claim my land, and to take your dragon.”

  Fridtjof jumped up knocking his chair over and withdrawing the blade at his waist. “And you think you can take it from me, wizard?”

  Elanvanin shook his head. “Oh, how little you see right in front of your face. So set on ruling, you don’t even recognize your god.”

  Fridtjof squinted, noticing the slight change in Magnus’ face. “What are you saying, mage?”

  He yawned, “I’m saying that I’m not your mage, and you’ve been found wanting.”

  Elanvanin snapped his fingers, and Fridtjof’s neck snapped. His body fell at Elanvanin’s feet. He glanced around the room that he would call his own, admiring the rich red tones and dark blacks that covered the bed, chair, and curtains. He inhaled the aromatic sandalwood that floated on the air and smiled. He cast a final look at Fridtjof and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  He stepped out of the study and back into the corridor. He leaned out the window and whistled for T’argo. T’argo hovered outside the window. “Yes, my lord.”

  “Meet me, and my priestess in the dragon’s corral. It is time she learns to ride.”

  T’argo bowed his head. “As you wish, master.” He turned to leave, then glanced back. “The young one is too small to ride as of yet.”

  Elanvanin traced his lips with his tongue. “Until she grows, my priestess will learn to ride you.”

  T’argo nodded and flew away.

  Chapter Thirty

  RESCUE

  Dierdriel slammed her fists on the wooden bars and screamed. “You can’t keep me here, Mother. You said I could go!” Agony filled her heart, and she paced back and forth. “I will get my son back.”

  She shouted out the window at a passing elf, and the woman scurried away. “Coward!”

  She plopped down on the sleeping mat, so angry tears streamed from her face. “Someone let me out of here!”

  Meri stepped in front of the cage. “Shut up, princess. No one’s coming for you. Your friends have left.” She cackled and hung the key on her waist. “I’ve the only key, and as far as I’m concerned, you’re never leaving.”

  Sadness filled Dierdriel’s eyes. “What have I ever done to you, Meri?”

  Meri shook her head. “Nothing, but you have betrayed our Queen and our ways by having a human child. You know it’s forbidden, Dierdriel.”

  Dierdriel jumped to her feet, rushing toward Meri. “What I have done or not done, is none of your business, Meri.” Dierdriel spit on her face and Meri lunged at the bars.

  “How dare you. You’re going to regret that.”

  Dierdriel stepped backward. “You lay a hand on me, and the queen will have your head.”

  Meri took a deep breath. “We shall see.” She turned on her heel and left the building.

  Dierdriel sat back down on the floor and closed her eyes. From behind her, she heard a bird call, and she glanced up. Ian’s smiling face peered through the window. “You didn’t think I was going to leave you, did you?”

  A grin spread across her face. “I was starting to wonder. How are you getting me out?”

  Ian pulled a metal pin from his hair. “I’m going to open the lock. Anyone inside?”

  Dierdriel shook her head. “No, hurry. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

  Ian snuck around the corner and into the room. He pulled the lock into his hand and inserted the metal pin inside the keyhole. Ian moved the pin back and forth until he felt the mechanism move, and he pulled it out, dropping the lock to the floor. Ian opened the cell. “Come on.” Avila can fly us to the meeting place if we hurry.”

  Dierdriel shook her head. “No. I won’t risk the elder dragon. I have a better idea.” Mischief glistened in her eyes.

  Ian grinned. “I like the sound of that.”

  She led Ian through the woods and into the back of the corral that housed Carule.

  They slipped into the building and untied the pegacorn. Carule shuffled back and forth on his feet, and Dierdriel rubbed his face. She kissed his nose. “We are free, my dear.”

  She motioned to Ian. “Let him smell you.”

  Ian held the back of his hand up to Carule’s nose, and Carule inhaled his scent. He nudged Ian with his head, and Ian rubbed his mane.

  Dierdriel smiled, “He likes you. That’s good. He’s going to let you ride.”

  Ian’s eyes widened, “There was a chance he wouldn’t?”

  Dierdriel shrugged. “There’s always a chance; pegacorns are finicky.”

  Ian shook his head. “And what was I going to do if he didn’t let me?”

  Dierdriel scowled. “We would have crossed that bridge when it arose. Now come on. Before the stable girl is back.”

  Carule kneeled before Dierdriel, and she patted him. “Stand, my dear. We can climb aboard.” She glanced over her shoulder at Ian, “You do ride a horse, don’t you?”

  Ian snorted. “Better than most.”

  He stepped behind her, and his chest brushed against her back. She turned to face him. “There’s one thing, though, Far-ellen.”

  Ian knit his brows. “And, what’s that?”

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Ian on the mouth. Her tongue ran along his lips and explored all the secrets he held inside.

  Ian responded, pulling her close, and kissed her until he could no longer breathe, then inhaled and kissed her some more. Dierdriel hiked her leg around his waist, and he lifted her up into his arms. They kissed long and hard until Ian realized what was happening. He pushed her away, and Dierdriel reddened.

  Her face fell. “What’s wrong, Far-ellen?”

  Ian sighed. “I’m not free. At this moment, I wish more than anything I were, but I’m not.

  Dierdriel squinted. “Do you not have feelings for me?”

  Ian grabbed her hands. “Dierdriel, I have many feelings for you. I feel like you, and I understand each other in ways I can’t explain, but…there is another, and I must be true to the promises I made to her.”

  Dierdriel took a labored breath. “I understand, Far-ellen. You may go.”

  Ian shook his head. “What? Go where?”

  She hung her head. “Leave me here.”

  He pulled her into his arms, “Never. You’re going with us to the dragon’s keep. Now get on Carule, and let’s go.”

  She mounted the pegacorn, and Ian jumped up behind her. Carule galloped out of the corral and took to the sky. In the distance Avila watched, and a faint smile traced her lips. “Fly on my friends. Fly on.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  RETURN

  The dragon keep buzzed with excitement as Karn, Lilia, Ian, Dierdriel, and Aslaug entered the courtyard. The musicians played, and acolytes chanted. Lucca rushed to the travelers, Lorna at his side.

  “Welcome back, Loch-rognaif!” He grasped Karn’s hand in his own and shook it vigorously.

  Karn returned the gesture. “We’re glad to be back.”

  Lucca shook each of their hands and stopped when he stood before Dierdriel. She seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place how he knew her. He kissed the back of her hand. “And, welcome fair elf. I am Lucca, elder of the Brethren of the Dragoni.”

  Dierdriel smiled. “Thank you.” She held his gaze, searching the flecks of gold in his green eyes, and she smiled. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Elder. Thank you for your hospitality.”

  Lucca took a step back, and Lorna walked forward. “Dierdriel, daughter of Queen Sola, how long I’ve desired to meet you.”

  She bowed. “It’s an honor, my lady.”

  Ian pushed to the front. “Where’s Annielie, and the child? I thought they’d be here to meet us.”

  Lucca glanced at his feet. “Ian, Lilia. Karn.” He paused. “Ann
ielie is not here. She was kidnapped months ago.”

  Anger filled Ian’s face. “What? What do you mean?”

  Lucca spoke slow. “Ian, she was taken by Cantwell. She’s gone, as is a dragon egg.”

  Lilia trembled. “Annielie is gone, and my brother’s child?”

  Lucca sighed. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

  Ian grabbed Lucca by the collar, pulling him up to his toes, and Karn wrestled him free, pushing Ian backward. “Did you even look for her? Did you even care?”

  Lucca’s eyes filled with rage and sorrow. “Lorna and I took two dragons and searched for her for weeks. If she’s alive...”

  Lilia cried. “If?”

  Lucca swallowed hard. “If she is alive, she was taken to Fridtjof’s castle in Tabharthore Ahn-bahs.”

  Ian searched his face. “Karn we have to get her.”

  Karn clapped him on the shoulder. “We will find her brother. I promise.”

  Lilia blew her nose on her handkerchief. “You said they took Annielie and a dragon’s egg, Lucca?”

  He pressed his lips together. “Unfortunately, that’s correct. I’m afraid; they took a female egg to mate with T’argo.

  Karn stifled a yawn. “That’s terrible news.”

  Lucca waved his hand. “What has happened happened. It is not time to worry about it now.” He studied the travelers. “I know you’re tired.” He touched Ian’s shoulder. “I promise when the time is right, you’ll have the full power of the dragon’s keep to rescue your beloved.” Ian nodded curtly, and Dierdriel looked away.

  Karn yawned again. “Do you think we could rest for a bit?”

  Lucca nodded. “Yes, of course. Your rooms are ready, and a room for Dierdriel will be prepared shortly. We’ll have the joining ceremony tonight under the full moon, and tomorrow we will plan for Annielie’s rescue.”

  Karn readjusted the strap on his shoulder bag. “No rest for the weary, then.”

  Lucca shrugged. “A few hours at best.” He glanced around the courtyard where mages had started to gather. They whispered and pointed at the companions. “There are many here who want to meet you all. I suggest you take the secret passage to your rooms.” Lucca motioned for an acolyte to come to him. “This is Helerion. He will see that you get to your rooms and are not disturbed.”