Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

“Yes, those that dared call you a whore.”

  “And I was the one required to put on Terrwyn’s boots and wash her feet each night before bed.” Anne said, growing angry. “She wouldn’t even look at me as I did it—as though I was too low to even gaze upon.”

  “She must suffer,” Orrick said.

  “She will die begging for my mercy,” Anne whispered.

  “They all must die,” Orrick said.

  “Yes,” Anne replied. “They all must die!” She bent over and kissed Orrick deeply.

  ***

  Anne opened her eyes to the darkness of her tent. Morgan knelt beside her. “Anne,” he said as he gently shook her. She sat up on her cot. She could still taste Orrick’s lips on hers. Her dreams of him were so real and vivid. She turned to Morgan.

  “The attack is about to begin,” he said.

  “Alright,” she replied. “I shall be out momentarily.”

  Morgan smiled and stood with a nod and the slightest of bows before leaving her tent. Anne swung her feet to the ground and stood. She quickly threw her dark gray dress over her head and pulled it down, her sleeves covering her arms to her wrists. She coiled her hair into a ball atop her head, securing it with a comb, and then sat on the cot to pull on her stockings and boots. She so missed having servants and ladies to wait on her. She hated dressing herself, or doing anything herself for that matter. That should be remedied soon. Once she ruled Libetha she would take a long, hot bath. Maybe she would even have the Queen scrub her feet clean. The dirt was caked under her nails at this point. She smiled at the thought. They all must die.

  She stood and was about to exit the tent when she caught the familiar silhouette of a shade out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Asmodeus, nothing but a shadow, staring at her. “Are you going to try and talk me out of conquering Libetha, too?” she asked.

  “No, Your Majesty,” Asmodeus hissed from the corner. “I only came to wish you a draken’s speed and may Our Dark Lord watch over you.” Anne smiled and then ducked down and through the tent flap.

  She found Morgan and Andrick waiting for her outside of the tent. “Ready?” Morgan asked with a smile.

  “Yes,” she said as she took his arm.

  “Good evening, Your Majesty,” Andrick said as he bowed low at the waist. She ignored him as she walked to her horse. One of the Shebath worshipers held the reins for her. He dropped to one knee when she approached so that she could step up on his leg to climb into the saddle. She waved him away as she took the reins. He stood and backed away with a bow.

  “Andrick,” Anne snapped and the duke rushed to her.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?” he asked.

  Anne did not look at him nor speak. She simply pointed to the ground beside the horse.

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” Andrick said as he dropped to one knee. Morgan held her hand as she climbed into the saddle. She stole a glance back down at Andrick before he stood. She smiled to herself. Anne planned to name him king of Libetha, thus she enjoyed reminding him of his place to her. On his knees. They all must die.

  Morgan and Andrick climbed into the saddles of their respective horses and rode behind Anne, with the se’irim striding close behind. They rode to the battle lines where Rayfen awaited them. Rayfen turned in the saddle of his great black charger when he heard them approaching.

  “Your Majesty,” Rayfen hissed as a greeting while bowing from the saddle.

  “Good evening, General,” Anne replied. “Are we ready to begin?” she asked.

  “Yes, Your Majesty, but I would like to take this opportunity to urge you once again to abandon the attack. There is no need to conquer Libetha. Once the White Fortress falls, Libetha will bend the knee.”

  Anne turned slowly to face him. It used to intimidate her to look into the dark holes where the eyes should be in his skull shaped mask. Nothing intimidated her now. She was Empress. She was to be obeyed completely.

  “General, I have made my decision. We are going to conquer Libetha tonight.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Rayfen said.

  “You may begin the assault when ready,” she commanded as she turned back to face the castle. Anne peered over the tens of thousands of drakmere that were formed up before her. She heard Rayfen shout a command in a guttural voice as he raised his jagged sword high into the air. The drums began to pound loudly as the mass of drakmere moved forward hissing and baring teeth in anticipation of the attack.

  “Do not fear, General,” Andrick smiled. “I have a man on the inside. You shall lose very few of your lizards.”

  ***

  King Warren stood beside his wife. He placed his lips gently upon her fingers and smiled lovingly. “Keep us safe,” the Queen whispered.

  “I shall,” Warren promised. He knew the promise was really just wishful thinking. The army of drakmere had already conquered Beagonia, the Stromland, and Avonvale. Elophborne had surrendered without a fight and it was rumored that Talisaria and Ephenee planned to do the same. That left only Libetha and Caerwynspire to fight the massive army. While the White Fortress might be impenetrable, Libetha certainly was not.

  To make matters worse, Warren had been informed that his own brother, Andrick, had betrayed the kingdom, taking their Dracenstone to the Wizard and offering fealty. Now that the Wizard was dead, Warren heard rumors that Andrick was bedding the young Empress. Perhaps he planned to become emperor of the Middle Realm himself. He obviously intended to be crowned king of Libetha.

  Warren placed a hand softly upon his Queen’s cheek. “I shall not let them harm you, my darling. I promise.”

  She wiped a tear as she forced a smile. The Queen knew that Warren meant well, but she also knew that he would most likely be powerless to stop this army no matter how hard he and his men fought. If the Stromland and Avonvale could not hold the draks at bay, what hope did Libetha have?

  Warren heard footsteps behind him and turned to see his most trusted adviser, Lord Caepionis, attired in full armor striding toward him with a squad of armed soldiers. “Are we ready to battle these beasts, Caepionis?” Warren asked with boyish confidence booming in his voice.

  Caepionis stopped short of the King and Queen. He stared at them for a long time.

  “What is the matter?” Warren finally asked.

  “I am sorry, Your Majesty,” Caepionis said and his voice revealed that he meant it.

  “Sorry for what?” Warren asked.

  “I have surrendered the city,” Caepionis informed him.

  “What?” Warren asked, his voice filled with rage.

  “Arrest the King and Queen,” Caepionis instructed the soldiers accompanying him. They moved forward to obey as the King’s own guards drew their swords. The King, too, had his sword in his hand as he pushed his wife protectively behind him.

  The King’s guards were outnumbered ten to four, but that did not stop them from rushing forward to confront the traitors. The fight was bloody but short, and soon all four lay dead on the stone floor.

  Warren backed away, gripping his great sword in both hands. “You!” he shouted at Caepionis. “You are in league with Andrick! You killed my son, didn’t you?”

  “I tried to talk sense into you, Your Majesty. We cannot win. Surrender is the only path to ensure our survival. I will not allow your arrogance to slaughter all of your people. You believe that just because your father wore that crown all of us should die in a vain attempt to keep it upon your head? What foolishness is that?”

  “Then there is no loyalty in you at all?” the King snarled.

  Caepionis frowned. “I am loyal, Your Majesty. I am loyal to the people of Libetha. You are the one who has no loyalty to anyone but yourself.”

  “Traitor!” the King shouted and charged at Caepionis swinging downward with his great sword. Caepionis’ men stepped forward to protect their lord. The blow was deflected and the King knocked to the ground as swords flashed forward ready to run Warren through, but stopped short of doing so.

  “No!” the Que
en shouted. She rushed toward her husband, but was stopped by soldiers. She screamed at them and pounded her fists against their armor. The King attempted to push himself to his feet, but he was held down by a boot on his back.

  “Silence!” Caepionis shouted angrily. The Queen and King both fell quiet. “I have saved the lives of your subjects this day. I hope to save your lives as well.” His eyes met those of the Queen. She nodded her understanding. If she continued to resist, to fight, she would be killed—if not by Caepionis’ men then by Andrick or this self-proclaimed Empress and her army of drakmere.

  Caepionis glanced down at the King. “Help him to his feet,” he commanded and the soldiers obeyed, lifting the King up.

  “I will see you dead, Caepionis,” the King said. “I swear to you, I shall see you dead.”

  ***

  Anne sat upon the throne of Libetha staring down at the men and women gathered before her. Duke Andrick had been correct. His man, Lord Caepionis, had opened the gates and welcomed Anne’s army into Libetha without a fight. Sure there were some men whose loyalty to King Warren surpassed their instinct for survival, but they were slaughtered quickly. Most of the citizens did not fight. Most chose life over their king.

  Lord Caepionis stepped forward and dropped to one knee before Anne. She smiled as she watched the rest of the court do likewise. They all must die. “It is a great honor to have Your Majesty in our small kingdom, and it is my great pleasure to swear fealty to the Empress of the Middle Realm.”

  “Very good, Lord Caepionis,” Anne said as she stared down her nose at him. “Where are the King and Queen? I would very much enjoy seeing them kneel before me as well.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty,” Caepionis said as he stood and waved at his guards. Soon the King and Queen were guided into the throne room under guard. The King no longer wore his armor, but he did still wear his crown.

  The King and Queen were escorted to stand beside Caepionis. Their faces were stoic as they stood staring at Anne. Warren’s eyes darted to Andrick for but a second before they returned to Anne. Anne raised an eyebrow as she stared down at the King and Queen.

  “You may kneel before me,” she said, a hint of contempt evident in her voice. The King sighed, clearly beaten and broken. His heart was shattered by the betrayal of his brother and his most trusted adviser. Anne could tell he had no fight left. The corners of her mouth turned up into a smile as the King and his Queen lowered themselves to their knees.

  Caepionis was relieved and smiled down at the King. Suddenly, Warren leapt up, a dagger appeared from the sleeve of his doublet and he thrust it upward into Caepionis’ throat. The lord fell backward as blood spilled out onto the floor. They all must die!

  “May you suffer a thousand deaths for your betrayal!” Warren shouted at Andrick. “But your damned lizards won’t eat us alive.” He stepped sideways beside his wife and reached down and slit her throat with the dagger. As she fell over dying and gasping for breath, Warren plunged the dagger deep into his own heart.

  Andrick watched his brother’s bloody rampage wide-eyed. He turned to look at Anne. She was smiling gleefully at the death before her. “They all must die!” she shouted to her drakmere. “Kill them! Kill them all!” Anne shouted the command with such glee it chilled Andrick to the bone, but it was her brother Morgan who spoke first.

  “Anne, what are you doing?” he asked. The look he received from her terrified him. Her eyes were as black as night.

  “They all must die,” she hissed with such venom Morgan took a step back. He turned to the shrieks from the floor below as the drakmere pounced upon the gathered nobles. “Yes!” Anne shouted. She began to clap her hands like a small girl who just received a new pony. “Kill everyone in the kingdom!” Anne shouted above the noise in a voice that sounded almost as frightening as Rayfen’s.

  Andrick had to force vomit back down. He composed himself and stepped in front of Anne dropping to both knees before her. “Your Majesty, please do not do this,” he said. Anne sneered down at him. “They surrendered to you. You have no need to kill them.”

  “They all must die!” she shouted at Andrick.

  “But if they all die who will worship you?” he asked. This caught her attention. She looked at him. “What good is it to be a goddess if there is no one left alive to worship you?” he asked.

  Anne calmed herself. She nodded. The ecstasy of the moment had passed and Andrick saw the beaming color return to her eyes as the darkness faded away. “General Rayfen,” she said.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?” he hissed from behind his skull-shaped visor.

  “We shall only kill the nobles. The rest of the kingdom may live to worship and serve me,” she said.

  “As you command,” Rayfen said with a bow.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Andrick said. His eyes leapt to Morgan who was white with fear.

  “Bring me your brother’s crown, Andrick,” Anne commanded

  Andrick nodded and stood. He slowly made his way down the steps of the dais until he came to his brother’s lifeless body. He removed the crown from Warren’s head and then turned and walked back up the steps to Anne. He fell to one knee and presented the crown to her. She took it from him with a smile.

  “For your loyal service, I hereby name you King of Libetha,” Anne said as she laid the crown upon Andrick’s head.

  Chapter 4

  The halls glowed brightly as Aura strolled along, soaking in the light. It was wonderful to be back in Auraehalis where it was always bright and warm. Aura nodded to familiar faces as she passed. The pleasantries of the seraph were different than those of humans. Seraph were not as emotional as humans and thus their faces were generally more stoic. The faces that nodded to her were friendly, but there were no beaming smiles or hearty ‘hellos’ as she had grown accustomed to in the Middle Realm.

  She made her way along the great halls that contained carvings in the shining white walls of all the seraph who had died fighting the darkness of the shedom. All except Alaric and the other Watchers, of course.

  Aura noticed Herja, commander of the Valkyrie up ahead watching her through the crowd. Herja’s eyes on her made her nervous. No one enjoyed being the focus of the Shield Maidens, especially of Herja.

  Aura made a conscious effort not to catch Herja’s eye, but not to appear to be avoiding it either. As Aura neared her, Herja stepped forward to intercept her.

  “Greetings, General,” Herja said as she blocked Aura’s path.

  “Greetings, Commander,” Aura replied. “I trust you are well?”

  “I am well, thank you,” Herja said. “I have not seen you around in awhile, General.”

  “It has been awhile since I have seen you, Commander. We should catch up sometime, but if you will excuse me,” she began to step around Herja, but the Valkyrie sidestepped to again block her path.

  “I have searched for you, General. I have spoken to several other seraph and none have seen you anywhere in Auraehalis for some time.”

  Aura narrowed her eyes. “I did not know my whereabouts were any of your concern.”

  “Well, of course I am concerned when a General and member of the council cannot be located.”

  Aura nodded. “I was in Dracengard, if you must know.”

  “Dracengard?” Herja asked incredulously.

  “That is what I said, is it not?” Aura shot back.

  “You have been in Dracengard for quite some time.”

  “Yes, the Keeper requested that I assist in training of the humans on Avalon—I have done so.”

  Herja crossed her arms over her chest as she narrowed her eyes at Aura. “And why would humans on Avalon need training?”

  “That is an odd question, Commander. Are they not our final defense? Dracengard was established as the final line between Auraehalis and the Middle Realm—was it not? Metatron and Queen Chaundra have spent a millennia freezing through the cold nights for that very purpose.” Herja simply stared at her. “Now, if you will kindly move out of m
y way…”

  “It is my job to determine if there are traitors in our midst,” Herja said.

  Aura began to get angry. “Are you accusing me of being a traitor?” she asked through clenched teeth.

  “No, only the sister of one,” Herja said with a smirk.

  Aura leaned forward, toward her. “Take care with your tongue, Herja. Remember that you are Commander of the Shield Maidens for political reasons, not because you are a better warrior than I.” With that Aura stepped past her, shoving Herja out of the way as she did so.

  Herja spun as her hand went to the hilt of her sword. She began to draw the blade from its sheath, but felt a hand on hers preventing it. She turned to see Mihang’el standing beside her.

  “Be careful, Commander,” Mihang’el said.

  “Counselor, I…” she began, but Mihang’el cut her off.

  “Aura has spent the last few weeks in Dracengard, mourning the loss of her brother and the Watchers with Metatron. They have been a comfort to one another through this. I know this, because I visited them.”

  “The Watchers?” Herja asked. “What has happened?”

  “The Watchers were slaughtered by a shedom,” Mihang’el said softly.

  “Does the Father know?” Herja asked.

  Mihang’el shook his head. “Not yet. Aura and I planned on speaking about it at the next council meeting.” Herja nodded. “So do not tweak her nose anymore today, Commander.”

  “As you say Counselor. However, I am keeping an eye on her.”

  “As you should,” Mihang’el said with a pleasant smile. “As you should.”

  ***

  Aura knelt on the smooth, polished stones staring into the beautifully clear waters of the bubbling fountain. She heard footsteps behind her, but did not turn. She assumed Herja had come to arrest her for treason and was relieved when she heard Mihang’el’s voice.

  “May I join you, General?” he asked softly. Aura did not say a word, but motioned for him to kneel beside her. He did so and turned his attention to the fountain. “I cooled Herja, at least for the moment. She is Commander of the Valkyrie, Aura. It’s not a good idea to upset her.”