Dragonshade

by Aderyn Wood

  Her amber eyes locked on his. “You have done your duty well, soldier.” Then she turned and left him, her fragrance of almond and rose lingering in her wake.

  Part XV

  Black Eagle Mountain

  Early Summer

  Rayna’s cavern

  5,846 years ago…

  Rayna

  Rayna hummed to herself as she picked the first carrot of the season and brought it to her nose. Its freshness made her mouth water and she dusted it off and took a nibble. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sweetness that only alpine air could give to her root vegetables.

  The day was a beauty. The sunshine was warm and the forest full of colours from flowers and new leaf. Birds were busy making their nests and the bees buzzed among her pea flowers. She’d survived yet another Dark Wynter.

  Rhast interrupted the peace by landing on a nearby stump, chasing off two warbling thrushes in the process.

  “The garden will be plentiful when we return, Rhast. Aye, there’ll be more than enough food for young Yana.”

  She hummed again as she harvested more carrots and early peas, and made her way back to her small dwelling. She put her basket on the table and filled a pot with water and placed it on the cook fire to simmer.

  In less than a handful of nights, Rayna would make her way back to Estr Varg to collect her granddaughter. At long last, Yana would begin learning how to work her gift. And she’d finally meet the mountain-folk. They’d waited generations for this. With every new child born to Rayna’s long bloodline, the mountain-folk had anticipated a girl with a great gift of magic, as was predicted by their Watcher so long ago. They held high hopes for Yana. Especially now, with their discovery up in the forgotten mountains far to the east. Another had been born the very moment Yana had, and they were already linked in the Otherworld. It was important they meet, and soon. After so many years of waiting, time grew short. Vargu, the mountain-folk saru, had found Rayna once she’d entered her trance in the wynter. It was a relief to finally learn of the mountain-folk’s whereabouts, but he had one important message: the time drew near to take Yana where she must go.

  Rayna looked around her cavern, considering whether she should begin preparations for the journey to come when a sudden cramp clawed at her back. She doubled over in pain, her breaths shortened to panicked gasps. Her hands shook as she reached for her table and she knocked the basket of carrots to the ground. Another pain, like a hot spear piercing her insides came to her back, another at both sides, and one final hot searing cut seemed to slit her throat. She lay on her back, hands clenching her neck, gasping for breath.

  Then, as quick as the agony had come, it was gone. Not an echo of it remained. She was back to normal, aside from a pounding heart and ragged breaths.

  But a grim realisation hit with a rush of grief. The amulet had warned her.

  Petar was dead.

  Part XVI

  Azzuri

  Sommer

  Ninth year of King Amar-Sin’s reign

  5,846 years ago…

  Heduanna

  Heduanna looked over the city from her terrace at the palace. It was good to be home. Father had commanded her to pause her studies in the temple and return to her role as princess, to rule the city in his absence. In less than three days he would board the galleys, along with her brother and ten contingents, first to Praeta, and then over the Sea of Death to Drakia, to collect Sargan and their new army.

  The barbarian would be leaving with them, to return to his homeland. It was possible she would never see him again. For some reason the thought dulled the happiness she felt at returning home, so she forced him from her mind as she entered her suite.

  Inside, she came face to face with her royal cousin, Phaeda.

  “What are you doing here?” Heduanna asked.

  For once Phaeda wore a neutral expression and she bowed her head in respect. “Qisht asked me to inspect your suite, to ensure it was ready for your return, Princess.”

  Heduanna narrowed her eyes as she watched Phaeda leave. Not one smirk, nor one backhanded compliment had come from Phaeda’s lips. Perhaps Heduanna’s new role as ruler was already having an effect. Perhaps she’d been wise to whip Kisha. Everyone knew she would dispense punishment if necessary, even the she-jackals that were her royal cousins.

  A servant carrying linens bustled past. Mirat. She remained as wrinkled as an old shoe. “Welcome, Princess.”

  “Mirat.” Heduanna nodded.

  “Alkira and I are ready to wait on you. Call if you have need of anything.” Mirat left with the linens and Heduanna considered asking for a cup of wine. It would be wonderful to have servants again, and access to the finest wines. She reclined on her settee in her reception room. It was good to be back, but she couldn’t entirely ignore the hollowness deep within. She missed Kisha deeply. The servant had been the only friend she’d ever had, and Heduanna had driven her away. Into the arms of her brother.

  “Heduanna.”

  She turned to see Hadanash enter the room.

  “Brother, I was just thinking of you.”

  He strode over and sat on the settee opposite. A look of fury on his face. “Where are your slaves?” he asked, glancing around her reception room.

  “Busy with laundering I should think.” Heduanna bit down on a lip as she considered her brother. “They’re as old as the hills, and as craggy. So different from Kisha. I hope you treat her well, brother.”

  Hadanash raised an eyebrow. “Better than her former mistress. I assure you, she hasn’t met my whip as yet, though she’s met something else of mine, and as it turns out she rather likes it.”

  Heduanna’s smile faded. “You seem to have a penchant for falling for slaves. Next you’ll be wanting to marry one. Perhaps I’ll arrange such a wedding for you in my capacity as ruler while you’re off trying not to die on the Sea of Death.”

  “I won’t be going with Father to Drakia.” Hadanash gritted his teeth.

  “What? But Father announced it when he announced that I would return to the palace. It’s why I’m here. Because you’re supposed to go with him to Drakia.”

  Hadanash shook his head. “He’s changed his damned mind. Says he wants a campaign sent to Sakaad. He wants us to take it back from the Zyrrians once and for all. I’m to meet Uncle-general at Urgash and together we’re to mount the challenge.”

  “But, it was the battle of Sakaad that caused so many losses.”

  “Well done, sister. Don’t you see? Father is casting me out. He still hasn’t replaced the heir-ring.”

  “He said he’s getting a new one crafted in Praeta, and that you’ll receive it on his valorous return.” Heduanna mimicked the way her father had announced it.

  “No, he said I’d receive it upon my victorious return to Azzuri.”

  “What difference does it make, brother? You’re going to get your precious ring back.”

  “Only if I’m triumphant. My position as heir-prince hinges on that. If I don’t win Sakaad back for us, I will be cast out.”

  “You’re being dramatic.”

  Hadanash shook his head. “No, I’m not. And I know who is behind the notion. Father’s decisions are becoming more ridiculous with every new day. He’s going to Drakia himself for Phadite’s sake. Who ever heard of a king crossing the Sea of Death? It was one thing to send his two sons, quite another to go himself.”

  “Yes,” Heduanna took a troubled breath. “I’m worried about it.”

  “Did Phadite stipulate the king himself needed to approach these barbarians?”

  Heduanna shook her head. “She only said, repeatedly, that the foreigners would win the war for us.” She licked her lips. “Father says he must go to treat with their king, face to face. Or queen, apparently the women rule there.”

  Hadanash rolled his eyes.

  “I do wonder if Father has turned to Zamug’s guidance in matters of prophecy, on account of the fact that Phadite has remained silent for so long.”

&nbs
p; Hadanash looked at her. “The desert seer?”

  She nodded. “Father spoke of him recently. He attempted to summon the seer, but he hasn’t heeded father’s message, there’s been no sight of him.”

  “Either that, or it’s Qisht whispering such things. I’d say that’s the more likely option.”

  “Yes, there is that.”

  Hadanash leaned closer, his voice lowered. “Did you have the opportunity to speak with the Urul king?”

  Heduanna shook her head.

  Her brother punched a cushion, his anger flaring like a viper’s bite. “Why not? I thought he came to see you at the temple?”

  Heduanna squinted. “How did you know about that?”

  “Well, did he?”

  “Yes, but Father put a guard on my door. The barbarian.”

  “That camel’s arse. Father seeks his counsel while ignoring that of his own flesh and blood.”

  Heduanna raised an eyebrow. “Jealous are we?”

  “If I am, I have every right to be.” He gave her a scowl. “You manage to sleep with half the men in Azzuri, yet when it matters, you let the Urul king slip through your fingers.”

  “What would you have had me do? Allow him into my room in the temple? The barbarian would have told Father, and the priests would’ve found out too. In any case, my marriage to Eshu is no longer relevant, now that you’ve been promised to Adula. You’ve won yourself a future bride, brother. She’s got one of those awful voices perfect for nagging too. One of us will be linked to the Urul palace through marriage. It matters not whether its you or me, it achieves the same end.”

  Hadanash clenched his jaw. “It does no such thing. Mainly because Eshu has yet to agree to the bargain, and I very much doubt he will, not after the insults Father showered him with.” Hadanash stood. “Whatever you do, keep your eye on Qisht. He is operating for his own glory as he plots the demise of Azzuri and his rise in the wake of Urul’s victory.” He stalked out of the room leaving Heduanna confounded. What was it exactly, her brother was asking of her?

  Heduanna spent the afternoon assisting her father in the last court hearing before he left the city. It proved to be as dreary as all the others had been, with farmers or merchants, mostly, arguing over field borders or trade deals. Though there was a murder hearing which piqued her interest for a time, and a report from the two whorehouses called Phadite’s houses, which Father allowed but kept to a minimal trade along the river streets, with strict curfews and stringent rules about the serving of wine and beer. The rest of it was as tedious as it was long.

  After, her father beckoned her to join him in his office. She followed him to the little room, the same one Hadanash had whispered to her about Qisht only days before. Now it was lit brightly by the lamps on the table.

  “Why have you forsaken your initiate garb?” her father asked her the moment they were alone.

  Heduanna glanced down at the crisp linen dress she wore, threaded with the finest lines of gold and lapis lazuli. A dress she’d acquired only days before she’d entered the temple and hadn’t had the opportunity to wear until now. She wondered how to answer him. I’m sick to death of wearing raw linen, didn’t seem a good enough answer. “I thought I could take on my role of princess in your absence, and leave that of initiate until your return. According to Atolah,” she cited one of her favourite poets, “the garb one wears should signal one’s mission.”

  Her father clenched his jaw. “Very well.” He opened a small case on the desk and took out a large silver ring with a signet of lapis lazuli, it was attached to a gold chain. He showed her the ring and Heduanna’s mouth fell open. It was the heir ring. It should be on Hadanash’s finger. The king placed the ring into a leather pouch and pulled the string. “I want you to keep this on you at all times.”

  Heduanna’s eyes widened as he handed her the pouch. “But I thought you were having the heir ring crafted in Praeta. That you will give it to Hadanash on your return.”

  “It is already crafted,” was all her father said. “You will need it to sign any tablets enacting major edicts on my behalf when I am gone.”

  “Major?”

  Her father looked at her. “Qisht will guide you in all matters. You can rely on him.”

  She carefully arrange her face as to avoid a frown at the mention of the weasel’s name.

  “I trust you have found your suite in order? You’ve been re-aquainted with your new servants?”

  Heduanna nodded. “Yes, they are both rather old. Different to Kisha—”

  “Yes, well, perhaps their age will delay any notions you have of overly harsh penance.”

  Heduanna winced. “Yes, Father. I’ve told you, I’m sorry for what I did.”

  He nodded. “And, until we leave, Danael will guard your suite.”

  “Why not a palace guard?”

  “Because he is the best soldier we have. I want him on duty from dusk till dawn. There may still be Urul operatives in the city planning to take you from us.”

  “Are you sure those operatives aren’t negotiating with someone we trust, right here in the palace?” A little weasel known only too well by your royal self, father.

  “Yes, but I know for a certainty that Danael isn’t one of them. We can trust him. He will assure your safety.”

  “And when you have gone? I understand the barbarian will be leaving with you.”

  “Once I leave, the danger will have reduced somewhat.”

  “Why so?”

  “It is not necessary for you to know all the details.”

  “But, if I’m to run the city in your absence, isn’t it wise that I should know?”

  “All you need know is that once I have left, your safety will be assured. My personal guards Namtur and Alshu will take Danael’s place and ensure no harm comes to you.

  Heduanna grimaced. She’d known them both since she could walk. There’d be no way she could seduce such loyal followers of her father to take her to bed. Perhaps she had another opportunity… yes.

  “In the meantime,” her father continued. “If the goddess does bless us with a vision, especially about Sargan, I want to hear it immediately. No matter what the time of day or night.”

  “Of course, Father,” she said. “As you wish.”

  That night there’d been a banquet allowing all residents of the palace to come and eat together. Hadanash sat quietly fuming on Heduanna’s right. He hardly touched his food, and barely spoke. Father had invited their uncle-administrator and admiral to dine with them at their table, and the king kept his attentions mostly on those brothers who would remain behind and help Heduanna with the running of the city.

  Heduanna ate her fill of seared river-bull steak, and sat back to observe all around her. As usual, raucous laughter emanated from the tables where her royal cousins sat. Jusuran appeared to be regaling the others with a tale. A thread of jealousy spiralled through Heduanna’s chest. They’d always had their cliques and she’d never been welcome among them. But Phaeda’s demeanor that day had been a very different one. Perhaps things would change now that she was about to rule them.

  Heduanna felt the barbarian’s constant gaze, like an itch that refused to go away. He sat at the other end of the long table, almost opposite her. That night, when he protected her from King Abi-Eshu’s advances, she’d felt the hard rock of his body behind her.

  She cast glances at him for the remainder of the banquet. Sipping her wine she caught his eye on more than a handful of occasions and heat rose to her cheeks every time their eyes locked. A familiar awareness blossomed deep within and a warmth in her heart flared with the realisation – the goddess was with her.

  By the time she she stood and bid her father goodnight, Heduanna had made up her mind. The goddess had orchestrated this opportunity and was commanding Heduanna to act.

  He followed her silently up the stairs and his footfalls came to her along each terrace with the ring of his sword on his belt, until they reached her suite. She could feel his gaze burning al
ong her back the entire way.

  At her suite entrance, she paused and turned to him. “Will you be standing here all night?” she asked.

  His mouth fell open slightly, his eyes bespoke his desire, and inflamed her own all the more. “Yes, Princess.”

  She smiled and turned, entering her suite. Inside she instructed Mirat to retire to the servant’s quarters. The old slave gave her a questioning look, but bowed before silently leaving. Heduanna then told Alkira to bring her a cup of hot water and a tray with wine and two cups. The slave did so and Heduanna took the cup from her and informed her she could also retire for the night, but to summon the barbarian on her way out.

  Alkira frowned. “But, Princess, would you like assistance with your dress before I go?”

  “No,” Heduanna replied. “You may go now.”

  Alkira shrugged and took her leave.

  Heduanna went to her dresser, retrieved the pouch she’d stowed there and emptied the phial into her hand. She then opened the stopper and poured a thumbnail’s measure into the cup. She set the cup on top of the dresser in her room, then she took the tray and stepped into her reception chamber.

  The barbarian was waiting for her. He looked just as confounded as Alkira had.

  “Princess? You wanted to see me?”

  Heduanna smiled and placed the tray on the table by the settee. She poured the wine, filling both cups and handed one to her new guard.

  He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  Heduanna raised an eyebrow. “I think you do. I am offering you my hospitality, barbarian.” She lifted the cup further. “I hope you don’t reject it. I don’t offer it to everyone, no matter what you may have heard.”

  He almost swiped the cup from her, then he took a gulp. “Thank you,” he said. “But my instructions were to stand guard. I should be out there on the terrace.”