by Dyan Chick
"I've read a lot, son." The man gestured to the book shelves around them. "From what I've read, most dragons are about the size of six or so horses put together. This one, looked at least twice as big. Though it's hard to know if any of what I've read is true. A thousand years is a long time."
This was going to change everything. If the dragon decided to side with the king, they wouldn't stand a chance. Or it could just go around Illaria randomly attacking towns, which wouldn't make their lives any easier. Why couldn't it just be one thing at a time?
"Do you know where it came from?" Ashton asked.
"From the west, but it headed east when it left," the old man said. He lifted a bushy white eyebrow. "You fixing to chase after it? Be a hero?"
Ashton shook his head. "No, I'm not a dragon hunter."
The old man squinted and looked Ashton up and down. "No, I suppose you're not. But you are hunting for something."
"I'm just passing through, and really should be going," Ashton said as he turned toward the door.
"Young man, wait a moment."
Ashton considered ignoring the request, but manners prevented him from doing so. He's just a lonely old man. He turned around slowly, intent on telling the old man goodbye but didn't see him anywhere in sight. Crazy old man. He headed toward the door again, only to be intercepted by the man.
"Here." The old man held out a wooden box with a sturdy lock. "Take this with you."
Ashton put his hands up, trying to deny taking the object. "That's not necessary. Really, you don't even know me."
The old man lifted an eyebrow. "No, but I've heard about you. You know my brother. Goes by the name Flanders."
Ashton's head moved back in surprise. "How?"
"White Raven the other day. Told me to keep an eye out in case you passed through. Never thought you would. You'd think I'd have learned that my brother is never wrong by this point." He pressed the box into Ashton's hands.
Ashton held the box and lifted it to look at the lock more carefully. "What is it?"
The old man smiled. "Honestly, I'm not sure. My brother left it with me years ago and asked me to keep it safe. I suppose you'll have to ask him."
Ashton held the box at arm's length, worried it might contain something dangerous. What could Master Flanders have kept in a locked box with a brother he'd never told anyone about?
"Don't worry, it won't bite," the old man said. "You best be off. Before that dragon decides to return. And don't worry about getting a message along. I'll send it for you. You just get on with your mission."
Ashton lowered the box and narrowed his eyes at the man. "How do I know what you are saying is true? How do I know this isn't a trick by the king?"
"You'll have to trust me."
Turning back to the door, Ashton held the box closer. It was yet another reason to find the stone and return to the Raven camp.
"Wait a minute," the old man called out. "I almost forgot."
Ashton turned to look at him.
The man shuffled along the floor to a desk that Ashton hadn't noticed before. He pulled out a drawer in the desk and removed a folded piece of paper. He shuffled back, his left leg dragging as he walked. Handing the paper to Ashton, he waited.
Ashton opened the paper and a small silver ring fell into his hand. His stomach tightened. It was the ring he left behind for Etta. With shaky hands, he read the note. If you see Ashton, give him this.
Ashton turned the ring over in his fingers. Was this a trick? It looked like the same ring. Why would Master Flanders send it so far away when he didn't know if Ashton would even stop here? Ashton froze and looked up at the old man. "You’ve been sending White Ravens to Master Flanders, haven’t you?"
He nodded. "Been keeping in touch with my brother for years using our birds. I wasn't fit to be part of the fighting but I do what I can to keep the Ravens informed of things on this side of the kingdom."
Ashton held up the ring. "What does this mean? What am I supposed to do with this?"
The old man shrugged. "I stopped trying to figure out why my brother does the things he does years ago."
Ashton's shoulders sunk. This was supposed to be Etta's ring. It was supposed to be saved for Etta in case the worst should happen. Why had Master Flanders sent it to him? He knew that Master Flanders didn't do things accidentally. Everything had a purpose. Shouldn't Etta be engaged to some Gallic noble by now? His breath caught in my chest. Maybe the Gallic king didn't want a marriage alliance after all. Maybe she said no. If they lost that army, he didn't know how they'd take on the king. But if she wasn't going to marry somebody from Gallia, she hadn't given up on him. Ashton laughed, unable to contain the joy rising up. The empty place inside him didn't feel so empty anymore. Was it possible he could make up for his actions? Either way, something big had happened. Ashton removed the simple chain he wore around his neck and threaded it through the small ring. He no longer cared what Sir Henry thought, Etta needed him and he needed her. As he slipped the chain back around his neck he vowed that he wasn't going to give up on her until he had her back.
Gripping the box under his arm he headed toward the door. "Thanks." He nodded at the old man.
"Good luck, son."
Ashton returned to the horses to find Celeste staring out toward the smoky remains of the town with a frown on her face. The cloud of smoke was smaller than it had been when he entered the shop.
"Looks like they're containing it pretty well," he said.
Celeste spoke without turning to look at him. "Yes, but I wish we could do something to help them."
Ashton mounted his horse. "We are doing something to help them. We're doing something to help everybody."
She let out a long sigh. "I suppose so."
"You didn't ask what I found out," Ashton said as he watched her climb onto her mare.
She pushed her hair away from her face. "Didn't need to. We both already knew what the cause of the destruction was. Only real question is, was it working alone or has it made friends with a human? Don't suppose you found that out?"
"No," Ashton said. "Just that it was a big one." The ring slid against his skin as he adjusted his position on the horse. He squeezed the reins tighter. "I'll give you the details later. I want to cover a few more miles before it gets dark."
"Oh?" Celeste raised her eyebrows. "There's actually something to tell?"
He lifted the reins and started to ride away and called back to Celeste as he rode. "Later."
22
Etta
Gaius led us to an exquisitely appointed sitting room. Plush rugs sunk under my shoes as I walked through the room. A large harp and several musical instruments I didn't recognize sat in the corner.
"Please, sit," Gaius gestured to an overstuffed blue couch facing a large, marble fireplace. The fabric shimmered in the light of the large glass windows. The room was bathed in sunlight which reflected off of the thousands of crystals in the chandeliers above us.
I sat down and rubbed my hands over the smooth fabric. Silk. A couch like this would cost a fortune. I clasped my hands in my lap, afraid to damage the fabric with my touch. The only time I'd seen the inside of a castle had been for the dinner with the king. The castle he lived in was cold and intimidating. This castle was warm and inviting, though a bit overwhelming in its grandness. What had the castle looked like when my parents lived there? Surely it hadn't been as cold as it was under the current king. Glancing around the room, I considered what I would do in my own castle. I hadn't put much thought into where I would live when this was all over, but it would make sense to re-claim the castle that should have been my home.
Master Flanders sat on the opposite end of the couch and placed his hands in his lap, mirroring my own. Gaius settled in a high-backed wood-trimmed chair topped with a deep blue cushion. All of the furniture in this room was a shade of blue. I wondered who had decorated it. They must have a love of the color.
Peeking behind me, I noticed that Gaius' sorcerers and his guard
had accompanied us to the room. They stood near the door, blocking the only exit. I fidgeted in my seat, feeling trapped despite the fact that Gaius was supposed to be on my side. His guards reminded me too much of the king's guards who had been trying to kill me. It must be typical for a king to have their own guard. Yet, I traveled only with a sorcerer. Should I be building my own guard? The thought sent a shudder through me. It was difficult to separate the idea of a guard from the ones who had been hunting me.
I swallowed and turned my head away from the door, back to my uncle.
"Are the guards making you nervous, or the sorcerers?" he asked.
"I'm fine." I forced a smile on my face. "Just not used to seeing guards that aren't trying to kill me."
Gaius waved his hand toward the door. I turned to see the guards and sorcerers file out. They closed the door. Some of the tension in me released, though I was sure they were just standing on the other side of the door.
"You should consider getting your own guard, Etta," Gaius said. "In fact, I can send a squadron of mine with you to get you started. I have some young men in my army who would happily accept the promotion of being personal guard to a queen. It's a highly prized position. The men in my guard are the very best. Only the most loyal, well trained soldiers get to protect the king. It should be the same for you."
Perhaps I should take him up on the offer, it would make me look more like a queen. "Thank you, uncle, that is very kind."
He slapped his hands on his knees. "Now, let's discuss how we are going to get your kingdom back."
This is what we were here for. I needed to negotiate for an army to support my cause. My throat felt dry. Even though this man was family, I didn't know him. He was a king and I still felt like I was playing the part most days. He lived in luxury, I lived in a tent. I gave a sideways glance to Master Flanders. He nodded.
Swallowing hard, I began, "we'd like to ask for your support in the removal of the impostor king of Illaria."
Gaius nodded. "You have our support but before we can give you resources, I need to know how you plan to remove this impostor. I need to know that if I give you men and arms, they will be put to good use. We haven't participated in a foreign war in a thousand years. I have to know that you're going to win and that the cost of life will be as little as possible."
You knew this was coming. Discussed strategies played out in my head.
"We are currently engaged in phase one of our plan to remove the king. We are in the process of gaining and destroying the stone of Morare."
Gaius leaned forward in his chair and rested his chin on his hand. "The king doesn't keep the stone on his person?" He leaned back. "Very interesting. When do you think you'll have the stone?"
My stomach knotted and Ashton's image flashed into my mind. Now was not the time to get sentimental or worried. Ashton and Celeste could retrieve the stone. I lifted my chin. "In the next few weeks."
Gaius tilted his head. "And do you intend to use the Reapers yourself?"
"No." My voice was firm. A chill ran through me. There was a cost of all magic, and I didn't want to find out what the cost of controlling the Reapers was. The Darkness was bad enough.
Gaius smiled. "That's a good sign. You're smart. It's a wonder the king's been able to control those monsters for as long as he has without them turning on him. You intend to destroy them, then?"
I nodded. "We are hoping to destroy the stone itself but we're still working out the details."
"Do you have a backup plan? I have yet to find any writings on how to destroy that stone." He leaned forward again, as if anticipating my answer. He seemed to be testing me.
I gripped the edge of the couch with my hands. "You've heard about what I can do, haven't you?"
"Rumors," he said. "But I'm hoping they're true."
"What have you heard?" I asked. What rumors had made their way to Gallia?
"That you could take down the Reapers without needing to destroy the stone." His face was serious and his eyes didn't leave my face. It was as if he was waiting for me to flinch.
"That may be true," I said. "If I can control my powers well enough."
Gaius turned to Master Flanders, "I imagine you're working with her?"
Master Flanders nodded. "Yes, she's been training as my apprentice."
"Can she do it?" Gaius asked.
Could I do it? So far, in every interaction I had with the Reapers I was able to get them to go away, but never strong enough to destroy them. And could I handle all four at the same time? Was it possible if we controlled them that they would stand there and let me destroy them? Or would they fight back? I looked over at Master Flanders, his face was impassive.
"Yes, your highness," Master Flanders said, "she will be able to destroy the Reapers once we have the stone."
Gaius clapped his hands. "Well, then. You are something special, Etta. Your mother would be very proud of you."
I smiled. It was the first time I'd heard praise from someone who shared my mother's blood. It was almost like hearing it from her.
"After you destroy the Reapers," Gaius rested his hands on his knees. "What's next?"
I straightened, trying to make myself seem more confident than I felt. This was what we came here for. We needed his army. He knew that. We knew that. It was a matter of showing him I could command an army. That I was a worthy investment.
"We'll strike the day after his daughter's wedding. They won't expect anything early in the morning after such a celebration. If this wedding is anything like her first wedding, his lords and dukes will be caught off guard due to a night of drinking too much. Most of the high lords will stay the night in the castle, far from their armies. The king will be limited to only the guard he has at the castle. He won't be able to call for reinforcements without sending his lords out of the protection of the castle." I paused, watching my uncle for any reaction. His fingers were steepled under his chin and he nodded.
"In order to make this attack successful, we'll need more men. That is where you can help us."
Gaius lowered his hands and gripped the armrests of his chair. He leaned against the chair back, and looked up at the ceiling. His lips were pursed as he considered my words. After what felt like hours, he leaned forward and looked at me.
"When is the wedding?" he asked.
"We believe it will be within the next four weeks. We are awaiting responses from some of the lords who are loyal to us. They will send word any day now."
He leaned back again, hands interlaced in front of him. "If our sorcerers work with yours, we can build several portals large enough to get the army through right before the battle. That would maintain your element of surprise."
Excited flutters filled my chest. "Does that mean that you're going to help us?"
"It won't be without a price," he said.
My heart dropped into my stomach. I don't have anything. What could he possibly want from me? I quickly replaced my frown with a straight face. "Of course, though you may have to wait for payment until I've reclaimed my kingdom."
"Of course," he said.
I waited, wondering what he could want in return for an army. Gold? Resources? Gallia was so self-sustaining, I couldn't imagine what he would be after.
"As you both know, the Darkness is fast approaching. We will have to fight against it very soon. In the last Darkness, our alliance with Illaria was invaluable. Our two countries have a history of supporting one another in times of crisis. I'd like to assure that alliance continues."
My brow furrowed as I waited to hear where this was going.
"I would like to see that our houses are linked by an alliance that means something. I'd like to see you married to one of our lords. Your choice, of course."
Before I could fully process his words, my head was shaking. No. My cheeks burned and I stood. "No, that's not possible. I won't be married off as a pawn in somebody else's game."
Gaius stood. "This is how the game is played, Etta. You're young and unmarrie
d. I can't have you joining with a kingdom that is a threat to me."
"You're just going to have to trust that I won't," I said. "Would a king have so little say in who he marries? Did you?"
"Yes, Etta," he said, his tone gentle. "I was betrothed as a child."
Ashton's face flashed through my mind. He'd told me he didn't want to be with me because I could turn out just like my brother, but he'd also said I should marry someone better than him. Part of me still clung to the hope that Ashton hadn't meant what he said. But if it was true, if he didn't want to be with me, I still wanted to choose who I married. I'd fought too hard against Max for the right to protect my heart. "I won't do it, I'm sorry, I can't."
Gaius pressed his lips together into a line. "I'm afraid we won't be able to offer an entire army if you can't give us something in return. And as you said, you don't have much to offer."
I glanced to Master Flanders. Surly he had a suggestion. He stood next to me with his hands inside opposite sleeves of his robes. I turned back to Gaius.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I won't be making any promises of marriage to anybody. If you can offer us any resources, that would be appreciated. If not, we'll figure out a way to finish the king off on our own." I stared at him, jaw fixed, with steel in my expression.
To my surprise, Gaius smiled at me. "You drive a hard bargain, Etta. Perhaps we can come to a compromise."
Before I could start to consider what an acceptable compromise would be, the doors swung open and one of the king's guards ran into the room at a full sprint. He stopped in front of the king and bowed low. "White Raven just delivered this, sir."
The king took the small scroll from the guard and narrowed his eyes at it. He handed it to Master Flanders. "It's addressed to you."
Master Flanders' didn't look surprised to be receiving a message. He took the scroll and unrolled it, eyes moving back and forth as he read. His face dropped, lips moving into a concerned frown.
"What is it?" I asked.
He looked up at me, then looked to Gaius. He rolled the scroll up in his fingers. "Dragons have returned to Illaria."