“So soon?”
Aaron nodded. “Traveling by horseback would be faster, and flying even more so, but the children still tire too quickly to travel so far on my back.”
“What about Peggy?”
“She will remain here.” Anna nodded. “I have already sent Richard a message, informing him that we will be away for a while. But the choice is yours,” Aaron continued. “If you would prefer to stay here, you will be quite safe under the protection of, uh, the servants here.” Anna looked at Aaron sharply, catching his amused gaze. “I believe Garrick will consider it a privilege to keep you safe.” He paused a moment. “He’s a good man, Anna.”
“I know,” she groaned, “why does everyone keep telling me that.” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How do you know?”
“That Garrick is a good man? Everyone knows that,” Aaron replied with a laugh. He grinned at her for a moment before relenting. “You forget that I can smell someone’s emotions. And Garrick’s feelings for you are very strong.”
Once more Anna groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You’re not helping me at all,” she said.
Keira laughed. “Maybe a trip to the city is just what you need, Anna, to get your thoughts in order. Do you want to come?”
Anna lifted her head to look at her sister. There really was only one answer, after all. “Of course I’ll come,” she said.
Anna left the study a short time later, hurrying straight to her chambers. There was packing to be done if she wanted to be ready to leave in the morning, and she did not want to waste a single moment. She did not see Garrick again until much later, but she felt his eyes on her when Aaron made his announcement at supper about the king, followed by the news that they would be leaving Storbrook to travel to the city the following morning. Anna gave Garrick a weak smile, then looked away as the heat rose in her cheeks.
Despite the lack of sleep the previous night, Anna rose early the next morning, and was outside by the time the sun gained the horizon. Aaron had arranged to hire a carriage, and he and Keira had already left to fetch it and bring it to the crossroads at the foot of the mountains, where they would meet Thomas, Aaron’s steward, and Anna, traveling with the children.
Thomas was in the courtyard when Anna arrived, and a few moments later the children stumbled through the door of the low hall, rubbing their eyes sleepily while Peggy fussed behind them. Garrick had strapped the trunks to the packhorses, and these would be transferred to the roof of the carriage when they met Aaron and Keira. Satisfied that all was in readiness, Thomas helped Anna into her saddle. He had been Aaron’s steward for years, and was one of the few humans who knew Aaron as a dragon. Of course, as Anna now knew, the other staff had also guessed Aaron’s secret, but Thomas served Aaron both as a human and as a dragon, at Storbrook and beyond. It was Thomas who traveled with Anna and Max when they had made the trip to the city before, all those years ago when Aaron went to face Jack. He shared a smile with Anna as he lifted Lydia onto the saddle, settling her in front of her aunt, and in another moment he had mounted his own horse. Garrick lifted Zach into his arms, and he settled the boy in front of him as Anna had done with Lydia, while Peggy watched from a few feet away. The packhorses were tethered to the mounts, and Garrick took a few moments to test that the ropes were secure. He had not spoken to Anna, but as she sat on her horse, he stepped up beside her. She had dreaded the recriminations she was sure she would see in his eyes, but he looked at her calmly, with a slightly rueful smile.
“I’m sorry, Garrick,” she said softly. “I need to do this.”
“I know,” he said. “Perhaps you will find what you are looking for while you are in the city, but when you have finished your adventures and are ready to return home, I will be waiting here for you.” He laid a hand over hers. “My feelings for you will not change, Anna. No matter how long it takes, I will still be here, waiting in hope.”
She bit her lip and nodded. She wished she could say something reassuring, but no words came, and she looked away as Garrick’s hand slipped from hers. He took a step back, slapping the horse on the rump to get it moving as Thomas led the way. They were already passing under the portcullis when she risked a quick glance back. Garrick was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes staring at the departing party. She lifted her hand in a wave, but he did not acknowledge it, and she turned back to look at the path once more.
Lydia lay heavy against her chest as they made their way down the mountain. Ahead of her Zach chattered away to Thomas, and Anna smiled to hear Thomas answering his childish questions with all manner of seriousness. As the sun rose higher, Lydia became more attentive of her surroundings. Traveling on horseback gave her a new perspective on the forest, and she bubbled with questions.
“Antana,” she asked, “why does the spider make his web across the path? Doesn’t he know it will get knocked down?” Anna patiently explained that the spider did not know about paths, but Lydia already had another question. “Antana, why don’t the birds sit together and talk, instead of shouting across the trees?” Before Anna even had a chance to respond, Lydia was speaking again. “Eew. Master Thomas’s horse just pooped in our path!”
Anna laughed. “Where are his manners?” she said.
“Antana,” Lydia asked a little while later, “What is the city like?”
“It’s very big,” Anna explained. “With lots of people. There are jousters and jugglers and troupes of actors performing wherever they can.”
“Will I see them?” Lydia asked.
“I will take you myself,” Anna said.
Aaron and Keira were waiting for them when they reached the crossroads, with a single horse standing in harness at the front of the coach. Working quickly, Aaron and Thomas soon had the carriage re-hitched with two pairs, while the remaining packhorse was tied to the back. The luggage was transferred to the roof of the carriage, and they were ready to go. It was roomy inside the vehicle, with two benches covered in cushions running across its width; but Anna did not doubt that even with the cushions, the benches would soon feel hard and uncomfortable. Perhaps Thomas would allow her to sit next to him on the driver’s seat sometimes.
The children climbed inside, eager to be off, and within a few minutes, Thomas was urging the horses to a trot with his whip, the beat of their hooves measuring the miles as the trees and villages rushed past. It did not take long for the children to tire of the new adventure, their freedom restricted by the ever-shrinking space in the carriage.
“How long till we get there?” Zach said.
“We have many days of travel ahead of us,” Aaron answered. He leaned forward. “Perhaps you would like to ride with me for a while?”
“What about me, Papa?” Lydia’s hand crept out to rest on Aaron’s leg, and he looked down at her with an affectionate smile.
“You’ll have a turn, too,” he said. He looked at Keira, his eyebrows raised questioningly as he waited for her approval of the plan.
“Of course, as long as I also have a turn,” she said with a laugh. He bent his head down and wrapped his hand around her neck as he whispered something into her ear that made her blush, before bringing his lips to hers. The moment was intimate, and Anna looked away, but the children had no such delicacy.
“That’s de-yus-ting,” Zach said. A moment later Aaron pulled away from Keira, his hand still on her neck, and raised his eyebrows in Zach’s direction. The boy flushed and looked down as Aaron grinned.
“Come along, son,” he said, tugging his tunic over his head and dumping it onto the bench behind him. “Let’s leave these women to their business, shall we?”
Aaron grabbed the boy in his arms, and opening the door while the carriage still moved, shot himself into the air. Anna got a glimpse of golden wings unfurling behind him as Keira quickly pulled the swinging door shut, before a bright flash lit up the sky, extending in every direction then pulling back into nothingness. A loud whoop sounded in the air above the carriage, and they were gon
e, driving up into the sky and disappearing behind the clouds.
Chapter 5
It was a long and tedious journey, and it did not take long for Anna to be heartily sick of the carriage. The last time she made this journey it had been on horseback, and although she was unable to sit comfortably for days afterwards, at least it kept her mind occupied. The tedium of traveling in a coach, she decided, would eventually drive someone straight into their grave.
Attacks by highwaymen were not of the slightest concern to Aaron, and they traveled late into the night, stopping at roadside inns for just a few hours of sleep and a brief rest for the horses before continuing their journey. The inns were usually modest, offering nothing more than a warm bowl of stew, a roof over one’s head, and animated conversation. At every stop Anna overheard people discussing the death of the old king, and speculating about the new.
“Prince Alfred may have been acting as regent, but he was still guided by his father’s wisdom. But with the old king gone, he will allow his brother drag us into war,” Anna heard someone remark at one of the inns. “I won’t mind if he attacks to the north,” another man retorted. “Terran’s taxes against our goods are making it impossible to trade in the towns there.” Terran was king of the neighboring kingdom, and he had imposed stiff tariffs on wool and linen brought in from beyond his borders. But despite the lack of love for Terran, the general consensus amongst the people seemed to be that Alfred lacked wisdom, while his brother, Rupert, hungered for a war Alfred could ill afford to wage.
The funeral of one king and coronation of another meant that there were many travelers on the road, and there were nights when it was impossible to secure more than one room for the party. On such nights, the men would sleep on the floor of the common room, along with the other male guests of the establishment, while the women and children shared a chamber. Often the inns were so full, some guests had to share their chambers with strangers, but Aaron always seemed to manage at least one room for the comfort of his family.
During the day, Aaron took his children out for short rides, and his wife for longer ones. Anna noticed in quiet amusement that Keira often returned from these excursions with cheeks that glowed and eyes that sparkled, but she kept silent about her observations. For herself, when she grew tired of the confines of the carriage, she climbed onto the driver’s box and sat with Thomas. Sometimes he allowed Anna to take the reins while he leaned back with his cap over his eyes, and she would loosen her hold, enjoying the feel of the breeze through her hair.
They arrived at Drake Manor, the home of Aaron’s cousin Favian, late in the afternoon of the sixth day. The home was shared with Owain and Margaret, Aaron’s uncle and aunt, who occupied one wing, while Favian and Cathryn lived in the other, along with their two children, Will and Bronwyn.
It was five years since Anna had last been at Drake Manor. As the carriage barreled up the long drive that led to the house, she could see Favian and Cathryn waiting at the end of the drive, while a girl who was no longer the child she remembered stood at her parents’ side. Aaron leaped out before the carriage even came to a stop, and Favian strode forward, his right hand clenched into a fist which he pounded over his heart.
“Master,” he said, bowing his head for a brief instant, before looking up and meeting his cousin’s gaze with a nod. Aaron smiled and nodded back, before turning to look at his aunt and uncle, who had come out as the carriage drew to a halt. Like Favian, Owain placed his fist over his heart and beat his chest.
“Master,” he said.
“Power and might to you, Owain Drake, and strength be over your home.”
“Thank you, Master,” Owain said. He lifted his head. “It’s good to have you back, Aaron.”
“Keira! Anna! Welcome!” Anna turned with a smile to see Cathryn hurrying towards them, while Margaret walked at a more sedate pace a few steps back. Behind her hung Bronwyn, but as Anna glanced at her, she looked up and met Anna’s gaze with a shy smile.
“Anna,” Margaret said, taking her by the shoulders and studying her face intently, “you no longer carry the look of a girl, but have matured into a woman. It is good to see you again.”
“Thank you,” Anna replied with a faint flush. Cathryn, who had been greeting Keira, turned to her, and pulled her into an embrace.
“I am so glad you made the trip this time. We see Keira and Aaron so often, but never have the chance to see you!”
“Well, if Aaron would deign to carry me like he does Keira, then I would see you more frequently,” Anna retorted. Cathryn grinned, and flashed a quick look at Aaron. If he had heard the comment, he was choosing to ignore it. A shout rang through the air, and the women turned to look at Zach and Lydia, running in wild circles around the carriage.
“They must be heartily sick of traveling,” Margaret said. She turned to the young woman at her side. “Bronwyn, why don’t you take them to the kitchen and find them some milk?”
Bronwyn nodded. “Yes, grandmother,” she said. She smiled hesitantly at Anna. “I’m very glad you came as well,” she said shyly.
Anna stepped forward and took the girl by the hands. “Me too,” she said. “It has been so long since I last spent time with you.” She glanced around. “Is your brother here?”
The words were just out of her mouth when a long rumble filled the sky.
“That will be Will,” Bronwyn said with a sigh. Anna looked up, following the glances of the others, to see a red dragon trailing through the air above them.
“That’s Will?” Anna said in disbelief.
“When did that happen?” Aaron asked Favian in amusement.
“Oh, a few months ago,” he said. “Your arrival could not be more timely, Aaron. Hopefully this newly transformed dragon will listen more closely to his Master than he does to his father or grandfather when he is advised to exercise more caution around humans.”
“Oh? Should I be concerned?”
“Not yet,” Favian said wryly, “but a stern lesson from you would not go amiss.”
Aaron laughed. “Do I have to remind you what we were like at that age?”
Favian grinned. “That is exactly why I am concerned.”
“Come,” Cathryn said, linking her arms with Keira’s and Anna’s. “Let’s leave the men and go and find some refreshment. I’m sure you must be quite weary of traveling.” She nodded at Bronwyn, who gathered up Zach and Lydia, taking each of them by the hand, and led them around the back of the house.
That night Anna slept better than she had since leaving Storbrook. She was given different chambers than before, for which she was grateful – there were far too many ghosts waiting to haunt her in the other room. She slept late the next morning, enjoying the luxury of lying in bed instead of climbing back into the carriage. They were leaving again that day, traveling the short distance into the city, but they would leave the carriage behind and traverse the rest of the distance on horseback. Or rather, she and Thomas would, taking Zach and Lydia with them, but Aaron and Keira would fly, landing near the city and traveling the remaining distance on foot. Favian, Cathryn and Bronwyn were also joining the party, but Will had chosen to remain behind with his grandparents.
“I would much rather stay here,” he had resolutely declared. “What do I care about human kings and their coronations?”
It was early afternoon by the time the party left Drake Manor, but with the long days of late spring the city gates remained open until late, giving them plenty of time to enter. Anna could feel Lydia sagging against her as they drew closer, and she had to shake her gently as they neared the city gates.
“Look, Lydia,” she said softly. The girl opened her tired eyes, then sat up when she saw the metropolis spreading along the valley below them.
“Is that the city?” she asked, her tone one of awe.
Anna nodded, remembering her own amazement the first time she had seen the capital, seething and pulsing with life, surrounded by walls almost ten feet wide that wound around the city in a drunken
circle. Tall spires and rounded domes glittered in the late afternoon light, despite the pall of smoke that hung over the buildings, and occasional shouts rang through the air, carried along by the breeze. “Yes,” she said to Lydia. “It was built by the Romans. They called it Civitas, which simply means ‘city’. That’s what the people who live here call it, too.”
The path they were on joined a road that led to a bridge over the river, right up to the tall wooden gates of Civitas, and Anna followed Thomas as he led the way. The dragons had landed behind a small knoll a mile outside the city, and they and their passengers had joined Thomas and Keira, traveling the last mile on foot.
As Anna crossed the bridge, she was once again struck by the teeming mass of humanity that pushed and shoved within Civitas’s walls, but she also noticed a heaviness that hung over the city like a smothering blanket. The people within the city still went about their daily business – housewives did their shopping, hawkers sold their wares, craftsmen and merchants conducted business. But the atmosphere was subdued. And then there were the clothes – blacks, grays and dark browns. As they moved along the street, Anna saw that black drapes hung in the windows, and when they passed a church, she saw that not only the windows were covered, but the walls and doors as well.
But even the bleakness of mourning could not fully suppress the vibrancy of the city, and it pulsed with a beat that strained to be free. Anna wondered what Garrick would think of this place, but she knew he would not like it. Too many people, too little space. But Anna felt as though her heart was beating faster, desperate to match the rhythm of the great city.
“Why’s everyone wearing black?” Lydia whispered.
“Because the king has died,” Anna explained.
“But why?”
“The people want to show their respect for the king, so they are dressed in mourning.”
“What’s mourning?”
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