Dragon of the Prairie

by Sarah J. Stone

  That was, until he saw what was on the screen.

  Royal Escort Galaxy Tour, Trade Agreements. Jeffrorian Royal Family.

  Level 1 Defense Certification needed.

  “Oh my,” he looked up on her. “Did you bid on this?”

  She nodded, then her grin disappeared, “Are you mad?”

  “Not mad,” he answered, handing it back to her. “Go fight in the tournament. I'll deal with Desmond.”

  “Thank you!” she cried, bouncing off. He threw off the covers, a grin on his face as he went to his monitor. He saw Eliza was lingering online and hit the button, aware of the fact that he was shirtless.

  “Nathaniel, oh!” Eliza cried, unimpressed. “What are you doing?”

  “You don't like?” he asked as he sat down. “Because there will be a lot more of that if we are on your trade deals.”

  “They assigned it to you?” Eliza said, in shock. “I thought it was too low level for you.”

  “Luckily, I had a Tiro with barely a defense certification,” Nathaniel answered, and she laughed.

  “Sienna to the rescue again,” Eliza said. “Thank the creator for her.”

  “Thank the creator for her,” Nathaniel answered. If someone had told him he would be saying that two years ago, he would have laughed at them. But now, he saw that it was meant to be. Sienna had come to them at just the right time, and he was so grateful. “Onto the next adventure.”

  ***THE END ***

  Book 2: The Ripple Effect

  Chapter 1

  “You have to stop calling me when you don't have any clothes on,” Eliza said.

  Nathaniel grinned as he leaned closer to the camera. “I have pants on, your highness. It's seven a.m. here. I have to teach class in ten minutes.”

  “So why are you calling me then?” The Queen of Jeffro smiled at him. He may be a galaxy away, but he was the only witch – the only being, at that – that could send shivers down her spine. She didn't like to admit it because they could never be together, but she had been in love with Nathaniel since she was seventeen, and nothing would change that.

  She was only comforted by the fact that Nathaniel had been in love with her just as long. As soon as their eyes met -him fifteen and on one of his first big missions as a trainee witch- they knew that they could never be without each other. Witches weren't supposed to fall in love; they were supposed to devote their lives to magic, to the craft, and to training new witches to be the guardians of the galaxy. They were taken from their homes at a very young age and trained with no contact from their families. Most were accepting of this lifestyle, for they had known no other way. But occasionally, rouge ones like Nathaniel and his Maestro – his mentor Desmond – saw another way. Nathaniel had learned from Desmond that walking a grey line of witchcraft and love was possible. Neither of them were public about their relationships, but it meant the world to them.

  “I'm calling you, my love, because I got a message from your offices saying my quest as your royal escort has been delayed.”

  “Oh, that,” she said, as if she hadn't even been thinking of the month they were supposed to spend together. “Sorry. All the meetings were getting too complicated, so my team thought it best to postpone until we could work on a better schedule. I will still need a witch protection team. I'm just not sure when.”

  “I was looking forward to it,” Nathaniel said, leaning back in his chair, “but, perhaps it's best there is a little delay.”

  “Why is that?” she asked.

  He sighed, running a hand over his face. “It's been a rough few nights.”

  Eliza's face turned sympathetic. “Is she all right?”

  “She'll be all right,” Nathaniel said, after a moment. “It's just rough.”

  He was referring to his student; his first Tiro. Sienna was a witch, from an offsite facility, that displayed incredibly impressive strength. Her magic had brought Eliza back from the dead on her very first mission, something that had only been theorized. She was the star of the magical universe. She also carried a defect in her genes that made her horribly ill. Other witches born with her defective genes had not survived infanthood, and had certainly never been trained. Everything was a challenge with Sienna, it seemed. Some days, she could display enough strength to bring down an entire planet, and other days, keeping her on her feet was a challenge. She was such a unique case and challenge that both Nathaniel and Desmond had been designated as her Maestros, fitting Desmond's experience in his advanced age with Nathaniel's youth and energy. They split the duties of training her as best they could, accepting mostly low energy quests or staying at the Academy, teaching, training, and learning. It wasn't the life that the warrior witches had planned, but it was the life fate had set out for them.

  Nathaniel had been angry when Desmond practically forced the assignment onto him. But Sienna, with her broken knowledge of the Basic language and a twinkle in her eye, had become his shadow, his world. She was from Jeffro, which made him feel closer to Eliza every time she spoke. He and Desmond had agreed on a rough schedule of six p.m. to six a.m. for supervision on Nathaniel's part, which meant lately, Nathaniel was the one not getting any sleep when she caught a raging fever during the night.

  “She's strong,” Eliza said. “She's been through more than any twelve-year-old I know. Maybe she has a career as a medic.”

  He snorted. “She may as well. She spends enough time in the med bay,” he said. “Except, we can never figure out what works. The acridid genes attacks her and everything around her that grows naturally, such as fruit, which is the focus of most medicine. I have to find things so heavy in chemicals that they would knock out a horse to give her any sort of relief. And Creator knows what that is doing to her system.”

  “Did you sleep at all?”

  “Nope,” he answered, with a false, cheery grin. “And I should get to class before the young ones bounce off the walls. Submit your new dates when you have them, Eliza.”

  “I will,” she said. “It will be soon. I promise.”

  “I hope so,” he said, and signed off. He took a deep breath, gathering his energy, and then went to get his shirt. The shower and juice had done nothing for him, and he was hoping that the emotional stimulation of several young Tiros in a flight simulator for the first time would have an effect.

  He heard a knock on his door and swished his wrist to open it. He knew it was Desmond; he had felt him approaching through their magical bond.

  “Good morning,” he said as he pulled his shirt on. “I have about thirty seconds.”

  “I know,” Desmond said. He was normally a morning person, happy to rise at the crack of dawn, but today, his eyes were dull. “I felt that you had a difficult time last night. Is she still asleep?”

  “For hours yet, I imagine,” Nathaniel replied.

  “Should I have come?”

  “No, I had it,” Nathaniel answered, although there were several times in the dark of night where he wished for an adult, until he realized he was one. When Sienna was fighting the pain and he could do nothing, he felt helpless, and it took him a long moment to come to terms with the fact that he was the adult; he was supposed to fix things. “Mostly. I did already write in to excuse her from classes today, and probably tomorrow.”

  “Did you call the med bay?” Desmond tried to gather as much information as he could.

  “I'm considering it,” Nathaniel answered truthfully. The medics, even in their advanced facility, knew little about the acridid gene, and could rarely do anything helpful. In addition, their choices of going with chemical treatment, considered outdated, was criticized in the med bay. They didn't consider it a useful option unless her body was in danger. “I don't know. She's got a fever, and she threw up everything I gave her. I think sleep is the best option, but–”

  “I'll be around,” Desmond said. “Mariah is due back today, so I don't want to leave the facility.”

  “Of course, you don't,” Nathaniel teased him. Mariah was an older Maestr
o, like Desmond, and the one who had his heart. For forty years, they had walked a grey line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Their relationship was so questionable that Nathaniel wasn't even sure if they had ever done more than held hands. Mariah had been blinded in a quest ten years ago, and since then, Desmond had become more protective of her. Despite the fact that she used her magic to make up for her lack of sight, she accepted his arm, daring anyone to oppose them. “I shouldn't be long. It's a two-hour class that I'm teaching, and then the rest of the day I will just be marking papers.”

  “And get some rest,” Desmond said to him. “You're not eighteen anymore, Nathaniel. No sleep doesn't do you any good.”

  “I'm all right,” Nathaniel said. “I'm sure you saw that Eliza delayed the mission, so we have some time.”

  “I did see,” Desmond said. “So, if you don't get some rest for yourself, do it for Sienna. She will need you. And Eliza will need you soon, as well.”

  “Right,” Nathaniel replied. “You've got it for right now, though?”

  “Everything is fine,” Desmond assured him. “Go.”

  “Thank you,” Nathaniel said, grabbing his bag and heading out the door. Desmond watched him with a smile. Nathaniel had come a long way since they had first taken on Sienna. Part of the reason Desmond had suggested they both train her was because Nathaniel wasn't ready to be apart from his Maestro. Physically, he passed the tests with flying colors. But emotionally, he was still young and in need of guidance. Desmond had thought it was the perfect solution for everyone. He hadn't foreseen the problems they would have, but he also hadn't foreseen their success.

  He turned off the lights that Nathaniel had left on and was about to exit the room when his com-link buzzed. Looking down, he saw Mariah's caller ID.

  “Hello,” he said, taking advantage of the privacy of the room. “Are you on your way back?”

  “I am,” she replied. “Another few hours or so, though. I had trouble getting transport out. Is that all right?”

  “That's fine,” he said. “I doubt my day will involve me leaving the building at any point. Everything all right?”

  “Just a storm,” she answered. “I will be fine. I made such progress with them that I didn't want to leave early.”

  Mariah was regularly offsite, working with those who had lost a sense in an accident or attack. Blind, deaf, or mute, she had a way to cope. She was an inspiration and regularly called on whenever there was such an occurrence

  “I understand,” he said, and she picked up a note of sadness in his voice.

  “Is everything all right?

  “Nathaniel had a rough night with Sienna, it seems,” Desmond said. “And our quest was delayed, so I'm going to look into it. But on the bright side, it means that I will get to see you for longer.”

  “That you will,” Mariah replied. “I am looking forward to it.”

  “I'll see you soon,” he said, disconnecting. No matter how bad the situation, Mariah could always put a smile on his face. She was his constant strength, his moral compass.

  He and Mariah had trained Tiro after Tiro together, often taking missions together. But after Nathaniel and her Tiro, Sybil, they had talked about being done and about retiring. While their lives were still expected to be devoted to magic, the rules would be different and more relaxed. They could move off-planet and live in peace.

  And then he met Sienna and knew he had one more purpose in this galaxy. Mariah had understood, but decided not to take another Tiro herself. Sienna was not expected to make it to the tests and become a Maestro herself, either for life expectancy or lack of ability. Mariah had not wanted another five years with a Tiro if that was the case.

  Desmond knew that, no matter what, he had to train Sienna, even if just to teach future generations how to deal with such powers. He was glad that Mariah was supportive, of course. But he had not been prepared for the challenges and energy it took. Without Nathaniel, he wasn't sure whether he would have made it even this far.

  Reaching out with his magic, he found Sienna still sleeping. Glancing at the clock, he decided to stop by the cafeteria for some breakfast and then return to his room beside hers. That way, he wouldn't be far if she needed anything.

  It seemed a long time ago that he and Nathaniel had been returning to this place as warriors, sweaty from battle and grinning like fools. How different life had become, he thought.

  But it wasn't a bad thing, he decided. Life changed, and he accepted it.

  Chapter 2

  Darkness. A long, dark hand reaching out – fingers like rope, claws like knives.

  Reaching; striking, and she couldn't get away from them. Mist swirling around her.

  Sienna awoke with a scream, her chest aching as she gasped for breath.

  “It's okay, little one.” She felt a cool hand on her wrist, calming magic flowing into her. Desmond was sitting beside her bed, his calm face waiting patiently as he always had. Desmond had always been patient with her – when her magic was out of control; when she couldn't walk straight; when her language was broken. He had always given her the impression he would wait forever for her to take the tests, if that's what it took.

  She took a deep, shuddering breath, her eyes fluttering.

  “It was just a dream,” Desmond tried to assure her. “Nothing more.”

  “It was…” She fought to wrap her words around the Basic language. “Frightening.”

  “Yes, I know,” he said. “But we have nothing to fear from the galaxy, or from anything, for magic can always protect us. Isn't that true?”

  She said nothing, her heart still pounding.

  “Sienna?”

  “Yes.” She lay back against the pillows, pushing her sweaty, dark hair out of her eyes. “Yes.”

  “Here,” he said as he handed her a cup of water. She dehydrated so quickly that it almost seemed pointless to be constantly handing her water. It was something that they discovered early on in their lives – one of the constant battles. “Drink.”

  “What time is it?” she asked him.

  “It's nearly two in the afternoon.” Desmond sat back. “You and Nathaniel had quite the night, I heard.”

  “I threw up,” she said, finishing the water glass. “Nineteen times, at least.”

  “Lovely,” he said, wondering if he should refill it. “I'll be honest with you, Sienna. I don't like the temperature you're running. For an hour or two, it's one thing, but the whole night and into the afternoon is concerning.”

  She tensed up. “Don't,” she said, and he sighed.

  “I don't see that I have a choice,” he said, referring to the impending trip to the med bay. “I can go with you, but we're walking on dangerous ground.”

  “Tara knows nothing,” Sienna protested. “She's more harmful than helpful.” Tears filled her eyes; the trauma of previous med bay trips mixed with the emotion the latest fever had brought overwhelming her.

  “I'm not going to simply dump you there,” he said. “I'll come with you, and I will supervise any treatment she prescribes.”

  She drew her long legs up to her chest.

  “I want Nathaniel,” she said. Desmond raised an eyebrow and smiled.

  “There was a time when you only wanted me to come everywhere with you. Do you remember that?”

  She paused.

  “You did,” he said. “You didn't trust Nathaniel; you wanted me with you every moment. Now I'm being replaced?”

  “No!” she cried before she realized he was joking.

  “Come on,” he said, standing up and holding out his hand. “You're burning up, little one. It's damaging.”

  “I have to…”

  “You don't have to change,” he said, softly. “You're likely going to be admitted.”

  “I don't want to,” she cried, and he sighed. She may be twelve now, but she sounded as young as when they first met her. “Please.”

  “We'll see what Tara advises,” he said. She knew better than to her argue with h
im for an extended period of time, and so she threw back the covers, slowly throwing her legs over the side of the bed. She took his hand, pressing on it to help herself up. He thought she would be fine, despite her hand shaking. Her eyes were alert, and her teeth gritted as she focused on the simple task of getting out of bed.

  He felt the shift in magic before he saw her falter. Her life force flickered, and then for one horrifying moment, dissipated as she fell into his arms.

  It came back almost right away, but it scared him as she went limp. Sienna fainted often, but this was much different.

  He put his foot up on the bed to hoist her into his arms, his heart pounding. She was so light, and he cursed himself, wondering if there was something he had missed – something crucial in the last few days. What had she eaten? Was she not drinking? Was there a virus going around? Why did she weigh so little?

  ‘What's happening?’ Nathaniel's thoughts shot through his brain loud and clear. Their bond was strongest in moments of urgency.

  ‘Med bay,’ Desmond managed to shoot back, clumsily opening the door. He was grateful for choosing new rooms last year that were not far from the med bay, precisely for this very reason.

  “Help!” he bellowed as he made it through the sliding glass doors. His calm demeanor was gone as he almost tripped. She still wasn't waking up.

  The next few moments were a flurry of activity as the medics rushed forward. They babbled to each other, taking her limp body as a stretcher became available. There was magic, tubes, and wires being prepared for her. An oxygen mask went over her face. Tara, the head medic, came rushing in, placing her hands on Sienna's face.

  “Creator,” she swore, turning to look at Desmond. “How long has she been like this?”

  “At least the night,” Desmond replied, trying to step forward. Tara half growled at him.

  “I can fix this. But we're looking at days of treatment, and you're not going to like most of it.”