Tall, Dark, and Medieval

by Barbara Devlin

  “I will not go with you.”

  “You are my wife, now. You agreed to help me once we were married. You will do as I say.” He scooped her up and threw her across his lap.

  “I refuse.” She squirmed and kicked and tried to get free of his hold.

  Asad handed Drake’s helm to him, but Brynn kicked it from his hands. It fell to the floor with a loud clank.

  “Stop that!” Drake warned her. “If you fight me, you will have more to worry about than just the dragon.”

  He took off at a gallop to find Dracus, and Brynn held onto him for dear life.

  THE DRAGON AND THE DREAMWALKER

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Drake knew exactly where to find the dragon. He rode at full gallop to the little town of Lornoon on the coast. Brynn sat in front of him, holding on to his neck so tightly he almost choked.

  “Slow down,” she screamed. Cold rain pelted down against them. “I am going to fall from the horse.”

  He wrapped a protective arm around her, repositioning her to face forward in the saddle.

  “I am holding you. You are not going to fall, though I have half a mind to throw you from the horse for the way you’re acting.”

  He felt her hand gripping into his arm at his words. He liked the way it felt to have her need him. He never should have lost his temper at the wedding, but the girl challenged him every minute of the day.

  “I see the dragon,” she screamed, pointing toward the sea.

  Sure enough, Dracus reared its ugly head above the rocks. It swiped at the empty sacrificial post, looking for another virgin to consume. The people of Lornoon ran in chaos, trying to find a place to hide from the dragon’s fiery breath, inside a cave or behind a tree.

  “Turn around,” she said as he directed the horse up toward the rock that held the sacrificial post. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m doing what I should have done long ago.”

  “No! Don’t bring me back. I do not want to be eaten by the dragon. Please take me back to the castle, my lord, and I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  “Whatever I ask?” he repeated. He almost laughed, realizing Brynn thought he was going to sacrifice her to the dragon. He never planned on doing that. He wasn’t that heartless of a man. He only wanted to stop the dragon and help the people of Lornoon. But since things seemed to be working so well in his favor, he didn’t correct her assumptions.

  “All right. You win,” he said, trying to sound defeated. He put her down and pointed to the far side of the cliff. “Go there and wait. Do not try to run from me or I will not be so forgiving next time.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked, wiping her wet locks from her eyes. The thunder continued and lightning lit up the dark sky. The rain came down like an archer’s cold arrows, stabbing into them one drop after another.

  “I’ve got to stop the dragon.”

  “You cannot do it alone.”

  “Are you offering to help?”

  Her eyes opened wide but she didn’t answer. She just shook her head in horror of the suggestion.

  “That’s what I thought. Now do as I say.”

  He directed Gollimer forward, prodding him to go once more up to the cliff where the dragon fed. The horse was skittish and he couldn’t blame it. The dragon looked angrier than he had ever seen it before.

  Dracus dominated the sky, its fiery red and orange wings spread like sails, billowing in the wind. Spikes, sharp and straight, graced the edges of its wings. Its head looked like a serpent, its neck long and smooth. His underside was covered with large, crusty scales as well as his back, and long, slashing tail. Dracus searched the hills, diving and swooping, sharp talons reaching out for fleeing victims, though they had escaped his attempts. The dragon’s eyes blazed red, and smoke billowed from its nostrils. Two hairy horns sprouted from its head like seedlings growing from a crack in the dry earth.

  Drake raised his sword to Dracus, gaining its attention. The dragon redirected his attack, coming now for him.

  “Come get me, you bastard!” shouted Drake. “You have hurt others for the last time. I will kill you, if it’s the last thing I do.”

  His horse reared up and the dragon swept a nasty talon toward him. He bounded out of the way, managing to slice the dragon’s claw with his sword. Lightning struck his sword, throwing him from the horse, but he managed to land on his feet. Gollimer went one way and his sword went the other. His arm was momentarily stunned from the jolt and he couldn’t even make a fist. The dragon came for him, and with one hand useless from the lightning blow, he prepared to fight him.

  “Take me!” he called to the dragon. “If ’tis blood you want, take mine and be done with the people of Lornoon and innocent virgins.”

  With his left hand he grabbed for his dagger in his boot, never planning on being the dragon’s dinner, only a lure. He may be wounded and without proper weapons, but his anger for Dracus alone should have been enough to kill the beast. He would fight him with his bare hands if need be. He would kill this dragon, no matter what it took.

  Smoke came from the dragon’s nose and its beady eyes bore fire as it flew in a circle above Drake before swooping down toward him with open jaws. Drake steadied his dagger, wishing for a lance. He had one chance to strike the beast. One swift throw to its heart and he might be able to kill it - if it didn’t kill him first. Without his helm to protect him from the dragon’s flame, he could only hope his aim was true and he could strike Dracus before the beast engulfed him in fire.

  “No! Leave him alone.” Brynn shot out from a shadow, pushing him to the ground, standing before him braver than one of his own men. She looked back toward him with sad, frightened eyes.

  “Brynn! What are you doing? Get out of here, now.” Drake struggled to stand in his armor, not an easy feat. Usually, if one fell on the battle field, they were doomed to die unless their squire was there to help them stand. His arm was numb, still useless from the lightning, and he used his left arm to steady himself to his knees.

  “I won’t allow the dragon to kill you. ’Tis me he wants,” Brynn shouted.

  She turned around and faced the dragon, taking a feeble step forward, lowering her arms and throwing back her head in submission. When the dragon came for her, she used her powers to put up a wall of fire. The beast reared back, its wings scorched, but still able to fly. The fire barrier stopped it momentarily, but only made it madder. The dragon made another circle and lined itself up for a direct attack.

  “Brynn, don’t be foolish. Get back here! Your fire will not hold him much longer.”

  Drake used all his might to stagger to his feet. He reached out for her, but the dragon swooped down quickly through the flame, meaning to consume her. Drake’s dagger still in hand, he flung it at Dracus. It grazed the dragon’s belly, startling it. It veered backwards, its wings clipping Brynn and sending her over the side of the cliff. He lunged forward into a dive, managing to catch her with his good arm. Her weight pulled at his shoulder, and he did all he could to keep from being pulled over the edge as well.

  “Brynn, hold on!” he called.

  “I can’t,” she screamed, tears flowing from her eyes. His right arm was beginning to burn in pain and he knew he had feeling back. Still, he found it impossible to reach out for her with it.

  He looked to the depths below and realized it was a straight drop down to the water. He knew this shore well. The water below was deep, but no jagged rocks emerged from the ocean. The wall of fire was diminishing now, and the dragon’s next swoop could mean the end for them both.

  “Let go now, Brynn. You’ll fall into the water and be able to escape Dracus. You can swim to the shore and I’ll meet you there.”

  She looked at the swirling depths below them and shook her head. Her grip on him was slipping.

  “I cannot,” she called.

  “Yes, you can. Just drop and swim. How hard can it be?”

  “I am afraid of water.”

  “What?” He never heard such
an absurd thing in his life. Here was a woman being attacked by a dragon and hanging over the edge of a cliff, yet she refused to let go because she was afraid of drowning.

  Dracus swept in right over their heads, so close that Drake could feel the tips of its talons clinking against his armor. He had to do something. He had to act fast. If not, they would both be dead with another pass. If he hadn’t been wearing his armor, he would just fall with her and help her to shore. But with the weight of his battle attire, he would sink to the bottom of the ocean with no chance for escape.

  He wanted to drop her, he really did, but something inside him wouldn’t let him do it. She was scared and he had to protect her. She was his wife now. She was his responsibility, and if she feared water, then he would have to find another way to save her.

  He gritted his teeth and tried with all his might to move his right arm. Feeling was coming back to it, but at the same time, Brynn was slipping. The dragon was angrier than ever, the sky as dark as night. The beast let out a loud roar and flapped its huge wings, eyes dead set on Brynn.

  Drake closed his eyes and with all his might, willed the feeling back into his arm. He pushed past his limitations and made his arm move. He reached forward and grabbed Brynn with two arms, yanking her up over the edge of the cliff, rolling with her just out of the dragon’s reach.

  She cried, and held on to him for her life. He struggled to a standing position, pulling her along with him. She slipped twice in the mud, both times he pulled her back to her feet. Their bodies were drenched from the rain as he hurried her to safety off the sacrificial rock to a lower plateau. He collapsed with her atop his lap, behind a large wall of rock for protection. The dragon’s defeated roar and the parting of the waves could be heard as it lowered itself back down into the sea.

  He held her to his cold armored chest, her body shaking violently in his arms. He’d almost lost her today, and he couldn’t say it didn’t bother him immensely. Her own noble action of trying to save him is what almost cost her her life. He didn’t understand why she’d done it. If she truly hated him as much as she said she did, why come to his aid? Then he thought of her pleas not to drop her into the water. He should have done it. It would have been the safest thing to do. But he couldn’t. For some reason, he couldn’t release her when he knew how frightened she was. Something was changing between them, but he didn’t know what. Could their marriage mean something to either of them after all?

  A thundering of horses announced the arrival of Asad and Drake’s men. Asad spotted him through the rain, hurrying to his side while the rest of the men scoped the surroundings for the dragon.

  “I thought I told you to stay back at the castle,” ground out Drake.

  “And I thought you said you were going to take on the dragon single-handedly, my lord,” answered Asad, dismounting his horse. “I do not think ’tis a wise feat to expect your new wife to fight dragons on her wedding day.”

  Drake was too exhausted to argue. “My sword . . . and Gollimer,” he said, trying to catch his breath.

  “Gollimer is just beyond the cliffs waiting for you. Your men are heading up to the sacrificial rock now. I’m sure they will find your sword.”

  Asad held out a hand to help Brynn to her feet. She tried to rise, but fell back weak against a rock, her black dress wet and clinging to her like a second skin. Drake thought she looked like a mermaid emerging from the sea. Her gown torn from the fall, one shoulder exposed, she held the essence of a virginal beauty about to be taken to her wedding bed. Her hair was loose and long. Wet fiery curls clung to her shoulders and breasts. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Her amethyst eyes looked up at him, her lips full. He could think of nothing else but kissing her - but he wouldn’t. Not now. Not here and like this.

  “The dragon’s gone,” she pointed out.

  “Aye.” Drake nodded in agreement. The sky cleared and the rain subsided to a light drizzle. The people of Lornoon poked their heads out of their hiding places one by one, and made their way down to meet them.

  “The dragon came back looking for her!” Hermod, the chief Elder stood there pointing a finger at Brynn.

  “That’s nonsense, old man,” said Drake, getting to his feet. “The dragon doesn’t want sacrifices.”

  “’Twill be back.” A man with broken teeth and a hand minus two fingers stuck his head out from behind the Elders. “She is the last virgin. It won’t be happy till it has her.”

  Brynn heard Calais’ voice and jumped up next to Drake.

  “I am not a virgin!” she yelled, then stopped when she saw the look on Drake’s face. “Or at least I won’t be a virgin after tonight.” She watched as Drake raised one brow. “After all, I am a married woman. The dragon won’t want me anymore.”

  The people of Lornoon weren’t happy to hear of her marriage. They spoke softly amongst themselves, shaking their heads. Calais watched from the back of the crowd with a smirk on his face. The Elders crossed their arms in front of them, anger and irritation showing in their eyes.

  “You have ruined our last chance to defeat the dragon,” Hermod said, looking directly at Drake. “I suppose the witch talked you into marriage only to save her life and doom ours at the same time.”

  “That’s not true.” Brynn took a step forward, but Drake pulled her back.

  “I will not have you speaking that way regarding my wife,” Drake warned them. “It was by my command alone we married.”

  “What if Dracus comes back?” shouted one of the villagers. “Without Brynn for a sacrifice, it will be after us, and eventually our children.”

  “What are we going to do?” asked another. “How will we protect ourselves? I fear for my children’s lives.”

  “Then I’ll protect you,” Drake offered. Brynn found herself startled by his action. “You can all come live within the walls of Thorndale Castle until I am able to rid the lands of this awful beast.”

  Brynn was about to object, dreading the thought of inviting Calais and those who tried to sacrifice her into her castle’s walls, but before she could, Hermod spoke up.

  “No,” Hermod said with conviction, glaring at Brynn. The rest of the Elders nodded in agreement with his decision. “We won’t go if the witch is there. We would rather stay and chance the dragon.”

  If Brynn hadn’t felt weakened by the rain and from using her powers, she probably would have angered at them calling her a witch. But now, she wanted nothing more than to return to Thorndale and fall into a warm bed.

  Some of the villagers seemed to agree with the Elders, but others, especially those with children shook their heads at Hermod’s decision. It was obvious they would rather take their chances around Brynn than wait for the dragon to come consume them.

  “As you wish,” said Drake, turning to go. Brynn couldn’t help but feel relief.

  “Wait!” shouted Calais, causing Drake to turn. “I, for one, refuse to stay in Lornoon when I can be safe inside Thorndale Castle instead.”

  Brynn knew Calais was too much a coward to stay if he didn’t have to. She also knew his coming to the castle would mean nothing but trouble.

  “I agree,” shouted another villager. “Let the Elders stay if they want, but we will come to Thorndale under your protection, Lord Dunsbard.”

  “Lord Thorndale now,” Drake corrected them.

  “Do as you wish,” Hermod told his people, “but your life isn’t any safer around her.” His accusing finger pointed at Brynn.

  She didn’t like the way the Elders shunned her. She wasn’t to be feared. She was the daughter of the late Lord and Lady of Thorndale. Her father would have done the same had he been alive, offering Lornoon protection. She was Lady of Thorndale Castle now and would stand at Drake’s side with his decision, even if she didn’t totally agree. While she still felt uncomfortable siding with those who wanted to kill her, she knew just as an ally could become an enemy, so could an enemy become an ally. Someday she may need these villagers. She would help them now, and l
ater they might help her in return. Once she gained their respect she might be able to claim the castle as her own and send Drake and his men on their way. Things would be as they should.

  “I agree with my husband,” she said. “Anyone who would like protection is welcome in my late father’s home.”

  She noticed Drake’s surprise at her agreement. She also noticed the pleased look upon his face that she wasn’t fighting him again.

  “Let’s go,” someone shouted and the villagers went to collect their things. Brynn watched as Calais rubbed his chin and smiled. She wasn’t happy about having him at the castle, and wished she could have specified anyone but Calais was welcome. But she couldn’t do that without explaining her decision to Drake. She would have to keep a close eye on Calais now, hoping he wouldn’t reveal to Drake her secret.

  Calais winked at her and left with the others to collect his belongings. She felt her stomach lurch, dreading this already.

  “Let’s go,” Drake said, directing her toward Gollimer. Asad hurried along at their side.

  “That was a noble thing for you to do, to invite all of Lornoon into my castle,” Brynn told Drake.

  “’Tis my castle now,” he corrected her. “And I felt it was the least I could do since I am responsible for all this.”

  “Responsible?” she asked with a small laugh. “How can you say that? You don’t control the dragon. You have nothing to do with any of this.” She watched the concern in his eyes turn to sudden sadness, but he did not answer. He held his hand at the small of her back as he guided her toward the waiting horse.

  “Let’s go home, wife. If I remember correctly, I think you have some promises to fulfill.”

  THE DRAGON AND THE DREAMWALKER

  CHAPTER NINE

  Drake stood on the dais, once again waiting for his bride. The serving wenches patiently waited with the food at the doors, anticipating his command to start the wedding feast. His stomach ached from hunger, and the aroma of roasted pheasant and stuffed quail smothered in a savory wine sauce did nothing to ease the pain. Still, he would have his wife arrive before he gave the command for the meal to begin.