Realm of Shadows Trilogy

by Linda McNabb

  ‘Here, take a look for yourself,’ she said and turned to dip a cloth in the hot water.

  Seth held the mirror with his good arm and looked at himself. It was a small mirror and only showed his face. It looked the same and he angled it so that he could see his shoulder. The wound was a clean cut and did indeed look a lot like a sword had done it. As he moved the mirror away he saw something around his neck that made him frown. He angled the mirror again and moved it out a bit so that he could see his whole neck and chest.

  He gulped and felt his whole body sigh with a realisation that Clara was right. Where the necklace and pendant had been was a mark on his skin in its exact image. Inked in black against his fair skin it marked him as belonging to Ryker as loudly and permanently as anything ever could. Even if he could master the dragon at a game of wits he doubted he would find a way to remove the tattoo around his neck. He glanced down at the staff as Clara’s needle flicked back and forth across his wound. Maybe Neras would know a way?

  Chapter Twelve - Tasks

  Seth headed back up to the tower as soon as his shoulder was stitched and he had a new tunic. The room looked much as it had before, although some of the spell books had been tidied away and moved out of immediate reach of the dragon and her flame. The roof was still open but there was no sign of the dragon in the inky night sky.

  Ryker was sitting in a high-backed chair, reading, and he looked up as Seth came in. ‘You took your time. Call the dragon back.’

  Seth considered refusing. Maybe he would let the dragon stay out as long as she wanted. A sudden chill around his neck startled him and he licked suddenly dry lips. Was even the thought of disobeying enough to invoke the pain of the bond?

  ‘MoonFlame!’ he called up into the darkness. ‘MoonFlame!’

  He fell silent and waited, wondering if perhaps the dragon wouldn’t heed his call after all. Just as he was about to call again a flapping of wings announced the dragon’s return. Seth was a little surprised to see that the dragon was bigger yet again and now stood twice his own height.

  A glistening around MoonFlame’s snout made Seth wonder what it was the dragon had killed but he swallowed the question and waited for the dragon to settle.

  ‘I am cold and tired,’ MoonFlame said, moving to one corner of the room and curling up. ‘Close the roof.’

  Ryker made no attempt to move and simply pointed at the crank on the wall. Seth switched the staff to his injured arm and wound the crank with the other. By the time he had closed the roof the dragon was snoring loudly.

  ‘It will sleep for several days now,’ Oran said from where his shadowy image hovered near the dragon. ‘The first step of our plan is complete.’

  ‘I am tired as well,’ Seth said, nodding at Ryker as he backed out of the room. He refused to ask for permission to leave but the apprentice made no attempt to stop him. ‘I will come back to check on the dragon in the morning.’

  He got lost twice trying to find his way back to his room. He finally found it and went inside, shut the door and collapsed on the bed. Living rough on the streets, despised by all and half-starving was nothing compared to his life now, and he knew which one he preferred.

  Seth waited up for hours in the hope that Neras would come out of the staff, but he eventually nodded off, lying on his good shoulder.

  There was still no sign of Neras when he woke to the sun streaming in his window. A tray of food sat on the bedside table and Seth blinked a few times to let his mind catch up with the events of the previous day. It seemed impossible for it all to have happened in such a short time. He sat up slowly, feeling the pull of the stitches and the ache deep in the muscle of his shoulder. It would not be a quick healing wound.

  ‘The master would like to see you as soon as you’ve eaten.’

  Seth almost leapt off the bed as he heard Clara’s voice and looked over to see her standing quietly by the window. She wore a cloak of the usual Arrow Castle green that made it look like she was about to head off on a journey. She must have been there since she brought in breakfast and going by how cool the willow-bark tea was, it was quite a while ago. He was pleased that he hadn’t called out to Neras before knowing she was in the room.

  ‘Okay, I’ll go up soon,’ he said, nodding, and expected her to leave now that she had passed on the message but she remained still and waited with her hands folded in front of her.

  Seth turned his attention to the food and suddenly realised just how hungry he was. It didn’t take long to devour it all and he washed it down with the tea. After Clara showed him the castle amenities he picked up the staff and followed her up to the tower where she knocked quietly on the door. When Ryker opened the door she bowed low, then handed something to him out of Seth’s sight. She backed away and hurried down the stairs as if she was late for some other duties. It was clear to Seth that everyone here did exactly as they were told.

  ‘Good morning, Seth. I trust you slept well,’ Ryker said in a tone that said he didn’t really care to hear the answer, and turned away before Seth could even attempt to reply.

  Seth followed him into the room and his gaze went straight to the cage. The dragon was still curled up and snoring loudly, exactly where it had been the night before. Ryker looked tired and irritable and Seth stayed quietly waiting to find out why he had been summoned.

  ‘Seth, I have a task for you,’ Ryker said as he sipped at a hot drink. He didn’t add to that statement for quite some time and Seth stood waiting. Perhaps this was part of the test to see if he would obey without question? Finally, Ryker put his cup down and picked up a piece of paper from the table. ‘I need some supplies from town.’

  Seth resisted the urge to question why he hadn’t picked them up yesterday. Instead he walked over, took the list and pocketed it without even looking at it.

  ‘Be back before nightfall. Your dragon might need you.’

  Seth nodded and backed out of the room. He knew the dragon would not need him for at least another day, maybe more. Perhaps if he bought some meat at the markets the dragon would not go out to hunt. The local wildlife, and everyone else, would be a lot safer.

  It was not much more than twelve hours since he arrived at Arrow Castle yet it felt like a lot more and when the drawbridge came down to allow the carriage out it did not feel like he was actually leaving. He had no real freedom and it weighed heavy on his heart as the carriage rolled out into the countryside. The rocking and jolting of the uneven road hurt his shoulder as the driver headed down the only road into town.

  Seth was a little surprised that he was being sent alone and he looked at the staff on the seat next to him, wondering why Neras still hadn’t returned to continue their conversation. He was just considering asking the wizard to come out to talk when an off-key whistling made him pause. He looked out the window, pretending interest in the trees, and glanced up at the elderly driver. No, he wasn’t whistling.

  The whistling stopped and Seth stayed quiet, waiting, and eventually the whistler started up again when they passed by North Gate. Seth resisted the urge to look up when he realised it was coming from the seat opposite him. He doubted it would be Neras for the young wizard would simply have said hello.

  ‘Well, this is a complete waste of my time.’

  It was Oran, and the wizard sighed heavily. Seth could only guess that the wizard’s staff had been placed somewhere in the carriage so that Oran could watch Seth. For what reason, Seth wasn’t too sure.

  ‘Whoever you are in that staff, I’ll find you eventually. The stupid boy doesn’t even know what he’s got or he would have at least tried talking to you since he woke this morning.’

  Ah, so it was Neras that Oran was watching for. Clara must have had the staff under her cloak this morning in his room. He let out a slow breath of relief that he hadn’t given away his secret by accident. He leaned back in the seat, ignoring his aching shoulder and took the list out of his pocket.

  The items were basic goods that any household would not run out of a
ll at once, nor would they be desperate enough to send someone out to get them. Seth shrugged as at least it got him out of the castle for the day. He tucked the list away again and looked up as they passed by the place where he had met Kenan yesterday. There was no sign of the would-be-robbers and the carriage rolled into the town a minute later.

  ‘I’ll meet you back here in about four hours, young master Seth,’ the carriage driver said.

  Seth nodded and stepped out of the carriage then watched it rumble off down the road. The market looked the same as yesterday but also different. Yesterday he had seen it as a possible place to get a meal after being hungry and today it was simply to fill in time.

  He clutched the staff as he walked into the market place. If Neras was going to come out it might be some time yet. The young wizard seemed quite nervous and might wait to be completely sure that Oran wasn’t around. A quick look around the stalls located all the items he would need but he didn’t get them. There was plenty of time and he didn’t want to have to carry them around all day.

  Clara had assured him that he didn’t need money. Simply wearing the green clothing was proof enough that any bill would be settled by the castle. He was surprised to find that he was getting hungry. He’d already eaten more today than he had in a week on the streets in the past but he visited the nearest bakery stall and selected several of the finest cakes. The owner nodded and noted something in a book then handed them over, wrapped in a fine muslin cloth.

  Seth found the same tree as yesterday and sat eating one of the cakes. A small smile lit the corner of his mouth when he heard a familiar voice.

  ‘I thought you’d never be alone,’ Neras said.

  Seth smiled at the vague shape in the light shade from the tree. ‘I’m guessing that Oran is nowhere near then.’

  ‘He’s a long way off now, but don’t look like you’re talking to me as you never know how many people Oran has spying for him.’

  ‘Good point,’ Seth agreed, turning his attention back to the market crowds and popping another small piece of cake into his mouth. He was surprised how much less he was enjoying the cake now that he wasn’t as hungry. ‘I guess your advice about the dragon is a bit late now.’

  Seth felt a little smug that he had managed to still be alive without Neras’ help.

  ‘But you let her eat meat on her first day…’

  Seth stopped chewing. He could tell from Neras’ voice that it was something pretty important to have done wrong. He felt all his elation at having survived ebb away.

  ‘I don’t think I could have stopped her eating the mice,’ Seth replied a little defensively and pointed to his shoulder. ‘I was a little distracted at the time.’

  ‘Sorry. It’s just that once a dragon gets a taste for meat they don’t give it up easily and they’re harder to control.’

  ‘I don’t think I’m really in control anyway,’ Seth said with a one-shoulder shrug. ‘I was hoping you’d be able to help me with that.’

  ‘I doubt any dragon has come across someone like you before,’ Neras agreed. ‘It will wait and see what sort of threat you are before it decides what to do.’

  ‘Me… a threat?’ Seth queried.

  ‘You must be aware of your similarities to a night-shadow?’ Neras said in a careful tone and Seth nodded. ‘They are a dragon’s one inbred enemy. A dragon is born with the knowledge and memories of all their ancestors. Sort of a shared consciousness.’

  ‘Ah,’ Seth said, picking at his cake with very little interest. It seemed he had an uphill battle on this one.

  ‘I didn’t expect to see you here dressed like that.’

  A new voice came from behind the tree and Seth instantly recognised it. He turned to face Kenan and held out the second cake. ‘It looks like I’ve landed a rather long-term job.’

  Kenan quickly stuffed half the cake into his mouth and crumbs tumbled out as he spoke. ‘Any chance you can get a job for me?’

  ‘I’m not sure you’d want one there,’ Seth said with a small shake of his head. ‘It wasn’t really my first choice either.’

  ‘Why is that man over there watching you?’ Kenan asked, and hiccupped loudly as he nodded in the direction of the stalls.

  Seth looked up and let his gaze wander over the entire market so it wasn’t obvious where he was looking. A middle-aged man, dressed in typical farmer clothes was browsing the stalls and looked up in Seth’s direction several times. Neras was right. His new master was watching him.

  ‘That is a very long story,’ Seth replied with a small sigh. He knew he could lose the man easily if he wanted to but he doubted that would be a good idea.

  Seth let his attention wander over the market and a small frown creased his forehead as he saw the usual busy throng of people were acting strangely. Instead of milling around and shopping, they were gathered in small groups and pulling small children close to them. He was still puzzling over the strange behaviour when Kenan poked at his good arm. Seth ignored him and saw that the people in the market were glancing up towards him with a worried expression. How could they know what he was so soon? He hadn’t killed anything here yet!

  ‘Seth, look behind you,’ Neras said in a tone that told Seth he wasn’t going to like what he saw.

  Kenan poked him in the arm again and Seth turned to follow the line of sight of the villagers.

  ‘What is it?’ Kenan asked in a quiet voice.

  Seth looked into the sky and his heart skipped a beat as a dark shape came closer. MoonFlame. Why was the dragon awake so soon?

  ‘What do I do?’ Seth asked Neras.

  ‘How would I know and why would you do anything?’ Kenan replied and looked at Seth as if he were insane. ‘It looks like a dragon.’

  ‘She has grown fast. She is strong. You must stop her destroying the village.’

  Seth nodded and gulped as he used the short staff to help him stand. He walked out into an open park-like area and stood waiting for MoonFlame to arrive. Behind him he could hear a lot of screaming and yelling. The worried curiosity of the villagers had been replaced by full-scale panic now that the dragon’s form could easily be seen.

  ‘Seth, we’d better hide!’ Kenan suggested, and tugged desperately at Seth’s sleeve.

  ‘Go. I’m staying,’ Seth said and kept watching MoonFlame. Yelling to the dragon from here was bound to have little effect and he looked around for Neras and shouted. ‘Any help appreciated here.’

  ‘It hears your thoughts.’ Neras spoke close to Seth’s ear and even the wizard’s voice shook a little.

  ‘Go back to the castle, MoonFlame. Now!’ Seth shouted inside his head and found he was saying the words out loud as well. A dragon that could hear his thoughts could be more of a problem than a help in some ways. Seth wondered how many more surprises there were to come in his new role of dragon keeper.

  The dragon kept flying towards the village and roared her agitation at the command. People screamed louder and he felt Kenan tugging his sleeve again.

  ‘Now!’ Seth commanded as the dragon flew over the village.

  MoonFlame roared once more, then sent a jet of flame towards the ground before turning and heading back to the castle. Seth watched as the shiny black dragon vanished over the tree tops then he sank to the ground. In the commotion and panic only one person had noticed Seth yelling at the dragon.

  ‘What exactly do you do at Arrow Castle?’ Kenan asked, standing a few paces away and looking at Seth in both awe and horror.

  Seth didn’t answer and after a minute Kenan came and sat next to him.

  ‘I don’t think anyone else saw what you did,’ Kenan said. They both sat and watched the villagers extinguishing the small fire in the market. It didn’t appear that anyone was injured but a few people still sounded hysterical.

  ‘I need to get back,’ Seth said a few minutes later. He kept looking up at the horizon half expecting MoonFlame to appear again. He struggled to get up and Kenan stood to help him.

  The air around them fizze
d and blurred and the village went out of focus. It looked as if they were inside a giant bubble and Seth looked quickly at Kenan to see if he could see it too. His wide-eyed expression was answer enough.

  A blurred image of Ryker appeared before Seth and he looked furious.

  ‘Get back here at once!’ he shouted and then faded away.

  The ground underfoot began to rumble and shake and Seth clung to Kenan for balance. A second later the air cleared and Seth blinked. He wasn’t in the village any longer. He stood in Ryker’s tower-top study and Kenan was next to him.

  ‘Call it off!’

  Seth blinked again as his head cleared and he saw MoonFlame had Ryker cornered in the cage. Small flames licked out of the dragon’s nostrils and a low growl rumbled from her throat.

  ‘MoonFlame doesn’t like apprentices,’ the dragon snarled and Ryker shrank back as MoonFlame edged closer.

  Seth didn’t like Ryker either and he briefly wondered what would happen if the dragon did eat the apprentice. Would the service spell upon him be broken? A cold chill bit at his chest and he gasped for breath then fell to his knees. Tears sprang to his eyes as he looked up to see Ryker glaring at him.

  ‘You cannot plot my death!’ Ryker hissed through his teeth but his voice did not hold the confidence it usually did.

  Seth briefly considered urging the dragon to hurry up, but a fresh stab of coldness told him that he had only a few seconds before the pain stopped his breathing.

  ‘You owe this apprentice your life, MoonFlame,’ Seth said as the chill in his chest spread rapidly around his body.

  MoonFlame grunted and swung her head to look at Seth writhing on the ground. ‘How odd that you let a mere apprentice have power over you. Why do you let him live?’

  Seth was in far too much pain to answer. The dragon shot one last flame at Ryker, setting his cloak alight, then snapped open her wings and leapt out the open roof.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Kenan asked, leaning over Seth with a worried expression.

  Seth barely managed to nod as his body started to shake from the coldness deep inside him. As anger began to replace shock he waved Kenan away.