Teorfyr reached out and drew the legendary sword from its scabbard. He smiled as he moved it slowly through the air. "I feel it," he said to himself. He nodded and sheathed it again before looking at Alto. "I don't know what you can do, nor how you can do it, but you've got my support, lad."
Alto nodded. "I thank you, jarl. I'm sorry I can't fulfill my oath to you or your daughter."
"You make sure you take care of your sister and yourself, then we'll worry about that."
Alto nodded. "I look forward to the day," he said without much hope.
* * * *
Alto opened the door to the room he'd been given and held the lantern up so he could see how it was laid out. He cried out when he saw Patrina standing in the room with her back to him. His eyes went to the bed and he saw the impression from where she'd been sitting in the dark until she heard him fumbling with the latch.
"Shut the door," Patrina said in a whisper. "I've brought your shirt back."
Alto shut the door behind him and then sat the lantern on the table beside the bed. Patrina reached up with one arm and undid a clasp on the cloak she wore. She pushed it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor, revealing his shirt that he'd given her to wear when her dress had been torn. The shirt was large enough on her that the bottom fell halfway to her knees.
Patrina turned and stepped closer to him, pausing when she was only a few feet away. "Alto, I know what I want. I'm not a foolish girl, not anymore. If this is something I can't have then that's your fault, not mine. I've talked to my father and he agreed that he'd arrange things. But I can't wait. Not after what happened. Not after what I saw you do. I love you, Alto. I need you."
Patrina stepped closer to him before he could fight past the fog in his head that tied up his tongue. She pressed her lips to his and grabbed his hands when he didn't respond. She raised them and placed them upon her chest, urging him to take over and feel her through her flimsy dress.
Alto gasped and backed away. He shook his head. "Trina, stop."
Patrina stared at him, her chin quivering and her eyes filling. "Don't you want me?"
Alto growled. Did he want her? Saints above and below, of course he did! But he couldn't have her. Not now. Later? Maybe, but not now with everything else going on. He knew her, though; he knew if she thought he did, then she'd do anything and wouldn't accept no for an answer. It was part of her stubborn charm.
"I'm leaving in the morning," Alto told her. He averted his eyes and clenched his fist as though it could take the sensation of her breast in his palm away.
"Where are you going?" she managed.
"I'm not sure. I have to protect my sister."
"What about everyone else? Don't you want to protect them, too? What about me?"
"Yes, everyone else, too. And you. I have to keep you all safe and the only way to do that is by leaving."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Patrina snapped at him. "How can leaving make you safe?"
"It doesn’t make me safe; it makes everyone else safe."
Patrina stared at him. "You're not making sense."
"I know, but it's for the best."
"I'm so sick and tired of people thinking they know what's for the best!" Patrina shouted at him. "What about me? Don't you think maybe I'm the best for you?"
Alto closed his eyes and swallowed. He felt a rush of air touch his face and then he heard his door slam shut. He opened his eyes again and saw that he was alone. Patrina had grabbed her cloak and fled.
Alto collapsed on the bed without removing even his boots.
Chapter 4
"Out for an evening stroll?"
Alto spun around and saw Kar leaning against the wall of the jarl's hall. He puffed on his pipe and then pushed away from the wall to walk closer to him. "A bit chilly for most but I find the cold helps clear my thoughts."
Alto grunted and slowed. He could see the royal stables from where he stood and wanted nothing more than to keep walking towards them.
"You're not the same young man I once knew," the wizard observed.
Alto scowled. "Of course I am! Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Everyone?"
He shrugged. "You're the second person today to question whether I'm really me."
Kar chuckled. "I've no doubt you are who you are. I mean to say you've changed. There was always a boyish charm to you, but it seems to have faded. What happened to you under that mountain? How did you escape?"
"I don't have time for your questions, Kar," Alto snapped.
"You don't? What is so pressing that you must run off? Seems you've singlehandedly stalled Sarya's forces, why not take a few minutes to talk to an old friend? Mind you, I'm not saying I'm old."
Alto sighed at the wizard's attempt to make him smile. "Thork pulled me out of the river and healed me."
Kar scowled. "The shaman of Jarook again? I thought he'd been run off."
"He likes to stay close to things like this. He can feel the fear, he said. Helps him find special people."
"Like you?" Kar accused.
"Yes."
"Have you stopped to wonder what it is that makes you special?" Kar asked him. "I mean, why you, a simple farmer's son?"
Alto bristled. He was no farmer; he was a warrior. He'd fought and killed both men and monsters alike. He'd paid in blood for the title, too—his own and others. "I never asked to be special."
Kar shrugged. "But you never looked the other way, either."
"Is there a point to this?" Alto snapped at him.
Kar puffed on his pipe a final time before upending it and stomping out the glowing root that fell. "There's always a point, my boy, it's just that I'm not always sure what it is right away. Sooner or later it will come to me."
"I see why Tristam gets bothered by you," Alto muttered.
The wizard frowned. "Where did the inquisitive young man go? The boy who was eager to learn. Do you have all the answers now?"
"I know enough."
"Indeed, but enough for what?"
"Enough to know what I have to do."
Kar's bushy eyebrows rose and fell. He nodded before changing topics. "Cloistered amongst these fine people, I'm lacking my books and normal contacts. I've been able to do some research, though."
Alto waited, hoping Kar had a point this time that didn't come back to question him.
"The Order of the Silver Dragon is fairly new; few people have heard of it. It does bear a striking resemblance to sects that have sprung up throughout history, though. They called themselves some variant of the Order of the Dragon," Kar explained.
Alto held up his hand to stop the wizard. "Beck called himself a Knight of the Silver Dragon."
Kar raised his eyebrow. "On a first name basis with the enemy?"
"Does it matter? He's dead."
"It shows a familiarity beyond a single encounter," Kar surmised. When Alto didn't offer to explain it further, he went on, "Whatever the case, these groups are one and the same, I believe. They seem to rise up when a dragon becomes active."
"Aren't they always active?"
Kar shrugged. "It's theorized that dragons can sleep for dozens or even hundreds of years at a time. Some keep their predations on a small scale, feeding on animals or uncivilized creatures in remote regions. Some let others carry out their efforts and stay in their strongholds, reaping the rewards."
"Like Sarya," Alto said.
"So it would seem," the wizard agreed. "Do you know of the last time a dragon was seen in this area?"
"I heard something about it being a long time ago." Alto glanced at the stable again, anxious to be on his way. Kar wasn't giving him anything useful. Educational, perhaps, but it wasn't helpful.
"More than three hundred years," the wizard went on. "Before these lands were civilized properly. Karthor's church put an end to that, though. They raised up an army and went after the dragon, led by a paladin, the highest of their order of knights. His name was Sir Gareth."
Alto turned to look at Kar and focused on him as he asked, "This knight killed the dragon?"
Kar shrugged. "The dragon killed him, but the church claims the dragon was wounded mortally and flew off into the mountains where it fell from the sky and died."
Kar could see where the crafty wizard was leading him. "You don't think it died. You think that dragon was Sarya, the same dragon we're dealing with today."
"The same dragon that demanded your capture and punishment."
Alto stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
"Patrina told me of the men who captured the two of you. She told me of the knight's interest in you. And I heard Caitlyn telling my son about what happened to her."
"You have no right!" Alto hissed at him.
Kar held up his hand. "Perhaps I do, perhaps I do not. But think on this: if I knew nothing of events that transpire because others did not want their pain shared, would I be able to provide such knowledge to Tristam or to you?"
"You work for Tristam, not me," he seethed. "Is he bidding you to do this?"
Kar sighed. "Calm yourself, boy! I'm not being bidden to do anything. I work for myself. As for Tristam and you, it's obvious who will lead the Blades when Tristam's time is over."
Alto stared at Kar, confused by the man's revelation. "What do you mean? Tristam's not that old. Why would his time be over?"
"I didn't say it was!" Kar snapped. He looked to the heavens and muttered a curse on the thick headedness of youth. "I said when it was over. He'd box my ears for saying it but I know he's saved away a small fortune over the years. Look at the way he's taken you under his wing. He means for you to take over when he's done. I can't help but wonder if he's thinking that's sooner, not later."
Alto frowned. His own company? He was too young for such honors. He shook his head to clear it. "I'm too young."
"Do you fancy yourself still a boy hiding behind his mother's legs?"
Alto scowled, answering the wizard's question.
"A man your age could be on his way to a handful of children already and be working his own land. You're young, yes, but you've proved your abilities."
"It doesn't matter," Alto dismissed the wizard's praise. "I'm leaving."
"What? Leaving? Why?"
"You know so much, wizard, you figure it out." Alto turned and strode with a purpose towards the stables. If Sarya could be hurt, she could be killed. He was no knight with an army behind him; he was just a boy. A man, he corrected himself. He was a man who had done the impossible twice now. His father always told him that things came in threes.
"Where are you going?" Kar called after him. "The others will want to know. Patrina will want to know."
Alto stumbled at the mention of the lady. He turned and stared back at Kar. "I'm going someplace safe."
The torchlight outlined the wizard, rather than defined him. Alto couldn't see the puzzled look he was sure Kar wore. He turned and resumed his trek to the stables. He had to hurry now; the meddlesome wizard would probably tell the others so they would try to stop him.
Alto waved to the guard who saluted him when he entered the stables, and then walked past four stalls in the stables until he saw a horse that stopped him. Sebas was there, his stallion that he'd thought lost in the enchanted forest leagues to the south.
Alto unlatched the door and stepped in to the stall, smiling for the first time that he could remember. Sebas greeted him with a happy snort and a nuzzle.
"Come, my old friend, we've some riding to do and I don’t expect it will end well." Alto frowned as he realized what he was asking. Sebas was just a horse, not a unicorn like Winter. Still, he'd shown Alto love and deserved to be treated fairly. "We'll probably both end up chopped to bits or food for a dragon. I don't know if this means anything to you, but will you ride with me?"
Sebas whinnied and stomped his hoof. Alto grinned. It reminded him of Winter telling him to stop talking and get on with it. Perhaps there was more to horses than he'd realized?
"All right, but no complaining when things get tough," Alto said. He went to a wall and grabbed the blankets and his saddle off the hook, and then hurried to make Sebas ready. In a few minutes, his horse stood tall and tossed his head. Still smiling, Alto led Sebas out of the stall and out into the open. Kar was standing outside, smoking his pipe again.
"Still clearing your head?" Alto asked him.
Kar nodded. "Watching where you go to," he answered. "That way I can tell the others when they beat it out of me."
"Beat it out of you?"
Kar shrugged. "They just got you back. You think they'll stand idly by, not take it out on me for doing nothing to stop you?"
"Nothing you can do."
"I'm a wizard!" Kar spouted. "I can do countless things! I could mire your horse in mud or knock you senseless. Steal the air from your lungs until you pass out or leave you wrapped up in that spider webbing I used to stop that wasp. Don't doubt my talents, boy!"
"I thought you said I was a man?"
"Bah, boy or man, I'm old enough to be your grandfather! Stop turning my words on me or I'll just leave you a pile of smoking ash and be done with you."
Alto smirked at Kar's raving but it faded all too soon. "Don't follow me, Kar. Don't let any of them follow me, no matter what Patrina says."
"That girl has taken to you."
"I know."
"You're a fool."
"I know that too," Alto said.
"Maybe you should have joined the church instead of Karthor," Kar muttered.
Alto offered the wizard a smile and swung up on Sebas's back. He opened his mouth but found he didn't know what to say. He gave the wizard a nod and had it returned.
"Good luck, son," Kar offered.
Alto sighed and added, "Goodbye, Kar."
* * * *
"Where's Alto?" Namitus asked when he sat down at the table in the jarl's hall where the other Blades were gathered. "I stopped by his room but he didn't answer."
"Haven't seen him yet," Karthor said. "Last I knew he went somewhere with the jarl."
"That boy doesn't miss a thing!" Tristam chuckled. "Ingratiating himself to the second most important man in this realm."
"I don't think that's what he was doing," Karthor offered.
Tristam waved the priest's defense away. "Whatever the case, he's got the jarl's favor and that's a good thing. Good for him and good for us!"
Namitus chuckled. "I suspect Lady Patrina had as much to do with that as he did."
The others shared the rogue's mirth, save for Garrick. The barbarian ate heartily through the small talk, and then looked up when two new people entered the hallway. Lady Kenna walked beside Caitlyn, taking her to a table and even sitting beside her. A few moments later, Lady Patrina entered the hall. She wore a yellow and white dress that was more the Kingdom fashion than the simple dresses preferred by the Kelgryn.
"Uh oh," Namitus muttered.
"What's the matter?" Tristam followed the rogue's eyes to Patrina.
"Something's happened to Trina. The way she's acting and that dress, it's not like her."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know; it's just too stuffy. Too royal for her," he tried to explain. "Too feminine."
"Why would she do that?" Mordrim asked through a mouthful of food. "She's looking as fine as a woman without a beard can look!"
Garrick coughed as he took a drink of ale, spraying it over the dwarf. Mordrim closed his eyes and reached up to wipe the liquid off, and then he glared at the barbarian. "You're disgusting," Garrick declared.
"You just spat on me!" Mordrim howled back. "You're the disgusting one!"
"Boys, settle down," Tristam warned before they grew too raucous.
"What did I miss?" Kar asked after he hurried across the room to join them at their table. A servant brought out a plate of food for Namitus but Kar snatched it from him. "Lucky for me, not breakfast!"
"Hey!" the rogue cried out.
"Funny, shouldn't you be the one w
ith the quick fingers?" Kar teased.
While Namitus scowled Karthor spoke, "We were wondering where Alto was. Nobody's seen him since he left with the jarl last night. Unless you've seen him?"
Kar nodded and chewed the steaming food. He followed it with a quick swallow of water before saying, "I saw him."
"Where is he?" Tristam asked.
Kar shrugged and chewed his way through another mouthful.
"You just said you seen him," Tristam pushed.
"I said that and it's true, but that doesn’t mean I know where he is now."
Tristam growled and slammed his hand on the table. "Wizard, don't toy with me. Where's the man at?"
"Beat the table till you've broken it to splinters, I don't know where the lad is. I saw him last night when he was heading out to the stables. He rode off on Sebas and bid me farewell. Said he was going someplace safe."
Kar kept eating while everyone else stared at him in open-mouthed shock. Even Garrick lowered his fork back to his plate. Namitus spoke first, after turning to glance at Patrina again. "That explains it; they've had a falling out."
"You think a row with the princess would make him run away?" Kar chuckled.
"You got other ideas?" Tristam asked while glaring at the mage.
Kar shrugged. "Man like Alto doesn't run from trouble."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kar sighed. "I told you as much as I know. I—"
"Wait." Tristam stopped him and rose up. "Come with me. Let's get to the bottom of this."
"But, my food!" Kar whined.
"You're not wanting for a decent meal," Tristam said.
Kar frowned but rose up and followed Tristam. The other Blades stood to follow, giving Namitus a chance to steal back his food and carry it with him while he took care to stay behind the others.
"Alto's gone," Tristam announced.
Patrina had looked everywhere save for the Blades of Leander as they approached. Now her eyes sought out Tristam's and locked on his. "What?"
"Already?" Caitlyn asked.
The eyes of everyone, even Lady Kenna, fell on the suddenly embarrassed farm girl. She wore a brown Kelgryn dress that seemed plain yet went well with her brown eyes. She glanced from one person to the next until she found herself staring at the barbarian, whose gaze seemed to tug the air from her lungs.
Silver Dragon Page 4