“You are so arrogant!”
“A rather childish ploy, I might add,” he continued. “If you wanted my attention you only had to tell me, and I would gladly have given it to you.”
“You know, I think I can manage my way back to Storbrook on my own,” she said, turning to face the path. Gripping the spindly branch of a pine, she cautiously placed a foot on the loose stone. The hold was good and she took another step, still clinging to the stunted tree. She could feel the weight of Max’s stare on her back, while the air around her warmed with the heat emanating from his body, but she still gasped when her arms were caught up in sharp talons that curled around her, holding her fast.
“Let me go,” she shouted, kicking her feet in an effort to loosen his hold on her. It was a useless gesture, and Max laughed.
“And send you tumbling down the mountain? Aaron would have my hide if I did that.”
“If you are so concerned about your hide, you should have left me alone,” she yelled.
“Where would the fun be in that? I rather enjoy having a helpless woman hanging from my claws.” A thousand words rushed to Anna’s tongue, but she clamped her teeth together, determined to remain silent. It only took a minute for them to reach the gate once more, and opening his talons, Max dropped her unceremoniously to the ground just in front of them. She glared up at him before turning her attention to her garments, which hung askew as a result of her unrefined mode of transport.
“No need to thank me, darling,” Max said, a stream of flame flowing from his mouth as he turned towards the clouds. She jumped back as sparks reached to the ground, before glaring at the retreating figure.
Garrick was standing in the courtyard watching the gate when she passed under the portcullis.
“Oh, good, you’ve returned,” he said in obvious relief. “Did I just see a dragon?”
“You did. The most rude, arrogant, conceited, horrible dragon that the world has ever seen,” she said, her voice rising until it was a yell. High above a stream of flame lit the sky, and Garrick looked at it nervously.
“You shouldn’t antagonize a dragon like that,” he said. “You never know when they might turn on you.”
“That dragon wouldn’t dare hurt me,” Anna said with a toss of her head. Crossing the courtyard, she dragged the heavy door open and made her way through the depths of the shadowy castle towards her chambers. As she passed the solar, she saw Keira curled up in front of the fire, her fingers deftly embroidering threads through a canvas, while on a bench to her side lay a book.
“What book is this?” Anna asked, changing direction and walking into the room, where she picked up the small volume.
“Tristan and Isolde,” Keira said. “I’ve reached the point where Tristan has gone to claim Isolde for his uncle, King Mark, and is trying to discover a way of approaching her. But the words are so small and the light so dim, I needed to give my eyes a break.”
“I can read to you if you like,” Anna said, sitting down on a chair. She opened the book to a page marked with a piece of thread, and started reading.
“Now it chanced once upon the break of day that he heard a cry so terrible that one would have called it a demon’s cry; nor had he ever heard a brute bellow in such wise, so awful and strange it seemed. He called a woman who passed by the harbor and said: ‘Tell me, lady, whence comes that voice I have heard, and hide me nothing.’
“‘My lord,’ said she, ‘I will tell you truly. It is the roar of a dragon the most terrible and dauntless upon earth. Daily it leaves its den and stands at one of the gates of the city: Nor can any come out or go in till a maiden has been given up to it; and when it has her in its claws it devours her.’
“‘Lady,’ said Tristan, ‘make no mock of me, but tell me straight: Can a man born of a woman kill this thing?’
“What a marvelous story,” Anna said, settling herself more comfortably in her seat. She picked the book up again and continued reading, the only other sound the fire which crackled and sparked in the grate. Keira looked up every now and then as she followed the story, groaning when Tristan killed the dragon and won Isolde’s hand for King Mark, and sighing at the wretchedness of the queen, knowing that her love was for Tristan and not for her husband, the king.
Anna had just finished reading when Max entered the room, dressed in a thin, light brown tunic over tan leather breeches, with no further protection against the cold. She looked up at him.
“Enjoy your flight?” she asked.
“It was most enjoyable, thank you. In fact, I had more entertainment today than I’ve had since Keira’s mummers left Storbrook.” He looked at Anna, returning her glowering look with a shameless grin.
“Excuse me, Keira,” she said. “I think I will retire to my chambers. And if you don’t mind, I will borrow your book. I would like to reread some of Tristan’s heroic victories against his, uh, foes.”
Chapter 12
Aaron looked up as Keira let herself into his study. He had been locked away with Thomas all morning, going over matters of business with his steward. Apart from Keira, Anna, and the priest, Thomas was the only human at Storbrook who knew Aaron’s true identity. He had spent many years with Aaron, and was not only a trusted advisor and dependable manager, but also a good friend. Aaron looked up at Keira with a smile.
“Almost done, my sweet.” Keira nodded and headed over to a high-backed chair near the window, pausing to pour herself a cup of wine from the flagon on the table. She watched Aaron as he turned his attention back to Thomas, finishing up some instructions as he signed a pile of papers. A moment later Thomas was gathering up the loose sheets, nodding to Keira as he headed out the door.
Pushing himself away from the table, Aaron crossed the room and sat down in the chair opposite his wife.
“Anna and Max are at each other’s throats again,” she said.
“They’ve been on their best behavior lately, but with Storbrook so quiet, they were clearly in need of some entertainment!”
“Entertainment?”
“Don’t fool yourself, my sweet,” Aaron said. “Anna may glower and scowl at Max, but the sparring thrills her, and as for Max, he thoroughly enjoys playing the game.” Aaron grinned at her skepticism before changing the subject. “How would you like to visit the city?”
“I would love to,” Keira said. “You know I have never been beyond the village, except to Storbrook, of course.”
“Well, I received a letter today from His Royal Highness Prince Alfred,” Aaron said. “He has requested that I come to the city to lend him my aid.”
“Why?”
“Prince Alfred and I are well acquainted,” Aaron explained. “And although he is unaware of my true identity, he knows I have some influence over dragons.”
“How does he know that?”
“I first made the prince’s acquaintance about ten years ago when I saved him from a dragon.” Rising to his feet, Aaron walked to the table and poured himself a cup of wine. “I had heard rumors of a rogue dragon causing problems near the city, so I set out to find him,” he continued, settling back into his chair and crossing one leg over the other.
“What’s a rogue dragon?”
“A rogue dragon is one that has been banished from his clan,” Aaron explained. “This dragon had traveled a long distance to reach our lands, and I had been tracking him all day when I heard the sound of a small band of people traveling along the road, so I changed into human form and met them on the road. It was the prince, returning from a day of hunting with a group of friends. Since I was standing in their path, they were forced to come to a halt, but as they were deciding whether to shoot me or greet me, the dragon I had been tracking flew over us. Of course, the prince and his men were terrified, but they stood their ground, drawing their swords to defend themselves from the beast, who they were sure was about to kill them. And he probably would have if I hadn’t been there. I told the prince I could talk to the dragon, and although it was clear they did not believe me, th
ey did not try to stop me. And since the dragon already knew that I was a Master –”
Keira raised her hand to stop him. “How?”
“Well – a dragon can see how strong another dragon is by inner hue.” Keira looked at Aaron in confusion as he continued. “You know that dragons are created from fire. If you have ever watched Smithy at work, you will know that the color of a fire changes, depending on how hot it is burning.” Keira nodded. “It is the same with dragons. The more powerful a dragon, the hotter he burns. The most powerful dragons burn bluish-white. And although you cannot see what color I am, another dragon can measure my strength at any distance with just a glance. So the dragon knew straight away that I was far more powerful than him.”
“How powerful are you?”
“More powerful than most.”
“And when a dragon looks at you, what color does he see?”
“A pale shade of yellow.”
Keira nodded, considering this. “So the dragon could see your power even though you were in human form?”
“Yes. It is not as bright, but still visible. That’s why he did not attack. He knew how easily he would be defeated.” Keira nodded and Aaron continued. “Once I was beyond the reach of the prince’s hearing, I spoke to the rogue. Dragons do not suffer from the same hearing inadequacies as humans,” Aaron said with a grin.
Keira poked him with her boot. “What did you say?”
“I told him that if he did not leave the area immediately, I would hunt him down and kill him.”
“Oh.” Keira blinked.
“Then I returned to the prince, and assured him that the dragon would not return. I could tell that he did not believe me, but when all the attacks suddenly ceased, he summoned me to court, eager to show his thanks.”
“And now he requests your aid once more?”
“Yes. It seems that the city has been plagued with attacks from another rogue dragon.”
“Another dragon? Do you know who it is?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I suspect it is Jack.”
“Jack?” Keira leaned back in her chair in surprise. Jack had been banished by Aaron a few months earlier after forcing his attentions on Keira – the last in a long line of defiant acts. “Why would he be attacking people in the city?”
“I suspect he is trying to get my attention. He knows the prince will call on me for aid, and he knows I will not refuse to come. I believe he intends to challenge me for Mastership of the clan.”
“Is he strong enough to do that?”
“No. But he might just be wily enough.” Rising to his feet, Aaron refilled his cup and leaning back against the table, looked at Keira. “So, how about a trip to the city?”
Chapter 13
Anna stared at Aaron in horror. “You want me to travel with Max?”
Aaron had just finished explaining to Anna that he and Keira needed to travel to the city, and that she could either accompany them or return home to her parents. Since Anna was only seventeen, staying at Storbrook was out of the question. It was far too remote, Aaron explained, for her to remain there without protection. But if she chose to go to the city, she would have to travel with Max and Thomas, traversing the countryside on horseback.
“Why can’t I go with you and Keira?”
“No,” Aaron said. Of course, Anna knew he would refuse, since he only flew her when absolutely necessary. Still, it had been worth a try.
“Anna,” Keira said, frowning at Aaron, “it is not practical for you to travel with Aaron and me.”
“Very well,” she said. “I suppose I will travel with Thomas and Max.”
“Come, Anna,” Max said with a grin, “it won’t be that bad.”
“It will be dreadful,” she replied tartly, frowning when he laughed.
Aaron had decided that Anna and Max would leave Storbrook a few days before them, since, traveling by horseback, their journey would take far longer than it would for a dragon flying over the mountains. They would rendezvous at Drake Manor, the home of Aaron’s cousin, Favian, before continuing to the city.
The day before Anna and Max were to leave, the four of them traveled into the village to bid farewell to Master and Madame Carver. The two women were carried by the dragons, the quickest way to travel. Anna hated the idea of being carried by Max again, but as the alternative was to stay behind, she had allowed him to sweep her onto his back and settle her between his wings for the trip down the mountain. Thankfully, it did not take long for them to reach the outskirts of the village, and within a few minutes Anna was walking next to Keira as they approached their old home.
As they drew near, Anna could see her father through the open door of his workshop, bent over a long table, craft knife in hand. He glanced up as they approached, before quickly rising to his feet.
“Anna, Keira, how wonderful to see you, daughters.” He embraced them each in turn before turning to Aaron. “This is an unexpected surprise, Aaron,” he said. “Is the visit prompted by filial duty or is there another reason?”
“We have come to inform you that we will be leaving Storbrook for a while,” Aaron said. “There is a matter I need to attend to in the city. Anna will be coming with us, and Max has agreed to accompany the party as well.” Anna darted a quick look at Max, and was surprised to see him watching Aaron intently.
“The city?” Richard said. “How long will you be gone?”
“I cannot say,” Aaron replied, “but we will be back before too long, God willing.”
“And this matter you need to attend to, does it carry an element of danger?”
“You know what I am, Richard,” Aaron said. “What could possibly present a danger to me?” Richard shrugged as his gaze wandered over to where Max stood, listening in silence. He stared at the other man for a moment, then turned back to Aaron.
“Another dragon, perhaps?”
“Ah.” Aaron turned to look at the house, his eyes distant.
“I’m right, am I not? There is another dragon, one that could be a threat to you and my daughters,” Richard continued. He dropped his voice as he spoke, but Anna could still hear his words. “My life belongs to you, Aaron, and I would bid you use it in any way necessary.” Anna saw flames flare in Aaron’s eyes as he turned back to Richard, and she started in surprise at the vehemence in Aaron’s words.
“Your life is your own, man,” he said. “You owe me nothing, and I do not demand your allegiance.”
“You do not demand it,” Richard said, “but I offer it freely regardless. I may not be a dragon, but you are still my Master.”
“No!” Aaron gripped Father’s forearm, leaning closer. “I refuse the gift. Your place belongs right here, with your wife, serving the people of this village.” Dropping the arm, he pulled back slightly and closed his eyes. When he opened them they were once more their usual light brown. “Thank you for the offer, Richard, but your gift is more than I can accept.”
Richard nodded slowly. “At least accept my offer of friendship, then.”
Aaron smiled. “That I accept most readily, along with the expectation that you love me like a son.” Anna glanced at Max again, and saw his eyebrows raise at Aaron’s words.
“I do already,” Richard said as Jenny came out the door.
“Why are you all standing in the cold,” she demanded. “Come inside next to the fire.”
It was already warm inside the parlor, but the temperature rose perceptibly as they entered the room, the heat from the dragon men adding to the warmth of the fire. Anna caught Keira’s eye and mimicked a fan over her face, and Keira smiled in response as she stripped off her cloak.
“Any news about the reeve position?” Aaron asked as he accepted a cup of wine from Jenny.
“I’ve been asked to attend his lordship next week,” Richard replied.
“Richard is the best possible person to be the next reeve,” Jenny said proudly.
“Anyone would be better than the last one,” Richard said.
When J
enny heard that her daughters would be leaving for the city, she tried to convince Anna to stay at home and not return to Storbrook. Her pleas were in vain, however, and Anna was adamant in her refusal.
“Please, Mother,” she said, “You must understand that I have outgrown the village. Storbrook is my home now.”
“What do you mean? This is your home.”
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“Fine.” Jenny flung her hands into the air, but before she could turn away, Richard put his arm around her.
“We both know Anna is right,” he said gently. “Let her go with our blessing, knowing Aaron will keep both our daughters safe.” Anna saw him look at Aaron, who nodded briefly before Richard looked away.
Chapter 14
Keira stood in the courtyard, watching as Thomas helped Anna mount her horse before turning to check the straps on a pair of packhorses, tethered to his own mount. Satisfied that they were secure, he swung himself onto his horse’s back and lifting the reins, turned to look at Aaron and Max, who were standing a short distance away.
“Don’t let them out of your sight,” Aaron said to Max. Max nodded, locking his gaze with Aaron’s. Raising his right hand, he clenched his hand into a fist and placed it against his chest over his heart with a thump. Aaron nodded, then placed his own hand over the clenched fist. “I have your fealty, but you have my friendship,” he said. “I know you will keep her safe.” Keira saw Aaron’s eyes flicker with a small flame. “I will wait for you at Drake Manor,” he said. The flickering flame was mirrored in Max’s gaze, and each man held the other’s eye for a moment, until Aaron pulled his hand away. Max’s fist fell to his side, and he dropped his head in salute before turning away.
“Lead the way, Thomas,” Max said, following when Thomas turned his horse towards the gates. Although Thomas had offered Max a horse, he had quickly declined the offer.
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