by Bianca D’Arc
Flurrthith was the last to arrive, as they’d planned, but he wasn’t alone.
Seth came to stand beside Gowan as they watched the familiar dragon and knight come in to land beside the gryphon. It was Seth’s sire, Sir Paton, and his flame red dragon partner, Lady Alirya.
Paton jumped down from Alirya’s back almost before she’d come to a complete stop, and walked toward his son. His expression was unreadable, but Gowan took some comfort in the fact that he wasn’t fuming at them from the get go.
“Father,” Seth greeted his sire.
There was no question that Seth was Paton’s son, though Paton’s fighting partner, Gerard, and the male dragon, Randor, had also been father to Seth as he grew up. But Seth and Paton both had the golden blond hair and good looks that marked them as sire and son. There was no doubt about it. Both were cut from the same cloth.
“Seth.” Paton seemed at a loss for words, or perhaps he was trying to figure out where to start. After a false start or two, he finally found his tongue. “We understand why you’re doing this, and we’re proud of you.”
Gowan was, frankly, surprised. Pleasantly so. He’d been half afraid that all the knights of the Southern Lair were frightened old men and youngsters too green to go against them.
“How did you find out?” Seth asked, suspicion in his tone.
“Your mother suspected something and cornered Bronwyn. To her credit, she still didn’t hand over your letter until your mother told her that Gerard and Randor flew for the capital last night. They should be arriving there with the dawn.”
Better and better, Gowan thought privately.
“Then, you’ll come with us?” Seth asked in a hopeful tone, but Paton shook his head.
“We can’t. Not until Gerard brings word from the king.”
So the insurrection went only so far. Gowan wasn’t all that surprised, but he admitted to a bit of disappointment. Still, they’d done the right thing in sending a dragon messenger to the capital. That should have been done in the first place.
“We swore an oath to follow the leaders’ commands. We cannot gainsay that. Especially when they are claiming it would be treason to leave the Lair empty so soon after the Dragonscove attack. That’s a position we can’t argue with, since our first duty is to the people and protection of Draconia.” Paton scrubbed one hand through his thick hair in an obvious sign of frustration. “If, however, the king sends other orders—as we expect—we’ll be right behind you.”
“By then, it could be too late,” Seth said quietly, regret and anger in his stance.
Paton reached out and placed one hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know, Seth. Which is why you need to go and make sure Hrardorr gets another crack at that pirate fleet. He’s the reason Dragonscove still stands, and everyone at the Lair knows it.” Paton stepped away from Seth to address the blind dragon directly. “Sir Hrardorr, you are the one who can do the most good for our allies. You have every knight and dragon’s admiration for undertaking this task. Goddess go with you. Our reports to the king will detail your bravery and skill.”
“I require no praise,” Hrardorr said in a dry tone, including them all in his words. “But I will take your prayers. I am not so cocky as to believe I can pull off the same trick a second time with the same results, but I will do my best.”
“That is all anyone can ask, Sir,” Paton said quietly, waiting a moment before turning back to the human contingent. “You must go quickly, before anyone else gets wind of your plans. We’ll be lobbying on your behalf every minute, and at the first word from the king, we’ll be on our way to help.”
“I pray, Sir, that you do not arrive too late,” Livia put in, her tone suspiciously droll.
She was angry, Gowan knew, but too much the lady to say anything further. Or maybe she was just too angry to form more sentences. Either way, she turned on her heel and headed for Xanderanth, Leo skipping behind her to keep up.
“Thank you for coming to tell us,” Seth said to his father, clearly surprised when Paton reached out and grabbed him into a fierce hug.
“Fight well and be safe,” Paton said before letting Seth go.
“You too, Father.” Seth clapped his father on the back and then headed toward Genlitha. Gowan followed behind with only a single rueful look at Paton.
Captain O’Dare wanted to hit something, but he resisted the impulse. Instead, he crushed the note his daughter had written in his fist, angry that she had taken matters into her own hands. There were things she didn’t know. Things he couldn’t tell her. Things that could very easily cost her life!
There was nothing for it now. He knew what he had to do.
Shouting for his second-in-command, he stepped aboard his flagship and was satisfied with the scramble he saw before him. He’d told the men to stay at the ready, and they had, but there was always some chaos before setting sail. He judged the level of chaos and realized they were very nearly ready to go. In less time than he’d hoped.
They would all get bonuses… If they all lived through the next few days.
O’Dare looked around the familiar harbor and noted the activity levels on the ships all around him. Those flying his flag were also in disorder, and he was glad to note most of the captains were visible on their decks, ordering their men around and making ready to sail.
The crossed sabers he’d chosen for his company’s emblem were going to take on a whole new meaning after today. He hadn’t intended to unveil the fleet he had been quietly building in quite this way, but the choice had been taken out of his hands. His impetuous daughter had made the choice for him, really. Which was another thing he’d have to chat with her about—if they all lived through this.
First, the knight and that young puppy from the Lair. Now this.
Livia was really much too independent for his liking. She wasn’t the sweet biddable child he remembered. She only looked like her mother. Unfortunately for him, her character was just like his, down to the stubborn streak that ran a mile wide.
He loved her more than anything, but it was impossible to deal with her now. He wanted to keep her safe, and yet, by nearly imprisoning her in the house, he seemed to have driven her into even more dangerous pursuits.
He knew he was at fault, at least partially. He saw it clearly now, after the fact, when it was too late to fix things between himself and his only child.
If she died in this foolish exercise, he would have only himself to blame. Himself and those two upstarts who dared to court her. Captain O’Dare would have his revenge on those two men—dragons be damned. If one hair on Livia’s pretty head was harmed, both Seth and Gowan would be answering to the captain.
He gave the order to set sail with grim determination, knowing his other captains were following close behind. The harbor would be almost empty that night. All the O’Dare company ships would be at sea…heading at full speed for Gryphon Isle.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The flight was long, but uneventful. Seth had packed provisions, and the humans snacked along the way. They also threw a few tidbits—fruits and a fish or two—to the fliers. Flurrthith especially thought it was great fun to try to catch a fish hurtling through the air. The little game helped distract the youngster from what lie ahead. At least for a little while.
When the sun was a long way past its high point in the sky, Genlitha spotted the first signs of the island. As they drew nearer, she flew higher, her body camouflaged against detection from below. She orchestrated the flight paths of the others, sending Xanderanth and Flurrthith out to the east, making a wide loop to land on the far side of the island, which was free of the pirate menace from what she observed. She sent Hrardorr lower, to skim the waves before finally signaling him to dive beneath them before anyone on the ships could see him.
The plan was working so far. Now, Genlitha would land—hopefully without being seen—then Gowan and Seth would see what help they could be on the island while Gen went back up to act as high guard. The idea was that either Gowan or
Seth could act as liaison between the inhabitants of Gryphon Isle and the dragons.
If they needed more fighters, Gowan would use his sword. If they needed more healers, Seth would ply his trade. Of course, both men could fight, but one or the other needed to liaise, so that was the division of labor they’d come up with. Livia, meanwhile, would be making her way overland from the secluded cove where she had landed with Xanderanth and Flurrthith. The gryphon and Livia would travel together while Leo and Xander fought under Genlitha’s direction.
Flurrthith might be too tired to fly after the long trip to the island, but if he could, he would carry Livia on his back and fly to the wizard’s keep. If he couldn’t fly, they would walk. Livia would watch over the young gryphon, and he would take care of her on his home island.
Gowan thought it was as sound a plan as they could come up with for now. Everything might change once they got on the ground and met with Gryffid’s people, but they would adjust on the fly, if they had to. They were all adaptable, and for now, at least, Livia was as safe as Gowan could make her on this island.
Genlitha was spiraling tightly, making her descent as quickly and stealthily as possible. She kept the sun behind her so nobody looking up could really see her. But at the final approach, she had to pull up sharply so as not to smack into the land too forcefully. She could break bones, as well as kill her two passengers.
Gowan didn’t interrupt, letting Gen do her thing. She was the expert flier here. He could only cause problems if he spoke at the wrong moment.
But there was one thing they could do, and that was try to let someone below know that they were coming. In all likelihood, nobody would attack a dragon—especially since Gryphon Isle had sent Flurrthith to bring dragons back—but it wasn’t good to startle those below. Some might act without thinking and fire upon Genlitha.
As Gowan thought about it, Seth was already broadcasting a call to those below, carefully shielding Genlitha out of his thoughts, Gowan noted.
“Ho, the island! I am Seth of Dragonscove. A dragon is coming in. A light blue dragon from high above, at great speed. Hold your fire. We come to help.”
“Who is this?” came a rather perturbed voice from somewhere far below.
“Seth of Dragonscove. Apprentice healer from the Southern Lair. We’ve come to help,” Seth repeated.
“You are not a knight?” The voice sounded suspicious now. It was time for Gowan to intervene.
“Seth is a healer and a swordsman. I am Gowan, knight partner to Lady Genlitha, the dragon now on approach. If you act hostilely toward her, she will have no choice but to defend herself. We come in peace, to help defend your island.”
He knew he sounded a bit belligerent, but Gen was picking up speed, and he was truly worried about this breakneck approach.
“Where is Flurrthith?” A new voice broke into the conversation, female, worried and gryphon, if Gowan wasn’t much mistaken, though he’d never talked mind to mind with a gryphon before.
“Landing on the other side of the island, away from the pirate ships with another dragon,” Gowan answered quickly.
“Thank you! Thank you, Sir Knight!” The female gryphon’s voice faded, and Gowan suspected she was already flying away toward the far side of the island. If he had to guess, he’d say that had probably been Flurrthith’s mother.
“Where are you?” the first voice came back.
“Hurtling toward the keep courtyard too fast for comfort,” Gowan replied truthfully. “We will be down shortly. Do not be alarmed. Genlitha is sky blue and very reflective.”
“I see her now,” came a new voice. A gryphon voice. Male, Gowan thought. “She flies like a mad thing.” The tone was complimentary, though the words were questionable.
“That’s Genlitha. The newest flight instructor at the Southern Lair,” Gowan said, feeling the need to brag on Gen a little.
“I can see why,” the gryphon responded. “We will clear her path, though she is threading the needle quite well without our help.”
There wasn’t any more time to communicate with those below as Genlitha started backwinging like crazy. The strain on her wings was enormous, and Gowan grew concerned for her wellbeing after this absurd landing. Would Seth have to treat her for muscle strain before they even got into battle? He hoped she knew what she was doing.
Dust rose from the courtyard, but not much. The place was tiled in hard stone and kept conspicuously clean. Probably because gryphons landed here all the time, and the wind generated by their wings would be about the same as a dragon’s. It would be dangerous to have debris flying everywhere every time a flier landed. Every Lair was kept clean of debris and sand, as well, Gowan had learned, for just that reason.
Genlitha came to a much softer stop than Gowan expected, her wings out for balance as she came to an abrupt halt on the flagstones of the courtyard. She held her head high, scanning those around them, holding absolutely still, leery of what would come next.
Gowan slid off her back, as did Seth, each of them going to either side, their swords remaining sheathed at their sides, their stances wary. Gowan waited to see what would happen next. The moment was tense while the gryphons all around the courtyard looked hard at the newcomer trio.
Finally, a large mottled brown gryphon came forward to meet Genlitha face to face. He stood a moment, striking a strong pose, then dropped in a gryphonic bow, holding her gaze. Genlitha returned the gesture, meeting him as an equal.
“I have sseldom sseen ssuch magnificent flying, milady,” the gryphon spoke aloud, though Gowan instantly recognized his tone as that of the gryphon who had spoken mind to mind with them. “I am Ferator, Captain of the Home Guard Flight.”
“I am Genlitha of the Southern Lair,” Gen replied, including them all in her speech. “Thank you for your kind welcome, Captain Ferator. With whom can I trade battle information?”
“I coordinate defensse of the keep only, milady. For the battle againsst the piratess in the water and on the beachess, you need to sspeak with General Falthith. Or the maker himsself. He comess.”
Ferator stepped back, making way for a tall man in a brown robe. He was old, but not decrepit. His eyes sparkled with energy, and his gait was that of a man half his apparent age. Was this the great wizard himself?
“Excellent flying, milady!” the man in the robe said without preamble. He was grinning up at Genlitha, his expression one of admiration and welcome. “I have seldom seen the like.”
Genlitha bowed her head respectfully, and Gowan realized this must indeed be Gryffid. Genlitha only showed such respect in the presence of the king or royal family…or the last of the great wizards, apparently.
Gowan looked over at Seth and nodded. They moved as one, as if they had rehearsed, which they most definitely had not. It was just that, after training in sword work together for so long, Seth had begun to pick up on Gowan’s non-verbal cues. They would face the wizard together and see where this led.
Gowan wasn’t sure what the protocol was in dealing with a wizard. Nothing in his life prior to this had prepared him for such an occasion, but he’d been born of nobility. He remembered the courtly dance. A bit. And Seth could help too. He understood politics far better than Gowan, he freely admitted.
“I am Sir Gowan of the Southern Lair, and this is our healer’s apprentice, Seth. We have come to render what aid we can, in whatever capacity you see fit.” Gowan bowed respectfully, as did Seth, just on the other side of Genlitha’s head. They had moved forward a few paces to meet the man in the robe.
“I am, as you have no doubt guessed, Gryffid. Be welcome in my domain.” The man answered their introduction, but did not bow in return. Gowan figured wizards were like royalty in that respect. “Tell me, what news have you brought and what reinforcements?”
Now came the tricky part. Gowan looked at Seth and the younger man stepped a pace closer to the wizard, taking the lead on breaking the news.
“As you know, Dragonscove was attacked recently. The main reason
we were able to repel the pirate fleet was a very special dragon named Sir Hrardorr. He is part sea dragon, which means he swims like a fish, but he can also flame like the dragons of our homeland. He crept up on the pirates from below and behind, rising out of the water to flame their sails before they knew what was happening. He is out there, even now, doing reconnaissance below the waves. He will check in soon and tell us exactly what we’re up against.”
“Genlitha and I function best as the high guard,” Gowan put in. “Nobody can see her from below when the skies are in our favor, as they are now.”
Gryffid looked at Genlitha with an appraising eye. “I can see that. You have remarkable coloration, milady, and impressive flight skills.”
“Thank you, sirrah,” Genlitha answered in as meek a voice as Gowan had ever heard out of his dragon partner. If he wasn’t much mistaken, Gen was nearly overcome at the idea of speaking with an actual wizard.
“I will not stand in the way of your plan,” Gryffid said quietly. “Lady Genlitha, if you wish, you may resume your overwatch.” Gryffid stepped back, and both Seth and Gowan worked quickly to take the packs from Genlitha’s back so she could fly unencumbered by the supplies for her human friends.
Within moments, she was free of all physical burdens and had launched herself neatly into the sky once again. She seemed relieved to be out of the wizard’s presence, which Gowan found surprising, but he’d talk to her about it later.
Gryffid watched her take off with an admiring look, then closed in on Gowan and Seth who were standing together, near the small pile of baggage. The wizard made a quick motion with one hand and three servants moved out of the shadows by the courtyard wall to pick up the luggage and whisk it away, within the walls of the massive keep.
“You will have rooms here, during your stay,” Gryffid announced, motioning for Gowan and Seth to fall into step with him as he began walking toward the main archway that led into the keep. “I assume your dragons will be doing reconnaissance for a bit longer before going into action. That gives you just enough time to refresh yourselves from the long journey and learn what’s been happening here on the ground so you can share the information with the dragons. How many more dragons are you expecting?”