by Nathan Roden
A second passed. And another.
The giant appeared. He threw back his head and roared.
The wolf faced the cliff.
And jumped.
Sterling and Raynard ran to Dathien’s side. They stared down from the cliff.
“What was it?” Raynard asked between gasps for air.
“A wolf,” Dathien said. “But no ordinary wolf. Some…bizarre magic.”
Dathien turned and glared at Sterling with narrowed eyes.
“This…dragon. Is he capable of taking other forms? Have you told me everything?”
“No!…yes!” Sterling stammered. He looked helplessly at Raynard.
“We have no reason to believe he can become anything other than the—”
“The lady,” Dathien stroked his chin.
“The lady who placed the curse of the boy. I would very much like to question her.”
“Of course,” Sterling said. “As soon as we return to the village.”
Sterling turned and saw the six laborers staring at them.
“There is work to be done!” Sterling snarled. “Build the beacon near the mouth of this cave—the same as the others! Why do you stand there idle, like a bunch of worthless children? Is this what I pay you for?”
The men turned around and started toward the cave.
“Are we being paid?” one of them asked his neighbor in a whisper.
“Shut up!”
Dathien walked away to oversee the construction.
Raynard grabbed Sterling’s arm.
“What is this talk about a magic wolf?” Raynard asked. “I saw nothing. Did you?”
“No,” Sterling said.
“He’s toying with us,” Raynard said. “He will demand a higher price, mark my words.”
“Of course, he will,” Sterling said. “It has always been the way of mercenaries.”
“And you intend to meet his price,” Raynard said.
“It will still be a bargain,” Sterling said.
“Though it remains to be seen whether the freak will live to enjoy it.”
Thirteen
Robinette Lamont shook her daughter awake as she had done many times in the last eighteen years.
It was the first time she had done it since her daughter became her Queen.
“Jaclyn,” Lady Lamont whispered. “Wake up, my love! The seamsters are waiting to prepare a new dress for your name-day!”
Jaclyn opened one eye.
She pulled the blankets over her head.
“I love you, Mother! Please go away. I am sleeping!”
“Sleep is for the night-time, even for queens,” Robinette Lamont said. She reached beneath the blankets and tickled Jaclyn’s feet.
Jaclyn jerked her feet away. She tried to sit up, but fell backward. She pushed herself up with her hands.
“Ooph! This bump is getting in my way.”
“Be careful with the pet names, Jaclyn,” Lady Lamont smiled.
“Sometimes they catch on—even when no one wants them to. Do you want to give birth to Prince Bump?”
“I would prefer having Prince Bump to being fitted for one more silly dress! No more dresses!” she said without a smile.
“I have dresses that I’ve never worn! I have dresses I have worn one time—some for as little as an hour!”
Lady Lamont looked toward the door.
“Shhh! They will hear you, Jaclyn! These men and women take great pride in making clothes for the king and queen. Some of them have served the throne for three generations!”
Jaclyn sighed.
“No. I do not wish to hurt their feelings—or belittle their work. Where is Tilda?”
“I haven’t seen her,” Lady Lamont said.
Outside the window, the sun had just peeked over the horizon.
“Oh,” Jaclyn said. “Tilda knows I never wake up this early.”
Jaclyn reached for her dressing gown.
“Let them in, Mother.”
“But…let’s wait until you get dressed.”
Jaclyn laughed.
“Mother, they have all seen me nearly naked. Send them in.”
The team of four seamsters and four seamstresses entered the room. They stood side-by-side, in the formal, military-like stance they had grown accustomed to.
Jaclyn paced in front of them with her hands clasped behind her back.
“I would like each of you to know I value your service and your talents. But we will not be using this day to create yet another show of the Kingdom’s wealth and extravagance. For one thing, I cannot attest to the fact that our Kingdom is prosperous at all! That being said…”
Jaclyn produced a pouch.
“Each of you, hold out your hand, please.”
She went down the line and placed two silver coins into each hand.
“Your mission for today is to go to the market. Buy yourselves something valuable, or frivolous, or something downright silly! For at least this day, pretend that you are all carefree children! And when night falls, share a flask of wine and dance until dawn!”
The eight men and women were in a state of shock. They did not move. They looked at Lady Lamont, but she only shrugged her shoulders.
“I will expect you all back here tomorrow for my name day celebration, of course,” Jaclyn said. “So try to keep some of your wits about you.”
She went down the line and shook her finger playfully at each of them.
“I will follow up with inquiries, so do not even think about ignoring my wishes! Now go! Be off; to eat, drink, and be merry—in spite of yourselves!”
The servants bowed their heads and muttered thanks. They crept from the room, but the sounds of their excitement permeated the halls. Jaclyn laughed.
“You will be remembered as the strangest Queen ever to sit the throne of Morgenwraithe!” Lady Lamont said.
Jaclyn tapped her bare heels together and bowed her head.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Queen Mother.”
Lady Lamont’s smile faded.
“Unfortunately, it will not bode well with Lord Sterling.”
Jaclyn placed her hand on her belly.
“A few more months, and the throne will be secured for another generation. Less than two years, and Lord Sterling role as Regent will no longer exist.”
Lady Lamont stepped closer to Jaclyn and spoke softly.
“These things are true, but you must not become complacent. You certainly must not flaunt these facts in front of Lord Sterling. Do not underestimate the evil that abides in his heart. Soon, he will also become a desperate man—desperate to hold onto his power.”
Jaclyn stared out the window.
“Lucien will not always be just a boy—”
“Do not—” Lady Lamont stopped herself and lowered her voice.
“Do not rely on Lucien to reject a lifetime of fear just because he reaches his seventeenth name day! The roots of terror have burrowed deep into the boy’s soul. He may have been cursed from the womb—”
Jaclyn spun around.
“No! I will never believe my baby could be tainted by cursed blood. That curse died on the day of the mad queen’s slaughter!”
“I pray that it is true—” Lady Lamont said.
“That curse died with her—she exchanged it for the curse that cost the realm its true ki—!”
Lady Lamont clamped her hand over Jaclyn’s mouth.
“Good morning, My Queen. Lady Lamont.”
Sterling stood in the doorway.
“I am looking for Lucien.”
“I saw him earlier—in the courtyard,” Lady Lamont said. “I believe he was dressed for a hunt.”
“Very well,” Sterling said. “I trust that we may expect Lord Lamont soon? He seems to be a very busy man, of late.”
“Yes, very busy,” Lady Lamont said. “I am certain he will arrive today.”
Fourteen
Simon flew toward Islemar Castle. He found it difficult to concentrate with so many
things on his mind. He had to be on constant alert to avoid Sterling’s attempts to capture or kill him. There was also the looming trip into the Southlands to consider.
And there was the pending arrival of the new heir to the throne of Morgenwraithe.
The baby carried by the woman he loved.
Simon caught himself dozing. He cursed at himself under his breath. Two of his best friends rode on his back. They depended on him for safe passage. Simon looked to his left. They were very close to the safety and comfort of the cave that had recently been their home.
A brief rest, Simon thought. Before we journey on to Islemar.
Simon banked to the west, taking them toward the clearing in front of the cave. He prepared to land. But…
No!
It had no fire, but there was no mistaking it—a beacon tower stood in front of the caver. Beside it stood an enormous man clad in a brilliant blue robe. His bald head reflected the sun. His eyes blazed a brilliant blue.
“Come to me, serpent from hell!” the giant bellowed. “Come and meet your destruction!”
Helena screamed.
“Go, go, go!” Boone yelled from behind Simon’s head.
Before Simon could change course, he saw Sterling and two other men run into view. Two arrows flew past his head.
The giant continued to roar as he threw something at the dragon.
Balls of fire exploded in front of Simon’s eyes. He heard Helena scream again.
Simon dodged to his left and then turned hard to his right. More flashes of fire exploded in his path, blinding him. He flew as fast as he could—toward the sea. Another explosion sounded beneath Simon and pain shot through his chest. It was difficult to breathe.
“The beast is hit!” The giant yelled.
Simon’s vision was failing. Everything was blurry. He was not sure which direction he was flying. And fiery blasts continued to explode on all sides of him. He listened for the voices of his friends.
“No! Go the other way!” he heard Helena yell.
Simon banked and turned.
“Yes!” Helena yelled. “Fly straight now! Toward the sea—!”
Helena was no longer giving directions. She loosed a scream so full of anguish that Simon feared she was hurt.
The giant’s magic has almost killed me, Simon thought. How can Boone and Helena survive?
Simon’s chest burned. He flew as fast as he was could until he heard the giant’s roar fading. Helena continued to scream. Simon blinked his eyes hard until he was sure he was out over the sea. He circled and landed on a stretch of beach.
Simon pressed his burning chest against the cool sand. He felt Helena slide from his back.
“Simon! Simon!” Helena yelled.
Something is wrong, Simon thought. Where is…where is Boone?
“We have to go back!” Helena screamed. “Boone fell! He fell off!”
Simon groaned as he rolled over onto his back. He looked at his chest. Several scales were missing or broken. Smoke rolled off of his wounds. His skin glowed red.
“He fell? Where?” Simon asked. He pushed himself up with difficulty.
“Into the sea?”
“No!” Helena cried.
She pointed up. Up, toward the top of the mountain.
“Not far from the cave!”
“Did they see him—Sterling and the giant?” Simon asked.
“I don’t know!” Helena cried. ”We have to go back for him! Hurry!”
The pain in Simon’s chest intensified. He pushed against his chest with his talon and winced in pain. He fought his way to his feet. Helena turned and ran a few steps away from the water’s edge.
Simon turned his head. He opened his mouth and tried to make fire. A spasm of pain hit his stomach. His chest burned even more.
“I…I can’t, Helena,” Simon said. “They will kill both of us.”
Helena ran to his side. She grabbed his talon and pulled.
She shook her head vigorously.
“No. We cannot leave him there, Simon! We have to go back! Now!”
“Listen to me, Helena,” Simon said. His voice cracked. It was difficult to talk.
“Boone has lived most of his life in the woods. If anyone can escape from there, Boone can.”
“No!” Helena yelled as she stomped her foot. “We have to save him! You are a powerful dragon! And your friend—your friend needs you!”
“I’m not even sure I can fly, Helena. The giant hit me with…I don’t even know what weapons he has. It’s a powerful form of magic. I cannot make fire—”
Helena was no longer listening. She turned and ran toward the rocks that jutted out from the base of the mountain. She began to climb. Her feet slipped on the moss covered rock.
“Please, Helena—” Simon pleaded.
She ignored him. She grunted and groaned and strained as she continued to climb. Simon stared silently up at her.
He did not know what to say. He knew she could not scale the mountainside.
And what could she do—even if she reached the summit?
Simon sat down hard. The pain from his chest spread throughout his entire body. He was just about to close his eyes when he heard Helena scream.
She was falling.
Simon forgot his pain. He threw himself into the air. He caught Helena just before her head struck an outcropping of stone.
Simon sat Helena on the ground. She held onto her left arm while she wept bitterly.
“Are you all right?” Simon asked.
Helena bit her lip and nodded.
“I’ve hurt my arm. A little.”
Simon sat back down. Helena threw her arms around him and cried.
“I love him,” she said.
“I know.”
Fifteen
Lady Lamont’s breathing slowly returned to normal. She looked down at her trembling hands.
“He’s gone, Mother,” Jaclyn said. “There is no need to—”
“The man is like a ghost—or a demon!” Lady Lamont said. “He moves about like the viper he is!”
“I don’t think he heard—”
“How can we know what he hears?” Lady Lamont said. “Or what he is told? We must be more careful, Jaclyn.”
“All right, Mother. Let’s try to think happy thoughts, shall we? Father will be here soon. And with tomorrow’s celebration, we should have at least two full days of happiness. Hopefully, Sterling and Raynard will let me us keep Father to ourselves on my name day.”
Robinette Lamont patted Jaclyn’s hand.
“Yes. Let’s try to have a good two days, at the very least.”
Robinette bent over and patted Jaclyn’s tummy.
“We will pray for a better world for you, our little one.” Robinette stood up.
“Now, you must be absolutely famished, eating for two. Let’s be off to the dining room.”
“I’ll join you there, Mother,” Jaclyn said. “I am going to get dressed and find Lucien. He needs to become part of this family—and spend more time with you and father.”
She put her hand on her tummy.
“Lucien barely knew his own family,” she whispered. “And I am not including his evil uncle. Soon, we will all share in the birth of this child. I think it will be good for Lucien.”
Robinette hugged her daughter.
“You have such a good heart, My Queen.”
“Someone very special gave it to me,” Jaclyn said. She kissed her mother’s cheek.
Jaclyn dressed and walked into the courtyard. The castle servants scurried about, preparing for the next day’s activities. Jaclyn walked toward the stables. She passed by a group of Lucien’s young friends. They wore hunting clothes. She asked if any of them had seen Lucien. None said they had.
They looked uncomfortable and hurried away.
Curious, Jaclyn thought.
Jaclyn pushed open the door to the stables. She looked around and saw no one. She patted the head of a young colt. And then she heard a noise.
&
nbsp; Squeaking. Coming from the loft.
Mice scurrying about, Jaclyn thought. Or maybe even at play.
She heard it again.
No, not squeaking.
It sounded more like…giggling.
Jaclyn crept to the loft’s ladder, pushing past a huge cow that was eating lazily from a pile of hay.
Jaclyn crept up the ladder, pausing to listen. Halfway up, the rung she stepped on groaned. Jaclyn’s head snapped up, and she was suddenly face-to-face with Lucien.
Jaclyn screamed in panic. She lost her grip. Her arms reached out but found only air. Lucien grabbed for her but missed. She fell
And land on her back in the hay.
Lucien scrambled down the ladder. He knelt beside Jaclyn.
“By the gods!” Lucien cried. “Are you hurt? Is the baby—?”
Jaclyn finally noticed that Lucien wore only his trousers—and they were unfastened.
She pushed him away and made her way awkwardly to her feet.
“I am not hurt,” she said flatly. “And neither is your son.”
Jaclyn pushed past Lucien and stared up the ladder.
“Come down from there, this instant! That is not a request! It is an order from your queen!”
Lucien put his hand on Jaclyn’s shoulder.
“Jaclyn, you do no need to—”
Jaclyn jerked her shoulder free. She faced Lucien and slapped him. Hard.
“I said get down here this instant!”
Jaclyn heard crying. A pair of bare feet appeared. And then, legs. The squalling girl fumbled her way down the ladder. She stood before the Queen, her shoulders quaking—clad only in her undergarments.
It was Tilda.
“I am so, so very sorry my—!”
“Just shut up, shut up, you stupid, stupid, girl!” Jaclyn said.
“Jaclyn, I can—” Lucien tried to say.
Jaclyn did not look at Lucien or say anything. She held up one finger that silenced him.