Dragon School_Sworn

by Sarah K. L. Wilson

  I swallowed as he drew the knife back and then slumped with relief as he sheathed it.

  I told you he was smart.

  He was reading my mind!

  “Not entirely. But I’m used to reading dragon minds after all these years and some humans are enough like dragons that I can get hints from them, too. So. Now it’s time for you to trust me and stop wavering like a girl with too many beaus.”

  “And if I do?”

  “Then you’ll have someone to help you come out of this alive. First of all, you won’t be going back to Grandis Elfar. We’ve had concerns about her for some time. You’ll stay with me, and once you swear you’ll be my problem. I might seem harsh but there’s only one thing I care about: the truth. Give me that and I will take care of everything else.”

  It sounded like a dream come true. Someone to help me figure everything out.

  “Don’t get excited quite yet. Together, we’re going to fight darkness in all its forms, but especially the Dusk Covenant and I will use you as much as I need to for that end. You should know that up front. For instance, where is Leng right now?”

  “He said he was going back to work.”

  “I put him on a dragon headed twenty-days flight south of here an hour ago. He’s flying when most men should be laying abed for a week. Make no mistake, I’ll do the same with you if I have to and expect you to like it.”

  I was supposed to be worried about that, but it wasn’t any harsher than what I’d expect of myself. If he thought he would scare me with that he’d need to try harder.

  “And now the final thing. If you swear today, know this: I will use you against that prince. Oh, you’ll spy for him. And you’ll report what I tell you and then report back to me on him. Have you heard of a double agent? It means you pretend to work for one side, but you really work for the other. Most double agents end up dead sooner or later. Usually sooner. And we will use you like a sword in the hand against that pretty prince with the satin words and the pretty face. Understood?”

  I nodded.

  “It’s too late for you to say no. You know too much. But if you think you can’t live up to it, I know a place where you can spend your days in hiding. It would be a peasant’s life, but you’re used to that. Is that what you want?”

  I shook my head.

  “Then I want your vow right now. A vow of fealty to me. Apprentice to master. You know how it’s done?”

  I’d never even seen someone swear to someone else before. What would Raolcan want?

  I want you to be safe.

  That wasn’t an option. I wanted this short, useful life Hubric was offering, but Raolcan was involved, too. I wouldn’t offer a vow if he would rather live in hiding.

  I’m your dragon, either way. But if it helps, I’d rather live life flying high.

  “Can you show me,” I asked. Hubric smiled - and for the first time since I met him, I thought it was a real smile. “I want the life you are offering. I’ll swear.”

  “I knew you were more than you looked. Sometimes it’s the ones tempered by fire who are strongest when you really need them. Now, repeat after me. I, say your name.”

  “I, Amel Leafbrought.”

  “You should put your fist over your heart for this part.” He nodded when I did. “Swear fealty and full allegiance to Hubric Duneshifter, Dragon Rider of the Purple, until death takes one of us.”

  I repeated his words, my heart feeling both lighter and heavier as I assumed the responsibility and received his protection all at once.

  “And I swear this by my honor and the Truth which is all I have to give.”

  His knife flicked out of the sheath again as I repeated his words and then he slit the end of his thumb and pressed the blood to my forehead.

  “I, Hubric Duneshifter, accept your pledge, Amel Leafbrought, and I swear to protect and guide you, shelter and provide for you, as my liegesworn until death takes one of us. I swear this by my honor and the Truth which is all I have to give.” His smile widened. “It is done. Now, let’s not keep the Dominar waiting. We have plans to make once you’ve sworn to him, too.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Like the city, the Castel also rose in tiers, though the back wall was sharp and straight like a mighty cliff. The Great Hall was at the uppermost tier.

  “They use the Great Hall as a throne room when the Dominar is here. Provincial compared to Dominion City, but it does in a pinch,” Hubric said.

  The long halls were on the outside of the tiers and they were lined with rows of open archways so that anyone walking along the halls could look out over the sky city, like a dragon from his alcove. There were no stairs. The hall simply sloped upward in a spiral, taking us up level by level, higher and closer to the center with every step.

  “Hubric?” I asked.

  “Master. Ironically, it’s traditional to call your master that.”

  “Master?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is Savette’s dragon really dead?”

  “How should I know? You were on the Ruby Isles. You tell me.”

  “Wouldn’t she die, too?”

  “It’s the other way around. Didn’t they teach you that at Dragon School?”

  “Wouldn’t I have noticed dragons dying when their riders did? I saw dragon riders die and their dragons still lived.” I was getting a bit breathless, but I didn’t want to think about standing before the Dominar and asking these questions distracted me.

  “They don’t just keel over. They start to rot inside. It takes a while to die that way.”

  I shivered. What if that happened to Raolcan?

  “Don’t die and you won’t have to worry about it.” Was that a joke?

  “Why do dragons let their riders fall or die in training if it means they will die, too?”

  “In the northern reaches, our borders are enforced with authority. Some of the people there do not wish to be our subjects, but their lands are important to the Dominion. We may not relinquish them. Occasionally, a young man from among them will rush at us, a weapon in hand, and be quickly killed for his rash bravery. Why does he do this if he knows full well he will die?” I was silent and he asked a second question. “Why did you go after Savette knowing you would be thrown out of Dragon School? Sometimes honor is of more value than life.”

  Had Raolcan wished he could stand against his fate like that?

  I chose to submit to it. And with you, it is not a burden.

  I didn’t deserve him.

  It’s never been about deserving. Someday, I’ll convince you of that.

  “We’re here,” Hubric said, leaning in so close to me that I could smell an unfamiliar herb from his soap. “Now, protocol is a huge priority in the Dominar’s court. If you had come through the ranks at the proper rate you would already know what to do, but since you do not, you will follow my lead and obey any command. You understand?”

  I nodded.

  “First, we wait in the anteroom. You may speak to others there, but keep your secrets close. When we are called we will enter the throne room. Say nothing then until you are asked to speak. Remember how you swore to me? You do the same thing when called. Nothing else. You understand?”

  “Yes.”

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “I have confidence in you. Come on.”

  A pair of guards were stationed silently on either side of the blue and white tiled arch. My mouth went dry as we passed between them and into the anteroom. It was so large that at first, I wondered if it were actually the Great Hall. A fountain was in the center of the room, a white stone dragon spewing water instead of fire.

  People dressed in fine clothing stood in small groups, speaking in low tones. Hubric led me to the side of the room, out of the center of bubbling conversation. Most of the people were dressed like Castelans in sky silk dresses or sky silk short coats over fitted leather breeches. The women wore their hair loose and long and the men wore theirs short and their faces clean-shaven.

  It made it easy to pi
ck out foreigners. Around us, there were quite a few other modes of dress and styles of hair or beard to denote where these people were from. A group of men with long forked beards were watching Hubric and me with eagle eyes. I was so nervous at their presence that I didn’t notice Lenora until she took hold of my arm.

  “Lenora!” I looked her over. She was unharmed – at least that I could see – and in clean, fresh leathers.

  “Don’t stray too far,” Hubric whispered and I nodded as Lenora pulled me against the wall to whisper to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ephretti speak to Hubric.

  “I was so worried about you,” I whispered to Lenora.

  “Have you really been taken on by Hubric Duneshifter?” Her eyes were wide.

  “Yes, but tell me what happened to you! When Prince Rakturan stormed into the room I was afraid you were in trouble!”

  She shook her head. “Hubric Duneshifter is a big deal, Amel! He doesn’t take on apprentices and he is one of the best. He must really like you. Don’t you realize what an honor it is?”

  “I’m very honored, now forget that and tell me you are okay!”

  She smirked. “I can take care of myself just fine. The Castelan’s dragoons stormed the building with Prince Rakturan and some of his people. They thought I was a servant and took me into custody. I would have gotten out on my own, once word got to my father, but Dragon Rider Ephretti came and took me under her wing. She’s going to mentor me into the Green. She’s not the highest ranking Green but that’s okay. She’s close to the middle and still young. She hasn’t reached the full rank she’ll get. It’s a lucky draw for me.”

  “I’m glad. I was so worried about you!”

  “You were worried? I was the one worried! I heard the shouting and I could see the magical flares and then nothing! They pulled a pretty girl with short hair out of there, but no one else. I thought you were dead!”

  Corrigan! She was alive!

  “I’m fine.” I looked around, making sure we were not being overheard. Other then the glares from the men with forked beards and oiled leather cloaks, no one was watching us. “So are Savette and Leng – sort of. We got them out of there!”

  She nodded. “Good. I’ve been called here to represent my Castel before the Dominar. After that, I go with Ephretti. I’ve been so worried about you and the others that I didn’t want to come. Do you know what happened to them?”

  “I heard that some other Dragon Riders gathered up Orra and Olla and Artis and took them back to the Ruby Isles.”

  “I’ll miss them, but I’m glad to see you, Amel. I won’t be glad to part ways with you.”

  “We might see more of each other than you think,” I said. “See how Ephretti and Hubric are talking? I think they see each other often.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Are they lovers?”

  I laughed. “I doubt it.”

  She looked around like I had a moment ago before whispering so quietly that I could barely hear her. “There are rumors that Ephretti is a part of a secret group of Dragon Riders, like a secret society. They have their own mysterious aims.” So, no one had told her about the Lightbringers the way they had told me. “I aim to find out more about that. If there is a secret somewhere, then Estabis Castelan needs to know it.”

  I’d never understood that loyalty to a specific family that Castelans had – until now. I felt a stab of concern in me that she would share the secrets of the Lightbringers with her Castel. Was that my new vow of loyalty at work?

  “How is Dragon Rider Leng?” Lenora asked, coyly.

  I felt my cheeks heating. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t give me that. Every time you talk about him your eyes light up. You probably don’t even admit it to yourself, but there’s something there.”

  “He’s confusing.”

  “Men usually are.”

  “He runs so hot and cold.”

  “He should only run cold. He’s a full Dragon Rider and you’re a student. If anyone suspected he was feeling any heat for you he could get turned out of the Dragon Riders and his dragon would be killed. If he did something more – kissed you, maybe? – he could be killed. I know it sounds severe, but Dragon Riders take things really seriously. You haven’t been kissing, have you?” She looked more concerned than triumphant, which must mean she was looking out for me.

  “He didn’t let me,” I admitted embarrassed to have to admit it.

  “Good. Don’t try again until you’re a full Dragon Rider. The way you’re rising through the ranks it won’t be long anyway. You’ve been an Initiate for only a few weeks and look at you! You’re being sworn in today.” She smiled. “And I hate to admit it, but you actually deserve it.”

  “Thank you, Lenora,” I said, but she didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on something across the room and a secretive smile on her lips. I followed her gaze to where Price Rakturan was entering the anteroom with his bodyguards. Was it him she was smiling at? I whispered, “If you think kissing a Dragon Rider is a bad idea, kissing a foreign prince is a lot worse!”

  “Some deaths might be worth dying.”

  She couldn’t mean that! Not about that horrifying cobra of a man!

  A man in finely wrought clothing carrying a slate in his hands entered from the far door, glanced at his slate, and then made a beckoning motion to Hubric who turned to me and gave me the Dragon Rider sign for follow.

  “Good luck, Amel!” Lenora said and we shared a smile before I hobbled after Hubric, trying to still the butterflies in my belly. It was time.

  Amel? Spider? Something strange is going on here.

  Chapter Thirteen

  What was it? What was happening? I tried to keep up to Hubric while grilling Raolcan.

  Savette. Something strange is going on with her.

  Something to do with the Magika who was there? Hubric and I were right behind the man holding the slate now. He led us to the tall white doors - carved with roses and dragon teeth – and across the tiled mosaic of the first Dominar’s battle with Ha’drazen - the dragon queen. There was so much to see that I could hardly take it in.

  Forget the room. I’m sure it’s lovely. It won’t be so lovely if your friend explodes and takes half the city with her.

  What should I do?

  Swear quickly and get back here. I will keep you updated.

  Probably a good idea. I glanced at Hubric. Should I tell him what was happening? The man with the slate led us through the doors and then paused just inside the room. I looked at Hubric, about to speak, but he shook his head curtly and followed the man and I did the same.

  I gasped as we entered the Great Hall. It was filled with people from the far end where a throne had been set on a dais - surrounded by a half circle of open arches - to where we were at the back. A gold silk runner, embroidered with intricate patterns, ran up the center of the Hall to the feet of the Dominar. I felt drawn to look for him, but his throne was dark, the semi-circle of windows behind him backlighting him so he sat in shadow.

  My mouth felt so dry that I was afraid it would stick permanently closed and my heart hammered in my chest. I was about to see the ruler of our mighty Dominion. Me! A common girl from a tiny village. How was this even possible? Hubric laid a calming hand on my arm and I pulled myself together. Honors, just like difficulties, were to be faced with courage and strength. I straightened my back and held my head high. Time to take the next step to being a full Dragon Rider. Time to swear before the Dominar that I would serve our people all my life – long or short.

  “Follow the Hashutan’s assistant. He will tell us where to stand.” That must be the man with the slate.

  I did exactly as Hubric told me, following the assistant step for step. He was considerate enough to walk slowly – or maybe that was how things were done here.

  Behind us, I heard the door open again. On either side of us, people in the fine garb of nobility gasped. I risked a look back. Rakturan entered behind another assistant, his bodyguards behind him and behind
them the men with the forked beards who had been so pleased to stare at me in the anteroom. I shivered, but they were not my concern. Not with a Dominar to swear to ahead of me and a friend in trouble across the city.

  Hurry.

  I hurried, my fancy new crutch propelling me forward across the golden silk banner like no other crutch I’d had before. If I was Lenora, I would probably know each of the people in the crowds on either side of me, but I didn’t envy her that. I was afraid enough of the people I did know in the room.

  When we were halfway across the room, I finally was able to make out the Dominar. He sat with a scepter on his lap – a wicked looking thing with a spiked head and some sort of writing engraved on it. Was it like the writing the dragon riders had scrawled on their leathers and sometimes on their arms? I should ask what it was. I hadn’t thought to ask until now, since my time at Dragon School had been so hectic.

  His garb looked military in the way it was cut, his breeches were leather and belted like dragon rider leathers, but his coat was of the segmented hard-cased style that Savette and the Dark Prince had worn at the ball. His collar was as high as theirs had been, almost obscuring the lower part of his face – except you wouldn’t have seen his face.

  I had heard of the Dominar’s mask, but the stories hadn’t prepared me for what I saw now. It appeared to be wrought of iron, formed like a spiked crown at the top and coming down to cover his entire face, leaving only holes for his eyes and mouth. It took me a moment to realize that the spike effect across the top of his head were shaped of dragon wings, flaring at just the right angle to produce a crown effect. Around the holes for eyes and mouth, at least a dozen dragons were formed into complicated knots and complex battles. Likely, you could sit all day trying to figure out what wing or neck or tail belonged to what dragon. It must have been incredibly heavy – the weight of an empire on the head of one man.

  Hubric gripped my arm, and I realized I had frozen in place. I collected myself and began to walk again. Now that we were getting closer to the front of the room, the people were dressed even more majestically - and more martially- than those at the back. That made sense. In Dominion society, those at the top were those who owned and defended Castels. It was not a task for those who shrunk away from violence. Was Lenora’s family there somewhere? Savette’s? The hard stares of those around me gave no clues.