Dragons and Destiny

by Candy Rae

“Are we definitely going into Vadath?” asked James.

  “I’m not sure we should,” announced a suddenly nervous Elliot. “Perhaps we should go north to Stewarton instead.”

  “Seems a pity to be so close and not to see it,” answered Robain, “I’ve got the necessary documents, the Major gave them to me when we left. Not that anyone will ask.”

  “Even when four armed people enter their land?” queried Elliot, not sure he wanted to take the chance. The talk about his homeland had unsettled him.

  “This is the home of the Vada. Remember Stasya? There are hundreds of Stasyas here. We’ve been seeing more than a few Lind around these last days. They know we’re here. See these reeds over there?”

  “Yes,” answered Elliot in a short voice.

  “Wondering what’s hidden in them?”

  Elliot shrugged. “Should I?”

  “I’m a soldier,” said Robain, explaining, “Philip here and I are pledged to protect the two of you. Both of us have noticed the reeds, not that we think it is full of assassins but because it is our job. The entire journey we have kept out eyes open for the unexpected. You might just be riding along, enjoying the trip, relaxing, but we cannot. I would like to go to Vada, for there Philip and I can have a rest.”

  “A rest?” asked Elliot.

  “Perhaps it is time you thought about us,” suggested Robain.

  “It’s your job to protect me,” Elliot replied, all prince, “and if I want to go somewhere you have to go with me.”

  Robain bristled. “This is the real world out here son, Philip won’t say it, he’s your father’s subject.”

  “And friend,” interrupted Philip.

  “Grandfather’s subject,” corrected Elliot.

  “Don’t argue with me young man. Here, you and James are a pair of adolescent boys here to finish your education. Your father said so and you agreed to it. You will act the part. Do you understand?”

  “Yes sir,” James said.

  “You?” Robain struck a belligerent chin out at Elliot.

  “I’m trying.”

  “Not nearly hard enough,” was Robain’s riposte. “I’m not your servant. Here I was thinking that I had been wrong in thinking the Kings of Murdoch were all tyrants and then you come over all uppity like this.”

  “But …”

  “No buts young man. This is Argyll; we’ll soon be in Vadath. There are no kings here. If you don’t like it you know what you can do.”

  “What?” asked a chastened Elliot.

  “Port Vada is only a few miles that way. Ride down there and get on a boat. No one’s stopping you.”

  “I don’t, I don’t want to go home. I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

  Robain’s eyes softened. “Glad you are man enough to say it. Shall we cross the ford?”

  At that moment some vadeln appeared from behind them, Elliot thought they looked a fine sight as they drew closer, the rider’s maroon jackets with their silver badges and the kepi’s with silver piping on the rim.

  “Good day to you all,” said the leading rider. He had, Elliot noticed a single chevron stripe on his sleeve. Elliot knew by now what that meant, the man was a Vadryzka and commanded the other seven vadeln. He noticed also the badge on his right breast, it was a harp.

  “Vadryzka Markion and Danya,” the man introduced himself and his Lind. “Thirty-First Ryzck. Going to Vada? Not sure where to cross? See these white stones? Take the way between them, aim for the middle. You’re lucky, even with the rain we’ve been having the river’s not high. It’ll be different soon. Now the water will barely overtide your horse’s fetlocks.”

  “Thank you for your advice,” Robain answered.

  “Good,” Markion said as he waved the other seven vadeln-pairs on. He dallied beside Robain looking at them with interest. His eye’s lingered over the southern swords but he did not say anything.

  “Come far?”

  “Settlement,” answered Robain.

  “A fair way,” Markion replied. “Got somewhere to stay in Vada?”

  “Not yet, can you recommend a good Inn?” asked Philip. He had an odd feeling that this meeting was not a chance one.

  “You could try the Silver Star or the Black Cat but your best bet is the Raging Jezdic. Bug free, comfortable and the food’s good. Chef’s my brother. We go there a lot when we’re off duty.”

  “We’ll go there,” decided Philip, “directions?”

  “Main street that leads to the Stronghold gate. You can’t miss it. Picture of a jedzic out front. Perhaps I’ll see you there later,” he called back as Danya began to trot over the ford.

  “That settles it,” Robain pronounced. “We go to Vada and to the Raging Jezdic. Don’t know about you three but I got the distinct impression that our arrival here isn’t unexpected.”

  “I agree,” said Philip.

  “You think they were waiting for us?” asked Elliot.

  “Your guess is as good as mine but I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to learn it is so. Did you notice that he didn’t ask our names though he introduced himself?”

  Philip was looking worried, he didn’t like the unexplainable and Robain was quick to ease his fears.

  “Trust the Vada, Philip,” he said. “Nothing can harm ‘Walter’ in Vada.”

  “I’ll just worry in private then.”

  “If that makes you feel better, now let’s go. Markion’s talk of food had made me more than eager to see what the kitchens of the Raging Jezdic have to offer.”

  Markion, as predicted by Robain, did arrive that evening as the four were finishing a meal of gigantic proportions.

  “I needed that,” Elliot was saying, “trail rations are all very good but they don’t fill growing boys like me and James. Landlord told me people come from miles around to eat here and now I know why.” He beamed at Robain. He and the Captain had had a long chat when they had arrived and Elliot felt comfortable with him again now that both knew where the other stood.

  Robain was fast becoming one of the people Elliot felt he could trust.

  Philip, watching them, was glad of it. Robain was ten years younger than he was, only nine older that Elliot and with a wealth of experience of life. He was pleased to see signs of the blossoming friendship.

  He looked at James, solidly munching his way through his dessert but the boy looked unperturbed. James was little given to introspection. He was a friend of Elliot’s but was not a jealous person. Hunting, fishing, laughing, wenching and telling jokes was what James was good at. There was a place for that too in Elliot’s life.

  Markion spotted them as he entered and made his way over. He didn’t appear surprised to seen them.

  “Good meal?” he enquired.

  “It was good of you to suggest it sir,” said Elliot, “best I’ve eaten in simply ages.”

  “Call me Markion, Vadryzka Markion if you want to be formal.”

  “Care to join us?” offered Robain.

  “Not tonight thank you. I’m meeting some friends. I have an invitation for you all.”

  “Invitation?”

  “From our Susa. You’ve probably guessed by now that we know who you are?”

  “Indeed?” queried a wary Philip.

  “Yes Baron Ross, Captain Hallam,” Markion bowed. “Word came ahead of you about your tour with the young students.”

  Philip relaxed. Elliot’s alias was still safe.

  “What’s the invitation?”

  “Susa Julia and Alei would be pleased if you would visit her at the Stronghold. A guided tour is on offer and a chance to see some of our cadets in training. We know you visited the Academie and Julia thought you’d be interested to see how we do things.”

  “We would and are delighted to accept,” answered Philip.

  “I will tell her.”

  “Will we get the chance to talk to some of the cadets?” asked Elliot. “I’ve got a letter for Cadet Rilla Talansdochter. Her sister is at the Academie.”

  “I know her a
nd Zawlei,” Markion informed him, “one of triplets I’ve been told. I’ll mention it to her Ryzcka and I’m sure something will be arranged. Ah, I see my friends are arriving so I’ll leave you to finish your meal. At Third Bell, will that be suitable?”

  “Perfectly,” agreed Robain rising from his chair.

  Markion took his leave.

  * * * * *

  Julia and Niaill

  The same afternoon Rilla sewed on her three stripes and Elliot arrived in Vada, Niaill and Taraya led the First Ryzck into the Stronghold.

  He would have to make an immediate report to Susa Julia and her Alyei, it was always the first thing a Ryzcka did. Accordingly, Deby took young Hans under her wing. The Vadryzkas would see the rest of the Ryzck settled in the building known as ‘The Giant Daga’, a large barrack-like edifice used as temporary accommodation by incoming and outgoing Ryzcks.

  Niaill and Taraya paused to watch as the weary vadeln-pairs (and Hans) entered the building. It wasn’t until the last had disappeared that he and Taraya made their way to the Susa’s quarters.

  The cookhouse was busy, he could smell the taste of appetising roast meats and he sniffed the air with appreciation, a gesture copied by Taraya.

  : Decent meal tonight :

  : Saliva is forming already :

  As they walked, they could hear the sounds of the Vada at work. The noise from the smithy was as usual and Niaill could hear faint metal on metal noises from the practice area where Weaponsmaster Jilmis and his assistants must be putting some unfortunate cadet duos through their paces. He and Taraya would be with the Weaponsmaster soon enough. Susa Julia and Alyei were waiting for them. The members of the Vada did not salute their superiors as did the Garda or the Militias but Niaill came to attention with a short bow.

  “Dedta Niaill,” said Alyei and left with Taraya. They were off to hunt. This was how Alyei usually learnt about what had been happening while they had been away.

  : See you later alligator : quipped Taraya as she left. Where she had got the saying from Niaill did not know. She picked up words and sayings like a particularly efficient strip of bug-paper.

  “An eventful patrol?” began Julia. “Report.”

  Niaill handed it over.

  “Alyei and me were relieved to hear there were no serious injuries from your fracas with the bandits,” she began.

  “Not as relieved as Taraya and I,” Niaill replied, at her gesture sitting down in one of the comfy armchairs. He had lost vadeln serving under him before during his time as Ryzcka, in fights with pirates and with the gtran and the wral. One duo had died trying to diffuse a tavern brawl during his first year in command. That was the worst thing about being in command; every vadeln, whether human or lind, knew that one day they might have to make the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of their duty. A Ryzcka might have to command them to do so.

  During their training it was well drummed in. Niaill had read the battle reports and his blood had run cold when he had turned to the back pages and read the casualty lists. He shook himself and pulled his attention back to the matters in hand.

  “The bandits are eradicated?” Julia was asking, “that group has been a thorn in our flesh for over a year.”

  “We think so Susa, we did a sweep of the area afterwards and the Forty-First will keep their eyes and ears open.”

  “I believe you brought a young person back with you?”

  “Yep, one of the children, boys the bandits were keeping captive to do their dirty work in the camp. Hans is an orphan and well, Taraya told me to bring him with us. I’ve found it to be beneficial to my peace of mind to pay attention to her in such matters. Not to do so leads to an uncomfortable time until she deigns to forgive me.”

  Julia laughed.

  “I’m his legal guardian; the Argyllian authorities wouldn’t let him go until the niceties were in place in triplicate.”

  “What age is he?”

  “Thirteen as far as we can make out.”

  “And your plans for him?

  “He needs to finish his education,” said Niaill.

  “And a stable background, you’re a Ryzcka. You are not here much of the time and you’ve got Long Leave too.”

  “It’s a problem,” admitted Niaill. “What do you suggest?”

  “I think he should remain here, with us,” said Julia in a firm voice. “Nesta I think.”

  Niaill hadn’t thought of Nesta. Nesta was a distant cousin of his, with a large family now grown up and an even larger capacity to love. She was Holad, retired but not so old that she couldn’t play a part in Vada life. At the present time she was looking after another two stray waifs the wind had brought in and always had plenty of room for another.

  “She might just be the answer, but I don’t want Hans to think I’m abandoning him and Nesta is family, however distant.”

  “It kills four xrndli with one stone,” agreed Julia, adapting the old saying. “One he will have family in the two little boys Nesta has with her at the moment, two, as you said, Nesta is a relation of yours, three, he is at Vada where you say he wants to be and Taraya says he should be and four, he can attend general lessons with the other children which takes care of his education.”

  “I’ll speak to Nesta,” decided Niaill, “and ask if she will take him and then explain. He’ll understand. He’s a sensible lad.”

  “Good. Before I let you go, better let me know of any problems.”

  “Areen is pregnant again,” said Niaill, “two months or so gone. She’s admitted to having forgotten to take birth-bane.”

  “Again? Who’s the father this time?”

  “She’s not sure. She thinks it might be a young miner she met in one of the camps we stayed at but it might be another she met about a tenday later.” Areen’s sexual activities were legendry.

  Julia raised her eyes to the ceiling, “so you’ll be needing a replacement. Any other problems?”

  “I don’t think so Susa, but if I think of anything I’ll let you know. The report is pretty extensive.”

  “I’ll read it later, meanwhile, stay around for a few days before you and Taraya go off west. Alyei says Danal and Asya are on their way in and I know you’d hate to miss them. You haven’t seen them for a while, have you?”

  “It must be nearly a year and a half,” exclaimed a pleased Niaill, “we’ll stay. Now with your leave Susa, I’d like to go and find out how young Hans is settling in and go and speak to Nesta. You’ll be in the cookhouse later?”

  “I’ll probably saunter over. Cook says he is making Taraya’s favourite tonight in honour of you coming home victorious and I enjoy karova curry. He’s making a special spicy haunch for Taraya which it so happens to be Alyei’s favourite too.”

  “And about a hundred other Lind,” laughed Niaill. “Don’t be late or it might all be gone.”

  * * * * *

  Elliot and Niaill

  At Third Bell next day and dressed in their best, Philip, Elliot, James and Robain set out for the Vada Stronghold.

  Both boys were excited, Elliot it has to be admitted more so than James who if truth be known would have much rather have been excused so that he could explore the town. Philip had insisted on his attendance telling him that he could explore the town any time he liked and that good manners dictated that he come.

  “We’ll meet Zilla’s sister,” Elliot said to him.

  James had his own suspicions about what Elliot thought about the youngest triplet and was quick to comment.

  “You should have bedded her when you had the chance,” he murmured, out of earshot of Philip and Robain, “got her out of your system, loved and left her. You’re betrothed to my sister. Forget Zilla.”

  “Don’t keep harping on about it,” growled Elliot, “I know what has to be.”

  Doesn’t mean I have to like it. I wish I wasn’t a prince.

  It was Markion and Danya who met them.

  “Baron Ross and Captain Hallam, young gentlemen,” he welcomed. “Glad you c
ould make it and on time too. The last group I showed around were late. Susa Julia is in a meeting but she shouldn’t be long. She suggested that I begin to show you round. Danya?”

  “I will go rest,” she informed them, “watching ltsctas train I have seen so many times that I do not wish to repeat if I have not to.” She flicked her ears forward in the direction of Robain and Philip, “we meet again.”

  Markion followed Elliot’s eyes as he watched her go.

  “She is beautiful is she not?”

  “She is, all those colours in her coat, they seem to shimmer in the sunlight.”

  “I think so myself. Some will tell you that her colour pattern is a hybrid, is not pure but I like her just as she is.”

  “Why would they say that?” asked Elliot with interest.

  “Her ancestry,” Markion explained. “When our ancestors arrived here each pack had its own distinct colour stripe, blue, green, there was even a pink one, still is for that matter. That remains true within the packs, in the Rtathlians. Further east, especially here in Vadath there has been so much interbreeding between the packs over the centuries that much of the individuality has been lost. Now, where so you want to go first? Classrooms, Holad, the barracks, I’ve been authorised to show you the lot if that’s what you want.”

  “I think young Walter here would like to go look at the practice fields and the salle,” said Philip, “James too. Neither of them have seen how the Vada fight. Neither have I and would also like to see. It must be exciting to watch.”

  “It’s very different than horse cavalry,” agreed Markion, “faster, more fluid. Come on then.” He led them towards the first of the fields.

  “The Stronghold is pretty big,” he informed them as they strolled along, “it has to be with all the cadets and their Lind and the permanent staff and all. The Duty Ryzck too, mine at the moment and there are always Ryzcks coming and going. The tenday before a patrol starts is dedicated to a training regimen to get them up to speed and to integrate any newcomers.”

  A sensible idea,” said Philip who had fallen into step beside Markion.