by Nathan Roden
“Do you want to come with us?” Ben asked.
“I…I really should stay close,” Simon said.
“She’s never seen him in his man suit, Ben. Did you forget?” Boone said.
Ben smacked his hand against his forehead.
“Silly me. I pray she will come around before—well, before you have to change back.”
“Good hunting,” Simon said. “If you get the chance, shoot me some vegetables.”
“Ha, ha! That’s a good one,” Ben said.
“That’s an old one,” Boone said.
Simon waited patiently while Helena helped the baby to nurse. She came to Simon and handed him the baby.
“Would you hold him for a little while? I would like to have a bath.”
“I would love to.”
Simon sat on the ground next to Jaclyn. He rocked the baby gently and hummed to him.
Simon did not hear the men approaching.
“Get up,” the voice said. “Slowly. And step away from her.”
Simon stood. He turned, looking at two men holding swords. The one with the beard spoke.
“What is…? Is that the baby?”
“Who are you?” Simon asked.
“Put down those swords,” came yet another voice.
Boone and Ben had arrows notched and aimed at the men.
Boone lowered his bow slowly.
“Oliver?”
Oliver dropped his sword.
“Boone! Boone Blankenship! Thank the gods!”
The men embraced.
Simon stared at the other man. He looked strangely familiar… and the man was staring back at him in much the same way.
“Do I know you?” the man asked.
“Noah?” Simon whispered. “Noah Lamont?”
The man stepped forward.
“Simon.”
Simon nodded.
“And this is your nephew. We don’t know his name.”
“Our nephew,” Noah said.
Noah knelt next to Jaclyn. He felt the pulse in her wrist.
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She has been unconscious since the birth. She has been through so much…”
Noah took his sister’s hand.
“She has the strongest soul of anyone I have ever met.”
“Aye, I believe that,” Simon said.
Simon looked up. Oliver stared at him with his mouth gaping open.
“You’re…you’re him? In the flesh?”
Simon stepped forward and offered his hand.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Simon Morgenwraithe.”
Oliver fell to one knee and raised his sword with both hands. Tears ran down his cheeks.
“My sword is pledged to Queen Jaclyn. And now I add my pledge to King Simon—the true king!”
“Please stand up, Oliver. For now, let us be friends. This is not the time for sorting positions of authority. This is the time for banding together—to see the queen back to health.”
“May I?” Noah said to Simon. Simon handed Noah the baby.
“He is adorable,” Noah said. He looked up.
“He won’t be pleased to hear that for long.”
The men turned when they saw Helena’s approach. She stared wide-eyed at Oliver and then pointed at him.
“I’ve seen you! You belong to the King’s Guard!”
Oliver held up his hands.
“Not any more, My Lady.”
“He helped us to escape, Helena,” Simon said. “Jaclyn, her father, and me.”
Helena continued to stare, sorting through her memory.
“You hit the king with the soup pot?”
Oliver knelt again.
“I did, My Lady. And you…served and protected our queen. And you were responsible for the escape of the one true king! It is an honor to meet you, Lady Helena.”
Helena grabbed Oliver by the arm and pulled him to his feet.
“I was a handmaiden to the queen. I’m uncertain what purpose I serve now, but I’ll not be having people bow down to me.”
“Better do as she says, mate,” Boone said. “She’s tougher than she looks.”
Helena nodded toward Noah.
“And who is this?”
Noah bowed his head.
“Noah Lamont, My Lady.”
“Lamont…you’re her brother?”
Helena ran and threw her arms around Noah.
Boone elbowed Oliver in the side.
“You should have tried that.”
Noah blushed.
“Pleasure to meet you, My Lady.”
Noah looked to Simon.
“I had forgotten all about the full moon.” Noah narrowed his eyes. “Jaclyn has seen you—when you are a man, right?”
Simon paused before shaking his head.
Noah stroked his beard.
“I’m truly sorry. For both of you.”
Simon looked up at the sun. Midday was already approaching.
Simon spent time at Jaclyn’s side, talking to her, reliving the times they had together. He spoke of the good and avoided the bad.
He stepped away when Helena brought the baby to nurse. He also invited Noah to have time alone with his sister.
While the baby nursed, the men built a fire and cooked the rabbits Boone and Ben had killed.
“Our allies have arrived in Islemar,” Noah said. “My father, Captain Finn, Lieutenant Winston, Sara and Zeke—”
“Caleb will join them soon. Caleb and the entire dragon clan,” Simon said.
“Is it true?” Noah asked. “You have taken charge over their clan?”
“Without Caleb’s help, I would lie dead in the Southlands, on the valley floor. The dragons would have burned me to ashes or fed me to their young.”
“Simon also killed the giant,” Boone said. Boone looked at Simon. “I swear, ten years ago I would have never believed this kid would become such an instrument of destruction.”
Simon blushed as he stared into the fire.
“The more time that passes, the more difficult life becomes to understand. I have lived so many more days as a dragon than as a man. I had no idea it would happen this way. Dragons continue to grow—in size, and in ferocity—far beyond what happens in men. I fear that I could reach a point…”
No one else dared to speak.
“I fear a time when I cannot suppress the rage. When my instincts become more powerful than my thoughts. This frightens me.”
“Our work will soon be finished,” Boone said. “We’ll rid the land of Sterling and his kind, put you on the throne where you belong, and put the dragon to rest.”
“Hear, hear!” the others said.
“I instructed our people to make more banners, like those that fly above the village,” Noah said. “It occurred to me that should any other citizens decide to ally with us, they would need the means to convey that fact. Especially to the dragons.”
Simon blew out a long breath.
“That—is brilliant, Noah! I’m glad some of us are able to think under pressure.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Noah said.
“Dinner is served,” Ben Blankenship said. “Complete with carrots and potatoes, at the request of the king.”
Simon looked at Noah and smiled.
“This will be the first stew I have eaten since your cousin served me—on a day when I could not afford to eat. Dragons cannot abide vegetables.”
Noah laughed.
“I propose that when the throne is yours, we declare a new festival—The Festival of the King’s Stew.”
“It should last for an entire week,” Simon said. “Perhaps even a month.”
Sixty
Simon ate his fill. He walked to the clearing where Jaclyn lay sleeping. The sun was almost beyond the trees.
“Her heart beats strong,” Helena said. “And the baby is getting what he needs.”
“She is healing; growing stronger by the minute. That is all that matters,” Simon said.
; Helena put her arm around Simon’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry. If she could see her baby’s face—and yours, together—the world would not be able to contain her spirit…”
“We do not control time, Helena,” Simon said. “We must believe that all will be well—in the end.”
Helena looked toward the sun. Half of it had disappeared behind the trees.
A sob caught in her throat.
“Another month will pass now…”
“And we will live each day as though our dreams will come true. We will survive,” Simon said.
Helena wept. Simon pulled her to his chest.
“I have to go now.”
Simon walked away. Boone, Ben, Noah, and Oliver stood.
“When should we expect your return?” Boone asked.
“Before dawn,” Simon said. “I have something to take care of.”
The men exchanged glances.
“Anything we should know about?” Ben asked.
“Is somebody going to die?” Noah asked.
Simon shook his head and smiled.
“No. No one is going to die. It’s just a…a personal matter.”
They all shook Simon’s hand.
“Have a good night, mate,” Boone said. “And be careful.”
Simon walked to the west. He walked until that night’s moon took control of the sky.
****
The dragon passed far around the village walls. It was not the time to show himself to his allies—the people or the dragon clan. He soared above the waves. He reversed his direction over deep water and passed above the shallows and the shore. He finally found what he was looking for.
****
The guards in the central tower surrounding Castle Morgenwraithe had been together for over a year. They were used to the boredom. One kept watch while the other dozed. It was an equitable arrangement that served both of them well.
At this early hour of the night, they were both awake.
“Do you see that?” one asked.
“Aye. It’s a dragon, all right. Only one.”
The guard reached for the alarm bell.
The other guard knocked him to the floor.
“Hey! What are you doing? It’s our sworn duty to alert—”
“You ring that bell and the dragon turns us to ashes—because it’s our duty? Because Sterling says so? Have you lost your mind?”
“Well, what are we supposed to do, then?”
“You act like you didn’t see a bloody thing, mate. You live to see tomorrow.”
The guard sat down on the floor of the tower.
“I hope you know what you’re talking about.”
The other guard grabbed his friend by the collar.
“You listen to me. You didn’t see a bloody thing.”
****
It was the middle of the night when Simon returned to his friends. He landed far enough away to keep from disturbing them. He crept toward the little camp as quietly as possible.
“Hello, Simon.”
At the sound of Jaclyn’s voice, Simon jumped and blew fire fifty feet into the air.
The baby moaned, but did not awaken. He was nestled in Jaclyn’s arms.
Simon lowered his head next to them.
“You’re awake,” Simon whispered. “Thank the gods! I knew you would come back.”
Jaclyn turned her head to look at a sleeping Helena.
“Helena is such a good friend. The poor girl is exhausted. She said Nicholas loves you—that it’s like he already knows you.”
“His name is Nicholas? We didn’t know what to call him.”
Jaclyn kissed the top of the baby’s head.
“So much happened so fast, we never settled on the name. I’m calling him Nicholas.”
“I’m very happy for you,” Simon said. “And I am so relieved that both of you are well. Your entire family will be waiting for you in Islemar.”
Jaclyn smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.
“All except for his father.”
Simon did not know what to say. She had said the words to him, but in a time of pain and turmoil. He had said the words as well.
But what did that really mean? It was a hard thing to know.
It would always be hard.
“I will pray for Lucien’s safety,” Simon said. “Every child deserves a father.”
Jaclyn touched Simon’s face.
“I missed you again. The real you.”
Simon stared into Jaclyn’s eyes for a moment and then turned away.
“Perhaps it is for the best.”
“Please don’t say that, Simon.”
“Lucien has become Sterling’s enemy. He is still your husband, and the father of the heir. These things remain true, even if he should renounce the throne. And I do not believe he will.”
Simon looked at Jaclyn. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” Simon said. “I want you…”
“I want you to be happy.”
Sixty-One
Captain Raynard called the men of Morgenwraithe’s army to assemble. They were quite uneasy. The rumors of Lord Sterling’s injuries had spread throughout the ranks. The majority of these men had feared Sterling for years, with his devilishly handsome face and black eyes that seemed to reflect his dark soul.
What could he possibly be like now as a disfigured monster? No one wanted to find out, particularly those in the front rows who would either face Sterling or be forced to turn away. Either reaction could leave them the victims of Sterling’s wrath.
Sterling made his entrance, wearing heavy bandages around his head. The wind could be heard in the trees since no man dared to speak. Many of them held their breath. One very unfortunate man bent over and retched. He was quickly escorted away to an unknown fate.
“If there remains any doubt,” Sterling announced. “We are at war with rebel forces under the direction of Viceroy Nicholas Lamont. This resistance has gathered inside the village of Islemar as we speak. There are rumors circulating that this alliance intends to overthrow our standing government in favor of handing the throne to Simon Morgenwraithe—the cursed dragon! I, you, and every thinking individual in the kingdom knows this idea is preposterous.”
“These rumors are false. This is not the plan of these rebels at all! Lamont has plotted for years to usurp the reign of the Morgenwraithes. He wishes to take the kingdom for himself—and for his family, forever!”
“And who is Lamont’s heir, his first-born son, who would rule over you? A ship-builder! A ship-builder who abandoned our kingdom and his family to serve his wife’s father!”
“Listen to me, soldiers of Morgenwraithe! This rebellion is a two-headed monster. The first head is Lamont. He must be destroyed. The man who ends his life will be revered by all and rewarded handsomely.”
“The other head belongs to Simon Morgenwraithe. His life belongs to me! He dies by my hand and my hand only! But any man who brings the dragon to me, alive, will live the rest of his life in luxury. He will live in a palace, built for him and his family, until the end of time!”
“The rebels have brought their filthy dragons from the Southlands. We have the powerful wizard Dathien on our side—the giant who has spent his life hunting and killing the flying beasts with the heart of a lion! We have the numbers, and we have cannons. And we fight for what is right—the rule of the family of Morgenwraithe!”
“Get a good night’s sleep, for tomorrow we take to war to the rebels.”
****
Magdalena and Tanner Raven climbed the steps to the watchtower. Magdalena knocked on the door to one of the rooms.
“Come,” Nicholas Lamont said. He stood staring out of one of the massive windows. The shutters were closed on most of the windows, but the wind whistled through the cracks. Lamont stood with his arms behind his back, his feet spaced wide.
“I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Finn.”
Lamont smiled at Magdalena.
; “In more ways than one.”
Magdalena offered a shy smile.
“They will find your daughter, My Lord. The squire is sworn to protect her. And your son is determined as well. And as for Simon—”
“Did you know that I once tried to kill him—in this very room?” Lamont said, as his eyes searched every wall and every corner. He pointed toward the windows that faced the sea.
“Simon came here, before Noah’s wedding. That’s when he and Jaclyn met. She had been acting so strangely that it frightened me. I followed her. Do you know why I was so frightened?”
Magdalena shook her head.
“Because I had promised her hand in marriage to Lucien,” Lamont spat. “I was more concerned about our politics and her position as queen than the very state of her heart! More than her own happiness!”
Lamont’s shoulders slumped. He looked down.
“I was a fool. A selfish, narrow-minded bastard!”
Lamont jumped when Magdalena took his hand in both of hers.
“No one seeks redemption more than I, Lord Lamont. Let us pray that our pasts may be forgiven in the dawn of a new beginning.”
Lamont covered Magdalena’s hands with his own.
“I could not have said it better myself.”
Sixty-Two
Caleb could hardly keep his eyes open. He looked down to check his grip on Mother’s back because his fingers were numb. It was late in the day, and the wind blew cold off of the sea. Caleb looked behind them as he had done many times that day.
What an incredible sight.
The entire dragon clan followed behind them.
Caleb spoke to Mother, his voice amplified supernaturally in the wind.
Mother turned and communicated with the clan, sending them to wait on a stretch of seldom used beach. Mother then flew over the watchtower at Castle Islemar. She announced her presence and landed in the village square to raucous applause. Caleb slid from Mother’s back and delighted in the sound of two very familiar voices.
“Caleb!”
“Caba!”