by Avril Sabine
Fen tried desperately to concentrate on River. But he also needed to focus on the conversation. The dragons were drawing close to another round through the spires in the middle. Fen needed all his concentration. “I’ve been pleased with the way he treats myself and my dragon.”
“Who’s to know what plans he has for your future. You want to be careful what ulterior motives the man has. You should be wary of a man no Dragon Lord wants to associate with.”
The spires in the middle came closer. River was in the lead.
Edana joined them. “Father, I’ve been looking for you.”
Fen sent her a look of relief before he turned back to concentrate on River. He’d lost ground, not knowing which direction to take through the spires. Fen showed him, step by step. They were holding fifth place now. Seven dragons trailed behind them. Edana could’ve said anything to her father, Fen wouldn’t have heard. All his concentration was focused on his dragon. River flew, Mouse directed from below, his movements vaguely corresponding to where River was. Fen barely noticed Adalric’s hand as it dropped onto his shoulder. Adalric was distracted by his daughter again.
Fen urged River through the other dragons as he aimed for the last checkpoint. Fen sent picture after picture to River, showing him how the dragons closed in around him. River streaked through them. He avoided one coming in on his left and flew below one coming from the right. He was now in fourth place, the checkpoint nearly upon them. With a last burst of speed, River wove and ducked, passing one more dragon before he flew past the checkpoint. There was a round of applause and Fen held his breath, waiting for the announcement of the three dragons that placed.
Fen was nearly knocked off his feet as Adalric clapped him on the shoulder. “Not bad for a first flight. Not bad at all.”
Then came the announcements. “First place to Golden Fancy of Renarlo Dragon Stables, second place to Ruby’s Jett of Omanato Dragon Stables and third place to River of Carson Dragon Stables.”
“Better luck next time,” Adalric said. “Not a bad first flight. Now if you’d been at a stable where decent trainers were available you might have even won. If you change your mind about your present accommodations, let me know. We’d make sure you had a good trainer rather than that sorry looking fellow down there.” Adalric pointed towards Mouse who called River to him so they could exit the arena.
“Thank you. Congratulations on first place,” Fen replied.
Adalric shrugged. “It’s no more than I expected. She’s fast, my Golden Fancy. A real streaker. Her mother was the same. Nearly all the offspring of her mother have been fast. I’ve never seen the like of them before and probably never will again. We lost her mother last year. A pity none of her daughters have passed along that streaker gene. At least the number of greys born to my stable has reduced since she died.”
“Father, your guests are waiting.”
Adalric gave Edana a warning glare before he turned to Fen. “My guests will be waiting to congratulate me. Come, daughter.” Adalric turned and started to walk away without checking to see if Edana followed.
Edana stepped closer to Fen to keep their conversation private. “Tell River I was proud of him.”
“He would’ve done better if I hadn’t been distracted by your father.”
“It was probably best. No one takes first place the first event they’re in.”
Fen smiled. “It would’ve been nice.” He paused, his smile fading. “Golden Fancy’s ma, was that-”
Edana interrupted. “Yeah. She was River’s mother. But Golden Fancy, she’s not like River. I don’t know why it’s only the greys who can talk to people. And I wonder if all the other greys were the same as River. I should’ve paid more attention to them. Saved them somehow.”
“At least you saved River.”
Edana nodded. “I’d better go before they wonder where I am.”
“Tomorrow morning?”
Edana nodded before she pushed through the crowd.
Fen looked around at the people discussing the next races. He wasn’t interested. He wanted to check on River. He threaded his way through the crowd and was nearly barrelled over by Mouse who ran into him as he reached the door that lead to the pens.
“Rhone’s here and he’s seen you,” Mouse whispered to Fen.
“I’m heading to River’s pen. That’ll be a quiet enough place to meet up with him. Keep Hanun busy. I don’t want him walking in on us.”
“What’ll you do?”
Fen stared at him thoughtfully. “I don’t know yet. Just keep Hanun busy.”
Mouse ran back the way he’d come and Fen made his way to River’s pen. Fen let River know he was there without going inside. He didn’t want Rhone any closer to River than he needed to be. River assured him he understood.
“So here you are. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw you out there. You think you’re an important man now, don’t you?” Rhone sneered. He stopped in front of Fen who turned so he could lean against River’s door.
“You saw the race?” Fen asked mildly. He was glad everyone was interested in the rest of the races so the area was deserted.
“I haven’t come to discuss some damn race and you know it.”
“Possibly you’ve come to apologise for your treatment of me the day you kicked me out?”
“You deserved every bit of that beating. You failed and I don’t tolerate failures. So, where did you hide my dragon? You stole him and passed him off as yours, didn’t you?”
“Haven’t you heard? He’s a wild dragon. Not some tame one you sent me after.” Fen kept his tone light.
“Rubbish. I don’t believe in coincidences. He’s mine.”
Anger coursed through Fen, and he struggled to keep it under control. “River’s mine. You beat me nearly to death and although it changed my life, I’ll never forgive it. You see, I crawled off into the swamp, half dead. A kind person found me and nursed me to health and it was while I was living in the swamp I saved River. I really should be thanking you for the turn my life took, but I can’t bring myself to.”
“You lie. I’ll have a truthsayer find out. You can’t lie to them.”
“What are you going to tell them? Will you have them ask me if he’s the dragon you sent me to steal? How do you think Adalric will take it that you tried to steal one of his dragons? He’s an important man.” Fen forced himself to relax against the door of River’s pen.
“Don’t go getting too smart. A quiet word here and there and rumours will run wild.”
“So they will. It works both ways, Rhone.”
Rhone pointed at him with his walking stick. “I’m not finished with you.”
“I didn’t think so.” Fen smiled, no joy in it. “I look forward to it. We have a score to settle. I believe I owe you a broken rib or two.”
“You deserved that you slimy little-”
Rhone’s words were cut off as Fen moved swiftly forward, grabbing him by the throat. “I’ve come a long way since you considered yourself my master. I won’t tolerate you talking to me like that. I believe our conversation is over.” Fen pushed Rhone roughly from him.
“For today. Only for today,” Rhone spat before he stalked off.
Once he was certain Rhone was gone, Fen slipped into the pen and tried to calm himself. When footsteps sounded outside, River sent him a wave of reassurance.
Hanun entered River’s pen. “That boy of yours talks some nonsense.”
Fen calmed himself before he turned to Hanun, a smile on his face. “But he did well by us today. Him and River. They brought a third placing to our stables.”
“So they did.” Hanun’s mouth turned into a cheek splitting grin. “I’ll have to organise a feast for that boy. He certainly deserves it. Never seen a lad put away as much food as he does.” Hanun shook his head in amazement. “So, first next time?”
Fen laughed. “Why not? What do you think, River? First next time?”
River dipped his head and Hanun laughed.
; “Anyone’d think he agreed.”
“So they would,” Fen said softly, amused at how everyone thought dragons no smarter than a horse or dog.
“Have you been up to collect your third place prize money yet?”
“I thought you might like to.” Fen didn’t want to leave River’s side while Rhone was about.
Hanun rubbed his hands together. “That I would. That I would.” He hurried out of the pen, his step brisk, and whistled cheerfully.
Chapter Twenty
“Where are you going?”
Edana spun, a hand still resting on her horse’s saddle, the reins also in that hand. “Nowhere, father. Just for a ride.”
“Alone?”
“I’m not going far.”
“What have I said about riding alone?”
Edana dropped her gaze to the stableyard ground, trying to hide her anger. “That it’s not safe.”
“And?”
“I’m not to ride alone.” Her head rose. “But I’m not going far.”
“You.” Adalric pointed to a stableboy who hurried to his side. “Unsaddle the horse and put it away.”
Edana continued to clutch the reins for a moment before she let the stableboy take her horse. “I wasn’t going far,” she muttered.
“Take a stableboy with you in future. Now go to your room.”
Edana glared at her father’s retreating back. She was tempted to saddle another horse and go. She thought of Fen waiting. Her hands tightened into fists. But she couldn’t. She momentarily closed her eyes. She had to think of River. Any trouble she caused for Fen would also affect River.
It wasn’t fair. Someone must have said something. She looked around the stableyard. It was quiet. Like always. Her father was never at the horse stables at this time of day. Usually he was asleep. The stableboy came out of the stable and with a glance towards her, hurried away.
Had he been the one who’d told her father? Maybe she should try even earlier tomorrow morning. Before anyone even thought of waking. Yes, that should work. Holding back a smile, she strode towards her bedroom. He wasn’t going to stop her. Mornings were hers. She gave enough of her day to him and the way he thought she should live.
* * *
The next week passed quickly for Fen. Edana didn’t turn up at the Restday lunch, much to Hanun’s disappointment. He wanted to share River’s triumph with her. She was also absent in the early mornings when Fen normally met her. Instead, Fen spent all his spare moments teaching River to remember complicated flying patterns so if he was distracted again River would still be able to keep going.
Halfday came before they were ready for it. Fen was once again nervous even though he knew what to expect at the competition grounds. The wait through the earlier races seemed to crawl and Fen joined River during lunch. Again he left River at the race arena door after making sure River remembered the flight pattern.
In the owners’ area, Fen looked for a spot where he’d be less likely to be disturbed. It was difficult since he now knew so many of the Dragon Lords.
The race began. The dragons flew into the sky as each aimed for first place. River headed for the front of the pack. Fen sent him pictures of where other dragons were compared to him. There was no need for River to look anywhere but ahead. He weaved amongst the other dragons and glided close to the spires in the middle of the arena. Second place. The dragon ahead of him glanced back. The gap closed. Another dragon tried to come past him on his right. River flew towards him. The distance shrank. Fen showed him one coming up on the left. River weaved. The dragon in first looked back again. The gap shortened. The first checkpoint loomed ahead. River gained on the first dragon as they spun and came towards the spires again. River was on the tail of the first dragon. They wove through the spires. Fen sent picture after picture. River glided close to the spires, his wings tucked in so as not to tear them.
The lead dragon glanced back and River shot past her. She tried to come along his left again. River swerved. They were coming to the final checkpoint. The dragon aimed for River’s left. The opening closed. She tried to go above him. River shot forward.
A round of applause signalled the end of the race and Fen nearly slumped to the ground from excitement and tension. He held himself still and breathlessly waited for the announcer.
“So this is where you hid.” Adalric came up beside him.
Fen glanced over to him, a polite nod for Adalric, another for Edana who stood beside her father.
Adalric turned to see who Fen greeted. “I thought I said for you to stay with our guests.”
“Sorry. I didn’t hear you.” Edana lowered her eyes.
“Didn’t hear me? You seem to hear very little of what doesn’t suit you lately.” Anything else Adalric might have said was stopped by the announcer.
“Quite a race today. Unexpected results. First place goes to second time racer River of Carson Dragon Stables, second place to Golden Fancy of Renarlo Dragon Stables and third place to Ruby’s Jett of Omanato Dragon Stables.”
There was a rush of sound from the crowd as everyone talked at once about the newcomer’s success.
“Congratulations.” Edana broke the silence between Adalric and Fen.
“Not bad,” Adalric said grudgingly.
“Thank you,” Fen said.
Hanun came through the crowd to stand beside Fen. His eyes fell on his brother, distaste written on his face. He turned to Fen. “Good showing. A lot of potential our River.” He stressed the word ‘our’.
“Don’t expect it always. Wait until he’s experienced enough to join the regular events,” Adalric said.
“We look forward to it.” Hanun glared at his brother.
“Make the most of the novice races while you can. Before you know it, he’ll be one of the crowd again. His wonder status reduced amongst experienced racers.” Adalric turned to his daughter and said sharply, “Edana.” He strode through the crowd, expecting her to follow.
“I’m sorry.” Edana stepped closer to Fen. “My father doesn’t like to lose. It doesn’t happen often.”
“Your father,” Hanun said.
“You’re well?” Fen ignored Hanun.
Edana nodded. “If I can forget the walls have eyes. Very vigilant eyes.” A bitter smile and she turned to hurry after her father.
“You want to explain that to me, boy?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I can recognise voices no matter the face that goes with them. Or doesn’t.”
Fen almost groaned. “You speak in riddles, Hanun. Why don’t you collect our winnings?”
“This conversation isn’t ended. I’ll collect the winnings, but we’ll deal with this later or I’ll ask others the truth of the matter.”
Fen nodded. He watched Hanun walk off as he tried to come up with a way to get out of telling Hanun the truth. And if that was impossible, how much of the truth it was safe to tell him. He thought Hanun had grown fond of him and Edana over the weeks, but his hatred for his brother was strong. It had consumed him for decades.
His hatred for his brother… Fen smiled, in mid-thought. His hatred for his brother might be the key. Feeling more confident of his next move, Fen sauntered down to where River was stabled and congratulated him on his flying.
“And what about me?” Mouse demanded.
Fen and River shared a moment of amusement. “Thank you, Mouse. You did a great job.”
“Not that it would’ve mattered.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Mouse looked Fen straight in the eye. “I’m not stupid.”
“I never said you were,” Fen hedged.
“I’m out there for show.” Mouse pointed towards River. “He don’t need me, but it’d be strange to them if he didn’t. You just don’t want questions.”
“Maybe you should remember that.”
“There’s a blood oath,” Mouse complained.
“Sometimes there’s ways around them.”
“N
ot if you don’t want there to be.”
Fen measured Mouse’s response. Finally he nodded.
“Do I get another feast for being such a good trainer?”
Fen grinned. “Every night if we keep taking first place.”
“You will, won’t you?” Mouse asked River. He turned back to Fen. “It took me a bit, but I figured it out. River’s different. I hadn’t met other dragons so I didn’t know. But I’m not stupid.” Mouse glanced behind him. “Someone’s coming.” He slipped outside.
After the run in with Rhone last time, Mouse had somehow managed to get them a pen at the end of the corridor. Fen was glad. He didn’t want to risk River. A pen easily guarded had been welcome. Mouse entered.
“One of Rhone’s people. They’ve gone. They know where I am now.” Mouse had paled, his eyes wide.
“Is that a problem?”
“I don’t know. He has a blood oath on me too. Don’t know what it says though. Didn’t think it’d matter. He would have heard I was caught in the market. I reckoned he would have thought me dead.”
Fen closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. He could have shaken Mouse. Then he reminded himself of how willing he’d once been to do anything for a feed and a relatively safe place to stay.
“You kicking me out?”
Hearing the fear in Mouse’s voice, Fen shook his head and opened his eyes. “No. But, I’ll have to think about this. We can’t have him calling up an unknown oath on you at the wrong moment.”
“What can we do?”
“Give me time. I’ll figure it out.”
Mouse looked relieved. “I’ll get everything ready to take River home.”
Fen nodded. He turned back to River as soon as Mouse had gone. “Any brilliant ideas? I sure could use some help.”
River sent a wave of reassurance.
Fen sighed. “Thanks, River.” He closed his eyes and leaned against River. His hand absently stroked the scales.
Chapter Twenty-One