by Avril Sabine
Fen wished sometimes Hanun’s servants didn’t have to tell him everything. “I’m taking River for a night flight.”
“Try again. This time try something I might swallow,” Hanun said dryly.
“I have things to deal with.”
“Things?”
“Let’s just say I’ve found out who’s been trying to steal River. They should give up after tonight.”
Hanun nodded. “Always good to stand your ground. Attack is preferable to uncertain defence. Take care.” He walked inside, leaving Fen, River and the servant who held the reins of Fen’s horse.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Fen took the reins, nodded in thanks and swung into the saddle. He sent an image of the place he was going to and River rose into the air. Fen urged his horse forward. He reminded himself he was now his own man. Rhone wasn’t his master and he’d faced him at the competition grounds without a problem. But it had been neutral territory. Fen forced that thought from his mind. He felt the comforting presence of River.
Determination rushed through him. He owed Rhone. It didn’t have to be in the same coin. As long as he felt the pain of paying it. Fen reached Rhone’s place and rode past. He tied his horse at a tavern down the road and walked back. River let him know he was there. Waiting. Ready to protect.
Fen didn’t bother to knock. He flung the door open. A boy, huddled inside, yelped. The boy stumbled to his feet when he saw Fen and raced upstairs. Fen hoped he was going to fetch Rhone. He slammed the door shut behind him and came in as if he owned the place. Act how you want to be treated, he reminded himself.
“Get out!” Rhone yelled from the top of a flight of stairs leading to the next level.
“You have something I want. I have something you want. Only one of us will be satisfied at the end of this meeting,” Fen said.
“I haven’t time for your nonsense.” Rhone moved down the steps. His walking stick tapped on each step as he came.
The sound had once struck fear in Fen. Now it annoyed him. Annoyed him because he knew Rhone did it deliberately.
Rhone smiled, one of pure malice. “I’d have thought you were smarter than to come in here alone. This is my ground. I own everyone in here and they live to serve me.” Rhone stopped before Fen.
Fen grabbed hold of the walking stick and slammed it hard against the rails of the steps. It snapped in two. One half flew across the room. Fen threw the other half in the opposite direction. “I’m not a fool. Don’t expect me to act one.”
Rhone growled, “What am I to think, you coming in here alone.”
“I’m not alone.” Fen smiled. “You might even say I come with my own army.”
Rhone looked around. “I see no one.”
Fen glanced up and noticed Rhone did the same. “Oh, my army would tear through the roof to help me if he thought I needed it. You’d be surprised at how quickly my dragon can move. Or maybe you wouldn’t. You’ve seen him take first place the past four weeks. I don’t need to tell you how attached he is to me. I’m sure your thieves have come home battered enough for you to see with your own eyes.”
“I’ve sent no thieves.”
Fen smiled. Or at least his mouth moved in the shape of a smile. His eyes continued to shoot daggers. “I’ve already told you not to take me for a fool. I expect two things of you. One, leave us alone. Two, Mouse’s blood oath.”
“That’s not how you make bargains.”
“I’m not bargaining. I’m telling you.”
“No one tells me what to do. And not in my own place.”
“You have to the count of ten to agree. After that, my dragon tears your roof apart,” Fen warned. “You hear me River?”
“Clearly.”
“I’m not falling for that,” Rhone said.
“One.”
“I have no proof your dragon’s here.”
“Two. Go look for yourself. But I won’t stop counting. Three.”
“I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”
“Four. Yes, that was a mistake. Five. Six.”
Rhone glanced up nervously. “Surely we can come to a beneficial agreement.”
“Seven. Eight. Not interested. All or nothing.”
“I took you in, cared for you, taught you how to survive.”
“Nine. Beat me. Starved me. T-”
“Yes! All right. I’ll give you the damn oath.” Rhone spun on his heel and marched up the stairs.
Fen followed closely. He watched for any tricks or surprises.
“No roof tearing?”
“We wait. It still might happen,” Fen told River.
Rhone stopped when he reached his door. “You can’t come in here. There’s all sorts of private stuff.”
Fen looked upwards. “Me or my dragon? Who do you want in there with you?”
Rhone swore, threw his door open and stomped across the room. Fen watched as he opened a panel in the wall and searched through several parchments. He flung one at Fen, who stood there.
“Have you no manners? I’ve come across wild animals more civilised,” Fen said mildly. Than more harshly. “You stretch my patience. Pick it up. Hand it to me.”
Rhone glared at him. A sudden scratching on the roof made him look up. Knowing it was River, Fen continued to watch Rhone. The scratching increased and Rhone hurriedly picked up the parchment and handed it to Fen. He read it over and when he saw it was Mouse’s blood oath, tucked it in his belt pouch.
“River, can you help me? Can you tell if he has any more of these I need? Anything of Mouse’s or even mine?” Fen asked.
“Ask him.”
“Now, is there anything else belonging to Mouse? Blood oaths? Blood for tracking? Anything at all?” Fen asked.
“Of course not,” Rhone mumbled.
“Lies.”
“Try again. This time, tell me what you still have.”
Rhone look startled. “You didn’t ask for anything else.”
“Now,” Fen demanded. The scratching on the roof started again.
“You won’t always have that dragon around,” Rhone muttered. He moved back to the cavity in the wall and searched through everything.
Fen moved forward. He grabbed the sheet off the bed and turned it into a sack. Pushing Rhone out of the way, he scooped everything into the temporary sack.
“You can’t do that.”
“I’m sick of your lies and deceit. I can do this. Now, do you have anything of mine?”
“No. I wish I did and then you’d regret this.”
“True.”
“It must be the first truth I’ve heard out of you all night.”
“Get out of here. If you’re ever alone watch your back.”
“If I come to a nasty end, my dragon will use you to avenge himself. He won’t care if you’re behind it. And any more of your thieves come our way and the same goes. We’re not playing nice anymore. Pass the word around. We’ll track the thief to his lair and whoever sent him will wish they were dead. Even a healer wizard won’t be able to help. I’m sure you’ve heard how impossible it is to heal serious wounds made from wild dragon’s claws.” Fen didn’t know if it was true, but the people he was dealing with wouldn’t know for certain either.
“I’ll stay out of your grounds, you stay out of mine.”
Fen nodded. “Sounds fair to me. And that includes anyone I wish to involve myself with. If they’re part of my life, even slightly, you stay away from them. I don’t care how unimportant they are to me, I’ll take it as a personal insult if you interfere.” Fen strode from the room before Rhone could reply and went down the stairs. As he headed for the door, he asked River to collect the makeshift bag from him.
River swooped down and took it from his hands as he stepped out the door. Moments later, Fen collected his horse from the tavern and headed home. River flew overhead, watching him.
* * *
Edana scrambled off her bed when she heard the key in her door, letting the book she’d been reading fall cl
osed onto the bedspread. She wondered who’d be at her door at such a late hour.
Adalric swung the door open, dressed as if he’d been to a social event. “It’s been arranged. I’ve just returned from completing the details.”
“Arranged?”
“Your betrothal.”
“No.” Edana hurried across the room to stand in front of her father. “Please. Don’t do this to me. I’m too young to marry. Wait a while. Please.”
Adalric shook his head. “It’s been arranged. Don’t you even want to know who your husband will be?”
“When? When’s the betrothal to be signed?”
“Eleven days. Your fiancé and his family will join us here. Once it’s been signed you can leave your room.”
Hope leapt in her. “I can?”
“The betrothal will be blood oath binding. You can’t break it. You’ll have to go through with it.”
Hope died instantly. “Please. Please don’t do this. Father-”
“Enough.” Adalric made a sharp motion with his hand. “You will not behave like this when your fiancé and his family arrive. If you embarrass me like this you’ll remain in your room.” He was silent a moment. “Understand?”
Edana nodded. Words beyond her. Her throat ached and her eyes blinked rapidly.
“You’re to be betrothed to Maddov Byram Gratian con Veseylee. I’ll expect you to treat him with respect and act a lady.”
She nodded again.
Adalric stared at her a moment longer before he stepped back and closed the door.
It wasn’t until she heard her door lock and her father retreating that Edana could move. She sank to the ground where she stood, fighting against the tears that welled. Again she tried to reach out to River. The spell wouldn’t let her get past it.
She closed her eyes, covering her face with her hands. Typical that her father would choose the fourth largest dragon stable. If the second and third largest had sons she guessed he’d have chosen them for her to marry into. A half laugh, half sob broke free. Once again she’d messed with his plans by not being a son.
Staggering to her feet, she crossed her room to open the balcony doors. She stared at the star studded night as she pressed her hand against the invisible barrier. Sharp needles of pain shot through her skin. She pressed harder. It made no difference. She was trapped. For another eleven days.
Then she’d be trapped for life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Over breakfast the next morning, Hanun asked, “Did you deal with your business last night?”
Fen nodded. “We’ll have no more problems.”
“Humph. There’s always other thieves.”
Fen smiled slightly. “There’ll be no more problems.”
Hanun stopped, food halfway to his mouth. He placed the food on his plate and stared at Fen. “Do I ask how you achieved this marvel?”
Fen shook his head. “It’s probably best not to. Let’s just say I went to the top of the food chain. The message will trickle down. If the top of the food chain is wary, the bottom will be more so.”
Hanun nodded. “I always knew you were interesting. I just hope your contacts don’t trip you up in life.”
“They’re more wary onlookers than anyone I’d associate with. They’ll keep at an even greater distance now.”
“That’s good. Have you heard from Edana?”
“No, but sometimes it’s difficult for her to get away.”
“You don’t think she was caught looking through Adalric’s study, do you?” Hanun looked worried.
Fen shook his head. “No. I’d have heard if something drastic had happened.”
“I hope so. She’s a nice girl. He doesn’t deserve to have a child like her.”
“He doesn’t think so. He’s disappointed she’s a girl rather than a boy.”
“Snake. He doesn’t deserve any children.”
Fen tried not to smile at Hanun’s defence of his niece. He was glad Hanun didn’t see her only as a means to get back at his brother. “I need to finish up with some business matters.” Fen rose to his feet.
Hanun raised his brows. “Anything I should be concerned with?”
Fen shook his head. “Some loose ends. Ensuring possible future favours.”
Hanun nodded solemnly. “Always good to have.”
Fen made his way to River’s pen and sat on the stool in front of the fireplace. He picked up another one of the parchments he’d taken from Rhone. When Mouse came in and saw him he groaned.
Mouse dropped to the floor. “No more.”
“Anything to report?”
Mouse had been returning blood oaths on and off all night for Fen. “The usual. People are happy. Real happy. They all say you can call on them if you need anything.”
Fen nodded. “I’ve got another half a dozen ready.” He waved towards the pile. He quickly showed Mouse which oath belonged to which person. “A good thing Rhone put the exact details of each oath on these so we know who to return them to. But I guess there’s too many of them to recall all the details otherwise.”
As Mouse couldn’t read, he tucked each parchment in a different place amongst his clothes. “I might manage to drag myself back.”
“You can rest after that lot and deliver some more tomorrow.”
Mouse left, muttering under his breath.
“He is not really unhappy,” River told Fen.
“I know,” Fen smiled. “He wants me to think he is.”
It took a bit more than a week for Fen to sort through the parchments. He didn’t see or hear from Edana even once. He started to worry. She’d never been so long without seeing him. He didn’t even see her at the competition grounds on Halfday.
Fen leaned against River, the evening quiet around them. “See if you can reach Edana. I know she said it’s not good to startle her, but I have to know what’s happening.”
River was silent a while. “I cannot reach her. She is in her room but it is spelled.”
“What do you mean?”
“A spell to keep magic out and her from escaping.”
“We have to do something. We’ve got to see if there’s some way to climb up to her room or something,” Fen said.
“I’ll take you.”
“How?”
“On my back. Watch my wings. Be careful not to tear them. Sit in front of them. Wrap a rope around my neck but tie it loose. Use it to hold on.”
“That won’t hurt you?” Fen asked.
A wave of amusement rolled over Fen. “I am a dragon. You are little more than an insect on a twig to me.”
Fen laughed. “I guess so. Give me a minute. I’ll find a rope.”
Fen was back minutes later and tied the rope around River’s neck. They made their way to the practice arena where Fen climbed on River. Within minutes they were airborne and Fen held tightly to the rope. Once he was over the initial rush of fear, he began to enjoy the ride. The town was spread out below. It was little more than a dark blur dotted with light.
When they reached the Renarlo Dragon Stables, River flew around several times until he found where he wanted to land. He dropped softly onto the roof. His head high as he searched the shadows to check they hadn’t been seen.
“Slide over the edge of the roof and you can drop onto Edana’s balcony. Do not go in. She can open her door and talk to you, but cannot come out.”
“How will that help?”
“See what she needs help with first.”
“You’re right. I’ll see what’s wrong.” Fen dropped to his stomach and lowered himself over the edge of the roof. He couldn’t see below, but he trusted River’s directions. He let go and dropped over the edge, landing with a jolt, his knees bent to absorb the impact.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Edana.” Fen raised his voice a bit. He didn’t want to call out too loud. “Edana.” He waited impatiently. “Edana. At your balcony door.”
The curtain at the balcony doors was drawn back. Edana stood there. She
glanced over her shoulder then looked towards Fen again.
“Open the door,” Fen said.
Edana opened the door. “Are you real?”
“Of course I’m real. What else would I be?” Fen demanded.
“An apparition. Some magic spell created to trip me up,” Edana said.
“I’m real.”
“How do I know you’re real? Prove it.”
Fen sighed. “How am I meant to do that?”
“Tell me something only you and I would know.”
Fen was silent a moment. “We were brought together by a dragon and a blood oath.” When Edana still looked uncertain, Fen said, “After I suffered a beating for you the least you can do is believe in me when I visit.”
“Oh thank the gods of Kalla. You can’t imagine how much I’ve needed you here.”
“What happened?” Fen demanded. He was about to step forward when he remembered River had warned him not to.
“My life’s over. I’m going to end up a living statue like my mother,” Edana wailed.
“Tell me what happened. How can I help if you don’t tell me?”
“No one can help me.” Edana shook her head as tears pooled in her eyes.
“Try me.”
Edana sighed. “It’ll be a waste of time. Talk to me instead. I want to know what you and River have been doing. I’ll never see you again. How did you get here? Is River well?”
“I am well. How may we help you?”
Fen repeated River’s comment since he was unable to send his thoughts through the magical barrier.
“River? Where is he?” Edana asked.
Fen pointed upwards. “He brought me here. I’m sure he can carry you too.”
Edana shook her head. “Have you forgotten? Blood trackers. My birth blood is locked away with a spell. And I can’t leave here. I’ve tried. There might as well be a solid wall between you and me. I can’t get through.”
“What happened? Why are you in here?”
“My father found out I was disappearing. When I wouldn’t tell him where I went he decided to betroth me to a Dragon Lord’s son. In three days time. On my seventeenth birthday. A betrothal’s as binding as a blood oath.”