by Nathan Roden
Jaclyn stepped back. She held one hand across her belly and the other on her lower back. She slipped into Belinda’s chair.
With considerable effort, the wardrobe was moved. Belinda put a hand on her neck and rubbed. She pointed at the rug.
“Roll that up,” she said to Brendan and Reese. “And don’t break anything.”
Lucien rolled over on the floor and winced. Belinda knelt beside him and began undressing him, beginning with his soiled trousers. She looked up at Jaclyn.
“There are towels beside the sink. Soak two of them and bring them to me. And be careful.”
Jaclyn pushed herself awkwardly to her feet.
“I am capable of soaking towels, My Lady.”
“Don’t you have that baby. If you start having that baby, I’m going to smack you.”
Belinda’s words caught Jaclyn by surprise. She stared at the woman, who had just succeeded in removing Lucien’s trousers.
Belinda looked up and smiled.
“I mean it. Don’t you have that baby. Looks like I’ll be changing your husband’s drawers for a while. You, will have to wait.”
Brendan and Reese huffed and puffed as they finished rolling up the heavy rug.
“Why did we do all that?” Brendan asked between breaths.
“Give me a minute,” Belinda said. She waved her hand.
“Step into the other room while I clean up this boy. He won’t want you seeing him like this, and you won’t want to see it.”
Brendan and Reese did not argue. Belinda finished with Lucien and called his friends back in.
Belinda knelt on the floor where the wardrobe had been. She ran her hand along the floor. With the tips of her fingers, she removed two small blocks of wood. She reached through the holes in the floor and made a twisting motion. She grunted and groaned and waved her hand at Brendan.
“Help me up. I’m too old for this.”
Brendan and Reese helped Belinda to her feet. She crossed the floor and reached for one of two candlestick holders that flanked a small window. She pulled a pin from its base. She looked at the men.
“Move.”
The men were confused.
Belinda made shooing motions.
“Step behind the queen.”
They did. Belinda turned the candlestick holder a quarter-turn to the left.
A hidden door rose out of the floor as Belinda’s guests watched in amazement.
“That is brilliant!” Reese whispered.
“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life!” Brendan said, his eyes wide with wonder. “What kind of magic is this?”
“It’s no magic,” Belinda said. “Arthur learned this when he was a young man—from the elder healers across the great sea. Ropes and pulleys. Wheels and fulcrums. Weights and counter-weights. It took most of a year to build.”
“But how did your husband know—?”
Belinda’s face grew cold and hard.
“For every ten who came to us in need, there was one who came to us in desperate fear—running away from something. Or someone. Arthur learned this from the elders before he and I ever met. I was so naive in the early days. Arthur believed what the masters taught him, even as a youth—that we would need such a place.”
When the door stopped, perpendicular to the floor, they all stepped to the edge and looked down. A staircase stepped down into a small room, complete with two beds, a table, two chairs, and two lamps. Shelves against one wall held dried food and containers for water. A stack of chamber pots rounded out the room.
Brendan looked at Belinda with a worried look.
“It’s brilliant—but it also reminds me of a tomb. Please tell me it opens from inside.”
“It would be beyond foolish if it didn’t,” Belinda said. She pointed to the bottom of the stairs.
“The lever is there. Quickly now. The king will suffer pain, but we must move him. It will soon be dawn, and he will be missed.”
Belinda looked at Jaclyn.
“And so will you.”
Belinda blew out a long breath.
“By the gods, we will need a miracle. Otherwise, we are most certainly screwed.”
Forty
Dathien was angrier than usual. He was bored and frustrated. Never had he taken so long to catch and kill a dragon. And never had he endured such a loathsome man as Sterling Morgenwraithe.
And now, even the boy king thought he could speak to him any way he wished. Dathien had thought of returning home many times already, but his thoughts always returned to his ultimate prize.
The dragon who could speak. The dragon that walked as a man for one day each month.
Dathien knew he would never have such an opportunity again. But just how much could he endure? He had nothing to do, confined to the castle. Since the squire had “mysteriously” escaped, he had no means of getting information from the little queen.
Dathien, like his fellow brethren, required very little sleep. This was often useful, but also contributed to boredom. He finally forced himself to retire for the night.
He woke after sleeping fitfully for two hours. He sat up. Something was…different. The presence he had felt lately was fading away. And…something else.
Dathien got up and walked to the back door to the dungeon. He did not want or need to confront the guards. But, he had to see for himself.
He used his magic to open the door. He walked across the enormous room, keeping close to the wall.
It was just as he thought.
The queen was gone.
Dathien left the way he had entered. He closed the door, cursing under his breath at Sterling and the king, the queen, and everyone else in the kingdom. Dathien walked to the stables. He found the large horse he had ridden before and led it to the nearby gate. He closed his eyes, raised his chin and chanted for a few moments.
Dathien mounted the horse and rode hard to the southeast. He passed through Morgenwraithe village—still sensing his prey. But the farther he rode south of Morgenwraithe, the more he felt pulled in both directions. The magical presence he had felt was most certainly moving away from him. But there was something else—something more familiar he was leaving behind.
Do I sense the queen? She has no magic.
His eyes narrowed.
Unless what I sense is her love for the dragon!
As dawn arrived at Morgenwraithe village, Dathien tied the horse to a tree. He cast a spell to prevent anyone taking it. He began to walk the streets, listening to his senses. People slowly began to move about although many ran right back into their homes when they saw the giant.
Belinda Jacobs woke up and forced herself to get out of bed. She was very tired and quickly becoming aware of her age. But she had an important patient who was lucky to be alive. Queen Jaclyn was getting closer and closer to having her baby. King Lucien’s friends were little help, since they could not be seen outside of Belinda’s home.
They would need more food. Belinda hoped the shopkeepers would not pay any attention to the unusually large amounts of food she bought. She had made up excuses and white lies to tell them if they mentioned it.
Belinda had just stepped out of her house when a friend of hers ran through her gate.
“Belinda! The giant—the one who—he’s back! He walks the streets as though he’s—. I don’t know what he’s doing!”
“Go home, Victoria,” Belinda said. “Go inside and lock your doors. Go!”
Belinda ran back inside and bolted her doors. She operated the door lever and the door to the secret room opened.
“We have trouble.”
“What is it?” Jaclyn asked.
“The giant has come back. He’s searching the streets. You must stay here and remain quiet!”
“I’ll come up with you,” Jaclyn said.
“Are you mad?”
“You’ll have to have help to move the wardrobe.”
“It would take more than you and me to move that thing—and that would be just the thing to s
end you into labor! You will stay down there!”
“We have to at least replace the rug, Lady Jacobs,” Jaclyn said. “A bare floor and a rolled up rug would be too much to risk. If the giant finds the secret room, he will kill us all.”
“But what will you—?”
“I’ll hide. I’m good at hiding.”
Jaclyn and Belinda fought the heavy rug into place. Belinda wrung her hands as she looked out her front window. She turned around to find Jaclyn wrapping a shawl around her shoulders. Jaclyn stepped to Belinda and kissed her cheek.
“W-what are you doing?” Belinda asked.
“I am the one the giant searches for. He has no reason to look for Lucien or his friends.”
Jaclyn put her hand on her belly.
“He’s looking for me, or for this little one.”
“Why in creation would he be looking for you, child?”
Jaclyn forced a smile.
“The giant was brought here to kill Simon Morgenwraithe. Simon and I…are friends.”
“You cannot leave. The baby will not wait much longer.”
“I have a few weeks left—”
“Only if you stay off your feet, child! If you leave here on foot, the baby could come at any time!”
“If I stay, the giant will find me. And I cannot bear the thought of my leading him here.”
Jaclyn looked toward the secret room.
“I hope he lives. No matter what has happened, and what is still to come—Lucien does not deserve this fate.”
Belinda put her arms around Jaclyn and hugged her tightly.
“My son is sheriff of Evenshire. I cannot be certain he is still there. But I don’t know where else you might go.”
“Thank you,” Jaclyn said. “Goodbye, Lady Jacobs.”
The door closed, leaving Belinda sobbing in the middle of the room.
Sounds from the backside of her home quickly brought Belinda to her senses. She pushed through the connecting doors and into the apothecary. She ran to the rear window. She did not see the giant, but she did see people running through the street while looking back over their shoulders.
Belinda knew the giant would come to her door. Again.
Belinda ran back to her bedroom. She undressed and picked up the dressing gown she had removed only hours ago. She wadded the gown into a ball. She rubbed it against a high windowsill where she knew there would be dust.
Belinda put on the gown, ripping it in one place. She messed up her hair until it looked as if she had not brushed it for days. From her wardrobe, Belinda took a wineskin. She hurried back to the apothecary.
She took a gulp of the wine, letting most of it dribble down her chin and onto her gown and the floor.
She heard more commotion outside. It came from the front of her house this time. Belinda unlocked the main door of the apothecary and opened it just enough to be noticed from the street.
She lay down inside the door.
And she waited.
She heard the giant’s approach. The swish of his heavy robe. The sound of his breathing, which was deeper and more threatening than that of any ordinary man. Belinda opened one eye. Dathien started toward the residence, but then noticed the open door of the apothecary.
Belinda hugged the wineskin to her breast as she lay curled into a ball. As the giant neared, she began groaning and muttering incoherently. The giant pushed against her with his foot.
Belinda raised her head, pretending that it took great effort. She shook a trembling finger at the giant.
“You!” Belinda said in a hoarse scream. She let spit run down her chin.
“You! Filthy animal! Murdering monster! Get out! Get out of my home!”
Belinda labored to push herself to her feet. She pretended to slip and fell onto her back. She cried with abandon, rolling on the floor and hugging the wineskin. She raised it and took a drink and then lurched over, making loud heaving noises.
Belinda heard the door close. Dathien was gone.
Forty-One
Simon was tormented inside. He wanted to be everywhere at once: helping Lord Lamont, Boone, Helena and Ben Blankenship past Sterling’s forces. Standing guard over Caleb as he appealed for their help. And not least, rescuing Jaclyn from the depths of Morgenwraithe Castle where she awaited judgment for treason.
“Sir Edmund,” Simon said. “Perhaps it would be best if you stay with Lady Lamont. If she could introduce you and Papa to some of her people, it may ease their minds.”
Papa shook his head back and forth as if he understood what Simon was suggesting.
“Papa wants to go home. He’s worried about Mother,” Caleb said, quietly. “He does not trust the red dragon.”
Simon sighed.
“They are like us in so many ways, especially when it comes to family. I wonder if they know that.”
“I’ve thought of something else,” Sir Edmund said. “Lady Lamont, do you know how many ships are in the harbor?”
Lady Lamont pondered.
“No. But my son said that there were so many that he was required to pilot one. There must be a large number of them in port.”
“Then we need to assure that they remain in port,” Edmund said.
“I don’t know, Sir Edmund,” Robinette said. “We have never interfered with the coming and going of ships.”
“Many things will soon change forever, My Lady,” Edmund said. “We may need to send people to safety. Those ships may be the only way.”
“Then I need you to stay, Sir Edmund,” Robinette said. She clutched her dress at the neck.
“If we are to halt all ships leaving our port, explain to the people that we will soon be defending ourselves against the king’s army, and warn the people that we will join forces with dragons—!”
“I will go with you, My Lady,” Sir Gregory said. “Edmund, the quicker you can get that dragon clan here, the better.”
“I will come with you, as well, My Lady,” Sir William said.
Simon raised his talon and pointed into the western sky.
“I believe the people of Islemar will soon be able to meet our valuable allies.”
Papa raised his head and opened his mouth.
Caleb ran to Papa and grabbed his leg. Caleb made a series of quiet screeches. Papa closed his mouth.
Caleb’s shoulders dipped.
“He was getting ready to make a lot of noise.”
Caleb turned his head and looked up.
“Nigel and Alice are coming.”
The brother and sister dragons landed. They nuzzled their father, who nuzzled them back.
Robinette stared at the scene with her mouth hanging open.
Nigel and Alice looked at Caleb. They made a series of noises. Caleb answered. The exchange went back and forth several times.
“Captain Finn and his men have joined with others at Evenshire,” Caleb said. “They engaged part of an army force that was moving south. Our forces suffered a few losses. Two of the young dragons were killed. One was badly injured. They should be here within two days.”
“We must hurry then,” Edmund said. “Caleb, ask Papa if Nigel and Alice can go with Lady Lamont into the village. Explain that we need ambassadors to show the goodwill of our newest friends.”
The exchange was swift. Papa only watched and listened. Nigel and Alice made replies.
“Parents do not dictate the decisions of their young for very long,” Caleb said. “Nigel and Alice will go with you.”
“Excellent!” Edmund said.
“Very well, then,” Lady Lamont said. She was not as enthusiastic about the idea.
Lady Lamont turned to Magdalena.
“I can provide you with horses.”
“Thank you. That will not be necessary.”
Lady Lamont looked confused.
“There are far too many things to explain, and too little time,” Magdalena said.
Robinette looked at Caleb and smiled.
“Dragons. And magic. Yes, the world has become
quite a mysterious place. But it’s the only way we have a chance to win.”
“Yes, My Lady,” Magdalena said. “It is.”
****
Magdalena and Tanner walked until they were well out of sight. Tanner turned his hand toward the west.
“After you, my dear.”
Brother and sister transformed into wolves and sprinted along the road to Morgenwraithe. They moved into the woods whenever travelers approached. Tanner and Magdalena arrived on the outskirts of Morgenwraithe at dusk. They drank their fill from a nearby stream and transformed back into their human forms. They groaned and stretched their weary bodies after the long journey. Moments later they heard the sound of an approaching wagon. Magdalena’s shoulders drooped. She and Tanner retreated to the woods.
“Stop! Stop the coach, Master Noah!”
Sara’s voice rang out loud from inside the coach.
Noah pulled on the reins. He stepped down and reached for the coach door, but it burst open before he reached it. Sara jumped to the ground. She stared into the woods.
“I know you’re here, My Lady.”
Magdalena relaxed. She ran toward the coach. Sara threw herself into Magdalena’s arms.
Noah didn’t know what to do. He saw someone else emerge from the trees. A man. The man smiled at him.
“I cannot believe this,” Noah said.
Magdalena and Sara held hands.
“This is my friend, Lady Magdalena,” Sara said.
Noah nodded.
“It is my pleasure, Lady Mag—”
Noah’s lips continued to move, although he made no sound.
“The…Magdalena? The sorceress?”
Magdalena pulled Sara closer.
“I see that I will need to explain—”
Sara eyed Tanner warily.
“I don’t know that man.”
“This is my brother. Tanner. Tanner Raven.”