The Seeking Series Box Set

by D. R. Grady

  Chapter 17

  Aern’s wings flapped steadily while Vidar and Ari held on. Lajos rode Fricassa, and it brought back some good memories. She had grown in stature, not to anywhere near her mate’s massiveness, but at least so riding her proved far more comfortable.

  Her normal size was definitely petite, but she carried just as much dragonfyre as Aern, and possessed the same lethal instincts. He relied on their multiple-centuries bond as he swept the surroundings in the tightest security check he’d ever conducted.

  They currently flew over Swiftland territory. One other country, Chariovalda, stood between the wild west and Swiftland. While small, the king here was young and capable, from what they’d heard.

  Faulk and Rajie Alkema, the young king and queen, both warriors, had sent them greetings and he and Stefana had done the same in turn. They would make a point to visit all their neighbors once they were settled. But this one had impressed them.

  It didn’t take long to fly over the young king’s lands and then they were in the unclaimed lands of the wild west. The climate changed drastically enough so that attempting to cultivate crops and run livestock proved far harder. Not impossible, but with the outlaws who ran in packs in the region, it could be dangerous.

  A few hardy types of cattle thrived in the harsher climate, but again, the challenge lay in keeping them safe. Some had tried, and usually wound up dead. It disturbed Lajos to think of these outlaws banding together to take a new country by force.

  “To the left,” Vidar shouted.

  Fricassa banked her left wing and, used to this, Lajos used his thighs to maintain his seat. She swept out over what appeared to be an army.

  Behind them, an allied army was mustering, as he’d called to the king and queen of that new land. They had clearly been impressed by the battle-ready dragons. Both had released their lethal horns and spikes.

  And wouldn’t have missed that three Aasguard warriors flew on those dragons.

  A veritable army of their own.

  Now, Aern bellowed a war cry and the horses of the opposing army, as one, skittered. The men struggled to maintain their mounts, probably formerly wild horses and only half broken. But these horses would be tough.

  Fricassa bugled her own cry, right over the largest collection of horses and riders. The horses all bucked, screaming in protest at the presence of the top-of-the-food-chain predators above them.

  The men shouted, trying to maintain order in a scene of chaos.

  Lajos removed his sword and lopped off the heads of the clear leaders in one smooth motion.

  The chaos spun into utter silence. He leaped off Fricassa, standing on his own two feet, facing the army.

  “I am Lajos the Swift, Aasguard warrior and King of Swiftland.”

  Vidar and Ari joined him. Aern soared low over the army, Fricassa flying in lazy circles in the opposite direction.

  “I am Vidar the Loyal, Aasguard warrior and King of Montequirst.”

  “I am Ari the Noble, Aasguard warrior and ticked off.” Her sword gleamed in the dusty light as she took out the most obvious troublemakers in a clean, smooth action. Their heads rolled under the hooves of the frantic horses.

  “Aasguard warriors.” One man spat as he surveyed them. “No one said we was going against Aasguard warriors.”

  Not one man questioned them. No need as he and his siblings stood taller and broader than regular people. Ari wasn’t as tall as him or Vidar, but she definitely topped all of these rounders.

  “We protect our own.” Vidar didn’t raise his voice, but his sword was every bit as impressive. He had been a king longer, so Lajos left the floor to him.

  “We don’t care about this Swiftland. We’re after Ostard Land.”

  “Swiftland was once Ostard Land.” Ari gestured toward him.

  “I defeated Ostard, therefore I am now the king.”

  The horses sidestepped at the dragon-shaped shadows soaring overhead. “See here, no one has a chance against an Aasguard warrior. If they just decide they want to be king or queen,” he eyed Ari a moment, before continuing, “Then what’s to stop you from taking over all the kingdoms?” Definite accusation threaded the protest.

  “I am Vidar the Loyal. My wife is Queen Raene of Montequirst. My queen chose the best warrior in the land.” He straightened to his full height. An impressive gesture. Vidar wasn’t as tall as him, but he was all warrior.

  “And Ostard stole the princess I was tasked with protecting.” He nodded toward the large black dragon. “Montequirst’s dragon and I went after her. I defeated Ostard immediately. We later learned my charge, the Princess of Montequirst, was viewed by the people of Ostard as their queen, and because I had defeated the previous king, I was then named king.”

  “So it happened in the course of circumstances. Not because you wished to be kings.” A man who was far better dressed than most of the others stated. He sat in the saddle with a negligence the other men did not show. His speaking pattern also revealed he had been well educated.

  “And where are you from?”

  “Far east. I am the fourth child.”

  “Therefore, you will not inherit the kingship?”

  “It is a queenship, like Montequirst, and yes, I have two older sisters and an older brother.” He shrugged. “The west is the place where a man can make his fortune if he is willing to work for it.”

  “Going after a country that is poverty stricken is deplorable.” Ari sounded more belligerent than he’d ever heard.

  Lajos placed a light hand on her shoulder.

  The man snorted. “I have been there. It will take years to bring that land back to the prosperity it knew in my grandparents’ day.”

  “Much has already been accomplished in two weeks.” Ari didn’t elaborate but she made it clear it would not take years.

  “Aasguard warriors live for centuries. We know how to accomplish things faster than humans.” He also didn’t elaborate.

  Aern let out another cry and he dove for Vidar and Ari. Fricassa charged him and Lajos leapt on to her back, sheathing his sword at the same time.

  “Treachery,” Fricassa spat and with two puffs of breath, doused those closest to her in dragonfyre.

  The black dragon took out his fair share before both hurtled into the sky and rocketed across the sky, far faster than normal speeds. Lajos’ thigh muscles tightened without thought. He’d spent his earlier years learning how to ride a dragon, now he could do so under the worst of conditions.

  “What’s wrong Fricassa?”

  “There is an army invading Swiftland even now. This one is marching from the north, Aernie believes.”

  She didn’t waste any additional breath as she cannoned toward his land. Lajos leaned forward but could see nothing. Instead, he sank into himself, to that place where he assessed information, aware of Vidar and Ari doing the same.

  As one they drew their swords.

  By the time they arrived back in Swiftland, the men here, men who now had something to fight for, had quelled the first attack. They fought for their land, their families, and their king and queen. These barely trained men had the most to lose so they refused to back down.

  Lajos finished off any others while Aern, Vidar, Fricassa, and Ari took out the second and third waves. He once again left Fricassa to fight on foot, his great sword flashing through the bands of men intent on harming his people.

  Before, he fought for someone else’s treasures. He protected that which belonged to and was prized by his employer. But this time, this time it was personal. He fought for his wife, his people, his lands, his income, and he battled like he had never before.

  Jaw clenched, sword slashing, he tore through the invaders with the ruthless efficiency he had learned as a youngling. There in the dirt of his new land, he made a troth that none of his people would be defeated today.

  Mere minutes passed when the last invader fell. He turned to survey the damage. While the invaders brought fire with them, his men had doused the flame
s immediately. He took note of the charred torches and the empty buckets littering the ground.

  Many of the men boasted injuries, but down to the lads, they all still stood. “I could not be prouder of you.”

  They gaped at him in response. “You . . . You . . . Just . . .” One of the older men gestured toward him and the fallen enemy.

  “I am Aasguard.” He sheathed his cleaned sword, the action so commonplace he didn’t think about it, didn’t look, just shoved his massive sword home.

  “And you’re our king. There isn’t another king who could defeat you.”

  “I probably could.” Vidar loomed nearby, also busy wiping his sword clean before he shoved it home.

  “I could as well.” Ari copied their actions, also without thought because this was the life of his people.

  “You two wish.” He didn’t snort, but he was the elder and confident in his abilities.

  The dragons kept watch from the sky. “We need to gather the dead.”

  He had already started tossing bodies into a pile.

  “That’s the best you can do?” Vidar all but sniffed.

  Lajos rolled his eyes as he threw two more into the pile. “Let’s see you do better, Montequirst boy.”

  “You’re both pathetic.” Ari hurled her fair share, while the people gaped at them, before after a nudge from one of the men, soon joined in.

  “You don’t have to pile them all in the same pile, just do a few,” Ari told them kindly. “The dragons will take care of these piles in a matter of seconds. But it’s more efficient if we pile them all together.”

  The dragons glided overhead, swooping in and out. Lajos didn’t expect any trouble, but one never knew. Now that word had gotten out there were Aasguard warriors and dragons here, chances were excellent the aggressors would think twice before bothering them.

  At least if they were smart.

  Otherwise, they’d learn. He smiled as he finished clearing the area.

  “It was good we didn’t plant.” The farmer surveyed the trampled fields and Lajos turned to contemplate it with him.

  “Yes.”

  “Never have seen an Aasguard warrior fight before.” Respect lined the man’s words.

  Lajos placed a hand on his shoulder. “We protect our own. An Aasguard’s motto is to cease fighting when the fighting ceases.” He met the man’s eyes. “We live by that decree.”

  The man nodded before he finished his own work. “We’ll re-till this field and then plant. It’s time.”

  Time to find Stefana—his heart—and make certain she was unharmed.

  Lajos sped through the catacombs beneath the palace. The light here remained dim, but he didn’t need it. What he did need was a kiss from his wife, after making certain of her welfare.

  And the welfare of those with her.

  Her mother and Raene as well as all their women and children should be with her.

  Voices carried through the tunnels and he recognized Stefana’s. Stopping abruptly, he paused to listen. It sounded as though she were in combat.

  But then she said, “Do you see that? When you’re attacked deflect the blow like this.”

  Raene piped in with something he couldn’t hear, and he suspected her back was to him. Intrigued, he continued his hurried journey.

  At the entrance into the large marble cavern, he halted to observe his wife and the Queen of Montequirst in action. “Your power is here,” and the two queens followed through with their maneuver for their captivated audience.

  One of the younger women asked a question, and Stefana answered it with action as she demonstrated on Raene. They leaned into each other, intent on their instructions, but they trampled the other’s personal space, as good friends do.

  Stefana, who faced him, caught sight of him. “It’s over?”

  He strode into the cavern as his heart lifted and expanded. “We’ve quelled the attacks. Our men thwarted the one here, and we got the one in the western lands.” Lajos didn’t stop until he swept his wife into his arms for a kiss he deserved.

  Her lips met his in eagerness and the warmth he craved.

  Stefana’s hand cupped his cheek as she took her time greeting him.

  “We are free to go to our men?” He heard a woman ask Raene, and her low, amused answer was met by the same from the women clustered in the space.

  “Thank you for waiting so patiently with us. We appreciate your calm.” Raene spoke to the women who filed out of the cavern.

  “Thank you for starting our self-defense training.” A middle-aged woman ushered several children in front of her. A few were her youngest children and the others assorted grandchildren.

  “We’ll continue your studies once we have the necessities of life in hand.” Stefana vowed this.

  The women shared a smile with Stefana and he appreciated that she had already come to an understanding with many of these women.

  These individuals understood they were all on the same team. And all displayed signs of happiness due to that understanding.

  Once the last person left the marble chamber, he herded his mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and his wife from the space. These women were his family through marriage. The errant thought left a lump in his throat and a bubbling happiness in his chest.

  He was the luckiest man alive.

  Chapter 18

  Following the brave women who had stoically faced the consequences of the invading armies, Stefana reflected on the resilience of these people she and Lajos now led. They had gotten lucky with this lot. Not in the least bit intimidated by what life offered them, these people endured without complaint, when many others would have folded into a quivering, sobbing mess.

  Grasping her husband’s hand, Stefana joined them in the sun as Aern and Fricassa blew dragonfyre at piles she didn’t scrutinize too closely. Vidar grabbed Raene for a kiss and kept her close while Stefana’s parents also enjoyed an embrace and Ari supervised the proceedings.

  Stefana contemplated her sister-in-law. A woman who was used to being alone. Like her brothers. But she didn’t have to be alone.

  The image of a wounded warrior rose in her mind. She darted a glance at Raene.

  Of course, Raene caught it. “What was that look for?”

  Their husbands moved off to answer some questions from the people. “How is Kellen?”

  Raene looked surprised. “The Aasguard warrior who is guarding the Montequirst treasury?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t offer additional details.

  “I’ve only spoken with him once, I believe. Why?”

  She used her chin to indicate Ari. “I wonder if the two of them developed an interest in each other?”

  Raene followed her gaze and then her eyes narrowed on the female Aasguard. “I don’t know. Vidar has been meeting with him regularly. I haven’t had anything to do with it.”

  “It makes sense Vidar would take over that duty. Kellen and Vidar understand each other.”

  “Yes. I believe Kellen appreciates the fellowship with his own kind. Vidar enjoys his time with Kellen as well.”

  “Ari appears to be enjoying her time here.” Stefana chewed the inside of her cheek. “But she has to be lonely.”

  “Of course. Vidar and Lajos were, despite their dragons.” Raene’s gaze turned sorrowful. “She lost her dragon companion.”

  “You can’t just go and acquire another one of those, right?”

  “I have no idea. Vidar has never mentioned how he and Aern joined forces.”

  “Lajos hasn’t mentioned how he met Fricassa either.” Stefana surveyed the industrious people bustling around them. But her mind remained on their topic. “Both Kellen and Ari lost theirs. It sounds as if it was around the same time too. I wonder if that’s significant?” She didn’t know, exactly, what she asked Raene. Her friend would be no more in the know than she.

  “Perhaps. We can ask Aern and Fricassa. I’m guessing they’d enjoy speaking about their kind as well.”

  “It’s nice they’ve
found each other.”

  “I believe they’re happy together.” Raene’s face morphed to speculative. “Do you believe we’ll get dragon babies?”

  Eyebrows winging, Stefana peered at the two dragons. Who continued to monitor the situation from the sky. “I don’t know.” Her cheeks warmed. “I hadn’t thought about it before, but one is male and one is female and they’re in love. So, if nature takes her course the way she tends to, I would assume dragon babies could be the result.”

  “You’re no longer a maiden.” Raene didn’t make this a question.

  Stefana smiled as the warmth in her cheeks heated substantially. “No, happily enough.”

  “Married life is wonderful.” Happiness flowed through Raene’s sentiment.

  “Yes. I wouldn’t trade it for anything now.” She pondered their view. “Despite all the work we still must do here.”

  “It looks scads better than it did. I understand it was horrific.”

  Stefana shuddered. “You should have seen the shacks the people lived in. It does get as cold here as it does in Montequirst, maybe colder, yet many of them did without basics like heat and even food and clean water.”

  Raene shuddered. “It’s appalling what Ostard did to his own people.”

  “They aren’t his people any longer. Perhaps they never were. However, I believe they support their new king.” She smiled at said king.

  He paused in his task to return her smile.

  “You’re in love.” Again, Raene didn’t pose this as a question.

  Stefana started. “Of course I am.” Alarm and joy vied for preeminence within her. Bubbles burst in her brain and sped through her bloodstream to make her so light, she was certain floating was an option.

  “You didn’t know?”

  She set a frown on her friend. “When would I have possibly had time to sort this out?”

  Raene bit her lip. “True. The pair of you have been busy. More so than most newly wedded people.”

  “I’ve never been a queen before.” She brushed a hank of hair off her cheek. “Fortunately, I’m not the ruling queen, yet I still have plenty of duties.”