by D. R. Grady
“So the day her mother or father died, the crown princess also had to make one of the largest decisions of her life.” Kellen shook his head as his respect for the small queen rose.
“Exactly. Queen Margina died from blue fever.”
He hissed. A hideous virus that essentially drowned a person within their own body.
Ari used her other hand to rub and stroke his arm. Her gentle touch helped quell the emotions battering him.
“Raene was required to name the best warrior in her land as her husband. All the warriors here apparently pushed continuously for her to say their name.” A slight imp infiltrated Ari’s tone. “When under pressure, Raene makes excellent decisions.”
Vidar’s faint snort amused Kellen. “She did perform well under pressure.”
“I chose the only man I’d ever met who I wanted to share my life with. The only one I could imagine sharing the sheets with, whose wet towel I’d be willing to pick up day after day, and who I didn’t think I’d mind if he stole all the covers.” Raene must have overheard their conversation because she beamed at her husband.
“I don’t leave wet towels on the floor.” Vidar basked in the sunny rays of his wife.
Kellen wanted that. Only he wanted it from the woman whose hand remained clasped firmly in his. Who would stand beside him and fight for what they believed in. Who made him dream dreams he’d never thought possible.
Ari had changed his future.
Raene laughed. She must still be engaged in conversation with her husband. “No, you don’t leave wet towels on the floor. I’m the one who does so occasionally.”
Ari grinned. “Really? The Queen of Montequirst doesn’t pick up her own towel?”
“I tend to leave my hair towels on the floor because I’m busy trying to dry my hair. Anneke, my maid, doesn’t seem to mind when I forget to pick up wet towels.”
“As the queen, don’t you have the right to leave as many wet towels strewn around the castle as you’d like?” Kellen wondered if he’d missed something.
Raene pulled a face. “I suppose I could. But there’s no reason to be so untidy. My mother would be appalled.” A sad smile flitted across her expressive face.
Kellen remembered this woman’s mother hadn’t been gone a year yet. Raene still mourned the passing of her mother, had taken over the ruling of her nation, and was newly married. All in the space of hours, if not minutes.
This young woman had packed a lot of living into her short life. Kellen couldn’t think of another woman better suited to be an Aasguard warrior. “Your ancestress Queen Bronwyn would have been so pleased to hear you married an Aasguard and are now turning into one.” He thought about the fiery redheaded woman with more courage, intellect, and inner fortitude than most of his kind.
Vidar nodded. “Yes. I wonder if she understood that someday her line would connect with one of ours.”
“You knew Bronwyn?” Raene inquired.
He gestured to the sword at her side. “I remember the flash of Driies in battle. It always rose triumphant. Its mistress didn’t waver. Bronwyn and Driies struck fear in the hearts of more than one man. More than one army.” He’d wager his entire treasure that she had not made that terrible law for the crown princess.
Raene’s eyes looked extra large in her face. She faced Ari. “Do you remember her?”
“No. I didn’t have the privilege. I protected those in other parts of the land.”
“I would have enjoyed meeting her.” Raene tapped a finger to her lips.
“A lady well worth knowing, Queen Bronwyn. You are much like her. And it’s wonderful to make your acquaintance.” Kellen didn’t bow, but he did dip his head in civility.
The woman was a queen. But Vidar had explained that Aasguards were also of royal blood. Kellen didn’t entirely believe this, but Vidar had been adamant.
Old habits died hard, as well. When you’d been bowing to the monarchs for more generations than you could remember, it tended to be a difficult practice to omit.
“I’m pleased to be married to her direct descendant.” Vidar brought Raene’s dainty hand to his lips.
This couple were well suited. Anyone with any wits about them could observe this. But Kellen preferred the battle-scarred hand he held.
Ari wiggled on her chair, and this brought her closer to him.
“What happened in the trial today?” Ari spoke to Raene.
“Jakob and Markus will change their ways, or they’ll spend far more time in our prison.”
The lunch gong sounded, and they all rose to enter the dining hall. The spacious place soon filled with hungry warriors and members of the court. Kellen sat with Ari at a table close to the head one, but not actually there. He breathed a sigh of relief.
This verified he had no interest in ever being king.
To his surprise, Stefana and Lajos joined them. The two settled in and soon they were served the first course. He ate with hunger, as they’d missed breakfast to talk about their future.
“We believe we might head back to Swiftland this afternoon.” Lajos mentioned this between dinner courses.
Both he and Ari paused. “What is happening?” Ari had more recourse to ask this.
Lajos and Stefana exchanged glances before Lajos answered. “We heard from Rykert that there has been some activity on the western border. Chariovalda is there and they’re a young country.”
Ari’s back stiffened. “We shall certainly lend them aid. They did so for us.”
“We’ve informed them we’re coming home. Aern and Fricassa can fly us over the west to take stock. If there’s a problem, three Aasguard warriors should certainly be capable of nixing the rebellion or whatever they’re facing.” Stefana stirred her coffee.
“Three and a half Aasguard warriors.” Ari frowned at her. “We haven’t trained you yet today.”
“No. Will there be time?” Stefana glanced at Lajos. He’d heard Stefana had helped Raene with an issue this morning while the rest of them trained.
“You can change into warrior garb and we’ll help with a quick training session,” Lajos indicated himself and Kellen who nodded, “then you should wear your training garb home.”
Kellen noticed he didn’t mention the possibility that Stefana might need to fight. But he guessed the other man’s insides were trying to rip him apart.
“Battle is the best way to determine whether she truly is an Aasguard. Or on her way to being so.” He spoke quietly during a change of course.
Lajos’ sigh came from the depths of his soul. “I’m aware of that. But she’s not fully Aasguard yet. Does she have our protection?”
Kellen hadn’t thought about that, but he did understand. “There will be three of us. We shall protect her, but we also need to allow her to show us of what she is capable.”
Lajos paled.
Chapter 12
Ari set her fork down. Her heart beat in what she suspected might be anticipation. She hadn’t been in a satisfying skirmish since they took out that army advancing on Swiftland. But that one had ceased far too fast.
It had been disappointing, really. The best means to keep one’s skills at peak was to fight in a true battle. Hmm, that might be why she and Kellen were both thinking along the lines of establishing themselves in the west.
The opportunity to defend their turf seemed much greater there than the established areas of the land. Then again, there was the problem of little unclaimed land left in the more civilized areas. All of that had long ago been declared.
Whereas the west tended to be lawless. No one disputed the claims with legal issues. They tended to do so in far more aggressive terms. The winner being the one who survived.
Another spate of anticipation streaked through her.
Their students would garner excellent skills by defending their school.
From what they gathered lately, many people didn’t know about Aasguard warriors. A spike of sorrow speared her at the thought of all those of her rank who had gone on. None
of them aware of the bright futures of their kind now, in the Age of the Aasguard.
The meal ended, and she noticed Stefana kept darting looks at her husband. Ari probed a little deeper to determine where this consternation stemmed from.
“Lajos, you and Kellen prepare for our journey. Stefana and I are going to slip away for a little training session.” She used her abilities at reading intent to make it obvious to her brother, who possessed the same ability, to give them time. Stefana darted away to change clothing.
Lajos didn’t like it, at least by the firming of his jawline, but he acquiesced. She slanted a look to Kellen, who picked up on what she had. He subtly herded Lajos in the direction they needed to go, while she drew Stefana to the training yard. Ari’s eyes lingered on the tall, amazing warrior who had kissed her far too long ago.
But she yanked her head back into the task at hand with long years of ease.
“What’s wrong, Stefana?”
Before starting their session, she probed further into whatever might prevent Stefana from giving her best today.
Her sister-in-law looked troubled for a moment. But her expression cleared. “Lajos doesn’t want me to fight in this upcoming battle. If there is one.” The faint lines around her mouth tightened. “But how are we supposed to know my abilities if I hide behind the three of you?”
Ari prevented a snort, barely. “There is no way to determine your abilities without observing you in combat. Something all three of us can do during the clash.” She searched for the words to reassure Stefana.
None came, so she just came out with it. “Lajos is being stubborn and overprotective, and not at all Aasguard-like.”
Stefana’s eyes bugged briefly. “Is he losing his Aasguard abilities?”
“No. Not at all. What I mean is he’s acting more human husband than warrior at the moment and that weakness is clouding his judgment.”
Shoulders relaxing ever so slightly, Stefana sighed. “He’s going to be like this until I prove myself, isn’t he?”
It wasn’t technically a question. Ari still answered Stefana’s observation. “Yes. So the faster we show you are capable in battle, the better.” Ari withdrew her sword. “We spar.”
Stefana matched her, eyes ever taking in each action Ari performed, mimicking her, copying her motions, and asking appropriate questions. Exactly as she always had done. But today, she was faster, smarter, and more cunning.
“You’re ready for action.” Ari observed her for a moment longer. “You will need to be on your guard at all times though. You’re not fully Aasguard so you won’t enjoy our protections yet.”
“What does that mean?” Stefana redid the slipping topknot on her head. Her hair had come undone during their skirmish. “And how do I keep my hair out of my face?” She eyed Ari’s own hair.
Ari showed her how to tie her hair and pin it so it wouldn’t budge. In battle, a savvy opponent could use a woman’s hair against her. Therefore, the woman had to be cognizant of this, and counter it.
She’d only had trouble once and certainly learned from her mistake then.
“Ari, what if Lajos’ fears are founded today?” Stefana sheathed her sword, but her entire air was agitated.
“They won’t be founded because we three will protect you if you’re not quite there. And we have no reason to believe you are. It normally takes eight to nine months for a female to fully transition, and men a year. You’re only at what, five months now?”
“No. I’m closer to six months. Raene is probably close to seven.”
Ari paused. “Your protections might be in place then. But we won’t know for certain until the battle rages. Even then, we could try to gauge your abilities, but still not be able to discern them.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “It all depends on the person. And you and Raene are at an advantage and a disadvantage. You didn’t know you were changing, and neither did any of us. The good thing is you’ve both continued your training. You are trained, at least.”
Stefana shuddered. “What happens if I’m not protected?”
“Stefana, have you ever seen an Aasguard in battle?”
“No.”
“Remember when we first met Kellen?” She prompted, but then remembered Stefana had met him, but she hadn’t left the library at his arrival.
“I met him a couple of days after he arrived.”
“Yes, now I remember. Kellen had been wounded, you know that?”
“Oh yes. Ariadne said he shouldn’t have survived his wounds.”
“Correct.” She took a deep breath. “He took out an entire army.”
“An entire army?” Shock undulated through Stefana. Her reaction was so close to the surface, Ari felt it. “He fought an entire army alone?”
“He did. Kellen only left two men alive to report back to whoever sent them. The rest of them perished.” She paused so Stefana could process that. “He accomplished this by himself. Because that’s what an Aasguard does. We cease fighting when the fighting ceases.”
Stefana’s hand crept up to wrap around her neck as she paled. “And I’m becoming an Aasguard?”
“Yes. You’re very close. However, you’re also forgetting something important.”
“What is that?”
“Kellen, Lajos, and I will all be there with you.” If there was even a conflict. This might be a false alarm. They needed to assess the situation for themselves.
“You’re saying one of you could handle this by yourself.” Wide eyed, Stefana appeared to process this.
“We could. But there will be three of us, so it’ll probably be over as soon as it starts.” She didn’t quite manage to remove her disgust.
Kellen strode beside Lajos, wanting to tease his friend, but aware that the man’s angst for his wife ran far deeper than teasing allowed. While Kellen sort of understood, he also didn’t. This being due entirely to Ari’s own skill level.
The woman might boast better skills than him. Hard to be upset about her entering battle when he was confident in his own abilities. And if she exceeded him…
He couldn’t understand Lajos’ fears other than to think in terms of sending Raene, his student, into battle. Then a smidgen of Lajos’ angst writhed through him. Raene was nearly ready to prove herself, but she was completely green. And while fast and smart, she was a beginner. Plus, he grimaced, Raene was a few weeks ahead of Stefana. So while Raene was nearly an Aasguard, Stefana had an additional month to go before the conversion was complete.
He stopped in the middle of the corridor on their way to converse with the dragons. “Lajos, Stefana is not going to enter this battle alone.” He paused. “If there even is an encounter.”
Lajos’ expression cleared. Wisps of chagrin emitted from him. “I’m being stupid.”
“No. Stefana is your wife. She is precious to you, and you’ve not been married long. You also didn’t know until a day ago that she’s becoming one of us. This is a lot of information to process. If there is a battle, we will quell it. Those of us who are established Aasguard warriors. However, this is also an excellent opportunity to assess her abilities and reveal what subjects in which she still requires instruction.”
Lajos shoved a hand through his hair. “I know this.”
“You do. Remember, only one of us is needed to meet whatever faction could be after Chariovalda. There might be nothing there.” Kellen sorely hoped they faced an epic onslaught. It had been months since his last one.
He didn’t voice this.
Lajos’ droll expression made him believe he hadn’t hidden that very well. “I’m also looking forward to the skirmish from a purely warrior perspective. But I don’t want any harm to come to Stefana.” The man’s fierceness resonated.
“Of course you don’t. Again, there will be three of us protecting her. There will be three of us to end this conflict.”
Lajos winced. “A bit of overkill.”
“Yes, but in light of Stefana’s interaction, perhaps we
should plan ahead.”
Intrigue spiraled from Lajos for a second. “Meaning what?”
“If I take on the army, with some aid from Ari, that will give you time to fight, but also assess your wife. You focus on assessing her, but mainly keeping her from harm. This should give you a few moments to engage, but you can also ensure Stefana’s safety. She is still a student.”
“I can tolerate that.” Lajos’ face split into a quicksilver smile. “Do you believe Ari is going to approve of this plan?”
“Not at all.” And he didn’t mind. He also suspected she’d voice that Kellen should be the one to assess Stefana’s skill level…
They passed through the rock-faced tunnel that led to the area where the dragons lived and where he had protected the queen’s treasury. From what he’d learned, Vidar and Raene had married and been coroneted here. Queen Margina, Raene’s mother, had been buried here. As had the many queens before her, including Bronwyn.
They entered the vast cavern which he’d called home for the last few months. Aern trundled through the doorway that led to the treasury.
“Aern.” It still jabbed him to meet this dragon who so closely resembled his own. But it didn’t hurt nearly as much now.
“Greetings, Lajos and Kellen.” Aern’s large black self made his heart twist.
Aern knocked him gently, obviously understanding the traces of sorrow and shared that with him. His dragon had been a cousin to Aern, and he must also be feeling Marxin’s death. “Thanks, Aern. You remind me of him.”
“I know. I’m missing him too. But he was quite a lot older than me, so I understand.”
“He didn’t tell me he was in pain for a long time, but after a while, it became evident.” Kellen would have never asked him to stay, but he still wished to see his faithful companion of so many years again.
“Dragons do age. We just do so much more slowly than humans or Aasguards.” Fricassa, a green dragon, left the treasury, followed by a blue dragon. Fricassa nuzzled Lajos, her companion through the years until she’d mated with Aern. Lajos wrapped an affectionate arm around her to hug the smallest dragon in the mix.