Chapter One

A handful of advisors and planners waited for their audience with the king and queen of Hochfield. The plans for the country's annual Founder's celebration were in full swing and the group was gathered to confirm the last of the arrangements.

A lone figure watched in disgust at such a lackluster display. He knew he could do better. He had been watching and waiting, had schemed, betrayed and killed to get in this room at this moment. He looked around for his companion. The time was almost at hand to put his plans into motion.

“We will have to cancel the tourney this year, your Majesty. We do not have enough entries.” The older man told the king. Bastian and Sophie had ruled the small country for ten years and this was the first year that the predicted attendance would be so low. The crowd was obviously upset at this news. And some of the guests who had too much to drink started to holler profanities at the king and queen.

“My lords, such vulgarity is unacceptable! We will still hold the Queen's tourney, Oscar. Make it an open list, all comers are welcome. “Bastian commanded.

An enormous man appeared behind the king and folded his arms over his chest. A sneer crossed his face in disgust at these people. The lone man smirked as he saw his accomplice move into position. That was his cue. The man, robed all in white approached the throne.

“My lord!” Bastian exclaimed. “It is good to see you. What news from the north?” Sophie smiled warmly at him as her husband addressed their closest advisor.

The man laughed. “What news indeed?” He mused. “The word is war actually.” He said with a smile. “The word is that this kingdom is in danger!” He said in mock fear.

“Danger? From whom, Lord Saivan?” The queen questioned.

He smiled. “The worst kind... Sophie. The kind from those you trust.” On cue, the large door to the throne room closed with a resounding thud and a large bar was heard as it dropped heavily in place on the outside. All within the room were trapped.

Bastian stood to his feet quickly. “What is the meaning of this, Saivan?”

He laughed as he walked through the crowd. “Kneel.” He commanded the king from the bottom of the stairs just in front of the throne.

“What? No! Guards!!” He shouted. “Asher, get the queen to safety,” he called to his bodyguard.

Asher approached the king and threw him head over heels down the stairs to land at Saivan's feet without a word spoken.

“Bastian!” Sophie screamed. “Why are you doing this?” She demanded of Saivan.

He ignored the queen, grabbed Bastian’s crown and approached the throne. He smiled and ran his hands over it before he sat down. “Now this...feels right.”

”You have no right.” The queen said to him. “Get out of my husband's throne.”

“I am taking this kingdom as my own. I shall rule as I desire!” He screamed. “Asher, dispose of him.”

Bastian scrambled to his knees from where he lay on the floor. “Saivan there is no reason to be so rash. Let me live and I will live in exile far from Midhaven. Please just don't kill me.” The king begged.

“What do you think Sophie?” He asked her mockingly. “Should I let the old fool live?”

“You should remove yourself from that chair and beg your king for his forgiveness,” she said defiantly.

He laughed hysterically in response. “I forgot...where are my manners?” He stood up. “Stand him up Asher! Asher roughly hauled him up by his collar and held him. “What do you say, Bastian?”

“Please, Sophie my darling, don't provoke him.”

“Don't provoke...? Bastian would you hand over everything we built together? Where are our guards?” She glared at the king’s bodyguard. “Asher, the king trusted you to defend him and you side with this...this...deviant?”

Saivan just smiled and locked eyes with Asher. In a lightning quick movement, Asher snapped the king’s neck and dropped the lifeless body to the floor.

A collective gasp echoed through the hall. “NO!” Sophie cried and threw herself at Saivan. “You monster!” She pounded at him with fists.

He easily held her hands and addressed the audience. “Now...let us try this again. Who supports the queen?” He roared. No one came forth.

“Traitors!” She accused.

“Good, easily won over. In exchange for your lives and support, you will provide me with all the people I need for my uses. Men, women and children! Is there an issue with this arrangement?” He bellowed.

The men gathered gaped at the usurper. A few shook their heads in silent understanding.

“Good. Glad we are in agreement. You will all kneel and proclaim your allegiance to King Saivan, the white dragon.” He said with a sneer.

Sophie gasped and tried to pull away. “You're...a dragon?”

He smiled and held her wrists tightly. “Yes, I am. Does that change your position?”

“Let go of me!” She continued to pull and twist to gain a release from his iron grip.

He released her and turned to the group. “You are not kneeling and proclaiming!” He screeched. The onlookers knelt almost as one. He smiled. “Much better, now that leaves just one problem.” His icy blue gaze turned on the queen. “You, Sophie.” he spat. Her chin raised and she stood with brazenness. “Anything you care to leave your loyal people with,” he asked snidely.

“At least my loyal people will know I did not bow to you!”

“Oh you will, in death.” He replied wickedly. The people saw his hand transform into a dragon's claw and he quickly stabbed her viciously in the chest. The light had left her eyes before her body crumpled to the floor. Saivan turned and sits back in his throne. He watched the fear in the faces of the people there. They would know true fear and despair when he was done. For now he was content to let word of mouth spread about a murdered king and queen. He knew too, it would make its way to his real target, Jenna of Moontree.

*        *        *        *        *

        The outpost on the border of Avagard and Hochfield was always quiet so Captain Gillian Tucker was surprised by the summons of her patrol on the watchtower.

The sleepy farming town of Ledenton was the farthest western point of the kingdom of Avagard and located in an interesting geological area. The majestic Dragonspine Mountains bordered the village to the north while vast grasslands spread out to the west and east. Finally, to the south Silverthorne Forest rested peacefully.

In exchange for tax considerations from the king, Ledenton provided the outpost with their basic needs and Tucker had developed a good rapport with the locals. She had taken the time to get to know each resident by name and their role in the community. The captain was well satisfied with her assignment. The people in her command respected her and appreciated her command style. All in all life is good, Gillian thought as she climbed the watchtower.

The young man at the top of the tower saluted her and pointed at the horizon to the west. In the distance, Tucker saw four dots moving in their direction. “Give me the scope,” she ordered and held out her hand. She looked through the spyglass and the four dots became a woman and three children. “What are they doing out there,” she questioned aloud.

“I am not sure, but the woman looks injured.” The guardsman answered. “Shall I summon the town’s healer?”

“That’s a good idea, Foster,” Tucker responded and looked through the glass again. The woman seemed to lean heavily on the older boy and the younger children looked exhausted. Gillian knew the wait for them to cross the border into Avagard would be insufferable. “Jamison,” she called and waited for a sandy haired head to pop through the doorway at the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“It looks like we have some people in trouble out on the plains. Hitch a team to one of the supply carts, I’m going to meet them at the border.” She thought for a moment and added. “Throw some food in as well. Once you’re done come take the watch here in the tower.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and saluted her before he ran off to fulfill her orders.

As she boarded the driver’s seat of the cart, Foster returned with Ledenton’s healer. “Climb aboard, sir, we’re in need of your services,” she said as the elven man dismounted the soldier’s horse. “Foster, I need you too. You have a gaggle of brothers and sisters, you will do well with the children,” she half complimented the young man.

Without conversation the three left the outpost to help the strangers. They waited for twenty agonizing minutes for the woman and children to reach their location.

Captain Tucker stepped down from the cart and rushed to the woman as she fell over the unseen border of Avagard and Hochfield. “You’re safe, you’re on Avagard land. What’s happened to you? What do you run from?” She asked of the newcomer.

The healer hastened to their side and examined the woman whose face was bruised and battered. Her arms and legs were covered with injuries and she breathed shallowly as if nursing broken ribs. “Foster, put the children in the wagon. Keep them occupied for a time.”

He nodded to the captain and looked at the boy and girl who watched their mother with wide eyed concern. “Come on little ones, there is some food in the wagon.”

“Don’t let them take my son,” she said absently.

“Who, my lady?” The elven healer asked gently.

“The army,” she answered.

“What army?” Gillian asked of the older boy standing nearby.

“Hochfield’s army is three days behind us,” he answered.

*        *        *        *        *        

Jenna of Moontree stood at the railing of a balcony that overlooked the indoor archery range at the Martial Academy. The gallery was used for spectators during tournaments. It was well above and behind the firing line. She had loved this building since she was a child and trailed after her brother Ronan here. The obvious smells of the hay that formed the archery butts and the soap that kept the hall clean gave the range a familiarity. The smells only an archer would recognize like the wax on the bowstrings and the varied wood scents of the bows and arrows themselves made the place feel like home.

Currently, Master Terran of Swiftwind, her former mentor, was guiding a class of advanced students through exercises that would hone their talent of Archer’s Eye, while teaching them to be aware of their surroundings. She knew from experience that the unerring focus the talent afforded an archer could also rob her of her sense of what happened beyond the target.

Her heart tightened at the sight of this class who would graduate in the spring and start duties as scouts, hunters or other warrior caste positions. She had been a scout until three months earlier when an injury to her leg reopened. It served as a reminder of a fateful goblin battle that had turned her world upside down. When she returned home, her leg started to spasm. Eventually, she was unable to complete a border patrol and had to leave her beloved post with the Eastern Scouts. Since that time she had been earning a living by making bows and arrows for the academy and some of the merchants. She also did some equipment repair from time to time.

Her attention returned to the students below. Again and again they filled targets with bulls-eyed shots while Master Terran shoved them, lunged at them, and even once ran the fletches of an arrow along a student’s neck. All of which were meant to get them off balance. She noticed teamwork among the group that usually took a couple of years to develop with a band of older warriors. If Master Terran has not done so already, I will have to talk to the warrior caste elders about this class remaining together with a couple of senior members, she thought to herself.

From behind her she heard a voice. “Mistress…mistress?” The speaker moved closer and tested again. “Mistress Jenna?” She jumped at the new title and turned to the person talking to her. A young man behind her looked expectantly. She recognized him as Terran’s new apprentice, Kael of Ironflame. “I am sorry; I am not used to being called ‘mistress’.”

“Yes Mistress,” he said with a little awe in his tone. He stood silent for a moment.

“Can I help you, Kael?” she prompted.

“Of course, I am sorry, Mistress. Master Terran wants to know if you could make three dozen arrows for him. He offered six gold pieces in return.”

“Tell Master Terran that I will make the arrows but that he does not need to coddle me. Two gold pieces are sufficient.”

The young elf bowed,” yes ma’am,” he said with trepidation at speaking to his master in such a manner.

She watched as the apprentice went back to Master Terran. They spoke briefly then Terran looked at her with a frown and indicated for her to come to him. She traveled down the stairs and bowed as she approached him. “Good day, Master Terran.”

“Mistress Jenna,” he greeted and returned the bow.

“Please do not bow to me Master, it seems wrong.”

“Little Hawk, you have earned that courtesy. Now about payment for those arrows…” he began.

“Master Terran, you would not pay more than two gold pieces in the market.”

“The arrows in the market are not as perfectly balanced as yours. Jenna, you need money until your leg is well enough to return to duty. Allow me to pay you properly for your services.”

She could tell there was no point in arguing with him. Suddenly, she realized that there were six pairs of eyes on her. When she looked, the students stared at her in wonder. Two of them whispered to each other.

“Alright back to work everyone.” The students snapped back around at Terran’s command and began firing arrows again.

She shook her head and looked at Terran. “Have I really become one of those people?”

“Become one of what people, Little Hawk?”

“The person who children wonder at and people exaggerate their exploits over ale in the tavern.”

“I am afraid so. The artisan caste had your adventure immortalized in song before you returned to town.”

They chuckled and watched the students in their exercises. Jenna felt a presence move up behind her. “Good day, Alexi.”

“How do you do that?” He asked in amusement.

“You have a very distinct presence,” she answered as she turned to face him. He was a bit scruffy and unshaven. She smiled at the familiar site of a scout just coming home. “Did you just get back?”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “I wanted to see if you would have a meal with me.”

“Not considering your current appearance,” she teased.

He clutched his hand over his heart as he pantomimed. “You wound me my lady.” He smiled brightly at her. “If I swear that I will bathe, will you go with me then?”

“Naturally,” she said mildly.

“I will meet you at the tavern in half an hour.”    

*        *        *        *        *        

The thunder rumbled outside the window of his study. It matched King Saivan’s mood. Three months had passed since he had seized the throne of Hochfield and he had yet to have the forces he needed to attack Avagard. The nobles had proven to be more obstructive than he had anticipated. Two in particular stood against him and rallied the others to do the same. However, they would soon cease to be rebel rousers.

A knock pulled Saivan’s attention back to the present. “Come,” he answered with a tone of annoyance.

     “I brought you some food, my king,” Tristan offered as he entered with a heavy laden tray.

     Saivan gestured absently to a table in front of a sofa upholstered with rich, dark blue brocade. “Set it there,” he commanded. “Is there any word from Clement?”

“No, your Majesty.”

Saivan flopped down on the sofa. “I knew I should have just sent Asher, he would not be so incompetent.”

“Of course, Sire,” the servant replied with his head bowed.

Saivan studied Tristan, the half elf had been bound to him since he was a child and they had grown up together. Saivan saw him as more of a pet than a friend. His adopted parents had reminded him repeatedly that Tristan was not his equal, but the young man went out of his way to please his master.

“Your Majesty, I found a tradition that just might prove useful to influence the nobles to ally with you.”

“When did you get a chance to find information?”

“I spend time in the library after you retire for the night, Sire.”

“What did you find?” He asked as he tore a piece of bread and spread some garlic herb butter on it.

“According to the laws from before Bastian and Sophie, the nobles used to foster their children in the king’s household. If you reinstate that law and require each noble to send one of their children or lose their land and title…” he trailed off his explanation.

“They would think twice before rising up against me. Good boy, Tristan!” he jumped up. “I will write a decree and give them a month to comply. Nowhere in Hochfield takes longer than a month to reach Midhaven.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” Tristan acknowledged.

“You may have given me an idea for how to move against Avagard as well.”

“Sire, with respect, why have you set yourself against Avagard?” The bondsman ventured to ask.

“There is work to be done, boy. I will claim what my family was too weak to. I will best the lackluster attempt of Kitara to rule. Soon, the world will tremble at my very name. Anything I desire I will claim, Tristan. Nothing is out of my grasp,” he growled as he clenched the sofa arm with his claws.

Tristan then bowed and left

.*        *        *        *        *        

Alexi considered his actions as he walked toward the cottage that he was using while in Cair. He needed to stow his gear, wash up and change his clothes. When he arrived back in town he had bypassed going home to see her.

I probably should have at least stopped to wash up and comb my hair, he thought to himself. I just couldn’t help myself, I needed to see her, to hear her voice, Alexi admitted to no one in particular. Besides, she has an older brother who is a scout, before he was killed her husband was a scout and she was a scout herself. I am sure that she is used to the rugged look. Oh Alexi old boy, you are worse than a dragon with its treasure. It is pretty pitiful. He imagined defending himself to his former partner.

For two hundred years he had been a dragon rider with an ancient amethyst dragon named Draco Vich. One of the advantages/curses of the partnership was an ability to communicate mentally and Draco often took advantage of the skill. After fulfilling a sworn duty, Alexi was released from service. Now he discovered that he was used to having Draco’s voice constantly in his head and without it life seemed too quiet.

I’m just a little lost. It’s like I’ve been put on a shelf; I just don’t know what she wants. It’s been months since I laid my feelings bare. His thoughts tumbled over each other as he went about cleaning up and changing clothes.

I don’t want her to think that I’m rushing her. She lost her husband a short eight months ago. I can’t just walk up to her and say, “Alright here I am to court you.”

His inner dialog continued as he walked to the tavern. Draco would tell me that part of my problem is that I am not used to a woman who does not swoon when I turn on the charm.

He arrived at the destination and stepped inside. Alexi ordered two mulled ciders from the bar then staked claim of a quiet corner table. As he waited for Jenna his thoughts lingered on how much he had enjoyed the past six months among the Silverthorne Elves. He was content in Silverthorne Forest. He never remembered a time when his life was this “normal.” He was no longer a thief and assassin for hire, no longer partnered with a dragon and a duty to the Dragon Council; although, that duty had led him straight into the path of Jenna of Moontree.

The young woman’s determination, self-sacrifice and warrior spirit drew Alexi and by the end of the journey his heart was captured completely. After the Dragon Council released him from service, he followed her to her village in Silverthorne Forest. He had settled in, even volunteered with the scouts on border patrols and became fast friends with the commander of the Eastern Scouts, one of Jenna’s older brothers, Ronan. He was made an adopted member of the Moontree clan and felt completely at home in Cair.

As he reminisced, Jenna stepped into the taproom. The pronounced limp in her gait made him wince. He stood and pulled her chair out as she approached. “I took the liberty of ordering you mulled cider, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Thank you, it is most appreciated believe me.”

“Your leg is really bothering you today, isn’t it?” Alexi asked.

“Yes, but that is because I had a healing session with Mother this morning. She said that after today the repair to my leg should be complete. It will never be as it was before the injury, but it no longer spasms and is pretty close to undamaged.”

“That’s good news,” he stated as Jarna of Lightdancer came to the table to take their order. “Good day, Jarna,” he greeted.

“Good day Master Alexi, Mistress Jenna, what can I get for you today?”

“Jarna we will be family in a fortnight, please just called me Jenna.”

The tavern owner’s daughter smiled brightly at her, “I will try, now what would you like?”

“Well, we are celebrating Jenna’s rise to mistress, how about a couple of bowls of stew and some elven wine?”

“Coming right up and congratulations Jenna,” she offered as she hurried off.

Jenna’s face colored with embarrassment as Jarna left. “You have such a hard time with compliments.” Alexi said as he laughed and shook his head. “The only one who doesn’t know how great you are Jenna is you. You did your town and the country for that matter a huge service. The king said as much in Porttown.”

“I know but people do not need to go on about it. Anyone with a conscience would do the same. Olam just happened to choose me,” she said as she gave credit to the aspect of God her people worshipped.

Alexi knew not to push the conversation any further. He took a sip of his hot cider and watched her. The half elf found he was still amazed at how beautiful she was. Her waist length copper colored hair was always braided and shined even in the dim lantern light of the tavern. She had vivid, emerald green eyes. At 5’10” she was tall, even for her people who were known for being much taller than other tribes of elves. However, her height was a good match to his 6’2” frame. She had a strong build, natural in a member of the warrior caste but she was graceful.

“You are staring,” Jenna stated and searched for more conversation. “Rhiana will be assigned her caste today.” There was excitement for her niece in her voice. Her eldest brother, Aidan had caught her in the hall of the academy to share the news of the appearance of his daughter’s first talent.

“Really?” he asked with interest. Jarna returned with their meal. “Remind me of how that works exactly?”

“When a young person shows signs of a talent they go to the Sages. They are a group of two men and two women. Through talents of their own, that I cannot even fathom, can tell what talents each young person has or will likely have. Based on the number of talents, they are then assigned a caste.”

“What’s it like?” Alexi inquired.

“Like having a dragon in the back of your mind,” she laughed. “I do not know if it is the same for all but there is an odd feeling; like an itching at the back of your eyes.”

“That is quite an interesting description,” Alexi said with a quiet laugh. “So warrior caste runs heavily in your clan; your father, all three of your older brothers, you and your nephew Liam too; all warrior caste members.”

“It happens that way in some clans, although Rhiana appears to have artisan talents. Brennan’s whole clan is made up of clerics, he was the only warrior,” she explained and then added as an afterthought, “Which was one of the reasons his family pushed for our marriage.”

“Does it still hurt to talk about him?” Alexi asked gently.

“Sometimes. I think what really bothers me the most is we fell in love over a longer period of time, but we were only married for two months. That is hardly enough time to settle in with someone.” She stared at her bowl and pushed the contents around a bit.

“Jenna, may I ask you a question?”

“Of course, Alexi,” she answered without hesitation.

He paused for a moment as if weighing his words. “I have been in Cair for six months now, before that we traveled together for almost two more…” He let his voice trail off. “I am still very fond of you. Jenna, would it be too much for me to ask how you feel about me, honestly?” he blurted before he lost his nerve.

“Honestly?” she began then took time to consider her words. “I miss you when you are gone.” She tipped her head to the side and looked at him shyly with a half-smile as she continued. “You are the first thing I think of in the morning. I find myself wondering what you are up to at the strangest times. When you kissed me in Porttown, I could scarcely breathe.” She stopped a touch of pain in her expression. “That said; I am scared, Alexi. I opened up to love with Brennan and look how that turned out.”

He gave her a reserved smile. “I understand, and while I would love to say that you would never have to worry for me. I can‘t make that promise. I only ask,” he reached out and took her hand, “will you try?”

She did not answer but reached into a small pouch on her belt. She pulled out a cloth with something small wrapped in it. “I commissioned this a couple of months ago,” she said simply as she handed it to him.

Alexi unwrapped the item carefully. In the cloth, was a pendant made of highly lacquered wood; an elaborate replica of the tattoo she wore on her right bicep. The main part of the pendant was a quarter moon, through that was an evergreen tree; it was the mark for the Moontree clan. The difference that stood out to him was rather than an arrow for the tree’s trunk that represented her Archer’s Eye talent, this mark had a great sword. “This is your clan and caste mark isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she returned. A glint of mischief shone in her eyes. “I thought it was time to mark you as mine.” In a flash, he was out of his chair with her in his arms. He twirled her about then set her back on the ground. “I take it,” she said laughing, “that was the right answer.”

“Absolutely,” his voice was enthusiastic. “How did you afford this?” Alexi asked as he studied the pendant.

“I bartered my arrow making skills with a friend who is of the artisan caste,” she answered with a shrug.

“It is magnificent!”

“I am quite pleased with it, he did a wonderful job.” She considered the item for a moment. “I know that we have just started to come to an understanding,” she began, “but Aidan and Shana are planning a celebration for Rhiana. I promised that I would gather the family.” She stopped and looked at him with a look of afterthought. “Will you come?”

“Of course,” he confirmed.

“Then we will continue this tonight.” She assured him. Alexi grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss into her palm. “I look forward to it,” he stated and gave her an endearing smile as Jenna kissed his cheek in return

.