Chapter Two
Jenna stepped out of the tavern and noticed the air had lost more warmth. She could see her breath and pulled her cloak a bit tighter around her. A sweet scent in the air hinted at snow. It was still early in the evening but the sun was well into its march to the western horizon. The shops of the market she passed were closed up tight for the evening, but smoke came from the chimneys in the rear of the buildings. Many merchant families lived in rooms attached to the back of their shop in order to keep an eye on their livelihoods.
There seemed to be an eerie silence to her village as she turned toward her parents’ cottage lost in her thoughts. She mused at the fact that she had found the courage to admit her feelings for Alexi. To part of her it seemed inappropriate that she should have feelings for someone in such a short time after her husband’s death. She resolved to speak to her mother about the circumstances. Lark had an astute sense of what was right for difficult situations.
It was not often Jenna allowed herself to be so consumed with her thoughts that she was unaware of her surroundings. However, as she was deep in contemplation, she did not hear the two strangers come up behind her. “Jenna of Moontree,” a deep male voice tested.
She turned to whoever addressed her. “Yes,” she looked closer at the two strangers. “You are Lord Blade Stormbringer are you not?” During their conversations, Alexi had told her of his silver dragon friend, Blade. She was amazed at how accurate his description was.
Blade looked a little taken aback that she knew him. “Yes, my lady,” he began as he held his hand out to her, “and this is Emerald Verde.”
She reached for his handshake. “What brings you to Cair, Lord Blade?” she questioned.
His eyes filled with regret as he pulled her closer and grabbed her elbow. “I am afraid we are here, my lady, because by the authority of the Dragon Council you are under arrest for the murder of Grand Councilman Mar Chello.”
Jenna tried to break his grip. “No, I had nothing to do with that. It was Tokka,” she protested vehemently.
“Everyone involved must be held accountable,” Emerald stated severely. “Kitara has been destroyed and Tokka is dead. That leaves only you and justice must be served.”
Jenna glared at the green dragon. Emerald had taken the form of a human; her hair was black with a green shine when light hit it just right. Her eyes were the color of the gem she was named after and her skin tone had a slight green hue to it. Her posture spoke of confidence born of feeling superior to the person to whom she spoke. “No, you are not looking for justice,” she stated firmly as she tried once more to pull her arm free. “You are looking for someone to hang, and I will not be that person.”
“How are we to return with her fighting us all the way back to Dragon’s Peak? There is no way we can fly safely with her battling us.”
Blade tried to pull Jenna closer. Panicked by the strength of his vise-like grip on her arm and the glint of metal on his left hand, she dug her heels into the dirt to stop her forward movement. He had to release her in order to change his hold. She took advantage of the opening and turned to flee but felt Emerald’s hand catch her arm. The green dragon shoved the elf back to her partner. As Jenna collided with his broad chest she felt a prick in the side of her neck. “I am sorry, my lady, but she is right.” Jenna’s mind flashed an alarm as she recognized his intent. Her mind screamed to the one person she knew would hear her. Alexi, help! Consciousness began to elude her. She tried to focus on getting away. The scout stomped on Blade’s foot, elbowed him in the ribs and even tried to slam her head back into his. Nothing caused him to let go and each attack was slightly weaker than the one before.
Blade held tight to the young woman until she quit fighting and slumped into his grasp. He slid the metal talon off his finger. The claw was tipped with a powerful sedative. He had heard the elven scout described as a formidable opponent. She had, after all, defeated Kitara the black dragon. The silver dragon knew that he would need an advantage and the talon seemed the easiest and safest.
He loosened his hold slightly to make sure she was unconscious then passed her to Emerald. “Start back to Dragon’s Peak; I will tell someone where we are taking her and then catch up,” he instructed her. Without further discussion the green dragon transformed to her natural state. She took the elf in her claws as she launched into the air and headed to the north.
* * * * *
The forest around him was quiet as twilight became night. He cursed himself again for not listening to the weather watchers, they had told him it would snow and that travel could become treacherous. Prince Ilya Stonov watched the large flakes fall silently to the ground.
He pulled his cloak around him tighter and pushed closer to the meager campfire. The young man brooded over where his life was headed. Part of him blamed his father for where he was now. After their last argument over an arranged marriage, Ilya had left Kingstown.
“Your Highness,” the familiar voice came from the woods to his left.
“Any luck with dinner?”
“Better than that, I found a shelter.”
“What kind of shelter?” Ilya questioned his bondsman hopefully.
“I believe it is one of the famed way stations that the elves maintain.”
Lead on, Pietro,” the prince encouraged as he stood and kicked snow and dirt onto the fire to snuff it out.
The men walked for a time before they came to a stand of perfectly arranged trees. A small building stood in the middle of the copse. Ilya could smell wood smoke and before he could ask, his bondsman confirmed his suspicion. “I took the liberty of starting a fire before I came back for you.”
“That was wise,” he responded.
The two stepped into the blessed warmth of the small shelter. Ilya stood and basked in the heat of the fire. He looked around and surveyed the structure. It was one room, a good sized fireplace took up the wall perpendicular from the door. There were no windows but the room did not give Ilya the feeling of being closed in. A stack of shelves lined another wall. They were well stocked with provisions and a small donation box.
Ilya noticed a small pot over the fire then smelled a whiff of porridge.
Pietro quickly laid out their bedrolls. “I will take care of the horses. I saw a lean-to out back.”
“Thank you, Pietro.”
Ilya sat and stared at the fire for a time. He had been friends with Pietro since they were children. When Pietro had shown skill with sword and a mind for tactics early in their schooling, he was made Ilya’s bondsman. Eventually, he would be the captain of the prince’s armies.
Pietro returned with an armload of wood. He dished the porridge and then sat by his master. “You’re too good to me Pietro,” there was a touch of melancholy in the prince’s voice.
“That’s true,” Pietro’s tone was playful.
“I’m sorry I drug you out here in this weather.”
“Think nothing of it, my Lord. My place is by your side,” he said.
There was a knock and the two men looked at each other. Pietro opened the door to a tall man. He was a full head taller than the bondsman. His head was bowed and his cloak pulled low. Pietro’s hand went to the sword at his hip.
“I am sorry to disturb you. We had hoped to take shelter in this way station. It looks like you beat us to it,” the man explained. “A lady travels with us; can we share your lodging?”
Something about the strangers put Pietro ill at ease. He had a strong sense they could not be trusted. Nevertheless, he looked to the prince, Ilya nodded, “Yes of course, we cannot suffer a lady left in the cold,” the prince affirmed chivalrously.
The woman stepped into the station. She wore a rich midnight blue cloak with the hood pulled low also. When she spoke her voice was rich but had an underlying quality that he could not identify. “Thank you, I had always heard that you were a generous man,” she said as she pushed her hood back and punctuated, “your Highness.”
Ilya stood to his feet as her companions grabbed Pietro before he could react. “How did you know…” his voice trailed off as he recognized that the mysterious quality in her voice that eluded him was a growl. Her sapphire blue eyes had an alien look with their vertical pupils and flashed amusement as recognition came to him. “You’re a dragon,” he exclaimed.
“See I told you,” she said sweetly to her partners. “I said he was a smart boy.”
“What should we do with this one?” The man who had appeared first asked and indicated to Pietro.
“His Majesty only asked for the prince, get rid of the servant.”
“No!” Ilya yelled and rushed towards his friend. “Leave him alone!” The second man thrust a dagger into the bondsman’s stomach. Pietro doubled over and his assailant smashed the hilt into the back of his neck. The prince’s friend crumpled to the floor. The first intruder caught the young prince by the arm. Ilya was shocked at the man’s immense strength. He looked back to the woman. “What do you want?” He asked feebly.
“Is that not obvious, dear boy? I want you.”
As the man who attacked Pietro picked up the bondsman’s body and left out the door, Ilya could not help but think that he should have listened to the weather watchers.
* * * * *
Alexi watched as Jenna left the taproom. He was relieved she did not seem to be fleeing as she had in the past whenever he tried to express his feelings. He sipped the remainder of his mulled cider as Jarna came to remove the plates. “If you do not mind my saying Master Alexi, I wish the two of you would just say that you love each other and be done with it.”
He chuckled at her forwardness. “Well Jarna, wooing with song has already been done.”
She laughed out loud at his reference to how her love had declared his affections. “I am sure Nessan would not mind if you stole it to win his sister.”
“Don’t worry for us Jarna; we’re closer than you may think.”
She shook her head as she removed the dishes and left him to his thoughts. He linked his hands behind his head, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes feeling satisfied. A voice startled him from his reverie.
“Are you still pining for that girl?”
Alexi sat forward and looked at the stranger. He did not readily recognize the man who spoke to him. “I am sorry do I know you?”
“After two hundred years together I would hope so,” the man offered.
Alexi studied him closer and noticed his violet eyes and a slight bluish-purple hue to his skin. Suddenly he recognized the voice. “Draco?”
“So you have not forgotten me?”
“Of course not, old man. You have changed your look though.”
“After two hundred years, I thought it time.” Draco smiled. “May I?” He asked as he indicated the chair.
“Naturally,” Alexi stared for a moment. “You look good for an ancient dragon,” he teased.
Draco inclined his head in acceptance of the compliment. “How have things progressed here?”
“Things don’t really progress here, Draco, I think that’s what I like the most.”
“How about you and Jenna?” The dragon teased his companion.
“It’s a bit slow but we’re getting there.” Alexi sat for a moment then asked, “I don’t mean to sound ungracious but why are you here?”
“It is not to drag you into Dragon Council business, if that is what has you worried.”
“I have to admit that I was worried.”
“I just wanted to see how things were going for you before I got mired in the politics of Dragon’s Peak.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“Indeed, there has been a rebellion in Hochfield.”
“Hochfield, really,” Alexi asked incredulously.
“That was my reaction as well but it is true.”
Suddenly, a voice ripped into Alexi‘s head. Alexi, help! He leapt to his feet and rushed outside, Draco not far behind him. “What is wrong?” Draco asked.
Alexi looked around frantically to find where she had gone. “Jenna called for help,” he answered. Quickly, he reined in the panic and realized she would be in the direction of her parents’ house. He broke into a run with Draco still following. They stopped as they spotted Blade Stormbringer. “Lord Blade what are you doing here?” Dread washed over him as he started to realize the source of Jenna’s plea.
Blade looked chagrinned. “The Dragon Council has issued a warrant for Jenna of Moontree’s arrest.”
“Have you talked to her about this yet?”
“Yes, she is on her way to the Peak even now.”
“How?” Draco demanded.
Lord Blade scrutinized the stranger behind Alexi. His eyes got wide as he realized it was Draco. “Lord Draco, I thought that you were in the south.”
“I was, Lord Blade, but I am here now and I would like an answer to my question.”
“Lady Emerald Verde is returning her. I will meet up with her now that Alexi is informed of Lady Moontree’s whereabouts and can tell her family.”
“You left her in the custody of a primary dragon?” Draco’s voice was tense with barely contained rage. He caught Blade’s arm. “Alexi will not be the one to tell her family, you will.”
* * * * *
A man in all black clothing stalked down the aisle with purpose toward Saivan’s throne. Once he reached the foot of the dais he quickly went to one knee with his head bowed. “Your Majesty, it is done.”
“Good, that is the last of the loose ends. It’s about time, Clement, I was beginning to doubt your reputation. Lord Huntington’s accident was efficient.”
“The fire was my design your Majesty, the boar was just a happy coincidence. I lit the fire and it spooked the wild boar that ran down Huntington.”
“What about Lord Dumont and his wife? I have not heard anything about them.”
“I doubt much more than the carriage track off a cliff will be found of them, Sire.”
“See the seneschal and he will pay you.” The king waved his dismissal as he noticed his loyal bondsman approach. “Tristan what news do you have for me?”
The half elf dipped his knee in respect and moved to stand next to Saivan. “We have children from each household except, Lord Walcott. He has no children but he is an ally already.
“The army is now 15,000 strong. However, they are mostly farmers and merchants and non-military types so the training will take longer. We have started dispersing farm gangs to the rural areas to ensure that the harvests will be taken in and delivered to you.”
“Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. And what reports of the elven woman do we have?”
“The Dragon Council have apprehended her for the death of Mar Chello, Sire.”
He chuckled eagerly at the good news. “Excellent, move our loyalists into position. Inform them to move in and obtain the information I require as soon as the opportunity presents itself. We must confirm the reports before the next phase can begin and Tristan…” He said with a threatening pause. “Bring that report to me as soon as it comes in. Is that clear?”
“Yes, your Majesty.” Tristan said as he hurried to implement his master’s wishes.