Rise of the Dragon Queen

by Sherri Beth Mitchell

  Quentin looked uncertain, but he nodded. “As sure as the Lady Silvia wants me to.”

  “I do,” Silvia said. “Now, let us all get some sleep.”

  The next morning Silvia and Keelan awoke early to find Quentin already gone, and with no good ideas in her mind for usurping Gregorich. In fact, they agreed that the only things they had come up with were ways of murdering him. Although these ideas made them feel considerably better, it would only bring them down to Gregorich’s level of cruelty. They had breakfast in Silvia’s room and were joined by Motilda, Maura, Frero, and Hans. Keelan stayed in his red fur because they left the door open, and ate his food off of a plate on the rugs. The night before was not to be mentioned until later on. They chatted about the palace and their stay as they consumed cured ham, fried eggs, bacon crisps, flapjacks, syrups, butters, cheeses, and warm milk.

  When everyone had finished, Maura said, “Hans, would you be so kind as to take some of these trays to the kitchen? I’m sure the lovely Motilda wouldn’t mind helping you.” She smiled pleasantly at the two as they gathered the trays and left. As soon as they were down the hall, however, Maura’s smile vanished, replaced by a frantic, worried expression. She motioned Silvia, Keelan, and Frero closer to her slightly wrinkled face.

  “Child, can your brother hear us through the stones?” Maura asked Keelan.

  Keelan barked and nodded his furry head.

  “All right, then…She’s no good, that Motilda,” she said softly. “I heard her cry out in her sleep last night and went to her bed to comfort her. She was crying, so I held her and shushed her until she fell asleep. I was just about to get up and go back to my bed when she began mumbling…naturally I stopped to listen.”

  “What did she say?” asked Frero. He assumed it was something bad.

  Maura looked at him solemnly, then at Silvia with tears in her eyes. “She said this: ‘Plotting against him, the poor thing…must tell him’.”

  Silvia’s mouth dropped open. She wiped away her shocked tears of betrayal and horror from her face with ease, for her gray hair cover now had no veil.

  Frero’s face hardened into resolve. “We have to get rid of her, and that is all there is to it. She has to be shut up for good, or she’ll have us all in the dungeon before nightfall—she’ll ruin us! And if Silvia is found out…she’s as good as dead.”

  Frero’s right. Something has to be done, Keelan said through the stones, twitching his ears with a small growl.

  I’ll do it, came Quentin’s voice. I’ll take care of it today.

  “Are you sure, Quentin?” Silvia asked. She was thinking of his sordid past, and not wanting him to feel as though he had to repeat it. But someone needed to do something!

  I’m sure milady. Have no worries.

  “Thank you,” said Frero. “But I wouldn’t let her out of your sight until you are ready to do whatever it is you are planning to do. She’s treacherous, my lad.”

  Zander was whittling on his walking stick when he heard the sound of hooves on the dirt road. The conversation about Motilda quickly receded to the back of his mind. He looked up at the two riders approaching, but didn’t recognize either one. The horses were stopped at the hitching post and tied loosely, panting for breath. The man who climbed off of one horse was tall, well built, and had short, graying hair. The woman was also tall, her body slim. Her hair was pulled back at the base of her neck in a brown-gray bun that was falling down. Both walked as if they had been riding for days and were weary, and were looking at him and his small house uncertainly.

  The woman spoke first. “Is your name Zander?” she asked in a firm voice.

  Zander squinted at her, his senses heightened with anxiety. “Yes, it is. And whom might you be, milady?”

  “This is Geremy, and I am Dessica. Silvia told me in a letter how I could find you.”

  Zander shot up from his wooden chair faster than he intended. “How under the Dark Moon do you know Silvia?” he demanded harshly.

  Dessica was taken aback, but recovered quickly. “She is my daughter, and I have come with dire news.”

  Recognition dawned on Zander’s face. “I apologize for being so rude, my lady. Please, water your horses and come inside. I shall make you something to eat. There is much to talk about.”

  Silvia was on her balcony, watching the late morning mists dissipate and smelling fresh honeysuckle. She tried not to think of Motilda, but couldn’t help herself. How could the blasted girl be so disloyal? Not to mention unthankful? Why would she tell Gregorich anything? Silvia thought Motilda had given the impression that she hated him. He had been going to hang her, after all. What had changed her mind? With a depressed sigh, she thought of the leather-bound diary. It had been closed when she came back from dinner. Had the servant girl read some of it? Silvia knew it was more than possible for Motilda to have read the part where Gregorich had the informer killed. Could that have scared Motilda enough to switch sides and tattle? Maybe. And what would happen if Gregorich found out who she really was? A shiver crawled up her spine as she thought of the endless possibilities.

  “I need to get away from this wretched palace,” she told Keelan. He barked in response and hopped to his feet. “Let us go to Zander’s and see what he is about today.”

  A quarter hour later, Keelan, Silvia, Maura, and Frero met Hans at the stables. As all of the horses were being readied, Zander spoke through the stones, his voice reverberating in their minds.

  Silvia, Dessica is at my home…You need to come out here immediately.

  Silvia’s eyes widened. Dessica had really come to Darkania? Was she here to bring her back, or had something gone terribly wrong besides the massacre? After all, it was not possible for Dilliby to travel all the way to her home so quickly. Had they come right after Quentin attacked them? No, or else they would have been in the city already. Whatever the reason for her presence, Silvia was glad that her adopted mother was nearby; it meant that she was alive and well. But if she thought Silvia was just going to turn her tail and run from a chance to get her throne, she was mistaken and would be leaving alone.

  Trying not to show impatience, Silvia said, “If we hurry, perhaps we might take an early lunch with our old friend. But if we are any slower, he may dine without us.” She took Keelan’s little red body from Hans and set him upon her saddle. Leaning over, she was able to whisper into Hans’ ear without the worry of being overheard. “Dessica has arrived in Darkania and awaits us at Zander’s.”

  Hans tried not to show his surprise, telling his mistress to have a safe and lovely ride.

  The others took the hint well enough, and soon the horses were saddled and ready to ride. Hans, catching the anxious mood, asked Willis if he could be spared for a couple of hours. The stable master kindly let him leave, saying that Hans had been a big help already that morning, and so it was four horses that trotted briskly to Zander’s cottage. On the way, Maura inquired what had caused the rush.

  “Zander said milady’s other mother is at his home,” Frero answered.

  Maura’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Are you sure, Mistress? Dessica is in the city?”

  Silvia shrugged. “That is what Zander said.”

  “Has she come to drag you home by the hair on your pretty little head, I wonder?” Hans asked gruffly. Silvia’s look told him she thought him childish and silly. “Well, I would if I didn’t know you would come running back here to save the day the first chance you got.”

  Maura chuckled, and Keelan barked from his place on Silvia’s horse. When they arrived at the old man’s home a short time later, Silvia was overjoyed to see Rituel grazing in the small pasture. She dismounted Windfall as fast as she could and ran to the pasture fence, calling out to her horse. He sauntered over to her and she rubbed his neck and his velvety nose.

  “Hey, old boy!” she said, tears falling down her face with happiness. I have missed you terribly. You are looking wonderful!”

  “You don’t look the worse for wear yourself,” sa
id a voice from behind her.

  Silvia spun around and ran to Dessica’s open arms. Tears were shed and warm hugs given. It was by far the most emotional Dessica that Silvia had ever seen.

  When the excitement had subsided, Dessica asked, “Tell me, child, who rides with you? I want to know who is helping my Silvia.”

  “Oh, yes!” she exclaimed, embarrassed for forgetting the others so easily. “This gentleman is Frero.” Frero stepped forward and bowed his head politely. “He used to be my mother’s head gardener at the palace. And this is Keelan. He—“

  “You?” Dessica’s face paled.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot that you had met,” said Silvia.

  “Yes. This brave lad rescued us from his own brother, and then stole some of my horses. Whatever became of your brother?” she asked Keelan. She was not terribly worried about the horses, and at this point did not care about his theft.

  Silvia answered. “Quentin is in my service now. He has shown great loyalty to me and remorse for the past,” she informed Dessica. And at this moment he is proving it by going after my servant girl to quiet her serpentine tongue. She shoved the thought away with a slight coloring of her cheeks.

  Dessica obviously was not pleased, and no doubt thought her judgment clouded and foolish; however, she did not comment it. Instead she introduced Geremy and said he had something to ask.

  Geremy took his cue after he bowed to the young woman and stepped forward. “I hate to meet such a lovely young lady under these circumstances. But I need to know…did you kill my grandson?”

  Silvia had recognized Geremy immediately, though it took Maura and Hans a minute to remember him. It seemed so long ago that her party had stopped at his residence to see why someone had been screaming.

  “No, I did not kill him. But I put him in a position to be a target without knowing it. At the time I had not a clue as to who I really was, and I never dreamed of Venicius being harmed. I’m afraid you will have to talk to Quentin about that.”

  The man nodded. “I believe you. I really do…”

  Silvia saw he was holding something back. “But?”

  Geremy sighed. “But his grandmother—my wife—is on her way here, and she will not believe a word otherwise.”

  Silvia remembered the woman he was referring to. She had been delirious with the pain of her grandchild’s death and had looked close to coming unhinged. Perhaps that had really happened and she was now over an edge of sorts.

  “So what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?” Keelan asked, unconsciously placing his hand protectively on Silvia’s back. This action was not missed by Dessica’s eyes.

  “Well…she believes that Silvia murdered Venicius and now Raena is coming to seek her vengeance for his death.” He looked at her sadly. “She’s coming to kill you, milady, and she’ll be in the city sometime today or tomorrow.”

  Silvia began to take a step back, but faltered as her eyes closed. She collapsed in a faint, Keelan barely catching her before her body hit the ground. He scooped her into his arms and carried her inside to Zander’s spare bed. Everyone else followed quickly behind.

  “I cannot believe this is happening,” Keelan said angrily to the others. “You haven’t any idea how many things have gone wrong for her…and yet, she swims through as a fish in the water. Without hardly a scar to show she keeps going, only to come upon more obstacles in her chosen path. She has no inkling of how strong she is, and her heart is full of goodness and hope. But with so many people wanting bad things, how can one expect her good to prevail?” He stroked Silvia’s brow, then leaned down to kiss her forehead tenderly.

  Dessica was about to demand to know why he thought he could touch a queen in such a way, when her eyes lit up with horror—she realized the young woman was without a veil. “Why is her face not covered?”

  “Your old stable hand, Jonathan, was at the palace last night for dinner as a guest. He heard Silvia’s voice and told the entire table that she sounded just like his old mistress. A visiting prince and the King himself wished to prove Jonathan wrong, and the King bade her remove her veil. Quentin saved us by getting Hanovi—another of your servants—to declare that Jonathan was in the wrong. Gregorich was satisfied, but it was close, milady. Unfortunately he thought that Silvia was so beautiful that he forbade her to ever wear a veil in his palace…And I would do the same, if I could look upon such a beautiful face every day.”

  Geremy and Dessica looked at each other darkly. “Might I ask if you are in love with the young lady here?” asked Geremy casually.

  Keelan looked away from them all, gathering his strength for what he was about to do. A swarm of emotions were turning about in his stomach, and he had to swallow hard to keep from getting sick. A deep breath and a quick dip into his pocket revealed a small box, which he handed to Dessica. “I know who your daughter is and the dangers that face her. I know her intentions of retrieving her throne and punishing Gregorich Hapshamin for all of his atrocities. I know that her heart is pure and that I want to make sure it stays that way. With your permission, milady, I would like to be her husband.”

  Dessica’s face did not change. “You do know, I suppose, that only royal blood may marry her?”

  Keelan’s heart pounded madly. “I knew you might say something such as this, and I can only hope that when she does become Queen she will…overlook that law.”

  Dessica sighed heavily and opened the little box. She gasped, and for several minutes was speechless. “Have you asked her yet, by chance?”

  His heart began to let up its racing. “Yes, milady. She accepted the proposal.”

  She gazed at the gorgeous ring again. “Well…if the Queen so wishes it, then I shall have no qualms about it,” Dessica said quietly. She knew Silvia would do what she felt in her heart. Besides, the man had apparently gone through great lengths to help everyone involved and seemed very devoted to Silvia already.

  Zander, who had left the room in search of a certain plant, returned and sat beside Silvia on the bed. He had a short, fat purplish stalk in his hand, which he broke open and waved under her delicate nose. Her eyes opened immediately, and she grabbed Zander’s hand.

  “What is that wonderful aroma?” she asked, sitting up.

  “The skeetcha plant,” he replied. He showed her the root. “Excellent for waking someone out of a deep sleep just as if their eyes had never closed. If you eat it raw, it keeps your senses alert for hours on end, and if you put it in your food it can counteract some poisons.” Zander glanced at the young man beside her. “I will teach you of these herbs and spices, but it must be later. Something of consequence must be said now, I believe.” He smiled warmly and backed away from her.

  Keelan knelt on one knee, taking Silvia’s small hand in his. “Silvia, you are the light of my dark life, and just being near you completes me. I love you dearly, with all of my heart, and I will do anything to protect you. I will be your most faithful servant and the dearest friend you shall ever have, even if you should change your mind about choosing me as your husband. But I am jumping ahead of myself…Silvia, Dessica has given her consent for our marriage, if you will still have me.”

  Cheers and applause erupted in the room, and Silvia smiled sheepishly as Keelan slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand. She couldn’t believe Dessica had approved!

  They celebrated with an old bottled wine Zander had kept hidden for years. A cool breeze was blowing from the southeast, where clouds were beginning to form a dark and threatening line on the horizon. As they sipped their wine and nibbled on cheese and fresh bread, their horses grazed peacefully, whinnying softly once in a while and brushing flies off their flanks with their tails. Bees buzzed from flower to flower and birds flew to and from the trees in the thickening air.

  But Geremy brought up the inevitable question before long: what were they to do about Raena?

  “I don’t know,” said Silvia, “but if she points me out to be who I really am, Gregorich will start looking into things;
Jonathan already came close to ruining me, remember?”

  “Well, I can try to find her and tell her some kind of story but I can’t guarantee it will throw her off for good, or at all.” Geremy said heavily.

  Silvia patted him on the arm. “I am sorry for your troubles.”

  “Milady, Dessica has told me your story, and I should be the one telling you that. And you have certainly gone through some mind-rattling ordeals since you have arrived here, or so Zander has told us.”

  “Forgive an old man for interrupting,” Frero said, “but we must also form a plan to remove Gregorich from the throne as soon as can be. We haven’t much time.”

  “Yes, we do,” said Zander gravely. “And it darkens my heart to hear news of Rohedon coming to this city, for whatever purpose. I am but a peddler in the arts of magic, but he is a mighty sorcerer who uses his powers for naught but evil things.”