by J. R. Castle
“I fear the guards will not see me. This is the way I wish to bring her to Rodon. I do not wish for her visit to be common knowledge in the town. I have my reasons for this. Now, it’s getting late. Will you comply? Or—”
“Oh, very well, very well. Let’s not discuss any or’s. There’s no need to get cranky, Elderad. It is my responsibility to protect the city from intruders. Even if they are little minnows like that one.” Sapphire’s snout eased closer as she gave a long sniff. “She seems no more impressive than a carp, but from your interest in her, I’m assuming that she’s more important—”
“The ride, Sapphire,” Riyah interrupted. “Time is wasting.”
Kardia wanted to ask what the dragon meant. Hadn’t the faerie said something similar? She was nothing worth making a fuss over. All she wanted was to go meet the King. Nothing more. Her questions were on the tip of her tongue, but Riyah’s insistent urging to collect her belongings stilled them for the moment.
Keeping his hold on her elbow, Riyah led her toward the dragon and motioned to a spot along her neck, directly behind the sharp spikes circling her head. Immediately, Kardia’s head began to shake back and forth. Before she was able to back away, Riyah grabbed her around the waist, as if she were a mere child, and lifted her onto the beast’s back.
“I’ll ride behind to make sure you do not fall off. Do not fear, Daughter, I’ll keep you safe. Will you trust me?” His face once again materialized beneath the hood of his cloak.
“O-okay.” Was all Kardia could manage. But Riyah’s promise didn’t keep the scream inside as Sapphire dove off the cliff and into the rushing waters below. To Kardia’s relief, the dragon remained afloat and swam across the currents in a zig-zagging line right toward a very tall brick wall. Her stomach roiled with the movement. She pressed her hand to her mouth, fighting off the urge to get sick. About halfway across, she lost the battle.
Riyah patted her on the back and requested the dragon to travel a little slower.
The far shore eventually came into view. Water soaked through her unlaced boots and she hoped they stayed on her feet. She dug her heels tighter against the dragon’s sides, hoping Sapphire wouldn’t mind too much. Cold water dampened her skirt, chilling her legs.
Soon, a sweet scent hit her, soothing the rumbles in her stomach. In the dim evening light, she made out several trees towering over the wall and wondered if that was where the delightful scent came from. It reminded her of standing beneath the few apple trees that grew in Goia.
Riyah’s arms circled around her as he held on to the fine mane flowing down the dragon’s back. It made for a comfortable place to ride, though Kardia hated that she wasn’t also able to hang on and was completely at the Elderad’s mercy.
When Sapphire finally slid onto the other shore, Kardia toppled off her back. Her weak legs crumbled beneath her and she fell forward onto the soft sand.
“Little minnow seems a little shaken up,” Sapphire chuckled. Then her laughter stopped. “What is wrong with her hands? Riyah, have you sneaked a thief into Rodon? Have you tricked—?”
Riyah’s glow intensified and for a couple of moments, Kardia was able to see his annoyed expression. “I am not one who is able to produce falsehoods and you know this dragon!”
Sapphire’s great head ducked as she pressed her snout into the sand. “Forgive Sapphire, Elderad. I’ve never… she is damaged…I—”
“She is healing.” Riyah helped Kardia back to her feet. “She is a survivor. Do not allow appearances to fool you, Dragon. Things are not always what they first seem.”
“Indeed not, Elderad. I did what you commanded. May I return to my eggs now?”
Kardia tucked her hands under her arms, hating that everyone she met would probably think the same thing.
“Yes. Thank you, Sapphire, for your help,” he answered with a bow.
Bowing her head in return, the dragon turned and dove back into the water, disappearing below the surface this time.
“Come, Kardia. We will rest soon. And I know of a place where you’ll find sustenance. In the morning, you’ll be presented at the Meeting Hall.”
Hot tears burned at Kardia’s eyes, but she followed the Elderad, keeping her troubled thoughts to herself. Perhaps leaving home had been a terrible mistake. What if she never found acceptance outside of Goia? At least, in her little town, everyone knew by now what happened. Nobody would accuse first and ask questions later.
Riyah led her up a curved set of stone stairs. By the time they reached the top, the delightful scent she’d caught drifting over the river, hit her once again. She blinked back the dampness blurring her vision. Growing all around them were trees with oddly shaped fruits, most were still green, while others were yellow or red.
“What is this?” she whispered.
“A pear orchard. They are like apples, but different. Pick as many as you can eat. We will rest here tonight.” Riyah tossed his bag at the base of the nearest tree, then sat, leaning back against the trunk. “The last time I was here, the trees were covered in blooms and the sweetest scent hung in the air, even stronger than now.”
Kardia set her bags down and walked around in small circles, trying to find a fruit she could reach with her palms.
“Now, the branches are hanging low. Soon, the fruit and leaves will fade and all that will be left are twisted, bare trunks with dark limbs.”
Finding a pear hanging low, Kardia reached up but was a few inches too short. She hopped up, managing to grab the fruit, but it kept slipping from her sweaty palms.
Riyah continued his musings. “If I had come in the winter, I would not have been very impressed with this orchard, you know? If I came only in the spring, I’d not know what delicious fruit they grew, though I would doubtlessly have been enchanted by the wonderful display of flowers. They truly are a sight to see.” He sighed, his gaze locked on the fruits hanging above his head.
Kardia moved to another low branch, but still had difficulty grasping a pear tight enough to break free from its limb.
Riyah finally sat up. “And if I had only seen them in the fall, I would dismiss them like any other ordinary tree.”
Kardia hopped a couple of more times, then gave up. All the branches were out of her reach. Maybe if she could catch one of the branches and pull it down….
Riyah stood and walked toward her. “We forget that seasons, time, and circumstances change people…and things. Such as the pear tree. Or any other tree. We should pay heed and take a lesson from them.” He reached up and brought a branch laden with pears down to her level.
With a grateful smile, she reached up and tried to tug one loose, but it still slipped through her hands. Without fingers to twist and break it loose from the branch, she’d not be able to pluck any from the tree.
“What lesson is that?” Her mouth watered from hunger twisting her belly. Why did everything have to be so hard?
Riyah didn’t try to pluck one for her. Instead, he held the branch steady, keeping the fruit at her level. “The lesson, Daughter, is that often we tend to appraise a person or thing’s value upon first sight. When what is needed is time to evaluate and get to know that something, giving it time to show all of its aspects before we make our assumptions.”
Kardia was so hungry, she decided to eat the fruit right from the tree, steadying it with her damaged hands while she bit into the soft flesh. Sweet juices filled her mouth and dribbled down the sides of her chin. She let out a delighted sigh. “So good.”
She wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “Like the dragon assumed I was a thief?”
“Correct, and the way you assumed Sapphire was a dangerous beast. As if I would put you in that kind of danger.” She heard the clicking of his tongue in his tone but was too busy devouring the next pear to respond.
“She was frightening, Riyah,” Kardia said around a mouthful of pear. “I’ve never seen one, let alone been close to anything that large.” She swallowed. “With smoke pouring out of the sides of her mouth. Of cou
rse, I was frightened.”
“Of course.” Riyah moved the branch so she could easily grasp another pear. The third! But she’d been so famished, she might eat everyone on the whole tree if he let her. “And of course then, you should understand Sapphire’s quick assumption about you. She is to guard the borders against trespassers. Allowing one passage across the river is forbidden, but since I took responsibility for you….”
Kardia stepped away from the tree, now left with four eaten pears hanging from the branch. What would the owner think when they came across this particular tree?
“What are you really saying, Riyah? Was I wrong to be frightened of the dragon?”
His hood shook, then returned to his place under the tree. He used his pack to rest back on. “Your fear was understandable. As was her suspicion of you. However, if you had the chance to spend more time with Sapphire, you would find her most amiable and a lover of historical stories. She has lived in this land for many ages and has seen a great many things, as most dragons have.
“And if she had been able to spend more time with you, she would have learned that you are honest and kindhearted. That you are a loyal friend and normally accepting of everyone you come across, though I fear that quality is waning with each new bad experience.”
Kardia considered his little speech, touched by his evaluation of her. She found a soft spot on the ground near him. She always felt safer when she at his side. “I need to…” she searched for the right words and finally came up with, “not be hasty and give things time to work themselves out. Because, like the trees, things do change.”
Riyah had plucked a few more pears and after eating one, he dropped the rest into her bag.
“Everything changes, given time.” He patted her cheek. “Now, you should rest. Tomorrow will be a new day, full of its own challenges. For now, you are safe here with me.”
* * * *
A loud pounding on the cottage door caused Leon to bolt out of his bed and tumble off the side in a pile of blankets and pillows. “What?” He shouted, trying to untangle his legs. Had he turned and twisted all night? “I’m coming, I’m coming,” he shouted again when the pounding continued.
Sleep blurred his vision. By the time Leon reached the front, he’d toppled a stone vase, upset two chairs and most likely had several bruises covering his shins. Yanking open the door, he yelled, “There better be something disastrous happening or I’ll—”
“Begging your pardon, Regent,” the gardener, a stocky, short man named Armut, yanked his hat off his head and bowed. His eyes rounded as he stammered, “There’s a strange apparition in the yon garden, Sire. Mightn’t be disastrous, but I’m certainly frightened and unsure of what to do. Never seen the likes of it in my life, I haven’t. So, maybe it could be disastrous, I dare say.” When he straightened, Armut added, “I’m stumped about it, I must admit.”
The cool morning air hit the bare skin of Leon’s legs. He realized he’d collapsed onto the bed without even bothering to put on his night clothes. Blinking, he asked, “Armut, tell me what you saw. And please come in while I get something decent on. What time is it, anyway?”
Armut took one step inside and closed the door behind him, but made no move to come in any further. “Poor Regent Leonard works long hours, I hate to disturb your rest, Sire. But I’m positively mystified. Never seen the likes of what’s taken up residence in your orchard, Sire.”
Leon hurried to his room where he quickly dressed and slipped on his boots. Grabbing his sword, he secured the belt around his waist as he returned to the main room. “How many times have I asked to not be called, Sire? Save that for Prince Issah, Armut. And tell me what exactly did you see? Should I call the guards? Are we under siege?”
Armut shook his head of tight black curls. “Oh no, nothing like that. Ol’ Sapphire wouldn’t allow any intruders to cross her river, now would she? That’s why I’m stumped, but I don’t think this is human. It’s glowing, si-er-Regent, Sir. A glowing thing wearing a cloak. It’s standing over a body, Sire. I feared it might be one of ‘em sorcerer types that folks like to spread tales about.”
Leon slowed down since it didn’t seem Rodon was under attack. A light being wearing a cloak…that had him suspicious. But what would Riyah be doing back so soon? And why wouldn’t he have come on to the cottage, as he usually did when visiting?
The ‘body’ part of Armut’s story did have Leon concerned. “Sorcerer’s here in Rodon? Impossible. We have the gates protecting us from intruders. Not to mention the white stone roads. That alone is enough to keep anyone intending harm away from the city, don’t you think?”
“Ay, perhaps, but tis not the stones alone that keep the baddies away. An’ what I saw wasn’t anywhere near the city. It’s in your garden!” Armut twisted the wide-brimmed woven hat so tightly between his hands, flecks of straw began raining down around his muddied boots.
“Well, let’s go have a look. I suspect, perhaps, that my Elderad adviser has returned, but we should hurry and check this out. I must admit, it’s a mystery to me, too.” He followed the gardener outside and down the winding footpath deep into the stand of pear trees.
As Leon followed, he yanked down one of the ripe ones and bit into it. Now that he was up and moving around, his stomach began to grumble over the missed first meal. The sun was already high in the sky. He must have slept in quite late.
“There,” Armut pointed a shaky finger. “They was just over by the wall, but now…” he glanced around, scratching his head beneath the frayed hat. “I don’t see—”
Leon heard a gasp, followed by the rustling of grass and leaves. He turned and spotted an abandoned bag. Then a young woman peered around one of the pear trees. When she spotted them staring at her, she began to back away.
“Easy Miss,” Leon kept his tone as gentle as possible. “We’re not going to hurt you. Please come out to where I can see you.”
“Take care, Sire,” Armut whispered. “Could be a trap. Perhaps she’s a fae. They aren’t allowed either—”
“Yes, they are,” Leon quickly corrected. “But I believe the lass is as human as I am. And quite alone, as well.” He took another step closer, then noticed several eaten pears hung from the tree where she’d been sleeping. His temper flared. Why hasn’t the waif at least plucked them? Something was wrong. Who ate fruit straight from a tree without plucking it first? In a firm voice, he commanded, “Come out where I can see you.”
Once again, she peered around the trunk. Her dirty hair hung loosely around her dirt-smudged face. Then he noticed the hem of her dress was tattered and stained. What was she doing here? In his orchard!
“Come out and show me your medallion. To disobey will land you in a prison cell, Miss. And I much prefer to keep them unoccupied.”
She finally stepped out, her head ducked and hands tucked under each arm. “Forgive me, Regent Leon. I do not have a medallion.”
“You know me, it seems. But I do not know you.” His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. This was getting stranger by the moment. “How did you get here?”
Her voice wobbled. “Ri-yah, Sir. He ordered the d-dragon to bring us across.” She glanced around again as a single tear slid down her cheek. “He promised that he wouldn’t leave me. I…don’t understand…why…”
“I’m right here,” Riyah strode past Leon. “At ease, Leonard the Lionhearted. The girl is in my care.” He moved to her side, bringing her out of the shadows. “Kardia wishes to meet King Shaydon. So, I brought her here knowing you would be taking a group to Radiance in the near future.”
Armut grabbed Leon’s sleeve. “There it is, Sire. That’s the…uh,” his words faltered. “You know him, Sire?”
Leon patted Armut’s back. “Indeed. This is Riyah, my adviser. An Elderad of King—”
Armut fell to the ground before Riyah. “My apologies,” he cried out. “My apologies, I did not realize, my lord. I didn’t…please do not show your anger over my ignorance, Sire. I’m only a gardener, protect
ing the regent’s garden.”
“Stand Armut of the House of the Gray Goose,” Riyah ordered. “I’m seen only by those who I wish to see me.”
Leon motioned for Armut to return to his work. “The mystery is solved, my friend. We are fine. Riyah, why did you not bring your guest to my home? Why make her sleep out here?”
The Elderad retrieved his travel bag. “It was late, and she was exhausted. I do not have much time to linger. I wish to leave Kardia in your care, Regent. She has traveled far and has been through many trials, but her heart is steadfast on meeting the King. And indeed, she will. In due time.”
* * * *
Kardia chastised herself for feeling disappointed that the regent hadn’t recognized her. Of course, he wouldn’t have. She was nobody important, first off, and he’d been quite out of it when she mended his leg. But perhaps this was best. She’d keep up the ruse that she a nobody who was simply passing through, which was the truth.
Rodon was much too large of a place for her to even consider settling down. The grand buildings standing just outside of the orchard had her heart racing like a sparrow in flight. No, she was passing through. And the sooner she could get to this place called Radiance, the better.
“Of course, Riyah,” the regent was saying. “Why don’t we take her to the Hall, and I’ll hand her over to Steward Pavlina. She will make sure that our guest is properly fed and given a chance to clean up.”
Kardia didn’t like the idea of being passed around as if she were a crate of potatoes. “I wish to see the King, Sir. I’d rather not linger or be a burden.”
The regent bent to retrieve her bag and held it out to her. “I fear you’ll have to linger for a while, Miss. I mean, Kardia. Is that correct?”
She nodded. No, he didn’t remember her at all. Well, that was fine. It would save her from having to explain a long story she didn’t wish to relive. “How long?”
“At least another season. I had planned to send a group after harvest.”
Kardia’s shoulders drooped. What would she do until then? She glanced up at Riyah and was glad he allowed her to see his face. A small smile tugged at his thin lips as he offered a wink of assurance. “You could continue alone, but as I said, Kardia, the King’s Highway does not run through Rodonal. Traveling in a group will be safer and guarantee your arrival more than traveling alone.”
