The Dragon Marked Chronicles: Prince of Dragons (Book 2)

by Jay Lynn

  Chapter 4

  Lingering in the shadows of a narrow alley, Jerric crossed his arms with a huff. It was well past midnight, and the air was brisk as a chilling wind blew through the streets of Ariston. Pressing his lips together in a thin line, he leaned forward to peer up and down the dark side street. Save for a stray cat or two, it was empty.

  “He’s late,” the master sage growled under his breath.

  Shifting his weight from side to side, he pulled his cloak more snuggly around him. If his contact didn’t show soon, he would leave. Edging towards the corner of the building, Jerric scanned the main street. Occasionally, a carriage rattled by in the dim lamps’ glow or a small group would stroll noisily down the cobblestones, but that was all. With the pubs still open, not many people loitered in the street.

  “Looking for someone?” questioned a quiet voice from behind him.

  Spinning around, Jerric glared at the figure standing several feet away.

  “Good of you to finally make an appearance. How long were you planning on making me wait?”

  The short man’s face was hidden by the hood of his cloak. Still, his proud stance seemed to radiate a shroud of indifference.

  “I had other priorities,” he answered vaguely.

  “Indeed? You should remember that without my help for all these years The Pure wouldn’t have gained the power it has. Nor would your forces have been able to infiltrate either of the magical academies, not to mention the Royal Palace.”

  “You dare to brag about such failures? I care not how long you’ve been skulking around for your own gain. Your job was to help us weaken the Malyndorian Crown and eliminate the Master Sages, neither of which you accomplished. Do not fool yourself into thinking your value was not affected. The Pure do not take kindly to mistakes.”

  Jerric jerked back. Scowling, he peered down his beak-like nose at his guest. “That wasn’t my fault. Malcolm’s filthy apprentice interfered. The boy has great power, but I managed to take care of him.”

  The cloaked man was quiet for a few seconds. “So you were the one to send him and the girl to Rhordack.”

  The sage shrugged. “I simply convinced certain sorcerers that he was the best choice.”

  “There might be some use for you yet, Master Jerric. My sources informed me they were both sold in Terra.”

  Jerric smiled. It seemed the arrogant slave was back where he belonged.

  “He won’t be leaving Zerrok alive this time. I just wish I could be there to watch them both die.”

  Isabelle stood as still as a statue while gripping the handle of her hatchet so tightly her knuckles bleached white. The pressure kept her hands from shaking. Unfortunately, it did nothing for her knees, which were threatening to buckle. Above her, the noise from the crowd was almost deafening. On the arena floor, numerous battles were taking place all around.

  How did Alec do this? she thought frantically.

  The large space was oval in shape. The far end had a massive gate flanked by two smaller ones. Three doors were spread along both side walls ending with two more gates at the rear.

  Isabelle didn’t know what could possibly be unleashed from the large steel doorway and she didn’t want to know. She had her hands full staying alive as it was.

  Two dozen gladiators fought throughout the arena. For some reason, everyone seemed to have swords save for Isabelle and Alec. The sorceress glanced over to where he stood engaged in combat against another slave. The competition had just begun, yet the others appeared to be mostly zeroing in on her partner.

  A badly scarred man came at her. Instinctively raising her hand, she summoned a spell.

  “Surgeon, blast.”

  The cuff on her wrist glowed faintly then stopped. Eyes darting between her hand and her attacker, Isabelle gulped. Crap! I forgot about this stupid thing. She lifted the hatchet and planted her feet. The man would be upon her in a heartbeat.

  A blade shot in front of Isabelle’s face, blocking her foe’s sword. Pushed back, the man emitted a primal like growl before launching forward to strike at her savior instead.

  Both hands gripping his weapon, Alec followed with a series of powerful attacks.

  The other man blocked the first few, but couldn’t keep up with Alec’s speed.

  There was no way Alec was going to lose to any of these fighters. The warrior couldn’t afford to. Markus’s words prior to the battle replayed themselves in his mind.

  ‘You can’t refuse my orders this time, Alec,’ he sneered coldly. ‘If you don’t want that girl to keep my men company for the rest of her days, then every match you fight…kill them all.’

  Face a mask of stone, Alec drove his blade into his opponent. Pulling his sword free, he turned to meet another gladiator.

  “Eeek!” Isabelle squeaked, jumping back. She hadn’t seen the second man closing in upon her.

  Twisting his wrist, Alec slashed him from shoulder to hip.

  “Thanks Alec. Where did you find the sword?”

  “I borrowed it,” he answered gesturing in the direction he originally came from.

  While Alec joined her side, Isabelle glanced to the left. Sure enough, a man was lying on the ground with a hatchet planted in his skull. Face paling, the sorceress fought to keep from vomiting.

  “Do you have to slay them? Can’t you just knock them out?”

  Alec paused, watching two more gladiators approaching them. Jaw clenching, he refused to meet her eye.

  “I can’t, Isabelle.”

  She jerked back slightly. Can’t? Had the blood and gore of the colosseum gotten to him already? Was Alec morphing into one of those mindless, murdering weapons? No. She wouldn’t believe that. There was something almost desperate in his gaze. Isabelle lifted her eyes to peer up at the stands. Markus was there, not even bothering to hide the wide grin covering his lips.

  This has to be his doing.

  Alec wasn’t a merciless killer. Before the match, their owner pulled him aside. Isabelle hadn’t heard his words, but she would bet he was the reason for Alec’s odd behavior.

  Blocking out the sound of his opponent’s cries of pain, Alec battled one after another until only he and Isabelle remained. The crowd yelled with glee as the blade slipped from his loose fingers. Refusing to even glance at the faces above them, Alec placed a hand on the small of his partner’s back and led her from the bloody stage.

  Wrists bound in chains, they were taken back through the twisting bowels of the colosseum. The men trapped inside the steel cages hollered and screamed as the two newest slaves were dragged past. Reaching through the bars, several of them tried to grab Isabelle.

  One man managed to catch her arm. His grimy fingers dug into her skin as he gripped the bars with his other hand.

  Alec pulled the two guards holding him over to the side as he lifted his leg to slam his foot against the slave’s exposed hand.

  The man screamed as his fingers were crushed against the bars. He immediately released his hold of the sage.

  By the time they were able to tug Alec off, the damage was already done.

  “Never touch her,” the warrior warned.

  Forced back down the corridor, Alec’s eyes continued to scan the cells. He would find no allies this time. There were only the deadliest of foes. Once the door to their cage was secured behind them, Alec’s shoulders finally sagged. Exhaling, he lowered himself to the ground.

  Placing her hands on her hips, Isabelle stood over him with a frown.

  “What in the world has gotten into you? I’ve never seen you go on a rampage like that. Seriously Alec, I know we’re being forced to fight, but that doesn’t mean you have to slaughter people.”

  Alec snorted. Sometimes she could be so naive. They couldn’t afford to appear weak, even if Markus hadn’t commanded him to behave like a savage.

  “This isn’t the academy, Isabelle. Being soft gets you killed.”

  Eyes widening, her head jerked back as if he had slapped her. “What did he say to you?�
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  Alec tilted his head.

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know of what I speak,” Isabelle told him testily. “Markus. What did he say?”

  Not as naive as I thought, Alec mentally corrected. Sighing, he gave her a helpless shrug.

  “Kill them all, or you pay the price.”

  Blinking several times, Isabelle’s mouth tightened at the corners. “That bastard.”

  Alec’s brows rose to his hairline. He couldn’t have heard her right. Isabelle rarely swore.

  Hands dropping to her sides, she placed a palm against her cheek and peered at the dirt floor. Isabelle’s entire body seemed to droop. Her lips started to move, yet no words came out. Finally shaking her head, Isabelle slid down the wall to sit beside him.

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  Alec flashed a humorless smile. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  The sorcerer would not break his promise. Closing his eyes, Jade’s face came to mind as he gripped the chain still around his neck. Wait for me, Jade. Somehow, I will return.

  A wisp of hair brushed the side of Jade’s cheek. Tucking it behind her ear, she continued to stroll along the edge of the bustling street. Various carts wheeled by as vendors finished setting up for the annual harvest festival. Decorations hung above the walkways, covered the fronts of shops, and even adorned every flag pole displaying Stafford’s dual sword crest. Like clockwork, almost all of the preparations were ready for the start of the celebration this Saturday.

  Jade smiled softly. Peering around at the beaming faces, and listening to people’s laughter, she sighed wistfully. There is such a wondrous sense of excitement in the air this year.

  Suddenly, her footsteps drew to a halt, as did the two soldiers discretely escorting her.

  Across the road, a man dwelt in the shadows of an alley. Nearby was the side door to one of the shops. An arm hidden behind his back, he glanced at the entry, then peered about cautiously.

  Unconsciously, Jade’s fingers snaked around the steel grip of her sword. Eyes narrowing, she inched forward with her bodyguards.

  The side door flew open. A woman stepped into the alley, nearly running into the man hiding in the partial darkness. She shrieked, pressing a hand to her heart as the man revealed a bouquet of flowers.

  Exhaling, Jade watched as a large grin stretched across the woman’s face. Releasing her grip, the noblewoman leaned a hand against the sheath. Thank heavens. It was nothing after all. Only recently did Garth give her permission to wear a blade outside of the practice field.

  A sword was a weapon, he told her. While to some it was a deterrent, to others it would be an invitation to test their blades. A swordsman should never carry a weapon unless they have the skill and resolve to use it.

  Jade knew she was ready, even if the duke was less than pleased with her decision. Still, part of her was thankful she had yet to draw her sword against a foe. As Jade began to walk down the street once more, she passed the couple who sold her the hair ribbons she purchased last year. Smiling brightly, they engaged in small talk for a few minutes before Jade continued on with a wave. Reaching behind her, she twirled the ends of her long dark hair. She didn’t have her green ribbon any longer.

  A sharp pang squeezed Jade’s heart. She didn’t regret giving Alec the token on the day he departed Stafford. Sadly, it was the last time she saw him.

  The spark faded from Jade’s emerald green irises. If she shut her eyes, she could picture her beloved warrior with ease. Thinking about his intelligent, chocolate-colored gaze and his playful half smirk caused the pressure in her chest to increase. There was no word from Alec for several weeks now.

  Garth, his closest friend, received letters here and there. By what Garth told her, Alec traveled to Marcia after departing. While training soldiers, he met up with a fellow sage named Isabelle. Alec then made his way to Ariston with Malcolm where he recently was initiated as an Emerald Sage.

  Glancing up at the sky, a grin spread across Jade’s lips.

  He did it.

  Alec became an Emerald Sage, just as he planned. The smile slipped. Why has he not returned? The warrior promised to come back when he was someone worthy. The man she loved was one of his word. So where was he? He gained the honorable title of a King’s Sorcerer. What more did he need?

  Frowning, Jade’s steps slowed. Had something happened to him? Jade heard rumors about two sages who went missing during a mission. The latest news suggested they might be in Zerrok.

  Jade shook her head, ridding herself of those thoughts. Alec would never go anywhere near the southern kingdom again. She saw for herself some of the suffering he endured there. Then what could it be? Biting her lip, Jade peered around. Children laughed and played while couples walked by hand in hand.

  “Isabelle,” Jade whispered darkly.

  The sorceress’s name seemed to magically appear on her lips.

  Garth briefly mentioned her after receiving one of Alec’s letters. If she wasn’t of some importance, Alec wouldn’t have written about her. He wasn’t one to waste words. The warrior’s correspondence was always short.

  Who is she?

  Jade’s fingers curled around the hem of her tunic. Pressing her lips into a flat line, her body tensed. Nodding to herself, Jade exhaled with a sharp huff then suddenly spun on her heel. The noble passed between her two startled guards as she quickly retraced her steps towards the castle. The need for answers drove her forward to the point that Jade was nearly sprinting as she reached the front door. Handing her sword to one of the soldiers, she grasped the door handle. Taking a deep breath, her shoulders pulled back and chin lifted. Jade forced herself to slow her pace as she strode gracefully into the gleaming foyer.

  Garth no longer lived in the soldiers’ barracks. A few weeks ago, he finally agreed to move into the castle where the higher ranking members of the Stafford’s Guard resided. At first, he had been adamant to change. Jade wondered if part of him was against leaving the room he shared with Alec so soon after the warrior’s departure.

  Traveling down the corridor, Jade passed the hall leading to the healer’s quarters. Jade smiled as she ascended the stairs to the next floor. Perhaps Kayla had some influence on the drill instructor’s decision.

  Nearing his door, Jade hoped the former gladiator was in. The new recruits were given the week off to visit family and assist with the festivities. He might not be teaching any classes, yet, that didn’t mean he wasn’t training himself.

  Knocking on the solid wooden door, Jade tapped her fingers against her leg as she waited for the sound of Garth’s voice. Leaning forward, she tilted her head to the side. Previously with Alec, Jade learned the hard way not to burst into a man’s room without permission. Just thinking of him shirtless caused her cheeks to flush.

  Why am I thinking of that now? Stay focused Jade.

  She was here to find out more about this unknown woman, not to be reminded of this relentless longing.

  The thump of footsteps on the other side of the entry pulled Jade back to current events. She straightened just as the door opened.

  Eyes widening slightly, a grin spread across Garth’s face. “Lady Jade, what brings you here?”

  “Greetings Garth. May I have a few moments of your time?”

  “Of course.” He opened the door wider and stepped to the side. “Come on in.”

  Jade had yet to visit his new chambers, and normally wouldn’t do so without Ariel, but this could not wait. She trusted him. If people wanted to talk, then they may do so.

  Garth offered her a distinctively feminine chair with a floral pattern. Peering around, Jade noted a few other pieces Kayla must have picked out in the sparsely decorated space. I am pleased for them.

  “How are you settling in to your new room?”

  “Quite well, thank you.”

  “I am glad. It must have been cramped in the barracks. I hope you are enjoying some time without your students. It is a lovely day out. I regret I shall not
be able to resume our lessons until after the festival. It should be splendid this year. I do hope you are planning to attend.”

  Cease rambling.

  Raising his brows, Garth watched her for a few moments without a word. Interlacing his fingers, he leaned his elbows on his thighs.

  “Jade, what’s the true nature of this visit?”

  Opening her mouth to speak, Jade closed it again while giving her shoulders a small shrug. “Have you heard anything from Alec?”

  The warrior released a sigh. “No, not lately.” He forced a smile. “I’m sure everything is fine. Alec’s certainly capable of taking care of himself. Tensions with Zerrok are keeping everyone busy in the military. I’m sure he’s just working around the clock somewhere for King Titus.”

  “Rumors speak of two missing sages. Do you...do you think Alec is one of them?”

  “No,” Garth immediately refuted, shaking his head. “No, I doubt it. I’ve heard this rumor as well. Sir Roderick said the word from Ariston is the sages are in Zerrok, and a rescue party was already dispatched. Alec would never go near Zerrok. It has to be something else occupying him.”

  “Then why has he not returned? Or written as of late?” Jade questioned forcefully through clenched teeth.

  Garth shook his head, gesturing with a hand. “Like I said Jade, he’s probably delayed because of his duties. As much as we might want our warrior back, orders from the King come first.”

  Pursing her lips, Jade’s gaze dropped to the chair’s arm. Picking at a piece of fuzz she didn’t meet his eye.

  “What about Isabelle? Might she be the reason?”

  The soldier was forced to hide a smile as he leaned back. Garth knew there was nothing for the noble to fear. Alec wasn’t fickle. Though the sage tried to hide it, Garth saw how much Alec cared for Jade. She needn’t worry that he would betray their secret either.

  “Jade, from the moment I met Alec, he has been a man of his word. He promised to return, and I know he will, because what he loves most is right here.”

  Jade’s head jerked up as she stared at the warrior.