The Last Falcon: Book 1 of the Cael Stone

by Colleen Ruttan

CHAPTER 9

  Erynn remained unsettled for some time after Marik left, tensing every time someone entered the kitchen and glancing over her shoulder to see if it was him. She thought about the dragon book, wondering if it was still wise to go up to the king's study to read it, but the thought of abandoning her plan only made her angry. Whatever the king knew about Krystalix and his odd behavior was in that book and right now she wanted answers. She just needed to be careful.

  The evening passed quickly, and eventually Mirella and the other servants left and she was alone. Voices still drifted in occasionally from the great hall, but no one came in to bother her, and when she was finally finished she went to one of the doorways and peeked inside. Quinn and two of his men sat at one of several long tables around the large room, talking quietly, with four rather drunk Alyrian knights at another, but she saw no sign of Marik.

  It was time. Erynn grabbed a candle and headed for the stairs.

  The hallways on the second floor were dark, the light from only a few candles still flickering in the sconces on the walls. As she approached the study, she felt a warm breeze and heard the sound of distant laughter and realized the doors to the balcony across the hall were open. She paused to listen at the study door, and when she was convinced the room was empty and it was safe, she quietly slipped inside.

  The study was pitch black; the heavy drapes pulled shut. The walls were close and cave-like in the light of the candle, but Erynn tried not to think about that — or to even look up at the painting of Krystalix. His eyes seemed strangely aglow in the dim light; his teeth sharp and threatening. She set the candle on the desk, shook the key from the red vase on the mantle, and went to the cabinet.

  The history book was in its usual place on the top shelf, right next to the king's rolled-up map. Erynn glanced at the jewelry boxes on the lower shelves, well aware that if someone came in right now, they'd think those were what she was after. That she'd come to steal a ring, or maybe one of the late queen's necklaces. Not to simply read a book. She didn't even want to imagine the punishment she would face if she was caught, so she refused to let herself think about that and reached up instead to grab the book. She returned to the desk and sat down, pulled the candle closer, and opened the book to the first page.

  It was dated 1437. Four hundred and fifty-six years ago. The pages were yellowed and the ink faded, but most of the words were still legible and Erynn immediately began to read. She knew King Wryden's last entry was at the back of the book, and that she should probably go there first and read that, but the sight of the old book and the feel of it under her fingers brought up such a strong need inside her to know everything she could about the dragon — all four hundred and fifty-six years — that she couldn't bring herself to stop.

  Krystalix was first sighted along the edge of the northern mountains. As dragons had become a fairly rare sight in Valentia over the years, a report of the sighting soon made its way to King Arrellian, who recorded it with interest, along with several others that trickled in over the next few years. Curious to see the dragon for himself, the king eventually traveled to the mountains but searched for days with no luck. Then he encountered a young man walking alone through the woods who suggested he climb a certain peak and told him that a woman in the area could talk to the dragon and had said his name was Krystalix. King Arrellian was stunned, for he knew of only one line of women known for their ability to talk to the dragons, the descendants of a woman named Maegan, but he thought they no longer existed. He searched for the woman for some time, but found no trace of her, and when he went back to try and clarify the directions, couldn't find the young man, either. He assumed the directions he was given for finding the dragon would also turn out to be false, but after climbing up the suggested peak, he soon saw Krystalix sail past overhead.

  As Erynn read King Arrellian's entries, she thought back on everything she knew about Maegan — which was mostly from stories she had heard from her father. Maegan had lived almost two thousand years ago, during the reign of the last One King, Terren Rothguard, and although she was eventually executed for treason against him — up at the old mountain castle of the One King in Hale — she was said to have been quite influential in the politics of the time, helping the One King mediate disputes with the elves and the dwarves and even with his own lords — lords that rose up against him not long after and eventually resulted in both his death and that of his young son, and the complete disintegration of the One Kingdom itself. But mostly Maegan was known for her gifts of fire and healing and her ability to talk to the dragons — gifts she attributed to the brilliant black stone she wore on a silver chain around her neck and claimed had been given to her by the dragons.

  Queen Naedra had claimed many years ago to be a Daughter of Maegan, as Maegan's female descendants came to be called, as had her older sister Sasha, the late Queen of Tallon, and it was this ability of Maegan's descendants to talk to the dragons that many believed was the reason behind her success in rearing those two dragons from Melaryx's eggs. Erynn had once asked her father how many Daughters there were in Valentia — other than Naedra — but he said they were rumored to have been almost wiped out over the years and that only the Order of the Cael, a group dedicated to their protection, really knew for sure.

  Erynn continued to turn the pages, devouring the words. As the years passed, so did the kings, but most continued King Arrellian's tradition of recording all sightings and encounters with the dragon. She learned that Krystalix was most commonly seen in the north, near the mountains, but that he had also been seen in other areas of Alyria, as well as Brye and Galia. She also found most of the reports the same: simple sightings of him flying by overhead, or complaints about missing livestock. Not a single report said he had ever threatened anyone.

  And then, in 1664, she came across a different story. Two merchants traveling through the south spotted a young woman with long dark hair walking alone by the side of a river. Soon after, they saw Krystalix fly by, heading in her direction. Fearing the young woman might be in danger, the men returned to the river to warn her, but found her gone. They noticed the dragon on a plateau above the river, inside a ring of tall stones, and when they climbed up the hill for a closer look, saw the woman standing next to him, his head down and her hand on his nose. He seemed to sense their presence, because he suddenly raised his head and flew toward them. The men scattered, terrified, and when they finally found the courage to return, both Krystalix and the woman were gone.

  Although there was no mention in the report, Erynn wondered if the dark-haired woman was a Daughter of Maegan and a descendant of the woman King Arrellian had gone searching for in the northern mountains over two hundred years earlier. She also wondered if the plateau with the ring of tall stones was one of the three temples built in the years after Maegan's death to honor her memory. Erynn hadn't even known such places existed until she saw the king's map and asked about the three small "M" symbols marked on it — each surrounded by a circle. One of the symbols was in central Alyria, and the other two in Brye and Cardel. She had been especially surprised to learn there was a temple in Alyria, and couldn't recall her father ever mentioning it before. That seemed strange to her, because he had traveled all over Alyria so surely would have known it was there, and it sounded like just the sort of place he would have liked to visit.

  Erynn scanned the pages faster, knowing she didn't have all night, and then, twelve years after the incident by the river, she came across an entry that made her sit up straight. Krystalix was reported to have attacked a group of men after they crossed the bridge at North Falls. A few of the men were killed, but the rest continued on into Alyria. Several reports followed, each describing Krystalix as either following or attacking the group, but when the king sent out men to find them, they were unsuccessful, and no one was ever able to determine who the men were or where they were from. And then it seemed all reports of the dragon stopped, and nothing more was written about him for almost eighty years.

&
nbsp; Erynn wondered if something had happened to Krystalix, or if the current king simply hadn't recorded his sightings, but when the entries resumed she noticed a distinct change in how he was discussed. Years may have passed, but the incident with the unknown group of men was obviously not forgotten and Krystalix was now seen as a threat to Alyrians. A couple of kings even sent out men to hunt him down — most never returning alive — but other than these few isolated incidents, there were no more reports of him ever threatening or attacking people, or even being seen anywhere near Caraden.

  Eventually Erynn reached the first report written by King Wryden. Halfway through it she heard a noise out in the hall, but she was so focused on the words that she didn't pay it any attention. Then the noise grew louder and she looked up. Someone out in the hall was laughing.

  Erynn froze. It was Holden.

  There was no time to think. Erynn grabbed the book and ran around the desk to the balcony, slipping in behind the heavy blue drapes just as the door opened. She clutched the book to her chest and pressed further back, until she could feel the cool glass of the balcony doors. Then she gasped — she hadn't extinguished the candle or properly closed the cabinet!

  "My father must have been in here before he retired," Holden said.

  The drapes were thick and full of dust, but Erynn could make out two shapes moving across the room toward the desk. One was carrying a candle, the other had a noticeable pattern to his walk — a limp. Her mouth went dry. She thought about slipping out the balcony door, but feared they might notice the movement of the drapes or the candles might catch the draft, and she knew there was nowhere to go once she was out on the balcony anyway. She was trapped.

  Someone set an object on the desk. Then the chair scraped against the floor and one of the shapes sat down. A drawer opened. The other shape limped toward the fireplace.

  "Nice painting."

  Erynn felt a chill pass through her and hugged the history book tighter. Two years might have passed since she last heard that voice, but it wasn't one she'd forgotten.

  "I hope you have a strategy for getting home," Holden said.

  "We'll manage."

  The drawer closed. The chair creaked and something light scraped against the desk.

  Erynn's heart was pounding so loud she could hear it in her ears. She was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe with all the dust and the fabric was itchy against her skin. She closed her eyes and tried to remain calm, hoping the men would get whatever it was they'd come for and leave.

  "So, you're sure Naedra can do this?" Holden asked.

  "As long as we still have our agreement and you give her what she wants."

  Holden laughed. "Of course. You have no idea how long I've wanted this."

  "Then I'm sure Naedra will be pleased."

  Erynn opened her eyes. She didn't know what they were talking about, but something in Holden's voice had just given her a really bad feeling in her stomach. Something that told her he probably wouldn't be happy to find out she'd been listening.

  "You still haven't given me any details," Holden said, a slight amusement in his voice. "You must know, of course, that I'm not sleeping."

  "That's only because Naedra doesn't want all of her plan known. It's obviously in your best interest that she succeed."

  "And hers?"

  "Yes, and hers. Your brother certainly has influence."

  "Surely you can tell me something?"

  Lord Caden limped back toward the desk. "King Riel is hosting a banquet in Sarda in twenty-seven days — to honor the life of his recently departed father and celebrate his own coronation. Everyone will be there of course — including your brother. From what we've gathered, Gareth is hoping to use the occasion to get Riel's support for the war. Just like he did with Parigon. He seems to think if he gets it, the war will be over."

  "And will it?"

  "With both Parigon and Sarda backing Ridan? Let's just say it's something Naedra would rather avoid. We'd have won long ago if he hadn't interfered with Parigon."

  "I'll wait eagerly for the news then," Holden said. "And you can assure Naedra I'll tell no one of her plan."

  "Not even Marik?"

  "Marik knows about our agreement, but I see no reason for him to know all the details."

  "And you trust him?"

  "I know he doesn't want Gareth returning to Alyria any more than I do."

  "Good, but I would prefer we keep those details between us. Naedra will not be happy if her plan fails. Gareth won't be as accessible to us once he's back in Ridan."

  Erynn's breath caught as she suddenly realized what they were talking about. Naedra was planning to kill Gareth! She had to do something!

  "Well, you can tell her I'm pleased," Holden said, and then he laughed. "Together, we'll have old King Agar and the rest of Brye on their knees!"

  "Just make sure you keep her pleased," Lord Caden replied, warning in his voice. "Give her what she wants."

  "You have my word. She'll be ready when you leave."

  Erynn was still grappling with the news about Gareth, but now realized there was more. She? Were they talking about a person? Was that why the Galians had come to Alyria? They wanted someone?

  "What about your father?" Lord Caden asked.

  Holden was quiet for a moment. "I think he suspects."

  The shape that Erynn knew was Lord Caden now moved even closer to the desk. "You said you had everything under control. That we could wait." Tension had crept into his voice.

  "I do. And we can. You've seen my father. He's a feeble old man with no one left to trust. Even if he does suspect, there's nothing he can do. And by the time he does find out it will be too late. Believe me, I won't let him interfere."

  Erynn could hear the hatred in Holden's voice and she realized Faris was right. If she had told the king the truth about the falconry he would have only questioned Holden. And if Holden could so easily discuss plans to kill his own brother, she didn't even want to think about what he might do to his father.

  "I hope you're right," Lord Caden said. "For both of our sakes."

  "I am," Holden said, his voice firm and full of confidence. "You worry too much, Silas."

  Lord Caden laughed, but it didn't seem like he thought Holden was being funny. "That's only because I know what Naedra will do if she doesn't get what she wants. To both of us."

  There was a brief silence, and then the chair scraped against the floor and the shape that Erynn knew to be Holden stood. "Shall we go find more wine?"

  One of the candles was extinguished; the other moved with the men to the door.

  The second it closed, Erynn pushed back the drapes and let out a breath it seemed she'd been holding a lifetime. She felt ill, disoriented in the darkness, her knees weak and her arms sore from clutching the heavy book tight. For several moments she just leaned back against the balcony doors and tried to catch her breath. Now she knew the truth about why the Galians were here, but she still couldn't believe it. They were going to kill Gareth. She had to warn him!

  Unable to see even a hand in front of her, Erynn pulled back the drapes to let in some moonlight and brushed the dust from her hair, face, and clothes while she waited for her eyes to adjust. Then she carefully made her way to the cabinet, using her free hand to guide her, and set the history book on the top shelf. As she stepped back, her hand knocked one of the jewelry boxes on the lower shelf and it fell with a crash to the floor, the lid popping off and an assortment of rings and other baubles scattering out at her feet. A few precious stones twinkled up at her in the faint moonlight.

  Erynn froze, half-expecting the door to open and Holden to step back inside, alerted by the noise. But she heard nothing and soon fell to her knees and quickly gathered up the pieces, terrified that if she missed even one, the king would see it in the morning and know someone had been in his cabinet — someone who knew where he kept the key.

  When she had picked up all the pieces she could find and returned them to the b
ox, she set it back on the shelf and locked the cabinet. Then she returned the key to the vase, grabbed the candle, and made her way to the door.

  She had just slipped outside and turned for the stairs when she caught movement across the hall.

  Someone was standing out on the balcony. A tall, dark shape moved toward the doors and stepped quietly over the threshold.

  "A little late for you to be up here alone."

  The voice was quiet, but had a distinct rough edge and Erynn knew right away who it was — even before he stepped closer and the dim light from the candles on the wall slowly revealed his face.

  Quinn Dunigan.

  "What were you doing in there?" the mercenary asked.

  Erynn could barely breathe let alone speak, her feet like two slabs of stone. What was he doing up here on the second floor? "What — What do you mean?"

  His eyes were dark — and questioning. "Holden was just in there with our new Galian friend, the Dragonslayer. I don't recall them mentioning you. Were you hiding?"

  Erynn tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. Her eyes darted to the main staircase across the hall, and then down toward the back of the keep and the rear stairs, wondering which might offer her the fastest means of escape.

  "I didn't see them," she said, trying to sound like she didn't know what he was talking about. "I only went in there a moment ago."

  Quinn stepped even closer. "If you'd gone in there a moment ago, I would have seen you."

  Erynn reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter tube. "I came for this. A minute ago. The king asked me to send it, but I got busy in the kitchen and forgot."

  Quinn smiled as he glanced down at the tube, and then he reached up a hand and scratched at his chin. "Kind of late for deliveries to the falconry, don't you think?"

  "I was going to send it in the morning."

  Quinn shook his head. "You were hiding. You knew you'd be in trouble if Holden caught you in the king's study alone."

  Erynn closed her fingers over the tube and lowered her hand, not wanting him to see she was trembling. She wanted to run, to get away from him, but feared if she did it would only prove her guilt. It took everything she had to pull herself up a little taller. "You must be mistaken. You were probably looking down at the courtyard and didn't see me."

  She turned to leave, intending to walk as calmly as she could down the hall to the rear stairs, but he reached out his hand to the wall and blocked her path. He leaned close, and she caught a waft of smoke and ale and noticed an inch-long scar near the brow above his left eye.

  "I want you to tell me what you heard," he whispered. "Or I might just tell Holden and his friend what I saw."

  Erynn swallowed. "I – I didn't hear anything." Then she ducked under his arm and ran.