by LJ Swallow
What skills would he have compared to the pathetic fumbling I’ve experienced from boys my age who I’ve shared a bed with?
Stars, Calla. Lay off the mead. I step away before my mixed signals cause problems.
"Do you know what I want? For you to find Luin and bring him to this Stronghold you're telling me about, if I have to go with you."
Leander steps back. "I think Luin is attached to you enough that he will make his own way there."
The bedroom is cold after the heat from the fire downstairs, and I shiver. “I hope so.”
"Calla, get into bed.” I look up sharply. The seductive smile has dropped. “To sleep. We have another day's journey ahead to the stronghold."
"Is the stronghold near Northpass?"
Leander shakes his head. "No. The stronghold is at the edge of the mountains bordering Ebon territory. The only way to approach is through their lands. The mountains are impassable, which is why the stronghold is built there. There’s only one way in unless visitors want to spend several weeks climbing from the frozen wastes the other side."
"Are you saying we need to ride through your enemies land to reach the place you're taking me?"
"Unfortunately, yes. But once we reach the stronghold, the place is well protected."
"Once we're there." I blink. "And all three of you travelled from the stronghold, through this territory, and to my town?"
"Safety in numbers.” He gestures at the blanket. “Bed."
“Don’t talk to me in that tone. I’m not a child,” I retort.
“I am absolutely aware of that, Calla.”
Oh no, don’t start looking at me like that again.
I sit and pull the scratchy blanket over my legs and draw my knees to my chest. "I don't know much about the world outside this shire. I'm beginning to realise it's dangerous to a clueless girl from a small township where the most exciting thing that happens is when the fair comes to town." I place a finger on my lips. "Oh. Apart from the time that girl tried to blow up the town with shadow magic."
Leander smiles and places his hand on the door. "I’m glad to see you’ve kept your sense of humour. Sleep."
“Leander,” I call quietly as he steps out the door. He turns his head. “Thank you for helping me today.”
He responds with a nod and leaves. As Leander retreats downstairs, I lie staring at the crack of light beneath the door as his footsteps creak on the stairs. Turning on my side, I curl up on the lumpy mattress, listening to the men’s low voices but unable to make out their conversation.
They came to my town to enlist somebody to take back to the stronghold. I guess they never had time to ask, but what choice do I have? I could take my chances on returning to town or travel with the three. Perhaps they can help me make sense of who or what I am.
As I drift to sleep, thoughts of my family and Luin join me. My biggest worry isn’t whether I’ll see them again or not, but that my actions will have consequences for them.
9
CALLA
Is it hailing?
I'm trying hard to stay asleep, because I'm exhausted and am not a morning person, but there's a constant tapping as if iced water is raining down against the window. Irritated when this hasn't stopped after half an hour, I turn my head to the window.
Bright sunshine.
The tapping noise repeats and the window shadows for a moment. The noise ceases. I turn over.
More sound, as if someone is pelting the glass with pebbles.
I climb out of bed, the floor cool beneath my bare feet, and cautiously peer out. As I do a flurry of wings and face smack against the window, before the figure hovers backwards and watches me with his beady eyes.
"Luin!" This isn't a question—dragonkin are rare and this one is unmistakably my companion.
I fight with the latch on the dirty window and manage to push it upwards with a creak. Luin flaps through and circles the room twice, before resting on the bed head.
"How did you find me?" I ask. He tips his head and chirrups, reminding me again how dumb I sound talking to him. But my heart warms. I knew we had a close connection, having been in each other's lives for most of mine, but never that he'd follow me through the world.
I hold out an arm in a gesture repeated over the last years and he flies over, his small figure alighting on my forearm. He moves along until he's on my shoulder, tail wrapped around my neck and claws gripping the skin.
I prise them away. "You don't need to grip that tight. I'm not going anywhere without you."
He rests his cheek against mine, again a gesture I recognise. "Oh, I see. You're hungry?"
He bumps me again with his nose and I rub with a finger. Luin rarely lets others touch him, despite the fact curiosity and his cuteness draw people in. Those who do express surprise at how warm he is or how soft his scales are. I've never considered otherwise, since he's the first and only dragonkin I've touched.
Luin flies back towards the window. He sits on the sill and faces the door while I pull on my soiled dress. His expressive eyes amuse me, the way he seems to glare at the door with a warning to anybody else who might come in.
I smooth my hair and gesture at Luin. "Where were those talons when I needed a lock picking in gaol last night? I suppose you know I was arrested for performing shadow magic and rescued by the three men in this house?" I sigh. Talking to myself again.
Dressed, I pad downstairs, Luin still on my shoulder. In daylight, the small home doesn't look much different. The dirty windows don't offer much light and the unswept floors and plates left across the table in the kitchen would horrify my mother. The place is quiet, the three men likely sleeping off the mead. I step outside and immediately chastise Luin.
"The sun is hardly up! Why did you wake me?" I complain as I step around a corner. The early morning mist shrouds the house and the edge of the bordering woods.
Galen looks up at me from where he sits on the fence gazing into the thick woodland. Last night, the trees seemed to surround us like a fortress but one keeping us out rather the protecting. This morning the sun shines in the leaves making them less sinister looking, but the dense wood could hide anything. The road in front of the house leads back to the main thoroughfare Leander brought me along, but apart from that we're surrounded.
I stared at Galen in wonder first time I saw him, his race’s rarity fascinating me. I'd see elves once a year at the fairs, and they were never friendly. Many townsfolk were scared of them, suspicious of their connection to the Ebon and their queen, despite the Lumen elves being unconnected. They have particular skills that make them naturally deadlier opponents even without formal training. Many enemies won't see elves until a dagger or arrow strikes them, and death closely follows. They also use a particular magic drawn from nature, but are secretive about the origins.
I think he's the youngest elf I've seen, most are older although their age is harder to tell. A girl at school once told me elves live for hundreds of years and never change, and as I gaze at him I wonder if that's true?
His loose white tunic is the same as he wore yesterday, the wiry strength hidden beneath. He may look slender in comparison to the other two, but the muscle in his forearm resting on the fence is taut. If Rohan is a warrior and Leander a noble, what is Galen? People fear elves for their harsh and unforgiving natures, at odds with their outward appearance, but is that a myth? I can’t imagine this elf behaving viciously, but he must be powerful to be included.
Galen looks around as I approach, despite my footsteps being soft on the dew-covered grass. Luin's claws dig into my neck further as I do. Galen stands and regards us with curiosity, stepping forward to study Luin. "Your dragonkin found you. How unusual."
"Not really. He often tracks me down."
"But we're several hours ride from your town." Galen purses his lips. I stretch a hand to touch Luin's head, and he nuzzles my fingers. Galen nods. "But I see your bond. Dragons have a keen sense for those they're bonded to; I suspect dragonkin are the same."<
br />
"Like a dog," I say. "Faithful."
"But you said he was like a cat."
I laugh. "No, he's like a Luin."
Galen nods; his expression still intrigued, but he says nothing.
"Are the others awake?" I ask.
"Rohan is scouting ahead, and I think Leander is still sleeping."
"Scouting for what?"
He gestures at the trees. "We need to cross through the Ebon lands to reach the stronghold. I would rather walk along the edges as our path may not be clear if we walk directly through."
"Do you think someone from my town is following and looking for me?"
Galen shakes his head. "Possibly, but I doubt they will. You were taken by Leander, and they will hope you don't return. No, there are spies who work with the Ebon everywhere, and they particularly watch movements of those who leave the stronghold. They will be curious why we travelled to Westdale."
"But that's normal? You recruit every year."
Galen tips his head at Luin. "What do you think, little dragonkin? Do you know when Ebon spies are nearby?"
Luin flies away and sits in a nearby tree branch as he watches me and Galen. "I don't think he knows anything."
"You have the only dragon in the shire living with you and you don't see that as more than a coincidence?"
I sigh. "He isn’t a dragon. Unless you can tell me any different, I've always believed the dragonkin race are different to the dragon flights. They're too small to harm anybody and were never connected."
“And well hidden.” Galen looks up to where Luin perches on the tree and says something in Elvish, softly.
I've never figured out how much Luin understands of human language, and I've never heard Elvish. Luin doesn't respond so either he doesn't understand Galen or he’s ignoring what Galen said. Judging by his silence, if he does understand, the words weren't polite.
I turn at the sound of horses hooves kicking up the ground. Rohan climbs from his horse and leads him by the reins toward us. I thought Leander’s horse was handsome, but this white steed holds a presence to match his masters. Rohan has made no attempt to hide the fact this horse belongs to a lightbringer, the bridle marked with their symbol.
His shirt is partially unbuttoned and damp in patches from the heat and from the ride. His sword is sheathed and attached to the belt of his leather pants and as he pushes damp hair from his eyes, his muscles tense with the movement beneath his shirt. The tension between us is more than his distrust of me and my wariness around him. I’ve never met such a man—in looks or charisma.
"Anything?" Galen asks him.
He places a hand on Galen's shoulder and steers him away from me. I bristle as they speak in low voices, excluding me from their conversation. Glowering at the back of their heads, I walk around to the other side of the cottage. The others horses feed and two packs are beside them. The three plan to leave, whatever the outcome of Rohan's scouting.
Both men are wearing the same clothes as yesterday. Their packs are small and evidently don’t include spare clothing. This was evidently supposed to be a ‘there and back again quickly’ trip. I'm on the verge of opening a pack and examining the contents when the pair appear again.
Rohan tethers his horse beside the other and slaps his flanks.
"We need to leave soon perhaps by a different route than planned," Galen says.
"Because of Ebon spies?" I ask him.
A shadow crosses Rohan's face. "Perhaps. Did you find anything in the woods this morning, Galen?"
"No. Nothing. Rouse Leander and we leave as soon as possible. The journey will be longer if we need to edge the forest."
"Edge? I just told you, we're heading straight through," protests Rohan. "I want to be at the stronghold by nightfall, we can't possibly do that if we edge around."
"We spoke about this. No."
"Because of her?" He jerks a thumb at me.
"Her?" I scoff. "Calla, you mean?"
"Calla will be fine with us to protect her," says Rohan and waves a dismissive hand.
"She hasn't had training yet, Rohan. We have no weapon for her."
"Excuse me? I'm right here. I'd like to get to the stronghold quickly too. I agree we should go through."
A laugh comes from behind me. I turn to see Leander. "She's prepared to fight. This will help."
"Believe me, when you've been an outsider your whole life, you learn to defend yourself," I say.
Leander chuckles. "Galen, I'm inclined to agree with Rohan. A shortcut makes more sense. We will be fine."
"Can you run fast?" asks Galen with a sigh.
My eyes widen. What exactly are we walking into?
"Should the need arise, that is," adds Rohan. “But don’t use your magic if we are attacked.”
"I don't know how," I say. Leander and Rohan exchange glances. "Besides, if I use my magic and it's powerful, won't that help against enemies?"
"No. Those who watch will know we took you and want to know why secretly. Perhaps even know what happened last night. You need to keep your magic hidden until we reach the stronghold."
I nod. "Understood." But can I? What if something triggers when I'm in danger?
Rohan marches over to Leander and drags his cloak to one side. He unsheathes a dagger from inside Leander's belt, who protests.
"You have two," says Rohan.
"I need two."
"No, you don't."
Rohan holds the dagger out to me, hilt first. The same crest as on Leander's pin is carved into the golden handle and the dagger's edge is keener looking than the sharpest knives I use at home for cutting through animal flesh for supper. "Take this. Use it if you need."
"I don't know..."
Rohan sighs and thrusts it at me again. "It's a dagger. Using one isn't hard. Take it."
Luin flaps down from the tree and sits on the nearby fence with a low chirrup. "He's my weapon," I say and point.
"Are you serious?" Rohan sneers at the dragonkin. "We could slice through him in seconds, and I'm sure the Ebon can too." I cross my arms, still refusing to take the weapon. "You are an annoying girl. I'm trying to help."
As he hands the dagger back to Leander, I blurt. "Fight me. I'll prove I don't need a dagger."
Slowly, he turns to me and instead of the mocking look I expected, his eyes are wide in shock.
"Fight you?"
"Not with your sword." I lift my fists up. "Hand to hand."
Now, he laughs and Luin flits into the sky again, before landing on my shoulder. He points at Luin. "Not with your pet."
"Or your magic, Rohan," puts in Galen. "It could trigger hers."
Magic? This guy has magic?
"Walk away, then. I don't want an audience." He turns and shoos the other men. "I'm sure Calla doesn't want you to watch her land on her back in the dirt either."
"Who says I'll be the one in the dirt?" I pull myself straight and step towards Rohan who smirks at me as his eyes shine through his blond fringe.
"You're not dressed to fight or run in that ridiculous dress, whatever strength you believe you have."
"Maybe you should've packed me some clothes before you kidnapped me," I retort. I lean down and grab my long skirts and drag them between my legs. All three men stare at me as I twist the material and tie a tight knot, transforming my dress skirts into short pants. Too short, since Rohan's interest has suddenly shifted to my legs.
"I either do this, or I pull my dress off and walk around in my undergarments," I retort.
His eyes travel back to my face, and he gives me a slow smile. "Be my guest. We might find that a little distracting though."
10
CALLA
Following some amusement at my new garb, which I refuse to retaliate against, Leander and Galen walk away, leaving me with Rohan. I stand opposite him by the low wooden fence and suddenly wonder if I've made the right decision. He's broader than a lot of men I've come across, and the power in his muscled forearms is evident.
I bl
ow air into my cheeks and point at his sword belt. "Take that off. I don't want your blade near me."
He arches a brow. "Are you instructing me to undress now?"
An image of a naked Rohan flashes through my mind. Most men I've lain with still had their skinnier teen bodies. This one has a strength and presence that eclipses any I've seen before, and a body I’m tempted to see more of.
"You can if you like," I reply.
"As you wish." His eyes remain fixed on mine as he unhooks his belt, laying it on the floor beside his feet. "Anything else you want me to remove?"
"Your attitude."
Luin squawks, and I smile up at him. He perches back on the fence and Rohan's serious face breaks into a smile. "You’re amusing. Fine. Let's see what I can teach you."
As I walk into the field close to the house, I look up at Luin. "You mustn't interfere," I inform him.
I've sensed Rohan's suspicion around me, and I understand that. He stands for all things light, and I'm born of shadow, somehow. But I'm suspicious of these three men. They talk of a different world to the one I've been told about. In the real world, the king isn’t winning the glorious battles as we’ve been told.
And that scares me more than how hard Rohan could hit me.
He steps forward and looks down at me, blue eyes shining brightly. Amusement. "Are you sure you want to do this? I won't be lenient."
I give a tight smile. "I'm sure."
My pulse quickens and stomach flips, not only from anticipation about the fight or if I can prove my mettle to Rohan, but the thought of the intimacy of his hands on me.
I rode with Leander last night, but this feels different. The tension between us, which manifested moments ago, overwhelms me. I stare at his toned biceps and his hands look rough. The image of his nakedness reappears as I stare at his hands. How would they feel on my skin?
I look away in case my thoughts pass between us. I’ve fought before, as Rohan is about to discover, but never against a trained warrior.
