Honor's Price

by Sever Bronny

  Bridget rose, proud tears rolling down her cheeks, and accepted Burden’s Edge from Trintus. Then she turned and, with a victorious teary smile, raised it skyward for all to see and declared, “Semperis vorto honos!”

  The place erupted with applause and cheers and cries of sheer exhilaration, and she was mobbed by friends and strangers alike—and after countless hugs and well-wishes and hearty shoulder-shaking congratulations, she somehow found herself in Olaf’s arms, and the pair kissed before the entire academy to yet more applause and warm looks and happy crying.

  “All right already, back you go, you fiends,” she finally had to say to heaps of laughter, for they were not used to Bridget saying such things. Then she turned to face Augum, presented Burden’s Edge pommel-first, and winked. “Here is our family blade, Brother.”

  He accepted the blade. “Thank you, Sister—er—Dragoon Burns.”

  * * *

  At the ceremony’s conclusion, the gathered throng sang the academy anthem in a unified voice, which the Arcaners amazingly stuck around for before disappearing. The trio then were made to stand together in the center of the arena to once more display their new shields. Another round of cheers and applause and hugs commenced, with many promises that they would celebrate it properly later.

  Afterword, a somber memorial ceremony for the dead was held in the crypts, where prisoners had dug holes for graves. Out of respect, Solians allowed the Canterrans to hold a ceremony for their fallen in the invader part of the crypt, where their brethren would be buried. There were many tearful faces, including that of Iguyin’s, who mourned Eric’s loss. The ceremony was followed by a coordinated effort to account for food, supplies, and security. And there was plenty of food to be plundered from the Canterran stores. The trio were allowed a few hours of needed and well-earned sleep, before joining everyone else for a meager supper and yet another ceremony, this one for Endyear, which they marked with a bounty of traditional songs and merriment. It would be the first of many.

  Later that evening, Augum lay on a plush cushion by the hearth fire of the communal room in the Arcaner dorms, Leera held snuggly in his arms. The other Arcaners were there too—Squire Alyssa Fairweather, Squire Laudine Cooper, Squire Jengo Okeke, Squire Haylee Tennyson, and Squire Olaf Hroljassen, who held Bridget in his arms. Sir Pawsalot lay between the two couples, snoozing peacefully.

  After a long, thoughtful silence, Haylee—feet tucked in, arms around her legs, chin on her knees—whispered, “I miss Isaac and Caireen.” The remnants of a burgundy bruise was visible under one eye. “They should be here with us. Now there’s only eight of us left.”

  “I miss them too,” Bridget said, fingers idly roving over Olaf’s forearm, draped around her stomach. “But at least many more will now be taking the test and applying to become Arcaners.”

  “So we finish our dragoon trials and then join you on your quest to Ley?” Laudine asked. She was lying on the carpeted floor, with her bare feet kicked up on a cushion.

  “That’s the plan,” Leera replied, fingers intertwined with Augum’s. “And in the meantime, Sepherin and Katrina ravage the rest of Sithesia.”

  The arcanists were trying to figure out a way to pass a warning through the protective dome without the Canterrans noticing, intending to send emissaries to the other kingdoms in warning of what was to come.

  Laudine stretched and yawned. “ ‘A mighty adventure doth await.’ ”

  Alyssa elbowed Jengo. “Bet it’s good to have your beloved back, eh?”

  “It is. I only wish … I only wish she could join us in the dorm here.”

  “That would mean she would have to be an Arcaner.”

  “She doesn’t have an arcane bone in her body, and thank the gods for that.”

  The group chortled.

  Alyssa circled a finger at the trio. “Did you all see these three kick butt down there or what?”

  The others all nodded vigorously as the trio’s cheeks flared.

  “They were positively fearsome,” Alyssa went on. “I swear I saw a few bowmen piss themselves at their arcane fury. I almost pissed myself when they summoned their dragons.”

  The others muttered their agreements.

  “One day, someone will chronicle all their adventures and heroic deeds,” Laudine said. “There will be books and plays and poems and stories to be told around fires for years to come. Our children and children’s children will hear them, for such mighty feats echo through time.”

  “All right, enough already, you’re embarrassing us,” Leera muttered. Then she gave a classic Leera head wag. “Dragoon Jones … I have to admit, it does have a nice ring to it, eh, Dragoon Stone?”

  Augum chuckled as he drew her nearer. “Imagine Dragon Jones.”

  The others intoned an “Mmm” in agreement, each no doubt measuring in their minds how their own names would sound with such an illustrious and ancient title.

  The fire crackled merrily. Olaf gently squeezed Bridget and she squeezed his arms back. She looked up at him and smiled. Their quiet affection warmed Augum’s heart. Bridget deserved happiness in love, and he was thrilled to see a genuine love taking root.

  He lightly shook Leera. “Hey, by the way, how did Awe of the Dragon continue to cumulatively affect The Butcher, even though he was parrying your blade?”

  Leera lit up. “Oh, that’s an easy one. I’ll explain by using one of Rebecca Von Edgeworth’s analogies. Imagine your sword is caked with ice. What happens to that ice when you strike something with it?”

  “The ice sloughs off and continues to travel toward the struck object,” Augum replied.

  “Exactly, and that’s how Awe of the Dragon works. The spell tendrils slough off the blade and continue traveling at the enemy. It’s one of its neat strengths.”

  “Sorry, but what do you mean by ‘cumulative’?” Laudine asked.

  “The spell is primed to her summoned blade for seven hits because she’s 7th degree,” Augum explained. “But the spell’s effects on the enemy are cumulative, meaning they build on each other.”

  “Ah, gotcha.”

  “Clumsily explained, Dragoon Stone, but you got the basics,” Leera murmured.

  He lovingly squeezed her once more in acknowledgment.

  “How do you think Katrina would react to her ancestor being an Arcaner teacher?” Olaf asked.

  Leera snorted. “She’d get purple with jealousy and probably want to destroy the academy so no one could benefit from a learned and decent Von Edgeworth.”

  “Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t tell her then,” Bridget chimed in.

  When the chuckling settled down, Haylee sighed. “I hope we still get to have a dance and then an advancement ceremony.”

  “We’d have to pass our exams first,” Bridget said.

  “Can we skip those and just go right to the fun stuff?”

  More chuckling.

  Bridget tapped Olaf’s arm. “Anyway, you’re sure you don’t remember being summoned to aid us in one of Trintus Bladeofbright’s tests?”

  “I think I would remember that, Dragoon Burns. But to be fair, I was asleep half the time in captivity. Though I did have one particularly weird dream …”

  And as the group bantered on about this and that, Leera turned her head up at Augum and whispered, “I’ve decided to get spectacles.”

  “You did not,” he said in disbelief.

  “I did.” She grinned mischievously. “Think you’ll still love me even though I’ll be troll ugly?”

  Augum mimicked Bridget’s voice. “Leera Matilda Jones—”

  “I know, I know, I’m being utterly ridiculous.”

  A moment of silence passed between them, and they listened to their friends chortle at one of Olaf’s jests. Augum tried to picture what Leera would look like with spectacles but simply couldn’t do it.

  “I think you’ll look stunning and cute,” he said anyway, kissing her cheek and giving her midriff another gentle squeeze.

  “You’re just saying that.”
Nonetheless, she melted in his arms.

  The pair stared at the fire, listening to Olaf fondly retell the story of when his father came home and Isaac walked out wearing Dreadnought armor. Then they reminisced about Caireen, commenting on how lovely a couple those two would have made, and how their contributions would not be forgotten.

  The academy bell gonged nine times, and Augum uncoiled himself from Leera, who groaned in disappointment. “I’ll be back, my love. Just have an appointment with The Grizzly.”

  “More strategy talk?”

  “You got it. Want to come?”

  “I prefer not to be bored to death, thank you.”

  “Fair enough.” Augum walked by the chatty and cozy gang, grabbed the bin of Orb of Hearing fragments, and strolled into the dim connecting hallway. But before he summoned the portal, his eyes fell upon the Arcaner crest that had revealed its secret almost a hundred years later. He studied the majestic golden dragon sitting atop the castle.

  “Thank you, Headmaster Chauncey, for believing in future generations,” he whispered, and took the portal to the arena floor. There he found Jez and The Grizzly talking in whispers and smiling mischievously, hands twined around each other’s torsos, with him over a head taller than her.

  Augum cleared his throat and they took their time parting.

  Jez pointed between herself and Arcanist Brewerson. “What do you think, a match made in the heavens, or what?”

  “You know what? It’s none of my business.”

  “Smart monkey.” She stepped to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes were sunken and watery, face gaunt. She looked like she wanted to say something, but instead drew him into a warm embrace, and held him. “My monkey became an Arcaner dragoon. Mrs. Stone would be incredibly proud of you. I’m incredibly proud of you.”

  Augum hugged her back. “Couldn’t have done it without your training. And I especially wanted to thank you for teaching us the Chameleon extension.”

  “Damn right you couldn’t have. And isn’t that spell sweet as honey? Anyway, now you’ll get to say hello to that legendary nana of yours, won’t you? Assuming you make it to Ley.” She drew back, hands still on his shoulders. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure out a way to sneak you past the Canterrans. But that’s all for later.” She tilted her head, eyes narrowing. “You and that feisty girl of yours married yet?”

  “Jez …”

  “I jest, I jest.” She nodded at the receptacle. “So what did you break now?”

  “It’s what remains of one of Katrina’s Orbs of Hearing. Was hoping you could repair it,” and he gave her the backstory.

  She took it from him when he finished and swirled the contents, making a crystalline sound. “I’ll give it a whirl, but repairing broken arcane objects is no easy feat. Anyway, I promised I’d patrol the academy grounds to see what the Canterrans are up to. I’ll leave you boys alone to your—” She let the bin telekinetically float in place while she threw up air quotes. “—man talk.”

  The Grizzly smiled at her. “See you later?”

  She snatched the bin and winked at him. “Absolutely,” and strode off.

  The Grizzly placed his hands behind his back and looked up at the ancient tapestries and banners. “How much of it went your way, Stone?”

  Augum remembered pleading Eric, determined Caireen, smiling Isaac. He thought of the empty display case where the Orb of Orion had sat. He heard the echoed screams of Pedworth and a desperately pleading Elizabeth. He recalled leaving Carp behind to die and saw the silhouette of the dragon rise above him.

  “I wish I had been smarter in the beginning, sir. I wish I had listened to everyone’s counsel and chosen a strong family for the throne.”

  “Do you honestly think that would have made a difference?”

  “I don’t know, sir.”

  “I can tell you the Canterrans would have marched in regardless.” He sighed. “One of the burdens of leadership is second-guessing oneself later. I have my regrets too, Stone. I should have believed in you, instead of wallowing in self-pity and shock.”

  “There’s still time, sir. We have the Dreadnought suits. I was rather hoping that …”

  “Spit it out, Stone.”

  “That you’d reconsider your resignation as Lord High Commander. Someone needs to lead the army we’ll build within these walls. Someone needs to train them for what’s to come.”

  For a time, The Grizzly kept his gaze fixed on the history written across the walls. “Nothing would please me more.”

  Augum’s innards buzzed with hope.

  “Your combat reflexes have vastly improved.”

  “Courtesy of Arcaner training, sir.”

  “You have chosen the right path, Stone.”

  Augum swallowed. “Thank you, sir.” It meant a lot to hear him say that.

  “We must prepare, for the Canterrans will not stand idly by while we fortify ourselves. I will train a warlock army and coordinate with the other kingdoms in secret, all while keeping the Canterrans from breaching the academy. It seems you lot are to head off to Ley, pass whatever trials they have for you, and return with the ability to summon dragons. That about sum it up, Stone?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The Grizzly shook his head in amusement and began climbing the bleachers, only to stop and glance over his shoulder, one brow cocked. “What are you doing tonight, Stone—more training, I hope?”

  Going to make out with my girl. Augum smiled. “See you in the morning, sir.”

  Thoughts from the Author

  I initially intended for the Fury of a Rising Dragon books to be around 100,000 words apiece, with the hopes of finishing and launching the entire series within a year’s time. I now realize how hopelessly naive that goal was. Augum, Bridget and Leera need to have their story told at their pace, not mine. As a result, Burden’s Edge clocked in at 145,000 words, and Honor’s Price a whopping 229,000—almost as large as Legend (The Arinthian Line, book 5), which clocked in at 244,000 words.

  And with each book, the story of our beloved characters deepens, gaining that much more of a hold over me. I ask myself questions such as, What would they be like as twenty-something young adults? What would they be like in their thirties, fifties, seventies? Will they even survive that long? What degree will each of them get to? Should I write about other characters, or explore the trio’s entire lives? Do I even feel the need to write from other characters’ perspectives?

  Although I may not know the answers to these questions yet, I do know one thing: I am grateful to be writing day in and day out. I get to live in the trio’s world, and that’s one heck of a unique job, isn’t it?

  I’m also grateful for your amazing support. You are the ambassadors of my work. And you have written me in droves. I post my favorite letters to severbronny.com/fanmail—and I do that for two reasons: one, when I was a kid, I loved reading fan mail to my favorite authors, as it gave me a sense of kinship and belonging. And two, some of these letters are so heartfelt and beautiful that I feel them wasted just sitting in my inbox.

  Your letters encourage me to continually better my craft, and to only accept the highest quality writing and storytelling, because it matters to me and to you. Neither of us would settle for anything less when it comes to our beloved trio, and the many colorful characters that inhabit their world. I write these stories with the intent of having them be re-readable many times over, and that takes time (and it can be a complex process: for example, check out some of the sticky-note plot graphs which I posted on my website).

  Because the books are so long, at the current pace, we’re looking at around a book a year. And truth be told, I don’t know if I can wrap up the Fury of a Rising Dragon storyline within a trilogy anymore. I’ll have to get back to you on that one (although many of you have begged me to make it a massive series, I abide by the trio’s demands, so to speak). Which means that at the time of the writing of this letter, I do not know what the next book will be called. All I know is that the
last one will be titled Champion’s Wrath (Fury of a Rising Dragon, book ?).

  Either way, we’re in for an adventure.

  All my best to you and those you love,

  —Sever

  September 4, 2018

  P.S. Honest reviews play a vital part in readers discovering new books. Please do consider taking a quick moment to leave one on Amazon.com for Honor’s Price. Thank you :)

  The trio’s first grand adventure

  New to the tale of Augum, Bridget and Leera? Want to experience their first epic adventure together against the might of the Legion? While you’re waiting for the next book in the Fury of a Rising Dragon series, lose yourself in The Arinthian Line, a complete series that begins with Arcane (The Arinthian Line, book 1), available from Amazon.

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  Connect

  I love hearing from readers. Want to tell me what you thought of the series, ask a question, report an issue, or just say hello? Email me anytime at sever@severbronny.com

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  Note: To see a list of spells and class schedules for our heroic trio, visit severbronny.com

  * * *

  Tansy, none of this could have happened without your insight, love and support.

  Thank you.

  Also by Sever Bronny:

  Fury of a Rising Dragon

  Burden’s Edge (Fury of a Rising Dragon, book 1)

  Honor’s Price (Fury of a Rising Dragon, book 2)

  TO BE ANNOUNCED (Fury of a Rising Dragon, book 3)

  The Arinthian Line