Kingmaker (The Dragon Corsairs)

by Margaret Weis

  Sophia waited until the two Guundarans were almost level with her, then flung the ball of yarn into the air and caused it to burst into flame as bright and hot and red as a dragon’s fiery breath.

  The guards shrieked and stumbled and missed their footing. One tripped the other, and both of them tumbled down the stairs.

  Kate caught hold of Thomas by the sleeve and pointed to them.

  “Make certain they don’t come after us!” she told him.

  Thomas nodded and ran down to see what had become of the guards. Kate and Sophia climbed to the top of the stairs and hurried through the door into the cellblock.

  The walls were charred and starting to fill with smoke. Kate saw Dalgren peering in through the window and she waved at him.

  Phillip was beating on the door of his cell, demanding to be let out. Sophia ran to the door and pressed herself against it.

  “Phillip! It’s me, Sophia!”

  “Sophia?” Phillip repeated, astounded. “But how—”

  “No time, Pip!” Kate yelled. “Move as far away from your door as you can, and take cover.”

  “Right!” Phillip said, and Kate heard him running to the back of the cell.

  Thomas returned, thrusting his pistol into his pocket. “One of the guards is unconscious. The other has a broken leg. He’s a stubborn bastard. He was trying to stand on it. I clouted him on the head, and he’s going to be quiet now.”

  Kate nodded and shouted at Phillip, “Are you somewhere safe?”

  “I hope so!” Phillip called. “Did I hear Thomas?”

  “You did!” Thomas yelled. “We’re going to get you out. Though I’m damned if I know how,” he added, turning to Kate. “That cell door is bristling with magic.”

  “Amazing work,” said Sophia, gazing at it in awe. She touched it and the brass door glowed bright blue, the magic coming to life. “See how this construct appears to be the end, but it is really the beginning of this other construct that folds in on itself, then wraps around this third construct. And that leads to another.”

  Sophia shook her head. “Unraveling this is impossible without the key.”

  “You don’t have the key?” Phillip called, alarmed.

  “Keep your head down!” Kate told him. “Thomas, you and Sophia take cover on the staircase.”

  “What about you?” Thomas asked.

  “I’ll join you in a moment. I have to talk to Dalgren. Go with Sophia.”

  Thomas and Sophia left, but they went only as far as the landing.

  The window was covered by iron bars that were now glowing red hot from Dalgren’s breath. Kate came as near as possible. Dalgren had his wings spread, floating on the air currents. He grinned at Kate through the window.

  “Has anyone raised the alarm?” Kate shouted.

  Dalgren puffed smoke from his nostrils. “All quiet.”

  Kate was pleased, though not surprised. Offdom Tower was a considerable distance from the palace. Everyone inside would be asleep at this late hour except the palace guards. If they had even heard the sound of stones and cement crashing to the ground, they would assume the noise came from the section of the palace under repair.

  “What about the patrol boat?”

  “It’s still sailing northward, moving away from us.”

  “Good. Then we can proceed. Pip is at the back of his cell,” Kate told Dalgren. “Please try not to roast him. I’ll be in the staircase tower. Once we have Pip out of here, we will meet you at the field.”

  Dalgren gnashed his teeth. Flame flickered between his fangs.

  “Remember, a concentrated jet of fire,” said Kate.

  “I know what I’m doing,” Dalgren snapped.

  Kate ran out the door to join Thomas and Sophia on the staircase. She was going to shut the door, but Thomas intervened. “Please leave it open a crack. I want to see this.”

  “So do I,” said Sophia.

  “Only a crack,” Kate cautioned. “The heat will be intense.”

  “Will Phillip be safe?” Sophia asked worriedly.

  “Of course,” said Kate. “Dalgren knows what he’s doing.”

  The three crowded in the doorway, their heads together. The chamber glowed bright blue, lit by the shimmering magic and the gleaming brass of the door.

  Dalgren flicked away the red-glowing iron bars with a claw, then knocked a hole in the stone wall with his forefoot that was large enough for him to thrust his head inside the room.

  He sucked in a deep breath and shot a jet of flame at the brass door. The flame struck the door in the center and a wave of fire rolled across the brass, accompanied by a strong smell of sulfur.

  The blue constructs on the door went dark and the three could hear the iron bolts drop down and slam into the floor.

  “The cell is bolted shut,” said Thomas.

  Sophia gave a cry and put her hands over her mouth.

  “Wait!” Kate breathed.

  The magical fire spread, devouring the constructs on the door. The brass gleamed red hot. The heat seared their skin and the light dazzled their eyes. Dalgren was about to blast the door again when the hinges gave way. The brass buckled, and the door crashed to the floor with a resounding clang.

  The door to the cell was gone, but the flames had also set the furniture in the room on fire, as well as the wooden beams in the ceiling. The chamber was rapidly filling with noxious fumes and smoke.

  “I have to save Pip before the whole place goes up in flame,” said Thomas.

  “Not so fast!” Kate stopped him. “Dalgren will handle it.”

  The dragon drew in another breath and then breathed it out in a powerful gust that swept through the chamber like the fierce winds of a wizard storm, extinguishing the flames. The fire was out, but the room was still smoky.

  Kate sighed in relief. “Thomas, you fetch Pip.”

  Thomas took off his scarf, tied it over his nose and mouth, and plunged into the cell. Kate and Sophia waited, coughing in the smoke and fumes and rubbing their eyes.

  “I hope Phillip is all right!” Sophia said, blinking her streaming eyes, trying to see in the darkness.

  “He will be,” said Kate.

  She could hear Thomas call out his name and, after a stomach-wrenching moment of silence, she heard Phillip answer him.

  The next moment both men emerged from the smoke. Sophia flung herself at Phillip with a glad cry, and he embraced her, as well as a fit of coughing would allow him.

  Dalgren called through the window. “The patrol boat is coming.”

  “Did they see the fire?” Kate asked worriedly.

  “I don’t think so,” Dalgren replied. “They haven’t sounded the alarm. But they will see the smoke.”

  “We need to get out of here,” said Kate.

  “You’ll never make it as far as the field before the boat raises the alarm,” said Dalgren. “So where do I meet you?”

  “I’ll find someplace. Watch for my signal.”

  Dalgren shook his head in exasperation and made a deep rumbling sound, then flew off.

  Kate eyed Phillip. “You look wobbly. Can you walk on your own?”

  “I can manage,” Phillip said. He held out his hand to Sophia. “With help.”

  Sophia took hold of his hand and they ran down the stairs.

  “Well done, Kate,” said Thomas, regarding her with admiration.

  “We’re not out of this yet,” she said, but she was pleased by his praise.

  They dashed down the stairs, passing the injured guards, who were both still unconscious. Phillip and Sophia waited for them at the bottom, near the open door.

  “See or hear anything?” Kate asked.

  Phillip shook his head. “All quiet now, but it won’t be for long. I looked outside. The mists have cleared. Dalgren shows up nicely against the stars, as does the smoke, and the patrol boat is sailing this way.”

  As they left the tower, Thomas closed and locked the door behind them and threw the ring of keys into the darkness. Dalgren
flew overhead, his bulk visible against the stars.

  “We were supposed to meet him in the field near the stables,” said Kate. “Is there someplace closer where he can land?”

  “Over there,” said Phillip, pointing. “Across the courtyard, that direction, we will come to lawn tennis courts with plenty of open ground.”

  “You lead the way. I’ll let Dalgren know to follow us.”

  She opened the dark lantern, aimed it into the air, and flashed the light three times. Dalgren dipped his wings in acknowledgment.

  Sophia handed Phillip her dark lantern and he started off. Kate was thankful he knew where he was going; she was soon completely lost. Every so often Phillip stopped to open the lantern and briefly flash the light around, making certain they were still heading the right direction.

  The night remained quiet. Kate glanced up at the patrol boat. She could see its sails black against the stars, as well as its lights. She looked back at the tower.

  Smoke drifted out of the broken window, but Kate had to look hard to see it, and she realized that the sailors on board the patrol boat might miss it completely.

  She looked back and saw Dalgren start to descend.

  Pip was free and no one had noticed he was gone. No one had raised the alarm. All they had to do now was meet up with Dalgren and he would fly them safely away.

  Kate suddenly realized that for once in her life, her plan had worked.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Kate and her friends arrived at the lawn tennis courts to find Dalgren already settled on the ground, waiting for them. They watched the patrol boat sail harmlessly overhead, never noticing anything amiss.

  Once it was out of sight, Sophia began explaining to Phillip how to pull himself up onto the dragon’s back by climbing onto Dalgren’s forepaw and then grabbing hold of one of the spikes of his mane. She sounded as experienced as a member of the Dragon Brigade.

  Kate smiled and came to tell Thomas the rest of the plan. “Dalgren is going to take us to Barwich Manor, my family’s ancestral home. The house has been abandoned for years. I’ve done what I could to make it comfortable.”

  Thomas took hold of her hand. “I am truly grateful to you, Kate.… But I’m not coming with you.”

  Kate pulled away from him.

  “You saved Pip and you have given me hope. But I must stay here,” Thomas continued. “I am king and you were the one who taught me about my duty to my people.”

  Kate glared at him. “You can’t stay here with that horrible Smythe. Pip, come talk sense into your friend!”

  “Kate is right, Tom,” said Phillip. “You can’t stay here. You’re not safe. Smythe murdered the queen and he would not hesitate to kill you.”

  Thomas shook his head. “If I leave Freya, Smythe will denounce me, declare that I am in league with Rosia. My absence would give him a perfect excuse to name himself Lord Protector.”

  “But you would be king,” Kate argued.

  “A king in exile,” said Thomas.

  “Have Smythe arrested and hanged,” said Phillip. “He can’t use threats against me anymore.”

  “The Freyan people are already nervous about me. They distrust my youth, my foreign accent, my ties to Rosia. I must work to gain their regard, and I can’t do that by hanging a man who is a native son, and seen as an honorable soldier serving his country.”

  “We all know he’s a murderer,” said Kate.

  “But I can’t prove that,” said Thomas. He raised a hand, forestalling any further attempts to persuade him. “My mind is made up. We do not have much time before the patrol comes back and I must pass on what I have discovered, for it is of vital importance.

  “King Ullr is plotting to invade Freya. He is positioning his fleets for the attack from the air, while his mercenaries in our army attack from within. I heard the two guards talking about it this very night.”

  The others stared at him in shock.

  “I knew Ullr was power-hungry, but I never thought he would be either so bold or so reckless as to do this,” said Phillip.

  “Do you know when?” Kate asked.

  “He mentioned the national holiday, Hallen Day. All of Freya will be celebrating—including the Royal Navy. Ullr and the baron referred to our ships as ‘sitting ducks.’”

  “Good God!” Phillip murmured.

  “My news gets worse,” said Thomas grimly. “Ullr suggested to Smythe that he order the Terrapin to the Aligoes to defend against a Rosian invasion of Wellinsport—”

  “That is a lie!” Sophia cried indignantly. “My brother has no intention of attacking.”

  “I know, and so does King Ullr,” said Thomas. “He has arranged for the Terrapin to be ambushed. Ullr fears the Terrapin and he wants the ship far from Haever when he invades. I signed the orders myself,” he added bitterly. “I had no idea. And Smythe is sending a black ship called the Naofa armed with a green-beam weapon to attack the Dragon Brigade headquarters at Maribeau.”

  Dalgren overheard. He snarled and bared his fangs. Flames flickered between his teeth. “I will roast him.”

  “You vowed to never take a human life, remember?” Kate told him.

  “I’ll make an exception,” Dalgren growled.

  “That is bad, but not the worst,” Thomas continued. “Ullr boasted that he had acquired five more green-beam guns that do not require blood magic sacrifices. He plans to mount them on his ships. I saw the terrible destruction caused by those guns during the war. They can sink ships, knock down buildings.”

  Kate looked stricken. “I think I know where he got those weapons. It’s my fault.”

  “What?” Thomas asked, startled.

  “Never mind that now,” said Sophia, squeezing Kate’s hand. “We have to stop King Ullr.”

  “I am friends with Admiral Baker,” said Phillip. “I can alert him—”

  “Baker,” said Thomas suddenly. “Admiral Randolph Baker? He requested an audience with me. I did not know him, and I was preoccupied, so I refused. You say he is a friend?”

  “He is one of Henry’s best friends,” Phillip answered. “He likely came to you at Henry’s behest. You can trust him, Thomas. Randolph is a bit rough around the edges, but you won’t find anyone more courageous or loyal.”

  “I will alert the admiral. We must keep this information secret, tell only those who absolutely must know,” Thomas warned. “If Ullr realizes his plans have leaked out, he could launch his invasion tomorrow. We are not prepared to defend ourselves.”

  Dalgren had been watching the sky. “The patrol boat has turned. It’s heading back this direction.”

  “You must leave before they see you,” said Thomas. “And I must return to the palace before I am missed.”

  He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and drew out a letter. “I’m giving this to you for Sir Henry. I’ve written down everything I learned from King Ullr. The letter states that the bearer is acting in my name and it has my signature and royal seal. Sir Henry might not trust me otherwise. That reminds me. Ullr did say something else I thought strange in regard to Wellinsport. He said, ‘The Freyans will pay for their own destruction.’ Do you know what that might mean?”

  “No idea,” said Phillip, taking the letter and tucking it into an inner pocket. “Henry might know—if I can find him. I’ll leave at dawn.”

  “What are you planning to do?” Thomas asked.

  “Travel to the Aligoes by griffin to warn Alan about the ambush of the Terrapin. I think it likely Henry might be with him.”

  “I’ll talk to Admiral Baker,” said Thomas. “Perhaps he can get word to the Dragon Brigade.”

  The four stood looking at one another, knowing the moment of parting was at hand.

  Thomas spoke what they all felt. “I am reluctant to let you go, for I do not know when I will see you again.”

  Sophia gave him a loving kiss on the cheek. “God be with you, Thomas.”

  He kissed her hand. “Tell the countess she must make up her mind to the fa
ct that you will marry Phillip and no other.”

  “I believe she knows that already,” said Sophia.

  Phillip gripped his hand. “Thank you, Tom. I will not let you down.”

  “I know you won’t,” said Thomas. “Go be with Sophia. I need a moment alone with Kate.”

  Phillip nodded in understanding. He walked off with Sophia and the two held fast to each other, knowing their time together this night would be brief.

  Kate had been standing off to one side, observing Thomas with a grave expression. He held out his hand.

  “Thank you, Kate. And thank Dalgren for me.”

  Kate ignored his outstretched hand and twined her arms around him. Drawing close, she looked up into his face.

  “When you and I were together in the Aligoes, you told me that so long as you were alive, I would always have a friend,” Kate said. “I am telling you the same thing. So long as I am alive, you are not alone, Thomas. Never alone.”

  Dalgren growled and impatiently thumped his tail on the ground.

  “I’m coming!” Kate said over her shoulder.

  She kissed Thomas, sweetly and softly, and before he could recover from his shock, catch his breath, or keep hold of her, she pushed away and ran to help Phillip and Sophia climb onto Dalgren’s back.

  When they were settled, Kate waved good-bye. Dalgren dipped his head in salute, then lifted his wings and sprang into the air with all the force of his powerful back legs. He rose into the starlit sky and flew off.

  Thomas watched until the dragon and his friends were safely out of sight, then began the long, solitary walk back to the palace.

  * * *

  Thomas slipped back into his chambers through the private door, more than half expecting to find that his absence had been discovered, the palace in an uproar.

  All was quiet, however. He took off his clothes that were covered with soot and smelled of smoke, made a bundle of them along with his muddy shoes and stockings, and thrust them under the mattress.

  Changing into his nightclothes, he removed the bolsters, put them back on the couch, and climbed into bed. He closed the bed curtains and lay propped among the pillows, gazing into the darkness, reliving those last few precious moments with Kate. Her kiss was still warm on his lips.