Lyric ate his breakfast and listened to Jarvis and Tripp bicker about the best strategy for building the new wall. When he was done he gave Celine a hug and said goodbye to the others.
He then stepped outside and shifted to the lake. From there he made several small shifts up the mountain. While the valley itself was probably safe, as the only people in it were supposed to be Sir Chestmire’s farmers and warriors, the mountain was secluded. He could take smaller shifts, staying below the tree tops, and out of sight from anyone in the valley. Using these small and quick shifts, he moved quickly along the mountain range. When he reached a point where he could see all the way down to Redfall he made a longer shift just above the estate so he could find a safe landing spot. If someone had been watching the sky at that exact moment they would’ve seem him for a fraction of a second. Just long enough for a person to question their own eyes or their wits.
Safely in the courtyards where he’d spent so many hours training with Sibylle, he went to the door and knocked. A servant recognized him and came to the door. Lord Finch? What are you doing in the courtyard?”
“I didn’t want anyone seeing me come into the estate, so I snuck in.” Trying to explain how he snuck in seemed like it would confuse the poor lady. “Is Sibylle here?”
The servant shook her head. “I will take you to Lord Lamar. He will want to see you.”
Lyric followed the servant into the Lamar study, which also functioned as their meeting room. Inside he found Lord Lamar, Sir Robert, and Allan Chestmire looking at a series of maps laid out on the table.
“Lyric. Thank the gods you are here,” said Lord Lamar.
Lyric realized something important was going on. Lord Lamar’s voice was filled with tension and angst, and Sir Robert had a large bandage around his head.
“What is going on? What happened to you Sir Robert?” asked Lyric.
“We attended a dance at the Benson farm. I was returning home with Sibylle when we were attacked. I was struck in the head somehow. When I woke, I was in the ditch. Sibylle was taken.”
“Taken? By who?”
Allan took a note off the table and handed it to Lyric. “This arrived this morning.”
Lyric read the note.
The girl for the Dragonblood.
One man will bring the Dragonblood, bound hands behind the back, to the peak of the western pass. If anyone else is spotted she dies. If he isn’t bound, she dies.
You have one week to find the dragonblood and bring him to the pass.
SB
“SB?” asked Lyric.
“Sacred Blood,” said Lord Lamar.
“Sacred Blood my eye,” said Sir Robert.
“You don’t believe they are behind it?” asked Lyric.
“Oh, I’m positive they are involved somehow, but the western pass? That is Horne territory. Talon Horne has been in the capital ever since you escaped his grasp. He’s been training a special unit. They call them the dragon hunters. The dragon hunters left Wilmborne three days ago.”
Talon Horne. Lyric wasn’t shocked to hear that he would do something as dastardly as kidnapping but why? “Why blame it on the Sacred Blood.”
“Because that is how King Horne operates. I would wager once you are killed, the king’s men will miraculously find and rescue Sibylle. It would’ve worked, but the King isn’t the only one with spies. We’ve known about these dragon hunters for a while. They are using Sibylle to trap you. The king can’t have it known that he would kidnap my daughter, but the Sacred Blood denounces anyone who allies with dragons so they wouldn’t blink at kidnapping her. It is the perfect cover.”
“King Horne? When did that happen?” asked Lyric.
“While you were being chased by Talon, his father was worming his way into the king’s graces. The king was poisoned, and in his dying breath named Lord Horne his successor.”
“Regardless of who is behind the kidnapping, we must do something about it,” said Allan.
Sir Robert pointed to one of the maps on the table. “Lyric. This is the farm where the dance was, and here is where the attack happened. I was unconscious for a couple of hours, so they could’ve gone any direction, but Allan and Izzy were riding ahead of us and they stopped in Middale to wait for us. No one came so Allan rode back to the farm looking for us.”
“I rode right past Sir Robert the first time. There were no signs of struggle on the bridge,” said Allan.
“So, we know they didn’t take her through Middale. Which means they either doubled back towards the Benson farm and headed west or they took the northern road before the farm.”
Lyric studied the map. It was fortunate that Allan and Izzy had waited in Middale. If not for that they would have no clue as to where Sibylle was. At least now, they could narrow it down substantially. It was still a huge search area and there wasn’t much time. “What is your best guess?”
Sir Robert looked over at Allan. “Allan has a theory.”
Allan looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know how much of a theory it is but the ambush was well placed and perfectly timed. Whether it was Sacred Blood or King Horne or someone else, they couldn’t have done it without local help. Someone knew Sibylle would be at the party, and what she looked like. It was dark on the road, and only someone who had seen her leave the party could have known who to attack on the road. Going with that assumption, I spoke to Haylee Benson and have the names of everyone that was at the party when Sibylle and Sir Robert left. There were thirteen people at the dance when they left.”
Lord Lamar tapped the list sitting on the table. “Someone on this list.”
Lyric looked at the list, he knew about half the names and the rest he wasn’t familiar with.
“Some of the names on the list are old friends, others I barely know,” said Lord Lamar. “However, we can’t afford to discount the possibility that it is any one of the people on the list. And we don’t know if that person was actively involved or just tipped the kidnappers off on to how to get her.”
“We are watching all the names on the list, if any leave Middale or act suspiciously we will know,” said Allan.
“In the meantime, we need to start narrowing our search window. There is too much territory to cover,” said Lord Lamar.
Lyric looked at the maps, there was a lot of territory to cover looking for one person. “You said that these dragon hunters have left Wilmborne?”
“Yes,” replied Lord Lamar. “Our spies in the city witnessed them leaving.”
“How many men?” asked Lyric.
“They train approximately seventy-five men, but they only have armor for a third that number. The entire force didn’t leave the city. Only half that number.”
“Thirty to forty men. Not an easy number to hide,” said Lyric.
Allan slapped his forehead. “By the gods, we are fools. Lyric is right. They need a place to hide that many men and it has to be near the pass so they can set up their ambush.”
Sir Robert nodded in agreement, “And even if it isn’t the dragon hunters, any force looking to take on Lyric will be ready for a dragon. They will have many men. So, we need to focus on areas that can hide such a substantial number.”
Allan grabbed the map. “We can start by visiting the people on this list, and anyone they are associated with that has property within our search grid. First, we visit any farms outside of the search area. Eliminate the unlikely first. Whoever is behind the attack can’t watch all of us.”
“They will have people watching the pass and the road the pass. Perhaps all the way to Middale. We’ll have to avoid the western road as much as possible,” said Allan.
“That makes searching challenging,” said Sir Robert.
“Maybe not,” said Lyric. “I can search areas that you can’t, and I don’t need roads to get there. And I can have Kemoth, my dragon, search from the sky.”
“Lord Lamar, Sir Robert, why don’t you take our list of names and start visiting them. Focus on the ones in Middale and to the ea
st first. Lyric and I will start organizing the rest of the search.”
“And if we don’t find her in time?” asked Lord Lamar.
“If we don’t find her, we will follow their demands,” said Lyric. “Allan will deliver me to the pass in exchange for Sibylle.”
Lord Lamar grabbed Lyric’s arm. “My family is blessed to have you as a friend.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” said Allan. “I’d rather hit these bastards with a surprise of our own.”
Lord Lamar and Sir Robert left the study, leaving Lyric alone with Allan.
“How are you Lyric, the others are a little focused on Sibylle right now, but that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten all you’ve been going through. Have you been to Fallstorm yet?”
“I am good. I wanted to thank Lord Lamar for his generous gift, but the time didn’t seem right. It is understandable that they are focused on Sibylle. Yes, I’ve been to Fallstorm.”
“Good, you’ve met your Daxrah. There are three more in Middale now. They are staying in Azina’s barn.”
Three more Daxrah? How many would there be? “That is good I suppose. I am still getting used to the idea of having Daxrah at all.”
“Yes, I can imagine this is quite the transition for you. Tell me of your dragon. The last time we spoke you were heading to find the creature.”
“Kemoth. He is certainly not what I imagined a dragon to be, but he is still magnificent. It is strange, the bond. He is in my mind, and I his. But it is good, like having the closest friend imaginable, one who can finish your every thought because they know you so well.”
“And Kemoth will help find Sibylle?”
“I believe so. The dragons have rules against hurting humans, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help to find her. He can cover more territory than any human ever could.”
“That would be very helpful. Now that we are thinking about Talon Horne and his men instead of just trying to find Sibylle I believe the search will be successful.”
“But what do we do if it is him?”
“We rescue Sibylle, get her away from harm’s way then we fight. Kidnapping Sibylle is an act of war against the Lamar family and their allies, which include me and my men. Be it the king or the Sacred Blood, someone is going to regret this. Lord Lamar has tried to remain somewhat neutral to this point. He hasn’t supported the new king, but he hasn’t supported the southern uprising either. This will change if he is behind the attack.”
Thirty men, trained to fight dragons, it wasn’t something Lyric wanted to face on his own. That they were training specifically to fight dragons meant that they had no intentions of leaving him alone. They would hunt him until they found him and Kemoth. Sibylle was simply bait to lure him in. “We could just save Sibylle. I could probably get her away without having to fight anyone.”
“And then what? They kidnap someone else next time? This isn’t just your fight, Lyric. They may want you dead, but the Hornes want to control all of Droll. The Sacred Blood want everyone to fear dragonbloods or to fear being associated with them. They will bully and intimidate until they get what they want. It really doesn’t matter which group is behind the attacks. Both are our enemies, and we won’t be intimidated. You won’t face them alone.”
“Okay, but let’s not jump to conclusions about who is behind the attack. Let’s just focus on finding Sibylle and getting her home safely.”
“Speaking of jumping to conclusions, I saw your eyes when you looked at the guest list. There is something you saw there,” said Allan.
Lyric paused, he’d hoped no one had noticed that. He didn’t want to accuse anyone and be wrong. It was better if everyone was investigated and the truth came out that way. “I’ve had disagreements with one of the men on the list. He likely holds a grudge.”
“I understand you not wanting to make presumptions, but if someone on the list has a grudge against you, they should get extra attention.”
Lyric sighed, it was hard to find fault with Allan’s argument. “Jamison. He and I have fought before.”
“Okay. If he is involved that means they aren’t staying at his house. He lives in Middale. There is no way to hide many men in his cottage. However, he does have relatives that had property to the west of Middale. Lord Lamar has it on the list of places to search.”
“Where?” asked Lyric.
“On the northern road, and according to Lord Lamar it has been abandoned.”
Lyric studied the map. It wasn’t far from the western pass as the crow flies. And according to the map was a heavily wooded area off the main road far enough that travelers wouldn’t see it from the road. A perfect hiding place. It was also a perfect place for an ambush. “I will return to Fallstorm and get Kemoth. I’ll have Kemoth search around the western pass. I will check out the property owned by Jamison’s relative. If that isn’t it, then I will come search the northern road for signs of the dragon hunters.”
“Be careful. While the note says they want to have the exchange at the pass, it is still all one big trap. They are likely waiting for you. They won’t be so foolish to think we can’t find them. They just likely don’t care. Either way they want you coming for Sibylle.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” said Lyric.
“Most of my men are spread out right now in the valley protecting the farmers. I have half a dozen with me. Most of Lord Lamar’s men are available but spread out searching for Sibylle. If we need to move fast we won’t be able to gather a force large enough to fight against thirty of the dragon hunters.”
“I will have my men go to Middale and meet up with the new ones who want to join the Daxrah. That will give us a quick moving force.”
“I’d say we’re going to be woefully undermanned, but I suspect you have learned a trick or two since the last time I spoke to you. The Lamar estate is being watched by multiple men right now but you snuck in without any warning.”
Lyric nodded. “It is a long story, but I now have dragon magic, and it is very powerful. Kemoth is a purple-gold dragon, one of the most magical dragons there is, and it has rubbed off on me.”
Allan smiled. “Then I pity the dragon hunters. They have no idea what is in store for them.
Kemoth, bring Celine back to the fortress and gather the men. I’ll be there shortly, mindlinked Lyric.
We are already on our way back. I can feel your anxiousness.
“Send word to Azina. That Marsden and the rest of the Daxrah will be on their way here to meet up with you. The new Daxrah can meet up with me here.”
“I will deliver the message myself. Do you want Azina and Valeria to come here as well?”
“Yes. Tell Azina that they should head south, so as to confuse the watchers then double back and meet here. When we have retrieved Sibylle they will accompany us to Fallstorm.” Lyric and Celine had already discussed having Azina and Valeria come to Fallstorm, and while it wasn’t the priority at the moment, it made sense to do everything at once. If it proved true that the king was behind the kidnapping of Sibylle then things would be getting messy in Middale. Fallstorm would be much safer, and there he could resume his lessons with Azina. Now that he could use his magic it would be good to have the witches there to guide him. “And if you could have Lord Lamar’s staff make sure no one uses the courtyard for the next couple days.”
Allan raised an eyebrow.
“Dragon magic. I can teleport, or shape shift as dragons call it. I can shift long distances but it is dangerous when I shift to places that I can’t see. If someone is standing where I am shifting to it could be messy.”
“I will inform the staff,” said Allan. “Is that how you escaped Talon in the mountains? He claimed dragons killed his wolfhounds and their master.”
“That was me. Kemoth nor any of the other dragons was involved.”
“Good to know. We will have to let people know the truth. I will put a word in the right ears to get the rumors heading in the right direction.”
There had bee
n a time when Lyric would’ve argued with Allan, but he was starting to understand how important public perception was. Dragons were being watched by everyone, waiting to see what would happen. Every story like the one Talon Horne was spreading hurt the perception of dragons. While he didn’t want to advertise his own actions, he needed to own them. “That would be prudent.”
Allan walked Lyric back to the courtyard. “I want to witness this for my own eyes.”
Lyric smiled. “There isn’t much to see.” And then disappeared.
“Bloody hell.” Allan shook his head. “Not much to see indeed.”
46
Shifting back to the fortress, Lyric landed in his own quarters. He made a mental note that he’d have to have a space off limits to everyone else in the room if he was going to shift into it regularly. Outside, it was easy to imagine a spot well above the ground and shift to it, then examine the ground to see where he could safely land.
Wasting no time, Lyric headed outside. He found the men working on the new section of wall.
“That was short trip,” said Marsden as Lyric approached.
“Too short. There has been a change of plans. Drop what you are doing and gather your weapons and horses. Head to Redfall estates and meet up with Sir Chestmire. There are three new recruits that will be joining you there. They are with Azina now.”
The men stood up. “What happened?” asked Marsden.
“Sibylle Lamar has been kidnapped and her captures want to exchange her for the dragonblood.”
“Seven hells,” swore Carvel.
“The note delivered to Lord Lamar suggests it was the Sacred Blood, but there is also a chance that King Horne is behind the attacks.”
“King Horne? When did that slimy old goat become king?” asked Jarvis.
“Very recently. While Celine and I were in the mountains. You would’ve been in Middale I guess.”
“I thought King Gramalt was bad, but the Hornes? That is just bad. Are we going searching for Sibylle?”
Where are you? mindlinked Lyric.
Just coming up to you now.
Lyric turned, and watched as Sibylle jogged up to them.
Dragon Magic: Lyric's Curse 2 (Dragonblood Sagas Book 4) Page 27
