by G. A. Aiken
“Thank you,” Ragnar said flatly.
Keita petted Ragnar’s neck. “I could stay. If you need me to.”
“I do need you. But I’ll feel better if you’re far away from here.” He squeezed her. “Go with Ren. He’ll appreciate the company.”
“About that . . .” Keita went up on the tips of her claws and began whispering in Ragnar’s ear. Vigholf glanced at Meinhard, but his cousin was too busy sucking the marrow from that cow leg to notice anything.
“You sure?” Ragnar asked.
Keita nodded. “She’s the best choice.”
“Perhaps, but I doubt she’ll be happy about it.”
“She’ll do it for me. Besides, I’m betting she’d like some time away from my aunt.”
“I’ll feel better if it’s her. She’s good.”
“And you don’t like the idea of me being alone with Ren,” she teased. “But he knows that I’m your Battle Twat!”
“It’s maid, Keita!” Ragnar complained over Vigholf and Meinhard’s laughter. “It’s Battle Maid. Not Battle Twat or Battle Slut or Battle Slag. Battle. Maid.”
She giggled and slipped away from him, silently walking out of the room.
“What was that about?” Vigholf asked.
“Protection detail for the flight back to the Southlands.”
“Why would they need that? The foreigner can handle himself and Keita, quite well.”
Ragnar began to say something, stopped. Thought a moment and finally said, “He might be distracted. It’s best he has a guard. Especially with Keita traveling with him.”
“Who? One of her brothers? Gods,” Vigholf quickly added, “not the boy.”
“No. Éibhear stays here. And I need Fearghus and Briec here as well. We’re sending one of the cousins instead.” He flicked his claws. “Keep this quiet for now, and we can discuss later.”
“A Cadwaladr, though?” Vigholf pushed. “Willing to leave battle to be protection detail for a couple of royals?” He shook his head. “It will never happen.”
“And you know Keita won’t take no for an answer,” Ragnar reminded him. “My dragoness always knows how to get what she wants. No matter how bloody annoying she has to be to do it.”
Although Rhona had been unable to find time the previous eve to bathe after several additional things came up that needed her attention, she’d finally managed to sneak away during first meal. Now she stood under the waterfall and let the water pour down on her. It felt wonderful against her scales, pounding the tension out of her body and massaging her muscles.
Aaaaaah. Just what she needed. A chance to relax and simply enjoy the quiet and—
“Cousin!”
Rhona faced the cave wall, refusing to be interrupted. Refusing to let her kin invade what had become an almost sacred thing for her—a bath. A gods-damn bath.
“Rhona, you’re so funny,” Keita said, moving closer. “I know you can hear me.”
Letting out a sigh, realizing she couldn’t avoid this, Rhona faced her cousin, but she refused to be moved from her spot under the waterfall.
“What is it, Keita?”
“I wanted to see how you’re doing. And to tell you how pretty you look with your warrior braids in your hair. Ever thought of adding ribbons to—”
“No.” Rhona examined her cousin. She was buttering Rhona up for something. “I will never put ribbons in my hair. Now, what do you want, Keita?”
“Well—”
“If you dance around this any more, I’m going to get tense.”
“All right, all right. No need to threaten. I just need a small favor.”
“There are no small favors where you’re concerned. So just get it out.”
“I need you to escort me and Ren back to Dark Plains.”
“No.”
Keita frowned. “What do you mean ‘no’?”
“I mean no. I mean you’re up to something, Keita the Viper, and I’m not getting in the middle of it.” Then again, Keita was always up to something. Although rarely mentioned, this particular war was, in fact, down to the actions of Keita the Viper when she’d lobbed the head of the Overlord’s wife at him in the middle of the Province’s main arena. After that particular move, the war was pretty much a foregone conclusion. And, as far as Rhona was concerned, all Keita’s fault.
“Oh, come now,” Keita pushed. “That’s not fair. And I really need you to do this for me.”
“We both know Ren can take care of himself, he needs no escort.”
“I’m going with him as well.”
“He’s capable of escorting you, too.” Confused, Rhona asked, “Isn’t that something you two do all the time? Travel around the world with Ren as your escort?”
“He’ll be busy.”
“Busy with what?”
“Things.”
“Forget it.” Rhona began to turn away again, but Keita caught her forearm.
“Look, I can’t really go into this. At least not here.” Keita leaned in and whispered loudly so she could be heard over the rushing water, “The cave walls have ears.”
“Those are called bats.”
“Och! Why must you argue everything?”
“Because you’re trying to pull me into your insanity. I won’t go, cousin.”
“I need you, Rhona. This is important.”
Rhona grunted.
“If you don’t believe me, ask Ragnar. He’ll tell you.”
Beginning to believe her cousin was sincere—Keita would never send Rhona to Ragnar the Cunning unless she really was telling the truth—Rhona asked, “Why do you need to go back?”
“Ragnar would feel safer with me in Dark Plains.”
“So would I. This is no place for you, Keita.”
“Then you best take me back to Garbhán Isle.” The human queen’s seat of power in Dark Plains.
“I can’t,” Rhona admitted, thinking of all she had to do. “But I’ll see if the triplets—”
“No!” Keita barked, startling Rhona. “They’ll be missed.”
“What do you mean they’ll be—”
“Everyone will notice if they’re gone, and ask questions. I can’t have any questions asked. So your brothers can’t go either. Or any of your siblings. This needs to be done quietly.”
Rhona put her claws on her hips and glared down at her much smaller cousin. “Did you only pick me because no one would notice if I was gone?”
“It’s not that they wouldn’t notice you’re gone.... They’d just be glad you are.”
“Well, thank you very much!”
Keita’s tail slammed down into the water. “You’re taking this the wrong way!”
“How else am I supposed to take it?”
“That’s it!” Keita slashed her claws through the air. “I am Daughter of Queen Rhiannon, low-born cousin, and as a lowly soldier you’ll do as I say!”
Without speaking, Rhona moved forward—and kept moving forward until her cousin had been backed into the far wall.
“All right! All right!” Keita brought up her claws to ward Rhona off. “No need to get testy!”
“Then watch that you don’t irritate me, cousin.”
“Please, Rhona. Once we’re free of this place, I can explain everything. But not here, not now. And I’m asking you to do this because I trust you. Ren trusts you. And you know the pair of us trust few.”
Damn her. Keita always knew how to get her way. Yet Rhona did have to admit that her cousin—for once—appeared sincere. And a bit worried. Keita was never worried about anything.
“Ragnar will know, yeah? That I’m with you? That I’m following orders? If it comes up. Don’t need my kin thinking I’m a deserter.”
“Of course they won’t!” Keita again put her claw on Rhona’s forearm. “Trust me. When this is all said and done, you’ll be seen as a hero.”
Rhona chuckled. “Don’t need all that. Just don’t get me tossed into your mum’s dungeons and we’ll be fine.”
Keita’s grin was
bright and pretty. “That I can manage!”
Vigholf looked up from his fifth cow leg when Keita returned to the chamber. Meinhard had headed out, but Vigholf, wanting to know more about what was going on, had stayed.
Keita smiled at Vigholf as she passed and sashayed her way over to Ragnar.
He’d admit it. Vigholf didn’t understand his brother. Keita had been with Ragnar for five years now, even coming with him when they moved from their Northland home to this valley. And although she’d been forced to stay in this cave with cranky soldiers and pesky kin, she never once complained or seemed unhappy. And yet Ragnar still hadn’t Claimed her. He still hadn’t put his mark upon her that would let every dragon know that Keita’s heart belonged to him and him alone. What the dragon was waiting for, Vigholf had no idea. The war gods knew that Vigholf wouldn’t have waited if he had a She-dragon ready to be his mate. Good females were too hard to come by. And Keita was one of the best. Pretty, smart, charming, elegant, and very loyal. Those dragons who dare question Ragnar’s rule as Dragonlord of the Hordes usually ended up with uncomfortable rashes under their scales, unexplainable hair loss, or coughing up blood. After several cases of that sort of thing happening, the rest of them learned to keep quiet or, at the very least, not complain about Ragnar in front of Keita.
“All set,” she said, smiling.
“Good.” Ragnar brushed his claw against her cheek. “I’ll miss you.”
“Of course you will. I’m amazing.”
“You’re leaving now?” Vigholf asked.
“Sssh,” Keita whispered. “Not so loud. We’re doing this quietly.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain it later,” Ragnar said. “Give us a few minutes.”
Vigholf nodded and headed toward the exit. But he stopped, worried. “And your escort is not Éibhear, right?”
“You know, he’s improved greatly in five years,” Keita reminded him, always so protective of her oversized baby brother. Emphasis on the baby.
“Your escort isn’t Éibhear, right?”
Keita let out a breath. “No. It’s not. He’ll be staying here with you lot. And I expect you to take good care of him.”
“He’s not alone, Keita.” Ragnar glanced at Vigholf. “He has his brothers to watch out for him.”
“And we all know they won’t!”
Vigholf and Ragnar laughed. It was true. That poor Blue’s brothers were harder on him than any of the Northland dragons ever were, but it was evident Éibhear was starting to get a little tired of it. That is, when he wasn’t too busy fighting with his cousin Celyn.
When Keita began to tap one talon of her back claw against the hard floor, Vigholf stopped laughing even if Ragnar didn’t.
“So who is going with you?” Vigholf pushed, not liking any of this.
“One of my cousins. But, as I said, let’s keep this quiet.”
“Why?”
“Ragnar can explain it later.”
“Why can’t he explain it now?”
“Don’t be annoying, Vigholf.”
“Then answer my question.”
Keita’s eyes narrowed and she took a step forward. To do what, Vigholf didn’t know, but Ragnar held her back by placing a claw on her shoulder.
“Keita and Ren are being escorted by the finest soldier Her Majesty’s Army has . . . Sergeant Rhona.”
Vigholf rolled his eyes. “Her?”
“What’s wrong with Rhona?” Keita snapped.
“If you’d asked me that a couple of days ago, I would have said absolutely nothing.”
“And today?”
“She’s overworked and she whines.”
“Rhona? Whine? I didn’t think she even knew the meaning of that word. And why would she whine?”
“Because I broke her precious spear.”
Keita gasped, eyes wide. “You broke Rhona’s spear?”
“It was an—”
“Her father gave her that spear. He made it for her.”
“The blacksmith, yes?” Ragnar asked.
“Uncle Sulien. He used to live in a volcano.”
Frowning, Vigholf asked, “Why?”
“He was born there. His whole family was. They’re Volcano dragons. All that heat and dwarves nearby . . . they’ve become excellent blacksmiths and glassworkers over the last millennium or so. He can make all sorts of incredible weapons. My father hates Uncle Sulien, though,” she added offhandedly. “Have no idea why. But it’s a deep, resentful hate. More hate than he has for most dragons.” She grinned. “I like him, though. He always brought me warm treats like little lambs or newborn calves, still bleating away.”
Ragnar shook his head. “Lovely.”
“I think you should take someone else,” Vigholf told Keita. “A couple of my cousins should work.”
“Why? What’s wrong with my cousin?” Keita briefly pursed her lips. “Or is the fact she’s lacking a cock your main problem with her?”
“That sounds amazingly wrong,” Ragnar noted.
Vigholf sighed. “She cries over a broken spear—”
“That a father she adores gave her!”
“—and can any Cadwaladr female say she doesn’t have a cock?”
“Very funny.”
“Besides, you need stronger protection than the Babysitter.”
Keita gasped again. “Are you the one who started calling her that? She hates that nickname.” She shrugged. “Although she was my babysitter for a time. When my nanny was off.”
“Are you even listening to me?” Vigholf demanded.
“Not particularly, no. I know Rhona. She’ll keep me and Ren safe. Of that I have no doubt.”
“Well, I do.”
“Then you can go with them.”
Vigholf looked at his brother. “What?”
“If you’re that worried, you go with Keita and Ren.”
“I have a war to fight here.”
“And while we get everything in place and finish the tunnel, you have time to go to the Southlands and get back before you’re even missed.”
“I’m a commander. I can’t just wander off.”
“You’re not wandering off. I’m ordering you off.” Which made Vigholf chuckle until his brother’s glare stopped him.
“Besides,” Ragnar continued. “You can check on Mother.” Their mother, along with all the Northland She-dragons, had been sent to the Southlands for her own safety when they’d moved to Euphrasia. A decision that had confused all the Southland She-dragons. “Can’t they fight?” Bradana had asked. “Most of ’em may be missing a wing, but not their claws or legs.”
And although Vigholf could speak to his mother with his mind anytime he wanted, he still greatly missed her presence. “And wouldn’t you feel better keeping an eye on the sergeant? Just to make sure she doesn’t make any huge mistakes in her overworked, tired state.”
His brother did have a point. And it wasn’t like they were in the Northlands. Euphrasia Valley was much closer to all the borders. They could be in the Southlands and then Dark Plains rather quickly, drop off the royals, and be back in just a few days to finish off the Irons. Yes. That worked. And, while they were traveling, if he could find the Babysitter a new weapon, something a little more . . . appropriate for her age, all the better.
“All right then. When are we leaving?”
“Within the hour,” Keita said. “But remember, not a word to anyone.”
“And you’ll tell me what’s going on once we’re on our way?”
“I will. Promise.”
Rhona met the triplets in what they called their “safe place.” The one place their mother would never be seen. In other words . . . the makeshift library.
She motioned them behind some tall piles of books and took another look around.
“What’s wrong, Rhona?” Edana asked.
“Nothing. But I need your word that you’ll not repeat what I’m about to tell you.”
“Of course not,” Nesta promised. “You know yo
u can trust us, sister.”
She smiled at the She-dragons whom, with her father, she’d raised. Of all her siblings, the triplets made her the most proud. They’d make mighty warriors one day and even better leaders.
“I’m off for a few days. Shouldn’t be gone long.”
“Off? To where?”
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes a little at Nesta’s question. “To protect the Royal Princess Keita on her way back to the Southlands.”
Edana frowned. “And we can’t repeat that . . . why exactly?”
“I have no idea. But Keita was adamant that I could tell no one.”
“But you’re telling us,” Breena remarked, smirking. “Bad She-dragon.”
“I know. I know. But this is Keita I’m dealing with. Who the hell knows what she’s up to and why she feels the need to keep it quiet. But I at least want you three to know, in case something happens. Especially if Mum finds out. The last thing I need right now is for her to think—”
“You’re a deserter?”
“Exactly.”
Nesta shook her head. “Mum knows better than that.”
“Well, she’s a little pissed at me right now. So I don’t want to test her.”
“Good idea,” Edana agreed. “So where exactly are you taking Keita?”
“Back to Dark Plains.”
“Awww,” the triplets said at the same time. “You’ll see Daddy!”
That made Rhona smile. “Aye. I will.” Her father had been working Annwyl the Bloody’s forge since the war began. It was a huge forge and her father had many talented blacksmiths under him. Some dragon, others human. It was a good place for him to be since he didn’t get along too well with those in Devenallt Mountain, the Southland dragons’ stronghold. He especially didn’t get along with Uncle Bercelak, as those two had never been friendly. “I’ll make sure to bring you a few weapons from his collection.”
Nesta and Breena clapped and cheered softly, still conscious of how sound traveled around cave walls, but Edana, always the more serious one, frowned. “Be careful, Rhona. I adore our cousin, but Keita is reckless and plays where she should not.”
“I’m well aware of how our cousin operates, sister. I have my guard up. Now I need you to do the same.”
