To the Victor

by Samantha M. Derr

  She pitched her words loud enough so Merena could hear. "To slay a dragon a knight does not use a sword. I'd need spears. Many of them, with a solid metal tip. Is there a blacksmith who can make me such spears?"

  Another man stepped forward, still carrying his hammer from the anvil. His arms rivaled tree trunks in their diameter. "Aye, Knight Wyvern. My daughters and I can work through the night."

  "And wood for the bases?"

  The boy who rang the bell stepped forward. "My friends and I can gather from the woods."

  "And volunteers to provide support?" Renee knew her own skills―Wolf Knights were taught to recognize their strengths and weaknesses without modesty, but they required a healthy understanding of when they needed assistance.

  Many of the villagers stepped forward and raised their hands.

  "That thing ate my brother!"

  "I lost my children."

  "Whatever you need."

  Renee felt a flash of shame that she ever considered not helping these people. She exchanged a look with Adi, whose eyes were shining with unshed tears.

  "I suppose we are slaying a dragon, then."

  Chapter Five

  Adi paced the common room of the Sharpshooter Inn, which was owned by a former soldier. The man was ninety if he were a day, and he'd offered his bow arm if that would help. Renee had been sweet with him last night, telling him that all hands were needed, but his were best kept at the inn to provide a place for them to plan.

  And plan they did. Renee and Merena and the blacksmith. Merena had rolled out blank parchment on one of the common room tables, where the three of them sketched out a map of the area and their plan of attack. Renee's cheeks grew flushed, and her hands more animated as she described what would be needed.

  Adi could watch her for hours. Clearly, Renee was in her element. She had a gift, and though Adi feared the battle ahead, she couldn't help but feel that Renee was meant to do this. She was truly one of Isaura's children.

  Before it grew too late, she'd chased them all to their beds, saying, "There will be no dragon slaying in the morning if you don't sleep now."

  Morning had come and Renee still hadn't arrived downstairs. Adi stopped pacing and went to gather a tray of food from the kitchen that she carried to the room Renee had been given. Yes, given. The innkeeper declared he wouldn't take a penny from either of them.

  "Renee?" Adi knocked on the door and waited.

  It opened, revealing Renee in all her glory. Renee had traveled without her plate armor, so she'd needed to borrow something heavier than her traveling leathers. The blacksmith had some pieces that barely fit―a breastplate, pauldrons, and vambraces. Renee donned them now, looking every inch the warrior, despite the slightly oversized armor.

  "It's hard to do without a squire," Renee said in the face of Adi's silence.

  Adi didn't know why her mouth had gone dry. She put down the tray and cleared her throat. "I brought you food."

  "I can never eat before a battle. I brewed some strong tea. That will see me through." Renee tilted her head to one side, her short dark hair brushing the metal at her shoulder. "What are you wearing?"

  "Oh, Merena lent me one of her gowns." Adi picked up the hem of the green linen and did a little twirl in the center of the room. "My clothes needed washing."

  "It suits you."

  The words caused Adi's cheeks to heat. It was a simple gown. Once at Graymore, she'd be wearing much finer clothing. She opened her mouth to say that, but from the way Renee looked at her, Adi knew the compliment wasn't for the dress. There was fire in that gaze, and Adi wanted to return it, to remind Renee of her own beauty.

  "Thank you."

  Renee retrieved her sword and slid it into her scabbard with a smooth motion. She stood there, protected in borrowed armor and about to fight a dragon.

  Adi felt her heart speed up, and she placed her hand over her chest to soothe it, but the rapid beat made her want to lie down. She'd asked this of Renee. It would be Renee who'd pay the cost for fighting the dragon. This was why Adi should never have been born royal. She hated ordering people into battle for her, especially those she had come to care for.

  But this was more than just that. Renee wouldn't have acquiesced if she thought it couldn't be done. She wasn't Adi's servant. She was a Knight of the Wolf, bred to the fight.

  Adi knew she couldn't let Renee go without saying something, but the words would not come. Instead, she stepped forward and reached out with her hands. Renee met her halfway and took Adi's bare fingers in her gloved ones. Then Adi stood on tiptoes and brushed her lips against Renee's.

  Renee's eyes widened, but she grabbed Adi's shoulders when Adi tried to pull back. "I believe I need a proper kiss before battle."

  Then she cupped Adi's face between her hands and kissed her. Adi closed her eyes, her lips taken and claimed, warm and deep. Adi felt it all through her body, and liquid pooled between her legs. She let out a whimper in response and Renee let go.

  "Here." Adi's voice cracked as she spoke. She took the charm she always wore about her neck and wound it around Renee's. It was a golden swan, one of Elrica's symbols. "Elrica protect you."

  Renee kissed the relic and tucked it safely beneath her armor. "I have you waiting for me. That's incentive enough to win the day."

  "Oh." Adi put her hand over her lips and watched Renee as she walked away. "What have I done?"

  *~*~*

  Renee's lips burned as she came down the stairs of the inn. She'd wanted the princess from the moment she saw Adi's red hair glowing in the sun. But Renee was used to not getting what she desired, and she very well knew she couldn't seduce the woman she was charged to protect.

  Now that Adi had made the first move, Renee didn't have to worry about that.

  And she couldn't think about it now. Adi had given her a special blessing, and Renee needed to use that to fire her will. Every moment now would be about killing this dragon and coming back to her princess.

  Merena met her in the common room. "You already have two goddesses protecting you, but I offer you a third. My patron, Lunara."

  Renee bowed her head. "I will accept any blessing you offer, wise one."

  She smiled. "We owe you more than that, Knight, for you have given us hope where we once had nothing but despair." Merena touched her palm to Renee's forehead and murmured a prayer under her breath.

  Renee felt warmth rise in her belly and wondered if magic didn't still touch a bit of the world.

  "Thank you."

  "Come. They are waiting for you."

  Renee looked up the stairs, but it seemed Adi would not follow. It didn't matter. She'd rather Adi not see the battle if it would upset her. It was enough knowing she'd be waiting here for Renee.

  She retrieved Fleetfoot from the inn's stables, wishing she had some armor for him. But that plate had been packed away, and the blacksmith had nothing to offer her horse. All of his wares had already been sold to the liege's knights for the tourney. She'd been lucky he had some discarded pieces for her.

  A crowd had gathered in the town square as she and Merena made their way through. They looked hopeful. Renee kept herself focused on the battle ahead. Only then could she fulfill their hopes. Their regard firmed her resolve, like a force she could feel at her back, urging her to succeed.

  The blacksmith, Rocco, greeted them outside the gates. He had dark circles beneath his eyes, but he wore a delighted grin. "Did my best work last night. Twelve spears for you, Knight."

  "Like the Twelve above."

  Merena and Rocco both bowed their head and said together, "May the Twelve bless us."

  Renee swallowed as she dismounted. The air felt too heavy, as if what was about to happen had settled over the entire valley. No birds sang, nor did any insects chirp. Here was a place held in fear by this beast.

  She inspected the staves, which were very fine for a night's work. Renee could carry two while on horseback, and that would work for the first part of her plan. "I'll need vol
unteers to toss me the extra when I call for them."

  "My daughters." Rocco waved, and two young women with broad shoulders and matching crooked grins came from out of the trees. "Caylin and Nora."

  "We would be honored to aid you, Knight Wyvern," Caylin spoke for both of them.

  "And now we need our bait."

  "Here comes Carlo with the sheep." Merena waved to a gangly looking boy who was driving three sheep up the path. "I hate to sacrifice any animal, but I'd much rather lose the sheep than Carlo."

  Renee nodded. She outlined the plan and waited until everyone got in position before mounting again. Rocco handed her two spears and she hefted one in her right hand, ready to throw.

  "Now!"

  Carlo drove the sheep into the clearing and onto the bridge. He didn't follow, but stepped away at the last moment. The sheep kept going, as if they'd forgotten they were no longer being driven.

  Better than the original suggestion. A donkey would have stopped halfway up the pass and not even gotten on the bridge.

  Renee trotted up to the entrance, but didn't set a foot on the bridge, not yet. She waited and the sheep bleated halfway along the length, where they'd stopped, seeming confused.

  She felt the hair rise on her arms and that sense that something was wrong moments before she heard the dragon's cry pierce the air. The juvenile must be hungry if it was depending on the bridge for hunting.

  It rose up from the gorge, a dark thing with black and brown mottled scales. It would be easy to mistake for a shadow along the rocks. It had four legs in addition to the wings, like the Southern breeds of dragons. The good news was that that particular breed had a vulnerability below its chin―an unprotected neck without any scaling.

  As the dragon dived for the sheep, Renee galloped forward and threw her first spear, aiming for the dragon's wing.

  The spear sailed through the air, and she didn't have time to hold her breath. She needed to throw the second spear. A heartbeat, and then it made contact, piercing through delicate skin and rending the dragon's wing. The second hit right after the first, breaking bone.

  The dragon crashed onto the bridge, screaming in pain.

  Renee turned her horse and charged back to the other side of the bridge, where her volunteers waited. She could feel the ground vibrate as the dragon ran down the bridge after her, now confined to the ground with its wing clipped.

  "Spear!" she shouted as she cleared the bridge. Caylin threw her one, and Renee caught it one handed.

  She wheeled her horse around, grateful for Fleetfoot's training that kept him calm and obedient to her commands, despite the dragon barreling down on them.

  As the dragon cleared the bridge, she shouted "now" and the rest of her volunteers pulled taut the rope that they'd set up earlier. The dragon ran right into it, catching its head and exposing its vulnerable neck.

  Renee charged and threw her spear with all her might. It made a direct hit in the unprotected spot. The acrid smell of the bluish blood filled the air. "Spear!"

  Nora tossed her another. Renee made the final throw, the death blow straight into the dragon's heart.

  It made one last roar, a heart wrenching cry of pain and agony. It fell to the ground with a loud thud, sending blueish blood and dirt in all directions. The stench of its foul blood filled the air. The great beast had been vanquished.

  Renee dismounted, her legs nearly giving out on her when she hit the ground. She'd been lucky. A smarter or older dragon would not have been fooled so easily.

  Merena touched her arm. "Take one of the claws as your trophy. We'll burn the beast." She spat. "For all the lives it's taken!"

  "It's just an animal," Renee said softly. They'd long lost the ability to tame them, making dragons nothing more than very dangerous lizards. She almost felt bad for the creature, but then, she never felt quite good about killing. She always thought that made her a poor knight, no matter what her mentor, Patrice, told her.

  "Still, you should take something to remember the time you saved an entire village and everyone who travels this path." Merena squeezed her arm and withdrew. "And something to show off to your maiden!"

  She meant Adi. Renee could feel her cheeks flush. She grinned as she sliced free the tiniest of claws, one that would fit on her belt as a trophy. Yes, she'd be happy to show this to her woman.

  *~*~*

  Adi waited in the center square, not alone. The entire town milled around, quiet as they waited for word. She looked at the sun, trying to figure out how much time had passed. It had been after dawn when she'd gone up to Renee's room and kissed her.

  Her cheeks burned now. But she could not have let Renee go without that kiss, without sharing how she felt. If Renee died... Oh, that would be all Adi's fault and she couldn't bear it.

  "Huzzah!" someone shouted.

  Adi turned and looked, and there they were―Renee, Merena, Rocco, and Caylin and Nora, and all the other townspeople who'd volunteered to help kill the dragon.

  "The beast is dead!" Merena shouted. "Thanks to Knight Wyvern!"

  The crowd cheered, and the silent mood quickly became jovial. Someone started to play music―a flute and a mandolin in tune, and the innkeeper rolled out a cask of ale.

  Adi wanted to get close to Renee. She pushed through the crowd, not caring who got in her way. Tears stung her eyes as she finally made it through.

  Renee saw her and dismounted, ignoring those who pressed close to touch her in gratitude. "Adi."

  Adi swallowed. "I should never have asked you to do that, but I have no right to deny you your calling, no matter how it makes me feel." It had torn her heart apart, knowing that she could have lost Renee.

  Renee smiled and pulled Adi into an embrace, holding her tightly. "I had you to come back to."

  Chapter Six

  The celebration continued into the night. But at one point―after being toasted again for the fiftieth time―Renee stood and took her leave. It was clear the party would go on without her. She made eye contact with Adi, who was laughing with Merena.

  The firelight caught her hair, making it look like bursts of flame itself. She was so beautiful. Renee held out her hand, making an offering, but she told herself, she would not be upset if Adi didn't accept. She would not.

  A blush colored Adi's cheeks, but Adi crossed the courtyard and took Renee's hand. She led them both back to the inn as raucous cheers broke out behind them.

  Adi laughed. "Was that for us?"

  "I believe so." Renee tilted her head. "Does that bother you?"

  Adi appeared to consider it. "No. I think they are generally happy for us." She seemed a little sad as she said it, and that would not do at all.

  Renee threw open the door to her room, glad to see the fire had been banked. The night was starting to turn chilly, not unusual for spring up in the mountains, and she didn't want Adi to take a chill. She cracked the window a bit to keep the room from becoming stuffy.

  When she turned, Adi had taken off her borrowed shawl and sat on the bed, looking amazing in that green gown. It made her hair shine and her skin look like porcelain. Renee spoke without thinking, "You look good on my bed."

  Those cheeks now flushed a blistering red. "I can't offer you more than this."

  Renee crossed the room in a few strides and fell to her knees beside Adi. "I know who you are. I know where your duty lies. I cannot forget it." She took Adi's hand and laced their fingers together. "But for tonight, would you share this with me?"

  In response, Adi tilted Renee's head up and kissed her. She tasted sweet, like spring itself, along with the sweetmeats they'd given out at the celebration. Renee couldn't get enough of it, and she staggered to her feet so she could gain better purchase. She wanted to know what Adi tasted like everywhere.

  "Show me," Adi said, tugging on Renee's vambrace, "how to remove your armor."

  Renee chuckled, and the sound swelled and filled the room. "All right, squire."

  Adi laughed in return, and the moment of sadness fad
ed.

  She proved a deft student, unlacing as Renee instructed and being careful as she removed each bit of armor. As the pile grew, and Renee grew more exposed, she felt lighter, as if the obligations between them had suddenly been removed along with her garb.

  When Renee was down to nothing but her boots, leggings, and undershirt, Adi stopped. She took a step back and looked Renee up and down. "You cut a fine figure even without the armor, my knight."

  Renee liked the sound of that. She winked. "Aye. But there's more to see. May I unlace your dress?" It was only fair to return the favor.

  Adi swallowed as she turned to reveal her back. Renee stood behind her, and lifted the weight of red hair so she could run her lips along the back of Adi's neck. Adi shivered. Renee's hands felt clumsy as she plucked at the laces, at first unable to remember how to undo a simple knot. Desire coiled inside her, something warm and wet and burning ever higher with each bit of clothing removed.

  She ran her hands along Adi's hips, up her abdomen, and then to her shoulders, where she pulled down the gown. Adi reached up and helped, letting the fabric pool onto the floor. She wore only a simple chemise beneath, something white and gauzy that Renee itched to take off.

  "All right?" she asked, her words no more than breath along Adi's ear. Adi shivered and nodded.

  With that permission, Renee slipped off the chemise, leaving Adi bare in the firelight. Freckles were scattered down her back, and Renee gave in to the impulse to kiss them, mouthing down Adi's spine until she reached the curve of her ass.

  Adi gasped. "That's hardly fair."

  "Indeed." Renee stepped back and sat on the bed to tug off her boots. Her leggings followed immediately afterward, then her tunic and her underclothes.

  Before she could stand, she found herself with a lapful of Adi. Renee let out a surprised oomph as Adi pushed her back onto the bed and straddled her waist. She wore nothing but an evil grin that had Renee smiling.

  "Surprised?"

  "I shouldn't be." Renee brushed Adi's hair out of the way so she could slide her hand along Adi's breast and tease at one perfectly pink nipple. Adi shivered.