“Darius?” Daniel asked. To his great surprise, he saw a tear well in the corner of Darius’s eye.
“I couldn’t save him,” Darius’s voice was harsh, angry, Breken. He drew his sleeve roughly across his face to wipe away the offending tear. “I was too late. William gave him to me. I should have never put him down.”
Daniel didn’t know what had happened, but it was obvious that Darius blamed himself for Royce’s death.
“Did you do everything that you could?”
“It wasn’t enough!” Darius growled.
“No, it wasn’t,” Daniel said, “but was it all that could be done?”
Darius was quiet as he replayed the events in his mind. Daniel waited, watching his friend struggle through the memories that washed over him.
“Yes,” Darius conceded at length.
“Then that’s all there is to say about it,” Daniel said, his voice confident.
Darius nodded, gave one more swipe across his face, and began to walk again. Whatever the future held, Darius vowed he would avenge Royce’s death a hundred times over. The Breken would pay.
***
The throne room was packed. The remaining people had come out of Maj, and the Breken had arrived. Up until then, there had been at least a fragile hope that the rumor of war was nothing more than the ravings of a Breken traitor. Now, even that tender hope had been crushed.
Dearra stood before the king with Darius beside her. The king looked tired, as though he hadn’t slept, and his clothes appeared to hang a bit more loosely from his frame. She stared straight into his eyes. If he would have only listened to her sooner, believed her, or trusted Darius just a bit, maybe Royce would still be alive. Troops should have been sent to guard Maj. Dearra would have remained, and Darius with her, and if Darius had stayed, then William would have felt honor-bound to remain at his brother’s side, and Catherine with her husband. If, if, if. It served no purpose to chase ifs around in her mind.
Dearra broke eye contact with the king and sank into a grudging curtsy. Darius bowed beside her, but only enough for appearance’s sake.
“It seems I owe you an apology, Dearra,” King Jaymes said.
“You think?” Dearra’s harsh reply was out of her mouth before she could stop it.
Easy, Dearra, Brin cautioned.
King Jaymes seemed to ignore her statement and her tone, and continued, unhindered. “The Breken have come. My watchers say the numbers may even surpass what you warned of. I’ve given orders for the city to be sealed. We have had laborers working day and night to fortify the walls.”
If the king was waiting for Dearra to praise him for his efforts, he would be sorely disappointed. She was seething. He should have been keeping the city strong all along, not throwing men and materials at the crumbling walls when the enemy was poised to strike.
“We will do what we can here, for as long as we can. If the time comes when we can no longer hold the city, we will make for the mountains.”
Dearra nodded, mostly to herself. As far as plans went, it was fairly pitiful, but at this point, there wasn’t much else to be done. Most of the children, and many of the women, had already gone to the mountains. They had taken different routes to get there, as that many feet passing over the same terrain would have been an easy path for the Breken to follow. Spread out, their journey would leave little trace.
“Now, I appreciate that you were right about the Breken, as I appreciate the sacrifice you and all the people of Maj have made so that we might remain safe, but, that said, I feel as if I need to address the issue that remains before me.”
Stay calm. Don’t react, just breathe in and out and remember who you are.
It wasn’t clear to which of them Brin was speaking, Darius glanced down at Dearra, but all she could do was shrug slightly and wait for the king’s next words.
“Darius was the one to warn of the Breken attack, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he can be trusted. He is Breken, and I have no assurances this isn’t all part of a larger plot to place a spy in our midst. The girl, Zusia, likewise, could be a piece of a larger scheme to destroy us from within.”
Dearra couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Surely, after all they had done, Darius had earned a small piece of the king’s faith.
“Jaymes,” Marianne spoke softly.
The king would not even turn to look at her. He knew how she felt about it, she’d been telling him for months.
Shanks stepped forward and bowed to the king who nodded, granting him permission to speak.
“Majesty, Darius is no more a spy than I am. I worked side by side with him when we were locating and testing recruits. I haven’t known him long, but it’s long enough to know I would trust him with my life.”
“That’s strong praise coming from you, Shanks,” Jaymes said. “I respect your opinion, but I have the greater good to think of. Therefore, I order that the Breken Darius and the Breken child Zusia be removed to the cells below. They will receive fair treatment and care, but they will be held until this is over.”
Guards moved to do as the king ordered. Zusia’s eyes grew wide in alarm, and Catherine and William gripped her tightly. Dearra removed Brin from his scabbard and stood in front of Darius in a protective stance.
“Guards!” The king commanded. “Disarm her! Take the sword!”
Pandemonium erupted. Gales of wind swept the room, and nearly fifty Etrafarians levitated high above the assembly. Some seemed to be holding orbs of fire between their hands. Others poised with fingers splayed in the general direction of the guards. Then the winds settled, and the room was completely quiet.
“What is the meaning of this?” Jaymes yelled, jumping up from his throne and striding forward.
Aesri floated forward and then lowered herself until her dainty feet touched down a few paces from the king. Niada hovered protectively behind her. The king’s guard surged forward to offer assistance, but he waved them back.
“King Jaymes,” Aesri spoke with the same calm, wind chime voice she always used. “We Etrafarians have come to offer our help to you in this war. We can be very useful, something with which I am sure you agree, considering you have allowed us to stay, though it goes against your better judgment to do so. However, our main purpose in being here is not to do battle. We are trying to make right a mistake from years past.”
“Yes, yes, Dearra told me of the dragon, Brin and your connection to him.”
“Then you understand that we cannot allow Brin to be taken from Dearra, nor will we allow Darius to be harmed. You see, we believe that all of the events of today are merely reflections—no, more like…echoes—of yesterday. Like a pebble thrown into a pond, the ripples have traveled far, and they have changed a bit on that journey, but they are still the same waves made by the original stone that was thrown. Each of us has a part to play, even you. Rah has given us this moment, this opportunity.”
“I will not be threatened in my own home.”
“Then we will go, and we will take Dearra, Darius, and Brin, and any others who would follow. We do not seek to challenge you, Your Majesty. Kingdoms mean nothing to us, as our Rah probably means nothing to you. Guard him if you must. I would actually prefer that he have a guard. Guard the Breken child as well, but do not separate them from those who love them.”
Marianne glided to her husband’s side and took his hand in hers. “Jaymes, we need them. We need all of them, if there is to be a chance. Aesri is right. Put a guard on Darius, and leave well enough alone.” Then she whispered so that only he, and possibly Aesri would hear. “There is a difference between a strong king and an inflexible one.”
“Shanks,” the king called out.
Shanks rushed to the king and awaited his command.
“You’re so sure of Darius’s trustworthiness, I will leave it to you to watch over him. Choose some men to help you, but choose men of Mirin Tor. Set a guard on the girl as well, but choose men who will be tolerant of a little girl’s ways. I am not
completely unfeeling,” King Jaymes said, sounding exasperated. They had him up against a wall and he didn’t like it, but Marianne was right, he needed them all.
“Of course, Majesty.” Shanks was unable to hide his relief.
The people of Maj, as well as most of the Etrafarians, took that as their cue to depart the throne room. The few Etrafarians who remained settled back to the ground, and melted benignly back into the crowds.
Chapter 21
Dearra looked up at the sharp rapping noise that was coming from her door. It was late. She had had a trying day, and she just wanted to get some sleep. “Who is it?”
“It’s Shanks, Lady Dearra.”
She dragged herself out of bed, put on her robe, and pulled the door open a crack so that it was just wide enough for her to peer out into the hallway. Shanks was indeed standing before her, a stupid grin on his face. Darius stood directly behind him, arms crossed and jaw clenched.
“Sorry to bother you so late, Lady Dearra, but Darius wanted to come to your room, and I’m not to leave him out of my sight without another guard on hand to spell me.”
“Darius? What is it?” she asked, not able to imagine what could have brought him to her room so late at night. Well, perhaps one thing could have brought him to her, but she didn’t think he would have tried it knowing Shanks would have to go with him. If they noticed her blush at the thought, neither of them mentioned it.
“I went to my room. The one I share with Daniel.”
“And?”
“Carly and Holly are there now. He doesn’t want me in there.”
“Oh. Why did you come here?”
“Well, I—” Darius paused long enough to elbow the still grinning Shanks out of the way. It was obvious that the older man was enjoying Darius’s discomfort and saw the whole situation as amusing.
Shanks had moved aside but did nothing to give them the privacy Darius would have liked. Darius just stood there, directly before Dearra, who still had not opened the door entirely.
“I asked for another place to sleep. The king had a suggestion for me. He even promised the door to the cell would remain unlocked, but—”
A low growl issued from deep in Dearra’s throat. Even in the dim light of the corridor, it was easy to see the flash of gold in Dearra’s eyes. At that, Shanks lost his smile, and he took a small step back.
Let him in, Dearra.
Her growl ceased, and her eyes opened a little wider.
Really, Brin? They both thought simultaneously.
Oh, for Tolah’s sake. Yes, really. He isn’t going to bite you. At least, not unless you ask him too.
Shanks looked confused by the extreme blush that colored Dearra’s cheeks and the snort of laughter that came from Darius.
Dearra pulled the door open wide enough to admit Darius, who gave Shanks a smug look as he breezed through the opening.
“I’ll be right here if you need anything,” Shanks said. Dearra closed the door without another word to the man.
Darius stood in the middle of the room, halfway between the bed and the door.
“It’s all right, Darius. You did exactly as you should. King Jaymes is being stubborn, as usual. We’ll make you a bed on the floor for now. There are plenty of extra blankets, and the rug should cushion you well enough. Tomorrow I can have someone bring up a second bed, a cot, or something.”
“Tomorrow! I can’t stay here tomorrow. I only came tonight because I couldn’t think of anywhere to go at this hour, and I was not sleeping in a cell.”
“Don’t be stupid, Darius. Everyone is sharing rooms. The capital is fairly bursting at the seams. Even with all of the women and children who left, and the fighters who went as an escort, the numbers that have come in from the country are taxing the available resources.”
“I don’t know…”
You’ll be fine, Darius, Brin said, trying to offer reassurance. I think the experiences of last year were enough to make sure your Breken side is now locked safely away.
“It doesn’t always feel that way,” Darius said quietly.
But it is that way. Brin’s voice was firm. I know your mind as well as you do, remember? Do you think I would take a chance with this?
Dearra came over to him and snuggled close. “Listen to Brin. You know what’s at stake. Why would he lie?”
“Because he fears what will happen if we try the spell. If we—If I— Well, if that happened, it wouldn’t matter anymore, and he wouldn’t have to worry about you being killed trying to save him.”
Dearra stilled. He had a point. Brin had come to love them both. He might actually be relieved to have the whole possibility of his freedom abandoned just to keep them safe.
Not like that. I admit that I’m worried, but if I thought Darius’s darker side would be the result…No, not like that. If the two of you decided to be joined and share that union as a man and woman are meant to, now that I would not argue.
“We aren’t going to do that, Brin. You would never give up on us.”
Darius lowered his head to hers, and returned her embrace. “Dearra, it’s time we try. You know it is. It’s long past time. The Breken could be here at any moment, or not for days or weeks. Once they come, we’ll be safe here for a while, but not forever. Anything could happen to you or me or the both of us.”
Let’s not be hasty! Brin sounded panicked. There’s plenty of time.
“No, Brin. Darius is right. We need to try. In the morning, we can start. You give us the words, and I will write them out. If there are any other special preparations that need to be made, you describe them and we will see them done.”
But, Dearra! What if something goes wrong? You can’t ask me to put you both at risk.
“If something goes wrong, then it goes wrong. You are not putting us at risk, we are choosing our own course.” Dearra’s eyes sparkled gold as the ring around her eyes flamed gently to life.
“Brin, we have made up our minds. If you won’t help us, we’ll try it without you. I think I remember the spell well enough, but it would be safer if you were on our side in this.” Darius tried not to sound too harsh, but he didn’t want to leave any doubt as to his resolve.
Dearra heard Brin’s sigh, and she knew they had swayed him. “I have a question,” she said. “Your blood. We need your blood for the spell. I know you said you mingled your blood with mine when you cut me that time I was chasing the she-wolf, but how is that? You’re a sword, right? I don’t remember seeing any blood other than my own.”
I am not a sword, Dearra. I am a dragon trapped in a sword. I have blood, and it’s as red as yours. Tell me, if you can, how you would be able to tell the difference between your blood and mine.
“I guess…I guess I couldn’t. Do you bleed every time I strike someone with the blade?” Dearra didn’t like that idea. It would make her hesitant to fight with Brin if she knew it would harm him.
Stop fretting, Dearra. My blood only flows when I wish it. I have to allow it, as I allowed Hathel to take the blood from me so long ago. Speaking of my blood, have you forgotten it’s poisonous? I thought since both of you carried some of my blood already that it wouldn’t affect you, but that was proven wrong when I cut you, and you nearly died. You should be fine this time. I believe you may have developed an immunity, but Darius is another story. Of course, there is some of my blood there already, so maybe he will bounce back quickly. Cyrus did, but there is no way to know for sure without trying it.
Dearra rested her head against Darius’s chest and splayed her fingers over the spot where his heart beat. His large, calloused hand covered hers, and squeezed gently.
“I’m made of pretty tough stuff, Dearra,” Darius said. “You’ve seen me beaten, drowned, and almost torn to pieces by horses. I think I can handle the blood of one arrogant dragon.”
Dearra didn’t say anything. She didn’t feel as confident as Darius sounded, but then again, her options were limited.
“Not tomorrow, though,” Darius said, stepping
back from Dearra. “Tomorrow we will talk to Jacob. I want to see what information we can get out of him, and I would rather be at my full strength when I speak to him.”
“Where is he?”
“Jacob? He’s in the king’s dungeon. I have no problem going to His Majesty’s cells to pay Jacob a visit. For one thing, I am curious to find out how a Maj comes to be adorned with a Breken tattoo.”
“What?” Dearra asked.
“You can’t mean you didn’t see it! It covers the whole side of his face! It’s over-the-top, even for a Breken.”
“I guess, with everything that happened, I didn’t pay any attention. After spending time in Parsaia, maybe I got used to seeing the tattoos, and Jacob doesn’t feel like much of a Maj to me. Did you get anything from him, Brin?”
No, nothing. That’s not entirely unusual, but with him so close, I had hoped to get something. Once the Breken landed on the island, I expected to hear them all, but mostly what I got was a feeling of cold. Ice to be specific.
“It’s been so warm, Brin. Why would you be feeling ice? Do you mean like fairy ice?”
No. With the fairies I hear and feel them, not their magic. This was different. It was…cold, like hate made tangible. It was probably just the result of so many Breken all bent on our utter destruction. I haven’t felt it again since.
“You haven’t heard any Breken on the mainland yet, have you?”
Do you think I would keep something like that a secret? Believe me, when they come, you’ll be one of the first to know.
That’s enough for one night. You both need to get some sleep.
Darius gave Dearra a light kiss, and then went to the chest to retrieve the blankets stored there. He arranged the bedding on the side of Dearra’s bed, nearest to the door. He figured if he were going to sleep there, he could, at least, place himself between her and any possible threat. The room darkened to pitch when Dearra blew out the candle, and Darius put his arm behind his head and stared into the blackness.
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