“Branded?” Soren and Jerrick said at the same time.
He held out his hand toward his brother. “Jerrick?”
His brother didn’t look at him but kept his attention focused on Kade.
“Yes,” Kade said. “I believe it is a small mark on the neck. The guards will know you don’t have it, and he does. Come now. Our meeting has already been delayed. I will let King Arden know you have confirmed this man is your brother Soren.”
Soren grabbed Jerrick’s sleeve. “Jerrick, you have to listen to me. Everything I told you, everything I told the King is true.”
His brother jerked his arm away.
“Come along, Jerrick,” Kade said. “We don’t want to be late. If we had time, I would suggest we swing by the courtyard and see the dragon, but we shouldn’t keep the King waiting.”
“Dragon?” Jerrick stopped mid-step. “You didn’t say anything about a dragon. You only said he snuck in to see the King.”
“Yes, they caught a dragon. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it. Its appearance has caused an uproar with the guards, especially with King Edric’s visit pending. They have the creature tied up in the courtyard. Maybe we can go take a gander after our meeting.”
Jerrick turned to Soren. “You were telling the truth, weren’t you? You actually rode on a dragon.”
Kade was almost out the door. He stopped, looking impatiently at Jerrick. “Come along.”
His brother took a step toward the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t believe you.”
And before either brother could say any more, Kade hustled Jerrick from the room. The door clanged shut, the sound ringing through the small room.
***
The light from the window across from his cell was fading. Soren’s stomach growled. He had only eaten a few bites of bread that morning with his stomach all in knots at the thought of drugging his brother. Now he wished for anything to fill his empty belly. No one had come to see him since Jerrick. The look on his brother’s face when he heard about the dragon flashed before his eyes. He believed me, Soren thought. A feeling of relief spread through him but just as quickly vanished. As happy as he was that Jerrick believed him, it wouldn’t help him get him out of the dungeon.
He sighed. He was ready to put this all behind him. He had done as Dex asked. He was finished. He wanted no more to do with this whole thing.
Pacing the cell, he wondered if this was how he would spend the rest of his days, rotting underneath the castle. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. He stopped pacing and leaned his forehead against the wall. His hands shook. He balled them into fists as he took a few deep breaths. He had never felt like this before and wondered if it had to do with his lack of food. A few minutes later, the dizziness eased, and he cautiously began pacing again.
The hallway door opened. Soren swung around as three guards entered. They wore grey pants and white shirts with the King’s crest sewn on them. The lead guard had his sword drawn. The man right behind him carried a key ring and the last guard held a set of shackles in his hands. None of them spoke as the shortest of the three unlocked and opened the cell door. As the guard entered, Soren stepped back, bumping into the wall. The guard grabbed his wrists. He inserted a key into the lock securing the wrist cuffs to the chain attached to the wall. The chain fell to the floor. The guard with the shackles entered the cell, snapping metal cuffs to Soren’s ankles. With a guard on each side of him, they escorted him out of the cell.
No one spoke as they walked up the stairs and down the hall. When they entered the throne room, Soren’s eyes immediately sought out the King as he sat on his throne. King Arden leaned forward, his eyes skimming over Soren. There were others in the room, but Soren didn’t even glance at them. The guards stopped him when he was a few yards from the King.
“Soren Blackfist, Your Majesty,” the lead guard said.
The King stared at him for so long Soren began to shift his feet, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. “I have considered this all afternoon. I cannot fathom the reason why you would make up such a story.”
“Because it is the truth, Your Majesty.”
One of the guards hit him in the stomach. “Silence. No speaking without permission.”
The King seemed oblivious to the guard’s actions or the fact Soren was bent over trying to catch his breath. He continued as if nothing had happened. “Ah, but is true? You admitted you have not seen this army. You have only claimed to have seen its destruction.”
Soren opened his mouth. A quick glance at the guard beside him had him closing it again. He didn’t know what to say to convince the King the army was coming.
The King stood and paced before Soren. “I noticed the harness on the dragon.”
“A necessity at those heights,” Soren said, flinching as one of the guards raised a fist toward him.
King Arden waved his hand, and the guard lowered his fist. “I am sure it is. What I find interesting about this whole story is your timing. King Edric will be here soon. Everyone knows his view on dragons. That is why we designed a special net to catch them. And thanks to you, we were able to test it today. It worked wonderfully. It will make a great gift to King Edric.” He stopped in front of Soren. “I can’t have you disrupting the events of the next few weeks. You will stay in the dungeon. You can pray that is all that happens to you.”
A large man standing beside the throne cleared his throat. “And what of the dragon?”
Soren’s eyes flickered to him. The man wore chain mail bearing the emblem of the King’s Guard. The badge above it indicated his rank as general. Soren had seen him before. He had come into the smithy and spoken with Master Smith Ferin. His mind raced as he tried to remember the man’s name. General Thayer. As a leader of the King’s army, his name was well known as was the fact that he was a tough, straight-laced leader.
“We should sacrifice it when King Edric arrives,” a shorter, thin man standing beside the General suggested.
Soren’s eyes widened as he paled at the thought of Dex’s death.
“Ah…you care for the beast,” King Arden said.
Soren stared at him. As much as he wanted out of this whole situation, he didn’t want Dex to die.
King Arden walked back to his throne. “I like the idea,” he said as he sat. “I will reflect on it and make my decision tomorrow morning.”
With a nod from the King, the guards grabbed Soren’s arms and led him from the room. His stomach tightened, and his mind raced.
“Dex, we need to get out of here.”
***
Soren rolled over, pulling at the thin blanket. The hard, cold stone floor was not comfortable but that was not what kept him from sleeping. It was the pain from the fresh brand mark. The guards had escorted him from the throne room to another chamber somewhere else in the dungeon. Before he knew what was happening, they had pinned him, and a large man had pressed the red, hot brand to his neck. He had screamed, but it wasn’t only his scream he heard. Inside his head, he heard Dex’s anguished bellow. The sound was still fresh in his mind.
His hand shook as he adjusted the blanket. His throat felt dry. The longing for ale pulled at him. He sighed. He should have gone to the tavern last night when he had the chance. He doubted he would get any ale here.
Click.
He raised his head, turning toward the soft noise. He crept to his feet, trying to keep the chains from rattling. The only light came from the high window in the hall across from his cell. It was enough for him to see the hallway door open. A small figure entered, closing the door.
“Soren?”
“Emery!” He rushed toward the cell door. “What are you doing here?”
“Dex told Agnot you needed rescuing.” She inserted a thin metal wire into the cell lock.
“How did you get in here?”
“Agnot dropped me off in the courtyard.” She opened the door to his cell.
“How did you do that?”
Emery smiled. “I have a way with locks,” she said as s
he reached for the metal cuff on his wrist.
“How did you get into the castle without anyone seeing you?”
“It was easy. The guards were busy with a fire-breathing dragon. Of course, it took me a while to locate the dungeon. Agnot should be long gone by now.”
The cuff slipped from his wrist.
“Thank you,” he said as she released the other cuff.
He followed Emery out of the cell. They stepped over the crumpled form of the guard at the door. In the dim light, Soren though he saw the man’s chest moving. He shot a glance at Emery. She shrugged as she led the way upstairs. Though it may have taken her a while to find the dungeon, she now moved through the castle with ease. Luck was on their side as they didn’t run into any guards.
They entered the courtyard. Moonlight cast shadows along the edges, but it was the center that drew his attention. Dex lay pinned by the metal net.
“Are there any guards around?” Soren asked.
“Two by the main gate.”
He took note of the two men, his eyes lingering on their swords. He had no weapon. He spotted a wooden staff leaning against a wall halfway between him and the guards. He might be able to reach it by staying in the shadows.
“Can you release Dex by yourself?” he whispered.
“I think so.”
“Go along the shadows. Once you are ready, I will distract those guards. You won’t have long.”
Emery nodded. “Wait until I unhook the net closest to the wall. I’ll whistle when I am ready to do the other side.”
As she crept off in the shadows toward Dex, Soren worked his way over to the staff. He ran his hand over the smooth wood. He and his brother had often hacked at each other with sticks. He was quite good at it but realized fighting trained guards might be a different story. As he crouched, he tried to come up with a plan. He needed to distract the guards long enough for Emery to free Dex. Getting to the dragon could be a problem with the guards hot on his tail. He would need to knock them down if he had any hope of doing it.
A loud whistle pierced the air. Soren burst from the shadows. He ran toward the guards with the staff swung over one shoulder. Both guards pulled their swords. Soren swung the staff at the closer guard. The man nimbly jumped clear of it. He swung his sword at Soren who barely had time to dive out of the way. He rolled on the ground as the alarm bell sounded.
“Hurry, Emery!” Soren yelled as he blocked the advancing guard’s sword with the staff.
The other guard circled around him. Soren tried to keep an eye on both. One of them swung at him. He used the staff to deflect the blow as the other guard kicked his legs out from under him. Soren hit the ground hard. He swung the staff, knocking down the closer guard. He dropped the staff and rolled over, crashing into the other guard. He scrambled to his feet as a blaze of fire erupted between him and the guards. He turned to see Dex’s claws coming right for him. They grabbed his shoulders. He clutched at them as he was whisked into the air.
Chapter Eight
Soren’s eyes blinked open. Emery stood in front of him, gazing curiously at him. He stretched. He had not slept so well in quite some time. He sat up, noting the sun was just now cresting over the trees surrounding their meadow. His eyes went back to Emery, who still stood before him.
“What?”
She shrugged. “You look comfortable.”
He turned to see he had been leaning against Dex. His color was still a paler version of its normally brilliant red. Lying not far away was a slightly larger golden dragon who watched him. Soren guessed that was Agnot. As Soren stood, Dex opened his eyes.
“What is that on your neck?” Emery pointed to the still inflamed area of skin below his jaw.
Soren ran his fingertips lightly over the area. “A brand.” He swung around and paced away.
“What's it for?”
“They didn’t approve of me impersonating my brother.” He huffed. “Branded like a criminal.”
Emery walked over to him and moved his hand. She peered at the mark. “I don’t recognize that symbol. What is it supposed to be? A sleeping dragon?”
Her words jarred a memory. He looked at Dex.
“Yesterday, when they branded me, I heard you roar. And you asked about it right after it happened. You weren’t with me. How did you know?”
“I felt it. When they pressed the hot metal to your skin it was as if they burned me too.”
“How is that possible?” Soren asked, glancing from Dex to Agnot. “Now that you say that, I remember other times you have known things such as my headache or when I was being chased. How?”
Agnot’s eyes traveled over Dex, stopping on the scab on his leg. “I noticed Dex was recently injured,” the deep voice of Agnot boomed within Soren’s head. The dragon turned to him. “By any chance, did you get any of his blood on you?”
Soren nodded. “I was injured too.”
“Ah, so now you two share a Blood Bond,” Agnot said, a tinge of excitement in his voice.
“What does that mean?” Emery asked.
“They are linked. What one feels the other will feel. Back when man and dragon fought together it was common for those paired up to have the Blood Bond. It made their connection stronger.”
“I don’t understand.” Emery shook her head. “What is it exactly?”
Soren was glad Emery spoke up as his mind reeled from the news he and Dex were linked. He couldn’t seem to think straight.
“It is a bond between the two,” Agnot said. “They are now linked in thought and feelings. That is how Dex felt when Soren was branded.”
“And I felt when they jabbed Dex,” Soren said recalling the pain he felt while in the dungeon. “We feel each other’s pain and feelings. What else?”
Agnot shook his head. “That is all I know though there could be more. I was barely a hatchling when man and dragon dissolved their alliance. There has been no Blood Bond since that time. Everything I know is just what my father told me about it.”
“How do I get rid of it?” Soren asked.
“It cannot be undone. The Bond is for life.”
Soren stomped a few paces away before swinging back around to look at Dex. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t even want to help. I have done what you asked. I told the King. I should be free. I should be done.”
“I did not know of the Blood Bond, Soren,” Dex said. “You are correct. You have done as I asked. You are free to leave.”
Soren threw up his hands. “If only it was that easy. I can’t be done. Now because of this…this Blood Bond, I can’t. I am connected to you.” His eyes went back to Agnot. “It can’t be broken?”
“No. A Blood Bond cannot be undone. You have dragon blood in your veins and always will.”
Soren spun around and stomped toward the nearest tree. He flopped down, leaning his head back on the rough bark. The Blood Bond explained everything. Now that he thought back at it, he could see the connection between them. And it had only been getting stronger.
“What do we do now?” Emery asked the dragons.
“We could appeal to one of the other Kings,” Dex suggested.
“No,” Agnot replied. “Only King Arden’s armies would be close enough and if he wouldn’t listen, you know King Edric won’t.”
“The scepter controlling the Southern dragons needs to be the focus though, doesn’t it?” Emery asked as she paced. “Could we do something about it without the King’s army?”
“It will be highly dangerous, and that is with the army fighting on our side,” Agnot said. “I do not think Warnox thought King Arden would deny aligning with the dragons. I am not sure what we should do now.”
Soren huffed. “What we do now is leave. Emery broke me out of the dungeon. The King will be hunting for us.”
Dex regarded him for a moment before agreeing. “Hmmm…perhaps we should fly a little farther south.”
“Before we fly, I want a harness.” Emery smiled at Agnot. “That is if you agree to let me ride on y
our magnificent back.”
Another harness would mean a trip into his village. Soren weighed the pros and cons. He didn’t want to get caught by the guards who certainly would be searching for him. The thought of rotting there for what now would surely be longer than a few weeks did not appeal to him. But a trip to the village would allow them to pick up supplies as well as material for the harness and perhaps a drink of ale. They could always fly somewhere first and then buy supplies, but he knew Kenton well, and he could get the supplies from his father’s shop. The benefit of saving money outweighed the risk. He stood.
“Let’s go,” he said to Emery. “Do you have any coins to buy supplies?”
“A few.” She pulled out a pouch and showing him its contents.
Soren reached inside his pocket and pulled out two coins. “Here. You go buy us food. I will see about the harness.”
“Don’t you need your coins for that?”
“Nah. I got it covered.” He turned to Dex. “We will be back in an hour. As soon as I can make a harness, we will leave. If anyone comes along, fly away. We will meet you by the river where you and I first met.”
“Agreed. Be safe, Soren.”
***
Thirty minutes later, Soren sat at the bar, nursing a warm ale. He had gone to his father’s tannery. This time, the building was locked. He had looked for another way in, but his father had barred the back window and without Emery there to help with the lock, he was simply out of luck. He didn’t want to wander the town searching for her, so he had stopped off at the closest tavern and used his last coin to buy a mug of ale.
As he sat there, he mulled over what he was doing and why he was still here in this town. He should leave. And he didn’t mean with Dex and the others. He was free. He could do whatever he wanted. But where would he go? After escaping the dungeon, he was a wanted man. He would have to leave Walencroft. He was out of money and had little hope of finding a job without his brother’s help. He felt exactly like the failure his father always insisted he was. Then he thought of Dex. What would the dragon do without him? He guessed Dex would battle the approaching army. He could be killed. The thought didn’t set well with him.
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