Keep of Dragons (The Azuleah Trilogy Book 3)

by Daniel Adorno

  Silas walked closer to the training men. Once he was within their peripheral vision, many of them stopped their drills and stood at attention. Ulric, however, glared at him and shook his head.

  "Have you come to give me another job I despise?" Ulric said. He whipped around at the men standing at attention then yelled, "keep going! Did I tell you to stop?"

  "You don't like training the newest Drachengarde?" Silas asked, a faint smile on his face.

  Ulric shrugged. "I can think of five things I'd rather be doing right now. But I suppose if you're short on tutors, I'll whip them into shape for you."

  "You've seen many battles, Ulric. Many of these men have only been in a few and none have slain a dragon. There wasn't anybody more qualified than you," he said.

  "You don't have to flatter me. I said I'd do it. But I didn't say I'd like it," Ulric said.

  Silas laughed. "Fair enough."

  They stood together watching the men drill for a minute before Ulric spoke again. "Are you planning on leaving soon?"

  Silas nodded.

  "I can't believe you're making me stay here instead of fighting with my kin in Arkadeus," Ulric said bitterly. "If we weren't drinking mates now, I'd have left you to fend for yourself. But you've made me soft sitting around here, feeding me your rich food and expensive mead."

  "I'll have no complaints when you leave us, Ulric. The cooks and the scullery maids are tired of keeping track of our food supplies when you're around," Silas said, smiling.

  Ulric grunted. "Dwarves have an appetite. Didn't know there was something wrong with that."

  "Do you think they'll be ready?" Silas asked, nodding at the training men.

  "Not really. You can't train a man to kill something he's never faced up close. But I'll do my best in the short time we have. Have you spoken with Avani? That princess has an army at her disposal. As much as I loath to admit it, the elves are useful for killing things that fly."

  "She's the next person I plan to see," Silas said. He turned to take his leave of Ulric and the Drachengarde. After a few paces, he heard the dwarf yelling more orders at the recruits.

  Entering the keep once more, Silas passed a few nobles who tried to flag him down. He waved them aside, excusing himself from whatever petty politics they wished to share. Seldom did he walk through Gilead Palace without his attendants for this reason. Much of the nobility had expressed their grievances at the cost of reconstructing Aldron after the first dragon attack and the undue tax burden it placed upon them. Although he knew the coffers of his kingdom were dwindling in this season of conflict, there was little time to dispute over pennies.

  Climbing back up to the upper level of the palace, he strode down a hallway until he came to Avani's room. He wasn't sure the princess would be in, but he hadn't seen her in the gallery where the rest of the nobility spent their time.

  He knocked several times on the door, waiting for an answer. But none came. He sighed then turned to walk down the long hallway once more.

  "King Silas?" A familiar voice called out.

  Silas turned around and saw Avani at the opposite end of the hall. She wore light combat armor with her long black hair tied up into a knot. The hairstyle accentuated her elvish features, especially her pointed ears. She looked less like a princess and more like a shield maiden of old.

  “You look much different in this attire. Not regal as a Princess of Numa should,” Silas said, smirking.

  Avani rolled her eyes. “You sound like my father. Did you come up here to see me?”

  “Yes. Is there somewhere we can talk?” He asked.

  Avani nodded then opened the door to her room, and they shuffled inside. For a moment, Silas considered the impropriety of being alone in a room with a sovereign princess of another nation. He did not wish to encourage gossip, but most people would not make much of a man and an elf fraternizing. It was uncouth to many Aldronians, especially the nobility. He dismissed the thought as Avani shut the door and they settled in her living quarters. The room was exquisitely furnished as most guest rooms for visiting nobility were. Gold trim adorned much of the walls along with priceless paintings by long dead artists of Aldron. The couch he sat on had velvet cushions that felt softer than sitting on a cloud. He made a note to himself to tell one of his attendants to buy such a couch for his own sitting room.

  “What news, Silas?” Avani said. She unbuckled the sword hanging from her belt and set it beside the couch.

  “Are you training?” Silas asked, deflecting the question for the moment.

  “I was leading drills with my forces in the eastern courtyard. We had been practicing in the same courtyard as Ulric, but he became annoyed with how much faster the elves picked up on certain techniques,” she said with a smile.

  “So you let him order you out of the western courtyard?” He couldn’t imagine that the headstrong Numan princess would allow a dwarf to order her around.

  “It was more out of pity than any deference to the dwarf. Besides, his incessant yelling was quite distracting to us. I felt it would be a kind gesture,” she said.

  Silas nodded. “Well, everyone who will fight will need all the training possible the next two days.” He let the statement hang for a moment until Avani picked up on his meaning.

  “You mean to send the army without Sangre?”

  “Indeed. Two days is all I can afford to give Sangre. I can’t risk losing an opportunity to engage Memnon and Kraegyn with the aid of Balfour’s army.”

  “It’s a reasonable strategy. I will inform my soldiers to follow your lead north,” Avani said resolutely.

  “The Numan forces will not be coming with me.”

  Avani raised her eyebrows, surprised at his words. “May I ask why not?”

  “I need you here in Aldron to provide support to the garrison. The elves are expert marksmen and that is what we need in a fight against dragons.”

  “But there will be dragons in Arkadeus as well, Silas. Not to mention an insane Draknoir sorcerer,” Avani said.

  “The consensus among my advisors is that Memnon will likely bring a stronger force of dragons here. They want to annihilate Aldron, Avani. Memnon will stop at nothing less, even if that makes him slightly vulnerable with less of Ghadarya’s beasts.”

  Avani stood up from the couch and shook her head bitterly. She paced for a moment in front of him, contemplating a response. “We can do much more in Arkadeus than defending Aldron. Your engineers have already built superior defenses here. I saw those... crossbow monstrosities you’ve put up. Their impressive and look to do maximum damage on any aerial assaults,” she argued.

  “Yes, they are impressive. I saw them in action with my own eyes this morning. But the machine cannot think or fight like a living being. My Drachengarde are expertly trained and will confront the dragons with courage. But if those dragons never touch the ground and content themselves to rain fire on the city from the air, we are doomed. Bows and arrows are the weapons that can win this battle. Those are the specialty of your people.”

  Avani sighed, letting her shoulders slump. “Fine. We will stay.”

  “Thank you. I know going to battle in Arkadeus was likely your desire all along. But Violet will need you here to defend the city.”

  The princess’s eyebrows furrowed in a question. “Violet? What has she got to do with this?”

  “In two day's time, Violet will be queen and will lead the defense of the city,” Silas said, a sad smile on his face. “She cannot take on that burden alone. You are her closest friend and I need you to help her navigate through the coming storm.”

  “So you don’t mean to stay here and defend Aldron? You’re leaving to face Memnon yourself?” Avani said.

  Silas nodded. “I have to see this to the end, Avani. Memnon has ruined my family’s life and could destroy the last things I hold dear. Which means I must leave someone on the throne to rule in my stead.”

  “That’s a lot to ask for a lowly apothecary from Sylvania, Silas. She’s not ready
for that kind of responsibility.”

  “I think she is. She’s already proven herself to be resourceful in curing the crow’s blight. And she faced the terror of Brandewulf alongside you last winter and survived. Not to mention, the skill she possesses in her craft has allowed her to save countless lives,” Silas said. He stood up and looked Avani in the eye. “There was a time when neither of us were ready to be in a position of leadership. We fretted over it and ran away from our responsibility. But once we were thrust into these roles of leading soldiers and governing people, we forged ahead. Something stirred inside of us and we made the best of it. It’ll be the same for Violet when the crown passes to her.”

  Avani breathed in deeply then nodded, conceding his point. “You’re right. Violet is strong-willed and compassionate—two enviable traits in any leader. She will make a great queen. But does that mean you intend to marry before—”

  “Before I leave for Arkadeus? Yes,” Silas said. “It won’t be the lavish ceremony she deserves, but I’m hoping your presence and those of friends will make it quaint enough.”

  “Is that a wedding invitation, your Majesty?” Avani asked.

  “Of course. Actually, you’re to be the maid of honor—blast it! I don’t think you were supposed to know that,” Silas said, biting his lip.

  Avani smiled. “Violet told me a while ago, don’t worry. I hope all of this—the impromptu wedding, your immediate departure, and the defense of Aldron—doesn’t overwhelm her. It’s a lot to take in.”

  Silas frowned as he contemplated her point. He wondered if he wasn’t expecting too much of his bride to be. Ruling a kingdom alone after being married only a day sounded like a heavy burden to place upon Violet. Perhaps he hadn’t put enough thought into this plan. In all the rushed planning to defend Aldron and attack Arkadeus, he had foolishly hoped Violet would trot along to his hurried stride. But what if she didn’t? What if this entire situation caused her to resent him? How foolish he’d been!

  “Silas, are you all right?” Avani said, interrupting his thoughts.

  “I’m sorry, I was just lost in thought for a moment. You’re right, this might be too much for her to process.”

  Avani stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his forearm. “Don’t worry. Violet loves you. Forget what I said. She will stand by you as wife and queen.”

  Silas nodded. “Thank you.”

  After a few minutes of chatting about the wedding plans and the details of his departure, Silas turned to leave the room. As he grasped the doorknob, Avani called out to him.

  “What about your sister, Silas?” Avani said casually.

  Silas felt his heartbeat increase at the mention of Becca. He had tried in vain to push her out of his thoughts, but he knew eventually she needed to be dealt with. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Avani. “What about her?”

  “I heard a rumor that she is no longer being executed though she remains imprisoned.”

  “Yes. Most murderers tend to stay locked up.”

  Avani cocked her slightly. “You still don’t believe anything she’s said?”

  “It’s not a question of whether I believe it or not. It’s the fact she killed our father under the employ of a hated enemy,” he said, struggling to control his rising temper.

  “Silas.” Avani said his name in an even tone, attempting to be conciliatory. “Your sister was deceived by Memnon’s sorcery, just as you were deceived about her death. Trust her. She risked her life to kill Memnon and save Siegfried from death.”

  “Yet Memnon still lives and Siegfried is curiously absent. How do we know he, Lucius, and the rest of the Drachengarde weren’t ambushed by a Draknoir party the moment you left with my sister? She could’ve staged the entire thing,” Silas argued. But his accusations were hollow and Avani sensed it.

  “You don’t truly believe that.”

  Silas averted her gaze for a moment. “I can’t trust her, Avani. Not after what she did.”

  “I understand. You’re not the only one with a treacherous sibling,” Avani said, forcing a smile. “But think about what your father and mother might have wanted. No decent parent wishes to see their children locked in eternal conflict. I know it seems insurmountable to forgive what she’s done. And yet, I see remorse in her eyes. She wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

  “What’s your point, Avani?”

  “Speak to her. Find a way to forgive lest the pain consumes you both,” Avani said. “You might need her help before this is all over.”

  “I’ll think on it,” he said reluctantly then turned to the door and walked out.

  The streets of the peasant district and Aldron hummed with activity. Men, women, and children from all walks of life were dashing about to their homes and meager businesses to spread news of the crow's blight. Rumors had reached the ears of those suffering from the disease that a cure had been found and the sickest of their number were recovering. The prevailing tale was that an angel disguised as a fair maiden had visited the homes of the afflicted to offer them a hot drink that healed them.

  Violet didn't much care for the tale since it omitted the efforts of both Caldwell and Morton during this epidemic. She didn't wish to be compared to a divine being simply for doing what she knew best, but such was the plight of the healer. People were eager to give immense praise when you mended them, but also sharp in their criticism if you could do nothing for them. Thankfully, with crow's blight the former was the case.

  For the second day since her return to Aldron, Violet and Caldwell were visiting the homes of those most affected by the epidemic. Morton and his men used a kitchen from a local tavern to boil talo fern leaves. Following Violet's instructions, they created the restoring elixir that she now carried in a large mason jar. Their routine each day was the same. In the morning, Morton and his helpers would boil a large vat of the ferns and poured the liquid in multiple jars. Violet and Caldwell would then take the jars to the sick and dispense them. After a few rounds, they'd return around midday to refill their jars and continue visiting the peasants until nightfall. It was tiresome work, but both Violet and Caldwell found it immensely rewarding.

  Today they visited people who had taken the elixir the previous day to check on their progress. Though Violet was certain the talo fern's restorative properties would do the cure the disease, even she had a worm of doubt about their efficacy. They rode up to a familiar hovel in the center of the district and tied their horses to a beam holding a pitiful awning over the entrance of the house. Caldwell knocked on the door several times and they waited for a response. Violet heard the sounds of muffled giggling before a woman opened the door. It was Darlene, the poor widow they had seen earlier that month. The woman looked positively radiant. Her skin was no longer a sickly pallor and the redness in her eyes had disappeared, allowing the blue in them to sparkle as she smiled.

  "Oh, my lord and lady! How glad I am to see thee," Darlene said. "Please do come in, come in!"

  They entered inside and witnessed a vigorous game of tag being played by Darlene's children. The two boys and two girls beamed at the presence of visitors. One of the girls came up to Violet, grinning broadly. She guessed the young girl was probably ten years of age and she had the same brilliant blue eyes as her mother.

  "Are you the angel everyone is talking about?" The girl asked.

  Violet's cheeks flushed at the question. She shook her head. "Those are just stories, my dear. It's the medicine that Dr. Caldwell and I have given to you and your family that's healed you," she said.

  "I'll take no credit for the work you've done, Violet. In my eyes, you may as well be an angel," Caldwell said, smirking.

  Violet rolled her eyes at him, then quickly changed the subject when Darlene shooed her children outside to play. "You all look extremely well. Have you seen any side effects or regression in you or your children?"

  "Not at all, my lady. There's still a bit a' coughing and aching here and there. But I'd say we're all on the mend — it's quite remarkable wha
t you've done. The whole city is talking about it," Darlene said.

  "It's my pleasure to help those less fortunate. If there is anything else your family requires — more medicine or food — go to Sauly's Tavern and you'll find our temporary headquarters there."

  "Bless you, my lady. You are too kind," Darlene said. Then she quickly turned to Caldwell with a crestfallen look. "You too, Dr. Caldwell. I shan't forget all that you've done as well."

  Caldwell smiled. "No need for thanks. Just doing my job."

  Violet and Caldwell bid farewell to the mother then stepped outside to continue their rounds in the district. One of Darlene’s sons was feeding an apple to Homer, who eagerly devoured the fruit as they laughed.

  “Well, aren’t you lucky?” Violet patted the horse’s neck affectionately before she climbed into the saddle.

  As they bid the children farewell, a mass of people congregated around them. They were all following the lead of a single man who stood near the horses. The man was heavily built and wearing a bloodstained apron while carrying a large cleaver. Violet’s hand instinctively hovered over the dagger hidden in the folds of her smock. Caldwell noticed her slight movement and cleared his throat. She looked at him questioningly and he shook his head disapprovingly.

  “Might you be Lady Violet?” The large man asked. He pushed back a felt cap on his head and looked at her closely. The man seemed to be searching for some feature in her physical appearance that confirmed her identity.

  “Yes, I am Violet. And who might you be?”

  The big man smiled. “My name is Garth Lewold. I’m the resident butcher in these parts, milady. And I’ve come to give my sincerest thanks to ye for restoring my daughter from that horrible crow’s blight that afflicted us!”

  Violet breathed a sigh of relief. “You are quite welcome, Mr. Lewold.”

  “Garth not only cuts the meat in this town, he’s also the local constable—hence the large group of people,” Caldwell said with a wink.

  Violet glared at the old man. That would’ve been useful information before she considered drawing a weapon, she thought.