The Blue Dragon: A Claire-Agon Dragon Book (Dragon Series 2)

by Salvador Mercer

Diamedes nodded. “Yes, there are a few archives that I found that indicate things of this nature. Why do you ask, though, before I tell you? I’m interested in knowing how you came to this conclusion.”

  Seth leaned forward and lowered his own voice before speaking. “Because I suspect that this particular dragon has at least one human servant—the one who killed the Kesh apprentice.”

  Seth saw the old man’s eyebrows arch a bit as he leaned back and brought a hand up to his chin in a contemplative gesture. Diamedes seemed to choose his words carefully. “On more than one occasion, the historical records indicated a cooperation between the barbarians of the north and the Draconus species. As time passed, most of the civilized realms relocated to the South as for some reason, the Draconus appeared to be located or centralized in the North.

  “Also, there is even less information that suggests that on at least one occasion, a powerful individual had also worked with, or at least cooperated with, one of their species.”

  “You mean the Kesh!” Seth exclaimed as if his suspicions were confirmed.

  “Yes, but not only Kesh,” Diamedes continued. “The records show that even an Arnen had some dealings with a Draconus, and what the nature of these dealings were was not clear and had not been revealed, at least to my probing eye.”

  Alyssa just scoffed at the mention of the Druids but held her silence and maintained her composure.

  “So,” Seth began, “if I was to tell you that I suspected that this blue dragon we fought last night had a human servant who was in its service, or employ, as say an assassin, would you agree that this theory of mine is plausible?”

  Diamedes nodded. “Yes, I’d say that could be a distinct possibility. That is one of the reasons why I approached the beast in order to see if it could understand our speech. I wasn’t really expecting it to speak in our tongue, but my personal experience sheds a lot of light on these facts and confirms much of what I have been searching for.”

  “What would that be?” Alyssa asked.

  “The fact that the Draconus are intelligent, not just wild beasts or animals acting on instinct, and that makes them both approachable and dangerous,” Diamedes said.

  “How so?” Seth asked.

  “It means they can be reasoned with,” the older man finished, crossing his arms across his chest.

  “Well, that was either one of the bravest or dumbest things I’ve ever witnessed in my short life,” Alyssa said, looking at the historian with a narrowing of her eyes. “You could have gotten yourself killed.”

  Diamedes’ face lit up as he raised one hand. “But I spoke with a dragon.”

  “Actually, you spoke to a dragon, and the dragon spoke to the governor,” Seth clarified.

  Alyssa nodded. “You were lucky to live through that.”

  “You told me so much already,” Diamedes countered, sounding for the first time as if his feelings were hurt, at least just a bit by the scolding he was receiving from Alyssa.

  “The dragon’s assassin hissed,” Seth plowed forward, redirecting their conversation. “I’m not so sure the dragon’s assassin is a human. Oh, and you finally referred to this species as a ‘dragon’ instead of Draconus.”

  “Yes, too much excitement, I suppose,” Diamedes said, looking back to Seth. “I don’t think the assassin that killed Abraxus and cleaved my book in two is human either.”

  “Not you too,”Alyssa said, exacerbation in her breath. “Stop it now or you’ll only encourage my companion here.”

  “Now, Alyssa, let the historian finish. Why don’t you think the killer was human?” Seth asked.

  Diamedes’ face showed a tinge of fear before he composed himself and spoke. “Because I saw the killer’s face.”

  Chapter 17

  Conclave

  The meeting room was less than half full. Governor Richtor sat with his arm bandaged on the main dais with Makor on his right side, representing the thieves’ guild and taking Jayrel’s place and Caesar, the assassin’s order administrator, on his left, representing the Balarian triumvirate. Balaria had always been ruled by the three main societal classes, of the ruling nobles and merchants alongside the thieves’ guild and the assassin’s order. This made for a chaotic relationship that somehow managed to survive the ages.

  The merchants felt it better to work with the guild in order to protect their holdings and assets. As time went on, the guild oversaw a worldwide crime syndicate that the merchants of Balaria liked to use on their trading rivals. The unexpected consequences of this was the ostracizing of Balarian merchants over much of Agon. This, the Balarians countered, with the assassin’s order that outright eliminated those that initially ostracized the Balarian merchants. Over time, the merchants of Agon learned to deal with the triumvirate and secure their own interests, especially when the Kesh intervened.

  This intervention was at first requested as a way to limit the influence that the Balarians were exercising across the trade routes, both land and sea. Instead, the Kesh seemed to pull the Balarians into their sphere of influence and use them for their own means. This meant that the two societies worked closely together as many of their interests were aligned, but they did not trust one another and every two centuries or so this trust was tested.

  Seth and Alyssa arrived with Diamedes and walked quietly to the far corner where they could observe most of the other realm’s representatives while the historian found his seat with the Ulathan delegation. They arrived a tad late, and Seth noticed the tall female holy warrior, Madalena, giving him a suspicious eye.

  Seth noticed that the guard was doubled and that there were quite a few empty chairs in the large hall around a grouping of tables and the raised dais where the Balarian rulers hosted the conclave. Hosting could be used sparingly since Richtor looked sullen and uninterested as a herald continued to read the names of those in attendance. At least they hadn’t missed anything of import.

  “. . . and finally, the king’s historian from Tyniria, Diamedes,” the herald finished, having the good sense to add the late arrival to his list.

  Richtor nodded and motioned with his hand. “Yes, yes, Goodwin, do go on, now that the formalities have been dispensed with.”

  Goodwin the herald nodded, looking back at the governor, and then addressed the group again. “Our primary speaker will be Master Kaylor of Kesh, who—”

  Goodwin was interrupted by Justiciar Orwell. “One moment, Herald. Could the governor of Balaria be kind enough to address the security of our conclave in light of the events of the past few days, especially last night?”

  This got the governor’s attention, and he sat up from his sullen position, slouched in his high center chair, and took a second to look at Kaylor, who stood motionless not far from the dais. He had remained standing, obviously prepared to speak and address the group. Richtor cleared his throat and then responded. “Master Orwell,” he said, already committing a faux pas at the man’s title, “I’m sure the good historian Master Diamedes has filled you in on the events of last night, and you should feel secure in the fact that one of our security operatives blinded the dragon, and in fact, you have that rather large woman there to protect your high magistrateness . . .”

  Does the governor sound intoxicated? Seth wondered at the man’s speech as well as the titles he used and didn’t use, which magistrateness didn’t sound like a proper title at all. The look that the Fist Madalena was giving the governor seemed downright poisonous from Seth’s perspective. He didn’t have high hopes for a positive outcome from this conclave.

  “Yes, I have the advantage of having a witness to last night’s events in attendance at my villa, but the other realms represented here do not have that luxury and several of them have requested that we bring this to your attention for an explanation. You should be fortunate that anyone from any realm is here at all considering current events,” Orwell said.

  Several of those in attendance nodded their heads, and Seth caught sight of the two large northerners flanking the representa
tive from Elos, Alina, who appeared to be watching the Kaylor intently.

  “I second what the good Ulathan representative said,” Arwell said from his seat next to Justiciar Orwell.

  Kaylor waved to Richtor, indicating he was not to answer, and instead fielded the question himself. “This is exactly why we are meeting here today. We are to discuss the future of Agon and its realms and decide whether or not we will perish together or defeat this scourge of Akun.”

  There were voices raised and some discussion amongst the delegates before the herald called them all to order, allowing Orwell to speak. “You are referring, Kesh, to the dragon that has attacked this city twice now?”

  The slight by the Ulathan was obvious, but Kaylor seemed to ignore it, or at least any sign that it effected the wizard was not discernable by looking at the man. Kaylor took a couple of steps closer to the Ulathan delegation. “Yes, Ulathan, I am referring to the dragons that inhabit this planet with us, though some of the lesser realms doubt their existence. The time has come to assert our dominance and rid our world of their kind once and for all. Will the realms of Agon unite with us in order to achieve this goal for our future and that of our citizens, or will they cower in their small towers and await the transit of darkness and death?”

  The holy warrior put her right hand on the hilt of her sword and gave Kaylor a glare that Seth could feel from across the room. The Ulathan justiciar must have either known she would react that way or was more observant than he looked, because he raised his right hand which was on the same side that the Fist of Astor stood, indicating that she was to stand down.

  “That depends on the manner in which the question is asked and”—with a look around the tables, Orwell continued—“from what I am seeing, I don’t think insulting the good realms of Agon is the wisest manner to solicit their assistance.”

  “No one is soliciting,” Kaylor began. “I am simply stating the facts and questioning the resolve of the lesser realms of Agon.”

  The arrogance of the wizard was more than stunning, it was almost palpable, as if the Kesh himself felt it beneath his station to address the representatives of the world’s realms, what few stayed.

  “Take your question back to your foul land, magic-user, and bother the rest of Agon no longer. What you have done in the North is of your doing, and you will find no support for you here,” Arwell said.

  Several other representatives yelled out catcalls and insults, and Seth wondered if they knew who they were talking to. A familiar but faint voice broke through the noise. “Now quiet, and let the Kesh representative speak. Perhaps we should give his request some consideration.”

  Seth strained to see who spoke and spotted Alina again at the far wall opposite of him and Alyssa. Alina made eye contact with Seth and smiled, though the two barbarians continued to frown from their vantage points behind her and slightly off to either side. Alina allowed the smile to linger, and her gaze started to border on a stare.

  An elbow gently dug into Seth’s side, and he flinched as a shot of pain tore across his broken rib, breaking his concentration from Alina as he looked to his side to see Alyssa frowning at him. “What?” he whispered to her.

  “You know what,” Alyssa said, whispering back. “You don’t have to make it obvious.”

  Was she actually jealous of a look? Seth didn’t have time to think about it as someone began to argue with the demure Alina. “Speak for yourself, northerner,” someone had said.

  “I’d still like the original question answered,” Orwell stated calmly.

  The representatives quieted when the Ulathan spoke, a sure sign of respect that they didn’t have for the Kesh, Seth noted. Seth watched Kaylor to gauge his reaction and rubbed his own sore side, hoping Alyssa wouldn’t repeat the lesson again any time soon. It was all Seth could do to maintain his composure despite the pain.

  Then came the melodious sound of the Kesh voice as if floating on a gentle wind. “The foul beast was mortally wounded by one of Balaria’s finest. It only remains to hunt the beast down, back to its lair, and put it out of its misery. There will be no more trouble from that villainous serpent, I can assure you.”

  The mood of the room changed dramatically as mostly everyone remained silent, breathing peacefully. Seth thought he noticed at least two people close their eyes, and he felt the warm tug at his mind, as if an old, wise grandfather had suddenly put his arm around him and was walking him to a seat by a warm fire on a cold night. Seth had to concentrate to keep from falling under the Kesh influence, so strong and pleasant were the emotions evoked by the wizard.

  “Your charms will not work so easily here, wizard,” Justiciar Orwell spoke evenly. Indeed the entire Ulathan delegation seemed immune to the effects of Kaylor’s voice.

  “Now, Lord Orwell, there is no reason to be rude. The Kesh was simply trying to reassure us of our own safety, which was the question that you asked, was it not?” the representative from Safron said, his sheer silk tunic bobbing lightly off his shoulders and his tasseled hat swaying like a small breeze had gotten ahold of it.

  Several others nodded in agreement, and Seth thought he saw Richtor smile, his eyelids half closed as if content to soon nap after a heavy meal. A side look at Alyssa showed her to have a dreamy look on her face as if she was lost in thought. It was then that Seth understood just how dangerous that Kaylor was, even if the Ulathan justiciar did not or did not care.

  “So you seem to indicate that a simple hunting party will put an end to this dragon of yours?” Orwell asked.

  “It was sufficient in the past. Did not the Balarian heroes bring back the head of a dragon when no one would believe they existed?” The voice of Kaylor continued to charm the group, and several members nodded. “Did not the Kesh show the way to the beast’s lair?”

  “Here, here,” Richtor said in support of his ally.

  “You failed to reveal that there were two dragons,” Orwell countered, sounding frustrated for the first time that day.

  “A slight oversight that was quickly rectified, and the second beast was mortally wounded by one of our own. No one here has ever been in any danger, and if they had been, could it not have been laid at the feet of the realm that insisted on meeting here, near the lair of the beasts? Would Keshtor not have been safer for our guests?” Kaylor said softly.

  Seth marveled at how quickly the Kesh wizard had turned the mood of the room with his charming words. Several representatives now looked at the Ulathan justiciar, and their facial expressions were mixed. A couple even nodded and spoke in hushed tones to those seated near him. Orwell must have sensed the same and changed his tact a bit. Seth felt as if he was now witnessing a private argument that was being conducted in public, but the public couldn’t appreciate the implications nor the manipulations by two of the most powerful realms in all of Agon.

  “So you say the only thing remaining to do is to send a hunting party to track this creature down and kill it,” Orwell said.

  “That would be correct, and then there will be no further scourges of the coast to threaten our good friends in Balaria,” Kaylor said.

  “Then it would behoove us to select volunteers from the realms present to fill this hunting party.” Several representatives looked around confused, some in fear. “But our good neighbors here need not worry themselves over such a foul beast. Ulatha will fill your party and Kesh and Balaria can assist again. Together we will defeat this nemesis of yours and restore order and peace to this calm land,” Orwell finished.

  Was the Ulathan mad? Did he just refer to Balaria as “calm, peaceful, and orderly”? Seth marveled at the choice of words from the Ulathan judge, but then noticed the content looks on the many faces of those who heard him. Being relieved of any responsibility for facing a dragon took on a whole new meaning for those in attendance, and Seth understood the counterplay by the justiciar.

  Kaylor frowned, though his voice sounded pleasant still, if not as compelling. “That would be splendid of the Ulathan delegation, and
we accept if our Balarian host agrees?”

  Richtor looked up as if he had just been woken. “What? Of course, yes, we agree with the appointment of the Ulathans to the hunting party. What hunting party?”

  Seth wasn’t sure if the electrical attack from the dragon or the persuasive words of the Kesh wizard were causing his leader to act in such a manner, but it wasn’t comforting. Not seeing any help from Makor or Caesar, Seth spoke up. “If I may, Master Kaylor?”

  Kaylor nodded at Seth, ignoring the governor. “Proceed, Master Seth.”

  Seth took a couple of steps forward from where he had been leaning against one of the far walls and looked around the room. The trance-like state was still evident on most of the faces he saw, and the glassy looks on the eyes of those who made contact likewise confirmed his suspicions, but he noticed the Ulathans were frowning, not at all pleased.

  “Justiciar Orwell,” Seth began, “I think the governor is still wounded from last night and has suffered a shock to his system, especially considering the loss of his comrades, one dead and one severly wounded. To that end, I’ll speak for Balaria and commit to constituting a new hunting party with troops as well as some specialists in order to seek this dragon in its lair and eliminate it. Does this sound acceptable to Ulatha?”

  Orwell stroked his short goatee beard and looked intently at Seth as if sizing him up. Seth knew his reputation would precede him, and he was sure his exploits from the prior evening were already known to most of those in attendance. The question was whether or not they would accept his leadership and him speaking for the realm. Finally Orwell decided. “Agreed, Master Seth. Ulatha will also supply a contingent of troops as well as a champion for the quest. In fact, we will provide two champions.”

  Seth wasn’t the only one to look confused. Madalena looked at her liege and then around their group. Only the two ambassadors, Edwin and Toray, along with the historian Diamedes, sat at Orwell’s table with the Fist standing behind them, but it was the historian who spoke first.