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

by Salvador Mercer

  “Go on,” Alyssa prompted, hardly believing this very man stood face to face with a Kesh wizard and lived to tell the tale.

  “In the end, I had to use the poison vile as a feint and misdirection, smashing it against his staff with my gloved hand. It distracted him for only a second, but it was long enough to get one blow in against his metallic staff, and with my magically enhanced sword, I cleaved his staff in two.”

  “Is that what almost killed you?” Alyssa asked in awe, as the rumor had always been that Seth’s one and only encounter with a Kesh wizard had almost killed him. Key word was almost.

  “No,” Seth said, shaking his head and looking back to Alyssa, his blue eyes now piercing her intently. “Once cleaved in two, the staff blasted the room, throwing me clear back to the wizard’s balcony, and that likely saved my life.”

  “I don’t understand, how did that save your life?” she asked.

  “Keynor had some of the poison splatter from the staff across his face. As you know, once it gets onto your skin, much less your eyes or mouth, you have only seconds to live. He scowled at me, cursed me, and took his gem-topped staff and raised it above his head in one last act of revenge, bringing it down toward the rock floor of his chamber.”

  “What do you mean bringing it down? Did he smash it against the floor or not?”

  “I didn’t stay to find out, but that is what I gathered. I jumped off the balcony, and the entire tower exploded. I grabbed my rope, but the blast caused me to lose my hold and I free fell over fifty feet, landing on top of one of those carts they used to carry people. The fabric from the cart’s covering broke my fall, but I broke most of the bones in my back. That is what almost killed me.”

  “How did you survive?” Alyssa asked, awe again in her voice as she imagined Seth’s near fatal fall from an exploding wizard’s tower.

  “The Astor Order had one of their Hands heal me that same night. That and I think the High-Mage used a healing Talaman on me. A very potent one, otherwise the contract would have cost them triple, though I daresay I don’t think they would have minded paying extra if it kept me quiet about my deed.”

  “That is incredible,” Alyssa said, letting out a sigh and taking a few deep breaths of air as she almost literally forgot to breathe during the last telling of Seth’s tale.

  “It gets worse, I’m afraid,” Seth said, looking at her with a look that frightened her.

  “How so?” she asked.

  “I just learned that this wizard, Keynor—the one that I killed—I learned that he had a brother who was also a wizard. I learned just last night that his brother wants me dead.”

  “Who is his brother?” Alyssa asked.

  Seth moved to look at the front of the ship. “His brother’s name is Kaylor.”

  Chapter 20

  Grotto

  The Hammer sailed all night along the coast of Balaria. Seth was accustomed to seeing much of the coastline until they sailed past the last farmhouses and coastal fishing outposts and started to hit the rockier and less forgiving coastline of Balaria where almost no one dwelled. The farther north they sailed, the harder the waves and weather.

  Seth didn’t speak more to Alyssa, nor did he tell her what the old administrator had said to him about her new temporary leader Makor. If Makor wanted him eliminated, and if the news that Caesar gave to him about the Kesh wizard was true, then he now had two different parties, or factions that wanted him dead. Caesar had explained that he could only inform Seth once Azex was either dead or incapacitated. Azex had handled the initial contract and was the Balarian’s defacto leader of covert foreign policy. Jayrel had handled logistics, and Richtor’s role was in presenting the banner and realm as well as representing Balaria’s interests with regards to its financial markets and trade routes.

  It was, and had always been, a very tenable and dynamic arrangement, with various changes at the heads of all three factions. Only in the last decade or two had Balaria experienced relative peace and organization under the leadership of these three individuals, but now with Jayrel dead, Azex incapacitated, and Richtor alone, the future was anything but stable.

  Seth and Alyssa took turns on the watch, not that they were alone. High above them and forward on the main mast was the Ulathan’s crow nest, manned by the ship’s own lookouts. This didn’t deter the Balarians, who preferred to keep their own watch as well. Trust was not the most abundant quality on the Ulathan ship at that time.

  Alyssa had awoken Seth an hour prior, and he watched her sitting against the inner wall of the large, barrel-shaped lower nest that they occupied. She had her cloak pulled up around her, and her head was resting on the slats of curved wood near the line of iron that held it together in its middle. True to her training, she could sleep anywhere and in any position as Seth could do as well.

  Looking around, Seth noticed the dawn fast approaching and that the Kesh wizard had not moved at all. In fact, he hadn’t noticed any hand signal to the helm, though Seth wasn’t awake the entire time. Perhaps Kaylor had signaled during his sleep time?

  Speaking of sleep, the entire Ulathan delegation had retired early except for the judge and the captain. They stayed on deck till midnight, and the troops in the forward bunks had moved to the middle of the ship and sprawled out on blankets just below Seth’s perch and to his front. That forward bunk now housed a score of Balaria’s finest troops with the long arms.

  Seth was surprised at how many soldiers Ulatha had on board. The Hammer was much larger than it looked, being so wide in its beam and a good bit of the ship remained concealed below the water line. The Ulathan judge only took a score of troops with him for security at the villa, but the warship had at least a hundred more. Seth would note that information for future dealings with them.

  The very front of the warship was manned with a huge trebuchet that could hurl a large rock or other projectile far in front of the ship. It was on the secondary deck, below the upper deck, which provided some protection for it from the elements and, perhaps, enemy missile fire.

  In front were two large ballistae, and along either side of the enormous ship were another six ballistae each. In the rear were three large catapults, not as big as the trebuchet, but capable-looking nonetheless.

  Kaylor finally motioned out to sea, and the helmsman tacked away from the coastline in a hard maneuver. When whatever it was that they dodged was behind them, Kaylor again motioned toward an inlet, and the large ship tacked hard back toward the shoreline. It must have had a huge rudder to change directions that quickly. Something else to note, Seth thought to himself.

  The captain came from the secondary deck’s door behind the helm, appearing to adjust one of his leather boots as if he had just been awoken by the tacking motion of the ship. Seth marked the man as a light sleeper and one who knew his ship and crew. In due time, mostly everyone started to stir and came out onto the decks of the ship. The soldiers below were quietly roused and maintained good order, manning the ballistae and catapult weapon positions.

  Seth gave Alyssa a bump with his boot on her knee, and she opened her eyes instantly, assessing the situation. “We’re getting close,” Seth said.

  “It’s just now morning.” Alyssa sat for a second and then in one fluid motion stood and righted herself on the swaying nest above the ship’s deck. Seth and Alyssa felt the motion of the ship more as the mast they were on transmitted the movements in exaggerated form. Seth wondered what kind of strong stomachs the high crow’s nest lookouts must have to handle the near constant motion high above the ship.

  “So the historian did board the ship,” Alyssa noted, looking below and spotting Diamedes on the rear quarter deck by Justiciar Orwell and Fist Madalena.

  “I told you he did,” Seth said simply.

  Alyssa looked at her companion. “I wasn’t doubting you; I just wanted to see for myself.”

  “Well, as I told you last night, he boarded and went below deck before you arrived. Are Krom’s arrangements taken care of?”

/>   “They are. I was certain of that.” Alyssa seemed hurt that Seth would check on that task. He knew she was more than fond of the old cleric and also knew she would see to it that his remains and those of his acolytes were tended to by guild members sent to the temple the day before. Those last minute preparations made her late, and another five minutes would have seen the ship sail without her. Seth could have lived with that.

  “Any idea where we are?” she asked.

  “Yes, we’ve seen this before a few years ago when we circumsailed the island looking for those southern pirates. Do you remember?”

  “I do.”

  “It appears we are headed to that small cove at the base of those outcroppings. We’ll have to drop anchor and use the skiffs to get over there. It looks far too shallow for this beast.” Seth pointed.

  “Well, let’s make sure we’re on the skiff with the Ulathans and not those barbarians,” she said, giving a nod below.

  Seth looked to where she had motioned to on the front quarter deck. There, not far from the Kesh wizard, was Graz, and behind him the two northern barbarians from Elos who Alina had volunteered finally came out and into the brisk morning air. Their height protected them from the faint sea spray, and Seth decided they’d wait to descend until they entered the calmer waters of the cove to spare themselves an unnecessary chill.

  Kaylor didn’t need to signal further. The helmsman seemed to understand and headed straight into the narrow but large cove. The man barked orders and the captain chimed in and sailors started to take the wind out of the main sails so that they approached slower. The coral reefs and rocks were clearly visible just below the waterline near the coast, and Seth marveled at how the mostly landlocked Ulathans handled the warship, as big as it was, in such restricted waters.

  The marines took up their arms, and the other crew members bustled with activity either manning key weapon position, or busying themselves with the many ropes, pulleys, and sails that they had to manage in order to properly sail the ship. Without much fanfare, the ship dumped its last sails of air and entered the large oval cove as it passed the narrow entrance, and the captain ordered the heavy iron anchor dropped. They had arrived.

  The skiffs could carry perhaps two dozen or more people on each one, and there were two located just to the sides of the main deck, just below the level of the ballistae weapons. Seth and Alyssa had descended, and Seth started to walk toward the starboard skiff where the Balarians and barbarians were congregating, and then stopped, noticing that Alyssa was heading toward the port side.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Seth asked, his voice whisper-like but loud in order to be heard.

  “I’m going with the Ulathans. I told you that earlier,” she said.

  “I thought you were joking,” Seth said, giving her that look of let’s go and motioning with his head toward the Balarians.

  Alyssa gave him a look that he had never liked before, and he was sure he wasn’t going to like it this time either. “You thought wrong,” she said, and turned to continue walking right up to the Ulathan judge.

  Seth thought for a moment and then followed after her, reaching her right as she started to address the Ulathan leader.

  “Would you mind terribly if I accompanied you to shore?”

  “We,” Seth corrected her, nodding to the man.

  Orwell seemed to ponder the thought for a moment and then cast a quick glance to his side where the tall holy woman stood. Frowning intently was all he allowed before speaking. “Why, of course, Lady . . .”

  “Alyssa, of Balax. I am representing Governor Richtor and a member of the original quest.”

  “Quite right,” Orwell said, smiling and offering her his hand to step up the small set of stairs and over the deck railing to the waiting skiff. “It will be a pleasure to have the presence of a lady with us.”

  The Ulathan leader seemed to miss the snort that came from the tall warrior woman, but Seth noted it easily enough, and following Orwell and Alyssa, he put his arm out for Madalena to take.

  “You jest with me, Sword Slayer?” she said, a scowl on her face, hand on her hilt, and other hand on her broad hip.

  “Not at all, just being polite, but suit yourself. I go by Seth, if you please, and you are Madalena?” Seth said.

  “You may call me Fist of Astor, Sword Slayer.” And the tall, armored woman nimbly mounted the steps, swatting away another sailor’s hand as well and jumping with a thud into the skiff.

  “She seems to be not too friendly this morning,” Diamedes said, walking up to him and offering his hand to Seth.

  Seth felt silly, but he took the old man’s arm and guided him to the steps, allowing a sailor to assist as well. “She is rather independent, from what I gather.”

  “Thank you, and yes, she is, as are most in that particular order. Oh, here comes your friend,” Diamedes said as he disappeared into the skiff.

  “You go dat boat or dis boat?” Graz asked, pointing first at the Ulathan skiff and then back over his broad shoulder to the Balarian skiff.

  “I no go boat. I swim,” Seth said, using his arms to make a swimming motion and then immediately regretting it as a shot of pain crossed his torso again.

  “You no smart man. Take boat. No swim. You drown. You no good. You almost kill dragon. You almost good like Graz.” The man took one of his fists and pounded on his chest. “Maybe dis time you finish what you start?”

  Seth wanted to laugh, but the pain was lingering. With a straight face, he met Graz’s gaze and pounded on his own chest. “I go dis boat. You tell magic-user he go dat boat. We meet on land.”

  Graz nodded and grunted and then turned to walk back over to the last of the Balarians who were boarding the other skiff.

  “Well, are you coming?” Alyssa said from the stairs, her head peering over the deck railing.

  Seth realized that she had climbed back up just enough to inquire him as to his intentions. Maybe she did care what boat he rode in. “I’m coming,” Seth said, giving the northern barbarian a long look as he reached the other skiff’s ladder and boarded just behind his two countrymen, though they came from a different tribe. One of them gave Seth a look that did not bode well before disappearing over the side.

  “What was that about?” Alyssa asked as they took their seats and heard shouts as the rope lines were manipulated, and the skiff slowly lowered toward the calmer waters of the cove.

  “Oh, nothing. Just Graz checking on us to see what boat we were going to take,” Seth said.

  “You don’t think he wanted to force us to board the other boat, do you?” Alyssa asked, checking her weapons absentmindedly with her hands.

  “No, I don’t think he was sent by Kaylor. I actually think he came to us on his own accord.”

  “Not us, Seth. You. There is no secret that he credits you for saving his life and perhaps the life of the Kesh as well.”

  “I’m not sure I’d go that far . . .” Seth trailed off, looking at her intently.

  “Well, I would, and it’s not that bad to think that maybe someone out there doesn’t want to kill you. Should give you hope for a change.”

  “Wonderful,” Seth said, allowing the remainder of their movement to the water’s surface to go unremarked.

  The soldiers used their long arms to push off of the mightly warship, and a couple of sailors raised the small sail that caught almost no air.

  “Man the oars,” one of the officers said, barking out the order and getting his men situated on the skiff.

  In short order, they pulled around the boat and caught sight of the other skiff out in front of them. Kaylor stood in front, looking at a certain point along the shoreline and making an occasional hand gesture and steering them ashore.

  “So what are your specific duties within the Balarian contingent?” Orwell asked, looking politely at Alyssa and gracing her with a smile.

  Alyssa returned the smile and never missed a beat. “I’m an accomplished climber and stealthy scout for our coun
try. What do you do, if I may ask?”

  “I’m surprised you haven’t heard,” Orwell started. “I’m the justiciar for Duke Uthor, Lord of Ulatha, and commander of the First Ulathan Expeditionary Force as well.”

  “What sort of title is that?” Alyssa asked, and Seth wondered if she knew what she was doing.

  “Justiciar or commander,” Orwell asked, his face still smiling. If Alyssa was jesting, the Ulathan was content to play the game with her.

  “Justiciar, of course. I know what a Commander does.” Alyssa appeared to blush, and her sincerety was almost palpable. Seth would look into her abilities as a thespian. She was showing an entirely different side to him with regards to her abilities. He was really starting to like her, and in that not-so-much-like-a-sister way.

  “Ah yes, I believe your term is judge, if I’m not mistaken. In Ulatha, it’s a bit more complicated. A justiciar is more like a judge, jury, and executioner rolled into one,” Orwell said.

  “Sounds complicated,” Alyssa began. “What kind of cases do you . . . judge?”

  “Any that are invoked by a member of Ulatha’s realm or an associate realm, such as Tyniria,” Orwell said.

  “So you can judge for other realms?” Alyssa asked, her eyes arching ever so slightly, and Seth noticed that Madalena wasn’t enjoying the conversation.

  “Not other realms, Lady Alyssa,” Orwell said, falling back to a more formal tone with the utterance of his title as many times as they had said it. “Rather members or citizens of other realms that invoke justice.”

  “Regardless of their allegiance or nationality?” Alyssa prompted further, venturing into dangerous territory with the man. Seth tried in vain to get her attention.

  “Again, if invoked, that would be correct,” Orwell said, his smile started to diminish.

  “Who would invoke something of this nature, if they weren’t an Ulathan?” she asked.

  “Someone who demanded justice.” Madalena could remain silent no longer.

  “Like . . . ?” Alyssa started.