I wonder if royalty always feels like this?
Beneath them, the city stretched along the south side of the mountain. Grassy slopes turned rugged and gray toward higher altitude, the white city a strong contrast against the darker background. Streets and houses decorated the mountain’s foothills down toward the grain-filled plains, like an avalanche of buildings had slid down from the higher slopes. The working parts of the city lay close to the fields and river that flowed past from the mountains. The higher quarters held the upper class and cultural parts of the city. Mills were spread throughout, rising above the houses every so often like pillars with vertical mill blades spiraling from bottom to top. The mills used cloths hung in wooden frames that could be turned to catch more wind—or less, depending on the day. The mills of Shid’el were always turning, always grinding. Spinning towers always at work.
“That’s the grain quarter down there, near the fields, bursting out of its walls. It's mostly newcomers who end up working the grain fields. They had a fire a few years back, nearly took down half the quarter,” said Raylan, pointing downward. “Flour and bread are the city’s main exports. That and whatever is mined in the mountains. They say the fields of Shid’el feed half the kingdom. And every year the city grows bigger, stretching further out onto the plains.”
The dragon banked left. They started to rise as the large leathery wings caught a hot air spiral.
“They are nearly at the castle gates,” remarked Galirras.
Raylan shielded his eyes against the sun and tried to spot the others down in the city. Richard had asked them to stay aloft until called upon, giving the group a chance to explain the winged guest they brought with them. They were quite high up, but Raylan was certain plenty of eyes had spotted them by now.
“Why don’t we get a bit closer, then?”
Galirras beat his wings lazily every dozen heartbeats or so. He was not in a hurry to return to the ground. The afternoon sun was nice and warm, he was not really hungry, and the view was rather pleasant.
“That big building over there; that’s the cathedral Peadar is always talking about,” remarked Raylan, who noticed Galirras was taking his time. “And there’s the merchant quarter. And there, to your left, lies the guilds ward.”
He pointed out the complex layout on the higher plateau, where many of the city’s bigger buildings lay.
“Is that where your father is?”
Raylan felt longing with a stab of pain. It was more than a year since he had seen his father, first because of his army duties, then the relic assignment. Their group left in the middle of the night when they set out to find Galirras’ egg. Not many had been able to say goodbye to their families.
“Yeah, a little further off to the side. Near that lower slope. The street always gives a nice view of the city beneath it.”
They neared the castle fortress, which towered above the rest of the city. Built on a smaller, elevated part of the mountain that reached out onto the plateau, the castle’s white walls ran straight up from the terrain’s edges. A long road with several guardhouses and towers wound round the back of the castle, where the main entry point lay. The last part of the road’s approach lay over an arching bridge that covered several gaps in the mountain terrain.
The first courtyard behind the gate was large, surrounded by several defensive towers on one side and the main castle structure on the other. Several other inner wards lay beyond it, divided up by multiple walls. Once you passed through the castle’s buildings and main keep and went out the back, you came upon the Doorstep of the Gods, as the royal plaza was called. It had no wall around it, not even a handrail. It overlooked the entire city and the mountain range that dominated the horizon.
The plan was to land on the plaza once Richard had explained the situation. It was an ideal spot for a dragon to come and go; spacious and high up. But for now they had to wait.
Below them, Raylan saw the group on horseback enter the first courtyard, where they were met by three figures descending from the guardhouse’s steps.
“Is that normal?” asked Galirras, confused. “I see men moving along the walls.”
Raylan leaned to the side to look below them. Everyone was busy dismounting when soldiers rushed in from all sides and lowered their spears to the group.
“What’s going on?” he mumbled, too softly for Galirras to hear.
A few of the tiny figures in the courtyard gestured wildly, most likely wondering the same thing. Some of their own group drew their swords and closed in together.
“We have to do something,” said Galirras nervously.
“Let’s get down there.”
Raylan tightened his legs and moved his weight into the turn Galirras made. The wind rushed past him in their rapid descent. Galirras sheered above the walls of the castle and let out a roar.
Those on the walls looked up in fright, some immediately covering their ears.
Galirras climbed into a right turn. He stretched his neck around.
“They have archers on the walls. They are aiming their arrows at us.”
“They’re going to shoot us down? What’s happening?” yelled Raylan, bewildered. “Don’t let them hit you. But…please don’t kill anyone either, okay?”
Galirras let out a windblast to blow a hole in the arrow salvo, then flew in low above the wall. The strong gust of his wings threw back a few of the men, while others ducked for cover.
“They’re surrounding Xi’Lao,” said Raylan inside Galirras’ head, quickly looking down at the courtyard as they passed. “Only her.”
“What? Why? They cannot take Xi’Lao. She has done nothing wrong,” said Galirras, the words betraying his growing anxiety.
All spears were now aimed at Xi’Lao, who stared at those around her. She had not even pulled any of her knives from her belt. Everywhere, Terran soldiers ran through the castle. Doors and hatches swung open as more and more of them poured onto the walls. Galirras was forced to increase their distance to prevent any stray arrows from hitting Raylan.
No longer at spears’ end, Richard stood in front of the man in charge. Raylan saw him yell and wave his arms wildly at the guards surrounding Xi’Lao and toward the archers on the walls. Galirras continued to circle the castle in wide turns, until finally Richard seemed to convince the commander of the guard to lower their weapons.
Raylan saw Richard wave the signal to begin their approach. Yet the spears remained pointed at Xi’Lao while her hands were tied behind her back. He double-checked to see if the archers had lowered their bows. They had complied with their commander’s order, though it was a little unnerving to see their arrows still nocked.
“Should we go down there?” asked Galirras.
Raylan hesitated.
“I don’t know. Richard thinks it’s safe, it seems. Can you land in the courtyard?”
“That is not a problem,” replied the dragon. “But I will not quickly be able to take off again with those walls around me.”
Galirras came in low, barely clearing the walls. Above the courtyard, he beat his wings in a long, turning motion to hover in one spot. His wind power provided additional lift, enough to keep himself in the air. The space was plenty big for a creature of Galirras’ size to stand in, but with so many people around it was still a challenge to find a suitable spot to land. He took a moment to look around to avoid accidentally trampling anyone.
Raylan heard shouts all around him as the guards dashed for cover, either in fright or to clear a spot for them to land. Dust flew everywhere from the force of Galirras’ wings. Somewhere in a corner, buckets and a few shovels tumbled over. Their own horses whinnied, uncomfortable even though Galirras had traveled with them for the past few weeks. The snap of beating, leathery wings echoed between the walls, while Raylan’s own squad shielded their eyes from the fine debris and sand that was blown into the air.
With a thump, Galirras dropped the last few feet to the ground. In a flash, Raylan stood with both feet on the ground and mad
e his way toward Richard and the commander in charge.
“What’s going on? Why’s Xi’Lao tied up? Who—”
A few soldiers rushed forward and raised their spears toward Galirras. The dragon raised his head to keep the points away from his eyes. Raylan grabbed the nearest weapon with both hands, swung it around and ripped it from the unprepared soldier’s hands. The man ended up flat on his face from the unexpected move.
“Don’t you dare point one of those things at him,” said Raylan angrily. He threw the spear next to the soldier on the ground.
He turned to find half a dozen soldiers now pointing their weapons at him as well. Behind him, Galirras let out a threatening rumble and took a step forward. Immediately, the archers all around them on the wall drew their arrows and took aim.
“Enough! Let him through, and give the creature some distance,” bellowed the guard’s commander. “And you, hothead. You’d better control that beast of yours. Lieutenant Brand has assured me you can, or it will be a swift death for the both of you.”
It was only now that Raylan recognized the one in command. A man with tanned, aged skin. A beard graced his jawline, black, rugged, scattered with the white hairs of wisdom. His short hair on top had an unusual parting where a scar ran from the hairline above his eye to the back.
“Commander Ymes? That you?”
“That’s High Commander now, kid.”
“High Commander? What happened to High Commander Klavvas?” interrupted Richard.
“Fever took him a few months ago. Damn shame as well, for such a man to die in his bed.”
“What are you doing here?” asked Raylan.
“I’m here to lock up this lying young lady. Orders from the court. She’s an impostor.”
“What’s he talking about, Richard?” said Raylan, astounded.
He moved closer to Xi’Lao.
“You’re not just going to let this happen, are you? Xi, tell him he’s mistaken!”
But the Tiankong woman only looked back at him in silence, her eyes two deep brown pools of mystery. No tears, no sparkle; nothing. It was like she was not even surprised. Raylan felt uncertainty seep through cracks in his confidence.
“No,” he said abruptly, drawing his sword. “You’re not taking her anywhere. Any one of you who dares touch her will meet the wrong end of my blade.”
Instantly, his world burst into sparkles that flowed through the air around him. His hand tightened around the hilt of the sword. A throbbing sensation pulsed in his arm.
“Easy, kid. I have orders to follow, with or without you standing in the way,” said the high commander. “All I know is the Thirty wants her captured, by request of the empire. Something about no official party ever being sent to Aeterra to request aid of any kind. If you’ve got a complaint, take it up with the council.”
Baffled, Raylan looked between the commander and Xi’Lao.
“Lower your sword, Raylan. You’re not helping,” urged Richard. “We have no idea what’s going on, so don’t make it worse.
At the back, Galirras slowly lowered himself inch by inch, ready to pounce.
“No. They can’t. It’s got to be some kind of mistake,” said Raylan. “She’s been with us the entire time, Richard. She fought with us; guided us. Helped us! You must know she spoke the truth. Gavin would’ve wanted us to protect her. Wanted me to protect her.”
“Gavin’s not here. Your brother is not here. Remember, Raylan? I’m the one in command,” said Richard, his voice turning cold with authority. “Now, lower your sword. That’s an order. I’m not going to ask again.”
Raylan shifted his feet, his eyes darting around the courtyard. About ten soldiers between him and Galirras. Could he make that? Without killing them? If he did, he would be branded a traitor. The king and council would surely hunt him down. Kill him. But with Galirras, they could go anywhere—if they could clear the walls filled with archers.
“Raylan, stop. Please. They are right, okay?”
Xi’Lao’s words cut deeper than the sharpest sword. They were like ten pounds of steel thrown on his back. Baffled, he lowered his weapon and turned around.
“What? What do you mean, they’re right?”
“I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you. I really did. I just did not know how. I so desperately wanted to clear my grandfather’s name…so I made everything up.”
Beaten without a clash of swords, Raylan stared at Xi’Lao in disbelief.
“No,” he said. “You can’t let them do this. You can’t let them take you.”
“I am truly sorry. Please forgive me.”
“Last chance, kid,” said High Commander Ymes. He gestured his guards to advance.
Raylan’s hands trembled. His breath was short and shallow in his throat. Slowly, his fingers unwrapped from the hilt, one by one, until his sword clanged on the ground. A nearby soldier quickly jumped forward and kicked it away from him.
“But I—I thought we were beyond that. That there were no more secrets.”
“I am sorry,” Xi’Lao repeated, her head lowered in shame.
“Take her away,” said the high commander. “The king and council will decide what to do with her next.”
The guards led Xi’Lao away into the castle. Raylan stepped forward, his path blocked by two large, armored guards.
“Xi!”
Beside him, Richard approached High Commander Ymes once more.
“Sir, despite this unfortunate turn of events, we’ve got urgent matters to discuss. I need to convey our report to the Thirty immediately,” he said.
“I’ll send word of your arrival. They’ll be interested to know the rumors were true. In the meantime, the beast stays put. The rest of you report in at the lower level barracks.”
“I’d rather stay here with Galirras,” Raylan said.
“Fine by me, if your commander agrees. But you’d better make yourself presentable before you even think of going before the Thirty,” said the high commander.
“I’ll see what I can find out about Xi’Lao,” said Richard with a nod before he quickly followed the bearded man inside.
It was not long before the others reluctantly disappeared, none of them given a moment to discuss things amongst their group. Galirras and Raylan remained in the courtyard, surrounded by forty guards.
“Are you familiar with that man?” asked Galirras privately.
“He was in command of the new recruits’ training camp. Taught all the greens how to properly hold a weapon.”
“Why did he take Xi’Lao? Will she be alright?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out,” Raylan answered.
He sat down on the dragon’s front leg and folded his arms. This was not the homecoming he had imagined. All around, soldiers looked warily at them, uncertain what to think of this unusual duo.
“And what about the child?” asked Galirras anxiously. Nervous flashes of orange showed in the dragon’s eyes.
“Child? What child?” Raylan said out loud. He threw a confused look at Galirras.
“The one in her belly…”
Harwin squinted, waiting for his eyes to grow accustomed to the bright light that crept through the window. Outside, the call of a rooster announced a new day.
He heard the door of his chamber open and quickly closed his eyes again. Soft footsteps entered the room, and he peeked through the slits of his eyes with a smile on his face. He was still amazed that such a well-built woman had the skill to move around with less noise than a mouse. She was not fat, but well-rounded in the hips. A mature woman, and one Harwin enjoyed looking at. She placed a bowl of fresh water on the dresser and approached the bed.
“Good morning, Mister Harwin. Time to wash your wound a final time.”
Her voice was pleasant to the ears, like sweet wine to the tongue, her tone betraying their comfort with each other.
Harwin pretended to wake as a gentle hand touched his shoulder. He sat up and let out a groan in earnest as his joints protested the inc
reased activity.
“Good morning, Rose,” he said with a smile.
Another sweet thing on her, that name.
“Your wound is looking well, all nice and closed. Are you ready to finally get out of here?” asked the woman.
“I can stay a while longer, if you want,” he answered with a grin. “I know you’ll miss our little morning routine after I’m gone.”
Rose gave him a genuine smile.
“Oh, stop it. You’re only moving to the other wing of the castle. It’s not like you won’t be able to come and visit if you wish,” said Rose. “Lord Algirio wants to offer additional space to those families who need it most. The entire second level has been transformed into a mini version of the city.”
She spent a moment washing him, paying extra attention to the stab wound on his belly.
“Is your mother liking her new place?” asked Harwin as Rose pulled a fresh shirt over his head.
“She does indeed. She wants to help rebuild, like everyone else, but says she’ll only be in the way of the younger men doing all the heavy lifting. So she’s helping out on the courtyard markets as much as possible.”
After the devastation of Old Town and the harbor, the castle markets had shifted from showing the latest fashions and curiosities to providing things like food and basic necessities. Much had been lost in the tidal wave and people had salvaged what they could, but a lot was irreversibly damaged.
“It’s good for her to keep busy,” commented Harwin.
A smile from Rose acknowledged what he had not said about her father. “It is.”
Harwin made to turn and get out of bed when Rose stopped him.
“I’m sorry. I really can’t let you go with that state of facial hair. Signora Bonni would scold me for it,” she said with a laugh. “Sit back while I get some scissors.”
Harwin stroked his ragged goatee and pulled it into a point.
“It has been a while since I’ve seen a proper barber,” he admitted.
A moment later, a few quick snips of the scissors addressed the problem, followed by the careful rasp of a razor blade.
Wavebreaker (Book II of the Stone War Chronicles): Part 1 - Trickle Page 56
