“This is a serious mission, Amáne.”
“Healer, you don’t need to tell me. Eshshah and I know full well the importance of this trip. And of course you have our permission to ride with us. When do we leave?”
“In two days’ time. The members of the Rider’s Council are preparing to notify the heads of their townships that they’ll be receiving a royal visitor. Just which royalty or visitor is left up to their imagination. They have no idea. Best to keep them guessing.”
Diplomatic affairs confused me. Thankfully, I had nothing to do with the arrangements.
The two days passed quickly. Ansel and I spoke several times via the communication disc. He smiled at my excitement. I noticed he couldn’t hide his.
It was early morning when the Healer and I geared up for flight. The sun had just barely risen. The Healer and Gallen exchanged last-minute wishes in the courtyard. I gave them space in their private moment. Dorjan joined me as we checked the straps on Eshshah’s tack. We made small talk as the two said their farewells. It had been a while since they’d been separated for any length of time.
I mounted and locked wrists with the Healer. She swung up behind me. Dorjan and Gallen saluted us as Eshshah took flight.
Eshshah, the Healer and I flew straight to Trivingar. We didn’t bother to stop at the Arevale Outpost. It was no longer necessary to hide our existence. Even though we flew too high for Eshshah to be recognized as a dragon, soaring over Teravinea in full daylight proved an unexpected release for Eshshah and me.
Trivingar came into sight in record time. Eshshah was just as anxious to get there. Our descent brought us low over the small township and countryside. The sight of us created quite a stir as we passed. People pointed, livestock scattered. We landed in the field beside the manor. Sovann and Ansel stood together awaiting our arrival.
Salutes and salutations over, Ansel embraced his aunt before he turned to me. He wrapped his arms around me and swung me around. I laughed. He muffled my laughter with his kiss.
“Ansel, can you believe this moment has finally arrived?”
“It’s been a hard road, but thanks to you, my Girl of the Prophecy, and your glowing dragon, we’ve gotten this far.”
Eshshah uttered a pleased rumble.
“Despite all my efforts to thwart it with my stupidity,” I said.
“Don’t forget how we first met,” Ansel countered, “my own stupidity and some brilliant thwarting of my own.”
“Let’s not bring any of that up,” broke in the Healer. “Don’t you have some refreshments and a hot soak to offer an old lady after a long trip?”
“Old lady?” laughed Ansel. “You have a lot more years to add to your collection before I could consider you old.”
We all laughed. Ansel helped me take off Eshshah’s saddle. Attendants took our baggage and scurried off. I grabbed Eshshah’s fangs and drew her face close, kissing her nose and thanking her in thought transference.
Ansel put his arms around the Healer and me and led us into his manor. He escorted us to our rooms.
Giving each of us a kiss on the forehead, he said, “I’ll leave you two ladies to relax a bit. We’ll meet in the dining hall in two hours for a midday meal before we make our first campaign visit.”
I pushed the door open and entered my room. The tapestry Ansel had commissioned, the one depicting Eshshah and me at our cove, brought a smile to my face. The aromatic fragrance of herbs surrounded me in a sweet caress. I inhaled. A hot soak had been prepared for me.
The bathing room door opened. I turned to see Eulalia rushing toward me, arms out.
“Mistress Amáne, or should I call you Lady Amáne, now? Congratulations on your betrothal. Let me see your ring. Lord Ansel just about had a conniption fit worrying if you would like it. It’s certainly stunning. You’ll make the most beautiful bride. It’s so nice to see your pretty face again, especially after I heard you had gone missing. You don’t know how scared we all were. Lord Ansel worked himself into a state, he did. But let’s not go into that, let’s get you into your soak. The water is piping hot. Just the way you like it.”
I took a deep breath after that, even though I hadn’t said a word. “Thank you, Lali. I’m happy to see you, too.” I gave her a warm hug.
Lali knew we would be riding out after we ate. She didn’t fuss over me wearing my riding gear to meet Ansel for a meal. She usually scoffed at my male-like attire and insisted I put on a gown. I was thankful she held her tongue. It must have been difficult.
The Healer met me at my room and rushed me out the door to the dining hall. Ansel stood up as we entered. My heart did a little dance.
We discussed our plans as plates of meats and cheeses were set before us. The aroma was enticing, but I could do no more than pick at the fare. My excitement built with each moment. I had no idea what to expect. The sooner we started, the sooner I could get a feel for what it entailed.
Appointments were made to meet two lords that afternoon and probably three the next day as we worked our way south. Some stops would require more time than others. Our last stop would be Dorsal. Many of the townships we planned to visit still had the same lord or baron as when Ansel’s father ruled. We were confident they would accept Ansel as the rightful heir and give their support.
Our first stop was Arevale, just on the other side of the border from Serislan. Avano and Lord Volkner met us in the field east of the lord’s small castle. Avano spent time between Ansel’s Trivingar Manor in Serislan and Arevale in Teravinea. He and the lord of Arevale were long-time friends.
Lord Volkner saluted us as we landed. Before Avano made the introductions, the lord threw a puzzled look at Ansel, and then shook his head as if he might have been seeing things.
“Lord Volkner,” said Avano, “may I present Ansel Drekinn, rider of Sovann; the Healer, formerly Nara, rider of the late Torin; and Amáne of Teravinea, rider of Eshshah. Fellow Riders, I introduce to you, Lord Volkner.”
I noticed Avano didn’t use any title for Ansel.
“Drekinn?” the astonished lord said. “Then my old eyes did not deceive me. You are a relation to the late King Emeric.”
“His son,” Ansel stated with a tip of his head.
Without hesitation, the lord went to one knee. “My Lord. I’m speechless. We were told the son lost his life along with his parents.”
“Rise, Lord Volkner,” Ansel said. “I’m very much alive.”
The lord rose slowly, painfully. His hair, white with time, was tied back in a short queue. His eyes sparkled as he gazed at Ansel.
“Ah, but I forget my manners,” he said. “It has been long since I’ve had the honor of being in the presence of our incredible friends, the dragons. May I?”
Ansel and I nodded our consent to speak to our dragons.
Addressing Sovann, he said, “Sovann, mighty golden dragon, may your life be long and your talons ever sharp.”
He looked up at my dragon, and said, “Eshshah, fiery red dragon, may your scales ignite the hearts of all dragon lovers as you have set fire to mine.”
Both dragons responded with a nod, pleased at his compliments.
Ansel and I started to speak at the same time. I clamped my mouth shut and let Ansel translate Sovann and Eshshah’s thanks. The Healer gave me a nod of approval.
My duty and that of the Healer’s was to accompany Ansel as his personal guards. The fact the Healer was his aunt, or I his betrothed took rear saddle to our duties.
Lord Volkner ushered us into his castle and straight to his dining hall. It seemed that plans and negotiations took place around food, just like it did at the Healer’s. The lord offered Ansel his head chair at the large table. To my surprise, Ansel accepted it. Then I understood. It was his way of acknowledging Lord Volkner’s acceptance as the royal heir. I nodded to myself as I took in my first lesson in the subtle art of diplomacy and protocol.
At the lord’s request, Ansel told his story of his rescue by his aunt during the tragic death of his pare
nts, King Emeric and Queen Fiala. How he’d been in hiding for the past nineteen years.
“I knew your father well. It was more than a fortnight’s ride to the City of Teravinea. In my younger days, I made it several times. But, your father had the advantage of travel by dragon, which put us close. He visited often. Our forests and our hunting proved an attractive diversion for him.”
Lord Volkner turned to the Healer. “Now I remember. You had the honor several times of transporting the good king here for his visits, on your beautiful grey Torin. It was said you and your mighty dragon perished that night. I am thankful you lived. My heart goes out to what you suffered with your loss, but I’m filled with gratitude you saved the young prince. Now we have hope that Teravinea may be restored to the grandeur it enjoyed under the rule of the House of Drekinn .”
A sense of pride welled up in me. I loved the form of respect this elderly lord showed toward Ansel, and the love he held for his kingdom.
When Ansel petitioned his support, Lord Volkner replied, “I will give you what I can, my Lord, but I’m afraid to say my coffers aren’t what they were when your father lived. They have been reduced greatly under Galtero’s rule.”
“Thank you, Lord Volkner, but your money is not what is needed. We need men, and women, to back our cause. We need to raise an army.”
“Women?”
“If they so choose to assist in whichever way they can. I’m not opposed to women taking up the sword. At one time, I understand, our women were quite capable.”
“You know your history. I’m pleased to see that. I do have a sizeable contingent of men well-trained here at the castle. For the purposes of defending Arevale from foreign invaders, of course.” He gave a you-know-what-I-mean nod. “I can increase my contingent without much attention from Galtero’s spies. I’ll quietly open the call to females as well.”
“That would be greatly appreciated. We have the means to pay your soldiers well.”
Details were finalized and we took our leave of the good Lord Volkner. I had to quell my desire to give him a big hug.
Thus our days passed as we made our way south. Most stops were very successful. The majority of lords and barons accepted Ansel Drekinn as the rightful heir to the throne. They laid their swords down in front of Ansel, the hilt facing him. Some showed less enthusiasm, but still offered pledges of support and oaths of fealty. Most remembered the prosperity Teravinea once enjoyed under the Royal Family of Drekinn. The people felt the oppression of Galtero’s rule and their depleted resources.
Several nights were spent in castles or manors at the invitation of the lords. My favorite nights were spent in the outposts along the way. The three of us were able to relax and be ourselves. The Healer and I could figuratively take our hands off the hilts of our swords. Ansel and I abandoned our professional relationship and enjoyed each other’s company.
We left an outpost early one day to head for Nicobar, Eben’s locale. Our dragons spiralled down and landed in the clearing next to Eben’s home. He saluted us and without any delay, leaped onto Sovann’s foreleg, locked wrists with Ansel and swung up behind him. Sovann didn’t have a double saddle, but the flight would be short. Eben looked well at ease riding without being strapped in.
We arrived at Lord Faetor’s rather large manor house. A dull fortress-like construction that lacked in style and beauty.
“Lord Faetor completed his home only two years ago,” Eben announced. “I’m not impressed with his architect. The building mars the beauty of our surroundings. He’s not a native Teravinean. He came across the Teravinea Channel from a kingdom far to the west. Maybe the manor reflects the austerity of his home country. I’ve met him only once before, and personally, I don’t care for the man. His staff was not very receptive when I sent him word of your arrival. I’m not sure what he’s been told.”
In all of the other stops, either an official delegation or some form of welcome had been arranged. Many included colorful flags, some even displayed a festival air. The lord of Nicobar sent only two representatives out to receive us in an empty field. They neither saluted us nor greeted our dragons. I glanced sideways at the Healer. She didn’t look pleased. I made it a point to be more vigilant.
The attendants led us to the door of an anteroom. They left us there and walked away without a word. Several people lined up awaiting an audience with Lord Faetor. The room was devoid of furniture. Only a few tapestries graced the walls.
We stood in silence. I didn’t know what to make of the situation. My anger rose. I had a mind to storm through the doors and lash out at this Lord Faetor. I did not appreciated his rudeness. Of course I knew better. I suppressed my desire. Especially when I noted Ansel appeared outwardly unbothered, though I did notice a slight tightness in his jaw. Eben assumed a mask of boredom, but his eyes betrayed annoyance.
I began to pace the room. After my third pass by the Healer, she reached out and grabbed my arm. At a stern look from her, I forced a casual stance.
After we waited almost three-quarters of an hour, a manor guard opened the door for us to enter the lord’s audience room. The room looked like a throne room. Tall columns lined the walls, each topped with ornate gold capitals. Who does this man think he is?
We proceeded down a carpet the length of the long room. The lord perched on a high-back chair that sat on a dais — an imperial look on his fleshy countenance. His rotund body made even larger by the yardage of fabric used in his clothing. It was almost comical how his feet didn’t touch the floor. I wondered if he thought his callers wouldn’t notice. Personal attendants or advisors stood on either side.
Two large dogs lay by his feet. They barked as we approached. At a hand signal from Lord Faetor they quieted, but their teeth remained bared. Menacing rumbling continued in their throats.
There were no chairs or any form of comfort for us. We stood before him as he looked down upon us.
“Lord Faetor,” Eben began. “I present to you Ansel Drekinn, rider of Sovann; the Healer, formerly known as Nara, rider of the late Torin; Amáne of Teravinea, rider of Eshshah. Fellow riders, meet Lord Faetor.”
The Healer and I, being dragon riders, stood on equal ranking with the lord. Protocol held we bow to each other. The Healer and I did so. The lord did not return the bow, but eyed us suspiciously. A false smile turned his mouth. It didn’t reach his eyes.
Ansel remained upright. “Lord Faetor, thank you for receiving us.”
The lord frowned at Ansel. “What brings you to Nicobar? And by what right do you come before me armed?” Two guards stepped out from behind the columns. We already knew of their presence. Others still hid in the shadows.
What an ill-mannered man. It amazed me how Ansel could remain so calm and seemingly unperturbed. I tried to keep in mind Faetor was not from Teravinea. He may not know the name Drekinn or be familiar with dragon protocol — excuses I didn’t accept.
Instead of answering Faetor’s question, Ansel began, “The Kingdom of Teravinea throughout the centuries had been known as a fair and peaceful, yet powerful kingdom. We had the dragons and their riders to thank for our prosperity.”
I understood Ansel was trying to get a feel for which direction the lord leaned in regards to the kingdom. Did he support Galtero?
“There are no dragons in Teravinea. I’ve been told they may have never existed.”
“If you had been available to receive us, you would have seen there is no truth in what you’ve been told,” Ansel said in a controlled voice.
Faetor cocked an eyebrow. He turned and shouted at an attendant at the other end of the room. “Send for the steward!”
A door opened to our right. My hand tightened on my glaive. I saw the Healer and Eben move their sword hands at the ready. It was a subtle move, barely noticeable, outwardly non threatening.
A man entered and quickly moved to the lord’s side. Faetor had no idea of the sensitivity of our hearing. He whispered to the man to verify how we arrived. The man confirmed our arrival by drag
on. Surprise registered on Faetor’s face.
The lord addressed Ansel, “I stand corrected. My assistant has informed me there are two large dragons in my field. I should like to see your beasts before you leave.” He narrowed his eyes, “Is my livestock safe out there? I hold you responsible if they ravish my prize herds.”
I cringed inwardly at his use of the word beasts and the outright insult that they would dare touch his herds. Eshshah and I used open thought transference so she could be a part of this meeting. “Eshshah, I’m sorry for his disrespect. I hardly believe I’m still in Teravinea.”
“I’ll excuse it on ignorance, Amáne. Don’t let it disturb you.”
Ansel’s jaw tightened. “Lord Faetor, may I recommend you borrow some manuscripts from Eben to learn the nature of dragons. They are not beasts, nor do they ravage livestock.”
Faetor nodded. “Perhaps I’ll do some research on the creatures, Ansel Drekinn. I may even think about acquiring one of my own.”
I bit my lip before anything would come out of my mouth.
“Now, again I demand to know the purpose of your visit.”
“While you are obtaining information on dragons, perhaps you can also ask Eben for a history of Teravinea. You’ll find the Royal Dynasty of Drekinn fills most of the pages. That family ruled this kingdom for nearly a millennium.”
The lord straightened in his chair. His advisors on either side eyed Ansel with interest.
“Drekinn? Your line?”
“My direct line.”
“You’re telling me ...”
“My father was King Emeric Drekinn. He ruled Teravinea until he was killed.”
“King Galtero came to the throne to take up the vacancy.” Faetor filled in.
“That’s not how I would word it, but yes, Galtero seized the throne.”
“And, I am to believe you are who you claim to be, why?”
Ansel showed him his ring. “You need only to check Nicobar’s archives to match the seal to King Emeric.”
Amane of Teravinea - The Crown (The Teravinea Series Book 3) Page 17
