Lleland felt his stomach clench. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I lost my father to a dragon, too.”
“So you know what they’re like?”
“I do.”
Matthew glanced at the huge longbow leaning against a bench. “Do you hunt them?”
“Yes.”
“Are there others?”
Lleland nodded. “There are.”
“I’m just one man, but for a long time I’ve wanted to rid the mountains of those monsters. Maybe you can send some hunters.”
Lleland leaned back, considering. “We have a league in Civitas,” he finally said. “Perhaps we can help you.”
“A league, eh?” Matthew rubbed his chin. “You know that Aaron Drake aids the dragons?”
“Aids them? That’s impossible! He killed the dragon that was terrorizing Civitas. He’s the dragon-slayer.”
Matthew snorted. “I don’t care what happened in the city, but I do know that Master Drake” – he spat out the name – “protects those monsters.”
Lleland rubbed his chin as he considered what Matthew was saying. “Why would he do that?” he finally said.
Matthew shrugged. “The man is arrogant and proud. Everyone knows that the dragons live in caves below the castle, and that Drake even allows the monsters to use Storbrook as a prison for captured maidens.” He leaned forward, his eyes hard and cold. “They are imprisoned and ravaged, day after day, and when they’re too weak to serve a useful purpose, they’re eaten.”
Lleland frowned as the images of Zach and Lydia crossed his mind. “Do you know where the castle is?”
“Still determined to see Drake? I hope you kill some monsters along the way.” The door of the tavern opened, and a man stepped over the threshold. Matthew snorted and turned to Lleland. “That man is as bad as the rest of them, but if you still want to go to Storbrook, he’s the one who could show you the way.” Lleland turned around to look at the newcomer, and recognized the man he had seen earlier, sanding his wooden bowl.
“Who is he?” Lleland said.
“Richard Carver. His daughter is married to Aaron Drake.”
Chapter 16
Lleland swallowed the last of his ale and pushed himself away from the table. Richard Carver was leaning against the bar, talking to the barman as he filled a tankard.
“I’ll get that,” Lleland said, laying a coin on the table. Richard turned to look at him in surprise. “Who are you?” he said.
“My name’s Lleland Seaton,” he replied, “and I’m Zach Drake’s college master.”
Richard’s eyes widened slightly, and he glanced over at Matthew Hobbes. “I see our friend has told you who I am.” He held out his hand. “Richard Carver at your service.” Lleland shook the proffered hand.
“Can I speak with you for a moment?” Lleland asked. He indicated a table away from Matthew, and Richard nodded. As they sat down, Lleland gave Richard a closer look. He had worn, calloused hands, and his hair was graying at the temples, but his step was sure and his back straight.
“So you’re Zach’s Master?” Richard said. “What are you doing all the way up here?”
“I wanted to explore the area,” he said, “and I’ve heard the mountains are spectacular.”
Richard nodded. “That they are.”
“Zach has spoken to me about Storbrook, and since I’ve traveled this far, I thought I’d seek him out.” He paused. “I’m also eager to meet his father.”
Richard glanced once more at Matthew, and a sardonic smile twisted his lips. “You’re prepared to take such a risk?” he asked. “I’m sure you’ve already heard that Aaron Drake is no better than a monster himself.”
Lleland smiled. “So I was told,” he admitted, “but I was unable to reconcile that piece of information with what I know of my student or his sister.”
“You’ve met Lydia?”
“Zach invited me to spend an evening with them at Christmastide.”
“I see. And does he know you’re coming?”
Lleland looked away. “Er, no. He was gone for the summer before I had a chance to speak of my plans.”
“Hmm.” Richard glanced out the window. “Zach’s away at the moment, and the Drakes are very protective of their privacy.”
Lleland leaned back in his seat as he considered this information. “I’d still like to meet Master Drake,” he said. “It was Mistress Lydia who urged me to visit the mountains – perhaps she’ll convince her father to give me a welcome. If you’d just set me on the road to Storbrook, I’d be most grateful.”
“It’s thirty miles away,” Richard replied. “If you plan to travel by foot, it will take you two days to get there.”
“I’ve traveled much further than thirty miles, Master,” Lleland said.
Richard nodded. “Very well. Come stay the night with me, and I’ll show you the path in the morning. I’m sure you can do with a hearty meal and a warm bed after all your days on the road.”
Lleland thought of where he had slept the previous eight nights. “Thank you, Master,” he said. “I’ll gladly accept your offer.”
Lleland collected his belongings as Richard finished his drink. He eyed the longbow for a moment, but remained silent as he gestured for Lleland to follow him. Matthew Hobbes had disappeared, but other patrons were arriving, keeping the barman busy. Richard led the way back to his house at the end of the street. “It’s just me,” he said. “My wife passed a long time ago. There’s a girl that comes to clean and cook every day, but she goes home in the evenings.” They reached the house and Richard pointed to the staircase. “There’s a room up top where you can sleep. Go put down your things and we can share the food that Agnes has left.”
The room that Richard indicated was a loft room, with two narrow beds. Dried flowers hung on the wall, dusty and colorless, and Lleland guessed that at some time the room had been occupied by Richard’s daughter. He returned downstairs to find Richard spooning some meat and vegetables into a bowl from a pot hanging over the fire. He nodded at a jug on the table. “Help yourself to wine,” he said.
The evening passed pleasantly as Lleland heard about Storbrook from Richard. He learned it was a splendid castle, with an army of servants that worked very willingly for their master.
“What about the dragons?” Lleland had asked, surprised.
“What about the dragons? They don’t bother anyone, and no-one minds seeing them.”
“They don’t attack people in the mountains?”
Richard shook his head. “You clearly don’t know very much about dragons,” he said.
“Matthew Hobbes said that Master Drake is in league with them. Is that true?”
Richard took his time in replying. “Aaron Drake knows that, like humans, not all dragons are the same. A few are evil, but most are not.”
“I’ve never heard of a good dragon,” Lleland retorted.
“Then you haven’t come across many dragons,” Richard replied. He sighed. “They can be elusive, and tend to keep to themselves, so there aren’t many opportunities to observe them. But if you were attacked by a rabid dog, would you assume that all dogs are rabid?”
“Are you saying the dragon that attacked Civitas was rabid?”
“You’ll have to ask Aaron.”
Lleland slept soundly that night, on a straw mattress that felt as soft as down. When he awoke the next morning Richard was gone, but Agnes was puttering around in the kitchen.
“Master says you’re to eat and he’ll be right back,” she said when Lleland poked his head into the room. “There’s bread, cold meat and ale.”
Lleland was still working his way through his meal when he heard sounds in the yard. Grabbing his cup, he went outside to see Richard tying a horse to the fence. “Good. You’re up,” Richard said as Lleland walked into the sunshine. “I’ve just been to the inn to get you a horse. I only have the one mount, you see.”
“I don’t need a horse,” Lleland protested. “I’m happy to walk.”
&nb
sp; “You may be,” Richard said, “but I’m not traveling thirty miles on foot! And you’ll slow us down if you’re walking.”
“You don’t need to accompany me the whole way,” Lleland said, surprised. “Just point me in the right direction.”
Richard grinned. “You may need some protection from those dragons you keep mentioning,” he said.
“I think I can defend myself against a dragon,” Lleland replied stiffly.
“Perhaps,” Richard said. “Nevertheless, it’s about time I paid my daughter a visit.”
They were on the road shortly after, and Richard led the way through the village and past the inn. Matthew Hobbes was leaning against the wall, and he nodded in Lleland’s direction before scowling at Richard.
“He doesn’t like you much,” Lleland said.
“No. He doesn’t like anyone connected with Aaron.”
“He said his father was killed by a dragon.”
Richard snorted. “His father was injured by a dragon when he tried to kill it.”
“Good for him!” Lleland said.
Richard led his horse onto a path that ran behind the churchyard. “You’d better keep those thoughts to yourself at Storbrook. The older Hobbes rounded up a group of villagers to kill the dragon. He took my wife and daughter hostage to force Aaron’s hand, and when the dragon arrived to ensure the release of the women, he attacked with his sword. Even then, the dragon showed restraint and didn’t kill Hobbes, although his legs were burnt quite severely.”
“How do you know all this?”
“I was there.”
“Then you also wanted to kill the dragon?”
“No. I was trying to talk reason into Matthew’s father. As it turned out, the dragon saved my life.”
“It did? How?”
“I was injured and …” Richard stopped.
“And?”
“The dragon carried me to safety. But Matthew Hobbes’ animosity towards Aaron has more to do with his brother than his father.”
“Was he killed by a dragon?”
“Edmund Hobbes thought he was going to marry my daughter, and was angry when she chose Aaron.”
“So this brother nurses a grudge.”
Richard was silent for a moment. “Edmund vanished many years ago,” he finally said. “He kidnapped my other daughter, Anna, in an attempt to hurt Keira after her marriage. Anna was rescued by a dragon, and Edmund was never seen again.”
“So he was killed by the beast?”
“Perhaps. If so, he was receiving his just due. But the dragon returned Anna unharmed.”
Lleland frowned. “You sound as though you admire the creature.”
Richard shrugged. “I do.”
Lleland fell silent, his mind troubled. They crossed a field and entered a copse of trees where the path became steeper. Richard rode ahead, leaving Lleland to his musings. They continued riding throughout the morning, and the air was thick and muggy when they finally stopped to rest the horses on the bank of a river.
“How much further?” Lleland asked as Richard passed him a heel of cheese.
“We’re about halfway,” Richard replied. “We’ll be there mid-afternoon.”
They were on their way again a half hour later, and the path grew narrower and steeper as they climbed the mountain. When they finally broke through the trees, Lleland glanced upwards to see Storbrook Castle towering above them, built on a wall of sheer, solid rock.
“There it is,” Richard said with a note of satisfaction as Lleland stared in silence. “The castle covers the whole mountain.”
“It’s massive! How do we get up there?”
“The path leads around the back,” Richard said. “There’s a lot of shale and loose rock, so we’ll need to go slowly.” He nudged his horse, and they continued along the path. They rounded a corner, and for a while Storbrook was lost to sight as the path led them through a small stand of trees, but then the canopy of leaves opened for a final time, and the huge castle loomed above them. They walked the horses the last few yards up the gravelly path, then passed beneath a portcullis, with its wickedly gleaming spikes, and entered an enormous cobbled courtyard. Lleland looked around in amazement. The castle donjon rose at the far end of the courtyard, while along one side were stables and workshops. In the corner near the entrance was a squat tower with barred windows, and in the opposite corner stood a small stone chapel with a priest house attached. Green lawns could be seen beyond the courtyard, bordered by bright flashes of color. The courtyard was busy as people hurried between the buildings, and near the stables, two men were deep in conversation.
As Lleland took in the scene, Richard took the reins from his hand and walked both horses over to a stablehand. “Quite something isn’t it?” he said.
“Remarkable,” Lleland said. “How did they manage to build all this at such a great height?”
Richard shrugged. “Storbrook has stood here for many generations.” He gestured with his hand. “Come, let’s go find Aaron.”
They started across the courtyard, but they hadn’t gone very far when they were stopped by an elderly man coming from the donjon. “Master Reeve,” he greeted Richard. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“Thomas! Good to see you again.” Richard slapped the man on the back and he grimaced slightly. His white hair was pulled back with a ribbon, hanging down a slightly stooped back, and when he glanced at Lleland, he could see the deep creases that lined the man’s face.
“This young man is Zach’s tutor,” Richard said. “He’s traveled from the city to explore the mountains, and expressed a desire to see Storbrook.”
“Master Zach’s away,” Thomas said.
“Yes, I know. But Master Seaton also wishes to meet Aaron.”
Thomas turned bright blue eyes on Lleland and looked at him closely. “You’ve come a long way,” he said.
“Yes.”
Thomas glanced at Richard, then turned towards the building. “Come wait in the hall while I advise Master Aaron of your arrival. I’m sure he will be happy to meet you, and provide a bed for the night.”
Lleland nodded. “Thank you,” he said humbly. He and Richard followed Thomas as he arduously climbed the stone stairs that led to the hall. He left them there for a few minutes, and when he returned he beckoned Lleland and Richard to follow him.
“Master Aaron will receive you in the solar,” he said. He led them up a wide, curving staircase and along a passage, stopping at a thick wooden door. He pushed the door open and gestured for Lleland and Richard to enter, then pulled the door closed behind them.
Chapter 17
The first thing Lleland noticed as he entered the room were the two women seated on a long, cushioned bench across from the door. One of them was Lydia, and he smiled when he saw her. Next to her sat a woman too young to be her mother. Lydia returned the smile, but was silent; she glanced at the man standing near the window.
“Master Seaton.” The man stepped forward and held out a hand. “I’ve heard Zach speak of you. I’m Aaron Drake.”
Lleland took the outstretched hand in confusion. The man before him looked to be only a few years older than himself – far too young to be the dragon-slayer. He glanced at Lydia for a moment, then back at Aaron. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“And this is my wife, Keira,” Aaron continued, gesturing to the woman beside Lydia, “and I believe you’ve already met my daughter, Lydia.”
Lleland looked back at Lydia in confusion. “Master Seaton,” Lydia said. “I see you took my advice to explore the Northern Mountains.”
“I did,” Lleland said.
“And are they as beautiful as I said?”
“They are indeed, Mistress.”
“We are very pleased to welcome you to our home,” Keira said, speaking for the first time. “As Aaron has already mentioned, Zach has spoken of you many times.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” Lleland said.
Aaron was speaking with Richard in earn
est, his brow furrowed. He turned back to Lleland. “As Richard has already told you, Zach is away at the moment, but we welcome you here, and invite you to spend the night at Storbrook. You’ve traveled a long way and must be exhausted. I’m sorry you’ve come so far for nothing, but I’m sure Richard will be happy to accompany you back to the village on the morrow.”
Lleland felt his heart sink, but before he had a chance to respond, Lydia was on her feet. “Papa! As you said, Master Seaton has come a long way, not just to see Zach, but also to see the mountains!”
“Lydia, Master Seaton doesn’t know our ways,” Aaron said softly. He met Lydia’s narrowed gaze for a moment, but before either of them said anything, Keira spoke.
“Master Seaton,” she said, “we’d be delighted if you remain here as our guest.” She ignored Aaron’s furious expression. “Storbrook is so remote, we tend to forget our manners when strangers arrive, but we hope you’ll enjoy our hospitality for as long as you wish to stay.”
“Keira, what are you doing?” Aaron strode over to Keira and glared down at her. “He cannot stay here!”
“He can, and he will,” she said quietly.
“Besides,” Richard interjected, “he also came to meet you, Aaron.”
Aaron stared at Richard for a moment, then turned back to Keira with a look of frustration. “The men and women of my clan obey my every command, but when it comes to my own home, my wishes are completely disregarded. I trust you’re prepared to accept the consequences of this foolish decision.”
Keira placed her hand on his arm as she smiled up at him. “Something tells me we need to do this,” she said. Aaron stared at her for another long moment, then nodded.
“Very well, my sweet. I trust you.” He turned to Lleland. “Please don’t think I’ve taken offense to you personally, Master Seaton, but there are many other factors at play here. However, since my family seem determined that you remain within these walls, at least for now, then I hope you’ll enjoy your stay and make yourself comfortable. I must warn you, though, that you may see things that will make you wish you hadn’t set foot in Storbrook.”
“Are you referring to the dragons?” Lleland said. Matthew’s words about maidens being imprisoned at the castle flashed through his mind, but he pushed the thought away as his glance fell on Lydia.
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