“Yes, the dragons. They’re not our enemy, Master Seaton. We live peacefully with them and welcome them to Storbrook.”
Lleland dropped his gaze. If this was the dragon-slayer, how could he not be an enemy of the monsters? For himself, he knew that the only fate suitable for a dragon was death. He nodded. “Thank you for the invitation to remain.”
Aaron stared at him for a moment, then turned away. “Lydia, pour our guest a glass of wine.”
Lydia did as she was bade, and when she handed Lleland the glass, she smiled. “I’ll show you some of my favorite places in the mountains while you’re here, if you like.”
“I’d like that very much,” he replied. She was only a few inches shorter than him, and he looked into her golden eyes with a smile. “I look forward to it,” he added.
“Zach has spoken of you often,” Aaron said as Lleland took a seat. “He enjoyed your discussions about the great philosophers.”
“Zach is a brilliant young man,” Lleland replied, “whose intellect challenges my own. It’s always a pleasure to talk with him. I’m sorry he’s not here.”
“He’ll be disappointed to hear he missed you,” Keira said.
“Do you expect him to return soon?”
“He’ll return when he’s ready,” Keira said with a wry smile. “But you’ve traveled a long way. Tell us about your journey. How long has it taken you to cover the distance from Civitas?”
The rest of the evening passed as Lleland related his journey, but he could not help staring at Aaron whenever he had an opportunity. Apart from his youthful looks, there was something about him that was different, although Lleland couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. He had the same tawny eyes as Zach, darker than Lydia’s. His hair was a light golden brown, without any trace of gray, and his face was smooth and unlined. He was tall and lean like Zach, and the same sense of power exuded from him. In fact, Lleland would have guessed he was Zach and Lydia’s brother, not father. But he spoke with authority, and Lleland noticed that Richard, the older man, treated him with deference.
A few hours had passed when Aaron turned to Lleland. “You have something on your mind, Master Seaton. What is it?”
Lleland colored slightly, embarrassed that his stares had not gone unnoticed, but he returned Aaron’s look steadily. “Are you the dragon-slayer?”
Aaron’s brow furrowed slightly. “If you’re referring to the black dragon that was terrorizing Civitas several years ago, then, yes, I’m the one that killed him.”
“How can that be? It was thirty years ago, and you don’t appear much older than me.”
Aaron glanced at Keira with a definite expression of admonishment, before turning back to Lleland. “I’m older than I appear, Master Seaton. Youthfulness is a family trait.” He paused. “You yourself don’t appear old enough to be a Master of Philosophy.”
Lleland flushed. “My apologies, Master Drake. You’re correct, and I’ve been rude.”
Aaron nodded, then turned to Lydia. “I’m sure Master Seaton’s weary after all his traveling. Why don’t you show him the blue chamber?”
Lleland rose to his feet, recognizing the dismissal. “I don’t wish to impose on your hospitality,” he said to Aaron. “If you’d prefer I leave tomorrow, I’ll do so.”
Aaron cocked his head slightly and stared at him. “You may stay,” he finally said, “until you’re ready to leave. You’re a scholar, with an enquiring mind. The mountains can be a strange and mysterious place to those who are not familiar with them. Keep your mind open, and don’t jump to hasty conclusions.”
Lleland was silent as he considered the words. A sense of foreboding washed over him, and for a moment, Anabel’s dream about dragons surrounding him came to mind. He pushed the thought aside and nodded. “Goodnight, Master Drake,” he said.
Lydia led Lleland past the wide, sweeping staircase and down a long, dark passage before stopping at a wooden door. She pushed it open and stepped inside, waiting as Lleland walked past her, his eyes widening at the size of the chamber with its high ceilings and large shuttered window. The shutters were closed, but Lleland guessed that every window in the castle had a view of the mountains. A large bed stood against one wall, while thick furs covered the stone floor. On the opposite side of the room was a table and chair, and another long table stood in the corner, with a basin and ewer and a pile of linens. His possessions, taken earlier by one of the servants, had been unpacked and neatly laid in a chest at the foot of the bed, while his staff, bow, and arrows stood in a corner.
“Will this do?” Lydia asked, turning to him.
“Perhaps,” Lleland replied with a grin. “It’s a little small, don’t you think?”
She laughed as she wagged a finger in his face. “I’ve seen how small the chambers are at Kings College, so none of your complaining, Master Seaton.”
Lleland lifted his eyebrows. “You’ve seen the chambers at Kings? How did you manage that, I wonder?”
Lydia’s eyes widened and she pulled in a deep breath. “Oh, no! I shouldn’t have said that! Please forget I said anything.”
Lleland laughed. “Since you’ve promised to be my mountain guide, I promise to keep your secret. Although keeping your secrets is becoming something of a habit!” She smiled, and Lleland had to tear his gaze away. “Your father’s not very happy about me being here,” he said.
“My father is a very private man, distrustful of anyone he doesn’t know. It’s not that he doesn’t like you, just that he doesn’t know you.” She walked over to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight.”
And before Lleland could respond, the door closed and her footsteps were fading down the passage. He sat down on the bed, wondering at all that had passed that evening. Despite Lydia’s assurances, he wasn’t sure that Aaron would ever accept him. There was something strange and unsettling about him, something otherworldly. He could almost believe that Aaron Drake belonged to the ancient race of gods, but then, he didn’t believe in mythology. For a moment he wondered at the wisdom of coming to Storbrook, before chiding himself. He was acting like an uneducated and suspicious peasant, rather than a well-educated and enlightened scholar. He had come with a purpose – to speak with Aaron Drake and gather information about the dragons. And then there was Lydia – he was willing to suffer through her father’s animosity if it meant getting to know her better. No, he decided, it was a good thing he was at Storbrook. And in the light of a new day, he would laugh at the foolish fancies he had entertained.
Sleep was a long time in coming. The castle was silent, and his chamber was pitch black. He tossed and turned in the darkness, until finally he rose from his bed and pushed open the shutters. His room overlooked the courtyard, and in the corner he could see a small fire pit and a guard staring into the flames. He wondered why the Drakes had need of a guard. The moon was high overhead, and stars littered the sky, their little pinpricks of light chasing away the darkness. He lay down on his back and stretched out his limbs as he stared out the window, until finally his exhausted body fell into a deep sleep.
It was late morning by the time Lleland finally awoke to shouts and clanks from the courtyard. It took him a moment to remember where he was, but then he was on his feet, scratching through the chest to find a clean shirt, tunic and breeches. Someone had been in the room and removed his dirty garments. He pulled on the clothes and washed his face with water from the ewer. It had been placed next to the fire, which had been stoked and was pleasantly warm. He walked over to the window and glanced out. He could see Lydia standing near the portcullis, waving as Richard rode under the gate, leading the horse Lleland had ridden the previous day. He turned away from the window and pulled on his boots – which had been cleaned – before opening the door to his chamber and stepping into the passage.
There was no-one else in the dingy shadows as he walked in the direction of the stairs. Beyond the stairs a door opened, and Aaron stepped out and waved Lleland over. “I’ve been waiting for you to emerg
e,” he said as Lleland approached, and Lleland flushed, embarrassed at his tardy appearance. “Come join me in my study,” Aaron said.
He waited as Lleland stepped inside, then closed the door behind them. A large, ornate desk stood across from the door, with windows on either side of it. Papers were strewn across the table, the ink still drying on some of them.
“Wine?” Aaron asked, walking over to a small table with a pitcher and some glasses.
“Thank you,” Lleland said, taking the glass from Aaron’s hand. He watched as Aaron walked over to the window and gazed out at the mountains beyond.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Aaron said, waving Lleland over. Standing beside Aaron, Lleland looked out at the mountains spreading out as far as the eye could see.
“Yes,” Lleland replied.
Aaron took a sip from his glass as he continued to stare at the vista. “Do you know that I attended Kings College?”
Lleland glanced at him in surprise. “No, Master,” he said.
“Many years ago, of course, so things have probably changed.” He paused to take another sip of wine. “In my day, a Master would never travel to visit one of his students.” Lleland had been about to take another sip of wine, but he paused, the glass at his lips, before taking a deep gulp. “Was Zach aware of your plan to travel here?” Aaron continued, his gaze still focused on the view.
Lleland turned away from the window and placed his glass on the table. “No,” he said.
Aaron turned around to face him. “Why are you here, Lleland?” he asked.
“I …”
“Is it because of the dragons?”
Lleland took a deep breath before meeting Aaron’s gaze. “I wanted to speak to you and learn what I could about them.”
“Zach told me you hate dragons.”
“Did he also tell you what happened to my father?”
Aaron’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. Your father was killed by the black dragon. But that dragon is dead and gone. You’ve allowed your anger to blind you.” Lleland was silent. “Do you hunt dragons?”
“Yes.”
There was a crackling sound in the fireplace, and flames leapt within the hearth. Lleland frowned. He hadn’t noticed a fire there before. Aaron’s face was set when he turned to Lleland. “I’ve allowed myself to be swayed by my family and agreed that you may remain here, much against my better instinct. Perhaps you’ve been sent here by a greater power for some specific purpose. But as long as you remain at Storbrook, you are forbidden from using your weapons against any dragon you may see.”
“Can you vouch for my safety from those beasts?” he demanded.
“I can,” Aaron replied. “You’ll not be harmed by any dragon that you see in the mountains.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You’ll have to trust me,” Aaron replied. He passed a hand over his brow. “What is your interest in my daughter?”
“What?” The sudden change in subject took Lleland by surprise.
“She’s a pretty and good-natured woman, if a little stubborn. If you choose to remain at Storbrook, I’ll not prevent you from spending time with her, as much as I am tempted to do so. My wife’s mother tried to interfere in her affairs, and in doing so caused a great deal of mischief. I’ll not repeat her mistakes, but will trust Lydia to not act foolishly. She’s a grown woman who must make her own choices. But you must not, on any account, discuss your dislike of dragons with her, nor tell her of your occupation as a dragon-hunter. It’ll only cause her distress.” Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “I’m quite certain nothing will come of your friendship, and that when you leave, she’ll bid you goodbye without any regrets. But if you do anything to hurt my daughter, or take advantage of her in any way, you’ll suffer the consequences. Is that clear?”
Lleland felt a wave of annoyance as he crossed his arms over his chest and met Aaron’s gaze. “I have no intention of hurting your daughter, Master Drake,” he said. “I agree that she is both beautiful and good-natured, but I’m not so cavalier as to toy with her feelings. Nor am I a young boy looking to seduce a pretty, young woman. At this point I’m only interested in furthering our acquaintance, but if my feelings deepen or change, I’m a man of honor and integrity, and would treat her thus. I trust that you know that, despite our difference of opinion regarding the beasts that roam these mountains.”
Aaron nodded slowly. “That difference of opinion sets us completely apart, but I cannot deny that Zach has spoken highly of you, and I do believe you’re a man of honor and integrity. If I thought otherwise, I wouldn’t allow you to remain here.” He paused. “You’re a scholar, a seeker of truth. Don’t allow what happened to your father to blind you to the truth about dragons.” He walked around his desk and sat down. “Thomas will be here soon to write my letters, and I believe Lydia is in the hall, wondering if you plan to sleep the entire day away.” He took up his quill with a nod, then bending his head, applied himself to his notes as Lleland exited the room.
Chapter 18
Lydia was in the Great Hall as Aaron had predicted, and she smiled as Lleland walked into the room. “I don’t know how you covered the distance from Civitas to Storbrook in just six weeks when you spend so much time sleeping.”
“It’s your fault for giving me such a comfortable bed,” Lleland said with a laugh.
“Well, come along. The day is wasting away, and I want to show you the mountains.”
“All in one day? You’re right, no time for a meal!”
“Oh, you’re hungry! We’ll sneak into the kitchen and steal something.”
“Is that something you do often? Sneak?”
“Oh yes, and I’m very good at it, too! Come along.” She waved him forward and tiptoed dramatically across the floor, pausing to place her finger on her lips when Lleland made a sound. “Shh,” she hissed, “we don’t want to be found out.” She led Lleland out the hall through a small door behind the dais, down a steep, narrow staircase and into the kitchen below, where they were greeted with savory aromas that made the mouth water.
“Mistress Lydia, what are you doing here?” A woman of middle age looked up at their entrance, her hands on her hips as she scowled at Lydia.
“Master Seaton, this is Cook,” Lydia said, her tone rueful. “Nothing gets past her. I know, I’ve been trying for years!”
Cook smiled grimly. “I’ve been wise to your ways since you were a wee one, Mistress, as was my mother before me. Now what is it you’re wanting?”
“Master Seaton is hungry,” Lydia explained.
“Dinner’ll be served in an hour,” Cook said, turning to a pot bubbling over the hearth.
“Well that’s just it. Master Seaton is here to explore the mountains. He’s a scholar, you know. And we won’t be here in an hour.”
“Hmph!” Cook turned and faced them once more. “Fine. I’ll give you some bread.” She glanced at Lleland. “Plain.”
“Couldn’t you spare just a little stew,” Lydia pleaded. “It smells so good, and you make the best stew in the world. Better than anything in the city.”
Cook harrumphed again, but Lleland could see she was pleased. “Very well, I suppose I can spare a little. It isn’t quite ready, though!”
“Oh, thank you,” Lydia said, throwing her arms around the older woman.
“Yes, well.” Cook patted Lydia on the back, then pulled out of Lydia’s embrace and reached for a bowl. “I suppose you’ll be wanting some too.”
“Oh, yes please!”
“Of course you do! Never known you to say no to food!”
Lydia threw Lleland a quick grin before taking a bowl from Cook’s hands and passing it to him. “Tell me this isn’t the best stew you’ve ever tasted.”
Lifting the bowl to his nose, Lleland took a long sniff. “It certainly smells wonderful,” he said. He took the spoon Cook held out and dipped it into the bowl. “Delicious!”
“Hmph,” was Cook’s response, but she was definitely smiling. He winked at Lydia and a
te another mouthful. It was better than most stews he had tasted – almost as good as his mother’s. He finished the hearty meal and handed the bowl back to Cook with a smile of thanks, waiting as Lydia finished hers.
“Ready?” she said as she scraped out the last remnants of meat and vegetables.
“Yes! Let’s go exploring!” he said. He followed Lydia out the door and into the courtyard. “Where are we going?” he asked when she stepped onto the lawn.
“There’s a door at the back of the gardens,” she said. “Zach and I used to use it when we wanted to sneak out.”
“Are we sneaking again?” he asked. She threw back a grin but didn’t reply. They walked along a winding path laid with stone, past a huge, spreading oak and wide swaths of flowering shrubs and bushes. They had lost sight of the courtyard when Lydia stepped off the path and onto the lawns, leading Lleland beneath a low tree and past a huge rhododendron, beyond which could be seen a high, stone wall with a narrow wooden door set into the stone. Lydia turned the iron ring and pushed the door open, and Lleland drew in a deep breath. The door opened onto a narrow ledge, about ten inches wide, beyond which was nothing but air. Wind gusted through the open door, whipping strands of Lydia’s hair across her face.
Lleland looked at Lydia in disbelief. “You don’t mean to walk out there, do you?”
“And why not?”
“Well, for one thing, it doesn’t seem very safe, and for another, it’s hardly appropriate for a lady!”
Lydia cocked an eyebrow at him. “Master Seaton,” she said, “I have grown up in these mountains, with no companion but my brother, and although my mother is a woman of great determination and strength, the one area she failed in was teaching me some decorum. It is not my intent to impress you with airs and graces. Rather, I prefer to be myself, especially in my own home, and around people with whom I share a friendly acquaintance. Somehow I had conceived the notion that you found the ladies of the city dull and boring, but perhaps I was wrong?”
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