The dragon rose through the air, bearing its burden above the rocky tabletop. As they climbed higher, Lleland could see his bow lying where he had dropped it, arrows beside it. Hope surged through him. Force of habit had made him slip one heavy arrow into his quiver, even though he had not expected to hunt anything larger than a rabbit, and if his aim was true, one was all he needed.
He watched as the rock grew closer. The dragon was almost above it, and he could feel its tail grow slacker. He wriggled, testing the grip. If he could slide down and slip beneath the tail as the dragon landed, he could reach his bow, still strung, and notch an arrow in the space of a heartbeat. The table of rock was just a few feet below him now, and as the dragon dropped, Lleland gathered his focus. His toes touched the hard surface, and with an outward thrust, he pushed away the tail and slipped down, rolling in the direction of the bow. He grabbed the weapon and spun onto his haunches, notching the arrow in one fluid motion. The dragon had landed on the rock, and as he pulled back the arrow the beast was directly in front of him.
The arrow sprang from the string with a whirl, but the dragon was even faster. It launched itself into the air, rising above the passing barb with barely an inch to spare. The creature raced over Lleland’s head, the tip of its tail knocking the bow from his hand and sending it plummeting down the precipice. The dragon soared away from the rock as Lleland dropped to his knees and scrambled over the edge. He had to get away before the dragon returned. His foot slipped, and he slid down the face of the rock a few inches, until his scrabbling fingers found a small hold. He was scratched and bleeding, but he barely noticed as he searched for another toehold.
The dragon circled around him, and he leaned into the rock as it passed, breathing a sigh of relief when it disappeared around the other side. He continued his descent, slipping and sliding over the unyielding surface. He finally neared the foot of the cliff, and jumping down, spun around to look for the dragon. It was still circling around the rock, but as he looked up, it blew out a single stream of flame then turned away. He watched as it vanished into the distance, then sank to his knees. He could hear the roar of his heart in his chest. He started to shiver despite the heat of the sun, and he pushed a shaking hand across his forehead to wipe away the sheen of sweat. When he finally pushed himself to his feet, he saw his bow lying a short distance away. Somehow, it had survived the fall.
Chapter 23
It was almost dark by the time Lleland arrived back at Storbrook, bruised and aching. Supper was being served, but he walked past the hall and headed up the stairs. As he reached the passage a voice called his name, and he turned to see Aaron standing in the doorway of his study.
“Are you hurt?” Aaron asked.
“Just some scrapes and bruises.”
“You’ll join us in the hall?”
“No. I don’t have much of an appetite. But I need to speak with you later.”
Aaron nodded. “I’ll be in the solar.”
Lleland headed to his chambers and packed up his few belongings. He placed the chess piece Lydia had given him on the small table beside the bed. He saw it now for what it was – not a token of affection, but a sign that she could never be his.
Lleland waited until he heard sounds in the passage before heading out the door and towards the solar. He pushed open the door and paused when he saw Lydia. Keira was sitting beside her, holding her hand.
“Ah, Lleland, come in,” Aaron said. Lleland stepped in and closed the door. “Help yourself to some wine.”
Lleland nodded stiffly and poured himself a glass, before taking a seat across from Aaron. “Master Drake, I’ll be leaving at first light,” Lleland said. He heard Lydia’s sharp intake of breath.
“That’s probably for the best,” Aaron said. “I’d hoped that staying here would help you see the truth about dragons. But perhaps –”
The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard through the door. Aaron lifted his head, then glanced quickly at Lydia, who met his gaze with raised eyebrows. Aaron’s eyes moved on to Keira. “Zach,” he said in response to her questioning expression.
They both stood as the door flung open, and Zach marched in, his eyes sweeping over the room. They settled narrowly on Lleland.
“You,” he snarled. “You have the temerity to come here!”
“Zach,” Aaron said, laying his hand on Zach’s shoulder. Zach shook it off and met Aaron’s gaze with a growl.
“Do you know who that is, Father?” he said, pointing at Lleland. “That … that murderer.”
“What?” Lleland said, rising as Lydia jumped to her feet.
“What are you saying?” she demanded.
“I just saw Grandfather. He said we have a visitor.” Zach turned to glare at Lleland. “Imagine my surprise when I heard it was you!”
“What are you talking about?” Lydia demanded.
Zach’s gaze swung to his sister. “You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“I did a bit more digging into Master Seaton.” He spat the name. “He’s a hunter.”
“Zach.” Aaron’s voice held a note of warning, but Zach ignored it. “He’s a hunter, Lydia. A dragon hunter.”
“No!” Lydia’s gaze swung to Lleland. “Tell me it’s not true.”
Lleland flushed. “It’s true. But I didn’t come here to hunt.”
“Just to learn how to hunt more effectively,” Zach snarled. “You’re despicable. You profess friendship, when all you want to do is kill and murder.” He turned to Aaron. “You, of all people, should have known better!”
“Zach!” Keira’s voice held a note of warning.
“Careful, son,” Aaron said. “I know what he is. I hoped being here would help him see the truth.”
“He’s too blinded by hate to see the truth,” Zach said.
“The truth?” Lleland said. He stalked towards Zach. “You want to know the truth? The truth is my father was killed by one of those monsters! He pleaded for my life, and the beast made me watch as it ripped my father apart and ate him, one limb at a time.” Lleland’s nostrils flared as he glared at Zach. “Even when I turned away, I could hear the breaking and crunching of his bones. I couldn’t even cover my ears, because I was trapped and injured.” He turned to Aaron. “Do you know how old I was? Six! So tell me that dragons are not monsters.” Silence fell over the room, broken only by Lydia’s soft sob as she dropped to the floor. It was Aaron who finally spoke.
“How much blood did he give you?”
Lleland looked at Aaron in disbelief. “What?”
“Blood. How much did the dragon give you?”
“What are you talking about?” Lleland took a step back.
“You said you were injured. When the dragon finished with your father, did he just leave you there?”
Lleland shook his head, trying to make sense of what Aaron was saying.
“The blood of a dragon is very potent,” Aaron said. “It slows down the aging process. It gives a human incredible strength. And it also heals. Did the dragon heal you with his blood?”
“No!”
“How much did he give you?” Aaron asked again.
“I don’t know,” he said. Lleland closed his eyes as the ghost of a memory flitted through his conscious mind.
“Yes, you do. Think, Lleland. What happened when the dragon was done with your father?”
“I –”
“You said you were injured. Were you able to stand?”
“No. I was … there was blood everywhere. Some of it was mine, and the rest …” Lleland swallowed and looked away.
“Jack gave you some blood, didn’t he?”
“Jack?”
“Black Jack,” Zach said.
Black Jack. The memory of a man dressed in black rose in Lleland’s mind. You’re mine. “I keep dreaming of a man in black,” Lleland said.
“What does the man do?” Aaron said.
“Nothing. He just watches me.”
“The man’s no
t a dream, he’s a memory.”
“No. I’d remember that.”
“How did you get home, Lleland? After your father was killed?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Yes, you do. You don’t want to, but the memory is still there. That’s why Jack comes in your dreams.”
“I don’t know this Jack!”
“Think, Lleland. How did you get home?”
“I, uh …” Lleland closed his eyes.
“Well, come along,” said the man. “I’ll walk you home. You can introduce me to your mother.” Lleland nodded and rose to his feet. The dragon had vanished, and the man was shrugging on a black doublet.
“Where’s the dragon?” he asked.
“He asked me to take care of you,” said the man. Again, Lleland nodded. That made sense. He took the man’s hand. “My name’s Jack,” the man said. “What’s yours?”
Lleland gasped as his eyes flew open. “You’re right,” he whispered. “That man – Jack – he was there.” He swallowed. “How did you know that?”
“He gave you some blood. Do you remember?”
“No.” Lleland shook his head. “No. I’d never have drunk someone’s blood.”
“He gave you dragon blood.” Aaron’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’d been badly injured. How else could you even manage to rise?”
Lleland’s hand rose to his shoulder, feeling for the scar that should have been there. He skin was completely smooth, however, with no trace of the deep wound he’d received. He took a deep breath and stared at Aaron. His eyes seemed to be glowing. The dragon was standing over him, its head bent to Lleland’s eye level. There was a scratch on his chest, where a few drops of blood had collected. “Come on, boy,” it said, “you need some blood.”
“No.” Lleland turned his face away.
“Either you have some or I’ll kill you.” The dragon sounded amused. Reluctantly Lleland opened his mouth, and the dragon poked a long talon between his teeth. Liquid coated Lleland’s tongue. It was sweet, like honey, but it was mixed with the coppery tang of blood.
“That’s the way, boy,” the dragon said. “Have a bit more.” Lleland shook his head, but when the dragon brought the talon to his lips again, he opened his mouth and licked the drops. The dragon nodded, pleased. “That’s the way.”
The wound on the dragon’s chest had closed, but he scored himself open again, going deeper than before, and blood sprang to the surface. Lleland leaned forward and the dragon bent closer. “That’s right, boy,” he murmured, “use your tongue and lick it off. The more you have the quicker you’ll heal.” Lleland rose onto his knees and lifted his face to the chest, using his tongue to lick away the drops. When it was gone, the dragon pulled away.
“More,” Lleland pleaded.
“No.” The dragon laughed. “That’s enough for one day. You can have more tomorrow.”
Lleland frowned. “I don’t think Mother will let me see a dragon.”
The dragon laughed. “Never fear. I’ll come to your house every day, but it won’t be a dragon you see.”
Lleland’s eyes flew open, and he stumbled back to the bench. “No,” he whispered.
“Lleland, tell me.”
“Every day. I drank his blood every day.”
“For how long?”
“Weeks. And then he stopped coming. I didn’t eat. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t spare a thought for my father. I just wanted the dragon. And then the feelings disappeared.” Lleland closed his eyes. “Oh, God,” he groaned, “I’d forgotten. I didn’t care that my father was dead.” He looked at Aaron, eyes wide. “How could I do that? How could I just forget my father? He loved me, and I didn’t care.”
Aaron pulled a chair over and sat before Lleland. “It wasn’t your fault,” he said.
“I should have killed that monster! It twisted my mind and made me forget the most important person in my life.” He dropped his head into his hands. “If only I could tell my father how sorry I am.”
“He already knows, Lleland. And you were only six. How do you think you could have succeeded when grown men failed?” Aaron said. “When Jack gave you his blood, he bound himself to you. Considering how much he gave you, and the fact that you were so young, it’s amazing that your mind survived intact. It speaks of your resiliency.”
“What do you mean when you say ‘bind’?”
“The blood ties the person to the dragon, and the dragon can manipulate his thoughts and actions, if he chooses to do so.”
“Then why did the feelings suddenly disappear?” Lleland asked.
“Because Jack was dead. The bond was broken.”
“But …” Lleland rubbed his forehead in confusion. “You killed the dragon. Who was Jack?” His eyes widened as he stared at Aaron. “Jack was the dragon,” he whispered. “The dragon was a man.” He frowned. “You knew this.”
“Yes.”
“Dragons can become human.”
“Dragons can take on the form of humans, but they are still dragons.”
Lleland shook his head. “No, that can’t be. You’re wrong.” The air suddenly seemed thick as he struggled to breathe. “How do you even know? Have you been drinking dragon blood?”
“No.”
“But you look much younger than you should.” He looked around the room, and his gaze fell on Lydia. Had she been drinking dragon blood, too? That would explain her tenderness for dragons. He slipped onto his knees in front of her.
“Lydia, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “And I’m sorry. I’m sorry Jack killed your father, and that he gave you his blood.” She glanced at him, and her eyes were blazing, as though flames were smouldering in their depths.
“Come along, boy,” Jack said. He smiled down at Lleland. “Do you like spending time with me?”
“Oh, yes,” Lleland said.
“And do you miss your father?”
“My father?” Lleland was puzzled. “No.”
Jack laughed as flames kindled in his eyes. “Good.”
Lleland stared at Lydia as his heart started to pound in his chest. “Your eyes,” he whispered. “You have eyes like Jack.” He lurched backwards and fell onto the floor. “No!” He shook his head. “It can’t be.”
“Lleland.” She reached out a hand.
“Don’t touch me!” He jumped to his feet and his eyes darted around the room before settling on Aaron. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Lleland …”
“Tell me!”
“I can’t.”
Lleland’s eyes flew back to Lydia. “You’re a monster! You attacked me! You tried to kill me!” he shouted.
“No!” she cried, jumping up. “I saved you, and you wanted me dead!”
Lleland lifted his hands as if to ward her away. His eyes flew wildly around the room. “She’s a monster!” he shouted. Keira lifted her hand to her mouth with a soft cry, but Aaron and Zach were silent, watching him intently.
Lleland stared at Aaron, then gasped. Flames were smouldering in his eyes, too. “No.” His gaze darted to the others. “No. It can’t be. You’re all monsters!” He stumbled backwards, his hand reaching for the door as he fumbled for the latch. “I’m a fool!”
“Lleland! Stop!” Zach took a step towards him, but Aaron held him back.
“Leave him,” he said.
Lleland wrenched open the door and stumbled into the passage. Somehow he made it to his own chamber, where he slammed the door behind him and dropped the bar. A wave of nausea washed over him and he grabbed the chamber pot, retching until his stomach was empty. He pushed it away in disgust and dropped into the chair, his head in his hands. He had come looking for more information about dragons, but what he’d learned horrified him. He laughed cynically. He had not just found the dragon’s lair, he had walked right into it.
Chapter 24
“Master Seaton?” There was a knock on the door. It took Lleland a moment to recognize Thomas’s voice. He rubbed his face with his hands.
“Can I come in?” Thomas called. Lifting the bar, Lleland opened the door and stepped aside as Thomas entered.
“Thomas,” he said.
“I heard about your discovery. You’re distressed.”
“You could say that.” He crossed his arms. “How can you work here, serving those monsters?”
“I’m an old man,” Thomas said, “and have served Master Aaron for forty-five years. I can tell you he’s no monster.”
“He’s a dragon,” Lleland snarled, pacing the room. “They’re the same thing.”
“No. Jack was a monster. I know; I saw what he did. It was Aaron who stopped him.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Thomas was surprised. “Because what Jack was doing was wrong.” He walked over to the chair, and sank down with a sigh. “Do you mind? These old bones are not what they used to be.”
“Why don’t you drink dragon’s blood?”
“Dragons are forbidden from giving a human their blood. Jack broke the law when he gave you his.”
“So Aaron won’t give you his blood?”
“No. And I wouldn’t drink it, even if he offered.”
“You don’t want to be tied to him?”
“It’s not that. I’m already tied to Aaron through friendship and loyalty, and he would never demand anything of me that I was not prepared to give. I have no desire to prolong my life unnaturally.”
“I see.”
“I don’t think you do.” Thomas crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. “The Drakes may be dragons, but they are good people. And Aaron has more reason than most to hate humans.”
“Why?”
“Both his parents were killed by humans.”
“Dragon hunters?”
“No. A jealous villager. His name was Arnold Hobbes –”
“Hobbes? A relation of Matthew Hobbes?”
“Yes.” Thomas nodded. “He was a bit simple, and Eleanor – that’s Aaron’s mother – was kind to him. He thought she loved him, and was furious when Zachary took her away.”
“Zachary is Aaron’s father?”
“Yes.”
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