Death of a King_I, Dragon Book 4

by Nathan Roden

  Brendan looked around.

  “Where is my sword?” he demanded of Tanner.

  “I dropped it. In the forest.”

  Brendan threw up his arms in disgust.

  “How many soldiers did you see?” Lucien asked.

  “Two, at least,” Reese said. “But more will come. They are watching this house. We should not have come here.”

  Reese jerked a pointed finger at Magdalena.

  “Her screams could be heard for miles.”

  Tanner balled his fists.

  “And I suppose if a bear trap nearly took off your foot you would grunt once and carry on!”

  “That will be enough!” Lucien snapped.

  Tanner scowled.

  “Pompous wank—”

  There was pounding on the door.

  “Open the door, traitors! We know who you are!”

  A stone shattered a window on the other side of the room. Two flame-tipped arrows followed. Tanner raised his hand, and the flames went out.

  Something heavy hit the front door. The door frame cracked. Another flaming arrow flew through the broken window. Another heavy blow struck the door.

  Magdalena moaned.

  “Tanner.”

  Tanner ran to Magdalena’s side.

  “Maggie! Can you hear me?”

  Magdalena raised a trembling hand. She pointed toward her bedroom.

  “Linen chest. Fal…false bottom.”

  Tanner ran into the bedroom. He opened the chest and threw linens to the floor. He felt along the bottom and found a nail head raised just enough to allow his fingernail under it. Beneath the false bottom Tanner found a satchel. He looked inside and found exactly what Magdalena had described.

  The front door exploded into the room. The first soldier inside swung his sword at Reese’s head. Reese blocked the sword with his. The second soldier was close behind. He had an arrow drawn. He aimed at Brendan’s head as he pulled back on the bowstring. Brendan was defenseless. He turned his head.

  A flash of black and gray flew in front of him. A snarling mass of hair and teeth latched onto the bowman’s neck. His bow clattered to the floor as he screamed. The screaming did not last long. The soldier’s throat was gone.

  Reese blocked two more blows from the soldier’s sword until the wolf leapt at the intruder’s chest. The hopeless man fell to the floor and met with the same fate as the first soldier.

  Reese dropped to his knees. He leaned forward on one arm. Brendan grabbed his friend’s shoulder.

  “Are you hurt?”

  Reese caught his breath and shook his head. He turned, and the look of horror on his face made Brendan follow Reese’s stare.

  “Bloody hell…” Brendan whispered.

  “What?” Tanner said.

  Tanner felt something drip from his chin. He looked down in time to see a second and third drop of blood hit the floor. He wiped his chin and looked at his hand. His hand was covered in blood.

  Brendan helped Reese to his feet. Brendan cleared his throat.

  “What the hell are you?”

  Six

  Tanner took Magdalena’s hand.

  “We have to go,” he said. “There is no choice. We’ll hide and then send for Lady Jacobs.”

  “I can carry her,” Brendan said.

  A horn sounded from not far away.

  “We have to get out of here,” Reese said. “This place will be overrun by soldiers within minutes.”

  Magdalena squeezed Tanner’s hand.

  “Take the books and go,” she said. “You’ll never make it with me. I cannot run.”

  “I told you, Maggie. I’m not losing you again.”

  “They can’t hurt me, Tanner. They don’t dare. If I die and Simon’s curse is broken, Sterling has no claim to power.”

  “And neither do I,” Lucien said.

  Tanner balled his fists and glared at Lucien.

  “Whose side are you on?”

  “As long as Sterling lives, I am king in name only. He will kill me on sight.”

  Tanner shook his head.

  “This is far too complicated.”

  “I never wanted to be king,” Lucien said. “But if we do not leave now, we will all die.”

  “I’m not leaving her!” Tanner yelled.

  Magdalena pushed herself up onto one elbow. Her eyes blazed and lights crackled through her hair. A powerful gust of wind came from nowhere and blew all four men through the front door. The door was blown into the opening and sealed shut by an unseen force. The broken window was sealed at the same time.

  Tanner got to his feet. He held the satchel against his chest. The others got to their feet as well. They heard the rapid approach of soldiers.

  Without a word, they ran into the forest.

  Three dozen soldiers took hold of the tree trunk that lay close to the door of Magdalena’s house. Twenty seconds later, the door crashed to the floor for the second time. Soldiers flooded into the home, holding swords and bows with arrows drawn. Ten men held swords leveled at the wounded sorceress while the others searched the house. They stepped around the two dead men.

  The soldiers snapped to attention when their superior officer walked into the room.

  Captain Raynard stared at the dead men. He walked to Magdalena’s side.

  “You really should consider a different residence, my lady. The woods around here are simply teeming with savage beasts.”

  Raynard grabbed Magdalena’s injured foot. He turned it to the side, unmoved by her screams.

  “Oh, my. It appears you stepped into a bear trap. Is this true?”

  Magdalena bit her lip and did her best to stay quiet.

  “Yet, I see no trap. Where is it?” Raynard asked with a sly smile.

  Magdalena said nothing.

  “This makes four of my men who have died at your door—three of them have had their throats ripped from their bodies. Perhaps you see why I have a difficult time seeing this as coincidence.”

  “I saw…” Magdalena muttered feebly.

  Raynard stepped closer.

  “I’m sorry? I didn’t hear you.”

  “Wolves. It was wolves. They followed these men through the door.”

  “Wolves, eh? They ripped out these men’s throats for mere sport?”

  Raynard gave the men a closer look.

  “They are not bitten anywhere else, so obviously these wolves were not hungry. And they ignored you completely in spite of the fact that they could smell your blood and you lie here like a buffet feast. Is this some of your magic?”

  “Yes.”

  Raynard turned to his men.

  “Make a stretcher. The Lady comes with us.”

  An officer spoke.

  “Y-you do not wish to send for the healer’s wife?”

  Raynard looked around the room.

  “Perhaps later. For now, I want her away from this place.”

  He glared at Magdalena.

  “Sterling will be most interested in these latest events. He will wish to speak to the lady. Far too many mysterious events occur within these walls.”

  ****

  Tanner rode behind Brendan. They rode out of sight of the King’s Road toward the east. Convinced they were not being pursued, they led their horses to a stream.

  Tanner drank from the stream and stood. Lucien was staring at him.

  “You called the sorceress, ‘Maggie’. How is it you are so familiar?”

  “I am the lady’s brother.”

  “I have known Lady Magdalena my entire life,” Lucien said. “I have never heard of any brother.”

  “Surely there will be a better time for long tales,” Tanner said.

  “You saved our lives,” Reese said.

  “I saved my sister’s life—and my own. You just happened to be there.”

  “Fair enough,” Reese said. He pointed to the satchel strapped across Tanner’s chest.

  “Where are you going with that?”

  “I don’t know you,” Ta
nner said. He searched their eyes. “Where do your loyalties lie?”

  “We don’t know you either,” Brendan said. “And we’re not exactly quick to trust blokes who change into wolves.”

  Lucien raised his hand as if making an oath.

  “On the souls of my ancestors, I do not care if I ever serve one more day as king of this realm,” Lucien said. “I never wanted to be king.”

  Lucien looked away.

  “There is one thing that must happen. My uncle has to die.”

  “Your brother was the rightful king,” Tanner said. “I understand he is still alive.”

  Lucien spat on the ground.

  “We can thank your sister for that.”

  “She is not the same person she was back then,” Tanner said.

  “How would you know that?” Lucien asked. “Where were you?”

  “I am not important,” Tanner said. “What would you do if the curse was broken? If your brother was no longer trapped in a dragon’s body?”

  Lucien’s shoulders sagged.

  “It is too late. Sterling wants me dead. If Simon had the chance, he would kill me as well.”

  “I wish to ask you a single question, King Lucien,” Tanner said. “What do you want?”

  Lucien rubbed his chin. He looked Tanner in the eye.

  “It is likely too late for what I want. My only hope is to find my wife and child alive. I want to find them and take them far away from this place.”

  “I think your brother also wishes your uncle dead,” Tanner said. “And I believe he still has love in his heart for you.”

  “What are you saying?” Lucien asked.

  “Queen Jaclyn is very much alive. And so is your son.”

  Seven

  It took only an hour for Simon to locate a carriage for Jaclyn and the baby. Boone opened the door to a private stable and hitched a horse to the coach.

  A man and woman rushed from the house.

  “Hey! You, there! Stop! Thief!”

  Boone looked up, but continued what he was doing.

  “I’m not stealing anything, my lord. I’m borrowing this coach—on the kingdom’s business.”

  The man raised a pitchfork.

  “Kingdom’s business my a—!”

  A low-pitched growl shook the ground. The man and woman turned. The man dropped the pitchfork and wrapped his arms around his wife.

  “We need the coach for the queen and her newborn son,” Simon growled. “The coach will be returned and you will be compensated. Do you have any questions?”

  “N-n-no. Be on with it!”

  The man and woman ran into the house and slammed the door.

  The coach required the small group to stay on the King’s Road on the way to Islemar. Simon circled overhead, staying as low as possible. He saw no troops behind them, toward the village of Morgenwraithe, but he knew they were back there. He could feel them. He could feel Sterling and Raynard and their burning hate and lust for power.

  The journey was uneventful for much of the day. Less than twelve miles from the gates of Islemar, Simon scouted the road ahead. He saw a group of soldiers eating a meal at the side of the road. Simon hovered above Boone and the others.

  “There is an army squad ahead.”

  “Is it possible to avoid them?” Noah asked.

  “Not with this coach.”

  “We are not far from Islemar,” Helena said. “Perhaps we should abandon the coach.”

  Simon stared up the road.

  “No. I will take care of this.”

  “What are you—?” Boone tried to ask, but Simon was already gone.

  They waited, not moving. Seconds later, they saw fire and smoke in the air in the distance. They heard screaming.

  Ahead, on the road, they watched in horror as a man ran toward them engulfed in flames. He slowed and fell to the ground.

  “Boone?” Helena said.

  “Yes?”

  “Simon is beginning to frighten me.”

  “I know. Me too.”

  A minute later, Simon stepped from the forest next to the dead man. He clamped his jaws on the charred remains and dragged the dead man into the trees.

  He hovered over the group again.

  “The way is clear.”

  Boone looked at Simon’s jaws. He had done more than kill the soldiers.

  “Simon?” Boone said.

  Simon looked at Boone. Boone moved his hand in front of his face.

  “You have …never mind. We should go.”

  Three hours later, the gates of Islemar could be seen in the distance. Simon flew high and blew fire.

  “Islemar! Behold your queen!” he roared.

  The guards at Islemar saw the spectacle. They sent word to the bell tower. The bell’s toll filled the air.

  Lord Lamont was in the courtyard near the city gates. He ran up the steps to the front tower two at a time.

  Nicholas Lamont snatched the spyglass from a guard. He spotted Noah riding at full speed. He heard his son’s voice and strained to understand his words.

  “Mother! Father! We found her! Jaclyn is well! Come and meet your grandson!”

  Nicholas ran down the steps. He almost ran into Captain Finn.

  “What’s wrong, my lord?” Finn asked.

  Lamont did not slow down as he yelled for the gates to be opened.

  “They’ve found her!” he yelled over his shoulder.

  Simon had no desire to interfere with the reunion of Jaclyn and her parents. He felt no need to be present at their first meeting with Jaclyn’s baby. He dove toward the village gates.

  Simon was struck by a blinding jolt of pain. His wings faltered. He did not understand what was causing the pain. And then, it became obvious. Simon looked down and could not believe his eyes.

  His left rear leg was broken and bleeding. The leg was almost folded in half.

  But how? How did this happen?

  Simon screamed in agony—but he did not hear his voice. He heard the voice of a woman.

  He heard the screams…

  Of Lady Magdalena.

  Simon heard another voice nearby. The screeches were familiar to him. He was no longer alone in the sky.

  Mother flew at his side, but she could not help him.

  Blood sprayed from puncture wounds on both sides of Simon’s leg. The pain was too much for him to bear.

  Simon could not control his fall. People and guards ran for cover. Simon crashed head-first into the village gates.

  The leader of the dragon clan, and the rightful king of Morgenwraithe, lay still.

  Eight

  Belinda Jacobs wiped the sweat from her brow. She groaned as she pushed herself up from her knees. Three sick children lay on blankets on the floor of the apothecary while their hysterical mother wept.

  “All we can do is wait now, Tilly,” Belinda said. “I’ve given them the strongest elixir I dare. Their fevers are high—we can only hope for the best.”

  “I have no money,” Tilly said.

  “We won’t speak of that,” Belinda said. “These are your children.”

  Tilly wiped her eyes.

  “You are an angel, Lady Jacobs.”

  “Keep your praise for those who deserve it,” Belinda said. “I do what I can with what I have. I pray it is enough.”

  Belinda heard the sound of approaching horses.

  “Oh, no,” she whispered.

  There was a rapping at the door. It opened before Belinda could move.

  Captain Raynard and three other soldiers entered, stepping around children.

  Belinda pushed at the soldiers nearest her.

  “This is my home! If you won’t respect that, then at least respect the sick!”

  “Outside,” Raynard said to his men.

  “What is it now?” Belinda said. She swept her hair away from her face.

  “Lord Sterling has suffered further injury,” Raynard said. “The bandages were torn away from his head. It is quite…well, I’m afraid he requires
further attention.”

  “I am all this village has, thanks to your mercenary from hell, Captain. Do you wish me to ignore the entire village to become nursemaid to the Regent?”

  “As long as Sterling rules the Kingdom, then his well-being is your primary charge, my lady,” Raynard said.

  “What good will it do to rule over a kingdom of dead and dying subjects, my lord?” Belinda said. “Look at these children. Each of them burns with fever. I cannot turn them out in this condition—it could spread in a matter of days. My stores of elixir are dwindling. If we cannot access the ships—”

  “We will control the port within a matter of days, my lady,” Raynard said. “Do not let this concern you.”

  “It concerns me a great deal, Captain,” Belinda said. She pointed at Tilly.

  “You have forced this woman’s husband and son to serve in your army—leaving her with little provisions and no coin. What is she to do with three ill children?”

  “All are called to sacrifice in service to the throne, Lady Jacobs. The kingdom is under siege—while some will suffer hardship, the war effort must remain our first priority.”

  “You would not say this if it was your wife or children,” Belinda spat.

  “You are wrong, my lady,” Raynard said with a face that showed no emotion.

  “My home and these medicine stores are all I have,” Belinda said. “They are the only stores in the entire village. You will have to leave men here to guard them.”

  “Very well,” Raynard said. “Gather what you need.”

  Belinda turned to Tilly.

  “I pray this fever does not spread. If it does, people may become desperate. Should they overpower the guards, there is a crossbow inside my bedroom.”

  “You…you want me to shoot someone?” Tilly said.

  “I want you and your children to live,” Belinda said.

  Tilly looked faint. She leaned against the wall.