by Nathan Roden
“You have no right to judge us. That is not our war—”
Willem shoved the man in the chest. He toppled onto his backside. Willem looked at his men, who stood just inside the door.
“Lock them away—after you get them out of my sight.”
The men were led away, leaving Willem and Lilly alone. Willem held up his hands.
‘I know what you’re thinking, Lilly, but you must listen to reason—”
“Reason?” Lilly said. “My husband and his family are at war—there is nothing reasonable about this!”
“Did Noah know this was happening?”
“Of course not. He would not have kept such a thing from me! How would you even suggest such a thing?”
Willem sighed and his chin fell against his chest.
“Morgenwraithe has been ruled by madmen for generations. I loathe doing business with Sterling Morgenwraithe. He pays what I ask without batting an eye, but I can see the evil in him…”
“And we have taken his filthy money while Lord Lamont seeks to bring peace to his homeland.”
“But at what cost, Lilly? The lives of his own people? Lamont has allied with dragons. How safe can such an alliance be?”
“Noah met Simon Morgenwraithe,” Lilly said.
“Met him as a child?” Willem asked.
“No,” Lilly said. “It was less than four years ago.”
“I’ve never heard of this,” Willem said.
“We don’t speak of it,” Lilly said. “I didn’t believe Noah’s story when he told me. It made him angry. I had never seen him that way. It frightened me.”
Willem stared out the window.
“Giants…” he muttered. “And not only giants. Giant wizards, no less. And one of them has allied with Sterling. I don’t know if a dragon clan can survive four members of the Varylquin. Without dragons, what chance would Lamont have against Sterling?”
“I have to warn them, Father—before Islemar is laid waste.”
“How would you hope to reach Islemar in time?” Willem said. “You heard the Elder. They are determined to sail at the first opportunity.”
“Then I shall have to leave at dawn—whether the storm has passed or not.”
“But—”
“You know the best captains in the land, Father. My husband is in danger. His family. Olivia’s family.”
Willem sighed.
“I will speak to Sawyer. And I will come with you.”
Lilly laid her hand against her father’s heart.
“No, Father. No matter what happens, Mother needs you. And Olivia needs you. I want you to stay.”
Willem forced a smile.
“When you were born, I thought having a daughter would be simpler than having a son. You have exceeded expectations, my love.”
Lilly kissed his cheek.
“I’m going to pack a bag. I will meet you here.”
Thirteen
Tanner Raven pushed aside a tree branch. There was much activity surrounding the main gates of Islemar, as Tanner had expected. He turned and looked at each of the tired, sweating, and grimy young men.
Tanner doubted that Brendan Collier and Reese Belton had ever been so weary in their young lives.
Lucien Morgenwraithe was in even worse shape. Tanner was impressed that Lucien could remain standing or sit upon a horse. Either the young king was tougher than he appeared or he was extremely stubborn. Lucien was obviously in pain. Tanner bowed his head.
“King Lucien. My lords. I must know your final decision. Not only has Islemar become the stronghold of the rebellion against Sterling’s rule—”
Tanner pointed to the skies.
“But we have allied with a clan of dragons, and Simon Morgenwraithe has become their leader.”
“How is that possible?” Lucien asked.
“The former clan leader was killed by the giant, Dathien. Simon killed Dathien and then killed the dragon that assumed control of the clan.”
Lucien’s eyes grew wide. He remembered his last conversation with his brother. He could not imagine him being so savage.
“You…you’re sure of that? Simon did those things?”
“I did not say it was easy,” Tanner said. “Simon almost died in both battles. But his strength grows along with his determination to take back the kingdom.”
Brendan looked at Lucien.
“This does not sound like the brother you described, whether man or dragon.”
“There have been…changes in Simon, it is true,” Tanner said. “Perhaps it is maturity. But that is not what I believe.”
“What do you believe?” Lucien asked.
“I believe the curse has gone on for too long. I fear that if it does not end soon, the heart and soul of the dragon will consume him.”
“Is it that simple—to end this curse?” Reese asked.
“Simple, no,” Tanner said. “But it can be done. We have the journals of an old and gifted wizard—the wizard who constructed the original curse.”
Brendan and Reese could see Lucien mulling over this possibility.
“Are you certain of your decision to join us?” Tanner asked. “Lord Lamont and the others will accept nothing but complete loyalty to our cause.”
Tanner stared at Lucien.
“What this means for you, I cannot say.”
“Sterling will kill us on sight,” Lucien said. “This makes us no different than any member of the rebellion. As for me, I will accept whatever justice my brother or Lord Lamont see fit. I would gladly die at their hands rather than have my life ended for Sterling’s entertainment.”
“You have held the title and privilege that should have belonged to Simon. There can be only one king. Can you relinquish the crown so easily?”
Lucien opened his shoulder bag. He removed his crown. It was bent and caked with mud.
“This has brought me little pleasure and much pain. I never wanted it. If my wife and my son are truly alive, all I want is the chance to be what I have only seen from afar—from Lord and Lady Lamont. I want the chance to be a good husband and a good father.
“And if at all possible
“A good brother.”
“Then ready yourselves,” Tanner said. “I shall return.”
Tanner rode through the gates. There were many people in the streets. Tanner was curious why the people seemed so excited until he remembered the reason.
Of course. The queen and the baby have arrived.
Three guards ran to intercept Tanner. Lieutenant Winston was one of them. Adam Jacobs, Sheriff of Evenshire, was another.
“Lord Raven,” Winston said. “Simon had a vision of Lady Magdalena being injured.”
Tanner nodded.
“Aye, it’s true. She stepped into a bear trap. Her foot was nearly severed. Soldiers fell upon us. I couldn’t…I couldn’t get her away.”
The men looked at each other.
“That explains much,” Winston said.
“What do you mean?” Tanner asked.
“Simon’s leg was almost severed as well—for no visible reason. He was in the air when it happened. It caused him to crash into the gates.”
Tanner closed his eyes.
“Oh, no.”
“Not to worry, Lord Raven,” Winston said. “His leg is completely healed.”
“What? How?”
“The Brewer children are exceedingly gifted.”
“Caleb healed him?”
Winston shook his head.
“No. It was the little boy. Ezekiel.”
Tanner’s jaw hung slack.
Was it possible? Could Magdalena’s wound have been healed as well, by the actions of a two-year-old child?
Is your mother here, Sheriff Jacobs?” Tanner asked.
“No. She would not abandon the apothecary and those who need her help—especially the children.”
“I understand,” Tanner said.
“I’m certain Lieutenant Finn will want to talk to you,” Winston said. “He is a
t the castle—”
“I have important news,” Tanner said. “It would be better if everyone was gathered together to hear it. Where is Simon?”
“He is with Mother, Nigel, and Alice at the lagoon. Apparently they are content to eat fish,” Winston said. “It is a good thing all the dragons don’t feel the same way—there would be none left for us!”
Tanner searched the skies.
“Where are the other dragons?”
“They have to travel further and further south to find game. We can’t allow them any more of our livestock or we’ll have none to breed.”
“Would you send someone to tell Simon to come to the castle?” Tanner asked.
“Right away,” Winston said.
Tanner, Winston, and Adam rode to the castle. Tanner spoke to the castle guards, requesting those inside come out to the courtyard. Tanner saw movement overhead. Mother, Nigel and Alice landed on bastions atop the watchtower. Simon landed in the courtyard.
Tanner stared at him.
“I swear, you’ve grown since I saw you last.”
“Was my vision true?” Simon asked.
“Yes,” Tanner said. “Magdalena stepped in a bear trap.”
“Where is she?”
“There were soldiers watching her house. There were too many. We couldn’t get her out.”
“We?” Simon said. “Who was with you?”
“I will explain when the others arrive.”
The first through the front door was Lieutenant Thaddeus Finn. When he saw Tanner, his eyes quickly scanned the courtyard. He ran toward Tanner.
“Where is she?”
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant,” Tanner said. “Magdalena was badly injured. We were overrun by soldiers—”
“We’ll go back for her,” Finn said.
“Yes. Yes we will.”
Nicholas Lamont was the next to arrive, followed by Robinette, who held her new grandson, baby Nicholas. Next there was Jaclyn, Helena, Boone and Benjamin Blankenship, Caleb, Sara, Zeke, Noah Lamont, and Oliver Vaughn.
“Lord Raven,” Lord Lamont said. “Is it true about the lady?”
“Yes, my lord,” Tanner said. “She was seriously injured. We could not get her away.”
Lord Lamont scowled.
“Who was with you?”
Tanner looked into the eyes of each person, and lastly at Simon.
“As you all know, Lord Sterling fears Magdalena, and not for her abilities with magic. He fears that her life may be tied to Simon and the curse. As we have witnessed, this may indeed be true. I know we all pray that she has received the same miracle as Simon.”
“Ezekiel is indeed a remarkable boy,” Lord Lamont said.
Zeke threw his hands in the air.
“Good boy!”
The people laughed and clapped their hands.
“Yet he cannot tell us what he did,” Tanner said. “Can he?”
“He is only two,” Caleb said. “Though he has magical abilities, he’s just learning to speak.”
“Zeke help!” Zeke said.
“Yes, indeed,” Simon said. “Zeke help the puppy.”
“Good puppy,” Zeke said.
“I will try my best to live up to that, Zeke,” Simon said. “Thank you.”
Their attention returned to Tanner.
“Outside these walls, there are three men who helped us. They are on the run from Sterling and his forces under threat of death. They wish to join us.”
“Outside these walls…are Brendan Collier, Reese Belton, and Lucien Morgenwraithe.”
In the silence, the only sound was the cooing of the baby.
“Lucien? Lucien is here?” Jaclyn whispered.
“Yes, my queen,” Tanner said. “They await your response.”
Jaclyn took little Nicholas from Robinette’s arms. Tears ran down the cheeks of mother and grandmother. Simon saw this and turned away.
“Robinette,” Lord Lamont said. “Stay here with Jaclyn and the baby and the other children.”
“But—” Jaclyn objected.
“There will be no discussion, Jaclyn,” Lord Lamont said. “You are my child, and in sanctuary within my walls. I trust Tanner’s judgment but I will verify the intent of these men myself. It is my duty.”
“Lord Lamont,” Tanner said. “I should add that these men are physically exhausted. And Lucien is…well, he has yet to recover from what must have been a brutal beating.”
Lord Lamont cast a sympathetic glance at Jaclyn. Her tears dripped onto the baby’s blanket.
“Let’s go,” Lord Lamont said.
Lamont walked next to Tanner. The others followed. When they arrived near the tree-line beyond the King’s Road, Tanner stopped and raised his hand.
“You can come out now.”
Fourteen
Lucien, Brendan, and Reese stepped out from the trees. Lucien and Reese carried their sword belts in both hands. Brendan carried his belt also, even though it was empty. When they reached the road, they dropped the belts.
All three stared at Simon with their eyes wide. Lucien could not believe how much Simon had grown. Simon was surprised by how much older his brother looked. He also noticed that Lucien held his left arm in an unnatural way and it shook uncontrollably. Lucien was bent at the waist and winced with each step.
“Gentlemen,” Lord Lamont said. “We do not have time for in-depth discussion. I understand you have made bitter enemies of Lord Sterling. This certainly gives us common ground.”
“It was foolish of me,” Lucien said. “Is that the judgment of a king—to think that I could strike my uncle dead with my fists?”
Lucien held up his right hand and closed his fingers.
“This hand sealed my fate. With one blow, I ensured that my days as king are numbered. The throne of Morgenwraithe has brought me much pain and misery. I will accept your judgment rather than give Sterling the pleasure of taking my head.”
Lamont looked at Brendan and Reese.
“Members of the King’s Guard—they are your friends?” Lamont asked Lucien.
“More than friends,” Lucien said. “They put themselves in danger to save me, tying their fate to mine. I consider them brothers, Lord Lamont. I thank the gods that I was given a second chance to make such bonds.”
Lucien lowered his head.
“I have failed my own brother miserably. I…I am sorry, Simon.”
Simon snorted. Black flumes of smoke rose into the air.
“Jaclyn is at the castle,” Lamont said. “With your son.”
“Then everyone I hold dear is nearby,” Lucien said. “I cannot undo the sins of the past, but I promise you, all I care about is my wife, my child…”
Lucien looked at Brendan, Reese, and Simon.
“And my friends and brothers. I would love to take them all and sail to a distant land where we could live in peace—but that is not possible. Brendan and Reese are excellent fighters. They have taught me much.”
“Do not be so modest, Lucien,” Brendan said. “You have become a skilled warrior as well.”
“I am a shadow of myself at best,” Lucien held up his left arm. “But what skills I have, I am determined to use against Sterling and his army. I know of no better cause to die for.”
“Or to live for,” Lamont said.
Lamont looked over the faces of his people.
“Is there any one of you who doubts the sincerity of these men?”
Helena looked around, peering into the forest.
“I used to see four of you together,” Helena said. “Where is the big one—the one who stands even taller than these?”
Reese blinked. He held up his hands. They were shaking.
“Sterling killed Shawn—right in front of us. He died…with his head in my hands…staring up at me.”
Helena covered her mouth.
Lucien picked up his sword belt with his right hand. He walked forward and stopped in front of Simon.
“You have my sword and my bow, if you’ll have
me.”
Simon’s wings curled inward until Lucien was pressed against him. Simon lowered his head.
“Simon!” Helena, Boone and Ben screamed.
Six of the dragons had returned from feeding.
And two of them dove toward the ground at top speed.
“Run!” Simon screamed.
The dragons drew back their heads. Simon knew what that meant. He shoved Lucien backward into Brendan and Reese, knocking all three of them to the ground. Simon lay over them with his wings spread, just as blasts of fire lit up the ground. Simon raised his head, roaring in pain as the flames lapped over him. The dragons rose into the air to make another dive, this time joined by two more. The dragons dove again, but made no fire. They flew high again.
“It’s your coats!” Simon roared. “Take them off! Quickly!”
The three men tore off their crimson and gold coats.
The other men helped Lucien, Brendan, and Reese to their feet. They ran toward the gates. Simon drew back his head to burn the coats, but there was not enough time. He jumped out of the way and into the air. He joined the others.
The six other dragons incinerated the coats and flew over the treetops, circling.
And hunting.
“Y-you have how many of those?” Reese asked.
“Fifty or more,” Lamont said. “If we are victorious in this war, we may have to choose new colors.”
“I agree,” Brendan said.
“That gives me an idea,” Helena said. She grabbed Boone’s hand.
“Come on!”
Ben followed them through the gates.
“Well,” Lamont said to Lucien. “Shall we take you to meet your son?”
Lucien swallowed with some difficulty. His lips moved, soundlessly. He nodded.
Lamont clapped him on the back.
“He’s a beautiful child.”
Simon lingered behind and brought up the rear of the procession.
The people of the village stopped in the streets, staring at the strangers in their undershirts.
“Who are they? Is that King Lucien?” they whispered. “It can’t be!”
