by Nathan Roden
Simon sighed.
“I could have used a giant wolf right about now.”
“And I am not happy to be wearing a dead man’s clothes,” Tanner said. “But I have great news,” Tanner said. “Lamont sent a messenger. He says they have the upper hand on the eastern front. They’ve destroyed or taken over most of the cannons. Any blasts you hear should actually be from our side.”
Simon clapped Tanner on the shoulder.
“That is excellent news.”
“So, why did you need the giant wolf?” Tanner asked.
Simon pointed.
“Sterling is just beyond that hill. He has a heavy protection detail.”
“We should wait,” Magdalena said. “Lamont could be on his way at this very moment.”
“No,” Simon said. “Every moment Sterling lives he is a threat. He has assumed the power of the cursed throne. Even dragon-fire has no power against him. And besides…”
Simon looked at Caleb.
“I have it on reliable authority that killing Sterling is my destiny.”
“I didn’t say you had to do it alone,” Caleb said.
“He won’t be alone,” Magdalena said. “I want to stare into Sterling’s eyes while he takes his final breath.”
She became the wolf. Tanner did the same.
Mother and Alice skimmed over the tops of the trees and landed.
“It certainly feels like destiny,” Boone said.
Caleb made a series of screeches. Mother responded with a single sound. She took to the air with Alice right behind her. They disappeared behind the hill. One second later, the screams began.
Simon sprinted toward the hill with a wolf at each side.
Sterling’s guards were prepared to defend themselves from the dragons, but they had little hope of killing them. The men were forced to the ground, hiding beneath their shields. Mother and Alice sliced through the sky, evading the few arrows the men were able to fire at them.
The wolves raced past Simon. They leapt into the air at the same time, their powerful jaws piercing the necks of two guards that were focused on the dragons.
From across the field, Simon saw him. Sterling was surrounded by a close detail of five soldiers. Sterling saw Simon at the same time. They stared at each other. A smile grew on Sterling’s lips. He motioned to a man at his side. The man raised a horn and blew it.
Simon noticed the commotion from the corner of his eye. At least a hundred kingdom soldiers poured over the hill, descending toward the valley.
“You bastard!” Simon cried out.
He was angry with himself. Why did he think Sterling would place his life in the hands of a few guards? Simon had been outmaneuvered. Again.
And his haste could get his friends killed. Was it arrogance? Had he rushed into the valley to serve his own selfish desire?
He had no time to ponder the questions.
Mother and Alice passed overhead. There was little they could do now without endangering everyone. Oliver, Ben, Brendan, and Lucien were engaged in sword fights. Boone and Helena stood back-to-back, firing arrows. Sterling’s five closest guards were being spread thin.
Tanner, the wolf, ran at Sterling. He leapt into the air, gnashing his teeth.
Tanner fell to the ground. It was as if he had run headlong into an invisible wall. He climbed slowly to his feet, while Sterling roared with laughter.
No form of magic could harm him.
Sterling brought the hilt of his sword down on the wolf’s head. Tanner went down again.
Magdalena and Simon locked eyes. They didn’t have to speak it—the advantage they thought they had was gone.
Magdalena became human. A soldier charged at her. She raised her hand and the man’s sword flew from his hand to hers. He turned to run, but he was too slow. Magdalena brought down the sword against the back of his neck.
Something hit Magdalena from behind, nearly knocking her down. Another soldier had tried to surprise her. Simon ran him through.
“Come on,” Simon said to Magdalena. They ran toward Tanner, fighting off two more soldiers. Lucien and Brendan joined them. They carried Tanner behind a large tree.
Two arrows struck the tree trunk. Three kingdom archers were spread apart. They volleyed arrows in unison. Lucien notched an arrow and looked ready to step clear of the tree. Simon grabbed his arm.
“Wait.”
Mother and Alice swooped over the men. The snapped their jaws over two men’s heads and kept flying. The other archer saw this and ran.
“I love dragons,” Lucien said.
“I keep learning things about you,” Simon said.
Simon’s smile disappeared. He saw one rider on horseback, slicing through the fray, swinging a sword to one side and then the other.
“Jaclyn, what are you doing?”
Lucien ran toward her without a pause. Simon was right on his heels.
Sterling saw her too. Jaclyn rode directly at him. Sterling stood still. At the last moment, he grabbed the soldier at his side and threw him beneath the horse. The horse fell, pinning Jaclyn beneath it.
“Move it,” Sterling said to his men. They pushed and prodded the crippled animal while Sterling freed Jaclyn—by pulling on her hair.
Sterling pulled Jaclyn in front of him; his arm wrapped around her neck. He held a dagger in his other hand. Lucien and Simon stopped.
“Ah, the precious brothers—together at last,” Sterling said. “History loves such a story, especially when everyone dies.”
“You’ve seen your last sunrise, Sterling,” Simon said.
Sterling rolled his eyes.
“That’s…that’s sheer poetry, my boy. I do hope someone is writing this down.”
“You’ve lost this war,” Lucien said.
“Are you actually trying to trick me with your nonsense?” Sterling snapped.
“Your wolves have no power over me. Your dragons have no power over me. Look around you. You don’t have the numbers
“And you don’t have the guts.”
Jaclyn struggled against Sterling’s grip. He twirled his dagger in front of her eyes.
“I don’t even need this blade, little queen. I could snap your neck as easily as…well, as easily as falling off a horse.”
Helena leaned close to Boone’s ear.
“We have to do something.”
“Like what?” Boone said. “I don’t have a shot.”
“His foot,” Helena said.
“His foot? He holds a dagger at her nose.”
“You hit his foot and he’ll move,” Helena said. “I’ll take him down.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Boone said. “He’ll kill her.”
“He’s going to kill her anyway, Boone. You know it and I know it.”
“Are you ready?” Boone whispered.
“Yes.”
Boone drew an arrow.
“Jaclyn!”
Lord Lamont had arrived—at precisely the wrong moment. Boone’s arrow went left. It stuck only the side of Sterling’s boot. But Sterling was distracted. He looked down, and then he looked toward the sound of Lamont’s voice. He fumbled and almost dropped the dagger. His grip on Jaclyn loosened just a little.
Helena ran four paces to her side. She loosed an arrow. It struck Sterling’s side. He fell to the ground, his arm still wrapped around Jaclyn.
Simon and Lucien got to Jaclyn at the same time. They pulled her free. Sterling did not move.
“I’m all right,” Jaclyn said. “I’m all right.”
Lucien held his hand toward Simon.
“Brother, it is time to usher in your king—”
Lucien’s eyes bulged. His lips moved but made no sound. He looked down. The gleaming steel tip of a sword protruded from his belly as his blood flowed to the ground. Lucien fell forward.
Forty-Five
Sterling laughed as he stood. He let go of the hilt of his sword—the sword he had plunged through Lucien’s middle. Simon lunged at Sterling. Sterling slashed wi
th the dagger, cutting deeply into Simon’s left hand. Simon struggled to stand.
Boone reached for another arrow. His quiver was empty. He grabbed the end of his bow and charged toward Sterling.
Sterling dove at Jaclyn. He grabbed her by the throat and pressed her against the ground. Jaclyn kicked her feet and pulled at Sterling’s hand as he tried to choke the life from her. Lord Lamont and Noah ran to help but they were too far away.
Magdalena charged Sterling from the side. Sterling’s dagger slipped from his hand. He backhanded Magdalena in the jaw, flipping her in the air. Magdalena’s head bounced hard off the ground.
Simon ran at Sterling again. He dodged one swipe of the dagger. The second swipe cut into his forearm. Simon screamed and fell to his knees. Sterling raised the dagger high.
Helena grabbed Sterling’s arm in both hands and sunk her teeth into it.
Sterling roared. He threw Helena through the air.
But the dagger was free. Sterling reached for it.
But Magdalena reached it first. She plunged the dagger into Sterling’s lower leg. He screamed even louder, but did not let go of Jaclyn’s throat.
There were few skirmishes left on the battlefield of the valley. A soldier of Islemar slashed his sword through the belly of a kingdom soldier. That soldier fell backward, directly in front of Boone Blankenship. Boone went sprawling forward.
His pouch hit the ground. There were only two things inside; a piece of jerky.
And the tooth of Simon the Dragon.
Jaclyn was almost out of strength. Simon gritted his teeth and tried to stand. He had lost too much blood. Sterling grimaced as he pulled the dagger from his leg. He breathed hard, determined to speak.
“Jaclyn!” roared Lord Lamont and Noah.
“What…a glorious day it is,” Sterling said. “The little queen…and both her lovers…dead before me.”
Sterling raised the dagger over Simon’s head.
“Simon!” Boone roared.
Simon looked to his left. Boone had thrown something toward him. It flipped through the air.
My tooth.
With everything he had, Simon leapt to his feet. He caught the tooth in midair
And plunged it into Sterling’s open mouth.
Sterling’s body twitched. Simon pulled back his arm and rammed the heel of his hand into the tooth. Blood spilled from Sterling’s mouth and his ears, yet his hand remained around Jaclyn’s throat.
Boone, Ben, Helena, and Magdalena helped Simon drag the dying tyrant away. Belinda fell to her knees at Jaclyn’s side. She sat her up, and Jaclyn coughed and sucked in deep breaths. Nicholas Lamont threw his arms around his daughter and wept. Noah dropped to his knees beside them with tears running down his cheeks.
Simon knelt at Lucien’s side and took his hand. Jaclyn knelt at Lucien’s other side.
“Something…under me,” Lucien croaked.
Jaclyn reached beneath him and pulled out Lucien’s crown. Jaclyn bit her lip to keep from sobbing out loud. She pressed the crown into Lucien’s hand.
Lucien struggled to turn his head. He looked into Simon’s eyes.
“…my…pocket.”
Simon reached inside Lucien’s coat and took out a pouch. He pulled the drawstring and reached inside. He pulled out several smooth stones.
“Your sticks and stones,” Simon whispered. He could not control his own tears now. “You kept them.”
“I wish…” Lucien said. “I had let you play.”
Simon sniffed and nodded.
“I wish you had, too. Maybe, one day—”
“No,” Lucien said. “This day…is my last. And it has been a good day.”
Lucien looked at Jaclyn and forced a smile.
“Kiss…little Nicholas for me.”
Jaclyn could not speak.
Lucien pulled on his hand, the one that held Jaclyn’s…and his crown. He joined their hands with Simon’s.
“Brother. All that I have…
“Is yours.”
****
That day brought a new beginning to the kingdom of Morgenwraithe.
And it brought the death of a king.
Forty-Six
Lord Nicholas Lamont stood on top of a catapult. A blue and white flag waved above him. A few skirmishes continued in the distance.
“Men of Morgenwraithe,” Lamont began. He paused, startled at the volume of his own voice. He looked down and saw Caleb holding up one hand.
“Thank you, lad,” Lamont said.
“Men of Morgenwraithe! Lord Sterling is dead. Captain Raynard is dead. Lay down your arms and you will not be harmed. You and your families will be welcome to swear your loyalty to our new king.”
No man needed any more convincing. The last of Morgenwraithe’s army and guards dropped their weapons. They joined the army of Islemar amid the roar of the sounds of victory.
“It is late,” Lamont continued. “And we are weary. We will make camp here until dawn. We will tend to our wounded and lament our dead. And the gods willing, we will all get some sleep beneath the stars—under a blanket of peace and serenity, and a better future for us all.”
The skies filled with the sounds of celebration.
“When do I remove the spell again, Simon?” Tanner asked.
“I am not sure,” Simon said.
Boone helped Jaclyn bandage Simon’s hand and arm. Helena and Adam Jacobs assisted Belinda with some of the more seriously wounded.
Simon looked at Caleb hopefully.
“Is there…is there anything else to be done here, Caleb?”
Caleb lowered his eyes.
“I know what you’re asking.”
He looked up.
“No. And the powers you speak of…I don’t think they’ll happen again, Simon. It’s…a feeling I have.”
Caleb looked at his hands.
“Perhaps it was a gift meant for only a season—when we needed it most.”
Magdalena pulled Caleb to her chest. She kissed his cheek.
“This couldn’t have happened without you, Caleb. Never forget that.”
“Aye,” Simon said. “I won’t let him forget it.”
A chorus of other voices echoed the statement.
“Nor will I!”
Caleb smiled.
“Lord Lamont?” Caleb said.
“Yes, Caleb.”
“I would like to return to Islemar at once. Our friends and families worry for us, and for the future. I miss Sara and Ezekiel.”
“It will be sunset before long, Caleb—”
Mother screeched overhead.
“I have a ride,” Caleb said. “A fast one.”
Simon spoke to Caleb before Caleb climbed on Mother’s back.
“You know what will happen when the moon rises,” Simon said.
“Of course,” Caleb said. “I’ll come straight back here—so that Tanner can remove the spell.”
“There’s no hurry,” Simon said. “After the transformation happens, I’ll meet you half-way—on the King’s Road.”
“But why?” Caleb asked.
“I want to retrieve something before we join the others in Islemar,” Simon said. “Something I put aside some time ago for safe-keeping.”
“Do you expect trouble?” Caleb asked.
“No,” Simon said.
“But I would like to have your company.”
“I would like that,” Caleb said.
He climbed on Mother’s back and they were off.
****
A guard burst into the parlor of Castle Islemar.
“My Lady! You must come quickly!”
Lady Lamont and the others ran through the castle and the courtyard. They saw people pointing to the sky amid a great commotion.
“Mother…” Robinette whispered.
Nearly the entire village emptied out of homes and shops into the square. The great dragon landed in the center. She lowered herself to the ground and Caleb slid from her back.
Robinette cover
ed her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks.
“Oh, my dear boy! Quickly! Someone fetch Sara and Ezekiel!”
Robinette ran toward Caleb. He ran to her and leapt into her embrace.
“Caleb! Your eyes?”
“I can still see. And it is done, my lady! It is done!”
Robinette held Caleb at arm’s length.
“What are you saying?”
“We’ve won, my lady! The war is over!”
The commotion began again. Whispers grew into shouts. People pressed forward until some people fell.
“Stop! Stop it at once!” Robinette shouted. “Mind your manners and make way. We will hear what Caleb has to say.”
Robinette led Caleb to the rock monument that stood beside the well. He climbed to the top.
“Many people joined us in our stand against Sterling. We can all thank Queen Jaclyn and those of you who helped make this possible.”
“What is he talking about?” an old man asked.
“The coats, my lord,” Caleb said. “Hundreds of men from Evenshire to Morgenwraithe threw aside the scarlet and gold and joined with us.”
The old man spat on the ground.
“Where is the bastard Sterling?”
“He is dead, my lord, as is Captain Raynard.”
The people gave a collective gasp before the murmuring started again.
“You know this to be true?” the old man said. “You saw it?”
“Shut up, Abner,” Robinette said. “What about Jaclyn? And Noah and Nicholas?”
Robinette heard a baby crying. She took baby Nicholas from the arms of the wet nurse.
“They are all fine, my lady,” Caleb said. “We did lose some soldiers. And we lost some friends.”
“Wh-who, Caleb?”
The crowd became silent.
“Rolf Roball. Sir William Wood. Lucien’s friend, Reece.”
“And King Lucien.”
The murmuring began anew.
Robinette sobbed. Lilly Lamont put her arm around Robinette to comfort her. Robinette put a trembling hand to the baby’s cheek.
