“Hail, Galfred Dragonslayer!” the people cheered.
I shot a glance at Arieste, who rode beside me. Her pale face was expressionless as ever, but I saw tension in the fine lines of her jaw and the slight narrowing of her eyes.
I wanted to reach out to her and offer some gesture or word of comfort, since I had come to think of her as a friend. But anything I said would be lost in the crowd’s roar, and in her current tense state, the last thing she’d want was to be touched.
Yet here I caught a glimpse of her humanity again. Even though she was no longer the dragon, she’d been Frosdar the Hoary for five hundred years. They were cheering at her death, and I could understand the conflicting feelings within her.
The roaring crowds followed us as we rode up the winding roads that led up the hill toward King Obragar’s grand palace. The king himself stood waiting to greet us on the massive marble staircase before the palace. He was smiling broadly, as was Princess Selene standing beside him. As we rode up, he held out his hand to his daughter, and together they descended toward us.
Sir Galfred, at the head of our procession, reined in his horse and dismounted slowly. He winced as his heavy armor placed weight on his wound, but straightened and turned to face the king with his back straight. The crowd’s roars doubled when he knelt and bowed his head to King Obragar.
The king held up his hands for silence. It took nearly a minute for the cheers and cries to die down.
“What news, sir knight?” King Obragar said in a strong, clear voice that rang out across the crowds as he laid a hand on the knight’s right shoulder. “Is it true? Have you truly succeeded where so many others have failed?”
“Your Majesty,” Sir Galfred said as he climbed to his feet, “the Goddesses saw fit to smile on our mission. Frosdar the Hoary is no more.”
The crowd broke out into an ear-splitting cheer, and the king let it continue for long seconds as he pulled Sir Galfred into a fierce hug. When he released the knight, Princess Selene extended her hand for Sir Galfred to kiss.
“That should be you getting to kiss the princess,” Nyvea told me. “And not just on the hand.”
I shook off her words as I dismounted, then turned to help Arieste climb out of her saddle as well. She accepted my hand with only a hint of icy disdain. I couldn’t help admiring the elegance of her movements and the way she carried herself with her head high. Even in the rough tunic and breeches we’d scrounged up for her, she still looked as elegant as Princess Selene.
“Behold, my king,” Sir Galfred said, and he turned to me with a nod. “The spoils of battle.”
I untied the heavy bundle from behind my saddle and carried it to where the knight stood before King Obragar. Metal clanked within as I set it down and took a step back.
King Obragar’s eyebrows shot up as one of his servants opened it to reveal an assortment of nearly a dozen swords, spears, axes, and a quiver of arrows.
“Can it be?” he breathed.
Sir Galfred knelt with a wince and lifted one of the swords from the pile. He gave the king a triumphant smile and pressed the pale white gemstone set into its hilt. The crowd fell back as blue light suddenly appeared along the edge of the blade. A moment later, the light turned to a thin casing of ice. The sword sparkled and seemed to reflect the sunlight, like a thousand diamonds shining brightly.
“The means of Riamod’s destruction is in our hands, Your Majesty.” Sir Galfred held the sword out to King Obragar, and the king stared at the blade with awe. “These weapons of ice will give us the edge in our battle against the fire dragon.”
“And so many,” the king said in a voice of quiet reverence. “This is truly the gift of the Goddesses, sir knight.”
“The Three smiled on us.” Sir Galfred gestured to Adath and the surviving Gray Hunters. “Despite our losses, none of our warriors faltered or hesitated. All who fell were honorable in battle, and it is because of their sacrifice that we were able to succeed.”
The king clapped the knight on the shoulder and stepped forward.
“People of Whitespire,” he shouted in a loud voice, “behold your hero. Sir Galfred has done what no man has done for three hundred years. He has defeated Frosdar and brought us the means to defeat Riamod. We will be free—”
“Your Majesty,” the knight said and shook his head, “I cannot take credit for another man’s accomplishments. Mine was not the hand to bring down the mighty Frosdar.”
The crowd let out a collective gasp. The king turned to the knight, and confusion wrinkled his forehead.
“Ethan DePaolo of Grayslake was the one to slay the dragon,” Sir Galfred said and pointed to me. “When I could not fight, he took up my burden and faced Frosdar the Hoary. Alone, with nothing but my axe and the steel of his resolve, he is the one responsible for our success. I owe him my gratitude, and all of Whitespire with me.” With a solemn nod, he knelt and bowed his head.
My jaw dropped. This was the last thing I’d been expecting.
Silence hung over the crowd like a thick blanket for what seemed an eternity. Then, like a roar of thunder, the people of Whitespire broke into a deafening cheer.
“Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!” I felt a lump rise to my throat as they shouted my name.
“You deserve it, hero,” Nyvea whispered in my mind. The woman from my amulet hadn’t spoken much during our travels. At first, I thought she was jealous of Arieste, but Nyvea surprised me by mentioning how beautiful she thought the blonde woman was. Her seductive voice interrupted my magic training lessons a few times, and Nyvea made it apparent that she couldn’t wait to watch me fuck Arieste. Her urging words had made me blush, but Arieste didn’t seem to notice.
Adath bumped me on the shoulder, and I turned to see him grinning broadly at me. He gave me a little nod and mouthed the words, “Lucky bastard.”
I couldn’t help returning his grin, and laughter bubbled up from my chest. I reached out to help Sir Galfred stand, then he pulled me into a man-hug, and I winced as his gauntleted fist pounded my back.
The king took a moment to recover from his surprise, but eventually he got the people to quiet down.
“Tonight, we celebrate,” King Obragar said. “Let our halls echo with the songs of triumph, and our hearts swell once more with hope.” He rested his right hand on Sir Galfred’s shoulder and his left hand on mine. “These two heroes have delivered a chance, not only for survival, but for a future where mankind no longer lives in fear of the dragons’ might.”
The king gripped my shoulder with surprising strength, and his eyes went back and forth between the knight and me. There was a brightness I hadn’t seen there before, and I found myself smiling at him. The king I’d first met was a man burdened by fear for his subjects and his family, a man who knew that his people faced destruction. Now, the king who stood before me seemed larger, as if hope had strengthened him.
“We hold a feast in your honor,” the king said, and a smile broadened his narrow face. “In honor of what you both have achieved, and in honor of what you will yet achieve.” He raised a clenched right fist high into the air. “Riamod’s end and the freedom of mankind draw near!”
The crowd broke into a loud cheer that lasted long after the king, Sir Galfred, Princess Selene, Arieste, and I strode into the palace.
Lilia, the pretty blonde chambermaid I’d met on my first visit to the palace, whisked Arieste away to prepare for the celebration. I was led to my new suite, and I found a steaming bath waiting for me. I nearly fell asleep as I lounged in the hot water, and only the appearance of the pinched-faced manservant made me realize that it was time to get ready for the party.
The sound of merriment and laughter filled the massive dining hall as I entered the room. The royal musicians played a jaunty tune, and couples swirled around the floor in a dance that was an odd mixture of tap, line, and swing dancing. The chandelier seemed to sparkle brighter than before, and the decorations appeared more colorful. People looked more relaxed as they moved around, ate, drank
, and celebrated.
Half an hour passed, and I found myself glancing nervously around the ballroom. Arieste still hadn’t made an appearance, and I worried she might have escaped. A few moments of consideration made me realize that it probably didn’t matter if Arieste ran away from me. Sure, I had more to learn from her, and I wanted her around me when I faced the next dragon, but I had come to enjoy her company, and she sure as hell was nice to look at.
“You’ll always have me, handsome,” Nyvea whispered in my mind. “I may not have a physical form, but I do adore you. Maybe someday you’ll release me. Then I can do all sorts of fun things with you. Won’t that be nice?”
“Yeah,” I whispered under my breath. “But I’m not supposed to let you out of your amulet, but I intend to discuss the matter more with Barodan after I deal with the next dragon.”
“It won’t matter,” Nyvea sighed.
“What do you mean?” I asked in my head.
“It’s a long and complicated tale, but let’s just say that I probably deserve to be in here. But that’s okay. I still think you are wonderful. I will do my best to care for you, and maybe someday you will set me free.”
“Wait, you think you deserve to be in there? Did you do something horrible?” I asked.
“I just made the wrong enemies,” she sighed.
“Like Barodan?” I asked. “Please tell me more. You are my friend, and if he has you stuck in the amulet as some sort of prison, I want--”
“No, no, no,” she said. “Ethan, let us talk about something else. I’m here to help you take care of the dragons. Pay no attention to me. Instead, let us talk about Arieste. I know you are worried, but she won’t run.”
“Why not?” I asked as I pushed my questions about Nyvea’s past into the back of my mind. “She’s among humans, and this seems like the best time to run. Everyone’s too busy to notice her gone, and they’ll be too drunk to chase her until tomorrow.”
“You gave her reason enough to stay close to you,” she purred. “Besides, how could any girl want to leave you? You have all those strong muscles, and you’re definitely the most handsome man in the room.”
“Somehow, I doubt she’s got anything like that on her mind.” I replied.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be too certain of that.” Nyvea radiated a sense of coy amusement. “I saw the way she looked at you when we traveled back to the castle. Kind of like how you looked at her when you found her half-naked in her cave. She’s undressing you with her eyes, hero. You are handsome, and she knows you have great power. She may have once been a dragon, but now she is a human woman, and women cannot resist you.”
A hand on my shoulder saved me from having to reply. I turned to see who it was, and my gut clenched at the sight of Grendis’ rangy form and angular features. There were shadows in his dark eyes and a tightness in his face that made his hawkish nose seem somehow even more predatory.
I tensed in expectation of a snarled insult, but none came. Instead, Grendis motioned to his leg, which was bound in thick bandages.
“Doctors say I’ll walk again,” he said. “The leg should be good as new in a few weeks.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I replied, and relief rolled through me as I stood to face him.
“And it’s because of you,” he continued. When his eyes met mine, I was surprised to find there was no anger there. Instead, there was gratefulness. He shifted the crutch to his left armpit and thrust out his right hand. “I owe you one.”
It took all of my self-control not to gape. This, from the man who had been one wrong word from killing me less than a week ago?
“You don’t owe me anything,” I said as I swallowed my shock. I gripped his hand and gave it a firm shake. “I figured it was the least I could do, after what happened with Smallen.”
“That means I owe you two,” Grendis replied with a wry grin. “Always hated that prick. I just wish I’d been the one to do him in. And, thanks to you, the Gray Hunters finally have a place to call home.”
“Oh?” I asked.
“King Obragar just offered us a permanent contract to help him hunt down dragons,” Grendis said with a nod. “Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”
“I’d like that,” I said. “I know we started off on the wrong foot, but the men obviously respect you, so I’m looking forward to learning from you.”
“I don’t think there is anything I can teach the dragon slayer, but I’d be honored to serve you,” Grendis replied with a nod. “I’ll let you get back to your meal. We’ll talk more when we are back on the road.” With a nod, Grendis hobbled back to his seat at the lower table beside the royal table.
“Well I’ll be damned!” I shook my head.
“Things are looking up, aren’t they, hero?” Nyvea purred. “Honored by the king, making peace with your enemies, and now…” Her voice trailed off for a moment, and when she spoke again, it was in that silky, seductive tone. “The spoils of your victory.”
I felt the amulet tugging me toward the entrance to the grand ballroom, and I lifted my eyes in that direction. My breath caught in my throat as I saw Arieste enter the massive chamber.
Arieste wore her platinum blonde hair pulled up into an elegant series of braids, and her lips had just a hint of color to bring out their fullness. She was clad in a pure white gown that sparkled with what looked like a thousand diamonds. Her shoulders were bare, and I couldn’t help following the dress’ plunging neckline down between her rounded breasts and over her well-muscled stomach to where it ended a bit below her belly button. The slitted sides of the dress revealed her long, shapely legs as she walked. With six-inch stiletto heels, she was taller than most of the men and women she passed.
“Oh, dear,” Nyvea moaned in my mind. “She’s going to be trouble. Notice how her hips sway when she walks? Yummmm. She certainly learned how to strut in those shoes quickly.”
I found my mouth was suddenly too dry to respond, and I swallowed hard. My eyes never left Arieste as I pushed back my chair and strode across the hall. Was it just my imagination, or did her face brighten a little as she caught a glimpse of me?
“You look absolutely stunning,” I told her as I held out an arm to escort her.
“I feel ridiculous,” she whispered. “There is far less of this dress than there should be, and do not get me started on these shoes!”
I had to laugh. She seemed so comfortable in the ensemble, and that only enhanced her air of elegance.
Silence descended upon the great hall as I escorted her toward our seats at the king’s table of honor, and men turned hungry eyes toward Arieste while their women glared. Princess Selene shot an icy glance at my companion as we approached the table, but then she smiled at me when she caught me looking at her.
The princess wore a flowing yellow ball gown embroidered with golden and silver filigree that sparkled in the candlelight, and bright beryls sparkled in her tiara. Yet, I had to admit, she couldn’t quite match Arieste’s beauty.
“Your Majesty, Princess,” I said, and gave the courtly bow I’d practiced for ten minutes in front of my bedroom mirror, “allow me to present Arieste.”
“Your Majesty, your Highness,” Arieste said, and she curtsied. The movement caught me by surprise, and I wondered if Lilia had given her a quick etiquette lesson.
“Sir Galfred tells me you were the prisoner of Frosdar the Hoary,” the king said as he studied her with a curious expression. “Were you captive for long?”
Arieste’s expression froze. We’d discussed how she could explain where she’d come from without revealing that she’d once been the dragon, but this was the first time anyone actually asked about it. The Gray Hunters had been too concentrated on staying alive and returning to safety to care.
“Less than a day,” Arieste lied, “though it feels like centuries.” She shot me a sidelong glance, and I caught a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“Clever, isn’t she?” Nyvea purred in my mind.
�
��And before?” Princess Selene asked. “I thought I knew all the ladies of the realm, yet no one seems to have heard of you, Lady Arieste.”
“That’s because I’m not a lady,” Arieste replied with a wintry smile. “Just a simple farmer’s daughter, Your Highness, from a settlement so small it’s not on any map.”
“You are welcome to remain in Whitespire as long as you’d like,” King Obragar told her. I caught the reproachful glance he shot at his daughter, but the princess was too busy trying not to reveal her envy of the elegant Arieste to notice.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I helped Arieste to her chair, then took my own. Arieste was seated beside Princess Selene, and the princess kept up a steady stream of conversation. I could sense she was trying to obtain answers from Arieste without being too obvious, but Arieste proved quite skilled in the art of conversation. More than once, I smiled as I heard her sidestep the princess’ penetrating questions or subtly shift the conversation to avoid revealing anything.
I, like the smart man I was, wisely kept my mouth shut and my nose out of the women’s conversation. I focused on the wine in my cup and picked at the pastries laid out on the tray in front of me.
When a servant set a plate of roasted lamb in front of Arieste, she made to reach for it with her hands. I quickly coughed, which caught her attention and she turned to look at me as I nudged her knife closer. After a moment of confusion, she nodded and reached for the utensil.
I let out an inner sigh of relief. Clearly, her dragon instincts weren’t all gone.
My relief died a moment later when I saw her pick up my knife and use it to tear at the meat, like two claws pulling at a carcass. Princess Selene’s brow furrowed in confusion, and she gave Arieste a strange look.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Arieste,” I quickly said. “I think I took your fork by accident.”
She shot me a puzzled expression and stared at the fork I held out to her.
“How rude of me,” I said as I took my knife from her hand and exchanged it for the fork. I gave Arieste a meaningful look as I stabbed the fork into my meat and began cutting it with my knife. Arieste quickly managed to copy my movements without too much difficulty, and my tense shoulders relaxed.
Dragon Slayer: A Pulp Fantasy Harem Adventure Page 18
