Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

  He knew he was not going to be able to get much more sleep, at least not for a little while, and decided to stand up and walk around a bit. Willem saw the guard, a mix of Paladin and sailors, positioned around the camp and ship keeping watch. Then he noticed someone sitting alone beside the now extinguished fire hunched over, head buried in arms which were crossed over knees.

  Willem approached the figure and as he neared he realized it was Ashleen. When she heard the crunch of his boots on the leaves she raised her head and peered up at him. She mustered a smile as he came to stand beside her.

  “May I join you?” he asked and Ashleen motioned for him to sit upon the ground beside her. Willem lowered himself down beside Ashleen. “Trouble sleeping tonight?” he asked her.

  “Every night,” she said softly. She unwrapped her arms from her knees and placed her palms upon the ground behind her, leaning back against them. “You?”

  “Yes,” he said as he looked to the charred logs of the extinguished fire. “I had a very realistic dream about Elophdale falling to the drakmere.”

  “A dream or a vision?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore. I find myself suddenly in a strange world, unlike the one I imagined myself living in just a month ago.”

  “I know,” Ashleen agreed. “As terrifying as everything has been for me, I know it must be worse for the rest of you.”

  “What do you mean?” Willem asked.

  “Caerwynspire is quite safe. My family is secure in the White Fortress. All of your kingdoms are occupied by drakmere. Dillan’s was razed, his entire family killed.”

  “I don’t know how he goes on.”

  “He’s strong,” Ashleen said. “And so are you.” She placed a hand on Willem’s. “We will get through this—all of us.”

  Willem smiled at her as she removed her hand and sat up straight, crossing her legs in front of her. Willem then peeked over his shoulder at the tent Ashleen shared with Terrwyn. “I am actually surprised Terrwyn was able to sleep tonight,” he said.

  “How long have you been in love with her?” Ashleen asked pointedly. Willem simply stared back at her, shocked by such a forward question. “Come on. I’ve seen the way you look at her. More importantly, I’ve seen the way you look at Dillan when he is talking to her.”

  Willem nodded. “As long as I can remember,” he admitted with a chuckle.

  Terrwyn and Erec were only one year older than Willem, but as small children that seemed like such an enormous age difference. Terrwyn was so pretty and proper, but sweet and charming as well. Erec and Willem would pretend to be knights, taking turns rescuing Princess Terrwyn from some monster or villain.

  One time Willem “rescued” her from Erec, who was pretending to be an evil king from a far off land and they ran away and hid from Erec in King Alexandeon’s study scrunched up together inside of a cabinet. They waited in the dark trying not to giggle and alert Erec to their location. Terrwyn reached over and took Willem’s hand intertwining her fingers with his. He did not move, so scared that if he did she would release his hand and he wanted to hold it for the rest of his life. “Thank you for rescuing me, Sir Knight,” she whispered in the darkness and then leaned over and gave him a delicate kiss on the cheek. Willem’s face reddened and he could not find any words to speak. They sat there in silence for a long time before Erec finally flung the cabinet doors open and discovered them.

  It was years later before Willem ever returned the kiss. It was a few years ago, just before Terrwyn’s mother died. She was fifteen and he was fourteen. Terrwyn had just become betrothed to Prince Tybalt of the Stromland.

  Terrwyn’s family was visiting Elwood and Terrwyn wanted to get out of the castle, so Willem took her and Erec down to the cliffs overlooking the river. Ella, only eleven at the time, followed them as she always did, wanting to be close to Erec. Erec excused himself claiming that he had to speak with his father, but in reality just wanted to escape Ella. It did no good, of course, as she followed Erec back to the palace, leaving Willem and Terrwyn alone watching the sun set over the water. Terrwyn sat down upon a large rock and Willem stood behind her.

  “I cannot believe you are betrothed,” Willem said breaking the silence. Terrwyn looked up at him a frown upon her face.

  “I hate Prince Tybalt,” she had said. “He is so mean.”

  “Why him?” Willem asked.

  “Father believes our marriage will turn the Stromland into an ally.”

  “So, I miss out on marrying you, because our families are friends?”

  “Would you want to marry me?” Terrwyn asked with a giggle.

  “Of course I would,” Willem replied as he knelt down beside her. “More than anything.” He then leaned over toward her. She sighed as his lips touched hers. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him, but she pulled away.

  “Stop,” she said. He leapt to his feet embarrassed.

  “I am sorry,” he stammered.

  Terrwyn shook her head as she stood to face him. “Don’t be sorry, Willem. I liked it very much,” she smiled. He returned her smile nervously. “But I am betrothed now. It will do neither of us any good if I give you my heart now.”

  Willem had understood. Terrwyn was betrothed and would not disobey her father’s wishes, nor would Willem want or expect her to. It helped ease the pain of his broken heart to know that she despised Prince Tybalt. Now, however, she clearly did not despise him. In fact, Willem was afraid she was quickly falling in love with him, if she had not already, and just after she had unceremoniously announced the betrothal was off, causing Willem’s heart to leap with joy for the first time in a long while.

  Willem looked at Ashleen. “I do not believe I am the only one to be without my heart’s desire,” he said smiling at her.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I am talking about,” he answered.

  Ashleen blushed. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Fear not. I do believe he returns your affections.”

  “Really?” Ashleen asked excitedly, but then allowed the excitement to vanish. “It does not matter. He is betrothed to Terrwyn. I shall not be the one to interfere with that.”

  Willem nodded. “Well, we shall see,” he said as he smiled at Ashleen.

  Chapter 16

  The water sprayed the deck of the Vagabond as the ship rocked back and forth through the choppy water. The sailors went about their duties while attempting to stay clear of the sparring princesses. Ashleen and Terrwyn fought with broken mop handles, the sticks clacking together furiously. Sir Tomfrey and Sir Auberon stood to the side, observing and giving both the occasional suggestion, though having to advise Terrwyn much more than Ashleen.

  Terrwyn lunged, attempting to stab Ashleen, but Ashleen easily deflected the attack before smacking Terrwyn on the back of the hand causing her to drop her mop handle. As she bent to retrieve the stick Ashleen placed her own stick underneath Terrwyn’s throat letting Terrwyn know she would have been dead if this was actual combat.

  “Be patient,” Ashleen said. “Wait for your moment.”

  “And stop stepping before you lunge,” added Tomfrey. “You take a step forward every time before you lunge. It’s a dead giveaway that it’s about to come.”

  Terrwyn nodded, exhausted and out of breath.

  “Would you like to rest for a moment?” Ashleen asked.

  “Yes, please,” Terrwyn replied. Ashleen smiled at her. Terrwyn turned and leaned against the ship railing watching the river flow past. Ashleen joined her, while Tomfrey and Auberon wondered off.

  “I have not been on a ship in so long,” Ashleen said. “I had almost forgotten how fast they can go.” She looked out and then down at the water. “Not since the pirates.”

  Terrwyn looked up at her. “Can I ask about them?” Ashleen nodded. “What happened?”

  Ashleen stared down at the deck. “It was two years ago. I was fifteen years old and
scared to death. My mother and I had been on our way south for a diplomatic visit with Dillan’s family. The pirate captain had…” she trailed off. “Well, he wanted us for ransom and thought my father would pay it.” She chuckled. “He didn’t know my father. Dillan rescued us, he and his men slaughtered all of the pirates—every last one—except the captain.” Ashleen wiped tears from her eyes. “Dillan found me, tied naked in the captain’s cabin. I didn’t know who he was, that he was Prince Tybalt, or that his father had sent him to rescue us. I looked up and there he stood, his clothes covered in blood with a cutlass in his hand. He approached me gently. He cut the ropes that bound me, found a blanket and covered me. He told me who he was and that he was there to rescue me. I fell into his arms, weeping and he held me for what seemed like an eternity. Then I wiped the tears from my face and he found my clothes. I dressed when he went back on deck. When I emerged I found my mother. She was so scared for me. I have never told her what happened to me in that pirate’s cabin. Dillan brought the pirate captain and threw him down at my feet holding him there with a boot on the back of his neck. He bowed to me gracefully, and presented the pirate to me like he might present a horse or other gift to any other princess. The pirate was trembling. I wanted to kill him right then and there, but I decided against it. I wanted the people of Caerwynspire to see it. I wanted everyone to know what happened to him. I wanted the rumors to rush throughout the realm. I wanted pirates to know what would happen when they attacked me.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I shoved him from the spire at the White Fortress and he splattered upon the rocks below, unrecognizable. The blood stain remains to this day.” She turned and looked at Dillan standing behind the pilot. Terrwyn could see the tears pooling in Ashleen’s eyes. Suddenly, she threw her arms around Ashleen and hugged her close kissing her delicately on the cheek, on top of the scars from the bear’s claw.

  “You are the bravest woman I have ever met,” Terrwyn whispered into her ear. “I am so glad that we have had a chance to become friends.” Terrwyn pulled away and Ashleen smiled at her.

  “Me too.”

  ***

  Dillan was standing on the bridge of the ship examining the map. The ship would exit the river and sail into the Glass Sea very soon and he had no idea what heading to direct the pilot to set sail for. How do you find a mythical island in the middle of the sea? He heard boots on the stairs and turned to see Willem walking up from the deck.

  “Looks like the girls are getting along famously,” Willem said. Dillan turned and saw Terrwyn embracing Ashleen. He smiled to himself.

  “Good for them,” Dillan replied as he turned back to his map.

  “Do you know where we’re going yet?” Willem asked as he came to stand behind Dillan. He peered over the Captain’s shoulder, irking Dillan.

  “Not yet,” Dillan said and turned to look at Willem. “Do you mind?” he asked.

  “Sorry,” Willem said backing away. He turned back to look at Ashleen and Terrwyn. “Seriously, they are going to begin braiding each other’s hair in a minute.”

  “That’s fascinating, Will, but I really need to figure out where we are going, so if you could kindly leave me alone that would be most helpful.”

  “Alright, but did you ever consider asking Ashleen?”

  “No. Why would I? She isn’t a pilot or a navigator.”

  “That is true, but her uncle is a cleric on Avalon, so obviously her people know how to get there.”

  Dillan stared at Willem for a few moments before speaking. “Ask her to come see me, please.”

  “Sure.”

  “Oh and Willem,” Dillan called after him.

  “Yes?” Willem asked spinning to look at Dillan.

  “I appreciate your attempts at male bonding, but I am not going to braid your hair.”

  “Aye, Cap’n,” Willem said with a grin and then turned and bounded down the steps to the deck of the ship. He crossed the deck and approached Terrwyn and Ashleen. They stopped speaking immediately when he arrived and both looked up at him.

  Willem smiled at Ashleen beaming with boyish charm. “The Captain’s lost,” he explained, yanking his thumb over his shoulder toward Dillan. “He was hoping you might help him.”

  “Lost?” Ashleen asked. “The river only flows in one direction, how can he be lost?”

  Willem shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he is not the ace captain his swashbuckling attire would lead one to believe.”

  Both princesses laughed. “Alright, I’ll go see what I can do. I swear, sometimes I don’t know how you men manage to get your legs through both holes in your pants without help.”

  “That’s why I employ dozens of retainers,” Willem said causing Ashleen to smile broadly at him. Ashleen left Willem and Terrwyn, making her way across the deck and up the steps to the bridge to assist Dillan.

  Willem smiled gently at Terrwyn. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  “Good,” Terrwyn replied. “I’m learning a lot.”

  “Yeah, I can see that your swordplay has improved already, but I was actually referring to everything else.”

  Terrwyn nodded. “I’m doing about as well as can be expected I suppose. How about you? Your life has been turned just as upside down as mine.”

  Willem nodded. “It’s sad. I am not scared of losing this war,” he said. “If we fail I’ll be dead, so I will not know that we lost. I’m much more afraid of what I do when we win.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Avonvale was conquered by the Wizard’s army. So was Riversmeet. Elophborne was not conquered. My own mother surrendered us all to the draks. She committed treason. That will have to be dealt with when I retake the kingdom, and I do not look forward to it.” He leaned onto the rail and stared out over the river.

  Terrwyn placed an arm around his shoulder. She had not considered Willem’s predicament before. She had been very angry at Queen Griselda’s betrayal and had even dreamed about executing Queen Griselda, but it was always like executing the Wizard himself, giving a villain her just desserts, not killing the mother of one of her oldest friends.

  “You will do what you think is best when the time comes. You are kind and wise and will make a wonderful king. I certainly trust in your judgment.”

  Willem smiled at Terrwyn. “Thank you,” he said. He turned and looked up toward the bridge. Ashleen and Dillan appeared to be arguing. “Of course, it won’t matter if we end up lost at sea.” Terrwyn laughed.

  “We shan’t be lost at sea,” she assured him. “Surely Dillan can find the coast again even if he cannot find Avalon.”

  Willem chuckled. He watched Dillan and Ashleen argue. She was pointing at the wheel and shouting.

  “Look,” Terrwyn said and Willem turned to see. The mouth of the river was opening up, high rocky cliffs loomed ahead, but beyond that, Willem could see the calm seas. “It’s the Glass Sea,” Terrwyn said.

  Willem smiled. They were so close.

  ***

  Up on the bridge, Dillan was growing angry. Ashleen had snatched the map from his hands. “You can’t use this,” she explained. “Avalon is not located on the map and, thus, the map is useless to you.”

  “I need a heading at least,” he argued. “I need something to go on. Otherwise we are going to sail aimlessly about the sea. I might as well secure the rudder, go below, take a nap, and just hope we drift into the island.”

  “You’re not listening to me,” Ashleen said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “We shall not simply drift into the island. You can find it, but not with a map.”

  “With what then?” he snapped.

  Ashleen tapped his head. “With this,” she said and then tapped the chest over his heart. “And this,” she said and then poked his stomach. “And, of course, with this.”

  Dillan shook his head.

  “Haven’t you ever sailed on instinct Dillan?” she asked. “Do it now. You know the way. Do you think it’s an accident that one among us is cap
tain of a ship? How many princes do you know that captain ships?”

  Dillan didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but he did realize that of the four of them he had the best chance of finding Dracengard. At least he knew how to sail a ship.

  “Alright,” he conceded. “I will sail on instinct. But when we crash into rocks, before we all die of dehydration stranded on a barren scrap of land, I’m going to make you admit to everyone that it was your fault.” Dillan stepped over to the pilot. “You are relieved Pilot,” he said.

  “Aye, Cap’n,” the pilot said and stepped aside allowing Dillan to take the wheel. Dillan watched the rocks as he sailed out into the Glass Sea, hoping Ashleen knew what she was talking about.

  Chapter 17

  The dust covered Sir Terrance and his men as they trotted through the gates of Avonvale. People on the streets stopped to gawk as they noticed Sir Galt and several of his men riding atop horses, their hands bound and the horses all strung together with rope to prevent escape. Sir Terrance even saw some of the women weeping and he realized that many of their hopes would now be crushed as they had laid so much faith in Lord Theron and his men coming to their rescue and retaking the city.

  There was silence all along the streets, not the hero's welcome that such a victorious return would normally warrant. Not today. Sir Terrance led his men up the city street toward the castle, and as they neared, turned in his saddle and smiled at Sir Galt. Galt and his brave men had all volunteered to be “prisoners.” Sir Terrance promised to do all he could to guarantee their safety, but they all knew that he might be powerless to do anything to protect them. They might all end up food for the draks before the sun set.

  The large iron gates of the castle opened as Sir Terrance approached and he saw men of his own guard standing vigilantly as he rode into the courtyard. Once he and his men were inside the castle walls, the gates swung shut behind him. He felt as trapped as Sir Galt and his men, though he knew his odds of survival were significantly better.