by K M Reynolds
“Eleven?” Adelaide swallowed hard, glancing around furtively. “How have you managed to hide the existence of eleven whole dragons from the rest of the kingdom for centuries?”
“Geofmeron will explain everything to you once you get settled in, I promise.”
“Well then, let’s get a move on!” exclaimed Wynne. “I could use a fresh outfit and a good bath. Lead the way, Shindle!”
Shindle bowed and nodded, motioning for the group to follow him before turning and hurrying around the bend, disappearing behind the rocks at the base of the cliff.
“Let’s go,” prompted Wynne, and the group followed him into the island.
DRAGONSPIRE
L ord Bainbridge gazed around the yard and kicked the dirt. The lake house was abandoned, the usurpers having long since fled. The soldiers had torn the place apart but found nothing of value. He grunted and turned to face Thanaeron.
“This was a colossal waste of time and energy,” he growled. “They are long gone, and we have no idea where they went. I want them ground into dust!”
“Patience, Desmond,” Thanaeron sighed. “We will win. This is just an unforeseen turn of events.”
“The reason I have you around is so that there are no unforeseen events. It is your job to prevent these kinds of things from happening.”
“I’m not perfect, and I’d say I’ve done a good job so far. We will catch up to them and crush them, I assure you.”
“You’ve assured me of many things lately, and my faith in you is shaken. I don’t think you can do what it takes.”
Thanaeron scoffed and rolled her eyes. “We both know where the blame lies for us missing them, Desmond.”
“Oh, you think this is my fault?” He spat in the dirt, placing a hand on his sword.
“Well, if it were up to me, we could have gotten here much faster.”
“Well it wasn’t up to you. I’m the king, and I call the shots. You are powerful, but there is only one of you. I still command armies. And I won’t have you magically poofing my armies cross-country willy nilly. There’s a way to do things.”
Thanaeron turned away and began to stride across the yard. “Things will change once I raise my brethren. You’ll see.”
Lord Bainbridge felt a chill snake down his back and he choked on his words. “Beg pardon? Once you what?”
“Raise my brethren.”
His stomach felt like stone and his tongue was sandpaper in his mouth. “No, I can’t let you do that. I won’t let you do that. That would mean certain death for the whole kingdom.”
He unsheathed his sword, prepared to strike her down right then and there. His men all froze in their tracks, spellbound by the scene unfolding in the yard. She whirled around to face him, her eyes flashing with terrible wrath. She clenched her fist and he felt the air being pressed out of his lungs. His eyes bulged as he fought for breath, dropping to his knees in desperation.
So this is it. This is how I die.
“You won’t let me?” she hissed angrily, towering over him. “Here’s a bit of news for you, Desmond. It is not your place to let me do anything. If you breathe, it is because I allow it.” She relaxed her fists and he inhaled deeply, his lungs expanding to maximum capacity. “I will take what I want, when I want it. I will do what I want, when I see fit to do it. You are my puppet, Desmond. It’s time you learned your place in this world.”
Desmond dropped his gaze to the ground, groveling before Thanaeron. “I’m sorry, please forgive me. I understand my place.”
“You’re lucky I allow you to keep your throne at all,” Thanaeron replied sharply. “If you aren’t careful, I’ll stop being so generous.”
“I understand.” That stone in his stomach became heavier, and he wanted to disappear into the ground completely. He finally gathered the courage to look up, meeting Thanaeron’s wrathful gaze for a moment before dropping his head again.
“So, what do we do next?”
“We go home, and I work on summoning the others. Meanwhile, we send scouts to scour the kingdom for the fugitives. They can’t have gotten far.”
“That sounds like a wise plan,” he agreed.
“Oh, and we will also need to plan a funeral.”
“A funeral?” Lord Bainbridge looked up, the pit of dread in his heart now clouded by confusion. “A funeral for whom?”
“For your wife,” Thanaeron sneered. “It’s time Echaria had a new queen.”
Lord Bainbridge opened his mouth to protest, his eyes misting. “No, not m—”
Thanaeron snapped her fingers and his voice cut off. He attempted to speak again, but no sound came out. He clutched at his throat, screaming soundlessly in rage and despair.
“Now, Desmond, I know you are upset,” Thanaeron cooed wickedly. “But don’t forget our arrangement. Consider your voice mine temporarily, until you can learn to use it wisely.”
He nodded, his eyes wide and hands trembling. She’s a monster. What have I done?
Adelaide gazed out the window at the stunning ocean view, admiring the cascading cliffs and tossing waves. The fortress was built into the rocky terrain, seeming to rise from the cliffs as a larger part of the natural scenery. The sky was a gorgeous twilight pink, streaked with gold and orange tones as the sun set. The waves sparkled in the last of the daylight as far as the eye could see. The distant roaring call of a dragon made her jump, and Charles chuckled from his position on the bed.
“I’m sure we will get used to that sound.”
“I hope so,” Adelaide replied, glancing back at her husband. “I can’t imagine ever truly being used to the idea of dragons. But hopefully, it happens.”
Charles stretched languidly and patted the bed beside him. “Come relax for a bit, my love. We have some time yet before the feast, and we’ve been travelling non-stop.”
Adelaide complied, curling up on the bed next to him and resting her head on his shoulder. “Do you think this is going to work? The grand plan?”
“I hope so.”
“I just have this terrible feeling inside, like something horrible is coming.”
“What do you think it is?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably nothing.” She sighed and closed her eyes, snuggling into his side. “Maybe I’m overthinking all of this. It’s probably just nerves. I still can’t believe I’m a queen.”
“I’ve learned to trust your instincts,” Charles replied, kissing the top of her head. “Bring up the feeling at the feast tonight. I’m sure with so many magic users in one place, we can figure it out.”
“I guess so,” she mused. “I’m interested in meeting Geofmeron. What sort of man do you think he is?”
“Well, I’m not quite sure,” he replied. “He’s friends with Wynne, so we know he’s good, and Shindle seems to think he’s kind. So that’s a good thing.”
“He must be fearsome though, to be able to control so many dragons.”
“And about that Shindle,” Charles remarked, “he seemed to take quite a shine to you.”
“Oh, stop, he was just being polite,” Adelaide laughed, blushing. “He’s a sweet boy.”
“He definitely likes you. I am gonna tease him a little bit tonight, see if I can get him to say that funny little phrase of his again.”
“What phrase?”
“That he’s freaking out.”
Adelaide giggled, remembering Shindle’s flustered exclamation earlier. “Yes, that was funny.”
A knock at the door interrupted them, and Charles strode across the room to open it, leaving Adelaide alone on the large bed. As the door opened, she could hear Shindle’s voice in the hallway.
“Have you settled in nicely? Is there anything I can do for you, sir?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” Charles replied leisurely, stepping aside and motioning to Adelaide. “Why don’t you ask my stunning wife? I’m sure she has plenty you can do.”
Shindle’s eyes widened and he smiled, stammering “Oh! Oh, he-hello. What can I do to you?” He
gasped and quickly corrected himself “Do for you! For you!” His voice dropped to a mutter as he wrung his hands. “I’m freaking out!”
Adelaide stifled a giggle as her gaze met Charles’ and he waggled his eyebrows in delight. “Oh, poor Shindle. Don’t freak out, sweet boy. Charles is just trying to ruffle your feathers.”
“Sorry, my queen. I can’t help it, I get all nervous and jumpy around important people, and I lose my head a bit. I’ll be fine.”
“Remember, call me Addie,” she reminded him gently.
“Oh gee,” he sighed. “Sorry!”
“It’s okay.” She laughed and gestured to the door. “But truly, no, I don’t need anything right now. But thank you, Shindle.”
He bowed and retreated to the doorway. “The feast will begin in two hours time.”
“Oh, actually, I did think of something,” Charles said. “Where are the bathrooms? I could use a washing up.”
“Oh!” Shindle scurried across the room to a large decorative panel on the wall. “I forgot to show you this earlier.” He reached out and pressed one of the large carved flowers, and the panel swung open to reveal a luxurious bathroom. “There you go.”
“Thank you, Shindle. You’ve been most helpful.” Charles clapped his shoulder with his broad hand and smiled. “I think in time, we will be friends.”
“Oh, I hope so, sir!”
“No need to call me sir. Charles is fine.”
“Please don’t take offense, but you two are the most casual royals I’ve ever encountered.”
“No offense taken. In fact, I’ll take it as a compliment,” Adelaide said, smiling. “Anyway, Shindle, we will get ready, and we will see you in two hours!”
“I will come and get you, the castle can seem like a maze if you aren’t used to it.”
“That would be fantastic, thank you.”
Shindle bowed again and shuffled out the door, closing it softly behind him. Charles turned to Adelaide and motioned to the bathroom, complete with a giant tub built into the stone.
“Care to join me for a wash, my love?”
“Yes!” she replied emphatically, gesturing to her hair. “The sea water did a number on me.”
“I’ll get the water ready.” His voice echoed out of the bathroom, accompanied by the splashing of water filling the tub.
Adelaide quickly undressed and joined him in the bathroom, watching the tub fill with hot water. There was a rack full of fluffy towels, and a shelf next to the tub filled with various soaps, oils, and salts. Steam rose from the tub and Charles reached out and grabbed a glass bottle from the shelf.
“Oh look, this one smells like magnolias! Let’s add this.” He dropped a bit into the tub, and bubbles began to froth on the surface. “Look at that.”
Adelaide smiled and grasped his arm as she stepped into the swirling water. She sighed deeply as she sank into the warmth, feeling the tension leave her body as the bubbles surrounded her. The heady scent of magnolias filled the bathroom, and she dunked her head under the water, weightless for a brief moment. She resurfaced in time to see Charles sinking into the tub beside her, his eyes closed in ecstasy as the water washed away all traces of fatigue.
“If you told me a year and a half ago that I’d be here at Dragonspire, married, with a plan to take over the kingdom, soaking in flowery bubbles, I would have laughed in your face,” Adelaide remarked, gently scrubbing her limbs.
“I would have laughed, too,” Charles agreed. “I had sworn off love and was content to live my life on the run until I found you and Cambria.”
“I’m glad you did find us.”
He sighed and sank back into the bubbles, smiling. “Me too.”
Shadows danced on the walls of the enormous cavern as Thanaeron prepared her spell. She muttered to herself as she arranged the altar, her voice bouncing off the cave walls. A young girl sat bound and gagged, beside the altar, sobbing quietly. At last, the spell was ready.
Thanaeron levitated the girl and brought her to rest on the altar, laying flat on her back. Her screams of terror were muffled by the gag in her mouth, and her body trembled and convulsed.
Thanaeron raised her voice and began to chant, the echoes in the cave becoming a dull roar as the spell built in power. A crack of green lightning streaked across the roof of the cavern, for a brief moment chasing away all traces of shadow. Thanaeron raised her ceremonial knife, and after a brief moment, plunged it into the chest of the sobbing girl. Her body stilled as Thanaeron reached into her chest. With a sickening squishing sound, she extracted her heart. She screamed out the last words of the spell and raised the heart to her mouth. Her lips twisted into the briefest of smiles, and then she bit.
As she took that first bite, the cave erupted with swirling green smoke and flashing lights. Thanaeron paid the din no mind and continued to eat until every last trace of the heart was gone, save for her hands and mouth stained with blood.
She lifted her hands high above her head and cried out, “Blendaina Vrevoltire! Arise, my brethren! Arise and join me!”
The ground began to shake and crack, steam hissing up through the fissures in the earth. Above all the noise of the spell rose another, at first indistinguishable, but as it grew louder, distinct words could be heard.
“Praise Maelron! The Daskuji rise once more! Praise Maelron!”
The chant reverberated up through the ground, shaking the walls of the cave with it’s intensity. Thanaeron smiled and clenched her fists, still held high. They are coming.
Adelaide gripped Charles’ hand tightly as they followed Shindle down a labyrinth of corridors until they came to a large green door with ornate gold dragons engraved on it. Shindle pressed the doors open and stepped aside, bowing. In the large room was a large round table, at the center of which was painted a detailed map of Echaria. Seated around the table were an assortment of people.
Adelaide recognized Wynne and Cambria right away, but the others were a mystery to her. She glanced from face to face, her mind churning. That handsome fellow next to Wynne must be Geofmeron. The others, though, I have no idea.
Wynne rose as they approached, smiling. “Adelaide, Charles. Allow me to introduce our host, Geofmeron.” She gestured to her left and the man seated there rose, bowing deeply. He was younger than Adelaide had expected him to be, and handsome. A warm smile brightened his features and his eyes twinkled.
“It is an honor to meet you, your majesty.”
“The honor is mine,” Adelaide replied, sinking into a curtsy. “I have heard wonderful things about you.”
“Oh, probably all just bluster,” he replied, laughing. “Let me introduce you to my counsel.” He motioned across the table to a thin man dressed all in black who stared at the newcomers through narrow green eyes. “This is Felix. He is my familiar.”
Felix nodded at them and then turned his attention elsewhere. Adelaide was puzzled. “I thought familiars were… animals?” she asked hesitantly.
“We are,” Felix replied loftily. “At least, when we want to be.”
Adelaide didn’t respond as she processed this news. A young woman clad in a shimmering grey dress waved coyly from across the table and winked at Adelaide. With a start, Adelaide made the connection. Juniper.
“This is Trinity, my weapons specialist.” Geofmeron pointed to a tall woman clad in leather seated on the far end of the table. She rose and bowed deeply.
“An honor, your highness.”
Adelaide curtsied back. “Nice to meet you.”
“That is Marcus, he’s my dragon keeper.” He gestured to the man beside him, who bowed. “And of course you’ve met my apprentice, Shindle.”
“Yes, thank you,” Adelaide replied, her head swimming with new names and faces. She and Charles took their seats at the table beside Cambria.
“This is an interesting bunch, Addie,” Cambria whispered. “I’ve almost forgotten what it is like to interact with more people than just us.”
“What did we miss?”
; “Oh nothing, just the introductions. We haven’t gotten to anything important yet.”
Geofmeron clapped his hands and the room came alive with servants, bustling about and delivering food and drink to the table. Once everyone’s plates were heaping, Geofmeron stood and raised a glass.
“I’d like to propose a toast, to our lovely Queen Adelaide, who has traveled far and braved much to be here with us.”
The group all raised their glasses and drank, and Adelaide blushed. Geofmeron wiped his lips with a linen cloth and smiled.
“Now, let’s discuss how we are going to take back this kingdom.”
The group around the table cheered and banged their fists against the wood in a heartfelt display that caught Adelaide by surprise. Geofmeron laughed and lifted his hands, signaling the group to settle down. He turned to Wynne and gestured around the table.
“Well, Wynne, the floor is yours. Tell us what you have planned, and we will help in any way we can. It’s time for Echaria to rise from the shadows and into the light!”
The group whooped and cheered again, quickly settling down to hear what Wynne had to say.
“Thank you, Geofmeron. Your hospitality and aid in this time of need will never be forgotten.” She turned to address the others, resting her hands on the table in front of her. “As for all of you, thank you for your loyal service and willingness to sacrifice much in order to bring the kingdom to light. We still have a long road before us, but I am confident that we will overcome all obstacles and reach our goal. We will save Echaria.”
Wynne motioned to Adelaide, encouraging her to stand. “You’ve been introduced to Adelaide, our Queen, the Bringer of Dawn. I also want you to meet her husband, Charles, who is the son of Lord Bainbridge.”
A murmur swept around the table as the group whispered, shocked at the news. Wynne rapped on the table with her knuckles, calling everyone back to order. “Once, I thought the same as you. But he has proven himself to be an invaluable ally, and he is to be trusted. One day, he will be our king.” She gestured to Cambria. “And this is Cambria, the Keeper of Shadows, a descendent of the original Ka’tellna who drove the shadows out of Echaria so long ago.”
