The Dream of Shadows (The Dragon Riders of Arvain Book 3)

by Nicholas Clausen

  “Hayden, we were just discussing what our options are for the upcoming battles,” Cass said with a grin. She tossed the little stone dragon to Hayden who caught it easily.

  “I didn’t know battle planning was so funny,” Hayden said more rudely then he intended to.

  “It wasn’t the planning that was funny it was what Kne said just before you entered,” Cass said with a smile.

  “Kne said something funny?” Hayden asked. He looked at the Bone Thief who was still unmoving as they spoke.

  “Well no, it wasn’t what Kne said that was funny so much as it was how Kne said it that was funny.” Cass tried to explain. Hayden waited for a further explanation, but Cass didn’t indulge him.

  “So, what did Benet want?” Cass asked, changing the subject as she did.

  “He wanted to tell me about Elizabeth’s plans.” Hayden started, but before he told Cass everything, there was something that needed to be discussed first.

  “Did you know he was in the dungeons?” Hayden asked as Cass had been just about to ask about Elizabeth’s plans.

  Cass turned and looked at Kne before answering Hayden which did nothing, but anger Hayden before Cass even spoke.

  “It was a necessary precaution, and I didn’t realize they would take him straight to the dungeon. I would love to leave him to his own devices but not until we are safely on our way.” Cass explained.

  “It was necessary,” Kne added. Hayden turned his hardened gaze on the Bone Thief and for a second was happy that he had brought his sword and dagger with him.

  “That does not matter though, what did he say about Elizabeth’s plans?” Cass asked as she moved around the table to stand in front of Hayden.

  “Not much we didn’t already know,” Hayden said vaguely. “She is calling all her troops in but at this point, she doesn’t know about our doings,” Hayden said with a shrug, hoping that his actions stabbed at Cass.

  “That is until Shane talks,” Cass said.

  Hayden was angered by Cass knowing what he was about to say and by doubting their friend, even though he knew that Shane was most likely going to talk.

  “You think Shane is going to talk?” Hayden demanded, overacting a little too much that Cass raised an eyebrow.

  “You don’t think so?” She asked. Calling his disbelief.

  “I think that if Elizabeth does, in fact, have his family and uses them against Shane that he will have no choice but to talk,” Hayden admitted reluctantly.

  “He has a choice,” Kne said shortly.

  “You don’t know Shane or what Elizabeth will do to his family,” Hayden growled defensively.

  “Doesn’t matter, he shouldn’t talk,” Kne said simply, still no emotion on the Bone Thieves voice.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to understand seeing as you would have your dragon eat other Bone Thieves for food.” Hayden shot.

  “Hayden!” Cass raised her voice but didn’t quite shout.

  Kne simply shrugged his shoulders, indifferent to his remark.

  “That’s enough,” Cass said, locking eyes with Hayden as she spoke.

  “What else did you learn?” Her voice had turned to her queen voice now.

  “He said that they wanted the help of the Bone Thieves and the Frost Fangs and that as of now Elizabeth is expecting them to come to her aid,” Hayden said without taking his eyes off of Kne. The Bone Thieves lack of emotion and movement somehow angered him.

  “As long as we move quickly we might be able to surprise her without her having time to make a new plan once she realizes that help isn’t coming,” Cass said thoughtfully. She turned her back to Hayden to look at the map again.

  “He said that Elizabeth didn’t try to summon the dwarves,” Hayden said. Cass did not turn, but Hayden watched her gaze rise as she thought about his words.

  “I assume there aren’t that many dwarves left after the battle you all had,” Cass said thoughtfully. “And I doubt that any of them would be eager to fight on behalf of Elizabeth.”

  “That’s what Benet and I thought as well,” Hayden said. Cass nodded and went back to looking at the map.

  “That’s why I thought it would be a good idea to go and ask the dwarves to join us,” Hayden said. At this Cass turned to face him before she spoke.

  “Why, if their numbers are so small that Elizabeth wouldn’t want them?” Cass asked.

  “This would be a chance for them to get back at Elizabeth and even if they only have ten dragons and a few dozen soldiers. That’s still ten red dragons and a few dozen soldiers. It could be the numbers we need to tip the scales.” Hayden had been thinking about their plan and talking it over with Draek, but as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he began to doubt his plans.

  “You might be right, but I don’t know if we can risk you, Hayden,” Cass said looking over at Kne who nodded.

  “If we had more time I think your idea would be great or if Shane was still with us. As it is, we are in a hurry. Time is against us. Kirin could be surrounding Elizabeth now as we speak.” Cass looked at the map, and Hayden moved to stand alongside her.

  “We just don’t have the time to risk you not making it back before the fighting begins,” Cass said to herself.

  “What if we left right now?” Hayden asked. He was looking at how close they were on the map to Aldreth Stronghold. “If we mobilize the Bone Thieves and attack Aldreth Stronghold tonight under darkness we could leave out tomorrow morning for Celestial City.” Hayden ran his finger across the map, indicating where he thought the troops would move.

  “I could break off around here.” Hayden pointed. “And fly north as fast as Draek can carry me. We should be able to make it to Bergelmir before nightfall tomorrow.” Hayden said.

  He wanted to continue, but Cass was already shaking her head. “You paint a pretty picture, Hayden. I do think that we should attack tonight, that is a brilliant idea. It will get us closer to Celestial City.” Cass said to Kne who nodded in response. Kne walked past Hayden without a word and silently walked out of the room to set things in motion.

  “You are not taking into account anything going wrong. The fight for Aldreth Stronghold could take longer, or go against us. The journey to Celestial City could find us face to face with a patrol of Metallic Riders heading to stop us if Shane has already told Elizabeth what we are doing over here.” Cass met Hayden’s gaze as she spoke. “Not to mention that who knows if the dwarves are still near the Stone Gates?” Cass shook her head.

  “I can’t risk you, and there is just too much that we don’t know. I need you to help lead the Bone Thieves to Celestial City, and you will be desperately needed there.” Cass said. She reached out and lightly grabbed his hand.

  “We are going to just march right into her plans then?” Hayden asked. “You said that this was exactly what Elizabeth wanted us to do,” Hayden said without removing his hand. He thought he might have sounded a little too pleading, but he was desperate.

  “We aren’t marching into her plans.” Cass dismissed.

  It sounds like we are. Draek had been silent, but he could feel Hayden’s distress.

  “It sounds like we are,” Hayden repeated out loud.

  “I know, but there are other plans in place Hayden.” She said.

  “Like Benet being locked away?” Hayden and Draek said at the same time. Cass could not hear his dragon’s thoughts, but Hayden heard his own voice, and it sounded like it had more force behind it.

  “Benet’s situation was different Hayden. Kne and I thought it best to act quickly, and we didn’t have time to discuss it with you.” Cass said. Hayden pulled his hand away from hers.

  “You and Kne? You are discussing things with Kne now, but you can’t tell me?” Hayden demanded, obviously hurt by the comment.

  “Hayden, it’s not like that. Kne knows a lot about the Shadow Desert and his people.” Cass said pleadingly.

  “What are the plans then, what are we doing not to walk right into Elizabeth's plans?” Hayden asked
looking at the map. His anger was boiling inside him, and this time Draek wasn’t trying to calm him down. His dragon’s anger was pushing his own forward, and he could feel that Draek was getting angry at Shaylin. The gold dragon was remaining silent to Draek’s questions.

  “I can’t tell you all the plans, Hayden.” Cass finally admitted, she would not meet Hayden’s gaze as she spoke.

  “It’s nothing bad, Hayden. It’s just the less amount of people that know our plans in full the better. If Shane hadn’t known everything up until this point, we wouldn’t have such a problem as we do now.” Cass tried to explain.

  “You are worried that I am going to leave and tell Elizabeth everything, is that it?” Hayden blew up, shouting the words out. Cass didn’t recoil. Instead, his shouting lit her own anger.

  “Don’t talk to me like that!” She shot back. “And you know it’s not like that. They have his family Hayden.” Anger raging in her eyes.

  “Oh, you’re right. I don’t have a family, right? I am an orphan, so that’s why you're not worried?” Hayden asked, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Or is it that my village is gone and that everyone I knew is dead so there is no one Elizabeth can capture to hold something over me?” Cass’s muscles in her jaw tightened, and her eyes narrowed before she spoke.

  “Don’t you dare go there, Hayden. You know that’s not right and you know that’s not fair. I don’t want you to get captured and forced to tell our plans if something goes wrong. There is more at stake here then your pride, and they could torture you until you talked. There are other ways to make you talk besides having your family.” She almost growled the last words, her fists clenched and her shoulders square.

  “You’re right my Queen,” Hayden said with a sneer. “I am worthy enough to fight for you and to do your dirty work but not enough to know your plans.” Hayden gave a mock bow.

  At that moment, before Cass could respond, Kne walked back into the room.

  “The Bone Thieves will be ready within the hour. If you are ready, we need to start our preparations.” Kne said quickly, the obvious friction in the room oblivious to the Bone Thief.

  “I am ready; this conversation is over,” Cass said.

  “Of course my Queen. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your secret plans with Kne.” Hayden said mockingly.

  “I thought we agreed not to tell Hayden about the plans?” Kne said plainly.

  “I am not worthy to hear of these plans, just worthy enough to fulfill them,” Hayden said with more mockery.

  “Enough Hayden,” Cass said, her anger replaced with her queen tone.

  “Am I worthy enough to know what you would like me to do? Or should I just stand around and wait for you?” Hayden said bowing again.

  Hayden had closed his eyes as he bowed, so he didn’t see Cass’s hand coming.

  SSMMMAACCKK. Cass’s hand collided with the side of Hayden’s head, catching his ear and causing a ringing sound. His face was numb from the impact for just a second but was quickly replaced by stinging and a burning sensation.

  Hayden stood back slowly, looking at Cass and struggling to keep his anger and shock bottled up.

  “I said enough,” Cass said, her voice not wavering as she spoke.

  “You will go and prepare Draek for the fight ahead of us. You will then help lead the Bone Thieves to Aldreth Stronghold, overthrow it and lead them all the way Celestial City. You will not venture off, and you will not attempt to contact the dwarves. Am I clear?” Cass asked.

  Hayden’s jaw was clenched so tight he didn’t think he could unlock them to talk. Instead, he gave a slow, deliberate nod but did not break eye contact with Cass.

  “Good, you may go,” Cass said abruptly. Hayden locked eyes with her but their anger was equal, and the silence stretched on for an uncomfortably long time.

  “It is time for you to leave,” Kne said to break the silence. Hayden and Cass both turned to face the Bone Thief. Seeing the rage on both of their faces caused Kne to pull at his rib breastplate.

  Two of the ribs came loose, and he held one in each hand like daggers. The insides of the ribs were serrated with what looked like teeth.

  “If I wanted to kill you Kne, those would not stop me,” Hayden growled, his hand resting on the pommel of his silver blade.

  “Perhaps,” Kne said. Hayden moved passed the Bone Thief and made his way to the doorway.

  “The poison that covers these bones would,” Kne added. Hayden stopped but did not turn around. He weighed his options and had to fight the urge to turn around and see what the Bone Thief could do.

  Instead, he took a deep breath and continued to walk out of the room. Shouting back as he left.

  “I will need a Bone Thief to help me with my armor.” His voice rang out, but he didn’t wait to give them a chance to respond. He stormed off, his anger his only consolation as he felt the sting of defeat just as strongly as he felt the sting from Cass’s smack.

  He had been talked down too like a child, and they had kept secrets from him. They were still keeping secrets from him, and they didn’t trust him, regardless of what they claimed.

  It’s time to get ready. Hayden growled in his mind. Draek roared where ever he was flying. He was angry, they both were. They were being kept in the dark by their friends, and now they were being tasked with fighting.

  Hayden stomped into what was going to be his chambers. He kicked his saddle over and spilled out some of its contents. He wanted to hit something, to scream and shout. He wanted to march back to Cass and Kne and tell them why he should be trusted.

  He had just about resigned himself to do just that when a young, slightly older than a child, Bone Thief walked into his room.

  Even though the child had hardly any bone covering the black cloth that hid their skin from the harsh desert, the Bone Thief held itself with the same mystery that and an adult would.

  “You needed help with your armor.” The child said with assurance, not asking a question.

  “I do,” Hayden said, his anger cooling within him. “What is your name young one?” Hayden asked.

  “I am Se.” The Bone Thief replied. “Not young one.” Se corrected. Hayden nodded his understanding and moved over to his saddle and his belongings that were discarded across the floor.

  “Well Se, thank you for helping me.” Hayden started. He picked up the bundles of cloth that were wrapped around his armor and began organizing them on the floor.

  Se did not help, did not even move from where the Bone Thief had first spoken.

  Hayden repacked the remainder of his gear and made sure everything was secure in his saddle. After that was done, Hayden went to the side room that had been the sleeping room that he never used and quickly changed into a pair of thin, grey clothes.

  Hayden stepped out of the room and expected Se to have moved and to be examining his armor but instead, the Bone Thief stood ever still, waiting patiently.

  Hayden smiled but got no response from behind the child-sized shattered skull that hid Se’s face.

  Hayden slid his feet into the soft leather boots that tightened around his calves and began putting on his armor. He worked by himself, tightening all the leather straps that held the silver-scaled armor to his limbs.

  Finally, he picked up the breastplate that had the three odd scales placed around the collar. Hayden hadn’t seen it since the elder told him they were adding a white scale to his armor, one from Klarack’s own dragon.

  Hayden ran his fingers over the new scale, he half expected the frosty scale to be cold to the touch, but it felt just as strong and cold as the other scales.

  Hayden lifted up the breastplate, having finished his inspection of the new scale, and began fighting with the armor and was able to manipulate it on his chest.

  “Are you going to help me?” Hayden asked.

  “Are you going to ask for help?” Se asked in return. The young Bone Thieves’ voice not sarcastic or mean.

  “Hhmm.” Hayden sighed. “Will you help me
?” He asked. Se nodded and came to Hayden’s aid. Together they tightened the last of Hayden’s armor.

  Four adult Bone Thieves’ arrived and took Hayden’s saddle away to put it on Draek. Hayden handed his silver eagle helmet to Se to carry as he picked up his silver shield and took one last look around the room to make sure they had grabbed everything.

  His new bow and arrows, ones he had taken from Bennet’s gear, were strapped to his saddle, but in the darkness, they would be all but useless. Hayden was about to leave when he noticed something else sticking out of Benet’s saddle.

  With a shrug, he walked over to the copper rider’s saddle and picked up his copper sword and scabbard.

  The sword was almost identical to his own except for the color. His own sword hung around his back with his dagger at his chest. He quickly strapped Benet’s blade around his waist and with Se, they made their way to the landing pad where Draek awaited.

  At the landing pad, the Bone Thieves went to work getting Draek’s saddle attached. Draek lowered his head and looked at Hayden, together the two looked deep into each other’s eyes and into each other’s minds.

  Again we go. Draek said. The anticipation of battle having calmed the storm of anger but only slightly. Draek and Hayden knew that a little anger before a fight was a good thing.

  Again. Hayden agreed. Hayden attached his silver shield to the side of Draek’s saddle so he could grab it in a moment of need. Hayden turned to Se and motioned for the young Bone Thief to bring him his helmet. He dawned the final part of his armor and with it became a silver extension of Draek.

  “You go to fight,” Se stated.

  “I do, as do your people with me,” Hayden said. There was only one black dragon on the landing pad, but he was sure the other black dragons were near.

  “Others fight with you as well,” Se said, pointing to Hayden’s chest. Hayden looked down at the blue, green and white scales that were a part of his armor now.

  “They do. Soon all of Arvain will fight.” Hayden said. Hayden climbed onto the back of Draek with a lot of help from his dragon. He strapped himself in and prepared for Draek to take to the sky.

  The sun had set hours before and the night was in full power, but there was just enough light from the torches around the landing pad to see the shadowy figure of Se. The Bone Thief looked even more like a creature of myth in the darkness.