Order Of The Dragon (Omnibus 1-4)

by Jason Halstead

  "Alto found it in a bewitched wood and they escaped together. They came north to find me and Winter chose me as his companion."

  Carson shook his head. "Unicorn? Like, with a horn and white hair and everything?"

  "Yes. He's amazing and smarter than a lot of people I've met. I'm not sure but Bucky might be as smart as Winter from what I saw of him. I think he understands us."

  Carson nodded and stared into the distance. "I think you're right."

  Patrina frowned as a chill crept down her spine. "Why? Have you talked to him before? Did you do something?"

  Carson sighed and turned away from her. "Your ship is gone. They didn't wait for you," he said.

  "Carson, answer me!"

  "It was years ago," Carson said. "When we figured out he was taking people. I barely had any hair on my chest; I was young and stupid."

  "What did you do?" Patrina snapped.

  "He got me!" Carson blurted out.

  Patrina stared at him, speechless with his admission. A silent moment passed between them, and she saw the fear and shame in his eyes. "What happened?" she asked again, this time using a tender tone.

  "I begged and pleaded. Cried, sobbed, the usual childhood antics," Carson said.

  "So he let you go?"

  Carson chewed his lip and nodded.

  "There's more, isn't there?"

  "Does it matter?" he asked. "We're all stuck here now. Shouldn't we just make the best of the situation?"

  "I'm Lady Patrina, daughter of the Jarl of Holgasford," Patrina said. "That ship and others will be back. They will tear this island apart looking for me. And for Alto. My father gave my hand to Alto and even named him thane of Rockwood, as soon as it's rebuilt, that is. You've been trapped away here but everyone in the northern regions knows of Alto. He slew Sarya and rescued me from her clutches."

  "Who's Sarya?" Carson asked.

  "A dragon!"

  Carson's eyes widened. "Oh!"

  "Oh! is right," Patrina said. "So don't think this island is going to be a hiding place much longer. A couple of days at most, and then it will be overrun with kelgryn soldiers. My father won't leave a rock unturned, searching for me."

  "Sounds like you don't need me to help you then," Carson said. "You can just wait here and they'll come and get you."

  Patrina nodded. "I'm sure they will, but I need to make sure Alto and Namitus are still alive when they get here. And this island—it's beautiful. I don't want it being torn apart."

  "What's Namitus's role in all of this?" Carson asked.

  "He's my brother," Patrina lied.

  Carson frowned. "Different mother?"

  "Something like that," she said. "But it doesn't matter. Tell me the rest of the story."

  Carson stared at the ground far below them. At last he sighed and glanced at her. "I struck a deal with Bucky. I told him I'd help him if he let me go. I'd keep people from hunting him or looking for him and that I'd give him anybody I could."

  "You—" Patrina trailed off, unable to finish her thought. "You gave him people?"

  "I was a stupid kid!" Carson cried out. "I wanted to live! He understood me and he let me go. Then I ran out of people but he left me alone. I stayed out of his way and then more people arrived. He always knew when that happened. He'd show up and I'd have to find a way to deliver."

  "That cave was a trap, wasn't it?" Patrina asked, controlling her voice carefully to keep the fury out of it.

  Carson shook his head. "No! It's been years since anyone has showed up. I had no intention of giving you to him. I wanted to get away. I wanted to go with you! Do you know what it's like having nothing but giant apes, hungry cats, and enormous lizards as company? I love the jungle but I miss people."

  "Bucky gave me to you!" Patrina hissed.

  "What?"

  "Bucky knew. He knew you wanted to leave. He knew you needed a companion so he gave you me."

  "I never made a deal like that!" Carson insisted.

  Patrina stared at him and nodded. "I believe you. But I think you underestimated Bucky. I think we all did."

  "So now what?" Carson asked. "You go back to your palace and leave us on this island?"

  "No, we get Alto and Namitus. If an army of men approaches, Bucky's not going to be happy."

  Carson grimaced. "How do we do that?"

  "There's a tunnel under the castle; if we can get them free, we can slip into it. Bucky can't follow us down there—it's too small."

  "Where does it lead?"

  "To a river and that lagoon you told me to swim for."

  Carson gasped. "I never knew that river went anywhere! How'd you find it?"

  "Same place I got this suit of armor and my axe," Patrina said as she laid her hand on the handle of her axe. She felt better almost instantly for having it in her hand.

  "An armory under the castle? Doesn't look like much for armor. I mean, it looks good on you. Really good! It's just—"

  Patrina held up her hand. "I know how it looks. If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your eyes on mine and off my armor."

  Carson's white teeth contrasted with the bright red color of his cheeks. "Yes, um, lady."

  Patrina scowled. "Just Patrina, please. My friends call me Trina."

  "Am I a friend?" Carson asked her.

  "Help me save my companions and you'll be one of my best friends."

  Carson stared at her and then nodded. "All right, first thing is we've got to get you down and then get you cleaned up."

  "Cleaned up? Why now?"

  Carson wrinkled his nose and said, "I don't know what you did in that cave or with those apes but, well, Patrina…you stink."

  Patrina opened her mouth to snap at him. She stopped and remembered being sneezed on by the ape. She sighed and nodded. "Yes, a bath would do me well."

  Chapter 19

  "I need a proper tower," Kar muttered when he heard the solid knock on the door. He pushed his chair back and stood up from the table. He opened the door to the former Blades of Leander's headquarters and saw the serving wench turned warrior wench standing there. Next to her was the uppity new knight, Celos. He looked disapproving and full of himself, as usual.

  "With enchanted gargoyles," Kar finished his earlier thought in a mutter to put the unwelcomed guests off guard. "Oh, hello. I gave at the church."

  "We're not here pandering for money," Celos growled.

  "Looking for my boy? Karthor's at the church, I expect. Hopefully not servicing some priest. Then again, he's risen up the ranks himself. Gah, I hope he's not passing on the tradition to an acolyte!"

  "Kar!" Aleena chastened him. "Such things do not take place in Leander's walls! You should know better."

  Kar shrugged. "I don't ask and they don't tell."

  "You do ask," Aleena insisted.

  Kar shrugged again. He wasn't used to being challenged by such a young woman. Never mind that he knew his claims were bold and false. "What do you need? I'm a busy man."

  "Researching some great new magic?" Aleena asked as she leaned to the side to peer past him.

  Kar turned and gestured at the table with the book and the many ingredients spread out on it. "Yes, it's called cinnamon-roasted chicken."

  Aleena opened and closed her mouth. Celos snorted.

  "There's magic to be had in a well-cooked meal," the wizard added.

  Aleena let herself laugh. "We're here on business of sorts," she said. "The church has heard more complaints about the enchanted forest the Blades of Leander ventured into last year."

  "Terrible place," Kar agreed. "Twisted animals and giant wasps, among other things."

  "Indeed," Celos agreed. "We've just returned from there."

  "Glad to see you survived. I could have told you that before you left, though. Waste of a trip, I'm afraid. Good seeing you, though!"

  Kar started to turn away when Aleena stepped forward to block the door. "We cleansed the forest."

  Kar raised his bushy eyebrows. "Well done! Looks like you rea
lly didn't need anything from me, then."

  "Wizard, stop being so difficult," Celos snapped at him.

  Kar turned and stared at Celos. "This isn't difficult. This is me having better things to do. If you'd like difficult, I can arrange it."

  "Kar, please, hear me out," Aleena said. "There was a nymph that had gone bad and corrupted her magic. She—"

  Kar rolled his hand impatiently. "Yes, I know. Nallipura. Tragic love story that ended in death and despair."

  "You know?" Aleena gasped. "But how?"

  "I'm a wizard; it's my job to know these things."

  "Did you know them last year?"

  "So you've destroyed the nymph's spirit then?" Kar ignored her question and asked one of his own.

  "Yes, we did. We found a wizard's house, too."

  "Oh? Alto mentioned seeing a house in the swamp. How'd that go for you?"

  "The wizard—Therion was his name—was dead."

  Kar shrugged. "Toying with nature is never a safe thing."

  "He was stabbed by a dagger," Aleena offered.

  "Well, that's natural enough," Kar quipped.

  "Kar! Stop, please," Aleena begged him. "He was in his bed without any clothing on. Magical symbols were carved into his body around the dagger. We found evidence of another person staying there, too—a woman, but she was gone."

  Kar waited a moment until Aleena sighed in frustration. "Eaten by his creations, perhaps?" Kar offered.

  "I don't think so. There were books missing. Magical books."

  "I see. Are the Knights of Leander little better than sheriffs patrolling the countryside looking to do justice to those who break the king's law?" he asked. "Oh but wait, that forest is outside the border of the kingdom."

  "He is impertinent," Celos snapped. "Come, squire, we're wasting our time."

  Aleena grabbed a sack that hung from her belt and untied it. She handed it to Kar. "These are the books I found there. I thought you and Alto might like them."

  "Alto? The boy's a warrior, not a wizard," Kar said as he took the offered bag.

  "There's a tome with the title Order of the Dragon in there, too," Aleena said.

  Kar's eyes widened. He nodded. "Well, um, yes, he probably will be interested in that. I'll thank you on his behalf. Might be a while before I see the lad again; he's busy trying to woo the kelgryn princess and all."

  Aleena shifted and glanced down at the ground. Behind her, Celos stiffened even as his eyes went to the squire in front of him.

  "Yes, well, the church has no need of such things and I thought it best if they weren't left to fall into random hands."

  "You thought right," Kar said. "Uh, thank you, I suppose. Now if you don't mind, this is a delicate recipe."

  "Of course," Aleena said. She smiled and spun away, her armor clinking as she walked away from the building and turned to head towards the church nearby. Celos cast a lingering gaze on Kar before he, too, turned and headed towards the church.

  Kar shut the door and opened the bag. He peered into it and cackled. "Fool girl didn't realize how much a bag like this is worth," he muttered. He began taking out the books and stacking them on the table, and then grinned as he weighed the worth of the books in knowledge alone, let alone gold.

  When he came to the Order of the Dragon book, he paused and reached down to open it. It had magic about it—all the books did—but this one felt different to him. He flipped it open and found the text clearly legible without needing any sort of a comprehension spell. He was about to flip to the second page when the door shuddered under the assault of someone else's knuckles.

  Kar flung the door open and glared out. Instead of the knights, he found himself staring at an exhausted man wearing the livery of Holgasford. "This can't be good," Kar muttered.

  The man drew in a ragged breath and asked in a rushed voice, "Is this the Band of the Dying Dragon?"

  Kar grimaced. "Terrible name," he muttered. "But yes, it is. Our captain's in your realm, though."

  He shook his head and pulled out a scroll marked with the jarl's seal. "Urgent message for you."

  Kar took it and nodded. The man stood there while Kar cracked it open and unrolled it. He read through it quickly and scowled. "Well, seems it is bad news." He turned and snapped his fingers, dispelling the glamour that had made his spell books look like an elaborate dinner preparation. "Let the jarl know we'll meet the ship in Amderfell," Kar told him.

  "My lord." The messenger bowed his head and turned away. Kar watched him go for a moment, thinking he should have offered the man something. He pushed the thought aside. Alto, Patrina, and Namitus seemed to have gotten themselves in trouble. Again. And he knew little about Britanly. He scowled and started shoving the books back in the bag. He could go over them on the boat.

  Finished with that, Kar put his other items away and locked belongings up with key and spell. Satisfied that anyone seeking burglary would end up far worse off for it, he changed into traveling clothes and locked up the building. From there it was just a quick walk to the church, although a walk he seldom took.

  Kar walked in to the main temple and grimaced when he saw a service was being held. He was about to walk down the aisle and interrupt the priest conducting the ceremony when he saw one of the other priests standing along one wall step forward and walk past the others. Kar squinted and then smirked. It was his son. He turned and stepped back out into the lobby of the building and waited.

  "Father!" Karthor greeted him with a welcoming smile. "Your timing is without fault, as always."

  Kar snorted. "Purely by chance this time, I'm afraid."

  Karthor's smile faded. "Trouble?"

  "Of course. Seems Alto, his lady, and their jester have gotten themselves in trouble again."

  "Oh?" Karthor asked as he took the scroll from the wizard. He read it quickly and handed it back. "I'll fetch my things."

  "We'll need to make haste to reach Amderfell," Kar said. "The boat's waiting for us, but it's been a couple of days by now already."

  "I can bolster our horses so they run strong," Karthor said.

  "And I can speed their movements," the wizard said. "Go, now, or I'll use my magic to speed yours as well!"

  Karthor smirked and strode to a door at the side of the lobby that led to his private room. Kar smirked as he left and turned when he heard a commotion from the other end of the lobby. Celos and Aleena walked through.

  "Kar!" Aleena stuttered and came to a stop.

  "You're getting good at that," the wizard snapped.

  "Good at what?"

  "Recognizing me."

  Aleena sighed. "I'm not your enemy, Kar. Neither is the church."

  "So where are you two off in such a rush?" Kar changed the topic.

  "We've heard rumors of strange happenings in the Northern Divide," Celos said.

  "Another dragon?"

  "What? Do you know of this, too?" the knight demanded.

  Kar shook his head. "Sarya's done; Alto dealt with her. I know nothing of it. I'd hoped to steer clear of them the rest of my life, in fact."

  "We're off to speak with Tristam and learn what we can. We've heard the mines are under attack again," Aleena said.

  "Lovely. When we get back, I'll mention it to Alto. For a price, perhaps we'll come and save the kingdom again."

  Aleena opened her mouth but Celos beat her to it. "Come, Aleena, the day grows long and we have many miles to ride."

  Aleena frowned and then nodded. She turned away but Kar stopped her. "Congratulations, Sir Aleena."

  Aleena spun back around. "What?"

  "Your shield and tabard are different. The same as Celos's. You've been promoted, the first woman to be granted in hundreds of years."

  "Dame Aleena," Celos growled.

  Kar smirked. "Ah yes, my apologies. Congratulations, Dame Aleena."

  Aleena's cheeks flushed red. She bowed her head. "Thank you, Kar. But the honor isn't mine; it's Saint Leander's."

  Kar rolled his eyes. "Of course it
is. I'll pass along the word."

  "Come," Celos urged.

  Aleena flashed Kar another smile and then hurried after her peer out the front of the church and towards the stables. Kar had barely turned back around when Karthor arrived dressed in the plate armor the church had judged him worthy enough to wear.

  "About time," Kar muttered. He turned as his son fell in beside him. "Did you know that serving maid who had a thing for Alto was granted knighthood?"

  Karthor jerked his head back as though he'd been struck. He smiled. "I hadn't heard. Good for her! How did you hear?"

  "They just walked through and I saw her. They're headed to Highpeak."

  Karthor sighed. "I've heard rumors of organized attacks by the ogres in the mountains again. They seem to be trying to drive the humans out."

  "I've been remiss on checking up on contracts; might be a good opportunity to get everyone back together," Kar mused.

  Karthor chuckled. "Isn't that what we're doing now?"

  "I prefer marching into known danger at full strength," the wizard said. "But I suppose you're right. Just as well. I was getting bored, what with researching new magic and answering questions that have plagued me for years."

  Karthor chuckled. "I'm sure you were."

  "It's miserable, I tell you," Kar went on. "Sleeping in a warm and comfortable bed every night? Perish the thought!"

  Karthor laughed at his father's antics and walked with him through the crowded streets of Portland towards the stables and the gate beyond.

  Chapter 20

  "We'll wait—" Taldar said to the gathered companions until Mordrim cut him off.

  The dwarf slammed the shaft of his hammer into the deck and said, "You'll be waiting until we get back, be it a day or a month!"

  Taldar stared down at the warrior and nodded his head.

  "I mean it." Mordrim glowered at him. "You left once ere you should have. You do that again and I'll swim back and drown you with my bare hands!"

  Taldar glanced at his crew. "The first man who whines about wanting to leave swims home."

  Grunts and nods were his response.

  Mordrim nodded and turned towards the longboat that had already been lowered beside the Kraken. Garrick let his gaze rake across the crew. He considered adding a few words but in the end let his silence be the message he needed. He stepped into the boat and moved to balance it in the water opposite of where the dwarf, priest, and wizard already sat.