by LeRoy Clary
Soren looked at poor Timor, the youngest and least experienced. No doubt the other two had decided to appoint him a spokesman for them, and he would receive the brunt of my anger. I decided to go easy on him. Not the others.
He started to stand, as would be proper when addressing me, but we were on a ship with limited space in my cabin, and I didn’t want him looming over me as he spoke. I waved him to sit.
“Princess,” he fumbled even my title but gamely drew a breath and calmed himself, “we have brought the information about the treaties with the Kingdom of Angor and the Concordance of Palladium to the forefront and state that we cannot agree to anything which is in conflict with them and our long-term relationships. Further, we must have them ratify any defense agreement because that is a condition stated in our present treaties. They must agree and may even support Kondor by way of this treaty, or they may not. It is their right to know what kingdoms we hold treaties with as a protection for themselves and so they do not declare war on our ally.”
I nodded my approval. They had done far better than I anticipated—but since my father had appointed them, they were the best at what they did.
He went on, “We then defined the mutual support portions of the treaties as well as possible, since we do not have copies with us and were careless not to have researched them prior to sailing, although in our defense, we did depart in something of a rush.”
I allowed him the excuse, knowing he could have searched a lifetime for the nonexistent treaties. I kept my face interested, but not approving.
He said, “The next section of the treaty details the tariffs and extent of each, as well as the ban on the import of weapons made in Kondor. We provisionally added that we believe a tariff will soon be applied to all travelers from kingdoms we do not have treaties with. Those same foreigners will be detained in the Port of Mercia until such taxes are paid, and temporary permission is granted to remain, not to exceed thirty days.”
“There is more, I assume?” Although said with a slight scowl, I was impressed. The more we included taxes, tariffs, and travel restrictions to ships using our port, the more camouflaged the intent of self-protection issue became—the real reason for the treaty. Dire needed to forestall any invasion from Kondor until my father was fully recovered and we had time to prepare for war or an invasion.
“Unless you wish the verbiage changed to restrict all travel by those arriving from Kondor,” Lady Grace added.
I leaned forward, “And for all ships that have made a port of call in any Kondor port in the last year.”
Soren blurted out, “They won’t stand for that.”
I turned to him and in my coldest voice said. “Dire does not care.”
Soren shrank back as if struck by my fist. “Yes, Princess.”
“Also, I want more sanctions. Restrictions and limitations of goods shipped from Dire, as well as travel to Kondor by our citizens, for example.” They were incapable of speech at that moment. I decided to give them a positive stroke. “You will also add that any trade agreement may also open new markets for them in Angor and Palladium, as our existing treaties provide, but do not guarantee. However, being a friend of Dire is a valuable asset.”
They sat wordlessly.
I stood and held up the treaty they had worked so hard on and was now worthless. “I’ll take a good look at this, and in the meantime, you will modify it to meet those additional items we’ve discussed.”
They stood as one.
As they reached the door, I added, “In case you haven’t heard, the Gallant has turned south and is sailing to Vin and then on to Dagger. The storm has passed. We should be there in two days at most.”
It was clear the information was new to them since they’d been locked in their cabin of an office all day working on the treaty. It was also clear there was a new respect in their eyes and attitudes, at least it was new to me.
After they were gone, I thought about the meeting and tried to decide if I’d been fair, a bitch, or a strong woman with a tough mission. In the end, all three might have validity. I puffed my chest out like a baby bird after its first flight from the nest.
Later, while strolling the deck and watching the sea to the south to make sure the storms didn’t reappear, I missed Kendra terribly. Damon too, but not in the same way. Kendra and I were young women who could share experiences that a man wouldn’t understand—or if he did, I wouldn’t talk about them to him. It’s just life. He holds a separate place in my heart that Kendra will never share.
When I was finished walking, I went to the starboard railing near the stern of the ship, where the upper decks were supported by the wall with the door to the inside passage. There were at least three nearby places for someone to stand and be unobserved. As hoped, Will was at one of them, and I moved closer to him, but not too close. If anyone took notice, they would see two people on the same rail, but not standing together.
He looked out to sea, as I did. He spoke without turning his head, “I saw your three clerks leave your cabin. They were intent and didn’t seem too happy.”
“I think we came to an understanding and perhaps I gained a little respect.”
Will smiled, just the merest expression of approval and one I needed to confirm my actions. He continued to look off to the horizon. “No Wyverns in sight.”
That was odd. I’d expected to see many of them. The four mages had drawn their powers of magic from somewhere, and if there were no Wyverns, where did it come from? I didn’t know. We supposed that Essence is there in Wyverns, but in far smaller quantities than true-dragons. “Maybe they all flew away when the mages drowned, and the ships sank.”
“Maybe,” he said noncommittally.
The thing about Will was that while I thought I’d hired him, my father had first, and I didn’t know him well enough to tell when he knew the answers and when he didn’t. Not that I distrusted him. Just the opposite. However, he rarely shared more than the very basics of anything. He usually did when he had something important to say otherwise said nothing. “Okay, there are no Wyverns. What are you thinking?”
He ignored me for a time, as he gazed out to sea. Then, as if he’d gathered his thoughts about him, he faced me. “I’m an ‘appointed’ royal, not one by birth, as you know. I also live apart from the palaces and castles of Dire. I have my lands to oversee.”
“I know all that.” I was not rude but understanding. He was attempting to share something and prefaced it, so I’d understand.
“People talk to me, and around me, that won’t say anything if a royal is near. There is no need for proper speech or the rigid protocol. They understand I’m one of them, only elevated for my lifetime.”
“I assume that they’ve told you many things they wouldn’t share with a royal?”
“At times. I heard someone say that he once overheard mages talking. One said using Essence from Wyverns was like trying to chop down a hundred-year-old oak with a little knife intended to clean fingernails. It can be done but takes a while.”
“Then, how?”
“Essence in quantity only comes from true-dragons.” He made the statement with finality.
I gave him a moment to reconsider. When he didn’t, I added, “All this is new to me, but my information says there is only one true-dragon left in the world.”
Will said, “That would mean whoever controls that dragon controls the world of magic. All of it. From what I hear, that would be your servant, Kendra.”
That took me back, mostly because of what it inferred. It couldn’t be true because Kendra was my friend, my best friend, and I trusted her completely and without reservation. If what Will suggested held any truth, and it did, there must be a flaw in the other information. “It might be that there is another source for Essence.”
“If so, I haven’t even heard a rumor of it,” Will retorted as if he had heard all rumors and my suggestion was silly.
I fought down my temper and answered coolly, “Then consider this. If there i
s a secondary source of Essence or another manner of obtaining it that is controlled by the mages and sorceresses, do you think they might keep it a secret from the likes of us?”
He didn’t answer for a few beats, which made me believe he was considering my suggestions—even if not believing them. Finally, he said, “You know? There is something that has tickled at the back of my mind. I’ve always wondered why the mages are so public in their activities, but the sorceresses remain in the background, yet they are always nearby.”
“Meaning?”
“It just doesn’t fit with what I know of women. So, I’ll ask you. Does it appear that sorceresses intentionally downplay their powers? And if they do, why is that? Wouldn’t you think one here and there would stand out in her actions?”
Now it was my turn to consider his thoughts. After allowing it to meander around in the forefront of my convoluted thinking, I came to a few conclusions. “You have an interesting point to think about and may have put your finger on something important. However, any thoughts that Kendra may not be doing her best to support me are in error, if there are any. The idea of an alternate source of Essence is a possibility we should consider.”
“I appreciate your loyalty to your servant and want to assure you I had no such thoughts. We share a common problem. Neither of us knows enough about magic, the goals of the mages and sorceresses, or even dragons.”
He’d again singled out the items that stood out above all else. Worse, I saw no way to obtain that information, especially while on a ship. For certain, the mages were not talking, the dragon couldn’t, and the best we could do was to cobble together crude guesses. However, there was one more set of facts that we did know. “The mages are killing our kings and replacing them with appointed councils. That also must factor in our search for information.”
He smiled for the first time in days. “That could be the thread we can pick at to unravel this tapestry of lies, deceit, and betrayal.”
“Well put. Why the smile?”
“Until today, I doubted you. Underestimated you in every way. My perception of you was one of an insipid young princess who was only concerned with the curl of her hair and the color of the gown she wore. Forgive me. I was wrong.”
Again, I looked at his smile and found it genuine. “I resented my father for hiring you behind my back.”
“I resented following around and caring for a wealthy girl who was sent on a mission more suited for a seasoned politician. Instead, I find it concealed behind the innocent young face a clever, intelligent woman ready to defend her kingdom.”
Nice words, but not completely true. I lifted my chin to accept my failings gracefully. “That is not who stood before you two days ago.”
He turned back to the sea, as if something out there drew his eyes, as it did for all who travel by sea. He said softly, “Not to contradict my princess, but it was true two days ago. You just hadn’t freed the lion within you, yet.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Damon
We gathered together a few steps away from our prisoners and held what amounted to a family council. Since I’d recently been a prisoner, I identified with them. Flier did most of the talking, Emma and Anna remained quiet, willing to accept whatever we decided to do. Kendra seemed in a hurry to both depart and to reach Vin. As for me, I just wanted to get out of the desert sun that reflected off the water and the sand and seemed to suck all moisture from us, no matter how much or often we drank.
Flier turned to face our prisoners, and he cut the bindings from them as he spoke for all to hear, “Listen well. We are fighting against the council and the new rulers; however, it is something we must do alone. If you attempt to follow us, you will die. So that you understand it is no idle boast, I have arranged to have a true-dragon land on the bank of the river in full view of you tonight. If you go near or attempt to follow us, it will make a meal of you.”
The former stableman scowled. “Since when can you call a dragon to do your bidding? I have heard nothing of you training to be a mage.”
Flier shrugged as if he was controlling the dragon, which I appreciated. Instead of saying Kendra’s name, or that Anna communicated with it, he took full responsibility. Our former prisoners would spread the tale to others of the desert that Flier had forecast the appearance of the dragon, thereby further complicating the story. With each telling, it would become a little less believable.
All three girls had already placed their silly-looking reed hats on their heads, and I might have laughed at how they appeared, but we were all standing directly in the sun, and their faces, necks, and shoulders were in the shade. I felt the sweat and heat on my face, not all from the sun as I know how silly I’d look as I placed mine on my head and tied the chinstrap.
As we walked away, I managed to glance behind a few times without being too obvious. The three men were lucky we hadn’t killed them, and they knew it, although two had severe headaches from being struck with rocks. To increase the odds of our survival, we should have killed and buried them or at least left them tied to trees. They probably talked briefly of following us, but the ring of truth in Flier’s tone about the dragon held them back. All in sight behind was the seemingly endless flat of the desert and the river disappearing into the dense growth at the edges.
Fortunately, we had all the sluggish brown water we wished to drink. Unfortunately, we had nothing to eat. Little Anna complained first, then Emma joined in for a while, but after seeing the expression on my face, both shut up.
Flier walked well ahead, increasing the distance between us after warning me he should be there as a scout to search for more bandits, robbers, killers, or anyone else who might want to cause us harm. Our pace lagged, we stumbled, and still, we hesitated to drink any water.
Kendra said there must be a waterhole, well, spring, or clean pond ahead, but if it was there, we hadn’t reached it when I made my choice again. I went to the river’s edge, knelt and scooped the surface water clear of sticks, grasses, and insects. After a brief inspection, I tasted it, just the smallest amount. There was a slight earthy taste, but despite its brown appearance, it was wet and went down smoothly. I could grow to like it if I didn’t have to look at it.
All three girls followed my lead. Although they had all tasted the river water, they wanted to know my opinion, as if they would refuse to drink more of it if I refused. Despite the heat and exhaustion, there were little giggles and even laughter as they took turns and I made up my mind to tease them at the next place we paused, perhaps by pretending to be poisoned. No, that would be cruel. Instead, I could pretend to chew my drink because the water was so thick.
Kendra said on a more serious note, “The dragon is going to swoop down and pass right over us in a few moments. I wonder at the reactions of those behind us. Maybe they will believe?”
I said, “My reaction is to run and duck. Is it going to land on the ground and protect our backs as Flier suggested?”
She shook her head. “I think that’s a little extreme, now. Dragons don’t like to land out in the open where they can be attacked. But you can never tell, so it is going to pass low over that place where we left them and land just long enough for them to get a good look at her. Then the dragon will fly into the mountains and hunt for a deer or goat. It’s very hungry after all that flying.”
“Do you have any idea of what happened to the ships?”
“Not like images or anything. Her response was to fly there as I asked, then my dragon was attacked by at least ten Wyvern. They came at her from all sides, and she was both scared and angry. Five or six Wyvern were outright killed, and she was still scared when she attacked the first ship.”
I said, “You keep calling it her. And you said my dragon.”
“Shut up and listen and wipe that silly grin off your face. She clawed at the first Wyvern, and the mages used spells to call down lightning and created red smoke to hide their ships in. They made other images appear in the sky that seemed to attack her, but finally
, she attacked and ripped boards loose from the hull of the first ship with her claws and flew off.”
“The other ship?”
“She learned how to best attack from the first. She flew low and fast to the second and landed on the stern of the ship with her great weight. It was forced down into the water and started to flood, and the dragon went down with it. She felt timbers break and water rushed in before the mages could fight against her. It only took a few instants to sink the rear of the ship; then the rest followed as she flew away. The mage-storm stopped.”
I didn’t want to correct or criticize her in front of the girls but did want to make a point of my own. “If she didn’t send you images in your head, and you couldn’t see through her eyes, how do you know what happened in such detail?”
Emma said as if the question was stupid and something everyone should know. “Because that is what happened.”
“Do you also know what happened?” I asked, intrigued by both the idea that she could, and perhaps she could better explain how she knew. I’d sensed a reluctance in Kendra to discuss some subjects, lately. It may have been a natural reaction to new and strange things or the perception that I couldn’t understand because I didn’t share her unique abilities. Or, it may have been something else, so I watched my sister as the words of the question fell from my lips.
“Of course,” Emma said in the manner all little girls use when speaking to adults about something they believe they should already know. Her left hand was on her hip, her lower lip extended in a pout, an expression much like Kendra often used to use on me—and sometimes still does.
We all laughed at her, but in the back of my mind, the situation had turned more serious. Just how much did Emma know, and what did she hide? We knew so little of her powers. How could we test her to find out the true extent? She was like a puppy in a field of wildflowers sniffing each one. How could we tell which she had already sniffed, which she liked, and a hundred other questions? The truth for us was simple to discern. We didn’t know any answers, let alone what the correct questions were to ask.
