Dream of Dragons

by Alex Alcasid

  Loren started to sweat. “A visitor? Spymaster, I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s just me and dust motes in here.”

  Isran didn’t have to say anything. He crossed his arms, clearly not believing Loren. The princess sighed and opened the door wider for the Spymaster to enter. His trained eyes swept the room, looking for traps, spies, suspicious objects. Of course he saw Kae immediately, but glanced at every pile of books and cracks in the bookshelves just in case. Finally he stepped inside and approached Kae. “Who are you?”

  Kae stayed seated, leaning back as if it was her study the Spymaster so rudely walked into. “My name is Kae, I’m a hunter. I live in the Kilrough Forest, near Markin’s Pass. And you?”

  Isran quickly looked Kae up and down. Patchy and shabby old furs, old and mud-caked hunting boots, a dagger at her belt, and a quiver of arrows at her hip. Her bow had been casually tossed to the floor so she could sit. She did look like a hunter, and a very poor commoner. “Do you trade in Markholme?” Isran asked.

  “Sometimes. Only when I have something good to sell or barter.” Kae replied.

  “And why is there a poor hunter in your study, my lady?” Isran looked to Loren, ignoring Kae’s protests that she was not ‘poor,’ she was ‘financially disadvantaged.’

  “She’s, ah…” Loren gulped. She was never very good at lying. “I wanted to…”

  “The princess invited me.” Kae spoke up. “I bumped into her at the market, had a quick fight, she decided to bring me up here to show me how stupid I am.”

  Isran looked at Kae with a confused expression. Behind him, Loren looked just as lost. She had never called the huntress stupid. What was she getting at?

  Kae lazily reached over and picked up a dusty book, and leafed through it. “I can’t read. I don’t know the history of the castle, or Markholme, or the Royal Family, or pretty much anything. I just know how to track animals and shoot them.” She chuckled and gestured with the book to Loren. “So the princess decided she could try to teach me some manners.”

  “Right.” Isran said slowly, glancing back at Loren and obviously not believing Kae’s excuse. But the Spymaster didn’t ask any more questions. He did another cursory glance around Loren’s study, nodded to the princess, and edged out of the door. He glanced back at Loren before leaving. “I won’t pry into your affairs, my lady, but promise me one thing.”

  “What is it, Spymaster?” Loren replied, still confused.

  “Don’t do anything stupid. I know you’re thinking of looking for Kaiten. Don’t try to hide it from me, you forgot to put away your maps and notes.” Isran said, holding up a hand for silence. “Let me and the Warmaster handle the search. We have enough soldiers, along with Beastman forces from Rhodia, out on the road looking for him. If you leave, Loren, you might only get hurt. Promise me you won’t look for him.”

  Defeated, Loren nodded. “Alright, Spymaster. I promise.”

  Spymaster Isran smiled slightly, eased somewhat, and closed the study door behind him. Loren sighed and collapsed into an armchair, sending clouds of dust flying up. Kae put her boots up on a pile of books. “’Well, he seems nice.” She chuckled, looking over at Loren with a teasing smirk. “You’re going to give up looking for you lion friend just like that?”

  “No, of course not.” Loren said. “It’s just going to be a lot harder.”

  Chapter Five

  Loren finished her preparations, and led Kae back through the castle. Guards glanced at the huntress, looking her patched together attire up and down, but didn’t move to stop the two of them. Loren suspected the Spymaster had told them all about Kae already.

  “So, what’s next, princess?” Kae asked, adjusting her bow on her back.

  Loren sighed. As she walked, it felt like the eyes of her ancestors were on her, staring down from their portraits. “Spymaster Isran already knows what I’m up to. I cannot just leave now, he might have guards posted at the gates to make sure I don’t leave Markholme.” She said.

  “I can just leave now?”

  “I’ll walk with you till the Gold District at least.”

  “That’s just at your front door.”

  “I know.”

  Kae stopped, and looked disappointed at Loren. “The Spymaster catches wind of your plan and you’re giving up already?”

  “I’m not giving up…”

  “You won’t even go as far as the market! Come on, princess. I’ll take you to Markin’s, let you meet Ma’trii.”

  Loren was taken aback. “Markin’s Pass? That’s halfway down the highway.”

  “Is that going to be a problem?” Kae said with a teasing smile.

  “Yes! The Spymaster!”

  Kae scoffed. “He doesn’t have to know. Have you even been to Markin’s?”

  “Of course I have, I have to know all the parts of the kingdom.”

  “But have you been there without an armed escort?”

  “Well…No.”

  “Don’t stress, princess. I’ll be your armed escort. Now come on, I have to get food for Ma’trii.”

  Kae led Loren through the castle this time, remembering the path they took through the winding castle and long hallways with remarkable accuracy. She slipped out of the main entrance and behind the guards, that they didn’t even turn their heads. Loren noticed, impressed at Kae’s stealth. She let the huntress take her own route, and Loren headed towards the stables to check on Wind.

  Her horse was relaxing in its stall, and he neighed softly when she approached. Loren slipped her hand through the stall bars, and patted Wind’s large nose.

  “Hey princess.” Kae said, coming up beside Loren. “That stable hand that took your horse earlier is gone.”

  “Maybe he went on a break, or went to the other stable.”

  “You have another stable?”

  “Not me personally. These are the horses of the royal family.”

  “Just these? There are…four?”

  “My mother the queen doesn’t like keeping animals.”

  “Might be ferals like Ma’trii?”

  “I don’t know. They might, might not. Mother has a great respect for animals.

  “And the other stable?”

  “The soldier’s barracks.”

  Kae shrugged, losing interest fast. She stood by, fiddling with her arrow quiver till Loren finally stopped petting her horse and turned back to walk down the road towards the Gold District. Along the way, Kae explained that she doesn’t have a horse, and so has to walk everywhere. In her usual, long winded way, she explained that all the walking, jogging, hiking, builds stamina and gives opportunity to see more. Every bush might hold that night’s dinner. If you don’t pay attention, you don’t eat.

  Loren listened to Kae’s well meaning, but honestly very boring life lessons learned while out on the trail with her wolf. The way she talked on and on about how smart Ma’trii was, how good at tracking Ma’trii was, how warm Ma’trii’s fur was during winter made Loren sigh. It was clear the huntress really treasured her wolf friend. It was also obvious she didn’t get to talk to other people very often.

  The rest of the walk from Gold District down through Markholme to the market was uneventful, and Loren had long run out of stock replies she could answer Kae with. It was some time past noon, and the market crowd was starting to thin. Most of the fresh produce brought in by the merchants had been sold hours ago, and only the least choice cuts of meat and warm fish were available for purchase.

  As they walked, Loren noticed someone under a tent of Kespian silk staring at her, frowning. She glanced at the man, and quickly looked away, grabbing Kae by the arm and walking quickly. It was the book seller from earlier, and he was still fuming over the horse spit that got onto his books. When Kae asked why they were talking faster, Loren told her all about it, and the huntress threw her head back and laughed.

  “Horse spit?” she said. “You should have had your horse dump all over his stall.”

  “What? No! That’s mean and co
mpletely unnecessary.” Loren replied, still hurrying Kae along. “Besides, I don’t want the books to get ruined. There were a lot of interesting things there.”

  “What’s the big deal? They’re just moldy old papers stuck together.”

  “They are not! Books contain all sorts of wisdom. I heard the Seer at the Eye of the World writes down the history of the world as he sees it. His work is very important; without the knowledge in his books, we’d have no idea what goes on in kingdoms far from us.”

  “So he’s like the greatest Spymaster, what’s the big deal?” Kae said with a scoff.

  Loren stared at her, and remembered something the huntress had said to Spymaster Isran earlier. “You really can’t read, can you?”

  “Nope, not at all.” Kae said, unperturbed.

  “Your parents didn’t teach you?”

  “Mother died in childbirth, father died the year after I learned how to shoot with a bow. I was maybe five years old.” Kae looked pointedly at Loren. “That’s why I talk about Ma’trii so highly, princess. He’s the only family I have. He’s been with me since before my father died, and we grew up together. He taught me how to live. So, do forgive me if I can’t read, princess. I’m lucky enough to be able to hunt.”

  Loren fell silent after that, and walked on with Kae at her side. She caught herself glancing at the huntress as they walked down the main road, paved with flagstones. The huntress was so sure of herself, unashamed at any ignorance, and so nonchalant about everything. She did come off as arrogant and narcissistic, but the more Loren listened to her, the more she understood this huntress.

  Kae had to be self-reliant at an early age, while Loren had servants attending to her every need. While the princess had the weight of ruling the kingdom after her mother and father on her shoulders, Kae need only stick to what she knew and what she could learn on the fly to survive. She had what she needed to live, and didn’t need or want much else. It was an altogether new perspective for Loren.

  “Halt there, princess.” A guard at the gates said, holding his hand out. The gates of Markholme ran under the far wall of the city, and the portcullis was drawn all the way up. Its wood and metal frame had rusted somewhat from the seasonal rains, but the spikes that sank into the ground every night when the city was closed were still as sharp as ever. “Spymaster’s orders, you are to stay within Markholme and the castle grounds.” The guard continued, in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Kae glanced at Loren, and knew immediately from the look on the princess’s face that she was going to give up. Loren followed the rules, and never wanted to disappoint anyone. With all the things that have been happening recently, she accepted that staying within the boundaries of the city, staying within the high walls and within sight of the guards, was the best course of action.

  Kae didn’t care about any of that. She wanted to bring her new friend to meet Ma’trii. An armed guard at the gate was hardly an obstacle. The huntress peeked around the guard, and looked out past the gate. The Imperial Highway stretched out past the gate, paved with flat stones that made the journey easy on wagons and carts, and horses’ hooves. Not far from the gate itself was the start of the Kilrough Forest’s tree line. Kae estimated it to be a quick sprint to the thick trees, and the two of them could run that distance easily.

  “Sorry, I think she won’t do that.” Kae said, stepping close to the guard and trying to peer into his helmet through the closed slit.

  “Excuse me?” the guard replied indignantly.

  Kae opened her mouth to reply, but instead kicked the guard swiftly between the legs. The guard stiffened and pitched forward, a high-pitched squeal escaping from his helmet. He fell to his knees, hands between his legs. Before Loren could rush forward and help, Kae grabbed the princess’s hand and ran towards the tree line, laughing the whole way.

  Loren was dragged along the first few steps, but caught her footing and ran full sprint beside Kae. “You did not have to do that!” she shouted, a crisp breeze blowing through her hair.

  “Yeah!” Kae replied, still laughing. “But it was fun! Come on, through here!” The huntress slipped easily between the trees, and Loren followed.

  The Kilrough Forest was dense, where tall trees with thick trunks grew side by side and so tall, Loren couldn’t see the tops no matter how far she craned her neck back. She crashed through the underbrush, making far too much noise compared to Kae. The huntress’ steps were light, and barely crunched the fallen leaves. She hopped from tree root to rock to ground with such ease and speed, Loren could barely keep up.

  Soon, Loren lost Kae completely. She came to a stop, leaning on a tree and panting heavily. She glanced at her now aching feet, and regretted not changing from light leather shoes to something sturdier before they left the castle. Perhaps the knee-high riding boots would have offered more protection from the tough, thorny branches of some of the bushes she crashed through. Loren sighed. At least she was wearing trousers.

  “Tired already, princess?” Kae’s voice sounded, but Loren couldn’t see her. The princess stayed still, focusing on picking out the patchy gray colors of Kae’s hunting cloak. She heard Kae laugh. “Not there, princess. Over here.”

  Kae suddenly dropped down from a branch overhead, and landed softly in front of Loren. With one swift movement, she took the bow from her back, nocked an arrow, and drew. She aimed it at Loren.

  “Kae, what are you doing?” Loren said hesitantly, taking a step back.

  “Oh, be quiet princess. Don’t spoil my shot.” Kae whispered, staring intently down the arrow and at something over Loren’s shoulder. The princess noticed the look, and was about to turn her head to look behind her, when Kae loosed the arrow. It flew by Loren, close enough to her face that she heard the whistle as it passed. She whipped away from it, twisting away from Kae. She saw the deer go down with the arrow through its eye.

  The huntress smirked as she approached the deer and drew a large knife from her belt. “Calm down, princess. I did say I had to get dinner for Ma’trii, right? Help me haul this back to camp.” She said as she stabbed the deer in the throat, making sure it was properly dead.

  Loren wondered why she was so shocked. She had gone on hunting trips with her father for years. Her mother was a master marksman, and usually fired hundreds of arrows in the training yard. Loren herself had hunted everything from deer to rabbit. But here she was, staring at the deer with wide eyes, watching in horror as blood spurted out of the neck wound, and its muscles twitched and spasmed.

  “Are you scared?” Kae asked, watching Loren as she took a short roll of rope from her pouch. She tied the deer’s legs together. Her tone was simply curious. Not judgmental, but rather concerned.

  “No, I’m…” Loren trailed off. She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it. She crouched down to help Kae tie the ropes. “I’m fine. Sorry. Where do we bring this?”

  “If you’re sure about that, princess.” Kae said with a shrug. She stood and hoisted the rope over her shoulder. “Markin’s is a ways down this way. Hope you don’t mind walking, princess.”

  Loren said she didn’t mind walking, and that she wasn’t a pampered brat like Kae seemed to believe. She reassured the huntress that she could keep up with the best of them. It was only five minutes of walking through the thick forest and hauling a fully grown dead deer over rocks, overgrown tree roots, and uneven ground, and Loren started to silently take back her words.

  Kae walked on, pulling the deer across the ground as she went, and seemed to not tire. The rocks and roots began to tear at the skin of the deer, causing it to snag on every other thing. Loren and Kae had to stop every few minutes to roll their catch over and get its skin unstuck from rocks.

  “Please tell me we’re near.” Loren said after a while. Her feet were sore, her ankles felt shattered, and her arms and back were sore from helping pull the deer.

  “You tired, princess?” Kae asked without missing a beat.

  “Yes. Exhausted.” Loren admitted, but still trudg
ed along.

  “Huh.” Kae muttered. “That was honest. I was expecting you to keep bluffing.”

  “Why would I do that? I know when I’m tired.”

  “Yeah, but you’re still helping. You haven’t dropped the rope yet.”

  “I’m tired, my feet feel like they will fall off any second. But there’s still a job to do, I have to help you get this to your camp.”

  Kae fell silent for a while, and hiked the rope higher on her shoulder. Loren began to wonder if she had insulted the huntress.

  “You’re a very determined and honorable person.” Kae said.

  “Thank you?”

  “It’s not a compliment, princess. And we’re here.”

  The huntress powered through some thorny bushes that made Loren’s skin sting with their touch, and hauled the deer through the gap. Loren found herself in a small clearing, with a tent made of roughly sewn together leathery hides standing in the middle. There was a fire pit, a tanning rack with a large patch of fur stretched over it, and as Loren looked around Kae’s camp, she found herself falling onto her back with a large gray wolf pinning her to the ground. The wolf had its paws on her shoulders, and growled loudly in her face, teeth bared.

  Kae was about to drop the deer’s rope and rush to Loren’s aid and pull the wolf off, but Loren held a hand up to stop her. The princess was very calm for having a large adult wolf threatening to bite her face off. She smiled up at the wolf.

  “Hello, Ma’trii. It’s nice to meet you.” Loren said calmly and clearly.

  The wolf blinked, and stepped off Loren. He sat on the ground, looking curiously at her. Ma’trii growled softly, and nudged Loren with his nose.

  “Kae’s told me all about you.” Loren said, sitting up. She didn’t dare make any sudden movement. “My name is Loren Cyrael, heir to the throne of Aldoran.”

  Ma’trii looked between Loren and Kae, eyes wide in surprise. He turned back to Loren and brought his head low, nose brushing the ground in a low bow. Loren recognized the gesture, and bowed slightly back to the wolf, acknowledging him and showing him respect as well. Ma’trii got up and hopped, leaning low and excited, panting happily.