The queen looked at the floor for a while with a frown on her face. “He fancies himself in the role of King Elmarak,” she muttered. She raised her head and looked him in the eye. “So what can you and the Ugori do if the lancers cannot hold them at the pass?”
Dax sighed. “It all depends on how much damage the lancers can do. If the Tharans break through the pass, I will have about four thousand Ugori troops plus any lancers who make it out of the pass. We may not be able to integrate the lancers into our battle plans right away, but they may be able to keep the Tharans from concentrating all their force on us . . .”
Dax’s analysis trailed off when he noticed the queen flapping her hand impatiently. “Can you hold the Tharans?” she asked.
“No,” he admitted. “Not if they win through the pass with greater numbers than ours. We would have trouble stopping a direct assault.”
“But what if I order you out as raiders to harry their forces? Thin their numbers? Delay their march?”
Now Dax had to smile. “We could make a considerable nuisance of ourselves.” He averted his eyes for a moment, then admitted. “To be perfectly honest, I have already dispatched a small detachment with orders to do just that. They will be able to coordinate with another scouting party I sent earlier.”
The queen looked at him with a sly smile. “And the king was fully informed of this?” she asked.
“No, Your Majesty,” Dax admitted.
“Dax. Dax. What am I going to do with you?” she said with feigned exasperation, then smiled. “I told you to call me Teena.” Once Dax nodded his understanding, she continued. “I would have expected no less of a man of Iron Moor than to take action when action is needed.”
Dax had the support of the queen, but there was one additional hurdle he had to cross. “Your Maj—” He stopped at the queen’s frown. “Teena, there is one other piece of business. I am not officially a member of the East Landly military. I have no authority to command any men other than the Ugori. You would need to issue an order . . .”
He stopped speaking when Queen Layna turned and gestured to Lady Aurilla. The woman produced a roll of parchment from her sleeve. She handed it to the queen, who unrolled it and began reading. “The royal regent of the kingdom of East Landly . . .” She looked up from the scroll at Dax. “That would be me.” She looked back down and resumed reading. “Does hereby proclaim Commander Gard Daxdendraig an officer in the military of East Landly subject to a term lasting the duration of the current emergency but no longer than one year.”
She looked at Dax. “It goes on from there to talk about compensation, duties, rights, and that sort of thing. It’s a standard mercenary contract I had Porforio draft based on the one you signed earlier. I expect you to read it before it becomes official, but right now you need to get to work to protect the city and our kingdom.”
Dax smiled broadly. She had been a step ahead of him. She was an impressive woman. He also admired her concern to safeguard her subjects from any unfortunate consequences of her husband’s actions. Although this was not his West Landly, he felt a tie through the kingdoms’ common heritage. He dipped his head in respect. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He was pleased with her action. “I will do what is in my power to protect your city, your kingdom, and the citizens of East Landly.”
The queen smiled warmly. “Thank you, Dax. I knew you were a man of merit from the results you’ve had with the Ugori contingent. You not only took command, but you won their respect as well. That’s something few outsiders have ever done.” She nodded. “Don’t look so surprised.” One side of her mouth quirked up in a partial smile. “I have my sources. Did you know I am half Ugori?”
Queen Layna had surprised him at every turn so far in this conversation, but her revelation astonished him. He looked at her in disbelief. “Ah, no,” he managed.
“Well, I shouldn’t wonder. The pretentious aristocracy of East Landly tries to ignore the fact that my father, the Duke of Bright Bay, took an Ugori princess for his bride as a favor to King Shasmet, Ernect’s father, to secure the Ugori’s acceptance of the last treaty. I was raised at court where they taught me deportment and manners. However, my mother made sure I knew what it meant to be Ugori.”
The queen had little more to say, and the audience ended shortly afterward. Dax had quite a lot to think about on his way back to the encampment. At his headquarters, Dax set about taking command of the defenses. The first thing he did was to dispatch riders after Markadamous. He wanted to let the man know of the change of plans. Dax sent new orders for Markadamous to scout and plan ambush sites for the force of Ugori Dax would be bringing to the pass. He would send half the force to reinforce Markadamous while he held the rest in reserve to prepare the defenses of the city itself.
Next he set about finding experienced raiders. He was not at all shocked to find that two-thirds of his force was more than qualified. The Ugori saw a tour with a raiding party, whether it was into one of the Landlys or one of the other nearby duchies, as a basic qualification for adulthood.
#
The next day passed in a whirl of activity. Dax had to reorganize the Ugori into squad-sized raiding parties and arrange a way to coordinate their actions for maximum effect. He wanted to have them on the road at first light the day after tomorrow so they would be at the pass at the earliest time when—if—the Tharans emerged.
That evening, Dax felt Kahshect approaching, but he kept working, knowing it would be some time before the dragon arrived. The sun was setting, and Dax was going over the latest organization chart that evening in the tent when the dragon broke into his thoughts.
“Skit is missing.”
Dax thought a moment. “I didn’t summon him yesterday. I’ve been so busy I didn’t have a chance to write up a report. Has Skat arrived?”
“Skat’s here, but Skit didn’t show up at Iron Moor.”
“Can’t Skat talk to Skit and find out where he is?” Dax stood up from his desk and walked out of the tent.
“Skat can find no trace of Skit anywhere in the area. He’s looked. The other two dragu at Iron Moor have not heard from him either.”
“What can I do?” Dax inquired. He picked up a lantern from the watch station and headed for the spot where the dragon would arrive. He stopped by the mess tent and picked up an uneaten cut of beef left from the evening meal and carried it with him—he could feel the dragon’s hunger. It had been several weeks since he had seen Kahshect, and with his other friends gone, Dax missed the company of his bondmate acutely.
“Nothing for now. I will look for Skit in the morning, but I can’t feel his presence.” The sun had just set below the horizon, but there was enough light for Kahshect to make an easy landing in the open space outside the Ugori camp. Dax looked up and saw the dragon’s silhouette against the still-light western sky. It was a stirring sight, and he smiled with pleasure. The dragon landed neatly beside him and furled his wings.
Kahshect took the beef with thanks and started eating without delay. Dax knew he was tired after the long flight. While the dragon ate, Dax brought him up to date on his new role.
“Defender of the realm now?” Kahshect was amused. “From what I’ve heard, it’s more than King Kankasi deserves.”
“I won’t argue that, but Queen Layna needed no persuading when I asked her. She is a different sort altogether.”
“And you want a chance to kill Tharans.”
A thrill went through him at dragon’s bald statement. He wanted to kill Tharans. He had wanted to kill Tharans since the first reports from his Ugori scouts. How much of his bloodlust was the dragon anger he held in check? For all the years since his father had been murdered and he had been deposed as king of West Landly, his anger had been there. He closed his eyes and tried to come to grips with his emotions. He would not make wise command decisions if he could not control his lust for slaughter.
Dax and Kahshect talked for a while longer. On impulse, he went back to his tent to get a blanket. He told the sentry whe
re he would be and went back to the dragon. Spending a night with his bondmate always made him feel better.
#
The next morning, even though he had spent the night on the ground beside the curled-up dragon, Dax woke up refreshed and relaxed. However, it did not make his day’s tasks any easier. He sighed at the papers his aide Jackamus handed him when he arrived back at his tent. There was also a line of people waiting to talk with him.
By late afternoon the first elements of Ugori rode off to reinforce Markadamous near the pass itself. They were headed for the Albin Hills region at the east end of the pass.
He was working on the last list of supply assignments when Jackamus cleared his throat. “Excuse me, sir. The lady requests to see you.” He turned and bowed Lady Aylssandra into the tent.
Dax rose to his feet. “My lady.” He nodded in greeting. “How unexpected. Won’t you please let me get you some refreshments after your ride?”
“No, no. Please don’t bother. I just want a moment of your time.”
Inside the close air of the tent, the lure of her presence was more powerful than ever. Thinking fresh air might help him keep lustful thoughts out of his mind, Dax moved to the tent’s entrance flap and gestured for her to follow. “Nonsense,” he said. “We may not be at court, but at least we can be civilized.” He was extravagantly polite, but he did not want to be alone inside the tent with her. It was not just her beauty, although there was enough of that. She radiated a seductive magnetism that Dax feared he would not be able to resist. Outside, he drew a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart.
Lady Aylssandra smiled warmly and followed him to the mess tent, where she finally deigned to take a cup of tea. She gestured toward a nearby rise overlooking the camp, where several trees created a shaded spot. “Could I have a word in private, please?”
Although he could not think what she might want, Dax decided to be polite. The open air would help keep his thoughts in order. He turned to Jackamus, who had followed the two at a discreet distance. “I have something to attend to. If anything urgent comes up, please come for me. Otherwise, I will check with you when I get back.” His aide nodded and headed back to Dax’s tent.
Once they were out of earshot of the camp, Dax took another deep breath to steady himself before he asked, “Now, my lady, what is it that brings you all the way out here?” Dax’s throat tightened when she turned her whole attention to him. His palms were moist.
She tipped her head down and looked up at him meekly. “I have something important for you,” she said, “but before I show you, I want to apologize. I’m afraid of what you might be thinking of me. I was not completely forthcoming with you when I met you and your Ugori troops out on the northern plains.” She walked over the top of the rise and looked back at him.
Dax had stopped at what he thought was an adequate distance from the camp, but she had continued walking. He admired her sylphlike form. He started his feet moving again and followed her path. Where was this encounter headed? There was something wrong about what she had said, but he nodded and hoped she would continue talking. He kept his eyes focused on the ground. He did not want to look at her. He had to keep his wits in his head and away from his manhood.
As he approached, she smiled. “The other day I learned from Lady Luanna that you are among the dragon-bound.” Dax glanced up and nodded. She smiled a warm smile at him, and his breath caught, half breathed. “Now I know I owe you an apology.” She touched his arm with her warm hand. “I wasn’t entirely truthful when I told you about being interested in a farm.”
“Skit is still missing.”
Dax stumbled at Kahshect’s thought. Lady Aylssandra reached out and took his arm protectively. “Commander Dax. Are you all right?”
“Yes. Quite. Thank you,” he said. Arm in arm, she led him down the far side of the rise. Dax drew a deep breath. She made it difficult for him to think. She stopped him under one of the trees. By now their tea was gone, and they both set the cups aside. She took his arm again and turned to face him. Her touch was warm.
“Ah, busy with work. I won’t bother you then.” Kahshect’s thoughts were amused, but for Dax it was like a splash of cold water in his face. It also gave him an idea to avoid the infatuation that threatened his reason.
Desperately he thought to the dragon, “No! Please come right now.”
Aloud Dax said firmly, “Lady Aylssandra, there’s someone I would like you to meet.” He untangled her hand from his arm and turned her to face toward where Kahshect would land. In a moment there was a thunderous gust of wind as the dragon landed near them.
Lady Aylssandra gaped openmouthed at the beast’s imposing form. For a moment the spell of her attraction lifted. It was like a breath of fresh air. Dax gestured toward the dragon. “This is my bondmate, Kahshect. Kahshect, this is Lady Aylssandra.”
“Ah, the snake you do not trust,” Kahshect said. “Now I will feel her lies for myself. Tell her I feel fortunate to finally meet her in person.”
Dax relayed the last part of the dragon’s thought, and Aylssandra responded, “I am so pleased to meet you, Kahshect.” She stumbled over the dragon’s name. Dax did not need the senses of the dragon-bound to tell she was not pleased by the interruption.
“She doesn’t want you here,” Dax thought to the dragon. “I would like to know what she wants, but don’t go far.” Kahshect bowed with respect and ambled away.
He turned back to Lady Aylssandra. “You were going to show me something?”
The woman remained silent as she watched the dragon move away. Once Kahshect had gone, she turned to Dax and smiled her gorgeous smile. “A most amazing creature!” She hesitated, and Dax wondered what she wanted. Finally she nodded and smiled sweetly at Dax. She turned away from him and hitched up her skirt on her far side.
Dax’s attention focused on the vision of a small portion of her upper leg as she hoisted her skirts higher.
“Knife!” Kahshect’s blaring mental shout snapped him back to reality.
Without thought, Dax lunged back away from Aylssandra. The wind from her backhanded knife stroke breezed past his face. He tumbled to the ground and rolled to gain distance. Welcome heat from dragon anger pulsed through his veins and spurred him on. A safe distance from the woman, he rolled to his feet. He stayed in a crouch and looked at her through the colorless filter of his rage.
She brandished the knife and moved toward him. “My last duty to the Tharan Empire,” she breathed seductively. “Come. Make it easy.”
Dax’s vision was tack sharp. He focused on her blade. He checked his blind dragon fury. Think. He had to think. His own knife was on the desk in his tent. It had made a useful paperweight while he worked, but he should have taken a moment to pick it up. Lady Aylssandra’s allure had distracted him from his habitual gesture. He scanned the ground for a rock or a branch to use as a weapon. There was nothing but grass within reach.
He glanced back at Lady Aylssandra’s knife. Its edge was discolored. Poison. Forcing down his dragon anger, he spoke calmly. “You were sent to assassinate me?”
She smiled her same sweet smile, but this time he saw the foul lie behind. Her eyes were cold as ice. “You? Why of course not, my dear Dax. I added you and that silly little Skit creature to my list somewhat late in the game.”
She gestured with the knife. Dax reacted and followed it with his eyes. She held it like a knife fighter, but how well trained in the assassin’s arts was she? Could she throw the knife with any accuracy? His nerves trilled with energy, and he prepared to leap whichever way was necessary.
Suddenly Kahshect’s winged shadow loomed over Aylssandra. A lash from his tail drove her to the ground. She rolled onto her back, but the dragon put his foot on her chest, pinning her down. Aylssandra wriggled, growling like a feral beast. She stabbed her knife at the dragon’s leg. The point skittered off the tough scales.
Kahshect shifted and put his foot directly onto the arm that held the knife. Aylssandra screamed. The
bone broke with a snap. The crunch of bone underneath the dragon’s foot pleased Dax. He blinked, mildly surprised. The spell of her attraction was completely gone. Now he looked into her face and saw an assassin instead of a beautiful woman. Her mouth twisted in a rictus of pain. He felt no sympathy and certainly no desire for her.
“Shall we cook her and eat her?”
Dax’s arms still trembled with ebbing dragon anger. He stared at her for another minute before he looked at Kahshect. The dragon was not serious—at least, not completely. Kahshect’s deep anger glowed in the back of Dax’s thoughts . . . or was it his own anger?
“No.” Dax answered the dragon out loud so Lady Aylssandra could hear. “We won’t cook and eat her.” Aylssandra, clearly in agony, did not make a sound, but her eyes widened.
Kahshect kept his foot on her arm while Dax roughly stripped her clothes off. Her body was lean, lithe, and exquisitely muscled. In the aftermath of her attack, Dax looked at her with cold, clinical detachment—hers was an assassin’s body. The bewitching power of her attraction had disappeared. He went through each article of clothing carefully, looking for assassin’s tools. He located two packs of dark powder as well as several small sharp metal pieces and a long pointed rod sewn into the seams of her dress.
Only when he had found all there was to find did he allow Kahshect to step back. Dax bound Aylssandra’s broken arm to her body with strips he tore from her dress. She flinched with pain and grunted from discomfort as he worked, but Dax kept on until her arm was secure. Then he set to work putting some clothing back on her body before he bound her other arm. Wrapping what was left of her dress around her, he secured his own belt around her knees and hoisted her back on her feet. She could walk but was hobbled enough to manage only small, mincing steps.
Kahshect followed them as he led Aylssandra back to the camp. The appearance of the dragon at the camp along with Dax set off an immediate reaction. So did the appearance of the woman bound in rags. Dax’s grim look told the sentries all they needed to know. Two of them stepped forward with drawn swords while three others stood with spears at the ready.
King's Dragon: Chronicles of the Dragon-Bound: Book 2 Page 19
