Dragon Lord

by Avril Sabine

  As soon as River was settled in his pen at the Carson Dragon Stables, Hanun grabbed Fen by the shoulder.

  “No escape, boy.”

  “I wouldn’t think of it. I was going to organise a snack for us. It’s been a busy afternoon.”

  “A couple of minutes and then I come looking for you.”

  Fen smiled. “You’ll enjoy this tale, Hanun. We were going to tell you. Just not yet. You’re absolutely going to love the plan we’re slowly putting into motion.”

  “I had better.” Hanun strode to his sitting room.

  Fen quickly arranged for refreshments before he joined Hanun. He also used those minutes to organise what he planned to say. He knew he’d only have one chance to get this right. Hanun wasn’t pleased he’d been kept in the dark. Especially since it was something to do with his hated brother.

  Fen sat near Hanun and looked out at the paved courtyard. He listened to Hanun’s fingers as they drummed on the arm of his chair. He wasn’t certain what was the best way to start the story. He needed a way to make Hanun sympathetic to Edana.

  “Do you remember what you said the first time Edana dined here?” Fen asked.

  “What has that to do with anything?”

  “We talked about how females of the upper classes are only there as decoration. A status symbol.”

  “I’m not senile, boy. I remember.”

  “Then surely you recall Edana saying she’s trapped by her birth. She’s been searching to find a way to make her own life. But if you’ve been amongst the upper classes you should know how tightly they hold onto anything they think is theirs.”

  “Even if it isn’t theirs to hold onto,” Hanun said bitterly.

  “Exactly. Edana’s desperate to escape her father’s not so tender care. But she can’t. She’s trapped.”

  “How? Surely she could leave any time. You’d take care of her. Hell, she could come here. She’s my niece after all.”

  Fen shook his head. “Far more complicated, Hanun. She isn’t a widow. That’s a disguise she uses to escape his notice. He has her birth blood and in the eyes of the law he owns her until she reaches twenty. Now if you know of a way around those two problems, I beg you to tell me.”

  Hanun shook his head. “Blood’s binding.”

  “So we’ve found. If her father knew she was coming here, he’d kill her. But she needs to escape sometimes.”

  “Then why hasn’t she been coming lately?”

  “You heard her. The walls have eyes. She’s been watched more than usual, Hanun. I think her father suspects something. We need to know if you’ll help her if possible. I don’t know if anyone can help, but…”

  “Of course I’d help her. It’s not like she asked to have the parents she has. What a family to be born into. Most of them are scum.”

  “So we can count on your help? And to keep our secret until we can find a way to get Edana away from her father?”

  Hanun grinned. “He’ll hate to lose her. She’s his only heir.”

  Fen nodded. “He’ll turn the country upside down. We’ve got to find where he’s hidden her blood. Then she’ll be free.”

  “Oh, this is too good. Just too good.” Hanun leapt to his feet. “Do you have any idea where it might be hidden?”

  “We’re working on it.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help find it?”

  Fen shook his head. “We’re trying not to raise his suspicions. We don’t want it hidden too well.”

  “Hmm. No.” Hanun paced the room. “He wouldn’t trust it too far from him. He’d want to lay his hands on it in a hurry.”

  Fen nodded and let Hanun plot and plan.

  “Has his study been searched? Maybe a secret panel in the wall or behind a picture? Or a false bottom in a drawer. The study seems the most likely place. He’d want it in an area only he’d go.”

  Fen calmly nodded when he would have preferred to shout in triumph. Hanun was caught.

  “I have to think about this. There has to be some logical place to keep it,” Hanun muttered as he walked from the room. He didn’t even pay any attention to Fen who was finally able to let his smile break free.

  * * *

  Fen was relieved to see Edana waiting for him the next day to take her to lunch with Hanun. As soon as they were riding towards Hanun’s, Fen told Edana about Hanun’s discoveries and what he’d told him.

  “But we aren’t doing anything of the sort,” Edana protested.

  “He doesn’t have to know that. Besides, if you had a way to escape and not have blood trackers find you, you’d take it.”

  “Yes, but-”

  “Ed, forget it. Stick to my story. As far as Hanun’s concerned, you’ve searched for the blood your father keeps to track you. Listen to his suggestions. If you think they aren’t good, say you’ve searched in those places. Play along.”

  “I know where it’s kept and it’s impossible to get. It’s locked and spelled so no one but my mother or father can get it.”

  “Hanun doesn’t know that. Let him think you don’t have a clue where it is. That you’re looking for it.”

  “I guess I don’t have a choice.” Edana sighed heavily. “This is all getting so complicated.”

  Fen smiled. “Surely you hadn’t thought it’d be easy.”

  “I guess not.” Edana sighed again. “Oh, I brought a gift for River for doing so well in the races.”

  “What is it?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  Nothing Fen said could make her tell him and they finally reached Carson Dragon Stables where they went to see River first.

  “Oh, you sweet thing.” Edana threw her arms around River’s neck when he bent his head down to her. “How I’ve missed you.” She buried her face against his scales for a few moments before she pulled away. “I have a present for you.” She reached inside her belt pouch and pulled out a small cloth bag.

  River bent forward and nosed at the cloth. He lifted one paw and held it out. Edana pulled open the drawstring of the bag and tipped it up. A large ruby fell onto River’s paw. His claws closed over it.

  “I guess you like it, huh?” Edana asked.

  “I like it. Thank you,” River thought to her.

  “Oh wow. I know Fen said you’re getting better at talking, but you’re doing it so clearly now,” Edana said.

  “Quietly,” Fen warned.

  “Oh, of course. But it’s so exciting.”

  “And he’ll be able to speak like us eventually.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He told me.”

  Edana turned back to River. “I can’t wait.”

  Fen reached out and rested his hand on Edana’s shoulder. “We should see Hanun. We need to know where you stand with him.”

  “Go now,” River urged them.

  “I wish I had more time to spend with you.” Edana said. River lowered his head in acknowledgement. “I’ll have to see you fly before I go home today.”

  “Come on. We need to deal with this,” Fen said.

  “I’m coming.” Edana rested her head for a moment against River.

  Hanun waited for them in the dining room. He rose to greet Edana who’d removed her widow’s robes.

  “Fen told me you’re looking to escape your father. Is that the truth?”

  Edana stopped, startled by the abrupt question. “Do I seem like the type who enjoys being a decoration? I’ve dined with you, talked with you. What sort of person do you think I am? One to willingly let another choose their path for them or one who likes to tread her own road?”

  Hanun chuckled. “The curse of the family. Good to see it doesn’t skip the females. Come and eat.” Hanun sat down.

  Fen and Edana sat in their usual seats, one on each side of Hanun.

  “I guess you’ve been and fussed over River. Everyone pays their respects to him first. I should feel jealous of that dragon. Except I’m too pleased with him at the moment. He’s something special. Taking first place
when he’s not much older than two,” Hanun said.

  “He did well yesterday.” Edana moved her hand from the table so a servant could put a filled plate in front of her. “I’m very proud of him so I can imagine how pleased the two of you are.”

  “How did your father take it? What did he say once he was out of the public eye?” Hanun asked.

  Edana laughed. “I see now why you were so pleased to see me today. I’m in the perfect place to tell you how your scheming is affecting the one you’re aiming it at.”

  “Well girl, don’t keep me in suspense.”

  “He was livid. All the servants stayed out of his way and dinner was dreadful. I thought he’d choke on every mouthful. He muttered about beginners’ luck, he threatened to fire useless trainers. I’ve never seen him so angry. He’s lost occasionally to Bastian, but never to anyone else. They have the two most successful stables. I think everyone breathes a sigh of relief when they don’t have dragons for certain classes or events.”

  “Good.” Hanun raised his glass in a toast. “You’ve made my year, girl.”

  “I’m pleased, Uncle Hanun.”

  Hanun paused, his glass halfway to his mouth. He stared at Edana and carefully placed his glass on the table. He nodded. “So I am.” He smiled. “So I am. Well, you’re more pleasing a relative than your father. Haven’t seen any of him in you yet.”

  “Oh, there’s far too much of him in me,” Edana said.

  “Her pig-headedness for starters,” Fen pointed out.

  Hanun stared at Edana for a moment. “For certain. Ah well, at least it’s in a prettier package.”

  The rest of the meal passed pleasantly, finishing with Hanun’s suggestions of where to look for Edana’s blood. Hanun even suggested bringing in a blood tracker to track it down. Afterwards, they watched River practise. Fen was feeling good on his trip back to Hanun’s after delivering Edana to where she’d left her horse. Things were going well. There were still a few difficulties. But on the whole it was going well.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Didn’t I tell you not to ride alone?”

  Edana spun to face her father in the dimly lit stable, her horse still in the stall. “I was visiting my horse.” It had been a week since she’d managed to find the stable empty. It looked like it hadn’t been this time either.

  “Don’t lie to me. You’ve been watched. Now where have you been going?”

  Edana looked past her father to the stableboy she’d seen the first time her father had caught her. “By him?” She gestured towards the stableboy.

  “Who doesn’t matter. Where have you been?”

  She tried to think of an excuse. It wasn’t like she could tell him she was going to spend the day with his brother and Fen. She tried to think of something he’d accept. She drew a blank. “Why don’t you ask him?” She pointed at the stableboy. “He seems to know everything.”

  “I’m asking you. And I’m not going to ask again. Where have you been going?”

  “Riding. I’m surrounded by people. Servants. Tutors. I just want some time alone.” Her father remained silent as he stared at her and Edana bit back the urge to keep speaking.

  “You want time alone.”

  She hesitated. She didn’t like the tone he used. “Yes.” Her voice was uncertain.

  “Go to your room.”

  Relief washed over her. That was nothing new. She nodded and walked past her father. The relief evaporated when he fell into step beside her. Should she ask him what he wanted? Did she really want to know? “I can find my own way to my room.”

  Adalric didn’t answer her, striding silently beside her.

  She was tempted to try again, but thought it best to remain quiet. When they reached her room, she stopped in the doorway, staring at her father. Eventually she asked, “How long do I have to stay in here?”

  “Until I organise your betrothal.” Adalric closed the door.

  Edana’s mouth dropped open as she listened to her door being locked and her father start to walk away. “What?” No answer. “No.” She pounded her fists against the wooden door. “Father.” Still no answer. “Let me out.” She kept pounding and didn’t stop until she heard footsteps pass her door without even slowing. She sank to the floor, her back against the door. This wasn’t happening. She had to find a way out.

  Scrambling to her feet, she hurried to the doors leading onto her balcony and flung them open. She looked over the edge, trying to judge if she could make it to the ground. He wasn’t locking her up. No way was he going to marry her off to someone who’d expect her to behave like her mother. She didn’t know how she was going to stop him, but she couldn’t bear a life of that.

  Her bedroom door opening had her spinning to see her father and his wizard in the doorway. She clutched at the rail behind her.

  “Inside. Now.” Adalric strode towards her when she didn’t move.

  Edana tried to pull away from him, but it was impossible. “I’m not getting married. You can’t make me.”

  “You’ll be betrothed by your seventeen birthday. Married within the year.” Adalric dragged her into the bedroom before his gaze went to the wizard. “Start the spell.”

  Edana continued to struggle. “What spell?”

  “To keep you in here.”

  “No.” She fought against the hands that held her. When the chanting of the wizard stopped, she was released. She ran towards her open bedroom door. It was like she slammed against an invisible wall. “No,” she screamed, turning to face her father. “Don’t do this to me.”

  “I obviously gave you too much freedom. Your mother said I was spoiling you. It stops now. You will act the lady you’re supposed to be.” Adalric strode from the room, his wizard at his heels.

  “Father. Please.” She watched as her door was swung shut, leaving her alone. She stared at the timber a moment before she tried to open it. The door wouldn’t budge. She screamed in frustration and headed for the balcony doors that were still open. The invisible barrier stopped her from stepping out of the room. She slammed her hand against the barrier, cursing when pain travelled through her hand and arm.

  Another scream. It didn’t make her feel any better. Anger, fear and determination filled her. River! She’d call River. She tried to reach out with her mind. Nothing. She was completely trapped in her room. Alone and trapped. And it was less than four weeks until her seventeenth birthday.

  * * *

  Fen began to wonder how well things were going when three weeks passed without seeing or hearing from Edana. He hadn’t seen her since he and Hanun had dined with her for the first time without her widow robes. The only time without her widow robes. He couldn’t help worrying about her.

  The only good news during the past three weeks was that Pearl’s four eggs were thriving. Keeping an eye on the eggs didn’t stop him from wondering what had happened to Edana, especially since he hadn’t even seen her at the races on Halfday. He kept reminding himself she’d call for help through River if she was in danger. He had other things to deal with. In particular four thieves had tried to break in during the past three weeks. Each one River had dealt with.

  Although Fen hoped the message would get out that wild dragons weren’t worth the trouble of trying to steal, he had to deliver his own message. He knew one of the thieves had been from Rhone. The others might have been. He didn’t know for sure. There was also the matter of Mouse’s blood oath Rhone held. They couldn’t hope to keep Rhone away from Mouse forever. Eventually Rhone or one of his people would get a message to Mouse and he’d be forced to carry out Rhone’s orders.

  First Fen went to River to let him know what he was going to do. When he heard, Mouse begged Fen to stay away from Rhone.

  “He’s evil,” Mouse warned.

  “I can deal with him.”

  “Not on his turf.”

  “I have to do this.”

  “I will be there,” River told Fen.

  “You’ll stay away from there,” Fen told River.<
br />
  “Just like you should,” Mouse said. “And I wish you’d stop talking to River. It gives me the creeps.”

  “Rhone has to be dealt with. If I let him walk all over me I’m inviting every criminal to try their hand at stealing from me.”

  “No you’re not. They’ll soon get the message River’s not to be messed with.”

  “I’m going with you,” River stated firmly.

  “River,” Fen growled. “You aren’t listening.”

  “Neither are you.” River was amused.

  Mouse rolled his eyes. “No one’s listening.” He shrugged. “Well, you might want to find my blood oath while you’re there.”

  Fen looked over his shoulder at Mouse. “I was planning to. Are there any other little surprises I need to know about?”

  Mouse shook his head. “Nope. Just that one. It weren’t like I wanted to sign it. Was a couple of years after I first joined him. After you left he made all of us sign them.”

  “Do you know where he keeps it?”

  “Not a clue. But you should be able to figure it out.”

  Fen sighed heavily. “Leave me to it, Mouse. I’ve got things to sort out.”

  “I am coming,” River reminded him.

  “You can’t expect to go waltzing in and be welcomed,” Fen said to River.

  “I will wait on the rooftop. You may tell him I am there. I will tear the house apart if I need to. He is not to lay a hand on you again,” River said.

  “Fine. But you stay on the rooftop,” Fen said.

  “As long as he keeps his hands to himself,” River said.

  “I’ll be back shortly. These aren’t the clothes for slipping through shadows.” As Fen left the pen, he heard Mouse speak to River.

  “Don’t go letting him get himself killed. He’s not too bad you know. And Rhone, he’s just evil.”

  Fen dressed in dark clothes and pulled on a pair of soft-soled boots. He arranged for his horse to be saddled and then returned to let River out. Mouse was no longer in the pen. They made their way outside where Hanun waited for them.

  “Want to tell me what you’re planning, boy?”