“A guardian,” I whispered. In the court, they had spoken of the guardians who protected the priestess of the gate. Two were dragons. They said one was a mist dragon, and Dvaro had been ranting about him openly, trashing the man. He’ll help us?
She nodded firmly and then she paused, smearing her hand across her eyes. Dear one, he is my son of blood.
Son? I snapped out the sign and started coughing. The shock tore through my body. I met her reddening eyes. “You have a blood son?”
She frantically patted her lips with a finger, angry at me for saying it aloud. You talk too much with your mouth, she said, giving my face a light smack. Danger. I had to say goodbye to my son in the fighting. He was a guardian. I had to protect him. I came here and you became my new son…when my arms were empty. He will not R-E-P-L-A-C-E you, dear Imiru.
To the rest of the court, I was Ezeru—a curse, a bane. Only to her was I called Imiru, a name for a treasured son.
I never knew there was another son. A son of her own blood.
This other son would not know her signs. He wouldn’t have our history of conspiring together, listening to the secrets of the prisoners, easing their lives in small ways, while giving King Dvaro what he wanted to see. But this other son would be a mist dragon, not a freakish creature like I was, created more from magic than my own pathetic blood.
She took a deep breath. We went back to the guard room and she gave me the keys and an ura fruit jelly. I knew what to do.
I unlocked the door to Taz’s cell. He crawled over to me, looking up hesitantly. I crouched and opened my hands to put him at ease. Especially as children, rock dragons reacted better to body language than speech. He slowly crawled over to me, his chains dragging, and lowered his head by my hand. I stroked his scales, and when I felt him trusting me, I unlocked the muzzle.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I said gruffly, offering the treat. He bit it out of my hand and drew back defensively.
I couldn’t treat the other rock dragons too kindly. Whenever Dvaro caught me being sympathetic to my own kind, his response was brutal. My back was scarred with the lashes of my youth, so I was smarter now. Taz was probably too young to say anything about the sweet, but I didn’t give treats to the older children anymore. The adults, however, recognized me as one of their own and were in such shock over the sight of me that I could get them to follow orders. If they followed orders, they were treated fairly well. I was Dvaro’s best recruiter, whether I liked it or not.
“Be strong,” I said. “Do what King Dvaro tells you to do, and he won’t hurt you. You’ll grow up strong like your mother and father, okay? But if you disobey, he will hurt you. Again and again.”
Taz turned back into a small, gnomish boy. Rock dragons had darker, coarser hair, big dark eyes, and stronger brows and noses than the high dragons. Full grown, they only stood about three and a half feet tall, with stocky bodies and stubby fingers. They were not beautiful, exactly, but if treated well they could be endearing. His boy form made the dirtiness of the cell apparent; his skin was streaked with grime. The urge to drag him out to the baths and scrub him off was strong, but rock dragons didn’t care if they were dirty.
I still looked very much like a rock dragon, if all the awkwardness was smoothed out and refined, all the rough edges softened. Peri said I had turned out handsome and that was why the ladies wouldn’t look me in the eye, why a handmaiden had lost her position for the sake of me. Sometimes, I started to think it might be true, despite the marks of the brutal magic that made me—the ashen pallor and the stooped shoulders.
Taz looked at me fretfully. “Hurts.”
“Yes. I know. You need to get used to pain.”
He whimpered.
“If you get strong like a soldier, some day you can hurt him back.”
At first I wasn’t sure if he understood. His eyes didn’t change. It was hard to tell if rock dragons really heard you or not. Then he said, “Hurt king?”
“Yes.”
“The king is weak and blind,” he said, repeating Dvaro’s favorite chant.
“Not that king. This king. Our king.” I knew he wouldn’t really understand.
When I was done, Peri came in after me and put the muzzle back on him. She never let me play the bad guy with the kids. I don’t know she did it, day after day, when I knew how good her heart was, but sometimes she could nearly fool me when she had to.
“It’s no use,” I always told her. If we escape, we can’t help them. The adults follow Dvaro. He gives them food and homes, not me.
They call you a god, she said. Dvaro tries to make them afraid of you, but their awe of you might be useful. Who knows. Be good to them.
We shared our dinner, as usual, before I retired to my rooms. My sleeping quarters were down in the castle basements near the dungeons. The other rock dragons were given homes outside of the castle in the caves. The basement was mostly for people like Peri, neutral mist dragons who had been captured while defending their own holdings, but sworn fealty to King Dvaro and been given servant positions. I spent the evening in my usual solitude: shaping rocks into ever more elaborate forms, playing a few of Tiriana’s songs on the flute, drinking my wine ration, exercising, washing up.
I heard the bells ring for the king’s retirement to bed, and soon took to my own pallet of furs.
In the middle of the night, Peri’s hand shook me awake. She covered my mouth.
What?
Come… Her hands were shaking badly.
She led me through the pitch darkness until we came to a lantern in the guard room. She walked down the corridor. Prisoners moaned as we passed by. I heard the little whimper of Taz’s muzzled throat and the old rage bubbled inside me. I punched the wall as we passed, chipping the rock with my first. Peri didn’t even blink. She was used to my random flashes of rage.
The door to Tiriana and Morlis’ cell was open and I saw the lantern catch blood first.
I sucked in a gasp.
Morlis and Tiriana lay dead, her body collapsed upon his, a knife fallen from her limp fingers.
Peri clutched her heart and looked sad. She lifted the string of stones Morlis had worn. I saw words etched into it.
Can you read them? Peri asked. She had taught me, but I didn’t get much reinforcement.
She signed with me, helping me along.
“Reunited with our beloved
As the good king weds the queen of prophecy
The Traitor King shall not use us
Only the gods can judge us now
A true king is made by fair deeds and wisdom
Long live King Aurekdel.”
She shook her head.
I understand, to not want to be used by Dvaro. But it is a shame. Poor Tiriana. Her life was wasted. No— She corrected herself. Her songs made me happy many times.
We didn’t know what it meant, but I slid the string of crystals into my pocket. If Dvaro wouldn’t take well to knowing these two valuable prisoners were dead, this note wouldn’t do anything to improve the situation.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ezeru
I woke to banging on my door. I barely realized before two of the mist dragon guards banged it open and spears pointed at my face.
I rubbed my eyes, knowing already that Dvaro must know the prisoners are dead. “You woke me up,” I said.
The guards spoke at once: “Did you have anything to do with last night?” “The king wants to see you.”
And thus I was led unceremoniously back to the throne room. Peri was on her knees, a spear pressing into the back of her head, her hands tied behind her back. The number of candles burning at the altar indicated it was only the first king’s hour. Dvaro looked smug, and Izeria looked ready to kill.
“Ezeru,” Dvaro said. “Did you have any communication with Peri last night?”
Peri made a little sound of despair and denial, completely convincing in her deference.
“No, sir,” I said, getting on one knee.
“Did y
ou hear anything from the cells?”
“No, sir. The walls are thick. What have I been summoned for?”
“Morlis and Tiriana are dead,” Dvaro said. He cursed, snapping his fingers for someone to bring him a drink. A rock dragon woman who had been given the high honor of wine bearer rushed over, fumbling with the wineskin. He took the cup from her and then smacked her across the face.
“This fool denies that she heard anything either,” Dvaro said, using his foot to lift Peri’s chin. “Not that I can understand her.”
Who cut her tongue out? I stayed down, trembling with rage.
Peri’s hands rapped together behind her.
“I think she’s saying she would like paper,” I said.
“I don’t have paper to waste on you, you stupid bitch!” Dvaro shouted. “Either way, they’re dead, aren’t they? You’re supposed to guard the prisoners! Don’t forget, you were a traitor to your own kind. I’m the one who took a risk in trusting you and giving you a place here. I could have killed you!”
Peri wept and made a regretful sound. I knew it was just a big act, but it was still the most terrible sound I had ever heard. But the last time Peri took the brunt of his rage, I was still a boy.
I was much stronger now. Far, far stronger.
I looked at him with eyes I knew he couldn’t stand to meet. “Do you want to hear her story or don’t you?” I asked. “You took her voice away.”
“I’ll handle this,” Izeria said, walking toward me. She coiled her fingers, mist flowing out of her skin. Out of the two of them, Dvaro might be the big menacing cave lizard who storms out when threatened, but Izeria was the poisoned snake lurking in the shadows, just when you might think it’s safe.
I shied back from the mist, steeling my mind to resist its effects. My mind felt hard and heavy.
Once, she could make me do and say anything.
I was getting better at holding my own.
“Ezeru,” she said. “I know that Peri has taken care of you, day to day, since you were small. You are close to her, aren’t you? But maybe it’s time to put an end to that. Peri is busy with her duties, and I’m sure she wants to keep them. We have sent you out a few times now to do the king’s bidding. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice dull.
“It’s time you had quarters with the other soldiers,” she said.
There was some immediate grumbling throughout the throne room. I didn’t look up. I knew what I would see through the faint haze; glaring eyes of high dragons who didn’t want anything to do with me.
“You shouldn’t see this woman anymore,” she added, her eyes cutting to Peri. “You don’t need her. You have become so strong. You should be out fighting for your king, every day. You understand.”
Oh, yes, Izeria. I understand. You’ve decided I’m strong enough to fight for you, and broken enough to be trusted. You are taking me away from the only person I care for. You let Peri raise me so you didn’t have to deal with it, and now you’re splitting us apart.
She crouched in front of me. “The rebellion in your eyes—you don’t know how much that makes me happy. Look at these other idiots.” She gestured at the wine bearer her husband had slapped to the ground. The little rock dragon was hunched, rubbing her face, looking subdued. “Animals can become men. Now we know it’s possible. But don’t forget who made you.” She smiled. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lady…”
“Dvaro, my love, tell him.”
“As we all know, the blind weakling will soon be scurrying north to Irandal to avoid the fog season. He has just wed his bride, the human. She is useless on her own, but crucial to Aurekdel’s alliance with the sky kingdoms. And you saw her, Ezeru, didn’t you?”
“Yes…” I caught a glimpse of the human girl when I first launched the attack on the cave. She was easily recognizable in her unusual clothes.
“I’m giving you a boat of your own. Captain Merudon will helm the ship, but this is your mission. I want you to kidnap her. And if you do—I will give you private quarters and Peri will be given retirement. She isn’t doing that good of a job anyway. Do you understand?”
“Peri could stay safe with me, is that so?”
“When you are away on a mission she would be safe,” he said. “But you will be very busy. And handsomely rewarded. I hope you appreciate it, Ezeru. No one has ever given such blessings to a rock dragon before.”
I saw Peri’s fingers twitch in a sign only I would understand. Agree.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Leave my mark in the spot where you stole her,” Dvaro said. “I want everyone to know where my man has been. I want them to fear the very sight of your dreadful form.” He glared around briefly.
I saw a few of the women shift uncomfortably and pretend to look at something else.
“No women on the crew,” Dvaro added. “I’ve seen you all looking at him!”
Some female scoffing and grumbling passed through the room.
“Remind yourself that if he is handsome, it’s because your queen has made him so. Everything you see is a credit to her. Otherwise he would be no better than these little gnomes.” He pointed at the rock dragon servants hovering at the fringes of the throne room, waiting for orders. The rock dragons scowled, sensing some insult, but no one took that seriously.
“Your Majesty, I will do as you order,” I said stiffly.
The next few days were consumed by preparation; studying maps and learning the route in advance. Captain Merudon was a scowling, red-headed mist dragon who did his job, nothing more, nothing less. He didn’t seem repulsed by me and he also didn’t seem interested. The boats were stocked with supplies. We knew the human queen would be close to the king and Lord Seron.
“The rock dragons will create a distraction,” Merudon said. “We’ll guard the boat for you.” The mist dragons had some trouble fighting alongside me. They were immune to the effect of mist. But I was not. So mists that caused enchantment were out of the question. “We just need a little chaos, and will try to separate the queen from her protectors.”
Before I left, I was given permission to say goodbye to Peri, but no solitude. Apparently Dvaro and Izeria seemed to suspect we had something to do with Morlis and Tiriana’s death.
Everyone knew Peri had invented a crude sign language, and some of these signs were understood by others around her, but no one knew how extensive the language had become between us. We could speak without being overheard, but I knew she also didn’t want to arouse suspicion. I wouldn’t put it past Dvaro to chop off a hand or two if he thought she was up to something.
She gave me a hug and a teary expression that said nothing but, I’ll miss you.
Her hands, however, said, This is the time. Be Dvaro’s slave, or leave. She put her hands on my shoulders. Go to the blind king. Ask for Sillu. Don’t worry about me. Don’t look back.
“Will you be all right here, Peri?” I asked, in a careful tone.
She nodded, her expression firming up. Tell Sillu I love him. I love you also. Understand? The last gesture was forceful.
I did understand.
Damn it all.
She wanted me to leave her behind. She wanted me not to worry. She was willing to die here, if it meant I could get out and bring down Dvaro from the outside. She probably had a thousand things she wanted to say to the son of her blood, if only she could get them out, but she trusted me to say them. She was trusting me with everything.
Her eyes looked ready to kill Dvaro herself, if the opportunity presented itself, but it likely wouldn’t. He had all the power here. He had never trusted her. And she wanted me to leave her alone in this world when I was the only person she could really talk to.
Meanwhile, she wished for me to go to King Aurekdel himself, the man who refused to have any mist dragons at his court. I wondered if he was any better, and doubted that he would give a warm welcome to a powerful and strange rock dragon brought into being by the magi
c of mist dragons. I dreaded having to explain my existence. This was something I’d never had to do.
I understood what a sacrifice she was making. I bowed my head. With the guards watching, there wasn’t much I was wiling to say, but we knew where we stood.
Someday, I would cut out their tongues.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Himika
“Are you all right? You’re favoring your left arm.”
“I wish you were much less observant,” I told Oszin.
“You wish your head guard was not observant?”
“Yes. Exactly.” I was picking flowers very carefully, choosing the ones that had the most potent sense of energy magic to help me on the journey. “No, I’m fine. Like I said, I twisted my shoulder when I was gardening. Aurek just wants me to take precautions.”
“Uh-huh.” He came up behind me. I shied away a little, which didn’t make him any less suspicious. He ran his fingers over my shoulder and found the medicine-soaked bandage wrapped around my shoulder. “Is that why I haven’t been invited back to the bedroom?”
“I haven’t done anything with anyone. I’ve been careful. I’m already feeling much better.”
The truth was, I wasn’t healing as fast as I wanted to heal, which was instantly. Seron had been checking on my shoulder three times a day and he said part of the problem was that my bones wanted to heal fast, but they also wanted to heal wrong. So he kept having to reset things a bit, causing a new wave of pains. And I was reminded just how fragile I was. Too fragile to strike a practice sword against a straw dummy without shattering my shoulder.
If I thought about it too much, it was terrifying. I really shouldn’t even be going up and down the stairs. I shouldn’t be doing much of anything.
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