Dragon of Eriden - The Complete Collection

by Samantha Jacobey

  Nodding, the elf indicated his understanding, patting himself across his chest and announcing, “Animir.”

  Baldwin broke into a wide grin at the introduction and followed when Animir beckoned for him to do so. This time, they departed to the left and back down the slope, leaving Piers alone with the other elves and the rest of their gear. Looking around anxiously, he scowled, muttering at having been treated as a prisoner while the others were shown the curtesy of guests.

  Smiling at each other, two of the elves who remained with him called to a third, and a moment later a small barrel of wine was produced with glasses for all. As soon as it appeared, the square filled with a dozen tall elves, all dressed in various styles of robes and drapes of fine, shimmering, silky material. Serving themselves from the supply, they chattered about him, holding up toasts and smiling.

  Accepting a glass for himself, Piers could no longer hold his frown at the rich aroma and succulent taste of the beverage. After a few glasses, he found himself claimed by three of the young maids, who seemed quite interested in his rugged appearance as they fawned over him openly.

  “I’m Piers,” he informed them with a twisted grin, “but most of my friends call me The Mate.”

  The girls giggled, offering their names. Matching his height, Tirith, the tallest and blond, had clear blue eyes and a thin build. Poldur, who had to be the shortest elf he had met so far, was rather portly, with ebony locks that hung just past the small of her back, and she glared at him with misty grey orbs.

  Cothiel might have been the most average of the trio, and of the elves, both in her build and plain brown hair with mahogany-colored eyes. But, she had spirit, latching onto his arm and refusing to be parted from him for the rest of the afternoon.

  His defenses dissolving rapidly, Piers enjoyed the wine and the company, not understanding a word that they said to him but languishing in their attention just the same.

  Queen Cilithrand

  Following the lead hunter anxiously, Amicia gazed around her with wide eyes. If the sirens had been the simplest of creatures, with a lust for life itself and the honesty of the sea, the elves were the purest of opposites. Everything around them had been finely crafted from exquisite materials. Hard woods, gold, and silver were their favorites, with jewels and gems accenting the walls and furniture.

  Leading her down a long and winding corridor, the elf did not falter, keeping his gaze straight ahead. In front of them, a pair of doors that arched to a point twice the height of the elves opened, and she was shown into a long, wide chamber. Walking slowly down the center of smooth hard stone, a thick carpet covered the floor on either side, where tables and shelves filled with unfamiliar objects lined the walls.

  Along the right side of the room as she entered, vast windows brought in the natural light as the entire wall was practically made of glass, while the left held none, being a wall formed from the rock of the mountain itself. The inner wall had been polished, and the stone held a crisp, smooth appearance; mostly deep grey, but streaked with bright red and orange rivulets of color.

  Anxious at the sound of her boots thumping on the hard floor, Ami grew tense in the formal air of the great hall. Her breath quickened when she arrived at the far end to stand before the queen, and she squeezed her merdoe anxiously as she waited to see what happened next.

  Anerion presented her with only a bow, then turned on his heel to exit the way he had come. Standing before the raised platform, Ami’s hands trembled as she fidgeted with her precious translator. Swallowing, she kept her eyes on the queen’s gown, as she felt certain it would be presumptuous of her to stare at the sovereign or to look her in the eye. When the silent stillness grew long, she raised her chin and met the older woman’s gaze.

  Cilithrand was a slender, delicate woman. Her features were accented by paint that only the richest of society could afford at home. A luxury beyond the reach of all but the elite, her lips were stained a deep purple, which matched the accents in her green and gold gown. Her simple brown hair drawn into a braid at the front of her head, it parted to expose the jewel crested tips of her ears. Many of the elves Ami had seen were pierced, but this was indeed the most splendid of displays.

  “Your majesty,” Amicia breathed, bowing before her as she resumed staring at her feet.

  “What is your name, child?”

  “Amicia Spicer,” she declared in a shaky voice.

  “And how did you arrive in the Kingdom of Eriden?”

  “Our ship was scuttled by a dragon,” the girl explained. “We survived on a small raft and crashed upon the shore here three moons ago.” Daring to look up, she glimpsed the queen’s face before lowering her gaze once more.

  “Are you afraid of me, child?” the queen demanded. She had seen the fire within the girl as soon as she entered her chamber, but after speaking with her, she sensed that Ami was unaware of its existence.

  “Very much,” the young woman whispered hoarsely, dropping to a single knee. Leaning upon it, she waited, half expecting to have her shoulders separated from her head at any moment by one of the two guards with heavy spears that stood on either side of the throne.

  But the blow did not fall, and a tinkle of laughter filled the chamber. “Rise, Amicia Spicer. No harm will come to you within my walls.” Standing, the monarch descended the few steps and joined her on the main floor of the room. Her gown long, it trailed behind her in a heavy train, the sound a soft rustle as it slithered over the stones.

  Getting to her feet, Ami stood next to her. At least a foot taller, the elf appeared to be a giant, as did all of those they had encountered. Raising her hand, the older woman indicated for her to walk with her as they strolled through the room. Her movements small, she kept herself rigid as she stepped onto the soft carpet and glided along the inner wall.

  Arriving at a small table, a pedestal in the center of it had thin, shimmering material flowing down the sides, landing on the flat surface six inches below its crest. There, at the top, sat a small round ball; opaque, which glittered in the bright light of a window that angled and focused light upon it from across the room.

  Lifting the small round orb, the queen stared into it for a moment, then smiled. “Tis true. You have come to us from the rim of the mortals.”

  “Yes, of course I have,” Ami defended, surprised the woman had doubted her.

  “You were fortunate to have fled the sirens,” she went on, unaffected by the girl’s comment. “Three men serve you, correct?”

  “I have three male companions, yes,” Amicia bit a little more angrily. To imply that any of them were servants to her grated on her nerves and put her on edge.

  “Olirassa will be disappointed that you have removed them. They would have made a fine feast upon them, to be certain.”

  “Olirassa is our friend!”

  Her words sharp, the queen looked up from her gazing in surprise. “Are you a fool, child? Surely you noticed that there are no men in the land of Riran.”

  “Yes, I –” Ami stammered, cutting herself off and trying to regroup her thoughts.

  Seeing her anguish, the elf reached out to her, grasping her arm and holding it firmly. “You are not the first to be marooned upon these shores. There have been several ships to make it past our barriers and to settle in the waters that surround our coast.”

  Nodding, Ami recalled Piers asking Olirassa about a ship that had sunk near the entrance to their hidden camp. “Yes,” she breathed, the memory growing clearer. “What became of the crew of the ship that my companions found?”

  Holding out the ball, the queen indicated it with her long, painted nails. “Look inside, girl. For this crystal will show you the truth that you seek.”

  Inside the glittering surface, a cloud swirled then parted, and Ami could see a ship caught in a storm. Dragon wings and fire fluttered across the scene, and men abandoned the ship, swimming for the land that lay near to them. Arriving on their beach, they were greeted by the mermaids, who welcomed them to the woods.r />
  A moment later, the scene changed. A large ceremonial fire burned, and the men screamed in agony. Their flesh shriveled over their bones, turning to dust as the life-force was drawn from their bodies, until even their skeletons had been wasted and blew away on the breeze.

  “There, you see?” the queen stated confidently, lowering the ball as the scene disappeared. “Your friends would have been dealt with in the same fashion, I assure you.”

  “What about me?” Ami gasped, unsure if the sphere of truth could be trusted. Olirassa had been nothing but kind to her and she could not fathom her betrayal; especially one involving a fire of any kind, as she knew firsthand the mermaids were against them.

  “Perhaps you too would have been devoured, or perhaps she had other plans for you,” the queen replied, extending a finger to caress her cheek lightly, with her thumb lightly tracing the faint scar that split her lower lip. “Who is to say when one speaks of such vile creatures?”

  Looking up at the tall brunette, Ami felt a chill slide over her body, as if the woman were a serpent, slithering over her skin. “I understand,” she whispered softly, not wishing to give away her doubt. “We are your guests then?” she asked more confidently.

  “Yes, of course! For as long as you have need,” Cilithrand replied, gliding her arm across the girl’s shoulder and drawing her near as she turned her to walk along the wall once more. “We will have a suite prepared for you and your companions. Dinner will be served in a few hours, so you will have until then to rest and freshen yourself.” With a wave of her hand, a small elf maid appeared, surprising Ami that any existed that weren’t taller than herself. “This is Sadrir. She will tend you during your stay,” the queen informed her while releasing her. Turning, she floated back towards her throne, dismissing the two smaller females abruptly.

  “This way, my lady,” the girl said with a small curtsy.

  Her eyes wide, Ami felt odd to be presented with a servant. As they exited the palace, a breathless feeling of panic overwhelmed her. Walking along the cobblestone path, they passed entrances to the spires that sprouted from the tops of the trees. They also met several elves as they went about their business, each giving Ami a nod or bow as they strolled by, which only added to her feeling of dread.

  Fighting to control her emotions, she followed her maid until they arrived at a large garden filled with luscious flowers. Separated by a large hedge, it formed a quiet haven, away from prying eyes. Crossing the grass to the far side, a wall of shrubs divided the garden further, into smaller chambers which housed small pools of steaming water.

  “What is this?” she gasped in surprise upon entering.

  “It’s a natural spring for bathing,” the girl replied, wafting at her to enter while she spoke to one of the bath maids who stood near the door. After sending her to fetch clothing for their charge, she returned her attention to Amicia. “Please, my lady. I have lavender soaps and a fluffy robe for when you have completed your soak.” Her hand open to the blue sky above, she indicated the water.

  “You want me to bathe… in there,” Amicia asked incredulously. Never in her life had she imagined such a thing.

  “Yes,” Sadrir smiled sweetly. “Please, my lady.” She again curtsied, giving Ami another twist in her gut.

  Walking over to the edge, Amicia knelt on the soft earth, resting back on her haunches as she considered the situation. Her hand trembling, she dipping the tips of her fingers into the water. The warmth exquisite, she had heard of such things but had never dreamed she would lay her eyes upon them. “Is it magical?” she asked quietly, afraid to spoil the splendor of the place.

  “It is heated by the springs from within the earth. It is why our people settled here thousands of years ago,” the maid explained, accepting a few items from her cohort, who had returned with a fluffy cloth and a long gown.

  A large tree stood in the corner of her cubicle, and the elf used the branches to hold her necessities as she continued, “We have many such baths here in Jerranyth.” Raising her hands, she indicated the walls to either side that probably appeared similar to this chamber on the other side.

  Looking down at her dirty pants and shirt, Ami sighed. Bally’s clothes. They had been given to her when she first hid in the Mate’s quarters. It seems so long ago, she recalled. But it had scarcely been a few months, hardly any time at all in the grand scheme of things.

  Glancing at the dress, she scowled. Then she stood and began removing her clothing. “I need these laundered and returned to me,” she commanded.

  Her eyes wide with surprise, Sadrir bit back her reply and swallowed. Then she said in a soft tone, “If my lady wishes it, it shall be so.”

  Naked, with only her merdoe in her left hand, Ami stepped into the warm swirls. The stones at the near end provided the perfect entrance and exit, and the pool itself came to her waist when she had reached the flat, smooth bottom. On the far side and end, a bench ran the length of them, providing a place to sit or stretch that brought the water to her neck.

  Pulling her hair out of her braid, she released her mass of curls. Dunking beneath the surface, she stood once more, water dripping down her naked curves from her wet hair. Squeezing it out, she laughed, remembering not to drop her special shell.

  Over the course of her life, a warm pan of water to wash herself had been a luxury; a bath that covered her entire body unheard of. Taking a seat on the bench, she rested against the side and looked at the girl there to tend her. “Where is this lavender soap that I was promised?”

  Smiling, Sadrir presented a small plate, which held different sized bars, bowls and textures of the sweet-smelling cleanser. “Would you like to be washed?”

  “Washed?” Amicia coughed, dumbstruck at the thought of having the other woman’s hands on her, lathering her body and then rinsing the bubbles away. “No,” she choked, “I am quite capable of taking care of that part.”

  Remaining below the surface, Ami glided over to select her soap. She lay her merdoe on the edge while she lathered, applying the bar to her sticky flesh. Dipping her finger in the cream, she looked up at the girl, laying her hand over the trinket to await her response.

  Sadrir giggled. “This is for your hair,” she offered, indicating the watery version of the soap. “While you bathe, let me take your shell and have it put upon a string, that you may wear it around your neck. That way, you will never be without it.”

  “You know what this is for?” Ami asked in surprise.

  “Oh, yes!” the maid nodded. “Magical siren shells are a rare gift. You must have been very dear to them.”

  “You know the sirens,” Amicia observed more quietly, astonished that she would be familiar with them after what the queen had shown her.

  Her eyes wide, Sadrir appeared frightened for a moment before she forced her lips into another small grin. “If it pleases my lady, I will tend to the stone.”

  “Yes, it pleases me,” Ami replied with her nose in the air. Removing her hand from the shell, she turned her attention to her hair. Lathering it, she focused on grooming herself, her thoughts turning to Piers and how he had thought to bring her brush for her.

  Glancing at the gown that awaited her, she could tell the fine material matched that of the other maids of the elven city. She had toyed with the idea of being so well dressed when she had first contemplated running away from Nalen. Catching a fit of happy giggles, she chuckled to herself as she finished her bath and rinsed the soap away.

  Climbing out, she dried with a long piece of fuzzy cloth that felt soft against her skin. Thinking she would be spoiled in such a palace, her laughter faded away as she considered the farm where she had grown up and the life she had always lived. Damn them, she cursed her almost parents and their lies. She had grown weary of the hurt their actions had brought her.

  Once she had dried, she wrapped her hair in the absorbent material and set about putting on the layers of her clothing. A fine, silky set of undergarments went first, followed by a plain white unde
r gown, and finally, the shimmering, colorful top one.

  Staring down at herself, she felt amazed at the fit and the feel of her dream coming true. I am a lady, she sighed, with tears in her eyes. Hearing her maid return, she quickly wiped them away before she faced her. “Was he able to complete the task?” she asked, forgetting she would not be able to understand the response without the device.

  When she turned to the girl, Sadrir held it out towards her. A small hole had been drilled into the edge, where the shell would have hinged against another, and a silver strand of ribbon had been placed through it. Tied in a simple knot, it would fit over her head, and she hid it beneath the front of her blouse, so that the merdoe nestled between her breasts.

  “How is it?” Sadrir inquired.

  Understanding her perfectly, Ami smiled, “I love it. It’s perfect. I will never take it off.” Laying her hand over it through the material that covered her body, the necklace made her think of Olirassa, and she sighed. Cilithrand may have tried to poison her against her aged friend, but she could not believe that such deception lay in the tiny woman who had saved their lives when they washed upon the shore.

  Pushing the sad thought away, Amicia turned her back to her maid, presenting her next need to her. The back had a section of laces that would adjust the fit, and she explained, “I wasn’t able to draw the string very well.” Waiting, she could feel the small elf’s hands as she tugged them with a firm pull and then tied the knot. Admiring herself once more, Ami sighed with contentment.

  “Shall I show you to your suite then?” the girl asked, presenting her with a satin pair of slippers.

  “Yes,” Ami nodded, smiling genuinely. The thought of getting some rest overcame her, and she felt utterly exhausted, as if she hadn’t really slept in months. Not since her mum had passed and her world had turned upside down the night she left Nalen in a ship full of men.