Arbitrate or Die (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 2)

by Sarah Noffke

  “Am I…” she asked, tensely watching as the gold dust covered her body.

  “You’re bonding to the sword,” Wilder supplied.

  “Because all along, it wasn’t the sword that needed to bond to you, but the other way around.” Subner looked at her proudly.

  The gold dust disappeared as the sword returned to its normal appearance. “What?” Sophia asked, her heart beating fast. “So why did Plato tell me that I needed to undo and redo the act that bonded my mother to the sword?”

  “Because the lynx works in mysterious ways,” Subner answered.

  “You’re one to talk,” Wilder quipped.

  “But it was a good call on his part,” Subner continued. “I could think of no better way to prove your loyalty to Inexorabilis. And look, you’ve done it.” He held his hand out to the sword, which suddenly felt like an old friend in Sophia’s hands. She never wanted to let it go, and strangely, like Lunis, she knew it would be by her side for the rest of her life.

  “So I didn’t have to slay the Phantom with the sword to bond to it,” Sophia said, mostly to herself.

  “It is rarely the act that we must do that changes things, but rather our intention behind them,” Subner stated sagely. “The sword knows what’s in your heart now and how far you’ll go for that. I dare say, you’re more bonded to this weapon than most I’ve seen. It will be a beautiful partnership.”

  Wilder smiled wide on the other side of her. “I think I like the riddle world.”

  She couldn’t help but return his grin. “You would. You’re the worst.”

  He winked at her. “That I am, Soph. That I am.”

  Chapter Sixty-Nine

  Hiker was bent over the Elite Globe when Sophia and Wilder entered his office.

  “So you didn’t die after all,” the Viking said, not pulling his eyes off the globe.

  “I think you knew that sir,” Wilder stated, standing at attention respectfully as he tended to do when addressing the leader of the Dragon Elite.

  Sophia in contrast, slouched onto the sofa, exhausted after bonding with Inexorabilis. Subner had told her that this was typical, and she’d need to eat a lot of carbohydrates to replenish her strength. Ainsley was evidently already working on something. “Yeah, your magic globe would have told you if we were dead, but thanks for the sentiment. I can tell you were wrecked worrying about us.”

  Hiker gave her an annoyed glare over his shoulder. “The magical globe isn’t working like it should. And you dying is a mixed bag for me.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia said, flashing him a rebellious expression. “I’m going to take that as another sign that you love me, but I challenge you in ways that scare you. You obviously have avoidance commitment issues. There’s a quiz in one of my Cosmopolitan magazines you should take to confirm that.”

  Hiker glanced at Wilder. “Why is it that I can’t understand anything she says?”

  “She hangs out with fae who gave all their brain cells away for good looks,” Wilder answered.

  “That seems about right.” Hiker shook his head at Sophia. “We are the company we keep.”

  “Which doesn’t bode well for me at all hanging around this place,” Sophia fired back.

  Wilder laughed. “You two have beautiful chemistry.”

  Hiker growled in reply.

  “So, the globe is broken?” Sophia asked. “Did you try turning it off and back on?”

  The scowl on Hiker’s face deepened. “What does that even mean?”

  “Pop culture reference,” she answered.

  “Oh good, you know how much I love those,” Hiker said dryly. “The globe isn’t showing me the lone riders out there.”

  “Isn’t that because you erased them when you kicked them out of the Gullington for having opinions and free will?” Sophia asked.

  “Even when I erased them, I was able to make them show back up when I wanted,” Hiker stated, continuing to study the globe. “But something isn’t right now.”

  “What can that mean, sir?” Wilder asked, his casual nature dropping.

  “Well, it could mean a few things,” he said speculatively. “I suspect that Thad is behind it somehow. He obviously never quit.”

  “Can you be more specific?” Sophia asked.

  Hiker moved away from the globe and let out a deep breath. “Thad’s mission was always to get rid of the dragonriders. He might have succeeded, with the exception of the Dragon Elite.” He leveled his gaze at Wilder. “Which was one reason I was adamant about you lot staying inside the Gullington.”

  “Do you really think he could have killed all the rest of the lone riders?” Sophia questioned, sitting up.

  Hiker nodded. “There weren’t many…not after…well, it isn’t important.”

  “Sounds important,” she fired back.

  “It’s history. Boring stuff,” he replied.

  Sophia shook her head. “Let’s agree to disagree on this one.”

  “So, there might not be any other dragonriders out there in the world?” Wilder asked, his voice tense.

  “Maybe,” Hiker answered. “Or it’s possible that Thad has spelled the Elite Globe so that I can’t find them, knowing that I’d come after them to recruit when I learned about his presence.”

  “Are you sure he can do that?” Sophia questioned.

  “I know he can.” Hiker combed his hands through his hair.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I just do,” he said authoritatively.

  “Spoken like a parent,” Sophia grumbled.

  “It’s not important how I know,” Hiker argued. “The point is that I can’t find the dragonriders who are out there. I can’t even confirm that they are out there, but I’ll continue to work on it.”

  “And in the meantime?” Sophia asked. “What should we do?”

  “Well, you’re done reversing events and killing Phantoms?” Hiker questioned.

  “Yes, and Sophia bonded to her sword,” Wilder said proudly.

  The Viking nodded. “Good.”

  “And Wilder found out that he works for the Protector of Weapons,” Sophia informed.

  Hiker’s expression morphed into one of frustration. “You what?”

  “Well, apparently, he’s the reason I have such a connection with weapons,” Wilder explained.

  “What does this mean?” Hiker asked.

  “I’m not sure yet, sir,” Wilder answered. “I guess I might have to go on side-missions for him.”

  Hiker looked up to the ceiling. “For the love of the angels. Is it too much to ask to have a single dragonrider who works for me and isn’t at someone else’s behest?”

  “Probably,” Sophia answered.

  He shot her a glare. “Well, before you two are pulled off on some other side quest, I have adjudicator missions for you.”

  Hiker snapped his fingers, and scrolls of parchment materialized in both Sophia’s and Wilder’s hands.

  She unrolled hers. “Did you write this by hand?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yes, a bit of penmanship wouldn’t hurt you. I’ve seen the way you scratch out your name.”

  “Why write when you can type,” she joked, enjoying getting under his skin.

  “When you return, Sophia, I hope to have information on where to find any lone riders, if you still want the challenge of finding them.”

  Sophia blinked at him, trying to decide if he was serious. “Is this because you think they will try to kill me?”

  “Maybe,” he answered. “But also because I suspect if there are any out there, you might be the only one who can recruit them.”

  “Why is that, sir?” Wilder questioned.

  “Because they are a different breed of rider,” Hiker answered. “They will probably be enthralled by her rebellious spirit.”

  Sophia smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  He shook his head. “Do what you will.”

  Chapter Seventy

  Sophia couldn’t help herself from wrappi
ng her arms around Lunis when she saw him the next morning, refreshed from her adventures of bonding to Inexorabilis. She’d missed him in a way that was hard to explain. It was like a part of her had been severed, and she’d only just been reunited with it. Although Lunis was always in her head and heart, distance to their physical proximity had an effect on her spirit, she’d come to realize.

  He pressed into her, although he said, “You know most riders don’t hug their dragons.”

  Sophia pulled away, feeling tears aching to the surface. “Those other riders are missing out. There is nothing like a good dragon hug.”

  “I think that’s the first time that’s ever been said,” Lunis stated, wrapping his neck around Sophia, pulling her in tighter. “We aren’t considered really cuddly creatures.”

  After a long moment, Sophia pulled away. “Are you ready for a mission? How is Tala?”

  He nodded. “Yes, getting out of the Cave and spreading my wings will be good. He is okay. Still disoriented, and I’m not certain either he or Mahkah knows what hit them.”

  “But it was definitely something at the Nathaniel Facility on Catalina Island?”

  “I believe so, but I’m not sure it worked the way it was supposed to, or that they got away before it did the full extent of damage it was intended to do,” Lunis explained. “We will find out more when they recover. Right now they need rest, but hopefully, in time, the events will become clearer, and we will know what we’re up against.”

  Sophia shook her head. “Thad Reinhart is something else. Hiker thinks he might have taken out the lone dragonriders. And now this.”

  “I think there’s a lot we don’t know about Thad Reinhart, and that puts us at a serious disadvantage.”

  “Well, I’m hoping that when we return, Hiker will know where the lone riders are,” Sophia informed him. “Then we can go recruit them and be that much closer to taking down that evil man and his treacherous companies that pollute the Earth and promote war.”

  “Until then…” Lunis extended one of his wings.

  Sophia stepped onto it, swinging her leg around the other side of Lunis, taking a seat in the saddle. “Until then, we get to hopefully create peace.”

  With a grace Sophia had sorely missed, the dragon started forward, his wings flapping as he crossed the Expanse. It wasn’t really the way she held the reins or leaned that steered the dragon up into the air. Mostly it was the connection between them that made for a brilliant take off as he launched into the air, flying toward the rising sun over the Expanse.

  Once they were through the Barrier, Sophia opened a portal into the place that held their next mission.

  I just don’t see why that’s important, Sophia replied telepathically to her dragon as they flew over the crystal blue waters of the ocean, warm winds racing through her hair.

  It’s part of your training, Lunis argued. Without mastering air combat, you can’t pass your training.

  But dragonriders don’t fight other dragonriders, she countered. There may not even be any more dragons.

  In the past, the dragonriders did battle one another.

  What? Sophia asked, surprised. That’s not in the Incomplete History of Dragonriders.

  Because it’s incomplete, he stated.

  Tell me more about these battles, she urged as they neared land.

  I don’t know specifics, Lunis related. I know the Dragon Elite were involved, quelling disputes that involved other dragonriders.

  Doesn’t your collective consciousness give you details about the history of these disputes?

  It doesn’t really work that way, Lunis explained. I know facts. That’s what we pass along to one another. Wars aren’t based on facts but rather emotions, therefore I don’t know why dragonriders fought each other, but I can postulate that it was for power.

  It always is, Sophia said with a sigh.

  The fact remains that you must work with the others to practice air combat, Lunis stated, not dropping this point. Since Sophia had told him that she’d bonded to her sword, which he was aware of from the moment it occurred, he’d been nagging her to complete other parts of her training.

  To officially complete it and earn her wings, she’d have to get better at scrying and survive alone for an extended period of time with Lunis off the grid. She’d also have to master all the riding techniques, which involved a running mount, dismounting while in flight, sword fighting while flying, creating multiple portals in a row in quick succession, and many other skills.

  Bonding with her sword was only the beginning of the training, she now realized. Sophia needed to master sword fighting, hand to hand combat, increase her stealth and agility as well as double her physical strength and speed.

  Once she’d completed all of that, then she had to do the one thing that seemed nearly impossible. Sophia had to meditate for as long as it took to master her mind. Only then would she connect with the ancient power of the dragons, learning an ancient wisdom that would keep her tied to the chi of the dragon for all of time.

  You’re telling me that Evan completed this meditation challenge? Sophia asked Lunis as they scanned the ground for their destination.

  Yes, all of the riders at the Gullington have.

  But Evan can’t even be quiet long enough to chew a piece of sausage. I’m so tired of seeing that dude’s food while he’s eating.

  Evan might appear to be a goof, but when it comes to dragon-riding, he’s an Elite for a reason.

  And what is this surviving off the grid business? Sophia asked, having learned this new information from Lunis. That sounds like a walkabout.

  It’s important that we know how to survive in the worst conditions, away from the Gullington, which currently provides all our necessities.

  You can hunt, though, she argued.

  But can you?

  No, but that’s why I have you, she joked. You’ll share your sheep with me.

  Will I?

  Won’t you?

  Do you want me to answer that?

  Sophia groaned. Fine. I’ll learn how to hunt and make a fire.

  Without using magic, he added.

  Man, this is just getting ridiculous, she complained. Sophia realized she’d been naïve to think that she’d master dragon training so quickly. She guessed that it might have taken Evan and the others many years, but they were born at a different time when the Dragon Elite was dead to the rest of the world.

  Now there were adjudication missions and villains and riders to recruit. Sophia didn’t want to slow down from all that to also train, although that was the deal she’d made with Hiker. And Mama Jamba was adamant about her finishing her training for some strange reason.

  Every time she saw the southern belle, she was asked how training was going, as if she couldn’t just dip into Sophia’s mind and know for herself.

  So the other dragonriders out there, the lone ones, Sophia began. Do you think they finished training?

  No, Lunis answered simply.

  I wonder how that makes them different, she pondered.

  We will find out, Lunis said. But for as much as you and Hiker butt heads, please note that his rigid adherence to protocol will be what keeps us alive in the most dangerous situations. He is giving you missions, but I believe he won’t knowingly put you in any situation until he knows you’re ready.

  Like when he sent me to recover Mama Jamba, nearly killing us both?

  If you remember, he didn’t think that you’d actually do it, Lunis stated.

  Yeah, yet another Hiker test, Sophia thought with a laugh.

  Well, I think he gave you this current mission because he believes your strategic mind will decrease the chance of violence and hopefully settle the dispute easily, Lunis said, landing on a busy street, earning the attention of everyone around them.

  Yeah, let’s hope you’re right, Sophia said, steering her dragon toward the capital for the nation of Reerca. Soon their neighbors would be joining them, having unknowingly been summoned by Lunis and
Sophia for this meeting as they flew over it on their way to this spot. Dragonriders had many tricks in their bags.

  Calling meetings between disputing parties, whether they wanted to meet or not, was one of them.

  Chapter Seventy-One

  The country of Reerca was poor and disadvantaged in that its citizens suffered from lack of jobs, underdeveloped water systems, poor social systems, and many other issues that stemmed from a lack of economy.

  Conversely, their neighbors to the north in Thleath prospered from a robust economy driven by a healthy export of fruits and vegetables. The stark difference in living conditions had sparked an immigration movement from Reerca to Thleath, resulting in a border dispute between the two nations.

  That’s where Sophia and Lunis came in. Currently, the tension had only caused small skirmishes, but the stress was building, and it was only a matter of time before war broke out.

  There had been talks of a high-security fence being placed between the countries. Thleath’s citizens complained about the immigrants from Reerca trespassing into their country, taking their resources.

  Sophia studied Reerca’s capitol building. It had seen better days.

  As she decided where discussions should take place, Sophia was aware that those passing them on the streets were studying her and Lunis.

  I think we have their attention, Lunis said, swishing his tail.

  Good, Sophia answered.

  Two guards rushed forward, holding automatic weapons.

  I don’t think you’ll fit inside the building, Sophia observed, indicating the large stone building with a crumbling exterior

  I most certainly won’t, he replied.

  I think the open courtyard suits us better anyway, Sophia said, undeterred by the menacing glares of the soldiers holding weapons.

  She held up her hands and used a freezing spell on them, sensing their tension.

  “We are not here to create problems. We are here to resolve them.”

  The men’s eyes shifted with alarm as they realized they couldn’t move.