Within moments, the flames died and nothing but ash was left, scattering above the forest on the breeze.
Traitors
A surge of pride welled inside Roberto—Ezaara was seated at the head of the granite horseshoe, next to Lars. Finally, after all this time, she was in her rightful place as Queen’s Rider.
Ezaara wiggled her feet under the table. “Do you like my shoes?”
Roberto smiled. “Very nice.” She was wearing the shoes he’d given her on race day. Thank the Egg, she wasn’t on trial today.
The council chamber was packed. Most people wore black armbands, to honor Jaevin and Shari, and brightly-colored ribbons to show support for Zaarusha.
Lars rapped his gavel. “Unfortunately, today’s proceedings are no cause for celebration. First, I must apologize to Ezaara, Zaarusha and Master Roberto for our mistaken verdict. They have been cleared of all wrongdoing. Master Tonio expresses his heartfelt apologies.” He nodded grimly. “Earlier this morning, after Shari’s death rites, the Council of the Twelve Dragon Masters reinstated Roberto to his position as Master of Mental Faculties and Imprinting. We now also appoint our Honored Queen’s Rider as a member of the council. Although she is not yet fully trained, she has proven her capability.”
Cheers erupted, then clapping. Someone whistled—probably Kierion.
When the room quieted, Lars continued, “It’s a tragedy that Master Shari and Master Jaevin, two of our finest dragon riders, have been murdered.”
Around the chamber, people raised their fists to their hearts and murmured, “May their spirits soar with departed dragons.”
“Thank you for your solidarity in protecting the queen last night. We expect Zaarusha to recover fully,” Lars said. “No doubt, the praises of Ezaara, Master Roberto, Adelina, Gret and Kierion will be sung around hearths for years to come. But now, we must deal with the traitors.”
The doors to the council chambers opened with an ominous thud. Blue guards led Bruno, Fleur and Simeon inside. The shackles on their wrists and ankles clanking, Fleur and Simeon sat in chairs facing the council. Simeon hung his head, pretending remorse. Fleur’s nose was in the air, her lip curled in a faint sneer.
Roberto snorted. They were as guilty as rats crushing thrush eggs.
“Please sit, Bruno,” Lars ordered.
Bruno objected. “Highly Honored Master Lars, may I please have a word with you?”
Lars sighed. “Make it quick.”
Some people muttered as blue guards hustled Bruno forward. Others were deathly silent, staring daggers at the traitors.
Only one seat away from Lars, Roberto heard everything.
“My wife and son acted without my knowledge,” Bruno whispered. “I’m horrified by their actions.”
Bruno was trying to save his own skin—the coward.
Ezaara mind-melded, “You took their crimes upon yourself to protect me, but he won’t protect his own flesh and blood.”
“He’s a gutter-swilling yellow belly.”
“I’m worried, Roberto. Perhaps he knows we have no evidence against him, only against his wife and son.”
There it was: his fear laid bare. “Let’s hope Lars has found something.”
“Hmm.” Ezaara sounded as doubtful as he felt. As long as Bruno was at Dragons’ Hold, no one was safe.
After ordering Bruno to his seat, Lars outlined the charges against Fleur and Simeon.
“He hasn’t charged Bruno,” Ezaara said.
“Not a good sign.”
Walking out from behind the granite horseshoe, Lars addressed the assembly. “Last night, I inspected the infirmary. Fleur has stockpiled poisons and destroyed most of our healing remedies. The deadly cache she has amassed is enough to wipe out our dragons and riders several times over. She poisoned our queen, fought our Queen’s Rider, and we suspect she has murdered two of our masters.” The chill in Lars’ voice sent frost down Roberto’s spine. “I’ve said enough. Now, our Honored Queen’s Rider will speak.”
Ezaara’s chair scraped as she stood, face grave. “I was too new and naive to detect the trap that Fleur and Simeon laid for me. They undermined my role and tried to banish me, knowing Zaarusha would be vulnerable. When Master Roberto was banished for their crimes, I discovered his innocence and left to rescue him. Although I am glad I did, I give my deepest apologies for not being here to protect our queen.”
“Stop this. It’s not your fault!”
Ignoring Roberto, Ezaara continued, “They poisoned Zaarusha. They attacked me, Gret and Adelina. Ajeuria nearly killed Erob and Master Roberto.”
“She did not. I’m much stronger than Ajeuria,” Erob interrupted, melding with them both.
Still facing her people, Ezaara ignored Erob too. “We were lucky, but Master Jaevin and Master Shari were not. As the evidence unfolds, listen carefully and learn. Zaarusha and I never want traitors at Dragons’ Hold again.”
“Lying swine!” Fleur scowled. “This is preposterous. We’ve done our best for Dragons’ Hold. She’s the traitor.”
Not letting Fleur’s outburst faze her, Ezaara sat, composed and looking … well, regal. Her speech was a far cry from her first one here, during the feast. Her whole demeanor had changed. Had it only been four and a half weeks ago? “Spoken like a true Queen’s Rider.”
“Thank you.”
Lars rapped his gavel. “I defer to our Dragon Corps Spymaster, Tonio, who will call our witnesses.”
Tonio’s dark eyes swept the chamber. “Our first witness is Adelina of Naobia.” He nodded as Adelina stood. “Adelina, you came to me recently about something strange you’d found in the Queen’s Rider’s cavern. Please tell us.”
“After Ezaara accidentally injured Sofia, Simeon gave her what he claimed was a restorative tea, but it contained a weak dose of skarkrak, a Robandi poison. It knocked her out, so she couldn’t visit Sofia.”
“How exactly did you recognize the skarkrak?”
“I smelt it as I emptied the Queen’s Rider’s vomit pail.”
Amid a flurry of murmurs, Ezaara blushed bright pink. “Great.”
“The scent of skarkrak was on Shari’s soup bowl,” said Adelina. “It was her last meal.” Adelina produced Shari’s dish from her bag, passing it to Tonio, who sniffed it and nodded.
Master Alyssa broke in. “When Jaevin died, Fleur disposed of his dishes, saying Montanarians didn’t like food near corpses, but it was probably just an excuse to hide evidence.”
Tonio gestured to a blue guard, who passed him a leather pouch. “This was found in the infirmary. Adelina, can you identify it?”
Adelina sniffed the contents of the package. “It’s skarkrak.”
“This is the same as the poison that was in Shari’s soup. Thank you, Master Alyssa and Adelina.” Tonio’s predatory gaze swept over the traitors. “Most of you know the Queen’s Rider had an accident at the knife-throwing range, but not many know that Ezaara injured Sofia because she was immersed in a violent mind-melded vision from Ajeuria. Ezaara, please explain exactly what happened.”
Ezaara’s voice shook as she spoke. Through her thoughts, Roberto saw flashes of fire and smelt the stench of burning flesh. Half way through explaining, she paled and gripped the table.
“Do you need fresh air?”
“No, I just need to get through this.”
Sympathetic murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“She’s lying,” screamed Fleur. “Lying through her teeth.”
Tonio shook his head. “Ajeuria was seen near the knife range. Our dragons witnessed the mental assault and have been on the alert since to find out who was responsible. When Ajeuria tried again last night, they recognized her.”
“Fleur,” Lars thundered, “we’ve mind-melded with Ajeuria, and she’s revealed how you tortured her and fed her swayweed. You’d best stay silent until requested to speak.”
Glaring, Fleur snapped her jaw shut.
“None of this has anything to do with me,” Bruno whined.
Roberto’s fists clenched. Bruno was right—it didn’t.
“Silence, Bruno!” Tonio barked. “Kierion, you’re our next witness.”
At Tonio’s taut nod, Kierion told everyone how Ezaara’s cane had been snapped and hidden.
Fresh anger surged through Roberto. Simeon had ruined one of his mother’s few remaining belongings.
Tonio continued, “Ajeuria’s vision, the skarkrak and missing cane caused prejudice against our Queen’s Rider, but she isn’t the only one affected by Fleur’s actions. Master Roberto has discovered another of Fleur’s ploys.”
Roberto pulled back his sleeve, revealing the wound that had never healed properly since the battle at River’s Edge. “Fleur’s famous healing unguent, used for years at Dragons’ Hold, causes damage. Look.” He walked through the chamber, showing the red lines webbing outward from his scar. “If you have a wound that Fleur’s treated that hasn’t healed properly, put your hand up.”
Gasps ripped through the chamber as hands shot up.
“She’s sabotaged our healing,” someone cried.
Nodding, Roberto sat and Tonio started summarizing the evidence.
“Aren’t you going to mention Shari’s dragon?” Ezaara asked.
“You mean Ariana’s belly gripe? No, we can’t track it directly to Fleur.” He sighed. “It’s been a tough day. How are you feeling?”
“I should be asking you that after your fight with Ajeuria.”
Revealing his feelings was strange after so many years of maintaining a tough facade. “I’m good, but this is taking ages. I wish it was over.”
“Why? What’s the hurry?”
“Then I can be with you.”
Her surprise and pleasure rippled through him. “Promise?”
“A horde of tharuks couldn’t keep me away.” He stifled the urge to grin at her. Too many people were watching.
The doors burst open and Gret hobbled in, leaning on Ezaara’s cane.
“Ah, I loaned it to her. Hope that’s all right.”
“Of course,” Roberto replied.
Gret gazed at the packed room, her face reddening. “Sorry, I’m late! Master Lars and honored council members, I have evidence against Simeon, son of Fleur and Bruno.”
Tonio paused, eyebrows raised.
Lars waved Gret forward. “Please proceed.”
Gret limped through the onlookers to face the council. “I’m not sure if she told you, but the night our Queen’s Rider left for the Wastelands, Simeon attacked her in the tunnels. His intent was to defile her. Our swords prevented him.”
A chill ran through Roberto, and then the desire to drive his blade through Simeon’s heart. “Ezaara! When were you going to tell me this?”
“I was too busy rescuing you,” Ezaara snapped, a flash of Simeon’s leering face and grasping hands shooting through him as she remembered. She paled. “And it’s not a memory I cherish reliving.”
Roberto seethed. That shrotty louse. “Sorry, Ezaara, you need my understanding, not my anger.”
“Thank you.” She bit her lip.
Shards, Roberto longed to shelter her in his arms—impossible with everyone watching.
“My Honored Queen’s Rider, is Gret’s accusation against Simeon true?” Lars’ face was stormy. At Ezaara’s nod, his piercing blue eyes cut Simeon to shreds on the spot.
Roberto rose. “If Simeon forced himself upon our Queen’s Rider, then Trixia must’ve spoken the truth. He must’ve forced her, making her pregnant.”
“Yes!” Gret exclaimed. “Trixia was innocent, but Simeon was not punished.”
“You’d believe that whore, over the son of two dragon masters?” Simeon yelled.
“My daughter’s not a whore!” Trixia’s father rose from his seat, hands in fists.
“Yes, she is!” Fleur yelled back.
Lars rapped his gavel, but people were shouting, their outrage boiling over.
“Silence!” Lars bellowed, his icy gaze slicing through the crowd. “This is a trial, not a market place. Anyone who doesn’t abide by the rules will be removed.” As the crowd settled, he continued, “We have sufficient evidence against Simeon, son of Fleur and Bruno, and against Fleur, wife of Bruno, to banish them both. All dragon masters in accord, raise your hand.”
One by one, the eight remaining dragon masters from the council of twelve raised their hands.
“Good, the voting is unanimous and complete. Simeon and Fleur shall be banished. Bruno, husband of Fleur and father of Simeon, please stand,” Lars ordered.
Bruno’s shackles clanked. He sneered at Simeon and Fleur as if they were dirt, then faced Lars. “I support my queen wholeheartedly, doing my best to protect her and Dragons’ Realm. There’s not a mark against me.”
Fleur piped up. “It’s true. My husband is innocent.”
Roberto’s heart raced and his hands curled into fists. Bruno was every bit as guilty as Simeon and Fleur. Surely they wouldn’t get away with this?
Hendrik pounded the table with his meaty fist. “Bruno is my trusted and loyal friend. Not only my own, but also Jaevin’s—may his spirit soar with departed dragons. I stand by Bruno and support him.”
Lars gazed at Hendrik and Bruno intently.
Surely Lars didn’t believe that? Roberto got up again. “Last night, Bruno sent Lars, myself and some blue guards away, to head off a so-called tharuk attack, while his wife and son were poisoning the queen. That was not a coincidence.” He slammed his palms on the table. “Bruno is as guilty as Fleur and Simeon, and should be banished.”
Tonio cut in, “To banish someone, we need evidence, not conjecture.”
Roberto sat with a thud. That rankled. They’d wanted to convict Ezaara on less.
“Bruno is correct,” Lars said. “In his entire six years at Dragons’ Hold, there hasn’t been a mark against him.”
What? Couldn’t Lars see how dangerous Bruno was? Ajeuria’s memory of Bruno whipping her flashed to mind. He’d use that.
“But,” Lars continued, “in his role as Master Seer, Bruno assured us all was in order. He caused us to doubt our own patrol leaders, while the tharuks made constant inroads into our realm, enslaving our folk, drugging them senseless, and starving them.” He stabbed his finger toward Bruno. “You, Bruno, have not served us as master of prophecy. With the power vested in me as leader of this council, I demote you. You will no longer serve as a master on the Council of the Twelve Dragon Masters.”
No! Lars had to banish him. Bruno was a snake lying in wait. He’d strike later. Hard, fast and venomous.
“Master Lars.” Roberto rose. “I can test Bruno and discover any memories that betray his intent.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“But I also tested Ajeuria and—”
Lars cut in. “Roberto, you’re obviously biased.”
“With good reason,” Erob interjected.
“I’m glad you see through Bruno,” Roberto melded.
The door slammed open. Seppi, leader of the blue guards, marched through the crowd. Taking a pouch from his belt, he tipped the contents on the table. Rough yellow gems glittered in the torchlight. “The blue guards searched Bruno’s possessions and found these.”
“No!” Bruno lunged, shackles crashing against the granite table, as he grasped at the gems. Blue guards yanked him back and held him at sword point.
“They’re obviously yours,” Lars stated. “What are they?”
Bruno clamped his lips shut, glaring.
Roberto’s breath caught. He’d seen those gems before. “Zens mines those stones,” he said. “They’re only found in Death Valley.”
“So Zens is your paymaster, Bruno.” Lars scratched his beard. “What exactly has he been paying you to do?”
Her face weary and grief-stricken, Threcia stood. “I believe Bruno poisoned my husband.” She spoke softly, everyone straining to hear. “Jaevin told me how kind Bruno had been. On his way to collect the ceremonial swords in Ezaara’s cavern, Jaevin met B
runo in the tunnels. Jaevin was called away to a tharuk attack, so Bruno offered to collect the swords and take them to our cavern to be kept overnight for the Queen’s Rider’s test.” She shook her head. “He had access to the swords. I’d forgotten all about it until now, because I thought Roberto was guilty. It never occurred to me that a close friend would—” Tears tracked down her face. “Excuse me.”
“Thank you, Threcia,” Lars said.
Wearing her grief with honor, Threcia made her way to the door.
Lars turned to Roberto. “Test Bruno, now.”
Blue guards held Bruno fast while Roberto placed his hands on his temples.
Bruno had barred his thoughts behind a dark wall. The scar on Roberto’s cheek twitched where his father had whipped him. Sweat beading his forehead, he peeled back Bruno’s defensive layer, a scrap at a time, until his memories were stripped bare. “Bruno poisoned the ceremonial swords and encouraged Fleur and Simeon to kill as many dragon masters and their dragons as possible,” Roberto announced.
“You lowlife, using me and Jaevin!” Hendrik drew his sword and leaped at Bruno. Blue guards grabbed him, dragging him out a side tunnel.
The room burst into an uproar, people yelling at Bruno and his family, waving their fists and spitting.
Zaarusha bellowed and the other dragons joined in.
Lars rapped his gavel on the table, but it was lost in the uproar.
Roberto scooped the yellow stones back into the pouch and passed them to Lars. “For shards’ sake, keep these safe.”
Lars tucked them away and dashed forward to help the blue guards restore order.
Had Lars even heard him? In the chaos, Roberto didn’t have a chance to explain that, from examining Bruno’s memories, he now understood why the yellow crystals were more dangerous than Fleur’s poison.
River of Sathir
Simeon leered at Ezaara, his gaze crawling over her body like a cockroach. It made her want to brush herself off. Or, even better, punch him in the eye so he couldn’t stare anymore. Seppi yanked Simeon’s head around so he couldn’t see her and dragged him off. Other blue guards manhandled Simeon’s parents out the door.
Riders of Fire Complete Series Box Set books 1-6: YA Epic Fantasy Dragon Rider Adventures Page 30
