by Marc Secchia
“It is Tytiana’s idea, not mine,” he demurred. “But Flicker, what if we –”
“Hold thy tongue, brave fledgling!” Several of the Merxxian Dragons had the gall to murmur approvingly as the younger, smaller Dragon was put firmly in his place. Glancing up through her lashes, Tytiana saw Jakani smouldering. Visibly. “This is my plan. First of all, Immadia shall annex Pla’arna Cluster. Then –”
“What?” Shalanya gasped.
“You can’t do that – can you?” Excorion protested.
Adazara fluted, “Declaring annexation is a bold move, by my fires, but the problems arise directly after. Many pirate Dragons escaped. They will lurk in their lairs, licking their wounds, and –”
Apparently, Flicker was able to stare a huge, battle-hardened Dragoness down. Adazara inclined her neck proudly. Thy word, noble Flicker?
He said, “Immadia will require strong governance in this sector. Therefore, I propose to appoint two powerful, noble and above all, worthy Dragons to keep a firm paw upon matters here.”
“Who?” Excorion growled.
“You,” said the dragonet. “And you, Adazara.”
“We are enemies!” she snorted.
“Were enemies,” Flicker noted serenely.
Excorion growled, “I am no Dragon’s, nor dragonet’s lackey, to be ordered about in this fashion!”
“Oh, I thought you two might grow to enjoy working together,” the dragonet continued snidely, choosing his moment to flit into the air so that he could gather his audience’s attention.
Adazara growled grumpily, “As if!”
The Brown just looked like he had been forced to suck on a mouthful of tart limes.
“You will swear fealty to Immadia, Excorion the Brown, in return for pardon for certain, shall we say, questionable deeds regarding the kidnapping of the Choice of House Cyraxana and the noble Onyx-Gold Shapeshifter, in return for which you shall be appointed co-governor of Pla’arna Cluster reporting directly to the crown, but with wide-ranging responsibilities. I’m convinced that a reformed pirate of noble fires who already fought alongside Immadia in this battle, and who sought the right and the noble paw despite the former High Master Juzzakarr’s foul influence upon draconic minds and fires, shall be more than equal to the task.”
The Teal Dragoness drew herself up indignantly. “I am to work for him?”
“With him. You shall be co-governor with Excorion the Brown. I note the honour-restitution available in such a noble quest that shall restore strength to bowed wings and pride to a Dragoness’ heart. Together, you shall also assume command of these Helyon and Immadian forces, who will assist you in scouring each and every cranny in this Cluster until no lair is left where evil Dragons may hide undetected, nor slave be enchained with impunity. If ever I may be so bold as to speak with the voice of Fra’anior, slavery is a detestable practice which should be shunned by Human and Dragon alike. Who agrees with me?”
The Merxxian Dragons thundered their agreement, while the Human soldiers beat their breastplates in the Immadian fashion or clapped left-right in the Helyon way.
Flicker said, “In addition, I expect you to devise an excellent solution which will usher in a bright future for the former slaves of this Cluster, under the banner of royal Immadia. So let it be.”
LET IT BE! roared the Dragons, and Tytiana heard her own voice and that of Jakani’s, a little belatedly, joining them.
“But what of us?” the Onyx-Gold asked curiously.
The dragonet nodded sagely. “Noble Jakani, I believe that you, I, Tytiana and the Princess of Immadia have certain family matters to attend to. What say you we fly first to Helyon to reassure your families that you are safe and well, and also to convey news that will sadden your sisters, Tytiana?”
“Aye,” she whispered.
Jakani nodded. “I’d really appreciate that, noble Flicker.”
I shall tell you the tale of Hualiama Dragonfriend, the dragonet added – for her alone, she realised. Our parents do not necessarily define who we are. Keep telling yourself that, dear fire-heart. It is true.
She smiled wanly at him.
The dragonet brightened as if her approval shone the very suns upon his wings. “And then, after a few days’ rest, I believe we shall be wanting to make ourselves surprise guests at a royal wedding in Fra’anior Cluster.”
Na’axion will be there? Tytiana exhaled, loudly and long. Jakani’s paw tightened sympathetically upon her waist.
I believe so, said the dragonet, and Tytiana knew her Dragon – my Dragon – suspected the same as she did. Flicker knew more than he was saying, but he refrained from speaking perhaps out of fear of causing hurt, or making an unfortunate mistake.
Accept it, Tytiana. She was afraid of meeting that man.
Afraid she might cremate him in a moment of uncontainable fury.
Terrified of what he might say.
What if he was her true father but chose to reject her outright? What if he was falsely accused and it became clear that Juzzakarr … aye. Nothing would be resolved if she did not try to find him. She could not stand not knowing. Go. Observe. Deal with it. Move on.
Nor would she learn what she was.
Perhaps that was the most disquieting prospect of all.
Chapter 28: Hatching up a Storm
TWO DAYS LATER at noon, the Princess of Immadia popped into being fifty feet above the front lawn of House Cyraxana, stretched her wings, and yawned widely. “Nice cottage you have here, Tytiana. Quaint.”
Her ability to teleport between Island Clusters based on a mental image was amazing, but Flicker had also been full of stern and dire warnings. One, teleportation was a scientific impossibility that made Dragons very uncomfortable indeed. Two, unintended consequences. Travelling to a place she had been before was far safer than borrowing his or Tytiana’s mental images, he said. Three, it required huge reserves of magic. Even if she was born into an ancient line of excessively magical Shapeshifter Dragons, she must take care to husband her resources carefully. For, once known, her abilities might as well be sought out by as many for nefarious as for noble purposes. The ability to travel hundreds or even thousands of leagues instantaneously was unprecedented in history.
“I’ve seen bigger,” Flicker sniffed, evidently waking from another of his fake ‘naps.’ Jakani had folded her up laughing the day before by commenting quietly that these naps always seemed to gather urgency whenever there was real work about that the dragonet might be called upon to participate in. “Few prettier, however. Wouldn’t you like to take a few of those snowflakes home with you, Princess?”
“Indeed! My robes if you please, o Choice Tytiana.”
Once her three riders had descended to the ground, with a whoosh and a swish, the Shapeshifter transformed into her Human form that instantly filled the dress that Tytiana held up for her. Wow. That was one neat trick. She gazed at the girl, seeing her in her Human form for the first time, she realised. Platinum hair. Sassy dimples. Pink eyes!
Shalanya said, “Aye. I’m an albino. Quit staring.”
Flushing despite herself, she replied evenly, “You’re as pretty as your Dragoness.”
“Wow, thanks.”
Tytiana had to dampen her fires. “It may surprise you to discover that people around here think I’m a freak with the red hair, wildfires and violet eyes, Shalanya. Do try to be a little less sensitive. I like how you look and I myself have never received eleven proposals in the space of three hours.” The Princess scowled at the house. “Dratted suitors, eh? Wrecking our schedule.”
“I particularly enjoyed the four Dragons who started squabbling over you and didn’t even get a chance to propose,” Jakani chuckled behind them. Like Tytiana, he was garbed in Immadian purple and he looked about as comfortable as a fowl tossed into a stewpot in his soldier’s uniform.
Shalanya growled, “Well, at least I can laugh at you wearing one of my granny’s dresses, Tytiana. Anyways, enough petulance from the Princess, saith I. Far m
ore important matters to attend to than my rampant insecurities. And … thanks.” Turning, she smiled sweetly up at the far taller girl – gracious heavens, she was tiny – and impulsively flung her arms around Tytiana’s waist.
“Oof,” she said politely. She was not much of a hugger at the best of times.
And the idea that she was wearing a Star Dragoness’ dress? Someone pinch her! Quick!
“Ugh. Like hugging a tree,” Shalanya teased. “Do you get better results, Jakani? More radiant results, say?”
He chuckled, “You are definitely out of order, Princess.”
Flicker sniffed, “Obviously, years of painstaking diplomacy training were wasted on this one! Point me to your kitchens, o maiden most fair. I require diverse victuals to sate my hunger after all this strenuous flying. It’s a labour taking care of three hot-headed youths plus an errant, unhatchable egg, I’ll have you know.”
“Eats like a dragon ten times his size,” Shalanya advised.
The dragonet flitted off with a longsuffering sigh. “Very well, I shall follow my nose to the source of sustenance.”
“Don’t scare the servants!” the Princess called after him.
“Tyti! Tyti! Hey, everyone, Tyti’s back!” came a screech from an upper floor window, followed a moment later by an aggrieved shriek, “Me first! Wait for me! Not so fast, you meanie!”
“That would be Sariaki,” she said, reaching for Shalanya’s hand. She would have to step carefully on this hastily-crafted peg leg that had replaced her more familiar foot. “Come on, she’s never met a real Princess before. She’s going to pop.”
“You might be one too, you know.”
Jakani promptly skinned his knee on the front steps. She scolded him for not taking better care of his left arm; the shoulder was heavily strapped, and his arm was clasped to his torso in a tan canvas sling. Excorion and Adazara had fared worse, he grumbled. Stitched fuller of holes than if the pair had visited a deranged tailor, but they were recovering well.
Then several pairs of slippers came skipping down the huge main staircase in the formal hallway, and Zihaeri most uncharacteristically scooted down the golden banister in an attempt to beat her two sisters to the first hug, and Saraiki flew into her arms with Quiraeli a heartbeat after, and then their big sister wrapped them all up in a huge rib-bender, and Tytiana, to her mortification, found herself starting to cry. The more they held her, the harder she cried, until little Sari started sobbing too. She apologised. This was so hard, to bear such awful news …
Zihaeri said, “Nice dress, Tytiana! A bit out of style though, wouldn’t you say?”
And Qui prattled, “Who’s that? Ooh, Mister Handsome in uniform? Plus a romantic injury. Did you elope, Tyti? Where’s father?”
Sari said, “Why’s Tyti crying?”
“I’ve missed you so!” Tytiana held them all tighter. “But I have some bad news, I’m afraid. Very bad news. I’m so sorry –”
“Father … he didn’t make it?” Zihaeri guessed, turning pale.
“He isn’t coming back,” she choked out. “Oh, I’m – so sorry – the Dragons – father …”
“Daddy? Where’s my daddy gone?” Sariaki wailed. “Daddy!”
That was the hardest. It broke her, deep inside. All she could do was shake her head and say how sorry she was. She heard Shalanya step up to quietly explain to Sariaki that Juzzakarr had died in battle. Poor Sari was distraught. Zihaeri wanted all the gory details, of course, which she was not about to give out anywhere near Sari’s hearing. Qui abruptly collapsed, to be caught by Jakani’s incredibly quick reactions before her head struck the marble floor. He hurt his shoulder again, however.
She scolded him tearfully.
Many sobs and half-explanations later, and Nanny fainting at the sight of her too, just to add to the drama, Sariaki lifted her head from Tytiana’s now-wet skirts and caught sight of Shalanya. Her mouth made a little round ‘O’ of surprise, and she squealed in excitement, “Tyti! Tyti! Look! She’s crazy-pretty! Wowee! Is she a dolly? Can I play with her, pleeeeeeeese?”
For once, the Immadian Princess was speechless.
Tytiana could have kissed her sister. Then, she bent down and did just so. “Sariaki, I have a secret I’m going to whisper in your ear.”
“A secret?”
“She is a real Princess.”
“Ooh!”
“Aye, all the way from Immadia.”
Jakani put in, “And, she’s a Dragoness. Her name’s Shalanya.”
Saraiki wrinkled her nose at him. “You’re silly.”
Suddenly, there came a piercing scream from deeper in the house. “There’s a beast in my kitchen! Shoo! Bad … thing! Bad!”
“I am an intelligent creature, noble –”
“Nose out of my pantry. Out!”
“Ouch! Kindly keep your rolling pin to yourself, madam!”
The Princess rolled her eyes. “Flicker. Honestly! Can’t take him anywhere.”
Tytiana said, “Sari, could you take Princess Shalanya to the kitchens as quickly as possible, please? I fear Cook may shortly have one of her episodes, and then no-one will be eating this week.”
With that arranged, she was able to speak to Zihaeri and Quiraeli in more detail. The sisters stood with their hands pressed to their mouths as she summarised the events and what they had learned up to their father’s demise. Poor Qui! She could have easily blended with any of their bed sheets, and she was shaking uncontrollably, as if she had caught a chill.
Meantime, Nanny appeared to have staged a satisfactory recovery, judging by the volume of complaints from the next room. As soon as she tottered in, it was hot sweet drinks for everyone, and, “Islands’ sakes, an important visitor? Why does nobody tell me anything around here?” Nanny smothered Tytiana in hugs, brokenly explaining that someone had clobbered her, left her in a closet which she had kicked open when the fire started, and absconded with the priceless dress to boot. The dress had been recovered when a criminal tried to sell it at market, and the shopkeeper recognised the apparently famous garment.
For Jakani, she had a suspicious glare. “Would you be a lamko, boy?”
She saw the moment he began to cast his eyes down, as old habits bit hard. Then his back straightened and Jakani said, “Aye, lady. I am the lamko who pulled Tytiana out of that tower.”
His manner dared her to take the issue further.
Oh, he was so outrageously kissable, Tytiana wanted nothing more in the world to make Nanny faint again, but she suspected that might be a touch cruel. Instead, she said, “Nanny, you had best be the first to know. Jakani is an Onyx-Gold Shapeshifter Dragon. The proper form of address for him is ‘noble Jakani’ or ‘noble Dragon.’ ”
Nanny made a faint gasp.
Zihaeri said crossly, “Don’t tease Nanny so, Tytiana! Especially not today.”
“Nanny, we really need some sweet things. Better still, a nutritious meal,” Tytiana ordered, but gently.
“I’ll … do that.”
Poor Nanny. She sincerely hoped she had not looked as if she had enjoyed introducing Jakani in that way. Taking Zihaeri by the hand, even though her sister appeared incensed, she said quietly, “Zihaeri, this is the man I am in love with. Aye, he is a Dragon, and I’ll swear that is true on anything you wish. And the reason I am not holding his hand or kissing him right now is because you are Avowed and the last thing I’d want in the world is for you to lose your Mister Handsome right now. But I also want you to understand that some things are going to change on this estate. You can either be with me, or you can watch as a bystander from House White as I turn this entire culture upside down, starting with House Cyraxana.”
To her immense frustration, Zihaeri promptly burst out laughing!
Tytiana clenched her flaming fists. “Zihaeri!”
“Peace.” Jakani stepped between them. “Zihaeri, please don’t misunderstand –”
“Oh no, I understand perfectly. All my life I’ve been waiting for Tytiana to start so
me kind of revolution, and now here it is. Just … on this day, it’s a lot to take in. I’ve a few ideas about what we might do – profit sharing with all the castes and workers, for example – and eventually, doing away with the castes altogether! Plus, we’ve an unfortunately numerous coterie of relatives and business ‘acquaintances’ who will without a doubt endeavour to take advantage of this unfortunate situation to seize control of House Cyraxana.”
She suddenly sobbed against her clenched fist; Tytiana held her sister close. “Sorry. I know I’m an insensitive fire-raging clod sometimes.”
Rubbing her eyes fiercely, Zihaeri said, “Let me just get my feet under me for a minute, alright? Suffering caroli! That’s a live and kicking Princess of Immadia, Flicker is the one from the inconceivably ancient ballad of Hualiama Dragonfriend, and Mister Handsome over there who runs through blazing towers for fun is a freaking rare Shapeshifter Dragon?”
Eeee … Jakani squeaked, blushing like a firestorm.
Tytiana coloured furiously, too. “Ah, is now the moment to explain that we girls have a nickname for you?”
“Now … or, never?” he spluttered, seeming to grow more overheated by the second. She had never seen him turn quite that colour before. “I – oh – oh no!”
Kaboom!
That was how Tytiana skinned her knee, and broke her temporary artificial leg in the bargain.
For the first time in their lives, Zihaeri and Quiraeli ended up in the paws of a Dragon. Jakani was slipping everywhere on the slick marble floor until he worked out how to keep his balance, dancing and skidding while spluttering apologies, and he did manage to catch two sisters out of three … but the displacement impact of his transformation had struck her across the hallway, and the temporary peg splintered against the first step of the towering main staircase. As for his clothing, well, there was not much left that was usable.
