Death of a King_I, Dragon Book 4 Page 7

  Lucien swallowed hard when he saw Jaclyn. She stood with her mother in the castle courtyard, along with some other children.

  Jaclyn smiled and walked to Lucien. She held the bundle to her chest and touched Lucien’s face.

  “I thought I’d never see you again,” Jaclyn said.

  “I thought the same,” Lucien said softly.

  Jaclyn lifted the blanket from the baby’s head. Lucien stared with his mouth open.

  “Here,” Jaclyn said. She held the baby toward Lucien.

  “Say hello to your son.”

  Lucien took a step back.

  “My arm…”

  Jaclyn stepped forward.

  “He’s not heavy. You’ll be fine.”

  Jaclyn helped nestle the baby in the crook of Lucien’s right arm.

  Lucien choked back a sob, but the tears came anyway. Robinette put her hand on his shoulder.

  Lucien stared down at the baby for several seconds. He winced and his left arm began to quake. He looked at Jaclyn helplessly. She took the baby from him.

  “These are the Brewer children,” Jaclyn said. “Caleb, Sara and Ezekiel.”

  “Zeke!” Zeke said.

  Jaclyn smiled.

  “Or Zeke.”

  “The magic children,” Lucien said. He smiled at Oliver.

  “I’ve heard much about them.”

  “Queen Jaclyn?” Caleb whispered.

  “Yes?”

  “What do we call him?”

  “Call me Lucien,” Lucien said. “That’s…all I ever wanted to be.”

  “As you wish, Lucien,” Caleb said.

  Sara stepped in front of Lucien and smiled. He smiled back.

  “You are hurt,” Sara said.

  “A little,” Lucien said. “I’m getting better every day.”

  “Nicholas…is your baby, too?”

  “Yes.”

  Lucien jumped when Sara touched his arm He felt a wave of heat. He tried to take a step backward, but Sara gripped his left arm.

  “Please stop,” Lucien said. Brendan and Reese stepped toward Lucien. Noah grabbed their arms.

  “Don’t interfere.”

  Lucien pulled but the little girl had unbelievable strength. She placed her other hand on Lucien’s midsection.

  “What is she doing?” Brendan and Reese demanded.

  “Just wait,” Noah said.

  “Jaclyn?” Lucien pleaded.

  “I think she wants to help you,” Jaclyn said.

  “Sawa help!” Zeke said.

  Seconds later, Sara removed her hands. Lucien was unstable on his feet. Lord Lamont caught him. Lucien flexed the fingers of his left hand.

  “By the gods!” he said. He looked at Sara.

  “Thank you.”

  “Now it won’t hurt when you hold your baby.”

  Fifteen

  Nicholas Lamont addressed his officers. Members of the rebellion, new and old, listened.

  “If we do not hear from our scouts, we will march on the village of Morgenwraithe at dawn.”

  There were mumblings among the men.

  “I know you do not feel like we are ready,” Lamont said. “But this decision is driven by the fact that we cannot feed the dragons. They have to travel further to the south to find sufficient game, and this leaves us vulnerable.”

  “We will make ourselves ready, Lord Lamont,” Lieutenant Finn said. Lieutenant Winston, Adam Jacobs, and Rolf Roball, nodded confidently behind him.

  The soldiers of Islemar disbanded. Adam Jacobs climbed the tower at the front gates. Simon discussed instructions for the dragon clan with Caleb. Several soldiers went to the archery range, including Helena and Ben and Boone Blankenship. Lucien, Brendan, and Reese followed.

  Boone loosed an arrow at a target. He drew another arrow and let it fly.

  “Pardon me,” Lucien said to Boone. “Would you mind if I offered an observation?”

  Boone’s eyes flickered toward Helena for the briefest of moments.

  “I wouldn’t mind at all,” Boone said.

  “Draw another arrow,” Lucien said. Boone did so.

  Lucien stepped behind Boone. Boone was visibly uncomfortable. Lucien had been the enemy for years. He had taken the throne from Boone’s best friend in the world, leaving Simon to suffer and come close to death on many occasions.

  Lucien put his hand on Boone’s elbow. He lowered it slightly. Lucien used his left hand to move two fingers of Boone’s left hand.

  “Try it now,” Lucien said.

  Boone loosed the arrow, striking the target dead center.

  Boone lowered his bow, staring at the target.

  “Thank you,” Boone said without turning.

  “You’re most welcome,” Lucien said.

  “Don’t just stand there,” Helena said to Lucien. “Help me.”

  Lucien looked at Boone.

  “Go ahead,” Boone said, waving his hand.

  With Lucien’s help, Helena loosed her first arrow. It struck the second ring.

  “Well done,” Lucien said. He turned to walk away.

  “No, no, no,” Helena grabbed Lucien’s arm. “I want to be perfect.”

  She struck the bullseye with her next arrow.

  “I only teach what was taught to me,” Lucien said.

  Helena scoffed.

  “I will be satisfied when I bury an arrow between Sterling’s beady black eyes.”

  “I have dreamed of doing that myself,” Lucien said. “But I will settle for watching him exit this life. I wish you well.”

  ****

  Adam Jacobs shook hands with the guards in the tower above the front gates.

  “We’ve received no word of a threat on the King’s Road?” Adam asked.

  “No, my lord,” a guard answered. “Which is curious, if you ask me. The assembly of the rebellion at Islemar is no secret. And we know that Sterling is injured, thanks to Simon Morgenwraithe. But as long as Sterling lives, he will use every resource at his command to retain the rule of the kingdom. It is only a matter of time before they attack our walls.”

  “We have adequate scouts on the King’s Road? And alternate paths?” Adam asked.

  “There is no greater priority, Lord Jacobs,” the guard said. “The scouts spell each other on a daily basis.”

  “I mean no disrespect,” Adam said. “I make inquiries only because my mother remains in the village of Morgenwraithe.”

  The guard clapped Adam on the shoulder.

  “No apologies needed, Lord Jacobs. Lady Jacobs is committed to serving the needy. I only wish she was safe within our walls.”

  “Aye,” Adam said. “Thank you. Could I borrow your spyglass?”

  “Certainly, my lord.”

  A few minutes later, Adam saw dust in the distance.

  “Someone approaches on the King’s Road.”

  “It’s a single rider.”

  “Mother,” Adam whispered.

  Adam ran down the stairs. Tanner Raven was nearby.

  “A rider approaches from the west,” Adam said.

  They ran through the gates.

  “Mother! Thank the gods!”

  Tanner was not far behind. His eyes scanned the woods. He sensed another presence.

  Tanner transfigured into the wolf. He stood guard behind Belinda Jacobs.

  When Tanner saw the threat, the hair on his back stood up straight. His first instinct was to run, but he ignored it. He bared his fangs and growled.

  The wolf Tanner faced was much larger than he was. Tanner did not back down. He prepared to strike.

  The larger wolf backed away and moved behind Lady Jacobs. It whimpered and ran into the woods. Tanner prepared to give chase.

  “No, Tanner,” Belinda Jacobs said. Tanner hesitated.

  “Stay here,” Belinda said.

  “Please.”

  Belinda pushed through the trees. She found the woman seated on a fallen tree.

  Magdalena leaned forward, trying to cover herself with pieces of her d
ress, which was now little more than rags. She covered her face with her hands.

  “My own brother did not recognize me,” she said.

  Lady Magdalena looked at Belinda with tortured eyes.

  “What’s wrong with me?”

  Belinda opened her mouth to answer. She stopped when she noticed Tanner was standing at her side.

  “Maggie?”

  Magdalena sobbed, her body quaking beneath the tattered remains of her dress.

  Belinda stepped between Tanner and Magdalena.

  “Find her something to wear,” Belinda said. “Quickly, please.”

  Tanner could not move for several seconds. And then, he nodded and hurried away.

  Tanner ran through the village square until he found the tallest soldier.

  “You,” Tanner said. “I need a suit of clothes.”

  “What for?” the man asked.

  Tanner pushed the man in the back.

  “I don’t have time for your questions. Should I get Lord Lamont?”

  “No,” the man said. “Come this way.”

  Tanner returned with a pair of trousers and a white shirt. He turned around while Magdalena dressed.

  “Your leg…” Tanner said.

  “Her leg healed itself,” Belinda said. “Right before my eyes.”

  “The same happened to Simon,” Tanner said.

  “What?”

  “Simon’s leg was nearly severed—for no reason—while he was in the air.”

  “That makes no sense,” Magdalena said. “Unless…”

  “Unless your fates are connected.”

  “His leg was healed as well?” Belinda asked.

  “Yes,” Tanner said. “But not without help.”

  “What help?”

  “The little boy did it. Ezekiel.”

  Belinda covered her mouth.

  “Ezekiel can barely talk!”

  “That did not matter,” Tanner said. “We should return to the village. One way or another, we engage the army of Morgenwraithe at dawn.”

  Magdalena began to sob. Tanner looked up at her. He placed his hand on her arm.

  “We will find a solution, my beloved sister. But for now, we must go.”

  Magdalena shook her head.

  “I…I can’t.”

  “You cannot stay here, Maggie,” Tanner said. “These woods could see war by morning.”

  “Look at me!” Magdalena snapped. Her eyes burned with an unnatural fire.

  Tanner took a step back.

  “I’m a monster!” Magdalena said.

  “You are not a monster,” Tanner said. “You’re still my beautiful sister. You’re just…bigger.”

  Belinda took Magdalena’s hand in both of hers.

  “We will solve this dilemma, Magdalena. But we must do so behind the safety of the walls of Islemar.”

  Tears ran down Magdalena’s cheeks.

  “But…”

  “I know,” Belinda said. “Captain Finn is a good man. He will understand. This will pass.”

  Magdalena nodded. She stood.

  Tanner tried not to react when his sister’s shadow loomed over him.

  Members of the Guard met them on the King’s Road. Others waited inside the gates.

  Magdalena shuffled along, staring at the ground. Belinda and Tanner motioned to the guards to keep quiet.

  Captain Finn held his breath. He stepped in front of Magdalena.

  “I’m so glad you’re alive. I was worried that…”

  Magdalena stared at Captain Finn’s feet. He came no closer. Magdalena bit her lip and refused to allow herself to cry.

  Tanner took his sister’s hand and they walked through the gates.

  Sixteen

  Jaclyn, Nicholas, and Robinette Lamont walked toward the village square. They slowed and then stopped when they saw Finn and Magdalena.

  Magdalena stopped. She looked to her right and could not believe her eyes.

  And King Lucien could not believe his.

  Lucien, Brendan, and Reese were returning from the training area. They wore the ocean-blue and white coats of the Guards of Islemar.

  “What are they doing here?” Magdalena asked Finn.

  “Lucien has renounced the throne,” Finn said. “After he hit Sterling in the jaw and Sterling almost beat him to death, it seems he had little choice.”

  “And Lamont trusts him?” Magdalena asked.

  “There are only two sides in this war, my lady,” Finn said. “Lucien has lived long enough in Sterling’s shadow to know he is no more than a puppet. Do I think the three of them intend to infiltrate and overthrow our army and the dragons? No. That is madness.”

  Lucien approached Magdalena. Brendan and Reese stood back and tried not to stare. They were not used to looking up at many men. They had never seen a woman taller than they were.

  Lucien bowed his head.

  “It is good to see you, my lady. I’m sure you are surprised to see me.”

  “Of course I am.”

  Lucien looked into Magdalena’s eyes.

  “Have you been a part of this rebellion from the beginning?”

  “I have,” Magdalena said.

  “And yet Simon remains under your curse.”

  “Our curse, in case you did not notice.”

  “I cannot lie, my lady. It is impossible not to notice. I did not realize your fates were connected.”

  “Because of the curse, one dragon has become fifty or more,” Magdalena said. “Do you believe Sterling’s army has an answer for such weapons?”

  Lucien shook his head.

  “No. But while there have been periods of tolerance between man and beasts, I have never heard of an alliance. Will the dragons remain committed to the cause when they watch each other die? Sterling has done everything in his power to kill off their species.”

  Lucien turned when he saw an immense shadow fall around him.

  “You ask for guarantees?” Simon asked. “If you have studied history, you know there are no guarantees when it comes to war.”

  “I mean no disrespect, Brother,” Lucien said. “But you know as well as I do that Sterling has a great many cannons. In spite of your best plans, some of the dragons will fall. Do they know what it means to sacrifice their numbers to a cause?”

  “They follow the clan leader,” Simon said. “And that leader is me.”

  “I promised you my allegiance, and the allegiance of my friends,” Lucien said. “We live or die—together.”

  “Together,” Simon said.

  ****

  A scout rode at full speed up the King’s Road. The guards opened the gates. After a quick discussion, the guards rang the alarm bell.

  Lord Lamont, Finn, Winston, and others ran to the gates.

  The scout was nearly out of breath.

  “The army of Morgenwraithe approaches! Infantry, followed by cannons!”

  Simon found Caleb.

  “Sterling’s army approaches,” Simon said. “Tell the dragons to engage behind the first volley of arrows!”

  Caleb shouted commands, assisted by a magical volume. Dragons filled the skies.

  Simon looked through the crowd. His eyes found Lucien’s. Lucien and his friends stood among Lamont’s officers, awaiting instructions. Boone, Ben, and Helena stood near them. In the courtyard of the castle, Simon saw Lady Lamont and Tanner Raven. He did not see Magdalena. She would have been easy to see, now that she stood almost as tall as Dathien had.

  Beside Lady Lamont, and looking lovelier than ever, stood Queen Jaclyn.

  Even with war on the horizon, Simon paused to look at her. She had always had that effect on him. Simon squeezed his eyes shut.

  There was no time for such an indulgence.

  Simon faced Lord Lamont.

  “I do not mean to usurp your authority, my lord. And I have no experience in the battles of men. But until we see how effective the dragons will be, perhaps we do not need to put the soldiers in harm’s way.”

  “Aye,”
Lamont said. “I will keep them at ready near the walls.”

  “Just the archers, then,” Simon said. “For the initial volley.”

  “Archers!” Lamont cried. “Form up outside the gates!”

  Archers ran forward into position. Arrows filled the air. Many in the front line of Morgenwraithe’s army fell to the barrage. A few turned and ran. Two of those were killed by their own angry commanders. Islemar’s archers advanced and prepared another volley.

  A line of twenty cannons boomed from behind Morgenwraithe’s infantry. Ten of the cannons fired cannon balls that had been chained to spears. Six dragons were pierced in their bellies and fell dead to the ground. Four cannon balls crashed into Islemar’s wall, creating a ten-foot breach. A dozen kingdom soldiers charged the gap in the wall. Simon and Mother cut them off and blasted them with fire. The skies were filled with the screams of angry dragons. A dozen dragons dove at the cannons. Only two of the cannons returned fire and cannon balls flew harmlessly into the forest. Four of the largest dragons wrapped their talons around cannons and lifted them high over the retreating forces. The dragons dropped the cannons, breaking them into pieces while crushing several soldiers.

  Most of the remaining soldiers ran for their lives, amid angry screams from officers on horseback. The officers charged ahead with swords above their heads. Dragons swooped down on them and burned them alive.

  The retreating troops that ran into the forest survived.

  Those that ran along the King’s Road did not.

  The battle was over, having lasted only minutes.

  The dragons fell upon the dead and dying, consuming them in a matter of seconds.

  The army of Islemar watched in horrified silence.

  The skies had grown darker. Rain began to fall.

  Simon joined Lord Lamont. They watched as dragons landed next to their dead. One by one, they nudged the fallen with their snouts. The living raised their heads and filled the sky with sounds of their anger and sorrow.

  The gates of the village were opened. People spilled out, cheering the victory.