Chapter IV

  It was bright that morning, a clear blue sky and the sun hanging high over head. Drake was sure the camp would be ravaged by wild animals by now. Halfway there, Drake’s black warhorse wandered into their path, reaffirming his concern. Drake let Rhey ride the horse back and led them on foot.

  It was strange as they walked. Drake could still feel Rhey’s thoughts and feelings and knew she could feel the same. He finally had his first insight as to why she caused him so much trouble. He knew her as his friend, an equal; she knew him as something more, something deeper. All the “accidents” that she got into was to draw his attention, just as his parents had said. He knew she always wanted his undivided attention already, yet now he understood it was because she loved him in ways he wasn't sure he was ready to accept.

  “Stop that,” she told him sounding mortified. “Those are private thoughts.”

  “Sorry,” he blushed.

  He pulled himself away from her thoughts mentally, guessing at how it must be done. It almost felt as though they could reach out with their minds and touch the other's. It was strange to Drake, yet it seemed to be more natural than speaking or walking, which only served to confuse him more. Silently brooding, he led the way back.

  Drake was sure he would have to look deeply for the evidence of their camp, yet when they finally returned after the gods only knew how long, it was in the same condition it was when Drake had left in search of Rhey.

  “Look at these markings,” Rhey called from a tree close by. “They’re from my arrows and they look fresh. I think it’s still the same day.”

  He walked over to see for himself, as there was no way that was possible, yet sure enough, the markings from Rhey’s arrows were as fresh as though it had only been a couple of hours ago. Bear tracks caught his attention as he was examining the tree and he followed them to where the doe had been strung up. Unfortunately, the tree had been knocked down and the deer was nowhere to be found. Drake started muttering curses to himself about bears staying out of his business, yet his mind seemed to quiet, and his heart calmed. Bringing himself out of the lull it caused, he started yelling at Rhey.

  “Don’t do that,” he said shaking himself out of it. “I can never be without my mind.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  He felt her instant hurt and regretted snapping immediately.

  “My mind is never allowed to stop working,” he said with sincere apology in his heart. “It’s the constant thought that keeps me up on my toes in case anything happens. Without it, I can’t react as quickly.”

  “Oh,” she said disheartened, “I didn’t know that.”

  “It’s fine,” he told her. “I think there is going to be a lot we need to learn about each other. Anyway, there’s no point in sticking around if we don’t have anything to eat. We should head back to the castle and see if our fathers have arrived yet.”

  “All right,” she said cheerily.

  They packed up the things they had brought with them, like the blankets that still lay side by side and extra clothes in packs against a tree. The work was silent, yet their minds were anything but. They were carefully gauging each other, sifting around in each other’s minds, learning the little quirks everyone hid inside the vaults of their own mind, and even learning what it was like to be the other through their memories. Rhey seemed particularly surprised that Drake struggled with his punishments so much. Somewhere in that mind of hers, Drake heard her vow to not cause him to be disciplined again, yet he could only laugh.

  “It’s my duty as the one protecting you to be reprimanded in your stead,” he told her. “More than that, most of the punishments are designed to teach me a higher pain tolerance, or proficiency with different weapons, and even build my core strength. By the time I’m an adult, father will have me trained in strength and skill beyond even him.”

  “I still don’t think it should be necessary,” she countered sympathetically.

  “What happens when I’m stopped by a wound in battle?” he shrugged. “Father says that when you’re fighting for your life, you don’t have the time to stop and feel pain. That momentary hesitation could cost me my life.”

  “Do you really think you would ever have to fight in a war like that?”

  “Of course,” he said shrugged. “Why else would Father be teaching me everything he knows?”

  She said nothing, yet helped saddle the horse, and was very happy when he put his arms around her to keep her steady as they rode back through the forest. As it turned out, she was even happier with being close to him than he was with her, though after accidentally invading upon her private thoughts, he supposed that should have been obvious.

  They started out for the castle just after noon, Drake realizing with a shiver that was about the time he found Rhey, yet it was long after sunset that before they arrived to find it an angry beehive of servants and soldiers. He grabbed the first person he could get his hands on.

  “What’s going on here?” he asked.

  “Lord David called us to war,” the servant told him gravely. “He’s a day’s ride and he’s calling for every trained soldier to gear up and be ready to go when he gets here.”

  “Is it really that bad?” Rhey asked nervously. The fear for her father hit Drake like a wave.

  “Yes, my lady,” the servant bowed. “The Mondallians have taken a third of our lands in the past moon. The mighty king is calling for every able man to take arms against them.”

  “At least Lord David will teach them well,” Drake sighed.

  The servant bid them farewell and went about his business. Drake and Rhey went down to Lord David’s study where they were sure to find Lady Rosoline. Along the way, they discussed whether they should tell her what they found.

  I think she believes the story of the Dragon God, Rhey said mentally.

  That may be, and she could be a great ally if that were true, yet I don’t think it’s worth the risk, he disagreed. The less people know, the less the enemies of the Dragon God can find out.

  True, she admitted. Yet you realize we don’t know how the dagger works, where to look for this lone mountain, and we’ll have to stay here to help our families. What if we were attacked?

  I’m three steps ahead of that, he told her. Since we have no idea where to look, we have no need to search just yet. If we were attacked, this castle could withstand a siege better than the king’s palace. And since we have to stay here, it gives us time to figure out how to work the dagger.

  So, we’ll just keep all this quiet for now?

  I really think we should.

  Very well then, she agreed.

  They walked into the study, glancing once at each other for reassurance, and presented themselves to Lady Rosoline.

  “Thank the gods you’re back,” she said in relief, pulling them both into her arms. “Have you heard yet?”

  “Yes Mother, we know Father is going to war,” Drake nodded. “Has he sent any instructions, or does he plan to save that for when he gets here?”

  “All women and children are to be sent to safety,” she said looking over them both. “What happened in those woods?”

  The question threw Drake off.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked trying to sound calm.

  “You two look a mess,” she said looking them up and down.

  “We went searching for Avolate,” Rhey half lied.

  “I see,” she nodded in understanding. “And did you find him?”

  “He doesn’t want to be found,” Drake shrugged.

  “About this safety,” Rhey quickly changed the subject. “Where is it Father and Lord David want to send us?”

  “Tarmin,” Lady Nelver supplied from the corner.

  “I don’t think so,” Drake refused firmly. “Rhey is my ward, and I can’t protect her if she’s not within easy reach.”

  “It isn’t your decision, Drake,” Lady Nelver snapped. “The king himself ordered all women and children to the capital for safety.”

  “Not Rhey,” he said firmly. “I am her guardian, and she will have to stay with me, no matter what any king says.”

  “It's not your choice to make,” Lady Nelver said hotly.

  “If it’s not his,” Rhey shot back, “then its mine and I will not leave him.”

  “It’s no more your choice than it is his,” her mother argued. “When the king says you must do something, then you do it. His word is law.”

  “I don’t care for this order any more than you do Rhey,” Lady Rosoline said calmly. “My place is either here, protecting my husband’s home, or by his side, yet even I’m to go.”

  “What about me?” Drake asked. “Am I to go to Tarmin as well?”

  “The king said you must stay to oversee the lands,” Lady Rosoline sighed. “Your father has said on more than one occasion that you are about the right age to start taking the lands under you. The king believes this would be a good time to do that.”

  “But I’m twelve,” he argued unbelieving. “Why would he think something like that from one so young?”

  “King George seems to have high hopes for the son of David the Mighty,” she said gravely. “If you remember being told, your father gained these lands before he reached manhood. He seems to think you are made from the same mold.”

  As true as that was, Drake was not keen to attempt running the lands of his father without the help of his mother. What was more, he needed Rhey to help him figure out how to work the Dragon God’s dagger. Still, he thought, it’s not for us to decide. If the king wants to call all the women and children to him, then his subjects will just have to trust him.

  I’ve got a bad feeling about this Drake, Rhey sent to him mentally. I don’t know why, yet I think something bad will happen if I go.

  Drake sat heavily in his father’s chair. All this made him very stressed, yet it was made all the harder by having his hands tied in the matter.

  Agree to it for now, Drake told her, and we’ll see if Father can help us out of this obligation to the king.

  “Go get some sleep Rhey,” Drake told her out loud. “We’ve had a long day, and there is no reason to make it any longer for you.”

  “What about you?” she asked concerned.

  “I will be headed to bed as soon as I can,” he assured her.

  “Yes, my lord,” she agreed curtsying and left the room.

  “How did you do that?” Lady Nelver asked shocked. “She never agrees to go to bed so easily.”

  “I’m not an adult,” he shrugged. “You ladies had better start getting ready to go to Tarmin. I’ll send a small guard with you. Any news on how far into the kingdom the Mondallians have gotten?”

  Lady Rosoline pulled a map from the desk drawer and rolled it out before him.

  “We’re in a bad position here,” she said pointing at Borom. “The Mondallian boarder is only a hundred leagues away, on the other side of the forest. They have taken Taset to the north and are headed in this direction to take us. David will be here in the morning to take every able-bodied man to head them off because Borom is an important vantage point. If the king takes the army west through here, then cut north on the west side of the forest, Mondall can’t do much to stop him even if they know he’s there. So, we must be saved here, or we’re likely to lose the war entirely. If they manage to take this entire corner of Curew, there isn’t much we can do to stop them from taking the capital.”

  Drake viewed the map with a critical eye. Lord David, when teaching him about war tactics, used this very map and ran this kind of scenario many times. The loss of Taset was a critical blow to Curew, sitting on a point where two rivers met. If the Mondallians wanted to, they could row up the river straight to Tarmin. Drake looked at the map, seeing the advantages of Mondall, and shook his head.

  “Borom is already lost, Mother,” he told her. “Any army that has taken Taset has the advantage over Borom. We could fortify the keep, take all the people from town, and still not manage to save it. The castle can withstand any siege, yet the people who hold it can’t live without food. It could be held off for two, maybe three months with a full garrison. If Father is going to take all the men, I don’t stand a chance here. I agree with the king that we need to get every woman and child to safety, yet it’s already too late. Where are our main forces?”

  “In Tialle,” she answered. “They are trying to keep the north, yet we’re losing on that front as well.”

  “Where did Mondall get all of these forces?” he demanded angrily. “They have to outnumber us six to one to manage all of this.”

  “The rumor is that Damascus himself is leading their army and the ranks of Asnu’s demons are counted among them,” Lady Nelver said allowing a hint of her fear enter her voice. “We couldn’t possibly win this war.”

  “Don’t count us out just yet my lady,” Drake said respectfully. “We’re losing badly, yet all it takes is one wrong move on the enemy’s side to win.”

  “I don’t believe in rumors,” Lady Rosoline said firmly. “More often than not, there is no basis to them but fear.”

  “Mondall has always been on good terms with Tures,” Drake said preoccupied. “It's always a possibility that their army is on loan.”

  Drake was struck hard by the rumor Lady Nelver gave voice to. Could it be possible that the two most feared gods on Tozim, Damascus the God of War and Asnu the God of Death, were waging war against the birthplace of the Dragon God? If so, how was he supposed to be able to stop them? They could level entire cities with a negligent wave of their hand. How could mere mortals manage to save themselves from that kind of force?

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Are you feeling all right, Drake?” his mother asked laying a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about the war, we’ll win,” she assured him.

  It wasn’t exactly the war that was bothering him, yet he still nodded to ease her worry.

  “Why don’t you go to bed,” she suggested. “We can talk more about this when your father gets here.”

  He excused himself and made his slow way to bed. Sleep was a novelty he couldn’t afford as his mind raced with all sorts of possibilities. When morning came, he heard the announcement bell, a sign that Lord David had returned and wanted to speak to everyone. Drake dressed quickly and practically ran to the central courtyard where David would speak. He slipped into the crowed at the back and listened intently as his father was already addressing the people of Borom.

  “Everyone who was instructed last night to prepare for war must form up out by the main gate,” he was saying. “All women and children must gather a small amount of clothing and prepare to leave by nightfall. Anyone remaining will be needed to supply the army in Tialle, so get to work as quickly as possible.”

  “Who will be remaining here as lord?” one person asked from the crowd.

  “My son Drake will remain with you,” he said bitterly. “That is the order of the king.”

  “My son is not far from the age of manhood,” another shouted. “Is he to stay, or go one way or another?”

  “He is still a child by our laws,” Lord David said, “yet if he is close to manhood, I will allow him to choose his course.”

  “How can a little boy protect us?” someone demanded angrily. “Your son has yet to grow his first whisker, how could he take charge in your absence?”

  “King George seems to think that Drake is made of the same mold as his father,” Lady Rosoline put in. “Lord David managed to sneak his way into the army at twelve and was a general with Borom as his home by fifteen. The king expects great things from our son.”

  “I heard Asnu is involved with this,” the person beside Drake shouted. Drake tried to make himself a little less visible.

  “If he is, we have no information confirming it,” Lord David said firmly. “Now, you all know your tasks, as soon as the troops are prepared, we’ll leave.”

  Lord David and Lady Rosoline moved in through a door behind where they were standing atop a platform. Drake followed them down to the study he presented himself to his mother the night before. He didn’t knock on the door, as he usually did, yet instead walked in as lord.

  “What news do you have Father?” he asked seating himself in his favorite chair.

  “Why were you in the back of the crowd?” David asked.

  “I didn’t want any attention at the moment,” he shrugged. “There would have been an uproar if they could see me in plain sight.”

  “Good thinking,” David approved. “All right, what do you want to know?”

  “What do you plan on doing with these men?” he asked first. He spent the entire night going over all the possible ways out of this.

  “I am going to take them east and north. From there, I am going to take Taset back and secure those rivers.”

  “Have they taken Barine?”

  “No, not yet but it’s a matter of time. Mondallians were never particularly good at sea warfare.”

  “Is there any truth to that rumor?”

  “None we can discern,” David answered. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking Borom is lost, and we need to take these men to push through the ranks forming up on our west side.”

  “I was just through there Drake,” David answered patiently. “There are no ranks forming up on our west side.”

  “Yes, there is,” Drake disagreed. “About three or four thousand strong. Either of us would do the same thing. All they had to do was get a spy to watch you move from Tarmin back home to know where you are and set their plan into action after you passed. Our best option right now is to protect the capital and trade routes.”

  “Why the trade routes?” David asked curiously.

  “Evacuations,” Drake shrugged. “The greatest asset a kingdom has is its people. Women and children are more necessary than food. Without them, the kingdom dies.”

  “This is not a game Drake,” his mother chided.

  “Wrong, Mother,” he said respectfully. “War is the oldest game known to mortals. Are there any allies we can call on to help us Father?”

  “None,” David sighed regretfully. “The king hasn’t had very many friends of late. We’re in this one alone.”

  “Then can I make a few suggestions?” he asked politely.

  “Suggest away son,” David nodded.

  “First, I need every available man to stay here. If that means I only have boys and a few shopkeepers, so be it. Take your force back to Tarmin and bring the king here. We’re lost if the king is killed. Bring the army back from Tialle and save Taset. Reroute all the women and children of Curew back to Borom. We’ll make room for them here in the keep. After Taset is taken back, keep your main force there so we can be prepared for an attack. Garrison the keep here yet send as many as you can spare to patrol around the forest. Mondallians fear that forest so if the enemy comes in too strong numbers, we have the forest for safety. Eventually, Mondall is going to make its move and these two towns have the best ability to win. While you are gone, I can protect the keep.”

  “Do you really think it’s a good idea to move the king?” David asked.

  “It’s our best chance to keep him alive unless he wants to retreat into the mountains.”

  “How will you keep the castle fed?”

  “The gamble is in you reaching us before Mondall makes its move on the castle. Once you make it back, you will have to mop up that force building in the west, then we can set up trade routes between Taset and here through the forest.”

  “Yet will you have enough to keep yourself fed in the meantime?”

  “Borom is well equipped to handle a siege at a moment’s notice, Father, you know that. I can get everyone to pull their stock in so we have enough to survive for at least four months, which is longer than these people can withstand a siege. If you hurry, you should be back here in no more than a month.”

  “And if I don’t make it back at all?”

  “Then we can only hope your men will,” Drake said spreading his hands wide. “Do you have any better ideas, my lord?”

  “You would have the gods own luck if this all went off without a hitch,” David shook his head. “Yet you’re right. This is the best option I’ve heard so far. You never stop making me proud of you Drake.”

  “Thank you, Father,” he bowed smiling. “Do you want to give the orders, or would you like me to?”

  “No, this is your lordship now. I’m just a general passing through. Make the arrangements.”

  Drake left without another word. What made this plan especially good was that now Rhey and the Ladies didn’t have to leave. It was another sign of respect for his son that David listened to him at all. He made his way to the proper overseers to get things started.

  “Well done, Drake,” Rhey complimented him as she joined him making his way through the castle. She, of course, had listened to the whole thing through Drake’s ears. He could feel her in the back of his mind as he talked to his father. “What’s better is that now we can take the time to figure out how that dagger works.”

  “Have any ideas?” he asked lightly. It was inappropriate he should be so buoyant when such danger loomed, yet he couldn’t help but to feel important now. It was all rather exciting to know there was a war he was going to be involved with.

  “We might look in the library for something on the dragons,” she suggested. “There would almost have to be something if they really did exist.”

  It was true that the library in the castle was the best in Curew. All her forced effort in reading the whole stock of books and scrolls meant she would know the best places to look. Drake couldn’t remember hearing anything about the dragons or even the war in any of the history lessons he had. It was almost as if it never happened according to historians.

  “Don’t forget that we also have a fiction section,” she reminded him.

  Instantly, he knew what she was getting at. If there was one safe place for dragons to be, it was in the fiction section where it focused on nothing more solid than legends and imaginative writers. That would be the best place to search because every legend started with the truth. If only they had a way to see through the imagination of writers. Rhey broke off from his stride down a hall that would lead her quickly to the place of interest as he spread the word of their siege preparations.

  Lord David left with his men to retrieve the king as planned that very day, leaving the home he had won in his son’s trusted hands. Drake took that responsibility with pride and dignity. It was his right to take the heavy burden from his father’s able hands and prove to the townsfolk and himself that he was just as capable as Lord David. Lady Rosoline was still there to make suggestions to unenthusiastic people Drake issued orders to, yet it was he who made the arrangements to fortify the keep. Even though there was a looming sense of danger in the preparations being made, life in the castle moved on. It was vastly more crowded than Drake had ever seen yet it was still just everyday life to him. Rhey spent most of her time in the library, mentioning things to him mentally that aroused her interest, where as Drake spent most of his time in Lord David’s study receiving updates on the progression of the move everyone was making into the castle and issuing more orders.

  It was a difficult time for the people of Borom. The Mondallians and Curewians had been fighting as long as anyone could remember, yet Borom was always a safe haven. The idea that Borom was in danger of being overrun would have been humorous if it were not true at that very moment. The townsfolk were used to hearing about a far away war to the north, yet they were set on edge to know the war was likely to come home. Stress was high and spirits low, yet Drake continued through it all. Those that were left to him were not fighters, yet he thanked the gods for them more than he would have if David had left his best men. Tradesmen were far more valuable in times of war than the warriors in Drake’s eyes because they were the ones who made a good soldier’s possessions. Still, he felt it wouldn’t hurt to continue his weapon’s training and encourage others to do the same.

  Drake used time that was not spent talking with overseers and master tradesmen teaching Rhey how to use a bow and sword. Of all the people he wanted to protect, she was the most important. They had to do it in secret, or at least keep it from Lady Nelver, since it was a taboo for women to learn to fight. The boys left to Drake spent most of their time teaching others, men and women, or training themselves. It soon became a game to the other boys Drake trained with to try overwhelming him during sword training, yet Drake proved time and again that he was more than a match for all of them. After one such heated battle, Dolmont took him aside.

  “How is it that you can do that?” he asked seriously.

  “I’ve been taught by the best,” Drake shrugged. “What makes you ask?”

  “No one else might see it, but I know there is something different with you,” he said. “When a twelve-year-old engages twenty boys no less than three years older than himself, it shows great power and skill to beat them all.”

  “I understand it seems like a lot,” Drake said comforting, “yet I am nothing special, and it was only ten.”

  “I have seen what you can do Drake,” Dolmont said seriously. “If you want to keep it a secret, I will be happy to keep it, just tell me what you are.”

  “What do you mean what am I?” Drake asked confused. “I am who and what I am. Anything more than that is beyond my ability to answer.”

  “He is the son of David the Mighty,” Rhey said lightly coming from the castle. “What did you think he was?”

  “I am not saying I have any complaints against it,” Dolmont said quickly. “I just wish to know what I am following.”

  “Following?” Drake asked frowning.

  “Yes, we all follow you here,” he explained gesturing around him. “We might not all like it, yet you are the rightful heir of these lands, and your mother is here to help you. Most of the people here believe you are just following your mother’s orders, yet I know better.”

  “So, you believe I am lord here?” Drake asked impressed. “What brought you to that conclusion?’

  “I’ve seen Lady Rosoline defer to you,” he shrugged simply. “When the lady of the castle defers to another, it means that person is the one in charge.”

  “And you believe I am not human because I can defeat people older and stronger than myself?”

  “Older, yes,” he answered. “Stronger, I highly doubt it. There are few people that have shown a greater strength than you—adults, of course. I have never seen a child show the strength you have shown. I grew up on the training field the same as you, and for several years longer than you, and have had to struggle my way through the difficult training Master Mathew demands of us. You, on the other hand, have not only enjoyed it, but excelled beyond what they can teach you. You mastered every known weapon in Curew at eight years old. Not even Lord David could have managed that.”

  “This is something that must stay between the four of us young Dolmont,” Lady Rosoline said seriously, coming from nowhere. “Drake takes the word ‘special’ to a whole new meaning. You are right in assuming he’s not human, yet that has been a family secret since his birth. Now that you know, I need your assurance that you will speak of this to no one. Can we trust you in this?”

  “Yes, my lady,” he bowed deeply. “I am honored to keep my lord’s secret. Yet I still wonder what he is.”

  “We don’t know,” she sighed.

  “Dolmont!” a man’s voice bellowed from the castle door. “Where have you been boy? I told you to be at the stables by noon. Now you’re two hours late and I have to explain why the stables are not up to scratch to the overseer.”

  “Relax Joseph,” Drake said calmly. “Dolmont has been with me all day. Tell Master Morden he will have to find another stable boy. He will be with me far too often to be worrying about emptying horse stalls. Also tell the stable master that forgiveness has been made for the condition of our stalls today.”

  “You think the stable master would accept your little speech?” Joseph asked incredulously.

  “I have no need to think it Joseph,” Drake said firmly. “I expect it.”

  “And his words are backed by me,” Lady Rosoline added threateningly.

  Joseph the stable hand stood dumbfounded with his mouth open. A direct threat as anyone received from the lady was usually more than enough reason for a beating, even for Drake. Joseph might not have given Drake the respect owed to a noble, yet to not give that respect to Lady Rosoline was most commonly bad for one’s health.

  “Do close your mouth Joseph,” Lady Rosoline smiled sweetly. “Though it’s considerate of you to catch the flies on my behalf, it makes you look rather foolish.”

  The stable hand promptly shut his mouth and walked back to the castle at a quick pace. The three children laughed for several long moments before they could finally catch their breath.

  “I’ve been waiting to see that ass stick his foot in his mouth for years,” Dolmont said gleefully.

  “So how about it Dolmont?” Drake asked lightly. “Care to have a better position?”

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked curiously.

  “I was thinking along the lines of my Lieutenant General.”

  “You trust me that much?” he asked shocked. “What makes you think that I’m qualified for the position?”

  “Because my lieutenant has to be a friend,” Drake shrugged. “It's one of my requirements.”

  “What would I be responsible for?”

  “Mainly, following and relaying my orders,” Drake said. “I’m sure there will be more to it once we get into the needs of our positions, but I need someone I can trust to be loyal and brave.”

  “You think I might be able to do those sorts of things?” he asked.

  “I think you could be a great help to me,” Drake said simply. “Just be yourself.”

  “Just be myself,” he repeated doubtfully.

  “Yes, my friend,” Drake said laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Here comes your next class. We’ll leave you to it.”

  Drake took Rhey and Lady Rosoline back up to the castle, leaving Dolmont to consider the possibilities of his new position.

  “We need to talk,” Rhey sent to him mentally.

  He glanced at her quizzically.

  “I found a book on dragons,” she explained. “If we can find a quiet place to talk, I can tell you all about it.”

  “I think I will leave you two to your own devices children,” Lady Rosoline said as they walked. “I’m sure you have much to discuss at the moment.”

  Drake stopped dead in his tracks and looked at his mother. He wasn’t sure if it was simply coincidence, yet it seemed like she knew what Rhey had just said. Lady Rosoline looked back at him innocently.

  “Was there something wrong?” she asked.

  “No, Mother,” he said trying to hide his suspicion.

  Lady Rosoline curtsied to Drake and excused herself.

  “Let's find a quiet place to talk,” he said to Rhey. “The study should be quiet enough.”

  “Or perhaps a nice horse ride,” Rhey suggested.

  Drake thought about that. It sounded innocent enough, yet Rhey was exceptional at making things look innocent.

  “No, I don’t think so,” he said. “The study should be good enough.”

  “But Drake,” she complained, “I want to get out of the castle. Can’t we take a nice ride?”

  “You have a bad habit of making things look innocent when you usually turn them around to seem much less so later,” Drake said. “I think I would like to avoid that today.”

  “There is nothing wrong with going on a horse ride,” she protested.

  “Absolutely right,” he agreed, “just not with you. Everyone seems to think that we’re two children trying to have an adult relationship. I don’t think that would send the right signal at the moment.”

  “You and your signals.” She shook her head.

  He let that pass and headed for his father’s study. It was not by random choice that he decided it, but because Lord David was very careful about what was heard and what was not. When he went into the office, he knew they would not be overheard. The dragons were something he didn’t want overheard by anyone. The search for mythical creatures was not strictly the most logical thing Drake had ever done and he wanted to make sure no one knew about it. Rhey agreed, he could feel that in her mind, yet she was a little more cavalier about it. She didn’t care about the sake of appearances, as he wished he could, yet being the current lord demanded certain responsibilities. Though he didn’t mind the extra responsibility, in fact he enjoyed it, it meant he couldn’t do certain things. Dragons were fairy tales, and he couldn’t be caught being interested in such things. When the door was securely shut, he turned to Rhey.

  “What was it you found?” he asked curiously.

  “A book, as I said before,” she told him.

  “Well, what does it say?”

  “It says that they were a godless race of demons that came from the depths of Hell to gain control of the living,” she answered lightly.

  “So, what has you so happy?” he asked blankly. They might have been connected mentally, yet he still couldn’t make heads or tails of her thoughts. She always seemed to be mixed up between her feelings and her thoughts.

  “If you stopped thinking about what’s going on inside my head for just a moment, you would understand that we’re in enemy territory,” she said irritated.

  “What do you mean?”

  “The lone mountain is in the Underworld,” she explained like it was common knowledge. “Since we’re on Top Side, we’re in the enemy’s territory. That means anything we find on the dragons is bound to be either fiction or even an outright lie. The book proves that dragons existed because the enemy is not denying the fact. It’s simply saying bad things about them.”

  “What makes you think we’re enemies to Top Side?” he asked. “So far as I can tell, we must find the prophecy, yet we’re not doing it for the sake of the dragons. Avolate, after all, was the one who killed his parents.”

  “Are you against the dragons?” she asked.

  “I don’t know them,” he answered practically. “If I do not know what they’re like, I can’t consider them a friend or enemy.”

  She gave him a level look. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re too pragmatic?” she asked dryly.

  “They have now,” he smiled.

  “The story Lady Rosoline told us put the dragons in the Underworld after the Forbidden Lands were made,” she explained, “which put their enemies on Top Side. Since Avolate had to get through the barrier to kill his father, the lone mountain is in the Underworld somewhere. We’re the ones that have to find it, and all the clues are pointing to Avolate being the one that showed us the memory of the Dragon God’s birth.”

  “So, what now?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Any idea how that dagger works?”

  He traced the symbol on the hilt with his finger. “No,” he said, “none.”

  “That’s what we have to figure out,” she said. “It’s the key to the whole thing.”

  “Was there anything in the book about the sword of the Dragon God?”

  “Nothing,” she said regretfully.

  “Have you looked in any books on Avolate?” he suggested.

  “No,” she said slowly, “that’s a good idea.”

  She immediately left the study mumbling to herself, heading straight for the library. Drake watched the door for a moment after she left. Rhey was extremely interested in the history of the dragons, he realized. It almost seemed like she was besotted with her own dragon, just as the little girl in the story had been. Drake was far too logical to be interested in a mythical creature, yet for her, he would do anything. She was a friend, and for that, he would go to the ends of the earth to help her; if he only had the time to spend on helping her. He would have spent every waking moment helping her if only he realized how little time he had.