A Dragon Born (9 page)

The fire burned white hot. People were shouting. A woman screamed. A child cried. The dark eyes spread shadows but the fire burned them away. The cold steel glowed hot and melted. A man screamed. The shadows fled. The fire turned to red.

"Aaron."

The flames reached higher, burning the sky. The shouting grew louder. A woman appeared. She reached out and bled as cold steel cut her. A man with a sword appeared and steel met steel. The shadows choked him by the neck and he fell. The shadows turned. Eyes like coal, coming closer.

"Aaron, wake up."

Tarnath walked into the bedroom.

"I've got something for you, lad. Follow me."

He followed him outside. His head pounded but the cool, night air was soothing. A gentle breeze whispered in his ear.

"Aaron."

A star glowed red in the sky. It grew brighter, closer, streaking toward him. Tarnath reached out and picked it out of the darkness.

"It is yours, my boy. Master the blade."

He held out a sword with a red stone set into its pommel.

"Aaron. Wake up."

He was on his back, staring up at the dark night sky. Stars glittered overhead. Eyes like shadows appeared. A man, holding a knife sneered at him. The stars faded and the darkness surrounded him. He tried to move but something held him down. Cold steel touched him.

Fire.

"Aaron."

"Balance, my boy. Balance is everything."

Fire.

He was in his bed. His head pounded. So often, it hurt just to think. A gentle breeze danced through the open window, warm and comforting yet cool and soothing. He closed his eyes and hoped the pain would go away. Shadows lurked in the corner of his eyes.

Fire.

"Aaron." A whisper in his ear.

"It's safe now."

He was at the edge of a stream and he heard splashing and laughter. The morning light shone bright. He saw a girl, the pale skin of her body visible under the water.

"Come in. It's safe now."

He looked at the water and he was unsure. He could not see past the surface. There were shadows, deep down.

"Aaron," the girl called out to him. "Don't be silly. Come in. It's safe. I won't look, unless you want me to."

For a moment, there was a different girl in her place, with dark, tan, skin and sharp eyes. She smiled and her eyes glittered like the water and the first girl looked at him.

"It's safe now. I'm here. Come with me."

He stepped into the water and felt its refreshing coolness on his skin. He floated toward the girl. She smiled and ducked her head under the water. He could not see her anymore. Shadows surrounded him, deep in the water. He felt something, a touch, and she appeared in front of him, surfacing from the deep.

"Good morning," she said then she kissed him on the lips.

He felt her body pressed up against his, warm in the cool water that surrounded them. Her hands pulled him close to her, her fingers intertwining with his own.

"It's safe now."

She kissed him again and they sank slowly beneath the surface and it was not dark in the waters for the light shone down from above. The waters became the night sky and they were surrounded by stars.

"What are you reading?" she asked.

"Just a book."

"Leave it. It isn't real. Look around you. Isn't it beautiful?"

The stars glittered everywhere.

"There are no shadows here. It's safe now. You are safe."

*****

Stavros found Carly sitting on a stool by the bar of the tavern. The barkeep had just placed a bottle of sweetwater and a cup in front of her and he slid another cup across the bar when he saw the mage join her. Carly poured some of the strong liquor into her cup then handed the bottle to Stavros.

"It has been many years since I have tasted sweetwater," he said as he poured some in his cup.

"It's a staple here," Carly said then took a swallow. "Most of the pirates live on the stuff."

Stavros put the stopper back in the bottle then sipped at his cup. They had spoken a fair amount while waiting for Aaron to awaken and Carly had told him about how she once had her own ship and crew but that she had lost it to Lanos-Meer when she had refused to sink an Aghlar fishing vessel during a raid a few years past. It was part of the new rule Lanos had made when he became the leader of the pirate, to leave no witnesses to their raiding. Lanos wanted to make Meer seem like a respectable place and begin trading with the various port towns along the mainland. It was all a ploy, of course, to get the people who lived on the coast to trust the pirates, to believe that they had become a trading people. Meanwhile the pirates would continue to capture ships and plunder, only they would do it quietly.

On one particular raid of several small trade ships carrying spices and other cargo from the coastal ports of Ansara to trade with the Aghlar nation, a small fishing vessel that had been blown off course by some rough weather that had damaged its mainsail, had wandered through the battle between the pirates and the trade ships. The fishing vessel managed to get its sail back up, and they tried to get away, but not before being spotted by the pirates. Carly's ship, the Maiden, was one of the fastest among the pirate armada and Lanos ordered her to give chase, which she did.

The Maiden easily caught up, but that was when Carly and her crew discovered that it was only a fishing vessel. Even though they had almost managed to repair their torn sail, the crew of the fishing vessel were in rough shape, low on fresh water and food and the catch they had netted so many days past that they were beginning to foul. Instead of sinking them, Carly gave them several barrels of water and let them go, honoring the seafaring traditions of aiding stranded vessels. Even though the crew of the Maiden agreed not to tell the other pirates, shortly after their return to Meer Island, word of what had happened made its way to Lanos and, as punishment for disobeying his orders, he stripped Carly of her rank as captain, took her ship and fined her a small fortune in gold before banishing her from Meer until she had paid back what was owed.

That had been several years ago, and her life had taken new paths, but she had done what she could to pay off her debt, for the pirates could have put out a reward on her life if too much time passed without payment and, knowing Lanos, it was very likely that would have been what happened, especially since Carly was the only person to have disobeyed the lord of Meer Island.

"You said you wanted to get your ship back, and yet you left the sea for a new life in the mountains," Stavros said. "Why return to all this?" He glanced around at the dingy interior of the tavern.

"I thought I could leave," Carly told him. "I thought if I never looked at the sea again I could change my world and be someone new. I had some more troubles for a time, then I met a kind man and found some happiness with him, but that ended and, through it all, I never forgot the sea. I realized that any joy I found on the land was empty for me without the sea. I know that now. That's why I want to get the Maiden back, so I can get back to the sea, to ride the waves and live the life I know."

"Is that it? Is that what the Lady was talking about? You seemed upset at her words."

"Upset? No, I just don't like it when people try to pry too deeply into my life. Ayra has always stuck her nose in where it doesn't belong."

Carly took another swallow of sweetwater then refilled her cup, ignoring the incredulous expression on the mage's face. Stavros mused about Carly's seeming familiarity with the Lady and wondered if she realized what she had just said. He took a sip of the sweetwater and caught sight of Zachary walking toward them.

"Any news?" Stavros asked.

"They are sleeping," he said. "I could sense her using some power to try to connect with his thoughts, then it faded. I'm not sure how, but the next thing I noticed, she was asleep right next to him. Whatever she's doing, I believe it has to do with dreams. That sort of thing never was my speciality and it is not particularly exciting to watch. I figure he's safe with a goddess taking care of him, so I might as well join the two of you for a drink."

"It is surprising," Stavros said as he used his power to lift a cup from behind the bar, "that the gods have returned to the world. I wonder if they truly ever left. Perhaps the histories have not been entirely truthful. Perhaps they have merely been lost to us." He kept the cup hovering in front of him as he poured as share of sweetwater from the bottle, then he sent it over to him. Zachary shrugged and took the cup.

"Well, if they cause trouble, we're going to have to deal with them. What I do not understand is this supposed one god the priesthood has been going on about for so long.  If that girl is the Lady, then that means there isn't just one god and that means the other gods must be lurking around somewhere. I, for one, would like to know why don't they just show themselves so we can get on with it."

"Perhaps they would rather not show themselves," Stavros suggested, glancing over at Carly as he took another sip of his drink. "Perhaps they are not yet ready."

"Are you ready, Squirrel?" Keira asked as she stepped into the room where Ariana had slept at the elven palace. "It is a rare thing to be invited into the home of the elders."

Ariana brushed her hair forward so it fell straight over her cheeks, covering the side of her face that was scarred from where it had been burned. The angry red ridges that streaked down from her cheekbone to her jaw had faded somewhat since she had last been faced with a mirror, but she still hated how it looked. It was frustrating because one side was normal, like it had always been, delicate, pretty even, she had always thought, and the other was hideous and ugly. She slung her satchel over her shoulder, glad of its weight, for it at least made her feel as though she were wearing something more than the simple shift Keira had given her.

"It is an honor," Ariana agreed then followed the elven woman out of the room and down the luminous stone corridor.

They made their way outside to a vast courtyard filled with pools of water surrounding wide pathways that ran through them. A number of elves, all elaborately dressed with intricately worked leathers and patterned fabrics, walked along the various paths while others sat casually along the edges, their bare feet hanging over the edges or touching the water. Like those that had noticed the simply garbed women who had approached the palace walls the day before, they turned their heads and stared at them as they passed, on their way to the far end where the steps rose to the main palace. They spoke in low, hushed tones, their voices whispering, and Ariana could not help but feel uncomfortable, for she knew they were talking about her.

"When you address the elders," Keira said, keeping her voice low, "face them directly. Look them in the eyes so they may see the truth of you. And never look away or they will think you a coward."

Keira led her up the steps to the palace where they encountered two more guards who opened the tall doors and admitted them to the palace proper. Inside they passed through a large foyer with another set of doors and more guards at its end, and into a vast hall. The chamber was made from the same glowing white stone as the rest of the palace, except every surface of the hall was polished to a high sheen and glistened softly in its own light and the wood that was inlaid with the stone was even more intricate. The smooth, stone floor that was similarly worked with wood in a pattern that resembled the roots of a tree, felt warm under the bare soles of Ariana's feet as she followed Keira toward a dais at the far end of the hall where several people sat upon long, padded benches that faced each other on either side. Each of the elves wore masks that were similar to the one Keira had worn, though they were of varying designs. They turned their heads as the two woman approached. Past them, was another platform, with three thrones, the largest of them at the center.

Seated upon the center throne was a woman, dressed in white leather that was worked with silver inlays and interspersed with sheer white fabric that looked almost translucent. She wore a mask of white and silver that fitted close upon her face and had two long horns that curled up and back over her head. The chair on her left was empty and to her right sat another elf, a male dressed in a metal and leather armor that, to Ariana, looked too delicate to be practical. He wore a silver mask that had sharply defined eye slits, the edges of which jutted out from his face, lending an aggressive look to the otherwise implacable expression of his mask.

As Keira and Ariana approached the dais and stood at its edge, the woman in the white mask rose from her seat and stepped forward, walking between the rows of those seated before her, eliciting murmurs and whispers from among them. She stood in front of Keira and looked down, directly at her. Keira kept her eyes fixed upon the woman, meeting her gaze, as was the custom in the elven court, and Ariana could see the woman's sharp, grey-green eyes staring fiercely from behind the mask.

"You are called Keira," she said, "the shadow of the leaf."

"That is what I am called," Keira responded.

"You have served at the edge of the forest along the great river to the east."

"I have."

"You have served us well."

"I am glad of it," Keira said.

"For your dutiful service, you may take a name of your choosing, if you desire it."

"I am grateful." Keira bowed her head.

Ariana did not know what the woman had meant by the things she had said to Keira but she imagined it must be an honor of some kind to be able to choose one's own name. She still was not sure exactly how the elven naming custom worked but she set aside her questions as the woman in the mask stepped over to stand in front of her. She kept her chin up and her eyes open like Keira had instructed her, looking directly at the woman.

"We hear from the trees that are called Squirrel."

"That is what she calls me." Ariana decided that she would abide by the elven customs in her own way. The woman stared at her from behind the mask and Ariana could not tell if she had offended or amused the woman. Perhaps she did not care one way or another.

"You were found at the edge of the forest along the great river to the east."

"That is what I am told."

"You have received sustenance and healing within our forest."

"I have."

"And you have spoken with the trees."

"I have." The assembled elves murmured again behind their masks and the woman in white paused for a moment until they became quiet once more.

"You are not born of this forest."

"No."

"And yet you are of Elvanar."

"Yes."

"Those who birthed you. What are their names?"

"My father was named Gregor of House Coromyr, King of Maramyr and my mother was called Aria, Princess of House Solari."

The elves seated along the rows turned to each other and spoke in hushed tones again.

"You have brought something of hers. May I see it?"

"Yes," Ariana said and reached into her satchel, retrieving the jeweled dagger that had belonged to her mother. She held the dagger by its crosspiece and raised it up for the woman to see."

"May I hold it?" the woman asked.

"No," Ariana told her. Though she had learned some new things from Keira's instruction, she remembered enough about elven customs from her own studies to know that an elf would never surrender a blade. Besides, she was becoming irritated with the woman's questions. She lowered the dagger to her side and kept her eyes focused on the eyes behind the mask. "Am I a prisoner here?"

"You would ask me a question?"

"Yes, I would. Am I a prisoner here?"

"You are a Squirrel, so it is said. Squirrels do not ask questions in court."

"I am Ariana Coromay, heir to the throne of Maramyr, Queen of that land by right. I am also, by birth, a Princess of Solari and am done answering questions to those too cowardly to show me their faces," she said, her voice quivering with both indignation and nervousness. Ariana was surprised at the force of her words and she worried that she might have gone too far. The woman took a step back.

"I see that you are no mere squirrel," she said and she removed her mask, revealing her face. The elven woman was beautiful and Ariana was shocked at how much she resembled her own mother. She had only the faintest memories of her, for her parents had died when she was very young, but there were a few paintings of her at the palace and she had memorized every line and curve of her face. This woman looked so very much like her and Ariana felt a stirring of emotions from deep within. The woman smiled at her then turned and took a few steps toward the others on the dais.

"The court of Elvanar recognizes Ariana of House Coromay, Queen of Maramyr and Princess of Solari," the woman said then she turned back to Ariana and smiled at her. "I am Laurana, Princess of Solari and Queen of Elvana. Your mother, Aria was my sister."

Ariana felt a pit, deep in the bottom of her stomach, as though she were dizzy and her throat felt as though it was full of knots. Her eyes began to well up and she fought the urge to break into tears.

"I am grateful," Ariana said, using the formal response of elven custom since she did not know what else she could say without breaking down.

The rest of the elves stood from their seats and removed their masks, all except the one with the silver mask. He stood from his throne and walked forward toward Ariana. He reached out with his hand and struck Ariana on the face, his hand hitting hard across her scarred flesh and pushing her hair out of place, revealing the burns on her cheek. She reached up to cover herself with the hand that held the jeweled dagger but stopped, remembering what Keira had told her about keeping her eyes up, and she raised her chin and fixed her eyes upon him.

"You are not of the forest," the elf said. "I do not recognize you."

With tears running down her cheeks, Ariana stood straight and looked directly at the eyes that stared at her from behind the mask. The elves behind Queen Laurana, spoke again to one another and Ariana could see their shocked expressions. From the few words she could hear, she knew they were talking about the scars on her face, which were now plain to see. Let them talk, she thought. She was finished being treated like a child and if that meant they would see how ugly she was, she no longer cared. Ariana kept her eyes fixed on the elf, refusing to avert her gaze even though she wanted nothing more than to hide. She refused to succumb to her fear, to run away. She stared at the elf, forcing her eyes to stay on him and then she saw him look away.

"Coward," Ariana said and the court went silent.

In a blindingly quick motion, the elf in the mask drew his sword and held it to her throat. Ariana reached for her power just as quickly, hoping it would be enough to stop him. With what force she could manage, she held the sword in place. She felt power emanating from the elf as well and the eyes behind the mask changed, and she knew he had magic of his own. She could feel her grip on the sword beginning to slip and she knew, all it would take was the slightest movement and it would cut her. As she reached for more power, Ariana remembered the promise she had made to the tree, not to touch the flames while she was in the forest, but the trees had been teaching her other things and now she called to them.

The hall shook, not violently but with a low vibration, like the flow of the trees themselves and the wooden roots in the floor of the hall began to change. Thick vines that sprouted new leaves shot up around the elf's feet and began to curl around his legs. Ariana felt a pressure begin to build as the elf began to summon a power she did not recognize. The air around her became thick and she started to choke, unable to breathe. She redoubled her efforts and the vines grew faster, working their way up to the elf's arm and neck. Ariana could no longer breathe, but she could still use her power and she asked several of the vines to pull the elf's sword away from her, forcing his arm down until the blade pointed at the floor, meanwhile the other tendrils continued wrapping themselves tightly around his neck.

"You would dare to call the forest against me?"

Unable to speak for lack of air, Ariana just stared at him.

"Enough!" Laurana said, her voice rising in volume only slightly, but enough to make known her displeasure. Ariana felt the air around her begin to thin and she gasped, able to breathe once more. "Quenta, I ask you to withdraw. We will speak of this later." She turned to Ariana. "Release him."

Ariana let go of her power and vines began to retreat.

"You play a dangerous game, girl," the elf named Quenta said.

"As do you, boy," Ariana replied.

"That is enough," Laurana said, sharply. "Children, both of you!"

Quenta turned and looked at the queen for a moment, then he sheathed his sword and walked across the floor and exited the hall. The sound of the doors closing behind him echoed in the vast chamber, leaving an uncomfortable silence among those that remained.

"Such is the impetuousness of youth," Laurana said and she walked up to Ariana and placed her hand on the underside of her jaw, turning the scarred side of her face toward her. "You have been touched by flames. This we knew, for the trees have spoken of it, and yet they tell us you also command fire. You were wise not to use it here."

"I promised the tree that I would not," Ariana told her.

"You promised the forest," Laurana said. "Remember that, for a broken promise cannot be mended and new promises cannot grow until the roots of betrayal have turned to dust."

"I understand," Ariana told her.

"Understand this as well," Laurana said. "You are welcome here, but you are not born to Elvanar, and to many of the people forest, you may be regarded as an outsider, a child of fire and wind. This truth of that is apparent." She let go of Ariana's face and her voice calmed. "And yet, while you may not have been born to us, you are born of us, a child of the forest, as are we. You are fortunate, for the trees like you. They would not have bent to your aid if they did not."

"I am glad of it," Ariana told her.

Laurana smiled.

"The court of Elvanar grants you stay within the heart of the forest, and you may request of the elders of the court what needs you may have. Now, I must attend to your cousin for, like you, he is prone to behaving like a child."