dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (35 page)

The hours passed, and the moon rose in the night sky, sending a pale shaft of light into the room. Anna could see the mice scurrying on the floor. She tried to count them, but they would pause for only a moment before running off, scurrying through a crack in the wall, or squeezing through the gap beneath the door. She guessed there must be at least two dozen. At some time during the night she drifted off to sleep.

She awoke with the sound of birds chirping in the trees, their cheerful chatter filling the air. They reminded her of Garrick, and she felt a pang as she thought of him. She rose painfully to her feet and walked over to the window and watched as the sky lightened.

The morning wore on without any sign of Frank. She paced the small room, counting the cracks in the floor. The courtyard was alive with sound, and she stood at the window, watching people coming and going. Children were running around, playing, and from time to time a woman would come out of the kitchen, wooden spatula in hand, and yell at them. The noon hour passed, and the sun was nearing the western horizon by the time the door finally creaked open. Frank stepped into the room, a hunk of bread and cup of wine in his hands.

“Thank you for remembering me!” she said. He stared down at her for a long moment, then dropped down to his haunches before her.

“The king is dead,” he said. Anna stared at him. She didn’t understand.

“What did you say?”

“The king is dead. He was killed on his way to Terran’s court.”

“But … how?”

Frank slumped onto the ground and covered his face with his hands. “He was killed by his brother,” he said, his voice low.

“What?” Anna stared at Frank, trying to make sense of his words. Frank lifted his head.

“A contingent arrived from Terran this morning to escort the king and the prince to his palace.”

“Yes...?”

“Matilda wanted me to give the king a message, but he had already left. She told me to chase after him to deliver her missive. I didn’t think it was important, but I must obey the queen, so I went.” He glanced at the floor. “The king was riding at the back of the group, between the prince and one of Terran’s men. It struck me as strange. Why would the king be at the back, unprotected? I rode faster, determined to deliver my message and be gone, but as I drew closer, I saw the prince pull a dagger from his waist. With the noise of the other horses, he hadn’t heard me.

“He held the dagger down by his side and fell back half a pace, pretending to fiddle with the stirrup. I saw the king glance back at him, then turn to say something to Terran’s man. As soon as the king turned away, the prince plunged the knife into his brother’s back, leaning over to sink it in the side furthest from him. I wasn’t sure at first what had happened, for the king sat straight in his saddle for a moment. But then he fell forward onto the neck of his horse, and I knew.”

Frank’s face was pale, his eyes wide and staring. He pushed himself to his feet and went to stand at the window. “I spurred my horse forward, but then Rupert was yelling, shouting that Terran’s man had stabbed the king. The king’s men started attacking Terran’s, and I knew that the guards would believe Rupert over me, so I pulled away, and fled into the forest.” He looked up to meet Anna’s horrified gaze. “I ran like a coward.”

Anna stared at Frank in a daze, then slowly shook her head. The king was dead! Killed by the hand of his own brother! He was not coming to help her. She looked up at Frank. His fist was pressed against the wall, his face anguished. She rose to her feet and walked over to where he stood. “You are the only witness to what happened,” she said. “Rupert would have killed you if you had stayed.” She turned and paced the room. “Did you tell anyone what you saw?”

Frank looked out the window. “No.”

“This will continue the war. I overheard …” She stopped and looked at Frank.

“Go on,” he said wearily. “At this stage I have no idea who I believe any more.”

“I was on my way to the stables when I walked past the parlor. I heard the king say he wanted to negotiate with Terran. He realized that Terran had the backing of his people, and he did not want to drag the war out any longer. Rupert accused him of being a coward.”

“Rupert wants his victory, and killed his brother to achieve it,” Frank said.

“Yes!” Anna resumed her pacing. “Terran needs to know what happened. He needs to know that Rupert is determined to drag out this war at any cost, and that it is up to him to stop it. But how to tell him? If only …” She paused. She had been so caught up in Frank’s story, she had not noticed the return of a heated, musky presence. She turned excitedly to Frank.

“Max! You have to find Max! He can help us reach Terran safely.”

“Max Brant? What makes you think he would help us? Can he even be trusted?”

“Yes! Yes! You must find him, and bring him back here.” She paused, considering. “Tell him to come when it’s dark. He will want to come straight away, but you mustn’t let him.”

“There must be a better plan.”

“No! Max is the best help we could have!” She walked over to Frank, her eyes locking with his. “Do you believe I have been falsely accused?”

He stared at her, then turned to gaze out the window. He shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps.”

“Even if you are not completely certain, you agree that I
may
be innocent?” Frank was silent. “Does the queen know where I am? Did the king?”

Frank sighed. “No.”

“Why wouldn’t Rupert tell them if I was guilty? Why would he keep it a secret?” Frank turned to look at her. “Please, go and speak to Max. He is the only one who can help us.”

Frank said nothing for a moment. “Nothing makes sense anymore,” he said. He dropped his eyes to the ground. “I’ll do it,” he said slowly, “but only because I have no idea what else to do.” He paused as Anna watched him intently. “But why would he come with me? He has no reason to trust me any more than I do him.”

“Tell him I sent you. No. Wait.” Anna smiled. “Tell him that the shrew needs a dragon.”

“The shrew needs a dragon? What does that mean?”

“It doesn’t matter! Tell him that and he will know I sent you. Quickly now. Go find him. And remember what I said – do not let him come straight away. He must wait until dark. Bring me word when you have delivered the message. We will reach Terran tonight.”

Frank nodded, his expression resigned. “I will give him your message, but if you are wrong about him, then we could all be dead by morning.” He turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.

Anna paced the room anxiously. She had no doubt that Max would help her. She only hoped he would see the sense in her plan, and not come charging in to rescue her straight away. He needed to fly her to Terran’s court, and he needed the cloak of night to pass by unnoticed.

For a second time, Anna watched the shadows lengthen in the room as she waited for the lock to turn and the door to open. This time her patience was rewarded when Frank returned two hours later. He closed the door behind him and nodded at her.

“I found him and gave him your message. He said he will be here as soon as night falls.”

“Is that all he said?”

“No. He said a few choice words which I will not repeat. Then he demanded I bring him here straight away, but I told him what you said. He was not happy, but agreed he would wait.”

Anna smiled. He must love her.

Chapter 45

Anna could feel Max’s presence growing closer as he strode down the corridor. It was dark, and once again a narrow moonbeam was the only light illuminating the room. Max pushed the door open and strode over to Anna, wrapping his arms around her.

“My darling,” he whispered, “you are very cruel to make me wait.”

“A little lesson in patience would not go amiss,” she said.

“Patience?” He raised his eyebrows as he pulled away from her. “Have I not been patient enough? I have waited years to hold you in my arms!”

Behind them Frank cleared his throat, and Anna pulled away. “Did Frank tell you what he witnessed?”

Max nodded. “I cannot say I’m surprised. I never trusted Rupert.”

“We need to warn Terran.”

“Why?”

“So that this war can be stopped!”

Max glanced at Frank, then motioned with his head toward the door. Frank glanced between them, then with a resigned expression left the room.

“This is not my war, Anna,” Max said as Frank disappeared around the corner. “Humans have been fighting each other over one petty thing after another for centuries.”

Anna crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “That may be true, but it is
my
war, and I want it to stop! Garrick has already died, and if it continues, many more men will lose their lives. How many humans must die, Max, before dragons decide that they should help?”

Max stared at her for a moment, then turned away with a growl. “Aaron instructed me not to get involved,” he said.

“Aaron does not know that Alfred is dead,” Anna said. “He was fond of the king, was he not?”

“Yes, but Alfred was just a human.”

Anna stared at Max’s back in disbelief. “
I
am human, Max, or have you forgotten? And so is your Master’s wife! Do you think he would be so unconcerned if the human involved was Keira?” Max’s fists clenched at his sides, and flames glowed between his fingers. Anna stepped up to him, and laid her hand on his back. She could feel the ridges along his spine, and she traced her fingers along the raised edge.

“Please, Max,” she whispered. “You say you love me, but then you must accept who I am. I am human, and always will be. And being human means caring about the fate of others.” She dropped her hand, and slowly wrapped it around his glowing fist. At her touch his hand relaxed, and with a sigh he turned to face her, weaving his fingers between hers. He stared down at her with blazing eyes, and she could feel the heat pouring off him.

“I know you are human,” he said. He smiled wryly. “I remember it every time I come to your aid. But you also have such a strong character, that sometimes I forget, too.” He shut his eyes, and when he opened them, they were no longer glowing but were a cold, flinty gray. “I will take you to Terran, but it is for your sake I do this, not his, nor Alfred’s.” He glanced at the door and raised his voice. “Frank!” Frank’s face appeared at the door a moment later as he stepped into the room.

“Mistress Anna and I will go talk to Terran,” Max said, “but you must remain here.”

“But –“

“The queen is in need of your protection, now more than ever,” Max interrupted. “Rupert may decide he wants a throne, which places her and her children in danger. You must see her away as soon as possible, and get them back to Civitas. When you arrive there, speak to the Lord Chamberlain at once. Also Lord Eastwich. He’s a bit of a fool, but he will know the truth of what you say and will seek to protect Matilda and the new king.”

“But what about the prince? He needs to pay for what he has done!”

“Terran will make him pay. And,” he continued when Frank opened his mouth to protest, “your first duty is to your queen. And there is no time to lose. You must tell Matilda that you leave at first light, and do not tarry along the way.”

Frank stared at Max for a moment, then finally nodded. “Yes, milord,” he said.

“Good! Quickly now. Rupert is with his men tonight, so you can prepare to leave the palace without his notice.”

Frank looked at Anna. “You will tell Terran all I have told you?”

Anna nodded. “I will. Thank you, Frank.”

He glanced at Max, then turning on his heel, left the room. Anna looked back at Max. He was already stripping off his tunic. “Will you hold this?” he asked. She took the heated garment from his hand. Max glanced out the window. “We will need to find a room where our exit will go unnoticed,” he said. “Come.” He took her by the hand and led her across the passage to the opposite room, where the window overlooked the empty gardens. “This will have to do,” Max said. He pulled his boots off his feet and handed them to Anna, standing before her wearing only his breeches. “Turn around,” he said.

She blushed when Max kicked his breeches over to her, but remained still until a bright light filled the air then dispersed into the night sky. Scooping up the breeches, she turned to see Max hovering outside the window. She flung her legs over the window ledge and waited as he curled his tail around her, lifting her onto his back. His clothes were between her chest and his neck, but she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight as he lifted himself above the building and into the dark night sky.

Terran’s palace lay only a few miles north of Cameleus’s estate, and in a few minutes Max was dropping down towards a field just beyond the city of Terranton. A flash of light shot through the air as he transformed once more, but when Anna turned around to look at him, his chest was still bare, his tunic in his hand. She looked at him questioningly as he grinned at her.

“Easier this way,” he said. He grabbed her around the waist and shot back into the air, his wings opening behind him as she gasped in fright. She had barely had time to draw in breath when they were falling back to the ground, his wings folded against his back as they fell freely through the air, landing in a dark corner a few hundred feet from the palace. Max had to hold Anna upright as her knees threatened to give way beneath her and her chest heaved from fright. She leaned her forehead against his chest, breathing deeply as her heart slowed to its regular pace. When she was finally able to pull away, she glared at him, but he grinned shamelessly in return before taking her by the arm.

“This way,” he said.

The palace Max led her into was not as big as Alfred’s, but it was very grand. A staircase of white marble welcomed them into a large, domed room, from which passages exited on either side. Max paused a moment, glancing between the two directions, before settling on the one to the right. He pulled Anna a little closer as he headed towards the arched doorway, then paused again. Someone was coming towards them. Anna recognized him right away, but it was Max who greeted the man who had taken her hostage a few weeks before.