dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (36 page)

“Syngen Gail.”

Syngen stopped in his tracks for the briefest of moments, then continued walking towards them with a grin. “Well, well! Max Brant! And my pretty little hostage. I wondered if you were somehow involved when she and the other girl disappeared. Are you returning her to me, Max?”

“I heard you cursing me,” Max said. “And no, I’m certainly not returning her to you.”

Anna glanced between the two men before settling her gaze on Max. “You know him?” she hissed.

Max looked down at her. “Unfortunately, I do. Syngen is part of Aaron’s clan.”

Anna looked at the other man in surprise. “You’re a –“

“No!” Max quickly intervened, looking pointedly at a footman who had entered the palace and was hurrying across the floor in their direction. Max waited until he was out of earshot before turning back to Anna. “Syngen was adopted by his aunt and uncle when he was …” He looked up at Syngen. “How old were you?”

“Three.” Syngen looked at Anna. “My mother died when I was an infant, and her sister took me in. She was married to a, er, Aaron’s distant cousin, and I grew up with them.” He looked at Max. “I take it the girl belongs to you?”

Anna frowned and took a step towards Syngen. “Certainly not!” she said. She turned to glare at Max when he grinned down at her. “What?” she said. Max reached out and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently, before turning back to Syngen. 

“Actually,” Max said, “she’s under Aaron’s protection.”

Syngen looked surprised. “Aaron’s?”

“My sister is Aaron’s wife,” Anna said.

“Ah! Well, if I had known that,” he said, raising his eyebrows with a sly look, “I would not have allowed you out of my sight.”

Next to her Max snorted, but when she turned to glare at him, he quickly cleared his throat. “We need to see Terran,” he said to Syngen.

“Yes, that reminds me. Were you not marching with Alfred? Since when do your kind concern yourself with human affairs?”

“Since Aaron’s sister-in-law serves the queen,” Max said.

Syngen nodded. “Of course. That makes sense. You were her protection.”

“Enough chitchat,” Anna interrupted. “You can enjoy your reunion later, but right now, we need to speak with your king.”

“Why?”

“We have news that he will wish to hear regarding Alfred’s death,” Max said.

“Hmm. He’s not in a very good mood, I must warn you.”

“Just take us to him,” Anna said.

Syngen nodded, and inclined his head. “Follow me,” he said. Max kept hold of Anna’s hand as they walked, and Syngen glanced down in amusement. “I thought she didn’t belong to you,” he said to Max.

“Not yet,” Max replied.

Syngen led Anna and Max into a large, square, windowless room, leaving them alone while he went to advise Terran of his visitors. Tapestries covered every wall, and in each corner stood a small table, with a large, wooden-cased clock on each. The face of each clock differed from the others, but they ticked in unison, each second reverberating through the room from corner to corner. In the center of the room was a wooden chair with a velvet-covered seat. The chair was plain, but unique in the fact that it was the only other furniture in the room apart from the corner pieces.

Anna moved to the wall to get a closer look at the tapestries, recognizing scenes from the tale of Beowulf. She studied the tapestry depicting Beowulf’s battle with the dragon. The dragon in the picture was huge, with bronze wings that stretched from one side of the canvas to the other, while flames poured out from his mouth and over the armor-clad warrior. As she studied the form, it seemed to her that the dragon looked suspiciously like Max, and she turned to look at him. He smiled wryly, and his eyes flicked over to the next scene. The dragon lay defeated on the ground, a sword buried in his chest, the blaze in his eyes dulled as he breathed his last. Anna walked up to the picture, and gently traced her fingers over the face of the dragon. She felt as though a band was tightening around her heart at the thought of the magnificent creature dying, and she drew in a ragged breath. “Don’t die,” she whispered. She felt Max’s footsteps behind her, and the brush of his fingers against her neck, and she turned to look at him. She pulled in a breath when she saw the look in his eyes, and then his mouth was on hers, his lips hard and demanding. He pulled back a second later, and turning around, strode away from her. She was still staring at him, trying to collect her scattered thoughts, when the door to the chamber opened and a man she did not recognize strode into the room, closely followed by Syngen.

“This is Master Brant, Your Highness,” Syngen said. “And ..?” He turned to look at Anna. Anna pulled her attention away from Max.

“Er, Anna Carver, lady-in-waiting to the queen Matilda,” Anna said, with a curtsey in Terran’s direction. He was a tall man, with dark hair and a neatly trimmed short beard. His dark eyes were brooding, and he studied her with open scrutiny. He frowned when Anna mentioned Matilda’s name and turned to Syngen.

“What is this? What are these people doing here?”

“We have some news that will interest you, Your Majesty,” Max said. “Mistress Anna was recently imprisoned by Rupert after she overheard a conversation he had with the king. He accused her of spying for you, Your Majesty.” Max paused as the words sank in, then he looked at Anna. “Tell him what you know.”

Anna nodded, and slowly started to tell her story. She was hesitant at first, but was soon caught up in relating the events of the past few days. Terran muttered a curse when she repeated Rupert’s words about flattering the king, but when she started relating Frank’s part of the story, his face grew livid with rage.

“Where is the man who saw these events?” he demanded.

“He’s guarding the queen,” Anna said.

Terran turned to Syngen. “Does the girl speak the truth, you think?”

Syngen looked at Max, locking his eyes with the dragon. “I believe she does,” he said.

Anna watched as Terran paced the room, his hands behind his back. “Roderick was always a fool,” Terran said. “The people never wanted him as king. Alfred should have known better than to listen to his urgings. But Rupert! If what you say is true, then he is less than despicable.”

“He definitely is that,” Max said, “and I’m sure you will find a way to punish him for what he has done. But you will understand when I say that our involvement in this matter ends tonight.” Terran looked at Max with eyes narrowed in speculation as Max stared back; then dropping his gaze, he nodded.

“Very well. I would have welcomed your support in this battle, but clearly you have other ideas. You have relieved me of the burden of thinking my people murdered a king while he rode under an agreement of truce. Our council will meet to discuss our next move.” He turned to Syngen. “I will take the night to consider the matter more thoughtfully, and will meet with the council in the morning. Ensure that they know.” Syngen nodded as Terran left the room.

“What are your plans now?” Syngen asked Max.

“Anna needs to sleep before we travel to Storbrook. If you can arrange chambers we will leave at first light.”

“Storbrook?” Anna said. “But I need to return to the queen.”

“Anna,” Max said gently, “you cannot return to Matilda. Blanche has been spreading rumors that you ran away with your lover.”

“I know what Blanche has been saying,” Anna said, “and to whom she is referring.” She gave Max a pointed stare. “But the queen will not believe such a slander against my name.”

“It does not matter whether she believes it or not,” Max said. “Your name has already been tarnished.”

“Tarnished? And would my name have been tarnished if I had given into Rupert’s demands?”

“Being mistress to the prince is quite different from running away with your lover,” Max said. Anna glared at him angrily.

“I didn’t run away with my lover,” she ground out. “I was imprisoned by the prince!”

“And Matilda might even believe that! But Blanche’s tale has already been spread too far and wide to be ignored.” Max paused. “Besides, yours is not the only name being disparaged in this affair.”

“Oh? Are you referring to the tarnishing of your name, Max? Because I think you will be applauded by the men at court, while I will be considered a trollop!” She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, but she heard Syngen laugh.

“She’s not even yours yet, and you are fighting like a pair of cats!” he said.

“Oh, well,” Max replied with a sigh, “it keeps me humble.”

Anna was halfway down the passage when she realized she had no idea where to go. She paused, struggling with her pride at the thought of returning to the room, when a woman appeared further along the corridor. Anna hurried over to her.

“Master Gail was to send a message that a room be prepared for me, but I’m afraid I’ve lost sight of him. Can you help me?”

Word of her arrival must have already spread through the palace, as the woman did not appear surprised. “Of course, my lady,” she said. “Follow me.” She led Anna up a stairway and into a small chamber, already freshly prepared. She was back a short while later with warm water and fresh linens. “Would you like me to take your gown?” she asked. “I can clean it and have it back by morning.” Anna glanced down at the gown she had been imprisoned in. She had not given consideration to her appearance since her capture, but the question made her realize how unkempt she must appear.

“Yes, please,” she said with relief, stripping off the offending article. “And if you can find a clean chemise somewhere, I would be most appreciative!”

The maid gave a small curtsey. “I will see what I can do, my lady,” she said, before leaving the room with the gown and closing the door firmly behind her.

Chapter 46

As soon as Anna lay down on the bed, exhaustion washed over her. She closed her eyes, and was asleep before she had time to consider the past few days.

She awoke late the following morning. Her gown had been washed, dried and pressed, and was hung over the back of a chair, but Anna could not see it for the man who occupied the seat. He smiled at her when she opened her eyes, and moving to the bed, sat down next to her.

“Good morning, my darling,” he said. “You must have been exhausted. You have been sleeping these last twelve hours.”

Anna smiled at him sleepily. “How long have you been sitting there?” she asked.

“All night. It reminded me of the times I used to watch over you. And in the morning I would brush your hair. Should I do that again?”

“I don’t have a brush with me,” Anna said.

“I can at least untangle the knots,” he said. “Sit up.”

Anna sat up and placed her back to him, shivering slightly when she felt his fingers against her scalp. “Why did you always brush my hair?” she asked.

Max laughed softly. “It was the only time you would relax in my presence. The first time you were feeling unwell, remember? And I offered to brush your hair since you seemed incapable of doing it yourself. But when I did, I could see how it soothed you. So I kept offering to do it.”

Anna smiled. “I’m sorry I snapped at you last night,” she said.

“That’s all right. I’m quite used to it,” he said, and she could hear the amusement in his tone.

They left the chamber a short while later, and Max easily led Anna through the passages and down the stairs to the wide open hall where they had met Syngen the previous evening. The white, marble steps beyond the doorway glittered in the morning sun, but it was the commotion at the bottom of the steps, where two armed men were wrestling a man down the stairs, that drew Anna’s attention. Another three guards blocked the view, and all Anna could see was legs kicking and flailing. “Let me go,” the man shouted.

Anna glanced at Max. “Is that –?”

“Frank,” he finished. He strode forward, pushing his way through the growing crowd. “Let him go,” he ordered the men.

The guards looked at Max in surprise, keeping a firm grip on Frank. “This man was storming the palace,” one of them said.

Max laughed wryly. “One man! Quite a threat against …” – he glanced around – “… five armed men!”

“He’s wearing Alfred’s colors! And is covered in blood!”

“I will vouch for him.”

The men glanced at one another. “We only follow orders from the king,” one of them finally said, but before Max could answer, someone approached from behind. The guards shifted their attention to the newcomer, and Anna glanced back to see Syngen Gail.

“Bring the man here,” he said. The guards hauled Frank up the stairs and threw him on the ground at Syngen’s feet. Syngen looked at Max. “You know him?”

“He’s the man we told you about,” he answered softly.

Syngen stared at Frank for a long moment, then looked back to the guards.

“Leave the matter with me,” he said. He turned on his heel, and flicked his hand. “Come, let’s find a more private place to talk.” Anna glanced at Max, who shrugged, then pulling Frank up by the shoulders, pushed him after Syngen. A sheen of sweat covered Frank’s forehead, and dark patches of blood stained the front of his tunic, splattered from top to bottom. Mud and blood were smeared over his face, and a bloodied dagger hung from the belt of leather tied around his waist.

“You better have a very good reason for being here,” Max said.

“Rupert’s dead,” Frank replied. Max looked at him sharply, but remained silent. He gestured for Anna to go ahead of him, and they followed Syngen into a small, windowless room. Syngen turned around to look at Frank.

“What is the meaning of this?” he said. Frank glanced at Max, who, after a speculative glance at Syngen, nodded.

“I killed Rupert,” Frank said. He ran his hand over his head, and Anna could see dried blood beneath his fingernails.

“What happened?” Anna asked softly. Frank turned to her.

“He attacked me, so I killed him.”

“And then you came here? Why?” Max said.

“Rupert’s men were after me.”

“And what of Matilda?”

“She’s safe, as far as I know.”

“I see,” Max said. He glanced at Syngen, then with a slight sigh, looked back to Frank. “Perhaps you should start at the beginning. Tell us exactly what happened.”