Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (30 page)

“I’m a healer not a killer.  Try to touch me again, and I’ll let her finish the job.”  Marra’s rough tongue licked her hand.  “Go back to Felesia.  I’m fine.”  The cat eyed the man, uttering a low growl.  She rose in a liquid motion, long black tail whipping, and pushed through the tear in the tent.       

Lauryn put her hand over Salizar’s wound, easing his pain. 

“Why did you run away?” he asked.

Lauryn said, “I saw your death in a vision. I don’t want you to die and I thought my people might kill you to set me free.”

“My future is written.”  Salizar sounded depressed.  

“Do you want to fulfill your mother’s prophesy with your life?”  She released his arm and saw that the bleeding stopped. He searched Lauryn’s face.

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t want anyone to die.”

Salizar frowned.  “I asked my mother if she saw me in the future with my sons.  She wouldn’t tell me.  Did your vision show me with my son?”

“No.” 

Salizar looked vulnerable.  She felt like offering comfort but it was too dangerous.  His eyes hardened.  “Hear my words.  You will bear my son.” He left before she could say anything. 

“No.  I will not let that happen,” she said to the empty tent.

*****

The spaceport looked deserted, but Salizar felt suspicious.  Where was the giant cat, a familiar of Lauryn’s sister?  His mother shook her head as he met her gaze. 

She sensed nothing. 

Salizar disliked the necessity of returning to the ruins.  Rumors claimed that Donovan’s man, Trenton, walked through solid walls, while other riders saw a beam of light cut through rock.  Jarrack found a spacer weapon at this place and used it to trap Donovan.  Stories of the black box that captured a man’s soul filled his childhood and his nightmares.

The spaceport was a place of power.  Salizar wanted to use that power to his advantage. His mother’s vision showed him victorious against Andrew in this same place.  Surely her vision was right.

Salizar’s arm ached from the cat’s claws.  Numb fingers grasped the hilt of his sword without strength and a tingling sensation crept up the base of his skull.  He saw his enemy ahead.  Something spooked the horses and eerie voices whispered his name.  Salizar shouted and charged swinging his sword.

Spurred by the battle cry of their leader, frightened riders followed.  The enemy stood in the open.  Three identical Samurai warriors brandished polished swords!  Did they intend to defeat his band with only three men? The war cry turned into a strangled scream as he slashed through a Samurai.  The man vanished and appeared at his right.  Salizar rushed another Samurai but the enemy vanished again.

Samurai were everywhere.  Grinning faces taunted them from every angle, their bodies moving in unison.  Salizar’s horse whirled, whipping its head away from an apparition that appeared under its nose.  Salizar fell from the horse into the sword of the enemy.  The man was gone before the blade pierced him.

“Evil spirits!” his men screamed. Salizar cursed and studied the phantoms, attempting to find blood and bone inside one of the figures.  He had little time to reflect. 

Dragons swooped from the heights, shrieking as their outstretched talons knocked riders off their mounts.  The three phantom Samurai were joined by armed soldiers in flesh and blood.  Terrified desert warriors fell from to the ground, cowering, while a handful of real Samurai removed their weapons.  The dragons herded the horses to a paddock.

Alone, Salizar stood in a miasma of smoke and dust, his men defeated by a few men and many ghosts.  Marasuta raised his sword.  Salizar lunged at the warrior but the Samurai blocked his attack with ease.  A bone-jarring vibration opened Salizar’s wound.  He swung the scimitar up in a deadly arc meant to gut the enemy, but Marasuta kicked and caught Salizar in the chest.  The scimitar clattered from a useless hand.

The Samurai bowed, claiming the weapon.  Salizar saw that Lauryn was joined by Felesia and a girl with dark hair and black eyes.  He recognized the panther at Felesia’s feet.

“We’re under your control,” Salizar said.  “What do you intend?”

“We will release the captives,” Andrew said.  He wrapped an arm around Lauryn’s shoulder.

Salizar underestimated Andrew. “You steal my wives?” 

“We do not kidnap and rape women to make them marry.”

Salizar bristled.  “I raped no one, ask her.”  Salizar nodded at Lauryn.

“No, your rape attempt failed.  I don’t need to ask because our minds are linked.  She repelled the attack and then you drugged her.  The panther stopped you again.”

Salizar raised an eyebrow and turned to Lauryn.  “We spent a night alone in a tent.  By the laws of the desert you’re my wife.”

Lauryn shook her head.  “The laws of the desert carry no weight.  When I marry it will be to a man I love.”  She grasped Andrew’s hand.

Salizar’s face darkened and he glared at Andrew.  “I won’t rest until you fulfill my mother’s prophecy.”  He stomped toward his men.  “Secure your mounts.  The woman stays with her protector.”

Tamarind uttered a small gasp.  “You leave me alone in his harem?” 

Lauryn smiled at her friend.  “Salizar will find other wives to keep you company.  Duty to his tribe will demand it.”  She touched Tamarind’s necklace.  “Perhaps our sons will be friends one day.” 

Salizar’s mother sat on her horse, frowning.  Her piercing gaze held Lauryn transfixed for a moment, and then she turned her mount to follow her son. 

Lauryn sighed as Salizar and his party rode out of the spaceport.  Andrew squeezed her hand. 

“You thought he’d die today?”

“I saw his death…but visions can be wrong.”  Lauryn enjoyed the comforting thoughts he sent.

“I was worried about you.”  His voice vibrated with pain.

“I know, my love.”  By touching his mind during this ordeal, she understood how much he loved her.  “I hurt you when I let Salizar kiss me, and I’m sorry.  Since sharing a mental connection with you, I realize that it’s your love I want.  I’ll never hurt you again, I promise.”

He kissed her fingertips.  “I enjoy touching your mind, feeling your love.”

She absorbed Andrew’s love and returned it without fear.  She’d seen the king he would become and knew she must help him prepare for the responsibility.  She shivered at the memory of Salizar, trying to force her into a loveless marriage.  He needed her future son to gain power, but she wouldn’t let him have her son. 

Our son.
  Andrew’s mental words felt emphatic. 
We’ll protect our son from the likes of Salizar, and anyone else who tries to harm him.
 

Lauryn’s love for Andrew grew as she thought of raising their children together.  “Our children,” she said aloud, “will have a loving father.  He’s a man filled with gentleness and strength.  Drako must survive so we can make a future together.”

25 ~ FREMONT’S BARGAIN

The parapets were lined with curious faces peering out as the flock of dragons flew toward the castle.  Donovan and his party elbowed through the crowd that stood gaping at the sight. 

“Trenton, give me your telescope,” Donovan said.

Trenton handed it over with regret.  “Don’t forget to let me take a look.”

Donovan nodded and focused the telescope to see who was riding the dragons.  “I’ll be damned!  It’s Krystal, Alex, and Felesia, plus a few others.  They hitched a ride with dragons.”

“Maggie’s not aboard?”  Trenton sounded angry. 

“See for yourself.”  Donovan handed the glass back and ran into the courtyard.  “They’ll be landing soon.”

Flash led her dragon friends into the central courtyard and squawked happily.  The humans climbed from their saddles and Shariel stood stroking Dazzle as she praised the dragons. 

Donovan stomped toward the dragons, but backed away as the largest one hissed and stretched its wings protectively over its human cargo.  Krystal laughed and ran to her chastened husband.

“They’re protective, Donovan.  Make friends by projecting happy colors to their minds, and they’ll let you approach.” 

Donovan saw the bruise on Krystal’s forehead.  “You’re injured!”  He turned to Alex.  “You said nothing about that!”

“I told you we sustained minor injuries.  It looks worse than it is, so let’s get inside and discuss what is happening!  Felesia rescued a group of Jarrack’s children with her dragon friends.  They’ve established a riding school at the spaceport and will soon have a flock of trained dragons.”

“Good!  We may need all the help we can get.” 

Felesia dragged a dark haired girl through the crowd.  “Father, I’d like you to meet Shariel!  She’s the one organizing our dragon school.”

Donovan smiled.  “I heard about you.”

The girl blanched and dropped her gaze to the ground.  Donovan softened his tone.  “It’s all been good, my girl.  You’re very brave to rescue your siblings from the desert riders.”

Shariel raised her eyes and said, “We need a safe place to keep the children.  They must have a chance to prove their worth and make people forget the circumstances of their birth.”

Donovan nodded.  “We’ll discuss their future at length.”  He glanced to the king’s tower and frowned.  “Right now, I suggest you stay outside the castle with your dragons.  We don’t want people to panic.”

Shariel smiled and Donovan caught his breath.  The girl looked nothing like her father with that glorious grin.  “Brandon and I will take them out to hunt in the mountains.  Have someone call me when they need a ride.”

Donovan watched the girl vault onto the dragon and sit in the saddle.  She issued mental commands filled with colors that Donovan didn’t understand.  The dragons lifted off in an organized order and flew over the courtyard.  Flash was the only dragon that stayed behind.

“How safe is it to fly on a dragon’s back like that?” Donovan asked.

Krystal said, “It’s marvelous.  Even Alex relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.  You’ve got to try it.”

He squeezed her waist and kissed the bruise on her forehead.  “I hope I have time. We’ve got a few surprises here.” 

They walked through the thick crowd and Donovan led them to his private hall.  The doctor halted at the door and stared at the rotund priest.

Donovan sighed.  “Dr. Alexander, may I introduce you to…”

“Jarrack!”  The doctor spat the word.  “You managed to inhabit a foreign body.” Dr. Alexander studied the face of his enemy and shrugged.  “Apparently this new body altered your powers.”

Krystal stepped around her companions, towering over Jarrack.  “I sense that he’s now an empath.  You can feel emotions, can’t you?”

“Yes and I can hear thoughts.”  Jarrack answered, his brows knitting.  “Fremont will negotiate with the doctor.”

Alex turned to Donovan.  “Fremont sent a coded message to his ship and gained us time to negotiate.  That’s why we asked you to come here, Alex.  Fremont must speak with you himself.”

Krystal sat on the arm of Donovan’s chair, sliding a soft hand along the back of his neck for reassurance.  Jarrack sank his bulk onto a soft chair and wiped his brow. 

“I told Donovan yesterday that I spoke with Fremont and he sent a message to stop the next missile attack.  Fremont accepted me as Jarrack and believes I can help him conquer Drako.  Fremont was ordered to bring Dr. Alexander back to the Institute, but he’s free to kill the rest of you.  The secret for processing mendilium crystals is your only bargaining chip.  I told him that I learned to Transfer without using machines, so he’s anxious to take me back.”

Jarrack’s face looked animated.  “Strike a bargain with Fremont for supplies and repairs to your defense system.  I just want to leave on that ship.  You’ll be rid of the Institute and your old enemy at the same time.  I’m sure both prospects appeal to you.”  His eyes met Dr. Alexander’s gaze.  “Tell them doctor.  You know I’m telling the truth.”

Dr. Alexander frowned.  “Yes.  Your words are true, but you’re hiding something.”  He shrugged and turned toward Donovan.  “He’s clever.  Perhaps he left out something that nullifies the rest of his statement but his facts are accurate.”

Donovan stared at his ring which glowed white.  “We won’t give them Dr. Alexander!”

Jarrack nodded.  “I told Fremont as much.  Perhaps there’s a way to give the Institute what it wants, while insuring the doctor’s safety.” 

“Will Fremont agree?”  Dr. Alexander asked.

Jarrack grinned.  “He’s eager to secure glory.  If he brings back a person who can Transfer without a machine, he’ll achieve more glory than taking an uncooperative prisoner.  Give them good crystals and he might accept your terms.”

Dr. Alexander rubbed his chin.  “Jarrack, I sense that you lost the ability to Transfer without machinery when you entered the Bishop’s body.”

“Yes, but Fremont doesn’t know the truth.”

Donovan shot out of his chair.  “What?  He’s the same crafty liar, twisting the facts.  If he leaves Drako, what stops him from giving the Institute a way to accomplish what they want?”

Dr. Alexander’s voice sounded soft.  “He can’t give them anything, because his abilities changed.”

“Can you be sure?”

Dr. Alexander waved a bony hand dismissively.  “Jarrack used mind control to strip my knowledge while I was his captive. I’d never forget the resonance of his touch.  The old Jarrack is dead but I don’t trust this one either.”

Krystal said, “We’ll discuss your proposal and speak with you later.”

Jarrack pushed his hefty body from the chair.  “Believe me!  I don’t want to stay in this decrepit body, so I must have access to Transfer.  I want a young body.  If I fail to honor my word, retreat without placing yourselves in jeopardy.  We can achieve our goals with an alliance.”

Donovan gestured.  “Bryant, see that he returns safely to his quarters and make sure he stays alone.” 

Bryant pressed his sword into Jarrack’s back.  “He’ll stay put until you require another interview, sire.”

Donovan watched them leave.  “Trenton, you’ve been too quiet during this whole conversation.”

“I like to observe a predator’s habits,” Trenton said.  “You were so caught up in truth and lies, that you missed the point.”

Donovan rolled his eyes.  “Enlighten us trapper!”

“We don’t need to trust Jarrack or Fremont.  If we get what we want from them, it doesn’t matter whether your opponent operated in good faith or attempted a swindle.  We need time and equipment to secure our safety.  Who cares why they grant us what we want?”

“He’s right.”  Dr. Alexander nodded.  “The defense system and the nuclear reactor need to be repaired, and our communications and transportation systems are inadequate.  Trade hardened mendilium crystals for supplies and stall for time.”

Donovan grinned.  “We’ll let Jarrack negotiate with Fremont but watch them both.” 

Krystal said, “Make shopping lists, gentlemen.  We’re about to enter a technology marketplace.”

******

Jarrack watched Fremont pace the cell as he read Donovan’s shopping list.  “Are you sure we should deliver these supplies?  Why do they need plasteel?”

“They need to plug a radiation leak in a nuclear reactor.” Jarrack hid an amused grin behind his hand and stroked his chin.

Fremont glared. “They give you information too easily.  Did you ever consider they might lie?”

“They don’t give me any information.”  Jarrack smirked.  “I take it from their minds, a useful new trick I’ve learned.”

Fremont knit his bushy brows and read the last item on the list.  “I can’t give them a space tight shuttle!  It jeopardizes our plans.”

Jarrack waved his hand lazily.  “Get hardened mendilium crystals for the Institute, and you’re in the clear.  Crystals are just the start!  We’ll eliminate the need for crystals and Transfer machines if you get me onto your ship.  I’ll give the Institute the secret to everlasting life.”

“Why don’t we take you out of here and blow Drako out of the sky?”

Jarrack wagged his head in dismay.  “Don’t act too rash.  My talent can’t be developed overnight so you need crystals to keep the machines working. Donovan isn’t stupid.  He won’t let me leave unless he feels safe.”

Fremont banged his hand against the table.  “I feel manipulated.”

“You are.”

Fremont glared at Jarrack.  “Who’s doing it, you or Donovan?”

Jarrack shrugged.  “Does it matter?”

Fremont scowled.  “They requested equipment to build a Transfer lab!  After all they did to sabotage our program they want us to give them Transfer equipment?”

“Who cares, if we get what we want?”  Jarrack leaned forward with a serious expression on his face.   “The limited level of technology on this world prevents them from building new facilities.  Transfer’s not a secret. After all, Dr. Alexander was one of the pioneers who created the procedure.  His little lab won’t endanger the Institute’s monopoly.  They’re stranded on the fringe of space with no way to spread secrets to our enemies.  The doctor needs the equipment to cure radiation victims.  Throw him a crumb and get us off this backward planet.”

Fremont’s eyes narrowed as he studied Jarrack’s placid expression.  His voice filled with menace.  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a traitor.”

“Donovan trusts me less than you do.”

Fremont smirked. “All right! I’ll give your plan a try, but I won’t diverge from my original assignment.  We’ll grab Dr. Alexander when we leave.  How do we catch him?”

With a meaningful glance toward the cell window, Jarrack whispered, “We arrange a small diversion.  Send coded messages to the ship’s captain.  He’ll obey your orders?”

Fremont smirked.  “Gronks are bred to obey orders.”

An expression of surprise flashed across Jarrack’s face.  “You didn’t leave anything to chance!  I suppose you’ve already established a code for orders that the Gronk must obey?”

Fremont grinned, pleased with himself. “You know me too well.”  He glanced at the window in the door and spoke loudly.  “Tell Donovan I’ll send a message to the ship and order his supplies.”

“Very accommodating of you, Fremont.  I’m sure Donovan will be happy.”  Jarrack walked toward the door.

Fremont nodded.  “I’m not unreasonable, Bishop, and the Institute is a humane organization.  We are interested in the good of mankind.”

“Bless you, my son.”  Jarrack knocked on the door.  “I will speak to Donovan on your behalf.”