Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (8 page)

Dr. Alexander’s hands hovered over the patient, an expression of pain and concern in his eyes.  “This is the fifth case you’ve seen in a month, Lance?”  He led the tall young healer into another room.

Lance looked grave.  “At first I thought it was the flu with symptoms of vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.  But skin lesions broke out and each one died!  It happened too fast.”

“This patient suffers acute radiation sickness, so you could do nothing.”  Alex rubbed his fingers, trying to erase the pain from his empathic link with the patient.  The fear of this type of contact once made him hide away in medical research, but he’d learned to block absorbing a patient’s pain into his own body.  This particular illness was too severe.  

“Radiation sickness?”  Lance blinked.  “What causes it?”

“Radiation is invisible rays, like heat from the sun.  Do you have patients with mild symptoms, tiredness, weakness, and anemia?  Young or elderly patients are most susceptible.”

Lance nodded and rubbed the bridge of his nose.  “I treated six patients in the last four months with similar complaints.  What does it mean?”

“We’ve got a serious problem.  I must assemble a team to investigate, so be prepared to leave in an hour.”

“I can’t leave my patient,” Lance said. 

Nodding, Dr. Alexander combed long fingers through his thinning white hair. “But we need you to help us pinpoint the source of the radiation.” 

“All my patients recently visited the shrine of Asbohar,” Lance said.  “I’m sure you’ll find your source at the shrine.”

Dr. Alexander frowned.  “All of them?”

“Many of my patients come from the desert tribes.”

“I’ll confer with Donovan and find a guide to take us to Asbohar.”  Dr. Alexander was already moving out the door mumbling, “Radiation!  I should’ve searched for the source after the death of King Halder.  When I found no other patients with the symptoms, I thought…” 

He nearly ran over Andrew in the hallway.  “Oh!  Andrew, just the man I need to see.  Organize a pack team for immediate departure to the desert.”

Andrew smiled.  “Are you taking another foray into the wilds for medicinal herbs?”

Dr. Alexander frowned.  “No, my boy, it’s much more serious.  Don’t tell anyone about the journey, but I need a guide to Asbohar.”

“I’ve been through the desert several times, running horses.  Could I help?”

Dr. Alexander looked relieved.  “You’re a wealth of knowledge, my boy.  I’m off to see Donovan, would you see to preparations for the journey?  Oh!  Please tell Maggie that she must go along.  She’s our expert in radiation.  That’s a good boy.”

Andrew watched the doctor rush down the corridor.

Dr. Alexander barged into the king’s private office, unannounced.  He said, “Donovan, we’ve got a severe radiation leakage that’s already caused deaths.  You remember the painful death of King Halder and these new cases prove the situation is getting serious.  I need to go find the source and tend to victims.”

Donovan coaxed his lanky friend into a sturdy chair near his desk.  “I don’t like you taking risks,” Donovan objected.  “You can’t handle radiation on your own.” 

Alex nodded.  “I sent for Maggie since she’s our radiation expert, and we’ll fetch radiation detectors from the spaceport cache.” 

“The spaceport is too close to the desert for safety.” 

Dr. Alexander’s thin smile made him look like a doddering old professor keeping secrets. “The source of the radiation is the Shrine of Asbohar.”  

“No! It’s too dangerous!”  Donovan pounded his fist on the desk, knocking over an empty tankard and scattering papers.

Alex winced but knew he couldn’t back down.  It was his fault they hadn’t looked into the source of radiation sooner, well he’d had a lot of problems, but now he must act quickly.

He modulated his voice to sound convincing.  “I’ve already devised a plan, Donovan.  As an emissary of your court, I’ll accompany Tamarind back to her father in Asbohar.  I’ll be safe.  Escorting the princess gives me a logical reason to visit the spaceport to fetch a gift for the mullah.”

“Sounds like a good plan, Alex,” Krystal said.  She entered the office just as Donovan got ready to object.  “You should take a detachment of Samurai women as guards.  Maggie can pass for a Samurai, and the desert riders are terrified of them.”

“Oh, really?”  Donovan sounded genuinely surprised.

“Yes, haven’t you heard?  Desert riders claim they’re she-devils who attack like ghosts in the night.”  Krystal laughed and rubbed his shoulders.  “I guess it’s easier to admit defeat to supernatural beings than to women.”

“There’s merit in the idea.” Donovan lifted his chin and smiled at her. “You’re a devil who defeats me at every turn.” 

Krystal mussed his red hair and gazed into the doctor’s worried face.  “A radiation leak is a real threat.  I saw your patient and his symptoms look just like King Halder’s sickness.  I remember the pain that poor man endured.  If Drako becomes contaminated, everyone is in jeopardy.”

Donovan cast a forlorn glance at Alex.  “You see, a she-devil torments me into submission?  You’ve got permission but leave Lauryn behind.  I won’t place her in danger.”

“She’ll be furious,” Alex said and slumped into his chair.

“Lauryn doesn’t need to go.  Maggie is sensitive to radiation and Trenton is eager to get more supplies from the spaceport. My daughter stays safe.”  Donovan sounded firm.

Alex nodded. “Then you must tell Lauryn.  I don’t want to brave her anger.”

“Coward!”  Donovan rolled his eyes.  “I’ll tell her.”

“Good luck,” Krystal said and squeezed his shoulder.  “Your daughter has a strong will.”

“Inherited from her mother,” Donovan said.

*****

The next morning Catherine fluttered into the girls’ chamber and disturbed Tessa’s reading.  “You must help me, Tessa.  I have a silly little problem.”

Tessa glared at her cousin, the daughter of a lord with kinship claimed through the previous king. “Silly?  Everything that you do sounds silly to me.”  How could this girl be a cousin?  They had nothing in common, and the girl irritated her beyond belief.

“Tessa, I really need your help,” Catherine whined.

“Okay, what have you done?”  Tessa set her book on the sturdy oak side table and leaned forward in her leather chair.  She knew she’d get no piece until she’d listened to the girl’s chatter.

“It wasn’t my fault.  Honestly, when I made the date to go riding with Brandon, I simply forgot,” Catherine babbled.

“Forgot what?”  Tessa tried to sound interested.

“I promised to go riding with Ross.”  Catherine’s green eyes filled with tears and her red curls bounced as she bobbed her head.  “I tried to catch Brandon’s notice for days, but he never showed interest.  Mother says I can’t let Ross down, and since he’s your friend, you must come along.  We’ll take a picnic.  If you come, Josh said he’d go and we’ll have a proper group.  Please say you’ll come.  Angela already agreed.”

“How did Angela and Josh get into this?”  Tessa looked perplexed.  She felt a dull ache begin in her forehead, no doubt from listening to Catherine’s shrill voice.  Even the ancestor minds avoided listening to the annoying human.

“Angela was visiting with mother when I explained my little problem.  She agreed to go if you’d come.  Ross won’t go without his friend Josh.” 

Tessa laughed. “Why not invite the whole castle?”

“Be serious, Tessa.  That’s too many people for a simple picnic.”  Catherine plopped onto the sofa and tucked her feet under her body.

“You get yourself into trouble by flirting with every boy.  If you’d date one at a time, things might be simpler.”

“How can I possibly do that?” 

“Choose one and see if you like him.”  Tessa picked up her book and settled back to read again.

Catherine squealed, “No, Tessa!  Listen, you must come or it won’t work.  We don’t have much time to get ready.”

“Ask Felesia.”  Tessa tried to ignore the pleading expression of Catherine’s face.

“She went into the forest to visit her panther.  I think that’s the reason Brandon agreed to come along.  He moons around Felesia, but now he heard she’s pledged to Jordan.  This might be my only chance to interest Brandon.”

“I’m not going, ask Lauryn,” Tessa declared.

“She’s gone.”  Catherine pouted.

“Gone?”  Now Tessa really sounded interested and closed the book.

“She left last night—made me promise not to tell.”

“Where’s she going?”

“She’s following Dr. Alexander into the desert.  She got mad about staying behind and decided to sneak out.” 

“Father will send someone after her.”  Tessa got up and headed toward the door.

Catherine rushed after her and grabbed her elbow. “No, I promised Lauryn we’d keep her secret.”  

“She could be in danger,” Tessa said.

“Lauryn knows what she’s doing.” Catherine’s eyes flashed.  “You go running with the wolves at night, so don’t try to stop Lauryn! Maggie and Trenton will take good care of her.”

Tessa felt surprised that Catherine knew about her nightly excursions.  “You’re a wealth of information.”  She stared at her cousin and wondered how much more this girl knew.

“I won’t tell anyone about your wolves if you do this one little favor,” Catherine pleaded.

Tessa said, “That’s blackmail!”

“I call it bargaining.”  Catherine grinned.  “You’ll go riding?”

“Just this once, but promise you won’t tell anyone about the wolves.”  Tessa looked stern.

“I solemnly promise.  Hurry, the horses are saddled and the picnic’s packed.”

“You’re pretty sure of yourself,” Tessa grumbled and grabbed her jacket.  She wondered how Catherine knew so much about her activities. 

Catherine said, “I know all kinds of secrets.  Hurry!” She ran ahead of Tessa.

The ride seemed pleasant enough, but Tessa brooded as Josh joined her. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Catherine!”  She frowned as she started at the object of her scorn.  “She makes me sick!  Look at the way she flirts with Ross, trying to make Brandon notice her.”

“You, too?” Josh frowned.

“What?  I’d never do something like that.”

“No, I meant that you noticed it.”  Josh leaned forward to pat his horse’s neck and the saddle creaked.  “She strings everyone along, flirting and teasing.  It makes me want to spank her.”

Tessa gazed at him with concern.  “You’re not falling into her trap are you?”

“Me?”  Josh smiled, his blue eyes twinkling and a small dimple appearing in his cheek.  “I don’t qualify.”

“What do you mean?”

“Catherine only goes after lordlings.  She’d never notice a stable hand.”

They rode silently for a few minutes while Tessa thought about the situation.  Dust billowed from hooves just ahead and Tessa watched Ross laugh at one of Catherine’s comments.

“How about Ross, he’s a stockman too,” Tessa asked.

“She found out his father’s a lord and he’s heir to timber lands.  Ross was introduced at court as Julian’s cousin, but he’s also a lordling.”  Josh laughed at Tessa’s shocked expression.  “Catherine doesn’t miss a beat.  She’s got them all fighting for the privilege of taking her to the royal ball.”

“We’ve got to teach her a lesson!”  Tessa squinted and her expression looked devilish.

“What do you have in mind?”  Josh leaned closer, eager to hear Tessa’s plan.

“We’re going to spring a trap, one that Catherine will jump into.”  Tessa smirked.  “We need a champion archer, someone who’s not a lordling or interested in courting Catherine.”

Josh grinned and his dimple made him look attractive.  “I know someone who’d be happy to participate.”

“She brags about her archery, so we’ll get her to issue a challenge for the right to take her to the ball.  I’m sure she’ll fall for it.” 

Tessa dug her heels into her horse’s flank and galloped into the lead.  She called out a challenge to the other riders.  Josh raced her, egging Brandon and Ross to join their race.  Tessa outdistanced them all and sat waiting under a tree at the picnic site.

Catherine wiped leaves off the picnic table and set out the food as Ross teased Brandon about losing the horse race to Tessa.  Brandon shrugged.  “I could teach you about sailing or shooting arrows, but riding a horse isn’t my best skill.”

Ross nodded.  “I’d enjoy beating you in a shooting contest.”

Josh grinned and said, “Catherine, get these men to show you how to shoot arrows.  They claim they can beat anyone in a contest.” 

Catherine smiled. “That sounds like a challenge!”  She smiled coyly and sauntered over to stand near Brandon.

“I’d be happy to demonstrate my skill,” Brandon offered.

“We’re talking about archery,” Ross interjected.

“Of course!”  Catherine tossed her head, her red curls bouncing.  “Let’s have a tournament, and the winner accompanies me to the royal ball.  What fun it will be!”  She clapped her hands and fluttered her eyelashes.

Tessa cast a sidelong glance at Josh and he nearly choked on his sandwich.  “What a clever idea, Catherine!” Tessa said, “I can’t wait to let all your suitors know.”

Catherine leaned against Brandon.  “I hope you’re the winner.”  She stroked him on the cheek in front while Ross frowned. 

Tessa cast a knowing glance at Josh.  They both had to hide their grins before Catherine caught them snickering.  They couldn’t wait for this contest.

*****

Angela discovered Brandon riding at her side on the way back to the castle.  “I thought you preferred Catherine’s company,” Angela said.

“She’s not the one who interests me.”  Brandon grinned.  “I came today, since it’s better than sitting alone in the castle.”

“I’ve never known you to sit alone anywhere.  You always have a bevy of beauties around.”

“I don’t want a reputation at the castle.”

Angela gazed at her handsome cousin.  “You’re serious?  Which one has caught your eye, Brandon?”

He flashed a devious smile. “Felesia.”

“She’s pledged to Jordan!”  Angela was genuinely surprised.

“Pledged but not wed.  Even wed, I’d still try to bed her.  What I want is more than one night of fun.”

“Brandon, she truly loves Jordan.  Look to one of the other sisters if it’s status you’re after.”

His gray eyes narrowed.  “I want Felesia; she’s wild and free.  Her skin and hair are like spun gold.  Her eyes change color with every mood, draws me like one of her creatures. I can’t think of anyone else.”

Angela sighed. “She’s unavailable and you’ve always been one to want what you can’t have.”

Brandon fingered his sun-bleached hair. “Perhaps you know me too well, cousin.”  His eyes glowed with intensity, and his voice vibrated with desire.  “I’d still love to take you into my bed.  Perhaps the thrill of the hunt is part of my desire.”

Angela felt trapped by his sultry gray eyes and the sensation made her panic.  She raised her whip, ready to defend herself. 

Brandon grinned mischievously. “You’re safe.  It’s Felesia that I want and you know by the pounding of your heart that I will have her.”  He spurred his horse and galloped away.

Angela felt shaken.  She couldn’t understand the feeling Brandon stirred.  Could it be true?  Did she secretly wish to be seduced by him?  She shivered, afraid of her own reaction and grateful his attention was diverted by Felesia.

*****
 

The ancestor mind, Amber, woke to a distant chorus of howls, but her human host, Tessa, remained fast asleep.  Amber gently prodded the sleeping host to wake.  It was forbidden to control the host body without permission. 

Tessa’s sleepy mind responded.
What is it?

The pack calls, we must answer.
  Amber felt frustrated.  A pack member never slept so soundly she missed the pack’s call but human hearing was inadequate. 

Tessa rubbed her eyes.
How can wolves get along with so little sleep?  I’m exhausted.

Amber tried to remain patient with the girl, who had much to learn about pack ways
. 
We nap during quiet daylight hours and use the night to hunt and communicate.  You’ll learn our routine.
She heard the distant howling and noted the human host’s attention to the message.

We should hurry to reach the meeting point in time,
Tessa said and dressed. 

Yield control of the body and we’ll move faster
,
Amber suggested. It had been months since Amber’s body died, but she still felt the urge to run.  A human body was a poor substitute for the speed of a wolf but sufficed.

Tessa understood Amber’s eagerness.
Good idea but take it easy, every muscle in my body ached after your last romp.

She intended it as a joke but Amber said,
Exercise the body so it responds when we run.

If I had four legs, I could race as fast as you want.

Human legs are longer than a wolf’s so you cover more ground.
 
Amber started to enjoy the banter but the other ancestors inside Tessa’s mind felt confused.  They stayed quiet.  The girl felt comfortable with Amber but got agitated by a chorus of advice.  They channeled necessary advice through the most familiar personality.

Tessa yielded control of her body to Amber, who stretched the stiff limbs.  She balanced the body using the upright stance of humans but felt hampered by inferior human nose and ears.  The girl was dressed in a dark woolen tunic, leggings, and supple leather boots. 

Amber relished the sensation of cloth and leather against hairless human skin.  Frail human hide needed protection against the cold wind and sharp brambles.  Amber slipped down the circular staircase and opened the door of the human cave.  She sniffed an icy breeze and shivered. 

Tessa reminded Amber about the leather cloak hanging nearby, and Amber slung the garment over the girl’s shoulders.  She drank in the scents of the night, wishing a human nose could distinguish specific odors left by creatures.  A howl pierced the night, and Amber answered with a strange human voice. 

She loped across human pathways on long human legs until Amber adjusted to the awkward two-legged gait.  She moved the host body with speed and silence although her jerky strides failed to flow properly. 

Amber pushed the body faster and felt muscles respond.  She inhaled the pungent scent of crushed grass, heard the melodic tinkle of a brook as she leaped across, and felt the soft crunch of pine needles as she entered the forest. 

A wolf waited in an uneasy crouch.  Thunder’s tail thumped against dried leaves and a small excited whimper erupted from his throat. Amber stopped and scanned the night scene, forcing the girl’s eyes to recognize shapes. 

Amber enjoyed seeing colors unavailable to wolf eyes.  The red moon cast eerie light across the landscape where night blooming flowers opened petals filled with iridescent color to absorb the crimson rays.  Tonight Amber wasted no time on pleasure and ignored the beauty.

Thunder moved into a patch of moonlight, leaving the safety of deep shadows.  Amber detected the movement and recognized her litter brother.  She barked a welcome, bounding over with the abandonment of a cub. 

Thunder cringed and backed away. 

Amber stopped and stared with confusion.  She whined. 

Remember Amber, you look human to him,
Tessa said.

Amber understood.
Thunder, do you not recognize your litter mate’s mind?

His ears pricked up at the familiar mental voice
. 
Amber?  We didn’t believe the story of your new hosting.
 
He approached cautiously.

Amber folded the human’s long legs and sat in a normal canine position.
Thunder, our minds are not lost.  We are Amber
.

Thunder barked and licked her smooth face. Amber scratched his ear, remembering how human fingers showed affection.  Thunder leaned into the caress, and Amber felt his love and acceptance.  She missed the warm friendship of pack life and the pleasure of howling in harmony.  Water leaked from human eyes, and Amber finally understood why humans cried.

What message do you bring, Thunder?
Amber asked to regain control.

We bring word from Kriegen.  The Council of Elders accepted the petition for Tessa to represent the human pack as the host of the Amber line.  Kriegen is pleased.

It is a great accomplishment,
she said.

Kriegen summons Tessa to the pack cavern when the sky eats half of the bright moon.
  He glanced at the full disc in the sky, followed by its darker sister.
A host must be designated for the Amber line and pack rules established.

Good, that gives us time to consult King Donovan.  Any other news? 

The evil one lives in the mind of his cub.  Kriegen plans to trap and kill him outside of the cub’s body.
Thunder shivered.

Amber understood his fear, having seen the evil one. 
A dangerous feat, how will it be accomplished?
Amber asked.

Kriegen and Tendra will divulge the plan soon.

We will take the news to Donovan.  We relish the touch of your mind, Thunder.

You’re sorely missed in the pack.  Although your minds are trapped inside an ugly human, we rejoice at your mental touch.  Time grows short, and we carry other messages.  May your path lead to the den and your hunt secure fresh game
.
  They touched noses and Amber used her hands to stroke him once again.  Tears trickled down her naked cheeks as he departed.

What does the message mean Amber?
Tessa’s mind asked.

We must travel to the pack cave and a she-wolf will volunteer to host the Amber line.  She will travel as your companion at all times.
  Amber walked back to the castle. 
We wondered why a host was not designated sooner.