Fight And The Fury (Book 8) (12 page)

Narnum had changed. It was no longer the Free City, rather the City of Fear. He could feel it. See it on the citizens’ faces.

I have to do something about this.

He turned away and faced the chamber within.

Selene sat on her throne, her piercing eyes fixed on him. Even as beautiful as she was, it was unsettling. He’d been forced to trust a woman permeated in evil. On the arm of her chair squawked a drulture, a creature with colorful scale-like feathers.

Nath wanted to choke the strange bird. He had never liked them. They were carnivorous spies and tattle tales.

Your time with come.

At the foot of Selene’s dais lay the feline fury. A quiet rumble roused inside its belly. Its feline eyes watched Nath’s every movement.

Nath’s paw fell to his naked hip, where Fang once hung.
I hope he is taken care of.

“Are you alright, Nath?” Selene said. Her voice echoed. The chamber felt lifeless. Empty.

He folded his arms behind his back. It had been over a week since he arrived, and he’d done absolutely nothing.

“Is this the plan?” Nath said. “I stare out from this balcony for the next five years and then you let me go?”

“Those were our terms, more or less.”

Your terms. Like a fool, I countered with nothing other than my friends’ lives, and I still have no idea if they live.

“You said there would be peace,” he said. “How can I know there is peace from this tower? For all I know, the entire world burns, aside from this city.”

A chilling smile stretched over Selene’s lips before she said, “Barnabus’s forces are at rest. I assure you.”

“I’d rather see that for myself,” he said, easing his way inside her chamber. Everything was exquisite—the tables, the chairs, the food on the table—but lifeless.

“That would be a vast undertaking.”

“I have plenty of time on my hands,” he said, picking a grape from the table.

The drulture squawked.

“That’s an annoying pet you have.” He crushed the grape and flicked it away. “Can I kill it?”

“Absolutely not,” Selene said. “Not my dear baby.” She stroked its back and pecked its beak with a kiss. “It’s one of the family. A brother.”

“A rodent. A rat with wings.”

The drulture’s wings fluttered.
Squawk!

Nath paced around the table, whistling a dwarfish tune. It was an inspiring melody they whistled when marching into war. He kept at it over an hour.

Selene sunk into her throne.

“Will you stop that?”

He kept whistling, another fifteen minutes more this time.

Selene’s nails dug into the arms of her chair.

“Stop it!”

Nath’s golden eyes brightened. He paused, touching his chest, saying, “I’m sorry. Did you say something? I couldn’t hear over all that whistling.” He cocked his head. “Ah, it seems to be gone now.” He walked behind the feline fury and stepped on its tail.

It jumped up, whirled, and roared.

“Heel!” Selene commanded in another tongue.

The cat-like dragon’s ears bent back. Its lips curled over its fangs.

Nath glared right back in its eyes.

“You are a child!” Selene said.

“You are treating me as such, sticking me in here with all of your animals.” He folded his arms over his deep chest. “How long do you think I can be kept like this?”

“There are worse places you can be put,” she said. “And I’d be more than happy to shackle those limbs of yours.”

“No one will be shackling me, now or ever, Selene. Try it, and I’ll destroy this tower and your brood in it.” His chest heaved. “Do we have an understanding?”

She rose from her throne.

“You think you can test me?”

“I say the same to you.”

Her eyes flashed, and down the steps she came. Standing toe to toe with him, she looked him in the eye and said, “You have much to learn, young dragon. Much to learn about the error of your ways.”

“Go on,” Nath said, “I’m listening.”

She put her hand on his chest and said, “You’re all brawn and mouth. You need refining. Composure.”

“Most women like my composure.”

Selene smiled.

“Do they now?”

“Ask any of th—”

Her hand exploded with power.

He flew across the room and smashed into the wall. Nath jumped up, woozy, holding his burning chest. And fell down again.

Sultans of Sulfur! I’ve never felt anything like that.

Shaking the debris from his hair, he noticed Selene standing over him. Her eyes and hands crackled with bright energy.

“That is power, little dragon. That is composure. Focus. Everything you lack.”

Grimacing, Nath rose to one knee and said, “You are a wizard.”

“No,
I
am a
dragon
.” Her tail swished over the tiles and lifted up his chin. “A creature of magic. You are as well.” She chuckled. “Your father didn’t teach you anything at all, did he?”

“He taught me plenty.”

“Hah. He gave you a sword. And a dwarf holding a leash around your neck. He told you to stay out of trouble.” Her tail stroked his hair. “Precious time wasted. What I just did to you, you should be able to do to me by now. Gorn Grattack taught me. Why didn’t your father teach you?” She turned and resumed her seat on the throne, blowing the mystic fires from her hand. Her glowing eyes returned to normal. “My, that felt good.”

Quietly, Nath resumed his place on the balcony, thoughts confused and racing.

CHAPTER 25

A week became two. Two became four.

Nath and Selene sat and ate at the table. No drulture. No feline fury. No draykis nor guards. Just the two of them. Alone.

The High Priestess of Barnabus carved the roast on her plate and stabbed it on her fork.

“It smells delicious, doesn’t it?” she said, taking a bite, then washing it down with her wine. “You should try it. Eat. Keep your strength up.”

Nath stared at the plate of food, the steaming aroma drifting into his nostrils. His stomach rumbled.

“My,” Selene said, “was that you? You have to eat, Nath. You don’t look well. And that’s not your style, is it?” She dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “I never would have imagined you could be silent so long. A cathedral mouse makes more noise with cats around.” She sighed. “Oh Nath, would you speak. Have I wounded your pride? Hurt your feelings? Does it bother you to know that I am your superior?”

Nath’s claws stretched out.

“Or rather, that you are my inferior?” she added.

He could feel her eyes on him and retracted his claws. Over the past month, he had not said a word. Not since she loosed her powers on him. It shook him, to be up against powers he did not understand. Words he could not comprehend. He had to believe it was all lies, but it sounded so convincing.

And sometimes the best strategy was to say nothing, do nothing, don’t engage at all. Let your enemies reveal themselves. In vain, he struggled with his curiosity.

He pushed himself back from the table, headed for the balcony and into the rain. It had been raining on and off all week. Flash storms. Gusty winds. The weather kept him inside more, when he’d rather be out. He clutched at his side. The shard still dug in from time to time.

“What is that?” Selene said, walking up beside him. “I see you digging at it.”

He didn’t respond. He kept his eyes fixed on the flashes in the distance.

“Is it a wound? I can fix that. I am a priestess.” She reached over and touched the vest he’d been given. “Look at me.”

He balled up his fist and pulled away.

“That wound can fester. Come, let me take a look at it.”

It riled him. It had been her overlord who wounded him with a poisoned dagger. And he’d be lying if he said it didn’t bother him. It had gotten worse over the past two weeks. Digging deeper. Becoming more painful. Making him angry.

“Nath, five years is a long time,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be like this. We have a truce, remember? There is no reason I cannot offer care to one of my, well, prisoners. I want you taken care of. Allow me to show you things are not as bad as they seem.”

He moved to the farthest corner of the balcony and turned his back to her.

“So be it, Nath Dragon. Be as miserable as you want. So be it.”

He heard her footsteps walking away and let out an inward sigh.

How can this be? How can I live in peace with my enemy?

Nath wanted to know how his friends were. Wanted to know where the help his father had promised was. Why hadn’t his father taught him how to do the things that Selene could do? Was any of that even true? He scraped at the stone railing with his claw, digging through the stone as easily as dirt.

How much longer can I put up with this?
I want answers. I want the truth!

He huddled down behind the balcony wall, pulled his legs up to his chest, tucked his head in between his knees, and fell asleep. And dreamed.

Dragons filled the sunny skies. Their scales were scintillating colors. His father’s voice echoed in his thoughts.
Stay on the higher road, Son. The low roads are full of danger.
He awoke, gasping. The pain in his ribs throbbed.

“Uh!” he groaned, wiping the hair from his eyes and stretching out his scaly arms. The rain had stopped, and the sky was bright and clear. He shielded his eyes.

“How are you, Nath?” a woman said. The voice was familiar but not Selene’s.

He grumbled and rubbed his eyes. Pressing his back into the wall, he pushed himself up. A woman stood in front of him, wearing a wizard’s gown the color of purple lilies. She smelled nice, even more familiar. He stared. She stared back.

“Nath,” she said, “are you not going to speak to me?”

He blinked.

“Sasha?”

She glided over, smiled, and clasped his hands.

“Have I gotten so old after all these years that you do not know me?”

“No, absolutely not,” he said, unable to hide his surprise. “You haven’t changed at all.” His heart pounded. “I-I can’t believe it. How?”

She didn’t say a word. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, gave him a strong hug, and held on.

Nath looked down at her red-brown hair, closed his eyes, and hugged her back.

“I missed you,” she finally said, releasing him. She rubbed her hands up and down his arms. “And your scales.”

Nath withdrew a little.

“No Nath,” she said, grabbing his paws, “they are so handsome. They go perfectly with the rest of you.” She hugged him again. Her body was soft. Warm.

“I missed you too, but Sasha, what in the world are you doing here?”

“It’s a long story, Nath.” She kept ahold of his hand and pulled him along. “Come, let’s eat, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

He followed, almost in a trance, and took a seat beside her. A feast was on the table. She put a napkin on his lap. His belly groaned.

“You need to eat,” she said, pouring wine into a goblet from a carafe. “You eat; I’ll talk. Fair enough?”

“Certainly,” he said, scanning the chamber. “Where is Selene?”

“Gone,” she said, “for the time being. I convinced her you would be more comfortable if it was just me.” She made a face and winked. “It wasn’t easy, but she agreed.” She began stacking his plate with bread, racks of meat, and cheeses. “Eat.”

Reluctantly, Nath started in.

Sasha eased back into her seat and said, “That’s better.”

With his mouth full, Nath said, “How is Bayzog?”

“I’m getting there,” she said. “You just eat.”

Nath’s face darkened.

“He’s well, Nath. Very well,” she reassured him. She toyed with a jasmine amulet on her neck. “And I have this. It keeps him close to my heart at all times.”

“You shouldn’t be here. You should be with him and your sons.”

“Nath, they are all in Quintuklen, and I’ll return there soon enough.” She took a sip of wine. “But for the time being, per Selene’s request, I am here to serve as your liaison.”

“Liaison?”

“Selene knew she couldn’t keep you on a leash without you knowing what was going on,” Sasha said, brushing her hair from her eyes, “so she contacted us. Not directly, but through some emissaries. Bayzog and I discussed it and felt it would be best if I came. I’m not the threat that Bayzog is.”

Nath shifted in his seat.

“They’re still our enemies, Nath. This is only a truce, not peace. But since your arrival here, the upheavals are down. Over the past few weeks, I’ve traveled from the Settlements to Morgdon and back. The armies of Barnabus have quieted their forces, but they have not retreated.” She cleared her throat and took a drink. “Sorry. But the people in the towns and cities are encouraged. The overlords have turned most of the control back over to the people. They just keep watch.

“Brenwar is fine and back in Morgdon, for now. The orcs still wage war on the borders with the elves. Dragon sightings and attacks are far fewer.” She patted his knee. “All of these things, I have seen with my own eyes.”

“It would be more believable if I saw it with my own eyes,” Nath said. “Can that be arranged?”

“Nath,” Sasha said, exasperated, “I would not tell you tall tales. I never have. I never will.”

“You can always be forced to say what you don’t want to say. Coercion is a common game in this world.”

“Do I seem coerced to you?”

He paused, frowned, and said, “No.”

Sasha continued with her observations. Each word, every sentence, was well-stated and described the ideal truce—short of their dark enemy’s actual surrender. It was more than he had hoped for.

But it didn’t sit well with him. Something didn’t smell right. He just couldn’t detect what that was.

He cut her off and asked, “So when did you arrive here?”

“Me? Uh, yesterday. Why?”

“Just asking.”

“Nath, is something bothering you?”

“I thought you would have come to see me sooner.” He leaned forward. Pain shot through his side. He doubled over.

Sasha jumped out of her chair, “Nath!”

“I’m fine.”

“You are not fine,” she said. “Let me see your side.”