The Chronicles of Dragon Collection (Series 1 Omnibus, Books 1-10) (113 page)

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.”

“No,” he groaned.

“Yes,” she insisted. “Get up. Take off that vest.”

He did so.

Sasha’s eyes grew two times.

“It’s swollen. Festering.” She laid her fingers on it and pressed.

“Ouch,” he said, “please don’t do that.”

“Well, I must do something,” she said. “That must be fixed. What happened?”

“Nothing,” he said. “I’m surprised Bayzog didn’t tell you about it.”

She blanched and said, “He doesn’t tell me everything.”

“Funny,” Nath said, slipping his vest back on. “I thought he did.”

“Would you tell me about all the terrors in this world if you didn’t have to?”

Nath shrugged. “I suppose not, but you’re his wife. I’d think you would know.”

“Well,” she said, “he protects me. Especially after all that has happened since you were gone.” She patted his hand. “Nath, you need to get that wound looked at. It’s only getting worse.”

He leaned back with a groan and said, “I’ll think about it.”

“You do that,” she said. “Now, if all goes well, I’ll convince Selene to give you your own quarters.”

CHAPTER 26

Another week went by. Sasha had been in and out, but had no luck getting Nath his own quarters. He was alone now. Standing on the balcony hundreds of feet above the streets of Narnum, he counted dragons. Dozens had become less than ten. The armed forces of Barnabus had moved on, leaving an oversized garrison of soldiers. Sasha had explained that it was all in good faith. He couldn’t allow himself to believe it.

The massive door to the main chamber popped open.

Nath peered over his shoulder.

Selene and Sasha came in side by side, wearing white and golden robes. Two men, bald, tattooed, and crimson robed, accompanied them from behind. Their eyes were content, and they carried a smoking incense urn by the chains.

“Are you ready, Nath Dragon?” Selene said, pushing up the sleeves of her robe. She had black scales on every exposed part but her head. She waited for his reply and said, “It won’t take long.”

Sasha glided over and locked her arms around his.

“You need to do this, Nath. I can’t stand to see you in pain any longer. Come.”

With hesitation, and a little stooped over, Nath sauntered to the table, grimacing. The shard inside him used to feel like little more than a pinprick. Now it felt like a hot nail digging deeper and deeper.

“Lie down on the table,” Selene said, touching his shoulders.

Nath stayed her with his hand and said, “Easy now.”

The last few days, he had been more open to conversations. Selene and Sasha talked, and Nath listened. He spoke more, asked questions, but didn’t delve too deeply.

Against his will, Selene fascinated him. She was radiant. Dark. Exotic. Her voice could be soothing like a warm bath or piercing like a knife. He wanted to figure her out—without appearing to be interested.

He got up onto the grand table and lay flat on his back.

“I’ll need to restrain you,” Selene said. “The extraction will be painful.”

Nath propped himself up on his elbows and said, “I don’t think so.”

“Nath,” Sasha said, coming to his aid, “nothing will happen to you. I promise. Let’s get this thing out of you. I can cast a spell and relax you, if you like?”

“I don’t need to be shackled,” he growled. “I’m no mere mortal. I can take the pain.” He lay down on his back, clenched his fists, and closed his eyes. “Do it, before I change my mind.”

He could feel their tension. Hear the rustle of their robes. Smell their soft breath. If there was a whisk of a knife, he’d know it. Or another presence in the room.

But his chest rose up and glided down, easy. The scent of Sasha’s perfume eased him. He had to trust someone, and Sasha had always been an excellent confidante. He felt her warm hand on his head and heard her whisper “I’m here, Nath.”

His breathing eased even more.

The acolytes began to chant. A bright light flared.

Selene placed her hands over his ribs.

“Be steady,” she said, and began her own chanting.

Her hands turned hot. He felt a fiery spade in his side. His jaws clenched. Every muscle tightened. An anguished moan came from his mouth.

“Be strong, Nath. Be strong,” Sasha said.

The incantation became louder. The pain excruciating.

“Argh!”

“Hold on, Nath! Hold on!” Sasha said.

Deeper and deeper Selene’s powers dug, through muscle, bone, and flesh.

Nath shuddered. His forehead beaded in sweat.

Be still
, he told himself.
Be still.

A hot poker plunged inside him and ripped something out. A burst of fire exploded in his head.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

He lurched into a sitting position, golden eyes wide with horror.

Selene stood away from the table, hand aglow, holding a bloody fragment of steel in her hand. The splinter he believed was inside him was no splinter at all. It had branched out with jagged talons as big as his fingers. Blood dripped from it onto the floor.

“That thing was in me?”

Selene nodded.

Nath glanced at the oozing hole in his side.

“It will heal up,” Selene said.

Nath’s head became light and woozy. He collapsed headfirst on the table.

***

“You are well now,” Sasha said, seated at the grand table. It was just the two of them.

It had been over a week since Selene extracted the shard from Nath’s body.

“I am,” Nath said, smiling. “And I’m almost ashamed to admit that I am better off for it. The poisoned barb took a toll on me, it seems. But now, my head is clear. My stiff scales have loosened.” He glanced around. “But don’t tell you-know-who about it.”

Sasha giggled.

“You know I won’t. I’m as much a prisoner here as you are.”

“But you can leave,” Nath said. He adjusted the robes he wore. Well-knitted sleeveless garb with intricate designs.

“It looks great on you,” Sasha said. “Fitting for a prince. A Dragon Prince, that is.”

“It’s not bad,” he said.

“Well, you will want to look your best among the people. They’ve been talking about you, you know,” she said.

“About what?”

“They see you standing on the balcony. They know who you are: Nath Dragon, the legend. Your presence here has brought peace to the city. To the world.”

He liked the sound of that. But it couldn’t possibly be true.

“I haven’t done anything,” he said, heading for the balcony.

“Exactly,” Sasha said, eyes trailing after him. “The truce. The agreement. You kept your word. Selene kept hers. Officers and soldiers return home. You are The Peace Maker. They credit you with that.”

“It makes no sense,” he said. Beneath him, the Narnum he had known had become revitalized. Windows were open. Doors unlocked. Colored banners and flowers were in ample display. The sweet aroma of seasoned meats and delicious sweets filled his nose. Heads were lifted and fingers pointed at him. Many of them waved. He made the slightest gesture. An excited clamor rose.

“What are they doing?” he said to Sasha, who had slipped over to stand by his side.

She peeked over the balcony holding her ear and said with a smile, “Cheering.”

He could hear them. He watched more gather. It was a far cry from the days when they had called him a demon. Now they chanted his name like a hero.

Nath! Nath! Nath! Nath! Nath!

He rose his arms up high in the air.

The cries of the citizens exploded. His dragon heart swelled.

Sasha wrapped her arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder.

He liked it. All of it.

***

Later that week, there was a soft knock at the door of Nath’s new quarters.

“Come in,” he said, setting down his comb and closing the doors to the mirror.

“Nath,” Sasha said, slipping inside and closing the door behind her. Her pretty smile was upside down. “It’s time for me to go now.”

“What?” he said, clasping her hands, heart racing. “How come? Why now?”

She dangled her amulet in front of his eyes and said, “I need to return to Bayzog. You didn’t forget about him, did you?”

“Uh, no. Of course not.” His blood went cold. He felt ashamed. He’d become so fond of Sasha that he’d lost himself. He released her hands. “He misses you. Certainly. I just hate to see you go. How long will it be?”

“A month. Maybe two,” she said, taking him by the hand and leading him over to a sofa and sitting them both down. “I think Selene is getting a little jealous of me and you. I don’t think she understands what friendship is. I feel sorry for her.”

“Don’t,” Nath said, shaking his head. “She is still our enemy, and the truce won’t last forever. I don’t think she can hold her forces back another year. She’s temperamental.”

Sasha giggled.

“And you aren’t?”

“No. Thanks to you, I’m not.” He grabbed and tickled her.

She erupted in laughter.

“Stop it! Stop it!” she squealed.

“Oh, alright.” He pulled her up from the bed. “I can’t have your thrashings messing my hair up.”

“I’m glad you’re back to your old self again,” she said. She stood up, leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll miss you.” She headed toward the door.

“Sasha!” he cried. “You’re leaving
now
, just like that?”

She popped open the door, looked back into his eyes, and said, “I must, Nath. It’s hard enough to leave as it is.”

“But,” he said, trying to object, but the door clanked shut, and he was all alone. He plopped back down with a hundred emotions coursing through him. “Sultans of Sulfur.”