The Lords of Valdeon (37 page)

Come to me, Son of Lions!

Seth hurried forward. An iron rod gate sprang up from the ground to block his path. He gripped at the bars and shook them, but the gate wouldn't move. Panicked, Seth looked up with pleading eyes to the beast. A burning desire, strong and urgent, took hold of him. He must join the lion! Shaking the bars of the gate, he pulled with all his might.

The Lion growled impatiently. It lifted its mighty head and let loose a powerful roar. The might behind its call shook Seth to the core. He began to ram the gate with his body, then his head.

"Hold him, Dante!"

Arms pulled him away from the gate. He thrashed his body about, trying to break free of their grip. A sharp rap struck his shoulder. Pain pulled him out of the meadow and back to the farmhouse. His legs betrayed him and he sank to the floor. Leo and Dante stood over him, dressed in their nightshirts. They were in Leo's bedchamber. The heavy wardrobe had been thrown on its side. Several marks on its doors looked as if someone had tried to beat their way in.

Warm fluid trickled down his forehead. He reached up with shaking fingers and brought back blood. Leo and Dante helped him to his feet. Guiding him back into the kitchen, Dante saw to his bleeding head.

His father put a glass of spiced wine to Seth's lips. "Tell me what you saw. Leave nothing out, no matter how farfetched."

"I dreamed I saw a lion standing right there beside the kitchen table. It took me to a meadow. I couldn’t help myself. I was compelled to follow it."

He hesitated, feeling the fool. Seeing a lion on Marianna would earn most a trip to the doctor. It was absurd. Most Islanders had no knowledge of the exotic beasts inhabiting the eastern deserts of Andara. Seth had been fortunate enough to find a book of animals in the school's library. He'd gotten through all the pictures, before the headmaster had found out and threw the book off the cliff. His tired mind must have conjured up the memory of those mighty beasts and brought one to life within his dream.

Leo and Dante leaned toward him. The anticipation he saw in their eyes was unnerving. He didn't see the slightest hint of humor or disbelief upon his father's face. It was almost as if they'd been expecting something like this to happen.

"It called me a bearer and told me I was a son of lions. What does it mean, father?"

Leo breathed deeply and relaxed his grip. Offering Seth a fleeting smile, Leo kissed him on the forehead in the Valdeonian fashion. He stood and moved to the window. Staring out into the night, his father said no more. He remained before the glass, rigid and motionless.

"That's enough for tonight. Off to bed with you, Cub."

Dante pulled Seth to his room and helped him into the little cot. He fussed over the bandage, before patting Seth's arm and giving him a rare smile. Dante left, closing the door behind him. Something important had happened, but what did it mean? He hadn’t been exposed to many miraculous occurrences in life, but Seth knew in his heart the lion had not been a dream. It had been real.

Muffled voices from the kitchen brought him wide awake again. He eased off the cot and crept along the chilly floorboards to the door. Pressing his ear against the small crack, he strained to hear their conversation.

"I’ve never seen the draw so strong. He would have ripped the doors off that wardrobe."

"It calls to him, Dante."

"Why so glum then? This was what you hoped for, wasn't it?"

"Did you hear him speaking the old language? Could he be the one? Perhaps Anne was right to hide him. Am I doing what’s best for our son?"

"That choice is no longer yours."

Silence hung heavy in the kitchen. Then Dante's voice came softly, hesitantly. "Will you summon the Sacred Guard then?"

"And what do you think Wolf's reaction will be? He refused to help me when I came to him in my most desperate hour. What do you think he will do for the son I sired with Anne?"

The Sacred Guard? Wolf? More mysteries only his father could shed light upon. Whoever this Wolf was, it seemed he and Leo were at odds.

"Hot tempered he may be, but you know Wolf will protect your heir. Leo, you must think of Seth."

"You’re right." His father's voice was soft, regretful. "I know what I must do."

"Take your rest, Leo. Things will be clearer in the morning. I’ll need Curl Top here with me."

"I will arrange it. Thomas Logan and I are on good terms after his visit. He is an honorable man. His son will be a fine choice."

Seth hurried back to his bed as light flickered under his door. The candlelight faded, and soon the house grew still again. He looked up at the ceiling above his bed, pinching himself in frustration. Something incredible had happened to him tonight. Leo was not a man to be pushed. He'd have to remain patient until his father chose to reveal the secrets he was keeping.

Chapter Thirty-One

The next morning his father had given Seth a rare few hours away from work and training. In truth he wondered if Leo needed the time off more than he. Drawn and tired, his father looked as if he hadn't slept. He'd picked at the morning meal, hardly speaking to anyone. His father had refused to discuss the evening's antics, which only served to confirm Seth's suspicions. The lion had been real.

"I asked you a question, Seth. Did that bump on the head rattle your ears?"

Riley shoved at his arm. They walked among the shops on the Main Row, window shopping and not doing much of anything else. It was a needed break after the relentless training Leo had put him through recently.

"Sorry. I just have a lot on my mind."

"I was saying Leo came to the farm early this morning just as Dad had started the fire. I tried to hear what they were talking about, but Dad caught me listening and sent me to the barn. Next thing I know, here come Dad and Leo. They told me to meet you here after my chores, and that I'd be working on Leo's farm with Dante from now on. He's supposed to train me, but they didn't say on what. Do you have any idea?"

"I don't understand a great many things in my father's house."

Riley shrugged. "Well, at least Dad is happy to have me out from under foot."

Alice came toward them. Her hair was pinned up off the shoulder. A single ringlet bounced beside a rosy cheek. The style made her look a good deal older. She twisted the loose strand of hair and smiled at Seth. Against his better judgment, he smiled back.

"I wish she'd stop her flirting. I grow weary of the beatings."

"I hear she has a crush on you, Seth McCloud. I suppose you are a lover and not a fighter."

The McKenzie boys materialized out of the leather goods shop. Fists raised and muscles bulging, they struck Seth with a warning glare. Mike muttered something low to his sister. She gave him a haughty response in turn. Alice waved at Seth and made her way down the street toward the shops.

"I’m beginning to think she likes seeing me beaten up." Seth sighed and stepped forward to meet the men.

Mike threw his punch first, expecting the familiar contact, but Seth dodged it. He whipped around and buried a fist in the big man’s gut. Mike folded onto the row in a gasping heap. Danny came at him next. He swung both fists to meet Seth, but struck wide. Seth grabbed his arms and let them carry his body to the hard ground.

"You just pummeled the McKenzie boys! How in the green, green fields…"

He grabbed Riley's arm and pulled him away. It would be best if they weren’t close by when the boys came around. He'd not told Riley about the sword lessons. It was selfish of him, but he'd wanted the time alone with his father.

"Here now, what are we doing?"

"The last thing I need is more trouble with the constable." Seth pulled him along faster. "Let's get out of sight for a while."

They left the town square and headed north toward the Sea Steps. The morning sun brought welcome warmth to Seth's face as they walked. A ship moored on the docks of the airship port cast a long shadow over Main Row. He took one last stretch under the sunlight and ducked into the shade.

Someone had secured the boards blocking the Sea Steps. Too many eyes might be watching the barrier for them to force entry. They'd have to come back another time when it was dark and empty. Seth shrugged and walked slowly under the port's pillars. The corrals blocked the view from the row. It was as good a place as any to hide out.

Beatrice walked slowly beneath the docks. Her long braids dangled before her as she searched the ground. She gave an excited cry and bent down to pick up something she'd found. Searching the port for lost or discarded treasures was a favorite pastime for Haven Bay youths. Seth had once found a beat-up, old pocket watch with a cracked face. It no longer told time, but he kept it for the etching of a mountain range within the gold.

"What's the pest up to now?"

"Why do you hate her so much, Riley? She liked you well enough."

"I don’t hate her. She just annoys me."

"Ask yourself why." Seth raised his hands and laughed. "I’m just saying maybe you like her a little."

Riley put his fists on his hips and glared at Seth who was beginning to laugh harder. "She's just a child."

"Great gulls!" Seth wiped at his eyes. "Beatrice is a year younger than us."

She stood, holding a treasure to her heart as they approached. Beatrice gave Seth a curt nod. Riley was favored with a frigid scowl. She lifted her chin and pushed the beaded bracelet she'd found upon her right arm. Bright blue beads tinkled upon her wrist.

"Well, Riley Logan, what do you want?" She wagged the bracelet at him. "I have much more important things to do than stand here and waste time with you."

"Plainly she does not want to speak with me." Riley shook a finger at Seth. "Now you know, don't you. She's the one who's rude."

Seth stepped between them as Beatrice took an angry stance. This would soon turn into a shouting match. They'd come here to hide, not to draw a crowd. Movement beside one of the far pillars drew his attention. Their audience was already arriving.

"Hide! It could be the dock master or the constable." Seth prodded them closer to the ramp. "Start climbing. We'll lose them on the next level. Hurry!"

Riley gripped Beatrice's hand and pulled her to the underside of the ramp. He lifted her up and pushed her feet until she was safely on the first level. Seth gave him a boost and climbed up after them. He leaned down and saw two cloaked men coming nearer. They were strangers to Haven Bay, which under the circumstances, made them potentially dangerous.

"We have to keep moving. They'll see our boots."

He crept along the boards of the ramp until it evened out onto a platform. They were at the back of the port where the dock workers kept their loading gear. This wasn't a good hiding place either. They were in the open. Seth moved along the platform until it took a curve. Steps leading to the next level were anchored upon a pillar at their left. He raced up them with Riley and Beatrice following.

It was another storage area walled up on all sides. Great gulls. He'd just brought them to a dead end. Boots pounded on the platform below. They couldn't go back the way they'd come. He ducked behind some crates while Riley pulled Beatrice against the wooden wall on the other side of the steps. He held his breath as the two men stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"You take great risks to call me here in the daylight. What do you want?"

Seth recognized the man's harsh accent. It was Pavel Sandor. Fists clenched in impotent frustration, he ached to dive down the stairs and attack his mother's killer. Unarmed, he wouldn't stand a chance against a deadly butcher like Sandor. He had to be smart this time.

"I've come on urgent business. A certain party will pay well if we kill the boy now." A man's voice, one Seth didn't recognize, rose up from the boards. Judging by the halting common tongue, he was most likely an Amity raider. How were they sneaking into Haven Bay so easily?

"Who is this party?"

"He prefers to remain anonymous. What does it matter? His money's good."

"We have a little problem. Edmund has taken notice of his son. He is here on Marianna watching over his heir like a nervous mother hen."

Seth chanced a glance over at Riley. He was holding a terrified Beatrice in his arms, stroking her hair to calm her. She squeezed him tightly as brutish laughter barked beneath them.

"You worry about a toothless old lion when so much money is at stake?" The raider spat an Islic curse.

"I am not a man to trifle with, raider scum!"

A body struck the wall beneath them. Beatrice let out a small cry. Blue beads fell to the floor, bouncing and clanging like thunder on a tin roof. Seth motioned for Riley to hide, but there was nowhere to go. He ducked behind the crates, but there wasn't room for all three of them. Riley twisted his back toward the stairs to protect Beatrice.

"Quiet. I will see to it." Sandor's voice was close. They'd run out of time.

Preparing his body to attack, Seth waited for Sandor to come up the stairs. It would be another life and death struggle. This time, Seth would have the element of surprise on his side. The fight, however, didn't come. Sandor chuckled softly a few feet away from Seth’s head.

"Well?" The raider spat another Islic curse. Steel scraped against leather as he pulled his sword.

"We interrupt young lovers."

"Aren't you going to kill them?"

Seth held his breath. He was unarmed, but Leo had taught him several defensive moves. Riley was no stranger to fighting either. They might have a chance of defeating Sandor together.

"Have you forgotten what it is to be young? I doubt they know what time it is the way they carry on." Sandor's voice retreated a few paces. "The runt of the litter among woolie farmers isn't a great threat. If I kill him now, I might tip my hand too soon."

Seth popped his head carefully around the crates. Riley and Beatrice were engaged in a passionate kiss. Her fingers had moved up to Riley’s red curls, wrapping around them as he pulled her tighter.

The boots beneath him began to walk back toward their entrance onto the docks. Seth crept down the steps, carefully following the cloaks as they took a slow pace.