Theft of Dragons (Princes of Naverstrom) (2 page)

Tael balled up his fists and took a step towards Saulb.
You fat filthy bastard
, he thought
.
"Leave her alone. Is that all you're good for? Insulting your wife and picking on kids? Maybe you should be the one to work in a whorehouse...I heard they had high demand for bitches like you in the capitol."
 

Saulb's eyes looked perplexed and stunned for a moment, as if unable to comprehend what Tael had said. Then rage darkened his expression and he stabbed the air with a meaty finger.

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you, boy. I did your grandfather a favor by taking you in. Another crack like that and I'll kick your ass all the way down to Perinith. You won't have such a big smile on your face then."

"I'll save your foot the pain and trouble...I'm leaving for good. It's been a year too long staying here."

A greedy grin spread over Saulb's face. "Suit yourself. One less mouth to feed during the long winter ahead."

"And one less back to help prepare for winter as well." Loir scowled at Saulb and aimed the ladle at him. "More work for you, more chopping wood, and more fish to catch."

"Shut your mouth, wench." Saulb wheeled around and cracked her on the cheek. She sprawled back onto the ground and raised hands to protect her face. But Saulb shoved her back and cocked his arm to strike again.
 

Tael sprang forward and used one hand to cup Saulb's elbow and the other to twist back his wrist. Saulb's shoulder popped from the socket and he shouted in pain as the wrist broke. Tael kicked Saulb's chest, knocking him onto his back.
 

After several agonizing groans, Saulb withdrew a dagger with his weak hand and pointed it at Tael. "I'm going to cut you for that, boy...cut you and gut you like a fish. I'll fatten up the pigs with your meat."

Tael scoffed at his words. Saulb's eyes were fearful and his voice lacked any power. "Good luck chopping wood with that shoulder. I suspect you'll be needing some nursing from your wife. But why should she help a fat old bull like you?"

But Loir rushed over to where Saulb groaned in pain. He had dropped the dagger and now cradled his injured arm, grimacing as she touched his shoulder.

"He's my husband, Tael. The gods fated us together, for good or ill tides." She gripped his shoulder and arm, and with a quick blow, adjusted his shoulder back into place. Saulb screamed and his fleshy face went red as he pinched his eyes shut. His voice was low and menacing as he spoke.

"Leave, now...or I'll kill you in your sleep." Saulb's eyes opened and Tael could see the truth there. "And may the gods damn your future."

Chapter Two

SEBINE GNAWED ON her lip as she studied the somber procession of bishops, abbots, and monks following the train of the newly wedded couple: the plump, aging Earl of Balgor and Sebine's best friend, Melaninth, who was two moons past her sixteenth birthday. If Sebine were sold off to some noble like that, she was sure she'd put good use to the sharpest dagger she could find. Her death would be quick, like her blade master had taught her.
Let your cuts be as smooth and silent as a snake.
And preserve the purity of blood, collecting every drop with the Death Chalice.

She caught the eye of old Bishop Parthal, who nodded and smiled at her as if to say,
Your turn will come soon, child.
The taste of bile spilled up her throat as the image of her being married flashed red in her mind.
Why are all the royal girls married off at such a young age to such old, boring men?
When she visited the countryside or spent time at the commoner's market, she always marveled at the open signs of affection between couples. Girls and boys her age kissing and flirting and teasing each other. They looked so happy and carefree, and their giggles and laughter made Sebine feel flushed and envious.

The Earl of Balgor and his morbid, dazed bride reached the greeting line, where heroes and lords and princes awaited their turn to congratulate the gaudily dressed pair. The groom strode perky and perverse, his small eyes glancing greedily at the withering bride. Sebine had debated for days on which gift to give the Earl, which one suited him better? When the couple approached her at the end of the line, the Earl of Balgor and his beautiful bride bowed low, and upon rising, his plump face was red with exertion. The two Vizathian Knights guarding the throne stared disdainfully at the Earl, as if sharing Sebine's sentiment. Perhaps he would make a wrong move and they'd slice his fat head off his body. She thought that perhaps that would make the best wedding gift ever...

"After all that, I suspect you'll need a drink. You're looking flushed." The King of Valance chuckled, displaying mottled, stained teeth that looked more suitable in a goblin than a king. "You may approach."
 

The King was old and ugly and short, so old Sebine wondered how her mother could have ever married him. But his eyes held a powerful vibrancy that eliminated any doubt of frailty. And when he wore his silver and gold armor, and mounted to ride Keraxes, his dragon, kings and kingdoms cringed at his countenance. He motioned with a flourish of his hand and Xavier, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, had a servant carry a blood-red pillow with a small gold and jewel encrusted box perched on top.

"Just a little token...a small thing of beauty for the bride."

The Earl bowed his head. "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
 

Sebine knew that if it wasn't for her friendship with Melaninth, the King wouldn't even bother attending, and likely Patriarch Rhazel of the Calathian Church would never have allowed the use of the Illumina Cathedral. Not for an earl with little land holdings.

Sebine summoned Xavier with her eyes, and the sharp-tongued Grand Master of Ceremonies strode over and she handed him the gift best suited for the Earl of Balgor. Xavier raised an eyebrow at the gold Ghalaris puzzle lock box, and turned and presented it to the Earl. She had selected the most ornately decorated box, but with the easy difficulty to match his dim wits.
Nothing must prevent him from discovering what awaits inside....

"A gift for the Earl of Balgor, for his kindness in marrying Melaninth. May he live to bestow the finest gifts to her." Sebine spoke each word slowly and with precise elocution. With this gift she knew she was offering the best gift ever to Melaninth: the gift of an early death for the Earl of Balgor.

It would take a long time, a year or two perhaps, and to the physicians it would appear as a slow, weakening of the heart. They would test for poisons and find none, for what lay inside contained none. A mere amulet, worn around the neck; a black onyx, charmed with a deadly curse, with ghastly arms that longed to embrace the Earl. There were benefits of spying on the Hakkadian sorcerers at night. All that she learned was forbidden by law, but that didn't stop Sebine from practicing the magic that she'd discovered.
 

"Your Royal Highness," the Earl said. "You honor me with your thoughtfulness. I've never had the pleasure of experiencing a Ghalaris puzzle box... I always wanted one as a boy."

The King leaned forward and squinted at the box. "How very rare of you, Sebine. I never knew the ceremony of marriage could move you to such generosity...especially on this occasion."

"Melaninth is infinitely precious to me." Sebine closed her mouth and leaned back in her chair, eyes studying the King's reaction. Her mother pursed her lips and shifted around uncomfortably. Sebine knew she was suspicious.

"My daughter has the keenest sense for selecting the finest, well-suited gifts." Queen Marinel winked at Sebine. "Don't you think so, King Braxion?"

"Yes, yes indeed. Our daughter is clever and beautiful."
And so very unlike Braxion the Bovine.
Knowing he wasn't her real father made life in the castle almost bearable for Sebine.
 

The King cleared his throat and addressed the couple. "So as they say in the land of the dwarves, make haste and go, burrow your way into the lair and breed."

The crowd fell silent at the crude comment. Sebine thought they would be used to the King's odd remarks by now, but neither chuckles nor remarks of disgust escaped the lips of those assembled around the King. Just silence. And a wry smile from Bishop Rathgor, who was notorious for his nightly visits to the nunnery. Although Sebine found it difficult to believe that the Goddess Naria spoke through the representatives of the Calathian Church, she hoped the Goddess would pay special attention to the Bishop and cause his member to shrivel and wrinkle like a burned snake.

Melaninth had wanted to run away and escape the obligation of being married to the Earl of Balgor. Sebine had to talk her out of such foolishness. For a royal to escape their fate...it was unthinkable. Death of the offending husband, and a long grieving period, say for ten years or more, only that provided solace and hope. Luckily Melaninth had listened to Sebine and accepted her temporary fate; her forbearance boosted by the assurances of Sebine that the Earl was old and highly likely to die soon. The gods favored the young and beautiful, after all. They were forever young and despised the old and the bitter. At least that was what the Hakkadians whispered amongst themselves when they thought no one was listening. Sebine knew that those ideas would be heresy to the Calathian Church. But she believed them.

As the train leading the newly wedded couple left the cathedral, King Braxion leaned towards Sebine and let out a nervous laugh.
 

"Soon it will be your turn to marry... You can't continue rejecting all the suitors that come your way. You're getting old, your eighteenth birthday just passed." The King rubbed his grey, scraggly goatee and lifted a finger as if inspired by a brilliant idea. "Duke Selby would be a perfect alliance, his lands are close to the dwarves in the north, rich in gold and silver and weapons trade. And he
is
recently widowed." Her brother, Prince Brandeth, made a maddeningly disgusting face at her, as if to say,
Enjoy sucking his old cock
.

Sebine closed her eyes and sighed. The last thing she wanted was to get into a fight with the King or her brother now. The Duke was a fine, strong, handsome man, but how could she marry someone close to fifty-years old? He had three daughters her age, and a son...wasn't he seventeen now?

"A fine suggestion,
Father
." She mumbled the last word on purpose. "I will take it under consideration. Am I excused now? I'd like to take a walk outside...I'm feeling in need of fresh air."

"Why of course, my dear. Your grace and generosity today has made me proud." Braxion snapped a finger and sly-eyed Yaez appeared out of the shadows and bowed low to the King.

"Of course you will ensure her safety...but keep an eye out, just the same. Rumors are swirling of half-elf assassins roaming the city." The King stared at Aral, the Grand Chamberlain, who twisted both sides of his long mustache. "What do you suppose the elves are plotting now?"

A shadow momentarily cast over Aral's face from a figure standing at the open door of the cathedral. Sebine bowed quickly and glided towards the light leading her outside. But before she was too far, she heard the Grand Chamberlain say, "Some claim they've formed an alliance with the Hakkadians. The elves' blood is thick with magic."

His voice wavered to a murmur as she approached the richly adorned twin mahogany doors.
Why would the Hakkadians ally with the elves?
She thought that the King paid a fortune to keep them in the employ of Valance. But maybe gold wasn't what they wanted now. The elves, being older and wiser than humans, were rumored to possess knowledge and artifacts older than recorded history.
And the strange ruins of the east, written in ancient lore, yet undiscovered by men.
Entry to the eastern Kingdom of Drazal'tan was forbidden by humans.

Outside the air held the chill of late autumn and thick, angry clouds bunched up together, threatening rain. Sebine inhaled a deep breath and purged the somber mood of the hideous wedding. She wanted to scream and balled up her fists as she stomped across the cathedral's wide plaza, trying not to picture Melaninth's pale, hopeless face. The Ghalaris puzzle box would work its curse too late to preserve her friend's maidenhood, and likely too late to keep her from conceiving a child by that horrible man.
 

Soon the smell of sweet meats and cakes wafted into her nostrils as she entered Balzan Square, bustling with rich merchants and their hawk-eyed wives, and traders displaying goods from lands afar. This was Sebine's favorite market filled with exotic goods and delicious food. Her stomach grumbled. Casting eyes towards the elegant cake and tea cafe perched above the market, her spirits lifted, dreaming of thick cream and strawberry cake and black tea infused with ruby roses and raspberries. Mother always cheered her up by taking her here for tea and cake. Sebine felt a bit guilty for not asking Mother along, but after the wedding all she wanted was to be left alone.

As the tea maid seated her at an umbrella table overlooking a jewelry vendor, she spotted Yaez who winked at her with a dirty grin. How she hated that vermin. Why the King had assigned
him
of all people as her bodyguard was beyond her understanding. She was free to roam the palace without Yaez shadowing her, but outside the protection of the Vizathian Knights guarding the palace, Yaez constantly followed her. No matter how hard she tried to lose him, she couldn't shake him. At least he never bothered her and never dared to start a conversation.