Unquiet Slumber (57 page)

Tianna was escorted to the place where Marcus and the others were waiting.

When she arrived, she examined their formal armor and thought they all were stunning. They each wore chainmail over their heads that completely covered them so that only their faces were still visible. The chainmail continued over their shoulders and down their arms. They all wore the same armor and a black cape. A plate covered their chests that held the color of their Sett, as well as, an engraving of their dragon mark. They also wore a skirt made of thin leather straps that hung to their knees. A sword hung at their waist. Thick leather shoes that tied up their calves finished their outfits.

They all bowed when Tianna approached. Nathaniel stayed back but couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Gabriel glared at her corset enhanced breasts now on display and her changed mark. He could feel her unease, so he pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

When Gabriel let her go, Marcus was next in line. He hugged her tight and said, “Just because our quest is over doesn’t mean our oath is no longer in force. We pledged to keep you safe and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to make it so.”

Seth walked up with a big grin on his face. He bent down and picked her up around the waist and swung her in a circle while giving her a big hug. It wasn’t an easy task with the big dress. It made her laugh, which seemed to be his plan all along. He gave her a quick kiss and placed her gently back down on the ground.

She watched as Nathaniel advanced. He stopped just in front of her and smiled. “You look absolutely beautiful.” He stroked her mark, causing her unease to lessen. “And I mean every inch of you.” He put his arms around her and leaned down and gave her an overly long kiss on the top of her head. It was as if he didn’t want to let her go.

Once he stepped away and she learned how to breathe again, she asked, “How do I greet the Seer? Do I bow?”

Marcus shook his head. “No, you curtsy.”

She adjusted the gown and tried to return their bow greeting with a curtsy. She said, fighting the dress, “Bending my body in any direction is going to be a challenge.” After several failed attempts she said in frustration, “I can’t bend in this thing! And don’t make me laugh or I could have other issues.” This last statement was said while she tried to tuck in her breasts. She asked, “Do all of your females prance around in gowns like this?” She kept trying to cover the exposed part of her body with her hands.

Gabriel walked in front of her and took her hands so she would stop trying to hide herself. “My lady, the gown was made for the typical Draak female. They aren’t as curvy as you are.”

Seth wanted to share some of his new found knowledge of females. He cleared his throat and began to speak. Seth instructed, “Female Draaks all have small, tight breasts. They aren’t as…” He got a pondering look on his face and tapped his foot. He was trying to find the right word to say. When he came up with one, a smile lit his face as he said, “They aren’t as
lively
as yours.” He chuckled. “Sometimes I swear yours appear to have a mind of their own.”

Tianna put her hands on her hips. “Are you trying to tell me that my breasts jiggle too much?” She took in and let out a large breath, causing her breasts to heave. They couldn’t help themselves. They all watched her chest move.

She growled to get their attention. “Eyes up here, gentlemen.” She waved her hands so they would look at her face.

Gabriel shifted his body so he could look down at the mounds of her breasts. “Sorry, my lady, but yours can be a bit distracting.”

“Great. As if being a mutt wasn’t enough to make me stand out in Haven, I needed this too?”

Tianna turned and caught Nathaniel’s stare. He had such longing in his eyes that it caused her chest to tighten. He whispered, although it was loud enough that everyone heard him. “They’re absolutely perfect just the way they are.”

To break the tension that was building, Seth stepped forward. He cleared his throat again and put an overly serious look on his face. “If my lady wishes, I’d be happy to walk behind you and cover your breasts with my hands to hide them.” Seth bent his head to look down at Tianna. He gave her a wink, smile, and a bow.

They all laughed, including Tianna, who quickly examined herself to make sure everything was still in its proper place.

Gabriel gave Seth a pat on his back hard enough to make him stumble forward and said, “My boy is growing up.”

Tianna adjusted her dress one last time, nodded at the Draaks in front of her, and said, “Let’s just go and get this over with, jiggling breasts and all.”

They all nodded in agreement and headed up the short distance to their final destination.

When they arrived at the Great Hall door, Marcus turned to the members of his quest. The whole group became very somber and quiet. In a commanding voice, Marcus addressed them one last time. “It has been an honor to lead you all on our quest. I couldn’t have selected a better group than those that stand before me now.” He gave them all a low bow.

They returned his bow.

Marcus pointed to each member in turn. “I’ll go in first followed by Gabriel to my right and Nathaniel to my left. Seth, you walk behind me. Once we’re in, just follow my lead. I’ll direct you on what to do. I’ll be the one to tell her of the return of Kai and ask for her forgiveness for failing our quest. I was the leader and all blame stops with me.”

They started to argue but Marcus stopped them with a wave of his hand. He continued, “If the Seer questions you directly, answer her honestly. Don’t try to spare my feelings. She’ll know if you lie.”

He glanced at Tianna. “You’ll wait here until called.”

She nodded but she didn’t want to stay outside. She wanted to go in and, if necessary, protect her friends from the Seer’s wrath.

Without any further discussion, everyone took their places. Marcus turned and stood silently staring at the door. When the doors opened with a heavy creak, they marched in. Tianna was left alone to her thoughts. She stood at the door, listened intently. At the first sign of trouble, she was running in to help.

The Great Hall was an immense room that was carved into the side of the mountain. The room was lit by enormous chandeliers hanging low from the ceiling. They appeared to be on fire yet gave off no heat. The floor was made of marble that was polished to such a shine that it reflected the ceiling and everything above it. When you walked on it, you couldn’t be certain if you were walking on the ground or the ceiling.

The Seer’s throne sat on a dais located at the far end of the room. She had guards lined in a long row along both side walls.

The Seer was a small elderly female that didn’t look like a typical Draak. She had long white hair that was pulled back into a single braided ponytail, and her bright silver eyes flashed often with power. She was wearing a simple, full length, dark blue formal gown with a high collar.

The feeling of power in the room was overwhelming and caused the travelers to slow their pace. When they were fifty paces from the steps leading to the Seer, they stopped and Marcus went down on bended knee, his brothers following his lead. They bowed their heads and waited to be recognized.

“Come forward, my sons,” the Seer commanded. Her voice sounded like it was coming from every rock in every wall. The warriors rose and walked toward the steps. As Gabriel passed members of his Royal Guard, they stood at attention, touched their chest where their dragon mark was hidden under their armor, and bowed. Gabriel returned their greeting.

When they reached the base of the steps, they kneeled again.

The Seer called, “Rise, Marcus of the Architect Sett.”

He rose and held his head high.

In a welcoming voice she said, “I am glad to see you have returned with your group intact. Please tell me of your quest.”

Marcus took in a deep breath. “I’m also glad we’ve all made it back safely, my lady, but I wish I was returning with happier tidings. First, I fear I must tell you that Kai, the destroyer of our beloved Wizard Sett, has returned to Lagrangia. He claims immortality. I know it’s difficult to believe, but we’ve seen him with our own eyes and have felt his power. Seth now bears a scar from a battle with his evil.”

The Seer’s face remained unchanged, “I wish I could alleviate your fears and say that you’re mistaken, but I’ve also felt his presence. Kai’s evil now spreads throughout Lagrangia like an illness, slowly destroying our beloved home. That’s why your quest is so important to our future. We must fight back in order to survive.”

Marcus’ heart sank. “Then it pains my heart to tell you that we traveled far and searched long, but were unable to find the warrior you seek. We’ve returned empty handed and, for that, I beg you and all of Haven for forgiveness.” He gave her a deep bow, his face full of sorrow and regret.

When he stood tall again he continued, “With your permission, I would like to return to the search. I promise I’ll not return empty handed again. I’ll find this warrior or I won’t return.”

The Seer stood. Although she was small and frail looking, about the height of Tianna, the look was deceiving. Gabriel had seen her kill an enemy with just a glare.

The Seer walked forward and addressed Marcus. “My son, you haven’t returned empty handed. Bring forth the female you found in your travels. She’s of dragon blood and I wish to formally meet her.”

Marcus nodded. “I’ve brought a female that carries the blood of our people as well as others. This may not be the proper time but we’re asking that she be allowed to stay in Haven to help protect her. She’s the one that the evil is seeking and we fear he wants her as his weapon. In Haven, she can learn to harness her powers, as well as learn of her Draak heritage.”

The Seer smiled broadly. “I think this is the perfect time for this discussion. Please bring her forth so I may examine her.” Marcus was surprised to feel excitement building in the Seer.

Marcus bowed and motioned to a guard to have Tianna join them.

Tianna walked into the room, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Once she arrived at the requested location, with great effort, she managed to give a deep curtsy.

Seeing that all of her friends were uninjured, Tianna took a deep calming breath. When the scent in the air hit her lungs, she gasped. The scent she breathed in was familiar to her, it was the scent of the old woman that gave her the bottle in Castle Knightstorm. She thought to herself, “
It couldn’t have been the Seer. The old woman didn’t look like the female now standing in front of me and Marcus says she never leaves Haven
.”

The Seer stared Tianna in the eyes and asked, “What’s your name, child?”

Tianna snapped back to the moment and responded rather meekly, “My name is Tianna. I’m the wizard Zarin’s apprentice.”

The Seer walked down the steps from her throne and stopped in front of Tianna saying, “Zarin kept you a secret. Next time I see him, we’ll have a few things to discuss.” She held out her hand and said, “Take my hand child.” Tianna reluctantly took her hand. The moment they touched, a wash of power flowed through Tianna’s body.

The Seer raised her eyebrows and gave an accepting nod. She released her hand and said, “No mere apprentice, I see. What are you?”

Knowing that she couldn’t lie, Tianna responded the best she could. “I have absolutely no idea.”

The Seer chuckled, and everyone in the room fidgeted at this unusual response.

Tianna continued. “I recently found out that I’m not human, but as to what’s in my blood, I think I’m just a magical leftover stew.”