Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (10 page)

Felesia and Jordan held hands and strolled through the quiet forest.  The large panther, Marra, stalked prey nearby, and Arrow, the hawk soared overhead.  The humans enjoyed the peace of the forest.  A loud squawk and crackle of breaking limbs shattered the quiet as a dragon tumbled onto the ground.

She frowned and scolded, “Flash, you can’t land on tree limbs like a hawk.   You’re too heavy for a thin branch.”  The dragon shook her wings and looked forlorn.  She stretched a sinuous neck toward Jordan and he scratched her eye ridges.  Soon Felesia held her sides as laughter rang through the forest.  Flash crowed and strutted through the trees with her friends.

Marra dug her claws into the turf and stretched her lanky body as the humans made strange noises.  Arrow swooped down, worried about the ailment that afflicted her friends.  The mongoose, Killer, drug a snake up to Felesia and squeaked. 

The queer expressions on the animals’ faces made Felesia and Jordan giggle until tears streamed down their cheeks.  Felesia threw leaves at Jordan and he reciprocated.  Eager to enjoy the game, Marra rolled through leaves, batting her paws at the humans.  Flash opened her wings and displayed swirls of brilliant color.

“This is so much fun!”  Felesia sighed as she gained a measure of control and lay gazing at the sky through a lacy pattern of leaves.

“It’s much better than staying in a dreary castle,” Jordan agreed.

“Those old biddies looked funny when Flash peered over the balcony.  It’s priceless.”

“When Flash crashed through the tree limbs just now, your face looked funnier.”  Jordan tickled her back until he started kissing her.  He gently plucked leaves from her hair and gazed into her eyes.  “Let’s leave the castle and spend time alone,” he said.

“I’d love to go see dragons at the sea cliffs.”

“Done!”  Jordan stood and brushed leaves from his tunic.  “When do we leave?”  He extended a hand to help her up.

“I’ll ask mother. I’m sure she’ll help negotiate with father.  He wants to get my menagerie out of the castle.”  Felesia kissed him lightly on the cheek.  “They’ll want someone to accompany us.”

“After all that time alone in the canyon, he still doesn’t trust me?”  Jordan looked hurt.

“Do you trust yourself?”  Felesia grinned.

“Good point.”  He drew her into a hug.  “It’s difficult to keep my hands off you.  How long before you’re eighteen anyway?” 

“Three months and…”

“Seven days,” he added with a laugh.  “Well, I’m anxious to get out of the castle, so I’d agree to take anyone as a chaperone.”

*****

That evening Felesia entered the royal suite, relieved to find Krystal alone.  “Mother, I need to speak with you.”

Krystal sensed Felesia’s apprehension.  “Of course, sit down.”  She patted the velvet sofa and Felesia plopped down.

“Jordan’s unhappy with courtiers giving him the evil eye. Flash is a nuisance, Marra won’t come inside the castle, and Arrow’s molting.  Killer loves catching tunnel snakes but he’s happy almost anywhere.”

“What about you?  Are you unhappy?” Krystal asked.

Felesia stared at her hands.  “I guess I feel bored and miss the adventure of living in the wild.”

“You know, I experienced excitement on strange planets when I was young.”

Felesia felt encouraged.  “Jordan and I want to visit the seashore and find the dragons Brandon described.  Perhaps we’ll find a mate for Flash.”

Krystal nodded.  “I think you should go, and I’ll convince your father the trip is wise.  After all, Flash gives the locals nightmares and Marra scares off game.”

“Perhaps we can find a place to live when we’re married, a place you’ll enjoy visiting.”  Felesia offered.  “I’ll miss you.”   

Krystal shook her head.  “Don’t get me wrong; I plan to go along.”

“What?”

“Donovan won’t let you travel without an escort, not with eager young men following you about.  I have my own reason to visit the seaside domain, and we’ll take armed guards.”

“I’m quite safe with my animals,” Felesia said.

“Your friends are well known, and someone might kill them to kidnap you.” 

Felesia’s startled expression assured Krystal she used the right argument.  “If you want to investigate the dragons, your price is my company and sufficient guards.”

Felesia sighed.  “It might be fun traveling with you.  What’s your mission?”

“The Seafarer’s Guild threatens a strike if lords don’t abolish tariffs.  We can’t afford a strike, so I’m negotiating a compromise.”

“I don’t envy you.  Those burly sailors look stubborn.”

“My task won’t be easy, but I’ll speak with Donovan about taking you along.  You must attend the ball or Catherine will skin you alive.”

“Have you noticed that Tessa whispers with Josh when Catherine’s not watching?  I think they’re out to teach Catherine a lesson,” Felesia said.

“Catherine’s been full of her own importance.  I’ll watch for trouble so thanks for the warning.”

Felesia found Jordan in the king’s private hall.  “It looks good for the trip but mother will accompany us.”

“I don’t mind her company; she treats me like a human being.”  Jordan smiled.  “I’ll be glad to get away.”

“We’ll all enjoy a trip to the seaside.  Marra and Arrow are bored with castle life and Flash needs to meet some dragons.”

Salizar entered the Great Hall, followed by desert riders bearing chests filled with gold.  He surveyed the room with disdain.  Where was Andrew?  He hoped to flaunt his success before the king’s negotiator, but to his dismay, Andrew was not present.   

King Donovan sat on the golden throne dressed in a high-buttoned coat with thin threads of gold woven through luxurious fabric.  He looked as regal as a desert mullah.  The king’s bearing portrayed a man who knew his own value and judged the value of the men standing before him.

Salizar executed a sweeping bow.  “The servant of the great Mullah of Kesh brings you the agreed ransom for Princess Tamarind.”

Donovan nodded.  “I heard that you profited from selling the horses, enough to buy a wife if I don’t miss my mark.”

Salizar’s brow arched with surprise. “Is it wrong to be a good businessman?” Salizar asked.

“On the contrary, I appreciate a man who grasps the concepts of free enterprise.”  Donovan smiled.  “Perhaps the tribes will strike mutually beneficial trades in the future.” 

“Profit is a good motive to trade,” Salizar admitted.

“Advise the Mullah of Kesh that we approve his emissary and will be happy to meet you again.”  Donovan gestured.  “Let me examine the ransom.”

Salizar grinned, knowing his luck just turned for the better, but turned to see that Tamarind looked angry. Was she displeased with the infidel’s offer to trade?  He must proceed with caution.

Donovan said, “The price is well met.  We release Princess Tamarind into your custody.” 

Salizar felt relieved.  Fickle rulers often changed their minds at the slightest whim, and the delay of ten days made him nervous.  If the king demanded a higher price, his profit would evaporate. 

“An escort will accompany Tamarind until she reaches her father’s throne,” Donovan said.

“What?”  Salizar felt startled.  “We don’t need an escort.  My riders and I will protect the princess.”

Donovan’s eyes narrowed into a severe stare. “You claim this jewel of the desert is coveted, so until she sleeps safely inside her father’s bastion, she risks being stolen.  We won’t let the mullah blame us for negligence.  A troop of guards will accompany the princess.  We assume the mullah will grant safe passage through desert territory?”

Outmaneuvered, Salizar knew he must accept.  If he turned down the offer, Tamarind’s safety was jeopardized but accepting the offer meant that foreign soldiers tramped across the desert unhampered.  He saw Tamarind’s sneer behind her sheer veil. 

He sighed.  “The escort is acceptable.” 

Tamarind arched one eyebrow.  

Donovan smiled, his green eyes sparkling. “The Samurai women wait outside.  My emissary to the mullah will join you at the shrine of Korish.”

Salizar felt perplexed.  “The shrine is a day’s journey out of our way.”

“The emissary collects a gift of strong magic from the caves.  Would you forfeit a gift meant for the mullah?”  Trapped again, Salizar glanced around the room expecting to see Andrew laughing.  Surely Andrew coached King Donovan about desert customs. 

“Your magical gift will delight the Mullah, and we’ll meet your emissary at the shrine.”  Salizar bowed.

Tamarind rose from her chair and said, “The daughter of the Mullah of Kesh takes leave of your court and offers hospitality to your emissary.”  Tamarind’s voice sounded soft and sultry but carried through the chamber.  “Blessings upon King Donovan.”  She glided past Salizar with her head held high.  Salizar followed, matching his stride to her sedate pace.

Donovan let out his breath.  “How’d I do, Krystal?” he asked.

“You acted like a desert sheik.”  She touched her forehead and chest and bowed.

Donovan roared with laughter. “I feel like a desert sheik near you, my love.”

                                                                           *****              

Shariel spent a week acquainting herself with her siblings.  The older ones used telepathy to discuss various escape plans in front of the guards.  The ability manifested during puberty, but none of them possessed the talent of mind control.  They decided Shariel should become their leader.

On the first afternoon, Duncan took Shariel to an open balcony that overlooked the valley of Asbohar with a view of the ocean.  Everyone gathered on the balcony to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.  Shariel peered over the handrail and shuddered at the sheer drop. 
No one can rescue us from this side unless they fly.

I wish we could jump on a dragon and fly away.
Duncan pointed toward the ocean where a dragon hovered over the sparkling water.  It folded its wings and dove toward the ocean, grabbing a large fish as it touched the water.  Several other dragons fished just off the coast.

They’re fantastic!  I thought dragons were creatures of fable.

Duncan grinned. 
Wolves claim that one of King Donovan’s daughters has her own pet dragon.  We wonder if we could tame them.

Ask the wolves to contact the girl for help.
 
Shariel stared at the dragons until they flew along the coastline and out of sight.

Wolves distrust animals large enough to eat them in a single gulp.

We need to find a way out and soon.  I sense something will happen and we must be ready.

Duncan waved at a tall blond, hardly the image of their other siblings.  
Jasper catches visions of the future and he’s worried.  Let him describe what he saw.

Jasper blushed and walked toward Shariel.  He stood six inches taller than she, and his blue eyes looked troubled. 
You want to hear about my visions?

Yes.

Jasper pointed at the huge white dome built at the edge of the ocean. 
That building radiates with evil and makes people die.  In a dream I watched it explode in a ball of fire that ate across the valley.  People melted in the flames.

Shariel shared the images from Jasper’s mind and shuddered.
 
I’m going to speak with Chacka, convince him to contact King Donovan.  We can’t stay here much longer.

*****

A mix of Samurai women, the royal guard, and desert riders rode as Tamarind’s escort, each group separated by imaginary lines and mental barriers.  The Samurai women dressed in loose linen tunics over black billowing pantaloons, their rank defined by the number of golden rings and colored belts.  Each Samurai carried a customized sword, based on her strength and size.

Salizar recognized the swords.  Similar weapons hung in Havenshire to honor valiant warriors who died in the battle that defeated Jarrack.  He heard that Samurai women fought like devils, stealing the souls of any man they killed.  Watching them ride, he wondered how it would feel to fight such women.  Would he merely wound them and take them captive like other women?  Or did women soldiers deserve the honorable death of a warrior?

Tamarind rode a gray mare with the easy posture of one used to long hours in the saddle.  Her riding silks, designed according to strictures placed on tribal women, defined her status.  Her veil floated in the breeze, betraying her delicate chin and the sensuous curve of lips.  Salizar stole sidelong glances. Tamarind pretended not to notice. 

To look upon the uncovered face of a princess required a sentence of death.  The fact that Salizar risked punishment for a glance thrilled her.  Surrounded by the Samurai, Tamarind felt oddly grateful that King Donovan insisted on the escort.  Desert riders might be affected by the presence of a valuable woman and carry her off.  Warriors gained hereditary rights by siring offspring from royal blood, and it seldom mattered how they obtained their wives.

The Mullah of Kesh had no sons; therefore the man who fathered a son with Tamarind would reign as regent until the son matured—if he survived long enough to reign in his own right.  It was the duty of an unmarried daughter to commit suicide if kidnapped. The death of a daughter was trifling compared to the havoc created by a birthright war.

Tamarind stared at Salizar.  If he secured the gold necessary to buy a royal bride, he might become a mighty pasha.  He’d been outwitted while bargaining for her ransom, but he gained prestige by demonstrating prowess at selling horses.  Even King Donovan offered to trade with Salizar.  She wondered if Salizar was courageous enough to steal her. If her future husband was as handsome as Salizar, she’d be very happy indeed.

*****

Dr. Alexander, Trenton, and Maggie sorted parts inside the spaceport cavern.  Trenton grinned as he held up a circuit board.  “This little beauty will upgrade the speed and flexibility of the castle’s defense system.  I tried to figure out how to smuggle it out for years, but it’s too large to hide from a search team.  We’ve also got communicators.”

He handed Maggie a small device and stuck several more into a saddlebag bulging with electronic parts.  “Maggie should carry the radios, since desert riders don’t dare search a Samurai.  I’ll get back to the castle and let you know what’s happening.”

Maggie said, “It might not be safe for you to call.  If desert riders are nearby when this thing goes off, they won’t need to search me.”

Trenton shook his head.  “It has a vibrate mode, so keep it next to your skin.  Answer when it’s safe to talk or call me back when you’re alone.  We can’t let this world’s ban on technology keep us from protecting ourselves.  The Institute might never track us, but if they do we must be prepared.”

Dr. Alexander nodded.  “How many of those do we have?”

“Five.”

“Give one to me.  If the desert riders discover one, we’ll have a backup.”  He took a communicator from Trenton, keyed it to vibrate and slipped it inside his clothes.  “We’d better get outside.  I hear horses.”

*****

As they rode into the spaceport, Salizar gazed at the eerie relic of a bygone era.  The flat valley was ringed on three sides by sheer cliffs with a rugged plateau above.  It looked unnatural, like the place was carved and smoothed by a giant hand.  Very little grass grew on the level plane, and Salizar noticed precise steps leading up to a smooth rock wall streaked by water stains.  Storytellers claimed that the gods sent gigantic chariots filled with people to land at this place.  Later a fiery stone fell from the heavens with Donovan’s people, and Jarrack emerged from the stone to fight his enemies. 

Was it true? 

As if answering his question, people walked through the stone wall above the steps like shimmering ghosts.  Salizar made a sign against evil.  The infidels climbed onto horses waiting at the foot of the steps and approached Salizar’s party.  

“Greetings, I’m Dr. Alexander, King Donovan’s emissary and you’ve already met Andrew.  We’ll accompany you to Asbohar.” 

Shocked by the magic he just witnessed, Salizar regained his composure and said, “Greetings, Dr. Alexander.  I remember seeing you at the king’s court.”  Salizar’s eyes flicked from the doctor to Andrew, and his gaze turned icy.

“Greetings, Salizar,” Andrew said.  The redhead held the reins of the great black horse called Tempest, rumored to be the spawn of a demon and capable of fighting like a true warrior.  King Donovan gifted Tempest to Andrew for a mighty deed he performed in battle.

“We meet again.”  Salizar nodded curtly.

Tempest pawed the ground.  When Andrew stroked the horse’s black neck, the creature leaned into the caress.  Salizar diverted his gaze, unwilling to grant Andrew more prestige. 

“We risk the displeasure of the gods by remaining near the shrine.  Is your party ready to depart?”

“We’ve been ready for hours, awaiting your arrival,” Trenton said.

“We sent no messenger ahead,” Salizar said.

“None was needed.”  Trenton’s keen eyes were filled with merriment.  “We know many things that escape ordinary men.” 

A chill crept up Salizar’s neck.  He’d heard of the man, Trenton.  Stories claimed the man could follow a trail over solid rock and through the ripples of water.  He must possess a special kind of magic.  A bead of sweat formed on Salizar’s upper lip.  He said, “Use your special talents to help us avoid dangers on our trail.”

Trenton grinned.  “Unfortunately I return to Havenshire with Donovan’s guard.  You travel into the desert from here and become responsible for Tamarind’s safety.  Don’t fear, milady.”  He bowed to Tamarind.  “The Samurai women will continue to act as your personal guards.”

Salizar frowned.  “We must search you since you ventured inside the shrine.  You cannot take anything from a sacred place.”

Trenton leaned forward in his saddle.  “Donovan’s soldiers won’t allow a search.  You’re responsible for the safety of the princess, so I suggest you let me pass.”

Salizar’s eyes narrowed.  He didn’t relish facing down armed men merely to search Trenton.  A deft smuggler might hide small items, and he couldn’t spend too much time in this ghostly place.  He said, “Let’s get moving.”