The Dragons of Sara Sara (53 page)

At the sound of his name, spoken so softly, the Bell of the Blue Tower gave no more than a soft thrumming sound. It was enough to break the spell that seemed to hold the entire company in thrall. No one else had heard what Desare had said to Antonin.

He settled back to a relaxed cross legged position. He waved a hand to the people around him. "Sorry." He muttered somewhat bashfully. "I didn't mean to startle everyone." After a moment or two, the activity in the vast room and the courtyards started again. People eating, drinking, laughing. Some women resumed covering the bodies of the fallen with cloth and blankets, muttering prayers as they did so. There were many Gods it seemed, and one was as good as the next in such circumstances.

Antonin's friends were looking sideways at him, but he wasn't game to look in their direction. Instead he looked at the dancing flames of the fire and thought of what Desare had said. It was true, he had to admit it. All of these people. Every single one. They were all here because they followed him here. Perhaps not him - but what he stood for.

Antonin rose to his feet with a grunt. The preceding battle had taken a lot out of him. More than he thought, but there was work to be done. Catharina and Elsa were right alongside him.

"Let us set the night guards, take a turn about the walls and see that all is well." Antonin strode off. Both girls knew that the guard was already in place. It was automatic. The Plains warriors set guards even in their sept houses within a village. The guard was rotated regularly, and everyone performed the duty. There was no rank within the warriors of the Plains. It didn't take Antonin long to realize this, so he contented himself with a walk along the battlements. The guards were deeper shadows within shadow and didn't stir at his passing. He was known by all, and they required no recognition. Catharina and Elsa both ignored the guards. Their eyes never rested. There were enemies in dark places, and the battle had only recently ended. Who knew if the Morgoth had been the only ones they fought.

The vast courtyards of the castle were crowded with people. The flaming torches in a trail away to the mountain wall told Antonin that even more people were still arriving. So many in fact that camps were being set up on the boggy ground surrounding the outer walls. Half the city must be arriving. There was nothing to be done. Antonin returned to his camp. Some stood as he passed and gave greeting. Some ignored him. One outburst of laughter caused Catharina and Elsa both to whirl in the direction of the person laughing. The laughter was cut short with a strangling gurgle as the unfortunate warrior saw the look in Catharina and Elsa's eyes. Antonin stopped and came back to where the camp fire flickered on the burnished faces of the warriors, now all on their feet.

"What was the joke?" Asked Antonin quietly, his hands clasped lightly behind his back. He presented no threat in that stance. The warriors looked at each other. One raised his chin and spoke up.

"My Lord of the Dragons." He began.

Antonin cut him off with a raised palm.

"Just Antonin. Please. My name."

"As my Lord pleases... er, as I was saying my Lord. There were three warriors from different houses camped in an old hut while out on the hunt. An Asha Altan from the Stone Dogs, and one from the Water Seekers. The third was a Mare Altan from the Broken Lance. The candle that lit the hut sputtered and went out. There was a kissing sound and a slap. The candle was relit and the Stone Dog was nursing a stinging cheek. The other two looked carefully away. The Stone Dog was thinking - 'That Water Seeker must have tried to kiss the Mare Altan and she has slapped me by mistake!' The maiden of the Broken Lance was thinking - 'That Stone Dog must have tried to kiss me, and kissed the Water Seeker by mistake and got a whack for his trouble.' - She smiled. The Water Seeker was thinking - 'I hope that candle goes out again so I can make a kissing sound and slap that stupid Stone Dog again!' "

All was silent for a split second. Antonin caught the joke of it and in moments was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face. Elsa and Catharina both rattled their spears against their hide bucklers and grinned in appreciation.

"A good joke Water Seeker. A good joke. Are there no Stone Dogs nearby though?" To everyone's surprise one warrior, rolling on the ground with laughter sputtered. "I am Stone Dog. A great joke." He yelled as he got too close to the hot embers, setting off another round of laughter.

"It is good my friends," laughed Antonin. "Another day tomorrow. I think I can now rest easy, knowing that I am surrounded by warriors with no concerns for unexpected attack.. Thank you friends." Still chuckling, Antonin returned to his blankets and settled down to sleep. There were those who settled down close by, but not to sleep. As the fires died, they sat with eyes flicking from place to place, ever watchful.

 

 

 

 

The morning sun rose over the mountain rim and within minutes the warming rays were causing the valley floor to steam. It would be a hot day. Not a cloud in the sky. The still air allowed the steam to rise as a mist straight up like smoke for a grass fire. Already people were out and about. The land around the castle was mostly flat for quite a way out from the rise that held the castle, and showed signs of having been inhabited at some time. It would not take long for this many people to make the valley liveable again. Already small streams had formed, and the draining water had found old levels. Antonin took one look with the others and decided that little time need be spent here. He would summon the dragons, and with the warriors would continue the quest for the Keystone. It would be easy to relax here in this now peaceful valley. Yet the Great Wheel still turned, and the Tharsians still had the Keystone.

Antonin could not imagine why the dragons had stayed out of the battle. There was something here he did not understand. Perhaps Mei'An had an answer. In any case, this time he would summon the dragons on his terms. Meet them on his ground. He would be the leader they expected. The sun topped the walls of the castle, and Antonin had people hurrying in every direction. The audience chamber of the great throne room was cleaned and hung with brightly coloured flags and furs and battle pennants. It was a small show, but it would do. The throne itself seemed to be little more than granite slabs stacked in such a manner to form a seat. Antonin looked at it's uncomfortable prospects. Desare noticed and quickly had the stones draped with calf hide and wild animal furs, and some cushions from the camp. There would be no more camping in the castle function rooms. The audience chamber flickered with the smoking light of a thousand torches hissing and sizzling as the pitch in their bound heads dripped onto cold stones. In a short time, the vast chamber looked regal enough for any ruler. Someone had even found candles, and attached them to a wagon wheel that was hoisted high into the vaulted chamber dispelling the gloom and bringing to life the coloured mosaics of the ceiling panels.

The antechambers and courtyard were receiving as much attention. There were certainly plenty of people for the tasks. It would not be long before the vast castle would be completely inhabitable. It had after all not been badly damaged by being trapped in ice. Rather the opposite, it had been preserved in near pristine condition in most areas. Just a lot of sediment that had settled after the sudden thaw, and had not had a chance to swirl away in the torrent's outpouring.

Even the kitchens had been located and cleaned. The ice had preserved everything, and it only needed to dry properly. Whatever spell had held the lake frozen had released it into water in an instant. There had not been time then for the water to seep into the stone work and do any damage. The rapid emptying of the lake had now slowed to a bare trickle in a few streams. Water still poured out of drains from the castle dungeons and store rooms and flowed away down the slopes to join the streams. The thousands of people now in the area were already establishing permanent looking camps.

Antonin badly wanted to move on, but after much consideration and discussion, decided it would be best to stay in the castle for at least a month to consolidate their gains, and assess the situation as it was.

Rees and Gaul came to find Antonin.

"Antonin," said Rees. "Should we see to the dragons? They still wait, perched on the towers and peaks. What they wait for might be good to know."

Antonin had already decided. "Tomorrow will be soon enough. Let them enjoy another night in the open first. They will know my displeasure before I summon them again."

Gaul muttered something about the dangers of holding a dragon by the tail. Antonin chose to ignore him.

Catharina and the others were coming over to where Antonin stood with Rees and Gaul. They shielded Desare within their circle.

The golden band on Antonin's head began to warm up. It was actually vibrating ever so softly. The closer Desare came, the hotter it got.

"Stop!" Antonin called out in alarm, his hands on his head. This was painful. 'Now what was happening?' He thought.

"But Antonin?" Said a surprised Desare. "I bring to you the Great Seal of the Creator." She held out her hand and there in her palm glowed the Seal. All the colours of the rainbow played in the haze that swirled around it. It was very hard to focus on the Seal itself. Tendrils of the shimmering haze began forming and drifting out toward Antonin. Toward the golden circlet on his head. Antonin found himself backing onto the dais, and sat heavily in the cushion filled granite seat that was his throne.

"Desare," he whispered. "Where did you get that?"

"My Lord, a gift from The Trader Anan Hamar. He declares that only I and he can touch this object, but surely it belongs to you my Lord?"

Antonin could feel something strange happening to him. He seemed to be able to see even the particles of air around him. His senses were increasing, but his strength was rapidly dissipating.

"Desare, stay back. Stay back. Cover the seal in its pouch - quickly. It is not for me. I am the hammer, it is the smith. It is for the Seal to direct us, not I directing it. Quickly girl, cover the Seal." Antonin was by now all but slumping in the stone seat, almost falling forward. Catharina leapt forward to help him and was immediately surrounded by the rainbow haze. Desare was not covering the seal. It lay in her outstretched palm, glowing brightly.

"Antonin," she cried. "The seal commands me, I cannot put it away." The bell of the Blue Tower boomed across the landscape at her call. She did not continue to step forward though. The tendrils of haze around Antonin and Catharina began to flow into the golden circlet in streams. Suddenly it was gone. The seal lay in Desare's hand. Now no more than a shiny disk. Antonin's strength returned and he sat up. "So much I do not understand. So much, and the battle yet to come."

He struggled to his feet.

"Listen to me." He called to his friends. "We stay here thirty days. Then we march on the Tharsians. Preparations must begin now. Today. Tomorrow morning at dawn the dragons come to me in this room." He hesitated and seemed to be looking inwards.

"I am now bound to the Great Seal of the Creator. Through Desare, Catharina and I are now bound. While Desare holds the seal in her possession, we are indestructible. Only the Dark One by his own hand can reach through to harm us. Observe."

He hefted a spear in his right hand and drew back in one flowing motion and launched it at Desare. Elsa and Edina leapt to deflect it but were too late. Desare screamed as the spear seemed to bury itself in her chest. The scream faded to a sob as the spear simply vanished. She was not harmed at all. Just badly frightened. Not a drop of blood on the white expanse of Desare's dress. Yet everyone had seen the huge lance pierce her body. It had not come out the other side, it had simply ceased to exist.

Antonin handed his sword to Gaul.

"Gaul, take off my head. Do not hesitate. " Gaul blinked.

"Now man. As your friend I assure you. You will not harm me."

With some considerable reluctance, and glances at the others, Gaul drew the sword back with a double handed grasp and launched the death blow.

The blade of the sword simply vanished where it should have passed through Antonin's neck. The last span of the blade tip clattered to the floor as Gaul tottered off balance at the sudden change in weight. He regained his feet, and his composure and stalked up to Antonin.

"Don't ever ask me to do such a thing again, or you will surely loose one good friend." He snapped and flung down the remains of the sword. As he turned away he added. "You also need a new sword."

"Oh." Was all Antonin could say. He then realized that it had been his best sword. Perfect balance. A grip worn by time to fit his hand. And a friend he had almost lost, even more important. And frightening young Desare. Catharina was looking at his as if to say 'Don't try me - just don't.' For all his new found power, he blushed red to the roots of his hair line.

The gales of laughter from the Maidens nearby who had been watching with interest broke the mood like pales of ice. Their finger talk caused Catharina to turn her back on them and fold her arms in indignation. She had not been afraid at all. Just didn't see the point in such wasteful displays.

"Desare, please come here a moment." Antonin stepped toward her. As she reluctantly came close, he reached out and took her in his arms in a warm and caring embrace as a brother might do.

"Desare, please forgive my stupidity. I frightened you badly, and I am so sorry. It seems we are destined to be bound together in many things." He could smell the perfume of sweet herbs from her skin. Her hair shone in the light of the large candles on high. She felt almost brittle in his huge arms.

The Maidens looked on. Everyone in the room looked on. All were silent. Antonin didn't move, and Desare seemed to be content wrapped in his arms.

"Desare?" Antonin moved her back to arms length. He hesitated.

"Yes my Lord." She said in a tiny voice. Every inch of her tingled from his touch. The seal tightly clenched in her hand long forgotten.

Antonin struggled with the words.

"You are so young - yet I am helpless before you." He dropped to his knees and took her hands.

"Will you be my Queen."

Desare's jaw dropped. Her heart sang for joy, but yet she hesitated. She did not even realize it, but she was ever so slowly shaking her head from side to side.

The Maidens were silent. Not a breath was being drawn. For a fleeting moment a look of pain and loss flickered in Catharina's eyes.

Desare let go his hands and clutched her skirts. The tears were streaming down her cheeks as she spoke, ever so quietly. With eyes downcast she said.

"I cannot be your Queen without I also be your wife. I cannot be your wife without you declare your love for me, and I for you. I cannot be either without the blessings of my mother and father. And that will not come for another three summers yet." She turned and fled from the room, her guard of Maidens hurrying with her.

Antonin regained his feet. Nonplussed he looked at Catharina and Elsa, and Edina. Palms upturned, "But what did I say?" He said to no one in particular.

"Men. Humph" came from one of the Maidens as they all went to console Desare.

Antonin thought he would never figure it all out. Of course he loved Desare. Admittedly he had never said as much, even to himself. He truly thought of her as a little sister, and he thought his love for her was as a brother would love a sister. So actually saying it didn't seem to matter. But Desare was talking about something else, he was sure. And wife!

The only one who had not left was Catharina. She still stood silently by the stonework of the throne. She had a confused look on her face, and seemed undecided whether to run or stay. Antonin saw her standing there and stepped over to her.

"You are not running off to console Desare?"

"No Antonin, she needs no consoling. Life is but a wheel on which we all ride, and even now events are taking shape, and Desare's future is bound to us in any event."

Antonin was looking at Catharina in open surprise. They were alone in the throne room now. Those who had not left with Desare had suddenly remembered pressing duties elsewhere.

In all his life, Antonin had never heard Catharina speak like that.

"Catharina?" Antonin's voice rose in a question.

"Could you please repeat that?"

"Antonin, you may be Lord of all you see, but yet you are as a child. Desare and Catharina both. Remember? Yes, I too with you shall be joined in wedding ceremony. Forever we are joined in the Great Seal, and I will be with you always. Catharina is your right hand, and Desare your left. One to defend you, and one to advise you, both to bring children in the fullness of time. And it please me, your enemies shall be destroyed for your enemies are my enemies, as always. The Dark Lord himself shall be cast down by your own hand. Then might all live in peace upon this world. Trust well your friend Catharina and Desare and let them not stray from your side, as even now Desare is from yours. I caution you, Desare is in great peril, even now. Behold!"

Antonin was struck speechless. He was standing before Catharina with his mouth hanging open in surprise. It sounded as though there was another person talking through her. At her sharp command to behold, he looked in the direction she was pointing, and there in a sparkling cloud he could see Cinnabar The Morgoth was still alive, if looking the worse for wear.

Antonin reached for his sword and in alarm remembered he had just recently destroyed it. With a wild yell he shouted "To arms, to arms."

As he reached for Catharina's spear, the guards were streaming into the room fully armed and looking for the threat. Antonin leapt toward the silvery cloud, and at that moment Cinnabar looked out directly at him. In a twinkle both he and the cloud vanished. Warriors were milling about the room looking for the danger. All they saw was a very surprised Antonin, and Catharina still standing on the throne steps.

"Er, sorry. A mistake it seems. Well, not a mistake, but a call too soon. Be on your guard. Cinnabar is about the castle."

With a few chuckles, and some backward glances, the warriors left the throne room again. They all agreed that it might be wise to put some distance between themselves and Antonin. For the moment at least. He was not the only one either. Catharina was looking very strange, standing there not blinking, Antonin with her spear.

Suddenly Antonin called to the last few Maidens on their way out.

"Maidens of the Mare Altan, you will bring Desare to me in this room now. By force if necessary. Be quick, danger is about the castle."

The Maidens started to saunter back across toward the doors leading to the apartments.

"Quickly!" Roared Antonin.

They sprang for the doors, more in surprise than any desire for obedience. Antonin spun about to face Catharina. He mounted the dais and confronter her, almost nose to nose. He looked deep into her eyes.