dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon (16 page)

“Yes, I know. But Master Seaton also wishes to meet Aaron.”

Thomas turned bright blue eyes on Lleland and looked at him closely. “You’ve come a long way,” he said.

“Yes.”

Thomas glanced at Richard, then turned towards the building. “Come wait in the hall while I advise Master Aaron of your arrival. I’m sure he will be happy to meet you, and provide a bed for the night.”

Lleland nodded. “Thank you,” he said humbly. He and Richard followed Thomas as he arduously climbed the stone stairs that led to the hall. He left them there for a few minutes, and when he returned he beckoned Lleland and Richard to follow him.

“Master Aaron will receive you in the solar,” he said. He led them up a wide, curving staircase and along a passage, stopping at a thick wooden door. He pushed the door open and gestured for Lleland and Richard to enter, then pulled the door closed behind them.

Chapter 17

The first thing Lleland noticed as he entered the room were the two women seated on a long, cushioned bench across from the door. One of them was Lydia, and he smiled when he saw her. Next to her sat a woman too young to be her mother. Lydia returned the smile, but was silent; she glanced at the man standing near the window.

“Master Seaton.” The man stepped forward and held out a hand. “I’ve heard Zach speak of you. I’m Aaron Drake.”

Lleland took the outstretched hand in confusion. The man before him looked to be only a few years older than himself – far too young to be the dragon-slayer. He glanced at Lydia for a moment, then back at Aaron. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“And this is my wife, Keira,” Aaron continued, gesturing to the woman beside Lydia, “and I believe you’ve already met my daughter, Lydia.”

Lleland looked back at Lydia in confusion. “Master Seaton,” Lydia said. “I see you took my advice to explore the Northern Mountains.”

“I did,” Lleland said.

“And are they as beautiful as I said?”

“They are indeed, Mistress.”

“We are very pleased to welcome you to our home,” Keira said, speaking for the first time. “As Aaron has already mentioned, Zach has spoken of you many times.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” Lleland said.

Aaron was speaking with Richard in earnest, his brow furrowed. He turned back to Lleland. “As Richard has already told you, Zach is away at the moment, but we welcome you here, and invite you to spend the night at Storbrook. You’ve traveled a long way and must be exhausted. I’m sorry you’ve come so far for nothing, but I’m sure Richard will be happy to accompany you back to the village on the morrow.”

Lleland felt his heart sink, but before he had a chance to respond, Lydia was on her feet. “Papa! As you said, Master Seaton has come a long way, not just to see Zach, but also to see the mountains!”

“Lydia, Master Seaton doesn’t know our ways,” Aaron said softly. He met Lydia’s narrowed gaze for a moment, but before either of them said anything, Keira spoke.

“Master Seaton,” she said, “we’d be delighted if you remain here as our guest.” She ignored Aaron’s furious expression. “Storbrook is so remote, we tend to forget our manners when strangers arrive, but we hope you’ll enjoy our hospitality for as long as you wish to stay.”

“Keira, what are you doing?” Aaron strode over to Keira and glared down at her. “He cannot stay here!”

“He can, and he will,” she said quietly.

“Besides,” Richard interjected, “he also came to meet you, Aaron.”

Aaron stared at Richard for a moment, then turned back to Keira with a look of frustration. “The men and women of my clan obey my every command, but when it comes to my own home, my wishes are completely disregarded. I trust you’re prepared to accept the consequences of this foolish decision.”

Keira placed her hand on his arm as she smiled up at him. “Something tells me we need to do this,” she said. Aaron stared at her for another long moment, then nodded.

“Very well, my sweet. I trust you.” He turned to Lleland. “Please don’t think I’ve taken offense to you personally, Master Seaton, but there are many other factors at play here. However, since my family seem determined that you remain within these walls, at least for now, then I hope you’ll enjoy your stay and make yourself comfortable. I must warn you, though, that you may see things that will make you wish you hadn’t set foot in Storbrook.”

“Are you referring to the dragons?” Lleland said. Matthew’s words about maidens being imprisoned at the castle flashed through his mind, but he pushed the thought away as his glance fell on Lydia.

“Yes, the dragons. They’re not our enemy, Master Seaton. We live peacefully with them and welcome them to Storbrook.”

Lleland dropped his gaze. If this was the dragon-slayer, how could he not be an enemy of the monsters? For himself, he knew that the only fate suitable for a dragon was death. He nodded. “Thank you for the invitation to remain.”

Aaron stared at him for a moment, then turned away. “Lydia, pour our guest a glass of wine.”

Lydia did as she was bade, and when she handed Lleland the glass, she smiled. “I’ll show you some of my favorite places in the mountains while you’re here, if you like.”

“I’d like that very much,” he replied. She was only a few inches shorter than him, and he looked into her golden eyes with a smile. “I look forward to it,” he added.

“Zach has spoken of you often,” Aaron said as Lleland took a seat. “He enjoyed your discussions about the great philosophers.”

“Zach is a brilliant young man,” Lleland replied, “whose intellect challenges my own. It’s always a pleasure to talk with him. I’m sorry he’s not here.”

“He’ll be disappointed to hear he missed you,” Keira said.

“Do you expect him to return soon?”

“He’ll return when he’s ready,” Keira said with a wry smile. “But you’ve traveled a long way. Tell us about your journey. How long has it taken you to cover the distance from Civitas?”

The rest of the evening passed as Lleland related his journey, but he could not help staring at Aaron whenever he had an opportunity. Apart from his youthful looks, there was something about him that was different, although Lleland couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. He had the same tawny eyes as Zach, darker than Lydia’s. His hair was a light golden brown, without any trace of gray, and his face was smooth and unlined. He was tall and lean like Zach, and the same sense of power exuded from him. In fact, Lleland would have guessed he was Zach and Lydia’s brother, not father. But he spoke with authority, and Lleland noticed that Richard, the older man, treated him with deference.

A few hours had passed when Aaron turned to Lleland. “You have something on your mind, Master Seaton. What is it?”

Lleland colored slightly, embarrassed that his stares had not gone unnoticed, but he returned Aaron’s look steadily. “Are you the dragon-slayer?”

Aaron’s brow furrowed slightly. “If you’re referring to the black dragon that was terrorizing Civitas several years ago, then, yes, I’m the one that killed him.”

“How can that be? It was thirty years ago, and you don’t appear much older than me.”

Aaron glanced at Keira with a definite expression of admonishment, before turning back to Lleland. “I’m older than I appear, Master Seaton. Youthfulness is a family trait.” He paused. “You yourself don’t appear old enough to be a Master of Philosophy.”

Lleland flushed. “My apologies, Master Drake. You’re correct, and I’ve been rude.”

Aaron nodded, then turned to Lydia. “I’m sure Master Seaton’s weary after all his traveling. Why don’t you show him the blue chamber?”

Lleland rose to his feet, recognizing the dismissal. “I don’t wish to impose on your hospitality,” he said to Aaron. “If you’d prefer I leave tomorrow, I’ll do so.”

Aaron cocked his head slightly and stared at him. “You may stay,” he finally said, “until you’re ready to leave. You’re a scholar, with an enquiring mind. The mountains can be a strange and mysterious place to those who are not familiar with them. Keep your mind open, and don’t jump to hasty conclusions.”

Lleland was silent as he considered the words. A sense of foreboding washed over him, and for a moment, Anabel’s dream about dragons surrounding him came to mind. He pushed the thought aside and nodded. “Goodnight, Master Drake,” he said.

Lydia led Lleland past the wide, sweeping staircase and down a long, dark passage before stopping at a wooden door. She pushed it open and stepped inside, waiting as Lleland walked past her, his eyes widening at the size of the chamber with its high ceilings and large shuttered window. The shutters were closed, but Lleland guessed that every window in the castle had a view of the mountains. A large bed stood against one wall, while thick furs covered the stone floor. On the opposite side of the room was a table and chair, and another long table stood in the corner, with a basin and ewer and a pile of linens. His possessions, taken earlier by one of the servants, had been unpacked and neatly laid in a chest at the foot of the bed, while his staff, bow, and arrows stood in a corner.

“Will this do?” Lydia asked, turning to him.

“Perhaps,” Lleland replied with a grin. “It’s a little small, don’t you think?”

She laughed as she wagged a finger in his face. “I’ve seen how small the chambers are at Kings College, so none of your complaining, Master Seaton.”

Lleland lifted his eyebrows. “You’ve seen the chambers at Kings? How did you manage that, I wonder?”

Lydia’s eyes widened and she pulled in a deep breath. “Oh, no! I shouldn’t have said that! Please forget I said anything.”

Lleland laughed. “Since you’ve promised to be my mountain guide, I promise to keep your secret. Although keeping your secrets is becoming something of a habit!” She smiled, and Lleland had to tear his gaze away. “Your father’s not very happy about me being here,” he said.

“My father is a very private man, distrustful of anyone he doesn’t know. It’s not that he doesn’t like you, just that he doesn’t know you.” She walked over to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight.”

And before Lleland could respond, the door closed and her footsteps were fading down the passage. He sat down on the bed, wondering at all that had passed that evening. Despite Lydia’s assurances, he wasn’t sure that Aaron would ever accept him. There was something strange and unsettling about him, something otherworldly. He could almost believe that Aaron Drake belonged to the ancient race of gods, but then, he didn’t believe in mythology. For a moment he wondered at the wisdom of coming to Storbrook, before chiding himself. He was acting like an uneducated and suspicious peasant, rather than a well-educated and enlightened scholar. He had come with a purpose – to speak with Aaron Drake and gather information about the dragons. And then there was Lydia – he was willing to suffer through her father’s animosity if it meant getting to know her better. No, he decided, it was a good thing he was at Storbrook. And in the light of a new day, he would laugh at the foolish fancies he had entertained.

Sleep was a long time in coming. The castle was silent, and his chamber was pitch black. He tossed and turned in the darkness, until finally he rose from his bed and pushed open the shutters. His room overlooked the courtyard, and in the corner he could see a small fire pit and a guard staring into the flames. He wondered why the Drakes had need of a guard. The moon was high overhead, and stars littered the sky, their little pinpricks of light chasing away the darkness. He lay down on his back and stretched out his limbs as he stared out the window, until finally his exhausted body fell into a deep sleep.

It was late morning by the time Lleland finally awoke to shouts and clanks from the courtyard. It took him a moment to remember where he was, but then he was on his feet, scratching through the chest to find a clean shirt, tunic and breeches. Someone had been in the room and removed his dirty garments. He pulled on the clothes and washed his face with water from the ewer. It had been placed next to the fire, which had been stoked and was pleasantly warm. He walked over to the window and glanced out. He could see Lydia standing near the portcullis, waving as Richard rode under the gate, leading the horse Lleland had ridden the previous day. He turned away from the window and pulled on his boots – which had been cleaned – before opening the door to his chamber and stepping into the passage.

There was no-one else in the dingy shadows as he walked in the direction of the stairs. Beyond the stairs a door opened, and Aaron stepped out and waved Lleland over. “I’ve been waiting for you to emerge,” he said as Lleland approached, and Lleland flushed, embarrassed at his tardy appearance. “Come join me in my study,” Aaron said.

He waited as Lleland stepped inside, then closed the door behind them. A large, ornate desk stood across from the door, with windows on either side of it. Papers were strewn across the table, the ink still drying on some of them.

“Wine?” Aaron asked, walking over to a small table with a pitcher and some glasses.

“Thank you,” Lleland said, taking the glass from Aaron’s hand. He watched as Aaron walked over to the window and gazed out at the mountains beyond.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Aaron said, waving Lleland over. Standing beside Aaron, Lleland looked out at the mountains spreading out as far as the eye could see.

“Yes,” Lleland replied.

Aaron took a sip from his glass as he continued to stare at the vista. “Do you know that I attended Kings College?”

Lleland glanced at him in surprise. “No, Master,” he said.

“Many years ago, of course, so things have probably changed.” He paused to take another sip of wine. “In my day, a Master would never travel to visit one of his students.” Lleland had been about to take another sip of wine, but he paused, the glass at his lips, before taking a deep gulp. “Was Zach aware of your plan to travel here?” Aaron continued, his gaze still focused on the view.

Lleland turned away from the window and placed his glass on the table. “No,” he said.

Aaron turned around to face him. “Why are you here, Lleland?” he asked.

“I …”

“Is it because of the dragons?”