Faith Of The Dragon Tamer (Book 2) (7 page)

“I need to find him,” she said, referring to Chris.

Aaron took her hand. She could still feel the power pulsating within him.

“We will help.”

“You’re avenging both of us?”

“No.”

“I don’t understand. I thought you only feel power when you’re avenging a betrayed.”

“When I avenged you I avenged your brother. The power within me isn’t the same as the avenging power. It’s less intense but more painful. My purpose is to save your brother, Manda. That’s why I still live.”

The gray haired man beside the Avenger began to hum a tune she hadn’t heard since she was a small girl.

If he can’t find the purpose there

If he can’t give his love away

The Avenger will walk the land no more

And the world will be betrayed
.

She looked at the Avenger, unsure what the song meant.

Aaron’s eyes glowed golden in the firelight. In them, Manda saw years of pain, centuries of living with the agony that could only come from love’s betrayal. It was too much for her to fathom. The depths of his gaze told her he was never free of the anguish. With every breath he felt the pain of love.

His love was the only thing saving him from the pain. How would he survive if he gave his love away?

She wanted to help him. She took his hand and kissed it, holding it to her face in silent thanks.

He smiled. When he did, his entire face lit with caring beyond comprehension.

“Thank you, Manda. You’ve given me a purpose. Your heart is pure. You remind me of someone I knew long ago. I’ll do my best not to fail this time. I’ll do my best to save your brother.”

Manda wrapped her arms around the Avenger’s neck, too overcome for words.

- - -

“I want you both to remember not to judge people by their appearance,” Ramie said, looking between his children, “and to strive to be beautiful on the inside.”

Ravi stared up at him with wide wet eyes. Reese sat in silence as he always did after one of his father’s lessons, contemplating what he had just been told. Javi watched from across the room with a smile on her face.

“Is he all alone, Daddy?” Ravi asked.

Ramie pulled his daughter into an embrace. She had been calling him Father for years. Her reversion to the more childish name betrayed how much the story had touched her. “Yes, he’s more or less all alone.”

“Make him come here. He wouldn’t be alone here. Reese and I would spend time with him,” Ravi said quietly. Ramie smiled into her long, black hair. Ravi was going to be even more beautiful than Javi, if that was possible, and just as tender hearted.

“I tried, Ravi. He wouldn’t have it. That’s another lesson to you both.” Ramie glanced at Reese to see if he was listening. “You have to want to help yourself before help will come. Even a king has to rely on others. You must let others help you in order to become the great person you strive to be. Do you understand?”

They both nodded. A lone tear slid down Ravi’s check. She brushed it away before Reese noticed.

Ramie sighed and looked out the window. He had been back for two days but he still couldn’t banish Presario from his mind. He had replayed the experience over and over, regretting his harsh words but still angered by Presario’s obstinacy.

He only wished there was a way to mend the bridge he had burned, but he knew Presario would never allow him into his home again. He had failed.

And he had left the book, foolishly left the book. Presario said Ramie’s anger would be his destruction. Anger made him forget the book. It may be that very slip to which Presario alluded, but now his pride wouldn’t let him return to claim the patoi. His men would face Ista without magic.

His troops were almost ready to march. They would leave the following morning. He was terrified to face Ista, but it was the only way.

Wrong was wrong. If magic was on the wrong side, so be it. He had waited long enough.

The only light was the messenger from Ketes. Tec had been waiting when Ramie had returned to the keep, apologizing for the delay. Bostic had responded to the message as soon as it had arrived, but Tec had a little trouble with Ista’s troops, not to mention a few bouts with creatures of magic. Tec had only brushed the surface of his journey, but it was enough for Ramie to knight him on the spot. The things the boy had gone through were harrowing. Ramie was surprised Tec made it to Yor alive, much less in the short time he had.

Bostic was ready to launch a full attack, but like Ramie knew more fighting power was needed. Ramie had just sent word back to Bostic. In a fortnight their armies would meet on the road to Zier. He hadn’t told anyone what the messenger carried. If spies were among his men it was one surprise he would have on his side.

A gentle brush on his shoulder broke Ramie out of his somber thoughts. Ramie looked over into Ravi’s brown eyes. “What is it, pudding?”

Ravi rolled her eyes and twisted her hair over one already elegant finger. “Don’t call me that, father. I’m almost sixteen years old.”

Ramie bowed his head in submission. “Yes, forgive me. I forget how fast you’ve grown.”

Ravi repressed a smile. “Can magic mend Presario’s wounds?”

Ramie blinked. He hadn’t thought of the possibility. Could it? “I don’t know, Ravi. I don’t know how the Quy works.”

“It could, Father,” Reese said, looking much older than his fourteen years. “I’m sure of it. Ravi has already healed a few scrapes. She’s going to be a powerful shaman. When she’s older she could alter a burning easily.”

Ramie’s face colored. He spun to Javi. She lost her smile and held up her hands in defense. “I can’t stop them, Ramie. You know how incorrigible they are. I can’t be with them every sun’s click.”

Reese paled. Ravi quickly retreated.

“I told you two not to use the Quy!”

“But – ”

“No buts, Reese! You could harm yourself by doing too much too fast!”

“But you won’t let us learn!”

“Silence!” Ramie stepped toward them. Ravi and Reese shrunk into themselves. “I told you there are people wanting to control those who have the power. You both could be taken and used to hurt me, this kingdom!”

He spun to Javi. “This isn’t something we can afford go unchecked. Do you want your children captured?”

Javi’s dark eyes welled with tears.

Ramie softened. He didn’t want his last conversation with his family to be in anger. He was leaving tomorrow. He didn’t expect to return.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t bear the thought of any of you coming to harm. I’m leaving tomorrow. I’ll be gone for a long time. I want to know you’re safe.”

Reese’s face drained of color. “Are you marching to war?”

“Yes.”

Reese stiffened. “I want to go with you.”

“You’re my heir, Reese. You’ll have to maintain Oldan until I return.”

Reese blushed with pride but frowned when he realized he had been turned away. Ramie wished his request was in jest, but it wasn’t. He couldn’t trust anyone else with his kingdom. Because responsibility had been forced upon him at a young age Ramie had wished many times Reese would take an interest in something other than his studies, but Reese hungered for knowledge the way the desert hungered for rain. He had matured far more than other children his age, Ravi included. Now Ramie thanked the Maker Reese was the way he was for he felt confident Reese could handle the responsibility that would now be forced upon him.

A sharp knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. His brow furrowed. His men knew better than to disturb him when he was with his children.

“Come,” he said, quickly changing into the king of Yor and not the father of two.

One of his guards hesitantly stuck his head inside the door. “Two men wish to speak to you, my lord. We’ve tried to turn them away but they won’t hear of it. They claim they’re from Mintree.”

Ramie couldn’t believe it. He stood to walk from the room but hesitated. If it was Presario he needed to be greeted in an informal setting, not as a king would greet a subject. Ramie turned to the guard and nodded. “Show them in here.”

The guard’s face registered surprise, but he bowed and retreated. Ramie could almost feel Reese’s excitement at being allowed to witness the exchange.

“I want you both to be on your best behavior. Make these two feel welcome.”

Before he could say more the door opened and two men were ushered inside. The first was tall and thin, with a long cream cloak hanging loosely about him. A dark brown cowl covered the man’s head and shoulders, completely concealing his face. He carried a book in his gloved hands. It was the patoi of magic.

Arri stepped forward, white eyes regarding Ramie with a shadow of a smile. Before the silence became awkward Presario’s advisor tone sliced through the air. “It seems you’ve put me in an awkward position once again, my king. You left the book and I had to stare at it until my conscience couldn’t forgive me unless I delivered it to you myself.”

Ramie smiled, unable to contain his delight. “You will train my men?”

The cowled form gave a slight nod. “Yes, but understand I’ll leave as soon as I feel you can manage on your own.”

“We march tomorrow at dawn. I can wait no longer. You’ll come?”

Ramie held his breath. After a few heartbeats the brown cowl bowed. “I can teach in the saddle.”

“That’s all I can ask of you, Presario, and that’s far more than I expected.”

Ravi’s breath caught as soon as Presario’s name left Ramie’s lips. Before Ramie could stop her, Ravi walked to Presario and took one of his gloved hands. Ramie tensed. If he chastised his daughter, it would embarrass Presario more than if he did nothing. So he did nothing.

Ravi reached out and touched Presario’s hood. Presario grew taut. Ramie closed his eyes, praying to the Maker Ravi wouldn’t do what he knew she would.

When he looked again Presario’s hood was off. His face looked even more horrible in the light of day, but Ravi remained unflinching. The air thickened with silence. Ravi stood on her tiptoes and kissed Presario’s cheek. After a few breaths, Presario pulled Ravi into an embrace.

Ramie turned away, too overcome for words.

Davis peered into the Yor Lake and wiped his brow. If it hadn’t been for the circumstances he would have laughed at his reflection. His shaggy brown hair was now cut close to his scalp and dyed a midnight black. His royal clothes had been discarded for a tattered green tunic and well-worn doeskin trousers. He carried a sword but it was cheaply done and had no ornamentation.

Ramie would never believe he was Davis Tresvent, prince of Fest. Actually, he wouldn’t be surprised if Ramie laughed in his face. Sighing, Davis straightened and walked toward the Crest Castle. It rose before him in both beauty and splendor. It turrets were a rich cream, decorated with gold ribbons and glittering stone. All windows were filled with stained glass images, some of scenes, others just awash in an array of colors. But despite its ornate trimmings the castle was built for beauty as well as protection. Every few cubits richly polished wooden machicolations blended in with the decorations of the castle and would be open if attack was imminent, housing guards with quivers of arrows or boiling kettles. The gates surrounding the keep were high and housed armed gatehouses every twenty paces.

As Davis approached the inner wall, a procession came out with Ramie leading. Davis picked up the pace, running through the crowd. He had been so preoccupied he hadn’t noticed the large ship docked in the lake. From the way Ramie was dressed he wasn’t leaving for an afternoon ride. He was riding to war.

Davis pushed his way to the front of the crowd. The things his father had revealed to him came back in a maddening rush: the needles, Korin. Holy Maker.

Ramie had almost reached him when a guard shoved him back.

“Out of the way, friend.”

“Please,” Davis said, “I need to speak to the king.”

The guard looked at his clothes before shaking his head. “Not today, son.”

Davis held up the message with the wax seal of his father. “I have a message from Lorlier.” Although it was Lorlier’s seal, Davis knew the guard wouldn’t believe him, not with the way he was dressed. The people jammed closer, shoving Davis back. The guard turned away, ignoring him.

Ramie walked by him.

Davis cursed and shoved past the guard, shouting Ramie’s name. His heart raced. He had to reach Ramie. He had to tell him Lorlier would meet him at the split in the Divi.

The guard caught his shoulder and threw him to the ground. Davis grabbed the man’s leg and twisted, toppling him, knocking over other onlookers. When the guard regained his footing, he forced Davis to his knees and manacled his hands. Davis looked up at the king, now halted before him.

A brief flicker of recognition passed over Ramie’s face, but before Davis could speak the guard brought him to his feet and shoved him back through the throng.

“My king, a message from Lorlier!” Davis shouted over his shoulder. “I have a message from Lorlier!”

Davis was unsure if the king heard. The guard dragged him forward. The crowd parted.

Then the king was before of him, peering up at him with questioning eyes.

“My lord,” Davis breathed frantically, “a message.” Davis diverted his eyes to his pocket where he had placed the message. “And a request to join you on board the ship.”

The guard guffawed, but Ramie’s eyes stayed on Davis.

“I was sorry to hear about Davis,” Ramie finally said. “Lorlier must be heartbroken. I can’t imagine losing a son, but these are dark times. Were you close to the prince?”

Davis nodded, catching Ramie’s hidden question. “Yes, my lord.”

Ramie walked past him without even reading the message. “This one comes with me. I’m in need of a new attendant.”

- - -

Bentzen fell, but he did not feel. He hadn’t eaten in days. He hadn’t slept in days. Part of him knew he was slowly going mad. At times he didn’t remember. Other times he did. When he remembered he gave himself more pain. He deserved it. He had failed, miserably failed.

His breath came in shallow gasps as he lay there. He suddenly wondered why he was on the ground. He couldn’t recall. But the grass felt good. He decided to remain there for a time, until he remembered why he wanted to leave.