A Preview of Thrones Under Fire

I, Dragon Book 3, Coming Summer 2017!

 

The chapter numbers in this preview will differ from the final book. I have tried to select chapters that provide the flavor of what’s to come…

One

The dragon pushed through the wet leaves and stepped into the clearing. The first light of dawn glowed on the horizon. Fog rolled across the grass and the air was heavy with dew. The dragon exhaled as quietly as he could, making a low groan as black smoke poured from his mouth and nostrils. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings—a row of tents lined up at the edge of the village. The only sounds were muted snores and a solitary wood cricket. The dragon spread his wings.

“Where are you going?”
The dragon jumped.
“You about scared me out of my skin, Boone.”
Boone Blankenship raised his hand. He held four dead rabbits.
“The best hunters are quiet. Didn’t I teach you that?”
Simon Morgenwraithe, the dragon, laughed. Quietly.
“Yes. You taught me that a long time ago. You also used to announce your presence to keep from startling me. Have you forgotten?”
“You control the flames better than you used to. You were a menace when you were a kid. You’re still growing, so that furnace of yours is farther away.”
Simon looked down.
“I’m not still growing.”
“Yes, you are. Do dragons ever stop growing?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Simon said. “I think you’re imagining things.”
Boone waved a hand over his head.
“Hello! Did you think I was just shrinking? Of course, you’re still growing.”
Simon sighed.
“That’s great. I’ll have to eat more.”
“You’re still growing—and you’re getting more…”
“I’m getting more what?”
“Tougher, I guess. Fiercer. Like a—”
“Like a real dragon?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes. I’m fierce, all right. I still hate having to kill to survive—and I write ill-advised love letters in my spare time.”
“You…you bit the head off the Captain of the Border Guard.”
“He wouldn’t—”
Simon looked away.
“He was an evil man.”

“You’re going to look for those baby dragons, aren’t you? They didn’t come by last night. Are you afraid they don’t love you anymore?”
Simon said nothing.
“I’m sorry, Mate,” Boone said. “That was a terrible thing to say.”
“They have a family,” Simon said. “A mother. A father. Friends. I just…I like them.”
“Hurry along, then,” Boone said. “Tell them I said hello.”
“I will.”

The baby dragons circled over the lake-shore and looked down at their friend. Simon flew into a flock of geese, catching four of them. He dropped them to the ground. The babies were on them in an instant and swallowed them whole.
“You won’t be babies much longer,” Simon laughed. “A few more weeks and I’ll be the little brother.”
The thought made Simon a little sad. He liked the thought of having a little brother and sister. And though they were not his real flesh-and-blood, at least they did not want to kill him.
Like his real brother did.

The little dragons could hunt for themselves, but it made Simon feel good to take care of them. He eyed the flock of geese and prepared to give chase again. A dark shadow over his head startled him.
It was Papa.
The black dragon passed over the lake and dropped his cargo on the shore; a bison bull. The fall broke the bison’s legs. The baby dragons took care of the rest. Simon narrowed his eyes and watched the father dragon fly away to the south.
“Showoff.”
Simon couldn’t really resent the enormous black dragon. He and his friends were alive thanks to Papa’s participation in their battle with the Border Guard.
Simon knew nothing about a dragon’s approach to child-rearing, but he had seen little of the mother and father in the last two days.
If they are so quick to leave their own children to fend for themselves, will they sympathize with a band of humans? Simon thought.
It’s not like I can talk to them.

Well, he could—and he had. In a desperate moment, he had begged for the father dragon’s help. The dragon had come, but its mate and one of their babies were injured at the time. Was that the only reason he had joined the battle?
Simon followed the black dragon. It disappeared over a hill. Seconds later, Simon halted in mid-air, turned and flew back in the other direction.
There were dozens of dragons in the valley beyond the hill.
And not all them were babies.

Simon flew back to the beach. Boone, Helena, and Caleb were there. Boone and Helena watched in awe as the baby dragons devoured the bison.
“I’ll never get used to that,” Boone said.
“That’s pretty much what you look like when you eat,” Helena said.
“Very funny. Simon, it looks like your little brothers have adopted you.”
“Brother and sister,” Simon said. “May I introduce, Nigel. And Alice.”
“Alice? How do you know—? Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“We are alive because of them,” Simon said.
Boone ran a hand through his hair. He blew out a breath and watched a dragon lower its head so that Caleb could pat it.
“I know. And now they’re part of your family, or you are part of theirs—which is fine—but we don’t know what they’re thinking.”

“We need them, Boone. I know Sir Edmund and Lord Roball are doing everything they can to increase our numbers, but you’ve seen the men who’ve joined us in the last two days. They are only boys, for the most part. Some old men. Even some girls. None of the lot has any battle skills. If there was a fighting force hidden somewhere in the South, I’m sure that Braun or Roball would have mentioned it.”
“You’re just trying to cheer me up, mate.”
“Have you forgotten why we’re here, Boone?” Helena asked.

“No, I haven’t. Simon, we have to do something about Sara and Zeke. Caleb is worried about them—and who can blame him? They’ve never been apart before.”
“I know,” Simon said. “But where on earth could they be any safer?  I doubt the giant has given up his quest. I believe the children are safer where they are right now.”

“In the days to come, no place will be safe,” Caleb said.
Helena turned.
“How can you hear us from over there?”
“My ears are not blind,” Caleb smiled. He joined them.
“Sara’s gifts are increasing, even without training,” Caleb said. “The giant may soon be able to sense her. He will certainly remember the little girl who disabled him, and he will be angry. If he finds her…I must go to them.”

Caleb lifted his chin.
“There are more dragons nearby. A lot of them.”
“What?” Boone said.
“That’s right, Caleb. In the valley beyond that hill,” Simon said.
“That would have been a good thing to know,” Boone said. “Are you talking about the other babies?”
“The babies and their parents.”
“A valley full of dragons,” Boone said. “And we don’t know if they are friend or foe.”
“I can ask them,” Caleb said.
“Well, there you have it then,” Boone said. “The boy who speaks to dragons. There’s a fine spanking new song for the minstrels.”

“There are too many,” Simon said. “It’s too dangerous to approach them now.”
“Well, write them a letter, then,” Boone said. “Ask them to send a representative to our camp. Tell them we’ll have tea and biscuits.”
“You’re not helping,” Helena said.
“What does it matter if there is one dragon or a hundred?” Boone asked. He motioned toward the baby dragons.
“One dragon the size of their father could finish off the lot of us.”
“I am not afraid,” Caleb said. “But I cannot stay here safely among soldiers and dragons while my brother and sister hide in a dungeon. Take me to the dragons and then take me to Islemar. Or I will go there myself.”

“Walk? To Islemar?” Boone said.
“He won’t have to walk,” Helena said. “He can summon a horse. Or perhaps an eagle.”
Simon exhaled fire and smoke across the lake.
“Climb on.”

Two

Simon landed below the hilltop.
“Stay here,” he said to Caleb. “I’ll try to find Mother and Father.”
He came back moments later.
“We’re in luck. Mother and Father are just on the other side of the hill. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Caleb said.

Simon could feel their eyes on him. Most of the dragons had been at rest. But they knew instantly that Simon was not a member of their clan. And with the wind at his back, Simon had little doubt they smelled the flesh of a human.
Simon landed.
“Get down!” he shouted at Caleb. Caleb slid to the ground and fell over. Mother moved to protect him.
A giant red dragon flew toward them. Papa dragon spread his wings and roared. The red dragon stopped and hovered over them. He threw back his head and blasted the air with fire. He turned his head toward Papa and made barking sounds.
Papa sounded back. So did Mother. Simon noticed something odd. Papa Dragon was missing two teeth.

Simon lowered his head and spoke to Caleb.
“Do you know what they’re saying?”
“Papa is the clan’s leader. The red dragon is challenging his status. I don’t think today is the first time.”
“Is that all?”
“He also wants to eat me.”
Simon growled.
“I’ll die before I let that happen.”
“The red dragon doesn’t like you either.”

Papa leapt into the air. He roared at the red dragon. The red dragon retreated to his mate, who was only slightly smaller. Papa returned to the ground.
Simon turned his head.
“I guess it’s time—”
Caleb had already stepped in front of Mother. His voice carried over the valley at such volume that Simon was not sure it was natural. Caleb spoke in the same barks and screeches the dragons made. Every dragon watched and listened in silence.

The red dragon launched into the air and flew straight toward Caleb. Papa leaped into the air. He lowered his head and crashed into the red dragon’s side. The red dragon recovered and turned toward Caleb. Simon knew what would come next. He flew to Caleb and knocked him to the ground. Simon spread his wings in front of Caleb and took the red dragon’s fiery assault.

The pain surprised him. His body was made to withstand attacks from other dragons, but the heat was intense. He felt it burning beneath the scales on his back and on his head.
Papa flew at the red dragon again. The red dragon dodged to its right and snapped its jaws on one of Papa’s rear legs. Papa roared in pain. The red dragon turned his attention to Caleb again.
Simon prepared for another assault. He saw movement to his left.
No. Don’t do it, Mother!
The mother dragon was not going to stand by and watch Caleb die. The boy had saved her life.
Simon saw the reckless rage in the eyes of the red dragon. Papa gave chase, but he was too far behind to help.
The red dragon loosed its fire.
Mother flew at the dragon’s rear. She sank her teeth into its tail and whipped her head.
The other dragons had been silent spectators. They stirred and screeched into the air.

A flash came in from the side. The red dragon’s mate roared. She lowered her head and flew full-speed into Mother, crashing into the side of Mother’s head. Mother’s grip on the red dragon’s tail was broken and she fell to the ground. Papa crashed into the red dragon, throwing him into Simon. Simon and Caleb went head-over-heels through the grass.
“Are you hurt, Caleb?” Simon yelled through the roars and screeches of dragons.
“No! But something is very wrong. Dragon mates are not supposed to intervene in a battle for clan leader.”
“I bring out the best in everyone,” Simon said. “But I will not allow them to hurt my Mother.”
“Simon,” Caleb said.
Simon climbed to his feet.
“What is it?”
“She’s not your mother.”
“She’s…I know. Stay behind that rock. I’ll be back.”

Mother dodged the fire of the red female. She took to the air again. A boom sounded across the valley. Papa and the red dragon crashed into each other, sending them both to the ground. They ran together, thrashing talons and snapping their jaws. The red dragon’s mate feinted to avoid Mother’s attack. She sank her teeth into Mother’s leg. Mother screamed.
Simon roared in anger. He flew beneath the red dragon’s mate and sank his teeth into her front leg. Mother swiped her talon at the dragon’s soft underbelly. The red female screamed as her blood spilled. She flew away, disappearing to the south.
The red dragon male loosed a roar that shook the ground.
Papa was weakened. The battle had been long and intense. He bled from his mouth.
The red dragon flew with a renewed intensity.

A voice sounded behind Simon. Shouts echoed throughout the valley as the red dragon prepared to take Papa’s position—and possibly take his life.
Who can that be? Simon thought. And then he knew.
The old man held a staff aloft. He chanted into the air.
A bolt of lightning flew from his staff. It struck the red dragon on its chest, knocking it to the ground. The dragon pushed to its feet. It wobbled and took to the air again.
Another lighting blast sent the red dragon rolling across the valley floor. It got to its feet with difficulty. When it took to the air again, it whipped its head about, roared, and flew out of the valley in the same direction as its mate.
The other dragons were silent again.

Papa launched himself into the air. He flew toward the old man.
“Papa! No! Sir Edmund! Run!”
Simon and Caleb ran up the hill.
Papa landed in front of Sir Edmund Braun. He lowered his head.
The man who was once First Knight to Simon’s grandfather put his arms around the great dragon’s head and kissed him between the eyes.

Three

Captain Raynard held his sword inches from Oliver’s face. Two members of the King’s Guard wrenched Oliver’s hands behind his back and shackled them.
“No!” Queen Jaclyn screamed. “Lucien! What are you doing?”
Lord Sterling Morgenwraithe clamped his hand over Jaclyn’s mouth.
“Please be patient, my queen.”
Sterling motioned to two other guards. They took Jaclyn by the arms.
“We are placing you and the squire under arrest—at the order of the king! The charge is treason!”

“Stop! Stop it this instant!” Jaclyn screamed. “Lucien! Are you mad?”
Lucien could not meet Jaclyn’s eyes.
“Lucien! I escaped my father’s officers! I came back! You accuse me of treason while I carry our child—you will look at me!”
Lucien’s head snapped up. He balled his fists. Madness filled his eyes.
“How dare you speak to me that way! You dishonor and disrespect me and the entire kingdom—just as your father has done for years! I am sick of it! I am surrounded by those who cannot be trusted. My own squire—bearing your secrets! You weep for his friend as if he was your flesh and blood—a deserter of the Border Guard! Who can know what other crimes we will discover?”

Jaclyn wept.
“I’m carrying our child. Your baby. Your son.”
“You don’t know that.”
Jaclyn nodded.
“I do know.”
“Nonsense,” Lucien said.
“If so, then so be it. Do not think that I enjoy this outcome. The law is clear. Traitors are held in the dungeon to await trial. The fault is your own.”
Lucien turned to Captain Raynard. He avoided Sterling’s hateful gaze.
“We will travel around the villages. I will not have our shame put on public display.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Lucien mounted his horse and rode hard to the north.

“You heard the king,” Raynard said to his men.
Raynard stepped next to Sterling and spoke quietly.
“Well, well. The pup appears to have grown some new teeth.”
“We’ll see if his resolve lasts long enough to weather the public outcry and the howls from Islemar,” Sterling said.
“Holding the queen and her unborn child in a cold and drafty cell will not play well throughout the kingdom. She has always been the people’s favorite—and being with child…”
Sterling narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, a favorite, much like her damnable father. Well, there is one way to ensure the people’s loyalty to the law. When we get back to the castle I will establish a Regent’s Decree. From this day forward, every able-bodied man who is capable of raising a sword is to be sworn in as a member of the King’s Army.”
Raynard groaned.
“Have you any idea what it will entail to train that many ignorant recruits? I don’t have enough capable officers—”
“Who said anything about training?” Sterling sneered. “You only need to train them if you care whether they live or die.”
“Then why enlist them?”
“Common citizens often voice opinions,” Sterling said. “But when everyone in the land has family sworn to serve the crown—”
“Ah,” Raynard said, nodding. “Opinions—become treason!”
“Exactly. Send a man to catch up to Lucien. Tell them to wait for us.”
“Why?”
Sterling climbed onto his horse. He wore an evil grin.
“Because we are not going to avoid the villages. We are going to ride straight through them.”

Four

Lucien and Raynard’s man waited at the intersection of two roads. As Sterling and the others approached, Lucien purposely avoided Oliver’s and Jaclyn’s eyes. He turned his horse up the west road.
“We will take the other road, Your Grace,” Sterling said.
Lucien stopped. He turned his head.
“The matters of the kingdom will be dealt with in private counsel. The village streets are no place—”
Sterling raised his hand. He pointed up the other road.
“Wait for us there,” he said to the others. He dismounted and glared at Lucien.
“A word, Your Grace.”
The others turned their mounts.
“Are my wishes not clear—?”
“Get down here this instant!” Sterling hissed through clenched teeth.
Lucien slid from his horse. His eyes showed fear. But Sterling saw something else on Lucien’s face he had never noticed before.
Hate.

Lucien did not come within striking distance.
“What are you—what is the meaning of this?”
“I am protecting your reputation,” Sterling said. “And the reputation of the kingdom.”
“By showing the queen in bonds? What does this do for our reputation?”
“It keeps you from making an enormous mistake.”
“What mistake?”
Sterling drew back his hand. Lucien threw up his hands to cover his head.
“Ha!” Sterling said. “You would be groveling at the queen’s feet before we reached the castle—blubbering about what an awful mistake you’ve made! You’ve thought it already, haven’t you?”
Lucien said nothing.
Sterling grabbed Lucien’s hair.
“Haven’t you, Boy! Answer me!”

“Yes.”
Sterling let go of Lucien’s hair, moving his hand to Lucien’s collar. Sterling pulled him close.
“Do you think you have what it takes to be king? You will turn seventeen in less than two years. Do you know what happens to kings who are weak? Kings that do not have the courage to stand behind their decisions? A king keeps his throne by strength and power! Show yourself weak, and the strong will rise and take what is yours!”
Sterling pushed Lucien away.
“I don’t care if you’ve struck your head or downed ten gallons of wine. If you say the grass is blue, and the sky is green—then it is so. A king’s word is law. And the law does not change.”
“A king does not back down from a charge of treason.”

The procession rode on, toward the village of Evenshire. Travelers gave way, whispering among themselves.
“The queen? In bonds? Can it be?”
Word reached the village ahead of them. People spilled into the streets, lining the road through the village square. The occasional cry broke the silence.
“What is this?”
“What has she done?”
One man’s voice stood out above the others.
“This is a travesty! Please, good King Lucien! The queen is pure of heart—like her father! Loose her bonds and let her go!”
A few others took up the chant, but with a wary eye on Sterling, Raynard, and the other uniformed guards.
“Let her go! Let her go!”

Sterling positioned himself next to Raynard.
“Captain, put a stop to this.”
Raynard raised his crossbow. As the ringleader pumped his fist to incite the others, an arrow pierced his throat.
“Silence!” Sterling yelled at the screaming throng.
Jaclyn would not be silenced. She screamed and sobbed. Sterling turned to a guard.
“Get her out of here!”

“The queen will answer to charges of treason,” Sterling said. “Those who choose to display contempt for the laws of the land will be judged by them. We live in perilous times. Those who desire the king’s protection must align themselves with us and abide our decisions.”
A woman stepped forth from the crowd.
“The king’s protection? When you bring murderous monsters across the sea into our midst? A giant who kills at will in the king’s name, while he searches for the rightful ki—!”

Two men wrestled the woman to the ground, covering her mouth as they wept.
“Get her out of my sight before I fill these streets with blood!” Sterling growled.
The crowd dispersed.
“That went well,” Raynard said to Sterling.
“I had almost forgotten about Dathien,” Sterling said. “He was blind with rage from whatever happened in Islemar. There’s no telling what he might do. Ride to Islemar at once.”
“Are you certain Dathien is there?” Raynard asked.
“Of course, he’s there! We cannot allow him to turn the rest of the citizens against us.”
“We do that well enough by ourselves,” Raynard said.

“Find the giant and bring him to Morgenwraithe. He may prove useful at the border.”
“Ah, I was wondering when we would get around to the border,” Raynard said.
“The dead boy was running away from something,” Sterling said. “And I would bet my life that Lamont is behind it.”
“And don’t forget about the dragon,” Raynard said.
“I never forget about the dragon.”
They rode on, into the village of Morgenwraithe.

The old woman heard the commotion outside her son’s home.
“I’ll see what the disturbance is, Mother,” the young man said.
“Finish your lunch. I’ll see to it.”
The old woman was back within minutes.
“Mother? What’s wrong?”
“It has begun. Gather your things. We have to go.”
“Go? Go where?”
“To the border. Perhaps beyond.”
“The border? But why?”
“There’s no time to explain now. The queen is in chains.”

Five

The young man gently raised his daughter from her mother’s side. He carried her across the room and laid her in her crib. He returned to the bed and climbed in next to his wife.
Lilly rolled over, wrapping her arm around Noah’s shoulder.
“You’re such a good Papa,” she whispered.
“A better Papa than I am a son.”
Lilly kissed his shoulder.
“Stop punishing yourself. You are where you’re meant to be. My father thinks of you as his own son.”
“Only because his daughter found me irresistible.”
“Ha!” Lilly snuggled up close.
“You gave him a precious granddaughter—and he tells everyone you’re the most gifted shipbuilder he’s ever seen.”
“Beside himself, you mean.”
Lilly sighed.
“What would have happened if you hadn’t been here when Papa became ill? He could have…we could have lost everything. And now, there are more orders than you can fill!”
Noah kissed Lilly’s forehead.
“I have everything I’ve ever wanted. But I never meant to abandon my family.”
“I’ll speak to Father,” Lilly said. “It’s time he brought on apprentices. He can afford it, and you shouldn’t have to be on the docks every single day. You won’t stay young forever.”

Noah rolled onto his side. He put his hand on his wife’s naked hip. With his middle and forefinger, he walked his hand up her side.
“I may not be young forever, but I’m feeling fairly energetic at the moment.”
Lilly laughed.
“Of course you are! In a few hours you’ll be aboard your mistress on the high seas!”
“I do love my ships, but they have certain…limitations.”
“They certainly cannot make you beautiful babies.”
“That’s true. I’ve enjoyed every step of the Papa journey—although I have a particular fondness for the first part.”
Lilly smiled. She leaned forward and kissed Noah on the lips. She jerked away and rubbed her cheek.
“Ow!”
Lilly grabbed a handful of Noah’s beard. It was the first beard he had ever allowed to grow beyond a few days of stubble.
“I’m not sure I like this at all,” Lilly grumbled.
Olivia whimpered and kicked at her blanket before going back to sleep.
“Sh!” Noah said.

“Don’t you shush me!” Lilly whispered. “One day you’ll wish you were still the baby-faced ship-builder and not just another sunbaked old sea-dog!”
“Like your father?” Noah said. “Your uncles? Or your brothers?”
Lilly ran her hand across Noah’s chest and across his stomach. She kissed his shoulder and then his neck.
“I may not be as quick to cuddle with a calloused, crusty-skinned old goat.”
Lilly took Noah’s hand and sighed.
“I remember when these hands were as soft as Olivia’s backside.”
“Maybe you should take advantage of me now—before I’m completely ruined,” Noah said.
“I suppose I need something to remember you by,” Lilly said. “Since you’re going to leave me for two whole weeks.”
“It can’t be helped,” Noah said. “We have ships to deliver and there aren’t enough helmsmen to go around.”

Lilly punched her husband, playfully.
“Admit it, Noah. You want to pilot a ship. You’re as excited as a little boy!”
Noah tickled her.
“I am excited—but not like a little boy.”

*****

“Land ho!”
Noah’s ship was under the command of an elderly captain. Noah had manned a ship’s wheel on many short voyages, but he had never docked at the crowded and intricate docks of Islemar. He woke the captain.
“We are approaching the harbor, My Lord.”
The old captain grumbled unintelligibly and swung his feet to the deck. He joined Noah at the wheel moments later. Noah stepped aside.
“Where do you think you’re going?” the captain asked.
“I…I’ve never docked at Islemar, My Lord.”
The captain grabbed Noah’s sleeve and pulled.
“Well, it’s high time you did.”

Twenty minutes later the ship was anchored, tied off to the dock, and the gangplank was in place. Sweat poured from Noah’s brow. He leaned over the wheel, breathing as if he’d run a great distance.
The captain laughed and slapped Noah on the back.
“Ship-building is a mighty fine trade, lad.”
The captain winked.
“But there’s nothing quite like manning the wheel of one!”
“Yes, My Lord!”

Noah couldn’t help smiling as he trotted down the gangplank, full of adrenaline. He ran up the hill and stopped at the public well in the middle of the square. He splashed his face and drank his fill. He ran a hand through his dripping hair. Two young ladies giggled at him as they passed.
Noah left at a brisk pace, walking toward his family home. He made a turn to the north and passed through a gate. He bowed low and addressed the two guards.
“A splendid good day to you, My Lords.”
He rose and turned away. The guards stepped in front of him.
“Slow down, young fellow. What is your business here?”
Noah squinted and cocked his head as he stared at the guard.
“Peter? Peter Stroud?”
The other guard laughed.
“Peter! It’s Master Noah! He’s gone and grown himself a beard—he’s the spittin’ image of his father!”
“I’m terribly sorry, Master Noah. Come. Your mother will be thrilled to see you!”

The guard ushered Noah to the door. The woman in the front room stared, wide-eyed.
“Noah? Is that really you?”
Noah smiled and hugged the woman.
“It is wonderful to see you, Esmerelda! You’re as lovely as ever!”
“And you lie as well as your father! Does your mother know you’re here?”
“No. I was pressed into helmsman duty at the last moment. I docked my first ship at Islemar today!”
Esmerelda patted Noah’s cheek.
“Well, look at you, all grown up. I believe your mother is in the kitchen—doing whatever secret things she does in there.”
“Mother? Don’t tell me she’s trying to learn to cook again. Please. Don’t tell me that.”
Esmerelda waved her hand.
“Don’t go askin’ me what she’s doing. She’s the lady of the house, and your father is hardly here anymore.”
Esmerelda grabbed Noah’s arm and shook it.
“Don’t tell your mother—but it’s good to see a man around the place.”

Noah walked to the kitchen. His mother stood at the counter, her back to him.
“I hear the loveliest lady in the kingdom is working in the kitchen.”
Robinette Lamont was turning, carrying a tray. She saw Noah, and the tray flew from her hands into the air. Bowls of stew, pieces of bread, and mugs of water hit the floor.
“Noah?”
Lady Lamont ran to her son and fell weeping into his arms.

Six

Robinette held Noah at arm’s length. She grabbed a handful of his beard.
“My baby boy—with a face full of hair! So much like your father!”
“But he’s not here?”
Robinette shook her head.
“No. He’s…away.”

Noah looked down at the spilled tray.
“Have you taken over kitchen duty? Are you trying to put Esmerelda out of a job?”
Robinette knelt and began cleaning up the mess. She did not meet Noah’s eyes. Noah knelt beside her and helped.
“Mother? What are you not telling me? What’s wrong?”
Robinette sighed.
“There’s no point in hiding from my own son. I’ll make the meals again. You must stay quiet and not let on that anything is out of the ordinary.”
“It’s a little late for that,” Noah said. “Esmerelda already suspects something.”
Robinette smiled.
“Of course, she does. I’ve never banned her from the kitchen.”
“So, are you harboring strays? Stowaways? You always did have a soft heart toward—”

“Sh! We are living in troubled times, son. Much has happened already—enough to force Jaclyn to flee the city—”
“Jaclyn is in trouble? Where is Father? Why didn’t you send word?”
“Sh!”
Robinette pulled Noah close.
“We will speak in the dungeon.”
“The dungeon?” Noah whispered.
Robinette picked up the tray and walked to the servant’s entrance.
“Follow me. Speak to no one. And keep your wits about you.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Get that lamp by the door.”
“I’ll get the striker. The torches will give us more light—”
“No!”

Noah nodded. He picked up the lamp and eyed his mother warily. Noah followed his mother through the door. She waited for him to lead the way with the lamp.
“How far are we going?” Noah whispered. “This is a scary place, especially in the dark.”
“Watch your footing,” Robinette said. “And follow the back wall.”
Noah squinted and held the lamp in front.
“This is madness, Mother.”
“I won’t argue with you.”
The flame in the lamp died down and flickered. Noah stopped.
“Wait. I’m losing the light. We’ll break our necks without—”

The lamp flared brightly. Noah caught his breath and almost threw the lamp to the floor. There was a tiny hand against the lamp’s globe, between his own trembling hands. The lamp lit the faces of two small children.
“Ch-children? Magic children?” Noah whispered.
“Greetings, My Lord. My name is Sara. This is my brother, Ezekiel.”
Ezekiel pulled his thumb from his mouth.
“Zeke!”
Noah knelt and held out his hand.
“I’m very pleased to meet—”

“Lady Lamont?”
The voice came from behind them. The person held a candlestick. Robinette handed the tray to Sara.
“Go! Hide!” she whispered.
“Make a light, Zeke!” Sara said.
Zeke held up his palm. A tiny orb of light appeared, and the children disappeared into the recesses of the dungeon.
Robinette stomped across the dimly lit floor.
“Esmerelda!” Robinette snapped. “What is the meaning of this? Are you spying on me?”
“No, My Lady,” Esmerelda whimpered. “But you must come, quickly. Word has reached the village that the queen has been arrested and charged with treason!”

Robinette almost fell. Noah caught her.
“Preposterous!” Noah said. “Jaclyn…arrested? Has the entire kingdom gone mad?”
“That is not all, My Lady,” Esmerelda said. “The giant has returned. He is fighting to enter the city gates!”
“What giant? Mother?” Noah said.
Robinette pushed her palm against Noah’s chest.
“Esmerelda. Go at once and find Peter. Have extra guards stationed at our doors. Go. Quickly now.”
“Why has a giant come here? Is this about the children?” Noah asked.
Robinette nodded.
“These children—and their older brother. The giant is a wizard who was brought here by Sterling to kill the Morgenwraithe boy.”
“King Lucien?”
“No. The boy who was cursed by his mother. The dragon.”

“Oh, no,” Noah said.
“Do you know something you haven’t told me?” Robinette snapped. “This…this thing had your sister trapped in the watchtower. Why is he after her? Why?”
“There is too much to explain now, Mother. And what are we to do with these children?”
‘These children allowed you sister to escape,” Robinette said. “And the giant has come back for them.”
They climbed the steps back to the kitchen. They met Esmerelda there.
“I did as you asked, My Lady.”
They heard a commotion from the streets and ran to the windows.
“By the gods,” Noah whispered.

Dathien roared and threw out his arms. Four guards fell to the ground. Dathien tore open the door to the tower and stormed up the stairs.
Peter opened the front door.
“Shall we pursue him, My Lady?”
“No,” Robinette said. “The beast is a known murderer.”
Robinette grabbed Noah’s hand.
“There is no time. Peter, take Noah to the stables. Noah, take my carriage to the rear entrance and get the children. You must get them away from here.”
“I’m not leaving you here!”
Robinette shook her head.
“My face is known. Yours is not. And if the wizard finds me gone, he will track us down.”
Robinette laid her hand against Noah’s cheek.
“I am the Lady of Islemar. I cannot desert my people—or our home.”
Noah grabbed her hand.
“It is the Lord’s place to defend his people. Where is my—?”
Robinette covered Noah’s lips. She leaned close and whispered in his ear.
“Your father is raising an army.”

ten

Robinette Lamont looked through the window. She sent Esmerelda to the kitchen and pulled the front door open.
“Peter, the giant will come here when he finds the watchtower empty. Tell the others not to resist him. I won’t have anyone else hurt on my behalf.”
“But, My Lady, we are sworn—”
“You are sworn to obey commands, Peter. And I have just given you one.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Robinette stepped back inside. She heard the giant’s roar and peeked out of the window. The giant stormed toward the castle.
Peter’s warning had not reached every guard.
A man loosed an arrow, striking Dathien in the arm. Dathien roared and pulled out the arrow. He spotted the archer and threw the arrow at him. It pierced the man’s chest.

Moments later, the castle doors burst open.
“Get out!” Robinette snapped. “Get out of my home at once! How dare you come—”
Dathien grabbed Robinette by the throat.
“The magic orphans and the little queen—the lover of dragons—all in the same place. In the home of the man despised by Lord Sterling. What a coincidence.”
Dathien leaned close to Robinette’s face. He spoke quietly.
“Where are the children?”

Robinette’s lips moved, but she made no sound. Her face was losing color. Her eyes flickered.
“Put her down, Wizard.”
Dathien turned. Captain Raynard held a loaded crossbow aimed at Dathien’s neck.
“What is the meaning of this?” Dathien asked.
“Surely, you remember these. It’s a crossbow—just like the one you used to murder the healer. Put the lady down. Sterling wants you in Morgenwraithe immediately.”
Dathien removed his hand from Robinette’s throat. She crumpled to the floor. Dathien stormed out the door.

Raynard helped Lady Lamont to her feet.
“Don’t expect me to thank you.”
“I don’t. Where is Lord Lamont?”
“Hunting.”
“Of course. He’s hunting again. His daughter is accused of treason and he is hunting!”
“Why are you doing this? Jaclyn carries Lucien’s child! Have you no compassion whatsoever? No pity?”
Raynard inhaled deeply.
“I can smell it in the air; the scent of war.”
“You’re mad—all of you!” Robinette cried.
Raynard laughed.
“Perhaps we are mad—but in times of war, pity has no place. Compassion has no place. Even nobility has no place. Because, in the end, the only thing that matters is to be the last one standing. That is where Sterling and I will be. You should remind your husband of that when he is finished….hunting.”
Raynard walked away, leaving a sobbing Robinette Lamont alone in the middle of the floor.

eleven

Jaclyn woke to the sound of the dungeon door scraping across the stone floor. She peered through the bars of her cell. Oliver did not move.
Jaclyn’s heart sank when she saw the brilliant blue robe sweep through the doorway.
“Leave us,” the voice boomed.
“We are to wait here during all interrogations, My Lord,” a guard said.
“I am in Lord Sterling’s employ,” Dathien said. “And I do not intend to suffer your presence. I have spoken my wishes.”
The guards left the dungeon, locking the door behind them.

Dathien raised his hand. The cell door where Jaclyn lay swung open.
Jaclyn screamed.
Dathien walked through the door. He reached for Jaclyn’s arm and was immediately blown backward against the wall. He slid down. Dathien pushed to his feet. His head was bleeding. The guards charged through the door.
Dathien roared an unknown word. The guards were thrown behind the door and the door slammed shut. Dathien pushed Jaclyn’s cell door closed. He grinned.
“Powerful protection, indeed. A powerful spell, sealed in blood, without a doubt.”
Dathien turned and looked at Oliver, who watched in silence. Dathien raised his hand. Oliver floated above the floor. Jaclyn screamed curses at Dathien.
The guards tried to open the dungeon door, to no avail.

Dathien held his hand aloft. Oliver spun around in the middle of his cell. Moments later he was slammed against the wall. He fell to the floor, unconscious.
“You monster!” Jaclyn screamed.
“Oh, but you have yet to see me at my best, little queen!” Dathien said.
“Your little friend and I will play this game tomorrow—and the day after, and the day after that.”
“Do you think Sterling will continue to pay you to torture a lowly squire?”

“No,” Dathien seethed. “He pays me to kill your precious lover.”
“You’re mad!”
“I’m mad? The little queen is in love with a beast—and I’m the one who’s mad? You have made my mission so incredibly simple. The big fish is out there—and I have the ultimate bait here under lock and key.”
“He is not that foolish.”
“He is in love! And all love is foolish!”

Dathien continued in a mocking voice.
“I want you—your friend, Simon.”
“THE FILTHY DRAGON!”

Dathien pointed at the dungeon door. It opened, and six guards fell to the floor. Oliver rolled over and groaned. Dathien pushed the sprawled guards out of his way. He turned back toward the cells.
“Sleep well, my pets. If you can.”