Dragon's Blood

Plans

Despite everyones concerns, things became inexplicably quiet following their arrival at Dragon's Keep. For the next few weeks, Iyla slipped into a happy routine at the castle. She had daily archery lessons with Alona and was taking to it quickly under the gentle elves patient tuition. Pandra was getting larger everyday and Alona told her that she would be able to start riding her in a few weeks. Iyla was beyond excited by that idea, until Bill pointed out it would be like flying an aeroplane with a mind of it's own by sitting on top of it and just hoping for the best.

Both Iyla and Bill got on brilliantly with Faine and were delighted to find the young prince had a real mischievous streak and a wicked sense of humour. He gave them daily history lessons on the various different countries and races that made up their new world and also knew all the secret passages and hidey holes in the castle which came in very useful for listening in on meetings of the council in the great hall. These had been happening regularly and today the discussion centred on the fact that, despite initial appearances, Kade suddenly did not seem hell bent on finding Iyla.

"Kade's plans seem to have come to a stand still since Iyla arrived at the castle," The thin, nasal voice came from Lord Ellon Noble, Alaric's cousin who Faine rightly said always looked like he'd just finished sucking a lemon. He was a highly intelligent man, very keen on following rules and protocol and he looked decidedly uncomfortable sitting next to the Melgor Clan Chief Varim, as Iyla, Bill and Faine could see squinting through spy holes into the hall. Varim was an enormous man and any part of him that was not covered by clothing was covered in thick black hair. It was impossible to read his face because you simply couldn't see it.

Faine had told them that the Melgor people were hunters spread out in clans over vast lands. The most successful clans got to hunt the best areas and tell the other clans what they could and could not do. Clan chiefs were decided by many factors; success in the hunt, kills in battle and amount of wives being just a few. Varim was the most powerful of all the clan chiefs and had no less than twelve wives at last count, although to look at him, Iyla couldn't fathom why one woman would want to marry him, let alone twelve.

"That is good news is it not?" came Alandra's calm and gentle voice.

Varim snorted, "They fear crossing Melgor lands," he said.

"Forgive me for saying so Varim," Alona spoke clearly, "But I doubt that is the only reason. We all know that when Kade has an objective, it often clouds his better judgment and right now, we would have thought his main objective would be to reach Cinia and get to Iyla while she is still young and vulnerable."

Iyla felt uncomfortable, she hated any reminder that she had literally no hope right now of surviving if Kade was to get anywhere near her. Bill gave her arm a comforting squeeze, "Not as vulnerable now you've got those daggers," he whispered and she smiled a little at that. She had been enjoyed her training a great deal and the daggers at her side were certainly a comfort, along with the reassurance and distraction she got from Bill and Faine who were always ready with a joke or something fun to do to take her mind of things.

"I for one would like to know why that does not appear to be the case," said Ellon. "The longer we wait and discuss, the more questions we are finding."

"Agreed," Sam spoke up, "Whilst I am grateful Iyla does not appear to be a target at the moment, I am worried as to what could be distracting Kade from something that was clearly so important to him until a few weeks ago."

"Maybe he is having difficulties which could work to our advantage?" This suggestion came from Damar, the ruler of Char Darin, one of the Darinian monarchies. Darinia had provided some of Iyla and Bill's more colourful history lessons since they'd been at the castle as the three monarchies were all very different and generally didn't get on. Char Darin was the largest and closest to the Melgor lands. Damar had fallen in love with a Melgor clans-woman and had managed to convince her clan to let her marry him. Melgor women are known for their fertility and Damar currently had 10 children with another on the way and wore a slightly worn expression. The Darinians across all three monarchies were descendant from warriors and wedding ceremonies in Darin tended to go along lines of 'if anyone knows of any reason why these two should not be married then speak now and if we don't like it we'll chop off your head and use it as a wedding cake decoration.'