The Dragon Games

Aftermath

 "... unbelievable. The only witness won't even testify in her favor."

"The boy's scared! He saw what the Balthasars are capable of and is terrified they'll do the same to him."

I awoke in an infirmary room. A very pregnant nurse sat at my bedside while Cassian and Leon argued by the door. They were so caught up in each other, they missed me waking.

"Six Balthasars are dead," Leon snarled. "And you paint them as the villains."

"Of the six Balthasars that went to the mountains, four were not assigned to go, and two checked out a bow and arrow from the weapons department," Cassian replied. "If you can explain how one chops wood with a bow and arrow, I will resign my captaincy on the spot. You know what happened, commander. Furthering an interrogation is just spiteful."

Leon's face tightened, his jaw ticking. "I will not have my character questioned by the likes of you. Do you have any idea the poison you have festering in your ranks? Sleeping in the same tower as my boy?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering what he'd do if he knew I wasn't just sleeping in the same tower as his son. I was sleeping beside his bed. I was entering the arena with him.

"But perhaps the same reason that I cannot tolerate Black is the same reason you insisted on giving her a parlay," Leon hissed.

"And what's that?"

"You prefer a winning squad over an honorable one."

The nurse tapped my shoulder, drawing my attention away from the argument. "Can I check your wounds?" 

Before I could reply, she lifted the hem of my shirt, peering down my back. I frowned at the wall ahead, waiting for the inevitable follow up questions, but she just readjusted the bandages wrapped around my shoulder blade. 

"You don't know who I am, do you?" she asked.

"Should I?"

"Arya Evans, Cassian's wife."

I glanced at Arya's huge belly. I had forgotten Cassian had a wife, much less a baby on the way. Couples married young in the burrow, but it was odd to see a dragon rider settle down so early.

"You haven't broken any bones," Arya continued. "But you almost got yourself killed, bleeding lifeblood all over the place."

I examined the inside of my wrist, where my veins were still more black than blue.

"Next time a dragon attacks, run. Maxing out on the divine is a ten times more painful way to go than a dragon."

"I didn't try to fight the hydra. I knew that was a losing battle."

"What was that?" Leon strode to my bed, his eyes narrow. Cassian was quick to follow. "You did not attack Blacktooth?"

"Sir, she is still recovering," Arya protested. "Give her a few days of rest before the inquisition."

Leon barely twitched. "Step aside, miss. This is an urgent matter." The Evans both protested, but Leon held up a hand. "I am Commander of the Sword Brethren. By order of your king, step aside."

With rigid shoulders, Arya and Cassian parted, letting Leon move directly over my bed. "Did you attack the hydra?"

"No," I said.

"Cassian swears that all you did was run. So if you did not attack the Balthasar pledges or Blacktooth, how did you max out on the divine?"

I drew my locket from my shirt. "I lost my locket, and with the Balthasars hunting me down, I didn't have time to look for it the normal way."