The Dragon Games

Negotations

Night fell over the manor, painting the grounds in bluish tones, the stars glittering against the dark. As Leon and I walked side by side to the road, my hands stayed in my pocket, and his never left the hilt of his sword. 

At the back of my mind, I wondered if he had spoken to his nephew yet and discovered my lies, but the thought was fleeting. All I could think of was Sammy. But really, I couldn't think at all, not since the moment Leon had said his name. I can't even remember how I got Atlas and Cassian off my back.

"Did you find him?" I said, the questions tumbling from my mouth at a mile a minute. "Is he hurt? Was he attacked? Has he–"

"Answer my questions first," Leon cut in. "A rescue mission was sent to Stonehedge and discovered that every pledge had the same cause of death – the wyvern – except the pledge last seen with you. Tobias Smalls."

"Rick attacked Tobias, not me."

"Rick, as in Tobias's closest ally? The other Windsors said they were like brothers."

"If that's what having a brother is like, I'll count my blessings I'm an only child."

Leon's mouth curled. "Where is Rick? We must bring him forth to verify your claim."

I did not reply. If Leon knew what happened to Tobias, then he knew what happened to Rick.

"So I take it you weren't behind Rick's death, either," Leon said. "Interesting that everyone that could verify your claims is either dead or too injured to speak... You have a way with the truth, don't you, Miss Black?"

I paused, my eyes cutting to him. "So you spoke to Elio?"

"Elio came to me, asking for leniency on your sentencing, telling wild stories of how Samuel Crenshaw killed your friends and cut off your finger. Which was strange, considering that every raider I spoke to had a different account of how you received that injury."

That night on the beach, Drax forced me to chose between two punishments. One, feed Rauuk. That was difficult, considering that I had no meat or livestock, and Drax had confiscated any weapon I could use to hunt some down. Or two, renounce Sammy as captain. I chose the less painful option. The disgust plain on his face, Leon eyed my teeth – the teeth I had used to carry out Drax's orders.

"Samuel Crenshaw didn't kill Georgie," I said. "I told many lies, but that wasn't one of them. Keep hounding after Sammy and you'll never find Georgie's real killer."

Leon suddenly stepped forward, putting his face an inch from mine. His eyes blazed, the rage emanating off of him in waves. He reached forward, and I tensed, only for him to open the door behind me. The carriage had arrived.

"Crenshaw awaits," Leon said.

As I stepped in, a shadow flickered between the trees. With the far distance and poor lighting, I could barely tell whether it was a man, animal, or just some trick of the light, and before I could look again, Leon slammed the door shut, sealing me in darkness. I felt my way along the soft velvet to find a seat, then sank into the cushion and let my eyes fall shut.

"One should never relax in Court," a voice murmured from the darkness. "You never know what lurks about the corner."

I shot up right, a dagger in my hand in an instant. A man sat across from me. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could make out the man's thin face, and shoulder length, pale blond hair. I had never seen him before, but I knew his name instantly. Duke Balthasar was the spitting image of his son, albeit several decades older.

"Last time I checked," I said. "Samuel Crenshaw isn't blond."

His eyes fixed on me, the pale blue glowing faintly in the dark. "You've had quite the mixed bag of fortunes, haven't you?"

My jaw tightened. I was sick of questions answered with more questions. If he actually knew anything about Sammy; I wanted to know it now.

"From orphan to raider to rider, from bottom of your squad to bonding with the best dragon in the arena. It's a heavy burden to bear... is it a burden you wish to bear?"

I knew what he meant to say – what gives a lowly burrow girl the right to strike above her due? But at the moment, I could give a rat's ass about politics.

"Crenshaw," I said.

"Your pardon?"

"Tell me what you know of Crenshaw, or I walk. That is if you know anything at all, and this wasn't just a ploy to get me here."

"I'm getting there," the duke said. "But we're going to talk about your parlay first. You have no need for it anymore. Any House would happily pardon your crimes for the wyvern. And on top of your freedom, they will offer you wealth, land, and status beyond your wildest imagination. But that's not my offer. You will not get a square inch of land from me, nor a single copper, nor a lick of honor. I am picking between the lesser of two evils – letting a blackheart roam the streets instead of allowing a wyvern into unworthy hands."

"Alright." I felt around the dark until I clasped the door handle. "You obviously know nothing."

"I am not referring to you. I am referring to Samuel Crenshaw."

My hand paused on the handle.

Duke Balthasar leaned back against his seat, the picture of ease, as if he knew he had me in the palm of his hand. "You only have one wyvern, Black. That means you can only strike a deal with one House, freeing the others to exact whatever justice they deem necessary for your crimes – on you or your loved ones. And I'd give my offer special consideration, if I were you. Crenshaw went missing from the burrow, yes? What are the odds he's still in my territory? I have my best men searching for him night and day. It won't be long before I have him."

I stilled at the threat, my blood running cold. "If you kill Sammy, you better make sure I follow."

If the prospect of making an enemy of a wyvern rider scared him, he didn't show it. "These are the terms," he deadpanned. "I except your answer soon."

As soon as the carriage slowed, I slid out before it had even come to a full stop. We were at the palace, but I could barely see its splendor in the dark, nor was I in the mood to appreciate it. A knight stepped in front of my path. "Black, your presence is expected in the –"

I sidestepped him, heading for the gardens. I needed to clear my head, a chance to think.

"That didn't go well," the knight murmured to Duke Balthasar.

"Didn't it?" he said. I walked faster, not caring to hear their conversation, but the wind carried their words to me. "Say what you will about the raiders. They may be liars, naves, and lowlives, but their loyalty to their master remains unparalleled."