Soar

Chapter 26

Ebenric was one of the largest cities under King Niloth's rule, outside of the capital. It was teeming with life; apart from the people who called Ebenric home, the city overflowed with refugees who had flocked to the safety of its walls. The tents of displaced villagers had spilled out onto the plain around the city and they had erected a temporary wooden palisade around the addition. What little good such an effort would be against dragons no one seemed to consider.

Most people were too caught up in their own troubles to acknowledge three new arrivals. At best they forgot their own business long enough to get out of the way of our horses, but twice Tajir's horse nearly trampled someone so distracted they did not see us. Tajir took to curing just to get people's attention, which put me in mind of Master Bennu's bird.

We made our way across the city to the castle at its heart, where Lord Kataj resided and oversaw the defense of the stronghold.

Erizar explained to me that Kataj was an old friend by whose side he had once fought. "Back when we were boys and Umreo had not yet come to power."

"I thought Kataj was a dragon rider," Tajir said.

"At one time he was, but his dragon was killed in one of Umreo's first open assaults, when the coward was bold enough to face our own dragons. Kataj had fought common raiders and bandits on foot or horseback while his dragon guarded Ebenric with the few others the city had. He did not seek another dragon when she died."

I glanced quickly at Erizar. "Do dragon riders often find new bonds if theirs are killed?"

"Yes. They are too valuable not to, with their training. Dragons do the same. You recall that black brute whose rider skulks about the king's castle?"

Of course I did, and I nodded.

"That's Raivyr. He was Prince Teristan's bond before."

"Which explains his superior attitude," Tajir remarked wryly. "I had the unfortunate honor of crossing paths with him after we were recalled from the patrols and I had the distinct impression he would as soon eat me as look at me."

I grinned, because that seemed an apt description of Raivyr. "But who was Prince Teristan?" I asked them.

Both men stared at me as if I was a half-wit. Then Tajir let out a heavy breath. "Of course. Sometimes I forget how much you don't know."

"We do live in a rather eventful part of the world," Erizar reminded him. To me he explained, "Teristan was King Niloth and Queen Dunia's second child and only son. He became the heir to the throne when his elder sister Haelyn was killed as a child, and then he was killed in a sudden attack during a routine patrol, making his younger sister Morena crown princess."

It suddenly seemed like a great deal made sense. "That's why-" I started before I caught myself. Eyes wide, I snapped my mouth shut.

Tajir laughed. "Why it seems like she isn't suited to the throne?" His smile faltered. "Poor girl was raised expecting an easier life."

Erizar harrumphed. "Poor girl, indeed," he said quietly. Then, with a sigh, "But enough of that." He nodded with his head to indicate the gate we had come to. Beyond it, Lord Kataj's ancient fortress stood firm and imposing.

The guard at the gate knew Erizar and we entered without delay. A crowd of people moved about the courtyard, rushing about their tasks with a silent determination. A boy appeared to lead away our dusty horses and Erizar dispatched a second to find Lord Kataj and alert him to our arrival.

"Though he may have his hands full, by the look of things," Erizar remarked as he led us down a path between trampled grass, to a bench under a tree. From there we watched the ceaseless activity.