Dagny: An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction.

3. The Prince's Advisors

So, I like this chapter a little a better than the previous one. I don't know why, I just do. :)

Thank you again for your kind votes and comments!

As of today, I am finished my exams!! Naturally, my joy is beyond imagining. I'm so excited for summer!

The royal encampment was a hive of lights and noises, second only to the distant smoky haze of Belatona. It infringed on the peacefully falling dusk. Sverrir drifted in the air above the camp. They were both reluctant to descend. They needed time to think, to absorb everything Láine and Arne had told them.

Brigitta, married...

Does that upset you? Sverrir was more curious than anything else. He knew Brigitta through Dagny's memories, but he wasn't truly attached to her.

She considered. No, but it's strange to me.

It was hard to reconcile her image of her sweet, twelve-year-old sister with the idea of a married woman. A lady, married to Lord Rishart's son. She couldn't even remember Risthart having a son. She pictured a clone of his father, fat, cruel, stupid and greedy. And married to her darling Bree.

She wouldn't have married him if he was like his father.

I suppose not. Dagny leaned forward in her saddle, pressing her face to Sverrir's neck. He made a purring growl low in his throat. I just hope she's happy.

You'll see her soon enough, he comforted. We'll make sure she's happy.

Yes, she promised herself, her mother and her sister. We will.

Sverrir wanted to ask her something. She could feel his hesitance at the edge of her thoughts.

You know you can say anything to me, Sverrir.

He still paused for a moment, before asking her. Are you afraid of this King Jasem? She could tell he didn't like asking her that, but he had to know. The way you reacted earlier...

I hate him, she said decisively, biting out the words. I hate him and all men like him. Men who hate witches. But he doesn't frighten me, Sverrir.

A part of her was glad of it, glad of the chance to strike out at this man who represented everything she despised in the world. Risthart was dead, but if she killed Jasem...that would avenge her Father. If she killed Jasem, it would protect the magicians in Surda and the Broddring Kingdom and it would avenge her father, her mother and the child she could have been, if Risthart's men hadn't taken her Father's life and her Mama's sanity.

I'll kill him, Sverrir. She told her dragon, after another moment of drifting in the balmy evening sky. I'll kill him, if I get the chance. I hope to all the gods that I do.

Don't pin too many hopes on it, he cautioned her. It might not fall to us to kill him. It may be that no one kills him at all. If he surrenders - or doesn't incite war with Prince Tornac -

I'll still hunt him down.

Sverrir was quiet for a moment. Just remember your priorities, Dagny. Don't let vengeance come before duty.

She traced the scales on his neck affectionately. If you say so.

That seemed to be good enough for him. He changed the subject. I can hardly believe Queen Nasuada is dying.

Mm.

It's a great loss, to all Alagaesia.

The sycophantic, parroted words irritated her for some reason. Nasuada is not the saint she's always painted as. She introduced the Register of Magicians, she laid the foundations for Jasem's cruelty.