Wild Rider (Dragon Castaway Book 1) [Complete] {2018 Wattys Longlist}

Chapter 17

Wyena brought her mount low over the treetops as the Tyyrgson family manor came into view. She couldn't help but feel that it looked decidedly out of place with the landscape. The sprawling estate, built from cut grey stone looked like it would have been a good fit in the lands outside Dragon Spire, but in this forested wilderness, it just looked strange.

Coming in for a landing she dismounted and was met by a grim faced middle-aged man wearing the vestments of the territory's governor along with a family medallion.

"Greetings riders" he said bowing as the remainder of the group dismounted. "I am Ryn Tyyrgson, head of the Tyyrgson family and governor of the new territories."

"Ceago Dieron" she said returning his bow "we have been sent to find out what happened"

"I must admit I am surprised that young riders were sent to investigate, the Vestarii usually handle these matters themselves." He said beckoning them inside. "But I'm sure that Dragon lord Rindar has his reasons"

Wyena was glad that he didn't press the issue as she and her group followed the man inside. She wasn't sure how the man would react if he knew that his son's murder was being treated as a test for rider cadets. Looking around she could see that the place was styled like a traditional capital estate. Polished stone walls were adorned with portraits of long gone family members and her boots clacked loudly on the fine wooden floor.

"The remains of my son and his squad are being kept in the cellar" he said, the pain evident in his voice.

"I am sorry to bring up painful memories" she replied apologetically "but is there anything you can tell us about what happened?"

The man shook his head as he led them towards a large wooden door. "It was a Vestarii operation that they claimed was about investigating a raid. You know how those men are. They share almost nothing, even my son was tight lipped about it even though I am the governor here and he was my son. The only thing I know for sure was that the bodies were found in a village on the coast, near the Gods' Henge mountains."

"The village was also destroyed" he continued quickly "so it is my belief that they were caught up in an attack. It's very strange though, that village is far enough from the new border that an incursion from Hullcross would have been noticed by border patrols. My best guess is that was brigands."

Wyena felt her anger rise as a servant unlatched the door and pried it open. If this was an attack by brigands she would see to it personally that they would pay. The problem was she had no proof yet. It was frustrating, but so far no one seemed to know for sure what these men were even doing out there, let alone what could've happened. And the Vestarii were of no help, Rindar hadn't ordered them to divulge what they knew and without his direct intervention, she didn't have a hope of get anything from them.

"Well then, I guess our first step is to inspect the bodies" Jadiak said quietly.

Stepping into the cellar Wyena took one look, and blanched. Over a dozen bodies lay on a large table all of which had been mutilated to varying degrees.

She heard a retching sound behind her and turned to see that Aristos had vomited.

"Get a hold of yourself, what are you, a woman?" Elgenon said. Despite his tough words Wyena could see with some amusement that he was barely keeping himself from copying Aristos. Gathering herself she turned back to look at Ryn.

"Which one is your son?" she asked, "we might as well start there"

The man pointed to the end of the table to a figure that was lying under a thin cloth and looked away as she moved towards it.

She threw off the cover and felt her mouth drop open in shock. The man had literally been cut in two. Quickly composing herself she examined the body. The man was wearing a uniform that marked him out as a regular military officer, but the badge that should've marked him out as a Vestarii was missing.

"What could have done this?" she asked herself before beckoning Jadiak over. "What do you think?"

A look of incredulity came over Jadiak's face as he inspected the corpse. Wyena felt a sinking feeling in her gut, anything that could knock the normally stoic young man out of his stride couldn't be good for any of them.

"Only one thing could have done this to a man" he said quietly, "a dragon"

Wyena froze "you mean like a wild dragon?" she asked incredulously.

Jadiak shook his head as he examined the remaining corpses. "No, some of these men do have wounds consistent with a dragon attack, but some of these cuts had to have been made by an edged weapon. The cuts and blunt force damage on this body didn't come from a sword or claw, more likely some type of axe." He said indicating another one of the bodies.

"Hullcross troops then?" Ramor suggested looking over one of the corpses. "I hear their warriors are quite fond of using axes instead of swords."

Wyena ruthlessly forcing down the fear erupting in her chest. Hunting down a rogue group of brigands was one thing, but the prospect of facing a hostile rider was quite another. As she contemplated the possibilities Ryn spoke up again.

"I'm not sure how that's possible, no patrols have spotted any Hullcross incursions and one led by a dragon rider would be very easy to spot."

Wyena nodded her head in agreement. "That is true, any dragon crossing a well-guarded border should have been spotted" she said puzzled. This was turning into a dangerous mystery and she was beginning to worry about what she would find if they solved it.

"Then we should head to this village to seek out answers." Ramor said his usually excited manner becoming nervous. "Maybe we could find some answers there, or in the surrounding area"

Wyena nodded in agreement, there wasn't much more they could learn from a pile of corpses, so maybe the scene of the incident would yield better results.

"Thank you for hospitality, I am sorry for your loss" she said bowing to Ryn as her group filed out and checked their mounts.

Ryn stared back at her his expression worn and tired. "I understood that my son took a dangerous path in life when he joined the Vestarii, still, understanding the possibility doesn't help very much."

Wyena bowed politely as the man turned and headed back inside the door slamming shut behind him.

"Ok, time discuss our next course of action" she said gesturing to the squad.

"I thought we'd already decided to go to the village" Ramor said as the group gathered around her.

"It is our destination" she affirmed "but it is not the only thing that needs to be discussed.

"Maybe we should call for assistance" Aristos said, "this situation had become far more precarious than just hunting a group of marauders"

"Where are your balls? I thought you had bigger ones when I brought you along" Elgenon sneered. "If we take down a hostile rider as cadets, no one will ever question our achievements."

"Besides" he added "if we go running for help and it turns out to be nothing, we will all be laughingstocks and my father will be furious for wasting both his time and resources."

Wyena thought for a moment, then nodded sourly. Loathe as she was to admit, he had a point. They didn't know enough yet to go running to anyone without looking foolish. Despite the potential risk, she knew it wasn't an option.

"For now, we'll stick to our current plan and head to this village. Make sure you keep potential involvement of an enemy rider to yourselves, there's no need to start a panic if it isn't necessary." she said as she mounted Whirlwind. "One other thing, the Vestarii's medallion was missing, whoever took it may still have it so keep on the lookout."

Jadiak looked at her disapprovingly as he mounted his own dragon. "I hope that you know what you're doing, squad leader."

"I hope so too" she said trying not to let her anxiety show as the group took off in unison.