Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 46

      "Evergreen was beginning to worry about you," Pine says. We walk in silence back to our tent. I lay down on my cot, but find I can't sleep. I spend the night stitching a new tunic from the fabric I've been embroidering. Evergreen wakes and finds me still stitching.

     "You should try and get some sleep," he says. "We have a few hours until we need to leave."

     "I can nap in the saddle," I retort finishing attaching the sleeves.

     "You made that all in one night?" he asks taking it from me.

     "I've been working on the embroidery for several months but the tunic came together last night.

     "I think you have the fastest needle in all the lands," he teases.

     "Is that a good qualification for queen?" I retort.

     "I think it is a requirement that a queen be able to sew," he says.

     "Yes it is a requirement," Pine says stepping into the tent and admiring my handiwork.

     "Do you think you could make one for me?" he asks.

     "I've never made one for anyone but myself," I say blushing.

     "I'll have a shirt made and then have you do the fancy stuff," he concedes.

     "It will cost you," I tease.

     "Name your price," he retorts.

     "Keeping me alive through Evergreens scheme to make me queen," I demand.

     "Done," Pine says as we shake on it. I laugh feeling lighter than air. I pack the tent and then mount my horse. We follow Pine as he sets a slower pace for our wounded and at night we camp just outside of the next keep. I ride with Evergreen, Pine and a few others to see what is happening. The Lord of the keep greets us at the gate.

     "Your Majesty," he says bowing low, "what brings you to my humble keep?"

     "Your clan was not present at the ceremony," Evergreen says.

     "We were delayed, but I sent over some people when we heard you were at the Mountain clans keep," he says carefully.

     "And now we are here," I say. "We are demanding entrance and every knee in your miserable keep bowed to Evergreen."

     "You will be silent plains demon," the man snaps. Pine pulls his sword and places it under the mans chin.

     "Destroyer is the Kings War councilor and you will give her the respect due her station," Pine hisses.

     "If he wishes to settle his differences with me, he may follow the laws and challenge me," I say grinning devilishly.

     "I.. I will take your challenge bitch," he snarls.

     "Good put on your armor and let us settle this now, we are on a schedule and you are delaying us," I snap. I dismount and hand the reigns to one of the bodyguards. I check my armor and weapons and then we follow the man into the keep. He disappears for a long while we wait finally he returns armored in metal plate armor. I groan knowing I am going to be sore by morning. We wait while a circle is drawn in the dirt and then we cross swords. I quickly learn he relies on brute strength and begin a series of blows designed to wear out my opponent. It only takes a half hour for his strikes to slow and weaken. I lunge in for the deciding blow. He quickly gains his feet and pulls a hidden dagger.

     "Move and the War councilor is dead," he snarls. "Drop your weapon demon." I release my sword and watch as he kicks it at Evergreen. "So you'll have something to remember her by." I stare at Evergreen's face as his bodyguards swarm around him after he's retrieved my sword. "I will never bow my knee to a weakling like you." I wait patiently for the man to make a wrong move. He pulls me back with him as he retreats towards the keep. My heart pounds as the distance between my group and me gets larger and larger. I hear a door bang open and bite my lip to keep from screaming.

     "Down!" a voice commands. I drop down ignoring the dagger at my throat as an arrow whizzes past my head. I hear the peculiar thump as it find flesh and roll away from the keep. I glance back and find my captor has an arrow through his throat.

     "Your leader is dead, put down your arms and you will be spared. Continue to fight and your life is forfeit," I say calmly. Even though my heart still pounds. I hear the clattering of weapons on the ground and take my first easy breath in what seems like hours. I quickly make my way back to Evergreen and take my sword back. I am very careful not to hug him even though my arms ache to hold him.

     "Pine find one among ours to take responsibility for this keep," I say. "I want a report on their loyalties by morning. I want every able bodied man, woman, and child assembled in the morning. They will bow or die in the morning." Pine nods and we leave out of the keep. I make it to the tent before my knees give out and I collapse on the rugs.

     "Are you hurt?" Evergreen asks pulling my helmet and armor off.

     "I don't think so," I stutter. Evergreen checks me carefully, kissing the nick he's found on my neck. My arms wrap around him and I stay huddled in his lap for many hours, until he gently carries me to the cot. He lays me down and pulls me to his chest.

     "I almost lost you again," he mutters. "I want to lock you in the castle and never let you out again."

     "At least we know where their loyalties lie," I mumble.

     "It might be like the Mountain clan," he says.

     "I hope so," I say. I ride through the thickening fog, and some part of my brain knows this is a dream. I push the mare harder, I've got to find him before it's too late. He must know how I feel, but no matter how hard I push the horse I can't seem to reach him. I wake with a start and find myself tangled with Evergreen and the blankets. It takes me a minute to remember why I'm here and not in my cot. I try futilely to untangle myself from Evergreen. I remove his arm from my waist and he throws his leg over my hip. I wiggle loose from his leg and he wraps both arms around me. Finally I give up and get comfortable against him.