Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 47

     "Took you long enough to give up," he mumbles in my hair.

     "How long have you been awake?" I ask quietly.

     "Since you woke from your nightmare," he retorts pulling me right against him.

     "I didn't want to wake you," I sigh.

     "I know," he says nibbling on my ear.

     "You are bad," I say as his hand slides under my tunic.

     "So what?" he demands kissing me. I soon find myself naked beneath him as he makes love to me. By the time the sun has risen I've forgotten my nightmare. We dress and return to the keep. Pine has found one of our own to run the keep and he has lined up every household in the courtyard.

     "Is this all of them?" I ask looking at the people.

     "Yes, Destroyer," the man replies.

     "You are all of the Mines clan, your leader chose to die last night rather than bow his knee to your rightful King," I say passing them slowly in my armor. "In fact your coward of a leader tried to take me captive rather than fight. If this is how you wish to live, like cowards, then do not bow. If however, that was the feelings of only a few as we found in the Mountain clan then bow and we will be on our way," I say watching the people.

     "The King isn't our problem," says one of the soldiers from the previous night. "It is his choice of companions."

     "So then bow to the King for once this is over I will return to the plains," I say.

     "It's not that simple," the same man retorts.

     "Then challenge me proper unlike your leader. If you yield you will all bow and deal with it. If I yield you will be free to do as you please. If however you attempt to cheat as your previous leader did then we will put all to the sword."

     "You'd kill women and children," the man protests.

     "If they breed weaklings and traitors like your previous leader yes," I say watching his face.

     "You truly are a demon," the man spits.

     "Is this your challenge?" I demand. He nods and we clear the people for another round this time our forces man the walls and the gates as well as guard the people. I draw my sword and we begin the game. He isn't as dumb as his previous leader, but he still relies on brute strength. I drive him to the ground and he reluctantly yields. I offer him my hand and he takes it.

     "There is no reason to hate me, I was chosen for War councilor for obvious reasons," I say helping him to his feet.

     "We will bow at this time," he says and kneels in front of me. I watch as the rest kneel in the dirt of the courtyard.

     "We will expect to see you in six months, just like the Mountain clan," Pine says. "As a reminder we will leave a few of our men here, if any harm comes to them I will send the demon back here." I turn away to hide my smile and catch Evergreen watching me. He grins at me as we return to the tent. After this keep all the rest are more than happy to accept Evergreen as King. Our trip takes a little over four months and I immediately leave to visit the plains.

     "You are back," Aunt says. I dismount and hug her. "We were worried when you didn't return with Nelax, until he gave us the letter."