The Dragon Queen

Chapter 12

Heir Baronetess Makena Rikon of Rivergarde, Morith

Unknown, Anarchy Camp

"Here, try this." Makena only has a fraction of a second to snatch a sword out of the air before it hits her, and she stares at it for a moment. It is a rapier with an elegantly gold cage protecting the hilt. She examines it, holding it in her hand and moving it side to side. It is lighter than the weapon they had been sparring with. She has often found herself wanting to use one, and knows several in the Anarchy have them, including Lucas. She looks at him with a curious glance to see him waiting for her to focus her attention on the session. In his right hand is his sword, similar to hers, only silver and not as ornate.

"I am not as weak as you think I am." Makena takes her stance, and the dance begins. It is well rehearsed by now, having spent most evenings running through several scenarios.

"I don't think you are weak at all." Lucius replies with a side block. "In fact, you are quite fast, which is why I thought it might be easier with this weapon, rather than a heavy sword." Lucius makes a lunge and Makena scrambles to deflect such an unplanned maneuver. "Good." He nods at her as he back away with a smile. "You are catching on quick."

"Well, I need something to focus on, seeing as the King of Creedian is here." Makena fired off, though trying not to sound as angry as she feels.

Lucius pulls up short with a quizzical look. "How do you know who he is?"

Makena raises her eyebrows at him. "Anna recognized him. Your benefactor is Wesley Gains, and it was his request that I come here. So why, Lucius Shaw, does he want me here?"

Lucius takes his stance again, but awkwardly. "I can't tell you." She glares at him. "I can't tell you because I don't know. I have asked him, but he won't tell me."

"Then why hasn't he wanted to talk to me yet?" Makena lunges and then blocks in a back-and-forth dance for a minute.

"He is distracted. He runs the Anarchy, and Lilith is updating him on all the changes and stuff that needs looked after." He tries to reason with a sympathetic glance. "It should be any time now. He is extremely interested in you and your talent."

Makena sees an opportunity and makes a move he does not see coming and only just deflects, allowing for her to push into him with her shoulder. He goes to the ground with a shocked look, and suddenly it does not feel so much like a game anymore. "I am not a pawn, Lucius." She bites out as she stares down at him. "I am not fighting for the Anarchy. I am a noble, and when I become Baroness, I will fight for Morith against the rebellion." He stares up at her with his black hair in his dark eyes. "Don't make me fight you on the battlefield."

Slowly he comes to his feet, but Makena holds her ground as he steps up to her. She glares up at him and forces herself not to move. "I would not like to see you fight at all. You have people to do that for you. You don't need to endanger yourself."

A flash of worry crosses his face as he searches her gaze. "You mistake me for noble who uses her people like pieces of a chessboard." She shakes her head with a fire coursing through her veins. "If my people fight, so will I, at their side. If they can give their life for me, I can give my life for them."

Lucius grumbles and turns away from her, while putting his weapon back in its hold. He turns on her after a moment with a frustration that mimics her own. "Why do you have to be so fierce and stubborn?" Lucius questions but the emotion in his voice causes Makena's heart to thump hard against her chest. He sighs when she does not back down. "You could get hurt, and knowing that drives me insane, Makena." He reaches out and Makena looks down to see his fingers encircle the pendant he gave her. "I know that you would never accept help, but I hope you understand that if you need it I will be there."