dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon (21 page)

A loud snort had him spinning on his heel to see a wild boar charging in his direction. The string of his bow was loose, and he cursed as it slipped through his fingers before he finally had it hooked onto the bow. The boar was an old fighter, with one long tusk blunted from years of use and the second broken halfway down, its splintered end far more dangerous than the undamaged tusk. The animal was barely yards away when Lleland notched an arrow and drew his bow.

The arrow hit the boar squarely in the chest, causing it to stumble. It squealed in pain but rose back to its feet and continued to charge. The brief falter gave Lleland enough time to draw another arrow, and it flew through the air to hit the boar in the neck. The creature dropped to the ground, swinging its head wildly through the air as its high-pitched squeals echoed between the trees, making birds take flight from the branches. A third arrow through the heart killed the animal, and Lleland dropped onto his knees beside it. It had been a close call, the result of a distracted mind. The animal was too large for him to carry back to Storbrook, but he sliced a thick hunk of meat from the boar’s flank before leaving the remains to the wolves and other animals that roamed the mountains. He carried the meat away from the carcass, then stopped to build a fire. He hadn’t eaten at all that day, and despite the events of the morning, his stomach growled in hunger. The meat was tough and stringy, and without salt to season it, was tasteless. It relieved his hunger, however, and gave him the strength to turn toward Storbrook again. It was already mid-afternoon and the castle still lay a few hours away.

The path to Storbrook led north, but to the east rose a high ridge, beyond which the mountains fell away in a vast panorama. He did not make a conscious decision to climb the ridge, but he was aware of a desire to see the view spreading before him one last time before leaving Storbrook and the Northern Mountains. The climb was easy at first, but became gradually steeper, until he was climbing almost vertically. He gained the height and looked out over the sweeping vista that spread in every direction.

A narrow path led to the next peak, and Lleland started towards it. The slopes of the mountain fell sharply away on either side of the path, and as he walked loose pebbles went tumbling down the side. He reached the base of the next peak an hour later, a crag of bare rock face that towered over him. He pushed his boots off his feet and slung his bow over his shoulder. With searching fingers he found a small crevice that would serve as a finger hold, and swung himself upwards. His fingers found another crack, and slowly he inched his way up the side of the rock face, swinging his hands between the cracks while his toes gripped the rock below. A glimmer in the distance caught his eye, but he ignored it as he focused on the wall above him. Inch by inch, he scaled the height, until finally he reached the top and pulled himself up on his stomach, lying for a moment as the burning in his muscles slowly eased. As the pain ebbed away, he rose to his feet and looked around. The rock he was on was barely a dozen feet in length and width – like a small tabletop high above the clouds. He dropped his bow and arrows and walked to the edge of the precipice. A cool breeze lifted the hair from his neck, and he spread his arms, enjoying the feeling of absolute silence and space.

He gazed towards the infinite horizon, turning to take it in from all directions. An eagle soared on currents far below him, circling as it dropped lower. He watched it as it dived, disappearing between the trees. Storbrook’s golden walls lay in the distance, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun’s bright rays as he gazed at it. Another needle of rock rose even higher a short distance away, and he squinted to see a messy scattering of twigs covering the top. He walked to the edge and peered up, trying to spot an eaglet. He saw none, but before he pulled back, there was a whoosh from below, and the wing of an eagle brushed over his face as it soared towards its nest. He lurched back, his hands waving wildly as he sought to regain his balance.

Lleland’s foot slipped over the edge of the precipice, sending a scattering of stones tumbling down the side. His backside hit the edge and slipped forward. He slapped his palms against the rock but his hands slid over the smooth surface, unable to find purchase. A yell escaped his mouth as he skidded from the rock and started falling through the air, his arms and legs flailing as his heart pounded furiously.

A roar filled the air a moment before a snake-like cord, covered with gold scales that glittered in the sunlight, lashed around Lleland’s waist, halting his fall. The side wrapped around him was smooth, but facing outwards were sharp spikes that curved like the thorns on a rose. He groaned as his eyes followed the long, golden length to the large, sleek body it was attached to. “From one certain death into the jaws of another,” he muttered. The dragon’s long neck curved gracefully downwards, and above the clamped jaws, fiery eyes glared at him. He closed his eyes and prayed that his death would be quick and painless.

The dragon rose through the air, bearing its burden above the rocky tabletop. As they climbed higher, Lleland could see his bow lying where he had dropped it, arrows beside it. Hope surged through him. Force of habit had made him slip one heavy arrow into his quiver, even though he had not expected to hunt anything larger than a rabbit, and if his aim was true, one was all he needed.

He watched as the rock grew closer. The dragon was almost above it, and he could feel its tail grow slacker. He wriggled, testing the grip. If he could slide down and slip beneath the tail as the dragon landed, he could reach his bow, still strung, and notch an arrow in the space of a heartbeat. The table of rock was just a few feet below him now, and as the dragon dropped, Lleland gathered his focus. His toes touched the hard surface, and with an outward thrust, he pushed away the tail and slipped down, rolling in the direction of the bow. He grabbed the weapon and spun onto his haunches, notching the arrow in one fluid motion. The dragon had landed on the rock, and as he pulled back the arrow the beast was directly in front of him.

The arrow sprang from the string with a whirl, but the dragon was even faster. It launched itself into the air, rising above the passing barb with barely an inch to spare. The creature raced over Lleland’s head, the tip of its tail knocking the bow from his hand and sending it plummeting down the precipice. The dragon soared away from the rock as Lleland dropped to his knees and scrambled over the edge. He had to get away before the dragon returned. His foot slipped, and he slid down the face of the rock a few inches, until his scrabbling fingers found a small hold. He was scratched and bleeding, but he barely noticed as he searched for another toehold.

The dragon circled around him, and he leaned into the rock as it passed, breathing a sigh of relief when it disappeared around the other side. He continued his descent, slipping and sliding over the unyielding surface. He finally neared the foot of the cliff, and jumping down, spun around to look for the dragon. It was still circling around the rock, but as he looked up, it blew out a single stream of flame then turned away. He watched as it vanished into the distance, then sank to his knees. He could hear the roar of his heart in his chest. He started to shiver despite the heat of the sun, and he pushed a shaking hand across his forehead to wipe away the sheen of sweat. When he finally pushed himself to his feet, he saw his bow lying a short distance away. Somehow, it had survived the fall.

Chapter 23

It was almost dark by the time Lleland arrived back at Storbrook, bruised and aching. Supper was being served, but he walked past the hall and headed up the stairs. As he reached the passage a voice called his name, and he turned to see Aaron standing in the doorway of his study.

“Are you hurt?” Aaron asked.

“Just some scrapes and bruises.”

“You’ll join us in the hall?”

“No. I don’t have much of an appetite. But I need to speak with you later.”

Aaron nodded. “I’ll be in the solar.”

Lleland headed to his chambers and packed up his few belongings. He placed the chess piece Lydia had given him on the small table beside the bed. He saw it now for what it was – not a token of affection, but a sign that she could never be his.

Lleland waited until he heard sounds in the passage before heading out the door and towards the solar. He pushed open the door and paused when he saw Lydia. Keira was sitting beside her, holding her hand.

“Ah, Lleland, come in,” Aaron said. Lleland stepped in and closed the door. “Help yourself to some wine.”

Lleland nodded stiffly and poured himself a glass, before taking a seat across from Aaron. “Master Drake, I’ll be leaving at first light,” Lleland said. He heard Lydia’s sharp intake of breath.

“That’s probably for the best,” Aaron said. “I’d hoped that staying here would help you see the truth about dragons. But perhaps –”

The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard through the door. Aaron lifted his head, then glanced quickly at Lydia, who met his gaze with raised eyebrows. Aaron’s eyes moved on to Keira. “Zach,” he said in response to her questioning expression.

They both stood as the door flung open, and Zach marched in, his eyes sweeping over the room. They settled narrowly on Lleland.

“You,” he snarled. “You have the temerity to come here!”

“Zach,” Aaron said, laying his hand on Zach’s shoulder. Zach shook it off and met Aaron’s gaze with a growl.

“Do you know who that is, Father?” he said, pointing at Lleland. “That … that murderer.”

“What?” Lleland said, rising as Lydia jumped to her feet.

“What are you saying?” she demanded.

“I just saw Grandfather. He said we have a visitor.” Zach turned to glare at Lleland. “Imagine my surprise when I heard it was
you
!”

“What are you talking about?” Lydia demanded.

Zach’s gaze swung to his sister. “You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“I did a bit more digging into Master Seaton.” He spat the name. “He’s a hunter.”

“Zach.” Aaron’s voice held a note of warning, but Zach ignored it. “He’s a
hunter
, Lydia. A dragon hunter.”

“No!” Lydia’s gaze swung to Lleland. “Tell me it’s not true.”

Lleland flushed. “It’s true. But I didn’t come here to hunt.”

“Just to learn how to hunt more effectively,” Zach snarled. “You’re despicable. You profess friendship, when all you want to do is kill and murder.” He turned to Aaron. “You, of all people, should have known better!”

“Zach!” Keira’s voice held a note of warning.

“Careful, son,” Aaron said. “I know what he is. I hoped being here would help him see the truth.”

“He’s too blinded by hate to see the truth,” Zach said.

“The truth?” Lleland said. He stalked towards Zach. “You want to know the truth? The truth is my father was killed by one of those monsters! He pleaded for my life, and the beast made me watch as it ripped my father apart and ate him, one limb at a time.” Lleland’s nostrils flared as he glared at Zach. “Even when I turned away, I could hear the breaking and crunching of his bones. I couldn’t even cover my ears, because I was trapped and injured.” He turned to Aaron. “Do you know how old I was? Six! So tell me that dragons are not monsters.” Silence fell over the room, broken only by Lydia’s soft sob as she dropped to the floor. It was Aaron who finally spoke.

“How much blood did he give you?”

Lleland looked at Aaron in disbelief. “What?”

“Blood. How much did the dragon give you?”

“What are you talking about?” Lleland took a step back.

“You said you were injured. When the dragon finished with your father, did he just leave you there?”

Lleland shook his head, trying to make sense of what Aaron was saying.

“The blood of a dragon is very potent,” Aaron said. “It slows down the aging process. It gives a human incredible strength. And it also heals. Did the dragon heal you with his blood?”

“No!”

“How much did he give you?” Aaron asked again.

“I don’t know,” he said. Lleland closed his eyes as the ghost of a memory flitted through his conscious mind.

“Yes, you do. Think, Lleland. What happened when the dragon was done with your father?”

“I –”

“You said you were injured. Were you able to stand?”

“No. I was … there was blood everywhere. Some of it was mine, and the rest …” Lleland swallowed and looked away.

“Jack gave you some blood, didn’t he?”

“Jack?”

“Black Jack,” Zach said.

Black Jack. The memory of a man dressed in black rose in Lleland’s mind.
You’re mine.
“I keep dreaming of a man in black,” Lleland said.

“What does the man do?” Aaron said.

“Nothing. He just watches me.”

“The man’s not a dream, he’s a memory.”

“No. I’d remember that.”

“How did you get home, Lleland? After your father was killed?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Yes, you do. You don’t want to, but the memory is still there. That’s why Jack comes in your dreams.”

“I don’t know this Jack!”

“Think, Lleland. How did you get home?”

“I, uh …” Lleland closed his eyes.

“Well, come along,” said the man. “I’ll walk you home. You can introduce me to your mother.” Lleland nodded and rose to his feet. The dragon had vanished, and the man was shrugging on a black doublet.

“Where’s the dragon?” he asked.

“He asked me to take care of you,” said the man. Again, Lleland nodded. That made sense. He took the man’s hand. “My name’s Jack,” the man said. “What’s yours?”

Lleland gasped as his eyes flew open. “You’re right,” he whispered. “That man – Jack – he was there.” He swallowed. “How did you know that?”

“He gave you some blood. Do you remember?”

“No.” Lleland shook his head. “No. I’d never have drunk someone’s blood.”

“He gave you dragon blood.” Aaron’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’d been badly injured. How else could you even manage to rise?”