Dragon Lord (13 page)

By the time Edana woke, Adalric had already been and bellowed on their doorstep and demanded to know where his daughter was. He’d found out about her visits and had run out of other places to look. He left after issuing numerous threats.

“How are you feeling?” Hanun asked Edana as she joined them at the table for lunch.

“Like I slept for a year. I hope you don’t mind me staying here.”

“Of course not. That man who calls himself your father was here earlier. Humph. Throwing his weight around and carrying on.”

“I didn’t mean to bring trouble to your door,” Edana said.

Hanun shook his head. “It’s been there since my birth. Enough of this. How is River? Ready for the Halfday races? They’re going to be big. There’s some out of town dragons entered in the experienced races held in the morning. Everyone will be there to see who takes first in their events.”

“What is everyone saying? Has anyone seen them race before?” Fen asked.

“There’s going to be a lot betting on them to win from the talk,” Hanun said.

“That must be why my father’s been angrier than usual. He doesn’t like to lose. He also doesn’t like it when people think he might lose.”

There was noise outside, what sounded like a fight, before the dining room door was flung open. Hanun and Fen had risen to their feet at the first sound. Edana rose to her feet when she saw her father burst into the room.

“I knew it,” Adalric bellowed. “Return my daughter at once. Someone fetch a guard. This man stole my daughter.”

One of the men who entered the room behind Adalric turned and strode from the room. Three others stood behind him and blocked the door so Hanun’s servants couldn’t enter.

“Can you prove she’s your daughter?” Fen asked. “Do you have blood proof?”

Adalric turned to glare at Fen. “To think I offered you space at my stables. You’re no better than him.” He gestured towards Hanun.

Before Hanun could speak, Fen stepped forward. “Only for your own advantage. How long would I have owned my dragon had I taken you up on your offer? Enough of that. Prove this is your daughter and you can take her.”

Adalric turned to another of his men. “Ask my wife to send the birth blood. Have a wizard sent for. I’ll prove before the guard this girl’s my daughter.” Adalric glared at them all, Edana included.

Silence filled the room as they waited, none of them interested in talking to each other. The silence was eventually broken by a scuffle outside the dining room and one of Hanun’s servants called out, “Master, there’s a letter from the competition arena.” The man waved the letter above his head, still blocked from entering by Adalric’s men.

“Read it out,” Adalric ordered.

The servant looked towards Hanun. Fen answered for him. “Go ahead. Read it. We’ve nothing to hide.”

“Yes, sir.” The servant opened the letter. “After reviewing your dragon’s races to date we have decided he is now of a standard to join the experienced level. This promotion will be in effect next Halfday competition.”

“Huh! Now you’ll see what real competition is. If I don’t have a dragon in the experienced level races, Bastian does. There’s no way you can win. We’ll see who’s laughing at the end of the races,” Adalric gloated.

“River will still win,” Edana said fiercely.

“It won’t matter. You won’t be there to see him win. You’ll be locked in your room until your wedding day,” Adalric warned.

A guard was ushered into the room. “Lords, you called for a guard?”

“This girl is my daughter. They’ve stolen her from me,” Adalric pointed towards Edana.

“Do you now call this man father?” Fen asked Edana.

“No.”

“My lord,” the guard protested. “I can’t take a girl from a home without proof.”

“You’ll have it. I’ve sent for blood proof and a wizard,” Adalric said.

The guard turned towards Hanun and Fen. “Are you satisfied with this? Do you need your own wizard brought in to confirm the test?”

Fen shrugged. “We’ll see what his wizard says. It’ll depend on the honesty of the wizard. If he says her blood matches his daughter than we’ll bring in our own wizard.” Fen thought to River,
“I hope you told the truth about the blood being unrecognisable.”

“They will not compare. If the wizard says they do he lies.”

“Honesty! My wizard is the most honest one around,” Adalric bellowed.

“We’ll soon see,” Fen said.

As they waited, Hanun moved to Fen’s side and muttered, “I hope you know what you’re doing, boy.”

Fen gave him a smile. “I do. I definitely do.”

“I hope so. Especially when I know the truth of the matter.”

Fen laughed. “Prepare to be amazed, Hanun.”

“What are you two plotting?” Adalric demanded.

“I was wondering what we should spend out next lot of gold winnings on,” Fen said.

“You have to win the race first. That won’t happen,” Adalric said.

Before anyone could reply, the servant arrived with the birth blood followed by the wizard. The men moved out of the doorway to let them into the room. Adalric explained the problem to the wizard.

“But that is your girl. Anyone can tell by looking at her. Surely everyone knows her look,” the wizard protested.

“Never mind. Get this over with. I have more important things to do. I need to get ready for a betrothal ceremony,” Adalric growled.

The wizard pulled a small silver bowl and a sharp instrument from within his robes. “Come here, mistress. I need some blood for the test.”

Edana looked towards Fen. At his nod, she stepped forward and held out her hand. It was the one Fen had cut last night. There wasn’t even a scar left behind to remind her of what she’d endured.

The wizard took her hand and beckoned one of Adalric’s men forward to hold the bowl. A quick prick from the sharp instrument, a sudden indrawn breath from Edana and a few drops of blood fell into the bowl. The wizard let her hand go and Edana put her finger in her mouth to stop the blood from spilling.

“Are you all satisfied the blood came from the correct girl?” the wizard asked.

“Yes. Now get on with it.” Adalric urged him on with an impatient gesture.

The wizard took the parchment with the birth blood on it. “Are you certain this is the blood you wish me to compare?”

“Of course I am. Do we have to go through all this nonsense?” Adalric demanded.

“Yes. All must be done correctly if we’re to have a confirmed answer.” The wizard turned to Fen and Hanun. “Are you happy with the proceedings so far?”

“Continue,” Hanun said graciously.

The wizard turned to the man who held the bowl and started his spell. Several minutes later he stopped chanting and looked from Adalric to Fen.

“Well? Are you going to tell us the results?” Adalric demanded.

“Yes. Get it over and done with. Tell him the blood doesn’t match,” Fen said.

“Enough from you,” Adalric snapped. He turned to the wizard. “Speak up. The guard is waiting to hear the results.”

The wizard shook his head. “My lord,” he faltered, unable to go on.

“What?” Adalric bellowed.

“The blood doesn’t match.” The words came out in a tumble and the wizard stepped back.

“Do the test again. Better yet. Bring me another wizard. Someone has cheated,” Adalric yelled.

“We could take it to the courts. Have the court wizard do the test,” the guard suggested. “There will still be a judge on duty. If there are other cases to be heard I am sure we can shuffle them around due to the urgency of this matter.”

“Yes. I demand this be taken to the courts. I want a private audience. I want this dealt with now,” Adalric ordered.

“Yes, my lord. Immediately,” the guard agreed. “I’ll meet you all there.” He looked towards Edana. “If all involved parties are not there within the hour guards will be sent out to fetch them back.”

Edana stepped forward. “My blood.” She held her hand out to the wizard for the bowl. He gave it to her.

“That doesn’t belong to her,” Adalric argued.

“You can’t have it if it doesn’t match what you already own,” the guard warned when Adalric started to step forward.

“What if she makes a run for it?” Adalric asked. “How will we find her?”

“I’ll stand as her warranty. Would I risk my stables and dragon for someone I think will run?” Hanun asked.

“Will that be sufficient?” the guard asked Adalric.

“I gain his stable and dragon if the girl doesn’t show up at the courts within the hour?” A look of calculation crossed Adalric’s face.

“Yes,” the guard confirmed.

“Then I’ll expect you to escort me to the courts,” Edana told the guard.

“It will be my pleasure.” The guard gave a slight bow.

Fen stepped forward, with a linen napkin from the table, and took the bowl from Edana. He wiped it clean and tucked the napkin into his belt pouch. “Our insurance in case something should happen.” He looked first at the guard and then at Adalric. He turned to Hanun. “You escort her to the courts. I’ll keep watch on things here. With all this bad blood we wouldn’t want to leave ourselves vulnerable.” Fen stared at Hanun and hoped he’d understand and support him.

“Sensible. And of course I should be the one to go. I need to protect my investment.” Hanun turned to Edana. “Come then, my dear. Let’s sort this out.”

The guard escorted Hanun and Edana to the courts.

Before he left to follow them, Adalric glared at Fen. “You’ve made yourself an enemy this day.”

Fen smiled. “I made myself an enemy a long time before this.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The moment I officially owned my dragon you wanted him. I never planned to give him up. We’ve always been enemies.”

Adalric growled before he stormed from the room. As soon as he was confident everyone had left the house, Fen called the servants. He made certain they knew to lock the place up and let no one in. Once everything was secure, Fen walked to River’s pen.

“Will she be fine?” Fen leaned against River for comfort.

“I will show you what happens. Through Edana’s own eyes.”

“You can do that?”

“If Edana will allow it.”
There was a moment of silence.
“She will allow it. She says she could do with the advice.”

They joined Edana as she stood before the judge, the truthsayer at his side, while Adalric explained at the top of his voice what the problem was.

“Enough!” The judge bellowed loud enough to be heard over Adalric. “You girl, what is your name?”

“Answer him true,”
River warned.
“The truthsayer will test for honesty.”

“Edana Lenita Behira Yileen Renarlo con Crinitie,” Edana answered.

“See. I told you this is my daughter,” Adalric said.

“Enough.” The judge glared at Adalric in annoyance. “Any more outbursts and you may leave my courts and I’ll find in favour of the girl.”

Adalric glared at him.

“Understood?” the judge asked.

“Yes, Your Honour,” Adalric snapped.

“Now, girl. You give your name as this man’s daughter. Are you not here to prove you aren’t his daughter? You’d best not be wasting my time.”

“No, Your Honour. This man claims me as his daughter and has brought the birth blood to prove it. His wizard tested me and it came up negative. The blood says I’m not his daughter,” Edana said, prompted by River and Fen.

“How can this be possible?” the judge asked.

Edana shrugged. She knew there was no verbal answer she could give without a lie being detected.

The judge turned to Adalric. “What happened to your daughter? Why does this one not match?”

“This is my daughter. The wizard must have cheated. There’s no other answer. I want the test done again,” Adalric demanded.

The judge nodded and a wizard stepped forward. The same procedure as before was done again. The wizard looked between all the parties before he stepped close to the judge. They whispered between themselves before the judge turned to glare at Adalric.

“Did you or any of your people cause the death of your birth child?” the judge demanded.

“No!”

“Send for his wife,” the judge told one of his men. With a nod the man left.

“What’s the meaning of this? My daughter’s here before you.” Adalric pointed towards Edana.

The judge looked around the room solemnly. “I don’t know who this girl is, but her blood shows she’s not your daughter. I can only think foul play was involved.”

There was a bellow from Adalric and he threw himself at Hanun. Guards pulled him away and held him as he strained to attack his brother.

“This is something he’s cooked up. Ask him what he knows,” Adalric snarled, still trying to reach Hanun.

“You’ll be fined for this outburst in my court,” the judge said to Adalric. He turned towards Hanun. “What do you know about this?”

“I always thought her my niece. I was as amazed as you the first time I saw that test come up negative,” Hanun said.

“My blood shows me not to be his daughter? Does this mean I can freely leave his house?” Edana asked.

“No!” Adalric shouted.

“The fine will be increased.” The judge shot a glare at Adalric before he turned to Edana. “The birth blood shows he has no claim on you. Have you anywhere to go?”

“Yes, thank you,” Edana said.

The judge nodded. “We cannot have a young woman who’s been raised in the upper classes fend for herself. You’d have no skills with which to earn your living.”

“She’s my daughter,” Adalric argued.

The courtroom doors opened and guards escorted Edana’s mother, Behira, inside. She looked as perfectly made up as ever and her face showed no emotion.

“State your name please,” the judge said when Behira reached the front of the courtroom.

“Behira Carlea Girra Crinitie con Eladorro.”

“And who is this young woman here?” The judge pointed to Edana.

“My daughter, Edana Lenita Behira Yileen Renarlo con Crinitie.”

“The blood test shows otherwise. According to the blood test this is not the child you gave birth to. Have you or any of your people or have you asked anyone to cause the death of the child you gave birth to, dispose of the child you gave birth to or in any way have you rid yourself of the child you gave birth to either deliberately or accidentally?”

The first sign of emotion appeared on Behira’s face. It was shock. “No.”

The judge stared at them thoughtfully. “This young woman is now her own person. She will have to choose a new family name. There is no offspring to be registered to Behira and Adalric. The child will be listed dead. This is my final ruling.”

Adalric began to shout and Behira looked dazed for a moment before she started to wail. The judge had them escorted from the courtroom before he turned to Edana.

“You may keep your given names if you wish, but you will need to choose a new family name.”

“I don’t know what to choose,” Edana said softly.

“We need a name to register you. You’ll be listed as an orphan,” the judge explained.

“I’d be honoured if you’d take my name, Edana,” Hanun said.

“Well, I guess,” Edana said uncertainly.

“It is a good choice. If there is any doubt in your father’s mind he will wash his hands of you for that choice alone,”
River told Edana.

“Yes. Carson it will be,” Edana said more firmly.

“Do you wish to be listed as Hanun’s adopted daughter?” the judge asked.

Edana shook her head. “No. I wish to be my own person.”

“Orphan it is then,” the judge said.

A clerk entered the information into the record books and made a copy for Edana.

Once outside the courtrooms, Hanun hugged her. “I don’t know what happened in there, but welcome to my home.”

“Thank you. We should head back to Fen and River.”

“A celebration tonight,” Hanun said heartily.

Edana laughed. “It looks that way. Especially with River going to the next level of races.”

“I nearly forgot about that in all the excitement,” Hanun said. “Well, I’ve a party to plan. Better get moving.”

Fen was relieved to see everything turn out well. He was disorientated when River broke the link with Edana. His surroundings were hazy and he could barely focus on anything in the pen.

Mouse burst into the pen. The door hit the wall and flew back towards him. He jumped out of the way in time. “The eggs are hatching.”

“Eggs?” Fen tried to gather his scattered thoughts.

“Pearl’s eggs. River and Pearl’s eggs. One of them has cracks in it. I checked on them like you told me to do every four hours. It’s got cracks,” Mouse said.

Fen staggered to his feet, River nudged him in the back when he would have stumbled. “Do you want to come River?”

“I will wait.”

“Come on,” Mouse said impatiently.