Mercy's Prince (40 page)

“Marry
you? But she is s’posed to marry Gabriel.”

“Gabriel
is dead. The Brethren are all dead except you and your sister.” He frowned. “You
cannot have her back unless she marries me.”

Rafael
slumped in Caelis’ grasp, defeated.

“Yes,
Sir Caelis.” A tear leaked from his eye and splashed on Caelis’ hand.

Caelis
turned on Drew.

“I’m
going to the armory. I will probably be there all night. Keep Rafael here. If
you need anything, send a servant. I forbid you to leave this room. Do you
understand me, squire?”

“Yes,
sir.” Drew’s voice was sullen. “Come, Rafael. Let’s go to sleep. We will write
more tomorrow.”

When
Caelis opened the door to leave, he glanced back at them. He almost wished Drew
would disobey him. He would happily slit the young man’s throat if he did.

Valerian
and Kieran plodded through snow drifts, leading their ponies as they headed
ever northward. The landscape was an unbroken sea of white. The mountains lay
on their left and the plains on the right. The wind had died down, and all was
quiet but cold. They seemed to be making very little progress.

“Are
you certain we’re moving forward?” Valerian said. “We’ll never get there in
time.”

“When
the way is clear, ’tis a two day journey. With the snow slowing us, it may take
three or more.”

 “Will
we be too late, do you think?” Valerian had never felt such impatience.

“Impossible
tae say, Val. We must press on and keep hoping.”

Valerian
nodded and fell silent. He had too much time to think--about the Horde, about
the safety of the people of Levathia, about Merry. Instead, he called to his
mind everything he’d ever read about Alden and the dragons.

He
knew Alden had led several ships of people from another land across the sea. They’d
just begun to settle in Levathia when they clashed with the great dragons and a
war ensued. In order to stop the hostilities, Alden had risked his life to
treat with the dragons. He’d been able to communicate with them, so he must
have been a Seer. He had made some kind of agreement or covenant, but Valerian
had never read any of the details. And during Alden’s time, swords were still
widely used. Also, Alden had been crowned the first king of Levathia, and
because of the covenant he was known as the Dragon King.

Valerian
realized he was putting a lot of faith in a covenant made three centuries ago. If
he’d not had repeated contact with the dragons, and one, in particular, then
this would certainly be a foolish venture. It was more a matter of
knowing
that he must do this than having reasoned it to be the best course of action.

They
came to a flat section where the snow had blown away, so Valerian and Kieran
were able to ride again. The ponies were as eager to move on as their riders,
and Valerian let his have its head. The cleared area didn’t last long, however,
and they were back to trudging through snowdrifts, though not so deep that the
ponies couldn’t carry them.

Sometime
later, they came to a rushing stream and stopped to let the animals rest and drink
the cold mountain water.

“Up
ahead we’ll cut through the mountains.” Kieran pointed ahead to a break between
mountain peaks. “We need tae go slowly. As sure-footed as the ponies be, it can
be treacherous even for them.”

When
they reached the pass, Valerian saw what Kieran meant. Because the snow had
drifted, in places it was impossible to see the path, and they had to trust the
ponies to find their way. In one place, it was literally one step at a time
along a ledge with a sheer drop-off. Once Valerian’s mount made a bad step, and
because his legs were so long and the animal so short, he was able to brace
against a rock with one leg while the pony found its footing again.

By
the time they reached a likely place to spend the night, Valerian trembled from
the cold and exhaustion. He and Kieran wrapped themselves in their sleeping
furs and slept soundly.

The
second day was a repeat of the first, and the third began even more slowly as a
light snow began to fall. But by late afternoon, the snow was melting. Soon the
ground was clear. Valerian turned to Kieran for an explanation.

“There
are hot springs and pools of boiling mud in these parts,” Kieran said. “’Tis
why the dragons live here all seasons of the year.”

They
crested a hill and Valerian gasped. The circle of stones appeared exactly as it
had in his dreams. But no dragons were in sight. He closed his eyes and tried
to remember if they had appeared at any certain time of day consistently. The
light in his visions and dreams indicated early morning.

“Kieran,
we must find a place to camp for the night. At first light, I will enter the
circle, alone.”

They
made camp in a sheltered glen. After eating their travel bread in companionable
silence, Valerian bedded down on the sleeping furs. What would he dream
tonight?    

***

Merry
opened her eyes and sighed. She’d slept holding Valerian’s pillow, but it was a
poor substitute. She wished she knew where he was and what he was doing. If
only she could have touched him in her dream. But she couldn’t even remember
what she’d dreamed about.

Sir
Edmund lay curled beside her, giving her some comfort. She sighed again,
remembering how Valerian said they’d need a cage for the little dragon before
their wedding night. The door to the bedroom opened, and Gwendolyn’s face
appeared between the bed curtains.

“You’re
awake. I thought you might be. How did you sleep?”

“Very
well, thank you.” Merry hugged the pillow. “But I will be happiest with my
prince to sleep beside me.”

“I
hope it won’t be long, Merry.” Gwendolyn pointed to Sir Edmund. “How does your
little dragon like the bed?”

“Much
too well, I’m afraid. Might we find a small cage for him? There are times when
I can’t take him with me, and I don’t want him to get lost.”

“I’m
sure there’s an unused bird cage around.” Gwendolyn pulled back the bed
curtains. “Are you ready to wash and get dressed? King Orland wants you in the
great hall at nine. I’m sure you’ll want to eat first.”

Merry
shook her head, swallowing.

“I
will be so nervous, I don’t want to get sick.”

“Then
I shall wait, too, so we can eat together.”

“I’d
like that, Gwendolyn.” Merry slid down from the high bed. Sir Edmund perched on
the edge, watching. She glanced around the room. “But where shall I wash?”

“I
have a basin of warm water ready for you.”

While
she washed herself, Gwendolyn laid out three dresses. Merry pulled on a clean chemise.

“Those
are lovely,” Merry said. “May I try the rose-colored one?”

Gwendolyn
helped her with the gown, lacing up the back ties and the sleeves.

“It
fits you well, Merry.” She replaced the other dresses in the trunk and pulled
out a veil to match the gown.

Merry
undid her clasp and loosened the braid.

“Let
me rebraid my hair first.” Her hair swirled around her, and Gwendolyn stared.

“I
have never seen so much hair in all my life. It’s beautiful. Have you never cut
it?”

“Not
ever. I am almost fifteen, so it has had time to grow.”

Merry
combed and braided the hair and secured it with the clasp. Her stomach clenched
and she grasped Gwendolyn’s hand.

“Is
it time to go, do you think?”

“Don’t
worry, Merry. I know you’ll be fine.” Gwendolyn squeezed her hand. “Meanwhile I’ll
take care of Sir Edmund for you.”

“Thank
you.” Merry took a deep breath and opened the door. She peered into the hall
and saw no one stirring. But as soon as she stepped out of the room, King
Orland opened the door to his room across the hall. He wore his purple robe
again with the crown upon his head. When he saw her, she curtsied to him.

“Good
morrow, Lady Merry. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,
thank you, Your Majesty.” She smiled. “Just knowing Valerian used to sleep
there was a great comfort to me.”

As
he came closer, Orland searched her face.

“You
and the prince appear to have a strong attachment to one another.”

“He
is a wonderful man.” Merry’s heart filled with pride and longing. “You must be
very proud of him.”

Orland
lowered his gaze, and his shoulders sagged.

“Unfortunately
I haven’t spent enough time with Valerian. I confess I put all my hopes in his
older brother, God rest his soul.”

Merry
reached out and squeezed his hand. Only afterward did she realize that might
not be proper. She tried to let go of his hand, but he captured hers between
his own.

“Then
later when there is more time,” she said, “please allow me to tell you about
Valerian’s strength and his courage and his goodness.”

Orland
swallowed, obviously affected.

“I
look forward to it, Lady Merry. But first, we have a council of war.” He kissed
her hand before letting go.

When
Merry entered the great hall on King Orland’s arm, she gasped. The room
appeared much smaller, packed with nobles and soldiers. A hush fell over the
crowd, and everyone bowed. The king addressed the assembly.

“We
have called you here today because the Horde has returned, and the peril is
even greater than we expected.

“I
call on Lady Merry from the Southern Woodlands, who has seen the threat with
her eyes and also with her gift of Healing, as she will explain.” He held out
his hand for Merry and urged her forward.

Panic
rose within her, and she tasted bile, but Merry swallowed, straightened, and let
the memory of Valerian’s courage sustain her. Fortunately the room was quiet,
and she didn’t have to speak loudly and strain her throat.

“I
do have the gift of Healing, and part of that gift is being able to see inside
to know what harms a body, as well as knowing which plants harm and which heal.”
She glanced at Orland, and he nodded. “I also have the gift of speaking
mind-to-mind with Prince Valerian.” Some in the crowd murmured, and Merry waited
until they grew quiet again.

“The
prince found a huge nest of eggs near the Southern Garrison and brought me to
see if I could tell when they would hatch. As I touched one of the eggs, I saw
much more than I expected. The monsters about to hatch in that nest were
connected to other hatchlings in other nests. They are all part of a swarm that
happens once every few hundred years. Their only thought is to fill the land
and destroy everything in their path.” Merry swallowed to ease her throat
before continuing.

“When
we traveled toward the Keep, we found two garrisons already killed by the Horde
and a third under attack by an uncountable swarm, but I’m sure one of the
prince’s men could better tell you about that.” Merry glanced at Orland again,
who smiled in approval.

He
called upon Sir Gregory who, Merry believed, was honest about the danger. She
watched the faces of the nearest people grow more and more alarmed as he spoke.

Finally,
King Orland asked Sir Caelis for a progress report about what was being done
for the Keep’s defense. The knight explained that every available person from
the Keep and local villages was either helping to construct weaponry or store
supplies within the Keep.

“The
crossbow I’ve designed shoots bolts of wood rather than longer arrows, and in
this way can penetrate the Horde’s scales. With archers lining the walls, and
catapults and cauldrons of boiling water and oil, we’ll be ready for the Horde
when they come.”

After
a few questions from the assembled to clarify details, King Orland dismissed
them to their preparations for the siege. Merry’s only wonder was that
evacuation was never mentioned, even for the women and children. But indeed,
with that vast swarm, where could any of them run? There was no place to hide.

***

While
King Orland spoke with several of the nobles, Caelis found Rafael’s sister
standing to one side conversing with a young Highlander. If Caelis didn’t need
her cooperation so badly, he would happily strangle her. But she was
dangerously necessary to his ambition; he needed an heir with her to make his
claim to the throne legitimate in the eyes of the nobles.

“Good
morrow, Lady Merry.” Caelis bowed to her, and the Highlander excused himself.

Her
eyes narrowed. She did not show the slightest approval of him.

“You’re
the one who accused Prince Valerian of being unreliable. That is the farthest
thing from the truth.”           

“Forgive
me, my lady, I was misinformed.” His smile had no effect upon her, unlike most
other young women.           

“Excuse
me, but I must go now.” She turned away and walked back in the direction of
King Orland.

Caelis
felt an overpowering desire to pull out his knife and slit her throat, right
here in front of everyone. Fortunately he reined in his anger and kept it
close, smoldering. He watched how she acted so demurely around the other men,
pretending shyness. They, of course, were all smitten with her charms.

Think,
Caelis
.
She is a worthy adversary. You must use your head and find a way to turn her
wiles back upon her
.

For
the first time since she’d contradicted him before the king last night, Caelis
wanted to laugh. He wasn’t going to let a pacifist triumph over him. With a
final glance at her comely figure, he left for the armory.