Dragonvein (Book Two) (6 page)

“And if you are killed?” she countered. “What good will that do for them?”

“Did we interrupt?” asked Markus.

For a tense moment the king and Lylinora remained with locked eyes. Halvar then snorted and leaned back in his chair.

Lylinora looked up at Ethan. She gave him just a slight nod before transferring her attention to Markus. Her eyes lingered on him for several seconds.

Markus bowed and introduced himself.

“I know who you are,” she replied. “But I was not informed you were in need of healing.”

Markus appeared confused for a moment. He then touched the scars on his face. “Healing? No, My Lady. Old wounds. Nothing more.”

Ethan glanced over to his friend, afraid that Lylinora might have embarrassed or offended him. But he seemed unconcerned.

“That much I can tell,” she said. “But why suffer the discomfort?”

Markus smiled. “There is no discomfort, I assure you. Unless you mean the discomfort my appearance causes to others. But there is nothing I can do about that.”

Lylinora scowled and shook her head. “What a barbaric time this is. See me later. I’ll show you what can be done.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “There really is no need.”

In spite of this casual response, Ethan definitely saw something in his friend’s expression change. Hope? Excitement? Fear? Perhaps all of these things. He couldn’t tell for sure.

“I insist,” Lylinora replied. Her tone stated that there was to be no further discussion on the matter, prompting a brief silence.

Ethan and Markus both took a seat. “Where’s Jonas?” Ethan asked.

“He’ll be returning shortly,” said Halvar.

“Should we wait for him?”

Lylinora sniffed. “For your servant? Certainly not.”

Ethan was unsure what she meant. Instinctively, he was put off by her attitude. After all, he was just a baker’s son from Brooklyn, and his mother had taught him to never look down on people.

Lylinora laughed softly, sensing his displeasure. “My father always said that Lord Dragonvein allowed Jonas to be overly familiar with him. But take my advice; do not make the same mistake. I only spoke with Jonas briefly and could soon see that he is not telling all he knows. He is here to serve you, and has no right to keep secrets.”

“He’s not really my servant,” Ethan contended. “He was my father’s, that’s all.” Being at odds with Lylinora made him feel distinctly uncomfortable. Nonetheless, he pressed on. “If Jonas has secrets, then that’s his own business.”

“He serves the House of Dragonvein,” she said with an air of superiority that further unnerved him. “As did his father and his grandfather before him. He is bound to you by both oath and blood. That he has never made this clear to you is shameful. If he were mine, I’d have him whipped.”

Ethan stiffened. “I’m not having anyone whipped.”

His hands were trembling. Would she really do such a thing? He didn’t want to think so, but her eyes told him that she would. She looked at him as if to scold him for his ignorance.

“Enough of this useless banter,” Halvar interjected. “We have important matters to discuss.”

“Indeed,” Lylinora agreed, focusing her attention on the king. “How long until things are prepared?”

“What things?” asked Ethan, suddenly feeling like a child seated at the adult table.

“King Ganix feels it’s time for you to find the dragons,” Halvar explained. “Now that Lylinora is free, there is nothing holding you here. The assassination attempt on me was only the beginning. Though the beginning of what, I do not know. But we both believe that the longer you wait, the more perilous our situation becomes. Shinzan is no fool. Everything he does has a specific purpose.”

“But why try to kill you?” Ethan asked. “Why not come after me?”

“I think that he wants you alive. Perhaps he believes he can corrupt you, or use you in some other way.”

“Which is why we should move quickly,” added Lylinora.

“Or maybe that’s what he wants,” Markus suggested. “To drive Ethan out into the open where he’s vulnerable. To make us act before we have time to think things through.”

“You have a point,” agreed Halvar. “But even if that’s the case, we have one key advantage. Shinzan has no way of knowing about Lylinora.”

“I may not be as powerful as my father,” she said. “Or yours, Ethan. But I should tip the balance in our favor. At least for a little while.”

“At minimum, it will give you a better chance to escape,” Halvar added.

At this point, Jonas entered the room with Kat at his side. He bowed low, but she merely took a seat beside Ethan, her eyes shooting daggers at Lylinora throughout. Jonas took the seat beside her, which drew a huff of displeasure from Lylinora.

“If my presence is unwanted, My Lady,” began Jonas.

“You may stay.” Her voice was impassive. “Though I would ask for you to remain silent.”

Ethan was on the point of protesting when Kat spoke first.

“Pretentious bitch,” she muttered.

Lylinora’s eyes flashed with anger. “Mind your tongue, girl. Just because you are Lord Dragonvein’s pet, it does not give you the right to speak to your betters.”

Kat sprang to her feet, but Ethan caught her arm and pulled her back down.

“Be very careful,” warned Lylinora. “You caught me unawares before.” She held out her palm, causing a blue orb of light to appear. “Next time you will not be so fortunate.”

“You just better be glad I didn’t have my knife,” Kat spat back at her.

Lylinora was unimpressed. The orb blinked out and she folded her hands on the table. “The girl has spirit. I see why you keep her around. But she could use some…refinement.”

“I like her just the way she is,” Ethan snapped back. “And I wish you would be just a bit more polite to my friends.”

He was slowly growing to dislike this woman. Anger born out of disappointment was building. If Lylinora’s attitude was anything to go by, the way he had so stupidly envisioned her could not have been more wrong.

Kat gave him a sweet smile, then shot her adversary another disdainful sneer.

Lylinora flashed an innocent smile in return. “I meant no offence. Please pardon my ignorance. I am unaccustomed to low company.”

Ethan could see Kat’s fists balled up at her sides. Jonas, on the other hand, was unruffled.

So too was Markus. “Our ways are crude and direct,” he said calmly. “But these are qualities you may find to be an advantage where we are going.”

She gave a slight nod. “I’m sure you are right. And to that point, King Ganix has informed me that we are to gain passage on a smugglers’ vessel. Is that correct?”

“That is so,” Halvar confirmed. “It’s the best way for you all to travel unnoticed. You’ll head up the coast and leave ship when drawing close to the secret Island of Borgen. There is a hidden boat on the mainland that will take you across to the island itself. From there, King Ganix will transport you across the sea to the Dragon Wastes.”

“And how will he do that?” asked Markus.

“He says he has a way,” Halvar replied. “But he hasn’t shared it with me. I know many of his best craftsmen work there, so I imagine there’s a ship of some sort.”

“And who will be going?” asked Ethan.

“I am!” Kat said immediately.

Ethan chuckled. “I doubt I could leave you behind, even if I tried.” His words drew an exasperated sigh from Lylinora…which he ignored.

“Jonas and Markus will both go,” said Halvar. “Birger has also volunteered. We think it best to keep the party small, so King Ganix will leave his escort here. And in light of recent events, that is probably for the best.”

“I disagree with bringing the child along,” said Lylinora. “She will be an unnecessary burden.”

“She’s coming,” snapped Ethan. This drew a soft mutter of approval from Kat.

Lylinora tilted her head slightly and nodded. “As you wish, My Lord Dragonvein.”

“Until then you should keep quiet about your departure,” Halvar stated.

“And what of the matter we discussed before?” Lylinora asked him.

His jaw clenched. “I told you. I’m not risking harm to my people?”

“What are you talking about?” asked Ethan.

Lylinora sighed. “As you know, the dwarf who aided the Rakasa was cursed. Unfortunately, if anyone else is afflicted in the same way, I don’t possess the proper skills to remove the curse with any degree of safety. And even if I did, it would take years to check every dwarf individually. Therefore, I have suggested a way to protect the king, but he has so far refused to cooperate.”

“How?” asked Ethan.

“By erecting a barrier around his home that will strip all spirit magic from whoever enters. The curse Shinzan used bonded itself to Ferier’s spiritual essence. Traditional healing is not right for such a thing. If I try, it could kill him.”

Ethan’s faced twisted into a confused frown. He glanced over to Jonas and noticed the old man’s mouth twitch. He clearly understood her intention.

“But better a servant dead rather than his lord,” she continued. “Wouldn’t you agree, Jonas?”

A stone faced Jonas nodded. “Much better, My Lady.”

“If I erect a barrier, it would cleanse anyone who walks through his doors.”

“And kill them if they are cursed,” Halvar cried out, throwing up his hands.

“Not necessarily,” she countered. “It would be painful to be sure. But some may survive. If they are strong enough.”

Halvar’s expression was unyielding. “Some? Does life mean so little to you that you risk it thoughtlessly?”

“It is not thoughtless.” Her voice never rose and her smile never faltered. “How can it be, when I am thinking most seriously about your well-being, Your Highness? Surely your life is important enough to warrant such precautions.”

Ethan was finding it difficult to understand that this was the same woman who, only hours earlier, had discovered that everyone she knew was long dead. How could he feel anything for such an insensitive person? But the truth of the matter was, in spite of it all, he still did. And he was beginning to despise himself for it.

“Might I make a suggestion?” Markus chipped in. “Why not examine the King’s guard, the council, and anyone else who resides in the manor. See if any are affected. After that you can erect your barrier and forbid entry to anyone else.”

Lylinora nodded approvingly. “Not bad for a brutish sell-sword.”

“I have my moments, My Lady,” Markus responded. If he was bothered by her arrogant demeanor, he certainly wasn’t showing it.

Halvar remained silent for several seconds before speaking. “I’ll consider it. How long would it take you?”

“It depends on the number of staff,” she replied. “At least two days I should think. Perhaps three.”

“I’ll give you an answer by tonight then,” he said. “For now, I think we have spoken enough.” He looked to Markus. “King Ganix will want to speak with you about travel outside the mountain. You have by far the most experience, and he will want your advice.”

Markus bowed. “I’ll see him as soon as possible.”

Halvar rose. Ethan had expected a longer meeting, but it was clear that the king had talked as much as he was willing to do so for now.

As they filed out, Lylinora whispered something into Markus’ ear. He nodded and allowed her to pass in front. Kat’s eyes never left her rival; fury etched on every inch of her face. She jostled herself in front of Ethan and slowed her pace. Jonas stayed back as well.

With the exception of Lylinora who was returning to the underground chamber, the guards escorted everyone else to Ethan’s room. Markus stayed there for only a moment before excusing himself by saying that he had some errands to run.

“I should have beaten her bloody,” snarled Kat, once Markus was gone.

“You don’t mean that,” Ethan told her.

“The hell I don’t,” she shot back. “Little Miss High and Mighty can kiss my ass as far as I’m concerned.”

“Don’t judge her too harshly,” said Jonas. “She is from a different time. And she’s still coping with the loss of her entire family.”

“She didn’t look too upset to me,” said Kat.

Ethan couldn’t help agreeing, but decided not to say so.

“People deal with pain in their own way,” Jonas pointed out.

“What was she like when you knew her?” asked Ethan.

“Much as you see her now,” he replied. “Only a little less outspoken. Her mother was a true noble and made certain Lylinora understood her place in the world.”

“So she was a bitch then, and she’s a bitch now,” remarked Kat.

Jonas frowned. “You shouldn’t say that. She may cling to certain ideals, but when I knew her, she was considered to be one of the kindest and most generous nobles ever to grace Lumnia. She spent a fortune seeing to the welfare of those who lived on her family’s lands, and she healed the sick regardless of their status without any thought of payment or thanks.” He planted his hands on his hips. “So save your judgmental attitude for someone else, young lady.”

“I’ll say what I like,” Kat snapped back. “Ethan agrees with me. Don’t you?”

Ethan shrugged. “I don’t know what to think. I will say she’s certainly different from how I imagined she’d be.”

Kat huffed. “You just don’t want to say it because you’re…” She stopped short and shook her head. “You’re a moron. That’s what you are. How can you love someone like that?”

“I never said I loved her,” Ethan responded rather too quickly.

Kat’s face was red and her lips trembled. “You didn’t have to.”

He wanted to argue with her, but he knew she was right.

In spite of everything he had seen and heard, he did still love Lylinora.

Chapter Four

M
arkus looked over
his shoulder at the door to Ethan’s room. The guards there had barely given him a second glance. I suppose I’m not important enough to follow around, he thought, smiling. Satisfied that no one would see where he was going, he started toward the chamber where Lylinora was waiting.

The dwarves watching the entrance stepped aside the moment they saw him. Clearly she had left word that he would be coming. While descending the ladder he began to feel ripples of anxiety, though he was unsure as to why.

Upon stepping into the chamber, he saw Lylinora sitting in a chair beside a small table. She was reading one of the books Ethan had been studying.

“How could he expect to learn anything from this?” she said without looking up. “Everything in here is theory. Nothing practical at all. It’s a miracle he was able to free me.”

She gestured to a chair that had been placed across from her. Markus sat down and waited while she continued to thumb through the pages. After a few minutes she placed the book on the table and sighed. “I really do have my work cut out for me, don’t I?”

“I’m not sure what you mean, My Lady,” he replied.

Lylinora scrutinized him for a moment. “Do I make you nervous?”

“No, My Lady.”

A tiny smile formed at the corners of her lips. “You may call me Nora when we are alone.”

Markus nodded. “As you wish, Nora.”

“You are friends with Lord Dragonvein, yes?”

“Yes,” he affirmed. “Good friends.”

“Then I can assume that you know his likes, dislikes, things of that nature?”

“I suppose I know him better than most.”

Lylinora stood to retrieve a bottle of wine and two glasses from the corner. After filling both glasses, she handed one to Markus. “In that case, I need your help.”

“My help?”

“Yes.” She sat back down and took a sip from her drink. “I need to know how best to deal with Lord Dragonvein.”

Markus furled his brow. “What do you mean by
‘deal’
with him?”

She held up her hand and laughed. “Nothing sinister, I assure you. I only wish to know how best to help us get along.”

“Ethan’s a good natured person. You shouldn’t have trouble making friends with him.”

“Yes, but I need us to be more than friends.” She took another sip of wine. “I need him to be…how should I say it…committed.”

Markus suppressed a laugh. “Committed? You mean romantically?”

“Possibly. Yes. At some point. But for now, I just need him to trust me. If we are to have any hope for success, I must take on the role of teacher. One for which I am not entirely suited.”

“Why not?”

“I was little more than an apprentice when I came here,” she explained. “To Lord Dragonvein, my powers will appear miraculous. But compared to his father…or mine, I am nothing. Still, there is no one else to instruct him. And the path is not an easy one.”

Markus took note of the ever so subtle change in her tone when she mentioned her father. “If you really want him to trust you, then you need to open up. Tell him how you feel.”

“But I don’t feel anything for him,” she replied. “He is a handsome young man, but…”

Markus chuckled. “That’s not what I’m saying. Please don’t be offended, but you come across as being somewhat callous and cold, and frankly…more than a bit arrogant.”

“Is that so?” Her expression was reserved and her tone even, but her hands were now folded tightly in her lap.

Markus paused. “If I have offended you…”

Lylinora lowered her head. “You didn’t. I want you to speak candidly. Please continue.”

“Ethan is a very open person. He shares his deepest feelings with those close to him. If you really want him to trust you, you need to share your feelings too.”

She slowly stood and walked over to the small alcove where she had been kept for so long. “Such things are…difficult for me. My talents in magic are strongest in the healing arts.” She looked over her shoulder and forced a smile. “I don’t expect that to mean anything to you. The mages are gone. All but me.”

“And Ethan,” he added.

“Ethan may very well become a powerful mage…one day. But for now he knows less than I did at the age of five. You say I should open myself to him. But you don’t understand why that is difficult for someone like me. Mages who learn to heal the body must touch the spirit of those they heal. When this happens you are faced with the unfiltered pain of that person. Not just the physical; everything. You think me cold and unfeeling. But I feel far more deeply than you can fathom.”

Markus nodded with sudden understanding. “So you push it away.”

“Yes,” she affirmed. “If I didn’t, I would go mad. The pain and suffering of the people I’ve healed has never left me. I still experience it as keenly as the moment I first touched them.”

“Then why do it? Why put yourself through something like that?”

“Because I was needed,” she explained. “Mages have a responsibility to those they are charged to protect. Shinzan was wreaking havoc throughout Lumnia - there were so many sick and wounded begging for help, and I couldn’t turn even a single one of them away.” She let out a soft laugh. “My father begged me to stop. He could see how it was affecting me. But I…I couldn’t.”

Markus felt a sudden urge to comfort her. To wrap her in his arms and tell her that he understood. The pain he himself chose to hide from the world was often unbearable. But for Lylinora…she had been forced to shoulder the burdens of countless people like him. It was a miracle she had been able to even think about continuing.

With a sigh, she turned to fully face him. Her smile was now bright and cheerful. “Thank you, Markus. Your advice has been most helpful.”

He was bitterly regretting his earlier words. She was far from callous and cold. He could see that clearly now. “I think that if you told him about what happened….”

“No!” she said, cutting him short. “And I would ask that you do not mention it again.”

“Of course.”

“Now, I would like to show you my appreciation.”

“For what?”

“For your council, of course,” she said.

She glided across the room with effortless grace and took hold of Markus’ hands. He stood absolutely still, a confused look on his face.

“Close your eyes,” she told him.

Without thinking, Markus did as instructed. Then he felt the soft touch of her slender fingers on his cheeks. Instantly, his eyes opened again and his hands shot up, grabbing her wrists.

“No,” he said. “You shouldn’t.”

She looked at him like a mother scolding a disobedient child. “You will release me at once.” Her tone was stern and measured. “You may be a friend to Lord Dragonvein, but I am still a noble lady of high birth.”

Markus lowered his eyes, though his grip on her wrists remained. “I understand, My Lady. Even so, I can’t allow you to do this.”

“You have no choice in the matter,” she said, this time more forcefully. “You attract far too much attention looking as you do. Besides, I would like to see your outer-self match what is inside of you.”

Markus looked up. “I’m afraid it already does.”

Her laughter was like chimes in the wind. She pulled her hands free and pushed Markus’ arms to his side. “Nonsense.”

“Please,” he whispered. “No.”

Her laughter ceased and her expression softened. “Tell me why.”

“I don’t want you to…to know…”

She pressed her finger to his lips. “Your secrets will be safe. I will not be able to know them unless you allow it.”

“But you said…”

“I will know your pain. But not what caused it.”

“I would not want that either,” he said.

“Don’t worry. Healing scars does not require as much as healing wounds. I will only need to touch your spirit ever so slightly. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Markus could feel his heart beating in his ears. He wanted to refuse. But he couldn’t. He closed his eyes again and felt her gentle touch. At first it was warm and soothing. Then, slowly, the heat increased until it bordered on being painful. The air filled with a strange sweet scent that reminded him of lilacs. After only a few seconds the heat began to recede and he felt her remove her hands. The absence of her touch was oddly disturbing.

As he opened his eyes he could see that tears were streaming down Lylinora’s face. Her lips trembled and her arms were hugging her torso.

“I’m…I’m so sorry,” she said in a half-whisper. “I had no idea.”

Before Markus could even speak, she fell to her knees and began weeping openly. He knelt down and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. His heart ached from the pain he knew he had caused her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Lylinora did not answer for a long moment. Then she looked up at Markus and cupped his face in her hands.

“Forgive me,” was all he could say.

She gazed into his eyes, her expression a mixture of sorrow and longing, then pulled his face to hers and kissed him – at first in a gentle and tender way. But as her tears soaked his skin, the kiss became deeper and ever more passionate. Her hands slid around his neck. Markus could feel her breasts pressing against his chest. He pulled her harder to him, his manhood swelling and his desire burning fiercely. The heat radiating from her body sent his mind reeling.

For a moment their lips parted and he looked again into her eyes. There were no more tears, only yearning and lust. The absence of her mouth was more than he could bear. He tightened his hold around her waist. In response, she rubbed her hips hard up against his, moaning softly.

The invitation was clear. He eased Lylinora to the floor, running his hand over her shoulder and parting the top of her robe before raising himself up to gaze down at her. Her flesh was flawless; her breasts perfectly shaped. Touching her nipple he felt it instantly harden and she craned back her neck, eyes shut, lips parted and breathing rapidly. This sent even more violent waves of passion coursing through him. Never had his manhood ached and throbbed with such desire. Never before had he wanted a woman so completely. He gently moved his hand downward, the cloth of her robe falling away to either side as his fingers traced the curve of her stomach.

When his touch was mere inches away from her most intimate place, Lylinora’s eyes suddenly popped wide open. She grabbed him firmly by the wrist, preventing any further movement. He looked at her with utter confusion. His mouth opened to speak, but no words would at first come out.

Her voice was almost inaudible. “No,” she whispered. “I can’t do this.”

His hand was now trembling and his heart pounding like a blacksmith’s hammer. “I – I don’t understand,” he stammered.

“I can’t do this,” she repeated, this time more forcefully.

She closed her robe with her free hand and shifted from beneath Markus.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked. “I didn’t mean to…”

Scrambling to her feet, she began straightening her robe. “You should go.”

He stood and took a step toward her, but she quickly backed away.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. The warmth of her body still lingered on his flesh and feelings of desperation and panic filled his chest.

“I said go!” she snapped. “Go now!”

Markus stared at her pleadingly for a desperate long moment, but she refused to meet his eyes. Finally, she turned away from him completely.

Only with tremendous effort was he able to tear his eyes away and start toward the exit.

“Say nothing of this to Lord Dragonvein,” she called after him.

He paused briefly in his step, but made no reply.

While making his way dejectedly to his own room, feelings of guilt began to set in.
Why did I do that,
he kept asking himself?
What was I thinking?
Only when he was a few yards away from his door did he notice that the dwarves he passed were looking at him strangely. It was like a red rag to a bull. He wanted to lash out at them. He wanted to lash out at anyone, if only to forget what a bloody fool he had been.

Once inside his room, he found a bottle of wine and slumped heavily into a chair opposite the dresser. With every emotion from humiliation to rage and regret battling for space inside his head, he downed nearly half the bottle in a single gulp. It was only then that he caught sight of his reflection in the dresser mirror.

The bottle slipped from his grasp and shattered on the stone tile floor.

Gingerly he touched his cheeks. His scars…they were gone. Every single one of them. Staring back at him was someone he didn’t know. Or at least, had not known for a very long time. He could barely recognize the boy he had once been in the man he was now seeing.

Tears streamed down his face as he slid from his chair and wept into his hands. After a few minutes he regained a small portion of his composure and crawled onto the edge of his bed. The torrent of emotions raged in his heart like a cyclone, sending him into fits of anger one moment, then unfathomable sorrow the next. Finally, anger won out. He rose and found another bottle of wine, draining it nearly dry in a single gulp. He would not allow his feelings to rule him. Not Specter.