Dragons Unremembered Read online

  Orane looked to a south facing window. He placed his thumbs together, stretched his fingers widely apart and aimed them toward the zenith. The sun shone between the second span of fingers from the left.

  This was an ancient way of telling time. Starting to the left of the little finger, there were five spans to the morning, five to the afternoon, five to the evening and another five for night. By long tradition, the noon hour was called brightnail. The exact length of a span varied with the seasons as the days lengthened or shortened. More sophisticated sand dials and water clocks had been introduced long before that divided the day and night into twenty equal parts, regardless of the season. Yet, the periods they measured were still referred to as spans and many people continued to use the old ways.

  Orane lowered his hands. “Baron Etera has two spans to decide. The queen has certainly placed him in a difficult position. He worked very hard to become grandfather to the heir. It is a prize he will not relinquish easily.”

  The two men said farewell and Dek entered the suite of rooms set aside for him. Seven Rascallans busied themselves within the confined space of the common room. Dek was certain the cramped quarters were an intended insult by Etera.

  The baron’s steward bowed. “Refreshments are prepared, My Lord.”

  “Thank you, Kanna. Bring them to the inner chamber along with the dispatches. Then pack everything for travel.”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  The refreshments and dispatches were brought to an even smaller room barely large enough for a bed and writing desk. A single, narrow window cast dim light into the space. Dek lit an oil lamp. Kanna set out wine and fruit.

  The baron broke a wax seal on the leather pouch and poured the papers out onto the desk. He muddled through the mundane matters of merchants suing each other and petitions for offices.

  One report noted that there was still no news of Nur, the young man who had disappeared in the swamps with his cousins eight months earlier. His father was a prominent merchant and Dek knew the family well.

  This turned his thoughts to his wife, Jea, Baroness of Rascalla, and their infant daughter, Mirjel.

  As he was about to put the documents away, he found a note written in Jea’s elegant hand.

  Dearest,

  Trade is brisk. The Sinkaraka in the south haven’t raided a single caravan since you left. The treaty seems to be holding. As always, the northern Sinkaraka remain our friends.

  I miss you so. Mirjel is starting to pull herself up. She coos and babbles and I think she actually said a word the other day. I wish you were home. Hurry back.

  Love from both of us,

  Je

  Dek ran his fingers slowly over the paper, then folded it and tucked it into his jerkin.

  A knock sounded, followed by Kanna’s voice. “My Lord. The king bids you attend him.”

  Dek walked quickly to Haram’s chambers accompanied by two guards. He was met at the door by Captain Yetig. “My Lord Baron, the king bids me to escort you into his presence.” The words implied that Dek’s guards were to remain outside. The baron nodded his head, handed his own sword to his senior guard and followed Yetig.

  Inside, Haram sat in a padded chair with a goblet of wine in his hand. He had removed his doublet and reclined in breeches and a linen shirt whose laces were undone. He motioned to a decanter on a table. “Please, join me, Dek. That will be all for now, Captain.”

  Yetig bowed. “As you command, sire.”

  Dek poured a goblet of wine. Haram stood and walked to a sphere of crystal an arm’s length in diameter that rested atop a wooden box carved with the images of flying dragons. On the front panel of the box was a small drawer and above it a keyhole.

  Within the sphere was the crown of Carandir. This was a steel cap with four thin bands of gold running vertically, dividing it into quarters. Across the front was a silver crest formed in the shape of a leaping dragon whose body was long and sinuous. The face was round. The wings appeared to be as sheer as lace.

  Haram ran his hand over the crystal. “What is the crown, Dek?”

  “It is many things, sire; a symbol of your majesty’s authority, a reminder of your lineage, the central…”

  “Yes, yes. I know all the official definitions. But, what is it really? To you?”

  Dek looked at the crown, then back to the king. “Carandir itself, sire, the breath and life of the monarchy and all who dwell here. It holds at bay the great evil and delivers the prosperity we know.”

  Haram smiled. “There are some who would call you a fool for expressing such antiquated ideas.”

  Dek felt his face flush. “Did his majesty summon me here to do so?”

  Haram poured more wine. “Far from it. I asked you to accompany me on this mission because you do know what the crown truly stands for. You are highly respected in the council among both the eastern and the western houses.”

  Dek noticed that Haram used the polite distinction for the merchant families. “I have no influence with Etera, majesty.”

  “Nor does anyone else, except Vara. It was a terrible gamble to bring her here. But, know this. She did not just agree to this plan, she conceived it and will carry it out to the end.”

  The king sipped his wine. “There are five souls in Carandir who I trust without question; Queen Vara, Master Orane, Mistress Telasec, Captain Yetig and you.”

  Dek sank to one knee. “Majesty.”

  He felt Haram’s hand on his shoulder. “Arise, Baron of Rascalla. This is a time to speak frankly. I must have the full support of the eastern houses. Etera holds much sway in the council. With the eastern houses united I can find enough support to quell a rebellion.”

  Dek saw a terrible weight reflected in the king’s face. “Does his majesty expect civil war?”

  Haram gave a half smile that fell into a frown. “We live in a world consumed with gaining wealth and power, my friend. Thoughts of Carandir and the good of its people are lost to many of our officials and leaders. How many today believe the tales of dragons or wizards or the great plan for harmony for all of humankind? People will do anything when a nation loses its moral bearing. Evil can never be defeated, Dek, only contained. That takes never ending vigilance.”

  “I pray to Jorondel every night, majesty, and know he will give me the strength to rule in the vision of dragons.”

  Haram’s features lightened as he smiled. “I know you do, and I pray with you.”

  A knock sounded. Haram said, “Enter.”

  Yetig stepped in. “Majesty. Mistress Telasec requests your presence.”

  Haram laced up his shirt and threw on his doublet. “See that our men are prepared to ride.”

  “As you command, majesty.”

  Haram left Dek and Yetig alone in the room. Dek ran his hands across the crystal sphere. “Do you believe in the power of the crown, Captain?”

  “I do not understand your question, My Lord.”

  “Do you believe in the wizards, the dragons, the magic of the crown?”

  “I am a soldier, My Lord, not a Kyar. I serve the Crown. Others will have to answer questions of religion.”

  Dek poured himself more wine. “Yes, you serve the Crown. But, you agree with Etera that there should be only twelve houses in the council.”

  Yetig held himself at attention, looking neither left nor right. “My loyalties are to the king and queen, if that’s what you’re are questioning. If you are asking my political views, I have none. A soldier cannot afford them.”

  Dek took a generous sip. “Oh, I don’t doubt your loyalty, Captain. Still, everyone has an opinion. Tell me, if you had served the king’s grandfather, how would you have handled the merchant uprising? What would you have done when they shut down trade? How would you have answered their marches in the streets?”

  Yetig turned his head toward Dek and the baron saw the slightest play of a smile. “As I would answer any traitor, with steel and blood, My Lord.” Yetig gave a shallow bow and left the room.

  Et
era stared out the window toward the sun that was quickly approaching brightnail. Yapell, his chief minister, stood behind him. Etera said, “Vara was always headstrong. I should never have indulged her as a child. If only her mother hadn’t died so young Vara would have been raised more gentile as fits a young girl.”

  “You have done well, My Lord. She is queen of the monarchy, an equal partner on the throne.”

  “But, she forgets her duty to her father. I had thought that when she became queen she would act in the best interest of her family instead of betraying me. What council have you, Yapell?”

  “You must travel, my Baron. She does not make idle threats.”

  “I know that well, but I will not walk blindly into Meth and cede my goal.” He paced back and forth. “Many friends owe me favors. The king thinks to outflank me, but he has made many silent enemies and I hear their whispers. If I organize the true houses behind me I can force his hand. The Carandir army cannot stand against all the baronies, the rightful baronies.” He stopped and looked to Yapell. “I can do nothing while I ride and you must ride with me or they will become suspicious. Before brightnail, send word to all my allies before then can be summoned to the palace stating that I need support in the capital to eradicate the new nobility. Tell them to be ready for war.”

  Word came that Baron Etera would ride to Meth. He was allowed to take thirty retainers instead of twenty five as a consolation to his pride.

  The queen was tended by Telasec and Mistress Neera, a senior Daro, who joined her in the royal carriage. Haram chose to ride on horseback, as did Dek. Etera rode in an ornate carriage drawn by four horses. The company departed at brightnail.

  Whereas the palace at Meth stood next to a bustling center of commerce, Etera’s stronghold was surrounded by league upon league of fields and orchards, the true might of Fellant. The royal procession moved north past small farm houses and grand estates. The road brought them through the city of Pontelara where citizens turned out from slate and thatch roofed houses with streamers and garlands to cheer their king and queen.

  Before long, they left the farmlands behind and entered a thickly wooded forest of oak and ash and birch. Dek breathed in the fresh scent of the forest that was so different from the humidity of the Rascalla swamps. Scouts fanned out ahead, behind and to the side. Yetig moved up and down the line. The blue coat and white breeches of his uniform shone brilliantly under a sunny sky.

  The march continued forward with the plodding of hooves and the ringing of livery. Dek considered how best to approach the six eastern houses. Though they shared common interests, some still thought of themselves as competing merchants instead of barons.

  Baroness Quib would be the most trouble. She was a woman who saw no further than the last caravan and was not above dealing with smugglers. Though Dek had no proof, he suspected Quib of forming an alliance with some of the Sinkaraka who inhabited the southern regions of the swamp. Unlike their northern cousins, they were territorial and war like. They had raided the villages of their cousins in the north even before Carandir had settled the lands near the edge of the swamps.

  Many people, particularly in the west, referred to them as swampers and considered them to be dim witted savages. The name they called themselves was Sinkareka, which meant “people of the root.” Short and thin, with reddish hair, slightly olive skin and hazel eyes, it was uncertain where they originally came from. Some of the Sinkaraka living in the southern swamps were as tall as a person.

  Caravans passed unscathed through Quib’s lands while those traveling just outside her borders suffered heavy losses. Quib called the raids bad luck. Still, her troops were never able to capture the raiders once they crossed into her territory.

  The procession approached tall foothills whose tops were shrouded in clouds. The party slowly wound its way up a series of switchbacks that led to a pass. The ground at the summit was damp.

  Dek looked out across a wide valley. The road continued down the other side and skirted in and out of the forest as it headed north toward the swift flowing Lentar River. He saw a second road leading northeast that was overgrown with trees and brush. He had not noticed it when he rode toward Etera’s stronghold.

  As the party descended, the ground became wetter. Dek looked back to the carriage carrying the queen and hoped the wheels would not get stuck in mud.

  An advance scout galloped back to the column. “Highness. The bridge is down.”

  The king raised his hand for a halt. “Captain Yetig, guard the queen. Lieutenant, bring two men. Dek. Orane. Ride with us.”

  The lieutenant and his men led them around a bend to the south bank of the Lentar River. A sturdy bridge had spanned the wide waterway only two days before. Now, all that remained were stone piers on either bank. The water was filled with silt and boulders. Trees along the bank were scarred and broken.

  Orane dismounted and inspected the ground. “It appears the bridge was washed out in a storm.”

  Dek said, “There was no sign of such a deluge at Etera’s stronghold.”

  “The weather can vary dramatically between valleys in Fellant.”

  “That may be true, but we should have had some sense of a storm this big.” Dek looked upstream. “Perhaps the river has become silted and we can cross.”

  He walked along the bank. The further he got from the bridge piers, the less damage he saw. The river ran swift and deep with nowhere to ford.

  As he turned to walk back, something bright caught his eye. It was a swatch of red material snagged on a thorn bush. He examined the cloth, then tossed it aside.

  Dek returned to the king and reported his findings.

  Haram said, “Master Orane, can we rebuild the bridge?”

  “With time, Highness.”

  “How about rafts?” said Dek.

  Orane shook his head. “Rafts cannot be trusted on a river this swift.”

  They rode back and formed a council. Etera said, “The bridge will have to be rebuilt, Highness. We can return to my estates and send engineers. “

  Dek said, “Highness, I am sure I saw a road going off to the northeast as we descended the hills. Orane, do we have any charts of this region?”

  Etera shook his head as he made a sigh. “Do not bother, Highness. I know the road Baron Dek speaks of. It has not been used in centuries. In my youth I traveled down it for a while to see what was there.”

  “Does it cross the river?” said Haram.

  “It was overgrown then. It must be impassable now.”

  Haram turned his gaze directly on Etera. “Does it cross the river?”

  Etera bristled slightly at the king’s sharp tone. “The trail winds through the forest, Highness, and reaches an abandoned keep on the river’s banks. There was an old bridge there. The path bends back and connects to the main road beyond the river.”

  “Then we shall take this road and see.”

  “Highness! If this one has been thrown down, what chance is there for the other? Let us be sensible. My engineers can have the bridge rebuilt in a week. It’s the only choice.” Etera hid his excitement over the good fortune that had just befallen him. There was now plenty of time for the other traditional barons to prepare.

  Haram stood silent for a moment. “Let us convene in half a span.” He walked away from the council as Dek and Etera continued to argue.

  Telasec followed the king. “Highness. It was dangerous to bring the queen at all. Taking her down an unknown road places her in grave danger. It would be best if she returned to her father’s stronghold until the bridge can be rebuilt. You could go on ahead”

  “I have weighed this and fear for her welfare as well. But, the birth is weeks away and we must reach Meth quickly. I’m certain Etera is maneuvering in the shadows in preparation to strike. Vara is my greatest strength. Her voice in the council is respected. We must attend the Council of Barons together. If she returns with Baron Etera more blocks will be placed in her way until she gives birth in Fellant. The opposing barons wo
uld claim the child and gather strength to topple the monarchy.”

  Telasec made the sigh of the covenant.

  Haram returned to the council. "We will take the overgrown path."

  The old road was as bad as Etera had said. They cleared brush and cut trees. Yetig and his men were forced to push the wagons forward several times when they got stuck in vegetation and clinging mud.

  The third span past brightnail came. Dek knew they should have already been aboard ship and sailing east to Meth. As the sun descended toward the horizon, the cold dampness grew. Dek’s horse plodded on, pulling its feet from the mud with long, exhausting steps.

  Low fog cut off visibility. Yetig appeared out of the mist. “Highness. My men have reached the river. The bridge still stands, though it must be shored up before any can cross. As Baron Etera said, there is an old keep just off the road.”

  Haram looked up to the growing twilight. “It is too dark to work tonight. Repairs will have to wait until morning. We will take what shelter we can in this keep.”

  Dek was only able to see a few paces through the fog as he rode forward. A high stone wall appeared without warning. They reached an arched opening. He saw rusted hinges from a gate that had rotted away. Dek dismounted and walked his horse through. The walls were as thick as four people walking side by side. He rubbed his hands over the weathered rocks which were smooth and free of any lichen or moss.

  Inside was a courtyard enclosed by a wall. Its stones had toppled to ruin in many places. The remains of what might have been barracks or stables stood in one corner. A three story tower of stone rose in the center. Though the top level had fallen into decay, the bottom two appeared to be intact.

  Haram dismounted. “Etera and Dek, your troops are under the command of Captain Yetig tonight. Yetig, form what parameter you can on the remaining embankments. Telasec, prepare a place for the queen inside the keep. Orane, come with me and…” The king stopped in mid-sentence at the sound of singing came from the forest.