A Tale Of Two Dragons (8 page)

“And what do you suggest we do about that?”

“He must be caught and brought back for trial as soon as possible. There is no other way. You must try and
convict
Elder Lord Emyr
.
No one else can do it but you, Your Majesty . . . and Elder Lord Emyr
himself
must know the true wrath of your domain.” Brigida’s head tilted to the side and the entire chamber cringed at the sounds coming from her old neck. “Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?”

The Queen studied Brigida for a long moment, her mind turning, searching—desperately, by the looks of it—for a way out of this. She wanted an execution and she wanted one now. But Brigida the Foul had made a very good point. To execute Emyr’s daughter—who hadn’t been caught while escaping with her kin, but debating what to do next with the loyal Cadwaladrs—rather than Emyr himself, would put a dark stain on Queen Addiena’s reign.

Since, Braith was guessing, there would be many dark stains Addiena had to worry about during her reign, she was most likely weighing whether having Braith’s head now would be worth it later.

Braith, however, wouldn’t bother to get her hopes up. She had no faith in . . . anything at the moment. So she just stood there, waiting for the ax to fall—literally and figuratively—until she felt something brush against her spine. She glanced behind her and saw Addolgar. He gave her a small wink and the tiniest smile, and, Braith would be forced to admit, she’d never felt so . . . safe before. Not safe in the sense that her head would not go rolling across the chamber floor, but just that someone, other than herself or her still-missed mother, actually cared for her. That someone was watching out for her.

And that someone was Addolgar.

“You have a very good point, Brigida the White,” Addiena finally stated. “But what will I do with Braith the Blue?”

“My liege,” Brigida practically purred, “that’s very simple.” She focused those cold, dead eyes at Braith, sending a chill down her spine. “We send Braith the Blue to bring back her father—dead or alive.”

 

 

Addolgar had his claw on Braith’s back so he felt her entire body go rigid at Brigida’s words. And he understood why. He wouldn’t want to have to hunt down his father either. Mostly because his father scared him a little and Addolgar was quite sure the old dragon would kick his ass, but still . . .

“Me?” Braith said. “You want me to hunt my father?”

It was the perfect reaction, wasn’t it? The perfect reaction for the Queen. To see Braith’s fear, her absolute horror at the prospect. If she’d been eager, the Queen would have immediately said no. But there was no eagerness there—and the Queen loved it. She lived on others’ misery.

“Aye,” the Queen said, her smile so wide, her bright white fangs nearly blinding everyone in the entire chamber. “You will hunt your father. Hunt him down and bring him to me. Or,” she added for good measure, “I’ll assume you were part of all this.”

The Queen leaned in a bit, the tip of her tail eagerly scratching against the stone flooring. “That you were a part of it . . . and anyone who may have helped you was part of it as well.”

Braith’s mouth dropped open in shock that the Queen was openly threatening all the Cadwaladrs who’d been at Ailean’s castle during her stay, and she immediately looked to Addolgar, then Ghleanna. She glanced at Bercelak, but quickly sneered, before moving her gaze back to Addolgar. She stared at him for several seconds before focusing again on the Queen.

“Your Majesty—” Braith began.

“She’ll do it,” Addolgar quickly said for her, terrified she was going to do something stupid and “honorable.”

Braith glowered at Addolgar. “What are you doing?” she demanded between clenched fangs.

“Stopping you from being an idiot.” He grinned at the Queen. “She’ll do it, Your Majesty. And I’ll go with her to assist in bringing this traitor to justice.”

“I cannot hunt down my own—”

Braith’s eyes grew wide, her claws reaching for her throat.

“Aunt Brigida?” Addolgar pushed.

The old She-dragon smirked while Braith tried desperately to breathe. “Yes, dear?”

The invisible binding around her throat disappeared, and Braith took in big gulps of air. She really hated when Brigida did that to her.

“Aye,” the Queen said, her grin even wider than before. “This is all a
very
good idea.”

Cruel, heartless bitch. No wonder Princess Rhiannon hated her mother. Now Braith hated Rhiannon’s mother, too.

Bad enough asking her to hunt down her own father but to threaten the Cadwaladrs merely for helping Braith . . . where was the honor in that? Braith’s mum would have asked.

“Glad I could be of service to you, my Queen,” Brigida replied, her grin showing several rows of fangs, proving she had to be one of the oldest mortal She-dragons living.

“But wait,” the Queen said when Brigida began to slowly turn to leave. “You know, I think I’d feel better if I had a little extra protection.”

“
Extra
protection?” Brigida asked, casting her gaze over the armed and well-trained Queen’s Guard that surrounded the Queen and filled the chamber.

“Aye!” She pointed. “Ghleanna can stay. She can help keep me safe.” She lowered her head, those blue eyes on Braith. “Keep me confident.”

“Ghleanna?” Addolgar asked. “Yeah. All right.”

Braith faced him. “Are you mad?”

“Mad at what?”

She briefly gritted her fangs. “You cannot leave your
sister
here, Addolgar.”

“Why not?” He looked at Ghleanna. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Ghleanna shrugged. “Nah.”

“See? She doesn’t mind.”

“I don’t care if she minds. We’re not—” Braith stopped to yank the walking stick from Brigida’s claw. “Choke me again, old hag, and I will
beat you to death with this thing!
” She turned back to Addolgar. “Now, we are all leaving here together or I’m—”

“Just go,” Ghleanna pushed. “I’ll be fine.”

“Yes, but—”

“If you’re worried,” Bercelak sighed out, “
I
can stay with her.”

Ghleanna blinked. “I don’t need you to stay with me.”

“I didn’t
ask
if I could stay with you. But I’m staying with you.”

“Piss off,” Ghleanna told her brother.

“You piss off.”

That’s when Ghleanna pushed Bercelak. Who pushed her back. So she punched his shoulder. Bercelak went to punch her shoulder, but Ghleanna caught him by the wrist and twisted his forearm around his back. He reached back with his free forearm and caught her by the hair. Then they were a rolling, pummeling mass of black dragon scales thundering across the throne room floor.

Brigida snatched back her walking stick from Braith and headed toward the exit. “Come along, you two,” she called back. “We have much work to do.”

“Wait!” the Queen called out. “You can’t leave us alone with two battling Cadwaladrs!”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” Addolgar explained while gripping Braith’s forearm and dragging her toward the exit. “Once they knock each other out, you’ll have
hours
of quiet before they start again.”

“Before they . . .
what?
”

 

 

Addolgar pulled Braith out of the chamber and around a corner. Even from there, he could still hear his siblings fighting in the throne room. He didn’t know why they bothered. Everyone knew that Ghleanna would beat Bercelak within an inch of his life.... She never bothered to fight fair when it came to her siblings.

After a time, Brigida came around the corner.

“Come along, you two,” she said again.

Addolgar quickly noticed that now that Brigida was out of the Queen’s sight, her limp seemed to have lessened so much that it was nearly nonexistent. And her entire body moved much more fluidly . . . as if she were considerably younger.

They walked in silence until they neared the mountain’s exit. That was when Braith finally spoke up.

“I can’t do this,” she said.

“You can and you will,” Brigida told her. “You’ll find that old bastard and you’ll drag his lizard ass back here.”

“He’s my father.”

Brigida stopped and spun around, her dragon body powerful and strong as if she were centuries younger. Even Addolgar’s parents didn’t move that easy.

“I don’t give a shit, Braith of the Darkness. He’s a traitor to this Queen’s reign and a danger. You don’t need to kill him, but you do need to bring him here.” She leaned in close and he saw Braith’s claws curl into fists. “Think of it as a matter of honor. Your father may be doomed, but the honor of your family line won’t be
if
you return him. And isn’t that what matters for the memory of your dear . . . mum?” she finished on a whisper.

Addolgar, claws quick after being raised among his kin, caught Braith before she could attempt to rip Brigida’s head off and end up a sad little frog or pet chicken.

“Good,” Brigida said with a big smile. “Glad we’ve agreed.”

She moved around Braith and stepped out of the mountain and onto the ledge. “You’ll track your father down. He and your brothers and that female who tried to kill Addolgar are heading toward the Northlands. He’s taking a longer, safer route than flying over the sea, so you do have a bit of time, but not much. You’ll want to grab him before he reaches the Northlands.”

“What about Ghleanna?” Braith asked, her voice filled with concern for a She-dragon who only yesterday had physically fought her.

“What about her?”

“I don’t feel right leaving her with the Queen as a hostage. Even with Bercelak here—”

“Bercelak?” Brigida laughed a little before unfurling her wings and heading up to the top of Devenallt Mountain.

Addolgar motioned to Braith and together they followed her.

This high up, it was cold on the mountaintop. There was ice and snow. And there were Cadwaladrs. They dotted the mountain like crows on a tree. And more kept landing. One after another after another.

Brigida faced Addolgar and Braith. “You see,” she said. “Ghleanna is not alone. A Cadwaladr is never alone.” The old She-dragon moved in closer, pressed the top part of her walking stick against the middle of Braith’s chest. “And you don’t have to be alone either. But we all make our own choices, Braith of the Darkness. And I’ve made mine. Now track down your father and bring him here.” Brigida stepped back, her forearms lifting away from her body. “Or you alone will be responsible for the civil war between the Cadwaladrs and the Queen’s Guard when we tear this place apart to get dear, sweet, defenseless Ghleanna from the bowels of Devenallt Mountain.”

“Dear sweet,
defenseless
Ghleanna?” one of the Cadwaladrs called out. “Since when did centaurs fly?”

Then all the Cadwaladrs laughed, including Addolgar. Because it was funny.

But the way Braith was gawking at him . . . he sensed she didn’t see the humor.

Chapter 10

They flew for about an hour before Braith indicated she wanted to land. She pointed at the ground and Addolgar quickly found a good, safe spot for them. They dived and landed hard in a clearing surrounded by trees.

Addolgar took off his travel bag, dropping it to the ground, and shook out his wings. He grinned at Braith. “We’ll make good time, as fast as you fly.”

She nodded and pushed her blue hair off her face.

“You all right?” he asked.

“Aye. I’m fine. Any water?”

“There’s a lake right over there.”

Braith stared off in the direction Addolgar had pointed out, but she seemed . . . confused. It had been an overwhelming day for her. True, she seemed invincible to Addolgar, but a bit of polite behavior couldn’t hurt. She was a royal after all, probably used to getting everything she needed handed to her and all that.

“You wait here,” he told her. “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and looked off like she’d already forgotten about him.

Addolgar headed into the trees but quickly realized he’d forgotten his travel bags and the water flask he had inside. He turned back around and headed to where he’d left everything, but as he approached, he slowed down, his gaze on Braith. She was still staring off, but he realized she was breathing heavily. So heavily that, suddenly, she dropped to her knees, her front claws digging into the dirt.

Addolgar sprinted to her side, his forearms reaching around her.

“Braith? What is it?”

Panting, barely able to breathe, it seemed, she stuttered out, “I . . . I . . . I almost died. I almost died. I almost died.”

Then it hit him—she wasn’t invincible at all. She was, however, one of the strongest females he’d ever known. Because she’d lasted this long without having a full-on panic attack, and that was much longer than he would have lasted if he’d been in her place. Much longer.

 

 

Braith didn’t care that she was making a fool of herself. She didn’t care that she couldn’t breathe, that she was babbling, that she was wrapping her forearms around Addolgar the Cheerful and holding him tight. She didn’t care.

Because an hour ago . . . she’d thought her life would end on a cold stone floor in the Queen’s throne room.

Big claws stroked her back and hair, while he held her tight against his warm body, where she felt safe. It was the safest she’d felt since her father had summoned her a few days ago.

When Braith’s panting calmed down enough that she could hear again, she realized Addolgar was speaking to her.

“You’re going to be all right, Braith. We’re going to get through this together. I promise.”

Gods, he was trying to make
her
feel better. His sister was being held hostage, his entire family was about to start a civil war that could get them all killed, and he was being forced to track down a traitor outside of Southland borders with a panicking, pathetic female—and he was trying to make
her
feel better.

Appalled, Braith quickly pulled away from him.

“I’m so sorry, Addolgar.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“For being . . . pathetic. Weak. I’m of the Penarddun bloodline and I should have been strong—”

Braith’s words were cut off because Addolgar had wrapped his claw around her snout, keeping it closed.

“Pathetic?” he asked. “Weak? You? After what you’ve just been through? You held your head up the entire time. You never showed Addiena or Brigida your fear. A fear you had every right to have. So don’t talk centaur shit to me about you being pathetic or weak. I won’t hear it. I won’t tolerate it. And once you understand that, you and I will get along just fine.”

He released her snout. “Now what do you have to say?”

“I . . . um . . .” She swallowed tears of gratitude, unwilling to be even more of a mess in front of Addolgar. “I’m thirsty.”

He grinned. “So am I. Let’s get some water from the lake and figure out what our next steps should be. Sound like a plan to you?”

Braith nodded. “A very good plan.”

“Excellent!” He gripped her claw in his and pulled her toward the lake. “And I stole some oxen jerky out of Bercelak’s bag. He makes the best oxen jerky.”

“Bercelak the Vengeful
cooks
?”

“Aye. And he’s surprisingly good at it, too!”

 

 

They traveled late into the night until they could go no farther. Exhausted, they finally stopped near a town. Addolgar would prefer to stay in the woods for the night, but they were in a more densely populated area, filled with humans. So whether they stayed in the woods or not, they’d have to do it as human or risk some farmer or late-traveling merchant stumbling across two sleeping dragons. It was not a good way to start the day, in his estimation. Burning a bunch of humans crispy for nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. True, Bercelak would do it, but he had little to no tolerance when it came to humans. He thought they should all burn. Or, at the very least, be nothing more than cattle for dragon meals.

They shifted to their human forms and dug into their travel bags for their clothes.

With a comical little expression on her face, Braith pulled out the clothes Ghleanna had put together for her. She held them up for Addolgar to see.

“Your sister seems to have a love of chain mail.”

Addolgar chuckled. “She’s Cadwaladr. All my sisters love chain mail except Maelona, who has no desire to pick up a blade or an ax. Never has.” He studied her as she slipped the clothes on. They fit her, but barely. Especially around the shoulders. She moved her arms, trying to stretch the material out a bit.

“Have you thought about getting in some military training?” he asked as he pulled on his own clothes.

She shrugged. “Actually . . . I have. But my father was against it. He said royals shouldn’t lower themselves to being a military force.”

“Some of the best kings and queens the Southland dragons have had fought in battle. Addiena’s mother was a battle mage for many years before she took the throne.”

“I don’t disagree with you, but—”

“Your father no longer matters in your future, Braith. Once we’re done with this, it’ll be all down to you.”

She sighed. “I still don’t know how I’m going to do this, Addolgar. Turn in my own father?”

“I’ll be right by your side.” He tugged on his boots, then added, “In fact, let’s think of this a different way.”

“And what way is that?”

“Instead of you bringing in your father . . . you’re retrieving Lady Katarina, while
I’m
bringing in your father.”

“And what does that word play actually
do
, Addolgar?”

“Take the pressure off. You think too much of words,” he explained while he stood. “They have all this meaning for you.” Addolgar reached down and grasped her hands, lifting her to her feet. “So use all that meaning to your benefit. I’ll bring in your father while you’ll bring in Katarina. Now, what about your brothers?”

“What about them?”

“We should probably bring them in, too, or Addiena will just send us out again.”

“Don’t worry. Where my father goes, my brothers will go. They’ve never been able to think on their own.”

“That’s sad.”

“My mum tried to help them, but since hatching they’ve been loyal to my father. Plus they’re rather stupid.”

“And you’ve been loyal to your mum.”

“From the beginning to the end of time, I’ll be loyal to my mum.”

“I don’t blame you. She did a good job teaching you to fight.”

“She did?”

“Braith, you may not be ready to ride into battle”—
yet
—“but you’ve got basic hand-to-hand combat techniques down pretty well from what I’ve seen. You took out Bercelak.” He leaned down until their noses nearly touched. “
Bercelak.
Only Ghleanna and a few of our older sisters can take him in a fight.”

“He doesn’t like fighting females?”

“Bercelak will fight anyone. But my sisters are like you. Strong, fierce . . . a little heartless.”

“He started it.” She glanced down. “You going to let my hands go, Addolgar?”

“If you insist.”

She looked off, thought a moment. “Well, you should keep holding at least one. I wouldn’t want to get lost on the way into town.” She briefly chewed her lip, still wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I’ve never been here before.”

Doing his best not to smile too widely at that, Addolgar released her left hand but kept hold of her right. And, without much else said, they headed into town, hand in hand.

 

 

They walked into the pub. A dark, dastardly-looking place that Braith normally wouldn’t do more than tear apart with her claws.

Even worse, as soon as they stepped inside, the entire place fell silent, all eyes turning toward them, watching them with suspicion.

Braith pulled her hand out of Addolgar’s and curled both hands into fists beneath her fur cloak, ready to battle her way out of here if necessary. But then Addolgar pulled the hood of his own cloak back, tossed his silver hair off his face, and the entire room went up in a cheer.

“Addolgar!”

“Hello, all!” Addolgar called out in return.

He took Braith’s hand again, his fingers easily separating hers so that she no longer had a fist, and led her into the pub. There were more greetings all around. Cheerful pats on the back, and hugs from the females, a few handshakes as they passed through.

Addolgar finally stopped by a table. He stepped behind Braith and took off her cloak, placing it on the bench beside her. He took off his own and then sat on the other side. A barmaid walked up to the table with four big mugs of ale. She slammed them down on the table. “From your fans,” she giggled, winking at him.

Grinning, Addolgar pulled three ales closer to himself and pushed one toward Braith.

“We have Mum’s stew tonight,” the barmaid said.

“Say no more,” Addolgar told her.

“And bread?”

“You have to ask?”

The barmaid winked at him again and focused on Braith. “You as well, miss?”

“Aye, please.”

She nodded and walked off. Braith watched the girl for a bit before looking at everyone else.

“We’re safe here, Braith. You can stop looking so worried.”

“You spend a lot of time here?”

He shrugged and gulped from one of the mugs of ale. “I’ve been here over the years. I travel a lot.”

“Yes, but they seem to . . . know you so well.”

“I like meeting strangers. You never know what you’ll learn. What you’ll discover.”

She leaned in. “But all these humans?”

“You don’t like humans?”

“I don’t
dis
like them. But I don’t trust them either.”

That made Addolgar laugh. “I don’t trust anybody except me own kin. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy others’ company. Everyone has a fascinating tale to tell if you’re willing to listen.”

The barmaid returned, placing large bowls of delicious-smelling stew in front of them along with several platters of fresh, warm bread.

“Need anything else, you just let me know.”

“Thanks, Mary.” Addolgar ripped off a large chunk of bread and began devouring that first bowl of stew. He didn’t speak while he ate. He just ate. And before he’d even finished that first bowl, Mary brought another, and then another. All of which Addolgar ate. More bread was brought and he devoured that as well.

Braith, however, was satisfied with two of the large bowls of stew and one large loaf of bread to appease her human appetite.

By the time she finished her second bowl, Addolgar had finished his fourth and was leaning back to sigh contentedly.

“Good, eh?” he asked, that smile on his face.

“Very.”

“Mary’s mum runs this place. She makes the best stew. Ale’s good too.” To prove that, he finished off his third mug of ale, only for Mary to bring four more.

“Dessert?” Mary asked.

“What ya got?”

“Me mum’s raisin and ale cake.”

“Bring it.”

Laughing, Mary walked off and Addolgar rested his elbow on the table and his chin in the palm of his hand.

“You all right?” he asked her.

“I’m fine. I was hungrier than I thought.”

“You haven’t eaten in a couple of days. And it’s been a rough couple of days.”

Braith placed her hands on the table and leaned in a bit. “Addolgar.”

“Hhmm?” he asked, smiling down at the desserts Mary placed in front of them. “You should try this,” he told Braith. “Mary’s mum makes a great raisin and ale cake.”

Braith glanced down at the cake—it did look good—and back at Addolgar.

“Addolgar . . . I don’t know how I can thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?” he asked around a mouthful of cake.

“Putting your family at risk? Helping me with the Queen? Protecting me from Bercelak?”

“You protected yourself from Bercelak.”

“Addolgar,” she felt the need to remind him, “the Queen is holding your sister hostage.”

Addolgar blinked, nodded. “Uh-huh.”

Braith frowned. “Yet you don’t seem too worried about her.”

“If it were Maelona, I’d never have allowed it. I’d have torn the walls of Devenallt Mountain down before I let her take Maelona. So would the rest of my kin.”

“But Ghleanna . . . ?”

“If the Queen wants to have Ghleanna and Bercelak staying at Devenallt Mountain while you and I track your father down—that’s her decision. And I wish her much luck with it.” He pointed at Braith’s cake with his spoon. “You going to eat that?”