Dare to Defy (3 page)

Unfortunately, as time slowly passed, no redeeming quality was discovered. Ethan offered a perfunctory bow to King Rufus as he entered, not even bothering to lower his eyes in respect. King Rufus bristled, glancing at his son’s frowning face.

“How was your journey, Ethan?” Rufus asked, gesturing for a guard to bring the younger man a chair, hiding a grin as the item placed was the plainest in the chamber, lacking even a cushion. Ethan plopped down distastefully, his loose thighs slapping the wood loudly. He snapped his fingers as he demanded wine, and then called for sweets to refresh himself. Once again, Rufus glanced up at Günter’s face and offered a slight nod, reading the younger man’s angry and defensive posture. The decision had been made, communicated in the gesture. Rufus would not subject his daughter to the likes of Ethan, not even in the name of peace. The slight movement of his hand sent the crown prince silently from the room to ensure Daynel’s safety. Ethan, in the midst of his pompous bluster, failed to notice Günter’s absence.

“Where is my bride, Rufus?” Ethan demanded, kicking his filthy boots onto a table. “She had best be as beautiful as promised. I took a very long and unpleasant trip to claim her.”

“How is your king father, Prince Ethan?” Rufus asked, emphasizing the title as he lifted his hand to stop the guards from advancing upon the rude man.

“His health is declining rapidly, if that is what you are inquiring. I think the old man is just waiting to see if I can produce a whelp before he drops off.”

“That is a concern of a king for his realm. You have no other brothers or sisters?”

“None that survived. They all met with…unfortunate accidents,” Ethan chuckled. “I have a half-sister from one of my father’s trysts, but she is of no concern. This news should please you that your daughter is being wed to the strongest survivor of my father’s loins, does it not? Now, where is the princess?”

“Günter has gone to retrieve her. We were not expecting to see you so soon. At least, not until another season.”

“She will have to learn quickly to adjust to my needs. I often go where and when I please and I will not have a whining wench holding me back.”

“That whining wench is the princess of my realm and my only daughter, Ethan,” Rufus said with a warning in his tone. “I demand that you speak of her with respect.”

“Very well, until she becomes mine. Then you have no further say. I will not stand to have a disobedient female in my presence. Or one with an ill temper. I would have you know that her reputation is poor and that I agreed to wed her out of compliance to my father’s demands. Other than that, I have no interest in females.”

“He probably prefers goats,” one guard whispered, reddening as both his king and the “guest” looked sharply in his direction.

“How dare you!” Ethan stood, placing his hand upon his sword hilt.

“Stand down, boy. My guards, although uncouth, will gut you before you take a single step. Guard, go check on the prince’s search. I suspect he is needing help in finding his sister’s whereabouts. She is often away on a ride this time of day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the man bowed, hurriedly leaving the room. He raced up to Daynel’s chambers, finding them empty. The chambermaid redirected him to Ilesbet’s rooms. He entered to find Daynel weeping in the arms of her sister-in-law as she hummed an ancient lullaby, and Günter standing close by with a sickened look upon his face.

“Pardon, Your Highnesses. The king sent me here to assist. Please,” he looked pleadingly at Günter, “do not allow this. He is not for her. He will destroy her. There is much evil within him.”

“Fear not, my friend,” Günter said calmly, patting the man’s shoulders, “This wedding will not happen. The princess’ tears are of relief, not sadness. However, we must find a means to hide her until we can dissuade him.”

“We could dress up a goat and pretend it is she,” Ilesbet said bitterly, rocking the young woman in her arms.

The guard chuckled, sharing his overheard comment and the lack of humor accompanying it. Günter shook his head again.

“Do we dare defy the agreement made by the kings? I know my father does not want this coupling. I had not seen that expression before upon his face and was eager to comply when he waved his hand to dismiss me.” Günter’s concern was clearly heard in his voice.

“Perhaps the priestess Ilesbet has a direction given by the gods?” the guard asked hopefully, looking at the woman.

“Perhaps,” Ilesbet responded thoughtfully. “Husband? What if she goes by way of the hunting lodge in the northern woods? We can tell him that she is in her moon cycle and left early this morn to offer prayers to the gods for her fertility.”

“I can accompany her,” the guard offered, “and ensure her safety.”

“Yes, but that would only hold him off one week. No, we need something more extreme.”

“I could run away again,” Daynel said quietly. “I know every inch of these woods and all of the villages for leagues. I can care for myself, Günter. I do not need a guard nor will I place risk upon anyone because of me. Also, I will move faster on my own.”

“She is correct,” Ilesbet said softly before Günter had the opportunity to lift argument. “You taught her all she needs to care for herself. And she is protected…”

“Stories aren’t going to protect me, Ilesbet, but my skill will,” Daynel said confidently.

“There are more than just stories, child, they…”

“Sister, you forget that Ilesbet has faith in the dragon gods,” Günter said affectionately, noting the pained tone in his wife’s voice. “You must always respect those whose beliefs run different from your own, if that faith is just and true.”

“I apologize, Ilesbet,” Daynel said sincerely. “My heart wishes it believed such as you. A faithful dragon protector would be greatly appreciated at this time.”

“Your Highness? I do not know how much longer your father can hold off this man,” the guard gently reminded. “Your instructions?”

“Yes, thank you. Take this,” Günter slid off his signet ring, “and use only if questioned.”

The women listened carefully to the guard’s orders and watched as the anxious man left with a quick bow. Günter turned to Daynel and repeated himself, ignoring as she rolled her eyes in exasperation. Ilesbet patted the younger woman’s shoulder with sympathy for she, too, had been privy to the same repetitive instructions on multiple occasions.

“Günter, I heard you the first time. I will be safe, have no fear. I understand and am prepared for the risks. My armor, though…”

“I will retrieve that for you,” Ilesbet said, rising to her feet. “I had your chambermaid hand them over to me upon the gathering and I locked them in a cabinet to which only I hold the key.”

Günter waited until his wife left the chambers to sit next to his sister and take her hands in his. “Firestar will see you safe. Whistle as I have taught you once you are in the woods and he will come. I will have him saddled to jump after spreading the word that you have run away. He is the fastest horse in the realm and will quickly outrun any who try to find you.”

“Please be rid of Ethan for all our sake. I do not want that evil man causing anyone harm on my account. How I wish that a true source of magic really existed. As I shared with Ilesbet, a dragon protector would be most welcome right now. Not just for me, but for all of us. I sense that Ethan will destroy everything in his path if he can.”

“Sister, I do believe you. I, too, sense darkness in that man. I also have faith that true magic exists, but we must seek it out. Please, you must trust me. Now, I will follow the wise advice of my wife. I will explain to him that the maids reported you leaving early this morning for your moon cycle and are expecting you back in five days. They were uncertain as to which temple you attend, only knowing it was outside of the city. I pray that he accepts this excuse and does not attempt to follow you immediately. This is our goodbye, sister. Please…”

“I will be careful. Tell Father goodbye for me…and thank him for showing his love,” Daynel said, embracing her brother.

* * *

As Günter sought to soothe the irate and impatient prince, Daynel donned her riding gear and hid herself within the heavy black bearskin cape. Ilesbet smeared soot over the girl’s fair skin to hide her in the darkness, and tucked her pale hair under the hood.

“I know you do not believe yet,” Ilesbet said softly as she stroked the face of the young woman whom she had known and helped raise as her own, “but this will protect you. This truly is a dragon fang.” She pressed her lips on the long ruby drop that hung around the younger girl’s throat.

“You have been the only mother I have ever known, and you have never led me astray. I will try to believe. I promise you.”

“Take care, my child. Your cousins are guarding the halls so that you may leave unseen by any servants.”

Daynel nodded and silently left, following the shadows that led her out to the rear of the castle. She held her breath as several servants walked past and continued to slip into corners and behind walls as she had done many times before. Only this time, it was not a game she played. This escape was for her life and her freedom. She was thankful of the darkness as she crept into the woods, knowing the new moon would provide the protection she needed to hide. Climbing into a tree, she released the shrill whistle of a Night Hawk, startled as the woods grew immediately silent as the threat of the predator was sounded. Ordinarily, her mimicry would have amused her, but not this time. She waited, holding her breath, for the sound of Firestar’s pounding hooves.

The large, black destrier paced anxiously in the saddling yard, his shape shifting in the shadows cast by torches that lit the corral under the moonless sky. Only his white, star-shaped flash was visible as he tossed his heavy head with an impatient snort. The war-trained animal stomped ironclad hooves loudly into the hard ground…waiting. He was saddled for a hunt and his skin quivered excitedly, prepared for the summons that would send him vaulting over the high gate. His ears perked forward as the sound of the Night Hawk echoed through the village. He had ridden with the girl before. He knew her call was different than that of the master’s, but he came to her with the same urgency and obedience nevertheless. With a loud cry that dared anyone to step into his path, Firestar charged the rails. In one fluid swoop, he launched his powerful body high into the air before thundering away into the blackness in answer to her call.

Daynel released a sigh of relief as the sound of the horse’s hooves reached her ears. He had come, just as Günter had promised! She slipped from out of the tree and held her hand out to the horse’s large mouth, pleased to see that the hostler had left him free of bit and bindings. She also noted that the saddlebags were filled with necessities, including cheese, dried meat, and water bags. And her weapons! She donned her leather trappings, boots, and her sword, comforted in the feel of the familiar items upon her body. Her quiver and arrows were placed across her back and her dagger in the side of her boot. She tossed the old clothing in a hollow tree and then gestured the horse to kneel so that she could climb upon his broad back. Once strapped in, Daynel clicked her tongue and Firestar rose. Simple pressure from her knees sent him on his way into the thickness of the night.

Hugging her body close to the horse’s neck, Daynel closed her eyes and willed her safety to the powerful beast beneath her thighs. She could feel the strong sinewy flesh move under the light leather saddle, the stretching of the muscles as Firestar bolted through the path he had taken since colt hood. He knew the passage well, and Daynel surrendered herself to his guidance, trusting that he would take her to a place where only one other, her beloved brother, could ever find her. She wrapped the reins around her wrists to help secure her in place and allowed herself to drift into a deep, dreamless sleep as Firestar began a rocking gallop toward his destination.

* * *

“After insulting me by preparing such a simple meal in the absence of the entire royal family, you dare to inform me that the little whore ran away?
Ran away
?” Ethan shouted, throwing the iron goblet to the floor. Several dogs growled from the corners of the dining hall, held back by handlers who waited for the signal by the captain.

“You will apologize for that remark immediately!” King Rufus shouted, jumping to his feet and leaning his large body forward on the table to glare at the angry, sweating, and red-faced man. Ethan’s entourage of twenty soldiers bared their swords, furthering the insult to the king’s hospitality. Günter drew his own sword and touched the edge across Ethan’s throat before even one blade could rise in the man’s defense.

“You shall obey my king and offer apologies for the insults of his daughter and princess of his people. That or,” Günter pressed the tip under the soft part of the blustering man’s throat, “I start carving you like a fattened cow.”

Ethan’s fear was evident, more so when it was brought to his attention that each of his soldiers was being held at bay by three more of the king’s men. He visibly gulped, the bobbing protrusion of his Adam’s apple giving him the appearance of a gobbling turkey. Günter’s sword pressed further and a tiny drop of blood began to spill.

“I am waiting,” he growled.

“I beg the pardon of the king and His royal court for my misspoken words regarding the princess Daynel. Please, Your Highness, forgive me. I know that a woman’s moon cycle is not of her own choosing,” Ethan spoke, his voice shaking with fright. Günter glanced at the dark expression on the king’s face and waited for the nod. When it came, he withdrew the sword from Ethan’s throat, but did not lower it to his side.

“You have abused the hospitality of my home and have added embarrassment to your family name this night, Ethan. You are to part company immediately and should I find you upon my lands again, I will not guarantee your safety.”

“This is an agreement! I am to wed…”

“Not to my daughter. You are a cruel and selfish man, Ethan. I will advise your father as to why the ceremony has been cancelled. I am certain he would more than understand.”