Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (13 page)

He scrutinized wolf faces as they entered the cavern, hoping to see a friend.  When Konig stepped forward, Donovan felt relieved.  “We’ve got one of your teachers here, Tessa.”

Flanked by smaller wolves, he looked regal. 
The passing of time enhances the pleasure of greeting old friends,
Tessa said.

Welcome, Tessa.  You’re becoming a sage philosopher.

The ancestor voices instruct a poor student.
  She held Konig’s gaze with a tight-lipped smile. 

A host might not learn the lessons.  You do credit to your teachers. 

Tessa glanced at Donovan and he winked.  Tessa sat on a bearskin rug on the floor, and Donovan sat next to her.  A fire crackled in the center of the room and they were offered drink and cooked strips of meat. 

Konig said,
We noticed the type of food you prefer and hope it’s sufficient.

You’re a good host.  Thanks.
 
Donovan sipped the sweet juice and smiled. 
I love peach nectar, but it’s not in season. 

We traded pelts for several jugs and keep it for this type of meeting.

Donovan grinned but quickly covered his teeth with his lips.  Tessa giggled and patted his arm.  “You’re making a valiant attempt, father.  Konig is used to human expressions and won’t be worried about seeing fangs.”

“Regardless, I must practice.  I might meet the Council of Elders one day, after all, my daughter is the representative of our pack.”

A short time later, wolves scurried toward the entrance.  Howls and yips of greeting erupted from tail-wagging cubs.  Kriegen and Tendra entered the cavern followed by two humans.

Donovan recognized Tanya and her son, Anthony.  The boy clutched his mother’s leg while Tanya stood tall and faced the cave filled with wolves.

Tendra introduced the humans to the pack.
This human is the dam of the cub.  Her breeding was forced upon her by the Evil One.  She cared for her cub like any good mother but the boy’s father planned to commit host murder.  When Jarrack’s body died, he forced his mind to be hosted by this cub—who didn’t agree to the hosting.  We watched the cub and knew his mind still lived.  Our pack must remove Jarrack’s mind from the human cub.

The wolves grew more agitated as they listened.  Their ears flattened, their hackles bristled, and growls rumbled in their chests.  Tanya swept her son into protective arms.  “Don’t hurt him!” she screamed. 

Kriegen glanced at Tessa.
Explain and help her remain calm.  

Tessa rushed to Tanya and said, “The wolves won’t hurt your son.  Tendra wants the pack to remove Jarrack from his mind.”

Tanya looked surprised.  “Can they do that?”

“That’s why they brought you here.  Set Anthony down and I’ll explain what’s happening.”  Tessa stroked the boy’s blond hair.  “Can you hear the voices, Anthony?”

“Yes.”  Anthony gazed at the wolves with wide eyes.  “They want to take Jarrack away for good.”

“Is that what you want?” Tessa asked.

“Yes!”  The boy nodded.

“Stand like a tall soldier and hold your mother’s hand.  She can’t hear the wolves so we’ll help her understand.” 

Anthony smiled.  “Don’t be afraid, Mama.  I’ll tell you what the wolves say.”

Tessa whispered to Tanya, “Standing makes the wolves nervous.  Please sit with your hands visible.”  Tanya nodded and sat on the rug. 

Tessa turned to Kriegen. 
The boy hears mind-speech and I explained to the mother.  They’ll cooperate
. 

Tendra moved in front of the boy
. 
Do you wish to host Jarrack?

No!  I want him gone
,
he said.

Tendra nodded. 
We’ll hear testimony from Jarrack
!
 

Silence hung heavy in the chamber as the wolves waited.  Abruptly a sarcastic voice vibrated through the chamber, coming from the boy’s mouth.  “I am here.  My power is too strong for you!”

Kriegen’s hackles bristled, forming a ridge down his back. 
Jarrack, what is your defense?

Jarrack remained quiet.  Konig reared on his hind legs and reached for his dagger. 
Speak
.

The boy turned to Tessa and Jarrack’s voice asked, “What does he want?” 

“Did you hear the question in your mind?” Tessa asked.

“No.”

“Kriegen asked if you have a defense for forcing the boy to host your mind.”

Tessa sent the message to the wolves’ minds as Jarrack spoke.

Jarrack said, “I can do whatever I please since I bred his body.  It’s like a clone.  Ask Donovan about Transfer, and he’ll tell you he hid Transfer equipment at the spaceport.  It’s his fault I needed to breed replacement bodies!”  The wolves turned to Donovan.

He shook his head. 
Jarrack twists the facts to his own perverted viewpoint,
Donovan answered mentally.
Transfer was used by the Institute to prolong life, but our Transfer equipment was destroyed by Jarrack’s sabotage.  Now he uses children as forced hosts
.

After Tessa related Donovan’s mental message, Jarrack shouted, “Liar!  The machinery is behind a force field at the spaceport.  You could give me a cloned body, but I was forced to find another way.”

I’ll open my mind to you
,
Donovan told the wolves. 
You can see that the Transfer equipment was destroyed, but Jarrack will not accept facts
.

Kriegen looked into Donovan’s memories.
An open mind cannot lie.  The humans have no Transfer equipment. 

While Tessa provided a continuing translation, Jarrack ground his teeth.  “I don’t believe it!  The doctor told me the equipment was protected by a force field at the cave.”

Tendra said,
The doctor is not here to testify.  Witnesses describe your guilt.  Have you any defense for your actions
?

“The Institute authorized my actions!  No one on Drako has authority over me,” Jarrack shouted.

Konig asked,
Does any pack member ask another question?

A gray wolf stepped forward.
 
We host the line of Thunder and wish to know how Transfer is done.

Donovan said,
During Transfer the patient’s mind is sent into a clone, a biological copy of the patient’s body.

Is the clone a willing host?
Thunder asked.

A clone has a blank mind, without personality and does not give permission
,
Donovan said.

Transfer is not the same as hosting?

No.  A living host volunteers to carry ancestor minds.  Transfer puts one mind into the clone
,
Donovan replied.

Thunder turned to Jarrack. 
Do you agree that hosting is different than Transfer?

Jarrack scowled.  “I see no difference.”

Thunder growled. 
No difference?  You rob a living mind of will and force it to submit to your control?

Jarrack grinned, displaying white teeth.  “A host is convinced to share his mind but the end result is the same.  My mind is strong, so I don’t need permission.”

Thunder lifted his lips and displayed sharp fangs.
A wolf is less docile than a human cub.  Try to force yourself into my mind and taste death.

Enough!
Kriegen stepped forward. 
The cub faces harm if you attack.
  Thunder moved away, still glaring at Jarrack. 
Are there more questions?

May I ask a question of the pack?
Donovan said.

We will allow it.

What will happen to Jarrack’s mind if he is removed from the boy?

Tendra paced as she explained,
If a host volunteers to take his mind, he may continue to exist in a body.  If no host volunteers, he’s held captive until he dissipates.

“How can you hold me captive?”  Jarrack chided.  “My mind can move into another body.”

We hold you captive in the boy’s body, but together, our minds can hold you in a box made of sacred mud.

For how long?
Donovan asked.

A strong mind might last for many seasons but a weak one dissipates quickly
.

“You’d murder my mind!”  Jarrack’s eyes widened. 

You murder an unwilling host.  This cub was too young to fight, so you took control without his death.  What of other sons you murdered?

“I’m different!  The Institute sanctioned my actions, so it’s not murder.”

Ask the Institute to find a host body for you!
  Tendra turned to the pack. 
Do we remove the mind of Jarrack from the unwilling host?  Any pack member who volunteers to host Jarrack or opposes this action, step forward.  No one moved. 

Tessa held her breath as somber wolves carried a human-sized red box into the cavern.  Jarrack inched away from the box with wild eyes.  He pleaded with Tanya, “Don’t let them do this.  It’ll kill Anthony!”

Tanya searched the boy’s face for any sign of her son but shook her head.

Jarrack whirled on the nearest wolves.  “You can’t do this!” he screamed.  Kriegen and Tendra joined the circle of wolves closing in on Jarrack.  Tessa walked with them, a low growl rumbling in her chest.  She rubbed the crystal in her ring, absorbing its power. 

Donovan remembered the circle of telepaths who tried to trap Jarrack at Havenshire.  He put a reassuring arm around Tanya’s shoulder as growls rumbled through the cavern.               

Jarrack’s face convulsed with terror and loathing as the circle forced him toward the red box.  A shimmering blue haze moved out of the boy’s body and swelled until it was the size of a full-grown man.  The blue specter stared at Tessa with hungry eyes and a cold chill crept through her body.  She gripped her ring as the haze touched her with icy fingers.

The wolves erupted into a disharmonious howl and wrenched Tessa free of the deadly haze.  The heat from her ring surged through her body, and she pushed the haze into the clay box.  The haze shrank from the heat of her touch.  Howls added to Tessa’s hot power.  The haze shrank until it was pushed inside the box. 

Donovan watched Tessa grapple with the haze, feeling helpless. He tried to touch her mind but the wolves blocked him.  Anthony slumped as the wolves shoved a heavy red stone lid onto the box with a loud thump.

Tanya struggled against Donovan’s grip as the howls stopped.  Silence hung ominously as Kriegen sniffed the boy.  Tanya rushed to Anthony as Kriegen met Donovan’s gaze. 

We can’t hear the boy’s mind.
  Kriegen’s mental voice sounded sad. 
Can you hear it?  Try! 

Donovan rubbed the boy’s cold hand.  Tessa gripped the crystal ring and touched Donovan’s mind.  Together they sank deep into Anthony’s blank mind, searching for a glimmer of life. 

Tessa detected a flicker of energy and said,
Anthony!  Don’t be frightened.  The wolves trapped Jarrack in a casket and you’re safe
. 
The flicker brightened and Tessa saw the boy’s aura.

Please come out,
Donovan said
. 
Your mother is worried.

He tried to hurt me!
Anthony cried,
Jarrack wants to kill me!

Donovan said,
Jarrack can’t hurt you.

Anthony’s eyes burned like hot coals. 
I won’t let him touch me!

Tessa stretched her mental hand toward the luminous boy. 
Anthony, the wolves will keep him away.  Won’t you come out and hug your mother?

Anthony nodded and touched Tessa’s hand.  She sat on the floor with the boy’s tiny fingers wrapped tightly around hers.

Anthony’s clear blue eyes opened.  “Mama?” 

Tanya sobbed and hugged him tight. 

“He’s gone!”  Anthony announced cheerfully. “I can’t feel him any more.”

Tessa rubbed her forehead and glanced at the box. 

Donovan said, “He’s harmless now.”     

She whispered, “Are you sure?  His power almost overwhelmed me, and I’m afraid he might break free.”

Donovan understood.  Jarrack wasn’t an easy man to restrain, and he wondered if the wolves’ power could confine such an evil mind.  It might be too much to expect. 

He said, “We’ll take that box to Havenshire and keep him trapped in the dungeons. Jarrack’s a dangerous enemy.”

Jordan straddled his horse, brooding over his bad luck.  That blasted Brandon convinced Krystal to join the group riding to his father’s seaside stronghold.  Jordan seethed over the injustice, but Felesia accepted the intrusion without complaint.  She considered Brandon a friend and had no concept of the danger Brandon represented. Riding out of the castle, he saw an amused grin on Brandon’s face.  A purple aura surrounded his rival, and he knew the man planned something.

At the edge of the forest, Felesia called Marra, and the panther bounded out.  As he watched the cat lick her face, Jordan’s anger nearly dissolved.  Felesia walked with the giant black cat trailing at her heels.  Fear flickered through Brandon’s eyes when Marra locked her eerie gaze on him.  Her tail twitched and she licked her whiskers like she wanted to taste his blood. 

Felesia said, “Don’t frighten our guest, Marra.  This is Brandon, the man who will take us to see the dragons.” 

She stroked the cat but Marra gazed at Brandon as if measuring the distance to his soft throat.  Padding toward Jordan, her body swaying, Marra snarled as she passed the new human.  Jordan watched Brandon wipe his forehead with a shaky hand and smiled.  Marra might help keep Brandon at a safe distance.  Jordan stroked Marra’s soft fur and whispered endearments as she rubbed his leg.

“How far is it to the ocean?” Krystal asked.

Brandon shrugged.  “With good weather, we should make it in three days.”

Krystal said, “Good, I’ll be glad for the time.  Can you tell us more about the dragons?”

Brandon watched the panther sprint ahead of the horses and relaxed.  “The dragons live up the coast from my father’s castle.  They seldom bother fishermen who stay away from their rookeries, but if you trespass into their territory they become ruthless hunters.  The dragons are protective of their young.  Bother a nest and you’re dead meat.”

“Can you blame them?”  Krystal glanced at Felesia.  “I hope Felesia and Flash can communicate with them.  I’d hate to place them in danger,”  Krystal said.

“She speaks to Flash, so she might make contact.  I don’t know what good it will do.”  Brandon gazed at Felesia, riding bareback.  She dressed in a short leather tunic with her long tawny legs dangling seductively over the back of her horse.  Unaware of her appeal, Felesia tilted her head and basked in the warm rays of the sun.

Krystal noticed Brandon’s stare. “Do you sail on your father’s vessels?”

Brandon said, “I spent time at sea.  Father claims salt water runs in our veins, and he might be right.  While I’m inland the sea invades my dreams, so a visit will do my soul good.”

Krystal laughed.  “You assume the lilt of your father’s voice when you speak of the sea.  Does salt water twist your tongue into a brogue?”

“No, milady, habit does that.”

“Do you know men who sail your father’s ships?” 

Brandon’s mouth twitched, and he averted his gaze. “Yes, milady.”

“I need to speak with a group of seamen.  Could you set up such a meeting?”  Krystal sounded as if she was organizing a tea with local ladies. 

“I can contact a few of them.”  Brandon’s sly smile was lost on Krystal.

*****

The translucent aqua waves fascinated Felesia as she absorbed the serenity of the vista.  “I can hardly believe the size and majesty of the ocean,” she said and clasped Jordan’s hand.  “Everyone said it was immense, but it defies imagination.”

Jordan squeezed her hand.  “When Donovan tells stories about speeding through space in a ship, I can’t imagine floating through a black void.” 

Felesia laughed.  “I thought I was the only one who shudders at his stories.”  She turned back to the rolling waves.  “The ocean looks like a living thing, beautiful but frightening.”

Jordan slipped an arm around her waist.  “Next you’ll say you can hear the ocean’s voice like one of your animals.”

“I could believe it,” Krystal said.  The two young lovers moved apart, realizing they were no longer alone.  “The last time I saw this, I thought I heard voices in the wind.”  Her eyes looked dreamy, as if she remembered a pleasant experience. “Our evening meal is ready and darkness falls fast.  Come into the keep.”

“We wanted to watch the sunset,” Felesia complained.    

“Perhaps tomorrow.”  Krystal placed her hand on Felesia’s shoulder.  “Tonight we should honor our host’s hospitality.  He invited guests from his entire fief to show off his royal visitors.”

Felesia groaned, “It’s that kind of dinner!”

Jordan said, “Responsibility comes with your title.  Learn to tolerate such dinners.”

“Thank you, Jordan.”  Krystal slipped her arm into his and led them both into the stronghold.  “She’s never easy to convince.”

“I heard that somewhere.”  Jordan grinned.

“Yes, you say it over and over,” Felesia chided.

Richly dressed people with expectant expressions filled tables in the main hall while food arrived on steaming trenchers and silver platters.  “It looks wonderful, Dar!”  Krystal exclaimed as they sat on the dais.

“Not half as wonderful as you look, milady.”  Lord Dartmouth bowed and kissed her fingertips.

“I understand where Brandon learned his manners,” Krystal said.  She turned to Dar’s beautiful wife, Gretchen.  “Does he treat all ladies like this?”

Gretchen grinned.  “He sweeps them off their feet, and it’s all I can do to keep them out of his bed.”

“I never ask for attention.”  Dar chuckled.

Gretchen’s sultry eyes flashed.  “If you want another to warm your bed, just give me the word and I’ll vacate.”

Dar’s face blanched.  “I didn’t mean that, lass.  Don’t get your blood to boiling.”

Gretchen told Krystal, “Don’t allow a man too much liberty.  Keep him tightly reined or lose your mind.  Remember that.”

“I’ll try.”  Krystal smiled as Dar rolled his eyes and winked at Jordan.

Jordon watched Brandon accept kisses and hugs from every comely maiden who passed the table.  Why didn’t Brandon focus on these pretty women and leave Felesia alone? 

Brandon gazed at Felesia with a calculating expression, like a hunter plotting to capture elusive prey. 

Jordan realized the maidens of the keep were easy for Brandon to pluck, like tame chickens, but Felesia was like a wild falcon, worth the effort to hunt.  Jordan clenched his fist.

“Please try to be civil,” Felesia said, as she stroked Jordan’s hand. 

He realized she heard his thoughts.  “Sorry.  I love you and can’t stand the way he looks at you.  I’ll control myself.”  He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them softly. 

Felesia blushed.  “People are staring.”

He laughed.  “I don’t care.  They don’t see Jarrack’s son, because they don’t know my identity.  They’re staring at a beautiful woman courted by her hopeful lover.  It’s wonderful!”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”  Felesia sounded reproachful but her eyes betrayed pleasure.  “Let’s continue this conversation at another time and place.”  She nodded toward the hand that he still gripped.

“Yes, milady, I agree most heartily.”  It was easy for Jordan to forget Brandon while immersed in the warmth of Felesia’s company. 

Brandon cast baleful glances at the lovers. He jumped out of his chair when he spotted a particular seaman at one of the tables.  “Milady,” Brandon said to Krystal.  “May I introduce you to a seaman who might prove useful for your meetings?”

“Oh yes,” she replied.  “Please bring him to meet with me.”

Brandon artfully wove a path through crowded tables to reach the burly man.  The seaman noted his approach with troubled eyes, but Brandon smiled politely.  “The Queen asks to speak with you, Chad.”

The seaman glanced at the queen.  “Is she in search of a real man?”

Brandon gripped the hilt of his sword with menace.  “I’ll spill your guts on the floor if your foul mouth utters another slanderous comment about our queen!” 

Chad blanched at the threat.  “Pardon, milord, I jested without thinking.  What does the lady require of a poor seaman?”

“She requires an audience with the Seafarer’s Guild on royal business.”

“Aye?”  Chad looked awestruck.  “We hoped King Donovan would send an emissary, but we never thought he’d send the likes of her.  I can arrange a meeting.”

Brandon nodded.  “Good. Come along and be introduced like a proper gentleman.”  Brandon walked toward the dais, and Chad sauntered after him with a rolling seaman’s gait.  Brandon made the introductions.

“I’ll bring the seamen together to meet you, milady,” Chad said.

“Donovan hopes we can strike a bargain to keep the ports open.”  Krystal’s comment included Lord Dartmouth.  “He wants the Seafarer’s Guild to send a representative to court. I’m sure Lord Dartmouth will sponsor the guild.”

Lord Dartmouth’s eyes narrowed.  “This is not the proper time to discuss the proposal.”

“Oh?”  Krystal sipped her wine innocently.  “In my experience good food and wine help solve differences, Lord Dartmouth.  Join me at the meeting with the seamen and hear their grievances in person.”

“I’m caught in the lady’s trap!”  Lord Dartmouth forced a half smile and nodded.  “I’ll be there.”

“We plan to view the dragons tomorrow, so let’s hold the meeting the following day.  Say, three hours after midday?  The fleet will be back with their catch by then.”

Chad nodded.  “I’ll see to it, milady.”  He glanced at Lord Dartmouth and received a nod of grudging approval.   As Chad turned to leave, Brandon signaled the seaman and they met on the terrace.

“I have business of my own to discuss with you,” Brandon whispered.

“Aye, it’s a good night for deals when two offers come me way.”  Chad grinned.  “By yer look, I wager yer deal is more secret like.”

Brandon’s eyes flashed.  “A loose-lipped bastard feeds the fish in the blink of an eye.”               

“Old Chad don’t spread no gossip.”

“See to my business and be rewarded.”

Chad grinned.  “What do ye have in mind?”

“I’ve a new crewman in mind for your next voyage,” Brandon said. 

“Does yer man have his bags packed?”

“He doesn’t know how to pack for a long voyage, so see to it for him.”

Chad’s lips curled into a surly snarl.  “If ye grease me palm, I’ll pack a right smart duffel for the poor fella.”

Brandon tossed a leather pouch at Chad.  “I don’t argue price.  Grab the man at this place day after tomorrow.  He’ll wear a red jacket and cap, and I don’t want to see his face again.” Brandon handed Chad the map.  The seaman stepped back into the bright room with a bag of coins tucked away, while Brandon sauntered to the dais, smiling.

*****

Felesia rolled in the grass with Marra while the others waited by the boat.  “How long before we leave?”  Brandon asked.

“A few minutes more. Felesia must convince Marra to stay in the forest while we board the boat,” Krystal explained. “You don’t want a panther in your boat.

“She’s talking to the cat?”  Brandon watched as Marra snarled and batted Felesia with her paw.  The girl pushed the paw away and said, “Go into the forest, Marra.  We’ll be back soon.”

The panther yawned and stretched.  She lifted her nose and let out a loud “Bffff” before she sauntered into the forest, her sleek body swaying. Felesia finger-combed leaves from her thick hair and climbed into the boat. 

Jordan pointed at Flash.  “What are you going to do with her?”

Felesia’s eyes crinkled as she grinned.  “Flash agreed to stay with Arrow.  We talked and she knows it’s better for her to wait to meet the dragons.  We can’t risk them attacking her.”

“It doesn’t look like she plans to stay.”  Jordan laughed as Flash waded into the surf with swirling eyes and wings stretched.

“Stay here today,” Felesia shouted.  “Arrow, help keep Flash here!”  The hawk swooped from her perch and hovered above Flash.  She chirped sharply at the young dragon.  Flash folded her wings and walked back to shore with Arrow on her shoulder. 

Krystal laughed.  “I don’t know how you do it, Felesia.  Donovan should take lessons on managing the Council.”

“Politicians would be more difficult to train.”  Felesia grinned and turned to Brandon.  “How far is it to the dragon cliffs?”

He said, “About two hours sailing time, so enjoy the sun.”  He ignored Jordan’s angry glare and sat next to Felesia.

They sailed past white chalk cliffs that jutted above glistening water like the ramparts of a castle.  Gulls shrieked at the intruders and fuzzy round heads bobbed under the water as the boat rounded the point.  “The otters raid our traps!” Brandon frowned as an otter drifted atop the waves, crunching a piece of shellfish.

“Oh, they’re so cute!”  Felesia exclaimed.  “Jordan, don’t they remind you of Killer?” A wet head bobbed near the boat.  The otter blinked his eyes and rubbed his whiskers with its forepaws.