dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon (8 page)

Lleland did not lift his head until Anabel came downstairs sometime later. He looked up with a smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very well! No monsters plagued my dreams!”

“Excellent,” Lleland said. He closed his book and glanced out the window. A heavy mist still hung over the hills. “I see the rain has stopped. Perhaps you would like to take a walk with me?”

Anabel shivered. “I think I’d like to remain right here, where it’s warm! I’ve brought some needlework, and will sit beside the fire perfectly content as you ramble the hills in the cold.”

Lleland smiled. “Then I’ll leave you in peace for a few hours.”

The sky was still overcast when Lleland stepped outside a few minutes later, bow and arrows slung over his back as always. He stood for a moment, taking in his surroundings. The inn had been built at the base of a steep hill. Beyond the road were open fields, while behind the inn lay the gardens and a narrow path that led to a low peak. Skirting the building, Lleland gained the path and started walking up the hill. The going was easy at first, but as he continued, the path grew steeper and slicker with mud. After some scrambling, Lleland finally crested the summit. It was eerily quiet until the silence was broken by the lonely cry of an eagle. He watched as the bird circled, dropping lower, before it suddenly swooped into the sky with something clasped in its talons.

He looked across the hills, wondering which direction to take. He was familiar with the area, having traveled here before in the hopes of finding a dragon’s lair. He shifted the bow on his back, glad of the familiar weight. He had not brought it to hunt, but habit would not allow him to leave it behind. He took the path to the left, where a small forest lay at the foot of the hill. It was damp in the woods and water dripped from the trees. The flash of crimson holly offered a bright respite from the sea of green, while a stream wound its way between the trees, rushing noisily over stones. Birds flitted silently between the trees as Lleland walked by. The stream finally broke into the open, and Lleland headed up a hill to the next summit. The inn could no longer be seen, hidden behind the gentle slopes.

When Lleland returned to the inn sometime later, it was to the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen. He paused a moment, smiling, then followed the voices to find Mary and Anabel chopping vegetables. She looked up at Lleland as he entered.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” Lleland scolded as she scraped some peels into a large pail.

“I can’t just sit around when there is work to be done,” she said. “Besides, I’m keeping Mary company. How was your walk?”

“Wonderful. You should join me tomorrow.”

“Yes, I should.”

Lleland left the two ladies and returned to the hall, where he called for the innkeeper to bring him a mug of ale. He sat next to the fire as his chilled hands began to thaw. Two men entered the hall, calling for drinks, and took a seat near him.

“Bitter cold, ain’t it?” one of them said. “Spent the day mending a broken fence. Damn bull!” The other man laughed and slapped him on the back.

“Did you some good,” he said. He looked at Lleland. “Ain’t seen you ’ere before. From the city, are ye?”

Lleland nodded. “That’s right. Brought my mother here for some rest. Spent the day in the hills.”

“That right, eh? Well, ain’t much to see around these parts.”

They chatted some more, and were soon joined by others as the evening passed away. Despite Lleland’s efforts to draw Anabel from the kitchen, she’d waved him off with a laugh. “I’m perfectly happy passing the evening in womanly conversation. Go enjoy the evening with the men. Just don’t drink too much!”

The rings around Anabel’s eyes were starting to fade by the following morning, and her smile came easily when Lleland entered the hall. But when he reminded her of her promise to go walking, the smile quirked guiltily.

“Oh, dear,” Anabel said. “I’d quite forgotten! I told Mary I’d go with her to the market. She’s taking the horse and cart.”

“Then you should go, Mother.”

“But I said I’d go with you!”

Lleland smiled and patted her hand. “I don’t mind the solitude. Aristotle believed it’s only for gods and wild beasts, so perhaps I have a touch of wild beast about me.”

Anabel frowned. “The only thing ‘wild’ about you is the beasts you hunt.”

“Well then, maybe I am a god!” He laughed at Anabel’s look of consternation, and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. “But since I can be quelled by the frown of a mere mortal, I suppose not!” He grinned as Anabel smacked his arm. “Enjoy your trip to market, Mother,” he said.

With his bow and arrows slung once more across his back, Lleland took the same path as the previous day, but when he reached the summit of the first hill, he turned in the other direction and headed towards the next peak. The cloud that had hung over the hills for the past few days was finally lifting, and Lleland could see the hills stretching into the distance. As he walked, he glimpsed the brook he had seen the previous day, winding between the valleys. It would lead him back to the inn if he lost his bearings.

His stride lengthened as he hiked deeper over the knolls and through the valleys, and he could feel the prickling of sweat at the base of his neck. A fallen log lay across his path, and using it as a seat, he pulled open the small sack Mary had pressed into his hand that morning. A hunk of bread, some cheese, an apple and a jar of ale had been placed within, and Lleland thanked Mary silently before tucking in to his repast. Spread out before him was a panoramic vista of hills. In the distance, the stream sparkled as it wound along the valley floor, then disappeared into a copse of trees. He wondered in which direction Drake Manor lay. Had Lydia ever tramped through these hills? Maybe she had even stood on this very spot. He imagined her striding across the hills, her long hair flowing as her golden eyes sparkled. He allowed his mind to wander for a while, until he finally pushed his musings aside and gathered his bow.

Lleland continued towards the next summit, which he was determined to reach before returning to the inn and its dull, smoky interior. The steep path zig-zagged up the slope, and when he gained the top, he took a moment to catch his breath as the cold air filled his lungs. His gaze swept the vista as a shaft of sun broke through a parting in the clouds. Something glimmered in the distance, and he shaded his eyes as he stared at it. Golden wings stretched out wide from a huge body, while a long neck reached through the sky. A thick tail, armed with spikes, trailed out behind a massive frame, and a thin stream of flame flowed from the creature’s mouth.

In an instant, Lleland had his bow strung and an arrow notched. As he lifted the weapon, the creature turned, its gaze landing on Lleland. He released the arrow, and immediately cursed himself for his stupidity. The monster was too far away for a shot. He watched, waiting for the creature to turn and start racing towards him as he notched another arrow and held it ready. The creature swept closer, its eyes never leaving Lleland as it soared through the sky. Its tail flicked from side to side, while massive wings stretched out like a canopy. Lleland lifted his bow. He could see the blazing yellow of the creature’s eyes, but it was still beyond his range. He waited. The creature rose higher in the air and broke its gaze, turning its head in the direction of the distant hills as it started flying away.

Lleland lowered the bow and watched in confusion. Another dragon joined the first, its wings and body a dark, flaming red, and he lifted the bow once again, but beyond a quick glance, the dragons paid him no more attention as they flew away from him and into the distance.

Lleland stared at the two retreating forms until they vanished from sight, his confusion mounting. Dragons never retreated from an attack. Perhaps they were after other game – such as women. He turned towards the inn and started to run. Mary and Anabel had traveled to the market alone. They could be in danger, and he was too far away to do anything about it. He pushed himself to move faster, tripping over rocks and logs in his haste. It took him close to an hour to reach the inn, and he rushed through the door, panting and breathless as the bells over the door clanged violently.

“You’re back!” The innkeeper, coming from the kitchen, was laden with a tray of broth and ale, which he was taking to the hall.

“My mother! Where is she? Is she back?”

“Your mother? No, she and Mary haven’t returned yet.”

“What?” Lleland grabbed the man by the arm, sending the contents of the tray flying across the floor and down the innkeeper’s tunic. “What do you mean, they haven’t returned?”

“Hey, what’d you do that for?” The innkeeper shook off Lleland’s hand and turned to him with a glare.

Lleland pointed at the door. “There’re dragons out there.”

The innkeeper looked at the broth seeping between the wooden floorboards. “You’re paying for that.”

“I saw them! The dragons! The women could be in danger!”

“Dragons, eh?” The man took a towel from around his waist and started wiping his arms.

“I know what I saw,” Lleland replied impatiently.

“There are dragons hereabouts all the time! That’s no reason to make me spill the broth.” He headed back towards the kitchen as Lleland followed.

“What do you mean? You’ve seen dragons before? And you’re not worried?”

The man shrugged and glanced over his shoulder. “They’ve been around since I was a child. I’m alive, aren’t I?” He disappeared through the door as Lleland felt the frustration rising again. He could not leave Anabel at the mercy of the monsters. But he had not even taken a step when he heard a clatter in the yard. He opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a small cart, drawn by a single horse, coming to a halt. Anabel sat beside Mary on the narrow seat, and she waved when she saw Lleland at the door.

“Did you just get back, too? We spent a delightful day at the market. I’ll tell you all about it, but first I need to change my gown.”

“Are you all right? Did you see anything strange?”

“What are you talking about?” Anabel lowered herself to the ground.

“Nothing. I’m just glad you’re back safely. I’ll see you inside.”

Lleland watched the ladies for a moment as he regained his breath, then headed back indoors, towards the large hall. What he needed was a large tankard of stout. He pushed his way towards an empty table in the corner but paused when he heard someone call his name. He turned in the direction of the voice, and met the gaze of Zachary Drake.

Chapter 9

Zach sat at a long table, crowded between other revelers. To his right was a young man with auburn hair, who turned to look at Lleland as he approached. Zach said something to his companion, and with a nod, he rose and walked away, leaving an empty space.

“Master Seaton, come join me. Imagine seeing you here!”

“The surprise is mine,” Lleland said, pushing his way to the table. “Although you did say you were visiting family in the area.” Lifting his feet over the bench, he slid into the vacated spot. “Is your sister here?”

“Lydia? Definitely not! By the time I’m ready to leave, it’ll be no place for a lady!”

“But she’s doing well?”

“She’s well.”

“Did you come alone?”

“No, my cousin Will came with me.” He took a sip of his ale as the innkeeper slammed a tankard in front of Lleland.

“I see the women returned home safe and sound,” the innkeeper said to Lleland with a scowl.

“Yes,” Lleland said. “My apologies.”

“Hmph!” With an angry glare, the man moved away.

“Joseph doesn’t seem very happy with you,” Zach said as the man retreated.

“No, I’m afraid I caused him to spill the contents of his tray.”

“Ah! A grievous mistake indeed.”

“Indeed! And I’m afraid no amount of restitution will take away the humiliation of having broth spilled down his tunic!”

Zach smiled. “Do you stay in these parts for long, Master?”

“Just a few days. My mother needed a change of environment. She’s been having nightmares. I thought the fresh, country air would be beneficial.”

“And has it helped?”

“I believe it has. She hasn’t suffered from bad dreams these past two nights.”

“Good news, then.”

They drank in silence for a moment, listening to the shouts of laughter and demands for more ale that rang through the hall.

“I saw some dragons today,” Lleland said. He glanced up as Zach slowly lowered his tankard to the table.

“In the hills?”

“Yes. Two, in fact.”

“And yet you escaped alive!” Zach said wryly.

“As you see. Although I cannot understand why. The beasts didn’t come near.”

“They weren’t interested in you.”

“I thought they might be after the women, but they arrived back here safely.”

Zach frowned. “You don’t seriously think that, do you?”

“Why not? Perhaps they prefer female flesh.”

Zach leaned back and crossed his arms. “Well, clearly the dragons weren’t interested in hunting any of you.”

“So it would seem, but why?” Lleland tapped a finger against the wooden table. “After all, I launched an arrow at the first dragon, so it should have attacked.”

“You came here to hunt dragons?”

“No. I always carry a bow. But I wasn’t looking for dragons. They weren’t even on my mind.” Lleland took a long swig of ale. “But you of all people should know how dangerous these beasts are. You’re the son of the dragon slayer!”

“My father killed a dragon that was terrorizing a city. The dragons you saw today have not harmed anyone.”

“How do you know?”

“I just … know.”

“No, you don’t! I’ve seen what dragons do, and they’re not sweet little kittens. They are monsters.”

“No. The one my father killed thirty years ago
was
a monster. But he was the exception.”

“You’re deluding yourself, Master Drake. Just as a wild boar will attack anything that moves, so too does a dragon. You cannot change the nature of a creature just by wishing.”

“And yet the dragons today did not attack.”