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  “The golden dragon approaches, my lady,” he stumbled nervously over the words.

  “Thank you,” she looked at him unemotionally.

  “I’ll be back,” she half said to them as she turned to follow the squire. A few minutes later, Thais arrived on the concourse as the dragon circled to land. A bag dropped from his mouth.

  “The medicine you asked for, Thais,” he spoke. “How do they fair?”

  “Some better than others.”

  “And you and your brother, princess?” asked the dragon.

  “It seems that we are back in battle once more.”

  He smiled. “Well then our lessons must wait, even if just for now,” he reassured.

  “Eren, it will never be the same, will it?”

  “You need to find your new place in this world, princess,” he looked at her. She had grown stronger with each day.

  “Your priest will know how to prepare it.”

  She nodded. “Thank you,” she half whispered as she turned to leave, maids in tow.

  *****

  The city was a mess. A full three weeks after the statue attack, many areas of the city had been demolished and yet to be rebuilt.

  King Daikin had ordered the removal of all statues, dumped in the swamp and covered with fresh stone mined from the royal quarry. Most public places were bare areas of soil, as fountains were to be turned into public pavilions and the palace walls smoothed over with fresh stone and render. There was no doubt, the city had lost its sparkle.

  King Daikin and Lord Trajunus had taken over the supervision of rebuilding for a few days. Vuvic and Chazel were exhausted, as was Legati Caius. They took one more look over the orders set for the various captains stationed across the city before they had left for their staging point of Anil. The village had grown incredibly during the past month, as many Bhagshau residents fled the city, swearing not to return from anxiety of statues coming to life once more.

  Although all of the statues had now been destroyed, a strong sense of fear remained. For Anil, the migration had meant both a boon and consternation for the townspeople. New skills had arrived in the town, although some of the local sellers now faced competition for the sale of products that they had previously long established a monopoly.

  Houses went up quickly, causing arguments over parcels of land on a daily basis. King Daikin had now assigned Chazel upon his return to remain in Anil and manage the development of the town in a more conscious manner. Until then, garrison commander, Frin, directed houses to be built on two parcels set aside as new streets. Although over half of the invading Morean troops had since returned to their homeland, the strength of their forces still outnumbered the Hardular in Anil.

  King Daikin and Lord Trajunus strode out into the Anil garrison courtyard and mounted their horses to continue their journey up to Catheridge for the evening celebrations. Less than ten minutes into their ride they were met by two Catheridge soldiers. The distressed men handed a note written by Princess Thais.

  King Daikin briefly spoke with Trajunus and then quickly wrote several letters. The first was for the two soldiers to be given accommodation immediately at the garrison. The second, directed to commander Frin, requesting that a platoon be quickly dispatched to Catheridge to care for the sick, and that a rider be sent to both Caitawalaan and Bhagshau to retrieve surgeons. Two of his guard were ordered to ride back towards the Anil garrison, as the spent Catheridge soldiers were told to leisurely follow. King Daikin looked again at Trajunus as the ordered men departed.

  “It is a common means of releasing those you no longer need in the court of Corone, my Lord,” informed Trajunus.

  “Not so common here, Trajunus. Our men tend to prefer death by sword,” mumbled Daikin. “Can you think of any candidates?”

  “Only those that would have lost power recently,” mused Trajunus.

  “Well, that narrows the field down. Are any of your missing Salararius likely to be the culprits?”

  Trajunus looked at the King.

  “You know that the question needed to be asked,” offered Daikin without hesitation.

  “I doubt it, my King. They seem to have found a means to escape their lives as soldiers. Unlike enlisted men, who can be rounded up and punished, the Salararius are free to make their own decisions.”

  “Then we have Edwards’ loyalist, or Dralan himself to consider.”

  “Neither fill me with pleasure, my Lord.”

  *****

  Emperor Koguryo stood at the head of his court. His third wife, Jinan sat aside him. In a semi-circle before him stood his two sons by birth, Manchur and Shigeru, both of whom were Commanders of the Royal guards and army, two other generals, Wudi and Eji, and the finest warrior of Narthal, Ocolan. Dralan stood to the side of the room to right, ignored by all except Manchur and his father. The Kings’ only advisor, Chacha stood behind Dralan in the shadows. All of the soldiers were all dressed in the imperial uniform of Narthal. The torso and upper arms consisted of black thickened leather and lacquer slats overlapping each other and held together with iron straps that extended around their necks like a large collar.

  Only recently had a thin sheet of metal been interlaced into the chest piece to strengthen the strike zone.

  The men of the region were known for their brutal, stoic nature. They spoke haltingly to each other, in a rough, ill sewn manner, like their clothes, and beards. For outsiders that did not know their race, they came across as merchant killers, ready to snap necks in an instant. The energy Narthal soldiers exuded with their mannerisms left all others uncomfortable in any room they entered.

  “I have gathered you all as it is now time to claim the upper valley for our own. Dralan shall lead you on this mission.”

  “Father! You give the position of leader to this street imp?” screamed Manchur, pointing at Dralan, who remained motionless in the shadows.

  “He is your brother, Manchur,” replied Koguryo.

  “Adopted, and no brother of mine,” Manchur fumed. All of his contemporaries had been dazed by the announcement, although kept their displeasure in check.

  “What has Dralan done to deserve this honor, my lord?” asked Ocolan in calmer manner.

  “He has slain the black dragon, Arthung,” replied Koguryo, looking him in the eye. Several of the men looked to each other. Dralan remained unmoved.

  “In the last Great War that ended over three hundred summers ago, the Blue Dragon Zenath and the Black Dragon, Arthung fought. Arthung had entered the upper valley, a valued part of our empire, and taken those lands for his own. A bloody feud both within those lands and our own continued for many summers, both on the ground and in the air. Eventually, Zenath was driven back, over the Mountains of Sart, and the Black Dragon claimed the valley as his own. He had also forced the hand of the Red Dragon through betrayal and deceit. The Black Dragon in set his own people as rulers, a small clan of questionable nobility to replace the larger noble families. Arthung had put a stop to the fighting, and for the first time in many summers, the people of the valley, descents of some of the great Kings’ of the west, had been down trodden by evil.

  Dralan has finally removed that evil, giving new life to the valley. We are a warrior nation and defend our lands in the north and the west from all manner of creatures. We defend our southern border from the invaders, the Herula, and we now have the opportunity to recapture lands that were taken from us. Dralan has earned the right to lead Narthal back into the valley.”

  Shigeru considered the conversation.

  “Do you wish for all of us to follow Dralan into the upper valley father, or will we be attacking Morea as well?”

  “The Herula, as you know, have claimed the valley as their own. Men would be wasted trying to take the Eastern Pass,” instructed Koguryo. “Our efforts are best spent with direct assault through the tunnel that Dralan himself has discovered.”

  “And Zenath, my Lord, shall the Blue Dragon aide us?” asked Ocolan. He had twice been in the midst of battle in
the Eastern Pass when Zenath joined the fray, driving the Moreans back.

  “Zenath is not with us at this time,” responded the Emperor in a measured voice.

  Manchur looked at Shigeru who signaled him to calm.

  “As is your wish, father,” offered Shigeru. Manchur still fumed as he looked across to him.

  “Prepare to leave with the sunrise in six days’ time,” ordered the Emperor as he waved them to leave. “Manchur, Dralan, remain.”

  Shigeru patted his older brother on the shoulder as he turned to leave. The Emperor was now considered over sixty summers, and would be looking for his replacement within the next few cycles. Manchur, at twenty-eight summers, was in his prime, and already held two wives and four concubines for his pleasure. His younger brother, Shigeru, had recently taken his first wife, although his own special concubine shared his bed more often than not.

  Their adopted younger brother, Dralan, at twenty summers, was a mysterious young man who had always been more capable than both of his siblings. Only Ocolan proved any sort of challenge in a swordfight. Dralan was also capable of great feats of magic, and was feared by most in the court of Narthal. This was of little concern as the marked warrior was barely seen. His dragon tattoo was recognized by all that had met him.

  Wudi and Eji shared a conversation as they left. Ocolan and Shigeru both walked off by themselves, each lost in their own thoughts. Koguryo indicated for his wife to leave as well. She would not normally be invited to be present during conversations on war, but it was important for her to know the fate of the kingdom. Both of Koguryo’s previous wives had mysteriously vanished, and although neither men were her sons, Jinan cared for them deeply, even sharing Manchur’s bed briefly, when she had first arrived in court.

  “Manchur, you have again proved less than worthy for my throne,” cajoled Koguryo. “I expect my word to be sacred, without exception.” Manchur looked at his father with anger in his eyes. He had not looked at Dralan since the announcement.

  “The boy is much stronger than he was before, Manchur. He could easily crush you without even a hint of remorse. If he had your hatred, you’d be dead now, so be thankful he has a compassion to his actions.”

  Manchur shuffled, frustrated with the stalemate he had been placed in.

  “All that said, Dralan is yet to possess the strategic battle acumen of yourself, Shigeru or Ocolan. Dralan may lead your troops into battle, but you three will determine the best strategy.”

  Manchur finally looked across towards Dralan, who had stepped forward to an equal distance from their father.

  “If you send him towards his death, he will come back to kill you. The point of this battle is to take the upper valley, Manchur, and the kingdom of Morea will be yours, as the valley will be the prize for Dralan,” offered Koguryo.

  “and Shigeru is left with nothing?” hissed Manchur.

  “Shigeru will inherit Narthal in time.”

  “Dralan has far more dangerous enemies than you, my son. Don’t tempt him to dispose of you.”

  Manchur looked again at Dralan and then his father as he turned to leave.

  “Dralan,” offered the Emperor. “Keep your emotions in check. I need all of my soldiers.” Dralan nodded, and followed Manchur.

  Chacha exited the shadows to stand where Manchur had been. “Can you trust Dralan, my lord?”

  “I think the better question is can I trust Manchur not to get us all killed!”

  Chapter 3

  King Daikin rode into the courtyard of Catheridge Castle with Lord Trajunus a few paces behind. The sun had set during their last hour on the road and a line of lamps had been lit by the townspeople for the Kings’ arrival. He would formally greet them the following day as his mind was on his immediate family and the other nobles of the kingdom.

  Lord Casperi stood at the top of the stairs to greet him, as his father had done with visiting dignitaries in the past. Nathe and Nolan stood either side, slightly behind him, the Swordmaster with a dulled expression of exhaustion.

  “You are an image of your father, Lord Casperi,” acknowledged the King, as Casperi bowed. “Come, let me see this mess.”

  Trajunus and Casperi acknowledged each other before the Morean fell in step behind them as they hurried through the corridors. He had no outward dismay from being in the second line, aware of his role within Hardular society. Not all of the Salararius had attended the dinner, although he knew of at least a few who would be there.

  “Lord Trajunus. Your men are this way,” indicated priest Nolan, who led him along a hallway towards the main reception room. Trajunus nodded at the King, who acknowledged him and then continued. Casperi turned to the King once Trajunus had moved out of sight.

  “My King,” he whispered. “May we make a slight deviation in our rounds, as there is someone I wish you to meet in private.”

  King Daikin looked at Casperi, who nodded to Nathe to keep a watch out. They had shared several private conversations with Prince Birger over the summer, amongst many other conversations, and made a quiet agreement on how their respective houses would approach the Morean incursion. Casperi signaled for his guards to check the corridors in their immediate area.

  King Daikin and Casperi stepped into a room, leaving the guards at attention as if the pair had already moved on.

  The Tharkomad solider, Daak, stood in the room, with and a stranger next to them. King Daikin looked at the trio, as Daak and Casperi acknowledged each other.

  “My liege, upon clear reflection this morning, I have chosen to keep a secret from our Morean allies. May I present to you, Scrapgryke, Dwarven warrior from Har-Koln.”

  The dwarf bowed to the King.

  “Our priest, Nolan, was conscious enough to remove our visitor to this distant room before any of the Salararius had time to notice,” added Casperi. He looked at the dwarf, who nodded in return.

  “King Daikin, I am in great privilege to be greeted an audience with your majesty.”

  The King considered the dwarf. “from Har-Koln,” he mused.

  “Welcome, young warrior. I am surprised to see you in our kingdom, Scrapgryke of Har-Koln.”

  “I am speaking to you on behalf of my King, your majesty. With the end of your dragon our tunnels have now cleared and we have discovered a path through our mountains from Morea to your Dark Forest.”

  “To the south if Tharkomad?” questioned the King, as Casperi nodded in agreement to him. “So, another path to Morea.”

  “To Masterstone, your majesty,” offered Scrapgryke.

  King Daikin looked at Casperi. “You have spoken to me about this place?” he half questioned, half confirmed.

  “The center of trade in the Morean Empire, my King,” observed Casperi. “A very favorable location.”

  “If the stories are true, dwarves are not known for their relationship with humans,” observed the King.

  “But only the humans of Morea, your majesty. Apart from a minor discrepancy between your Prince Casperi, and the son of our King, Foras, we hope for kinder relationships with the humans of Hardular.”

  “And a warm welcome you are offered, even if somewhat veiled.”

  The dwarf smiled as they shook hands.

  “Your unexpected arrival is a light in our dark days, Scrapgryke of Har-Koln,” offered King Daikin as he removed a small gold ring from his right hand and gave it to Scrapgryke. The dwarf slightly bowed.

  “I have been spoken by your citizens of the current state of your kingdom, much to my sadness,” Scrapgryke slightly lowered his head.

  “Well, it is what it is,” observed the King. “Your presence is a welcome change. Please, make yourself comfortable in the House of Catheridge. I’m sure Lord Casperi can take care of all of your needs. I will leave you in his capable hands to liaise with Har-Koln and Tharkomad.”

  Casperi nodded, “I will update your household on our discussions, my King.” He nodded.

  King Daikin shook Scrapgryke’s hand as Casperi peered out the door to c
heck the corridors.

  Daak bowed and King Daikin shook his hand. “Thank you,” he offered. “Please be sure to pass on my greetings to your Lord Boru.”

  “Of course, my King,” replied Daak, as he bowed again as the King turned to leave.

  The Kings’ four guards had mulled in a side corridor, as not to draw attention to his actual location. As he entered the hallway his guard drew in behind him as if they were continuing along the corridor. He stopped and smiled at Casperi.

  “Shall we see your wife and daughter?” he asked. The King nodded and they continued.

  *****

  The miner considered the stone in front of him. Thomas slid his hand along the black, shiny surface. His father had been a jeweler in Vasa many cycles before, and the glow of the stone was nothing like he had ever seen. Dust had blown in to the cave system, and a thin layer now covered the secret stone. He smiled and realized that he had found a gem of importance, although he wasn’t actually sure. A master jeweler now employed in Catheridge would have a much better idea than him.

  The others sent by Catheridge to setup a mine had all noticed the range of other gems that were encased in the walls of the tunnels to the back of the great hall. They had setup camp in one of the lighter hollows there and largely ignored the forward tunnels. These men were accustomed to working in narrow spaces, so the idea of chipping at walls in passages larger than their own homes seemed strangely unnerving.

  Thomas saw something of much greater interest. It had taken him five days to extract a sack full. It would be another four days to transport it back to Catheridge Castle, where he was indentured to the Catheridge jeweler.

  All of the Houses of the valley had enjoyed a summer of luxury as the wealth of the dragons’ den had been shared amongst them. This had been reflected in the increase in creation of public buildings and schools across Hardular. Training grounds were created beyond castle walls as armies, and the careers of soldiers, had become more formalized with the help of the Moreans. A large Morean garrison now extended from the castles of all cities, except Catheridge.