You Have How Many Dragons?
Dinner was a delightful change of pace of roasted chicken, vegetables, fresh bread, and some wine.
I hadn’t had much experience with wine, seeing as my mother didn’t let me have it except for special occasions.
I sipped at it slowly, remembering the night I overindulged in drinking with my guardians.
It was nice to see everyone relaxed and enjoying the meal.
The viceroys shared stories of what life was like here in Sheca.
Hope filled me as it seemed like this might be what we’d been looking for all along—a place to start again and build up our people, no longer looking over our shoulders, wondering when the next attack would happen.
I was thankful I kept Sheca a secret until the time was right.
Payson knew that Zan came from somewhere else but didn’t know the exact location, giving us more time before the Lost King turned his attention to us.
If I were him, I would have sent a group of dragons to attack the fortress, knowing we would all be hidden away there.
The Lost King making his move on the fortress and discovering we were gone would tell us just how much time we had before he started looking for us.
My hope was he would have his hands full dealing with Royal City and taking over Norden.
That would give us the chance to regroup. Only time would tell.
“Your Majesty.”
Lawrence’s voice had me refocusing, and by the look on his face, I could tell it wasn’t the first time he’d tried to get my attention. “I’m sorry, it’s hard not to get lost trying to stay one step ahead of danger.”
“Such is the life of a wise ruler.” He nodded in understanding. “I was only hoping to offer whatever assistance we could to you as your people journey to here.”
“What would be most helpful is getting a group of dragon riders to accompany us. If we can have them take some of the important supplies and maybe some of our elderly, it will free up horses,” I explained.
“Even then, I would love to get a few waves of dragon riders so we can move people faster through the treacherous mountains.”
“Then it shall be done. How many men and dragons were you hoping to send in the first wave?” Mathew asked.
“How many do you have to spare?” I countered.
Mathew grinned as he sat back in his seat. “Roughly six hundred or so.”
My fork fell out of my hand as I stared at him, stunned. No one had that many people bonded to dragons. Even back in the days when they were more common, it never grew to that number. Yet here we were in a secret town, and a third of their population had a dragon. “How?”
“I think it’s best we discuss that in greater detail once we’ve gotten you and your people settled. Let’s just say we understand the true dynamics of a human and dragon relationship,” Eleazar answered with a chuckle.
Baffled by this turn of events, I looked at my guardians, unsure how to use this information and hoping they would have ideas.
“What if we had a group of, say… a hundred come with us to take the supplies we need and those who can’t easily make the journey?
Then we can find out the exact number of horses we have and send a second group to meet us along the way to gather those left.
We’ll still need to have some people take the long journey, but I think it will be faster with everyone on horseback and a smaller group,” Izel suggested.
“Sounds like a logical plan. Ann!” Lawrence called, and seconds later, the woman appeared. “Could you please ask Alsten and Naytan to join us?”
I groaned internally as I heard him mention Naytan’s name, knowing this conversation was going to be a battle. Thankfully, the viceroys had been wonderful and on my side from the beginning, unlike the clan leaders—another problem I would have to deal with later.
“Unfortunately, Cassarah was already greeted by our pigheaded second-in-command,” Zan shared once Ann left the room. “Things did not go well, so I wouldn’t expect much help from him.”
Much to my delight, Eleazar rolled his eyes upon hearing this. “Good thing he isn’t the commander of our army, now isn’t it? Alsten is much more levelheaded and agrees with the prophecy of the Dragon Queen.”
“The way Naytan talked, you think that no one here wanted Cassarah or the rest of us, for that matter,” Abbott commented, taking a large gulp of wine. “I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t ask if he’s a threat to our queen.”
Lawrence nodded his approval at Abbott’s protectiveness as he refilled his glass with wine, telling me this wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation with our military commanders.
“As we’ve mentioned before, there is a group of those who wish to break from our ties to the mercenaries…
the most outspoken of them being Naytan.
Is he a threat… that is to be seen? I would suggest keeping an eye on him.
There is always the chance he might come around once we prove the wait was worth it.
They have been living under the cloud of being a forgotten people, which always breeds discontent.
Take that information and do with it what you will.
You are the ones charged with her safety, and while we advise, it doesn’t mean we are right.
Too long have we lived in our own bubble here in Sheca.
We have only just started to expand our reach once we learned of you, Your Majesty. ”
Remarkably, it didn’t take long for the two men to arrive, and Naytan looked none too happy about it. Alsten, on the other hand, seemed eager to meet me. I was surprised to find he was far younger than I would have expected to be leading the kingdom’s military.
“Viceroys, Your Majesty. You called for us?” Alsten greeted with a bow, elbowing Naytan when he didn’t do the same. Begrudgingly, he gave a halfhearted bow, refusing to look at me.
Eleazar noticed as well and shoved his chair back. He marched up to the man, poking him in the chest. “Naytan, you listen up, and you listen good. I know your father filled your head with all this nonsense about breaking ties, but now that the Dragon Queen is back, that ends now. Do you hear me?”
“They are a threat to everything we are. How can you stand by and let a child like her swoop in and destroy everything we have worked for?” Naytan snarled. “You might see her as the one who will save us all, but I see nothing but destruction in our future.”
With a heavy sigh, I stood, planting my hands on the table, grounding me before I spoke. “Then you may leave.”
Everyone looked at me like I’d just spoken a different language rather than telling a man to go away.
“What?” Naytan shot back.
“If you do not want to be here under my rule, then go. Leave this place and your post as second-in-command. Take any who will follow you and be gone,” I said, spelling it out for him.
“Once my people are here, I will be going through the official coronation to be your queen. When that is completed, I will do what is best for my people in whatever way necessary. Not everyone is going to like it, so I will always offer the option to leave. If you don’t want to be under my rule, then start your own kingdom or join another that will make you happier.
You will not stand here and tell me to my face that I will be the ruin of this kingdom and its people. ”
We all waited for his answer as he stared at me like I was some problem he couldn’t figure out. “You’ll let me walk away just like that?”
“What good does it do me to keep you or kill you? If you stay, you will only be a problem, always trying to prove that I’m the enemy.
If I kill you, what sort of first impression does that give to everyone else?
I will not be known as a queen who throws a fit and kills those who don’t agree with her.
I have far more important things to do,” I informed Naytan before turning my focus to Alsten.
“Commander Alsten, I am in need of about a hundred of your dragon riders to come with me tonight. I am evacuating everyone, and I have supplies and people I would like to have brought here in a speedier fashion.”
Alsten shook himself out of his surprise and schooled his features to be more serious. “Of course, Your Majesty. I can get my people gathered right away. How many do you think you’ll need for just supplies? We have a special harness that works better for that need.”
“I’m not sure…” I started, looking at Abbott and Izel for assistance.
“Let’s say fifteen to be sure,” Izel responded. “How many people can a dragon take comfortably? We are looking to move elderly and children out first via dragon.”
“Dragons could easily take their rider and two adults or three children, depending on size since they have to fit around their wings.”
“Good, then eighty-odd dragons will be more than enough for the first wave of people. Can they be ready to fly out in the next hour or so?” Abbott asked as the bell tower rang eight bells.
“We can be ready in half that time if needed,” Alsten responded smartly, drawing himself to attention.
“Our people are highly trained and disciplined in more than just the standard abilities of a mercenary. We have always maintained the knowledge we would need to be ready for the return of our king or queen and the protection they would need.”
“Speaking of protection…” Mathew cut in. “How many guardians did your magic call?”
“Seven men and two women,” I answered. “There is also Gavin, who was once the Crown Prince of Norden but stepped down to become my ambassador and consort.”
Eleazar almost choked on his wine. “Are you saying you made a treaty with the royalty of Norden?”
“Yes, the king and queen will also be joining us as my people rescued them from the battle at the castle,” I disclosed, frowning as the others gaped at me like fish.
“Do you still doubt her, you fool?” Eleazar muttered, glaring at Naytan. “How many more of the signs do you need her to fulfill right in front of you or from her own lips?”
Naytan didn’t answer, but he did look even more uncomfortable with the situation he was in.
Feeling just the slightest pity toward this man, I raised a brow at him as I caught his eyes when he glanced at me. “You’re still here? Does that mean I can expect you and your dragon to be ready with the others?”
Zan snorted but tried to cover it up with a cough. Naytan didn’t seem to like my question much either and took this moment to leave the room. Guess we’ll just have to see what he decides, won’t we?
“I will get the men ready, and we will await your signal. Zan knows what it is. Our roost is built into the mountains. It’s not obvious how many of them we have on call to us. Not that all of them live here. Many fly free until their partner calls them,” Alsten shared.
“There seems to be a lot I need to learn about this place, but let’s get the rest of our people to their new home first,” I said with a smile.
Alsten gave a quick bow and left to get the dragon riders ready.