Chapter 20
A lric looked up at the sound of the door to the War Room opening, signaling that his trusted friends were gathering for yet another meeting about this strange mage group.
He and Dieter had been speaking for the past several minutes about the typical events and needs for the clan, waiting for the others to arrive.
Ravi walked in first, his usual smile in place as he gave a little wave to Alric. The dragon was pure trouble, but he was dedicated to his adopted clan.
Gunter followed, already in deep conversation with a mage by the name of Melissande.
Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and her hands were animatedly moving around in front of her as she spoke.
The mage had been mated to Karl for nearly as long as Dieter and Lisette had been together.
She possessed a similar love of books and helped Gunter on some research projects on occasion, particularly when it involved magic lore.
It was Alric’s understanding that she, Gunter, and another dragon guard had gone down to Sonthofen to investigate the spell Lisette had spotted while on the date that had yet to actually happen.
A smile tugged at Alric’s lips as Cameron stepped into the room with Lisette.
He couldn’t stop it. Whenever he saw Cameron, he couldn’t help but smile.
Joy spread through his chest as he watched Cameron’s eyes grow wide as they swept over the large room filled with artifacts of war.
He looked at the massive table that still bore the dents and gouges from a long history of angry, frustrated dragons and their mages.
It was a few seconds before Cameron’s dark eyes finally landed on Alric seated at the end of the table. He smiled broadly and nudged his glasses as if adjusting them on his face. It was a nervous gesture Alric had come to love.
Lisette closed the door behind them and ushered Cameron around the table to join Dieter on his right.
If Cameron were Alric’s mate, the seating arrangement would change slightly.
Cameron would be seated on Alric’s immediate right, moving Dieter and Baldewin down one.
He was surprised by how much he liked that idea.
So easily he’d be able to reach across and take Cameron’s hand as it rested on the tabletop.
But now was not the time for silly daydreams.
The only one missing from the gathering was Baldewin, but his old friend was still returning with Cameron’s family.
There had been some delays due to weather in the States, forcing them to remain where they were another day.
The last text he’d received—after getting more than a few threatening his life and his manhood—reported that they’d just landed at a small airstrip not too far from Sonthofen.
It wouldn’t be long until Cameron was reunited with his family, and his clan would have two new mages within their midst.
“Thank you everyone for meeting with me today. I will keep this brief, as I have a meeting with King Rodrigo this afternoon to pass along what we’ve learned to the Ice Clan.
” He paused, taking a moment to look over at all the people gathered around the table.
Cameron gave a little wiggle in his seat as if he were struggling to hold in his excitement at the mention of another clan.
For now, he’d leave it to Lisette to explain the magnitude of Alric’s meeting.
Turning his attention to Gunter, Alric gave a small nod before settling back in his chair.
Gunter shifted to the edge of his seat and cleared his throat.
“As you may or may not know, Melissande and I traveled down to Sonthofen to investigate the spell Lady Lisette noticed on her last trip to the town. Melissande was able to confirm that it was a type of stealth cloaking spell, but there was something odd about it.”
“Odd how?” Lisette inquired.
“For lack of a better word, the magic felt tainted,” Melissande said. She frowned and threaded a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve never felt anything quite like it. The spell itself isn’t particularly complicated to pull together, but the power behind it felt off.”
“Like an anti-spell?” Cameron inquired, and a feeling of pride rose up in Alric that Cameron was learning magic so quickly that he could already follow the mage’s train of thought.
“Almost, but that’s just it. I was able to track down the ingredients for the spell, and they don’t equate to an anti-spell.”
“So that means it’s something to do with the mage,” Lisette murmured, and Melissande nodded.
“You mentioned you were able to trace the ingredients. Can you use that to locate the mage or group of mages who have been hunting Cameron?” Alric said.
“We hope to,” Gunter admitted. “Two of the ingredients are most commonly found between the Rottach and Grünten lakes, just northeast of Sonthofen. A third is found in the forests close to the Grünten mountain peak.”
Alric shook his head. “That’s a lot of ground to cover.”
“Have you sent scouts?” Dieter asked.
“Several, and we’ve located a small village that doesn’t appear on any of the maps. By the size, it doesn’t look as if it could have more than a thousand people. Melissande and I would like permission to take a closer look.”
Unease crept through Alric at the thought of any mage getting close to these would-be kidnappers.
Even if he counted Cameron, Cassie, and Ha Na among their clan, they still had only nine mages to fifty dragons.
He hated the idea of risking any mage’s life.
He looked over at Dieter, who didn’t appear to like that idea any more than Alric.
“The idea curdles my stomach, Hoheit, but it’s our best shot right now of learning more; particularly since Baldewin wasn’t able to learn anything from the one Cameron’s sister captured,” his advisor said.
Alric grunted. It was true. As long as they were trapped in the dark, they wouldn’t be able to formulate a proper defense against these attacks.
“Granted, with the caveat you take two royal guards with you.”
Gunter stiffened, sitting painfully straight in his chair. “I am more than capable enough to protect Melissande.”
Alric sat up in his chair, meeting Gunter’s disgruntled gaze with his own stern one.
“Normally I would agree with you, but I am taking no chances. You’re both too important to our clan to risk needlessly.
This is just a scouting mission. You’re not to engage in any way.
Locate them, gather what information you can, and return to the castle. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Hoheit,” Gunter said a little sullenly.
“Of course, Eure Majest?t,” Melissande easily agreed.
Ravi nudged Gunter with his elbow and smirked. “You know he wants you back safely to protect your dungeon from me.”
Gunter’s head snapped up and he stared at Alric with a look of horror written clearly in his wide eyes. “You wouldn’t dare allow this menace near my books while I’m gone, would you?”
Nearly everyone at the table knew Ravi had no interest in going anywhere near the royal library. He’d only said it to pull Gunter out of his pout, and it had clearly worked.
“I promise to find some task to keep Ravi busy and away from your books,” Alric teased.
He then turned his attention back to the rest of the table.
“As much as I hate to do this, for the time being, all mages are prohibited from venturing outside of the castle until further notice. Until we understand and eliminate this threat, I’m not willing to risk anyone’s life if it can be helped. ”
Lisette leaned forward so that she could see around her husband, pinning Alric with narrowed eyes. “Is this non-negotiable?”
“I am willing to discuss it on a case-by-case basis with the understanding that the request falls under the heading of dire emergency. I would like you to act as a liaison between me and the mages, sorting out the more frivolous requests and finding possible work arounds where possible. Please explain to the mages that I’m concerned for their safety as well as the safety of the dragons who would be protecting them. ”
Lisette nodded. “There will be some grumbling, but I think everyone will be understanding.”
“I don’t think it will hurt that we have new guests arriving shortly.
” Alric smiled at Cameron, watching as Lisette happily wrapped her arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close.
“I’m sure they’ll be exhausted from their travels.
Rooms are being arranged near yours, Cameron, so they will be comfortable.
Once they’ve rested, we will arrange for a proper celebration to welcome them and allow them to meet the clan. ”
“Thank you. I wish I could say you don’t have to go to the trouble, but Cassie and Halmeoni are always ready for a party.”
“Wonderful. Then if there are no other questions…” Alric paused, looking over the gathering before he nodded once. “Thank you for your time.”
Alric and Dieter remained seated while everyone else stood and bowed to him before filing out of the room.
Alric couldn’t stop himself from following Cameron’s progress around the table as he talked excitedly to Lisette.
A part of him wanted to pull Cameron aside and talk to him.
Not that he had anything in particular to say.
It had just been hours since he’d last had Cameron alone.
Or stolen a kiss. Now that there was casual kissing between them, Alric was determined to enjoy that new benefit as much as possible. Maybe he could steal Cameron away to a shadowy nook in the castle, away from prying eyes so that he could explore Cameron’s delectable mouth—
“Hoheit? It’s nearly time for the call with Rodrigo,” Dieter prodded him, and Alric barely held back his weary sigh. He should be excited for this call. Sadly, he wasn’t. Talks with the other clan didn’t always go smoothly, although at least they had common ground for this conversation.