CHAPTER 02 - Raincatcher
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The sun relinquished its reign to a crescent moon, casting a silver light as we gathered in the dining hall. Like much of Stormgard Castle, the space was open to the night air, with flowing diaphanous curtains swaying gently in the spring breeze.
We took our places at the polished sea-salt table, the feast laid before us a mockery of celebration.
Father and Sylvos sat at opposite ends, while I occupied the emperor's right hand, suffocating under the weight of his conversation. With each quick-witted remark he made, my dinner grew increasingly difficult to swallow.
"I do hope my arrival wasn't inconvenient," Sylvos spoke up, brushing a silver lock of hair behind his ear. "I understand Drakfjord only allows visits in winter, but the journey was quite long."
"It's no problem," Father replied. "It's still early spring."
"Why winter, if I may ask?" Sylvos smiled.
I stiffened slightly as I drank my birch mead.
Any other season and our dragons would be dotting the skies.
"We are simply far too busy in the warm seasons," Father replied smoothly.
"I see..."
A slight tension settled over the table.
"Y-your Majesty," Skye piped up, her voice trembling.
Claude and I shot her daggers, igniting a deeper blush across her cheeks.
"Yes, Princess Skye?" Sylvos replied gently.
"I... I heard you have unicorns. Is that true?" she stammered.
He smiled, candlelight glinting in his dark eyes.
"Yes, I acquired them during my first conquest in the forests of Flynmoore. They have a taste for grass and flesh alike. It's fascinating. We've been breeding them since then. In three years, we might have a cavalry of these fierce beasts."
"That's amazing," she marveled, her pale eyes sparkling. "I've always wanted to see one."
"They've cost several of my men their eyes," he chuckled. "Their tempers are rather unruly."
"Perhaps they aren't meant to be tamed for war," I interjected, my voice slicing through the hall.
Silence blanketed the table, only the soft scrape of my silver cutlery breaking the stillness. Sensing the unease, Father filled the void with a hearty laugh.
"I suppose any beast can be tamed," he joked, but the humor felt hollow.
"Have you tamed many a beast here at Drakfjord?
" Sylvos asked, leaning in with curiosity.
"Your island is rather mysterious, after all.
The only records to be found are from thousands of years ago.
And you don't even allow visitors or merchants.
I was so intrigued, I had to come here and see for myself. "
A tense silence settled over us. My sisters and I exchanged wary glances, careful not to show our unease.
"Our only treasures are our storm-forged gems," Father said.
Sylvos watched him carefully.
For a moment, I thought he might press for more.
Then, he finally leaned back in his seat.
"And of course, your lovely daughters," he said, his eyes flicking toward me with a sly smile.
I imagined that very smile as I cut through my chicken.
"Your Majesty, you must have my daughter perform our kingdom's dagger dance when you return to Thornmont," Mother spoke up from her place beside Father. "Raine is the best dancer in years."
Sylvos shrugged it off.
"My brides have many talents. I'm sure Raine's dancing is lovely."
"Perhaps if I were a beast, the emperor would be more interested," I scoffed.
Mother sent me a pointed glare, which I ignored. I could feel Sylvos' attention on me again, though I paid it no mind.
Skye, in her usual way, broke the tension.
"What's the scariest creature you have?" she asked excitedly.
Sylvos' dark eyes glinted as he pondered her question.
"It must be my wyrm," he replied. "I possess only one for now, but he's large enough to swallow twenty horses whole. The fire he breathes has turned the tide of several battles in my favor."
Skye's eyes widened, completely captivated.
I can already see the question burning on her tongue.
Can you ride it?
She best keep that question to herself.
"Though the creature will do me little good in my conquest of Driftwoode," Sylvos continued. "It cannot traverse the rivers or swim the shores of its capital. I'm hoping to capture a kraken, but their sightings are rather rare these days."
"Doesn't Driftwoode have a kraken of their own?" I asked, taking a deep sip from my goblet. "You better ensure the one you acquire is larger. Or your next conquest might not be so lucky."
"Raine! Mind your manners!" Mother interjected. Though her brown eyes burned with disapproval, there lingered a hint of pleading, as if she recognized the peril in crossing such a man.
Sylvos' charmed laugh eased the tension.
"It's alright, Queen Natalia," he assured, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "It seems my new bride has much to say on the art of warfare. I shall heed her counsel in the future."
Three years ago, I might've believed him. But now I knew he'd rather my head be spiked upon his thorned throne than listen to anything I said.
"Do you often speak to your daughters of war, King Gale?" he asked, his dark eyes locking onto my father with an intensity that made the air in the hall grow heavy.
The older man laughed, the sound echoing like thunder as he gulped down his birch mead.
"Gods, no!" he replied, a hint of nervousness threading through his mirth. "Drakfjord has always remained neutral amidst the conflicts of Fayndor. We live a humble life upon our island, away from such turmoil."
The emperor hummed thoughtfully, a predator sizing up its prey.
"If you joined me in my conquests, we could carve a swath through the continent," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "I grew up on tales of the storm sword. Together, our forces could annihilate any army that dared to stand against us."
I froze at the audacity of his offer.
Yet, my father remained steadfast, his demeanor unyielding.
"Old Fjulgor has been put to rest," he replied. "He fought enough battles in the time of elves. My family made a vow not to cause such destruction again."
"Time of elves? Isn't it considered a myth by most scholars?" Sylvos chuckled. "To think your family would keep such a vow for over a thousand years. It's a shame," he commented, a smile playing on his lips, as if he had already envisioned the bloodshed that would follow.
I shuddered at the thought of what he would do with even more power than he already had. No matter the cost, he cannot find out about our dragons.
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With dinner concluded, everyone dispersed to their chambers for the night.
I still remembered this day three years ago.
I had been so utterly flustered in Sylvos' presence that I waited all night in my room for him to summon me. Though he never did. And even after I arrived at his court, it took over a year before my rank was high enough to spend the night with him.
Now, that very thought was my saving grace. The mere idea of sharing a bed with him twisted my stomach into knots.
Sitting in my room, my feet dangled over the edge of the open wall, my long hair caught in the cool spring breeze. Below, a storm raged, but our castle sat high above the clouds, untouched. Only flashes of lightning pierced the darkness, illuminating my figure.
Even in the rain, I bet the city below was celebrating my betrothal.
Stormgard was always the liveliest city of Drakfjord. Women in wide skirts would perform our dagger dance while men strummed folk songs on their lyres, their melodies made whole by the rumbling thunder. I used to sneak out and join them. Though those nights felt like forever ago.
"Can't sleep?" a voice spoke from the shadows.
I glanced over my shoulder as Claude came to sit beside me.
"You'll leave for Thornmont tomorrow," she teased. "I bet it'll be lonely for a while. Mistfang will miss you too. When I left with father for that voyage last year, Dreadwing nearly ripped me apart upon my return."
My eyes lowered to the storm below.
How long had it been since I rode the skies with my dragon? The wind whipping through my hair...
"Could... Could we go down to the cave?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. "I want to see her again. I want to fly one last time."
"But you said goodbye yesterday," Claude countered, her eyebrow arching. "You rode her from dawn to dusk even though she was meant to stay asleep."
"It feels like years ago," I replied, forcing a laugh that held no warmth.
Normally, Claude would have denied my request, her practicality winning over my pleas. But something in my eyes must have softened her resolve.
"Fine, get your riding leathers. Though it will only be a visit. We cannot risk flying with the emperor here."
I didn't need to be told twice.
With the biggest smile, I got dressed and set off.
Claude and I hastily descended into the stables, a celebration indeed unfolding in the city. We quickly saddled our horses before racing to the caves, several shores away. An hour passed before we slowed to a cautious trot along the beach, waves crashing against the sand.
"You go; I'll keep watch," Claude said, her voice steady yet concerned.
"Thank you, Sister."
Without a moment's pause, I darted through the crevice of the cave.
Upon my movement, the storm-forged gems that made Stormgard our capital, glinted in the dark, shimmering like lost stars.
They illuminated my path with an ethereal indigo glow.
Water dripped from the ceiling, and a cold wind gusted through.
I moved deeper into the cave until the air shifted, growing warm and heavy.
"Mistfang?" I called, my voice echoing.
Silence hung thick, wrapping around me.
"Mistfang... I've come to say hello. And... goodbye."
I held my breath, straining to hear any sign of life.
Then, from the darkness, pale scales shimmered into view.
The movement stirred larger gems deeper in the cave, casting a dim light across the chamber.
Slowly, my silver dragon emerged, unfurling her wings as she stretched, her skin glistening like starlight against the shadows.
Her narrow snout sniffed the air before she blinked at me with her lilac eyes.
"Mistfang," I whispered as she approached, placing her snout against my hand, warmth radiating from her.
I rubbed her smooth scales, resting my head against her.
It had been three years since I last held my dragon. I thought about her every day in my first life.
"I missed you so much," I murmured. "It's been... tough."
My dragon might not have been the largest of our flock but was bigger than most. She could easily swallow a man clean.
How I wished to set her upon Sylvos right now.
I clenched my fist, feeling the weight of my thoughts.
No, if Thornmont knew I had murdered their sovereign, it would bring war to Drakfjord. I couldn't risk my family. Not again.
Getting my revenge wasn't so simple as killing him. Consequences would follow with such an act. I had to crush Thornmont first before I could touch its ruler.
Here, patience would be my ally.
I sighed, leaning into Mistfang a little more.
Time trickled by like grains of sand as I embraced my dragon, the warmth of her scales a comfort.
"I swear I will return for you before this is all over," I vowed, my voice a hushed whisper. "Together, we will bring Thornmont a storm."
Her lilac eyes held mine, as though she understood every word.
Back on the beach, I mounted my horse again and raced back to the castle with Claude by my side.
I'd thought long and hard on how to crush Thornmont, and with the night air, my thoughts became clear. There was no other way.
"Sister," I said, eyes fixed ahead as we rode. "I must tell you about a dream."
Claude glanced at me warily.
"What dream?"
I exhaled slowly. I couldn't tell her the whole truth of what had happened without risking her attacking Sylvos this very night. But I couldn't succeed without her either. No, for this plan to succeed, I needed to twist the truth slightly.
"I saw the future," I said, glancing at her. "Sister, I know this sounds strange, but I swear on my dragon that I've seen what is to come. I saw war and blood. Thornmont is no friend of ours. And for Drakfjord to survive, we must work quietly."
Her steely gray eyes held me.
She knew I'd never speak such words lightly. Unlike Skye, I wasn't one for jests.
"I knew something had changed," she murmured. "You're not the same as yesterday."
My gaze dropped to the reins tangled in my fingers.
"It was... a vivid dream."
For a moment, the only sound that followed was the crash of waves and the thud of hooves on damp sand. Then Claude spoke again, voice steady.
"Well, we knew this betrothal only bought temporary peace. It's better we prepare now than suffer later. You already have a plan, don't you?"
I met her eyes and smiled faintly.
"This plan... I've tried to find an alternative but it's our best shot. And... it involves both you and Skye."
Her hesitation was brief, crushed beneath iron resolve.
"Just tell me what you need of us."
And I did.
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By the time we returned to Stormgard Castle, I explained my plan to Claude thoroughly. She was against some aspects, especially those related to Skye, but I assured her this was the only way.
With that, we parted, and I entered my chamber.
Only to halt in my tracks.
There, seated on my bed, was the last man I wished to confront. Sylvos looked up from the dagger he idly twirled in his hand.
"Why, good evening, my bride," he greeted, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips.
I bit back a curse. My hands trembled at the thought of lunging for that dagger and embedding it deep into his neck.
Sylvos' gaze traveled over my riding attire, one brow arched.
"Late-night escapades?" he inquired.
"I needed air," I replied. "What brings you here, uninvited?"
Sylvos had never deigned to visit me during my first life.
His brows arched.
"Must an emperor have an invitation to visit his concubine?"
The old me would've melted in joy.
But she was long dead.
"There is a rank among the harem for a reason," I answered coolly, feigning control as I walked to my dressing table. My silver brush glided through my thick hair while candlelight danced across my skin.
"Oh?" Sylvos mused.
"As a new bride from a less beneficial alliance, I would be Clover rank," I stated matter-of-factly. "You only spend your nights with Lavender rank or higher. How else could you make sense of a hundred concubines?"
In my first life, the sting of humiliation had been sharp when I received the lowest rank of the harem.
Clover. The other concubines had laughed at me, a princess, reduced to such a low position.
I now understood that it had been the emperor's way of punishing my father for his lack of support in the endless war.
Sylvos rose from the bed and approached me slowly, his presence looming like a storm cloud. He stood behind me, arms resting on either side of my dressing table. I caught the glint of his gaze in the shadows of my mirror, and stiffened slightly.
He seemed... hungry...
"And who gets to tell me what I may or may not do in my own court?" he whispered, his words warm against my ear.
My breath stilled.
"We're not in your court yet," I dared, my voice steady despite the tremor beneath.
His eyes flashed with intrigue.
"It would seem so..."
For what felt like an eternity, he held me in place with that piercing gaze, until he finally stepped back, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest.
"I came to give you a gift," he said.
"What for?" I asked as I stood.
Sylvos continued to laugh, clearly finding my annoyance amusing.
"It's rare for me to receive such a chilly reception," he said. "Your father gifted me this blade months ago, when the proposal was first accepted. But as it is imbued with your people's magic, I find I have little use for it."
He handed me the silver dagger and with a closer look, I finally recognized it from my life before. He had carried it everywhere with him back then. To think it was from my father all this time...
I let my fingers trace over the engravings on its hilt, and the storm-forged gem embedded into its pommel. Indeed, its design was the same as our traditional dancing daggers, its blade so polished I could see my reflection as clear as a mirror.
"Its name is Raincatcher," Sylvos said.
I accepted the gift, its weight settling into my hand. If nothing else, it meant he no longer held something so precious from my kingdom.
"Th-thank you," I managed to choke out.
"You're welcome, Princess."
He lingered, and when I finally met his gaze, I saw something soften in his eyes.
"Then... you should take your leave," I stammered, breaking eye contact. "We have a long voyage tomorrow."
"Indeed," he replied, his tone chillingly courteous. "I look forward to having you in my court, Princess."
With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone with the blade in my hand and a hollow ache in my chest. All I could think about was how little I wished to leave my home.
The last time I did, it cost me my life.
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