“Didn’t you see it in a vision?” I asked, grinning as his scowl deepened. “Tomorrow we take our girl to Blackreach. Her and Auren want to see Drathnor’s tomb, and who better to take her than us?”
Dain stared at me for several seconds, then finally closed his eyes and rolled over. Grumpy prick. Thing was, I didn’t need his vision or his permission. Wherever my girl wanted to go, I’d take her. At that, I lay back on my bed, my eyes closing the moment my head hit the pillow.
Chapter 35
Lance
We have returned.
Viridian’s voice inside my head had me stumbling as I walked around the classroom. Probably because I was doing everything my father told me not to do. Muscles held too tight, consciousness trying to scan the entire room and every interaction between the students, rather than focussing completely on the ones in front of me. I was unprepared for the bond to snap back into place, forced to stop still as a result.
Viridian, lad… You’re back. Are you alright? Is Auren, Fern?
We are well, he replied.Just tired. Fern has gone into the keep to read books with Brightfang’s rider.
Brightfang…
It was then I remembered the names of the silver dragons.
“Class is finishing early today,” I said with a clap of my hands. Students let out grateful groans, already starting to put their swords away. “We’ll go over the new manoeuvres next lesson.”
And right now, I needed to get out of this classroom and down to the library. Talking to Dad had cleared something up. Iwasn’t here to become a lieutenant. If teaching spoiled nobleman how to use a sword was what I wanted, I could’ve taken over my father’s school. No, it was Fern that had me accepting this role, and so I said my goodbyes to my students, then made for the door.
At first, it was easy. Class was still in session and I could stride down the hall, then the stairs. Of course, the bell had to ring and then all the doors opened, letting out every cadet in the keep. As I was weaving my way between bodies, I heard the general’s voice cut through the noise.
“Lance!”
I didn’t want to attend to him, nor go back upstairs to where he stood, leaning over the balustrade, gazing down at me. It wasn’t his good opinion I valued. Though walking away, that would send a message I wasn’t ready to communicate. My hand moved to salute him.
“Sir, I?—”
“My Valiant tells me that Auren and Lady Fern have arrived back at the keep.”
This is why he called me over? I barely suppressed my irritation.
“Viridian has also returned,” I replied. “I was just heading to the mountain to see him.”
“And the lady.” That sly smile, I didn’t like it at all. “You wish to ensure that Lady Fern has not come to any harm after the debacle of the other day.”
Yes, I wanted to tell him. I’d throw Fern on the back of Viridian and fly for Dragon Rest if she’d permit it. No one and nothing would get close to her and her dragon, not if we could help it. But talking about poaching a queen and her rider was a jailable offence, so I formulated a more palatable response.
“Of course, sir. I feel completely responsible for what happened to Fern. I said I’d escort her to the exercise, so I was the one that should’ve kept her safe. I need…” My tone, my words, they were revealing too much if the shine in the general’s eyes meant anything. “I need to make sure she’s alright.”
“Check in with the lady and direct her to the healer if she needs it,” he ordered. “But after that, ask Lady Fern to drop by my office. I need to have a little chat with her.”
Little chat… Were any words more ominous than that? I wanted to ask, no demand, to know what he meant, but instead I just nodded, eager to get away. Gods knew what Lorien was doing with Fern right now.
“Of course, sir,” I said.
“And keep the Lady Fern away from those silver dragon riders.”
With a nod, he pushed himself away from the balustrade. Not even bothering to gauge my reaction to the order, the general left me staring after him. There was nothing here that would help me with Fern, I told myself, right as I made for the stairs.
You left without me?I asked Viridian as I made my way down to the library.Lad, you should’ve waited.
I couldn’t, came his reply. My dragon was always an easy presence in my mind, so his mulish tone came as a surprise.Auren was being disrespected by the general and I was the only one fast enough to keep pace with her. If I waited for you to come, I would’ve lost track of my queen.
I would’ve been on his back in seconds, I wanted to reply, but then my feet slowed.
