I sealed the letter, found a messenger, and gave him the missive.
‘If I die, deliver this to the Dark Brotherhood’s mansion for Lady Roksana. If I survive, destroy it,’ I said, and his eyes widened.
‘Yes, Your Majesty. Are we facing defeat?’
‘Not if I can help it, but I’ve fought enough battles to know anything can happen.’
He left, and I looked around. The camp was getting ready for a good night’s rest, except for the sentries huddled together, briefing for their night shift. I should have gone to bed as well. Tomorrow would be difficult, and I needed a clear head to lead this battle.
But I did not look forward to a cold, lonely bed. My hand found the amulet still warm from Sana’s magic, and I stroked it with my finger. I missed my Viper so fucking much, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
I woke as the sun broke over the horizon, but my eyelids were glued together, so I used my fingers to open them. Worse, my head felt heavy, as if I’d been fighting an invisible enemy through the night.
‘Perfect start into a wonderful day,’ I muttered, stretching cold, stiff muscles before starting the morning warm-up.
A rider is heading towards your camp.
The voice in my head stopped my stretching. If this was a dragon, I had to know. I latched onto this connection beforeit was gone, trying to find answers to at least some of my questions.
‘Who are you?’ I asked, unsure how to project my thoughts to whoever had invaded my mind.
Someone who doesn’t want to be here. Let me go, King Reynard, and focus on your little war.
Sarcastic arse,I thought before asking again. ‘I would kick you out if I could. I’ll ask again. Who are you?’
My name? A human asking for my name? It would burn a path of fire through your fragile mind.
Aren’t you full of yourself? Fine, I’ll call you Arsehole,I thought, because if he’d heard my earlier remark, he could hear this too.
You may call me Cinared,came the reluctant answer, and I huffed in bemusement. So, I had a dragon. Cranky, unhelpful, and driving me mad, but still a dragon, and I had no idea what to do with that information.
Led by curiosity, I left the tent and looked up, trying to find him sailing the sky. It was like seeking a needle in a haystack, especially with the heavy, snow-filled clouds darkening the horizon.
‘My lord, a messenger arrived from Truso,’ the guard said, coming closer.
‘I know, bring him here.’ I returned to the tent to dress myself. A few moments of shirtless exercise in the winter chill were enough to wake me up.
When the tired man stood in front of me, I was ready to accept the dispatches.
‘My lord, the regent sends his report and a message,’ he said, and I frowned.
‘A message that can’t be written in a letter?’ I asked, and he nodded. ‘Speak,’ I said curtly, taking two missives from his hands.
‘Royal Mage Riordan wanted me to tell you he subdued the rebellion, but you might need to remove Yaran from the council at your earliest convenience. And that your Viper bared her fangs when bringing them to heel, but it won’t last long,’ he said, repeating the words and even mimicking the sound.
Riordan hadn’t bothered being particularly cryptic with his message. Yaran had been Tivala’s mouthpiece for longer than I’d been at court, but if the royal mage thought he needed to be removed, maybe it was time to deal with that scum for good.
‘Tell the regent I trust his judgement, and to let the Viper bite,’ I said without feeling a hint of remorse for giving my permission to orchestrate a political assassination.
When he’d left, I opened the first packet and skimmed through the report detailing Dagome’s state affairs. Unrest between noble families, some openly siding with Tivala, but much to my relief, Riordan had it handled.I’ll deal with them when I return, and if Yaran’s still alive, I’ll make him a political spectacle,I thought, flipping the page.
A file from the university caught my attention. They repeated everything Tova had already told me, adding a few extra details. I read it several times to ensure I understood the implications. It helped me understand why Tova so obsessively searched for the void cubes, as mages called them
‘Svarog, bless that fucking dwarf,’ I muttered, grateful that he’d kept Sana safe when I couldn’t. ‘Guard! Bring Ivar and Marius here.’
My order to fetch the second-in-command and the head of battlemages was met with a sharp nod before the soldier strode away. I didn’t have long to wait.
‘My lord, you wanted to see me?’ Ivar was the first to arrive, but a pale Marius was scurrying right behind him.
