Page 10 of The Forgotten Throne

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 amount. Yet here we were in a secret town and a third of their population had a dragon. “How?”

“I think it’s best if we go into that in greater detail once we’ve gotten you and your people settled. Let’s just say that 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 of 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 please?”

I groaned internally as I heard him mention Naytan’s name, knowing this conversation was going to be a battle. Thankfully, the viceroy had been wonderful and on my side from the beginning unlike the Clan Leaders. Which was another problem I was going to have to deal with at a later date.

“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 that this wasn’t going to 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 can prove that the wait was worth it. They have been living under the cloud of being a forgotten people and that always breeds discontent. Take that information and do with 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 at all for the two men to arrive and Naytan looked none too happy about it either. 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 country’s military.

“Viceroy, Your Majesty. You called for us?” Alsten greeted with a bow, elbowing Naytan when he didn’t do the same. Begrudgingly, he too 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 continued to stare 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 that 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 it is needed,” Alsten responded smartly, drawing himself to attention. “Our people are highly trained and disciplined in more than just the standard abilities of being 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.