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Hey, sorry about the wait in updates! I've had an unreal bout of writers block. Hopefully i will start to update more frequently now the inspiration has finally to everyone who has reviewed so far, hope you all enjoy the new chapter. R/R.
Chapter 6.
Sye’lil watched as the young man lifted his Bonded from the floor. A torrent of emotion welled up inside as the stranger cradled Nickeya’s prone figure, wrapping her securely in a heavy cloak.
Puzzled, Sye’lil resisted the urge to dash out of the trees, snatch his bonded from the enemy soldier and take flight into the cloudy sky. It would be suicide if he even attempted such a thing.
He was a fast flier, one of the fastest Dragons in the Roost in fact. Being able to keep pace with the likes of Rei’kar, without much effort. Still even he knew he would be shot down before he’d be able to carry her above the range of the harpoon gunners.
He cast one final look at his Bonded before heading deeper into the trees. With an almighty whoosh, he took flight and headed towards the eastern sun; back to his Roost, to inform Jared and Lord Ronan of Nickeya’s situation.
Maybe it’s because of what she is. He mused walking towards his quarters.
He should have taken her to the medical barracks, but he trusted the good Doctor Larsen less than he trusted his brother. It wouldn’t have taken the man long to discover that his patient wasn’t what she seemed.
Nudging the door open with his foot, Raige moved around to the bed and gently placed her on the furs.
Brushing a few stray strands of hair from his eyes, Raige sighed. He needed to get word to the others. The girl would certainly complicate things in the near future, he smiled. He couldn’t have left her; after all, she had asked for his help.
Watching her for a moment, he cast a critical eye over her figure. She was far too thin; her clothes were caked in all manner of filth, as was her skin. He would have to see if Mara would help. The girl would clearly need a lot of care during the healing process. A bath, clean clothes and a decent meal would be a good starting point once she regained consciousness.
Casting another look at the rebel woman, he gave a slight smile and strode into the adjacent room.
There, sat on a perch of leather bound metal, was a delicate red Demi Swamp Dragon, no bigger than a crow. Its fragile wings were folded neatly against its scaly back and its long tail coiled around the stem of the perch. It looked at Raige with gleaming eyes of cobalt, stretching out its long slender neck and allowed a short sequence of chirps to rush from its throat.
Raige lifted his arm, beckoning to the small reptile to him. “I have a job for you little friend.”
With a papery rustle of wings, the small dragon fluttered across the room, settling on his master’s arm, letting out a small chirp.
Raige stroked the winged reptile under the chin, and it leaned into his hand affectionately, purring softly.
Upon delivering the message, Iy’na hadn’t lingered any longer than she felt necessary and had left shortly after a brief meal of mice. With a small scrap of parchment hidden in the carcass of a half eaten rodent, clenched tightly in her hind foot, the dragon took to the sky.
Jared entered the room quietly and waited until his Lord spoke.
Ronan raised his gaze towards the young Dragonic warrior and smiled.
“Ah Jared, I have some news for you,” he started, extending his hand to the empty chair. “I have received word that leads me to believe your sister has come in contact with one of our spies. As I’m sure you’re already aware, the information Sye’lil relayed to us was intriguing at best. However, though his news did little more than reaffirm what we already knew, the description he gave of several of Kime’s key soldiers was enough for me to hope that not all of our spies had been detected. And that perhaps those few could somehow be aiding the captured pilots. ” The young Lord paused briefly. “ A few hours ago a Demi Dragon arrived, carrying with her a message. The message came from one of the spies. More importantly, you’ll be glad to hear. One of the men, Sye’lil had described as a guard for Nickeya.”
Jared stared at him silently for a moment, his eyes swirling in a myriad of colours before settling for a pale shade of green. “She’s alive?” He murmured softly, relief washed across his face.
Ronan nodded, unable to keep the smile from forming on his lips. “Yes.”
Sighing she instinctively curled in a foetal position, bringing her knees up to her chest, preparing for the bitter cold of the wind.
Waiting for the cold to steal away her imaginary warmth, Nickeya opened her eyes groggily.
A small startled gasp escaped her as she immediately realised that she was no longer chained in the courtyard. If she wasn’t in the courtyard then where was she?
A small chirp sounded from behind her, before a tiny red scaled, wedge shaped head appear by her forehead. A Demi Swamp Dragon.
Nickeya smiled with relief at the sight of the small reptile, as it came and sat on the pillow, coiling its long tail elegantly around one of its small forelegs.
Watching the Demi Dragon for a moment, Nickeya opened her mind and allowed the familiar soft warmth of the Dragon bond to flitter through her. It was a soft, almost cautious touch, not like the bold, almost scolding heat of her bond with Sye’lil. It was, however, welcome and still held a wave of comfort and safety.
Snuggling deeper into the mass of fur coverings, Nickeya smiled as the small reptile curled up by her head. The bond growing steadily confident, warmer and yet still held an element of gentleness. Like a mother’s embrace, chasing away irrational childhood fears.
Iy’na. The name whispered through her mind, sending another wave of comfort and safety rippling through Nickeya’s tired body.
As her eyes drifted closed, Nickeya gave a slight nod towards the miniature dragon, who had identified herself as Iy’na. She didn’t need to be afraid here, not in these chambers.
“I’m going to tell you something. Something that no-one, beside myself and the man involved know. Not even my advisors are aware it.”
Jared regarded his Lord curiously. “You have my word it will go no further that this room.”
Ronan nodded, before turning back to face the younger man. “Your sister is as safe as she can be at Dragons Keep. Nickeya has managed to find my youngest brother, Raige…”
Jared tilted his head, his eyes shifting instantly to a rich blue hue in his confusion. “Raige? As in Kime’s right hand man?”
Ronan raised a hand and shook his head. “No, not Kime’s right hand man. Mine.”
Realisation suddenly dawned and Jared nodded his head. “He’s your informant.”
Glancing around the room, he noted several candles had been lit and a fire crackled merrily in the hearth. Mara must have been in recently.
Rising to his feet, the exhausted guard made his way over to the bed and peered curiously at the mound of furs.
There, curled under the mass of fur coverlets, was the woman he had saved almost two days ago. Just like in the courtyard, Raige found himself once again transfixed by her face. Only now she was free of all traces of grime and dirt. Her skin was pale and her hair was several shades darker than he would have guessed. It was spread out behind her head like a cobweb of onyx that showed blood red tints in the firelight. She appeared contented and serene, allowing him a glimpse of who she had been before the war. That wasn’t to say her imprisonment hadn’t taken its toll, she still had dark rings of exhaustion under her eyes and it would take time for her to regain the weight she’d lost.
Tilting his head, Raige smiled lightly. Curled contentedly in the crook of the girl’s neck was Iy’na, whom he considered was recuperating from the long flight back, obviously having returned while he had been at the interrogation.
The Dragon seemed to have taken a liking to the recovering woman.
A soft knock sounded on his chamber door, interrupting his train of thought. “Enter,” he called lightly, allowing his gaze to remain on the sleeping woman.
A petite, flame haired woman silently entered the room. A tray laden with various meats, fruit, and a jug of malted wine and a small loaf of bread, resting in her hands. “I thought you might be hungry,” she spoke softly moving into the adjoining room, where she could place the tray on the table.
Raige smiled gratefully. “Thank you Mara. What about the girl?” He questioned moving to pick up an apple.
“She’s a quiet little thing, hasn’t said a word in fact. Even while I helped her bathe and change out of her clothes.” Mara looked thoughtfully at the doorway to the other room, where the woman slept. “Poor girl.”
Raige sighed and took a large swig of wine, “Has she eaten anything?”
Mara nodded, her grey eyes shifting to look at the young man. “Yes, as much as she can manage and then some. Twice I’ve had to get her to slow down out of fear she’ll make herself sick.”
Raige nodded softly, taking another bite of the fruit. “She has been made to suffer.” He murmured more to himself than to the woman pouring him more wine.
Mara looked at him with a nod, “I will return later,” she told him and bowed her head slightly.
“Thank you Mara,” Raige nodded, grateful for all the woman had done so far.
Entering the main examination room, Kime glared as a balding doctor came into view.
Unaware of his Lords presence, the tall, willowy Doctor continued his work. Tightening the restraints that held a motionless soldier to the bed, Doctor Larsen injected his current patient causing the bed ridden soldier to thrash out and arch painfully off the bed, a silent scream forcing his lips back over his teeth.
“How’s the girl?” Kime demanded, ignoring the pain filled gargles and hisses of the man in the bed.
The Doctor looked at him sharply, his gaunt features holding an expression of surprise. “My Lord, forgive me. I was engrossed.” He apologised.
“Never mind that!” Kime snapped in return. “The girl Doctor, where is she?”
Shaking his head, the willowy man regarded his Lord in confusion. “Girl? My Lord I assure you I don’t know what you mean. What girl?” He queried tentatively, eager not to anger Kime further.
Kime growled and gritted his teeth, “The rebel from the courtyard. The girl Raige brought in.” He explained sharply.
Again the Doctor shook his head, “Raige? He hasn’t been here, I haven’t…”
“What?” Kime interrupted, a snarl erupting in his throat.
“I…I haven’t seen Raige and he hasn’t brought in a girl,” the Doctor explained nervously, visibly cringing as Kime stalked towards him. “I don’t know anything about a girl…I…I swear it!” He gasped out, as Kime picked up a nearby syringe and regarded the needle thoughtfully.
“P...Please My Lord, he didn’t bring any girl here for treatment,” Doctor Larsen, whimpered eyeing the needle in terror.
“You’re sure?” Kime whispered, his voice nothing more than a deadly hiss.
The Doctor nodded anxiously, taking a nervous step backwards.
Turning abruptly on his heel, Kime let a snarl of fury escape his lips. Raige had deliberately lied to him, made him look a fool. He didn’t like have his authority challenged, Raige would have to be taught a lesson. He would be made an example of for the other men.
Regarding the now silent patient, Kime narrowed his eyes angrily. Did none of the Rebel soldiers scream?
Moving around the bed, Kime placed a hand on the rebels arm. The rebel turned his head stiffly, his dark eyes glassy and unfocused.
“This is what happens when you choose to stand against me,” Kime whispered darkly.
Placing the needle against the prisoners’ heaving side, Kime stabbed the thin piece of hollow metal between the bones of his lower ribs and released the clear liquid.
The reaction was instantaneous. As soon as the clear chemical entered his chest cavity, the prisoner tensed, his face contorting in agony and his teeth gnashed together as he attempted to remain silent.
Kime smirked with satisfaction and stepped away, not even bothering to remove the now empty syringe from his enemy’s side.
Watching gleefully as the man heaved himself up against the restraints; Kime couldn’t help but feel invigorated. “Keep up the good work Doctor,” he smiled.
Walking towards the door, Kime let his mind settle of his younger brother. Raige needed to learn his place. How though? Kime frowned, resting his hand on the handle of the door. He didn’t want to kill him, not yet at least.
As he passed through the door, a scream of agony reached his ears from the examination room. Kime smiled, it was a wonderful thing when men learnt their place in life.
