Page 79 of Oath of Rebellion

Eirwyn looked at him in surprise. "Are you serious? Didn't you read the great historical records?"

Knox shrugged. "My access to books has been limited, and I didn't have all the best teachers and schools, princess."

The figure drew himself up to his full height and demanded, "Excuse me, but did you say princess?"

Eirwyn stepped around Knox to face the ghost and dipped her deepest curtsy. "Yes, sir. I'm Princess Eirwyn of Busparia."

The man sniffed, his head tilting up before he gave a formal bow. "I am Leopol. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, princess. However, this is all superfluous. It has no bearing on the fact that I'm a bloody ghost."

He yelled the last part and the chandelier overhead rattled, making them all jump. Knox held out his hands in a placating gesture.

"Well, I wouldn't say bloody," Eirwyn said.

Knox' lips twitched as he tried to take control of the situation. "Alright, alright. Take it easy, and we'll figure this out."

The figure whipped around, his face a mask of fury that made his features sharper. "Take it easy? What the hells does that mean?"

He began to pace, waving his hands as he continued, "My master was under attack from some group calling themselves the Hunters. His weak watered cousins, the drakins, were in the middle of a coup. I was tasked with protecting Hartsgrove. King Feralt cast a spell over the place to protect it, leaving me in charge of protecting the queen and heir. I–I don't remember anything after watching him ride away, the helroses closing the path behind him."

Knox slowly shook his head, answering a question with a question. "So this is your first time–uh, awake?"

The man nodded, his face troubled with worry as he looked back out the window. "Yes, I believe so. Why now? I assume from the state of the parlor that quite some time has passed."

Knox took a deep breath and shook his head, but Eirwyn slipped her hand into his.

"The dragons have been gone for hundreds of years now, including Feralt," Eirwyn said softly. The poor man had lost everything.

Somehow, he blanched whiter. "What happened? Did the drakins win then?"

Eirwyn nodded. "They did, yes. The drakins seized power in Busparia and Glathen and have reigned ever since."

The man rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Then I have failed. We've all lost, and the king is dead. They're all dead."

Knox shifted on his feet and gave Eirwyn a quick, worried glance. Then he turned back to Leopol.

"Not all of them," he said, pushing back his hood and revealing the scales on his head.

Leopol gasped and stepped closer. "By the gods, you're a dragon."

Knox nodded slowly. "I believe so, but that's why we're here. To find answers of who I am."

Leopol walked around him slowly, and Eirwyn saw his ghostly hand hovering over Knox' head. "This changes everything," Leopol said softly. Then he turned on his heel and ran out the door. "The egg."

Eirwyn looked at Knox who, frowned. "We have to follow him but stay on guard." Then Knox ran after Leopol into the hallway.

****

Knox' stomach flipped as they turned and followed the ghost up the marble stairs. Dust swirled at their feet, and he sneezed.

Eirwyn stumbled, and he grabbed her elbow. Together they went round and round up the stairs, barely able to see the ghost's glow ahead.

"Where are we?" he finally asked as the ghost stopped at a closed door at the very top of the castle. Both he and Eirwyn panted. A glance out of the small narrow window showed nothing but blackness. No trees, clouds, nothing.

Leopol waved to the door impatiently. "The nursery. Quick, open it."

Knox turned the latch, but it didn't budge. Then he leaned his shoulder on the heavy oak door and shoved. Finally, it opened with a long creak.

Leopol went inside, a soft light emanating from around him. In the middle of the room was a round fireplace. Above it hung a hammock, each end tied to a living tree that grew out of the walls.

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