Page 24 of Ceridor

My nightmares were filled with images of increased turbulence in the areas I had passed through on my wanderings. It was only in recent years that this troubled area had been granted a chance to catch its breath after centuries of bloodshed, and it would only take a small push to send things back into chaos. That was why Ulbrecht's strength was so critical, because the peace he'd wrought was so precious.

As rumors spread, interest in the lanterns would put a large target on Wren's back. Awariye's too, and I knew firsthand that a traveling bard was vulnerable.

I'd sworn Awariye and everyone else to secrecy for now until we knew more about the lanterns and not just how they worked, but what the divine presences behind them wanted, or as much as we could decipher.

But with every week that passed, the songs the regular folk sang more and more included seven fires that fueled the Danubian Dragon.

Johann

The jog back across town slotted my thoughts together and gathered my will, my inner resolve to go after what I wanted lighting a flame within me.

Back at the Mulberry Inn, a sleepy Ceridor was drinking Effie's honeyed tea at the counter while my sister worked in the kitchen. She'd just come out with some stew when I stepped inside. "Hallo, Johann!"

"Hey, Effie," I answered, but I went right over to Ceridor and stood in front of him.

My lover's blue eyes met mine and he read what I wanted, standing up for a hug.

"It's your right arm?" I asked, wanting to be careful.

"Yes, just the right one," he replied, and indeed when his arms wrapped around me, his right one did so cautiously.

I hugged him, resting my cheek against his shoulder and smiling when Ceridor gave a little sigh and rested his cheek against my head. We stood there embracing each other for a beautiful moment while my sister left the stew for Ceridor and cooed about how cute we were.

When we pulled back, I cupped Ceridor's cheeks and kissed his sweet lips, petal soft. My lover gave a sleepy smile, but at least he looked a little more alive. No time like the present, so I delivered the plan I'd come up with on my run and while meditating by the creek.

"It's time for me to go fight under Ulbrecht," I said, "but I will ask for a condition from him. I also want a promise from you, Ceridor."

"What is it?" he asked, still blinking in surprise at my sudden announcement.

"I will ask Ulbrecht to allow me to go with you on your more dangerous missions. Otherwise I'll fight with his group. In return, I want you to tell me when you are going to be venturing into the riskier areas, and allow me to go with you as a bodyguard."

Ceridor stepped back and seemed to be thinking about that.

My sister chimed in. "That's great, Johann. This is your dream, and when Ulbrecht's regent is ready to step down or transfer somewhere else, you'll be right where you need to be in order to become the ruler of West Danube."

I met my twin's eyes and nodded, grateful she saw where I was coming from. Indeed, Effie and I had had many conversations about this.

She quirked a grin. "The campaigns should slow to a stop for winter. I therefore expect you both back for Christmas."

"Absolutely," I replied, warmed by her support.

Effie returned to the kitchen and Ceridor retook his seat on the stool, sliding the hot stew over. "How's your magical practice these days? I use my stealthing techniques to go undercover. If you want to guard me at such times, then you'll need to do some full-time training at Diana Monastery to make sure your skills are sharp."

Challenge accepted. "I haven't missed a day of practice. I'm ready for anything you throw at me."

"It won't be me," he responded between bites of stew. "It'll be Marit. He wants to revive the tradition of warrior monks from Diana Monastery's long history. Since the old codgers currently running the place object, he's been doing it quietly by reproducing the texts from past centuries that stipulated their warrior training. Ulbrecht has offered to let Marit found a branch of the monastery at his capital, as long as any resultant monks are loyal to him. Marit might take him up on it."

"If he instructs me in magic, then I'll fight him every day until he's as strong as I am," I offered.

"Good," said Ceridor.

We smiled at each other.

Chapter Sixteen

The next day

Ceridor

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