Page 1 of Dragon Fire

CHAPTER ONE

“Father!” Livia jumped to her feet, but the expression on her father’s face wasn’t welcoming. He looked absolutely livid, but willing to listen to whatever paltry explanations the three sitting at the breakfast table had to offer.

“Why are there dragons in my boathouse and knights at my dining table?” His cultured voice carried, though he wasn’t thundering. Not yet, at least.

Seth cleared his throat, standing to face Captain O’Dare. “I’m not a knight, sir. We’ve met before. I’m Seth Nielsson, apprentice healer from the Lair.”

“That only makes this worse, son. You’d better shut up before you dig yourself any deeper into the hole you’re already in.” The sea captain frowned at him.

Gowan had stood, too, and faced the older man with a bit more spine. Livia feared what might happen if they clashed.

“I am Sir Gowan. It is my dragon partner, Lady Genlitha, and her friend, the blind dragon, Sir Hrardorr, whom Seth tends, in your boathouse, sir. They are guarding the diamonds.”

Nowthatgot her father’s attention. Livia hoped he’d cool down and listen, though talk of diamonds seemed to have sidetracked him from his initial anger. She’d always privately thought her father had just a bit of pirate in him, always on the lookout for treasure.

“What diamonds?” he demanded, his voice going just a bit softer, though his eyes still gleamed with fury.

“Father, the weapons used against the dragons were tipped with diamond blades. Sir Hrardorr has been diving into the wreckage in the harbor to salvage them.”

Her father hadn’t been in port in time for the battle that had raged only hours ago, but he must have seen the aftermath as he sailed in. The harbor was clogged with sunken ships and the shore was littered with the dead and the prisoners, who were being kept under guard. The injured were also being treated under tents that had been set up down near the shore.

Things had quieted down considerably overnight, but the action would pick up as soon as everyone was awake. Yesterday had been an ordeal, to be sure, and there was much to do today to begin putting the town back to rights.

“I spent most of the night taking the big spears apart so the diamond blades could no longer be used against dragons,” she went on. “We’ve got a basket full of huge, sharp crystals in the boathouse, and I’ve already lined up a few of our best, and most trusted, craftsmen to start cutting them today. We intend to finance the rebuilding and updating of the harbor defenses out of the proceeds, as well as pay our artisans, of course. The rest will go toward any damages to the town, but, Father…” She paused to let her words sink in. “There area lotof diamonds.”

Captain O’Dare looked closely at all three of them, and his eyes narrowed.

“I suppose you two stayed here last night to safeguard my daughter, as well as to be near the loot and the dragons.” It wasn’t quite a question, but both men nodded.

Livia saw their housekeeper, Rosie, scuttling up the stairs behind her father out of the corner of her eye. If the stars were aligned, Rosie was going up there to erase all evidence of the debauchery that had taken place in Livia’s bedroom the night before. Stars bless Rosie!

“After the battle, there were many tasks,” Sir Gowan said, his expression tight. “Your daughter offered us hospitality when it was clear the dragons would stay to guard the diamond weapons. Otherwise, we’d have had a long walk back to the Lair. Plus, we wanted to be near in case the dragons needed us.”

Captain O’Dare made a scoffing sound. “I can’t imagine what they might need you for.”

“Sir.” Seth’s tone was both respectful and firm. “Despite his bravery and ability to navigate underwater, the male dragon, Hrardorr, is newly blind. He needs aid on land that another dragon cannot provide. It is my sworn duty to help him.”

Finally, her father unbent a little. He came over to her and took her into a fierce hug that she wasn’t expecting.

“I came home as soon as I heard there was danger. I ran into the scout ships you sent out, my clever girl,” he told her, letting her go slowly.

“I’d wondered what happened to them. We never heard back from them. I feared they were lost to the enemy.” Livia retook her seat as her father went around to the head of the table opposite her and sat down.

The captain gestured for the men to retake their seats as well, which they did.

“No. They were not lost,” the captain replied. “I sent them on with my cargo while I came directly here. Alas, I find myself too late to help. Will you, Sir Gowan, tell me what occurred? I’ve heard garbled reports from those I encountered on my way here, but I was in haste and couldn’t really stop to get details. What news of the enemy fleet?”

Gowan gave a concise report of the battle, including Seth’s leadership of the pitiful harbor armament and Hrardorr’s amazing underwater acrobatics, though he kept a bit in reserve. Some things were best kept secret—especially as related to Hrardorr’s particular abilities—but otherwise, Gowan gave a very complete account of the battle.

Livia’s father looked at Seth with new respect and even went so far as to thank him for his work on behalf of the town. He then asked how the dragons had decided on his boathouse to stash the loot.

At this point, Livia decided to speak up. Better that her father hear about her surprising ability to speak to dragons from her than from someone else.

“I’ve been fishing, as I usually do, since you’ve been gone, Father,” she began. “Sir Hrardorr and I first made acquaintance on the water. He has been instrumental in decreasing the shark population near the harbor and fishing grounds for the past months, and somehow…” She cleared her throat, trying to find the nerve to tell her father. “Well, it turns out, I can hear him. I can bespeak dragons, and we’ve become friends.”

When her father made no comment, Livia went on, feeling a bit braver.

“There was a very bad storm a few days ago, and Hrardorr was caught out in it, unable to return to the Lair. I offered the boathouse to him as shelter, and he was able to pass the night in safety there. When it came time to store those dangerous weapons somewhere, he seemed to think our boathouse was a good place. He told me he wouldn’t have to rise out of the water until he was in the shed, and nobody could see what he was doing. As far as we know, nobody knows about the diamonds yet but us. I only told the craftsmen to be ready in their workshops, but I didn’t say who would bring the stones or where they were coming from. Of course, after today, the secret will likely be out.”

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