Page 24 of Dragon Fire

Seth came to stand beside Gowan as they watched the familiar dragon and knight come in to land beside the gryphon. It was Seth’s sire, Sir Paton, and his flame red dragon partner, Lady Alirya.

Paton jumped down from Alirya’s back almost before she’d come to a complete stop, and walked toward his son. His expression was unreadable, but Gowan took some comfort in the fact that he wasn’t fuming at them from the get go.

“Father,” Seth greeted his sire.

There was no question that Seth was Paton’s son, though Paton’s fighting partner, Gerard, and the male dragon, Randor, had also been father to Seth as he grew up. But Seth and Paton both had the golden blond hair and good looks that marked them as sire and son. There was no doubt about it. Both were cut from the same cloth.

“Seth.” Paton seemed at a loss for words, or perhaps he was trying to figure out where to start. After a false start or two, he finally found his tongue. “We understand why you’re doing this, and we’re proud of you.”

Gowan was, frankly, surprised. Pleasantly so. He’d been half afraid that all the knights of the Southern Lair were frightened old men and youngsters too green to go against them.

“How did you find out?” Seth asked, suspicion in his tone.

“Your mother suspected something and cornered Bronwyn. To her credit, she still didn’t hand over your letter until your mother told her that Gerard and Randor flew for the capital last night. They should be arriving there with the dawn.”

Better and better, Gowan thought privately.

“Then, you’ll come with us?” Seth asked in a hopeful tone, but Paton shook his head.

“We can’t. Not until Gerard brings word from the king.”

So the insurrection went only so far. Gowan wasn’t all that surprised, but he admitted to a bit of disappointment. Still, they’d done the right thing in sending a dragon messenger to the capital. That should have been done in the first place.

“We swore an oath to follow the leaders’ commands. We cannot gainsay that. Especially when they are claiming it would be treason to leave the Lair empty so soon after the Dragonscove attack. That’s a position we can’t argue with, since our first duty is to the people and protection of Draconia.” Paton scrubbed one hand through his thick hair in an obvious sign of frustration. “If, however, the king sends other orders—as we expect—we’ll be right behind you.”

“By then, it could be too late,” Seth said quietly, regret and anger in his stance.

Paton reached out and placed one hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know, Seth. Which is why you need to go and make sure Hrardorr gets another crack at that pirate fleet. He’s the reason Dragonscove still stands, and everyone at the Lair knows it.” Paton stepped away from Seth to address the blind dragon directly. “Sir Hrardorr, you are the one who can do the most good for our allies. You have every knight and dragon’s admiration for undertaking this task. Goddess go with you. Our reports to the king will detail your bravery and skill.”

“I require no praise,”Hrardorr said in a dry tone, including them all in his words.“But I will take your prayers. I am not so cocky as to believe I can pull off the same trick a second time with the same results, but I will do my best.”

“That is all anyone can ask, Sir,” Paton said quietly, waiting a moment before turning back to the human contingent. “You must go quickly, before anyone else gets wind of your plans. We’ll be lobbying on your behalf every minute, and at the first word from the king, we’ll be on our way to help.”

“I pray, Sir, that you do not arrive too late,” Livia put in, her tone suspiciously droll.

She was angry, Gowan knew, but too much the lady to say anything further. Or maybe she was just too angry to form more sentences. Either way, she turned on her heel and headed for Xanderanth, Leo skipping behind her to keep up.

“Thank you for coming to tell us,” Seth said to his father, clearly surprised when Paton reached out and grabbed him into a fierce hug.

“Fight well and be safe,” Paton said before letting Seth go.

“You too, Father.” Seth clapped his father on the back and then headed toward Genlitha. Gowan followed behind with only a single rueful look at Paton.

Captain O’Dare wanted to hit something, but he resisted the impulse. Instead, he crushed the note his daughter had written in his fist, angry that she had taken matters into her own hands. There were things she didn’t know. Things he couldn’t tell her. Things that could very easily cost her life!

There was nothing for it now. He knew what he had to do.

Shouting for his second-in-command, he stepped aboard his flagship and was satisfied with the scramble he saw before him. He’d told the men to stay at the ready, and they had, but there was always some chaos before setting sail. He judged the level of chaos and realized they were very nearly ready to go. In less time than he’d hoped.

They would all get bonuses… If they all lived through the next few days.

O’Dare looked around the familiar harbor and noted the activity levels on the ships all around him. Those flying his flag were also in disorder, and he was glad to note most of the captains were visible on their decks, ordering their men around and making ready to sail.

The crossed sabers he’d chosen for his company’s emblem were going to take on a whole new meaning after today. He hadn’t intended to unveil the fleet he had been quietly building in quite this way, but the choice had been taken out of his hands. His impetuous daughter had made the choice for him, really. Which was another thing he’d have to chat with her about—if they all lived through this.

First, the knight and that young puppy from the Lair. Now this.

Livia was really much too independent for his liking. She wasn’t the sweet biddable child he remembered. She onlylookedlike her mother. Unfortunately for him, her character was just like his, down to the stubborn streak that ran a mile wide.

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