Page 45 of Dragon Fire

The respectful tone Hrardorr used when talking of the wizard surprised Seth, but also pleased him. It seemed there were still a few things in the world that could rouse the interest of the blind dragon. Seth took it as a good sign. To him, it meant that Hrardorr’s attitude toward the world—while still bleak, at times—was improving.

Each success built on the next, and Seth hoped that, at some point, Hrardorr would come to accept his blindness and move on with his life. There was still so much he could do—so much he had done since coming to the seaside Lair. But all he saw was his disability, instead of the incredible gifts he could still give to the world and all the beings in it that wanted to give to him in return. Friendship, love, laughter and happy times could be had, if he was willing to accept them.

That was something Hrardorr was going to have to figure out for himself and accept…or not…as time went on. Seth was impressed with how far Hrardorr had come in such a short time, but he still had a ways to go, and Seth vowed to be there for his friend, every step along that journey, if Hrardorr would allow it. And even if he wouldn’t. Seth was stubborn, too, and would be there with the dragon’s permission or not.

Thinking those somewhat militant thoughts, Seth joined the others in the great hall, guiding Hrardorr with silent instructions. The hall had been built large enough to accommodate gryphons, so even a dragon of Hrardorr’s size easily fit within. Seth directed him to an area that seemed tailor made for large four-footed folk near one of the huge fireplaces.

Hrardorr sat comfortably and lowered his head to one of the cushions that seemed to be set there just for that purpose. Once Seth was sure Hrardorr was settled, he greeted everyone, gathered some breakfast from the buffet table, and sat at the table with everyone else.

Livia was there, as was Gowan, but so was Captain O’Dare, sitting between them and making more intimate conversation with Livia impossible. Seth nodded a greeting to her, sending her a little wink when her father wasn’t looking, but any other familiarities were strictly curtailed by the captain’s glowering presence.

Seth elected to sit near Gowan, who just happened to be in a chair very close to where Hrardorr had settled. The open seat next to him would put Seth right by the dragon, which seemed a good place to be when Livia’s father was giving him the evil eye.

A number of fair folk had joined them this morning. Seth recognized some of them from the command tent when he’d been there the day before. Gowan introduced him to a number of the fey officers he had befriended, and they made conversation throughout the otherwise quiet meal.

Quiet, that is, until Gryffid stormed into the room, robes waving in the breeze of his passing, a staff of power in his hand, blazing hot with angry magic. The fair folk shot to their feet, alarm on their pale faces. Sensing the quick change in mood, Gowan and Seth also got to their feet, as did Captain O’Dare.

“Someone made it past all my protections during the battle,” Gryffid said without preamble, looking at the assembled warriors. “They have made off with something that could ruin us all!”

“Fisk,” Captain O’Dare swore, crumpling his napkin in one hand, his face a mask of anger. “I knew he ran away too easily.” O’Dare sought the wizard’s attention. “What did he steal?”

“A book. A very precious book containing—among other things—the spell that could release my misguided brethren from their icy prison at the Citadel.”

Now, Hrardorr was on his feet, Seth noticed, his body trembling in alarm.

“That cannot be allowed,”Hrardorr said, his voice strong in everyone’s mind. The wizard looked at him, as if noticing him for the first time.

“You are quite right, Sir Hrardorr,” Gryffid agreed. “Someone must go after him. And someone must get word to King Roland of Draconia.”

Gowan immediately stepped forward. “Genlitha and I will seek the king, if you will entrust us with the mission.”

“I will, and gladly, Sir Gowan. Has your dragon friend reported anything about the ships that left here yesterday?” Gryffid asked, his eyes narrowing. Genlitha had been on high guard all day yesterday and had tried to follow the ships that had managed to escape the battle.

“It was strange, Sir. She was able to follow them quite a distance from your island, but at one point, a cloud bank moved in, and she lost sight of them. When it cleared again, they were nowhere to be seen. She should have been able to pick them up easily enough. Clouds are an obstacle we see all the time. But they just disappeared. She elected to return as it was nearing dark, and her natural camouflage works best in daylight hours.”

“A wise move. I cannot fault her for that at all. Please express my thanks to her for trying. I fear the book may be affording them access to certain magics that have not been seen in this world for centuries. Hiding a fleet of ships would be an easy trick with that book in their possession. Which is why someone must follow in their wake.” Gryffid turned to look directly at Captain O’Dare. “They can avoid being seen from above, but as you know, Captain, ships leave a trace of their passage. If you can get close enough to their trail, you’ll be able to see them, no matter the magic they have in their possession.”

“Sir, you speak of the book as if it is more than just a listing of spells. Is it magical, in itself?” Livia asked quietly, from her father’s side. She looked worried, and Seth longed to comfort her, but now was not the time.

“Yes, my dear. A book such as the one that was stolen from my library yesterday is magical in and of itself. It has endured many centuries, and each being who handled it in all those years—especially during the ages when magic was more abundant in this world than it is today—have left traces of their personal magic within its pages. With such a book, a person wouldn’t even have to be a very strong mage to make many of the spells work. The book itself is a dangerous object, which is why it was kept under lock and key—and many magical protections—in my private library.”

“It has been said for a long time that Fisk was dabbling in the dark arts,” O’Dare growled.

“To get through my protections, there had to be magic involved. No common sneak thief would have been able to free it from the bonds I had placed on my entire library,” Gryffid confirmed, frowning. “I have made a thorough search, and they only took that one book. Whoever it was knew exactly what they were looking for. The most damaging spell in that book is the one that would free the prisoners from the Citadel, which is why it must never make it that far North. The book, and its inherent magic, must be there for the spell to work, which is one thing going in our favor.” Gryffid paused. “The warnings must go out today. It will take some time for the book to go North, but they must prepare. I have no doubt this Fisk has allies we have not considered. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the entire attack was aimed at distracting us enough to pull off this heinous crime. Even the attacks along the coast and the attempt at taking Dragonscove were probably just a feint to draw our attention away from their true objective.”

“You think the book was the object of this entire exercise?” O’Dare asked, his brows drawn together in concern. “I would not put it past Fisk, sadly. He cares nothing for the lives of his men. He would send all those to their deaths in order to accomplish his goals. He is a terrible man.” O’Dare threw his wrinkled napkin to the table. “I will go after him and get your book back. This, I vow. And I will end Fisk, once and for all.”

Said in that tone of voice, Seth truly believed the captain would do so…or die trying. Seth saw the worry on Livia’s face, but he knew—as they all did—that of the assembled warriors, only O’Dare had the wherewithal to follow the fleeing pirates effectively.

“I thank you for your willingness to take on this grave task, Captain. If there’s room on your vessels, I would ask only that you take some of my fey warriors with you. They have certain immunity to magic that humans do not and could come in handy in other ways, as well.”

“I gladly accept your offer, as long as your warriors understand that, at sea, the captain is in command of every soul on his ship. I expect them to obey the orders of my officers and myself without question.” O’Dare’s expression was part challenge, part strength. If Seth wasn’t so angry at the man for keeping Livia away, he would definitely admire him.

Gryffid looked at the fey officers who had gathered together on hearing the news. They looked grim, but nodded readily.

“You are the master of your ship, Captain, that is well understood. Many of my people have sailed before. I leave it to the Captains of my Guard, Lillith and Gerrow…” he gestured to the couple who were standing in the hall and had come in behind Gryffid, “…to settle who will go and have them on the beach within the hour. Sooner, if possible.” The two officers took off, a few of the other fair folk in the room leaving with quick bows, following behind them.

“I will await them on the beach,” Captain O’Dare said, looking like he was already making plans. “I must send word to my ships that we sail within the hour.”

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