Page 62 of Dragon Fire

“The good news is,” Gowan went on, hoping to give the wizard some comfort, “that they were able to put a stop to it. Prince Nico is setting things to rights from an administrative standpoint while his princess is working with the firedrakes to go over every person and dragon in the Lair with a fine-toothed comb. I expect, once they’re done there, they might venture into the town, as well, to see what’s what. I have reports from Prince Nico, for your eyes only, milord.” Gowan laid the last of the scrolls onto the table. “And his profound apologies that Draconia let you down when you needed her most.”

Gowan bowed his head, showing contrition as the appointed representative of his land.

“Draconia did not let me down. On the contrary, the best of your land came to help, Sir Gowan. You and your friends did what was right, no matter the potential cost to yourselves or your careers. I am not disappointed in Draconia’s response, and you can tell the Prince of Spies that when you see him next.”

Gowan felt a wave of relief come over him. Prince Nico had been concerned that this slipup would cause major problems in the relationship between Draconia and Gryphon Isle. Probably, that’s what Fisk had wanted—to drive a rift between the allies. But it sure sounded like that wasn’t going to happen, and for that, Gowan was grateful.

“Who will lead that Lair after Nico leaves? Has he said?” Gryffid asked as he perused the scrolls the prince had sent.

“He’s appointing Sir Drake, Sir Mace, Sir Nellin and Lady Jenet as leaders for the Southern Lair when he and Princess Arikia are done purging the place and are satisfied that Drake and Mace can carry on. The Prince said he believed the firedrakes were likely less susceptible to the kind of magic wrought on the previous leaders and several other key knights and dragons.”

Gryffid nodded slowly. “That is a wise choice, though I suspect the firedrakes will be needed elsewhere when the real battle begins. But perhaps we have enough time before that befalls us. Perhaps we can still prevent it, if someone can stop Fisk and get my book back.”

“To that end, Prince Nico has already alerted his network throughout the land and in several others. If he gets word, he’ll act on it, and let you know, of course. He also said, that if you would be willing to teach the firedrakes more about their magic, if there’s time, the kingdom would be grateful. The prince said that the firedrakes would probably like to visit with you themselves, but it will have to wait until after things settle down a bit at the Lair. In the meantime, he grants you leave to request any knight or dragon you wish to act as go-between, or in any other capacity. He also gladly assigns Sir Leonhardt and Sir Xanderanth to be at your disposal as ambassadors, messengers, or for whatever else you might require of them. He also suggested you might want to have some of your gryphons on the mainland to act in the same capacity, so information can flow more smoothly. He has made the Lair available to any gryphons and their fey partners who wish to make use of it. It is an open invitation.” Gowan gestured toward the scroll containing the details on that offer, and Gryffid picked it up and scanned it.

“Excellent,” Gryffid said a minute later. “We will station two pairs of gryphons and their fey counterparts. Gerrow, see who wants to go, will you?” The Captain of the Guard nodded solemnly, accepting the mission. “And I’m very glad to keep young Leonhardt and his friend, Xanderanth. They might even end up living here permanently, if things work out as I suspect they will.” Gryffid’s eyes twinkled as he looked up from the scroll. “Are there any other knights and dragon pairs you would recommend? I don’t want to deplete your Lair in time of need, but by the same token, we are in need of more senior and skilled dragons and knights to show the sea dragons the way of things.”

“Milord,” Seth piped up. “I believe my family would be suitable for the task. As far as I know, they did not come under influence of the evil magic and are all highly ranked teachers of young—knights and dragons alike.”

“Seth’s family was not under magical influence,” Gowan confirmed. “They were all checked first, since it was one of Seth’s fathers who flew to the capital—against orders—and got the crown’s attention. They have been consulting with the royals and the firedrakes since their arrival at the Southern Lair.”

Gryffid smiled at Seth. “It’s an excellent suggestion. If they can be spared, I will request them in the next dispatch.”

When Gryffid had finished with the scrolls, he began to ask detailed questions of Gowan about what had happened in the Lair. He wanted minute descriptions of everything from the color of the flame the firedrakes and the princess had used to the way the afflicted reacted, and the timing of the entire ordeal. He wanted to know how the dragons had fared and required specific numbers of casualties and the severity of each case.

He took notes and began to create a sort of chart that correlated the severity of the enchantment with the position of the person or dragon in the Lair hierarchy. When Gryffid was done with his analysis, it became pretty apparent that very specific positions and people had been targeted. Gryffid directed an aid to make a copy of his analysis to send back to the Lair, with his compliments, when the first gryphon pair was ready to leave for the mainland.

After that, Gryffid dismissed them all, saying that he had much to write for Prince Nico’s eyes and would be working through the night to send as much as he could with the gryphons who would leave at first light. Gerrow escorted Seth, Livia and Gowan back down to the great hall and then left them, racing off to make arrangements for the gryphons who would be flying out the next morning.

Gowan checked on Genlitha and Hrardorr, but they were both fast asleep already, necks entwined by the fire. He didn’t have the heart to wake her, so he tiptoed out, leaving the dragons to their rest. Stars knew, Genlitha had earned it that day. They’d been flying pretty much all day, which had to have been hard on her.

The trio of humans worked their way from the great hall to the guest quarters, deciding without words to congregate in Livia’s room. There was a set of chairs by her fireplace, and some kind soul had already lit the fire and left a bottle of wine and some snacks for them. Settling in front of the fire, Gowan asked Livia to tell him about how she’d uncovered the traitor in Gryffid’s house.

He was alternately appalled at the risk Livia had taken and filled with pride at her courage. Livia had stared a dangerous operative in the face and had stood firm in the face of deadly threat. He couldn’t help himself—he had to put his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to his side on the couch on which they both sat. Seth was in a wingchair, just a few feet away, and he smiled benevolently at them as he sipped his wine.

The mood was both mellow and filled with gladness at being together again. Gowan basked in the feeling, recognizing at last what it truly felt like…home. Wherever Livia was, and astoundingly, wherever Seth was, that was beginning to feel like home to Gowan. More than the place he’d called home and been forced to leave by a brother who had never acted as a true brother should.

Here, with these people, was the closest Gowan had ever come to having a real family. A brother. A lover. And two four-footed siblings with wings who could breathe fire and would stand by them all through thick and thin.

Yes, that was home. And Gowan felt the warmth in his heart that made him want to stay like this…with them all…forever.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Livia said, turning in Gowan’s loose embrace to look up at his handsome face. His mood was introspective, and she wondered about the shocks he’d been through at the Lair earlier that day.

Gowan sighed and stroked her shoulder gently. “I’m just glad we’re not going to be facing an angry monarch when we get back. Prince Nico was grateful we’d taken it upon ourselves to come here.”

She relaxed and snuggled into his embrace. “Honestly, I was more worried about my father than the king.” She chuckled and stroked one hand over his hard chest. “Although I’m sure he’d still rather have me back at home playing with dolls, I think the worst of the confrontation with him is behind me now, and he’s off on another adventure anyway…chasing Captain Fisk.”

“Does it help to know he stayed away all these years to protect you?” Gowan asked quietly.

“I guess, in a way, it does. Though I wish he could’ve just been honest with me from the beginning.”

“You were only a child, grieving the loss of her mother when this all started,” Seth put in. “He probably did what he thought was best at the time.”

Livia sat up and looked over at Seth. “I can’t believe you’re taking his side.”

Seth shook his head. “I’m not saying it was right or wrong, but merely that he was doing the best he could at the time. The man was probably out of his mind with grief himself. I doubt either of you got over the loss of your mother easily.”

Livia had to admit Seth had a point. “You respect him, don’t you?”

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