Snapping his mouth closed, he watched as Iratoi worked her charm. He didn’t know what they were going to do. This was the man they suspected of trapping dragons, of having trapped Zuma. If it wasn’t him, it was his subordinates. That man was the one who was causing trauma to the dragons themselves.

He patted Zuma to remind himself that this man may just be peripherally involved. While he hated them for causing pain and suffering to Zuma, without him, Kaden would never have met Zuma in the first place.

“Lord, it is very concerning. Someone in these lands, maybe even your lands, are trapping dragons,” she said with a very concerned tone. They all looked intently at his reactions, watching to see if he gave up anything suspicious.

“This is a travesty, truly,” he said while shaking his head in disbelief. “In Enderton’s own backyard, what a surprise. Have you let him know?”

She shook her own head and said, “Not yet. We only just learned of it and are attempting to alert the council.”

He saw Jaxtor slide his hand to his weapon, a sharp blade attached to his hip. Kaden didn’t understand why he needed a weapon when he could use water as his weapon. When he had asked Jaxtor about the blade, he only told Kaden that he’d learn soon enough.

“I can ride to tell him right away, my men and I — “

“Could you come with us, sir?”

He raised an eyebrow and asked, “What good would it do for me to go to the Water Temple? Enderton needs to know and would be the one to talk to.”

“Exactly. If your men could send for him, I think it would be wise if we included another of the king’s lords there before we attempt to question how one rules their own lands,” she explained. “You know the murmurs and behavior that has been running rampant about the guardians. They say we control everything. I don’t want people to think we’re making a power move for political favors.”

He mulled it over a bit before saying, “I see your point. You’d like if I could act as an official representative of the king so your mages aren’t accused of any wrong doings yourself. Yes, I think you have a good idea there.”

He snapped his fingers and several men wearing the same red, black, and gold colors skittered toward him. He ordered them to send off their fastest riders to alert Lord Enderton. Kaden couldn’t read their body language. To him, it all seemed normal, but he didn’t really know what he was looking for or why in the first place.

The man seemed earnest about his concern, but Eloise and Jaxtor didn’t look convinced. Iratoi continued speaking with him about their travel plans and he insisted they join his people. She tried to express they needed to get there quickly, but he tried to point out that it would be some time before Enderton would get the news and join them at the temple.

“If I am to be the King’s liaison in this event, we won’t need to wait for a messenger to reach the king and come back to instruct us how to proceed,” he explained. “So we have some time, no need to rush.”

Iratoi let out a nervous laugh and ultimately had to agree. The three of them behind shared a concerned look before Lord Loratyk pointed in their direction, making them all straighten their backs.

“Your companions are welcome to come with us as well. We have more than enough space. Well,” he waved a hand toward Kaden and Zuma, “not so much for a dragon, but we will manage.”

“Thank you, Lord Loratyk. This will expedite the entire process. We appreciate your assistance.”

He nodded and told her where their camp was outside the city and commanded her to meet him there soon while he made arrangements. She gave him as much of a bow as she could atop her horse before she turned it around and walked back toward them.

Her eyes were wide, and she gave Eloise a look of surprise. He watched the two women seemed to have an entire conversation with just their eyes before he saw Eloise roll her own and sigh, pulling their reins toward the direction the Lord had indicated.

Iratoi rode up next to him and said in a hushed but hurried voice, “Keep your mouth shut. If they ask about the runes, you don’t say how you found it. We are sticking with the story that we found it when we were out scouting. You are a new magic user but already apprenticing. That’s what we’re going with so they won’t ask you too many questions. If anyone asks you questions, deflect and ask them something instead to get them to talk about themselves. Everyone likes to talk about themselves. I don’t trust him. I don’t trust this charade. Why is he even in this district? It makes no sense and is even more suspicious considering.”

Eloise leaned over toward them and said, “you can always deflect to how honorable it is to be blessed and to be a representative to the king. The more you talk up your nationality, the more likely you’re going to get away with whatever you didn’t answer.”

“People can’t help themselves,” said Jaxtor. “If you give them the option to talk only about what they like, what they’ve seen, they almost always will take the opportunity to do so.”

“It’s true, I’m always saying how quick Jaxtor can be when you need a slice of wisdom,” Eloise said while grinning.

“I mean, I am quite wise,” he teased.

Eloise pointed at him and said, “see! It worked!”

Iratoi just shook her head at them. It wasn’t the time to be playing, but here they were, joking with one another. He wondered if it was a defense mechanism.

“So we’re gonna play along, until what, we get back up?”

Iratoi shrugged and said, “Pretty much. Your job here is to listen. See if we can pinpoint something more precise about what’s happening. Keep your heads down and your ears alert. We need more info if we are going to figure this out.”

They all nodded and continued to the camp in silence. Outside of the village, there was a decent sized group of soldiers and servants milling about. He had left home with an entourage. Kaden didn’t know if this was normal behavior or if he was going somewhere in particular.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

As they passed his people who gave them gawking looks, they found someone who looked important. Iratoi informed them that the lord had requested they join the traveling party. A servant skittered near them and offered a hand down from the horse. She took it and hopped off.

What was Kaden supposed to do, leave Zuma?

The other two stepped off themselves and looked at him expectantly. He told Zuma it would be alright before dismounting as well. The dragon stayed near as they were led toward a large carriage. As they neared, a door opened and a young man popped out.

Their appearance was surprising to him, and he nearly stepped off the carriage stairs. He looked just like Lord Loratyk. Kaden could only assume they were directly related.

“M’lord,” Eloise said with a bow.

He raised his eyebrow. “Why are there mages at my carriage?”

“Your father instructed us to join your ride,” Iratoi said in a curt response.

Kaden watched as the young man’s eyes ran up and down both women. He let out a coy smile and said, “My father has excellent tastes.”

He didn’t even have to give a response because Jaxtor beat him to it by saying, “Sir, it is in an official capacity.”

The young Lord’s mood dropped, and he said, “Very well. I’m sure he has his reasons.”

He waved his arm toward the door and motioned for them to enter. They all started to climb their way into the large carriage when he held out his hand to Kaden.

“Why isn’t this one in robes?”

Iratoi was the first to say, “he’s an apprentice, he is still in training.”

“And he already has a dragon though,” he said with an incredulous look on his face.

Eloise said in a polite voice, “the matriarch decides that. We have no say in the matter. All we can do is help the young man learn.”

“I’m sure you two are amazing,” he flicked Eloise’s collar, “and extremely dedicated teachers.”

She gave him a forced smile as he ran his finger along her robes. It gave Kaden creepy vibes, and he wasn’t even the one being caressed. There was only so much he could do without causing a scene. He waved his hand in distraction, making it look like he was waving at Zuma.

“Don’t worry, my lord,” he said. “The dragon won’t cause any trouble. They’ll just be following us closer by at all times. You won’t have to worry about anything.”

The young lord squinted at him with suspicion, but the deeper voice of his father cut through their chatter. “Anders, leave them be.”

Rolling his eyes, he climbed back into the carriage without giving any of them another look. Motioning for them to follow, they all climbed into the large carriage.

Kaden hadn’t ever ridden in a carriage. It wasn’t something he ever even considered before. The inside was full of lace and leather. The colors were the same as the Loratyk’s house. At least they were well branded, he thought.

“I apologize if my son was disrespectful,” his eyes cut over to Anders as he closed the door behind him. “He didn’t mean any offense.”

“How do you know I even said anything offensive in the first place, father?”

Giving a forced smile, he said, “regardless, welcome to a more comfortable ride than on the back of those beasts.”

They all sat there with awkward smiles, nodding to the lord. It was the closest Kaden had ever been to a lord. He really didn’t know how to behave. Lord Enderton had been the lord of his region, but he had never met the man or even seen him from a far off distance. Their village had been small and even so, his family spent most of their time on their farm, far away from even the villagers.

This made him realize that it would continue to happen. He was going to continue to be put into awkward situations where he was at a complete loss for how to behave. He looked to his companions for comfort, hoping if he mimicked their behavior, then maybe he could at least manage to come out of the situation looking less awkward.

Kaden watched as Anders avoided eye contact when his father was around. He didn’t seem to share any respect for his father or them. He slouched as he toyed with the curtain that covered the window looking out.

“So, I am assuming you’re still apprenticing,” he said directly to Kaden.

Surprise colored his face, and he stuttered out, “y…ye…yes Sir. Very new to it all.”

“How new?”

“I uh… am not entirely sure the amount of days, if that’s what you’re asking. I am still in my first year.” He wasn’t lying, not exactly.

“Ahh, I remember those days. You learn so much that early,” he said while looking off as he reminisced.

Kaden raised an eyebrow and said, “my apologies sir, but I did not know you were also a magic user.”

He laughed and said, “what district are you from, boy?”

Kaden hated being called boy. He was firmly in the man category now. Older men loved doing this to anyone younger than them to show some power that came with their age, but Kaden always found it to be rude.

“Enderton’s, sir.”

“Is that so? So you’re not of noble blood?”

“No sir, my family are farmers,” he explained. He looked over to see Jaxtor giving him wide eyes. “I know little about your lands, though, sir. I have yet to go there. What are they like?”

“Far more lakes than Enderton’s, that’s for sure. You’ll need to see it. We love our boats there. And my home! We built it on the water!”

It actually surprised Kaden to hear that. “You built the house on the water? Is it like a boat itself?”

“In a way,” he said with a bit of pride. “It is mobile on the water, but we don’t move it too often. It is quite the ordeal and takes several magic users to assist.”

“Yes,” Anders said with a snarky tone, “we live on a giant boat.”

Iratoi tilted her head and said, “Sir, may I ask what you’re doing here in Enderton’s lands, then?”

“A party,” answered Anders.

He glared at his son and said, “Yes, he’s right. We came here for a ball at my dear friend’s estate down near the temple. We were already headed that direction, so this arrangement works perfectly in our itinerary.”

“Well, we appreciate your assistance in this serious matter,” she said while nodding.

Anders’ attention was peeked. “What matter?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with,” his father cut off. “It is a matter of the state.”

“Oh, the state. So like some secret thing. If they’re involved, it involves magic too. This sounds exciting,” he said, as they heard Lord Loratyk groan.

“Enough,” he said in a stern voice to his son. They all exchanged awkward looks. Anders went back to fiddling with the window.

Cracking his neck, he put his posture back properly and said, “So have you gone on your pilgrimage yet?”

Kaden wasn’t liking that he kept directing all the questions to him. “Not yet sir, they’re wanting me to learn a bit more about our realm before they send me off.”

“Ah, that’s probably what they’re telling you. It’s more likely that the nations don’t have enough to send yet. They don’t usually pair anyone up until all the nations can offer enough to do so. It goes in phases and droughts. Don’t worry, boy, you’ll get out of here soon enough.”

He smiled and nodded in response, unsure of what to say. Jaxtor was tiring of all the pleasantries and said, “Sir, have you heard of anything like this happening elsewhere? You are probably far more connected than we are.”

Mulling it over in his head, he said, “Not exactly, but this isn’t the kind of thing the other lords would be broadcasting that is happening in their lands.”

“So you have had nothing like this in your own lands?” asked Eloise.

“Not that I know of, not yet. I hope this is just an isolated event. If it was to spread, we would have a serious issue on our hands,” he said while crossing his legs.

Iratoi nodded in agreement. “Let’s hope.”

They rode for a while in silence, not bothering any more. Eloise had pulled out one of her notepads and looked to be working on something. She handed him a book and told him he need to work on his studies while they had the down time. He accepted it. Acting like this was a normal thing they did.

Lord Loratyk watched them intently as they handed each other things. The pressure of his gaze on everything Kaden did was causing him to fumble and be anxious. He cracked open the book and read the first title: Rune Terminology and Translations.

Just as he turned the page, the carriage came to a stop. They could hear shouting outside. The lord gave them a nod and opened the door to see what was going on.

Just as he had, a servant was about to come in. He was startled and fell off the steps.

“Get up, man. What is happening?”

They could see the man brush off the dirt he fell in before he said, “sorry, my lord. The bridge is gone.”

“Gone?”

“Gone, sir.”

Lord Loratyk gave a scoff and said, “Well, where could it have gone?”