Grunting, Anders uncrossed his legs and quickly stood from his perch overlooking Brookside’s port. He unsheathed Lazuran and raised the elven sword high over his head, intending to strike the box open with brute force, if necessary.
You know that won’t achieve anything productive. You’re more likely to cut your foot off when the box deflects your blade, Tarron said, interrupting Anders’ concentration.
Ignoring the sapphire soul’s advice, Anders heaved the sword down at the wooden box. Just as with the energy he’d used, the box flashed white the instant his blade struck. Lazuran bounced off the wooden cube, sending a bone tingling vibration into Anders’ hands. He grimaced at the uncomfortable feeling and cursed under his breath.
See, I told you, Tarron said mockingly.
I thought I told you not to bother me unless you have something useful to say, Anders complained as he sheathed his sword.
There you go again, always telling me to be useful and never wanting to have a normal conversation. It's either, help me with this spell or try to figure out why I can't talk to my father's spirit. I already told you that if it's anything like the sapphires, you'll need to be in the presence of a bonding.
Anders knew that the ancient rider’s statement was true. He also knew that he took the unusual being for granted. I'm sorry, Tarron. It's just that I get frustrated when things don’t go my way. I guess with the pressure mounting, I’m just becoming more stressed by the minute.
At least you don’t have to worry about help not arriving.
Anders glanced at the ships now nearing port. Natalia had taken ships from Southland that carried the entire Lumbapi Army and they’d picked up the bulk of the Rollo Island warriors on the way. Her original fleet had turned into an Armada. Even if the Revolution could assemble and march by nightfall, we would catch them on the Plains. What’s got me so worried is why that group of dragonriders didn’t come after me, he said.
As Maija suggested, they’re most likely freed from the elven prison.
That doesn’t make sense to me. If they were, why would they have killed the wraith and taken the sapphire?
They probably don’t like Merglan either, which would explain why they didn’t attack the first time you saw them and why they would have killed the wraith. Perhaps they are just waiting for things between you and Merglan to fall out before they get involved?
Anders thought about this for a moment before replying, I could see Asmond hiding a couple of dragonriders in the prison from the elves, but not more than a few. Maija saw three who were on their way to Southland. There isn’t much room for speculation against that theory, which means Merglan managed to capture their loyalty.
I see your point, Tarron said.
And if they aren’t from the prison, where did they come from and what are they waiting for?
Times have changed since I was a rider. There were lands to the east that we did not deal with. Maybe dragons went there when Merglan pressured them out of Nagano?
And they bonded with two dozen dragons in that quickly? Anders asked. Even the forced bonding pairs during The War of the Magicians didn’t have that much success.
I was just offering a suggestion. You would know more about current populations than I would. After all, you’re a king now and you should know the extent of your rule.
Anders picked the wooden box up off the ground and walked inside Rune’s practice. The office was empty as Rune and the other leaders were out organizing their troops for the march into the Plains. He placed the box on the table and sat down in a chair. Zahara would alert him if she sensed any more attacks, or if the riders came for them. Wondering what would happen if he did bring an end to the war, he asked Tarron, What if I wasn’t next in line to take the throne?
You would have to have siblings older than you for that, unless your father had a younger brother? Tarron asked.
Anders could feel Tarron prodding him to admit his deeper thoughts.
Oh, you’re thinking about what Merglan said to Ivan, he said, finding the memory Anders had been mulling over.
If I did have an older brother, he would have had to survive the shipwreck that took my mother’s life. I know Ivan kept the fact that he was King and my father a secret, but he did it to protect me from Merglan. That didn’t do him much good in the end.
He never mentioned your mother?
Ivan might have lied about some things, but he wouldn't about that. He believed she was dead.
But if you survived the wreckage, they could’ve survived as well.
Why can’t I just live my life as I wish without this massive responsibility looming over me?
You forfeited that right the moment you bonded with Zahara, Tarron said.
Anders knew Tarron was right. He owed it to society to use his superior skills to make it a better place. I wish I could talk to him, you know? Anders said, thinking of his father. Just when I learned who he was, I lost him.
Like I said, I don’t know what Merglan’s done to enchant that box, but if you give up on it, you’ll never know if there was a way in.
Footsteps sounded and the door to Rune’s practice burst open. Anders bolted from the chair, his hand reflexively going to the hilt of his sword.
“Calm down, it’s only me,” Kirsten said, seeing his reaction.
Relaxing, he asked, “Didn't anybody teach you how to knock?”
“We grew up in the same house; you know I never knock.”
“What’s going on? Is it about the last night?” he asked.
Kirsten shook her head, “No, but we need your help recharging the crystal. Evans and I burned through it pretty quickly.”
“Are you serious? It was supposed to last all of you through the end of the day.”
Kirsten shrugged, “Well, Thomas is the only one who still can’t use his, but the rest of us are getting pretty good.”
“You should be practicing using only what you need,” Anders said.
“We need a teacher for that,” Kirsten said, folding her arms.
