Chapter 9
Lorelei and the Alvamar strode into the Queen's quarters. Lorelei's injuries had been tended to and they were already almost completely healed. Even the nasty gash on her face looked fairly respectable. The Queen was sitting in a chair talking to Alyssa in a low voice but she looked up when she heard the warriors at the door announce them.
"It seems that I owe the two of you even more thanks than before," she said with a smile. "Where is the Taren's pet mage now?"
"The healer is keeping him drugged in the dungeons till a warrior mage from the Third Battalion arrives." answered Lorelei.
"He'll be able to squeeze a lot more information out of the prisoner than we would have."
"So the Old One has entered the arena. That puts a whole new complexion on the matter. No one knows exactly what the man is capable of," said the Queen grimly. She exchanged a long look with Alyssa before turning back to look directly at Lorelei.
"Warrior, the alliance has decided to act upon this new threat. The Alvamar has already indicated he is willing to face the Old One in a duel. What exactly would that entail?" This last question was directed towards the Alvamar.
"He and I would face off without the help of any weapons except our magic. The winner may claim any prize from the loser."
"But what do you intent to do to him?" pressed the Queen.
"Simply to force him to recant the vendetta he has against me," answered the Alvamar guardedly as he suddenly saw the trend the conversation was taking. "I wasn't strong enough to do it before but I have learned a lot since the last time we met."
"What if I asked you to kill him on the behalf of the alliance?"
"I would not do it," answered the Alvamar firmly. "There have been times that a contestant was killed during a duel but I will not go into one with the intention of taking a life. That would be a betrayal of all that a healer believes in."
The Queen nodded regretfully. "And such is the way it should be." She firmed up her resolution as she looked back up at Lorelei. "Then it is up to you, Warrior. It will be your duty to either kill him or force a surrender."
Lorelei froze in dread. Her captaincy suddenly seemed in doubt. "Majesty, what of my new command?" she asked cautiously, bracing herself for the worst.
"You may not take the Guards with you, of course. They belong with the prince. Your second in command, Gerraint is an effective commander. He will take good care of them until you return." The Queen stood up and walked to the window overlooking the courtyard. "You may select your team from the other cadres stationed here," she said nodding towards the ranks training below.
"Majesty," interjected the Alvamar. "The Old One has shown that he can pinpoint my position at any time. The question remains: How does he do it? If it is with basic scrying, he would easily be able to see everyone I'm traveling with. Our strength lies in his underestimating us. A large attack force would only make him more careful with his defenses. Therefore, I suggest that only the warrior and I go. She has proven her good judgment and has a positive talent for taking advantage of a mage's distraction..." Lorelei shot him a suspicious glance but he continued blandly. "In addition, I believe we work well together. She doesn't get in my way and I don't get in hers."
The Queen looked at Lorelei. "What do you say, Warrior?"
Regretfully, Lorelei was forced to concede the Alvamar's wisdom. "A small group does have a definite advantage in slipping into tight places," she answered.
"Lorelei will need a new dragon, Selene," said Alyssa as she came forward to stand by her niece. "I will take care of it myself." The Queen nodded in agreement.
"May Mira watch over you both," she murmured.
Lorelei walked out into the sunshine the next day to meet her aunt at the landing grounds. Alyssa was leaning against a fence, her eyes closed and her head tilted up to catch the sun's rays.
"Ah Lora, there you are! Ready to fly?"
"Yes Aunt, it's been too long since the last time," said Lorelei smiling into her aunt's kind eyes.
"Are you missing him still?"
"More and more each day. I almost feel like I don't want to take another partner..."
"It passes, child. The day I lost Ramesh was the worst of my life but both he and Kirsah have gone on to better things and as heroes, I might add! There are worse things than that. Come!"
Alyssa turned her head to face the mountains nearby and sent a telepathic call for her dragon. A few moments later, a dragon appeared flying low to skim over the fields. Lorelei looked at her admiringly.
"S'aan has such beautiful form. I don't think I've seen another like her."
"Well you might soon," replied Alyssa proudly. "She has her first clutch warming in the hatchery. Two more weeks, they tell me."
"Then a whole lot of hatchlings toddling around your quarters," laughed Lorelei. "Alyssa! Queen's Guard and dragon baby-sitter!"
S'aan made a smooth landing, her scales glistening in the sunlight. She was from a southern clan and showed their characteristic swirls of color. The women took off at a run towards her. S'aan turned her massive head towards her riders. "She says hello and that she is sorry for Kirsah's death," said Alyssa to Lorelei.
Lorelei thanked S'aan for her condolences.
A moment later, they were soaring up into the blue skies. They left the sprawling city behind them as they made for the mountains and the lair of the Matriarch.
S'aan thumped to a halt on the jutting lip of a cave. After the warriors dismounted, she spread her wings and promptly disappeared.
"Kevin is supposed to meet us here. Come sit by me Lorelei, and tell me of your adventures."
Lorelei began to summarize her journey, making her aunt chuckle at how she had taken the Alvamar. When she got to the part about the Onset, Alyssa cast her a sharp look.
"And you're telling me that he didn't try to have sex with you..." she said in patent disbelief. Lorelei shrugged her shoulders and nodded.
"All I can say is that the man must a will of iron. And so must you! I've never been able to show such restraint during those times..." Alyssa said, shaking her head wryly. "Still, I'm glad you didn't lose your head. You're much too young to be saddled with children," she continued, stroking Lorelei's hair affectionately. "Not that there's anything wrong with having children. I intend to have a couple myself with my Maten once I retire. Children are a wonderful part of life but they just don't go very well with the training!"
"So what happened to your Onset, anyway?"
"I don't know. The moment I got back to Miramar and all those things started happening, it seemed to cease. It's terribly strange. I've never had it so short before."
"Time to get checked out, my dear," lectured her aunt. "I personally like to know and be prepared when the thing strikes..."
"So do you like him?" she continued archly.
"Who? The Alvamar? Well, I respect him and I guess I like him too, but I don't like him. He's not for me, aunt."
"Why not?" asked Alyssa, feigning shock. "I've looked him over. The man looks like a god! I wouldn't mind having a go at him myself. That chest! Mmmm... Rivals any warrior I've seen!"
Lorelei blushed. Her aunt was famed for letting the world know when she admired a man and she suddenly had a vision of her slight aunt tackling the unwary Alvamar and having her wicked way with him. Tearing open his shirt, pulling off his breaches... Lorelei blinked rapidly and brought herself back to reality. Alyssa was wearing a very self-satisfied look on her face.
"So you're not as immune to him as you'd like to think." She ignored her niece's glare and continued blithely. "Let me pass on a valuable piece of wisdom. Men are wonderful. You should enjoy them for all you're worth and when you're done, you should just walk away..." Lorelei snorted inelegantly.
"So that's why you've been with Maten for Mira knows how long!"
"Well the man just grew on me. Somewhat like a fungus," replied Alyssa regretfully. "Things like that happen sometimes. Everybody's philandering days come to an end with a single look and a wrench of the heart. But until that unhappy day, my dear, enjoy life to fullest! You're such a young, beautiful thing, Lora. Don't fall in love anytime soon, all right?"
"Alyssa. Lorelei. Sorry I'm late," puffed a rather rotund man and he climbed up the steep path. "Treven is waiting for us so let's hurry to her." The two women followed him into the dank cave, moving deeper and deeper into it until only the light of Kevin's lantern lighted their way. The walls were damp and dripping constantly and there was definitely a smell of wet dragon in the air.
"She likes in it because of her scales, you know. She's had such a problem with them as she aged, poor thing. The moisture helps quite a bit."
Suddenly they emerged from the wide tunnel into a large cavern deep in the mountain's belly. And curled up in the center of the cavern was the most immense dragon Lorelei had ever seen. As the group approached her, Treven the Matriarch of the Miramar clans, uncoiled her body to greet them. Blazing red eyes, undimmed by age, regarded them with interest.
"Treven. This is Alyssa and you remember Lorelei," introduced Kevin to his partner.
Lorelei gasped as a faintly husky voice sounded in her head. "Yes, I remember you." The blazing eyes looked at her with amusement.
"Why are you surprised at hearing me? Doesn't my son's blood flow in your veins..."
"Yes, Matriarch," answered Lorelei aloud. "You have heard of Kirsah's death, I'm sure. He died well." The massive head lifted, the foot long horns on her head grazing the ceiling of the cavern.
"Yes, he did. I am very proud of him. I expect I shall be seeing him soon."
"Nonsense, Treven," scoffed Kevin. "You'll outlive us all!"
"I would like to petition you for another partner, Matriarch. I will be going on a critical mission and I'll need help," said Lorelei.
The massive head dipped in consideration.
"Kirsah always spoke of you with the greatest respect. I know he would want me to grant your wish. I have always liked you as well, Lorelei. Your heart is true and there is no guile in you. It is my hope that one of my brood chooses you for his or her own. Come out into the air with me."
Once they were back at the mouth of the cave, the Matriarch sent out a loud, booming call. In minutes, three young dragons circled outside the warren and landed, one at a time, on the cave ledge. Lorelei stepped forward to face them.
"This is Lorelei of the Queen's Guard. If any of you want her, she is yours!"
Three head dipped to sniff at Lorelei. Her scent would tell them much of her character and of their compatibility. Swiftly the female on the right stepped forward to claim her.
"K'san? You wish her?"
"I do, Mother. She was the one Kirsah chose, wasn't she?"
"Yes, my child. Lorelei, this is my daughter from my second last clutch. Her name is K'san and she has consented to bind with you. Will you accept her?"
Lorelei turned to look at the young female. Bright intelligent eyes regarded her in return. Although she didn't have a telepathic bond with her yet, she sensed that the dragon would be as close a friend as Kirsah ever was. His sister! What a wonderful thing!"
"Yes, I will accept her."
Alyssa and Kevin broke out into congratulatory grins.
"The binding should be held tonight so the three of you can set out in a few days. Once you are recovered, that is," said Alyssa. Kevin translated for all the dragons. K'san dipped her head in acknowledgment.
"K'san said that she will be there. At Mira's temple, at the seventh hour!"
Lorelei felt her stomach clench involuntarily. The last binding had been agonizing for her. She had barely lived. She couldn't help hoping that this one would be a lot easier on her...
Continued in Chapter 10
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