Dragon emperor 16, p.15
Dragon Emperor 16, page 15
I rubbed my eyes and looked around to see my women were already awake and pulling on their clothes.
“What’s going on?” I asked with confusion. “Why are we in a rush?”
“My lord, something’s wrong,” my wife answered and frowned. “We all woke up a few minutes ago, and Miraya was gone.”
Chapter 9
“I don’t understand,” I mumbled. “She was here when I came to bed last night.”
“Yes, she went to bed with us,” Aaliyah said as she tied her belt around her robe. “But she’s not here now. We’re going to look for her.”
“Just wait a second.” I ran my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath. “No one heard anything at all?”
“Nothing,” Alyona replied as she shook her head. “We were all asleep.”
“Even I didn’t hear anything,” Laika muttered as she pulled on her boots. “And I’m always listening.”
I frowned at the wolf warrior’s statement. She made a good point. As the leader of the Blue Tree Guild, she’d trained for years to always be prepared, so it didn’t make sense that someone could come in and kidnap Miraya without waking even her.
“Okay, we got rid of all the bandits,” I pointed out. “So, wherever she went, I’m sure she’s safe. Maybe she just already went downstairs for breakfast.”
“Peppi isn’t even awake yet,” Naomi said as she tapped her clawed fingers on the footboard. “I already checked. We have to find Miraya.”
“Alright, let me get dressed,” I agreed.
I crawled out of bed and slipped into my clothes while I tried to remain positive among all the worried looks from my lovers.
“Where should we search first?” Trina asked.
“Yeah, we need to know more about Yrosa,” Marina added.
“Isabella can give us the layout of the city,” Ravi said and looked toward the Nepin.
“Yes, of course,” Isabella confirmed with a nod.
“Let’s check with Nike before we go tearing apart Yrosa,” I suggested. “Maybe he heard something.”
My women murmured their agreements as I opened the door and stepped across the hall to knock on my fellow noble’s door.
“One second!” Nike called out before he opened it and looked at us with confusion. “What’s going on, my lord?”
“Miraya isn’t here,” I said. “Did you see or hear her leave this morning?”
“I did!” Aine skipped over to stand behind Nike with a smile. “She left for Skye’s house already. She said she couldn’t wait to help Juniper more with her practice.”
“Oh!” My women sighed in unison.
My attention, however, was caught by Aine tying the belt around the waist of her robes, and I quirked a curious eyebrow at Nike. The noble’s face flushed a hot pink before he shook his head and glanced at his spirit, who ran her fingers through her golden hair without meeting my eyes. Her pale skin had a pink tint that matched her master’s, and her blue eyes finally glanced over at Nike once she was finished with her robe.
“Aine wants to be in the physical world a little more often,” he explained carefully. “She said it will make it easier for Juniper to do the same thing.”
“Uh-huh,” I chuckled. “Let’s get some breakfast.”
Nike opened his mouth but then closed it and followed us downstairs without another word.
We walked into the dining room where Peppi and Eddie were already at the table with a wide array of fruits, toast, and scrambled eggs. Normally, I’d be bummed about the lack of meat, but considering Peppi’s mystery meat casserole, I was good with the food I recognized in front of me.
Everyone sat down with a few quiet greetings and began to eat. Alyona cleared her first plate in record timing, and I chuckled when she refilled her plate and continued to eat as though she hadn’t eaten in days.
I caught Peppi’s arched eyebrow at the princess’ wolfish-- or perhaps I should say dragonish-- appetite, but she didn’t say anything. I had a feeling the older Nepin recognized my pregnant wife’s eating habits, but she seemed to know better than to say anything.
“So, when do we get to go meet her?” Trina asked.
“Skye?” I grinned. “As soon as we’re done with breakfast. Nike and I already said we’d train her first thing this morning.”
“Miraya really couldn’t wait on her training with Juniper,” Aine giggled. “I don’t blame her. I haven’t seen our sister in eons.”
“I can’t imagine going so long without my sisters,” Polina said as she took the spirit’s hand. “You must be very strong.”
“We have to be,” Aine murmured. “We were never meant to stay together, so it brings us great joy when we are reunited. I’m lucky enough to spend so much time near Miraya.”
“And we’ll do our best to keep you together as much as possible,” I said with a smile. “Nike won’t be able to get rid of me too easily.”
“Like I’d even bother trying,” he scoffed.
Our casual conversation continued until Peppi and Eddie excused themselves and left the dining room. Then I sensed the tension rise as we all knew the part of our mission that had to come next.
“Have you talked with Skye about the ceremony?” Alyona asked in a soft voice.
“Not yet,” I admitted. “I didn’t want to overload her last night. It was already a big deal for her to learn about the sword and her father.”
“Did you figure out who he is?” Isabella wondered.
“Duke Renfrew,” I answered. “That’s pretty much all I know besides that he died in a battle. Do you recognize the name?”
“It sounds familiar,” Laika murmured and tapped her clawed fingers on the wooden table. “I can’t place it, though.”
“Maybe we’ll get more details about him once we go start training,” Ravi suggested.
“Fight training.” Aaliyah bared her long canines in a feral grin. “I can’t wait!”
“She’ll need some work,” I said. “She’s never done any of this before.”
“I think she’ll be a natural,” Nike remarked with a nod. “It seems to come to those of us who have it in our blood.”
“Fair enough,” I agreed. “I just like to set my bar low, so I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“How optimistic of you,” Rebecca giggled.
“It’s one of my better qualities.” I smirked and cleaned off the rest of my plate. “Is everyone ready?”
“Soooo ready!” Marina chirped.
We all rose from the table and headed for the door, and as we made our way to the noble community, a few heads turned to watch us. I overheard whispered conversations as they wondered why we remained in Yrosa after the bandits had been apprehended. I considered telling them it wasn’t their business, but it didn’t matter. The Noble Council knew why we’d stayed, at least as much as I’d shared with them, and they wouldn’t be a problem.
When we arrived at Carmen and Skye’s house, I knocked on the door and waited patiently for it to open. A few seconds later, a small Nepin woman opened the door and looked at us with obvious confusion.
“We’re here to see Skye and Carmen,” I said.
“I wasn’t aware of arriving guests,” the woman replied with a frown. “Can you please wait here?”
Before I could answer, she shut the door, and I could hear her feet scuttle across the floor as she searched for Carmen. After a moment, the door opened again, and the lady of the house stood in the doorway with a grimace.
“You were serious about starting her training today?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” I confirmed. “It’s something she should have learned already, so we need to get her caught up.”
“I see,” Carmen sighed and deflated in the threshold. “Well, she’s still in her room, though your friend Miraya arrived very early. She’s been in Skye’s room since she got here.”
“Talking to Juniper,” Aine said with a smile. “That’s her sword spirit.”
“I don’t remember you from yesterday,” the Nepin woman remarked. “Or… well, several of you.”
“We stayed at the inn,” Aaliyah explained. “But we’re here to help now that you know what’s going on.”
“I’m afraid I still don’t get most of it.” Carmen frowned and looked around the group. “You’re all here to train her?”
“We all have different skills and fighting styles,” Laika answered. “It may be helpful for Skye to have a few options since she’s never done this before.”
“It’s better to have several teachers,” Alyona agreed and offered a smile.
Carmen seemed to think this over before she nodded her head and walked toward the staircase.
I looked over to see the wolf warrior had her hand to her gorget, which allowed her to communicate with the rest of her guild, but when she scowled, I furrowed my brow.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Pyotr is requesting some more assistance,” Laika murmured.
“I thought the missing group was found,” Ravi said with a frown. “Did something happen?”
“It would appear they don’t remember what happened to them when they went missing,” the wolf Demi-Human replied. “Pyotr requested a priestess to work a magical memory spell, but I told him the princess wouldn’t be going anywhere.”
“What about me?” Naomi offered. “I can help. I know I’m not as skilled as Alyona, but I’ve learned a lot with her.”
“I don’t want you going alone,” I said firmly. “I know Pyotr and the others would look out for you, but I’d feel better if you had a little more protection.”
“I’ll go,” Ravi volunteered.
“And we can go back, too,” Aaliyah added.
“Yeah, we met those people,” Rebecca said. “They might feel more comfortable if we’re there when Naomi helps them remember.”
“What about Skye?” Alyona twirled a lock of hair around her finger as we made our plans. “Don’t you want to teach her to fight?”
“Of course,” the lioness confirmed. “But I don’t know that she’ll learn to fight with her claws like we do.”
“We can help train her,” Polina pointed out. “We don’t have to go back.”
“Didn’t you meet those people, too?” I asked.
“We did, but Aaliyah and Rebecca spent more time close to the people we rescued,” Trina explained. “We mostly accessed our nature magic to find them.”
“We have to make sure Naomi and Ravi can help those poor people,” Rebecca said as she took Alyona’s hand. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
“Okay,” I agreed after a moment of consideration. “Naomi, can you make a portal?”
“Yeah, I learned that, too,” the lizard mage answered with a smile. “I’ll take us to Hatra, and we can get on the airship from there.”
“Please, make sure we know what’s going on,” I said. “I want to be in the loop.”
“I’ll send you a messenger,” Naomi replied. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”
“I always worry,” I muttered.
Naomi grinned as she began the spell to open her own portal to Hatra, and the cracks of magical lightning were black and magenta as she twirled her finger in the air and formed the doorway to Hatra.
I kissed each of my lovers as they stepped through the portal to help the Blue Tree Guild on their mission, and Carmen, Miraya, and Skye walked down the stairs just as the women left. I was happy to see Skye carried the Sword of Youth, and I wondered if she’d let it out of her sight since I handed it to her.
“Whoa!” Skye gasped. “Did they just disappear?”
“No,” I chuckled. “They took a portal. Some of our friends need help in Hatra, but they’ll be back later. I’d like to introduce you to everyone else.”
I went down the line to introduce Aine and my lovers to Skye and her mother, while Skye looked at everyone with awe.
“I think my assessment was correct,” she murmured with a sly smile. “You do enjoy the company of beautiful women.”
“So, what do you need to start this training?” Carmen interjected before I could respond.
“Her sword and open space,” Laika answered, and her bushy gray tail flicked around behind her with anticipation.
“The backyard should work!” Skye turned and motioned for us to follow her through the house to a back door. “Plenty of space out here.”
“Are you sure you should do that where people can see you?” Carmen called out as we all filed outside with Skye.
I gestured for everyone to continue without me, and I whirled around to talk to the Nepin woman.
“Listen, I know there’s a lot going on with the whole Noble of the Sword thing,” I began. “But you have to understand it’s a huge honor, not an embarrassment. Your daughter has an amazing opportunity to help thousands of people by learning how to wield her sword, and she’ll need your support to be her best.”
“I’ve already had plenty of eyes on me, Lord Evan,” she replied in a low voice. “I don’t need more questions and rumors floating around about the outsiders who trained my daughter to fight.”
“Rumors don’t mean anything,” I muttered. “You need to stop worrying about what everyone thinks about you. Skye learning to fight doesn’t say anything about your abilities on the council. If anything, it tells the city you’re taking the bandit problem seriously and teaching her how to take care of herself and others.”
“I suppose that’s one way to look at it,” Carmen murmured and glanced out the door. “Do you really think she can do this?”
“I know she can,” I replied. “It’s in her blood, like it was in mine and in Lord Nikolaus’. We learned, and she will, too.”
“You’re so certain,” she sighed. “I guess you must have a good reason to feel that way.”
“I do.” I nodded as I looked deep into her eyes. “Skye is special, Carmen. I know you can see that. Just let us guide her on her path, okay?”
“Okay,” Carmen exhaled.
“Thank you,” I said with a smile. “Now, it’s time to get to work.”
We walked outside to join everyone else, and I noticed Laika had already started to work on Skye’s grip. She’d used the same technique to teach me before my first duel back in Colaruma, though it had turned out my challenger was not exactly the experienced sword fighter he’d portrayed himself to be.
Skye and her wolf warrior teacher moved in perfect synchronicity as they moved from pose to pose while Nike offered small corrections to her feet and shoulders.
“Your hips should face your opponent when you strike,” Laika explained. “It gives your blow more power to have the force of your lower body behind it.”
Skye stepped forward with the next pose, and her blade sliced through the air with a whistle.
“Wow,” she breathed. “That totally works.”
“Laika’s had some practice,” I chuckled as I walked over to join them. “With this sword, it’s also important to feel her power with every move you make. Take in the energy she collects and use it to your advantage.”
“Like this?” Skye murmured and took a wide arc around her head.
Bolts of red lightning crackled along the blade as she swung the sword and jabbed it into her imaginary opponent, and a single line of red sparks jolted from the tip of the blade and crashed into a potted plant. The pot exploded as shards of white ceramic flew several feet into the air, and Carmen gasped and stumbled backward with her mouth wide open.
“That’s exactly it,” I laughed. “You’re a natural.”
“Nepins aren’t typically so skilled with a blade,” Isabella mused. “It’s not our weapon of choice when weapons are necessary. I’m surprised she’s so adept already.”
“Maybe it’s because of her bloodline,” I suggested.
“Or because she’s half-naiad,” Polina pointed out.
“Wait, what?” I asked as I turned to face the emerald-skinned sisters.
“Yeah, she’s not a full-blooded Nepin,” Trina agreed. “The other part is naiad.”
“We thought you knew that,” Marina giggled. “Didn’t you see her hair?”
“Well, yeah, I knew she was different.” I smirked. “But I didn’t know how exactly. How can you tell?”
“Naiads are closely related to dryads,” Trina explained.
“We aren’t exactly the same,” Polina continued. “We just have a similar relationship with nature.”
“Right, where our kind typically lives among trees, naiads live with water,” Marina added.
“I knew I felt a different connection with you three when Lord Evan introduced us!” Skye gasped as she walked over to take a drink from her jug of water. “I think you’re all fantastic, but that was a new feeling.”
“Yeah, it’s our nature magic,” Polina confirmed. “Do you ever use yours?”
“Nepins don’t have magic,” Carmen cut in with a frown. “How would she do that?”
“It seems we have some lessons to give as well,” Trina giggled.
“I’d love to learn,” Skye said and grinned. “My father… well, he passed away before I could learn anything like that from him. He was a Nakken.”
“Wow,” Polina breathed. “I’ve never seen a Nakken. Do you remember him?”
“Wait, wait, can someone explain how he was a Nakken, and she’s a naiad?” I interjected with confusion.
“A Nakken is a shapeshifter,” Marina answered. “They live in the water, but they’re only males. When they have female children, they’re naiads.”
“I’ve never known one to mate with a Nepin before,” Polina remarked.
“Renfrew was a special person,” Carmen choked out before she scurried back inside.
“My mother doesn’t talk about him much,” Skye said. “I know it’s hard on her, but I wish I knew more about him than the fact he died in battle when I was young. I only have a few memories from when we lived by the lake.”
“She must have loved him very much,” Alyona murmured as she absently caressed her belly. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing someone you love so dearly.”
