Arimore

Rowan entered the grassy area at the edge of the valley and scanned the meadow for signs of Mason. He saw movement on the other side of the clearing and began to make his way across to meet him. He ordered the guard to remain hidden and return immediately to Calithorne if anything went wrong. When he was close enough to see the oncoming horses and riders he realized that it was not Mason. Three men rode toward Rowan bearing the crest of Mardock. Rowan paused but by the time he knew that he had been betrayed it was too late. The three men surrounded him, bound his hands and led him away to Mardock.

Upon arrival he was taken to King Andre’. “Well, what have we here? The Captain of the Royal Guard has taken up spying?”

Rowan wondered what the meaning of all this was but he remained silent, “Not a word Rowan. At least not until you know what’s going on here.”

“Nothing to say,” the King prodded, “Well I must say you are a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting someone a little more royal. Tell me why did your Queen send you on this mission? My letter specifically asked her to come.” The King paced around Rowan sizing him up, “No worries. I think you will do just fine. If I know your Queen, she will come and try to rescue her faithful servant.” He turned to his guard, “Take him to the courtyard and tie him to the prisoners post.”

The prisoner’s post, Rowan quickly found out, was a tall rough wooden post in the center of an open courtyard. It had rusty metal rings securely fixed to the upper portion. Prisoners were chained around either their wrists or ankles and the chains were fastened through the metal rings. They were left there in the hot sun for whatever number of days their crime allotted. Most men quickly succumbed to either the heat in summer or the cold in winter. The prisoners post was designed to break a man’s will. Fortunately, Rowan was strong willed and he was fastened by his wrists. As the men of the village passed by they would strike the prisoner with wooden poles that encircled the post. The poles were not meant to break bones just to leave painful bruises on the prisoner’s body further breaking them down.

Elara met Arimore who had returned to his dragon form. She climbed on his back and they flew to Mardock. As their shadow crossed the sky the spectators in the courtyard fled for cover. Arimore landed in the open courtyard and Elara quickly dismounted. She ran to Rowan and with two swings of her sword broke the chains freeing him. She helped him up into Arimore’s back and mounted behind him.

“Wait,” Rowan pleaded, “We must help Mason. He’s being kept in a cell in the guard tower.”

Elara called to the King, “Why have you done this oh King? You would imprison your own son?”

King Andre’ stepped from the shadows, “My family is my business. Why was your guard in Mardocian territory?”

“Because you sent a message meaning to entrap me. Do not think me a fool oh King for I, unlike you am a wise ruler.” Elara spoke boldly then turned to Arimore, “Get Rowan to safety then return for me. I will free Mason.”

“I will not leave you,” Arimore replied, “The King may imprison his son but he will not harm him. Come, we will deal with him another day.”

“I will not leave my friend,” Rowan added as he jumped down and stood next to Elara.

Elara turned to Rowan, “If we free him, then what? We cannot take him with us. It would be an act of war.”

“We are already at war my Queen.”

“Quickly, get on my back,” Arimore saw the guard encircling the courtyard, “We will deal with the King another day. Rowan, trust me Mason will be safe.”

They climbed back on Arimore and he lifted off the ground throwing a cloud of dust throughout the courtyard. As he reached the top of the guard tower they saw Mason watching from the window. Arimore paused and looked into Mason’s eyes, “Do you wish to come with us young Prince?”

“No, get them to safety. Elara is right; it would be an act of war. My father will not harm me. He is looking for an excuse to bring war between our people. Go. I will get free and find a way to stop his madness.”

“Step back,” Elara commanded Mason.

Mason stepped away from the window. Elara raised her hand and closed her eyes. With a blast of power she blew open the door of Mason’s cell.

“Thank you my friends,” Mason yelled, “Now get to safety.”

Arimore rose and flew his charges back to Calithorne. As the dust settled in the courtyard the King’s voice could be heard yelling, “You may have won the day but I will have my revenge upon you oh Queen of the dragons!”

“Queen of the dragons,” Elara chuckled, “I think I like that.”

When they arrived back at the castle Elara sent Rowan to the court physician who examined him and told him, “You are very fortunate young man. Your wounds are not fatal but you will be sore for a while. Rest will heal you just fine.”

Rowan went straight to the Queen after the physician let him go. “My Queen,” he said as he stepped into the throne room, “I owe you a great debt.”

“No Rowan,” she replied, “it is I that owe you a debt. That trap was set for me.”

“What happened back there?” he asked.

“Do you remember when I asked if you believed in magic?”

Rowan nodded, “That was quite impressive.”

“Sacha has been teaching me,” she smiled. Her smile quickly faded and she walked to the window, “What are we to do about the King? I know he means to start a war, but why?”

“He is old,” Rowan began, “and sees his chance to make his mark on history slipping away. We need to trust that Mason will be a better King.”

“I am sure of that.” There was sadness in Elara’s voice, “For now we must fortify our borders. Keep a garrison camped half a mile from the boundary and have them report directly to me if there is any activity. I must go and speak with Sacha.”

Rowan bowed and left the throne room. He walked to the guard house and sent out a battalion of soldiers as the Queen had instructed.

Elara made her way to the dungeon and found Sacha still in the dress she had given her for her meeting with Arimore.

“You are safe,” Sacha ran to Elara and threw her arms around her.

“Yes Sacha,” Elara smiled and embraced her charge. “Sacha,” she leaned away from her and looked at how beautiful she was, “I think it’s time for you to stay in the castle with me. That is, if you would like to.”

“I would like that very much.”

“There is one condition, if I tell you to return here you must not question me.”

“I understand,” Sacha was overjoyed at the idea of not being alone anymore. “You used your magic today didn’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“We are bound together. I feel what you feel and I felt the power surge through you. I also felt sadness.”

“Sacha, I had to leave Mason behind. He is my friend and I wanted to bring him here where I knew he would be safe but I couldn’t. It was so hard to leave him there.”

“That is where he belongs. Don’t worry for it is his destiny is to become King as it is your destiny to bring peace between your nations.”

“Peace?” Sacha could sense the frustration in Elara’s voice, “So far all I have managed to do is fuel the fires of war.”

“You only see the present. Stop and think. You have made a bond of friendship with the Prince and it is one, I dare say he shall not soon forget.”

“Can you see if he is safe?”

Sacha closed her eyes and focused on Mason. “He is standing in the courtyard,” she said as she turned her head trying to bring the vision clearer, “There are chains around his wrists but he is unharmed.”

Sadness overcame her but she pushed it aside for the moment and led Sacha from the dungeon. They walked to the Queen’s chambers and Elara ordered the servants to set another bed in the room for Sacha. “Treat her well,” she told them, “for she is my family.”