Besides, the ride gave him time to think and to appreciate the countryside. Dragonfell was a beautiful kingdom, he thought fondly as he passed by various farms and orchards and trotted through rolling hills, the mountains looming in the distance all the while. Dareena would have loved the ride, and to escape the confines of the Keep, but now that she was pregnant, he simply couldn’t risk it. Drystan would do anything to make Dareena happy, and it pained him every time he had to deny her the freedom to go where she wished. But the health of their unborn child was more important than any of their desires.
By the time he finally reached the cliff, night had fallen. The cloudless sky gave way to the blanket of stars twinkling brilliantly. Drystan wondered if the dragon god was up there, watching as he ascended the cliff, carefully guiding his horse along the narrow path that wound around the cliff face. As Lucyan had instructed him, he left his horse at the top, then climbed back down on foot and found the cavern entrance. Sure enough, not far in, he found the altar Lucyan had described. He placed a small casket of fire wine on top, then closed his eyes.
Please, dragon god, heed my call, he prayed. I am Drystan, son of Dragomir, and I seek your counsel.
A faint breeze ghosted over Drystan’s skin, and he became aware of a vast presence. His eyes flew open, and he gasped when he found himself kneeling not in the cave but atop a mountain so high the world below could not be seen. Above, a giant golden dragon floated, his red eyes boring into Drystan as if he was scouring his very soul.
I tested your brother by making him wait a very long time before I appeared to him, he rumbled in a voice that was pure power. It rippled through Drystan, shaking him to his core, and he had to make a conscious effort to square his shoulders and stay grounded lest he topple over. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of toying with you, son of Dragomir. There is much that needs to be done.
“Yes.” Drystan bowed his head, his hands still clasped together. The dragon god’s presence was immense, and Drystan had a feeling that he was restraining himself. If his full power were unleashed, Drystan likely would not be able to look upon him without being incinerated. “Thank you for answering my call, Your Eminence. My brother Lucyan has told me all about his visit with you, and your wishes for the three of us to marry Dareena and rule jointly. But we have no oracle to speak these words to the people, and they are having a difficult time accepting what many consider an outlandish idea. How are we to demonstrate your will?”
It is indeed my will that all three of you marry Dareena, and that the four of you will rule jointly, the dragon god said. He chuckled when Drystan blinked up at him in surprise. Yes, I do mean all four. Dareena may not be a dragon herself, but she understands the common people in a way that you do not. She is the bridge between your royal house and the citizens that make up the bedrock of Dragonfell.
Drystan bowed his head. “I had always planned to have her rule by our side. But how do we convince the others? Perhaps you could perform some miracle?”
The dragon god scoffed, snorting a plume of fire from his nostrils large enough to incinerate a small village. I am a god, not a magician who performs parlor tricks, he snarled.
“Of course not,” Drystan said hastily. As the heat washed over him, incinerating most of his clothing, he hoped this was merely a waking dream, and that his clothes were not actually harmed. “I did not mean to suggest any such thing. It is just that the people are doubtful that this arrangement can truly be to your taste. The nobles are fearful of what kind of example this will set for their own womenfolk. Also, we really do need an oracle to preside over the coronation. The presence of one would go a long way toward allaying the nobles’ concerns.”
The dragon god eyed him as if he’d lost his mind. I don’t understand why you are concerning yourself with what these petty nobles think, he said. You are the dragon, not them. Their opinions are irrelevant in this matter. A dragon king should be able to impose his will on the people, especially when it comes to carrying out my wishes.
“That may be so, but I do not wish to be a tyrant,” Drystan said stubbornly. “I strive to rule with at least a modicum of consent, but that does not mean I wish to appear weak. I merely have no desire to end up like my father.”
There was a long silence at that.
I can see your point, even if I think the way you are going about this is a bit foolish, the dragon god finally said, his voice rife with irritation. In any case, I have already chosen a new oracle, so there is no need for me to perform any ‘miracles,’ as you say.
“You have?” Drystan’s heart leapt in his chest. Finally, they were getting somewhere! “Where can I find him?”
Her, the dragon god corrected. She has been living in obscurity, but you will know her by the dragon-shaped birthmark I have branded her with. I have decided to mark all my future oracles so there will not be any confusion. Find her and bring her to Targon Temple. I will ensure that her authority is unquestioned.
“Thank you, Your Eminence.” Drystan bowed deeply, touching his head to the ground. “I believe our people will be very grateful once the new oracle is installed. My brothers and I might rule, but the citizens of Dragonfell still need a spiritual leader.”
True, the dragon god agreed. Perhaps you are not so foolish after all.
Drystan clamped down on the sarcastic retort that sprang to his lips. “Speaking of oracles and gods,” he said, “do you have any inkling as to what Rumas is up to? Does the warlock god approve of his people’s underhanded tactics and evil actions, particularly on the part of the king and his son?”
I doubt it, the dragon god rumbled. Rumas has a temper, and he is known for being crafty, but he is not an evil god. I have not spoken to him in some time. I fear his power may have faded some with his people’s lack of faith. I strongly suspect he retreated from Shadowhaven after Wulorian killed his predecessor. If I should run across him, I will speak to him. The dragon god sighed. The three of us have drifted apart since the War of the Three Kingdoms came to an end. Once, we ate and drank and made merry with each other on a regular basis. Now, we are almost lost to one another.
The sadness in his voice stirred pity in Drystan. “With any luck, the end of this war will finally mend the rift between the three kingdoms,” he said. “I hope it will mend your relationship with your fellow deities as well.”
The dragon god nodded. In the meantime, you must guard the Dragon’s Gift fiercely, he warned. If she dies before your child is born, all may be lost. Take every possible precaution, and then some.
“We are already doing that,” Drystan assured him. But even as he spoke, a bad feeling stirred deep within his chest. Was there something he had overlooked? Some angle of attack he and Alistair had not seen? What if leaving Dareena at home had been the wrong thing to do? Alistair was not back yet, and Lucyan was still gone. Had he made a terrible mistake?
Fret not, the dragon king said, reading his thoughts and fears easily. Your mate is safe and comfortable. Hurry back to her, dragon king, and stay by her side. She will need your steadfast love and loyalty for what is to come.
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