Burned: Dragons' Trust Book 2 Read online

  At the very moment when Renick thought they would succeed, a dragon roar sounded right behind them. Following the blood-chilling sound was a jet of flame that came just short of hitting them. Renick felt the heat warm his back. He gave in to the fear and looked over his shoulder. Renick saw Folgyn standing in the field watching them, roaring in frustration and keeping his eyes trained on Renick and Thane.

  The rune on Renick's arm tingled. Thane looked over at his own hand and then met eyes with Renick. Folgyn, the black dragon, could sense their marks. The marks given to them by the Dragon Kind hidden in the mountains to warn all other dragons not to harm them. Gratitude far beyond anything else he had ever felt gave Renick the strength to match Thane's speed and reach the city gates.

  All the while Folgyn protested with long, lonely calls and short barks of frustration. Still, he came no closer.

  Chapter 12: Heroes

  Renick did not relax until the gates of the city were drawn closed and he felt the dark presence of the dragon withdraw. Then he let out a sigh and looked across the driver's hanging head at Thane.

  "Well, that was exciting," Thane said with a straight face.

  He could not help it; Renick laughed. Thane joined him.

  "Get this man to Melatheen," Grahm's voice said in Renick's ear. "I'll see to the others."

  Thane and Renick stumbled forward, still supporting the driver's weight. They would have to practically drag the man to Melatheen and Lainey's house. Before they could get too far away, the woman with the young daughter stopped them.

  "Thank you." Tears filled her eyes. "You saved us."

  Renick would have shrugged, but his shoulders were occupied at the moment. Thankfully, Thane was ready with a diplomatic answer.

  "You are welcome." The young nobleman dipped his head at the woman and she smiled in return.

  The driver groaned.

  "We better get moving." Thane trudged forward.

  The trip to the healers was long. Longer by far than if Renick had lain on his stomach and dragged himself the whole way. It probably would have been more comfortable to get there that way too. Renick's neck ached from supporting the driver's arm and through that half of his weight. His legs burned from the run and then the maddeningly slow march to Melatheen's. Eventually they rounded a corner and were on the street where the healer's house stood. As he looked at the small house, the windows glowing with candlelight, it appeared to Renick that the road stretched longer and longer until the journey seemed impossible.

  He groaned.

  Thane chuckled. "Come on, Renick. Almost there."

  "Easy for you to say," Renick grumbled. Thane was taller and much stronger. Renick was just a lowly dragonhand, not a highborn dragon knight in training.

  What seemed like hours later they managed to drag the now completely unconscious man in front of the house. Renick saw Lainey's face in the window. She was working on something, her head bent in concentration.

  Lainey. Renick reached out to her in dragon speak. Only after did he remember Wrytha's warning. He looked around, half expecting to see Folgyn swooping toward them. Thankfully, the night sky was empty.

  Lainey's blonde head snapped up and met his eyes through the glass window. Moments later Lainey threw the door open.

  "Aunt Melatheen," she called into the house after sizing up the situation. Melatheen appeared only a few seconds later, drying her hands on her apron.

  "Oh my!" She motioned for Lainey to get out of the way and stood to the side, holding the door open. "Well, come in, come in."

  With a mighty effort Renick stepped forward. One step at a time until they reached the threshold. Climbing the three stairs up to the doorway proved to be most difficult. Renick had to lean against the door frame to rest a moment before stepping through. Melatheen's house was warm and well-lit. There were three empty cots in the main room.

  Renick and Thane awkwardly lowered the driver onto the nearest cot. Melatheen pushed her way in front of Renick, and Lainey did the same with Thane.

  "What happened?" Melatheen asked, her tone all business. She and Lainey were already working, cleaning the man's wounds and inspecting him for less obvious injuries.

  "Dragon attacked," Renick said, wheezing. He leaned against the wall and waved his hand at Thane.

  "The dragon attacked a carriage just outside the city. This man is the driver," Thane answered.

  "And?" Melatheen did not look up from her work, but Renick saw the corners of her mouth tighten and her eyebrows scrunch together. Renick wondered, not for the first time, if the stern expressions she and Grahm often wore were because they spent so much time laden with worry.

  "The wheel broke and the carriage tipped." Thane finished the story.

  Melatheen nodded, then looked up at Renick and sent him to boil water. Lainey was sent to retrieve clean bandages and such.

  "Is it bad?" Thane asked just as Renick returned with the steaming water.

  "Yes." Melatheen dipped a clean bandage into the hot water. "Put that down on the side table, Renick."

  "He doesn't look that bad," Renick said as he obeyed.

  "I'm not so concerned with the injuries that we can see. It is the ones that I can't see that trouble me."

  Watching Lainey and Melatheen work always struck Renick with awe. They could work with hardly a word to each other. Lainey knew exactly what her aunt needed at the same moment she wanted it. Renick and Thane just stood by watching, performing whatever tasks the two healers assigned to them.

  The tension in the room was broken by a knock at the door.

  "Got it," Renick said before anyone could instruct him to do just that.

  He pulled the door open and found Grahm, the passengers from the carriage, and a very sturdy-looking knight. Grahm stepped into the room and turned to Melatheen. "How is he?"

  Melatheen sat back and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Okay for now. Just finished."

  Grahm nodded. "Will you look at the passengers? None of them are seriously injured."

  "Of course." Melatheen stood. "Lainey, show them to the back room."

  Renick noticed that as Lainey stood, a few small sparks of light floated between her fingers and the motionless arm of the driver. She was getting better at being discrete with her magic. Renick hid a smile.

  The passengers were ushered into the back room of the house, where Renick knew there were more cots and chairs and such. Thane moved to follow them, but the knight stopped him.

  "Just a moment, Thane." The man's voice was gruff and firm. Judging by what he wore and the way he carried himself; Renick guessed it was from years of issuing orders. The man waited until he had the attention of everyone in the room, except Melatheen, who was busy washing up. "I want to begin by thanking you for being prepared to jump in and assist when you saw others in need."

  Renick never felt prepared to help, he just automatically did what needed to be done. In the dragon mines he had never once considered that he could escape instead of stopping to help the trapped dragons. He rubbed his hands together nervously and looked over at Thane. He could tell by the expression on the boy's face that he was remembering the cave-in too. The passage of almost a year had not dulled the memory.

  "Grahm, Thane, and …" The knight held his hand out, palm up toward Renick.

  "Renick," Thane offered.

  "Renick, I'd like to invite all three of you to a banquet at Lord Krane's estate to honor your heroic deeds." He inclined his head toward them.

  Thane cleared his throat. Renick shifted uncomfortably. Grahm proved to be the only one who knew how to respond. He bowed to the knight. "We graciously accept your invitation, Sir Gregori."

  Sir Gregori gave Grahm more particulars and inquired of Melatheen about the status of her charges. Then he left.

  "A banquet? Really? We don't need a banquet," Renick said in a rush as soon as the door was closed.

  Lainey came skipping into the room, "Of course you do, silly. They always throw banquets for h
eroes." She retrieved a pile of clean blankets from a cupboard and returned to the back room.

  "It does seem a little much," Thane said.

  Grahm laughed and shook his head. "You two, the model of humility." He put his arms around their shoulders. "Lord Krane is entertaining a special guest tomorrow night, so it won't exactly be in our honor. They just want to reward us for our bravery."

  Renick shrugged. "I didn't feel brave."

  "Renick, my boy, no one ever does." The old man gave Renick a knowing wink.

  "So, who is the guest of honor at this banquet thing?" Thane asked.

  Grahm waved his hand. "Oh, some dragon hunter that's coming to help with the menace."

  Renick felt as if the floor had fallen out from under his feet. "Dragon hunter?"

  "Yes, uh, Horrin, I think his name is."

  Chapter 13: Hunters

  "Now remember, keep your head down. I'll be sure to sit between you and Horrin." Thane told Renick. He was pacing back and forth in front of the young dragonhand, his head bent in concentration.

  Renick waved his hand and rolled his blue eyes as if it had been the hundredth time he had heard Thane's instructions. It may have been, but Thane thought it was important to remember. After all, this was life and death.

  They stood outside the entrance to the manor grounds waiting for Grahm, who was speaking to the guard. Thane had opted not to wear his best livery for the occasion, and judging by what Renick apparently felt qualified as best dress, the decision was wise. Renick looked smart enough, for a dragonhand, but would have looked like a slave next to Thane. Grahm had silently noticed Thane's choice in dress and followed suit without a single word. Thane wondered if the old man guessed at his reasons. At least Grahm had the good sense not to let on if he did. That was Grahm, always silently watching.

  "Come on, boys." Grahm motioned them over. "Don't look so nervous, Renick." He leaned closer to the younger boy and said in a low voice, "Just copy Thane and me. The forks aren't that hard to navigate."

  It took a great measure of self-control for Thane not to laugh at Renick's crestfallen look. He knew Renick's worries were centered around being face-to-face with Horrin again and not with proper table manners. Tonight would be dangerous for Renick. If Horrin recognized him … Thane did not want to think about what would happen. Wrytha had told them the dragon hunters would not benefit from revealing the Dragon Kind's secret, so Thane doubted there would be a public scene. But they had thwarted Horrin in the forest, and the man was bound to harbor resentment.

  Men like Horrin took defeat personally and always retaliated. Thane knew from experience—his father was such a man. Growing up Thane had watched more than one neighboring noble fall to his father's wrath.

  Luckily, Horrin had never seen Thane's face. If he could just stay between Renick and Horrin and block the man's line of sight for the whole night, everything would be fine. It was that simple. They just had to make sure Horrin never saw the face of the boy sitting a few seats down from him. Simple.

  They were ushered through the grounds and into the manor, through a series of grand passageways, and then finally to the dining hall. Thane took a moment to admire the wealth that was displayed in every detail of decoration. It was almost as grand as his father's estate.

  Their escort led them into the hall and up to the dais where the Lord's table sat.

  "May I present—"

  Thane did not hear the rest of the introduction because his pulse was suddenly pounding in his ears. Sitting next to Horrin was Gunther, the one dragon hunter who knew Thane's face. The one they thought was dead. The slimy man was devouring a chicken drumstick, grease dripping down his stubble-covered chin onto his white linen shirt. His eyes were facing forward, watching the twirling dance of some traveler girls. At least he was distracted.

  Gunther, as if he could sense Thane's stare, or maybe it was that he could smell an enemy, turned his head. Less-than-intelligent eyes looked at Thane. Slower than a slug crawling up hill, recognition dawned in them. Thane's body went cold.

  A hand touched Thane's arm, breaking whatever held him frozen in place.

  "You all right?" Grahm's brow furrowed in concern briefly and then the expression was gone.

  Thane nodded. "Just tired." Something in the older man's eyes told Thane that he saw through the lie. But again, Grahm said nothing. Instead he directed Thane to a seat which, thankfully, was not the one next to Gunther. Grahm filled that seat himself. Had Thane given away the source of his anxiety? He could not be sure.

  As he pulled his chair out and bent down to sit next to Thane, Renick leaned in and whispered, "This is bad."

  Thane nodded his head just enough for Renick to catch the confirmation, and whispered back, "Forget the plan, and just eat as fast as you can."

  One of the servants making her way around the room deposited a tray of food in front of the three newcomers. Lord Krane stood and addressed the hall. Thane was too busy trying to get a glimpse of Gunther and Horrin—were they whispering to each other? He could not see around Grahm to be sure. He did not even realize that Lord Krane was giving a speech about their act of bravery until it was over. The hall erupted in applause and a few people shouted out praise. Grahm, Renick, and Thane were all urged to stand and bow.

  With some effort, Thane pushed himself to his feet. He noticed that Renick did the same, his movements stiff and wooden. To Thane everything was a blur. He could see the smiling faces around him, hear the applause, but it all seemed distant. Instead he felt the heat of a single, watchful eye. Thane resisted the desire to turn and face Horrin. He must act calm, indifferent.

  Grahm waved to the crowd, thanking them, and then returned to his seat. Thane hesitated for just a moment before doing the same. Gunther was whispering something to Horrin and staring right at Thane. Renick's assessment had been spot on—this was bad.

  The meal passed so slowly Thane was sure he would die of old age before they released him. Finally, Renick nudged Thane's elbow ever so slightly. Renick's eye lids started to droop then his head lulled forward. As his head went down Renick winked. Thane got the message. He faked a yawn and pretended to try to cover it up.

  From down the table a throaty laugh stood out from the din of the dining hall. It was Sir Gregori.

  "I believe our young heroes here have had quite the evening. Perhaps we should send them to their beds?" Many of the men laughed at this and banged the table with their tankards.

  "My old bones are calling for bed as well, M'lord," Grahm put in, stretching his arms. Thane thought he could hear the old man's joints creaking, but he knew Grahm was in excellent shape. He would probably live to be a hundred or more. Thane was grateful, though, because Grahm stood and said the farewells for all of them. Soon they were free to go.

  "We have to tell Lainey," Renick said once they were in the hall.

  "Tell Lainey what?" Grahm's ears were still as sharp as a fox's.

  "Lainey wanted to hear about the banquet. All the details, who was wearing what and all that girly stuff," Thane said quickly.

  "Not tonight." Grahm shook his head. "It's straight to bed for both of you. Thane, you have drills tomorrow, and there will no doubt be another dragon hunt soon now that the experts are here. Whether you are tired or not, you need rest."

  Renick opened his mouth to speak. Probably to say he did not have anything important to do the next day. But he could not get something like that past Grahm, who seemed to know everything.

  "And your uncle needs your help, Renick. You've left your duties to other hands too often lately. You can tell Lainey about this adventure tomorrow. Besides, it will give you more time to make up exciting details."

  Thane glanced over at Renick, who shrugged, as always.

  "Because I'm sure neither of you noticed any of the 'girly' things." By the look on Grahm's face, Thane knew it was supposed to be a joke. But he did not feel much like laughing. Not with Horrin and Gunther here. Not with them threatening his life, his friends, and
the Dragon Kind.

  Chapter 14: An Unusual Professor

  Renick sat on Lainey's bed with his legs folded under him. Lainey was staring at him, her jaw hanging open.

  "Gunther's alive?"

  "Yep," Thane said from where he was leaning against the wall near the open door. Melatheen insisted Lainey's bedroom door always remain open when they were in there together. Renick did not understand why, but they could not have this conversation downstairs.

  "Oh, my word." Lainey wrapped her arms around herself. "We need Wrytha."

  "I can't go. There's no way my uncle will let me go on another long hike in the woods—no matter what excuse I come up with." Renick leaned back on his elbows, and he and Lainey both looked over at Thane.

  "Sorry, I've got orders to stay in the city, in case there's another attack—or hunt."

  "I could …" Renick started to say but stopped. He had not taught Lainey Wrytha's magic yet. For a moment he tried to come up with another way. There was none.

  "Could what?" Lainey asked.

  "I could teach you the communication magic Wrytha told me about."

  Thane nodded his head. "Yes, yes. That's a good option. Go ahead."

  Renick had no idea where to start. Teaching Lainey how to use her magic to talk to Wrytha seemed like an impossible task.

  "You can do it," Lainey said, laying a hand on his shoulder and giving him an encouraging smile.

  "Shouldn't I say that to you?"

  Thane chuckled. "I'll leave you to it," he said. "Time to report for drills."

  Just as Thane was leaving, Melatheen came up the stairs. "Lainey, will you watch our patient? I need to go to market and pick up some supplies."

  "Sure." Lainey jumped up, her long hair bouncing around her head.

  Renick followed Melatheen and Lainey down into the main room of the house. Melatheen left right behind Thane, turning to wave to her niece. Lainey returned the gesture and shut the door. "Perfect, now we won't have to worry about anyone seeing."