Prior

He waited at the places Danna had specified. She’d left a note saying that he shouldn’t ride.

“Hello,” he jumped hearing Nika’s voice.

“Goddess, Nika,” he shuddered as she laughed. “What are you doing here?”

“The wind told me you were standing on a rock like a fool,” she grinned. He looked at her.

“The wind told you?” He asked. She nodded. “Nika, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you have become very strange.” She laughed. “I think I’m being taken to see the dragons.”

“Oh,” she said, “with your barmaid?” He glared at her. “Should I stay? Do you need a chaperone?”

“Nika,” he sighed and pressed his hands to his nose. “Did the wind tell you about Danna, too?”

“You aren’t Caro’s only correspondent,” she said. He nodded. “Do try not to get to broken hearted, this time,” she teased. He shook his head and she disappeared.

“Who were you talking to?” Danna climbed from the horizon. He exhaled.

“The wind, it turns out,” he said. She looked at him strangely. “Do you know any witches? They’re difficult.” Her face turned up into a smile.

“I’m sure they are,” she said. “Come on, it’s not too far.” They walked under the stars in silence, but it wasn’t awkward, he realized, it was the kind of comfortable lack of sound that meant there was nothing to be said that couldn’t be understood otherwise. They arrived at an older homestead and walked past a small stone cottage.

“Yours?” Prior asked.

“It used to be,” Danna said, a lifetime of memories poured into those four words. He understood that, thinking of the small clapboard house he’d lived in with his father before everything. The walked further back to a large wooden structure, a barn, and Danna threw open the doors. “Commander Prior Chastain,” she said, “may I present Seshi, Lord of Dragonkind, and my friend.”

Prior stood, stunned. Before him was a large dragon, a deep purple color, with amber horns and wide yellow eyes. Danna was petting it’s neck like it was a horse.

“Commander,” the dragon’s voice was a low rumble.

“My lord,” He bowed. “I bring the fondest greetings from my queen, Annalise Dovetail, Chosen of Cornan and Sword of The Goddess Rana.” The dragon bowed back.

“My wing and I owe your queen a debt of gratitude,” he said. Prior smiled gently.

“She would not consider it so, she would say that she did her duty,” he said. Lord Seshi nodded. “Though I am sure she would be honored to meet you.”

“As you say,” Lord Seshi nodded. “Danna Finn, I like this one. He is polite.” Danna smiled.

“He is that,” she said. “If you really think you can help me leave, I want to.” Prior’s heart skipped. She was asking him for help. He would happily give it.

“Of course,” he said. The dragon huffed. “I take it this is not the first time this conversation has happened.”

“I have spent the last two years asking for this,” Lord Seshi said.

“Yes, yes,” Danna sighed. “And I did know that Cole was a bastard, but I didn’t realize he was lying to me.” Prior nodded.

“We will burn his silly mine to ash and then fly off to glory,” Lord Seshi said. “I would rip is guts out with my claws but I know you do not wish this.” The dragon was going to get along very well with Athena, Prior considered.

“We can just go,” Danna said, “that is if you can,” she looked at Prior again, her wide brown eyes softer than he’d ever seen them. He exhaled, took her hand and kissed it.

“You’ve answered my questions,” he said softly. “Let me bring you home.” She smiled.

“Good,” she said softly. “I need to know Tanner and his family are safe, before we do.”

“Of course,” Prior nodded. Though he doubted the tavern keeper needed the help. He liked her loyalty. She smirked at him. “Anything else?”

“Will Jade mind terribly?” She pouted. He sighed.

“I did try to be discreet,” he said. She shrugged.

“It’s fine,” she said, “she didn’t gossip about it, but she was walking around looking quite smug for a day or two.” He laughed. “Seshi, will the others want to join us?”

“They will have no choice,” he said with a nod. Danna inhaled sharply and looked at him.

She’d been buried, for years, he could see, but there was a warrior in there, fighting to get out. The dragon clearly saw it too. He would gladly nourish her.

“Commander,” the dragon said, “I would speak to my rider privately.” Prior nodded. He kissed Danna’s hand.

“We’ll talk later,” he assured her. She smiled. He bowed to Lord Seshi again, got on the horse and rode back into town. He dismounted, ready to write a full report to send off in the morning. This was too much for the candle.

He opened the door and frowned, looking around. It was early for the full empty and quiet. He was so lost in a haze when he felt the two sets of arms grip him and the bag get thrown over his head, he flipped one of them to the ground with a thud but the other managed to tie his hands. He kicked.

“Now, Commander,” Cole’s cool voice cut through. “There’s no need for that. I think we just need to have a little chat.”