Born of Blood (The Valdir Chronicles Book 3) Page 19

  Kalina was introduced to the piebald dragon, named Hinto. He had an easy laugh and he walked beside them, making jokes about them almost freezing to death.

  “You are like newborn dragons trying to walk on a frozen lake,” he pointed out with a deep chuckle as they slipped and slid on the hard-packed snow beneath the trees. Kalina was exhausted by the time any habitation came into view, her muscles screaming at keeping her upright and her bottom a little sore from slipping and falling a few times. Hinto had used his tail to help her up when she’d fallen.

  The village consisted of a few dozen log cabins, sturdily built, their entrances covered over in huge wolf furs, twice the size of any wolf pelts Kalina had ever seen. Leif nodded to them and whispered in her ear.

  “We have wolves that big in the Great Grey Mountains, but you rarely see them. Usually, only the dragons will spot them when flying very high and they are notoriously hard to kill.” He looked around at the houses that were slowly waking up, their inhabitants coming outside to see the newcomers and cook their breakfast over outdoor firepits. “These people are hearty and strong. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve killed this many of the beasts themselves, rather than the dragons.”

  Kalina saw a fierce respect in Leif’s eyes as he surveyed the Vanir. She knew her own people were strong, but the Vanir had successfully avoided detection for so long, and they had eked out an existence in such a harsh and barren landscape. Perhaps they were stronger than the Valdir.

  A cry caught Kalina’s attention and she looked up, surprised to see a familiar face among the gathering crowd of Vanir. Bri, the girl Eira had set in charge of her little brother Osian back in the Valdir camp, ran forward, her battle braids in disarray, fresh tears streaming down her face. She fell at Kalina’s feet and prostrated herself, sobbing. It took a moment for Kalina to parse out what she was saying.

  “Your Majesty, I am so s-sorry. I c-couldn’t get away, and th-then they had me!” Her sobs and hiccupping obscuring the rest of what she said. Kalina knelt before the girl and pulled her up, smoothing the hair away from the girl’s plump, freckled face.

  “Bri. There’s no need for tears. I am glad to see you alive.” She hugged the girl to her, and Bri’s arms went around her waist tightly. Kalina held in her questions for a moment, letting the girl relax. It was all she could do not to scream for her little brother, but she knew Bri would tell her what had happened once she’d calmed down. When Bri’s crying had lessened, Kalina lifted the girl’s face. “Where is Osian, Bri? Where is my brother?”

  “He’s here.”

  Kalina’s heart leapt in her chest and then she was standing, dragging Bri with her and then following the girl through the crowd, ignoring the curious faces of the Vanir arranged around them. Bri brought her to a warm looking hut with little windows cut into the wooden walls. The Valdir girl pushed back the door flap and Kalina followed her inside, hope raging through her for the first time in months. She had all but given up on her little brother, convinced that King Blackbourne had done something horrible to him. But suddenly, there he was, playing quietly on the floor of the hut, a Vanir woman quietly rocking in a chair nearby, making what looked like was one of those wrapping shawls she’d seen Sunniva and Astrid wearing.

  “Osian,” Kalina breathed before leaning down to scoop him up in a tight hug. He had grown since she’d last seen him, and he was sitting on his own, babbling baby sounds and learning to play with toys. She saw a little wooden dragon on the ground where he’d been a moment before. She breathed deep the sweet scent of him and felt some of the broken and lost pieces of her heart fall back into place. He was safe.

  Chapter 32

  “You are welcome here, Queen Kalina.” Sunniva stood in the doorway, watching as Kalina clutched her brother to her. Bri stood to the side, tears spilling down her freckled face. Kalina reached out an arm and Bri leaned into her side.

  “Thank you, Sunniva.” Kalina kissed her brother’s head and handed Osian back to Bri. Bri had carried him this far, she could trust the girl to take care of him a little longer. She turned to the older Vanir woman that sat in a chair, knitting needles in her hand, and gave her a slight bow. “And thank you for taking care of my brother and Bri.”

  The woman’s green eyes crinkled at the corners, her lined face kind. Despite her features, the woman was built like an ox, all broad shoulders and wiry muscles. She stood up and went to Bri, putting a hand on the young Valdir’s shoulder.

  “It was no trouble. Osian is a fine young man, and Bri is the bravest young lady I’ve seen in a long time. She says she wants to come to the castle when she grows up and serve under you.”

  Kalina looked to Bri and smiled.

  “I would be honored, Bri.”

  “I am Torill. The big man standing outside is Gunnar, my husband. This is our house, and you are welcome here.”

  Kalina glanced out the wolf skin door flap that Sunniva was holding aside and saw a big bear of a man standing beside Kari and Leif. Kari looked coiled, stretched taut as if she might snap at any moment. Leif was stony-faced and grim, his eyes fixed with intensity on her within the hut. She sighed. She couldn’t keep them waiting.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Torill. And thank you for letting us stay. But I must go reassure my companions and show them that Osian is alive and well.” She ran a hand over Osian’s head, ruffling his dark curls. Bri followed her out the door, Sunniva, and Torill in close pursuit.

  Astrid stood beside Gunnar, along with a few other Vanir, their hands not far from their weapons as they eyed Kalina and her companions. It seemed they were no more trusting than she trusted them, but here they were. They’d have to find a way to make peace. Kari rushed to Bri and Osian, kissing both the girl and the boy on their brows and hugging them tight. Leif laid a firm hand on Bri’s shoulder and gently touched Osian’s back, but his eyes never left Kalina, who turned back to the blue-eyed leader.

  “Sunniva, you said this is your village. Am I correct in assuming these are your people, and you’re their leader?” Sunniva was only a few years older than Kalina, perhaps in her mid-twenties, but she had an air of authority about her that was unmistakable.

  “You are correct.”

  “Then would you mind telling me how Bri and my brother arrived here, who the Vanir are, and how we’ve never known about another race of dragon rider before? And how do you know Lord Illeron? Why didn’t he tell me of your existence?” Kalina couldn’t help herself; the questions just poured from her like a dam breaking. Sunniva gave a small chuckle and put a hand on Kalina’s shoulder.

  “All in good time, Queen. First, let’s get you all a hot bath, clean and dry clothing, and something to eat. Then we will discuss your questions.”

  Kalina reluctantly agreed. Despite the gnawing questions, a hot bath sounded like the most heavenly thing in the world. She followed Sunniva and Astrid along with Kari to a communal women’s bathing house. It was situated over a small hot spring that sprang from a nearby rock formation and filled a small communal pool. A log house with two rooms had been built over the top, the pool split into two by a man-made dam, and the dirty water channeled outside the doors. Kalina slipped gratefully beneath the water and Astrid took away her and Kari’s clothing to be washed. The heat was heavenly, and soon Kalina was drifting in and out of consciousness, lulled into a light slumber by the rising steam and heat and the soft murmuring of voices that filled the bathhouse.

  “Kalina?” Kari’s voice made her sit upright, splashing slightly as she looked around, slightly confused. “You fell asleep and were snoring,” Kari said, splashing water at her with her fingertips. Kalina waved her away, yawning hugely and stretching. Despite the luxury of a hot bath and the bliss of dozing off, the weight of all that had happened settled back onto her shoulders and soon she was ruminating on what to do next.

  An hour later they were gathered in a large long log-built hall that was clearly used for communal eating, celebrating, and meetings. There were long benches set ar
ound huge pinewood tables. Kalina, Kari, Leif, Bri, and Osian sat on one side of one, while Sunniva, Astrid, Torill, and Gunnar sat on the opposite. Kalina couldn’t help but marvel at the similarities between the Vanir and the Valdir. Even their names had been drawn from the Runark language, spoken by the gods. And now, with her people dressed in their off-whites, greys, and blues, they looked more alike than different. So many questions filled her head, but she had to pick the right ones. First things first.

  “How did Bri and Osian come to be here?” she asked, stroking her brother’s soft brown curls as he lay against her breast, sleeping.

  “We often fly patrols across the Riverlands to the southern mountains. Usually, we are hunting, sometimes we are searching for supplies. One such patrol a few months ago came across a small party, armed to the teeth, dragging a silver-haired girl and a baby through the snow. We don’t abide violence against children, let alone children who look like they could be one of our own. So we rescued her and the baby. She told us her story, told us of the Valdir, and an ancient myth among our people was suddenly confirmed,” Sunniva concluded.

  “What myth?” Kari asked, picking absently at the scarf that covered her torso. She looked softer somehow. The lighter colors smoothed out Kari’s rough edges.

  “The myth that we weren’t alone. That millennia ago we split from a larger group of dragon riders and came north. The reason for the split is long lost to the snows, but the myth that we are descended from a southern race of dragon riders has been passed down for generations. Bri confirmed that for us.”

  Kalina frowned. If they knew Lord Illeron, then how could they not know about her? The story wasn’t quite adding up.

  “But then how do you know Lord Illeron?”

  Sunniva shook her head.

  “We don’t know this Lord Illeron personally. But we do know one trader, whose name is Bron, who knows where we are. He signaled that he was coming yesterday evening and we met him in the woods after midnight. He told us that we would find three strangers by the river and that they would need our help. He told us one of you would be named Queen Kalina. When he told us that, we knew he told the truth for Bri had mentioned you before. So as soon as the light came, we went searching for you.”

  “How have you never heard of the Valdir before? We were in a war with Askor for over a century, and it only ended a few decades ago. And for the last year, I’ve been at war with a prince of Askor who had taken the Ethean throne from my mother.” Kalina shook her head in disbelief. “How could you not have known?”

  Sunniva shrugged noncommittally.

  “We never cared to know. For hundreds of years, the King of Askor has hunted us, and whenever we were caught or captured, we were either tortured or sold into slavery. It is a well-kept secret, I imagine. And so in order to avoid that fate, we all fled into the wilderness, only coming out when absolutely necessary. We isolated ourselves from the rest of the world.”

  “Are there more of you than in this village?” Leif asked, ever the tactician. Kalina let a small smile flit across her lips at him before turning back to Sunniva. This village seemed small in comparison with her own Valdiran camp in the mountains, but she had seen enough to know the small huts and structures sprawled out into the mountains around them. She was sure it was larger than she thought.

  “There are seven Vanir clans, each living in villages throughout the Ice Fang Mountains. We often trade with one another but all of us remain hidden from the outside world, beholden to no one.”

  Kalina understood that all too well. Her people had fled from Ethean rule to escape a war that they were losing. They fled to keep their people safe, much like the Vanir.

  “So, the King of Askor knows about you?” She was genuinely surprised that Blackbourne hadn’t mentioned it, or used it as a way to control her.

  “The current one has been particularly cruel, and only those high up in his court know of our existence. A few years back they attacked one of our villages and killed many, and enslaved a few, mostly Vanir women. The noblemen keep them locked in their private estates, not allowed out, not allowed freedom.” Sunniva’s voice had grown bitter. “Many of us lost friends and family that day. I lost someone I loved dearly.” Her face had fallen, her usual tough exterior cracking for a moment.

  “Then I have a proposition for you, Sunniva.” Kalina handed the sleepy Osian back to Bri. “The King of Askor captured our dragons and some of our people. They languish within his walls while he amasses his armies to attack our country. Will you help us free our dragons, and fight back against the King of Askor? He has declared war on Ethea for the second time, and especially on the Valdir by capturing our dragons and we will not stand for it.” Suddenly, the vague outlines of a plan began taking shape in her mind. “Will you join us?”

  Sunniva looked to her companions, who had stayed quiet throughout the exchange. Astrid’s face was fierce as she nodded to her leader. Torill and Gunnar nodded as well and Kalina relaxed slightly at their acceptance. Sunniva turned back to Kalina and her companions, looking them in the eyes before resting on Kalina.

  “We will call all seven clans for a Gunnlaug and make a plan.”

  “What is a Gunnlaug?” Kari asked.

  “A great gathering of the clans.” Sunniva smiled grimly at them all and a spark of hope caught in Kalina’s chest. Perhaps they would join her. Perhaps they had a chance. Perhaps, with her own forces rallied and these Vanir fighting by her side, they could take back their dragons and their people from Askor and finally win the war.

  “Then let’s get started,” Kalina said, smiling back.

  Chapter 33

  Kalina stepped out of Torill’s cabin and headed back to the gathering hall. She’d just put Osian to bed, with Bri falling asleep beside him, and the fires in the small village were growing dim. The only light that penetrated the dense trees was the flickering of campfire light and the occasional star that poked through a break in the canopy overhead.

  They had spent the entire afternoon and evening brainstorming ideas for how to attack the castle, how many troops they’d need, and how to free their captive dragons. Kalina had penned letters to both Eira and Rangvald, as well as to the monarchs of Ablen and Wostrad. Despite the chilly departure of Wostrad’s delegation a few months ago, she hoped that they might join with her, along perhaps with Ablen, in fighting against Askor. She hoped with all her heart that Ablen answered the call, or they would be sorely outnumbered.

  What Askor lacked in resources, they made up for in military might. Most of their young boys attended their prestigious military academy that sat just off the northwestern tip of Askor in a city called Stormbell. Kalina had only read about it in books in Askor’s library, but it seemed that their men and boys were trained for military life at a young age. Once they graduated, they were given professions, and then they bided their time. Once war was declared, the men of the country would gather at the capital to receive their orders. Kalina didn’t know their exact numbers, but considering how depleted her own army and people were, she knew it would be more than they could defeat in battle. So she would need allies, as many as she could get, and as many aerial troops as could be found.

  She was still contemplating their plan when a hand shot out of the dark and grabbed her wrist. Within mere heartbeats, she had drawn a blade and had it poised to slit the throat of her attacker, her body quivering with anticipation of a fight. But the face that loomed out of the velvety darkness was Leif’s, his grey eyes wide in astonishment. Kalina let out a breath and lowered her knife.

  “Don’t scare me like that. I could have gutted you.”

  “And I would have let you, my Queen.” His voice was silky and quiet and seemed to slide over her skin like water. She looked more deeply into his eyes and saw the truth written there. He wouldn’t have fought her, he would have let her kill him.

  “Why?” she breathed. His hand on her wrist loosened as he stepped back a pace and Kalina felt the distance between them grow by miles. />
  “Because it is your right, as my Queen.”

  Anger, bright and vicious, bloomed up within her. She had finally had enough of his distance, his formality, his disinterest. She wanted this settled once and for all.

  “You know I had no choice, Leif. It was either marry Simen or plunge us into war.” Her voice was harsh but she didn’t care as she continued. “But you abandoned me. You left me as soon as the going got tough. As soon as you realized you couldn’t have me for yourself, you left.”

  She watched in satisfaction as his face crumpled. Good. She was finally getting through to him. Finally crumbling that stony exterior.

  “What was I supposed to do? Be your man on the side? Pine after you while you went off and married a foreign prince? I couldn’t do that. So I ended it.”

  “We didn’t even talk about it. There was no discussion.”

  “You’re right, my Queen,” he practically spat. “There was no discussion because you made the decision without me. So I made mine without you.”

  “Did you ever really love me?” she asked, her anger beginning to fade. He was right, after all, she had put them in this situation in the first place. How could she truly blame him for trying to save himself?

  “I did, once.”

  Leif let go of her wrist then and turned to stalk away into the darkness. Kalina felt deflated, empty. And all she wanted was to call after him, to tell him to stop, that she wanted to be with him. But in the wake of all that had happened, she knew he’d feel like it was a consolation prize. And she didn’t want that for him. She swallowed hard against the tears that threatened to flow down her cheeks and turned back towards the long wooden hall and the light that spilled from its door. She had cried over him enough. She had other things to worry about than a jilted lover. They were at war.