Born of Stone (The Valdir Chronicles) Read online

  “Yes, your Highness. I am organizing a group to search the woods now.” He turned to Cherise and gave her a bow. “Your Highness, I am glad to finally meet you. I am Sci, the commander of the King’s army. Would you show me on a map where the bandits usually hide?”

  “I’d be happy to, Commander.” She followed him inside a tent where a small table was covered in maps of Ethea and the Great Grey Mountains. She looked over them curiously, for some of the maps held locations and names she had never heard of.

  “The bandits come from the Badlands to the south of us. But sometimes they range north into our woods. They attack the town of Pinefair on the coast at least once every fortnight.” She pointed to parts of the map south of Ravenhelm, the capital of Ethea. “I would start just south of us and then sweep west.”

  “Thank you, your Highness. I will let my men know.”

  “Commander, I wonder if I might ask a favor?” she asked as he began to leave the tent. He paused and turned back to her.

  “Of course.”

  “Could I have a copy of these maps? They contain places unknown to me, and I’d like to study them.”

  “They contain places only known to the Valdir, your Highness. But I think I can arrange to have copies sent to you.” He bowed to her and left the tent. She stayed for a moment, admiring the maps, and then rejoined Geir and Hakon outside. Kaya was now a dozen feet away chatting with a large red dragon.

  “Would you like to go for a short flight to the castle? Your guards can take back the horses,” Hakon suggested.

  Cherise’s heart leapt in her chest, butterflies taking flight in her stomach.

  “I would be honored,” she whispered, too excited and scared to speak. Geir went to tell her guards, one of whom insisted on flying with Geir. Soon, the four of them were mounted atop Kaya, and Geir’s red dragon, Enola. Cherise’s stomach was flip-flopping inside her as she clutched at Hakon who sat astride Kaya. It was difficult to sit astride so large a beast in a riding skirt, but for the first time in her life, she didn’t care one wit for propriety. She was on a dragon!

  The flight to the castle courtyard was possibly the best and worst moment in Cherise’s life. She was thrilled to be flying, but the act of flying was terrifying. She hadn’t known how afraid of heights she was until she was a few thousand feet up with nothing but a few leather straps holding her in. She clung tightly to Hakon, who laughed breathlessly and tried in vain to pry her fingers loose. When they landed with a jarring thump in the courtyard, a cloud of dust rising around them, she let out a long sigh of relief and finally loosed her grip on his middle.

  “You about crushed the life out of me,” he laughed, rubbing his sore ribs. She smiled sheepishly.

  “I’m sorry. As it turns out, I’m absolutely terrified of heights.” She laughed at herself.

  “Then we’ll just have to get you used to flying.”

  Her stomach flipped over violently at the thought and she swallowed hard against the bile that rose in her throat. She nodded hesitantly, but in her heart knew she’d never get on a dragon again unless she had to.

  A man came running into the courtyard and Cherise recognized him. He slowed to a quick walk until he was near them.

  “What is it, Lord Illeron?”

  The tall man bowed to her before speaking.

  “Your fathers request your presence in the council chamber, your Highnesses. There’s been news,” he addressed both her and Hakon. They looked at each other before saying goodbye to Kaya and Enola and followed Lord Illeron, Geir not far behind.

  Chapter 5

  “The Askorians have attacked the Cragmeer mines and are holding some of our people hostage. They’ve already killed one dragon and a few miners, but the rest are being held within the mine. One of our villages is only a few hours away on foot,” King Natan of the Valdir said once the council chamber was full. Cherise shot Hakon a look and she could see he was held as taut as a bowstring.

  “That is the furthest into the mountains they’ve managed to get a force,” King Stanchon said rubbing his eyes. “We need a different plan. Their ships are attacking Blackwater as we speak and soon they’ll make their way south. If they attack here, at Ravenhelm, then we’ve got very little in the way of protection for the citizens of Ethea.”

  Cherise could see the worry and fear in her father’s face. She knew how much he cared for his people, even if he didn’t always show it. She wished with all her heart that she could do something. But all she could think of was that she could help in the infirmary or the kitchens; small things, nothing of any real consequence. She and Hakon had already reported about the bandits, but this was a more pressing issue. Finally, Hakon spoke up.

  “Father, why don’t you and Sci go there now. You can evacuate the village and then attack the mine. Surely we can save at least some of the trapped miners and Valdir.” He looked genuinely worried for his people and Cherise’s heart gave a small flip in her chest.

  “That’s a good idea, your Highness,” Lord Illeron said. “Once the Cragmeer mines are freed, then your force can drive westward and help Blackwater. Perhaps we can stall their march south.”

  “Most of my people have so far refused to evacuate,” King Natan said, looking at his son. “But what you say has wisdom. I will go, but you and Geir must stay here. I will leave you a few guards and I expect a report every week. You need to be my eyes and ears here as well as my mouthpiece.” He turned to King Stanchon. “Assuming that is alright with you, your Majesty.”

  “Yes, yes.” Cherise’s father waved his hand in agreement. “The Prince will stay and you will go free our people. But I expect to see you at Blackwater by the end of a fortnight.”

  Cherise watched Hakon’s father’s face harden for a moment before he bowed slightly in response.

  “Of course, your Majesty.”

  It was strange to realize exactly how beholden the Valdir were to Ethea, Cherise thought, watching Hakon and his father making plans. What was their stake in this war anyway? Yes, the Prince was engaged to her, although she wasn’t sure even he knew it. But couldn’t the Valdir just get on their dragons and fly away, find someplace safe? The Great Grey Mountains had always been their home, and although Ethea technically had control over those mountains, the Valdir had always been separate. Was this about land? Or just about power? It troubled her that she didn’t really understand why King Natan was fighting Ethea’s battles, but she supposed she was grateful anyways.

  When the council was dismissed, Cherise wandered out into the hall, lost in her own thoughts. A light hand on her shoulder had her pull up short. Hakon stood behind her, his handsome face a mask of worry.

  “Could we go for a walk?” he asked and she nodded in agreement, taking his arm and leading him away. He still limped but it seemed to not be bothering him as much. Geir followed behind but Cherise didn’t mind. She liked the grey-eyed Valdir.

  She led him down the corridors, aiming for her second favorite place in the castle, a place they hadn’t yet been. Hakon was silent as they walked, clearly lost in his own thoughts. Cherise let go of his arm finally and pushed open the huge oak doors to the castle library. Hakon finally seemed to come out of his thoughts and he looked around with interest.

  “This is my other favorite place in the castle,” she said, reaching out to take his hand. When his skin touched hers she had to suppress a shiver of delight.

  “It’s huge! I’ve never seen a place so big in all my life!” Hakon exclaimed as he followed her into the dim interior.

  A small desk sat before the door and behind it sat an old man with a cloud of white hair that stood out from his head in all directions. He had on spectacles and a long black robe covering his thin frame. His smile was warm and kind.

  “Hello, Alexil. This is Prince Hakon of the Valdir. Hakon, this is my good friend, Scholar Alexil,” Cherise said cheerily.

  “Pleased to meet you, your Highness,” Alexil said, giving the Prince a deep bow from his chair behind the desk, the t
op of his head almost touching the desk’s surface. “I’ve always loved meeting Cherise’s friends.” He beamed at the Princess and she smiled back.

  “Alexil has always been there for me,” she explained to Hakon. “He taught me to read and write, and he taught me about dragons.” She winked at the Prince, who chuckled. He knew as well as she did that much of what she had learned about dragons from books was useless. Reading about them and seeing or speaking to them was a completely different matter.

  “Scholar Alexil, I have a few volumes I’d like to add to your library if you wouldn’t mind me bringing them by later? One is an account from a Valdir perspective on the lifespan of a dragon, and the other was dictated to a Valdir by a dragon. That one is historical in nature,” Hakon said politely. Cherise’s and Alexil’s eyes went wide at the thought.

  “Why, I would be honored, your Highness! Just honored!” Alexil said in awe.

  “This evening, then.” Hakon gave the scholar a smile and then looked to Cherise. She shook her head in astonishment and then gestured for him to follow her.

  “I’ll take you to my favorite place.”

  She led him through rows and rows of books, stretching out as far as the eye could see in the gloom of the ill-lit library. While they walked, she explained why the library was so dark, and why there were only small lamps on the tables that dotted the center of the room.

  “It’s so that none of the pages get faded in the light, and also so that the risk of fire is low,” she said.

  “Do you have to worry about it getting damp?” he said as he admired the stacks.

  “No, there are ventilation shafts all over the library, spanning all three floors. It ensures that there isn’t too much moisture.”

  They stopped before a small table at the far corner. It was tucked away from the rest of the tables and two very plush chairs were pushed up beside it. Cherise reached down and used the small box of matches to light the lamp there and then sat down, a small puff of dust rising around her. She laughed and then coughed which made him laugh and cough.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind,” Cherise said as their coughing finally subsided and they sat together in the silence of the library. Geir had taken a seat a way down the line of shelves, just out of earshot, and in the dim grey light, he was hard to make out. Hakon let out a long sigh.

  “I am afraid, Cherise.”

  She sat back in her chair, shocked. She would never have guessed that a man as brave as him could be afraid.

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “The responsibility. My father going back into the thick of the fighting. I was so relieved when he said we were coming here. It meant he’d be safe. So would Geir and Sci. But now, I’m expected to help him lead from afar. Who will watch his back?” He put his head into his hands. “What if Askor succeeds? Then our ancestral home will be taken from us.”

  Warmth bloomed in Cherise’s chest. She felt so privileged that the Prince of the Valdir was confiding in her. So, she decided to return the favor.

  “I’m scared, too,” she admitted. He looked up at her then, his bright blue eyes boring into hers. “I’m scared that I’ll inherit a throne to a destitute and empty kingdom. I’m scared we will lose everything. And I’m scared for your father, too.”

  He nodded while she was speaking.

  “I’ll be here for you as much as I can, Cherise,” he said, reaching across the small table and taking her hand in his. She smiled.

  “And I’ll help you however I can. Just tell me, and I’ll make it happen.”

  He returned her smile, and then his eyes drifted to her mouth. Cherise’s heart began to race, as he shifted forward, bringing them within a foot of each other, leaning over the table. Cherise leaned forward too, bringing their lips closer. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure that Geir could hear it. She shot a look sideways, searching for the silver-haired Valdir in the gloom but was pulled back into the moment by the feel of Hakon’s cool hand on her cheek.

  She looked into his blue eyes for a moment before leaning all the way forward and pressing her lips to his. The kiss was gentle at first, longing and sweet, but soon it deepened and she found herself tilting as if she was going to fall into an abyss that she couldn’t get out of.

  Abruptly she pulled away, breaking the contact and panting slightly. Hakon grinned at her and she lightly touched her lips. They felt different than before. She’d kissed other boys, noblemen’s sons mostly, but none of them seemed to change her. Not in the way the kiss with Hakon had. She stood and made an awkward curtsey, as Hakon continued to grin at her.

  “Thank you,” she said and then fled the library.

  Chapter 6

  A few days later, after a particularly grueling council meeting to make decisions on what kinds of foods to send to the Valdir fighting in the mountains, King Osian Stanchon called Cherise as she was about to leave.

  “Cherise, please stay and speak with me,” he said as she paused in the doorway, looking back.

  “Of course, Father.” She came to sit beside him, Lord Illeron nodding to them both as he left the chambers. Cherise caught sight of Hakon lurking outside and she waved him off. She would go find him later. After their first kiss in the library, they’d met there or in the gardens every day. There had been more kissing, but mostly talking and enjoying each other’s company.

  “I’d like to talk to you about the Prince,” her father began as Lord Illeron closed the council room doors behind him. Cherise’s back stiffened.

  “What about him?”

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about since you’ve reached the age of majority.”

  Cherise waved a hand in the air.

  “I know about the engagement with Hakon, Father,” she said, trying to stall whatever he was going to say. “And I have to say that I’m surprisingly happy with the match.” She smiled down at her hands as she said this. But her father cleared his throat.

  “No, that’s not what I meant. Hakon is a nice boy, Cherise. But as Princess of Ethea and my only heir, you have certain responsibilities. Marriage is not meant to be fun. It is not based upon love, not for us anyway. It is a duty. And one that you will enter into willingly.” He was getting more serious by the minute. “I am not sure anymore that a marriage to Hakon is the right move. We may have to look farther afield. Wostrad maybe, or Ablen, or perhaps even Askor. You need a strong king by your side, and we need allies.”

  Cherise didn’t know what to say. She was so shocked by his words she could barely put two thoughts together. Why would he change his mind so suddenly? Hadn’t Hakon shown his worth in the council chamber? Her heart began to race in her chest.

  “I know that you like him, Cherise, but don’t get too attached. The Valdir are invaluable to us, and they are fierce fighters, as are their dragons, but I’m not entirely convinced that they will be the key to victory,” he continued, rubbing his forehead again.

  But this time, Cherise didn’t feel any sympathy for his plight.

  “I won’t marry anyone else, Father,” she said, her conviction clear.

  “You will, Cherise. If I tell you to marry a pig, you will obey me.”

  Cherise stared at him, anger and sadness warring inside her. How could he force this upon her? But as she watched, she saw the sadness that he carried within him as well. She saw what this war was costing him.

  “You would marry me off to Askor if it would end the war?” she asked softly.

  “Yes. I would. And I intend to send the King of Askor a letter.”

  Her face fell, defeated. She was empty inside. It was too late to not get attached. She already felt for Hakon something she’d never felt for anyone else. How was she going to tell him?

  “May I go now?” she whispered, staring at her hands and willing the threatening tears not to fall.

  “Yes, of course. Just keep that in mind.” Her father waved his hand to dismiss her and then turned back to the empty council chamber, his face sullen.
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  She stood swiftly and left the chamber, hurrying down the hall and making first for Hakon’s suite of rooms. She hoped he’d be there, or perhaps down in the practice ground. When he wasn’t with her, those were his usual haunts within the castle.

  She was lucky that when she knocked, Hakon answered. She strode into his rooms without an invitation and sat down on the edge of his bed. He softly closed the door and came over to her, frowning. He knelt, taking her hands in his.

  “What is it?”

  “My father just told me not to get too attached to you. That our engagement might not happen!” She burst out with it, unable to hold her anger and sadness inside. Hakon sat back on his heels but never let go of her hands.

  “What engagement?” he asked, bewildered.

  “Your father and my father agreed, when we were small children, that we should marry. It was one of the reasons the Valdir continued to fight for Ethea.” Cherise knew it wasn’t the only reason the Valdir fought for Ethea, but the other reasons didn’t matter just then.

  “How long have you known about this,” he asked. His voice was cold now and she looked up in surprise at his face. But his anger didn’t seem to be for her, rather for his own father, as hers was for her own.

  “I overheard them speaking about it the day after you arrived. At first, I was angry, but-” she trailed off, looking into his eyes. “Now, I know in my heart I don’t want any other.”

  Hakon sucked in a breath, his handsome face searching hers for the truth of her words.

  “I don’t want anyone else either, Cherise.” He looked down at their entwined hands. “I’ve been wanting to say this ever since the bandit attack. I love you.”

  Cherise’s breath hitched and she let out a small sob.

  “I love you too, Hakon. But my father-”

  He interrupted her by standing and gathering her into his arms, burying his face in her blonde hair.

  “Your father is only doing what is best for his country. Not what is best for you.” She began to sob harder at his words. “And as much as I want this engagement to be real, to be set in stone, there’s nothing we can do about it. We each have a responsibility to our people, to the realm.”