Page 48 of Consort's Dragon
a promise to keep,
to defeat what’s now awake.
She’ll sail across the oceans
with a treasure worth more than gold,
awakening the dragon
to face a mighty foe.
Atop its back she’ll swoop right in,
bravely and with grace,
to kill the monster woken,
and save all from a dire fate.
And with that as their belted reply, they set sail for Merisu.
Chapter12
Sleep proved impossible for Avera.The attack and the realization Zhos could so easily spread its influence meant she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t find slumber.In the throne room, an agitated Titus belted out orders such as saddling all the horses, including one for her.
Prielli helped Avera to bathe the blood from her flesh, bind her wounds, and dress in a riding habit.Her maid would be joining the caravan that would set out at first light.
As dawn brightened the sky, Avera found herself standing in the courtyard as soldiers began moving out, a thunder of hooves as they provided a vanguard for the emperor who would follow.
Titus sat atop a massive stallion.He and his steed both wore golden-hued armor which glinted as the sun’s rays struck it.For Avera, a gray stallion awaited.A nice enough horse whose main drawback was that it wasn’t Luna.However, given the choice, Avera preferred riding to being stuck in a carriage.
In a rarity, she required a stepping stool to get into the saddle.The armor Titus insisted she wear—a chain mail vest and helm—made her heavy and unwieldy.She would have argued, but she understood the need for it.Titus wasn’t taking chances on another assassin or possessed person trying to take her out while she rode in the open.
The viziers accompanied them, the trio ensconced in a carriage with its curtains drawn.She’d yet to meet them, although she’d seen from afar the mysterious women in white robes that included feature-covering headpieces.They floated to and fro, seemingly serving no purpose other than unnerving the staff who worked around them.
When it came time to leave, to Avera’s surprise, the entire city turned out to watch, waving from windows, lining the streets, cheering and wishing the emperor and his soon-to-be consort a fertile future.There seemed to be a general consensus that this was a marriage procession, but she didn’t confront Titus about the misassumption until they’d exited the city and begun their trek to Mount Ygnis.
She brought her horse up alongside Titus’ and asked, “Who told your citizens we were going to get married on this journey?”
“Me.”
Her lips pinched as he didn’t even try and deny where the belief originated.“Why would you do that when you know I haven’t agreed to anything?”
“Because Mount Ygnis is where emperors marry, a tradition going back to the time of dragons.Given you’re accompanying me, and I wasn’t about to reveal our true plan, it seemed best to tell the people what they expected to hear.That you and I will be wed.”
“You shouldn’t lie,” Avera chided.
“Who says it’s a lie?We have several days of travelling for me to convince you,” he riposted.“Prepare to be charmed.”
Her lips couldn’t help but curve.“You are persistent.”
“Because I want you as my consort.”
“But why?I fail to see the advantage for you.”Avera was the one who most needed this alliance, however, she hesitated, partially because she didn’t completely trust Titus, but also because she couldn’t help wondering if Griff lived.
“No advantage to having a beautiful and intelligent consort?”
She snorted.“There are many women who would fit that criteria who don’t come with as much drama.”
