Page 81 of Lady Dragon
And then Kirek did the most un-dragon-like thing ever. She turned to Valraka and said,I love Samansa, Daughter Heir of Andrath, and I want to be with her forever. I declare my love and my intention before you, so that you know it is true, and so you understand I will do anything to keep her safe. And know this, as well: As far as all are concerned here, you challenged Pavak for the title of Queen Mother because she was losing herself to madness. And you bested her.
Valraka’s red eyes narrowed.And what will I owe you for this…truth? And what will you giveme, beyond a title I did not earn, for the dishonor of bearing it?
The honor of knowing that you alone kept the peace between our realms, Kirek said,and averted another War of Fire.
Valraka hissed.We both know that’s a lie.Youdid, and now I must challenge—
Staying your claw is the challenge, cousin, not killing me, Kirek interrupted.But if your mother’s defeat by me is a future threat against your rule, then I give you as good as my defeat, beyond the assurance my word should provide—I give you my exile.She glanced down at Samansa.I will go live in the human realm, whether or not we can find the second Heartstone. I will remain by Samansa’s side until death, and be your representative in Andrath as long as I live. I will swear it to you now, and I will again beforewhomever you wish—whatever it takes to secure your position. Anything I could try to claim after that would be the lie. The dishonor on my name, not yours.Kirek bowed her head low.Queen Mother.
Samansa felt it prudent to add, “And you will have those hunting grounds in Solomir I promised, as a peace offering.”
She hoped they were still hers to promise, anyway—rather, still her mother’s, for the princess to offer on her behalf. Her mother would’ve had to have remained queen for that to be possible. Better yet, remainedalive.
But if Samansa had made it back from the dead, she was certain her mother would never have surrendered in the first place.
Valraka eyed her, considering.Many are disgruntled that the chance to have them freely, without bloodshed, was lost with the last Queen Mother’s death—lost with you.She turned back to Kirek.So, what I will gain is only half my question. What do I oweyouin return, for your voluntary exile and abdication?
“That, I can also answer,” Samansa said. She glanced around with a shudder. “But first, can we please leave this wretched cave?”
She and Kirek flew through day and night after retrieving the saddle, which was miraculously still functional, somehow. It was as burned and battered as Samansa was—or even Kirek. But as exhausted and haggard as they both were, they soared to Andrath with all haste, not stopping to rest.
Her mother hadn’t surrendered, in truth. But she was besieged, Samansa saw from her vantage up high on Kirek’s back, as they approached the queen’s castle from the air.
Just in time. At least, Samansa hoped they were still in time. Her mother’s flags still flew from the heights of the blue keep, but the city was surrounded. Her eyes picked out the banners in the encamped army—Tordall’s forces. But he wasn’t attacking, hadn’t breached the city walls, only blockaded them. No smoke drifted with the mist winding between the verdant green hills around the city—oh, how much Samansa had missed her home—so that was something, at least.
Inside the castle, however, was Branon’s army. Hehadbreached even the castle grounds and surrounded the very keep. His forces were encamped directly in front of the gates before the moat.
Was Tordall on Branon’s side, or against him? Or was the commander of the queen’s forces merely waiting for the outcome at the keep to decide?
He was an absolute coward, if so, and Samansa would have misread him her entire life. Jamsens had only ever respected him as a father and a leader, and Tordall himself had produced someone as brave and loyal as Jamsens.
But Tordall had also raised Branon, and Branon had murdered Jamsens.
How do you wish to approach?Kirek asked as they circled the city.
“Directly,” Samansa called over the wind. “Put us between Branon and my mother. I want to confront him immediately. I want my mother to know that I stand with her against him. Thatsomeoneis on her side, and that she’s not alone.”
She’s certainly not alone, and your plan is admirable, if dangerous.Kirek hummed beneath her.I approve.
Samansa rolled her eyes, becauseof courseKirek wouldapprove of charging right in, but her admiration still made the princess smile and flush with pleasure.
Kirek dropped down over the keep, causing shouts of alarm to rise beneath them. She roared, blowing fire above the soldiers’ heads and clearing a space to land—right where the drawbridge would lower. The best spot to protect the gates. Samansa grimaced as she saw archers readying their bows.
“Hold!” a voice cried, and the archers obeyed. No arrows were loosed as she and Kirek landed in the wide stone courtyard before the keep.
Samansa recognized the voice that had given the order, and it made her skin crawl. She wasn’t surprised that Branon didn’t want to shoot at first sight. He believed the dragons had stood aside, after all. He wouldn’t want to risk provoking them, even if he likely recognized Kirek, never mind the redheaded girl on her back. For all he knew, Kirek was still in good standing with the dragons—and her mother was stillQueen Mother.
Samansa dismounted as Branon strode within range of hearing, a line of troops at his back. Perhaps wisely, he came no closer. Still, Samansa tugged her kerchief into place to hide the strange starburst in her chest.
“Back from the dead,” Branon said, and Samansa nearly laughed, because he didn’t know how true that was. “Have you come to offer me your surrender, sister, in our mother’s stead?” he asked blithely. “Perhaps you will be able to talk some sense into her. Tordall hasn’t yet succeeded.”
“Tordall is in there, with Mother?” Samansa asked, glancing up at the keep. “He’s not turned against her? Or has he?”
Branon shrugged. “Not yet. As the head of the queen’s forces,he, at least, sees reason, unlike our dear mother. She wants him to attack me, but her forces are out there and mine are in here. He’s hoping we can resolve this peacefully.”
Samansa folded her arms and glared at him. “As the queen’s second-in-command, you don’t look terribly peaceful, yourself, besieging her keep.”
“Whatever gets me the throne, sister, I am willing to do,” he said, his voice low and unmistakably threatening. “Now I suggest—”
