The Price of Honor

Chapter 2

2

As the sun began its descent beyond the horizon, Lailani sat at the table, absently picking at her plate of food. Her father had cooked lavishly compared to their typical fare, probably to cheer her up, but she wasn’t hungry. He had spoken little since they’d come home, and the silence stretched between them even now.

She was angry and scared. Angry because her father had already done his duty, and scared because she didn’t know what she would do if she lost him. Lailani could feel her father’s eyes on her, and she met his gaze.

“I know you have something to say, so speak your mind.”

“You can’t go,” she said.

“I have to.”

“Why? You can’t ride anymore. What good will it do for them to have you there? You already served the empire and did your duty.”

“It is a matter of honor, Lailani.”

“Honor means nothing if you are dead.”

“Perhaps, but I will die knowing that I kept you safe.”

“I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need you to protect me from invaders on the mainland.”

Her father sighed, and she immediately felt guilty.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …” She trailed off, trying to find the right words, but her emotions made it difficult. “There are plenty of men willing to fight. Let them go.”

“You have every right to feel the way you do. I don’t fault you for it, but I am going. You are right, Lailani. You are not a child anymore. Your mother would be proud of you.”

Her eyes welled with tears at the mention of her mother. Although it had been three years since her death, the grief still stung her heart as if she had passed into eternity yesterday.

“I am going to bed,” her father said, rising from his chair.

He slowly made his way to his room, leaving Lailani to clear the table. She did so sullenly, her mind refusing to accept that her father would be leaving tomorrow. Daigo would go with him, and then she would be alone. The tears fell down her cheeks now, and she didn’t bother to wipe them away.

Once Lailani finished cleaning, she went to the shrine outside of their home and placed the portion of food her father had prepared for their ancestors on the altar and knelt before it, praying for guidance. As usual, they did not reply to her.

Rising to her feet, she went back into the house and stood in front of the hearth. The flames burned low, casting flickering shadows on the edges of her vision. The blade of her father’s sword glinted, and she turned her gaze on it. Its pommel held a large sapphire stone and the grip was wrapped in black leather. The crossbar was straight and unadorned, but the blade made up for the lack of decoration. Engraved on the surface of the metal were graceful wingless dragons.

Lailani had always viewed the weapon as a thing of beauty. She couldn’t believe her father had wielded it in countless battles, that it had taken the lives of so many people. She clenched her jaw. If the empire forced her father to wield it again, she had no doubt he would die. Her throat constricted, and she covered her mouth with her hand, fearing that she would wake her father with her anguish.

If only she had a brother, or had been born a boy, then she would willingly go in his place. Her father deserved to enjoy the rest of his days in peace, not die in battle as a crippled old man, but she knew better than anyone how stubborn he was. He would answer the emperor’s call because his honor demanded it, ignoring any logical arguments against the decision.

Lailani grabbed the sword from the rack and held it up, looking at her reflection in the blade. Everyone always said she looked like her mother, but she didn’t see it. When she looked at herself, she saw her father more than anything. Black hair, olive skin, hooded deep-set green eyes, the angular form of her face … there was no mistaking her lineage. If her hair was shorter, she could almost pass as a son.

She sucked in a breath.

It was foolish, insane even. She couldn’t … could she? Without a second thought, she tilted her head and ran her fingers through her hair, clasping tightly to the ends. Holding the edge of the blade against her hair, she stood unmoving for a moment. If she did this, there was no turning back. And if they caught her, she would be executed. But it was worth the risk if she could spare her father.

With a single move, Lailani cut her hair.

She held the strands briefly before releasing them. They dropped to the floor, and her eyes widened. It was too late to stop now. She cut the rest of it and tossed the loose hair into the hearth. Her father would be upset with her when he found out, but she had to do it. She left the sword on the table and quietly slipped into her father’s room.

His breathing was steady, and in between every few breaths, a soft snore escaped him. Lailani stepped lightly to his bedside and smiled as she stared at him. Although the room was dark, a small flickering candle on the side table illuminated his face. His normally wrinkled visage was smooth, his worries temporarily erased.

“Sleep well,” she whispered. “And forgive me.”

Her father’s armor lay on his desk, and the faint scent of rapeseed oil drifted in the air. She carefully retrieved each piece and snuck them out of the room, then stuffed them into a sack and slung it over her shoulder. She wrapped the scabbard belt around her waist and retrieved the sword, sheathing it, and grabbed the parchment with his summons.

Lailani cast one last look around the room and steeled her emotions. She didn’t know if she’d ever come back home, if she’d ever see her father again. The temptation to stay was strong, but she knew this was the only way to save him. She left, fleeing into the night, her steps leading her to Daigo’s cave.

Waves lapped at the shore, and the shadowy outlines of crabs scuttling across the sand caught her attention. She slowed her pace as the cave’s entrance came into view. This was going to be the trickiest part of her plan. If Daigo refused to help her, it would all fall apart. She rehearsed her argument within her mind as she walked, preparing to debate with the dragon.

Lailani stepped into the cave and felt around blindly for a rock. Her fingers grazed one, and she lifted it, tapping it against the wall as she had earlier.

Little one, Daigo greeted. What are you doing here so late?

I came to tell you about the dragon rider. Did I wake you?

No. I’m having difficulty sleeping. Something must trouble your father. The bond is filled with his anxiety.

Lailani frowned. It’s because of what the rider said.

What did he say?

Father didn’t tell you?

I’m afraid not, Daigo said. He normally keeps his end of the bond sealed shut.

Lailani found that curious. The rider was a messenger. War is coming, and the emperor has issued a decree requiring all dragon riders to return to the school.

You jest.

I’m not, Lailani replied. Though I wish I was. You know as well as I that father cannot go. His illness will be his death.

Daigo growled, the sound echoing along the cave walls.

Your father retired.

The emperor doesn’t care about that. If he doesn’t go, he’ll be imprisoned.

That fate is better than death.

Maybe, but you know father won’t shirk his responsibilities. He plans to leave in the morning. I tried talking him out of it, but he’s stubborn.

I know well how hard his head can be. If he goes, then so must I. We aren’t just bonded. We swore an oath to protect one another.

What if someone else went in his place? Would you go with them instead?

Who do you speak of?

It’s just a question, Lailani said.

Without a bond, it would be difficult.

We’re not bonded, yet we can communicate.

Yes, but I cannot see your memories or hear your thoughts. There is a difference between speaking with one another and sharing a bond. Allowing someone else to be my rider would not be ideal, especially if I don’t know them.

What if you did know them?

It would still be difficult. Let me come out to the beach and we can talk under the stars.

Lailani left the cave and waited for the dragon. Daigo soon joined her and he stretched his wings. He craned his head up to look at the stars, then turned his gaze on her.

You cut your hair, he said. His eyes narrowed. And you carry a pack that stinks of leather and oil. Explain yourself.

Lailani inhaled a deep breath.

I’m going in my father’s place, and I need you to take me.