Marked by the Dragon

Chapter 6

3

When the red stone walls of Klodian Keep came into view, Mina breathed a sigh of relief. She’d had the feeling that someone was watching them. The idea was ludicrous, she knew, but the feeling was intense. Lord Klodian and his retinue were oblivious, still talking about his prowess in killing the dragon from the mesa.

Even Vhan wasn’t paying attention to their surroundings. Granted, they were within the boundaries of the Thophate Dominion, but that didn’t mean that enemies weren’t lurking, waiting for a chance to eliminate Lord Klodian. Mina rubbed at the scale on her leg absently and wondered whether the glowing eyes she had seen had truly just been her imagination.

It was hot and she was thirsty, so maybe she had seen a mirage. The more she considered it, the more she became convinced that’s what it had been. As they got closer to the castle, Mina could see that Enlistment Day was nearing an end. Klodian customarily watched over the proceedings, but today had been different.

Klodian and the others rode at a slow pace, allowing Mina to keep up with them. He usually left her behind, knowing that she would eventually make her way back to the castle. Vhan occasionally looked back at her, and she assumed he was checking on her. Vhan seemed like a nice person, but Mina had learned long ago not to trust anyone.

When they reached the field where the newest Runesmen were, Klodian stopped and dismounted. Vhan hurriedly followed suit, trailing after the lord like a puppy. Mina kept her distance from them, but she did glance over the faces of Klodian’s newest soldiers. She didn’t recognize any of them, but she did spot a woman among the mix. That was a first.

“Lord Klodian,” Captain Eduard greeted, bowing.

“Captain.”

“How was the hunt?”

“It was good,” Klodian replied, removing his helmet. “I’ll tell you about it later. How many new Runesmen do we have?”

“Sixty.”

Mina could tell by the way the Eduard said it that he knew Klodian wouldn’t be pleased. The Dominion Lord scanned the sea of new faces and finally nodded.

“Why so few?”

“You have high standards, my Lord. It is my duty to enforce those standards and only enlist the best.”

“What of the Marking? Any problems?”

“Three,” Captain Eduard answered. “Three died during the process.”

Mina was surprised to hear that. It was rare for anyone to die during the Marking, but it wasn’t impossible. Those too weak to accept the magical rune were typically released from their oath and they went on to find another pursuit in life, but with a few new scars. For three to have died … well, the scribes responsible would be put to death as punishment.

Klodian frowned. “I see. How about the assignments?”

“Ten were marked for strength. Five for haste, and five for vision. The rest were given the common rune.”

“I needed more footmen, so I’m happy to hear that. Hopefully, we’ll see more talent at the next enlistment. Carry on, Captain. I’ll see you at the feast tonight.”

Klodian and Vhan climbed back onto their horses and returned to the castle, leaving Mina behind. She offered a bow to the captain, but he ignored her and walked off, shouting orders at the servants clearing the field.

Mina regarded the female Runesman curiously. She’d never seen a woman as a soldier, nor had she ever heard of such a tale. The woman returned her stare, fire in her eyes.

“Do you have a problem?”

“No,” Mina replied.

“Then why are you looking at me?”

“I’m curious is all. Why would you want to be a soldier?”

“That’s my business,” the woman spat. “Keep your nose out of it.”

“For Hadon’s sake, Thais. Not everyone is your enemy.”

The woman named Thais turned to the man who’d spoken and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

“Everyone is your enemy until they prove otherwise,” she growled. “And you!” Thais turned back to Mina, her right hand balled into a fist. She took a few steps forward, but another man stepped into her path.

“Just stop,” he said.

“Move out of my way unless you want to get thumped next!”

The man crossed his arms and refused to move. The two stared at one another, neither one backing down. Mina’s face flushed with embarrassment. No one had ever defended her, and it felt odd to have a stranger do it.

“Please,” Mina begged. “I meant no disrespect. Don’t fight because of me. I’m leaving now.”

“You aren’t going anywhere until I bash your face in!” Thais shouted.

“Go cool off somewhere,” the man said.

“No one tells me what to do!”

Thais leaped forward, and the two clashed. They tumbled to the ground and fought, punching and rolling around. Mina watched, horrified. Thais gained the upper hand, pinning the man’s arms with her knees. Just as she was about to punch the man in the face, Captain Eduard came rushing over, driving his right knee into the side of Thais’s head. Her face scrunched in confusion and she toppled over with a groan.

“Did you so quickly forget your oath?” Captain Eduard demanded. “We are a brotherhood with the same cause. No one here is your enemy. You would do well to remember that.”

The captain paused, looking from Thais to the man.

“I think five lashings for the both of you will be a fit reminder. Report to me after dinner. I’ll deal with you then.”

Captain Eduard stalked off, shooting a glare in Mina’s direction. He could have punished her too, with Klodian’s approval, but Mina guessed he didn’t think it was worth the effort. Mina might be a slave, but she was a valuable one.

Thais slowly rose to her feet and staggered off. The man waited until she was gone, then he sat up and smiled at Mina.

“Sorry about her,” he said. “I’ve only met her today. She’s got a bit of a temper.”

Mina had been taken aback before, but now doubly so. Not only had a stranger helped her, but he’d fought a fellow Runesman to do it. If the day got anymore strange, she’d have to assume she was dreaming.

“No, it’s me that should apologize,” Mina replied. “I shouldn’t be standing around out here.”

“Nonsense.” The man got up and brushed a trail of blood from his lips with the back of his hand. “I’m Caden. What’s your name?”

“Mina.”

Caden’s brows rose slightly. “Lord Klodian’s fortune finder?” He glanced down at her legs briefly, and Mina knew what he was looking for.

“The same,” she answered curtly.

“I apologize, that sounded less rude in my head.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it.”

Caden was taller than her by roughly a full foot. He was well-muscled and clean shaven, with short brown hair and green eyes. Despite the dirt and grime, Mina found him rather alluring. The silence stretched until it became awkward, and Caden cleared his throat.

“I don’t want to start on the wrong foot,” he said. “I’m sorry if I offended you. That wasn’t my intent.”

His tone was sincere, but Mina didn’t trust him. He was a stranger, and despite his actions to defend her, she wouldn’t let her guard down, no matter how handsome he was.

“All is forgiven,” she said. “As I said, I’m used to it.”

She was clutching her dragon horn tightly, feeling uncomfortable. Part of it was her attraction to Caden, but she also still felt as if someone was watching her. She was confident that once she got inside the castle, the feeling would subside.

“I should be going.”

“Would you like me to escort you?” Caden asked. “In case Thais hasn’t learned her lesson?”

“No,” Mina said quickly. “I’ll be fine.”

She speed-walked across the field, heading to the castle. She could tell her cheeks were flushed by the way they burned. Aside from her discomfort around Caden, she also needed to get the dragon horn to her room so she could take the necessary steps to preserve it. If she waited too long, the horn would dry out from the desert heat and slowly rot from the inside, becoming brittle.

Mina reached her room and barely remembered her trek through the confusing network of hallways. Klodian hadn’t built the castle, but he had made several changes to the interior when he’d taken up his father’s mantle, transforming it into a literal maze.

He’d claimed it was to make the castle a more formidable fortress, but no one had ever attacked the Thophate Dominion before. It was on the border of The Long Sands, much too far for an enemy army to march to, let alone conquer. The heat itself stopped most people from coming to Thophate, and only merchants and traders with deep pockets braved the trip.

After she’d treated the horn, Mina cleaned herself and changed clothes, then ate the small meal that was delivered to her bed. As she went about her evening tasks, she couldn’t help but think of the Runesman from earlier.

“Caden,” she whispered, a smile pulling at her lips.