Amber Dawn

Chapter Six

That night everyone was gathered for the feast in the great hall. House Ember’s sigil hung from banners displayed along the high walls. There was bustling and cheer. The king had selected a few honored guests to sit at the royal table with he and Vera, James Oar and Macon Rayne among them.

Vera talked with James, listening to him describing what it was like to be out at sea for months at a time. She knew from his animated expressions and passionate tone how much he loved being aboard.

She asked Macon about the north and he described the snow-capped mountains even in the summer months, all the colors of the trees of the forests in the fall, how exhilarating the hot springs were in the dead of winter, even with snow and ice.

“That sounds extraordinary,” she stated about the contrast of the steaming water that never froze despite the environment around it.

“A natural phenomenon, my father used to say,” Lord Rayne supplied.

“Have you been to the North during your travels?” She asked, turning to James.

“Oh yes. As Lord Rayne has said, it is quite beautiful. Though life there does seem a bit harsher.”

“It’s different is all,” Lord Rayne said. “I imagine sailing is a bit harsh at times. I’ve seen one of your ships - or what was left of it - after encountering a sea storm.”

Vera knew exactly what the two men were doing and hid her amusement of it in her wine glass. “Are sirens real?” She asked James, cutting off whatever quip he was about to make. “Or just stories from wet nurses and drunkards?”

“I’ve heard many legends, but I’ve never seen one for myself.”

“If you had, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Lord Rayne remarked.

“How silly of me to ask,” Vera interjected, once again pulling their attention from the testosterone pulsing between them and onto her.

“We lost a ship once,” James stated. “Only one survivor that washed ashore along the eastern coast near Sandville. A deaf man. He claimed that sirens along the Eagle Islands drew the crew in, causing a shipwreck.”

“And the only reason he survived was because he was deaf,” she guessed.

“Naturally,” Lord Rayne agreed.

A large man, obviously northern by his features, approached and quietly whispered something into Lord Rayne’s ear before stepping back.

Those kind blue eyes met Vera’s. “Princess, if you’ll forgive me, there’s a matter that I must attend to.”

“Of course.”

He stood from his seat, bowed, and left.

“That wasn’t suspicious,” James remarked, grabbing his wine glass.

“Do you find all people with personal matters suspicious, or only those that you do not like?” She teased.

He chuckled. “I find most people suspicious these days. There’s a lot going on in the realm, Princess.”

“Such as?”

“A talk for another time, perhaps.”

She didn’t like that answer, but propriety meant she must let him have it.

~

Sir Arthur was hanging back, by the doors into the keep, at Vera’s request. It was late, the moon was high in the sky, and the festivities had long been over. Yet, she was simply restless.

As much as she enjoyed James’ company, there was something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She wasn’t even sure if it was a good or bad thing - she simply knew that it was something.

And Lord Rayne, she liked him. Even if he was a bit too serious compared to her. Instead of it making him dull, it made him seem stable. Wise.

But as her father had said - they were far too different. And he was required in the North, and she was required here. It would never work.

As if thinking about him caused him to materialize, he stepped around the corner, almost into her. “Princess, I apologize.”

“No need. It’s awfully late for you to be out.”

He half smiled down at her. “I could say the same for you.”

“I’m restless,” she admitted, “though I’m not sure why.”

He gave a nod, understanding. “So is Lake. And myself.”

“Lake?” She realized then he was coming from the kennels. “Why are you keeping him in there?”

“For the same reason you keep your dragon in the pit.” He gave a wry smile. “Would you like to meet him?”

“I would love to.”

She’d thought that she was prepared to face the animal after all she’d read and been taught about them and all the drawings she’d seen. Like one of the hunting hounds, just a little bigger.

The creature in the last kennel was much more. When she first saw Lake, all she could see was golden eyes staring at her. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust and see that the creature was blacker than the night it stood in, and much larger than she’d assumed he’d be.

“C’mere, Lake.” Lord Rayne opened the kennel door, stepping inside.

Vera followed.

Lake kept his eyes on her as he approached. His pressed his large head against Lord Rayne’s chest, absorbing the affectionate pets and scratches he was receiving. Still, he watched Vera.

“May I?” She asked.

“Of course.”

She held her hand out, palm up, same as she would with a dragon.

Lake looked at her hand before looking back at her. His eyes were deeply intelligent, and seemed to be piercing right into her soul. Tentatively, he sniffed at her hand before freezing for a moment.

No doubt smelling Bane, she thought, remaining patient.

She felt the low rumble coming from him more so than she heard it. And despite it, he touched his wet nose to her hand before giving her a small lick, testing.

“You are sweet,” she told him as she began to pet him. He was warm, his fur long and thick. He leaned against her, almost knocking her over with his large size, making her laugh.

“That’s a good boy,” she told him, scratching his spine with one hand while getting behind an ear with the other.

“I’ve never seen him warm up to anybody else like that,” Lord Rayne murmured.

Vera looked at him, the awe evident in his face. “Most animals like me. Despite smelling Bane on me.”

“Your dragon. You’d think that would make most animals avoid you.”

“Smaller ones do. But the predators, they don’t seem to mind.” She grinned at Lake, who was thoroughly enjoying her affection and attention. “Almost as if Bane’s scent reassures them that I’m not a threat.”

He gave his head a little shake. “You encounter predators a lot?”

“Sometimes. Especially on hunts. The wild ones are more curious about me than anything. My theory is that Bane’s scent is why.”

“A sound theory. Do you hunt often?”

“I go on every hunt that my father has. Ever since I was a little girl, he and Sir Arthur have taught me hunting and tracking. Do you like to hunt?”

“Whenever I am able. My father taught me. Every fall we would spend two fortnights hunting for my mother.”

“Stocking for winter.”

“Yes.” He appeared lost in thought for a moment, so she let him be.