Amber Dawn

Chapter Four

“You’re fawning,” Vera told Aly with a grin.

Aly looked over from where she was gently pulling the petals free from a flower. “I am not.”

“Oh yes, you are,” Merida smirked. “Tell us what happened.”

Aly instantly became flustered, her cheeks turning red. “We just danced and talked.”

“And kissed?” Vera prodded, leaning her shoulder against Aly, nudging her.

Aly’s glowing cheeks answered for her.

“I knew it!” Merida sang.

“Stop it,” Aly laughed. “Let’s talk about your escapades, hm? Which boy did you kiss?”

Merida’s expression turned canny. “Both.”

“Both?” Vera demanded.

“Well unlike you, Princess, some of us aren’t bound by duty and can actually have fun.”

“Are you calling me a prude?”

“I might be,” Merida teased.

“Well, I’m not.” Vera looked Merida in the eyes, and then Aly, and upon seeing their expressions insisted, “I’m not.”

“Then tell us, which lord caught your eye?” Aly challenged.

“James of House Oar,” Merida answered for her.

Vera rolled her eyes.

“Oh, he’s handsome,” Aly stated. “His father owns the Black Eel Fleet.”

Almost every ship that ran trade routes from the Singing Sea to the Icy Ocean belonged to the Black Eel Fleet. They had a complete monopoly on goods being transported around Rune, as well as trading ports along the coasts of the southern continent, Amir and western continent of Zanza. They also owned the only naval force of Rune.

“He’s nice,” Vera admitted, “but nice does not make a match.”

~

“Come Vera,” King Darren urged. “We must meet Lord Rayne.”

Vera followed her father towards the throne room. Lord Rayne was the great house of the north, and the last of the great houses to arrive. Two days late.

They entered the throne room from the back entrance, stepping out onto the raised dais where her father’s throne set. A large, formidable chair carved from the black rocks of the cliffs where Alex discovered the dragon eggs. A homage to every ruler of what gave them their power. A reminder of where they came from and where their ancestors began. The dragon head carved into the stone, looking outwards, was another reminding grand display.

King Darren took his seat, and Vera sat in the smaller chair made from Cedar. Intricate dragon designs were carved into the chair beneath her hands, the wood warm.

“Which Lord Rayne is it?”

Lord William Rayne, who had been her father’s voice in the distant north from the start of his reign, had passed earlier this year. The last report that Vera had heard on the matter was that William’s younger brother, Lucas, was trying to take the lordship from William’s oldest son, whom was only a year or two older than Vera.

King Darren met her eyes, tapping the arm of the throne with the palm of his hand. “We shall see.”

The great doors at the end of the hall opened, and the guard announced, “Lord Macon of House Rayne.”

The young man that entered was tall, all sharp planes and hard angles. His presence filled the room as he moved through it before reaching the royal family and dropping to his knee, head bowed, brown hair falling to his face.

“It is an honor, Your Grace. Princess.”

“Rise,” King Darren ordered as he himself stood and stepped down.

Lord Rayne was a head taller than the king, yet everything in his demeanor showed respect.

“Tell me,” King Darren started, “how is the north?”

“We are much more stable now,” Lord Rayne answered. “My uncle caused a bit of an uproar, but the threat was neutralized and he was executed a traitor.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” King Darren said. “Family ties can complicate things.”

“Family or no, a traitor is a traitor and order must be upheld, Your Grace.”

“Yes. How was your travels? You must be tired.”

“More than two fortnights on the road isn’t as bad as one may think.” Kind, blue eyes flickered to Vera before meeting the king’s once more. “I must admit my surprise at the invitation, considering its nature.”

“Yes, the timing considering your affairs is not ideal, and for that I do apologize. But I trust that you’ve left Wolf Heart in capable hands?”

“Yes, Your Grace. My brother holds my seat while I am here, with my council advising him.”

“And your wolf?”

A slight smile tugged the corner of his mouth. “He is being fed at the kennels.”

“The South has dragons, the North has wolves,” Vera said, standing and interjecting herself into the conversation.

“Yes, Princess.”

“I’ve always wanted to see a wolf,” she admitted. “We don’t have them here.”

“I’m sure you will,” King Darren stated. “But I imagine our guest would like for him and his men to be shown to their chambers. It’s been a long journey.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Princess. Lake will be around, when you get ready to see him.”

Vera’s small smile was involuntary.

“Will I see you this evening?” She asked. “At the feast?”

His smile was just as kind as his eyes. “Yes, Princess.”

“Perhaps I can see Lake then.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Your Grace.”

As he left the room, her father turned to her, a slight smile on his face. “I’ve always liked that boy. But Vera, the northerners aren’t like us. We are fire and they are ice. As you said yourself, we have dragons and they have wolves.”

“I thought the point-“

“I cannot disgrace one of the largest houses in Rune by snubbing an invitation. Especially the North. The South and the Midlands together don’t amount to the size of the North. I’m not saying no.

“They’re just different and keep to their own. And a northerner will never come south to remain. Especially one that just fought his uncle for his seat. I need Macon right where he belongs. They are great warriors, our greatest military asset. And the Rayne’s have been loyal to our house for a millennia. It is the one house I’ve never had to question or concern myself with. I need Macon in his seat in the North. And you will need to be here, to rule. We must be practical, my dear.”

“Yes, father.”