Egg of the Dragon

Chapter 2

2

Velbridge was the heart of the Dracan Dominion. It was also the seat of power for the High Prince’s favored ruler, Lord Kristofel D’Lance.

As Caden navigated the busy streets of the sprawling city, he marveled at the number of people that the place could accommodate. They thronged down every cobbled street, the sight reminding him of how small the Thophate in its entirety was in comparison. Vendor stalls were everywhere, even at the middle of intersections, and the scent of exotic foods filled the air, tempting Caden to see if they tasted as good as they smelled.

Behind the city loomed a castle twice the size of Lord Klodian’s, and its dark gray walls stood in stark contrast to all the color that the city presented. This was his new home. It was hard for him to believe that being sent here was a punishment, but his excitement was dampened by the memory of Thais’s betrayal. If she had kept her mouth shut, he’d still be in the Thophate with Mina.

There was nothing he could do about it now, though, and he tried not to dwell on it. He held the letter of his transfer in his right hand. He’d found it in the bag of provisions Captain Eduard had given him. Lord Klodian’s flowing signature was at the bottom, along with his official seal. Halfway through the journey, Caden had briefly considered giving up his dreams and turning around, but it had only been an idea born of the desert heat. Once he’d reached more forgiving lands, his thoughts returned to normal.

“You there,” a vendor called out to him. “You look like you could use a drink. I’ve got the best ale in all of Dracan. Only a hundred silver for a full barrel.”

Caden smiled despite the exorbitant price and continued walking. He was heading for the castle, but navigating the crowded streets was proving to be more of a pain than he’d first thought. He pushed his way through the crowd, receiving a few elbows to the ribs that he doubted were accidental. Eventually, he found a side street that ran parallel to the main one, and he turned onto it and was able to quicken his pace. The castle seemed to grow and stretch the closer he got until he found himself at the gates.

He craned his neck back, trying to take in the view. A group of soldiers standing guard saw him gawking and laughed. Caden cleared his throat and walked confidently over to them.

“Good day,” he said. “I’ve just transferred from the Thophate Dominion. Can one of you show me to the captain?”

“Another transfer, huh? Seems everyone is coming here lately. Stay here, gents. I’ll take him.”

The man who’d spoken was older than the others, with dull black hair that was beginning to turn silver. He sported a thick handlebar mustache and his face was creased with a few wrinkles. The other guards shrugged and resumed their conversation, and the older man led Caden through the gates and into the courtyard. He walked with a slight limp, but his pace was swift and Caden had trouble keeping up with him.

“What’s your name?”

“Caden. Caden Davtyan.”

“Well met. I’m Angus. You’re from the Thophate, you said?”

“Yes, sir,” Caden replied. “I just arrived today.”

“I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve heard terrible things from some of the merchants. I reckon the sand and heat get old after a while. Is that what brings you to Velbridge?”

Caden chuckled. “Something like that.”

He’d read over the transfer letter many times as he traveled, practically committing it to memory. There was no mention of his suspected crime or the reason he was transferred.

“You wanting to be a Runesman?”

“I am one, actually.”

“Oh? Lord D’Lance has many, but he’s always looking for more. Being favored by the High Prince comes at a steep cost, especially since he plays the part of a peacekeeper. All these lords who think that nobility is a pissing contest have to constantly be reminded of their proper place.”

“It sounds like I’ll see plenty of battle,” Caden said.

“Oh, I’ll wager you’ll see plenty more than you’d like. Word is spreading that some upstart is talking about starting a war.” Angus shook his head. “Lord D’Lance will quell it, but when the High Prince finds out, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Despite the severity of what Angus was saying, Caden was excited. His plan initially had been to transfer to a Dominion where he would see more battle, so his luck couldn’t have been better. Now he just needed to make a name for himself on the battlefield, and the riches would follow.

“How much training have you had?”

“A week or so,” Caden replied sheepishly. “I’d planned on being fully trained before transferring, but it didn’t work out that way.”

As they talked, Angus led him across the courtyard and around the eastern side of the castle. Roughly a hundred feet away sat a large rectangular building. It was built of the same gray stone as the castle, but the decoration was lacking. They went inside, and Caden realized it was the barracks. As with everything else he’d seen so far, it put Lord Klodian’s to shame. There were two levels, and there was enough room to house a few thousand soldiers.

“Is this where I’ll be staying?” Caden asked.

“Yes. This is the Runesmen barracks. The barracks for soldiers without runes is on the opposite side of the castle.”

“How many Runesmen does Lord D’Lance have?”

“I believe at last count it was upwards of five thousand.”

Caden’s eyes widened in surprise. “When you said he had many Runesmen, you weren’t exaggerating.”

“If there’s anything you’ll learn about the Dracan Dominion, it’s that Lord D’Lance has the best of everything.”

Five thousand Runesmen. Caden couldn’t imagine how strong Lord D’Lance could be with that many men at his disposal. Was it even possible for someone to utilize the attributes of that many people? Perhaps his excitement had been premature. How would he make a name for himself as a soldier with so much competition?

“I assume your previous lord cut the rune he gave you?”

Caden’s hand instinctively went to the back of his neck, rubbing the tattoo.

“No,” he replied. “Should he have?”

Angus paused and turned to look at him. “Let me see it.”

Caden obliged, turning around. Angus pulled the neckline of his shirt back and muttered something he didn’t catch, then said, “A strength rune. Not many of those in our ranks lately.”

“Why not?”

“As I said, Lord D’Lance pays a steep price for being the favorite. Runesmen get used a lot around here. Without proper rest and time to heal, burnout becomes a problem. Some can push through, but most can’t.”

“They get discharged?” Caden asked.

“No. They die.”

Caden was glad that Angus couldn’t see his face at that moment. Angus straightened his collar and continued further into the barracks. Caden rushed to catch up, and they ascended a stairway that led to the second level. The setup was similar to the first level, but there was a walled-off area with a door at the far end. Angus took him to the door and opened it, then motioned him inside and closed the door.

“Have a seat.”

Caden did so, seating himself at one of the chairs in front of a large desk. Angus walked around to the other side and sat down, clasping his fingers together and leaning forward.

“I hope you’ll forgive my ruse, but we have many soldiers that transfer here, and most of them don’t have what it takes to serve Lord D’Lance.”

“You’re the captain,” Caden said with a nervous laugh.

“Commander, actually. Commander Angus Morin. Do you have your letter of transfer?”

“Yes, sir.” Caden set the parchment on the desk and slid it forward.

Angus picked it up and read over it, then set it atop a stack of papers.

“I’m good at reading people, Caden. In my position, I have to be. I can tell you’re ambitious, else you wouldn’t have requested to come here of all places.”

Caden smiled, but he knew that he’d had nothing to do with where he’d been sent. He didn’t think it would hurt to leave that information out.

“I like you,” Angus continued. “Normally, I’d send you out with the next patrol to get your feet wet with something like settling a border dispute, but I’ve got something different in mind. I find it curious that your rune wasn’t cut. It severs the magic between you and your lord, allowing a new rune to be added.”

Caden assumed he knew where the conversation was going. Angus probably thought he was a spy. Why else would his rune be intact? Had Lord Klodian believed Eduard’s suspicions and sent him to the Dracan Dominion, thinking that this was his true home? Caden swallowed hard and tried not to let his emotions show.

“There was a lot going on, so it’s possible that Lord Klodian forgot.”

“That’s possible,” Angus said. “I get the feeling you think this is a bad thing. Let me put your mind at ease now. It’s fine.”

“I was a little worried,” Caden admitted.

“Don’t be. Things couldn’t be better for you.”

Caden relaxed, the invisible weight on his shoulders washing away.

“In fact, I think Lord D’Lance is going to take a personal interest in you.”