Dragon's Keep

Chapter Two: An Unexpected Summons

“What do you mean that was my last chance!?” Sabeline growled at the Commander as a Healer applied a paste of tilweed to her bruised side. A second Healer was currently probing her punctured flesh from the Dragon’s spikes, causing her muscles to spasm. She hoped Commander Karo realised he needed to tread very carefully right now. To his credit, the Commander shifted uncomfortably under her glare.

“King Falon advised me to deliver the message to you. He has decided that enough of your time has been spent trying to kill this creature and was going to offer you one more chance following your last report. However, it appeared that when I arrived, the chance had already been acted out.” Commander Karo pulled out a wax sealed scroll of paper from within his messenger bag. “He wrote it down as a royal decree, if you deigned not to believe me.” The Commander offered the scroll to Sabeline, holding it in his hand loosely. 

   Agitated, Sabeline thrust out her arm and snatched the parchment, tearing the seal apart quickly. Another prod from a Healer somewhere on her body released a hiss from her lips, following the sharp pain it caused. The Healers nodded to each other and changed to a different paste of goddess knew what. She’d stopped caring what they were doing, so long as they eliminated the protesting screaming of her flesh. Turning to the scroll, Sabeline scanned over the curving calligraphic words, carefully penned in deep black ink. It was the King’s hand alright, there was no mistaking the flourish accompanying certain letters as anyone other than his. 

My dear Knight of Idrelas,

By Royal Decree, should the next attempt on the Dragon’s life fail following your report, you are to return to the kingdom immediately. I have had enough of failure from a Knight of your calibre and deem it best you return to…regroup.

Signed

His Esteemed Majesty

King Falon III 

“This has to be a mistake, surely his highness knows of the destruction that thing has reeked across Idrelas? Why would he issue a decree commanding that I stop?” Sabeline questioned puzzled as she crushed the scroll in her hand. The Healers shuffled around her and she raised her arms so the bandage could be wrapped around her wounds more easily. 

Commander Karo shrugged, his armour clanking as he did. “Perhaps he thinks returning to the kingdom will provide a fresh perspective. I’m not a Knight, but maybe one of your Creed could provide a new solution after hearing the strategies you’ve used so far? That would make sense to me.”

Sabeline grunted as her linen shirt was pulled back down over her stomach by the Healers. “The others must have been talking and put forward some proposals to the King. It is the only thing I can think of to justify this lunacy. Have you seen the aftermath of a dragon attack Commander?”

The Commander shook his head. “No m’lady.”

Her eyes lost the hard glint and became softer. “I have. It is a sight one does not soon forget. I am abhorrent to the idea of returning and leaving Idrelas unprotected.” Sabeline murmured quietly.

“I understand m’lady, but it is the King’s word.” The Commander stressed, though not unkindly.

A humourless smirk graced her face. “And I understand that more than most Commander.” Her thoughts drifted briefly to the oath she’d taken when becoming a Knight of Idrelas. As much as she may despise it right now, the King’s word was law. Sighing, she stretched her arms and flexed her fingers, ensuring her limbs were in working order before sliding off the long table. She still had some visible bruising marring her skin, but they would soon heal. 

   Carefully, Sabeline wandered over to her armour that had been place to the side. She hated medical tents. They always smelt foul and her armour was never properly attended to. Its why she made it a point to avoid them as much as possible. The day just goes from bad to worse, at least I’m not dead. Slowly she redressed in the pieces that didn’t require assistance to adorn. There was no way she was riding back to the kingdom in just her linen shirt and breeches. She still had some pride left after all and the Healers had assured her that wearing her armour shouldn’t aggravate her wounds and injuries too much. The King’s command was absolute. There would be more trouble to pay if she didn’t adhere to the order, especially as it had been made a Royal Decree. King Falon must be extremely displeased she hadn’t slain the dragon yet. Yes, there would definitely be more disruption if she ignored his words. Cursing herself for even considering disregarding what was now law, Sabeline shrugged on her ornate but strong spaulders. An unpleasant feeling began to settle over her as she replayed the decree in her head. They may be King Falon’s words, but some had sounded rather unlike him. Maybe the stresses of the day had affected him before he penned it. Maybe.

     Commander Karo had said nothing as she’d become lost in her contemplations and pulled on the rest of the sections that she could manage. Sabeline gestured at the last few pieces. “Someone will need to saddle these to my horse, I’m not leaving them.” Armour was damned expensive after all.

“Very well m’lady. Does this mean you’ll be returning to the kingdom?” the Commander asked, still hesitant.

Sabeline nodded. “The sooner I return, the sooner I can deal with this madness and continue hunting the dragon.” Thinking better of it, she hoisted up her remaining plates of armour and shoved them into Commander Karo’s arms, watching as he scrambled to accommodate them without dropping any. “Thank you for volunteering Commander. Shall we go?” Sabeline asked, striding towards the flaps of the tent. She didn’t wait for an answer from the shocked Commander, but it wasn’t long before she heard his measured, loud footsteps behind her.

   She held her head high as she passed the me still scattered around the part of the Plateau they’d selected. Her revered war horse had thankfully already been fetched from the camp they’d set up the previous night. Sabeline stroked the horse’s muzzle. “Good to see you Hylix.” The horse snorted in response and stomped its front leg on the ground. Sabeline smiled. “Impatient aren’t we? Well we’ll be on the road soon enough.” She hooked her sabaton into the saddle’s stirrup, using it as leverage to mount and swing her other leg around into position. The men had begun to gather around, congregating near her horse in anticipation of her orders. No time like the present. “By Royal Decree, we return to Idrelas Kingdom. We leave immediately.” Sabeline called loudly to the gathered soldiers. At her orders, they instantly scattered to prepare as hastily as possible for the ride home. She noted some wore smiles on their faces and regretted she could not share their sentiment or excitement at the return home. The strange feeling from the tent had remained and she could not seem to shake it.

   Whatever awaited for her back at the kingdom, she did not anticipate a warm reception.