“Rah, my father sent me to the stables all the time when I misbehaved. It’s been a long time, but I know my way around a couple of horses.”
I could enchant him. I could force him to give me a job. I just wouldn’t.
“Well, Your Grace, if you insist. The tack is all lined up there. The horses need to be brushed down and saddled. Be careful with Bette on the end. She’s feisty on her good days and downright mean on the others. She may nip at you.”
“Great. I’ll start with her.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Rah. Just go about your business and pretend like I’m not here.”
“Oh, um, okay. But can I help you? I could carry the equipment, if you like?”
“I’d prefer to do it on my own. See if I can still manage.”
I stood in front of Bette with the heavy bridle in my hand. I had learned long ago to place my forearm above and between the ears and guide it on, directing the bit into the mouth, but she shook wildly and bit me twice.
I finally remembered to press my thumb into her gum, and she opened, letting me complete my task. For the first time in a while, I was challenged and felt a small victory. I looked up to see Rah watching me, but at my gaze, he went back to whatever busy work he could find. I saddled two more horses, catching his eyes every time I looked up until, finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Is there something you want to talk about, Rah?”
“Oh!” He jumped up and threw his rag on the workbench. “Yes, Your Grace. If you don’t mind?”
“Well, I don’t see how either of us is going to get much work done until you speak your mind.” I walked to the stall of the next fae horse, and he followed me.
“Me and the guys were talking and, well, I was just wondering. Do you think the dracs have anything to do with Favic’s death? They were the only ones here and all.”
I sighed, handing him the reins. “I don’t think the draconians had anything to do with it, but I suppose this is going to keep coming up until we find out for sure. Ready four more horses. I’ll be back shortly.”
Within an hour, Inok, myself, and two guards were on our way to the dunes. I sat atop the fae horse and watched the clear water jugs sway with each step the leading horse took. I considered the conversation I would have with Umari and knew no matter what I said, she would take it as a threat, and we were going to have larger problems on our hands. But what was a king’s job, if not to have difficult conversations?
“Any predictions on how this is going to go?”
“She’ll kill us all just for asking,” Inok said.
“I do not fear the draconian fae and nor should you.”
“Oh no, it’s not the whole group of them, just Umari. She’s a beast.”
He laughed, and the sound was so infectious I laughed with him, and before I knew it, the guards were laughing as well. For all her beauty and traditional values, she really was a brute.
We came upon the towering dunes by nearly nightfall. There was nothing like watching the burning sun settle into the scorching sand, surrounded by a million colors painted across the endless sky. The draconian village sat nestled deep within the canyon with a small body of water, an oasis, in the middle. There was no way to approach the village unannounced. The draconian guards marched along the hilltop with eagle eyes and lethal grace. Even against the setting sun, their silhouettes showed their large, muscled bodies.
Pride coursed through me as I watched them stride back and forth in total unison.
We were approached long before we made it to the village. In one fluid motion, the draconian fae fell to bended knees before me. It had been so long since I’d visited, I let them hold their bow longer than I normally would have. I had come to question them. It needed to start with respect for the crown.
“Rise.” My voice lingered in the chilly night air. I looked sideways to Inok as we were guided to the village, and he did not waiver. His head remained forward. His chin held high. In everything but blood, Inok was my brother, and I could feel the tension rising within him as we moved closer to the village.
“Where are the fae?” I asked as we approached.
The village was still and silent. The draconian people lived as a unit. Often taking all their meals together, sleeping together, and training together. They lived as one, usually outside of their homes. I’d never seen the village bare before.
“They are in prayer, my king,” a sentry answered.
“Is something wrong?”
“It is not my place to speak of it. We have sent ahead for Umari, and she will join you soon. Please, rest.” He handed me a flask of water. They only drank wine or ale on certain holidays and funerals, so that confirmed no one had died.
We were led to a building where I took the head table, the guards standing at the door, and Inok to my right. I sat with my spine straight and listened carefully for any sign of the draconians as I waited for Umari. I caught myself yawning. The soft breeze that followed us to the dunes began to build, and before she arrived, the winds had grown so strong, even within the building, I could hear nothing else. Desert winds could be dangerous. They were the warnings and creators of sandstorms.
