Eyes of stone, p.1
Eyes of Stone, page 1
Eyes
of
Stone
Dragon Riders of Osnen Book 6
RICHARD FIERCE
Eyes of Stone © 2020 by Richard Fierce
This is a work of fiction. All events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form without the express permission of the publisher.
Cover design by germancreative
Cover art by Rosauro Ugang
Dragonfire Press
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-947329-40-9
First Edition: 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
1
“Master Anesko wants to see you in his chamber.”
I looked up from the book I was reading and saw Surrel standing beside me. She was so quiet I hadn’t even heard her approach. I closed the book and stood, stretching my neck and back. I’d been studying for hours and my muscles were voicing their complaints.
“Thank you,” I said. “Do you know what it’s about?”
“You’re probably in trouble,” Maren quipped from across the table. I rolled my eyes at her.
“No, sorry,” Surrel replied. “It sounded important, though. And he also wanted you there.” Surrel looked at Maren.
“Both of us? Now I know we’re in trouble.” Maren winked at me playfully and I couldn’t help but smile.
It was nice to finally have some normalcy to life. A few months had passed since we’d restored Demris to his body and being at the Citadel with routines and sleeping in a real bed had put me at ease. Maren and I recently passed our final tests and were officially Adepts. Normally that rank would have eluded us until our fourth year, but the fall of the Conclave had caused the masters of the schools to reevaluate traditions. There was also the fact that Maren and I had seen much more than first-year Initiates. That, more than anything, had swayed Anesko into testing us.
“Thank you,” I told Surrel.
Maren stood and we left the library together. She slipped her hand into my mangled one and we walked along the halls until we reached Anesko’s chamber. Since he was the new master of the school, he had taken over Master Pevus’s old room. The door was wide open and I peeked inside to make sure we weren’t interrupting anything. Anesko glanced up from his work.
“Come in,” he bade.
I stepped into the room and sat in one of the two leather-clad seats in front of his desk. Maren took the other seat and we waited for Anesko to speak.
“How are your studies going?” he asked.
“Good,” I answered.
“The same,” Maren said.
“Excellent. Any word from your father?”
Maren scoffed. “You know he wants nothing to do with me. As far as he’s concerned, I’m not even his daughter anymore.”
“Regardless of your differences, I should think the man would at least like to know you are safe.”
“Did you call us here for a reason, or just to chat?” Maren asked.
Ever since she’d invoked the Right of Secession and been cast out of her father’s court, talking about him only upset her. Anesko took the hint and sat back in his chair. He drummed the fingers of his right hand on the desk.
“Now that you have both achieved the rank of Adept, you will be given tasks that require wisdom and experience. As riders, it is our duty to patrol the kingdom and be of service to those who call upon us.”
Maren and I exchanged looks. I could see the excitement in her expression, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for my first official task. Granted, it was what all of our hard work and training had been for, but I had my reservations.
“You have a task for us,” Maren said. It wasn’t a question.
“I do. It will require more than one rider, and you two work best as a team. We’re also still short of hands around here, and you two are the only ones I trust enough to be successful.”
“Out with it already,” Maren said excitedly. “What is it? Are we going to fight goblins in the foothills? I’ve heard rumors that they’ve been encroaching on the towns there.”
“Maren, I will remind you that I am the master of this school. As such, you will keep your words respectful when you address me. Is that clear?”
That was the Anesko I remembered from my first days at the school. Disciplined, tough, formal. He was settling into his role more comfortably now, which I assumed meant he’d be less casual with us. I didn’t blame him. Master Pevus’s shoes would not be easily filled.
“Yes, Master Anesko,” Maren answered, though she bobbed her head from side to side as she spoke. I gave her a serious look and she sighed.
“Thank you.” Anesko looked down at the parchment on his desk for a moment, his eyes scanning over the words, then turned his attention back to Maren. “No, you will not be doing anything as exciting or dangerous as fighting goblins. Baron Giffor of Tiradale has requested our help. It seems his daughter has gone missing.”
“He can’t send his guards to find her?” Maren asked, her excitement deflating.
“The guards have been unsuccessful so far.”
“How long has she been missing?” I asked.
“Two days as of his writing this letter,” Anesko said. “I’m hoping this will be an easy task and that you’ll find her unharmed.”
“Is he sure she didn’t run away?” Maren asked.
“Fairly certain. She’s only ten.”
“When do we leave?” I asked. If she’d been missing for two days, the trail was already cold and we hadn’t even started looking.
“As soon as possible.”
“I’ll get our supplies together if you want to ready Sion and Demris,” I said to Maren.
“Sure.”
We rose from our chairs and Anesko cleared his throat.
“I’m counting on you two,” he said. “We’re still in the process of rebuilding our order. If we can show the people of Osnen that we’re still strong, it will go a long way.”
“We’ve got this covered,” Maren replied. She left the room and I shook my head, but Anesko’s lips cracked with a slight smile.
“She keeps me on my toes,” I said. “But don’t worry, we’ll do everything we can to find the baron’s daughter.”
“I know you will. If I had any doubts otherwise, I wouldn’t be sending you. Please make sure Maren sends me updates. I want to know when the girl is found.”
“Yes, master,” I said.
“One more thing. The baron asked that you use the side entrance of the castle.”
I found that peculiar but I nodded. Anesko waved me off and I headed toward the kitchens to gather some food. Tiradale was only a few hours away, but I’d been so busy with my studies that I’d missed the bell for lunch. My stomach growled as if reprimanding me. After I filled a pack with food, I retrieved my sword from the armory and joined Maren in the stables beneath the Citadel.
“I can’t believe our first task is so…” Maren waved her hands around.
“Easy?” I offered.
“Boring! I want action, Eldwin. I want to fight goblins or something thrilling, not be some sort of glorified babysitter.”
“Well, we aren’t babysitting,” I said. “In case you weren’t listening, the girl is missing. And once we find her, we’ll hand her off to her father and be back here. Maybe then Anesko will give you something ‘thrilling’ to do.”
“Are you telling me you’re fine with this?”
“I am. Honestly, I’d rather stay here and continue studying, but we will do what we must.”
“That sounded so convincing,” Maren laughed. “You almost had me. You’re as ready to get out of here as I am.”
I wasn’t, but I knew arguing the point with her would be futile. Sion stepped out of her cave and I ran my right hand along her graceful neck. She’d grown by several feet since we’d been at the Citadel, but the shine of her red scales seemed duller now.
Where are we going?
We have a task from Anesko, I replied.
Sion hummed. Good, I’ve been wanting to stretch my wings.
You stretch them every day.
Yes, but it is different going somewhere else. Flying around the Citadel grows tedious.
She sounded like Maren. They wanted to get out and do something, but I’d had enough adventures to last me for a long while. I hoped finding the baron’s daughter would be easy and we could be back at the Citadel quickly. My luck in the past had never been great, but perhaps this time would be different.
I grabbed Sion’s reins and led her out of the stable and into the courtyard. She staggered and almost tripped, but managed to steady herself.
What was that? I asked.
Nothing, she replied. I’m a little clumsy today.
I patted her neck and climbed up her shoulder and into the saddle. Maren and Demris joined us in the sunlight and I thought Demris’s green scales also seemed to lack the luster they once had. Were they not getting enough nutrients?
“I’ll race you there,” Maren said with a mischievous grin.
“That’s a bad idea,” I replied.
“Why?”
“I don’t want to make you cry when I win,” I laughed.
“You never beat me, silly. I always win.”
“In your dreams, maybe,” I retorted, but she was right. Demris always outpaced Sion.
“Whatever. I’ll see you in Tiradale.”
“We’ll see.”
“You know what else we should see?” Maren asked.
“What?”
“The foothills where the goblins are rumored to be. Maybe we can take out a few of the nasty creatures, too.”
I shook my head and braced myself as Sion launched herself into the air.
2
Maren and Demris beat Sion and I to Tiradale by half an hour.
Sion landed outside the city and I was surprised to see a new dragon stable had been erected. The last time we’d come through, Sion had been forced to find shelter on her own. I boarded Sion in the stable and found Maren waiting for me at the city gates.
“Took you long enough,” she said.
“That’s because I don’t cheat,” I replied, smirking.
“I don’t cheat! How would I cheat? Demris is the faster mount.”
I shrugged. “Maybe magic has something to do with it?”
Maren made a sound in her throat and punched me in the arm. “I would never use magic to beat you when I can do it on my own.”
I gritted my teeth against the flare of pain and Maren smiled innocently at me. One of the guards at the gates laughed at me. I offered him a nod as we passed, but he ignored me. I expected it to feel odd being back in Tiradale. This was the place where Maren had been injured and where we’d found the map that led us to the Island of Lost Souls. Yet, as we walked the streets and headed toward the castle that towered over the rest of the city, it didn’t feel odd at all.
The side entrance to the castle was guarded by soldiers wearing plate armor. Two guards stood on either side of the small gate, and they wielded halberds. As we approached, one of them stepped forward to intercept us. His insignia revealed he was a captain.
“Hail,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
“We’re here to see Baron Giffor,” Maren replied.
“What for?”
“We’re riders from the Citadel,” I clarified.
“Forgive my ignorance,” the captain said. He offered an awkward bow of his head, which I suspected was due to the armor restricting his movements. “Please, follow me. My lord Giffor has been waiting for your arrival.”
“Forgiven,” Maren said.
The captain paused as if unsure what to say, then turned to the others. “Open the gate.”
One of the guards rushed to obey, struggling with a ring of keys. He managed to unlock the gate and we followed the captain across the threshold. We entered an elaborate garden and followed a loose gravel path that wound its way around statues, fountains, and shrubs that had been cut into the shapes of animals. It was beautiful, I admit, but it was all an unnecessary display of wealth. Nobles were all the same. Well, Maren was the exception. We reached the castle and the captain stopped us.
“Wait here,” he said, then went inside.
I looked up at the castle and saw most of the windows were stained glass. Guards were spaced around the fortress every ten feet or so, and a thick wall surrounded the entire complex.
“It seems odd that nobody saw anything,” I said, waving my hand around. “There are guards everywhere.”
Maren shrugged. “Maybe they’re lax in their duties and she slipped past them.”
“Maybe,” I agreed.
The captain returned with another man, who ushered us inside.
“My name is Osvald, Steward to Baron Giffor. I’ll be in charge of taking care of you while you are guests here. Let me show you to your room.”
Osvald was tall and thin. The hair atop his head was almost gone, with only the sides and back having anything to speak of. He was on the older side, as the remainder of his hair was gray and wrinkles marred his complexion. Despite his age, Osvald moved with quick steps, and Maren and I had to speed walk to keep up with him.
We reached a spiral staircase that led to the upper part of the castle and Osvald took the stairs two at a time. Maren and I struggled up after him, and I was dismayed to see Maren was faring better than me, though she was breathing heavily.
“When will we see the baron?” Maren asked breathlessly as we climbed.
“He’s finishing his time with the petitions of the low borns, but he’s aware that you’ve arrived. He’ll be up shortly to meet with you.”
The top of the stairway took us into a large hall. There were doors lined along the right side, all of them closed. Osvald led us to the last door and pushed it open. Maren went inside to look around while I listened to Osvald.
“This will be your quarters for the duration of your stay. I make my rounds every hour, so if you have need of anything, that would be the appropriate time to mention it. I do allow one servant to access this wing in my absence. His name is Bekim. Short, blonde. He’s twelve, but he’s trustworthy and can assist you if I’m not around.”
Osvald spoke as fast as he walked, and it took a moment for me to digest everything he said. I nodded mutely.
“Do you need anything before I leave you?”
“I don’t,” I said, then looked questioningly at Maren. She shook her head.
“Very well. Please wait inside the room and don’t wander the grounds until my lord has spoken with you.” He offered a low bow, then turned and left. I waited until he disappeared down the stairs before stepping inside and closing the door.
“He seems high strung,” Maren said.
“He’s the Steward. I think that comes with the job. Besides, the baron’s daughter is missing. I’m sure he’s being held accountable since it happened on his watch.”
“That’s a fair assumption. Come over here.”
Maren was standing at the room’s sole window. I walked over to join her and looked out the stained glass and was afforded a magnificent view of the garden. The glass tinted it purple, but it only added to the beauty. The wall around the castle was visible as well, but the details of the city beyond were harder to make out. Maren drew close to me and I draped my arm around her shoulder. We enjoyed each other’s company in silence for a while before it was interrupted.
Someone knocked on the door. Before we had the chance to turn around, the door swung open and three armed guards stepped into the room. They fanned out and a heavy-set man walked in behind them. He wore an embroidered blue tunic that was tucked into beige trousers. A flowing black cape nearly touched the floor behind him and matched the color of his polished boots. I guessed him to be in his early forties. His hair was sandy blond, cut short in the current style, and his blue eyes were sharp and calculating.
“Ah, the dragon riders have arrived,” he said. “I trust Osvald ensured your comfort?”
“He did,” I replied, stepping forward. The guards reflexively laid their hands on the hilts of the swords.
“Settle down, you fools,” Baron Giffor reprimanded the men. “These are dragon riders, not some riff-raff off the streets. Just … go.” He waved his hand toward the hall. “Get out of here.”
The guards seemed hesitant to obey, but when Giffor glared at them, they hurriedly departed into the hall. Giffor closed the door and stepped further into the room.
“I apologize for their reaction,” he said gruffly, one hand running over his chestnut-colored beard. “Given recent events, they’re a bit overprotective.”
“An understandable response,” I replied. “They have every reason to be wary. Master Anesko told us your daughter went missing two days ago. What can you tell us about the night she disappeared? Who was the last person to see her?”
“Yes, that’s right. Aria was in her room the last time I saw her. I tucked her in for the night and retired to my chambers. In the morning, she was gone.”
“Did she seem out of sorts at all?” Maren asked.
“No. She was acting normal, by all accounts. She likes to tell me stories before she goes to bed, and that night was no different.”
