“This is our lady, Candace,” he said simply.
“Welcome to our Lair,” the lady said graciously, smiling in a friendly way.
Luc had heard of the odd trios formed by the dragon knights in Draconia but hadn’t expected to see it in action. This trio seemed happy enough, and Luc passed no judgments on how various people wanted to partner up. It was not the fey way to intrude into other peoples’ lives unless they were causing harm, and clearly, these people were not harming anyone with their choice of lovers.
“I am Scout Captain Lucassian of the fair folk,” he replied, introducing himself. “And this is Lilly Deverelsdoter, messenger from King Alric the Blind.”
“Thank you for receiving us, milady,” Lilly said politely.
“Are you hungry? We have just begun laying the evening meal. You are welcome to join us or, if you are too tired from your journey, we can show you to a guest suite where you and your dragon companion can rest, and I can have food delivered there. What is your preference?” Candace asked solicitously.
“Shilayla tells me that your dragon friends are taking her to a herd set aside for dragon sustenance,” Luc told them. “I believe Lilly and I would prefer to eat here and discuss our situation, if that is acceptable to you.”
“More than acceptable,” Hal replied heartily, ushering they toward the high table in the rear of the room.
Candace smiled and walked beside Jures, who still flanked Lilly, Luc noted. These knights were cautious, which he understood. He just hoped their caution didn’t hide any more sinister motives.
They all sat at the high table, and immediately, platters were set before them by young kitchen helpers. The lady had words of praise and greetings for each of the teenagers, Luc noted.
“Lair children all help out from a young age,” Candace explained. “The ones serving our food are the children of our knights, doing their rotation in the kitchens this season.”
“We do something similar under the Veil,” Luc replied, liking the way the lady dealt with the youngsters. It was clear to him that she either cared greatly for the youths or was a consummate actress. He thought, and hoped, it was the former.
“I’m not familiar with the Veil, Sir Luccassian,” Candace said to him. She was seated between her knights, at the center of the high table. Luc and Lilly had been placed together, on one side of the table, beside Sir Hal.
“I am not yet a knight, milady,” Luc corrected her gently. “I am currently the Scout Captain but hope to be elevated to knighthood when I return, successful, after this mission. If I understand the geography correctly, my home lies to the north and east, over the mountains we call the Dragon’s Teeth. We are far north of King Alric’s lands, above the Snowlands, near the top of the world.”
“Sounds cold,” Candace said, shivering.
“Not under the Veil,” Lilly piped up. “It is an enclave of fair folk and snow dragons, protected by a magical barrier that none may pass without their permission and escort.”
“I have never heard of such a place,” Candace marveled. “Forgive me, I had assumed you were partnered with your dragon friend, Scout Captain. In our land, only men partner with dragons, and once they are chosen, they become knights. Is that not the way in your home?”
“Not really,” Luc answered, trying to explain. “Shilayla and I have been heartmates since we were both children. She is wild-born and is not yet full grown. We have trained together and worked our way up the ranks of the Scouts, as all young pairs do. The next step for us is to move into the Guard once we have both proven ourselves to our elders’ satisfaction.”
“I believe I understand,” Candace said as they all began eating. “Do women partner with dragons in your land?”
“Yes, milady. Snow dragons choose who they will form the bond with,” he explained. “Some partner with mages, some with healers, and many choose warriors, of course.”
“Magic must be a lot more prevalent in your homeland than it is here, Scout Captain,” Candace observed. “I mean, we have all seen magic, from time to time, but mages are few and far between in Draconia.”
“The most common form of magic here is that attributable to our dragon partners,” Hal put in. “Humans are not very magical at all, compared to the other races, so I’ve been told.”
“That is true,” Lilly observed. “My King is a seer, but there are few mages in his land. I have heard that it is more prevalent to the south of his borders, in Elderland. And, of course, there are the Alchemists.”
“The who?” Candace asked, clearly puzzled.
“The Alchemists? You have not heard of their enclave?” Lilly waited, but Candace shook her head. “They are a group of scholars who have a large settlement in the northern part of Elderland. They are led by a Grand High Alchemist named Osmian, who was the reason for my mission to the fair folks’ Veil.”
“He sent you?” Hal asked. “I thought you were sent by King Alric.”
“I was,” she confirmed. “Sorry. Let me explain. King Alric was blinded as a child by Osmian’s apprentice, who was executed for his crime. Osmian was demoted in rank for a while but has recently risen to power among his people. My King, as I’ve said, is a seer, and he foresaw that Osmian seeks to wake the sleeping wizards imprisoned in the Citadel. He sent me to warn the fair folk who live under the Veil.”
Silence met her pronouncement, and Luc wondered if Lilly realized how much she had just revealed. If these people were on the wrong side of things, he, Lilly and Shilayla could be in very big trouble, right now. He held his breath to see what would happen.
“This is grave news. We know for a fact that King Lucan of Skithdron and his allies in the Northlands have been seeking the same goal. We have been fighting to stop them for years now,” Hal revealed, and Luc began to breathe again. It sounded like they were on the same side in this most serious of conflicts.
One of the dragons that had been lounging in the shadows rose and came over to stand in front of the high table. She was smaller than the other dragons and pitch black. Of the many colors of dragon they had seen so far since arriving here, this was the only black dragon Luc could recall.
Luc saw Shilayla enter the hall at that moment and begin walking toward the high table. Her belly was rounded with her recent meal, as were the two dragons who accompanied her.
The black dragon looked back, to watch Shilayla and her escort approach, then swiveled her head to view the high table once more. She had not said a word, but all eyes were upon her. She seemed to smile as magic filled the air and a black mist wrapped around her. As the vortex dissipated, it left a woman, clad in the elegant leathers of a seasoned warrior in the dragon’s place.
Shilayla stopped in her tracks and dropped to the ground, bowing her head to the woman. Luc had never seen his heartmate do anything of the kind and grew concerned. He was half out of his chair when the woman spoke.
“Be at ease, Scout Captain. I am Zallra of the Black Dragon Clan of the Jinn, descendant of Jintau and Jora. I have come here, specifically, to meet you three and aid you in your quest.” She turned again to Shilayla. “Rise, young one, and join us. We have much to discuss.”
Shilayla seemed hesitant but rose as the lady instructed and came to stand near the end of the table where Luc was seated. He spoke to Shilayla directly, still worried about her reaction.