DARK HOURS
Chapter 12
Kayge continued to hold Emers, keeping her firmly wrapped within the safety of his arms. She couldn’t stop shivering, and he understood why. It wasn’t so much the fact that she was completely naked. She had gone through an ordeal that would drive any sane man mad. One day, he would ask her if she was aware of being inside the dragon, if she’d recognized him, and if she’d watched as he’d battled the creature. But at this time, it was enough they were reunited, and he would do everything in his power to keep it that way.
He was aware of someone coming up to them, then felt a cloak being drawn around Emers’ shoulders, shielding her body as well as providing her warmth. Kayge opened his eyes to find Father Matthias smiling down at him, and it was then that he knew he’d won. He’d defeated not just the black dragon, but also Gola.
A glance over at where the witch’s body lay showed there’d been no further movement since he’d pierced the woman’s heart with his sword. The hilt still jutted upward, allowing the light from the surrounding torches to reflect off the upper part of the blade. Giving a quick and silent prayer of prayer of thanks, he adjusted his grip on his love, pressing a gentle kiss to her slimed forehead.
A hand grasped his shoulder. Not roughly, but companionably. Firm and steady, like that of a friend. Lifting his face, he stared up into Obred Tayson’s countenance and into eyes that were clear and no longer lifeless.
“You saved us,” Tayson said, adding a shy smile. “You released us all from that witch’s hold. We owe you a major debt of gratitude.”
Around them the other soldiers were regaining their senses and realizing that they had all been held in Gola’s powerful spell. Seeing them awakening, Kayge knew he’d done more than broken the witch’s grip on them. He’d returned their lives to them.
Tayson indicated the body. “How were you able to overcome her?”
Kayge grunted. “That is a story I will have to tell you later. Right now, it is imperative Emers and I have a bath to remove every last reminder of that dragon, and find fresh clothing. After which, we need to eat something. And we must rest.”
Tayson nodded. “I will send out orders to have all that prepared. We also need to know what to do with the bodies.”
“Burn them,” Kayge grimly replied. “But be certain you do not remove my sword or my knife from that bitch’s body. Do you hear me? Same for the crucifix still embedded in that dragon’s chest.”
“Do you fear that if we do, she might be able to come back to life? She and the creature?” Tayson questioned.
“I do not want to take any chances,” Kayge responded. “Only after she and that vile thing have been reduced to ashes, and those ashes have been scattered to the winds, only then can you retrieve my blades and necklace and return them to me.”
The Centurion bowed in obeisance. “Your will be done.” Pivoting smartly on his heels, the man began shouting orders to the other soldiers, many of whom ran off to begin fetching firewood to build the bonfires.
Slowly releasing her, he peered down at her. Her eyes were wide, her face ghastly pale from her ordeal. “My love? Are you with me?”
She gradually looked up at him as recognition returned. Throwing her arms around his neck, she clung to him. “It was… I was…”
He shushed her. “I know. I was, too, remember? But it is over. Look.” He pointed out the witch’s body, then the carcass of the dragon. Emers checked, and he felt some of the tension ease from her body. “Come, my beloved.” He reached out to the priest. “Father? With your help?”
Understanding, Father Matthias bent down, taking Emers in his embrace and lifting her to her feet. Kayge fought to stand, his face contorting with pain as fresh trickles of blood ran down the back of his leg and thigh. Seeing his struggle, two soldiers hurried over to lend him aid. Secured in their grasp, and noting the priest had Emers, he nodded, and together they left the courtyard to return inside the castle.
It quickly became evident the soldiers and guards weren’t the only souls freed from the witch’s snares. The servants were also released. Happily, they hurried to prepare baths for both Kayge and Emers, as well as for Father Matthias, who gave forgiveness to the women who’d treated him so badly earlier and were now remorseful and repentant.
Once he’d scrubbed every remaining trace of dragon bile from his body, Kayge’s wounds were treated and he was given a fresh change of clothing. By that time the smell of burning dragon could be detected on the wind. Despite its rank odor, Kayge stopped at a window to watch the conflagration of both beast and witch, and took in a deep lungful to remember this moment.
“I must not ever forget how close I came to losing everything,” he promised himself. “We all must never forget.”
The sound of footsteps running down the hall drew his attention away from the sight of the billowing smoke. He turned from the window as his beloved called out his name and threw herself back into his embrace. Although her golden tresses were still damp from her bath, he grabbed two handfuls of it as he brought his mouth down over hers, not caring if any other eyes were watching. The kiss was too brief but sweet when he finally broke away and drew her back into his arms.
“Is it really over?” she whispered. Another shudder went through her, and he hugged her tighter.
“Yes. ‘Tis done.”
Emers sniffed. “Is that smell—”
“The dragon and the witch.”
She started to move toward the window to see for herself when he stopped her. Emers gave him a hard stare. “I spent days inside the belly of that wretched beast. Do not deny me this chance to see him receiving his due.”
Knowing she had that right, Kayge relented. Together they stared out the window, watching until the flames grew weaker and the night once again spread her dark veil over the kingdom. As they mutually turned away, a servant approached them to let them know a meal had been prepared and was waiting for them in the dining hall.
Tayson spotted them entering the room where laughter was ringing from the rafters. The place was packed, and two empty seats awaited them at the head table. When the other diners finally noticed them, cheers went up and fists pounded on the table in greeting.
“I cannot remember the last time I heard the sound of such joyousness in this place,” Tayson admitted.
Glancing around, Kayge was about to ask where Father Matthias was when he saw the old man enter from a side door. He gestured to the priest to join them, and everyone at the table made room for one more.
Father Matthias dropped into his chair with a groan. “Never again will I denounce a warm bath and clean attire. Those are two of our Lord’s greatest gifts to mankind.”
The food was brought to the tables by the servants, who thanked the Centurion for his bravery. Kayge and Emers took what they wanted and were about to begin eating, when a steady chant of “Speech! Speech!” resounded, growing steadily louder. Knowing the attendees were expecting to hear a few words, he threw Emers a defeated look and got to his feet. The room went silent.
Eyeing the vast hall, Kayge took a deep breath. “I know you are wanting to hear what happened prior to me arriving back here and taking on Gola. You want to know about the dragon, and why my beloved wife, Emers Ammin of Deccatar, was in the belly of that beast.” He winced as the memory tried to sweep him away from the moment, but he pressed on.
“That story will come. Later. For now, we need to rest and recover. We need to mourn those we’ve lost, including our king and queen.”
A soldier he recognized stood up. Kayge nodded in his direction. “Meeasters, what say you?”
“We need a new king to lead us. To pull us out and away from the darkness that witch brought upon this land.” The man glanced around the room, then pointed at Kayge. “I say it should be you! You have earned that right by defeating her!”
The man’s suggestion was swallowed with riotous huzzahs and more table pounding. Kayge motioned for silence and waited for things to settle before proceeding.
“I appreciate your faith in me, but I cannot—”
He was cut off with a round of boos. Meeasters continued.
“You were King Estephan’s Centurion! One of his most loyal and trusted guards. You have avenged his and Queen Denu’s deaths, and the deaths of the royal family. If anyone deserves to wear the crown, you do! We know you, Kayge d’Bayar. We’ve fought with you, and we will fight for you!”
Tayson stood to add his voice. “I cannot think of a man more suited to bring peace and stability back to Noranye.”
“I am a soldier, not a ruler,” Kayge argued.
“You are a just man. The rest…” Tayson gave him a mischievous grin. “The rest you can learn as you go.”
Kayge turned to Emers, who wore a warm and loving smile. “Em?”
“They need, we need someone they can trust. I trust you with my life and my heart. Do they deserve anything less?”
He rubbed his forehead, knowing that everyone here would not stop until he relented. Lifting his chin, he stared out across the sea of expectant faces.
“Very well. I accept your challenge—” He got no further as the room erupted into a cacophony of cheers. As the roar continued, he dropped back into his seat and reached for his cup of wine. Emers extended her hand to find his free one and gave it a squeeze. Smiling at her, another thought suddenly broke through the haze as he realized that tonight was to be his wedding night. Not in an inn as fugitives, but in a castle as the future king and queen. He found himself growing nervous at the prospect, but a happy nervous. Emers saw his hesitation and gave his fingers another squeeze.
Eventually the room settled and all resumed eating. Kayge was about to signal a servant to ask for another portion of meat when Father Matthias loudly belched and got to his feet.
“Leaving us already, Father?” Emers inquired.
“I have a lot of work to do. Might as well get started. The morrow will come all too soon.”
“No doubt, the church needs to ready itself for the number of penitents who will be needing to use the confessional,” Kayge acknowledged with a wry smile.
The priest snorted, then swallowed the last of the wine in his goblet. “Confessions, yes, to be certain, but that’s not my most urgent need.”
“Oh?” Emers gave him a questioning look, which the priest responded to with a wide grin.
“Most certainly, good lady. I have to prepare for the upcoming coronation for the new king and queen of Noranye.” Adding a wink, Father Matthias made his way out of the dining hall as he whistled a jaunty little tune.
THE END
