The following day dawned agreeably pleasant, although some clouds lingered near the horizon. There was nothing that could impinge on Kellina’s mood. She stretched and sat up, noted her fire was going and her breakfast was on the chaise table. She loved that chaise. He had given it to her while she was recuperating from her injuries. She had steadfastly insisted it was coming with her, and He knew better than to argue. She pulled on her robe and sat down to eat as a knock at the door interrupted her.
“Yes,” she called, “Come in.”
The young woman who entered was of moderate height, short blonde hair and steel blue eyes. It was obvious from the other woman’s firm build and masculine mannerisms that she was used to hard work.
Lady Kellina looked her over carefully and smiled, recognizing Ahren from times she’d seen her around the keep, “Yes, what is it?”
The young woman went down on one knee, one arm resting on her other leg then she briefly bowed her head (hmmm … Kellina thought … no curtsy), then rose, “Ahren, if you please, Milady. Lord Michon said you would need some servants to carry your things down to the wagons.”
She nodded, “Indeed, and you are most punctual … er, Arhen.” She decided to take advantage of the moment to ask about the name, “That’s an unusual name for a woman, isn’t it?”
Ahren flushed a bit and nodded, “Yes, Milady, it’s a name someone dear to me gave me and I have used it ever since, if it pleases you.”
The woman’s voice was deep and melodic, easily more masculine than the average female’s. The Lady nodded and smiled, “Then Ahren it is, as you wish it. I need to ask you a question, and wonder if you have time to answer now?”
Ahren nodded, “Of course, Milady.”
“You haven’t been in Shire of the East at all long, have you?”
“No, Milady, only a few months, actually.”
“I know Lord Michon has told you he’d like you to go with me on this journey. I would like to ask your thoughts on this.”
Ahren was silent for a few moments before replying, “Permission to speak candidly, Milady?”
“Of course.”
“Well, Milady, it’s not that I don’t like men … but my tastes have always run to … other women, if it pleases you. Although Lord Michon has been the most wonderful of Masters, there is a distinctive leaning toward the female servitude to the pleasures of the male masters within this Shire. So no, I don’t mind leaving Shire of the East. Lord Michon has never required anything of me but service duties, and respected my wishes on other things. Still, it is my wish to be in service to you, Milady, wherever that might be.”
Surprised at Ahren’s blunt candor, Lady Kellina smiled, “Service to me … how very flattering. And you say you prefer women, you say? How interesting. We shall have to talk more on that, if you’re agreeable.”
“Talk more on it, Milady?”
“Well, may I have your word that you will tell no one?”
Ahren stood up even straighter, it that were possible, “Milady, my word is my bond … and my service to You is, and always will be, my all.”
Kellina smiled. She liked Ahren, “Well, I have been thinking that My shire is going to be different … a haven for women, of a sort, who love women and seek a home where they can do so freely and without fear.”
Ahren smiled, “And do you, Milady, love women?”
Lady Kellina caught the familiarity of the question and decided to let it hang in the air without comment. Ahren noticed immediately and bowed low, dropping to one knee with her head down, “Forgive me, Milady, that was too bold. It won’t happen again.”
Lady Kellina nodded, keeping her voice firm, “Very well, Ahren, but I can forgive such an indiscretion only once. Please do not let it happen again.”
Ahren nodded, retaining her position, her voice soft, “Yes, Milady. May this boi be excused to tend to my duties?”
Lady Kellina nodded and looked puzzled, “Boi?”
Ahren looked up, “It’s a phrase I learned along the way … I’m not a boy, but I am more masculine than feminine, so I came up with ‘boi’ with an ‘i’.”
“Indeed. Ahren, you may of course attend to your duties. I will let you know when I am dressed so you and the other servants can enter freely.”
Ahren stood and bowed, “Of course, Milady, at once.” She backed to the door, turned, and exited quietly. The Lady smiled, somewhat bemused.
“That young woman is going to be full of surprises, I think.”
Later, as servants bustled about moving the Lady’s supplies and belongings, she stood near her window gazing out over the shire that she had known as her home for so long. But a child when she came here with her mother, servant to the household of one of the Shire’s nobles, she had always known the freedom and peace of the rolling hills and pathways. She tried to keep the memory of that one terrible night from her thoughts, but she wondered if she would ever feel safe again. A knock on the door made her turn, and she smiled as Lord Michon came in.
“My Lord,” She whispered and curtsied, brushing her brown velvet riding gown aside to greet Him.
He laughed, “I wonder if you will ever get out of the habit of curtsying every time you see Me,” he said softly as she came to Him.
She shook her head firmly, “Never, my Lord, it will never be so.”
He nodded, “Well, everything is packed … it looks like an army is moving.”
She laughed, “It is. You’re sending guards and servants and all my things and supplies … what more could I ask?”
“You can ask anything you wish of me, you know that,” He said, bending to kiss her cheek softly. “My heart is already weeping with your leaving.”
She looked up at Him, “I don’t have to go, my Lord … I can stay here.”
He shook his head firmly, “No … that’s decided … you will go and rule your own Shire as I have mine. Now, shall we go?”
To His surprise, she held back a moment, smiling almost apologetically, “There is something I must needs do before I depart, my Lord.”
He nodded in understanding, “Your mother?
“Yes, do you know me so very well?”
Extending His arm, He smiled, “I prefer to believe there are still mysteries to you I have yet to unfold. Still, your mother would never forgive Me for allowing you to leave without a farewell, so allow Me to accompany you to her house.”
The walk to her mother’s small house wasn’t far, and one could see it before even approaching it. It was white as white could be, surrounded with roses of every hue, and she knew there was a small vegetable garden in the back. In the stables was her mother’s horse, Cheyenne, though she had been unable to ride for many weeks due to an injury. Kellina worried about her mother being alone, but she would have none of living in the keep. The woman was independent to a fault.
They didn’t have to knock, she met them at the door, “My darling!” Her arms enfolded Kellina, feeling like the warmest blanket she had ever known. It had always been that way. Her mother’s home was modest, but comfortable, and it was hers. Lord Michon had bequeathed it to her as part of Kellina’s service price.
“Mother!” she cried, returning the embrace enthusiastically, “Are you well?”
Her mother snorted and allowed Lord Michon a polite curtsy, to which He responded with a deep bow, “My Lady Phyla … how do you fare, gracious one?”
The older woman blushed, the crimson flushed against gray hair that she wore down and loose around her shoulders. She stood easily as tall as Kellina, and was dressed in a simple work gown and over gown. She led them to the small table where she had tea and cakes prepared. A small limp was the only hint of the injury that had kept her from riding Cheyenne in the past weeks.
“Mother, how did you know we would be coming?”
The older woman smiled tenderly at her daughter, “All these years you are my child and you know me not, dearest one.”
As they sat and visited, Kellina felt the pangs of loss, knowing she would be leaving this woman behind, the one person without whom she knew she would be most lost. She had always been able to run to her mother with questions and ask for advice, a benefit that would shortly be no more. It was in her favor that her mother was of good health for her age, and that very little slowed her down. She was rarely ill, and had never suffered an injury severe enough to keep her down for long. Kellina eyed the still bandaged ankle.
“How is your leg, Mother?”
The older woman tossed her hand in the air as if it were no matter, “Trivial at best, child. Soon enough Cheyenne and I will be roaming the hillsides again, never fear. I visit him in the stables each day with a treat from the garden … I miss him as much as he misses me, I think.” She looked at Lord Michon, “That animal was a blessing, my Lord, and I do thank you for him.”
Lord Michon bent his head in acknowledgement, “Gift enough that it makes you so happy, Lady Phyla. He’s a good steed, steady, and I thought you two were made for each other somehow.”
The older woman nodded, then looked long at Kellina, “So, you are leaving, daughter?”
Kellina swallowed hard, sipping more of her tea, “Yes, Mother, today actually. The storms yesterday delayed me but a day and now I must go.”
Her mother reached out and put her hand to Kellina’s abdomen, “Your little one is happy. That is a good omen … she will come in the Spring, I think.”
Kellina blushed, “Thank you, Mother, that knowledge does my heart good. Wait, you said ‘she’?”
Phyla looked away and out the window, “It is a girl child you carry, Kellina. She will be wise beyond her years. When the time comes for you to bring her forth, you must send for me,” she looked back at Kellina, into her eyes, “this is most important, daughter, you must send for me when your time comes.”
Kellina nodded, “Of course, Mother, how could I not?”
Phyla smiled and seemed to relax, “I have something I want to give to you before you go.”
She stood and walked slowly to a trunk at the foot of her small bed, lifting the lid slowly and rummaging around until she found a small red box. Closing the trunk, she came back over and sat down, looking at Kellina.
“This was your fathers, Kellina. I realize you never knew him, for he had to leave us while you were very small. I myself do not know if he lives yet or not, it has been many seasons since I could feel the energy of his life force.” She held the box out to Kellina, who took it gingerly in her hands. The box was of a fine red velvet, barely worn at all, as if it had lay in the trunk for all the years since her father left.
“Was … was … my father a good man?” Kellina asked softly, gazing at the box she had yet to open.
“A good man?” her mother echoed, “Nay, but more so than even that. His heart was of the purest I had ever known. Taking me to wife was a risk for him, for he was nobly born and I was not, and soon events making that small infraction seem nothing led to our having to leave. He sent you and I away with a caravan while you were but an infant. This he gave me to give to you when the time was right. And now that time has come, my daughter. Open it.”
Kellina lifted the lid on the box and gasped softly, her hand going to her mouth in surprise, “Oh Mother! It’s … It’s beautiful!”
On a long filigreed gold chain hung the purest and most beautiful gold dragon figurine, wings fully spread in flight, and a single crystal stone clasped in its claws. The eyes were of fine set emerald. Kellina half expected the creature to take flight from her fingers, so well made was it and so full of detail.
Phyla looked at her daughter, “I myself do not understand the meaning of the pendant, only that he impressed on me the utmost urgency that I give it to you one day. He said you would learn the secret behind it and fulfill its legacy.”
Kellina looked at Lord Michon, who shook His head, “I fear I am in as much mystery as is your mother, My dear. I think this secret may yet be one you will have to learn on your own. And now, while this visit has been most wonderful, the sun grows high and Kellina must be on her way to her new home. Will you come see her off, Mother Phyla?”
The old woman smiled and stood, “As if the gods themselves could keep me back. Let us go!”
She took His offered arm, Kellina taking the other, and the threesome went to the front of the castle without comment. Outside, there were no less than fourteen wagons, one hundred guards, carriages with assorted servants, and her carriage. The horses stomped impatiently, but the skill of her carriage driver kept them under control.
Kellina turned to hug her mother tightly, as if it were the last time. But of course, this was foolishness. Her mother was quite healthy and anxious to come when the baby would be born. To her surprise, her mother took the box from Kellina and put the necklace on her.
“Do not take it off, daughter. It is your birthright. In it you must find your courage for what lies ahead of you.”
Kellina nodded, “I promise, Mother, I will not remove it. And you must come visit soon, when the castle is suitable for you to come stay.”
Soon enough she was seated in her carriage with her pillows and blankets in case she became chilled and they were on their way. She turned to keep Lord Michon in her sights until the last possible moment. He waved as the carriage pulled out of sight around the first bend, and remained as the caravan followed behind.
He looked at Mother Phyla, “What was that about? The necklace?”
“As I told her,” she replied, turning to go back to her home, “it is her birthright. More than this I was not told. Fare you well, my Lord … I must be about my garden. It will not harvest itself.”
Neither of them noticed Michon’s brother, Phalon, watching from one of the Keep windows. He was older than Michon and yet had turned ruler ship of the Shire over to the younger brother. He was not happy with the turn of events and of this Michon was acutely aware. Glowering, Phalon turned from the window and quietly left, returning to his own keep without seeking out Michon. Upon arrival at his own Keep, Phalon summoned his most trusted submissive, Tamblyn, who alone had the ability to calm his frame of mind when it was uneasy.
Ahren rode a black mare next to Lady Kellina’s carriage and saw her lingering gaze, but if the young woman had any thoughts on this, they were her own. Ever vigilant, she kept her eyes open and alert for any sign of trouble as they continued on their way.
At last, Kellina turned away from the back window and settled into her covers, watching the passing autumn scenery. The varied colors of summer now slowly gave way to reds, oranges, soft purples, and gold. It wasn’t yet cold, but a nip in the air the past few mornings and evenings gave hint of the winter snow that would soon blanket everything. The carriage hit a bump, pulling her from the lull of the scenery and then smiling at her start.
The baby would be born in the spring … so perfect, she thought, for a new baby. Her hand went to her abdomen, still only a slight bulge. She had decided on the name Gwendolyn if it were to be a girl, and of course, Michon, if it were to be a boy. She had hoped for a girl, having no clue what one might do with a boy child. She smiled softly, remembering her mother’s words. Her mother had never once been wrong on the gender of an unborn child, so she took hope from that.
“Gwendolyn, my little Gwendolyn …” she mused softly, her hand resting lightly on her abdomen.
Kellina looked out again at Ahren riding alongside the carriage, eyes alert and focused. Ahren cut a striking figure in crisp white tunic and green breeches, topped with black leather riding boots. She watched the young woman’s movements and, remembering her conversation with Ahren earlier, and seeing her skill with the horse, she found herself thinking Ahren should have a stallion to match her spirit. Something about strength of character seemed to go well with the spirit of a stallion, at least in Kellina’s mind. She would have to ask Michon about it as she had no skill in horse trading and would have to learn from Him how best to go about it.
Finally lulled to sleep by the rocking carriage, Lady Kellina dozed quietly. An abrupt halt awoke her with a start, causing her to fall forward. “Ooomph,” she cried out.
Ahren’s head was in view at the carriage door in an instant, “Are you all right, Milady?”
She sat upright, “Yes, I think so … what’s the trouble?”
“We have a … well, a roadblock, Milady. And it refuses to move.”
“A roadblock?” She said, ‘I am coming out.”
Ahren nodded, dismounted, and opened the carriage door, holding out her hand for the Lady. Kellina took it gratefully and stepped down to the ground. Captain Payne, the female guard Lord Michon had consented to coming, came riding up, “Milady, it may be dangerous, please return to your carriage!”
“Nonsense!” Kellina said, pushing past the Captain’s horse, “If I am to be ruler of my own Shire, it starts here. Let’s see this ‘roadblock’ that dares interrupt our journey.”
She came up short, however, as she came to the front of the procession. All Kellina could see were feet. Enormous talons led to blue appendages that were scaled and deeper blue as she followed them upward. Her gaze followed the feet up huge muscular legs, over a mountainous chest, to a head that was scaled, horned, and blue as well. The creature’s chest and undercarriage was the creamiest of white, glistening scales. It opened its enormous mouth, full of heavy fangs, steam and flame escaping the huge jaws, and Kellina stopped, stunned.
Having only heard of dragons and never beholding one other than the golden representation around her neck, the experience left her with no words, nor even thoughts. This beast was enormous, and quite capable of ending their journey with one swipe of the enormous tail that was swishing about in a most threatening manner. Bony ridges followed over the dragon’s head, down the center of its back, and along the tail to the tip, where four bony spikes arose from the end. She clasped the pendant around her neck for courage and swallowed hard, only to hear nothing but a peculiar buzzing as the air around her darkened.
The creature looked down at her with green-gold eyes and bellowed a fiery roar into the sky above before stating clearly, “I AM TAMBOR, GUARDIAN OF THIS SHIRE AND LANDS. NO ONE ENTERS HERE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!! WHO ARE YOU TO DARE TO COME HERE???”
When the creature looked down for an answer, it blinked. At the feet of her Captain’s horse, the Lady had fainted dead away.
Tags: dragon, dragon heart, dragons, fantasy