Chapter 5: Diplomatic Matters
“Well.” I peer around my suite in the Wards’ Palace, suddenly dreading this part. “I guess it’s time to go.”
Astralux’s claws click on the stone as she wriggles back and forth. “Isn’t this exciting?! We’re going on our first mission together!”
I smile and stroke the dragon’s nose, just above the nub at the tip. It’s a favorite spot for her. “That’s true.”
“And, we’re not going alone!”
This I’m a little less excited about—Thorn and Vitegadium are journeying with us to Remyssus. Which, it’s not that I don’t like them, even if Thorn can be a little sharp in his demeanor at times. It’s more that I was hoping we would get to travel with Amon and Andeuten.
“Oh don’t you worry,” Astralux says wryly, as if hearing my thoughts. “I think Amon is going to do everything he can to see you again.”
Blushing, I turn away to finalize my leather backpack, which I tie to Astralux’s saddle. I’ve only done this once before, so I double-check all the ties and make a mental note to ask one of the Wards to review once we get up to the Sunroom. I then glance down at my outfit. Now an official member of the Wards, I’ve been granted a gold and silver-trimmed dark blue traveler’s cloak with beautiful gold and silver buttons down the front that bears the Wards’ coat of arms on the back. My dark blue doublet overtop my long-sleeved white cloth shirt also has the Wards’ coat of arms on the back. My black boots—new and shiny, with gold buckles—are high on my legs, almost to my knees. As though that weren’t enough, I have several other such new and expensive articles of clothing, including a Wards’ uniform like what Veremund and the other Wards wore at my surprise Bonding Ceremony.
The one part of my outfit that gives me pause is the weapons I now own. One is a small crossbow and a quiver of short blue, white and purple-vaned bolts to go with it. I haven’t had extensive training with the crossbow yet, but everyone I talked with has explained that not having a ranged weapon while riding a dragon is frustrating. I’ve tied the crossbow to Astralux’s saddle just as I’d been shown, so that it was within easy reach. The other weapons I have now are a beautiful cherry-wood staff, also tied to the saddle, and a sizeable gleaming dagger that sits in a sheath on my belt. I was also granted a shield bearing the Wards’ coat of arms which is slung across my back, a necessity since I don’t yet have any armor. They are still working on creating pieces for me because my small size doesn’t fit right in any armor they already have. So, in the meantime, Neil recommended I keep a shield on me, even though I don’t know how to use it well yet.
“Look at you!” Astralux’s tail taps on the stone floor. “You look like a real Ward now.”
“Thanks.” I know she’s just trying to be encouraging. Me, I’m less concerned about the weapons and more about my healer’s kit that I requested. I set about verifying that it’s got everything we could need on this trip before repacking it in the side pocket on my backpack. I take another look around my suite. “Alright, let’s head up.”
Astralux gives an excited yip and spins in place before holding as still as she can, the tip of her tail still patting on the floor. Smiling, I climb up into the saddle with ease. Astralux turns and slips out of the heavy curtains to the balcony beyond, both of us blinking at the bright light peeking between the mountains and trees to the east. Stretching her wings out, Astralux flaps her wings out a couple of times before she dives from the balcony. Spotting Volkan and Tikokaftos leaving their room, I wave.
“Morning!” Volkan shouts as Tikokaftos flies just ahead and above us.
“Morning!” I watch as Tikokaftos lands with ease at the edge of the Sunroom, making sure Astralux is clear. But she’s done this for a long time and finds a spot just left of Tikokaftos, fluttering her wings a couple of times to ease her landing before her claws click onto the stone platform.
The other Wards are already here and chatting over coffee as they wait for us. “Good morning!” Mortimer says.
“We weren’t the last ones here for once!” Volkan says.
“Yeah, because Estelle and Astralux were packing for a trip,” Neil says.
Volkan grins sheepishly as he takes a seat at the table. I feel my cheeks flush as I walk up to Amon, who gives me one of his charming smiles as he gestures to the chair next to his.
“Well,” Veremund says, looking around the table. “Let’s not delay. Some of you have a long day of travel ahead of you, and I want you to get as much of a head start as possible.”
I laugh as Mortimer reaches over and scoops a massive portion of scrambled eggs onto my plate. “Mortimer! I can’t eat all of this!”
“Oh don’t worry, you’re not the only one.” Mortimer then proceeds to give the same amount to Amon and Thorn. “Eat up!”
“You heard him,” Neil says. “Get fat!”
I chuckle with the others. I can tell that they’re trying to keep the mood lighthearted, even though there’s an anxiousness over us all.
As we eat, Veremund gives a run-through of tips for being as amicable in differing cultures as possible, mostly for Amon’s sake since he’s visiting the other countries. “Remember, take your cues from them as best as possible. But, don’t be afraid to just admit what you mean.”
“Of course,” Amon says.
“And if my translations aren’t perfect,” Mortimer says, “I’ve added a ‘master letter’ to your collection, Amon, in case they understand Haufig well enough.”
Amon nods. “Perfect. Thank you, Mortimer.”
“And what if they’re aggressive?” Volkan asks.
“Then Amon—and Estelle and Thorn, for that matter—should drop the letter off and leave,” Veremund says. “Your goal is to do your best to unite Drakonia against the Vladykars and Klevor, but not at the expense of yourselves and your dragons. Don’t linger if there’s hostility.”
“Understood,” Thorn says.
“Thorn, you’re tasked with helping Estelle and Astralux to hide,” Veremund says. “I know they will try their best but you’ve learned the most from Amon. Don’t be afraid to share what you know with them.”
“Yes, Veremund.”
It’s becoming obvious to me that Veremund is worried about us. He gives a sigh and runs a hand through his black hair, just above the bit of gray along the sides. “I have to admit, I’ve had a bad feeling all morning,” our leader murmurs. “I don’t take it as a sign that Ariadna is against us. But, it feels as though things are going to get worse before they get better.”
“How much worse?” Volkan asks.
“Worse,” Veremund says.
A sullen silence falls over our table. I glance at the downcast faces before looking at Veremund. “But if Ariadna isn’t against us,” I say, “then in the end, her light will still shine through us, no matter what darkness we face.”
Veremund smiles at me. “Aye, that’s true. Thanks, Estelle. Sometimes, it can get more difficult to remember that there is hope as you age and experience hardship after hardship.” He shares a long look with Kalteratem, who nods.
“Or, you know,” Volkan says in the pause, “we can just ask Astralux to breathe in the face of darkness.”
I share a grin with Astralux, whose tail taps on the floor.
Chuckling, Veremund looks around the room. “I don’t mean to discourage you, my Wards. You all have been a great support and help throughout the many years. We’ve come leaps and bounds from just Kalteratem and I on our own. I’m grateful for each of you. You make me proud.”
“We would follow you to the ends of Zoi,” Neil says.
Veremund smiles a bit sadly. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He peers at Amon, who has sat back. “Are you ready, then?”
“Almost.” Amon rises to his feet and then holds his hand out to me. “Estelle, may I speak to you for a moment?”
Shying under the curious eyes of the other Wards, I accept Amon’s hand. He steps away from the table, although not as far as I might like, still well within earshot of the others.
“Please be careful,” I tell Amon. My heart is full of warning for him and Andeuten. Perhaps Veremund’s words have me anxious. “May Ariadna guide you.”
Amon smiles. “You are a light that won’t be extinguished.” He reaches into his cloak, perhaps to a pocket inside his jacket, and pulls out a beautiful ruby pendent suspended from a silver chain. I stare as the sunlight, braziers, and candle sconces glint off the exquisite gem. “Please, Estelle, accept this as a token of my affections.”
I gasp, my hands going to my mouth.
“Aww!” Vitegadium whispers excitedly. He’s hushed by someone else.
Tears fill my eyes and I slowly drop my hands as Amon holds out the pendent. He undoes the clasp on the chain, and I lean my head forward as he wraps the silver chain around my neck. His golden hazel eyes alight, Amon slides his hands along the chain, setting the gem against my overcoat.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“Not as beautiful as the lady who wears it,” Amon murmurs.
Smiling from ear to ear, I pull off the blue ribbon tied at the end of my braid and wrap this around Amon’s wrist. “A small token of my affections.”
Amon chuckles. Then he leans down and kisses me on the forehead. I close my eyes, both exhilarated as love rushes through me, and frightened as a foreboding sense fills me. “Wait for me,” Amon says.
“I will,” I say.
Sighing, Amon takes my hands and kisses them. Then he turns to the other Wards. “Well—”
The other Wards give a holler, clapping and cheering at us, and I blush, shying back a step. Amon just grins as he shakes hands with the other Wards. He pauses as he holds Thorn’s hand. “Take care of Estelle for me.”
Thorn nods dutifully. “With my life.”
“I knew I could count on you. And, don’t steal her from me, hm?” Chuckling as Thorn scowls, Amon pats Thorn on the shoulder and then pauses in front of Veremund, whose brow is furrowed a little. “Take care, Veremund.”
“I know you don’t care for hugs, Amon, but….” Veremund grabs Amon’s shoulder and pulls him in for a hug. “May Ariadna be with you, Amon.”
“Thanks.” Amon finally pulls himself free with a small smile. He walks over to Andeuten, who has finished saying goodbye to the dragons, and pulls himself up into the saddle. Waving at us, Amon gives me a last smile before Andeuten turns and, spreading his wings wide, dives off the Sunroom. I sigh, watching Andeuten disappear out of sight to the southeast.
Astralux nudges me in the shoulder. “Nice shiny!” I can feel my cheeks heat up again, more so as Giftigbun grins at me.
“Well, now that Estelle is lit up as bright as Astralux,” Neil says cheerily, “let’s send you and Thorn off.” I grumble under my breath in embarrassment, but then smile and hug Neil when he holds out his arms. “Get back soon. We have to continue your training.”
Volkan gives Thorn and me a high five. “Don’t have too much fun out there against the Vladykars.”
“My goal is to not meet any Vladykars,” Thorn says.
“Be careful.” Mortimer hugs me. “I’m going to miss you all.”
I can’t help sighing. “I already miss everyone.”
Undabouclier nudges my shoulder. “Stay on your guard. Like I know you will.”
I rub his nose. “You too.”
Veremund gives us both a hug. “May Ariadna be with you both. Stay hidden. Stay safe. But if you are called to battle, don’t shy from it either.”
Feeling like he directed the last part at me, I nod as I step back. “I won’t.”
Veremund pats me on the back. “Thank you for commitment to the Wards. A safe and speedy trip to you all.”
As I mount Astralux’s saddle, the four remaining Ward pairs wave and cheer us on as Vitegadium and Astralux turn and dive out of the Sunroom. While I get the impression that Astralux is more experienced than Vitegadium, Thorn is the elected leader of our group, and Astralux follows as Thorn directs Vitegadium to fly south. I glance back, staring at the tall, glittering white Wards’ Palace and the city of Adytol sprawled along Mount Nordstern, before it disappears behind trees and mountains.
“Our first mission together!” Astralux says excitedly.
“I feel like your first mission together was just making it back to Adytol,” Vitegadium says.
“Yeah, well, this is our first mission that we agreed to go on together,” Astralux grumbles.
“I’d agree to that,” I say.
“Fair enough,” Thorn says.
Astralux glances back at me, her dark blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “So. When’s the wedding?”
Even Thorn laughs as I hide my face in my hands.
Tamara Rivers 
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