Ariadna’s Star: Post 59

Amon is still too weak to stand with the rest of the Wards when we see Thorn, Vitegadium, Volkan, and Tikokaftos off, so Thorn and Volkan head to the medical center to say goodbye. The rest of us wait by the Ward’s Palace, trying to chat despite the tension that hangs over us.

“I’ll see if Undabouclier and I can take a couple of scouting trips to the south,” Mortimer says, “in case they run into trouble.”

“I thought the dragon call doesn’t go that far?” I ask.

“Mort’s just noting that at least for today, we should try to stay in range for a little while,” Undabouclier says.

“Especially since the Vladykars showed up Adytol not that long ago, and then chased Amon here,” Neil says. “They’re just making doubly sure that they have some support.”

“Oh, good idea.” I glance at the medical center and spot Thorn and Volkan walking our way. Nervousness settles into me—I’m curious to hear if there’s been any update.

“Amon?” Veremund asks quietly.

“Still tired-looking, but he was eating and did wish us well,” Volkan says.

Thorn glances at Volkan. “Seemed a bit anxious that Mortimer or Neil wasn’t going with us. I think he really is worried about the Vladykars.”

Veremund sighs. “Aren’t we all? But we must trust that Ariadna guides us. We can’t live in fear.”

We all nod in agreement.

“Well, let’s get going then!” Volkan says, his tone excited once more.

Thorn eyes Volkan. “You’re my senior—don’t act like this is your first mission.”

“Every mission is a new opportunity for adventure!” Volkan grins at our chuckles and climbs up into Tikokaftos’ saddle.

Vitegadium nuzzles my head. “Be careful, Estelle.”

I smile. “Be careful? I’m staying in Adytol!” I hug his muzzle, giving him a peck on his cheek. “Ariadna be with you.”

“Did you see that?!” Vitegadium’s tail taps on the grassy ground as he looks at Thorn, who’s smiling a little as he climbs into the saddle. “I got a kiss!”

“Amon better watch out,” Giftigbun teases.

I laugh with the others. “Ariadna be with you all,” I say.

“Stay alert,” Veremund says, “stay close together. And return home soon.”

“We will!” Volkan says.

I wave as the two dragons rise into the air, squinting as a bit of dust picks up. The anxiousness I’ve been struggling with weighs heavier on my heart as the two Wards disappear around a mountain, and I exhale.

“I miss them too,” Astralux murmurs.

“I don’t think any of us like it when Wards leave,” Mortimer says.

“Neil, Mortimer, would you check in with Captain Stuart regarding the defenses?” Veremund says.

“Sure thing,” Mortimer says.

Veremund turns to me. “Estelle, I’d like to go with you to check in on Amon for a moment. Then we should continue your training.”

“Of course.” I walk beside Veremund as we head to the medical center, the dragons behind us growling in their language as they chat. “How long do you think they’ll be gone?” I ask. “How long will that trip take?”

“I’m hoping no more than two weeks,” Veremund says. “If Volkan and Thorn have to explain themselves at all, it could be closer to three weeks.”

“Even to the southern part of Drakonia!” I exclaim.

Veremund chuckles. “Dragon flying is the quickest mode of travel. By far.”

I shake my head. “I couldn’t believe we got to Remyssus as fast as we did! My mind is still trying to comprehend this.” I grow quiet as we enter the medical center, waving to Jaye as she heads down the stairs toward us.

“Oh hello there! Ward Amon might be asleep,” Jaye says. “He just ate a healthy amount for lunch. But go on ahead and check on him, he’ll appreciate it.”

“Thank you, Jaye,” Veremund says. He continues up the stairs to the second floor, but I notice that his steps slow, until at last he pauses in front of Amon’s door. He then turns to me, watching me with his light blue eyes. “Estelle?”

“Yes?”

Veremund glances down the hallway both ways. Then he reaches into his vest and pulls out Ariadna’s Star. “We don’t want to put you in danger,” he says quietly. “But something keeps pressing on Kalteratem and me that you and Astralux need to watch over the Star, not us.”

I blink in surprise but accept the white-glowing, eight-point crystal from Veremund’s hand. It sends a warmth through me, my magic pulsing in response, and for a moment I think I hear the chime-like voice whisper “Light of Ariadna!”

“I’m honored,” I say, “but I don’t understand. I’m not that good of a fighter. I’m still so new to all of this.”

“Ariadna doesn’t choose us based on our abilities, but on our heart,” Veremund says. “Don’t dwell on what you have not been trained to do, but dwell on her provision.”

I stare at the Star for a little while, then I tuck it into the pocket on the side of my vest and smile up at Veremund. “That sounds like something my mom would say.”

Veremund pats my shoulder. Hesitating, he then gives me a side hug. “Be careful, though,” he whispers. “We almost lost you and Astralux to the Vladykars. We’re keenly aware that giving you Ariadna’s Star places a great burden on you both, a target on your heads, as if there needs to be any more of that. Neither of us like this.”

I hug Veremund back, surprised by how much he and the Wards mean to me now. “Ariadna will see us through.”

Sighing heavily, Veremund steps back and gives me a small smile. “It’s too bad you never got to meet Tristin—you two are more alike than I initially thought.” He gestures to Amon’s door. “Just to prepare you, I want to ask Amon some questions about his captivity.” His dark skin pales a little. “I feel I should know what happened to him. But you don’t have to stay.”

I swallow. “No, I’ll stay. I think Amon will appreciate it.”

Nodding, Veremund turns and knocks quietly on the door. “Amon?” He opens the door, peering in before stepping inside. “Good afternoon.”

“Hello, Veremund,” Amon’s voice filters through weakly.

I follow Veremund inside. Even though it’s only been half a day since I saw him last, I’m gladdened by how improved Amon looks. The food appears to have been good for him—he seems reinvigorated, sitting up against the headrest, and I sense energy from him.

“Estelle!” Amon gives me a smile that makes me melt inside. “It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you sitting up! You look much better,” I say.

“The food was welcome,” Amon admits. “As was the rest.”

Veremund sits in one of the chairs still beside Amon’s bed, while I sit on his other side. “Did the Vladykars not feed you?”

“Barely,” Amon says.

Veremund glances at me but then looks back at Amon. “I’m assuming your wounds were from them as well?”

Amon nods mutely, taking my hand with trembling fingers. I purse my lips and give his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Are you ready to talk about your time with the Vladykars?” Veremund asks, his tone gentle. “You don’t have to now.”

Amon’s eyes drop to the white blankets over him. Then he gives a small, sad chuckle. “Truly, it was probably not the worst they can do, by measures. It’s more Andeuten….” He makes an odd noise at the late dragon’s name, but then visibly swallows. “That pain hurts more than anything else. The Vladykars simply toyed with me—I think they had decided upon our capture that they would use me as a trade piece for something, and therefore left me alone, mostly.”

Stroking back a lock of Amon’s warm brown hair as if he were his own son, Veremund gives a sigh. “And how did you escape?”

Amon manages a tiny smile. “The Vladykars do not fear me. They became cocky—they didn’t even keep guards on me. But I knew that I needed to be close to Adytol to have any chance of getting far.” He heaves a sigh, this time of relief, and lays back against his pillows. “I’m glad you saw me.”

“As am I,” Veremund murmurs. “You are doing very well, Amon.”

Amon glances at us both, looking between us. “That said, I was wondering…I know, without Andeuten, it might seem…but I’d like to be….” He takes a breath. “I was wondering if I could stay in my room again?”

“Of course,” Veremund says. “It will remain your room for as long as you wish.”

“I know I’m not a Ward now….” Amon whispers.

Veremund and I both shake our heads. “No, no, don’t think like that,” Veremund says. “Just because Andeuten isn’t here doesn’t mean you are no longer a Ward. You are always welcome in the Ward’s Palace.”

“Thank you, Veremund.” Amon sighs. “You have always been understanding.” His yellow-hazel eyes peer between us. “May I see Ariadna’s Star?”

When Veremund nods at me, I take the Star out of my vest. “Here it is.”

Amon’s eyes widen as the light fills the space between us. “I didn’t realize you had it, Estelle! Wow!”

I smile, looking into the star’s depths, basking in its warmth. When I look up at Amon, I’m surprised to see that he’s squinting at it a little. Oh, he’s been inside with the curtains closed, this is probably very bright. I hold the Star back a little.

Amon blinks, as if in relief, and continues watching it. His reaction still seems odd to me, but I don’t know why. “I didn’t realize it was so small, and produced that much light,” he says after a moment.

Veremund chuckles. “It is small, but filled with great power from Ariadna.”

“Would you like to hold it?” I ask.

Amon looks at me for a moment. Then he looks back at the Star. “Maybe…maybe later,” he murmurs. “I’m very tired.” He smirks. “I would be afraid to drop it.”

I chuckle a little, more to hide my surprise than anything, and return the Star to my vest. “Then rest well.” I lean over and kiss Amon on the forehead.

“Ah, Estelle. How I have missed you.” Amon squeezes my hand gently and then slides down on his bed, lying flat. Veremund situates the blankets around him. “Thank you.”

“Rest well, Amon,” Veremund says. “Perhaps when you wake again, we will transport you to your room.”

Amon gives a single nod. “I would like that. Then Andeuten and I—” He cuts himself off abruptly, and both Veremund and I both flinch, his pain palpable.

“Sh, don’t think about it,” Veremund says.

“Okay.” Amon closes his eyes and turns over.

Veremund and I step out of the room, and I rub a hand over my heart as the leader of the Wards closes the door quietly. “I think Amon is struggling more than he wants to let on,” I say.

“I do as well. Did you see how much the Star bothered him? It was as if he were frightened of it!” Veremund growls, running a hand through his black hair, the sides of which were slightly graying. “Vladykars. They don’t just seek to further Aneiros themselves, but will do whatever they can to make followers of Ariadna afraid of her.”

“Will Amon recuperate? Mentally?” I ask, my voice even quieter.

Veremund glances at Amon’s door, but then gives a single nod. “He’s showing a strength that others who have lost their bonded have not, even in spite of his and Andeuten’s meson bond.”

“I forgot, that he and Andeuten were at meson,” I murmur. “That’s the second stage of the dragon-bonding, right?”

“Yes. Kainos is the first, meson the second, aeon the third,” Veremund says. “Amon and Andeuten were bonded for long enough to reach meson.” He stares at Amon’s door again. “Even if he was imprisoned by the Vladykars, I think Amon is fast recovering again. I’m not sure he’ll ever be fully himself again, but for any who have lost a bonded, that tends to be true.” Veremund turns back to me, his light blue eyes glistening. “Have patience for him, Estelle. I think he’s going to need your help, even if he’s afraid of Ariadna’s light for a little while longer.”

I nod. “Don’t worry. I won’t rush him through his healing process.” I stare off down the hall, thinking of my mom, and Inizion. “We all process grief and loss differently.”

“How true that is.” Veremund puts an arm around me gently. “But don’t worry. Like I said, Amon is showing great endurance. And I can tell your presence means a lot to him. These are good signs. Let’s let Jaye know that we’ll need to move Amon to his room. I think that will improve his mood tremendously.”

Nodding, I follow Veremund down the corridor, holding Ariadna’s Star to me under my vest and wishing Amon could feel its encouraging warmth. Perhaps he’ll be ready to hold it soon.