Spoiler
In The Tallest Tower
Briar was only nine when they took him away and locked him up in the tallest tower of an abandoned keep. He remembered it well; Mother crying, Father looking furious. The Seer who'd advised them on the proper path had been smug, of course. He'd never forget that face.
And then there was the dragon.
The first time he'd seen it, he had been terrified and hidden from it. Briar hadn't needed to worry, though. The giant blue beast had just lifted it's head, looked at him and gone back to it's lounging around. Briar had stayed in his room for weeks, wondering and waiting. Food was always on his windowsill in the mornings, noonday and evenings. He didn't question it.
After months of nothing, the first knight came to claim the 'princess' that was locked away in the tower. Briar had snorted at the old man's yelling and posturing. Didn't he know that his 'princess' was just a boy? Probably not. He was glad when the dragon ate him.
It wasn't until later that he realised what they'd done to him. Briar was apologetic for ignoring the dragon for three years. He quickly learned that the dragon--who liked to be called Attor--was friendly. To him, at least. He also learned that the smirking Seer had been more than just that, and that he'd bound Briar's life to the dragon's. He hadn't been happy about that, and had kept trying to figure out when that had happened. Briar hadn't had much luck. Attor, on the other hand, was content to let it be. He told Briar that they'd get their revenge eventually and that he would need patience. Briar wasn't sure what to make of it, but he'd trust the dragon first. Attor told him the truth, mostly.
Over the years, hundreds of men, knights of the realm and beyond (and a few women) had tried to claim him. All had fled or fallen to Attor. Briar was content for the most part. He let the dragon do what he wanted and practiced his swordplay up in his tower constantly, not sure what he was waiting for.
It was on the eve of his eighteenth birthday that Attor came to him. Briar had just been polishing his sword and dagger, sitting by the window to catch the last of the sunset. The dragon had climbed up the tower and blocked out the light, making him look up.
"Attor?" he asked, frowning at the big, silver eye peering at him through the tall arched window. "What is it?"
A knight comes, the dragon rumbled, voice echoing in Briar's mind. He is young and alone. He comes for you, Prince.
Briar stood up and shoved at the dragon's head until Attor moved it so he could see. He leaned out the window, peering out over the ruined keep to see the main gates. Sure enough, if he squinted, Briar could just see the shiny armour of a knight passing through them. He was on horseback and trailed two horses behind him. A packhorse and a spare, obviously for the "princess" to ride. Briar snorted.
"It's sunset," he said, retreating into the room and tossing his long platinum-coloured braid back over his shoulder. "He'll make camp tonight and try to take the tower in the morning." It was a predictable pattern. "He's seen you by now," Briar added, casting the dragon a narrow-eyed look. "What shall we do?"
Wait and prepare, the dragon said, eyeing him through the window. I will guard the stairs. He nodded to the dragon and Attor retreated.
Briar stayed up all night sitting in a chair facing the door with his sword resting across his knees. In the candlelight, the door looked ominous. The candle burned down to a puddle of wax well before dawn came--and with the dawn came nothing. Briar frowned and stood up, crossing to the window to peer out.
The knight was still camped by the main gates, smoke rising from his campfire in lazy circles. Briar retreated into the room and went to the door, cracking it open. (He'd long since learned to pick the lock, a skill even Attor had approved of.) Attor sprawled lazily on the stairs leading up to his tower, snorting softly. He lifted his head and glanced back at Briar, one silver eye darting towards where the main gate of the keep was.
Briar's frown deepened, and he made to step outside. Just as he did so, there was a glint of something from the slit window in the tower across from his door. He froze, eyes fixing on the window. The glint came again and then he spotted a dusty face peering out at him. He stepped back into the room and slammed the door, locking it. Thoroughly startled, he listened to Attor roaring for a moment and then the whoosh of fire.
There was silence for the longest moment, and then the clattering of booted feet down spiralling stairs. Attor roared again, but did not breathe fire after that. Briar leaned against the door, breathing hard. What the hell was that about? Was the young knight really just spying on him? It made sense to scout ahead, but honestly! Briar shook his head and ran a hand over his face, pressing down hard on his mouth. What the hell?
Attor's cool, soothing presence washed over him and Briar relaxed slightly. He knew that the dragon could sense his distress but didn't want to pry. Briar had thought about the day he'd be rescued long and hard. He expected the knight to be disgusted that he wasn't a princess and try to kill him. Maybe they'd just leave him there? Briar closed his eyes, resting his head back against the door. It did no good to think badly of them, no matter their intentions.
After several, long minutes, Briar pushed off the door and retreated to his bed. He needed to sleep, and sleep badly. Attor would wake him if anything happened. He trusted the dragon above all else. After all, they'd spent nearly ten years together.
The next day was met with the same results as the previous one. Briar went to open the door to check on Attor, and found the knight staring at him from the nearest tower. Attor just lifted his head and looked at it. That was enough to send the knight scampering off again. And so it went for over a week. Briar was beginning to grow impatient and annoyed with the knight. Just what was the man doing?
Briar didn't think he could take much more of it. Plus, he needed a bath badly. Over a week without one, and he was starting to feel more than uncomfortable. Briar sighed and went to find another set of clothes. He felt Attor's mind brush against his with understanding. The dragon felt unpleasant himself. Briar nodded.
He returned to the door and cracked it open. No glint from the other tower greeted him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing the baths were at the far end of the keep, well away from the main gates where the knight was camped. That--hopefully--meant that they wouldn't be disturbed. Briar hugged his clothes and sheet to his chest and stepped out. Attor had already moved off the stairs so he could pass, but he wouldn't stray far. Before leaving the tower, he made sure the door was securely locked. Briar didn't need some creepy knight breaking into his room while he wasn't there.
The walk downstairs to the baths was uneventful. Attor even seemed bored. Briar, though, enjoyed the companionship the dragon gave him. He could even feel the magic that bound their lives together now. It was a shimmering silver-blue thread in his mind. Briar knew that the dragon felt it, too.
Soon enough, the partially decayed building that was the bathing house loomed up in front of them. Briar hopped over the low, crumbling walls and approached the pool of water. Steam rose from it, twisting lazily in the light that slanted through it. Briar smiled. He'd always loved the hot spring, and he knew Attor absolutely adored it.
Attor nudged him just as he reached the semi-decayed stone sitting right on the edge of the pool. Bathe, the dragon told him, mind voice tumbling over him like a storm. I will check the area.
They exchanged a look and Briar nodded. He watched the dragon climb back over a wall and out of sight. Knowing he wouldn't go far, Briar stripped off and climbed down into the pool. He ducked beneath the water and swam out a few feet.
He'd just come back up when he heard a voice behind him; "I didn't believe the rumours, but it seems like they were true."
Briar froze for a second before turning around, sinking down into the water until his chin touched the surface. The knight stood on the bank, nudging his sword with one foot and holding up his shirt with the other. He was dressed only in dusty traveling clothes. Briar kept his mouth shut, watching him warily. The knight was only a few years older than he was, but obviously more experienced in fighting. Briar didn't think he could fight him and win.
"You're no princess."
Attor! Briar mentally screamed, ducking under the water to head for the side of the stones the knight wasn't standing on. He heard the dragon roar before Attor dove into the water. He broke the surface near the shore just in time to see the knight drop his shirt and reach for his sword. Briar scrambled out of the water and behind the crumbling stones as Attor advanced on him.
The knight backed up, sword drawn. It gave Briar enough room to duck around the stones, grab his sword and clean clothes, and duck back behind the rock. The knight didn't even glance towards him, eyes locked on the dragon growling at him. Briar dressed quickly, glancing over the stones at his dragon. He didn't know who moved first, but suddenly they were fighting. He'd only just managed to dress himself when the knight struck Attor with his sword. Briar cried out, reaching for his face. He felt slickness across his check and wasn't surprised to find blood coating his fingers when he pulled it away.
Attor roared, feeling Briar's pain--he knew the dragon sensed it. They were bound, after all. They just hadn't known how deeply. Now they did. Briar would not survive if the knight killed Attor.
Another strike, more blood. Briar launched out of his hiding place and between the knight's sword and his dragon's chest, arms flung wide and his own sword hanging loosely from his left hand.
"STOP!"
The knight froze, eyes flickering to his face. They widened when they saw the cut across Briar's cheek. Briar dropped his arms, clutching at the new wound running down his sword arm. Blood dripped onto the stone beneath him. Attor tried to move, but Briar knew he couldn't, so he turned to go to his dragon. He had barely taken a step when the knight grabbed him around the waist and hauled him backwards, away from the dragon.
"No!" Briar shouted, struggling against him. The knight just disarmed him and tossed his sword to the side, tightening his hold. "No! Let me go to him!" Briar felt tears pricking his eyes and tried not to let them fall. His determination did nothing to stop them, though. "You don't understand! Let me go!" He struggled harder but the knight's hold only tightened even more. He left out one last soft, desperate plea, "please..."
Princeling, Attor rumbled, head lifting off the ground. Briar saw it through blurry eyes, tears obscuring his vision. He felt weak and betrayed. Briar...
"No," he sobbed, reaching for the dragon. He could feel his back pressed against the knight's chest, could feel the warmth of it through his shirt. He didn't like it, and struggled again. "Attor!"
"Attor?" the knight's voice was sharp above his head. "The dragon has a name?"
"Yes!" he hissed, driving an elbow back into the knight's ribs. The older man abruptly let him go. Briar took the chance to escape the man's hold and rush towards his dragon. He felt the knight's hand grip his braid for a second but then it slipped free. He skidded to his knees by the dragon's head, throwing his arms around Attor's solid neck. "Attor! Are you alright?" Briar ran his hands over the dragon's head, avoiding the cut across the beast's right cheek. "Please tell me you're alright!"
All is well, little one, came the reply as Attor shifted slightly. It is just a scratch or two...
Briar heard the knight shift behind him, and could almost see the frown on his face in the reflection of Attor's giant eye. "I....don't understand," the knight said, sounding confused. "This... I... What's going on here?"
Attor blinked slowly. Briar froze against the dragon's neck, fingers digging into snake-like skin and giant scales. He listened to the dragon's breathing for a moment before he straightened up and shot the knight a dirty glance over his shoulder. "You nearly killed us both!" Briar hissed, stroking the dragon's neck absently. "Who the hell are you and what do you want?"
The knight cleared his throat, giving Briar's narrow-eyed look a sheepish one in return. "It's Theo," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "Theobald of Praes, and I'm here to take you home."
"Home?" Briar blinked, turning around fully and pressing his back against the dragon. "I'm home. They didn't want me back then....what makes you think they want me now?"
Theo gave him a level look. It made Briar feel uneasy. He reached for the dragon blindly, seeking Attor's comforting presence. The action seemed to unnerve the knight, who shifted his weight uneasily. Even his expression was uneasy--and concerned. Briar gave him a meanngful look. Why would his parents want him back now?
"Your parents...they're dead," Theo finally said, offering him a somewhat somber look. "Do you remember the Seer? The one that suggested that you be sent here?"
For a moment, Briar was lost, but then he remembered the man's smirking face and nodded. He remembered the man well--he hadn't liked him. Attor let a growl rumble out. Theo looked relieved for a moment, almost as if he wasn't sure if Briar would remember anything of the palace. Briar, of course, did remember the palace--he used to play in the gardens as a child. It was always a fond memory for him. Before....well, before everything happened as it did.
"Good," the knight said, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Briar frowned. "What about him?"
"He's trying to take over."
For a moment, Briar was stunned. "What?"
"The council won't let him, but eventually they will crumble beneath his will." Theo wiped his blade clean on his sleeve and sheathed the sword, crossing his arms over his chest. Brair's gaze caught on the bright red blood standng out in stark contrast to the off-white shirt the knight wore. "They said if you didn't come forwards, they would need to consider the nobles who are closely related first before they even considered him." He offered Briar a wry smile. "You can guess what's happening to all the potential heirs..."
"He's getting rid of them..." Briar looked away, gaze drifting to rest on Attor's elegant snout. What was he supposed to do? This Seer sounded like a determined man. He could stay in the ruined keep, live out the rest of his days in peace--mostly. Briar immediately set that idea aside. He couldn't do that. Home, then? It was a tough decision. He rubbed a hand over his face, then fixed Theo with a sharp look. "How do I know I can trust you?"
Theo flinched, looking away from him. "You don't," he said, "but I have something that may change your mind." He swallowed and met the prince's gaze steadily. "Join me at my camp tonight and I'll show you?"
Briar considered the offer for a long minute. He met Attor's eye and watched the dragon blink at him. What do you think? he asked the dragon, keeping half an eye on the knight. Theo stood well back and let Briar make up his mind. Should I join him, just for a little while?
He's telling the truth, Attor whispered back, snorting. Smoke drifting up into the air, trailing from his nostrils as the dragon lifted his head and turned to fix the night with a narrow-eyed look. But that does not mean you should trust him... Join him. I will not be far.
Alright, Briar told the dragon, the turned to meet the knight's eyes. "I'll join you, but only for an hour or so," he said, watching Theo closely. The older man nodded and retreated from the bathing pool.
"See you at sunset, then," Theo said and hopped over the low, crumbling wall.
Briar watched him disappear amongst the buildings. When he was sure the knight was gone, Briar stood up and dusted himself down with his good hand. Attor clambered to his feet as well. He went to gather his dirty clothing and his sword, listening to Attor grumbling in his head about sharp, point things. Briar smiled, trying to ignore the shapr stinging in his check and arm. Theo hadn't even aplogised about the attack on his dragon, either. The smile turned into a sour expression. He decided to ask for one later that night.
Clothing gathered, Briar returned to his tower with Attor trailing after him. The dragon's wounds were already healing. Briar's would linger. They'd learnt that the hard way a few years ago when a knight had gotten a little too close to Attor's side. Thankfully, the dragon had eaten the old man before he could do much more to nick Attor's side. Briar had been asleep at the time, completely unaware of the intruder in the keep. He'd woken up because of the pain. Seeing the blood had just made him panic.
Once back in his tower, Briar made sure the door was locked and dumped the clothing on the floor neary. Then he went straight over the the bed, running his hands over the ornate chairs and gaudy decoration that seemed to smother his room. He sighed, feeling like it might be the last time he'd ever see the inside of the tower. He'd grown found of it over the years.
With a growing sense of regret and sorrow, Briar sat down on the bed and began to tend to his bleeding arm. He pulled the sleeve up gingerly, hissing as it pulled and tugged on the wound. The cut was long, winding down his upper arm, over his elbow and halfway down his forearm. Luckily, it was only shallow--but that might not meant anything. He exhaled shakily, and made sure it didn't need stitched--he couldn't tell--before wrapping it thoroughly with the bandages he'd made from old sheets and clothng. He would need to sleep, and sleep soon...but with his wound.... He'd lost more blood than he'd thought.
Briar glanced towards the window, checking the position of the sun in the sky. It was low, making the sunlight slant through his window at an awkward angle. The sunlight lit up the mural painted on the far wall. Briar blinked and turned to look at the mural. It showed the view of the ruins from his window with a dragon soaring overheard. He'd painted it not long after actually getting to know Attor.
Attor? he called out mentally and felt the dragon's mind brush his. It was almost like a soft caress.
Yes, princeling?
I'm going to head down now, Briar said, touching the bandage on his arm. I think I need to stitch this, but I can't do it on my own.
Go, the dragon whispered, and then his presence retreated. Briar stood and headed for the door. He barely made it halfway before the room darkened dangerously. A second later, Briar saw the floor rising up to meet him, and then nothing.
Briar woke to find Theo leaning over him, humming softly. He stared up at the man, tense and unnerved. The knight's eyes were focused on his arm, and his hair was falling into them. Briar noticed that both were brown. He hadn't paid attention to that before.
"What...what happened?" he asked, and made to sit up.
The knight planted a gauntlet-clad hand firmly on his chest and gently pressed him back down. "Don't move," he said without looking away from Briar's arm. Briar opened his mouth to protest only to be cut off by the knight. "You're injured."
Briar stayed silent as the knight tended to his injury. He could feel the other man sewing up his wound, the pulling and tugging in a rather uncomfortable way. Briar winced, hissing at the slight pain it caused.
"How did you get in?" he asked the knight, just to distract himself from the stinging pain. "I thought I'd locked the door."
"Your dragon snatched me from my camp and tossed me through the window," Theo muttered, tugging one last time before the stinging eased off. "He seemed pretty insistant on it. Then I saw you, of course." This time, the knight did glance towards his face. "I'm surprised the dragon wasn't as unconscious as you were."
Briar jerked his gaze away, fixing it on the far wall, right beside the window. Attor's large, silver eye took up almost the entire space, looming before like silent shadow. He smiled at the sight. Little one, Attor rumbled fondly, it is good to see you awake.
"Attor," he muttered as Theo withdrew.
"The dragon?" the knight asked, glancing towards the window. "Ah....uh, hello?"
Laughter rolled over him, and Briar's smile grew. "You amuse him."
"Do I now?" Theo muttered, retreating from the bed that Briar realised he was laying on. He propped himself up on one elbow and watched the knight move about the room, picking up Briar's discarded clothing and bandages. Briar had never met a knight who cleaned up after themselves like Theo did--and he'd met a lot of knights before he was locked away in the ruined keep.
"Yes," Briar said and pushed himself up into a sitting position. He frowned, glancing towards the dragon. After a few minutes of watching the knight clean up his already clean room, Briar asked, "Why are you still here?"
Theo paused mid-step, leaning over the table. He shifted a few papers sitting on it for a moment, then straightened up and turned to face Briar. The knight seemed to consider somethig for a long moment, then he turned to a dusty, well-worn pack that was obviously his and dig through it. He produced something gold and metal, and a sealed letter from the depths and stood up. Briar watched him approach with growing wariness.
"What is that?" he asked, eyes narrowed. Theo just smiled and placed the gold and red object in his lap and then held out the sealed letter. Briar looked down at the gold object and quickly realised that it was a circlet with red stones set into it. He touched it gently before he looked up again and stared at the letter.
"Proof," Theo said, and waited. Briar swallowed and took the letter from him, blinked at the elegant script spelling out his full name on the envelope. He turned it over and found the royal seal on the back. Tears pricked his eyes and Briar cleared his throat, looking away. Theo retreated again, leaving Briar to hold the letter close to his chest. It was from his mother, bearing her personal royal seal. He wasn't sure if he wanted to read it or not. Briar decided not to, not just yet. It could wait.
Princeling, Attor said, drawing Briar's attention off the letter and over to the window. I saw soldiers coming down the road when I brought the knight to the tower. We cannot stay here any longer.
Briar swore, grabbed the circlet and scrambled off the bed. Theo whipped around, hand going to the hilt of his sword. He gave Briar a questioning look. "How long was I out for?" he asked, crossing to the wardrobe. Attor, how far away were they? Briar pulled out a few sets of travelling clothes and tossed them towards the knight. "Pack. We need to go."
They were braving the pass, the dragon replied, a growl rolling through his mind-voice. It will still take days to reach the keep. We have time.
"Wait," Theo said, giving Briar a confused look when their gazes met. "What's going on? Why do we need to go?"
Briar pointed to the dragon. "Attor says there are solider coming. They're in the pass."
"What? When was this?"
He gave the knight a pointed look. "When did I pass out?"
Theo blinked, frowning. "Around midday. Why?"
Briar swore again, and span back to dig out some more clothing. The room lightened and Briar realised the dragon had shifted his head. He glanced towards the window. The sunlight slanting through was at a lower angle now. It had to be late afternoon.
"It's been hours!" He reached for one of the packs sitting in the bottom of the wardrobe and pulled it out. "They're probably camped just inside the valley by now." Briar turned and began to pack his travelling clothes, then turned to find a cloak. "We might not be able to sneak past them."
Easy, Briar, Attor whispered, trying to calm him. Briar, though, would have none of it. He was too panicked to be calm. What if they were the enemy? What if they were from Dumos or Veissi? What is it was Sevari? They had always been trying to make a move on his parent's throne. Briar....Briar. You have time to evade them! They will come here first. This is where they think they will find you, and when they get here, you....
"Will not be here," Briar muttered, and silently thanked the dragon. He kept packing, then turned to face the knight. "You said you were here to take me home, right?"
"Yes," Theo said slowly, approaching him. "Briar, what are you doing?"
"You're taking me home."
Theo blinked. "You're agreeing? Just like that?"
"Yes," Briar said, smiling slightly. "I am."
A few hours later, Briar and Theo packed up Theo's camp and rode out of the keep. Attor would keep his distance, sticking to the high mountain tops as Briar and the knight stuck to the foothills. They couldn't take the road; the soldiers would see them. It seemed they were off on a journey.
Home, Briar thought, taking his eyes off the packhorse in front of him to look back at the tallest tower of Kavia Keep. He was going to miss the ruins, but he was looking forwards to not dying. As to taking his rightful place as ruler? That was up for debate. He dragged his gaze off the tower and turned to find the the knight. Theo was waiting for him, half-turned in the saddle to look back at him.
"You ready?" he called, absently petting his horse's neck.
Briar nodded and urged his horse to join Theo's. "Yes," he said, adjusting his seating. It had been some time since he'd last ridden a horse. He hadn't been sure he could still do so, but that had been a worry proven unnecessary. "I'm ready."
"Good." Theo grinned, turning around in his saddle. Together, they urged their horses off into the gathering shadows.
