Page 8 of Queen’s Gambit

Chapter 3

Reynard

Sana was still asleep when I brought in a tray of freshly baked pasties and a steaming mug of kava. She looked so peaceful after a night without nightmares.

The temptation to leave her sleeping was hard to resist, but Roksana had lost enough people. It would be cruel to vanish without a word.

‘Good morning, Viper. I came for my kiss,’ I said, brushing the hair from her face.

‘Whaaa… Rey? What time is it?’ she murmured, turning towards me, and making a face as she struggled to focus.

‘Cin told me what you discussed, and Orm’s as restless as I am. We’re going to fly to the border. He’ll scout the coast while I go to the pillars.’

‘Ok, give me a moment. I’ll get ready,’ she said, sitting up. Still sleepy, she grabbed the kava, looking unbearably cute while taking a sip.

‘Not this time, love. I need you to greet the guests as they arrive. Be the sovereign while I confirm the report’s findings.’

She narrowed her eyes at me.

‘What reports?’

‘Dragon riders. They mentioned movement at the border. If Tangra’s army cross it, I want to see how they pass the active pillars.’ She took a pastry and brought it to my mouth. ‘And if I can find this key you mentioned, then it’s even more important I go.’

I was trying to act casual, but the reports were concerning. The information didn’t just cover Tangra’s army. The land around the pillars was dying. The observers reported extreme weather, and despite the changing season, there were no signs of vegetation around the pillars.

It made me question whether Tangra wanted to conquer Dagome or kill it.

‘Fine, just return quickly. I don’t want to face everyone alone. The Dagome nobles know who I am, but everyone else will see my presence as an insult,’ she grumbled, taking a bite of the pastry I’d hoped to steal. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

‘I will, I promise. Cinared will want to return to you quickly, even if it means a rougher ride for me,’ I assured her, standing up and taking in the scene before me.

Sana closed her eyes, lingering on each bite, careless she was spreading crumbs everywhere. Soft and unguarded. The perfect picture to recall whilst heading away into danger.

Orm met me at the landing field, ridiculously happy in his riding gear. On such a tall, muscular man, that much cheerfulness was unsettling.

‘Any reason you’re so cheerful this early?’ I asked as he patted my shoulder.

‘I’m flying with my brother. I never thought we’d share this, but Arachne has a strange way of uniting families. Did you know Cinared is the Eldest?’ he said, invoking the goddess of fate’s name as if she was some peculiar auntie who intruded on their family.

‘That red dolt is the firstborn?’ My dragon chased Vahin, nipping at the tail of Orm’s dragon.

‘Well, first formed, I suppose you’d say.’ Orm glanced at the bickering pair. ‘You’ll get used to that. Your dragon will never love you as much as he loves your woman.’ He chuckled. ‘Not that I blame him.’

‘Sana tried so hard to impress you, she almost made herself sick,’ I said as we mounted. ‘So watch your words.’

Orm turned to me, his face serious for the first time this morning. ‘Did I scare her? Fuck, I didn’t mean to…’

‘No, no one intimidates my Viper, but she still hasn’t accepted that she’s worthy of being my Queen,’ I said, and Orm shook his head.

‘Who is? It constantly baffles me why people keep bowing to me.’

The dragons rose too high for conversation to continue. We headed southwest, focusing on the mission ahead, so our discussion would have to wait until our return.

The flight continued most of the day. Then, with a confident wave, Orm banked steeply toward the sea to inspect Tivalaran’s ports. He planned to spend the night camped out there and return tomorrow.

I took the closer target. The pillars were just over the horizon, and Cinared confirmed he could be there and back by nightfall.

‘If you’re struggling to stay on my back for so long, there’s plenty of spikes on my crest to impale your arse and keep you in place,’ he grumbled when I complained of a stiff back.