XXI
Beta stirred in his bed roll in the early morning darkness. He had not been able to get much sleep last night. He exited his tent and Beta saw Kage sitting on guard, by the embers of the cooking fire. Beta moved towards the embers and began building up the fire. Kage looked at him “Can’t sleep”.
Beta nodded “a lot on my mind and I can’t get comfortable” he said as the fire blazed up and he sat near it.
Kage smiled “Let me guess you are missing having somebody beside you or is it someone in particular you want”. Beta started and then looked him. Beta did not say anything but stared down at his hand and the gold ring he now wore there.
“Perhaps” Beta said “that and how we are going to get that door open”.
Kage grinned “I get it your still getting use to this life” he said and his grin slipped “You should be careful about getting so attached to Ragna. You will only end up getting hurt.”
Beta looked up at the sky as the light began to grow with the coming dawn “I know, Luke told me that Ragna had a princess that he is set to marry” he said “but Ragna is not the person I wanted with me last night”. He looked at Kage and Kage grinned with understanding. Beta threw some wood on the fire “So what is your story Kage?” Beta asked.
Kage looked at him with a grim look “I am not much of a storyteller. I served in the military with Jax and Jake, and there was a disastrous battle that ended with us leaving the military. If you want to know the details, then you need to ask on of them.” They sat looking at the fire when Matt came out of his tent. Matt greeted them and they settled in for a quick breakfast before they prepared to reenter the fort.
Beta followed Kage and Matt back to the fort and stopped before the door. Beta and Kage looked at Matt as he began to chant creating three glowing orbs. He directed each orb and one moved to hover by Beta’s shoulder. They each now had an Orb that hovered near them. “Okay lets go the orbs will keep us in contact so we can each search different areas” Matt said as they entered the fort. They entered the fort and began searching the various rooms looking for information on how to access the treasury vault. Beta found a room where reports and correspondence were scattered across the floor. Looking through them, he found nothing on the treasury. He kept trying to work his way through the rubble strewn fort. He spent hours working through the rubble and as he was working through some rubble the orb began to flash and got Beta’s attention. Beta understood it was time to go back he followed the orb and found Kage and Matt waiting
“Did anybody find anything?” Kage asked. Beta and Matt shook their heads no. “Okay let's go back to camp and regroup.” he said.
They left the fort and made their way back to camp. Kage and Matt went and sat around the campfire. Beta found a place under the tree to sit and think on the problem. As he thought his hand moved toward the band that he had put on. Since he had found the treasures, he had enjoyed wearing them. He did not know why his hand wanted to go toward the arm band he slowly moved his hand along it. Then he felt something strange and looked down at his hand. A what rod had come off in his hand. The rod had the skull clasp at one end and clasping teeth at the other. It looked almost like a key. Beta felt his pulse quicken “could it work like that?” he whispered, he moved the strange key back toward the band and it wove it way back into the band and Beta managed to pull it out again. “If we can find a keyhole it might work” Beta said to himself.
Beta rose and went to Matt and Kage to show them this new discovery and what they should try next.
XXII
Kage led Beta and Matt back towards the fort. They had a new plan to try and get into the treasury room. They were nearing the fort when they began to hear shouts. Kage motioned for them to stay low and they looked out at the fort. There were men moving into the interior of the ruined fort. “Reinforcements” Kage said “we will have to get past them to the treasury chamber”. He turned back to Beta and Matt. “You both have skills in stealth” Kage said “I am going to try to draw some of them off. You two go and get to the treasury chamber I will meet you back at camp. Wait until I draw some off before you move.”
Kage move away from them skirting around the perimeter of fort. They watched him until he was in a line away from them and their camp. Then they saw him pull out his bow and knocking an arrow he shot into a line of horses. He managed to hit a line which broke causing the horses to bolt. He shouted and several men responded rushing towards the forest in the direction of Kage. Beta and Matt waited for a moment as the men in the clearing rushed away in pursuit. They moved quickly and quietly towards the fort. There were men on guard at the ruins of the main doors but a quick incantation by Matt blinded them as they slipped past. They found more men moving through the ruin as though in search of something. As they tried to move through the kept encountering men passing by. Matt touched Beta “I am going to cause some Chaos to draw them off. You keep heading towards the Treasury Chamber.” Matt said and he handed Beta a cloth bag “Take this, it is another bottomless bag specifically for the treasure. Open it and it will suck up any treasures you want it to. Just say these words when you open it”. Matt told Beta the words that he had to say and made sure that Beta could remember it. Matt nodded and seemed to fade as he moved in a direction opposite of the Treasury Chamber. Beta continued moving toward the Treasury and as he found the passage heading down towards them he found a large group of men lingering around the passage.
A tall man stood with an air of command and he looked at another man approaching. “Did you find them” The commander asked. The other man stopped before the commander “No Sir, We found the captain but he was not wearing the relics and we have not located them yet”. The commander looked furious “Well find them we need the thief lords relics, if we are going to get into the Treasury Chamber. I don’t care if you finish tearing this crumbling reck apart just find me those relics.” The man turned and hurried away from the commander as he moved back into the passage. Beta stood cloaked in the shadows when he heard and explosion coming from another part of the Fort. The commander rushed out of the passage “What was that?”. He quickly issued orders and the commander and a large part of the men rushed off to investigate.
Beta saw only one guard left to watch the passage, and he quickly moved past him. Beta came to the large door of the treasury. It was still imposing, but he noticed seams that he had not noticed before. He noticed a hole that looked like a keyhole. Beta looked back and saw the guard still looking for intruders. Beta quickly pulled on the bracelet, and the skeleton key appeared. Beta placed the key in the keyhole and the felt the lock give. The door slowly swung open and Beta quickly moved through and closed the door behind him. He turned back and moved down a short passage and came into the main treasury chamber and Beta stopped suddenly overcome with awe.
XXIII
The treasure room glittered with a mountain of gold and Jewels. Beta looked around and saw other things in the treasure room. Weapons that seemed to shine power and near the center of the massive chamber he saw several pedestals with round gleaming objects. Beta moved into the stacks of gold and silver moving towards the center and the gleaming objects. As beta moved silently through the chamber, he became aware of something else moving. He froze as he saw a strange being come into view. It was like a suit of armor moving through the stacks of gold. Beta pulled out his bow and strung an arrow as he watched the strange sentinel. The sentinel stopped and looked around as though he could see or sense where Beta was. The Sentinel moved with speed, a blade flashing outward. Beta fell backward, avoiding the arch of the blade and heard wood snapping. Beta lay shocked staring at the ruins of his bow and quickly turned and ran towards the shadows of the chamber. The sentinel did not pursue Beta but seemed to register an elimination of the threat and returned to patrolling. Beta had to begin thinking fast as he placed the shards of his bow in his bag. Beta pulled out his knife and slowly approached the sentinel. He moved around behind the sentinel and moved to stab at the sentinel. The sentinel swung around and the dagger stabbed into it, but the sentinel’s blade flashed out as Beta fell back and scrambled for the shadows. Beta saw the rent in the armor begin to seal as he watched the sentinel. The sentinel moved fast, and he needed a way to defeat it before it could close the distance. It also did not seem to care about his presence unless he attacked it and It would most likely attack him if he tried to take anything from the chamber.
Beta began surveying the chamber from the shadows and tried to formulate a plan to deal with the sentinel. Beta noticed another bow sitting on a stand. Beta moved towards the bow and as he approached, he could feel it pulsing with power. Beta picked up the bow and felt it hum. Then he heard the sentinel approaching quickly. Beta spun grabbing an arrow and pulling and releasing. The arrow flew true, taking the Sentinel in the chest causing it to collapse. Beta looked at the Sentinel lying on the floor. He could see it still moving, but it could not rise. Beta left the Sentinel on the ground and moved towards the pedestals at the center of the chamber. He saw three orbs one was silver, one was gold, and the other a deep crimson. He got closer and saw they were not orbs but eggs but larger than any he had seen. Then he thought about the dragon attacking the fortress and then he saw realized they were dragon eggs. He reached out and touched the silver egg feeling the slight heat off the egg. Beta put his new bow on his back and pulled out his own bottomless bag and gently set the eggs inside it. Then standing int the center of the chamber he pulled out the treasure bag Matt had given him. He spoke the words and opened the bag. Beta felt a wind pick up in the chamber and he watched the piles of gold and Jewels fly into the air and get sucked inside. Then he saw the weapons being picked up and getting sucked in to. The wind howled through the chamber and then went silent. Beta looked around the chamber and did not see even a single piece of gold remaining. Beta moved to leave the chamber and saw the sentinel still struggling. He froze as the sentinel let out a strange sound something like a metallic scream. He saw two other sentinels appear from the wall and approach the downed sentinel. They pulled out the arrow and the sentinel rose. He turned and moved quickly towards the door as he heard the sentinels pursue him.
Beta threw open the door and rushed out. The commander and his guard had returned, and they stood shocked as Beta rushed out and moved like a shadow he slipped past them. They would have pursued him to, but the sentinels came out behind Beta and began doing battle with the guards. Beta moved quickly through the shadow of the growing darkness as he fled the fort and moved towards the camp with the treasure in hand. He saw the flickering light of the fire as he approached the camp and came out into the fire light. He saw Kage and Matt rise and look at him. Kage looked at him “Did you get it?” He asked. Beta smiled and held up the treasure bag “I got it all”. Matt and Kage smiled, and Beta moved towards the campfire and began to recount what had happened in the treasure room.
XXIV
Beta recounted his story to Kage and Matt telling them of the sentinels that he had fought with to get the treasure and how he had his old bow broken and had found his new bow. Kage and Matt looked impressed by Beta’s recount when he told them of what he thought as his strangest discovery of the eggs. “Show us the eggs Beta” Matt said, and Beta opened his bag and began pulling out the eggs. He had wrapped them in soft cloth to protect them, so he unwrapped them and lay them gently in front of the others. First the deep crimson egg and then the Golden egg and finally he pulled out and unwrapped the Silver Egg. Beta held the silver egg in his hand and was setting it down when he felt the egg begin to move. He held the egg close so that it would not fall and it moved again. There was a crack and the egg split near the top as something inside struggled to break out of the silver shell.
There was another crack and the egg shell split in half and fell away. Beta looked down and he saw that in his hand was a silver dragon hatchling. Kage and Matt looked at Beta with shocked looks as the looked down at the small silver dragon hatchling. The dragon hatchling looked around at them and then started crawling over Beta sniffing around as if it was looking for food. “A Silver Dragon” Matt said as he pulled out some dried meat from a pack and tempted the dragon over to him. The Dragon let out a squeal of happiness as it jumped up and opened tiny silver wings and glided over to Matt. “Why did it hatch now?” Beta asked still shocked as he looked a the dragon. “I don’t know” Matt said “It just did, perhaps we can ask some of the others. They should know for now we should take care of it”.
Matt slowly fed the dragon, the dried meat and was leaning back as the dragon seemed to sniff around for more food. He tensed suddenly and looked out into the darkness “someone is coming, they tripped my wards.” Matt said. They stood looking out into the darkness weapons drawn, and Beta felt the Dragon land and lay over his shoulders. “Well now here are the thieves, hand over the treasure and the dragon and the other eggs” a drawling voice said as the commander appeared from the dark with several of his guards following but much less than he had before. The commander smiled “I am glad I found you, it was smart to set those golems on us, but we defeated them. It costs us and you will have to pay for that but first the treasure. Hand it over now.”
They tensed their weapons ready and the small dragon hissed at the new men. The commander smiled “Don’t be fools, two of you will be able to walk away from here unscathed. The other might not be able to walk after we are done with him.” He said smirking “Just give us what we want.” Beta watched them and then he noticed Matt tense again and almost gasped as the three armored sentinels emerged behind the commander and his men. The commander smiled and signaled to his men to ready their weapons. There was a scrapping as swords were removed and the men readied themselves laughing. Then the sentinels were among the men. The men scattered as the Sentinels lashed out and the men broke and ran. The commander fell as he attempted to flee and slammed his head, rendering him unconscious. Beta watched all this with a sense of dread as the sentinels focused on him. They began approaching him their weapons appearing, and then Matt was before him intoning a spell, and the sentinels stopped and seemed to shut down. “Fascinating” Matt said as he approached the sentinels “They are armored golems and seem to be made of liquid metal. I want to study them when we get back home. I think I can.” Matt snapped and the sentinels disappeared and in their place were small figures shaped like the stood. Matt picked them up and stowed them in his backpack.
Kage looked at the unconscious commander. “What should we do with him?” Kage asked “We could kill him or leave him”. Beta looked at him as he turned repacking the remaining dragon eggs in his bag. “We should take him with us. He might be able to tell us something useful” Beta said. Matt smiled as he conjured rope that bound itself around the unconscious man. “Well let’s get some rest for our return journey in the morning. I will take the first watch.” Kage said as the night advanced.
XXV
Beta woke before dawn again missing something while wrapped in his blankets. He looked around the dark tent when he had first slept, the silver dragon hatchling had been curled up next to his head. Now the dragon was gone, Beta slowly untangled himself from the blankets and left his tent. He saw Matt sitting by the warmth of the campfire. Matt looked at Beta and smile “Morning Beta”. Beat smiled back at Matt “Morning Matt have you seen the dragon”. Matt nodded and pointed up at a tree. Beta looked up into the tree not really understanding when a beam of moonlight shifted through the tree and revealed the small form of the dragon sitting on a branch watching the moon. Beta smiled and moved to sit next to Matt by the fire. He looked around and saw the prisoner huddled under a blanket not far away. Matt looked at him “So couldn’t sleep again Beta?” Matt asked smiling at him. Beta looked at the fire “Yeah, I just can’t get comfortable right now” Matt smiled “still thinking about him huh?” Matt asked with a sly smile. Beta looked at Matt slightly flushed “Who do you mean?” he asked. Matt gave him a grin and a sly look “You know who I am talking about” he said “but if you need me to be specific then are you still thinking about Luke”
Beta blushed and started warming himself by the fire and thinking. “I have seen the way you and Luke are together” Matt said, breaking his thoughts “so you don’t need to deny it.” Beta sat thinking his mind racing and then he felt something land on his should. Looking to the side he saw the silver dragon sitting on his shoulder looking at Beta. “That dragon seem to like you” Matt said “Maybe you should name it”. Beta looked at the small silver dragon “You think so?” Beta said. Matt nodded and Beta considered a name for the dragon. “How about Umbra” Beta looked at the dragon “do you like that name?” he asked the dragon. The dragon began to hum deep in its chest and Beta felt that it was pleased.
The dawn came with a pale light, and Kage came out of his tent. They made breakfast and Matt and Beta amused themselves by feeding small pieces of bacon to Umbra. After that they began packing up their camp and returned them to the bottomless bag. Then they mounted their horses and the prisoner was laid over the back of Kage’s horse. They began their journey back to the Manor. Umbra rode on Beta’s shoulder since it was to small for long flights but when they stop Umbra would fly around investigating the new areas. They continued like this for the many hours until they saw the manor come back into view.
They approached the manor and saw a lot of activity around the outer grounds. Many people moving around as though they were making preparations. They entered the manor grounds and grooms quickly appeared taking the reins of the horses. The grooms were quick and efficient though Beta saw them looking back as they saw the Silver Dragon.
They entered the Manor and Beta saw Kage pull a young guy to the side, and he quickly disappeared into the manor. Beta saw Kage and Matt enter the meeting room near the dining hall and moved to follow them when he felt hands wrap around his waist and a body press against him. “I missed you Beta” Luke said “I see your going to report to Ragna, you will have to tell me about your adventure later”. Beta turned and saw Luke looking at him and he gasped and his eyes widened as he saw the small silver dragon. Beta nodded “I will Luke” he said and he took a chance giving him a quick kiss before turning and entering the meeting room.
XXVI
Beta entered the meeting room and saw Matt and Kage sitting and talking together. The prisoner was set out in a corner still in an enchanted sleep. Beta sat beside the other two and Umbra jumped off his shoulders and began looking around the room with interest. After a time Ragna, Zelda, Hal, Sam, and Alice entered the room and looked at them as they set across from them. “I am glad you made it back” Ragna said is burning gaze holding each of them “How did the mission go?”. Kage opened his mouth to talk when Umbra jumped up onto Beta’s lap and looked at the new people. There was a collective gasp from the others as they saw the small silver dragon. “Coincidence or a sign” Ragna said to himself looking at the dragon and looking up at them “There is a story here”.
They began the story telling them about entering the fort and what they had done to get the treasure. Beta told them about the items that he had found and showed them the bracelet, necklace, and ring. Then he told them about accessing the treasure room and fighting the sentinels to win the treasure and what he found among the treasures. While Matt handed Ragna the treasure bag, Beta pulled out the other dragon eggs that he had. The crimson egg and the golden egg. Ragna and the others looked shocked at the other eggs. Ragna touched the golden egg with a source of reverence as Beta told him about the silver egg hatching and about Umbra coming out. “More than coincidence then, it is a sign.” Ragna said looking at the others. Then he looked around a saw the confused look on Beta face. Ragna smiled “Have you ever the legend of the two dragons?” Ragna asked Beta.
Beta shook his head and Beta looked at him “As the legend goes there are two great dragons that appear at the change of the era. The silver dragon appears at the end of an era, and its appearance heralds the night of the old era. The golden dragon appears at the beginning of a new era heralding a new dawn. The last time the dragons appeared was at the beginning of the kingdom of Andros. A young farm boy found the silver dragon egg and it hatched for him. The people of his village and nearby villages flocked to him as word spread of the dragon and the end that it would bring. At that time the region was ruled by a despot and fearing the end the dragon heralded, he sent his army to destroy the boy and the dragon. They descended on the village and massacred and scattered the villagers. The boy was captured and executed, and the dragon was brought down with arrows but still it heralded the end. For in the village was the lord of the region and he was killed in the army's attack. His son took over his father's domain and hated the despot he gathered his father's people and many more proclaiming that they would fight for the memory of the fallen. One day in the midst of the fighting the son found a golden egg and the golden dragon hatched for him and with the dragon he led the armies to victory over the despot.” Ragna looked at Beta his eyes burning with checked passions “The son was the first king of Andros before he united the land and the great dragons were the catalyst for that rise.” Ragna looked at Umbra “The presence of the silver dragon and the golden egg is a sign. Change is coming though we are not sure what kind”. After the story Beta swallowed “the silver dragon and the boy died?” he asked. Ragna nodded “in that story yes but there are other stories where the silver dragon and his chosen partner are active participants in the events.” he said and looked at Beta “Also I am not going to let you die Beta”.
They finished the story and Matt showed Ragna and the others one of the sentinels. Ragna looked at the sentinel “It is impressive can you control it Matt?” Ragna asked. Matt nodded “I can control them, the spells that the bandits were using were weak and I easily overwrote them. I would like to know who made them. They are interesting golems and I should be able to tell you more about them and put them to work soon.”
After Ragna had heard the story, he looked at the prisoner sleeping in the corner. “So, this is the commander of the people that were trying to steal the treasure?” Ragna said, “Wake him up Matt”. Matt made a motion and the man began to waken. Ragna looked at the man, and the man tried to stare back in defiance. “You will tell me everything you know about your organization and which high lords you are working for until then I have a nice cell for you.” The man tried to struggle in his bonds but could not escape. Ragna asked one of the others to send for the manor guards. Soon two guards came in and Ragna ordered them to haul the man to the cells. As he was being taken away Ragna turned back to the others and they conversed for a time in low voices. The Ragna turned back to Beta, Matt, and Kage. “Well done guys, take some time to rest. You will need it because we are getting the visit from my father sooner than we thought. Beta go give the eggs to Agni and Kai and they can take care of them for now. Umbra can stay will you since it seems to have become attached to you.” Ragna smiled as he looked at the silver dragon in Beta’s lap “Then go and rest and you will learn more later tonight”. Ragna and the others filed out of the room followed by Matt and Kage. Beta rose with the others Umbra flapping its wings and landing on his shoulder again. Beta took the other eggs and turned to leave the room when he saw Luke waiting for him. Beta told Luke that he need to that the eggs to Agni and Kai and then they could talk and they set out together.
XXVII
“Agni and Kai are probably in their menagerie” Luke said as they walk down the hall. Luke looked over at Beta his gaze settling on Umbra that draped itself over Beta’s shoulders. His gaze held wonder at the sight of the silver dragon. Beta looked over at him and gave Luke a smile. The walked out of the manor to the outbuilding that had been locked before and Luke knock upon the door. There was a loud roar and a woosh as the door was open a crack. They saw Kai’s eye staring through the crack “Now is not a good time” He said as he looked at them. His eyes widened as he looked at Beta and saw Umbra on his shoulders. The door was thrown open as Kai walked out of the menagerie and stared at the silver dragon with undisguised interest “Where did that silver dragon come from Beta”. Beta quickly recounted the events of him finding Umbra’s egg and the hatching. Kai continued to look in wonder at Umbra and then his eyes grew wider as Beta told them about the other eggs. “Really there are other egg?” Kai asked and Beta nodded quickly pulling out the golden egg and showing it to Kai. His face lit up as he motioned them inside the menagerie.
Beta entered the menagerie and saw the room set with an array of cages and devices for the capturing and taming of beast. Some of the cages were filled with small creatures that he could not identify. Kai walked deeper into the menagerie and shouted for Agni. Agni was shouted back and as the moved further back they found Agni standing beside a large Crystal in the middle of an empty space in the menagerie. Kai went and began speaking to Agni in a low voice and Beta saw Agni’s eyes widen as he looked at Beta and saw the silver form of Umbra. Agni and Kai came over to them there faces bright and eager as Beta handed over both the eggs to them. They looked at the crimson and golden eggs. “The golden egg is definitely one of the legends” Agni said as he took it to a stand and placed the egg on it. “The crimson egg looks like it might belong to the dragon we caught” Kai said. He smiled and looked at Beta and Luke. “Watch this” Kai said as he tapped the great crystal and a beam shot out and hit a far empty wall. The beam began to grow forming a box that grew and became translucent and formed a window. The window reflected a large room where a great crimson dragon was sitting. It watched the magic window it crimson eye flashing with anger. They heard a deep rumbling growl as the window fully formed and Beta understood where the roar had come from. “What is that” Beta asked. “It is a dimensional crystal that we use to hold large or danger creatures. It has many rooms were we can safely hold creatures of many sizes and strengths” Agni said as he approached and began to study Umbra. Agni pulled out a small piece of jerky and tempted Umbra to come to him.
Umbra flew to Agni as Beta watched Kai enter the magic window. The dragon growled deep and menacing as Kai approached holding, the crimson egg. Beta watched as Kai slowly lowered the egg to the ground and took several steps back. The Crimson dragon slowly crawl forward and sniffed at the egg and a low hum began to resonate through the magic window as the dragon scooped up its egg and turned away. Kai returned through the window and smiled at Beta as he touched the crystal and the window disappeared. “She is a beautiful dragon” Agni said as he held Umbra. Luke looked at Agni “How do you know that the dragon was a girl?” he asked. Agni smiled and began to explain how to distingush the female dragon “As you can tell she is a girl. What did you say her name was Beta?” Kai asked. “Umbra” Beta said “she is a beautiful dragon”.
Beta and Luke stayed with Agni and Kai for a short time and then they took their leave. Umbra flapped her wings and landed back on Beta shoulder as he and Luke returned to the Manor. As the entered the main hall again seeing the commotion of the servants Luke put his hand in Beta’s. “I have missed you, Beta, and we need to spend some time together. I have not been able to sleep well since I last saw you.” Luke said as he guided Beta up to his room. Umbra glided off Beta’s shoulder and roosted in an alcove on the walls as Luke pulled Beta inside his room.
XXVIII
Beta awoke in the evening hours next to Luke. Beta felt the call that summoned them to dinner and looked around seeing Luke stirring his eyes opening. Luke smiled at Beta “I guess it is time for dinner”. Beta smiled back and moved in to kiss him before they got out of bed. They dressed quickly and left Luke’s room heading to dinner. Beta heard the flap of wings and Umbra appeared landing on Luke’s shoulders. Luke stood stunned for a moment as Umbra settled on his shoulder and moved her head around to look at him. Umbra began to hum with pleasure as Luke smiled, and they proceeded down to the dining hall.
They moved down the corridors together and entered the dining hall. Beta saw Ragna at the head of the table and saw him motion to Beta. He indicated seats beside him near the head of the table. Beta saw Matt and Kage already sitting in seats nearby. Luke smiled at Beta as he moved to sit beside his sister further down the table and Beta moved to a seat beside Matt. Beta saw Umbra looking around at the gathered members on Luke’s shoulder. When everyone was assembled Ragna rose “A toast to our returned comrades who managed to bring back a great treasure and a toast to Umbra, our new dragon. Beta toasted with the others and drank to draft as the food was served, and dinner began. Beta sat between Matt and Kage and watched the room for a time. He watched Umbra as she glided to the table and began moving across it inspecting the various members of the group. Most watched Umbra with a measure of wonder and would give her small pieces of meat which she snapped up. Agni and Kai tried to get Umbra to stay near them by offering her larger pieces of meat, but Umbra was more interested in investigating.
Beta was watching Umbra when Matt spoke “So did you get some rest after your reunion with Luke?” he asked looking at Beta. Beta looked at Matt and blushed slightly as he nodded. Matt smiled “I am glad you two have become so close.” He said as he looked in the down the table and smiled. Beta looked down in the same direction and saw Lily offering a piece of cooked meat to Umbra who was sniffing at her. Beta looked back at Matt “Did you get to spend some time with Lily?” Beta asked Matt smiled softly and looked at Beta. “Very perceptive and yes Lily is always happy to see me, but I don’t think we have what you share with Luke” He said. Beta looked intently at Matt “Why don’t you tell her how you feel then?” He asked. Matt opened his mouth to respond when Ragna rose.
“Now that we have eaten and before we retire for the evening, I have some news.” Ragna said “For those newly returned the King and his high council will be visiting us in a week's time. I have this news from my brothers. We are preparing for them and within the next few days others of our group will arrive and together we will await the king's appearance.” he said. Raga turned to Beta “Beta I want Luke and Lily to teach you what you need to know to deal with the High Lords.” he said. Luke smiled at Beta as Ragna turned back to the group. “As the others arrive I will be assigning each of our common members to a noble member” he smiled “This is for their own protection. For now that is all I have I will keep you updated as we get closer to arrival of the King.”
The group began to break up and ‘Beta rose intending to return to Luke when he felt Ragna’s hands on him. Ragna pressed against him “I missed you Beta and now I think it is time for us to have a little time together” Ragna said smiling he looked at Luke who smiled softly and nodded though looking a little downcast “Don’t worry you can be with Luke again tomorrow”. Ragna guided Beta up to his master bedroom.
XXIX
The next few days were a hum of activity as Beta was given a crash course as a servant. He learned the necessity of comporting himself as a servant in the presence of the king as well as how to serve. While Beta was taught how to be a servant, Umbra began wandering around the Manor. She would often be found wandering around and investigating various rooms. Umbra quickly became a part of the Manor, and members would always welcome her if she appeared in a room.
As the days advanced new members began to arrive at the manor in advance of the king's visit. The first to arrive was Julien a powerful lord and a group of lesser lords with him. Then came the lords Argus and Justin and their lesser lords and a few servants. Ragna spent much of his time closeted with the new lords along with Hal, Zelda, Alice, Sam, and Simon. Then two days before the Royal procession was going to arrive there came to the Manor a carriage bearing a royal crest. The carriage was escorted by a squad of royal guards and carried two young men around 23 and a younger around 15. Ragna met them and spoke to them in private for a long time.
Beta had finished a day of practicing being a servant and was sitting next to Luke and Lily in a sitting room. They were talking with each other when they felt the call that signaled dinner. They rose and came to the dining room. The room was much fuller than it had ever been with Ragna and the Lords sitting near the head of the table. The others gathered around the table that had been extended for the purpose. Beta sat next to Luke at the table, and he felt the rush of wings as Umbra landed on the table near Beta and Luke. Ragna rose and looked around at the assembled group “The king will be here within two days, and our group is now assembled. For those who don’t know them let me introduce my brothers. Roman, Remus, and Robin.” Ragna said, motioning towards the new faces. Beta looked at them and saw the family resemblance to Ragna. “They are here to ahead of our father to see our preparation and to see me. I am finalizing the preparations for the visit and will give you all your final orders soon.”
Ragna sat as the meal was served, and every one began eating. Beta looked at the head of the table, looking at the other princes. He saw the resemblance in face though the two older boys had grey eyes and looked like twins. The younger boy had a greater resemblance with his blue eyes but with blonde hair. He switched his attention over to the other lords. Julien was tall and strong with black hair and deep brown eyes. Beta had seen little of him over the last few days. Argus was a chiseled veteran of war. Beta had met him in the courtyard; he was a former general and leader of men. He had also met Justin in the Library studying Law among the books Simon kept. Both had been nice enough to Beta while he was present. Beta then felt Umbra move up the table towards the new people and a hush fell over the group as Umbra approached and began Looking at them. Ragna smiled as the other princes looked in shock at the dragon and he fed Umbra some meat. Umbra seemed please with the others as she moved back down the table and stopped for morsels from other people at the table. When the meal ended, Beta and Luke returned to the rooms and Luke pulled Beta into his room for some rest.
XXX
The day of the King’s arrival came with vain fanfare. The horns announce the arrival of the royal procession as it moved through the city heading to Ragna’s Manor. Beta was dressed in a plain white tunic and dark trousers. He stood in a line next to Luke with Matt, Lily, Leo, and Sara all dressed in similar clothing. The stood in the main hall of the Manor among a group of other servants from the manor. He was nervous as he looked over at Ragna. He stood with Zelda, Hal, Simon, Shale, Sam, and Alice with Agni and Kai standing behind Zelda all of them wore silks and other trapping of nobility. Ragna caught Beta’s eye and he smiled at Beta before shifting his attention forward again.
The fanfare grew louder as the royal procession arrived at the manor and Beta saw several heralds appear out of the procession and setting themselves before the door. Beta could see a flurry of activity outside of the manor as servants moved around the carriages of the procession. Then the heralds began to announce the arrival of the royal party.
“introducing the High Lord Doiion, The lord of the interior, Master of roads, Builder of cities, lord of the forests and the wild places, and overseer of the peasanty” the herald yelled. The man who entered was dressed in ornate silk clothing. He was plain and unassuming in his looks but Beta saw the shadow behind his eyes and as he bowed to Ragna and said in a honeyed tones “My Prince, it is an honor”. Ragna acknowledged Doiion and he moved off to the side opposite the servants.
“Introducing the High Lord Phobos, Enforcer of Laws, Chief Justice, keeper of prisons, and the confessor to the condemned” The herald yelled. The man who appeared this time was dressed in the ornate black robes of a Judge. His face was hard and set lacking any form of mercy or kindness. He made a stiff bow before Ragna, before moving towards Doiion.
“Introducing the High Lord Reaper, The lord of dark places, The dark hand of the king, The watcher of the underworld” The heralds yelled. The man who appeared at this time was strange for he did not show his face. He wore a dark hood robe with the hood up and an iron mask that covered all but his eyes. The eyes of the reaper were dark as he surveyed Ragna. He bowed and was acknowledged before going to stand with the other two.
“Introducing the High Lord Ravens, The lord of whispers, keeper of information, and weaver of webs” The herald yelled. Ravens had a pleasant look and wide smile but Beta could tell that underneath the smile was something dark. Beta perceived that Ravens would sell or use any piece of information against you with great effect.
“Introducing the High Lord Palewolf, The lord of war, The wolf of carnage, and the eater of flesh” the heralds cried. The man who entered was sallow and when he smiled Beta saw sharp filed teeth. He was not heavily built but Beta perceived that he was a great warrior who would kill all of them with great pleasure. Palewolf bowed and went to join the other High lords.
“Introducing the High Lord Fairtide, The lord of coins, The master of trade, The keeper of ships, and the seller of flesh” The heralds cried. Beta felt Luke stiffen as a extremely fat man entered in the room. The man moved slowly and his gaze moved across the servants and he smiled but the smile held a predatory desire. Beta felt his gaze linger on him and Luke and Beta understood the mans cold gaze made him feel that he had been dipped in slime. Fairtide smiled again and bowed to Ragna before moving over the others.
“Introducing the hand of the king, the highest of the high lords, and the sovereigns chief advisor, The high Lord Wargrave” the heralds cried. The man who entered was heavily built and his face hard and was devoid of Kindness. Wargrave held a family resemblance to the Ragna and when he approached he did not bow but acknowledge Ragna like an equal. He went to the others.
“Introducing the high sovereign of the realm. The master of all, The king Andros” The heralds cried. At this all bowed down and the king entered. He wore the most elaborate robes of velvet and silks and as he moved with the grace born of the high born. The king told them all to rise and greeted his son. “I am glad that you can host us son. I have news for you” his voice was high and overdone
Ragna rose and nodded “I am glad I could host you father” his voice was cool “Did your news require the presence of you entire court?”
The king smiled “Yes it did require the full court for all the formalities. It should speed things along quite well”. Ragna nodded and smiled showing teeth and his eyes flashed at his fathers words.
“Then father lest make this even more official” Ragna said more anger in his voice and into the room walked the other princes and the Lords that Ragna had called. There was shifting among the high lords and Wargraves face became darker as Julien, Argus, and Jeyton bowed to the king. The princes stood by their brother facing the king. Beta saw the kings widen and his mouth thin. Ragna smiled “Well father what is your news”
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