Page 4

Chapter 4

Tahlia

T he road leading out of the lower mountains lived up to its name—the Ghost Path. Not only did the mist that always hung heavy in the Shrouded Mountains cover this area, but also the elaborate tombs of fallen Mist Knights walled the snaking line of cobblestones.

Tahlia glared at a tomb topped with stone dragon wings. “These Mist Knights must be a humble sort.” She snorted and set a finger on the writing. “Here lies the majestic Julius, master of the clouds and stars. Wonder what one commands the clouds and stars to do? Get you a cup of tea? Or perhaps a back massage?”

Fara laughed. “Check this one out. Here lies Magnus, bane to pirates and master of the art of love.”

“Oh, wow. Can you imagine him requesting that phrase on his stone? Hello, Master Tombcarver. I like to slice and dice bad guys and have seen plenty of action, if you know what I mean,” Tahlia said in a stupid, low voice as she elbowed Fara. “Can you word that in your fancy style?”

“I can practically see the Tombcarver’s eyes rolling. I’m surprised he doesn’t play jokes on these arrogant arsehats.”

At the bottom corner of the next tomb, a tiny carved creature caught Tahlia’s eyes. “Is that a mule?”

Fara bent to look closer. “It is definitely an ass.” Her finger traced the long ears.

“Maybe he did have his own little jokes on these haughty knights and nobles.”

Chuckling, Fara jogged to the next tomb while Tahlia held the horse’s reins. Purple hair lifting in the wind, Fara knelt at a tomb that had suns carved all over it and pointed at the bottom, in the center. “This one has a rooster crowing so hard its eyeballs are popping out.”

Tahlia barked a laugh and Daffodil jumped. Tahlia set a hand on the mare’s neck to calm her. “I want to meet this Tombcarver. He seems like our type of Fae.”

“I’d buy him a drink if I had any extra coin.”

“We are going to have so much gold that you’ll be able to buy him the whole tavern.”

“Sure, Tahlia. Sure.”

“Don’t fret. I have enough faith for the both of us.”

Waving a hand in dismissal, Fara shook her head. “Just come on. Let’s get this over with.”

They’d arrived at a small market at the base of the main climb to the Mist Knights’ castle and training grounds and tournament arena. Banners painted to show the various mountain dragon subspecies fluttered from poles. Most of the banners showed the massive Heartsworns with their scarlet scales while a few held images of the vicious and blood-thirsty Green-flanked Terrors. Banners with Spikebacks the color of the clouds and sky stood to the right. Some displayed Speedy Seabreaks with their four ocean-blue wings. Leather bags and belts lay stacked on tables and jugs of wine and mead lined a stall under a pale green awning. Merchants hawked their wares with their impressively loud voices. Mist Fae like Fara could truly shout if they wanted to. Tahlia really hoped that didn’t come up during the tournament. Younglings ran underfoot through the market, bumping into fist-waving old males and jostling customers with items clutched in their arms. Across the chaos, a table laden with tourney leathers sat like a big, fat present for Tahlia.

“Come on.” Tahlia urged the mare to hurry.

Fara came up beside her. She was licking her lips and had one hand on her stomach. “I would beat someone to nothing for a bite of those meat pies.” Her hunger was legendary.

“We should have some coin left after this. I think. Maybe.” Tahlia gave Fara a look that was half grimace, half smile.

“If you let me do the bartering.”

Tahlia shook her head. “Not a chance. Your cute joke about beatings will turn into reality. Your job is to mind the mare.” She handed her the reins as they approached the table.

The merchant’s back was to them, his blue skin shining in the golden light that passed through the airy mist. “Do you have the coin for this?” he barked out. “If not, don’t waste my time.”

“We do.”

He turned and looked Tahlia up and down. “How about you meet me for a drink at sundown instead? You’re only going to get your little self killed in that tournament.”

Fara lurched forward, the veins in her neck and forehead standing out. Tahlia put a hand on her wrist and kept her voice calm.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m ridiculously determined,” Tahlia said.

“Ridiculous is accurate. Well, at least you’re aware of it. That’ll be forty-nine gladecoins.” He produced a string marked with black lines here and there and proceeded to lean over his wares to measure her torso and waist lazily.

Tahlia raised an eyebrow. “Take your time.”

“It’s not easy over this table with you so small and everything. You’re lucky your chest isn’t overly sumptuous.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Fara snorted and Tahlia elbowed her roughly, though she couldn’t help but snicker.

The merchant went into a tent behind his table, then appeared again with leathers in tow. He shoved a vest, a helmet, and trousers. She handed over the coin and a thrill hit her chest.

“It’s happening,” she whispered as she dragged Fara behind a stall with a black awning and curtain to try on the purchase.

“It is whether I like it or not. Do we have enough for food or did you give it all away? I’m absolutely starving.” Fara’s stomach growled and she lifted her eyebrows as if to say, See?

Tahlia wrangled the vest over her head and Fara began jerking the tough leather into place. The vest snared on Tahlia’s shoulder.

Fara snorted. “Fits perfectly.” She growled and pulled harder.

“Hey, easy there,” Tahlia grunted out. “I may not have a lot going on in the chest vicinity, but what I do have, I’d like to keep intact.”

By the time they had it on and laced, they were both red-cheeked and laughing. Tahlia worked off her boots and put on the trousers. They didn’t fit well—big and small in all the wrong places—but they would do. She replaced her boots, and then held out her arms for Fara to examine her.

Fara stood back and crossed her arms. “You look the part at least. Well, you’re too short to appear threatening, but other than that, I’m impressed at what an outfit can do.”

Tahlia spun with her arms wide. “I am never taking it off.”

Fara dragged her toward a table where a fellow with orange skin was selling meat pies. “Two please,” Fara said to the pie seller. She turned to Tahlia. “Do you want one?”

“You ordered two,” Tahlia said.

“One for this side of my stomach and one for the other.”

“Three please,” Tahlia said to the male.

The male handed out the pies. “You competing this go around?”

Fara had one unwrapped and half eaten before Tahlia could blink. “No,” Fara said through her mouthful, “she’s just wearing the outfit because it’s so comfy.”

The merchant ignored Fara’s sarcasm. “You don’t have a pound to spare, lass. Sure you can handle a dragon? You must have Mistgold blood so bright it burns the Bloodworker’s eyes.”

Tahlia swallowed around a lump in her throat. “Definitely. Yep. Loads of gold in these veins.” She set her jaw and stared back at the merchant, attempting to ooze confidence. It gave her an immediate headache.

“Aye, I see that ferocity in your eyes. Hope it’s enough!”

“Thank you.” Tahlia turned away and headed toward the Mist Road.

Fara caught up, crumbs falling as she walked.

“We need to focus now,” Tahlia said. “Maybe go over my backstory and yours.”

“Mine can stay what it is,” Fara said.

Fara was a full Fae and had grown up not an hour’s walk from here, so she was likely right except for one thing.

“What about your mother?” Tahlia asked.

“I’ll use a different surname.”

Tahlia tucked her pie into the small bag tied to her belt to save for later. “She won’t show up to watch the tournament, right?”

“No way.” Fara licked her fingers. “She’s too old for that now. Has to be.”

“You don’t sound one hundred percent positive.”

“I am no Seer.”

“Good enough. Now, I am Lady Tahlia of Northwoods. I’ll keep most of mine the same so we don’t have too much to remember. One brother. Left Northwoods to gain work as a squire even though my brother was against it. I might have to claim that both of my parents fell out of favor and died years ago.”

“Smart,” Fara said around a mouthful. “That way they won’t be encouraged to figure out if they have met your kin at court or area festivals. What are you going to say of your experience with dragons? You know they will have a Mist Knight interview you. It is a casual affair from what I’ve heard, but those folks don’t miss much.”

“I’ll just claim I was at Grimsbrook for six years.”

The mare tossed her head at the increasing steepness of the path. Tahlia rubbed her neck and whispered encouragement to Daffodil as Grimsbrook passed through her mind.

The period when Tahlia had trained at that old keep during her thirteenth year had been tough. The dragons though—they had been amazing. Tahlia had taken right to riding, but the other Fae in attendance had bullied her to the extreme. After a few broken ribs and a knockout that made her forget her name for a full day, her mother had pulled her out of the academy. She’d only been there for six months. If she were there now, she would fight them, but she had been young and small for her age.

Fara wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and folded the meat pie parchment. “Do you have a family sigil to use when you sign the book?” She put the parchment in her trouser pocket and rubbed her greasy hands on her knees.

“I’ll use a tree and a dragon’s tooth as a sigil. It’s common enough that I can blend in, right?”

“You’re the boss,” Fara said.

“No, we are a team.”

Fara stopped. “No, Lady Tahlia. At this point, I need to be seen as your squire.” She reached for the reins. “Now, give me these.”

Tahlia released her hold and chewed her lip. “All right. That’s probably for the best. Promise you don’t think I’m an arrogant witch?”

Fara led Daffodil ahead. “Oh, you are, but that’s what it takes to ride dragons.”

True. She grinned at Fara’s back. The Old Ones had certainly blessed her with a good friend.

After a half hour of walking the punishing incline through the wet, cold clouds of the Mist Road, the gate of the Mist Knights’ castle rose like a stone giant crowned in sparkling gold and blue crystals the size of Tahlia’s arm. The crystals were the reason the dragons lived in these mountains—they gave the creatures power and strength.

“Tourney competitor?” a voice said through the mist.

They continued on a step and the mist cleared enough to see the two males in Mist Knight livery—black and blue crystalline shapes surrounding a dragon with wings spread across the guards’ chests.

“Yes. I’m competing.” Tahlia impressed herself by not allowing her words to shake.

“Good luck, dragon rider.” The other guard swung one of the double doors wide.

A shiver ran from Tahlia’s head to her toes. Her heart beat double time. “Thank you.”

Fara was grinning at her as they entered the outer bailey of the Mist Knights’ home, the place Tahlia had dreamed about her entire life.