Wyvern Trilogy Book 2: Chapter 1
I'm really not sure whether to name this book "Liquid" or "Scales". I would like to note that this is a first draft. It has not been edited or smoothed out, so you are likely to find a mistake or ten. :) The final version will be clean.
***************** SPOILERS *************** IF YOU HAVE NOT READ "WYVERN", BOOK 1 OF THE WYVERN TRILOGY, THIS EXCERPT HAS MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR THAT STORY.
You can find "Wyvern", book 1 at these stores:
SmashwordsAmazonAppleBarnes & NobleKobo
Chapter 1
Pelya sucked in air as she deflected the attack with her secondary sword. She swung her main sword in a counterattack.
The elusive woman twirled through the air, dodging Pelya’s blade. Short, brilliant-red hair spun away from the woman’s scalp.
Tina rounded a nearby tree and feinted from the flank to take advantage of an opening left by the woman.The woman easily parried the blow and kicked up with a bare foot. She landed a glancing blow on Tina’s chin, causing the young warrior’s russet ponytail to fly around and smack her in the cheek.
Tina instantly recovered and tried to sneak her blade into the woman’s side.
At the same time, Pelya swung both of her swords, one high and one low. The high one made contact.
The woman flipped backward and landed in a crouch on her toes. Shock registered in rose-pink eyes as a thin cut in her cheek began to leak blood. “You cut me!”
Tina let out a yell of triumph. “Ha!”
Pelya remained in ready stance, waiting for Commander Brynin to call an end to the sparring match.
Tina noticed and jerked back into ready stance as well.
The commander saluted them and sheathed her sword. “That’s the first time your blade has ever touched me, Agent Jornin. I must be losing my edge.”
Pelya saluted her in return before sheathing her own swords. “You’re nearly as slow as an emo bunny, Commander Brynin. Hardly a test at all.” Pelya grinned.
Tina also saluted the commander before falling dramatically to the grass, gasping for breath.
Commander Brynin narrowed her eyes at Pelya. “That’s why you’re sweating like a carnivorous fairy lost in the desert, and why my niece is flopping around on the ground and gulping air like a fish out of water.” Her pealing laughter echoed off the stone walls of the grassy courtyard.
Pelya wiped a sleeve across her soaked brow, thankful for the slight breeze rustling through leaves. “I try to come up with something new every time we spar. I pay attention to your methods and learn from them as well.” She took her gloves off and tucked them in her sword belt.
“Yes, I’ve noticed that.” She waggled a finger at Pelya. “You’ve even tried a few on me. It’s easy to see why you’re a swordmaster. You have natural talent, an indomitable work ethic and intelligence that enables you to improve each time you engage an opponent.”
Tina pulled her hair out of the ponytail and began pulling the sweat-soaked strands back into place. “Yeah, but you still cut her a few times, Aunt Reela. I can’t even do that.”
Commander Brynin came over to Pelya and rested an arm over her shoulders. “That’s because I’m a swordmaster sixth class and she’s only classified as swordmaster second class, though she could probably qualify for third.” The commander studied Pelya’s face. “As Tina said, I cut you a few times, Pelya, including once across the forehead. I saw the blood.”
Pelya’s jaw clenched shut of its own will.
The commander narrowed her eyes. “I sense my mind being pushed. If I didn’t have these pretty little earrings that protect my mind from enchantment, I’d probably forget yet again that you have no scars.” She tapped at one of the dangling earrings with a finger. “So tell me how you manage it.”
Pelya couldn’t breathe. She began to panic at the helplessness she felt. An intricate tattoo covering the left half of Pelya’s torso grew uncomfortably hot. At the age of eleven, she and her best friend Ebudae had saved a baby dragon. Its mother, Hezzena, had given them dragon marks as a reward. The magic of the mark prevented Pelya from remembering it when it wasn’t active. It also prevented her from answering questions about it.
Commander Brynin stepped back. “Are you playing a game with me, Pelya?”
The dragon mark squeezed Pelya’s lungs tighter and set her bones on fire.
Pelya fell to her knees, screaming through clenched teeth near to breaking. The last of the air in her lungs abandoned her dispassionately. Darkness surrounded the edges of her vision.
Commander Brynin jumped forward and took Pelya’s cheeks in her hands. “I withdraw my question! Release her, foul geas!”
The pressure lessened, allowing a breath of desperate air to steal down Pelya’s throat. She collapsed to the ground, her muscles drained of strength.
“I’m sorry, Pelya. No more questions.” Commander Brynin helped Pelya to her feet and steadied her. “Let’s have some chilled juice in my office. We’ll talk about your next assignment.”
Pelya leaned heavily on the commander as they walked to the courtyard door along a path bordered by flowerbeds. Tina opened the door and stepped aside to let them in before closing it. The inside of the manor was cool after stepping in from the summer day. Tina and Pelya took off their boots before stepping onto the soft carpet that ran the length of the hallway.
Commander Brynin, who never wore anything on her feet, said, “Thank you for taking your boots off. The carpet lasts much longer that way. Besides, feet are happier out of the artificial prisons you two call shoes.”
Tina fanned her face with a hand. “We wear boots, Aunt Reela.” Now that she had caught her breath, her voice regained its normal peppiness.
The corner of Commander Brynin’s mouth twisted as she gave her niece a look of amusement. There was a hint of family resemblance in their thin noses and rounded cheekbones.
Tina smiled at her aunt, grey eyes twinkling. Upon reaching the office, she jumped forward and held the door open. At the end of the lush office was a beautiful whitewood desk with carvings of birds around the edges. Tapestries and paintings on the wall were likely priceless along with everything else in the room. Wall to wall carpeting was pleasurable under their bare feet.
To the left was a sitting area with a table that matched the desk. To the right was a large globe. Swaths of blue covered most of it, mixed with brown and green patches. Floating mystically around it were Ryallon’s two moons, Siahray and Piohray.
They walked to the desk where the commander sat in a comfortable chair while Pelya and Tina took chairs opposite her. Commander Brynin leaned back and kicked her feet on the corner of the desk, a common habit of hers. “Have you heard about the Liquid Wyverns? Before you answer, you need to know that details about them are confidential, so anything said in this room is also confidential.”
Pelya gave a short nod. “A little bit. They are powerful magical artifacts, though I don’t know what they do.” She thought back to shortly after she had become a recruit of the Blue Wyverns. “I saw the one in the Academy Library. It moved and seemed to look at me. If I remember correctly, they consist of a mixture of metals including gold, silver and platinum that retain their liquid state. Powerful archmages merge the metals with other ingredients and imbue the devices with more magic than can be placed into something solid. Gems are added to focus power.”
“Yes. I won’t ask who told you that. I’m not in the mood to arrest anyone today.” The commander winked. “Now I’m going to tell you more. About fifty years after the Blue Wyverns were formed, Academy Commander Vernt came up with the idea for Liquid Wyverns. The organization had been growing rapidly and communications were a problem. When things went wrong far away, there was no way of knowing until runners arrived with reports. By then it was usually too late to rescue a soldiers in danger.”
“Which is why the Blue Wyverns engineer better highways and use a system of waypoints to increase the speed of communication,” Pelya responded.
“I bet there’s more to it than that,” Tina said.
Commander Brynin winked. “Very good, my pretty little niece.” She pointed a warning finger at both of them. “I’m trusting you with one of the closest kept secrets in the Wyverns now.”
They both nodded.
“The Liquid Wyverns act as a communication and tracking system for the Blue Wyverns. There are currently twenty-two scattered throughout Blue Wyvern holdings. Each one has a troop of Academy-trained wizards called Liquid Mages who interpret the messages sent between them.
Pelya gave a low whistle. “That’s complicated and powerful magic.”
“Yes it is,” the commander agreed. “In addition to that, every recruit who graduates to become a Blue Wyvern is entered into the system using a drop of blood.”
“That’s why they wanted our blood,” Tina remarked. “I never understood that."
“Yes.” Commander Brynin leaned forward. “Now the extraordinary thing about the Liquid Wyverns is that they know the health of every member of the Blue Wyverns. Whenever one dies, an alarm is activated in the nearest Wyvern. A wizard will be able to tell who has died. If a troop or company is killed suddenly, that would also be communicated.”
“Wow,” Pelya mouthed in awe.
“The original Liquid Wyvern is at the Academy here in Settatt, which is the one you saw.” Commander Brynin gestured to Pelya. “As the Blue Wyverns expanded, keeping track of everyone was more than it could handle. Another was created, and then another. Academy Commander Vernt began to realize that a central device would have to be made to handle the growing number. Thus, the Settatt Wyvern here at Headquarters was created. You won’t see that one.”
“Now I really want to see it,” Tina said in fascination.
“Tough.” The commander smirked. “Vernt invited a few powerful Archmages he knew to be friends of the Blue Wyverns to assist him in making the Settatt Wyvern. It stands at fifteen hands tall and forty-two hands long. Vernt wasn’t able to find a lone sapphire large enough for the heart. Instead, he took a number of the largest sapphires he could get and cast them in a powerful heart shaped device that came to be called the Heart of Settatt.”
“You’re telling us a great deal,” Pelya said. “I must admit to curiosity as to why.”
Commander Brynin nodded. “There’s a lot I’m not telling you. But I trust you both and believe it’s important to understand the gravity of your assignment.”
Tina leaned forward. “Which is? . . .”
“Hush. I’ll get to that.” The commander waved a dismissive hand. “There are currently only three magicians in the world who can make the Liquid Wyverns. One lives in Zimth, the Capital city of Swelth. In fact, the White Talon Company should be picking up a newly made wyvern in twenty days. Their task is to bring it back here to tune it with the Settatt Wyvern.”
“The White Talon Company is one of the best,” Tina said. “Do you expect trouble, Aunt Reela?”
“I don’t know.” The commander frowned. “I’ve only heard a couple of whisperings. It wouldn’t normally be enough to bother me, but those papers you found a year and a half ago, Pelya, mentioned that the mysterious Guild of Scales is targeting the Liquid Wyverns.”
“Perhaps if you’d let me read those papers . . .” Pelya raised an eyebrow.
“She did discover them after all,” Tina contributed, “along with exposing the old Recruit Commander who was sabotaging the Recruit Program.”
Commander Brynin gave a long-suffering sigh. “Yes, I know. She also wants to know about the man named Laen who killed most of her squad in Dralin. As I’ve explained countless times, the papers are sealed away in a vault and can’t be opened except by order of the Council of Eight, which isn’t going to happen.”
Pelya leaned her elbow on the arm of the chair and rested her chin on her fist while staring at the globe.Tina patted Pelya’s thigh supportively. “Do you think the Guild of Scales will try to steal the Liquid Wyvern, Aunt Reela?”
“I don’t know.” The commander held out a hand and studied her fingernails. “I haven’t discovered out anything new about them. I don’t even know where to start searching.” Frustration touched her voice.Pelya turned back to the conversation. “You’d think Indiya, the old Recruit Commander, would have said something about it, or one of the others that were captured.”
“We believe that only four of those we captured knew about the guild.” Brynin took out a dagger and trimmed one of the nails. “The rest worked for pay or blackmail.”
“You didn’t get any information from the four?” Pelya asked. “Surely one of them would have talked.”“Possibly, but they all died before they could be questioned.” The commander went to work on another nail. “Those four had some sort of geas that blackened their blood and killed them in what looked to be an excruciating manner. There was nothing we could do to stop it.”
“I hadn’t heard about that.” Pelya frowned. She herself was the victim of a geas aside from the dragon mark, one that banished her from Dralin. If she ever tried to go back, it would kill her, though hopefully not in the same manner.
Brynin put the dagger away. “We didn’t release those details, and you are to keep them confidential as well.”
Tina gave a sharp nod. “We will, Aunt Reela. Do you want us to join the White Talon Company to keep an eye on the Liquid Wyvern, or do you want us to investigate the whispers, or something else entirely?”
Pelya leaned toward Tina and whispered loud enough for the commander to hear. “Probably a little bit of each along with finding out more information about the Rojuun.” Tina grinned at the statement.
The commander chuckled. “I don’t want you to join the White Talons. The captain doesn’t like spies, as she calls my people. She would try to keep you under rein and that is notuseful to anyone.” She pointed her dagger at them. “By the time you get to Zimth, the White Talons should already have the Liquid Wyvern and be on their way back. Check in with the captain on the road and make certain that all is well. Once you’ve done that, continue on to Zimth and then the two of you are to go into the city to investigate the whispers.” She winked. “And see if you can learn anything about the Rojuun.”
“Do you have any recommendations as to where to start?” Pelya asked.
“I have two contacts you can get in touch with. Tumera is the first. She’s a merchant of exotic goods who has a store in the City Market.” Brynin finally put her dagger away, satisfied that all her nails were short enough. “People talk to her easily, telling her stories from all over the continent and occasionally from beyond. Her grandmother was a member of the Wyverns and Tumera always loved the old tales the woman told to her. She also knows to keep her ear open for word of the Rojuun.”
Tina fidgeted in her chair, never one to sit still for long. “Who’s the other contact?”
“Everyone calls him Idget. Even I don’t know his real name.”
Tina frowned. “That doesn’t sound very encouraging.”
“Don’t let the name fool you.” Brynin grinned. “He’s clever like a fox, but acts the part of an ox.”
Pelya raised an eyebrow. “You’ve become a poet?”
Brynin laughed. “I’d torture you by reciting some, but I’m not certain I have enough rope to keep you tied to the chair. Idget is a thief and a sneak. He pretends stupidity in order to loosen people’s tongues and it works. Do not underestimate him.”
Tina’s brow furrowed. “Is it safe to deal with a thief?”
Pelya leaned toward her. “It’s never safe to deal with a thief; however, they make some of the best informants. Just remember not to fully trust what they tell you.”
Brynin nodded. “Let Pelya handle him. She likely dealt with far worse when she lived in Dralin. To get in touch with Idget, you have to speak to Rymon, the bartender at the Black Moon Tavern. Tell him, ‘horses are stupid,’ and he’ll get you in touch.”
“Horses are stupid?” Tina asked with a laugh.
The commander shrugged. “I’ve never found out the meaning. I suppose I could, I just don’t care enough to do so.”
“Should we speak to the mage who’s making this new Liquid Wyvern?” Tina asked.
“Yes. That would be Professor Klunjun of the Dayblossom Orphanage.” The commander gave them a secretive wink. “He’s really an archmage, but few people know that. When you get a chance, head to the orphanage. I doubt he’ll know anything about the rumors. His head is too deep into his work, but it won’t hurt to ask.”
Pelya frowned. “He works at an orphanage? How bad is it there?”
Commander Brynin tilted her head in curiousity. “That’s an odd question. From what I understand, it’s decent enough for an orphanage. Why did you ask that?”
“You don’t know?” Pelya stared her in the eye. “Surely you’ve investigated my past.”
“A little bit. But information out of Dralin is never trustworthy and I don’t have a strong presence there. I know you were raised by your father in the City Guard, but there’s never been any mention of orphanages. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t wish. I’m just curious about everything.” The commander gave her a genuine smile.
Pelya debated internally for a moment. She didn’t like talking about herself, especially not her time in Dralin. Her childhood had been wonderful most of the time as far as she was concerned, but most wouldn’t have thought so.
Tina and the commander waited in patient silence for her to respond one way or the other. She decided to trust them. “My father was raised in the Dralin orphanages. They were horrible and corrupt. He never told me all of what he saw, but the few glimpses he gave me made me grateful for what I’ve always believed was a wonderful childhood.” Pelya smiled at fond memories. “I loved being raised in the Guard. Everyone there was my aunt or uncle. They sheltered me, taught me countless things and gave me hard-earned coppers to spend. I picked up a practice sword before I turned four and spent as much time as I could learning the art of combat in addition to the values of justice and peacekeeping.”
Brynin frowned. “There’s little of either quality in Dralin.”
Pelya chuckled. “True, but the City Guard is the one force that provides what little there is.” Pelya stood. “Tell me more of this professor.”
“The Professor has lasted a long time at the orphanage, teaching the orphans a few hours each day,” the commander said. “He lives in the northernmost tower of the orphanage, which is cluttered with books and magical items from what I understand. He’s reported to be just as messy as his tower.”
“What about the city?” Pelya asked. “I don’t know much about Zimth.”
“It’s pretty,” Tina said. “Mother took me there once and I nearly broke my neck gawking at the sights. I’m much more worldly now, but I still think Zimth is one of the prettiest cities around.”
“It’s also one of the most disorganized cities in the world,” Brynin added. “There isn’t a straight road anywhere in Zimth. The buildings are oddly shaped and don’t fit quite right.”
Tina laughed. “That’s true. We got lost a few times, but that was part of the fun. Can you give us specifics about the whispers you’ve heard, Aunt Reela?”
“Idget heard from one of his connections that a small group of mercenaries was hired to create a riot around the time when the White Talon Company is supposed to pick up the Liquid Wyvern. He wasn’t able to discern a connection other than the timing, but it’s my job to worry about those things.”
“Coincidences are often planned in my experience,” Pelya said.
“Exactly.” Brynin steepled her hands in front of her chin. “Tumera heard a pair of customers discussing the creation of an artifact. They stopped talking when they noticed her, so it’s really not much at all, but I don’t know of any other artifacts being created in Zimth. She also sent me these.” The commander opened a drawer and tossed three coins on the desk.
They were small with intricate designs on them. Copper was the smallest of the three with silver and gold being similar sizes. Pelya picked up the silver. “I’ve never seen these, they look legitimate though.”
“It’s called ‘uun’. It’s what the Rojuun use for currency.” Brynin tapped each one. “Four copper uuns make a silver uun and eight silver uuns make a gold uun. Tumera learned this from someone who escaped from Rojuun territory.”
Pelya’s head jerked up. “Really? What else did they tell her?”
Brynin’s lips twisted in irritation. “She said she has too much information to put in writing. So I’m left in suspense.” She pointed at them. “That’s why the two of you need to get to Zimth as fast as possible and find out the rest. Speak to these fugitives if at all possible. I need to know more.”
Tina sighed dramatically. “Don’t you want us to take a few days off to rest first, Aunt Reela? We’ve been gone since we graduated from the Academy and not a day’s rest.”
“You’ve had plenty of rest over the last week since you’ve been in Settatt.” Brynin got to her feet and leaned her hands on the desk.
That wasn’t entirely true considering Pelya and Tina had been debriefing the commander the entire time. However, they weren’t about to test her resolve, so they jumped up with grins and saluted her. Then they gave her hugs and headed out.
***************** SPOILERS *************** IF YOU HAVE NOT READ "WYVERN", BOOK 1 OF THE WYVERN TRILOGY, THIS EXCERPT HAS MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR THAT STORY.
You can find "Wyvern", book 1 at these stores:
SmashwordsAmazonAppleBarnes & NobleKobo
Chapter 1
Pelya sucked in air as she deflected the attack with her secondary sword. She swung her main sword in a counterattack.
The elusive woman twirled through the air, dodging Pelya’s blade. Short, brilliant-red hair spun away from the woman’s scalp.
Tina rounded a nearby tree and feinted from the flank to take advantage of an opening left by the woman.The woman easily parried the blow and kicked up with a bare foot. She landed a glancing blow on Tina’s chin, causing the young warrior’s russet ponytail to fly around and smack her in the cheek.
Tina instantly recovered and tried to sneak her blade into the woman’s side.
At the same time, Pelya swung both of her swords, one high and one low. The high one made contact.
The woman flipped backward and landed in a crouch on her toes. Shock registered in rose-pink eyes as a thin cut in her cheek began to leak blood. “You cut me!”
Tina let out a yell of triumph. “Ha!”
Pelya remained in ready stance, waiting for Commander Brynin to call an end to the sparring match.
Tina noticed and jerked back into ready stance as well.
The commander saluted them and sheathed her sword. “That’s the first time your blade has ever touched me, Agent Jornin. I must be losing my edge.”
Pelya saluted her in return before sheathing her own swords. “You’re nearly as slow as an emo bunny, Commander Brynin. Hardly a test at all.” Pelya grinned.
Tina also saluted the commander before falling dramatically to the grass, gasping for breath.
Commander Brynin narrowed her eyes at Pelya. “That’s why you’re sweating like a carnivorous fairy lost in the desert, and why my niece is flopping around on the ground and gulping air like a fish out of water.” Her pealing laughter echoed off the stone walls of the grassy courtyard.
Pelya wiped a sleeve across her soaked brow, thankful for the slight breeze rustling through leaves. “I try to come up with something new every time we spar. I pay attention to your methods and learn from them as well.” She took her gloves off and tucked them in her sword belt.
“Yes, I’ve noticed that.” She waggled a finger at Pelya. “You’ve even tried a few on me. It’s easy to see why you’re a swordmaster. You have natural talent, an indomitable work ethic and intelligence that enables you to improve each time you engage an opponent.”
Tina pulled her hair out of the ponytail and began pulling the sweat-soaked strands back into place. “Yeah, but you still cut her a few times, Aunt Reela. I can’t even do that.”
Commander Brynin came over to Pelya and rested an arm over her shoulders. “That’s because I’m a swordmaster sixth class and she’s only classified as swordmaster second class, though she could probably qualify for third.” The commander studied Pelya’s face. “As Tina said, I cut you a few times, Pelya, including once across the forehead. I saw the blood.”
Pelya’s jaw clenched shut of its own will.
The commander narrowed her eyes. “I sense my mind being pushed. If I didn’t have these pretty little earrings that protect my mind from enchantment, I’d probably forget yet again that you have no scars.” She tapped at one of the dangling earrings with a finger. “So tell me how you manage it.”
Pelya couldn’t breathe. She began to panic at the helplessness she felt. An intricate tattoo covering the left half of Pelya’s torso grew uncomfortably hot. At the age of eleven, she and her best friend Ebudae had saved a baby dragon. Its mother, Hezzena, had given them dragon marks as a reward. The magic of the mark prevented Pelya from remembering it when it wasn’t active. It also prevented her from answering questions about it.
Commander Brynin stepped back. “Are you playing a game with me, Pelya?”
The dragon mark squeezed Pelya’s lungs tighter and set her bones on fire.
Pelya fell to her knees, screaming through clenched teeth near to breaking. The last of the air in her lungs abandoned her dispassionately. Darkness surrounded the edges of her vision.
Commander Brynin jumped forward and took Pelya’s cheeks in her hands. “I withdraw my question! Release her, foul geas!”
The pressure lessened, allowing a breath of desperate air to steal down Pelya’s throat. She collapsed to the ground, her muscles drained of strength.
“I’m sorry, Pelya. No more questions.” Commander Brynin helped Pelya to her feet and steadied her. “Let’s have some chilled juice in my office. We’ll talk about your next assignment.”
Pelya leaned heavily on the commander as they walked to the courtyard door along a path bordered by flowerbeds. Tina opened the door and stepped aside to let them in before closing it. The inside of the manor was cool after stepping in from the summer day. Tina and Pelya took off their boots before stepping onto the soft carpet that ran the length of the hallway.
Commander Brynin, who never wore anything on her feet, said, “Thank you for taking your boots off. The carpet lasts much longer that way. Besides, feet are happier out of the artificial prisons you two call shoes.”
Tina fanned her face with a hand. “We wear boots, Aunt Reela.” Now that she had caught her breath, her voice regained its normal peppiness.
The corner of Commander Brynin’s mouth twisted as she gave her niece a look of amusement. There was a hint of family resemblance in their thin noses and rounded cheekbones.
Tina smiled at her aunt, grey eyes twinkling. Upon reaching the office, she jumped forward and held the door open. At the end of the lush office was a beautiful whitewood desk with carvings of birds around the edges. Tapestries and paintings on the wall were likely priceless along with everything else in the room. Wall to wall carpeting was pleasurable under their bare feet.
To the left was a sitting area with a table that matched the desk. To the right was a large globe. Swaths of blue covered most of it, mixed with brown and green patches. Floating mystically around it were Ryallon’s two moons, Siahray and Piohray.
They walked to the desk where the commander sat in a comfortable chair while Pelya and Tina took chairs opposite her. Commander Brynin leaned back and kicked her feet on the corner of the desk, a common habit of hers. “Have you heard about the Liquid Wyverns? Before you answer, you need to know that details about them are confidential, so anything said in this room is also confidential.”
Pelya gave a short nod. “A little bit. They are powerful magical artifacts, though I don’t know what they do.” She thought back to shortly after she had become a recruit of the Blue Wyverns. “I saw the one in the Academy Library. It moved and seemed to look at me. If I remember correctly, they consist of a mixture of metals including gold, silver and platinum that retain their liquid state. Powerful archmages merge the metals with other ingredients and imbue the devices with more magic than can be placed into something solid. Gems are added to focus power.”
“Yes. I won’t ask who told you that. I’m not in the mood to arrest anyone today.” The commander winked. “Now I’m going to tell you more. About fifty years after the Blue Wyverns were formed, Academy Commander Vernt came up with the idea for Liquid Wyverns. The organization had been growing rapidly and communications were a problem. When things went wrong far away, there was no way of knowing until runners arrived with reports. By then it was usually too late to rescue a soldiers in danger.”
“Which is why the Blue Wyverns engineer better highways and use a system of waypoints to increase the speed of communication,” Pelya responded.
“I bet there’s more to it than that,” Tina said.
Commander Brynin winked. “Very good, my pretty little niece.” She pointed a warning finger at both of them. “I’m trusting you with one of the closest kept secrets in the Wyverns now.”
They both nodded.
“The Liquid Wyverns act as a communication and tracking system for the Blue Wyverns. There are currently twenty-two scattered throughout Blue Wyvern holdings. Each one has a troop of Academy-trained wizards called Liquid Mages who interpret the messages sent between them.
Pelya gave a low whistle. “That’s complicated and powerful magic.”
“Yes it is,” the commander agreed. “In addition to that, every recruit who graduates to become a Blue Wyvern is entered into the system using a drop of blood.”
“That’s why they wanted our blood,” Tina remarked. “I never understood that."
“Yes.” Commander Brynin leaned forward. “Now the extraordinary thing about the Liquid Wyverns is that they know the health of every member of the Blue Wyverns. Whenever one dies, an alarm is activated in the nearest Wyvern. A wizard will be able to tell who has died. If a troop or company is killed suddenly, that would also be communicated.”
“Wow,” Pelya mouthed in awe.
“The original Liquid Wyvern is at the Academy here in Settatt, which is the one you saw.” Commander Brynin gestured to Pelya. “As the Blue Wyverns expanded, keeping track of everyone was more than it could handle. Another was created, and then another. Academy Commander Vernt began to realize that a central device would have to be made to handle the growing number. Thus, the Settatt Wyvern here at Headquarters was created. You won’t see that one.”
“Now I really want to see it,” Tina said in fascination.
“Tough.” The commander smirked. “Vernt invited a few powerful Archmages he knew to be friends of the Blue Wyverns to assist him in making the Settatt Wyvern. It stands at fifteen hands tall and forty-two hands long. Vernt wasn’t able to find a lone sapphire large enough for the heart. Instead, he took a number of the largest sapphires he could get and cast them in a powerful heart shaped device that came to be called the Heart of Settatt.”
“You’re telling us a great deal,” Pelya said. “I must admit to curiosity as to why.”
Commander Brynin nodded. “There’s a lot I’m not telling you. But I trust you both and believe it’s important to understand the gravity of your assignment.”
Tina leaned forward. “Which is? . . .”
“Hush. I’ll get to that.” The commander waved a dismissive hand. “There are currently only three magicians in the world who can make the Liquid Wyverns. One lives in Zimth, the Capital city of Swelth. In fact, the White Talon Company should be picking up a newly made wyvern in twenty days. Their task is to bring it back here to tune it with the Settatt Wyvern.”
“The White Talon Company is one of the best,” Tina said. “Do you expect trouble, Aunt Reela?”
“I don’t know.” The commander frowned. “I’ve only heard a couple of whisperings. It wouldn’t normally be enough to bother me, but those papers you found a year and a half ago, Pelya, mentioned that the mysterious Guild of Scales is targeting the Liquid Wyverns.”
“Perhaps if you’d let me read those papers . . .” Pelya raised an eyebrow.
“She did discover them after all,” Tina contributed, “along with exposing the old Recruit Commander who was sabotaging the Recruit Program.”
Commander Brynin gave a long-suffering sigh. “Yes, I know. She also wants to know about the man named Laen who killed most of her squad in Dralin. As I’ve explained countless times, the papers are sealed away in a vault and can’t be opened except by order of the Council of Eight, which isn’t going to happen.”
Pelya leaned her elbow on the arm of the chair and rested her chin on her fist while staring at the globe.Tina patted Pelya’s thigh supportively. “Do you think the Guild of Scales will try to steal the Liquid Wyvern, Aunt Reela?”
“I don’t know.” The commander held out a hand and studied her fingernails. “I haven’t discovered out anything new about them. I don’t even know where to start searching.” Frustration touched her voice.Pelya turned back to the conversation. “You’d think Indiya, the old Recruit Commander, would have said something about it, or one of the others that were captured.”
“We believe that only four of those we captured knew about the guild.” Brynin took out a dagger and trimmed one of the nails. “The rest worked for pay or blackmail.”
“You didn’t get any information from the four?” Pelya asked. “Surely one of them would have talked.”“Possibly, but they all died before they could be questioned.” The commander went to work on another nail. “Those four had some sort of geas that blackened their blood and killed them in what looked to be an excruciating manner. There was nothing we could do to stop it.”
“I hadn’t heard about that.” Pelya frowned. She herself was the victim of a geas aside from the dragon mark, one that banished her from Dralin. If she ever tried to go back, it would kill her, though hopefully not in the same manner.
Brynin put the dagger away. “We didn’t release those details, and you are to keep them confidential as well.”
Tina gave a sharp nod. “We will, Aunt Reela. Do you want us to join the White Talon Company to keep an eye on the Liquid Wyvern, or do you want us to investigate the whispers, or something else entirely?”
Pelya leaned toward Tina and whispered loud enough for the commander to hear. “Probably a little bit of each along with finding out more information about the Rojuun.” Tina grinned at the statement.
The commander chuckled. “I don’t want you to join the White Talons. The captain doesn’t like spies, as she calls my people. She would try to keep you under rein and that is notuseful to anyone.” She pointed her dagger at them. “By the time you get to Zimth, the White Talons should already have the Liquid Wyvern and be on their way back. Check in with the captain on the road and make certain that all is well. Once you’ve done that, continue on to Zimth and then the two of you are to go into the city to investigate the whispers.” She winked. “And see if you can learn anything about the Rojuun.”
“Do you have any recommendations as to where to start?” Pelya asked.
“I have two contacts you can get in touch with. Tumera is the first. She’s a merchant of exotic goods who has a store in the City Market.” Brynin finally put her dagger away, satisfied that all her nails were short enough. “People talk to her easily, telling her stories from all over the continent and occasionally from beyond. Her grandmother was a member of the Wyverns and Tumera always loved the old tales the woman told to her. She also knows to keep her ear open for word of the Rojuun.”
Tina fidgeted in her chair, never one to sit still for long. “Who’s the other contact?”
“Everyone calls him Idget. Even I don’t know his real name.”
Tina frowned. “That doesn’t sound very encouraging.”
“Don’t let the name fool you.” Brynin grinned. “He’s clever like a fox, but acts the part of an ox.”
Pelya raised an eyebrow. “You’ve become a poet?”
Brynin laughed. “I’d torture you by reciting some, but I’m not certain I have enough rope to keep you tied to the chair. Idget is a thief and a sneak. He pretends stupidity in order to loosen people’s tongues and it works. Do not underestimate him.”
Tina’s brow furrowed. “Is it safe to deal with a thief?”
Pelya leaned toward her. “It’s never safe to deal with a thief; however, they make some of the best informants. Just remember not to fully trust what they tell you.”
Brynin nodded. “Let Pelya handle him. She likely dealt with far worse when she lived in Dralin. To get in touch with Idget, you have to speak to Rymon, the bartender at the Black Moon Tavern. Tell him, ‘horses are stupid,’ and he’ll get you in touch.”
“Horses are stupid?” Tina asked with a laugh.
The commander shrugged. “I’ve never found out the meaning. I suppose I could, I just don’t care enough to do so.”
“Should we speak to the mage who’s making this new Liquid Wyvern?” Tina asked.
“Yes. That would be Professor Klunjun of the Dayblossom Orphanage.” The commander gave them a secretive wink. “He’s really an archmage, but few people know that. When you get a chance, head to the orphanage. I doubt he’ll know anything about the rumors. His head is too deep into his work, but it won’t hurt to ask.”
Pelya frowned. “He works at an orphanage? How bad is it there?”
Commander Brynin tilted her head in curiousity. “That’s an odd question. From what I understand, it’s decent enough for an orphanage. Why did you ask that?”
“You don’t know?” Pelya stared her in the eye. “Surely you’ve investigated my past.”
“A little bit. But information out of Dralin is never trustworthy and I don’t have a strong presence there. I know you were raised by your father in the City Guard, but there’s never been any mention of orphanages. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t wish. I’m just curious about everything.” The commander gave her a genuine smile.
Pelya debated internally for a moment. She didn’t like talking about herself, especially not her time in Dralin. Her childhood had been wonderful most of the time as far as she was concerned, but most wouldn’t have thought so.
Tina and the commander waited in patient silence for her to respond one way or the other. She decided to trust them. “My father was raised in the Dralin orphanages. They were horrible and corrupt. He never told me all of what he saw, but the few glimpses he gave me made me grateful for what I’ve always believed was a wonderful childhood.” Pelya smiled at fond memories. “I loved being raised in the Guard. Everyone there was my aunt or uncle. They sheltered me, taught me countless things and gave me hard-earned coppers to spend. I picked up a practice sword before I turned four and spent as much time as I could learning the art of combat in addition to the values of justice and peacekeeping.”
Brynin frowned. “There’s little of either quality in Dralin.”
Pelya chuckled. “True, but the City Guard is the one force that provides what little there is.” Pelya stood. “Tell me more of this professor.”
“The Professor has lasted a long time at the orphanage, teaching the orphans a few hours each day,” the commander said. “He lives in the northernmost tower of the orphanage, which is cluttered with books and magical items from what I understand. He’s reported to be just as messy as his tower.”
“What about the city?” Pelya asked. “I don’t know much about Zimth.”
“It’s pretty,” Tina said. “Mother took me there once and I nearly broke my neck gawking at the sights. I’m much more worldly now, but I still think Zimth is one of the prettiest cities around.”
“It’s also one of the most disorganized cities in the world,” Brynin added. “There isn’t a straight road anywhere in Zimth. The buildings are oddly shaped and don’t fit quite right.”
Tina laughed. “That’s true. We got lost a few times, but that was part of the fun. Can you give us specifics about the whispers you’ve heard, Aunt Reela?”
“Idget heard from one of his connections that a small group of mercenaries was hired to create a riot around the time when the White Talon Company is supposed to pick up the Liquid Wyvern. He wasn’t able to discern a connection other than the timing, but it’s my job to worry about those things.”
“Coincidences are often planned in my experience,” Pelya said.
“Exactly.” Brynin steepled her hands in front of her chin. “Tumera heard a pair of customers discussing the creation of an artifact. They stopped talking when they noticed her, so it’s really not much at all, but I don’t know of any other artifacts being created in Zimth. She also sent me these.” The commander opened a drawer and tossed three coins on the desk.
They were small with intricate designs on them. Copper was the smallest of the three with silver and gold being similar sizes. Pelya picked up the silver. “I’ve never seen these, they look legitimate though.”
“It’s called ‘uun’. It’s what the Rojuun use for currency.” Brynin tapped each one. “Four copper uuns make a silver uun and eight silver uuns make a gold uun. Tumera learned this from someone who escaped from Rojuun territory.”
Pelya’s head jerked up. “Really? What else did they tell her?”
Brynin’s lips twisted in irritation. “She said she has too much information to put in writing. So I’m left in suspense.” She pointed at them. “That’s why the two of you need to get to Zimth as fast as possible and find out the rest. Speak to these fugitives if at all possible. I need to know more.”
Tina sighed dramatically. “Don’t you want us to take a few days off to rest first, Aunt Reela? We’ve been gone since we graduated from the Academy and not a day’s rest.”
“You’ve had plenty of rest over the last week since you’ve been in Settatt.” Brynin got to her feet and leaned her hands on the desk.
That wasn’t entirely true considering Pelya and Tina had been debriefing the commander the entire time. However, they weren’t about to test her resolve, so they jumped up with grins and saluted her. Then they gave her hugs and headed out.
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