Blood Bond Read online

  Soren ducked his head, still unsure how to handle comments such as this. His head whipped up at Rodar’s next words.

  “I ran into your father.”

  “What? When? Where?”

  “Outside the tavern with Captain Pratt.” Again, Rodar held up his hand to stop Soren from interrupting. “They separated when they saw me. Joran and that assistant of his came over. We had a few…words.”

  Soren shook his head. “I’m sorry, Rodar.”

  “No. Don’t apologize for your father. He made his choices including one that almost took your life. He, or rather his assistant, admitted tampering with Dex’s harness.”

  Soren gasped. He knew his father hated him for the part he played in Addie’s death, but to hear his father had tried to kill him stunned him.

  “They got the idea from some guard they overheard in the tavern. The guard had been talking about your harness being cut in Ballinger.” Again, Rodar waved off Soren’s attempt to interrupt him with questions. “No, they didn’t know who it was, or if they did, they didn’t tell me. I am guessing someone who doesn’t like dragons.”

  Soren’s mind flashed back to the guard who refused to drink with him because of his association with Dex. He didn’t know if it was him, but there were probably others who harbored those same feelings. His stomach tightened as he thought of these people supporting King Edric’s demands to kill the dragons when the battle was over.

  Drake spoke up, interrupting Soren’s thoughts. “You said Soren’s father was seen with Captain Pratt?” He waited for Rodar to nod before continuing. “Sounds like it wasn’t the first time.”

  “I agree,” Rodar said. “I bet those two met somehow and concocted those charges against you. But after King Arden cleared you, they would be ill-advised to try something else.”

  “At least not officially,” Drake said.

  “You keep traveling with others,” Rodar said, pointing his finger at Soren. “Now enough time has been wasted on your father. Tell me about your training this afternoon.”

  Soren filled him in on the day’s events but waited until Drake and Quinn were engaged with the other dragon riders to tell Rodar about his meeting with the thief and her suggestion he needed someone with him.

  “Dex thinks it should be her?” Rodar stroked his beard. “You don’t agree?”

  Soren shook his head. “Too dangerous.”

  “It is a danger to anyone who goes. I can see Dex’s point. She has skills lifting things, but this is a different scenario. It isn’t bumping into someone on the street or diverting his attention while swiping his dagger.” Rodar chuckled. “No, I think someone with training in combat would be a better choice.”

  “Someone with magic is my first choice.”

  “Oh, I agree, but there aren’t many with that talent. No, I think someone who is good with a sword would work. Of course, you would have to get General Thayer’s approval. And most guards are more known for their brute force than their ability to sneak around. Hmm…maybe they could distract the wizard while you stole the scepter. How hard can it be?”

  Soren looked at Rodar. He tapped his fingers on the table. “I see what you are doing. If you think I should ask the thief for help, why don’t you come out and say it?"

  Rodar merely raised an eyebrow as he stirred this spoon through his soup. “Because all you would do is argue.”

  Soren scowled at him. “I’ll find her tomorrow.”

  Rodar smiled.

  ***

  Two days.

  That was now how long he had. Two days to prepare for the approaching army. Two days to figure out how to get the scepter from the wizard. This was the news that awaited Soren, Royce and Kincade as they returned from their survey of the battlefield. Soren’s stomach tightened at the news. He didn’t feel ready.

  Last night, he had spoken with Dex. They had agreed he would find the girl and have her practice with the dragon riders. After that they would decide if she would be an asset on his mission. And now he had only two days to prepare. He didn’t even know how to find her.

  He explained the situation to Bevin as they walked back into Camden.

  “I don’t like it,” Bevin said. “I agree you need someone with you. But it should be another guard, not a…thief.”

  Soren sighed. He had a feeling Bevin wanted to go with him. And he would have taken him in an instant, but his leg still was not fully healed. Even now the man walked with a limp. If he couldn’t take someone with magic, he needed someone who was quick and could think on his – or should he say her - feet.

  Bevin waited outside as Soren entered Darvin’s office. The guard sat behind his desk, a sea of papers in front of him. More paper lined the table behind him, and a few additional maps now were pinned to the wall.

  Darvin looked up. “I don’t have time, Soren,” he said as he grabbed a stack of papers. “In case you didn’t hear, the dragons report the army is two days out. I have a lot to do before they get here. Colonel Hader keeps making changes to things I thought we already agreed upon.”

  Soren held up his hand. “I only need a minute of your time, and then I will leave you to your work. I need to know where to find a thief.”

  Darvin raised an eyebrow. “A thief? Do I dare to ask what for?” He waved his hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  “I’m looking for a particular thief. A young woman. Petite. She could pass for a child. Green eyes, long blonde hair. My father hired her to steal my bag a couple of days ago.”

  “And you want retribution?”

  “No. I have a job for her.”

  “I would suggest you ask Maddock, but that might not be a wise idea. He would ask all sorts of questions.” Darvin tapped his forehead with two fingers as he thought for a moment. “I bet Garett at the tavern across the street would know.”

  Soren thanked him and left the man to his papers. He and Bevin walked over to the Black Boar tavern. He had made it a point to stay away from taverns and pubs. As they walked in, the smell of ale hit him hard. His mouth watered, and he could almost taste the bitter liquid. The need for the strong drink burned inside him. His hands shook slightly as his eyes traveled across the room. It had been two weeks since he had been here to forget the death of Bevin’s father. It had been two weeks since he had tasted ale.

  A large man with a jagged scar on his cheek stood behind the bar. It was the same barkeep from that day. They made their way over to him.

  “Are you Garett,” Soren asked.

  The man nodded. “Been awhile since you have been here.” He laughed at Soren’s wide-eye expression. “I have a good memory for faces,” he said as his eyes flickered to the mark on Soren’s neck.

  “Captain Bayn suggested you might be able to help me. I’m looking for a thief.”

  Garett raised his eyebrows. “I can tell you where to go,” he said, as he eyed them. “But you two look official. No one will talk to you.” He reached out mussing Soren’s hair. “You might pass especially with that brand.”

  “Just tell us where to go. I’ll worry about the rest.”

  “Drayce, big man, and I mean big. He runs, owns the Silver Moon Tavern. It is on the east side.” Garett shrugged. “But I’m telling you. He won’t help you. He hates the guards. Going there is too risky.”

  Soren thanked Garrett and gestured for Bevin to move to a nearby table. They sat.

  Bevin looked closely at him. “Are you doing okay? Maybe we should leave.”

  Soren shook his head. “No. I am fine. I can handle this. I could go by myself to this other tavern.”

  “No. Not an option. We go together.”

  “Bevin, you heard what Garett said. You are obviously with the guard. Even if you change your clothes, it comes across in the way you carry yourself.”

  “We can give it a try and hope Garett’s assessment is wrong.”

  Soren wanted to protest, but he didn’t think anything he said to Bevin would get him to relent. If Garett was correct, he would b
e lucky to get what he needed from the man. Taking Bevin with him would seal his failure. And with the army approaching, he didn’t dare waste time arguing with the man. He had two options. He could forget this whole thing, or he could go it alone. But if he didn’t go find the thief, he would have to find someone else who could help retrieve the scepter. Surely one of the guards could do it. He sighed. Did he have time to find that person? To find someone who could move quietly, virtually unseen? The army would be here in less than two days.

  Soren rose. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  “Where are you going?”

  Soren raised his eyebrow. “To relieve myself. I can do that alone.”

  He stomped across the room. He pushed open the door and entered the hallway, bypassing where he told Bevin he was going. Instead, he exited out the back door, entering the narrow alley. He glanced both ways before jogging toward the main street. Once there, he hurried toward the east side, figuring he didn’t have too long before Bevin came looking for him.

  As he traveled east, the people’s clothing became worn. Gone were the finer fabrics or even the women walking the streets with their children. Here a few seedy looking men stood on the street corner. The shop windows were clouded, and litter lined the streets. When Soren had first left the guard, he had spent a lot of time in places most people avoided. The ale had been cheap and the women plenty. The atmosphere had fit his mood. He had lost a year or two to this until Jerrick had found him, invited him to live with him and started supplying the endless string of jobs that Soren had failed at. Looking around now, he found he didn't miss this.

  He walked into the closest shop to ask for directions. The owner denied knowing where the tavern was located, but his eyes had shown recognition when Soren had mentioned it. The next man had done the same. A few coins exchanged got Soren the location. He hurried along, noting out of the corner of his eye the men nearby that watched his movements. He hurried around the corner.

  The first thing he noticed was a woman in long red dress. The material hugged her curves but left her shoulders bare. Long curly blonde hair framed a slim face. She swayed slightly as she studied two men walking down the street. The building she stood in front of had no sign. If Soren’s directions were correct, this is where the tavern should be. She turned, eyeing him appraisingly as he approached.

  “Is this the Silver Moon tavern?” he asked.

  “Might be. It doesn’t seem to be your type of place.”

  “I’m looking for someone.” Her face brightened, and Soren hurriedly added, “Drayce.”

  “Your loss,” she shrugged. “Inside.” As he moved away, she laid a hand on his arm. “If you have some time afterwards…”

  Soren nodded, not daring to answer her.

  Inside, the tavern was dark. As his eyes adjusted, he noted a few people sitting at tables and a tall, heavy-set man behind the bar. Garett had been correct. The man was huge, not fat but solid. He wore a sleeveless tunic that showed off his rippling arm muscles. The man scowled at him as he approached.

  “Are you Drayce?”

  The man nodded.

  “I'm looking for someone. Maybe you can help me out.”

  “This person have a name?”

  “I didn’t get her name.” Soren ignored the man’s smirk. “She’s petite, looks more like a child. She has long blonde hair and green eyes.”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “She steal something?”

  “No. Well, yes.”

  “And you want it back.” Drayce nodded to someone behind Soren.

  “No. I have it.” Soren sighed. “Do you know where…”

  Suddenly, his head exploded with pain. His vision dimmed as he collapsed to the floor.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  As he opened his eyes, blinking to adjust to the dim light, Soren immediately tried to lift his hand to his throbbing head. He couldn’t. He felt ropes cutting into his wrists. He looked down. They were bound to the armrests of a wooden chair. He glanced around the small room. He twisted, noting there was a door behind him. Nothing adorned the other walls except a single lit torch that provided his only light.

  “Dex?”

  “Soren! What happened? Bevin said you went off on your own. I couldn’t reach you.”

  “I went to the tavern to find the girl. Someone hit me from behind.”

  “Don’t tell me,” Dex said. “You are being held somewhere…again. I really don’t think you should go anywhere alone.”

  Soren smiled. “I guess not.”

  “Bevin, Kincade, and Royce are on their way to the tavern.”

  “I don’t think I am still there. The walls here are stone.”

  He heard a noise behind him. Twisting, he saw the door open. The barkeep from the tavern entered making the small room feel even smaller.

  “Drayce, the barkeep, just came in. I was speaking to him when I was hit from behind.”

  “Who are you?” Drayce demanded.

  “My name is Soren, Soren Blackfist.”

  “But who are you?” His eyes traveled up and down Soren. “I thought maybe a guard based on your clothes, but this,” he said as he touched the brand, “indicates a run-in with the King’s guards.”

  “He’s the dragon rider.”

  Drayce and Soren turned to see the young woman he had been seeking standing in the doorway.

  “Dragon rider?” Drayce gaped at Soren.

  The young woman walked in, placing a hand on Drayce’s arm. “Sabine told me you were here. I got this, Father,” she said, softly.

  Soren’s eyes widened. He would have never guessed Drayce was her father. She was so small while her father was big enough to be two men. He couldn’t hear what Drayce said to her, but the girl responded by leaning in and talking rapidly. Drayce glared at Soren. Whatever she said must have worked because he left them alone.

  The young woman walked over to stand before him. Her hair was pulled back in a loose braid. She eyed him with a smirk on her lips. She bent over, pulling a knife from her boot. “You’re looking for me?”

  “Yes. I thought about what you said. You're correct.” Soren watched as she walked around him, tapping the knife blade on her palm as she did.

  “So?”

  “Well, I wanted…wait I don’t even know your name.”

  “Kiara.”

  “What is happening?” Dex asked at the same time.

  “I can’t talk now, Dex. The thief is here. The barkeep is her father.” Soren smiled. “Kiara, it is nice to meet you. My name is Soren, but you already know that having been to my trial. How about you untie me?”

  She smiled back. “I don’t think so. Now what do you want?”

  “Your help. You were right. I need a second person with me.”

  “That’s nice.” Then she stopped and stared at him. “Me?” Kiara laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “I could use someone with your skills.”

  She shrugged, brushing off the compliment. “What’s in it for me?”

  “What do you want?

  She leaned forward. Her hand slipped inside his shirt. She pulled the necklace out from underneath the cloth. “This.”

  “No.” Soren tried to jerk away as she slipped it over his head.

  “This is my price.”

  “Then I will find someone else.”

  Kiara laughed. “Who? If you had someone else in mind, you wouldn’t be here.” She dangled the necklace before him. “This is my price.”

  “Why? It is just a trinket. It isn't worth much. Why that?”

  “Because it means something to you.”

  Soren shook his head. “You can’t have it. Ask for something else.”

  Kiara studied him for a few minutes. “Well, I already have the necklace. I could leave here with it.” She laughed as he attempted to lung forward. “But I think we can make a deal. Tell me why the necklace is important.”

  Soren locked eyes with her. “I tell you and you return the necklace?”

 
; “And agree to come with you.”

  “Why? Why would you do that?”

  “You have me curious.”

  Soren shook his head. “No, why would you agree to come with me? It will be dangerous.”

  “This…the stealing of the scepter intrigues me.” Kiara shrugged. “Why do you care? You should be happy I agreed.” She held up the necklace. “Do we have a deal?”

  It seemed too easy, but who was he to argue? Soren nodded. Kiara leaned over, cutting the ropes binding his right wrist. He grabbed the necklace from her as she cut the other rope. He slipped it back over his head.

  “The necklace belonged to my sister Addie.” He stood, rubbing his wrists. He walked to the door, jerking it open. “She was six when she died.” He stepped into the hall not sure which way to go.

  Kiara brushed past him. “Sore subject.”

  He shrugged and fell into step beside her as she walked down the hall.

  “The others are at the tavern,” Dex said. “Aria and I are coming too.”

  “I don't need rescuing. She has agreed to help.” He turned to Kiara. “Where’s the tavern?”

  “This way,” Kiara said as she pushed open a door. They entered a narrow passage between two stone buildings. She didn’t say anything until they entered the alley and could continue to walk side by side again. “Is your sister’s death the reason you and your father don’t get along?” She didn’t bat an eye when he glared at her. “He didn’t tell me you were related when he hired me.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Kiara shrugged. “I don’t know much about bad family relations.”

  Soren turned toward her. His eyes traveled over her tiny frame. “Is Drayce really your father?”

  Kiara feigned shock. “What you don’t see the resemblance?”

  Soren laughed. “Not at all. He is so big, and you…” His eyes traveled over her petite body. “You are so tiny. I thought you were a child the first time I saw you.”

  “Being small has its benefits.”

  A few empty barrels littered the alley. Kiara moved around them to a wooden door. As soon as she opened it, Soren heard yelling. He rushed into the tavern to find Bevin, Kincade and Royce with their swords drawn. They were surrounded by eight men holding long curved daggers. Drayce stood behind the bar with a thick mace in his hands.