Nina of the Dark by Ken Catran

Author:Ken Catran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, Nina joined Brod on the battlements, facing Walltown. Near them, Carel lounged with her crossbow on her shoulder; around them, a greater scattering of the fortress soldiers. There were even some of the red-cloaked king’s guard around them—loitering a little awkwardly, she thought. Erok, protector as well as squire, turned to glower at them.

‘You saw nothing at all of Alen?’ she asked.

Brod shook his head patiently. Nina had already asked him several times. ‘I woke up the next morning and he was gone. So was the dragon baby.’ He sighed. ‘Perhaps he stole it. Such a baby would bring a high price.’

And took it where? And why, with untold treasure waiting below? She sensed that not even Brod believed that theory, which made her think of something else.

‘Brod,’ she said slowly. ‘Could someone—a strong man—tear free from the clutches of a dragon?’

‘From a young dragon—perhaps. At great cost of flesh and blood.’ He paused a moment, then went on. ‘I did look for Alen. I waited two days and nights, then went to seek help and found Vernel with his squadron.’

Nina nodded. As if summoned by his name, the cavalry captain came up the battlement stairs, threading his way through Nina’s followers. He walked up, looking around and rubbing his long, pale chin. ‘Goldenface still sleeps. What will you do now?’

Nina studied his smooth features. ‘Nothing until he awakes. Then we will take counsel.’ She looked over as, in the distance, a rider—still only a minute dot—was galloping hard in the direction of Doom Hold.

‘Will you share the throne, then?’ Vernel asked.

‘I don’t know,’ said Nina.

Vernel looked at the rider, then back to her. His voice dropped a little. ‘Goldenface knew you were coming: remember, there was a price on your head and a gallows waiting.’

‘I know that,’ said Nina tightly.

‘So remember who your friends are, Nina.’

His attention was taken by the rider, now closer, spurring on the exhausted horse hard. ‘One of my Rena troopers,’ he muttered, ‘and in a great hurry.’

He walked a little way off, and beside her Brod spoke softly. ‘That man is a snake, out only for himself. But remember those two little master assassins. Nina. Somebody had the gold to pay for them—and to know when you were coming.’ He put his giant brown hand on hers. ‘Always remember, I am your man.’

Nina smiled. She liked the big, simple giant more than ever now. ‘Did the stars that foretold my coming say anything else?’

Brod frowned slightly. ‘Only what I have said before, Nina. A great kingdom will fall and the times change forever.’ He was looking over at the approaching rider, now casting away saddle-bags, helmet and sword to lighten the horse’s load. Long, brown hair streamed in the wind as she put a small silver horn to her lips and blew a short trilling blast, then a longer one.

Vernel looked over sharply, uttering a sharp exclamation. ‘That is a message call!’

The first rider was near the battlements and Vernel shouted, waving.

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