Dragonbound: Birthrights (Book 2)

The halls of Rishana’s castle were not something Kane was accustomed to. He stood with Raven at his side, waiting in the throne room for Walter.

The king was missing, leaving Walter to deal with most of the decisions This, however, was unsettling for the Zeil. They were a rebellious group of people, dealing with tyrannical leaders. If the king would be corrupt or evil or wrong, the Tribe would do all they could to either prevent him from doing further damage to the kingdom, or would work to assassinate him. Up until Murdock the Second, they had never killed a king, only kept his corruption from spreading.

If Walter was the current leader, he knew where they were located. He knew who his possible rebels were.

Kane stood with his arms folded across his strong chest. He wore regular clothing, nothing tribal, but nothing fancy, either. It looked strange with his tan skin and half-shaven head. Raven allowed her hair to fall without ties like a black waterfall down her back. She wore a simple dress, one that did not appear regular and was very much more tribal than Kane’s clothing.

Finally, Walter walked into the room, the door closing behind him. The two whipped around to find him. “I congratulate you on your rise to power, Kane,” Walter said.

“Aye, thank you,” he nodded.

He glanced to Raven who--as always--kept her smile at bay. “Lady,” Walter dipped his head. “How are you?”

“Well.”

“The children?”

“Healthy and loud,” she answered.

“As to be expected,” he smiled. Raven breathed in, showing her impatience. She was ready to begin; enough pleasantries “Well,” Walter began, “What has brought you here?”

“We have heard that King Holloway has left,” Kane said. “Who is left to reign?”

“Well, until we know what has happened, we cannot just throw the crown to anyone,” he said. “But in his absence, I am leading.”

“That is inadvisable,” Raven stated flatly. He shot his eyes to her, the scar down his face gleaming from the lantern nearby.

“Why is that?” he barked.

“You work very closely with the Zeil,” she explained without pause. “You know everything about us. You cannot rule the country and work with the rebels. It will backfire--”

“We aren’t saying that you are unfit to lead--”

She grabbed Kane’s forearm and she continued, “I am saying that if something were to happen to you and you were unfit to lead, we could do nothing about it.” Walter opened his mouth to retaliate, but she held her hand up to silence him so she could continue. “We all assumed Davin would make a worthy king. He is proving wrong. Who is to say that you could handle the pressures any better? I do not like the idea that we could risk everything just so we don’t hurt your feelings.”

“That is understood, but what am I to do?” Walter retorted.

“You have people. Build a council, make decisions as a whole,” she suggested. “Can’t be too difficult. But if you do decide to take control of Rishana, do beware that I will--”

This time, Kane interrupted her be grasping her shoulder, pulling her a few steps back. She struggled to move her feet as quickly as he yanked her. When he released her, he said, “You understand, we are not trying to insult you.”

“Of course,” Walter grunted.

“So what do you believe happened with Davin?” Kane asked.

He sighed, running a hand over his tiring, aging face. After a moment, he finally answered, “It is impossible to say.” He told them about the night his struggles, then paused. “I have to say,” he began slowly, “One night, he simply left without warning.”

“And he left on his own accord?” Raven asked. Walter eyed her closely, his brows drawing low and she said, “It was not forced?”

“No,” he shook his head. “A few people saw him carrying his belongings to the stables, and a few others watched him leave. It took me days to calm the people of these rumors. I’m sure they are the same that you’ve heard. Of the king being abducted.”

“I have to say that is something we were expecting to hear,” Kane said.

“Well, I assure you that he left of his own accord.”

After exchanging some more thoughts, Kane asked, “Torin Holloway and his wife had come up here, do you know where I could find them?”

Walter pondered for a moment and said, “I wasn’t even sure he was still here. Last I saw him was just before the king left.”

Kane shot a look to Raven who instantly asked, “Where can we find him?”

“Likely at his parents’ home.” Walter gave them directions, which were easy to follow.

As they moved out of the castle, neither of them spoke. But they were both very unsettled by what Walter had said. It didn’t seem to fit the stories they had heard.

“I know what Stella is doing,” Kane said lowly. Raven’s gaze shot to him, though she remained quiet. “Tonight, I’ll come find her. I’ll send her to find Davin and get answers.”

Soon, they reached the Holloways’ home, surprised by the humble living. Sense their son was king, they assumed they would be living in the castle or much more luxuriously. Nonetheless, the home was impressive if Milas had worked on it by his own hand.

Reaching the door, Kane knocked and they waited. After a moment, a woman answered. She was a bit shorter than both of them with light colored hair and dark brown eyes. She smiled and dipped her head, saying, “I believe I recognize you.”

“Aye,” Kane replied. “Is Torin Holloway staying here?”

She tensed for just a short moment, her smile faltering. “He isn’t here at the moment,” she answered.

“Can I help you with something?” A man’s voice cut in as he walked up from behind. He was wiping hay from his shirt, just finishing his work in the barn.

“We were looking for Torin,” Kane replied. “You are his parents, yes?”

“We are,” he nodded. “I’m Milas and that is my wife, Anille. We can invite you in for dinner if you wish, but my son is not home today.”

“Could you tell us where to find him?” Kane pressed. “This is urgent.”

“I am sure it is, but he is running some errands for me since my age is proving difficult to do much of anything,” Milas said.

“We will come back tomorrow,” Raven said flatly.

At about that moment, Lianna stood in the doorway just behind Anille. She held Tallin and her face bore the expression of discomfort. She stepped onto the porch and bowed her head to Kane and Raven. “I did not expect to see you here,” she said.

“How are you?” Raven asked, gently waving to Tallin.

“Well,” she answered.

“Where is your husband?”

She hesitated and said, “On a mission, Raven.” The parents tensed at her words and she said, “He will return shortly, but do believe that he is doing this for the good of our Tribe.”

They were obviously not pleased with her answer, or the idea that the two Holloways had lied to them. Raven shot them light glares and said, “The moment your husband returns, Lianna, send him home.”

“Of course,” she nodded.

The two turned and walked away. Milas’s face grew as hard as stone, looking much like Davin. Anille slowly shook her head, her eyes on them as they disappeared around the bow in the road. “They really aren’t bad people,” Lianna said lowly. “They...are under stress.”

“We are all under stress,” Milas said lowly, shaking his head as he returned to the barn.

Lianna lowered her eyes and said, “I am sorry.”

“Do not apologize,” Anille patted her arm as she headed back indoors. “It isn’t your fault, dear.”

Stella wasn’t asleep, though she should’ve been. It was never really quite that easy for her to sleep. It often took her a couple hours of quiet meditation before she could calm her nerves enough to sleep.

Sitting in bed, her eyes were closed and her muscles relaxed. But a soft knock at the door caused her to tense. Sighing heavily, she moved to answer the door. To her surprise it was Kane. She nearly paled, then hid her shock with a smile, allowing him inside.

“Stella, have you learned anything about Davin’s disappearance?” he questioned.

“Hm?” she eyed him, then said, “I have. Very little. I hoped to learn more before going to you with it.”

“Well...Tell me everything,” he said.

They sat together in the tiny, cold room and she explained all she had learned. She hesitated, skipping over her suspicions of Serah. She’d wait until she had more proof.

When she ended, Kane said, “Once you have what you need, I want to send you after Torin. I am positive he’s looking for his brother. And I have no doubt that you’re right. They likely did go straight to Kiaran, relying on her treaty with Rishana.”

“Yes, Sir,” she nodded once.

Not long after he left, she lied on her back, exhaling deeply. It was only a moment of silence before a more timid knock reached her ears. Grumbling, she stood and opened the door to Serah. Her eyes were swollen, likely from crying. She almost looked sick.

“Serah…?” she allowed her in. “Are you alright?”

She didn’t answer, which was a clear no. She wasn’t, something was wrong. They sat on the bed together and Serah wiped her eyes. “I waited for your visitor to leave,” Serah said quietly.

“That was a long time to wait,” Stella said softly. “Serah, what is it? Are you feeling well?”

Serah had been slowly opening up to Stella over their time together. It was quiet between them, but Serah finally spoke. “I was with King Holloway when he was taken.” Stella eyed her, though she had her suspicion. “I was sent to visit him.”

That’s right...She was his singer.

“It must have been terrible to witness,” Stella said uneasily, her frown deepening.

Serah nodded shortly. “He…” she grew quiet, he cheeks heavily flushed and eyes misty.

“Oh…” Stella breathed softly while patting her back. “What is it, Serah…? What happened?”

“He kissed me that night.” Serah gripped her stomach, near to tears. “I-I know I shouldn’t think anything special of it. He’s a king--He probably has kissed many women,” her voice trembled. “It was my first night with a man,” she whispered. And a king no less.

Stella stared at her in slight shock. “I know you don’t believe me,” tears began falling, her voice shaking. “And I’d not ask you to.”

“No, I...do,” Stella patted her again, a bit unsure.

“Some days, I don’t believe it myself,” she sighed, wiping her face clean.

Stella could tell something else was bothering her. A deeper secret. Gently, she hoped to coax it out. “Serah...is there something else?”

Serah’s expression twisted and she nodded. “I can’t tell you,” she whispered. “I can’t tell anyone.”

Stella remained quiet a moment, looking about. “Serah, we are alone. If you wish to clear your heart, than do so. I will keep your secrets safe.”

Serah was clearly in doubt, shaking her head. “I cannot…”

“...Serah…” Gently, she took the blind girl’s hand. “May...May I confide in you? Perhaps then, you will open up to me.”

Serah faced her, shock written across her face. “W-What is it?”

She leaned in to whisper, saying, “It is good that you keep secrets as well as you do...I have one that you will need to keep to yourself. Can it be handled?” Hesitantly, she nodded. “I was once a comrade of the Holloway brothers and Kiaran. I helped in seizing the City of Rishana.”

Serah gasped, her hand shaking within Stella’s. “Y-you are? What are you doing here?”

“I am finding answers. I must know what happened to Davin,” she answered. “My name is Stella. And I am only hoping to help my old friends.”

Serah wiped her tears as they continued to fall. “Stella,” she sniffled, “He--Someone nearly took him that night. But he killed them. And he left on his own.”

“Tell me everything,” Stella said.

It took some reassurance and gentle coaxing, but she got the whole story from her. Still, though, a bit of sickness seemed to linger on Serah’s face. Stella’s heart sank and she rubbed her back. Perhaps...Davin left something behind within this woman, unknowingly.

“Take care of yourself, Serah,” she said gently. “Keep yourself safe and healthy for Davin’s return, alright?”

As if those words were needed, Serah nodded, her expression strengthening slightly. “I...don’t know for certain…” Serah began. “But I will in a few more weeks…”

“I know,” Stella said quietly. “He will return, and you will be taken care of. I know it.” Serah cried some more, but with less fear. It was more in relief. The idea that she possibly carried a part of Davin within her was a bit unsettling, though she couldn’t tell why. “Tell no one of me. And tell no one of your pregnancy,” she whispered. It would likely get her killed. If Walter really was against Davin, he’d not allow his offspring to live.

“Are you leaving, S...Stella?’ she asked anxiously.

“I am.”