Now I was a King… riding a dragon through a city I had just conquered. I was married to an incredibly beautiful woman who looked at me like I was something special.

  I gave Yvette a wink. And I was just getting started.

  ***

  We took up residence in the central fortress. I wasted no time. I ordered the local nobles and the high-ranking officers of the garrison to meet me in the main hall.

  They gathered in the room, looking at me with a mix of awe and suspicion. I sat on the Baron’s throne, Yvette and Monica standing on either side of me.

  Baron Marco, Lady Sarah, and Liam stood off to one side. Kashko had found a stool somewhere and he was sitting near the wall, observing the meeting.

  "I am not here to conquer Mersylvan. I am here to reunify Mersylvan with Avalon," I began, looking at their faces for any reaction.

  One of the nobles was an elderly woman. She was hunched over and used a cane decorated with gold filigree to support herself. The other nobles’ expressions were guarded. The old woman sneered at my words.

  I met her gaze. “You. What is your name?”

  The woman raised her chin proudly. “I am Lady Agatha of Howton Square.” Her voice was strong and clear despite her age.

  “You are amused at my words, Lady Agatha.”

  She shrugged. “Conquer. Reunify. Different words for the same things. Just say you want our tax money and be done with it.”

  Some of the others gasped at her words. I could see Yvette’s body stiffen, offended by the old woman’s words. I held back a smile. The old woman was feisty.

  I leaned back. “Avalon. All of Avalon is in danger. We need a united nation to face these threats.”

  Lady Agatha made a face. “Threats? What threats?”

  I told them about the Savonians. I told them about King Alfonso and the twelve dragons he was readying to send across the sea. “Savon wants to rule over all of Avalon again.”

  The Mersylvanians shifted uncomfortably at my words.

  Yvette spoke, shifting their attention to her. “Divided, our lands are weak. The goblin hordes are gathering strength in the mountains. Just last week, the Fortress at Nander’s Pass nearly fell. My husband’s timely arrival with our dragons saved the day.”

  “The new fortress has never fallen.” Lady Agatha waved her free hand dismissively.

  Monica’s face and voice were deadly serious. “This was a large goblin force combined with well-armored trolls. By the time we arrived, they had breached the outer gate and were about to breach the keep.” The nobles and officers began whispering in alarm at the news.

  I let that information sink in for a moment before speaking again. “If the fortress had fallen, Blackbird Fork would have been next. Then the way would be open for the goblins to raid your lands.”

  The nobles began muttering again. Lady Agatha tapped her cane on the floor. The sound caused the other nobles to fall silent.

  “Savonian invasion. Goblin hordes. Why didn't you explain that to Baron Simon?” The old woman’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me.

  Yvette lifted her chin proudly. “The King tried to convince him. Simon would have kept his titles, all we require is fealty to Avalon.”

  “Then the young man was a fool. This old woman isn’t. Forgive me, my lord. I am too old to kneel. I pledge my loyalty to King Roman and Avalon.” She bowed her head to me.

  Yvette turned to me expectantly. I blinked, uncertain as to what to do.

  The Queen turned to Lady Agatha. “On behalf of King Roman, we accept your loyalty. You will keep your lands and your title.”

  A moment later, the other nobles and officers began kneeling. The room was filled with a jumbled chorus of voices pledging their loyalty to me and Avalon.

  ***

  After lunch, I met with the chief steward of Crossroads in her office. Yvette and Monica joined me. The steward gave us a summary of the financial condition of the city.

  “Crossroads is a prosperous city,” Yvette said as she leafed through one of the ledgers.

  “Yes, my lady. The fees we collect from the trade that passes through here has always been more than adequate for our needs.” The white-haired steward bowed her head towards the queen.

  There was a knock at the door. A moment later, one of my soldiers escorted Lady Agatha into the room.

  The elderly woman’s eyes scanned the room before resting on me. “Are you going to hang me? Or just throw me in the dungeon?”

  Her question caught me by surprise, and I let out a laugh. “Neither.”

  She nodded. “One can’t be too careful these days. Especially at my age.”

  “Please be seated, Lady Agatha,” Yvette indicated one of the empty chairs.

  The woman made her way to the chair. She sat down with a thump. She waited patiently for one of us to break the silence. I was really starting to like the old crow.

  “Shall I tell her?” Yvette gave me a questioning glance.

  I shook my head. “Lady Agatha, I am appointing you Governor of Crossroads and the surrounding area. You will rule in my name.”

  Instead of smiling, as I expected, Lady Agatha frowned. “Why would you do a fool thing like that?”

  “My lord,” she added as an afterthought.

  “Because I have decided that you are well suited to the job. The steward assures me that you are well respected by the nobles of Crossroads.”

  “Ha, more likely they are afraid of my sharp tongue!”

  I chuckled. “Either one will suit my needs.”

  “Why don’t you appoint a new Baron or Baroness to the position?” she asked.

  “In time, Lady Agatha, King Roman will choose someone suitable for the title,” Yvette explained.

  “You mean once he decides who he can trust. That’s good. I have high hopes for you, young king.” Lady Agatha nodded approvingly.

  The steward cleared her throat. “If you don’t mind me asking, my lord, how long will you and Queen Yvette be staying with us? I can make any arrangements for your rooms or other requirements you may have?”

  “That won’t be necessary. We are leaving in the morning.” The steward’s mouth dropped open in surprise at my words.

  Even Lady Agatha blinked in surprise. “Why are you leaving so soon, King Roman?”

  “I am heading to Port Meralon. The harbor there is critical for my plans to unify Avalon again.”

  Lady Agatha chuckled. “Countess Sizuna will not be happy to see you.”

  Yvette sat her hand on the table. “What can you tell us about the countess?”

  Lady Agatha thought for a moment before answering. “The countess is a strong-willed woman. She is very shrewd. Mersylvan has prospered under her rule.”

  “How many dragons are in Port Meralon?” I asked.

  “Three, I believe,” Lady Agatha glanced at the steward for confirmation, and she nodded her head.

  Monica leaned forward. “What types of dragons?”

  The steward turned to the brunette. “Countess Sizuna and her daughter ride blue dragons. Lord Clark rides a green, my lady.”

  Six to three. The odds were still in our favor. “I am surprised at how many blue dragons are in Mersylvan.”

  Lady Agatha waved her hand dismissively. “Mersylvan’s roots go back to the water and shipping. We have a saying that water is the blood of Mersylvan.”

  “Perhaps Countess Sizuna will listen to reason and avoid bloodshed.” Yvette gave me a bittersweet smile.

  “The countess is a proud woman. But she is also a realist- not a dreamer like that fool Baron Simon. His dreams of glory got him and many others killed.” Agatha shook her head.

  I looked at the steward. “Captain Dagmar and my footsoldiers will stay behind in Crossroads. I am placing Captain Dagmar in charge of the garrison.”

  The steward bowed her head. “Yes, my lord.”

  Agatha leaned forward in her chair. “What would you have me do? I am anxious to start bossing the other nobles around.”

  I chuckled. Agatha was hilarious. “Two things. First, I want you to repair the South Gate. Second, I want you to keep Crossroads running smoothly. Third, I want you to convince the other nobles that cooperation will bring prosperity for all of Avalon.”

  Agatha narrowed her eyes. “Am I allowed to throw them in the dungeon if I can’t get them to see the bright future of our city?”

  I leaned forward. “As Governor of Crossroads, you have the power to do whatever is necessary to maintain order.”

  Agatha leaned on the table as she lifted her body out of the chair. She gave me a nod. “If you will excuse me, King Roman, I have work that needs attending. I heard you did quite the damage to the South Gate.”

  “I think you are leaving the city in good hands,” Yvette said after Agatha had left the room.

  I grinned. “I think you’re right.”

  21

  Chapter Twenty-One

  We left Crossroads at first light. Lady Agatha was already up, standing on the steps of the central fortress with her gold-filigree cane and a look that suggested she was already mentally rearranging the furniture of the entire city. She didn't say goodbye; she just gave me a sharp nod that said, Don’t screw this up.

  I pulled Graxion up alongside Lieutenant Trent as the column of horsemen trotted out of the southern gatehouse. The ruined door was already being cleared by a team of laborers under Agatha's orders.

  "Status on the ranks, Lieutenant?" I asked.

  Trent, a seasoned officer with a face like tanned leather, straightened in his saddle. "Full strength, my lord. Eighty horsemen ready for battle. I took your advice and promoted two of the best riders from the recruits, Miller and Henderson. They’ve got the grit for it, and they’re eager to prove they belong in the main unit."

  "Good," I said. "We can't afford any gaps. Every blade counts if we hit trouble."

  I gave Graxion the signal, and we surged into the sky. Below us, the eighty riders were a disciplined line of steel and muscle, cutting through the green hills of Mersylvan like a spear.

  The march south was a different beast than our trip from Blackbird Forks. With no supply wagons to slow us down, we were able to move faster. The miles ticked by as the riders rode at a steady pace that horses could maintain without wearing themselves out.

  ***

  By midday, the landscape began to change. The grassy hills were replaced by woodlands. As the sun set, the wind shifted from the west to the south. I smelled a hint of salt from the distant sea.

  The dragons landed near a cluster of ancient oaks that stood near the road. The area under the trees was fairly clear of undergrowth. A small stream was flowing on the far side of the road.

  “What do you think, Graxion? Is this a good spot to set up our camp for the night?”

  The red dragon craned his neck as he inspected the surroundings. “Yes, this is a suitable place. It will be a pleasant change to sleep under the leaves of these venerable trees.”

  “I hope you don’t snore fire while you sleep. It could prove problematic for the rest of us.” Bakaan grinned at Graxion.

  The red dragon looked at the trees and then at the black dragon. “Perhaps you will learn some wisdom, sleeping under the protection of these grand old oaks. If you can keep your mouth closed and ears open.”

  The black dragon’s grin widened, but he didn’t try to crack any more jokes.

  Some of the soldiers began setting up camp while others fed and watered the horses. As Yvette and Sarah checked the health of the horses, I found Kashko sitting on a fallen log. He wasn't plucking his lute or humming a new tune. He was staring back toward the north, a strange, faraway look in his eyes.

  "You okay, Kashko?" I asked, leaning against a tree near him. "You look like you're seeing ghosts."

  The bard blinked and turned toward me, a sad smile touching his lips. "In a way, King Roman, I suppose I am. I was thinking of young Lord Simon."

  "The kid had a choice," I said, my voice hardening. "He chose the hard way."

  "He did," Kashko agreed. "But I think I finally understand why. A few weeks ago, during my last stay at Crossroads, Simon asked me to play a specific song over and over. He was obsessed with it. It’s called 'The Ballad of the Siege of Crossroads'."

  I crossed my arms. "Let me guess. A heroic victory against impossible odds?"

  "Exactly," Kashko said. "It tells the story of Baron Joseph, one of Simon’s ancestors. The city was surrounded by a massive invading force. Joseph broke the siege by leading a daring midnight raid, destroying the enemy's supplies and equipment while they slept. It’s a stirring tale of bravery and luck."

  I snorted. "So Simon wasn't just being a prick. He was trying to add his name to his own family history. He thought he was the new Baron Joseph."

  Kashko nodded. "He was chasing the ghost of a song. But Joseph had four dragons defending the city when he made his move. Simon had only one. He tried to replicate the glory without understanding the odds were against him."

  "That’s the problem with legends," I said, thinking back to the MMA fighters I'd known who tried to mimic a champion's style without putting in the same years of training. "They leave out the boring parts, like the logistics and the odds. Simon tried to win a fight with a move he hadn't practiced."

  "He was young and more rash than I suspected," the bard sighed. "I didn't think a man would bet his city and his life on a ballad."

  "In my world, we call that believing your own press," I muttered.

  Kashko gave me a questioning look. “What does that saying mean?”

  I guess they didn’t have newspapers here. I tried to put it in words the elven bard would understand. “It's when someone starts believing the exaggerated stories that others tell about their deeds.”

  He smiled and nodded his head. “The elves will say someone ‘believes the weaver’s tapestry’.”

  Later, as Yvette snuggled her sleeping roll next to mine, I wondered what we would find at Port Meralon. I hoped the countess would accept my offer of unity over war. My mind drifted off to sleep as the leaves above me whispered in the gentle evening breeze.

  22

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The scent of the sea hit me before I saw the water. It was a sharp, briny tang that reminded me of childhood vacations or beach workouts. The salty smell meant we were closing in on the economic heart of Mersylvan.

  As we crested the final ridge of the coastal hills, the land simply dropped away. Spread out below us was Port Meralon. It was a hell of a sight.

  The city was built from a brilliant white stone that seemed to glow against the deep, sapphire-blue of the ocean. It was shaped like a crescent moon, wrapping around a massive harbor that looked deep enough to house a fleet of aircraft carriers, let alone the wooden merchant ships that currently filled it.

  A series of high, white granite sea walls protected the docks from the surf, and a secondary set of land-facing walls, topped with blue and white shark pennants, guarded the city's rear.

  "Land here," I commanded, gesturing toward a wide, grassy hill that overlooked the city.

  The dragons descended in a chorus of heavy wing-beats, their massive talons tearing into the turf as they touched down. Following right behind, the eighty cavalrymen moved with practiced precision. Lieutenant Trent didn't need orders; he signaled his men to split, forty horsemen lining up on our left flank and forty on the right.

  "It's beautiful." Yvette gazed at the city below us.

  “Will the countess make the same mistake as Lord Simon? Or will she accept your terms?” Monica mused as she examined the city’s walls and towers.

  “I would hate to damage such an important city.” Nor did I want to lose any more soldiers.

  The usually quiet Marco spoke up. “Meralon is a beautiful city. They serve excellent seafood dishes here.”

  “Have you been here?” Yvette was surprised by the stone mage's comment.

  “Yes, my Queen. Last summer I came here for their midsummer festival. I sold five sculptures. Though I spent much of my gains on delicious food,” Marco’s voice was enthusiastic as he recounted his visit.

  Kashko had brought his horse close to us. He chuckled at the baron’s words. “Nothing wrong with an extravagant meal upon occasion, young man!”

  I wondered if the bard knew anything about Mersylvan’s ruler. “So tell me, bard, do you think the Countess will negotiate or fight?”

  The elf turned his attention to the white city below us. “Difficult to say. I only performed once at the castle when I passed through last. As I recall, the countess retired early. She favors business over pleasure.”

  I glanced at my little army. Despite our relatively small numbers, I thought it was a hell of a show of force. Six dragons in the center, flanked by a wall of armored riders and glinting spears, all silhouetted against the morning sky. “The cost of joining with us will be cheaper than the price of fighting us.”

  Kashko smiled wryly. “Rulers have strange ways of calculating costs. You have to consider the arithmetic of pride and glory.”

  The bard was right. Lord Simon was a perfect example of poor calculations.

  Below us, I could already see activity on the city walls. The tiny blue-and-white shapes of the Mersylvan soldiers were scrambling, their sun-glinted breastplates moving in frantic patterns as they spotted the newcomers.

  "I’m going to fly over the city," I said, checking Graxion’s cinch one last time. "I want them to know exactly who has arrived at their doorstep."

  Monica, sitting atop the black scales of Bakaan, nodded. "Graxion is a magnificent beast. He will be an impressive and terrifying sight for those people. They’ve seen blue and green dragons, but a red one this size? It will haunt their dreams."

  “He’s not that impressive,” Bakaan grumbled.

  We all got a laugh out of that. Even Graxion gave the black a toothy smile.

  Yvette walked Garryn closer, her emerald dragon looking vibrant against the coastal backdrop. "Monica is right. Seeing Graxion up close will strike fear into the hearts of the citizens. A panicked population will only serve to further unbalance the Countess’s position. She can’t lead effectively if her people are screaming for the gates to stay closed."