Silver Dragon: Blades of Leander, #3

Chapter 1

Why are you staring at that tavern? Caitlyn asked her brother.

Alto ignored his sister and continued to look at the Foaming Mug. He heard her sigh through her nose, a mannerism she’d picked up from their mother. The familiarity made him wince. Their mother was gone. Killed by men sent to punish Alto. Almost his entire family had been killed. No, not killed, butchered. Only Caitlyn remained but the way she cried out in her sleep at night made him wonder if she’d have preferred death.

That’s where Aleena works, he finally mumbled, naming the serving maid who had staked her claim on him.

I thought you said she was nobody? Caitlyn accused.

Alto nodded. Her father owns the tavern. She's just a serving girl, but she deserves to know the truth.

Caitlyn's voice rose as she spoke, So you brought us all the way to Portland just so you could tell this serving girl that you’re not dead? There are people hunting for you! For both of us, thanks to you. We should be finding some place safe. You said Holgasford would be safe, but you brought us here instead.

Alto turned and held up his finger between them, silencing her. I know what I’ve done, he hissed. I did what I thought was best. Alto trailed off, not sure how to finish what he was trying to say. For that matter, he wasn't sure he knew what he wanted to say. He hadn't planned to come to Portland first; he was supposed to take Caitlyn to Holgasford, just like she'd said.

It wasn't that he was pining away for Aleena either. When he thought of girls, he thought of Patrina. But Patrina was complicated. She wasn't just a lady, she was a Lady. A princess of her people. And Alto? He was a farmer's son. Alto stiffened. His father was dead; that meant the farm was his. He was a farmer now. A farmer who preferred the tools of war to the tools of a field.

And we all paid for it, Caitlyn finished, bringing him back to his unfinished thought.

Alto nodded. He tossed his thoughts of tilling the earth aside. He was born a farmer but he'd found a better path. Something he was better at. Yes, we did. But I’m going to fix it.

You can’t fix it! Dead is dead, Alto!

Alto sighed. I know that, I mean I’m going to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

We can just leave! Run away and start over somewhere else, she offered. It’s not safe here for us. We go somewhere else and we can start over. You can be a soldier there or a farmer or whatever! I’ve got no one special. I’ll cook and clean for you until we get on our feet. Maybe we’ll find someone, maybe not. Maybe—

Enough, he said loud enough to stop her. He turned back to the tavern and added, I won't run. Father wouldn't approve of us doing that.

Yes he would, if it meant we'd be safe! It's what he did.

Alto spun back on her. What?

He did it! He told us, well, some of us. Mother and me and Darren. Seeing you doing all those things loosened him up. He was proud of you, he was, she said. He said he'd done all he could think of and was pretty good with a blade in his younger days, too, before he met Mother.

So what happened? Alto pressed.

She was from somewhere down southeast of us, they wouldn't say where. He'd run across her while he was riding with some friends doing whatever jobs they could find. He said his friends he rode with had a misunderstanding at a tavern that turned into a fight and before anybody knew it, somebody drew steel. Father tried to help his friend out but he ended up killing a man. Mother and Father had already been sweet for each other by then so as soon as he got away, he rode to her place and convinced her to ride off with him. They came up here and he put his past behind him, promising he'd never be like that again.

Be like what? Ready to stand up for his friends?

She shook her head. Stupid, he said. He also said he hasn't touched an ale since and he's a better man for it. He didn't even know what the argument was anymore, probably a disagreement over cards or something stupid.

Alto stared at her, focusing on the vision of his sister while the world felt like it spun around them. Just like that? He gave up his friends and what made him happy because of an accident?

He killed a man!

Some men deserve killing, Alto reminded her. Or have you already forgotten Beck and his friends?

Her cheeks paled and she shook her head. No, she whispered. But Father said he was happy. Family and love were all that he needed.

But yet he was so proud of me for doing what I had done?

She nodded. Some color returned to her cheeks and she risked a smile.

Then he wasn't happy, Alto decreed. Oh sure, maybe he was, but he'd given up something for it.

What are you saying? Why can't a man be happy with family and an honest day's work?

Alto opened and closed his mouth. Why couldn't a man be happy with that? He'd been happy enough, before he joined the Blades of Leander. He'd been young, only sixteen, but he didn't have any complaints.

You were happy before you left, weren't you? Caitlyn was thinking the same as he was.

Alto frowned. I didn't know there could be more to life, he said to give himself some time. I was happiest when I was out hunting with Father. He knew so much about it. How to track and how to shoot a bow at an animal. Didn't matter what kind of animal, he knew how to fell them all with a single arrow.

Better an animal than another man, Caitlyn said.

Alto shook his head. Animals aren't capable of hurting people the way men do.

So now you're fit to judge a man?

Alto scowled at her. We all judge, just like you're judging me now!

I am not!

Yes you are.

No, I'm not! she insisted. You're my brother. I'll always accept you.

Even accepting me is judging me, Alto said. Just because I'm your brother doesn't mean anything. It's an excuse you're using because you know I'm right.

Caitlyn's eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to retaliate when she saw something behind him that drew her attention.

Alto!

Alto recognized the voice before he recognized his name. It was Aleena. Damn, he mumbled before he started to turn. Caitlyn's hand cracked across his cheek, stunning him.

Mind your mouth! Our parents raised you better than that! she reprimanded him.

By the saints! You're alive! Alto, you're alive!

Alto felt himself torn between the two women. He turned to face Aleena and was engulfed in a hug that threatened to crush him. It wasn't until Caitlyn cleared her throat loudly that Aleena stopped squeezing and kissing him and let him separate himself from her.

What happened? Aleena gushed. That woman with the dwarf told me you'd been killed! She was that princess from the Kelgryn lands, right? She had a unicorn that she rode! I'm not imagining this, am I?

Alto held up his hand to slow her down. Yes, that was Lady Patrina, of the Kelgryn. The dwarf was Mordrim and the unicorn's name is Winter. And no, I'm real. I survived. I got out of the caves in time.

Winter? The unicorn's name was Winter? She shook her head and then narrowed her eyes as she stared at him. You gave that lady Winter, she said? How did that happen?

Caitlyn cleared her throat again behind them, prompting Alto to deflect the jealous question and introduce her. Aleena, this is my sister, Caitlyn.

Your sister? Aleena echoed. Oh. Um, hi. I'm Aleena.

Caitlyn offered her a smile. I've heard about you.

Aleena's eyes widened as she turned them on Alto. Is that right?

Alto nodded. Yes, you're why I'm here.

Aleena's lips spread upwards in a grin.

I wanted you to know that I escaped the mines, Alto began but Aleena stopped him.

Was the rest true, did you stop the army in the north?

He shook his head. We slowed them, that's all. Sure, I brought the mountain down on them but that was just one group of them.

So what's that mean?

Means I'm leaving again, Alto said. And I don't know if I'll be coming back. I'm taking Caitlyn someplace safe.

Aleena's mouth fell open. You're taking her? But what about me?

You'll be safe enough here with your family.

What about the rest of your family? Why can't she be safe with them? Aleena snipped.

Alto saw his sister bite her lip and looked away. They're already gone, he said.

Oh, so you're following them but I'm not good enough to—

They're dead! Alto snapped. He took a breath to stop himself and looked at anything he could that wasn't Aleena or his sister.

Oh saints above, Aleena whispered. I'm so sorry!

Alto shook his head. Feel sorry for them or for Caitlyn, not for me.

Alto, they're your family! Of course I feel sorry for y—

Anyhow, I'm leaving and I wanted to make sure you knew. Can't say that I expect I'll come back and if I do, I don't know when. No sense in you waiting around for me. That's what I wanted to say. I felt I owed you that much, he interrupted.

Aleena shook her head. No. You can't! I won't let you! I'm not just something to cast aside.

My life is no life for you, Alto said. I'm bound for dark places; it's not the place for a woman.

What about Lady Patrina? She said you saved her and she fought beside you. Aleena lifted her head to stare up into his face, challenging him. He saw tears behind the jealous anger.

Lady Patrina won't be coming with me either, Alto said. Where I go, I go alone.

No, I can go with you! I promise I won't slow you down! I can fight. I'm good with a serving platter or an empty cup; imagine what I could do with a sword.

Aleena, stop, Alto said. I'm the only one who can go where I'm headed and even if I weren't, you'd just end up hurt or killed. I can't have that. Not another person dead because of me.

You can't be serious! Aleena turned to stare at Caitlyn.

Alto's sister nodded. He is. It's for your own good; you don't want to meet these people.

I'm no stranger to being harassed by men. I can handle myself!

Alto grimaced, expecting his sister to display the temper she'd let loose at his or his brothers’ expense many times in the past. Instead, Caitlyn shook her head. They tied my parents to posts and then made them watch while they...

Caitlyn, stop, Alto said when her voice cracked.

Caitlyn shook her head. No, she has to know!

Why? he demanded. Why does she have to know? Why does anyone need to know? We know, isn't that enough?

Know what? Aleena persisted.

They killed them, all of them, Caitlyn whispered. She swallowed before continuing. Our brothers and sisters. All of them. They killed them.

Alto threw his hands up in the air and turned away.

Oh saints, Aleena said, her hand going to her mouth. At least they didn't find you!

She shook her head. They found me, she breathed.

Aleena looked confused. Why didn't—

They wanted my parents to see me getting hurt.

Hurt?

That's enough, Alto turned back and insisted. He wasn't sure if he said it to help Caitlyn or himself. He didn't want to relive what she'd gone through any more than he imagined she did.

No, it's not. They used me and beat me. They hurt me.

Aleena's eyes widened as she realized what it was that Caitlyn was telling her.

Then they killed my parents and left me tied up in case any of them were in the mood again until Alto got back.

Aleena's eyes shifted to the young warrior. He shook his head. Come, Caitlyn, it's time to go.

No! Aleena grabbed his arm. Tell me. What happened?

Alto stared down at her but couldn't make his mouth work.

He killed them, Caitlyn said. He killed them all. He punished them for what they done and he burned their bodies.

How many? Aleena breathed.

Five. A knight and his four warriors.

Aleena stared into Alto's eyes. You killed them?

Alto broke his gaze away from her. Forget you ever knew me. You'll sleep better and live longer for it. He gathered up Caitlyn with his arm around her shoulders and pulled her with him towards the bridge and away from Aleena.

It wasn't your fault, Aleena said. You avenged them!

Alto stopped moving and felt Caitlyn trembling beside him. They came looking for me. I wasn't there, so they punished me and they waited for me.

Aleena's silence was the answer Alto had hoped for.

If anybody asks about me, pretend you never knew me, Alto said. Live a long and happy life. Good bye, Aleena.

Alto pulled his sobbing sister along with him, ignoring the foolish vows of youth behind him. Aleena was his age but she hadn't seen what he'd seen. She hadn't done what he'd done. She was just one more child he would do anything to keep from getting hurt. Even if it killed him to do it.

We're done here, Alto told his sister. I'll get us some horses to ride to Holgasford where you can be safe.

I'll never feel safe again, she whispered.

Alto winced. I won't let anything happen to you.

Caitlyn nodded and buried her face into his shoulder, slowing their walk. I'm glad you killed them, she whispered. I hope you made them suffer.

They walked on in silence through the afternoon crowd.

Chapter 2

I'll show you, Alto, Aleena called out after he led his sister away. I'll prove myself to you! Alto didn't turn around or look back. She saw Caitlyn lean into him a moment later, convincing her that her words had been lost. It didn't matter; that didn't make them any less important to her.

Alto wasn't a childish crush. He wasn't just some handsome man in her father's tavern she'd taken a shining to. Alto was something else entirely. She knew he'd been interested when they met, when he was just a farm boy lost in the big city. He'd shown her he still was, but he'd been so hard for her to be sure of. He'd resisted her time and again, even when she'd all but thrown herself at him. She'd teased him by pretending she liked his friends; they'd even played along at first. But Alto had been so stinking noble it had made her scream! He smiled and encouraged them, of all things! But she saw how he looked at her; she knew he wanted her for himself, too.

Aleena watched the man she'd decided she was going to marry walk away with his sister. She wanted to go after him and hold him to her and comfort him. Such a terrible thing, to lose so many people! But he still had her, didn't he realize that? She could help him, like she'd done before. Nurse him back to health like she'd tried to do after the fire.

Aleena wiped the tears off her cheeks and stiffened her back. No, of course not, he didn't realize it because he had his sister. He had to protect her. Just like Alto had rushed into that burning building to save people he didn't even know. That was just the way he was. He was a hero. Her hero too, but he didn't see it that way. Not yet. She'd show him what he meant to her. She'd show him that he could let himself need her, too. She could do things for him, things no other woman would do. Or at least things no other woman had a right to do.

But in order to show him, she had to have him around her. Right now he didn't want that. He wanted to be alone. Stupid boys, always thinking they could figure things out on their own! Her mother had showed her early on that people needed to talk; that's why so many men came to their tavern. They knew they needed to talk, too, but they were men. They couldn't do it unless they got a few drinks in them. Then they forgot how they were supposed to be tough and they could talk a little bit. That's also how Aleena had saved up so much money from tips. She'd learned to have a sympathetic ear.

It wasn't enough to buy her own place but with Alto at her side, they could have done anything! She frowned. How would she get him to let her stand at his side long enough so he could see what he meant to her?

The Lady Patrina, she was a warrior and he valued her as a companion. Aleena's eyes narrowed at the thought of the beautiful blond woman. And she was a princess of her people. How could Aleena compete with that?

By being better than she is, Aleena said. She nodded her head as she considered her options. Alto protected people. Alto believed in doing the right thing. Alto was willing to risk his life to help others. She admired him because he believed so much in those things and because he was just Alto. He was handsome, strong, and so likeable!

She turned and rushed back inside her father's tavern, passing by him and barely giving him a wave. She retrieved her sack of coins from her chest and split it amongst three pouches at her belt and then hurried back out.

What are you up to? her father called as she made her way to the door. It's nice to see a smile on your face again, but what are you up to?

Aleena stopped when she realized she was grinning. Lady Patrina was wrong, she said.

Now Aleena, a lot of things are said in here when people have a few drinks in them; that don't make it right to call someone a liar.

Aleena shook her head. No, I just talked to Alto. He made it out! He's okay, well, sort of. I'm going to go see him again.

Her father raised his eyebrow and then chuckled. All right then, if that's so, tell him he's earned a free meal on me for the story of what happened.

Aleena nodded and skipped out the door. Her next stop was a few streets over at the Blades of Leander headquarters. Namitus had given her a key he'd made so she could come and go more easily to see Alto; he'd just never been there or allowed her to show the kind of interest she'd wanted to.

With the building deserted, she made her way upstairs and took some of Namitus's clothes. She left a few coins in his trunk and then made her way to Alto's room. She stripped out of her peasant's blouse and skirts before slipping Namitus's pants on. She used a dagger Alto had in his room to cut her skirts and wrap them tightly about her chest, and then slipped on Namitus's shirt. Finally, she used the dagger and a mirror to cut her hair as short as she could.

Aleena squared her shoulders and stared at the results. She thrust her jaw forward and scowled a little, and then nodded. She could do it. In the right light, she just might pass herself off as a boy. She swallowed down her grin and reminded herself to scowl, and then hurried out of the building and walked straight in the Church of Leander that was next door.

She found an acolyte tending candles and asked him in the gruffest voice she could manage where she could leave a donation to the church and perhaps ask a favor. He directed her to a priest at a smaller altar in a side room.

How can Leander's grace shine upon thee, young man? the priest asked with a smile when Aleena remembered to drop to her knees before the altar.

With her head lowered respectfully, she asked, I'd like to give up all of my worldly belongings and give myself into Leander's grace.

You seek to become a member of the clergy?

No, uh, Father, Aleena stumbled. I meant I wish to become one of Leander's knights.

The priest paused a long moment before he looked down at her. That's an unusual boon to ask.

I have money! Aleena blurted out. She grimaced and roughed her voice up. I mean, for a donation, Father. To prove I don't take this lightly. She reached and untied each of her pouches and tossed them in a basin in front of the altar for offerings. One of the pouches opened and spilled out several coins. Aleena heard the priest's intake of breath but she forced herself to keep scowling.

What is your name, young man?

Aleen, uh, she stammered, realizing she hadn't thought her disguise through all the way. Excuse me, Father. Alin.

She could almost feel his frown as he looked down at her. After a painfully long moment of silence he said, Come with me, Alin. I will take you to Sir Amos. He is the Chief Protector of Leander's Portland church.

Aleena jumped to her feet and had to bite down on her tongue to keep from squealing in excitement. She was pretty sure boys didn't squeal. She followed the priest out of the offering room and down a hallway. He took her up some stairs and then down another hallway to an office. He knocked and waited until they were bid to enter.

Sir Amos, pardon the interruption but you've just received a young man who expressed considerable interest in becoming a Knight of Leander.

Amos was a bald man Aleena guessed to be half again as old as her father. He lifted his eyes to look at her and saw right away that they were clear and skilled at picking out deception. She dropped her head in submission and shame. He knew she was a girl, he had to!

What is your name? Amos asked her.

Alin, sir.

And you wish to become a paladin? The right hand of Leander, striking out against injustice and evil?

Yes, sir, I do.

Why?

Aleena hesitated. Telling the priest she wanted to impress a boy was probably going to get her kicked out of the church so hard Leander himself might strike her down from the heavens above. But it wasn't about that. Not really. Sure, being with Alto promised an exciting life filled with grander things than she'd ever imagined, but there was more to it.

Standing there in the bastion of Saint Leander, she felt something inside her. She remembered all the times Alto and Karthor had spoken of his church in her presence. She'd pretended to be working or paying no mind, but she'd listened close. Recalling them now, she heard the words again and found new meaning in them. She admired what Leander stood for, or at least what Karthor had explained Leander stood for. It seemed to her that Alto personified a lot of those traits, but that didn't mean she couldn't do the same. She lifted her head up until she was staring at a painting on the wall of Leander's crest, a blazing yellow sun with an all-seeing eye in the middle of it.

I admire what Leander stands for. Purity, growth, protection, and justice. I want to help to fight darkness and cruelty. I want to help people.

That is what serving Leander means to you?

Aleena nodded. Yes, Sir Amos.

You will be tested. Should you fail any of the tests you will be turned away. Do you understand?

Aleena nodded.

Sir Amos turned back to the other priest. I will take this from here.

Of course, Sir Amos. Thank you. And good luck to you, Alin. Place your faith in Leander so that you may grow from this as well.

Aleena nodded and offered him a tight-lipped smile. She turned back to Sir Amos and stared up at him. He watched her for a long moment and then grunted. Rise, child. I sense a hidden strength in you. Let's see if your body has surprises in wait for us as well.

Aleena tripped on the smooth floor but caught herself. She stepped out of the door and followed closely behind the priest. Did he know after all? She had surprises all right, but they weren't surprises she wanted the priest to find out about!

Sir Amos led her farther down the hallway outside his office to a staircase that went up and down. He led her down two levels and then through a door. She paused to take in the tabards and paintings hanging on the stone walls, each depicting a battle between the forces of Leander and an enemy. She didn't recognize the men or creatures in the paintings, save for one that showed a warrior wearing armor decorated with the blazing sun of Leander standing against a dragon that towered over him.

That was Sir Gareth, Sir Amos said to her. More than three hundred years ago, he fought a dragon that was ravaging the northern reaches. Back before this land had been properly tamed and civilized, dark and savage creatures roamed these lands and what few people eked out their existence were tribal barbarians without education or proper religion.

What happened? Aleena asked, her eyes riveted to the picture. She picked out details in the painting that she'd missed at first. Sir Gareth wasn't alone, but he stood ahead of his force of armored knights. One of them who caught Aleena's attention sat on a horse in the foremost ranks. The knight's armor was different from the others, more shapely and conforming to her body. She wore a helm with the guard down, but Aleena saw golden hair spilling out from beneath the helm around her neck.

Sir Gareth struck the dragon a mortal blow, but he gave his life in doing so. The dragon fled to the mountains and died there.

Did anyone go looking for it?

Sir Amos turned his attention from the painting to Aleena. Why would someone seek such a thing?

To make sure it was dead.

There have been no attacks by a dragon in all these years. Do you doubt the reports of the faithful?

Aleena shook her head. Of course not, Sir Amos. My father taught me to make sure I saw a thing with my own eyes before I believed what someone told me, that is all.

Sir Amos smiled. A wise man, your father. But in this case, the history and teachings of the Church of Saint Leander are above reproach. Honesty is one of Saint Leander's core tenets.

Aleena blushed at his gentle rebuke. It struck her doubly because she was attempting to pass herself off as a boy instead of a girl. Staring at the painting, she wondered if she was making a mistake. A woman wore the armor and livery of a knight; didn't that mean she could be accepted? She turned and studied the other paintings but found no other signs of a woman bearing arms.

Come my son, let us see if you have any skill with a blade, Sir Amos bade her.

Aleena followed him through a door and into a room filled with weapons and armor. She picked her head up when she heard the echo of steel against steel, followed by a grunt. The noise came from an opening that led to a training room.

Sir Amos cleared his throat, pulling her attention back to him. He looked at her before selecting a slender blade. Aleena took the weapon when he offered it to her and was surprised by its weight. She studied the sword closely. She could see the edges were rounded and the point was dull. The training blade had nicks and scratches along its length.

Come, there's a straw dummy in here. Show me how you would attack a man.

Aleena walked ahead of him into the training room and saw two men sparring while three others looked on and waited their turn. One of the men fighting glanced at her and faltered. He lost his focus and allowed his opponent to knock him off balance with his shield and then smash him square in the chest of his battered training armor with his mace. The stunned warrior fell backwards.

Aleena turned and saw Sir Amos scowling. He shook his head and walked ahead of her. Celos! Mind your focus, boy. Now get up and pay attention next time.

The triumphant warrior reached down and helped Celos back to his feet. I'm sorry, Sir Amos, the new recruit surprised me. He's kind of young, isn't he?

Aleena felt her cheeks warm. She stiffened her back and raised her head up. I'm eighteen.

Oh, my apologies. You just look small for your age, Celos said. He earned chuckles from the other warriors.

Aleena wasn't small for her age. If anything, she was a little big. Maybe she'd never have arms as thick as Alto did, but she was strong for a girl. She opened her mouth to retort but then realized that she wasn't a girl. Or at least she wasn't supposed to be. And all those boys were already so far ahead of her. They knew how to fight, or were learning. They could wear armor and swing a sword. Aleena's only skills came from swatting a drunk with her platter when he tried to pinch her as she passed.

Back to your training, Sir Amos admonished them. He turned to Aleena and motioned towards one of the straw dummies in the room. There, imagine he'd just called you a coward. Now have at him.

Aleena turned to the target and raised her sword. She stepped closer to it and wondered what she should do. Hack at it? Try to cut off its head? Run it through? She'd seen Alto and Tristam spar a few times so she had an idea how they fought, but the dummy just sat there. It was a nonthreatening lump of straw and cloth, bundled about a wooden post.

What's the matter? Sir Amos asked.

Nothing, Aleena said. She raised her sword again before lowering it with a sigh. It's just that this dummy didn't do anything. It called me a coward, you said? Well, that's no reason to kill it.

It's reason enough for some men, the priest said.

Well, I'm not like those men, Aleena responded. Rather than giggle at the other differences between her and men like Sir Amos spoke of, she spoke of what she knew of Saint Leander. The priest I knew taught me that Leander is a kind saint that personifies dignity and kindness, as well as humility and common sense. Leander is also merciful, he said. What mercy is there in me striking down an unarmed man for insulting me?

"You show wisdom, rare for one so young. Tell me,