“General Loinsigh,” the man in front said as they came to a halt in front of the pair. His armor was highly decorated with a golden inlay in great swirls.
“Is there something you wished to see me about, Domnall?” her father said, still holding her hand tightly.
“You are to come with me Sir; you are wanted by the King,” Domnall said loudly. “Don’t make a fuss in front of your daughter, Tharain, go with dignity and face the accusations about to be laid at your feet,” Domnall added quietly to him.
Teagan looked up at her father and saw him straighten himself to his full height. He looked down at her and gave her a small grim smile.
“You have to be brave today, Teagan. Show me that you have the spirit to become your dream,” he said, and he moved around the assembled soldiers and headed down the stairs with her hand firmly clasped in his.
Teagan turned her head to watch the soldiers turn and follow them down, then she caught sight of her little puppy.
“Bili come,” she called to him in a small, frightened voice. The puppy looked down the stairs and hesitated before he began to bound down after her.
Her little feet had to hurry to keep up with her father’s long strides as he made his way to the throne room. A narrow red carpet ran the length of the long room. It had a high ceiling and many banners hung off the upper balcony that was supported by thick, white marbled columns. The carpet led to the throne, which sat on a dais, and perched on the red cushions of the most ordinary looking chair was a man. A plain circle of beaten gold sat on his brow; his clothing was so simple that if he had been walking down the street no one would presume he was anything but an ordinary man. His dark hair was pulled back and tied with a cord at the nape of his neck.
At his feet and to the side sat a chest and beside that chest on his knees was a man in a dark leather jacket. His blond head was bowed, his hands were tied behind his back, and two more of the soldiers that followed Teagan and her father were standing over him.
Tharain stopped in front of his ruler and bowed deeply to him. He did not let go of his daughter’s hand and he stood again, straight, as he faced his king. From a side door, two more men arrived, both in the uniform of high-ranking Riders. Walking a step behind, two boys followed them in. One was in the garb of a common Rider and the other an apprentice. Neither of the men looked at Tharain or his daughter as they stopped, and all four bowed to the throne.
Teagan looked at the younger men and the apprentice winked at her. He had smiling eyes and his hands were clasped behind his back as they turned from her and back to what was going on before them.
“My Lord King Urmond,” Tharain addressed the man on the throne.
“General Loinsigh, is it true? For, I cannot understand how one of my highest-ranking advisors can be accused of such a crime. Tell me that this man lies, and I will punish him for it and continue the search for the true criminal,” King Urmond said, his voice gentle.
“I have never lied to my King and I will not start now,” replied Tharain and his large hand trembled slightly around his young daughter’s smaller one.
The King hung his head for a moment and then pushed himself out of the chair. Slowly he descended the short steps down to stand in front of Tharain. “Why, my friend? Tell me why?”
“I would appreciate it, my King, if we could not discuss this matter in front of my daughter.” There was a catch in his voice and the King looked down at the little girl. He crouched and his hand went out to scratch at her puppy’s ears.
“Teagan, will you take your dog outside for a moment? I think he would enjoy exploring the formal garden.” King Urmond had kind caring eyes and he had always had a kind word to say whenever they had met. He stood and looked around him. “Muniath, will you please escort this young lady into the garden with her puppy? We will send someone when the matter is over.”
“It would be my honor, Your Highness,” the young man with the smiling eyes said coming to attention and bowing.
“Go with the boy, Teagan. You’ll be safe with him,” her father reassured her as he held out her hand to the young man.
Her hand was transferred over and soon she was led out the same door as the four had entered by, her puppy bounding along at her side. As they stepped through the door Teagan looked back at her father and saw him fall to his knees, his head bowed in front of the King.
Outside the sun shone warmly on the small walled garden that was at the side of the throne room. His hand held hers firmly as he led her to a seat, then bent down and picked her up, depositing her onto the white marble bench. Muniath turned from her looking back into the hall, trying to see what was going on inside.
“What’s happening?” Teagan asked him quietly and he turned back to her.
“Something very serious, my lady,” he told her and came to sit at her side. The puppy was sniffing around the bushes and flowers and came running back to them, his soft ears flapping. “What’s your puppy’s name?” he asked her.
“Bili. My father gave him to me for my birthday,” she told him.
“A good sensible name for a dog. When was your birthday?” he asked just to be talking of something.
“It was two weeks ago.” Teagan looked at the young man who she could see did not want to act as her babysitter.
Muniath’s hair was dark and pulled back in the style appropriate for an Apprentice Rider, the same style as the King wore. His eyes were equally as dark and there was a twinkle to them that made her want to smile. He was tall and thin, but younger than she thought he was. His white shirt was carefully tailored, and the green leather jerkin was tight fitting over his frame. His dark woollen leggings that were common for Riders to wear, were tucked into the high-topped soft leather boots. He carried no weapons at his belt, but his wrists were covered in tough leather cuffs, buckled with common steel, which would change as he rose in the ranks.
“Happy birthday, My Lady, if it is not too late to say it.” Muniath smiled down at her. “How old are you?”
“Thank you, and I’m nine. What did Papa do?” she asked him.
“I don’t think you should worry about that my lady.”
“But I am worrying about it. Why did he fall to his knees like he was a criminal?” Teagan had seen enough of court in her short life to know what a penitent looked like.
“Your father stands accused of stealing something very precious to our lands,” Muniath told her hesitantly.
“My Papa is not a thief!” Teagan protested loudly, leaping from the bench. “My Papa is the General of Riders.”
“Yes, he is, Lady Teagan. And it is because of his rank that makes the crime he committed even worse.” Muniath kept his voice low and calm.
“What is he accused of stealing?” she demanded.
“Dragon eggs, my lady.”
Teagan stared at him for a moment. Even at her tender age she knew this was a great crime. Dragons were precious in their lands, they depended on them to keep their borders safe and she knew that the bond a Rider had with his or her dragon was absolute. From the moment the creature hatched from the egg the Rider was the first contact the small creature had.
“No, he would not. I don’t believe you.” She turned to run back to the hall and to her father, desperate to find the truth of the matter.
“My Lady.” Muniath reached out and caught her arm in his hand and held it firmly, stopping her running to Tharain.
“Let me go!” she called.
“My Lady, you cannot interrupt the King and his court. It would not help matters with your father.”
“But he will be killed, that crime is punishable by death.” Her eyes were wide with fright and stinging as tears started to spring from them. She remembered that fact from her lessons.
“I am sure our King is just and will pass a fair judgement on your father. You need to be calm and act like a true lady of the court would, for the sake of your father.”
The tenderness in his voice calmed her and his arms enfolded her as the tears spilled from under her lashes. Muniath sat on the bench and pulled Teagan up onto his lap and held her close, her head buried into his shoulder as she cried in fright and worry for her father.
“Lady Teagan is wanted inside, Muniath,” a voice spoke close to them.
Muniath pulled her away and set Teagan down on her feet but kept a hold on both of her arms. He looked at her and gently wiped the tears away from her face.
“You are a lady of the court and you must act like it now. Be strong and be brave for your father,” he said kindly, then took up her hand and led her back inside behind the other young man who looked very much like him.
L C Conn 