The city of Borac sat on the hills at the northwestern edge of Borac Lake in a ruddy mass of low houses and shops along the roads radiating out into the rest of the kingdom. It reminded Peter of Prohr, with the docks and sailing ships on the water. Then again, it didn’t seem nearly as organized as the port city. Borac didn’t look planned. Instead, it looked like two or three smaller towns that had grown together over time. There was no wall surrounding the city as a whole. Instead, two different districts had their own walls, while most of the city sprouted up around them.
There was a castle inside one of the walls, but that wasn’t the most impressive structure. The great arena on the northern edge of town, outside both walls, was even larger, and rose even higher. A great gleaming statue of a warrior with his sword held out stood at the southern entrance as if he was challenging the rest of the city. It was hard to tell from this distance, but the statue itself seemed large enough that Jarnvaror would be be able to perch on its shoulders like some great bird.
He glanced over his shoulder at the other two. “Guess we’re here!” he shouted over the wind. “Where should we land?”
Anna cast her spell to block the wind before replying. “I’m not sure. They should know we’re coming, though.”
“They’ve probably already seen us, too,” Andrew added. “If the king and queen are here, we could go straight to them.”
Peter nodded. “Hey, Jarn, do you see the king and queen?” Jarnvaror huffed and replied he didn’t see the two little ones. But on the western road he saw several people he recognized. Peter turned that way. From so high up, he couldn’t make out any details other than the motion of people moving along the road like little pebbles. “Who do you see?” he asked.
In response, Jarnvaror began descending toward the road. “Does he see the king and queen?” Andrew asked.
“No,” Peter said. “Someone else we know, though. Says he’s going to show us.”
The wind whipped around them again as Anna ended her spell. Calls rose up from the road as travelers realized the dragon was coming their way. Some of the horses panicked, which seemed unfair to Peter. Jarnvaror didn’t even like horse meat. Jarn beat his wings, slowing down until he landed a dozen or so meters from the road. Peter scanned the group of nervous travelers, looking for the familiar face.
Two emerged from the crowd, both coxing rather nervous horses to move closer to the dragon. A grin split Peter’s face. “Jeremy! Hannah!” he called.
The Thornwood siblings waved back and gave up on trying to get their beasts to move any closer. Jarn seemed amused by the creatures’ skittishness. He snorted at the horses. To the animals’ credit, they only flinched instead of bolting. “Don’t think we want them running off, Jarn,” Peter said as he undid the straps on his legs. Jarn harumphed and promised he wouldn’t mess with the animals on the road anymore. That day.
Peter shook his head at the dragon, grinning. Then he slid down and ran over to the two young nobles. “Are you guys just getting here?” Peter asked.
Jeremy nodded. “Yeah. We’ve been on the road since you left for Vulcuo.”
“The whole time?” Peter asked.
“It’s a lot slower traveling by horse,” Hannah reminded him. “Not to mention, we actually have to go around mountains and find bridges over the rivers.”
“We mostly do that, too,” Peter said. “Jarn’s gotta navigate by something. So we see all the bridges.”
Jeremy chuckled. “Fair enough,” he said. He nodded a new greeting to Anna and Andrew as they walked up behind Peter. “So, how was your time on Vulcuo?” he asked.
“Anna did a lot of reading,” Peter replied. “We carried a bunch of books around, and practiced a bit of writing.”
“I don’t remember you doing much practice,” Andrew said.
Hannah laughed. “Well, Anna, I hope that helped you find something, at least.”
“I think we did,” Anna said. “The stone from Selasem was just what we needed.” Anna explained the work Sister Margaret did with languages and how she was able to start translating the High Elvish after the first month. The Thornwoods were suitably impressed, Peter thought. Though, he found his mind wandering as they started to walk toward the city with the pair of nobles and their escort.
“Will any of it be useful in stopping the Wisps?” Hannah asked.
“Or helping them?” Jeremy added.
“It’s not clear, yet,” Anna said. “They’ve only managed to translate a few pages, and with those the only thing we’re really certain of are proper names. Though I’m sure Sister Margret is on the right track.”
“That’s good,” Hannah said. “What makes you so sure of the names, though?”
“We asked,” Peter said. The two looked at him, a bit confused. Anna explained the experiment they’d done with the Wisps.
“Wait,” Jeremy interrupted. “Wouldn’t that mean that the Wisps…” he seemed unable to finish.
Anna nodded. “We’re pretty sure the Wisps are the High Elves.”
Hannah looked stunned. Jeremy nodded, though. “Maybe I should join this meeting of yours and tell everyone what it was like under the influence. Well, what I remember about it, anyway.”
“Would they let you?” Peter asked.
Both Thornwoods grinned. “We were hopping to visit with our cousins anyway,” Hannah said. “I’m sure they’ll let us sit in with them.”
They were stopped when they arrived at the edge of the city. Even without walls there were still guards posted at a gate house along the road. It occurred to Peter that that may have been cause for extra guards. As they waited, he caught the guard’s eyeing Jarnvaror. They looked a little off put, but not nearly as much as normal. He listened in as the guards conferred with one another, and managed to catch that they were expected. He turned to Jarnvaror. “Look’s like they were waiting for you this time, Jarn,” he said.
The dragon grunted in approval. Even Andrew seemed to relax. Still, it was another minute before a ranking guard of some sort – Peter couldn’t tell if he was a sergeant, captain or whatever else – came over to them, an apologetic expression on his face. “Our apologies for the delay,” he said. “We knew you were coming, but didn’t expect you and the dragon to… walk into the city. We don’t think he could fit on some of the streets, here, or through the gate. We’ve just been getting some directions so you may fly to the location the Scepters have designated for him inside the city.”
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Peter nodded his understanding as Andrew thanked the guard. The guard explained the pavilion was set up east of the arena, inside one of the walled sections of the city. From the sky, it should have been difficult to miss. Andrew thanked the guard once more, and the trio remounted Jarnvaror.
“We’ll meet you there,” Jeremy said.
“Just give us thirty minutes or so,” Hannah added. Peter waved to them as Jarnvaror leapt up again. Even with Jarn beating his wings, it felt like that leap was all it took to get them all the way to their destination in the middle of the city. They flew low, and Peter could hear exclamations coming from the towns people as they passed. Peter wondered if the city’s officials had told everyone a dragon was coming or not. It would be fascinating to listen in at the market place, he thought.
As Jarnvaror flew over the wall, Peter made out a section that had been quartered off from the rest of the estate. Normally it would probably have been the soldier’s training field, he guessed. Now, though, tents had been erected to house the royal entourages of the various nations. Temporary stables had been set up to house the horses. Another spot had been further sectioned off. It was in the midst of the Grealish part of the field. Peter could tell because of the flags. But no one was in it. And it was pretty big.
Finally, he realized what it must be for. He shouted up to the dragon, “Hey Jarn! See that empty spot there? Yeah, that one. I think it’s for you.”
The dragon hummed his appreciation and dove for the point. It was a little bigger than the dragon, which made it perfect for landing as dirt and grass were tossed about under the dragon’s claws.
They did not get the usual greeting party of soldiers warry of the dragon. Instead, the moment they were out of the saddle, a servant in royal livery stepped into the circle and bowed to greet them. He was an older man, with graying hair and a drooping mustache. “Welcome Wisp Seekers,” he said. “We hope your flight from Vulcuo was safe.”
“Thank you,” Andrew replied. “It was… uneventful.”
The elder servant bowed his head. “That is good to hear. I am Joshua. Please allow me to escort the three of you to see the king and queen.”
“What about Jarn?” Peter asked, gesturing up at the dragon. The servant nodded.
“Ah, yes. The Scepters say that you may grant him permission to come and go as he pleases, so long as he leaves the livestock outside the city to themselves, and he doesn’t make a nuisance of himself inside the city.” The servant leaned in and said in a lower tone. “Our hosts in the palace were not happy to be hosting a dragon inside the walls. I don’t suppose this is a day for him to go hunting?”
Peter shook his head. “Nah, he ate on the way here,” Peter explained. Jarnvaror leaned down to ask what the servant in blue and gold was asking. Peter explained, and the dragon grumbled about being dismissed again. He was interested in watching the city, if he could. Besides, how would Peter contact him? It might be hard to hear over the city sounds.
“This spot in particular is set aside for him,” Joshua said after Peter translated. “Is it not enough?”
Peter thought for a moment, then grinned. “There’s that statue,” he said. The bronze warrior and the Arena could be seen over the walls even from here. “Not too far, and it’d make a good roost for you. You’d be like a hawk for the giant.”
Jarnvaror huffed in approval, though. He liked the idea of looking down on the city.
“Peter,” Andrew groaned.
“What?” Peter said. “He won’t bother anybody. And this will keep him happier, so it’s fine, isn’t that right?”
The servant Joshua seemed to be make an effort not to look at the dragon. “the instructions do not forbid that,” he said. “And I am not here to negotiate.”
Peter shrugged, and decided that would be fine. He told the dragon it was okay. “Be sure to come back to this spot if you get tired. And keep your ears open, in case we need to call for you.”
Jarnvaror made a barking noise. Then wind rushed past them all as he jumped back into the sky. “Very good then,” Joshua said. “Now, allow me to take you to the Scepters.”
The trio followed him as he wound through the tents until they were close to the entrance of the Pavilion, where the largest tent had been set up. Half a dozen blue banners with the burning gold griffon of Grealand fluttered on either side of the tent entrance. Peter could make out several voices coming from inside, one of which he recognized.
“We’re not hosting the talk during the games themselves, though!” the young King Henry was insisting as the Wisp Seekers entered. He sat in the back of the tent, scowling at Lady Thalia as she and a few servants fussed over him, apparently making sure his formal attire was properly in place. His crown was lopsided on his head, and the puffy sleeves of his blue overcoat were already wrinkled. His sister stood nearby with her own fussing maids. She wore a blue dress that matched her brother’s, though she was far better put together.
Peter noticed for once that the pair actually had their scepters on them, too. Well, nearby. They royal symbols were lying on the desk behind servants, next to Lady Thalia and Daniel. Both were made of gold, with wings flaring out at the top on either side of a gemstone. One of the stones was white, and the wings to its side seemed to spiral back down into the handle. The other had a red stone, with the feathers of its wings twisting together, like flames. The king’s griffin scepter and the queen’s phoenix.
“Look’s like they want to impress, today,” Peter muttered to Andrew. His brother only grunted in response.
“It’s not worth reorienting so much security just so you can go watch common meatheads bashing each other,” his mother replied in a dismissive tone. She looked like an older version of her daughter, save the fact that her curly hair was done up in a large bun, rather than falling straight like the queen’s. Peter noticed Daniel standing a little off to the side, who likewise wore the same formal clothing as the king, minus the crown. “It’s not about conflicting schedules.”
“I can just take more guards, if you’re worried, “the king insisted.
“It would be disrespectful to our foreign guests to leave in the middle of the meeting just to watch some games,” Lady Thalia insisted right back. “The answer is no!”
“The schedule hasn’t been announced yet, Mother,” Queen Emily chimed in. “Rather than disrespectful, if we structured events to facilitate them watching the festivities it might lower tensions.”
“Well, we haven’t announced to our guests, yet,” Daniel clarified. “But our servants are already expecting the schedule we’ve set up. We shall not through them into chaos.”
The king rolled his eyes, then saw the trio at the entrance. His face broke into a grin. “Peter! Andrew and Anna! You’re back!” He made a move to step away from the servants fussing over them, then seemed to think better of it.
“How was your trip to Vulcuo,” the queen asked.
Peter almost gave the same answer he had to the Thornwoods, but Anna beat him to it. “The trip was informative,” she began. Once more, she explained what they’d discovered on the island, focusing more on the results this time and less on the method. The royals listened in silence. Even Henry didn’t squirm against the servants tightening up his cuffs and collar as Anna explained.
When she finished, the tent was quiet. After a moment, Emily spoke up. “I don’t know what we can do with that information.”
“Indeed,” Daniel said. He nodded to the Wisp seekers. “It’s not practical for us, but…”
“Not practical?” Anna stammered.
“I mean at the moment,” Daniel said. “For the immediate purpose of stopping the Wisp Stealers and getting the Wisps away from people. It is a step though. I imagine it will point us in the right direction for further research.” He frowned.
“Yes,” Lady Thalia said. “It’s a surprise, and not quite the solution we were hoping for. The situation is just more complicated. You did well.”
“I wonder if any of the other nations already suspected it,” Daniel said. “We should probably wait to tell anyone until during the meeting.” He looked around the group of servants. “Weh have spoken very freely, amongst all of you,” he said to the servants. “I expect you will keep this in confidence.”
His tone was harsher than Peter had ever heard it before. Next to him, Anna cringed, and Peter thought it would probably be good to mention they’d aready violated that bit. “We kinda already told the Thornwoods about it. We bumped into them on the way here.”
Daniel frowned, but the king and queen broke into broad smiles, and their mother only shrugged.
“Jeremy and Hannah are here?” Henry burst. “That’s great!”
“If they already know, then we should have them join the meeting,” Lady Thalia said.
“They were hoping to, anyway,” Peter pointed out.
Daniel nodded. “I suppose that’s settled then.” He looked from each member of the trio to the others, crossing his arms. “I’ll go let our hosts know they’ll be joining us. I assume you’d like them with us in the castle?” he added to the king and queen. They both nodded.
As he left, and Lady Thalia began speaking with Joshua, Henry stepped over to Peter. He had a conspiratorial grin on his face, and Peter had a good idea of what the King wanted to say before he said it. “About the Wisp Stealers,” the king whispered. “My sister and I have a plan.”
