Fort Squall

Tamara yelped as the prick of a pin stabbed her shoulder. For the third time....

"Begging your pardon, Lady Tamara," Mistress Anna removed the pins from her mouth so that she could speak. Her face had turned an embarrassed shade of red.

Tamara glanced down, affording a small smile. "It's fine, Anna. Please continue."

Anna nodded, returning to the task at hand. Her fingers were deft, but not as deft as Master Phillip's. She missed her old dressmaker in Redport—missed his flair.

Anna began humming as she worked. She really was a sight to see—pins sticking from between her pursed lips, several at a time, as she folded and tucked, folded and tucked, grabbing only as needed. When she ran out, she returned to her pin cushion to refill, keeping her lips tight, holding the pins in place. Anna was perhaps ten years older, with dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a dimpled smile. She was easy to be around, absolutely likable.

There was a week to go before Tamara's bonding ceremony and nearly all the necessary arrangements had been made, except for the finishing touches on her gown. She'd already acquired the pommel stone for Byron's Sverak, with the help of Lady Emmy. Everything was in order with the cooks, already planning the feast that would follow. Even Tamara's parents had agreed to attend at Lord Davi's invitation. Her father probably wasn't happy about that, but Lord Redwynn was not fool enough to refuse. Bonding ceremonies were cause for celebration. Given Byron's parents and popularity, this was sure to be a long-remembered party.

The click of a latch pulled her gaze from the mirror. Lady Emmy swept into the room, coming to stand beside her. "Oh my!" Her face glowed with satisfaction. "That color! With those eyes! Gods, it's perfect."

"The gown is nearly finished, my lady." Mistress Anna removed the pins from her mouth to speak. "Just a few more tucks here and there, a few more embellishments, and we should be ready for our final fitting."

"You have done splendidly, Anna. Thank you." Emmy took Anna's cheeks in both hands and planted a kiss right on her nose. "In such a gown, Tamara will shine like the stars." Lady Emmy caught her eye in the mirror and they both smiled.

The color of the gown—the same color as Byron's scales—was a direct match to her eyes. Truly impressive. Like all bonding ceremony gowns, its extravagance was obvious. Few expenses had been spared.

The bodice was rigid and laced up the back. The front showed off a conservative square neckline. A blessing. For at fifteen, her breasts had not quite developed into the womanly curves she wished them to be. Across the bodice, crystalline beads were sewn onto the fabric, swirling in a snowstorm of patterns. The bottom of the bodice came to a sharp point just below her waist. From there, cascades of satin and lace flowed out like a frozen waterfall, making up the voluminous skirt.

"A gown fit for an ice queen," she found herself murmuring. Byron wouldn't be able to take his eyes from her. The selfish thought left her heart pounding.

"You know," Lady Emmy said, taking Tamara's shoulders, "despite Queen Isabella's price, I selfishly longed for a daughter. I love Byron as I would have loved a daughter. I merely thank the gods he found you." In Emmy's face, she found love equal to any mother's.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Now, hopefully we are nearly done?" Lady Emmy turned to Anna. "Tamara is to meet Byron for lunch. Lord Reyr has requested their company."

"Lord...Lord Reyr?" Tamara's stomach dropped. Lord Reyr the Gold had arrived at the fort a week prior. He'd been so tied up with duties that Tamara had scarcely spoken a few words to him. Like the other kingdom Shields, Reyr was something of legend, especially since his family came from a long line of fort leaders.

"Indeed, Lord Reyr."

"I'm nearly done, my lady. Give me a moment more." Anna adjusted several folds before stepping away. She eyed the gown, her gaze traveling its length, before nodding. "There. Finished. Let's get you out of it."

They helped her break free. The gown, fabric and all, was then gathered up and gently folded into a cloth sack. It was bad luck for anyone to see a Rider's ceremony gown, except for those closest to her. Anna could not risk outsiders laying eyes upon it.

When she departed, Lady Emmy helped Tamara back into her clothes, which were far too formal for other Riders in the fort. Tamara only wore a Rider's attire when training. Otherwise she followed Lady Emmy's example. Emmy was a woman of titles and presented herself as such. It was a difficult balance, but the fort leader walked the line with ease. Something to be admired.

A knock came and Byron entered. Despite his mother's presence, he swept Tamara into a hug, lifting her off the ground. "It's been a brute of a day," he growled, face glowing. "Yours is a welcome presence."

Emmy chuckled, shuffling away into the other room, giving them privacy. "Your gown?" he asked, his eyes searching. "Are you pleased with it?"

"Beyond pleased! Wait until you see."

"Is it the color of my scales?" A smile pulled at the corner of his lips.

"I think that should be obvious. But if you're asking for hints, don't bother!"

"Not even a single detail?" He arched an eyebrow, teasing.

"My lips are sealed." She crossed her arms. "And if you think for one second you might try prying the details from my mind when we are in the sky together, you've got another thing coming."

"And how shall you stop me if I do?" She barked a laugh, pinching his arm. Hard. "I yield! I yield." He lifted his hands in submission. They eyed each other for a moment—a challenge. "Not even something small?" he baited, giving her a pout.

Gods! He did look rather adorable when he wanted to. "Oh, very well." She studied him for a moment. "There are beads, lots of beads..."

He lifted his eyebrows. "What color? The same as your gown?"

"Byron! I cannot tell you that, now can I?" She pushed at his chest and tried to step around him. It was no use. He swept her up and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Her skin tingled everywhere he touched her.

"Ready for the midday meal?" he asked.

She stepped free of him. "Are we really eating with your uncle?"

"We are. He cannot escape me forever. But let's hurry. We have training this afternoon."

She rushed around to tidy up, placing her teacup upon its tray and gathering up the books Lady Emmy had lent her. They called a hasty farewell to the fort leader, who popped her head out of the other room to grin at them.

When they arrived at Lord Reyr's quarters they knocked twice before the door was thrown open. Standing before them was a near identical image of Lord Davi. She'd seen him a few times, but the surprise of it never got old.

"There you are!" Reyr offered a toothy smile. "Come in, come in!" He stepped aside, bidding them to enter, offering them both hugs. She felt like family already.

His quarters were smaller than Lord Davi's, but adequate. A table for three was set near the window. They took their seats and dug in to the small feast laid out.

"So, tell me of your training," Reyr said before she had the chance to take a bite. He had not yet bothered to dish up a single thing. When he saw her eying his empty plate, he lifted a shoulder. "I went hunting earlier."

Byron spoke through a mouthful, leaving her to eat. Her busy morning meant she had skipped breakfast, again, and was eager to get a few bites in. Already she was weak and jittery, especially in Reyr's presence.

Gods above! If she could have seen herself here a year ago, dining with those in the king's inner circle, she would not have believed it.

"Training goes well," Byron was saying. "We spend most of our afternoons together now that we have successfully completed our trust falls."

"Ah! Of course! I heard all about that from Davi. He's very proud, you know. As am I. To live to see the day..." Reyr trailed off, still smiling.

Twin siblings were rare among the Drengr. Few throughout history had the luxury of nieces or nephews—mostly nephews. For Reyr to see Byron happily mated was something he had probably not planned on. "Anyway, I count myself lucky. That I might be here to witness your ceremony next week. Which brings me to my next matter—why I arranged this little lunch."

"I wasn't aware there was a reason. You didn't simply want to spend time with me?" Byron wagged his eyebrows.

"Ha! Dear nephew." Reyr hesitated. "You know, last I was here, you were out on a search, and before that, you were just fledged. In fact, I still remember the day you were crawling around on the floor as an infant. Drooling everywhere. Crying at everything. Time has certainly gotten away from us, has it not?"

"I imagine the king keeps you busy."

Reyr's face turned thoughtful. "You could say that. Among other things." The last of his words came out clipped. He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair.

"Well then," said Byron. "What did you have in mind for the ceremony?"

"Ah." Reyr's face brightened. "While it is customary for the fort leader to perform the ceremony rite, I thought perhaps you would prefer to have your father stand beside you. That I might perform the rite instead. I have spoken with Davi. He likes the idea. It is up to you, though—both of you."

"Done!" Byron blurted without hesitation, then glanced at her. "That is, if you are okay with this?"

She shifted in her seat. "I...we would be honored, Lord Reyr."

"Excellent! And please, Reyr, or Uncle, or even Uncle Reyr. No need for titles. We are family."

"Of course." Her gaze fell to her plate. She used the opportunity to spoon a few more bites into her mouth.

"Now, what else is new?" Reyr looked between them, grinning.

Byron took no time in launching into an epic explanation of all the things keeping him busy. She was more than happy to eat and let him do the talking. His speech took him back to the night they first met in Report. Then on to his efforts with Fort Squall's patrols. And even some of the discussions his father let him join. Soon the three of them were on to politics, talking about the condition of the kingdom and the war to come. She couldn't help but listen eagerly to everything Reyr said.

And when mention of the mysterious Lady Claire crept into the conversation, an accidental squeal escaped her lips. She covered her mouth with her hands, face overheating. "Sorry," she muttered, immediately embarrassed. "It's just...can you tell us about her? Surely you were around her during your time in the capital? I heard some of the volunteers talking..."

Reyr chuckled but he did not deny anything.

"I knew it! So you do know her. Then you must put matters straight. Is it true that she can turn into a dragon, like the other Drengr?"

Both males erupted into roars of laughter.

Byron turned his affectionate gaze on her. "Wherever did you hear such a story?"

She shrugged. Perhaps it was silly. "Sophie said something about it. Her grandmother was born to a Drengr-Rider pair, you know. She swears that women cannot fledge, but the rumors..."

"Rumors have a way of growing out of control, don't they?" Reyr's eyes danced. "But no, Claire cannot transform into a dragon. I will tell you a secret, though. If you wish to know? Yes? Good." He hesitated. "Lady Claire is special. She has a special ability, if you will. Something that was given to her. Lord Cyrus's soul. She can actually speak with him in her mind. And that stays between us," he added. "Although, that hardly means she can suddenly turn into a dragon. It would be most entertaining to see, if she could." He fell silent for a span. "Anyway, try not to believe everything you hear. She is seemingly normal...for the most part. You won't find her breathing fire."

"Well, that's almost disappointing," she found herself saying, then quickly shut her mouth.

"Ha! Nothing about that woman is disappointing. Believe me. You won't find anyone quite like her. She's brave and strong. Adventure seeking. And she never shies away from a challenge." Reyr's eyes twinkled. He launched into tales of Claire's adventures and close calls, which more than made up for her inability to transform or breathe fire.

"You're right," Tamara said at last. "She sounds like quite a woman! But, did she really jump from the king's tower and survive?"

"She might have died were it not for the Vodar. It slowed her fall into the sea below."

The blood drained from her face. "I think I would have lost my nerve—in fact, I know I would have."

"Aye." Reyr nodded. "Few have the courage she is blessed with."

"I wish I could meet her."

"Perhaps someday you will," Reyr said, winking.

Their meal passed quickly after that, and all too soon they found themselves bidding the Shield goodbye.

Byron led Tamara to the fields beyond the fort where they met their trainers, Gavin and Tella. Other Drengr-Rider pairs were also waiting with them. "Today we will practice evading," Gavin said by way of explanation. Apparently it was to be a group exercise. "You never know when you will meet an enemy in the sky...a wild dragon, for instance." The mere thought left her skin crawling. "We must always be prepared for what may come."

After a bit more instruction, Riders mounted up, and Byron launched them into the sky. She braced herself for the familiar heavy sensation that left her stomach plummeting towards the ground. But once he was skyborne, she smiled wide and closed her eyes, relishing the sensations.

"Ready?" Byron's voice was in her mind. She gave him her confirmation and the drills began.

They flew in and out of the paths of swooping Drengr-Rider pairs. Each tried to cut them off, hinder their progress, and even snatch her from Byron's back. Every attempt left her heart racing until all she heard was her pulse in her ears, louder than the wind whistling by.

"Watch your back!" Byron shouted, swooping low.

She felt Raycor's talons graze her as the light green Drengr narrowly missed her, almost ripping her from her harness. Raycor's talons ripped slits across the fabric of her vest. She cursed, ducking low. A close call. Too close. She hated to think what the chaos of a real attack might be like.

The afternoon flew by. When the sun began to set, they finished and made their way back to the fort, gliding leisurely over the land. As they flew, she allowed her mind to wander, careful not to think about their upcoming ceremony. Byron would see her gown if she pictured it in her mind. He too seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

His shadow sailed across the landscape beneath them. She couldn't help but watch it and smile. All her patience had paid off. Things in her life were settling into place, and in less than seven days, she would be happily mated. A lot could happen in such a span, especially with the imminent threat of dragons, but with happiness like hers, such a thing felt impossible, and with Byron, she felt unstoppable.

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