Blood Dragon

Dinner and plans

By the time dinner was announced I had napped, bathed and wore a hole into my carpet with my pacing. Tilly came in to see me pacing and chewing on my nails.

“Stop that awful habit.” She gently rebuked me as she started to gather my things.

“My nerves will not allow it.” I answered as I made another turn.

she shook her head at me as she went over to the large armoire.

“What will you wear tonight.” she asked as she ran her hands across the silken dresses.

“The red one.” I said not even looking or stopping my walk.

“I thought you thought that dress was to indecent.” she said as she pulled the only dress in the closet that wasn’t made out of silk. The dress was a dark red made of the softest velvet I had ever felt, it also had a very deep v neckline and hugged my body to the ground to the point it was almost to tight to walk in.

“Duke roderick said it was very in style in Marella.” I said as I walked over to where my makeup was.

“Well this isn’t Marella.” Tilly grumbled as she laid out the dress on the bed.

“I know but I need to put a magician in his place.” i said as I pulled out the colors I was to wear.

It took longer to get ready than I had thought and by the time I was finished dinner was well on its way. In the mirror I almost didn’t recognize myself, dark kohl around my eyes and a dark red lip to match the dress. I walked carefully to the dining room and took a minute to gather my courage to not feel inadequate in the dress. When I finally entered I saw Kyro and Malverick in a heavy conversation while Duke Roderick leaned back in his chair watching through narrow eyes.

“You see there is a very tight time frame for these things.” Malverick was saying as I reached the table.

“Time frame for what?” I asked startling the table.

The duke jumped up quickly to help me with my chair as the other to rose out of respect.

“You look gorgeous.” the Duke whispered into my ear and shiver ran through me with his breath on my neck.

“You are too kind.” I answered as I sat trying to not look as uncomfortable as I felt with all the men's eyes on me.

“My dear Duchess Alia, I must humbly apologize again. The Duke has explained all the changes I missed while I was away. It seems to dress so is a normal now.” I had might have taken his apology to heart if his eyes weren't on my breast the whole time he talked to me.

“Of course Malverick, I am sure many things have changed since you've been gone, .....like manners.” I replied as I took a sip of wine.

Malverick’s smile widened as he looked at me and a small amount of respect reflected in his eyes. Kyro coughed to cover up a laugh and the Duke chuckled as he returned to his seat.

“What did I miss?” I asked as a plate of fish was set before me.

“It seems the magnificent Malverick doesn’t remember his own prophecy.” The Duke answered as he leaned back in chair a annoyed expression on his face.

“Seriously?” I turned to look at malverick.

“Look that was a long time ago. I challenge you to remember something that happened 200yrs ago.” He sat back like petulant child his arms crossed across his chest and pout on his lips.

“Do you remember anything of importance. ” I asked as I put my fork down my appetite gone.

“Well yes of course. I know that they can only bring back the deathwalker on a certain day of the year. When the eyes of kimet meet. A eclipse. ” he stated triumphantly.

“That’s in 4 months.” Kyro said as he contemplated Malvericks words.

“Yes and during that time I can do some meditating and see if the prophecy will come back to me.” Malverick smiled as he stabbed his fish and took a big bite.

" Is that how you got your first vision?” I asked.

" Well in a way. See I was on a self discovery trip and ingested quit a few of those fuzzy mushrooms your mother always told you not to eat. 2 weeks in the forest, some mushrooms and bam I had the vision.”

We all stared at him in shock.

" Are you sure it was a vision and not some sorta hallucination.” The Duke asked disgust in his voice.

" I have never had a hallucination.” Malverick answered defensively.

“It’s no matter. We need to meet up with my father. If Malverick is right then we have 4 months to find out how to stop them. It will take a month to get to him so we should get on our way. ” Kyro said confidently as he rose.

“There is quicker way to get to Tanic.” The Duke suggested casually as he sipped his wine.

Kyros lip curled as he looked at his uncle.

“The bridge of death is not a viable option. At least 20 people disappear on it every year and those are the ones who traveled with others . Who knows how many single travelers it’s claimed with no one to mark them missing.”

" It would cut weeks off your journey.”

“It’s to dangerous for The Duchess.” Kyro remained firm as he stared down the Duke.

"I had thought the Duchess would stay here in the safety of Ilium instead of on the dangerous roads you are to take." The Duke answered nonchalantly as he popped some fruit into his mouth.

"Those were not my fathers instructions." Kyro snapped as he stood up suddenly.

I watched all this wide eyed as they went back and forth. The thought of going back onto the road into danger was not appealing and to stay in Ilium was a dream but I also wanted to help and to find out what was going on with me.

"The Duchess will be needed on the trip." Malvericks words caught all of our attentions.

"If I am to find this vision again I will need her there to help to bring it forth, so there is no need to argue but I do agree with the Duke about our travels, the bridge is quicker and I can protect us." He gave us a smile as if he had settled the whole matter.

"If the Duchess is to go then you will not go over that bridge." The Duke said firmly a scowl on his lips.

"Then it is settled." Kyro threw down his napkin and strode out of the dining room.

"It's settled." I muttered as I shove a piece of now cold fish into my mouth.

"I am sorry Alia, we talked all about you but forgot to ask what you would like." The Duke leaned forward his eyebrows knit in worry.

"It is of no importance, I am no longer in control of my life and I must come to terms with that." I gave him a weak smile as I pushed the food around on my plate.

"If you don't want to go I will fight for you. You can stay here in the safety of the keep. You wouldn't have to worry about any of it." He leaned forward and grabbed my hands into his.

I gave him a warm smile and glanced over to where Malverick was watching us a knowing smile on his lips.

"I would love to stay here with you but I will not bring down the anger of the King on you."

"I am not worried about the King though I feel I would have to fight my nephew over it." He joked as he sat back releasing my hands.

"I fear you would, he can be quite protective and prickly." I stood up ready for the night to be over.

"It will be a couple days before you leave with all the planning, I will make it my duty the rest of your time here is pleasant and worry free." The Duke rose with me and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek, giving Malverick a nod he left the room.

"What are you so happy about?" I asked Malverick when I noticed him smiling at me.

"I feel being around you is going to be very entertaining for me."

I rolled my eyes as I turned ready to retire for the night and left him in his mirth.