Maeven: Dragon Champion Book 3

By Margaret Gregory

Maeven wakes to find her body possessed by Thulor’s powerful demon enemy. Only when he sleeps, is she free to act - to be a thief and spy within the citadel of the enemy.
When the demon, Ciabolo, realises she is still aware, he inflicts an even worse fate – keeping her essence alive, while he is still protected from dragon magic and able to draw on it himself.
Magic and fighters are not enough to kill the demon and King Westron wants to rescue Maeven in the hope she has learnt the demon’s weaknesses. He is drawing together people from other lands as well as his own, seeking ways for humans and the few remaining dragons to defeat the demon.
Can they oust the demon from her body, and bring her back to it? Has she found the answer they need?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Margaret Gregory
• Release date: Dec 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781922695666

Margaret Gregory

I have loved writing stories since I was in high school. Now...some years later...I am enjoying making them come alive again.After being a scientist for years, I have since turned to writing fantasy for upcoming publication and creating science articles for The Australia Times.

Book preview

Dragon Champion

(Book 3)

by

Margaret Gregory

Copyright © 2023 by Margaret Gregory

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

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Please note that I use Australian spelling throughout.

You will see ‘ou’ (colour) and ‘re’ (centre) as well as a few other differences from American spelling.

Cover designed by msgdragon

Cover Image Credits: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / fmarsicano

Cover Image Credits: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / amelislam

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 –

Chapter 2 –

Chapter 3 –

Chapter 4 –

Chapter 5 –

Chapter 6 –

Chapter 7 –

Chapter 8 –

Chapter 9 –

Chapter 10 –

Chapter 11 –

Chapter 12 –

Chapter 13 –

Chapter 14 –

Chapter 15 –

Chapter 16 –

Chapter 17 –

Chapter 18 –

Chapter 19 –

Chapter 20 –

Chapter 21 –

Chapter 22 –

Chapter 23 –

Chapter 24 –

Chapter 25 –

Chapter 26 –

Chapter 27 –

Chapter 28 –

Chapter 29 –

Chapter 30 –

Chapter 31 –

Chapter 32 –

Chapter 33 –

Chapter 34 –

Chapter 35 –

Chapter 36 –

Chapter 37 –

Chapter 38 –

Chapter 39 –

Chapter 40 –

Chapter 41 –

Chapter 42 –

Chapter 43 –

Chapter 44 –

Chapter 45 –

Chapter 46 –

Chapter 47 –

Chapter 48 –

Chapter 49 –

Chapter 50 –

Chapter 51 –

Chapter 52 –

Chapter 53 –

Chapter 54 –

Chapter 55 –

Chapter 56 –

Chapter 57 –

Chapter 58 –

Chapter 59 –

Chapter 60 –

Chapter 61 –

Chapter 62 –

Other Novels by Margaret Gregory

Chapter 1

Prince Rhovert of Thulor, travelling in his guise as the mercenary, Berto, reached the inn where he was to meet up with his sisters. At the stable, a small boy took the reins of his horse and that of his consort, Atlantis, as soon as they dismounted. Rhovert placed a silver piece in the boy’s free hand.

Feed, water and a rub down for both, he directed, using his gruff merc’s voice. The boy nodded and led the horses inside.

Rhovert let Atlantis lead the way to the tap room of the inn. Once there, he saw the innkeeper, who recognised Atlantis, shrug a shoulder in the direction of his private rooms. As they passed him, he murmured, Go right in.

The first thing they saw on entering the innkeeper’s private sitting room was his sister, Finora sitting in a chair, watching little Rheanna suckling from the wet nurse. The woman was of peasant Vatarin stock, no more than a few years older than Rhovert’s sisters. She seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that she was in the presence of two princesses from the neighbouring kingdom of Thulor. They were certainly neither dressed as, nor acting as, women of rank.

Leanne, twin to Finora, was a Guard Captain from the Kings Own Guards. Her sister was a Sorceress, who worked with her troop. She had been pacing the small room, and as soon as she spotted the arrivals, came close and demanded, Well? You made good time. What did you find out?

Nothing good, Atlantis admitted quietly, but Finora had heard and turned to listen. The wet nurse paid them no attention. The old nurse told me that just after I took the baby out, El Rasho tried to kill his wizard. The one Ciabolo was inhabiting. El Rasho had been challenged to keep his promise, but obviously didn’t want to become Ciabolo’s pawn.

Well, he’s not a complete moron, Leanne muttered. Did he fail? You said, ‘Tried to.’

Somehow, El Rasho stopped the demon merging with him. I think he tried to kill Ciabolo, in any case, the wizard died, and Ciabolo only had one option. He took Ven over, when she was too exhausted to resist.

Dragon dung! Leanne exploded, although she kept her voice low. Sister or no, you should have killed her.

No! Atlantis protested. She didn’t point out that Ciabolo would have taken someone else over, maybe herself. Nor did she say that in her servant guise, she could not betray her hidden knife. There were a couple of moments when Ven was there, not him. She told me to go away. I agreed, because she was right. I had to get out and warn your father. And, although I haven’t proof, I think…if she is near one of our talismans, or maybe one of Petulor’s scales, the demon is lulled and she is in control of her body.

I know I have never thought much of Maeven, Leanne admitted, scowling. Her younger sister had always been a thorn in her side. But even she doesn’t deserve to be a pawn of that demon bastard.

She will be protection for him against dragon magic, Finora said, rising from her chair. Petulor would never –

Rhovert broke in, And maybe, because she didn’t choose to let him in, he might be vulnerable.

In what way, Leanne demanded.

If Ciabolo is lulled, maybe she can learn things. Like what El Rasho is planning.

That’s daft! Leanne accused. If she needs to be near one of Petulor’s scales, the only one left is the one on the boy baby, he’d have to be in the nursery. I doubt they’d discuss such things there. Anyway, just say that she does learn stuff? How will she get messages to us?

Surely we need to give her the belief that she can do something, Atlantis insisted.

Well, we can’t do anything just now, Finora said. We do need to warn father that we can’t afford to trust Maeven’s physical self, since we have no way of knowing who is in control.

Except up close, Atlantis put in. The eye colour changes. Do you want me to try reaching my brother? It’s late, but he’s probably going to be up still.

No doubt, Leanne agreed. Yes, see if you can. When we spoke to him after getting here, he said father was deep in conversation with that Dragon scholar. Highly fascinated.

Did he give you two any instructions? Rhovert asked.

Yes. Fi and I are to return to what we were doing along the border. He is sure that the army of Vatarik will be coming across at some point there.

What about down south? Atlantis asked. He used one of those portals to bring stuff in down there. What if he used a portal to bring his troops through? Who is watching down there?

I don’t think that is something we need to worry about, Rhovert commented. He won’t be able to open a new one down in Ackbridge, that area is secure. And from something Arlen said, if he wanted to open a new one somewhere, he needed to have something he called a ‘portal stone’ at the intended destination, before he could use the linked stone from where he was to open it.

I hope you are right, because if I am to take little Rheanna down to Gisella in Declanor, I will need to know the route is safe.

I’ll be going with you, Rhovert stated. So, call your brother and we can get going.

Atlantis! Is that no good prince with you? Roman greeted when the connection was made.

Yes, why?

His majesty wants him here a week ago.

Why is that? Rhovert asked, so the wizard could hear him.

If you ask me, he is beside himself trying to do too much. I think he has had some vision of a grand plan to put an end to the Serpent, but he can’t put it all together.

So how am I meant to help him? I’m no strategist. And, I am going to make sure Atlantis gets this baby safe to your wife.

Look, Rhovert, I really think you need to come here. The south is safer now than it has been for years. There have been no reports of trouble since you cleaned up Ackbridge. He still has Arlen down there, doing something he didn’t tell me. What if I get him to meet Atlantis somewhere between the palace and the border? Will that do?

For a while, Rhovert scowled. Seeing Atlantis nodding, he subsided. Fine, but I think I still need to be moving around, checking on his Lords. That bastard El Rasho, when he comes, will need to provision his army and he won’t be able to do much foraging. The manors, with their home garrisons of fighters, will be both a threat to be neutralised and a source of food.

Roman’s reply came through the orb in his wife’s hand. We have done all we can think of to help the Lords protect their people. Your father says, we have to capture and neutralise that demon Serpent. Then the rest of the invasion will fall apart.

Naturally! Leanne muttered sarcastically. Come into my parlour, dear enemy…

Roman! Atlantis broke in. I have some news that the king won’t like. She went on to tell him what she had learnt after Leanne and Finora had had taken the new born baby girl from the citadel of the kings of Vatarik and fled towards the border.

No, he won’t like it, Roman said soberly. We know we could get Ciabolo to leave the body he inhabits –

By killing it… Atlantis objected.

If that’s how it must be, Roman said. But I will tell him. I know he has had visions of his youngest daughter leading a vast army…maybe this is the explanation. In any case, he needs to know. The trouble is, people seeing Maeven’s body, will think she is on the side of Thulor. We will have to warn the Lord’s, and the border troops. Atlantis, once you’ve got the baby to Gisella, you’d better hurry back. We’ll need your knack for solving puzzles. I think we need to have someone who can think simply, and not in terms of convoluted plans.

Atlantis nodded. I will come back as fast as I can. She covered the orb and ended the connection.

Leanne switched to speaking Vatarin. Livia? She caught the attention of the wet nurse who now had little Rheanna at her shoulder, gently patting her back.

Yes, Mam, she answered quickly, twitching slightly as if expecting a reprimand.

This is Atlantis, and that’s Berto with her. They will be escorting you from here on. The woman looked at Atlantis, glanced to Leanne and Finora, and seemed to relax slightly. She bobbed an awkward curtsy. Pleased to know you, Mam. She eyed the mercenary and added, And you too, Sir.

I’m no sir, Rhovert said, acting in his merc persona.

Just Atlantis. I’m not one for formality. After all, I grew up a farmer’s daughter in Declanor.

The woman’s eyes widened. Where’s that?

South of Thulor, Atlantis told her. Does travelling that far bother you?

Leanne hid a smile. Livia had been in awe of herself and Finora, ever since someone had mentioned their rank. The cousin, their current host, didn’t know who Berto really was, however, or that Atlantis wasn’t just his swordswoman partner.

Oh, no, Atlantis, she babbled.

Can you be ready to leave once the horses have been fed and rested, and we’ve all eaten?

Yes, I haven’t unpacked my bag, and I have one ready for the baby.

Great. Berto just needs to have a word with the innkeeper. Don’t be put off by his mean looking exterior. He’s a highly skilled mercenary.

Rheanna chose that moment to burp up some milk. Livia’s attention was instantly diverted. Leanne shrugged for Atlantis to follow her from the room. Finora went to assist with the clean-up.

Outside, in the passage that led to the kitchen, she stopped. The woman lost a babe – still born, but it was conceived in an unpleasant way. But she loves babies, so she volunteered to help our poor mite.

Poor thing, Atlantis murmured, speaking of the wet nurse.

Yes, Leanne agreed tersely. I think helping us will help her. She is from a large family, and has practice tending babies and her younger sibs. She has taken to Rheanna.

How much does she know about us? Atlantis asked.

Not a lot, except that she found out who Fi and I are. You took the right tone with her, I think. Anyway, the innkeeper, it turns out, is a member of a group who is not impressed with Vatarik’s new king. Livia knows who fathered the child, and while she was glad her own babe didn’t live, was incensed because Rheanna would have been killed – just for being a girl.

Is she aware there might be danger?

I don’t really think there will be a lot – no more than we encountered coming up. Anyway, I think that if El Foulness Rasho and Ciabolo don’t see or hear anything more of the second child, they will assume the servant did as they wished, and the sickly child died. And now, if anyone takes interest in you, you can say you are taking the woman and her child to relatives because her family kicked her out.

Did you tell her where the baby is going? Atlantis asked.

No.

Going to Declanor didn’t seem to frighten her.

I think she might be a bit like you and me, and want more to her life than to be shackled to a brood of children, and toil in some man’s household from dawn to dusk.

I’m sure a lot of women do, but don’t have the opportunity, Atlantis mused. Or know of any other life.

Or have to obey their family. Which is another thing. Livia was kicked out by her family, which is unfair, because she didn’t ask to be raped. The innkeeper seems to be her only relative that sees it that way. He is an advocate of a better education for everyone, even women. He says it would mean that people don’t blindly believe the rulers of the land. He has his eyes opened about the current Vatarin rulers.

I guess she will have her eyes opened further when we get into Thulor, Atlantis guessed. How much Thulan does she understand?

Not a lot – we’ve been teaching her a little, but we haven’t had a lot of time. Fi put a spell on her that will help her pick up the language. We’d better keep to Vatarin until the border, and then you can teach her what you can from then. You might need to teach her some basic Declanese too. Do you think you will have trouble with Gisella if she wants to stay with Rheanna?

Atlantis considered that. No, I think she’ll see Gis as being much like herself. What might be more of a problem is what she will think when we arrive at King Sevin’s palace.

Leanne gave a low chuckle. Is that where Gis is now?

With a nod, Atlantis told her why the king had arranged it. Well, we’ll get off as soon as we can. I won’t feel happy until I am back in Thulor.

Chapter 2

Twice before they reached the border, the small party had to pull off the road to hide from other travellers. None were the Kings roving inquisitors, who were no better than bullies, but they didn’t want to risk that any were spies, or those who would sell information. At night, they camped in sheltered places, and Finora used magic to hide them from chance observation.

Livia took the rough camps in her stride, not knowing any better. During the day, she rode with Rheanna slung in front of her, on the gentle horse her cousin had provided. Overall, she didn’t talk much, and when she needed to, she sought out Atlantis.

Near the border, the group merged onto the trade road, leading to Thul Run. The token border guard on the Vatarik side were more interested in collecting taxes from the traders than in a small group of riders with little baggage.

Once across the border, they hurried their pace to get beyond the areas where the bandits were likely to attack. Then, Leanne and Finora turned onto a side road and Rhovert and Atlantis continued south. That night, Rhovert found an inn to stay in, so they could have a decent meal and a bath.

Refreshed by a sleep in proper beds, they left early. Livia seemed to take more notice of where they travelled.

Your land is so green, she finally said.

My brother thinks that is because the kings of Vatarik have been draining their land of its life energy, Atlantis explained.

After a while thinking, Livia said, My father keeps complaining that the king keeps increasing taxes and tithes. He had to try to keep expanding his farm so he could cultivate enough food for us as well. And he couldn’t leave fields fallow, and there weren’t enough beasts to provide fertilizer or water to help them grow. It doesn’t seem like that here.

Perhaps not, Rhovert surprised Livia by speaking. But your king’s wizard keeps sending plagues of insects, crop blights or illness into Thulor. Do you notice how the sun seems less bright on this side of the border?

Yes…

Well that pall stops some of the light the crops need to grow, and encourages a nasty weed to grow, and it encroaches on the space needed for crops.

Why would he do that?

So the people in this land are weakened. They want to invade and take control here. Once again, Livia sat thinking. Everyone is saying that Thulor is the cause of all the troubles we are having. That is why more and more of our men are taken for the army and more food is needed for the army.

Figures, Rhovert muttered.

Their passage through Thulor was uneventful, and they were able to stay at inns each night. Livia was delighted by the convenience, but nervous about being around so many other people.

Rhovert assured her, At the places I choose to stay, no one asks questions about other people’s business. Especially not mine.

They were two days travel past where Rhovert should have turned off to the palace, when they arrived at the inn where Arlen was to meet them. The arrangement had been made using Atlantis’s brother, who was also the King’s wizard, as the intermediary.

As they entered that inn, Rhovert told Livia, You’ll be going on with Atlantis. She knows all the roads and inns between here and Declanor.

Livia blurted, But aren’t you going on? What if…

Don’t worry, Atlantis reassured her. Berto has business with a man, but we will be meeting up with a mate of his. One we both trust. In any case, things have been quiet down in the south of Thulor.

When we get to Declanor, will they want me there? Livia asked.

I don’t think you need worry. I’m taking Rheanna to relatives of mine. She will be safer down there. But I think they will let you stay if you want to.

I should go back, but…

Atlantis understood. But you have seen more of the world and know there is probably so much more to see. That’s how I have always felt.

But once the little one is weaned, what could I do?

There will be something, Atlantis assured her.

A captain in the King’s Guard coming into The Ornery Goat tavern would have had most of the patrons slinking quickly out the back door. Arlen did not want to draw that much attention, and so he came in second hand clothes purchased from a clothes seller. Still, something in how he held himself did make several patrons edge to the doors.

That he took a drink to the table where two women sat with a rough looking mercenary, convinced everyone to mind their own business. Rhovert gave the newcomer a hearty slap on the back and took himself off.

Ladies, Arlen greeted the women before seating himself. I am told you need an escort to Declanor.

Livia, with the baby slung in front of her, instinctively pushed her chair back from the table and looked ready to run. No doubt, she recognised Arlen as being Vatarin.

Atlantis, placed a calming hand on her arm. Livia, this is Arlen. A trusted friend. Arlen, this is Livia, and Rheanna.

Arlen went still, realising that the odd bundle being cradled by the strange woman, was a baby. Maeven’s baby.

You will be travelling to relatives then, Arlen went on.

To Gisella, yes, Atlantis confirmed.

At that moment, Rheanna began to cry softly. Livia rose quickly. I will take her upstairs. She probably needs her clout changed.

Atlantis nodded, guessing that Livia was not sure of Arlen but it suited her to let her return to the room they had hired for the day.

When they were alone, Atlantis put her head closer to Arlen’s. We are going to the palace of King Sevin. Gis is there with Wystan.

Your brother left out a lot of details.

I don’t know about that, but have you guessed Rheanna is Ven’s child?

A fleeting expression, incomprehensible to Atlantis, crossed Arlen’s face. He nodded. You saw her? How is she?

That was the question she had dreaded, but Arlen needed to know, and there was no easy way to say it.

I was told by the old royal nurse, that when a certain demand was made of the king, he tried to kill his wizard. The wizard died, but that which had inhabited that creature, found another host.

The Vatarin expletive Arlen uttered was not one she knew.

When she is near her son, who has one of Petulor’s scale hidden around him, the evil one is lulled. At such times, Ven is still…she’s there, aware. I could not bring her out. Your brother was there and, since he has no use for a girl child, I had to get the baby away.

So, my brother, like our father before him, only wants to display his maleness, Arlen cursed. His own flesh and blood means nothing if it is not male.

Atlantis gave a low chuckle. Oh, he covets the boy, but he only thinks Solokin is his own flesh and blood.

In an instant, Arlen’s eyes were boring into hers.

Rheanna is your daughter.

Arlen’s eyes flicked to the stairs. His tone was bleak when he said, And my son will be taught to hate me and will become like my brother and my father before him.

He is still a babe, and those who covet him must still survive the war they wish to inflict on Thulor. The old nurse has promised to keep him safe and I trust the word of one who was the daughter of a dragon priestess. Besides, Solokin has no magic but Rheanna will.

Then I have all the more reason to see the end of my brother. As for the mother of my son, I do not know what we can do. My father chose that merging, and so had some small amount of freedom.

Arlen, don’t give up on Ven. She has survived a demon’s rage before and grew stronger. Even if she can only think when Ciabolo is lulled, I want to believe she won’t be giving up. That maybe, by being that close to him, she will learn things that can weaken him.

You are an optimist, Lady, but I will pray to all the powers that you are right. We should get going. I am meant to be doing something else for his majesty.

Roman said you had a task to do, but he wasn’t told what it was.

I am to find that old man we helped in Ackbridge. His majesty believes he will be important.

He was going to go looking for his wife and son, wasn’t he? Atlantis asked. I think she was from Declanor, so he might have gone down there.

The border guards don’t remember him, but will look out for him, Arlen said. I am not to cross that border.

I can ask those on the other side when I get there, Atlantis offered. After so much time, I don’t know if Gamman will find any clues. But he has to try. I just don’t know how long he will persist. I suppose King Westron didn’t say why he was important?

No, but Roman says the king sees things, possible futures, and often says nothing of them.

Well, have you thought to ask Petulor to help? Atlantis suggested, suddenly sure he should try. I have come to believe she was the one guiding us to Ackbridge.

Arlen shook his head. Would the dragon even listen to me? Not even the king has had word from her since she showed him the power in the crypt.

She was busy enough making us go to help Ven, Atlantis admitted, but Rhovert said that was unusual. Though he did say too that Thulor was ancient, and did not speak to men. She may have done more when young.

That was Ven, and I think she has a strong bond with the dragon, Arlen said. I don’t know what she thinks of me. Even if she did use me.

Rhovert and I never used to be able to do much, until recently. Now, even though we are not magic gifted, we can do little spells. You have one of the talismans, so I think she will hear you. Just hold it, and think of the one you seek and the reason you need to find him. He used to wear the talisman Roman has now, so he must have been an acceptable bearer, and I think, even without it, Petulor helped him to escape.

You are right. It is worth trying and I will do so once you are safely across the border. Will you be staying long?

I don’t know. I want to get back as quickly as I can, but I will be safe enough coming back, Atlantis assured him. But if you want to meet up, get Roman to contact me.

If the old man will not come with me, I may indeed call on you. He certainly took a liking to you.

His wife was the child of a dragon priestess, like I am. Maybe that is why. Which gives me an idea. If you know where their conclave is, you might ask if they have seen him, or know of his wife.

Do you know where such a place is?

Ah, no. My parents died when I was quite young.

Well, it is an idea. Will you go and see if your companion is ready?

Chapter 3

Maeven awoke, but waking brought her no comfort. She had no idea of the passage of time, but just then, time did not matter. She remembered the terrifying moment when her whole body had gone rigid when, somehow, the demon Ciabolo had forced his essence into her. She had tried to fight, but her limbs would not obey her. She had been weak, just having given birth to twins. She had seen them only for a moment, long enough to place one of the dragon’s scales with each, then hide it from sight.

The boy would be alright, King El Rasho had his son, his heir. But the girl? Had her friend got her away? Would she get away safely to Thulor and warn her father, King Westron, that he could no longer trust her…her form?

The room around her was in was in darkness except for the light from three candles and the reflection of those flames in the items of gold, silver and copper spread around the room. She could see well enough to recognise the opulent chamber that Ciabolo had taken over. There was no pretending that Ciabolo had gone. His presence was too close. His mind was slumbering but still overwhelming.

Just knowing that Ciabolo had not only violated her body but was, for most hours in each day, controlling it – was a soul deep insult. All she could do, at times such as this, deep in the night, was to weep tears of humiliation. This was worse than the torture El Rasho had done to her. She wished she could make her hand pick up a knife so she could kill herself.

Lying in the darkness, Maeven felt herself to be completely helpless. Her body lacked energy and would not obey her mind and, without Ciabolo animating it, all she could do was lie there wishing for oblivion as the strange voices of the demon’s dreams chattered in her head.

The next few awakenings were the same, but slowly her body felt less weak. Then an errant itch on her cheek needed scratching. Without thought, her hand came up to scratch it. The touch of her hand on her cheek went unnoticed for a moment – then the realisation came to her. It was an intense moment of enlightenment, an exquisite moment of hope.

Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her hand so her eyes could see it. She whispered a counter spell and the two rocks that she had hidden to follow her, months ago, appeared in her hand. In her ears, that whisper had been like a booming drum. She hid the stones again, and then she revealed the small knife that one of her father’s thief-spies had given her.

When it came to trying to kill herself, something in her mind said, No! She could not summon the courage, or perhaps it was she did not like to think Ciabolo would win. If she died, he would simply find another poor victim.

It was like times in the past when she had looked at a problem and seen a simple solution. She had a key to defeating Ciabolo. She could be a spy in his mind. She just had to work out how.

Thief’s instinct made her hide the knife again, before the cloud of depression and despair swamped her and the tears began anew.

A new sensation, like a frisson of warning, went through her. Quickly, she swiped her sleeve across her eyes. Thoughts in some unintelligible gabble, began to filter through her mind - leaking from the waking demon’s mind.

She stilled her own thoughts, as if her mind was swamped by his. She would watch, remember, and when she could, learn from what he did.

Chapter 4

In the day, she could not make her body move, and realised it would be dangerous to try. All she could do was see where Ciabolo was looking, and hear what he was hearing. Still, her innate belligerence made her push the limits of her passive abilities. A flicker of movement, as a servant came up beside Ciabolo, gave her the realisation that he was not aware of the humans’ peripheral vision. She worked on the idea and discovered she could concentrate on what was in her eye’s peripheral vision if she wished. It occurred to her that Ciabolo’s eyes, in his natural form, could only see ahead. She sometimes watched the faces of the people around him, or around the king, and saw their fear. She knew that those who offended Ciabolo, were apt to become his food. However, as much as he wished for the taste of human flesh, her body reacted badly to it, and her teeth could not tear at it as his own would have. It was a state that annoyed him, but he would not leave her body to manifest as himself. He had to make do with half cooked meat from domesticated herds that serviced the citadel.

It was clear to her, living in his mind, that Ciabolo considered himself in charge. He was present when El Rasho received reports from the spies overseeing the traitorous brigand bands in Thulor, and gave the king orders to pass on. Maeven could not remember it all, but it hardly mattered. That minutiae was ephemeral in value. She had no way to pass it on in time to do anything about it.

She was amused when the reports indicated that her sisters and the other king’s troops were bettering the brigand groups, but when one group was captured, there always seemed to be another group ready to replace them. She could see the tactics wearing down Thulor’s defenders.

As yet, it seemed that Ciabolo was still waiting for something before he ordered the final attack to begin. She had no idea what.

The worst times were when El Rasho and Ciabolo were not together. There was usually little to keep her mind off unpleasant things. When alone, Ciabolos’s thoughts were in the demon’s natural language and unintelligible. At times when he had to talk with humans, he thought in Vatarin, and Maeven had come to understand that language well. Sometimes, she had the unpleasant sensation of someone groping in her mind for the words for a concept or object. If she was aware, she would allow herself to think the words he wanted, even though it was helping him. For at those times, he would think the concept in his own native language, and then repeat what she said. Maeven remembered, and Ciabolo’s satisfaction echoed her own.

She was becoming certain that Ciabolo had no inkling that her essential self had not been pushed out into limbo. If he did suspect it was possible, he can’t have considered her a threat, or able to listen to his mind and see visons in his thoughts. Such visions were so fleeting, she couldn’t grasp them. They were like someone flicking through a pack of chance cards. Most times, she guessed he was reviewing parts of his overall plans, and she hoped each repetition would give her more of the picture.

That he wanted to control all the lands, not just Thulor, was clear. His reasons, beside power and greed, were not – except for one thing. Dragons protected Thulor. Dragons, the deadliest enemy of all demon kind. To him, that meant Thulor must contain something valuable.

He believed that there was now only one dragon, the young Dragon mage. Oddly, he never considered how that new dragon had been conceived. Or had he been killing off dragons, or inciting humans to do so, in the long years between the old dragon’s birth, and the birth of her successor? He needed to kill the dragon mage, then there would be no barrier to his having control of their reserves of power.

Briefly, Maeven thought how he had slipped into Exconidor’s crypt in his serpent persona. The idea sparked others in Ciabolo’s mind. His thoughts slowed, as he considered that place. He had felt the heat of the dragon’s magic power there. He had been unable to grasp it, and then he had been interrupted. One of those bitches wouldn’t be able to do that again, and he would have the other for a victory feast.

Maeven kept her thoughts still, until Ciabolo’s mind moved back to his plans, before allowing one satisfied thought. He had not seen Exconidor’s remains there, nor the remains of the Prince Consort Frederick, hidden by dragon magic.

The thought consoled her, but it did nothing to help her. She wanted to learn Ciabolo’s plans, and somehow, get the knowledge back to Thulor, and her father. She didn’t know how, yet, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t keep trying to learn all she could anyway.

Ciabolo seemed to require less sleep than humans, but when he slept, it was deep and the only time she could think freely and control her own body. She did not try to do more than move her arms and legs a little, or turn her head to look around wherever she was. She couldn’t forget he was there, but the weight of his presence was least. When he woke, the pressure of his presence was greatest and it took all of her stubbornness to remain aware in the little corner of her mind. Sometimes, it was more like she was in a trance, from which she only emerged when her body began to tire and Ciabolo reacted to that.

Only when something important occupied his time did he push harder to stay awake well into the night. At times like these, Maeven wanted to know what he was thinking on, and she risked thinking of Petulor and how she could draw a trickle of power from her. While it gave her inner-self the energy to stay aware, it also seemed to give Ciabolo a minor energy boost too. He seemed to sense it and was amused as he continued whatever he was doing.

Sometimes, he would be writing or drawing runes on parchment. This was a chance for her to memorise what she saw, as she tried to discern the meanings. It was often frustrating, but occasionally, a concept previously considered, fell into place with the writing.

Though as days passed, and despair again threatened to overcome her, she found it harder to keep herself aware. She must have fallen into a state of depression, because she was jerked awake hearing Ciabolo shouting at one of the servants. It was unusual enough to make her look through her eyes.

Why is this body so weak? Ciabolo demanded. It cannot work for more than half a day.

Master, the body you now inhabit is smaller than your previous host. It has also spent nine months nurturing two babies. It takes all new mothers time to regain their strength. That body, will need time to strengthen to your requirements. Unlike that which you were born with, it needs more than just meat to get what it needs. I have mentioned this before, but the cooks say you will not eat the fruit and vegetables that contain what the body requires.

Maeven imagined herself covering her mouth to stifle laughter. The old nurse, was amazing. She knew what had taken her former charge over, but was facing him and talking to him like he was a dull student. Did the woman know that her former charge was still alive? Still able to hear her?

I will not eat like prey! You will find another way to give this body what you say it needs.

Very well, Master. I can have dried fruits made into a drink. Will that be acceptable?

You will have me weak like that whelp of the king?

Master, the babe drinks only milk, and it is growing well. When his teeth begin to grow, he will start having mashed vegetable, pureed meat and fruit. What I will provide you is a form suited to grown humans.

At that moment, Maeven was sure the old nurse knew she was aware. It was possible, for she had been here while Malokin, the former king, was alive and merged with Ciabolo. The mention of her son growing well, gave her something positive to consider. Let her know, she still had friends around, even if there was little she could do.

…It would also be advisable if you allowed the body to rest during the afternoon, if it tires, and if you must stay awake half the night. That was not something Maeven wanted. When her body was tired, and Ciabolo had to sleep, was the only time she had when she could think about what she had observed during the day, and consider it all.

You will help strengthen this body! I have no need of a nap, like I was a whelp.

Very well, Master, the old nurse said, before she bowed. I will go and instruct the kitchen staff.

Chapter 5

Atlantis rode away from the palace of King Sevin, still smiling. Livia had almost fainted when she realised where she was, but a visitor to the foster mother of the King’s ward wasn’t really important enough for official notice. However, as Prince Rhovert’s consort, acting as a Royal Messenger, she was.

A page had found her with a message after she had introduced baby Rheanna and