Free Ice Dragon by Bianca D'Arc Page A

want one of your messengers to get word to Adora and her daughter, Belora. I want them both to come to the palace as soon as possible. It’s about time we all met, and if I’m right, it will be a joyous reunion.”
    “We’ll send a messenger right away,” Hal affirmed with a nod.
    “Good. Now to less pleasant matters. Salomar is almost certainly allied with Skithdron and planning attacks across this border with weapons designed to take down dragons. Lana,” he turned to her, “you’ve seen them and fought them. How would you describe the different weapons Salomar brought against you and Tor?”
    “Well, there are the big crossbows that hit you, and then he’s got some catapult things that throw big chunks of sharp stuff that can slice through dragon scale. Tor got hit with that just once and he was bleeding from about a dozen cuts. We got out of there fast and learned how to avoid them as much as possible. Salomar has also used his witch against us several times. She has this way of slipping into Tor’s mind and making him do what she wants. I didn’t even notice it at first. She’s very subtle. But when I realized we were heading for a trap I was able to cut her connection with Tor, pull him back through our link and turn him away from the warriors waiting to take him down.”
    “I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Hal’s eyes narrowed in thought.
    “Are you certain about this witch? Few females can even talk to dragons, 68

     
    much less influence one to that degree. Maybe it’s because he’s so young?”
    Lana shook her head. “I saw her make Tor’s mother forget all about her egg and fly away without a second look. It’s not because he’s young.”
    “That’s criminal! Deliberately separating a mother and her baby.”
    Candis looked truly outraged and it warmed Lana’s heart.
    “Tell us how you came to care for Tor.” Roland’s soft voice took her out of her anger and back to the past.
    “I was a slave in Salomar’s household. He threw me in with the egg and barred the exit so neither of us could get out. I was to keep the fires lit so the egg stayed warm. After a while, I realized by accident that I could talk with the baby inside if I touched the shell. After he grew more, we could talk even when I wasn’t touching the shell. Then he hatched.”
    Her eyes misted in memory. “Salomar thought I would be his first meal but Tor ate the dogs he loosed on me instead. From that moment to this, he’s protected me every bit and more than I’ve looked after him. When he got big enough and could fly, we escaped and have been running and hiding ever since.”
    “You are a brave and noble woman, milady.” Hal bowed his head to her, his eyes solemn as the others followed suit. She was overwhelmed by their show of respect and unable to answer such compliments.
    Roland hugged her close, tucking her blushing cheek against his chest. “I agree,” he said softly, though all of them heard his words.
    “You’re a treasure, Lana. You saved my life.”
    She moved back a bit to look up at him. “Don’t forget Tor.”
    Roland chuckled. “How could I forget Tor? He’s a miracle, as are you—the only woman ever known to tame a wild northern Ice Dragon.
    Bards will sing of you for generations to come, I’m sure.”

    69

     
    They all laughed at his grand statement and Lana was back to blushing, but the mood was considerably lighter. They talked for a few more minutes about plans for the rest of their stay in the Northern Lair and preparations they could make to defend against the new weapons that might be brought against them all. Finally though, the agenda was set and Lana could tell Roland was in a bit of pain from his still-healing wounds.
    “Lady Candis, do you think you could find something for Lana to wear?” Roland stood and all the rest followed suit. “I’d like to show her around the Lair a bit and I promised her a stop at the baths.”
    “I think we can come up with something that