Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) (16 page)

As the cards passed, she
lamented the loss of her home and thought back on Cyridell, wondering how she was going to sneak away from Showl. It was obvious Showl was not going to take her back anytime soon…

She lost the first round but quickly won the second and third and allowed the fourth round to slide in the man’s favor in hopes that he would get more confident and higher the wager. She was acutely aware of the man watching her every move, waiting to catch her cheating. She smiled in a friendly manner  as she unbuttoned the top of her shirt to allow her tattoo-like birthmark to show, and gave him a
devious wink, this time around, her hand was particularly lucky and she didn’t feel the need to sneak any cards. By the last round, forty squrions were the prize at the center of the table plus an alleged enchanted ruby on his part and a sapphire that she had found in Showl’s purse.

“You sure you want to go through with this, little lady? My hand is very good,” he offered with a friendly warning.

Ange smiled coyly and met his brown eyes, reading them carefully, just at the edge of his iris she could see a single card, a dragon king and the edge of an ace.

She smiled confidently and folded the cards to her chest.

“Oh, I am quite sure,” she purred. “I have a good hand too.”

The man grinned widely and placed his cards down, facing up. “Then I must apologize for your loss, little lady.”

The men awed and laughed as his cards, two dragon kings and an ace. The others groaned in defeat as they started exchanging their bets and the rugged man started to reach for the treasure.

“Not so fast,” Ange
cooed undeterred.

All eyes turned to her confused as they paused, slowly and dramatically she placed each of her cards on the table, one by one, she reveal three aces. The men hollered in utter disbelief and excitement as the rugged man gazed at her wide-eyed in shock.

The rugged man grinned widely. “Why little lady, you sure can play!” he laughed and slapped his leg with a hand as he sat back. “How many cards did you sneak this time?”

She smiled sweetly and revealed her arms by pulling up each sleeve.

“None,” she stated pleased as she showed off her arms for inspection.

The men whistled in admiration and exchanged bets.

“Damn,” the rugged man chuckled. “I was so sure I had you this time, and you didn’t even swipe one card. Impressive. As I suspected, you were leading me on,” he laughed heartily. “I feel like a complete fool, I would love to keep playing but I fear I can’t afford to lose any more coins to you, little lady.”

Ange smiled and laughed along as she swiped the coins and gems into her purse and tucked it away.

“It is getting late,” she admitted bubbly.

“Another drink before you leave?” he suggested.

“Perhaps-” she cut short as a ringing pain began to echo in her left ear, she flinched and pressed her hand to her forehead.

“Little lady?” the man asked concerned as he stared at her.

“Perhaps another time,” Ange forced out with a crude smile.

The pain seared across to the other side of her head and she moaned as the pain intensified, her head started to feel hot and clammy, her vision blurred.

All the figures around them started lopping together, doubles and triples of all the men danced in her vision, their babbling began to echo like thunder in her ears. She shoved away the chair and ran past the men that yelled in protest as she bolted for the door, she almost tripped twice on the legs of a chair and stool that stood in her way as she constantly miscalculated which object was the true one in her eyes.

When she reached the door she shoved it aside and stumbled out into the cold night air, at first a wave of relief engulfed her as the cool air touched her skin, then the pain doubled and nearly knocked her off feet. She screamed out in pain as she doubled over and wobbly began to make her way back down the street towards the blacksmith’s home. Every step felt like fire was licking across her skin and underneath it.

She didn’t make it far before a frightened voice shouted out to her.

“Angeline!”

She opened her eyes, trying to focus them and failed to her dismay as three Showls ran towards her.

She moaned as the pain began to claw its way down her body as the heat rapidly spread, her vision blacked out and the last thing she felt was the kiss of the dirt ground against her face.

Chapter
12: Betrayed

“Another day and it will be complete,” promised a frightened voice.

“You’ve taken already four days
Gregor, I cannot wait around much longer,” Showl’s voice snarled. “On your own you took only three days, why is it that with your son’s help that you are taking so long?”

“Forgive me, sir. There were a few unexpected difficulties, not to mention that her armor is far more elaborate than I’ve ever made before. My health is not what it once was, it’s taking me longer to enchant the scales and fangs,” he replied in a trembling voice.

“Another day,” Showl replied with little patience. “But I cannot wait any longer, she grows closer to the void with every passing hour, I will not risk her life.”

“Of course, sir,”
Gregor replied respectfully before steps could be heard as he retreated.

Ange opened her eyes and blinked them drowsily. As the information sank in, she realized she must have been out for two days. She groaned at her sore body moved, she looked over her shoulder to see a curled body of fur and feathers.
Felis blinked her eyes open and yawned before purring and licking her nose.

Ange smiled and scratched the owl-cat’s head. “Hey,
Felis.”

“You’re awake,” Showl’s voice cut in relieved.

Ange turned her face back to him and gave him a weak smile as she tried to sit up. Her stomach hurt horribly and she groaned, trying not to hurl.

“What happened?” Ange asked confused as she removed Showl’s cape away from her body.

“I told you the energy surges would come back,” he replied sounding annoyed as he walked over to her from the barn door. His white armor gleamed in the afternoon light, it was getting dark. He sat down fluidly in front of her and stared her right in the eye.

“You did,” Ange admitted looking away.

“Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?” he growled slightly, his annoyance turning into anger on his face.

“I’m awake now,” Ange replied trying to repress her guilt as she remembered their fight.

“Yes, I was worried about your health but that is not what I am referring to, little thief,” he hissed. “I am referring to how you disappeared two days ago. At first I trusted you only went to calm yourself, then after sunset, I realized you were taking an excessively long time to return. I was absolutely frightened something might have happened to you, and then I find you falling on the ground with a fever and ale on your breath!” he finished with a snap.

Ange met his glare boldly, not regretting her fun in the tavern, but meeting his fiery golden gaze she flinched and had to look away again.

“I did go to calm myself. Since when do I need to ask for your permission to go have some fun?” she replied with a lash.

He scowled. “I am not your master, Angeline. But a little warning would have been appreciated.”

“So that you could stop me?” Ange hissed with an ironic laugh. “As if.”

Showl exhaled obviously frustrated. “I can be reasonable, little thief,” he chafed. “Now would you kindly explain to me why you stole my coin purse, the reason it’s heavier than before, and your logic for stealing a dagger from our kind hosts?”

Ange puffed her cheeks irritated that she had to explain herself, before letting out a heavy huff of air and returning a stubborn glare to meet his angry eyes.  “If you must know, I can’t pay for a drink without anything. Second, I am not going into a tavern without at least a knife to protect myself with, or would you prefer I put myself in danger without so much as a weapon?”

Showl glowered at her words and didn’t reply, waiting for her to finish.

“I didn’t think so,” Ange continued smug that he hadn’t protested. “And I got all that extra money fairly by winning at cards. You should be thanking me.”

Showl raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and stared at her expectantly with a knowing gleam in his eyes.

Ange felt herself bristle slightly before she reluctantly became honest. “Fine, perhaps the word ‘fairly’ is a bit too strong. But we were both cheating and being open about it, nothing wrong with that,” she finished unapologetic.

Showl sighed and shook his head
exacerbated. Ange winced surprised as his voice came out soft and fervent.

“I am just glad that you are alright,” he whispered, his eyes
tormented a she gazed at her.

Ange looked away, feeling ashamed. He had been worried, and she had been expecting him to
reprimand her and that she would argue back, nettled and unwilling to listen. She felt she didn’t deserve his concern and willing friendship.

Gazing down at her lap,
Felis squeezed under her arm and curled up on her legs and gazed up at her, as if encouraging.

Ange sighed, swallowing her pride and spoke with quiet modesty. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she finished as she met his gaze, feeling repentant and hoping he would forgive her.

Showl blinked for a moment in shock before his expression gentled and he smiled tenderly. “It’s fine, little thief. I just want you to know, I don’t intend to change who you are,” he promised quietly. “Nor am I asking you to.”

Ange stared surprised and sat up straight, she hadn’t expected those words from him. She smiled reluctantly, feeling very lucky to have met Showl.

“Thank you,” she whispered feeling chocked as she brushed Felis’ feathery wings with her fingers.

“I’ve been thinking...” Showl began slowly, warily. “You realize these headaches can kill you, correct?”

Ange nodded somberly, realizing his words were painfully true. She admitted mentally that he wasn’t trying to deceive her to get what he wanted. He was better than her and the thieves she had grown up with.

“There is no other way, I wish there was, but there isn’t,” he stated regretfully. “If we do not complete the bond, you will die, Angeline,” he met her gaze fully, afraid.

Ange swallowed, it was difficult to see this confident and powerful warrior frightened, and she knew that fear was not unwarranted, her situation was truly grave.

She smiled forcefully with shaken laughter in her voice. “I can’t exactly become queen of the thieves if I am dead, now can I?” she asked rhetorically.

Showl shook his head seriously.

Ange’s smiled broke into a deep frown. “Not to mention that you will die right after me as well.”

He smiled forcefully, trying to hide his discomfort. “I am not so easily freed from life. I will be born again, given time.”

“Yes…” Ange agreed bothered. “But you won’t be you anymore, you’ll be someone else,” she said sadly.

Showl gazed at her, puzzled. “Yes,” he agreed. “I will be but memories for the new Rex of Ice.”

Ange glared stubbornly, she hated the idea. “I don’t want you to be someone else’s memories. You don’t deserve such a cruel fate.”

He stared at her shocked, he was speechless as he stared at her, searching her gaze. “Do you truly feel that way?” he asked very quietly, his eyes troubled.

“Of course I do,” she spat, not angry at him but of the idea of him becoming nothing but memories for another dragon.

“Does this mean…” he trailed off wary, his eyes still seeming startled.

“That I’ll complete the bond without a fuss?” Ange finished, she breathed in a deep breath and letting out in a long sigh and braced herself for what she was about to say, she wasn’t about to take it back or commit blindly. “Yes, that’s exactly what it means.”

Showl’s eyes grew bright, happy. A smile broke across his face before it faltered and his face grew dark as did his voice.

“Are you sure?” he questioned.

Ange sighed again impatiently. “I don’t exactly want to die, you know. I guess I can give saving the world a shot, heck, maybe I’ll even become rich and I won’t have to do a hostile takeover. Everyone will already be worshiping me, makes it easier to just declare myself regent, you know?”

Showl chuckled, trying to hold back laughter. “The little thief, ruling the world? My, we are all most certainly doomed.”

Ange smiled pleased to see him laughing. “Who knows, I might even get tired of riches and power, given a few thousand years,” she pretended to think about it. “Nope, I can’t see it. The world is most certainly doomed to my dictatorship,” she grinned widely.

Showl shook his head amused, his voice and expression returned to being serious.

“Well, that wasn’t the point I was trying to get across, but I am happy that you’ve decided to complete the bond of your own volition,” he said with a small smile. “I thought I was going have to keep persuading you, you see, I have another suggestion, if you wish to consider it.”

She waited, wondering what other solution could possibly exist.

“You could complete the bond…and we could run if you wanted. It would be difficult, you would need to learn how to use your powers. We would have to dodge both the Sky Warriors and the Adherent at every turn, and perhaps in a few years you could return to Cyridell and do as you please, but we would have to stay low,” he finished in a quiet and controlled voice.

Ange stared at him, speechless, she thought carefully on his words. It was obvious he had thought long and carefully on the proposal, and she realized it must be difficult for him to suggest discarding his duties as a dragon and as the Rex of Ice.

“You…you would do this for me?” Ange asked softly.

He nodded, his eyes honest and determined.

Ange fell silent, shocked he would even suggest the idea. She had sensed a strong sense of duty from him after speaking to him for the first time, it was probably difficult for him to think of himself becoming selfish for her sake. To let the other dragons fight a war by themselves where he was key to the resurrection of their world’s destruction. She felt she couldn’t bring herself to force him to give up everything just so she could become the leader of the destroyed Black Owls.

She found her thoughts turbulent and confusing, five days ago, the answer would have been clear to her, simple. Now she didn’t know what to do, or even what to think.

“I need to think about this, Showl,” she sighed frustrated.

He nodded understandingly. “You can decide when we arrive at the mountains.”

“How will the other dragons know you are even bonded?” Ange asked bewildered.

He frowned. “The ten of us are connected by a bond deeper than any natural force, we can feel when the others are born or when they die, we can also feel when we are bound. You’ll understand once the bond it completed. You’ll feel it. It is truly difficult to explain, besides, the bonding is a bit…dramatic,” he finished. “It will become clear to you soon enough,” he promised.

Ange nodded.

A knock made them both turn their attention to the barn door.

By the entrance stood Richard, looking tired and relieved, his gloves were in his pocket as he held up a metal tray.

“Can I come in?” he directed his question to Showl who nodded.

Richard came in quickly and smiled as he sat down next to Showl but kept a considerable distance away.

“It’s good to see you awake. I brought you some soup,” he offered as he placed down the bowl with a chunk of bread next to it.

“Thank you,” Ange smiled taking the bowl eagerly and beginning to scarf down the sausages that floated on the top.

“Sir…may I ask you something?” he asked apprehensively.

“What is bothering you, Richard?” Showl replied with a blank expression.

“My father…he’s been acting strangely,” Richard said carefully as he glanced back to the barn door. “I cannot say this is common, but he’s been on nerve, he’s been lying to me,” he admitted.

Show’s brow pinched in concern. “We have also noticed.”

Ange nodded as she bit the bread.

“I don’t know if I should be telling you this…but I am worried. I have a very bad feeling. My father sent out a messenger bird the day you arrived while Ange was asleep. I was expecting him to scold me for showing off the Aeterna Vas, but instead he was relieved, and twitchy.”

“Messenger bird?” Showl echoed confused.

Richard nodded. “The bird came back today, that’s how I know he sent it out. It was just a regular pigeon from the street he must have enchanted. It had a note, father turned white as a sheet after reading it and threw into the fire. I managed to take out in time after he left.”

Ange paused her chewing and stared confused. She wondered how and why
Gregor would enchant a regular dumb gray bird from the street.

“It was fine paper,” Richard continued. “All it said was, ‘Stall. I am coming for them.’” he finished in a troubled voice.

Showl’s eyes widened, his hands clenched. “Is that it? No name?” he pressed.

Richard shook his head. “And father has been lying to you, I don’t know why, but the armor is nearly complete, all he’s doing is adding the
filigree and inserting the blades into their sockets. We finished the cloak this morning. He told me to keep my mouth shut, he said that when nightfall comes, I must take mother and get as far away as possible,” Richard frowned seeming very worried. “I don’t know what to make of it, I’ve never seen him so afraid.”