The Crown and the Dragon Page #2

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off the road for a man.

In battle condition.

Hard country between here and Ghel.

You think you're up to it?

Yes.

All right. What's on the table?

What?

What can you give me now.

As security.

In the case that you can't keep

your temper,

you claw up some face

I can't scare off with a pen knife?

Here. It's all I have.

I can trade it for coin

when we get to Ghel.

What's in there?

It's not mine to give...

A full morning, you say?

Sun up to noon.

- I choose the horse.

- Well, then I need an oath.

On the haft and hilt,

I am thy man and soldier.

The name's Aedin.

- Elenn Baretheon.

- Aye, you said.

Now stick to the trees.

Stupid fool.

You heard what he spoke?

Yes, Master.

Then bring it to me.

Kill those who carry it.

You're heavier than you look.

Pretty dress. Shame about the color.

What are you doing?!

Keep moving princess,

we've got a long way to yet.

A plague of fire.

Aye.

Dammit!

Gods in hell...

Thieving bastard!

- Careful.

- Give it back!

Not till you answer some questions.

Now put that thing away

before you get lucky.

How the hell did you get this thing?

Who are you?

And don't give me any she-tank

about joining the Leode of virgins.

Elenn, run! Get out of here!

Aedin, come on! Run! Run!

What in hell's name is that thing?

Black magic?

Who's after you?

Come on!

You got any magic for this?

Oh shi...

I've got you.

What the hell have you drug me into?

Take off your wet clothes.

How'd you find this place?

I have a network of caches along

all the major trade routes.

- You're a smuggler.

- Yep.

And you're a liar.

What else is

in that little hole of yours?

You fought in the war

with King Aldred,

was he as beautiful as they say?

I don't know.

I spent most of my time

buried in a trench,

trying to keep my feet dry

and my head out of dragon fire.

What did you do after the war?

After the invasion...

like most I kept fighting

long past sense.

When I went home

there was nothing left.

So, I fight other men's battles now,

and pick up things

on my travels when I can.

It's been a life of little meaning.

Well I think it sounds romantic,

always on the run,

living by your swords and your wits.

You're full of wine and a warm fire.

Come the morning you'll remember

the misery and loneliness.

Get some rest.

We've an early start

It's going to get more dangerous

from here.

We're moving into dragon territory.

We'll have to stay to the trees.

We're in its territory now, keep still.

We'll be safe for now.

What else are you keeping from me?

This better be the best bloody

farmland in Deira.

Do you think it's gone?

Maybe so, maybe no.

We never could figure

the damn thing out.

Neither could the Vitalions

for that matter.

Only a Paladin can kill a dragon...

Well, we didn't have one handy

at the time.

Last night... late last night. Did we...

did I say anything... you know.

I always say too much

when I'm drunk.

No. Nothing I can think of.

Did we do anything...

Nope. Nothing.

You'll live to die a virgin yet.

- Help!

- Keep yellin', that'll fix it.

Clooney, it's been so long.

Son of a whore!

That's for Dunotten.

Bastard tried to kill me.

Stuck a sword right through my side.

You left out the part

where you were standing on my head,

in three feet of water.

Aye. I did.

He was fighting for the enemy.

- The Vitalion?

- No. The Daegens.

May they rot in hell.

They did, right after you set fire

to their keep.

Aye. They were bra times.

I missed ya. Come and sit.

My wives shall entertain you.

With what little we have.

Wives?

If you want to see that horn again,

don't mention the coronation.

How about becoming more agreeable

before you get us both disemboweled.

From where I was sitting it looked like

you were being agreeable

enough for the both of us.

When the laird's had enough

to turn sad and sentimental,

I'll get the horn and we'll slip away.

I know this tune.

My mother used to hum it.

It's an old song. About ties.

Ties that hold things:

people, ideas,

strong ties and weaker ones.

It's a sad thing now, but before

the war it was a song for lovers.

Don't let go.

Enough!

Lace those peckers away, boys!

There's dark deeds need doing.

You too, Aedin. I'm not asking.

What are we after tonight?

Trelawneys.

It was them who sold me out!

I see some one.

Shut it, ya wee turds.

There's one of them now!

Sneak up and give him

a little taste of the ol' iron.

Why me?

Because you're my guest

and took advantage of my hospitality.

Now give me your sword,

we wouldn't want it rattling

and give you up.

We're right behind you.

Who goes there?

You're pretty good with a stick.

You can thank me later!

I've got the horn.

Slow down, you're going to fast,

I can't keep up.

How much further?

Oh.

Enter.

Leave us.

I understand you have information

on a young woman

traveling with a smuggler

acquaintance of yours?

The Vitalions treat you pretty well

for a Deiran, don't they?

I'm sorry child.

Your aunt was a keeper

of our Lore and magic.

Hers is a terrible loss...

Garrick will be crowned

at dawn on Lama's Eve.

As a Baretheon

the task might naturally...

The coronation...

I'm afraid I am unversed...

My aunt was the protector.

She didn't even want me

to come on this journey.

I failed to learn the magic

I was taught.

If my aunt had born a child,

I'm sure it would have been the one...

Faith requires courage, Elenn.

You must have faith

to find the path that is laid

out before you

and to find the courage to step onto it.

The sisters are preparing

for the Vigil of the Paladin tonight.

The acolytes

have prepared a bath for you.

You must be tired, after your ordeal.

Oh.

One days morning.

They await the Paladin.

The prophecy says the warrior

will manifest at mid moon,

enter the circle and save the Dairen.

A hero of great faith,

with the power to walk through fire.

It's yours.

Am I to wait all night

to have my bowl refilled? Do I?

I used to spend hours here

when I was a little girl.

My father would hold me on his lap

and read me stories

as I turned the pages...

Over here is Anyon,

the first king of the Deirans.

As he stood before his victorious army

and held his sword aloft,

the lightning gods filled him

with power,

his boots melted

the stone beneath his feet.

Two dragons;

one poisons the land,

the other heals it.

Do you believe that?

My father said

that they were just stories.

You're leaving tomorrow...

Aye...

Will you be joining the sister's then?

They'll keep me here, no doubt.

Just long enough to see

my aunt's wishes fulfilled and me

the pretty wife

of some influential laird.

Aye...

someone clean.

Aye.

The deed has been prepared.

You are a Paladin.

To crown the dragon,

you must first kill the dragon.

Paladin.

Gods, the Paladin.

The Paladin is here!

The Paladin.

Bring me the girl.

Alive and unharmed.

What's happening? Is she hurt?

She has begun the glyderinge,

her dream quest.

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