Dragon’s Breath
Chapter seventeen

Before leaving the commander's home we take the time to clean up the house. I wrap his body in his bedsheets and place him in the front room where he can easily be found.

"Daniel, when we get back to the castle, inform a trusted guard of the commander's death," I say.

"Yes your highness," He replies quietly with a nod. Grabbing the commander's journal we take our leave and head back into the city.

We walk in silence, the knowledge of Gwen's guilt weighing heavy on my mind. I'm dumbfounded; what could Gwen have against me and my horde? why is she trying to hide the past? What is she after?

I can't stand to think of this any longer. I will stop her, I must stop her. I don't know if I could handle a repeat of the past, I refuse to lose those closest to me again. What she's done is simply unforgivable.

I wish I could take my painful memories and place them in a box. That box would be their coffin where I lay them to rest with the same reverence as a beloved one that has passed on. This funeral comes with tears and trauma no less than a real death and once they have been buried, the wake comes next. It is the waking of my inner self, the one with the power to heal and be the person I've always wanted to be.

We reach the shop, all of us entering with solemn faces. The image of the command slaughtered body imprinted on my mind.

"You guys were gone for quite a while, did you replace what you were looking for?" Neron asks. His cheerful voice shouts out as he walks over to greet us. As soon as he sees us, his face falls, cheerfulness no longer in his eyes.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Neron questions.

Closing my eyes I take a deep breath rubbing a hand against my head preparing to tell him what we've just seen.

"When we got to the commander's home, we..." I pause. "We found him dead," I tell him solemnly.

Neron's eyes and mouth freeze wide open in an expression of stunned surprise, even though he was staring straight at me it was as if he didn't notice me at all. His tanned skin dropped a whole shade as his breath quickened. I watch as he falls, his back hitting into the stone table behind him. His face reflects his inner torment.

Pinching his temples and looking upward he asks, "How?"

Pain seeps out from his words. I suck in a breath hesitant to tell him, but I must, he will know sooner or later.

"Torture. There was a break-in, and they presumably could not get what they wanted from him," I recall, pausing a moment to let the information sink in.

"Did you know the commander?" I ask tentatively.

Neron looks at me with his glowing hazel eyes blazing with pain. A stray tear slips down his face but he's quick to wipe it away.

"Yes, I did. He was a close friend of mine.," he tells me wiping his face as he stands up.

"I knew this day would come, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon," he went on.

My face flashes with confusion, "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Come, child, sit, and I will tell you," He says, pointing to a small stool. Walking over I let myself drop onto the stool, crossing my legs I look up at Neron expectantly.

"The commander's men some years ago were bribed into killing a dragon. They attempted to bribe him as well, but he refused to be apart of their treasonous act. Knowing his men were going to betray the kingdom he was consumed with guilt but was far too afraid to turn to anyone for help. I'll never know why but he was afraid of whoever was pulling the strings. I bet the reason they killed him was so they could get their hands on his journal, you see Ian was known for writing everything down," Neron informs us.

"Did the commander not tell you who was behind the plan to kill the dragon?" I question through gritted teeth.

Shaking his head Neron replies, "No he did not, he told me it was better if I stayed away from the matter."

"Well, then I assume you would like to know who did this?" I ask.

Looking at me with eager eyes he replies, "I would very much like to know!" He pleads with me.

I replace a little joy in knowing that I can bring justice to the commander's death.

"When we were searching through the commander's house I came across a very distinct smell, it was a smell that I only know Gwen Evergreen to wear," I disclose.

Again shock contorts his face.

"You mean to say that Gwen Evergreen, the Duke's daughter, and the king's granddaughter conspired against the kingdom? Are you sure about this even hif you're right about her things could go south fast, be careful before you start telling people this, many in the city are fond of Gwen," Neron tells me wearily.

"There is no need to worry, I'm certain it's her," I confirm.

"Daniel we should head back to the castle soon," I say.

"Yes your highness," Daniel nods in agreement.

As I make my way to the door, I turn to face Flavius.

"Little human, if you don't mind me asking I need your help. Neron is right; I cannot go around simply telling people what Gwen is doing without proper poof. When you have time, please go around the city, get any information you can on Gwen, or what happened in the commander's home. If they ask for payment I will gladly oblige them," say.

Flavius nods his head.

"I can do that," he says.

"If you replace anything goes to the castle and request to see princess Eleonora, I will let a trusted guard know that you may come to see me," I inform him.

"Alright," Flavius asserts gently, accenting his statement with a nod.

"I will be back here in a few days to collect and pay for the sword," I tell him.

"Farewell. Until then Dragon," Flavius says with a smirk.

"Until then," I reply.

I and Daniel leave without another word. Looking up at the sun I can tell I've been out for quite some time, it's already around noon. Hopefully, no one replaces my abstinence alarming. Running a hand across my face, I turn towards Daniel.

"How am I suppose to tell Gregory that his beloved granddaughter is the one stirring up all this trouble. I'm worried that he may think I'm trying to cause trouble with her," I worry.

Daniel pats me on the back.

"Don't worry, I'm sure if you explain things he won't misunderstand; his majesty is not one to jump to conclusions. Besides, he is also very fond of you and knows you wouldn't go out of your way to cause trouble," he assures me.

"Right, " I reply weakly. I am far too worried to think clearly. Even Daniels's words bring me little comfort. How am I supposed to tell a man that I greatly respect that it's his beloved granddaughter killed the commander and possibly even my brother?

My worry comes as an electrical storm in my brain, that quite honestly, is painful. It's different from a headache and feels the same intense sorrow, perhaps as a sort of frozen panic with nowhere to go. Though I appear calm on the outside, I am wracked with a deep panic on the inside. I'm not so sure I can do this.

We reach the castle and I go in, my body trembling. I don't know if I can face Gregory knowing the betrayal of his granddaughter that I will have to reveal to him. He has always been so kind, after hearing this will he be angry, sad, worried? There are so many things that could happen and that is what frightens me.

Daniel grabs my arms making me face him.

"You need to calm down, if you don't you will alert the enemy. Everything will be okay, just calm down," he says this is a dulcet voice while rubbing my arms. He looks into my eyes urging me to calm down. I take a deep breath calming my nerves.

Stepping out of Daniels grasp I turn to a passing maid.

"Where is Gregory at this moment? I would like to see him?" I ask.

The maid turns to me and bows.

"Currently his majesty is in his study. If you like I could take you there?"

Holding my hand out I shake my head.

"Thank you, but that is not necessary," I tell her.

I leave down the hall towards Gregory's office, my heart trying to crawl up my throat.

Nora now must tell Gregory of the commanders death. How do you think he’ll react to this news? I hope you enjoyed the chapter don’t forget to like and comment.- Ray