Chapter 3
Keira pulled away from the huge cauldron over the fire and wiped the back of her hand over a sweaty forehead. She was helping Mary pickle the first cucumbers of the season, and it was hot, tedious work. Delaying it would mean that the fruit was ruined, however, so Keira had resigned herself to the unpleasant task, glad, at least, she had Mary to share it with. Bess was outside, washing the dirty laundry, and as for Anna – well, she’d poked her head in once and reluctantly helped to turn the massive ladle, but when she’d been sent to draw fresh water, she had disappeared, leaving the empty bucket beside the well.
“Ah, that child,” Mary had said, shaking her head in dismay when the bucket was discovered.
“She should be dragged back here and tied to the table,” Keira said angrily.
“P’rhaps. She’s a young’un.”
“She’s not a child anymore,” Keira said. “People shouldn’t indulge her.”
“Well, you can’t blame ’er for taking advantage when no one says no, can ’ee?” Mary said. “And we both of us know it’s not you who must say no.”
Keira sighed. “I know.” She fanned away the scalding steam as Mary added more water to the pot. It had been incredibly hot for days now – a heat wave, Aaron had called it. He came to the market regularly, always stopping at the wood carver’s store for some item or other. Keira had stopped asking him about his steward – for whatever reason, he preferred to make the purchases himself. Keira hadn’t missed the fact that he usually came by when she was alone, and she smiled to herself. Clearly, he was a creature of habit, who did the same things at the same time each day. There were times, of course, when Mother returned before he left. At first, she’d been delighted to have a new customer – especially one who spent so lavishly – but lately she’d begun frowning when she saw him talking to her daughter, and her manner had become abrupt and terse. As if noticing her discomfort, Aaron did not linger over his shopping, but left as soon as the transaction was completed, with a smile in Keira’s direction.
Keira let go of the ladle and rested her hands on her hips for a moment. Knots were forming in her back, and she twisted around, trying to loosen them. It would take all day to finish the preserving, and she was already starting to ache. She glanced at the door, wishing she could leave her responsibilities behind as Anna so carelessly did, before taking the ladle once more and stirring the bubbling contents.
The hot weather had still not broken when, a week later, Keira headed out of the house with a basket over her arm, heavy with jars of preserves. They were a gift for Dame Lamb, an elderly, but sprightly widow who lived at the other end of the village. Keira couldn’t remember her husband, he’d died so long ago, but she had many fond memories of the old lady. As a child, Keira had sat at her feet as she pedaled the spindle, listening in delight as she told her tales of days gone by, when fairies and brownies still showed themselves to the humans of the world. Keira had listened in fascination, eager to know more about the magical little creatures. If only she had wings like a fairy, she could explore the whole world! When she’d told Dame Lamb, she’d shaken her head.
“There are other things out there, my dear,” she said. “Other creatures that aren’t so friendly and kind. Monsters that are cruel and vicious. Best to stay close to home.” Keira disagreed. One day, she told herself, she’d see what lay beyond the mountains.
“Mistress Keira!”
Keira looked around in surprise, jolted from her musings. She smiled when she saw Aaron Drake. “Milord.”
“Milord is very formal,” he said. “I think we’re well enough acquainted for you to call me Aaron. Where are you headed?”
“I’m taking these to Dame Lamb,” she said, lifting the cover off the basket to show him the contents. “She lives at the other end of the village.”
“Really! What a coincidence. I happen to be headed that direction too,” Aaron said. “Perhaps we can walk together.”
Keira lifted her eyebrows but remained silent, accepting his company as she walked.
“Have you seen your dragon lately?” he asked.
She laughed. “He’s my dragon now, is he?”
“I’ve noticed how you watch it whenever it passes over the village,” he said. “I think you’re quite taken with the creature.”
“He is rather handsome.”
“Handsome? A dragon! Are you sure you aren’t befuddled?” Keira laughed as he continued. “Although, if this dragon has a penchant for beautiful damsels, I’m sure you’re at the top of his list.”
Keira blushed. “Milord!” she said. “You are being very …”
“Forward?” he finished with a grin.
“Absolutely,” she said.
Aaron watched her for a few moments. “You haven’t answered my question,” he said.
“What question?”
“Have you seen the dragon much?”
“Actually, I saw him this morning. It used to be that we never saw it, but lately …” Her voice tailed off. “Some villagers are waiting for young maidens to start disappearing.” Keira looked at the sky as she spoke, her eyes scanning the horizon as they walked through the village. There was no sign of the dragon, however, and she turned her gaze back to Aaron, startled to see him watching her with an unfathomable expression. The expression quickly smoothed away, and he gave a light laugh.
“I think there is only one beautiful maiden the dragon may be tempted to abduct and hide in its lair,” he said. “I think you should take great care in future to hide away whenever that foul monster comes near, otherwise you could well be his first victim.”
The color rose in Keira’s cheeks, and she glanced away to hide her blush.
“What do you think its lair looks like?” Aaron continued in a low voice. “Is it dark and malodorous? Perhaps there are bones from its victims lying everywhere. And surely it is smoky, too – the walls are probably black from the hellish fire that emanates from the beast with every breath. And gold, we mustn’t forget the gold! I imagine that there are treasures piled everywhere, because everyone knows that dragons hoard wealth.”
Keira laughed. “Aren’t the dragon’s caves below Storbrook Castle? Surely you must have explored them by now?”
Aaron shuddered. “Sweet Keira, do you honestly think I should risk my life hunting for a dragon and its lair? You might think the dragon is harmless, but I’d prefer not to become the fiend’s next meal. Of course, if the creature abducts you, I’ll feel honor-bound to try and rescue you, despite having warned you of the dangers of the monster.” Aaron looked at her with eyebrows raised quizzically, a grin tugging at his mouth. “I hope you will feel some small remorse at my early demise?”
“Why, milord,” she said. “Do you mean to tell me that the simple villager who killed the last dragon would best you in courage if it comes to a battle against this one?”
Something flashed in Aaron’s eyes, but it was gone in a moment.
“Alas, I fear the answer is yes.”
“Well,” she said, “I don’t believe you have any reason to fear. As I’ve said before, this dragon does not seem interested in harming anyone, so perhaps he will spare your life when you stumble across his lair one day.”
“I’m very relieved to hear it,” he said, the twinkle in his eye belying his grave expression.
Keira smiled in amusement. “Doesn’t Drake mean dragon, milord?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid it does,” he said. “One of my ancestors had the temerity to possess a nature as fierce and mean as a dragon. His friends called him Drake and the name stuck. I would have much preferred it if he could have been known as Drake-Slayer. It has a far better ring, do you not agree?”
Keira shook her head. “Don’t fancy yourself as Drake-Slayer anytime soon. I rather like our dragon. In fact, I think I feel a bit sorry for him.”
“You do? How can such a dreadful beast evoke the pity of such a lovely young maid?”
“Well, he must
be rather lonely,” she said. “Imagine living all by yourself in the mountains with no-one to keep you company. And every time you come near a village in an effort to make friends, everyone runs away, screaming in fright!”
“What makes you think the creature is coming in search of friends?” asked Aaron in amusement.
“Since he hasn’t taken anyone from the village,” she said, “I think we can rule out hunger as his reason for frequenting the area. So that must mean he’s looking for companionship,” she concluded with a satisfied air of certainty; but when Aaron laughed, she flushed in embarrassment. “You’re laughing at me,” she said sheepishly.
Aaron hastened to reassure her. “No, no,” he said. “I’m not laughing at you. You’ve such a kind heart and a wonderful imagination. I was just wondering how a dragon would try to make friends with a screaming maiden.”
Keira grinned in response. “With a bouquet of burning branches, of course,” she said. She glanced around to see that they had reached the other end of the village.
“This is the home of Dame Lamb,” she said, stopping in front of a small, wood-framed cottage, its bright whitewashed walls contrasting with weather-darkened timber beams. Bright blooms, wilting in the sun, clung to the wall, and the front stair was swept clean. “Thank you for your company, and good day.”
“Good day, Keira,” Aaron said, extending his leg neatly as he swept off his hat and delivered a courtly bow. Keira dropped a shallow curtsey in response, but before she turned away, Aaron caught her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. His lips brushed against her knuckles, and a tingle ran down the length of her spine. “I look forward to our next encounter, beautiful damsel.” He dropped her fingers and turned away, leaving Keira staring after him in bemusement.