Theo awoke, much like the time on the bank of Iron Creek, when all her problems were launched at full force. She felt her mouth was fastened shut. Her legs, wings, and tail were likewise bound, restraining her movement.
She opened her eyes sharply, glowering around at the people spread about her. All were men, conversing in groups, paying her no attention. It was the same place where she’d been trapped. Apparently they had failed to drag her elsewhere.
Angrily, she twisted in attempt to free herself and the men noticed her moving.
They watched her apprehensively at their distance. Despite her restraints, she managed to stand at a delicate balance. Her shoulder wound was surprisingly well mended. Sewn shut, she suspected. Still, a large amount of old blood stained the ground at her feet and she felt weaker without it.
“The brute awakens!” Theo heard a familiar voice shout. She snapped her head around to see her brother, Chadwick.
He stood boldly upright, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Tyrone stood at his side. Chadwick strode forth until he was intimidatingly close to her. Immediately, Tyrone stepped up as well.
Theo gave a deep growl and Chadwick glanced at Tyrone. But, seeing that Tyrone was undeterred by her warning, he advanced even closer.
“I require your services, beast,” he snarled. “The land beyond the mountain range is foreign to us, but I believe you know it quite well.” He paused, glaring at her and she tried to show no response.
“You will do as I say, with no resistance,” he continued. “You will do this because it was I who slew the mighty Zeus, and he was much larger than you. Do not try to outwit me, for at all times, Tyrone here will be watching you, and he knows you dragons from the inside, out.”
Theo shifted her eyes over to Tyrone. Even if she wanted to speak, she found that she could not. While the muzzle kept her from biting or breathing fire, it also kept her from being able to talk, making her involuntarily speechless.
“Now,” Chadwick breathed maliciously, hooking her by the head so that she was forced into eye contact. “Surely you know what it is I want.”
Never before had Theo seen her brother so fierce. Pure hatred pierced through from the depths of his eyes, almost blindingly, and she tried desperately to pull away.
“So you do fear me,” Chadwick stated with satisfaction. “Tell me…has your captive been telling you of how I will come for her? Has she been shadowing your minds with promises that I will come, mercilessly striking each of you down, one after the other, until I get to her?” Theo kept her eyes diverted, dreading the wild look in his. He leaned in closer to her than ever and whispered with certainty in her ear, “Because she’s damn right I will.”
He doesn’t understand! Theo panicked. I have to tell him!
She fought the muzzle, trying with all the strength of her jaw to open her mouth and speak, but it was no use. The leather held fast and Chadwick straightened with cruel amusement scrawled across his face.
. . .
Theo was forced to trudge with Chadwick’s army. She was heavily guarded, men forming a full circle that encompassed her. She dragged her heavy feet, still weary from the loss of blood. To make matters worse, Chadwick had decided to bring the castle’s hunting pack of monigons along.
They surrounded her, getting in her way, running alongside her, nipping at her heels. They slowed her down ever more so, and Theo feared she’d burn out before anything else happened. She couldn’t run aground with Chadwick controlling her. Her brother was never merciful to those he deemed his enemies.
They were directing her around the mountain range to pass through the Narrow Valley, but at their slow pace, Theo knew it would take them days to get there. For once, Theo was actually hoping to see Wycker, and soon.
Their day’s trek ended at dusk. Tents were set up, horses were secured, and Theo’s guards prepared to take their shifts.
Exhaustedly, Theo collapsed to the ground, ignoring the discomfort of her bindings.
As the sky bid farewell to the sun, sleep came to relieve Theo of her torment.
. . .
“Get up!”
“She’s not responding. Tyrone, get her up!”
Theo, half asleep with eyes still closed, felt something small land on the crown of her head. She shook herself, but the critter clung to her relentlessly.
“River?”
The familiar voice triggered Theo’s memories and her eyes flew open. Her vision focused in on Tyrone, crouching in front of her, waiting for her to recollect herself.
“It’s time to keep moving,” he said softly.
Theo whimpered, closing her eyes again as though in hopes that they’d all disappear.
“River, please.”
Theo exhaled laboriously, sore as she pulling her muscles and bones together to stand. Ivory flew off her head, which Theo hung languidly, for she found no reason worth lifting it.
The troop began its slow march afresh. This time, the hunting monigons tired quickly of tormenting Theo and raced to cause mischief elsewhere.
She always felt that she was being watched, but it was no matter. She wasn’t going anywhere but onward at that slow, slow rate.
. . .
Every day was the same, nothing but endless, strenuous treading for as long as the sun was up. Despite the tiresome march, her prior meal seemed to be sustaining her well. Much like her first days in dragon territory, she lost count of each sunrise and sunset. All was a drag. All, except for the times Tyrone came at night to take his watch.
If she looked at him, he would meet her eyes. His expression was so genuinely apologetic that just that silent eye contact served as comfort to her. It reassured her that someone still seemed to care even when, and especially when, she herself doubted her worth.
She never stopped worrying about what would happen when they reached the dragon’s territory.
Am I leading my brother and his army to their deaths? she questioned herself. Then, reminded of the terrible drought, she thought, With the dragons already weakened, maybe Chadwick does have the power to defeat them…And what could I do to stop him?
It tore her apart, caring for two opposite forces of a war.
But while her legs nearly buckled in fear of what was to come, Tyrone was always there. She wondered how a single gaze could speak to her so strongly. Consistently, it told her, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please believe I feel your pain.
Chapter 28