Vengeance Book3- Dragon Riders

Venegance

Book Three

Dragon Riders

RD LeCoeur

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Published in 2010

Copyright © Text R.D. Le Coeur.

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Published by RD Le Coeur

Look for me online at: www.rdlecoeur.net

Other books by this author:

The Spartacus Prophecy

New Shoes

Dragon's Heart

Vengeance (Book 1)

Vengeance(Book 2 Troubled Times)

Sunshine & Shadows

Vengeance Book 3. Dragon Riders.

Vengeance Book 3. Dragon Riders.

Chapter One

Ambassador Neerub, Wizard Zymandus, Captain Kristos and a small armed party of guards made swift progress through the verdant foothills back to Captain Kristos's vessel from the Dwarven mine. The path was well beaten now and they encountered no problems other than the heat and humidity of the region.

All three were glad to be welcomed by the beach party of sailors happily encamped under some palm trees from his brothers ship the Scorpion and were now enjoying a brief shore leave in the bright balmy sunshine.

It was a huge relief to the returning travellers not to be invisible this time around.

Kristos advised the Scorpion's crew that they would be here for some time yet as his brother was now charged with returning captain Questo and his men back to Tur upon completion of their task at the mine. He also gave them a copy of Zymandus's new chart of the coast south of Chyllah as he had promised his brother.

Captain Kristos and his party were then ferried back to the Dolphin and a fetching reunion with Neerub's betrothed, Gyanfrenkusmelchali, who theatrically bewailed the fact that she had missed him so much.

The sight of her ample breasts reminded Zymandus of the urgency of his self imposed mission to find his beloved, Sister Bridget, who had been reported missing journeying twixt Chyllah and Zyza.

Captain Kristos received an update on all matters pertaining to his vessel from his crew and was pleased to hear that all was in readiness for a speedy departure. He gave the order to set sail for Chyllah and settled back into his old routines with familial ease. Life ashore was fine in small doses but he loved the fresh briny wind in his face and the feel of his ship sliding through the ocean like a firm cock in a well oiled whore.

Ambassador Neerub was given no time to think about anything. His betrothed disrobed him almost upon arrival in their cabin and proceeded to drain the last drop of seed from his quivering body with unparalleled gusto. Exhausted he lay there reflecting on what a lucky man he was to have

Gyanfrenkusmelchali as his betrothed. The differences between her and his soon to be ex wife were chasmic. Not only was she the most complete expert in the bedchamber, she also had a sharp wit and inquisitive intellect. There were not any of these things that he could ever have accused his ex wife of being. She was a sluggard in the bedchamber, dim-witted, self absorbed and money grabbing. Why had he married her? he thought fleetingly and then reminded himself for the umpteenth time. For the money.

In his absence Gyanfrenkusmelchali had continued to complete her daily journal as she had promised sister Salvadora, her sponsor and sometime mentor. Her last memoir had been entrusted to sister Bridget, who she now knew from Neerub had disappeared on her way to Zyza. This worried her greatly. The memoir was private and contained sensitive information about their last trip and gave a full and creditable account of their secret mission which would have graced any intelligence network's library of information. Not only that, unbeknownst to her husband to be and her fellow intrepid explorers, she had stolen a skin of the Lake's invisible water for sister Bridget to take to the Luninary. She knew that knowledge of such a thing and its possible clandestine uses would be an invaluable addition to the Sisterhood's armoury.

She wondered who the sisterhood were sending to Chyllah to replace sister Bridget and prayed that she knew her. It was her intention to slip ashore whilst in harbour for the wizard to depart and bring whoever up to date and advise them of the risks to her if the information she had gleaned, was discovered.

Whilst she was confident that she could keep her man drained of energy most of the time, she was not sure how the wizard and captain Kristos would react if they found out her nefarious activities on behalf of the Sisterhood.

Then there was now the news of her betrothed's new mission to Abaddon to worry about. She was not at all fazed by the actual trip and was intrigued by the possibilities of visiting far off countries, especially as the consort of a well respected diplomat. No, it was the tidings that they would be accompanied by that temptress Syrena. It was she who had accompanied Neerub before to Abaddon and it was her that possibly unwittingly, forced the forthcoming divorce of Neerub.

The sister's in her opinion never did anything without a reason and although she could neither know for sure nor prove it, she felt confident that it all happened as part of some long term secret agenda.

It was particularly worrying for her as she had grown a tad fond of Neerub and there was a surge of jealousy when she thought that Syrena would take up her old 'flame' as a matter of right when the trip got under way.

Syrena was her senior within the sisterhood by a mile and she was convinced the more she thought about it that she could be ordered from his bed in favour of Syrena.

Jealousy was a funny feeling to Gyanfrenkusmelchali. It was not something she had ever experienced before and she wondered if it was normal? Unfortunately, as the only woman on this ship, there were no others to confide in and obtain sisterly advice. She decided in the end to make a note in her very own personal diary and ask a non sister whenever she could. In the meantime she would keep her own counsel and keep her betrothed entranced and drained with her undoubted skills.

The Dolphin pulled into Chyllah harbour after an effortless voyage back from the south thanks to the prevailing winds.

It was Captain Kristos's intention to stay here for only a few hours before departing again for Tur.

Whilst in port he would send a messenger bird to the king, Barpu the Great, warning of his ship's arrival in two days time so that arrangements could be finalised to transport ambassador Neerub as instructed with all haste to Abaddon.

Wizard Zymandus was in two minds upon arrival. Should he send a message the grand lodge of his intent to seek sister Bridget or not? In his mind he was sort of carrying out his mission to assist the sisterhood as instructed although the original mission had been to help in the south where the perceived danger was.

Now he wondered if it would be better coming direct from the sisterhood to the Grand council itself and not from him. In the end he decided to convince whichever sister was in charge to do him this small favour and then that would leave him free to pursue his love with an official blessing.

Ambassador Neerub wanted to use the small time available to visit his home to ensure that the bitch of a soon to be ex wife, had not managed to steal anything from his estate whilst he'd been away.

In truth he was disappointed in his king for not progressing the divorce more quickly and listening more kindly to his loyal Ambassador with respect to his pleas regarding his estate and chattels. Barpu could have speeded his divorce through with a wave of his hand, yet he chose to take his time and keep Neerub waiting.

Neerub was beginning to suspect that his wife's extremely rich family had been using their wealth to influence any outcome in favour of the family. He knew Barpu was eternally short of cash and would probably drain the family for as much as he could before making a stupid decision that would anger everybody except Barpu himself. For one born so high he was not the brightest pearl in the jewellery case and was given often to bouts of compulsive naivety and national financial suicide.

Neerub blamed the chamberlain and other 'old school' advisor's who had the king's ear and who could, unlike their liege, take one from one and end up at nought, rather than one which they then pocketed. He was also a little miffed that Gyanfrenkusmelchali would not be accompanying him on this swift trip home. She had convinced him of the urgency for her to visit with the sisterhood in Chyllah to let them know what was going on with her new itinerary.

Neerub could not deny her request, but felt certain that the clandestine sisterhood would know all about his orders and in his opinion probably had a hand in them somewhere back along the lines.

Zymandus and Gyanfrenkusmelchali visited the brothel owned and run by the sisterhood here in Chyllah. It was an unassuming stone built building from the front, that concealed many rooms and an absolutely huge well appointed cellar which housed the temple to Mother Luna and where also the treasury was kept.

It was only a short walk from the ship through the vibrant bazaar on this bright sunny day, and serenaded by the calls of many sea birds, they made their way quickly doing their best to avoid the vociferous stall holders who were keen to sell their wares to anyone who passed.

Zymandus had wanted to visit this bazaar the first time he was here, but was unable to do so. Today he was unable to do so again at present, but was hopeful of a thorough investigation for ancient scrolls and crystals upon his departure from the sister's premises.

As was customary in a sisterhood brothel they had first to pass examination before admission.

This was not complicated. You had to present yourself before a metal grille set in a stout door, be admitted to a tiny courtyard and searched for weapons. These were held on your behalf and returned to you when you left after payment was received in full. Gyanfrenkusmelchali noticed that the searches were more thorough than the last time she had visited and the whole place had a new air of efficiency about it.

They were shown through to the next room which was a large, airy and well appointed dark wood panelled waiting chamber. Here, once the business end of things was concluded with the duty sister, the paying guest could have the opportunity of selecting his or her partner for the forthcoming fornication.

The duty sister recognised Gyanfrenkusmelchali from her last visit and after exchanging pleasantries showed both her and Zymandus through to the lavishly appointed office at the rear of the building to meet with the new sister in charge, who she confided, was sent by the Luninary in person and was a stickler for security and efficiency. Accordingly they were both searched again by the duty sister before being permitted entry to the room.

You could have knocked Gyanfrenkusmelchali down with a feather when she saw the new sister in charge. It was her old friend and mentor, Sister Salvadora. They embraced only momentarily as sister Salvadora immediately insisted on knowing the identity of the wizard she had brought with her.

Zymandus for his part became nervous as this was the very sister that sister Bridget had warned would skin him alive if any misfortune should have befallen Gyanfrenkusmelchali whilst they journeyed south.

Zymandus attempted his own short stuttering introduction, and that was embellished in no small way by Gyanfrenkusmelchali, which embarrassed the wizard somewhat, but relieved his tension.

He enquired if sister Bridget had been found and if so, could he see her? Sister Salvadora told them both that she had only arrived the day before and was in the process of putting together a small expedition to retrace sister Bridget's tracks. Zymandus explained that he was here to help and also repeated his well rehearsed lie that it was his opinion that she could well have run into the magical creatures as they progressed south using the ancient ley lines.

Sister Salvadora, despite her experience had not factored this possibility into her reasoning and after a few moments thought welcomed his arrival as a blessing from Mother Luna. She also acquiesced to his request for her to advise the wizard's council of his new whereabouts and new mission. Zymandus felt triumphant that his convoluted fairy tale had passed muster and relaxed visibly. It was the first time he had the chance to examine Sister Salvadora in detail. Nerves had made his eyes avoid contact with hers upon meeting, but now as she was talking with Gyanfrenkusmelchali he could have a good look. What was it about these sisters he wondered? Were they all staggeringly good looking? They were certainly very different to the girls he saw around Tur. They were on average, slightly taller, lean and all seemed to favour wearing their beautiful hair long, well over the shoulder. But it wasn't just that, they all had a manner about them, a certain confidence and an outward appearance at least, of very feminine sexual serenity. Sister Salvadora was taller than Gyanfrenkusmelchali with sparkling green eyes. She was also, unusually muscular in the arms and had small but pert breasts. Upon reflection, thought Zymandus, although striking in appearance she was no match for Gyanfrenkusmelchali or his beloved sister Bridget. At the end of the day he had to admit he was just a tit man.

Zymandus was shaken from his daydreams by sister Salvadora asking if he would be ready to travel tomorrow. He replied that he still needed to find accommodation for this evening and supplies for the expedition. Sister Salvadora offered him a bed at the brothel and assured him that her trusted accomplice on this mission, a man called Arvad, was at this very moment hiring a few armed guards and securing tents and provisions for the journey. He noticed Gyenfrenkusmelchali's eyes open wide when she heard the name, Arvad and wondered who and what this man was, to be so close and trusted by the sisterhood.

Sister Salvadora suggested that the wizard brought his belongings to be safely stored here and take only what was absolutely necessary for him to function effectively on their trip. There were mountains and deserts to be crossed and weights were a problem, along with drinking water. Drinking water, she warned, both for the animals and themselves would have total priority over any chattels.

Zymandus left the brothel in a good mood along with a servant allocated to him by sister Salvadora.

The servant was to see to Zymandus's belongings and return them for safe keeping to the brothel before the ship left port.

At last, Gyanfrenkusmelchali was all alone with sister Salvadora, which she had been aching to be since they were first reunited.

Not THE Arvad? she asked incredulous.

The very same, my dear. The one who rescued you, before I rescued you from his very personal attentions.

Never!

How did you find him? Where did you find him? Why is he here helping?

It's a long story, but we do not have much time if you are to make the ship before she sails. I suggest you tell me all your news before I enlighten you.

Gyanfrenkusmelchali made a full report of all she knew and also her fears of discovery.

Sister Salvadora was both intrigued and mortified that the invisible water had disappeared. She also told Gyanfrenkusmelchali, after some reflection, what she now believed had happened to the missing water. In her opinion, and it was only a guess at the moment, it was probably used to assist in the assassination of general Lycullis in Abaddon somehow.

Gyanfrenkusmelchali was horrified at the thought.

Sister Salvadora was quiet for a moment before mentally rationalising that if that were the case, then in all probability sister Bridget was dead and their forthcoming expedition pointless.

However, no death