The Dragon Cager

For the passionate adventurers and true livers of life.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

Epilogue

The Dragon Cager

Lilian Oake

CHAPTER 1

SNOW PILED AND MUDDIED around Evie’s feet as she was dragged from her hometown of Lekos, into the town of Lamfry. Pains ached down her arms and legs from the force of the angry villagers, yet no bruises formed. Their hands, blackened from dirt and filth, gripped her thins arms and frail wrists, like a hunter ready to break the neck of a hare.

Such treatment was fitting for a criminal; but Evie was innocent.

The white walls of the Town Hall rose above the torch-lit streets. It was the only way Evie could gauge her direction, as the heads of villagers bobbed in and out of her line of sight.

What is the meaning of this? The voice of governor Henry Lebeu rose over the protesters as they neared the building. His voice was a boon in the midnight hours.

We caught this woman red-handed in the act of harlotry, one of the men dragging her called out.

That’s a lie! Evie spat, tripping over her skirt. A slap to the face rose needle-pricks on her cheek.

You will speak when spoken to! The man hissed.

Calm yourself, Rodbey, the governor pled as he squinted over his glasses and studied the girl. Her dress—hemmed in three inches of mud—was a sight to see from the girl who typically over-worried about the way she presented herself. Evangeline? Evangeline Geste?

Yes, she replied, looking up with gray eyes, then recoiled at Rodbey’s raised hand.

Rodbey! Refrain from harming this woman, the governor ordered, flicking his gaze between her and the man. She is a maidservant in my home; a reputable woman.

Reputable? Rodbey scoffed. Her being a maidservant in your home condemns her all the more. A jewelry box from your home was found in her possession just as we caught her in her disgrace.

Abigail’s missing jewelry box? Governor Lebeu frowned. The jewelry box my daughter has been crying about? There must be an explanation. Evie would not steal. She’s been a trustworthy and hardworking servant for three years now.

Thank you, sir, Evie called to him. Hope rose within her. She worked in the governor’s home since the age of fifteen and he knew her better than most. He was sometimes like a second father to her.

Evie, Governor Lebeu started, tell me what happened.

With a scorching glare to Rodbey, Evie raised her chin with confidence. She was innocent, after all. I was at home after a day’s work at your home, Sir. As my mother and brother, Andrew, have been trading in the outskirts and return only tomorrow night, I was alone by the fire when a sound came from the kitchen. I went to find the source and instead found Aurthur in my home.

Aurthur? Governor Lebeu replied, his eyes nervously darting between the villagers’ gazes. "My son?"

Yes, my lord. I am unsure whether you knew of our— Evie paused as blood rushed to her cheeks and warmed her ears. "Our relationship."

The Governor’s jaw tensed and his fingers curled into a fist. Relationship? Between you and my son?

Evie nodded, searching his face for what he might be feeling, hoping it would not be anger. His son was rather important to the town, and had been a true gentleman to Evie in the past. If his feelings toward her were sincere, it would be a match to be coveted by all the other townswomen. Aurthur was a fine man.

But where is he now? Evie wondered.

And how long has this affair been in play? The governor asked with an added bite to his tone that made Evie’s stomach sink.

She bit her lip, thinking on the first time Aurthur’s lips touched hers. Roughly three weeks, she replied. She could not bring herself to look the governor in the face.

And did he bed you? He asked, curtly.

Evie’s gaze shot up, eyes wide and face scalding. How could he ask such a thing in the face of the entire village? Sir, she started, passing her gaze over the crowd.

Rodbey squeezed her arm, eliciting a cry from her. Answer the damn question!

Yes, she cried in pain, recoiling from Rodbey. Please! You’re hurting me!

Murmurs swirled through the crowd until a voice rose above it saying, She’s lying.

Evie turned to find the blonde, handsome son of the governor, Aurthur, leaning casually against a light post. He changed his clothes in the time it took her to be brought before the Town Hall. His hair was slicked back, and his boots looked freshly shined in the torchlight. It was almost as if he knew what was going to happen. It was as if he were prepared. Aurthur, she cried. Please, tell them.

I apologize for demeaning you in such a public manner, Miss Evangeline, Aurthur softly replied. His eyes were black shimmers in the shade of his lashes as he went on, calm and composed. But the truth must be told in its entirety, and I cannot let you drag me down into your filth. I have a reputation to maintain.

Evie’s lips opened, yet no sound left them. Even his tone of voice was different.

It seems Miss Geste is twisting the story to hide her criminal tendency, he went on. Aurthur pushed off from the pole and made his way to the crowd. There was an air of smugness to his stride. The gentleman she had come to know these past weeks was nowhere to be found.

I was suspicious of Miss Evangeline when I first caught her in my dear sister Abigail’s bedroom, rummaging through her closet, Aurthur continued. When young Abby informed me of her missing jewelry box, I felt obligated to confront the maid servants. Miss Faire, our other maid, had an alibi, so Miss Evangeline was the next suspect. I went to visit her, hoping to work things out in the privacy of her home so as not to humiliate her with a public scene— he flicked her a sidelong glance before finishing his thought. —such as this. When I arrived and asked her about the jewelry box, she tried to seduce me.

Evie’s blood turned cold. That’s a lie! Aurthur, why would you say such a thing?

When I denied her, he went on, ignoring her pleas, she offered a glass of wine, which was clearly polluted, as I was rendered near unconscious within moments. When I came to, Miss Evie already had her way with me. I managed to regain control of the situation when the neighbors hurried in to see what all the fuss was about.

By God! Nausea crept up Evie’s throat at the lies he spoke. Evie cried, twisting in Rodbey’s grasp. That is a ridiculous, corrupt lie! Aurthur, please don’t do this! You told me you love me! You promised yourself to me! Shame riddled her self-control and her voice trembled.

Please, Miss Evangeline, Aurthur said, holding up his hands as if he were the innocent one. Don’t prolong this ridiculous display. Why would I try to have you when I am engaged to be married to the lovely Lady Rebekah Savill?

If ever words could be likened to an arrow in the heart, now was that moment. Evie shook her head in disbelief. Engaged to Rebekah? The brunette, blue-eyed daughter of the banker was a good friend of Evie’s since they were but eight years old.

Aurthur, is it true? The governor cut in. You’ve asked for Rebekah’s hand?

Aurthur nodded, his chest puffing with sudden pride. It took place two nights past. We were going to announce it at the Winter Ball this month, but you can see how this change in events warrants early divulgence. Aurthur’s gaze bounced between Evie’s and his father’s.

Two days? Aurthur was in Evie’s bed all that time.

The crowd buzzed, unsure of which story to accept as truth and the realization terrified Evie. Being discovered on the living room sofa with Aurthur, youthful and unmarried, Evie would be tainted with the name of harlot. No man of title would ever take her now.

Evie’s knees weakened as questions of how a maidservant could think a noble gentleman would settle for such a commoner floated among the villagers. The lie being told by their beloved governor’s son was not in the least questioned.

Evie glanced left and right, desperately searching for a friendly face in the crowd, but none were to be found. In fact, Evie realized she didn’t recognize anyone surrounding her now. It was as if she were in a stranger’s town!

The chill in the air suddenly felt colder and a shadow seemed to pass through the faces of everyone present, as if a spirit were there, whispering blasphemous things in the ears of everyone.

Do we have any witnesses in the matter concerning Evangeline? Governor Lebeu asked.

Evie followed the Governor’s gaze to find an elderly couple from down the road from her home, Mr. Gomfrey and his missus. Mr. Gomfrey’s hand shook as he put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Missus Gomfrey cast her face to the ground when Evie met her eyes. She was pale and clearly fearful. The Gomfrey’s had to have been threatened or bribed to stand down during this harassment. They had known her since birth.

Yes, Sir? The Governor called. What did you see?

Jules Gomfrey reluctantly stepped forward, wringing his cap in his old, crooked hand. I, uh, heard a ruckus as I walked by the house. Madam Geste asked me to look after their things until she and her son returned, so I went to make sure everything was alright. His eyes met fleetingly with Evie’s before he looked back the ground. I, uh, heard some things clattering and banging about. I knocked, but no one answered, so I opened the door and found her— The elderly man froze, tossing a glance to Rodbey who glared daggers in his direction. I found her with Aurthur—

That’s enough, the Governor cut in. He looked to Evie with dark eyes. "What I understand is that you, Geste, he spoke her name with such disdain, are lying to cover up the fact that you are whoring yourself to fine men."

Evie shook her head briskly with a gasp. Sir! I beg of you! No! It’s not true!

Another slap to the face from Rodbey had Evie reeling between anger and frustration. Shut your hole, harlot! The whole town knows Aurthur better than that. But who knows you? You with your strange, pale eyes. For all we know, you could be a witch!

That’s right! She bewitched Aurthur! a villager shouted

Witch! the crowd called. Whore!

No, Evie cried. I’m not a witch! Please, Sir Lebeu, I don’t know why your son is doing this to me, but it isn’t true! You know me better than that!

It is not my place to discern between truth and lies. We have enough evidence here for the night. The Governor looked to his son and shook his head, though clearly hid the smile that pulled at his lips. It seems congratulations are in order for one man. As for you, Miss Evangeline, you are to be bound until sunrise when you will be judged for theft and possible harlotry.

What? Evie said. What evidence do you have against me? Your son’s word?

We have your neighbor’s, Gomfrey’s, and the jewelry box was in your home.

Likely because your son brought it there when he came to be with me!

Lebeu’s eyes darted through the crowd, embarrassed. "You are accusing my son of coming to be with you, a poor house maiden?"

Questions twisted and turned in Evie’s belly.

Accusations will be made in the morning when you are on trial, Lebeu went on. Now I have a call to make to the Honorable Judge Prowly for assistance in this case. That seemed to be the final word as Governor Lebeu gestured to his son, turned, and made his way back into the Town Hall.

Please, sir! Evie called after him. Rodbey's face was suddenly mere inches from hers. Her arm tingled with lack of blood circulation from his iron grip.

You don’t learn, do you, Geste? Rodbey hissed. Wait ’til your parents hear of your ungodly tendencies, as I’m sure they haven’t the slightest idea. Thieving, attacking, and whoring about—all work of the devil. You’ll be exiled by dawn if not sentenced to a stoning. Our town doesn’t need people like you tainting our name.

The walk to the town jailhouse was a blur. Evie’s arms pulsed in pain as Rodbey threw her into a cell, where she remained sprawled on the floor with her cheek against the cold stone foundation. Her honey-hued locks came loose from her bun and sprayed over her bruised body.

Time passed until her hand tingled beneath her, urging her to get up. With shaky arms, she pushed off from the ground and rocked herself onto her bottom. She searched the dark cell for any surface more comfortable than the floor, and when her eyes set on a straw bed, she let out a subtle sigh. She dropped heavily on the pallet, reawakening forgotten aches. A creak came from the door and Evie raised her head, looking towards the origin of the sound. There was a wooden desk in the middle of the room, outside the bars. The exit was to the right, hidden in shadow.

Hello? Evie said to the darkness. For a moment, no one replied and Evie fought tears that threatened to spill upon her cheeks. How were such terrible things happening to her? How could she be thrown into a cold cellar on a winter’s night after simple conjecture? Such a thing was unheard of.

Evie could imagine what her mother would say in this situation. She would tell her to keep her hopes high and her shoulders square. She would assure her that all would turn out well in the end, but until then, she had to be strong.

The tears Evie tried holding back streamed down her cheeks at the thought of her mother and Andrew returning home tomorrow night. She would do as she was taught—she would be strong and stubborn until the truth was known.

Evie turned her focus to getting comfortable. It was all she could do in the situation. Staring up at the moon through the steel bars, high within the cellar wall, Evie called on a memory of fire and a hearth, and as if at her command, a radiating warmth enveloped her. She could almost hear her father’s voice telling tales of dragons and fire. His stories were exciting and full of magic and adventure. But now he was dead. Evie never understood why, after the fever took him, her mother purged all talk of cagers and magic from their home. Any story of cagers turned dark and terrible.

Comfortable? a voice spoke from the darkness.

Evie tensed, immediately recognizing the voice. She quickly rose to her feet and faced the door.

I don’t know what you’re doing, Aurthur, she said, but please put an end to it.

Aurthur stepped out of the darkness and into a stream of moonlight shining through the window. His blonde hair—silver in the light of the moon—draped down to his shoulders. He pushed a few strands from his eyes and a smile flirted at the corners of his mouth.

Poor little poor girl, Aurthur said. So sweet. So soft. So quick to fall for love.

Evie’s stomach soured. It was all a ruse, then? You never loved me. You lied to me like you lied to your father.

Much like with everything else in this town, my father is clueless.

Evie ground her teeth. "But why? I don’t understand. She stepped forward and gripped the cold metal bars. In what could my suffering aid you? I've nothing to offer and neither do my parents."

Aurthur shook his head and stepped toward the bars. His brow was furrowed and his lips were pressed in a thin line, as if resisting an urge to divulge some bit of information. You have no idea, do you? he said. His gaze trailed over Evie, from her head to her feet, then set on her eyes. It’s better that way, I suppose. Though, even if I had the time to explain it, you wouldn’t understand now. You’ve been deceived—by your own blood. With that, Aurthur tossed the keys into the air and caught them before leaving them on the table and making his way for the door. "Evangeline, my lady, accept your fate as what it is. Fighting it will only shame you more."

You’re mad, she said, realizing she’d receive no helpful reply. You put innocent people through so much. She threw her hands into the air, her voice rising. So what exactly is in store for me? A stoning? The gallows? The stake?

It is not my place to condemn one to die, though I cannot promise it will not come to that eventually.

"But to humiliation—to that, you happily condemn the innocent! How dare you! How dare you!"

Aurthur turned and humor sparked behind his lips at her anger. Exile, Miss Evangeline. That is what you will be sentenced to. What comes after that, I am not at liberty to share.

At the mention of exile, Evie’s heart raced and her skin prickled in sudden chilled fear. Her mouth turned dry and her hands trembled. The thought of exile had never crossed her mind. Creatures that killed travelers wandered outside the walls of the town, leaving nothing more than mangled remains. Wild dogs the size of grizzly bears, vultures that did not wait for their victim to die, and worst of all, cagers—dragon-men.

I don’t understand, Evie said. "‘After that?’ What exactly have you planned? Because whatever it is, you will not see it happen. Exile will kill me, Aurthur. There is no ‘after that.’ Her voice quivered. Cagers wander the lands beyond the wall."

Aurthur did not respond and Evie fell silent. Being eaten alive was the worst possible way to die, especially if you were unlucky enough to face a cager, a half-dragon, humanlike creature. Cagers were known to travel by roads just as any normal person would. They would abduct travelers and eat their victim, bite by bite and limb by limb.

I’d ask you for a goodbye kiss, Evie, Aurthur continued with a laugh, but I’m afraid that would be too bold of me; such an inappropriate gesture for a groom-to-be. Good luck, my lady. I shall see you off in the morning.

When Evie heard the distancing click of his boots and the door close behind him, she dropped onto the bed, her face in her hands, and curled up for warmth.

CHAPTER 2

NIGHT FADED TO DAY, though shadows lingered from rain clouds. Sleep evaded Evie for most of the hours spent alone in the prison cell, questions abounding in her mind, birthing curiosity as to where her family and friends were. Her mother would surely notice her daughter’s disappearance and come for her, though doubt remained as to whether or not the governor would allow her visitors.

A bitter ghost escaped from Evie’s lips with every breath as she lay there in the cell. She’d hardly had the time to grab shoes or a shawl when angry villagers dragged her out of her home. Warmth was only a dream. Tiny bumps rose all over her shuddering body, likely pale and purple as a corpse, through the long hours.

There had been no sign, no warning of what was to come. Most of the day had been spent working in the governor’s home, as usual. She had seen Aurthur only once that morning before he came to her home that evening. Evie wondered if he had his plan worked out in his mind by then, or if he made things up in the moment he realized he’d been caught with a commoner. There was a plotted air to the situation that Evie could not ignore.

Evie opened her eyes when voices called through the town courtyard in front of the hall.

She rose onto the tips of her toes, the orange glow of sunrise just peeking over the horizon. Through the barred window, the townspeople were waking for the day. Evie’s muscles objected to every move she made, reminding her of how badly abused her body had been.

Violence was not normally tolerated, especially between a man and woman. But everything changed when lies were disguised as truth and people were misunderstanding everything, angry, and quick to act.

Geste? a husky voice called out as a key jingled in the door. Evie stepped down from the bed and stood tall. She would not have any townsperson see her look as pitiful as she felt. The door opened and she stared the old man in the eyes, trying to seem as bold as possible.

The judge came in this early morn. He's waiting for you, he said. His voice was loud, ricocheting off the dew-dampened walls.

She quietly followed him out into the courtyard where she met a large crowd waiting beside an elevated platform on which the judge and governor stood. The platform was the same they would raise when a town event, like a ball or special market, was at work. How ironic that she would be judged upon the same platform that brought on memories of parties and evenings of dance. Beside the governor, standing straight and proper in an expensive suit and top hat, stood Aurthur Lebeu.

There were no words to express how Evie felt at that moment, looking upon the man she loved. Her heart hurt for all of the nights spent in each other’s embrace. She truly grew to believe that he loved her and would cherish her the way she cherished him. How could a man put on such a convincing charm, only to twist into an abhorrent monster the next moment?

The old man shoved Evie into a red circle that marked her place before the judge. That was where fathers would stand when introducing their daughters to society. After her own father’s death, she never thought she would find herself there.

Murmurs rose above the crowd, one to another, about her tattered dress as she stood before them. Is that what really mattered to these people, as the fate of a young woman was about to be decided? How heartless could they be?

The judge presiding over the trial stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Judge Prowly from the district of Rewall in Lincolnshire, called here to uncover the truth behind the alleged attack last night.

The Lamfry townspeople all looked ready to toss Evie to the wolves. She searched for a familiar face and to her surprise, found a number of people from her village: the Dorners, farmers from up the road; the Garnerbaums, whose son turned into the village drunkard after losing the love of his life to the Franforts’ son, whose parents also stood in the crowd. A blind man stood beside them, his eyes covered with a shredded black rag and a lizard-type creature on his shoulder. The world just seemed to get darker for Evie.

Even the blind came to hear my sentencing.

The charges are harlotry, theft and battery, the judge continued, all of which have serious consequences.

Battery? Evie scoffed, perking to attention at the word.

The defendant claims Aurthur Lebeu entered her home with intention of bed— The judge broke off when a boy broke from the crowd and handed him an envelope. Judge Prowly looked to Governor Lebeu before turning to the enclosed letter. His face suddenly brightened, and his jaw set. Something illuminated in his eyes and he cleared his throat.

If I may have your attention, he called, silencing the rumbling murmur of the crowd. It seems there has been a vote concerning Miss Geste’s situation.

Evie’s mouth fell open at the announcement. A vote?

It seems we have more witnesses coming forward, condemning Miss Geste for theft. While a third of the people of Lamfry and Lekos find death a suitable consequence, the rest of those who voted request exile.

Sir? Evie interrupted. There are no grounds for a vote. I haven’t had my trial yet.

I understand you were brought before the Town Hall last night, Miss Geste. The whole of the town was there and found enough evidence to prove your guilt, Prowly replied. Now, if you will please allow me to fini—

No! She turned her eyes to the governor. "Governor Lebeu, you said accusations would be made at my trial. I demand a fair trial, as any other townsperson would have. There is no evidence against me. Half the town was, in fact, not present, or else you