Camilla ignored him as if only Robin and she existed on the mountainside. She said, “The dragons did that so the army didn’t know about me, or find me, didn’t they?”
Robin shrugged.
“Didn’t they?” Camilla persisted.
“I don’t think so, but who knows what and why dragons do anything? I think they simply didn’t know about you because you were born after the chase began.”
“You?” Brix asked, his voice a whisper full of awe. “Dragon Clan?”
“Be quiet,” Robin snapped. “Camilla, I’m going to ask you again, like I did at my home. Can you feel dragons?”
Brix’s head snapped from one to the other as they spoke, so fast he looked like he might hurt himself, but he said nothing, although he seemed to have a hard time keeping his mouth closed.
Camilla said, “When a red dragon flies near me, I feel itches and tickles on by back. During the attack of the soldiers, I felt pain and anger.”
“I thought so,” Robin said.
“Only red ones. I can’t feel green or black. But when the soldiers on the road were attacked it hurt so badly I cried. My back felt like fire. I almost screamed, but then it was gone. I didn’t tell the dragon to attack. I didn’t call it down, I swear.”
Robin placed a hand on Brix’s shoulder. “You must never speak of these things to others. It would cost you your life.”
Brix looked at Camilla with wonder. He said, “Camilla? You’re a girl?”
Robin threw her head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Camilla demanded.
“The boy hears you have a writhing red dragon on your back, and you can call on dragons to destroy entire cities, and all he’s concerned about is that you’re a girl.”
They both laughed, while Brix sat alone, between the two of them.
“Can I see it?” Brix finally asked.
Camilla looked to Robin for permission. When she saw the slight nod, she turned her back to Brix and pulled up her shirt.
Brix said, “Turn your back more to the fire. Did someone draw that on you?”
“I was born with it.”
“It’s amazing. Can I see the head?”
She lifted the shirt higher. He half stood to see her shoulder. Then he sat. “Ugly!”
“Fierce,” Camilla corrected.
Brix continued, “I still don’t see why we’re crossing these mountains.”
Robin said, “I believe someone in Nettleton saw her birthmark. She may have been swimming or bathing, or changing shirts for all I know. But, somehow they found out. The crown pays handsome rewards for information on any Dragon Clan. Someone saw it and sent word to the palace, probably to the sheriff. The two men who came to the inn and were recognized. The King’s own Weapons Master and his Slave Master. They were searching for any wildling boy about twelve years old. We have to get Camilla far from here, and them.”
“Wildling boy?” Brix asked.
“Remember that even you believed Camilla was a boy, so it was a natural mistake. But one of those two men was leading the attack on Camilla’s family when they were all murdered. The King ordered everyone in that camp killed, but that man carried out his wishes.”
“And they are after me? I guess I sort of know that, but what about you two?” Camilla asked.
Robin stirred the fire again as if using the time to delay her answer. “They will kill you. They need to believe we’re helping you to save Nettleton. If they report to King Ember that there was nobody to blame for your escape, they would have destroyed the entire village and burned it like your wagons. Every person in Nettleton would die to ensure they punished the right one. Since I ran, they will believe I am the only person who helped you, so the village is spared.”
“One of the two murdered my sisters, brothers, mother and father. I wonder if he feels the fear that he is near me. If he does not, he should,” Camilla said.
“What about me?” Brix asked.
“You traveled from Nettleton with her. There are people who saw you. Do you think they will not sniff that out? And do you think they will believe that you didn’t know Camilla is a girl? Or that she has the dragon mark?”
“But why kill? For a mark?” he asked.
Robin said, “I see your questions. Let me explain. King Ember’s father attacked the Dragon Clan because he was suspicious of their intent, and he was jealous of their powers. This was many years ago. He attempted to wipe them out, but when his father was set to attack the clan with all his armies, a dragon flew down from the sky and plucked the King from the ground and flew off with him. It circled and flew so high it was hard to see it. Then it let go of the King. He fell to the ground, but they say that before he even hit, his men were scattering and running away.”
“That should have ended the war,” Camilla said.
Robin shook her head. “It made his son become crowned a king. He’s been searching for every clan member he can find. Killing your family was only one of the slaughters of the clan. There were others, hushed and only whispered about. The King’s biggest fear is a dragon catching him in the open and flying off with him. There are rumors he has those dreams to this day.”
Camilla sat taller. “Do you think he fears red dragons? Like the one that touches me when it flies near me?”
“I don’t know.”
“He should,” Camilla said, her jaw set and her eyes flashing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Edward eased another step closer to the camp on the side of the mountain where three people lay sleeping beside the small fire. He’d waited until the moon set, which seemed like half the night, but the sky was clear and stars spread a million pinpoints of light to see by. Should I take out the old woman or the boys, first?
The knife felt awkward in his hand, but the blade was long and sharp enough to slash three throats before any fully awoke. The woman didn’t matter. She was a simple washerwoman. He’d come for the dragon boy. Since he didn’t know which of the two boys was his true target, both became targets. They lay sleeping side by side, a short step apart. He approached from the cover of the tree near the tops of their heads. A single slash might kill both. He would drop to one knee and sweep the knife left to right across their throats, and then back again. Cut each neck twice, to make sure.
He ignored the old woman for now. He’d contend with her after—hopefully within a few heartbeats. By the time she woke and realized something was wrong, he would be cutting her throat, too. Then he’d confirm the dragon mark on the boy. He didn’t plan further than that.
Another step closer. Sweat made him feel damp despite the chill, and his hand shook. One more step and he’d drop to his knee and slice with the knife in almost a single motion. He ran each part of the planned action through his mind until he knew precisely what to do. He took another careful step.
Pain erupted from below his knee. His left leg shot out from underneath him, leaving him precariously balanced on one foot. Then pain exploded from his other leg. Edward dropped, the knife flying from his fingers as he grabbed for his shins and howled, lying on his side.
The sleeping figures leaped to their feet, one holding a sturdy stick raised to strike him again.
“No,” He wailed, raising an arm to protect himself.
The old woman turned to look in the grass where he’d tossed the knife. She returned her gaze to meet his. Without any warning, she kicked him in the chest.
The boy held a staff raised high. He swung it down right after the kick. His chest was already hurt, and a crack sent waves of pain shooting up Edward’s arm. The pole had struck him on the point of his elbow, and besides the intense pain, his fingers failed to open or close. “Enough. I surrender.”