The Dragon Horn Read online

  “Ivan!” a man bellowed. The sound came from outside. At the second bellow, Ivan recognized Petor’s voice. He hurried to the nets and threw them over his shoulder.

  “I feel that I should give you something,” Yury said.

  “No, that isn’t important,” Karlo said. “However—”

  Ivan almost paused at the door to hear what the however meant. Petor bellowed a third time. Reluctantly, Ivan opened the door.

  “What we could do,” Sir Karlo said….

  Ivan saw that Petor saw him. He hesitated no longer, but hurried outside to see what he wanted. He decided that he could ask Yury later what Karlo had suggested. If it sounded suspicious enough, he’d tell Magda.

  -9-

  Petor wanted Ivan to help the woodcutters move some cordwood. “They’ve been busy all morning,” Petor said. “So you’ll probably be working for a while. Be sure to stop around noon and eat some lunch. Make sure the woodcutters sit down for lunch, too. And not outside in the snow but in the kitchen. Now hurry, they’re waiting for you.”

  Ivan hurried, first putting the bear-nets back in the kennel. When he saw the stack of wood that the two woodcutters had chopped, he groaned aloud.

  “Ready to work your back?” Feodor asked.

  “No,” said Ivan.

  Dimitri laughed. He never seemed able to understand that most people did not like hauling wood. To him it was like a hobby or a pleasure to see how great a stack of wood he could balance on his shoulders and bring to the woodpile. Feodor had long ago caught his father’s disease. Ivan never had.

  He almost wasn’t able to get the woodcutters inside the kitchen for lunch. He ended up by telling them that he’d get in trouble if they didn’t do as asked.

  “Oh. Well. Why didn’t you say so?” Dimitri said. “Of course, we’d be delighted to stop for lunch.” Both woodcutters grinned at each other as if some great joke had been told.

  Ivan detoured to the kennel. He told a napping Janek to feed the hounds for him today. As he stepped onto the walkway, which started at the blacksmith shed, he glimpsed a white dress with a silver-fox fur jacket. Nadia entered the Chestnut Grove. Ivan almost hailed her, even though she was quite distant. Then he wondered if he should rush up to peg her with a snowball. He shook his head. She looked too much like a princess for that. Then he saw a black-clad Sir Karlo step off the walkway at the side of the house. The Bavarian glanced both ways, but somehow seemed to miss Ivan. The knight hurried after Nadia.

  Ivan stopped. His mouth was dry. Surely, Nadia couldn’t be having a...a... What had Yury called it when a knight and a princess had a secret affair? He couldn’t remember the word. His eyes widened. Maybe Sir Karlo planned something worse than that. Although he feared the knight, Ivan rushed after them. Maybe I should get Stribog.

  There wasn’t time. Hardening his resolve, Ivan gripped his dagger-handle and charged into the Chestnut Grove. Their tracks led toward the bench Master Volok had built his wife ten years ago. Ivan hesitated. If this was a secret affair...might Sir Karlo thrash him for following? The Bavarian could easily explain something like that to Master Volok without losing the farmers’ help. The thought of it slowed Ivan’s step, which made him feel even more like a sneak.

  Then he heard Nadia giggle.

  All fear of Karlo vanished. That she could giggle over something horrid Sir Karlo said...it was too much. Ivan stepped in their footprints. The bench, which they most certainly must have walked to, faced away from the house. If they sat, he could probably approach without their noticing.

  Such proved to be true. Ivan jumped from the path and behind a big chestnut tree. Ten feet away stood the bench. Both Nadia and Karlo sat upon it. She had her hands in her lap, warmly bundled by a fur wrap. He gestured in grand sweeps and spoke how he had once ridden in a huge parade in Pavia for the duke’s coronation.

  “It was a fine sight,” Karlo said in a breathless way. “I’m sure you would have loved it, milady.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, milord.”

  Ivan scowled at the way Nadia said that.

  “Don’t let me make up your mind for you, milady,” Karlo said. “I am your servant, after all.”

  “Milord?”

  Karlo stood and bowed grandly. “Don’t you know that a knight can be captivated by a beautiful maiden?”

  “Oh, Sir Karlo. What sort of talk is this?”

  The knight grinned. With his pale features and silver hair, he looked lordly indeed. He pulled one of Nadia’s hands from her fur wrap, engulfing her fingers with his own.

  “Your skin is so delicate, milady. Like silk.”

  “Silk, milord?” Nadia asked mischievously.

  Gently, as Karlo bent one knee into the snow, he pulled her hand to his lips, which he brushed. “You’ve captivated me, milady. When first I saw you, my heart fluttered like a frightened doe’s. When you spoke at the moot, my admiration for you soared. ‘This,’ I told myself, ‘is a lady.’ Ah, beauty matched with poise and intelligence. Such a combination is rare.” He kissed the back of her hand again, but with more zeal. “My goal has always consumed me. Little else has gained my attention. Yet when I saw you, my plans became bitter ashes in my mouth. Here, in Belgorod Holding, I’ve found that which I’ve yearned to find my entire life.”

  “Sir Knight,” Nadia said, pulling her hand back. “Please. You cannot mean that.”

  “But I do,” Karlo said. He sat on the bench, closer to her than before. “I am a sprite, caught by your charms. I can do ought but what you desire.” He touched her elbow. “Yet I, a knight, still dare to dream. I dream of a castle with wide lands. And you, milady, are in the castle together with me.”

  Nadia turned away. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Karlo slid closer, putting his arm around her. “Say that you’ll fly away with me, milady. Say that you’ll be mine. Say that you won’t break my heart and leave me a bitter and broken man.”

  Nadia jumped up. “You tease me, milord. You think me a simple maiden lost at the edge of the world. You think that I’ll fall for the first handsome knight who speaks boldly, shamelessly.”

  Karlo went to one knee again. He cleared his throat. In a stunning voice, he began to sing a love sonnet.

  Ivan couldn’t believe it. He’d heard Yury tell stories about knights. But this! It was more than he’d expected. Karlo singing? The man had been ready to kill him less than two hours ago. Nadia, he saw, also looked stunned. Her hand covered her mouth as her eyes locked onto the singing knight.

  With a wild smile, Karlo stood abruptly. He held Nadia as he towered over her. “I love you. I’d give anything to have you.” He kissed her.

  For an instant, Nadia returned the kiss.

  Ivan seethed and felt weak all at once. He had to do something. He couldn’t let Nadia be swept away by this...this charmer.

  “What’s this?” shouted a crude-voiced man.

  A heavy hand clapped onto Ivan’s shoulder. Ivan saw both Karlo and Nadia glance up in alarm. Then Ivan found himself spun around to face a beetling-browed Perun. The thick-limbed man, although shorter, surely outweighed him by a good eighty pounds. Perun’s breath stank and his bloodshot eyes showed amused cruelty. His grip was painful.

  “A spy, eh?” Perun growled.

  “No!” Ivan said. “I—”

  Perun punched so Ivan doubled over, wheezing.

  “That’s what I do to spies!” Perun roared. One-handedly, he hurled Ivan against a tree. Ivan slammed against it and fell forward onto his hands and knees.

  “No,” Nadia said.

  Ivan retched.

  “No. Stop this,” Nadia said.

  Her voice did something to Ivan. Deep within a fierce rage broke out. He was being humiliated in front of Nadia. Karlo with his charms and stunning voice awed her. Bear-strong Perun made him look like a fool.

  “I saw him spying on you, milord,” Perun growled. “I thought I’d teach him some manners.”

  “Yes, yes,” Karlo said. “I un
derstand. He’s a lowborn lout.”

  Ivan couldn’t take any more. Yes, he ached from carrying all that wood. He could hardly breathe because of Perun’s foul shot to his gut. And his back hurt because of the tree. Yet rage drove those pains aside. He wasn’t going to be made to look stupid in front of Nadia. He shot to his feet.

  “Ivan?” Nadia said, sounding worried.

  Perun laughed. The hairy man with the dull face and bull-sized shoulders laughed. “Run to your dogs, trainer. Quit spying on your betters.”

  Ivan spat at the ground. Normally he obeyed the rules and his betters. One thing he couldn’t stand, though, was being hit.

  “Are you that stupid, trainer?”

  Ivan took two swift strides and punched Perun in the face. Blood spurted from the broad nose. The head minutely jerked back. The thick neck was strong, however. Perun’s bloodshot eyes blazed as his thick lips parted to reveal yellow teeth. Ivan swung again, scared now. Perun accepted the second blow as his black-nailed hands crushed into Ivan’s flesh. Pain shot from Ivan’s thigh and shoulder. He felt himself hefted off the earth.

  “No!” Nadia screamed.

  “Stop,” Karlo said.

  Perun didn’t listen. He hurled Ivan to the ground. Ivan grunted at the impact and felt his left arm go numb. He rolled and managed to stagger back to his feet. In his hand was a rock. He threw. It clipped Perun’s right cheek, drawing blood. Perun uttered a roar. His crooked short sword appeared in his hand. The black blade glittered in the muted sunlight. Like a bear, the shaggy Perun charged. Ivan stood frozen in shock. He was going to die. One minute he’d seen Nadia talk with the charmer. Now a monstrously strong maniac charged. That evil blade was going to hew out his guts! Heart hammering, Ivan whipped out his dagger and fell into the fighting crouch that Petor had taught him.

  It wasn’t needed. Karlo stepped into view and faced the charging Perun. The shaggy brute ignored the knight. Karlo smashed his wrist against Perun’s. The crooked sword spun into the snow. Perun uttered another of his roars. Karlo’s fist, heavier and bigger than Ivan’s, connected with Perun’s face. The bear-like man staggered backward. Karlo stepped forward and backhanded Perun. Incredibly, the brute staggered against a tree. A look of fear swept across his features.

  “Mercy, master,” Perun whispered.

  Karlo clutched the thick throat with one hand. When the shaggy man tried to pry away the fingers, Karlo knocked the hands away.

  “Who is first?” Karlo hissed into Perun’s purpling face.

  All Perun could do was choke and gasp.

  “Dog! It is I!” Sir Karlo shouted. He threw Perun down.

  The brute gasped for breath, content to lie in the snow. Contemptuously, Karlo picked up the crooked sword and tossed it to Perun.

  “Obey me the first time I speak,” Karlo said.

  Perun nodded.

  “Now go!”

  Perun hurried up. He shot Ivan a murderous glance. Then he limped away to a safer place.

  “Forgive me, milady,” Karlo told Nadia. “Sometimes the bloodlust overcomes their training.”

  “Yes,” said Nadia, her eyes wide.

  With his hands trembling, Ivan sheathed his knife. He could only blink at the two. He didn’t know what to think. Perun had almost killed him. His blows had been as nothing to the brute. Sir Karlo had easily, without weapons, handled Perun and saved his life.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “Eh? What?” Karlo said, barely glancing at Ivan.

  “Thank you for stopping him,” Ivan said.

  Karlo said nothing, as if only now recognizing Ivan. “You were in the chessroom, were you not?”

  “I was, milord.”

  Karlo nodded. He turned back to Nadia. “If we could keep this quiet,” he said, “I would appreciate it, milady.”

  “Quiet?” she asked.

  “I try to discipline my own men. There’s no need for Master Volok to do any more. Besides, it was his servant that did the spying.” Karlo lifted an eyebrow. “Unless, of course, you already knew about the spy.”

  Nadia blushed as she shook her head.

  “No, I thought not,” Karlo said.

  “Yes,” Nadia said hastily. “Let us keep this quiet. Ivan?”

  He blinked. A man had just tried to kill him. They couldn’t keep this—then he understood. Neither the escort nor Magda would approve of what Nadia had done: coming out here to be alone with Sir Karlo. A sick feeling filled his stomach.

  “Ivan?” she repeated.

  “Does he need persuading?” Karlo asked, with an edge to his voice.

  “No!” said Nadia. “Leave him alone.”

  “As you wish, milady.”

  “Ivan?” she asked again.

  “I won’t say anything,” Ivan said in a miserable voice.

  “Fine,” said Nadia. “Now maybe you should go inside.”

  Despite his embarrassment, Ivan managed to stare into her eyes for a moment. “I’ll go,” he said. “But I’m releasing the hounds. It’s time for their noon run.”

  “Insolence,” Karlo said as he stepped toward Ivan.

  “No,” Nadia said, clutching the knight’s sleeve. “He’s right. I better go in.”

  “Then this is my loss,” Karlo said, his voice sweet once more.

  Ivan slunk away. Whatever else had happened, Nadia mustn’t leave Belgorod with Karlo.

  -10-

  After an uncomfortable supper, Ivan asked for Nadia’s advice.

  Sir Karlo, Magda, Nadia and the Sisterhood escort sat together in the Feast Hall. They listened as the fiddler idly played his instrument. The Belgorod nobles had disappeared after supper, while Karlo had sent his retainers to their rooms. A few servants cleared the tables.

  “My advice?” Nadia asked.

  Ivan bobbed his head. “Yes, milady. It’s concerning some pups.”

  “What do I know about pups?” Nadia asked.

  “Here now, Ivan,” Magda said. “Don’t go all formal on us. This is Nadia, my daughter, your old playmate.”

  Nadia blushed as the escort studied Ivan.

  “As you wish, Magda,” said Ivan.

  Karlo told Magda, “Maybe being more formal would improve their attitude.”

  “What do you mean?” Magda asked.

  “I’ve noticed that a few of the servants are rather impertinent,” Karlo said.

  “Are you complaining?” Magda asked.

  Karlo chuckled. “No, no, nothing so crude as that, my dear Healer.” He seemed to consider his words. “Perhaps impertinent is too strong a word. What I mean is that sometimes the servants seem to intrude upon matters that are better left to their superiors.”

  “For instance?” asked Magda.

  “Pardon?”

  “You must have a for instance,” Magda said. “Why otherwise do you impugn our lord?”

  “Have I done that?”

  “You claim that we don’t know how to control our servants.”

  “Ah, I see,” said Karlo. “I brush upon a touchy matter.”

  “Not at all,” said Magda. “I think what you show is our differences in custom. The Bavarian March is a harsh place. Order is considered the supreme good there, or wherever it is that you come from now.”

  Karlo seemed to stiffen the tiniest bit.

  Magda said, “Here at Belgorod order is not considered the greatest good. Here we strive for unity, for a general feeling of tranquility. Our ‘servants’ as you would term them, are our friends, our compatriots. They pull the same way we do because of love, not because of a fear of the whip.”

  “You paint me harshly,” Karlo said.

  “Not at all, Sir Knight. You are obviously a military man. To you rank is important.”

  “And it is not important here?”

  “I never said that. I said that order wasn’t our chief goal.”

  Karlo nodded. “You are a stern logician. You have defeated me. I therefore withdraw from the battlefield and chose to speak on another topi
c.”

  Nadia laughed as she laid her hand on Sir Karlo’s arm. “This, Mother, is how many of the boldest knights acted in Pavia.”

  “I’m sure that’s true,” Magda said. “Now run along with Ivan and give him some of that advice he’s so desperately craving. I grow weary of watching him shift from foot to foot.” Magda turned to the escort. “If that meets with your approval.”

  The escort nodded.

  “Can’t you just ask me here?” Nadia asked Ivan.

  “I have to show you the pups first,” Ivan said.

  Nadia sighed, rising and curtsying to Karlo. “With your pardon,” she said.

  Karlo arose and bowed, then turned to leave.

  “No, please stay,” said Magda. “There’s something I wish to ask you.”

  “Of course,” he said, sitting back down.

  Ivan showed Nadia the way.

  “Did you have to do that?” Nadia asked as they stepped outside.

  “Do what?”

  “Embarrass me.”

  “How did asking for your advice embarrass you?”

  “Ivan!”

  “Don’t you want to talk to me anymore?”

  She stamped her foot. “I’m not talking about now. I’m talking about when you spied on me.”

  “Oh,” he said. He felt Stribog’s pressure as the dog leaned against him. He’d taken Stribog in for supper. He didn’t like the idea of facing Perun alone and in the dark.

  “Is that all you can say?”

  “No. I’ve a lot more to say. But in the kennel,” he said.

  “Then you really don’t want my advice?”

  “I never said that,” he said. “But I want to talk in the kennel.”

  She gave him a funny look.

  “I don’t want to be interrupted,” he said. “I don’t think either Karlo or his men will enter the kennel.”

  “Why not?”

  “You know how we feel about wolves?”

  She nodded.

  “I think they feel the same way about hounds.”

  Nadia shook her head, but followed him into the kennel. The hounds gave them an enthusiastic welcome. He touched them, tossed a few choice bits of meat he’d flinched from the table and told them all to be quiet so he could talk to Nadia.