Kastali Dun

Reyr saw the golden, glittering lights of the capital spread before him and felt his chest loosen. Tension fled his weary muscles, though they strained with the fatigue of flight. Weeks had come and gone, days spent rebuilding Fort Squall and helping the people of Squall's End recover after their ordeal. It had been a blessing to spend so much time with his nephew and nephew's mate, but also, a strain.

Every moment spent in Fort Squall was reminder of the brother he'd lost. A place that had once felt like his true home had been soured. Marred by the memory of loss. He'd been relieved, though he hated to admit it, to leave.

King Talon did not know of his return. None of them did. He wanted to surprise them. Especially after he'd heard the news, rumors brought by the wind's currents. The joy had been too much to keep him away.

Night shielded him from view. He'd timed it thus. Keeping out of sight, he landed in a deserted courtyard and strode through the keep, doing his best to stay out of sight as he made his way to the king's tower. A few servants spotted him and stared, then quickly bowed and rushed away.

Dinner was long over, and if he wasn't mistaken, the king was probably meeting with his Shields right about now. His chest expanded at the thought. It was always difficult, being away.

His steps faltered at the sight of the tower door. Where two guards used to stand, there were four. Still the usual two put in place by the king, but now two additional. His eyes lingered on the Sprites, standing at perfect attention beside their human companions.

Interesting.

They all seemed to stand straighter as they spotted his approach. "Lord Reyr," Rahlif Dorvyre greeted. "It is good to see you."

"Indeed, it is good to be back." He nodded a greeting to Elyon Marquin, who was on duty with Rahlif, as well as the two human guards who shared rotations, Ashton and Savas. "They in there?" he added.

"Yes, milord," Ashton said.

"Good." He strode through the door and into the entry of the main chamber. The voices in the room fell silent. There was a gasp, then a squeal of delight. A blur—a golden haired beauty was racing for him. She flung herself at him and he caught her up, laughing, spinning her in a circle.

The feel of his queen in his arms loosened more of the tension that had gathered in his absence. "Reyr," she breathed, burying her face in his neck. He buried his in her hair, breathing her in. He was vaguely aware of the others in the room, coming to their feet. Of Talon making his way over. There were two other Sprites in the room, standing near the far wall.

"You didn't tell us you were back," Claire accused, her words muffled by the skin of his neck. He cupped the back of her head with one hand, keeping her firmly in place. He was protective of his queen, perhaps more so than he was of his king. But Talon wouldn't mind, would prefer it that way, assuming he knew the male. Which, he did.

He chuckled, letting her slide down him, holding her face in his hands. She was exactly as she had been weeks ago, and yet it felt as if it had been ages. His gaze darted between her eyes, over her expression, searching, always searching, to make sure all was well. "You are happy? Healthy? Nothing amiss?"

"No. I mean, yes to both, but nothing amiss." Her grin was brilliant, warm. Exactly what he needed. "I missed you," she breathed.

His chest swelled. "I missed you too."

A throat cleared. "If you are quite done with her, I'd like my turn," came Talon's gruff voice.

Claire's happy smile turned shy. She stepped from his grasp, biting her lower lip. Only to be replaced by Talon, who wrapped him up in a firm hug and held him. "It's good to have you back, brother. I take it you intended to surprise us?"

"He wanted to make an entrance, obviously." This, from Koldis.

He pushed Talon to arm's length, holding his shoulders, looking him over. His gaze was earnest as he said, "Congratulations on your announcement, Your Grace. I couldn't be happier."

"You should have seen how he quaked in his boots when he made it," Bedelth said.

Reyr lifted his brows at Talon, who tried to shrug, but couldn't because his shoulders were still gripped in Reyr's hands. "I might have been a little nervous," Talon admitted.

"Oh, he did wonderfully." Claire stepped forward, taking Talon's hand and pulling him from Reyr's grip. The tender look on her face was precious. His eyes darted between them. He wasn't sure he'd been this happy, this emotional, in decades. "Come, let his other brothers have a turn," she added, positioning Talon off to the side.

He greeted the others with hugs, Bedelth, Jovari, Koldis, then Verath. Only then did he notice Dallin hanging back. He strode to him, covering the distance, and reached for his forearm. They shook, and he pulled him into an embrace, slapping the young Drengr's back. "They haven't been giving you too much of a hard time, have they?"

"No, Lord Reyr."

"Just Reyr. You know that."

"Actually," Talon said. "I had planned to save this for your return, Reyr. I've an announcement to make." Dallin went rigid. Everyone turned to the king.

"Dallin?" Talon stepped towards him. "You've proven yourself in our ranks, and you've integrated seamlessly. Verath is pleased with your progress. We all are. I had worried you were too young. I wanted this time to be as much for us, as for you. So I will ask you this now. Is becoming my Shield truly what you wish for? What you want?"

The gravity of the situation crashed around them.

Dallin's throat bobbed. "I...I..."

"He's positively shocked. You shouldn't have sprung this on him, Talon," Claire teased.

"It's what I want," Dallin said, straightening his shoulders, mastering his tongue. "I have considered my options. I have taken your tests and guidance seriously. In the end, I am decided. I wish for the honor to be your Shield. If you will have me in your ranks, that is." His gaze was fixed on Talon, but at the last moment, he glanced to the rest of them. A true sign that he understood them well. Understood that while Talon was the ultimate decision maker, all of them always had a say.

"All right, are there any of you who would deny his request?" Talon's brows lifted. The room remained silent. "Shall we take a vote then? All in favor?"

"Aye," several of them said, while every hand lifted, even Claire's. Her grin made dimples in her cheeks, and her eyes shinned in Dallin's direction. "I'm voting for Cyrus," she clarified. "He says he approves."

Reyr's throat tightened. Talon's eyes softened. Everyone gave a tiny reaction of their own, at the mention of Cyrus. It was unconventional that a dead Shield would have a vote, but since Cyrus wasn't entirely gone, he deserved a say in the person who replaced him.

Dallin's lips parted, eyes bouncing between everyone's raised hands. "Truly?" he gasped, eyes going glassy. "Truly?"

"Looks like it," Talon said, his mouth twitching with a smile. He was the first to step forward, clasping Dallin's shoulder. "We are glad to have you. There's all sorts of oaths of fealty you must swear..."

"Don't forget, a chaste maiden to be sacrificed," Jovari reminded them.

"Oh, and a heart to be eaten..." Koldis thew in, catching on.

"He must also slay a demon," Bedelth added, lips twitching.

"And bathe in the blood of our enemies." Verath's voice was the only one that sounded more bored than amused. But at least he played along. Reyr tried not to chuckle.

Dallon's brow furrowed, uncertain.

"They are jesting," Reyr said, putting him at ease.

"Except for the oaths," Talon clarified, amusement dancing in his features. "Those are real. But we can bother with them tomorrow. Welcome to our inner circle—officially."

Dallin's exhale was one of relief.

Meow.

Reyr jerked his head around. His eyes fell on a little black blur and he barked, voice cracking, "What in Undirfold is a cat doing in our tower?"

Nearly everyone in the room snickered.

~

Of all the Shields, Dallin had spent the least amount of time with Reyr. It hadn't been intentional. Things had simply been what they were. He was eager know the young Drengr.

"Nervous?" he asked. They strode through the keep, down a narrow corridor lining a courtyard. It was bustling with activity, busier than he'd ever seen it. Servants prepared the keep for the upcoming bonding ceremony, rushing about with cleaning supplies and fresh linens for the guests who were traveling from estates outside the city. From the looks of it, they planned to scrub every measure of exposed wall and walkway, going so far as to use brushes to get the mortar in between. The place would be sparkling by the time they were done—metaphorically speaking.

Dallin's eyes darted toward him. His throat bobbed but he managed a nod.

"Don't be," Reyr reassured him. "Swearing the oath is an honor. Mostly, you'll just repeat a bunch of fancy words, get down on one knee, all that."

"It's the meaning of it, not the actual doing of it," Dallin clarified.

"Ah, good answer." Reyr lifted his brows.

The ceremony was private, to be held in the throne room. Reyr had suggested he and Dallin take a walk until Dallin was needed. The others were already getting everything ready.

They rounded a corner and he caught sight of several familiar faces. "Mikkin, good man. It's good to see you," he called, lifting his voice.

Mikkin, Jamie, and Unka were striding down the corridor straight for them. They stoped to exchange pleasantries. "Reyr," Mikkin greeted, grasping forearms.

"Lord Reyr," Jamie greeted, his eyes darting between Reyr and Dallin.

"My lord," Unka said, giving a tiny bow of his head. He was dressed in court clothes. Reyr's eyes nearly bulged at the sight of it. Someone had tailored a squire's attire to fit his tiny frame. His doublet was made from a fine black brocade, and matching black pants. He even had a sword belt to hold the fancy blade he carried.

"Unka, looking sharp," he said, trying to withhold a grin.

He turned to Jamie. "Have you met Dallin?"

"Uh." Jamie blinked rapidly.

"We met," Dallin said. From the corner of his eye, Reyr saw Dallin's shoulders draw back straight, making him appear taller. Interesting.

"At...at camp," Jamie clarified. A tinge of pink crept along his cheekbones. Interesting, indeed.

"Well, good." Reyr filed that away for later and said to Mikkin, "How are you settling in?"

Mikkin shrugged. "As good as can be. Since we've arrived, we have explored the keep in its entirety." Reyr doubted that very much, but said nothing of the secret passages. "We've gone into the city a few times, the famed market. We're headed back there now, as a matter of fact."

"And you haven't had any...issues?" Reyr's eyes darted towards Unka.

Unka seemed to grow a little taller. "Unka take care of him."

"Himself," Mikkin corrected.

Unka's brow furrowed, but he said, "Unka take care of himself."

"Can," Jamie added, lips twitching before his eyes darted straight for Dallin and the smile dropped.

"Can?" Unka looked utterly perplexed now.

Mikkin sighed. "Unka can take care of himself, is the correct wording, Unka."

"Ah." Unka's face brightened like he'd uncovered some great mystery. "Unka can take care of himself. Thank you, Mikkin."

"All right," said Reyr, trying not to grin, "now that we've established that, well noted. I'll trust that you can. Just make sure you keep these two with you in the city. I don't trust everyone, especially down by the docks. It can be dangerous."

"We've had a few slight...misunderstandings," Mikkin clarified. "Vendors, mostly. But once you show them a bit of coin, they change their tune. Mostly it's been a lot of gaping. Figured it's better for people to see more of him. Reduces the fear. But..." Mikkin sighed.

"There are people who have lost family to the Gobelin Wars," Jamie explained, sounding more confident in his words than he obviously felt, from his shy expression. Was he showing off? After all, a lad from the north probably didn't know much of southern politics except for what he'd picked up lately. "Those are the ones we worry about the most."

"If you..." Dallin stopped himself. Reyr glanced at him. Dallin cleared his throat. "If you would feel safer with a Drengr in your company, I would be happy to accompany you into the city when you go."

"Except for right now," Reyr clarified.

"Right." Dallon blinked. "Another time, perhaps."

"Because we have a ceremony to go to."

"I'm swearing my allegiance to King Talon, the oaths that will make me a Shield." Dallin lifted his chin.

Reyr almost snorted under his breath, but refrained. Jamie's lips parted in surprise, eyes darting over Dallin.

"We are ready," came Talon's voice, just in time. He must have spoke to both of them because Dallin jerked.

"Time to go," Reyr said, grinning at the three of their acquaintances. "Come." He placed a hand on Dallin's shoulder.

"See you around," Dallin said to them.

"Good luck," Jamie called, then winced like he regretted it.

Reyr had just a moment to exchange a loaded glance with Mikkin, understanding passing between them, before they were away. "What was that about?" he asked. They descended a staircase that would take them to the throne room.

"What was what about?" Dallin sounded all feigned innocence.

Reyr snorted. "You do realize that in joining our ranks, you will be mercilessly prodded about your love life the same way all of us are." Dallin's muscles tensed. "Think nothing of it," he added, knowing exactly why Dallin had reacted. "Your preferences are no matter to me. Nor to the rest of us. Just try not to break the lad's heart, eh?"

Dallin sputtered.

There was no time to say anything else. The doors were before them. He opened them, shutting them behind him, ushering Dallin up the center of the room. The throne room was a magnificent feat of architecture. Giant stained glass windows depicting the Drengr monarchy's history, beautiful pillars, glossy floors. Their footsteps echoed in the silence.

"Sorry for the delay, Your Grace. We had a bit of flirting to do. You know, bolster the confidence and all that."

Dallin choked, faltered, but Reyr's hand tightened on his shoulder, urging him on. A couple of snickers echoed off the rafters. Everyone was present.

Talon stood on the first step of the dais. Beneath, his shields. The chairs that were usually there had been removed. They would all stand for this.

Reyr took up his position beside Jovari and Koldis, to one side of Talon. Bedelth and Verath stood to the other. They were all dressed in finery, but none more so that Talon. His deep blue doublet was of the finest silk brocade. The belt that held his Sveark was buckled with gold. The dragon head insignia rested above each of their breasts, to indicate the kingdom they served. It was the crown atop Talon's head that truly shone.

"Dallin," Talon said. "Step forth and draw your Sverak."

Dallon did as commanded, falling to one knee, head bowed, presenting his weapon. What followed was a sacred tradition not to be spoken of outside the king's inner circle. A tradition passed from king to heir, generation after generation. A tradition that would soon be modified to allow Shields to take mates, if they so wished.

As Dallin repeated the sacred words, spoken in the old language, the Aldinn Malasarlaí, Reyr felt chills snake down his spine. The words were a memory, one he felt deep in his chest, tying them together. Old and worn like a favored cloak, one that each Shield had donned earlier in their lives.

It was an exchange, back and forth, that spoke of intention. Words of fealty and honor, words of protection and promise. Reyr's chest expanded, filling with powerful warmth. Even his eyes prickled. When he glanced to his right, taking in his brothers, they all wore similar expressions. Rigid masks, serious and unyielding, emotionless, except for the glittering of their eyes.

Each of them recalled the moment they had taken the same oath. The severity of it. The ties that wrapped them together, connecting them deeper than blood ever would.

As the final words were spoken, the tension in the room reached new heights, then fractured. Reyr exhaled. Talon took a single step back. His face transformed, a rare smile spreading across his lips. "Rise, Drengr Fairtheoir. Greet your comrades as brothers. Welcome to our ranks."

"Welcome," they each echoed. Tears of shock and joy flowed down Dallin's cheeks, as had happened for each Shield upon their own fateful oath day. It was a heavy moment, one they each understood, the severity of which dug deep into Dallin's heart.

A moment of silence fell, but only just a moment. It was immediately broken by Koldis's whoop. He was the first to surge forward and gather Dallin into a bone crushing hug, clapping him on the back. The rest gave cheers and whoops of their own, hugging him, welcoming him into their little family.

A family that was connected by the ancient magic of those who had come before. A family stronger than their greatest doubts and deepest fears. A family unbreakable, even in death.  

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Happy Friday Bookdragons!

I'm not emotional! I'm not!! Okay, I am, just a little. I admit, when editing this chapter, reading that final paragraph brought tears to my eyes. Was it the same for you? Maybe it helped that I had epic music on in the background. 

When I set out to write this chapter earlier this week, I had no idea what I would cover. It's been forever since we've had Reyr's POV. After some thinking, I realized it was time. Time to bring Dallin into our ranks officially. And for those of you wondering, YES he will get his own book as the seventh. Jovari will come sixth (next). 

I had some indecision when I wrote the ceremony. Part of me wanted to craft all the fancy oaths to be shared, write them out in the old language. But then I realized that I wanted to make it mysterious, leave it to YOUR imagination to think of what the Shields and their king would say. Instead, I wanted to make it about the emotions. So I decided to merely allude to the words, but not craft them. It felt more special and private that way. I'm really pleased with my decision. 

I hope you are all having a great week. See you next time!

-Mel