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“Pyre, you wait here.” I turned to my dragon. “Storm, circle their kingdom. Make your presence known.”
Storm leaped from the ground and launched to the sky, releasing a mighty roar as he flapped his powerful wings. It rivaled the call of the yetis that occupied these very mountains. He flew directly overhead, drawing the attention of all the Teeth who lived inside.
Ian followed him with his gaze before he looked at me. “I think they know we’re here.”
“Damn right, they do.”
We approached the enormous gate that protected their kingdom from unwanted visitors, the very gate Ivory and her brother had to climb over after she was captured. My own mother had betrayed me to hand over my wife, and before I could save her, she saved herself.
The doors began to swing forward as we approached, their machinery working hard to move something so heavy. A distinct hum from the hinges sounded in the silence, the snow absorbing the noise.
When the doors were finally open, Rancor appeared, his soldiers on either side of him, fully armed like they expected a foe rather than a friend. His skin was as white as the snow, and his dark clothing make the contrast more prominent. His teeth were secured in his jaw, looking like a man no different from Ian or me.
We approached each other, stopping on the hard earth that had been cleared of snow when the doors were cranked open.
Rancor regarded me in my full armor and glanced at Pyre, who was stationed behind me. “M’lord, it’s obvious you come with open hostility, but it’s not obvious why. Have we done something to offend the King of Kingdoms?” The crest on his chest bore the symbol of their people, a snake, the only other creature that could unhinge its jaw the way they could. His sword was on his hip, but he kept his hands in front of him to show his peaceful intention.
“You have provoked my hostility,” I said. “And you’ll provoke my wrath if you try to deceive me.”
“Choose to deceive you how, m’lord?” His hands came together at his waist, his gloved fingers interlocked. “Perhaps we can discuss this inside with a feast in your honor—”
“We’re not equals—and it seems you’ve forgotten that.”
Rancor said nothing, but his angry gaze said it all.
“I’ve granted you the privilege to occupy these lands despite your treason. You should occupy them in silence. A rabbit doesn’t invite the wolf into its den for a feast, and neither should you.”
The anger simmered in his eyes, about to come to a boil. “Make your demands, m’lord.”
“An unidentified black ship was spotted on the shore months ago. The corpses of two dead yetis were found halfway between here and the outpost—and my people know nothing about it. But I suspect you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Rancor was either telling the truth or had the best poker face I’d ever seen, because he looked genuinely bewildered. “We live inland, so we have no fleet of ships—”
“But someone came to pay you a visit. They landed at the coast, killed two yetis without casualties on their side, which is no easy task, and then had a meeting with you before they returned from whence they came. Does that sound right, Rancor?”
His eyes remained locked on mine, not even blinking. “We’re not the friendliest, as you know. We have no distant friends or relations to invite for a glass of wine. The black ship is news to me, and it’s also disturbing news that someone came to our lands without the king’s permission. Should we be concerned for war?”
“You’re going to look me in the eye and tell me you know nothing about this?”
“The only reason we continue to breathe is by your mercy,” he said. “We’re allies—not enemies. Why would we seek to oppose you?”
“Because I’ve taken your land and your food.”
“What’s the alternative?” he asked calmly. “To allow us to feed on your people? That would never work.”
“I don’t believe him,” Ian said from beside me. “He’s being far too diplomatic. If he were truly innocent, he would be annoyed and offended by the accusation.”
“Who says I’m not annoyed and offended?” Rancor barked. “But I’m not stupid enough to say that to the man who could order his dragons to burn me alive with the snap of his fingers.” Now Rancor did look annoyed, dropping his well-mannered politeness and showing the true monster underneath. “You have dragons, m’lord. Why didn’t you follow this mysterious ship to its destination? Why are you questioning us, a race that resides in the east, far away from the coast? You’re supposed to defend this continent from outside invaders, and the fact that you’re questioning me, of all people, makesmequestion your fitness to lead us all.”
I said nothing, but the anger spread through my system like frostbite.
“Is that what you wanted me to say?” Rancor cocked his head slightly. “As for the yetis, didn’t you consider the fact that it’s mating season right now? Those could have been two males fighting over one female—and killed each other.”
I continued to watch his face, waiting for some sign of a lie, for a tell.
“I know you came here for answers and received insults, but that’s the truth, m’lord. We may not be friends, but we’re allies. We may prefer human blood to animal blood, but it’s preferable to being dead. You extended us mercy despite our treason, and we’ll never forget that kindness.”
He played the game well, and a part of me even believed his act, but I wasn’t stupid enough to show my hand. “My eye is still trained on you, Rancor. If you’re innocent, you’ll be granted an apology. But if you’re guilty, you’ll all be consumed in a ring of fire. I’ll post guards outside your kingdom to monitor everyone who enters and exits these mountains. If you’re innocent, you better act it.”
