Return of the Ice Dragon

On a mission to discover the truth about an orphaned baby ice dragon, Joleyn wonders what in the world she’s doing? She’s a nobody. A farm-raised spinster of no importance. Her friendship with the ice dragon, Lady Esselyn, seems like her only qualification for inclusion on a high-level mission like this.

Guard Captain Jimnel of Valdis can’t wait to see what life is like for the Dragon Knights in fabled Draconia. He’s excited to be included in the group going to make contact with that far off land and he’s even more pleased that the lovely Joleyn is along for the ride. He’s been attracted to her for a long time, but until now, he hasn’t really been sure how to approach her.

Thrown together on their journey, they finally allow the simmering attraction between them to come to a boil. How things will work out in the end is still up in the air and dependent on their two dragon friends and a tiny lost soul with his taloned foot in both worlds.

It is the baby ice dragon, Tor, adopted by the King and Queen of Draconia, who will decide more than just his own fate. If he chooses to deny the adult ice dragons, there just might be war the likes of which the lands have never seen, pitting dragon against dragon. But how can he forsake the family that took him in and loved him when he was all alone? He’s facing a tough decision and no matter what he finally decides, the lands will never be the same...

All in all, her existence wasn’t bad, but it was kind of lonely. Essie’s visits had been a godsend for that little time while she was here. But Joleyn knew she couldn’t keep the dragon. Essie was not only a free spirit, but she was one of the leaders of her kind. She spoke for all the ice dragons, and she had important work to do for her people. Still, Joleyn missed her wise voice in her mind.
But Captain Jimnel was also good company. He came by every week or so to see how she was doing, he said. She knew he was a conscientious sort of man who wasn’t really comfortable with the idea of a woman living out here on an isolated farm, all by herself. He was a city dweller. He didn’t really understand how things were in the country, but he was learning. Their little chats were helping him come to understand the way things worked out here. At least, that’s what he claimed. And he kept coming. So, there must be some value in his little visits.
He climbed off his horse and tied the beast to the rail just outside the house. She watched through the open doorway as he reached into one of his saddlebags and took a wrapped bundle out. He often brought little gifts when he visited. Today, it looked like he had brought a small wheel of cheese. Her mouth watered. She didn’t often get cheese from her neighbors. The nearest dairy farm was quite a distance away.
She took down plates from the cupboard and fetched the bread she had baked that morning. When he brought things like that with him, they often shared lunch together, and it was about that time.
“Mistress Joleyn,” he greeted her. “How goes your day?”
“Much better, Captain, now that you are here,” she answered honestly, smiling at him.
“Now that’s what I like to hear.” He grinned back at her and walked closer, offering the wrapped bundle that had to be a wheel of cheese. “I hope you will share this with me,” he said jovially.
“It would be my pleasure to do so. Thank you for bringing it.” She accepted the parcel and unwrapped it quickly, her smile widening when her guess proved true. “Oh, this will be lovely for lunch. Thank you so much.”
“Think nothing of it,” he said, kindness in his tone.
They sat at her small table and shared the cheese and the bread she had made. There was even a bit of butter left over from the last time she had been to the market and was able to buy some. They ate quietly, sharing easy conversation. Jimnel told her of the news he had received from the capital. The ice dragon, Lady Esselyn, had worked out a formal alliance with the King, bringing all the ice dragons who lived in the ice caves to the north under the banner of Valdis.
“I know that’s what she hoped for,” Joleyn revealed. “We talked about it a few times, but I wasn’t sure the King would be ready to add yet another group to his kingdom. The mercenaries north of us aren’t even fully settled in yet.”
“This is true,” Jimnel agreed, “but King Alric knows a good thing when he sees it. An alliance with dragons. That’s a tremendous thing for the kingdom.” Jimnel took a breath before speaking again, as if he was preparing to say something he wasn’t sure about. “There was more information in the message I received from the King, and a request involving you.”
“Me?” What in the world could the King want with her? She was nobody. Just a spinster farm girl.
“It seems that Lady Esselyn received some distressing news when she reached the capital regarding a lost ice dragon child currently living in the royal household of Draconia. He was adopted, it seems, by the new Queen of Draconia while he was still in the shell. Somehow—and I don’t know all the details—the ice dragons lost one of their eggs, and Lady Esselyn feels very strongly about going to Draconia to find out what happened and acquaint the child with his own kind. There are no other ice dragons in Draconia, and they seem to think he will need the guidance of other ice dragons as he grows. The thing is,” he paused to meet her gaze, “they want you to go with them. Both of us, actually.” Jimnel seemed as surprised as she felt at his words.
“Why us?” she asked, dismayed by the entire proposal. What in heavens’ name could she do in a foreign land? And to get there, she’d have to fly on a dragon’s back! She’d done that on rare occasions with Essie, but never for very long. It would take days and days to get to that far off land.
“Lady Esselyn wishes to have someone along whom she knows and trusts. She asked for you by name. As for me? I have no idea. I suspect the King wishes to have me there as his representative, since the relations between our two kingdoms are not well established. The distances are so great…and the mountains are a huge barrier. Now that we have dragon allies, though, the mountains are not such a hinderance for communication between our lands any longer. I think the King wants me to scout out how easy or difficult it might be to make the traverse with the dragons’ aid and report back to him.” Jimnel shook his head. “I’m just guessing. I won’t know for certain until I get my orders, but I’ve heard there is another ice dragon coming. A male named Lord Dagarath, who has not been among humans in centuries. He will be arriving here in the next few days, and we will discuss the plans with him, if we are both willing to go.”
“We have a choice?” Joleyn asked.
“You do, of course. Our King does not compel citizens in cases like this. You can always refuse. In my case, I owe a duty to the crown, and personally, I would do just about anything King Alric asks. I respect him and know he always has the best interests of the kingdom in mind when he does anything.” Jimnel’s surety came through in his tone.
“So, you’re definitely going.”
Jimnel nodded. “I’ve already composed the letter I am sending back to the King. Can I add your acceptance of this task as well?”