Marked by the Dragon: Epic Fantasy Bundle With Dragons

The morning sun filtered through the canopy above as Mina made her way along the winding forest path. Her worn shoes crunched on the undergrowth, the familiar sounds of the woods calming her restless mind.

Mina breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of pine and moss. This was her favorite place, where mysteries lingered behind every tree and adventure waited around each bend.

As a twelve-year-old girl living in a small farming village, life was often dull. But out here, deep in the forest, she was free. Here, she could pretend she was the High Princess, or follow the tracks of a legendary beast. Her imagination knew no bounds amidst these trees.

Most days she spent her free time exploring, climbing rocks, crossing streams, and mentally mapping new routes. Her parents worried about her, but she was resourceful. Mina knew which berries and plants were edible, and how to navigate her way home as darkness fell. The villagers had long since given up trying to keep her out of the woods. Mina belonged there as much as the wild animals.

Today she wandered further than ever before, lured by the promise of discovery. She’d found strange markings on the trees and an unfamiliar animal print in the mud. What sort of creature could it be? Mina quickened her pace, her senses heightened. The forest was calling her deeper, into a world of mystery.

She shook her head, smiling to herself at her overactive imagination. Yet still she walked onward, unable to resist the pull of the unknown. The sun sank low on the horizon, shadows lengthening between the trees. Nightfall was approaching, but Mina did not turn back. The forest had gripped her in its embrace, and she willingly followed where it led.

It was just getting dark by the time she trudged into the village. Leaves and twigs were tangled in her unruly hair, and some of the nearby villagers glanced up at the familiar sound of her approach, concern marking their expressions.

You shouldn’t be traipsing about this late, Dela, the baker’s wife, scolded. Your parents have been looking for you. Off on one of your adventures again, were you?

Mina grinned sheepishly. I was following some strange markings I found. I didn’t mean to be gone so long, but I lost track of time.

The baker shooed his wife inside their shop and stared at her with amusement. One of these days you’ll wander too far and we’ll have to come searching for you.

I’m always careful, Mina protested.

The villagers knew she could fend for herself, but for some reason, they still worried about her. She appreciated their concern, but there was nothing to fear out there.

Did you finish laying the traps for Tarrow?

Yes, I did that before going into the woods.

She often aided the people in her village with such tasks despite her age.

Very good. I knew he could count on you. Have a good night.

Mina’s cheeks flushed. It was not easy to get a compliment from the old baker. She waved and continued to her parents’ farm. Darkness had settled over the village by the time she reached the dirt path that led to the house.

Her parents would be finished with their chores, tired and worn from a long day of labor in the fields. They worked from dawn until dusk, struggling to grow enough crops to feed themselves and pay the high taxes imposed by their Dominion lord.

Despite their hardships, her parents always had a smile for her when she returned home. They were proud of the things she did for their fellow villagers, but she often wished she could help them in a bigger way. Perhaps one day she would be able to.

Mina sighed, eyeing the broken fence and crumbling stone cottage that was their home. She loved her family, but part of her yearned for something more. A life of adventure, where every day brought something new.

Her gaze drifted to the forest, dark and forbidding in the fading light. Somewhere in that sea of trees and shadows lay the answer to her restless dreams. She just had to be persistent enough to keep searching for it.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Mina went inside to help prepare their meager dinner. Her parents would need her help, and helping them cook was the least she could do. No matter how strong the call of adventure sang in her blood, her duty was here. To her family and her village, who had given her so much and asked for nothing in return.

The next morning, Mina rose with the sun and set about her daily chores. She fed the chickens, milked the cow, and collected eggs from the henhouse. Though mundane, she found comfort in the routine. Her parents were still asleep, worn out from the previous long day of plowing the fields.

After a quick breakfast, Mina ventured into the village. Many of the townsfolk greeted her warmly, waving from their shops and cottages. She stopped by the baker's and traded a dozen eggs for a loaf of bread and sweet bun, knowing it would be a welcome surprise for her parents.

The village blacksmith hailed Mina as she walked past his forge. My wife’s taken ill today. Do you think you could deliver this to the miller for me? He held out a large iron horseshoe, still warm from the fire.

Of course, Mina said, taking the horseshoe carefully. She balanced it on one hand, careful not to burn herself, and set off down the road toward the mill.

The miller thanked her profusely when she arrived, pressing a copper coin into her palm. Though she tried to refuse it, he insisted. You’re a lifesaver, Mina. We’re lucky to have you.

Mina flushed at the praise, though inwardly she swelled with pride. No matter how difficult life became, she would always do her best to help others. It was her duty, and the right thing to do. Her parents had raised her to be kind and selfless, values she intended to live by.

With the errand complete, Mina returned home to find her parents awake. She gave them the treats she had brought, and her father ruffled her hair affectionately. What would we do without you?

Mina smiled, warmth flooding her chest. She might dream of adventure, but this? This was all she needed. Home and family, a place where she belonged. It might not be an extravagant life, but it was a good one. And that was enough.

The following day dawned bright and clear. Mina rose early as she always did, eager to check the snares on the edge of fields to see if they had caught anything. Her stomach rumbled at the thought of fresh meat; they hadn’t had much of it lately.

She made her way across the field, following a winding path only she seemed to know. The snares were empty, but she spotted some mushrooms peeking out from under a log near the edge of the forest and gathered them. Every little bit helped.

When she returned to the village, she found old widow Cora struggling to repair the hole in her roof. Mina didn’t hesitate, climbing the ladder and tackling the job with enthusiasm. By the time the sun was directly overhead, the roof was mended.

Cora clasped her hands, eyes shining with gratitude. Thank you, dear one. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.

Mina shook her head. No need. I’m happy to help.

You have a gift, child, Cora said softly. Far too wise and kind for your years. Never lose that, you hear?

Mina bowed her head. She never thought of herself as special. She simply did what anyone would do in her place. Helping others came as naturally as breathing. But she appreciated Cora’s words nonetheless.

With the roof repaired, Mina set off to check the remaining snares, hoping today’s efforts would yield better results. She thought of Cora’s praise and smiled. As long as there were people in need of aid, she would do her best to provide it. And she would never stop trying to make the world a little bit better, one good deed at a time.

Unfortunately, those snares were also empty, so she headed into the woods. The sunlight slanted through the leafy canopy above in dappled patterns, causing shadows to dance across the winding trail. The air was lush and verdant, scents of moss and fern mingling with the sharper tang of pine.

A red fox peered at her from behind a tree, unafraid. Mina smiled, waving a hand as she walked past. The fox watched her, sniffing the air, before slipping back into the underbrush.

The deeper Mina traveled, the more alive the forest grew. Squirrels chattered in the branches, and a woodpecker rapped against a tree somewhere in the distance. Something rustled in the bushes, and Mina caught a glimpse of tawny fur and bright eyes. She kept walking, hands swinging at her sides, drinking in the vibrant palette of greens and browns.

Here, she could lose herself for hours. Exploring the twisting trails and hidden glens, discovering secrets tucked away in quiet hollows. The forest was endlessly fascinating, filled with mystery and wonder.

By the time Mina made her way home, dusk was falling. Shadows lengthened between the trees as the woods grew hushed with twilight. An owl hooted softly in the distance.

She emerged from the forest and paused, looking back. The trees stood like silent sentinels as night descended, cloaked in darkness thick as velvet. She might live on a farm, but the woods were her real home.

*

Mina chased a yellow butterfly, heading deep into the woods. She had wandered far from home in her pursuit of adventure, as she often did, her curiosity driving her onward.

She paused, realizing she didn’t recognize where she was. Strange rock formations jutted up around her, unlike anything she’d seen before. Her heart raced with excitement. She was discovering new lands!

Approaching one of the rocky outcroppings, Mina ran her hands along the ancient stones. How did you get here? she whispered in wonder.

A glint of reflected light caught her eye through a crack in the rocks. Mina peered inside, her heart pounding. There was a whole hidden chamber inside! She had to see more. Gripping the edge of the rock, she started to pull herself up to get a better look.

Without warning, the ground caved in around her. She fell, landing hard on the floor of an enormous cave. A sharp pain pierced her leg, and she cried out, grabbing at her calf. Something hard was embedded in her flesh, and blood slicked her fingers.

Panic rose in Mina’s chest as she stared at the strange object stuck in her leg. She had to get help. Struggling to her feet, she made her way out of the giant hole and limped as quickly as she could, leaving the mysterious rock formation behind.

Mina winced with every step, sweat beading on her forehead. She didn’t know what was in her leg, but she knew it was bad. Her heart pounded as she ran toward the village, desperate to find someone who could help her. She had discovered more adventure than she’d bargained for this day.

Help! she cried, collapsing to the ground. Her leg burned, and she was growing lightheaded from blood loss.

A few villagers rushed to her side, gasping at the sight of the strange object embedded in her leg.

What is that? Deka asked, leaning down to examine Mina’s injury. She grasped the object and tried to pull it out, but Mina screamed in agony.

Stop! Mina cried. It hurts too much!

The old widow Cora joined the crowd that surrounded her and inspected the wound. In her younger days, she’d worked as a healer in the Dracan Dominion.

I've never seen anything like this. It’s … fused to her flesh. I can’t remove it without causing greater injury.

Mina began to sob, clutching her leg. She didn’t understand what was happening. All she wanted was for the pain to go away.

There, there, Cora said gently. I’ll do all I can to keep the wound clean and prevent infection, but I’m afraid you’ll have to learn to live with this … thing. It looks like a dragon scale.

Live with it? Mina stared at the scale in horror. She didn’t want this thing to be part of her body, but it seemed that was not an option. If Cora couldn’t work her healing abilities on it, then it was bad indeed. Her life had changed in that hidden chamber, all because of her curiosity and thirst for adventure.

*

Mina hobbled back home, leaning on her mother for support. Each step sent waves of pain radiating from the scale in her leg. She bit her lip, trying not to cry any more tears.

Back home, she collapsed onto her bed. Her mother brought her a warm cup of tea, the herbs soothing her frayed nerves.

The pain will lessen in time, her mother said gently. You'll grow accustomed to it.

Mina shook her head. I don’t want to grow accustomed to it. I just want it out of my leg.

Her mother sighed and sat beside her on the bed. She took Mina’s right hand in her own, calloused yet comforting. I know this is difficult to understand, but maybe this is a gift. Maybe this scale has a purpose we can’t see yet. Only time will tell.

Mina scowled. It didn’t feel like a gift. It felt like a curse. She leaned into her mother’s embrace, letting the warmth and familiar scent soothe her. She knew her mother meant well. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe one day this scale would prove to be a gift. She closed her eyes, drifting off to the sound of her mother’s lullaby.

The next morning, Mina awoke to birds chirping outside. For a brief moment, she felt at peace. Then a sharp pain in her leg jerked her back to the present.

The scale.

She peeled back her blanket to examine the injury. The bleeding had stopped. The scale was embedded in her flesh as before, but now she noticed something new. A tingling sensation emanated from the scale, as if it had developed a life of its own. She rubbed her fingers over the scale, and the tingling intensified into a surge of awareness. Somewhere, in the distance, was a dragon. She could feel its presence like a heartbeat.

Mina gasped and yanked her hand away. How did she know there was a dragon nearby? What dark magic was this? She had always been sensitive to the natural world, but this was something different. Something unnatural.

The tingling faded, but it left her unsettled. She had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning. The scale had changed her in some fundamental way, and given her an ability she never asked for.

Her mother entered the room, smiling. How are you feeling today? Then she noticed Mina’s expression. What's wrong?

Mina hesitated. How could she possibly explain this? Her mother wouldn’t understand. No one would. She was alone in this.

Mina shook her head and forced a smile. I'm fine. Just tired.

Her mother frowned, seeing through the lie. But she didn’t press the issue. Get some rest, then. I’ll bring you some broth.

As her mother bustled out of the room, Mina curled into a ball. She pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the rhythmic pulsing that seemed to permeate her mind.

A dragon was out there. She could feel its presence, like flames licking at the edges of her consciousness. No matter how hard she strained to ignore the sensation, it persisted.

A tear rolled down her cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut, cursing the wretched scale and the fate that had befallen her. If only she had never ventured so far into the forest. If only she hadn’t been so curious.

Now she was cursed, marked by something dark and strange.

*

The whispers started as hushed murmurs in the village square, but soon spread like wildfire through the cobblestone streets.

Mina could feel the stares of villagers as she walked by, their eyes following her every move. She pulled her cloak tighter, as if she could hide from their prying gazes.

Did they know she could sense a dragon was out there? Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought. Dark magic was outlawed, and only nobles could use the magic sanctioned by the High Prince. What if they thought she was a witch?

Within days, tales of her mysterious ability had spread throughout the village. She had only told her mother, but someone must have overheard their conversation. She prayed word of her affliction didn’t leave the village, but a few days later, that fear was confirmed.

Mina’s parents called her into their small kitchen. Her mother wrung her hands anxiously, while her father stared out the window at their farm, brow furrowed.

Mina’s stomach twisted into knots. What’s wrong?

Her father turned to her, his eyes grave. Lord Klodian has requested an audience with us. He wants to discuss your ... ability.

Mina paled. She knew this meant trouble. Lord Klodian did not request audiences out of idle curiosity. There was always an ulterior motive behind the actions of Dominion Lords.

You can refuse, she said hurriedly. We don’t have to meet with him.

Her father gave her mother a knowing look.

If we refuse, it will only anger him, her mother said.

There must be another way. What if he wants to take me away?

Her parents refused to meet her gaze, staring instead at the floor. The silence in the room was suffocating. Finally, her father spoke, his voice heavy with resignation. We have agreed to meet with Lord Klodian. He has offered to give you a better life than we can provide.

No! Mina cried.

It is the only way to keep our family safe.

We’re protecting you. And ourselves, her mother added. It would not be good for any of us to defy Lord Klodian.

I won’t go with him! Mina insisted, panic rising in her chest. I'll run away first!

And then he will hunt you down, her father said. His soldiers will scour every inch of the kingdom until you are found. It is better to go willingly than be dragged there against your will.

I hate you! The words burst from Mina unbidden, hot and angry. How can you do this to me? I’m your daughter!

Her parents flinched, but held firm in their resolve. They had made their choice, and now Mina would have to live with the consequences. Or die trying to escape them. She turned and fled from the house, tears blurring her vision as she ran into the trees. But no matter how fast or how far she ran, she could not escape the truth: she now belonged to Lord Klodian. Her life was no longer her own.

*

Mina huddled in the branches of an old oak tree, watching the winding dirt road that led to her village. Any moment now, Lord Klodian would come riding through, flanked by guards in gleaming armor. Coming to claim her.

Her heart thudded in her chest like a wild bird trying to escape. She didn’t want to go with him. She didn’t want to be owned and controlled, treated like some kind of prize horse. But she had no choice. Her parents had seen to that.

When the procession finally came into view, Mina squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t watch, couldn’t bear to see the look on Lord Klodian’s face as he took possession of her.

Mina! Her father’s voice rang out below. Lord Klodian is here for you. Come down at once!

She opened her eyes and slowly climbed down from the tree, limbs heavy with dread. This was it. The end of her freedom. The beginning of her imprisonment.

Mina blinked back the tears, steeling herself for the long journey ahead. She may be bound to Lord Klodian now, but she would never truly belong to him. Not as long as she had breath left in her body. She only hoped she could survive long enough to find a way out of his cage.

*

Lord Klodian surveyed her with a possessive gaze as the carriage rumbled along the road to his keep. Her parents’ stricken faces haunted her, even now. They didn’t want to sell her any more than she wanted to go. But what choice did they have? Defy Lord Klodian and face his wrath, or give up their only daughter to save all their skins?

Mina couldn’t blame them for choosing the latter. She knew the stories, knew the fate of those foolish enough to cross a Dominion Lord. They did what they had to in order to survive, as always.

She sighed, gazing out the window at the rolling hills of sand that stretched endlessly into the distance. If only she had the freedom to roam the forest as before, but wishes were for children, and she was no longer a child. She was a prisoner in a gilded cage, a pawn in Lord Klodian’s game of power and control. And there was no escape—not for her, and not for her parents.

They were all dancing to the tune of the Dominion Lord now.

1

The sun glared overhead, reminding Mina why she dreaded Lord Klodian’s summer hunting trips. He was almost obsessive in his desire to hunt dragons for sport, and he used Mina like a hound to sniff them out.

Her life hadn’t always been so exciting. Once, she’d been a normal girl that worked the farm with her family … until they sold her to Lord Klodian. Those days seemed so long ago now. At least the memories no longer brought her to tears. She’d cried enough to last her the rest of her life, as far as she was concerned.

Which way, girl?

Mina’s pace had slowed, prompting Lord Klodian’s demand. She looked over her shoulder at him. He sat astride his black warhorse, his polished plate armor glinting in the sunlight. The visor of his helm was up, and he glared at her impatiently.

To his right rode a group of his retainers, and on his left was Vhan, Klodian’s squire. The retainers stared at her with a bored expression plastered on their faces, but Vhan looked excited. The squire was always thrilled when it came to dragon hunts.

This way, Mina replied.

She continued trudging along the dunes, following the subtle pull she felt from the scale embedded in her leg. It infuriated her that Klodian forced her to walk while he and his entourage got to ride horses. Certainly, he knew it would be quicker if she were mounted, but then again, he probably did it just to spite her.

Mina was Klodian’s slave, and she knew it. Whether or not it was legal was another issue, but from what Mina had gathered so far in her young life, Dominion Lords did whatever pleased them so long as it didn’t get them into trouble with the High Prince.

She supposed it was a small blessing to belong to Klodian. There were rumors that other Dominion Lords could be very abusive, violent even. While Klodian had never raised a hand toward her, he was manipulative and impetuous. Growing up amidst the wealthy and elite seemed to breed those qualities into people, though.

Ahead, Mina spotted a tall mesa that rose several hundred feet above the surrounding landscape. The top was flat, and the sides were steep and straight as if some underground creature had pushed it directly up out of the ground. The rock formation was various shades of red all intermingled, but that wasn’t what caught Mina’s attention.

It was the shadowed cave entrance.

She angled her steps toward the mountain and the scale in her leg began to burn. It was only slightly uncomfortable, but once they got within a few hundred feet of the dragon, the pain would be excruciating. It happened every time, but that never stopped her. It wasn’t the fear that Klodian would punish her that kept her from turning away. It was her hatred for dragons.

They were the source of her misery. Or rather, one of them was. That didn’t matter to Mina. The only good dragon was a dead one, and so she would continue to lead Lord Klodian on his hunts with the hope that—one day—he would kill the beast whose scale made her life a nightmare.

It’s there, Mina said. Inside the cave.

You’re certain? Klodian asked. It’s not on top, preparing to swoop down on us?

She turned to regard him. Klodian hadn’t kept his title as Dominion Lord for no reason. He’d been born to the position, certainly, but that didn’t guarantee someone the title for life. There was always some young upstart who wanted the power and fame for themselves, and Klodian’s quick wits and suspicion had saved him from many assassination attempts.

I’m certain, my Lord. The scale may be a curse, but it never lies.

One man’s curse is another man’s godsend. You may not like your ability, girl, but your gift has increased my wealth fourfold.

That was another thing that bothered Mina. Lord Klodian always referred to her as ‘girl’ and never by her actual name. She supposed he did that out of spite, as well.

You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. And I say it is a curse.

Klodian laughed and slid off his mount, landing with a clatter as his plate mail jounced about. He unsheathed his sword from his waistbelt and quickly looked it over, then returned it. He motioned to Vhan, and the squire also dismounted. Vhan carried a spear, but the weapon wasn’t his. He hadn’t earned the privilege of learning to fight yet.

Wait for me out here, Klodian ordered, taking the spear from Vhan. I’ll be back shortly.

Mina watched him disappear inside the cave. The retainers began talking amongst themselves, sharing gossip and discussing things that made Mina wish a dragon would swoop down on them. Whether it ate them or her didn’t matter, so long as it put her out of her misery.

Vhan slowly sidled around to where Mina stood, a grin on his face.

Don’t even ask, Mina said.

I’ve never seen it, Vhan replied. "And I really want to see it."

Why? So you can make fun of me, too? No, thank you.

I wouldn’t make fun of you. I think having a dragon scale in your leg is neat. I’d have one if I could. How did you get that, anyway?

I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, Mina said.

I’ve heard rumors, which is usually far from the truth. And I’ve never heard the story from you, so …

Vhan stared at her expectantly.

I fell on it.

Care to elaborate?

Mina heaved a sigh, knowing Vhan would irritate her until she gave in.

I was playing in the hills when I was young, and a hole opened up beneath me. I fell into a dragon’s nest and landed on a pile of scales. This one, Mina slapped her thigh, happened to penetrate my skin.

Vhan’s eyes were wide. Seriously? That must have been amazing. Being in a dragon’s nest, I mean.

The nest was abandoned. And it wasn’t amazing at all. It ruined my life.

You’re alive, aren’t you? Vhan asked.

I exist, but I wouldn’t exactly call being a slave to Klodian living.

Some people don’t like him, but I do. He’s always nice to me. I have a warm bed and food to eat, so I can’t complain. There wasn’t much to go around at my home, so being the squire to Lord Klodian has been the best thing that’s happened to me.

Mina offered him a fake smile in the hopes that he’d get the hint and stop talking, but he kept yammering on about how great it was to be part of Klodian’s Dominion. Mina tuned his voice out and watched the cave entrance, wondering how long it would take Klodian to kill the dragon. Her leg was still burning, which meant it wasn’t dead yet. At least he hadn’t forced them to go into the cave with him.

After a while, Vhan left her alone and wandered over to listen to the retainers. Mina rubbed her leg, massaging the skin around the edges of the scale. She didn’t fear for Klodian’s safety. If he died, then she’d have an opportunity to escape. It wasn’t likely he’d be killed, though. Not when he had the power of his runes. That was another perk the wealthy nobles enjoyed: magic.

Rune magic was sanctioned by the High Prince, and it was only lawful for nobles to employ it. Everything else was outlawed, but that didn’t stop people from practicing it in secret. Although Mina had never met any illegal sorcerers, she knew they were out there. It was whispered that on the fringes of the Dominions, there were people who openly sold their services to others.

The burning in Mina’s leg ceased abruptly, and she smiled. Another dragon was dead. Good riddance, she thought. A moment later, Lord Klodian stepped out from the cave. He was covered in dust and blood, and he carried a severed horn in one hand. Vhan rushed over and fawned over him, ever the loyal squire. Mina found the display annoying and turned her gaze away, looking up at the mesa’s jagged walls.

That’s the first dragon of the season, Vhan said.

The first of many, Klodian replied. Girl.

Mina looked at him, and he tossed the horn to her. She caught it and turned it over, examining it. It was small, and she guessed the dragon must have been an adolescent.

For your collection, Klodian said.

Thank you, my Lord.

Ride back to the castle and summon the workers, Klodian instructed Vhan. Tell them to bring plenty of wagons. The beast was hoarding enough trinkets to fund an army.

Right away, sir.

Vhan got on his horse and rode off. The retainers gathered around Klodian and listened to him relay how he killed the dragon. Mina ran her fingers along the horn, feeling the coarse lines that grooved its surface. Every horn was different, but they all had similarities. She glanced at the cave and thought she saw glowing eyes staring back at her from the shadows. She blinked a few times and squinted, but there was nothing there.

It was probably her imagination. She waited for Klodian to finish bragging about his kill, and then they began the trek back to the castle. Mina clutched the horn in her hands, hoping that the next dragon to be killed would be the one to set her free.

How she hated dragons.

2

It had been a grueling day for Caden.

He’d faced a series of challenges that tested both his mind and his body, and he’d pushed his limits further than he ever believed possible. Feats of strength, tactical challenges, and many other trials meant to determine whether he was worthy of being a Runesman had been his sole focus.

And he’d made the cut.

Caden stood in line, waiting for his turn to be marked. A few of his fellows had suffered minor injuries, and the man in front of him was bleeding from a cut on the back of his head. It didn’t seem to bother him, so Caden didn’t point it out.

Both exhausted and dirty, Caden was ready to rest. The challenges had been physically taxing, true, but his mind had been tested even harder. He’d tried to only think about his tasks, but that hadn’t helped. The entire time he’d been questioning himself, worried that he’d fail somehow. When given the news that he’d been accepted as a Runesman, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

If there was one thing that Caden wanted in life, it was fame. And riches. So, two things. They usually came hand in hand, anyway. He didn’t want to be a Dominion Lord—and couldn’t be one—but he did want everything they had. And the easiest way to gain both was to become a Runesman.

Since he lived in the Thophate Dominion, that meant that he’d been forced to enlist in Lord Ardit Klodian’s army. That wasn’t necessarily a problem in itself, but Lord Klodian didn’t wage war against the other Dominions enough for Caden to earn the renown he wanted. So, he’d devised a plan. A plan of simplicity that had little chance of failing in his mind.

He would enlist with Lord Klodian, then request a citizen’s transfer to another Dominion. Transferring to another Dominion wasn’t unheard of, and with the right coaxing, there would be no reason Lord Klodian should refuse him.

The only flaw Caden could find with his plan was that he didn’t know which Dominion was in good standing with Lord Klodian. They fell in and out of favor with one another as often as the wind changed direction, which meant that Caden would have to keep his ears open. If he requested a transfer to one of Klodain’s enemies, well … that would be bad.

Step forward.

A portly middle-aged man sat behind a wooden table, scrawling names onto a parchment with a feather-pen. He dipped the quill into an inkwell and gazed up at Caden. The man wore thin spectacles, and they hovered at the edge of his nose, threatening to slip free at any moment.

Name?

Caden Davtyan, Caden said.

The man repeated the name under his breath as he wrote Caden’s name down, misspelling his surname. Caden didn’t bother correcting him. No one had ever managed to spell his surname properly, and Caden’s father had taught him long ago that a man must pick his battles carefully.

Do you own a blade?

Not yet, Caden replied, giving the man a grin.

Right then. Go to the red tent where those men are and wait for Captain Eduard. He’ll determine the best rune for you.

Thank you.

Caden strolled over to the tent the steward had motioned to, joining the group of men waiting there, and glanced around the field. They were outside the castle, and various obstacles had been set up for the day’s festivities. Enlistment day only came around once every few months, and Caden had waited a long time for this moment. Now that the Runesmen had been chosen, servants were working on clearing the field.

Turning his attention to the other members of his group, Caden spotted a man with long braided hair. He thought it was odd until the man turned around and he realized it wasn’t a man at all, but a woman.

What are you looking at? she snapped.

Nothing, Caden answered calmly. He didn’t avert his eyes, though. He matched her stare.

You don’t think I should be here, do you? Well, I’ve got just as much right to be here as you. And I guarantee I could kick your butt across this field without breaking a sweat.

Calm down, Thais, one of the others said. Save your energy.

Shut your mouth, Thais growled back at him. Or I’ll pummel you, too.

She shot Caden another glare before turning away. Caden shook his head, finding it funny that a woman would want to join the Runesmen. He supposed she had her reasons, just as he did, and that he shouldn’t look down on her.

Captain Eduard, an imposing man decked out in chainmail and leather armor, strode over to the tent and began assigning people their runes. Some of them left to other tents, but Caden and a handful of others were instructed to stay where they were.

Each of you showed proficiency in many areas, but those of you standing here excelled at one thing in particular. Strength.

Captain Eduard looked at each of them, meeting their gaze for a moment before looking to the next person.

Being a Runesman is something most envy, but not everyone is cut from the same cloth. Some of your fellows will be marked for sight, and others for speed. Though you may have different runes, you are all a brotherhood dedicated to the same cause. Defend the Thophate and protect Lord Klodian. Do you all swear allegiance to your new lord until the day you die?

I swear it, Caden said, his voice joining the chorus of his fellows.

Good. The Marking will hurt, but only for a short while. It burns more than anything, at least it did for me. Remove your shirts and take a seat. The scribes will perform their work, and then you will be escorted to the barracks.

Caden removed his shirt and stuffed it into his belt. Everyone else removed theirs as well, except for Thais. She stood rooted in place, her face a mask of stoicism.

Is there a problem? Captain Eduard asked.

Thais cleared her throat. Must I remove my shirt?

If you want to be a Runesman. Are you having second thoughts?

No, sir.

Caden eyed her from his peripheral, wondering if she was actually going to go through with it. After a brief moment of hesitation, she removed her shirt. Thais’s jaw tightened and Caden knew if anyone said anything inappropriate, she wouldn’t hesitate to lay them out on their back.

No one said a word.

Everyone took a seat upon a wooden chair. The chairs were designed differently than anything Caden had seen before, with the back of the chair actually being in the front. The design allowed the person sitting to lean forward, and as Caden did so, he understood the idea behind the design.

A group of elderly men joined them under the tent, and each one carried a bucket filled with supplies. Caden’s scribe set his bucket down and removed clean strips of cloth, inkwells, and some sort of metal instrument. He laid them out on the table and used one of the cloth strips to cleanse a spot on Caden’s back, just below his neckline.

None of the scribes spoke as they worked. Caden gritted his teeth against the pain as sharp pinpricks stabbed the flesh along his spine. And it burned, just as Captain Eduard had said it would. From his side view, Caden watched another scribe work on Thais. Her eyes were closed, but she flinched here and there as the old man stabbed her with his metal instrument.

He dipped the tip of it into an inkwell, then jabbed it into Thais’s flesh. As far as Caden could tell, each scribe followed the same process. While he knew that being a Runesman granted his lord the ability to borrow an attribute, he knew nothing about how the magic of the runes actually operated.

As he watched the scribe work, he assumed the magic imbued within the rune had something to do with the ink being used. The scribes were tattooing a rune into their flesh, and since that rune connected them to their lord, it seemed logical to Caden that the ink was magical in some way.

Thais opened her eyes and glanced at him, scowling. Caden turned his gaze straight ahead and tried not to think about Thais beating him to a pulp. He also tried not to think about her naked upper half, as that would cause other problems. She reminded him of a feral animal, wild and dangerous. And yet, he was attracted to her. She was pretty, there was no denying that, but her personality clashed with her looks enough that Caden knew he’d never pursue anything with her.

His conflicting thoughts were interrupted as a sharp pain lanced down his back, and he felt his feet go numb. The scribe tattooing him slathered something thick and greasy onto his flesh, rubbing it in thoroughly. The numbness faded, but his back still burned like fire.

The rune is complete, the old man said.

Caden sat up, stretching the stiffness from his muscles. He watched the old man place everything back into his bucket, and then he left. Captain Eduard came over to inspect the rune and nodded his approval.

"Well