the Exile Dragon king

chapter five

Chapter Five: The Dirty Bargain

The docks were a maze of rotting wood and rusted chains, the air thick with the smell of fish and salt. Xavier followed Sera through the maze of ships, his eyes scanning the shadows for threats. Every creak of the wood made him flinch, every distant shout made his heart race.

"There," Sera said, pointing to a battered old ship tied to the end of the pier. "The Stormchaser. That is Alaric's vessel."

Xavier studied the ship. It looked like it had seen better days, its sails patched and its hull scarred from countless storms. But there was something about it that felt right. Something that called to him.

"He is not going to be happy to see us," Sera warned. "Alaric does not like visitors. Especially not ones who bring trouble."

"Then I will make sure I do not look like trouble," Xavier said.

Sera laughed. "With that face? You look like trouble walking."

They climbed aboard the ship, their footsteps echoing on the wooden deck. A grizzled old man emerged from the cabin, his face weathered and wrinkled like old leather. He had a white beard that reached his chest and eyes that missed nothing.

"Well, well," he said, his voice like gravel. "Sera Voss. I was wondering when you would show up again." His eyes shifted to Xavier. "And who is this? You look like you have been dragged through a gutter and left for dead."

"Something like that," Xavier said. "My name is Xavier Knight."

Alaric's eyes narrowed. "Knight? Any relation to Ser Vance Knight?"

Xavier's heart stopped. "He was my father."

Alaric studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he spat over the side of the ship. "Your father was a good man. A great man. It is a shame what happened to him."

"You knew him?"

"Everyone knew him." Alaric turned and walked toward the cabin. "Come inside. We have things to discuss."

The cabin was small and cluttered, filled with maps and charts and strange trinkets from distant lands. Alaric settled into a chair behind a cluttered desk and gestured for them to sit.

"What brings you to my ship, Xavier Knight?" he asked. "And do not tell me it is just to reminisce about your father."

Xavier took a deep breath. "I need to find the Isle of the Forgotten."

Alaric's face went pale. "The Isle of the Forgotten? That is a myth. A legend. It does not exist."

"It exists," Xavier said. "I have seen it. In my visions. There are ancient dragons there. They can help me control my powers."

Alaric leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "You are a Sovereign. I should have known. Your father had the same look in his eyes when he talked about the dragons." He shook his head slowly. "I cannot take you there, boy. Even if I knew where it was, which I do not."

"You are lying," Sera said. "You know exactly where it is."

Alaric's eyes flashed with anger. "Watch your tongue, girl. You may be a rebel leader, but on my ship, you follow my rules."

"Please," Xavier said, his voice soft. "I need to get there. It is the only way I can save myself. It is the only way I can save anyone."

Alaric stared at him for a long moment. Then he sighed heavily. "Your father helped me once. A long time ago. He saved my life when he did not have to. I owe him a debt." He leaned forward, his eyes boring into Xavier's. "But the Isle is dangerous. The journey there is even more dangerous. If we go, there is a good chance we will not come back."

Xavier's jaw tightened. "I will take that chance."

"Fine. But I want something in return." Alaric held up his hand. "I need the Storm Scale. It is a dragon artifact that was stolen from me years ago. If you can get it back, I will take you to the Isle."

Sera frowned. "The Storm Scale? That is in the empire's vault. It is guarded by a hundred soldiers and a dozen Inquisitors."

"I know." Alaric's face was unreadable. "That is why I have not been able to get it back myself."

Xavier looked at Sera, then back at Alaric. "I will do it. I will get the Storm Scale."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "You are willing to risk your life for a journey that might kill you?"

"I have been risking my life every day for years," Xavier said. "At least this time, I have a reason."

Alaric laughed, a rough, barking sound. "You have got your father's fire, boy. I will give you that." He reached into his desk and pulled out a rolled-up map. "The vault is in the capital. In the temple's lower levels. The Storm Scale is kept in a locked room at the very bottom."

Xavier studied the map, his mind racing. "I know that temple. I used to live there."

"Then you know how dangerous it is," Alaric said. "The Inquisitors are everywhere. And the high lord himself guards the lower levels."

Xavier's blood went cold. "My uncle."

"Your uncle," Alaric confirmed. "He never leaves the vault unguarded. He is obsessed with the artifacts. Especially the Storm Scale."

Sera leaned forward. "We can help. Heartsblood has operatives in the capital. We can provide a distraction while Xavier gets in and out."

Alaric shook his head. "This is a solo mission. Too many people will just attract attention." He looked at Xavier. "You will go alone. You will get the Scale. And you will get out."

Xavier nodded slowly. "I can do this."

"Can you?" Sera asked, her voice skeptical. "You have barely been able to control your powers. What happens if you have to fight?"

Xavier looked at his hands. The storm energy was still there, pulsing beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed. It was wild and unpredictable, but it was also powerful. It was the only weapon he had.

"I will find a way," he said. "I always do."

Alaric rolled up the map and handed it to him. "You have three days. After that, the Storm Scale will be moved to a different location. If you are not back by then, you will never find it."

Xavier took the map and tucked it into his coat. "I will be back. I promise."

Alaric studied him for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. "I believe you will." He extended his hand. "Good luck, Xavier Knight. You are going to need it."

Xavier shook his hand, feeling the rough calluses and the strength beneath them. "Thank you."

"Do not thank me yet," Alaric said. "Thank me when you are standing on the Isle of the Forgotten with the Storm Scale in your hand."

Xavier and Sera left the ship and walked back through the docks. The rain had started again, a fine mist that clung to their skin.

"He is right, you know," Sera said. "This is insane. You could die."

"I have been dying for years," Xavier said. "At least this way, I die with purpose."

Sera stopped walking and turned to face him. "I do not know what happened to you, Xavier. I do not know how you ended up so broken. But I can see the fire in your eyes. The same fire your father had."

Xavier felt a lump form in his throat. "You knew my father?"

"I knew of him. Everyone in the rebellion knew of him. He was a legend. A man who stood up to the empire even when it cost him everything." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "You are more like him than you know."

Xavier looked at her, his eyes burning. "I do not know if I can do this. I do not know if I can be what everyone expects me to be."

"You do not have to be anything," Sera said. "You just have to survive. The rest will follow."

Xavier nodded slowly. "I will try."

"That is all anyone can ask."

They walked in silence for a moment. Then Sera spoke again.

"When you get the Scale, come find me. We have a weapon to destroy. And we need all the help we can get."

"I will," Xavier said. "I promise."

Sera nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Xavier alone in the rain. He looked at the map in his hands, then up at the temple in the distance.

Three days.

It was not much time. But it was all he had.

He took a deep breath and started walking.