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Book 2: Chapter : 27: The Echo

Instinct made him glance up. A dense fog had collected at the roof of the room — everything but a bare hint of air, densely packed into a miniature cloud.

All sound stopped.

Valentina let the moment linger for the space of three heartbeats. Her fist relaxed and the air whooshed down again.

People gasped all around him as if they had been strangled for minutes instead of a handful of seconds.

Arthur’s gaze snapped to the black egg which still hovered under Whitaker’s power. He hoped that the momentary lack of air hadn’t hurt it.

It glittered darkly. And he thought, perhaps a little amused.

Whitaker’s voice boomed out over the still shocked room.

“You think leading other dragon riders is a stroll in the sunshine? I’d wager most of you have never seen a scourge-eruption. Now it is time for you to truly see what the hive fights against.”

Give it to the young nobles: most of them were not cowed so easily.

“But I’m not dressed for battle!” one girl called, gesturing to her lacy dress.

“You don’t think I’ve gone out in a fancy ball gown?” Valentina asked. “When a call there has been a scourge eruption has gone out, you answer.”

Again, Marion snorted.

This time, Arthur looked at him with eyebrows raised.

The prince raised them back as if to say: “What do you expect?”

Looking across the table let Arthur take in the sight of the little girl. She stared up at the stage, trembling.

Penn must have noticed the same. “Don’t worry,” he said, “No matter what happens out there, stick by me. I’ll protect you.”

Arthur thought it was a sweet offer, and much better than what he was going to say which would have been a version of, “I’ve seen a scourge eruption and I’m certain they’ll keep us well away from the front.”

Far from being reassured, the girl gave Penn an affronted look.

Seeing a glimpse of the future, Marion chuckled softly.

“Maybe I’ll protect you,” the girl said, glaring daggers at Penn. Then her features blurred. She gained at least two feet in height and her shoulders broadened. Her clothing switched color and shape, from a girlish dress to a pressed dark shirt and pants.

Within seconds she was Penn’s exact double. Though she still wore the glare.

Marion gestured broadly.

“May I introduce my sister? Princess--”

“You’re the Echo,” Penn interrupted, looking like someone had hit him over the head.

“Maybe you’re the echo,” she shot back. Then she looked down at her hands. “I think I like this. You have… some sort of fighting card?”

A stable shape-shifting card definitely rated as a Rare. But to copy someone else’s card while taking their form? That was a Legendary power.

That was problematic. Arthur resolved to be as non-interesting as possible to the girl.

The moment he had that thought, the girl turned to him. “You have a problem with me, too?”

“I never said that…” Penn objected weakly.

He shook his head. “No, Princess. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Earnest Kane, though my friends call me Arthur.”

As he’d hoped, she returned the gesture.

“I’m Princess Echo, not The Echo.” Another dark glare for Penn.

He couldn’t help his next question. “Was your name a coincidence?”

Now her derisive look was turned firmly on him. Her features melted and the next thing Arthur knew, he stared at the copy of himself down to flyaway hairs that had escaped the oil he’d tried to slick it down with.

“You don’t feel like an idiot,” she said with his voice. Then she frowned. “But… what’s with your cards? I don’t feel any combat abilities at all.”

Feel. Not see.

Arthur felt a small bit of tension ease. He decided to play it like this didn’t bother him. “I’m utility focused, but my Legendary is based on leveled crafting skills.”

“Your mana’s not unlocked?” Now she looked at him like he was a weakling. A very unmanning look from a twelve year old girl.

Marion jumped in. “Arthur’s a Baron’s son, from the outer reaches. It’s rather extraordinary he was has a seat at our table at all.” The words might have stung, but Arthur didn’t sense any ill intent from them.

“Oh. That’s boring.” Echo let his image go and she melted back to her own.

“Don’t be rude,” Marion said, lightly.

She huffed out a sigh but then turned to Arthur. “To answer your question, my card was assigned from birth. All of ours were.” She gestured to Marion, likely indicating all the royal children. “My mother thought it would be cute. So now I’m stuck as Echo Spyglass.”

Arthur glanced at Penn who had turned away from them all, looking to the stage. Several more of the nobles had been shouting objections, which the hive leaders had coldly shut down.

At least Valentina hadn’t pulled the air out of the room again. They likely expected some level of pushback, though no one had relinquished their seat, either.

Arthur turned back to the princess. “If you forgive another question, why do you and your brother have different last names?”

Marion’s eyes glinted in amusement. “Because we have different mothers, of course. Royal children take on the maternal last names if and when we ascend to the throne.”

Penn clearly had been listening. He turned at the last part of the conversation. “From what I understand of the King, I’m surprised he would let any potential heir lead a hive. Wouldn’t that give his children too much power?”

Echo looked sour, though it didn’t seem to be at Penn’s question.

Marion shrugged. “It’s only a temporary step for us.”

“What is?” Arthur asked.

“Bonding.” He shrugged again. “It’s only meant to be a temporary step up to the big seat.”

Arthur stared. He couldn’t mean what he thought he meant…

Echo blew air out from her cheeks. “The king is a mythic card holder linked to a mythic dragon. Whoever ascends takes on that link. That’s how it works. You knew that much, right?”

Penn nodded, looking grave. Arthur did, too. Though inside he was stunned and more than a little sickened.

That meant the ruler of their kingdom was someone who was willing and able to break a link to their own dragon and trade up for a higher tier.

What kind of a person sat on the throne?

“Enough!” Whitaker barked out, and the floors trembled with the strength of his voice. The arguing voices fell silent, though many still looked mutinous.

Whitaker went on, “The seers have called for a scourge-eruption tonight. I suggest instead of whining, you use this time to prepare yourself — including dressing appropriately.” He looked to the girl who had spoken up before. “When the call comes, I expect you to gather back up in your teams here. Until then, you’re dismissed.”

“Excellent,” Marion drawled. “More waiting.”

Arthur stood. “I suggest we take him seriously.”

“I hardly care if these clothes get ruined…”

Penn stared at Arthur, eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I have a personal space — part of my utility set.” He didn’t see a reason to keep that quiet. He’d been open about it when it came to the Rare, and rumor was bound to get around. “I can pack whatever we need in there. Supplies, weapons, anything we can think of in case of an emergency.”

Marion had already been digging around in his pocket while Arthur spoke, likely already have seen this conversation play out.

He thunked a coin bag on the table.

“I have no idea what to bring out in the wilds, but you seem like a knowledgeable fellow. Whatever this team needs, buy it.”

“And not only boy stuff,” Echo said. “If you get clothes, make sure they look good.”

Penn rose and scooped up the bag. “Come on, Kane. Let’s go to the hive stores and make this quick.”