by Eric Vall
“My people will never forget this,” she breathed as she stared up at me with those arresting blue eyes. “You will be as revered as King Rodion.”
I grinned at the image of being worshiped like the king. Maybe this request should have been accepted right away.
Ravi’s smile disappeared as she yawned.
“Come, you should probably get ready for bed, you have had quite the day,” Julia said as she rose from the table. “Laika, would you mind escorting Ravi to her room on the airship?”
“Of course, my lady.” Laika stood and walked around the table. “Follow me, Your Majesty.”
Then, together, Laika and Ravi walked back to the ship, and I watched as they strolled away. At first, my eyes were immediately drawn to Laika. Her leather armor was the perfect way to show off her toned legs and back, and I could see her muscles ripple as she walked. Ravi was less muscular, but her hips swished hypnotically. Her robes left little room for the imagination as the silk clung to her curves, and I stared after them until they vanished behind a corner.
Once they were gone, I glanced around the dining pavilion.
“Has anyone seen Nike?” I asked the remainder of my table. “I want to update him on the situation.”
“He wasn’t at dinner, so I would assume he’s still in the cabin.” Ruslan answered.
“Thanks, Pops, I’ll go find him,” I replied before I waved to the dryad sisters at the table. “See you later, ladies.”
The dryad sisters each waved, and their farewells practically blended together.
“Bye!”
“See you later, Lord Evan.”
“Have a good night!”
I smiled at them in return and then looked at Alyona.
She rose from the table and hugged me. “Thank you. I’m glad you decided to help Ravi.”
“I’m glad I am too,” I replied as I kissed her cheek. “I’m still not sure it’s the best idea, but we need those maps.” I kissed her again. “Do you want me to walk you back to your room.”
“No, I’ll be fine,” she said as we separated. “Thank you.”
“Nonsense! We can escort you home!” Ruslan rushed forward and held out his arm. “I think it’s about time we got to know our future daughter a little better.”
The sly fox cast me a wink at those words.
“Pops, wait--” I tried, but Ruslan and Julia wrapped their arms around Alyona and quickly fled.
I could hear Alyona giggle as they sped away, though, so I just rolled my eyes fondly before I headed off to find Nike.
When I reached Nike’s magical cabin, I knocked on the door. After a few seconds, one of the scholars opened it. He was a tall man with long dark hair and dark eyes, and he raised one dark eyebrow at me.
“Yes?”
“I need to speak to Nikolaus,” I replied.
The man stared at me before he stepped back and yelled for Nikolaus. A moment later, I saw the familiar black hair and silver eyes.
“Evan, what are you doing here?” my fellow Noble of the Sword asked.
“I need your help,” I explained.
Instantly, his eyes darkened, and he stepped outside and closed the door to the cabin behind him.
“What happened?” he asked urgently.
“I have agreed to help Ravi,” I told him.
His posture relaxed, and he let out a breath.
“I see. How long will you be gone?”
“I’ve estimated about a week. That’s what I need to talk to you about. I want to leave you in charge while I’m gone. There is no one I trust more than you to take care of my people.” I looked him in the eye. “You are my brother, Nike. I need you to protect Hatra while I am gone.”
“It would be my honor, brother.” He held out his hand, and I grasped his forearm.
“Thank you, Nike,” I told him with a relieved smile.
“Of course.” He nodded.
“I should probably go, I need to wake up early for patrol tomorrow morning,” I said as I stepped back. “I’ll see you.”
“Goodnight, Evan,” he murmured, and then he met my eyes one last time. “Do not worry. I will protect your city with my life.”
“I know you will,” I said before I turned away and heard Nike return to the cabin and shut the door.
As I walked away, a little tension lifted from my shoulders. At least I knew my city would be protected while I was away. Between Nike, Laika, and Alyona, my city would be in good hands.
Chapter 5
“Oh fuck!” I cursed as I jumped from my bed the next morning.
The sun had barely started to rise in the sky, but I knew Valerra would be pissed. So, I quickly ran out into the city and ignored the few friendly greetings thrown my way by the citizens. Then, when I reached the gates, I shifted into my dragon form in one fluid motion and took off into the sky.
My wings beat against the strong wind, and I cursed my luck as I struggled to gain altitude. Of course, the morning I was late would be a windy day, and as I approached the canyons, I resigned myself to my fate.
Valerra sat atop the canyons near the waterfall, and her crimson scales shone brightly in the dawn light. I landed next to her, and she snorted. Her eyes were closed, and she had her head turned toward the rising sun.
“You are late.”
“I know.”
“Again,” she emphasized.
“I know,” I repeated with a sigh.
“I should send you back to your human city for your incompetence,” she said and finally turned toward me.
She stared at me for a long unblinking moment, and her golden eyes burned with annoyance before she extended her massive wings and leapt into the sky.
As I craned my long neck to look up at her, she turned her head back toward me while she hovered in the air and curled her lip into a sneer.
“Are you coming or not?” she growled.
“We’re still going to patrol?” I asked her, slightly disappointed. I was hoping for a repeat of the last time I was late, when we ignored the patrol and simply enjoyed each other’s company.
“Yes,” she snapped. “Despite your time management incompetence, you’re not terrible company, and I feel the need to stretch my wings.”
“Did you just insult and compliment me in the same sentence?” I teased her.
“Never mention it again.” Her voice was hard, but there was no heat to her words.
I rolled my eyes, but then I jumped off the cliff after her, and together we began our patrol.
Valerra and I soared over the desert, and as the sun rose slowly over the sand, the light illuminated the vastness of it all. A few cacti rose us from the ground and gave the otherwise bland landscape some character, but the dry air was already uncomfortably hot as we flew, and I was suddenly thankful Valerra didn’t patrol later in the day when the canyons would be nearly unbearable.
We didn’t land in the oasis this time, though. Instead, Valerra abandoned the high altitude to fly lower than usual, so her crimson wings brushed against the tops of the palm trees and caused them to sway. There were a few animals around the water, but the presence of two dragons caused them to scatter into the underbrush.
Valerra beat her powerful wings, which sent a gust of wind through the oasis, and sand and leaves swirled around the area. By the time the dust had settled along the ground, Valerra was back up into the sky with me, and it was hard to believe how graceful she was despite her enormous size. She seemed to study the oasis for a moment and then turned away, content with her assessment.
We continued our patrol and eventually, Valerra turned us back toward the canyons.
We arrived back at her cave when the sun was high in the sky, and once we landed, she stalked away, probably on her way to check on her sister’s egg.
I followed after her, but she turned, and her golden eyes bore into me as she bared her large, white fangs.
“Our patrol is done for the day.”
“I want to talk to you,” I argued.
She groaned and continued forward, toward her treasure hoard and her sister’s egg. Then she transformed into her human form and draped herself along the silks used to cushion the egg.
I quickly shifted as well and leaned against a pile of gold coins. A few broke formation and rolled along the floor, but I ignored them.
“I have learned by now how stubborn you can be, so what is it you want to discuss?” Valerra asked as she raised a thin red eyebrow at me.
“Have you ever heard of a phoenix?” I questioned.
I had hoped she could give me some more information. Valerra was one of the only creatures alive I knew of that could have possibly met and interacted with a phoenix before they disappeared.
“Yes, of course,” the crimson haired woman scoffed, before she narrowed her eyes at me. “Why do you ask?”
“I met one yesterday,” I replied with a shrug. “Her name is Ravi. She claims to be the daughter of someone named Fiyero.”
“Impossible,” Valerra laughed and shook her head. “The phoenixes were all killed a thousand years ago. The girl must be part of a ruse.”
“It’s true,” I insisted. “She transformed in front of my very eyes. And she has fire magic. She arrived in Hatra in a ball of fire.”
Valerra’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“How is that possible?” she murmured, almost half to herself. “Where have they been?”
“They’ve been in the desert,” I explained. “King Rodion allegedly helped hide their presence from the miasma and sent them there to help keep them safe.”
“I see.” Valerra pursed her lips in thought as she stared out into the middle distance, but then she shook her head and turned her attention back to me. “So, what would you like to know about them?”
“Did you ever meet any of them?” I asked. “You’re the only one I know who could have had the opportunity to meet them.”
Valerra shrugged as she reclined further next to her sister’s egg. “I know the Phoenix Tribes were well known for their magic and their ability to purify with their fire. Many people called upon them to purify murky waters or cleanse diseased soil. They were a peaceful people. In fact, I have memories of a few phoenix men who tried to convince me to let them pass through my canyon, and they offered me gold and jewels for safe passage. I killed them quickly and stole their treasure.”
“I’m not surprised,” I sighed.
She smiled wickedly. “That was before the Breach. When they all disappeared, I just assumed they were all killed. Obviously, I was wrong if your princess is anything to go by. Do you trust her intentions?”
“I do.” I nodded. “Ravi seems sincere. She claims her people need help, that they are being hunted by something in the desert.”
“What is it she is so afraid of?” Valerra asked with a tilt of her head.
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “She hasn’t told me yet, but I’m sure I’ll be able to handle it. I’m a dragon, after all. There aren’t a lot of things that can hurt us.”
I flashed Valerra a confident smirk, but she just rolled her eyes.
“So, you have agreed to help her then?” she asked.
“I have.”
“Hmm,” Valerra hummed from her spot among the silks.
Then she stood, stretched her arms above her head, and dipped down to pick up a gold coin that had rolled off the pile I leaned against. She inspected it for a moment before she tossed it toward me.
I caught it easily with my left hand and returned it to the pile.
“What?” I asked when she gave no further response.
She shrugged her shoulders.
“Are you sure this isn’t a trap?” she asked. “It seems strange a girl would appear and claim to be a creature that has been extinct for a thousand years.”
“Aww, are you worried about me?” I teased with a grin.
“Do not flatter yourself,” Valerra scoffed, but I could see the slightest tinge of pink along her cheekbones.
“Come and meet Ravi then, she can tell you her story herself,” I offered.
“You want me to step foot inside that pathetic human city again?” the crimson dragon asked as her nose scrunched in disgust.
“Watch it,” I warned, but there was little heat to my words. “Hatra may not be a typical dragon lair, but it’s still my territory. But no, you don’t have to come into the city. I can bring Ravi here.”
Valerra whipped around quickly with a snarl on her lips, and her golden eyes were alight with rage.
“You will not bring any more humans to my canyons, Evan.”
“Ravi isn’t human,” I reminded her.
“She is a stranger,” the other dragon retorted. “That makes her a threat, and anyone who dares to threaten my sister’s egg will not be allowed to enter my canyons and live.”
“Okay, fine. I won’t bring her here.” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to be so damn dramatic.”
Valerra huffed, and a puff of smoke left her mouth. Then her posture relaxed, and she walked over to stand next to me.
“I will not let my sister’s egg be threatened again,” she explained, and her voice was calm once more. “I made a mistake that nearly killed the two of us. I cannot make another one.”
“I know, Valerra,” I murmured as I looked into her golden eyes. “I promise to help keep your egg safe. Ravi won’t hurt it. She’s not here to hurt anyone. She just needs help.”
Valerra nodded once and sighed. “If you trust her, then I will believe you. But I will not allow her in my canyons. You will not change my mind.”
Before I could say another word, the crimson dragon walked toward the entrance of her cave. I stood up from the pile of coins and followed after her, and when we could see the light from outside, Valerra stopped.
“It’s time for you to go, Evan,” she said as she turned back to face me. “I shall see you in the morning for patrol. Be on time.”
“I’ll try my best. See you.”
Valerra turned around and walked back toward her lair while I continued toward the exit. Then I shifted once I was out of the cave and flew back to Hatra. It was nearly mid-morning now. Our patrol had gone on longer than I anticipated. When I landed back home, I shifted into my human body and summoned the little silver dragon I used to send messages.
The dragon formed in my palm quickly.
“Find Ruslan, Julia, Nike, Alyona, and Laika,” I instructed. “Tell them to meet me at the library as soon as possible.”
The dragon darted off and split into five identical dragons before they all flew away in different directions.
I watched as they vanished into the city, and then I walked quickly to the library and arrived before any of the others. I continued inside and sat at one of the tables.
Before too long, Laika arrived.
“Lord Evan, I received your message,” she greeted with a furrowed brow. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine, don’t worry,” I reassured her with a nod. “I just want to talk to everyone about the trip I’m taking with Ravi and to find out more about what exactly her people are so afraid of.”
“So, I assume others will join us soon, then?” my lover asked as she sat down to the left of me.
As she finished, footsteps alerted us to another presence. Nike walked in a moment later, and he waved a hand when he noticed the two of us at the table.
Laika stood quickly and bowed. “Lord Nikolaus.”
“Please, Laika, there is no need to bow.” Nike smiled as she sat back down. “So, what is this about?”
“Hang on, the others will be here soon,” I said as Nike sat across from me. “It’ll be easier to explain once we’re all together.”
“Who else should we expect?” Nike asked and leaned back in his chair.
“Alyona and my parents,” I answered. “They should be here soon.”
A few moments later, as if on cue, all three of them entered the library. Alyona led the small group and immed
iately sat on my right side. Then my parents moved to sit with Nike, across from Alyona and myself.
“Alright, is this everyone?” Ruslan asked as he pulled out Julia’s chair. When she was seated, he gently pushed her chair forward and sat down himself.
“Yeah, this is everyone,” I told him. “I brought you guys here because we need to talk about what to do while I’m gone. Obviously, I won’t be here, and I know you are all capable in different ways. So, the city will be well defended, but I’m still worried about what could happen. By now, I’m sure most of Rahma at least knows about Hatra’s reconstruction. And I’m sure they know of me, the Guardian of Hatra. If word gets out that I’m gone, who knows what could happen.” I paused and looked at the group. “Nike, we talked last night, and you know I plan to leave you in charge. Any and all questions can be directed to Nike in my absence. I trust him to help you in the best way possible.”
Nike smiled and inclined his head toward me.
“It’s an honor I will not take lightly,” he replied solemnly. “I swear to you, no harm will come to your city while you are away.”
I nodded at him gratefully before I turned to my parents.
“Pops,” I began, “I want you and Julia to oversee the reconstruction of the city. Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. The walls to bar off the outskirts are nearly done, so the next step is to begin to seal up the tunnels here in the library.”
My parents nodded.
“Of course, you can trust us,” Ruslan responded for both himself and my mother. “When you return, these tunnels will be so secure, not even a snake could slither its way inside.”
Julia rolled her eyes but made no sound to contradict him.
“Thanks,” I said with a smile. “I know you two care about this city just as much as I do. You’ll be fine.”
Then I turned to Laika and Alyona.
“As for you two ladies, I need you to keep the city defended,” I instructed. “I don’t know if anyone will attack while I’m gone, but we can’t be too careful. Alyona, I need you to double check all of your barriers and maybe set up a few more similar to the one you created when Ravi arrived. Laika, make sure we’ve finished the other guard towers and assist Natalya with the smithy. If she needs more materials, tell her to wait. I don’t want anyone besides those at the Asuran village to be outside of the walls while I’m gone. I’m not sure how far away we will be, but we have to assume I can’t travel back here fast enough to heal anyone who is seriously injured.”