The Keeper's Codex: Ashen Memories

by A. D. Wills

  “We're here, come on.” Calaera raced through, with Shyn following right behind her, clutching hold of his hand, turning down a narrow alley between the shops, and homes.

  Calaera let go of Shyn, and climbed up a couple of conveniently stacked crates. Reaching up, she grabbed the edge of the roof in front of her, and pulled herself up with relative ease.

  “Be careful,” Shyn sharply reminded.

  “I'm already up here Shyn, it's a little late for warnings.” Calaera poked her head over the roof to watch Shyn.

  Shyn was about to vault off the side building, and onto the roof, but reminded himself to keep it normal, and pulled himself up just like Calaera.

  “Well that's no fun,” She sighed, standing up onto the roof.

  “Why did you want to come up here?” Shyn asked, before turning around and seeing exactly why for himself.

  The roof stood just a little bit taller than everything else around them, gifting Calaera and Shyn a clear picturesque view of the City. The blue skies blending in with the orange streaking sunset, and stars already trying to peek through the fading daylight, as if they couldn't wait their turn. The joyful humming buzz of everyone below them, and distant music that filled in the sounds of the night. It felt like they sat in their own exclusive pocket of reality that no one else could reach as long as they were there together.

  “Quite the sight, isn't it?” Calaera asked.

  “It's beautiful...” Shyn said without thinking behind a hidden blush behind his rags. “The city...it really is beautiful at a time like this.”

  “A shame we don't have all that much time to enjoy it up here,” Calaera hinted with pleading eyes at Shyn.

  Shyn looked back at the keep, and back out into the streets where the night was young for everyone else. Everyone that had been casually strolling around during the day had settled in for the night, for the most part, but a whole other crop of people appeared now. With new shows, displays and even restaurants that were just beginning, and opening up, the night life of the Festa was about to begin.

  “I think we might be able to get away with staying out for a little while longer,” Shyn conceded, a part of him regretting he said that. But for now, he mostly just wanted to enjoy this.

  Calaera's face lit up. He was usually a stickler for being on time, so as to not risk being caught out and about by either Lorin or Dreymond.

  While Calaera and Shyn had been out and about in the city under Dreymond and Lorin's noses, Dreymond was in his study, tending to the stacks of letters and requests before the tournament tomorrow.

  The fire roared in his study, and it seemed like he was in for a long night as was the case of late, but one he wanted without distraction, so he made sure to lock the door in a somewhat unusual precaution. When he sat back down, he opened up a letter that had fresh ink written down. He looked at it fondly, before his face dropped to a saddened, torn one, and folded it back up—putting it in a drawer with a false bottom that he then locked away.

  “I'm sorry...I'm so sorry.” Was all Dreymond painfully uttered to himself as he locked the letter away, and went back to drowning himself in more of his work by the crackling evening fire.

  Chapter 3: Skala

  As the story goes, the Dracus used to be a human nomadic tribe, wandering the land like everyone else to find a home of their own.

  This tribe traveled all over Gamriss, but no matter where they thought they found a suitable place, people were already there. Some were friendly enough to invite them in to join, but they wanted a home of their own, so they kept searching.

  When they were left without options, seemingly having exhausted everywhere they were willing to travel, they came across someone who spoke of a mountainous place with everything they needed, entirely unclaimed. Said to have fresh flowing rivers, warm weather, and fertile soil, it sounded like a haven. It's name, Eldaesa.

  For months, they searched all over without any luck, but they persisted. None conceded in their desire to make a home of their own, and their patience paid off when they finally saw Eldaesa for themselves. There was no doubt, it had to be this mythical mountain they heard about.

  Gargantuan, and casting a shadow down onto the land below—so high up that it pierces through the clouds halfway up it's wide brooding base. There wasn't any clear-cut pathway leading up the mountain, but that didn't stop them, and neither did the terrible conditions. Slippery slopes, and jagged ledges made for a treacherous climb, but none were left behind. They slowed, and eased their way up the mountainside, enduring inclement weather, and follies on the way up. It took them days—needing to huddle together for warmth through nights with little to no sleep, but eventually, they saw it.

  Everything they were told, it turned out to be true. A lush, massive greenway that looked like a small country up in the sky, all for them to lay claim to. They almost couldn't believe a place this large could be so high up in the skies. Temperate land, full of grazing wildlife, with a flowing river of fresh ice-cool water from the mountains that froze on its trickling down the other side. And the sun—for the first time in days, they felt its warm touch on their faces, rewarding them for their bravery, and patience. Finally, they found somewhere to make their own.

  But it didn't last.

  Shortly after arriving, it's said the Dragon who calls himself Onnetaar swooped in with his massive emerald wings, and piercing hateful eyes, and he blighted their land without any hope of discussion. None at all. Expelling an unforgiving frosting blast from his silver snout, Onnetaar froze their lands to the core. All life, fertile soil, and the river, everything was gone—rendered to an unrecognizable frozen wasteland. But this would only be the beginning of their suffering.

  Onnetaar parted by cursing each and every one of them, and their descendants, for the rest of their days. Scales slowly pushed through their skin bit-by-bit, short black talons replacing their fingernails falling out. Every part of them changed in a long excruciating process that lasted throughout night, until they all turned into a scaly bastardized creature. Not quite human, and not quite dragon. Standing on their own two legs, but covered head-to-toe in scales, sharp talons for fingernails, and forked tongues. Along with their horrific, painful transformation, they were given newfound immense strength, and heightened senses. But Onnetaar underestimated the stubborn pride of the Dracus who now proudly owned that name.

  The Dracus didn't care about the cost, they just wanted their home, so they took their only consolation; being given bodies to survive in their frostbitten conditions, and thus remained. For generations they stayed strong, and adapted as best they could to survive, despite the Dragons' continued peppering raids. It wasn't easy, but with every year, the Dracus grew stronger, and better together at defending their homes from the dragons. They could have moved, but just like their ancestors, they carried on their fiery pride, and it's since paid off.

  Still far from an ideal life, the Dracus have found some semblance of stability with Eszu as their Chieftain, defending them from the increasingly sparse Dragon raids, and bountiful returns from their monthly hunts. And while they still face the looming threat of attacking dragons, generations ago, they wouldn't be able to gather in a moment of peace like they are today in the great hall before tomorrow's hunt—ready to feast, and drink the night away with what remains from the previous hunt.

  But not everyone was at the feast just yet.

  In behind one of the huts nestled among all the others in the deep snow that's been piling up this time of year, echoing thuds beat out that anyone nearby would be able to hear.

  “Another month...and he still...doesn't choose me,” Skala grunted out between heavy punches against a crude wooden training dummy that looked like someone took an ax to it.

  Her sharp yellow eyes, auburn scales all over her tall figure wearing thin leather armor, and short spikes in two rows of three atop her hairless head, like all Dracus.

  “Still at it?” Ralak, Skala's brother, approached from around the side of he
r hut. Similar golden eyes, and auburn scales, but with plenty more battle scars all over his body from the countless hunts he's been in.

  Skala ripped out a chunk of the dummy, and threw it past Ralak's head.

  Ralak didn't so much as flinch, knowing full-well Skala wouldn't hit him. He also understood her frustration more than anyone.

  Having grown up on their own together, they shared a bond closer than that of most typical brothers and sisters. They were mere children, when both of their parents were killed by dragons in front of them. It might be typical in the rest of Gamriss, but any Dracus who had the chance to grow up with their family as a whole was considered lucky.

  “What is it?” Skala faced Ralak, glaring her piercing golden eyes through an intense stare that would render most stiff and petrified.

  “The feast is about to start, and everyone's already there. I thought I'd come and get you before you're left with the scraps.”

  “I'll be there shortly,” Skala kept her words brief. She didn't want to burden her brother with her bubbling annoyances, as tempting as it might be.

  “I get that you're frustrated, but if it helps any, I know there will likely be an open spot next time...” Ralak tried to encourage her.

  “There was a spot open this time as well, I just wasn't chosen.” Skala let some of her anger boil over, and threw a long knife behind her deep into the wooden dummy, before she finally stepped away for good. “I know I'm stronger than most on the hunt already, Ralak, yet I'm still here waiting. No matter what I do, I'm passed over.”

  Skala was right, and Ralak knew it as well. Even more frustrating for her, was knowing that Eszu had plenty of women participating in the hunt, but she somehow couldn't find her way in over any of them.

  Ralak couldn't tell her, but he knew Eszu was adamant that he wanted Skala to join. He's even told Ralak that Skala might even have the raw strength to perhaps challenge for Chieftain one day. But as strong as she was, Eszu couldn't afford to have any one person put themselves above the rest, even himself. Eszu needed to see Skala be able to lean on, and use others, instead of on her impressive abilities alone.

  “Listen, Eszu's told me himself that you're at the top of his consideration, and you were close to making it this time around, so please just be a little more patient. We all know how strong you are, so you don't need to worry about proving yourself to anyone. Your time will come soon enough.” Ever the awful liar, Ralak's thin lips looked to be hiding something—pulling back about to blurt something out.

  “It's fine, Ralak." Skala dropped her shoulders, rolled her neck, and let out a deep breath. She wasn't entirely over it, and wouldn't be until she would be finally chosen. “I was going to join everyone for the feast anyway, I just needed to blow off some steam so I don't let it out on anyone else.”

  “Namely Climor and Goga?” Ralak asked with a teasing chuckle at the expense of the two now retired, and overly talkative old duo of Climor and Goga.

  “I don't think I'd be able to handle a day of listening to them otherwise.” Skala was sorely reminded of the dread she had for listening to both Goga and Climor's stories of past hunts and battles they were in.

  “Better you than us,” Ralak jested. “They would talk the whole way there, back, and through the hunts when they used to come along. Thankfully, I was only there for a couple of them,” Ralak said before drifting off upon noticing Skala's unimpressed expression at his relief at her expense.

  “If they weren't the same stories, perhaps they might be useful for me to keep listening to. But I know they're just bored too, and mean well in the end, regardless how annoying they might be at times.”

  “Well at least none of us will have to deal with it tonight. Those two, for all their bluster, turn in almost after sunset at this point.” Ralak shared in a bit of a laugh with his sister. “Speaking of, you coming along then?”

  “You go ahead, I'll catch up and be there soon,” Skala said.

  “Alright, just be quick. You've even got a seat reserved by Eszu, yet he won't save me any ale or meat while being here...” Ralak uttered, and immediately bit his tongue.

  “Reserved seat?” Skala's eyes raised up at the mention.

  “It's nothing, just makes things easier to seat everyone else is all. But I'll see you there, I don't want to miss out either.” Ralak fled toward the great hall before Skala could ask him anything else.

  Skala smirked watching her brother leave, putting her weapons away inside, and going to put on her casual brown shawl that every Dracus wore outside of battle.

  While Skala and Ralak made their respective ways back, Eszu and everyone else partied it up as if it were their last in the great hall. Three long stone slab tables lined the wide hall; more than enough space for everyone to enjoy themselves. Thick wood logs stacked atop one another formed sturdy walls with torches mounted every few feet, and huge kegs full of ale and liquor piled in every corner of the hall for everyone to help themselves to. The scent of cured, salted, smoked mounds of meat filled up the room for everyone to pass around. Everything about it was simple by design for their needs, to have the few good times worth celebrating in Eldaesa.

  In the middle of their partying, Ralak returned, pushing open the wide wooden doors that creaked, but didn't catch anyone's attention. No one cared who came and went. They all focused on their feasting, drinking, and games instead, especially Eszu.

  “Come on, you want to go again? I swear, I'll go easy on you this time,” Eszu bellowed out with a wide, semi-drunken smile after seeing who could carry, and balance, the most barrels of ale on their backs.

  “Having a good time?” Ralak cut in, smacking Eszu on his back to peel him away from the others who were clearly all tapped out at this point of any energy.

  “What? I had to entertain myself in the meantime, you took your sweet time after all." Eszu turned to Ralak with his beaming green eyes, and scars all over his hands, arms, with one across his right cheek from all his battles. “But if you want a piece, we can have a go at a barrel run."

  “I'm not going to get suckered in like the others, I've known you too long to know I don't have much chance of beating you there.” Ralak shook his head, making his way to his seat.

  “Alright, I guess we should get started in a minute anyway,” Eszu conceded, following behind Ralak, taking his seat at the head of the middle table beside his friend.

  The two of them were inseparable all their lives, growing up with one another—pushing each other toward their goals of becoming Chieftain one day. They trained together, drank together, and have been on every single hunt with each other. Eszu trusts and loves every one of his people, but no more than he does Ralak.

  “So, how'd it go with Skala?” Eszu leaned in, ripping some thick bread with his big scaly, taloned hands, and slapped some meat atop it.

  “Fine...mostly,” Ralak admitted. “She gets more annoyed each time you pass her over. But somehow, I'm the one who always takes the brunt of her frustrations, not you,” Ralak sighed behind a bit of a fond smirk, before he emptied his worries and chugged back a couple of pints.

  “Well that doesn't really matter anymore, does it? After the feast, everything will be fine.” Eszu chewed, drank and spoke in messy gargled speak.

  “You know, it's been killing me not to tell her,” Ralak pointed out. “Even though I might've almost let something slip.”

  “You've never been good at keeping secrets, so I'm impressed you only managed to let out a bit of a slip.” Eszu smacked Ralak's back with a loud laugh. “But what fun would it be going and spoiling it?”

  “For one, it'd give me some peace if I could've just told her once you chose this month's hunt team...”

  “Peace? Don't act all spoiled and entitled to me, friend. If none of us get peace, then you don't either,” Eszu joked. “You'll have to wait and get it with the rest of us. Hopefully sooner than later too.”

  Ralak turned his neck a little on reflex hearing that, and noticed a spark in Eszu's eyes,
even more so than usual. It's no surprise to hear, but still, something felt off to Ralak, something different. His attention was pulled from him however, when he saw the doors open up one last time, and Skala walking through.

  Skala slunk her way in toward the lone open seat at the opposite end of where Eszu and Ralak sat.

  “How about we get this over with then?” Eszu leaned into Ralak, and stood up.

  Eszu didn't need to slam his mug down, shout, or anything else to beckon everyone's attention. They all took their seats, and paid full attention to their Chieftain. Just like every other night before a hunt, they awaited Eszu's final address with respectful attentive ears.

  “I don't want to talk your ears off here, so I'll keep it short. You all know the summit is approaching, so Ralak and I won't be here for a couple of days. But that means we need someone in charge while we're gone. We need someone strong, and able to lead everyone in our places. And let's be honest, there's no one better suited for it than Skala.”

  Skala wasn't paying the speech much attention, tuning in and out while she caught up on food and drinks. When she looked up from her plate though, she noticed everyone looking at her. Her mind eventually caught up, cluing in that she was chosen to lead everyone in their absence, but all she could do in reaction to the honor, was somewhat awkwardly raise her hand in affirmation.

  Everyone in the hall approved of Eszu's choice, erupting in cheer Skala's way upon her accepting of the role.

  “I know you'll all treat her with the respect that you give me, and I know that she'll do a fine job in leading you all,” Eszu said one last bit of approval to Skala, who slightly bowed back in appreciation of this honor. “Now with that, there really isn't much else for me to say. I won't keep you all here much longer, but I just wanted to say how proud I am of all of you. Look at how much stronger we've become—how we continue to work toward a day when we don't need to worry about seeing the shadow of a dragon cast down upon us. We aren't finished yet, but trust me when I say I can feel how close we are. Just as I promised you all years ago, I'll rid us of the burden of those Dragons."