Aiden's Quest

by Dane Bagley

The early cool spring had slowly transformed into a warmer mid-spring; blossoms began to fall on the tree lined streets as green shoots dominated the tree color making a sickly green and pink palate on the trees. Daxton had his own quarters at the Cards residence where he was preparing for the evening. Tasha, Mirinda, and Myrtle were all making ready in the main residence of the Cards mansion. Aiden and Jashion had cleaned up after their days drills and then put on fresh uniforms before heading to the Cards. Evening wear did not require the military attire, yet the alternatives were so much less appealing to both Jashion and Aiden; the women loved the uniforms.

  Jashion walked with a spring in his step. Being a third wheel had been extraordinarily tiresome. Myrtle had been pleasant when he approached her the night before, putting her hand up and stifling a giggle only when Jashion first began to speak. When she had controlled her silliness, a significant effort on her part, she had a presence about her. She gazed into Jashion’s eyes searching, he thought, to see if he had been compelled or was genuinely hoping for her company. Jashion wasn’t sure what she saw in his eyes for he didn’t know the answer himself, at the time. But those blue eyes, full lips, and pretty face had haunted his previous night and this full day. If she gazed into his eyes this evening she would see that he was fully in earnest.

  Arriving at the Cards was always breathtaking. Size and luxuriousness only introduced the impression; the hustle and purpose of the servants was unmistakable. How so many people could have so much to do and with such urgency stood out. Those who worked for Cards, worked; if they were on, then they were on. Still, they were pleasant and professional, and immediately attentive to the men as they arrived, showing forth all appropriate deference to the men in uniform. It contrasted wildly to the indifferent and nearly invisible servants at Mirinda’s.

  Daxton and Mr. Cards entered after some time, Daxton’s attention riveted in Cards’ instruction. Aiden and Jashion arose as the men walked towards them.

  “Yes, I’ll see to it,” said Daxton

  “Gentlemen,” said Cards, extending his hand to Aiden and then, after nodding magnanimously to Jashion, he exited.

  A servant made eye contact with Daxton, as Daxton nodded. The servant made his way upstairs towards the main living area. A quarter of an hour later the lady’s voices began to echo from the upstairs landing and the gentlemen stood, Aiden and Jashion erect in nearly military stance with Daxton more casual, yet still confident. Tasha rummaged through Daxton’s hair and messed with his collar, for she already owned him, after receiving her kiss and complements. Mirinda and Myrtle primed their own hair and twisted and turned effortlessly to enhance their own appearance and to show both their confidence and interest in the men next to them. Jashion dared a kiss on Myrtle’s cheek which she accepted with genuine pleasure.

  Only Myrtle couldn’t understand why their destination wasn’t, ‘The Dragon’s Lair,’ having the best food and being the most popular. She alone had been back, several times, and had long forgotten the events of her own embarrassment. Tasha was in the mood for more elegant, even quieter dining. ‘The State Room,’ was a bit stiff and boring for Myrtle’s taste.

  “We’ll look like kids there,” Myrtle said in gentle protest. “I think grey hair is required for the gentlemen.”

  The others ignored her prattle but Jashion suggested that they could consider other places.

  “No, silly, that’s where Tasha wants to go,” said Myrtle. “I’m just scolding her, that’s all.”

  Tasha smiled.

  Silly, that brought back memories—and feeling. Jashion looked at her. Myrtle turned and smiled, then noticing that it was not a glance but that Jashion continued to gaze.

  “What?” she said.

  Jashion smiled. “Nay, I’m jus’ happy to be with ye, me is.” Myrtle smiled, but only kindly. She turned her head forward and perfume from her hair wafted to Jashion. It was sweet and tangy and Jashion was enchanted.

  The food was wonderful; the place was elegant; and it was stiff, boring, and way too old for the couples. Overall, they had a marvelous time. Myrtle drank too much, but not so much as before. Afterwards, they walked as couples in the pleasant night air. It was a thin mooned night, the street lamps providing the bulk of illumination.

  Mirinda and Aiden held back the farthest, hand in hand.

  “They seem happy. She’s trying hard and Jashion has come around. Let’s leave them be, I want to talk with you,” Mirinda said.

  Aiden continued along for a street or two and then led Mirinda towards a park with benches.

  “I’m happy, Aiden. I feel complete with you. My only sorrow is losing Tira. But, perhaps she and Terrence can find happiness in their own way.” She stopped and searched his dark eyes in the darkness, switching back and forth between the left and right eye. “Are you happy, my love?”

  Of course, there was no answer for some time, but she thought she saw him gleam.

  “I am happy, Mirinda.”

  She smiled and gazed expectantly, hoping that he might say more. He did not. But, she leaned her head on his shoulder and chest and he embraced her warmly. Aiden’s eyes watched the starry sky overhead. The evening was pleasant and his companionship was perfect. Aiden was happy. The word on his mind was, ‘complete.’ She had said that she felt complete. Aiden felt content, he felt full, but did he feel complete? Was that what was required to propose to Mirinda? Did she require his completeness? Did she complete him? Was not happiness and contentment sufficient? Did he have to be complete?

  The night was dark and quiet. The park was empty. Aiden looked down at the dark-haired beauty in his arms. She, unlike any woman he had ever held before, did not seem vulnerable and in need of his exquisite protection and power. He completed her, perhaps, but not because of any lacking on her part. She was the complete and perfect woman, nothing lacking. The completion was not of her but of something beyond her, beyond any individual; no matter how powerful, there is a completeness that requires another. In this way, he could complete her, and she could complete him, perhaps.

  But that was the difference—she was complete and full in and of herself. Nothing was lacking, except what only another could fill. But Aiden did not yet feel complete; Mirinda filled everything that another could fill for him, but Aiden wasn’t complete yet, in and of himself. There was still a hunger and a drive that no woman could fulfill, even the perfect woman. Did this have to be satisfied first? Was his own completion required before they could be intertwined together?

  This great man continued to look at this great woman. She knew that he gazed at her and she loved the attention, yet she looked out and made no effort at eye contact. Aiden’s arms wrapped around Mirinda’s. She was as free and as liberated a woman as could possibly be, and in this state she had sought out first a man’s companionship, and then this man’s companionship. She had nuzzled up to him with the great hope that he would wrap his arms around her and hold her—binding, if only for the moment, him to her and her to him. But more than that, for his arms encircled her; liberty sacrificed freely—knowingly, and hopefully—expectantly, that a bond might be formed—a bond more desirable than liberty. Is being bound better than being free?

  Some excited and distant voices broke the silence. Mirinda sat up and looked at Aiden. Aiden listened attentively.

  “Something isn’t right. Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and walked as quickly as her high heels would allow her. Fiery arrows were seen leaving the top of the wall. Jashion and Daxton were running quickly toward them.

  “It’s been spotted. Dromreign is without the city walls,” said Daxton. Myrtle and Tasha made their way up behind them, fear in their eyes. More excitement began to fill the air. Arrows continued to light up the sky.

  “Daxton, escort the ladies home, to Cards. Stay with them and protect them, no matter what. Jashion come with me.”

  “I’ve no weapon.” Jashion threw Daxton his sword.

  Aiden and Jashion made their way to the gate of the city. “Hurry,”
said Aiden.

  They exited the city and followed the trail of fiery arrows. “I see nothing,” said Aiden, surveying the air.

  “Nay, but I smell the foulness, I do. It’s faint, but I smell it.”

  “Yes, you’re right. Come on.” They ran further, watching the sky. A faint shadow crossed the sky. The beast was returning. Aiden and Jashion watched as Dromreign flew near the city wall sailing upwards. The beast climbed to three quarters of the height of the wall, and Aiden feared that Dromreign may overtake it. The fiery darts seeming to have no impact on the dragon.

  “We must hide,” said Jashion.

  Aiden crouched down low to the ground. He wore black and was nearly invisible. His companion, in bright red was more apparent. The dragon’s focus was on the wall of the city and was not looking for stragglers without the wall.

  “Let’s go now!”

  They ran toward the gate and entered therein. Fear and pandemonium met them as they entered. Still, the dragon had not overtaken the wall. Aiden and Jashion made their way to the top of the wall and took their archers gear.

  “General, it’s flown the circumference of the city but it couldn’t reach the height of the wall. It has turned and left. I think that it will not be back.”

  “Keep watch,” said Aiden.

  Aiden and Jashion walked the walls and gathered reports. The dragon was gone and did not return. The remainder of the night was pleasant and peaceful except for the anxiety and rapidly pounding hearts of the people of Cardsten.

  Daxton arrived in the early dawn, in the capacity of the messenger of Cards.

  “How’re the women?”

  “Nervous. Exhausted.”

  Aiden nodded.

  “Did you see it?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, they weren’t just spooked.”

  “No, it was here.”

  “To attack?”

  “I suspect, if it could. The wall was too tall. Not by much, I’m afraid.”

  “So, we’re safe. The wall worked. Cardsten is impenetrable.”

  “So it appears…for now.”

  Below a crowd gathered. The stealth and silent enforcers were in force—fifty plus men with shaved heads and dragon tattoos. The people gathered around to listen. Aiden, Jashion, and Daxton made their way down the wall to see the happenings.

  “Do not fear…fellow citizens of Cardsten. Our great master has visited his city…this has been prophesied and was expected. There is nothing to be afraid of. He has no interest in causing us harm. We are his and he is ours. We are one with the great dragon. He was here because of the recent atrocities which have been committed by villainous traitors. It angers him that the blood of his worshipers has been shed. He comes to show his solidarity with us and his anger towards those who would stand against him. Let there be no mistake, we must not let those who would attempt an attack on him be allowed to do so. They must be stopped at all cost. He protects us at great cost to himself and we must show our willingness to protect him, as though he could need or require that.”

  The people nodded and some shouted their ascent.

  “I ask you, was there one citizen of our great city who was hurt or killed during this visit? Did the dragon unleash any of his fiery breath towards us or even our great wall? It was a visit; there was no attack on us. This is a great day, and should be forever celebrated. Our union is complete. Now, in union we must attack our great enemy and the only creatures who could disrupt the great peace of our land: the fools of Agedon!”

  Great shouts roared with this battle cry. Men put their fists in the air and the women nodded feverishly. Daxton and Jashion looked at Aiden to see if he would counter the madness that surrounded them. Aiden watched and listened unaffected. Soon the message repeated as more people came to the opening near the city gate, and the tattooed men broke into smaller groups to shout their message to all of Cardsten.

  “Daxton, you must let Cards know all that has been spoken.”

  “Yes, of course. But what are we to do?”

  “We need to know the current state of Agedon. It is critical that this is found out quickly.”

  “Shall we go?” asked Jashion.

  “No, we must attend to our posts, Jashion. We must be on high alert, if we are called upon to go to war. Daxton, some of these dragon worshipers will easily be commissioned to go. They want the information as much as anyone.”

  “Would you attack Agedon? Would you attack Terrence?” said Daxton

  “I will prepare my armies to go, and will leave as soon as it becomes necessary. A continuous flow of reports will be needed to know how best to respond. Tell Cards. Go!”

  The fiery-red, unslept eyes of Daxton glared at Aiden incredulously. In his exhausted fog, Daxton left and delivered his report as Aiden had asked.

  “Hmmm,” said Cards. “This is disturbing. He’s right, though.”

  Cards called an attendant and whispered instructions to him. The man left quickly to fulfill the orders.

  “Daxton, we can’t have them acting independently as they did today. They need to know who is calling the shots. By getting them out of the city in large numbers, and under my commission as spy’s, it will set in order the appropriate powers. I appreciate Aiden’s insight. I think he is loyal to us.”

  Chapter 22