Dragon Sword

by Angelique Anderson

  Astrid aimed her bow, drawing a figure eight across the three to encourage them to leave or she would loose her bow if they moved. She heard leaves crackle to her right side and turned her head in that direction.

  "I don't know who you are, but if you value your life, you'll leave. Now," she said authoritatively.

  The man who stepped into her line of vision, was not a man at all. In fact, she noted with sadness, he was younger than she was. Still merely a teenager.

  "Go after her Roman! She's yours!" Roman's eyes were wide, and either he was transfixed by her, or completely terrified.

  "But father, sh... she's a woman," he stammered back.

  "I don't care what she is! Kill her!" Giovan yelled at him. Roman looked her in the eyes apologetically as he drew his sword.

  "I don't want to fight you," he said with quiet reserve.

  "Nor I you," she said, "I assure you that you will not win this fight." She turned her head to Giovan. "You would see your son die?"

  "I'd see you die," he responded.

  "Yes, but that is not how this works. He will be the one to fall and his blood will be on your hands. Is that how you want this day to end?" Astrid held her aim.

  "My son is a trained soldier, he will not fall by a woman's hand!" Giovan's voice had gone up several octaves.

  Astrid knew what she must do. Even though she hated it. She pulled her arm back again, and Aronus made sure that the arrow flew straight and true, right into her intended target.

  The soldier groaned after the impact, his eyes rolling back in his head as he fell over, blood pooling around his dead body.

  "Now, will you take my offer?" she retorted to Giovan. Giovan looked from her to the body of his companion, Venmir, and back to her again. His face had paled, and then he looked to his son who had been unable to take another step toward Astrid.

  "What is your offer?" his voice trembled.

  "Take your son, and leave me be, or I will make sure that none of you lives to see another day." She readied her bow again, heart breaking at the thought of killing the young man, but knowing that she couldn't let them stop her. The entirety of the kingdom was at stake.

  "Father, please..." Roman called out. "I don't want to harm her, let us just leave her in peace and return to camp."

  "Fine," Giovan answered, beckoning for the lad to come to him. "We leave you in peace this time, Astrid of the Bow, but guarantee, if we meet again, you will not be so lucky." With his arm around his son, he left his dead comrades and the two of them shuffled away.

  Astrid collapsed on the ground and laid flat on her back for a moment.

  "Human, must you lay in the dirt and leaves like a dog or pig?"

  "Aronus, must you treat me like I am a dog or a pig?"

  He didn't answer but looked up the mountain range, his eyes scanning for something. "There, there's another cave not far from here. Let's get there quickly, rain is coming."

  Rain? Rain? It hadn't rained in as long as she could remember.

  "Doesn't the sky kingdom control that?" She asked, sitting upright.

  "To an extent, yes. However, it is the Unseen Ones who have the ultimate control. They are pleased with you and wish to give water back to the kingdoms. A sign of hope for the people so that they know your help is coming," Aronus finished with a grin.

  "Oh!" It pleased her to know that she had done well in the eyes of the Unseen Ones, the thought gave her the energy she needed to press forward the short distance to the hidden cave.

  Astrid tucked her bow back into its leather strap. "Lead on, Aronus."

  "Very well," Aronus flew ahead of her, leisurely drifting from side to side, as they reached the base of the mountain range.

  "There, up there." He pointed one long taloned claw to about midway up the first hillside.

  The climb looked relatively easy, as it was mostly rock, and bramble.

  "Stay quiet though," Aronus continued, "although the soldiers are far off and most of the danger has passed, the Toverak love to roam the mountains. They are your one foe in this area.”

  "I thought we were beyond the mythical beasts section of my training. Isn't the Toverak just a story to scare human children into not leaving their home at night?"

  Aronus chuckled. "Oh my dear, there are a great many beasts you know nothing about. Wait until we reach the sky kingdom. I know what you have been taught, but you've yet to see what awaits us. Hurry, let's reach the cave before nightfall and then I can tell you more."

  "And now that I think about it, what about the Unseen Ones? How are you able to communicate with them?" Astrid began to wonder how such a thing was possible.

  "Again, a conversation to be had when we are out of ears' reach. Well, claw reach of the Toverak."

  She squinted her eyes at him in irritation.

  "You only tell me things when it's convenient for you," she growled.

  "Astrid, you exasperating female. If I told you everything I know, and everything I am capable of, your human brain would erupt out the top of your head like a volcano. Do you not understand that? Have patience. I will teach you what you need to know, when you need to know it."

  "A likely story," she replied, accepting his answer as the truth.

  Astrid quickly made her way up the mountain, her ears keen to unfamiliar noises. The vision of the Toverak now in her head, she wondered how strong the beast could be.

  "Trust me, they're quite tough. Their strength is that of five men combined, and they're quick. Lightning quick. If you encounter one, you can kill it, but you'd better be ready."

  "Hmmm," she mused, as she got a secure footing and rose higher, the small cave nearly within reach. "Are you afraid of it?" she asked him as he hovered next to her.

  "Not in the slightest, but compared to dragons, they are almost as quick if not quicker. That is where my fear comes in, if you encounter it, will you be able to kill it in time?"

  "Before it kills me? I need your help, Aronus, to give me time to draw my bow."

  "It is my duty, but since they are mythical creatures, I cannot see them as I can see humans."

  "You didn't see that troop we ran into," she answered as she continued to pick her way upward.

  "Are you sure?" the dragon replied cryptically.

  A test? she wondered. I passed that and a second test and the Unseen Ones have delivered rain to the land.

  She finally reached the ledge to the small cave and was pleased with its size. There was a small pit with rocks around it, and at the back of the cave, dried twigs and leaves had been made into a mat.

  "Aronus, I think someone has been here."

  Aronus sniffed the air, his little nostrils flaring dramatically as he inhaled and exhaled.

  "I assure you, Astrid, it has been some time. You'll be safe." He spoke knowingly and sat next to the fire pit staring up at her expectantly.

  Astrid didn't want to admit that knowing the Toverak still existed and that her dragon couldn't see them frightened her. She gathered up the dried leaves and twigs that had been made into a bed and put them in the ring of rocks.

  "Could you light those please?"

  "Yes, of course," He opened his mouth wide, and launched a fireball that ignited the branches.

  Sliding her pack onto the ground, Astrid laid out her bed and sat. In her satchel, she found that her fruit supply had gotten low. She pulled out a half-eaten apple, frowning.

  "I need to get more provisions tomorrow, except I've yet to see a single fruit tree."

  "You've enough supplies to last you. When we get within a day's journey to Caelestis, there will be more fruit. Your only problem will be taking it without the people around you watching. There are soldiers of Telluris guarding the trees."

  "That's great. A rogue Toverak and more soldiers. Just what I need. Now, tell me of the Unseen Ones, and the land animals that burrow."

  "I will, once you've rested," he said indignantly.

  Astrid felt like a child being told to go to bed. She swallowed the la
st bite of apple, and glanced to Aronus.

  "Fine, I'll rest, but tomorrow you will teach me."

  "Agreed." He winked at her, curling up on the dirt and folding his wings over his body.

  Pulling her rucksack under her head to use as a pillow, she laid down and closed her eyes, and began to have visions of the angry Toverak charging after her, its horns aimed toward her belly, Aronus in the background yelling at her to run as fast as she could, but Astrid was so tired. So very tired, even in her dreams.

  20

  Svana

  Being selfish only helps one person: yourself. However, if you can step outside of your own shoes, and instead, be selfless--that is something that will help and inspire countless people, for endless generations.

  King Nicklaus the Brave, First King of Caelestis, 249 A.V.

  Svana awoke to a pain traveling up her foot, and into her leg. She abruptly sat up, grabbing her foot to see what had happened, and noted a look on Lingaria's face.

  Her toe still throbbing and turning a bright shade of red it dawned on her what happened.

  "Did you bite me to wake me up?" Svana brushed a stray hair out of her face, and rubbed her eyes sleepily.

  "Did you sleep all night? You have things to do, oh chosen one. You can't do them while you're sleeping."

  "Ugh! You're impossible." She jumped from the bed, undoing the tie around her waist and slipping her tunic to the ground.

  She noticed with appreciation that her armor had been cleaned and smelled infinitely better than the day before. It no longer had the scent of the sweaty men she'd just fought in the area. Eloise must have cleaned it somehow.

  "Yuck!" Lingaria retorted while she dressed, turning his scaly, spiked back to her, as if repulsed by her very appearance. She shrugged it off, and after she had secured the leather snaps and ties of her cuirass, skirt and gauntlets, she slid on her boots.

  Rest and a steam bath had done her wonders, and she felt ready to take on whatever the day had for her, even if it meant dealing with her uppity dragon guide.

  "I'm not uppity! Today you must make friends with the Tellurians, it is a necessity. If you are to take over the kingdom, you will need all the help you can get."

  "So, I'm just walking to Telluris today?"

  "Yes, and making Allies. Which means you need to stay out of trouble, and more than that, you need to win your match tonight."

  "Stay out of trouble and get into a fight. Right, I got it." Svana winked at him, knowing that it would exasperate him more. "You really need to loosen up Lingaria, you know... we humans are not that bad." She grabbed up her sword and fastened its holder around her waist.

  "I know you're not that bad, but the majority of you... a disaster. Had you not been chosen, and prepared for this your whole life, I don't think I would have accepted the task."

  "Well, I'm sorry I'm so much work." She rolled her eyes at him.

  "No, it's not so much that." Lingaria went quiet for a moment, "I suppose I just miss home. I miss flying at will, not having to be accountable for anyone or having to worry about someone else's safety every second of the day."

  "Sounds a bit selfish, especially for a being who is revered as royalty down here," Svana said with surprise.

  "That's the truth. It is selfish. I'm a selfish beast." His voice had softened, his ruby eyes misting over. Was he getting emotional?

  "It's normal to be homesick," she comforted him. "I've been homesick every day since I left Volican, and I know it will never go away. I have accepted it, and I hope to do you and the Unseen Ones proud." Svana raised her head in the air, and withdrew her sword, pointing it toward the ceiling.

  "Stop that, put your sword away. You will do fine, as will I. Come now, enough fretting over me. I've said enough." Turning into a glimmer of red smoke, she watched his essence wrap around the sword, and with a grin, she tucked it back into its scabbard.

  "I've finally made some progress with you, it seems." Svana smiled.

  Lingaria didn't respond, but Svana couldn't help grinning from ear to ear as she fixed her bed, and folded the blanket. Then she finally made her way down the stairs.

  "Ah, she rises!" Percival called out a friendly greeting to her as he wiped down a table.

  "Good morning, Percival. Thank you for the night of rest and please tell Eloise she has my humblest gratitude. My armor looks lovely, and I feel better than I have in days."

  "Oh it's no trouble," Eloise called from the bar.

  Svana nodded her head graciously. "If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

  "Don't you worry your pretty head, dear. Take care and be safe," Percival called after her.

  She grinned at him, waving to both he and Eloise as she left the tavern. The village came alive during the day, peasants pushing carts to and fro peddling their wares. Svana bought fresh bread from a young woman, whose toddler had a dirt stained face and clung to the blonde woman's leg like her life depended upon it.

  Heading down the road a bit, she turned west, away from the tavern. Her attention turned toward the castle that loomed from the distance.

  Not yet, allies first, Lingaria spoke into Svana's mind, startling her.

  "All right, didn't know you could do that. Do you mind giving me some direction here? Can you tell me where to go?"

  To Svana's dismay, Lingaria remained silent. She found herself wandering aimlessly, greeting people as they passed her, nodding her head and smiling despite the odd stares she received. After leaving the main road and traveling for a short distance through unmarked territory, she noted the increase in cattle.

  "Hey, you miss... what are you doin' on me land?" an older man had appeared, wrinkles around his eyes, his mouth grim as he watched her warily.

  She offered a smile and a wave. "How do you do? I'm new here, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to trespass. I'm just trying to get acquainted with the lay of the land."

  "I can tell yer new. No one in these parts has hair like that! Where'd you hail from? Are you even from Verdil?" He shoveled manure into a pile as he talked, never taking his eyes off of her.

  "Indeed, my home is Volican, in the Volcano of Shadows,"

  He stopped shoveling manure, the shaft of his shovel rested on his shoulder. "Is that what turned yer hair that odd color?"

  "To be honest, I don't rightly know." Until that moment, she hadn't thought about how different she looked from them. And how different her sisters must look from the people of Verdil.

  "Sounds like yer just lookin' fer trouble," he responded.

  "Not at all, I'm actually asking around to see if I can be of help."

  "Well, I've no money to pay ya so be off with ye." He dabbed his shovel at her, as if to shoo her away, but she shook her head 'no.'

  "I'm not asking for money, I'm here to help. What can I do?"

  Sticking the shovel in the dirt, and staring hard at her, he finally shrugged his shoulders.

  "All right, I have something for ya," he motioned for her to follow him. Together they walked the length of his property, and the farmer began pointing out the piles of manure.

  "I need you to put those piles in that wheelbarrow over there. I'm getting old, and I don't have the strength in my back to shovel them all myself."

  She nodded her head, happy that he had taken a chance on her, then hurriedly ran back to where the wheel barrow stood. She threw the shovel inside and within a few hours had managed to clean up the piles.

  "Excuse me, sir, where do you want this?" she asked.

  He seemed surprised that she had managed to finish so quickly.

  "Just wheel it up to my house, I need it for the garden. Can I offer you lunch?" His face beamed with relief, and he stood a little taller, his eyes less crinkly than when she had first arrived.

  Her stomach rumbled. "No, no. I've food on my person, thank you for letting me help you."

  "Well, miss, you've gained yourself a friend. Just call me Tomas." He tipped the wide brimmed straw hat that adorned h
is head at her. "Are you sure you don't want any payment at all?"

  She shook her head. "My name is Svana of the Sword, if you hear my name again, just know that I am here to help." With a smile and a bow, she made her way back to the road, and headed into town.

  It was late afternoon when she found herself passing the tavern again, turning north she took quick strides forward, her eyes taking in her surroundings. It would be evening soon, and she would have to make her way back to the fighting pit. She chuckled at the previous night's victory. It had been so easy.

  She passed a few merchants, but it was the soft clanging of metal against metal that caught her attention. Following the sound, she soon found herself outside of a blacksmith.

  'Hand and Hammer' a busted sign hanging above the door, read. As the entryway was open, she walked in and her nose was assaulted by something she had never smelled before. Over a hearth, a tall, well-built man, with soot on his face and hair as black as crows feathers, looked up at her.

  "Can I help you, miss?" In spite of the sweat dripping down his brow, and his formidable build, his voice was kind. Svana racked her brain for any reason she could come up with as to why she had stepped into the place.

  "I was given a sword from a very dear friend. I don't recognize the symbols and I was wondering if you might know what it meant?" Not entirely a lie.

  The man set aside the metal piece he was working on, something large and circular, and picking up a dirty rag, he wiped his hands and face the best he could. He came out from behind his hearth, making his way over to her. Up close his cerulean eyes seemed to see right through her.

  "Sure, I could try to be of some assistance." His voice remained ever gentle. As she withdrew the blade from its scabbard, she watched joyfully as his eyes lit up. She handed it to him, and he further wiped his hands on his soot covered apron, and then looked down at the sword disdainfully.

  "I'm afraid to dirty such a stunning blade. Why don't you just hold up the hilt for me to see?" Svana held it out flat in front of her, watching his largely muscled forearms as he reached out. His fingers traced over the blade from top to bottom without ever touching it. She couldn't even breathe as he examined it, and then their eyes met and she felt her heart pounding out of her chest.