Dragon Sword

by Angelique Anderson

  Great, she thought, surveying the cave again in hopes that somehow provisions had magically appeared on the rough gravelly surface of the bottom of the cave.

  "You won't find what you're looking for here." There was a hint of humor in Aronus's voice.

  "I know, I just know that it's not going to go over well with the soldiers considering that I already killed some of their men."

  Aronus flicked his tale inquisitively, as he thought about what she said. Finally he spoke, "maybe the word hasn't gotten out yet?"

  "Really, Aronus? Do you think I'm that naïve?"

  Aronus raised his scaly shoulders slightly, giving her a hopeful glance. "I just don't want you to worry. That's all."

  "Too late," she answered honestly. "Let me just roll up my mat, and we'll be on our way." She worked quickly, then hefted her rucksack on her back, and offered him a friendly smile. "Come along then."

  Astrid motioned for him to join her.

  Aronus nodded his head at her, his large dragon eyes double-blinking as he leapt into the air. He flew to her side, the soft flapping of his wings noticeable only in the stark contrast of silence that echoed around them in the tiny cave, which somehow allowed her to stand without bumping her head against the rock ceiling.

  He dropped and made himself comfortable on her shoulder, curling into a little dragon ball and snuggling into her hair. She strolled from the cave, giving the rocky entrance one more careful glance before she began her steady descent down the mountain side.

  "Your best bet is to stick to the main path, until you see the Tellurian Army. The Toverak is more likely to stay away from them and nearer to the mountainside." Aronus warned her, concern evident in his voice, although Astrid would never say anything. Her only worry was to stay on her dragon guide's good side. "Stop fretting so, Astrid. Of course I am concerned for you, you are the human that I am responsible for. If anything were to happen to you, it would fall on me, and honestly I would rather not carry the burden of that around."

  "Oh, I really wish you couldn't read my every thought."

  "So you've mentioned a time or two." His tail flicked gently against her back, but he maintained his comfortable curled position on her shoulder. "Anyway, as I said, stick to the main path. Keep your eyes and ears out for anything unnatural. When you get near the Tellurian army, and the soldiers start to come into view, stick to the trees and brush the best you can, and watch your step. Any noise could alert the Toverak to your presence."

  She nodded her head, thinking that she'd rather face a hundred soldiers than the Toverak beast of her dreams. "My choice is the Toverak or the Tellurian Army? There has to be another choice, doesn't there, Aronus?" Her eyebrows raised, and she could feel the blood slowly draining from expression in the face of his complete and utter silence.

  Astrid didn't know what to make of that, and the increase of adrenaline rushing through her didn't know what to make of that either. Just exactly what will I do if I face a Toverak? Her breathing grew heavy, and as she continued her climb down, she tried to distract herself with thoughts of reaching Caelestis.

  23

  Svana

  Bets are never fair among strangers, or among friends. Somehow, when coin is involved, it changes people. They forget their morals, obligations, and decency, and betray their word. More friendships are broken and more enemies are created over coin than anything else.

  King Everett the Honest, Second King of Caelestis, 329 A.V.

  Svana propped her sword and shield in the corner of the pit. She made eye contact with a man leaning over a rail. "Keep your eye on that for me, will you? If it walks away, you'll be first to suffer. If it doesn't, first coin from my victory is yours."

  "I'll watch your trash, but need no coin. I'll put it on your stretcher when they carry your body from the pit."

  She blinked at him. "I accept your offer to watch my sword at no price but the value of watching the fight ahead." Svana nodded to him as her way of sealing their deal. She turned to the pit, studying it for anything that might trip her, for somewhere to avoid getting stuck.

  The crowd cleared, the movement drawing her eye. She shook her head at the newcomer. Even larger than the previous day's opponent, his face bore the scars of previous battles lost. Or maybe they were battles won where he had faced an army by himself.

  "What are you feeding your people?" she reiterated.

  Murdoc 'The Dragon' entered the pit, cracked his knuckles and motioned for Svana to come to him.

  "Fine. Have it your way." She dashed forward, jumping and running up his chest to kick him in the face, back-flipping away before he could grab her.

  "Don't kick him in the face. It just makes him mad," someone taunted from the crowd.

  He gave the fan a gap-toothed grin. Murdoc held his hands before him and started to stalk his prey. He wasn't as fast as Hammer Toe, but he was stronger and stout as a stone wall.

  Svana dove to the side, rolled, and side-kicked his leg. He swept an arm toward her, but she was already gone. Her foot hurt where she had kicked him. She looked for a weak spot, noting that he wore a metal cup over his privates. There would be no replay of yesterday's victory kick.

  She landed a dozen more blows, but none had any effect. He continued his slow approach. Svana found herself getting cornered. She feinted one way, dodged the other. His massive hand closed around her arm as she tried to scoot past. The Dragon yanked her from her feet before she could twist free.

  He tried to head butt her face, but she dipped aside. His forehead caught her ear and a spark of pain shot through her head. He tried to get a grip with his second hand, but she flailed wildly. Murdoc struck again. Svana dodged, but he caught her forehead at an angle. Sparks shot before her eyes. She lashed out with a knife hand, realizing that she was fighting for her life.

  Her fingertips sunk deeply into his windpipe, and he dropped her to hold his damaged throat. Svana rushed aside, clearing the corner to give her room to maneuver. Murdoc started making growling noises and coughed as he tried to clear his throat.

  Svana took two steps and leaped, landing astraddle his broad back, as wide as any horse she'd ever ridden. She wrapped an arm under his chin, tucked her face behind his head, caught her hand and pulled for all she was worth.

  He ripped at her arms, unkempt fingernails digging into her flesh. He seized her forearm and tried to pull it away, but she held on. He was losing strength. Svana pulled harder. Murdoc started to punch the air behind his head, but she was tucked too tightly. He missed again and again.

  All of a sudden, his muscles went slack. He staggered a step and started to fall. She rode him to the ground, grunting when he slammed into it. She released him, pushing herself free with the greatest of efforts.

  As sweat dripped down her brow, the crowd behind her grew more raucous. Some chanted her praises while others condemned her. Before her, Murdoc 'The Dragon,' as he was called, lay unmoving in the dirt, blood ran down her arm, and her chest rose and fell heavily with each breath. Confident that the man would rise no more, she turned her head toward the winner's platform and the fight master. The look on his face was one of concern and surprise.

  No one expected me to win. Not a single soul here.

  She scanned over the crowd, studying their faces, some taut with tension, some excited. All were focused on her. Sucking in a deep breath, she wanted to lift her arm in a half-hearted fist pump of victory, but at that moment everything began to fade in and out. Svana had grown vaguely aware of the blood pumping in her ears, her vision growing more blurry by the second.

  She took a step forward, every muscle in her body screaming from the pain of the fight.

  I feel so dizzy.

  Svana saw nothing but bursts of light before her eyes as everything went black. She hit the ground hard, causing the crowd to gasp, while others muttered about whether she was dead or alive.

  The fight master watched with quiet contemplation, and when she didn't stand, he pounded his fist on the podium. "Look
s like there aren't any winners tonight!"

  That meant he would get all the prize money. The crowd grew louder, their voices becoming more enraged by the moment.

  "She won fair and square!" a man yelled.

  "Can't win if you're dead!" another shouted back.

  "Oh yeah? Wanna bet?" the first man threatened.

  "Yeah, I want to bet!"

  In the next instant, there was the sound of a fist hitting jaw, sending the enraged throng into a frenzy. Villagers joined in the fight as if they had been waiting for an excuse. Those who didn't fight ran to Svana's aid, while a few others ran to check on the giant.

  "You lot! Stop your bloody brawl! I say we tie her body with rocks and throw 'er in the pond." The fight master, realizing that no one was going to allow him the prize money decided that taking a side would be better than remaining neutral.

  "Arr!" those on the side of Murdoc grunted in agreement.

  More fighting commenced, and extra people surrounded Svana in an effort to protect her from the unsavory hands of those who wished to do her harm.

  "Yer gonna take a life for a bit of coin?" a woman yelled.

  "I sure am!" a man answered back.

  "He's not the only one who lost coin!" someone from the back of the unholy rabble yelled over her.

  "Here! Here!" more yelling.

  "No! We are Tellurians! This is not how we handle things! She won fair and square, we must help her. She is injured," the woman continued.

  Though afraid, a few brave villagers joined her side. No one had noticed that the sword Svana had carried had begun to glow brilliantly.

  Lingaria was at one with the blade, as was his duty, but he fought against the Unseen Ones orders not to help protect the woman. What if they try to hurt her! He argued with them. The Unseen Ones warned him to silence and patience.

  "Yes, we are Tellurians!" the fight master yelled back. "And therefore, it is our duty to do away with those who would cause dissension among us!" Clearly taking the side of the giant, he yelled louder and louder rallying the crowd into a frenzy where they would forget the winner, forget the winnings.

  "It is you who causes dissent!" the unnamed woman yelled back, and the small group of people who had joined her, shouted their agreement.

  The fight master descended the podium, and picking up the scabbard that held her sword, his fingers began to curl around the grip. A moment later, he was flying through the air, the sword having sent a lightning bolt's worth of electricity into his body. Those who had been bent on Svana's demise stopped their jeering.

  "What just happened?" someone asked.

  "I don't know," a woman whispered.

  "Disperse!" a stern voice interrupted the angry mob. As a dark-haired man shouldered his way through, the crowd cleared and calmed. Fists stopped flying. Villagers let go of each other. As if Jakobe knew exactly where her blade lay, he walked directly to it. Lingaria knew the man held no harm toward Svana and let him pick up the sword.

  "Go on, take your loser and get out of here, all of you who would claim a giant over this valiant woman." His comment seemed to knock off a few followers of the beast of a man, and by the time he was being hauled away, most of the crowd shuffled away. A handful stayed to make sure that Svana was all right.

  "I'll take care of her. Go on, go home." His free hand brushed them away, urging them to leave him be. "You, boy... grab this and that shield over there and follow me." A young man nodded his head nervously and did exactly as he was told, grabbing the scabbard of the sword from Jakobe with great caution as he had seen the fight master blasted by it. The boy hastily grabbed the shield first and put the belt and scabbard on it.

  Jakobe took the pouch of prize winnings from the fight master, dropped it onto the shied in the boy's arms, hoisted Svana from the ground, and gingerly carried her to the hovel behind 'The Hand and Hammer.' It was a small space, but it had served him well.

  "Open the door, please," he told the young man, who jumped every time Jakobe spoke to him. Bending slightly, as he entered the small dirt and wood structure, he gently laid her on top the blankets that covered his mattress.

  "Summon the healer. I have five Verdilliums for you now and five more when you return with the healer." Jakobe held out the coins that the he had pulled from his belt pouch. "Thank you for helping me. I'll take those." Jakobe placed Svana's sword and shield to the side of the bed and placed the coins in the lad’s hand.

  The boy's face lit up, his eyes bright. "Thank you, sir!" he said jubilantly.

  "It's no trouble, now be on your way."

  The lad bolted from the hovel.

  Jakobe didn't want anyone from the village to think him improper, so he left his small hut, closing the door behind him. He wrapped himself in a blanket and leaned against the door. If the healer came, he would let him in to check on Svana. Jakobe was concerned about the fight master.

  He can be replaced if necessary, he thought as he drifted into a half-sleep.

  24

  Hekla

  A lot of times, fear comes from underestimating yourself. You don't believe you're strong enough--or smart enough to accomplish your task. When this happens, often times all you need is a boost of confidence to wash away the fear.

  King Thomasett the Kind, Second King of Aequoris, 331 A.V.

  It was late evening of the second day, Hekla had worked hard sparring with the human rendition of Speltus. Implementing her staff into some of her moves first with magic, and then without. As the day went on, Speltus changed back into himself.

  "You've learned much, and I see that your mind is more at peace. I am confident you are ready to continue this journey."

  "I wish I had your confidence, but yes, I do feel much better."

  "Good, we need to continue the journey. We're falling behind. I know you need more than two days, but the kingdoms of man cannot wait. Our time is limited." He looked toward the tunnel exit, his eyes serious and she knew that he meant that war was coming closer.

  "Let me fill my flask, and I need provisions. I only have one apple left. I don't eat as much as Svana, but I still need more than a single apple."

  "I'll make sure to take care of that, as we get closer to the water, the fruit trees grow in abundance. It is not safe for you to retrieve them, but I can. Or we can do more magic." He smiled back at her, waiting for her to join him at the exit.

  She capped her water pouch, took a deep breath, and a long look around. "I'll never forget this place."

  The two days there had changed her. She felt older. Almost as if imagining it, a vision of herself as a child sitting in one of the stone chairs smiled and waved to her. The relief she felt was instantaneous. The child who had fought the whole way, who could not accept what needed to be done, who needed her sisters by her side, and who was afraid of everything, was being left behind.

  "Goodbye," she whispered to her younger self, before journeying down the tunnel after Speltus. When they emerged, it was under the cover of night. The smell of fresh air felt like a gift to her lungs, and she sucked in several deep breaths and let them out, making herself dizzy in the process.

  "All right, air breather. Are you ready?"

  Hekla grinned. "Yes. It is time to change the world."

  He led her away from the charred area and the dugout, and shortly they found themselves in a thick wooded area. Speltus led them to a path that looked barely used.

  "This will take us to the entrance to Aequoris. It's a two-and-a-half day journey from here, if we limit our rest stops and nothing untoward happens."

  Almost as if fate had heard him speak, Hekla was surprised by a gruff voice behind them. When she turned, a small group of soldiers were coming toward her. She imagined they had taken the path off the main road though she couldn't imagine what they were doing out this far.

  "She was supposed to have green hair, wasn't she?" one of them asked, his grimy face rife with a form of anger she had never seen.

  Hekla immediately got into a defensive
stance, her legs spread apart, slightly crouched, scepter balanced across her palms, ready to fight. Their earth tone, well-worn clothing and tattered armor told her all she needed to know about where they from. Tellurian soldiers, but were they talking about her sister?

  "Green. Blue. What's the difference?" another guard replied, his stringy red hair hanging over his dirty freckled face. He wiped his brow of a small spattering of sweat that had gathered on his forehead.

  "There's a big difference. One is green and one isn't. We're looking for a green-haired woman wearing green clothes, carrying a bow."

  "She doesn't look like that at all," the grimy, agitated soldiers continued to argue among themselves.

  Realizing they were looking for Astrid, Hekla slowly started to back away. If their battle wasn't with her, she wasn't about to start one. The first soldier to speak, had chilled her to the bone and she just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Curiosity made her question what her sister had done to warrant all this attention.

  "Hey, where do you think you're going?" It was the gruff one, with a dirty face and unkempt hair. The one who chilled her, and now as she stared into his dark eyes, she could feel the contempt dripping off of him. He may have been well-built, but it was hidden under a slight hunch and his hands reached out like the claws of a bear.

  "I'm clearly not the one you seek. I'd like to peacefully be on my way." It took everything in her to keep her voice steady, and not to let on that she felt more fear in this moment than she had ever felt in her life.

  "I don't care if you're her or not, you're not going anywhere." He slowly began advancing toward her, and his black eyes flashed with a hint of the wickedness she had felt only moments before.

  "What did she do to be sought by those such as yourselves?" Hekla worried over her sister, but found comfort in the fact that since the soldiers were still looking for her, that meant her sister escaped.