Dragon Sword

by Angelique Anderson

"Captain Telvidius, I can certainly understand your concern, and even your hatred. However, we are on the same side. I have come to serve the kingdoms and the king, I will do whatever it takes to make sure that peace is restored."

  "Peace? What is this peace you speak of? The king wants no peace, only to overcome all the lands and rule them. Then we will take back what is ours, what should be rightfully ours." His chestnut eyes clouded over, taking on ink black shades as he spoke. His whole demeanor had changed, and she stepped away from him out of fear. This man didn't want to kill her, he wanted to kill anyone who may get in the way of the king’s plans.

  "Yes," she said hesitantly, "that is what I mean. Will we not achieve peace when there is but one ruler? King Armand, ruler of all Verdil!" Her face hid her silent distaste for the words she spoke, but her only goal was to get allies, and to gain the trust of the surrounding people.

  At her words, the storm clouds in his face calmed, and his breathing slowed. He pushed back the man at his side and glared at her a moment more.

  "If that is your goal, then I suppose we can work together."

  "That is my goal," she said quickly. "Not to take your place, or take over... just to aid the king. I need your help though, Telvidius. Can I count on that?"

  Slowly, he nodded his head. "I will help you, as long as I can trust you. The moment my trust in you fails, your life is mine."

  "Understood." She nodded her head, pulling her sword from its sheath. "I will serve faithfully," she said, thrusting her sword in the air like a torch that would light the way for the kingdom.

  With that, Telvidius and his companion met her out on the road, the stringy haired man motioned for her to step off the dead soldier. "Geribaldus and I will see to him, you are free to leave."

  "My thanks to you, Telvidius." She turned her back to continue walking down the road toward the Tellurian villages when his booming voice stopped her in his tracks.

  "I would be cautious if I were you. I am not the only one who wishes to see you dead. The King overstepped his bounds with you, keep that in mind."

  Svana shook her scarlet hair out of her face, comments bubbling up in her mind as fast as she could think of them. She longed to cut him through, but rather than start another fight, she nodded and hurried out of earshot.

  "Seems to me that if the king had a worthy opponent, he wouldn't need a woman to do the job," she finally whispered.

  "Trust me, Svana. There is no one in his army better suited for this position than you. Most of the soldiers fight by intimidation, not skill," Lingaria said, his ruby wings flapping peacefully as he appeared from the sword and flew ahead.

  Svana's anger shrugged off his compliment about her fighting abilities, and her eyes became more watchful the nearer to the villages they came.

  Her thoughts focused on visiting the tavern to say hello to Percival and Eloise.

  "That is not where your mind is, and you know it," Lingaria interrupted her thoughts.

  "Huh?" she said, batting her lashes with innocence.

  "Don't play innocent with me. You forget that I know you better than anyone else, except for your sisters... and even then, they can't read your thoughts. Do you really think that visiting Jakobe is going to make this situation any better?"

  "Stand down, Lingaria. There is a small troop of soldiers ahead," Svana spoke roughly, trying to quiet him.

  Lingaria took the hint, and his little body disappeared from sight.

  Svana scooted to the far side of the road, chin held high, sword still firmly in hand. Every nerve ending tensed as the land army got closer, and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled.

  You're going to be fine. You can beat these guys if need be, she told herself.

  The hefty forms of the men seemed as if they had no interest in her, for none spoke a word as she passed. Her ears twitched as she listened to them walk away, attuned to even the slightest shift of movement in case they decided to come after her. For a moment, it felt as if the danger had passed, but a slight shift in the air told her that she was far away from harm. A flying rock landed near her on the road.

  She spun around quickly, feet slightly spread, and sword raised.

  "Well, well, well. The little girl knows how to use a blade?" the first brigand asked. He turned to his men and threw his head back and laughed. "I suppose that means she can beat us, eh you louts?"

  The men laughed along with him, and Svana fought the rush of terror rising up. I have no reason to be afraid, I've fought before, and men three times their size.

  “What's a pretty girl like you doing out here on the road in the day, with no one to protect you?" Another one of the dirty faced, tattered booted men asked her.

  "I am on the king's errand," she answered swiftly.

  "Oh, on the king's errand? Well, that sounds mighty important. Don't tell me.... no... You're not Svana of the Sword are you? Yes, you must be! Fiery-red hair, ocean blue eyes, and.... Is that the magical sword?" The man's voice reeked with contempt and sarcasm.

  "So, you've already heard of me, why waste my time? Is there something I can do for you?" Her voice stern but kind, she was not about to meet their angry banter with more of her own.

  "Oh, I guarantee it won't be a waste of time to kill you."

  Without warning, he came pummeling after her, and the men behind him did the same. In the next moment, Svana swung her sword with wild deliberation, fighting off blows from each of their swords as they tried to slice her through over and over. She jumped back, swinging her blade across the front, meeting the leader's sword with a high clang. The ringing echoed for several moments.

  A man tried to approach her from behind, but she kicked her leg up high, striking him in the chest, even as she kept fighting off the others. He made a groaning noise and fell back onto the ground. Another man came around her side, and she switched direction of her blade, dragging it vertically, and catching his arm as she swung. Like a child, he began whining, as he dropped his blade. He held his triceps as blood began to spurt.

  "What a baby, get back in here!" the angry leader yelled, his dark, stringy hair floating in the wind as he sliced his sword through the air with brute force. Svana didn't have time to react, she bent backward to avoid the blow, and fell on her bottom, then rolled out of the way.

  That didn't stop the men from coming after her, and she kicked up her feet with her hands secured on the ground. She struck someone in the groin, and he groaned as he fell back. The angry leader came after her again, now looming over her like a wild Toverak ready to devour her. Svana wasn't beat yet, and while breathing heavily, she threw herself into a backward somersault, thrusting herself onto her feet, sword extended as he kept coming after her.

  They were in a battle dance now, one swinging while the other deflected. Svana kept on the offensive as one blocked, and another trying to get a jab in. It was nearly rhythmic, until Svana bit her lip and did a jump kick as the attacker pulled his arm back to thrust forward again. Her foot met his chest, and he stumbled back. He would have been able to catch himself, but the man she had kicked in the groin was still lying on the ground, cupping himself.

  The angry man tripped over him, and Svana seized the opportunity to take a flying leap onto his chest. Her hilt struck his jugular. The remaining men who had not been injured stood around them, like a small crowd rooting for her demise. Only now they cheered for her.

  "Well, well, well. A fair opponent you've turned out to be. I see why they call you Svana of the Sword," the angry leader said.

  Svana nodded. "They don't call me that only for my good looks." She pressed her sword against his throat. "Now here is what they don't say. I don't let anyone live unless it's for my benefit. So, is letting you live going to be for my benefit?"

  All around her, gasps echoed from the few still standing. They stood frozen. Incapable of making a movement, all entranced by the fiery haired girl, who had held her own against a force of brutes two times her size.

  "I should say so. If you l
et me live, I will make sure that everyone far and wide knows why the king chose you."

  She studied his eyes a moment longer and then stepped off of him. "I'll be watching you. In the meantime, take a shower and change your clothes. You are a soldier of the Tellurian army, not some homeless vagabond off the streets of Telluris."

  The man nodded his head, and gingerly stood, rubbing his throat. A few tiny drops of blood had made their appearance, and he wiped them away, then stared at his hand.

  "There's more where that came from," she warned.

  Svana hoped he got the point across that if he came after her again, she wouldn't show mercy.

  He nodded at her, not speaking a word. Rushing his men away from the scene, she stood statue still until the men had journeyed far enough up the road to be out of sight. Her worry was that they traveled toward the castle, but they veered off to the right. When she could see them no more, she let out a heavy breath of relief.

  "Well done with that whole 'I only leave people alive for my benefit'. That was very impressive." Lingaria appeared, and sat on Svana's shoulder. His body weight was a welcome presence from her current situation.

  "Lingaria, I can't do this. I can't keep fighting everyone I come across. I need... I need a break." With that, she took off running toward the familiar Tavern she loved so much, hoping that her return would be met with friendly faces. I need to see Eloise and Jakobe. It would be the only thing that would bring calm to the storm that brewed inside her. Well, not the only thing.

  She ran as fast as she could, veering off path to avoid any more encounters with people who may wish to harm her. A dagger soared at her at one point, but she didn't stop to look where it came from, or if it had done any damage. She just kept running, the red leather of her boots nearly a whir, until she reached the familiar road that would take her to the tavern.

  Even then, she didn't stop, until she burst through the doors and her arrival was met with the sudden lifting of heads and quizzical glances.

  "Svana? You're here?" Elosie came from behind the door, rushing to her side and grabbing Svana in a tight hug for a moment. "Come on, let me get you out of here. It's not entirely safe," Eloise’s voice lowered, and she linked her arm through the crook of Svana's elbow and led her to the kitchen. "I don't know what you did to earn the kings favor so, but he made a lot of people angry when he put you in charge over the soldiers."

  "Do you think he was wrong to do so?" Svana asked, searching the woman's kind eyes.

  "What do you mean, dear Svana?" Eloise said, her dark locks falling over her shoulders like the waves of a waterfall.

  "Do you think the king was wrong to make me head commander of the armies of Telluris?" Svana asked.

  The hint of a tear gathered in the corner of her eye as she began to doubt herself. Surely if I am meant to be doing this, then people would not want to kill me?

  Eloise put her hands on Svana's shoulders, holding them fiercely. "My dear girl, you are meant for this. I just don't want to see you come to harm. The anger from the people is misplaced. They have been treated unfairly for so long, that they don't know what to do with themselves. They assume that his tyranny will be embraced by a woman because they expect you to be weak. They don't want another weak leader. They want one who won't fear to stand up to him."

  The news was shocking to Svana, but she kept her face emotionless. She could not let on what she had planned or how she wanted to overthrow the king. She wasn't sure who to trust at the moment.

  "I know you are afraid." Eloise played with one of Svana's wild ruby tendrils, then brushed it out of her reddened face. "You needn't be. Just watch your back, and if I were you, I would lay low until the initial shock has passed. Go see Jakobe; he misses you. I know he would be happy to see you. All right?"

  Svana bobbed her head up and down before darting out the back of the 'Ye Olde Wayward Lady.' Then she turned back around and headed toward 'Hand and Hammer.' Svana could only hope Jakobe would be as happy to see her as Eloise claimed.

  Just as before, she could hear the soft clanging of the broken sign of his shop before she saw the storefront itself. Her stomach flip-flopped with excitement.

  "Calm yourself, female, you don't know whose side he is on. No need to get all worked up," Lingaria warned, but Svana would not let his foul mood corrupt the inexplicable bubble of joy she felt at seeing the familiar head of crow black hair.

  The smell of sulfur met her nostrils before she made her way inside, and she fought back a wide grin. Keep your calm. You do not know yet what you are walking into. She had to force herself to relax, but as she stepped into the shop, his broad familiar back was like water in a desert.

  At the sound of footsteps entering the shop, he turned around. Slowly, his stern face turned gentle as he realized it was her. He came out from behind the hearth and walked deliberately toward her.

  His soot stained face, strong chin and russet eyes never left hers. When he was just inches from her, they stared at each other for a few long moments, and Svana's heart raced wildly. Was he going to stab her through? Or pick her up and throw her?

  His strong arms encircled her waist, and he picked her up, twirling her around as she kicked her feet.

  "Jakobe! Put me down!" She squealed happily, but the warmth of his hug reached to the core of her being.

  He laughed a deep, throaty laugh, and set her down gently, eyes sparkling. "It's good to see you, Svana, I didn't think you'd make your way back here. At least not this quickly."

  "I've only been gone a few days," she argued.

  "Indeed you have, and from what I've heard, you're making all the wrong friends," he chuckled lightly as he teased her.

  "Just what is that supposed to mean?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips indignantly.

  "It means that you made friends with the king." He frowned. "That wasn't a good idea. Just because he rules all, doesn't mean he rules all. Do you understand what I mean?"

  She couldn't stop staring into his swirling eyes, the warmth there like a fire in winter. Though she'd never experienced such a thing, she could imagine it. "Do you mean not all the Tellurians are loyal to the king?"

  "Yes, they do what they must, but it is for survival. To gain his approval, as you have, has put you in the line of fire. All of Telluris thinks you are on his side. Those who don't care, are ones who are in his army and don't want to serve a woman commander," Jakobe continued.

  "Yes, I've picked that up from one or two people." Svana's face flushed with anger.

  "Don't worry, Svana. You will win them over eventually. You always do. It is the essence of who you are." He paused for a moment, brushing the ebony locks out of his face. "So, tell me. What brings you back to our humble village?"

  Svana glanced to the ground, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. "Honestly? I just wanted to get away from the castle for a moment, and I quickly found that my life was on the line. This was the safest place I could think of."

  "Oh," he said.

  She studied his face intensely, watching the tease of a smile that played on his lips as he returned to the hearth and continued working on his current project.

  "Stay with me. Have dinner. You are safe here. I'll take care of you as long as you wish, you can rest on my mattress as before, and I can just stay here or in the tavern. Eloise has an extra bed."

  "Nonsense, I can stay in the tavern. I'm not going to kick you out of your own home, don't be crazy."

  "I appreciate the consideration, but it's not safe for you there. Too many manner of people come and go in the tavern. Honestly, I'm a little worried about you being here. At least I know I can protect you if you're near me though."

  "I don't need protecting. I can defend myself." She crossed her arms.

  "Svana, beautiful and strong Svana, you don't need to be brave for me. I know what you are capable of. You can just be here." He gave her a meaningful glance.

  Svana felt the tension leave her body. "Thank you," she said softly.

&
nbsp; He nodded. "Want to watch me work?"

  Her eyes lit up, and she joined him behind the broad work surface that separated them. For the rest of the evening, she watched excitedly as he finished his work, hammering out the metal to flattened perfection.

  Svana watched Jakobe for hours, until finally, her eyes drooped as she watched him work in the fire. He wore a cotton shirt, but it was sleeveless and she watched his strong arm muscles flex in the firelight. She wanted to continue watching, admiring his strong form, but with each passing second, her eyes fought to keep themselves open.

  As the dark permeated the surrounding atmosphere, Jakobe finished up the blade he was firing and then went to the front door, securing the lock. The only light in the room came from the crackling fire, and he worked to quickly rectify that by lighting the candles mounted in fixtures on the wall.

  Jackobe turned to face Svana. "Are you tired, Svana?"

  She nodded slightly, emphasizing it with a yawn. "I've been trying to fight it, but so much has happened today. I really need to rest."

  "That's fine. Take my bed. Please, I won't sleep until you do."

  She underestimated how worn her body felt, and rather than argue she said, "all right, where are you going to sleep?"

  "I told you, I can sleep here or the tavern."

  "Stay here, please. I'll sleep better if you are near."

  "As you wish, my dear." He crossed the room to her, grabbing her soft fingers in his calloused hands. "Is there anything I can get you, anything at all?" he asked in low tones.

  "No," she answered, fighting the urge to reach her hand up to his cheek, and stroke the whiskers that kissed his face.

  "If you don't need anything, then feel free to make yourself comfortable in my home. I’ll wake you in the morning when it is safe." Their eyes met, the flames of the hearth reflecting in their gaze.

  Jakobe leaned down, placing a quick kiss on her forehead. Svana's face tilted upward, and she watched his expression for a moment, before she quickly stepped away from him.

  "Thank you for your kindness, Jakobe. You have quickly become one of my best friends. Possibly one of my only friends," she said slightly dismayed before she hurried out the back door of the 'Hand and Hammer' to the humble home that shared property with the blacksmith’s business.