by TJ Reynolds
Flagging Duties
Rhona
The dragonlings swooped away and found places to rest in their roost.
Rhona was happy they hadn’t chosen to descend to the base of the tower. It wasn’t that she despised the dragonlings; they were simply irritating to be around.
Jakodi had explained time and again that their excess energy and high-pitched screeching would no longer be so irksome.
With a gush of wind, Kai landed at the end of the river and dropped his prize.
Then he turned his body before transforming.
Rhona glanced away while her companion wrapped his nude body in the thick cloak he’d taken to wearing about his neck.
It is rather endearing, she thought. An excessively modest dragon.
She wasn’t at all bothered by seeing a man or woman’s body. Too many years of soldiering had ground away her own modesty, leaving behind a sense of pragmatism most couldn’t relate with.
If she were being honest, though, there was something else as well.
Her emotions towards Kai had become… complex of late. When she thought of Kai in her mind, she still saw the awkward youth she’d first met, sickly and near death in the swamps.
But every once in a while, she saw the broad-chested man who’d emerged.
Especially since mastering his dragon form, Kai’s body, confidence, and mannerisms had changed.
He was the handsome adventurer he’d fought so desperately to become.
“I hope you’re hungry, Rhona!” Kai called out. “I snatched up an elk on our way home.”
She faced the man and smiled. “It is always venison with you. I swear, Kai, it’s like you’ve forgotten what a tuber is.”
Kai chuckled.
Clutching his cloak around himself, he lowered his head and grinned. “I’ve dug up more taters than you’ve ever seen in your lifetime, Rhona. The day I forget them is the day I’ll be a happier man.”
The two chatted for a time while the daldrim swarmed the large elk. In minutes, they had assembled a large fire, skinned the beast, and hoisted its body over the flames.
Rhona watched the creatures work together, still fascinated by their cooperation. Having once been minions, it was Ban’s theory that they could still somehow communicate with their minds.
Either that, or they’d simply grown used to working in tandem for so many years.
She excused herself and at last made her way to Honor’s stable.
Around the side of the tower, Ban had turned much of the stone into turf. The Earth Core was good enough to refresh the grass daily, so it never turned to mud or died out.
Honor wandered as he saw fit, but preferred the soft grass where the sun most often fell.
Still, Rhona felt bad for the horse.
Ban had made a winding footpath that rose up to the rim of the chasm months ago. Since then, she’d only ridden the horse a handful of times.
“Hey, boy,” she whispered, running her fingers through the beast’s mane. “How you doing today?”
Honor chuffed, then pushed her in the chest with his nose. His tail swished, and he seemed restless, something Rhona had observed more often of late.
She walked over to the feeding bucket where Ban kept Honor’s treats. Taking out a handful of the yellow tubers, she fed the horse one at a time. “I’m sorry, okay? I promise, I’ll take you riding again soon.”
The horse chomped away, easily mollified as always.
His easygoing nature only made her feel more guilty.
So, Rhona did what any good horse companion should in such situations. She retrieved Honor’s brush as well as the bottle of oil the cavalry used to treat their mounts’ manes and tails.
Then she worked the horse’s coat patiently, chatting about anything and nothing at all while she did so.
An hour later, Rhona found herself seated at the large dinner table in the base of the tower. A platter of steaming elk steaks sat between a loaf of fresh bread and some mushroom stew the daldrim made.
Jakodi had returned from one of his long walks in the tunnels, a grin on his old face. “Please, Kai, tell me how the dragonlings are doing?”
“Good, actually,” Kai said between bites. “The Ananri is still struggling, but something shifted today. One of his siblings was in danger, and the little guy transformed before my very eyes! He might still be the scrawny runt of the clutch, but he fought like a true dragon today,” Kai finished, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
The old wizard nodded. “Such a path is not uncommon. My own rise to power was not immediate nor grand.”
Rhona quirked an eyebrow.
Jakodi had given her many stories of the monks of the past.
He’d acted as a court wizard when he grew too old for combat, and when she’d seen him in Mindonne, that’s exactly how he’d appeared.
But Jakodi had once been a fierce monk.
He’d even earned the name “The Chipped Fang,” though to this day, the old man refused to explain the origin of his nickname.
“I was born a weakling, and my core refused to absorb ether as it was meant to,” Jakodi said. “For some reason, each time I defeated a creature, only a portion of its given ether found its way into my core. It took me till my twentieth name day to ascend to Crimson 1.”
Kai scoffed. “Almost took me as long. Is that so uncommon?”
The old man patted Kai on the shoulder. “You were raised by a farmer, Kai. My father was a Viridian ascended battle monk. My expectations were different than yours. The point, though, was that after I spread my wings, I quickly found my heart bold and my limbs strong.”
Rhona cleared her throat, but the old man shook his head and apologized before she could speak. “In time, Rhona. In time, I will tell you the story you wish to hear.”
She let out a sigh but could respect the monk’s wishes.
There were plenty of stories she wouldn’t repeat casually either.
Ban took a break from gorging himself, a practice he’d taken to wholeheartedly while in his champion’s body. “Where did you go today, Jakodi? Did you have a chance to check up on any of the new Earth Cores?”
“I spoke for a time with Rostinferel,” Jakodi said. “He is nearing Golden ascension. And the Earth Core has come up with scores of variations on spider minions. Fixated on them for some reason.”
Kai wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair. “That is great news. Ross is a strange one, to be certain, though from my experience, all Earth Cores are a little batty.”
“Watch it, Kai,” Ban said in a growl. “I could poison your wine with no more than a thought. Remember that.”
Kai laughed but pressed the old man further. “What of the others? Have the kobolds sent word?”
Jakodi shook his head. “The Emerald dungeon, umm… Shoray, if I can remember right, supposedly encountered some issues with a neighboring pack of goblins. The kobolds sent a small band of reinforcements to defend her, but the Earth Core is so far away we won’t hear back for another few days at the least.”
Taking a sip of water, the old man continued. “The two young Crimsons, Lenda and Rool, both are nearing Amber ascension. At this rate, they should catch up to Ross within a month’s time.”
Rhona considered the odd life she’d stumbled into.
Gone was her pressing agenda to waylay Brintosh from starting a pointless war. In fact, after learning Hastings’ memories, she suspected the king of Brintosh was being manipulated all along.
She’d more or less accomplished her goals, which left her feeling somehow lost.
As the others chatted about which element the newly healed Earth Cores would take on, she wondered if her presence here was even needed.
Maybe the rangers need me, she thought, guarding her mind so the others couldn’t hear her. Tela must certainly have her hands full. Then again, what if the abyss beasts return? If there is one last worthy fight, it would be that one.
Thinking of the terrifying monster that had nearly
killed them all gave her goosebumps.
She’d been locked with Hastings in a battle of their minds, but she’d seen the devastation the monster had brought to the Sunken Keep.
An army of such horrors would be beyond any force this world had ever faced.
“And how have your studies gone, Rhona?” Jakodi asked, interrupting her morbid thoughts. “Any progress in reaching your goal?”
Rhona jumped when she noticed the others watching her.
Kai had his usual half-guarded concern, and Ban smiled sympathetically down at her from Greg’s enormous black eyes.
She sighed and pushed back from the table.
Jakodi had been teaching her the next meditation technique she needed to master.
He called it, Temple of the Pristine Mind. Apparently, monks who mastered Gold Mind, as she’d done to defeat Hastings, often either departed from society to live out their days in peace or went mad.
Jakodi himself had nearly lost his will to live.
But, he insisted, if she pushed herself, she could find purpose and joy once again.
“Not much, I suppose,” she said quietly. “I worked for six hours today. I still can’t…”
Her words trailed off, and she picked up her mug and took a drink.
“Progress is often hard to measure, Rhona,” Jakodi said kindly. “I have nothing but faith that you will surmount this next challenge.”
An awkward silence spread through the room, and Rhona considered excusing herself.
Then Ban bumbled forward in an obvious attempt to salvage the evening. “Kai, what about you? Surely, you must have found some time to work on the new forms Jakodi gave you.”
Kai cleared his throat awkwardly. “I was busy with the dragonlings all day. I… I promise, I will spend more time in the days to come.”
Jakodi hummed patiently. “No need to fuss or worry. We have exactly enough time to complete our goals. With the Bleeding Tiger forms Rhona has given you, mastering the nine steps of the Dragon’s Dance will not prove impossible.”
Rhona glanced to her half-dragon friend.
Kai was rubbing his hands together uncomfortably. “They are more challenging than I ever considered. Makes me feel like the first time I tried to fly. Like a stone tied to a kite.”
“An apt description, Kai,” Ban said, his champion’s deep voice breaking into a rumbling laugh. “Remember when you flew through the waterfall?”
Rhona quirked a smile as well, recalling Kai’s first attempt to land when descending from the rim of the chasm above.
She smiled and fleshed out the story, knowing it would do them all a little good to share a laugh. “The best part wasn’t when he crashed through the water, nor when he summersaulted backwards into the pool below. It was that sound he made in his throat.”
Ban snorted and thumped the table with his champion’s huge fist. “Like a trumpet but cut off abruptly. Or an oversized goose being throttled mid-honk.”
“What would you know about geese?” Kai asked, pretending to be angry.
“I’ve read about the creatures from more than one book, thank you very much. They are described as the bane of all picnics.”
This caused Kai to snort and Rhona to chuckle.
Kai nodded. “Well, that is true. My aunt was once chased directly into a pond when two of the beasts attacked her. The crazy part is that anyone can defeat a goose. Just kick the bird in its chest and they’ll leave off. But they’re shivving terrifying!”
A loud knock sounded from the closed door at the base of the tower, interrupting their chat.
Kai stood up, his hand lifting a few inches instinctively.
He is ready with a spell at any time, Rhona thought as Greg crossed the room to open the door. How he’s changed. I only hope he doesn’t lose all of the innocence he once had in abundance.
Greg opened the door and gasped in delight.
The contrast between Ban’s somewhat posh and effeminate nature with Greg’s hulking form always delighted Rhona.
Pressing a thick-fingered hand to his mouth, Greg announced, “Sora! Kotsi! You’ve come just in time for dessert!”
Rhona chuckled and stood along with Jakodi.
The two war leaders of the kobolds ambled in. They wore steel plate mail, forged by Ban months ago. Each bore finely crafted weapons as well.
Kotsi set his great axe down near the door and bowed low. “We did not mean to interrupt. There is news that couldn’t wait, however, and Tesra sent us immediately.”
A flicker of torches held by a squad of kobolds outside the keep caught Rhona’s eye.
They’ve sent a troop of warriors, she mused. Something must be afoot.
“No problem at all,” Kai said. “Please, come in and tell us the news.”
Kotsi and Sora both bowed a second time to Kai.
Sora gripped his spear and remained standing near the door, but Kotsi strode forward.
“Great Dragon Kai! Some of our scouts have returned from a long mission. The Crimson Spears found two more Earth Cores within a week’s march!”
Rhona whistled. “Wow, and how is it we didn’t find them before?”
Kotsi bowed to her as well before answering. “There was a tunnel collapse, but it opened a new passageway. In fact, after we clear away the rubble and the path ahead, we should be able to return in four or five days.” The war chief turned to Kai. “We were hoping you might come and restore them. Having two more allies would be welcome indeed.”
Kai smiled. “Of course, Kotsi. I will leave first thing in the morning. In fact…” He glanced to Jakodi. “What would you say if I brought the dragonlings with me? We could kill monsters on the way, and if the Earth Core’s minions have turned wild, they should be able to absorb their ether, no?”
The old wizard nodded sagely. “Just so, Kaius. It is time they face greater danger and push themselves beyond hunting game in the mountains. It is time your brood learns how sharp their talons and fangs truly are.”
Kotsi and Sora grinned emphatically, and the two left after refusing to join the meal.
The kobolds did take advantage of what was left of the roast elk, however, and the troop of warriors began a feast outside the tower.
Kai and Rhona joined them, but the monk stayed well apart from the excitement.
She would not be going on this mission.
Only Kai could restore an Earth Core, and if the battles were anything like the previous ones they’d encountered, he would not need her assistance.
She sat with her back against the base of the tower and watched her companions enjoy the rest of the evening.
The same heavy weight settled in her chest, a reminder of how fleeting life truly was.
Rhona had nearly given in to despair several times in the past months.
No, not despair, she thought distantly. More like a pervasive and cold-fingered apathy.
She would continue to study the form Jakodi gave her, and she would master it. By recovering her sense of purpose and a will for the pleasures in life, Rhona could once again become useful to those she loved.
For the only alternative was to lose herself entirely.
And regardless of what her dampened heart told her, Rhona had no intention of giving up on this life so soon.
4
Blessings Before Adventure
Kai
The only thing that dampened the mood of the impromptu feast was witnessing Rhona try to conceal her sorrow.
Ever since surviving the siege, the woman had been anything but the fiery ex-soldier Kai had fallen for.
He realized that he’d do anything to help her regain the fire that burned so brightly within her.
Still, there was little he could do other than remain her companion and hope she might master Temple of the Pristine Mind.
He thought long about her struggles as he tried to fall asleep that night.
Jakodi had come to them when all they lacked was a master. Bearing knowledge of a bygone era, the old man had tu
rned their worlds upside down.
Rhona spent her days struggling to master a single technique that eluded her completely.
And Kai, well, he struggled with the nine steps of Dragon’s Dance like it was his first time picking up the glaive. The movements were fluid and precise, requiring a greater degree of dexterity than Kai possessed.
Most frustrating of all, though Kai found the forms came to him easier each time he practiced them, Jakodi admitted they were only the foundation of the path Kai needed to walk down.
The nine forms each had seven techniques he had to learn afterward.
The only good news was that Jakodi wanted him to focus most of all on his Progression. Jakodi had some secret or boon to gift Kai when he reached his next ascension.
No matter how many times he asked, Jakodi refused to tell him, though.
Still, Kai trusted his old friend. Jakodi had never lied to Kai, never led him astray.
If I can make it to Viridian, Kai thought as fatigue pulled his eyes closed at last, then I can learn what the old man has been hiding away.
The next morning, they all woke early.
Unsurprisingly, Rhona announced that she wouldn’t be coming along. “Sorry, Kai, I really am. Jakodi has a few more tricks up his sleeve supposedly. I want to be there for you and the dragonlings, but…”
She chewed her bottom lip, guilt written clearly across her brow.
Kai took her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. Gods above, have there ever been eyes more green?
He chuckled at the fleeting thought and told her what she needed to hear. “Take the time you need, Rhona. You brought down Hastings, a man that would have finished us all. You need to remember that. I certainly haven’t forgotten.”
Then, shocking even himself, he pulled her forward and kissed her brow gently.
Then he pushed her back and smiled.
Before things could grow awkward, he shot out a punch toward her stomach.
Predictably, the woman blocked it and sidestepped, instantly gaining a more advantageous angle for a counterattack.
She laughed and blushed a little. “Thank you, Kai. Good luck on the mission. One more Earth Core is one more victory in your mission.”