by A. J. Medina
When I finally fell asleep, I dreamed of my last visit with Silas. I had healed his wounds and made his hair grow back.
I was about to lean in and kiss him, but my dream was interrupted when I was startled awake by a thud.
I looked around our dark tent, nothing was stirring but me. I lay my head back on the ground and shut my eyes ready to drift back to sleep when I heard something crack.
I sat up, listened to the woods, and heard faint footsteps in the distance.
“Neala, are you awake?” I asked the darkness. “Neala?” I asked once more.
When Neala didn’t answer me, I concentrated on producing a very tiny flame in my upturned palm. With the flame illuminating the inside of our tent, I could see that Neala was missing. Next to me, by my feet, was my sword. The ball at the end of the handle had been twisted off.
With my free hand, I reached for my sword and peered into the handle opening and hoped I wouldn’t find it empty, but unfortunately it was.
I twisted the end back on and slid my boots onto my feet. With a quick tying of the laces, I slipped out of our tent and into the moonlit night. The moon was high in the sky, its full round shape casting a hue across the ground. The trees cast dark and eerie shadows that danced as if they were spirits themselves. A falcon flew overhead and it reminded me of those falcons I used to see every night when I would wait on the balcony for Lucah, and then when I would wait for Silas.
It was far too dark and I couldn’t see into the woods. “Neala,” I whispered, hoping I wouldn’t be loud enough to get any beasts attention that might be out hunting in the darkness. I went back into our tent and with one hand shining a tiny flame, and with my eyes casting a bluish hue across our tent, I searched through my supplies.
When I found the last vial of the potion of dark to light, I drank it all in one gulp and I could see much better. Slipping back out into the open air of the forest, able to see and content on finding Neala, I slid open the entry way to Thomas’ tent first. “Thomas, Neala’s missing. I’m going to find her. I’ll walk south, you cover east and wake Davina and Aednat and have them move west and north.
Thomas rubbed his eyes. “Aye, Alora.”
After giving Thomas his orders, I started due south. My pace quickened when I heard another twig snap. I was at a light run now, my sword in my hand at the ready just in case something tried to surprise me. Someone was whispering beyond the trees and when I emerged from the edge of the forest, I was stunned by what I saw.
“Neala!” I yelled.
Neala turned around, shaking her head as if waking from a lucid dream.
“Alora where... what am I doing out here?” Neala asked, confused that she wasn’t in her tent.
“That’s mine! Return it to me!” I yelled.
Neala was confused, but that’s because I wasn’t yelling at her.
“It’s mine now,” Draycko bellowed, and then he spread his wings and launched up in the air. With his wings flapping strongly, he rose into the sky and flew out towards the sea.
“Stop! It’s mine! Stop!” I shouted as I sprinted after him.
My feet tapped the ground, each step causing me to gain speed. I was right behind him. I had to catch him. I had to get my mother’s emerald back from him. I was running at full speed, each breath deeper and fuller than the last, but I knew I couldn’t maintain that speed forever.
Why had he taken my emerald? It was of no use to him.
Draycko was pulling farther away from me and when he flew over the final piece of land, I summoned my shield and launched it at him. It hit his wing and bounced off his dragon’s armor, causing him to let out a condescending huff.
I forced my legs to keep going even though my heart pounded in my chest and my lungs burned. When the ground finally came to an end, I leaped onto the water and kept running.
Looking down at the water, I could see my eyes were brightly reflected in it.
It would be nice if the water could help me, but how could it help against Draycko’s armor?
When Draycko glanced over his shoulder he huffed at the fact that I was still on his heels. He spread his wings, slowing slightly and catching the wind’s updraft, and then turned and exhaled a stream of fire.
He couldn’t be serious. He knew I could control fire.
I raised my hand, ready to split the flame like I’ve done before, but the water in front of me rose up and doused the dragon wizard instead.
Shocked by what had transpired, Draycko flapped his wings and gained speed away from me. When he flew in a wide arc, trying to make it back to land, my body had had enough. I couldn’t run any longer. My legs began to slow and I wished the water could help me again. And maybe it could. Instead of lifting me up maybe it could send me forward.
From behind me came a rumble and when I turned around, a wave was forming. The wave lifted me up onto its crest and I lurched forward after Draycko who’s outline was now getting larger every second.
I could see land moving in quickly and without the help of the sea Draycko would surely get away. I summoned my sword sheath and placed my sword into it. Next, I summoned my battle axe and using both hands, held it overhead and aimed. Throwing the axe like I had done so many times before in the courtyard, I waited as it flew towards and then struck Draycko right between his wings.
He spun out of control in a spiral and crashed into the ground. My wave drove me to the very edge and crashed against the shore. I jumped and, while still having momentum, rolled on the ground and rushed to my feet. I drew my sword from its sheath and crept closer to him.
His claw opened and my emerald rolled out of it.
I rushed to pick it up. “Why did you take my mother’s emerald?” I asked him.
“It is the Emerald of Kali.”
“You lied about it before then?”
“Aye. But now that its of no use to me, let me tell you of its power.”
“Which power?”
“It can restore a wizard’s power if he killed a young one by accident.”
“By accident?”
“Aye.”
I carefully studied my mother’s emerald, eyeing it with my dark to light potion eyes. It glimmered in the moonlight, shimmered, like it never had before.”
“Were you going to keep it?” I asked.
“When I die take what is left behind. It is a great gift.”
“What will be left behind?” I asked.
“A dragon scale. With it you’ll be able to...”
He faded off, the life leaving him before he could finish. His body glowed brightly. So bright that I had to close and even cover my eyes. When I opened my eyes he had vanished and all that was left of the dragon wizard was a dragon scale the size of my hand.
The footsteps and the voices of my small group finally caught up to me. They watched as I knelt down to observe it. A reflection of light swarmed around it, making it look like a crystal or maybe a jewel. I reached and picked it up. Pulling it closer, I could see my reflection in it. I didn’t know what it could be used for since Draycko died before he could tell me, but I did know one thing. I was supposed to take it with me.
I held onto it with a firm grip and stood, gazing out into the dark sky. The sky was filled with stars, and I began to cry. I didn’t mean to kill him. It was an accident.
How was I supposed to know he had a weak spot in his armor? Draycko boasted every time we battled about how strong and impenetrable his dragon armor was.
And now he was gone. Another one of my teachers dead. Was this the way it was going to be from now on? Why oh why did Draycko try and steal my emerald? Why did he betray me?
Someone lay a hand on my shoulder. “We should return to camp,” Neala said.
The others grunted in agreement.
Nodding, I turned and saw the shape of a wolf’s head staring back at me. The eyes didn’t move and they didn’t blink. I stared back and when I took a step forward it became clear. It was the rock shaped like a wolf’s head. It was the perim
eter marking that showed where the woman with the black hair’s land ended.
I let out a sigh of relief. Had I killed Draycko on her land, we might have been in deep trouble.
Everyone was wide awake and there was no way we were going back to sleep, least of all me. “Let’s gather our things and start off. Day break is in a few hours. If we take our time we should reach the magic bridge just after sunrise. We can rest in my village and then send a falcon for the carriage. What do you think?” I asked my small band of knightlys plus Neala.
They all looked at each other nodding. Thomas answered for everyone. “Aye, let’s move on.”
I nodded and led everyone back to the camp.
After gathering our things, we marched through the dark woods. At first everyone was fine following my lead, but then one after another the moaning and whining began.
“I can’t see where I’m going!” Aednat said after tripping on a rock.
Thomas was next. “Ouch,” he cried after getting smacked in the face with a low hanging branch.
“Alora, maybe it would be a good idea if you gave us the potion of dark to light so that we can see where we’re going,” Neala said.
And she was right. It was a great idea except for one thing. I had drank the last vial when I set out after Neala. I didn’t think to multiply the vial at that moment, my concern for her taking precedent.
“There isn’t any more,” I said quietly.
“What!” Aednat yelled.
“I’m sorry. But when I was looking for Neala, I took the last one and didn’t multiply the vial.”
“Well, that’s just great,” Aednat said. “Thanks a lot Neala.”
Neala didn’t say anything.
“It’s not her fault,” I said. “It was Draycko’s. And mine for not thinking. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do about it right now. Let’s keep going. The sun will rise soon enough.”
While I led the way, the others, all except Neala, whined and groaned as they tripped and bumped into trees and branches. Just as we broke the edge of the woods, the sun started to peek over the horizon. The sunrise turned the sky a light shade of bluish green and everyone welcomed the helpful dim light that allowed them to see ahead.
“We’ll wait until the sun rises some more so that we can cross the bridge. Let’s rest for a moment and eat something,” I said.
“Would you like me to make something?” Neala asked.
“That would be great,” I answered.
She smiled, happy to contribute, and prepared her fire and cooking skillet.
“Alora, can you...?” Neala asked pointing beneath her skillet.
I flicked my finger at the wood to start the fire, and Neala went to work pushing some eggs around the skillet.
Standing at the edge of the water, I gazed at the other side. It was Ly’vera. A short hike and we would be back at Lucah’s home where his mother would make us an even larger meal. Surely she would make her sweet bread and hopefully she would give us some for the journey back to the castle city.
My mind drifted to Lucah again.
I pictured his face clearly in my mind and wondered... no hoped... that he would be there when we arrived. I could tell him of our journey. Of the things I’ve learned and how I had stopped the dragon wizard from stealing mother’s emerald. I wish I hadn’t had to kill him, but he was getting away. I couldn’t let him take mother’s emerald, no matter what.
What really bothered me was how easy it was for Draycko to take control of Neala. It’s not a good thing. He couldn’t control us because he said knights and royalty were too strong willed. So that meant Neala wasn’t. But she seems so—
Neala screamed. I turned to see what had happened, thinking she must’ve dropped her eggs. Four wolves crept slow and menacingly out of the woods. They were evenly spaced out and walking in sync, their red eyes still clearly visible in the dim morning light.
They stopped coming towards us and waited as a slow, evil growl escaped all of their throats.
Were they going to attack? I wasn’t sure. Thomas drew his sword.
“Wait!” I shouted. “Don’t attack!”
Thomas held his position, but he was ready.
“Potions?” I shouted.
Everyone shook their heads.
It was the second time no one had drank their magic potions. We were too comfortable in these woods. I should’ve ordered them to take their potions earlier. I was waiting until we were ready to cross the river just in case anyone needed to soar the way I had to the first time we crossed the magic bridge. Now, I regretted that decision.
I was about to speak and ask what the wolves wanted when the woman with the black hair stepped out of the forest. This time she was naked, her tattered sleep shirt was no where to be found. The only thing she did have on was a red amulet around her neck. Her skin was covered in dirt from head to toe and the dirt on her face was smeared. It was still smearing as her tears fell.
“You killed!” she yelled.
“We didn’t kill on your land!” I yelled back.
“It may not have been on my land, but you killed my... my husband.”
“Your husband?” Neala asked.
It didn’t take long for my mind to make the connection. “Draycko?”
“Do you remember I said if I told you my name it would be the last word you ever heard? My name is Ursala!” she yelled, and then threw her hands forward and shouted, “Attack!”
Chapter 23
The woman with the black hair watched as her wolves lunged forward. Each wolf went after one of the knightlys. The first wolf went after Thomas and he swung his sword at it, but the wolf dropped low and his sword missed. Aednat’s wolf turned its side towards her and threw itself at her before she could even pull her sword out of its sheath. The wolf’s weight and impact flung her off her feet and onto her back.
I pleaded to the woman with the black hair. “Please. Stop them. I don’t want to hurt them.”
But she didn’t listen. She stood there with a stupid grin on her face. It made me angry.
Davina had her sword drawn and ready to defend herself if she had to, when her wolf began circling her. I didn’t want her to have to kill the wolf. I didn’t want any of my knightlys to have to kill any wolf.
I summoned my armor and was about to run over to help her when I felt something grab my arm. When I turned to see what it was, I gasped. A wolf had bitten down on my forearm armor. Saliva escaped from its mouth as its white teeth and red eyes stared at me. His grip was powerful and he pulled me to the ground.
I scanned the scene.
Aednat was back to her feet trying to keep her wolf away. Thomas had his sword pointed at his wolf performing a dance of sorts. Davina was now on the ground holding the wolf’s head back, trying to keep it from biting her face. Neala was the only one not under attack.
“Neala!” I called. “Try and help Davina!”
Neala reached down to her things to grab her sword when the woman with the black hair sprinted towards her. “It’s not possible!” she yelled. “You shouldn’t be able to hear each other anymore.”
Not understanding what she was talking about, I shouted at Neala. “Look out!”
I had enough of the woman with the black hair and her pack of wolves, so I waved my free hand and lit the wolf that was fighting Davina on fire. When the wolf burst into flames, a cry escaped the woman with the black hair. Her arms stretched out as if to hug the burning animal. I turned to the wolf still latched onto my arm. The woman and her wolves might have been a real threat if they had snuck up on us while we were sleeping in our tents. But out in the open, in daylight, they were no match. Like in dragon’s chess, she had just sacrificed her pawns.
The wolf clamped to my arm continued to anger me. I had enough of him. I slid my hand down his fur coat and there was something very familiar about it. It felt very close in softness and in texture to my second skin.
When my hand finished its journey on the wolf’s fur, he b
egan to whimper and his body began to freeze. I summoned my dagger and jabbed it into his eye.
He let out a howl and released his grip on my arm. He shook it off and slowly paced around me, sizing me up. I drew my sword, dispersed my dagger, and then summoned my shield. When he took another step, his body froze in place like a statue—a wolf ice statue.
Meanwhile, the woman with the black hair tackled Neala to the ground. Neala kicked her off and climbed back to her feet. The woman crouched down on all fours and then jumped on Neala’s back. She held on to Neala and started hammering her fist down onto Neala’s chest.
Aednat’s wolf was circling her. He was sizing her up and getting ready to attack again, so I threw a fireball at him and his fur ignited.
“Nooo!” Ursala cried when she saw him burning.
The other wolves stopped attacking when they heard her cries and I took the opportunity to light them on fire as well.
“Nooo! Stop!” Ursala pleaded.
“Kill them!” I ordered the knightlys.
Thomas raised his sword and plunged it into the wolf’s chest. It stopped squirming and lay there, its hair and flesh still burning.
Aednat followed my order and did the same. The wolves were no longer a threat so I turned my attention to Ursala.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as her eyes drifted from one wolf to the next.
She jumped off of Neala’s back and crouched in an attack position.
With the stench of burning flesh filling the air, Aednat, Thomas and Davina formed a circle around the woman and Neala. All of them had their swords drawn. All of them were ready to defend against this one woman.
Ursala’s mouth opened and she bared her teeth, releasing a hiss. “You’ll pay for this,” she said, and then lifted the amulet around her neck to her lips and drank. When her eyes glowed red, she raised her arms to the heavens and when she lowered them, transformed into a wolf. A howl escaped her and then she turned and bolted past Davina into the woods.
“Should we chase her?” Davina asked.
“Nay,” I said. “Let her be.”
Aednat stepped forward, starring into the woods. “But what if she comes back?”