The Vordalyn 2

by Michael T Payne

  “Where are you going, Talila?” Alyndra asked.

  “Where was Dracon when you saw him last?” Talila asked Kaylin.

  “What are you going to do?” Kaylin asked.

  “Tell me, Kaylin, stop wasting time.” Talila said irritated, she was very intimidating with her black eyes.

  “He fell, from the balcony. Up in that room he fights in.” Kaylin said looking down. Saida and Alyndra were alarmed.

  “You killed him?” Alyndra asked.

  “Of course, she didn’t kill him!” Talila exclaimed, “He can’t be hurt! Did you forget? I’ll be back.”

  “Talila, be careful, something is wrong with him.” Talila thought for a minute then vanished in a black wisp. She knew something was wrong with him even before he attacked Kaylin. Talila found Dracon back in the room he attacked Kaylin in. He spotted her before she saw him. She appeared on the balcony while he was standing in the doorway to the room, about to leave.

  “Venalina,” He said, “Where’s Kaylin, we need to talk, something…” He stopped When Talila turned to face him. He still thought she was Venalina. She vanished then reappeared inches in front of him. Then, he could see she wasn’t Venalina, but he didn’t recognize her.

  “Sleep.” She said slapping her hand to his cheek. He fell asleep and crumpled. Before he could hit the floor, he and Talila vanished, returning to the royal suite. He fell face first on the bed and bounced. Venalina popped up and stepped back from the bed, alarmed.

  “Dracon!” She said, “Dracon,” She growled then rushed to the bed, climbing on it with him, she flipped him over and started kissing him and tearing his clothes off. “Dracon!” She growled lustfully. The sisters stood back and watched the feral Venalina go after her mate with an uncontrollable lust, like an animal in heat. Talila walked to the beds edge and watched a moment. Her wings ruffled, then she dropped what was left of her dress and crawled on the bed with the two of them. Venalina slid off Dracon, to his side. She hissed at Talila with the naked Dracon between them. Talila crouched down and hissed back at Venalina, submissively. Venalina hovered over Dracon, with both hands on his chest, leaning over him protectively toward Talila, guarding what was hers. She tilted her head back slightly, smelling the air of Talila’s essence, then hissed again with less aggression. Talila’s wings folded behind her while she crouched on the bed, keeping her head low and submissive to Venalina, crawling closer to both her and Dracon. Venalina hissed again and leaned across Dracon, putting her face close to Talila’s head, again breathing in her essence.

  “Talila, stop-” Alyndra started to say but Saida jerked her arm, silencing her. She looked at Saida who shook her head ‘no’.

  Venalina and Talila paid no attention to anything except each other and Dracon between them. Talila laid flat on the bed and stretched her hands across the bed to Dracon then began rubbing him. Venalina hovered over Dracon and Talila looking at one, then the other. She climbed on top of Dracon once again, allowing Talila to continue. Venalina’s clothes off faded away and she started making love to Dracon. Talila slowly went from rubbing Dracon to touching Venalina, tentatively at first, then more passionately when Venalina accepted her touch. Talila slowly moved behind Venalina in the same manner as Venalina had, when she shared Dracon with the sisters.

  “She isn’t!” Kaylin exclaimed in disbelief.

  “I think she is.” Alyndra whispered just as Talila tilted Venalina’s head back then bit into her neck, feeding on her in the same ritual Venalina performed on each of the sisters, Dracon as her catalyst.

  Chapter Twenty- Eight

  Velen drove the wagon that held his wife, who sat at his side and his two children, who rode in the very back of the wagon with their feet dangling over the back edge. It was a long ride, that began in Dwerma and took them past the borders into Stones Hallow. They were going to a spot that Velen discovered during the war. He hoped it would still be as beautiful as it was when he first saw it. It was a small lake, protected and hidden by a thick forest, surrounding it entirely. To his knowledge, Velen was the only one who knew of its existence. He was able to manipulate the duty roster to give himself several days off in a row, something he never had before. He hadn’t spent much time at home with his family and could tell it was wearing on them. First, losing him to the outer region and thinking him possibly dead for two years, only to return, spending much of his time at the palace, serving the king, he might as well still be lost to them. Jesa was quiet through most of the trek, managing half smiles at him, focusing most of her time on the children. Velen managed to get her talking after his daughter Fara, asked him to tell her the tale of his adventures in the outer region, curious of the foreign lands beyond, which he did, with a parent’s protective spin on the truth. During those tales, Jesa came out of her quiet shell, seeing the man she loved shine through in his interactions with their children. They came to a sudden stop on the road. Velen hopped from his seat to the dirt road, then look across the front of the wagon at Jesa, “We’re here.” He announced. The children immediately jumped from the back of the wagon to the ground in a dramatic fashion.

  “Where’s here?” She replied looking around the area. On one side was a plain that went on for miles. On her side of the wagon was the beginnings of a thick forest. She stood up in the wagon still looking around, putting a hand to shade her eyes. She looked out over the plains of lush grass. “What do you have planned for us out there?”

  “Samuel, come unharness the horses, lead them to that field for now and let them be.” Velen ordered, “Fara, help your mother with the baskets.” He said walking to the rear of the wagon then began taking provisions off the back.

  “Really, Velen, there won’t be much to do out there.” Jesa said pointing to the field.

  “Hours with hardly a word, and now you can’t stop?” Velen asked as he worked, making Fara laugh.

  “Wait til she gets going, father.” She whispered.

  “I can hear you, girl, mind I don’t lend you out for churning butter to the old biddies for a week!” Jesa said putting her hands on her hips, still towering over them from the front of the wagon. Fara laughed and grabbed a basket from the back of the wagon. Jesa came down from the wagon then started toward the open field. Velen let her get across the road and into the tall grass before he stopped her.

  “We’re going into the forest, Jesa. Unless you want to wade through that grass and try and sit in it with all the bugs?” Jesa spit after having something fly in her face and land on her lip. She waved her hand to swat away the swarm of bugs flying around her face that came up from the grass after she disturbed it.

  “You’re an ass!” She said standing in the hot sun, swatting flies. Samuel led the horses over to her then swatted one of them which made both run off into the open field. Samuel ran back over to his father.

  “Will we need swords, father? Is there an adventure for us in there?” Samuel asked pointing into the forest.

  “We just might.” Velen said crouching before his son, “Maybe, if you’re strong enough, you can wield mine?” Velen added.

  “They’ll be no swords play for you, boy.” Jesa said as she crossed the road.

  “But mother, I’m a man, and I want to be a warrior like father, the king’s right hand!” Samuel exclaimed on the verge of whining.

  “You’re nine years old, far from sword play age, lest it be with sticks.” She said.

  “Come now, Jesa, what’s the harm in holding it, maybe chopping a few twigs here and there?” Velen asked standing back up.

  “I’ll lead the way! Sword first!” Samuel said excited.

  “I said no, and I mean no.” Jesa said grabbing an unloaded basket from the ground.

  “You want to lead the way, do you?” Velen asked his son, who nodded ‘yes’ emphatically. “Well then, you should learn how it’s done proper.” Velen handed his son two fishing poles, “These’ll do for swords for now.”

  “Aww.” Samuel said disappointed.

  “Now,
go ahead of your sister and wait there at the edge of the tree line until were all ready to move out.” Velen said. Samuel immediately ran with the fishing poles like spears.

  “Move out!” Samuel ordered, running by the others.

  “Quietly, Samuel, quietly boy.” Velen said to his son, who promptly dropped one fishing pole and was trying to hold the other in one hand like a sword, failing miserably.

  “Everyone knows its Satana who’s the king’s right hand,” Fara whispered to her little brother as he passed her, “The mightiest woman in all Ganlin!” She exclaimed.

  “Nuh uh!” Samuel protested, spinning back to face her.

  “Mind you’re not too soft on the children, making me the punisher while you’re gone for weeks at a time.” Jesa grumbled at Velen. The barb hit home and made him feel bad for all the time he spent away from his family.

  “It’ll be different after the wedding, I promise you, Jesa. I’ll be home more, it’ll be better.” Velen said catching up to her.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, just to get under my dress later.” Jesa smirked and glanced at him. Velen smiled at her and slapped her butt.

  “Maybe I won’t wait for later?” He leaned in putting his head just near her ear. Velen knelt next to Samuel. “Now,” He said looking into the forest, “First, you take point. A scout, warning us of the dangers ahead.”

  “Yes sir!” Samuel said standing at attention.

  “You’ll have to be quiet. Or you’ll give yourself away and that won’t do any of us any good, get yourself eaten by whatever’s in there, then they’ll come for your mom and your sister.” Velen explained.

  “Yes, sir!” Samuel said in a whisper, well, as close to a whisper as a nine-year-old boy could muster. It made Velen laugh. Fara walked by the both of them in to the forest ignoring her little brother. “Hey!” He yelled and ran ahead of her “I have to go first!” Velen picked up the fishing poles Samuel discarded to beat his sister into the forest. He walked alongside Jesa as the two children argued ahead of them.

  “So, I noticed your little tale left yourself out to be eaten? Only the children and me? Not you? You plan on riding back to town do ya?” Jesa pointed out, making Velen chuckle.

  “Of course, nothing would come for me, I’m the king’s right hand, didn’t you hear?” He laughed, then said, “I think you’re going to like this, Jesa.”

  “How did you come by this place?” Jesa asked.

  “I used to take women here that I fancied, regularly.” He smiled. She bumped into him with her shoulder playfully.

  “Go on with yourself,” She laughed holding the basket down in front of her as they walked, “You were so shy when we first met, you could hardly muster two words.” She chuckled, “Now you fancy yourself a lady’s man? Lucky you found way home, with a memory like that?” She asked making him laugh.

  “I came across it during the war, purely by accident. I thought I would never get the chance to show it to you, so I let it die in my memory. Lately, I’ve been pondering all that peace allows for us. This came back to me the other day and I thought…” Velen pondered how to continue.

  “You thought, what a great way to say I’m sorry for all my stupidity.” She finished for him.

  “Yes, yes I did.” He said.

  “I hope it works for you.” She said with a chuckle.

  “Jesa…” He started to say.

  “I know already, Velen. But peace isn’t easy for any of us? We all wait for something to happen, we all feel as if it’s too good to be true. Since before we were born, we were at war, but you ended it.” Velen looked down embarrassed at that claim.

  “It was Dracon…” He said.

  “No, it was you. You taught that boy to fight, to lead an army. You were part of that. You ended that man, sure as if you swung the sword yourself!” Jesa said emphatically. “But the war is over, you have to learn to live, with us, your family.”

  “I am, I mean, I will. I mean, it will be different from now on. I will be home.” Velen stopped and took her hand then looked in to her eyes, “Don’t ever stop knowing that all I did, I did for you, for them.” He nodded at the children ahead of them, who stopped when they stopped. He kissed her.

  “Ugh,” Fara moaned, “Wait til were out of sight before you carry on.” She said making Jesa laugh, interrupting their kiss. Velen walked ahead of his family then crouched, walking low and cautious, as they came to a point where the trees began to thin out. He knelt behind a tree and looked out into the clearing that was the lake.

  “Come,” He waved everyone over, “Not a sound, or you’ll frighten them away.” His family quietly put down what they were carrying, then moved slowly behind and beside Velen to see what he was looking at. There, on the lake that was completely surrounded by trees, were dozens of pixies, hardly the size of an opened hand. They flew close to the water’s surface, taunting the fish by skating along the top of the calm waters, playfully. Fara gasped, excited and surprised at the wonder they were witnessing. No one had seen a pixie in years, not since leaving Urixis had any of the fairy folk been seen very often by human eyes. They were becoming almost a myth. Samuel stood up and was about to say something but Jesa grabbed him by his head from behind, strategically putting her hand over his mouth, pulling him into her body in a hug from behind.

  “Don’t say a word.” She whispered down to him. She wanted to enjoy the sight for as long as she could. It was so beautiful it brought a tear to her eye. She put her other hand on Velen’s shoulder, unable to look away from the lake. “In Urixis every year, in the festival of wonders, all the fairy folk would put on such shows and displays of magic. This reminds me of those days.”

  “Can we see it, momma?” Samuel tilted his head up from Jesa’s hand and asked with a loud voice. The pixies flew away in single file along the water’s surface to the side of the lake, disappearing into the forest.

  “Aww. You ox!” Fara exclaimed then punched her little brother on the back of his shoulder. It started an argument between the two and a bit of a wrestling match Samuel was outmatched in, ending up in a headlock by his older, and bigger, sister. Jesa pried the two apart as Velen gathered their belongings and walked to the lakes edge, then along it, looking for a clearing alongside the lake to accommodate a camp for his family. Eventually, Jesa settled the dispute between the siblings and got them back to work, helping carry the rest of the provisions, following after their father.

  “Fara, help your brother build his tent. Samuel, mind your sister.” Velen ordered after arriving at a suitable area for the family. He started back into the forest, gathering sticks and dead branches. Jesa followed, helping a little, but her intent was not to help too much, just to be with him and talk.

  “You’ve never seen the festival of wonders have you?” Jesa asked.

  “No.” Velen said glancing back at her, forcing a smile that quickly went away with his return to gathering woods, “I’ve only ever known barracks or being in the field. War, fighting, never a celebration, unless it was thanking the gods you survived one battle, only to pray to them again the following moment that you survive the next. How I found time to have a wife and two children is a miracle.”

  “Well, you did the wife bit alright, but the children part was on me, wouldn’t ya say?” She asked making Velen nod and chuckle.

  “I suppose that’s true.” He said.

  “I’ll never forget the first time I saw you.” Jesa said bringing Velen the few sticks she gathered, “I was terrified.” Velen chuckled.

  “Thanks.” He said.

  “I wasn’t frightened of you, silly, it was the trip from Urixis to Dwerma, that frightened me so. It was my first time serving with the support force, there to cook for the soldiers and maintain your weapons and gear. Tend to your wounds when you were hurt. It was a terrifying trip out in the wilds of Ganlin, waiting to be attacked by Terrax, the very man all nightmares were made from. There you were, ordering men around, fearless. Even the mighty Dracon called you
sir. King Treska’s first legion commander. What an imposing figure you were to a young girl.”

  “The first.” Velen said with a smile, remembering when it was, he, not Satana, that led the first legion.

  “I was so young, I think I fell in love with you right then! I knew, that man,” She said pointing at him, “Could protect me and love me better than I could hope for.”

  “Well, you didn’t let on one bit, did you?” He asked dropping the bundle he gathered then grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.

  “My mother taught me well, ‘make him chase you’, she always said.” Jesa smiled wide in his arms and threw her arms around his neck. Velen wasted no time kissing her, passionately. Their hands roamed each other’s bodies, desperate to make love, there in the forest. The children’s fighting could be heard from near the water, at first, they ignored it, falling to the ground together locked in an amorous embrace. Velen began to slide her dress up while they continued to kiss, then the fighting of the children became louder, then louder still until Samuel began yelling.

  “Momma!” He screamed for her intervention. Jesa growled and pushed Velen off.

  “I’m going to go tie them both to a tree!” She said and slid from underneath her husband. Velen rolled over on his back laughing. He lie there on the forest floor looking up at the trees, smiling, anticipating making love to his wife for the first time since he arrived home from the outer region. After a brief burst from the children, each wanting to hurry and tell on the other, it was quiet. Samuel made his way through the forest mumbling to himself at first, then started to hum a song. Velen sat up and watched his son come through the brush and between the trees toward him.

  “Momma says to take you fishing for some peace and quiet.” He said as soon as he saw his father, and that’s what they did. The two of them. They spent the rest of the afternoon standing knee high in the lake, trying to catch fish, but mostly, Samuel wanted to hear the tales his father told. Samuel was much too loud to catch fish. Velen almost had a nibble at one point, but it was lost when he tried to jerk the hook. As the day began to leave the sky, they returned to the shore where mother and daughter had transformed the clearing into a truly luxurious camp, by Velen’s standards. He considered what life in the wilds of Sumia would have been like had his wife been among them. He stood on the shore watching his family interact as if they were in their home preparing for dinner. The fire was roaring, making the dusk seem ever darker around them. It was a beacon on the shores of the hidden lake. A beacon, spotted easily by one who had been watching them for hours. Tamina. She had followed them from Dragon’s Claw to the lake, unseen. Of all the people in Ganlin who could upend her plans, it was him. Velen. He knew that Dracon killed Terrax. Witnessed it for himself. There would be no convincing the soldiers of Dwerma that Dracon was the son of Terrax, not with Velen to tell the tale of what truly happened across the desolation of the outer region. He could contest everything the council had tried to lay as a foundation to frighten and turn the people away from Dracon, to her and Queen Menina. There were a few others, of course, but they were in Sumia with Satana, and by the time they arrived for the wedding, it would no longer matter. The battle lines had to be drawn by then, so when it was time, there would be no turning back. Killing him was not in her plans, she needed him turned, she needed his voice to speak out against Dracon, publicly, and to Dracon’s face himself. She watched, coming closer and closer as the night fell, listening to the laughter of Velen and his wife enjoying their time together, the soft giggles of the children as they played games after their dinner. Tamina, already in her true form, flew from her vantage point, up, high into the night sky, deftly navigating her way through the branches that blocked her ascent. She was as the wind. She flew north higher and higher, then began to descend as she neared the boundary of the outer region. It was not far within that Um’Vec and his mighty horde awaited her. Fighting among them had become ritual, each wanting to climb higher in rank in the dark lord’s army. Um’Vec alone remained unchallenged, for he was the voice of the lord... for now.