Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere

by Peter Koevari

  His innocence made her nipples harden and she bit her lower lip. This was so much better than she had imagined. He was a juicy lamb, and she couldn’t wait to sink her teeth in.

  Leaves crunched as she approached him. “Oh yes, there certainly is a mistake. That mistake is mine, as I completely misjudged you. Tell me, is an enchanted arrow all that you can pierce me with?”

  Tusdar looked up to see her bared fangs and extended fingernails. She snarled as she flicked her fingers, and his own armour fell from his body. “I know that you saw me with that useless piece of rubbish, Derian, and I bet you wished you were him, didn’t you?”

  She had the gift of reading thoughts, and she knew that somewhere deep down, he wanted her. The true love for Mestal was present, as was the doubt of what would happen if he gave in to his desires.

  He stumbled backward as his helmet flew from his head, and his clothes soon followed. “My queen... I beg you, I am Mestal’s chosen.”

  “And she will never know what we don’t tell her, will she? Oh I know how you feel about her. I won’t interfere with your love for her. Do you find me so repugnant that you can’t even look at me?”

  A now-naked Tusdar made his way toward the forest. “O... Of course not, my queen, but I have too much respect for you to—”

  Her body flew through the air as she pinned him to a tree, her eyes glowing as she held him down. His muscles flexed under her grip, and her excitement hit a new peak. She would have him, and he would learn to love her like he did Mestal. She ran her lizard-like tongue along his neck and found her way to his mouth, teasing at his lips.

  “You can please me with or without your agreement. I have ways of making your body obey me. Whichever way you want it to happen, I will have what I desire. You cannot disobey my orders, so why not let go of your guilt and enjoy yourself?”

  He looked deep into her eyes, and she read flashing lustful thoughts. She saw him gripping her hair and taking her from behind. His cheeks reddened as she saw him hardening.

  “Well, would you look at that? But I will choose how you have me.”

  Kassina stretched out her long right leg and wrapped her boot around the tree, pulling herself over him. She bit her bottom lip as she manoeuvred herself to place him at her entrance.

  He whispered a final resistance to the inevitable. “Please, we shouldn’t.”

  “All the more reason we should, and you wouldn’t disobey your queen, would you?” she said, slowly lowering herself until she took all of him inside her. She moaned as she licked his ear and whispered, “You are so good at taking orders, so don’t make me hurt who you love the most. Take me as if I am her. Do it as if you truly love me.”

  Tusdar clenched his jaw and he closed his eyes, leaning forward to place his lips on hers. Sliding his tongue into her mouth, she saw him imagining that he was with Mestal, thrusting deep inside her as she bit into his neck, his ecstatic moans sending shivers through her body.

  She returned to his ear and spoke through blood-soaked lips. “Tell me, are you capable of loving two women? Can your heart learn to love and cherish me like you do her?”

  He opened his eyes and looked deep into hers. He launched himself from the tree, landing on top of her on soft grass as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him in position.

  “So, can you?” she said.

  He grunted as her grip tightened so hard that he found it hard to breathe. “I can learn to.”

  Kassina read his mind, knowing that his words were honest. She smiled and pulled him deeper inside her. “This will be our secret, but you should know that if you ever betray me, then I will rip your blackened heart from your chest, right after you watch Mestal die slow. Who said you could stop?”

  She loosened her grip to allow him some freedom, as he stared into her eyes and tensed with each penetrating thrust. The friction built the heat between them as their lust fuelled their ecstasy, and he knelt down to flick her nipples with his tongue. She bit her lip as she gripped him from the inside, pulsating with the height of her pleasure. The thoughts of being with Mestal dissipated, and she knew he was there, solely with her.

  Her climax made him lose control as he grunted and his body tensed.

  “My, you really are full of surprises,” she said, holding him for a moment before sliding out from underneath him. “You had best get dressed, or we are both about to be graced by a dawn’s death.”

  “Are we that close to light?” he said, his face paling as he rushed into his clothes.

  “Don’t you know by now? I like to live dangerously.”

  Mestal slid on her dark helmet as she watched Kassina return with Tusdar following closely behind. It was as if a wave of butterflies swam in her stomach when Tusdar had left with the queen of the underworld, and she stared at the man she loved, puzzled by the oddity of something being out of place.

  Loud shudders reverberated through the ground as trees were cut down.

  Kassina spoke through her protective helm. “Marithians don’t know we’re here yet. I’m glad to see progress.”

  The queen of the underworld continued around the perimeter, scanning the horizon. Mestal approached Tusdar and took his hand, noticing that it was shaking.

  Taking a moment to check that they were alone, she whispered to him. “My love, what happened out there?”

  She noticed that his breathing had quickened, and he was silent for too long.

  “Nothing to worry about. Everything is fine, I love you,” he said, holding her for a moment before marching to Faowind and yelling, “Let’s get everyone moving! The boats won’t build themselves!”

  For the first time since meeting him, she knew that Tusdar had lied.

  Chapter 8 - Faith Departed

  “It appears that reuniting with Kari can never take place. I just set foot in Greenhaven and she departs with the prince. Just as well, as I know she’s in good hands beside him.

  I fear if she truly knows where they are headed to and what they face there? And if they know the way?”

  (Aldorus - Master Wizard)

  Floating in the darkness, Vartan remembered what it was like to be so close to death. It was a place that he vowed never to return to. No, this could not be. He had awoke long ago, so what was he doing here? He wondered if he was dreaming.

  A voice in the darkness said, “Vartan.”

  He knew that voice. It sounded like Talonsphere.

  “I am here, where are you?”

  “I am nowhere and everywhere, but that matters not. It has been a long time since I helped you wake, has it not?”

  Vartan sensed annoyance in Talonsphere. He didn’t understand why, but wondered how a weapon could have thoughts like this. But of course, it was an enchanted dragon egg to begin with, so there should be a spirit of a dragon inside of it. When Vartan was freed from Kassina’s spell, he had no chance to ask questions.

  “Talonsphere, is this a dream, or are you really here?”

  “You waste time with such questions. Do you know how long I have spent doing what you call dreaming?”

  “We are coming for you.”

  Vartan’s voice echoed into the endless darkness, and he wondered why there was no response.

  “Talonsphere?”

  “Do not tease me with the taste of freedom. I have awaited my purpose for too long, so you best be telling no lies.”

  This was strange. Why was Talonsphere not trusting him? After all, this was prophecy.

  “Wait, why would I do that? I am fated to find you, you know that.”

  “Ah yes, someone is fated to find me and bring me to life. That should be you, but you’re not the only one who can do it. I have seen the events in Marithia, and your lands are infected by the sickness of evil.”

  “I know this. We will fix it, together.”

  Again, a long silence was his answer.

  “Talonsphere?”

  “So that is what they told you, is it?”

  “No, actually, I am aware
of my sacrifice needed to bring you to life.”

  If the weapon was activated by him, Vartan would be sacrificed from his human life, but would be reborn as the dragon, Talonsphere. At least, that was what Karven told him.

  “The words of the living have been twisted over time. All of this matters not. But don’t think I don’t know the truth. I lived the first day I was made, so I know everything. Far more than you.”

  What is wrong with Talonsphere? Vartan thought.

  “You could just tell me what you know. What do you want from me?”

  “If you want to find me, then do it. I await you.”

  He wanted to speak, but he flew upward. The next thing he knew, his eyelids opened and he stared at his royal bedroom.

  Damn it.

  Vartan stared at his reflection in their bedroom mirror. He no longer recognised the man looking back at him. He had so many questions for Talonsphere, but no answers.

  Trust in the prophecy.

  Faith had gotten him this far and was yet to lead him astray. Wearing his dragonscale armour and resting his helm at his side, he swallowed hard before turning to Helenia. Her eyes were watery, but she shed no tears.

  He hated seeing her upset, but more than anything, he wanted to go before he had to think too much about leaving her behind. It was still a thought and decision that tore him up inside.

  She approached him and laid a warm kiss on his lips. “My love, we will be separated once again. I know not of the horrors you will encounter. Do you really have to leave today?”

  It’s far past breakfast Vartan, we should be on our way, Keturah said.

  Vartan knew Keturah was right, but after everything he had lost, it was a harsh reality to leave Helenia’s side. He swallowed hard and slid on his helm, leaving his faceplate open. “If I don’t leave now, then we delay our war effort. I can’t do that for reasons of my own. I would love to stay here with you. Once this is all is over, I will always be here with you. But for now, I have a duty to all Marithians to see this through.”

  He loved the sound of his words, but he reassured himself as much as her. Saying the words aloud helped him solidify the decision to leave.

  Why is this so hard?

  Helenia nodded, shaking out the same blue dress she wore at the Battle of Greenhaven. She slid it on, twirled, and her smile was captivating. “Do you like it? I wear it to bring you luck.”

  Vartan returned her smile and he whispered, “It’s beautiful.”

  She looked away from him and opened their door. “Come. Let’s go before we both can’t leave this room.”

  Vartan nodded and marched out the door with Helenia by his side. Marithians bowed in his presence as he made his way toward the armoury. It was a long walk; his thoughts travelled further than his footsteps, but when Vartan looked into the eyes of Greenhaven’s people he passed, he saw only hope. When he arrived at the armoury, it was with renewed purpose. He accepted that his gut feeling was to be expected.

  Anakari and Yuski awaited him there, both of them in ethereal armour. Yuski wore two hip swords and her belt of daggers. He nodded to them and asked, “How are you finding wearing armour?”

  “This material is strange. It’s light, but stronger than steel, and I feel oddly comfortable in it. But most of all, I feel a surge of magical energy when I wear it,” Anakari said.

  Yuski slapped Anakari’s back and laughed. “Oh Kari, always showing off her magic. I’m just glad it’ll help stop blades in battle.”

  Vartan loved the playful banter between the girls. It reminded him of his childhood with Finn, back at their peaceful farm. Those days were too far behind him now; a fleeting memory of years gone by.

  Anakari drew her new sword and weaved it through the air. “Not sure if I can get used to using this, but I guess we’ll just have to see.”

  Vartan smiled and put his hand on Anakari’s shoulder. “Believe me, you’ll know how to use it when the time comes.”

  He approached Queen Andrielle, who nodded for him to follow her. She spoke to him as they made their way past many racks of armaments. “Everyone else has already prepared, but we thought you should have the choice of weapons left in Makya’s crate, as well as what was moved here from the treasure room and gathered from your things in Veldrenn.”

  They reached the end of the room, where a heavily armoured Dryden awaited them. He slid a long silk cover off the last rack, and Vartan’s eyes lit up when he saw the collection before him, but his attention was drawn to one sword in particular. Its hilt had two parallel naked figurines of striking beauty, which sat on the wielder’s hands. Picking up the blade, he whispered, “Where did you find my father’s sword?”

  After losing the sword to gain his knighthood, it remained in the possession of King Arman. Many years later, the late king stored it away instead of carrying it around with him. He never understood why, where, or saw it again.

  Andrielle’s eyes widened. “This is your father’s sword? Arman always called it ‘Tahlie’, although I never thought to ask how he obtained it.”

  Vartan stared at the figurines’ diamond eyes, but felt nothing. “When we were in Trahoterra, my father told me that this was a sword of destiny, but that it would only bind to who it was intended for. I guess that’s not me.”

  Andrielle scrunched her eyebrows and stared at the sword. “If it’s a sword of destiny, then Arman must have known for many years that we’d be betrayed by Derian. Why would he have not said or done anything to stop it?”

  Vartan placed the sword back on the rack and looked her in the eye. “From what I was told, it doesn’t work like that. If King Arman was really bonded with the sword, it can’t read the destiny of the wielder or anyone who shares their blood. That would include Derian.”

  Andrielle went quiet and Dryden spoke up to break the awkward silence. “My prince, it is time.”

  The prince’s grin widened as he saw his old enchanted bow, and snatched it, running his fingers along the runes in the wood. “I thought this was lost to me when Veldrenn was attacked. I can’t carry this much.”

  Vartan returned his attention to the remaining weapons in the rack, staring at his trusty sword’s hilt. “I just had my sword sharpened and there’s no need to replace it, but Makya’s weapons are another story. Were these from his crate?”

  Vartan picked up a pair of strange looking metallic gloves with illegible blue markings along its fingers. He took off his leather gloves and slid on his new ones, noting that they hummed once they were on. He felt the surge of the power within them and it thrilled him.

  “Yes, there were some unique weapons among the rest. That is one of them, but nobody knows how to use them. There are also others that you may be interested in,” Dryden said.

  Vartan noticed a large circular shield with a gold phoenix on its surface and picked it up. It was too light for its size and he moved it over his head with ease. “Makya showed me many weapons in She’Ma’Ryn, but some of them weren’t for sale. This shield looks good. I want to try it. Dryden, would you be so kind?”

  Vartan slid the shield over his right arm and braced himself. Dryden grimaced as he picked up a sword, swung it over his head with both hands, and smashed it into the shield. Its surface roared as flames spat toward Dryden. Vartan barely moved from the impact.

  “By the gods! I need one of those,” Dryden said.

  Vartan laughed and slid its strap over his shoulder. “There’s only one of these shields, Dryden, but I promise it to you if I have need of it no longer. Is there anything here you like the look of?”

  Dryden’s smile dropped, and Vartan tried to hide how happy he was to have obtained such a powerful shield. He gritted his teeth as he wondered what image he wanted to portray as prince.

  Dryden shook his head and tapped his swords poking from his shoulders. “I have all I need, but I’ll take your offer of that shield should you change your mind.”

  Vartan nodded, then made his way down the rack, picking up a similar shield with
a dragon on its surface, and threw it to Dryden. The knight caught it with ease, sliding its strap over his shoulder, and giving Vartan an approving nod.

  Vartan smiled, “Looks like there’s more than one enchanted shield. This will do us for now. Let’s go.”

  They followed him out, as they looked to Yuski and Anakari, who marched behind Vartan toward Greenhaven’s largest courtyard. Helenia stayed by his side. As they left the safety of the castle walls, Shanka cried out overhead and they looked up to see her gliding from a parapet.

  The phoenix descended over the crowd that was assembled in two clear rows, leading to Greenhaven’s lowered gate. Vartan put his arm out for Shanka to land on his shoulder, and they marched through the cheering Marithians. In the distance, through the gate, they saw the King of Dragons and Finn waiting for them. They wore their enchanted armour and stood proud.

  Glad you have joined us, young prince, Karven said, the dragon’s voice resounding in his mind.

  Vartan winked at his wife, and she joined hands with him, waving at the crowd. Newly trained warriors lined their path, crossing their swords’ tips to create an archway. Yuski and Anakari joined in to smile and wave at the crowd. Their words spoken to each other were drowned out by the deafening roar. Dragons were perched on the walls of Greenhaven, watching in all directions.

  Complacency was weakness.

  They emerged through the gate to see Trisa and Leon standing by their dragons. The knights of Veldrenn stood guard by them all. Dryden raised a commanding fist.

  Vartan looked into the surrounding tree lines, and he thought he saw shadows move within the forest. Staring at the spot, nothing moved.

  The pressure must be getting to me.

  The knights spread out around them, proceeding to march Greenhaven’s army out of the gates; the rumble of their movements shook the ground around them. They created a wedge formation, and the general populace followed behind them. The sight warmed his heart as Vartan hadn’t realised that so many people lived in the stronghold, or more to the point, had survived that long.