Dragon's Quest (Dragon Princes Book 1)

by Cyci Cade

  Phillip crept through the trees seeking for a better view. A big question stuck in his mind. How would he find Kate? He expected some kind of nest, cave or something like that, but a building? He scratched his head again. That was new, and he wondered if someone in the village knew the existence of that building on the top of the mountain.

  The front door opened; a beautiful woman stepped outside and stood there wearing high heeled boots and a fur coat, not that kind of coat made at home using the fur of the animals they hunted, but an expensive coat, maybe bought in big stores. The woman turned around; the wind whipped her hair and she combed it back with her fingers.

  “Kate,” Phillip whispered and took two steps forward but then he noticed, she wasn´t Kate; she was Samantha.

  “Samantha!” Phillip yelled and darted toward her. His backpacks moved to the sides and hit his back; his feet sank in the snow. The woman spun to enter back into the building. He yelled again, “Samantha!” He couldn´t lose that opportunity.

  Samantha looked to the sides; maybe searching for the source of the call. He released the straps of the backpack to wave at her. At the last moment, when he lifted his hand and Samantha would be able to see him, a scary dragon blocked his way; its yellow eyes stared at him. Phillip swallowed dry and stepped back. A frantic dread froze his limbs as the dragon turned its attention to him. It clearly was interested in the intruder. Phillip was frightened; his tongue became dry, and he felt as if a puff of smog could blow him over in a fraction of second.

  “You must go,” the dragon ordered and shoved him using its nose.

  Phillip summoned the rest of his courage he could find hidden in his limp body and confronted the dragon. “I want to talk to Samantha.”

  “It is not allowed. She isn´t the same girl who lived in the village.” The dragon spread its wings.

  “I can see it.” He pointed to the building. “But I came for Kate, her sister, she disappeared and I am sure she is here.”

  “Kate is not here. Go away now, before someone finds you,” the dragon demanded.

  “No!” Phillip objected and tried to pass through the blocked way, but it was too late; Samantha had already gone.

  Without any kind of warning, the dragon clutched him. Phillip contorted, kicked in the air, and punched the dragon´s claws in vain. Its wings fluttered, the dragon took off and glided downhill over the trees. Luckily that was the shortest trip he had ever had because the chilly air stiffened his limbs and he felt like a block of ice. In minutes the dragon landed near the village and set him free. His heart beat fast; he rubbed his hands on his arms while he heard the dragon´s warning.

  “Don´t come back or they will kill you. Keep far away from that place, don´t tell anybody about what you saw. You were unwise appearing there, don´t do this ever again. Live your life, forget Samantha, she is lost to you.” The dragon showed a concerned expression, flapped its wings, and disappeared in the sky.

  Who did that dragon think it was to lecture him in that way? Phillip would never be capable of figuring out the last hour. Samantha wearing stylish garments. The dragon protecting him. And Kate, she wasn´t there as he imagined. If the dragon told the truth, his theory fell through. How would he explain these things to his parents if he didn´t understand them? Should he tell the truth or say something else that didn´t involve Samantha, a colossal building and a dragon?

  Chapter 27

  Liu

  Liu met Kate in the kitchen; she sipped the milk and got a little white mustache on her upper lip. He leaned over the table, slid his thumb across her lips and kissed her.

  “Good morning.” In one flowing movement he grabbed his bowl of oatmeal, crullers, and sat down on the chair. He ate calmly as he did every day.

  “Good morning.” Kate checked the clock. “I won´t hurry you, but we are late.” She pointed at the clock.

  Liu swallowed the oatmeal and explained why he wasn´t in a hurry. “Fu Chow asked me to wait some minutes. He wants to talk with Wei first.” Liu focused on his meal, he was starving; he missed the huge animals he hunted and ate alone.

  “Did you talk with him?” Her voice looked strained.

  Why was she interested in this problem? He was alive, Wei, for now, still breathed, so… He lifted his eyelids and found her eyes examining him.

  Kate went on, “Nobody appeared at dinner time yesterday, and I was worried about you. I should have been more careful instead of telling you about the kiss in that way. I didn´t know how to make myself clear and explain the story. It sounded strange, as if… ” She hesitated. “It had been planned.”

  “That coward avoided me all day.” He sipped the milk. He really didn´t want to talk about that; the more Kate tried to explain herself the more that story bothered him. “I forgot to warn you that I´d sleep earlier.” He held her hand and kissed it. “I was angry and needed time for me. Besides…” He looked to the sides to check if somebody heard their conversation and whispered, “This human meal doesn´t satisfy me.”

  Kate continued with the matter, “I feel guilty because I started this misunderstanding and now it is time for reconciliation, not fighting, not because of me.” She winced; the pain in her face seemed touchable.

  “To Wei, nothing is a misunderstanding. You thought he was me in the garden, but he knows you are my girl, he doesn´t have a girl to confuse you with her.” Liu finished his breakfast and pushed the bowl away to the center of the table.

  “Do you forgive me? I didn´t want to hide what happened. I was waiting for the right moment to tell you, only then I realized that there wasn´t the right moment for this kind of conversation,” she asked with pleading eyes.

  It was impossible to say no to the woman he loved the most. “I forgive you. I was jealous, I am mad just considering another man kissing you, near you. I love you and won´t forget that Wei put his claws on you.” Liu wrung the napkin as if it was his brother´s neck, thinking about Wei´s mouth gliding on his girlfriend.

  “So, let´s forget this.” She raised an eyebrow and tittered. She waited for his agreement, but it wasn´t so easy; nobody kissed his girl and escaped unpunished.

  “First, I´ll talk to him.” Liu grabbed a slice of bread and crushed it.

  “Can´t you just put it aside?” She held his hand and implored, this time her supplicant eyes wouldn´t work.

  “No, if I stay silent, Wei will continue to flirt with you and then it will be worse.” Liu scrutinized her, even with damp hair tied in a ponytail, boots, jeans and T-shirt she was beautiful, sexy, and desirable.

  Wei was only one man among many others that would lay eyes on her. Liu had to accustom himself with this or he´d end up killing lots of men. No matter.

  “What are you looking at?” She blushed. She was embarrassed under his deep glance, he assumed.

  Liu stroked her face and paid heed to her green eyes. “Just admiring your beauty. I wish I could take you to somewhere distant from here for the rest of the day. Why did Fu Chow set this training?” He leaned his head back and forward and got up embracing her in his arms. “You don´t have any idea how much I wish to kiss you, but if I start, I won´t be strong enough to stop.” He pressed her against him. “Let´s go, if I linger one second more in your arms, I´ll skip this training.” His lips grazed her ear and looked for her lips; he dodged his head before they touched.

  Liu held her hand and walked to the gym to meet Fu Chow. He had considered slicing Wei in uncountable pieces with his sword, seriously. His fury hadn´t gone, just calmed down; it was there, waiting, hurting him emotionally every time he imagined Kate and Wei together. What did she feel when Wei kissed her? Did she like it? Wei knew how to be convincing when he wanted; his brother knew how to seduce a woman.

  They went around the main building. Kate broke his thoughts talking about her concerns. “I am afraid of our tasks on Kunlun Mountain. Fu Chow was so vague. I couldn´t understand clearly what we have to do or where we look for the eye. I also didn´t understand why you need to keep your
human shape.” She spoke fast; her free hand gesticulated.

  Liu laughed. “Fu Chow only revealed parts of our quest. Sometimes he is a little vague, but at the right moment he´ll divulge everything he knows.” He slid his hand on her waist, pulled her near, and kissed the top of her head.

  “Are you afraid of this mission? To fail, or die, or…” She sighed, by the tone of her voice, she was about to cry.

  “Kate, I am a warrior, raised to face all kinds of danger and not fear nothing. I think it will be no worse than facing Jin Quan´s tortures.” He stopped abruptly, held Kate´s shoulders and looked straight in her eyes. “Don´t worry my love, I will protect you.” He pressed his lips on hers briefly and moved again.

  “If you say so, I trust you.” She stroked his back and stayed silent.

  They arrived at the gym. Fu Chow and Wei were talking near the spears. Liu kissed Kate´s hand and signaled for her to sit near the entrance. He took off his shirt, threw it in the corner, tied his long hair back and then he chose Jiu Huan Do.

  He swung the sword making a series of arm and leg movements combined with defense and attack movements. The blade whistled, slashing the air ferociously. Liu was a lethal weapon managing that sword, his favorite one. It was like a continuation of his arm, capable of slashing, stabbing, or parrying his enemies with no mercy.

  When he least expected it, Wei approached him handling another sword. Liu interrupted his sequence, neared his brother, and threatened, “Keep your dirty claws far away from Kate.”

  Wei stared at him with challenging eyes. “I liked her before knowing she was your girl. She is a woman worth fighting for, and I won´t give up. I will win her over.” He raised an eyebrow and waited as if he asked, ‘What will you do superhero?’

  What? Had Liu heard what he thought he had heard? Had his twin brother said he´d win round Liu´s girl?

  “You are showing who you really are, your real character and also your lack of character.” Liu paced around Wei and examined his body that was like his own, but belonged to a traitor, and stopped in front of him again.

  Wei said more, “I have the same rights, she must choose who she wants. She is confused and I have a chance, I am in this game.” Wei grimaced and leaned forward, their noses almost touched.

  “She is not a game to me,” Liu retorted through gritted teeth and stressed each word. “Keep your eyes open while you sleep or you can lose your head.” He threatened his brother blatantly.

  A battle was set. Liu paced back and wielded the sword; the steel clanked when Wei blocked his attack a few inches from his nose. Liu forced him back with a sequence of attacks as like a barbarian on the battle field fighting for his life. Wei limited himself to defending Liu´s assaults, managing his sword clumsily. Wei was never the best using a sword, but that was a joke. He´d have done better if he had chosen the spear as his weapon because Liu wouldn´t be merciful.

  The sword came down over Wei´s head, his brother crouched and rolled on the floor to stand beside him, but Liu was ready with other sequences of blows. He moved to the left side and stayed face to face with his brother. Liu, prepared for anything, as he always was.

  Wei staggered, uncertain how to use the weapon, his few attempts to stab Liu were ineffective. The swords clanked again, Liu was determined to show his brother that he was serious about Kate. The longer he attacked Wei, the stronger his determination was. He needed to defeat Wei. It wasn´t training anymore, it became a battle for something special, more valuable than his brother´s existence, the curse, everything he had known. Liu would give his life to keep Kate with him and another man far away from her, even this man being his brother.

  Their swords met over their heads. Liu twisted and dangled Jiu Huan Do. Wei followed the movement and blocked it. The blades crossed in front of their chests. Liu used his own body to thrust Wei, his muscles tensed and worked to accomplish the task. Even forgetful, Wei was a great opponent, but Liu had always been better at handling a sword, unbeatable and it wasn’t going to change now. Liu cornered his brother; he was ready to defeat his enemy with no pity.

  He could feel his lips curving up, satisfied with his victory. He forced Jiu Huan Do down to hit Wei´s head. At the last moment, his brother gathered his final power and the blade stopped Jiu Huan Do a few inches from its target. The steel clanked once more. Wei pushed Liu away. Wei took gulps of air dragging the sword while he went around Liu waiting for the next blow. Liu spun the weapon in his hand and positioned it in front of his body ready to attack again, to brandish the sword for the last time, but Fu Chow interrupted his blow.

  “Stop you two boys!” Fu Chow yelled furiously.

  Liu´s right hand held the sword tightly, the blade moved to Wei´s chest in slow motion. A wave of shock broke Liu´s concentration, brought him back to reality. He pulled Jiu Huan Do back to him, but its tip scratched Wei´s chest. He spent an instant just examining his brother, looking at his chest goggle-eyed and then changed his attention to the infuriated master.

  “What do you think you are doing? That seemed like a street fight. You acted like drunken barbarians fighting for nothing.” Fu Chow got up and moved toward them. “I thought you had learned something, but you haven´t.” He crossed his hands behind his back and approached them. “What are you fighting for?” Fu Chow paced back and forth near them; saliva escaped from his mouth and spat through the air as he screamed. “You don´t possess an empire to fight for, enough, this fight finishes now! It is an order! I´ll find men to train you. Dismissed. The training is over.” His feet tapped the floor as he left the gym.

  Liu had lost his mind; he was blind with rage. If Wei wanted, he could be the new Emperor. Liu wanted only Kate and he would not allow that Wei interfered in his life. Wei asked for that, Fu Chow couldn´t blame him for defending his honor. The sentence to the man who brought dishonor to another was death. The next time he´d take care that Fu Chow didn´t interfere in this unresolved business with his brother. He´d cut Wei´s hands and head off and then Wei wouldn´t be able to kiss Kate and put those dirty claws on her again.

  Chapter 28

  Kate

  Liu and Wei gazed at each other and then both at Kate at the same time. Wei broke eye contact first and got up while in silence Liu grasped his T-shirt, covered his brawny torso and left.

  What was that? A little demonstration of power? And was she their mediator? How could she come between two medieval warriors trying to kill themselves?

  Kate was paralyzed, numb, in panic after that exhibition of fury, hostility, savagery... She had never seen two men fighting in that way. Panic had overwhelmed her. She could still hear the swords clanking, clattering, and settling in her mind even now.

  She felt guilty; she knew why they were fighting. She was the reason for that disagreement. Disagreement? No! That was combat! Her thoughts became unnatural; she had lost her capacity to coordinate them clearly. What did she make of it all? She had made a mess and Fu Chow would no doubts end her back home when he discovered that she had brought disharmony to the family. She had created that awful situation. If she had been more attentive, she´d have noticed that Wei wasn´t Liu. However, how could she imagine that there were two identical men in Dragon´s Valley? Everything started there. She barely knew Liu; how could she guess that he had a twin brother?

  How would she face them now? Maybe it was better if she left the palace and returned to Dragon´s Valley, but she had told Mr. Fu Chow that she´d help them and she couldn´t break up with Liu. She loved him and even during her moments of insanity she wasn´t able to imagine a life far apart from him. She just didn´t expect a package that included a brother.

  She felt comfortable in the palace, as if she belonged to that place, as if she was the one elected to be Liu´s wife. Many things seemed familiar to her, and her home had become a distant dream. She missed her parents and Phillip, though; differently from the other people that lived there, her future was in another place, a land across the ocean with a strange language and trad
itions.

  Kate had caused that chaos and her duty was to fix it. She had to explain why she didn´t pick Wei, clarify their situation. She was Liu´s girlfriend and Wei´s future sister-in-law; she loved Liu, not Wei. It was simple, everyone could understand easily. She just needed to put it in words, and Wei would agree with her that this story was insane; it had no future.

  She got up and gave a last glance at the battlefield, the site where two brothers almost killed themselves. She left the gym with one goal, to put an end to that awkward situation. The weird thing was that she didn´t want to hurt Wei, she liked him, she didn´t love him, but she liked him. She had nothing to offer him besides her friendship; if he insisted on more, they wouldn´t be friends. He had to choose, not her, she had already made her choice and she was positive about that.

  Walking through the palace, she went from room to room, seeking Wei. She didn´t find him anywhere. How those princes disappeared so easily? Maybe it was one of their abilities that they learned centuries ago when they trained to occupy the throne and defeat other empires.

  Lunchtime arrived, she went to the kitchen, and neither the princes nor Mr. Fu Chow appeared for the midday meal. She´d eat alone. Servants served her and left as usual. Kate mixed rice, lamb, vegetables and put the fork beside the plate.

  How could she eat?

  Brief flashes of the battle came back to her, like images chosen to scare her and remind her of the unsatisfactory and inconclusive ending. Mr. Fu Chow wouldn´t be near every time to separate and stop them.

  Liu and Wei seemed so dangerous, and now she understood what Liu wanted to say when he told her that he was brought up to not fear anything, he was a warrior. They were accomplished fighters and she was just a frightened, fool of a girl. They were compelling killers. They were dragons, the most dreadful creatures of the world. They were implacable. It summarized her feelings.