Legend's Awakening

by Jensine Odom

  Thunder Mountain Inn. It was once a horse ranch, sporting plenty of little apartments across the eighty or so acres. Steve, being the Prepper he is, turned it into an off-grid compound. We helped him expand it after we moved in, turning it into an inn of sorts.

  Now it’s become a hub for travelers and traders, sitting conveniently between the Santa Fe and Mountainair settlements; one of the rare places to have electricity and running water.

  Soft yellow light streams from the windows, illuminating the snow around the Inn. Steve must have a full house tonight, what with everyone in the vicinity coming in for the Trader. The Inn’s not usually this lit up, and I can only hope Mary got us our usual apartments. After the day I’ve had, I could really use my own room, and my own bed; not to mention a nice hot bath. Also, there’s Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric who’ll need somewhere to sleep. Oh Gods, I’m going to catch hell for bringing more strangers home.

  The broken stone archway that guards the entrance to the Inn comes into view, the light that once illuminated the magnificent sign flickering like a strobe that has lost its rhythm. The paint from what used to be a picture of a beautiful valley chips away from the remnants. Vista del Valle; that’s what this ranch used to be called.

  The turquoise metal gates, shaped to look like a pair of fighting stallions, hang open, barely on their hinges. The pin pad that would have been used to open said gates blinks blue, just begging to be used. Unable to stop myself, I press the number sequence— 6366— and laugh at the off-key buzz that sounds. If Steve’s not too busy, he’ll know I’m here, and maybe remember to switch off the relay to these lights.

  Having had my fun, I give a short whistle to the circling dragons above, signaling them to me, but forgetting they’re not my family. They may not know what that means. They must have guessed, though, because they all turn and head in for a landing.

  Caedryn’s first, the strobe light making his approach seem straight out of a horror movie. Fear zings down my spine, instincts demanding I run, but I squelch it down. No more running. Not from these dragons. They’re on my side. That thought gives me strength, and my heart slows to a more normal pace.

  Once on the ground, Caedryn quickly shifts and moves aside, making room for the next dragon.

  “We go in on foot from here,” I tell them once they’ve all landed, and slide carefully off Alarr.

  After a few hours riding, my legs are jello, and give out the moment I hit the ground. Caedryn catches me as I bobble, gingerly holding up my weight, and a new sensation travels down my back. With a nervous giggle, I smile my thanks, standing on my own two feet, and stretch out a bit.

  “Alarr, you’ll have to go in one of the horse pens if we’re to seem normal, and just make sure no one gets a good look at you.”

  Disguise will not be an issue, he replies. The air around him ripples, then smooths, revealing a normal looking Friesian, if a little on the large side.

  “That’s a nice trick,” I say, nodding agreeably. “Alright, let’s go.”

  Caedryn insists on walking in front of me as we make our way up the long driveway, with Turhion and Kerric close behind. We stop for a moment so I can leave Alarr in the paddock nearest the apartments.

  Various carts and wagons litter what used to be an asphalt parking area. A few I recognize, but even more are new to me. Word’s getting out about the Inn.

  Horses skitter when Caedryn walks up beside me, and a mule brays, sounding like a strangled dinosaur. They sense a predator, but don’t really know where it’s coming from.

  “You should go back to where Turhion and Kerric are, before you give all these poor beasts a heart attack, or stroke.” Caedryn gives me an uncertain look, and I lay a reassuring hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine. This’ll only take a moment.”

  Finding no immediate threat, he walks back to Turhion and Kerric. Alarr reappears from the barn he was inspecting and nuzzles my cheek, his nose soft velvet and his breath warm on my face, smelling of heat.

  “This is the best I can do,” I apologize, petting his scaled cheek.

  It will be fine, he returns softly.

  “I’ll be back in the morning so you can meet my family, and I’ll probably visit you once more tonight, if we’re staying in these apartments.”

  Very well. I look forward to meeting your family, Xerxia.

  “Will you be needing some help, ma’am?” the stable hand asks suddenly, appearing beside me.

  “Nah, Todd, I’ve got this. Thanks, though.” I give the young man a warm smile.

  “Oh, it’s you,” he replies, bobbing his blonde head. “I didn’t recognize you. Where’s your bow?”

  “Broken.” I gesture to my backpack.

  “How?!”

  “That’s a long story.” I sigh wearily. “I’ll tell you later.”

  “Very well. Do you want me to feed him for you? I’m about to make my rounds.”

  Yes, Alarr answers my unspoken question.

  “Yes, thank you,” I relay the answer.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He gives an impish grin, knowing how I hate to be called ma’am, and leans on the fence to watch Alarr walk around the pen. “He’s a beauty. Find him out there today, did you?” He gestures towards the road with his head.

  “Yeah. That’s part of my story, actually. He found me. Helped save me from a Beast, too.” I can’t help but smile at Todd’s surprise, and blush at the admiration in his stare. He’s always been enamored with my adventurousness, but is more than happy to stay here, simply listening to my stories when I get back and patching me up when I’m not so lucky in the occasional fight.

  He was there when my mom and sister died, giving me a shoulder to cry on, and was very forthcoming about his feelings for me, but I need someone to stand beside me in the fight, not hide until it’s over.

  I turn and lean carefully against the metal bars, looking at the man who just stumbled into my life, or more like swooped in. Caedryn’s standing with Turhion and Kerric, watching me closely and glancing at Todd with something that looks like jealousy, but I can’t be sure. It could also be protective wariness.

  Todd notices my attention elsewhere, and looks between me and my new companions, something changing in his demeanor.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” he says, realizing he can’t size up to the three men obviously waiting for me. “Evening, Xerxia.” He tips his head towards me and walks off, grabbing a wheelbarrow full of hay, tossing it to the boarded horses, including Alarr.

  “See you inside, Todd. Goodnight, Alarr,” I say, standing straight, and head back for Caedryn and the others.

  Goodnight, Xerxia, Alarr returns, the tingle of his voice in my mind still a little weird.

  Turhion and Kerric are relieved to have me back, but not as relieved as Caedryn. He steps in protectively behind me, looking back over his shoulder for an instant to where Todd was.

  “It’s alright, Caedryn. Todd’s a friend,” I assure him before he even asks the question I know comes after that look, and it surprises him. “Come on, let’s get going.” I point to the Inn. “And let me do all the talking.” This time I lead the way, walking up the rest of the path to the Inn.

  I push both the broad, wooden doors open, entering the Inn like a rock star. The room goes quiet, staring at me and the three strange men who came in behind me.

  “Xerxia,” Steve greets me nonchalantly from behind the counter of the bar, which doubles as a reception desk. “Found some new friends, I see.” He glances curiously, and more than a little suspiciously at Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric.

  “Yeah. They saved me from a Beast earlier. I figured the least I could do was give them a nice place to lay their heads.”

  “I swear, Xerxia, you’re like a magnet for those damn creatures. Out of everyone I know— which is a lot of people, mind you— you’ve had the most run-ins, and the most luck at getting away alive.” Steve laughs, shaking his head.

  “I don’t know if I should be flattered or concerned.” I smirk mischievously
.

  “I’d say both. Your name’s getting around, you know. What with how stories get retold and embellished. There’s talk those new dragon hunters what just moved in want to use you as bait. Speaking of which, these men of yours some of them? They look the type. Mind you, I’ve never seen these dragon hunters, only heard about them.”

  “Nah,” I tell him, cutting off Caedryn’s angry growl. “These guys aren’t hunters, but I’ll be back around later to hear about those dragon hunters you mentioned, after I locate my brothers.”

  “Xerxia,” Zebulon yells suddenly. There’s one.

  He’s walking down the stairs from the small loft apartments, curly hair pulled back in a ponytail and a broad smile beaming behind his full beard. Mary’s behind him, brown hair swaying in a ponytail, her lithe frame mostly hidden by Zebulon’s thick one. It’s still hard sometimes, not seeing Mom and Caitlin with them.

  “Don’t tell me we have the lofts,” I plead as they come up to me.

  The lofts are small rooms, probably once used for children, and now only used when the Inn fills up. My family and I barely fit in the cramped spaces.

  “We have the lofts,” Zebulon replies, deadpan, his blue-gray eyes giving nothing away.

  “I can’t tell if your joking or not.” I narrow my eyes at him.

  “He’s joking,” Mary steps in. “Be nice to your sister,” she reprimands Zebulon. “Don’t worry, I got us the apartments. Who are they?” Her blue eyes flick to the three men behind me, resting on each one individually as she quickly judges them.

  “Xerxia,” Tristin yells from across the room, cutting off my reply for now. There’s two.

  He stands from the table he’s at and makes his way towards me like a charging rhino, crossing the fairly large room in a few long strides. Unlike Zebulon and me, he has perfectly wavy hair, pulled back in a ponytail, the sides of his head shaved like a Viking’s. His blue eyes sparkle when he hugs me, then turn to concern when I gasp.

  “What happen?” he asks, sounding like a toddler, looking me over with confusion.

  “I kind of got punched by a Beast earlier.” I shrug, giving him a sheepish smile.

  “What?!” all three yell in unison.

  “How are you alive?” Mary exclaims, touching my shoulder like I might be a ghost.

  There’s a loud zap of electricity on contact and Mary yanks her hand back, both of us laughing.

  “Shocking, I know,” I joke, and gesture for the three men behind me to come forward. “I would like to introduce you to the reason I’m alive. This is Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric.” I gesture to my family now. “These are my brothers, Zebulon and Tristin, and my sister-in law, Mary.”

  Even though they’re younger than me, Zebulon and Tristin still feel the brotherly need to protect me. They puff their chests out and square their shoulders, sizing up the new guys. Zebulon’s only as tall as Kerric, and Tristin’s six foot something doesn’t quite measure up to Caedryn’s and Turhion’s towering height, but if this were a competition in beards, my brothers would win.

  “Easy, boys.” I playfully punch both my brothers in the gut. “They’ll also be joining us.”

  “What?!” my brothers yell again, glancing incredulously at the three Knights.

  “What did we tell you about picking up strays?” Mary chides, only half serious. “Did you forget what happened the last time we took someone in?”

  “I didn’t forget.” The memory brings an involuntary snarl to my mouth. “And that was one time. Every other time before that is how we made this place.” I shake my head and take a breath, calming myself. “Besides, these guys are different. I saved them as much as they saved me.”

  “Care to regale us with the story?” a man asks from the table nearest us, sounding skeptical.

  “Alright, Carl, but you know the deal,” I reply, smiling at the reason why my stories are so popular, and embellished.

  “A round of mead for the table,” Carl yells to Steve, giving me a wink and raising his already full tankard.

  The old inn keeper disappears into the storeroom, coming back out with a tall pitcher of the honey wine and a stack of red solo cups. He sets them on the table and my brothers immediately sit, pouring themselves a copious amount. Mary takes Zebulon’s cup just before he gets the drink to his lips, giving him an impish grin as she sits, and he pours himself a new cup, turning away from Mary as he takes a drink.

  Laughing, I take the seat beside Mary, setting my bag at my feet and gesturing for Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric to sit, too. Turhion and Kerric sit next to my brothers, but Caedryn takes the chair between Carl and me. Carl glances curiously at Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric, then pours them each a drink, and offers me one.

  “No, thanks.” I shake my head, and Mary steals the drink before Carl can take it back.

  “So, how did you evade death this time?” Carl asks, frowning at Mary and pouring himself the last of the pitcher.

  “Just barely, that’s how. While I was out Scavenging, I found myself at my old house, for nostalgia’s sake. That’s when a Beast snuck up on me. Out in the open with nowhere to go, my only hope was to either do as much damage as I could before dying, or blind it and run. I shot one eye out before it smacked me to the ground, breaking my bow in the process.

  “Before it could finish the job, Caedryn showed up, distracting the Beast with the help of Turhion and Kerric. They worked together, taking turns running the dragon around until it got angry. That’s when it got a hit in on Turhion, then Kerric. I came around enough to stop it from killing them, and with Caedryn’s help, we got into the house, until the Beast set it on fire.

  “Sitting in the yard, two of my saviors out cold and fire burning hot at our backs, I thought we were done for. Then a black Beauty showed up, and while it tussled with the Beast, we got away and hid until both dragons left. After we were sure they weren’t coming back, we came here.”

  “Bullshit,” Carl calls. “Two dragons in one encounter? A Beauty and a Beast? And you got away scot-free?”

  “No bullshit,” I call back, and pull out my broken bow, slamming it dramatically on the table for all to see, then stand, pulling up my shirt to show some of the bruising beginning to appear on my ribs and abdomen, not caring who sees my round belly. “There’s your proof! And if you find yourself in Sunset Acres, you’ll find a burned house, maybe a small grassfire, too, if the embers sparked one.”

  His mouth open and eyes wide, Carl sits back, tossing the rest of his mead down his throat.

  “You should have Todd look at that,” he says, pointing to my body.

  “Look at what?” Todd asks suddenly, appearing at the door.

  “This girl’s body,” Carl yells, gesturing unhelpfully to all of me, and Todd blushes. “She’s got some nasty bruising starting, and possibly internal bleeding.”

  “If there was internal bleeding, I think I’d be dead by now,” I counter.

  “You didn’t mention you were injured when I saw you in the barn,” he says, moving quickly to my side, bashfulness disappearing in the face of concern. “Let me see, please.”

  I oblige, standing and lifting my shirt for Todd to examine me. Before the shit hit the fan, he was a nurse, and the closest thing we get to a doctor now a days. A similar scenario to this one is how we met, actually.

  We were on our way back to the Inn after having just lost Mom and Caitlin. Todd was being harassed by a particularly ruthless crew of Scavengers. And what I mean by being harassed is that the Scavengers were killing his group of survivors slowly; Todd was the last alive.

  Not one to stand idly by while innocent people are killed, and still raging over my loss, I intervened, along with my brothers. We won, barely, and I was injured, taking a rather nasty gash to the thigh to save Todd’s life. He patched me up and has been doing so ever since that day.

  Todd hisses through his teeth now, pulling my attention back to my current condition, and touches my stomach gently, making me gasp.

  “Did that
hurt?” he asks, concerned.

  I giggle, shaking my head. “Your fingers are cold.”

  With a sheepish grin he rubs his hands together quickly to warm them before touching me again. “I need to press a little to feel for swelling,” he warns, and I nod.

  I breathe through the pain as Todd presses ever so slightly around vital organs, and find something for me to focus on, my eyes settling on Caedryn. He’s watching Todd carefully, definitely with a little envy now, like he wished it were him running his hands over me, not Todd. The thought excites me. Then his eyes meet mine for the slightest of moments and he looks away, almost ashamed.

  “I don’t think you need to be worried about internal bleeding,” Todd says, pulling my shirt down for me and my attention back to him. “I’d like to check again in the morning, though, to be sure.”

  “Sure.” I nod absently, still processing what just transpired between Caedryn and me. “Thanks, Todd.” I flash a quick smile.

  “Anytime, Xerxia; you know I’ll always be here to fix you up.” He dips his head with a smile and keeps moving for another table.

  I sit back down, tucking my broken bow back in my bag and scooting it under the table. Mary’s looking conspiratorially at me and Caedryn, giving me a knowing smirk when our eyes meet, and I shake my head, unable to stop the slight smile on my lips.

  “Hey, Steve, what’s for dinner tonight?” I ask as he walks by with our mead refill.

  “Thanks to your brothers, we got beef stew or beans and weenies; they’ll be done right quick.”

  “Good, because I’m starving.”

  “It would take you a long time to starve,” Mary jests.

  “You know, because your fat,” Zebulon adds, laughing stupidly with Tristin.

  “Oh, good eye,” I joke back, my tone flat.

  “Food,” Tristin howls suddenly, and leaps up, running to be first in line.

  Zebulon chases after him, and Mary follows calmly, rolling her eyes and laughing. Caedryn, Turhion, and Kerric follow me over, and we get in line behind my rambunctious brothers, who are now sparring with their silverware.