by Hans Bezdek
“Maybe,” she said. She lowered her voice as she glanced at Kiera. “Be careful. Who knows why she wants to talk with you.”
The others left with the blue dragons, closing the two doors behind them. I stared at the doors for a few seconds, wondering if this was actually a smart decision. I guess we were about to find out.
“How can I help you?” I asked, turning back to Kiera.
The woman leaned back in her chair, watching me. Now without her guard, I realized she could relax and be more informal. I’m sure being the ruler of a town had its perks, but it must have had a lot of drawbacks. Having to appear serious and decisive constantly probably got old.
“Tell me more about the black and reds, and what you know,” she said. “If there truly is a second Dragon War coming, then I’d want to know.”
“We couldn’t have discussed this before my group and your guards left?” I smirked, walking back over and taking my seat across the table from the blue dragon.
“I don’t want my people to be worried until I’ve heard what you have to say,” she said. “There have been… rumors, and I want to see if your story lends any credibility to them.”
“I’ll keep it brief, then,” I said. “A black dragon by the name of Ulrich has Ludek’s crown. He is using it to unite the black and reds, and fulfill whatever Dar’Ka prophecies that Ludek failed to. He told me about a second Dragon War, and I have every reason to believe it could be starting at any point now.”
“Ulrich,” she said, repeating the name a few times. “I feel that is a name I will have to remember in the future. Have you encountered any of his forces since meeting him?”
“Yes,” I nodded. “Actually, one meeting we interrupted was not far away from the town of Rexford, down in Truska. The town was experiencing wide span panic and paranoia. There seems to be some parallels with that town, and what has happened here.”
“Is that so?” she asked. “What were you able to find out about this madness?”
“Well… not much,” I admitted. “The town wasn’t very accepting of mages, and when I had to use some nonlethal magic to prevent us getting mugged, we were chased out.”
“That’s too bad,” she smirked.
“It happens. We believed the Dar’Ka were involved in that, and may be involved here,” I said. “There were reports of red and black dragons flying around the area. We ended up defeating several black dragons, actually.”
“You four?” she asked, eyes widening in surprise.
“Three,” I clarified, checking my shoulder for dust. I knew Cassandra would be annoyed at me for bragging, but it was hard to be humble while under Kiera’s stare. Now that we were having a more friendly conversation, I was noticing she wasn’t too hard on the eyes. A little rough around the edges, sure, but what dragon wasn’t? “Braun wasn’t with us. The black dragons were after the Time Shield here, and mentioned Ulrich by name. I know he’s the one that sent them, and is trying to get the legendary weapons before we can.”
“Which explains why you are all so eager to get a hold of the Mace,” she smiled. She stared at me for a moment as she thought over what I shared. There were some things missing, such as how Ulrich actually came across Ludek’s crown, or that he was a half dragon, but I had hit on the key points.
“So?” I asked as time ticked by. “You believe us and will let us have Grimkell’s Mace?”
She laughed at that. I was surprised how playful and light it sounded. “I believe what you say about the Dar’Ka, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to hand the Mace over to you.”
“Well, I tried,” I smiled. “I don’t see why the others couldn’t have stayed to talk about this, though. They all know more or less what we just discussed.”
“That’s because we haven’t talked about the other matter yet.”
“Other matter?”
“The Winged One,” she said, her blue eyes fixated on mine. “What an interesting prophecy for you and your group to hold onto.”
“Why’s that?” I asked, holding her gaze.
“An elf with the Shattered Sword,” she said, pausing as I shifted in my seat. “Yes, I know a legendary Sword when it is drawn against me. How did she come by that? Steal it, perhaps?”
“No,” I said. “We both retrieved it from the Ruins of Le’Mar. It was no ones when we took it.”
“Still… strange to see an elf this far north,” she continued. “I’ve heard that Aelric’s queen was prone to mercy as opposed to the death penalty. Perhaps she was banished?”
I stared back and remained still in my seat. Kiera was trying to read my responses, and I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing if she was right or wrong.
“Goblins are arguably rarer in Brumark than elves,” she continued. “Especially in the west. He seemed a bit… crazed.”
“I feel like there’s a point you’re trying to get to,” I said.
“Then there’s Braun,” she said, ignoring me. “He’s a bit small for a dwarf, don’t you think?”
“If you’re just trying to play some strange game with me, there’s a mysterious spell over your town that I could better be spending my time on,” I said, putting my hands on the arms of the chair to push myself up.
“We have three people who may fit the prophecy of the Gathering… and you,” she continued. “Reimar Pinespell. A human mage who keeps his hood up, even when entering a warm building and meeting with the ruler of a city and entire race of dragons.”
I paused where I was. In that moment, I wanted more than anything to put my hood back up. That would make me look horribly guilty of whatever she was about to claim, though.
“You have very distinct eyes, you know,” she said, leaning forward. “I haven’t seen that shade of green in a very long time.”
I stared back silently.
“The history of the blue dragons is not so different from the history of the greens,” she said. “My people were lucky. We easily could’ve ended up as the green dragons have. As your people have.”
“My people?” I said, painting a confused look on my face as best as I could.
“A green dragon wouldn’t be so foolish as to keep their eye color though,” she said, watching me. Her eyes suddenly changed to brown, then green, then silver, then back to blue. “When we were hunted, my ancestors would change their eyes to anything but blue while we were in our human form. Now why wouldn’t you be able to change your eye color?”
“Because I’m not a green dragon?” I said, laughing nervously.
“That’s what I thought after talking with you longer,” she said. “But then your group mentioned the Winged One. A winged one with a heart of man will be needed to unite the lands. That’s how the prophecy begins, is it not?”
“I-I think so.”
She leaned forward, eyes and smile widening. In a voice hardly above a whisper, she asked it. “You’re a half dragon, aren’t you?”
“Half dragon?” I laughed. “T-Those aren’t real.”
“You’re not a great liar,” she giggled. “You are one… I can’t believe they exist.”
“What’s the point of all this?” I asked, trying to shift the topic as much as I could.
“You’re a dragon,” she said firmly. “Even if you’re just a half one, dragon blood still runs through your veins. This is why you should take our side in the fight against the dwarves of Feldarkr, assuming it ever comes.”
“Even if I was what you’re claiming,” I said, “why does that mean I should work with you? Humans don’t team up with other humans just because they’re of the same race.”
“Because I think you’re right about the coming second Dragon War,” said Kiera, face turning serious and stoic again. “When the black and reds return, the other races may suspect that the other colors are teaming up with them. There were some that thought that last Dragon War, and I expect more to feel that way if there is ever another one. We blue dragons can be a great ally to you and your group, but we can’t be if the dwarves win
a war against us.”
“A second Dragon War would require the help of the dwarves, not just the blue dragons,” I countered.
“And you would have them, their gray cousins at least,” she nodded. “I was just in the Mountains of Odike. The gray dwarves trust us, and would gladly follow us into battle with you against the black and reds.”
That was a tempting offer, but I wasn’t so sure I wanted to go to war with dwarves. Not only did they outnumber the blue dragons, but they had been kind to us so far. Hopefully we’d be able to figure out what was causing the disturbance here, and bring about peace between the two groups before a war ever broke out.
“I’ll think about it,” I said. “I can’t promise anymore than that right now.”
“I understand,” said Kiera, looking a bit disappointed.
“You know, you said something just a moment ago that I really agreed with,” I said. “The blue dragons were lucky. If it weren’t for the dwarves centuries ago, your people could have easily been hunted to extinction.”
“You’re not wrong,” she agreed.
“Which is why your ancestors would be ashamed to hear you are willing to kill the very descendants of the dwarves that saved your people,” I said. It came out more blunt than I meant, but I figured I’d push my luck.
Kiera looked away. She absentmindedly tapped the arm on her chair as she stared down at the table.
“It pains me, but I believe you’re right,” she said slowly. “I don’t see how else to protect my people, however. If we find out the dwarves have been poisoning the minds of my people, I will have no choice but to attack them.”
“At least wait until there is proof,” I said.
Kiera nodded. “That, I can do.”
I stood to leave, as did Kiera.
“I’ve got one more question for you,” she said, walking around the table.
“Sure.”
“Is there something else you can transform into, besides a human or a dragon?” she asked, stopping just a couple of feet away from me. “Is there something in the middle?”
I cleared my throat as I tried to think how to respond. It looked like she was adamant that I was a half dragon, and I didn’t see how I was going to convince her otherwise. Would it hurt to answer her questions?
“I’d love to see it if you can,” she said, lowering her voice and taking another step closer.
I laughed nervously and froze in place. What was she doing? And what was that perfume she was wearing? It smelled like a field of roses. I didn’t even know blue dragons wore perfume.
The doors burst open behind us.
“Kier-oh!” said one of the female blue dragons from earlier. “Uh, I’m sorry if I’m interrupting something…”
“You aren’t!” said Kiera and I at the same time, each taking a step further away.
“Okay… well, there are some more visitors that requested to see you.”
“Reimar and I will be out in just a moment,” smiled Kiera. The other woman nodded and left. Kiera turned back to me, her face a slight shade of pink. “I’m sorry about asking you so many questions. I hope you aren’t offended.”
“N-No,” I said. “I’m not offended. And to answer you… yes. There is a middle form.”
“Really?” she smiled.
I nodded. “Y-Yeah, it’s not a big deal. I can show you it some time later.”
Kiera’s eyes sparkled. “That’d be great. Now, time to go scare off some outsiders!”
Chapter 12
“Where are my friends?” I asked Kiera as the two of us followed her guard out of the building.
“They could still be out searching for clues or back at an inn,” she said. “After we deal with whoever these new arrivals are, I’ll help you find them.”
“So, should I stay here or…”
“Come with,” she said, not looking back at me. “Some of my men will be with your friends still, so I’ll need you if things take a bad turn.”
I was confident the blue dragons could handle themselves, but it didn’t seem like I had much choice. Part of me wondered if she was hoping for a fight. I’d have to work with the blues, which could make me more sympathetic to their side if battle came with the dwarves.
We turned down onto the main road, where we saw several of Kiera’s people facing a group of seven. The new group had three humans, two dwarves, an elf, and a gnome. One of the dwarves was a step or two closer to Kiera’s group than the others.
“I don’t see why we gotta wait here!” shouted Anders. “We are The Guild and have a right to pass through any town in Yaerna!”
Great.
I pulled my hood up and kept my head hanging low as we approached. Maybe if I stayed back and was quiet, The Guild wouldn’t recognize me.
“I couldn’t care less if you were Hur himself,” said Kiera, walking up to stand in line with her men. “No one is allowed access to Ostad for the time being. Leave now.”
“We demand to speak with yer high ups!” said Anders, not moving an inch.
I positioned myself behind Kiera and the woman that brought us out here, trying to blend in as much as possible.
“They don’t wish to speak to you,” said Kiera firmly. “Run back home to The Guild while you still can.”
Anders eyed her, trying to determine if she was bluffing or not.
“M-Maybe we should go,” mumbled the gnome behind him.
“Why they send fer ya?” asked Anders, considering Kiera. “I bet yer their leader, ain’t ya?”
Kiera drew her blade, as did the other blue dragons.
“I’ll keep it short then,” said the dwarf. “We’ve been sent on behalf of The Guild to retrieve Grimkell’s Mace. Word has it that it’s in the area, or possibly with the dwarves in Feldarkr. If ye say it’s not here, we’ll gladly turn around and check with me kin.”
Kiera looked at him silently for a moment. The rest of The Guild shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting between all of the blue dragons’ weapons. I was positive they wanted Kiera to say it wasn’t here, and they’d be more than happy to be on their way.
As the blue dragon finally opened her mouth, one of her men shouted out.
“Others are coming!”
I looked up to see another clustered group of people approaching from the gate.
“Others?” she asked, glaring down at Anders and taking a menacing step forward. “Did you think you could hide more of your thieves from us?”
“N-No,” said Anders, putting his hands up. “This is all me men. Anyone else here is on their own accord, you have me word!”
“We’ll see about that,” she hissed. Kiera nodded to Darius and another guard on her left, and they dashed down the road after the new group.
Darius and the other guard quickly brought the new group closer, this one numbering closer to twenty people. Unfortunately, I recognized the orc in front of this new group.
“What is the meaning of this?!” demanded Nicole Adder. The orc was dressed in pink dyed furs, accompanied with a large pink fur hat that hid her ears. “What lawless land have we entered?!”
“No one is allowed in Ostad at this time,” said Kiera. “Are you also with The Guild?”
“The Guild?” scoffed Nicole. “Hardly. We are a far higher minded group than those simpletons.”
“Simpletons?” growled Anders. “Watch what ye say, green skin.”
“The Gray Adders seek only the finest items and discoveries in all of Yaerna,” continued Nicole, ignoring Anders and the rest of The Guild that shot her dirty looks. “We have come here to retrieve Grimkell’s Mace. Do you happen to know its whereabouts? Perhaps it is in Feldarkr or Valbjorg instead?”
“You heard it could be in Valbjorg?” asked one of the humans in The Guild. “We heard it must be here or Feldarkr.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” sneered Nicole.
“This has gone on far enough,” said Kiera. “Both of your groups are to leave us at once. I recommend going to Feldarkr, where
you can let the dwarves know they will not see their precious Mace again until my people are cured. After that, you can bother King Julfr with your requests.”
“So the Mace is here!” said Anders.
“How much do you want for it?” asked Nicole. “We’d be happy to pay you a very generous finders fee.”
“Grimkell’s Mace goes nowhere until the dwarves of Feldarkr break the curse they’ve laid upon the fine people of this town!” shouted Kiera. “This is your final warning to leave, or we will have to remove you by force!”
Nicole and her group took a few steps backwards. “100,000 quats. We can give you it right now.”
Anders looked at Kiera closely again. His eyes fell past her and onto mine.
“Uh oh,” I mumbled.
“Y-You!” shouted Anders, his face going white as he raised a finger at me.
Kiera glanced over her shoulder at me, confused. “Do you know this dwarf? Is he a friend of yours?”
“Friend is far too strong of a word,” I said.
“L-Listen, lady,” said Anders, fumbling slightly over his words. “T-This man be dangerous! I-I don’t know what he told ya to get on yer good side, but he’s not to be trifled with!”
“Dangerous, huh?” asked Kiera, smirking at me.
“Him and his elf girlfriend killed all me friends in the Willows of Wander! I barely got out alive!”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I clarified. “Also, I let you live. You should be more grateful.”
Anders shook in a rage as he glared up at me.
“Why ya-”
“He’s got a little goblin friend now, too!” said Nicole, stepping forward to stand next to Anders. “The three of them destroyed the Lance of Power!”
“The Lance of Power was destroyed?” mumbled Darius, looking at some of the other blue dragons.
“Is that true?” asked Kiera, eyes widening.
“Technically…” I said slowly. “It wasn’t as simple as she’s making it sound, though.”
“You have done us a great service then,” smiled Kiera.
“What?!” Nicole, Anders, and I all said in unison.
“The Lance of Power was wielded against not just the red and black dragons,” she said. “Many of our people fell at the unjust use of the weapon.”