Dawn of Retribution

by Aya Knight

  “We left one day—a day like any other—to hunt in the forest. What we came back to …” Alden’s voice trailed off as he fought to maintain composure. “What we came back to was something only a walking devil is capable of. Our village had been ravaged, and what meager goods we had, were taken. Bodies were everywhere and blood coated the ground. It was the most gruesome sight my eyes had ever fallen upon. Each of us raced to find our families, frantic for their well-being. Alas, we did find them …” He began to breathe heavily through his nose in a forceful attempt to stifle his moist eyes from pouring over.

  The commander shook his head and stood tall, unwilling to show a sign of weakness to Kale. “My children had been slaughtered, right in the beds where they slept. Their innocent and unknowing lives had been taken away from them so soon. My wife lay near the doorway, cut from head to toe with the edge of a blade. A struggle was obvious by the markings across her arms and face—she had been trying to protect our children. Despite the overwhelming damage done to her body, she still had breath. I gripped her in my arms, rocking her limp body against mine. I tried to reassure her and tell her everything would be all right—even though I fought to hold onto my own sanity at that moment. But she knew—she knew her time on this world was coming to an end. My wife pulled me close to her lips with what little strength she had and whispered into my ear the words I shall never forget. They came from Mirion. General Jedah and his men. They took our babies away from us! At first, this did not make sense to me. I could not fathom why a general from the kingdom of Mirion would seek harm upon a small, insignificant village. Only later, through my journeys, did I come to find he had ventured across many villages and towns which he assumed to be of little to no threat. He would attempt bribes for loyalty to him. Should the villagers swear allegiance, they would be rewarded with coin and food. Should they deny his attempts—they would meet a terrible fate.” Alden’s eyes burned with hatred. “My village stood proud on that day, unbeknownst to the fate which Jedah had planned. Because they refused to bow before him, he and his men took their lives without remorse. Even the children, who could not understand the situation at hand—all massacred by sunrise.” His hand reached out and firmly gripped Kale’s arm. “And so you see, Kale, this is why I fight to rid the world of every last follower of that vile man. I will not rest until justice prevails. I fought against insanity to achieve this cause—the other men and myself. We have made it our life mission and purpose on this earth. Our army has grown in numbers and, to ensure a steady supply of food rations and weaponry, we take bounties on the unjust for coin. We cleanse the world of lesser evils you might say, while hunting Jedah’s remaining followers. We shall find them all, and I can promise you, they will perish.”

  After returning to the large fire pit, Kale announced their departure, giving as few details as possible in front of the many men who sat with dumbfounded faces. They gathered what few belongings each had brought, and were provided as much food as their bags could hold.

  Illadar, who already held the weight of his sizable claymore upon his back, carried a large pack stuffed so full of food, the seams were struggling not to split open. He was no stranger to the desert, having had to traverse the dry land on multiple occasions while being used as a pawn in Jedah’s army. Without consumables, the desert was nothing more than a barren graveyard to those who attempted to cross.

  They made their way to the herbalist’s tent where Konnar sat, intently reading through one of his alchemy books. He raised a white, bushy brow as the four entered.

  “We came to give thanks,” Thomas spoke with a bow. “Without you, I surely would not be standing before you now.”

  Silence followed and Thomas seized the moment, sending his elbow into Kale’s side.

  Kale shot Thomas a look of irritation before realizing what the motion had insinuated.

  “Oh, yes, thank you, Konnar, for all of your assistance.”

  Kale truly was grateful, but at that moment his mind swarmed with thoughts of Zasha and the dragon eggs. The day was young, but their journey was far from over—Kale knew it was time they set off.

  As they lifted the tent flap to leave, Konnar insisted they take a small box filled with herbal remedies. He warned of the dangerous creatures that lived within the dry, hot sands of the desert and briefly explained what each herb or vial would cure.

  With one final exchange of farewells, they set off toward the far side of camp where Alden waited. His slender, black velvet cap was tipped forward to block the sunlight from his eyes.

  “I make a final attempt to ensure you are certain about this quest of yours, Kale Firehart.” Alden stood tall, crossing his strong arms. “Our camp offers sanctuary from those who seek ill will upon you and your comrades. Should you leave, we cannot offer our protection.”

  “I am certain, Alden. Though, I am thankful for all you’ve done. Had you and your men not come when the riders attacked, Thomas surely would have died. There is no amount of gold that could repay what you have done—I am in debt to you. Should the day come when we meet again, I will find a way to repay your kindness.”

  As the four turned to embark on their journey, the patter of running feet trailed closer.

  “Wait! Please, wait!”

  They turned to see a young man gripping his knees and panting heavily.

  “It is you—Illadar!” The young man fell to a knee before Illadar and bowed his head. “I owe you my life, Sir. Please, allow me to come with you; I will aid however possible along your quest.”

  “What are you doin’? Stand up, kid. I think you may be mistakin’ me for someone el—” Illadar’s words caught in his throat as the young man rose. There was no mistaking his large, hazel eyes, and Illadar immediately recalled the day he had seen so much fear within them. “It’s you—James!” With all that happened, he’d forgotten what Alden had told him.

  Illadar was in disbelief at how much the adolescent he once knew had grown over the years. He was no longer a thin-framed boy with ill-fitting armor, but a tall, masculine young man.

  “I have waited so long to cross paths with you again. I nearly gave up hope that such a fate would occur until word arrived we were to track Kale’s whereabouts near The Forest of Forgotten Whispers. When I first saw you—I knew right away who you were! Now, please, allow me to join you on whatever quest you embark upon. My blade is yours to command.”

  “Then I command you stay here, where the odds of survivin’ are in your favor.” Illadar replied. “I did not save your life only to have you die before me, under my watch. We are leavin’ for unknown dangers, and I cannot place any more lives in peril if not necessary.”

  James looked devastated, as though his life’s goal had been crushed before him. “I have nothing left but to fight by your side—the one who saved me from certain death. You see … my mother is gone now. Jedah killed her long before I was able to return to Mirion. When I made it back to our home, on the outer perimeter, someone I didn’t recognize answered the door. They replaced our existence as though we never lived there. A new family had already moved in. After speaking to an old friend, I came to find what had happened. Jedah framed her so she would be executed publicly—he had her killed to spite my cowardice—to mock me for my supposed crime of not obeying his command. I fled; hopeless, lost, and without the will to live. That’s when Alden found me and took me in. He gave me hope of fighting to build a better world and told me it would be the highest form of vengeance I could offer for my mother’s death.”

  James looked toward the clouds. “You know, at first I hated you.” His eyes met Illadar’s. “I thought because of you I was forced to live in agony at the loss of my only family. But then, I came to realize my mother would be disappointed with such thoughts—she always told me to make the best of even the darkest situations. That’s when I understood my mother was slain for my own actions that day, and had it
not been for you, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to right what has been wronged. So again, I plead with you, please let me join you on your cause—whatever it may be. I am honored to fight by your side. My instinct tells me that I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I must find my purpose by aiding you.”

  “Look, kid, we will meet again one day, I’m sure. But right now you need to stay here. If you really want to repay your debts, then wait for a time when I truly need it. Until then, just live your life—that’s the best form of payment I need.” Illadar gave a crooked smile and patted James on his broad shoulder.

  James released the air from his lungs in a long-winded exhale. He glanced toward the ground and forced a nod. “Well then, I shall fight alongside these noble men in the name of justice until the day we meet again. Know that I am at your command, Illadar Ranclef, should you need me.”

  The time had come to leave—there would be no turning back. They began to walk, with the intention to press forward until it was no longer daylight. It was a scorching hot day, with no hint of a breeze to cool their burning skin. Buzzards circled off in the distance above a large rabbit—waiting out the final moments of life before tearing into its flesh.

  Small shrubs began to clutter what once was a firm dirt path and soon, they were forced to set a course of their own. The group followed their instincts in the direction of plant-life they knew to be drought tolerant, passing many forms of cacti and small clusters of tall, thin grass. Trees and shrubs grew scarce until all that could be seen in any direction was endless amounts of sand. The hours passed and Kale took advantage of this time to explain everything to Thomas—including the oddity that had occurred within his fingers.

  Thomas, Neelan, and Illadar all agreed it must have to do with his former traits as a dragon. While Illadar rambled about how a newfound ability could prove beneficial, should they encounter another obstacle, all Kale could think about was how tired he was of being a monster. Though he did not regret his decision to remain by Neelan’s side, Kale knew he no longer truly had a place to fit in. He was not dragon, nor a human. This thought fueled his desire more than ever to find Zasha, the woman who could be the missing link to his life—his family.

  Kale examined his fingers once again. They appeared normal. He rubbed the tips slowly across his thumbs while in deep thought.

  “Kale …” Neelan softly spoke while wrapping her arm tenderly around his. “It’s nearly dusk. I think we should begin to scout for a place to make camp for the night.”

  “The desert isn’t a safe place to roam once the sun falls beyond the horizon. We need to take shifts. Without shelter we’re too vulnerable to some of the savage animals that hunt at night.” Illadar slung his pack over a shoulder. “Find flat ground and let’s eat; I’m starvin’.”

  They shuffled around a wide area before feeling confident that there were no snakes or scorpions hiding beneath the sand. Despite Thomas’ warnings, Kale kicked off his boots and wiggled his toes in the tiny grains. It felt good without anything weighing down his feet.

  The temperature was dropping dramatically and Neelan withdrew a blanket from her pack. Kale immediately noticed the crest knitted into all four corners—it was from Mirion. She dropped down next to Kale, reaching an arm around his body to enclose them both into the warmth of the blanket.

  “You’re always so warm,” Neelan spoke, as she snuggled closer against Kale’s body.

  Kale cracked a smile, amused by the irony.

  “Eat up.” Illadar tossed a large green ball toward Kale and Neelan.

  Upon inspection, Kale could see it was a large leaf, tied together with string, and something firm inside. He opened it, and to his delight, found smoked rib meat and seasoned rice. Neelan took the first bite, rolling her eyes as she savored the flavors. It had been many hours since their last meal and the food tasted incredible. Without wood to create a fire, or easy game to hunt, they were grateful for the meal.

  After eating, they devised a plan for the following morning. Using the location of the sun, they would travel to the northeast, where Thomas recalled Jedah had ventured before his encounter with the green dragon. It would be a gamble they would need to risk; every direction looked identical to the next. Times like these made Kale long for his massive wings. He could cross the entire desert within hours—instead of days drudging through the hot sand. They had enough food to last through another night. After that, they would be at the desert’s mercy and need to seek out any small villages.

  Kale had heard Thomas briefly speak of the desert people—those who willingly chose to live on the barren land. He couldn’t imagine anyone having a desire to live in such a horrid way. Between the dramatic climate changes, the lack of game, and the sand that mysteriously managed to get into every nook and cranny of his body—it was a miserable place—even for a dragon of fire.

  “I’ll take first shift.” Illadar dug a shallow hole in the ground. “You’re up next, kid.” He dropped his bottom into the freshly shoveled area, using it as a seat while he began watch.

  Kale didn’t argue, knowing Illadar could be just as stubborn as he. There was also the desire to finally have time with Neelan—something he had been longing for since their departure from Mirion.

  Thomas was already lying upon a sheet, with a thick blanket draped over his body. They could tell he was on the verge of slumber by the wheezing sound with every inhale.

  “Kale, look at the stars. They’re simply beautiful here,” Neelan said, while positioning her head into the nook of his arm.

  “They are. Though, I believe the stars shine down with envy tonight.” Kale smiled, gently brushing a long lock of hair from Neelan’s cheek.

  “I don’t understand …” Neelan tilted her head.

  “The stars may illuminate the darkness above—but the woman I love is far more radiant. You are my shining star, Neelan, and I will always find my way to you—no matter what.”

  Neelan inhaled; looking quickly to the side as her face flushed. Her breath remained within her chest as she bashfully smiled.

  Kale placed a finger beneath Neelan’s chin, tilting her face toward his. He leaned in, pressing his lips softly to hers. Their kiss was warm and comforting against the chilling night air. They lay back, wrapped within each other’s arms, as the stars dimmed beneath their weary lids.

  Chapter 4: The Fallen

  Illadar nudged at Kale’s side. “Get up, kid. I can’t keep awake any longer.”

  Kale softly groaned before rolling his wrists. The climate was even colder than before and his limbs ached from being outside of the warm blanket. He gently slid himself away from Neelan, ensuring she was tightly bundled within the thick cloth.

  “All right.” Kale released a lengthy yawn. “I’m ready. Get some rest.”

  Illadar nodded. He pulled his blanket tightly around his body and face, then mumbled what Kale could only assume was goodnight.

  Kale sat in the shallow hole Illadar had dug out. It was still surprisingly warm, despite the chilling air. He glanced toward the sky, pondering how many more hours there was before daybreak. He examined their surroundings, debating which way they were going to head in the morning. Kale scratched a nail against his scalp in confusion. By now, even the route they had come from was concealed by the constant movement of sand. During daylight, having any form of a breeze was a luxury. But once night fell upon them, the wind seemed to never cease. The mild gusts sent sand swirling in every direction. Kale wrapped his arms around his knees, too concerned about Neelan’s well-being to take one of the blankets from where she slept.

  After countless minutes of chattering teeth and shivering limbs, an idea dawned upon Kale.

  What in Pan’s name am I doing? This human flesh must be corrupting my rational thoughts. I am a fire dragon. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Kale could feel it—the warming sensat
ion that began in his chest, and slowly spread throughout his body. The soothing heat was incredible and coursed throughout every inch of him.

  As Kale was finally settling comfortably into the sand, his jaw grew tight and eyes widened until the lids couldn’t tuck themselves into his sockets any further. The same feeling within his fingertips had returned—this time stronger, and more uncomfortable. He gritted his bared teeth, struggling to remain silent so as not to wake the others. His body thrashed back and he raised his bent fingers toward the sky.

  What is this?! Go away—please, go away! Though his lips did not move, within his mind, he screamed.

  The ivory, bone-like claws split through the flesh of each fingertip on his hands. His nails peeled back until five sizable talons had overtaken what were once human fingers. Kale opened his mouth, yet all sound remained choked back within his dry throat. His eyes shot from one hand to the other in panic.

  Maybe this isn’t real—maybe it’s a dream. This can’t be happening … He violently shook his head as if to forcibly wake from a terrible nightmare.

  Kale exhaled, allowing all of the air within his lungs to escape. He slowly brought his fingers down in an attempt to close his palms into a fist. The sharp claws pressed into the tender flesh of his palm.

  No.

  He didn’t know what to do—who to turn to. Kale’s rational thoughts told him to wake Thomas immediately; to seek help from the one person who might be able to logically solve what had become of his hands. Yet, his heart kept him from moving. After all Thomas had been through, he couldn’t wake the old man, or his friends from slumber. He knew that the moment they laid eyes upon this new transformation, there would be panic, alarm, and desperation to seek help. Kale slung his arms to the side, allowing his mutated hands to drop upon the sand. Kale let his forehead hit hard against his tucked knees as he pondered the predicament. He feared that unless he could return his hands to normal by sunrise, the search for dragon eggs would come to a halt. It was an unacceptable option in his mind. Kale knew he had to figure a way to press forward with his quest—despite being an abomination—a monster.