by Aya Knight
“I have something you want—two things to be exact.” Reem glanced at Neelan. “And you, dragon, have something I desire. You have the ability to travel the surface.”
“Get on with it. You mark us as sacrifices—disposable humans—and then rant on with these mind games. If you’re gonna’ take action, do it quickly.” Illadar slammed his fist into the wall, causing it to crumble and fill the surrounding area with dust-like particles.
Thomas extended an arm and smacked Illadar’s back. “It is frightening how alike you and Kale behave sometimes. Patience. With our options, it’s in our favor to listen to his words.”
“You can walk where we cannot,” Reem spoke to Kale as though there had never been an interruption. “If you wish your friends to live, and your betrothed to remain by your side, then you must bring something to me—or rather, someone. In return, I will allow safe passage to the surface for you all. And of course, the dragon eggs.”
“How do we know you can be trusted after all of this?” Neelan confronted Reem. “And how do we even know you possess the eggs?”
“Come.” Reem walked to the cave entrance, gripping his elaborately detailed staff.
Without hesitation, the others followed, still uncertain of the bargain Reem spoke of. A group of sand-men clustered on both sides as they exited the cave’s mouth. The men formed a solid wall to ensure there would be no where for anyone to run. They walked across to the grand doors that towered high above their heads. Kale could now make out the elaborate engraved swirls and circles. Starting toward the top of each door and written vertically downward was writing Kale did not recognize. He was amazed at how something made of sand could appear so solid and magnificent.
“The future of dragon-kind rests behind this door.” Reem forcefully gripped Kale’s wrist. Using one of Neelan’s daggers, he sliced across the flesh of Kale’s palm.
“What in Pan’s name are you doing?!” Kale pulled his hand back in anger as blood oozed from the wound.
“Place it on the door, dragon, before the wound runs dry,” Reem commanded.
Kale furrowed his brows in confusion, but did as instructed, smacking his palm against the door. Almost immediately, it felt as though the door was feeding from his blood. It gently sucked at the gash and pulled his flesh firmly against the surface. He feared what might happen should he attempt to withdraw his hand, and let the process take control.
The door began to tremble and the hold on Kale was released. He pulled his arm back defensively and examined his palm.
“How…” Kale’s voice trailed off at the sight of a freshly healed hand. There was no trace of any torn flesh.
“Kale, look!” Neelan exclaimed while pointing toward the doors.
The words on both sides were now glowing pale green. Each panel shook and began to slowly move inward, as though pushed by an invisible force. The musty smell immediately engulfed their lungs and Thomas could be heard from behind, fighting against his gag reflex. As the doors inched away from them, a hideous sight came into view. The skeletal remains of human corpses lay scattered across the room in the most unnatural positions. The room they just opened—was a tomb.
Chapter 8: A Trade Of Life
The flesh had long decomposed, yet a sickening scent filled their nostrils. Aside from the sand-people, Kale was the only one who seemed unaffected.
“I suppose, as human sacrifices, we have nothing to lose.” Thomas cupped his nose and entered the room.
“What is this place?” Kale casually strolled inside and glanced around.
Before cautiously following, Illadar and Neelan took notice of the warriors, who now had their backs facing them.
“They will not enter,” Reem spoke in response to Neelan’s continuous stares toward the sand-people’s odd behavior. “This sight—even after so long—is still too much for them to accept. You see, we are surrounded by our own corpses.”
“You mean … these bones belong to you and your men?” Neelan spoke from behind a cupped hand.
“Correct. It’s an indescribable feeling to wake without form, staring down at your own lifeless body. Once we mastered the manipulation of earth, we moved our corpses into this chamber. It was the last time they ever saw their human form. They now refuse to lay sight on what has become.”
Kale suddenly felt a tinge of sympathy for the men. Had he looked upon his dragon body as it lay lifeless on the ground, it would have brought out an incomprehensible feeling.
“So where are the eggs?” Kale questioned. He refocused his thoughts upon the fact that, regardless of their misfortune, the sand-people were a threat.
“Why, they are right before your very eyes.” Reem gracefully extended an arm.
Kale squinted through the room, lit by the same mysterious glow from the sand-people’s village. Clutched within the hands of three skeletons were beautifully vibrant-colored eggs.
Reem firmly gripped Kale by the shoulder. “This is as far as you go—for now. You have seen your proof, and now it is time to discuss a bargain.” He turned to exit where they had entered. “Follow.”
Once back within the cave, Reem wasted no time in explaining his demands.
“We have received word from many men who have had the misfortune of finding our underground village that the Imbola clan is residing at the southern desert area. Though the ones who took our lives have long passed, their kin live on—still committing atrocities to those they cross. They are trained from birth to take what they desire and leave no survivors.
“What I want is for you to travel south and find their exact location. Seek their leader, and bring him to me. His sacrifice to the guardians will fulfill our vow, and we can finally rest. In turn, the young elf will be free.” Reem stood directly before Kale. “Do we have an agreement? The life of an evil man, for the lives of your friends—and her.”
“Consider it done,” Kale’s response quickly came.
“Then let it begin, though I do suggest you hurry. Oxygen and water are plentiful from the craters—though food is not, and the young elf will surely die, should you prolong the quest. She will remain here with us as assurance you will return. We will divide your food rations found within your bags between the three of you, and her.”
“No.” Illadar spoke. “We bring only our weapons. The food stays with Neelan.” He could see the worry in her eyes, though she tried to remain confident.
“So be it. Though, I will warn you, game in the desert is scarce,” Reem cautioned. “Do not forget that her life relies on you completing this quest.”
“We will bring the man you seek back with us.” Kale turned to Neelan. “It will be all right—I promise you.” He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers.
“I know it will.” Neelan replied while sitting herself upright.
Kale smiled to himself, knowing that Neelan fought to conceal her uncertainties. When among those she didn’t trust, Neelan refused to show her fears. He delicately caressed a finger along her cheek.
Reem grunted uncomfortably. “You may sleep in the village before your journey. We do not sleep, so there are no accommodations, though you will find quiet solitude within the huts.”
Kale glanced at Neelan, then over at Thomas and Illadar.
“I know what you are thinking—impatient dragon.” Thomas shook his head. “We will stay and rest briefly before departing. Without food, any additional energy we can provide for our bodies will be valuable.”
Kale exhaled heavily and nodded. Failure was not an option at this point, so he willingly gave into the temptation of rest. Neelan was instructed to sleep in a separate, much larger hut that Reem explained was the royal sleeping quarters.
In the underground village, there was no way to determine how late into the day—or night—it was. Kale was the first to rouse, unable to fully succum
b to a deep slumber with so much at stake. He rubbed his heavy eyes and sat upright. The room was dark with only the faintest hint of light entering through the open window.
“Are you ready, dragon?”
Kale leapt up at the sudden sound of Reem’s voice.
“Have you been watching us sleep?” Kale questioned as he scratched at his dry scalp. The thought of Reem’s black, beady eyes staring upon him with every breath, was an uncomfortable feeling.
“As I have said—we do not sleep. Someone had to ensure you didn’t try anything foolish.” Reem laughed as though finding amusement in his own words. “I advise you to wake your comrades. Your gut will soon feel the stab of hunger—time runs short.”
Kale grunted, already feeling the effects of an ill rest. He nudged Thomas and Illadar, who equally appeared to struggle with their lack of sleep. The small amount they had, teased their bodies, causing them to crave more.
They gathered their satchels of water and weaponry before being escorted to a sizable, flat wall. The etched glyphs along the sand were alien to Kale, yet he seemed to understand this was their path back to the surface.
“Where is she?” Kale looked in all directions for Neelan.
“The young elf sleeps. You will go while she rests. It will preserve her need for food.” Reem replied. “Take this.” He handed Kale a star-shaped piece of rock. “When you are near the sinking sand, the trinket will respond. The desert breeze will shift the sands—it is ever-changing. Seek your brethren to guide the path. Go now—step forth and enter.”
Kale curled his lip, still confused at how Reem knew so much about him. He shook his thoughts and looked up at the solid form in front of them. “It’s a wall. Are we not seeing the same sight before us?”
“Look at this place, kid. The whole village is unlike anything we could’ve expected. I’ve taught you to not judge with sight alone.” Illadar took a step and extended an arm. His hand was now directly before the wall. With another foot forward, they watched as his fingertips vanished into the sand. In another instant, he was gone.
“See you on the surface, Kale.” Thomas smiled before stepping into the wall.
Kale turned to face Reem. “What is on the other side?”
“Is this a hint of fear I sense, young dragon?” Reem laughed.
“Of course not you bag of sand. I fear nothing you could possibly do in this underground prison.” Kale quickly looked away, belatedly realizing he needed to maintain a level of peace while they still held Neelan captive. Her life rested in their care.
“If you fear not, then go now.” Reem shoved Kale toward the wall. He cackled in amusement as he watched Kale disappear from sight.
Chapter 9: The Imbola Clan
The sand pulled him along, like many tiny fingers scratching against his flesh. It pressed against his lungs, forcing what little oxygen he held to escape his lips. It was terribly reminiscent of when they had first entered the village through the sinking sand. In a flood of relief, he felt his body slip out into the fresh air. The sunlight drenched his ivory flesh.
“About time, kid.” Illadar smirked at Thomas as the two burst into a fit of laughter.
Sand completely filled Kale’s pants. He spat to relieve his mouth from the tiny grains, and dusted off the thin coat which covered his body in all visible areas.
“I believe he was more frightened than we thought.” Thomas joked while continuing to stare at Kale’s pants, which hung low at his bottom from the weight of the sand.
“All right, that’s enough, you two.” Kale shook his legs, allowing sand to rush to the ground.
“Let’s get movin’, kid.” Illadar ruffled Kale’s hair and lightly shoved him forward. “It’s bloody hot and we’ve got a long way to travel.”
They walked a great distance in the dreadful heat. Kale removed his tunic, cleverly wrapping it to fit over his head and shield against the sun’s rays. Any amount of relief was vital to guard against excessive exposure or fatigue.
Eventually, the high temperature wore on Thomas who requested temporary refuge beneath a lone tree which cast minimal shade. He sighed, knowing that without food, the risk of teleporting would prove fatal. He lifted a satchel to his blistering lips and took a long swig. Though the water was warm, it soothed his dry throat.
“While I regain strength, we must discuss things, Kale. I wish to know more about this new mutation of yours. Your body, just as the dunes of this desert, is shifting. Has this new ability happened often since you’ve first discovered it?”
“Only once before—though I felt it for the first time back at Alden’s camp.” Kale replied.
“I see. We must keep close watch on this—I could plainly see you have no control over the ability. It’s just as before. The worst scenario at this point is that you permanently obtain these mutations and find yourself stuck in a void between human and dragon.”
Kale cringed at the thought. Because of Neelan, he was willing to accept his human form; but to be trapped within an inhuman shell was something he could not bear. His aching stomach interrupted the moment, growling in response to his hunger. “Can’t you conjure us something to eat? Our last meal feels like ages ago.” He gripped his gut.
“If only it were that simple.” Thomas chuckled. He braced his hands upon each knee and rose to his feet. “Shall we continue?”
Illadar cupped a hand over his brows and examined the position of the sun. “By the looks of it, we are workin’ with limited light. You’ll just have to tolerate it, kid.”
Along their trek, hunger finally began to get the best of all three. Their feet felt sluggish and weighted down as each man sifted through the hot sand with his shoulders hung.
“Kale—stop,” Thomas commanded.
In the near distance, slithered a thick, and very lengthy, brown snake. At the end of its tail was a shell-like, textured carapace.
Kale’s mouth filled with saliva as he eyed the serpent.
“It’s a Rattler, as we called them back in Mirion. Very deadly if struck by their venom—but also very edible if you’re able to catch ’em.” Illadar’s eyes glazed over with excitement. The creature was the first sign of life they had encountered since beginning their journey to the Imbola Clan’s camp.
Kale wasted no time; his hunger consumed his rationality and his natural dragon instincts took hold. He sprung forward with amazing speed, pouncing upon the unsuspecting snake. With a swift motion, he barbarically slammed the Rattler’s head into the ground—smashing it with his fist until blood spattered the sand.
“Jumping balt toads, Kale, it’s a snake, not a cougar. I believe you’ve killed it.” Thomas wrinkled his nose in distaste.
After a brief debate, they decided it would be wise to break and cook supper. The risks were too high to continue on as they were. Using dried leaves Thomas had collected from the tree he earlier rest below, he focused a minimal amount of energy to ignite a small fire. Due to his fatigued state, a blackened discoloration immediately appeared in the veins of his hands. He knew that during their quest, he would need to take caution and moderate the usage of magic.
Illadar used a small knife to slice the Rattler’s nearly indistinguishable head from its limp body. He quickly tossed the head away, explaining that deadly venom could still be present. Using the tip of the blade, he continued to remove the serpent’s skin and gut the insides out.
Kale closely inspected his hands upon Illadar’s command to ensure there were no punctures to his skin.
It wasn’t long before the snake’s inner flesh turned a golden brown over the fire and they each enjoyed a helping of meat.
With their bellies temporarily held over by the small portions, they each agreed to rest. They were confident enough in their pace to make up for lost time once waking. During the day, the sun seemed to suck the very ener
gy from their bodies. As night fell, they knew it was the most opportune time to give in to the peaceful bliss of sleep, despite the colder temperatures. They allowed the fire to dwindle as to not draw attention to their location. They huddled near one another to discourage any snakes or other desert creatures from approaching as each fell into an instant sleep.
Kale was awoken in the night to a firm shove against his ribcage. “What in Pan’s name…” He mumbled and rolled over to lift his weary body.
Zandol, The Emerald Prince, huffed heavily before bowing his head. “I am glad to see you are well.”
“I’d hardly call it that. Those abominations living underground have taken Neelan. We are in search of a clan to the south.” Kale brushed the sand from his shoulders. “So, might I ask why you’re here? I thought I have to summon you to me—yet, here you stand?”
“You don’t enjoy my company?” Zandol laughed and lowered his massive body to the ground. “Use your human ears, dragon child. Upon the land where I fell, I may roam freely—however, should you need me, you may summon my presence. Truth be told, I have come to inform you that, should you continue in the same direction, you will head dramatically off course.”
“But, we’ve been watching the suns location. I’m certain that we’re heading to the south,” Kale firmly replied.
“That you are. Though, if it is their leader you seek, you will need to make way to the southeast. The camp you are currently heading toward does serve as the home to many of the Imbola Clan bandits. However, if it is their leader, Beshin, you seek you’ll need to alter your course.”