Dragon Hero

by C. L. Woodward

  One of the higher-ranking Shadens approached me as I made it back inside, “What are you doing?” I shrugged but before I could come up with an excuse, he spoke, “Look, if I catch you slacking off, I will cut you!” I lowered my head in shame. I saw that he had my axe tucked in his belt. It would be great if I can get a hold of it, but I was unsure how. He started to walk inside the barn. It would be a bad idea to start a fire with him near.

  He stared at me and signaled me to get inside as well. That really made me nervous. Was he on to me? As I stepped inside, he started to bark orders, “I want the horses prepared and their packs placed before the night is over! We are leaving early in the morning and if we have to wait to pack up the horses…” I could see that he was looking around at the horses and knew it was just a matter of time. “Where is Torkuhl’s steed?” One of the other Shadens pointed at me. The higher-ranking member turned to me.

  “Torkuhl told me…” I explained.

  Somehow he didn’t buy it, “Why would he want his mount now?” The other two guys stood up and stared at me. Oh, crap! This wasn’t good! I took a deep breath and spotted a lantern, “Look! He yelled at me to refill the lanterns and then he told me to get his horse!” I walked over and grabbed the lantern. They stared at me oddly as I held it. I closed my eyes, and knew it was now or never. I grasped the lantern and smacked it across the face of the higher-ranking Shaden.

  There was no hesitation on my part. I just turned and ran as fast as I could out of the barn and toward the front gate. I turned my head and saw the three moving towards me. To my surprise the Shaden with my axe started attacking one of the other guys. That’s right! That weapon was cursed! I smiled a little and moved on out of the fort. Torkuhl’s warhorse was there still and I just hopped on and tapped the sides. Nothing happened. I had never ridden a horse before-this might be a bad thing.

  Inside the fort there was the loud sound of horses panicking and then someone screaming. I didn’t know if the lantern started the fire or the crazed guy with my axe decided to make things easier for me. All I knew was that the warhorse decided to move off toward the woods. I nearly fell off but lowered my body and hugged the horse closely as it dashed off. I turned my head and saw smoke coming from that corner of the fort. There was a big grin on my face as I managed to escape.

  The horse kept moving for a good while and my body felt like it was falling apart. I may never have ridden a horse before, but I even I knew riding the way I did wasn’t ideal. The sound of my heart racing and the heavy steps of the warhorse made it hard to tell if anyone was chasing me. Logically the horses would be too freaked out to be used for a chase. They might not even have realized that someone had left the fort. That guy with my axe really did help out.

  I rode for most of the night until the horse and I were too tired to carry on. We were still in the forest, but I had no clue where. I could only guess we were heading south since the front of the fort faced south. After tying the warhorse to a tree, I settled down a few feet away and fell asleep almost instantly.

  My body jolted as my brain became aware it was morning. I raised my head and saw that I had only woken up to the sound of the warhorse. My body felt sore from riding and I was still pretty tired. The horse, however, appeared to be in better shape than I. I ran my fingers through my hair and realized that my mask was missing. Considering how I fled from the fort, it was not a shocker that it fell off. I let out one big yawn and untied the horse.

  The ride was a little more pleasant as we headed east. I knew we should eventually hit Felmun or Vunash going this way. My thighs and rear were sore by the end of the day, but I tolerated the pain so I could get more ground between the fort and myself. The only food I had was two small wild yams that I had found several times in my travels. I ended up eating them raw. It wasn’t very good, but at least it was food. The horse enjoyed the greens that grew on top of it.

  I kept pressing on the whole day. That night was miserable but it was, thankfully, uneventful. The next day, the horse and I reached a river around noon. A short distance past the river was the road. I figured it might be good to shed my Shaden costume. The only things I kept were the boots and a few coins. It was a bit sad to abandon the sword but it would be better not to have a blackened sword at me side in case I met up with one of the guards. It wasn’t long before I spotted a group of travelers. “Excuse me, which way is the nearest town?” I asked with a slight smile. They stared at me strangely and pointed north.

  Felmun looked like paradise after the drama I had gone through. I checked how much money I had, but it was hardly enough for a full meal. The first priority was to get something to eat, my stomach was empty and my head was still buzzing from all I had experienced recently.

  I bought a cheap meal and it tasted good, mostly because it was warm and something besides raw potatoes and dried goods. The waitress that handed me the food was pretty cute but I was just reminded of Talestria. Man, did I miss her. I closed my eyes and tried to collect my thoughts. The waitress talked to an older woman, “I can’t believe what that man said to me!”

  The older woman nodded her head, “You slapped him good though.”

  The waitress sighed, “The guy was obviously wrong in the head. He appeared to enjoy it.” Wait a minute…

  I walked over to the waitress, “Excuse me… uh, did this guy have a scar on the right side of his face?”

  The waitress nodded, “Yes… you know him?”

  My face lit up, “Oh, where did you last see him?!”

  She raised an eyebrow, “Oh, he was just outside. I hope you are not friends with that pervert!”

  I bowed my head, “Thank you very much!” and jogged out of the restaurant.

  That must be Jerak! I ran around the area in high hopes in finding him. After one lap around the building I shouted, “Jerak!” Nothing. Dang! I must find him! I ran down the street and back-still no sign of him. I shouted once more, “Jerak!” No answer.

  A voice called back, “Jerak isn’t here.” I turned around and saw Teltar!

  “Oh, it’s you Blake!” Teltar said and actually sounded surprised.

  I was thrilled, “I am so glad that you guys are alive!”

  Teltar nodded, “We thought you had perished in the cave in.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair, “So I guess the others are fine as well?”

  Teltar nodded, “They will be pleased to see you.”

  I was overjoyed to see Bolam and Jerak once I followed Teltar into their inn. Jerak slapped me enthusiastically on the shoulder, “I knew you were too tough to let a little cave in get the best of you!”

  Bolam smiled, “I am so glad that you made it back in one piece.”

  Jerak walked outside, “Hey, where did you get the horse?”

  I explained my little side adventure inside our room. Jerak was especially enjoying the fact that I burned the fort down. Well, I was not sure if it burned down to the ground but with all the oil I used, it must have been pretty messed up. Bolam stared at the map, “I am sure Falstrid will want to know this location right away!”

  I sighed, “Sadly, I was unable to get the armor…”

  Bolam nodded and took a deep sigh, “I had a dire conversation with Talestria after the… you know…”

  Bolam handed me the contact stone, which had fortunately survived, and most of my stuff. I grabbed the contact stone and walked outside. I felt so bad for her then wondered how happy she would be when she heard my voice again. The sky was already dark. I walked through the back side of the inn and saw no one nearby. I took a deep breath and started to call Talestria.

  It took several tries, but Ifinally heard her voice. “What?! Please tell me you have some good… Blake? Blake!” Talestria voice spoke through the stone.

  I smiled, “Yeah, it’s me. I had a little problem, but I am fine now.”

  Talestria started to cry which made me cry. “I feared that you had died! I couldn’t stop crying!” Talestria wailed.

  I wiped my nos
e, “I am so sorry that you went through that, but I am alive and well now!”

  It sounded like she blew her nose, “I am just so happy to hear your voice again…” There was a moment of silence and she spoke again, “I was so scared that I wouldn’t be able to tell you that I love you!”

  My jaw dropped and she sort of gasped after saying that. It felt like something warm poured into me and I felt a bit dizzy. Those words hit me very hard, yet… I took a deep breath and replied, “I… love you too.” After saying that, I leaned against the side of the building. I felt like I could just float in the air.

  Talestria spoke in a very cheerful tone, “Blake… I’ve never felt this way before, but I do love you!” It was strange to love someone after such a short time but,, in a way we had been through many hardships and, well, I did love her.

  Talestria and I spoke for the duration of the charge of the contact stone. Those words felt easier to say each time but didn’t lose their meaning. I loved everything about her. Any weird quirks she had I just found cute. She was beautiful and brilliant. Even when I talked about things from my home world, she still followed and understood what I had to say. She was just perfect for me.

  I stared at the moon after our conversation and just let my mind wander. After letting out a big yawn, I figured it was time to get some sleep. I took a few steps before I came to an open window and Jerak. He flashed me a mocking smile, “Aw! You love her!” he only made one kissy face before my fist went straight into his face. Jerak leaned back, his nose dripping with blood. He stared at me with total shock on his face. My jaw dropped when I saw that I had actually hurt him. Jerak stared at me for a few more seconds then started to laugh. I sighed in relief and went inside. Jerak was crazy.

  The next day we ventured out toward Vunash. It was so good to have my friends back again. Torkuhl’s warhorse carried our packs. It seemed to prefer that over carrying its former master. Even though I was without my axe and my armor, I still felt pretty happy. Not only was I reunited with my friends, but I was also in love. Jerak teased me from time to time about it, but I was just enjoying the novelty of being in love.

  Bolam went over the map several times. I had been too preoccupied with escaping the Shaden camp to really look at it. “It seems that Xum’gol’s base of operations is in some old ruined temple west of the elfin forest,” Bolam explained.

  Jerak smiled, “So, are we going down there to defeat Xum’gol?”

  I shook my head, “That would be too crazy.”

  Jerak laughed, “Crazy is our thing, right? I say with the four of us, we can beat him!”

  Bolam sighed, “Xum’gol was too strong for Master Falstrid, Clagmir, and King Wotmire…”

  Teltar continued, “They are all top notch heroes that surpass us. We wouldn’t have a chance.” Jerak lowered his head and appeared disappointed.

  “Wait, what about Blake’s armor? We still need to complete that quest,” Jerak said in a more hopeful tone.

  I shrugged, “The Shadens have it and will be taking it down that way…”

  Jerak slapped me on the back, “Well, then! We have to get involved anyway!”

  Bolam sighed, “Jerak… we don’t have the ability to face all of…”

  Jerak interrupted, “I am not saying just us four go down there. I mean we can get Clagmir and the other two to join us!”

  Teltar mutters, “King Wotmire.”

  Jerak nodded, “That’s what I said. We get Clagmir and the others to join us!”

  For some reason, I laughed. “I do intend to get the armor… perhaps with the information I got, we can get a whole army down there.”

  Jerak slapped me on the back, “That’s the spirit! We can get an army and fight Xum’gol and those Shadens!”

  Bolam scratched his chin, “The Shadens were planning to cause some chaos in that area, but Blake bought some time with that.”

  Teltar looked at me, “I am sure that Ayjestus in Halatross will want this information right away.” After hearing that name, I remembered that strange blue lady and the drama between her and Talestria.

  On our trip to Vunash, Jerak insisted that we train all we could. After taking a few hits, I really missed my armor. Jerak bugged Teltar to join in, but Teltar just didn’t care to. I was really curious about how Teltar would do compared to Jerak, but he wasn’t the sort to show off or anything. In spite of receiving several bruises and having my funny bone struck at least twice, I did decently against Jerak. At least those wounds healed enough to get them again the next day. I was relieved when we arrived in Vunash.

  Vunash was in turmoil. Every so often we saw guards trying to make peace between the dwarven and elvin civilians in the streets. “We really should find Falstrid and tell him about Deshra Thornweave,” Bolam insisted. I pulled out my contact stone and debated whether to call Talestria to let her know that we made it to Vunash. I had already told her about dealing with Deshra and the Shadens. She mentioned that if she ever saw him that she would turn his body into ash, which wasn’t an empty threat.

  Jerak elbowed me, “Are you going to talk to your L-o-v-e-r?”

  I rolled my eyes, “And what is wrong with that?” Jerak thought for a moment to think of a clever come back but ended up making kissy sounds, which I just ignored.

  Bolam opened the map, “Um, I will go speak with Falstrid. Blake, you should come with me.” He pointed at Teltar and Jerak, “Go find an inn and maybe get some supplies.” Teltar and Jerak nodded and led the horse down the street. Bolam rolled up the map, “Let’s hope all goes well.”

  Bolam and I traveled toward the magic school. It was easier to navigate the halls with Bolam leading. It took us awhile but we found Falstrid in a classroom, talking to a teacher. Falstrid looked surprised to see us. He excused himself from the conversation with the other mage and walked toward us. “It is good to see you two. How are things with your quest?” he asked.

  I sighed, “We almost had the very last piece but…”

  Bolam interrupted, “Blake has found plans involving Xum’gol.”

  Falstrid’s bushy eyebrows went straight up, “Really?!”

  Bolam handed Falstrid the map, “The Shadens are planning to assist Xum’gol down by the west side of the great woods.”

  Falstrid adjusted his glasses and stared at the map, “That is the old exiled erm… where dark elf temple lies.”

  I stared away, “I managed to buy some time slowing the Shadens down, but…”

  Falstrid took a deep breath, “This is going to be more than I can handle. Clagmir already told me of your exploits at the spirit temple. Xum’gol may already have knowledge of bone constructs and may have built up more forces.” Falstrid rolled up the map, “I will speak with Ayjestus at once.”

  “Blake, you have done well to bring me this information. Just stay right here. I am going to contact the magic guild in Halatross to pass this information to Ayjestus,” Falstrid explained as he walked down the hall.

  Bolam followed him, “I will assist however I can!”

  Falstrid smiled, “Very well. It is good to see such helpful students.”

  Bolam was beaming, “Don’t mention it, Master Falstrid.”

  I chuckled a little and reached for my contact stone, “I am going outside to talk to my girl.”

  Bolam nodded, “Good idea. Just stay within the area, alright?” I held up my contact stone and nodded.

  “Tales?” I called.

  Talestria answered a moment later, “Hey! How are things?”

  ,I smiled as I walked outside, “Oh we made it to Vunash. Bolam has already contacted Falstrid with the information.”

  Talestria replied, “So, what are you going to do now?”

  I received many odd stares. I’m sure, to those that had never seen a small contact stone, it appeared that I was talking to myself. I walked away from the crowd of mages, “I really don’t know, but it seems that they might gather a force to fight Xum’gol in Halatross.”

  Talestria moaned, “Halatr
oss… “

  From her tone, I knew what she was referring to. “You are not going to fight are you?” Talestria asked in a concerned tone.

  I shrugged, “I don’t know. I do think I should help out, but I don’t think I will do anything too reckless.” Talestria sighed and I added, “Maybe I can talk to Ayjestus and convince her to leave you alone.”

  Talestria replied, “Aw… that is so sweet of you. I doubt she would even listen!”

  I chuckled, “I’ll do what I can, though…” Several figures came into view. Several guards and Deshra!

  I quickly turned to faced away from him. Maybe he didn’t spot me. I felt a wave of relief as the group walked past me. Deshra was humming to himself in a smug sort of way and walked into the magic school. I was not sure why he was traveling through with a couple guards. He didn’t appear to be in much of a hurry. “Hello? Blake? Are you there?” Talestria said through the contact stone. I think Deshra heard that. He turned and faced me. His eyes went wide in surprise.

  Deshra froze for a second. I was sure he could hardly believe that I was still alive. I swallowed hard and slowly backed away. “Guards! That is the man that robbed Celvanis!” Deshra shouted while pointing straight at me.

  “Oh, man!” I cried out before fleeing.

  “Blake?” Talestria asked, sounding worried.

  I was breathing heavily, “It’s that Deshra guy! He found me!”

  I could hear the guards shouting as they tried to catch up to me. This was not good! They were right on me, too! “Deshra?! Go tear him apart!” Talestria ordered.

  I turned into an alley, “I would, but he has the guards chasing me!” I looked behind me and only saw one chasing me now. Where did that other guy go? I faced the path in front of me and saw two guards blocking my path. I was trapped!

  The guards slowly advanced on me. I spoke to Talestria, “This isn’t good… try to tell Bolam and the others. I love you.” Talestria replied but I just tossed the stone behind me and fled. The guards pointed their polearms at me, and all I could do was raise my hands and surrender. One of the guards walked around me and pushed me against a wall. I could feel the cold iron shackles clamping down on my wrists.