“Of course, Kull Naga. It’s an honor, sir. I’m excited about this coming change. I bet it’s going to be great! When we get to eat again, I’ll have the official record of how we got there!”
Myrthyd smiled and they continued to inspect the training grounds.
Crossbowmen were set up near the edge of the property teaching groups of five how to crank the weapon, carefully place the bolt, and aim for their target. From the looks of the wooden practice targets, they needed more practice.
It won’t be long before I call upon these fighters to stand up for their land. With the gray-soul army I’ve assembled, it will be sure victory for us. The south will know nothing of what we bring and nothing will stop us. The Drakku will meet their end and my people will suffer no more.
Myrthyd stood transfixed by the practice, lost in his thoughts of what was to come. The words of the ancient spell once again came back to him.
From dark crystal once hidden now found
Comes power unchecked, unbound.
Fill the onyx with a dragon’s soul
And own the dream, the dreamer whole.
Find the crystal among a dragon’s back
Within a cavern, dark and black.
Slay the keeper and take the gem
Power eternal, over dragon, over men.
The dragon soul you will bind,
A night-wraith to destroy the mind.
The living will live among the dead,
When you control the visions within their head.
Vile offspring of a dragon’s lie
Controlled by the onyx eye.
Within the fatal dragon fate,
Power of yours, a night-wraith.
Myrthyd clung to the Blood Stone hidden within his cloak, its warm sensation comforting him. Since acquiring it from that wretched fool Lailoken, he never left it out of reach. Its power was unlike any stone he’d ever held. Its black surface streaked with blood-red lines enraptured him. Often as he gazed into it, faint blue streaks could be seen darting back and forth inside it. He suspected there was more than one night-wraith inside, but so far, he failed to uncover the truth. If he could increase his power over Chepon, he’d unravel the mystery and then force the night-wraith to suffer for her deception.
“Sir, look at that!”
Brindy’s voice interrupted his thoughts and Myrthyd followed the boy’s outstretched arm as he pointed at the sky.
A dragon. An Opal dragon. It darted across the sky, emitting lightning bolts. Thunder crackled.
“The enemy. It has come to destroy our lands and injure our people.” It was too far away to attack, as though it knew it could taunt them freely.
“One day we’ll never have to worry about the Drakku infecting our world. We’ll wipe them out until their blood no longer remains. Not a single drop will ever stain Tregaron again.”
The Opal circled a cloud, then cut through, emerging on the other side where it spit forks of lightning into the blue sky. A few seconds later, the thunder followed. It was intense and caught some of the trainees off guard. Two of the men firing crossbows missed badly, their bolts lodging into the dirt in front of the target as they were startled by the sound. Several others crouched or covered their ears.
“You see that, Brindy? Our people cower from the Drakku. We should never be forced to do such a thing. We are stronger than that! No animal should ever dominate us like they do. It’s not natural and it does much harm to us.” He shook his head, clutching the Blood Stone in a tight grip, and forcing himself to back off from unleashing his power.
The Opal dashed across the sky and flew to the west, disappearing. Myrthyd stared at where the Opal had been, watching and waiting for it to return. When he waited long enough, he continued his walk around the camp.
To their left was a stable with more horses than he’d seen in a long time. The animals did not perform for the Magus. It was a long-standing Magus tradition to never use them because no matter how hard they tried, even with the aid of their power, they could never tame the beasts. They always went feral and wild. He’d seen dragonslayers use them and they were extremely useful creatures for most of Tregaron, but for the Magus, they were nothing but a hinderance.
Men were being trained how to use a lance while on horseback. Two Tower guards worked with a small group to show them how to hold the lance and how to charge an enemy. They used a stuffed shirt tied to a pole as a target and they charged and struck it with their long wooden lances. They seemed to be doing much better than the crossbowmen. There was hope yet that the human counterpart to his gray-soul army would hold their own in the coming conflict.
Myrthyd grew bored of the camp. “Brindy, we can go now. I see we are on target for what’s to come. It’s time we return to the Tower and complete our preparations. Come, we shall take our leave.”
A line from the spell flashed across his mind.
The living will live among the dead.
The line meant more now. His people would soon find themselves amongst the gray-souls forced to fight for them. Though they may worry about such creatures, they’d be entirely under his control. They would exist only to serve him. They would help end the curse upon their land. It was only a matter of time.
Thirty-Six
Alushia and Ryn remained at their camp for three days. Daily they fought and killed stray gray-souls that wandered off from the nearby valley. A small pile of them were at the edge of their camp, a reminder of the dangers they faced.
“Alushia, I think my leg is better. I’ve not tried to change back yet, but like before, I can sense I have the ability.”
“Good. I want to be far from here. These things remind me too much of Brida.” She tossed their latest attacker, a small woman with her scalp completely gone, into the pile. “By Meanos, there has to be at least twenty here,” she grumbled. They barely got any sleep, as they were constantly on alert for intruders. They took turns standing watch, but still it wasn’t enough.
“Do you know where my mother is? How close are we to the Dragon Lands? Are the Drakku prepared for this?” Alushia’s mind raced. Knowing what the enemy was, how dangerous they could be ignited within her a fierce determination to see it through, no matter what the social implications were for her back in Tregaron. Halfling or not, the gray-soul army was something for all to fear. Finding her father was no longer her primary drive. Finding her mother, the leader of the Drakku, and joining forces with her to stop what Myrthyd had set in motion took precedence. No one should have to experience what she did in the loss of Brida.
“We’re pretty close. Where your mother is, I’m not entirely sure. I expect to find her at her mountain, but she could be anywhere. We’ll get there and find out for sure. If not, at least we’ll be safe there while we wait.”
“What do you think the Drakku are gonna say about me?”
“Other than you’re a beautiful woman inside and out? That you have an enormous heart for others? That you—”
She blushed, waving her hand. “No. What do you think they’ll say about me being a halfling? The daughter of none other than Lailoken, slayer to the Black Tower.”
“Oh, that.” He grinned. “They won’t like who your father is, but as Etain’s daughter, they don’t have a choice, do they? I can vouch for you, whatever good that will do. I’ve seen enough to know you aren’t a normal Tregaron blindly following Order rule. They should, too.”
“Should? What if they don’t?”
“Then they’ll have to face the wrath of your mother, and no one wants that.”
They packed up what few things they had left, Alushia filling her bag and slinging it on her back. “Ready?”
Ryn nodded. He closed his eyes and she watched a vein bulge on his forehead. He struggled for several moments then let go, opening his eyes to look at her. “I…I can’t. I’m still too weak. I can feel it. Just at the edge of my power I can feel it, as though ready for me to grasp. Soon. I’ll have my true self back soon.”
“I kin
da like this version of you. It makes it easier for me to kiss you.” She moved closer, his musky scent penetrating her soul, and planted a kiss on his cheek. This time, it was his turn to blush.
“I can carry that for now. You enjoy not having any burden.” Ryn grabbed her bag, slung it over his shoulder, and grasped her hand. “This way.”
Alushia took a long look back toward the valley and where Brida spent her last moments in life. “Goodbye, girl. I’m gonna miss you.” She let Ryn lead her away to the west toward the Dragon Lands.
They weren’t far from the camp when they heard a loud roar overhead. Ryn snapped his face to the sky. “That’s not a dragon.”
“Not a dragon? What is it, then?”
“A griffon.”
“A what? Why are they here?”
“Something’s stirred our southern cousins. What we’re about to face must be worse than I thought. We have to hurry back to your mother. It’s more important now than—”
One of the griffons crashed through the trees nearby. It slammed to the ground, moaning loudly.
“We have to check on it!” Alushia said, racing toward it.
“Be careful! They’re not exactly the friendliest!”
Alushia ignored Ryn and closed in on the griffon. It clawed aimlessly at the air, its tail moving in a haphazard fashion. A large black bolt protruded from its side. Blood streamed down from the wound.
“Oh no!” Alushia gasped and held a hand over her mouth. “What did this?”
By then, Ryn had approached her. “Watch yourself! If it feels threatened, it will attack.”
Alushia listened as a voice spoke to her within her mind.
Are you here to destroy me? What is it you want from me? Are you—
The griffon raised its head to get a peek at her. You are Drakku. I sense it within you. Help me. Please help me.
The griffon’s voice weakened as it spoke.
“What can I do? I’m no healer. You need a Magus.”
No! Do not bring those horrible creatures near me!
“No, no of course not. I only meant I have no skill in healing.”
She watched as the griffon rolled to the side, roaring with the motion.
“Alushia, we can’t do much for the poor thing.”
“Who did this to you? Where is the enemy?”
Not far. To the north. Four men in black. Near a gathering of the gray. Its voice was strained.
“We’ve been there. The enemy grows stronger. I’m so sorry this happened to you. How…how can I help?”
My name…my name is Erion. Scout Erion. I…I am sorry I couldn’t do more. Gray Army. Rises again. Must…must fight.
The griffon’s head fell to the ground and it let out a loud hiss. Then, its chest stopped moving and the voice was gone.
Alushia turned away, not wanting to stare at death once again. There were too many dead already. Why were they forced to continue? Myrthyd’s evil overwhelmed her. It was growing stronger each day and they were paying the price for it.
Ryn wrapped an arm around her. “It’s ok. It died trying to save the rest of us. That horde of gray bodies—the Gray Army, it called it—has to be stopped. We know where it is. We know we need help. Getting to Etain is our best option now. With the full force of the Drakku behind us, how can we lose?”
Alushia cried softly. She didn’t know the griffon, Erion, but she knew death. It reminded her again of Brida. She tried to shove the thought down, but it refused to budge.
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll face whatever it is together.” Ryn’s words were comforting, but not enough to quell the pain inside. Alushia let the grief consume her, every painful memory of watching her father be injured and Brida’s death stabbed her like tiny points of fire. She cursed the dragon blood running through her. Without it, she wouldn’t experience such heartache because she’d never be in this position. She cursed her mother, cursed her father, cursed everything around her.
“Let it out. I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this alone.”
Alushia’s brain screamed. He was Drakku! His race had done this! Without them interfering with humanity, none of this would be happening! She’d never have felt this pain. Her father would be fine. Brida would be alive. Erion, whoever he was, would be alive. Why did the Drakku have to mingle their blood with humans? None of it was right!
Inside she screamed. Loud, guttural, vicious screams of pain and agony. Ryn held tighter, unafraid to stay close.
When her voice gave out, Alushia let go. She could no longer hold onto the anger, to the pain, to the guilt of being alive. None of this was right, but none of it was wrong. The dragon blood within her wasn’t the cause. The Drakku weren’t at fault, and neither were the Magus. All of it stemmed from hate and lack of understanding. If each side knew the other, maybe they’d rid the animosity from among them.
“I’m…sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
“Mean what? You’re upset. I didn’t know the griffon either, but his death wasn’t right.”
“I’m just…sorry. I know none of it was your fault.”
“My fault?”
“Not yours. But yours. The Drakku. I get it now.”
“We aren’t safe out here. We need to get out quickly. Maybe after another day I can change back. I won’t let anything harm you. I swear.”
Ryn hugged her again and she felt warmth and love in the embrace. She never wanted to lose that sensation.
Thirty-Seven
The next day after witnessing the griffon’s death, it happened. Ryn’s body healed enough for him to change back to his usual dragon form.
Alushia, wake up! I did it! I’m back! We can leave now!
She woke to the sun overhead and Ryn’s voice bouncing inside her skull.
“Ok, ok. I hear you. Where are—”
Ryn streaked across the sky, roaring and spitting fire.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” Alushia said.
Ryn swirled and danced in the sky, his long tail trailing behind him. He flipped and circled on himself, a massive deep red ball of a dragon playing like a child in the sky. Alushia smiled as she watched him. He was free. He was himself; not causing destruction or burning crops as the Order would have them believe. He was playing like any other young person. He was giddy and enjoying life. How wrong the people of Tregaron were led by the false teachings of the Order. But why? What did they gain by lying to their people? Their powers were rooted in dragon blood. With no dragons, there was no blood, and without blood, there was no power.
Ryn cried out in her head again. Alushia! We can go now. I’m ready. Do you hear that? I’m ready! I’m healed!
“Then come down and get me. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
The dragon circled her and gently lowered himself to the ground, his large wings causing dust and leaves to swirl around him. When he landed, he peered at her with large yellow eyes. Your escort has arrived, my dear. His voice was comical as though a servant aiding royalty.
She grabbed her bag, slung it on her shoulder, and climbed up his wing until situated on his back, grasping a spike just above his shoulders.
“I’m ready to go. Onward and upward!”
She heard Ryn’s laugh in her head and he flapped his large wings, ascending into the bright sky above.
They flew for hours, Ryn chattering away about life and the Drakku, and how Alushia would be more than capable of living amongst her kind.
“But what exactly is my kind?”
The Drakku, of course.
“Why, though? I’m not fully Drakku. Does having some dragon blood running through me mean I’m Drakku? What about my human side?”
Of course, you’re Drakku! Why wouldn’t you be?
“Because I have a human father. Do I deny that part of me now? Why can’t I be both?”
But…because…I don’t know!
Alushia giggled and that was the end of the conversation.
Do you need a break? I can land. W
e’re close to the Dragon Lands now.
“No, keep going. I don’t want to stop until we reach it. The last time we stopped…”
I know. It’s ok. If you can keep going, so can I.
Ryn flew steady to the west. They passed over several small villages and one large town.
That’s Lostcrest, the last of the larger towns. Once we get past this forest, we’ll be in the Dragon Lands.
Alushia poked her head over his neck. Below them was a town about the size of Kulketh. In the center was a large black building with a spire on the top.
They’re mostly migrants from the south who come to pay respects to the Drakku. It’s a friendly place, just so long as you aren’t from Tregaron. They’ve got no patience for the Magus down there.
“I’ll make sure not to visit!”
Why not? You’d be fine. You’re a halfling.
She watched it pass beneath them, the view shifting from ordered streets to treetops of various shades of green.
“Is your strength enough to take us there? I remember last time you were pretty weak after your injury.”
So far, I’m fine. I’m getting a bit tired, but I know how close we are. I’ll get us there. Trust me.
Close to an hour later, Alushia heard a cry of joy from Ryn like she’d never heard before.
We’re there! We’re there! Look down. See that mountain and the ledge? See the Drakku flying around? That’s it! Home!
Ryn roared as he dashed across the sky. Alushia’s heart raced. All her life she’d been afraid of dragons. She was taught to hate them and allow the dragonslayers like her father kill them. Now…now she was close to meeting her mother, a dragon herself, and live amongst the Drakku.
There were Opal, Garnet, and Onyx dragons in the sky, lazily flying over the land. Alushia marveled at all the shapes and sizes. It was like nothing she’d ever seen. The forest below stretched as far as she could see, but everywhere she looked, there were dragons.
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