Realms of Valen - Dragon in the Dark (War of the Gods Book 1)

by Rickk Berry III

  "Like a hero out of a children's tale," Rykar chimed in with a laugh.

  "Yes, yes," Kaidia waved off the praise, grabbed Eris by the arm, and headed for the door, pulling the mariner along with her. After the two had slipped out, headed for the Blade Maiden, Rykar scoffed.

  "So much for resting," the lord chuckled.

  "No kidding," Nadia muttered.

  "Well, I'm beat," Rykar groaned out as he stretched his arms above his head. Throgrimm tossed a key onto the bar top.

  "Same room as last time, scorpion boy," the dwarf said, his smirk all but hidden by his beard.

  "Much obliged, you hairy midget," Rykar retorted good-naturedly. With that, the nobleman traipsed upstairs. The inn was emptying ,only those settled in for a long night of drinking were still there.

  "Oh yes, before I forget," Thorgrimm spoke aloud but to himself before turning to head into the back.

  "What?" Nadia asked.

  "Yer saddlebags," the dwarf replied before walking into the back. A few minutes later, he returned, thumping down three saddlebags onto the bar top.

  "Right, thanks," Nadia said with a smile.

  "You are welcome," the dark-haired dwarf replied.

  "I suppose I should get to bed. I know Kaidia wants to get an early start in the morning," the younger Valengaard grumbled.

  "Shall I wake ya at the crack of dawn?" Thorgrimm asked.

  "Probably a good idea," Nadia replied before standing up, taking the saddlebags, and heading for the stairs.

  "Sleep well," Thorgrimm said. Nadia just gave him a smile and headed up to the room.

  * * *

  The next morning dawned clear and bright. Nadia awoke abruptly to some rather loud cursing. She sat up and looked around. Rykar sat up from the floor beside his bed, holding his wounded shoulder, having apparently fallen out of bed and landed on it from what Nadia could guess.

  "Damn the gods! Damn them to whatever hell they created!" the noble shouted.

  "Don't let Kai hear that," Nadia chuckled.

  "We both know she wouldn't care. Besides, she would be too busy laughing about me falling out of bed to pay attention," Rykar muttered as he stood up.

  "Yeah, you're probably right," Nadia agreed, kicking off her blankets. The night before, both of them had just flopped into their respective beds, fully dressed. Sometime in the middle of the night, they had both kicked off their boots and Nadia had gotten under the covers. Rykar sat down and tugged his boots on, muttering about his shoulder and sword flinging gods. Nadia stretched, and then slipped her own boots on before the two of them picked up their packs and saddlebags, and headed downstairs.

  When the two warriors sat down at the bar, Thorgrimm turned from where he was wiping down a glass with a rag and looked at Rykar.

  "What was all that damned yelling about?" the dwarf asked.

  "I fell out of bed and landed on my shoulder," Rykar muttered in reply.

  "Ah. Well, you probably woke up Kaidia and Eris down at the docks," Thorgrimm responded, giving a chuckle.

  "That is provided that they slept at all," the nobleman countered.

  Thorgrimm smirked and Nadia snickered. Then the dwarf set the glass down and glanced around. The inn was empty except for them. It was usually entirely empty early in the morning.

  "Well, since I didn't get a chance to wake you before Prince Charming here fell out of bed, I suppose I'll make it up to you with breakfast," Thorgrimm said, eyes on Nadia.

  "Thank you, Thorgrimm," the dark-haired woman responded with a smile.

  Rykar just arched a brow at Thorgrimm, who looked the noble over snorted.

  "I suppose I can be troubled to get you something or other too," the dwarf growled.

  "I would be very appreciative, homunculus." Rykar responded.

  "Homunculus?! I'm not an alchemist's creation, you ass-brained nutball!" Thorgrimm spluttered. What one could see of his face, namely that which his beard didn't cover, was bright red. Nadia nearly fell off of her stool in a fit of laughter. Rykar just grinned at the dwarf, who gave the lord a rude gesture and stomped off to the kitchen.

  "Did you actually piss him off that time?" Nadia questioned, holding her sides.

  "No. He just likes to make a big fuss. It's all in good fun," Rykar answered.

  * * *

  Once breakfast was finished, by which time Eris and Kaidia had joined them and eaten as well, the two siblings and Rykar were enjoying the last few moments before they had to get their horses from the stables and get on the road to Sarkos.

  Kaidia was the first to stand up and gather up her pack and saddle bags. Nadia and Rykar slowly followed suit.

  "I am eager to sleep in my own bed and have too many miles and stops between it and myself," Kai said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

  "You seemed to like my bed well enough," Eris teased.

  "And I'm sure this won't be the last time I end up there," Kaidia chuckled, eyes fixing on the half elf.

  "Last time you went away, I had to wait four years. I'd rather not wait that long again," the mariner whined, playfully.

  "I can't make any promises. But you never know when I might have to kill another god," the woman said with a shrug.

  "Uh-huh. Don't make me come looking for you," Eris chided, shaking a finger at Kai.

  "I might make you do just that. Then we could share my bed for a change," Kaidia huffed.

  "Oh, you're right. Hm. I may have to take a couple of weeks off soon," the fiery-haired woman muttered thoughtfully.

  "I doubt you'd leave your ship long enough to come see me. Especially when you can easily have about any pretty barmaid you want," Kai asserted.

  "Ah, but you're better than a pretty barmaid. You know all the little things I like," Eris countered with a wink. Nadia blushed, Rykar grinned, and Thorgrimm smirked.

  "Okay! Time to go!" Nadia interjected and started for the door.

  "I think you two embarrassed her," Rykar chuckled.

  "Well, I have a way to embarrass her more," Eris said with a smirk before she slid her hand behind Kaidia's head and drew the taller woman into a rather deep, lingering kiss. Nadia couldn't help but look when Eris had spoken and she blushed rather brightly, though she wasn't sure why. Rykar and Thorgrimm just leaned against the bar and took in the sight.

  "Gods, you two," Nadia grumbled. Eris and Kaidia pulled away from one another, each chuckling lightly.

  "See you again soon, Eris," Kai said with a stroke of her fingers over the half elf's cheek.

  "Better be soon," Eris muttered. Kai just winked, and then looked to Thorgrimm.

  "I don't doubt that I'll see you again soon enough as well," the mercenary said.

  "Good. I agree with the half-breed when she says four years is too long," the dwarf replied, gesturing to Eris.

  "Now aren't you a sweet one?" Kai asked, playfully taunting.

  "Bah! Hush and get out of here, you!" Thorgrimm said with a gesture of his hands.

  Kaidia chuckled and headed for the door. Rykar and Nadia followed her out. The three headed for the stables, Sarkos on their minds.

  * * *

  The companions arrived at the gates of Sarkos two and half days later, after night had fallen. Upon reaching the temple, Nadia and Rykar immediately went to Kaidia's suite, once more arriving at the suite, high up in the temple, without ever climbing a single stair. They were too tired to ponder the odd occurrence and simply went to bed.

  Kaidia, on the other hand, sought out Xerith. After questioning several acolytes along the way, the god found herself walking through a large, rather secluded garden, that was more like a small forest, near the back of the temple grounds. The air was still and quiet. After following a worn dirt path deep into the stand of trees and flowers, Kaidia came to a clearing that was lit with the bright light of the waxing moon overhead. Sitting in the grass in the middle of the clearing was Xerith, her white robes and golden hair practically glowing in the moonlight.

  "Kaidia, my dear, to what do I o
we this pleasure?" Xerith inquired without turning.

  "I just wanted to inform you of Adathir's demise," Kai answered, settling down onto the grass beside the High Priestess.

  "No need. I saw and felt the battle," the blonde woman responded, turning her blue eyes to meet Kai's slightly darker hues.

  "Saw it? Felt it?" the mercenary asked, somewhat confused.

  "Elves are not the only beings who can see far and wide. Nor are they the only ones that are sensitive to massive amounts of pure power that beings like you generate when you are in battle," Xerith informed the dragon god with a soft smile. Kaidia got the distinct impression that Xerith wasn't entirely human.

  "Right." Kai replied,and then fell silent but stayed sitting where she was, enjoying the peace of the quiet clearing.

  "Is there something else, my Goddess?" Xerith asked, somehow making the title sound not quite so bothersome.

  "I was just wondering what you're doing out here," Kaidia responded, a note of curiosity in her voice.

  "I like to listen to the crickets," the priestess answered.

  "Ah, well then, I'll leave you to it," Kai said with a faint smile before standing and starting back the way she had come.

  "Kaidia?" Xerith asked, stopping the warrior mid-step.

  "Yes?" Kai questioned.

  "I am quite happy to see that you made it out alive and still yourself. Often times, such a battle will destroy someone even if they emerge the victor," the priestess said with a hint of sadness, having apparently seen such a thing in person.

  "It will take something stronger than Adathir to shake me, Xerith. But thank you," the mercenary replied. Xerith only nodded before closing her eyes and listening to Kaidia's steps fade away.

  "I fear Adathir was only the first of many evils you must battle, my friend," Xerith spoke softly into the empty air around her before relaxing and once more listening to the crickets' song.

  * * *

  The next three days of riding seemed to creep along at an agonizingly slow pace for Rykar. The man was eager for his home and his own bed. Riding out to slay a god was magnificent and quite the notch in his belt, but Rykar did enjoy his home and it's luxuries as well. Sometimes it was a bit of a challenge to not let it all make him soft.

  Upon arriving in Mehroth late in the evening and stabling their horses, the three nobles made their way into Rykar's house. For all of them, it seemed as if ages had passed since they'd left this place not even a month ago.

  When the three of them walked into the dining room, they found Farren there, sitting in a chair, reading a book, completely oblivious to their presence. The blonde girl was in a sleeveless tunic and a short skirt that brought attention to her rather enticing legs. A pair of leather boots covered her feet and about half of her calves. Using her toes, she was pushing the rather expensive wooden chair she was sitting in up on its two back legs. It was a habit that Rykar had been trying to break her of since she'd first set foot in his home. It was bad on the chair and if she fell back and smacked her head on the wall, it could be rather unpleasant for her as well.

  "Ahem!" Rykar cleared his throat.

  Farren's eyes went wide as she looked up and promptly fell over backward in the chair. Her feet went up in the air, the book sailed across the room and she came down with a thud on the floor, and then rolled over backward. The short skirt proved to be an unfortunate choice when it surrendered to the whim of gravity as the young woman rolled over backward and landed on her stomach, flashing the nobles her underwear as she did.

  "Well that's something nice to come home to," Nadia snickered.

  "Indeed. Given the lace and intricate stitching, I'd say those panties are of elven make," Kaidia speculated with an amused expression on her features.

  "Mhm. There's an elven boutique in the marketplace. This has been very revealing... of your personality, my dear Farren," Rykar said, a playfully taunting grin on his face.

  "Shaddup!" Farren whined as she jumped up and smoothed out her skirt, recovering a tiny bit of her modesty as she did so. She picked up the chair and then the book. All the while, the three warriors watched with thoroughly entertained expressions. When Farren turned and saw them all still grinning at her, she stomped a foot and huffed, a blush coloring her cheeks a bright vermillion. "Show's over!"

  "Aw, that's too bad." Kai chuckled and headed for the stairs. Nadia followed. Rykar, stayed behind and went about telling Farren about the dastardly evils of tilting one's chair up on two legs.

  * * *

  The next morning, Kaidia was shaken awake gently by Farren.

  "Lady Kaidia, it's morning. Breakfast is nearly ready. C'mon. Get up," the blonde urged.

  "Yeah, I'm awake... sort of," Kai grumbled as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She glanced over at Farren and smirked. The girl was wearing soft leather pants that hugged her form from the waist down and disappeared into her boots.

  "Pants. A wise choice for you," the noble woman teased.

  "Hush or I'll spit in your food!" Farren threatened with a blush. Kaidia just laughed and gave the girl a wink. Farren gave the mercenary a smirk in return, and then left the room. Kai kicked the covers back and stood up. After a stretch, she tugged her pants on, readjusted the tunic she'd slept in and headed downstairs.

  She found that Nadia and Rykar were already up. The god experienced a faint case of déjà vu as she settled herself at the table and listened in on the conversation between her younger sister and her old friend.

  "Have you thought about learning something else?" Nadia asked.

  "I have; but I don't want to until I've pushed the lightning spell as far as I can," Rykar replied.

  "You could probably destroy the moon at this point," Kaidia commented.

  "Maybe I want to be able to destroy two moons," Rykar said defensively.

  "What second moon?" Nadia questioned.

  "I was just being hypothetical," the lord growled at Nadia.

  Before either sister could come up with something else to verbally jab Rykar with, they were interrupted by Farren setting plates of eggs and ham down in front of each of them, shortly followed by mugs.

  "Thank you, bright eyes," the lord said with a smile to Farren as the blonde set her own plate down at the chair next to Nadia.

  "Quite welcome, my Lord," Farren responded, her words formal, her tone casually informal.

  Silence fell as the four ate, each lost in their own thoughts. Rykar's mind had already turned back to matters of the city. Nadia was growing nervous over returning to Kaidia's, not sure about what would come next, both with Sae-Mirra and life in general. Kaidia was pondering what her new godhood truly meant since she'd had little time to actually think about it since she'd found out. Farren was simply plotting the course of her day.

  One by one, they pushed their plates back and relaxed into their chairs with Farren finishing last. Nadia glanced up and met her sister's gaze.

  "Ready to head home?" Kai asked.

  "Not really," Nadia answered.

  "Why not?" Kaidia inquired with an arched brow.

  "I... uh... I'm kind of nervous," the younger Valengaard replied.

  "About what?" the elder sibling continued her questioning.

  "Sae-Mirra," Nadia mumbled.

  "That's it?" Kai asked, incredulous.

  "What do you mean by that?" Nadia retorted with her own question, affronted.

  "You should be excited. You have a beautiful kyrian woman waiting on you when you get home. Ready to pounce, snuggle, and nuzzle you," Kaidia reasoned, her tone mildly teasing.

  "Yeah, well, I've never had a serious relationship with someone and it sounds like kyrians are damn serious about the mate they connect with," Nadia said, laying out the case for her nerves.

  "They are. They're also patient and understanding. You two will be just fine and quite adorable" Kai reassured her sister.

  "Ah, good thoughts," Rykar said with a smirk.

  "Shush, you," Nadia growled. The lord just gave t
he woman a smile.

  Nadia pushed her chair out and stood up.

  "Ready now?" Kai asked.

  "Yes," Nadia huffed and walked out of the dining room. Kaidia looked over to Rykar, who just gave the god a wink. Farren giggled.

  * * *

  Standing in the entryway of Rykar's home, Kai and Rykar embraced one another briefly.

  "Until next time, General," the lord stated.

  "Indeed," Kai replied.

  Nadia and Rykar shook hands firmly.

  "Fighting at your side was quite fun," Rykar said with a smirk.

  "You are insane. We nearly died...but, yes, it was fun," Nadia replied, chuckling.

  "Indeed. Perhaps we'll get another chance at it soon," the lord suggested.

  "We might but let's not hope for any world ending disasters any time soon," the younger Valengaard cautioned, her tone amused.

  "Ah, but without world ending disasters, life is kind of boring," Rykar muttered, grinning.

  "You would say that," Nadia chuckled.

  "You two stay safe on the way home. Unless you get bored, of course," the nobleman said with a smirk.

  "We shall see," Kaidia said before she turned and walked off, giving a wave as she did. Nadia followed, still looking a bit nervous.

  * * *

  The three days between Mehroth and Kaidia's home seemed like an eternity to Kaidia, who just wanted to enjoy her own home again. For Nadia, time rushed past, and they were there all too soon. They stabled their horses in town and started out for Kai's house on foot, carrying their saddlebags and packs.

  "Still nervous?" Kai asked.

  "Yes," Nadia grumbled in reply.

  "You will be just fine. Trust me," Kaidia reassured her sibling with a pat on the back.

  All too soon for Nadia's tastes, they were walking through Kai's front doors and down into the tomb turned home. The sisters dropped off their saddlebags and packs, glancing around.

  "Well, it didn't explode while I was away, so I'm happy," the mercenary stated.

  "You have low standards for housekeeping, sister," Nadia remarked with an arched brow.

  "I do not. I'm just a relaxed person," Kai argued.

  "Relaxed is not the word I wou- umph!" Nadia spoke, interrupted by a blur that tackled her to the ground. They rolled and stopped against the wall. Nadia found herself on the floor with Sae-Mirra straddling her hips and the kyrian's lips against her own and all the young woman could hear was purring.