A Dragon's Awakening

by Aya Knight

  Thomas nodded in agreement as he closed his eyes. “Cronex vilavaria,” He whispered while running his index finger along the blade. Blood began to trickle onto the ground as the steel sliced through the layers of his skin.

  Kale routinely grabbed a canteen of water and poured it over both the blade and Thomas’ hand. His sword had been restored to its former glory with no imperfections along the razor sharp edge.

  Thomas then moved to Illadar’s sword before casting a minor healing spell upon himself.

  “Ah, the things I go through for the two of you.” He shook his head with a smile.

  “I suppose this means I’ll have to bring back a juicy hog for dinner.” Kale grinned.

  “I won’t argue with that!” Thomas quickly replied as the three engaged in laughter.

  The night continued on with a delicious supper and intense training between Kale and Thomas. Kale knew his journey to becoming an exceptional swordsman and mastering control of his abilities was not nearly over. He needed to remain focused upon his ultimate goal of defeating General Jedah.

  More weeks passed and Kale continued to train. It was intense enough to drive a normal man to the brink of exhaustion—or insanity. Yet, Kale pressed on, more determined than ever to succeed. As time passed, he improved in both sword fighting and learning to control his power while in battle. Eventually, he was able to fully master his ability and increase or suppress it at will, despite any ongoing distractions. In so doing, he found his emotions no longer controlled him.

  Through his intense training to learn the art of sword play, he was nearly up to par with Illadar’s level of skill. The results made Illadar proud, and every so often, Kale caught glimpse of Illadar smiling happily. Kale’s achievements had taken Illadar many years of practice to master.

  During their time together in the forest, Kale and Illadar’s bond of friendship increased and soon they developed a strong trust for one another. To Kale, it felt as though he had known Illadar for years.

  On a rather dreary day, filled with fluffy grey clouds, Kale and Illadar were routinely sparring in their usual location. Illadar had grown confident enough to unleash his full array of techniques upon Kale who had become a very worthy opponent.

  Illadar lunged his blade forward causing Kale to deflect the attack before thrusting his own sword swiftly toward Illadar’s face.

  Kale mockingly spun the hilt within his palm as the blade tip twirled between Illadar’s eyes. “I win,” He smirked. Over the previous months, Kale had overcome many obstacles and felt confident with his exceptional skill.

  Illadar felt Kale had earned the privilege and deserved to enjoy a night to himself. The remainder of the evening was spent at the camp partaking in a much needed rest around the fire. Even more surprising was that Illadar, for the first time in weeks, did the hunting and brought back a large, plump hog.

  Kale licked his lips as his taste buds watered. This meal was going to taste even better knowing he didn’t have to lift a finger for once. He smiled at the thought.

  After the food was prepared and the fire had settled, Kale began to indulge in the juicy meat. Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation pressing against his leg. He immediately leapt to his feet under the assumption he somehow managed to sit upon a hot ember knocked from the fire. As he patted frantically at his thigh, he realized the source came from within his pocket. He reached in and gripped the golden bracelet. It had been so long since an incident, he had nearly forgotten about it—and the letter which he received before leaving Braxle. Kale held it up to his face, inspecting the pointed jade tooth which glowed luminously green.

  A swarm of memories flooded his mind as he thought of the mysterious woman, Zasha. His blue eyes widened—how could he have been so foolish as to forget something of such importance. The Forest of Forgotten Whispers was so close all this time—it was the place where his destiny awaited. He needed to hunt for the tree which rains gold. One year had finally passed.

  Chapter 15: To Become A Warrior

  “We must leave here tomorrow.” Kale dangled the bracelet for Thomas to see.

  “Are you certain you’re prepared to trust the word of Zasha? The risk may be great.”

  “What other choice do I have, Thomas? We’ve been hiding here for months with no plans for progression. I’m definitely going; I don’t want to always live in fear of what lies ahead.”

  Thomas nodded. “All right, we will depart first thing in the morning.” He glanced toward Illadar, who stared at them with bewilderment. “Will you be joining us?”

  “Of course, old man; there’s no way I’m gonna’ let you two venture into the Forest of Forgotten Whispers without me. You have no idea of the possible dangers. Besides, my options at the moment are fairly limited—stayin’ here alone isn’t very appealin’.” He shot a look toward Kale, “I do expect you to fill me in on what is goin’ on though.”

  Kale told Illadar all about the dreams and the letter he had received. They continued to discuss the situation until their eyes grew weary. As Kale laid beneath his covering in an attempt to sleep, he couldn’t help but feel a mixture of anxiety and excitement for what was to come. Thoughts raced through his mind as he tossed and turned before fatigue finally overwhelmed his body. He tightly held onto the bracelet as he drifted to sleep.

  His worrisome thoughts of the upcoming events triggered Kale to wake as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. His dark lashes parted and Kale could see the beautiful pink glow of the clear sky. He stood, rubbing a firm hand against his slightly sore neck as he inhaled the crisp morning air. Kale decided to take the time to enjoy himself before waking Illadar or Thomas, who were still sleeping soundly. He knelt by the fire pit, poking around at the underlying hot coals with a stick. The cheerful sound of birds chirping caught his attention and he turned to search the trees for their movement. He had grown quite fond of spotting the different breeds of birds as a pastime.

  Kale gasped stumbling backward in surprise. A cloaked figure stood many feet in front of him, silently staring in his direction.

  “It’s you again,” Kale whispered quietly, to not wake the others. “What do you want from me?” He was now certain this was whom he had seen before in the forest and atop the Braxle wall. The stranger was definitely following him.

  The short figure did not respond verbally, but instead lifted an arm. The cloth from the beige cloak draped over its skin, concealing the person’s entire appearance. To Kale it seemed as though the mysterious stalker wanted him to look behind where he stood.

  Kale gulped as he wondered if he was about to face another attack. He gripped the insignificant fire poker and turned to face whatever awaited behind him. He took caution to listen closely in case the mysterious stalker was attempting to fool him for its own opportunity to attack. Kale creased his forehead in confusion—there was nothing to be seen out of the ordinary. Kale grew frustrated and spun around to confront the stalker. He glanced frantically around, panning the entire area—the mysterious cloaked person was gone. Kale couldn’t believe he had been so easily fooled. As he turned to ensure his friends were still safe, Illadar slowly sat up.

  “Mornin’ kid, you’re up early.” He licked his thick, dry lips.

  Illadar’s unintentional loud volume caused Thomas to groan as he too situated into a seated position.

  “What does an old man have to do to get some rest around here?” Thomas asked, half jokingly.

  “I think we’re being followed.” Kale bluntly stated.

  Illadar immediately stood, scanning the area. “What makes you think this?”

  “I saw someone this morning. They were standing just outside our camp—right over here.” Kale pointed, “I saw them—or at least, I think I did—the day we came across the red beasts, and also back in Braxle,” he confessed.

  Thomas stroked his beard
. “I must say, I’m quite disappointed in you for not telling us this when you first sighted the person. We don’t know if they are friend or foe—it could have been very dangerous had they followed us with the intention to kill. It would be wise for us to move as soon as possible.”

  They gathered their belongings and smothered the last remains of the hot coals before saying farewell to the camp. Kale secured his sword and nodded to his friends; it was time to move forward.

  The three began to make their way through the lush greenery toward the Forest of Forgotten Whispers.

  “Can you tell me more about the forest?” Kale broke the silence. Illadar seemed to possess a great deal of information and Kale wanted to know what they would soon be up against.

  “Honestly, I have never dared to step a foot in there. But I’ve heard many stories, and even met someone who has walked upon its soil. People say that the land itself is enchanted. Everything—even the trees are not always as they might seem. We won’t know what is dangerous, so it’s vital to proceed with caution.” He looked forward, swallowing hard. “It’s very important that you both remember not to eat or drink anything you should see. One bite of the wrong food and you can kiss yourself goodbye.”

  “That’s all the information you have on where we are about to go?” Kale asked with disappointment.

  “Be thankful you even know that much, kid. It’s not like I’ve ever had the desire to visit the place.” Illadar paused in thought. “There was a man, though—I met him long ago while still in Mirion. Many called him insane, sayin’ that after he returned from the forest his mind went crazy. It was at the kingdom tavern where he spat nonsense about a massive green-skinned creature with long, horn-like teeth and walked upon two legs, as a human does. The man said he quickly fled to warn everyone back home. Everything after that was mumbled gibberish which couldn’t be interpreted.”

  “Interesting, a creature with deep green skin and horns you say?” Thomas stroked his creased cheek with an index finger. “This creature could be many things—however, if it is what I am assuming, we must take heed to avoid crossing paths with such a monster.”

  “What do you think it is?” Kale curiously questioned.

  “An orc—a very brutal and savage humanoid. They are hell-bent on destruction and bloodshed.”

  The three walked on in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Tension had overcome them at the thought of having a confrontation with an orc. After a long and enduring trek, the sound of flowing water could be heard. They weaved through a thicket of bushes as the narrow stream came into view.

  The sparkling water glided over sand and stones which created a peaceful trickle. This was hardly the atmosphere anyone could have expected to be the entryway into a treacherous forest. They each took a brief moment to refill the canteens while paying careful attention to their surroundings.

  “I hope we can find this tree you need and get outta’ here before nightfall.” Illadar’s eyes revealed great apprehension. “Well—you ready, kid?”

  Kale gulped. “Yeah, let’s get moving.” He knew this was his quest and therefore felt it would be appropriate for him to take the first step over the stream.

  Kale effortlessly crossed the enchanted border as he entered the confined land. The air felt instantly colder, which he thought to be incredibly bizarre. The eerie feeling sent shivers down his spine. He could see that both Thomas and Illadar also experienced the sudden shift in temperature.

  “Fascinating,” Thomas whispered as he rubbed his hand against his forearm.

  The atmosphere of the Forest of Forgotten Whispers was astounding. Tall and slender trees loomed, their lush leaves overhead in a perfectly intertwining canopy, blocking out the sun’s rays. It was dark and unwelcoming, as though the forest had been trapped within a permanent nightfall. With every soft breeze, Kale swore he could hear the forest whispering.

  It’s only the leaves stirring, he forced himself to believe.

  They pressed on through the odd vegetation that grew in a rainbow of colors. Kale constantly had the sensation of being watched, as though the forest itself knew they were there. The three covered ground quickly and Kale remained hopeful they would soon reach his destination.

  “What in Pan’s name is this place?” Kale whispered. He stopped dead in his tracks, eyeing the circular area before them.

  “This does not look promising, my friends,” Thomas added.

  They approached an array of twigs, dried wood, and small trees formed into standing figures with two arms and two legs. Instead of normal hands, they had long, claw-like fingers which looked as though they could rip a human’s flesh with ease. Their height was intimidating, easily towering over Illadar.

  Kale and his friends stood frozen in place as they stared toward the wooden statues. The figures did not move—they didn’t shift nor make a sound. It was deathly silent as if no wind, animals, or other earthly inhabitants dared to come close.

  “It’s possible these have been created by someone, or something, living within the forest to ward off intruders. It would be wise to find another route.” Thomas could sense a strong force, though he was too unsure if it came from the wooden statues to share this with his friends.

  Kale and Illadar agreed without hesitation. There was something about the area that made them feel uneasy. Although the wood seemed to be lifeless, their appearance was daunting and caused the hair on Kale’s arms to prickle. As they turned to hike around the area, Kale could have sworn he heard his name being whispered. He quickly turned his head, glancing over his shoulder toward the wood figures, yet nothing moved. They remained in place—motionless and silent.

  “Hmmm-hmmmm,” Kale softly hummed to himself as he joined his friends. Something was definitely not right within the forest. He began to wonder if he truly had been tricked into a trap, but he also knew they couldn’t give up yet.

  As the morning passed, Kale began to notice that, although quite dark and chilling, the forest was also very beautiful. He had never seen such a prismatic display of flora. The moss ranged from grey to a vibrant orange and plants he never knew existed grew in their surroundings. The terrain was unique in its own way, with new features around every turn.

  Just as Kale began to grow an appreciation for the natural phenomena, the trees grew scarce. Soon, the men found themselves walking upon loose rocks in a near-barren area. Although there were no trees in the vicinity, the placement of large boulders seemed to conveniently shadow the area.

  As before, everything was all too quiet. The only sound to be heard was the crunching of pebbles beneath their feet, amplified off the surrounding stone. By the time they approached a large, jagged stone that towered above their heads, Kale began to wonder if they should have gone in another direction. There was no plant life around—therefore, he knew his goal of finding the tree which rained gold was not going to be met in this area. Kale was about to return in the direction from where they had come when he caught sight of a bend ahead near the farthest wall of a massive stone valley.

  “Maybe that path will lead us back into the woods,” Kale stated as he led the way. He walked with a look of determination in his eyes as a black crow flew overhead. Kale couldn’t help but wonder if it was the same bird he had seen at the camp and within Braxle. He shook the thought away, knowing there were much more important issues at hand. “Stay close.” He motioned for Illadar and Thomas to follow him down the intimidating valley of rock.

  Although neither man complained, Kale could see his friends grew discouraged. They now seemed even farther from their destination than when they first arrived at the shadowy forest.

  Please be here, Kale wishfully thought. He glanced up toward the tall bordering walls above their heads. In all reality, he had no idea what he was supposed to be looking for. His only notion was that it was going to be a unique tree—one which would s
tand out from the others. He debated whether it truly rained gold pieces, or if it had been used as a metaphor. Kale knew that either way he had to keep his eyes focused and his will strong.

  The stones on the ground increased in size as they continued down the path and soon they had to exert a great amount of energy to press on.

  Suddenly, Kale felt a strong tug on his tunic, causing him to stagger backwards.

  “Wait!” Thomas sternly whispered.

  Kale had been so focused on spotting the tree he hadn’t noticed the large, dark cave entrance. His eyes lit up, “Do you think it belonged to one of the dragons?”

  Before Thomas could respond, the low echo of howling could be heard ringing off the stone walls.

  “Red beasts!” Kale and Illadar whispered in sync.

  “I wonder if they know we are here…” Kale’s voice was soft as he stood frozen in place.

  “We must leave quickly, and with stealth. I assume they are not aware of our presence yet, but we must move as though they were. We cannot take any chances,” Thomas insisted, silently turning to leave the area.

  The three briskly returned down the path on which they had come. They carefully stepped over each stone.

  “Can’t we fight them? Wouldn’t it just be easier to get rid of them now? Then we can move forward without further worry.” Kale whispered as they continued down their exit route. “They’re only oversized dogs. With the three of us working together, I’m sure we could handle them.”

  Illadar shook his head at Kale’s ignorance, reconfirming his suspicions that Kale was still naive when it came to battle tactics. “It’s not always standin’ to fight that makes a man noble—but now is not the time for a lecture. Just know we only saw a fraction of the red beasts. I’ve heard they come in massive numbers; and let’s not forget their master still remains a mystery.”