Deathsworn Arc: 01 - The Last Dragon Slayer

by Martyn Stanley

  Saul sighed, looking troubled, “I agree with your sentiment Votrex, but I fear there’s not much we can do... We could perhaps speak to the Berger of the town? I could try and use my influence as an emissary of the Empress but...”

  He was cut off by the sight of Silus Mendelson trudging through the mud towards them... He had a grave look on his face. Now, in the daylight his damaged face was clearly visible. His hair appeared to have been burned off and instead of two eye sockets, he had one, and a charred, burn scarred lump of flesh in place of his left eye. As he approached he saw Saul, Harald and Votrex looking at his scarred face, “Hah! Dragon breath! I wasn’t even anywhere near it at the time... Can you imagine how it feels to have your eyeball boil and vaporize in an instant? It would have killed me if not for a well brewed potion and managing to get to the healer in time...” Saul looked into Silus good eye, “Then why are you here?”

  Silus gritted his teeth, “You’re right... I want to live... and living hand to mouth here in Trest, isn’t living... You only truly appreciate the value of life when someone is trying to take it from you. I want to feel that again, even if it means riding to my doom.”

  Saul smiled softly and patted him on the shoulder, “Good... What do you need?”, “A horse... A weapon... A long sword and a spear I think. Armour and shields are of no use against a dragon, they offer no protection and merely encumber you... Too many men discovered that twenty years ago...”

  Saul turned to Harald, “Harald, take Silus, procure him a steed, and weapons - then meet us back here.” Harald nodded and walked off with Silus in the direction of the blacksmiths.

  A few moments later Korhan emerged from the butcher’s shop carrying wrapped packages of dried, cured meat. Votrex looked sadly at Korhan, “It’s not right... We can’t let them kill him! “

  Korhan looked at the miserable looking gravian, sitting in the straw awaiting his fate... “No... Saul, we can get bread later, let’s find the Berger and see if we can use your influence to free him.”

  Saul nodded, “The gravian may not thank us... I know little if anything of gravians... But I agree, we can’t allow these people to murder an innocent man, even if he is a dark elf.”

  As it happened, at that stage an unusually healthy looking white steed rode in to the square, its rider a tall, fair haired man with a neatly trimmed beard, an iron band upon his head and fine brown fur cloaks wrapped around him.

  Saul raised an eyebrow, “That must be the Berger.”

  The horse trotted to the centre, flanked by six soldiers on similar, though less splendid looking steeds, three on either side. The Berger and the soldiers dismounted upon the platform and waited for a sturdy wooden chair to be carried onto the platform. As it was being brought, Saul, Korhan and Votrex pushed their way through the crowds. By the time they were at the steps up to the platform, the Berger had sat down. The companions climbing the steps attracted the attention of the guards, who drew their weapons and brandished them, “Halt! No peasants on the platform!”

  Saul leaned on his staff, “My name is Saul Karza, emissary of Empress Jade, blessed be her name... I would speak with the Berger of this town as a matter of urgency.” The guards looked unsure at Saul, one chanced a look at the Berger who waved them forwards.

  Slowly Saul, Korhan and Votrex strode towards the Berger. He looked an arrogant man, who had little time for patience or compassion. Perhaps this was to be expected given the poor status of the town which he been given stewardship of. He inspected each of them in turn, “Well, well, what have we here... If you’ve come to join these vagabonds on the block you are going the right way about it... Who’d have thought it, a chance to execute a gravian and a dwarf on the same day...”

  Saul looked him square in the eye, “My name is Saul Karza, emissary of the Empress. I respectfully request that you spare the gravian’s life and turn him over into my custody.”

  The Berger yawned, “I respectfully decline your request Saul Karza - I wish to see the colour of his blood...”

  Saul leaned forwards, “Then I demand you release him, would you defy the Empress?”

  More soldiers had boarded the platform, all had their weapons drawn. Saul glanced around, the Berger chuckled smugly at Saul, “You’re a fool, your status is worth nothing here, I could have you killed and nobody would ever know why you didn’t return. I refuse your demands, now either leave the platform and go in peace, or take your place with the condemned and allow me to relieve you of your head.”

  The atmosphere was tense, you could almost cut it with a knife, the crowd were getting restless, jeering and shouting. The dark elf had started to show them some attention, raising his head and following the conversation from within the cage.

  The soldiers looked poised to strike, even reaching for a weapon could ignite a fight. Saul paused, considering his options, then bowed slightly, “As you wish Berger, I’m sure the Empress will understand your decision to refuse her authority.”

  “Hah! The Empress will not care for the life of one gravian - if you speak again, I will take it that you wish to join the condemned - now go away, or place your neck upon the block!”

  With that Saul, Votrex and Korhan turned to leave the platform. Votrex was seething, Saul looked troubled, Korhan paused as he downed the steps and looked into the eyes of the gravian. Those eyes burned with a soft fire, a glow that was going out... He’d given up...

  As they barged away through the jeering crowd Korhan growled at Saul, “I’ll not leave him... Innocent men shouldn’t die like that - whatever their race!”

  Saul shook his head, “I agree, but I fear there is little we can do...”

  Korhan glared at him, “Get your horses, start riding north, look here are Harald and Silus.”

  Votrex looked up at him, “What are you going to do? I want to help...”

  “If you want to help - start riding, if this doesn’t go well, I’d rather the quest succeeded without me...”

  Saul grabbed his shoulder, “Korhan! It would not be the Empress decision that you put yourself at risk for a gravian, we’ve done all we can!”

  He shrugged Saul’s grasp away, “Get riding wizard! Ride North - as if the hounds of hell were snapping at your heels!”

  At that Korhan pulled away and barged towards the stables where the horses were kept. Saul, fearing there was no reasoning with Korhan obeyed and the party, including Harald and Silus mounted their steeds and rode for the gates at a quick trot.

  Korhan had mounted his steed and watched his companions trot quickly away from the square. The cage had been opened. The prisoners were being pulled out of the cage and lined up. From the administrative building a man in a black hood approached - the executioner.

  Saul, Votrex, Harald and Silus were quickening their pace. They were riding faster and faster towards the town gates. Silus glared at Saul, “What’s the hurry?”

  “Korhan is going to do something foolish... Or so I believe, he doesn’t feel its right that a person be executed solely because of their race.”

  “The gravian? Hmmph, if ever there looked a sinister individual, then... Hmmph, he should have left him - let his head roll... I wouldn’t trust a dark elf....”

  Korhan trotted around the outer edge of the square, it appeared the dark elf had been selected to be ‘first’ as he was being manhandled onto the chopping block by the soldiers, his hands bound behind his back - the truth was he didn’t put up much of a fight. His sad glowing eyes fell on Korhan, as the crowd jeered, egging the executioner on. The executioner had picked up his axe and approached the block, then slowly, carefully lined his axe up against the dark elf’s neck. To his credit, for whatever reason, be it professional pride or compassion he clearly intended to attempt to make a clean cut...

  Brael, for that was the dark elf’s name felt the rough wooden chopping block beneath his neck, it stank of dried blood. He saw the straw filled basket sitting on the floor to catch his head and mused that at least he had clean straw to land in.
>
  The executioner tried his swing, softly a couple of times, then he slowly rose his axe, pulling it up, up high above his head. As he did though Korhan had reached over his shoulder and drawn his great sword. Few warriors would have been able to wield a blade like Korhans sword in one hand - but that he did. One hand on the reins, one on his sword he turned his horse into crowd, and charged at the platform. Everything was a blur - the crowd parted in panic, as Korhan galloped through them, his horse leaping onto the platform, skidding on the smooth wooden planks as it landed. The executioner looked up in astonishment, only to have Korhans blade whip through the air and clip the axe just under the head, causing the wood to splinter and the axe to tumble through the air then crash onto the boards, barely in one piece. As the soldiers approached, swords drawn, Korhan swung his horse around, using the beast’s heavy rump to sweep the soldiers off the platform, tumbling into the crowd. The Berger was screaming at the top of his voice, the executioner had drawn a dagger, and appeared to be about to slash the gravians throat, as he had risen awkwardly from the block. As the executioner prepared to make the fatal slash, the dark elf caught him unawares with a backwards head butt, causing the executioners nose to explode under his hood and filling his eyes with blood. In one quick motion Korhan sheathed his sword, reached down, and plucked up the dark elf by the scruff of his neck and planted him chest down behind him on his steed, while the executioner staggered backwards and tumbled off the platform into the crowd...

  As the soldiers were getting to their feet Korhan snapped his reins and charged off the platform, causing the crowd to flee in panic again.

  The sound of trumpets rasped behind him, as did the thunder of hoof beats. With one hand on the reins and one hand holding the gravian onto his horse he thundered through the muddy streets. The trumpets had been heard and the gates to the town were being closed, Korhan lashed his reins and slipped through just before the gap got too small. In the distance he could see his companions riding, as he charged after them he called out, “Ride! They’re after us!”

  Flight from Trest

  Throughout this episode Brael had been silent. He had been in the orchard; he’d been intending to ‘borrow’ a few apples... Anything would have done... He’d not eaten for days. The farmer had caught him easily in his weakened state, and handed him over to the soldiers who had taken him to the town gaol. He’d given up hope sitting in the prison, the other prisoners had been fed, and watered... But the hatred and fear he’d experienced... They’d provided him with water, after all they didn’t want him to die before the spectacle of his execution. He’d resigned himself to death, almost welcomed it - ever since his banishment from Durth Orza he’d grown closer and closer to giving up hope... Yet now, here he was, lying prone on the back of a horse, watching the ground thunder beneath the horse’s hooves - having been saved from the executioner's axe by a human... Of course his having had his life saved by this ‘man’ he was honour bound to accompany him until such a time as he’d been able to return the favour... Of course he hoped, he sincerely hoped that their travels would not take them anywhere near Durth Orza.

  The steeds bearing the companions were from the finest stock in the Empire, and though Silus steed struggled to keep up, and Votrex was riding at the very limit of his horsemanship, they managed to put many leagues between themselves and the town. Once deep in the forest, they diverted from the path, weaving through the densely packed trees, eventually dropping down a steep gully to a stream. The horses drank immediately, their flanks covered in sweat, their breath heavy and laboured. The rider who had suffered most was Silus and his horse. He was clearly at least fifteen years older than Harald and Korhan and didn’t have the look of a person who was fit for his years like Saul. Silus horse, purchased from Trest was also by far the worse for wear for the sudden burst of speed. Still, they’d given the soldiers the slip, and were far enough from the road and deep enough in the woods for them to not fear being discovered, save by a clever tracker or by magical means, neither of which the Berger of Trest appeared to have at his disposal.

  Korhan lowered himself from his horse and helped the dark elf down after him. The dark elf was unsteady on his feet and wobbled a little as he landed. Korhan withdrew a dagger from his belt and cut the ropes tying his hands behind his back. As his hands were freed the gravian staggered forwards and collapsed on the bed of rustling brown leaves, which carpeted the forest floor, “Thank you... “

  Korhan pulled a flask from his saddle and uncorked it, then he approached offering it to him, “Here, drink... What’s your name, and how did you end up in Trest?”

  The dark elf leaned up on one elbow and took the flask hungrily. He drew it straight to his lips. His face screwed up a little as he drank, he’d been expecting water rather than mead, once he’d established the contents though, he drank deeply. As he drank, the rest of the group dismounted their steeds, took flasks and sat on the forest floor. The group sat in silence for several minutes, drinking and breathing heavily, the only sound, that of the horses lapping at the brook. Eventually the dark elf pulled the flask away from his lips, “My name is Brael Truthseeker of the house ‘Krazic’ and I am in your debt human... Though quite why you took the trouble to save me... I cannot tell.”

  Korhan shrugged, “I won’t stand by and watch an innocent man executed as a common criminal.”

  Brael eyed him suspiciously, “Hah! Innocent? Only a newborn is truly innocent, you risk your life saving me from the executioner's axe, while you leave your own to die?”

  Korhan looked sternly at him, then took a deep breath before answering, “We can’t control the life into which we are born - only what we do with it. You were not even accused of a crime - yet they would execute you... That is wrong. Why are you above ground anyway? I thought the gravian’s dwelt only in the depths of the underdeep?”

  Brael sat up now, “I am banished, there is a curse laid upon me...”

  Saul raised an eyebrow, “A curse? What kind of curse?”

  “A curse which cuts me off from the winds of magic, prevents me from whispering and stops me from revealing, certain things... Until I can lift this curse, I will feel more or less helpless... Though I will fulfill my vow and follow you until such time as I can return the favour.”

  Korhan laughed, “There’s no need... “

  Brael glared at him, “Do not dishonour me by refusing to allow me to fulfill my vow, the Krazic take honour seriously, if you turn me away, you will eternally shame me.”

  Saul was rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “Hmmm, you are some sort of magic user... The gravians are quoted as being particularly adept at conjuration and alteration... If we could lift this ‘curse’ you could be a valuable ally - is there any way it can be lifted that you know of?” Brael climbed shakily to his feet and approached the wizard, turning at the last moment and lifting his matted black hair up to reveal the back of his neck.

  Saul could see a tattoo there, but the tattoo was a strange symbol writhing and swirling, occasionally it remained still - but the language was so complex and alien that Saul - despite his knowledge of elvish, dwarvish and the gutter tongue of the orcs, could not decipher it.

  “What is this?”

  Brael lowered his matted hair and to face Saul, “A power word that has been said and woven on to me... To remove my curse, it must be unsaid and unwoven from me... Do you understand the language of the gravian?”

  Saul shook his head, “No...”

  Brael looked a little crestfallen at this. Saul’s attire and demeanour marked him as a learned man, and he’d dared hope for a moment that Saul might be able to help him - alas it was not the case. “No matter... I can still swing a sword or nock an arrow...”

  Silus, who had been tending to his horse, chuckled at this and turned to face them, “Brael Krazic, you do not know what you’ve got yourself into... We are not riding into battle against bandits or even orcs, we are riding to do battle with a dragon.”

  Brael quivered slightly, �
��A swamp dragon?”

  “No... A Noble Dragon... There’ve been reports of one at the edge of the Sky-Cleaver Mountains, our task is to find it and defeat it.”

  Brael looked a little confused now, “I was under the impression, the true dragons all lay dormant, their time having passed?”

  Harald stepped forwards, “You were not the only one... We all believed the same, we still question the story, but we have to assume the worse.”

  “Hah! No matter, better to die with a blade in my hand than lying prone on a chopping block, waiting to be butchered. Even if death is certain, I still thank you, a dignified death is always preferable.”

  Silus shook his head, “You all talk about death so romantically, I suggest you change your attitudes before we meet our foe. Going into battle to face such a deadly opponent, so accepting of defeat is not a good idea.”

  Korhan snorted, “Hmmph! You are wrong... A man who goes into battle unafraid of death has a clear mind and is focused; his thoughts are on the task at hand, rather than constantly worrying about his self-preservation...”

  Saul raised his hand, “Enough, let us get our introductions out of the way, then let us move on. The Berger of Trest may still be searching for us - I doubt he will take kindly to Korhan interrupting his executions. Brael of Krazic, my name is Saul Karza, licensed magic user and emissary to the Empress. This is Silus Mendelson, the last dragon slayer, my two northmen friends are Harald son of Korvak and Korhan son of Brian. The dwarf is Votrex Vaughn of the Vanguard clan, Gorthok of Durgheim Holt. We shall procure a horse and weapons for Brael when it is safe to do so - for now we must ride.”

  At that point however the thunder of horses drew near, the companions had all dismounted and it wasn’t clear which direction the horses approached from. Saul rushed to his horse, “Mount up! Quickly!”