Defiance: Dragonics & Runics Part I

by A. Wrighton

  “That doesn’t solve anything.” Kalyna patted the mat beside her and waited.

  “Sleep, Jaxin,” Alaister ordered as he slowly settled near Kalyna.

  Jaxin chortled before surrounding Kalyna and Alaister with his wings and nestling his head inside to sleep. Kalyna sighed and followed Jaxin’s suit. She slid down on along Jaxin’s belly, leaving ample room for Alaister to lie by his wings. She lay in the darkness, listening for movement, but Alaister was silent. The only sounds were three hearts beating and three souls breathing. Alaister’s breath was rhythmic. Enchanting. Deeply in, shallowly out.

  Kalyna shut her eyes to the cadence and kept them still, even when Alaister placed his cloak over her body. It was thicker than it looked. Soft and densely woven. Cozy. Carefully, Alaister stretched out beside Kalyna, his back to hers.

  “Alaister?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I never really got to thank you…”

  “You don’t have to, Kal. I’ve been sworn to protect you since the day my father saved you.”

  “Oh….”

  Alaister winced at the ebb in her voice. “I didn’t mean it like that, Kal. You’re welcome. It’s just… it is just something I do without needing to be asked. I will always protect you…” Alaister froze as Kalyna rolled over beside him. He felt her breath on the back of his neck. It was warm. Sweet. “…Kalyna.”

  Kalyna hugged Alaister as best she could before curling into herself; her hands nestled against his back.

  Alaister swallowed the breath longing for one moment of freedom to show Kalyna what he meant. Words no longer sufficed. They rarely did. But, his oath dominated his natures and he would obey. He could not risk it – he would not risk it. Kalyna would not be put in jeopardy because of his own weaknesses. Alaister clenched shut his eyes and waited for Kalyna’s breathing to soften with sleep. Only then, did he dare turn to look at her.

  She was beautiful curled against him. She molded into his body even after he had moved, and for a few instants, Alaister smiled a deep smile few saw. He stared unabashed at the rise and fall of her chest with breath, admiring skin he could never touch as deeply as he desired. The temptation was great. Too great.

  Alaister extended his hand to Kalyna’s face, tracing her jaw and cheeks. His throat tightened when she melted into him, her lips parting with a soft murmur of a dream. His heart seized. He knew he had heard it – a name crossed her parted lips.

  His.

  He winced at his exposure and waited for discovery. But, Kalyna did not wake; she remained in the serene hands of sleep. Gently, Alaister placed his thumb atop her lips before pressing his own against it. He exhaled before withdrawing and sliding behind her, taking her back into his chest. The fit was faultless. Calm prevailed. Alaister wrapped an arm around Kalyna’s waist and buried his head in her hair, inhaling the soft scent of the flaxen waves.

  For the first night in nearly twenty cycles, Alaister Paine found peace and rest. His heart eased and his breathing slipped into a steady, lullabaic cadence. Their breathing mimicked Jaxin’s pattern until Alaister felt gentle, limp fingers weave into his. The steel blue eyes shattered open. His chest tightened until he could no longer bear the pressure. He made to pull away, but a fragile voice stopped him.

  “Stay, Alaister.”

  “Kal, I made an oath… to protect you. This is not—”

  “You are protecting me.”

  “I cannot be with you, Kal. It would only cause you harm and pain. Like—”

  “Your mother and father,” she said recalling what Synge had warned her of many moons ago.

  “Yes.”

  “I am not the—”

  “I know.” Alaister nuzzled her neck and sighed. He unwove his fingers and pushed off, but Kalyna rolled, catching him and pulling him back with enough force to prop him over her. Her hand caught his face. Slowly, she traced his jaw. Then, she traced his lips.

  “Kal…”

  She did not pause at his hesitation. She crept closer until their lips were a whisper apart. She waited there, her eyes dancing with his.

  “Kal, I cannot break my oath. It is on my honor… on my father’s honor.”

  “Then I release you of that oath.”

  Alaister’s throat tightened. He did not know she was aware of that rule, but her knowledge did not surprise. “Kal, that’s not a good idea to—”

  Kalyna’s lips traced his jaw with kisses as he struggled to recite a fast-crumbling excuse. “Alaister Paine, I release—”

  Alaister surged forward sealing the gap between their mouths, his touch soft until his willpower finally shattered. He laced his fingers through her hair and held her lips fast. Slowly, he laid Kalyna down against the mat. Her throat smelled like wildflowers, her collarbone tasted of berries mixed with the mists of a near-forgotten night ride. He savored the gentle heat each kiss brought as she moved beneath him. Alaister paused to look into the copper gaze; he met a fire and warmth he had not seen in her before.

  It was a warmth that engulfed his entire body, his entire soul.

  A warmth that grew when she reached up to press her lips back onto his.

  Gently, Kalyna laced her body around Alaister’s and dared his lips to never part from hers again.

  Kalyna woke to an empty mat and Alaister’s impression beside her. She rose, wrapping his cloak around her tightly. She poked her head outside Jaxin’s wings and found Alaister staring out at the still-falling snow. Kalyna went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Alaister could feel the Runes surge through her, heating him. He smiled weakly but refused to turn in. He wrapped his arms over hers and exhaled, shaking his head.

  “You’ll freeze, Alaister.”

  “I doubt you’d let me.”

  Kalyna laughed but stopped at his soft exhale. “Are you all right?”

  “I… Kal, I…”

  “Don’t.” Kalyna jerked Alaister around to face her. Her eyes glowed gold. “I was serious. I don’t want you by my side because your father promised it. You’re free to do as you please. I am your burden no longer.”

  “You know… you must know that this is exactly what I please. You are not a burden, Kal.”

  “Then stop. Please stop wondering and come back inside before you freeze.” Kalyna left in a whirl of gold, disappearing back inside Jaxin’s wings.

  Alaister returned his gaze to the snow, his voice barely above the sound of crashing snowflakes. “Listener please, do not let her be hurt… especially by me.”

  Inside Jaxin’s tented wings, Kalyna frowned as Alaister’s wish carried itself across the wind to her. She lay back down as his footsteps approached, painfully aware of the truth deep inside her. A truth that could break her should it ever be tested.

  The truth that only Alaister Paine could hurt her burned her soul almost as much as the truth that she could easily destroy him, should she ever lose what grain of control, what slight of sanity she managed to maintain. He alone grounded her, his calming influence she could not deny. She was safe around him because he made her safe around others. If she were to lose him – if Alaister were ever to leave – Kalyna knew she would not survive.

  No one would.

  LEOSAN CAVERN

  SOUTHERN SOLERAN MOUNTAINS, SOLASTI

  “Alaister, orders?”

  Alaister met Lanthar’s celadon eyes readily, though had no orders to give. He had yet to decide on any. He had ideas, but none well formed or ready for execution. Instead, they swam about wildly in his mind, halfway between his heart and gut.

  Lanthar leaned closer to Alaister. “Whatever you decide, we are all in. With you ‘til the end.”

  The thoughts spun, then fizzled. Alaister nodded, his eyes darkening. “Nylan.”

  “Aye.”

  “You will ride with me.”

  Nylan bowed his head.

  “Tylus with Callon and Shayne with Lanthar.”

  “Understood,” Lanthar said.

  “What in Udlast, Al? You have got to be—” Call
on silenced his objections when Lanthar nudged him. It was not for lack of spirit, but rather that Callon knew Lanthar was right. The doubt and the jokes would have to wait. They were out of time – out of choices. Callon bowed his head obediently listening to the rest of the orders.

  “Vylain.”

  “Commander?”

  “Take one Rider from each Dredth and form a scouting party. Find Vee. Do not engage.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Nylan you ride as my second in Vylain’s place. Callon, you will be on my Dredth’s right as always. Lanthar, you fly to the left but stay back a bit. I don’t want them to see you until it’s too late. Fly high and silent.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Syn, I need you to stay with the newer recruits. Set up a medical treatment area once we establish the detachment.”

  “Of course,” Synge said.

  Alaister turned back to his officers, his voice strident and unwavering. “Pack the Dredths lightly and for full engagement. This isn’t going to be any type of skirmish. Gage, if you deem some of the recruits ready, fill the ranks where Vylain pulled the scouts. The rest will stay behind to guard our rear detachment.”

  Gage saluted in acknowledgment.

  “Synge, do you think you could bring us Brother Droit… to say a few words?”

  “Right away, Commander.” Synge beamed a prideful smile of acceptance that Alaister knew would have mirrored his father’s, had Kai lived to see this day come. Synge had often – recently more often – doubted Alaister as capable as his father in combat command, but this was his proof. They had chosen wisely. He was Kai’s best successor.

  “Assemble the—”

  “Nylan!” Kalyna’s shout pierced their circle. She sprinted from the cavern ledge to the officers with Arwen clinging to her arm. Kalyna burst through their ranks and placed herself between Nylan and Alaister. “Nylan, the message!” Kalyna unclipped a strip of rolled parchment from Arwen’s feet and released her into flight. Turning, she extended the tiny, tightly rolled scrap to Nylan and waited for him to take it.

  “Did you read it?” Nylan asked.

  Kalyna blinked. “I don’t read Lythgorian.”

  “Right,” Nylan smirked. He took the parchment and unrolled it. His eyes scanned the dark ink script once, and then rescanned it. His smile fell – quickly. “Gavasti.”

  “What?” Alaister asked.

  “The Lythgorian Dragonics won’t get here in time. There’s another storm at sea… worse than the first.”

  No one spoke. No one wanted to react first.

  All eyes fell to Alaister as he shifted his belt and decidedly shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. We have our mission. What transpires beyond that is out of our control now. Just pray that by some miracle of the Gods that there are only a few enemies or that the Lythgorians somehow make it in time.” Alaister paused and nodded. “That’s all we can do now.”

  “Indeed, Commander Paine,” said Brother Droit, who fast approached the group with Synge in humble pursuit. “Pray we will. Gather your men, Commander. Time slips from us far too fast today.”

  “I’ll get ‘em,” Callon said noticing the insistent glances from Kalyna to Alaister. He knew that look well. “Are you all coming?” Callon asked as he beckoned the other officers to follow. They did, though none tapped their hilts as rhythmically fast as Callon did as they strode towards the gathering cluster of curiosity-peaked Riders.

  Kalyna waited to speak until none were nearby. “Alaister…”

  “Yes?”

  “About—”

  “Kal, I can’t do this.” Alaister looked at Kalyna and sighed. He opened his mouth but lost the proper words. “This…”

  “This?” Her eyes, a molten shade of copper, danced with flecks of red. Her cheeks flushed with the heat her body carried inside. “This!”

  “We must get Vee. We have to get Vee, so you can train—”

  “This isn’t business as always, Alaister. Not anymore.”

  “I know. She’s one of us. I understand that—”

  “I am not even talking about that, Alaister!” Kalyna caught her escalating voice and bit her lip fiercely with her front teeth until the few wayward stares dissipated. “Listener, selfish as this may be, I am talking about—”

  “Kal, I can’t. I shouldn’t have. I am a Dragonic and you are a—”

  “Runic? Orphan? Street peddler? Some stupid piece of a ridiculous, ill-conceived Prophecy? What am I, Commander Paine? Because from where I stand, it seems you think of me more like a thing than an actual being. Unlike a thing, Commander Paine, I have feelings. You have no right to go gallivanting around as if you have no cares in the world – no attachment. If my reaction was off base, then you’d have some ground to act in such a way, but you know it’s not. It could never be off base between us now, could it?”

  Kalyna stared after Alaister, but he did not meet her eyes’ pursuit. He looked anywhere but there. Anywhere but her. “You’re as bad as the whole lot of them. I am not a thing. I live and breathe and hurt. I can feel, and I can kill, and Listener be damned – I have a name!”

  Alaister contained her retreat with a quick move of his arm to spin her back to him. Their lips met in an angry haste, but he could only take the rising heat beneath her lips for so long. He pulled back, distant but resigned.

  Choiceless.

  Determined.

  Alaister exhaled. “Kal….”

  Kalyna shoved him off with a harsh burst of air. “Save it, Commander. Your time and breath are better spent elsewhere.” In five strides, Kalyna disappeared into the fray of nervously eager recruits.

  Alaister kept his eyes on the flaxen mane until Lanthar gently tapped him, Nylan at his side.

  “Alaister…”

  “Not now, Lanthar…”

  “She better be in control—”

  “She doesn’t have to be.”

  Nylan shook his head confused. “Commander?”

  “She’s staying here.”

  “She won’t let that happen,” Lanthar said, glaring from Alaister to Kalyna and back.

  Alaister’s face was stoic, unmoving. He had the growling pout he got when he was dead set on something. His word would stand. “She has no choice.”

  “Orders, Commander?” Nylan asked.

  “Kalyna stays here guarded by Synge and the recruits. We cannot afford to lose two Runics, let alone The One.”

  “If she objects?”

  “I am Commander and she is my charge – at least until Vee is returned to us. She will do as I order.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Aye.”

  “Now, come. Let us pray with Brother Droit before the Gods turn away from what fate will deliver us.”

  SOUTHERN DEATHWALKER CLIFFS

  CREITALL AND PYRAN BORDERS

  Only ravens flew that morning.

  The Mravgoth branches, full of clinging, mossy vines, ripped into the sheet of fog that covered the path out of the Swamps and towards the Cliffs. Bound at the neck and chained at her hands and ankles, Vee walked through the settlements en route to the Deathwalker Cliffs. The visual punishment proved fruitless for the Council – few souls were brave enough to leave their dwellings to see what the procession was about, and those who did, said nothing. There was nothing to say back to the Council – their voices had long ago been forced into submissive silence and easily remained there. Except for one old man, with a scraggly beard and shaky voice, who insisted the Council Dragonics had gone mad for fussing with the Swamp Witch.

  From his painful nod of acknowledgment and insistence on the Dragonics turning back, Vee knew he must have once been a friend of the Cause. She was grateful for him and his raspy voice. He was one last friendly face, though the old man – grizzled by a distinct limp – did not strike her as anyone out of the ordinary. He blended into the hundreds of faces that had once cheered on a different Dragonic procession with her in it. Hope for the Soleran people still lived, albeit fitfully.

 
Vee smiled and mouthed for the old man to quiet down before they took him too. He heeded her warning but remained vigilant at his fence post, watching until they were no more than specks on the horizon. Once Vee was indistinct from the shadows of the coming sunrise, he limped back into his house and kindled a third lantern in the window.

  Vee glanced back at the crest of the hill and noticed the warm light. The Resistance lived. She paused to smile without jubilee. Then, she kept walking.

  Once past the last settlement, the procession mounted a faster stride. The stones of the path to the cliffs snared Vee’s chains and made her procession awkward and tedious. For a brief glimmer of time, an ember of defiance sparked in Vee’s mind. She could break free and run. She could run to where they would never find her. It would be easy – too easy to whip up enough wind and earth to stun or eliminate her current captors from sight. Except killing, would take a piece of soul Vee had not tapped into in a long while.

  And, there was Kalyna.

  With her death, Vee took the blame of Kalyna’s disappearance and sealed the mystery of her existence. Kalyna would be safe once more. She would be free to be with the Rogues – to help them without limitations or fear of imminent exposure. To kill Vee was foolish, but the hubris of the young Council Commander remained strong. Soon, too soon, the only lead to the possible Runic would be silenced and their case would be lost.

  The Cause would have a victory. It was a cost Vee could accept; her part she knew was long since done. Kalyna was safe, powerful, and fulfilling destiny. Now, it was Vee’s turn to follow through. The irony singed but fit well in her chest. At sun up, Vee would die at the spot she had made her vow to protect and guide Kalyna so many cycles ago.

  “It’s a great morning to die, Witch. Seems even your fog won’t follow you to say goodbye,” Druff said with a jilted laugh.

  “That’s not my fog, Child.” Vee stared past Druff to the open waters of the Fyllian Ocean. The waves crashed in a teal and turquoise splendor, the mist of colliding waves settled on her tongue. They tasted like summer. A second Dredth of Council Dragonics landed, led by Commander Higath. Druff sneered as Higath approached, his forced liking of Higath fervently apparent. Higath smiled as he saluted Druff, as if he enjoyed or was completely oblivious to Druff’s constant disapproval.