The Clash of Land and Sea_The Dragon Riders of Arvain

by Nicholas Clausen

  Hayden had begun to forget about their purpose in Feren. They had been there for a while and were getting into a routine just like back in Celestial City; it was something that felt natural to them.

  Hayden had brought all of his gear from the Out Post, as did Shane and Cass, but none of them had donned their grays or any of their Metallic Rider gear since they moved to Feren. They decided if they were going to live with the elves then they didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention.

  Kirin suggested that as long as they were staying in Feren they should become active members of the city and take part in what the elves did.

  After viewing the city Shane quickly gravitated towards the elves training area. The elves used an area in the middle of the forest for their training grounds, not unlike where they themselves had been trained. They had let the trees and roots grow freely all over the place; bushes and knee high plants were scattered all around. The elves had not cleared any of it away like you would expect to find in a traditional training ground and when Hayden asked them why their response was simple.

  “We don’t always fight on smooth, kept grass. So why would we train as if we did so?”

  After that Shane kept coming back to watch the elves train and practice. He watched as they jumped around using spears and swords in practice fights, breaking off into pairs to practice sparring. After a few days Shane finally got up the nerve to ask if he could practice with the elves.

  He had brought along his giant copper broad sword and had it strapped on his back. Cass and Hayden had followed him to the training field to see what would happen. As he made his way to where the instructor stood watch over the elves in training all training ceased as every eye fell upon him.

  “I wish to train with you.” Shane spoke confidently with his head held up high. He was a warrior and had already fought in his first battle but he did not want to come across as being too full of himself.

  The elf slowly looked Shane up and down, carefully studying him as if he was inspecting a new animal he was about to purchase at market. Shane stood still like a statue and moved only when and where ever the instructor directed him.

  The elf never spoke, not even making a single noise. Instead he held up is hand and all the elves stopped moving immediately. The silence that fell upon the woods around them was a bit nerve wracking as they anxiously waited to see if Shane would be allowed to train with them.

  With his hand still held high above his head the instructor snapped his fingers and the nearest elf, who had just moments before been engaged in fierce training, ran up and stood by his instructor’s side. The instructor took a step back and motioned for the elf to begin; the young trainee did not hesitate and quickly assumed a fighting stance as he turned to face Shane.

  Shane was big by human standards. He was taller than Hayden and was built like a work horse. He was extremely bulky and muscular, so much so that his copper blade, which was a two handed weapon for a normal man, was easily wielded by Shane with a single hand. The elf was younger then Shane and much smaller in both height and weight, as were most all of the elves. For this reason, the elves did not use big hefty swords, but thin blades with a slight upward curve.

  Shane drew his weapon and waited for the elf to make the first strike. Hayden and Cass had been standing a ways back to see how Shane’s encounter with the instructor would go but once the instructor summoned another elf and blades were drawn they made their way closer to their friend.

  The elf stood stock-still in front of Shane so the Metallic Rider had to make the first move. He shouted as he lunged forward and brought his heavy copper blade down upon the elf. The elf waited until the last possible moment and instead of trying to block the blade; he spun out of the way.

  Shane had been expecting to meet resistance from the elves blade so he had put a lot of force behind the swing. When none came his sword bit into the ground below and he almost lost his balance. The elf stood still and waited for Shane to recover and come at him again.

  Shane yanked his blade out of the dirt and began a complicated series of attacks. Hayden had watched Shane fight during the Festival of Games and knew that his friend was an amazing fighter. If Hayden hadn’t known that before he would not have been convinced of it while watching his friend fight the young elf.

  Shane swung his sword this way and that, feinting one way and quickly going another. He threw random punches in the middle of spin moves and lashed out in every way he knew how to but the young elf dodged every single blow. The elf held his sword in his hand but never even used it to block a blow from Shane. He would simply step aside or lean back to avoid the edge of the copper blade.

  After what did not seem to be a great deal of time, Shane’s movements began to slow and Hayden could see he was breathing heavily. The elf showed no similar signs of fatigue. Finally, Shane stopped swinging and bent over, desperately trying to catch his breath. The young elf looked to his instructor and waited for some sign from the older elf. The instructor did not make him wait long, nodded, and the spry young elf quickly ran at Shane.

  The elf jumped into the air and spun around while bringing his thin blade screaming at Shane. Shane slashed up with his blade with what strength he had left and for the first time the two blades met. The elf had not expected Shane to counter his attack but rather block it and as soon as the blades touched the young elf went flying through the air.

  As the elf landed with a thud that knocked the wind out of him, Shane stood up straight and went to help the elf to his feet. The instructor nodded with approval and motioned for Shane to help the elf to a shaded spot to rest and with that the fight was over; Shane was in training.

  Hayden and Cass walked away from the training area with the sounds of clashing steel fading behind them. Hayden hadn’t had a moment alone with Cass since back in Celestial City and even in the middle of everything that was going on around them, he still thought about her.

  “So Shane is back to training, what are you going to do?” Hayden asked Cass as they walked down a lightly worn path in the heart of Feren.

  “I am still trying to figure out what we are going to do. Feren is a wonderful place but Hayden don’t forget, the Metallic Riders are coming for us.” Cass smiled as a group of children ran across the path in front of them, laughing and playing the whole way.

  Later, Hayden laid his head on his pillow, completely exhausted from the day’s events. He heard groans and complaints from Shane and Cass’s directions and knew that they were feeling the same as he was. The last three and a half weeks had been taxing on their bodies since they hadn’t done much since they had fled Celestial City but sit in the saddle.

  Over the weeks they had become working parts of Feren and the elves that called the forest city their home. They had helped the elves build homes, work fields and even trained with some of their warriors. At first the elves had been nervous around them but now they accepted them as a part of their lives.

  Shane continued to train almost daily with the elves; he was not as fast or limber as the elves but he was quickly learning how to dodge and move around like they did. Cass spent most of her time with a group of female elves helping watch over the children as they played. Hayden had been surprised by her choice but her reason made sense.

  “After spending all these weeks with the two of you I need so time away from men.” Was all she said as she made her way to where the children played. Hayden had watched as she wrestled around with the elf children and helped them whenever they fell and began to cry. It was the break that they all had needed since fleeing Celestial City.

  Hayden hadn’t found any one thing he really enjoyed doing in Feren. He had trained with Shane and the elves and even went hunting with another group once. Hayden had done all there was to do in Feren but he still felt like something was wrong.

  Hayden laid on his pallet with his gear as a pillow and tried to close his eyes to rest. His body hurt from the training he had done the day before with Shane but there was still m
uch worry on his mind. Every day that passed was brought them closer to the day when the Metallic Riders would arrive and take them away. These thoughts kept running through his mind as sleep finally found him.

  He awoke the next morning to a bright sunny day. Over the last few weeks most of the snow had started to melt and now the sun was finally starting to come out. Hayden got out of his shelter and stretched in the sun light. Shane and Cass were both starting to stir and wake as well.

  Hayden went back into his shelter and began getting his clothes out to wear for the day when he heard footsteps.

  “I am up you guys.” Hayden said guessing that Shane or Cass was checking to make sure he was awake.

  “Hayden.” Kirin’s voice came from outside.

  Hayden turned and stepped outside his shelter to see Kirin waiting for him. She wasn’t dressed up like she normally was and she looked like she had just woken up herself. Shane stepped out of his shelter with his shirt off and Cass came out last.

  “What’s going on Kirin, does Aelfrie need to see us or something?” Hayden asked.

  “No. We just got word that a Metallic Riders patrol has met with our scouts at the far edge of Eytherka and is on the way to Out Post. They are demanding to see you three there when they land.”

  Chapter 7

  Hayden did not respond at first, instead he just stood there with his mouth hanging open. He wanted to respond but he simply didn’t know what to say.

  Hayden, it’s time. Draek’s thoughts came booming out of the silence, piercing Hayden’s frozen state.

  Are we ready to go back? Hayden asked Draek.

  Do we have a choice? Was Draek’s sad response that rang in Hayden’s mind. Hearing the defeat and helplessness in Draek’s usually powerful voice made Hayden realize there was no escaping their fate. No more running; no more hiding. They were Metallic Riders again and it was time to answer for running away.

  “Hayden did you hear me? It’s time to go, they will be landing soon.” Kirin had tears in her eyes as she pleaded with Hayden. Seeing Kirin distraught caused Hayden to snap back to the present as he shook off his shock.

  There will be time for us to feel sorry for ourselves later, now is not the time. Hayden’s thoughts resonated in Draek’s head as well as his own.

  Hayden nodded at Kirin, the first movement he had done since she had told him the Metallic Riders were coming. He looked over to Shane and Cass but neither had so much as moved a muscle. It was apparent the shock or reality had hit them full force as well even though they all knew this time was coming.

  “Shane, Cass, it’s time. Get your things and get ready. If we don’t want to keep our fellow riders waiting we are going to have to pack quickly.” Hayden’s voice sounded like someone else’s to Hayden. Someone strong and not scared. Someone that wasn’t Hayden.

  “There isn’t time to pack, once your meeting is over you can send for your things but right now we need to leave.” Said Kirin as she turned to run back to where their dragons were resting.

  “That’s fine Kirin but we must put our armor on; they must see us as fellow Metallic Riders and not as children that ran away from home.” Hayden commanded. He realized he was starting to sound a little like Draek.

  “But we are children to them and we did run away.” Shane said, still making no move to put his armor on.

  “Yes but there is no need to remind them of that, now go and put your armor on. Oh, and Shane, make sure you bring your sword.” Hayden did not wait to see his friend’s response, instead he ducked back into his temporary home and almost doubled over. He had to hold himself up by holding his knees. He closed his eyes and took long deep breathes, feeling his heart beat in his head.

  Bump Bump.

  Draek what are we going to do? He asked his dragon as he forced himself to sit on his bed.

  Bump Bump.

  We are going to do whatever we have to do. His dragon responded. Hayden could tell that Draek was getting ready for their flight and that the elves were putting saddles on all four of the dragons.

  Bump Bump.

  But what are they going to do to us? Do you think we could out run them if we fled now? Hayden asked in desperation.

  Bump Bump.

  What would they do to the elves if we did run? Draek’s response hit Hayden in his chest like arrow to the heart.

  Your right. I knew we couldn’t avoid this day forever; I just hoped it wouldn’t have come so soon. Hayden’s heart rate slowed down close enough too normal to allow him to put on his armor. An elf had to help him tighten some of the straps that were hard to reach and within a matter of minutes he was stepping out of his temporary home, all clad in silver. Hayden carried his eagle helmet in his hand and made sure his sword was secured to his back.

  Shortly after he had stepped out he was joined by Cass and Shane who were both dressed as they had been when they had gone off to fight the dwarves. It had been a day that would haunt Hayden the rest of his life and he had a bad feeling that before the days end he might have that same haunted feeling again.

  “Ready?” Hayden asked as he looked his friends over. Shane covered in heavy copper armor with his helmet in the shape of a bull’s head under his arm, the grip for his giant sword jutting up over his right shoulder.

  “Ready.” Shane replied. All the doubt and fear had fled from his voice as he spoke. Shane was obviously prepared for whatever was about to happen.

  Cass stood tall and proud as the sun light began creeping through the trees and danced off her elegant golden armor. Cass did not speak but as she put her helmet on and secured the strap under her chin her eyes meet Hayden’s; she gave him a short, quick nod.

  “Let’s go then.” Hayden led the way to where their dragons were waiting for them. He fastened his own helmet on as they walked and Hayden caught a glimpse of Shane doing likewise.

  The city of Feren had awoken to find Hayden, Shane and Cass walking the paths of their city in full armor. Armor the elves had not laid eyes upon during their time in Feren.

  As they neared what had once been the hidden entrance to Feren they saw their dragons awaiting them with saddles already strapped. Kirin was standing next to her own green dragon and surprisingly she had dawned her own armor.

  Her armor was a mixture of dark greens and brown that made it look as if it had been grown from the forest around them. She wore a long, flowing cape that just touched the ground behind her. Her helmet was a sleek dome that extended down to almost her shoulders. Upon the top of the helmet was a small green crown that identified her as the princess that she was.

  “You look like Metallic Riders.” Kirin said. Not in a hostile way, just simply stating a fact.

  “We are Metallic Riders.” Was Hayden’s emotionless response. Kirin nodded her head and mounted her dragon without another word.

  Hayden mounted Draek, strapped himself in and prepared for their last flight over Eytherka. He waited until both Cass and Shane gave him the signal that they were ready to fly. As soon as they were ready Draek shot into the air with the other dragons quickly taking off behind him.

  They quickly made their way back to Out Post. They had not returned since they had moved to Feren but nothing much had changed. Snow no longer covered the forest around Out Post but the stone tower stood as tall and defiant as ever. The landing pad stood empty before them as they landed, Draek touching down just moments before the three other dragons.

  Aelfrie emerged from the trap door that led down into the heart of Out Post. He was wearing his normal kingly attire except for the smile he normally wore was missing. It had been replaced by the face of an old tired elf that needed rest.

  “Father.” Kirin greeted Aelfrie as she dismounted her green dragon. “Where are the Metallic Riders and where is Alger?” Kirin looked around for her father’s dark green dragon but he was nowhere to be found.

  “They will be here soon and Alger went off to the Summer Woods to make sure all was well with the dragon eggs. The time is upon us now to let
more young elves try and hatch their own dragons.” Aelfrie looked Hayden and his friends over and smiled at them. “My but don’t the three of you look like warriors.” He said.

  “Thank you.” Shane responded. Hayden did not reply but kept his eye on the sky from where the Metallic Riders would most likely appear.

  “I thought you would have wanted Alger here with you father.” Kirin seemed uncomfortable that the emerald giant was not with her father. Aelfrie put a hand on Kirin’s armored shoulder.

  “They will come and take our new friends away. It will be over quickly and there is no need to worry. The forest will continue growing after today, relax my daughter.” Aelfrie kissed Kirin’s helm and together they awaited the arrival of the Metallic Riders coming to take Hayden, Cass and Shane back to Celestial City.

  The wait was short.

  The dragons were the first to see the riders as they approached. The dragons flew in V formation, something the green dragons never did. There was a silver leading the way and two coppers flying to either side of it. The dragons looked like shimmering jewels in the sky as they neared Out Post.

  Draek and the other three dragons moved to the edge of Out Post’s landing pad to make room for the landing dragons. Hayden had to lower his eyes as the wind kicked up from the mighty silver dragon slashed across his face.

  All four copper dragons were slightly bigger than Draek was, making them much larger than Shaylin or Rilora, and the silver dragon was even bigger still. No one made a sound as the five Metallic Riders undid their straps and lowered themselves from their dragon’s backs. No elves came forward to assist them.

  The copper riders fell in line behind the silver rider, just as they had done while flying. The riders made their way across the landing pad of Out Post, closing the distance between the two groups. The echoing footsteps of the riders as they walked engulfed Hayden until that sound was the only thing he could hear.