The Dragons of Sara Sara

by Robert Chalmers

  Catharina had told him about the stranger in grey clothes who had left the inn as soon as he had been noticed. He had been either a Dark Companion, or a spy for one of the local Great Houses. He would not be the last, that they knew.

  A knock at the door brought Antonin to a halt. Catharina and Edina were on their feet in an instant. Antonin called out 'Come,' and one of the inn's serving girls came in and handed Antonin a rolled parchment. The seal was very elaborate. "What is this seal?" He asked the girl politely. "My Lord, one of the lesser houses of the city."

  Antonin hesitated a moment then ran his thumb nail under the wax seal. It was a simple invitation to dinner, for that evening, at the Great Lords convenience. Meaning of course Antonin. He dropped the roll of paper onto the desk.

  "I have no time for visiting." He looked at the girl. She was obviously waiting for an answer. "Thank you for delivering the message. There will be no answer."

  The girl blinked uncertainly, then left. Within minutes she was back, with two more invitations from other lesser houses. Both went unopened onto the table. The girl hurried back down stairs.

  Suddenly Catharina and Edina sprang for the door, flinging it open and were racing along the hallway. The Wind Reader was in the end room, and they had heard her cry out in pain. Antonin was right on their heels.

  Bursting into the room expecting to do battle with invaders - thieves at least - they slid to a halt to see M'belie helping Sarweio to her feet.

  Antonin looked at the woman. 'A hard one to knock off her feet.' He thought. As though he had spoken aloud, the Wind Reader said in a whisper "I wish that girl would not do that." She looked at Antonin. "Did you not hear it this time? No, of course not. It is your name she uses. The girl Desare. Each time she so much as whispers your name, the bell of the Blue Tower strikes." The Wind Reader struggled into a chair. "I must speak with Mei'An. Thank you for your concern, you may go."

  Antonin 'harrumphed' at the curt dismissal and returned to his room with the girls. He went back to his pacing. After a time he stopped and turned to the two girls. "Catharina, Edina. We may as well get some rest. I fear tomorrow will be another long day. Please, return to your rooms. I will be alright here. Nothing can come up the stairs without us hearing the approach. Lock your rooms anyway."

  Antonin already had his shirt off, and began splashing himself with water from the jug on the washstand. Both girls stood for a moment, watching him. He was strong and well muscled from hard work, and his skin glistened in the lamplight. Catharina sighed and turned to the door, Edina right on her heels. Edina would take the first watch. Catharina would relieve her in an hour or so. Edina found the shadows of an alcove nearby to Antonin's room and settled on her heels without a word. Catharina went to her room. She stripped down to her undergarments and used a dampened cloth to clean off the dust and grit of the days travels. A bath would be lovely she thought, but it would have to wait. Her outer cloths she cleaned the same way. They were mostly soft leather. Finally removing her undergarments, she finished her washing. Clean undergarments she carried in her small script. They were little more than thin cotton, the legs slightly longer than normal to help prevent discomfort when riding or running, and the other a strip of cotton cloth wound around her upper body to hold her breasts firm. Any of the vigorous activities that the Maidens regularly engaged in, riding, fighting, running could cause severe discomfort if not managed. Catharina was not a big girl naturally, but some of her Spear Sisters had real problems.

  Her discarded garments she washed and hung by the fireplace, then slipped into bed, soon asleep. Three times in the night she changed places with Edina, each one waking on time naturally. The night passed without incident.

  When Antonin awoke in the morning, he found both the girls leaning against the frame in their door way talking. Both were still in their underclothes only, and as sight of Antonin turned casually into their room and closed the door. Antonin hardly raised an eyebrow. He had seen both girls many times before, and completely naked as they swam in the river near their home. He was not immune to their charms, but it was early morning, he was hungry and thirsty, and he felt the day was going to be interesting. They were his friends and as friends, there was a casual naturalness to their association. In moments the girls were back. Fully dressed and fully armed. Antonin stood for a moment contemplating whether to call on Sarweio. Finally he decided against it. Jumping to Mei'An's tune was enough. He led the girls downstairs and out to the kitchens. The smells were making his mouth water.

  "Ah, my Lord." Cried the cook. A stout woman of middle years came over from where she had been stirring a huge pot. Her smiling face was a picture of friendliness.

  A huge frizz of mousy blonde hair was held in place by a large strip of cloth wound about it. Her ample bosom was restricted by a snow white apron over a floor length brown woollen dress. It's sleeves came only to elbow length. Her eyes glinted in the morning light as she squinted at a scullery maid working at the washing up tubs. The girl redoubled her efforts.

  The woman was obviously mistress of the kitchen. Antonin smiled into her dark eyes and turned on all his charm.

  "My lady mistress of the kitchens." He beamed as he gave a small bow, swirling an imaginary cape as he had seen real Lords do. He straightened hurriedly as his sword hilt dug him in the ribs.

  "My Lord is too generous. I am but a lowly cook." She replied. She smiled with pleasure however at his flattery, and dabbed at her cheeks with an apron corner.

  "Not so," continued Antonin "for even the greatest generals cannot ride into battle unless well fed, for truly it is said that an army marches on its stomach." He paused. "Would you be so generous and prepare for us a light meal to break our nights fast?"

  The cook was aglow with pleasure. She had never been spoken to so politely before in her life. Assuring Antonin that she would attend to him personally, she ushered him and the girls to a private dining room. Pouring freshly squeezed orange juice, she left them to hurry back to the kitchen. In short order the kitchen staff were almost running. They had heard the exchange though, and all had smiles.

  Bacon, eggs, sausages, fresh fruits and huge pot of steaming tea were soon delivered to the three guests. The tea was a specialty of the district explained the cook. Neither Antonin nor the girls had tried tea before and they found it much to their liking and very refreshing. Antonin had the cook bring him the dried leaves that she used in the infusion. This would be easy to carry when they had to travel.

  Finally Antonin sat back. He felt ready for anything. The satisfied smile faded from his face when one of the serving girls brought in three more scrolls. Two were from Lesser Houses, but the third she explained was from one of the Great Houses. There were only four great houses. This invitation was from the lowest of the four. The House Temsha Ha. Antonin flung all three onto the table unopened. Catharina raised an eyebrow.

  "I know, I know," grumbled Antonin. "I have no doubt I should meet these people. Not yet though. I need more information."

  "A wise move Antonin," said Sarweio from the door. "Mei'An is on her way here even now." She held up a hand at Antonin's protest. "Don't panic, it will be many weeks if not months before she arrives. She travels with Rees, Elsa, and that confounded girl Desare. Oh, and about six thousand of the Spears from the plains."

  "So many?" Said Antonin. "How can this be? She will have to come by land, across the old trade route. A route that has long been cut by the Tharsians."

  "There is more Antonin." The Wind Reader hesitated. "It seems young Desare is central to the treasures of Ha Hu. She holds the Orb. The Key to the Moon Gate. With this in her hands, she can ... reach through... after things... I did not understand. I'm not sure I do even now. It seems that the Seal of the Creator, uhh, moved her to a place near the border lands when she came in contact with the Orb. It responded to her. She can it seems, use the Orb to open gateways through which she can see; through which she can reach. I do not know if she can step through such a gate. It would se
em so however, if indeed she is in a new village now."

  "There is more is there not?" Said Catharina to Sarweio.

  "Yes," she replied "it seems that Rees has discovered the secret of the Treasures. There is a disk. Your disk Antonin. There is a statue. Rees knows it to be the Keeper of The Blue Tower, but he swears it is not bound to him. They bring the treasures with them. I wish we had them here now. Should they fall into the wrong hands ..." She left her sentence unfinished.

  "So, the many strings in this puzzle are being drawn together here it seems." Mused Antonin.

  "As a tree draws lightening." Said Catharina. Everyone looked at her. Antonin hoped he was not that tree. He had seen what happened to such trees.

  He noticed that Sarweio's Companion was not with her.

  "Where is M'belie, Sarweio?"

  "My Companion does a little scouting around. He is ever cautious, and he feels that it has been far too quiet, given the activities of the last few days."

  "A good idea Sarweio. I will myself found out more about this town today. Nareena should be here soon, and together," Antonin waved an all encompassing arm at Edina and Catharina. "We will go hunting."

  Catharina and Edina both had smiles like satisfied cats at the news. All this sitting around felt too much like being targets. Finger talk flashed between them and they laughed heartily at some joke. Antonin thought of a joke of his own.

  "Nareena told me that by pounding my clenched fist on the stone walls of a mountain or cave I would summon dragons. Let us then summon dragons." Now he too was laughing. The looks on the faces of the girls, even Sarweio was enough to have him doubled over in his chair howling with mirth. Finally he calmed down.

  "Come ladies, you don't really think that possible do you? There have been no dragons for a thousand ages gone." Antonin stood and tightened his belt. Serious of face now, he prepared to leave the inn.

  "I wonder if Tong Hua will find his duties here again today?" Antonin wondered aloud. He rather liked the man. A fine warrior. He was a seasoned campaigner, that much was obvious. Not as tall as Antonin, yet he was all muscle and power though. Antonin need not have worried as no sooner had he stepped onto the wide veranda of the inn than a squad of city guards, Tong Hua in the lead was coming at a fast march up the winding street, the cadence of their booted feet echoing off the walls. The jingle of mail and tink tink tink of sword and armoured shields touching lending a very authoritative air to their presence in the street. Early morning merchants and other people out and about on business stepped aside smartly.

  Antonin noticed that this was a larger squad than previously. Some two hundred men unless he was mistaken. Antonin lounged against the supporting post of the roof and watched as the line of men were brought to a halt outside the inn.

  Tong Hua stepped over to the stone steps of the inn.

  "Antonin, my Lord. You are causing something of a stir in the village. The city as you call it. The Elders will not meet with you, they claim you are false. The Lesser Houses are offended that you do not accept their invitations, and worse one of the four Great Houses now demands your removal. It seems you have offended everyone by doing nothing." Tong Hua stood at attention, looking at Antonin.

  Antonin pushed himself off the post and stood with his thumbs hooked in his belt. The golden circlet glittered in the crisp morning light.

  "No matter Tong Hua. Today we find dragons."

  Tong Hua blinked slowly.

  "You have heard then?" He said. Antonin's skin prickled.

  "Heard what, my friend?" He replied quietly.

  "Strange beasts have been reported in the city this last night. Creatures have been seen in the night sky flying out of the north and east, heading west and south. Dragons?" He ended with a question in his voice.

  "No Tong Hua. Creatures of the Dark Lord. My dragons do not skulk about in the shadows." Antonin stood thinking a moment.

  "Tong Hua, the politics of the Houses will have to wait. Until my friends arrive, we must improve our own defences. City walls will not stop the forces gathering against me. I need to find Nareena. She seems to know something of my dragons."

  Tong Hua whirled around to his men. Shouted commands had two of the squad running at full speed down the street.

  "Nareena will be summoned here my lord." As good as his word, within a short time the two men came trotting back up the street, Nareena dressed for hunting between them. She came straight up the steps and stood with Antonin. The squad of soldiers had not even had time to relax.

  "It gathers apace my Lord. The storm is coming? Yes," Nareena answered her own question "I see from your face that it is."

  "Nareena," said Antonin. "You spoke of summoning the dragons. Will my pounding on any wall do the trick, or must I pound on a specific wall?"

  "Why, the Dragon Wall of the city temple of course my lord. Once the dragons are awakened from their long slumber then your summons may be made on any mother stone. Any rock that is still a part of the earth, and not quarried. The Dragon Wall is one such wall. It is a natural feature and the temple is built on to it. Cliffs, cave walls, boulders even ..." Nareena's voice trailed away. "But my lord... errr ... How will you control the dragons?"

  Antonin had no idea, but he wasn't going to tell anyone that little detail.

  "Right my friends, let us away to the temple then." He said instead of answering the question as he started down the steps. The surprise on everyone's face was a picture he thought. 'I have had enough of sitting around waiting for things to happen.' He thought to himself.

  "Sarweio," he called. "We must defeat both the Tharsians and the Morgoth if we are to retrieve the keystone. Only with the Key Stone can we keep the Dark Lord confined." A low rumble echoed through the ground.

  "I show no fear," shouted Antonin at the sky "Be'lal the Father of Lies is my enemy. He will be destroyed."

  Everyone within earshot had gone silent and still, stopping in their tracks. The silence rippled out through the city like a stone in a pond. Suddenly, with a roar that could be surely heard half way around the world it was so loud, the earth seemed to heave like a beast arising from sleep. Houses started to crumble, and people were knocked flat by flying debris.

  Antonin planted his feet apart and stood like a rock.

  "Be'lal!" He roared, his voice so loud it echoed in the sky. "You are finished. You shake now in fear. You know I come for you."

  Abruptly the convulsions in the earth stopped. People stumbled dazed from their homes into the street.

  Suddenly Nareena pointed down the street where it sloped away into the city proper. A thick oily cloud was billowing up the street, obscuring all in its path. The screams of people trapped in its oily depths were horrible to hear. The building where it passed began to crumble into flame. Antonin felt himself deep in a state almost like a trance. He had roused the Dark One on purpose. Yet still only manifestations were sent against him. As bad as these were, it meant that they still had time. The Father of Lies was still in his prison. Still within the Wheel of Sara Sara. He knew he had to stop this cloud of evil before it did any more damage. Before it destroyed any more innocent people. Antonin stepped down the street toward the boiling cloud. With the fingers of his left hand touching the golden circlet upon his head, he reached out his right hand and pointed at the cloud, now very close. He had no idea if this plan would work but perhaps he could focus the power on the cloud and destroy it. With horror he realized the cloud seemed to have a physical shape. Huge arms and cavernous jaws took shape to rip apart helpless victims then melt back into the cloud as it passed, only to reform again moments later as the next victim came within reach.

  Antonin commanded. "Show Yourself." and a stream of white hot fire streamed from his outstretched finger tips. The boiling mass of the cloud began to ripple as lightning cracked through it and arched across its surface. It began to contract in and take shape. As the fire from Antonin's finger tips continued to crackle into it, it slowly formed into a beast of horrible proportio
ns. Black as night, fire roaring deep within its cavernous throat. It's eye sockets were pools of molten lava and focused now it seemed, on Antonin. The stream of fire from his fingers seemed only to have focused the beast on himself. The sweat was streaming from every pore of his skin as he slowly inched forward to confront the horror. Faintly he could hear Sarweio in the background. He had no idea what she was saying. Suddenly it seemed, Sarweio was beside him and from her outstretched hands balls of crackling electricity were being hurled at the beast inching toward them.

  With no warning at all the black form that had been inching closer, roaring, belching fire and consuming all in its path was gone - replaced by an ordinary looking man. Dark skinned with a black robe, red lined and swirling about him. His cloths were of black cloth, and even Antonin could see that they were well made. The man was laughing at them, the cascade of fire and electricity simply deflecting off an invisible shield that seemed to surround the fellow. Antonin stopped the white fire pulsing from his fingertips. Sarweio stopped her barrage.

  Now, man to man, 'or is it?' thought Antonin, is he someone to deal with. He drew his sword and stepped toward the figure, now only yards distant.

  This messenger of the Dark Ward may be able to shield himself against the massive powers available to Antonin and Sarweio both, but he hadn't noticed that the swirling debris from the street settled about his shoulders, and ash floated by and stuck to his cape.

  The shield was still visible, and this person, this Dark Companion thought himself safe behind it. Antonin advanced until he was within easy reach of the man.

  "You fool," the man laughed. "To think that you could defeat the Great One, our mighty Lord." He began to weave his hands in the beginnings of a spell. Antonin had moments to try his theory. As the man lifted his head to deliver the spell, Antonin slowly slid his sword through the shield and then plunged it home into the foul companions chest. The look of surprised pain on his face was consumed by a howl of sheer rage as another face of pure evil consumed the hapless fellows features. Instantly all disappeared in a puff of sooty ash.