by K.L. Bauman
"It's gone. The blast shattered it into a million tiny pieces," Ayden said remorsefully. He remembered staring at the spot where Degus' ashes covered the black rock. Tiny shards of silver were scattered everywhere, reflecting the sun like a shattered jewels. The sword had self-destructed. Ayden clenched his fists as thoughts of the sword caused that peculiar tingling in his arms. It was as if he still held the blade in his hands.
"I have one question for you," Ayden said, shaking his arms and looking curiously to Freya. "What is my connection to the silver dragon? How was I able to get close to her and how did both my grandfathers know to use them in my weapons' designs? And how did she know to come to our aid at the lake?"
"So many questions all at once!" Freya chuckled. "I can't be certain, but I will theorize that your ancestors may have been dragon whisperers."
Ayden stared at Freya with amusement. "You're kidding, right? Dragon whisperers? Like horse whisperers and dog whisperers?"
Freya glowed serenely and said, "I created the name. I may be mistaken, but I believe that your ancestors had a connection to the dragons and could communicate with them to a certain degree. There may be evidence of this idea at Andor. I saw a few scrolls once, but did not have the luxury of reading them at that time. However, that would explain why your grandfather knew to use the dragon design for the weapons he made. As for Arion, it is possible that he possess a slight ability to foresee the future."
Ayden was excited at hearing Freya's explanations. He would have to make a point to get to Andor and read those scrolls someday.
That 'someday' came sooner than Ayden had anticipated. After several weeks at the farm, Freya had recovered considerably, though she would never be quite the same again. She moved more slowly and stiffly, and there were times when her face would crumple with pain. She had not been surprised when Ayden had told her how he'd heard her pleading voice in the midst of battle; she had nearly died at that moment. In fact, if he hadn't killed Degus when he did, Freya would no longer be living. He shuddered and did his best not to think of it.
It was a bright, warm autumn day, the trees adorned in a shock of vibrant color, when Freya came to Ayden with a surprising request. Eyes sparkling with adventure, she blurted, "I wish to live out the remainder of my days at Andor. I've missed that city and your grandfather's people so much. Don't be disheartened," she said to Ayden whose chest felt a heavy pull at his grandmother's words. "I won't be joining those in spirit for quite some time. However, I think you must agree that I am no longer fit to guard the gateway."
Ayden had pondered what would happen when this day came. Was he expected to guard the gate in Freya's absence? He wasn't excited at the thought of living a quiet life on the farm, especially without Freya. Longing had already been tugging him back to guarding and defending Shae Vale. Besides, the sooner he returned to Shae Vale, the sooner he would see Nya again.
Being her usual perceptive self, Freya answered his thoughts, "I wish for you to accompany me, Ayden. Keena has agreed to take my place here with Volos. They are just so happy to be together, I don't think they would care where they stayed at this point," Freya chuckled. "Plus, after so many years of being Degus' slave, I believe Keena is ready for a tamer life. Besides, guarding is what Nagas do best."
After two solid weeks of doing nothing but organizing, re-arranging, packing, and preparing, Freya, Ayden, Volos, and Keena said their farewells. Volos' eyes were moist as he stood before Ayden, but he chuckled and said, "You'd best come back here from time to time for a spar. I don't want you to get lazy." Ayden blocked a punch from Volos and they hugged, patting each other heartily on their backs.
"Don't worry, Volos. I don't think the elf trainers will give me a chance to be lazy," Ayden said. His stomach tickled as he looked forward to training with the elf defenders and later, he hoped to also train with his earth shepherd grandfather. Spending time at Andor would be the perfect time to find out if Freya's suspicions about his ancestors being 'dragon whisperers' had any foundation.
Jynx bobbed along behind Freya and Ayden as they made their way through the gateway into Shae Vale. The cat had been attached to Ayden, rarely letting him out of his sight since his return. Nienna accompanied them as well, tending to Freya's every need. Fairies zipped to and fro, bringing anything she requested.
Ayden looked back to where Keena and Volos stood at the gate entrance. The beautiful waterfall sent a halo of color around them as they waved. He'd had to go through too many goodbyes lately. After the celebration at the gardens, he and most of the companions had gone their separate ways. Sabina and Pax were continuing their search for a cure for Sabina and hoped to find a teacher for Pax along the way. He hadn't used his magic since the battle, but wanted to overcome that fear and grow strong enough to at least learn how to block dark magic. He'd sworn vehemently never to be used as anyone's puppet ever again.
Da'ewyn had trekked back to her homeland. She and Ayden had had one last light hearted sparring session which ended with a strong hug. "I hope you are awarded with so many crystals, your armbands will be too heavy to wear. You deserve them," Ayden had told her. Bright red scars remained etched across her torso where the fiery whip had burned her.
She'd smiled back, "Even if I don't, gaining a brother was well worth the journey. Besides, I have all of these beautiful scars to rub in my sisters faces!" She'd laughed, her eyes bright with mischief, and Ayden had been strangely aware that the Veela actually did see her scars as beautiful.
Devlin and Nya had to return to their people. They'd told Ayden it was imperative that they alert the elders, and all those who had suffered the curse, that the dreadful thing was over. They had both, with Ayden standing fearfully by, tested their voices, making certain that the curse had indeed been lifted for all the sirens and not just Nya. The beautiful, haunting melody of their combined voices had hushed everyone within listening range into a serene trance.
Saying goodbye to Nya had been almost as painful as watching her die. Ayden had held her for hours, sometimes talking, sometimes just listening to her breathe. Nya's miraculous and sudden knowledge of Ayden's language had been the talk of the gardens. Ayden had tried to explain that it was the magic from the sword, but the fact that she began speaking his language after they'd kissed was a much more romantic notion to the fairies.
Standing under a weeping willow on the day they were to go their separate ways, Ayden had held Nya's hands in his and had listened to the gentle whispering voices in the cascading branches. They had both allowed the tears to streak down their cheeks as they held each other until they nearly squeezed the life from one another. Ayden, still enjoying speaking Nya's language, had said, "I don't think I can do this! I can't stand to be away from you now that I have you with me. I thought I'd lost you--I don't want to feel that way ever again!"
Nya had pulled away and put her fingers on his lips. "Shh. Your thoughts are wandering in the wrong places again." She had smiled up at him, her eyes bright and alive. "Allow me to move them," she'd said softly and touched her lips to his, sending him into blissful oblivion. They had vowed not to stay separated long, and Ayden had every intention of keeping that vow.
"You will see her again, soon," Freya's voice broke through Ayden's musings.
He shook his head and chuckled, "You know, sometimes you're a little too perceptive, Freya."
"My apologies, dear. I do not mean to invade, but my love for you is so strong, I can feel your every emotion. And, being your grandmother, I wish only for your happiness. I will try not to pry--at least not too much," Freya said as creases formed joyous lines around her eyes. She then inhaled a deep breath of fresh, Shae Vale air. "Ah! I think I feel adventure awakening, don't you, dear?"
Ayden laced Freya's arm through his and matched her slower stride. Suddenly struck with happy energy, he smiled back at her and said, "Yes, Freya, I think I do."
Hundreds of miles away in a darkened castle, a terrible, guttur
al yell broke through the silence as bolts of black energy engulfed the crumbling stone of the castle walls. Something dark and inexplicably horrid was awakening?.