Bane of the Dragon King

by J. Keller Ford

  Master Pusrig’s eyes turned to saucers. He turned to Jared. “Please,” he said.

  Jared incanted a single word. The fire mage disintegrated, his clothes the only things left of him.

  Slavandria stirred beneath the mound. Mangus and Jared ran to her and dropped at her side. Mangus cradled her head. “My love. Are you all right?”

  She nodded. Tears streamed through the dirt on her face. “Father. She’s gone. Lily’s gone. Einar killed her and Aldamar when he went through the rift. They’re gone.”

  David swayed where he stood. No. It couldn’t be. Tears fell down his cheeks. Slavandria held her hand out to him. “David.”

  He turned his back, the pain rippling through him, building, ready to explode. It couldn’t be. Not Lily. He glanced at Trog. The knight met his gaze. Understanding, pain, heartache … it all passed between them without a word spoken. He had to get away, from the blood, the war … the unbelievable, mind-altering silence.

  Trog turned him around to face what everyone was staring at. Overhead, over the center of the battlefield and Einar’s body, the Numí formed a circle.

  David followed Trog and Mangus to Einar’s body. It was morphing between human and dragon form. He needed to be put out of his misery.

  “Do it, Trog,” Mangus said, wiping his sweaty, straggly hair from his face. “Kill that bastard.”

  “I can’t kill it, but I’ll be happy to cut him to shreds!” Trog raised his sword

  Charlotte emerged from the throng of warriors and walked across the battlefield. She stepped between the dragon and knight. “No, Trog,” Charlotte said.

  Einar twitched and moaned as he shapeshifted. He wore the wounds of war all over his body, from foot to head.

  “I have to know why he did all those horrible things, why he killed so many innocent people.” She looked down at Einar. “What made you so evil?”

  “I … am a … Timberlake Smoothback.”

  “That’s what you are, not why you are evil.”

  “You’re evil. They’re evil. Everyone is evil.”

  “That’s not true. There is a lot of good in the world. You chose not to find it. You chose to be what you are.”

  “For a Numí, you know so little. I cannot deny my nature any more than you can deny yours. You are inherently good. I am bad.”

  “You can change,” Charlotte said. “You don’t have to stay that way.”

  It was Prince Venniver’s side that chuckled. “We don’t want to change. There is strength in tyranny.”

  Charlotte looked to the heavens. “There is more strength in love.”

  Prince Venniver lay in his complete human form, his threads in tatters. “No one has ever loved me. No one ever will. I was born alone, and I shall die alone.”

  Charlotte’s bottom lip trembled. “No. You will not die alone. It is the least I can give you in your passing.”

  “How gallant of you.”

  “Ahh, Charlotte, let me have my go at him!” Trog said. “He killed my son. My wife is dead because of him! Friends, soldiers are dead because of him. He deserves nothing in his passing but a sword to his gut.”

  “No, Trog. He deserves forgiveness. I am not asking you to love him. I know you cannot. It’s not within you, nor is it within me. What I do know is that I refuse to harbor hate for the rest of my life. I don’t want to be the eye for an eye. I want to be the hope. I want to be the salvation. I want his soul and yours, too, to find peace.” She glanced into the prince’s eyes. “All you have to do is ask for forgiveness for all you’ve done.”

  Venniver closed his eyes. “Never. Kill me. Give me that much respect in my final moments. Make it quick.”

  “I will not. I am better than that.”

  “I’m not,” Trog growled, raising his sword above his head. “It is time for you to die.”

  Charlotte raised her palm, closed her eyes, and summoned a thread of magic. The string of purple sparks spun into a ball. She pressed it toward Trog. He fell back, his sword clanging to the ground. “You’ve forgotten, Sir Trogsdill. You cannot kill him. All you will do is wound him further, as well as yourself. That shadowmorth wound will never heal until you forgive yourself and him.”

  “You ask the impossible!” he shouted. “He took everything from me!”

  “And you have taken all from him.”

  “He killed his son’s mother! He tried to kill Mirith, his own flesh and blood.”

  “Are you God, Sir Knight? Do you have the authority to dole out who lives and who dies? What of all those lives you have taken in the name of honor. They were someone’s son, someone’s father, someone’s brother. Do you not feel their families weep with the same revenge as you? Like you, they did what they thought was right. Who are we, any of us, to say which side of the story is the truth? Don’t both sides hold truth? It is time to stop focusing on all our differences, on all the mistakes we’ve made in our pasts. No one is without scars, but we cannot keep blaming others for our choices.” Charlotte stood and glanced down at the two of them, the man who never knew love, and the one who was broken because he knew it too well. “I forgive you both for what you’ve done to one another, but more importantly, what you have done to yourselves. End this self-inflicted wounding. Gwyndolyn and Eric would want you to do so, Trog, and you, Prince Venniver, will finally find the peace you seek.”

  Footsteps moved toward her from behind. She turned slowly to find Slavandria, Mangus, and Jared glowing in shimmering blue light. A tear fell. She hugged Slavandria.

  “Mother.”

  “Charlotte.” A tear slid down Slavandria’s cheek as she wrapped her arms around her daughter and kissed the top of her head. “I am so sorry. I tried to protect you, to keep you from harm, and I led you straight into it. Lily and I should have never kept either you or David in the dark.”

  “There is nothing to forgive.” Charlotte looked Slavandria in the eye. “You were being a mom. It’s not a perfect job. There is no right and wrong. As my human dad says, we don’t come with instructions. All we can do is what we feel is best and right. I will always love you even for your mistakes.” Charlotte stepped to her right and stared at Mangus. He was a mess. Scarred, bloodied, his arm clearly broken. A swollen bruise hid his left eye. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

  “I love you, Father. Thank you for everything. You’ve taught me so much about myself in the past two weeks. Even when I was rude and angry at you, you never gave up on me. Please forgive me for acting like a spoiled brat. I said some hurtful things, and I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, stop this,” Prince Venniver murmured. “Enough with the blah, blah, blah. I think I’ll die from the sappiness.”

  Trog rose to his feet and stumbled forward. His right hand clutched his left side, the appendage buried in the blood of the shadowmorth’s wound. Blood, dirt, and bruises clung to him like a second skin. He was weak. Dying. He fell to his knees beside Venniver and shoved the prince onto his back.

  “I do not like you. I never have. You’ve destroyed lands, killed everything and everyone because of your greed and jealousy. You ruined my life. You took everything that mattered to me, but I took something from you. For Lady Charlotte, for my Gwyndolyn and Eric, I’m sorry I killed your son,” Trog blurted, his voice a mess of trembling nerves. A tear slid down his face. “I never knew the pain of losing a son until I lost my own. Until you made me feel it, and for that, I am sorry.”

  Charlotte knelt beside him and held his hand. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She combed her fingers through Venniver’s hair. “See. That’s all you have to do.”

  Venniver looked at Trog. The longest pause known to mankind continued for more time than imaginable. Finally, a thin smile stretched across Venniver’s face. “I always admired that boy. He was the only one who was ever kind to me in my human form. I will miss his wit.” He reached out and took Trog’s other hand. “From one father to another, I, too, am sorry.”

  C
harlotte pressed the two men’s hands together and let her tears fall upon their union. “I forgive.”

  Beautiful, heavenly white light as bright as the sun emerged from the ground, swelling around them like a giant bubble, warm and embracing. Trog collapsed. Charlotte released his hand. He didn’t need to go where Venniver was going.

  The Numí soldiers descended into the circle of light and clasped their hands, their beautiful angelic voices singing as they rose into the sky, taking Venniver’s body with them. Charlotte released his hand and with a blessing, sent him on his way.

  The huge ball of light rose slowly into the heavens, the Numí’s voices showering down on those alive below. David made his way through the crowd and stood before her. There was so much love and sorrow and admiration in her eyes. He kept trying to talk, but no words would come out. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. He circled his arms around her and held her tight.

  “You’re amazing, Charlotte. I love you,” he said as he buried his face in her neck. “I love you so much.”

  Charlotte’s emotions opened the flood gates. The tears came.

  It was over. It was finally over.

  David

  A month passed since the final dragon war came to an end. Thanks to Charlotte and so many others, Fallhollow was saved, as were so many other worlds. Grand events took place all over the realm. David and Charlotte were given the deed to the Elthorian Manor in Tulipakar. Jared offered the kingdom of Berg to Charlotte to rule in her divine capacity.

  She turned it down.

  Days later, boats and ships arrived in the port of Volly. Everyone wanted to see the remnants of the metal flying machines that fought the dragon king and won, their skeletal remains poking like monuments from the ground. David was quite happy porting every now and then to explain all about them.

  Barges floated up and down the Gop and Antylles Rivers, the sailors and residents overjoyed that trade had resumed and life was back to its debauchery self.

  The king of Fauscher died a few days after the war ended. By Numí proclamation, Charlotte appointed Stephen Cavanaugh as King. David and Charlotte attended the coronation, happy that the former wereman received the accolades he deserved.

  The Dalvarian rebels, what few remained, were seen scattering over the hills of Fauscher, to lands beyond. The bodies of the dead were burned, including the enemies, and Slavandria blasted the mage tunnels to oblivion and destroyed the crystals. All was as it should be. There was only one thing that remained.

  David stood in the glen where it all began with Twiller all those months ago. The portal behind Charlotte pulsed, the passageway ready to close at any time. The forest hummed. The palindrakes gathered on branches in the clearing. Behind him, on a huge boulder, Twiller sat puffing his pipe.

  David smiled. Some things never change.

  To David’s surprise, everyone that meant anything to him had gathered in the place where the adventure started for him. Trog, Slavandria, his parents Mysterie and Gildore. They had all come to say “goodbye” or embrace him in their arms if he chose to stay. As he watched Charlotte hug Slavandria and Mangus, he knew what he had to do. He reached out to Charlotte with his mind. It’s time, Char. The portal won’t stay open forever.

  He moved far away from the others, his eyes on Charlotte as she meandered toward him. She looked beautiful, radiant, but more than anything, peaceful. He knew before she reached him what choice she’d made.

  He took her hand, and they walked further away from the crowd, away from listening ears.

  “You’ve decided to go home, haven’t you?” he asked, his eyes searching her face. He didn’t want to hear the word. He braced his heart for it.

  “Yes,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. A hole punched deep in his chest. “I take it you’re going to stay.” It was more a statement than a question.

  David nodded, his heart folding in two, three, four pieces. He knew soon enough it would shatter … unless he could get her to change her mind.

  “This is my home, Charlotte. My family is here. My true family. There’s nothing left in Havendale for me now that Lily is gone.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  He stared into her face, her beautiful eyes. How could he let her go? His stomach balled into a knot.

  “Not if you stay here with me.” He took both of her hands in his. “I beg you. Please stay.”

  “David, I—”

  He shook his head. “Shh. Hear me out, please. I love you. I love you more than you’ll ever know and probably more than I could ever express if I lived to be a million years old. You are everything to me. I know Fallhollow isn’t your thing. I get that, but things are different now. Einar is gone, this time for good. The world is at peace. We’ve got the tools and technology to bring this world into the twenty-first century. The Elthorian Manor is ours if we want it.”

  “David.”

  “Stay with me. Marry me, if not now, then in a year or so. We can have a wonderful life here, you and me. I’ve already spoken to Slavandria. You can bring your parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stine have already said they will go where you go. Please, Charlotte. Don’t make me beg more than I am.”

  Charlotte wiped a tear from her cheek and shook her head. “I can’t, David. As much as I love you, I can’t. I’m tired. I don’t want to be here anymore. I don’t want magic. I don’t want to be a goddess. I just want to be me kicking my toes around on the beach, running with my dog. I want ice cream. I want to hear sirens and watch TV and go to Christmas parades and see the Christmas lights in downtown Havendale. I want to graduate high school and go to movies with my friends. I miss my friends, my gymnastics class. As horrible and messed up as our world is, there is still so much I want to see. So much I want to do.” She paused for a moment, her gaze buried into his. “Come back with me. Let’s do all those things we said we would do together. Let’s go skydiving in Germany, go hang-gliding over the Grand Canyon. Visit the pyramids. Hug a giraffe. We can still get married. Have lots of babies, or not. We can get old and lazy together. Lose our teeth and our hair together.” She ran her fingers through his hair and brushed a thumb over his lips. “Come home with me, David. I don’t want to live without you.”

  His heart tugged. His stomach pulled. What to do? He thought he had it figured out and then she had to go mess it all up. He did want to do all those things and more, and he wanted to do them with her, but …

  “David.” It was Slavandria. “It’s time. Make your choice.”

  He looked at Charlotte then flicked his eyes to Gildore and Mysterie. To Trog. His parents and uncle. The family he never had and always wanted. He had to stay.

  He had to.

  “I will miss you forever, Char. Maybe someday … ” He choked on his words. He looked into her eyes, touched her hair. Ran his thumb across her cheek. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her the way he never kissed her before. Their tears mingled and dripped onto the corners of their lips. She pushed away and wiped the tears away.

  “I’ll always love you, David Alwyn Heiland.” She touched his face, his lips. “And when you look at the moon, think of me.”

  He nodded. “Always.” He stepped back into the safety of his parents’ realm.

  Trog stepped toward her, his eyes a little misty. “I owe you an apology. I let my hate and revenge cloud my judgment. You showed me the way to a better me. Thanks to you, it’s healed. The shadowmorth wound.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I will never forget you, Charlotte.”

  She smiled up at him. “I’m going to miss you, too.” She kissed his cheek. “You’ve got an incredible story to tell, Trog. One I’m sure your nieces and nephews and maybe even your kids will love.” She stepped back.

  Slavandria and Mangus brought Charlotte and her dad together. “Have a lovely, wonderful life, my dear.” Slavandria hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Are you sure we can’t convince you to stay?”

  Charlotte nodded. “I’m s
ure.”

  “Then I think you should know David has left everything to you. His home, his wealth. All of it. The official papers are waiting on your kitchen table. The memories of all residents of Havendale will be altered upon your return. A credible story will be in place, one that involves David never returning. You do understand what that means, don’t you?”

  Charlotte and David shared a glance. Charlotte nodded. “Yes.” There was a tremble in her voice.

  David’s heart shattered. He would never see her again. He would be dead to everyone back home. Dead. There was so much finality in that word.

  His mother put an arm around him but it did little to comfort him. Please, Char. Don’t go.

  Charlotte closed her eyes as Mangus bent forward and pecked her on the cheek. “You are a lovely daughter,” he whispered. “I couldn’t be more proud.”

  Charlotte wiped the tears from her face. Slavandria steepled her fingers to her lips. With a whisper, she opened her palms.

  Charlotte wrapped her arms around Mangus’ neck. “I will love you all always and forever … Daddy.” They looked each other in the eyes one final time before Charlotte stepped back and clasped Mr. Stine’s hand. She looked at David, tears in her eyes. Goodbye, David. I’ll love you until the end of time.

  The portal membrane pulsed out, grasped them, and pulled them in. In an instant, Charlotte was gone.

  The rift sealed.

  It was done.

  David looked at the trees, the sky, tears pouring freely. “Goodbye, Charlotte. Forever and always, till the end of time.”

  Mysterie and Gildore put their arms around him. “Let’s go home, son,” Mysterie said.

  And he did.

  THE END

  Acknowledgement

  I hate endings, so I’m going to keep this short.

  What a wild and crazy ride this has been. After all these years, David’s and Eric’s tale finally comes to an end. I have to admit my heart is weeping a little. These characters have been with me for so very long that it really breaks my heart to say goodbye. I think I will miss Trog the most, but it’s time to move on to other stories begging to be told by other voices. With that said, I want to say Thank You to all the characters that have infiltrated my brain and graced the pages of The Chronicles of Fallhollow. Without their tenacity and determination, their stories would have never been told. They gave me strength to do what I used to believe was impossible. I will always remember the way they woke me in the middle of the night to introduce themselves to me, to torture me or another character, or show me what love, honor and sacrifice really looked like. To this cast of characters, I bid you ado. It’s been fun. May we meet again someday.