Dragon's Fire

by Bri Sailor

  The girl dropped to the ground. “I see. How did they get you?”

  Vex leaned against the wall. “I tried to liberate my king from the clutches of the witch. My army marched on the palace. We were fortunate that she had not been there for some time, which allowed for us to prepare for her. Then one day she showed up and used magic like I have never before seen. She used her own priest to perform an unholy union between her and my king, giving her all of the power of the crown as well.”

  He started pacing and gritted his teeth. “I was powerless to stop her. Powerless to stop her from snapping his neck like a twig. Powerless to save my men, who are now trapped within that cursed palace, doomed to whatever the witch has in store for them.”

  Vex shook his head and went back to the door. “I apologize for my drivel.”

  “Don’t.” said the girl matter-of-factly. “I don’t really care. As much as I want to hate you…”

  “How long have you been in here?” asked Vex.

  A soft clinking sound started coming from the girl’s cell.

  “Only a little longer than yourself.” She said. The clinking continued.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Passing time.” She grunted. “I was leading a raid on a Black Army camp that was encroaching on one of my territories. Well, it wasn’t supposed to be a raid, it was only a scouting mission. But when we got there we actually outnumbered them. So I decided that we would wipe them out and take what prisoners we could. And maybe in the process discover some useful information. During the attack, the rest of the camp returned. Most of my men were slaughtered, some managed to escape. I stayed behind to try and help and got myself captured. Vengeance and greed clouded my better judgment. But I have learned my lesson and intend to not make the same mistake again.”

  Vex shifted his weight. “Interesting. I am sorry for your losses. What territories do you command?”

  “The Wilds, and a small area of the northern most reach of the Black Mountains.”

  Vex’s eyes widened. “The Wilds? I have heard tales of ghosts and beasts that roam amongst those jungles. An impenetrable fortress of magic and nature. I never led campaigns that far north but I know that not even our best and most capable general or her troops were able to even get barely inside the threshold before mysteriously disappearing, never to be seen again.”

  “I remember her.” Snorted the woman. “She was an actual challenge. Her tactical abilities and battle acumen made her a formidable adversary.”

  Vex could hear the smile in her voice and the hairs stood on the back of his neck. “I know who you are. You’re the one they call the Bear.”

  “In the flesh.” Smiled the Bear. “But those that know me call me by my name, Kova.”

  “Alright then, Kova, knowing your reputation I would like to strike an accord between our two armies. I believe that together we could stop Lusha and her forces.” Stated Vex.

  “I will consider your offer.” Kova’s voice sounded oddly muffled and distant, and her cell was quiet.

  “Kova?” said Vex.

  No response.

  “Kova?” he said a little louder.

  Nothing. He sighed and walked over to his straw bed and lay down. The image of Lusha snapping the king’s neck kept replaying over and over in his mind. It was deeply unnerving how cold and callous she was. Then again, why would he expect her to have any shred of humanity in her? He rubbed his face. Even if he was able to get out of this prison how was he going to free his men? He knew of priests capable of casting spells and performing minor healing rituals, but they were nowhere near the required ability to penetrate whatever spell Lusha had placed over the palace. He analyzed every aspect he could think of to no avail. Soon his eyelids grew heavy and he succumbed to a deep sleep. The hours slowly passed by and the guards made their rounds.

  “I don’t believe a word of it.” Said one guard in a hushed tone.

  Vex’s ears perked up.

  “I don’t know.” Said another. “I’ve heard stories about her. Everything seems to be true.”

  “So what? Does this mean that she is leading the Quinmor legions now?”

  “Possibly.”

  “I just can’t believe that she sneaked into the palace and killed the Steward. It just feels…off…What if that ‘army’ from back home has stretched its influence?”

  “That’s quite a reach for a band of farmers and cowards. I wonder, though, if it really was her. I heard that she tried to take on our queen by herself and that her body was hung from Stone Shield.”

  “Regardless if it was her or not, if Horgath is dead, we’ve got to watch our backs.”

  The other guard grunted in agreement. As they passed by Vex’s cell they peered in, looking down their noses at the wretch. One turned to look in Kova’s cell. Anxiety gripped him as he frantically searched the empty cell.

  “Well where is she?” he yelled.

  Vex jumped up and looked towards Kova’s cell. Three guards were standing outside.

  “Open the damn door!” screamed the officer, the veins in his neck and forehead were bulging.

  The guard fumbled a moment. He kicked at the bottom of the doorway and knocked something out of the way before unlocking the door. Vex stood on his toes trying to see what had been kicked. A small crystal lay glowing on the floor, its light slowly fading. The guards shoved their way into the cell.

  “She’s escaped!” yelled the officer.

  They ran out of the cell and out of the prison itself, yelling for the alarm to be raised and to start searching for their missing prisoner. The ingenious rebel had dug a small hole near the wall of her cell just big enough for her to barely squeeze through. Vex had to give the girl credit, she was right about her cell not being able to hold her. He went back to sit on his wooden bed. How would he get out of here? Suddenly the door to his cell was ripped off its hinges. There, covered in dirt and barefoot, was a breathless Kova holding a small, bent piece of metal. She was much shorter than he had realized, and built like rock.

  “Come on! We don’t have much time!” she panted.

  She grabbed his chains and used the pick to unlock them.

  “How did—’’ started Vex.

  “No time!” she interrupted, tucking the metal piece back into the mess that was her hair. “Let’s go!”

  They somehow made it to the entrance of the prison without seeing a single guard. Kova gave Vex a signal to stay quiet. She sneaked towards the large wooden door and cracked it open, peaking outside. The grounds were crawling with guards. Kova closed the door.

  “There’s too many of them.” She whispered harshly. “We’ll have to go back to my cell. You should be able to fit…”

  Vex shook his head. “No way. I saw that thing. I don’t know how you even made it through. Listen, if we release the lot of them it will cause enough of a distraction that we will be able to slip away.”

  Kova clapped him on the chest. “Brilliant!”

  With glowing green eyes she grabbed an ax off of the weapon rack and raced back to the cells. One by one she kicked the magical crystals from in front of the doors of those that were Descended so that they could break down their doors. She wasted no time throwing herself into the metal doors of the rest and knocking them off their hinges with sheer brute force. The prisoners set their chains on the ground and using the ax Kova was able to break the chains, setting them free. One by one the freed prisoners raced towards freedom, grabbing whatever weapons they could use to defend themselves. Vex watched anxiously as the guards and prisoners clashed. The weary man suddenly found himself on his feet and running. Kova had come sprinting from the cells and grabbed him by the collar as she ran out the door.

  “Move it!” she yelled.

  The two escapees disappeared from the prison grounds into the city streets. Incta was rather small but heavily fortified. The buildings were squat but stout. Kova led the way with Vex on her heels.

  “Where are you going?” panted Vex as his lungs burn
ed and muscles ached.

  “We are getting out of here! I remember seeing the main gate when they brought me here.” yelled Kova.

  A loud horn blast suddenly rang out from the prison, followed by several more. Vex looked over his shoulder. Nobody was chasing after them. Kova slowed some as they neared the gate, which was now heavily guarded with a mix of human and glowing eyes. She looked around for a way to get past them. A guard astride a warhorse caught her eye.

  She pointed to him. “Can you distract him for a moment?”

  Vex looked him over. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I don’t care just make sure he doesn’t see me.”

  Vex nodded and ran towards the guard waving his arms like a madman while Kova slipped away.

  “Help!” he yelled. “Help! They’ve escaped! They’re attacking everyone!”

  “Stop!” shouted the guard. “No one is allowed out of the gate!”

  Just as the man was about to spur his horse he was suddenly violently ripped from his mount and slammed on the ground. He tried to stand and was quickly knocked out cold. A green eyed Kova quickly stripped the man of his large metal shield and sword and jumped into the saddle. She extended a hand to Vex.

  “Get on! Quick!”

  He grabbed the offered hand and jumped up behind her. She turned around.

  “Whatever happens just keep going!”

  Kova gave the horse a kick and the beast reared. The rebel aimed straight for the gate. The guards scrambled and readied their weapons. Kova got the horse to a full gallop and stood on the saddle. Once they were within range she leapt high in the air towards the guards. She tucked her body behind the shield and slammed hard into the shocked men, crushing two of them underneath her and scattering the rest. Vex watched in awe as the horse leapt over the bodies and raced towards safety. He looked over his shoulder. Kova was fighting them off like some sort of wild animal, true to her moniker. He silently sent a prayer to the Goddess that she would keep her safe. He turned his bleary eyes to the horizon. Thaemo was his best bet if he were to make it. The adrenalin began to wear off and he felt himself slipping. He tried to shake himself awake. Off in the distance he could just make out the silhouettes of several riders racing towards him. He looked around the saddle for any weapons but found none. Whatever energy he had to spare was gone. His vision started to darken and he sent one final prayer thanking Ailana that he had gotten to see the sky for the last time, not as a prisoner, but as a free man. He squinted at the figures in the distance. Something seemed familiar. As the figures drew closer his heart skipped a beat.

  “Not possible…”

  Chapter 17

  Ky chewed the inside of her cheek. She fought it the best she could, but she still felt guilty for leaving Iyara behind. The warrior fought with herself, she needed to finish what she started and make sure that every trace of Horgath was gone. Ky found herself sending a prayer that the Goddess would comfort and protect Iyara.

  “You alright?”

  Ky looked at the princess and half-smiled. “I think so. Better than I was.”

  Atreyis cleared her throat. “How was Iyara? When we left—”

  “She is doing as good as can be expected.” Replied the warrior tersely. “She is where she is meant to be.”

  The princess took the hint and let the subject go. Incta was only half a day’s ride from Thaemo, but it felt like years. Ever since the coup and what had happened to the two of them, the air between everyone seemed thick with tension. A general unease was palpable. It felt like at any given moment Ky could return to her blood-thirsty, blood-covered self once more. What scared the princess the most, however, was how she was beginning to feel the same; as if she could feel what the warrior was feeling. She glanced at the warrior and felt an odd shiver run from her head to her toe. The princess was taken aback as the warrior shivered as well. Ky cracked her neck. Ever since that night of the invisible flames she had felt “off”. Her rage, despite her actions at the palace, no longer simmered at the surface but had cooled off. She looked sideways at the princess. Immediately, she could feel the girl’s concern for her and her curiosity. The familiar deep ache filled her chest again and a sense of loss was building. It was like she was back in that temple all over again.

  “Yah!”

  She snapped back to reality as Ehren yelled suddenly and he spurred his horse. He raced through the tall, dry grass of the plains towards a figure on the horizon. The rest of the party and their two squadrons of soldiers kicked their steeds into action as well. Off in the distance the figured slowed down, and the rider slumped off his mount. The prince was first to reach the man. He jumped down from his mount and rolled him over. He was dirty and covered in dried blood. It appeared he had possibly been tortured and imprisoned.

  “Cora!” yelled Ehren.

  The priestess arrived with Ky by her side, the rest of the group bringing up the rear.

  “By the gods!” exclaimed Cora.

  Ehren propped the man up. All of the color drained from Ky’s face. She dismounted so quickly that she almost got tangled up in her saddle. She forcibly shoved the prince out of the way and dropped to her knees and cradled the barely alive man.

  “Vex!” she cried, tears forming in her eyes. “Vex! Wake up! Vex! You can’t die! Dammit! You can’t!”

  Frantic eyes searched the priestess. “Do something!”

  Cora gathered herself and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Kneeling to the ground she placed her hands on Vex’s head and abdomen. Her eyes opened and were glowing a brilliant gold. Her hands glowed brightly as well. After a minute the wounded man suddenly took a deep breath and opened his bleary eyes. Vex tried to focus on the teary-eyed face of Ky.

  “Vex?” she whimpered.

  “It is you…” he rasped, tears filled his eyes. “By the gods! I thought you were dead. They said that Lusha—”

  Ky cut him off as she wrapped him in a tight hug. “Never. She tried. But in the end it was she who was fighting for her life.”

  The warrior felt something give deep inside her. Everything came rushing up at once. Her strong body shook with grief as she cradled the man that was the closest thing to family she had ever truly known. Taryn, Riker and Ehren stood, taken aback at the unexpected show of emotion. Atreyis stood still as stone, biting the inside her cheeks in an attempt to keep from crying. Cora’s eyes stopped glowing and she sat back and caught her breath.

  “There.” She sounded drained. “Thank the goddess we found you. I don’t know how much longer…”

  “The city…” he rasped. “We freed the prisoners and they started attacking…”

  “What do you mean?” Ky tried to sit him up.

  “You have to help her.” Vex coughed.

  “Who?” asked Ky.

  “Kova. Her name is Kova. She helped me escape. Helped all of us escape. I left her there…`”

  The warrior sat back on her heels. That name sounded familiar. Her eyes suddenly grew wide. She sat Vex up.

  “This, Kova. Was she short? Did she appear as if she was birthed by the Wilds?” Ky seemed almost panicked.

  Vex scrunched his face in confusion. “Yes. How did—’’

  “Cora, watch over him!” shouted the warrior as she scrambled for her horse. “The rest of you, follow me!”

  “Wait! Ky!” shouted Atreyis.

  The two squadrons of soldiers quickly scrambled after the warrior. Hundreds of thundering hooves roared in their ears. Ehren pushed his steed to catch up with Ky with Atreyis not too far behind him.

  “Who is Kova?” he shouted.

  The warrior gripped her reins tightly. “A few years ago I was sent on a mission to discover the identity of the leader of the rebels who had my armies at a standstill outside of Carmona. The capital itself was already within our power when I was a soldier, but the majority of the kingdom remained outside our grasp. Many of the Xaemoan rebels who lead small attacks within the city had fled and created a large camp with
in The Wilds. The only defense they used against us was something I felt was akin to black magic, possibly the same as what Lusha was able to wield. As soon as any of my men stepped within their realm, nothing was left of them but their screams echoing throughout the trees.”

  “So she is their leader?” yelled Taryn, who had caught up with them.

  “Yes. I manipulated a young follower of the rebels who wanted to join them. Through him I was able to find out the identity of their leader, known as The Bear. They must have been able to capture her after all. If we are to even come close to loosening Lusha’s grip over Xaemox and find that crystal, we need Kova. It’s the only way.”

  Ehren pushed his way to the front and took the lead. “Fine! We get this Kova person, but we are going to do it my way. The queen chose me as her emissary to take the city by diplomacy, not heavy-handed aggression.”