by D. R. Grady
“Lachland would have been pleased that his last service was to save my life before he passed on.” Thin white lines formed around Fergus’s lips.
“He planned to pass on to the next life?” Rykert had been aware of Fergus’s mournful intention.
“Yes, we both did. Lachland died in battle and that sealed his honor.” Fergus rubbed a hand down his leg. “I have been unable to join him.”
“I can aid you with the vaspiris venom.” Mozark shot a look to the Aasguard and sea serpent before he opened a new portal. He stepped through. When he returned, he came with another woman who appeared to be a mage exactly like him.
“This is Eliza, she is a healer mage. Eliza this is—”
“Fergus the First.” Dawning wonder lit her voice as she stepped forward to hug the warrior.
“Hello Eliza.” Fergus greeted the woman in the tones of old friendship as he returned her hug.
“Mozark told me you encountered a vaspiris?”
“I have no idea.” Fergus shook his head. But something that had been missing before began to radiate from him. Rykert eventually identified the missing quality as hope.
Eliza used her staff in the same manner as Mozark, only she spent longer at Fergus’s legs. She muttered a few things, then eventually straightened from her examination.
“We have need of four Aasguard warriors.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I can bring two more. Many Aasguard warriors are arriving at the new school for Aasguard warriors.” Mozark announced this as he watched everything Eliza did.
Fergus paused in rubbing his leg. “An Aasguard school?”
“Yes. Kellen the Mighty and Ari the Noble have married and have built a school to train new Aasguard warriors. One with no respect to said new warrior’s beginnings. Anyone who shows exceptional fighting skills can be Aasguard trained.” Felicity answered and the change in Fergus was striking.
His pained features animated. “A school and two Aasguards have married?” Disbelief and other expressions crossed his face. Only someone who knew him well or a fellow Aasguard would likely recognize this.
Punzel bumped him with her nose. “There, you see. I told you the Age of Aasguard is upon us.”
“You did tell me that.” He still looked stunned. “Aasguards marrying…”
“Vidar the Loyal married a human queen. He was the first to do so. She is now Aasguard and they are expecting their heirs. Raene is the Queen of Montequirst. Lajos the Swift is married to her princess and they are the King and Queen of Swiftland.”
“I would very much enjoy seeing Lajos again.” The hope dawning on his face was nearly painful. “But I cannot move.”
“With four Aasguard warriors, I believe we can take away your pain and set you on the road to recovery.” Eliza’s voice sounded afar off. As though she spoke absently.
“Will I be able to walk?”
“I believe so. But you have been in this condition for so long I cannot promise you a complete recovery.” Eliza remained brisk.
“I shall be back.” Mozark opened the portal again and disappeared through it.
Felicity gazed at Punzel. “How is it that you are able to be out of the water?”
Punzel smiled. “Sea serpents prefer water, but we are adept on dry land as well. At least my species of sea serpents. There are some who are bound to the sea but many of us have progressed beyond it.”
“I would have succumbed to madness without Punzel.” Fergus reached out a capable hand to the sea dragon in an obvious show of affection.
“Can you fly?” Maeze tilted her head in her charming, youthful manner.
“I do not know. I have never tried.” Punzel glanced at Fergus.
“If we ever leave here I believe we shall see if you can.”
“I am uncertain on whether I am capable of flying. Obviously, I am made for water, but I don’t struggle on land.” Punzel laid her massive, equine-shaped head on Fergus’s shoulder.
Before anyone could comment the portal opened again. Mozark entered first, followed by Emma and Lucy the Lucky.
Felicity let out a little shriek and grabbed her friend, Lucy. Who countered with a shriek of her own. Both of them tended to forget they were supposed to be Aasguard warriors whenever they met.
They spent time hugging before Rykert cleared his throat. “While Fergus is glad you are happy to see each other, he probably would prefer to be without pain for the first time in a century or so.”
“I am enjoying their reunion.” Fergus smiled but it more resembled a grimace. His hand clenched.
Eliza took control. “Rykert, you are a friend?”
“I am.”
“If you will please stand at Rykert’s right side, at his head?”
Rykert moved into position.
Eliza inspected her, Emma, and Lucy. Emma’s color looked high. She smiled and spoke but something seemed a little off. Felicity didn’t have time to ask questions because Eliza pointed to Fergus’s right foot. Felicity stationed herself there.
Emma stood at his left foot and Eliza chose Lucy to stand to the left of his head. Felicity took note of the sword at his side. He had it sheathed on his left.
Mozark introduced Emma and Lucy to Fergus and something in his tone when he said Emma’s name made Felicity peer at him. His color also looked a little high. She darted a look at Emma. Still red in the cheeks.
Her eyebrow rose and she glanced at Lucy but her friend stood with her hand in Fergus’s and Felicity recognized the expression on her friend’s face. Lucy gazed at the supine body of the warrior on the bed with wonder and definite bedazzlement at the dark haired, dark eyed warrior. More or less the same way Felicity herself had felt when she met Rykert.
Eliza bustled up one side of the bed and down the other. Her staff tapped as she did so before she and Mozark faced one another across Fergus’s bed. They both lifted their staffs.
The one in Eliza’s hand lit with a multi-colored aura that brightened. The light slowly emerged from the staff and she pointed it at Fergus. Who still held Lucy’s hand but he also placed a hand on Punzel who had stationed herself at his head.
Now the light jumped to encompass the fallen warrior. It lit his body and bobbed from his head to his feet. When it reached his waist, the light tightened in bands around his lower half. Candles floated in the air around them, most likely produced from Mozark and the scents could only be described as healing. A soft chant emerged from Eliza’s throat and soon Mozark took it up with her.
Power swirled around the bed and soon drew out each of their own energy to combine in a juggernaut that Eliza again directed at Fergus. It lifted the hairs on Felicity’s arms. She eyed the colored bands from her, Rykert, Lucy, and Emma as they combined with Mozark and Eliza’s mage power. The Aasguard energy was different but it still meshed easily with that of the mages. Punzel pushed her head further onto Fergus’s shoulder.
And a dark green energy erupted from her to join theirs. Finally bands of yellow and blue combined from Felix and Maeze to intertwine with theirs. So much power in the room lifted Fergus off the bed and the power bands and light completely encased him, sealing him off from them.
Lucy gasped as her hand disappeared within the cocoon. A band of the light left Fergus and aimed directly at Punzel, hitting her in the face. The energy shot into her eyes. She cried out and squeezed her eyes shut, but the light had already penetrated.
Fergus said something, but his words were muffled by the healing energy enveloping him. Punzel blinked and her eyes changed from the dulled, murky orbs they had been to what must have been her eyes in her youth.
Then Fergus floated back onto the bed. His body settled there as the power that Eliza had generated surged back to the original sources. The light flared around him. It sank into his skin.
Quiet settled into the room as the healing light disappeared into the reclaiming darkness. Felicity missed it.
Fergus stirred.
‡‡
“I am no
longer in pain.” Fergus blinked exactly as Punzel had done and turned his head toward the sea serpent. She twisted her head around to look him in the eyes.
“I can see again. Exactly as I could in my youth.” She pressed a loud kiss on his forehead.
He reached up to curl a hand around her head. At least as much as his large hand could cover her enormous head. “Your eyes are beautiful Punzel.”
Fergus turned a different face to Eliza. “Can I walk?”
“Not yet. Whether you can in the future we shall have to see. Give your body time to complete the healing. As Aasguard, your healing abilities should aid you now. Perhaps tomorrow you can rise and test your legs.”
“Can we move him?” Mozark asked Eliza.
Eliza glanced around the space. “It seems a change of scenery would do him good.” She sent an uncertain look at Punzel. “However, where can he go that has water?”
Lucy, who remained hand in hand with Fergus offered a suggestion. “I have built a home on the cliffs of Cragsleigh. It has direct access to the sea. Punzel would be comfortable there.”
“It is sea serpent friendly?” Rykert could not recall much on the needs of a sea dragon.
“I have made friends with a male sea serpent. He visits me every day when I am in residence.” She glanced at Punzel with a slight smile. “He is very handsome.”
Fergus offered a real grin. “Punzel has mentioned her species numbers are dwindling so she should enjoy meeting a handsome specimen of her kind.”
“The oceans are vast and we have moved away from our traditions.”
“And you have bound yourself to me.” The grin faded into a frown. “I am grateful but you have given up so much, Punzel.”
“I have had a companion for the first time in my equally long life. It has meant more than I can express to remain here with you.”
“Is there water near the school?” Felicity entered the conversation. He failed to read her expression.
“A large lake is located a few miles away. We dragons bathe in it every day.” Felix inserted this information.
“I did not know that.”
“It is nearly hidden, and a few of us have speculated on whether we could build a tunnel into the school for easier access.” Felix indicated Punzel. “It would not take us long to do so, especially if we have Aern.”
A small ripple of laughter undulated through those who knew Aern.
“Who is Aern?” Fergus asked.
“He is a massive black dragon with clumsy tendencies. He and Vidar the Loyal traveled together until Vidar married Raene and Aern mated with Lajos’s dragon Fricassa.” Rykert filled in the gaps of Fergus’s memory. He would have likely at least heard about Aern.
“I have a faint memory of Lajos at least mentioning Aern. He appears to be a bit of a celebrity in our world.”
“He is. Aern is the size of a dinosaur. But he has a tendency to trip over his own four feet.” Rykert further explained while those who knew Aern nodded.
“You are thinking we take Fergus to the school now? Or he comes to my home?” Lucy appeared to notice she still held Fergus’s hand. But she did not release her grip.
“There are plenty of Aasguard warriors amassing at the school right now. How do you think finding Fergus the First alive is going to impact our morale?” Rykert cocked his brow at Lucy. An attractive woman with sleek medium brown hair and large green eyes. Her delicate features would cause many to overlook her Aasguard skills.
He enjoyed the smile that crossed her face as she looked down at the warrior. “Knowing he is alive will mean so much to our people. To have him at the celebrations for the opening of the school will encourage everyone and give him time with people again.”
“I wish to be at the celebrations.” Then he craned his head to peer up at Lucy. “Then we can go to your home. Punzel would enjoy having time with the dragons and then meeting your handsome sea serpent.”
“I would.” Punzel gazed at Fergus with troubled eyes. “It will not be too much for you?”
“No. This is exactly what we both need.” Fergus glanced at his legs. “I should dearly love to train on my feet again.”
Eliza held up a hand. “Not yet. We shall see if we can get you walking first. Then we can focus on your training.”
“Raene, Vidar’s wife, is expecting their heirs. We modified her training to protect her and the babes. I wonder if we could do the same for you?” Felicity adjusted her sword as she addressed Fergus.
“It would not be hard. It is clear he has continued training his upper half.” Emma indicated Fergus’s wide shoulders and bulging biceps. He had not given up on training, despite being confined to this bed.
“He practices every single day. No matter the pain.” Punzel stretched out her long neck. Then she resumed her close position beside Fergus. Rykert approved of how protective she was of their treasured first warrior.
And Fergus, although confined to the bed, showed the exact same protectiveness of the sea serpent. He himself would move mountains for Felix, so he understood. And Felix had been known to spread more dragonfyre than necessary to protect him.
“Shall we move Fergus?” Eliza inquired this of Mozark.
“We can send the women through first, to warn Kellen and Ari of his arrival.” Mozark opened the portal again and ushered Felicity, Emma, and Lucy, who finally released Fergus’s hand, through the opening.
The women did not argue as they most likely intended to assist the couple in accommodating Fergus and Punzel. Next Mozark ushered Maeze and Felix through, then Punzel. Who had clearly never stepped through a portal before. Neither had Maeze but she was young enough to be game for anything.
Fergus spoke a few quiet words to Punzel and she entered, although she poked her head back through. The mages assured her they were right behind her.
They raised their staffs and Fergus rose in his supine position. They directed his prone body through the chamber and into the portal. Eliza went first, followed by Mozark while Rykert took up the rear.
As soon as he exited on the other side of the portal, it suctioned shut.
A mass of warriors met them on the other side.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
As soon as she left the portal, Felicity took up a brisk pace. She contacted Ari through their crystals and her friend met her in the middle of one long corridor.
Kellen happened to be with her.
“Felicity, what ever is wrong?”
“We found Fergus the First.”
All activity in the hallway ceased. Aasguard warriors, mages, and others she could not take time to identify all turned toward her with shocked expressions. “You found his treasure?”
“Yes, and him. He is alive. Come.” She did not bother with time to explain but throttled back down the hall to where she had exited the portal.
They all arrived in time to see Eliza step through the portal as she and Mozark maneuvered Fergus into the school. Many caught sight of Punzel and shocked gasps escaped at the sight of the fierce sea dragon but also at the amazing appearance of this distinguished warrior’s unexpected arrival.
Kellen stepped forward immediately to offer a warrior’s welcome. “Fergus the First, it is with much gratitude and awe that we welcome you to this first school for Aasguard warriors.”
Ari stepped up right after him and offered the same greeting. “You are most welcome. You have a sea serpent as a companion?”
“This is Punzel. She has been my faithful companion through all of this.” Fergus reached for Punzel who immediately tucked her head under his hand. She calmly gazed back at the myriad number of warriors and mages who studied her.
“We are grateful for your care to our much revered warrior.” Kellen stated this firmly. “You are most welcome.” Then he hesitated. “But the nearest body of water is a few miles away.”
“We have a plan for that,” Felix inserted.
“This is the first time I have seen sunlight in centuries.” Fergus shaded his eyes in the st
reaming sunlight.
“Let us settle you in a room.” Ari had already begun assessing the space before she nodded to herself and set off down the hall. A room that overlooked the training field would offer him an excellent view of the activity but also allow Punzel to visit.
Fergus’s face fell a fraction once the mages settled him on the bed. Of course he would be dismayed to be among his own again and have to lie in a bed. Again. He had been doing so for over a century.
Felicity searched for Rykert and grabbed his hand. Then she outlined her idea. Kellen overheard her, as did Mozark and they all hurried to a storage room on the ground floor. There she selected a chair she thought would be perfect for Fergus and the three men aided her in quickly outfitting it to offer Fergus maximum mobility.
The modifications did not take long and they wheeled it into his room. His expression changed at the sight of their ingenuity. Eliza and Mozark lifted him from the bed again and settled him in the chair.
By placing his hands on the wheels Fergus could wheel himself about the school. He seemed eager to do so. “Punzel?”
She stepped forward. Her size made it difficult for her to enter the room even. And the crowd inside made this more difficult. “I am here.”
“Do you have a place to stay?”
She turned to Felix, who must be behind her, at least if the flash of yellow scales was any indication. “We do.” Felix and Maeze soon whisked the sea serpent off. Warriors surged into the room to offer greetings to Fergus whose entire persona changed.
No longer in pain, he seemed eager to see everyone and everything.
“Will he overtire?” Felicity asked Eliza, who stood beside her.
“Yes. However, with his Aasguard constitution it will likely happen this evening when everyone goes to bed.”
“He is thankful to be back among his kind and to be welcomed.” Felicity could nearly trace her fellow warriors’ awe at finding this particular man. This warrior so revered among them. A legend.