“My sister never got on with Sakura, regardless how hard I tried,” Abel said, feeling comfortable enough with Iliana to reveal Na-ri’s existence.
“You have a sister? How big are you two?”
The size question took him by surprise, leaving Abel swivelling his head for a point of reference. He pointed to the bow of the boat, and then to him, wiggling his hand side to side. Then he tapped the railing, before pointing to the mast, once again wiggling his hand. Tail and wings not included.
“You’re large, then, considering I believe you’re not that old?” Iliana replied, taking careful note of the measurements. “Is your sister notably larger than you?”
“Seventy, or so, and yes, she is. Bulkier too, and meaner.”
“Matriarchal line, interesting.” Abel tilted his head at the response, unsure what he meant. “While any female can be a Matriarch, there are certain well-known ones known for their size, strength and leadership. Their offspring also tend to be similarly large, even from a young age.”
“My mother was an orphan, so I wouldn’t know,” Abel remarked, his fingers tapping the railing as he thought. “Would a hybrid diminish that strength?”
“A hybrid?” Iliana replied, wondering what he was being asked. A second look at Abel’s appearance told him his answer and his memory of Abel’s meals. They weren’t large enough to feed a dragon that cloaked itself as a demon. “You’re half demon, half dragon, aren’t you? Never tell anyone in the North that.”
“Half-and-half not appreciated?”
“Quite the opposite, how do you think the Northern bloodline keeps its innate knowledge of your language, and its power?”
Abel gulped. Iliana nodded. To have absolute control over the dragons involved being related to them, and one that had a permanent demon form made the whole process easier.
“Given all of this, doesn’t going against Lilith’s command mean you’re committing treason?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing, to be honest. Sakura creates possibilities that I never thought would exist for me,” Iliana replied, “though I know it’s asking a lot of her.”
“You’re asking her to become Queen.”
The North would come for her, regardless of her desire to rule. He knew that his mother would never accept Sakura, not with her gentle nature and scars. Mother also wouldn’t allow her to live, not with that power. Regardless of her desire to become Queen, it seemed inevitable that it would happen. Victory or death. Abel had to concede his point, he just wished to shelter her from the pain.
“I do have to ask, though, what do you gain from this?” Abel said.
“I’d rather die with a hint of joy than continue living as a slave.”
“A slave? You’re royalty, are you not?”
“As male dragons are expected to be submissive to females, I’m expected to serve my sisters and mother. My older sister is alright, but you’ve met Lilith so…”
Serving her must be a nightmare, his mission this time told Abel of the things that she expected him to do. To hear him treated as such was unexpected, though. It explains why Sakura threw him so, she offered him a way out. If he failed, he had at least tried.
“What situation would unsettle your support for her?” Abel queried. Iliana stuttered in reply, but their conversation was interrupted by the clatter of footsteps on the deck.
“Ah, there you are. We should be docking soon, apparently,” Sakura said, pointing to the distant landmass. Soon was an overstatement, but the South was now within sight. She bid farewell to them again for a moment, in order to inform the others and to gather their stuff. The brief interruption had let Iliana off the hook, and Abel had not pressed the point again. He took the silence to sort out his hood, ensuring his horns were covered.
A Northerner would create trouble, and he wished to avoid anything personal. Trouble Sakura started was another matter.
Chapter 21: The Free Lands
The boat shuddered into the dock, bringing the Free Lands into view for the first time. It was busy, as was to be expected from the major trade port in the region. Mixed in the crowd Sakura could see angels, so Sariel’s presence shouldn’t cause worry. Once the word was given that they could depart, they hopped off the boat but not before she thanked the crew for their passage.
“Keep that money bag safe,” Sariel remarked, his eyes scanning the crowds. There would be pickpockets here, that much was clear.
“I buried it in a safe place, don’t worry.”
Given that the demon capital was north, Sakura expected there to be an exit if they headed north. While they could all fly out of the city, she didn’t want to cause a scene by doing so. She took a moment to map a path around the stalls, aiming for a swift exit. With the others in tow, she led them through the crowded streets. Individuals stopped to regard them but soon resumed their normal activities. The lure of money was a greater pull than the curiosity that came with newcomers.
They managed to navigate the heaps of stalls, with Sakura getting distracted more than once with all the wares on offer. Now they were in the midst of houses, on a quieter street.
“Newcomers eh? What brings you guys out here?” a voice spoke up, emanating from a demon leaning against a house.
“Just curiosity, and a desire to gain an understanding of the southern culture,” Sakura replied, pointing towards her horns. The local stared at the upward pointing horns and smiled.
“There’s been a spate of robberies on the road between here and the next capital, so be careful out there.”
“We will be, thanks.”
She waved the group on as they strolled toward the open gate, stepping out into the unknown beyond. The South’s heat was starting to become a known issue, beads of sweat gathered on their skin as the sun baked their skin. Trees lined the path going forward, offering them relief from the direct sun, at least. Sakura recalled her father’s description of the South; it was a long walk between the two settlements, at least a few hours at least at a strong pace.
They walked and walked some more. After a while, Solomon began to express his distaste over the matter. Sakura managed to keep him sane, but she could hear the strain in his voice. She promised him that they’d stop to rest soon, just once they’re away from this path. Soon, Iliana began to echo the young mage’s sentiments. Given his home, however, she cut him more slack.
“With what we know, is entering the capital a good idea? We don’t know if the siblings have their supporters,” Abel remarked as they went, his vantage point offering him a glimpse of the city walls.
“I’d have to agree with him,” Iliana said, “is there anywhere else we could seek help? Or set up a base somewhere.”
“There is another city, with a leader that’s no fan of the capital. They may be willing to help,” Sariel stated.
“The Raven. As far as I’m aware, he resides somewhere east,” Sakura responded, gesturing to what she understood to be the correct direction. “We’ll rest once we can’t see the path. Sound good?”
Solomon cracked a smile, those words were music to his ears. A short time later, they found a rocky outcrop and settled down. The young mage sprawled in the shade, drawing in the hot, humid air. Sakura tried to create a breeze for him by flapping her wings, but the effort was pitiful. While they messed around below, Abel took to the canopy. His rustling reached the ears of those below, earning a grumble from Solomon.
“What I wouldn’t give for his heat tolerance,” he said, turning his gaze to Sakura. “How are you coping so well, anyway?”
“I lived in a swamp, warm and humid are our standard summers. That and I’ve got southern blood.”
Solomon mumbled something about his dishevelled appearance, ending with a sigh. As their conversation faded, Abel returned from the trees. He could see the sprawling mass of the capital they opted to avoid, and a mountain range in the distance. Due to the Raven’s desire to be separate, Abel reckoned that it may be a good place to start. A massive forest lay between th
e two sites, so trees were going to be their constant companion. They offered some shade, at least.
Once Solomon felt able to walk, they continued on their way. The woods were quiet compared to the dock, the throb of conversation replaced with the chatter of birds and the crunch of footsteps. To Sakura, it was calming but not everyone shared her sentiment. Cities offered a level of security compared to the untamed wilderness.
“The light is changing,” Abel remarked, watching as the shadows began to darken.
“I didn’t think it to be that late,” Sakura replied. She too had noticed the difference. The light held a golden tinge, setting the trees alight with a brilliant display. “We better find somewhere to settle for the night.”
An opening in the trees proved the perfect place to set up camp, giving them ample free space. Sakura went with Abel to find some firewood, an easy task in the midst of a forest. With the heat in the South, the fire was for light, rather than heat. There was no food to be had, however. They returned as the light began to disappear, changing to dusk at a rapid pace. She started the fire, giving Sariel a much-needed boost of light. Unlike his companions, he could not see at night.
Their chatter was broken up with the occasional rumble of a stomach, to the embarrassment of its owner. Sakura promised them a good meal tomorrow, whether she hunted them something or they found a settlement. As she finished laughing at one of the many jokes, a rag was pressed against her mouth from behind. Her eye went wide as she registered the attack, but her body refused to respond. The others went to respond, only to have the same fate applied to them. Darkness greeted them as the drugged cloth took effect, squashing their resistance.
Chapter 22: A Familiar Stranger
Sakura awoke in a bed, a far cry to the camp they had set up. While the covers were a nice companion, she remembered why she ended up here. Perched on the edge on the bed was an individual wearing a cloak, though it was a different one to the one Iliana wore. It wasn’t him, she could tell that much. They did appear to be male, though. The cloak was flat against their chest.
“Your friends are safe,” he said, with a voice that sounded a lot like her father’s. To refer them as her friends told her otherwise, as he knew them all aside from Iliana. “It’s strange to see one of Southern heritage come from the Central Isles, considering no one knows who you are.”
Sakura listened to that voice some more, allowing the stranger to say what he wished without interruption. His tone was soft, led by interest rather than anger, or whatever could be attributed to his doubts.
“That wound is fresh too, is it not? Such a scar isn’t a defect of birth.”
“A bit over a month old,” she replied, allowing him to touch it. Once he was close, she sat up and grabbed hold of the hood. He froze up but stayed his hand as she eased it off his head. Underneath, she could see horns that told of his southern heritage. They, however, were broken and damaged. To target the horns in such a way was an attack intended to insult, as broken horns were a mark of shame. The other thing Sakura could see was a pair of fiery, red eyes and skin that held a blue tinge. He averted his eyes, ashamed at his appearance.
“Would I be correct in calling you a fire mage?” Sakura asked, holding his cheeks in her hands.
“How do you know that?”
“You also have five siblings, four older and one younger.”
His eyes rolled back up, focusing on her. A brow was starting to rise, unsure how she knew all of this.
“The youngest is called Amnur, and he left for the Central Isles many years ago. He was closest to the youngest of his siblings, Dyn. I believe that’s who I’m speaking to now?”
“That’s… that’s correct,” Dyn replied, his eyes staring at her horns. “Amnur had a daughter?”
“Hi,” she said with a chuckle, “the name’s Sakura.”
Dyn struggled to come up with a reply, opting instead to hug her. Sakura could feel water drip onto her back as she comforted him. It was a lot to take in.
“When he never came home, I assumed he had died. To hear he survived and had a daughter… Where is he?”
She relayed all their suspicions to him, down to those who she believed had performed the kidnapping. The accusation was no surprise to Dyn. In fact, he knew who she meant. If they had somehow found out Amnur’s continued existence then yes, they would’ve taken him. After the death of their parents, the rumours about their mother’s infidelity began to rise once more. This time, however, there was evidence. It came out that their father, or who they knew as their father, was infertile. To keep the marriage from being a sham, the two of them agreed on a deal for them to raise children that were still related, by involving his brother. They were close enough that the children produced didn’t look different, but Amnur’s birth threw that into doubt. Amnur was the couple’s only true child, his magical problems a result of that.
The oldest siblings wanted their claim to be authentic, something only Amnur could grant to them. They weren’t going to ask politely, however. Dyn couldn’t say what they were going to do with him, but with the mage that’s been hanging around them, it wasn’t going to be pleasant. He didn’t know their name, but they had a bad reputation.
“I’ll pledge you any help I can give,” Dyn said, “let’s go collect your friends, shall we?”
Dyn guided her down the corridor in a structure that made from rough-hewn stone, or considering Abel’s previous comments, carved out of the mountain. It kept the complex at a comfortable temperature, a relief after yesterday. The first room he led her to housed Abel, along with two demons who were fawning over him. On spotting Dyn, one stood up, towering at a height that made even Abel small.
“Go on you two, leave him alone,” Dyn said, shooing them out of the room. Abel let out a growl and a huff as they left, irritated by their presence. “Sorry about them, Southern old bloods tend to be a bit bestial, with a lack of respect for personal space. At least they liked you.”
Abel introduced himself once Dyn had set them on a course for the next room, questioning who the newcomer was. When he found him to be Amnur’s brother, Dyn’s walk got interrupted by the demon hoisting him off the ground and giving him a firm cuddle. Sakura laughed; Amnur got used to that, if he complained every time. Once Abel had let him down, they continued.
“She’s fine. If they wanted us dead, they would’ve separated us better, chained us and not left me with my weapon,” Sariel said, his voice echoing through the crack in the door as Dyn pushed it open.
“It’s not just Sakura I’m concerned about, you know,” Solomon replied.
“Mhm, I’ve seen how you look at her.”
The door creaked open, interrupting the talk. Solomon opened his mouth, before shutting it, his cheeks darkening. Sariel sniggered, turning towards Sakura and giving her a wave. Given Solomon’s embarrassment, she opted to pretend that she didn’t hear what was just said. Sariel’s words would explain some things, though.
"Your final companion is in the cells, precautions and all. If you're willing to vouch for him, we can let him go," Dyn said, steering the conversation away to spare the young mage.
"On this matter, I can vouch for him. I'll explain that later."
Dyn considered her words and agreed. He led the group down to a lower floor where Iliana sat in a cell, his hands joined by a solid pair of magic restricting cuffs. Despite his situation, he was calm. His hood had been pulled down, showing his horns in all their glory.
Dyn stuck his hand into a pocket, revealing a set of keys. He counted through them until he found the right one and freed Iliana, though he kept his hands bound. "I have to say this just to confirm, his actions are on you, Sakura, if he plays up. But I'm sure he won't."
"I'll behave," Iliana said. Once the chains dropped off, he rubbed his wrists to soothe the irritation from the metal. The magic reduction had taken a toll on him, but given his position, he wasn’t going to complain. Dyn’s final action was to lead them back to a private room, to discuss matt
ers further. Inside, Sakura relayed everything she had been told. For the others, it was nice to have the suspicions confirmed. It gave them a short time scale to act, however, given Dyn expected potential death to be one of Amnur’s fates.
The other thing that he mentioned was their choice to avoid the capital was the correct one, as the oldest siblings have some dubious alliances. Considering they got the attention of the Raven within minutes of arriving, it wouldn’t have taken long for them to be noticed by the others.
“If the capital is that dangerous, though, how are we going to get my father back?”
“The house isn’t impenetrable, just difficult. There is also the off chance that they might use Amnur to try and brag since I’m the only sibling with a known location,” Dyn replied, “their egos are rather high.”
“And if they don’t?” Sariel asked.
“For anything else, we should consult the Raven himself. I should probably introduce you, anyway.”
Chapter 23: Life in the South
The outside of the complex was a beautiful collection of huts, trees and bridges. Compared to most settlements Sakura had seen, this one had been built with flight in mind. Houses had sweeping porches to allow for take-off and landing, with bridges connecting the structures on the same layer. Trees had been lined with woven banners in a rainbow of colours, creating a vivid livery. This community welcomed a wide range of people and it celebrated its diversity.
Skies of Fyir Box Set Page 55