The Dragon Slayer

by D L Colon

  Glaycol nods as he walks past him and into the city. As he is making his way to the Hunting Post he stops at the Blacksmith’s shop. Once he enters he lets Saudem’s body fall to the floor and he hears a voice coming from the back, “We are closed for the day. Come back tomorrow.”

  Glaycol grins and calls back, “Not open for your regular customer?”

  The voice replies, “Glaycol, is that you?”

  Glaycol smiles and answers, “Yes, it’s me, Gramps. I brought you something special this time so you can make something I could use for my weapons.”

  Gramps comes from the back of the shop and, seeing the body lying on the floor, he looks at Glaycol and asks, “Is that what I think it is, son?”

  “Yes it is, Gramps. That’s Saudem’s body. I have her head in this bag, but I have to take it to the Hunting Post so I can claim my reward. Do you think you can add the properties of hitting someone and turning them into stone to my sword by using her scales?”

  Gramps thinks for a second before he replies, “Nothing is impossible, my son. Anything is possible and I have the power to do it. Are you staying in the city after this?”

  Glaycol nods and answers, “Yes Gramps, why?”

  “Spend the night here with your Grandma and I. We haven’t seen you in two years.”

  “I’ll come back, Gramps. I’ll leave my stuff in here so you can start working on my sword in the meantime.”

  Glaycol removes his weapons and armor, showing his well-built body and scars, reminding him of what he lost and the price he paid for it. Wearing only his black leather pants, a leather shirt without sleeves, and black boots, he heads to the Hunting Post carrying Saudem’s head in the bag and the hunting papers.

  As he walks, he looks at the people around him and wonders; is this all you care about? You don't care who rules over you as long you work for somebody and get paid?

  He feels someone’s eyes on him, but he ignores it and continues to walk to the Hunting Post. He opens the door and is greeted by the noise of people talking and sharing a drink. The moment they notice the bag in his hand all noise comes to a complete stop as everyone looks at him with interest and curiosity. He ignores their curious stares and approaches the Hunting Post leader handing him the paper.

  “Did you bring proof?" The leader asks.

  Glaycol opens the bag and they are greeted by the awful smell of Saudem’s blood. One of the people in the room waves his hands and the smell disappears, making it easier for everyone to breathe as Glaycol pulls the head, with the eyes still covered, from his bag.

  The leader looks at it for a moment before he says, “It fits the description, but how do we know it's from Saudem’s body?"

  The guy who made the smell disappear looks around from under his black hood and asks, "Does anyone want to be turned into stone and then brought back? That would prove this is, indeed, Saudem’s head.”

  Everyone steps away from Glaycol except the leader. "I'll do it under one condition,” He says and everyone looks at him. “That condition is that Glaycol becomes the leader of the Hunting Post upon my retirement. Also, if I don't make it out of this, he is the leader starting now.”

  "Very well.” Glaycol agrees to these conditions.

  The leader nods, then reaches up and takes off the cover from Saudem’s eyes. He is instantly turned into stone.

  The man in the cloak looks at him for a moment before he says, "Well, let the first test begin."

  Glaycol turns to him and asks, "You're not sure this is going to work?"

  The man shakes his head and answers, “First, my name is Ethan Myers, and no, I have never gotten any volunteers.”

  “I don’t care what you have to do, Ethan, but make sure the leader returns to normal. I don’t want to be the leader of this place yet.”

  Ethan nods his understanding. “Very well, Glaycol. I shall return Dach to normal.”

  Ethan moves his hands as he says quietly, “Powers of the Elements grant me the power to return this petrified body to normal, BLASHLING.”

  Ethan’s hands and eyes start to glow as Dach’s body is covered in a strange light. After a moment, Dach is returned to normal.

  Glaycol covers Saudem’s eyes again now that Dach is back to normal. Dach then goes back to where the money is stored and returns with a small, but heavy, chest. He places it on the table for Glaycol to take.

  As Glaycol lifts the small chest you can see the veins in his arms from the strength he has to use in order to carry the chest. Once Glaycol leaves the Hunting Post, Dach turns to Ethan and asks, “Does he want it?”

  Ethan shakes his head and answers honestly, “Nope. He wants nothing to do with this position”

  Dach rubs his beard in thought and says, “Well, I have his word. He will be my successor and be the leader of this place. Just like his father was before I came into the position.”

  Ethan nods and says, “You were right. He is strong and if I could give him a nickname I would call him Wrath. I will join him on his quest to bring down the Dragon Empire.” He takes off his hood, revealing his pointy ears and adds, “After all the Elves also wish the Dragons out of power.”

  Ethan puts his hood back on and leaves the Hunting Post to find Glaycol, and talk him into letting him join his quest.

  Chapter 4

  As Glaycol is walking back to his Gramps’ blacksmith shop, Ethan catches up to him and starts to walk besides him. Glaycol notices him and asks, “What brings a mighty elf to talk to me?"

  Ethan smiles at his words, knowing Glaycol wouldn't miss what he is, and says, "Glaycol Master, I want to join your hunt. I want to help you overthrow the Dragon Empire.”

  Glaycol looks at Ethan suspiciously and asks, "What's in for an elf to want to join my fight?"

  "We just want to live in peace. As long as you humans sign a treaty of peace with us we will not interfere with your affairs. The same goes for you, you wouldn't interfere with our affairs.”

  “You know; I am the wrong person to be asking about this."

  Ethan nods, “Yes, I know, but I also know that without you this will be a total slaughter for all races that join the fight."

  Ethan stretches his hand to shake Glaycol’s hand before he notices that Glaycol can't because he has to carry the chest. Ethan shakes his head and chuckles at himself, "My bad. Silly of me."

  Ethan snaps his fingers and the small chest starts to levitate. Then he stretches out his hand again and Glaycol glares at him, suspiciously before he reaches out and shakes it. Ethan feels a surge of power coming from inside of Glaycol. When he feels it he knows that the tale that has spread across the Continent of Istagar is true, and that only time will tell what will happen next.

  Feeling the need to tell Glaycol something about what he knows, he says, "There's power in all of us, but you are different, Glaycol Master. Wrath fuels you since that day, but there's a power inside of you that we have only heard about in tales."

  Glaycol shakes his head at Ethan’s words. "There's no power inside of me. I am but a simple Hunter."

  They continue walking for a moment before Glaycol looks up and notices that they have arrived at his Gramps’ workshop. Glaycol grabs the levitating chest and turns to Ethan. “I will see you in the morning."

  Without another word Glaycol enters the workshop and Ethan keeps walking for a moment before he disappears as a gust of wind goes through the streets.

  Glaycol closes the door as Gramps is coming from the back. When he sees Glaycol he smiles. “We thought you wouldn't be coming back, son." He says, then he sees the small chest in Glaycol’s hands and adds, “That's from this hunt, right?"

  Glaycol nods and says in an excited voice, "Yes, Gramps. It was a good hunt. I can tell you I had to fight with my eyes closed so I guess it was a good thing losing my right eye since my senses are stronger than the average person."

  Gramps smiles and nods, “Well, son, I'm thinking you will need all the help you can get.”

  Glaycol’s expression turns d
ark and cold as he says, “Gramps, you and Grandma are the only remaining members of the Master family, and I don't want to lose you because the Dragon Emperor, Hyglarur, hears you are supporting the Dragon Slayer.”

  Gramps’ expression turns to one of wrath, one that Glaycol never saw on his grandfather’s face, and it causes him to wrap his arms around the sword on his waist as Gramps says, “Don't forget that my son was killed by that bastard. I am not going to idly sit and let him dictate my future. I may be old, but I'm still the same man that once was called the Berserker hunter, and that armor you wear today was mine. It is already too late for you to say anything about it anyway, my friend is already in the city."

  Glaycol nods, knowing he can’t do anything to change his mind, “What's his name, Gramps?”

  Gramps smiles and answers, "Jasorian Jondariun."

  Glaycol nods and they both start eating and talking about the fateful day that changed their lives forever. Glaycol’s Grandma sits down with them, watching them interact as she thinks to herself, they both are so alike. when she senses the incredible power coming from Glaycol, she sends a look to Gramps and he nods. “Well, son, I think it’s time we all should be going to bed. I will work on your weapons tomorrow.”

  Glaycol nods as he stands from the table and leaves the room. Once he is gone, Grandma looks at Gramps. “Falror, Glaycol is the one. He is the chosen Dragon Lord."

  Gramps smiles and says, “I know, Elaine. I never thought that he would be born in this generation, but the Dragon Lord is the one chosen by Thelagios, The One God, and we know that only a Dragon Breath can unlock it this time since that is his will. The Dragon Lord has come before; not because he would command the Dragon, but because he would put order in where there was none. He was once an elf, then a mage, and a dwarf, but now he is among us. The Dragon Breath is now what will be hard to find, but since Glaycol is the Dragon Slayer, no dragons that are hiding to oppose Hyglarur, will come forward. Glaycol is hunting them without distinction between good and bad, and that’s something we have to see if we can convince him to stop doing. We need the good dragons on our side. What I wonder is why he would name someone from this generation the Dragon Lord, since there was no record in the history of the Continent of Istagar that a Dragon Lord ever existed, unless…..” Gramps trails off, but Grandma knows what he’s thinking.

  “Unless it was erased from the story books of this continent.”

  “Well, Dear,” Gramps says as he stands from the table. “I don’t think it has been erased from the story books. After all, Glaceila is The Queen of the Dragons and this Continent, and she is still the only human controlling the humans and keeping them happy so they don’t do anything foolish against Hyglarur. I think Thelagios made the decision to leave it to Glaycol to decide the fate of the Dragons, and every other race on the Continent. We have no choice but to follow his will and we will make sure that our grandson, the last descendant of the Master blood line, will keep our family tradition and surround himself with the right people. Now, let me see what he brought for the swords.”

  Gramps goes to where Glaycol left his stuff and sees the body of Saudem. “Elaine, come over here. I think you need to see this.”

  Elaine walks to where he’s crouched just as he lifts Saudem’s body, and she gasps in surprise. “Saudem has been killed. We need to make sure if we make anything for Glaycol we bathe it in her blood to purify it so it will receive Thelagios’ blessings.”

  Gramps nods his agreement and tells her, “Time to work. Elaine, bring Glaycol’s weapons.”

  Gramps lifts Saudem’s body and carries it to the workshop while Elaine carries Glaycol’s weapons, which includes the heavy Great Sword. Once he makes it to the work station, Gramps turns around and sees Elaine carrying the Great Sword and he smiles.

  “What?” Elaine asks when she sees the expression on his face.

  “I just had a flashback to the first time we met. You were the owner of that sword before Glaycol inherited it. I still remember that you were the only one to defeat me, Elaine the Giant.”

  Elaine blushes at the mention of her name and smiles, “What are you talking about, Falror, the Berserker? That fight was a draw, but we can say that Glaycol inherited your wrath and he inherited my strength through our son, but he also inherited his mother’s quick thinking in battle.”

  “Yes, you are right my dear, Elaine. Now, do you think we can add the property of turning people into stone with each cut to the sword?”

  “Yes, I know we can. Let’s start to work now.”

  Gramps starts cleaning the body of Saudem, putting the blood in one bowl and the intestine in another for disposal, until all they have are the parts they need. While he’s doing this Elaine is heating the blade then hitting it with a hammer as she slowly gives it a thicker blade, making it a little heavier, and increasing its cutting rate and power. Once that’s finished she does the same with the short sword.

  They work methodically through the night and by the time morning comes they have added Saudem’s scales to the handles of both swords and all that is left to do is bathe the blades in Saudem’s blood and receive Thelagios’ blessings.

  Falror lays the swords on the table and takes a deep breath before he starts speaking. “Thelagios, we ask you to bless this great sword and short sword that we have enhanced.”

  Elaine then pours the blood on both swords, whose blades were a clear white color. Suddenly, a light shines upon both swords as they are bathed in Saudem’s blood, and their blades take on a black color with a white hilt. On the border the sign of Thelagios’ blessing, which is a dragon eye, appears and each sword is granted a name. The great sword is named, Death Bringer and the short sword is named, Stone Cursed.

  Falror and Elaine hug each other, smile, and say in unison, “It is done.”

  Chapter 5

  Glaycol wakes up, washes his face, and bathes before he comes down to see Gramps and Grandma sitting at the table, sipping some type of drink, and waiting for him. Glaycol proceeds to the table and Grandma gets up and brings him something to eat. As he is eating Gramps tells him, “Glaycol, we have made your new weapons. We also made a special liquid bomb for you to use on your travels, but you will have to be careful how you use it. After you eat and go meet my friend, I will show you your armor.”

  Glaycol nods and responds, “Sounds good, Gramps.” Then he keeps eating slowly while Gramps and Grandma watch him, happy to have him home for the first time in two years.

  Grandma watches him for a moment before she says, “Son, I want you to listen for a moment.”

  Glaycol looks at Gramps and asks, “Is everything okay with Grandma, Gramps?”

  Gramps moves his hand, ushering that thought from Glaycol’s mind, and answers, “Everything is okay with dear Elaine, son, just listen to her.”

  Elaine smiles and says, “Thank you, hon, but what I want you to know is about the Dragons.” Glaycol’s expression turns to one of wrath and hate. His feelings are so strong they can feel them pouring out of his body, but Elaine continues. “You need to hear it. Whether you like it or not, not all dragons are supporting the Dragon Emperor. I want you to remember that because you are someone special in this. You will need their help if you are to come out on top in the war you are going to engulf the Continent in. I hate them for killing your family and leaving you all alone, but I know the truth in my words and I believe you can tell I am speaking the truth. I want you to remember that not all dragons are the bad guys. I want you to kill each one of the supporters of Hyglarur, and I warn you that all of your enemies won’t be dragons. Hyglarur is winning people from every race to his side. There are members of every race who are opposed to this war, but you will have your army and you will need dragons to be able to complete your quest.”

  Glaycol knows that his Grandma is speaking the truth, but his hatred runs deeps and stopping to choose which one to hunt is not going to be an easy task since no dragon will admit that they are part of the opposition. Glaycol knows
he has probably made them all his enemies by hunting them. He has killed at least four dragons in the last two years and he doesn’t know if any of them were part of the opposition. His feelings have calmed down now that he is thinking about it and he realizes he may need to rethink his strategy.

  Glaycol nods and looks at his Grandma, “I will give it a try, Grandma. I can’t say I will succeed, but I will try my best to not kill every dragon before finding out if they are good or bad.”

  Gramps and Grandma both smile and Gramps says, “That’s all we ask, Glaycol.”

  Glaycol nods and stands from the table, “Shall we go to meet your friend, Gramps?”

  Gramps smiles and nods, “I thought you would never ask.”

  A few minutes later they leave the shop and walk into the crowded streets. When they start walking in the opposite direction of the Hunters Post, Glaycol asks, “Where are we going, Gramps?”

  Gramps smiles and answers, “Where did you think we were going? The Hunting Post? No, we are going somewhere better. We are going to the bar.”

  As soon as the words leave his mouth, Ethan appears out of nowhere. “Oh, how exciting. A new companion.”

  Falror and Glaycol are surprised that Ethan appeared out of nowhere and is now walking with them as they are heading toward Susagep, the local bar, to meet Falror’s friend, Jasorian Jondariun.

  Ethan looks at Falror and asks, "Who are we meeting, sir?"

  Glaycol turns to his Gramps and answers, “Gramps, I want you to meet Ethan. He is an Elf.” Then he turns to face Ethan and says, “Ethan, I want you to meet my Gramps, Falror Master.”

  Ethan smiles and nods, "Nice meeting you, Berserker Hunter.”

  Falror laughs at the mention of his old nickname and says, “It seems that my name had a lot of impact on the elves. It is nice meeting you, too, Ethan. Now, to answer your question. We are meeting Jasorian Jondariun. He is a Monk who lives his life the way he wants to.”