The Dragon Eaters

by Duke Kittle

  Chapter 25

  Tina felt a familiar moment of vertigo and disorientation. It had come quickly. It was as if she had just awakened from a long sleep in a pitch black room. She felt disoriented and unsure if she were actually awake. She felt as though her mind was hesitating to acknowledge it as the weight of lethargy made her feel sluggish. She heard a groan, but in her hazy state, it took her several seconds to realize it had come from her.

  “You're not dead. I imagine you feel like you are. But you're not.”

  Tina opened her eyes and wondered if she might find herself in a realm of clouds and wandering wisps of light with some divine oracle meaning to give her sage advice before she returned to the world. But the wizard found herself staring up at a wooden ceiling. The only light she saw was the flickering of flame cast from a fireplace nearby. She also felt its warmth which was a welcome sensation.

  Tina tried to sit up, but shifting her head made it hurt. Her eyes closed again, and she put her hand on her temple. “Who's there?”

  “Who else?” Kravek chuckled.

  Tina opened her eyes again and turned her head slowly to look across the room. Lying flat on his back, she saw the black bull who had quickly befriended her when she arrived in Likonia. A smile spread across her lips. “Kravek...”

  He lifted his hand to make a gesture for her to stop. “Leilani said you very nearly died. Just rest.”

  “Leilani?” Tina's eyes turned toward the ceiling as she thought. She had destroyed Narash's Dragon Eater. “How did she survive?”

  Kravek shook his head. “Don't know. But after you destroyed that big red brute, Leilani and Nana both just... fell apart. It looked like they were made of dirt or something.” He gestured toward the door. “But Leilani and Nana both came out of the dirt like they were rising from their graves.”

  “You talked to them?”

  Kravek nodded. “Neither one of them speaks Madrian or Levansian. But I speak Kamadene.” He then gestured toward Tina. “From the way Leilani described it, she and Nana were both controlled by Narash most of the time.” He shook his head. “I'll let her tell you about it. But Leilani is the one who found you lying in the road. She recognized you,” the black bull closed his eyes and laid his head back, “from the Maw of Malidath.”

  Tina put her hand over her face and rubbed her forehead. “Kravek, that's all good to hear, but... why am I still alive?”

  Kravek chuckled. “You can ask Nana about that. After Leilani found you, Nana healed you.” He rubbed the end of his muzzle. “She's a shaman.”

  Tina let out a single, weak laugh. “A shaman. What a wonder.” She then sighed quietly and let her body relax. “How long have I been here? How long have I been unconscious?”

  “Two weeks. Long as I've been here.” His expression turned sad briefly. “I was starting to worry. I'm relieved you finally woke up. Nana's been in here every day 'mending your spirit', as she put it. I could tell she was worried as well.”

  Tina turned her head to the side again and opened her eyes. For some reason, that made her feel good. “Were you really worried about me, Kravek?”

  The black bull turned to look at Tina. She could see he was considering his answer carefully, though she wondered why. He finally replied. “Yes. Tina, I wasn't there when you killed Narash's monster, but when Luna shot that arrow... I was afraid it was the last time I was going to see you.” Kravek had a pained look on his face. “We've only known each other for a few days. But that thought made me hurt.” He lowered his gaze to the floor. “It made me hurt in a way I haven't felt in six months. Maybe it's because I've been drowning myself in booze and the days we've been together, I stopped. Maybe I'm lonely, maybe... I miss my home and my people.”

  He looked at Tina again. “But the days I was with you, I wasn't drinking, and... the pain wasn't there.”

  Tina felt her cheeks flush.

  Kravek turned his head to look up at the ceiling again. “I don't know how much longer you mean to stay Tina, but I'm glad you're still here. Both alive and in Likonia.”

  Tina didn't have to wonder what Kravek meant. She closed her eyes. Though she was awake again, her body felt exhausted. There was even a deeper inner ache with which she was familiar. She'd stressed her gift to the point of nearly destroying herself. That well of magic within her felt as though it was still putting itself back together again. It hurt.

  “Kravek,” Tina spoke quietly, “when I do leave here, I mean for Leilani and Nana to come with me. Great magic has been cast upon them both. I'm going to ask them to come back to Levansia with me. If Beth decides, I want her and Aiden to come as well. I imagine Captain Morgan has left already, so I will have to wait for the next ship, but--”

  “She's still here.”

  “What?” Tina opened her eyes and glanced at Kravek.

  “Captain Morgan and her crew are still in port, as is the Thorn's Side.” Kravek drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “She and her sailors have been helping repair the damage to the town. Methystra and Belthazuul have even been helping as well. From what Captain Morgan told me--”

  “Jessica's been here?”

  Kravek nodded. “She came to visit you. She'd talk to me a little as well.”

  “Visit.” Tina looked around the room. “Kravek, where are we?”

  The room they were lying in was simple. The walls were made of wood as was the ceiling. A door stood on the wall facing the feet of their two beds. The door was closed for the moment, but Tina didn't see any light coming through the cracks. Opposite the door was a lit fireplace.

  “The Stumble Drum. The front porch was destroyed, but the inn survived. Less could be said of the town hall.”

  Tina turned her gaze on Kravek. “Is this your room? Is that why you're here?”

  Kravek snorted quietly. Wrinkling his nose, he shook his head. “This is my room, but that's not why I'm here. Governor Keldo wanted to put you up in his house, but... I wouldn't let him.”

  Tina smiled. “So, you wanted me all to yourself, hm?”

  Kravek turned his head to look at Tina. His soft brown eyes met hers. “I wanted to look out for you. I may not be able to move my legs, but I wanted to know every day you were still all right.”

  Tina slowly pushed herself up. It hurt her head to rise, and her body ached. But she wanted to look at Kravek as she leaned forward on her hands. “Your legs?”

  “Nana told me when the porch landed on my back, it must have broken my spine.” Kravek closed his eyes. “Now... I can really be as useless as I've felt.”

  Tina snapped her fingers to get Kravek's attention. “Kravek, you aren't useless.” He turned his head to look at her as she spoke. She realized her tone had come out more harshly than she'd meant. She cleared her throat and turned her head to look away. “You've been very helpful to me since I've come here, Kravek. You straightened me out when I let fear take away my confidence. You saved my life at least twice since I've been here. You are not useless.”

  Kravek half smiled.

  Tina turned her head to look at Kravek again. “Methystra couldn't heal your back?”

  Kravek shook his head. “Healing isn't her gift. Nana did what she could for me. But I guess shaman do better with spirits than spines. I still can't move my legs.”

  Tina lowered her gaze. She hesitated to say what came to mind, but Kravek deserved at least a chance to be able to walk again. “We... Kravek, the Council of Stars possesses many talented healers.” She took a moment to clear her throat. “If you would like to come with me back to Kerovnia... perhaps they can mend your spine. With time, you might be able to walk again.”

  Kravek glanced toward Tina, and then laid his head back down against the pillow on his bed. “I think I'd like that.”

  Tina nodded, though she felt a faint blush coming to her face. “Once you've recovered, you can always come back to Likonia. I'm sur
e they will still be able to use you at the docks.”

  Kravek tucked his arms behind his head. “Maybe.”

  “If you're looking for other work though or maybe to get out of this place, you could always seek employment in Kerovnia.”

  He glanced toward Tina. The black bull was silent for a few moments as the corners of his mouth curled into a small smile. He let it slip away as he cleared his throat. “Oh, perhaps. If I find the right employer.”

  Tina slowly smiled herself. Closing her eyes, she breathed out a quiet sigh. “I'm sure I can make a recommendation and provide a reference for you.”

  Kravek put one hand down on his stomach and closed his eyes. “I think that will do just fine. Thank you, Tina.”