Culmination

by Selena IR Drake

  “I see.” Rhekja was quiet as she stared at me.

  “We are in a race against the Shadow Keeper to collect the Dragons of Light before he can free the Shadow Dragons. If he beats us, a great battle will ensue and all of Ithnez will plummet into chaos.

  “Freya, a Dákun Daju named Zhealocera, and a few others have gone to the four corners of the world to gather an army. Together, we hope to prevent a destruction similar to the one Agasei wrought nearly 500 years ago.”

  “Kitfox makes it all sound so poetic and beautiful,” I said quietly, “but in reality, it is terrifying and evil. And we desperately need all the help we can get.”

  Rhekja nodded. “I shall join your cause and do my best to help gather Demons for the battle you speak of.”

  I thanked her for her vow and felt enlightened by her words. When we inquired about rooms for the night, Rhekja said it would be a bit of a wait while they were cleaned. While we waited, we sat in a quieter portion of the attached tavern to discuss the next clue.

  ◆◆◆

  “‘Dear Thedrún of Thunderous crown; Sleeps beneath Lescan harbor town.’” Thera read her translation aloud again and slammed the Dragon Diary shut with an annoyed sigh.

  “It has to be referring to Vronan.” Kkorian muttered.

  “There are several harbor towns on Mekora Lesca alone.” Kitfox growled and counted off each one on his fingers. “Why would it be Vronan? I still think it could be Harbor Town. ”

  “Have you ever been to Vronan?” Kitfox shook his head at the pirate’s inquiry. “There are over one million citizens in Vronan and the port has room to house ninety ships for weeks on end. And that doesn’t include the fifteen docks used for repairs. That makes it the largest and busiest port in the whole of Ithnez! And let’s not forget the fact that it was one of the first cities inhabited by Humes after the Earthic Landings.”

  “He makes a good argument, Kitfox.” Interjected Shazza.

  “Not to mention, the ‘harbor town’ referred to in the riddle isn’t capitalized; meaning it isn’t a name. Therefore, it can’t be Harbor Town.”

  “Okay! Okay! It’s Vronan.” Kitfox finally surrendered with a sigh. “I still don’t see how anyone could hide a dragon under a town that big though.”

  “Magic; just like all the others were hidden.” I replied. “Now, the main question is; how do we get beneath Vronan to actually search for Thedrún?”

  “We’ll discover that once we get there.” Said Thera. “Right now, we need to focus on resupplying and getting all the rest we can before we set out for Vronan.”

  “I hope the dragons are willing to fly us again.” Shazza glanced at me. After a moment to speak to the dragons regarding the request, I nodded; of course they were willing to fly!

  “Monrai to Vronan is nearly triple the distance between Nemlex and here. We’ll be flying much longer this time.” Kitfox’s ears drooped at that thought.

  “With land beneath us the whole trip this time, we’ll be able to take more breaks.”

  “I shall stock up supplies accordingly.” Shazza declared.

  We all pitched in to develop a list of what supplies were needed until Rhekja approached. The Gazelle Demon explained that our rooms were ready and we were welcome to stay as long as needed without fear of cost. I thanked her and the five of us departed for our rooms.

  You were right, my love; These Dákun Daju are a rather peculiar lot. I have been among a few of them for a full seven-day now, and am no closer to understanding why they value the weapons they wield so highly. It is almost as if they worshiped them, or something within them. Everyone back home says they are violent and savage, yet these few have allowed us ‘Humes’ in their village to care for one of our men who had taken ill on ….

  – FROM “AN UNFINISHED LETTER TO AGASEI” BY RAYNELIF DÉDOS

  The little house was dark and unlit. A fine layer of dust blanketed everything in sight, giving the impression of abandonment. The air was stale and unmoving. Thankfully, the stench of Monrai’s warding incense had not penetrated the dingy walls.

  Dimitri wiped the lingering stink away from his nose and silently made his way down the hall. A floorboard creaked and he froze. The air whistled a warning. In a flash, he turned and caught the dagger meant to end his life. He scoffed and let the blade fall to the floor with a clang.

  “Never could get you with that one after the first time.” Came a raspy voice.

  Dimitri smirked and allowed his guard to relax. “Still playing games with me, huh, Nír’l?”

  “No, boy,” an amused cackle echoed down the hall, “I am still teaching you.”

  Dimitri tracked the voice further into the house, to a room lit only by the fire in the hearth. He took a quick survey of the space, admiring the thousands of books and ancient knick knacks lining the walls. His crimson gaze lingered on the old man in the padded chair beside the hearth.

  The old Dákun Daju’s gray-streaked, violet hair had been tied back in a messy ponytail that left his jet black eyes clear. He held his head cocked to one side, relying on his sense of hearing more than sight.

  No surprise, Dimitri mused, he went blind almost a decade ago. And I bet the old geezer can still put up one heck of a fight.

  Dimitri grinned and finally stepped over the threshold. “How are you, Cousin?”

  Nír’l snorted. “Old. You?”

  “Still alive.”

  “What brings you to seek me out after so long, boy?”

  “I came to you for advice.”

  “Oh?” Nír’l sat straighter in his padded chair. With a moment’s hesitation, Dimitri knelt on the floor in front of the other Dákun Daju.

  “How do I,” Dimitri fought to suppress the embarrassing heat that rushed his face, “woo a female Dákun Daju?”

  Nír’l smirked at the young man before him. “I never thought I’d live to see the day you became smitten with a real woman. Tell me about her.”

  Dimitri rolled his eyes, but complied with the request. “Her name is Godilai Locklyn. She’s an assassin who is strong, intelligent, and absolutely breathtaking to behold. Her hair is the color of moonbeams and her eyes are like aquamarine jewels. I’ve lost myself in them countless times.”

  “Yeah! Yeah!” Nír’l snapped and sat forward. “Here’s a hint, boy: poetry does nothing to win the heart of a Dákun Daju. Cut the mushy Hume crap!” Dimitri frowned and nodded. “Now, how well do you know this Godilai?”

  “I’ve been traveling with her for almost a year now and feel like I’ve gotten to know her pretty well.”

  Nír’l nodded and closed his eyes. He sat in silent thought for several minutes, leaving Dimitri with growing anticipation.

  “Listen here, boy,” Nír’l said at last, “because my great grandmother’s sister, your mother, Solahnj, bore you, the child of a Hume, you are seen as inferior in Dákun Daju eyes.” Dimitri growled in annoyance. Nír’l raised a hand to silence him. “Therefore, you must go far out of your way to win the affections of a pure-blood.

  “There is only one way you can pull off this feat, boy.” Nír’l smirked when he heard Dimitri shift closer in eagerness. “You must put your life on the line to save her from a terrible threat. To her, that feat will mean you value her life more than your own. If you don’t die in the process,” he snickered, “she’ll ask you why you saved her. Choose your words carefully when you answer, for the wrong thing will only push her further away.”

  “What if she still refuses to have me after I answer correctly?”

  Nír’l guffawed. “Then it’s time to start looking for another woman!”

  ◆◆◆

  Dimitri ignored the looks of the villagers as he strode through the muddy streets. He was fully aware of their unease; the people of Monrai didn’t trust visitors. Lucky for them, he in no mood to start a scrimmage. The meeting with Nír’l earlier had him too lost in his own thoughts.

  Just how am I supposed to save her life? Dimitri released a frustrated sigh. If only I w
asn’t half Hume.

  With a snort, he shoved the tavern doors open and strode in. Ignoring the rowdy patrons and the summons of Vincent and Pox, he sat at a secluded table. A bar wench scurried over to take his order before disappearing to fill it. Dimitri propped his feet up on the chair across from him and let his eyes drift shut. Mere moments later, he felt someone approach.

  “I figured you’d’ve been here ‘fore me, not the other way around.”

  Dimitri scowled and opened his eyes. Kkorian stood before him, a strange emotion playing in the blonde’s azure eyes. The Dákun Daju hybrid snorted and dropped his feet to the floor with a heavy thud.

  “I’ve been in here every night for the last three days waiting for you.” He growled. “What happened?”

  Kkorian slipped into the seat across from Dimitri and sighed. “You have no bloody idea what I’ve just been through.”

  “Magnathor get the best of you?”

  “Almost!” Kkorian paused only long enough for the bar wench to deliver Dimitri’s order before spilling the details of his adventure in the Myst. After a lengthy explanation, he produced the scrap of parchment he had promised to get at their last meeting. Dimitri was quick to trade him a heavy pouch of coin for it. The pirate ran his fingers over the leather bag and exhaled slowly. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this, Dimitri.”

  Dimitri’s scowl deepened. He couldn’t help wondering what exactly had truly transpired in the Myst. The story he had been told had to have more to it that the pirate wasn’t willing to divulge. And if Kkorian was beginning to back out of their arrangement, things were going to get extremely tough. “Don’t worry; your part in this is almost complete.”

  Torn between his feelings and his desperate need for money, the pirate merely sighed.

  “Have they figured out where they need to go next?”

  Kkorian looked up at Dimitri for a split second, then away. He quietly muttered the clue and the location it pointed to.

  “All right.” Dimitri sat back in his seat and watched the pirate for a long, silent minute. Something changed him. He doesn’t want to work for me anymore, no matter the pay.

  “Well, I should probably get back ‘fore I’m missed.” Kkorian moved to leave. Dimitri stopped him.

  “Get me the next key and I’ll let you leave my employment.”

  “Really?” The pirate sounded desperate and hopeful. Dimitri nodded and told the pirate of his plan to take the Dragon Diary from Xyleena when they next met in Vronan. “You’re not going to kill them, are you?”

  Dimitri was taken aback by the question. Has he really grown that close to them? The Dákun Daju cleared his throat, looked the pirate in the eye... and lied.

  "The mind is more powerful than any spell or any weapon you can name. It is home to your greatest passions and your deepest fears. I was given the power to break the mind wide open and drown you in whatever I choose, be it dream or nightmare. And you won't even realize that it is all just an illusion."

  – FROM “CONVERSATIONS WITH DRAGONS” BY DJURDAK ZA’CAR

  I bolted upright with a gasp. My gaze swept over the dark room. Nothing. With measured breaths, I calmed myself and sunk back into the pillow.

  What woke me?

  I heard a great snore in the back of my mind and suppressed a giggle. It wasn’t the dragons; they were all still asleep. Pushing all thoughts from my mind, I let my eyes close and willed sleep to return.

  Just as I stood on the border of awareness, a far-away scream yanked me back. I flung my blankets off and grabbed my tessens before bolting out the door. I paused in the street, listening for the scream again and hoping it would never come.

  It did.

  With an oath, I took off down a muddy side road as fast as I could. Another scream rang out. I turned left to follow it and prayed I wasn’t too late to save to person at its source.

  I skidded to a stop when the perpetual fog thinned. Five twisted beasts born of the Myst had a young woman surrounded. Before I could make a move, a flash of metal cut down two of the monsters. In another flash, only one remained.

  I gawked as a white-cloaked figure stood to its full height in front of the woman and faced the remaining beast. The monster charged with a roar and was quickly dispatched. The cloaked figure sheathed its swords and helped the young woman to her feet. The woman thanked the cloaked figure profusely before running away.

  After the woman disappeared into a house, I stepped out onto the street. The cloaked figure seemed to glance back at me over a shoulder. A heartbeat’s hesitation and it was gone, sprinting down the street almost faster than I could see.

  I took off after it, but only managed to follow a few blocks before all trace of it was gone. With a sigh, I finally gave up my chase. I stopped in the middle of the street and looked about.

  Just who was that person?

  Another great snore from the dragons was my only answer. I rolled my eyes and calmly made my way back to the Bird In Hand. At the inn’s stone steps, I paused.

  Those swords that killed the beasts... I gasped as realization sunk in. “They were dueling blades!”

  ◆◆◆

  “I am going to sit on you if you don’t wake up. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll get the water bucket.”

  “Don’t you dare, Kitfox.” I mumbled and rolled over to look at him. A cocky smirk tugged at the corner of his lips and his amber eyes held a playful light. I knew that if I didn’t get out of bed soon, he really would dump cold water on me. “Why are you always the one to wake me up?”

  The Fox Demon shrugged. “Probably because the others already tried and gave up.” He chuckled and moved to sit on the edge of the mattress. His hands slowly began to massage my back and shoulders as he smiled down at me. “Why are you so tense and tired?”

  “Didn’t you hear the screams last night?”

  Kitfox shook his head negative.

  “Several screams woke me in the middle of the night. So I went out in search of the source only to realize that a pack of Myst beasts were hunting a young woman. I was about to step in and save her when a white-cloaked figure dispatched all five monsters in seconds.”

  “Wow. Do you know who was under the cloak?”

  “I have a guess.” He quirked an eyebrow at me. “When I was still at the Temple of Five Souls, I enrolled in a dueling class. Don’t ask me why.” He chuckled and nodded his head in understanding. “Anyway, Lady Judge Zamora Argatör was invited to partake in a Demonstration duel against Freya.

  “Last night, I saw the exact same dueling blades employed by Zamora during the duel cut down those Myst monsters. That says to me, the white-cloaked figure I saw was none other than Zamora herself!”

  “Hang on a second; didn’t you once tell me that Zamora is actually Amorez in disguise?”

  “That is the conclusion I’ve come to.” I said as I finally sat up in bed.

  “So,” Kitfox clasped his hands in his lap, “What did you two say to each other?”

  I clicked my tongue. “Nothing; she just took off and disappeared before I could catch her.”

  “It has to make you wonder,” he smiled and looked into my eyes, “what exactly was she here for?”

  ◆◆◆

  The Bird in Hand’s attached tavern was bustling with noisy villagers. Rhekja and her hired hands were kept busy with heaps of breakfast orders, yet the Gazelle Demon made time to seat Kitfox and myself with our comrades in a quieter corner. Minutes later, she returned with a platter leaden with cereals, fruit, sweetener, and drinks. I promptly hopped up to help her distribute them.

  “So,” I sighed as I took a seat, “are we all set for Vronan?”

  “We are awaiting a delivery of dried produce.” Explained Shazza. “After it arrives, we will be completely stocked up for the trip.”

  I nodded and spooned some sweetener into my cereal. I knew I was going to miss eating like this in the next few days, but it was a pity that the meal before such a long jaunt was so plain. I really hun
gered for the breakfast platters I used to enjoy at the Temple. As much as I longed for the food there, I couldn’t return.

  I shoved those thoughts away and glanced at the faces of my comrades. Out of all of them, Kkorian was the one that held my attention the longest. His cerulean eyes seemed distant and sad as he pushed his cereal around the bowl. Just when I was going to ask if he was alright, he became aware of my gaze and smiled. I could tell in an instant it was forced, yet I would not call him on it just yet.

  I will ask him in private.

  Ask who what, Hatchling?

  Nothing, Vortex. I smiled. So, are all of you ready for the long flight ahead?

  Always! I rubbed my ear as all seven dragons answered in unison.

  “The dragons are obviously ready to hit the road.” Kitfox laughed. He winked at me and I smiled back.

  “So am I.” Thera grinned. “I have been eager to see Vronan since Kkorian first described it. Imagine one million people in only one city! How do you Humes put up with all that noise?”

  Kitfox laughed. “You get used to it.”

  “Aye.” Kkorian nodded. “After a while, you don’t even notice how noisy or crowded it is.”

  “Do you think we’ll have time to explore while we’re there?”

  Shazza stared the young Feykin down. “Who are you and what have you done with our Thera?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re usually not this...” I bit my bottom lip, trying to think of the word.

  “Bubbly.”

  I pointed at Kitfox. “Yeah; what he said.”

  “Oh hush!” Thera blew a raspberry, earning laughs from the rest of us.

  “I hate to interrupt the good times,” Rhekja announced loudly and successfully captured our attention, “but Torrik just dropped off a delivery for all of you. It’s behind the check-in counter when you’re ready to pick it up.”