by Dane Bagley
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Myrtle had long since stopped wearing red in honor of Jashion. In fact, this custom had lasted less than a week. Within a month she had snared a new man. But Myrtle was different. She had grown in depth and understanding, at least a little. This man did not weary of her delights. She found him equally charming and they were soon engaged and then married. Nine months later they were the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy. Oh, how Myrtle loved her son. Motherhood suited her splendidly. Myrtle was back in pre-pregnancy shape within weeks of delivery. Mirinda especially, and often times Tasha, joined with Myrtle and the baby for strolls around the gardens of Cardsten. Myrtle was always dressed to the nines as she pushed her pram and looked around, and smiled for all to see.
Myrtle also loved to look at her baby boy. He had Myrtle’s eyes and Myrtle’s smile. She would gaze into his eyes and smile for hours while the baby mimicked and did the same. To Myrtle, it was even better than staring into the mirror at herself. Mirinda and Tasha were nearly as mesmerized with the child as was Myrtle. The baby, like Myrtle soaked up every ounce of attention.
Mirinda had not looked at or considered another man since Aiden had left. She had given her heart completely and fully to him. She never wondered if he had died in battle. She knew him too well and did not think that possible. Why had he not returned? That was simple enough: Dromreign remained on the land. When Dromreign was dead, Aiden would return, and they would live in love and joy. How long this would take did not worry her. Mirinda was complete. And Myrtle’s baby boy brought her immeasurable joy.
Tasha and Daxton had an extended honeymoon, keeping Daxton away from Cards business for some time. Cards worried that with Terrence and then Aiden behaving treacherously, that Daxton would be looked on with suspicion. Cards calculated incorrectly. With the remainder of the army of Cardsten’s return and the spy’s telling of the destruction of Agedon, the people understood everything very clearly. Aiden led Cardsten’s army to defeat Agedon, and Agedon was defeated; in fact, completely annihilated. Dromreign, was settled because its foe in the land, Agedon, was gone, and was living peacefully with the people. Cardsten and all others were safe. Cardsten had done it again: brought peace and prosperity to the world. What fools, those of Agedon had been. The dragon worshipers were satisfied with this reality.
The marriage of Tasha to Daxton brought peace to a troubled soul. Daxton loved Tasha, he loved Cards, he loved his business, and his life. He was heartbroken about Terrence. Tasha, too, had lost Tira and they mourned together. Still, business was business, and with time Daxton was back at Cards’ side. With Daxton’s youth and exuberance, and the experience and training of Mr. Cards, Cardsten was bustling like never before. Other than the sorrows in his heart, Daxton couldn’t have been living in a happier time or in a happier place. He had chosen well, and smiled upon his fortune.
So strange it was hearing the horns sound and Cardsten being alerted to danger. Cards looked at Daxton across the table. Mr. and Mrs. Cards were enjoying a wonderful dinner and night out with Tasha and Daxton. Daxton peered out a nearby window.
“Go,” said Cards. Tasha and Mrs. Cards followed Daxton with their eyes out of the restaurant.
Daxton checked his sources and confirmed that Dromreign was sighted and flying towards Cardsten, “…with immeasurable speed!” explained the man.
Fiery arrows sailed from the walls. The dragon had not penetrated these walls before. Daxton wondered what this could be. Shouting commenced from the men on the walls. Daxton looked up and saw men leaping to their death from the top. He watched with horror, and then a tremendous sound, and the earth under his feet trembled. Dromreign flew directly into the wall at full speed. The wall shattered and crumbled as the fierce dragon tumbled within, landing upon its belly and shaking its head. The wall to the house of Cards had fallen.
The dragon struggled to its feet and let out a bellow filled with smoke, and fire, and fury. The citizens of Cardsten ran and screamed in pandemonium. Dromreign gathered itself and took to the air within what was left of the city wall. Cardsten was no Agedon, filled with wooden buildings, just asking for an inferno. No, the walls of these buildings were of stone and concrete. Dromreign scorched the scurrying masses and then proceeded to tear open the buildings. When the dragon created an opening, it would belch its fire therein. Agedon had taken its strength some time ago. It had rested with purpose, knowing full well what it would take to bring down this city. It was a night and a day and another night before Cardsten’s final destruction was accomplished. But the beast required no rest. It’d rested a long time. There was plenty of flesh to consume. Dromreign allowed itself to walk upon the grounds of the city, and slowly and methodically consumed all it could. When the dragon was satisfied that no survivors remained it took to the air. Any arrows that had grazed the beast were defended by its scales. Dromreign was exhausted but unharmed. It was careful not to allow its weak spot, the one created by Terrence, to be exposed. With tired and sun scorched eyes Dromreign took to flight and returned to its lair.
Chapter 29
