“Were you talking to Meladrom?” Amerdril asked sitting down next to him, he recognised the faraway look in his eyes. All riders looked the same when they communicated with their minds to their dragons. The young King nodded.
“Yes. They are ready and will meet you tomorrow. Galtec said he was looking forward to seeing you.” Amerdril grinned.
“Yeah I have missed that old dragon. I’m looking forward to getting up into the air.” Kainan glanced at him. Amerdril nudged him with his elbow.
“She will be okay,” he smiled, trying to re-assure him. Kainan nodded back, before looking away from him and out into the night sky. Staring at the array of twinkling stars, he hoped with all his heart that he was right.
***
“Be safe my King,” Amerdril said, bowing low. First light the next day they had packed up their gear, ready to move out.
“I will Amerdril. The dragons should only be a day away. Make sure they keep low in the gorge. Gemini knows we will be coming, but he does not know we have dragons or how many of us there are.” How few, Amerdril thought to himself, but said nothing.
“Be strong all of you. We may be few but we are elite. We are the best and we shall strike at the heart and bury Gemini and his army.” The others bowed to their King and watched as he turned and left.
“Do you think he can do it?” Forde asked his brother. Dross looked at him and shrugged.
“Honestly, I do not know.”
“Of course he can, Dracons,” Sharelle interrupted sharply, addressing them by their family name. She stood staring down at the brothers, her hands on her hips. Her long blonde hair lifted across her face in the gentle morning breeze, and she lifted a hand, sweeping it back. They both looked up at her. “How could you doubt such a great man as our King? His Queen is out there in the hands of that evil bastard.” She pointed beyond the trees and then stared hard at Forde. As his eyes met hers, she frowned. “He will not fail us or her.” She turned about abruptly, and looking back over her shoulder, she barked at them. “Come on, we need to set up a base camp.” Marching off, she headed downwards into the gorge.
Dross grinned at his brother. “She likes you.” Forde looked at him and then back to the departing Sharelle.
“Do you think so?” he said, with a smile. His brother nodded, still grinning at him. “And why do you think that Dross?” Forde asked.
“Because dear brother, she is mad at you.”
“She was mad at both of us.” His brother shook his head.
“Oh no brother, she only scowled at you.”
“And that means she likes me?”
“Yep,” he replied with a grin.
Forde shrugged. “I will never understand women,” he complained. His brother laughed.
“You do not need to understand them my brother, you just have to love them.”
“I see and that’s your philosophy is it?”
“Absolutely, now come on we had best catch up with the others.” He grabbed his pack, jumping back onto his feet.
Forde gazed at Sharelle as she clambered down the embankment and into the gorge. She was tall, and although slim, she had curves in all the right places. He raised his eyebrows as he watched her; he thought there nothing sexier than a woman who could take care of herself. She wore tight black leather trousers, a white shirt underneath a black leather waistcoat and knee-high boots. Her black cloak tucked through her backpack and her long elven sword strapped across her back. He had known her for years, ever since she had joined them from her world of Elvendon. They had only been young, 15 or thereabouts, when they first met, and had a kind of love hate relationship, having been sparring partners during their first few years of training. She had grown into a beautiful woman and he no longer looked at her as the elven girl that annoyed him intensely. Instead, he looked at her with love in his heart and he wished that his brother were right.
The small party made their way down into the deep gorge, the sides of which were extremely steep and precarious. As they reached the base, they spotted a cave. Clambering across the debris of fallen rocks and shingle, they made their way towards it. Gathering some dry sticks that littered the floor all around them, they made some makeshift torches, and with their swords drawn Amerdril, Destran and the brothers Forde and Dross ventured into the cave, whilst the rest remained outside, waiting.
The torches flickered as they illuminated the cave with a fiery glow, the ground beneath their feet consisted of dirt and gravel. The four men moved further into the cave. There appeared to be no sign of anything living in within.
“It is clear,” Amerdril finally announced. “Come on let’s get the others and set up a camp for the night. This is a good a place as any to await our dragons.” With that, he threw his pack down and wandered over to the wall of the cave, and searching with his hands he looked for a small crevice. On finding, one he rammed his torch down inside, leaving it there lighting the cave.
The small party grouped together and Amerdril set them all various tasks. Jael, Dross, Kaleb, and Rahban were to go out and search for firewood. Amerdril Morgana and Destran were to go and hunt for food. Sharelle and Martock were to look for fresh water, leaving Estooe and Forde to set up the camp.
“So Elf do you think we shall die tomorrow?” Forde asked, off hand. The graceful Elf Estooe looked up at him, his piercing blue eyes staring at him.
“Maybe,” he replied pulling open his pack.
“You do not seem too concerned,” Forde replied. Stopping what he was doing Estooe replied.
“To die to save our people from this tyrant and to do so with my dragon is a great honour. I do not fear it.”
Forde thought for a moment and then grinned. “You say that because you know we will be victorious and therefore shall not die.” The Elf raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
“Perhaps,” the elf replied. Forde pursed his lips.
“Well either way,” he decided. “It will be good to see Erandril, I miss that dragon.” The Elf nodded.
“I agree it will be good to ride Asangard once again.” Forde twitched his nose, glancing at the elf as he began clearing away an area ready for a fire.
“Estooe can I ask you something, it is a little….personal?” Stopping what he was doing, Estooe looked over to him.
“Of course,” he replied, stepping up to him. Forde hesitated for a moment, and then sighing he shook his head.
“No it is okay, it is nothing,” Forde backtracked, quickly rummaging in his bag. He looked up as he saw Estooe’s booted feet next to him.
“You were going to ask about Sharelle, weren’t you?” Brushing his hands down his trousers Forde stood up, he was just about to deny it, but then he nodded.
“You like her?” Estooe asked. Forde nodded sheepishly. Raising his hand to him, he backed away
“If you and she …”
“No,” Estooe replied quickly. “Sharelle is not in my thoughts in that way.”
“Oh, good” Forde mumbled, relieved. Estooe placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
“She likes you too Forde, you should talk to her.” A smile spread across his lips.
“She does?” He nodded.
“Yes Forde she does.” Forde grinned at him and breathed deeply.
As the light faded, the other dragon riders returned from their tasks. Fresh water had been found and retrieved back to camp, water bottles refilled and coffee put on to brew.
“Amerdril what on Malgar do you have around your neck?” Forde asked surprised, as the King’s protector marched into the cave with something white, four legged and furry around his shoulders. He grinned. “It is a mountain goat.”
“Goat,” he said surprised. The other hunters nodded.
“They are bloody quick I can tell you,” Amerdril moaned lifting it off his shoulders.
“And sure-footed,” Morgana added.
“Sure they are, but we got it,” Amerdril finished throwing the gutted beast onto the floor.
“Come now, barbecued go
at sounds delicious. Allow me,” Estooe offered reaching for a large branch and promptly setting about making a spit whilst Amerdril skinned the animal.
A while later they gathered around the fire munching on Amerdril’s kill.
“You know this is really quite tasty,” Morgana commented licking her fingers.
“I am glad you are enjoying it,” Amerdril replied and she nodded, helping herself to another piece. Forde glanced across at Sharelle she caught his gaze and smiled. He smiled back embarrassed and then played with his food. Sharelle chuckled to herself she liked Forde, a lot. Taking a deep breath and stealing another quick glance at him, she wished with all her heart that he would have the courage to approach her. He almost had once, but the night he had taken her out Gemini had attacked and for months after that and until now, five hundred years later, he had never done it again, even though she knew he wanted to.
“Dross, do you want to take first watch with me?” Amerdril asked. Dross looked up pushing his long dark hair behind his shoulders he nodded.
“Sure.” He grabbed his sword and followed Amerdril out of the cave. They sat on top of some rocks. Dross finished off eating his bread whilst Amerdril stared up at the stars. Finally, Amerdril looked at Dross and said.
“I should not have let him go alone.” The other looked at him and shrugged.
“You know you had no choice, when the King is determined to do something alone, neither you nor I would be able to convince him otherwise.” Amerdril shook his head.
“I should have tried harder. If anything happens to him… Well that is it isn’t it.”
“Are you worried about your wife and kids?” Amerdril looked at him and then nodded. Picking up his sword and using a sharp stone Dross began sharpening the blade.
“He will not fail us,” Dross assured. The King’s protector ran a hand down his face and then cursed himself for doubting his King.
“Of course he will not, shame on you for even thinking it!” he said sharply. Dross looked at him pulling a ‘what are you talking about’ face. Amerdril laughed and the other shook his head.
“Bonkers you are do you know that?” Dross muttered shaking his head and continuing to sharpen his blade. Amerdril nodded to himself.
The others settled down to catch some sleep. Forde tossed and turned on his blanket.
“Oh for crying out loud,” he moaned sitting up. He looked across at Kaleb. “Oi Kaleb, wake up,” he called.
“What is all the noise?” Morgana moaned, lifting her head towards him.
“Wake Kaleb will you.” Morgana looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What is going on?” Destran moaned, looking at his brother.
“He wants me to wake Kaleb,” Morgana said.
“Why?” She shrugged as she poked at Kaleb. Kaleb stirred, she poked harder.
“What?” he moaned as he woke up. She pointed to Forde.
“What Forde?” he asked. Forde frowned at him.
“Will you answer your bloody dragon, he is going on and on in my head because you will not wake up!”
“What. How can you hear my dragon?” Kaleb asked surprised. Forde shrugged.
“I do not know I just can.” Sharelle sat up.
“What is going on?” she asked.
“Forde can hear Kaleb’s dragon.” Sharelle looked at him, he half smiled at her. Kaleb listened. Then he looked at the others.
“He is right, he did hear my dragon. Sirap just confirmed it.”
“Get Amerdril,” Morgana said, looking at Forde. Forde looked at the others somewhat perplexed.
Amerdril knelt down next to him.
“How long have you been hearing the other dragons?” he asked. Forde drew his knees up to his chest he looked at the others as they stared at him.
“I cannot, I mean …. Just then.” Forde bit down on his lower lip.
“Bloody hell Forde that means you are a dragon master like the King,” his brother said grinning at him. Forde puffed at him.
“No I am not.”
“Forde if you can understand the other dragons and they understand you, you are a dragon master.” Amerdril confirmed.
“Why would that happen now?” he questioned.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty two,” he replied. Amerdril mused over it and then shook his head.
“No idea,” he finally said before slapping his back.
“Hey a dragon master who would have thought. The King is going to be very pleased. Now get to sleep,” he ordered, looking at them all.
“Nice one Forde,” Dross quipped as he headed back outside with Amerdril. Forde lifted a chin, and lay back down on his blanket. He was not sure if he wanted to be a dragon master, why would that happen to him. He looked down the line of his body at Sharelle; she turned onto her side and smiled at him. He smiled back.
***
Kainan left the group behind him and began his journey back to Ophidian. Now he was on his own he had time to think. He thought of Arweyn, of his beautiful wife. How he missed her. He was so scared for her, that he had practically felt his heart shut down as the pain of losing her became unbearable. As the day progressed, the rain set in and he pulled his hood over his head, every now and then looking at the palm of his right hand, at the dragon entwined with a unicorn. He was the dragon and his wife the unicorn, bound for eternity with their love and their souls. It still glowed and swirled entwined together. She was still alive, although he knew Gemini would not kill her, she was too precious. He knew Gemini would use her against him, to bargain her life for the Deragan Sword but he was ready. As he had tried to convince the others, he knew that somehow she would have a plan; Gemini would want him caught and brought to him alive. He sighed many times to himself as he walked on, it was the only way, and there just was no alternative.
He smiled briefly as he thought of his twelve dragon riders. They were the bravest men and women he had ever known. Even knowing the odds were stacked against them they were still loyal to him, willing to fight and even to die for their King and Queen. He thought sadly of his father lying there in a deathly sleep. He just hoped the Faerlings were right and that by destroying Gemini, it would destroy the black magic running through his father’s veins.
The last few months had been both joyful and heart breaking. It amazed him sometimes that they were both still alive, having come so close to death so many times. He did not fear death, what he feared the most was living a life without his wife, without Arweyn life itself was not worth living.
The shades of evening began to fall and it grew cold, so the young King found himself a hollow within a tree. Slipping off his pack with a tired groan and squeezing himself inside the hollow, he flopped onto the ground leaning himself against the inside of the trunk. He thought to light a fire for warmth but then decided against it. He was not in the mood for any unwelcome visitors, so instead he nestled into the hollow and drew his cloak about for warmth. Opening his pack he ate some dried meat and fruit, he was not hungry, in fact, he had no appetite whatsoever, but he knew he would need his strength. He washed it down with water from his flask. As he sat listening to the silence of the forest, he felt a cold dread creep over his heart and, although tired he was unable to close his eyes, for each time he did he had visions of Gemini doing unspeakable things to his wife, and he could not bear it. He felt tears on his cheeks; they were cool in the cold night air. He wiped them away. On the outside, to his men, he played it hard, he played it strong, but inside he was falling apart.
As the sun rose, the young King, having eventually given into sleep, awoke to find the storm had passed and the rain had finally eased off. Standing outside of his hollow shelter, he stretched his muscles. By midmorning, he would be back at Ophidian’s lake. Squatting down he rummaged about in his pack for his water flask. He took a few mouthfuls and swished it about in his mouth before spitting it out. He took another swig, this time drinking it. Not being able to stomach anything to eat, he put his water bottle away, clos
ed his pack, stood up, and swung it over his shoulder. Taking his bearings, he moved off. He alternated between walking and jogging through the forest, keeping his wits about him at all times for Gemini’s creatures of dark magic or any black-wing patrols, although Kainan was quite certain that Gemini was waiting for him to come to him. As the sun, climbed high in the sky and it reached midday Kainan emerged from the forest and there ahead of him was Lake Tamara.
***
She awoke with the early sun full on her face as it streamed through the bedroom window. Sitting up she yawed and rubbed her head. She had a headache, must have been the wine from last night she concluded. She heard movement outside of the bedroom nervously she pulled a fur around her and crept to the door. She hoped it was not Gemini. Turning the handle she opened the door slightly only to see a number of servants laying out a breakfast table. One glanced towards her and then bowed.
“Your breakfast my Lady,” she said, with a wave of her hand. Opening the door Arweyn walked towards them.
“Thank you,” she said, with a slight smile. The three servants bowed and departed, leaving her alone once again. For a moment, she wondered how they had gotten into the room, as she was sure she had locked the door the night before, but as she inhaled the bacon hungrily, the thought disappeared. She quickly got dressed, sat down and ate breakfast. She knew she had to keep up her strength ready for when Kainan came for her, because he would she was sure, come for her very soon. She fingered the swirling dragon in the palm of her right hand he would be frantic with worry, she knew this and she knew that he would stop at nothing to find her. She kissed the dragon.
A firm knock came from the door, startled she spun around towards it.
“Yes?” she called.
“It is I Gemini.” She took in a sharp breath of dread. She did not want him to come in but she knew she had no choice.
“Come in,” she replied, pushing her chair back and wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“Good morning my Lady,” he said, with a slight tip of his head. “I hope you slept well and enjoyed your breakfast.” A slight twitch of a smile edged his lips, as he knew she had as he had slept alongside her until just before dawn.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 28
