by Logan Petty
Hooves clacked nervously on the cave floor as everyone’s eye shifted to Binze. “Oh, well . . . of course, Swerbrekker. It would be an honor. You see, we, like you, plan on taking Jordborg back from the Grey King’s control. However, his forces number in the thousands . . . and those thousands swarm around an unholy beacon that can reanimate anything we cut down as well as any of us who fall in battle. It’s a bleak outlook for such a small number. Well, that’s where the dragon comes in.”
Axel chuckled as he leaned back in his seat. “Oh right, trade one hopeless situation for another.”
Binze ignored the dwarf’s comment and pressed on. “With the dragon on our side, cutting a path to the city is a relatively easy feat. The plan is to lead a charge against the conversion temple, tear it down, and then make for the city walls.”
Rognur cackled, “Hah, easy. Right boss?”
Vaskir was not smiling. His hands clasped around themselves. His elbows propped his arms upward and those same clasped hands held his chin in place. He studied Sawain with such intensity, it made him uneasy. Finally, he spoke.
“Tell me, Swerdbrekker. That is what they call you, correct? Just how do you plan to convince this dragon, a child of the gods, to risk its life for you, a lowly mortal?”
Banthan smirked, “Oh, this is the good part. Go on, Swerdbrekker. Tell them our master plan.”
Sawain sighed as he prayed for Banthan’s mouth to vanish from his face. “Well . . . we plan on making a deal with him.”
The explosive clash of steel on stone ricocheted off the walls like the clash of thunder. Everyone’s attention turned to Axel, who had leaned too far back and had completely lost his composure at Sawain’s answer. He looked up from the ground as he rocked back and forth, trying to get off his back.
“Laddie, ye’ve lost yer mind! I’ve taught ye better than that, have I not? Ye don’t go making a Dragon’s Deal! It’s suicide!”
Kyra leaned forward, concern in her eyes. “Axel’s right, Sawain. They don’t call loans from criminal syndicates Dragon’s Deals because they’re fair, you know.”
Heat rose in Sawain’s face as his old friends berated him in front of his new friends. He felt the tug of fear in the pit of his stomach. Fear that he might lose control of the situation. He slammed a fist down on the table.
“Enough! I am the leader of this outfit, not you! The Dawnstar Company is my ally, but not my master. Not any more. If you don’t like our plan, you are free to return to your own crusade.”
Silence fell over the cavern as a distant peal of thunder shook the air. After a brief eternity, Sydarion spoke up.
“Relax, Sawain. We’re not here to tell you how to fight this war, only offer constructive criticism. Axel and Kyra meant no harm. How else would you expect someone to react when they are told that part of a plan they had already agreed to involved making a Dragon’s Deal?”
Sawain glared at the table and sat back slightly. “Fair enough, I suppose. But I don’t plan on putting anyone else’s lives in danger on such a risky play. I will be the one making the deal, no one else.”
Binzed stamped in protest. “We never agreed to that! By all rights, I should be the one making the deal. After all, I am the one risking my life already to get the Runestone!”
Sydarion’s right eyebrow arched as he rested his head in his own hands. “Well, this is new. What’s this about a Runestone?”
Binze opened his mouth but no words came out. Sawain spared him the agony and answered in his stead. “Well, that’s our bargaining chip. We are heading to the Harthaz Bone City to steal the Harthaz’s sacred Runestone shard. Once we have it, we’ll offer it to the dragon after he helps us take back Jordborg.”
Axel pulled himself back to his seat. “And what makes ye so sure he won’t roast ye on the spot and take it for himself?”
Mari nudged Sawain, “That could put a damper on our plans, leader.”
Sawain rubbed his arm nervously. “Well, that’s one possible outcome, or Turin could protect me. You know, it might hurt his reputation if his champion became Dragon dinner.”
Axel stared at him a moment with his mouth slightly open. His bearded face soon formed a grin.
“So yer plan is to break into the Harthaz Bone-City, right under the nose of the fells’s most notorious mass murderer, steal his people’s most holy relic, then offer it to a dragon who may or may not kill you on the spot for it. Well, ye had me at steal a holy relic from the Harthaz, laddie.”
Syd scratched his beard thoughtfully. “That’s the second time you mentioned Turin. I’m not familiar with that name, and I’ve lived a lot longer than you, little brother. Care to enlighten us?”
Sawain’s chest tightened. He had to concentrate to draw breath. He looked around the room at all the faces that stared at him. He felt as if he was back in the heart of the forest, with all those scrutinizing eyes glaring down on him. He opened his mouth and forced his dry throat to speak.
“Turin is the god of the Sturmforge. He chose me to be his champion so that I might strike down the Grey King.”
Kyra tilted her head as she stared at Sawain. “A god, you say? But Sawain, the gods haven’t looked upon Hammerhold for millennia. There are none alive today that even know their names.”
Mari placed her hands on the table and stood up, glaring at Kyra. “And yet Sawain knows his name! It’s true, he is the chosen one! Go on, Sawain. Show them what you can do.”
Kyra raised her hands in defense. “Woah, slow down, lass. I didn’t mean any offense.”
Mari pointed a finger at Kyra. “Don’t you call me lass, little girl. I’ve easily got twenty years on you. I am an elf, you know!”
Kyra crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat with her eyes locked on Mari’s. Sawain stood up from his seat and drew a dagger.
“Alright, enough. I get it. You want a demonstration. Fine.”
The knot in Sawain’s stomach twisted as he ran the edge of his knife over his palm. Blood trickled from the wound and splashed to the ground like droplets of rain. Sawain silently hoped this would work as his heart raced and his hand shook.
“Lord Turin, god of the Sturmforge, send your healing breeze into this place and heal our wounds.”
Sawain watched his hand as blood pooled up in his cupped palm. He did not feel the familiar electricity run through him. He took a breath and closed his eyes.
“Turin, hear me. Send your healing breeze to this place and heal our wounds.”
Sawain opened his eyes. His hand still bled.
Timbrell poked his head out from his hiding place in Mari’s cloak. “Umm, boss? Isn’t it supposed to do something now?”
Vaskar smiled at Sawain with a haughty air. “Maybe you should call louder. Seems he can’t hear you from inside this cave. I think I’d rather take my chances with the dragon.”
Sawain’s breath quickened as he clenched his bloodied fist, wincing at the pain. “Shut up! How dare you speak against the Storm Bringer!”
Axel stood up slowly. “Look laddie, nobody’s trying to say anything. Maybe yer just tired. Took a few too many blows to the head today.”
Sawain stepped away from the table as he fought back angry tears. “What, now you don’t believe me either? He’s real, Axel! I saw him!”
Syd raised his voice, “Axel is just trying to help Sawain, He didn’t-”
“WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU WEREN’T THERE! YOU WEREN’T THERE THE DAY I DIED! YOU DIDN’T SEE WHAT I’VE SEEN! He . . . he gave me a new life . . . . He said he’d guide me . . . .”
Sawain’s hand instinctively wrapped around his totem. He stared at the little white lion now stained red as tears filled his vision.
“You said you’d be there for me . . . .”
Sawain’s rage took over as he turned and ran out of the cave, too ashamed to be seen by his friends in this state. Kyra stood up, but Axel held a hand up to her.
“Let him go, lass. He needs a moment to cool off.”
Kyra hesitated, but Ma
ri had already taken after Sawain. She yelled out at him as she vanished into the tunnel. Kyra glared at Axel.
“What was that all about? Sawain’s been lost to us for two years, and the moment we find him again, you go and just assume he’s the same child who ran away from home? Don’t tell me to let him go. I’ve not slept a night in the past two years when I did not see him in my dreams! I’m not going to let him go now that I can see him again in this world.”
Axel took a step toward Kyra. “Listen, Kyra. I get that yer upset, and I know he’s not the same. Sure there are similarities. He still flies off the handle and can’t control his emotions, but I know that he has changed. He has new friends, new allies, and has had some of them for a while. I just don’t want ye doing something drastic.”
Kyra clenched her fist and grit her teeth. “Drastic? Like how, Axel? Like abandoning Anvilheim in its time of need to chase after some shieldling who couldn’t wait obediently at home? Like dragging us along with you so you could justify this gnoll hunt of yours? Everything we do is drastic! Every drastic thing we’ve done has been for that boy you just couldn’t put your faith in for one moment when he needed it most! No, Axel, I think I will do something drastic. I won’t lose him again.”
Sawain heard a girl call out his name as he ran through the tunnel and out into the thunderstorm beyond the cave. Cold rain beat down on his head and shoulders as he waded out into the ankle deep waters flowing through the creek bed.
He blinked through his tears and clenched his totem. He felt the cold bone against the hot blood that trickled from his hand. He tried to make sense of his fears, his anxiety, but all he could do was choke on an angry sob. He gripped the totem tight in his hand.
“You are supposed to guide me. She said you’d show me which way to go. So why won’t you? Why let me walk into such a stupid trap? Why isn’t there another way? Why won’t you say anything?!”
A flash of lightning lit up the sky and filled the canyon with booming thunder. Mari gasped in fear as she appeared at the mouth of the cave, Timbrell at her heels. The display turned Sawain’s shameful musings into anger. He glared into the night sky, blinking through the driving rain that quickly numbed his skin. The building rage in his heart warmed him as he yelled into the storm.
“WHERE WERE YOU? WHY DIDN’T YOU ANSWER ME? ARE THE GODS SO STUCK UP THAT THEY SIMPLY DON’T CARE WHEN THEY OR THEIR SERVANTS ARE MOCKED? ANSWER ME, TURIN!”
Sawain waited several seconds until another flash of light illuminated the sky, answered by a peal of thunder. His rage kindled as his vision blurred into a shade of red. He yanked at the totem’s cord and broke it free from his neck. He roared at the sky and hurled the icon into the air. It fell harmlessly several feet away.
“Why are you abandoning me? You sent me on this fool’s errand! You are supposed to guide me, too! Now the people that are sworn to follow me think me insane! Answer me, you no good, worthless, blasted—”
Sawain felt a pair of arms wrap around him. Mari’s sweet song filled his fevered ears as she pressed against his back.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry, no more tears.
Though the storm roars, I’m right here.
Though the rain falls, you’re not alone.
You are safe now, with me at home.
I’ll protect you from thunder’s crash;
I will shield you from lightning’s flash.
Dry your eyes now, no more tears.
Let me sing away your fears.”
Sawain tried to struggle against Mari as she began her song, but the soothing melody relaxed him quickly, enchanting his mind and drawing out his anger. His vision returned to normal and his muscles relaxed. He began to forget why he was angry in the first place. Flashes of the dead filled his vision as fear fought against Mari’s song. He let her hold him as she sang. She continued to hold him after the song ended. The enchantment quickly faded as the freezing rain washed over Sawain. He stood shivering in a puddle as Mari held him and spoke into his ear.
“I know it’s scary to leave your home and to go to war. I’m right there with you. We all are. Nara, Timbrell, Banth and I understand how you feel. It must be even harder for you with the weight of a god’s quest on your shoulders. You don’t have to bear it alone. We are here to carry it, too. We believe in you, Sawain. Don’t let fear control you. I will hold your hand if you’re scared. You never have to go alone.”
Sawain tried to speak as hot tears melded with the cold rain on his cheeks. He took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out. Words forced their way out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry for acting like a fool, Mari. Thank you for believing me. I don’t know why Turin didn’t answer me, but it’s not important. What is important is that we still have a mission to carry out. The Grey King is still out there and he’s got his blade set on my throat.”
“That’ll never happen,” Mari said as she let go of him. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
Sawain sighed, “I’m more likely to get myself killed first, yelling at a thunderstorm.”
Mari giggled as she slipped her hand into Sawain’s. “Well, don’t go dying on the world. It still needs a hero. After the Grey King is dead again, Hammerhold will need a leader like you to look up to during the reconstruction. You are the light of hope in this broken world. You can forge bonds that the leaders of the past only dreamed of building. We need you to live. I need you to live.”
Sawain looked into Mari’s eyes and saw something unfamiliar there. She stared at him like he used to stare at the hills beyond the walls of Mistveil Farm. Lightning illuminated her face and thunder exploded above them. She gasped and jumped toward him. His arms were around her before he knew it. He held her close as he stared into her large blue eyes. Suddenly, Kyra’s voice cried out from the cave, barely audible over the driving rain.
Sawain looked up to see her standing there with her hands on her mouth. Panic took over Sawain’s instincts as he let go of Mari and ran toward the cave.
“Kyra!”
Kyra shook her head slowly as she clenched her fist harder. “Sawain . . . I guess he was right. You have moved on . . . .”
He stepped toward the girl who had haunted his dreams for so long. “Kyra, what are you saying? It’s not . . . .”
“Sawain?”
Mari’s pleading voice stabbed Sawain in the back as he found himself caught in a tug of war. Invisible bonds twisted him around long enough to see Mari’s hurt expression.
“Mari, I . . . I’m sorry.”
Kyra let out an agonized wail as tears fell from her eyes. She turned and threw down a handful of blood that had escaped the puncture wounds from her nails. The blood hit the ground and large spikes of ice shot up, partially blocking the cave entrance. She disappeared back into the cave before the mist settled.
He turned and ran after Kyra. He did not know why, but he ran anyway.
Mari watched him slip past the giant icicles and then disappear into the darkness as he chased after the other girl. Tears flooded her eyes as her heart tore in half. She dropped to her knees in the icy stream. When she opened her mouth to call after Sawain, all that came out were broken sobs mixed with cries of anguish. All she could do was cry blindly as the boy she loved left her in the rain for a girl he had not seen in nearly two years.
She felt something like a wet balled up blanket crawl into her lap. Timbrell held her weeping face in his tiny paws and placed his forehead against hers.
“It’s okay, lassie. I’m here. Don’t cry.”
Mari pressed her head harder into his scalp as she closed her eyes hard, trying to force out the image of Sawain running away from her.
“It hurts, Timb! It hurts!”
Timbrell hugged her neck. “I know it does, lassie, I know it does. Old Timb knows this pain all too well.”
Mari sobbed uncontrollably, fresh tears spilling into Timbrell’s fur. He let her cry as he closed his eyes and began to hum an old tune Mari had heard before, long ago. He b
egan to sing in his little alto voice as Mari’s sobs slowed.
“I remember a tree, in a far away land
I remember a girl swinging there.
I remember a home full of joy so grand
‘Tis a wonderful memory rare.
I remember your face, full of beauty and grace
I remember the old country, fair.
I remember our home, what a beautiful place
Let us wander and end up back there.
Though our journeys be long and our cares seem many
Our hearts be beset and left craven
Soon comes a day so much fairer than any
When we set foot again in Alfhaven.”
Mari sniffled as Timbrell finished his song. Her heart still ached, but she managed a smile. “Thanks Timb. You always have the prettiest songs.”
Timbrell smiled warmly and wiped the driving rain from Mari’s face. “You’re the one with the pretty songs, lassie, and a pretty heart. Sawain, he’s just . . . he’s young still, and has not made any lasting decisions yet. I know how ye feel about him. I’m not goin’ to say I approve of that hot headed boy, but you said it yerself: one day he’ll be a great leader, and a great leader needs a great advisor. If ye insist on lovin’ him, don’t give up on him after he makes one foolish mistake. Give him one or two more foolish mistakes, then count him a loss.”
Mari felt her gaze drift toward the totem that bobbed in the rising water. She stood up, lifting Timbrell into her arms. He scurried into her hood as she bent over to pick up the tiny object. She looked it over, in half awe, half horror. She closed her hand around it and placed it in her pouch.
“You’re right, Timb. He does deserve to make a few more mistakes.”
Timbrell winced, “A bit aggressive, lassie. I didn’t mean ye should lead him into those mistakes.”
Mari laughed for the first time since Sawain left. Songrandir slank from the darkness of the cave and nuzzled Mari thoughtfully. Mari ran her hand along the drake’s sleek head.
