by Eden Redd
Revor grunted as arrows riddled his body. A moment later he fell and shattered into a greenish light. Assassins stepped closer, reloading crossbows while others held their swords at the ready.
Karrik stayed where he was, a jagged smile showing, “I want to watch this to the last moment.”
Kaylik looked away from his brother as crossbows aimed and triggers were pulled. Bolts stabbed into his form. When the last crossbow finished, swords came down in stabbing motions, penetrating his body, pulling out and stabbing again. The dragon lord shuddered with each stab until the light behind his eyes faded and crumbled into the glowing void.
Two
Rays of light shined down through glass windows and crystal walls. Kaylik sat on his throne, eyes surveying the throne room. Guards lined the walls to the right and left of him. Nobles gossiped and chatted close to the raised dais of his throne. Karrik stood off to the side, face blank.
The dragon lord turned to the immense glass windows, expecting a shadow to cross over his hand. Instead, a clear blue sky greeted him. The lord’s eyes lowered as a thought stabbed at him. Why did he expect a shadow? Wasn’t there a bird outside? He swore he remembered there being a black crow in the blue sky.
Thoughts whirled on as the nobles continued their conversations, speaking of Sun Drinkers and the war. The atmosphere felt familiar in a sense but he was a lord after all, spending his time directing his people and the kingdom. The duties were often repetitive so why did he feel like something was different?
Glancing down at the long blue hair of his younger sibling and Hand, gloomy thoughts invaded his heart. Sadness curled around like a cold blanket and for the first time, the lord had misgivings of his beloved brother.
A mood took over and without a second thought; the lord was to his feet. Voices hushed and noble eyes turned to their lord. Kaylik turned his head, eyes looking down at the nobles and then to the guards. Even the Hand turned his gaze to his older brother, all waiting for his command. Panic crawled up Kaylik’s spine but he didn’t let it show.
“Report on the war,” the dragon lord asked as he tried to deflect his own confusion.
Karrik turned, “The troll masters have sent reinforcements to the Middle Kingdoms but they have focused their attacks on the neighboring kingdoms. Several human kingdoms have fallen as a result along the eastern road.”
“Have we sent aid to them,” Kaylik asked already knowing the answer. He simply couldn’t bring himself to believe that they hadn’t.
Karrik kept his gaze neutral, “No my lord, we have not. The council has decreed we are to provide only advice until further notice.”
Kaylik took a step forward and then another. Everything Karrik said was true but why was he having a hard time believing it? The dragon lord couldn’t understand why they would hold back their forces. If the dragons and humans combined their armies, the trolls would be sent back to the south for another thousand years. Why did everything seem so muddled.
The Hand and nobles all kept their attention on Kaylik as he moved to the edge of the dais and stepped down a step. Uncertainty painted their expressions as the lord’s eyes contained a faraway gaze. Kaylik took another step and the main doors to the throne room opened. Eyes shifting, the dragon lord watched as a woman walked in with four guards trailing behind her.
Karrik quickly fell to his duties by turning and approaching the robed woman. Kaylik, on the other hand, stood and stared, taken aback by the beautiful woman entering his throne room. The Hand moved to the woman’s side as she stood in the middle of the bright chamber.
“Welcome Lyssa Spellfire, mage and adventurer,” Karrik bellowed.
The lord continued to stare, eyes drinking in her form. Red hair flowed from a widow’s peak, over her head and down her shoulders. Two strips of blue flared out from her temples to the end of her long, lustrous hair. A medium tan colored her high cheek bones and smooth skin. A thin neck and slight cleavage lay exposed while the rest of her body was covered in an arcane robe, adhering to her feminine curves. Even the thickness of her robe could not contain the shape of her round breasts as they seemed to stretch the fabric.
Eyes tracing up the lines of her neck, they travelled to see a small smirk and deep pools of emerald green eyes. The light behind them stunned the lord, and he stood frozen like an animal in sudden torch light. Karrik eyed the lord before tilting his head, a small smile blooming.
“Lord Kaylik Bright Storm is happy to meet you,” the Hand said with an even tone.
“I can tell,” Lyssa’s smirk stabbed deeper into her cheek.
Kaylik woke from his trance and continued to step down, “I am pleased to meet you, Lyssa Spellfire.”
Kaylik closed the distance and stood before the shapely adventurer, “What brings you to my humble kingdom?”
Lyssa looked up to the dragon lord with cool eyes. The dragon in human skin stood at roughly six two. As he observed her, Lyssa took in his wide shoulders, athletic build and strong jaw. Azure eyes regarded her, with short, dark blue hair lying neatly under a lord’s crown.
The mage’s eyes looked down as a thought entered her head. Reaching down to a small pouch hanging on her hip, she opened the flap and began digging. The nobles and guards looked on as the mage dug around, silently grumbling to herself. Kaylik eyed her as her hand continued searching, her thin eyebrows beginning to furl. Karrik craned his head to look down at the swirling darkness of her pouch. All he could see was her wrist. The rest of her hand disappeared in the seemingly magical pouch.
“Have…to..organize….my…damn inventory,” Lyssa mumbled.
Someone coughed and it echoed off the crystal walls. Kaylik looked down with a touch of amusement while Karrik pretended to whistle silently. Lyssa let out a sigh and pulled her hand out. Waving it once across the air, a 2D screen appeared. Karrik continued to not notice but the dragon lord’s eyes locked on the glowing screen. Fascinated, he watched as the mage scrolled down the page a few times. Words spun by in a blur until she tapped it again. A thin finger tapped at a few words and her hand waved across. The screen disappeared and a scroll appeared in her hand.
“I’ve never seen lights manipulated in such a way. Is this a new kind of magic?” Kaylik asked, astonished.
Lyssa raised an eyebrow, “You could see that? I didn’t think you could.”
The dragon lord looked to the Hand, “Did you see it?”
Karrik shook his head slightly, “I only saw her take the scroll from her pouch, my lord.”
Lyssa held the scroll out, “I have brought you the Scroll of Gallis.”
Kaylik looked down at the ancient scroll. Hesitation crawled along his nerves. Words flashed in his mind but he could not speak them. Odd whispers ran along his ears but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. The throne room took a dark edge and then it was gone, replaced with bright sunny light.
Kaylik lifted a hand and curled his fingers over Lyssa’s hand holding the scroll. The mage looked up with a sweet glint in her eyes. Karrik looked over, reached out and pulled the scroll from them. Lyssa gave the Hand a sideways glance and her bright eyes were touched by shadow. Kaylik soaked in the small touch between them, savoring her smooth skin before letting his hand drop to his side.
“You answered my call and have come back in victory. The scroll is an heirloom to my family line and to show my appreciation, we shall have a feast in your honor! My Ha….I will show you to your room to prepare for the festivities. Let all know that tonight we dine in honor of this heroic mage!”
The throne room erupted in clapping and cheers. Karrik’s eyes bulged as he looked to his lord. Lyssa’s smirk melted into a smile as everyone congratulated her with shouts of glee.
“Karrik, look to tonight’s arrangements while I give our heroic mage a tour,” Kaylik said while never taking his eyes off the beautiful mage.
“My lord….this is highly irregular,” Karrik stammered.
Lyssa gave the Hand a hard scowl, “Make sure there is plenty of wine.�
�
Karrik raised his hands and opened his mouth but no words fell out. Kaylik turned and stood by Lyssa’s side, arm slightly out. The mage curled her arm under his as the nobles continued their appreciative applause. The dragon lord gently escorted the mage to a door at the rear of the throne room. Karrik stood staring with wide eyes. The lord took hold of the door handle and opened it. Lyssa bowed her head and walked through with the lord close behind.
A balcony spread out before them, overlooking lush gardens. The mage kept her arm entwined with Kaylik’s as they walked. Birdsong filled the air as the two stepped to the balcony edge.
“I didn’t know lords gave private tours,” Lyssa said as she looked out to the gardens.
“We don’t normally but I felt this time was an exception,” Kaylik said with a small smile.
Lyssa raised her eyes to take in the glow of the countryside. Green fields stretched out with clumps of dark green forests. In the distance, the faint spires of several more kingdoms shined like glittering beacons.
“Every time I visit the Dragon Kingdoms, it still takes my breath away,” Lyssa said in a low voice.
“You visit often?”
The mage glanced over at the lord, a small smile on her lips, “You could say that. There are many dragons who need quests completed.”
The mage leaned forward against the balcony edge, “Is your brother still an evil jerk?”
Kaylik raised an eyebrow, “You know my brother?”
The mage nodded, “I know you too. Do you remember me?”
Kaylik eyed the mage but his lips remained closed.
Lyssa continued to stare out, “I came here a few months back. I managed to get the scroll and bring it to you. I thought that was all to the quest.”
“I have no memory of our meeting,” Kaylik said flatly.
Lyssa nodded, “I didn’t think you would. I was new to the game and thought once I completed the quest, I would get the Bright Storm amulet. I didn’t know there was an extra surprise.”
Kaylik leaned over, eyes searching for any hint of a memory, “If you came to me before, surely I would have given you the amulet as payment.”
Lyssa looked over, her smile fading, “I was wet behind the ears. Your brother betrays you, sends assassins to kill you and whoever you’re with before you can hand over the amulet. I died trying to defend you.”
Kaylik grew silent, shadows covering his eyes.
“It was the first time I learned that the game was not that forgiving. Finding sex and love is the easy part. The fantasy game is a lot harder.”
Lyssa shifted to her side and looked up into the dragon lord’s confused expression, “Do you give the tours now? Because you didn’t last time. I haven’t heard of anyone else getting a royal tour. I thought maybe the programmers changed something.”
Kaylik looked to the beautiful mage, “I…I don’t know. I had an urge to…spend some time with you.”
Lyssa eyed him, “Is it because you like what you see?”
The dragon lord shook his head, “Your beauty is stunning but…there is something more.”
“You sure you don’t remember me?”
“I cannot say,” Kaylik said softly.
Lyssa turned to the gardens, “Your quest bothered me. I knew I could get another scroll but I still wouldn’t be strong enough to defend you. I’ve spent months growing my mana pool and learning new spells, getting ready for the day I could complete your quest. I think tonight might be the night.”
Kaylik’s head dipped, “I feel I am at a loss. You speak about my brother betraying me, assassins and of times where we met before. I have no memory of any of this.”
Lyssa gave an understanding smile, “I’m sorry. I’m probably messing with your algorithms talking like that. Most of the time people in this world gloss over it.”
Kaylik turned his attention to the gardens. This was the first time he had met Lyssa, yet she spoke of a past meeting. Surely, he would remember someone so striking, but a thick fog enveloped his mind. Was she playing a game with him and to what end? Questions rolled through the dragon lord but they all came up unanswered.
“The blue roses look like they’re about to bloom,” Lyssa said as she looked down at the garden.
Kaylik looked down, “They bloom in evening light. When the sun sets, they should fully bloom this very evening.”
“If everything goes well, maybe I can see them,” the mage said with a touch of sadness.
Kaylik eyed her for a long moment. Light touched his mind and a rosy glow surrounded the mage. He couldn’t explain it but it was whipping at everything he thought he should do. A noise exploded in his mind, telling him, directing him to follow a set of pathways. Instead, a burst of internal heat changed the course and the dragon lord let out a cleansing sigh.
“Let’s go down and look at them,” The lord said simply.
Lyssa continued to look down, “I thought we had to prepare for the feast in a few hours?”
Kaylik let a mischievous grin slip. The lord took a step back as two mounds pushed the fabric covering his backside. Garments tightening, fabric parted and slick limbs protruded outward from his back. Lyssa turned to see the folded limbs open and blue leathery wings unfurl. Before she could react, the lord’s arm swept around and held her close. With a push of powerful legs, the dragon lord and mage were airborne. Lyssa clutched to him, a wide smile appearing as the lord made a few flaps of his wings. The pair glided down to the gardens and Kaylik released his grip.
Lyssa stepped away, wonderment filling her eyes. Turning, she looked to the garden as Kaylik flexed his wings and folded them back. The lord stepped closer as the mage leaned over a blue rose, bent it to her and took a sniff.
“They smell like mint and roses,” the mage said as she took another sniff.
“They will smell better when they fully bloom.”
“You weren’t this spontaneous last time,” Lyssa said as she straightened up.
“How was I…last time?”
Lyssa walked over and sat on a stone bench, her hand patting the seat next to her. Kaylik stepped over and sat down, wings sinking into his back and the fabric closing behind them.
“I hope I’m not rude but you weren’t like how you are now.”
Kaylik smiled, “I’m stronger then I look. Please, tell me about this lovely encounter that I cannot remember.”
“You looked the same, handsome and fit, but you seemed a little hollow...until you…”
“Hollow?” Kaylik interjected.
Lyssa tried to smile, “It’s not coming out right. I mean, you were a gracious host and we did talk for a little bit, but that was it.”
Kaylik listened, mind working to remember her story. The mental walls were there; big, strong and foreboding.
The mage continued, “The roses bloomed the last time I was here. I know they run in cycles but I was only a few weeks into the game. I loved meeting you but…there was something missing until the feast when you wanted me to sit by you. I did, and loved the attention. You seemed to pamper me and even put a flower in my hair, the back of your fingers grazed my neck.”
“Did I offend you?”
Lyssa let out a laugh, “No, very much the opposite. Probably the reason I had to return. The way you looked at me, though brief, was… intoxicating. It was…really nice. But then you went on with a regular speech about the quest and asked me to join you. We walked up to the upper floors, you telling me of my reward when….”
“My brother betrayed me,” Kaylik said with a touch of indifference.
Lyssa looked to the dragon lord’s grim expression, “You remember?”
Kaylik shook his head, “No, but I feel that was what you were going to say.”
Lyssa’s shoulders sank, “I didn’t want our meeting again to be like this. I’m sorry. I have been looking forward to seeing you and…..it seems different.”
The dragon lord looked to the mage with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Lyssa let o
ut another laugh, “Its good different. You seem…I don’t know…more alive.”
“I will take that as a compliment,” The dragon lord smiled.
Lyssa’s eyes turned away, “I wish we could just fly away for the evening and miss all the ugliness.”
Kaylik reached over behind the mage and took hold of a thorny stem. With a simple twist, the stem snapped. The dragon lord brought the rose to his chest. Lyssa looked down as he put two fingers to the stem and ran it down, thorns popping off against his fingers. When it no longer had thorns, the dragon leaned in and pushed the blue rose into the mage’s blue streak of hair.
“I see the lord and lady are having a pleasant afternoon,” said a smooth voice from a nearby path.
Kaylik and Lyssa turned their eyes to see Karrik step closer, a sardonic smile on his lips. The mage’s eyes narrowed as Kaylik looked to his brother, a sliver of darkness wrapping around his heart.
“I didn’t want to interrupt but we have many plans for the evening,” Karrik said with a sly smirk.
Three
“Stay close to me,” Lyssa whispered.
The dragon lord gave the barest of nods before addressing the Hand, “Karrik, I take it the arrangements are going well?”
The Hand bowed slightly, closing his eyes, “The servants have been informed and wine is being delivered to the towns in the kingdom. Lady Spellfire must see the tailors for her gown this evening.”
“I’m fine just the way I am,” Lyssa said with obvious distaste.
Karrik continued as if he didn’t notice, “I must insist. I’m sure your clothes would be fine with common human lords but here, our heroes wear the finest garments in the kingdoms.”
Kaylik glanced at the mage, “I don’t know, we could make an exception. She is our hero.”
Karrik gave the lord a sideways glance, “It wouldn’t take longer than…..” the Hand was cut off.
“If Lady Spellfire wishes to remain in her garments then so be it,” Kaylik stated with a strong tone.
Karrik bowed again to the lord, “I have overstepped my bounds. I do apologize.”
