“Have a seat there, Lord Dracon.” Lord Vette pointed at the other end of the table, opposite of where Lord Vette pulled out the chair for himself but did not sit. Dracon sat down in the chair a guard pulled out for him. More guards filled the room. Dracon sat after scanning the guards. Lord Vette held up a gold coin, examining it closely. “A lord, from another land, a prince, no less! This coin, this gold coin you bet at the Dizzy Dagger,” He looked at Talila briefly, “I took the liberty of keeping one, of course, I replaced it with one of my own.” He looked back at Dracon, “Funny thing, a lord with no money, I mean… a prince, with gold of the realm, not his own realm, but ours? Curious?” Lord Vette flipped the gold coin over a few times with his fingers, studying it unnecessarily. He knew exactly what the coin looked like but wanted to emphasize his point. He glanced at Talila several times while toying with the coin.
Dracon examined the guards, several had pikes and stood far enough away to use them if they needed to.
“Is there something you wish to ask, Lord Vette?”
“I suppose there is?” Lord Vette looked at Talila, “Before Rethland, where did you come from?” Talila looked over at Dracon. Lord Vette slammed his hand on the table startling Talila, making her wince and jump in her seat, “I’m asking you!”
Talila narrowed her eyes, glaring at Lord Vette. Dracon started to stand making every guard act, pulling out swords and levelling their pikes at him. Dracon slowly returned to his seat, gritting his teeth.
“We have reports, that a lord, Lord Kerin Advin, is dead. Not only is he dead, but the entire township is dead, diseased. His coffers pilfered. And here you come, a prince of some foreign land, with the same number of gold coins accounted for in Lord Advin’s ledger? Curious? How do you explain this? Had you not displayed gold, maybe wagered silver or other coins; you may very well have gone undiscovered. But in the emperor’s lands, very rarely does anyone have gold who is not a lord. Not the emperor’s gold.” Lord Vette nodded to the man in the light blue robes, who rushed over with a chain in his hands and quickly wrapped the chain around Talila, chaining her to the seat. Dracon steeled himself from acting on his desire to fight, at least, not until he knew she was not in harm’s way, “I hear tell you are a sorceress of some sort? Makes it easy to surmise how you may have killed those people with forbidden magic, is that right, Kazar?”
“Yes, my lord, but have no fear, these witch chains can bind the most adept enchantress. Strong enough even, to bind myself.” The man in the light blue robes declared.
Talila cackled and bounced in her chair, amused at his assertion. She looked over at Dracon.
“My love, please, allow me to swat these flies?” Dracon sat back in his seat, relaxing, “I grow tired of all the buzzing.” He smiled and gave her a slight nod, “Fieda!” She said and both Lord Vette and Kazar fled, as heat emanated from her, so fast and hot, it melted the chains and turned the chair she was sitting in, to ash.
Talila transformed, wings sprouted from her back and horns from her head. Guards raced around the table to assist their lord. Talila whipped one hand in the direction of the wizard Kazar, just as he was regaining his balance, sending him hard against the wall, knocking him out. Her other hand she aimed at Lord Vette like a claw, lifting him from the ground, helpless, unable to resist. Her wings lifted her several feet, rising with Lord Vette in her grasp. She twisted her hand and he started to choke. Talila brought him face to face with her. His eyes were wide with fear, staring into her black eyes.
“You dare to question my lord! He is a King! You insect!” She growled, a sadistic smile spread across her lips, watching his horror.
Dracon stood, making a scraping sound with the chair. Some of the guards returned their attention to him.
“Don’t kill him, my dear.” Dracon held up his hand, “If you want your lord to live, you should stand down.” He looked at the soldiers around the room.
Talila did not look away from Lord Vette, choking him silent, smiling her evil grin all the while. She let him breathe and stopped choking him.
“Stand down!” Lord Vette shouted as soon as he was able, “Stand down!” The guards obeyed immediately, dropping their weapons.
“I can kill them all!” Talila growled, her voice had changed, hollow and low but still able to be heard by everyone in the room, like a whisper in their ears.
“I don’t think that’s necessary? Is it? Lord Vette?” Dracon asked casually walking over to where Talila had him suspended in mid-air.
“No!” Lord Vette pried his eyes away from Talila’s gaze, to Dracon’s, “I can get you your winnings!” he gasped, “The gold!”
“The gold.” Dracon repeated and crossed his arms then looked up at Lord Vette who struggled not to look into Talila’s black eyes.
“Yes! I have lots of gold!” Lord Vette exclaimed, “My coffers are full! More than you can carry!” Talila laughed, finding amusement in his bargaining.
“Don’t be rude, my dear,” Dracon held back his own amusement, with yet another lord, trying to bargain for his life with gold, “I don’t want your gold, the winnings, you can keep it. All of it.” Dracon looked at Talila, watching her in her Vordalyn form. She looked so powerful and terrifying, It made him smile, “I am the rightful king of Ganlin, I am here by mere happenstance, Lord Vette, I want nothing from you, or your emperor, but if you push me, I will become a blight upon your lands, like that township you spoke of. I only wish to return to my home. That is all. Do not pursue me. Do not give me a reason to look back in your direction and you will never see me again.”
“I will not! I swear it!” Lord Vette yelled.
“How will we leave here without killing every man in this room?” Talila made Lord Vette choke again.
“Talila, let him go.” Dracon said.
Talila resisted a moment, choking Lord Vette with more intensity, then suddenly released him. She returned to her human form, dropping the few feet back to the ground. Lord Vette fell hard to the ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath.
“What kind of creature are you?” he coughed, then looked at Dracon.
“She is a powerful sorceress, able to change forms at will. She is not to be riled; I can promise you that?” Dracon chuckled looking at Talila who smirked back at him.
“Go back to the hedges from where you came,” Lord Vette panted, “It’s still open.” He stood back up, motioning his guards to move back, “We will not pursue you. I swear it!”
“What of my champion?” Talila asked, making Lord Vette’s face change.
“Hurry!” Lord Vette ordered one of his guards, “Stop them!”
The guard ran from the hall, back out to the garden. Dracon and Talila looked at each other, then, at Lord Vette.
“If he is harmed, I will kill you in the most gruesome way I can imagine!” Talila growled. Her threat made Lord Vette’s neck feel all the tighter. The memory of Talila squeezing the air from his lungs made him adjust his collar.
“Talila.” Dracon walked over to her and took her hand before she could do anything to Lord Vette. She glanced up at Dracon, then glared back at Lord Vette, “Walk us out, Lord Vette,” Dracon continued, “Anyone interferes, and you will be immolated in front of all your guests, a final entertainment for the evening. Courtesy of the lady, Talila Preswynn.”
“I will send you high into the sky and-”
“I’m sure he gets it, my dear.” Dracon interrupted her.
“I understand,” Lord Vette waved off his guards, “Leave us!” He looked over at his house magician, the unconscious wizard, Kazar, then at Talila. Lord Vette led the way back out of the side hall.
“What did you send your men to stop?” Dracon asked making Lord Vette stop in his tracks.
“We were going to hand out bows and let my guests pay to shoot arrows into your champion.” He answered unable to bring himself to look back at Talila and Dracon, but mostly Talila.
“For your sake, I hope they did not.” Dracon shoved Lord Vette from be
hind to continue walking.
As soon as Lord Vette pushed open the door Talila rushed past him to see what had become of Um’Vec. Lord Vette paused, knowing she would not be able to see from there. He looked back at Dracon who nodded for him to continue. Talila stood panting with anxiety, anticipating what might have become of her pet.
“Talila, I am here.” Alyndra’s voice spoke to Talila’s ears alone.
She steeled herself, knowing it was her last night with Dracon. So many emotions flooded her. She was happy she was going to see her sisters again but was overwhelmingly sad to have to leave Dracon. Talila doubled down on her anger and continued, rushing next to Lord Vette’s side. She grabbed his arm suddenly, and very forcefully, putting her arm in his, glaring up at him as she did it, jerking him to hurry along with her.
“Cosik, I thought you were purchasing the beast for our entertainment?” Lord Finney exclaimed when he caught sight of the trio approaching, “Lord Hillard paid handsomely to put it down, he bought every bow?”
“I’ve been given a better offer, Hiram, I’ve handled your debt, by the way,” Lord Vette said with a forced smile, “I’ll be back momentarily.”
Dracon gave Lord Finney a nod and a smile on his way, briskly by. They arrived at the pit as the guards were setting down Um’Vec’s cage, after hoisting it from the pit. Talila rushed to the cage, shoving guards out of her way and pulled the pin, letting the cage door drop back open. People in the immediate area gasped and moved away.
“Follow me closely.” Talila examined Um’Vec for any new injuries.
He said nothing, panting like a thirsty dog and holding his belly. His eyes were glassy, distant. It infuriated Talila but she held herself in check for the moment. She shot Dracon an angry glare. Suddenly, people started to scream and run away from an area not too far from them. Dracon looked at Lord Vette who shrugged his shoulders, also surprised by the unexpected activity. They rushed to see what was happening, and on the path ahead of them, in an empty space created by the fleeing guests, stood a horse of the blackest color, surrounded in a black mist. Its eyes were red, a glowing red, its mane, tail, and hooves, were on fire. It terrified the lords and ladies around it. The horse neighed and reared up, then slowly trotted over to Dracon on the marble walkway. It stuck a leg out and bowed before him. Dracon took a few steps back unsure what to make of the beast. The crowd vocalized their fear and amazement.
“I promised you it would come.” Talila stepped between Dracon and the Nightmare.
“What is this?” Dracon asked.
“It’s a Nightmare!” Lord Vette exclaimed, “I never dared it possible to lay eyes on such a creature!”
Talila smiled. The creature remained where it was, knelt before Dracon. He walked forward, tentatively, examining the supernatural horse. It was magnificent.
“It has come to serve you, my lord. My King!” Talila stepped close to Dracon.
Dracon looked around, unsure of what to make of it.
“Go.” Lord Vette said, staring at Talila, “Leave my garden, I never want to see you again.”
“Pray that you don’t!” Talila snarled, spinning her head in his direction.
They walked, Nightmare trailing, all the way to the spot where they first entered the garden, then through the hedges, back to the field where they were first deposited. There, a carriage awaited them. Horses came up fast and hard, coming to a skidding halt. Satana leapt from her horse. Grik however, was much slower in his descent from his mount. Satana stopped, surprised at the sight of the Nightmare trailing Dracon and Talila.
“What in the nine hells is that?” She asked.
“A more fitting and powerful companion, as I promised.” Talila said, walking past Satana. They were all silent for several minutes, staring at the Nightmare.
“Is this what you meant?” Dracon asked Talila.
“Excessive.” Satana chuckled, “And here I thought you meant, you, all this time?”
Dracon circled the Nightmare, touching it tentatively. Its fiery mane did not burn him. It acted as any other horse to him, so, he mounted it. It reared, but not enough to throw him. They rode in a circle, testing each other out, then, it, and Dracon, disappeared. They reappeared a moment later, a little more than twenty yards away. Dracon laughed, getting the groups attention to his new location.
“I think this will be a suitable mount.” He laughed again and dismounted the Nightmare.
“Let’s set camp here tonight and move on in the morning.” Satana commanded, looking at Talila who nodded her agreement.
Talila tended to Um’Vec, bandaging his wounds, while Dracon admired his new steed.
“It’s quite a thing for a creature like this. To seek you out, my lord.” Grik stood several feet away from Dracon, watching the nightmare.
“This is something else.” Satana joined Grik, looking the Nightmare over.
“Yes,” Dracon said, “It understands me.” Dracon patted the Nightmare, “Come when I call.” he whispered to the Nightmare, then stepped back. The Nightmare vanished. Dracon looked at Satana with a wide smile, one she returned, shaking her head.
“Where’s mine?” She asked.
“I’m the Dark Lord, remember?” Dracon chuckled, “I’m going to sleep. Get some rest, I want to ride hard tomorrow, put some distance between us and this place.”
“That’s a good idea.” Satana chuckled her agreement, “I’m surprised we aren’t riding out now?”
Talila took Um’Vec away from the others, “I’m leaving tonight. I have-”
“Where are you going?” He asked interrupting her.
“Listen to me and obey my wishes!” She grabbed his arm and jerked it.
“Yes, Dark Goddess.” He knelt before her, “I am forever your servant.”
“My sister is coming in my place. Serve her as you serve me. Let no harm come to her. Obey the Dark Lord as if he spoke with my voice, do you understand?” Talila’s face reflected the seriousness of her words.
“I do.” Um’Vec bowed his head.
“Um’Vec,” She said lifting his face to look in his eyes, “Live! Make yourself valuable to him, don’t give them a reason to doubt your loyalty. It is my command!” Talila almost cried in her desperation.
“I will, my mistress.” Um’Vec vowed.
Talila was distraught and walked away a few steps, then looked back at Um’Vec. She rushed back to him and hugged him briefly, then shoved herself off him and walked briskly to Dracon’s tent. Um’Vec watched her leave, confused. When she entered, Dracon was removing the clothes that she created for him. He turned to face Talila who rushed over before he could say anything and grabbed him in a desperate hug. He could feel her whimper and returned her hug.
“We’re ok, Talila, everyone’s alright, even Um’Vec.” Dracon gave her a squeeze.
She pushed back and looked up at him.
“Promise me you won’t kill him!” She begged.
“I promise.” Dracon smiled, but his brow furrowed, concerned that she was so upset, it was unlike her.
“Make love to me, Dracon, whisper tender things in my ear and make love to me tonight?” She had tears in her eyes.
“I love you, Talila.” Dracon whispered softly, then kissed her gently.
They spent the night making love, it was passionate. Dracon was in and out of sleep, making love, half asleep at some points, they rolled around, all night long, wrapped around one another. When light shined through the tent door, Dracon stretched and yawned. He lay there, thinking how much time they had to sleep before they had to move out. It was ultimately his decision, but was his desire to sleep reasonable? He rolled over with his eyes still closed, trying to block out the light, then wrapped his arms around Talila and pulled her close, snuggling her tightly from behind.
“You are ravenous, my lord, do you wish to make love to me, yet again?” The voice was not Talila’s. Dracon’s eyes popped open as he sat up. It was not Talila at all, but Alyndra, naked and smiling, “I’m glad you remembe
red your way around my body, it’s been some time.”
Chapter Six
Brother Kane and the Order of Light entered the region of Dwerma, the home of Dracon. It was abandoned, decayed and rotting bodies littered the region, mostly the monstrous creatures, that in life, served Um’Vec’s horde. The closer they rode to Dragons Claw, the more bodies they came upon. They rode through the city, quietly, and slowly. The only remnants of human existence were the severed limbs among the dead of the monstrous horde that littered even inside the city. Most of the monsters had been burned, but the task was not seen through to completion. The people of Ganlin fled Dwerma, leaving it in much the same state, as it was when Venalina appeared in the sky above them. No one dared to return, even the most curious would only venture to the very border, fearful even one step within Dwerma would bring the wrath of the winged army that filled the sky that day.
“Brother Kane,” A paladin trotted up just behind the golden armored warrior who led the order, “The hour draws late, we should withdraw for the evening and venture within the halls at dawn, with the light of a new day at our back.” Brother Kane looked at the paladin riding alongside him, matching his gait, “We should withdraw to the forest we passed in the south, or, continue beyond the gaseous region to the north. We’ll find no comfort here tonight.” The paladin wore a helmet with its visor raised to speak to Brother Kane.
“You are ever cautious, Brother Stephan, but it is for us to bring light to the darkness, it is for us to cleanse these lands of the evil that still resides here.” Brother Kane smiled at brother Stephan.
“Are we not seeking the dark lord? The one who has risen here and who has now moved on?” Brother Stephan slowed a bit, letting Brother Kane resume the lead alone.
“Yes, that is our objective, but along the way, we shall shine our light and cleanse the path, leaving it clean, that others will not fear where we have been, but bask in the light of purity and goodness once again.” Brother Kane declared, speaking louder so the men behind them could hear his words.
Dracon and the Edge of the World Page 14
