Queen Menina thought for a moment then vanished. She reappeared in her suite where Glyna flittered back and forth, pacing like a fairy paces. She dropped to the ground watching Queen Menina with a blank look on her face. Queen Menina knew she wasn’t happy, even though Glyna could not show a scowl on her face, the beauty of her kind. Queen Menina walked to Glyna, close enough to touch her then fell to her knees and started to cry. Glyna knelt, feeling her mixture of emotion, so overwhelming she crumbled. Glyna sung a soft fairy melody to soothe her soul, while combing Queen Menina’s blonde hair with her delicate little fingers.
Chapter Eight
Satana led the group along the worn, narrow path, through craggy rocks and jutting boulders on either side. The sheer stone walls of the path rose so high above them, they could see blue sky, but no edge or top to the mere crack in the mountain side they travelled through. Satana took point while Um’Vec scouted ahead of the group. He disappeared into the windy path through the mountains quickly. Dracon followed behind Satana and behind him Alyndra, riding atop Talila’s horse. Grik brought up the rear.
Other than introducing Alyndra to the group again, they were all relatively quiet. Alyndra spoke to each of them in passing, trying to alleviate the obvious tension her arrival created. Dracon avoided being alone with her, and they moved out as soon as he left his tent, almost rushing like they were being pursued. He felt guilty waking up in bed with her. It was awkward to go to bed with one sister only to wake with another. Yet, in all his discomfort, he did not turn them away. It was what Venalina wanted. He tried to get used to it but acting like it was normal was difficult.
“Yer a sorceress like ya sister, Lady Alyndra?” Grik stated more than asked from behind Alyndra.
She turned in her saddle to look at him.
“I dare say my sister would shout at you that we are nothing alike, but yes, we both wield the magic our sister bestowed upon us?”
“Which sister might that be, my lady?” Grik asked confused.
“Why, Queen Venalina, of course!” she laughed.
“I never had the pleasure to meet her highness, before, well...” he said solemnly, bowing his head in respect of the dead queen.
“She is very powerful; she can do anything to match her imagination and teaches us to do much!” Alyndra took a breath, excited to finally have a conversation with someone, after so much silence between her and the group.
“Was.” Dracon said, stoically looking forward.
“I’m sorry, my love, did you say something?” Alyndra asked readjusting herself in her saddle to face forward once again.
“Was.” Dracon growled again, without turning, or looking back at them.
“Yes,” Alyndra said in a very subdued tone, “Yes, of course.” She considered how much she gave away in her exuberance to have a conversation with someone. She was quiet again, reconsidering every word she said, and if any of it would be something she would have to explain, if pressed for an answer.
Satana stopped abruptly, raising her fist in the air.
“Quiet!” Dracon growled in a hushed tone over his shoulder. He watched Satana for a moment. She swayed side to side, standing tall in her stirrups, looking ahead of them. Finally, she dismounted. Satana glanced passed Dracon at Grik then waved for him to come with her, “Stay with her, I’ll go.” Dracon said to Grik while nodding at Alyndra. He climbed down off his horse and joined Satana at the front of the narrow path. It was a struggle to make his way passed her horse, “What is it? Do you see him?”
“I think so,” She said still swaying back and forth, never once taking her eyes off the way before them, “I can hear something just up ahead there,” She pointed, “Around that bend.”
“Let’s go take a look.” Dracon said looking ahead to where Satana pointed.
Satana walked quietly, followed closely by Dracon. The way was ever decreasing in space, making them both consider how much further they would be able to go without having to decide whether to turn back or abandon the horses. They had marched and fought together for so long, neither had to point out that possibility. Satana rounded the bend, after several hundred yards of travelling the windy crevasse. She was the first to see Um’Vec. She straightened up and stopped, scanning the area. Dracon made his way around her and stopped as well, sizing up the bugbear, who sat atop a large boulder in an open area of the crevasse, that narrowed on the other side, becoming treacherous once again. He appeared to be taking a break. Satana nudged Dracon and pointed at several bodies on the ground that had dirt kicked over them in a humorously half-hearted attempt to conceal them. Satana shook her head with a smirk.
“What happened here?” Dracon asked.
Um’Vec spoke and pointed around at the bodies, then, after realizing neither Dracon nor Satana could understand him, he slid off the boulder, annoyed.
“Um’Vec eat enemy.” He growled shaking the arm from one of the dead bodies he had all but rendered to bone. He swallowed, then used the arm to point at each body.
Satana laughed outright at the sight of it, he had eaten all the flesh from the arm save for a few fingers he was using to point with.
“I did not give you orders to kill anything!” Dracon growled.
“Easy,” Satana said, putting her hand on Dracon’s shoulder. She pointed to the head of one of the bodies. It was a creature Dracon did not recognize, “Um’Vec no eat man.” She finished with a chuckle. Dracon stared at the creature’s head a moment longer then looked back at Um’Vec. He gave him a slight nod, to which Um’Vec grunted and took another bite from his meal, then looked off to the other end of the area in defiance. Satana walked over to where the path narrowed again and continued on, “Whatever they were, they came from where we’re going.”
Dracon examined what was left of the bodies, kicking one over with his foot. They were beaten to death, by his count, four, after adding up the missing limbs.
“Did you do this?” Dracon asked Um’Vec.
Um’Vec turned back to Dracon and hit his own chest with his forearm.
“Um’Vec eat!” he announced, then smacked his forearms together making his bracers spark.
“Eat quietly!” Satana snapped at Um’Vec, the looked at Dracon, “We don’t know how many more are around!”
Dracon walked back to the narrow path they came from then whistled. A few minutes later, Grik appeared on foot, leading the horses in a line with Alyndra bringing up the rear.
“Ask him what happened here.” Dracon ordered Grik.
After a very wordy conversation, during which, Grik and Um’Vec seemed to be at odds while discussing the dead bodies. Dracon stood by, watching the two, with his arms folded over his chest, while Satana kept a watch on the path ahead of them. Alyndra laughed, amused at the conversation Um’Vec and Grik were having, clearly understanding what was said. Dracon was annoyed he did not understand what was going on. Grik threw his hands in the air and walked away from Um’Vec shaking his head and muttering to himself.
“Well?” Dracon asked.
“He came upon those two,” Alyndra pointed at two dead bodies, “Arguing over something, Um’Vec refuses to share with Grik,” She chuckled, “Then, while he was beating them to death, those two,” She said pointing at the remnants of two more bodies, “Came from there,” she pointed down the path ahead of them, “trying to help their friends.” Alyndra walked as she talked. She stopped in front of Um’Vec and held out her hand to him. He looked down at her open palm, then at Grik. He let out a short snarl, then put a large red polished piece of glass in her hand. Alyndra showed it to Dracon. It was worthless. Dracon nodded for her to give it back to Um’Vec. Alyndra smiled up at Um’Vec, offering it back to him. Um’Vec took it quickly, then walked away, admiring and protecting it at the same time. He dropped the arm he was no longer interested in. “Ahead of us is a gathering, or a clan of creatures, some, like these here, and beyond that, another sort of creature, Orcs.” Alyndra walked back to Dracon as she spoke.
“Of course,
you speak his language.” He said.
“Of course,” She replied, “I-”
“You speak all languages, you’re Vordalyn now.” Dracon said cutting her off, repeating what Talila had already told him on the topic.
“That’s right.” She said.
“What are we going to do?” Satana asked.
“Take Grik, get a good look at what we’re walking into, we’ll wait here, feed and water the horses.” Dracon ordered.
Satana and Grik left immediately. Alyndra followed Dracon as he walked over to his horse.
“We’ve hardly had two words between us since I’ve arrived?”
“How very perceptive of you.” Dracon grumbled as he tended to his horse.
“Is there something wrong, my husband?”
“Yes, Alyndra, there is something wrong.” He said spinning on her suddenly, “Do you take me for a fool?” Alyndra was taken aback and recoiled a few steps from him, she stuttered trying to find words, “You appear in my bed, not one question, how? Why? where are we? nothing a reasonable person would ask if she was suddenly whisked away from… I can only imagine where!” He walked her down, further causing her to back up, “You and your sisters are still toying with me! You know more than you’re leading on, Alyndra and don’t deny it!” he stopped walking, though it didn’t stop her from continuing to back away. She bumped right into Um’Vec who towered over her, looking down at her from behind. She swallowed hard then stopped cringing and stood tall and straight. Dracon put his hands on his hips waiting for her to say something. He looked up at Um’Vec who continued to stare down at her menacingly. It almost made him smile, but he held himself in check.
“Can we save this conversation until we are alone?” Alyndra asked, suddenly, white wings sprouted from her back and white horns from her head, her wings shoved Um’Vec back several feet, giving her space between them. Then, just as suddenly, she turned back into the Alyndra Dracon met in Qinkas, a lifetime ago, “Don’t ever think to intimidate me!” Alyndra hissed in evil tongue over her shoulder at Um’Vec, “I am not your mistress and I will end you without a thought, or regret!”
Um’Vec bowed his head and averted his eyes from her glare.
“You don’t like him, I take it?” Dracon asked with a smirk, “Funny, your sister doesn’t seem to be able to get along without him?”
“I hope you would keep in mind; we are not the same person?” Alyndra raised her eyebrows at him.
“I would never dare to make that mistake.” Dracon turned back around and walked to his horse, “We will speak further on this, Alyndra, have no doubt.”
“Until then, husband, let me at least assure you, there is nothing nefarious in my intentions, or actions,” Alyndra vanished, then reappeared next to him and his horse. She put her hand on the steed then pet it, “You are forever my love, regardless what was said, or not said, I am happy to be at your side again.” Dracon glanced up at her several times while going through his saddle bag. She watched him expectantly, waiting.
Satana came walking back into the area quickly, Grik jogged just behind her to keep up.
“There is a bluff, not far ahead there,” She nodded back to where she came, “You should come take a look.”
Dracon looked at Alyndra again nodding his head in consideration, of many things, then turned to Satana.
“Show me.” he held his hand out for her to lead the way.
Satana led the group through the snaking rocky path to a cliff overlooking a sporadically treed valley. No river, very few trees, mainly brush and bush. There was, however, a village, fire and smoke rising from within. Satana took to cover on the side of a boulder, signaling the rest of the group to do the same. Once hidden, she pointed down near the cliffs base below their position, several hundred yards away. There was an organized, militant, patrol of orcs. Um’Vec started a low growl.
“There,” Satana pointed off to another area at another patrol, more orcs, “There,” again, she pointed at another patrol.
“They’re on high alert,” Dracon observed, “Think they know we’re coming?”
“Doubtful, Lord Dracon, more likely them’s the Lady Talila’s pet devoured tis what’s got them up in arms.” Grik whispered.
“What were those things? If not orcs?” Dracon asked.
“Gronbul.” Um’Vec said.
“Goblins, of a sort.” Grik corrected.
“Gronbul.” Um’Vec said with more assertion.
“Yeah, yeah!” Grik replied, annoyed with the bugbear.
“Those weren’t the same?” Dracon asked.
“No, my lord.” Grik said.
“Gronbul.” Um’Vec grumbled again then started back to the horses.
Grik eyed him a moment, shaking his head.
“Everything’s a grumble coming out yer mouth, ya bugbear bastard!” he yelled after Um’Vec, then returned his attention to Dracon, “Those down there are orcs, that,” He pointed at the village, “appears to be an orc settlement.”
“What kind of reception can we expect?” Satana asked.
“Icy, I imagine. They don’t seem too welcoming, if the ones in Rethland are any indication.” Dracon remarked.
“Aye.” Grik added.
“So, what do you want to do? Go back? Wait until dark and try to sneak through?” Satana asked.
“No. I want to walk right through them, in plain sight. Let’s see what they’re about.” Dracon rose from cover, still looking down into the valley.
“You can’t be serious?” Satana asked alarmed. She watched the patrols a moment longer then stood and hurried after Dracon. Grik followed her after also scanning the valley one more time.
They regrouped in the open area where the horses were, Satana was highly agitated, pacing around while Dracon grabbed the reigns of his horse, readying to mount it.
“Get on your horse, Satana.” Dracon said seeing her pace in agitation.
“We’re not going to talk about this?” She asked.
Grik and Alyndra mounted their horses, while Um’Vec walked to the path ahead, ready to go. He waited for the others there, admiring his red, shiny, piece of glass, without a care in the world.
“We aren’t turning around; they have nothing for me to fear.” Dracon grabbed the horn of his saddle and mounted his horse. Satana rushed over and grabbed the reigns of Dracon’s horse, steadying the steed and keeping it in place.
“There are a lot of them, we can’t fight them all if it comes to that, we don’t have Talila, and we don’t know if she has even a fraction of Talila’s power!” Satana said pointing at Alyndra who was immediately offended.
“How dare you! I am the most powerful and learned among my sisters! Talila is a simpleton!” Alyndra exclaimed.
“That’s enough!” Dracon growled, “I trust her, I trust her power, she is my wife.” Satana rolled her eyes at that, “Hear me now, Satana, they are my wives, never again treat any of them with disrespect. Bite your damn tongue if you have to but obey me on this!”
“So, I’m to keep my counsel to myself for now on?” Satana snarled.
“If it pertains to my wives, you are to keep it to yourself!” he answered making her face contort angrily.
“We’ve seen Talila fight, we know-”
“I said keep it to yourself!” Dracon yelled, he looked at her a moment, “We are going that way,” he pointed to where Um’Vec stood waiting, “Come or don’t come, I’m sure whatever decision you make, you will be just fine!”
“I remember you thought you were invincible before, then your brothers and your sister proved that assumption was a mistake. Before that, you thought you were invincible in the halls of the priests too, yet I remember that battlemage choking the life out of you. If not for Venalina you would have died on that floor! You wish to be proven wrong again? Have you learned nothing, Dracon?” Satana asked, choking up on the reigns of Dracon’s horse. She tried to speak so only the two of them could hear, however, her words echoed off the rock and everyone could hear.
There was an uncomfortable silence while Satana and Dracon stared at one another, both baring and angry scowl.
Dracon jerked the reigns from Satana’s grip, then kicked his horse to a walk. Alyndra followed just behind him, not giving the slightest glance in Satana’s direction. Grik came up to Satana’s side and stopped his horse next to her.
“Yer harsh in your words, girl, that may have been best saved for another time. A more private time, perhaps.”
“Shut up!” Satana snarled, then went to her horse and mounted it, following the others.
Um’Vec led, jogging ahead of Dracon, down the snaking path along the cliffside to the floor of the valley. They were spotted well before they reached the valley floor, horns and drums began to sound. They were some ways off from the village but could still hear the stampeding of feet on the move and commands being shouted. At the bottom of the steep path was a road that widened leading straight to the village in a direct line. Dracon spotted an orc patrol running up on his left, and another, ahead of them, approaching the road. Satana rushed her horse alongside Dracon’s.
“Might be a good time to don that armor of yours, maybe that new horse too?” She asked.
Dracon nodded considering her words.
“If necessary.” He eyed the orcs that had reached their side, just off the path, matching their speed and direction.
“Behold!” Um’Vec yelled and slowed his jog to a walk, he hit his chest with his fist, “My lord, the dark one, blesses your feeble existence with his presence! Stand aside and make way or die screaming at his feet!”
The orcs ahead of them cleared off to the side of the road, unsure what to make of the group. Um’Vec continued announcing their arrival to the orcs in his growling language. None of the orcs dared to speak or move too close to them. More gathered as they reached the outskirts of the village. There were hundreds behind the chieftain, who almost rivaled Um’Vec in his size. The chieftain raised his arms out and roared at Um’Vec, who roared right back. The challenge between the two beasts was evident. The orcs, with one voice, roared behind their leader. Um’Vec ran at the chieftain, who ran out to meet him. The two mighty beasts clashed with a loud thud as they fought and pummeled one another. Dracon dismounted his horse and walked to the edge of the large circle created by the orcs watching the fight. Satana joined Dracon’s side quickly, sword in hand.
Dracon and the Edge of the World Page 17
