Dracon and the Edge of the World

by Michael T Payne

  “You know, if this doesn’t go our way, we’re next?”

  “I know,” Dracon looked down at his side, drawing Satana’s eyes to his Unholy Reaver that was suddenly visible on his hip. She smirked and gave him a nod. The orcs gave them a wide berth, not wanting to test Um’Vec’s claims about Dracon.

  The fight was brutal, both took, and received, mighty blows that would have killed lesser creatures. Bloodied and beaten, the chieftain finally yielded to Um’Vec.

  “You serve the dark lord, now and evermore!” Um’Vec roared to the orcs of the village. They quieted listening to his declaration. One at a time, orcs took a knee to Um’Vec, “I will lead you in his name, I am his herald among you, I speak for the dark lord. Pray he never has cause to speak to you directly!”

  “He is something else.” Alyndra commented.

  “What’s he saying?” Dracon asked.

  “He’s proclaimed you lord of this valley, it appears.” Grik said.

  “Just like that?” Dracon asked.

  “He’s beaten their leader, the strongest among them, now they serve him, and you.” Alyndra explained.

  “We should let him do the talking more often.” Satana chuckled.

  Dracon smiled, giving her a sideways glance, then walked to the center of the circle. He looked at the kneeling and defeated chieftain.

  “Do you understand my tongue?”

  The chieftain looked up at Dracon and nodded yes.

  Um’Vec roared, then punched the chieftain in the face, knocking him to the ground, “Do not look at him directly or I will pluck your eyes from your head and present them to my lord!”

  Dracon looked over at Satana shaking his head. Um’Vec stepped behind Dracon, just over his right shoulder.

  “We will stay here tonight and move on when we see fit. Bring us food, feed our horses, and I will leave you as I found you, whole, and alive. Do we understand each other?” Dracon stepped forward to the chieftain, offering his hand to help him to his feet. The chieftain would not accept his hand, refusing to show any further weakness, making it to his feet on his own.

  “We are your servants, Dark Lord.” The chieftain proclaimed for all the orcs to hear, and as he spoke, he stared directly at Um’Vec, defiantly. Um’Vec nodded his approval to the chieftain. The orcs on the road made way for the group to enter the village. The chieftain led them to the largest of the wicker and stick homes, near the center of the village just off a large area meant for bonfires.

  Dracon went to the hut and moved the blanket that covered the doorway, he peered in, scanning it quickly. He held the blanket aside for Alyndra to enter then followed. Satana tried to follow, but Um’Vec stepped in front of the door, folding his arms over his chest, blocking her from entering. He growled something at her.

  “What did you say to me?” Satana whipped her sword out and put the point to Um’Vec’s neck.

  Grik hurried to her side and put his hand gently on her forearm.

  “Easy, girl.”

  “What did he say?” Satana asked staring up at Um’Vec, ready to gut him.

  “In short… get your own.” Grik answered. Satana lowered her sword, then sheathed it, “Come on girl, let’s take a walk, check the perimeter.”

  “Your time will come.” Satana growled and stuck her finger right in Um’Vec’s face.

  Dracon walked around the hovel; dust covered everything.

  “They don’t care to bathe, or wash, it seems.” Alyndra was disgusted with the condition of the hut, and the smells that assaulted her nose.

  “They probably have a more pressing need for whatever water they can scavenge. None of which would include cleaning.”

  Alyndra swirled her hands in front of her and they started to glow. The room changed around them. The dirt floored home transformed into a palatial suite with an extravagant bed, a fireplace and a balcony, looking out into a forested countryside, with the moon, shining large and bright overhead. Dracon could smell flowers on the breeze that came in from the open balcony doors. He walked to the balcony and looked out examining the world around them tentatively. For as far as he could see on all sides was nothing but forest.

  “Where are we?”

  “We are still here, I mean… in that monster Orc village. Yet,” she walked out onto the balcony with him, “we are not.” Alyndra put her arm in his, standing side by side with him, looking up at the moon. She put her head on his shoulder, “We are in a world I created, we are there, and we are not there. If someone were to enter that smelly hut, they would see nothing. When we exit the door to this room, we will return to wherever it was we were before we came here. Consider it a new tent, of sorts.” She giggled.

  “It isn’t dark yet, but it is here?” he admired her magical paradise.

  “You want a sunny day, with birds singing?” Alyndra raised her free hand up in front of them and waved it quickly.

  The night faded away like time sped up and birds were singing, just as promised. It made Dracon laugh an actual laugh. Alyndra squeezed his arm tighter with both hands, happy she pleased him so. They enjoyed the view for a few minutes in silence.

  “How are you with food?”

  “Whatever you wish, it will be done.” Alyndra whispered.

  “I don’t imagine orc food will sit well in my belly.”

  “I imagine not.” She giggled, “A palace kitchen spoils the rest of the worlds food.”

  “Are you saying, I’m spoiled?” Alyndra giggled again, “I’ll have you know; I have eaten things that would make a ladies face crinkle for a week.”

  “Oh, have you now? Is that a reflection of Talila’s cooking you like so much?” Alyndra asked raising her eyebrows.

  “No. Talila’s cooking is second to none.” Dracon smiled.

  “As much time as you’ve spent with her, she must satisfy more than just your belly?” Alyndra circled him, then slid her arms around his ribcage from behind, putting her hands on his stomach, “In this bed, I will show you, I am second to none,” She squeezed him, “I swear it!” Dracon suddenly stiffened, remembering he wanted to have a serious conversation with her. She felt his body change and let him go, then went back inside the suite without so much as a glance back at him. She knew. “I was floating in a plane of air, stretching my wings, flying. An entire plane of existence, nothing but air to fly in.” She took a long deep breath through her nose, then exhaled just as long.

  “You disappeared, Alyndra, you and your sisters disappeared when I needed you.” Dracon stood in the balcony door watching her.

  She looked down, thinking, nodding her agreement.

  “Yes.”

  “Venalina died and you left me. You all abandoned me… except Talila. She stood by my side and fought with me.” Dracon walked back into the room a few steps.

  “Yes.” Alyndra walked to the fireplace and held her hand out to it. The fire froze, then, she pulled her hand back and the fire crackled back to life. The ice it became melted and turned to steam, “When she called us, we knew nothing, we had just ascended,” she raised her hands, exasperated, “We were scared. Venalina died. It was hard, all this power flowing through us, we didn’t understand what was happening to us, then the queen called us.” Alyndra turned to face Dracon, “She is powerful, her presence inspires fear! We felt it.”

  “Who is this Vordalyn queen? What did she want with you, why didn’t she let you come back?”

  “She called home every Vordalyn to Taranath, every orphaned girl who thought she was alone in the world. They were hundreds. When we appeared before her, surrounded by all the lost children of the Vordalyn, it was frightening.” Alyndra explained, “But she has been good to us, mothering us. She knew we were recently ascended, and has been training us, just as Venalina intended. We knew, in light of what happened to her, she would have wanted us to learn what we are and how to live as we are now. So that you knew we had not abandoned you, we sent back Talila.” Alyndra walked closer to Dracon, “You have to understand, it was a lot, a war?
The Vordalyn? Us? Many decisions had to be made in such a short period of time. Being among so many of them, we felt like frauds. But they embraced us… we are Vordalyn. There is so much about us I want to tell you, we are powerful. She knows about you, the new queen, she will not interfere with our relationship with you.” Alyndra stood up straight as she could.

  “Talila said nothing of this, any of it. Only recently did she mention this queen. Why have I been kept in the dark?”

  “Forgive her, my love, she is emotional, and rash, and lashes out in anger so easily, we thought it best to keep much from her, it is not her fault she is ignorant.”

  “Ill-informed is not ignorant, or stupid, or dimwitted,” Dracon scowled, “I’ve heard you and your sisters call her stupid, many times, I don’t like it.”

  “Of course,” Alyndra looked down, “We speak as sisters do, jabbing one another, but we aren’t children anymore, I will see to it, that it stops.”

  “So, Talila is safe?” Dracon softened his stance.

  “Of course, she is!” Alyndra rushed to Dracon and grabbed his hands, “We are all safe, Dracon, nothing will ever harm you.” She put her hand to his cheek.

  He stared into her eyes, unsure, curious, angry, he felt so many emotions, the memory of the last time he saw her elicited. He clenched his jaw, not knowing what to make of it all.

  “Don’t speak to me in absolutes. Venalina spoke to me in words such as those, but they weren’t true. She is dead, when we were to walk the earth for an eternity together. Her absolute promise to me.”

  Alyndra drew back her hand and took a few steps away from him, looking at the ground, considering what she could say to soothe his tumultuous thoughts.

  “You’re right, of course. Nothing is certain in this world.”

  “I want to go home; I want to avenge her, Alyndra.”

  Alyndra paused, looking back at him, “Dracon…” She walked past him, out onto the balcony then stopped, considering what to say, “Ganlin is no more.”

  “What?” Dracon joined her on the balcony.

  “We told the queen what happened, they… we… the Vordalyn… went to Ganlin, and avenged Venalina without mercy. There is nothing left but dust and ash. Every soul has paid the price for her death. We did with them what we could not do with you. We avenged our sister, your wife.” Alyndra turned to Dracon, “You were rescued and sent far away by the queen, she didn’t tell us where, only that you were safe.” She touched his face again, “When I appeared in your bed, you were on top of me, already making love to me. I was shocked, but I recognized you. I knew Talila traded places with me while she was making love to you. It was her way of saying goodbye. I was so happy to see you, I gave in and let it happen, continued making love to you and I don’t regret it. I have missed your touch, terribly. I am glad Talila did what she did, how she did. I am here at your side again, my husband.” Alyndra grabbed Dracon and kissed him. He melted into her, then pushed away from her, not ready to give in so easily.

  “Talila is going to get the portal from the priests.” Dracon walked to the balcony’s edge. Alyndra held on to his arm, following, and staying close to him.

  “Dracon, there is nothing to go back to. Look at me,” She grabbed his chin and turned his face to look at her, “I am here, we will all be together soon, what kind of future do you want? Stomping around in the past serves no one.” She took her finger and swiped it slowly along the scar across his face. It made him shiver, her delicate touch. The scar healed completely, not even a red mark remained. Dracon moved back, then felt his face. She smiled up at him, then jumped up and kissed him again.

  Orc drums beat rhythmically as the village came together to celebrate the dark lord’s arrival. Satana and Grik observed the ensuing build up to the celebration with great suspicion. They were sure they were going to be set upon at any moment. Small trees and bushes were piled high in the large fire pit, drums beat throughout the process that carried on until nightfall. The female orcs brought Satana and Grik plates of some sort of meat, neither could identify. Satana opted for the plate with a creature that most resembled a chicken, or bird, of some sort. Grik didn’t seem to mind orcish food and dug in without hesitation.

  “You’re that hungry?” Satana asked in dwarven tongue.

  “No,” he said while chewing, “Not even a little, but to delay, is to offend the chef, I’ll not be the cause of an ax to the head over a meal.”

  Satana looked around at the orcs, then spotted an orc with a cleaver, watching them from the open side of a lean-to, with pots boiling, and meat hanging. He was sharpening his cleaver as he watched them intently, her especially. Satana took a leg of the fowl on her plate and lifted it to her lips, watching the orc as she did. She took a bite, tentatively at first. It was unseasoned, but she’d had worse. She swallowed, then took a more substantial bite and nodded to the orcish cook, who nodded in return, then turned back around, resuming his work with his cleaver.

  “Do you speak orc, girl?”

  Satana looked at him, then shook her head no, while still chewing a mouthful of food. She swallowed what was in her mouth.

  “Do you?”

  The question made Grik bark out a hardy laugh, making Satana wipe her mouth and laugh with him. He shook his head no, then slapped his knee.

  “I think we’re in for quite a night!” Grik exclaimed.

  An orc approached the unlit bonfire with a torch, he stopped next to the chieftain who stood nearby.

  “We welcome the dark lord and celebrate his presence among us.” The chieftain waited and watched Satana and Grik, expectantly.

  Satana and Grik looked at one another and stopped eating.

  “I think they’re expecting his lord’s presence before they light the fire and start their celebration.”

  Satana thought for a moment then finished chewing the food in her mouth.

  “You think I should go get him?”

  “Don’t bother, there he is now.” Katlin said from Satana’s opposite side.

  Both Satana and Grik looked over at Katlin, who sat next to Satana as though he had been there all along. Even the orcs acted as though he was there all along. Katlin reached for some of the meat on Satana’s plate, but she kept it out of his reach.

  “You’ve got a pair on you. Where have you been?”

  Katlin took a deep inhale and shook his head.

  “I’d like something to eat too.” He said to the nearest orc but was ignored.

  Dracon had come out of the largest hut in the village, followed closely by Alyndra. He spotted Katlin next to Satana and Grik then walked over.

  “Dark Lord,” The chieftain bowed low, “We celebrate your presence among us,” the chieftain took a knee as Dracon neared them, “Lead us to glory and better days ahead!” he exclaimed and the orc with the torch lit the bonfire.

  Immediately, drums and horns filled the air. The orcs of the village joined in a unanimous roar of celebration. Female orcs brought plates with orc food to feed Dracon. Alyndra intercepted them and picked through their plates piling food on one plate. It was just for show, so they weren’t offended. Alyndra had no intention of giving it to Dracon. Instead, she produced a plate of delicacies she and Dracon were both more used to eating. Dracon arrived at the fire and nodded to the chieftain to get up.

  “Let the celebration begin!” Dracon announced.

  The orcs roared and danced violently in their celebration, circling the fire. Orcish warriors took turns presenting themselves to Dracon and announcing their accomplishments, then pledged future victories in his honor before moving on.

  Dracon was seated next to Katlin.

  “You found us?” He asked Katlin as the orcs put on a show for the group. Alyndra sat next to Dracon and handed him a plate of food that looked like it came from the kitchen of a most opulent palace. Satana’s mouth dropped at the sight of the delicacies on Dracon’s plate.

  “Oh, that’s not fair!” She said pointing at Dracon’s plate.

  Alynd
ra leaned forward so she could see Satana and smiled at her, she aimed her finger at Satana’s plate, then swirled it in a circle. Satana’s plate was suddenly the same as Dracon’s. She glanced down at her plate several times, then back at Alyndra. She gave her a very wide smile, and an appreciative nod.

  “You’re spoiled.” Grik whispered to Satana.

  “I apologize for the delay, my lord, but it could not be avoided.” Katlin said.

  “You disappeared.” Satana said without looking at Katlin, she was stuffing food in her mouth with much more exuberance than with the questionable meat. She recognized every bit of food on the plate Alyndra created for her.

  “Yes, Lady Satana, tricks of my trade.” Katlin bowed his head at her.

  “First off, I ain’t no lady, ladies don’t use a sword like me,” She waved a carrot stick at him, “No offense,” she said glancing at Alyndra, “Second, we could have been killed, your guidance isn’t that necessary, so why don’t you tell us what you stole?”

  Katlin looked at each of them, seated on either side of him. He reached in his waistband and pulled out a dagger. It was a poorly made dagger with a shoddy wooden handle. Satana cackled a laugh at the sight of it.

  “You’re a liar,” she laughed, Grik also snickered at the sight of the dagger.

  “It’s a magic dagger.” Alyndra whispered to Dracon.

  “You have a new lady, Lord Dracon?” Katlin asked.

  “No,” Dracon’s face turned to a scowl, “She is my wife.”

  “Oh, and the Lady Talila?” Katlin asked.

  You ask too many questions.” Dracon growled annoyed. The last thing he wanted to do was explain his relationship with the sisters to Katlin the thief.

  “She is my sister,” Alyndra said, “Also, his wife.”

  Katlin’s eyes went wide. The orcish warriors finished presenting themselves to Dracon then faced off in pairs.