The beast was enormous with large twisted branches as horns protruding from his head and a long scraggly beard falling down from his ruddy face. His arms resembled chiseled boulders. His huge round nose sniffed the air and turned full-faced towards the forest intruders.
His bellows sent a heavy vibration across the ground. “Who be ye? What brings ye nigh?” He thudded his club down to the ground and leaned against it squinting his forest-green eyes at the intruders.
Kaida stood up to her full length and puffed her chest out. “I am Kaida, the Dragon Child and….”
At this, the giant let out a humongous roar of laughter. “Ye be the Dragon Child of lore? This cannot be truth, ye are but a tender sapling! Aye, even the Giants have heard this lore.” He leaned his head closer and a pudgy finger pointed directly at Kaida’s nose, “Who ye be and who sent ye?”
Kaida latched onto his finger and roared, “I am Kaida! No one sent us, we fell through the mountain and we are now here. Stop being so grouchy, we didn’t do anything to you.”
Kaida’s brave speech caught the Giant off guard. He brought his hand with a dangling Kaida close to his face and a laughed heartily. Kaida quickly shielded her nose as his breath was hideous. She noticed his teeth looked like big slabs of wood set in a crooked line. Her stomach churned with the thought of being swallowed whole.
Tyrianua attacked the boot of the Giant and made hardly a scratch. Sigrunn took running leaps and bites but could not make it above his calves.
“Put me down!” ordered the defiant young warrior, Kaida. “You better listen up before I call my Dragons to roast your old hide.”
The Giant paused and looked skyward, twisting his mammoth head from side to side. He gently lowered the girl back to the ground. Tugging on his wiry beard, he asked, “Where be thou Dragons?”
Kaida stared straight into his large round eyes and said, “Close by. They remain invisible until I tell them to show their colors. They will allow no harm to me or the Urthe peoples.” Her eyes bore holes through his. “Who are you?”
“Ughedar of the Giants. Ye doth no harm, thou shalt stay as a freond.”
Kaida tipped her head upward and repeated, “Freond?”
“Aye, freond. Friend. I shalt speaketh plainly as thou doth. Friend to Giant.”
Molakei and Flower Bird lay down their bows and stood closer to Kaida. She motioned to the peoples and gave their introductions. The Giant Ughedar rolled their names around in his mouth until something similar came out. They nodded greetings to one another.
“Be wary,” Ughedar said as he bent his head low, “the Solteriem travel hither and are pudh … um, horrible. They durst come and steal. They knowest we wilt bring no harm. Aye, er long ago a horrible mishap and we pay e’er more.”
“Who are the Solteriem and what happened?” Kaida asked.
“The Solteriem were once peaceful Faery folk living above the crust. They wandered and found their way hither in times long bygone. They began peaceful and stayed far to the east … mostly. But soon enough a um … problem arose. It has nary been the same since that time.” Ughedar’s head hung low and his lips pursed in memory.
“So, what happened that was so terrible?” Kaida prodded for better understanding.
“It was long before even I was boren. A lovely Faery, Aribriatem, fell in love with Guston, a Giant. They wed in secret for the Faery folk did not approve. Aribriatem boren twins but the last one died at birth, as did the mother. Guston was of a broken heart and held her in his hand. The Faeries rode in on giant Dragonflies and saw Aribriatem dead in Guston’s palm. They stole the living child from us and promised we would pay for her death e’re more. They did not listen or understand the death was from child birthing. The second child was far and away larger than the other and Aribriatem could not boren it. They both died because of it.”
Sadness marked his eyes and words as he continued the story. “After the Faeries took away Guston’s son, he ran up the mountain you see behind me. His heart became like hardwood and splintered. He flung himself from the top of the mountain into the Forest around us and died. Our Elders say before that happened, no Giant was boren with twisted horns of wood in their heads. Now, all boren Giants here have these,” he said as he pointed to his head. “Some say it is a curse by the Faeries, some say it was because Guston was found with a tree splintered through his head. But know this thing, no harm to a Faery will e’re be forgotten.”
Kaida walked over to Ughedar and patted his foot, for that is as high as her reach would go. “That is so sad Ughedar. What became of Guston’s son? Have you ever seen him?”
“Aye,” he said with a mouth of bitter sadness, “he lived and boren twins with his Faery wife, Hirayella. Her twins, Jengar and Togar are the Quekings of Solteriem. They share queen and king titles, as twins. They have been taught to hate the Giant that lives within them so they prove this by raiding us when e’re they chose.“He shook his colossal head and tugged at a wooden horn. “We only want to be freond….” A massive sized tear rolled down his ruddy face and caught in the scruff of his beard. He rubbed his horns and said, “E’vn boren with these, we are a peaceful lot.”
Kaida was moved by his story, it circled her heart and landed deep. She said, “lift higher” and floated up to be next to his face where she leaned in to him and gently brushed his coarse cheeks. He trembled at her tenderness and went to his knees, weak with the gentle kindness shown.
Kaida floated down and sat upon his thigh, looking upwards to his face. She said one word. “Freond.” A friend she found and had become.
Chapter 11
The Squadron of Dragonflies barreled across the Meadows of the Moss and made a streamline approach to the Castle of the Solteriem, called Rutenthrall. As on they flew, their wings set off bursts of brilliant shimmerings on the moss below.
They made their way through the large sentinels of trees towards the inner meadow. Over the moat and past the outer walls, they flew. They vaulted up over Rutenthrall’s drawbridge, flew towards the castle’s keep. A hum of wings buzzed the air, beckoning Jengar to emerge.
Jengar swung wide the massive rough hewn doors and stepped out into the dazzling light. The sway of Jengar tresses caught the light and flashed a blinding dazzle of molten hot reds, yellows and oranges.
The Dragonflies could not look upon the Queen. Their superior eyesight with thousands of facets in each eye stood to be blinded by a mere glance at the Queen in full light of day. Eyes properly downcast, they came with their message.
“Queen Jengar, the Uplanders camp outside the Giants Forest. There are only three small peoples and two fiendish wolves. They look as mere travelers lost in our world.”
Jengar head swung to the side, glaring down at the scout. “What would you know of the unruly Uplanders? You know nothing by simply flying over them! How do you know they are not laying plans for an attack? Did you ask them?”
“No Queen Jengar, we only….”
“I could have said as much simply by the vibrations they gave across the Meadows of the Moss. Yes? With them camped outside the Giants Forest we must assume they are plotting against us with the aid of those nauseating Nomliacs. Those wretched Giants continue to be a thorn wedged deeply under my nails. I have tried, with no avail, to express their danger to Togar, this time he will listen.” She set her jaw with clenched teeth. “Go to gather your cluster, I will tell Togar of their devious plans.”
The air filled with the buzzing of the Squadron as they flew off into the trees to gather the full of their cluster and return to Rutenthrall’s ward. They knew better than to clash against Queen Jengar. She had no problem with plucking the wings from a traitor, and those who disputed her opinions were at the very least, traitors in her eyes.
She flew across the Great Hall and lit upon her Throne. Togar had just entered and adjusted himself into his Throne.
“Togar, troubling news has just now come from the Squadron of scouts. ‘Tis as I had thought. The Uplanders are camped with the
Giants! They were seen making battle plans against us.”
“The scouts saw this? When did this happen? I watched them long through the Watching Stone and only saw them traveling and eating as wanderers would naturally do. Where are the scouts, I wish to question them.”
“It is too late, Togar. They have seen the immediate danger and have gone to gather their cluster. We must leave soon and attack before the Giants fall upon our land to destroy us. We know they have no scruples and will kill our Solteriem folk as they did long ago. We must once and forevermore rid Aghar Found-land from the threats of those long legged lumbering Giants.”
“You show your aim, Jengar. The whole of your conversation was directed towards the Giants. You aren’t in the least concerned that the Uplanders have come here with the intent of making war. It is your quest to obliterate the gentle Giants. How can you be so narrow minded with Giant blood flowing inside us both? To hate the Giants is to hate yourself and me, your brother.”
“Forgive me brother, yes? I am distressed you see it that way.” Jengar hung her head low and her shoulders shuddered. Her bronzed hands clasped the arms of her Throne.
Togar saw the distress he caused his sister and frowned. He reached over to embrace her with a hug. “Ow! Jengar….”
Jengar slipped the poisoned arrowhead back into the hidden compartment under her armrest.
“Guards!” She called out from the Great Hall. “Quick, come get Togar. I’m Faery fairly sure he took a mild dose of poison to escape battle. Take him into the Keep and lock him there. I will bring the antidote. He must stay locked away, for I Faery fear he may sabotage our call to battle!”
The guards drug the King away and placed him deep within the Keep. The groan of the metal gates clicked shut as the guards locked the padlock and stood outside. When Jengar came, they unlocked the heavy gates to give her entry.
Jengar placed a dollop of honey on Togar’s tongue, the sweetness infused with the antidote for the poison. It would take awhile for the full effect to flow through his veins, so for now, he remained paralyzed. A glint in her eyes sparked as she looked down at her helpless brother. She mumbled a word close to his ear. “Fool.” She turned and flitted out of the cell.
Chapter 12
The four Dragons gathered along the edge of the abyss. The darkness so complete is was hard to tell if it was a bottomless chasm, except that one sliver of light which radiated outwards into the void. A slight breeze filtered up, followed by a tendrils of smoke which danced and formed the head of Dragon. The Ancestor!
They caught their combined breaths and waited, perfectly still. The image swirled and the mouth opened and sung a haunting song.
“His roars covered land and ground
She went down, deep down ~
He caught his breath
Hearing a sweet sound!
His lady fair
Calling from down, deep down ~
Mountains tumbled as Urthe rumbled,
She must be found, deep underground.
He must find Kaida!
She went down, deep down ~
She is hidden down,
Deep down ~
He would spend his lifetime, scouring the deep
To rescue the maiden beyond the Keep.
He’ll go down, deep down ~
Roars will fly up …
From down, deep down.
Four will fly deep, down deep
Underground.
They will battle against the Faery Crowned.
Avert your ears to the tinkling sound!
They are spells they cast, down deep,
Deep down ~
Trouble a plenty there abound,
Before the Legend will be found.
You must travel down deep,
Deep down!”
The smoke tendrils collapsed and disappeared leaving the four Dragons gazing deep into the chasm. King Mursei turned his head to Zelspar saying, “Any thoughts?”
Zelspar’s yellow eyes glinted back at King Mursei. “We Fly Fast, Fly Direct!”
Their battle cry echoed within the chasm, four Dragons thundered as they swooped from the ledge, “Fly Fast, Fly Direct!” They spiraled down towards that thin sliver of light which separated their Future and Past, the Outer and Inner, the Dragons and their Legend.
Down and down deeper still, they flew, keeping their eyes focused on the crack of light. As they got closer they saw a hint of a curved surface where the light issued from and escaped outwards. It seemed to be a rough ball of rock which caught down deep inside the chasm. They landed on top where the crack shone light. It was not even a Dragon’s talon wide of a crack.
Zlemtec leaned down and called through the crack, “Kaida!”
A sound returned swiftly, “Zlemtec!”
The four Dragons looked at one another and the beam of light caught their glimmering smiles as they perched on the huge rock ball. Rynik turned to Galdean. “Ice and then Fire?” A smile formed on Galdean’s lips.
They flew above and cast Ice flames down against the rough surface followed quickly by thunderous Fire flames. They listened as the rock cracked. They assaulted it repeatedly until the small fracture of light exploded, leaving a large hole for entrance!
The bellows of the Dragons echoed through the chasm and into the Inner world. They made their way through the cave of crystal fingers and out into a new world.
The Dragonfly cluster filled the Ward. The saddles were on and bound tight, ready for their riders. The Squadron and cluster stood silently, wings stilled.
From the Keep, the sound of the creaking door echoed as it flung open. Jengar and the Solteriem folk spilled out of Rutenthrall castle. They were dressed for battle, woven leather arm bands ran the full length of their arms, leg bands fastened under their knees with leather pull tight through the buckles. All had their quivers slung across their backs filled with poison-tipped arrows. A few brought their frogs in cages.
Jengar stood in front of the Squadron of Dragonflies. Her war mask gleamed in the sunlight. It fit snugly over her eyes and half the length of her face. She gave a warbling yell, a call to battle. The air was filled with the buzzing of Faery wings as they all found their mounts.
Her bronzed arm lifted into the air. The noise stilled.
“We go to the forest of the Nomliacs. The Giants will not form an alliance with the unsightly Uplanders to come and take from our Solteriem folk. They have been seen making plans of war against us. We will not let that happen, upon that I am Faery fairly certain!”
She glanced at her army, making sure none disagreed.
But not all Solteriem folk were like Jengar. It would be fair to state most Solteriem folk were not like Jengar.
The Solteriem folk would do her bidding or risk being harmed themselves. And that is how she gathered her army to go wage war against the Nomliacs, even though they knew the Giants as gentle folk. Togar was not to be found. The Solteriem folk had no other choice.
Jengar addressed her army. “Shoot as many of the grotesque Giants as you see but those stinking sneaking Uplanders are mine.” Her eyes raged beneath the shield of her mask. “They will be my prisoners.” Her laughter made wings buzz with an uneasy air.
Three scouts from the Squadron of Dragonflies soared over Rutenthrall’s towering walls and lit upon the ground near Jengar.
“Queen Jengar, the Uplanders are on the move. They have left the forest canopy and trudge towards the Vale of Valdross.”
“Are the Giants traveling with them?” Jengar’s face contorted with rage.
“They travel alone,” replied one of the scouts.
“Arrrg! Those no good, no count Nomliacs must have told them to head towards the Vale of Valdross.”
The front scout flickered his wings. “Queen Jengar, there is more. The smallest of the Uplanders was overheard saying her Dragons are coming.”
Jengar shot up in the air, spinning so fast her hair looked like a dancing flame suspended overhead. She quickly darted over the Squ
adron and the cluster of awaiting mounts. Her fury was palpable. She returned to the ground, her toes skimming a line in the dust.
“They are up to something,” Jengar replied. “Why else would they seek the Magicians in the Vale of Valdross? Fluttering Faery wings, why bring the death delivering Dragons upon us? You see, all of you who suspected they came here innocently, stumbling into our world by accident … what do you say now? Arrrg!” Jengar spit her words out in a contemptuous shrill.
Not a single Solteriem folk nor Dragonfly made a noise. It was in such a perilous moment, Jengar could easily be enticed to bring harm. She possessed more than one hundred different charms to give to her Faery dust and some of them are too horrendous to think upon!
She paced in front of the Squadron, her bronzed and verdigris wings fitfully twitching.
When she spoke, her words were painfully quiet. This was the type of seething rage which boiled only a thin hair below the surface. All strained to hear her words for none wished to ask her to speak up.
“We will have to alter our course, yes? We need to intercept the incipient Uplanders before they reach the Vale of Valdross. Solteriem, do not shoot your arrows at them. Use only your charms with the Faery dust. The charm of Confusion should be enough to bring them peacefully back to Rutenthrall Castle. But … if you should see a Dragon, fire upon it immediately! We cannot have those sky warriors in our realm! They, like the ground shaking Giants are nothing more than destroyers. We will not stand by and have our realm destroyed by their likes, yes?” Jengar’s flaming phosphorescent eyes stared down the line of her army. Not even a breath was exhaled. She flitted onto her mount and grabbed onto the vine wrapping the saddle in place and yelled, “To the Vale of Valdross!”
A sudden blinding brilliance of wings catching the light, moved across the ward of Rutenthrall Castle. They gathered the air as they crossed the inner walls and buzzed past the towers and continued beyond the outer walls.
Chapter 13
The Legend- Revealed Page 5
