The Dragon Knight's Curse (The Dragon Knight Series Book 2)

by D. C. Clemens

  The Dragon Knight’s Curse

  By D.C. Clemens

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter One

  I regained consciousness long enough to see the fuzzy stone of the basement ceiling before passing out again. There were flashes of outer awareness afterwards, but my sight could never pierce beyond the darkness my shut eyelids created. The only images I experienced were colorful hallucinations with no rhyme or reason, except perhaps some ghoulish reformations of Clarissa’s face. Within these brief bouts of perceptiveness was the upsetting notion that my insides were baking and that the remote voices I heard were responsible for the cooking. This internal roasting forced out every drop of water from inside me, which soaked every inch of my shivering body…

  A calmness permeated me the next time I recovered the strength to lift my leaden eyelids, both within and without. My naked body, still moist from fresh sweat, was under a thick wool blanket. My skin itched, but I didn’t move to relieve myself. For a while, all I did was fill my lungs with cool air and stare dumbly at the ceiling. Then, like an innocuous solar eclipse, Marcela’s inverted head entered my field of view, her black hair prickling my forehead.

  “Finally awake, eh? Can you talk?”

  I tried speaking, but I coughed instead, convincing her to remove her face. When I finished expelling the buildup of dried drool in my throat, I tried to sit up, but a jarring pain quivered the left side of my chest. I winced and let my body settle back on the bed.

  “Whoa there,” said Marcela. “Rathmore says moving would be bad for you right now.”

  “Where is Doctor Obvious?” I asked with a sore voice.

  “He and Clarissa went out hunting. He’s interested in seeing her feed or something.”

  “How long was I out?”

  “Uhhh, six or seven days? I don’t know exactly how long. Time is hard to keep down here. Plus Clarissa and I weren’t around at first. Oh! Wait here!” Her bare feet scuttled off somewhere before the scurrying girl returned a moment later. She suspended a small vial filled with a greenish liquid over my head. “Rathmore says to give you this in case you woke up. You’re supposed to drink it all up.”

  “What is it?”

  “A bunch of plants put together. Let’s see, glemlock, sprite root, black wh-”

  “Okay. ‘Health potion’ would’ve sufficed.”

  “Geez, you would think you’d be less grumpy after surviving death.”

  “Was I that sick?”

  “I meant from the fight with Vey and the other guy. By the way, thanks for killing her.”

  “It had to be done, nothing more.”

  “Yeah, whatever. I’m glad she’s dead. Here, take your medicine.” The fourteen year old placed the unexpectedly cold vial in my right hand. “Drink every drop. It tastes like your swallowing pee, but it always makes me feel better.”

  I uncorked the container and dumped the entirety of its contents down my throat. Despite her proclamation, I actually enjoyed the spicy flavor and wished I hadn’t consumed it so quickly.

  She giggled. “Did you know I saw your thingy? It was kinda cute, but Ghevont says they get bigger. Is that true?”

  “Ask again in a few years. Where’s Ara-, I mean, where’s my sword?”

  “Ara? Does your sword have a name? Or were you thinking of something else?”

  “Where is it?”

  “Under the bed.”

  “Can you hand it over?”

  “Uhh, no.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s too scary.”

  I sighed. “You tried handling it? Didn’t Clarissa tell you not to touch it?”

  “Maybe, but I just wanted to see it. How can you hold that thing?”

  “We have an arrangement.”

  “Why can Clarissa hold it?”

  “I trust her. You can handle it this time if the instant you touch it you say, ‘Mercer wants you.’”

  “Um, okay.”

  The girl crouched to act on the request. She yelled the words at the sword. A second later and the metal hilt clanked against the stone as she dragged it. She lugged up the weapon and laid it next to me. Aranath’s warm energy flowed back into me when my fingers clasped the leather encased scabbard.

  From inside my head, the dragon said, “I see your strength is returning. I’ll make certain not to remove your corruption so abruptly if you suffer a wound as deep as the one you’ve received. Its natural healing power should lessen the resulting misery. Regardless, I have a clearer idea of how to employ your corruption during combat should the need arise in the future. Still, I can sense your prana has recuperated. It won’t be long before you can move around again.”

  Aranath’s diagnosis didn’t differ from Ghevont’s, who returned with the vampire half an hour later.

  Clarissa gave me a cup of water and sat on a chair next to my bed, to which Marcela said, “She’s been watching over you since we came back here. I hope you appreciate her, Mercer, because we had lots of time to talk and it doesn’t sound to me like you do.”

  “I said nothing of the kind, Marcela! Don’t heed her, Mercer.”

  “I’ve yet to. Ghevont, what were you saying?”

  The scholar fumbled with an empty potion vial. “Oh, yes. Combined with your corruption, my singular concoction should aid your recovery nicely. I suspect you’ll be out and about within three days, though you certainly shouldn’t lift anything heavy with your left arm for at least another week.”

  “So I’ll be able to travel in a week?”

  “Travel? I recommend two weeks of recovery time before going anywhere.”

  “Do we have to go anywhere at all?” asked Marcela.

  “You can stay right here,” I replied.

  “If Rathmore’s going, I have to go, too.”

  “First of all, no you don’t. Secondly, I haven’t even agreed to bring Ghevont with me.”

  “But you must,” said Ghevont.

  “Well then, that settles everything.”

  “Oh, good. I was expecting more of a discussion.”

  “Ever heard of sarcasm, scholar?”

  After a quick rumination, he said, “That’s what that was? Ahh, that makes more sense.”

  “We’ll talk about this later. Someone just get me more water.”

  ‘Later’ came after two more days of rest and thinking. During that time, Aranath released a dash of my corruption every so often, using its soul-defiling power to aid my physical body’s recovery. In spite of Ghevont’s healing potions and my corruption, I knew the five inch long gash running down my chest would leave a scar for life, however long that ended up being. Once I became accustomed to the irritating sting that spawned every time a muscle in my chest contracted or extended itself, I was able to get out of bed and stretch my legs. Feeling sick while remaining stationary reminded me too much of my first memories, so getting up and movi
ng around even a little helped my mental state immensely.

  As I ate a steaming bowl of watery vegetable soup, I saw the girls climbing out of the basement to gather more food from the little garden near the little lake. This gave me the opening I wanted. I called Ghevont over, who was, as usual, looking over some tome. He rambled over with the book still in hand and sat down on the chair Clarissa normally occupied.

  “What is it, Mercer? Ah, you have a gleam of seriousness in your expression.”

  “Do I ever not have it?”

  “Well, I suppose it would be more precise to say your aura of seriousness has grown. What do you need of me?”

  “You still wish to join me, yes?”

  “Recent events have compelled me to seek out truths beyond what I can find in my hovel here. I’m also very intrigued to see how you progress as a-”

  “Ghevont.”

  “Oh, you wanted a shorter answer, didn’t you? Yes, I would like to join you.”

  “Then I need you to look for the map’s location.”

  “The map of the god’s grave?”

  “Yes. If we can find its grave, then we’ll find more of these Advent cultists. Whatever book or scroll your father used to find the map must still be here or in one of your other hideouts. I doubt he took it with him when he left the forest.”

  “Yes, that’s probably true. Actually, ever since learning what father was after, I’ve been linking some threads on that front already. Since you appear well enough, I would like to go to the other hideaways and gather the volumes I believe will benefit in the search. Are you planning on looking for my sister’s assistant as well?”

  “What you find will determine the order of my other goals, but my first aim will remain the same. I would like you to take me to Gwen Prothoro.”

  “Why is that? I told you, she was a simple woman whose only gift was looking attractive to Riskel. I’m sure by now that beauty has faded considerably.”

  “Yet your father trusted her to watch over his children when he left north. It occurs to me that he might have trusted her with more than that, even if she didn’t know it.”

  Ghevont thought things over before saying, “A possibility we can’t ignore. At any rate, it will be pleasant to see her again… if she’s alive.”

  “Do you think she’ll do you a favor and watch over Marcela?”

  “Oh my, I don’t think Marcela will enjoy that very much.”

  “What she would enjoy is not my concern. I can live with you tagging along, but gods help me if I have to worry about a child getting involved in my business, a business that will see her dead if she stays with us. You’ve seen a hint of our enemy, I can’t imagine you’d be fine with her joining us.”

  “No, I suppose I wouldn’t, but she’ll put up a splendid fight.”

  “If I have to, I’ll get you to place a deep sleeping spell on her so we could make our getaway.”

  “That seems harsh, no?”

  “Says someone who takes corpses from their resting place, but I doubt it’ll get to that point. I’ll talk to Clarissa about what to do with the girl. Spending some weeks with her should have given her a bit of insight on the matter.”

  Before Ghevont could stand fully erect, he reset himself back on the chair. “By the way, in case the sickness has made you forget, my sister is still waiting for her burial by dragon flame. Can we see to that tonight?”

  “You haven’t buried her yet?”

  “She’s in a hole, but I’ve yet to fill it. I’ve prevented her body from decomposing with my coldest spell, so no worries about her looking or smelling too unsightly.”

  “And Corbin’s body?”

  “He’s also being preserved, but I’m planning on dissecting him later and testing the effects of several spells on his corpse.”

  “That reminds me of another favor.”

  “Yes?”

  “If you have access to my body after I die, don’t cut me open or perform any of your experiments.”

  “But you’ll be dead, you won’t feel anything.”

  “Nevertheless. I guess this goes for Clarissa and Marcela as well.”

  “But a vampire will make a wonderful specimen! And Clarissa has been nothing but cordial with me.”

  “She won’t be if she knows what you would do to her corpse.”

  “You’re certain?”

  “You really do need to get out more.”

  We went to Vey’s grave site before dawn would make its way to us. Both girls were sleeping, making giving an excuse unnecessary. Vey’s body was located about five hundred feet west of the fort, where she was resting in a rectangular hole five feet deep. The corpse was overlaid with tree branches and leaves, though I knew dragon flame would not need the aid of the tinder to burn it to ash. The ball of light Ghevont used to light our way exposed Vey’s bluish face, which came from the icy spell preserving her form.

  “Did you tell the girls anything about this?” I asked Ghevont.

  “I knew you wouldn’t want me to talk about dragon fire to them, so I lied and told them I had already buried her.”

  “Good.”

  I summoned dragon stones and began dropping them randomly in the grave.

  “How fast will this be?” asked Ghevont.

  “Pretty fast.”

  “I’ve read that burning bodies with dragon fire typically comes with ceremonies.”

  “Typically, but my sword tells me that this circumstance will not require them.”

  “What circumstances would?”

  “For one, I’m not yet a true Veknu Milaris. Not only can’t I summon a dragon, but dragon fire is still beyond my control, control that would be needed in a real ceremony. You also don’t usually burn an enemy who’s handled corrupted souls. Dragon fire is reserved for heroes of armies, leaders of nations, and other Veknu Milaris. Despite my amateur status, this is still an honor for your sister, and my dragon is somewhat begrudged by this.”

  “Fascinating. I wonder if your own corruption will affect your progression into Veknu Milaris? Very well, you may activate the dragon stones.”

  The stones ignited their runes. Within seconds the entire pit was swathed in a bright blaze as white as a howling blizzard. It was as though a tiny star had budded beneath the ground. This intense light lasted half a minute longer before losing its intensity. It died away quite quickly after that. The burning ended a couple of minutes later. Ghevont cast his light spell again, revealing that the pit was filled with nothing more than a light sprinkle of ashen dust.

  “Incredible,” whispered Ghevont. “Nothing but ash now.”

  The scholar waved his hands over the grave, casting a spell that crumbled the dirt walls until it filled the unmarked grave.

  Chapter Two

  It was evening when Clarissa came out to the fort’s old courtyard to see me practicing my stances with Aranath in hand. I took the cup of water she handed me and leaned the sword by the large tree we sat against.

  “Glad to see you’re mending quickly.”

  “There’s a few perks to being corrupted. Speaking of volatile things, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Marcela.”

  “Yes, I’ve been thinking about her, too. I know you wouldn’t allow her to travel with us.”

  “You two appear to have gotten close these past few weeks, so do you think there’s a chance we can reunite her with her family?”

  “I still haven’t gotten much information on them, but I doubt it. She’s too headstrong to admit she might have made a mistake leaving her family. Poor thing, she was must have been only seven or eight when she ran away. I don’t think she even remembers why she left in the first place. She keeps changing the story.”

  “Then do you know of the least irksome way to be rid of her?”

  “I think so, but she would have to travel with us for the first part of the journey. You see, there’s no way she’ll live in a domestic setting, but say we entice her with a more stimulating environment where she can learn to fig
ht and still be watched by people we trust.”

  “Ah, the guild house in Ecrin.”

  “Yes. I’m certain Silver will get the siblings to train her and she can act a kind of apprentice to them. Besides, you can also update the old guild master with what happened here.”

  I groaned. “I didn’t want to travel all that much with her, but that is a good solution. She’ll probably see training herself as the key to staying long-term with Rathmore and jump at the opportunity.”

  Clarissa smiled. “Glad you liked the idea. It’s all I had.”

  The lone idea was presented to Marcela the next day. She was torn by the notions of leaving Ghevont and of bettering herself through training, particularly in a city as cultured and stirring as Ecrin. Her official answer was to say she would mull it over on the way there, but her glittery eyes told me she wouldn’t pass up the prospect when it arrived, so I walked away satisfied.

  As for the journey itself, I felt I would be sufficiently mended to leave Gremly after another week. It might take another month to be my full self, but since I doubted the start of the expedition would not have us fighting anyone strong enough to challenge our group, I decided it would be judicious to schedule the trip in the midst of my recuperation. There was also the likelihood that the Advent would realize Corbin and Vey had been gone far too long for something not to have happened to them, leading to an ambiguous fate for Vey’s assistant.

  The possibilities were twofold. If he was seen by the Advent as a true believer of their cause, then he could be reassigned to aid another project, making him harder to find. Then again, if they concluded he was only loyal to Vey, they would kill him. I had to learn what Magnus knew before any of that happened.

  Meanwhile, I was interested in knowing what Ghevont would turn up in his search for the grave map’s location. He had headed to the other hideouts to gather his father’s old research. It required a few trips for him and his helper girls to acquire all the volumes and scrolls he believed could prove useful. Once he had all he needed, he speedily began skimming over everything. His time in Gremly had him already read just about everything available, so it was a simple matter of looking for any key words that stood out and tying the threads he discovered.