by Aaron Hicks
Uktesh felt two fingers on his fist. Immediately his power flowed away. Uktesh Rushed backwards to see an old man that he knew was the dragon version of his old grand master Uktan!
I can’t beat a grand master! How did he stop a perfect attack with two fingers! Uktesh glanced at Heathyr, remembered that the backstage manager had said her life was on the line, and flowed into a balanced Wooden Post and was again blocked with two fingers. Uktesh flowed into the imperfect Crescent Kick, which was also blocked with two fingers. Panicking, Uktesh flowed into the perfect Sweep the Leg, which was blocked by the grand master shifting his leg slightly.
Uktesh swallowed, defeated. Against his will he bowed his head, and kept it there, though he never stopped looking at the diminutive, but deadly old man. I failed Heathyr.
The old man spoke with a raspy voice, but it came with such power and authority that Uktesh knew even those furthest away in the amphitheater could hear and understand him. “Perhaps this should be the last year we don’t explain to the man given the role of Renkanto what the dragon fight is on this island.”
Uktesh straightened slowly and asked, “Did I win? Is Heathyr safe? If I need to, I’ll take you out too.” Though how, I’m not sure. The old man smirked and raised an eyebrow, “I’ll find a way,” he respond to the old man’s unasked assumption.
The man said, “Your friend was never in any danger. This is just a play!” Uktesh couldn’t hide his confusion as he felt a bruise on his face, that he didn’t remember getting, with his tongue. “You were simply to fight poor Triano until you won.” His eyes hardened with anger, “We certainly didn’t expect you to try to kill him.”
Uktesh met his glare with one of his own, “I don’t play games when my mother’s life is on the line.”
The old man growled, “It’s a play boy! Play! No one’s life was on the line until your actions put them there.”
Uktesh said, “In my life, I’ve not experienced a knife to the throat that was a joke.”
The old man ground his teeth, “And you nearly killed Griano, Triano’s brother. You would have killed him if had he been less skilled.”
Uktesh shrugged and said, “He started it.”
The old man’s lips twitched, and for a moment Uktesh thought he was going to smile, or even laugh. “Then, as if that was not enough, you dislocated both of Ulen’s arms. You somehow knocked out my own son Hailsby, and would have killed my nephew Royn if I hadn’t intervened. What do you have to say for your actions?”
Uktesh realized he was being given an out. That if he answered this question correctly they could go on as if nothing happened. “I like to fight! I’m good at it! If you had told me what was going on I would’ve fought and once finished, left it there. But I wasn’t told anything! Instead you let me think that my mother’s life was actually in danger. You did this by taking her earlier in the day, by not explaining your plans, and by having your stage manager tell me to go all out. You did this because you thought I was going to lose. You did this because you were cocky. You think I’m going to apologize for my actions when you were in the wrong? When you goaded me into my actions? Think again!”
Uktesh mentally groaned at himself and his temper, well there’s a wasted way out.
The old man started to laugh, and soon was doubled over with mirth. “You’re right!” he said once he’d collected himself. “We never thought a brat could beat a dragon, no matter what Charis said. Then you prove him right by not only beating one dragon but five! Three of them among our best! I understand that you’ve passed the trial to become a dragon. Come to me tomorrow. I’ll train you personally.” The crowd gasped.
Uktesh realized he was being rewarded, “Thank you, uh, sir. Um, I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”
The old man said, “I’m Dayho, but you will address me as master until you leave.”
Utkesh said, “Master, would you allow my companions, who also were pawns of this joke, to train with the dragons as well?”
Dayho’s lips twitched again, “Very well, if they wish to they may train under one of the students. Or master if they progress that far. Master Holyt, I believe this scene has reached a conclusion that Renkanto and Jemysha will be happy with.”
Holyt glanced at Uktesh and said, “For the first time ever! Act Three, Scene Three!” The crowd erupted in cheers as Dayho vanished. The curtain was dropped and the stage crew quickly set up the stage to the home of Jraisa and Skoth. Uktesh didn’t know what was going on as he’d never heard of a third scene for Act Three.
Curiel and Leilani scooted around him gingerly and Laurilli joined him on the stage, “That was …,” she shook her head.
Uktesh tried to fill in her thought, “Awesome, sexy, cool, and impressive?”
She shook her head, “Scary. They just kept coming at you, and people were holding Repus, and Esolc down. They didn’t touch me, but they made sure I couldn’t help.”
The curtain came up before he could respond. Curiel said, “Thou hast defeated the dragon? Fie and fee then! Take Jemysha with ya and begone!”
Uktesh didn’t know what to do, so he grabbed Laurilli’s hand and said, “Thou hast tried to deny mine love from me thrice. Know there shall not be a fourth! She is mine, and I am hers!” Uktesh turned and walked offstage with her as the curtain came down again. The stage managers called for a curtain call and suddenly all the actors were lining up behind the curtain with Uktesh and Laurilli last in line. Curiel and Leilani were just in front of them, holding up a semi-conscious Triano.
As the curtain was raised the crowd started to clap. As the more predominant actors moved to the front the cheering became louder. When Curiel, Leilani, and Triano moved forward the cheering intensified to a nearly painful amount of noise. They moved off the side and Uktesh and Laurilli moved forward to a deafening wave of adulation. Uktesh and Laurilli bowed together like they’d seen others do. Then they were pressed in together as the rest of the cast came back to the center for one last bow before the curtain fell. As jubilant as the crowd was, Uktesh felt more than one person glaring at him as he moved offstage.
Uktesh asked, “Do you think we’re still invited to the after party?”
Laurilli said, “I’m sure I still am. That means I need to find a date now that you’ve alienated yourself from the rest of the cast.”
Before Uktesh could respond, Holyt came forward and took Uktesh’s right hand in both of his and said, “The greatest play of my life! They will be talking about this until the day I die! It’s all thanks to you my boy!”
He threw his arm around Uktesh and the two of them walked down the steps of the stage into the waiting crowd. There were more people waiting to congratulate Uktesh then he’d expected.
Does that mean that the dragons are not well liked, or is it that I put on a good show. He lost track of how many hands he shook and how many times he thanked people. After what felt like an hour he and Holyt had run out of well-wishers. By the time they made it to the after party it was in full swing. Laurilli was dancing with her mom, Pamfilo, and Leilani, while Repus and Esolc were drinking and talking to several men from the play.
There was a slight pause in the conversations, dancing, and games as Holyt and Uktesh walked in. Holyt raised his voice and said, “I know you young ‘uns don’t want an old man like me at your well-deserved party, but please indulge and old man, as this may very well have been my greatest play! Now don’t stop on my behalf! Have fun!” The conversations, games, and dancing resumed with Heathyr and Laurilli heading his way.
Once she reached Uktesh and Holyt, Laurilli said, “So they’re less upset with you than we thought. It seems that they have a prophesy about when the five dragons are defeated.”
Holyt sighed and said, “I hadn’t thought about that! Come my boy. Let’s get drinks, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Uktesh took Laurilli’s hand and together with Heathyr they followed Holyt to get drinks. Once they had found a relatively quiet spot, Repus and Esolc joined them
and Holyt began his story.
“It all started when a man who was known for prophesy literally died while speaking this prophesy. Some say the prophesy was so strong it killed him; some say it was so horrible that killed him, and some just say that it was so true, so unavoidable that he willed himself to die rather than live to see it’s fruition. It goes, ‘On the eve of destruction, the five dragons of fire, air, water, earth, and spirit will die by the hand of the destroyer.’”
Uktesh said, “I didn’t kill anyone. How are they the dragons of fire, air, water, earth, and spirit?”
Holyt said, “They’re actually not, but others will claim it to symbolic. The five grand masters are the five dragons of fire, water, air, earth, and spirit. Triano and Griano are grandsons of the water and earth dragons, Ryth and Wyde respectively. Ulen is the son of the spirit dragon, Dusyd. Hailsby is the son of Dayho the fire dragon. Royn is the grandson of the air dragon, Mycha. How you’re supposed to destroy us is anyone’s guess, but according the second part of the prophesy, ‘The destroyer will cage the dragon of sound only to be consumed by the dragon’s rage.’”
Uktesh asked, “How many grand master dragons do you have?”
Holyt said, “That’s the thing. We only have the five I listed, so no one thought it could be done. We’ve all heard Laurilli sing though, and if ever there was a dragon of sound it would be her.”
Laurilli said, “If you think I’m getting in a cage for you, you’re sorely mistaken!”
Uktesh squeezed her hand and said, “If I did that, then I understand how I could be consumed by your rage.”
She smiled and said, “You better remember that too.”
Uktesh smiled and said, “As if you’d let me forget.”
They dispersed and rejoined the party and after an hour Uktesh was ready to go home and sleep, but Laurilli was still dancing with Pamfilo and Leilani so he just sat back and watched them for a time. Before long he joined them in one of the few dances he felt comfortable doing. One dance turned into two, then three, and before he knew it the party had been reduced to ten people he didn’t know, Holyt, and the seven of their group. The ten said goodbye to Holyt and now that the party was over, Uktesh’s group headed to Holyt as well and thanked him for hosting the party and the play before they headed back to their houses. Uktesh couldn’t help but notice that Pamfilo and Leilani stayed with Repus and Esolc as they broke off down the path to their houses.
Uktesh yawned and said, “Goodnight Heathyr, we’ll see you in a few hours for breakfast.”
She smiled and said, “It’s so late, I may just skip breakfast tomorrow.”
Uktesh yawned again and said, “Okay.”
Laurilli had already unlocked their door by the time Uktesh caught up to her. Together they walked into their house. Laurilli stripped out of her clothes, until she was clad only in her underwear. She left her clothes in a trail behind her, fell onto the bed, and wiggled under the covers. Uktesh locked the door and picked up Laurilli’s clothes as he made his way around the bed. He dropped them on one of the chairs and removed his clothes as well before walking around the bed to his side, lifting the quilt, and sliding under it. He stretched out and heard his joints pop in response. He felt Laurilli curl into him and he put his arm around her before they drift into sleep.
V. A Grand Master in the Life of
Two months and three weeks left
Uktesh woke when he felt Laurilli slide out from under his arm as she head to the bathroom. He closed his eyes against the glare of the sun through their window. He gingerly moved his left arm and didn’t feel the stiffness he had after his last spar with Dayho. He’d finally gotten used to the dragon way of fighting and found that it enhanced the Beletarian style. The dragons had a skill called the Shadow Step, which was what Riu had been using at the tournament to blur out of the way of projectiles. It was an instantaneous movement in one direction. Riu had been using it twice, once to move away, and once back to his original spot. The back-and-forth movement created the illusion of blurring.
Uktesh knew that Riu had been skilled, but Riu had literally been dodging arrows fractions of seconds before the arrow hit him, all so that he could look impressive. Though it surely worked!
Laurilli returned to their bed and kissed him, before she curled against him. She’d made great progress in both the Beletarian and dragon fighting styles. The dragons were even more impressed by her skills when they found out she’d only started training around eight months ago. She had earned the respect of grand master Ryth, the only female grand master. Ryth then took Laurilli under her wing. Uktesh knew that she was even more bruised than he was, but she never complained about it. Repus and Esolc had both declined training with the dragons, but they both were determined to surpass Laurilli by the end of their vacation, which was already more than half over.
While Utkesh had been training he had tried to find clues to the whereabouts of the necrolans he knew had to be part of the dragons. He hadn’t had any luck so far, but he knew he wasn’t going to stop looking anytime soon.
Uktesh pulled Laurilli closer, kissed her neck, and ran his hand along her hip. She groaned and said, “You’re insatiable.”
Uktesh said, “Only when it comes to you.”
Laurilli said, “You probably say that to all the girls mostly naked in your bed.”
It was a running joke they’d started and he replied, “That’s true, I do. You’re lucky enough to be that girl this morning.”
She yawned and stretched out with a loud sigh of relief. “You know my mother is going to be here any minute.”
Uktesh moved his hand to her stomach and whispered, “Then we’d better hurry,” and nibbled her ear. She rolled in his arms and kissed him hungrily as there was a knock on the door. Uktesh couldn’t hold in his groan of disappointment.
Laurilli got out of bed and said, “She has a special power of knowing when to knock on the door.” Laurilli unlocked the door and opened it to allow Heathyr in with a, “good morning Mom.”
Uktesh heard Heathyr said, “Good morning honey. Are you two ready for breakfast?”
Laurilli walked into view in her underwear, and said, “Mom you know we’re not, since I’m not even dressed.”
Heathyr said, “Then hurry up and get dressed. Repus and Esolc just left.” Laurilli started rummaging through piles of clothes before she found something that she liked. As she got dressed Uktesh rolled out of bed and found shorts and a shirt to wear. “You two need to clean this place up! Piles of clothes everywhere! If you’ve made your bed once this trip I’d be surprised. And that’s with people cleaning the house and your clothes once a week. You’re going to be in for a shock once we get back to our real lives and you have to start taking care of yourselves.”
Laurilli said, “We’ll just hire a maid.”
Heathyr’s jaw dropped, “Of all the lazy things to spend money on! You can pick up clothes and put them in a hamper.”
Uktesh went to the bathroom and shut the door on Laurilli’s response, which was something along the lines of reminding Heathyr how rich they were. Most maids made seven silvers a week. So they could hire ten maids till the day they died and still not run out of money. When he finished washing his hands, he opened the door to Laurilli said, “Two maids are better than one.”
Heathyr sighed and said, “You’re using that expression incorrectly on purpose. Let’s get something to eat so I can get some backup for my point of view.”
They locked to door behind them and headed to the breakfast area. While they were walking they passed a group of people dressed in black robes and their faces covered in black veils. The three of them moved to the side of the path to let them pass.
Uktesh realized that it was a funeral procession when he saw a body carried on an open bier carried by four men. Uktesh saw that most of the people were crying and had a moment of shock at the openness of their feelings. He knew that people cried, but aside from the few times he’d cried in front of Laurilli and Heathyr,
he hadn’t even cried over the loss of his father. He saw that both Heathyr and Laurilli had tears in their eyes and couldn’t understand why. He knew he’d have to ask Laurilli later when they were alone.
After they got their food and drinks they joined Repus and Esolc at their table. Heathyr wasted no time before she said, “These two young ones think they’ll need to hire a maid or two once we get back to Manori. What do you think about that?”
Repus said, “A maid? Why waste the money?”
Uktesh whispered, “We’re millionaires! We couldn’t waste that much money if we tried. We could live here, which I’m sure you both will agree is probably the most expensive place to live, for the rest of our lives and never run out of money.”
Esolc said, “He does have a point.”
Heathyr asked incredulously, “You’re going to hire a maid too?”
Uktesh took a drink of his berry juice as Repus said, “What? No. We’ll be married by then, it’ll be out wives’ job.”
Uktesh snorted his drink, as he tried to drink and laugh at the same time. He wiped his nose to find berry juice leaking out of it. “Yeah Heathyr, they’ll be married.” He couldn’t keep the mirth from his eyes and voice as he continued to dab his nose with a napkin.
Heathyr frowned and Esolc jumped to Repus’s aid, “What else are the women going to do all day?”
Heathyr said, “Besides raise your kids, cook your food, and try to save some money before you drink it away so that she can buy your children clothes as they grow up?”
Repus said, “Yeah.”
