Heart of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  Beverly frowned, "That's not going to happen, Jack."

  Gerald glanced over, "Don't look at me, Jack, I'm not your type."

  The cavalier shrugged his shoulders, "Oh well, you can't blame me for trying."

  "Yes, I can," remarked Beverly. "Keep your thoughts to yourself, and your eyes forward."

  Alric waved his sword in the air; the signal to move forward and the trio began their advance. The ground was smooth for the first few feet, then broken stone was revealed. Dirt and greenery had created a ramp of sorts which they slowly descended, taking their time to let their eyes adjust to the darkness. They took slow, deliberate steps, their weapons and shields extended in front of them.

  Gerald felt perspiration on his neck. He had stood in the line of battle, had fought Saxnor knew how many times and yet this task was more unnerving than anything he had ever done before. They walked into the darkness from which the creature might attack at any moment. He nearly jumped when a scraping noise echoed through the chamber as if a great bulk was rubbing against stone. Gerald turned slightly, raised his shield and peeked over its rim to see the first signs of movement, the barest glimmer of reflected light from the creature's tail.

  "Here," he whispered, "on my left, against the wall."

  Beverly moved up beside him, their shields almost touching. The air was fetid with the smell of rotting flesh. Jack, still behind them, watching their backs, muttered over his shoulder, "I just had a thought."

  "What?" whispered Gerald in reply.

  "What if there's more than one of them?"

  Gerald silently cursed himself, he should have thought of that. The distant sound of muttering broke his musings, then suddenly a light sprang to life. Revi, from his vantage point, had cast a globe of light into the chamber and now it hung, casting an eerie glow over the area.

  Gerald saw the massive creature in front of him, its eyes reflecting the light like a cat. The drake snaked out a tongue and hissed. A moment later a similar sound erupted in front of Jack.

  "We have a large one, Jack," said Beverly. "What do you see?"

  "Another one here," he replied, "but only the size of a horse."

  "What kind of horse?" she asked.

  "What?"

  "Big, like mine, or smaller like yours?" she replied.

  "Is this really the time to compare sizes?" he complained.

  "We still carry out the plan," interjected Gerald. "All we need to do is draw them out. Are we ready?"

  "Yes," replied Beverly.

  "As ready as I'll ever be," confirmed Jack.

  "Start backing up towards the entrance," said Gerald, "but keep your eyes peeled. If it looks like it's going to lunge, use your sword."

  "How do we hurt it?" asked Jack. "The things covered in scales."

  "Think of it like a giant dog," said Gerald, "and smack it on the snout."

  "Will that kill it," the cavalier asked.

  "No, but it'll likely enrage it."

  "Is it wise to anger it?" asked Jack.

  "Yes," Beverly reminded, "we're trying to get it to charge out, remember?"

  They started backing up slowly, keeping their faces to the enemy. It was difficult, for they had to turn slightly and walk up the slope of debris. One issued a roar of challenge, then suddenly the largest creature snapped forward. Gerald raised his shield, feeling the impact while Beverly struck with her sword, hitting the creature's mouth. It withdrew its snakelike neck and raised its head for a strike from above.

  "Run!" yelled Beverly, and as a trio, they turned and fled, their feet carrying them as fast as they could.

  The drake followed them, emerging into the dimly lit glade, slowly revealing its immense size. The head appeared first; an extended face attached to a long, serpentine neck, swaying about looking for its first victim. In the ruins, it had seemed to be large, but now, as its body cleared the cover, it was easily twice the length of a horse and cart with a tail that was nearly the same length, whipping about before curling around its body.

  "Loose arrows," Alric commanded. Arrows flew forward, only to bounce harmlessly off the tough scales of the beast. It roared a challenge, shattering the air with its bellow, then surged ahead, plunging into the line of spearmen, snapping spears and knocking soldiers from their feet. Preparing to strike again, it raised its head, chose its next target and then lanced down to pluck a man from those assembled before it, biting the unfortunate soul in two. The remaining soldiers surrounded the drake, jabbing out with their spears, but the weapons barely scratched the thing's scales.

  The second creature, about half the size the first, suddenly darted out, barrelling into the back of the spearmen who had surrounded the first, knocking them over with its mass. Gerald pushed forward, through the fallen men to strike at the smaller one, hoping to draw its attention away from the exposed spearman. It drew back its head to dodge the blow and then paused for only a moment before lunging back at Gerald, who dove to the side just in time to avoid the jaws of death that descended toward him.

  Again, it snapped at Gerald, and he ducked, barely having time to hold his shield above him. It tried to bite him, but its mouth was not wide enough; its teeth merely scraping across the shield's surface. Gerald struck with his sword, its tip sinking in deep enough to draw blood, but the creature shifted, pulling out of range.

  "Attack!" Anna's command rang through the air; the Knights of the Hound rushing forward, intent on finishing these creatures off before they were able to do any more damage. Sir Barnsley struck at the hindquarters of the larger drake; his sword finding a gap in the scales and drawing blood. A thick black ichor issued forth as the drake rotated, lashing out with its tail to knock the knight from his feet. Almost immediately, the creature's foot came down, its claws scraping the knight's armour as he rolled to avoid being crushed. It roared in frustration, raising its head in preparation to snap up another victim, but instead, it leaped forward, crushing a spearman beneath its massive body.

  Beverly, seeing an opportunity while the drake was occupied with its latest prey, strode forward, driving her sword into creature's chest, only to have the sword held fast between two scales. The beast, enraged by the pain, thrashed about, its neck sweeping the redheaded knight from her feet.

  Jack, realizing Beverly's dire predicament, dashed into the fray to protect her, but his sword merely bounced off of the creature's head, while the gallant cavalier growled in rage at his failure.

  The drake crawled forward, its claws scratching the ground at Beverly's feet, ready to pounce on the thing that had hurt it. Beverly rolled to the side and then jumped up, now weaponless, her sword still lodged in the creature's hide. A spearman ran forward, trying to stab at the existing wound, but the creature's long, sinewy neck twisted, and the jaws came down, lifting the man into the air by the leg. With a shake of its head, the man flew into the trees, his limb still gripped in the maw of the beast.

  Sir Barnsley struck again, and then Dame Levina was there, lending her blade, slicing down at the creature's hind foot, severing a claw, covering them both in the black ichor that coursed through the creature's veins. Dame Abigail stepped up to take advantage of the wound, but she slipped on the blood, sending her crashing to the ground. The beast twisted, biting down at the fallen knight, but Dame Juliet came to the rescue, standing over her comrade, her shield absorbing the impact.

  "Form a line," Alric yelled at his men, trying to keep some sort of order. The larger beast lashed out with its tail, sending half a dozen more soldiers to the ground, then turned on one of the fallen, ripping open the man's chest with its claws. The prince stepped forward and attacked, his blade coming down on the creature's flank, glancing off the tough scales, doing little damage, but enough to draw the creature's attention. It had turned in anger, snapping its jaws toward Alric, when a soldier pushed him out of the way. The hapless individual's head popped like a melon as it was crushed in the drake's mouth.

  All about was chaos, their weapons unable to inflict more than mi
nor wounds. The ground was slick with the blood of those who had tried and failed. Gerald slipped on someone's entrails, sending him crashing to the ground. He crawled from the fray to regain his feet and cast about, trying to take in the battle. He spotted Beverly, mounting Lightning, and he understood what was coming.

  "Back up," he commanded. "Get out of range!"

  The soldiers backed up, giving the smaller creature some space. Gerald struck out, getting the beast's attention then turned and ran back toward the woods, his heart pounding.

  Beverly watched the creature following Gerald and then urged Lightning forward. She held her hand out, and a spearmen gave her his weapon. Now, she couched the weapon as her mighty Mercerian Charger surged ahead. Straight at the beast she rode, its flank exposed as it chased after Gerald. Channelling all the strength she could muster, she drove the spear deep into the creature's flesh, releasing her grip after impact to avoid crashing into the drake.

  Raising its head in one final scream of agony, the drake fell to the ground, lifeless. The larger drake, hearing the death howl of its companion, roared out, then whipped its head around, knocking a pair of spearmen across the clearing.

  Gerald was catching his breath, watching as the Knights of the Hound moved back in, still struggling to defeat the remaining vile creature. Beverly rode over to him, dismounting, drawing her hammer from the saddle.

  "What do we do now?" she asked. "I can't spear that one, it has a longer reach; I'd never get close enough."

  "It's a lot bigger than the one you just killed," he said, "but perhaps we can use that against it."

  "What's that mean?"

  Gerald looked at his shield, seeing the teeth marks where the smaller beast had struck. "I have an idea, but we have to get in close."

  He jogged forward, with Beverly following. The Hounds were there; Dame Aelwyth struck down with her axe and severed another claw, sending black blood flying into the air. The ichor splashed her face, temporarily blinding her, and when the drake shifted, she was knocked back by its tail. It advanced, intent on crushing her with its weight, but Sir Howard grabbed her arm, dragging her from danger.

  "Get ready!" called out Gerald, rushing forward.

  The creature swivelled its head, looking down on the lone swordsman rushing towards it. It snaked its head back, and then struck, its jaws open wide, but its victim held a shield in front of him, and then pushed it forward, wedging it into the creature's mouth, preventing it from closing its jaws. Even so, it had struck him with the full force of the attack, sending him sprawling.

  It raised its head, desperate to get the obstruction from its mouth, flailing about in an unsuccessful bid to remove the obstacle.

  Beverly waited, her hammer held ready, the roar of the vile beast spraying her with spittle. The head came back down, and the knight struck, a two-handed blow, driving the hammer down onto the creature's head. It felt like she was hitting a stone, the vibration travelling up her arm, but the deed was done. The creature stopped flailing about, stunned by the blow, and then an arrow flew through the air, sinking deep into the drake's eye. It roared again, falling to the ground, its body now twisting about, trying to avoid the blows of the knights who had moved in on it. A claw struck out, scraping across Beverly's chest plate, and she struck again, bringing the hammer down onto the creature's foot.

  Jack rushed past and slipped on the wet ground, causing him to slide forward, face up. He kept his wits about him, striking up with his sword, sinking the blade into the creature's soft underbelly and then rolling out of the way.

  There was one final bellow, and then the creature collapsed to the ground, convulsed, and then went still. For a moment, all was quiet, and then a spontaneous cheer erupted from the soldiers.

  Aubrey was already running toward the injured while Revi had just climbed out of the hole with Arnim's help.

  "It worked," an elated Jack exclaimed. He calmed himself before continuing, "As I knew it would. We make a good team, Dame Beverly."

  "You're wasting your energy," said Gerald, "her heart's spoken for."

  Jack looked at the old man, "By you? You're far too old for her!"

  "No, you imbecile. Someone back in Merceria."

  "He's not here, is he," the cavalier countered. "That makes her fair game."

  "I'm no one's game," countered Beverly, "and if you persist in this behaviour, I shall have to silence you, permanently."

  Jack took a deep breath, "I apologize, Dame Beverly, if I have overstepped the rules of etiquette."

  "Apology accepted," said Beverly, "now shut up and help out here, we've got injured."

  The toll had been high. The spearmen had suffered the most, with eight deaths and twelve more wounded. Even the Knights of the Hound had not come out of it unscathed, and Gerald watched as Aubrey and Revi cast spells of healing to those they could help.

  * * *

  "Fascinating," mused Anna, looking over the bodies of the drakes.

  "Yes," agreed Aubrey. "I've never seen their likes before."

  "Arnim," yelled Anna, "what are you doing?"

  He was beneath the body of the great drake, hacking away with a sharp knife. "The hide on this thing is very strong, Highness, I thought it might be made into armour."

  Gerald shook his head, "What armourer would have such skill?" he asked.

  "I never said it would be easy," replied the captain, "but there's no hurry. The hide should last."

  Revi, finished with his last spell of healing, hustled the group back down the ramp.

  "You must come with me," he gushed. "There's something quite interesting down here."

  They followed him down into the lair, his globe of light guiding the way. They came across a wall of stone and Gerald instantly recognized the writing carved into it.

  "It's Saurian," he said.

  "Yes," said Revi, casting a spell, the familiar buzzing filling the air, and then the mage stood before the wall.

  "What's happening?" asked Alric.

  "He's cast a spell of tongues," replied Anna, "so he can read the ancient words."

  "What do they say?" asked Alric.

  "It tells of a great battle," recounted Revi as he made his way across the wall, following the writing. "No, I stand corrected, it was a great war, and it lasted for years."

  "Who were they fighting?" asked Anna.

  Revi stopped suddenly, his mind grappling with what he had read.

  "Well?" prompted Gerald.

  "What is it, Revi?" prompted the princess.

  He turned to look at them, his face pale, "I'm afraid it was the Elves."

  "The Elves? Why would they fight the Saurians?" asked Anna.

  "These writings talk of dark magic, of the undead," explained the mage.

  "You mean the Saurians were necromancers?" asked Anna in disbelief.

  "No, the Elves were." Revi let the words sink in.

  "Surely there's a mistake," offered Alric. "The Elves have been our allies for years."

  "There's no mistaking these runes, Highness," Revi replied. "It is laid here for all to see."

  "Maybe there were other Elves. Not all of them can be masters of the undead?" offered Alric.

  "Likely not," replied Revi, "but the baron didn't want us to find it. If it wasn't the baron's Elves, he certainly knew of it."

  "What are you saying?" asked Gerald, fearful of the answer.

  "I'm saying that the Elves likely eradicated the entire Saurian race," said Revi.

  "They tried to do the same to the Orcs," said Anna.

  "The Orcs?" asked Alric.

  "Yes, they destroyed the ancient cities of the Orcs, completely wiped them out. The Orcs who live in the area now are poor descendants of a once mighty people."

  "That would explain the enmity between them," said Aubrey.

  "What do we do about this?" asked Alric. "I'm at a loss, here."

  "We tell them nothing," said Anna. "Swear your men to secrecy, Alric. The less said about this, the better. We shall keep i
t to ourselves, for now."

  "Is that wise, Anna?" Alric asked.

  "Do you want to sacrifice the alliance with the Elves?" she asked.

  "No," he admitted. "I see your reasoning. We shall take the bodies and say nothing of the ruins. As far as the baron is concerned, we found the creatures in amongst the trees."

  "Yes, Highness," said Jack. "I'll see to it."

  "I should like to examine the ruins a bit closer before we leave, Your Highness," remarked Revi. "There is much to learn from this place."

  "By all means, Master Bloom, as long as we are out of here by nightfall," replied Anna.

  * * *

  It was quite dark by the time they returned to the hall. The group was hauling the heads of the two drakes, suspended from poles with two soldiers carrying each end. Even so, the beasts were so heavy that they had to frequently stop to change bearers.

  "It would have been a good idea to bring a wagon," commented Gerald.

  "A wagon would never have made it through the woods," said Hayley. "Besides, they'll be bragging about this tomorrow. It isn't every day that a drake gets slain, let alone two."

  "What is that smell?" Gerald said, turning in his saddle.

  "That's Arnim's pelt; it's slung over his horse," the ranger explained.

  "I feel sorry for the poor beast, it stinks."

  "He's going to drop it off at the tanner; I suspect it will take a few days to get the smell out."

  "Why on earth would he want the skin? Surely chainmail would give him more protection," said Gerald.

  "Drake skin is rare; perhaps he thinks it might hold an enchantment. Magic armour is hard to come by."

  "And who, precisely, would enchant it? I haven't heard of any mages of that ilk in Merceria."

  "True," admitted the ranger, "but we're in Weldwyn now. Even if he can't get it enchanted, its pelt will still likely fetch a high price."

  "Waste of time, if you ask me," grumbled the old warrior.