Yet the pull toward the sword and Showl was overwhelming, almost impossible to deny and she knew if she tried to reject it he would still follow her or she would find her way back to him, even unintentionally, it was inevitable.
“Only the human whose soul is bound with mine can reach into the ice and set the Key free,” Showl continued, his voiced echoed with disquiet. “Even if you refuse it now, you’ll find yourself back here someday, in need of the destiny that was placed before you,” he whispered regretfully.
Ange frowned, wondering if he had read her thoughts. She stepped around the ice and met his gaze boldly, yet asking for the truth. “What will happen if I take the sword then? Can I still do whatever I please? Can I reassemble the Black Owls and become the head thief in Cyridell?”
Showl’s expression did not move. “I would do anything to make your dreams and wishes come true,” he replied truthfully. A frown took his face. “But I cannot lie to you, once you and I are bound, your duties will stretch beyond your own personal desires…” he closed his eyes momentarily before he turned his gaze up the sky that was starting to become turbulent around the dome of still air that encircled the clearing. “There is a war raging throughout the world, a war most humans are oblivious too.”
“A war?” Ange echoed confused.
He nodded, returning his brilliant gaze back to her. “Yes, a war to resurrect the Phoenix Queen.”
Ange blinked, lost and speechless to his revelation. “The Phoenix Queen?”
“She is the greatest enemy of your race, of our bound races,” he replied. “She is the reason that most of the dragon race has become extinct. She was, still is, the Draconis Regina of Fire. And one of the greatest dragons feared in our history. Harfang sealed her in a tomb of never melting ice before he died from the fatal wound she had inflicted upon him. She had nearly unraveled the magic between our races, a magic that would have destroyed us in the end if the bonds had been broken and then led to the annihilation of your race,” he replied sadly, his voice carried a weight that lodged heavily into Ange’s heart.
Ange was quiet for a moment, thoughtful. She wondered why so much of what Showl had told her so far, she had never even heard of before. The few stories that she had ever heard were so few, wild, and inconstant tales that sounded like only fantasy. She didn’t believe Showl was lying, he had already proven without a doubt that he was indeed not human. Yet she couldn’t help wonder why none of this stories had endured into modern times.
“And…and where do you and I fall into this?” she murmured.
He gave her a bitter smile as he answered. “I am the current Draconis Rex of Ice. You see, we Draconis Rexes and Regina don’t die like other creatures, when we die, we are reborn. It can take days or decades for a Draconis Rexes or Regina to be reborn, we are not born like other normal creatures either. The natural elements of our souls merge together in the ideal place and time and an egg is formed where we soon emerge,” his bitter smile grew resentful. “We also retain the memories of our previous life, though our souls are born different, we become a new and different dragon every time. To put it simply, the dragons that are trying to free the old Queen want you and me, because only I know where she was frozen.”
Ange blinked astounded. “Why haven’t they found you yet?”
Showl gave out a mock laugh. “Oh, they found me, a long time ago when I was born,” his face became blank, cold. “They tortured me until it became apparent that those specific memories where locked by a seal, one that Harfang placed before he died. A seal that could only be broken after I found my Soulbound.”
Ange felt appall and outrage as she thought of others torturing Showl, a sudden anger filled her, an anger that was almost frightening and made her wonder why she felt so strongly for Showl’s misfortunes.
He shifted his gaze to the sword before returning his eyes to her with a wry smile. “So I cannot say that being bound to me will not be dangerous,” he stepped closer till he was only a few inched away from touching, Ange froze at the nearness. His gold eyes were hard and determined. “So I cannot blame you if you don’t wish to bond with me, but I fear the others will eventually find you and force us to complete the bond. Either way I will be at your side.”
Ange gave him a quirky smile. “Unlucky for you, I love danger. So this is almost too tempting,” she teased trying to lighten the dark mood he had set.
Showl let out a humorless laugh, his smile grim. “How unfortunate indeed. A Soulbound without a sense of self-preservation and a fiery spirit,” he smile became affectionate. “I fear my life is about to lose the centuries of peace I’ve lived.”
Ange smiled widely. “Why would you want peace? That sounds absolutely boring. A little action is good or the heart dies too easily,” she joked.
He nodded. “A strong heart is vital,” he agreed. “And you most certainly have one.”
Ange frowned, wondering if the joke was lost on him and contemplating his words. Me? I have a strong heart…? This sounds like a grand adventure laid out just for me…but to give up my dreams? I don’t know if I can do it. I’m not selfless, I’m not noble, nor am I what someone can call good. I’m a thief.
She shook her head and took a step away from the ice. “I’m sorry Showl, you’ve got the wrong girl. I want to lead the Black Owls, not save the world from evil. I’m a thief, and by that definition that makes me evil too. I thrive off crime not good deeds, or we would all be poor,” she stated.
Disbelief swept away Showl’s calm and patient expression, his mouth contoured angrily. “You’d rather steal from people than save their lives?” he snarled outrage and bewildered.
“Yes,” Ange declared unflinchingly.
Shock kept Showl silent for a few moments as he stared at her, his eyes searching her own, seeking the truth. Ange gazed back unwaveringly.
He snorted disgruntled after a moment, his voice disappointed. “You are most definitely not what I expected,” he replied. “But I warn you, you’ll find yourself here again, a Dragonbound cannot deny their calling forever.”
“I can try,” Ange answered stubbornly.
He chuckled amused. “You can try,” he agreed unconvinced but at the same time he sounded hopeful that she was right.
Chapter 8: Boundless
Ange picked up the broken dagger regretfully and noted perhaps she should have taken the sword. She then recalled another question she had forgotten to mention. She turned to Showl and tossed the broken blade aside. She watched for a moment as he packed a bag full of provisions, Ange would have already left if it had even been possible to get down from the cave to the ground below, so she had no choice but to wait till he could take her down.
“So…who are these dragons? The one’s trying to get you?” she asked absently.
“You mean, us?” he corrected as he glanced at her as he packed a few fruit into his pack. “They are a few of the Regina and Rexes that wish to sever their connection with the human race.”
“Yes, I know that but…don’t their human Soulbounds have their own opinion? Do they want to die?” she asked, not able to believe that any human was that stupid.
Showl frowned deeply as he closed his pack after setting a few books within it from his stone shelves.
“Their…Soulbounds…have been corrupted, twisted. Their dragons’ minds were so poisoned and filled with hate that their own minds were suppressed and they came to want what their dragons wanted,” he replied. “They are treated like trash and taught to worship their dragons like gods, they became mere servants and tools to these dragons,” he snarled in disgust. “They call themselves the Adherents of the True Five.”
“The True Five?” Ange echoed.
Showl nodded. “The five dragon deities. Poleuthan,Phyronus, Teroun, Aireya, and Lyvella.”
Ange blinked, recognizing one of the names instantly but more questions swarmed through her head.
“You mean…gods? The dragons had gods they worshipped?” she asked surprised.
Showl chuckled. “Such powerful creatures, believing in divine entities?” he commented ironically. “No, we don’t worship higher beings. Not all dragons gave The Five piety, though. But most did believe in the first forces of nature and gave them names. These forces have many and no set form but were symbolized by objects already in existence, they were the first to exist in a world of nothing before the creatures of life came into existence. But they were often also symbolized as great dragons. They were significant to our race because we were so diverse when it came to our powers,” he explained.
Ange nodded, getting the gist of the topic. “So these…Adherents of the True Five…are trying to destroy the human race, correct?” she asked.
Showl nodded in confirmation as he began packing another pack.
“So, is there no one against them? No one opposing these crazy oversized lizards?” she questioned exasperated.
Showl chortled amused as he continued to pack.
“Oversized lizards? Where not all reptile, little thief. We’re also a bit like birds,” he corrected. “And yes, the other Draconis Rexes and Regina are the ones opposing them, they are what remains of the ancient order I mentioned earlier. The Sky Warriors.”
Ange gasped, remembering the legends Daren had once told her about the ancient order of dragon riders. “You mean they’re real? They actually existed?” she pestered excitedly.
He smiled. “Of course they did. They would have been annihilated if it weren’t for the ability we Draconis Rexes and Regina have to be reborn after our deaths.”
Ange clapped her hands together enthusiastically. “You know, I’ve always wanted to be a dragon rider, flying through the skies and seeing the world. Well, I actually always just wanted to see a real dragon.”
Showl gave her a quirked smile, his eyebrows raised. “Oh really? You just gave up the opportunity five minutes ago,” he reminded.
Her lips puckered sourly. “You made it sound like a job. Not like an adventure.”
He snorted and shook his head. “It is a job, I don’t know what you’ve been hearing. But during the height of the dragon and human empire…it was considered an honor, even an luxury to be a Dragonbound. They were great warriors, leaders, scholars, poets, inventors, anything they wanted to be. They’re first duty was to protect and watch over the empire the humans and dragons shared at the time and to teach and train new Dragonbounds and young dragons. But other than that they pursued their own personal interests. There were no wars, no need for violence, peace reined around the world and most had comfortable lives…till it was all destroyed,” he ended darkly.
Ange blinked, saddened as the image that had formed before her eyes vanished slowly. Amazing glorious building reaching up to the sky, dragons souring through the air with their Dragonbounds, poverty didn’t exist, and children weren’t left on the street to starve…
“The Sky Warriors, are fighting to defend the bond they share with the human race, to bring that age of glory back to the world and end the corruption and sorrow that has since flourished,” Showl spoke, breaking her from the image of a perfect utopia.
“Hey, I thrive in corruption,” Ange reminded trying to get her mind back to reality.
Showl gave her a dark smile that only accompanied the sorrow and pity in his eyes.
Ange felt uncomfortable under his expression and turned her gaze away.
“Are you ready?” she asked uncomfortable, feeling annoyed that he saw her with pity.
“Here.”
She turned back and looked at the pack he had outstretched toward her. She contemplated the leather pack for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh and swiping it from his hand. She didn’t bother to see how he would react to her rudeness as she strapped it over her shoulders underneath her tattered cape. She looked at her left arm and noted the damaged armor regretfully and wondered how she could repair it.
“You know, I could hold you in here till you change your mind,” Showl stated with frustration in his voice. “Going to that city after what just happened to you is a fool’s adventure. Especially unarmed.”
Ange snorted. “I suggest you don’t test my stubbornness, you won’t find anything to your liking if you do,” she warned.
Showl let out an exasperated laugh. “If you insist.”
“I do,” Ange confirmed roughly.
“Very well,” he resigned displeased. His armored hand stretched out towards her.
“Speaking of unarmed,” Ange noted gazing at his waist now revealed from the cloak by his outstretched hand. “I was more than certain you would have a sword underneath all that fancy cloth.”
“Unarmed?” he smiled threateningly, his canines lengthening to fangs. “Angeline, unarmed is most certainly not correct. I may have no artificial weapon, but never doubt the use teeth and claws can be, as well as an arsenal of magical abilities.”
Ange gulped nervously as his smile vanished as did his fangs.
“If you wish to be off, it is best we leave before the suns set. Don’t worry, I can protect you well enough without a blade,” he added.
Ange laughed suddenly annoyed. “Protect me? Who ever said I needed your protection? I was just worried you might get a nice long scar across that pretty face of yours and that I would have bandage you up, that’s all,” she replied hotly.
His smile returned, amused and interested. “You think my face is pretty?” he stepped closer till he was an inch away, Ange found herself leaning away nervously. “Enough, that I can convince you to give up this foolish venture?” he promoted slyly.
Ange stepped away and around him. “Hardly,” she answered with all the conviction she could muster in her voice.
Showl chuckled. “Well, isn’t that unexpectedly sweet of you? Though you have no need to worry, my little Soulbound,” he said merrily as he whisked her up from her feet unexpected, making her squeal in surprise as her eyes were suddenly locked on his yellow eyes as he winked at her. “I can’t scar, and any wound I receive will heal quickly, you will have no need to bandage anything.”
“Ah,” Ange responded dismissively, turning her gaze away to the cave entrance trying to pretend his eyes had no influence over her and brush off the notion that she actually felt a scrap of concern for his wellbeing. “Good. Because I’m not good at bandaging or caring for sick people. You’d only slow me down.”
Showl chuckled. “Slow you down? You forget, little thief..,” he was suddenly sprinting for the ledge, Ange held back a scream as he leapt, diving through empty air to the ground. The mountain whooshed past as they twirled, head straight for the ground. Ange found her fingers clutching his armor painfully as the air slashed past her face. She screamed as the ground came closer and closer, the snowy floor jutting with sharp large rocks was a mere feet away from killing them.
Ange shut her eyes, waiting for the bone breaking pain to sear through her, but all she felt now was a soft wind breezing past her face. Unwillingly she slowly opened her eyes and gasped.
Below them was a shadow racing over the snow, she could almost touch the ground below them as they skimmed the snowy land, Ange turned her eyes up to the clear blue sky and the two suns slowly making their way for the horizon.
She smiled at the feeling of freedom and fresh air, she turned her gaze to Showl, feeling slightly annoyed for the scare he put her through and his vibrant and eager smile showed he wasn’t sorry in the slightest. Ange couldn’t help smile back and let out a horse laugh as he gently alighted into the snow with a soft crunch.
He smiled pleased. “Like I was saying, I am a dragon after all.”
Ange rolled her eyes and she twisted herself out of his arms and landed in a crouch in the cold snow before standing straight.
“So you say,” Ange replied doubtfully.
He chuckled as his wings expanded, the feathers miraculously dissolving into snow and falling from his back as slowly as the snowfall around them. “I would have a sword if you had taken yours,” he commented.
Ange
sighed annoyed and turned away looking out over the snowy tundra. It looked brilliant white and beautiful during the day, especially with only light snowfall.
She smiled at the sight and turned her gaze for Cyridell, she began to walk toward the great city with an enthusiastic pace. The light breeze ruffling her torn cloak.
She frowned as she looked at it, pulling at one of the torn edges and deeming it unrepairable.
“We’ll get it replaced,” Showl promised as he walked beside her. “Your armor is rather… conspicuous.”
Ange would have been annoyed with the comment any other day but then she noticed something disturbing in the distance to the their left by a few miles. Perhaps a dozen men with iron horses poking around the trench she had nearly found her death in. To her shock, she hadn’t foreseen how far it would stretch across the land.
“Speaking of conspicuous,” she hissed as she ducked behind a small hill of snow and peered around it at the distant men, hoping they hadn’t spot her in her black armor among the endless snow.
Showl crouched next her, his eyes narrowing as he gazed out to the men, his face countering into a grimace.
“Cyridell Guards,” he noted a bit bitingly. “I had noticed the trench had been uncovered last night before I found you. Why are they poking around that dismal abyss?”
Ange snorted blackly. “Maybe because that’s where my trail led them after I nearly died down there with the rinorse that had taken me into this forsaken freezing desert?” she suggested with dark humor.
Showl’s gaze snapped to her. “You fell in there?” he repeated horrified.
Ange nodded grimly. “I barely managed to catch the wall before I met the bottom, that’s how my stomach got bruised,” she stated. “Then I climbed it for a few hours before I finally got out,” she felt tired just talking about the ordeal.
Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) Page 10
