Maiden's Saber

by Marion Faith St. James

  Large stones bounce to our feet, but Gareth continues to command the obstructions to part. The rocks seem alive as they travel around us where we stand and pile up behind. In a matter of heartbeats, a doorway has opened.

  Amari is the first to pass through to the other side.

  I have an idea as I take the Saber from Gareth’s hand. “My turn,” as I point the wondrous blade back to the inside of our cave. I can see small pinpoints of light and dark shadows dancing upon the ceiling and earthen floor.

  Doing as Amari instructed my sword brother, I whisper my thoughts while holding the saber with both hands. It feels hot to the touch, but bearable. The blade emits a green light which fills the cavern.

  A scratching sound is coming from under our feet. We step back a pace or two. From the earthen floor rise large roots and vines. They grow and push through the ceiling above. Hundreds of vines join the chaotic weaving wall of green. Some vines shedding the dirt are as thick as Gareth’s waist.

  “Well done sister; well done,” comes Amari’s voice from the other side of the doorway. With her head poking through the portal, she says. “Hurry to me. We must shut this entrance.”

  Once Natsha and I are on the other side of the entrance, I take Katana from her and close up the doorway. After the rumbling and dust settles…what once was a portal is gone. Even knowing where to look it appears as if it never existed.

  When we join Amari, she speaks several ancient words; raises her arms and points her fingers at the rock wall.

  “I put a spell on the wall to confuse those that try to follow. Even the dark witch will not know where we have gone. It will take them many days to cut through your green wall Natsha; that is if they try at all.”

  Natsha raises the burning stick she is holding higher to illuminate the new chamber. The torch sputters and is dying. The darkness grows closer.

  Amari passes her hand over Natsha’s torch. It grows bright once again, dispelling the shadows that form to confuse the mind. “This will burn for many hours.

  Natsha, may I take back Katana?”

  “Yes Maiden. Your incredible blade did its job well.” I look around and say. “Whence do we go from this new cavern?”

  “See my friends.” She points to the middle of the cave that the now brighter light has revealed.

  A large mound of earth rises in the center of the chamber. As they draw near, it is revealed not to be earth at all, but the skin and bones of a monstrous dragon laying there in death.

  Gareth and I take a step back; fearing it may come alive and attack us.

  Amari goes closer and says. “Do not fear; it has been dead for over a century.”

  Natsha and I circle the dead beast several times. “This one really did exist!” Natsha says.

  The Maiden performs an intricate sign in the air over the scaled beast. “In my time, and ages before my father’s father; dragons were as plentiful as the people who inhabited the lands of Aventine. Every land on the earth had its share of these beasts.

  In hunger, those dragons which fly would swoop in and carry away their prey. Those which crawl or slither would hide in waiting and catch a wild beast. For the unfortunate farmers—a cow or pig was devoured in mere minutes while the agrarians could do nothing but watch. Men were fearful to get near or try to scare it away.”

  “I agree with those men. I would hate to meet one of these things when it was looking to fill its belly.” Gareth says, his toe gently nudging a fallen scale.

  Amari closes her eyes as if searching some long lost memory…she continues. “In all that time, they roamed the earth; tales of dragons descending upon or eating a human was unheard of; be it man, woman or child.”

  “I expect the dragons were of a like mind…man was dangerous and was to be avoided. From what I read and tales told by the old ones, those scaled wonders did just that.” Natsha adds.

  It was the age of knights and royal huntsmen. Without an enemy to battle, they turned to killing dragons. To the heavily armored men it was good sport to slay these beasts. Before long, these proud animals were set to near extinction. At the time of my great sleep, only as many as I could count on two hands still existed.

  The Maiden circles the fallen beast, ending back where she started. “It is a belief dragons could live for thousands of years. Alas, due to the mass killings by man, they never lived longer than humans did. Even the young offspring were not spared. The Royals would eat the roasted meat from a young dragon.”

  Amari’s voice has a hint of anger. “Humans were meant to share this world, not destroy its wonders.”

  As Natsha and I listened to the Maiden spin her tale, I noticed something with the beast laying there. “If a warrior killed this dragon, why are several of its bones missing. See where the skin is pulled back and ribs removed. In addition, here is a missing forearm and teeth from that large jaw are absent. Not broken or chipped, but yanked from its monstrous mouth.”

  “It is curious?” Amari says while twisting several strands of hair between slender fingers. “Perhaps some animals ravaged the remains and took meat back to their lairs?”

  Both Natsha and Gareth noticed she did that with her hair when she was thinking intensely on something eluding her thoughts. That somehow the missing pieces of her memory should have an answer. If she could only seize it and hold on before it drifted away again.

  I stand and watch Natsha with Amari walk around to inspect the dead reptile. “Natsha, you told us a little about the Dragon’s Grave and the brave warrior who finally defeated this ugly brute. Is there more of that tale you can regale us?”

  Natsha makes one more circle around the remains before answering. “I dare say no weaver of tales or ancient teachers are alive to recount the mysteries of this beast. The only thing the peasants and farmers who live nearby know…is to stay far away from here. What I know, I learned from scribes who had inked to paper and parchment.

  Natsha pauses, reflecting on something her father once told her. “It is said that truth after it ages becomes legend. Much of what we know as legends or myths is based on some truths.

  The scrolls I have read speak of wondrous catacombs that weave and meander throughout these mountains. If you were to find yourself within that maze…you would die there.

  It is written, only the Jac dragon, so named by a sorcerer long ago, knew the mysteries of the passageways and the traps therein. The Jac would popup seemly out of nowhere raid the lands for fresh meat then disappear quickly. The writings tell of the passages, but not who put ink to parchment. Someone other than the dragon knows the secrets.”

  “Could it have been that sorcerer you mentioned? Gareth asks.

  “Whomever knew the way is lost to the Ides of Eternity.”

  Natsha tugs on her torn tunic sleeve and says. “As for the adventurous likes of us—we could possibly die among the bones and rubble of this dark place.”

  Amari does not answer, but kneels facing the dragon. She closes her eyes and appears to be meditating.

  We continue to survey the cavern and the dead beast. The grotto is large; larger than the one we just left. Brush and twigs gathered possibly from outside this den are in small piles all over the floor…if scattered by wind. One larger pile off to the side looks strangely like a nest.

  Natsha gestures toward the likely nest. “This dragon, if a female could possibly have been ready to place an egg there before it died.”

  Amari rises and goes to the possible nest. “This be the dragon's spot to sleep. This cavern is now its eternal resting place,” The Maiden says while pushing at the nest with her sword tip.

  She moves the brush about with her foot. Scattered on the floor are bones of both animal and human. She picks up the bleached skull of a man. Its eye sockets only show darkness where life once was. “It would reason that this dragon did not care which it took for a meal; be it beast or man.

  As Gareth helps to clear the floor around him, he sees broken pieces of armor and sword.

  Something
on the ground catches the Maiden’s eye. She bends down and picks up a fragment of what looks like fine white pottery from the trampled nest.

  Natsha comes closer. “What do you hold?” I ask.

  The Maiden lifts the piece closer, so Natsha could see it clearly. “This is a shard of a dragon egg. This egg either hatched or was trampled and crushed during the battle between dragon and knight. If the beast lived, it still may be roaming within these mountains.”

  “No one has sighted a dragon or lost their farm beasts to mysterious predators. Only people have taken crops and livestock, as they were starving and looking for food. If a dragon was about, we would have heard.” Natsha says.

  Amari walks to the head of the dragon and feels under the neck. A small leathery sack comes away in her hands.

  She is visibly straining her mind. We can see her face with deep lines of concentration across her brow.

  “We will take this with us. It still contains a small amount of this beast’s scent. As dragons are varied; so is there scent. If another one born from this one exists, carrying its mother’s scent will spare us from having to destroy it. Normally, dragons are not trainable or will side with you in battling a like enemy.

  Natsha interrupts. “The exceptions were the Blood Druids. It is said that some of those evil followers could even ride upon their backs and attack from above.”

  “It would have been before my birth.” Amari says. Those ones we fought decades ago did not have dragons in battle.

  “I am sorry.” Natsha says; “what were you saying about dragon scent?”

  “No—interruptions are welcomed. We are new to each other and the sharing of information and considerations will strengthen our bond.

  If the beast still lives, and with this scent pouch, the offspring will stay close to us thinking we are kin, no matter what our appearance. Just having a scaled monster near may deter those who may seek our end.”

  While Amari is recounting some ancient lore that must be privy to her kind, I step on something that buckles a little and makes a sound like bending metal. I lift my foot to see the roundness edge of a shield. “Women, look to this!”

  They both draw near to where I am standing.

  I sweep my foot like a rake and brush away some of the nesting material to expose what lies beneath. Under the straw, twigs and leaves is rusting armor and weapons in great abundance.

  Amari and I watch Gareth. He walks around looking at the floor and counting. He piles the rusted metal swords, shield, helmets and body armor in a pile. In another, he tosses the bones and skulls of those that engaged the beast and lost.

  “By the amount and variety of the armor and weapons, I reckon seven warriors attempted to destroy the beast, but only one succeeded. I count only six skulls. The victor may have become lost within this earthen lair.”

  He takes one of the large shields and brushes off the dirt to reveal the crest of a two-headed lion. His hand slides easily into the holding strap as if it was made for him. “This I take as a spoil.”

  Amari’s gaze goes to the opposite end of the cavern. Seven dark doorways stand ready and inviting.

  Natsha points to each one of the entrances in turn. “Any one of those could lead to the surface, or a maze that will kill us in endless wandering.”

  True my sword sister,” says Gareth. “Maiden, will your magic help us to chart a true course from this grave?”

  “While near to the entrance of this lair, I was able to see outside of the mountain and its surroundings. I could see the soldiers and my sister on the other side of the magic wall I created. Here deeper within, my vision is now limited to our immediate station. What lies down those passageways is unknown to me and will be an adventure for us all.”

  As they approach the line of darken entrances, Natsha's sharp eyes see something the others do not.

  “This passage,” as she gestures to the second entrance from the left, “was used more than the others. See there.” She points to the cavern floor at the entry of the doorway. “These marks are from many comings and goings; several are even of dragging something heavy.”

  “Then this way be our first venture my friends,” the Maiden says to us.

  Holding the torch to the forefront—I go in first, trailed by Gareth and Amari. There are several passages on either side of the tunnel. We stay the course and do not venture from the main passageway. Walking slowly, I can hear Gareth rubbing his knife blade on the left wall every few feet. “Marking our trail Gareth?” I ask.

  “Yes. With all these side passages that twist and turn; I want to find our way back if need be.”

  “That is sound thinking,” the Maiden returns.

  The tunnel goes on for several leagues, always with bends and turns. With the amount of side passages, it is easy to confuse the mind. All at once, they come to a junction where one must go either right or left.

  “Which way do we travel Maiden?” Gareth asks.

  “Left is always preferred brother,” she answers.

  I look at Amari, “Is that because thou grip the mighty Katana with thy left hand?”

  “Tis true my warrior,” I answer.

  Natsha still leading turns left, and walks several meters down the new tunnel. She stops and looks to the wall at her right. “Brother, you mark is here!”

  I come abreast of her and run my fingers over the scratch in the stone, as Natsha lowers the light to see it clearer. “It is my mark!”

  Amari clasps me on the shoulder, “Your foresight has saved us from being confused and endless wonderings. I do not know whence we became turned around, but we must devise a plan before we are to continue.”

  Natsha looks one way, then the other way down the long tunnel. “These passages probably crisscross all over this place. It is no wonder anyone who enters this mountain of endless corridors and tunnels is ever seen again. It would be by pure luck to stumble out of here.”

  “I hear you. We have to be systematic in navigating through this maze.” I tell this to both the women, but it is Natsha that speaks.

  “It is written in an obscure manuscript in my father’s library that these catacombs are a network of tunnels that consist of three levels of interlocking passages. They stretch out under the mountains and surrounding realm of Aventine. One could go from one level to the next and back again without noting the change.

  No one knows the diggers of this maze, or its age. Many have heard tell of these amazing passages. Few are foolhardy to enter if an entrance is revealed by a chance discovery.”

  I look at the size of the tunnels, and can touch both walls with fingertips…if I stretch my arms out. “Gareth, the breadth of these tunnels and the remains of the dragon are not in proper proportions. The scaled one is larger than the passages. I wonder how it was able to slither through these narrow tunnels.”

  Amari holds a probable answer to that question. “When the beast was young and smaller, it managed to pass through here without difficulty. Only when it matured did it give up sneaking through here to some hidden exit in order to raid the surrounding farms for meat. Full grown, it would have to come and go through the main entrance we closed behind us during our escape. Remember we saw evidence of a long-ago cave in.

  Natsha motions over her shoulder. “Speaking of the entrance, I wonder how our enemies are faring. Do you think they broke through?”

  Amari closes her eyes and turns her head in one direction, then another. “No, they are still outside. The magic remains, but it weakens. I am sure my sister is using every spell she knows to counter mine enchantment. It is just matter of time before the wall cannot withstand the onslaught of dark magic.

  Gareth looks at her and asks. “If you can see that, how come you cannot see our way out of here?”

  “Your suspicions are unfounded my brother. My inner sight relies on what I already know and in some cases distance. I have been in the entrance to the cavern; outside and of course to where we now stand. I can even see some of the passages we have already
traveled. What is beyond is not clear to me?”

  “Tis a shame my lady. To know what lies ahead and the way to the warmth of the sun would be a sight I treasure.”

  “There are many magical and inbred sights that still exist for some, but the old ways are almost gone. Even before the Druids cursed me to eternal half-death, the Maiden witches, warlocks, elves, gnomes and wood giants have passed on to only the telling of tales.

  There may be those that I have versed that still live. Hidden away in safety from man and the death they bring. Me thinks, maybe even some of the scaled ones still live and breathe in their own realm. Far away from those who kill out of fear.

  Natsha looks to the tunnel on the right again. “We have gone that way. I say we walk the same direction and take the first side passage to the left this time.” She pats Gareth’s sword arm. “Keep making your scratches on the wall. This time select a different one when we take a new passage. So for each time we go to a fresh passage—create a new mark and remember them well.”

  “I will do as you say sister. I fear we will be wondering forever like the warrior that slew the dragon that existed here.”

  The Maiden looks into the eyes of her new friends. The magic light reflects the warmth of their souls. “Each passage will be added to my sight and remembered. I will tell you if we are entering a tunnel already traveled; that with Gareth's scratches on the walls will see us through.”

  “Then perchance Amari and Gareth…we will win from this grave.”

  Armed with a plan, the three intrepid warriors tread the long corridors of the ancients. Over the course of several days, they crisscross passage after passage. Because of Gareth's mark on the walls and Amari's sight of tunnels traveled, they do not go in circles.

  The rumbling in everyone’s stomach is a sign no one has eaten anything in four days. The last meal was the meager game Gareth brought the first day after leaving the monument. Natsha gave Amari from her stores all she had. Only small swallows of water are left in their canteens. They thought early on to ration. “The body can go weeks without food,” Amari told them. She adds; “not so for water…there must be a daily consumption of liquids.”