Daryk Warrior

by Denise A. Agnew

  “Not shopping for food.” Asam stood. “Frivolous things.” The older woman winked. “I know just the item you’ll want to wear for Eryk when he returns.”

  Mia wrinkled her nose. “Item?”

  Asam gave Mia a wicked smile. “Never you mind. You’ll see. Come on.”

  Chapter Ten

  Snow swirled around Eryk’s ankles as he trudged into the mountain valley south of Bardannia. He’d acquired new winter wear from Garess before they’d left. The huge suit he wore, made of dragon’s skin and fur from other animals, ensured he’d stay warm. The suits covered down to the ankles and could keep a man warm for many, many hours. Good thing too. The damn storm roaring by had managed to pick up speed and viciousness. The cave where they intended to meet their contacts, another contingent of Daryk Ones, wasn’t much farther. Garess and the group of twenty Daryk Ones hadn’t left the castle defenseless. A hundred able-bodied Daryk Ones stayed behind. Ordinary men at the castle could fight too, and they numbered at least three hundred. At the back of Eryk’s mind discomfort nagged. He’d sensed trouble brewing but couldn’t voice it with clarity to Garess. Also, Mia’s behavior before he left the castle suggested she needed to tell him something. He’d witnessed softness in her eyes, a difference he couldn’t name nor question. Uncertainty had always bothered him, as he imagined it did most people. A Daryk One, though, wasn’t supposed to feel out of depth or search for answers. Only decisiveness made sense in a country as chaotic as Dragonia. From her descriptions of Magonia, the structure and certainty sounded appealing. Until the surface was stripped away and the dark heart came to light. He couldn’t support a society that placed women in such low respect or restricted all its citizens from understanding real truth. As flawed as Dragonia was, he favored and supported its essential being.

  No. If anything was to blame for his unease it was Mia Griffi, the beautiful and unsettling woman he’d left behind at Bardannia Castle.

  They reached the gigantic cave. The Mouth of the Many Depths, as this place was named, had always created both fear and awe in Eryk. Fear because one could lose themself in the many chambers, never to been seen again. The depths had been mapped but only the wisest and most well-trained knew all the passages. An unschooled individual could wander aimlessly to his death. He considered himself a child in the ways of this cave, despite having grown up in the icy wastelands. The tall ceiling towered above them yet gave plenty of shelter within sight of the cave mouth. Here they’d settle and wait for their contacts, if they came. The contingent settled with their packs, grumbling about the weather even though this storm was like every other they’d seen. Grateful for the knitted mask that covered vulnerable parts of his face, Eryk set to work with Garess setting up camp.

  “Damn storm.” Garess groused as well as any other man. “It’ll be nightfall before our contacts make it.”

  Eryk’s discomfort grew and he couldn’t contain it. “I don’t like this.”

  “This?”

  “Something doesn’t feel right. They should be here. The timing suggested they’d reach this cave before we did.”

  Garess’ hard face grew pensive then doubtful as he threw another piece of cave wood on the fire he’d built.

  “They’ll be here,” another Daryk One by the name of Bruton said from his fire nearby.

  Several of the other men chimed in, their voices echoing in the cave, all of them positive all would turn out well.

  Eryk had used his gut in battle before and it had always proved right but he felt off somehow. Could he trust his gut this time?

  A rustling at the mouth of the cave drew Eryk’s attention and on instinct he drew his sword.

  The sentry at the front called out, “Who is there?”

  No one answered but a man appeared, his winter storm clothing bloodied and torn. He held his sword up in defense then, when he saw them, dropped it with a clang into the ice and snow.

  “By the god,” one of the Daryk Ones said in a low voice. “It’s Cramdock.”

  “He’s alone,” the sentry said as Cramdock fell into his arms.

  Several men rushed to the front to help, as did Eryk and Garess.

  “What the hell happened?” Garess asked the injured man. “Where is everyone else?”

  “An ambush.” Cramdock’s voice was raspy and he winced. “We were attacked. I’m the only one who managed to escape.”

  “Shite,” Garess said with harsh emphasis. “Shite. How did this happen?”

  Cramdock winced again as one of the men tried to look at his wounds. “Came up on a glacier pass and forty men were hiding there. There were only ten of us.”

  “And you got away?” Eryk asked with a grim sense of certainty.

  “Just barely. I killed ten of their men. Other Dayrk Ones. Rogues. I fell into a crevice and I guess they thought I was dead. Took me two hours to climb out.”

  “Get him some water and food,” Garess said.

  Eryk and Garess stood at the front of the cave and scouted for signs of anyone else and when they detected no one, returned to where Cramdock lay near a fire. Two Daryk Ones attended the wounded man while another handed Cramdock a hot drink. The man’s wounds appeared worse than they were at first, and as he was patched up he told more of his story.

  “Almost gave myself up for dead,” Cramdock said between sips of drink. “Thank the god I made it. After this storm we have to head back to Bardannia Castle.”

  Apprehension struck Eryk. “Why?”

  Cramdock shivered and burrowed deeper into the blanket around his shoulders. “When I was in the crevice I heard one of the rogues say something about it being a good day to take the castle.”

  “They have too small a number of men to attack Bardannia,” one of the Daryk Ones spoke up.

  Cramdock shook his head. “We were coming to tell you that Drakus Fina has a larger group coming directly to the castle. One much larger than has ever attacked a castle before. They’ll overwhelm the castle by sheer numbers.”

  “Bardannia is too strong for Drakus Fina,” Garess said.

  Once more a doubtful expression came over Cramdock’s face and his shivering increased. He took a long swallow of liquid. “You underestimate him. He’s bringing at least a half-dozen dragons with him. Well-trained and strong.”

  Grim fear spiked inside Eryk. “Damn it. Damn it all.”

  * * * * *

  “Surely you are not serious.” Mia held up the filmy dress made of a shimmering red material. “Why would I wear this?”

  Asam’s face crinkled in amusement. “Yes, I am serious.”

  “But why?”

  Asam looked at the shop girl, a slim dark-haired girl who gave them both a conspiratorial smile.

  Asam sighed. “Remember what we talked about when we came here?”

  Mia did but she couldn’t reconcile her conservative past with this looser, more sexual attitude. Yes she’d been assertive with Eryk this morning but actively chasing his sexual favors with provocative clothing might take some practice.

  The shop girl gestured toward the back of the elaborate shop. “Would you like to try it on? The size is probably perfect for you but just to be certain.”

  Mia nodded, reluctance remaining inside her as she followed the shop girl. The shop itself had no sign on the outside to indicate that within one could find objects to attract a man’s favor. Row upon row of flirtatious clothing in a variety of bright colors amazed Mia. On impulse she snatched two other garments off the rack and continued to the small curtained dressing room. After the shop girl left Mia changed into the red garment. A mirror hung on one wall showed her full length. She didn’t look at her naked body and drew the garment over her head quickly. Fabric fell to her ankles, gliding over her figure with an intriguing effect. Material smoothed over her arms down to her wrists. Was all this material too close to her body? She knew she’d lost weight in the time she’d been in Dragonia but her appetite had returned. Even at that, the material curved over her breasts and hips in a way Er
yk wouldn’t ignore. She knew that if she knew nothing else. A smile came to her lips. She also knew that Eryk would appreciate the garment. Yes indeed. She quickly changed into the other two garments, both similar in form. One was purple, one green. She felt like a rainbow and a smile came to her lips. She posed with one hand on her hip then the other, arranging her body in poses she imagined might be provocative. She could hope. This new sexuality she’d discovered frightened her on one level. Eryk had done things to her body and had freed her to feel amazing bliss she couldn’t have imagined experiencing before. Her nipples peaked at the thought of it and she closed her eyes. She smoothed her hands down her breasts and a sharp spike of pleasure tingled in her nipples. A tight throb filled her center and she wished Eryk were with her right now. Filling her. Thrusting into her until she screamed out her ecstasy. Her eyes popped open as she remembered Asam waited. Mia exited the room after putting on her own clothes. Asam and the shop girl waited at the front and Mia couldn’t stop a smile.

  “I’ll take all three.” Mia retrieved money from the small pack she carried around her waist. Asam and the shop girl cheered and clapped.

  Mia laughed at their enthusiasm. “I’m glad you’re proud of me.”

  “We are.” Asam patted her on the back.

  After they left the shop Asam and Mia returned to Mia’s lodging.

  “I need to return home,” Asam said.

  “I should have walked you home.” Mia hugged her friend. “Thank you so much for the friendship and the shopping.”

  Asam’s eyes twinkled. “Eryk will thank you for the shopping.”

  Heat filled Mia’s cheeks. Her imagination worked far too well.

  Before Asam could leave, a huge booming noise came from the front of the castle.

  Mia jerked in surprise. “What was that?”

  A roaring came from the same general direction. Then another roar. And another.

  “It sounds like—” Yet another roar came over Asam’s reply. “Dragons.”

  “Dragons in Imekland?”

  “There are snow dragons but they’re shy. They’re rarely seen.”

  “Then what are they doing here?”

  “Stay here. I’ll find out.”

  Mia grabbed her friend’s arm. “Not without me.”

  They dropped her packages on the bed and rushed outside, down the long alley. Voices clashed with the roar of angered dragons. By Magon, how many dragons were there? Then something happened she didn’t expect. They rounded a corner just as several men and women ran by, screaming and shouting.

  “Attack!” One man yelled at her. “Get inside! They’re coming!”

  “Who?” Asam asked, latching on to the man’s arm.

  “Rogues. Daryk Ones gone rogue.” The man ran off.

  Chaos had erupted. Carts tipped over, women ran with screaming children. Men shouted as they tried to direct what would happen. Daryk Ones, identified by their swords and large stature, ran toward the castle walls and battlements.

  Asam took Mia’s hand. “We have to hide.”

  “Where?”

  “Anywhere we can. The tunnels beneath the castle.”

  Mia had never been afraid of anything underground so she followed Asam in hope they could find refuge from the attack. As they dashed toward the back of the castle she wondered if Eryk would arrive in time to help save them. Anger erupted within her. She’d fought to get to Dragonia, to find healing, and along with it had come war.

  A thought occurred to Mia just as they reached a double wooden door lodged deep in a nook. A different sound echoed above noises of war. A rushing, terrible sound that froze Mia as surely as the snow flurries danced around them.

  She looked up and saw one of the battlements on fire. Despite the stone design of this structure there was some wood within and it would burn as easily as the next thing. A dragon roared. Flames and smoke rose above Mia’s and Asam’s heads.

  God Magon.

  “Wait,” Mia said. “Maybe I can stop this.”

  Asam reached for the doorknob but turned to look at her. “What? How?”

  “Eryk and I were attacked by a dragon in the Tarrian jungle. I drove it away with my healing power. Can you do that?”

  Asam looked puzzled. “Not that I know of.”

  Certainty grew inside Mia. “We must try. Or at the very least, I will.”

  Asam’s frown grew deeper. Mia hadn’t expected to see trepidation in the healer’s eyes.

  “What if we fail?” Asam asked.

  “Then we’ll run. Do what we have to.”

  Asam shook her head and for a moment Mia was certain the woman would refuse. “Are you absolutely certain?”

  “Yes. I did it once, I can do it again.”

  Asam’s wariness eased and she grew a new smile. “Then I trust you. Let’s go.”

  * * * * *

  It took Eryk, Garess and the other Daryk Ones some time to return to the outskirts of Bardannia, and what they saw turned Eryk’s blood cold. Rogues swarmed the castle but the number of dragons rampaging outside the castle could prove even more dangerous. A rainbow of dragons stomped and roared, their throaty declarations of anger and bloodlust making Eryk’s heart beat faster. He was a Daryk One but even he understood that many dragons at the beck and call of Rogues would be hard to defeat. More than that, a crushing worry broke him in two. Draconus, he wanted to rush in there and save Mia. Yet he knew he couldn’t. Not right this moment. Any attempt at this point, with their lack of numbers, might prove suicidal.

  “We have to send to Grimnald for reinforcements,” Eryk said.

  “You don’t want to go after your woman now?” Garess asked.

  “I could, but I’m no good to her dead.”

  “By all the gods, what is that?” one of the contingent of ten in the scouting party asked.

  “Dragons,” Eryk said, knowing his voice sounded contemptuous. “Fucking ten dragons being directed by people like Drakus Fina.”

  “You’re sure it’s him?” Garess asked.

  “Has to be. Who else has that many resources?” Eryk asked. “He’s found some ice dragons. Damn. I didn’t think those things could be trained.”

  “What do we do next?” Garess asked.

  “We have to get reinforcements, just as you said.” Eryk wanted to scream. To rail at the injustice. He didn’t want to leave his woman. “There are hundreds of people in there fighting for their lives. We need more men.”

  Turning away from the fight he saw below, he started to walk away.

  “Wait.” Garess’ voice sounded held pure amazement. “Is that a woman? Two women?”

  They came from the side of the castle. Draconus, he hoped it wasn’t Asam and Mia making a huge mistake. He couldn’t see if it was them because they were too far away. He fisted his hands and hoped against hope for their safety.

  * * * * *

  Mia had never been so frightened in all her life as she was the moment she stepped from the north-facing castle wall and exposed herself to war. Her jaw tightened, her body vibrating with tension, pulse roaring in her ears. She took one deep breath, or at least she tried. Bless her, Asam stood next to her, willing to put herself in danger as well. Mia didn’t see it as a choice.

  Men swarmed the castle, yet when they saw Mia and Asam they didn’t charge. Two massive white dragons, their breath steaming in the frosty air, came toward Mia and Asam. Everything inside Mia rebelled as the ground seemed to tremble with each step the large creatures took.

  “Asam.” Mia barely got the word past her tight throat. “Concentrate on calming down the dragons. Just make them stop setting the castle on fire.”

  “Yes.” Asam sounded shaky.

  As the fire-breathing animals walked closer, Mia was scared spitless. She shook from the inside out. She quivered but refused to take her gaze off the dragons. Beyond their white coloring they had blue eyes so brilliant it was almost as if they were lit from within. They were huge but not bulky, their long bodies and thin snouts givin
g them a delicate appearance they didn’t deserve. Their tails seemed to go on forever, dotted at the end with an appendage that looked as deadly as a knife.

  Mia put her hand out, hoping against hope that between her and Asam they could accomplish this mad feat. They had to or all was lost.

  Asam also held up her hand and Mia started to concentrate. Energy pulsed from her body to her arm and then her hand. Throbbing, rushing until with a burst of heat and light Asam’s energy also rushed out of her arm and created a white light. The two white lights joined.

  The dragons stopped advancing, their eyes more subdued. Mia realized that the other dragons, four others to be exact, no longer breathed fire on and over the castle. Smoke still billowed from the damaged structure. Mia shook, her body slowly draining of energy as she put everything she had into calming the beasts. The dragons all settled on their haunches.

  A moment later she felt Asam’s arm go around her and the woman’s voice came to her ears. “Ease down now, my dear. Ease down. They are settled.”

  Mia blinked and lowered her arm. With a sigh she sagged against Asam. “It worked. It worked.”

  Orders to stop fighting echoed around them. Mia wondered if she’d made the biggest mistake of her life calming the dragons. Three men came up to her but another male voice shouted, “Leave them. Don’t harm them.”

  A taller man walked toward them from the side and when his voice rumbled Mia realized he’d just spoken. With a tumble of long hair as silver as moons that shone at night, his powerful body and handsome face made her wonder if he was rescuer or enemy.

  He stared at them with eyes as green as the jungle, his face pale enough to suggest he’d lived in a climate without much light or warmth.

  “Ladies.” That deep voice rumbled the greeting. “You have us at a disadvantage. Who are you?”

  “Healers,” Asam said.

  Mia found her voice, weak as it was. “Please take your dragons and leave.”

  The blond man chuckled. “Afraid I cannot do that. We are from Leadios Castle. I’m Rechard Oldrich, ruler of Leadios, and it is time for this war to be finished. We’ve defeated Bardannia and will turn it over to Drakus Fina, leader of the rogues.”