“Paul and I were leading everyone out to the street, but when we realized someone was missing Paul went back inside. He’s probably the only one strong enough. He carried her up the stairs, but the walls were collapsing so fast. On the way out, they got trapped. Paul took the worst of the collapse, then some of the people on the street helped pull them out,” said Mary.
“Are they alright? Where is everyone?” asked Falcon in a panic.
“Everyone is fine, it’s just Paul. He’s over here,” said Mary leading Falcon into the tent.
Falcon ran over to his friend and fell to his knees, “Paul! Paul! What happened to you?!”
The left side of his face was purple and yellow with bruises, his eye looked sunken as if it had been pushed in. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm but his limbs were completely still, and worse of all his left leg was crushed and broken.
Paul opened his eyes and his lips curved slightly, “Hey, Fal.”
“NO! What did you do?!” screamed Falcon, “Why’d you do it!?”
“I had to, I had to keep them safe,” said Paul in his low voice.
“Why!?” screamed Falcon.
Paul closed his eyes and smiled contentedly, “Had to… to keep them safe,” whispered Paul.
Falcon took his hand, weeping. He had lost too much. His home. His family. His people were suffering and dying all around him. Now his best friend was dying in front of him, because he could not control his own fear.
Falcon slumped to the floor, “Why?” said Falcon squeezing Paul’s hand, his head bent. He did not need to open his eyes to know. Paul was dead.
When Rocious regained his senses he realized he was still falling. The explosion had shredded the dragon’s wings and it was straining to keep them airborne. Thankfully the dragon was focused on flying and not trying to kill him. He held on to a horn protruding from one of its many scales with his one good arm. There was little else he could do but hope he did not fall to his death or get crushed by the dragon accidentally.
Hope turned into reality as they landed in one of the few ponds near Dominion deep enough to save them from the fall. Safe from the fall there was another problem: the pond was full of some black mud that had them trapped. Being killed by a dragon would have been a worthy death. But dying in this stinky, disgusting shithole was not how Rocious wanted to be remembered. So he swam and clawed his way to the shore, cursing and bitching the whole time.
When he looked back over the pond he realized the dragon had the same determination, but it did not have the same ability to swim. It was barely able to keep its head above the water but still it thrashed and screeched. Rocious looked at the magnificent beast struggling for its life in this shithole. This terrible place was not worthy of killing him and it was not worthy of killing something so formidable. Perhaps it was that stubbornness, or the kinship that drove him to seek out the dragons in his youth. Whatever it was, Rocious made up his mind to help.
“Don’t make me regret this,” shouted Rocious.
He created a flame rope and threw it around a horn on the dragon’s head. Then looped the rope around a few thick trees and hauled with his one good arm for nearly twenty minutes. Together he and the dragon fought the pond until they were both onshore. At some point while pulling the dragon out, the black mud caught fire, not surprising given the present company. Finally safe from their previous ordeals they stared at each other debating what to do next.
After their fight and the struggle to get out of the pond neither had much energy left. But then again the dragon did not need much to kill. If the beast came at him there was little he could do to stop it. It did not matter; he had no regrets. Rocious took a seat against one of the trees, “Your choice now.”
Rocious watched the dragon circle him. It was clear that it was a wild and dangerous creature but staring into its eyes there was no stupidity or vengeance. He closed his eyes to rest.
Chapter 6
The Grand Economy
Most of the soldiers knew the telltale sounds of Rocious in a fight, the explosions he used to move and attack had made him famous. When the explosions stopped legionaries started searching the wreckage. By morning they had cleared most of the wreckage and brought the survivors to tents set up in the unfinished section of the third ring. Still nobody had found Rocious or whatever he was fighting. Stories had spread that it was a demon or a raiding army from Laza.
While searching amongst the wreckage, Werval found a few broken pieces of dragon scales. Dragon scales normally looked like simple sheets of shale. But when the light hit them just right they would shimmer as if light had been trapped inside. Werval always had an eye for spotting wealth, and dragon scales were exactly that. The few broken pieces he had found were easily worth a fortune. A full, undamaged scale would be priceless.
While everyone else was searching for Rocious and survivors, Werval was on the lookout for dragon scale. After he was done in the city he searched outside the south gate. On his way a squad of legionaries joined him to help search. Using his position, Werval quickly took command, giving each person a section to the east. He himself headed west.
At the break of dawn he had seen a hint of bluish smoke mixed with the morning fog. Werval knew of only one place nearby with the oil that produced that bluish smoke: Hatcher Pond. Hatcher Pond was originally a fish hatchery but roughly twenty years ago all the fish began dying due to oil leaking in from some vent in the bottom of the pond. These days it looked more like a swamp than a pond.
Once all of the legionaries were out of sight Werval took his war cart and rode to Hatcher Pond. As he got close to the pond he noticed scorch marks, presumably from Rocious or what he now knew to be a dragon. Aside from fire damage, the place was completely untouched. Even the wildlife had learned to avoid the oily death trap leaving the vegetation too overgrown for his war cart.
Werval pulled his cart safely aside and continued on foot using the scorch marks to guide him. As he got closer to the pond the vegetation grew thicker until he could barely see his own feet. Keeping his mind on the dragon scale he clawed through and finally saw light reflecting off the pond. A few more feet and he could see clear across the pond. Flames littered the opposite side of the pond making it immediately clear the dragon and Rocious crashed here.
Werval tore his way to the far side of the pond, staining and ripping his clothes. As he got closer the vegetation thinned out, likely due to the recent flames. He looked down at his clothes. They were completely ruined; his wife would be yelling at him for a week easily. Of course they had plenty of money for new clothes. But they did not earn that money without being frugal and it was a hard habit to break.
Forgetting about his clothes, Werval quickly picked up their trail next to the pond and followed it to a burnt cluster of trees. Littered around that cluster of trees he found six perfect dragon scales and one lonely old man. He looked surprisingly young sitting there sleeping, and from what Werval could tell, he barely had a scratch on him.
Forgetting Rocious, Werval turned to the six perfectly heart-shaped dragon scales. The smallest scale as long as his forearm but the largest would cover a man’s entire body if he positioned correctly. There were too many and they were too heavy to get all at once so Werval grabbed the largest, trudged back to his cart, and stowed it safely in the hidden compartment he built into the undercarriage. The second trip took even longer but he was able to safely stow two more. On his third trip down to the pond he heard the sound of riders. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone caught up to him. Three was more than enough, plus he had the huge one.
Werval turned toward the riders and acted like he just came from the pond, “Hey! Hey over here!”
There were three riders. Upon hearing his shout two broke off to intercept him. But the third went for his war cart.
“That you, Lord Werval?” asked one of the two riders approaching him.
“Yes, Sergeant Chaplin?” asked Werval.
“Yeah, I’m surpris
ed you remembered. Damn man, what happened to you? And what’s with all the shouting?” asked Chaplin.
“It’s a death trap down there, best go on foot from here,” said Werval.
“That your cart?” asked Chaplin.
“Yes. I always like to be prepared,” said Werval keeping his answer simple.
Werval had learned that Chaplin was incessantly observant and was becoming suspicious of him. Chaplin could cause problems if he searched the cart.
“Did you find anything?” asked Chaplin.
“I only just arrived. I was trying to find a way to get the cart down when I heard your horses,” said Werval.
Chaplin took a moment to piece everything together and make sure Werval’s story checked out. Werval put on his best poker face and waited.
Chaplin rolled out of his saddle, “Clint! Hitch the horses and keep watch. Tom, you’re with me,” he ordered.
Clint rode over from the cart and took the other men’s reins, “Aye Chap,”
Werval started following his trail to the pond, “This way.”
On the way Chaplin kept searching the trail and looking up at Werval. Werval knew that close to the pond the chaos from the dragon and Rocious would cover his trail, but that would do nothing to cover his original trail. Best to come up with an explanation before Chaplin noticed it.
Too late, he thought as Chaplin veered off course toward Werval’s original path but then Tom spoke up, “Hey look there. The trees are burnt from Rocious’s Flame Whip thing,”
“Tom, go check it out. Lord Werval, lead the way down to the pond,” instructed Chaplin.
“Aye, Chap,” said Tom.
Werval dutifully led the way down to the pond and away from his original trail, “As you say.”
On the way Werval pointed out the tracks from the dragon and Rocious.
“I’ve never seen tracks like that, they’re huge.” said Chaplin.
“He’s here!” shouted Tom.
Chaplin immediately ran to inspect the body. The legionaries sudden burst of enthusiasm caused Werval to stumble. Why so concerned for a man who treats you like shit? They were distracted, no time to ponder. Werval tossed one of the scales into the taller vegetation and another behind the scorched trees. He stayed back just a little waiting for the right moment to dart over and hide the last scale.
“He’s breathing. Looks fine but I’m no healer,” said Chaplin.
“You think we should move him?” asked Tom.
“Yeah, no choice. Come give us a hand,” said Chaplin.
Werval gave up on his plan to hide the last scale and jogged to help the two legionaries. Better to not draw any undue attention.
“What’s that there?” said Tom twisting to grab the hilt of his sword.
“What? What’d you see?” asked Chaplin drawing his sword.
“I’m not sure, something flashed in the bushes,” said Tom.
“Gentlemen,” said Lord Werval drawing their attention back to Rocious.
“Yeah, whatever he fought might still be around. You got him,” said Chaplin.
“Yeah, I got his feet. Get his arms,” said Werval.
“Fucker’s heavy,” said Tom.
Werval helped the men carry Rocious back to the cart. Clint kept watch as they secured him in the cart.
“Clint, Tom. Escort Lord Werval back to the barracks,” ordered Chaplin.
“You’re not coming?” asked Werval.
“I’ll catch up,” answered Chaplin.
Werval did not inquire further, no reason to verify his suspicion. Besides, Chaplin did not even know what he was looking for. With a little luck Werval could return in the evening and collect the rest of his prize.
“Be safe, Sergeant,” said Werval.
Werval mounted his cart and waited for the two legionaries to pull up beside him before he led his cart back to the road. Not once did he look back.
Chapter 7
Run
“You need to talk to him,” said Dominick.
“I’m not good with kids. You go talk to him,” replied Rocious.
“I have tried. You’ve spent weeks together, what’s the big deal?” asked Dominick.
Rocious stopped walking and perked up with an idea, “Send a woman, women are great with kids.”
Dominick squeezed the bridge of his nose, “Is that why you took him to a brothel? Wait, don’t tell me, I don’t want to know. Just go talk to him?”
“I don’t want to,” said Rocious.
Dominick turned on his heel and continued walking, “I don’t care, do it anyway,” he said over his shoulder.
“Fine, but if he runs away, don’t ask me to go after him,” threatened Rocious.
“He better not run away,” said Dominick right before he made it around the corner.
Rocious had been trying to get out of going to talk to Falcon for almost two days. A day and a half of that time because he was unconscious, the rest he spent hiding in the servants’ quarters. That is, after almost killing the healer who took care of him. He had to break and re-heal himself almost completely.
After Dominick left, Rocious asked one of the servants to show him to Falcon’s room. He was a thin young man dressed in simple clothes. Rocious normally did not talk to the Dominick’s staff, mostly because he tended to scare them whenever he was around but also because he avoided the castle as much as possible. Since this young man was helping him, Rocious made a rare attempt at conversation.
“Thanks for showing me the way. What is your name?” he asked.
The young man kept his eyes down but when Rocious spoke he looked around quickly. When he did not see anyone else there he blurted, “Archibald, sir.”
Rocious smacked the young man’s shoulder making him jump, “Ha, That’s my second name. Mind if I call you Archi?”
Archi rubbed his shoulder but kept his eyes down, “Yes sir. As you wish sir.”
“I’m Frederick, most of the men here call me Rocious. I hate it but you can address me by either,” said Rocious.
Archi looked up at Rocious and quickly looked down again, “Yes sir, I know who you are.”
“Oh. Yeah, sorry about that ‘putting out the lights’ thing,” said Rocious.
Archi hesitated to respond. “Not a problem, sir,”
“Mind if I ask you a question?” asked Rocious.
“Of course sir, however I can assist you,” answered Archi.
“Do you know about Falcon?” asked Rocious.
“Yes sir,” answered Archi.
“What should I say to cheer him up?” asked Rocious.
“Give him something to care about,” said Archi.
Rocious flicked his fingers dropping sparks on the floor, “Something to care about? Like a puppy?” mused Rocious.
“I don’t know, something kids like. He’s lost so many loved ones. He’s simply stopped caring so give him something to care about,” said Archi like the answer was obvious. Archi stopped walking indicating they arrived at the door to Falcon’s room.
“You should do it,” said Rocious.
Archi opened his mouth to reply but Rocious entered the room without waiting for a reply. Falcon was tucked under his blankets facing toward his balcony, “You awake?”
Falcon did not answer so Rocious walked around the bed to see if his eyes were closed. Before Rocious saw his face, Falcon rolled toward the door. Rocious took a seat by the fireplace and tried to figure out what to say. While he thought, he flicked sparks into the fireplace.
The fire flared up and it gave him an idea, “Did anyone tell you I fought a dragon?” Falcon gave no reply so he continued speaking, “Biggest dragon I have ever seen. I’ve only seen a dragon once before but this one was bigger and faster. It’s amazing a creature so big can move that fast.”
Falcon gave no indication he was listening, so Rocious considered leaving. He could tell Dominick he had tried and let someone else comfort him. Rocious stood up to leave. He stopped next to the bed to give Falcon a com
forting pat on his way out. When he touched Falcon his blanket moved revealing his hair, only it was not Falcon’s short golden hair, it was long black hair.
Rocious pulled the blanket back, “What the? Who the fuck are you!?” asked Rocious.
“Umm, Flor. My name’s Floriana,” said Floriana as she cowered away from Rocious.
“And where is Falcon? This is his room right?” asked Rocious, not sure if this was the wrong room or a scheme.
“He left. This was his room but he left,” answered Flor still cowering.
“Shit. Dominick isn’t going to believe me,” said Rocious.
Falcon had been sneaking out of his dad’s hall since he could walk and he knew the best way was to use a disguise. Wearing a dress was a new idea but it seemed perfect for getting through the halls undetected. Plus, Flor was more than willing to help.
The only close call was Rocious coming to his room as he slipped down the hallway, but Rocious had been busy talking with Archi. Falcon just needed to make it through the courtyard. The courtyard was filled with hundreds of watchful eyes that might spot anything out of place.
The servants in the castle were easily fooled but the legionaries would likely notice him. They would definitely stop him at the gate to take a closer look. Clearly Falcon needed another tactic to make his escape. Luckily this was not his first time sneaking out. Falcon stashed Flor’s dress behind one of the plants on his way to the courtyard.
He cracked open the door and peeked into the courtyard before entering the courtyard casually. Instead of going straight to the eastern gate he moved toward a war cart sitting outside the stables. On his approach he moved at an angle to his right, trying to keep the war cart between himself and the group of soldiers that were congregated near the stables.
Once he reached the cart, he rolled underneath, hid behind one of the wheels, and listened. Every morning groups of legionaries would run loops around the courtyard, for what seemed like hours. He was listening for the signs of them passing, then his plan was to dash behind them for cover while he ran to the stables. While he was waiting for the legionaries to run past he heard voices approach behind him. The group of legionaries that normally clustered next to the stables moved over to lean on his cart. Falcon took a few breaths to calm his nerves and continued to listen for his cue.
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