Offspring (The Sword of the Dragon)

by Appleton, Scott

  Oganna watched with fascination, then looked up at Vectra. “Why are they doing that?”

  Vectra rolled herself in the mud before replying. “Yimshi’s rays will bake a crust of mud over our scales, allowing us to maintain a cooler body temperature for a longer period of time.” She motioned over to one of her followers and ordered him to clean the mud off her neck and back. “Unless you prefer to sit in mud—,” she said to the women. They assured her they were indeed more comfortable without the mud.

  Their response was not fair to the creature, so Oganna objected, insisting that the mud must remain. “Do not worry about us, Vectra. We can clean our clothes later.” She stared meaningfully at Laura, Rose’el, Evela, and Levena. “Isn’t that so?”

  They nodded their heads vigorously, and she could see that they felt ashamed of their selfish behavior. Without further ado, all of the sisters with the exception of Rose’el humbly approached separate megatraths and requested rides on their necks. Each of the creatures hunkered on the sand so they could climb on. Rose’el held her head high and took a lonely spot on Vectra’s back, grasping a horn.

  Oganna swung her legs over Vectra’s neck while the creatures lined up behind her. She caught sight of Caritha conversing with her mount before getting on its neck. The creature looked very pleased with her company. In an instant the cavalcade took off. They raced on through the heat, never slowing, never stopping, until nightfall. The air chilled, and then they slowed.

  As the stars began to stud the sky, the megatraths lay down in a protective circle with Vectra, Oganna, and the Warrioresses at its center. The exertions of the day had exhausted them and before long everyone, with the exception of Oganna and Caritha, had fallen into deep slumber.

  Lying there under the stars awakened Oganna’s imagination and brought to mind some questions she had been meaning to ask. She waited until Caritha comfortably situated herself before initiating a conversation.

  They talked on insignificant matters for several minutes, until Caritha propped herself on one elbow and raised her eyebrows. “You are trying to lead the conversation around to something, aren’t you? What did you really want to talk about?”

  “Father once told me that the dragon who is called Albino made my mother and all of you. Is that true?”

  “Ah, I think I see where this is leading.” Caritha adjusted the rolled blanket under her head.

  “You want to know where we came from, or more specifically where your mother came from. Very well, only bear in mind that there are some things I am not at liberty to tell you. I wish I could reveal everything, for your sake, but I am bound by the dragon’s wishes.” She ran her finger in the sand. “The Albino is our father, Oganna. He alone is responsible for our existence.”

  The cold desert wind breathed across the sand, sending shivers down Oganna’s spine.

  “You are probably wondering where Albino comes from.” Caritha shook her head. “To that question I can only give a vague answer because neither I nor any of my sisters knows exactly where. He has his own domain—a wonderful land rich with happiness and full of nature’s marvels. So strong is he that his land has never been invaded and no one who lives there, to my knowledge, has ever died. Only he and those closest to him know its location. I myself do not know how to reach it—even if I wanted to.”

  Oganna pushed herself up on her elbows. “What can you tell me about my mother?”

  “She was the closest of us to the Albino, and she spent a great deal of time with him. I attribute her greater power to that fact above all, for if I and the others had also focused on spending time with him, no doubt we would have learned a greater mastery of our powers. But as it is, we did not, and I am ashamed to admit, his fondness for Dantress caused us to grow a little jealous.

  “When we were young, the dragon gave us these rusty swords, and later, when we were not much older than you, he set us in the forest where your father and mother met. He intended us to use our weapons and powers to defend the helpless and destroy any wicked creatures we came across, and for a time, we intended to.

  “Then we grew lazy and stayed very near to our woodland cave. Your mother, though, continued to seek ways to fulfill our mission. She had a soft heart and would often go alone on long trips to find creatures in need and aid them.

  “Then your father came along and stole her from us. We felt she had betrayed us by leaving, so we followed her and hid ourselves in the forests of the Hemmed Land. There we bided our time, waiting to kill your father and take back Dantress.” Caritha paused to glance at the ground. She sighed and covered her face with her hands.

  “We believed that your father had deceived Dantress, leading her to believe he loved her when he only planned to use her. Because our blood is that of our dragon father, none of us can give birth to a living child without giving up the life in our blood. We knew that giving birth would kill her. But when your mother died to bring you into the world and your father wept, I saw in his face a greater devastation than I have ever seen a person endure.

  “Guilt finally caught up with us. Our presumptions had led us to false conclusions, and we’d nearly killed a good man. That day we revealed ourselves to him and followed him to bury your mother.”

  Tears welled in Caritha’s eyes. “Dantress defended you against us. She told us not to interfere, and when we did, she received power that I cannot explain—unless it came from our father.” She folded her hands. “She had such conviction, such fury in her eyes, but at the time I could not see it. Now, so many years later, I understand what she meant. I look at you and know that her sacrifice was not in vain.”

  She sighed and reached out to pat Oganna’s cheek. “I am tired and we have a good way longer to go tomorrow. Get some sleep.”

  As she lay back, Oganna listened to the heavy breathing of the creatures around her. It sounded like a constant wind protectively encompassing her. She thought of her mother, wondered what it would be like to know her, and promised herself that she would live worthy of her sacrifice.

  The unmarked trail to the Hemmed Land’s southern border proved wearying. When they came in sight of a town, Oganna ordered a halt. “I think it would be wise if I went on ahead with the Warrioresses.” She patted Vectra’s side. “The people will probably be shivering in their shoes, wondering if you have come to destroy them.”

  The creature dipped its head and growled. “Do what you think is best, Princess. My guard and I will wait until you call for us.”

  Caritha kept pace beside Oganna as she led the Warrioresses into town. “This is really embarrassing.” She patted her dress and a cloud of dust arose. She coughed. “I am not at all presentable.”

  “What about me?” Rose’el brushed sand off her cheeks. “I’ve been bouncing on Vectra’s back for an intolerable period of time, and I can’t walk straight. And did I forget to mention that the seat of my dress is covered in mud?”

  Oganna shook her head at Rose’el. “That creature saved us a lot of walking through a harsh environment. Come, we must arrange accommodations for the megatraths and calm a throng of terrified people. Then we can worry about ourselves.”

  The town’s main street was deserted, except for a couple cats and a yellow dog. The dog came up to them and lolled its tongue while Oganna scratched its head. The air felt good, refreshingly moist and cool after the desert heat. “We do look quite dirty.” Oganna dropped her hand from the dog’s head. “I wonder where everyone is. Perhaps they don’t recognize us?”

  “Who doesn’t recognize us? I don’t see anyone around.” Rose’el crossed her arms.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Oganna caught movement in a second-story window. She drew her sword and raised it above her head, sending streams of energy throughout her body to transform her filthy attire into that of her silver-clad self. The dog stuck its tail between its legs and darted into an alley, but the townsfolk rushed from their dwellings and businesses.

  “It is Princess Oganna and the Warrioresses!” They gath
ered around and knelt before her. “We saw the creatures come from the desert, and we feared the worst.” … “Why have they come and why are you with them?” The questions poured in like rain until she raised her hand for silence.

  “The creature that destroyed Bordelin has been slain. His blood stained my sword. No more will that creature invade our land. No longer will you live in fear. And in appreciation to the murderer’s race for their help in bringing justice upon him, I have extended a hand of friendship to the leader of the megatraths. Her name is Vectra, and the desert she rules is called Resgeria. I proclaim a formal alliance now exists between Resgeria and the Hemmed Land.

  “Treat these creatures as you would your closest friends. You will find that they are gentle giants and intelligent beings of remarkable potential.” She scanned the crowd. “Who here speaks for this town?”

  A short man, clad in loose tan trousers and a white collared shirt, stepped forward. “I do.” He bowed low. “I am Mayor Gregory, at your service, my lady.”

  “Mayor Gregory, will you be so kind as to find accommodations for the megatraths? They have had a long and exhausting trip.”

  “Of course, if it is your wish it will be done.” He turned to some men standing nearby. “Organize everyone and have a tent made to shelter our princess and the Warrioresses. Prepare food for them and these creatures.”

  Splitting up, the people went to their assigned tasks. The mayor came forward again. “If it would please my lady, may I offer lodging in my home to you and the Warrioresses?” He puffed out his chest. “My wife is a superb cook!”

  She accepted and told the sisters that she would meet them at the mayor’s home later. “Mayor Gregory, is there any news of my father?”

  “Afraid there is, my lady. But it doesn’t sound encouraging. Seems that he hasn’t been able to stop the vipers from killing people, and the army is still patrolling the border. It’s a mystery and many people are panicking. Some say only half the original population remains up north, some having been slain by vipers and others moving out of the territory.”

  Thanking him for the information, she walked out of town. “I must see to it that Vectra knows what is going on.”

  She found Vectra in a large field by the town. Townsfolk ran hither and thither laying straw inside large tents. They glanced up at the enormous creatures, but for the most part ignored them. Vectra raised her long mouth out of a creek and let the water run down her neck.

  “Ah, my friend.” Vectra’s teeth chattered as she spoke. “Your people have been very kind and are taking good care of us.”

  Oganna chuckled as the creature shivered. “Are you cold?”

  “Goodness, yes! How can you bear this temperature? It is as cold as nighttime in the desert, and yet the sun is still up.” She grimaced as a strong gust of wind cooled her hide. “I’d heard that you humans like lower temperatures, but until now I didn’t know it was true.”

  Oganna looked out over the field and changed the subject. “Tomorrow we must proceed north. I’ve been told that my father is still engaged in some sort of trouble along our border with the northern desert.”

  “Ah, a desert! That sounds better.” She licked her scaly lips. “Then tomorrow we will accompany you into the north.”

  The next day the megatrath horde followed Oganna and Vectra northward. At Caritha’s suggestion, the Warrioresses went on ahead to tell people of the new alliance and spread good will toward the creatures among the populace.

  Vectra seemed fascinated by the Hemmed Land’s culture, and she inquired into many things that she saw as they passed. “It is serene here, and beautiful,” she remarked after passing several large fields of flowers. “My race has not striven to create beauty. Instead we have worked to harden ourselves and cast off fleshly frailties. Perhaps this is a weakness?”

  “Perhaps it is serene.” Oganna plucked a flower and held it up for Vectra to sniff. “However, your race has preserved a far longer history than mine has maintained. In that area my people could learn from yours.”

  “We don’t laugh very much.” Vectra rumbled in her throat. “Your people seem to laugh a great deal of the time. It would be good for my people to learn again to love life through things other than combat.”

  Several people stood behind a white picket fence, watching the procession pass. Vectra grinned with her snoutful of teeth. The humans’ faces paled, and they stepped back. The creature sighed heavily, her head drooped, and her gait lost its enthusiasm.

  Seeing this, Oganna went to the fence and called a young lad over. “Can you run?”

  His eyes shone, and he bowed. “Yes. I am the quickest in the land!”

  No doubt this was a mere boast, but she did not care. He would do. “Very well, then listen carefully to what I have to say. Go ahead of us along the roads and spread the word that any megatrath that makes an attempt at a friendly smile or gesture should be regarded with the utmost courtesy. I want everyone to make them feel wanted. I want everyone to welcome these creatures!”

  “Yes, my lady!” He vaulted a fence and raced like a deer across a field to the north. Oganna smiled. He might not be the fastest in the whole of the Hemmed Land, but perhaps someday he would prove that his boast had carried a grain of truth.

  On the next day as they passed through a smaller town of wood and stone houses, Vectra curled back her lips to reveal her teeth to an onlooker. The people waved, grinning up at her, and the megatrath’s face lit up. She swung around, facing Oganna. “Now that is what I call a good beginning to a long relationship!”

  Oganna, riding on Vectra’s neck, waved back to the townsmen, but she hardly noticed them. The closer they came to Fort North, the more she wondered why her father had not yet been able to stop the vipers from attacking human settlements. Had he run into a deeper problem than he’d anticipated, or were there simply more of the creatures than he’d assumed?

  Surely with the sword given him by the dragon, mere desert vipers did not present a continuing threat. If, however, the Art’en had returned—

  16

  LOVE’S WATCHFUL HALO

  Darkness shrouded the forest as Ilfedo watched silent and still, beside a large oak tree. Beyond the trees the late evening mist curled its blue fingers over the desert sand. The viper snakes were not known to leave the safety of the desert climate, but for some time now they had been seen within the Hemmed Land’s border. The reports had come in sporadically at first, then deaths were reported, and people were found poisoned in their beds with viper’s fang marks on their necks.

  Something strange was afoot. Ilfedo could feel it. Ever since he had first organized an ambush for the vipers, he had felt moody. The slightest remark from a close friend sometimes made him angry. His shortness of temper started after his first night—when he had been standing guard—just as he was now. A feeling of evil had loomed over him, only for a moment, but it was long enough to make the hair on his head prickle.

  He blinked his eyes as a splash of cold wind blew across his face. His ears listened for a sound, and with his eyes he searched the forest floor. The leaves by his feet rustled, and he discerned a reptilian head tasting his boot with its tongue. He slid his hand over the pommel of his sword and wrapped his fingers around the handle. The sound of the viper’s soft, dreadful hissing caused him to tense. The creature reared its head back and moved to strike.

  In a flash he slid the sword of the dragon from its sheath. The living fire leaped forth, and he severed the snake’s head in a precise stroke. The armor of living fire covered his body as he scanned the ground. It was as he’d suspected—the forest floor’s leafy carpet teemed with desert vipers. Their hissing grew in volume as they sighted him. He dove to the side as several flung themselves from the trees. Their fanged jaws snapped as they struck where his head had been.

  He held his sword at arm’s length, pointed its blazing tip at the invaders, and spun. The fire of his sword spewed forth, set the ground ablaze, and drove the serpents back. Hundreds of
smoking snake corpses twisted on the ground. He walked forward, sidestepped a burning log, and continued to burn out the vipers.

  Once the vipers had begun to retreat, he raised his left arm and motioned for his hidden warriors to join him. He had two hundred men with him that had been trained by the Warrioresses. Each of them drew a sword made by the master sword smith Linsair, and armor of light covered their bodies. The light from their swords combined with his own and blazed beneath the trees as if a thousand lanterns hung from the branches.

  Ilfedo wrinkled his nose at the smell of burnt flesh mixed with the freshly spilled blood of those serpents chopped up by his men. An oppressive darkness began to cloud his mind. It bore down on him as if stifling his ability to think for himself. He felt enraged, furious—yet he could not explain why. The men had moved a little distance off. He could see them combing the forest and slaying vipers as they went.

  The feeling of darkness maddened him, and he found himself gritting his teeth. “Get out!” For a moment he felt relief, but the oppression returned, and he spotted a serpent slithering up a tree. He gripped the sword of the dragon in both hands and swung it with all his strength. The blade glowed white and severed the tree’s trunk. He stepped back and breathed deeply as the tree toppled and crashed to the ground.

  Enraged that the darkness still stuck in his mind, he rushed into the forest, joined the fray, and slew every serpent he came upon. The remaining vipers rushed toward the desert, and he scorched them with his weapon.

  Ombre came to him then and pulled him aside.

  The oppression didn’t seem to be affecting him any more. Ilfedo calmed himself enough to talk. “What is it, Ombre? I am a little busy right now.”

  Ombre slid his drawn sword into his sheath and nodded. “These vipers are acting possessed. What do you know about them?”