“Have you ever seen anything like it, Jerron?”
The knight shook his head. “It’s pretty spectacular.” The beauty of the jungle did not deceive him; Jerron knew it was perilous. “At least if we die down there, the jungle will make a nice tomb,” he said in jest.
“It will indeed.” Haycox stared at the waterfalls. He wondered why the kings of old built their kingdoms in the south instead of here, surrounded by such stunning scenery. “I don’t think we’ll be dying though. Not here, anyway.”
“How many men do we have left?” Jerron believed there was strength in numbers, especially against shorkus. However, their battalion had diminished.
“I’m not sure. Less than forty, I think.” Haycox looked to his comrade. “Don’t worry about it. Even if our numbers drop below twenty we’ll be fine. As much as I dislike Helina, she’s one hell of a warrior. Kelaire is surprisingly good with her blade as well, which is odd. Maidaire’s aren’t usually trained in combat.” There was more he wanted to say about Kelaire, but refrained. It was obvious she was no mere maid, the truth to her identity intrigued him.
“What do you think killed the sentinels last night?” asked Jerron.
“Honestly, I think it was a panther or another jungle cat,” said Haycox. “They’re nocturnal hunters and they’re smart too.”
“Silent killers.” Jerron wanted to believe it. He didn’t like the idea that the group was being stalked and preyed upon by a monster. “I hope that’s all it is.”
“I’ve decided I’m going to be on second watch tonight. I’ll convince Traciel to have two shifts of six men. Pair the guys up. That way, there shouldn’t be any more mysterious disappearances.”
Jerron grinned. “Remember Gabauer Tower? It was easy to stealth kill the guards when they were alone.” The assassination mission was one of his most memorable assignments, partly for the killing but mostly, for the rich reward he received.
“I do.” Traciel had ordered Haycox to silence a talkative aristocrat. Often, the wealthy think they are invincible and act without care of the consequences, believing they are above reproach. Plunging his sword into the chest of a man who sat prostrate on his knees, begging for his life, was not one of Haycox’s proudest moments.
A flock of red birds flew across the sky before descending upon a watering hole. Watching them broke Haycox’s train of thought and he returned his focus to the task at hand. Guiding his horse back onto the trail, he continued into the jungle with Jerron at his side.
Through the trees Haycox spotted a wide clearing with stone boulders piled in its centre. Dismounting his horse, he crept closer. Jerron dismounted and took hold of both the horses reins in case something spooked them.
A strong scent of ash lingered about the clearing. The ground was scorched black, littered with the debris of fallen trees and the skeletal corpses of animals. Stepping into the clearing, Haycox wondered what could have caused such havoc. As he starred at the boulders, he froze, not daring to move. He hadn’t noticed the beast at first for the grey colour of its scales blended so perfectly with the boulders it slept upon. A dragon. Its wings were wrapped around its body while its long, barbed tail dangled over the rocks to rest upon the ground. Slowly, Haycox backed away. Every footstep was preceded by fear, the scorched sticks below his feet crunched loudly. Once at the tree line he ducked behind cover. Closing his eyes, he thanked the gods he had not been discovered by the dragon.
“What is it? You got out of there pretty quickly? What did you see?” Jerron looked into the clearing and saw nothing.
“There’s a dragon, sleeping on the boulders.”
Looking more intently, Jerron detected the dragon. It was almost completely camouflaged amongst the boulders. “Lucky you saw it before you got closer! That dragon would have made a meal out of you!”
“We better head back and tell the others about this,” said Haycox as he mounted his steed. “We’re going to need to steer well clear of the dragon. If it picks up the scent of the horses, we’re going to be in a world of trouble.”
“A dragon!” The queen’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Helina looked at the queen with fondness. “Exciting as it may seem, we really need to steer clear of it. A dragon will absolutely decimate our remaining forces.” Helina turned to Haycox. The former general was coming back into line. She had been worried about him for a while, but it seems her concern was unnecessary. “Good job, Haycox.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“I’ve never seen a dragon,” said Traciel. “I want to see it. This might be the only opportunity I get.”
“We can’t bring the cavalcade near the dragon. It’s too dangerous, Your Grace.” Helina wouldn’t risk it.
“We won’t. We’ll have the cavalcade give the clearing a wide berth and the four of us will go and see the dragon.” The queen was not going to miss out on witnessing a creature of legend.
“The four of us?” queried Helina.
“You, Kelaire, Haycox and myself.”
“Will it be safe, Haycox?” asked Helina.
“I think so,” said Haycox. He couldn’t be certain, but he wanted to Traciel to get her wish, thinking it would lessen her disposition towards him. The happier she was, the more likely she will restore his rank as general. “The dragon’s asleep. As long as we don’t make too much noise, we should be alright.”
“It’s settled then,” smiled Traciel. “Corbin, Jerron, you two will lead the cavalcade on a safe path avoiding the dragon and then wait for us to join you.”
“As you command, My Queen.” Corbin bowed. He took his leave and Jerron followed behind.
The thought of coming face to face with a dragon seemed like a frightening concept to Helina. Stories from her youth painted a terrifying image of the flying, fire-breathing calamities in her mind.
“Shall we, Haycox,” the queen gestured towards the horses.
A spectral entity crossed through Kelaire’s peripheral vision. When she looked to see, nothing was there. Kelaire heard a rasp laughing.
‘You didn’t pay the price,’ said a ghostly voice.
‘He’s coming,’ said a second cackling voice. ‘He’s coming to take it back.’
“Can you hear that?” Kelaire asked, turning to Traciel.
“Hear what?”
Concern shadowed Kelaire’s face. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
‘He’s coming.’
‘They will all die! They will all die!’
Growling under her breath, Kelaire followed behind the others towards the horses. If she were able to transform into her wraith form, she could deal with these spectral phantoms, banishing them into the void. Haycox and Helina’s presence prevented it. Kelaire was not ready to reveal her true self. She walked, all the while her anger festering.
Ghostly spirits of the damned materialised amongst the undergrowth, fading to mist as quickly as they appeared. Kelaire recognised their twisted faces, having seen them in the chamber below the ancient tree. Whispering reverberated amongst the trees. Veiled shadows behind the thick leaves of ferns cackled ominously. The forest was alive with cursed voices. Neither of her companions could see the apparitions. It was as though they had only come for her.
“What’s wrong?” Traciel pulled her horse in beside Kelaire. “You look like something’s troubling you. Is it the dragon?”
Kelaire paused for a moment before speaking. “It’s nothing, Traciel.”
“Are you sure?” Traciel wasn’t satisfied with her answer. “You keep looking around as though something were following us,” she leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Can you sense something nearby?”
“Everything’s alright, Traciel.” Kelaire’s reassuring smile was ingenuine. “The only thing I can sense in this jungle, is the dragon’s powerful aura.”
“We should leave the horses here,” said Haycox, stopping the group behind the shelter of dense undergrowth. “The clearing is just up ahead.”
“I’ll tie up the horses
,” said Kelaire. After dismounting, she took the reins of each steed.
“Don’t worry, Kelaire,” said Helina. She touched Kelaire’s arm. “I’m a bit nervous about seeing the dragon as well.”
Another fake smile. “Thanks.” Kelaire looked over her shoulder. The whispering voices were finally silent.
Twisted horns rose from the dragon’s head. Monstrous teeth were exposed even while its frightening mouth was closed. Its thick scaled neck, covered in spikes of bone appeared so mighty that it looked indestructible. The dragon’s clawed hands were so tremendous and powerful they could crush fortified castle walls with a single strike. Traciel trembled with excitement and fear. Leaning out with her arms firmly grasping a tree branch, she wanted to get the best view possible of the colossal predator.
“It’s bigger than I expected,” whispered Helina. An amazing specimen. Not even with an army of knights at her back would she wish to battle such a mountainous terror.
“It’s funny,” said Haycox. “I was wondering earlier why the kings of old built their kingdoms in the south and not in the north. Now, I guess I know why.”
“I can just imagine what a dragon of this size could do to a castle,” said Helina. “We’re lucky these beasts don’t fly south.”
The dragon’s eye open. Raising its head, it turned to face the group. A deep, guttural snarl sent a shiver up Helina’s spine. The dragon unfolded and stretched its enormous wings then stood. Its golden eyes focused on the four intruders.
Kelaire stepped out from her concealment, entering the dragons scorched ground. Helina gasped. With her back to her comrades, they could not see the transformation of her eyes, which now glowed violet.
A dragon’s perception is superior to most other creatures. Mystical in nature, they can sense magic. Auras are known to them, both divine and unholy. A dragon will face a foe of flesh despite its size or numbers but always, it will be wary of otherworldly forces. Kelaire was an oddity to the dragon. An enigma, previously unencountered. A dark and unholy aura surrounded her.
With a mighty roar, the dragon took flight. Its great wings carrying it across the sky.
“What the hell happened there?” Helina couldn’t believe it. She thought they were all going to die and couldn’t fathom why the dragon hadn’t attacked.
“Luck, I guess?” Shrugged Kelaire.
“Why did you step out to face the dragon? That was insane!” Haycox didn’t know what to think.
“I don’t know what was going through my mind,” said Kelaire. “I guess, I just wanted to get the dragon’s attention, so I could lead it away from the queen and give you all a chance to escape.”
“That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life!” Haycox placed his hand on Kelaire’s shoulder. His heart pounded. Contact, and she was allowing it. “You’re amazing.”
Traciel viewed Kelaire in a new light. Was the wraith more powerful than a dragon? The queen grinned. Kelaire was a greater asset than she had ever imagined. The power hidden with Drekkar was going to be hers. With Kelaire at her side, nothing was impossible.
Chapter 10
“What do you think, Jerron?” Haycox stood at the base of the dyke, the sheer, high walls of which towered above him. The dyke was in the shape of a crescent moon, offering superb protection from the west. Imperial Birdnest trees, colossal in size, grew around the dyke, shading a large glade with their towering limbs. Tall jagged marble spikes pierced out of the ground. A narrow creek trickled across the glade. “Looks like a good place to set up camp, eh?”
“It does look like a good spot.” Round fruit caught Jerron’s eye. “Is that a passionfruit vine?” he said, pointing to a luscious vine growing across a marble spire.
“Could be?” Haycox plucked a piece of the fruit from the vine and sniffed it suspiciously. “It’s soft. Not like a passionfruit at all.”
Taking one for himself, Jerron examined the strange fruit. Biting into the skin, Jerron was off-put by its bitterness but the sweet juices below the tart skin made him hunger for more. “The skin is bitter, but the inside tastes a bit like a plum.”
Devouring his, Haycox nodded in agreement. “I like it.” It reminded him of home. Haycox kept a bowl of ripe stone fruit in his camber to eat freely at his desire.
Taking a second piece of fruit, Jerron surveyed the glade. “It should be easy to set up a perimeter here. We can cut down some branches and make a spiked defence over there. Then we can set the horses up over there, by the rock wall.”
“That should work well,” Haycox couldn’t ask for a more suitable place. Luck was on his side this day. He believed it, having survived the awakening of the dragon. Shelter, water, food, the glade had it all. “We’ll wait here for the others to catch up.” Haycox smiled, the queen was going to like this spot, another positive in his favour.
The campfire blazed. Knights sat, free of their armour, resting their weary limbs. Others sharpened their blades and spoke to each other about the dragon rising from the forest to soar across the sky. There were men who were in awe of the colossal beast while others less brave, shuddered at the thought of facing such a terrifying monster. Overall, the knights were in good spirits. The day had passed with no lives being lost and the beautiful jungle had awoken their souls. It was a triumphant day.
“This is a rather tranquil glade,” remarked the queen as she sat beside Haycox. “Having fresh fruit and water is a good stroke of fortune. It’s about time something went our way. Things have been tough since we entered the northern lands.”
“It has been tough, on all of us,” his eyes were kindly. “You’ve done a great job holding us all together, Traciel. Despite everything’s that’s happening back home, you’ve managed to maintain your strength and focus. It mustn’t have been easy to leave it all behind in such dire circumstances. Especially your children. Do you miss them?”
“At times,” she starred into the darkness of the night. Her face warmed, knowing her children were in good hands. “The retainers do a marvellous job looking after the children.”
“Well, your resolve has been a key factor in keeping the men from despair. The reward you’ve offered them has bolstered their determination ten-fold. They’ll fight a lot harder shoulder-to-shoulder now, I can guarantee.” Haycox looked to the stars and sighed. “The fate of Engalia rests in our hands.”
“It’s a heavy burden on all of us,” a scowl formed across her brow. “The king has conceded, did you know?”
Haycox could feel the anger Traciel harboured.
“My brave and noble husband has no intentions of resisting the Surangi’s conquest of our empire. Such a devoted king. Bah! The man’s a coward!” Traciel realised she was speaking too openly, revealing inner thoughts which were best kept to herself. To hell with it. “Balester believes the demi-god cannot be killed,” fierceness was in her eyes. “I refuse to believe it. If our god Pessial can be slain and the Delphi can be brought to ruin and cast into the ground to rot, just as the corpses of men turn to dust, then I see no reason as to why this Brackish cannot be slaughtered.”
Traciel’s conviction and strength of will inspired Haycox. Truly, she was a queen worthy of reverence. “That’s true, isn’t it,” said Haycox. Pessial was indeed, dead. A deity of extreme power brought low by the very demi-gods he created to lead mankind into the future. Delenair is the only goddess remaining and she is a Delphi who ascended to godhood. If gods can die, then yes, Brackish can share their fate. “Do you know what lies within Drekkar that will give us the means to defeat the Surangi?”
“An ancient power, so I’m led to believe,” Traciel smiled softly, a reflection of her inner hope.
Those words sent Haycox’s imagination into overdrive. His mind conquering images of divine weapons infused with ancient magics which could unleash ultimate destruction.
“Supposedly, the Surangi have rebuilt the harbour city of Leesa. Once we defeat them in combat, we can reclaim the great city and the south will once again be ours. Engalia wi
ll be the largest empire in Sapphiron, just as it was in the days of old,” a sly grin crept across her face. “Perhaps, some tragedy will befall the king, leaving me to rule the kingdom alone.”
“I can make it look like an accident, or, his body may never be found. No-one will question your rule once you defeat the Surangi.” Murdering the king was nothing to Haycox. Having silenced countless highborn lords, adding a royal’s name to the list was of little consequence. There was nothing he would not do for Traciel.
“Even after demoting you, you still remain fiercely loyal to me, Ben,” fondness was in Traciel’s eyes. Her mind was made up. “Tomorrow, I’ll restore your rank as General.”
Haycox could not hide his smile. “Thank you,” he was going to end the sentence with My Queen, then remembered her disliking of formalities. “Traciel.”
The queen arose. “You’re taking second watch tonight, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Be sure to stay safe, Ben. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“It will be a quiet night, I’m sure.”
His smile was reassuring. “See you in the morning, then.” Traciel took her leave. It was time to rest and dream of the dawning of her new, mighty kingdom. Engalia will dominate Sapphiron forever.
Concealed from sight, Kelaire sat on a forked branch high up in one of the colossal trees. Using her fingers, she rolled the crystal sphere in the palm of her hand. Shapes formed of smoke appeared within the crystal, twisting and moving briefly before fading from sight. Bright and vibrant colours appeared also, swirling as mist and then disappearing. No phantoms had revealed themselves since the afternoon. Kelaire mused at the ghostly threats they had muttered.
Misanthropy (Born of the Phoenix Book 2) Page 9
