The Adventures of Crimson and the Guardian

by Karen Cossey

  I looked over and shuddered at the sight.

  Directly in front of me was a scorched and blackened hill. There was no sign of any plants or greenery at all. Scattered all around were the bones of dead animals, and even a few human skulls. A strong smell of death hung in the air.

  This was going to be worse than anything I’d seen before. For one thing, I didn’t have Crimson’s presence to steady me and calm my fear. All I had was my headache which now had turned from needles to hammers banging behind my eyes.

  “How long until he appears?” I asked.

  “About twenty minutes.”

  “I don’t understand. Why haven’t you just frozen him with a spell like you did with Crimson and Kolby?”

  “No one can get close enough to him—he burns us with his fire whenever we get near. We’ve tried approaching as cats and squirrels, it doesn’t matter.”

  He swept his hand around, taking in the whole mountainside. “See those bones? Many of them were my friends. No one can even retrieve them for burial.”

  His despair clung to him, like a bobaho with its teeth sunk in so deep no one could ever remove it.

  I stared at him, feeling my heart plummet but knowing I had to try something. I needed to move or I would be too terrified to do anything.

  “Well, leave it to me and I’ll see what I can do.” I tried to sound brave when every part of me was screaming out, ‘Run Away Fool!’

  I pulled on my hood and checked the wind’s direction. It was coming from the west of the dragon’s lair, so I ran to the east side and rounded the base of the hill. I made my way up the side of the hill towards the lair, clutching my dagger and picking my way through the bones. Every now and then I found another dagger, and I would stop, pick it up and put it in my belt.

  It took me fifteen minutes to get to the base of the lair, and I could hear movement inside.

  Clambering as fast as I could, I made it to top of the lair just as the dragon’s head appeared. It was immense, as big as five normal dragons’ heads smooshed into one, and just as ugly, even from above!

  He started to nose the air, turning to look up at me. I pulled the cloak over my face to hide my scent. Through a slit I saw the dragon stop sniffing and come out of the cave.

  It was now or never.

  I placed my dagger between my teeth, pushed my hands through the cloak’s balancing loops, and jumped onto his neck. He thundered out a blood-curdling roar and swung his neck wildly, trying to dislodge me, but I was secure thanks to the magic of the cloak. Not so my dragon dagger—it fell out of my teeth and landed on the ground far below me.

  The dragon was getting angry and started to rub his neck against the wall of the cave. I reached for another dagger and stuck it into his neck. It didn’t seem to affect him at all.

  Kolby’s words came storming into my mind. ‘Go for the eyes’.

  I shimmied up his neck and onto the top of his head. With a dagger in both hands I reached down, stabbing them into each of the dragon’s eyes, one at a time.

  Now he fell down onto his knees with a roar of pain.

  I dropped down to the ground and ran for my dragon dagger. He must have heard my footsteps for he opened his mouth to breathe fire onto me.

  I ducked down, and was completely enclosed by the cloak as I skidded along the ground. The fiery blast bounced off me, back into the dragon’s wounded face.

  He screamed out in agony.

  I grabbed my dagger, turned and ran to his front, directly under his head. I gathered all my strength and threw myself at his chest, lodging my dagger as deep as I could into his scales. The magic of dagger flowed into the dragon and then he dissolved into the biggest pile of ooze I’d ever seen.

  I stepped away and sat down, shaking all over like an endless earthquake.

  Chapter 12. Race against the Ravens

  As my ears stopped ringing from the noise the dragon had made, I started to hear whoops and shouts from a crowd of people and talywren making their way up the hill. I stood up and ventured into the cave, rank and foul-smelling as it was. Something gleamed against the wall—the pendant! I took it outside and waited for StoneIce, touching the clasp of my cloak as he approached so I could understand him.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “I’m fine,” I said, still trembling. “Just a bit shaken. I have the pendant.”

  I held up a thick gold chain with a diamond set in a circle of gold. It glowed a little and seemed to give off a clear light. When I handed it to StoneIce the glow flickered and disappeared.

  He looked at me strangely, but had no chance to say anything as the shouts of the villagers were getting louder. I had just enough time to ask him to set Crimson and Kolby free before I was picked up and carried away on the shoulders of a couple of strong men.

  “I’ll go and get them,” StoneIce called after me.

  I was set down at the head of a group of tables placed outdoors in the center of a nearby village. People were rushing about, filling the table with wonderful-looking food, but I had no appetite. I was overwhelmed by all the people who kept coming up to congratulate me. I just wanted to pull on my hood and disappear, but I knew that would only cause trouble.

  Thankfully Crimson arrived, with Kolby leading Vanquish.

  I jumped up and ran over to them, relieved that they were all right. Holding onto Crimson’s neck, I whispered in her ear, “Can you take me away from all this fuss?”

  She turned and looked at me, surprised. “This feast is in your honor. These people have lived in fear since the dragon arrived, and you have set them free!”

  “I know, but I only did it for you and Kolby. It’s embarrassing to have so many people making such a fuss when it was really the coat, the dagger, and the magic which killed the dragon.”

  “No,” said Kolby. “It was you, the coat, the dagger, and the magic. You are all a part of each other. Come and enjoy the celebration. I have not seen such food for months, and I won’t run away from it in a hurry!”

  He took my hand and led me back to the table, making a point of sitting next to me. I was glad to have his presence, for he dealt with many of the well-wishers on my behalf and after a little while, I was able to eat and enjoy the feast.

  Crimson stood on the outskirts of the crowd, talking with StoneIce, and keeping an eye out for the ravens. After a while Kolby and I excused ourselves, and made our way over to them.

  “Well done, Guardian,” StoneIce’s said in greeting.

  I smiled and looked at Crimson, my eyebrows raised.

  “It will all make sense in a day or two,” she said, “but yes, today you have proven your right to be called a Guardian. But it is dark now, and we must keep moving to stay ahead of Snake’s ravens. They will have heard the dragon is dead, and will be racing back to inform Snake.”

  “You must take the Pendant of Peace with you.” StoneIce nodded at me.

  “No, it belongs to you.” I said. Why would he even suggest such a thing?

  “We have been holding it in care for the new Guardian. It is your place to take the Pendant of Peace now. If there were more time I would make something of a ceremony of it, but I’m afraid you have to keep moving, as Crimson said.”

  StoneIce placed the Pendant around my neck. It started glowing as it touched my skin.

  “See, the glow shows that it belongs to you.” StoneIce smiled and gave a satisfied sigh. “It is good to finally see it where it belongs.”

  His tone changed as he addressed Crimson and Kolby. “Now you must move. The ravens know you are in the village and are massing to attack. If they capture you, they’ll either take you to the Snake, or claw you to death. I don’t know which would be worse. I will create a storm to hold them back with a spell, but you must run ahead of it all the way to Hunsters Bay. I have arranged for the sentinel eagles to attack the ravens as you go through Cougar Pass. But you must race to get there first.”

  “No more apple pie my friend,” Crimson said as I climbed on her b
ack.

  We said goodbye to StoneIce then trotted away from the village. Kolby found Vanquish nearby and soon we were galloping across the grasslands. I looked behind me and could see the black outline of the approaching ravens. A bank of strong winds and billowing black clouds reached down from the sky and swallowed them up.

  “We must ride faster to stay ahead of that,” Kolby called. With that we were racing, the storm ever behind us, slowing the ravens so they couldn’t reach us.

  We galloped for what seemed hours. I had remembered to hook my arms through the balancing loops in my cloak, so I found it easier to stay on Crimson this time. However, I could see Kolby was tiring. I was worried he would misjudge some jump and fall off Vanquish, but he was a much better rider than that. He and Vanquish kept on going, never missing a step.

  I thought we would all collapse from exhaustion if we didn’t stop soon when a cliff wall loomed up in front of us. We wheeled around to our right, looking for the entrance to Cougar Pass. The raven storm was getting closer and closer.

  “Other way!” Kolby shouted, and we spun to our left. The entrance was up ahead, but we wouldn’t get there in time. The raven storm was upon us, their claws and beaks tearing the air as they swooped down to attack us.

  I felt a surge of anger rise in me. I reached for the Pendant of Peace, and a loud cry against the ravens burst out from somewhere deep inside me. The Pendant glowed bright and flashed a beam of light into the storm. The light seemed to explode as it touched the clouds, and the ravens were pushed back a furlong.

  As we raced the final few yards to the Pass, a huge cloud of eagles arose from the cliffs, talons extended in attack. We paused only for a moment or two to watch the fight. The ravens, caught by surprise, were outnumbered and quickly surrounded. The eagles lost no time and showed no mercy as they shredded them to pieces.

  “Let’s not watch anymore. It will be messy,” Crimson said.

  “I doubt any of them will make it back to the Snake,” Kolby said.

  We wound our way through Cougar Pass. Dawn was approaching as Hunsters Bay came into sight.

  Soon we would meet Sir Eric. If I was able to stay awake, that is.

  Chapter 13. Destiny Confirmed

  Wearily we stepped out of the Pass and made our way down a track through the sand dunes to the shore. There was nobody there.

  Crimson let out a tired, “We must be early.”

  I dropped to the ground, ready to sleep where I fell.

  “Don’t sit there. It’s not safe,” Kolby said, ever on guard.

  “You’re right,” Crimson said. “Let’s wait behind those trees.”

  We moved to a safer spot, made ourselves comfortable, and I soon fell asleep.

  I was dreaming of apple pies turning into ravens and trying to claw at my eyes, when a kind and familiar voice cut through my nightmare.

  “Doesn’t look much of a Guardian to me.”

  Could it be? Maybe I was still dreaming. I opened my eyes and stared, unbelieving, at my father’s face. My mouth fell open in shock and the next thing I knew I was caught up in his strong arms, being hugged until I could hardly breathe. I was crying so hard, and laughing so much, I couldn’t think straight—a loose wheel spinning out of control.

  My father, my precious father, who I had believed dead, was right here in front of me!

  Crimson appeared beside him and said to me, “May I introduce you to Sir Eric.”

  “Sir Eric?” I asked, shocked again. “How can that be?”

  “Well, it’s a long story, my girl,” my father said, smiling at me.

  “You must tell me now,” I said, desperate for an explanation.

  “Come on then, let’s walk a little, like we used to.”

  He took my hand and led me down the beach and along the shore.

  “Many years ago, this land was ruled by a good King, but he had to leave to tend to other lands and problems elsewhere. He knew he would not be able to return for a long time, so he asked me to come and watch over his interests here. I came here fourteen years ago, and took on the role of a horse trainer, so I could move around without anyone taking notice of me. This way I was able to find out so much more than I could have if I’d come as the nobleman I was.”

  He paused and looked back at Crimson, a smile on his face.

  “Crimson guided me in all my travels so I was able to learn much about this country and who the people of power really were.”

  “I never met Crimson when I travelled with you,” I said.

  “Oh no, I mean much earlier, before you were born. It was while I was travelling with Crimson that I met your mother. She already had a child, your sister, but her husband had been killed in battle. We fell in love and I married her. I told Crimson I would be happy to live the life of a horse trainer for the rest of my days with her beside me and Crimson accepted that. She left me and went travelling with Sir Ivor instead.”

  He shook his head and gave a wry smile.“He loved being a hero.”

  “Yes, I knew of him,” I said. “Tell me more.”

  My father nodded. “Sure, but there’s not much more to tell. You came along soon after I married your mother. We had so much fun when you and your sister were smaller. But then your mother became ill and died, and my heart was broken.”

  He became quiet and stared into the distance with a lost look on his face. I squeezed his hand and he found his way back to me, bringing the sunshine in his smile.

  “I had hoped my role of horse trainer would continue until you were grown up. I wanted to give you a childhood free from the cares of nobility. But there has been so much unrest in the land, and I decided I needed to return to the King myself to convince him to gather his forces to fight the Snake. I planned to take you and Liliana with me—”

  “Why didn’t you?” I asked.

  “I found out the Snake had discovered who I was, and there was a price on my head. It was too dangerous to keep you with me. So I spoke to Master Ashton, who also knew my identity, and he agreed to hide you both, keeping you as his kitchen maid, and placing Liliana in the care of his sister at Lord Hudson’s castle.”

  Oh. That made sense. My father kept speaking.

  “We spread the story of my death, hoping it would throw the Snake off my tracks, so he would not go after you both. I told Master Ashton you and Liliana must stay as servants, to keep you safe. I asked Crimson to watch over you too. She said she had been from the day you were born.”

  He paused and I stared at Crimson, my mouth open wide. She smiled and went a little red in the face.

  My father coughed and I looked back at him. “It was Crimson’s idea to bring you here,” he said. “I was reluctant to release you from Master Ashton’s safekeeping but she was convinced you needed a chance to prove you were a Guardian, though I’m not sure she was truthful when she told me your journey would be safe. Sometime soon I want to hear of all your adventures on the way.”

  I was amazed by my father’s tale, and a whirlpool of emotions churned though my body. I wanted to ask so many questions but Crimson spoke up and said we must make some decisions quickly. My questions would have to wait.

  Kolby, Crimson, father and his constable, a man named Garroway, gathered together to discuss what to do next. I sat close enough so I could hear their conversation.

  “We are ready to fight,” my father said. “My men are camped a few miles along the shore and are keen to enter into battle.”

  “I think we could avoid that, Sir Eric,” said Crimson. “If we destroy Snake, his forces would scatter at the sight of your men. Your daughter has killed Snake’s Dragon of Death, and his Raven Messengers have been destroyed. She has also captured Idla, Snake’s ally. We are in a good position to attack, but first we should see if there is an opportunity to avert bloodshed.”

  My face burned red at the mention of my name. I looked down to the ground as I felt my father’s eyes on me.

  “Has Kinsey really done these things you talk of?”

&n
bsp; “Yes, sire. She is truly worthy to be called the Guardian of the Land,” Kolby said.

  That was the first time I’d heard what I was supposed to be the Guardian of, and to hear it from Kolby gave me such a sense of pride that I looked my father directly in the eyes.

  “Let me help somehow, Father,” I said, despite not knowing what I could possibly do.

  “It’s too dangerous for her,” he said. “Better to draw Snake out with a battle.”

  “Maybe,” Garroway said, deep in thought. He turned to Crimson, “What do you think Crimson? You have put Kinsey in some dangerous situations, and thankfully, she is still alive. Do you think she can help with the Snake?”

  “She has gone from strength to strength, with each challenge being more difficult than the previous. She is ready to help defeat the Snake,” Crimson said.

  “Let me think about it.” Father frowned. “As for the Snake, my sources tell me that while you were making your way here, he has been gathering his forces as well. He’s travelled north through Milonderland and has reached the Londale River on the Northern border with an army of mungas and tworns.”

  He bent down to draw a map in the sand.

  “Jasperfield has gathered the elves and they are ready at the edge of the Elven forest, while the dwarves and men from each shire are gathering to the North and East along the borders of Milonderland. Lord Lincoln’s men are already encamped near the battle lines. So we have them surrounded on two sides, with the ocean to the West. However, the Snake himself travels on the Pegasus of Peril, and demands we surrender.”

  Everyone looked gloomy, even Crimson seemed downcast for a moment.

  “What is the Pegasus of Peril?” I asked.

  “A Pegasus is a flying horse. They are usually kind and good but this one was captured at birth by the Snake and poisoned until he became the monster he is today. He is full of bitterness and evil magic, and spreads disease and illness to whomever he passes over, killing them within minutes,” Garroway said. “He travels in front of Snake’s forces and will bring fear into even the bravest of our men. He flies high enough in the air so our arrows cannot reach him.”