Drachenara

by T. G. Neal

  Other darker jobs took place too, at times. Keneya, unafraid to get his hands dirty, would take assassination jobs or jobs that required unsavory acquisitions. He was born to the Wood Elves, in one of the smaller hidden villages in the forests of Berlessis. When he was still a toddler, his father decided they should move to a human city, because the two races should be more intermingled. Shortly after, city elves were forced out of their homes and into slums. One by one Elven parents, no longer allowed to return to their home, were selling their children into slavery. One he reached adulthood, he put his abilities with dagger and shadow to use and began acting on behalf of Subterfuge, but he would fake his death to leave that organization many years later. Then he floated from city to city, stealing and building a fortune. But even money cannot always fill a hole. He had an ability called blinking amongst the elite. He was able to channel an ancient energy to move so fast that he would disappear to any normal eye. And if there was anything he knew, it was the shadows. He spoke about them like he understood a secret language that it spoke.

  Rolyat was man of protection alone. He would protect anyone who paid him proper coin, or his friends. As a former member of the Exemplar Paladin Order, Rolyat was a true holy warrior, able to touch the stream of the Maker’s Magic, called the Nitorae. His abilities allowed him to attack offensively by lashing out with holy power or heal with the effects of holy light. It was said that a Paladin was even capable of calling upon deep reserves of holy magic that would allow them to resist death.

  Mikael was trained to be purely offensive. The Exemplar Monks were a martial order who found their faith by training their bodies to fight, and by expanding their knowledge. A monk fulfilled three roles. They protected the word of the Maker, they secured the word of the Maker, and they taught the word of the Maker. Their ability to use the Nitorae, that magical well of Holy magic that came from the Maker Himself, was said to be some of the greatest martial prowess the world has ever seen. Nowadays, though, the monks were rarely ever seen fighting.

  It took several hours for Vaelen and Aurelia to grow accustomed to the idea, but by nightfall, after training for a few hours, unpacking all their possessions, and having a nice hot dinner, they retired to their own separate rooms for the night, in rooms side by side. Laying in the bed next to the wall, Vaelen placed a hand against the wall and whispered, “Good night, My Lady.”

  On the other side of the wall, neither able to hear the whispers, Aurelia said “Good night, My Lord.”

  The Silver Sort was an honorable sort of mercenaries, if such a thing existed. The founder was a former soldier of the realm and he believed in upholding the honor of the old days, and he passed those beliefs on to those he employed. As one of the most well-known Mercenary groups in the Brendom of Nine, the Sort got offers all the time, and as such, were able to pick and choose the jobs they wanted. Many times, some upstart criminal would attempt to buy a few sell-swords to cut down settlers or villagers in an attempt to make himself a name. Daja, who still managed the Sort from his room and study, would immediately throw those offers away.

  More common than not, Daja received protection requests. Merchants transporting goods to a location for trade, a local mayor or town speaker, or a small town in need of protection against the Hill Folk, criminals, or whispers of mythical creatures in the wild lands.

  The Brendom of Nine was full of small towns and villages, and unfortunately, the hills were full of wild people and bandits, who would come down and raid those same towns and villages. Not all villages had armed guards, like Drachenara had, who acted as a protection force against such things. Instead, villagers would arm themselves and get killed chasing down the Hill Folk.

  Only one day after Aurelia and Vaelen arrived and agreed to assist the silver sort, did they get their first assignments. Mikael came to Aurelia, who was using the short sword that Vaelen had bought for her against a burlap-wrapped training dummy. She moved in the same repetitive patterns that she had been taught by Vaelen, over and over and over. Each struck she made, though, she envisioned her brother's face on the dummy. The more she remembered each death that came because of his betrayal, the harder she hit. Each hit consecutively grew harder until she heard Mikael clear his throat behind her. She stopped, unaware that she had been so viciously attacking her foe. “Sir?” She asked, stiffening.

  “No formality necessary, Aurelia. We don't hold formal ranks except when we're on the battlefield.” He outstretched his arm with a scroll in it. “You're up. This one is only a few days ride east of us, to the town of Torvyrel. You're going as part of a team. Keneya will be going with you, as he knows Berlessis best. The Hill Folk have been attacking caravans riding into Torvyrel. We just need to try to scare them away.” Mikael reached into his front pocket and pulled out a leather coin purse, gestured to throw it, then tossed it at Aurelia. “First week's pay. Good luck. You, Keneya, and the others leave immediately.”

  Aurelia nodded as she registered what he said, grimaced at the thought of working with the rogue, and then caught the coin purse. “Thank you, Mikael. For the opportunity.”

  Mikael smiled. “I believe you'll do well. Make sure to visit the armory before you leave.” He turned to walk away. “And thank you, for joining us.”

  Aurelia watched the former monk walk away from her, then glanced up to the window that she knew belonged to Vaelen's room. She didn't visibly react, but in her mind, she wondered if Vaelen was working too, and if their jobs would always be split up.

  Aurelia rode quietly behind Keneya, who turned to look at her, then slowed up to ride beside her. “I believe I owe you an apology.”

  Aurelia was caught with genuine surprise. “I'm sorry?”

  “I'm supposed to say that.” Keneya said, smirking. “No, I owe you an apology for trying to steal your dagger that day in Giltshore. So, for that, I do apologize.”

  “Apology accepted.” She said, still staring forward. “What made you try?”

  “Old habits die hard, I suppose.” He said, the other member of the Silver Sort, named Lyseth, who kept her silvery-blond hair pulled back in a ponytail only listening.

  “Old habits? You used to be a thief?” She asked.

  “I had to be. I grew up in the slums. I stole when I wanted to eat. Stole when I wanted clothes to wear. Stole when I wanted my friends and family to eat. Stealing just came easier than the alternative.” He said, then tilted his head. “The alternative later became easier, when I discovered how easily I could take a life. Then Subterfuge recruited me, and the rest is history.”

  “I hate that.” Aurelia said quietly.

  “Why, because you were born in a comfy keep, surrounded by handmaidens?” Keneya asked without bite to his words.

  “I suppose so, yes.”

  “Don't be. Fate is a cruel mistress, and we often times have to steer the stream of fortune on our own. I'm content with myself and my station, as well as my past.” Keneya looked back to Lyseth, who remained silent. “You've done a bit of that on your own, now, by escaping and joining up with us. We're family.”

  Aurelia smiled, and they rode on.

  The forests around Quardanis all had an almost magical green glow to them. It was as if the air itself was green with life. Stretching for miles and miles, the canopy only broke occasionally, and only largely around smaller towns, villages, homes, and in the rare instance: farmland. Mostly, the grass grew around the paths at a manageable level, and undergrowth was at a minimum. Wild grapes grew rampant in the trees, and the smell of wisteria blooming carried for miles upon miles with each faint gust of wind.

  They would ride for several more hours before making camp at the foundation of an old homestead. All that remained was the moss-covered chimney and the laid-stone ground, also covered in moss and washed earth.

  As night fell on the forest, Aurelia assisted by making the fire and placing out the cooking items. She had grown accustomed to travel food like dried meats and cheeses, so she was truly surprised when Lyseth came back with
two freshly killed rabbits and wild turnips.

  Keneya reached up and grabbed the rabbits from Lyseth, “Good kill. Two beautiful hares.” He went to work skinning the rabbits while Lyseth filled the pot with water, salt, pepper, and a few freshly picked wild onions and herbs that smelled like sage.

  The scent of all the delicious items coming together made Aurelia's mouth water. “Maker be,” she said, looking into the pot as Keneya added the meat into the pot over the fire. “That smells wonderful.”

  Lyseth grinned as she sat down, “I'll take that as a thank-you.” She said, crossing her legs as she sat down. She opened a leather pack beside her and removed a couple of hand-carved wooden cups and passed them around, them topped them off with a sweet red wine. “Kimiseran Sweet Wine,” she said, “my family has been making it for generations.” She put the cork back in the ceramic vessel it was stored in.

  Aurelia sat cross-legged, as well, and leaned forward on her elbows, watching the steam rise off the boiling contents of the pot. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. In her minds eye, she imagined nights around a fire like this one, where she and Vaelen shared cherished moments of laughter. So much had happened in such a short amount of time, and she had grown ever closer to Vaelen because of it. When she opened her eyes, Lyseth was doling out a serving of the stew into a wooden bowl, and handing it to Aurelia, who smiled a genuinely sweet smile, and nodded. “Oh, apologies. Thank you.”

  Keneya, too, took a bowl and sniffed it. “Lost in thought, Aurelia?”

  “Aye.” She said without thinking. When did I start using that word? She thought to herself.

  “There are two things that can leave someone so lost in thought,” Lyseth said. “Love and sadness.”

  Keneya swallowed a hot bite of the stew. “And you've felt a lot of both of those recently, haven't you?”

  Aurelia looked up as she took her own bite, making eye contact with the Elf sitting across from her. She remained silent, pensive, and waited.

  The Elf smiled. “I've been there. I was once in love with a beautiful, tall, human woman with hair like flame.” He took a sip of the mulled wine beside him. “We met when I belonged to Subterfuge, and she made me whole. Our lives... took us on different paths.” He said, thoughtfully. “I still hold hope that we'll one day end up back on the same side.”

  Lyseth grinned as well. “I loved a Dwarf girl from Dol'Haas.” This revelation caught Keneya and Aurelia both by surprise, told by the looks on their faces. “Met her in Valley Vale. She was the daughter of one of the Dwarven Lords. She had copper hair and freckles for days.”

  Aurelia looked at Aurelia and swallowed her bite. “What happened?”

  “Humans and Dwarves with strong lineages don't mix. Especially when said human couldn't put an heir in her belly.” Lyseth frowned slightly but replaced it with another smile. “Last woman I'll ever love,” she said solemnly. And she meant it.

  Placing her bowl down beside her, Aurelia took a sip of the wine and leaned back on her elbows. “I do love him.” She made circles in the dirt on the floor of the foundation with her finger. “Vaelen, I mean.”

  “Oh, we know.” Keneya said, plain as day, confirmed by a nodding Lyseth.

  “Oh, come on now. Is it that obvious?” Aurelia said, cheeks flushing. She rand a hand through her short, raven hair and closed her eyes. “I suppose it is.”

  “It is.” Lyseth said. “And it's okay.”

  “Well,” Aurelia said stretching out to get comfortable for sleep, “I think I've been read like the open book I am quite enough.”

  Keneya hopped up. “I look forward to my bedroll as well. One of us has to get some more wood for the fire.” He said mockingly, grabbing a long-fallen knot of wood, and tossing it on the fire. Little sparks flew into the night air like fireflies.

  The following morning, Aurelia, Keneya, and Lyseth continued their path to Torvyrel. Having left the forests of Quardanis behind, they crossed the border of Berlessis and passed into the open fields between the two. The hills and plains reminded Aurelia of Midland, and her time there with Vaelen, but the air was warmer and the familiar petrichor filled the air from rain clouds in the distance.

  The sound of thunder rumbled the ground, and the horses jumped at the reverberation. Aurelia placed a hand on her horse’s neck and calmed her down. “How much farther to Torvyrel?” She asked, looking at the clouds.

  Keneya looked at the clouds as well, making a “Hm” sound as he rode. “I'm not sure. We should be there shortly after noon if we stay at this pace.” He looked to Lyseth, who had closed her eyes and lifted her chin. His voice grew loud, “Thank the Maker we have all this gold!”

  Aurelia turned to look to him but decided not to. She turned back around. How odd, she thought, trying to imagine why he would be acting so foolishly all of a sudden. Then it occurred to her about the time they began riding into the forests around Torvyrel. A gentle smirk crossed her face. She couldn't really enjoy the realization, as Keneya had noted their followers long before any of the others had. “Down!” He called, signaling Aurelia and Lyseth to hit the dirt.

  Lyseth rolled off of her mare just in time for an old rusted throwing axe to fly past, right where her head used to be.

  Aurelia, too, barely missed a rudimentary spear that thunked into the soil at the edge of the path they now rode upon.

  Keneya was gone by the time he gave his warning. By the time the spear and axe crossed over the saddles, he was leaping from horse to horse to close the distance between him and the only Hill Folk rider he could see. He used his lightfootedness to spring toward the rider, and almost glided across the open air, he was so graceful. When he landed he threw the rider from his horse and drug the incredibly-sharp karambit he carried through the man's throat.

  Lyseth rolled to her feet, only slightly dazed from the fall, and drew her sword and shield. She lifted the steel and wood defensive device and deflected another spear. From the originating location of the spear, came a guttural roar that sounded as if it came from something other than a human. What topped the hill of the forest's edge was a man in an amalgamation of forest-dweller skins. Around his torso was rabbit, fox, coyote, squirrel and deer fur. On either side rested two tortoise shells and mixed about his body were several other types of armors, obviously stolen from different travelers here and there. The man's face was covered in scars, and one of his eyes was milky white, having been blinded years before. He spoke, but it was an older, heathen dialect that none of them could understand. Lyseth banged her sword on her shield and charged the man head on.

  Aurelia rolled once and spun the opposite way, lifting her bow and docking an arrow at the same time. As she aimed, she pointed toward the location the axe had come from. She waited until she saw the thrower, then hesitated when she saw a child and mother. Rather than loose the shot, she choked, and was caught off guard by the father, who stormed her. He swung an old sledge hammer, one that was not to be used as a weapon. Attempting to dodge, she winced backward, but it wasn't fast enough. The man's hammer hit the bow, causing Aurelia to loose the arrow, and sink it in the mother's shoulder. The mother screamed in pain and anger, and she and the child ran further into the woods. Meanwhile, as the bow and arrows fell from Aurelia's hands, she jumped back, trying to correct her mistake.

  The man swung the sledge hammer again, and Aurelia barely dodged the heavy steel end, but she did. Completely ruling out the chance of picking her bow back up, she grabbed the sword at her hip and removed it from its sheath. Without so much as a second's hesitation, she lunged forward with the sword and sank it into the ribcage of the man, just to her right of the sternum. The slick sound of steel blade in blood-soaked fur was all that Aurelia could hear as it glided into her opponents’ torso. The man uttered some foul ancient word and fell limp on the blade. She pulled the blade from the man and turned to survey the forests around her.

  Keneya spun from the man whose throat he slit, seeing the mother and child disappear into the forests. Behind her,
another woman angrily drew the string on a bow aimed at Aurelia. Keneya lurched, blinked, and appeared in front of the Hill Folk archer. With a bat of his hand, the bow bounced away, firing an arrow into a tree. Keneya took his moment of opportunity and drove the curved blade of his dagger into her chest, causing the woman to cease movement immediately.

  Lyseth collided with the man at full speed and used her shield as a battering ram. Surprised by the zealous attack, the man took the shield's full impact to the face, and the resulting crunch was the sound of his nose breaking in multiple places. Enraged, but also nearly blind from water-filled eyes, he swung out with a freshly-drawn hand-and-a-half sword whose blade was more rust than steel. Each attack was deflected by Lyseth's shield until the man began to slow his blows. Timing the attack efficiently, Lyseth deflected a blow and returned with one of her own. Her downward swing removed the man's arm in one fail swoop, dropping his rusty blade to the ground. His intense howl of pain only stopped when Lyseth bashed him in the face once more.

  Aurelia spotted Keneya and Lyseth handling their respective issues, but she also saw no others in the nearby forest. She listened. Even with the Hill Folk man howling in agony, she could neither see nor hear anything else around them. “I think we're clear?”

  Lyseth stepped over the man and slid the blade of her sword gently between his ribs and into his heart, taking his life. “Clear.”

  Keneya walked out of the forests edge and back onto the dry dirt road, looking at their horses and taking a count. “Aye.”

  Aurelia crouched to pick up her bow and placed it over her back. “There was a woman and a child who got away.”

  “I saw,” Keneya said. “I say let them go.”

  Lyseth looked at Keneya inquisitively.

  “We aren't being paid to exterminate them. Only to send a message.” He answered plainly. “And I don't kill children.” He wiped off his blade and walked back to the Hill Folk's horse. There, he picked up the corpses of two Hill Folk and laid them over the horse.