Chasing the Dragon

by Jason Halstead

  Celos frowned. "What are you talking about?"

  "You are so pure it makes my heart ache," Aleena said. "I wish you could experience the magic of a kiss with someone that you know you are right for. I hope, someday, you can feel that and not have it taken from you."

  Celos opened and shut his mouth. His eyes narrowed and he turned away. "Come, into the mountains," he said as he snapped the reins of his horse and started up the small pass into the mountains.

  Aleena scowled at his back. "Stubborn fool," she muttered.

  Moonshine stomped his hoof and whickered in agreement.

  "Now, now," Aleena chided her unicorn, "he means well. He's a difficult man, but he has many admirable qualities as well."

  Moonshine turned his head so he could look at her out of one eye. He blinked and then snorted.

  Aleena laughed. "What? Oh, stop it! Give him a chance. He'll grow on you."

  The unicorn shook his head and started after Celos. Aleena looked up and saw the paladin had stopped and was glaring back at her. She could see in his face that he was annoyed that she was moving so slowly. "We're coming," Aleena called up to him.

  Celos turned around and started moving forward again, but at a slower pace so Aleena and Moonshine could catch up to them. They rode up the pass and found it turned into a moist gully. The mud and lack of moss or scrub brushes promised flash floods in moments if rain should come. Aleena glanced to the clear sky overhead and breathed a sigh of relief. The only threat she saw was the late day sun. They'd left Highpeak at first light and ridden hard to the west.

  They picked their way through the mountains in silence, both focusing on the difficult terrain as the gully turned into a path that led along a treacherous mountainside and from there to a ledge and back into a valley. The sun dipped lower into the west, threatening them with darkness as the mountain peaks reached for Leander's light in the sky.

  "We'll camp here," Celos announced, startling Aleena out of her private thoughts. "No fire."

  She glanced around the small valley and nodded. A ridge ahead of them and some scraggly pine trees offered cover but it was a small enough section of land they could defend it. The downside was the trail they'd been following ran through the middle of it, preventing them from hiding if anything or anyone should walk down it.

  Aleena slid off Moonshine's back and patted him on the side of the neck. The unicorn whickered and nuzzled his nose into her neck, making her smile. She had his support and friendship, even if Celos was being bullish. She slipped her pack off her back and pulled out her skin of water and the rations she'd brought with her.

  "I know you won't wear a saddle or anything, but it would make my life a lot easier," she said to her majestic steed while she rooted around for one of the carrots she'd brought with her. She fed it to the unicorn and then turned away just in time to see Celos turning away from her. Had he been watching her?

  Aleena frowned and looked at their campsite again. She moved over to a flat spot of ground and set her pack down. She'd use it as a pillow later, after she pulled her blanket out. Summer or not, the mountains would be cold at night, and sleeping in metal armor exposed to the thin, cold mountain air wasn't something she was looking forward to.

  "I'll take the first watch," Celos grunted as the sun began to slide behind a mountain peak.

  Aleena looked at him and nodded. He always took the first watch. It didn't bother her; she was usually tired by the time night came. It let her watch him as the sun rose, something she secretly enjoyed doing. She could admire his handsome face while it was relaxed and peaceful, before he did or said something that would get her blood racing.

  She sat down on the ground, her back against a rock, and chewed on the hard bread she'd pulled from her pack. She glanced over at Celos and saw him turning to look at the ridge ahead of them. She frowned and wondered if she'd almost caught him staring at her again. What was his problem with her? Why couldn't they get along more than a few minutes? And even that only happened when they had something to focus on like an enemy to fight.

  "Celos," she called to him, jerking him back around with an open and surprised look on his face. "Why do you hate me?"

  The elder paladin's eyes widened for a brief moment. He composed himself and shook his head. "I don't hate you, Aleena. There are times when I don't like you, but I never hate you."

  Aleena nodded. "Okay. Why? What do I do that makes you not like me?"

  Celos pursed his lips as he pondered her question "We make a good team," he admitted. "You infuriate me time and again, but most of the time you make me better by doing so."

  "What?" Aleena asked, confused by his answer.

  "You think of things that challenge me. Solutions to problems I had not considered. I am a simple man—"

  Aleena snorted but let him carry on without additional complaint.

  He sighed and continued, "I am a simple man. The battle for Dragonsgate. I saw what needed to be done and I did what I could to make it happen. It never occurred to me to use the mercenaries who had surrendered to us as you did. In the swamp, I would have burned the wizard's house and fought the foul creatures he'd made, rather than digging deeper for the true source."

  Aleena smiled and said, "Those aren't much. I couldn't have done anything without the help of my brothers-in-arms."

  Celos shook his head. "Even in training, you broke convention. When challenged directly, you pushed yourself to work harder, but you reached out to the other trainees as well. You made them better by involving them. You inspired them. Just as your crazy ideas sometimes inspire me."

  Aleena fought against the smile that crept onto her face. "I inspire you?" she whispered.

  "Sometimes," he said. "When you're not saying or doing something foolish."

  Aleena laughed. "You've been inspiring me since I met you. You're so sure of yourself and so strong. Between your skill, your strength, and your faith, you don't let anything get in your way."

  Celos nodded. "That is how I prove to myself my dedication."

  "Not to Leander?"

  "Saint Leander knows my heart and soul," Celos said. "If I should fail, it is not because of him; it is because of myself."

  Aleena nodded. "I like that. It makes sense."

  "And putting up with you is another way in which I prove my conviction to my beliefs," he added with a wry smile.

  "You made a joke!" Aleena gasped. Her eyes narrowed as another thought came to her. "That was a joke, right?"

  Celos shrugged but his lips crept upwards at the corners enough for her. "Get some rest, paladin. We've many more rugged miles to travel tomorrow."

  Aleena nodded and reached around for her pack to get her blanket. She'd grown accustomed to sleeping in her armor but that didn't mean she looked forward to it. Her body wasn't designed that way. She endured it, though, and now with the new idea from Celos, she realized she would do it to prove to herself that she was willing and worthy of the blessings given to her.

  She slid down and lay on her back, and then turned her head and found herself staring at Celos as he turned away and walked towards the ridge to investigate it. She smiled. He didn't hate her. He didn't understand her, but she knew enough about him to accept that. She was beginning to understand him. That was good enough. For now.

  Chapter 5

  "Lord and Lady Badawi have embraced the ancient tradition of the marriage retreat," Lord Badawi's assistant told Alto a week after they'd left the island of Britanley behind and sailed back to Mira, the capital of Shazamir.

  Alto stared at the slender man for a long moment before he asked, "What does that mean?"

  "It's—" Namitus was silenced by Kar jamming his elbow into the rogue's side as he coughed. The wizard then proceeded to reach into his robes to take out his pipe as though nothing had happened.

  Jakar, Sulim's aide, glanced at the strange commotion and then looked back at the serious and imposing face of Alto. "The marriage retreat is an ancient tradition that few save the royal famil
y and other senior nobles still honor. The newlywed couple seeks spiritual guidance and tutoring to aid them in their days. It can take as little as a few weeks or as long as months."

  Alto fought against the tick in his eye. "Where is this?"

  "It depends upon the couple. Each couple goes somewhere special and holy to them," he said. "Lord Alto, I respect and honor your obvious care for your sister, but I must remind you she is Lord Badawi's responsibility now. You can rest assured that he has her best interests at heart. Indeed, her success is his. Such is the way with our people."

  Alto felt his eyes tightening but he forced himself to stay silent until the throbbing in his ears passed. "I respect your culture, Jakar, and your people. I have learned some news of our family that I need to share with her. Is there no way for me to get word to her?"

  "If you would write it down, I will see to it that it is made available to them," he offered.

  Alto shook his head. "I cannot. It is very personal and can only come from my lips."

  "Then I fear you must wait, my lord. I trust you understand how important this is, culturally and nationally."

  "Then we will wait," Alto said.

  "Allow me to arrange for rooms for you at the palace. I can—"

  Alto shook his head. "No, we will see to our own lodging. Send word when they return," Alto told him.

  "I pray I haven't offended you. Please, Lord Alto, accept my humble forgiveness for any slight I have given."

  "You've given no slight," Alto conceded. He glanced at his companions before turning back to Jakar and adding, "These are my closest and most capable friends. As such, I know them well and I have too much respect for your palace and our nations to risk any troubles arising. Far better for us to stay elsewhere."

  "My lord?" Jakar seemed confused for a moment until his eyes swept over the breadth of Alto's companions. His eyes lingered on Garrick in particular. He lowered his voice and said, "I see. Might I suggest some of the more unusual entertainment Mira has to offer?"

  "Unusual entertainment?" Alto pressed.

  "Yes." Jakar glanced at Patrina and turned away slightly. "Not recommended for the more delicate members of your entourage, but there are many visceral opportunities available here."

  Alto's confused frown asked the question his words could not.

  "You're speaking of the Shadows District?" Namitus asked while holding his arms to block Kar from jabbing him again. The wizard did nothing more than puff on his pipe in silence.

  Jakar turned to Namitus and let his eyes roam over the man. He nodded and offered the rogue a slight smile. "Indeed. Though no such quarter officially exists, there are rumors that remain hard to quell."

  "If we have the need for such entertainment, I'm sure my man can help us find it," Alto said. "As for Lord Badawi, I'll stop by to check on their progress from time to time."

  "Delightful!" Jakar said. "I'll be sure to have a more fitting reception for your next visit, my lord."

  The aide bowed, signaling Alto to leave. The warrior turned away and led his company back through the palace to the streets outside without a word. They remained silent until the sun beat down on them outside the palace gates. Garrick swore and wiped the sweat forming on his brow.

  "I thought that island was hot," he muttered. "This is what a rabbit being roasted over a fire must feel like!"

  Mordrim leaned back and looked at Garrick. "That explains the stick up your arse!"

  The barbarian wrenched his head back and stared down at himself, and then he scowled when he heard the snickering from a few of the others. He glared at Mordrim. "You're the right height to see my arse," Garrick taunted back.

  "Enough," Alto growled, conveying his mood. He turned to Namitus. "Where can we stay?"

  "There are inns all over the place," the rogue mused. "One's as good as another, but I'd recommend something on the west or southern side of Mira. The docks have a lot of men anxious to earn gold and not caring how it's earned."

  "Why west or south then?" Alto asked.

  "In the west, there's not much but housing and the gate to the desert. Along the south, you've got the Khalalid River, which prompted more wealthy merchants and nobles once the city guard drove out the shadows."

  Alto frowned at the mention of shadows again. "Shadows? As in the Shadows District? What is that?"

  "Thieves and assassins. Thugs. Bandits. Any sort of illegitimate crime you want can be found," Namitus explained.

  Alto grunted. "And entertainment?"

  "Gladiatorial fights, gambling houses, opium houses, brothels, and much, much more."

  Alto's eyes widened. He turned and looked at his friends. "I wonder who he thought would find those the most enjoyable?"

  Garrick scowled as one after another set of eyes fell on him. "I never said nothing," he protested.

  Kar tapped out his pipe and chuckled. "Few things finer than a good brothel. Cheapest women you'll ever meet, all things considered."

  "Father!" Karthor snapped. "I thought you met my mother in Mira. You mean to tell me she was a whore?"

  The wizard shuddered. "Whore? No. A horse-faced woman, to be sure. You're lucky to have gotten my looks, that's for sure."

  Karthor stared at the wizard and shook his head. He sighed and looked away.

  Namitus picked up on the awkward moment and filled it. "The Shadows District, or just Shadows, is the name given to the illegal activities that take place. Most in the docks and merchant quarters, but I'm sure they reach into every part of the city."

  "Guard your coins and your lips closely, my friends," Kar advised as he put his pipe away. "There are politics and intrigue enough in this city. The streets have ears, they say, as well as greedy fingers."

  Namitus nodded. "It's true, everything has a price here."

  "Where would they go?" Alto wondered aloud.

  "Sulim and Caitlyn?" Patrina asked.

  The warrior nodded and looked at the others.

  "There's no way of knowing," Namitus answered. "Like he said, it could be anywhere they considered holy or particularly educational."

  Kar snorted. "A dungeon, most likely."

  The guards of a merchant wagon shouted at them as the wagon approached, forcing them out of the street. Alto scowled and turned to Namitus. "Take us to an inn. One near the river, I think."

  The rogue nodded and motioned for them to follow him.

  As they walked, Alto turned to Kar. "You've been here before, you said?"

  Kar smiled behind his sharp mustache and beard. "A few times. There are many wizards of note in the region."

  "Figures," Garrick muttered. "Only people as twisted as wizards would want to live in such heat."

  "They do so because the dry weather helps their joints," Kar snapped at him. "Something you won't live long enough to appreciate if you don't mind your tongue!"

  Garrick sneered at him and reached for his sword.

  "Mind your manners, barbarian, or I'll turn you into a mouse. Imagine how much fun the snakes of the desert would have with you then?"

  Garrick lowered his sword but continued to glare at the wizard's back. He turned to Mordrim and asked in a hushed voice, "Can he do that?"

  The dwarf shrugged. "Maybe. But not if you don't let him."

  Garrick nodded and thrust his jaw forward defiantly.

  "These wizards you know, any of them you can trust?" Alto asked after Garrick had fallen silent.

  Kar tilted his head as they walked. "Depends upon what the topic is, I suppose. I imagine they're all in deep with the various factions down here."

  "Factions?" Patrina asked. "There are different forces at odds with one another?"

  "Always!" Kar said. Namitus nodded emphatically ahead of them. "This royal family is upset with that one because they should be next in line if it weren't for a quirk of birth order. The guild of weaponsmiths is upset with the guild of armorsmiths for driving the price of steel up, even though they both belong to the blacksmiths guild. The river guards and ca
ravan guards are coming to blows over who gets to guard what sort of merchants. It's endless."

  "All of that is going on?" Alto asked.

  "Hard to say. It's possible. Those were examples I've heard of in the past. Perhaps some exaggeration, but the fact remains that in this heat, tempers flare more quickly than elsewhere."

  "All right." Alto accepted Kar's explanation. "What about the wizards. Are there any of them that could find out where Sulim went?"

  "Unlikely. They're sure to be guarded, both from being followed or magically spied upon," the wizard said.

  "Namitus, do you know anyone who might now?" Patrina asked.

  "How would he know? He hasn't been here in years," Alto said.

  "Because our friend is more than he seems," Patrina said.

  "What?" Alto frowned and looked at the slender man guiding them. "What does she mean?"

  Namitus shrugged. "She means the time I've spent on the streets. I know the Shadows because when I was here, I had to work with them or be branded an outcast. Outcasts don't live long."

  "I still don't understand."

  Namitus sighed and turned so that he faced them but was walking backwards. "I was a thief," he said. "I mean, I wasn't just a thief and I didn't do anything all that bad, like stealing from a needy old lady or anything."

  Alto frowned. It made perfect sense but he'd never really thought about what Namitus had done before they'd become friends.

  "I had a talent with people. Usually I could keep someone distracted while others robbed them blind. I have a talent for the dramatic."

  Kar snorted as they walked. "Con artist," he muttered.

  Namitus shrugged and spun back around to walk facing forward again. "I've been gone long enough few people, if any, will remember me. Even fewer are still around, I expect."

  Alto scowled. His friend was an admitted criminal. Former criminal, he supposed, but still. He felt Patrina's hand brush his, drawing his attention. She glanced at Namitus and shook her head just enough to deliver her message. She didn't want him blaming Namitus.