by J. K. Barber
The therianthrope chieftain kept his composure as the ragged group passed through the gate and came to a stop. Sasha and Jared lowered the stretcher to the snow. The woodsman helped Johnson lean against the sharpened trees that made up the wall surrounding the village. The older man was gasping for breath. The moment Katya was through, Iluak ran to her side, able to restrain himself no longer, and hugged her.
“Welcome back, friends,” Chieftain Hridayesh addressed the Illyanders soberly. “May you find nourishment and rest within these walls.”
Sasha stepped forward, “Greetings, Great Chief. Your hospitality is most appreciated. You have done so much already to aid us. We only seek shelter for a much needed night’s rest, and then we will be returning to Snowhaven.”
Chieftain Hridayesh nodded and replied, “We saw smoke on the horizon. Were you successful in your mission?”
“We were, Chieftain Hridayesh.” Jared spoke, his voice strong despite their obvious exhaustion. “The smoke is from when we set fire to our fallen comrades. The Ice Queen’s palace lays in ruin, the crystal purified, the regent slain, and her subordinates buried beneath the rubble.”
Her brows drawn with worry, Sasha added, “I hope your aid to us did not cost too many of your people’s lives.”
Hridayesh waved off her comment, knowing full well that her people had lost three times as many as he had, and responded with, “Those therianthropes that passed into the arms of the Great Mother yesterday gave their lives willingly. I am truly saddened to see that only four of your troop survived. It must have been a great battle indeed.” The therianthrope trailed off, his gaze falling back to the shrouded body laid upon the snow, “Is that Mala you carry with you?”
“Yes,” Sasha rejoined, her eyes downcast and able to say no more without losing her composure. The swordswoman bristled a moment with anger, her hands closing into fists.
The therianthrope chieftain’s eyes became suddenly misty, but he cleared his throat and without his voice wavering said, “She will be sorely missed. Illyander’s children have done us a great service. I am glad we were able to help you rid this land of the Ice Queen’s malevolent mark. Our people will be able to breathe easier thanks to you. We would never have been able to accomplish such a feat alone.” He paused a moment, his gaze touching upon the Illyanders one by one. “Please, enter now and let us help tend to your needs. Some warm food and a night’s rest before you journey home will do much to raise your spirits.”
“Thank you,” Katya said, coming to stand by her sister’s side. “We are forever in your debt. It is our hope that one day we will be able to repay the kindness you have bestowed upon us these last few days, noble Chief. May your homes always be warm, your bellies full, and your children safe.”
“Spoken like a true Tupilek,” Hridayesh said, his lips curling upwards into a small smile as he ushered them to the village’s main tent. The sun was rapidly setting while they had talked. Only a sliver of daylight was still visible to the west, casting dark red rays across the sky. Their mission completed, the Illyanders made their way to their beds.
The Illyanders slept in Tunkaschila Mukwa until late in the afternoon the next day. When they had regained their strength enough, Katya had seen to mending Johnson’s broken ribs and the bite wound in his leg as well as a few therianthropes that had received injuries during the encroachment on the walls of the Ice Queen’s Palace. The older soldier breathed easier now, his bones solid and healthy again. Chyla took care of the wounds of the remaining three Illyanders, including Jared’s wounded hip and Katya’s half-healed forearm. Despite Katya’s growing skill with healing, the gash in her arm was an angry red and had started to become infected. The Nhyme woman was quite happy to heal her friends; her earlier troubled mind frame from taking lives instead of saving them was fading to a more manageable heartache. When Jared and Johnson had stepped out to bathe and refill their water skins, Niko had made silly faces at his Nhyme companion for a good hour and had finally been rewarded by a smile from her. Though his ears were red from pulling on them and his tongue sore from sticking it out, even Niko seemed more himself with the events of the last two days fading quickly into the past. Chyla had made it clear to Katya that she would be returning home to Blodwood as soon as possible; she had experienced enough of the outside world and had said as much the night before. She had responsibilities to tend to; Lady Amara would not always be in charge of the Nhyme. Chyla would eventually have to assume her role as the next Elder.
Before it became too late to travel, the Illyanders had gathered their things and collected Mala’s body from where it had been placed as a symbol of honor in the center of the main tent. The soiled green velvet had been replaced by clean hides, tightly bound with leather strapping by Hridayesh himself in a slow ritualistic fashion. Sasha had slept by her surrogate aunt’s side the night before, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible; the redhead knew all too soon that the remains of her mentor would soon be ignited on Snowhaven’s pyres, her soul released to the mountain sky. The young swordswoman had only left Mala’s side once when Katya had insisted that Sasha clean herself up, telling her in no uncertain terms that she smelled. Jared, ever kind-hearted towards Sasha, had brought her food and water while she stood vigil over the Master Swordswoman. He had hugged her tight, which Sasha had accepted and returned gratefully. He had also tenderly laid his hand on her stomach more than once throughout the evening.
The swordswoman had not been idle in her care of Mistress Mala’s body; Sasha had gathered the woman’s belongings and had set to the task of finishing her report with all the maps they had put together for King Morgan. She was closing the ink jar and setting aside her stylus just as the first rays of dawn had filtered into the tent.
Now, late in the afternoon, the Illyanders were gathered and ready for travel at the south gate. Jared in the lead, he and Johnson set Mala’s stretcher down by the gate to shake hands in farewell with the therianthropes. Jared had insisted that Johnson help with the stretcher now that he was well enough; the woodsman didn’t want Sasha to strain herself in her “condition.” The comment came very close to getting him punched in the face by his redheaded companion, but Sasha calmed herself and finally acquiesced. While the Illyanders’ clothes were still tattered, they were at least clean now, washed in the half frozen stream to the north of the village. What remained of the troop looked refreshed even if still quite a bit tired. Katya kissed Iluak gently on the cheek and then stood by Sasha’s side, saying her final farewell to Chieftain Hridayesh.
“I wish you would stay another night. You know how cold the Frozen March is after dark,” the therianthrope chieftain said, taking Katya’s hand and shaking it.
“Thank you, but we want to get going as soon as possible.” Katya replied. “Our home being our next destination is a great motivation. We’d like to get a few miles under our belt, at least, before nightfall.”
“That, I can understand,” Hridayesh smiled.
“Goodbye, Sir,” Sasha spoke, stepping towards the Tunkaschila Mukwa’s leader. “We will remember you and your people fondly.” The swordswoman clasped forearms with him.
“Goodbye, friends.” Hridayesh replied happily, his admiration for them genuine, but then his face darkened with distress. He was quick to voice his concern. “I could not help but wonder last night while I meditated over the events of the last few days, when you reclaim your home where will the Ice Queen go next? She is weakened but still alive. I fear that she will return here to rebuild. Her vengeance upon us could be terrifying.”
It was Katya who responded to the Chief’s unease, “We don’t know where she is currently, but if she does return to the Frozen March, send Iluak or another of your people with the gift of flight to Snowhaven. We will, of course, come to your aid.” Sasha looked a bit taken aback for a moment at Katya’s quick pledge of assistance, but soon nodded in agreement.
The redhead added, “Illyander’s interests are in line with yours. We want to see a pe
rmanent end to the Ice Queen, whether she is imprisoned in Aeirsga or dead. Many years ago she eluded the Illyander Kingdom. King Morgan will not want her to escape a second time. We will hunt her until she is stopped, that I assure you. You can be comforted in the knowledge that if she returns here, we will not be far behind.” With her final words, Sasha looked at her sister with a heavy heart. Katya sighed and took her twin’s hand in her own, squeezing it before releasing it.
“My sister speaks the truth. It appears that the Ice Queen’s fate and ours are entwined,” Katya smiled sadly, returning her attention to Hridayesh. He nodded, but confusion was plain upon his face.
“May you hunt well then. Safe travels, friends,” the chief said, clasping forearms with Katya as he did with Sasha. He repeated the gesture twice more with Jared and Johnson. “Goodbye.”
Jared and Johnson hoisted the stretcher between them and followed Sasha and Katya south, where Sirus and his brethren waited to take them home. If Hridayesh knew of the Shadow Dragons’ presence, he had made no mention of it. They were leaving in peace, and that was enough for the Chieftain. He quietly wished them well, his eyes sad, lingering one last time on Mala’s still form as it was carried away.
Jared, Sasha, Katya, and Johnson made their way south, away from the therianthrope village. Sasha came to a stop by some large boulders, looking around obviously confused. Other than the boulders the horizon was pure white with snow. The darkening sky was clear and empty. If they couldn’t find the dragons soon, they’d have to camp to avoid freezing to death.
“Jared,” Sasha said, pulling her cloak tighter around her shivering shoulders, “Sirus did say he’d meet us a mile south of Tunkaschila Mukwa, right?”
Jared and Johnson laid down Mala’s stretcher and looked around themselves. Chyla and Niko popped their raven heads out of Katya’s warm backpack to see what was going on.
“That’s right,” Jared answered, raising a hand to shade his eyes so that he could survey the sky. His search was equally as unsuccessful as Sasha’s; there was no sight of Sirus and the other Shadow Dragons.
A deep-throated laugh caused all six of the companions’ hearts to skip a beat. One of the supposed boulders shook, sending snow flying everywhere. Bright purple eyes regarded the Illyanders with great amusement. The other three boulders followed Sirus’ lead. Isa even rolled to her back, kicking her hind feet and laughing with glee.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Jared scowled at his previous mentor, but he couldn’t keep a smile from creeping onto his face. “You are free of the Ice Queen’s power for all of a day, and you four are giggling like little girls playing jokes on people, huh?”
Sirus beamed, his large sharp teeth causing the expression to be slightly scary. “Maybe your old teacher is just trying to keep you on your feet.”
Jared barked a laugh and patted Sirus lightly on the nose. “Maybe, but now I can pet you. So what does that make you?”
“Why you!” Sirus laughed, pouncing on Jared like a cottage on a mouse. Being mindful of his size he was careful not to crush his student.
“Hey now,” Sasha yelled over the clamor, “My child is going to need his father, Sirus. I would appreciate you not killing Jared by accident.”
Sirus rolled onto his back, one talon holding Jared up, as they two men continued to laugh. Misae, Isa, and Niambe had giant grins on their faces along with the Nhyme and Illyanders. It had been some time since all of them were able to relax like this and enjoy some genuine fun.
“This, I don’t think I will ever get used to,” Jared smirked down at Sirus. The male dragon snorted and set the woodsman down. Those gathered sobered quickly, the stretcher with Mala’s body on it ever present. Jared straightened his clothes and became more serious.
“Even without the tutelage of the older dragons, it looks like you’re learning how to use your new abilities. That’s great,” Jared stated. “That little hide n’ seek routine will help out a lot in the future I bet, when you wish to remain hidden from unfriendly eyes.” Sirus nodded his great horned head, rolling back onto his claws and shaking snow from his white wings.
“It is amazing what boredom will drive you to discover,” the male dragon chuckled.
“So, about that ride back to Snowhaven, are you still willing before you head to the Sapphire Isles?” Jared asked.
“Yes, of course,” Sirus replied.
“Will we take the Ley Lines?” Katya inquired, brushing the snow from her robes that had flurried down from the dragon in his movements.
“No,” Misae answered, her voice almost musical. Katya looked to Sirus and he nodded to Misae. “We discussed it last night, and while it would be quicker without saddles for you four, we’d be afraid to lose you to the Void. Its pull is dangerous.”
“That, I can attest to. During an unfortunate occurrence when I was captured by a Shadow Walker, he took me into the Void, and I experienced the weightlessness and strange forces there. I don’t care ever to return,” the sorceress paused a moment, deep in thought. She raised her head shortly though, asking, “If I understand you correctly, why travel on the outside of the Ley Line?”
Sirus smiled knowingly. “We are a bit too big to fit inside, don’t you think?” he said.
Katya chuckled, “Of course, I didn’t consider that.”
“So,” Jared asked.
“So,” Niambe echoed, snaking her head down to make her face level with the Illyanders. Her light purple eyes were calming. “We’ll fly. Snowhaven is only a two day journey. Bundle up as best you can. It will be freezing up there for you, more so than down here,” she said glancing up at the blue sky.
“Very well,” Sasha said. “Let’s get moving then if you don’t mind. I’d like to experience some of the warmth of this summer before the fall cold settles into the World’s Edge Mountains.”
Isa approached Sasha, “I shall carry you, young warrior.”
“Katya is the lightest, I’ll take her and your fallen friend,” Sirus spoke.
Jared was approached by Misae, and Johnson by Niambe.
“We’ll take you within a mile of Snowhaven’s northern gate,” Sirus said coolly, “Again, we’d like not to alarm the humans. I don’t think I speak alone when I say I want to never face King Morgan and his army again. Our brother, Sindai, didn’t survive our last encounter with the Illyander forces.” The dragons appeared equally saddened suddenly, lowering their heads, the weight of their brother’s death was heavy on their thoughts.
“A sound plan,” Jared replied, laying a hand on Sirus’ warm jaw. The woodsman was still amazed at the immense heat the dragons put off. It was like placing his hands in front of a warming fire. Their bodies would hopefully keep the humans from freezing to death. On their previous flight, the dragons had flown low to the ground, to avoid alarming the therianthropes. On the next leg of their journey, the Illyanders would be flying much higher though. Jared didn’t know how cold the wind would be up there, but did know how the wind would tear at a person on the top of a tall mountain, chilling him to the bone instantly.
Sirus and the other dragons lay down, knowing exactly what to do to allow a rider to mount. The twins and Johnson set to the task of strapping Mala to Sirus’ back in-between two ridge spikes. There was a patch of the dragon’s lower neck right between his shoulder blades where the spikes were smaller and more spread apart, where the saddles must have been placed. After Mala was secured, Katya gingerly climbed up in front of her.
Katya checked that the Nhyme were nestled comfortably in her pack and that the buckle was secure before attempting to settle on Sirus’ back. Johnson, Jared, and Sasha were having a similar dilemma, glancing about for something to grasp onto, the flight the night before a blur. They were all too tired to have remembered much of the return trip.
“What should I hold onto?” Katya called up to Sirus’ head.
“Lean down low with your arms on my neck and squeeze with your thighs,” Sirus spoke loudly for all to hear. “Stay away from the wing joint. It w
ill be in constant motion. We’ll stop in a few hours so that you can relax your legs, eat, and relieve yourself. For now, simply hold on tight and don’t look down!” Katya had just followed the large dragon’s instructions, when he rocked back on his hind legs and launched into the air. The sorceress screamed in terror and the ground quickly fell away below her. She forced herself not to panic and concentrate on Sirus’ movements in flight, trying to discern a pattern in an effort to better predict where to lean. Soon they were soaring high in the sky and their wing beats were smoother. She was able to relax a bit, not having to grip quite so hard that her legs trembled. The sensation of flying was soon exhilarating. Katya dared a low glance behind Sirus and saw that the female dragons were right behind their brother. She couldn’t be sure because of the distance, but Katya swore Jared, Sasha, and Johnson all wore matching smiles.
After a painstaking amount of questioning, the returning Illyanders were admitted through Snowhaven’s northern gate, and Sasha submitted her completed report of their journey to the lieutenant on duty. After parting ways with Johnson at the barracks and placing Mala’s body in a place of honor amongst the dead as they were being arranged in rows in the building’s courtyard, Sasha and Katya, with Jared in tow, made their way home.
Branden, still in his armor, sat dozing by the fireplace in his old house in Snowhaven. It turned out that even a King’s Guard is released from duty from time to time to get some much needed rest. A young man was finishing up straightening the kitchen, where the orcs had ransacked it during their occupation of the small home. A large mastiff with thick brown fur lay at the blacksmith’s feet. A cool breeze constantly blew in from the shattered window, but it didn’t seem to bother Branden in the slightest. His face was drawn and pale, clearly exhausted. Katya was the first to peek her head through the door of her childhood abode. Her eyes lit up when she saw her father sitting in his old chair. She put her finger to her lips and crept into the room. Sasha followed Katya inside and they slipped across the tiny living room until they were at their father’s feet. The dog, Jugger, wagged his tail happily at the girls, but they shushed him. The mastiff immediately jumped to his feet though the moment Jared stepped into the room, trying in vain to close the hastily mended door into its busted frame. Jugger barked a greeting and toppled the woodsman, licking his face merrily until he was thoroughly covered in fetid dog slobber. Deputy Bill from Binford’s Bluff watched with amusement, leaning on the kitchen doorway as he dried off a mug.
