Dragon's Fire

by Bri Sailor

  “I wish I could but I can’t. It’s been years since we launched an attack on the Aznurro. My predecessor was a bit…lackluster… and never made it past the gate of Stone Shield. But I believe I’ve found a way through the mountains that should work and will hopefully surprise Toran.”

  Iyara put the tray on the table near the bed. She played with her hands in her lap.

  “I really wish you would forget the war. You know how I feel about it.”

  Ky brushed some hair out of the girl’s face and tucked it behind her ear.

  “I know. But I have responsibilities.”

  Iyara turned to her. Her eyes were a mix of anger and sadness.

  “No you don’t. You could just leave. What good can come from all of this? The royal family was executed and now a vile, weasel of a man sits on the throne and answers to evil incarnate, your king.”

  Ky took offense. “Ultrek is only doing what he sees fit. This world needs to be united. But I do agree with you somewhat. However, I believe it is the king’s advisor Lusha that is the true evil. She has…changed Ultrek. He’s not the same king that I remember from my youth.”

  Iyara’s eyes pleaded with the warrior. “Please don’t go. Please don’t perpetuate this evil. You have come so far since I met you. You aren’t that person anymore. For Goddess’ sake how many times have you used your position to save others from Horgath’s men? I know your eyes have been opened.”

  Ky scratched her head. “I will think about it.”

  She laughed. “Actually, if you think about it. If there was no war, then we would have never met.”

  The tavern-owner’s eye teared up slightly and she laughed half-heartedly. “I don’t think I will ever forget that night. Who else can brag that they saved your sorry ass from being thrown into the dungeon after your drunken rampage at that hog-swill of a place?”

  The warrior smiled devilishly and grabbed the girl around the waist and threw her on the bed and tickled her relentlessly. Iyara laughed until tears streamed down her face. Ky relented for a second and quickly regretted it as the emerald-eyed girl pinned her underneath and returned the tickle torture. After a few minutes the two were a giggling mess of limbs on the bed. The laughter died down and the sound of the crackling fire became deafening in the silence between them.

  Iyara rolled over and hugged Ky.

  “Please don’t go.” She whispered. “I love you.”

  The blonde wrapped an arm around her and kissed her on the forehead.

  “I’m sorry, Iyara, but you know the answer.”

  The girl drummed her fingers on the warrior’s stomach. “I thought you were different. Maybe you haven’t changed.”

  Ky stroked her hair. “But I have.”

  “Then don’t leave.” She sat up on her arm. “Stay with me. We can run this place together. Or we could even leave and go somewhere else, start new. Go on adventures!”

  Ky took a deep breath. She didn’t know why she wouldn’t admit it, but she had been entertaining that very idea for the last couple of weeks. Since being with Iyara she actually found herself questioning everything. She might even be starting to really feel something for the girl; for once in her life she didn’t feel completely numb.

  “What if…” she mused. “What if on the way back from this battle I stop here and then… stay…or even take you with me?”

  Gray eyes stared into green. Iyara feigned boredom for a few seconds. Suddenly, she pounced on Ky and kissed her.

  “That sounds amazing!” she whispered in her ear.

  Ky smiled and flipped her over and stared deeply into her eyes.

  She brushed Iyara’s hair out of her face. “I never thought I would ever consider leaving the only life I know. What kind of spell did you put on me?”

  #

  The warrior fought with herself as she worked her way towards the soldier’s barracks. She did a dangerous thing and allowed her mind to wander. What if she hadn’t left before? What if she stayed like Iyara wanted? Would Atreyis and Ehren still be alive? And what of Lusha? The witch would probably have consolidated her power of the four kingdoms at last and unleashed her demon hordes. Ky kicked herself. She had let her appetite for destruction and fighting destroy her chance at happiness. The blonde's heart ached. One thing was for sure, Iyara would not be trapped in that hell hole much longer.

  She hugged her burlap covering closer and hunched over, slightly limping. So far her disguise had been working. The dirty, rough cloth covered her from head to toe hardly revealing any of her features. Everyone seemed to be avoiding her and treating her for the beggar she appeared. The barracks that she needed to get to were practically on the other side of the city. Sweat beaded on her forehead as the hot sun permeated the fabric. The melancholy warrior didn't complain. The harsh sun was just the beginning of her newly self-imposed penance.

  The tall buildings of the wealthier districts eventually gave way to more stark and monolithic structures. There were five in total. They encircled a large open patch of land that housed various training yards. Rows of practice targets and wooden dummies stood ready and waiting. Ky squatted close to one the buildings and hid herself behind some used barrels and empty crates. With a keen eye she scanned the area. Mobs of soldiers clad in a mixture of black and orange and yellow were crawling all over the place.

  Ky's brow furrowed. The guards were now some sort of Black Army hybrid. Most of the soldiers bore a large black tattoo of a dragon-like claw on their necks. She couldn't remember during her command anything like this going on.

  “It has to be her.” she whispered to herself. “What are you up to, Lusha?”

  There had to be a copy of their orders or plans hopefully in the officer's quarters. She chewed the inside of her lip. Her chances of slipping in were slim to none. There was simply too many soldiers to attempt any infiltration. She grunted in disapproval. It would have to wait until later. Still unnoticed she slipped back to the streets. As she passed a small open market she saw two young boys fighting with each other. They were scrawny and dirty, but scrappy. She stopped to watch the commotion. After a moment she recognized what they were doing, it was something that she had done a thousand times herself. She limped over to a narrow alley and waited. Soon enough one of the shop keepers decided that enough was enough.

  “You kids get out of here!” he yelled. “We don't need any trouble here! I’m going to get the guards!”

  They refused to stop. The man stepped a little farther away from his fruit stand. While he was distracted a small girl sprinted past the stand and grabbed as much fruit in her arms as she could. The man realized the ruse a moment too late.

  “Hey you!” he roared. “Come back here with those!”

  As he ran off after the girls, the two boys instantly stopped their fighting and grabbed more fruit and came sprinting in the direction of the alley that Ky was waiting in. Their faces were lit up with glee as they rounded the corner. In a flash the warrior had them by the scruffs of the necks and lifted them clean off of the ground.

  “Hey!” yelled one of the boys.

  “Let us go!” yelled the other. “We didn't do anything!”

  “Yeah! We didn't do nothing!”

  Ky shook off her hood and stared them in the eyes.

  “I’ll make this simple, I have coin for your silence.”

  The boys stopped hollering and she set them down.

  “Your plan was good but could have been executed better.” she said in a hushed tone.

  One of the boys scoffed at her. “What are you talking about? It was perfect until you ruined it.”

  Ky smacked him upside the head. “Respect your elders! Ever think that I might have had more experience than two gutter rats? Now, I have a proposition for the two of you.”

  “Money first.” said the other boy with an air of arrogance.

  Ky leveled a look at him and smiled on the inside. She craned her head around the corner. The shop keeper was talking with a guard. He was irate and waving hi
s arms around.

  “Aren't you going to do anything about it?” he yelled, red-faced.

  The soldier seemed to barely be listening to him. “By now they are long gone. We've already had three other reports this morning. You can file a grievance with the council if you wish.”

  Ky turned back to the boys and pulled out a handful of coins. They were in a state of shock, both just stared open-mouthed.

  “This is all for you if you can get that guard down this alley.” she whispered.

  “Done!” they said in unison.

  They reached for the money and the warrior grabbed their hands.

  “Try and run and I will find you. If you think the guards are bad, you don't want to know what I can do.” she threatened.

  The boys nodded vigorously, their eyes wide with fear.

  “Good. Now, do whatever you need to do. Just make sure that he comes down this alley.”

  The boys nodded and ran off. Ky jogged deeper into the alley and couched on the ground and covered herself back up with the burlap. In seconds she could hear the commotion.

  “It's them!”

  “Get them!”

  “Ow! Dammit! Get back here you scoundrels!”

  The boys came flying past her with the heavy footsteps of the soldier hot on their heels. Ky saw the man out of the corner of her eye. In one smooth move she kicked her leg out and the soldier tripped and landed face first on the ground. In a daze the man tried to stand up. She pounced on him and wrapped an arm around his neck and squeezed tight. The soldier's eyes glowed purple but it was too late and he passed out. Ky looked around to make sure that no one was looking. She moved quickly and took off the guards clothes and put them on over her own. She wrapped him up in the rough cloth and propped him up against a wall as he snored. His helmet was slightly large but it was good enough. She stood up and straightened herself out before calmly walking out of the alley and towards the barracks.

  Chapter 6

  Cora walked with an air of dignity as she was escorted by an unarmed Riker and Taryn. After stopping at the market on the way to the temple, Cora was now wearing a simple light yellow dress that flowed off her petite feminine frame. The dress was similar to that of the priests in the temple. Taryn and Riker simply wore clean linen tunics and trousers. They followed silently just behind the priestess as her faithful servants. The raven-haired girl secretly had two blades hidden in her boots and the lanky red-head had four small throwing knives hidden in his leather bracers. They moved quietly through the crowds.

  The temple was a tall, solitary tower in the middle of the city. Its rectangular form stretched up to the sky and dwarfed everything around it. Massive glass windows let in the bright sunlight. The starkness of the beige structure was vastly different compared to the brightly colored dwellings around it. At the top of the steps was the only way in or out of the temple. A mere ten guards stood posted outside the archways leading in to the great sanctuary. They were preoccupied with monitoring the people coming out of the temple, making sure that their prisoner stayed put.

  Taryn leaned towards Riker. “This might not be so bad.”

  “We haven’t gone in yet.” He replied under his breath.

  “Or tried to leave.” Added Cora.

  The three of them braced themselves as they climbed the temple steps. Cora held her head high, the sunlight gleaming off of her diadem. Taryn and Riker held their breath as they walked past the guards. The armed med paid them no mind as they passed through with ease. The main hall was a vast open space dotted with worshipers. The ceiling seemed to stretch for miles above them. The sandstone walls were bathed in golden sunlight. In the center of it all stood a large white marble statue of Ailana, petting a dragon who stood stoically by her side. Both the Goddess and the dragon had sparkling, deep amethyst jeweled eyes. Cora scanned the area. Not a priest in sight. She walked up to the statue and kneeled on a purple pillow and bowed her head. Taryn and Riker followed suit.

  “I don’t see a single priest around.” The priestess whispered to them.

  Her two body guards glanced around. Nothing. But something did catch Taryn’s eye. In the back there was a small ornate doorway.

  “There’s a doorway in the back.” She whispered to Cora. “Maybe it leads somewhere.”

  Cora leaned to catch a glimpse.

  “I want you two to stay down here and make sure that we haven’t been found out.” She whispered. “If I’m not back within the hour, come find me.”

  The priestess bowed to the statue again and stood up. She made sure that no one was watching as she quietly slipped to the back of the temple and to the doorway. The staircase behind it seemed to stretch into oblivion. One last glance to be sure and then she was off. At the top of the mountain of steps the room immediately opened up into a large library. The golden glow of the sun illuminated the stacks of books and scrolls that filled the room. The walls were covered in shelves that housed even more papers and scrolls. The priestess cautiously made her way down the few steps into the room and peaked through the stacks. She recognized many of the titles as the same in her temple. In the middle of the room were twelve books in glass cases arranged in a circle. They sent a chill down her spine. She could recognize them anywhere. They were magical copies of the same twelve originals she had at her temple, including the one covered in black alligator skin. In the center of the circle was an elderly man in orange and purple robes sitting at a desk with various parchments scattered about it. His long white beard and long white hair reached his waist. In front of him he had an open book and was writing in it.

  “Come in, my child.” He said without looking up. “What is it that you seek?”

  Cora took a step back and spoke softly. “I am looking for a priest named Oldrin. I was told he can be found here.”

  The man smiled warmly. “Ah, yes, Oldrin. A very peculiar fellow. Always obsessed with his books and writings and prophecies. Many have called for his head, including many who were once his brothers and sisters. The growing empire doesn’t look too kindly on his kind. A rebel. If that’s what you can call him. I prefer Truth Bringer. I am quite surprised that he is still alive if so many seemingly want him dead. There must be more to him…Now, what business do you have with him, High Priestess?”

  Cora was taken aback. “How did—’’

  “My child, I have been at this for many years. My skills of perception are without rival.” The priest chuckled. “That, and the energy you give off would suggest quite a power you have.”

  She blushed. “What do you mean? I am doing nothing.”

  His eyes flashed as he smiled. “In time you will have your answer. They call me The Imposter Priest, The Trickster, Rebel and the like. But you may call me Oldrin. ”

  The sandy blonde bowed and stepped up to the desk. “My name is Cora. I am the High Priestess of the Aznurro. And I don’t believe a word of what they have said about you.”

  “Hmm.” Oldrin stroked his beard. “I suspected it was you. I’ve heard of you, Cora. You are known far beyond your own kingdom. There is an argument amongst some of my own priests here as to whether or not the claims of your abilities are true.”

  He gestured to the seat in front of him. Cora sat down.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.” She brushed her hair behind her ear. “I am capable of no more than any other that holds the same title as myself.”

  “Hm. I’m sure that you are aware that it’s been centuries since your kingdom has had a High Priestess.” His warm hazel eyes locked with her blue-green. “And even longer since one of your ability has been known to the world.”

  “It’s been three hundred years since the last High Priestess, or so I’ve been told.” She replied, she could feel his gaze penetrating into her very soul. “Please tell me of these…abilities that I am supposed to possess, for I am unaware of any such thing.”

  His eyes sparkled. “Tell me. Have you been communing with the Goddess? Has she appeared before you as I stand before you now?�
�

  Cora blinked. “Well…yes.”

  Oldrin sat back in his chair. “In all my life Ailana has graced me thrice with her presence in dreams and each exponentially more brief than the previous. I know of other priests within the kingdoms who have had similar experiences to my own and some who have never been granted the privilege of speaking with the Goddess directly.”

  Cora leaned forward, playing with one of her bracelets under the table. “I don’t understand. I thought that every priest had this power. I thought that this is why they were selected to be priests.”

  “No, my dear.” He smiled softly. “Most feel called to the priesthood, unlike yourself. You, my dear, are a part of the rare few that are chosen by the Goddess become High Priests. But even you are an exception to that. You were born with innate powers that many cannot even fathom.”