The Dragon Blade

by P D Atkerson

  "My lord, are you well?" Dasety asked, as he drew nearer to the throne.

  No, he wasn't well! He'd never be well until he could show his little brother who was the rightful king! And along the way, if he made Recony pay, well that was just a bonus. Maybe he'd add his blood to that which already stained his hands.

  "Dasety, leave. I need to think," King Munay said, as he continued to stare at the floor. Yes, once he had Drinadad he'd bring his brother back here and...

  "Are you sure it's wise to be left alone?" Dasety cut into the king's thoughts. "If you're sick, perhaps I should have someone call the physician..."

  "I do not need a physician!" King Munay snapped, slamming his fist down against the armrest. "What I need, is to be left alone. I don't need advice, so I don't need an Advisor! Now leave, before I have one of the guards drag you out!"

  Dasety hesitated, then bowed and quickly left the room, closing the throne room door tightly shut behind him. The silence that followed was ear piercing. King Munay wanted to be alone, but at the same time he hated it. It was the only time the memories came back.

  For a second, the boy's face flickered through his mind, he looked so much like his father. Two foes, one family. It was almost poetic. He ended one, and one would end him. Or maybe... just maybe he'd finally be rid of them both and he would feel the peace that had evaded him for fifteen years.

  The thought of the boy's father brought to mind the others King Munay had killed, either by orders or giving orders himself. Men, women and children. The blood that stained his hands... it wasn't his fault. No, it never had been. He'd done what he had to. But still the dreams haunted him.

  Once again, the faces flashed through his mind. Ah! He couldn't take it anymore! King Munay buried his face in his hands and moaned. These stupid dead people were going to turn him mad. So, with more effort than it should have taken, King Munay shoved himself up, out of the throne.

  Taking it one step at a time, King Munay moved forwards and towards the small table sitting next to the wall. His hands trembled, as he grabbed the jar off the table, and with clumsy hands poured it into a goblet. He took the orange liquid and slugged it back. As it slid down his throat, he closed his eyes and let out a sigh. The screams started to fade, and his mind began to clear.

  He needed fresh air.

  Yes, that was what he needed. He glanced around. He didn't want to leave the throne room, he wanted to be there when the Heart was brought to him. That's when Munay spotted the old door at the back of the throne room. If he remembered right, King Ozony used it to clear his head. He was certain it led out onto a balcony. But he'd never used it himself. It had been covered up by the flag for almost ten years. It still would be if it wasn't for Shon burning it.

  King Munay placed the goblet back down and turned towards the door.

  He yanked the metal lock up and pushed against it. The wood groaned, as the door slid open out onto the balcony. A light breeze blew against him. King Munay blinked, as the rising sun shown in his eyes.

  It vanished behind the shadow of the Dubh-Woods. He blinked, as his eyes adjusted to the light.

  The balcony wasn't huge. Just big enough for two or three people to stand. No windows or doors looked out over it. In a way it was cut off from the rest of the Dark Castle. He could see now why King Ozony would come here to think. It was peaceful and quiet out here.

  As he stepped forwards, King Munay's boot crunched on the ash and dust that littered the ground. Ten years of grime clung to the wood.

  A dead plant stood next to the door, waiting years for the water that would never come. King Munay smiled. It was good to see something to remind him what he'd done over the years. This plant. He decided. Is more than a dead thing. It is a symbol of King Ozony Strangeheart's death and the death of his kingdom. This is Munay's kingdom, and it is very different.

  "I've improved it so much since I took the throne," he mumbled, kicking the plant. "This is all that's left of your kingdom, Ozony," he hissed, as he moved forwards to stand in front of the railing, looking out over the castle. "I'm going to make sure it stays that way." He ran his hand along the railing, where strange writing was engraved into the wood.

  King Munay couldn't read a word of it. But if he'd been raised a Strangeheart he would have been taught the old Karlien. But now it will be forgotten. He laughed. It would have been a waste of time anyways. The only thing they wrote in the old language was Karlien history. Something he didn't care to know.

  He leaned against the railing and looked out over the Dark Castle. More towers than he could count stood before him, some of them he still hadn't been in. He looked down as the water roared below him. It was dark and murky, much like his thoughts had been of late.

  Lurking at the back of his mind, was the fear he wouldn't succeed. What if, after everything he'd done, after everything he'd given up, it still wasn't enough to keep it? He wasn't sure he could handle that. Failure wasn't an option. He would have everything his brother ever wanted or die trying.

  This was all Recony's doing. If he hadn't done what he had, Munay wouldn't have become the person he was today.

  Maybe one day, he'd thank him for the push. But not until Recony was begging for his life at his feet. What a great day that will be! The thought made him smile.

  Yes, he knew people thought he was a monster. But he didn't care. He wouldn't have all of this, if there hadn't been sacrifices that had been made. That's what those people had been, just pawns in the chess game of life. What did it matter the reason they died? Everyone died one day, one way or another.

  Then there was Aroron. He couldn't even bring himself to speak the boy's name. King Munay hardly knew him, yet he hated him. Almost as much as he hated Recony, but not quite. He'd kill him as well, maybe he'd do it on the same day. That would be one glorious day!

  Not if he kills you first. The thought whispered in Munay's ear. Not if you're too weak to face him.

  "No!" King Munay slammed his fist down onto the balcony railing. "One way or another I will have Aroron. I will make sure he dies a slow and very painful death!"

  Chapter 14

  Rebels

  Six weeks.

  That was how long Enrick had been looking for Aroron, and so far, he hadn't found so much as a trace of him. No one he'd spoken to had ever seen someone matching his description. With a feeling that he was betraying his friend, Enrick decided it was time they headed back to the Dark Castle. So far, their trip had been unfruitful and if they were gone much longer, the snow between the Dark Castle and the Dubh-Woods would be impossible to pass.

  As it was, they would have to pass through miles and miles of snowy weather to even get back to the Dubh-Woods.

  "You can always count on snow in Glunot to freeze your bones solid!" Enrick said, shaking his arms to warm them. "Even in the summer time it's as cold as Frosty Peak here. Isn't that right?" He asked, glancing towards the guard at his side. The guard only grunted as he scanned the forest around them.

  Enrick decided to do the same.

  Here they were, on the wooded path between Glunot and the Dubh-Woods. In another hour and a half, they would pass through the dark trees and cross the Karlien border.

  The air itself seemed to become tense, as they continued to look around. Something was going on, but Enrick was still unsure what it was. As far as he could see, there wasn't anyone around. Yet, Enrick felt like he was being watched. Glunot was a frozen kingdom. No one should be watching.

  There was a snap of a branch and a guard behind him yelled, "Watch out!" But the warning came too late for Enrick.

  Prince Enrick glanced to his left, just in time to see a man come hurtling towards him. Jumping off the overhanging bank above the road. He slammed into Enrick and threw him from the saddle and they both went flying to the ground.

  Enrick hit the ground hard, slamming his shoulder into a rock, pinned under the weight of the spry man. While this was happening, he could hear the cries of more men attacking them. Metal hitt
ing metal rang out, as the guards quickly drew their swords.

  None of the guards were able to reach Enrick, he was on his own.

  "We will kill you, Munay, and all his followers!" He spat in Enrick's face, as he wrapped his hands around his neck and started to tighten. They were Rebels! Enrick should have known. The man's eyes were wild with madness.

  "I don't think so," Enrick hissed, with what little breath he had left. Enrick quickly pulled out his knife and shoved it into his attacker's side. Gasping for breath, the second he was free. He rolled over and away from the mad man, his head spinning. If he'd held Enrick a second longer, he would have blacked out.

  Enrick quickly scrambled to his feet, drew his sword and ran towards the fighting. He was almost to them, when one of the guards turned towards him.

  "Get down!" The guard yelled, lunging towards Enrick. The guard slammed into Enrick throwing them both down. The guard on top of him moaned, as an arrow slammed into his back.

  Enrick grimaced, as he shoved the dead guard's body off him. He felt sick. Why had the guard done that? It wasn't as if King Munay would ever know about it and even if he did, he wouldn't care. He gritted his teeth and stood up.

  For a second, he looked down at the still lifeless body of the guard. Did he have a family? Children? A wife? Enrick didn't know. None of them ever spoke about their personal lives. He wasn't even sure what the man's name was. He bent down and yanked off the guard's ranking pin.

  If Enrick survived this, he'd use them to find out who the man was. But right then, it seemed like a big if. Quickly, he shoved the pins into his pocket and stood up. As Enrick looked around, he realized the guards were all dying around him. Faster than he could comprehend.

  Why did these men sacrifice their lives for him? He couldn't even imagine his own father doing something like that for him. He needed to get out of there. Most of his men were dead because of him! There was nothing he could do for them now. But he would make sure these rebels paid for it! He took a step forwards and felt something poke him in the middle of his back.

  "Oh, you won't be going anywhere, your majesty," the rebel said, laughing as he pressed the tip of his sword against Enrick's spine.

  Slowly, Enrick turned around to face the man. "You filthy creature!" He hissed, glaring at the rebel. "How dare you kill my father's guards and threaten me?!"

  "I dare, because I don't care," the rebel said, laughing again. "Now, move it!" He hissed, motioning with his head for Enrick to move forwards. As he did, one of the guards laying on the ground moaned and rolled over. Blood stained his cloak and tunic, but he seemed to still be in one piece.

  "Well, well, well. It looks like we have one last straggler," the Rebel said, yanking the guard to his feet. "What do you think I should do with you?" He hissed. The guard didn't even so much as glance towards him. "Swear you will never serve King Munay again, that he is a beast and deserves to die, and we will let you go."

  "To say such a thing would be a death sentence in itself," the guard said, holding his head up high, as he stared out past the Rebel towards Prince Enrick. "My lord," he said, bowing his head.

  "If that's how you want it," the rebel said, quickly drawing a knife out of his belt.

  Enrick quickly squeezed his eyes shut and turned away, as the rebel slit the guard's throat in front of him. The guard's blood stained the rebel's sleeve, as his body dropped to the ground. The monster! How could people like this call his father a tyrant?! They were the tyrants!

  "Now it's your turn," the rebel said, stepping over the dead guard and towards Enrick.

  Enrick stood up tall. "Then, I will die," he said. "I will not beg for my life, like a coward. I do not fear the afterlife."

  The Rebel eyed him. "You should. No one knows for sure what's beyond the gates of death, only that we all must pass through them."

  There came a yell from behind Enrick and a man came running towards the rebels, sword in hand. The Rebel behind Enrick quickly turned his attention and his sword towards the newcomer.

  Enrick was free! He glanced around, unsure if he should try to help this man, or if he should run for safety.

  "Run!" The man yelled to Enrick, as he blocked the Rebel's sword. He wasn't going to wait and see if he changed his mind! Enrick spun around and dashed towards the tree line.

  The trees were thicker than he'd expected. They soon closed in around him, making it almost impossible to maneuver his way through them. He hadn't even known vines grew in this part of Glunot. But it was evident by the hundreds that surrounded him, that they did.

  Enrick stumbled, tripped over another tree root and hit the ground. A sharp rock digging into his stomach. For a second, his vision was blurred, and he was unable to move. He was just regaining his bearings, when someone stepped over him. Quickly, he flipped over. It was in that instant, he realized he no longer had his sword. Luckily, it wasn't a Rebel, but the man who'd saved his life.

  "My lord, are you alright?" The man asked, quickly helping him to his feet.

  "Yes, yes! Who are you?"

  "A loyal Karlien, my lord," the man whispered, as he held tightly to Enrick's sleeve. "Hurry, this way! We must get away from here. You're still not safe," he said, pulling Enrick forwards, through the thicket of greenery.

  They'd been running for only a minute, when the man came to a quick stop and yanked Enrick back too.

  "Quick! Get down!" The man hissed, yanking Enrick to the ground behind a thick bush of soft leaves. A branch cut into Enrick's side, as he dropped down. He ignored the pain, as he tried his best to stay covered by the bush.

  Enrick could hear the crunch of boots on the dry ground, not far from them.

  His heart pounded in his chest, as he realized they were stopping just on the other side of the bush. He prayed to whomever was listening, that they wouldn't hear the thudding of his heart. He felt sick. He'd been lying when he'd said he wasn't afraid to die. It was one of the few things, other than his father, that he feared.

  "We must find him!" The Rebel spat. "Or it's going to be our heads the Captain wants!"

  "And where do you suggest we look?" The other Rebel growled. "The woods are so thick, they could be right next to us, and we'd never know!"

  "Well, I for one, am not going back to camp to tell him we lost that goon prince," the Rebel spat back. "We'll continue to look for him, until we find him, or we find somewhere we can hide from the captain."

  "Fine! But..." Slowly, the yelling faded as the two Rebels continued deeper into the woods and further from Enrick and the stranger. Finally, he felt like he could relax again.

  "If I may say so sire, you're lucky to be alive," the man said, sitting back up. "Oh... Here, take my cloak," the man said, quickly pulling his off. "That red one of yours will make you an easy target for more rebels hiding in the forest."

  "Are there more of them?!" Enrick asked, his body instantly tensing. Of course, there are, you idiot! Hadn't they both spoken of a Captain?

  "Yes! Haven't you heard about the Rebel group forming in this part of the realm?" The man asked.

  Enrick shook his head. "No. We had no idea, but believe me, my father will hear about them now."

  "They've become more aggressive since the signs have been appearing."

  "What signs?"

  "The second moon, for one," the man said. "Didn't you see it? It appeared about six weeks ago."

  Second Moon? Yes, he'd seen the two moons, but he hadn't really thought much about it. Dasety told him it was to do with smoke in the air, or something like that. He didn't really remember.

  "What's your name?" Enrick asked, pulling the man's cloak on over his own clothing. It smelled, but better to smell than be dead. Besides, it added an extra layer of warmth, which he was grateful for.

  "Fredrock, my lord," he said, bowing his head.

  "I'm Prince Enrick, of Karlay."

  Fredrock smiled. "Yes, I know."

  "Yes, of course," Enrick said, his cheeks growing warm. "Do you know anything else ab
out the Rebels, Fredrock?"

  Fredrock shrugged. "All I know about them, is the fact that most of them are believers of the Dragon King. I'm not sure they really have anything else in common."

  Enrick snorted. "I should have known!" He hissed, spitting onto the ground next to him. "All Believers are bad news, there's a reason my father doesn't allow any of them into his court."

  "A wise idea, my lord," Fredrock said. "Seeing how they treated you today."

  Enrick nodded, then a thought hit him. "Is there any way you could help me get back to the Dark Castle?" He asked. "I'd rather not travel alone the rest of the way."

  Fredrock smiled and stood. "That I can do, my lord. I will get you safely back home," he said, holding out his hand towards Enrick.

  Strange, Enrick hadn't ever really thought of the Dark Castle as his home. Now that his best friend was gone, his mother was the only person there he really cared about. It was just where he lived.

  Enrick took Fredrock's hand and helped him to his feet.

  Chapter 15

  Loyal

  The trip back to the Dark Castle took longer than it would have on horseback. Fredrock never let them travel on the road, until after they'd crossed the Karlien border. But once they did, they soon found themselves trudging through three feet of heavy snow.

  After an hour of walking, Enrick stumbled and fell into a deep pile of snow. For a second, fear clutched him, as he started to wonder if he would be able to get back out of the snow pile. The thought of being buried under the snow was more than he could bear.

  "Come on," Fredrock said, pulling Enrick back onto his feet. "I know a short cut across the mountain side. The snow there isn't as deep as it is here in the open."

  "Are you sure?" Enrick asked, as they left the road and moved towards the trees and the mountain. Enrick glanced towards the Dark Castle, clearly outlined by the dark stones ahead of them. They couldn't be that far from it. Maybe two or three hours at most. "We've always taken this path back to the Dark Castle. I've never heard of another one. I'm not sure it's a good idea to break from the path."