The Dragon Blade

by P D Atkerson

  "Dasety, I have no idea what that means." Enrick said, crossing his arms.

  "It means, things have changed for us."

  "How?" Enrick couldn't make sense of anything Dasety was saying. He was being very vague.

  "Do you know who Aroron really is?" Dasety asked, squinting at Enrick. Enrick shrugged. "Do you know who his father is?"

  Enrick snorted. "Shon Normal."

  Dasety shook his head. "There you would be wrong."

  "What? Of course, he is!" Enrick said, stepping back. "You were there when Shon was killed, you know Aroron was his son."

  "No. What I know, is that Aroron was wearing his mother's necklace when Shon was killed." Dasety said. "I thought it was strange at the time, but now I see the truth. His father was King Ozony. "

  For a minute, Enrick was too shocked to speak. "Aroron? He's Ozony's son?! But I thought the Prince died." He said. "Does he know?"

  Dasety shrugged. "You were just a little boy yourself, he was only six years old. Who knows if he remembers or not?"

  Enrick sighed and rubbed his head. "What are we going to do?"

  "First, we mustn't tell your father what we know."

  Enrick frowned. "Not that I really care to speak with my father, but why not?"

  "When Aroron was a child, it was prophesied that he would be the doom of a great king and that his birth was a sign of the beginning of the Second Great War." Dasety said. "Do you really think that's something your father will be happy to hear? We were both Aroron's friends, and he won't be happy neither of us knew who he truly was."

  By the time Enrick and Dasety went their own ways, Enrick's head was spinning. He couldn't believe it! Aroron was a Strangeheart? It was almost too much to take in.

  Enrick was just passing an archway, deep in thought, when he heard someone call his name.

  "Enrick!"

  Enrick sighed, and slowly came to a stop. He turned around and faced his father. Queen Willow stood next to him, smiling. It made him sick. He hated them both, more than anything else! "Yes, father?"

  "I have great news to tell you!" King Munay said, beaming.

  "Goody." Enrick mumbled to himself. He couldn't think of anything his father could say that he wanted to hear. Maybe that Willow was dying, but he doubted that was what he had to say.

  Munay smiled, as he hooked his arm around Willow. He glanced at her, then turned back towards Enrick. "Queen Willow and I are expecting a child."

  For a second Enrick's heart stopped beating. Then he smirked. "Well, goody for you. If you don't mind, I've got things to do."

  King Munay stiffened. "Why, you little..." He stopped, when Willow placed a hand on his shoulder.

  "Let me handle this, my king. Why don't you go on ahead?" Willow asked.

  King Munay glanced between his son and his wife. "Are you sure, my love?"

  "Go on!" She said, smiling. "I just want to speak with him for a minute."

  Munay hesitated, then nodded and hurried away.

  Lady Willow's skirt rustled, as she moved towards Enrick. "Soon, you will no longer be useful to your father." Queen Willow whispered, as she placed her hand on Enrick's cheek. "Show your worth to me, or... an accident might befall you." She said, running her nails along his neck. "I would hate for that to happen to you, my dear..."

  A shiver ran up and down Enrick's spine. It wasn't as much her words as the way she spoke them. There was something unnatural about her voice.

  He gritted his teeth. "Am I supposed to be afraid of you?" Enrick hissed, glaring at her.

  "You should be." She whispered, slowly digging her nails into his skin. "Karlay is not like most kingdoms, even if our child is a girl, you will no longer be the only heir your father has."

  Enrick bowed. "Thank you for the warning, your Witchship." He spat, as he turned around and hurried down the hall away from her.

  His heart pounded. Once he'd put enough distance between Willow and himself, he stopped and laid his head back against the wall. Enrick wasn't sure who he hated more, his father or the witch. He hoped the child was a monster and would drive them both crazy.

  Too bad he wasn't sure he was going to be around to see it.

  He pushed himself back to his feet and hurried down the hall, towards the stable.

  A young boy stood in Enrick's horse's stall, brushing the horse. "Ready my horse for riding, now!" Enrick snapped. "Or would you rather spend the night in the dungeon?" The Stable boy's eyes grew wide. He saluted and ran towards the wall, where the horse's saddle hung.

  As soon as he was done, Enrick swung himself up, pulled on the reins and bolted out of the stable. Soon, he was over the castle's bridge and away from the madness within.

  The horse's hooves clicked on the gray stony road, as they galloped through the trees.

  Enrick wasn't even sure where he was going, and he didn't care. After what seemed like only minutes, Enrick began to recognize things around him. It was then he realized in the back of his mind, he must have known where he was going, because he'd been there many times before. He quickly pulled up on the reins and brought the horse to a stop.

  Enrick slid out of the saddle and landed on the stony ground. Then he hurried towards the cave entrance and passed through it.

  He hadn't been to the place since he'd said goodbye to his mother. It was one of the few places that held happy memories for him. He glanced around. It was like a garden in the middle of the woods. A stone statue of a warrior stood next to the path. The statue's sword drawn, as if he was protecting the place.

  He remembered his mother bringing him here all the time when he was younger. But the older he got, the less time they'd spent together. He ran his hand through his hair, as he slowly moved towards the statue. The years hadn't been any better on it, than they had been on him. It was overgrown with gray, lifeless looking weeds, covered in thorns.

  Behind it, a small blue stream trickled down the rocky ground and vanished into the dark trees beyond. The water turned a murky color the closer it drew to the trees.

  A perfect place. Enrick thought, as he moved towards the stream. He drew his sword and looked down at the blade. How easy it would be to lift the blade and end this! He thought, fingering the cold sword. Slowly, he began to lift it up.

  A twig snapped and Enrick spun around. Coming face-to-face with Dasety.

  "Enrick, lower the blade." Dasety said, softly, as he placed his hand on top of Enrick's

  "Why shouldn't I end myself?" Enrick cried. "Who would care? Not my father. Now that Willow is with child, I do not matter to him."

  "Your father cares about you, in his own, cold sort of way. Now, Enrick, please hand me that sword." Dasety said, in a calm voice, holding his hand out to him. His blue eyes searched Enrick, as he waited.

  "What are you doing here, Dasety?" Enrick hissed, as he slid his sword away. He wasn't about to hand it over, like a child. He didn't have to obey this man!

  "I came to make sure you were alright, and it would seem it's a good thing too." Dasety said. "What would your mother think of this?"

  "My mother's dead! Why should I care what she would think of this?" Enrick asked. "Stay out of my business, or I'll make sure you do."

  Dasety's face hardened. "You know you don't mean that."

  "Yes, I do!" Enrick snapped, stomping towards his horse, which he mounted and bolted away, back towards the Dark Castle.

  * * *

  The candlelight flickered, as Dasety hurried down the hallway. His footsteps silent, as he darted through a doorway and into a dimly lit room. He reached into his cloak and drew out a red candle, then moved towards the cold dark hearth.

  He lit the red candle, placed it on the hearth and stepped back. The small flame hissed and slashed around in the air above it.

  After watching the flame move about for a minute, he started to pace up and down the length of the room, mumbling quietly to himself.

  Finally, he stopped in the middle of the room and rung his hands, then glanced towards one of th
e last remaining candles. It was almost three. If he's coming, it's going to be soon.

  As if on cue, a strange noise started on the other side of the room, growing louder with every passing second. A cold breeze blew through the room, causing the candles to flicker. Then, there he was.

  A tall man, with a flowing black cape. He wore a leather tunic, with metal studs running along its collar. His face was covered by a blood red mask. Colorless eyes looked out from under the holes cut into it.

  Dasety dropped down and bowed low. "My lord, it is a great honor that you would come to see your lowly servant."

  "You underestimate your value here, young one." The masked man said, moving forwards. "Rise up, I do not have time for groveling," he snapped. "Why is it you've called me here?"

  "I called you, my lord, because there's been a great change of late. The boy has been weakening ever since his mother's death." Dasety whispered, bending forwards. "Her death was well thought of."

  "Yes, well, it was my idea. Was it not?" The masked man asked, tilting his head. "Would you expect anything I told you not to be 'well thought of'? I do not do anything halfheartedly, like you humans."

  "No, my lord, I mean... I didn't mean it that way."

  He laughed. "Do not worry. You have done well, my child." The masked man whispered, placing a hand on Dasety's shoulder. "And you will be rewarded."

  "Thank you, my lord." Dasety said, bowing. "Now... what is to be done with the boy?"

  "Leave that to me, I know just what he needs to give him a reason to live again." He said, laughing softly. "The same thing you needed not that long ago. We have not long to wait." He whispered.

  "One last thing, my lord. It's about the Abaddon? Enrick has hardly slept since it attacked him."

  "What about it?!" the masked man snapped.

  "It's just... I don't remember asking you to send one. As I see it, killing Enrick wouldn't serve our purposes. If he's dead, he can't take the throne."

  "I did not send it because you asked me to."

  "Then who..."

  "Enough questions!" the masked man slammed his foot down and the whole room trembled. Dasety stepped back and nodded his head. "Keep me updated, everything we've been working for depends on timing." With that, the masked man spun around and morphed into the shadows. He was gone, as if he'd never been there at all.

  * * *

  Chapter 32

  Whispers in the Dark

  "Aroron.... Aroron..." The whispers grew louder, until Aroron's eyes flickered open and he sat up, glancing around him. As far as he could tell, there was no one and nothing for miles. "Aroron..." the sound of his name being whispered in the darkness, caused a shiver to run up and down his back. The sound wasn't human. "Aroron..."

  He snatched up Kant's knife and scrambled to his feet, but he still couldn't see anything in the darkness around him. "Aroron."

  Aroron spun around and there, standing in front of him was a man cloaked in a white robe.

  "Who are you?" he asked, holding the knife out towards him. He doubted it would do him much good, but it was better than nothing.

  "My name is Gabe."

  "I've... I've seen you before." Aroron said, a foggy memory itching at the edge of his mind. "In the Dubh-Woods! You were there."

  Gabe smiled. "Yes, I was there. But that's not why I'm here. You will find your sword somewhere in the Winter Valley."

  Aroron stared at him. Why would Kant just let it go? "How do you know that?"

  He laughed. "I know much more than you, Aroron. But only that which the Creator wishes."

  "The Creator?" Aroron placed his hand on his head. Had he hit his head? He couldn't remember doing it, but that didn't mean that's not what happened. "Why would the Creator care if I found that sword again? I'm not even sure I want it anymore! All it's brought me is trouble."

  "You and I both know that is not the truth." he said. "You've been chosen, not because of your royal blood, but because of your heart."

  "Royal blood? My heart? What are you talking about?" Aroron asked.

  "You will see in the months to come." Gabe said. "A change is coming to Aleanare and you will be at the center of it. The Dragon Blade has the power to bring down mountains and raise up kingdoms, but only you, Aroron Strangeheart, have the power to wield it..." Once again, there was a bright flash of light.

  Aroron sat up and looked around him.

  The sun was peeking over the horizon and the birds were starting to sing. It was morning and everything around him seemed quiet. There wasn't any sign of Gabe or anyone else.

  Had it all been a dream? Aroron found it hard to believe. It seemed too real to be a dream, yet... he wasn't sure. He felt a strange peace he hadn't before. He stood up and for reasons unknown to him, he turned towards the Northern Mountain which lay next to him.

  Its dark, icy peaks cut through the blue sky as its cold shadow fell upon him. An urge he couldn’t explain, pulled at him to go deeper into the mountain. But anyone who knew anything about the Winter Valley, knew that mountain was cursed and whoever entered never returned.

  He tried to turn away from the mountain, but when he did, the ground beneath his feet rumbled and his hands quivered. His heart thudded and he found it hard to breath. Go to the mountain. Aroron gasped for air, he couldn’t do it. He couldn't continue his journey to Shey. He had to find out why he felt a tug towards the mountain.

  Tightening his cloak around his shoulders, he steeled himself, turned and stepped forwards, towards the gloomy mountain of the lost kingdom of Glunot.

  * * *

  Chapter 33

  Gladberry

  Enrick was just turning the corner leading to his chambers, when he heard someone call his name. He stopped and turned towards Dasety. "Yes? What is it?!" He snapped, lack of sleep nagging at him. He hadn’t slept well for a very long time. Not since the Abaddon attacked him.

  "May we speak in your chambers, my lord?" Dasety asked, tugging at his collar as he glanced around as if he was afraid someone might be listening to them. "Alone." He added.

  Prince Enrick sighed, then turned towards his door.

  He slid his key into the lock and unlocked it. He'd made sure to lock his door every day since his father's wedding. He didn’t want an ‘accident’ to kill him. He shoved the door open and stepped inside.

  "What is it, Dasety?" Enrick asked, turning towards Dasety the moment they both stood inside his chambers. "You know something you want to tell me, but you don't want anyone else to hear, or you would have just spoken to me out in the hall. So, what is it? I have other things to be doing."

  "My lord..." Dasety started, glancing around. He moved towards the door and peeked outside, then he closed and locked the door, turning back towards Enrick. Reluctantly, he withdrew a pouch from his jacket and held it out to Enrick. Carefully, as if he was afraid it would burn him.

  Enrick unfolded it, reached inside and pulled out a part of the contents. "Gladberries?" Enrick mumbled, dropping the fruit back into the cloth. "Why do you have these?"

  "I... I found them when I was searching the queen's private chambers." Dasety mumbled, his cheeks turning red.

  Enrick laughed. "You searched the queen's private chambers? Without anyone seeing you?"

  "Yes, my lord."

  "Why?"

  "Because, things are just not adding up. For over a year, I've watched your father practically bow to her every will and whim. Even if he 'loves' her, he would never let anyone control him so! Besides, you and I both know King Munay's unable to love anything but his own reflection."

  Now he understood what Dasety was trying to say without coming out and really saying it. "So, she's using Gladberries, to what? Control my father?" Enrick asked, raising an eyebrow. "How the heck does she do that with berries? I mean, I love a good snack as much as the next guy, but I wouldn’t be controlled by them!” He couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you’re trying too hard to prove Willow’s no good. I really don’t like her, but berries are not the way
to stop her.”

  "Enrick, I might be your father's advisor, but I'm also a scientist and I know my plants, or berries, in this case." Dasety whispered. "Gladberries are very addictive, used in a certain way, they can also make a person attracted to another. It’s like one person making another addicted to themselves."

  "So, you're saying my father's 'in love' with Willow, because of these Gladberries? Really?" Enrick said, laughing dryly. "That's crazy!" He said, then he sighed. "If you tell my father, he won't believe you over her, and you know it. Especially after she gives birth to… the child.” He mumbled. “What should we do?" Enrick asked, fingering the berries.

  Dasety stepped closer to Enrick, and the prince was sure he saw fear in his blue eyes. "You have to show her, that the Karlien people cannot be bullied and used like this!" Before he could say more, they both jumped, when someone knocked softly on Enrick's door and called to the prince.

  Quickly, Enrick motioned Dasety behind the door and opened it. "Yes?" he asked, sticking his head out.

  "This is for you, my lord." The servant said, bowing as he held a letter out to Enrick. With that, he turned and hurried away.

  Enrick closed the door, unfolded the letter and sat at his table and leaned against it. "It's from one of the castle guards.” He said, answering Dasety’s question before he asked it. “A messenger has just delivered news from Shey. It would seem that for the last few months, Shenock has been building up their army. Making weapons and training soldiers by the hundreds. This isn't good!" Enrick said, crumpling up the letter before he tossed it into the fire burning behind him. "First Willow is corrupting us from within and now this! Can we not get a break?"

  "What will you do?" Dasety asked.

  Enrick looked up at him. "I'm going to see my father and find out what he's doing about it." He said, rising to his feet again. “Not that it will do much good. I’ve tried to tell him repeatedly that he needs to make a move of Shey. If they’re building up their armies, then it’s going to be harder to crush them!”

  “Undoubtedly true, my lord.”