Dragon Bow

by Angelique Anderson

  The road seemed rougher than before, as she could barely lift her blood-stained boots to walk over the gravel. She took a few steps more, and suddenly felt very dizzy. Brilliant sparks of light flashed before her eyes, and then she could feel herself falling. She never felt the sudden impact of the ground as she hit but knew that she must have been dying. Perhaps she would wake up in the Celestial Realm?

  That was her last thought, and she was out. Darkness encompassing her body like a stone tomb.

  “She looks a lot like the other girl—the one who saved us,” a woman’s voice intruded into Astrid’s thoughts.

  “Yes, only that one had blue hair, not green. I wonder if they are related?” a man spoke, his voice fading as Astrid tried to open her eyes, but instead, felt herself sleeping once again.

  Unsure of how much time had passed, Astrid could feel the cool of night as she strained to open her eyes. She desperately wanted to call out for Aronus but feared exposing him. My bow! Where is my bow? She couldn’t lift her eyelids to see around her. Her body was so tired and so sore.

  “I think she’s stirring, but I can’t tell,” the woman spoke again.

  “Feed her some soup,” the man ordered, his voice kind—and concerned.

  “Is she going to be all right, momma?” a little child asked.

  “Yeah, is she all right momma?” a different child asked.

  “Yes, children, now go to sleep. She’ll be fine. Lucky, we found her when we did… the poor thing.”

  “Yes, momma!” they both said, and even though Astrid couldn’t open her eyes, she could sense their happiness as they bounced away.

  In the next instant, a warm cloth touched her head, before moving to pat her arms, then her legs, then her feet.

  Astrid groaned softly, trying her best to whisper a ‘thank you,’ to the woman who had been caring for her.

  “Shhhhh,” the woman whispered. “Just rest. You’ve clearly been through quite an ordeal. “Here try to eat now that you’re awake.”

  Astrid felt something hot pressed against her lips, and she opened her mouth slightly to swallow it down. The liquid was hot and delicious as it poured down her throat. Then the woman pulled it away.

  “How is that,” the woman asked.

  “Mmmmm,” she managed.

  Astrid managed to drink quite a bit, before she finally fell asleep again. In her dreams, she was a little girl, and Melifera was holding her hand, telling her all the things that were to come and how Astrid needed to take care of her sisters, and above all else—love them.

  When she awoke the next day, aside from some soreness in her muscles, she could open her eyes and sit up.

  “You’re awake?” A plain woman with long wavy brown hair hanging past her shoulders smiled at Astrid from across the room. She was boiling something in a pot, and when she finished, she poured it into a cup and brought it to Astrid. “Here, I made some cinnamon and fresh apple tea. It will refresh you. How are you feeling?”

  “Well, a little sore,” Astrid admitted, “but otherwise, I feel so much better. Thank you for letting me rest here, but I must be going.” Her eyes darted around the humble home, and she realized her armor lied propped in the corner with her bow. Her boots had been cleaned, save for a dark brown stain that remained in the leather.

  “You cleaned my armor?” She glanced down at the clothes she was wearing—a fresh cotton undershirt, and unflattering cotton bloomers.

  “Yes. When you came in, you were in quite disarray and you smelled like death. I had to clean you up, and my husband has a knack for cleaning leather.”

  “Why? Why did you take a chance on me?”

  “Oh, my dear, a woman—she looked like you, but definitely younger and wilder... she helped us once. Do you know her?”

  Astrid nodded her head. “Indeed, she is my sister. Have you seen her? Is she all right?”

  The woman shook her head. “I haven’t seen her, but she helped save our family once. I figured that the two of you were of some relation. We couldn’t just leave you out in the road for the buzzards, or a wild Toverak to find you. So, we brought you back here. You can leave if you like, or you can stay and rest for another day or two. We don’t have much, but I can care for you. Your sister... she is brave for standing against the Tellurian King. There are not many, if anyone at all who would have the guts to do so.”

  The woman’s husband entered the room, a large smile on his aging face. “Indeed, and what a sight to see. If not for her standing against him, I don’t think we would have gotten out of there in time. We were on our way to see him, until we saw the Caelestans and the Aequorans facing off against the Tellurians. I was able to save my family, for a second time, because of her.”

  “That is wonderful.” Astrid pulled the blanket up tight around her body, feeling very exposed without her armor. “I must do right by her as well and return to my people to warn them of what has happened.”

  The truth was, she wasn’t ready to return to Caelestis just yet, but she needed time to gather her thoughts and talk with Aronus about what had happened on the battlefield with the king, and the way he had behaved. She wanted to know more about what had occurred—seeing how everyone who seemed to know something—didn’t know about the darkness inside of him.

  “Very well. If you wish to leave, we won’t stop you, but we couldn’t just leave you to die out there,” the man said, smiling again before he left the room.

  “Thank you, I do appreciate it so much, you have to know that,” she called after him as he left.

  “Don’t mind him, he’s just worried about you… out there on the road by yourself.”

  “I’m all right, Miss—really. I have quite the aim with my bow, and I can defend myself. I assure you.” Astrid smiled genuinely, trying to ease the woman’s fears about letting her go.

  “All right, dear, if you say so. I’ll leave you be, while you change, but I’m not letting you go without provision.” With that, the woman nodded her head, and bowed out of the room, shutting the humble, aged door behind her as she went. The children were nowhere to be seen, so Astrid quickly stripped off the uncomfortable cotton, and slid on her underthings and armor once more.

  The feel of it against her skin was a comfort, and as she lifted her elegant bow off the ground, and Aronus sat on her shoulder, his tail forming the magic arrow, that she could release time and time again, she felt prepared for anything. She was proud of Hekla for having saved this family, knowing it was the very reason that the family had in turn saved Astrid, assuming she was of some relation to the blue-haired beauty.

  Thank you, Hekla. I would have died on that road, had it not been for what you did for them. Astrid hoped that the time would come again when she could express her gratitude out loud. For the time being, she was headed to the mountain, and when she left their home, she would ask Aronus if he had found a worthy campsite where she could stay for a few days to get her strength, and regroup before she faced the Caelestan King again.

  Leaving the room, the cloth clothes she had on lied gently on the well fluffed matt they had given her to sleep on, and she felt nothing but gratitude toward the family. The smell of death was nearly gone from her armor, and it had gained back it’s forest green sheen that was just as vibrant and beautiful, as the day Melifera had first placed it on her.

  “Thank you, for your kindness. It will not be forgotten,” Astrid said, smiling at them as she watched the man and woman play a game involving rocks and dirt, and etched circles on the ground. “I promise to give my sister your regards when I see her, and to tell her of your generosity.”

  “Take care, green-haired one, and remember that the cause you are fighting for. It is a good one—even if there are innocent lives lost. Do not forget that,” the woman offered.

  “Indeed, if we lose on the battlefield, we lose the kingdom. If we abolish the battlefield, we gain a kingdom,” the man said, a half-grin on his face.

  “What does that mean?” Astrid asked.

 
; “It means, if we go to battle and lose... we will lose the kingdom, and our men their lives. If there is no battlefield, then no kingdom is lost. And no lives will be lost. Death happens in war, but if you prevent the war—you prevent death.”

  “Indeed,” she replied, nodding. “I and my sisters are doing all we can to make sure that all of this does not end in war again. I am journeying to the mountain, to the kingdom of Caelestis, to once more to see if I can talk to the King about possible peace between the kingdoms.”

  “Good lass, be well and take care,” he said.

  Astrid nodded as she departed their cabin, making her way to the road again, her eyes blinking back sun induced tears. It was midday again, and brighter than it had been in a while. The mountain was farther away than when she had begun her journey.

  Clearly, the people lived in one of the Tellurian villages. She took off in a run, not wanting to be hindered by anyone else. Her purpose rang clear in her mind. Get to the mountain, or somewhere safe, talk with Aronus, then decide what to do about the Tellurian king, as it seemed he was the key to everything that was wrong between all the kingdoms.

  A small burst of hope had sprung up in her, at having met the family her sister had saved. They had appreciated her sister’s boldness. Perhaps this meant that not all Telluris was on King Armand’s side. That had to stand for something, when the time came.

  Indeed, it does, Astrid. It may not look like it now, but you and your sisters are fulfilling everything the Unseen Ones had for you to do. Palladin knows your heart, and the things you have suffered. He sees you. Take heart that he is pleased as well.

  “Thank you, Aronus. That does mean a great deal. Have you found somewhere safe for me to stay?”

  “I have. It’s not far off, just a little way up the mountain, but it’s a good access point between Caelestis and Telluris. There are plenty of provisions there, and a waterfall not far off for you to gather water or bathe,” he said, suddenly appearing and flying ahead.

  “Are you invisible to everyone but me, again?”

  “Of Course, silly girl. Trust me. Unless you hear someone scream, aaaaahhhhh dragon! You’re safe to talk to me and see me. Just don’t talk too loudly. Don’t need anyone thinking you’ve gone off your rocker,” he joked with her.

  “Ay yi yi. Very well, Aronus. Lead the way.”

  Aronus leapt into the air and began flapping his wings, disappearing into the distance.

  Astrid chased after him, struggling to keep up. The wind felt good at her back, as it pulled her wild green hair into whipping waves around her face. She felt free, and happy, momentarily. No matter what the future held, her sisters and her were fulfilling their purpose for the time. That was something to hold on to, and to be grateful for.

  “I am leading the way. Can you keep up, you insufferable human?” he teased back, flying faster.

  She laughed and chased him from Telluris up the mountain. The sun warmed her from head to toe. Perhaps there was an end in sight. And perhaps peace could be found. Astrid would find out once she and Aronus could talk.

  14

  Svana

  A true friend will stick with you no matter what, or who gets in the way. Those kinds of friends you don’t come across often, so when you do, hold onto them, and never let them go.

  Nuldronian, The Protector, Fifth Dragon Elder, Sixth Age of Verdil

  The familiarity of the village was comforting to Svana. It felt like an eternity since she had been here, but the more time she spent there, the more at home she felt. As the Ye Olde Wayward Lady came into view, her stomach did a happy little flip. She could hardly wait to see a friendly face, and Jakobe…. She wondered how he had been since she’d left. Svana had been too focused on her sisters and King Armand to see if Jakobe had joined them in battle. She could only hope that he hadn’t been injured.

  Pressing open the large heavy doors, she expected sighs of relief, but instead the bartender yelled.

  “Get out of here! You’re not welcome,” his tone sinister, and angry.

  “I’m sorry?” she asked, confused by the man’s rage. “It’s me Svana, do you not recognize me?”

  “I recognize you all right!” A large glass flew at her, and she jumped out of the way of its impact. It hit the wall behind her, shattering into pieces.

  “What was that for?” she said, unsheathing her sword in case she found herself having to fight the man.

  “Yes, pull your sword, you foolish woman, because I’m the threat,” he said sarcastically.

  “I don’t understand what’s happening. I fought for you, for our people!” she tried to reason with him, not understanding his anger.

  “Did ya? Did ya fight? What about for me boy, eh? Did you fight for him? Because he didn’t make it. I lost my boy, and it’s your fault. If you wouldn’t have incited the King, that battle never would have happened, and my boy would still be alive!” he hurled another large glass at her. Svana stepped out of the way again.

  “Godwyn! That is quite enough!” Eloise came rushing down the stairs, stopping in front of the angry man and putting her hand up. “It’s not her fault and you know it!” She stood between him and Svana.

  “It is her fault! Everything was fine before she came along!”

  “Do you realize what you’re saying? Have you seen an Aequoran or Caelestan, since King Armand declared them enemies?”

  “No, and good riddance!” he yelled out, the patrons in the bar were silenced by the exchange.

  Percival had joined them, and walked over to Godwyn, leaning across the bar to glare at the man in the eyes.

  “Godwyn, how long ‘ave you worked for me?”

  “A long time,” the salt and pepper haired man responded, his creased face defined even more by the angry scrunch of his eyes and mouth.

  “Do you trust me, Pete?”

  “With me life,” he answered.

  “Then trust me when I say, Telluris needed this woman. She did something at that battle that not a one of us would have had the guts to do. Because of her bravery, we are on the verge of reuniting the kingdoms again.”

  “Well, that won’t bring my boy back!”

  “Nor my husband!” a woman yelled, slamming her cup down on the hard wood table.

  “Nor my father,” a young man with a heavy Tellurian accent shouted. The angry rise of families who had lost loved ones, grew louder and more insistent, and no matter what Percival and Eloise said to them, they could not be calmed.

  “Svana, my dear, you must leave. It isn’t safe for you here. Go to Jakobe, he can protect you! Go! Get out of here!” Eloise said.

  Svana nodded, wishing she could hug the woman, but the patrons were on the verge of rioting, and there was no way for her to do so, without inciting them more. She took off toward the back of the tavern, out of the back door, and sprinted down the dirt road to ‘Hand and Hammer.’ Her heart began calming when she saw the entryway to his business.

  As she got closer, she noticed the door had been broken off and lie on the ground. Tiptoeing inside, she stepped cautiously, mindful of the broken glass scattered on the floor. Jakobe’s normally roaring fire for welding, had been snuffed out. The ashes felt as cold as the corpse of those who had fallen.

  She rushed from his shop and hurried around the back to his home. His door stood wide open. A heavy sense of foreboding settled in her stomach; she knew even before she went into his home that it had been destroyed—just as his shop had been.

  “What happened here?” His table was overturned, his bed had been pulled apart. Everything broken and destroyed, as if whoever had come had meticulously stayed to destroy every piece of the home that belonged to the man. On the floor, a torn piece of parchment caught her eye. It was a painting. Had Jakobe painted it himself? Urged on the by desire to see what it was, if he had been the one to create the work of art, she scoured his home for all the pieces.

  Svana brushed through the destroyed furniture, cutting her fingers on a piece of splintered wood, but manag
ed to find all the fragments. Clearing a place on the dirt floor, she shifted the paper bits about until they made sense. They made up the pieces of a woman with wild fiery wind-blown hair. Large sad forest green eyes framed with thick lashes stared back at Svana. The armor she wore was slightly aged, but perfectly formed to her petite frame. In her hand she held sword thrust outright, her other hand stretched outward.

  “Oh, Jakobe!” Svana teared up at the artistic rendering of herself. She placed her hand on the pieces, eyes burning with tears. “I wish I could fix this, all of it.” She knew the battle had not been her fault, but as she stared down at the ripped pieces of the painting, part of her felt that the reason his home and business had been destroyed had everything to do with her.

  “It’s not your fault, Svana. You mustn’t think that way.” Lingaria made his appearance, flittering to the ground. He walked around, his body wobbling side to side with the weight of his round belly.

  “Lingaria, if only I’d never come. If I’d never met him, or Percival, or Eloise. If I’d just stayed in the Volcano like Hekla wanted to do from the beginning, none of this would have happened.” Svana fought back angry tears, frustrated that she had no control over the situation and even more frustrated that something terrible had happened to Jakobe and there was nothing she could do about it.

  “Svana, that is quite enough. What happened? You’ve always accepted what you needed to do, and you did it well. Do not lose sight now.” Lingaria stopped next to the painting, staring down at it.

  “I accepted it because no one’s life but my own was at risk. Now, everyone I care about has been thrust into harm’s way and it’s my fault!” She pounded her fist on the floor, rage seething through her. “No, this isn’t my fault! This is the damned King’s fault! He must not wake up! If he wakes up, he will finish what he started on the battlefield.”

  “You do know that the King did not kidnap Jakobe, or ransack his place, right?” Lingaria tried to reason with her.