by Umut Ersezer
“Bring me that cup, we must administer this in smaller doses. Too much in one go could send his body into shock, shutting it down,” explained Nelk as she poured a thumbs volume of the potion into the glass.
She held Trajan’s head under one hand, lifting it to help him drink the potion as she poured into his mouth.
“Drink this Trajan,” Nelk urged.
Trajan gulped down the liquid without giving any conscious response. His face contorted into anguish as if the taste was souring his mouth.
“Now, we wait. His next dose needs to be administered six hours later. I also need to brew additional medicines now that I have assessed him” said Nelk.
“I’ll stay with him. You must be exhausted from travel,” said Shala.
Nelk gave Shala a serious look, then nodded in approval of her suggestion and walked out.
Trajan, rolled onto his stomach, falling into a deep sleep, his eyes were darting back and forth.
“What are you dreaming of my dear Trajan. Rest, it will all be over soon,” said Shala as she stroked his hair.
Trajan found himself tied to his bed. His mother’s idea of punishment for disobedience was to restrict his every movement.
It was the kind of punishment he hated the most. Not being able to move. The ropes cut into his wrists and ankles. He could deal with his father’s beatings, that was just pain, he was used to that. But being restrained like this, he could never grow used to it.
His mother, Crucia, walked into his room, holding a jug of water. She poured it over Trajan’s face, smiling as she did so. Trajan coughed and spluttered, swallowing and choking on the water.
“Stop!” he shouted.
“I will stop when you start to listen!” shouted Crucia.
“I…I promise I will!” Trajan shouted back.
“Good. But I think I’ll keep you here a while longer, just to make sure you understand.”
“NO! NO! Please! Don’t leave me like this!” Trajan begged.
Crucia paid no attention to his wails.
“You’re useless! You can’t work! You’re always sick. I’m ashamed to have given birth to such a pathetic son. No woman will ever take a weakling like you Trajan. Even Shala treats you as a child. You are no man. No matter what you command. You will always be weak. Always bedridden.”
“W…what? Who’s? How do you?”
The front door opened and closed. Trajan’s father had arrived home, his footsteps creaking the floorboards as he walked towards Trajan’s door.
Crucia gave a chilling wide smile. “Wait until I tell your father about this. Then you’ll really get it!”
Trajan’s eyes widened. He never understood how his parents could be so cruel. They seemed to enjoy hurting him.
“I just hope you last longer than your brothers did,” said Crucia as she walked away.
Trajan, realising the implication of what she said, fought against his rope bindings. He had been writhing against them all day. He needed to break free, he needed to escape, or he would die. He knew that now.
He kept jerking hard against the headboard of his bed, breaking it and releasing the ropes.
“Yes!” he exclaimed in excitement, then covering his mouth in regret. He worked frantically on the restraints on his bed, finally freeing his feet.
Crucia burst into his room.
“What is this!? Ledo! Ledo get in here now, he’s free!
Crucia leaped towards Trajan as his father burst into his room behind her. Trajan tried to scramble away, but Crucia had a hold of his foot, dragging him closer. Trajan reached behind him to feel a piece of the headboard. He swung it hard, breaking it across his mother’s head. She fell to the side of his bed, unconscious.
“What have you done boy!?” bellowed Ledo.
“I…I didn’t mean to!”
“I’ll have your bones, you wretch!” screamed Ledo as he stormed towards Trajan.
“S…s…stay back!! No!!”
Trajan, reflexively pushed the splinter of wood into his father’s gut…his eyes glassing over. The two of them locked their gaze with each other as Trajan watched the life drain away from his father…
Trajan gasped for breath as he shot bolt upright in his bed, sweat running down his face, his heart rate elevated.
“It’s okay! You’re safe now,” calmed Shala.
Trajan looked to her, still breathing heavily, his dream swimming in his head.
“It was just a dream, you’re okay,” Shala reassured.
“I’m awake…how? I feel like I’ve been dreaming forever,” gasped Trajan.
“Nelk arrived a few hours ago,” replied Shala.
“Nelk is here? Trajan asked as he looked at his hands, the pins and needles sensation no longer there.
Shala smiled as she nodded. “In fact, I think you’re due for your next dose of that potion she gave you. I’ll go fetch her so she can take a look at you.”
“Shala…”
“Yes?”
“Have you been by my side the entire time?”
“Well I do have duties to attend to you know, but I try to find the odd minute or two in the day,” she joked.
“Thank you. I never thought…” Trajan started, pausing for a long moment. “I never thought I could trust anyone Shala. If I make it out of this, things will be different between us. Better,” he said.
Shala beamed a smile in return, holding his face between his hands.
“Of course you’ll make it, and I’ll be right here waiting for you,” she said before planting a kiss onto his lips.
She walked out to fetch Nelk, leaving Trajan to dwell on his dream. He promised himself he’d never feel that helpless again. He felt re-energised, not only from the potion but from Shala’s kiss.
He had closed the door to love long ago, his parents made sure of that. Trajan grew up trusting no one. He saw everything as a fight. Maybe this one thing in his life, his beautiful Shala wasn’t. Perhaps he could let go with her.
Shortly after both Nelk and Shala walked into his quarters together.
“Well, well, well, we meet again, Trajan,” said Nelk with a laugh.
“It is good to see you again, Nelk. I see you’ve continued your enjoyment of pastries,” Trajan joked.
Nelk gasped, holding a hand to her heart.
“How dare you Mister High Commander Lord, you watch your tone thank you, I happen to hold the key to your good health!” she exclaimed.
“Of course, of course! My apologies lady of health. I am grateful for your continued assistance,” Trajan replied.
“Assistance!? More like coming to the rescue!” said Nelk as she waved her arms about dramatically.
It felt good to laugh again, though it pained him, he loved hearing Shala laugh, to be happy, he wanted to do more of that.
Trajan took the hand of Nelk, “Truly Nelk, thank you, I am forever indebted to you…again.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here commander, we still have quite the road ahead of us. But this should help,” said Nelk as she poured another dose of her potion for him.
Trajan drank it with thirst.
“Try to sleep, it speeds recovery,” Nelk instructed.
With a groan, Trajan lay back down into his bed, for the first time in weeks, he could see an escape from his hospital bed, the idea invigorating him.
**
Days past, each one bringing a clearer Trajan. Nelk had nearly finished her treatment and Trajan was just about ready to return to his duties. He still felt exhausted, weak even, but fever had lost its hold on him, releasing the ache from his muscles.
The first snowflakes had begun to fall outside, collecting on the tops of spires and walls. He now had the strength to walk to his small window to watch the comings and goings of his garrison residents. They had held up well without him, a credit to Mitchim.
There was a knock at Trajan’s door.
“Come,” he commanded.
Mitchim strode in with his lunch. “I’ve got yo
ur soup, sir, I managed to sneak in some veamber too,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you Mitchim, I am impressed with what you have accomplished in my absence. It bodes well for your future.”
“Thank you, sir. Am I to be a commander then?”
“No,” coldly responded Trajan. He sighed and continued. “At least, not yet Mitchim. I need you here, with me, when the time is right, I will promote you.”
“I understand, sir,” Mitchim replied, looking directly at Trajan.
“You are taking it well, another sign you would make for a fine commander.”
“I…I live to serve Commander.”
They shared a look before sitting at the table in the room.
“Report Captain,” said Trajan as he began sipping his soup.
Mitchim gave a sigh before beginning. “You weren’t supposed to live, sir.”
Trajan narrowed his eyes, trying to understand Mitchim’s meaning.
“You’re not a part of his plan, at least not anymore. Why couldn’t you just accept his offer?”
“Who’s offer, Captain? speak plainly!”
Suddenly Mitchim leaped over the table, spilling the soup all over the floor and wrapping his hands around Trajan’s throat. His eyes were cold and calculating.
“Why won’t you just die! I’m supposed to be the commander here! I’m supposed to have Shala! I’ve seen how you look at her! Damn you!” Mitchim shouted hysterically. “You have everything! Not anymore! I’ll have it now! It’s my turn!”
Trajan, struggled under Mitchim’s weight, he was still so weak, all he could manage was to scratch at Mitchim’s face. He gasped for breath, his vision narrowing, he could feel himself losing consciousness.
“It’s useless fighting it, Trajan. Can’t you see? The Shadow Lord comes for us all. There is no resisting. You saw what happened out there. You were supposed to join us! It’s too late for that now. Those who won’t join, have to die!”
Mitchim’s grip abruptly loosened. His dark eyes widening as Trajan observed the man’s pupils dilate. Trajan pushed him off to the side to find Shala standing behind him. Her trembling hands barely gripped the sword she stabbed him with.
“Shala…,” Trajan stammered.
They both looked to Mitchim laying on the floor, as a communication sphere rolled out from within his jacket pocket.
“How did you know?”
“Nelk first suspected sabotage when she first examined you. She’s been carefully watching everyone’s movements since then. She only started trusting me a few days ago, revealing her suspicions. We weren’t sure about Mitchim…until now I guess,” she said as she dropped the sword.
Trajan picked himself up, Shala coming over to help. He embraced her in a bear hug.
“You save me again, Shala,” said Trajan with a tear running down his cheek.
“I really don’t plan to make a habit of it Trajan, so if you could please stop getting yourself into these situations.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Trajan as they shared a warm embrace.
Trajan couldn’t help but laugh to himself with Shala giving him a querying look.
“There’s a deep irony here, being saved by two women, two times now. Remind me to tell you about it later. The cosmos twists our fates in peculiar directions Shala, ways which we can’t predict.”
“Let’s get you out of here my love, back into your chambers where I can administer my own special kind of medicine, more personal in nature of course,” said Shala with a devilish grin across her face.
** Chapter 25 **
Peritus, The God Dragon
“Ferox! Look below! cried Volare.
“I see it! Shall we say hello?” boomed Ferox.
Without waiting for a response, Ferox plunged into another stomach-churning nose dive. Down below, Volare could see the small dark outlines of darkspawn rushing out from the Pointed Forest, clashing with the dwarven army.
For the first time in his life, he was excited about a battle. Probably because it was from the relative safety of atop a god dragon, but it was still nonetheless exhilarating flying in on a dragon.
He thought back to his mother and brother, who had been killed by these vile creatures. He felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing he was about to bring down a rain of fire in retribution for their murders. He knew it wouldn’t bring them back, but he could feel his emotions spilling over knowing it was his turn to fight back. The very least he could do was cull their numbers to make it easier for his father and these dwarves.
He wanted to shout at the top of his lungs. Ferox, as if reading his mind, let out a thunderous roar, shaking the trees themselves. Both the darkspawn and dwarves were retreating fearfully in opposite directions.
Ferox headed straight for the darkspawn, releasing a massive jet of blazing fire. The heat singing the tips of Volare’s hair and eyebrows, but he didn’t mind, he felt powerful. He wanted to turn right and burn entire swathes of the forest hiding the darkspawn.
Ferox again, as if reading his mind did as he imagined. The dragon unleashed fury upon the darkspawn. Both Ferox and Volare fighting with the fire of vengeance in their belly. Again and again, Ferox swooped on the darkspawn, scorching thousands of them at a time, until none were left alive.
The outer edges of the forest were ablaze with volatile dragon fire. A spectacle that would surely gain the attention of the darkspawn and give them pause on their next attack into Nni.
Volare looked to the dwarves who had stopped retreating. Instead, they were now cheering, holding up their axes and shields in honour of their saviours. Volare puffed his chest feeling proud.
“Let’s go say hello to our new friends Ferox,” suggested Volare.
The dragon adjusted his flight, slowing his speed and approaching the dwarven army at a gentle incline to suggest non-aggression. He landed before them as Volare gave everyone a wave with a huge smile across his face, revealing his youthful nature. Ferox too attempted a smile for the dwarves, only to have them take a step back. It wasn’t exactly the warmest of smiles exposing a row of brutally sharp and pointed teeth. One dwarf stepped forward, walking towards Ferox and Volare.
“Ahem,” the dwarf cleared his voice. “ I am General Nanus, leader of the dwarven army here. We are forever grateful for your intervention here and thank you.”
Like Faber, he was well built and stocky, exuding strength. He had dark brown hair, that came down to his shoulders, combining with his dark brown beard which had a single plat at the centre. His eyes were a light blue which made a striking contrast against his hair and tan skin tone. He wore the most intricate metal armour Volare had ever seen, with shoulder guards, graphical patterns, combined with plate and chain sections. It had a striking dark golden colour mixed in with streaks of green and blue.
“We are…ahem, I am Volare Fortem, I come from a village to the east called Vicus.
“And I am Ferox, God Dragon of the eshin,” added Ferox.
The dwarves now gathering around him gasped at once, in shock to hearing the dragon talk. Suddenly they dropped their shields, axes and swords, plunged to their hands and knees to bow deeply towards Ferox.
Ferox released a grumble of satisfaction from deep within his throat. The vibrations resonated right through Volare’s body.
“T…the stories are true then. We had almost given up hope,” stammered Nanus as he held his head down.
“Rise!” boomed Ferox as the dwarves hesitantly raised their heads to stand once more.
“There is always hope Nanus, as long as you draw breath, there is hope. But time is short. I seek my sister, Peritus.”
“Yes, of course. We came across what we believed to be an ancient structure below ground within one of our mines a short distance from here. We have been unable to open it, but the darkspawn have been desperate to reach it. We have defended it as long as we could, but we grow tired, our numbers dwindle with each battle,” explained Nanus with exasperation in his voice. “Your timing is vital.”
<
br /> “Take us there immediately, we must release her,” commanded Ferox.
A party of armed dwarves escorted Ferox and Volare a few hundred metres away from the battlefield. A huge opening in a rock face greeted them. There were rails leading into the darkness with carts resting by the mouth of the opening.
“This is our mithril mine Great One, said Nanus addressing Ferox. “About three hundred metres deep, we found a metallic door with symbols we don’t recognise across its face. We have been excavating the rock around the structure for tens of years. We suspected it was from a time before the destructions but didn’t dare dream it was our god.”
“You have done well Nanus, protecting this sleeping chamber could mean the difference between our destruction and survival. We will enter the mines, continue to guard its entrance at all cost, the darkspawn will no doubt realise why we are here. They will most likely launch a desperate retaliation,” said Ferox.
Nanus thumped a fist to his chest. “We will honour the gods Great One,” he said proudly.
The rest of the escorting party followed the action, standing straight. The dwarves were a proud and astute lifeling. Their building and ingenuity had always been unmatched across the world.
Ferox confidently strode into the cave opening. Volare held his keystone tightly, trying to get a sense of direction in the darkness. He willed it into life, the keystone responding with a bright blue glow. Enough to provide some relief against the encroaching darkness.
Deeper they descended, the temperature rising as they did. Volare now had beads of sweat running down his face. Some corridors were tighter than others, forcing Ferox to scratch away chunks of rock that were in his way. Little obstacle against a dragon god.
Ahead of them, from the darkness, a metallic wall came to life with blue, glowing symbols. With a loud click, the double metal doors began to open inwards, revealing a massive cavern inside. More blue symbols came to life on the walls within the cavern, illuminating the slumbering dragon within.
She was smaller than Ferox, but with scales and claws equally ferocious looking. Peritus had a deep orange colour to her scales, fading into a lighter yellow as the scales approached her tail. Ferox slowly approached her, leaning closer to smell her.
