Times have changed since the first war, and now I have Kassina to fulfil the prophecy. The Blood Moon shall rise again and even the so-called great dragons will all bow to me as their new god, or die at my hand!”
Tusdar screamed as he plummeted down. He felt as if his stomach was at his throat. The ground rushed up at him with the promise of certain death. The reflection of moonlight off the water below would have been almost beautiful, if it hadn’t been for the impending impact awaiting him once he reached it. He turned his head to the side and noticed a strange movement in the sky through the flickering of his hair. It was as if there was a slight shadow that was moving, but was only barely noticeable. He felt something powerful snatch him out of the sky, holding him in its firm grip. Feeling his way around, he felt invisible scales sliding under his hands.
Tusdar now realised he was held within the claws of a large creature.
He struggled to regain his energy and yelled through puffed breaths, “What are you? Such a creature only exists in fables and old stories. You couldn’t possibly be a dragon, could you?”
“Please stay quiet and stop your struggling. I mean you no harm and I don’t want to accidentally drop you,” responded the dragon quietly with a deep voice.
It continued its swift flight downstream uninterrupted, pounding its great wings to fly as fast as possible over the infested waters.
After what felt like an eternity of discomfort, they landed on a small clearing beside the river, only a short flight from Greenhaven. The mysterious creature dropped him onto the soft soil and landed beside him, sending a dull shudder through the ground and through his bones.
He shook off the dirt as he got back to his feet, still shaking from the near-death experience. “Thank you for saving my life — whatever you are,” said Tusdar, looking around and wondering where the creature had gone. “So, where are you? And why can’t I see you?”
Tusdar turned around to find nothing but trees and the river before him. He looked around in confusion, then jumped in fright at hearing a disembodied voice addressing him.
“You are welcome, Tusdar. My apologies for the rough landing, but I had my claws full,” replied Nymira as she slowly materialized before him, shaking out her wings.
“But… wha…” stuttered Tusdar, backing away from the immense creature that stood before his eyes.
“Are you finally surprised by something, Tusdar?” chuckled Vartan from behind him.
“ Vartan? Ha! It certainly is my lucky day today. Thank the gods!” exclaimed Tusdar, with a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear. “Thank you both for saving me from my plunge into the river. I would never have imagined having a real dragon standing here before me- truly remarkable. I have great news, Vartan! Aidan and I have avenged the murder of our king. Derian is dead!”
“The tide of war is truly turning in our favour. This will call for great celebration,” beamed Nymira.
“Is what you say true? Did you actually see him die?' asked Vartan. Approaching him, Vartan sniffed the air and raised his eyebrow. 'Have you been drinking again, Tusdar?”
I sense only truth in his words, not spirits. Mind you, I think the man deserves a drink after that fall, said Keturah.
“No, Vartan, I have not been drinking. I saw it with my own eyes, and he died at my hands by an enchanted arrow straight through his stone-cold heart. It’s just a shame that we didn’t manage to kill them both. Then this entire war would have been over and done with,” said Tusdar, shaking his head in disappointment.
Vartan put a reassuring hand on Tusdar’s shoulder and closed his eyes. “There’s nothing more that you could have done, and you have done incredibly well to have dispatched Derian and stand here before me. Stay still and relax, Tusdar. I am going to see your last memories through my eyes. You won’t feel any pain, I promise you.”
“What are you going to do? Are you serious? Where on Marithia did you learn such a skill?” asked Tusdar.
“I have learned a lot in my time with the dragons, and I learn new spells and improve my skills whenever I find time. Anyway, we are already running out of time, and I need to see the events that have taken place. We have to hurry,” said Vartan.
“All right then, Vartan, whatever I can do to help,” replied Tusdar, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes in preparation for the unknown.
Vartan steadied himself and breathed deep before whispering a spell. A blinding flash went over his body, and he witnessed the events at Greenhaven as if he were Tusdar himself. Vartan shook his head in throbbing pain as he let go of Tusdar’s shoulder and breathed quickly to dispense the spell.
“You are a very brave man, and even luckier than you are brave. I hope we don’t have to deal with that golem again. Today marks a great victory in the war against the Forces of Darkness, but we may have just stirred up a hornet’s nest by upsetting its queen. I’m really glad that bastard Derian has been wiped off the face of Marithia, even if he didn’t die by my hand and the pleasure was all yours,” said Vartan, managing a smile.
“Yes, I understand. I can’t help but feel that this happy moment is tainted by Aidan’s capture. Who knows what horrors Kassina is subjecting him to?'
Tusdar looked to Nymira's mighty form. 'You have a dragon with you. Why didn’t you help us both get away?”
Nymira bristled at the comment and narrowed her eyes toward Tusdar. “There were too many of them, Tusdar. We couldn't do anything by the time Greenhaven was in view, even with you by our side. We all would have been overwhelmed and captured, or even worse, killed.”
I’m with the dragon on that point. Amazingly enough, I like the thought of both of us staying alive, said Keturah.
I also like that thought, Keturah, but the reality is that everybody dies someday, responded Vartan.
Vartan felt a wave of sadness emit from Keturah and pass through his body. He brought his hand to his face, observing it closely. That’s a strange sensation, he thought.
“I understand. I didn't mean to offend you, dragon. So what do we do now?” asked Tusdar.
“Her name is Nymira,” said Vartan. “She is what we would call the Queen of the Dragons, so I would address her appropriately if I were you. Now we continue on our path past the city. There is something that I have to do, and we may already be too late. Now mount up.” Vartan climbed onto Nymira’s back.
“I give my sincerest apologies to you, Dragon Queen. I wouldn’t know the first thing about dragons, let alone attempt to ride one. Hold on a moment, if we take to the skies, won’t they see us flying past them?” asked Tusdar.
“You didn't see us coming, did you Tusdar? Stop worrying. We will be high above them in the cover of night, so as long as she stays hidden, we will be well-protected,” said Vartan as he helped Tusdar onto the dragon’s back.
“I am happy for you both to ride on my back, but my armour was not intended for anyone to ride it. Can you please jump down for a moment?” asked Nymira.
They obliged, and took a few steps back as Nymira prepared to cast a spell.
“ Vultus meus crusta pro veho, ” chanted Nymira, and her armour shone before moulding itself into the shape of seats and crude handles.
“That is the best that I can do. We can try this now, but be prepared; this will be very different from flying in the safety and balance of my clutches,” said Nymira as she carefully lay down to aid their climb.
“Vartan, before we leave… I believe that this belongs to you,” said Tusdar with a smile as he untied Vartan’s bow from his backpack and handed it over.
“I can’t believe you found this! Thanks, Tusdar,” said Vartan, securing the bow before gesturing towards the waiting dragon. Both Vartan and Tusdar climbed onto Nymira’s back and grabbed hold of her icy-cold armour as securely as possible.
“My word! Why is your armour so cold?” asked Tusdar.
“That is an effect of magical armour. I’m sorry, but I can't do anything about that,” said Nymira.
Vartan smacked Tusdar gently across the head with the back of his hand and laughed. “Tusdar, are you really that timid? Is your seat comfortable? Would you like me to get you a blanket? How about some tea?' Vartan chuckled through his words. Tusdar nodded quickly and tried to hold back a smile.
“All right, Nymira, we’re ready, finally,” laughed Vartan.
Tusdar looked around them shakily and his voice waved as he asked, “Are you sure that this is safe?'
