They set out from Naofalas's stronghold on foot, intending to join with the small group of men Tahir brought with him, leaving most behind to guard Skia in his absence. It was a clear day and the grass swayed in the wind like waves. Distantly you could hear birdsong as they occasionally passed overhead. After an hour or so, Kalla noticed the sun was staying mostly to their right, but Skia was Southwest of al'Kourra.
"This...isn't the way to Skia, is it?"
"No."
"Where are we going? Naofalas said--"
"How am I to take you into my city to help before you've proven yourself to my men, or me." He paused, but she only looked into his eyes, waiting. "We're going to Coillte Draíochta."
"What? Why there?!"
"You've had dealings with Dian or the faeries there?"
"I, I have. That's not really what I mean." She looked away.
"His realm is protected more than most and is neutral. It makes sense to meet there first. And--"
"And if something goes wrong, it will be contained by Dian's powerful borders and any injured would have the best healers." she finished for him. She shook her head at his raised eyebrow. "Do try to have a little faith in me."
"Faith is not the issue. I nearly killed you the last time and--"
"And I lived." Her defiance burned into his eyes, snuffing out the fire of an old argument. He cleared his throat.
"We should go."
With a sigh of frustration, she followed him through the plains and rolling hills, watching as the landscape became increasingly thicker with trees and lush vegetation. By afternoon, they were walking in a sea of green and climbing over fallen logs. They paused once, at a quiet stream, before continuing onward. Despite the picturesque landscape, they rarely spoke. She attempted a few times, but his answers were short and concise. With her second sigh of the day, she gave up.
"What is wrong?"
"What?"
"You sighed."
"So?"
"Again."
"..." He is counting?
He caught her arm and faced her. "What is it? You were talking and you stopped abruptly and--is this funny?"
"Sorry," she forced herself to stop at his scowl, "I'm just surprised. This whole time you barely say a word and when you do speak it's the shortest answer possible. Now you are questioning why we're not talking."
"I... have been told I'm not good at conversation." He turned his eyes forward towards the path.
"You were told right, but it's okay. There is something about being able to share the silence with someone too. A lot of people's thoughts are so loud they cannot stand to stay silent if another person is nearby."
He blinked, "And which do you prefer?"
"I don't have a preference," she shrugged, "but the more I know of you and your people, the better I will be able to help you."
"Ah, I see." That sounds...disappointed? Surely not, why would that disappoint him? "Then ask what you wish, and I will do my best to elaborate."
"Alright."
They reached the edge of the Faery King's Forest just as the sun's last rays were fading. Several of Tahir's men joined them as they approached its borders. Naturally the Faery realm was astir with the visitors, but Dian hurried his guests inside apologizing to his people for the weariness of their guests and promising a fine feast on the morrow.
***
The firelight flickered against the walls as Kalla sat on the bed. After traveling, she wanted nothing more than a good night's sleep, but her friend had other plans.
"So, tell me of this dragon of yours!"
"Caer, he's not mine or anyone else's; he's not an object."
"Yes, yes. But what's he like? They say that he is as handsome as he is fierce!"
"Caer, I'm tired."
"Oh, come on! Surely you know somethin'! You've been travelin' with him and his men."
"Only a short while and anyway, my job is to help them on their mission."
"Job? How boring!" She pulled on Kalla's sleeve as she tried to turn over. "Aren't ya a wee bit curious?"
"Not everything in the world is a game, you know."
"That's racist! Just because I'm a faery doesn't mean I canna be serious!"
"Oh?"
"Really!"
She held her hand up as if pledging her honesty. The pose lasted a full five seconds before she fell over giggling. Kalla couldn't help but grin and shake her head.
"Now, tell me what's he really like! I bet he's like a god in bed if--"
She felt the heat rise in her face, "Why would you ask me that?!"
"Haha! Are ya still shy about such things, love? But seriously, have ya not heard what they say? That he's popular with all beautiful ladies, even some of the men. Charming, elegant, and" her voice dropped to a whisper, "quite passionate!"
"Enough, Caer. I need to sleep." She tried to bury her face in the shadows and pillow under her, but her friend continued.
"Kalla," she giggled, "it's not like ya to have absolutely nothing ta say! Besides, there's no sin in lookin'. Yer a grown woman now and he's exotic and sexy and his voice is--"
"Caer, stop!" Too loud. Too loud and too serious.
"Why ya so offended? Do ya like him or somethin'?" Caer crossed her arms in a petulant pout.
"Wha-What? Don't be ridiculous!"
"Oh gods, ya do! If ya wanted a king, ya coulda had me brother!"
"You're wrong! I don't want a king!"
"Wrong that you like him or about him being a king?"
"Caer, please."
"Do you want a king, strong and protective?" She draped herself over Kalla's back, shielding her from the rest of the empty room.
"Stop."
"Charmin' with a deep sultry voice that makes ya tingle all over?" Her fingers slowly slid up Kalla's hip to her waist, then a little more.
"Stop!" She covered her face with her hands, but Caer reached to pull them away and pull her in.
"Do you want him to wrap you up in his embrace and--"
"STOP!" She blinked once, twice. "Stop." Quieter.
Caer sighed, "Do ya even know what ya want?"
"I, I want..." do I?
"Kalla, do ya really like him?"
"It's not like that! It's a job, nothing more."
"Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Well then, by all means work away. But if there is even a chance you be denyin' your feelings, you should be honest with yerself. And him, or you'll regret it."
"I'm not a child!"
She paused, brushing a lock of Kalla's hair behind her ear, "I didna say ya were. I just donna want ta see ya hurt like my brother, love.
She turned over to look at the other woman, "What happened? Is he okay?"
"Aye, if by okay ya mean pining like a teenager. He fell in love with some girl, a selkie at that. Loved her more than anythin' but...he didna want to pressure her because he is the king, so he never told her. One day he woke up an' she was gone. Been a couple years, but he's never gotten over it."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize. Is, is it okay to tell me this?"
"Yeah, I mean, dona tell him 'twas me, but it's not a secret. Ya coulda heard it from any in the faery courts. They're the worst with gossip."
"That must be hard on him."
"Ah well, no one is dumb enough ta say it in front o' him. Besides, faeries gossip, but we do know when ta keep our mouths shut...usually."
"Still."
"Anyway," she waved her dismissal, "I dona want ta see ya hurtin' like that. If it's in ya heart, listen to it. Been tellin' ya that for ages. Ya can have any man ya want, or woman if ya like, but ya gotta be honest with yerself."
"Caer..." You don't realize what you're asking...
"Ha, I know, I know. I just want ta see ya with someone ya deserve, love. Someone who can help ya forget the past and take away that lonely look in yer eyes."
"I said I'll be fine."
Gently she continued, "Aye, that ya did. It's okay to guard yer heart, but also listen to it, hm?"
"It's not like that. We are merely comrades and whatever you've heard about him, well, how accurate are all the rumors and gossip about Dian?"
"Admittedly, such gossip is often elaborate and told for maximum drama,"
"See!"
"--but, there is a seed of truth to them. There always is." She looked down and squeezed the fabric of her nightdress before looking up into Kalla's eyes. "You say it's just a job, but I've known ya fer years; I know yer heart and--"
"You don't." Kalla said it softly, but it was as cold as it was gentle, as piercing as it was true.
"...Mayhap not. But have the courage to tell the person. Besides, if he breaks yer heart, I'll kill him."
Kalla huffed out a small laugh at that and relaxed a little. "Of course you would. Regardless, I don't know much to tell you about him or his men. My mind has been on more important matters."
"Alright, alright," she held up her hands in defeat. "Tell me these more important matters."
***
“This is Kalla. She will hold the rank of General while she is with us and I expect everyone to act accordingly. We leave for Skia in one week. ”
With that he turned and left her standing silently in front of a room full of soldiers. With a sigh, she ordered an ale and sat beside him at an empty table.
“As eloquent as ever I see.” She took a swig of ale glancing around the room.
He shrugged. “If you truly wish them to see you as a general, you must earn that.”
Three men approached and sat down, ale sloshing out of their cups as they looked Kalla up and down.
“General, eh? And what makes you think you deserve that rank?”
“She looks awfully pretty to be fighting. Maybe Tahir brought her here for other reasons?”
“If that were the case, I would have brought someone much more agreeable,” Tahir interrupted.
“Wait, where are you going?”
“I have no desire to listen to drunk soldiers trying to brag about a pissing contest. Enjoy your evening.”
She turned and regarded the soldiers eagerly waiting for her reaction. She rolled her eyes and looked around the room for better company but only found more of the same.
“Dragons,” she muttered.
“What was that?”
“Hey lovely, how about you let me show you the prowess of a real soldier?”
“PFfhahaha!” the youngest of the trio stumbled and hid his face behind the third.
“I’d kindly ask ya to leave me in peace, thank you.” She raised her mug to them before returning to ignore them.
“Hey, that’s not nice!”
“Nice or not, I’m not interested.”
“No need to be like that babe, I promise one night with me and you’ll never get enough!”
He put his arm around her shoulders and tried to pull her close. Instead he found himself flipped over onto her other side, back against the table, and her right arm pressed against his neck.
“I’ll put this in terms you can understand. Do you really think,” she ran her other hand up his chest as she released him, “that you could handle someone like me?” She seductively slid a dagger down the side of his cheek, trailing the point down over his shirt, slowly. “Don’t you think,” she flipped the dagger in the air, “that the most dangerous games” she grabbed his shoulder, preventing him from moving backwards, “are the most exhilarating?” The dagger landed solidly into the table between his legs. She let go and he tumbled backwards, running as fast as he could and dragging his friends with him.
“Oh dear, and here I thought I was making new friends.”
“Ehem.”
A man with hazel eyes stood before her in full uniform. “I apologize for any unsavory behavior, although I doubt they will live that down for a while. My name is Zaid. Tahir asked me to see to it that you were not harassed, but I see that he needn’t worry.”
“Guys like them are everywhere.” She sat down, gesturing for him to follow. “Annoying and more likely to get themselves into trouble than the other way around, but still better to put them in their place first.” she held out her hand, “I’m Kalla.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand. “I will fill you in on the battalion’s normal routines and the role generals play on and off the battlefield.”
“Surely it can’t be that different from anyone else’s? Should we order more ale or coffee for this conversation?”
“Hmm, well I will also be going over the latest briefing from Skia’s battle with the Fomhóraigh, so perhaps both.” He grinned.
“I’ll be sure they add some bourbon!”
***
Kalla was leaning up against the wall when he found her. Arms crossed as she surveyed the military drills about her with a somewhat disinterested expression. He knew better. One foot casually propped against the wall was poised to launch her forward; her sword hung from her belt, but was not secured in its sheath and ready for battle; her eyes scanned every move and every person in front of her, analyzing and waiting.
“Kalla, how are you getting along?”
She didn’t move to look at him. “Do they always practice with such...intimidating practices?” “I’m sorry?”
“Do they always try to prove they are better than others by discouraging and intimidating them?”
“I...suppose?”
“You don’t know?” She turned to him, deep purple eyes fixing him with their intensity.
“I believe in allowing my Generals the freedom to train troops as they feel is best rather than forcing everyone into only one way of thinking. We have found it is better to have a more diverse army than one with a fatal flaw.”
“Indeed, but are you actually encouraging other ways of thinking and training?”
“Come again?”
“They put others down, belittle them, use cheap tricks, anything to prove they are ‘better’ than the other.”
“Is that not what war is? Ultimately doing whatever it takes to win?”
“Is it?”
He looked at her in confusion for a moment. She pushed off the wall and turned to face him, gesturing towards his soldiers as she spoke.
“They are all you soldiers. War is not won because you have a few strong men, but because your men fight together and push themselves beyond what they think is possible.”
“Is that not what they are doing by using any resource they can to best their partner?”
“Maybe if it was a partnership, but these are men terrorizing the other.”
“Kalla, I respect you as a fighter. But war is terrifying and if they can’t handle that, they will be of no use in battle. In fact, they will become a hindrance.”
“So they fight to win the battle, nothing more?”
“Nothing less.”
“I see.”
What is she even… “Do you?”
“Naturally,” she turned her eyes back onto the soldiers, “is there anything else?”
“...No.”
“Good day then.”
With that she turned and left him standing amid the clanging of metal and harsh yelling.
“There she is!”
Kalla turned as a small group approached her, Zaid, and Tahir at the table.
“Can I help you?”
“You think you can come in here and change how we do things! Tahir may say you’re a general, but you’re no general of ours!”
“Let’s see you put your sword where your mouth is!”
“Gentlemen,” Tahir started, “may I ask what is the reason for this outburst?”
“Lord Tahir, she is trying to change our ways!”
“She comes in with her rules. Rule this and rule that!”
He raised an eyebrow at Kalla.
“I believe they are referring to the fact that I will not tolerate the degrading of other soldiers under my orders or the use of any underhanded tactic to win.”
“She says it’s not about winning the war!”
“Yeah, she wants us to lose!”
“I believe what I said was that the purpose of the drills is to improve, not to win.”
“You see? What is the point if we don’t win?”
The crowd began to grow with more complaints, voices becoming angrier and louder. Kalla stood and bowed towards Tahir and Zaid.
“I apologize for the inconvenience. I think my presence may only continue to agitate them so I will return to my room and expect to discuss this at a later time.”
“There’s nothing to discuss!”
A loud shout boomed as a man burst through the crowd with a dagger. She deftly caught his wrist and pulled him forward as she turned to shove him into an empty table beside them. Another rushed towards her, grabbing her arm as she spun to face him and slammed the butt of her hand directly into his chin, forcing him backwards with tears in his eyes. A third lunged towards her but she jumped and spun to kick him into the table in front of Tahir, knocking the dishes to the floor. The second man grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her while the first came towards her throwing his dagger. Reflexively Zaid moved to shield her but she leaned back into her captor and flung him towards Zaid to knock him out of the way. She deflected the blade with her vambrace as she spun back around and unsheathed her own blade. And swiftly slid the blade against the first man’s neck.
He froze as she stated, “If it’s so difficult to refrain from abuse, then give me those you deem unworthy. We will fight you, and we will win.”
“You’d, you’d force them all to your command to prevent them from learning!”
“On the contrary, I would not force anyone. If you wish to learn with respect and honor, not degradation and fear, meet me on the battlefield at sunrise. They will learn, but they will learn as brothers, not enemies!”
“What good is honor and respect if you lose? This isn’t some children’s story!”
“Enough!” roared Tahir. “As soldiers, you are sometimes asked to do things you don’t want by your commanding officers. This is no different or do you question my judgment? And Kalla, we will discuss your suggestion in private, and any further suggestions will come directly to me.”
Silence blanketed the room. Zaid placed a hand on Kalla’s and she lowered her sword without looking away from the man who had attacked her. She could feel a slight heat in her cheeks, but the fire in her eyes burned just as bright.
“I will take Kalla to her room. And if I hear of anyone so much as approaching her door you will have me to deal with.” Zaid gestured for Kalla to walk in front of him as the crowd parted to let her through.
***
Kalla slowly let out a breath as she followed Zaid down the hallway. He kept his eyes fixed ahead of them. After leaving the mess hall, they continued to the dormitories.
“Oh, my room is the other way.”
“Tahir wishes to speak with you, so I am escorting you to his room.”
“Ah.” Crap.
After a few turns, they reached a door that looked the same as every other door. Zaid opened it and ushered her inside. The setting sun cast long warm rays in through the window, giving the room an orange glow. There was a sturdy wooden table with two similar chairs and several maps to one side and an attached chamber for the bedroom. There were two large chairs in the front area, old but well made, with a small table in between. Bookcases lined the walls, filled with volumes of stories, histories, and philosophies. Many of the spines were well worn as she brushed over them with her fingers.
Her face softened with a wistful expression as her gaze fell to a dainty teacup sitting half-empty on the smaller table. Aside from the books and maps, this was the only evidence anyone of import lived here. Still simple, it was rimmed with gold and three light purple flowers painstakingly painted on either side.
“Wild hollyhocks…” she whispered. Hope. She turned to Zaid, “This...is his room?”
“Yes.”
She peeked at the maps on the table when Zaid spoke again.
“You aren’t wrong, you know.”
“Huh?”
He gestured for her to sit in one of the large stuffed chairs. “What you said about training isn’t wrong. But to announce it without speaking with Lord Tahir about it was.”
She winced, “I got that. How...how mad is he?”
“On a scale of one to ten?”
“Sure.”
“It’s going to depend on how well you can defend yourself without pissing him off, which,” he looked at her, “you seem to have a knack for.”
“Great!”
He chuckled. “Well, he can’t do too much to you since you are technically an ambassador despite being named a general currently. And besides, he’s a dragon, not a beast.”
“Yeah, I’ve, uh, I’ve seen that dragon side of him before.”
“Have you now?” he chuckled.
“Are you...you find this funny?”
“Somewhat, I’ll admit. But he did not and that’s the point.”
She groaned and ran a hand over her face.
***
She sat forward, arms on her knees with her hands folded. Zaid leaned over the table with a frown as he looked over various maps. Tahir’s heavy footsteps announced his arrival shortly before the door slammed open, his red eyes blazing.
“How dare you! I agreed to the arrangement but I did not agree to you dismantling my army, inciting my men, or trying to change our ways.”
She stood and met his gaze. “You agreed to this because you need my help. You decided to make me a general and I am acting accordingly. I am not inciting your men, nor am I dismantling your army.”
“Like hell you are! A general falls in line behind his commanding officer and follows orders, a model for those they command. They don’t come in with crazy notions of catering to the weakest link right before a war!”
“Did you not listen to what I said? I offered to train them so--”
He lifted her by the collar to his face. Reflexively she grabbed his arm to regain some control.
“I am your commanding officer and you will follow my orders so long as you are here, is that clear?”
“Yes.” She narrowed her eyes. “And I expect my commanding officer to give orders that both make sense and will benefit his people.”
“Who are you to question me?”
“Do you really want generals who blindly follow orders, never thinking for themselves? Or do you want leaders who will give everything they have to fight for your cause and muster the strength of their men to see it through?” She smirked.
He shoved her back into the chair so hard Kalla nearly tipped backwards if not for Zaid bracing it from the back. The tiny teacup swiveled around but soon settled back down. She looked up at him as he spun and squeezed the frame around the window.
“Why?” he growled, “It was a mistake to listen to Naofa. I never...”
“Tahir,” she started.
“I’m not talking to you!”
He continued to look down from the window as she stared at his back silhouetted by the setting sun. She reached a hand towards him and then pulled it back with a sigh. After a moment of thought she closed her eyes, then raised her head, opening them.
“I’m trying to help you,” she said in a small voice.
“Do you not understand? They are already on the brink. We have lost so many already...we cannot afford to lose any soldiers to weakness or sentiments.”
She moved closer to him. “All soldiers have weakness; training isn’t to reduce it but to learn to compensate for it. And emotions can be turned into great strength with a charismatic leader.”
“Hmph,” he snorted and turned his head slightly towards her, “we don’t have time to compensate.”
“You are training only their bodies, but not their minds.”
“We don’t have time!”
“But what good is physical strength if fear ultimately wins when they enter battle? As soon as the first ‘winner’ falls, fear will enter their hearts and what then? What good is a sword against your own insecurities?”
“And what good is a strong mind that lacks the physical means to carry through?”
“I promise you, if you let me train them they will become strong.”
“Loyal to whom?” he turned fully to glare at her.
“You. They are your men.”
He crossed his arms, “So now they are my men.”
“They will always be your men. Why do they fight? Why are they here, Tahir? It isn’t because of me.”
“...”
“Let me train them, let me bring out the best in them. You set the time limit and if you see no change, they can go back to training as they have been and I will follow your orders like a good soldier. But if they improve, let me continue to make them strong.”
She placed her hand on his folded arms, conviction evident in her fiery violet eyes as she stared into his.
“Please, you brought me here to help. Let me do so. If our situations were reversed, would you be content to watch and obey?”
“I think you might be more of a tyrant as a leader.”
“Oh really? Well, I will take that as a compliment then from an action-oriented dragon.”
He met her smile. “You have two weeks.”
“Two weeks? That’s hardly--”
“You said I can determine the time frame.”
She sighed, “Two weeks. I should go.”
She turned and walked to the door. Zaid opened it for her but she paused and looked back for one last statement before she left.
“Thank you.”
----
“What are you smiling for?”
“She is quite the spitfire isn’t she?”
“It isn’t like she is the only general to ever question me.”
“I don’t remember it ending so pleasantly in my case.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I think she can be quite charming.”
“Heh, maybe for a demon.”
Zaid laughed, “It wouldn’t kill you to open up a little more to her.”
“Actually I think it might.”
“She’s not that bad. And she may surprise you; maybe she is exactly what we need.”
“Mm. Let’s hope you are right about that. Although, tolerating her is going to give me a headache.”
“Most people don’t search for their headache every morning to eat together,” he said under his breath.
“What?”
He stifled a laugh, “Nothing. We should review the reports that came in with the scouts this afternoon.”
“Indeed.”
He watched Zaid return to his normal self for a moment before joining him in pouring over the many documents about the table.
I say that and yet, already...
If was the last day of training and everyone had gathered for their daily preparations when a loud explosion in the distance disrupted the routine leaving a tense silence. Everyone froze, waiting as the eerie feeling permeated through the training grounds, waiting for a reason to jump into action. What greeted them was the force of the fallout hitting with such force it leveled the few buildings nearby, tossing people amongst the debris. She remembered a sharp pain on the right side of her head and then her vision went dark.
***
The pain in her arms and wrists registered first, then the sensation of hanging, and finally a gnawing headache. She heard muffled voices around her, but they sounded so far away. Still, she listened as a strange voice bellowed, “Is there anyone stronger than this whelp? Or is your whole race weak and broken?” His thick accent was slightly slower and heavier, like words were spoken further back in his mouth with a pleasant lilt rather than flitting off the tip of his tongue.
Ugh, my head. Where the fuck are... Kalla was startled by a loud thud as the man laughed. “None of ye has the balls to play with me? Perhaps ye women will put up more of a fight.”
She forced herself to feign unconsciousness as he caressed her.
“Leave her alone! If you want a fight, I’ll give you a fight!” Zaid.
“There’s a good lad!” She felt the giant move away, heard the rustling of chains before Zaid's voice rang out loud and clear.
He talked over his captor as he was dragged away, “Do not give in and work together!”
“Ye can try to be strong, but we’ll see how strong ye are when you watch your city burn and we take ye women!”
The clang of a heavy metal door announced their departure. Slowly, she opened her eyes to look through her lashes. Molten red was the only light, and she could hear the sound of a forge nearby. Fucking Formorians. We're underground then...gods my head hurts. There was one guard with a large axe by a door several times larger than normal. Everyone was battered and chained, some to the floor, some hanging. And some were obviously dead. Movement caught her eye on the opposite side of the room. Two men were helping pull another into a sitting position against the wall. Tahir.
He was covered in blood and ripped clothing, his bonds so tight they might have reached the bone. His face and feet were swollen and bruising. So, he was the one they were torturing. His eyes were closed as he sat motionless except for shallow breathing.She bit the inside of her cheek in frustration.
Occasionally guards came in and take new prisoners. Sometimes they returned quickly, sometimes it seemed to take days, if they returned at all. Then they returned Zaid.
The giant threw Zaid at Tahir’s feet. “Is that the best ye got? Humph, your lands are better in our hands. We will take control of the Abyss and use it.”
“…” Tahir rasped.
“ye're weak. We are strong. We don’t fear the darkness, we embrace it! And soon, so will all the Magical Realm!”
“No…” His words rekindled the light in Tahir’s eyes.
“And this one,” he pulled Kalla towards him, “is particularly delicious.”
“Tahir...don’t…” Zaid’s voice was so soft that if the Formorian heard it, he gave no reaction.
“Take him!” The man ordered two soldiers to drag Tahir away before turning to Kalla. “It is fascinating to me how these dragons allow women to fight in their army. Such a proud race and yet they can’t even protect their weak.” He slid his hand down her body before lifting her off of the hook she was dangling from.
“Our women...are just as strong as our men…” Zaid appeared exhausted but his eyes were glowing. He saw the slight inclination of her head as she opened her eyes as the giant turned towards Zaid.
Kalla forced her bonds apart, blood trickling from her bitten lip to suppress the scream of pain as the ropes ripped flesh. She twisted out of his arm and reached for his axe as she fell, swinging it directly up and deep into his chest. Arms appeared behind their captor to wrap a chain around his throat. Zaid had jumped up and was pulling against the man’s neck with all his body weight. While the man stumbled and tried to free himself from Zaid’s embrace, Kalla yanked the axe free and leapt to bury it in his skull. Seconds passed like hours until he finally fell over in a pool of blood. Zaid hopped to her after extricating himself from the fallen giant.
“Kalla, we--”
“You’re badly injured.”
“Nevermind that, we need a plan. I know where they took him, but by the time we get there he may...”
“Zaid?”
“They have an affliction doctor; they are attacking his mind. He will never give them what they want so their only way is to muddle his mind into believing he can’t fight the Abyss any longer and will relinquish control.”
“We will find him, Zaid.”
“You don’t understand. He’s already fighting the Abyss...if he feels his mind starting to slip away, to save his people he will unleash it. If that happens...there won’t be anything left.”
“He’d never sacrifice himself just to--”
“Not him, all of us. Not defeat, but eradication of an entire race; man, woman, child...the shadows would take us all.”
“Your people aren’t their objective.”
“No. He can’t let them corrupt the Abyss any further or the boundary between realms will break and spill the Empyrean Plague into every part of Pneumatos.”
“Okay, then we’ll move quickly.”
He sighed, “I can make a distraction; you will have to rescue him alone. Even if I could move fast enough, someone has to stay with the rest of the troops.”
She looked into his eyes and nodded, reluctant. “Tell me where he is.”
***
The place was surprisingly unguarded with only a few soldiers patrolling the area. The air was cooler away from the forges, fresher and slightly salty. The sea. Well at least the way out will be easier once we break free. She heard the loud screaming and banging from the prison cells, and several guards came rushing by to investigate. She gripped the dagger she had taken from the fallen giant, more like a sword in her hands but a weapon nonetheless, as she waited for them to pass. Carefully her bare feet padded down the hallway, stopping at intersections to check before moving on. There it was the fifth cell on the left.
She pulled the heavy door, holding her breath as it let out a slight creak. She waited, holding her breath, but nothing happened. She slid in to find Tahir crumpled against a wall, eyes slightly more opaque than normal. She hurried to him.
“Let’s go,” she whispered.
“The Abyss is calling...so weak...”
“Even more reason.” She tried to pull him up, but he remained limp. “Tahir, come on. Zaid is creating a distraction, but it won’t last forever!”
“Skia is lost…”
He's not speaking to me... She dropped to her knees, looking around for anything that might end the spell. There was nothing. I have to do something...it’s a spell, a spell. How do I break a spell of the mind? How do...wait…If the ag-dìch sigil lets me see the memories of others perhaps, I can speak to them the same way?
0She placed one hand on his heart and the other on his forehead, chanting. “Cor memoriae, aperiam in lucem. Fide, dilectione, spiritus reditus in domum suam.” His skin under her hands began to glow as he hissed in pain, arching his back with a scream. "Shhh, quiet! You must be quieter!" she hissed. Please work! I’m sorry, Tahir...bear with it... Tahir continued to writhe, and she began to see swirling darkness around them. And then she saw them; creatures darker than night, like screeching shadows of pitch clawing their way through everyone in their path. The darkness kept spreading, reaching villages and cities...and then, they were not just ripping peoplebut tearing th em open to take their souls. The intent was not to defeat or kill, but subjugation. This is the Abyss? This is what you have been fighting? Only after she tasted bile did she realize she had vomited and was shaking. This is what you fear…
“It’s so dark now...I should have sent more scouts; we should have known the attack was coming.”
Kalla’s eyes went wide as she looked up at Tahir. “Tahir! Can you hear me? Tahir!”
“The Abyss is so close...I can feel its shadows reaching to me. I am weak. Our race is weak.”
“Tahir...”
“Tahir?”
“That voice...Kalla? Kalla no, don’t stay here!”
“Tahir, you have to fight it--”
“No, don’t look! It’s over now; we weren’t strong enough to fight it. I am so tired, so tired. We failed...I failed.”
“You haven’t failed! Right now, Zaid has rallied everyone to fight so I can free you.”
“Zaid...they took...”
“You have to fight this! You are stronger than this.”
“We are weak...the Abyss will take over us all...”
“What the hell Tahir! Snap out of it! It’s a spell, an attack on your mind. Fight it!”
“It’s too late...”
“I’m going to save your ass because that is my mission, but if I have to drag you I will never let you hear the end of it, do you hear me?”
“I lead them into a place like this, into destruction...”
“Then wake up and fight beside them instead, dammit! You are a dragon, remember that! Don’t let this spell seduce you. You are one of the strongest, proudest people I know. You are Prince of the Lunar Dragons, fucking act like it!”
“Kalla?” He turned to see her for the first time.
“Tahir, we have to move. This battle isn’t over, but your men need you. Leadership isn’t about always being right! It’s about taking responsibility and facing the consequences! You didn’t force anyone into battle, so stop being so fucking arrogant! It isn’t about you; leadership isn’t about the leader!”
“Arrogant?”
“Each of those men chose to follow you because they believe in you and your cause, not because they believed it was going to be easy or everything would go to plan. They are waiting, hoping, for you to return and lead them. They will follow you, to victory or to hell. And if you face death, you face it together in battle--that’s the difference between an army and an angry mob! Remind them of that strength and pride!”
“Hope is cruel.”
“No, hope is painful. It hurts to face the horrors of reality and still believe, still fight. What is cruel is not believing in their strength in return! Fight at their sides! Embrace that arrogance and remember who you are; Tahir, Prince of Skia, leader of the Lunar Dragons and Guardian of the Abyss, and your story doesn’t end here. Break this enchantment and lead them to victory!”
Her vision blurred as she panted from the weight of the spell. Tears fell freely from amethyst eyes, collapsing against his stomach too exhausted to lift her face. She felt a strong arm wrap around her. Her lower lip quivered as she rolled to see his ruby eyes glistening with his own tears as he roughly pulled her towards him and rested his head against her shoulder.
***
Kalla helped Tahir up as they hurried to catch up to the rest of the battalion. Once they reached the shore, it was covered in men, some dead, some fighting. Tahir froze as he watched them. Don’t die...I don’t… Then he heard Zaid’s voice.
“Regroup! Stay together and leave none behind! Second formation! Wait for it….wait...NOW!”
Two giants came towards them, but instead of splitting, they all moved towards the one with an axe. Three climbed until they were close enough to blind him, while others used fist and weapon to attack until finally he fell. The second giant was distracted by Zaid unleashing an enormous amount of magic. Starlight fell like a meteor onto the giant as he rushed towards Zaid. With a burst of darkness the giant was thrown back, but Zaid was barely standing. “Keep going, I will take care of this one!” There was a roar as the men rushed forward. Shadows began to coalesce around Zaid as he waited for the next attack, keeping his focus on his final attack. A bright shot of starlight pierced through the giant’s abdomen but it continued to run forward. Zaid tried to move but his broken foot prevented him from moving fast enough.
Kalla only felt the rush of wind as he left her side. Zaid fell back in shock as the giant was torn apart when a giant claw knocked it aside. “For Skia!” boomed Tahir’s voice from an obsidian dragon with glowing red eyes. The men cheered and began to fight with renewed vigor. Zaid watched as the dragon dove again and again, destroying every enemy he could find. Zaid looked away when he felt Kalla helping him up.
“If you can take that form, why didn’t you from the start?”
“We couldn’t.”
“Huh?”
Zaid sighed, “Go there, by the road. We can set up camp as we prepare to return to Skia. While we were unconscious, they put up a barrier around the barracks, silencing our magic and draining us of our strength. Unfortunately it also made us more susceptible to the pull of the Abyss, so many were crippled with fear initially.”
“Then why was Tahir able to break free?”
“Tahir is that powerful,” he grinned. “But even for Tahir, it is taking an extreme amount of energy to maintain that form and not give into the tainted whispers in his mind. If he tips from protecting to revenge, even for a moment, it’s over. If he loses that control, he’ll destroy us.”
“But wouldn’t that kill them too?”
“Yes, that is probably why they were easily overrun, hoping to control us rather than fight. It was a suicide mission, but had they succeeded the Abyss would have been unleashed on the Magical Realm. Skia would have been instantly swallowed and before word reached anywhere they would have moved in to try to control it.”
“Can it be controlled?”
“No. It would have destroyed them, all races know this, but someone convinced them otherwise. None in the Magical Realm can control it; it’s not a weapon.”
“What is it?” She gently sat him down.
“...Tahir will have to explain...I don’t have the words.”
***
Over the next few hours, men collected by the road scavenging for food and supplies. Kalla helped with what little healing ability she possessed, mostly splinting and finding makeshift crutches. They needed to move and get to a real healer. She heard them cry out Tahir’s name as two soldiers rushed forward.
“General, he collapsed as we were returning!” Said one of the soldiers.
“General? Here, lay him here,” she gestured to an open area and knelt beside him. “Tahir? Hmm...no fever, and…. nothing appears broken.”
“He needs rest. And possibly a healer. All dragons will go into a deep sleep once the threat is over if they are injured badly enough so that our bodies can begin to heal more efficiently. Why else do you hear of older dragons hiding caves?” Zaid grinned.
“Then, let’s hurry and get everyone fed and ready to leave. This isn’t an ideal place for any of us.”
“Agreed.”
****
The darkness faded into light as he squinted, turning his head from the lamplight. He tried to raise his left arm to cover his eyes, but dropped back down with the weight of the splint. He let out a frustrated sigh. Everything hurts. As consciousness took him, the voices around him became clearer.
“Oh, he is waking up now.”
“Finally. Tahir, can you hear us?”
“Zaid, Kalla? Where are we?” He looked out from under his right arm.
Zaid helped him into a sitting position and answered. “Mesec’shar. You and a few of the others need an actual healer.”
“How many were lost?”
Zaid looked down, “Five.”
“Who?”
“Tahir--”
“Who?” he repeated firmly.
“Tadeus, Halma, Adyl, Daoud, and Jaeda.”
“Jaeda? How is Guja taking it?”
“He’s...as you would expect.”
“I would like to speak to each of their families when we return to Skia. Will you arrange that?”
“I will as soon as I leave, sir.”
“Kalla, I will need to get word to Naofalas once everything is in order of what has happened here. We may not have evidence of who is behind their attack, but we do know that it is more than a small band of rejects. Can you send word ahead so he will be prepared for us?”
“Of course, but right now just rest. We do have some scouts out looking through what’s left of their camp for any additional information, so it will be a couple of days before we can leave anyway.”
They turned to go but he called back to them. “Kalla, stay?”
She nodded at Zaid and sat down on the edge of the bed looking at Tahir. Once Zaid left the room she grinned, “Would you like me to read you a story?”
“Tsk, as if you brought a book with you.”
“You never know,” she laughed. “I actually do love books, you know.”
“I wanted to ask you something. Though I am loathe to admit it, Naofa was right. I was teetering on the edge of madness and yet you were able to somehow reach me. What did you see?”
“I, well, everything. Vicious shadows, souls torn apart, a vortex of despair...I’m not sure I really have words for it.”
“That is the Abyss. If we were to fail in our stewardship, it would be unleashed upon the entire realm. But it constantly tries to seduce you into giving in and embracing it. I would have, if not for you.”
“I think you would have come to your senses before that, but maybe I helped you get there in time to turn the tide of that battle.” Her lips parted as she watched him take her hand.
“Soon you will return to Naofa but should our paths ever cross again I want you to know that I trust you with my soul, not just as a soldier but as a true friend. Thank you.”
“Tahir…”
“And please train my men that are able as you see fit. Your strength will only benefit us all.”
“Perhaps the medicine was too strong? It’s not like you to say things like this.”
“Maybe not, or maybe there are just sides to this dragon you haven’t seen.” He smirked.
“...Tahir...”
He reached out to catch her hand firmly as she slid it away. “I meant what I said.” After a brief moment, he released it. “Now, you must have questions about the Abyss so ask.”
“Hmm...What is it? Where did it come from? Why is it?”
“Naofa has taught you about the Great Sundering?”
“Yes.”
“Did he explain why it happened?”
“A war in the Angelic Realm spilled over into the Magical and Mortal Realms.”
“That is a very simple explanation, but yes. In the Celestial Realm, the gods began creating beings they called angels. In time they began creating other races and began to disagree over how to govern all of their ‘children.’ Then they found out some gods, Elgafar in particular, were not just creating beings but were actually having children of their own amongst the other races. Not only was this a violation of what several felt was ethical, but it caused a potential imbalance in power. Those righteous gods rallied their angelic or created ‘children’ and attacked, initially hoping their brethren would return to their old ways; their goal was to eradicate anything that was deemed ungodly. Eventually, many of the biological children were murdered. The remaining children were hunted while the angels Elgefar and the others who sided with him created, fought to protect and hide their brethren, perceiving them as siblings. The other angels began to call them fallen ones or demons for siding with what they felt were evil gods. Eventually those angels created a curse to weaken the demons’ spirits and fester destruction in their hearts. However, something went wrong, and they unleashed a plague upon angels and demons alike, twisting their souls into emotionless, amoral, beasts. They called it the empyrean plague. Soon angels and demons were not only infected but were corrupting parts of the Magical and Mortal Realms. That is when the gods stepped in to separate the realms and prevent a war in one from spilling into the next. Together, they exorcised the plague from the Angelic Realm by channeling it into the Abyss, but they found the malice it had created could only be contained and not destroyed. So, they sought guardians with a strong resistance to magic, resistance to corruption, and strength enough to defend all the realms. Mortal creatures were ruled out because of their short life span and lack of magical defense. The Angels had already shown themselves a poor choice and while the gods could have guarded it, it was decided it posed too great a risk. My grandfather volunteered and after considerable debate, convinced them to appoint Lunar Dragons as guardians to the Abyss. It exists in Skia, but is heavily guarded. We are all tainted by it as the Abyss tries to warp our minds. Therefore, there is one key, which passes from guardian to the next. I am the only one who can open the portal alone until I relinquish my duty to the next guardian.”
“Could they not destroy it? Or purify it somehow?”
“It’s not a physical weapon; it’s a void of remorseless torture that attacks the minds and hearts of any close to it. You cannot wield it any more than you can an emotion, but it can be contained. The danger is mostly from those who try to wield it, ignorantly infecting themselves as much as their victims. Initially the intent was to remove it, but destroying the vector, did not destroy the corruption itself. In order to truly be rid of evil you have to be willing to truly rid yourself of good as well.”
“So, you just have to bear this because the Angelic Realm had a temper tantrum?”
He laughed, “Basically. Naofa probably has a better way of explaining that, but we were the best candidates. We have a high resistance to magic and since Mah created us as children of the night, we are resistant to the call of darkness. And as you saw, we are strong enough to fight great enemies.”
She looked down at her hands.
“Kalla? What is it?”
“It just seems unfair.”
“It is unfair, but life isn’t fair. I could have refused; I had a choice and I made it. I don’t regret it.”
“I, I should let you rest. Are you hungry? I can have them make you something.”
“That would be lovely, thank you.” She got up to leave. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yes,” she smiled, “it’s just a lot to think about. I’ll go see what they have for food and be back soon.”
