The Dragons of Sara Sara (29 page)

Antonin turned a sharp right corner, the low awning of a stone building throwing deep shadows into the lane way.

Unseen far above them, a dark shape flittered past the distant moon. An otherworldly cry drifted down in the night, almost unheard. Only the lone guards on the quiet ramparts heard it faintly. They shivered and drew their cloaks around themselves. More than one felt that this was a strange night, but none could put a name to the reason.

Antonin stepped into the shadow, hand on sword. Already Tong Hua could be seen further along the narrow lane. Something felt wrong, and the hair on Antonin's neck prickled. Catharina yelled, almost in unison with Elsa, and together their spears flashed over Antonin's shoulder at the same instant he was drawing his sword. The scream that rent the night almost froze the blood in his veins. The entire city seemed to pause, as though holding its breath as the scream died away.

A huge beast lurched forward out of the deep darkness by the wall. It stood taller than Antonin, and was covered in thick black fur. Enormous paws with long razor sharp claws at the end of its huge forelegs reached out to crush Antonin. The thing normally travelled on all fours it was obvious, but was raised on its hind legs in attack. A huge head on a thick neck seemed to be half mouth as it roared again in rage and pain. It's steps faltered. There was a spear embedded in its throat, and another deep in its chest. It still came on though. Antonin backed away from those huge claws. The animal was mortally wounded, but still tried to attack.

Antonin waited, and as the beast made an attempt to claw the spear out of its body, he lunged forward, his sword piercing the beasts heart. It collapsed like a punctured water bag, death rattling in its throat.

The whole event had taken only minutes, yet there was a hue and cry in the city already. The beasts cry had been heard throughout the city. People poured into the lane way from every door and gateway, burning torches held aloft.

They suddenly stopped in their tracks though when they saw Antonin and his companions, and the fallen animal. The guards man was obviously with these strange people. Tong Hui looked at the animal, and at Antonin. “That bear was set upon you only Lord Dragon, else it would never have let me pass. We must get to the inn, only in the next street now. The guards must clear this thing away to the compound.”

Tong Hui drew a short silver whistle from a pocket in his vest and gave a series of blasts on it. Some coded signal Antonin thought, for within minutes the timed tramp of boots at double march could be heard approaching. The crowd fell back, pressed against the walls in the narrow lane way. The squad all carried torches, and some had coiled ropes. Quickly the bear, as Tong Hui had called it, was bound and with the aid of onlookers pressed into service was being dragged off. The crowd remaining behind pressed in closer, although not too close. The two girls had those wicked looking spears held ready for stabbing thrusts, and looked ready to use them. Even Nareena had a white knuckle grip on her long reed thin spear. Antonin wiped his sword on some fallen straw in the street and with the rustle of steel on leather sheathed his sword. At the last second before the sword ran home he stopped. He normally didn't have to watch what he did, but a quick glance at the sword had him unsheathing it in an instant. On the flat of the blade, right up by the hilt flowed the outline of a dragon. It seemed to be etched in a blue flame. Not part of the sword, yet also deeply embedded in the very metal itself. It could be clearly seen by all though, glowing in the darkness of the night. The golden crown reflected the starlight setting it glittering on his brow. A quiet fell over the crowd in that confined alleyway. There could be no doubt now, not even in Antonin's mind. He raised the sword aloft, the tip pointing straight up. The dragon seemed to be alive in the steel, the blue lines shimmering and flowing. Fine streams of particles flowed from the sword tip into the night sky, bringing a soft sigh from the crowd. Antonin looked to the sky, his head thrown back he roared “The Dragon is returned Ba'al, the battle comes.”

The thin streams of particles blossomed into a roaring fire stream that shot into the night sky lighting up the faces of all around.

People fell to their faces in the street, or turned and fled on weakened knees. The cry was taken up, “The Dragon is returned.” People were alternately trying to get out of the lane as others tried to press in. No one in the city was unaware now of what had happened. The number of lamps and torches being lit turned the night into day. The prophesies were being full filled, and right before their eyes. Antonin lowered the sword. With a last look at the blue dragon on its blade he ran it fully home in the scabbard.

With a confidence he didn't really feel, he clapped a hand on the shoulder of Tong Hui. “The inn Tong Hui, please, or your Dragon will be dead from hunger.” Tong Hui sprang to attention, and with a thump of fist to chest, bellowed at the crowd. “Make way, make way for the Dragon Lord.” He soon had a path cleared and Antonin and the girls followed him through the crowd until they finally gained the common room of The Dog and Girl.

There was great uproar in the streets as people rushed to and fro in excitement. The innkeeper was beaming. He had expected a quiet night as the end of a normal working day, and here was his common room full to overflowing with people, and all calling for more ale and sweetmeats. There in the middle of it all was a fairly ordinary looking young man that all told him was the fabled Lord of the Dragon Armies. Returned to lead them into the great battle with the Lord of the Darkness. They had seen the signs with their own eyes. It was true. The end of an age was upon them. Tatha'an, the innkeeper, rubbed his hands on his apron and hurried his serving girls on their way. The Dragon Lord was hungry, and within minutes plates piled high with steaming meats and vegetables filled his table, huge jugs of ale and wine slopped over and dripped through the boards of the table to the floor. Antonin, Catharina, Elsa and Nareena set to with determination, only now realising just how hungry they really were. Nareena, although hungry herself only pecked at the food. Eyes downcast, she wished that her friend was not out on the ice, but sharing this great moment with her. As if reading her mind, Antonin stood and raised his right hand for silence. It came immediately, as all eyes had been upon him. He beckoned Nareena to her feet.

“I would have all know, and let it be proclaimed so,” he added winking at Catharina, “that this girl,” he pointed to Nareena. “Nareena by name is to be from this day forth in the party of The Lord of the Dragon Army, The King of the Malachites, and Lord of the Chamber. It is only because of the friend that Nareena lost, and that friend's gift to me of his warm clothes, that I survived. Truly, Nareena and her lost love sought me out in the frozen wastes, and together they found and saved me from certain death. In their honour, and as the Dragon Lord, I name them Lord, and Lady in their own lands, and in all lands.” Antonin raised a glass of deep red colour on high. “To their honour, drink.” With that he put the glass to his lips and drank until the glass was empty. In one sweep he hurled the empty glass into the fireplace where it shattered into a thousand glittering fragments. “So that none may drink another.” He said.

Those in the common room were silent for a moment. A heart beat. Those nearest to Nareena rose to her feet. Working people by the cut of their clothes. Oxen cart drivers, porters, smiths, market stall owners and shop keepers.

One called out. “So it is proclaimed, then it is done.” He drained his earthen mug and hurled it into the fire place. “So that none may drink another.” He solemnly declared. Table by table all others in the common room followed suit. Soon the fire place was a mound of shattered mugs and glasses. Antonin watched in silence for it to end. He had already passed some golden coins from his purse to the innkeeper. Breakages had to be paid for. It was the way.

Nareena stood, head bowed and tears streaming down her cheeks. She could barely stay upright. This honour was too much. She was only a simple hunter. A village girl who made her living hunting wild game to sell to the many inns and householders in the village. The city as Antonin called it.

Catharina signalled for Nareena to sit by her. Nareena all but collapsed on the bench beside Catharina, and as Catharina put her arms around her, she buried her head in her shoulder. She sobbed with tiredness and the overwhelming honour both. Her beloved friend had not died in vain.

Tong Hui leaned close to Antonin. “My Lord, perhaps you don't realize what you have done. No one has been proclaimed Lord and Lady since the last great age. Those living are all descendants of families, direct lines from the last age when – pardon my Lord – err, umm, when the last Lord of the Dragons, your ancestor won victory over the Dark One. To do so now means that Nareena not only must be granted lands and servants, estates and entitlements, but also her lost love. His family will inherit all. Two new lines have been started in the Great Houses. There will be those who do not like this.” There was a word of caution in Tong Hui's voice and eyes as Antonin watched him speak.

“It is simple Tong Hui. I always find ‘simple' easy to understand. Those who disagree with me in this do so at their own peril.” Everyone in the room heard him clearly, because Antonin had purposely raised his voice so all around would hear.

“Let all hear and know when the Dragon Lord speaks.” He thumped his fist on the table. The lamps and plates jumped and rattled and the lamps around the walls flared into brilliance, some cracking their glasses with the heat. Men edged away from Antonin's table, and ducked from the cracking lamp glasses. Fortunately none shattered, and the flames died again to their normal yellow flicker. Antonin had made his point and all present would remember this night and his proclamation. None would dare deny his authority now. Nareena would be given all honours due to her. Any in the city who disagreed would keep such disagreement to themselves. As the tales of tonight's happenings spread they would gain embellishment and detail as a rumour does. Eventually they would tell of Antonin defeating an army of enraged bears singlehanded, and of strange beings appearing in the inn bearing torches made from droplets of the sun, and of magic happening unbidden. They would tell of chests of gold being found in the stables. All Antonin had done was pass some gold coins to the innkeeper.

“My Lord,” Nareena said. “I must go to my parents. They must hear of this from me. They are old, and I would not have them upset by people.”

“Of course Nareena,” Antonin replied. “Wait, I will arrange escort for you through the crowds.”

“Tong Hui, do you have guards available to escort the Lady Nareena?” Antonin asked Tong Hui.

“Yes Lord, they will be here in a moment.” Tong Hui replied as he went to the door where he gave a series of blasts on his whistle. They were answered and repeated and within minutes a squad of twenty armed guards stood in two rows outside the inn, flanking four runners bearing a closed sedan chair.

Nareena could not believe her eyes. They grew as big as an owls. She looked at Antonin for reassurance.

“I hope you will be able to return on the morrow Nareena?” Antonin asked hopefully.

“You can be assured my Lord, I will.” She said as she tried her best to curtsey. This was not something she had ever done and her furs did not make it easy. She tried a bow, equally unsuccessfully.

“Nareena, no. You must not. You saved my life. It is I who should bow to you. Please, no formalities between us all. I would rather you were my friend. Will you be?”

There was a large crowd about them on the steps of the inn, but Nareena ignored them. She flicked a glance and some hand signs at Catharina and Elsa, then looked directly into Antonin's eyes.

“Yes I will value your friendship Antonin.” She said.

“Then go now, until tomorrow.” Antonin said. He made to turn. Nareena quickly kissed him on the cheek as a sister – or a friend, does and ran lightly down the steps.

She hesitated only a moment at the sedan chair door, then with a look back at Antonin climbed in and was born away into the night. Antonin turned back into the common room, a thoughtful look on his face and the faintly herbal smell of Nareena in his nose. Catharina flickered finger talk to Elsa. They both chuckled and followed Antonin back into the common room.

 

 

 

This was shaping up to be a long night, and a noisy one. The mood in the common room had gone from curiosity to expectation to festival. Celebration was in the air, and the wine casks were worked hard, as were the serving girls, almost run off their feet. Tatha'an beamed from ear to ear. He would take a months earnings this one night. Broken glass and all. He was also the only one who noticed the man sitting alone in the corner of the room. An untouched mug of ale in front of him. Dressed in drab grey, a darker riding cape over his shoulders, he had eyes only for Antonin. However, before the innkeeper could bring him to the attention of those two warrior girls who guarded the Dragon Lord, he had disappeared. Tatha'an looked closely about the room. There seemed no one else out of place, but the lone stranger had disappeared. He caught the eye of Catharina, who glanced at the empty seat then back at the innkeeper. She gave a slight nod. Tatha'an sucked in a breath. He need not have worried. It seemed those girls missed nothing at all. They were as guarded as sleepy cats, and no doubt just as dangerous as the big ones.

The Lord of the Dragon Hosts had returned. He had come out of the frozen waste just as foretold in the ancient stories. He had appeared here in this village first, and declared himself. This news must have reached the ears of the cities leaders by now. They would surely be interested in meeting this supposed farm boy. Was he a threat to their rule? The prophesies told of the almost complete destruction of all existing structures of government in the process of the great battle with the dark forces. It was difficult to tell, as the innkeeper knew, who secretly served the Lord of Lies and who did not. Those in power in the village lived by their own rules, and Tatha'an stayed as far away from them as possible. Even to raise one's head to look at them in passing could bring a beating from their guards.

How would they take to the Dragon Lord returning amongst them? ‘Well.' Thought the innkeeper, ‘If I am any judge, we will soon find out.'

Antonin and his two warrior maidens were busy with the plates of food that filled their table. Catharina and Elsa both would not relax though. They ate on their feet, using one hand. The other held the wicked looking short spears , which were used as a warning to those who came too close. Everyone wanted a look at the Dragon Lord. A mixture of fear and expectation on their faces. Antonin ate and drank in silence, his thoughts tumbling. He had no idea what he was supposed to do. Like everyone else, he had heard the stories, but they gave no indication of his personal conduct.

Antonin knew he had to buy some time so he could sort out a plan. Perhaps find a library? Perhaps a Wind Reader? Now there was an idea. Mei'An seemed to know a great deal, but that was no good if he could not get back to her. He knew he had to do something though. The local leaders would be upon him soon, and really all he had was this strange golden crown, and powers that came and went unbidden. Little more really than a travelling mage. Antonin chuckled to himself at the thought. Tong Hui glanced across the table at him.

“My Lord?” He asked.

“Nothing Tong Hui. I was merely reflecting that I have shown little more than a good travelling mage so far. Perhaps your Dragon Lord is not your Dragon Lord after all?”

Tong Hui made no reply. He had seen what he had seen, and his own squad of soldiers waited on his command in the next lane way should his eyes prove him wrong. Tong Hui kept his eyes on the crowd in the common room. If this boy was the Lord of the Dragon Armies returned, then Tong Hui would follow him into the coming battle. As a defender of the Light, an oath he had taken on his father's sword, he was honour bound. If he was not? Well, he had done little wrong except break a few glasses, and besides – Tong Hui liked him and his companions. If needs be, he would spirit him out of the city into the deep woods.

They needed a Wind Reader. These women were very mysterious. Some even said they were the servants of the Dark One. Some said the opposite. Tong Hui doubted both extremes, but they certainly possessed strange powers and the stone faced companions they travelled with were every bit as deadly as a snake.

Tong Hui had only met two in his long career, but that was enough. One he knew was still within the city as Antonin insisted on calling this village. Well, if he was the Dragon Lord, city it was. Legend had it that the Dragon Lord had made this city his home in times past. Perhaps it was to be again.

Rousing himself from his thoughts, Tong Hui stood. He was about to turn from the table when he felt a cold breeze blow around him. His skin prickled with goose bumps. That wind was straight off the ice waste. He looked around in surprise for an open window. There were none close by. Only Antonin sat looking calmly at him. Tong Hui hesitated, one foot half raised to step clear of the stool he had been sitting on.

“You are truly an honourable man Tong Hui.” Antonin began. “I like caution in one who commands. If you decide to command for me, I will welcome you as a friend. If you decide to bring your guard from the next street to escort us to the deep woods, we will go in peace from your domain.” Antonin waited calmly. Tong Hui was not a man easily shocked. This man had read his very thoughts. As well he was sworn to the light. A Dark Companion would be exposed instantly. Tong Hui's mouth opened and closed as he tried to find the right words. This was no travelling mage, nor a Dark Companion. Such would have destroyed Tong Hui on the spot. With such power at his command, Antonin could have made short work of Tong Hui.

He gave a nod to Antonin and said. “My Lord.” Then he stepped outside.

Antonin heard him blowing those strange sounds on his whistle, followed soon enough by the steady tramp of soldiers feet. Shouts and grumbles from the street told of their arrival. Antonin waited. The crowd in the common room held their breath, some shuffling nervously. Perhaps the Last Battle was going to start right here in the common room. Catharina and Elsa were now flanking Antonin, all three on their feet. The crowd outside now went silent. The swinging doors banged open with a crash and a gust of wind swept the rubbish in from the street in a swirling cloud that had everyone choking and wiping their eyes. Not a single mote of dust stirred around the table occupied by Antonin and the girls though. There seemed to be a thick wall of air around them and their table. The dust settled as a tall woman in flowing blue robes strode into the centre of the room. She faced Antonin. At her back, about two pace behind her stood the deadliest looking individual Antonin thought he had ever seen.

Both Catharina and Elsa drew a breath and let it out with an audible hiss. the certainly knew danger when they saw it. The woman was tall. Easily a head taller than Antonin. She had just cleared the door as she came in. Her skin was as black as the night, almost purple in its blackness. Her hair was done into a thousand rope like strands that hung to her waist. Her face was narrow, with an aquiline nose, much like the people of the Star Field Plain. Brilliant white teeth showed in the ghost of a smile that she directed at the girls. She was built, Antonin noticed, with some grace. Her blue silk dress was cut low enough to show her build to advantage, yet remain modest. The blue of the silk was almost hard on the eyes, and contrasted alarmingly with the woman's midnight dark skin. The sleeves came down to mid forearm, and were stitched with minute flowers up the seams and onto the shoulders. A similar line of flowers ran down and across the cut of the bodice, further emphasising the amount of skin she actually showed. The folds of the dress reached the floor, and darker blue slippers peeped from under the hem of the dress. She held it up slightly with one hand. A silver ring flashed on the middle finger of that hand.

Catharina whispered to Antonin. “A Wind Reader, my Lord.” The Woman's dark eyes never left Antonin's face. In her left hand she held a small roll of cloth. Brilliant green silk. The crowd pressed back away from her and her companion. They didn't want to be within arm's reach – or sword reach of that one. He was a dark skinned as the woman, and appeared to be somewhat older. His close cropped black hair was showing grey streaks. His arms were not huge, but rather finely muscled from long hours of exercise. His sleeveless vest was tied with leather thong across a broad well proportioned chest. His lean waist and trim lower body spoke of a man who could move like lightning. His soft hide boots laced almost to the knee were those of a swordsman, and a hunter. There was no excess about him at all. His face was set like stone, only his eyes watching all about him.

Tong Hui stood in the doorway. Undecided as to whether to enter or not. Even he did not wish to surprise such a one.

The new arrival stared long at Antonin. Not a word was spoken. There was hardly a breath drawn in the crowd. Catharina and Elsa watched the woman's companion, themselves within a hairs breadth of action.

“Soooo,” said the woman finally, softly. “You know of Wind Readers.” She spoke in Antonin's own language. Her eyes opened a little in surprise. “And it is Mei'An whom you know!”

It was Antonin's turn to be surprised.

“How do you know of Mei'An?” He said, before he could stop himself.

“That is easy.” She hesitated slightly, then added. “My Lord Dragon.”

Catharina and Elsa relaxed visibly.

“All Wind Readers are in touch all the time. Mei'An asked that we all watch for you. Your companion here,” she pointed casually at Elsa. “Has the spark in her also, so she stands out like a beacon to us. All we had to do was watch for that beacon light to arrive somewhere. If the hue and cry of your own arrival alone was not sufficient to rouse the Dark One himself.”

Elsa's eyes were huge. “Me?” She squeaked.

“I will speak more of this later,” said the woman to Elsa. “I am Sarweio, my companion, my Guard Companion is M'belie. We are here to ensure your survival.”

“I do not need your help Wind Reader.” Said Antonin, with more heat than he intended. No matter. He was fed up.

“I will not be pushed around by your kind any longer. Mei'An got me into this. Can you do else but get me in deeper. You can pass that on to her as well if you like.” Antonin sat down again and took up a mug of ale.

“You are welcome to join us at table.” He said, and lounged back in his chair, a chicken wing in one hand and a mug of frothy ale in the other. Catharina and Elsa stayed alert and standing. At the tone in Antonin's voice, M'belie had taken a step forward, hand on his sword hilt. Sarweio didn't frown, but the thin line of her lips, just for an instant, gave a clue to her displeasure. Mei'An had warned her the boy was headstrong, and if pushed as stubborn as a mule. She could afford to wait. He was as yet untrained, and indeed she could sense that he had recently brushed very close to death. Now that needed further investigation. All of this in the space of a heart beat she passed on to Mei'An. Including the absence of a woman ‘Nareena', whose involvement she had heard about on her way to the inn.

To Antonin's surprise the Wind Reader slid out a wooden straight backed chair from a nearby table and sat opposite Antonin. She helped herself to wine as the room slowly relaxed. Her Guard Companion was standing against the wall near the end of the table, and although Tong Hui still hesitated at the door, he too was relaxing. He turned back to his troops.

Antonin watched warily over the rim of his mug of ale.

Mei'An stood in the centre of the room, for once in her life speechless. Firstly Antonin had hurled himself through a portal to who knew where, then some time later had momentarily opened a portal again, giving his two Spear Maidens the chance they had been poised for.

In the blink of an eye they had leapt into the barely formed portal, Antonin just visible on the other side, still in whatever that frozen place was. The portal had winked out almost before it was fully formed. Mei'An had made no move to enter the portal, and neither had Luan. It had only been because the two Spear Maidens had been ready for just such an event that they had been quick enough to seize the opportunity. The portal had only been open for an instant.

Mei'An blinked and turned to Luan and the others and said. “I wish that farm boy would learn to control his powers.” There was more than a hint of exasperation in her voice. Rees sat without a word and rolled his dice through his fingers. He too wondered when his friend would learn some control. If indeed their very futures depended on it, then control had better come soon. Tallbar the innkeeper wrung his hands and fussed. He was almost as round as he was tall, and his shiny bald head glistened with sweat that he constantly wiped away with a large floral handkerchief. His large white apron strained across his girth. He came and went as serving girls called him away for some urgent task. He returned to fuss as soon as he could. Important events were taking place. He would have his name recorded in the tales if he was lucky. Such events as these would draw custom from far and wide, if only that people could sit and sup ale in a famous inn.

The innkeeper was worried for more reasons than his possible fame though. It was he who had held the golden crown all these years. It had been passed down through his family for generation upon generation. Thousands of years since the last age had closed with the defeat and imprisonment of the Dark Lord and his servants. Tallbar himself had tried on the crown of course. Once in his youth he had crept into his father's room and dragged the ancient heavily crafted chest from under the bed. He knew the chest contained treasure, and knew the stories surrounding the golden circlet. All the family were sworn to secrecy at the earliest age. The casket and its contents were never mentioned. Tallbar in his youth though had thought to see if the crown was indeed magic. Perhaps he could become the Lord of the Dragon Armies? Why else had the crown been left in their care so long. He never considered for a moment that his father had also tried the same thing in his youth and very likely his father before him back into the mists of time. Tallbar had opened the lid to the box, revealing the crown in its velvet rest, glinting in the bright lamplight. Picking up the thin gold band, ‘how heavy it is' he remembered thinking, he had slipped it on his head, but not tight. It seemed almost made to fit him.