I thought you said you had all of these written and would put them up? Look. Listen. I make the mistake of rereading my work and trying to fix things. And then. I do it again. And then…. I cry.
Hearts cannot live if they do not beat
Hearts cannot survive if they are alone
Hearts cannot endure if they are wounded
Hearts cannot continue if they are tired
Hearts cannot exist without one another
The attributes of the town were all Geoff had described it to be. However, the intrusive arrival of four strangers who had varying intentions would arouse more than a few drops of suspicion. At least, that's what was running at high speed through Alex's mind. Their journey had spanned approximately a week or longer. Time was not a measure she cared to keep here. A single question had traversed her brain during the trek, and considering that most of her new companions had an aversion towards engaging in any conversation with her—for good reason, plenty of time was allowed to mull over the nagging inquiry.
Why did she want to return home? There was not an abundance of warmth or embraces awaiting her. Perhaps the safety of her apartment held a comforting familiarity she could not let go of, despite the solitude it bought. Though, while she was being reflective, an invasive interjection kept vying to make itself known. Her fondness for the older dragon had grown, and if there were someone she would engage in this nonsensical "play-along" for, it would be Draco.
"Are you ill, little one?" Genuine concern rumbled softly near her ear.
"What makes you say that?" She snapped as per usual. "Giant one." Tacking the bit onto the end mirrored his inquiry.
"There's something peculiar…" Circling an obsidian claw near his mouth as he spoke, "on your face." His lip curled to reveal a row of large, sharp teeth at seeing the girl wipe her face aggressively, cursing about how she had seen enough dirt and mud to last a lifetime. "I believe it might be called a smile." She stopped, "Ouch!" Draco rubbed his arm, feigning an injury he did not feel through the plated armor. Were he human, such an attack would have incapacitated him instantly. The girl was readying another assault, but was halted for the time being.
"Remarkable." Sparing him another fist to the scales, Alex turned to see what he was gawking at. Apparently, the dragon was still stunned by the fact that he'd managed to leave behind offspring—a legacy. Drake was, in every aspect of the descriptor, a kind creature worthy of pride. Alex hadn't conversed with the younger dragon much, understandably, but she could practically feel the adoration oozing from his father.
"Wait—what the…" Her breath caught in her throat as the young dragon swooped into the center of town, hay and dust curling from his landing. Drake knowingly dipped his head with a small smile as the townsfolk gathered to him as if they were all old friends. A few more unintelligible noises scratched at Alex's vocal cords, as she was unable to form a coherent sentence. What happened to all that nonsense about being discreet? Staying hidden?
"I am … not the last." How could so much relief be wrought with sorrow? Draco was still staring in endearment at his son, who was now surrounded by an assortment of citizens. A few of them had left their duties to attend to the newcomers. At least, they appeared to be adequately acquainted with Geoff and Drake.
"I swear. If I hear 'I'm the last dragon!' again, I will punch someone." A snort was given in response.
"I've a strong feeling you're going to punch someone either way."
"You're damn right I am." Alex cautiously stepped deeper into the entrance of the town, which was surrounded by a handful of guards. None appeared official or professionally trained, at least not by their attire or weaponry. From experience in her own "job", the woman knew how to size up an opponent. The majority of these people were using swords, shields or spears of their own average quality make, likely thrown together from limited resources. Nonetheless, there was undisputed fearsomeness in their glances that affirmed their granted ranks.
The walls protecting the residents were just high enough to keep wild animals and unwanted nomads looking to steal food supplies away. However, they were not sufficient to deter a full-scale attack if required.
"They must live independently of the queen." A gentle voice chimed, impressed by the denizen's ability to thrive so far rimming the wilderness. Avalon clasped her hands together, delighted to see the abundance of crops and animals that contributed to the town's livelihood. "Just out of her cruel reach." She smiled, offering a wave as a few curious children wandered by, excited by the second dragon visiting their town.
"Geoff! Geoff! Tell us a story!" Multiple people voiced their agreement, "Of your travels!" The man allowed himself to be dragged into the crowd of elated townsfolk, eager to hear a tale of daring adventure and intrigue. "Did you find treasure?" A smile stayed plastered to his face behind a laugh as he hesitantly decided to indulge them for a moment before attending to the business at hand.
"Maybe they'd like to hear about the sorceress in the tower?" Drake piped, sending the active listeners into a joyous roar of anticipation. Avalon covered her mouth to shield a tiny gasp, but stepped forward to join the storyteller. Deeply fascinated by the second dragon, another clump of villagers began questioning him as well. As the story came together, Draco's relation to Drake was revealed, as was the witch's true identity. With a graceful swipe of her arm, Avalon sent a small flurry into the air that expanded for a moment, and finally exploded into fragments of fresh snow. The delicate flakes rained down upon the enraptured listeners. Certain sections were exaggerated for dramatic effect, while other details were omitted for safety reasons.
It was at that point that Alex felt eyes on her. To be completely fair, her clothing was inappropriate, she would kill for a shower, and the girl had awkwardly retreated to where the dragonslayer was. A stick in the mud is what most would call it.
"Feelin' left out there?" Khalen smirked, potentially forgetting just how murderous her actions could become. Wordlessly, she shifted her gaze to the man tied securely to the cart, definitely in no position to be directing quips. He realized his mistake as her heel twisted to ground her stance. Just before her foot could make contact with his unprotected jaw, an unfamiliar voice spoke.
"You're The Mercenary!"
"Excuse me?" Turning to find three young women enthusiastically beaming before her, relatively unfazed by her shoe ready to bury itself down Khalen's throat, "Um." Alex squinted.
"From the story!" Brow furrowing in protest, the woman resigned to silence, "Come with us." Normally, anyone who had the audacity to seize her wrists would have met a grisly end. Yet, the moniker kept her occupied as the women granted her deepest wish—fresh clothes and a bath.
"Is it true you led a rescue against a hundred men?" A long drawn out 'uhhhhh' was the best she could muster.
"Is it true you saved Draco's life?" Second response was the same as the first
"Is it true you survived an assassination attempt from the Queen?" Last response… same as the first.
0_0_0_0_0_0_0
Frantic and clad in a loose, spacious linen underdress, Alex stumbled out of the back of the building, unable to civilly converse any further with the enthused residents. Thankfully, she was cleaner than when she arrived, but the smell of fresh mud was implying just how fleeting this feeling was. Wobbling for a second, the girl straightened as she ran into two very amused dragons, next to a befuddled Geoff. They all took a long moment to stare at one another before the man cleared his throat to disrupt the stillness.
"Here are some clothes." He handed the bundle to her hesitantly, carefully observing her movements, "Trousers, I guessed." Slowly, she accepted the attire. Dropping his arms, Geoff nodded and turned to depart.
"Wha-Wait! Hey." Brows raised, he halted "I'm hnnn" For a moment, Geoff actually became worried someone had pushed a knife into her back.
"Pardon?" He turned, desiring to confirm the knife theory, especially with the expression forcefully squished onto her features. "Are you... unwell?" Draco snorted, but did not interfere.
"No I said, I'm sorrnn…" Alex moved her jaw from side to side, opening and closing her fist.
"I didn't hear you…" Geoff moved closer.
"I'm sorry."
An understanding slant of his lips conveyed that he had received the message, "Mm, I couldn't really hear you? What was that?" He cupped his ear knowingly.
"Don't make me talk about my feelings." Alex grumbled in a hostile, yet utterly defeated tone. A boyish, genuine laugh escaped him, unrestrained at her struggle. "So." She felt her cheeks burn whilst grasping for the change of subject "What's the plan? You gonna leave me, the giant dragon, a witch, and a dragonslayer here in this peaceful town?" It sounded stupid in her head and out loud.
"No. We leave at first light." Geoff took a deep breath, tilting his head up to face the fading rays of the sun; "I'm taking you to the rebels. They'll know how to… help you." Avalon was already searching for a rebellion, so that was an appropriate decision for her. Draco was intent on joining her in saving the kingdom he once cherished—defender of mankind and all that gibberish. The slayer could be judged properly, and receive a fate equivalent to his crimes. But what about Alex?
"Why are you helping us?" The russet-haired woman felt the question coming on for a long time. Another long pause between them amplified the sounds of animals braying, people chattering, and wind whipping around them.
"It's the right thing to do—the honorable thing." He was a knight after all, more or less. Truthfully, the urge to help was primarily coming from Drake who was determined to assist his father by any means feasible. As his brother, the obligation to satisfy this was imminent, even if it brought monumental danger to all parties involved. "Besides, I'm pretty sure you'd be hopeless without me." Don't punch his nose in.
"How're we supposed to find them?" As much as she wanted to encounter Robin Hood and his band of merry men, wandering the forest aimlessly was not ideal.
"Don't worry about that. We go into the woods, and they'll find us."
0_0_0_0_0_0_0
A whole day of uneasily wandering about the town exhausted her. Every sneer she summoned was greeted with cheerful exclamations about the story that Geoff had told in relation to her character. Furthermore, she had been affectionately dubbed the title Mercenary. It made no sense, aside from aspects in the story. Oddly enough, it was alarmingly accurate towards the job she held back home.
Avalon had spent the day performing research into strengthening her magic and entertaining the children who begged for another display of enchantments. Geoff adeptly gathered supplies for the journey ahead into the forest in search of rebels. Drake, along with Draco basked in the attention bestowed by the kind townsfolk all while bonding with his son.
As Alex stood brooding near the horses, she felt that familiar anxiety creep on her. She was restless. Attempting to help either Geoff or Avalon would result in her getting in their way and slowing their progress. Remaining idle only increased agitation levels plaguing her at the moment.
Adjusting her brown trousers, she surveyed her reflection in a murky puddle. The cotton shirt was comfy against her skin, covered by a rich deep blue-hued tunic fitted to her form with braided laces on the sides. There was an old stain on the gaiters and scale patterned leather corset that the new owner concluded as blood. Tugging at the bracers that felt like genuine leather, Alex marched in her new sturdy boots towards a rowdy crowd that had snapped her from a whirling tempest of upsetting thoughts. She curiously approached to see a group of primarily men. As the scene in the torchlight unfolded, a wide grin made itself apparent on Alex's pale features.
0_0_0_0_0_0_0
"So, you can summon not only fire, but ice?" Draco arched a brow ridge in interest. The young dragon was a rather quick learner, having been raised by humans; none of his abilities had been stunted by his upbringing.
"Geoff helped me realize, as well as attune, both!" He explained proudly, recalling that each first perfect execution was implemented in order to save Geoff's life. Aptly, he left out the whole business about his first attempt at breathing fire coming out the wrong end. "Would you like to see?" Being a child with a new toy to show off, Drake rose and retreated back a few steps.
"Why, of course." A noise rumbled in Drake's throat before a beautiful burst of azure froze an icy trail over the grassy earth. The path seemed to glitter beneath the stars. Jagged fragments of ice rose in uniform pattern; coating the track he had created. Even from his distance, the older dragon felt a distinct chill. "Astounding…" He stood and lowered his head towards the shimmering frost. "And this is how you defeated Griffin?" His son nodded in clarification, "Hmph, he gravely underestimated you." A swell of pride was apparent between them both. "As does this… queen." Discomfort instantly twisted the younger dragon's face as if the subject only wounded him. "Understand I am no stranger toward the urge to hide in the shadows." He let Drake recall his own tale, "There is no gain, and will only wrought harm upon yourself and those you hold dear."
"I know of your story, and of your sacrifice. I do not want to run, and there are so many—wh—what is that?" The solemn expression lifted slightly as he peered over an amassed crowd occupying a section of the town. Patiently willing to save this conversation topic for another time, Draco stood at Drake's side and narrowed his eyes at the scene. Both resolved to saunter closer, their towering height granting them a clear view of the circle's center
A square-jawed male, who was currently busy with pulling his tunic off, stood on the left of the circle they first surveyed. Raising his arms to rouse the crowd, he bared his teeth before glaring at his opponent. A primal growl resounded as he beat his chest, glistening under moonlight.
A familiar face revealed itself; chin dipped in defiance and hidden eagerness. Her dark hair was tied back with a sturdy string. "Oh dear." Draco murmured. What else did he expect?
Her fist closed tight as she pressed it against her open palm, resisting the flex in her wrist for a small amount of stretch in her muscles. Alex wasn't going to waste her time with a strenuous warm up for such a simple fight. The crowd howled, sounding like wolves in the night. Rolling her shoulders to relax them, the woman made eye contact with her opponent, offering a subtle smirk that dripped of shielded arrogance.
The man rushed at her, aiming right for her face with a powerful punch. An effortless side-step avoided the blow, sending his fist swinging at air. All that wasted force right next to her head. She felt the light breeze. He was quick to recover, throwing another punch. With equal to more laziness as the first time, Alex glided back, rolling her shoulder away from the assault. Once his frustration appeared to bubble out of his pores, the dark-haired girl pivoted in a deadly dance, rounding him and delivering a single devastating kick to his knee. Her opponent cried out, hunching over for a brief moment.
Yet another swing approached from her right. Arching her back allowed the blow to sail harmlessly past her face. The crowd ebbed with waves of excitement. Her movements were lithe, borderline lazy. Without warning, and speed that could blind a man, Alex sent her palm straight up until his jaw, snapping the enormous male's head back so dangerously far that his spine screamed for mercy.
"Who's next?" She shouted to the sky, invigorated and bloodthirsty, as the other fighter fell flat on his back in the mud.