Chapter 9
The walk to Synesta had been rather quiet. Neither Ryu nor Nina said much of anything. Ryu felt like she really needed to think. Nina felt the same. It had taken the rest of the night to reach the famous merchant city.
Nina glanced around, eyes wide as they entered. It was very crowded for it being so early in the morning. The city was really just one big dirt road, with merchant stalls lining either side against tall wooden buildings. People bustled from one side to the other, loaded down with various weapons and provisions. Laughing softly, she stepped in front of Ryu. "This is amazing, Ryu! I've never been to a city before!" her eyes followed a few small children who were running circles around an exhausted looking woman. "It's full of so many people!"
He smiled, glad to hear her voice again. "Yes, but let's go to an inn now. We need to get a meal and rest. Afterwards, I promise I'll show you around, okay?"
Nina's stomach began to growl loudly at the mention of food. It was hard to believe that the last things she ate were those dinner rolls the night before. She nodded slowly, clutching at her now aching stomach. "Yeah...you're right, I'm starving."
Ryu raised an arm to his face, wiping sweat from it. "Well...now let's try to find the Inn."
"I thought you had been here before."
He looked down at her, smiling broadly. "Only once. You can't expect me to remember everything I see once, little bird."
Just as Nina started to make a face, something ran by and tugged on one of her wings. Startled, she looked down into the freckled face of a small girl. Nina leaned down and brought her face level with the hers. "Can I...help you?"
The girl grinned, revealing two large crooked front teeth. "That man over there told me to tell him if I see a pretty girl with wings."
Nina's heart suddenly skipped a beat and she glanced up warily. "W-what man...?"
Still smiling, the little girl pointed a chubby finger towards a heavily cloaked man leaning on the side of a weapon merchant's stall. His hood was draped over his head, but Nina could see small strands of dirty blonde hair hanging over his dark brown eyes. He turned to stare back at her, his armored arms crossed over his broad chest.
"Merc." Ryu said softly.
Nina looked up as the little girl pranced away. "Mercenary? But why..."
"Don't worry, he won't try anything until nightfall anyways. There's too many people around."
She nodded slowly and glanced back at the man who was now patting the girl on the head gently.
"Seems like everyone wants a chance to fight the dragon."
Her eyes moved to Ryu. He was staring out into the city, his green eyes narrowed slightly. "Ryu...what..."
He suddenly smiled, short fangs appearing. "Hey, don't worry. Come on, let's go."
Ryu's smile broadened and he grasped her arm gently, pulling her behind him as he began to walk into the massive crowds of people.
Nina couldn't help but to stare at the various races of people passing them as they made their way to the city center. Some she knew, like the Worens, who hung around in packs around some of the shops swinging swords and clubs at each other in friendly sparring matches. A lot of them, though, she had no clue. Human halfbreeds of every shape, size, and animal walked past her curious blue eyes, most of them giving her harsh looks back. She didn't care though, all of this mesmerized her.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking, Ryu led her into a small shabby looking wooden building in the direct center.
Nina's nose crinkled as they stepped in. Dust could be seen floating in the rays of light coming in from the broken windows. The air was so musty, it was making her eyes water. Holding onto Ryu's arm tighter, she glanced around the small lobby. Shady looking characters raised their heads at her, staring back at her with cold eyes from all sides of the room. She pulled Ryu closer as one of the men shifted slowly towards her.
"I'd like a room, please."
She glanced up to see Ryu talking to a rather large woman behind the front desk. Her eyes widened as the woman's massive hand came forward and grasped the zenny he had dropped on the counter. Squinting, the woman lifted the coins to the light. "They're real." Ryu said with a small smile.
The woman scowled down at him through bushy black hair. "Can't be too careful in this place, boy. Thieves is everywhere." Nina cringed as the woman's mouth opened, revealing row after row of blackened needle-like teeth.
"Hey, she got a problem?" the woman sneered, watching Nina's blue eyes widen to the size of saucers.
Ryu laughed softly. "Nah, she's just hungry." His hand clutched his own stomach as it growled. "Actually, we both are. Is there any way we can get a small meal sent to our room?"
The woman snorted loudly. "Whaddya think this is, boy?" her gruff voice boomed.
Ryu reached in his pocket and pulled out another handful of zenny, watching her bloodshot eyes bulge as he dropped the coins onto the counter. "A friendly hospitable place I suppose."
Her large hairy hands frantically scooped up the zenny and she smiled, the teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Oh but of course. I likes men who knows the right prices. Go up the stairs to the room on the far right. I'll be sendin' someone up there to give ya yer food."
Ryu nodded slowly and pulled Nina towards the crooked wooden stairs. "Hey, now wasn't that easy?" He said as they began to walk up.
Nina shuddered. "That woman...I've never seen..."
"Someone so ugly? " He began to laugh loudly. "Places like these will have every type of person you can think of. All you have to remember is, you can't stare like that. It's kind of considered rude."
"I...I didn't mean to..." she said softly.
"Don't worry. I know you didn't. It's just going to be one of those things you've got to learn."
She nodded and looked up as they reached the door to their room. Ryu reached out and turned a rusted knob, pushing open the rickety red door.
The room was small, but not as bad as she thought it was going to be. Compared to the rest of the building, it was actually fairly cozy. Sure, there was some wallpaper peeling off of the wall and the furniture all had at least an inch of dust on them, but it was better than the woods. Ryu sighed and stretched his arms above his head. He fell back on one of the two beds, dust clouding the air as his body came in contact with the tattered bedspread. "Well, it's not the best, I know, but it really beats that cave."
Nina sat down on the other bed and leaned back against the wall, nodding slowly. "So what are we going to do now, Ryu?"
He turned towards her. "I suppose we rest for a few hours, then go down to the market. I'd like to get a new shirt before we start heading towards Drogen."
Her eyes moved to his still bare chest as he tapped it. "Ryu, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what is it?"
She reached up and scratched her head, feeling dust rise from it. "How did you get all of those scars?"
He smiled and looked down. "Are they really that obvious?"
"Well...yes, they do make up the majority of you."
He laughed and stretched, his body spreading over the tiny bed. "Training."
She cocked her head "Training?"
"Yeah, back in Drogen. I told you the elder was a bastard. I had to learn how to take pain."
Her eyes widened. "So they...beat you...?"
"Well, not really. I mean, it really did help me. When that Shyong guy hit me, it really didn't hurt as bad as I made it out to."
"Why did you pretend?"
His head turned to her, his mouth forming a warm smile. "I could tell you were scared. I thought maybe he would quit if he figured it was doing its job."
Nina started to say something, but was cut off by a loud knock at the door. Ryu raised a hand into the air. "Come in!"
The door creaked open and a man almost as large as the innkeeper woman came in holding a giant platter of food. Ryu sat up quickly, his eyes wide. "Hey thanks, just set it right here." The man grunted and placed the platter onto Ryu's bed, then turned to walk out of the room. "Tell the innkeeper thanks." Ryu called as he pulled the door shut loudly.
"Oh wow..." Nina breathed, getting up from her bed and moving to his, sitting down on the other side of the platter in front of Ryu. The smell of the food was enough to make her mouth water. Ryu clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, closing his eyes. "Ladon bless this food...and...whatever Nina believes in...you bless this food too."
"So, this Ladon is a god?"
Ryu opened his eyes to see Nina's perplexed face. "Well...of the dragons. Are you a goddess worshiper?"
Nina shrugged, her wings fluttering a bit. "I don't know, I've never really thought about it before I guess... I know that most of the castle staff are..." she shook her head slowly. "I told you I don't know much about anything."
Ryu smiled and reached out, patting her dust covered head. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. When the time comes, you'll believe what you want to believe. Now, come on, let's eat."
She blushed slightly and nodded, moving her head from his hand. Ryu smiled and reached down, taking a large chicken leg from the mound of meat. Mouth opening wide, he chomped down on it, almost taking in the whole thing. She laughed softly, taking a rather small piece herself. He made a face. "Hey, I'm hungry. Don't start this again. Right now I'm not caring too much about etiquette." she smiled and nibbled gently on hers.
They ate in silence, each so glad to have food that they didn't really have time to talk. Every now and then Nina stole a glance at him. It was so hard to believe that just a few hours ago, he was that huge hulking dragon. She still didn't know what to think about it, it was still all too confusing.
As they finished dinner and got into their own beds, she decided not to worry too much about it. Eventually, everything would become clear. It had to.
* * *
Lucia pulled back from the window, pressing her back hard against the wall. What the hell just happened? Did that man really disappear? It didn't make any sense. Holding her breath, she leaned over, peering warily down at the entrance way. No, he wasn't there and the soldiers looked as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Was she just crazy?
"Ms. Lucia, his majesty has summoned you to the main hallway."
Claws unsheathing, Lucia gasped, her heart pounding hard against her chest. A young soldier stepped back, eyes widening at her glinting claws. "I-I'm sorry I startled you...I just..."
Blushing, the woren brought her hands quickly to her sides, trying to gain composure. "It's fine. Just don't do it again." She smiled slightly and pushed a piece of red hair behind her ear. "Do you know the meaning of this summoning?"
The soldier nodded. "Sir Tsunaia has finished his healing."
"Already? Usually a wound like that would take hours!"
He shrugged. "Mistress Faben said he seem determined to get better."
"Probably for revenge." she whispered to herself.
"Sorry?"
"Oh nothing." she said waving a hand beside her. "Are you here to escort me?"
"Yes, I was told..."
"Alright then...this is no time to be slow about it. Let's go." She said sharply, striding quickly past the dazed soldier.
"Yes m'am!" He cried scrambling to catch up with her.
A revenge wish from a man who was healed with the goddess's blessing, Lucia thought as she made her way towards the throne room, she hoped he really knew what he was getting himself into.
* * *
Blood. So much blood. Everyone was dead. Every soldier, everyone she knew. Crimson flying before her eyes, Nina fell to her knees. This wasn't right. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She squeezed her eyes closed and shook her head, tears falling.
A sick gurgling noise brought her attention upward. Ryu was standing before her, in his dragon form, holding Shyong by his neck. He was struggling, his feet swinging frantically, trying to make contact with the ground. His face was turning blue from the lack of air and his ice eyes were bulging. Nina clasped her hands in front of her, her wings encircling her shivering body. This didn't make any sense. Ryu wasn't supposed to be like this, he...
Her eyes widened as the dragon thrust his other claw forward, plunging it deep into the struggling knight's chest. A loud snapping noise pierced the air as it burst through his back.
Everything then seemed like it was in slow motion. The blood flying, Shyong's face contorting into a silent scream, Ryu...smiling... She watched as the dragon tossed Shyong's lifeless body to the ground. "No..." she whispered as he turned to her, his wings out spreading. Glowing crimson eyes staring at her, his mouth began to form silent words. Each one making her blood run colder.
"For...you..."
Violently shaking hands grasping her head, she screamed.
* * *
"Nina! Nina are you alright?!"
Nina's eyes shot open. Ryu was leaning over her, his long hair falling onto her sweat drenched face. "Nina, please, say something." He whispered, leaning closer.
Before she knew what was going on, her hands flew out, pushing him away from her. Startled, he stepped back. "Nina...what..."
Shivering slightly, she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms tight around them. "Stay away..."
He nodded slowly and backed away, sitting down on his bed. "Bad dream?" he asked watching her chest heave with the sudden adrenaline rush. Like he needed an answer, her face told it all. She was soaked with sweat and her eyes were bloodshot and filling with tears. The look she gave him...well...it wasn't pleasant. "I see." He said softly. "Well, I'll leave you alone for a second. I think I'll go get some water or something."
She lifted her head as he walked out of the door.
What was going on? Why did she have that dream? She hugged her knees tighter. Was she really that afraid of him? So much for not worrying about it, she thought scowling. It was over, wasn't it? She probably would never have to see that form again...at least she hoped. Sighing loudly, she rubbed her face onto her knees. This was stupid. She had to get over this somehow. What if she did see it again? What would she do? Would she run away, just like she did everything else? No, she had to be strong...but...
She glanced over to a window near her bed. Light came in through the cracked glass, bathing the room in an orange glow. The crowds of people were beginning to disperse below, the large dirt road becoming almost barren.
Hugging her knees even closer, she closed her eyes. Why must it be so hard...to be strong?
* * *
Lucia watched as her escort pulled open the large wooden door leading into the throne room. Puffing her chest out in what she thought was an important manner, she strode in. Glancing around, she began to slowly deflate. She had been in the room hundreds of times, but it never ceased to put her in total awe.
The giant hallway stretched out before her, crimson carpet lining the perfectly polished marble floor. The walls held a vast array of milky white candles, each different but equally amazing. From the beginning of the hallway, they were in the shape of people either praying or bowing to an unknown source. Further on up, the same people began to sprout wings from their backs. The wings grew larger and more magnificent until the very edge of the room, where the figures took on godlike victory poses, the wings outstretched and powerful. Whoever had crafted them, had made sure the candlelight hit them in just the right places. They looked as though they were illuminated from the inside out.
Soldiers lined the walls, each nodding briskly at the woren as she passed. Lucia pushed her glasses higher on her nose, focusing forward to the large platform at the end where the King sat in a most extravagant throne. Cast in pure gold, the chair itself made the whole room come together. Winged humans were sculpted to look as though they were bursting forth from the top and sides of the piece, arms and wings reaching towards the heavens. The arms curled forward and ended with a small bluish crystal ball on each end. They reflected the light from the candles brightly, shining like two majestic stars in the hands of the King.
As Lucia neared him, he sat up, nodding slowly to the soldiers near him. They came to attention, each banging their spear ends on the ground twice. "His majesty will now speak!" One bellowed, his voice echoing through the massive hallway.
The woren scowled at the ground. Beside the King, stood Valcomn's chief advisor, Lute Issac. He was a rather shady looking character, tall and lanky with long black hair that was slicked back against his oddly shaped pale head. He smirked as Lucia lifted her head.
"At ease."
The soldiers immediately relaxed, the clanging of their spears filling the air.
"I've called you here to discuss the situation with the Princess." The King said softly as Lucia stood. "Issac and I are very concerned with the failure of Sir Tsunaia."
Lucia shook her head slowly. "I'm not sure if I could tell you anything useful about that..."
"I could."
She turned to see Shyong standing behind her. She hadn't even heard him come in behind her. Her gray eyes widened as he stared at her. Huge claw-like scars raked his once perfect complexion, making painful looking indents on the whole left side of his face. The thing that bothered her the most, though, was his left eye. It was completely colorless. There was a pupil there, but the iris around it had lost its blue hue. Only a thin line of gray distinguished it from the white of his eye.
He stepped forward, past her astonished stare and knelt before the King, his torn, blood soaked navy cloak falling around him. "I cannot apologize enough for my failure my liege, but as you can see, the dragon has enormous power. He killed many of my men in nearly one strike, he..."
"I do not wish to hear excuses from a one-eyed twit." Issac sneered, leaning towards the King.
Shyong clenched his teeth. "I will not have you talk to me in such a manner. You are not my King, I do not want..."
"Sir Tsunaia, I think you should sit this one out."
Shyong's good eye moved to the King's solemn face. "But, your majesty!"
The King sighed, bringing his hand to his forehead. "I don't believe you have what it takes to take on such a dangerous creature. I need the Princess back as soon as possible. Valcomn will not make an alliance with us unless we have her. You know that just as much as I do."
"But...!"
"We can't afford to have her traveling with him any longer. I think I know what the dragons are up to and I'm not about to let them have access to her as well."
Shyong balled his fists. "No, I can do it! I can beat him! I want to....I want to so bad...! He...he shamed me, in front of my own men and the Princess as well! I have to save her...she needs me...!" Swung his fist out, his eye widening. "Sire, you can't expect me to just stand by! I..."
"Enough, Tsunaia!" The King bellowed.
"Then why was I summoned here?" Shyong whispered, his voice beginning to tremble.
Issac smiled, his chapped lips curling above his yellowed teeth. "Tell us everything you know about this dragon. We need to know every detail of what went on last night."
Lucia crossed her arms, her gaze set on Issac. What was he doing here? She thought the King didn't want Valcomn to know Princess Nina was gone. Maybe he needed help. Obviously they didn't think Shyong could handle it. But...why Lute Issac? He was suspicious as hell and he knew it. She figured he might be acting on his own accord. Valcomn wasn't a particularly honest country.
"Is there something wrong, Mistress Lucia? You seem to be engrossed in thought."
Lucia averted her gaze as Issac's sickeningly drawling voice touched her ears. "Nothing...I was just wondering why I was summoned. There's not much I can tell you about the dragon."
Issac yawned and stepped back, settling himself against the King's chair. "Oh we don't need you to talk about the dragon. I just figured it would make Tsunaia feel better to have someone he knew here."
"That's Sir Tsunaia to you..." Shyong growled softly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, SIR Tsunaia. I have a hard time remembering the names of washed out knights."
Lucia brought a hand in front of Shyong as he lifted his head up. "No, Shyong...Calm down..."she whispered.
"Please, Sir Tsunaia. Tell us about the dragon. I know you have been in contact with their kind before. Was there anything...different...about this one?" King Windia asked gently, leaning forward and cupping his chin in his hand.
Shyong stood slowly, brushing dust from his cloak. He thought back to the fight and how he had pissed the dragon off. He had called him a monster, and he had almost gone insane. Something about Dragoneye was unstable. Something kept him from rational thought... Something...made him an absolute killing machine. Smiling slightly, Shyong shook his head. "No, nothing was different. He was just as feeble as dragons usually are. He just caught me off guard."
Issac nodded slowly. "I see...Then he should have no problem."
Lucia and Shyong stared up at him. "He?" Lucia asked quietly.
The candlelight flickered from Issac's beady black eyes, his thin face shrouded in the dancing shadows. "The prize of Valcomn of course, Mikhal Bevelle."