Chapter 15
Ryu slid back as a tiny fist thrust out at him, his boots digging into the gray mud covering the rain soaked ground. Blue hair flowing out in front of his face, he bent backwards and thrust his hands into the wet grass, arching his back high into the air. He lifted himself up into a handstand and then flipped back onto his feet, raising his dirty fists in front of his smirking face. Nina pushed off from the ground and propelled herself forward with her wings, bringing a knee out. His hands shot out and caught it, tan fingers grasping it tight. With a quick movement, he lifted it up, throwing her off balance. Arms and wings flailing, she cried out and tried to regain her composure. "You're not attacking fast enough, Nina. You're taking too much time to think about what you're going to do next." He said grasping her knee tighter. "You've got to be more careful."
Nina growled and bent back, mimicking Ryu's handstand. With all of her strength, she thrust her body upward, breaking free from his grasp and nearly missing his face with her other foot. Feathers flying, she flipped back to her feet. "How do you like that? Huh, dragon?" she said pushing her blonde hair behind her ears. He dropped his stance and wiped mud from his cheek. "Nice." He said softly. "You're as limber as I am, maybe more. We can work a lot with that."
A smile touched her lips as she danced back and forth on her toes in the soft mud. "Father made me take dancing lessons as a child. He thought it would be nice for me to learn how to entertain his guests."
Ryu laughed and reached in his pocket. After rummaging around for a second, he pulled out an elastic band, which he used to quickly tie up his mop of wet tangled hair. "Entertain guests?"
She nodded. "Yes. Father always made a big deal out of it. He wanted to make sure I was perfect at it."
"Probably to show them what a great girl the political twit's sons could have."
Nina stopped dancing and made a face. "What?"
He shrugged. "You didn't know? Kingdoms usually do that. They marry their daughters into other kingdoms so that they'll be allies. I'm surprised your father didn't try it with Valcomn."
She looked down at the wet long grass, watching beads of rain drip off the ends. "Well, I met Calv once, the prince. He's a lot older than me, almost Shyong's age. I never thought anything about my father inviting him for dinner. I mean he's nice and all, but father doesn't really allow me to talk to many men."
Ryu looked up. "He didn't?"
She shook her head. "No. Shyong was an exception. He was the first soldier I was allowed to speak with on a conversational basis. Even the ones who accompanied me places...father would punish them if they tried to converse with me."
"Maybe that's part of the reason I got locked up."
Nina shrugged. "Maybe, but I think he locked you up mostly because you're a dragon."
"Oh. I see."
A gust of wind blew through the night air and picked up Ryu's long bangs from his face. An odd feeling dwelled in the pit of Nina's stomach. His eyes were dark and narrowed, staring intently at her. They were...sad somehow, the carefree light they usually contained now gone. She shifted her weight onto one foot and crossed her arms. "You know, I don't care that you're a dragon. I told you that before." She said softly.
He nodded. "I know. I just hate to hear that even the King of Windia hates us."
A light rain began to fall gently. Nina wiped her eyes. What was he talking about? It's not like racism against the dragons was an uncommon thing. Why was he so surprised about it?
~You know, rumor has it your old man is trying to start another war.~
Her eyes widened. Was that...it? Was Ryu afraid her father was going to start another war too? Did he believe the rumors? Her sea blue eyes peered through the settling fog at him. He was still staring at her. Why did he go to Windia anyways? Did he go to see if the rumor was true?
"Ryu...I..."
"Hey, it looks like the rain is getting harder." He said softly, lifting a hand into the air. "How about we just train extra hard tomorrow? I don't want either one of us to catch a cold or anything."
Reluctantly, she nodded. He nodded back and smiled slightly, and then he turned and disappeared into the tall fog filled grass. Nina kept her eyes on where he was standing. The rain fell gently onto her body and wings and she shivered. She didn't know why, but her mind was racing. Racing with thoughts that she wasn't sure she could understand quite yet. War...didn't make any sense to her. She had never seen it, nor really heard of it while she was in the castle and now...she gets out for a bit and it's all she hears. War and racism... She flapped her wings once and wrapped them around her trembling body. Did her father want to protect her from all this, or just not let her know what was going on for his own personal reasons? She shook her head. No, it was just a stupid rumor Red told her...and when was Red ever right? Still, she couldn't help but to think about how serious his face looked when he told her. Maybe...she was just kidding herself.
* * *
Ryu lowered his head as he walked. It wasn't as though he couldn't tell her...he just didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He hadn't planned on taking her from Windia, but now, he was stuck with her. Squeezing his eyes closed, he shook his head. No, he wasn't "stuck" with her, he rather enjoyed her company. These nights he trained her helped him forget about the things that worried him. He felt that talking to her, calmed his spirit. He clenched one of his fists, feeling the condensation of the mist on his palm. There had to be time. He needed to wait for the right moment. Glancing back into the grass, he could barely see the tops of her large white wings bobbing as she walked. His emerald eyes narrowed and he blinked back water. It had to be perfect. Right now, she wouldn't believe him, but soon...He sighed gently. She would be able to make her own decisions, soon she would know the truth about everything...and then...maybe this world would be a better place.
* * *
"I wonder where the hell they got off to?" Red mumbled staring at the campfire and watching a spider stupidly crawl into it.
Gabe shrugged. "Why does it matter? Does everyone have to tell you where they're going?"
"No, I was just sayin'"
Deja walked to him and sat down on the ground facing him. "You're acting weird, Red. What's wrong with you?"
The Woren picked up a wet leaf and tossed it into the fire. It spat and sizzled loudly. "Nothing's wrong." He muttered.
She leaned closer, her bound black hair falling over her shoulder. "Yes there is. You've been really quiet ever since we talked about Angel Tower. Are you scared?"
He turned and glared into her violet eyes. "Fuck no, I'm not scared. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You don't want to go back home, do you?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"You're father's going to be angry."
"I know."
Deja sighed. "We can always go back in a year or so."
Suddenly Red stood and clenched his teeth. "You know as well as I do, fox, that he could be dead by then. Then who's going to protect the village?"
"Well, you surely can't go by yourself." Gabe peeled back the skin of a tomato and tossed it to him.
Red caught it and reluctantly took a bite. "Why the hell not?" he mumbled through pulp.
"We have to go with you. We've made an oath that we cannot break, no matter what."
He crossed his arms. "I know that...I just..." His crimson eyes darted to the grass as Ryu stumbled out of it cursing. "I don't think we should involve them."
"No one said they're involved. I thought we were leading them to Worent and then they would go on to Drogen." Gabe said. Deja nodded in agreement.
"Father's going to want to speak to them. He's not going to like us bringing a Dragon and a Windian into the village."
"Red, they needed help and we helped them. Your Father will be just fine with it and you know it."
"Be fine with what?"
Nina came in behind Ryu, brushing water from her tattered cloak. Red smiled. "You two bein' foreigners and all. He don't like a lot of people from far away."
Deja's violet eyes narrowed. "Now, Red that's a lie. He didn't mind Gabriel and me and we're from feuding clans ourselves. You know good and well he'll have a feast for your return and they'll be invited for helping get you back their safely" She glanced over at Nina. "And to have the Princess of Windia with us...well that's an honor in itself." Nina blushed slightly.
"Well...I'm not sure if that's really considered an honor...I'm just..."
Ryu's hand suddenly shot out and covered Nina's mouth. Her eyes widened and swiveled to him. He looked down and shook his head. Deja head snapped up and her nostrils flared. Red's did the same. "Shit..." He said softly.
A long mournful howl filled the night air and caused the trees to rustle. Ryu pulled Nina back behind him and drew his sword. Gabe doused the fire. "Wh-what's going on...?" She asked frightfully, grasping the back of his black shirt.
"Shhhh..." He whispered softly, emerald eyes glancing wildly around.
Red reached behind him and pulled out his knife with a soft metallic clink. "Maybe they didn't notice..."
A rustle in the bushes behind Deja startled them. Nina squeaked. Gabe began to chant something softly. "No...I think they've found us..." Ryu whispered as a giant gray paw extended from the foliage.
"Fuckin' Currs..." Red sneered.
Nina watched, fearfully, as four of the largest wolf-like creatures she had ever seen step cautiously out, mouths foaming and bloodstained teeth bared. They barked softly to one another, and then proceeded to make a large circle around them. Nina clutched Ryu tighter. "What...are they doing? Are they attacking...?"
"Only we would decide to stay the night near a damn Curr den..." Red whispered, holding his knife up. It glinted in the moonlight.
"They hate trespassers and they're extremely intelligent. Be on your guard and hope they didn't call on any more..." Deja said balling her fists tight. The many rings on her fingers each popped open, a long thin spike extending from them.
Nina's eye's widened when she saw them. "Wow, Deja! I didn't know you could..." She screamed as one of the Currs snapped at her legs.
Ryu jerked her back and lowered his sword to the dog creature's foul smelling mouth. "Watch out, Nina...they're poisionous..."
"Oh, well that's great..."
Red smiled broadly and lifted the knife into the air, crouching close to the ground. His tail swished wildly. "How about I bring out Were-tiger? It wouldn't be too hard; I could rip them all apart just like that!" He cried excitedly.
"Red, stop joking around. This is serious...!" Deja moaned as the Currs began to close in.
The group huddled close together. Gabe stopped chanting and glanced back at Ryu. "On my count, we break out. There are four of us. We can handle it."
Ryu shook his head. "No way! Nina can't take one on by herself...!"
One growled and gnashed at Red's tail. He pulled it back sharply, crimson eyes wide. "Well take on two then, hot-shot! Unless you want me to stand up for your woman, that is."
The dragon pulled his sword up and back. "I bet I could take on all of them."
Red looked back. "Are you crazy? A wuss like you couldn't possibly..." His eyes suddenly widened as a blur of blue shot past him. Blood flew and one Curr fell to the ground. The group turned and another one's head was severed from its body in one swift blow. Growling, Red bared his fangs at Ryu's blurred figure going after the other two. "You damn dragon! You can't show me up!" He clenched his fists and ran forward, plunging the knife deep into one of the Curr's skull. The animal swayed and then fell, gurgling, to the ground. Red's head snapped up as he felt a change of wind behind him. He barely had time to see Ryu shoot a smile to him before the last Curr burst into a fountain of crimson.
Clenching his teeth, the Woren growled loudly and lunged himself towards Ryu, bringing his fist out. In a flurry of blue hair, the boy seemed to disappear before Red's wide eyes. "What the..." Suddenly, his mouth opened wide and blood shot out. Neck craning, he looked back to see Ryu behind him, sword hilt in the air, lips parting in a flicker of a smile. Stunned, Red's hands shot out and grasped the cold wet ground. He held himself for a minute with trembling arms, and then let go, falling face first into the mud.
Ryu walked to him and placed a muddy boot on his back. He put all of his weight on it, causing the Woren to cry out loudly. Emerald eyes narrowing through, wet matted hair, he snarled. "Don't you ever attack me like that again, Woren..." He spat angrily by Red's head, and then took his foot away, starting to walk back to the rest of the group. Nina, Gabe, and Deja stared at him wide eyed as he came towards them, eyes blazing. He pushed past them roughly and went into his tent.
Nina glanced back at Red as Deja and Gabe ran to him. They grasped his arms and lifted him from the mud. He sputtered and glared towards the tent, lips curling into a sneer. "You fucking dragon... You fuckin' arrogant bastard dragon...!" He rasped slowly, slipping on the wet grass and falling forward. Gabe caught him in a gigantic hand.
The winged girl turned back to the tent, sea blue eyes narrowing slightly in the soft rain. "Ryu..."
* * *
"What did you do to her?"
The white haired man remained smiling, long white robe flowing gently. Lighting struck behind him and illuminated the picture of the Goddess. Shyong watched as a crimson feather fell from his sleeve. He picked up the fallen Faben in his arms and placed her on the pew. Gritting his teeth he turned back to the man and gasped. He was now on the ground. "I didn't do anything that she didn't deserve." That damn singing voice...
"You don't make any sense!" Shyong cried throwing his arms out. "You tell me right here and right now what your purpose is! Why you are here and why you have to be in everyone's business! You tell me now!"
He stepped back as the man floated towards him. Yes, floated. Shyong's body shivered when he neared. The man jerked to a stop, his body flailing a bit erratically, like he really didn't have much control over it. Come to think of it, his movements always seemed odd-like. His orange eyes widened and Shyong stared into the long slit pupils. "I told you, Tsunaia..." He whispered. "I just want to see the Princess." He cocked his head as lightning flashed again. "Is that so hard for you to understand?"
"I want you to tell me why. What purpose does the Princess serve to you..what ever you are?" Shyong asked sharply, stepping sideways as the man floated towards him again.
"She means a lot to me. More then you could ever imagine."
Shyong snorted. "You a stalker or something? You know she's only nineteen. You look a bit old for her."
The man's eyes widened and his mouth curled into a smile. "Nineteen? Already? That's marvelous!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"The time is close then! How lucky I was to arrive at this time!"
"This time?"
The man laughed loudly and sat down on a nearby pew. "So it's really been that long..." Shyong crossed his arms. "To think she was able to manipulate it so well..." The man's hands rose to his eyes. "Such power...I was a fool to let her get away..."
"Listen! Mad men like you don't need to be around the Princess. I swore to protect her and I will! I..." He stopped short as the man turned to him.
"Do you have any idea why she is so important to this kingdom? Why the King is so interested in getting her back?"
Shyong hesitated. Well, of course she was important. She was the Princess! What else was so important.... I mean, he knew the King had said something about her having amazing power, but it wasn't awakened yet. That's all. Nothing that great. So she had power. Her mother was strong, maybe she got it from her. Nothing so important all this had to be done... Or so he thought... Finally he shrugged. "Well, I'm not sure. Why don't you enlighten me?"
The man smiled broadly. "You know of the Fae Tribe?"
Shyong nodded. "Those winged people that died out a long time ago, right?"
He laughed gently. "Oh yes, they're dead. I made sure of that."
Shyong's eyes narrowed. "You really are mad. How could you have..."
"She is the last one; their only hope of survival, the ultimate weapon. I made sure I got her. I made sure she was in the right hands. Then I lost her. She got away from me..." He clenched his teeth and brought his eyes to the ground. "I'll get her back. I'll get her for doing this to me..."
"Doing what...? You're mad..."
The man's head snapped up. "You bring her to me, Tsunaia, and I'll make it so the whole dragon race is bowing before you. This I promise."
"But I...Still...What did you do to Priestess Faben?"
The man looked back at Faben's limp body. "She's a Priestess, yes. The Goddess has many followers, but few know really how to deal with the 'taint of the dragon'."
Shyong's eyes widened. "That's real? Are you serious?"
"Oh it's real...There's something odd about that boy, and you know it too."
"What exactly is this 'taint'?"
A smile appeared on the man's face. "A curse that can only be given to you by a dragon full of hatred. Whenever you see a dragon, that scar will burn. It will burn with such a force, you will wish you were dead. What that 'Faben' did, was merely make it so that the pain would not be so strong when you encountered him. Even so, it will still hurt. It does this to drive its captors insane with anguish."
Trembling slightly, Shyong's hand came to his face. The deep scars felt hard on his fingertips. "What kind of power can you give me to defeat him? Will it get rid of the curse? Will I be able to..."
"Bring me the girl, and you'll be fine. I'll take care of you, Tsunaia, After all..." He stood and walked to Shyong, extending a frail ashen hand to his scarred cheek. "You are my link to this world and the next..."
* * *
Candlelight flickered across Ryu's face, illuminating his dark green eyes. "I don't wish to speak to anyone right now." He said gently as the tent flap opened.
Nina drew back a bit, and then shook her head, climbing in. "I don't care, Ryu. I want to know what happened. You could have killed Red."
He looked down. "He attacked me. He didn't have to do that. I was just kidding around with him."
"You egged him on. You didn't have to show off like that."
"How else am I supposed to relate to him?"
Nina sat down and stared at him. "You want to...relate to him?"
He nodded slowly. "Dragons are told when they are sent out from Drogen that we must do all we can to discourage the thoughts of malice towards us. Make friends wherever we go. I was just trying to..."
"Do you have many friends in Drogen?"
"No, not really."
Nina twirled a piece of her hair around her fingers. "I understand how you feel. I don't have any friends either. Maybe the occasional soldier I snuck to talk to...I don't know."
"I feel stupid. All he wants is to fight me and I can't do anything about it. He hates me and honestly, I really don't like him." He shook water from his head. "I don't want to try to be friends with him. It's too hard."
"You can't give up!" Nina cried suddenly, grabbing onto Ryu's hand. "Then all of your efforts would be in vain!"
"What efforts? That was the first real one."
"I don't know...you just can't give up. I won't let you."
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"Yes it does. You accomplished befriending me."
He looked up at her, green eyes flickering in the light. A small smile touched his lips. "You're my first." She blushed when he grasped her hand tighter. "It was quite easy to get you to like me."
She turned away, cheeks pink. "Well...besides the fact that I was already lonely..."
He nodded gently. "Maybe I will try, but only for you; No one else."
She smiled. "I'd like that. Thank you. It would be nice if we could all go to Worent together and in good moods when we got there."
Laughing softly, he let go of her hand. "Normally, I would think this was a really corny conversation, but for some reason...You make me feel like its important."
She smiled and nodded. "I'm glad!"
He felt himself smile back as he stared at her. She looked so happy. So really, all she needed was for people to get along. All through her life there's been nothing but conflict and now... Now that she had figured out the entire world was one big problem...all she needed was some comfort that maybe...somewhere in this whirlwind of quarrels, there could be some answers. Grasping her hands gently, he let himself continue to smile. Maybe she really was what he thought she was...
* * *
"I can't believe he struck me. That damn bastard really struck me."
"With all due respect, Red, you did attack him first." Deja said softly, wiping blood from his swollen muzzle.
He winced. "I didn't even see him! How could he have gotten behind me so fast? He isn't human!"
"No, he's a dragon."
Red scowled. "I know that, Gabe.....I was just sayin'"
"You really need to try and reason with him. Don't egg him on like that, okay?"
"Why not? He's just a stupid arrogant show off jerk."
"No, that's you, Red."
"Piss off Gabe."
The dog man shrugged. "Whatever, Red, just don't get yourself killed. Dragons can be ferocious when angered."
"Yeah well you two sure didn't do much to help."
"Why would we? Sometimes you need the shit beat out of you, Red."
Red winced again as she rubbed his back. "Where's Nina?" He asked.
"I think she went to go talk to him."
"Oh well that's great. So she's on his side."
"Does that matter, Red? I would be on his side too. After all, you DID attack him first."
"Shut up about that! I was angry! Damnit...for god sakes that fuckin' hurts woman!"
"Then hold...still!" The fox cried jerking his body closer to her. He yowled.
"I think you should apologize."
"What the hell for?"
"Must I repeat myself?"
Red sighed and let his arms and tail droop to the ground. "I guess I should..." he said softly. "But.I want him to apologize for showing out!"
Deja laughed. "Of course you'd want something in return. You're so predictable, Red."
"Well at least I'm trying." He said curtly, crimson eyes moving to Gabe standing before him. Maybe they were right. Ryu was actually a good asset to them at the moment and, hated to admit it, but the moves he did were pretty amazing. If he could get him to teach him how to manipulate his speed like that he...
"Okay, come on, Red. It's time for bed. We're about three hours behind now, because of this little fiasco." Deja said.
Red nodded and followed them back to where the camp was.
* * *
Lucia rolled onto her back, gray eyes staring wide at the ceiling above her. Sweat beaded on her tawny face and dripped off her whiskers. It had come to her again. Those images that strange man showed her. She reached up and ran a hand through damp hair. What did he want her to do?
They were visions of her past; of things she tried for years to forget. Tears came to her closed eyes. They hurt so bad... Everything...
"Are you still crying, little kitty?"
Lucia's body jerked to a sitting position. The white haired man stood in front of her window, just as he had done the other night. Still staring, still musing, body almost covered by her soft, flowing curtains. Her eyes narrowed and she grasped the bedspread. "What do you want? Haven't you done enough?"
"Was it really that bad?"
She looked away. "...You have no idea."
He laughed gently and walked over to her. She flinched when his hand met her drooping shoulder. "You know what you have to do."
"No, I really don't!" She cried shaking her head.
She felt the bed sag under his weight. He was sitting beside her. Dear God he was so cold... He reached up and grasped her chin, turning her to face him. "Must I show you again?" His orange eyes were bright in the darkness.
She shook her head gently. "No...I remember just fine..."
His pale lips broke into a smile. "Good..."
"But, I still don't know... What are you trying to tell me?" She asked as he rose and walked back to the window. The moonlight splashed over him, illuminating him, making him look like an angel...no angels weren't that unnerving.
"You hate your people, but you know that they are the only ones who can save you."
She pushed hair from her face and sniffed delicately. "No, I don't hate them for what they did...I just wish I could go back."
"Worens never had patience for thieves."
"It wasn't like I stole anything that important!" She cried almost automatically.
He turned. He was smiling again. "It doesn't matter, and you know it."
"I..."
"But, you don't want them to die."
She leaned forward. "You keep saying things like that and I don't know what you mean! Yes, they banished me and left me for dead, but...I don't understand why you seem to think they're going to die!"
"You know the King's plans. You are one of his closest friends."
She shook her head. "He wouldn't do it. Not to Worent. Not to any of the Woren countries."
"Are you sure?"
Lucia was silent for a minute. "H-he knows it's my..."
"What does he care? You know what he's planning to do with that girl."
She shook her head. "No! He can't!" She cried, gray eyes shimmering with tears. "I won't let that girl anywhere near him! I won't..."
"Then you give her to me... I know how to dispose of her properly." He said softly, eyes narrowing in the bright light of the moon. "I can help. I'll tell you what to do to stop all of this..."
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him, eyes wide. "Tell me..." She whispered softly. "I'll do anything..."
* * *
The King shifted uncomfortably in his bed. Issac had been furious when he found out Mikhal had died and he had sent Shyong out again. It didn't matter, though. He had shut him up. His pale blue eyes moved to the floor near the window. Moonlight shined over a small puddle of blood. He had forgotten to clean that up.
Sighing gently, she rolled onto his back and lifted a hand to his head. He was shaking. Why? It wasn't like he hadn't done this kind of thing before. Maybe it was because it was so suddenly. He really didn't have time to think. Issac yelled at him, and then he was dead. It happened so damn fast. Sweat began to bead on his age creased forehead. He needed Nina back so badly now; now that any hope of Valcomn alliance went down with Issac. He smiled. Yes...with Nina back, he would once again have the power of the Gods.
A laugh escaped his dry throat. Why did he laugh? Maybe because he thought of the way the King of Valcomn would look on his knees, begging for mercy. They had never been too kind to him. No one was kind enough. All would bow before him. Every race, every kingdom. He shivered at the thought. It was more wonderful than anything he could ever imagine.
"You'll stop laughing... On your way to hell..."
The King's eyes shot up. Something glinted. Pain broke through his body. Blood flowed out from his stomach. He clutched the thing protruding from it. He pulled it out. A knife? Why? His breath was shorter. He couldn't breathe. Everything was getting black. Why? His bulging eyes swiveled up at the shadowy figure standing above him. Hatred flew. He tried to reach up, tried to strangle the figure. He couldn't. No feeling left. Nothing. The moonlight struck. The figure was illuminated. No...not... A hand went over his mouth. He tried to scream, but only a gasp came through.
"Lucia..."
Ryu slid back as a tiny fist thrust out at him, his boots digging into the gray mud covering the rain soaked ground. Blue hair flowing out in front of his face, he bent backwards and thrust his hands into the wet grass, arching his back high into the air. He lifted himself up into a handstand and then flipped back onto his feet, raising his dirty fists in front of his smirking face. Nina pushed off from the ground and propelled herself forward with her wings, bringing a knee out. His hands shot out and caught it, tan fingers grasping it tight. With a quick movement, he lifted it up, throwing her off balance. Arms and wings flailing, she cried out and tried to regain her composure. "You're not attacking fast enough, Nina. You're taking too much time to think about what you're going to do next." He said grasping her knee tighter. "You've got to be more careful."
Nina growled and bent back, mimicking Ryu's handstand. With all of her strength, she thrust her body upward, breaking free from his grasp and nearly missing his face with her other foot. Feathers flying, she flipped back to her feet. "How do you like that? Huh, dragon?" she said pushing her blonde hair behind her ears. He dropped his stance and wiped mud from his cheek. "Nice." He said softly. "You're as limber as I am, maybe more. We can work a lot with that."
A smile touched her lips as she danced back and forth on her toes in the soft mud. "Father made me take dancing lessons as a child. He thought it would be nice for me to learn how to entertain his guests."
Ryu laughed and reached in his pocket. After rummaging around for a second, he pulled out an elastic band, which he used to quickly tie up his mop of wet tangled hair. "Entertain guests?"
She nodded. "Yes. Father always made a big deal out of it. He wanted to make sure I was perfect at it."
"Probably to show them what a great girl the political twit's sons could have."
Nina stopped dancing and made a face. "What?"
He shrugged. "You didn't know? Kingdoms usually do that. They marry their daughters into other kingdoms so that they'll be allies. I'm surprised your father didn't try it with Valcomn."
She looked down at the wet long grass, watching beads of rain drip off the ends. "Well, I met Calv once, the prince. He's a lot older than me, almost Shyong's age. I never thought anything about my father inviting him for dinner. I mean he's nice and all, but father doesn't really allow me to talk to many men."
Ryu looked up. "He didn't?"
She shook her head. "No. Shyong was an exception. He was the first soldier I was allowed to speak with on a conversational basis. Even the ones who accompanied me places...father would punish them if they tried to converse with me."
"Maybe that's part of the reason I got locked up."
Nina shrugged. "Maybe, but I think he locked you up mostly because you're a dragon."
"Oh. I see."
A gust of wind blew through the night air and picked up Ryu's long bangs from his face. An odd feeling dwelled in the pit of Nina's stomach. His eyes were dark and narrowed, staring intently at her. They were...sad somehow, the carefree light they usually contained now gone. She shifted her weight onto one foot and crossed her arms. "You know, I don't care that you're a dragon. I told you that before." She said softly.
He nodded. "I know. I just hate to hear that even the King of Windia hates us."
A light rain began to fall gently. Nina wiped her eyes. What was he talking about? It's not like racism against the dragons was an uncommon thing. Why was he so surprised about it?
~You know, rumor has it your old man is trying to start another war.~
Her eyes widened. Was that...it? Was Ryu afraid her father was going to start another war too? Did he believe the rumors? Her sea blue eyes peered through the settling fog at him. He was still staring at her. Why did he go to Windia anyways? Did he go to see if the rumor was true?
"Ryu...I..."
"Hey, it looks like the rain is getting harder." He said softly, lifting a hand into the air. "How about we just train extra hard tomorrow? I don't want either one of us to catch a cold or anything."
Reluctantly, she nodded. He nodded back and smiled slightly, and then he turned and disappeared into the tall fog filled grass. Nina kept her eyes on where he was standing. The rain fell gently onto her body and wings and she shivered. She didn't know why, but her mind was racing. Racing with thoughts that she wasn't sure she could understand quite yet. War...didn't make any sense to her. She had never seen it, nor really heard of it while she was in the castle and now...she gets out for a bit and it's all she hears. War and racism... She flapped her wings once and wrapped them around her trembling body. Did her father want to protect her from all this, or just not let her know what was going on for his own personal reasons? She shook her head. No, it was just a stupid rumor Red told her...and when was Red ever right? Still, she couldn't help but to think about how serious his face looked when he told her. Maybe...she was just kidding herself.
* * *
Ryu lowered his head as he walked. It wasn't as though he couldn't tell her...he just didn't want her to get the wrong idea. He hadn't planned on taking her from Windia, but now, he was stuck with her. Squeezing his eyes closed, he shook his head. No, he wasn't "stuck" with her, he rather enjoyed her company. These nights he trained her helped him forget about the things that worried him. He felt that talking to her, calmed his spirit. He clenched one of his fists, feeling the condensation of the mist on his palm. There had to be time. He needed to wait for the right moment. Glancing back into the grass, he could barely see the tops of her large white wings bobbing as she walked. His emerald eyes narrowed and he blinked back water. It had to be perfect. Right now, she wouldn't believe him, but soon...He sighed gently. She would be able to make her own decisions, soon she would know the truth about everything...and then...maybe this world would be a better place.
* * *
"I wonder where the hell they got off to?" Red mumbled staring at the campfire and watching a spider stupidly crawl into it.
Gabe shrugged. "Why does it matter? Does everyone have to tell you where they're going?"
"No, I was just sayin'"
Deja walked to him and sat down on the ground facing him. "You're acting weird, Red. What's wrong with you?"
The Woren picked up a wet leaf and tossed it into the fire. It spat and sizzled loudly. "Nothing's wrong." He muttered.
She leaned closer, her bound black hair falling over her shoulder. "Yes there is. You've been really quiet ever since we talked about Angel Tower. Are you scared?"
He turned and glared into her violet eyes. "Fuck no, I'm not scared. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You don't want to go back home, do you?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"You're father's going to be angry."
"I know."
Deja sighed. "We can always go back in a year or so."
Suddenly Red stood and clenched his teeth. "You know as well as I do, fox, that he could be dead by then. Then who's going to protect the village?"
"Well, you surely can't go by yourself." Gabe peeled back the skin of a tomato and tossed it to him.
Red caught it and reluctantly took a bite. "Why the hell not?" he mumbled through pulp.
"We have to go with you. We've made an oath that we cannot break, no matter what."
He crossed his arms. "I know that...I just..." His crimson eyes darted to the grass as Ryu stumbled out of it cursing. "I don't think we should involve them."
"No one said they're involved. I thought we were leading them to Worent and then they would go on to Drogen." Gabe said. Deja nodded in agreement.
"Father's going to want to speak to them. He's not going to like us bringing a Dragon and a Windian into the village."
"Red, they needed help and we helped them. Your Father will be just fine with it and you know it."
"Be fine with what?"
Nina came in behind Ryu, brushing water from her tattered cloak. Red smiled. "You two bein' foreigners and all. He don't like a lot of people from far away."
Deja's violet eyes narrowed. "Now, Red that's a lie. He didn't mind Gabriel and me and we're from feuding clans ourselves. You know good and well he'll have a feast for your return and they'll be invited for helping get you back their safely" She glanced over at Nina. "And to have the Princess of Windia with us...well that's an honor in itself." Nina blushed slightly.
"Well...I'm not sure if that's really considered an honor...I'm just..."
Ryu's hand suddenly shot out and covered Nina's mouth. Her eyes widened and swiveled to him. He looked down and shook his head. Deja head snapped up and her nostrils flared. Red's did the same. "Shit..." He said softly.
A long mournful howl filled the night air and caused the trees to rustle. Ryu pulled Nina back behind him and drew his sword. Gabe doused the fire. "Wh-what's going on...?" She asked frightfully, grasping the back of his black shirt.
"Shhhh..." He whispered softly, emerald eyes glancing wildly around.
Red reached behind him and pulled out his knife with a soft metallic clink. "Maybe they didn't notice..."
A rustle in the bushes behind Deja startled them. Nina squeaked. Gabe began to chant something softly. "No...I think they've found us..." Ryu whispered as a giant gray paw extended from the foliage.
"Fuckin' Currs..." Red sneered.
Nina watched, fearfully, as four of the largest wolf-like creatures she had ever seen step cautiously out, mouths foaming and bloodstained teeth bared. They barked softly to one another, and then proceeded to make a large circle around them. Nina clutched Ryu tighter. "What...are they doing? Are they attacking...?"
"Only we would decide to stay the night near a damn Curr den..." Red whispered, holding his knife up. It glinted in the moonlight.
"They hate trespassers and they're extremely intelligent. Be on your guard and hope they didn't call on any more..." Deja said balling her fists tight. The many rings on her fingers each popped open, a long thin spike extending from them.
Nina's eye's widened when she saw them. "Wow, Deja! I didn't know you could..." She screamed as one of the Currs snapped at her legs.
Ryu jerked her back and lowered his sword to the dog creature's foul smelling mouth. "Watch out, Nina...they're poisionous..."
"Oh, well that's great..."
Red smiled broadly and lifted the knife into the air, crouching close to the ground. His tail swished wildly. "How about I bring out Were-tiger? It wouldn't be too hard; I could rip them all apart just like that!" He cried excitedly.
"Red, stop joking around. This is serious...!" Deja moaned as the Currs began to close in.
The group huddled close together. Gabe stopped chanting and glanced back at Ryu. "On my count, we break out. There are four of us. We can handle it."
Ryu shook his head. "No way! Nina can't take one on by herself...!"
One growled and gnashed at Red's tail. He pulled it back sharply, crimson eyes wide. "Well take on two then, hot-shot! Unless you want me to stand up for your woman, that is."
The dragon pulled his sword up and back. "I bet I could take on all of them."
Red looked back. "Are you crazy? A wuss like you couldn't possibly..." His eyes suddenly widened as a blur of blue shot past him. Blood flew and one Curr fell to the ground. The group turned and another one's head was severed from its body in one swift blow. Growling, Red bared his fangs at Ryu's blurred figure going after the other two. "You damn dragon! You can't show me up!" He clenched his fists and ran forward, plunging the knife deep into one of the Curr's skull. The animal swayed and then fell, gurgling, to the ground. Red's head snapped up as he felt a change of wind behind him. He barely had time to see Ryu shoot a smile to him before the last Curr burst into a fountain of crimson.
Clenching his teeth, the Woren growled loudly and lunged himself towards Ryu, bringing his fist out. In a flurry of blue hair, the boy seemed to disappear before Red's wide eyes. "What the..." Suddenly, his mouth opened wide and blood shot out. Neck craning, he looked back to see Ryu behind him, sword hilt in the air, lips parting in a flicker of a smile. Stunned, Red's hands shot out and grasped the cold wet ground. He held himself for a minute with trembling arms, and then let go, falling face first into the mud.
Ryu walked to him and placed a muddy boot on his back. He put all of his weight on it, causing the Woren to cry out loudly. Emerald eyes narrowing through, wet matted hair, he snarled. "Don't you ever attack me like that again, Woren..." He spat angrily by Red's head, and then took his foot away, starting to walk back to the rest of the group. Nina, Gabe, and Deja stared at him wide eyed as he came towards them, eyes blazing. He pushed past them roughly and went into his tent.
Nina glanced back at Red as Deja and Gabe ran to him. They grasped his arms and lifted him from the mud. He sputtered and glared towards the tent, lips curling into a sneer. "You fucking dragon... You fuckin' arrogant bastard dragon...!" He rasped slowly, slipping on the wet grass and falling forward. Gabe caught him in a gigantic hand.
The winged girl turned back to the tent, sea blue eyes narrowing slightly in the soft rain. "Ryu..."
* * *
"What did you do to her?"
The white haired man remained smiling, long white robe flowing gently. Lighting struck behind him and illuminated the picture of the Goddess. Shyong watched as a crimson feather fell from his sleeve. He picked up the fallen Faben in his arms and placed her on the pew. Gritting his teeth he turned back to the man and gasped. He was now on the ground. "I didn't do anything that she didn't deserve." That damn singing voice...
"You don't make any sense!" Shyong cried throwing his arms out. "You tell me right here and right now what your purpose is! Why you are here and why you have to be in everyone's business! You tell me now!"
He stepped back as the man floated towards him. Yes, floated. Shyong's body shivered when he neared. The man jerked to a stop, his body flailing a bit erratically, like he really didn't have much control over it. Come to think of it, his movements always seemed odd-like. His orange eyes widened and Shyong stared into the long slit pupils. "I told you, Tsunaia..." He whispered. "I just want to see the Princess." He cocked his head as lightning flashed again. "Is that so hard for you to understand?"
"I want you to tell me why. What purpose does the Princess serve to you..what ever you are?" Shyong asked sharply, stepping sideways as the man floated towards him again.
"She means a lot to me. More then you could ever imagine."
Shyong snorted. "You a stalker or something? You know she's only nineteen. You look a bit old for her."
The man's eyes widened and his mouth curled into a smile. "Nineteen? Already? That's marvelous!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"The time is close then! How lucky I was to arrive at this time!"
"This time?"
The man laughed loudly and sat down on a nearby pew. "So it's really been that long..." Shyong crossed his arms. "To think she was able to manipulate it so well..." The man's hands rose to his eyes. "Such power...I was a fool to let her get away..."
"Listen! Mad men like you don't need to be around the Princess. I swore to protect her and I will! I..." He stopped short as the man turned to him.
"Do you have any idea why she is so important to this kingdom? Why the King is so interested in getting her back?"
Shyong hesitated. Well, of course she was important. She was the Princess! What else was so important.... I mean, he knew the King had said something about her having amazing power, but it wasn't awakened yet. That's all. Nothing that great. So she had power. Her mother was strong, maybe she got it from her. Nothing so important all this had to be done... Or so he thought... Finally he shrugged. "Well, I'm not sure. Why don't you enlighten me?"
The man smiled broadly. "You know of the Fae Tribe?"
Shyong nodded. "Those winged people that died out a long time ago, right?"
He laughed gently. "Oh yes, they're dead. I made sure of that."
Shyong's eyes narrowed. "You really are mad. How could you have..."
"She is the last one; their only hope of survival, the ultimate weapon. I made sure I got her. I made sure she was in the right hands. Then I lost her. She got away from me..." He clenched his teeth and brought his eyes to the ground. "I'll get her back. I'll get her for doing this to me..."
"Doing what...? You're mad..."
The man's head snapped up. "You bring her to me, Tsunaia, and I'll make it so the whole dragon race is bowing before you. This I promise."
"But I...Still...What did you do to Priestess Faben?"
The man looked back at Faben's limp body. "She's a Priestess, yes. The Goddess has many followers, but few know really how to deal with the 'taint of the dragon'."
Shyong's eyes widened. "That's real? Are you serious?"
"Oh it's real...There's something odd about that boy, and you know it too."
"What exactly is this 'taint'?"
A smile appeared on the man's face. "A curse that can only be given to you by a dragon full of hatred. Whenever you see a dragon, that scar will burn. It will burn with such a force, you will wish you were dead. What that 'Faben' did, was merely make it so that the pain would not be so strong when you encountered him. Even so, it will still hurt. It does this to drive its captors insane with anguish."
Trembling slightly, Shyong's hand came to his face. The deep scars felt hard on his fingertips. "What kind of power can you give me to defeat him? Will it get rid of the curse? Will I be able to..."
"Bring me the girl, and you'll be fine. I'll take care of you, Tsunaia, After all..." He stood and walked to Shyong, extending a frail ashen hand to his scarred cheek. "You are my link to this world and the next..."
* * *
Candlelight flickered across Ryu's face, illuminating his dark green eyes. "I don't wish to speak to anyone right now." He said gently as the tent flap opened.
Nina drew back a bit, and then shook her head, climbing in. "I don't care, Ryu. I want to know what happened. You could have killed Red."
He looked down. "He attacked me. He didn't have to do that. I was just kidding around with him."
"You egged him on. You didn't have to show off like that."
"How else am I supposed to relate to him?"
Nina sat down and stared at him. "You want to...relate to him?"
He nodded slowly. "Dragons are told when they are sent out from Drogen that we must do all we can to discourage the thoughts of malice towards us. Make friends wherever we go. I was just trying to..."
"Do you have many friends in Drogen?"
"No, not really."
Nina twirled a piece of her hair around her fingers. "I understand how you feel. I don't have any friends either. Maybe the occasional soldier I snuck to talk to...I don't know."
"I feel stupid. All he wants is to fight me and I can't do anything about it. He hates me and honestly, I really don't like him." He shook water from his head. "I don't want to try to be friends with him. It's too hard."
"You can't give up!" Nina cried suddenly, grabbing onto Ryu's hand. "Then all of your efforts would be in vain!"
"What efforts? That was the first real one."
"I don't know...you just can't give up. I won't let you."
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"Yes it does. You accomplished befriending me."
He looked up at her, green eyes flickering in the light. A small smile touched his lips. "You're my first." She blushed when he grasped her hand tighter. "It was quite easy to get you to like me."
She turned away, cheeks pink. "Well...besides the fact that I was already lonely..."
He nodded gently. "Maybe I will try, but only for you; No one else."
She smiled. "I'd like that. Thank you. It would be nice if we could all go to Worent together and in good moods when we got there."
Laughing softly, he let go of her hand. "Normally, I would think this was a really corny conversation, but for some reason...You make me feel like its important."
She smiled and nodded. "I'm glad!"
He felt himself smile back as he stared at her. She looked so happy. So really, all she needed was for people to get along. All through her life there's been nothing but conflict and now... Now that she had figured out the entire world was one big problem...all she needed was some comfort that maybe...somewhere in this whirlwind of quarrels, there could be some answers. Grasping her hands gently, he let himself continue to smile. Maybe she really was what he thought she was...
* * *
"I can't believe he struck me. That damn bastard really struck me."
"With all due respect, Red, you did attack him first." Deja said softly, wiping blood from his swollen muzzle.
He winced. "I didn't even see him! How could he have gotten behind me so fast? He isn't human!"
"No, he's a dragon."
Red scowled. "I know that, Gabe.....I was just sayin'"
"You really need to try and reason with him. Don't egg him on like that, okay?"
"Why not? He's just a stupid arrogant show off jerk."
"No, that's you, Red."
"Piss off Gabe."
The dog man shrugged. "Whatever, Red, just don't get yourself killed. Dragons can be ferocious when angered."
"Yeah well you two sure didn't do much to help."
"Why would we? Sometimes you need the shit beat out of you, Red."
Red winced again as she rubbed his back. "Where's Nina?" He asked.
"I think she went to go talk to him."
"Oh well that's great. So she's on his side."
"Does that matter, Red? I would be on his side too. After all, you DID attack him first."
"Shut up about that! I was angry! Damnit...for god sakes that fuckin' hurts woman!"
"Then hold...still!" The fox cried jerking his body closer to her. He yowled.
"I think you should apologize."
"What the hell for?"
"Must I repeat myself?"
Red sighed and let his arms and tail droop to the ground. "I guess I should..." he said softly. "But.I want him to apologize for showing out!"
Deja laughed. "Of course you'd want something in return. You're so predictable, Red."
"Well at least I'm trying." He said curtly, crimson eyes moving to Gabe standing before him. Maybe they were right. Ryu was actually a good asset to them at the moment and, hated to admit it, but the moves he did were pretty amazing. If he could get him to teach him how to manipulate his speed like that he...
"Okay, come on, Red. It's time for bed. We're about three hours behind now, because of this little fiasco." Deja said.
Red nodded and followed them back to where the camp was.
* * *
Lucia rolled onto her back, gray eyes staring wide at the ceiling above her. Sweat beaded on her tawny face and dripped off her whiskers. It had come to her again. Those images that strange man showed her. She reached up and ran a hand through damp hair. What did he want her to do?
They were visions of her past; of things she tried for years to forget. Tears came to her closed eyes. They hurt so bad... Everything...
"Are you still crying, little kitty?"
Lucia's body jerked to a sitting position. The white haired man stood in front of her window, just as he had done the other night. Still staring, still musing, body almost covered by her soft, flowing curtains. Her eyes narrowed and she grasped the bedspread. "What do you want? Haven't you done enough?"
"Was it really that bad?"
She looked away. "...You have no idea."
He laughed gently and walked over to her. She flinched when his hand met her drooping shoulder. "You know what you have to do."
"No, I really don't!" She cried shaking her head.
She felt the bed sag under his weight. He was sitting beside her. Dear God he was so cold... He reached up and grasped her chin, turning her to face him. "Must I show you again?" His orange eyes were bright in the darkness.
She shook her head gently. "No...I remember just fine..."
His pale lips broke into a smile. "Good..."
"But, I still don't know... What are you trying to tell me?" She asked as he rose and walked back to the window. The moonlight splashed over him, illuminating him, making him look like an angel...no angels weren't that unnerving.
"You hate your people, but you know that they are the only ones who can save you."
She pushed hair from her face and sniffed delicately. "No, I don't hate them for what they did...I just wish I could go back."
"Worens never had patience for thieves."
"It wasn't like I stole anything that important!" She cried almost automatically.
He turned. He was smiling again. "It doesn't matter, and you know it."
"I..."
"But, you don't want them to die."
She leaned forward. "You keep saying things like that and I don't know what you mean! Yes, they banished me and left me for dead, but...I don't understand why you seem to think they're going to die!"
"You know the King's plans. You are one of his closest friends."
She shook her head. "He wouldn't do it. Not to Worent. Not to any of the Woren countries."
"Are you sure?"
Lucia was silent for a minute. "H-he knows it's my..."
"What does he care? You know what he's planning to do with that girl."
She shook her head. "No! He can't!" She cried, gray eyes shimmering with tears. "I won't let that girl anywhere near him! I won't..."
"Then you give her to me... I know how to dispose of her properly." He said softly, eyes narrowing in the bright light of the moon. "I can help. I'll tell you what to do to stop all of this..."
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him, eyes wide. "Tell me..." She whispered softly. "I'll do anything..."
* * *
The King shifted uncomfortably in his bed. Issac had been furious when he found out Mikhal had died and he had sent Shyong out again. It didn't matter, though. He had shut him up. His pale blue eyes moved to the floor near the window. Moonlight shined over a small puddle of blood. He had forgotten to clean that up.
Sighing gently, she rolled onto his back and lifted a hand to his head. He was shaking. Why? It wasn't like he hadn't done this kind of thing before. Maybe it was because it was so suddenly. He really didn't have time to think. Issac yelled at him, and then he was dead. It happened so damn fast. Sweat began to bead on his age creased forehead. He needed Nina back so badly now; now that any hope of Valcomn alliance went down with Issac. He smiled. Yes...with Nina back, he would once again have the power of the Gods.
A laugh escaped his dry throat. Why did he laugh? Maybe because he thought of the way the King of Valcomn would look on his knees, begging for mercy. They had never been too kind to him. No one was kind enough. All would bow before him. Every race, every kingdom. He shivered at the thought. It was more wonderful than anything he could ever imagine.
"You'll stop laughing... On your way to hell..."
The King's eyes shot up. Something glinted. Pain broke through his body. Blood flowed out from his stomach. He clutched the thing protruding from it. He pulled it out. A knife? Why? His breath was shorter. He couldn't breathe. Everything was getting black. Why? His bulging eyes swiveled up at the shadowy figure standing above him. Hatred flew. He tried to reach up, tried to strangle the figure. He couldn't. No feeling left. Nothing. The moonlight struck. The figure was illuminated. No...not... A hand went over his mouth. He tried to scream, but only a gasp came through.
"Lucia..."