Disclaimer: All places and characters belong to Ms. Haydon.
He was drowning, drowning in light and warmth. The warmth protected him and shielded him. He could feel the tension in his shoulders melting away. He was safe here. Warm arms encircled his waist and the warm weight of somebody resting their head against his chest soothed him further. A soft melody filled his mind, easing the headache he had had behind his eyes for days. He opened his eyes and found himself looking into twin green flames.
A cold force grabbed him from behind and yanked him away from the warmth. He thrashed against the force but it was to no avail. He wanted to drown in the warmth; he wanted to burn away to nothing in the green flames. He twisted around to see what had a hold of him; it was a massive taloned hand. The hand pulled him out of the warmth and into a biting cold breeze. Achmed looked around and say himself suspended by the hand over a sea. A massive jet of water roared up in front of him and the giant gaping maw of a dragon formed in the water. He was thrown headfirst into the jaws of the dragon.
Achmed jolted awake and struggled in his sheets. The silk sheets had wrapped themselves around his face and in the throws of his dream he had hit the counter next to his bed and knocked the pitcher of water over, soaking the sheets around his face. He clawed the sheets off of his face and struggled out of bed. He sat on the floor in his room trying to regain his breath. A breath of warm summer breeze came in through the open window and blew through his soaked hair. Open window? I closed that window before I went to bed. He drew in air again and this time he tasted the sweet tang of salt air. The sea is leagues and leagues away. He began to grow uneasy and got up quickly. He shut the window and slid the latch in place. He threw a shirt on, slipped a curved knife through his pants belt, and went to go check on Rhapsody. He eased the door open a crack and looked in. A misty figure was leaning over her bed. He threw the door open all the way and ran in, brandishing his knife. The figure disappeared as soon as he stepped in.
"Achmed? Achmed, what in the name of the Gods are you doing?" Rhapsody was sitting up in bed staring at him.
He paused for a moment, "Go back to sleep." He left as silently as a shadow fleeing before the rising sun.
Rhapsody ran her hand through her hair and stared at the spot where the King had been standing a moment before. She laid back down, knowing, sleep was long in coming.
Achmed sank into a hard wooden chair in his room. The sea. It's always the sea. Water, the source of all my problems. Nothing can hide from unless it's hiding in the water. Why the water now? What is this specter that is plaguing me and why does it smell of the sea? Questions raced through his mind. He steepled his fingers in front of him and rested his elbows on the arms of his chair. He sighed.
Two Days Later
Rhapsody came up behind Achmed and laid her hand her hand careful on his shoulder, "Achmed?" Her worry increased ten fold when he jumped in surprised. He should have sensed her coming from long away. "What's wrong? You've seem so preoccupied over the past couple days."
Achmed turned and looked at her dully. Dark circles under his eyes disfigured his already twisted features. "Go get Grunthor. I should tell him too. I'll be in my room."
Rhapsody nodded and went off quickly to find the giant Sergeant Major.
Moments later a very worried singer accompanied by an equally worried Grunthor came in to the King's room. Rhapsody went over to Achmed while Grunthor stood by the door.
Achmed scanned the windows quickly and then looked up at his only two friends. He said hoarse, drained voice, "F'dor…I think it's a F'dor."
A hand flew to Rhapsody's mouth in shock while Grunthor folded his arms across his chest and his brow furrowed. Rhapsody lowered her hand slowly, "Achmed…you can't be serious…do you really think….another?"
Grunthor snorted, "One F'dor will die easy as another."
Achmed looked at Grunthor, "We'll need to start…Oh Gods, I don't even know where to start."
Rhapsody took his hands in her and looked into his eyes, "It'll be okay. We can do it again. I'll go to Rhonwyn."
Achmed looked at her, "If there is a F'dor I can't let you go alone."
Grunthor nodded slightly, "I'll stay 'ere…guard th' sleepin' child."
Rhapsody smiled her best for Achmed, "Don't worry. We can go in the morning."
Achmed gave a little sigh, "Yes, we'll go in the morning." Achmed knew by the rapid beating of her heart she was terrified, but her bravery gave him heart. "Go. Pack. We'll leave early"
Rhapsody left at a quick walk.
Grunthor looked at Achmed. He walked over to the mantel over the fireplace and got down to glasses and a bottle of port. He poured two full glasses and forced one of them into Achmed's hand.
Achmed downed it and held his hand out for another.
A/N: Oh...my…god…I UPDATED! I know it's short but I have it planned out and I will update soon. Yeah yeah, don't give me that look. I will this time. . Cheers.
