Breath of Life
Chapter 3: Dragons
Caspian watched as Maeve dozed time to time from her lesson in training. It was common to see the girl in the training hall dueling with Asai in keeping her skill acute. However, he noticed how tired she was from the bags under her eyes compare to the slow steps she was doing. Usually the Daggerneze princess was fast, quick on her toes. But now she seemed slow, like she was testing her opponent strength. Except, Caspian knew better; Maeve was definitely exhausted.
Asai trapped his Katana and disarm the princess before aiming it at her neck. They panted glaring at each other in pure competition. Funny how these two act between each other. Like everything was a contest when in battle. One Calormen battle got out of hand that Archers drawn their swords and joined the fight. Asai betted that he would have the most kills while Maeve rolled her eyes. The Helot betted whoever has the most deaths the loser has to be a slave for an entire week. Asai loss by two opponents and became Maeve servants. She didn't demand as much than he or Caspian suspected. Just play some music when relaxing or fetch her certain order, usually food or Caspian. No mucking up stables, no kissing feet, and hell, she even said Thank you after each task.
All in all, they were good friends, except not when battle or duel.
"Do you yield," Asai demanded.
Maeve narrowed her eyes as she draws a dirk dagger and blocked the katana from her neck adding much force as she could. The moment of slip in the long thin blade moved, she slide down, knocking Asai by the leg and straddled him, her legs securing his arms immobilizing him from anything. She held the dagger closed to his neck.
"Do you yield?" She sarcastically replied.
"In your dreams, Helot!" Asai glared.
That word woken something deep inside Maeve, her green eyes darken. Asai sensed a changed in her appearance in how her aura lowered. For he made the biggest mistake, in calling her a helot when dueling. Saying that one word and you shall face a helot who is trained to kill and survive. For their main goal is to stay alive. Maeve was about to raise her arm for the death blow, but stop dropping the dagger. Her expression was shock as tears rolled down her face.
"Am . . . am I that much of an animal?" she whispered to herself aloud.
Asai didn't know what to say when all of the sudden she was on her feet. The only thing she said before she scampered off was. "Draw," an even match! Asai gotten up and sheathed his blade still dumbfounded by the princess reaction. He always called her a helot and never in his right mind did he consider that it may have offended her to breaking point. He sighed and picked up the forgotten sword...
"Asai!" Caspian called out.
"Caspian," Asai replied.
"What the hell just happen?" Caspian demanded.
"Sire . . . I believe her highness is at a breaking point." The samurai suggested.
Caspian scowled, knowing how it's like to be called a name continuously or taunted to breaking point. He needed to find Maeve and see if she was alright. He didn't know what just happen, but when Maeve cries (which is rare) it was important to be by her side. Especially when the wizard and Lord Brom shall be coming any moment now and no one wants to deal a misunderstanding.
.o0o.
Maeve's POV
I sat in the astronomy tower wanting to be alone after the attempt of almost killing Asai. I don't know what happen, the moment he called me helot, something just snapped inside that all the locked up savage instincts broke free. Creating me the Guard game, what they inflicted on me. How I was treated like some animal not a human, just plain game. For the less human you become the more pleasure they take of you becoming a trophy.
There were a few moments I lost my humanity during the six years in hell. Even during the hunt, where it was fight or flight, and I was in the flight than a fighter as I was in the invasion of Telmar. But the blood lust that easily controlled over these past years, just vanished in that one moment. Like a trigger from that one word.
I sighed, leaning against the wall and gazed at the clouds, to see the different shapes and forms upon the silver lining. When all of the sudden, I spotted a figure in the sky. I stood up grabbing my sword onto realized I am unarmed let alone a dagger in hand. Cautious, I walked closed to the door, in case of action. When I analyzed the anomaly to be a dragon with in sight! By the elusive characteristic detail to define the creature to be an Ironbelly dragon, for its scales looked like iron if not as strong while the paleness in color is difficult to see unless you are actually looking for it. Though scrolls of history described them to be; long serpentine bodies, with four strong wide legs and large bat-like wings. Very long necks, tails, horns run down his backs from head to tail. They are born with teeth. Sharp talons reaching out and a serpents tongue.
A smile graced my lips in knowing who the rider was, as the person jumped off the dragon falling fifty feet and land gracefully on the rail. However the hooded visitor tripped over his own feet, falling backwards. Quickly I grabbed his arm, holding him in place while he arched backwards causing his hood to fall back revealing his face. The man appeared to be in his mid-twenties having fair skin cover with freckled in certain areas, vibrant blue eyes close to resemble silver, cropped black hair, by all means, big rounded ears. Although his tall lean stature body doesn't know how to balance on his two legs; as his blue rugged tunic and red scar stood out compare to his leather jacket.
"Always a klutz, I see," I stated, mustering all my strength to pull him back up.
"And you still sharp on you reflexes, Strider." Merlin replied, jumping down to safer landing.
We stared at each other curious, till we burst out laughing. I gave him a hug, happy to see an old friend again. Emrys seemed to feel the same was we pulled back.
"Look at you, a fair maiden no doubt. Didn't expect that," he stated.
"I can still whip you," I countered, punching his shoulder playfully only cause him to lose his balance for a moment. "And you, not an old man anymore. What happen to you?"
We sat down on the ground as he removed his bag and coat, due to this warm weather of spring. "I needed to start over, sort of a wanted man after the riot of Breedom. I transformed to my younger glory days of age. For Lucifer summon the wizard to serve him, those who defy him are to be executed."
"At least you're safe." I said.
There was an awkward silent between us. Do to the rift of time while the distance of stress and aggregation that was difficult to explain the circumstances.
"So . . ." he started. "How is the shade slayer?"
I tilted my head confused. "Shade slayer?" Then it hit me, he meant Caspian. It was common to give a person a tittle and when killing a shade for it was an honor. If a person of divine right kills a warlock of demon magic, they earned the tittle 'Shade slayer.'
"Caspian, he's doing well," I said. "There's peace throughout Narnia, although we are working on negotiating with the giants of Ettinsmoor at the moment before his grand voyage to the lone islands."
"Good . . ." Merlin breathed. However he held that nervousness that of important news that can be contain. Let me tell you, Emrys is a terrible liar in his youthful appearance.
"Emrys, what is it?" I asked.
"Do you want the good news or the bad news?" he replied sheepishly scratching his ears. I arched a brow, not understanding the bad news. Wasn't Daggerhorn safe now? Emrys saw this waving his hands out in defenses, "Daggerhorn is safe, and Arthur is doing a good job."
"So what's the bad news?" I demanded.
"It's Brom!" he answers. "He's coming for an alliance and…andprobablyanarrangemarriage."
"What?" I asked not getting the last part.
Emrys groaned, "And probably declare and arrange marriage."
What! I thought with full outrange. No no. no. by the gods name is Brom planning on an arrange marriage. He isn't my father, let alone any authority of me for the past nine years. My face turning boiling red to hear more screeching of dragon call. Quickly up on my feet to see four more dragons approaching the Castle, able to classify them to be Monstrous Nightmare, Timberjack, Horntail, and Ridgeback. They landed outside of Telmar by the bridge where the Ridgeback released a fiery breath into the sky. The palace bells released the chimes of sign of threat, however I grabbed Emrys hand going down to the tower to the courtyard never stopping until reaching the bridge.
There standing halfway was a man in his mid-thirties. Tall and broad with scars over his body and markings around his arms and eyes indicating his status of culture and warrior. He kept his dirty blond hair tied halfway while a beard on his face. But always the hazels eyes of earth and water collided in the galling storm. He wore the tradition Daggerneze travel wear, but his cape a deep rich green cloak with the Pendragon brooch.
"To who dares brings the children of Ouroboros to the lion's den?" I demanded.
"One who seeks alliances and search for a lost soul," He proclaimed.
"And the lost soul for you to seek, for all souls are found at peace here?" I said walking closer.
The man smirked, "Maybe so, but the person I seek has change over the decade, blossoming to a young maiden. The Mark of Camelot has fade ye face, though thou eyes see the fierier wings of leaders in ye own."
We stood in front of each other half way, an audience on both sides of the bridge as the soldiers held their swords. Caspian and Asai stood next to Emrys who held his hand up. On the stranger side there was an elf, dwarf, and two people who seemed amused of surprised in what is in store. The man was a head tall than me, but I refused to back down in our game of glare. After a moment, the man laughed embracing me in his arms and spins us around.
I laughed wrapping my arms around his neck is pure joy forgetting the burst of anger a moment ago. The scent of the Shire, smoke, and so much of Daggerhorn linger on him. When he put me down, I smiled turning around to face Caspian and his kingdom.
"Everyone, I want to give the honor in introducing Lord Brom Pendragon the Cunning." I said proudly. "My brother."
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I know, its short chapter
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