FREKKA THE FIERCE
In the morning, Aelwyn felt far better than he had previously. Still a little weak, but far and away better than he had when he awoke from their capture. After a quick breakfast of leftover venison, Aelwyn dressed in the new tunic Murtagh had given him. Even though it was early spring, it was still cold, and snow still lingered in some places longer than in previous years. Winter was keeping a much more firm hold on these lands this year, it seemed. The great forest to the north, though, was green and lush. Arian looked with him, humming as her chin touched his shoulder.
What find hunting grounds, Arian thought. Aelwyn gave a soft smile as he stroked her nose. Aelwyn was aware of Murtagh and Thorn watching them, and turned.
"Are we the first other Rider and Dragon you've met?" Murtagh asked.
"Yes," Aelwyn replied. Murtagh looked somewhat thoughtful. Murtagh glanced at Arian, then back at Thorn.
"Well, I have a suggestion for you both." They both turned to listen. "Far to the east, beyond the borders of Alagaësia, a school for the new Riders has been established. There already is a small population of wild dragons there," said Murtagh, and Aelwyn showed genuine surprise. Thorn hummed.
Indeed. Arian could be around her own kind, and learn much. As could you, said Thorn. Aelwyn glanced to the east, where the sun was slowly rising into the sky.
"It is entirely your choice, and no one can make or force you," said Murtagh. Aelwyn looked thoughtful, hand to his chin.
What do you think? Aelwyn asked. Arian hummed for a moment.
I think it would be a fine idea. You are very skilled, little one, but there are intricacies of combat as a Dragon Rider we do not know, and would greatly benefit from, she replied. Aelwyn thought for a few moments more, smiled and nodded.
"All right, where is this place?" Aelwyn asked, and Murtagh smiled gently while Thorn hummed.
"It is very far to the east, far beyond the edges of Alagaësia. But, I will send word to the elves and they will help guide you," said Murtagh, and Aelwyn and Arian both showed surprise.
"You are friends with the elves?" Aelwyn asked. Murtagh nodded curtly.
"You will need their guidance to find it, but you most certainly can trust them. I will send for an envoy to escort you two into Du Weldenvarden, the elves' forest. From there, they will give you supplies and escort you to the new home of the Riders," Murtagh replied. Aelwyn looked at Arian, who hummed. "Oh, by the way, I found this as well, and thought it might be yours," said Murtagh as he held out a necklace with stones, beads and the large claw of a bear. Aelwyn smiled.
"It is. Thank you," Aelwyn said as he took the necklace with a smile. "Of all they took from me, this I would have missed the most. It was a kind gift from a mighty Kull and his people," said Aelwyn as he put the necklace back on, surprising Murtagh.
"A gift from a Kull?" Murtagh asked. Aelwyn smiled and nodded.
"A gift for partaking in their games," he replied, and even Thorn looked surprised. Murtagh chuckled and shook his head.
"You remind me of someone, who also had an amazing propensity to find themselves in astounding situations," Murtagh mused. Aelwyn smiled at this.
"Such is life and adventure," Aelwyn replied. Thorn hummed with amusement at this.
Aelwyn and Arian helped to put out the fire and pack supplies while Murtagh sent a message to the people who were to accompany Aelwyn and Arian.
XXX
It was a little before midday when a voice rang out.
"Oi!" called a powerful voice. They turned to see a short figure climbing up the path on the side of the mountain. They carried a long weapon that was like a combination of an axe and spear, the tip drawn out into a long, sharp point on the end of a long shaft of wood. The figure who wielded it, though, was no taller than Aelwyn's elbow at the most. They wore a dark blue cloak over a shirt of fine mail and metal shoulder armor, but the way they moved indicated they were well used to such armor. Upon their head, they wore an iron and leather helmet that hid their face and eyes. Arian and Aelwyn watched as the short figure walked up the steep incline without any visible difficulty. "You picked a fine meeting place, I think!" said the voice, which Aelwyn realized was female. The short figure came to stop at the edge of their small camp and removed their helmet. Long locks of black hair with highlights of dark blue fell, some held back in braids. Fierce green eyes gazed back, but lips curled up into a soft smile as the female dwarf regarded them.
Her face was more broad than a human female, but was still feminine. Her form was stout and compact, but spoke of great strength in a single glance. Aelwyn knew a seasoned warrior when he saw them. "So, this is the new Rider and Dragon, eh?" she queried. Aelwyn remained quiet, but smiled gently and nodded, Arian humming. The dwarf grinned wider as she slung her weapon across her back, held her helm under her arm and extended her hand. "I'm Frekka of Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn! A pleasure to meet you, Rider, dragon!" she said with energy. Aelwyn shook her hand and smiled, feeling the powerful grip.
"I am Aelwyn. This is Arian, and it likewise is a deep honor to meet you, Frekka. I have heard much about your peoples' masterful skill of crafts," he replied, and her grin shone brightly. She then turned to Murtagh and Thorn. "Well, you went looking for those maggots from Helgrind, and found something far better, I'd say!" she said with the same energy. Murtagh nodded as he stood with his arms crossed, hood raised.
"Yes. Thanks to these two, we finally may have been able to flush them out into daylight," said Murtagh as he gave her two scrolls, both sealed with wax. "One is for your King, the other is to give to Vanir," Murtagh instructed. Frekka took the two scrolls, tucked them into her bag and knocked her fist against her chest.
"I swear upon the honor of my clan, these two will arrive safe," she pledged. Murtagh nodded and Thorn hummed. Murtagh then turned to Aelwyn and Arian.
"I apologize, but we cannot accompany you any further. The lead on the Ra'Zac and the Brotherhood of Helgrind may not stay fresh for long," Murtagh explained, and Aelwyn nodded.
"We understand. I hope we could help you bring them to justice. May your swords and spears bite deep," Aelwyn replied, and Arian hummed her agreement. Murtagh smiled under his hood and nodded.
"May your swords stay sharp, and your wills stay strong," said Murtagh as he mounted Thorn.
Stay safe, and trust each other, Thorn advised before he dove off the side of the mountain, opened his wings, and flew off to the south. Aelwyn and Arian turned to Frekka, who grinned at them.
"Well then! I hear you two gave those blackguards a real nasty surprise!" Aelwyn smiled softly at this.
"I did kill several of their supposed 'gods' near Teirm, but as much credit goes to Arian, as I would not have been able to catch them without her," he replied. Arian hummed and Frekka laughed.
"You have fire and spirit! Just what a Rider needs! Well, follow me! I'm to escort you to the elves' forest. First, though, we need to find and meet Vanir, the ambassador from the elves to the humans," she said as she put her helmet back and and led the way down the side of the mountain, Aelwyn and Arian following. "So, how came you to be a Rider? We had heard no news any of the eggs had hatched," Frekka asked as they made their way down past rocks and a few patches of snow. Aelwyn hesitated for a few moments as he made his way down behind Frekka.
"I was a captive on a slave ship. I escaped and sank the ship off the western coast. I sought shelter in a sea cave, and Arian's egg was hidden within," he replied. Frekka did seem surprised, but hid it.
"Barzul! Vile cowards! The Queen has outlawed slavery, but the vile practice still lives in the dark and vile edges of the world," Frekka swore. "I'm not surprised you ended up involved in this," she said, making Aelwyn tilt his head. "You're very lucky you escaped, as the vile worshippers of Helgrind use slaves as sacrifices to the Ra'zac," she explained. Aelwyn's eyes grew, and Arian growled, her scales standing up.
So that's why! Aelwyn exclaimed. Arian agreed.
Indeed, little one. It seems all of our fights thus far have been connected without us ever knowing. Aelwyn agreed, thinking back to those poor people he freed in the Spine, that Nar Garzhvog gave food and shelter to, before sending them to safety. People being rounded up and offered as sacrifices brought angry, unpleasant feelings he shoved back into the depths of his mind.
"So, where are we to meet this Vanir?" Aelwyn asked as they at last reached the foot of the mountain, the ground a vast, flat plain of grass that stretched almost unbroken by any buildings or hills to the east, and all the way west up to the shores of the lake. Frekka turned back and smiled sideways at him.
"There's a human trading post up ahead. The last before Du Weldenvarden. He and the other elves will meet us there. In the meantime, we can get some food and rest! Especially meat! The elves don't eat it," she said, and Aelwyn looked at her, then up at the forest to the north. Aelwyn glanced back at Arian as she walked behind him.
If that's the case, would you like to hunt now while you have the chance? he asked. Arian gave a negative.
No, little one. I will not need to eat for a while, but even so, I would not risk leaving you alone again. Not after what happened! Aelwyn felt her warm, protective thoughts, and smiled softly.
I still do not recall what happened. The last I remember was when I felt odd and fell down after whatever they gave me took effect. Next thing I recall is waking up after Murtagh and Thorn saved us. Arian was surprised at this.
Aelwyn . . . you were the one who freed us, she replied. He blinked in surprise.
Before they could pursue the conversation further, Frekka stopped them.
"Ho! There it is!" she declared, and they stopped and looked out at a small cluster of rough huts with smoke coming from various chimneys. Some windows were lit as dusk began to slowly fall. Aelwyn stopped and hummed as he looked.
I don't think you will fit into the buildings, my friend, he observed. Arian gave a soft growl.
Bah! If needs be, I'll make my own door. I trust you with Frekka, but if anything happens, walls or not, I will be there for you in a heartbeat, Arian replied. Aelwyn gently stroked her nose. He then turned to Frekka.
"Please lead the way," he asked, and Frekka smiled and led them to the trading post.
As Aelwyn expected, people gave Arian a wide berth, eyes huge. Some people seemed more awed than scared, but many more pulled back. Arian gave a tiny growl.
Likely because they are the sort who have a very good reason to fear Riders and Dragons. Stay alert, little one, she cautioned as she walked past and laid down behind the stables, while Aelwyn and Frekka headed for the tavern.
Inside the tavern, it was dimly lit, feeling dingy and smelled of smoke, sweat and ale. A few scattered people sat at tables and nursed drinks, some scattered conversation drifted. Frekka motioned to follow, boldly striding in as if she were the owner. Frekka marched right up to the long counter, Aelwyn following behind her.
"Some of your best roasted pork and mead!" she ordered. The barkeep looked over the bar and down at her. She tossed up a few gold coins which he deftly caught in a gnarled hand and nodded as he retreated to fill their order. Frekka grinned up at him as she removed her helmet and picked a table to sit at. Aelwyn noted that Frekka moved with authority and grace born of a proud warrior, her size not in any way seeming to impede her. She hopped up into the wooden chair as one would onto the back of a horse in a vault. Aelwyn seated himself across from her. "Ah, nice to have a place to rest when traveling between Farthen Dûr and Du Weldenvarden. Quite a ways to go with only dried provisions and a bedroll," she mused. Aelwyn nodded.
"Yes, it is nice to have a warm place to have food and rest on a long journey," he agreed. She smiled and eyed him.
"So, I was only given the most short of your story, but I heard you had been causing a bit of chaos," she said in an amused tone. Aelwyn gave a soft smile, amused.
"Only to those of ill hearts," he replied confidently. Frekka's grin grew wider at this.
"You would fit right in with mine clan with that attitude!" At this, she turned to look at the barkeep. "Hey! Smer voth! Bring the food and drink, already!" she called out. Aelwyn noticed how a few of the burly men on the other side of the room looked up. They looked back down at their drinks, but Aelwyn didn't fail to notice how most of them kept their eyes on Frekka in a sidelong glance. Shortly, a skinny man in a stained apron brought a wooden tray of food and two wooden flagons of mead. Aelwyn couldn't help his stomach groaning at the fare. Frekka grinned, took a sip of the mead, a quick bite of the pork, then grinned. "Let's feast!" At this, he smiled and dug in.
He had to admit, the pork was succulent and tasty. Whatever spices they used to cook it, they did a fantastic job. The mead was also good, and with the grilled vegetables it was one of the best meals he had tasted in a very long time. Once finished, Frekka sighed contentedly. "Now that's a good meal," she said as she finished her mead. Aelwyn nodded his agreement.
"I could hardly agree more. So, do we know when Vanir will be joining us?" Aelwyn asked. Frekka smiled and shrugged lightly.
"Ah, hard to tell. From what I hear, he has a way to come, as he is the ambassador to humans, so likely he had to break off whatever he was doing and head here. Could take him a few days, depending on where he was," she surmised. Aelwyn nodded, cautious. He relayed this to Arian, who was also wary, but didn't feel any reason to distrust Frekka.
Aelwyn was about to speak when the group of large men stood up and walked over. He tensed up when he saw they were not walking past, but towards them. The largest huffed as he stared down at her, which she pretended not to notice.
"'Ey, ya midget! What'cha doin' 'ere?" the large man slurred. From his dress, Aelwyn guessed he and the others were trappers, the men wearing various rough leathers and furs. Frekka crossed her arms and seemed to not be intimidated.
"Sitting and enjoying a meal. What's it look like?" she replied, eyebrow raised. One of the other men growled.
"What'cha doin' aroun' ere? Ya short shites belon' under yer rocks!" another man slurred. Aelwyn tightened his fists.
"I say, now. That is quite enough!" Aelwyn barked. They all looked at him, and laughed.
"Why don' ya mind yer manners an' go back ter ya mother's teat, boy!" one mocked. Aelwyn felt an eye twitch softly, but remained calm as he gently stood up.
"That's my friend, sir. And she has done nothing to interfere with you. So, please, leave off," he said quietly. The men laughed again and the largest moved forward and raised his hand.
"Oh? An' what ya gonna do abou' it, boy?" the man asked as he moved his hand to shove Aelwyn in the shoulder. Aelwyn reached up with his left hand, almost casually, caught the man's hand from underneath, and rotated it up and out to the man's right sharply. The man screamed in pain, the joint crackling. Seeing this, Frekka grinned and swiftly kicked the legs out from under one of the men beside her. Aelwyn shoved the man whose arm he twisted back into his companion who was moving to punch Aelwyn in the face. Aelwyn then turned as a man tried to attack him from behind, deflected the punch, grabbed his arm, twisted and threw him over his back and hip, the man crashing to the floor as Frekka dropped and used her legs like a pair of scissors to trip another assailant who she then punched in the groin. Aelwyn sidestepped a punch and kneed the man in the belly before he delivered a blow to the side of his neck, knocking the man out cold.
Frekka used her weapon to stop a chair that someone behind her had aimed at her head, and swiftly tilted the shaft and brought it up between the man's legs, making him yell out in a high-pitched voice worthy of a bird's song. Another drunk grabbed a leg from a broken table, tried to club Aelwyn with it, only for him to deflect it with his hand, kick the man in the stomach, then use the table leg to twist and lock the man's arm behind his back. Frekka grinned as she sidestepped a wooden chair that had been aimed at her head, let it smash against the floor, then used one of the broken pieces to hurl right into the man's face and knock him backwards and to the floor like a sack of flour. One man drew a dagger and lunged, but Aelwyn caught the man's hand, and struck the inside of his arm with two fingers sharply. The man screamed in pain as his arm dropped the dagger, which Aelwyn kicked to Frekka, who grabbed it up and stuck it in her belt.
Just as the man who had started all this was about to get up, the barkeeper brought a large staff down on the man's head, knocking him out.
"Ugh, again? This is the fifth fight you idiots have gotten into," said the barkeep. With the fight over, Aelwyn looked around at the destruction, and smiled sheepishly, while Frekka just grinned and wiped some blood from her face that was not hers.
"They started it," she defended. The barkeep just nodded solemnly.
"They always do," he said as his helper began to clean up. One of the men began to rise, when Arian shoved a window open and shoved her head in to roar. Those who could stand wisely fled. Despite this all, the barkeep remained calm. Arian looked at Aelwyn and huffed.
Again, little one? Aelwyn could only shrug.
It was at this moment that someone new arrived. A tall, solemn man with long black hair, a long, sharp face and pointed ears. He was accompanied by several other such men, who were dressed in clothes the color of moss and bark. Some had white hair that shimmered like starlight. Their features were long and their eyes upturned like those of a cat.
Frekka grinned as she dusted her hands and casually walked across the belly of a downed foe, who gave a soft "oof!" as she did.
"Vanir!" she greeted. Aelwyn watched the elves, studied their reactions. Vanir raised an eyebrow, glanced around then back to Frekka as she stopped, touched two fingers to her lips and bowed as she spoke in a language he had never heard, to which Vanir and the elves replied.
"I take it they were exercising their mouths again?" he asked, seeming amused. Frekka grinned and nodded.
"And we were exercising our fists," she replied. That was when the elves' gaze fell upon him and Arian, who tilted her head where it was wedged into the window. Aelwyn inwardly groaned.
A wonderful first impression, he mused, to which Arian was greatly amused.