Fate of the Forsworn

Chapter 3

An unexpected surprise

It was nearing midday by the time the captured ship landed at the docks in Teirm. Kyvoster landed on the beach, weary from flying around the ship all morning. Niev had steered the ship into the docks uneventfully, and already the port authorities were unloading the chests of gems. The slaves were leaving in dribs and drabs, some helping unload the treasure, others choosing to just wander into Teirm. The girl Caryn was sat on the deck, practising her newfound talent with magic over and over again, as if afraid she'd lose it if she didn't use it enough. Since Niev hadn't told her any more words in the ancient language, she had kept to levitating the gold coin with ever increasing success. Niev watched her, glad that she was happy and that she now had a chance to live a normal life. As he watched her levitate the coin yet again, a thought came to him. Caryn was ten, about the age most people were tested to see if they could be chosen by an unhatched dragon. The odds were low, but he and Kyvoster could easily fly her to the island of Vroengard, headquarters of the Dragon Riders, and see if any of the eggs there responded to her. He got up and walked up to where she sat, the coin gently tumbling in the air as she held it up. Her attention wavered, and the coin fell to the deck as she looked up at him, her expression one of bright interest.

"Is this where we find me a place to live, Master Niev?"

He blinked in surprise at her turn of phrase.

"Just call me Niev, Caryn, it's a lot easier. And to answer your question, no, you and I don't part ways just yet."

Caryn looked at him in mild surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm going to take you with me to Vroengard. I think the Council of Elders may wish to know more about you. Not many people are as good with magic as you are, and I only told you about your ability a few hours ago. You could be so much more."

He left unsaid that there was a chance she could become a Dragon Rider like him. A little voice in his head was whispering that she was excited enough already. Caryn smiled broadly and got up from the deck.

"Should I do anything to prepare for going to see these people?"

Niev nodded.

"Yes, first I think we should get you a bath and some decent clothes. Those pirates didn't seem to think much of dressing you up in anything more than rags."

Caryn nodded and slipped her hand into his. Niev walked towards the gangplank and crossed over onto the dock. The port authorities nodded respectfully at him as he headed into Teirm. It was a warm day, and the sky was clear. Seagulls screamed and wheeled high overhead, flying to and from their messy nests. After asking for directions, he led Caryn to a clothes' shop near the docks. Caryn looked around in wonder. Niev smiled at her.

"Go on, pick out anything you like and I'll buy it for you. I can't really take you around looking like that."

Caryn smiled and ran among the neatly stacked clothes, pausing every so often to examine one potential outfit. In minutes, she had picked out a pale blue and white dress. Niev paid for her clothes and they left the shop. Stopping at a public bath house, Niev waited for Caryn to wash and change before they departed for Vroengard. All this time, Kyvoster had been snoozing on the beach, irritably warning off people who seemed intent on poking and prodding him. Niev could feel his dragon's irritation through their mental bond, and silently pleaded with him to be patient for another half an hour. Grumpily, Kyvoster consented to wait, dozing in the sun. After perhaps twenty minutes, Caryn emerged from the bath house, scrubbed clean and wearing her new clothes. Niev smiled at her and gestured for her to follow him. They both walked back towards the beaches of Teirm, where a crowd had gathered to watch Kyvoster. As his Rider approached, the crimson dragon awoke and yawned widely, scaring off a few of the more adventurous people who had ventured close enough to be within arms reach. Niev climbed onto his dragon's back and held a hand down to Caryn, who looked nervous at the thought of travelling on a dragon's back. Kyvoster gave a grumpy snarl, enough to make Caryn jump.

Youngster, climb on my back and be quick about it. I don't want to lie here all day; the sea will come in again soon.

Caryn gulped and took Niev's hand, and sat behind him on Kyvoster's saddle. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hung on for dear life, enough to prompt a cough out of the somewhat smothered Rider.

"Caryn, please, you're not going to fall off if you loosen your hold a little. Call me old-fashioned, but I still like to breathe."

Despite her fear, she giggled at Niev's sarcasm, and relaxed her grip considerably. Kyvoster rose to his considerable height and launched himself and his passengers into the air, his enormous wings beating furiously. Niev drew in a deep breath as the red dragon headed for the northern coastlines. Behind him, Caryn held onto Niev firmly, both eyes shut in fear. The wind blew at her long yellow hair, and before long she was sneaking glimpses of what it was like to ride a dragon so high up. Niev was busy talking with Kyvoster, and soon glanced over his shoulder to look at Caryn.

"Caryn, what do you say that we stop to make camp tonight and then fly to Vroengard in the morning?"

The little girl nodded silently, and soon the trio was flying towards the small costal town of Narda. It was night by the time Kyvoster had picked out an ideal campsite. Niev dismounted his dragon and walked off into the woods. After some time he returned, holding a load of dead sticks which he dumped on the bare ground and lit with a murmur of 'Brisingr'. He turned and vanished into the woods again, returning with three dead rabbits and several vegetables. Going to Kyvoster's saddlebags, he took out a copper pot, a knife, two ceramic bowls and two forks. Kyvoster shifted slightly, fixing one great red eye on Caryn, who was sat near the fire, poking at it happily with a stick, oblivious to what was going on around her. Niev murmured a spell to draw water from the ground, and filled the pot. He began slicing the vegetables and meat and dumped them all into the water, and then hefted the pot over the fire for their evening meal to cook. Caryn looked at him as he sat there, staring into the flickering flames.

"Niev, is everything alright?"

Niev started somewhat and smiled at her.

"Oh, yes I'm fine Caryn. I'm just wondering what'll happen in the future, whether the one I love will return my feelings."

Caryn nodded.

"How old are you, Niev?"

Niev stirred the stew, sniffed it experimentally and looked over at Caryn.

"Well, thanks to being bonded with Kyvoster, I'm now almost a hundred years old. He's eighty-eight, since I was presented to the dragon eggs in my home town when I was about your age. I was trained for twenty years on Vroengard, and since then I've wandered the world, performing tasks for Vrael and seeking out injustice and cruelty wherever they hide. My sword used to belong to my father, who was a Dragon Rider before me. He died about fifteen years after Kyvoster hatched for me, and I decided to take up Ajunthar here so his legacy might live on."

He turned his attention to the bubbling pot, and hastily got up to fetch salt from the saddlebags. Kyvoster snorted as his Rider approached, again seeming to doze. Caryn watched as Niev scooped up portions of stew and passed one of the bowls to her. She took it in her small hands and sniffed at the contents. Cautiously, she sampled a mouthful of the thick stew, and began wolfing the rest down. Niev and Kyvoster both looked up to watch in amazement at how fast the child ate. Caryn only stopped when she'd drained her bowl, and looked mildly up at Niev and his dragon.

"I haven't eaten in two days. Those pirates didn't exactly throw feasts for slaves every night."

She put her bowl down and looked at the copper pot, then sat hunched up against a tree stump. Niev silently finished his food and was about to enquire if Kyvoster was hungry when a loud rumble came from Caryn. She flushed somewhat, but didn't move. Niev looked at Kyvoster first, then to the small yellow-haired girl.

"Do you want to finish it off, Caryn? Kyvoster can easily catch something when we get to Vroengard, and I've had all I want to eat."

Caryn looked up at Niev's offer.

"Shouldn't you eat more than one bowlful of stew a day?"

Niev burst out laughing.

"Well, maybe I should, Mother, but I'm fine, seriously. Go on, fill yourself up."

Caryn smiled and ladled a second portion into her bowl and settled down to eat her fill. Just as she finished and put her bowl aside, Kyvoster suddenly straightened up and looked up at the star-strewn sky. His lips parted, revealing enormous fangs, and a terrifying growl issued from the depths of his chest. Niev got up, his hand on Ajunthar's hilt before he'd even risen.

"Kyvoster, what is it?"

For an answer, the red dragon roared deafeningly, eliminating any possibility it was Kialandi and her dragon paying them a nocturnal visit. High above, it seemed a patch of the sky had lost its' stars and was growing larger. Niev uttered a spell in the ancient language and prepared to do battle as the shadow of dread and terror drew ever closer.

Hope you all liked this chapter; the next one will be along soon. Can anyone guess what's about to make its' appearance?