Fate of the Forsworn
Chapter 16
Incarcerated
Charl woke up slowly, a vile taste in her mouth. As she coughed, she became aware of her predicament. She was still dressed in her typical travelling garb, but now wore a metal chestplate with chains and bars attached to it. Her arms were forced out away from her torso by the chained bars, and her legs were chained slightly too short for her. A metal cuff was welded shut around her wrist, and from it ran another chain, linked to her long-handled sword. She staggered upright, shaking her head to try and dislodge the helmet narrowing her vision and impeding her senses. Just as she got to her feet, a man approached her, smirking triumphantly.
"So, my Shur'tugal friend, I trust you like your armour."
Raucous laughter sounded from around her. Growling behind the gag in her mouth, she mouthed a spell to stop the man's heart from beating. It was only then that she felt nothing. Her access to magic had somehow been blocked. Even worse, she could not feel Nerene through her bond. Her eyes widened in horror at the thought her dragon might be dead. The man smiled wickedly.
"You and your dragon won't be causing US any trouble if either of you wants the other to live. Allan, take the lady's gag out."
Behind her, Charl could hear a catch being pulled. The offending gag swung forward, allowing her to speak.
"You bastards! What did you do to my dragon and partner!"
Her captor glowered at her menacingly.
"Your feeble dragon is alive. Once she was informed we had you, she submitted. Come, I'll show you I'm not lying. Bring her, men."
Charl was shoved forward by several pairs of hands. As they travelled, she could see they were in an arena of some kind. Passing through one of the exits, she gasped in horror on seeing Nerene. The pearlescent dragoness was chained and muzzled tightly. On hearing her Rider, Nerene wearily looked up. The wounds had not been treated, although the lances were no longer embedded in her flesh. Charl felt something in her break, and she whirled on her captor.
"What have you done this for, you scum-sucking bastard! Let Nerene go, and me!"
Her captor responded by kicking her hard in the iron armour. Charl staggered but kept upright somehow. She glared at the man, who signalled for her to be silenced again. Despite her best resistance, five minutes later she was gagged and unable to talk properly. The men dragged her back into the arena and pushed her to a rough bench. All but two of them left, and the remaining two did little beyond check her restraints. Then, just before they left as well, one threw a bucket of some foul-smelling substance over her, and both men ran off, laughing. Charl gave an angry snarl when she noticed something was being let into the arena with her. A rangy young wolf trotted into the arena and began to sniff around. Abruptly, it stopped and looked straight at Charl. Baring its' teeth, it ran at her. Charl didn't stop to debate the issue of killing a living being. She gave a jerk on her armour, caught her sword handle, and delivered a scything blow that killed the wolf instantly. She sighed as she looked at the dead creature, and spoke softly despite the obstruction in her mouth.
"I'm sorry."
She went to sit back down, and had been resting for maybe two minutes when a wild boar was pushed into the arena with her. Squealing in a disconcerting manner, the boar charged her. Regretting what she was about to do, Charl lunged before the rabid animal reached her, and soon it too was dead. For the next hour, several more boars were sent at her, but Charl kept a cool head and managed to fight them off with little effort. The crowd in the arena were yelling, but whether or not they were yelling for her she couldn't tell. A large gate opened, and an Urgal emerged, brandishing a metal club. Charl braced herself as the Urgal ran at her. When he was only two metres away, she let go of her weapon and swung her restraints as best she could. Attached to her wrist, her sword swung too, bisecting the Urgal cleanly. However, her weapon carried on going and cut the back of her leg. Despite all her years of training, she screamed in pain, amidst cheers from the crowd.
The day grew almost unbearably hot, and Charl was given no reprieve as the competitors came on in ones and twos. By now she was tired, but had amazingly sustained no further cuts. Her armour was dented and a reckless Urgal warrior had somehow dislodged her gag before being killed, but aside from her fatigue, she was still going strong. She took a deep breath as her last opponent fell to the ground.
"You're running out of executioners!"
Catcalls and jeers from the crowd drowned out anything else she might have said, but at that moment, the largest cage yet was opened. Inside was a massive Shrrg from the Beor Mountains. Charl swung her blade in readiness, accidentally scuffing the sandy soil as she did so, when she heard the sound of glass breaking. Abruptly, her magical powers were restored. Her eyes widened in amazement, and she glanced around to see if there was anywhere the vials of potion might be. No-one in the crowd had yet seen what was going on, but still Charl couldn't contact Nerene. Summoning up her strength, she broadcast a mental plea for aid as loud as she could. The Shrrg was looking at her with interest, but displayed no real effort to kill her. Excited cries from the crowd began to die down, and one person even raised his voice, yelling "Fifty crowns on the Dragon Rider!" Charl began to pace the edge of the arena, and soon found the edge of the next barrier. Glancing at where the remains of the vial were, she made a quick calculation and began to slink towards the next one, before stumbling and hitting the sand hard. The Shrrg was watching her, but seemed disinterested at best. The sound of glass breaking made her smile, and over the next twenty minutes, she proceeded to break every vial in the arena. By now, she had calmed the mind of the giant wolf, and the predator was growling at her by her suggestion. She held her ground as it ran towards her, and brandished her weapon, falling to the ground in the process. Just before the wolf was on her, she yelled out a spell that shocked the crowd.
"Jierda!"
Her armour broke as if it were dry straw, freeing her. Getting to her feet, she hastily healed herself and looked around at the guards rushing to subdue both her and the Shrrg. Just as the first guards approached her, a loud, furious roar sounded from above. Charl alone smiled as the Shrrg fled and the men froze in horror.
Descending at tremendous speed, Arareal and Jess entered the arena, both in rages of total fury. As Charl protected herself, Arareal scorched the arena floor. When her torrent of sapphire flames had ended, only Jess and Charl remained alive. Charl smiled wearily at her friend.
"That was...not what I..."
She fainted from exhaustion, despite Jess's attempts to wake her. She strapped her friend into Arareal's saddle, drew her own blade, and walked in search of Nerene. Hordes of guards ran at her, yelling threats and implications, but Jess's dark blue sword flashed like a blade of light, hacking through armour and flesh with equal impunity. Arareal snarled as a small number of guards tried to needle her with their spears, and responded by lashing out with magic, sending each and every offending soldier flying back. Jess sheathed her weapon and turned her attention to the heavy wooden gate that barred her exit. Shutting her eyes, she reached into her repository of magic, including the energy stored in her sword's sapphire, and yelled, "Jierda!" The gate collapsed as if a giant dragon had kicked it, and only fragments remained as she walked on through, Arareal behind her. In the blue dragon's saddle, Charl began to awaken, and by the time they were out of the arena, she was fully awake. Jess, Arareal and Charl cursed aloud as they saw the gruesome spectacle outside. The surviving guards had actually hacked away at the scales on Nerene's neck, exposing the tender skin beneath. One of them was the leader, and he turned to smirk at the pair of Dragon Riders.
"Not leaving without your dragon are you, Shur'tugal scum?"
Charl's eyes flashed with murderous intent on seeing Nerene so badly hurt. Compared to this, her wound against the monsters Niev had fought with seemed like a light cut. Nerene was awake and giving low moans of pain through her muzzle. She fixed Charl's gaze with one huge eye, enough to make the Rider halt. She had been bonded with Nerene for almost nine decades, but never before had she seen her so defeated-looking and tired. As she lowered her head, she gave a muffled roar at the pain wracking her body. Jess glanced at Arareal, as if debating what to do. Charl dismounted her friends' dragon and fled into the small array of huts nearby. Jess's eyes widened in shock at Charl deserting her dragon, and she unfastened her sword and scabbard and dropped them. The gladiators watched with interest as she walked forward, unarmed. Arareal snarled but did not move. Their leader fixed Jess with an unnerving stare.
"And is this where you offer to take the place of that cowardly Rider if we ignore her?"
Arareal roared loudly.
Jess, what are you thinking? I don't know what Charl had in mind when she fled, and I doubt that she was abandoning Nerene, but you can't walk into the jaws of their trap here, you'll be killed. We have to find a way out of this that doesn't involve the sacrifice of an illustrious Rider like you, partner-of-my-heart.
Jess smiled as she held her arms out in front of her.
"Sometimes, a painful route is the only one you can take."
Several of the gladiators moved to take hold of Jess. In seconds she was bound and on the floor amidst the jeers of the surviving gladiators. A gentle touch on Jess's mind prompted her to smile, and she obeyed the mental urging without question. Mere seconds later, a noise like the scream of a Lethrblaka sounded throughout the area. Jess's spell protected her, but the gladiators were not so fortunate. Several collapsed, blood pouring from their ears, whilst others yelled in pain. Arareal shook her head vigorously and descended on the incapacitated gladiators. Soon, only their leader was left alive. Approaching at a dead run was Charl, her weapon in both hands. Jess smiled and got up, having already used her magic to free herself. She picked up her sword and began to hack through the chains binding Nerene. Charl glared murderously at the man who had inflicted such pain on both her and Nerene, and raised her weapon meaningfully.
"Normally I don't wet my swordblade with the thin blood of cowards like you. But today I'm going to make an exception."
She swung down to hack the man's head off, but her weapon was suddenly halted by Jess's sword. Charl's eyes widened as she looked at her friend.
"Jess, what are you doing? This man deserves to die, look what he did to me! Look what he's done to Nerene, most of all! She may never be the same again," Her brown eyes filled with tears, "And I wasn't there for her when they were hacking away at her neck. Look at her! Can you say you'd keep your cool if this had been done to Arareal?"
Jess sighed deeply as she moved aside.
"Charl, only you and Nerene can decide. But killing in cold blood? Is this what the Charl I know and admire does? You're better than this. In any case, this man isn't long for the world."
Jess tugged the man's bronze hauberk off, revealing a gash that ran right over his heart. The man glared up at the two Dragon Riders.
"I don't need your pity, Shur'tugal. I have no regrets for torturing your dragon and hearing her mind scream when she thought you were dead. I would do it all again, a hundred times over, to show you're no better than me."
Charl's eyes simmered with rage, but she shook her head and passed her weapon to Jess.
"No Jess, you're right. I almost let my anger get the best of me. Lets get out of here."
Behind them, Nerene had clambered to her feet, wincing at the pain her wounds were causing her. Charl walked up to her dragon and spoke quietly to her, soothing her as she prepared to heal the wounds. Nerene growled fiercely and swung her tail around as if to strike Charl, but a sudden thud told Charl that Nerene had just saved her life. The gladiator who had tortured them both was face down in the dirt, dead. With his last ounce of strength he had thrown a knife at Charl, only for it to be stopped by Nerene. Jess walked up to her friend and passed her back her weapon.
"It's not many people who could let go of their hatred so well and refuse to kill such a vile opponent. You should be proud of yourself, Charl."
Charl took her weapon and pulled Jess into a close hug.
"Perhaps, but it was YOU who reminded me what the right thing was."
Jess smiled as they parted.
"Anything for a friend. Within reason."
Charl smiled back at her.
"I can tell you've been spending time around Niev. I swear that's his catchphrase. What do you think of him?"
Jess shrugged.
"He's alright I suppose. Keeps either to himself or Kyvoster. But he did give up his quarters in Gil'ead when I arrived there."
Charl turned to begin healing Nerene.
"Sounds like him. He never was one for interacting with others. About the only Riders he's ever grown close to besides the ones he was schooled with are Kialandi and Caryn. Kialandi he's been infatuated with since Kyvoster hatched, and Caryn wanted to be his student for a while, which she was before Ralforr and Kaylor took over."
Nerene hummed softly as her wounds were healed. The sheer amount of damage was too much for Charl's reserves of strength, so she drew on Nerene's as well. Cottoning on, Jess too began to heal the pearlescent dragon when Arareal's voice came to her. She turned to see her dragon looking eager. She touched her dragon's mind with her own and spoke.
"What is it? Have you discovered prisoners or slaves?"
Arareal looked almost timid as she swept a tent aside with a swish of her tail.
I found enough meat to feed both Nerene and myself.
Jess nodded as she looked at the piles of venison, rabbit and boar meat.
"Is there food that Charl will like? You know she's not a meat-eater except when it's absolutely necessary."
Arareal turned and indicated another overturned tent.
In that one there are fruits and plants and breads. I think she'll be content with those.
Jess turned back to Nerene and Charl. The two had finished healing, although Charl looked on the verge of collapse. Jess beckoned them over and soon the fatigued Rider and dragon were with them.
"Charl, Arareal's discovered some, well, dragon food and something you're more likely to enjoy. Hungry?"
Nerene responded eagerly and followed the blue dragoness to the stored meat. Charl smiled and swayed slightly. Both Dragon Riders left to eat their fill.
It was late evening by the time Charl awoke from her nap. The sky was clear and the sun was sinking into a glorious sunset. Through her bond, she could feel that Nerene was asleep and content, and nearby, Jess was also asleep. Getting up, she walked over to an empty hut for a short time, then returned to where Jess slept. A light mental touch assured her that Nerene was also awake, and preparing to get ready to fly. Flexing her wings, she yawned widely, accidentally waking Arareal in the process. The blue dragon playfully bit at Nerene as she awoke, preparing to leave for Gil'ead. Charl walked up to Jess and shook her gently. Almost immediately her friend was awake.
"Charl, I need to ask you something. In a week, I have to go with Niev to try and apologise for what Kyvoster did. Are you on assignment at the moment?"
Charl shook her head, looking puzzled.
"Can you stay in Gil'ead whilst I go on this mission? Besides for Niev, for little Peter. He's been missing you and won't stop talking about you."
Charl smiled as she left the tent.
"Yes, I'll wait in Gil'ead whilst you go with Niev. But why do you have to go with him?"
Jess got up and fell into step with her friend.
"Several reasons. One, the dragon Kyvoster attacked was female, and dragon society, especially in the wild, is female dominant."
Charl gave a sly smile.
"Only sensible."
Jess laughed.
"Secondly, there's no guarantee that a wild dragon won't attack if only Niev and Kyvoster go in. And thirdly, Kyvoster is a half-breed. He may not be taken seriously or even listened to if he's on his own."
Jess nodded as they approached their dragons.
"Do you know what the name is of the other half of Kyvoster's species?"
Charl shrugged.
"Not off the top of my head, no. Ask Niev when we get back. If we leave now we should be back at midnight tonight."
Both Riders mounted their dragons. Springing into the sky, Arareal and Nerene breathed gouts of fire into the arena and then veered east towards Gil'ead.