Fate of the Forsworn
Chapter 22
Wounded soul
Kyvoster flew low over the plains, straining every muscle in his wings, as if flying quickly would outpace the aching void in his heart. Never before had he slain another dragon, and he was unsure of everything he had cherished in life. He had even considered severing his bond with Niev, and it had been with great regret to the partner-of-his-heart that he had done so. Niev would know how he felt, and would hopefully leave him be to heal in time. Dimly he became aware that he was approaching the Ramr River, and as the river came into sight beneath him, he landed and strode purposefully up to the cold running water. For what felt like an eternity, the red dragon gazed at his reflection, silently wondering what would become of him. The Rider Council had authorised the use of force to stop Revar and Ardepp, even going so far as to kill the traitors, but Kyvoster could still taste the oily blood in his maw despite drinking copious amounts of water. Even over the churning of the river, he could hear Revar's dying roars and Ardepp's scream of anger and pain as her lifelong bond snapped. In his nostrils, he could scent dragon blood. Shutting his eyes, he could see Revar falling to the ground, dead. Opening his eyes again, he gave a roar of frustration and let loose a column of fire at the water, as if the clouds of steam could ease his pain. After some time, he ceased and took to the air again. Several miles down the river he came to an ox-bow lake, where the river had cut through its' meandering course. The horseshoe-shaped depression was marshy, but no longer full of water. Landing in the mud, Kyvoster slumped, feeling the cold water around him but not caring. As he inhaled, for the first time since the battle, he felt the stench of dragon blood fade from his senses. Suddenly tired, he folded his wings over his back and fell into an uneasy slumber.
It was approaching midnight when he awoke. Looking around, he hauled himself out of the mud and yawned. He was hungry, but could find no true motivation to go and hunt. Once, he had tried to convince Niev to hunt for him, leading to a battle of endurance between the two that had gone on for almost a month before Kyvoster subsided, and he gave a snort of amusement at the memory. He whirled around suddenly to see Sarrarra waiting nearby, bearing on her back not Caryn, but Niev. The yellow dragoness watched him silently. In the darkness it was impossible to tell, but Kyvoster knew that his Rider was also watching him. He snarled lightly, spreading his wings as he addressed Sarrarra.
Leave me to my grief. What I have done is not forgivable.
Sarrarra gave a loud roar and leapt on top of Kyvoster, scratching at him and biting. Kyvoster snarled more fiercely and whirled to shake the smaller dragon off him. Whilst his long snout was often a help in battles, it often got in the way, such as now. No matter what he tried, he could not reach the yellow dragoness. Sarrarra pushed off from Kyvoster and flew a short distance away before speaking.
You need to stop this, Kyvoster-ebrithil. Your Rider feels your pain too.
Kyvoster strode out of the marshy ground and onto more solid soil. Being addressed as 'Master' was never something he had insisted upon during the six months he and Niev had tutored Caryn. He bared his needle-like fangs to her but said nothing for a long time. Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with grief.
Sarrarra, you do not understand. No dragon should ever slay another, especially one bound to a Rider.
Sarrarra watched him steadily. Above, the clouds blew over to reveal a bright gibbous moon. Many of Kyvoster's ruby-red scales were muddied from his nap in the marsh, but whether by accident or design, Sarrarra's yellow scales all shone like polished gold. She waited silently for a few minutes before speaking again.
You are correct. No dragon should ever slay another, but Ardepp and Revar killed eleven members of our order and stole eggs. Had you not stopped Revar, he likely would have shattered other Rider bonds, along with Ardepp. They nearly slew my Rider, Kyvoster. I could feel Caryn edging close to the midnight-blackness-hole of death. Also, do not think you are alone in feeling this agony. Jess too feels guilty for slaying Ardepp.
Kyvoster had no retort. Sullenly, he lay down in the grass. Sarrarra approached and leaned down so Niev could dismount. Kyvoster tensed slightly as his Rider approached. Niev's voice was strained, as if he had spent a month in silence.
"Come back with us, Kyvoster. The Rider Council are not exactly thrilled with Ardepp and Revar being killed, but they agree, unanimously I might add, that it was something that had to be done. Unchecked, they might have slain dozens more. What if they had killed me? Who would you have to share our bond then?"
Kyvoster snorted but made no reply immediately. Finally he turned his head so he was looking at Niev out of one blue eye. Niev spoke again.
"And exactly who would you badger, night and day, to cook for you?"
Kyvoster gave a choked growl that sounded like a laugh before examining his Rider once more.
Truly, all is forgiven?
"Yes. Come back with us."
Is everyone still at Gil'ead?
"As far as I know, yes."
The hybrid red dragon slowly got up and walked to the river to bathe. Some time later he emerged, wet but clean of the mud. Sarrarra leapt into the air, shortly followed by Kyvoster with Niev on his back. Together, both dragons and Rider headed back towards Gil'ead. Shortly before arriving at the storm damaged city, Kyvoster landed, followed shortly by Sarrarra. Niev awoke and looked around in the pale pre-dawn light.
"Why have you stopped here Kyvoster?"
Please Niev, grant me some alone time.
Niev shrugged as he dismounted his dragon and headed towards Gil'ead. The roar of a dragon made him turn to look at the city. In the watery light it was hard to tell, but it looked like Nerene who had taken to the sky. As Niev approached the city, Sarrarra growled at Kyvoster threateningly. Despite being only two-thirds the size of the hybrid dragon, Sarrarra was stocky, compact and strong. She flung herself at Kyvoster and bit the red dragon's long tail. Repressing his pain, Kyvoster bit her back. Both dragons scuffled in the dirt until finally Sarrarra submitted and lay down at a strange angle. Snarling, Kyvoster positioned himself over the top of the yellow female. Sarrarra began to croon as Kyvoster mated with her.
"...although only one of the tornadoes actually got into the city, the death toll was over one hundred. Maybe over two hundred. We need you, Kyvoster and Sarrarra to help look for survivors, Niev."
Niev nodded at Jess.
"Show me what part of the city has yet to be scoured for survivors."
Jess gave a short, humourless laugh.
"Have a look at the map. I have to go to the plains to the south now. Peter here thinks he saw Revar bury something prior to his attack. It could be the eggs they stole."
She turned and walked to the south, holding Peter's hand. Behind them in the city, Nerene, Karra, Arareal and Miremel were pulling destroyed buildings apart whilst Arisu, Caryn, Charl and Rellith were tending to the wounded. Niev soon found the map and saw how much of the city had yet to be searched. Stretching out with his magic, he soon ascertained that nobody nearby was trapped or hurt, and walked into other gutted portions of the city to continue his search. Kyvoster and Sarrarra were searching the northern ruins for survivors, and in mere minutes had uncovered no less than five people who were bruised and fatigued, but still alive. Taking heart that maybe not all he would find was corpses, Niev began his search. Whispering a spell to detect substantial life, it was not long before he had located two people in a relatively undamaged building, both of whom were wounded. Assuring them he meant no harm, he directed them to the aid station that had been set up. Leaving the home, he wandered down the lightly damaged street. Most of the occupants were helping to piece their homes and those of their neighbours back together. It was not the first time a tornado had ravaged Gil'ead. A mere year after he had been granted the title of Dragon Rider in full and he had been assigned to protect his home city, a tornado had destroyed the newer parts of the city that edged out onto the plains. And just prior to his mission fifteen years ago that would ultimately culminate in saving Caryn from pirates, another tornado had only just missed Gil'ead. Niev watched as a man struggled to replace a fallen beam, and decided to help however he could. Speaking in the Ancient Language, he tapped into the remaining power in Ajunthar's diamond and lessened the weight of the heavy beam. Some time later, the man was thanking the Rider for his help, and Niev left to seek out other survivors.
Jess looked around in the early morning light as Peter led her to where he had seen Revar land. She knew that she could locate the eggs by herself quite easily, or look into the boy's mind and get the location that way, but she refrained from either technique because it got her out of the battered city. Also, probing the mind of another was not something she particularly enjoyed at the best of times. In any case, Peter seemed heartened that he was being of use to the Dragon Riders. After they had gone perhaps two miles, Peter stopped and pointed to a broken tree and several gouges in the earth.
"There. That dragon you killed buried the eggs there."
Jess frowned and turned to the youngster.
"Firstly, Peter, I did not kill Revar. Secondly, don't remind me of it. Whether it was essential or not, I don't care. Seeing people die is bad enough. FEELING them die is horrific."
The boy recoiled and looked afraid. Jess sighed and walked up to him.
"I'm sorry for losing my temper, Peter. This is just a lot to go through for me. Can we get the eggs now?"
Peter nodded, and walked to the gouges in the land. Sure enough, a large patch of soil looked disturbed. Jess followed as Peter began trying to dig the eggs out. After several minutes of digging, a brilliant green egg just under a foot long came into sight. Jess hastily pulled it out of the dirt as Peter continued to dig. Using her magic, Jess probed the egg for a trace of life inside. Sadly, the youngster had already perished, whether as a result of going cold or being killed by Revar and Ardepp. One by one, the blue Rider mournfully examined the stolen eggs, only to come up short each time. Sighing regretfully, Jess turned to see Peter holding an egg of a brilliant aqua hue. She probed the final egg, and froze in her movements. A second, more cautious test confirmed her budding joy. Although six of the eggs were now dead, the seventh was not only alive, but hatching. Peter gave a gasp of utter wonder as the baby dragon pushed its way out of the egg. Soon, the aqua-hued youngster was sat among the earth, blinking at the scruffy boy it had chosen as its' Rider. Peter reached out and touched the dragon's flank, prompting a yell of surprise as his palm was scorched with the wild magic. Jess shook her head in amazement as she removed the final egg from the shallow pit. Sadly, it too was dead, but the sorrow at finding seven deceased eggs was quickly eclipsed by the realisation that Peter was now a Dragon Rider. Peter awkwardly picked up the dragon hatchling, which was squirming in his grasp but making no effort to bite its Rider. Peter smiled brightly and turned to Jess.
"Does this mean you're my tutor now?"
Jess blinked at the boy in some surprise. She led him back to the keep in Gil'ead, shaking her head slowly.
"It's the decision of the Rider Council who teaches who."
Peter frowned slightly as his dragon began to climb up to his shoulders.
"But some of the people in the city say Niev chose to teach Caryn. Can he make those choices but you can't?"
Jess shook her head.
"It's different. See, over fifteen years ago, Niev was sent to stop pirate raids on the city of Teirm, and after dispatching the pirates, he discovered Caryn among the slaves. Caryn was tested, Sarrarra hatched for her, and one of the Rider Council themselves was originally going to teach her. But Kialandi, an elf Rider, strongly objected to the addition of another human Dragon Rider, and her dragon scared Caryn quite badly. Caryn and Sarrarra only responded to Niev and Kyvoster for a week, they even ignored Master Vrael, so it was decided that Niev would teach her for a while before she was trained by someone more experienced."
Peter walked towards the city. In front of them, Karra took to the air, bearing survivors to a temporary hospital set up in the more intact sections of the city. Jess followed with a bounce in her step. Although battered, Gil'ead would soon recover, and soon Peter would be tutored in the ways of the Dragon Riders.