Fate of the Forsworn
Chapter 23
Seven years on
Sarrarra gave a grumpy snarl as Caryn woke her. Nearby, she knew Karra and Kyvoster were waiting.
"Come on Sarrarra, it's time. The army needs us taking action, not sleeping."
The yellow dragoness snarled again, but pulled herself upright regardless. Niev turned and nodded shortly.
"This our one chance to put a stop to these rebels for good. They've got all of their weapons here, and if we smash them here and now, they'll fall apart. Arisu, you and Karra attack the magicians. Kyvoster, you and I will tear up the supply wagons. Caryn, you and Sarrarra are to capture the leaders."
Caryn frowned as she drew Kuldr. Across the clearing from them, Arisu nodded and mounted her dragon.
"Capture? After all they did, we aren't going to kill them? Niev, I thought that we would be..."
Niev cut Caryn off before she could make her point.
"Caryn, please, don't start now. I know how you feel. I saw these people destroy the eggs we all had such hope for. You forget that Kyvoster was their father. But we have our orders."
Niev drew his father's sword, Ajunthar, and shifted in the saddle. Polished to near mirrorlike reflectivity, he tilted it so it caught the sun. Troops loyal to the Dragon Riders responded as they began to move into position. The older Rider looked back at Caryn.
"Lets begin. Arisu, if you would."
The green Rider nodded as she began to mutter strange words in the Ancient Language. The camped rebel forces began to stir as the loyal troops made their presence known. An exchange of fire began as both sides sniped at one another. So far, the rebels seemed to be holding their own, but abruptly, their co-ordination fell apart and they appeared to be confused. Karra and Arisu took to the air, Arisu looking weary already. She had used a rare talent to sap the morale of a fighting force, and make them more prone to mistakes. Niev prompted Kyvoster to make his move, and soon Caryn made hers. A mere twenty minutes later, the organised rebellion that had plagued Alagaesia for the past five years was in tatters. Smoke poured from the battlefield, and a somewhat sulky Caryn was standing guard over the prisoners. Sarrarra had taken to the air to search for any possible hidden units, Karra and Kyvoster were enjoying the contents of the wagon train, and Niev and Arisu were talking to the general in charge of their allied forces. Caryn gave a frustrated sigh as she looked away from the prisoners. SIx years ago, Sarrarra had laid three red eggs decidely unlike those of most dragons. Kyvoster had been immensely proud, and had been eager to be a true paternal figure. However, one dusk as both parents were hunting, a person who had become the leader of the rebellion had smashed all three eggs and killed the baby dragons viciously. Sarrarra had been inconsolable for weeks, and Kyvoster had been furious. Kialandi had emerged full of sorrow and regret, and told the two dragons of a group of terrorists, who had been linked to the ones who had tortured Nerene and Charl. Acting in pure rage, both dragons had torched the camp to the ground, but had only hastened the start of the rebellion. The members had been insistent that Dragon Riders were oppressors of the common folk, and used Urgals to convince the more gullible ones that they needed the dragons. Niev, Jess, Peter, Caryn, Arisu, Charl and Rellith had been tasked with stopping the rebellion, whilst a much larger group had set about alleviating poverty where they could and being a kinder influence to the Order. A number of days into the insurgency, Charl and Rellith had been removed from the task force to pacify Urgal clans, whilst Jess had withdrawn herself and her pupil to concentrate on his training some two months later. Niev, Arisu and Caryn had found sympathetic forces flocking to Gil'ead to help quash the rebellion. Whilst the Rider Council had refused to devote any other Riders to attack the rebels out of fear there were other, more insidious threats, they had given their blessing to put down the rebels. Only now did victory seem assured. Caryn turned a glower of pure hatred on one of the leaders who dared to move, making the man quail. Her grip tightened on Kuldr as the captured leader began to speak.
"Kallath's beasts were just the beginning. You wait and see. Your dragons will be put down the way I killed your whelp's eggs, and all of Alagaesia shall..."
"SHUT UP!"
Caryn gave a scream of rage and pain as she drew her short sword. Scything down with it, the blow was sufficient to rend the man in two. There was a clang as Kuldr was intercepted by Ajunthar. Niev looked from Caryn to the shaken leader as both Riders dropped their blades. Despite the pain of intercepting such a powerful blow, Niev's voice was steady.
"You, rebel, shut your mouth. Or I will crawl into your mind and tear out every secret I must before I allow our dragons to slay you."
Niev picked up both swords, gestured to the nearby guards to keep watch, and put his arm around Caryn as he led her away from the source of her frustration. The younger Rider was shaking in anger and even as she looked up, her eyes were streaming tears.
"I sh-shouldn't be here. J-just knowing that filth k-killed our dragon's children, it m-makes me lose control, Niev."
The older Rider sheathed Kuldr for her as she wept. After remaining silent for a while, he sighed and held Caryn close.
"I know, Caryn. Even now, Kyvoster sometimes laments what happened. He's asked me every question imaginable about the babies that died, from what they would have named themselves to whether or not I'd be a good uncle to them."
Caryn gave a hiccuping laugh at the thought of the part Violta dragon's sarcasm. She hugged Niev back, the tears not stopping.
"You'd have been perfect for them, Niev."
Niev slowly pulled away from Caryn and tilted her head up so the shorter woman was looking up at him. Very gently, he wiped away her tears as she stared up at him silently. When she had stopped crying, she carried on looking up at him. Niev looked back, the brown eyes looking into the yellow. Without saying anything, the two Riders kissed gently. After they parted, they walked towards their dragons. Sarrarra had found no traps and was stretched out on the turf near the wagon trains. Karra was still feeding on the dried meat, but Kyvoster, for once, was looking very unsure of what to do. The hybrid male dragon kept looking from the scattered food to Sarrarra, and moving towards one and then the other uncertainly. Finally he moved up to Sarrarra and lay down in front of the yellow dragon. Sarrarra's eyes opened and she looked at him assessingly before shuffling toward him meekly. Kyvoster spoke to her quietly.
Our young have been avenged. These rebel scum will not die for their crimes, but will be incarcerated for the rest of their days.
Sarrarra gave a snort, yawned widely, and lay down. Kyvoster moved up to her and lay down beside her. The two dragons nosed one another as Niev and Caryn walked to speak with Arisu. The green Rider was utterly exhausted. Her rare gift took a lot of effort, and very often taxed her to her limits. She ran a hand across her forehead as she sat on a rock, wearily munching on a chunk of bread. She nodded as her companions approached and spoke in a tired voice.
"Please don't ask anything that isn't totally necessary. Using that skill of mine, to sap morale, is draining."
Niev nodded.
"I suppose debriefing can wait until you're not quite as tired. Eat and drink all you want, Arisu, and rest. We depart for Vroengard in the morning."
Arisu sighed, gathered together some food, and made her way to her tent, erected since the rebel's defeat. Niev and Caryn parted, Caryn seeking food, and Niev going to his tent as well. Despite crushing the rebellion, he couldn't help but feel there was more to it than simple unrest. Every so often, people would declare they were tired of the oppression of the Riders and take some form of action. One rebel had even killed a Rider once, in a bid for immortalisation. The then young Rider Ralforr had enacted vengeance, and ripped the memory from the mind of the killer. Now, almost nobody recalled the act, and even fewer knew who had commited it. Niev lay down on his makeshift bed, staring into the diamond in Ajunthar. After some time, he put his father's weapon aside and slept.
"...and after interrogating the prisoners, I do not believe there is anything other than unrest at work here. If there is, it is not related."
Niev shifted in the presence of the Rider Council. Although he had been offered a position on the Council some years ago, he had refused following the incident with Kyvoster and Sarrarra's young being murdered. The ten Riders, three humans and seven elves, nodded as Niev finished giving his report. Recognising the dismissal, Niev turned and left the massive chamber. As he walked out, his mind drifted over various topics, from the dark magic he had learned to his feelings for Caryn. Before he quite knew where he was, he found himself near the southernmost point of the island. Lowering himself onto a rock, he drew his sword slowly, meditating as he began to channel magical energy into the diamond pommel. As he entered a trancelike state, a roar followed by what sounded like an explosion came from the sea. Sighing in frustration, Niev opened his eyes as Kyvoster returned to land, a small shark gripped in his talons. The red dragon landed nearby and looked at Niev out of one blue eye. Deciding he would get no peace, Niev mentally touched Kyvoster's mind.
Can't you tell I'm busy?
Kyvoster snorted and tore at the shark with his talons, exposing the flesh beneath.
I came to offer you a chance to replenish your magic, Niev. Use that curse of yours to restore Ajunthar's reserves.
Niev muttered the words and soon, a strand of red energy flew from his fingertips and into contact with the dead shark. Where it touched, the flesh disintegrated. Kyvoster gave a snarl of disapproval as more and more of the shark was removed. Niev stopped halfway through, and turned around. Stood behind him was Caryn, watching with an expression halfway between awe and horror. Niev ended the spell as Kyvoster mentally complained about how much his Rider had taken for himself. Caryn looked at Niev silently before speaking up.
"I came to tell you I've also been assigned to Gil'ead. You, Jess and Peter are being sent on a mission to Kuasta. There's a slaving ring set up there. I... I didn't know you knew such a spell, Niev."
Niev knew Caryn too well to not know she was disturbed by what she had seen. He sighed and sheathed his weapon.
"Caryn, this isn't what it looks like."
Caryn whirled on him, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Don't tell me that, Niev! What you're using is forbidden! No exceptions! On a personal level, I know you quite well, and I doubt very much you would use such magic for anything beyond recharging your diamond. But is there really nothing else to use that would do as well? This could turn you evil, Niev. Evil! Have you any idea what it would do to me to see you corrupted by dark magic? I've loved you ever since you rescued me, and I owe you everything. But you HAVE to stop using this spell, for as long as I live. Please Niev. Swear it to me."
Niev looked at Caryn in some surprise before reaching out to take her hand in his. He sighed as he pulled her towards the rock he sat on and began to talk to his protege.
"It's important for you to know this. About forty years ago, Kyvoster and I were under the tutelage of a Rider called Owen and his dragon Ibonek. We were sent to Carvahall where we encountered the necromancer Kallath. Initially he was welcoming, and demonstrated that spell to us in an attempt to gain our trust. Understandably, we saw the value in a spell that uses the body of an enemy as its' fuel, and agreed to learn it from him. Kallath then returned to his cave in the mountains, and from there attempted to fuse a dead Ra'zac with a dragon egg he had stolen. Kyvoster sensed the dark magic being used, and we raced to his cavern just in time to stop the spell from being cast. Kallath revealed his true state as insane, and attempted the flesh-rot spell on Kyvoster. Luckily, it had no effect, as dragon scales very often deflect magic the way a mirror reflects light. Kyvoster used his electric attack to vapourise the Ra'zac corpse, and Kallath fled before we could apprehend him. We took the egg back, and then returned here. Until now, only Kyvoster has known of this spell. I have only ever used it in combat once, I mostly use it, as you saw, to recharge Ajunthar's diamond."
Caryn nodded slowly as she leaned against Niev.
"Promise me you will never use it again as long as I live. For Sarrarra, our slain young, Kyvoster, and for me. Please, Niev."
Niev gently hugged the yellow Rider and vowed in the Ancient Language to not use the spell in any way, shape or form whilst Caryn was alive. Satisfied, the younger Rider smiled up at him and kissed him on the cheek. Niev smiled back and whispered to her, although he was all too aware of Kyvoster listening in.
"I'm sorry I scared you, Caryn."
Caryn nodded and got up to head back to the city. Kyvoster silently looked at his Rider before turning his attention back to his meal. Niev waited patiently before climbing into Kyvoster's saddle. Already the hybrid dragon was prepared for a long journey. Tucked into a large saddlebag was Ty'roc's Eldunari. As Niev tightened the straps around his legs, Kyvoster squatted down before launching himself into the sky, roaring as he left Vroengard for Kuasta.
It was past midnight when Kuasta finally came into view. Niev was sleeping in the saddle, and even Kyvoster was weary. The red dragon descended, waking up his Rider as he landed on the outskirts of the town. Nearby the two could hear the deep breathing of two other dragons. Not surprisingly, Jess and Peter had beaten them there and were sat beside a fire. Jess was laid back, out to the world, but Peter was still awake, idly poking at the fire. As Niev approached, the young Rider looked up and nodded respectfully. In his mid teens, Peter still looked very young. His eyes were the same shade of blue they had always been, and his hair was a bright blonde in hue. For seven years, he and his dragon Lenora had been tutored by Jess in comparitive isolation. Every so often, Niev, Arisu or Charl had aided in a lesson or two, but for the most part, Jess had raised the younger Rider as both a pupil and a friend. Niev sat down opposite Peter, yawning widely.
"How's your training going, Peter?"
Peter shrugged and drew his sword. Seven years ago, a Dragon Rider had fallen victim to disillusionment, stolen several eggs and slain four dragons and five Riders before being defeated by a group headed by Niev. Jess had slain the elf Rider Ardepp, whilst Kyvoster had killed her dragon Revar. Peter had taken the sword of the elf, and the swordsmith Rhunon had reworked the weapon to fit the young Rider accordingly. Although the surly smith had had no objections to adapting the blade for Peter, she had complained about him naming the sword Alnitak. So far, he had been on relatively few missions. As Niev warmed himself by the fire, the young Rider spoke up.
"Didn't you do a mission like this once before?"
Niev looked over at the young Rider and smiled.
"You want to hear the whole story huh?"
Peter nodded eagerly and made himself comfortable. Niev laughed at the boy's eagerness and took a swig of cider from his flask before telling Peter about the attack on the pirates he had orchestrated over two decades ago. Just as he finished, a tingle of danger ran through him, and he leapt back, drawing Ajunthar. Smiling dangerously, Jess advanced on him, Aksel shining in her hand. Niev hastily blocked the sharp edges of his sword before engaging Jess in combat. Despite his years of training and more active role in the war on the rebels, he simply could not defeat Jess. Even elven Riders had been unable to beat her, with the sole exception of Vrael himself, and she was widely regarded as the second best sword fighter amongst the Riders. For almost half an hour the two Riders sparred, before Jess disarmed Niev with a clever flick of her blade, floored him, and rested her swordpoint on his chin, smiling slightly as she did so. Niev sighed as he surrendered, much to Kyvoster's amusement. Lenora had remained asleep the whole time, resting alongside Arareal, who was very maternal to the young dragon. Jess sheathed her sword and helped Niev up. Nodding in thanks, Niev retrieved Ajunthar and sheathed it. He sat down, rubbing the bumps he had taken in their contest.
"Was it really necessary to beat me like that, Jess?"
Jess had returned to where she was before, and turned to face Niev.
"Oh yes. Very necessary. Now you'll know not to wake me up again."
Niev rolled his eyes as Peter laughed. Jess looked at her apprentice with a fond smile before turning back to look at Niev.
"Now keep it down. I can't take out my lack of sleep on my own apprentice, so it'll have to be on the next nearest Rider at hand."
Peter lay down on his satchel and was soon asleep. Niev gave one last groan of pain before he moved to settle down.
"In that case, I'll fetch Kialandi."
Jess gave a snort of laughter.
"Come now, we all know you love her."
Niev didn't respond as he lay back and stared into the fire. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted, and a second one nearby responded. High overhead, a single shooting star flared into existence briefly as the waxing crescent moon slipped beneath the horizon. Both Niev and Jess fell asleep as a gentle breeze blew across the camp and its occupants in the warm early summer night.