Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh or any of its characters
Claimer: I, chop4tess, own this story, its plot and any and all original characters
Thank you for sticking with me and this story so far. I hope you are enjoying the story!
Chapter 3: The sliver dragon
It had been a week, seven of the longest days of Alviss's life. They had been going at a steady pace to prevent killing the horses. Although Alviss wanted to gallop all the way to the dragon valley, he knew he couldn't and that Ryan would be very sad if he knew that he and Elvira killed their horses just to get to him a few days faster. Elvira had been choosing a place to stay each night that was close to a river or body of drinkable water for themselves and the horses.
"We're here." Elvira said and Alviss stared at the mountains rising above them covered in sorts of vegetation. "We should leave the horses here."
"Right. Are they going to be ok?"
"I doubt the dragons will eat them if that's what you mean. They know not to run off and there is a river nearby for drink."
"Then let's go." Alviss started forwards but Elvira grabbed his arm. Alviss gave her a look and she gave him a small smile.
"There are traps all over the place, we should be careful."
"Oh, thanks." Alviss felt like an idiot for just charging in with out thinking when Elvira calmly thought it all through.
"It's ok Alviss," Elvira said reading Alviss's mind, "I know how you feel." Alviss glanced at her and she smiled and started towards the forest. The horses watched them leave but didn't follow.
:-:
A man sat on his throne staring into space; he had short brown hair with strong blue eyes that missed nothing. A knock on the door jolted him out of his thoughts and he glanced at the wood as hoping to see who it was through the thick door.
"Come in." His voice showed his old age and the door creaked open and a young man dressed all in black came before him and bowed low.
"My Lord."
"Show your face soldier." The man in black took his hood off to show his chestnut hair and hazel eyes. A scar ran from his left eye to his cheek.
"Well what news have you got for me David?"
"They do not wish to give in to your demands my lord."
"What! They would have their own son killed to stay in power? Such is the evil of the demon race."
"I believe they do not wish for another to come to power in case a war breaks out as a result my lord."
"Hmm, whatever the reason it doesn't change the outcome. Kill the boy then and send his corpse back to his father. I have no use for him." The lord waved his servant away frowning angrily that his plan hadn't worked even after so many months of planning.
"My lord if I may, I think the boy could be of use."
"In what way?" The lord asked interested.
"I think he is one foretold in the great saying's of the mage my lord."
"That demon boy? That demon prince! Watch your tongue David, such words are blasphemy and can result in death."
"Hear me out my lord. There is a simple test, and his power can be taken and given to someone more worthy." The lord's eyes shone and he grinned evilly.
"Indeed they could, you have done well David, I will see that you are greatly rewarded for this. Test the boy and tell me at once if it works."
"My lord you are kind and just." The man called David bowed and left the room. The lord sat back on his throne and smiled. Soon I will crush the demons with the power from their own flesh and blood! The lord laughed loud and the echoes bounced off the walls making it seem as if a hundred men were all laughing with glee.
:-:
Alviss wiped the sweat of his brow for what felt like the hundredth time as he climbed yet another mountain to see if he could find this cursed sliver dragon. Elvira had taken a different path to cover ground faster and Alviss prayed she having more luck than he was. He had been chased by a huge blue dragon who thought he was trying to take her eggs and she almost fried him with her flame. The time that he and Elvira had agreed on to meet up was coming closer and still Alviss hadn't found the sliver dragon, he wondered if the old blind woman had sent them on a wild goose chase and was laughing at them even now.
Alviss heaved himself on to flat piece of rock and punched it in anger. I have to find Ryan, He yelled at himself angrily, I can't fail him yet again. Alviss balled up his fists in anger and tried not to cry. He was 16, much too old to cry. He heard the sound of wings and felt the dust and soil on the rocky ledge swirl around him. There was a loud thud as the dragon landed next to him and snorted. Alviss didn't move he couldn't care less if this stupid dragon ate him.
Then you will never succeed, said a voice tartly, you'll fail your friend.
With a growl Alviss leapt to his feet and spun to glare at the dragon and stopped in amazement. The dragon was sliver. Pure sliver, not a single scale was any other colour and she seemed to glow like the moon. Alviss just stood there jaw hanging wondering if he had fallen asleep and was dreaming.
'It's rude to stare.' Alviss jumped when he heard a female voice inside his head and stared at the dragon.
"Did you say that?"
'Who else could have said it? Can you see someone I can't?'
"I didn't know dragon's talked." Alviss said in shock and the dragon snorted and Alviss ducked as a flame shot over his head.
'We can communicate through our minds but we usually don't talk to humans.' The dragon eyed him and Alviss bristled.
"I am not human you over grown lizard! I'm pure demon thank you very much!" Alviss huffed and if the dragon had eyebrows it would have raised one in silent question.
'But the girl with you is. Do you not like humans?'
"I have nothing against humans, Elvira is my best friend. But I am proud to be demon and don't you forget it Fang Face."
'The name is Sliver.' The dragon said smoothly and Alviss rolled his eyes.
"Wow, how original. A sliver dragon called Sliver." The two glared at each other for a moment before Alviss remembered why he had been looking for her in the first place. "So are you the sliver dragon the old woman said would help us?"
'I know nothing about any old woman and I certainly don't go around helping people for free. You'll have to give me something in return.'
"Ok, what do you want?" The dragon thought carefully for a minute then smirked.
'I want to live in the palace. The same palace as the demon king himself.'
"Err, I don't know about that."
'Then I can't help you can I?' The dragon turned as if to fly away and Alviss panicked.
"Wait a second! Maybe if you rescue the king's son then the king will be so grateful you will not only live at the place….um, but you could also be the royal dragon! Yeah, sounds good no?"
'Are you telling fibs just to get my help?'
"No no, the prince was kidnapped and me and my friend are on a mission to find him. However they have flying beasts that would kill us before we got anywhere near them."
'I see, saving the crown prince would defiantly put me in the king's favour all right. Ok, I'll save your prince for you, you go on back home.'
"WHAT! I am not going back home scaly! If you agree to HELP then you can. There's is no way I'm sitting by; I have to save him myself!"
'What do you need me for then?' Alviss lowered his head to stare at the floor and Sliver felt a twinge of pity for the demon.
"I can't save him alone, not matter how much I want to. I need your help as much as I need Elvira's. Please help us Sliver, otherwise he's going to be killed." There was a long pause while Sliver turned this over in her mind. Alviss kept staring at the floor his hand balled into fists.
'Ok young demon, I will help you and your friend to save the prince. But I hope you can keep up your end of the bargain.'
"Yes, as long as you keep up yours." Alviss grinned bigger than he had in days and Sliver fought to keep the grin off her face too.
'Well, get on my back then. I can carry two people and if we fly we'll get there faster.' Alviss jumped on to her back and then frowned in confusion.
"Hang on, how do you know where we are going?"
'I read your mind.' Sliver said simply as she jumped into the air and spread her large wings. Alviss muttered something under his breath but Sliver didn't hear him. As she flew Alviss looked out for Elvira and saw her sitting on a rock not far from were they had spilt up.
"It looks like she hasn't moved from where I left her!" Alviss exclaimed as Sliver glided down and landed next to Elvira who smiled up at Alviss's black face.
"You found her then?"
"Did you even look?"
"Nah, I saw her when we first spilt and thought that you would have better chance at talking with her." Elvira noticed the small cuts and burn marks on Alviss's clothing including the dust. "What happened to you?" Alviss groaned and Sliver gave her dragon impression of a laugh, it sounded like she was dying to Alviss.
'I think he climbed up every mountain looking for me, he even got chased by a dragon and almost turned into fried demon.' If Elvira had been surprised that dragon's could talk, she didn't show it.
"Oh dear Alviss; at least you found her." Elvira grinned and jumped up behind him holding onto his waist as Sliver once again took to the skies.
:-:
Yuri glanced up when he heard a loud knock on his door. He was sitting behind his desk staring at the papers on his desk. With Ryan gone the normal day routine seemed less important than usual.
"Come in."
"Your Majesty," Gwendal opened the door and bowed and Yuri sat up a little straighter.
"Is there any news on my son? Have the soldiers found anything?"
"I am sorry majesty, but nothing yet. We will keep looking though." Yuri slumped in his chair again and sighed.
"Always the same, no news nothing." Yuri hit the table in frustration. "How can a boy and his kidnappers vanish into thin air?"
"They must be somewhere my king; and I for one won't stop looking till Ryan is found and his kidnappers punished."
"Thank you Gwendal. How is Wolfram?"
"He still hasn't come out of his room Sir, he has hardly eaten anything." Gwendal sighed as he worried about his youngest brother who was slowly slipping into oblivion as he pinned for his lost son.
"I will speak with him." Yuri stood up and cast a glance at the papers on his desk. "Gwendal could you find someone to do these for me please, I don't have the heart to right now."
"Yes your majesty, but I have news that you need to hear before you leave."
"Oh, what news?"
"Alviss and Elvira have disappeared. Their horses are gone and no one has seen them since the night Ryan was taken."
"That was a week ago. What about their parents?"
"Both children are orphans." Yuri was shocked. All the time he had spoken with the two they had seemed so happy and content.
"I, I never knew that."
"I think they preferred to keep it low key Your Majesty."
"Do you think they've gone looking for Ryan?" Yuri sat down heavily in his chair as Gwendal nodded. "Well, at least they are doing more than we are right now."
"Your majesty it is perfectly fine for two young children to gallop over the countryside in a mad hunt but the king has a duty to his people! Once we know were the prince is by all means you may go and rescue him as is your right. Until then you must stay here and be a strong king."
"I know Gwendal," Yuri said quietly as he stared at the desk in front of him, "That's the only reason I'm still here. Yet I can't help but wonder, what are they doing to him now? Is he ok? Is he dead already? It's been a week with no news Gwendal, I keep expecting him to jump up and laugh at us for thinking he was gone. I keep going into his room thinking I would see him there, fast asleep. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking I heard his voice, but when I check, no one is there." Yuri closed his eyes as tears threatened.
"I can not imagine the pain you feel Yuri," Gwendal said softly and Yuri looked up in surprise. Gwendal had never called him by his name before. "But the kingdom needs you to be strong, even if you are breaking into a million pieces inside." Gwendal bowed and turned to leave. Yuri watched him go as Gwendal's words floated around his head. The kingdom needs you to be strong, even if you are breaking into a million pieces inside. Yuri closed his eyes as the tears fell.
*End Chapter*
Poor Yuri and Wolfram, I'm not being nice to them in this story am I?
Review please ^_^