Ivanus stood, running toward the pair and knowing what he must do.
Riad fired a constant charge of electricity through the dragon’s fire as he neared, battering the thing’s maw and causing its fire to lessen. Then, as he closed on it, the beast thrust its claws forward, pinning Riad to the sand.
“No mortal is the master of me,” the beast spoke as it lifted its head, bobbing like a serpent as it eyed its prey. “I am awakened again.” Its tongue flicked its scaled lips. “That will not be taken from me.”
“Wait,” Ivanus spoke as he neared, holding his disfigured hand up to stop the thing.
The dragon eyed him, its irises narrowing as it measured him.
Ivanus breathed deeply, focusing his mind. “Shaun Dune, hear me, we are your friends.”
The dragon closed and opened his eyes, and as he looked at Ivanus now, Ivanus saw something human within them.
“How do you know that name?” the dragon asked, still pinning Riad. “We do not know you.” Steam puffed and writhed through the beast’s nostrils.
Ivanus approached cautiously. “You do not know me, though I do remember you, from a time before the meteor. I did not know that until just now, when I saw what I would do.”
“Before the meteor… all who have known us before that time are dead.” Orpheus turned his glare from Ivanus and lowered his maw towards Riad once more, sniffing his face. The beast pawed at Riad’s cybernetic leg as the borg struggled to rise, making guttural noises as his chest was being crushed.
“The city of Asil,” Ivanus spoke.
The dragon lifted its head to eye him once more.
“I know you from Asil. You are Shaun Dune, the dragon hunter. I watched you leave us to search out one of the beasts days before the meteor struck. There was a massive crowd.”
“If what you say is true, then you must know things. Prove what you say, and how you know it, or your companion’s flesh will be my first meal since opening my eyes and your bones will pick my jaws clean.”
Ivanus thought hard, back to the day when the dragon hunter had left his people for the final time. It had not been that long ago, in Ivanus’s actual life, and yet his mind was blurry. In actuality it had been eons. “She smacked you. Your wife smacked you as you said goodbye. It was rumored in Asil that you had cheated on her with another, but I heard her whispering to a handmaiden in the ally later that she had begged you to stay.”
The dragon’s chest heaved and smoke curled forth its nostrils. “She feared for my death so greatly that she struck me.” The beast’s voice was almost human now. “And yet it was she that died when the meteor struck… and I who am cursed with life eternal.”
Ivanus took his chance, walking forward and holding out his scarred hand toward the beast. “We are your friends. Whatever has occurred in your life, whatever ails you, we come in peace and have freed you from your prison. Do not harm us. Give us the opportunity to at least explain ourselves.”
The dragon flexed the muscles in its wings, shattering the grapple chain from Riad’s weapon before eying him with heat in its irises and lifting its massive paw from his chest.
“Foul creature.” Riad spat, staggering to his feet and stumbling backward to Ivanus’s side.
Slowly the dragon’s dark form transformed back into that of the man, radiating light and heat. “Who are you?” Shaun Dune spoke, the day seeming like a shadowed mirage beyond the brilliance of his nova form.
Chapter 29
Ivanus sat in the dark of night, in a circle with his companions on the hard desert floor.
All in the group, Bayne, Andral, Ivanus and Carcos, had been silent as Riad spoke with the radiating yet mortal form of Shaun Dune, his heat warming their flesh.
Ivanus watched Dune take in the words fully. Riad told him about their pasts and of their quest to overturn Samuel.
“I remember him, this dark priest, though I did not know his name,” Dune spoke when Riad had finished, his voice heavy in Ivanus’s mind. “One day I flew in our dragon form above the earth, and as I soared I saw an army of men where just days before there had been no one. My cave was near and I had seen no other for what seemed like ages, and so I flew to them. But when I was almost above the mass, darkness consumed my mind. The dragon took full control then, from what Orpheus speaks within my thoughts, and when my own consciousness returned I saw a man with red flowing robes before me in the hollowness of a cavern. He did not speak, but glared hauntingly as pitch black once more consumed me.”
“The havoc he has reaped, on you, me, my people and this land deserves the price of his death paid,” Riad spoke as Vrax clicked up his arm, welding a damaged portion of his armor. The moons of Solaris gleamed in the distance beyond Dune’s vibrant silhouette.
Riad was about to speak more but Ivanus knew it was not time. He raised his eyes to meet Dune’s. “What happened to you? How can you be one with the dragon?”
The marking of an essence on Dune’s shoulder radiated eerily in the silence between them. “I had tracked Orpheus for days across the land, following the signs, dragon skin shed from his back in the wind and also the scent that only some can track. I followed the beast to his lair, and when I knew he slumbered, I crouched in wait with my arrow taught in its bowstring. I also fastened a dense net to the outer wall of the cave. When I heard him move I shouted to him.
“‘Dragon!’ I called.
“As Orpheus heard my voice he stirred, lumbering toward me, his maw spread wide with fire writhing past his fangs. My hands sweat as I let the bow flit past my fingers, its arrow splicing the beast’s fire glands as a low pop came and putrid smoke writhed through its mouth.
“I knew I would conquer the beast as I ran backwards, unsheathing my sword as the dragon plunged into the net in rage. It thrashed. With a breath I ran for it, thrusting my sword into its neck and drawling a thick stream of blood. I mounted the dragon, using all the muscles in my body to hoist myself upon it, and as it thrashed blood spewed where the sword pierced its back.
“Then time seemed to stop as I pulled my blade from it, readying for the death blow. In the sky, in my peripheral, a streak of fire spliced through the atmosphere. The earth trembled beneath us and I thrust the blade blindly into the dragon’s back to solidify my body. It was in that moment that something thrust against me, combining with my form.
“Darkness consumed me completely, then scorching heat seared my chest and I opened my eyes. As I thrust my hand before me a great dragon paw dug at the earth. I breathed and fire consumed my sight, burning away the rope that contained me.
“‘No, who is there?” a voice that was not my own boomed from my lips.
“‘Who dares form with the flesh of Orpheus?’”
Chapter 30
Men ran shouting through Gest’s streets as the suns rose in the sky above the city fortress. Their makeshift armor glinted in the sunlight as arrows were readied and many took their positions along the edges of the city’s walls.
“We will send the scum back where they came from!” a man shouted as he ran past Julieth, his dingy face wearing a scowl. A large company had been sighted on the horizon and many in the city feared these newcomers came to take their newfound water and food.
“Men to the West come for Gest’s water and fruit. There will be a storm in the hearts of Gest’s people and Ineal cannot quell this.” The voice of Solaris’s spirit resonated in Julieth’s mind, as if she had just heard it in her dream. “Only a person of Solaris can change man’s ways. Man is receptive to the gifts given, but does not understand them yet. Man strives for existence, while you strive for peace. This is your great mission. In your heart you have the ability to save all.”
Julieth beat her wings, soaring up above the city and into the rays of the sun. The men below her stared skyward, still in awe of this spectacle, but she was not concerned with them. In the distance she saw the approaching company. Julieth could not make out their features, but recognized their belabored movements, those of a starving mas
s. Come to us, she thought. Come so that our bounty may nourish you and you may be healed. With a thrust of her wings she flew above the city, toward them, and then felt a mental pull from below her, causing her to look back. There, outside Gest’s main gates, Ineal knelt with Elias by the lake of water that had risen up from the earth.
She dove for them, wind buffeting her wings as she fell and landed on the soil by their side.
“The people of our planet will come to be renewed. They are only the first,” she spoke to Ineal with no fear of Elias’s knowledge of her words. His eyes had been opened. She would need Elias’s assistance in helping the people of Gest to both understand and welcome the people of the world. “This opportunity, to heal the world with nourishment and love instead of through war, is vital.”
Ineal looked to her, his pure eyes dipping into her soul. He held a hand out over the lake. As he lowered his outstretched hand the hand’s dark refection below neared it.
He is speaking to me, but without words. She realized. Is that what the spirit meant? As his hand nears the water the dark hand rises to it. When we achieve what we progress towards, then the darkness will meet us on the water’s crest. Will we be drawn to force?
Ineal looked to her, a stern look in his eyes.
Elias touched a calloused hand to hers. “I will attempt to help my people understand. This is the way. I see it now. We do not need to covet this newfound wealth of nourishment. With Ineal by our side, there is enough to share with all.”
“I will meet those approaching in the desert.” She took her hand from his touch, giving Ineal an acknowledging head nod as she burst into the sky.
The lake water rippled in the wind from her wings. It moved upward, caressing and blanketing the mute’s hand, causing the shadow below it to disappear. As the water touched his skin Ineal closed his eyes.
Wind pummeled Julieth’s wings as the day’s sun burned in her retinas. The depth of what she was destined for was heavy on her heart. As she closed her eyes spots of sunlight hovered in the darkness of her eyelids like ever distant stars.
An unintelligible voice echoed from below and she opened her eyes to see a man with a horn shouting toward her. Wind pushed upward against her as she circled downward, landing in a run. “I approach peacefully!” she called to the man.
He brought the horn from his lips to his side, almost dumbstruck, waiting for her.
Julieth neared, and then stopped, careful to keep her distance. “We know why you come, because of the food and water in Gest. Some are leery in the city, but others are sympathetic toward you. We have all suffered long and are resistant to give up what we feel we own.”
The bone-thin man in torn rags looked desperate as the hand that clasped the horn shook. “We are starving and half dead. Many of our city are already but bones in the desert’s sand. All those who remain follow to Gest. We pose no threat, even if we wished to. Without the grace of your people we will die and remain beyond Gest’s walls.”
“Come, we will find you acceptance. I will speak for your people.” Julieth held out her arms, her wings full behind her.
The man came to her and she hugged his fragile body, warmly embracing and calming his rapid, panicked heart.
He stepped back, tears running down his worn face. “My name is Da’ar. Can you convince your people?”
“I am Julieth. They are not my people, but I arrived with the man who has brought what nourishes the land. Together we will convince them. The lake that provides Gest with water is beyond the city walls, and so your people can partake of it easily.” She watched as the rest of Da’ar’s people neared them. Several of the company limped and she noticed a cart with several men and women who looked to be dying being pushed by a larger man.
Da’ar peered past her. “A lake? We heard rumors of water and food. We assumed a small spring had been discovered or a larger store of forgotten goods. How can there be a lake? The essences have never helped provide people with nourishment before.”
“The essences have not brought us this.”
“Then what?” Da’ar asked, awe in his voice.
“I cannot say now, but there will be a time,” Julieth assured him.
“Da’ar,” one of the women who approached spoke. “Who is this winged woman? What news does she bring?”
Da’ar turned. “She says many in Gest will not accept us, but that she will stand by our side to convince them. There is water beyond Gest’s walls to nourish us until that time. A lake.” He grinned.
Several in the group gasped at this.
“A lake?” the woman asked, disbelief in her eyes.
“Yes,” Julieth responded, “and fruit, beautiful trees bearing fruit with more taste than anything you have ever eaten. There is enough food and water in Gest for your people and for many more.” As the rest of the group congregated around them, standing like bare trees in the wind, a boy made his way toward her. He reminded her of Bayne, and yet the look in his eyes was completely different. Bayne, I miss you, the thought rushed through her mind as the boy touched her hand. Let what is good guide you. As she looked down to the boy holding her hand she realized he was years younger than Bayne.
“My mother…” the boy spoke, his voice frail.
“Where is she?” Julieth asked, scanning those before her.
“She promised to take the pain in my stomach away.” Tears streamed from his eyes.
Da’ar stepped toward them, placing a hand gently on the boy’s head. “His mother perished on the journey here. It has been weeks since we have eaten anything of worth. Our city’s food replicator broke months back and has only produced powder since, hardly enough to provide for our hunger.”
Julieth held the boy’s bony hand firm in her own. “Come,” she spoke to him, motioning for him to walk in front of her. She hefted him up and looked to the others. “Follow me. Your bodies will find nourishment and rest.”
She led them through the desert towards the oasis, walking instead of flying so that she could lend her strength to their weakened souls. And as she walked she carried the boy who had taken her hand. She looked down at the flesh of his face tightly wrapped to his skull. Julieth held him tighter as she watched the perspiration seeping from his pores as he allowed himself to sleep in her embrace.
After a long walk they arrived to the outer cusp of the lake. It astounded Julieth to watch these frail, worn people using what little remained of their strength to run to the water’s edge and drink dunk after dunk of water with their hands.
Julieth looked beyond the trees and lake before them to the massive walls of Gest. Citizens of the city peered over the walls much as they had at her, Ineal and the others when they had first arrived. Arrows aimed at them, but she did not fear their use. We will find these people acceptance as we ourselves did, she thought.
Pain suddenly burned in her chest and back, causing blackness to drown her sight. She choked and fell to the earth, holding her hand to her chest.
You defy the order that comes, a voice scathed her mind. Do not think there is no cost.
The burning sensation passed through her chest directly into her hand and she found it crippled, unable to move.
Air vacuumed from her lungs as Julieth tumbled limply on the ground, letting out a moan before darkness consumed her. She heard footsteps running in her direction as her mind faded.
…
Darkness.
Silence.
Thump thump. Thump thump. The beating of her heart moved melodically in her ears as sight slowly returned. The voice and the pain were gone and Da’ar kneeled over her, his hands on her back and head.
“You are awake.” Da’ar smiled, water glistening over his face and beard in the sunlight where he had been drinking. “We feared you dead when you collapsed but I felt a pulse.”
The pain was gone now as Julieth looked to her hand. She opened and closed it, watching a fresh web of scorched lines that veined across her palm. She held the hand to her neck and felt scarring there
too. “Thank you. The pain is gone now.”
Da’ar held out his hand, taking hers and helping her to stand. “Is it the essence within you? There was a man in our city that had the power to control wind. He protected us until the essence within him took his mind and then his body.”
“It is an essence, yes, but there is nothing I can do about it. This is the curse I bear. It connects itself to me, but I will not let it control me or the actions I take. It is a part of me. Come, let me lead you to Gest’s gate.”
“Turn back! You are unwanted here!” a shout rang out over Gest’s wall as Julieth and the others neared.
Ineal and Elias were not in sight.
They must have reentered the city to persuade its people, Julieth thought as she raised a hand above her eyes to block the sunlight. She stretched her wings full, drawing the attention of all onlookers behind Gest’s walls. “The trees and the water are not yours to possess!” she shouted back at them. “Look at the people who approach you! They are weary and starving! Do you have the heart to fight them over nourishment that is infinite and which has been given freely to you? Do they not also deserve health? They come without weapons and armor but instead with a plea and faith!” Julieth eyed the men and women guarding Gest’s walls as she finished speaking. She was mostly a stranger to them. Would her words hold weight?
“Return to your land!” an angry shout rang with others as arrows spliced through the air, spitting into the desert around them but hitting no one.
“Please…” Da’ar spoke modestly, directing his voice up to the man who had shouted down. He lifted an arrow from the sand as he spoke. “Allow us to join you. We will all die without your grace.”
No-one responded to Da’ar, but Julieth watched as those perched on the walls turned their gaze from beyond the city to something inside the city’s walls behind the main gate. The earth rumbled beneath her, causing her to take to the air and fly toward the gate.
The sound of crushing timber boomed around them as cracks splintered down the gate, veining to its sides before the ancient wood gave way, crumbling down.