Phoenix Destiny

Twenty-One

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Jaron reined Gambler around and continued moving further from the village.

Artac disappeared from the stallion’s neck as it slid down the other side of the hill and trotted off. He appeared again as the stallion’s gait settled; this time he sat between the horse’s ears.

“How can I feel guilty for something I haven’t done?” Jaron asked.

“I know. It’s very strange,” the sprite agreed. “It’s a mortal trait, as far as I can tell. No other creature experiences such things.”

“So, what is it that I feel guilty for?”

“Cheating Alexis.”

“What!”

Gambler whinnied as Jaron yanked back the reins. Artac disappeared. The stallion tossed its head in surprise and anger.

“Easy boy,” Jaron leaned forward, patting the stallion’s neck to calm it. “Sorry, about that.”

“Well, don’t do that again,” the sprite reappeared on a nearby fence post. “My nerves can’t take it.”

“Your nerves,” Jaron snapped. “You have some nerve yourself. What do you mean cheating Alexis?”

A smile twisted the sprite’s lips as it shook its head and answered, “Just the way it sounds. You feel guilty for thinking about sharing a bed with any other woman.”

“That’s absurd.”

“I have found the mortal heart is, very often, a most absurd thing.”

“If you know everything, why would that be?” Jaron demanded.

Gambler pawed the ground, feeling his rider’s anxiety.

“How am I supposed to know? It’s your heart.”

“Perhaps, I will ride back to town and do as I will.”

“You’re a free man,” the sprite smiled. “I’m not here to stop you, but you will hate yourself tomorrow.”

With its voice still echoing in the air, the sprite disappeared.

“Wait! Artac, I have a question.”

To Jaron’s surprise, the sprite returned, still perched on the fence post. Its red-violet eyes glinted mischievously in the early evening. Artac said nothing as he waited for Jaron to continue.

“Artac,” he hesitated. “Is she all right? We didn’t part under the best circumstances.”

The sprite’s expression changed. Its frills flexed, and its eyes deepened to violet as it spoke, “Princess Alexis is beyond my sight or influence. She is adapting and learning her way without my assistance, just as, one day, you must too.”

Jaron’s brow furrowed with confusion as he studied the sprite.

“I will not be here to help you forever,” the sprite said.

“And how long will you remain?”

“Until the Phoenix sends me elsewhere.”

“And is that all your existence is? Following one mortal after another?”

“For now.”

“What did you do to deserve such punishment?”

“Penance is not always punishment,” the sprite corrected. “Just as mercy is not always forgiveness. Follow your heart, Jaron. Do not betray it, and it shall be your guide, but listen to it closely. It usually whispers.”

Artac disappeared, leaving him again. Jaron sat astride Gambler, staring at the fence post. Of course, the sprite would give him another riddle.

The stallion’s ears flicked back and forth. It grunted, waiting for his command. Ivy swooped down from the sky, landing where the sprite had been. The dragon growled as it sniffed its perch. Smoke curled from her nostrils.

Jaron looked back at the way they had come, turning the sprite’s words over in his mind. Then he signaled Gambler onward. Tonight, he would sleep under the stars. Maybe that would clear his head.

* * *

His men assembled early the next morning. Jaron rode up and down the line on Gambler, double-checking his choices before facing them. Everyone appeared alert and ready for orders. That was good.

He dismounted and said, “We’ve been working with each other for a moon, but we have only just begun. Now, we will begin our real training. Havelock, Errol, Arvon, Nils and Dak, step forward. You five are my commanders. The rest of you return to your tents and enjoy a well-earned rest.”

The company slowly disembarked, leaving only five men in front of Jaron. He motioned for them to gather. They were proud of the recognition, but uncertain over Jaron’s intentions now that he had them.

“Winning a battle involves luck, but luck is, in part, determined by skill and the advantages you take over your enemy.” Jaron studied each of them as he spoke. “You might not have won every challenge I set before you, but you showed the most thought in your actions. I expect you to be just as calculated when you lead your men into battle as you were when sparring against them. I also hope you have a good idea of which ones you will choose tomorrow. Dak, you will have to be even more considerate in your choices. I want your group to act as an advance party and as scouts.”

Dak nodded.

“We need every advantage in battle and communication is perhaps the most important of all,” Jaron raised an arm.

Ivy swooped over the soldiers’ heads and landed on his gloved hand. Jaron was discovering that she liked unexpected entrances. The soldiers retreated several steps in surprise. Only Dak remained unmoved.

“This is Ivy,” Jaron introduced. “She is a Castle Dragon and nearly full-grown.”

Ivy flexed her wings as she studied the men. Her ears flicked back and forth as her head swiveled and bobbed like a bird. Jaron was still unsure just how smart the little reptile truly was, but at least he knew she could identify individual people.

“She’s larger and faster than a hawk, smarter and cleverer than a falcon. Her eyesight is as keen at night as it is during the day. She is our scout and messenger,” Jaron held out his arm so that they could see her better. Ivy spread her wings to enhance her display.

A couple of the men shrunk back as she hissed in their direction.

“You will all be taught how to handle her and understand her signals,” Jaron lowered his arm before raising it again and sending her into the sky.

He nodded to Dak. The soldier stepped forward and offered an arm. Ivy circled, dove and landed on Dak’s protective, leather guard. The dragon chirped as she settled on the new perch.

“Ivy has three calls you should always be listening for, whether on the trail or in battle,” Jaron explained. “The first is a chirp, which you just heard. It means everything is as it should be, in other words, no danger. The second is a whistle. It means there is something amiss: use caution. The third and, perhaps, most important is a screech. It means immediate danger and cannot be confused with any other signal.”

The soldiers nodded, staring at the small but fierce-looking creature.

“Today, we are going to work on teaching you how to call Ivy to you,” Jaron motioned to Dak.

The soldier jerked his arm upward and sent Ivy back into the air. Circling, the dragon landed on Gambler’s saddle. There she cleaned her talons while she watched the proceedings.

“I expect each of you to acquire similar guards or gloves to the ones I and Dak already possess, if you do not already own such,” Jaron removed one of his own. “For now, you will make use of mine. They have my scent on them, and it will help Ivy remain calm until she learns to recognize each of you. Havelock, we’ll start with you. Present your arm to her and remain calm.”

The tall soldier stepped forward, took Jaron’s offered glove. Ivy inclined her head to one side, watching the nervous soldier come near her. Raising her hackles, she hissed. Havelock hesitated.

“Do not show fear. Just be calm. And don’t try to pet her.”

The soldier raised his arm. Ivy snuffed and stepped onto it.