The Last Realm: The Blood of Clans

15: Ivery on the Coast

I would love to say that we waltzed into the small village, quiet like church mice but unfortunately tensions seemed higher than before. The prospect of interacting with more people, especially if it kept most of us from a sleep that was pushing the worst of us to over a full day being awake, made our group seem even more irritable. The idea of the frosted and isolated western village being more inviting and a welcoming sight, was more than just a dreary illusion. As the sun finally crept over the world's edge, the landscape started to take on a pale glow, making me feel like we were walking through a horror movie.

Zale had been walking with us since meeting up and he seemed to be as chipper as usual but the lack of anyone else wanting to converse, quickly silenced his eagerness. It probably didn't help that he was one of the few of us that actually seemed rested. I found that ironic, since he had been last seen near the infirmary and Queen when we made our escape. I shrugged the thoughts away though as I peered over the rest of our group respectively.

Tajima still seemed to be at a standoff with Kelicia, who was huddled with Aurelia and Kathryn and seemed to be keeping a fair distance from the rest of our pack as well. Jace's mood continued to sour more the closer we got to the village, something I wasn't planning on asking him about as he seemed deep in thought and slightly unapproachable. Jace had seemed more than rattled since we’d first docked and ran into Naren, which was only a few days earlier but felt like a lot longer. I bit on the corner of my lip and chewed while I cursed at myself for not having a chance to explain about the new journal page to him yet.

With Tajima, Zale and Kokin outpacing the rest of us, I was left more than by myself for longer than I would have liked or requested. I understood the gender grouping a little bit at the moment, but it still reminded me some of high school and those thoughts turned to the small nagging I hadn't the time to bother with yet. In all of the hectic events over the last two weeks, I had no time to worry or think about my family and life that I'd been sucked out of. That just left Troy as the only one who acted the least affected with the running string of circumstances.

He'd spent the beginnings of the morning chatting to me about life on the high seas, various tidbits about some of the vessels and fleets within Leontyne, and a little even about Gareth and Rose. If our trek into Ivery, past our sunrise pause, was any longer then who knew what topic Troy might breach next. Truthfully though, all in all, I was rather grateful for his jabbering. It had pulled me out of thinking too hard about home and he was surprisingly quite funny. We earned a couple of annoyed stares as we laughed lightly together at some of the stories and jokes he shared.

Before long we were just a few yards from the village gate, where a young looking man sat against one of the walls, watching us approach. The man had black hair that seemed to have a deep green tint to it, that was marked in the front with silver streaks. He was wearing medium dark blue armor with matching blue arm guards and greaves, over a long sleeve black shirt. Rested across his right shoulder was a uniquely colored red spear with a golden wrap and long arrowhead like blade.

“Greetings.” The man called to us in a low voice as we neared within a short distance.

“Told you they'd be arriving.” Zale stepped forward to the man, causing him to rise to his feet.

My eyebrows shot up as he stretched himself to his full stature, slightly surpassing even Tajima at what I guessed was a good six and half feet. He was close to a good foot taller than myself, reminding me of Aurelia's joke about being a runt. I cringed slightly and ground my teeth together in frustration.

“Cousins, it's good to see you back safely.” The man called as he embraced both Tajima and Kokin.

“I suppose introductions are in order, eh?” Tajima chuckled as Kokin walked straight into the village and quickly disappeared through the light fog that seemed to embed itself within the area.

“She's still as fidgety as ever, I see.” The man laughed back with Tajima, earning small smiles from both Zale and Kelicia. “Yes though, introductions should be made before we proceed further.”

This snapped Kelicia back to her unsavory brooding. “Proceed further? You mean to tell me that you have even more ridiculous tricks up your filthy sleeves.”

I sighed a little more loudly than I realized as many turned to stare at me with shocked expressions. I couldn't help but shrug as all of the guys laughed at my response. Kelicia was glaring murderously at me, and all I could do was offer my explanation.

“We're all tired and unnecessarily exhausted. So maybe we should put aside our disputes at least until we can get some rest.”

“You're a fool of a runt.” Kelicia softly growled as she stepped up directly to me, making sure nobody else could hear her.

Jace pinched the bridge of his nose before placing hands on both our shoulders. “Now ain't the time, either of you. We can deal with things rightly after a little rest, we need it badly. Some of us, very badly.”

We all turned to where he was directing his gaze, to catch Troy slumped against the small stone wall of the village. A smear of blood stained the pale section where he had been resting against, as he quickly composed himself a little too late once he noticed we had saw him.

“It's really nothing, I promise.” Troy cringed out a smile.

“Fine. We rest first.” Kelicia snapped before she headed into the village, similar to how Kokin had but with a lot more flair and irritation. “But I'm not happy about having to stay with the Kale.”

“The Kale?” I asked, my words slipping away from me as if an automatic curiosity response.

The greenish-black and silver haired man bowed slightly, his icy and pale blue eyes holding an amused glint to them. “Ivery is the village of the Kale. I am your awaiting host, Keiying.”

“Host away, cousin.” Tajima smirked, as he started to follow their lead and head into the foggy village.

I smiled with a little worry as I helped Troy balance himself against me as we entered with the others. “Why didn't you say anything about your wounds before?”

“We seemed to be in a small rush.” He replied back with a laugh.

“I think we all could have spared a moment or two to make sure you were okay. I'm sorry it didn't occur to me before, I just figured that you were treated during the chaos of the tournament.”

“It's not a big deal, so don't worry.” He smiled reassuringly before adding with a fake cough. “Though, we didn't have the moment or two to pause. I hate to say this in light of things, but you’re being..”

“Troy!” A shaky female voice yelled back, cutting his words off.

“I'm being what?” I stared wide eyed in fear, looking back between the young pirate and Kathryn.

“Jace, come escort Troy away.” Kat demanded quickly.

Troy gave me a sympathetic look as Jace helped him away, my feet firmly planted in the frosted ground, as the dark haired girl walked up to me. I hadn't recalled speaking very directly with Kat before, nor her really interacting without Aurelia or Vahn around.

“There are probably some things you still haven't figured out or learned yet. That's to be expected, it's a pretty crazy world sometimes.” She looked hard into my eyes, making me a little uncomfortable with the way she studied me. “Just try not to lose yourself in all of this chaos.”

She turned and walked off, leaving me standing there just inside the village walls. I was stunned and for the first time since this overly absurd journey had begun, I felt as alone and cold as the winter wind that broke through my clothes and chilled me. I wasn't sure exactly how to go on with the flood of thoughts that rushed to me. I was more than just some stranger in a weird, although more than fascinating world. I was playing at a game that I was unaware of, one with unknown risks and consequences. I could feel that deep within my mind, if I didn't learn the rules or history to all of this, then I would be doomed to fail just like those creepy journal pages I had kept reading.

“It is such a beautifully cold morning today, wouldn't you agree?” A rough, deep voice seemed to carry itself on the chilling breeze to me.

I spun around quickly, my right hand clutching itself around my golden knife. A middle aged man with silver hair that I swore had a faint icy blue tint to it, smiled at me warmly. He had light purple irises that matched the flowing light purple cape we wore around himself. Underneath it was a deep blue tunic, with silver and gold trimmings, that split at the sword belt and freely hung down to his knees. He had similar greaves as Keiying but with frosted white pants. In his left hand was thick, brown leather bound book.

I rubbed my eyes and shook off the struggle to stay awake, earning a faint chuckle before he began to astound me. I wasn't sure that would be completely hard to do in current state, but I was sure he would have floored me regardless.

“Try not to wear your worries too much.” He extended the book out to me, which I found myself reaching for and clutching as I studied the binding. “Let's talk for a while. You can ask me anything you wish, though I can't promise I would know the answers for everything.”

“I wouldn't know where to begin.” I replied back a little hoarsely.

“Well, I believe you've learned that this is the village of Ivery. Yes?”

I nodded wordlessly, still feeling overwhelmed with myself.

“Don't be upset with your friends for being in such a haste. Many of them are being pushed beyond their limits right now.”

I felt my voice croak as I struggled to form the question and ultimately ended up sighing.

“They are well taken care of and before I let you rush off to rest as well, I would just like a simple chat. Maybe a chance to explain that book to you, and what exactly you have landed into. Some things you might not know or understand. It is a crazy world, after all. I would hate for you to lose yourself in it.” The man echoed the statements that Kat had said before leaving me minutes earlier. Was he reading my thoughts or expressions, or had he simply overheard us.

“I just feel so out of place. I don't want to make a horrible mistake and I can feel the stakes keep raising.” I blurted out rapid fire, before my mind caught up as he glanced up from the book to look at the man. “Uh.. and who are you, exactly?”

This brought out a laugh, as he motioned for us to walk outside of the village and towards the coast and sloshing icy, cold waters that foamed white as they crashed against the white sands and shore. I wasn't sure if the sand was really white or if it was just frosted as well as everything else, but he didn't speak again until we were down on a simple stretch of beach. I couldn't see anything but the slow lapping waves that stretched endlessly over the chilled pale sky. My gut feeling was as if the fog, sky and even ground around the village seemed paler and colder than anywhere else we'd been within Tasard, or maybe even perhaps the whole of this world Amadora.

“You can call me Shayan. I am the Elder of the Kale.” He spoke slow but evenly, his voice crashing against the water and returning back faintly with an enchanting echo. “This is perhaps my most favorite spot in the world, my serenity.”

I couldn't help but admire his slice of heaven, no matter how chilly or cut-out-of-an-old-picture it seemed to be.

“My name is James.” I found myself introducing myself back, and not from just being polite. “This is a nice spot you have here.”

“I believe I do my best thinking here, James.” He didn't take his eyes off the waves and beach as he spoke.

“Is that what I need to do now? My best thinking?” I asked curiously, causing a slight smile from the man.

“Perhaps, but only if you allow to me unravel some of your worries first.” He paused but not long enough to let me reply, not that I could actually think of a response. “Amadora. She is a world, a realm, full of legends and heroes.”

“Legends and heroes.” I replied back in awe.

“Haven't you ever wondered why the myths and stories all seemed to just stop?” His gaze turned to me, his eyes challenging me to think.

“You mean the stories of gods and mythical creatures and lands right?” I questioned back.

“Don't you ever think they began with at least some grain of truth? Some origin and place they came from?” His purple eyes seemed to blaze with a reddish fire that burned at me and dared me to pursue the idea and the information he held possibility too.

“Oh yes. In fact, I was going to try and be an archaeologist for part of those reasons. I want to find the truth about what could be buried with my own two hands.”

“Ha ha, well said.” His chuckle caught me slightly off guard for a moment. “Would you believe me if I told you that the world you're standing in, is the place many of those fabulous tales stemmed from?”

I lightly slapped the side of my face to make sure I had heard him correctly. Did he seriously suggest that so many fables and old myths had some legitimate credence, and that I had been pulled into all of it. It seemed so insanely over the top that it couldn't be anything but true.

“If that's the case, then why isn't there more evidence or tales beyond the early ages?” I puzzled back at the older man.

“Well, that is a very good question indeed.” He paused before continuing. “How familiar are you with the tales of Arthur, Merlin and Camelot?”

“Well, I know a little bit, but so many of the stories contradict and get confusing.” We had both sat down on the beach, leading me to discover that the sands were indeed white and not frost covered.

“The legend of King Arthur is where our fact and fiction separate. I believe a lot of people just assume that the dark ages wiped out the majority of written stories and works, which is only partly true, I'm afraid.”

“If it's just partly true, then what was the other cause?”

“Yes, patience. I was getting to that point.” We both laughed before Shayan elaborated further. “Most of the tale holds true to form. Uther used Merlin to deceive the lady Igraine and that produced his son Arthur. That led to the sword in the stone, Caliburn, and the famed Knights of the Round Table and his marriage to the lady Guinevere during his rule at Camelot. The most important part for you, comes at the ending of the legend.”

“The ending? You mean with Arthur's death and the search of the Holy Grail.”

“Not quite that far back, but close. When Arthur found out about the infidelity between Lancelot and Guinevere. Do you know what he did?”

I racked my brain trying to remember, shutting my eyes tightly for a moment before the thought came to me. “Yes.. didn't he stab the sword into the earth between them, when he found them asleep together in the woods?”

“Correct. That action severed the land from the people.” Shayan explained.

“Severed the land from the people?” I asked back in confusion.

“When Arthur drove Caliburn into the earth, it cut the dragon's spine. He effectively rendered your world from this one. The dragons and gods and myths all ended up here, in this realm of Amadora. While your belief and magic was sapped from the world, leaving you with the progressive ages of darkness, enlightenment, information and technology.” Shayan tapped the cover of the thick leather book once he finished speaking. “Go ahead and open it, James.”

It took me a moment to fully comprehend everything and maybe if I wasn't so enamored with archaeology, history or already in this world I might not take the tale seriously. Something deep inside was telling me that the story was indeed true somehow, and it was that same stirring that compelled me to open up the book.

“The gods are slumbering. Those that haven't faded yet, I mean.” Shayan explained when I gaped at the pages of the book, astonished at what I was seeing about the world and myths. “Though, the dragons are still very much around. If you know where to look.”

As I flipped over the sections in the book, he explained more about the world. How the world was filled with giants, dragons and a reptile-like creature. There were many elaborate maps, each covering countless details of various lands both of myth and man. Hyperborea and Avalon were both in the northern corners of the world, Atlantis was in the western ocean, and the Fortune Isles and the dragon land of Ildas were both in the southern corners.

“So do all of the dragons just live on their land, Ildas?” I asked, thumbing through the countless maps more. Slightly in awe while being frustrated there weren't better directions on how to get to any of the places.

“A vast majority of them are, yes. As are the Wyrm, the lizard-like men.” Shayan replied.

“Most isn't all.” I smirked at him victoriously.

“The world has many dragons scattered around within it. There are ten individual clans and types of species. These are referred to as the Drakan, the human-like dragons that exist in Amadora.”

“Ooh.. this is all just so amazing.” I couldn't help but slightly squeal at the building excitement.

“Ildas is home to the dragon council, which is comprised of some rather famous and infamous beings of your mythologies.” Shayan overlooked my squealing interruption and kept explaining.

“Mythologies? How many are we talking about here?” I puzzled to him between a small laugh we both shared.

“Mythology itself as a whole, shouldn't be confined by country or region or origin. They all exist together, as they should be.”

I gulped slightly as if swallowing the information whole itself. Once my stomach settled after a moment, I asked the most pressing thought on my mind. “The Drakan and all of this information that nobody else has tried to even hint at to me. You're part of them, aren't you?”

“My, my. I was told that you were the clever boy, but I seem to have underestimated just how much so.” Shayan replied back as he ruffled my hair teasingly. “Yes, I am the Elder of the Kale clan of ice dragons.”

I jumped to my feet in excitement and realization, so many things flooding me at once. “Keiying called Tajima and Kokin his cousins. That makes them Drakan too, right?”

“Right again.” The Elder answered back kindly, his eyes blazing a purple and red mixture. “The grand beings from your mythology, are the true Dragons. The group in the middle are the Elders, like myself and our appointed successors. That just leaves all of the offspring, which make up the Drakan.”

“Tajima isn't from a dragon clan though, is he?”

“Good question, and no. Sometimes those are born into world, it's an overly technical process of how Drakan and Wyrm are both born but even being half-human, he is still full Drakan.”

I wasn't exactly sure how to wrap my mind around that statement just yet, but I knew enough and it explained much more than I thought possible. Naren's hatred, actions and the past week in general made a world of sense now. Only one thought was left to ask, the one that bugged me the most.

“So, how exactly did I arrive here?”

“Did you not have a staff in your possession?” The Elder asked me with a slightly confused expression.

I paled as I quickly realized my mistake. I couldn't remember where the staff had been placed last. “Uh.. about that.. I did have it, but somewhere in all of the recent mayhem, I think I might've misplaced it.”

He threw his head back and roared with laughter before standing up beside me and resting a hand on my shoulder. “The staff was your ticket here. You are a Dragon Lord. One of a small few since the time of Arthur and his knights, and the first in many ages.”

“A Dragon Lord?” I tilted my head for a moment before flipping rapidly through all the of pages to find any kind of information about them. Nothing came up to my dismay.

“Unfortunately, I can't explain to you about that role as it was not my task. I will tell you where to go to find that information, but soon enough. Our time in the present is drawing to an end, and we must return back into the village. You need rest and we have words for some of your friends.” Shayan studied the changing waters once again, their color having grown an interesting shade of green that reminded me a little bit of a large field just moments after a spring rain.

“Oh.. I am a bit exhausted.” I stifled back a yawn and smiled.

Shayan held out his hand for the book back and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that it didn't seem like I'd get much chance to explore into it more. I handed the book back over and watched him run his hand softly along the cover for a moment.

“Would you feel like doing me a small favor?” His question caught me unprepared, but I didn't feel like turning him down after so much help.

“I don't see what it might hurt. What kind of favor?”

“In time, but no it won't hurt much.” He chuckled to himself at the wording, before gesturing we return back to the village.

I reluctantly trudged away from the beach and sea and into the village, where Shayan led me to the back section of square, stone buildings and houses. They all had the same pale or frosted white stone color to them, an often recurring theme from the places in Tasard we'd seen so far. We took a right and headed to the end of the row to the largest of the four back buildings. Upon entering inside I was taken back to find everyone in the group sitting at tables and feasting away hungrily.

“Hey man, pop a seat.” Troy struggled to get the words out with a mouthful of meat.

The news and truth from outside started burning my ears as I glanced around the room and couldn't help but wonder who had known more from the beginning. I rubbed my temples lightly as I remembered what Kathryn said about not losing myself. Before I could compose myself, my thoughts were interrupted.

“James, you look a little pale or something. You feeling alright?” Jace asked in that drawl of his, that I suddenly found highly irritating.

“No.” I quickly felt everything snap as I replied harshly. “I feel like frozen dirt. I've been running around like a stupid headless chicken for a guy who seems to be a royal prick. No offense Tajima, but you might be just as underhanded as your brother. I was finally just told about why I'm here and what the world is about. Not to mention the flying freaking dragons, which is totally awesome by the way. I'm terrified that I'll make a huge mistake that screws up everything, and nobody even had the decency to tell me information that could have helped me to keep from flipping out. Too late, I officially have!”

Everyone seemed to just stare in shock or amazement at the outburst from the pint-sized red headed runt. I exhaled a long, deep breath as I noticed Shayan nodding his head yes to me.

“Lastly, to anyone who might confuse me, since I am just teenage boy. If you like me, don't compete with other girls and get all super confusing with leading me on or not. Just say so and be done with it.”

“Uh.. dude..” Troy stammered as he stood up from the long table and cracked a playful smile.

“I know, I'm exhausted and finding out about more of the world can be a lot of take in.” I started before pointing at the group individually, starting with Aurelia and Kathryn.

“You two girls are way too uptight. Aurelia, I understand you have to put up with some craziness and are mostly along for the ride and you have some conflicting feelings for Tajima. Kathryn however, you're just a stuck up b***h. Deal with the jerks when they show up and stop treating everyone like they are ones by default.”

I turned to Jace, Troy and Zale while rolling my eyes. Noticing that Aurelia looked stunned while Kat had smug smile on her face.

“Zale, take some damn chill pills or something. How can one person be so hyper and off the walls nonstop and even beat us getting over here. Just looking at you wears me out. Troy, I really thank you for being the one person here to seem to actually give two shits without having some ulterior motive. Which brings me to Jace, the pompous jackass. You met me on my first night here and knew everything from the beginning, but yet you don't even bother an explanation once. Thinking of you hurts my head, you just piss me off so much at the moment.”

Nobody had any objections yet as I continued to individual rants, glancing at Tajima and Kokin before shaking my head and staring down Kelicia, who had her jaw set and was glaring back as if awaiting what I had to say.

“Kelicia.. I like you. You need to clear your name, to find out the details with what happened at the courtyard. That's all understandable, but I'm not gonna be some cheap adventure to get you out of the country or so you can have a last romance before you return home to marry some real royal who matters. Your family put up Tajima and Kokin for a reason and it's absurd for you to hold a grudge this late because of any of it. You're stuck with all of us, so get past it already please.”

I huffed out as everyone seemed unsure what to say or if I had anything extra to add. Troy made a small motion to see if I wanted to eat anything or not but I just shook my head no and closed my eyes, knowing Shayan was urging me silently to finish the last thing I needed to say.

“I'm not from Kyzekia. I'm from the state of Louisiana and from a different world completely. I've only been here for almost two weeks, so sorry if that doesn't meet your expectations or anything. So hello, my name is James Shaw, I'm new here.”

Just nearly as soon as I finished my final thought, a young teen girl walked into the building. She had on a simple sleeveless black tunic and black pants that stopped just below her knees. Her hair was deep auburn that was pulled back into a ponytail, her bangs sweeping to the right and she had stormy gray eyes.

“The rooms are ready.” She announced in a slightly sweet voice. “If you would all like to follow me and we can get you rested up properly.”

“Everyone, I'd like to introduce to you Anastasia.” Shayan said as he locked eyes with me. “She'll be joining your group once you're back awake and more of yourselves a little again.”

I groaned to myself but knew this was the favor he needed of me, one which didn't really bother me overly much. Everyone was standing up now and trying their hardest not to bore their stares into me.

Shayan cleared his throat as if he just had a new thought as well. “Oh, James, I would like to continue more from earlier perhaps. So you can get some rest in the back here instead. The rest of you, kindly follow Anastasia to your prepared buildings.”

Everyone quietly shuffled out of the building, leaving me with Shayan and Keiying. I thought maybe that we'd get into some big philosophical discussion or more detail about the enchanting book. Instead they showed me to a small, quiet room in the back of the building and promised that nobody else would bother me again until I had a full rest.

“Why are you once again going out of your way to help me?” I asked between a series of yawns.

“You're the Dragon Lord. Good or bad, you might be the only person who can change how things are, or how they might be.” Keiying said in a quiet breath.

“No pressure then.” I chuckled but couldn't help smiling despite my sarcasm.

“No pressure, there will be plenty of help from most of us.” Shayan said before I headed into the room to rest. My head immediately hit the bed and I was assailed by the waves of slumber.