Varheiman Myths: The Dragon And Her Fire

The Parting.

Lady Dalenes cries prickled their ears from the distant along with wild roar of the sea. The enmity with the son of Anlectus would not favor them in the future. Hadrites would hold a grudge against Halem forever. The thought of Hadrites might come to Talle looking after them didn’t frightened Rhineas neither Alistair. Thought of the devastation and chaos which Hadrites would bring with him scared them.

Alistair’s impulsiveness was not unfamiliar to Rhineas anymore. After the months he had spent with him had told Rhineas about Alistair’s bold moves. But whatever had happened all long didn’t at all seem like something Alistair would’ve done to Rhineas. After all, Rhineas didn’t know Alistair that well. He didn’t know why Alistair would want to get the dragon’s breath? Nothing.

 Rhineas trusted in Alistair. He didn’t want to doubt but things have gotten a little strange since these days. He believed Alistair would tell him everything by himself. He remembered Alistair saying that whilst battling with the Faeries. Rhineas decided to wait and give Alistair some space. He had been acting absurdly, something had hurt him, since they went into the city gates.

Jiua grounded at foothill of the Hetra disturbing the silence of the forest. She growled softly as Rhineas rubbed her nose gently with his hand.

‘How are you going to get her breath?’ Rhineas asked Alistair when he climbed down.

Alistair probed around the box dangled from his waist inside of a pouch near his flask. He pulled out a little vessel and held it in front of his eyes.

‘There is a cotton in this vessel…,’ he said, ‘… it is casted with spells so that it won’t turn into ashes when she breaths in it.’

‘Isn’t that too tiny?’

‘It doesn’t I just want a little of it.’ Alistair smiled his crooked smile.

Rhineas took the vessel from Alistair and held it near Jiua’s nostril. Jiua breathed out before Rhineas could ask her. A single breath of fire trapped inside of the vessel shining like a star inside of it. Rhineas awed.

‘Good dragon.’ Rhineas caressed Jiua again.

After all the little time they had spent together Rhineas felt the bond was ancient with the dragon. It didn’t feel as if he knew Jiua from today. He felt the relation was as from the beginning of the time. Jiua purred.

Rhineas handed the vessel back to Alistair and turned back to Jiua.

‘It was a good ride, my friend.’ Rhineas said.

This is not a good bye, my lord. Jiua’s thoughts responded.

‘I truly hope to see you again.’ Rhineas kissed her wedged nose.

Jiua stepped back and opened her wings, she leaped and into the sky she went. 

Rhineas gazed up at the grand beast soaring the skies, just like he did when he was a kid. He remembered how fascinated e was about the dragon? He had never thought one day he will ride one. He remembered his mother telling him, how Edgard would see his kingdom from up above the skies.

All of those little things changed and made a big difference in the world. But what he saw in the city gates, people still practicing the dark magic within the city and the king doesn’t care. The temple of their guardian lord Emone marred with ashes and deserted by his own people. A big wall separated the city from its people. Rhineas didn’t agree with any of this, but what could he do about it? He felt a tinge of disappointment. His father is no more the man his mother had told him about.

‘Come on boy, the beast is gone.’ Rhineas felt Alistair’s hand on his shoulder. He hadn’t realized that he still gazed up in the sky until Alistair’s voice dragged him out.

‘Did you think that I am warded by Emone?’ Rhineas asked.

Alistair hesitated, but spoke, ‘I don’t know, Rhineas. The gods are never clear about what they wat or how they work? But one thing is for certain, you are more of your father than he could’ve ever been.’ Alistair smiled warmly.

‘What had happened to you?’ Rhineas groaned, ‘… since when did you become so soft.’

‘Aye, enough let’s go.’ Alistair concluded the matter.

They walked towards the stream hundred paces away from where Jiua left them. Talking about the forest and its mysteries. Alistair told Rhineas about the time when he had first come into the stegardian forest he met a beautiful forest spirit she offered him a quest in exchange of food. He told him how he had battled a boar with his bare hands.

Rhineas caught a couple fishes and Alistair gathered woods and lit them. They have decided to stay in the forest for the night.

‘Do you recall when Zohua came after us?’ Rhineas asked carefully.

‘I do, I suppose.’ Alistair replied tearing a bite from the fish.

‘I don’t remember what actually happened?’ Rhineas frowned, ‘… I remember you being infuriated at something. It is very vague.’

Alistair dictated the incident briefly to Rhineas.

‘I saw a dear one killing me inside Zohua’s eyes. I am frightened and I got angry.’ Alistair confessed.

‘Who else could it be?’ Rhineas wondered out loud.

‘My daughter…,’ Alistair said.

Rhineas’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, ‘you are married?’ He asked wholly surprised.

‘No, I am not.’ Alistair said.

‘Who is your daughter?’ Rhineas asked.

‘Princess Sanlysia.’ Alistair announced.