Varheiman Myths: The Dragon And Her Fire

Princess Sanlysia

Rhineas stood still frozen on his heels, glancing with astonishment in his eyes at the majestic golden dragon. It’s golden scales illuminated in the dim lights of the sconces perched against the wall of the lair. It’s serpentine neck rose and crawled forth toward him. He could sense the dragon’s thoughts and it’s calmness – in an instant Jiua’s rage faded – when it’s eyes met his. He warily reached his hand toward the creature.  Jiua... My lord. Rhineas chuckled at the dragon’s thought.

‘Jiua,’ he whispered softly extending his hand a little further to feel it’s impenetrable skin. Now he felt certain Jiua wouldn’t hurt him. The sensation of the hard crystal of it’s skin filled him with wonderment. He ignored Sanlysia grumbling something. With him everything was frozen, the clanging chorus of swords and frequent cursing and grunts. Alistair’s bewilderment replaced his usual grim, the other knight battling with Alistair pulled his visor back to make certain of what he is seeing is true. And of all, Sanlysia’s jaw dropped, her face pulled down quizzically. Her eyes widened in disbelief only an Ignysreon could touch a dragon. Is he an Ignysreon? Her mind began to raise dubious questions. The opal stone on his wrist, scarlet eyes. He is not a sea lord . He is the boy father has been searching for. She moved her lips but no words came out of her mouth.

Shecleared her throat and spoke, ‘you are...’ she got lost.

Rhineas gazed at her, ‘I am Rhineas...’ he said, ‘ from Talle son of Velina.’ Sanlysia approached him and unveiled his face. She gasped at the resemblance of the king. ‘why would you infiltrate the palace?’ She demanded.

‘My apologies...’ Rhineas bowed, and answered ‘...your highness, we do not intend to cause any harm. All we seek is dragon’s breath. I assure you we will be our way.’ Sanlysia stared at him distantly. Alistair’s throat stiffened, my daughter! Holy flame of Emone, she reflects her mother's beauty.

He lifted his feet fighting his urge to hold his daughter, the emotions crippled him. He battled against them, against his will he paced slowly towards her and bowed, ‘princess Sanlysia...’

A sword blocked Alistair from taking one more step closer, ‘...do not approach any closer.’ The knight warned.

Sanlysia shot the knight a hard look, ‘let him speak, sir Lambert.’ She said firmly and walked toward Alistair. She side-gazed Rhineas and squared at Alistair, ‘ I’d be very much interested to hear what this old man has to say. And...’, she gestured towards Rhineas, ‘...what is he doing with this young boy who knows how to fight well?’ she smile slyly

Alistair shot a sharp scornful glance at sir Lambert and continued, ‘...your highness, this is my Prentice and as he said we are here for the dragon’ breath. That is all.’

‘Huh...,’ Sanlysia sighed, ‘... you either have to be brave or idiots to intrude the royal palace.’ She laughed contemptuously. ‘so which one are you?’

Alistair was filled with delight; she has got a tongue as sharp as mine, he pressed his lips to keep them from grin. ‘It’s your judgement princess,’ he said, ‘would you reward it with bravery or rather madness...?’ Sanlysia raised her eyebrow in amusement, ‘...young boy here has learnt those skills from me, he disarmed you one-handedly Warrior princess who is utterly swift with those blades...’

‘...enough there old man,’ Sanlysia’s acerbic voice stopped him mid-sentence, ‘I am impressed by this young man, Rhineas...’ she paced backward slowly, her hips swaying gently from side to side. Rhineas tried to avert his eyes when she spoke again, ‘... although, you have committed a treason and the penalty is beheading. But, why do you want dragon’s breath?’

Alistair’s eyes darted on Rhineas, he shrugged in response. ‘Princess Sanlysia... Why don’t you tell Pysenia that Alistair of Bustia was here.’

Sanlysia eyes widened her face again pulled down, flummoxed. Her eyebrows in furrows, ‘what...?’ she gasped. Alistair knocked Sir Lambert with his elbow. Sir Lambert fell back, Sanlysia picked up her sword when Rhineas seized her from behind, ‘as we said we don’t mean any harm your highness...’ He laughed. Sanlysia struggled to free herself from his grip. She plunged down with all her strength throwing Rhineas down on the ground.

‘what a shame... I enjoyed having a real opponent to battle after so long.’ She didn’t sound regretful at all. She thrust her sword against Rhineas, he wriggled on the floor vigorously and got back to his feet.

Alistair engaged with sir Lambert in a fierce battle. Charging. Ditching the blows. Striking and dodging. The clanging of steel echoed in the murkiness of the dungeons filling the stale and foul air. The cobwebs sagging down from the walls quivering with the impact of battle. Jiua watched incredulously from where it was leashed in thick iron cuffs and fetters. Rhineas could sense Jiua’s feeling, he felt as if he had two mind intermingled by the thoughts. I want to be free, I am not meant to be in shackles. Jiua’s thoughts were louder than spoken words to him. I’ll liberate the dragon, Rhineas kept repeating this thought in his head.

Sanlysia plunged with her both swords. Sticking one’s tip aiming at Rhineas’s head and other sword’s edge at his throat. ‘I’d hate to kill...’ she roared, ‘surrender, don’t make me do it because I won’t hesitate.’ She sounded certain this time. ‘I will try my hard not to get killed, princess...’ Rhineas growled and shot forth toward her direction. His sword blocked her one sword and he grabbed her other hand which pointed the tip of her sword at him and twisted it disarming her other sword. ‘Enough with the playing princess...’ he said and spun her around by her cape which ripped from her shoulders. He swathed the cape around her restraining of any movements and left her on the dusty ground of the dungeons. ‘No...!’ Sanlysia yelled, ‘not on the ground with these nasty bugs...’

‘Many apologies princess...’he bowed and strode toward Jiua, ‘I’d love to see you again princess, it was pleasure defeating you...’ he called out behind his shoulder and went to free Jiua.