Destructive Myth

Chapter Ten - Gozza

Gozza’s harbor was huge, it had two watchtowers on either side of the river mouth, both ringing bells through the storm.

“Drop anchor.” The captain called turning his wheel holding the ship as steady as he could. They were all surprised by the number of hits the Tormaloner had taken, that it had even reached the harbor mostly above water was amazing.

Due to the hurricane, most of the crew had been lost overboard, some badly injured, and the few that did remain needed all the help they could get. Drathis had been pulled to safety his arm bandaged and wrapped over and under his shoulder then around his waist, slapped, then as a last resort rum had been poured down his throat waking him.

He stood on the deck now heaving with the crew left securing the sails releasing the anchor causing the whole ship to jerk violently, cracking the deck in a few places, they all fallen off balance.

“It was either that or we crash into the docks.” The captain called out coming down to the main deck to help them. “There is nothing more we can do in the storm except hold out till its past,” The captain motioned for them to move below deck out the storm to his cabin being the only one left not taking on water at present, assisting those wounded inside.

The captain closed the door locking them all in with stiff arms, the ship had constantly fought him to spin out of control, he turned watching his crew with a heavy heart, only seven were unharmed, and the rest of his cabin was filled with pained men. Drathis was leaning against the back wall zoning in and out of consciousness, the storm had taken a lot from them all.  

* * * * *

After many hours Drathis woke the captain, the cabin had started to take on water.

“We need to move to the deck; I think the storm has calmed enough to head to shore,” Drathis whispered steadying himself against the wall.

The captain turned to the closed-door watching the water stream in.

“Everyone to the deck, grab who you can.” The captain turned to fetch who he could carry exiting the room, Drathis helped a man that could semi walk assisting each other by leaning on one another good side walking out.

The storm had indeed moved on leaving calmer seas but a heavy, persistent rain stayed.

“Drop the boats.” The captain called.

With much effort, they had gotten all the living off the ship into the boats to the docks.

They had finally reached their destination, alive.

Some men were waiting for them lifting the crew up onto land.

A hand landed on Drathis back gently, he snapped awake, not aware he had lost consciousness again, he jerked turning sharply to see the captain recalling where he was and nearly fell feeling a sharp pain in his side again, he winced in pain clenching his teeth as the captain caught him.

“Whoa there laddie, you may be the strongest sorcerer I’ve ever seen, but you have lost a lot of blood and that black shoulder doesn’t look good.” The captain said lifting Drathis, placing him on a stretcher assisted by two men.

“I’m fine,” Drathis said trying to sit up hissing as the pain consumed him, despite the rain on them he was boiling.

“Maybe not yet.” The captain said smiling slightly. “We all need to get out of this rain.”

The brave men of Gozza who had come out to help lead them into the streets with barred up houses, they picked up speed running around a corner making sure no one was following, then into a building, down steps to a dimly lit room.

They placed Drathis on a table and lead the other wounded into adjoining rooms, greeted the rest of the men inside and shut the doors.

“Where’s Abigale?” The captain asked.

“I’m here silly.” A young girl’s voice came from behind a door, she walked in holding a gray cat purring happily in her arms, she couldn’t have been older than eight years. Her hair was a light red thick with wild curls. She looked from the captain smiling to Drathis, and then frowned.

Yip, he loathed the effect he had on people always the same, shocked, angry, or terrified, especially cats, and this one was already hissing.

Her hazel eyes studied him carefully, and then she placed the scratching cat down walking towards him.

“Why is he not dead?” Abigale asked the captain.

“Excuse me?” Drathis fumed. “What is it with every bloody one wanting me dead!” He tried to sit up, but the pain came back and he fell back down beating his fist into the stretcher denting the table below him.

The girl laughed slightly amazed at the strength.

“Wow! I haven’t seen a male with that kind of wildness in him before. I didn’t mean I want you dead silly, you just poisoned by a very toxic chemical, so it might be a very long time before you walk out here.”

Drathis shut his eyes feeling his blood boil viciously, the room was spinning again, and the walls disappeared being replaced by lava rushing towards him threatening to engulf him.

“Gees! Relax! I don’t need this place to crumble!” She shouted backing up examining the walls cracking.

Drathis opened his eyes realizing he had made the room shack, he blinked through blurry eyes finding himself again, remembering where he was, there was no lava, no threat.

“What’s happening to me.” He mumbled scorching the table with his handprint trying to still himself, the lave now seemed to course through his veins, he lifted his arm to see the lava and oil, but it was just his own arm, not the slain demons.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was a sorcerer!” The girl snapped looking at Drathis then the captain for some answers.

“Because I’m not!” Drathis hissed.

“What then are you?” Abigale asked annoyed placing her hands on her hips after pointing at her cracked walls.

Drathis looked at the little girl and almost laughed.

“I don’t need to answer to a mere girl,” Drathis said trying to relax as the world was picked up again and spun around, he gripped the table leaning over throwing up.

“I am, not, a girl!” She shouted placing a bucket under him, Drathis wiped his mouth with the back of his hand turning to see the little girl, no not one but three, then one of her, all the same, little person mirroring then forming a solid, he fell back, head too heavy.

“I haven’t time for this, go play with your toys.” Drathis groaned reaching for his shoulder.

“Ab, he needs healing, just do it for us we have a lot to do!” The captain begged.

“He is not one of your crewmen.” She pointed

“No, but he was a passenger that saved our crew. I owe it to him, please work your magic, heal him.”

“What? Her? A healer?” Drathis asked picking up on bits of the conversation. She was way too young, healers had to study and practice on plants and animals until a suitable age, then only move to human trials.

“Yes! You have a problem with that?” The girl snapped turning the color of her hair.

“Yeah, I do! Your way too young, I might hurt you.” Drathis said looking at the roof as a rush of heat ran through him again, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

“I haven’t met a stronger power than me, yet.” She huffed confidently

“Well then, nice to meet you, Abigale.” Drathis mocked, a dangerous twinkle in his eyes. She watched him slightly concerned then looked at the captain.

“Now why would he say that?” The girl said leaning closer folding her arms rather intrigued.  

“Look ‘Abigail’ I’ll pay you whatever you want, to just heal me, but be wise and bring extra plants in for life sources.” Drathis sighed exhaustedly. “I do not have the energy now to debate with you, I’ll pay you what you want.”

“Hmm, you really don’t believe my power level, do you?” She said standing still, then hesitated as she watched him lose consciousness, she ran out, quickly returning with three plants.

“No. you just underestimate me,” Drathis said opening blurry eyes.

“You need to leave us I must concentrate.” Abigale shooed the captain out.

She placed her cold fingers over his eyes and muttered a few words starting the healing chants.

A calm feeling washed over him making him feel fully at ease for the first time ever, lost inside a trance falling into a deep needed sleep, he drifted to a warm summer's day on top of a mountain overlooking fields of lavender and heather, a perfectly peaceful place.

Suddenly pain rushed through him as everything came back, he opened his eyes in agony looking at the girl wide-eyed at the back of the room.

“What?” Drathis asked puzzled.

“I have gotta fetch more plants.” She said out of breath running out of the room. Drathis looked at the three plants that were now ash.

The girl came running in carrying five larger plants. Placing them all around looking at Drathis.

“You nearly killed me; you know that?” she snapped

“Yeah,” Drathis said slowly trying to stay awake.

“No matter we will try again, close eyes.” She said placing her fingers again over him, this time the same thing happened, and this time it was more forceful, more powerful.

His whole body jerked as a cool liquid ran through him.

* * * * *

Drathis woke up to Abigail shaking him.

“You, ok? You’ve been asleep for a full day, wondering if you were still alive.” The girl said looking drained. Drathis said nothing sitting up slowly, he looked down at his hip where the pain had been, he had just his long pants on but the pain was gone, then he rolled his shoulder, which was gone too, he looked at it feeling it gently.

Nothing but smooth skin.

He looked down at the girl smiling.

“Thank you.”

“Good, eat your food, the pirates are in the market getting the repairs for the ship.” She said looking at his body. “Oh, by the way, nice form.” She added looking him up and down then running out the room as she blushed.

Drathis got up slowly, a bit unsteady, grabbed his shirt, and slipped it on, the collar got hooked on his ear as he held onto the wall, he shook his head pulling it down hearing a gasp he turned shaking his hair to cover his ears, turning to see a look of horror on Abigail’s face.

“What now?” Drathis asked frustrated pulling on a boot.

“I don’t know what to say…” She said pointing at him.

“About WHAT?” Drathis asked annoyed tying the belt on.

“I was always confused by you, your race, you always looked so…” she shut the door locking it then continued. “Looked so, human, I thought your race was dead.”

Drathis froze in the middle of tying his belt and watched her, he cursed recalling the mini-battle with his shirt.

“I’m so sorry for ever insulting you,” Abigale said getting on her knees bowing.

Drathis frowned backstepping.

“No, no no noo, no apology needed, just… one wish…” He pulled the coat on running his hand through his hair in a slight panic.

“Keep what you know to yourself or we will both, not see the light of day again.” He watched Abigale; Dimas would extinguish such a little fireball in a heartbeat.

She stood up walking towards him slowly so many questions across her face, such awe and fascination.

“I’ll guard this secret with my life.” She got on her knees again, he frowned unsure what to do, where was the firecracker from before?

“Uh, thanks.” He said awkwardly leaving the room.

Drathis made his way to the market passing a man performing tricks, he paused watching the being try his hand at illusions a group gathered around cheering as he made a dove turn into a golden goblet then fall through his figures as gold coins, Drathis stood on the outer edge of the crowd and accidentally back stepped on a creature’s tail, it screeched and Drathis jumped turning around his hand on sword looking straight into the eyes of someone so very familiar. He walked forward then stopped as a group of people passed in front of him blocking his view.

She was gone, whoever had been following him left the faintest hint of fragrance in the air, such an intoxicating, inviting scent.

“Sural.” He growled spinning around looking for the witch.

“Drathis me boy you made it.” A cheerful hand landed on his back.

He ignored it scanning the crowds carefully a hot aired balloon-shaped devil like her couldn’t disappear so fast.

“You alright laddie?” The captain said turning him around. “You look mighty pale, come let’s go eat something, I be knowing a good tavern up the road.” He placed his hand around Drathis arm and pulled him, finding a wooden stained table at the back on a busy tavern.

“Two mugs of your best beer.” He commandeered to a little boy carrying a tray, he nodded and ran off.

“What be the problem Drathis?”

Drathis faced him having been lost in thought staring blankly out the window.

He felt different from his usual self like something was trying to take control of him, ripping him up from the inside dying to get out. He wanted to unleash, rage, rip the place apart get rid of the feeling, the feeling of a deep deadly internal battle. Surrounded by life he felt more alone than ever.

The captain took a big gulp of his beer putting the mug down, his beard was full of foam and finally, Drathis smiled just slightly giving a snort, but never the less a smile, the pirate looked ridiculous.

“Aw, there be Drathis, looked like all hope was gone in your eyes.” The pirate placed his empty mug down and looked into it straining his neck. “You know? I still prefer a bottle of our homemade brew.” He said still looking at his empty mug all hope gone in his eyes now.

Drathis burst out laughing.

The captain looked up in slight surprise with a smile “now what so funny laddie?”

Drathis laughed even harder holding his stomach throwing his head back, there was nothing rather funny about the situation but he couldn’t help himself.

The captain got up and playfully punched him, Drathis hit it away laughing even harder, half the pub was in smiles by now watching him.

“I’ll get you, laddie.” The captain mocked pretending to attack him, wiping away the foam, Drathis threw up his arms in surrender still laughing.

“Ok, ok ill stop,” Drathis said smiling ear to ear, perhaps something in him had just snapped and his sanity was now good and truly gone.

“Good, we better be off.” He said straightening himself still confused by what was so funny.

Drathis got up following him out back into the streets coughing.

The captain smacked his back in case something was stuck.

“I'm fine.” Drathis breathed in deep making their way back to the house from the previous night.

There they had met some of the captain’s new crew members and spoke most of the day and night away from getting to know each other to grand adventures, right down to the most recent one carrying on about how lucky they were to get past those ships and storm, the remaining repairs the ship needed, how most were done thankfully. Then brought up the subject about Drathis and what he had done aboard the enemy’s ships.

Drathis tensed about to leave the room when the captain turned around giving a deadly look at them all to drop it.

The crew changed the topic deciding it was time for bed; they made their way to a warm room with a few beds and a fireplace surrounded by armchairs.

“Home sweet home for tonight.” One said looking at Drathis making his way with others by the fire warming their hands.

Drathis walked to an untouched bed at the corner by the door and climbed in bed, some did the same but others sat by the fire close to each other half whispering while the other did exaggerated hand movements of war, he wondered if it was from the most recent one,

he watched them drowsy, listening to the crackling of the fire.

Drathis jerked awake rubbing his eyes, he was panting and sweating all over, the nightmares were getting to him, was one full night of sleep too much to ask. He groaned getting up walking to the fireplace, placed his sword on the floor next to him slumping into the chair watching the flames dance over the logs. It warmed him up and he almost dozed off again watching the fire show.

A loud bang echoed down the hall into the room, he opened his eyes watching the fire, it had to have been a c***k of a log.

A high-pitched scream flowed through the air followed by a few more distance gunshot sounds.

Drathis jumped up looking all around, everyone was still asleep.

“Am I dreaming? Have I gone mad?” Drathis wondered rolling his shoulders, it wasn’t entirely impossible he thought slipping his shirt back on tying his belt on with his sword.

Another load of terrified screams echoed and rushing of feet was heard followed by a whipping.

Drathis spun around holding his sword, nothing.

Everyone was still sleeping.

“What the hell?” He hissed. “I have lost it good and truly.”

Just then a little figure burst through the door slamming it behind them. Drathis shoved it back with instinct.

“What’s wrong?” Drathis asked watching Abigail trying to catch her breath.

“Did you hear that?”

He turned his head straining his ears, he could still hear the war, but the crew snored still dead to the world.

“They won’t hear anything they had too much to drink.” She said almost reading his thoughts. “You have to get out here!” she said in a hurry grabbing his coat.

“Why?” Drathis asked looking at the crew than at her, some of the men were missing, including the captain.

“You more important than them! Gees!” She said pulling him after her. Drathis put on his coat following her into another room.

“They have come to get slaves, they come every year.” She said locking everything.

“Slaves? But this is a free country?”

“Yes, but not to Kazan.”

“Kazan? What does the Kazanions want this place instead of other cities around them?”

“You so clueless!” She hissed looking for something. “Gozza is the closest city to them that belongs to Avon. Avon and Kazan don’t have a good history and, our city is half on both borders, get it?”

“Yeah,” Drathis said frowning. “So now what?”

“We wait for them to take the men they see fit enough to work for their king and a few women for the men and leave. We stay here till they go.”

“I won’t wait here.”

“You too valuable you can’t get caught.”

“I’m not some fragile doll Abigale, those men need my help.”

“No, you must be protected.”

“No. I’m not staying here,” Drathis said turning to the door, he would protect the crew.

She ran to it standing in front of it, Drathis looked down at her raised one eyebrow then picked her up with one hand and put her on a table, winked at her then walked out.

“Where are you gonna go?” She shouted after him.

“To help the captain!” Drathis shouted back down slamming the door.

Outside was bitterly cold, the hurricane had changed the weather so drastically he was surprised it wasn’t snowing. People were running everywhere, carts were overthrown, food was all over the street and so were a few dead people laying scatted in different fleeing positions.  Drathis clenched his jaw trying to ignore the death making a run for the docks, the market stands were on fire while others were broken down, people were running everywhere and soldiers on horses were racing to seize people they wanted and killing those that didn’t listen. Drathis kept running bumping into everyone running around like headless chickens, he had to reach the captain and help him. He knew the captain would stand guard making sure no one took his ship.

He came to stop nearby a couple of men with swords pointing them at twenty-odd men, young men, kneeling on the ground, bound. He stepped forward to free them and kill the soldiers but hesitated to look in the direction of the ship, the activity there was pulling him.

He made his way forward then stopped again, his heart and mind torn.

Turning back, he raced for the soldiers having now noticed him slicing at his leg atop the horse.

The man fell off screaming, Drathis turned and sunk his sword right through the guy carrying on forward, he grabbed the horse clueless next to him and kicked it in the direction of the ships sliding the soldier’s own sword on the ground to the bound men on their knees.

He raced up the ramp to the ship, jumped off the horse, rolling to the side out of a falling net's way.

It was too dark, he could hardly see a thing, focusing on his senses he opened his eyes again, the night now lighter. He wasn’t sure how lately most of his abelites were just taking over, it was terrifyingly fascinating.

Five men were creeping towards him, he faced them as they stopped and dropped their swords backing up. Drathis knew he must of sacred them, he wasn’t exactly sure, but he had a feeling that his eyes we slightly glowing.

 I mean two green bright eyes in blackness looking at you would have scared most.

“Drathis?”  A familiar voice hesitated.

One stepped forward; it was the captain. “Sorry laddie we thought you were…”

“Yeah, I know,” Drathis said walking with the captain to the end of the ship watching the burning town as the men with him gathered up their trap to reset it, this time though he didn’t need to feel guilty watching parts of the town burn, this time it wasn’t because of him.

“What happened to the…” Drathis was suddenly stopped by a spear soaring through the sky; he turned just in time hitting the captain out the way to.

The spear sunk right through Drathis coat sending him through the sky over the deck.

“DRATHIS!” The captain shouted getting back up running to the end of the ship looking down. Drathis was on one knee fighting two soldiers with one hand while trying to get the spear out the wood with the other hand, it had sunken in deep and had him stuck like a powerful bird having a thorn wing.

Drathis pulled furiously ripping his coat, killing the one as two more approached, he was tired, so very tired, the blows kept coming for him.

A soldier ran in from the side took a swinging pole at him, ducked but it connected with his ribs, Drathis roared falling to his other knee.

He couldn’t anymore, the constant fighting for his life was just too much to ask.

The captain watched holding his men back, there were too many, he watched with sad eyes as they melted into the shadows of the ship.

Drathis grabbed his side looking down at it; he pulled his hand away slightly and saw blood dripping through his fingers. Anger boiled up in him again, he looked up through his thick hair straight into the closest soldier’s face, giving him a look so lethal that if they knew who he really was they would all run in terror. He tried one last time to fight release his true power, wipe them all out but, he just couldn’t he felt drained, bone weary.

They ignored his threats seizing him, Drathis tried to shake them off best he could knocking one more to the ground, but the spear wouldn’t let him move and he fell back down.

Four men dragged him to the rest of the captured men hearing them say he needed to be put with the prizes. They shoved him down on his knees, he tried to get back up but cold metal was placed around his hands and shields kept knocking him down every time until eventually, two soldiers were laying on him with their shields as they secured him.

Drathis gave up, no matter his grunts and shoves, he was truly and well caught, again.

Men were yanked from their knees and tied to horse saddles by chains and were forced to walked behind while they moved on out the distort city.

He figured he had to be special as they tied him in between two horses with extra chains.

 The trail of slaved ahead was distressing, how big was Zitex to demand so many slaves, what did such a kingdom do with so many.

It was bitterly cold without his coat but Drathis was numb, he felt nothing anymore, he let go giving in.

All he had done all he had tried, yet no one was there to save him.

He coughed a few times, not understanding what exactly it was, he had never felt this feeling, so human so fragile, he felt, sick.

He laughed bitterly through another cough, wondering if feeling normal was only for the gods now.