The Legend of Draconia: The Dragon, The Beach, And The Stronghold

Humans

I washed off the crimson gushing out of my skin in the nearest river. The sun wasn’t as intense in the land of sand. I wonder why that is? This ball of fire seemed to be different depending on where I was. At least, this amount of heat resonated with my humanity. It felt like I was home in its soothing flow.

Blue birds chirped above the trees. They flew free, greeting the afternoon sun. What does it feel to fly across the borders like some common thing—a natural occurrence—that no one bats an eye to? If I could be with them, would that wash off my atrocities toward no one? I wish I was as innocent.

Soon, the grills protecting the stronghold from outside influence opened. From it walked out an army of armed men. They marched casually, as if taking an afternoon walk. A handful of them headed toward the river from where I was. I twisted my head in search of a temporary shroud. I surfaced unnoticed.

I sought refuge behind the fruitless shrubs. My eyes fitted the holes as if I was meant to see and observe through them. They stopped by the river and scooped a handful of water, splashing it on their faces. Another hand dipped into the water as if testing it. Afterward, they went in for a dip, stripping off their iron shells.

“Ah! That hits the spot! So, how’s the search for the boy going?” it was the captain. How lucky of me to stumble upon him. I rolled my eyes.

“He was last seen by our informant caught in a street brawl, sir,” replied one of them.

“Please, it’s just us boys. Call me Adrian,” he stretched his arms and leaned back. “Where is he now?”

“No one has seen him since, but he assured me he will help with our search.”

“And who is this informant of yours? How can we be sure to trust him?”

“He is someone who holds a sensitive position. He may not be human, but he owes me for saving that girl who made a ruckus last week.”

“What did he ask in return?”

“N-nothing, sir. I mean, Adrian,” he chuckled nervously.

“Hmm, I see. You know, it hasn’t been long since you have joined the stronghold’s army. It won’t be long until you rise up the ranks. Keep up the wonderful work, boy,” he patted his back—a whacking one.

“Am I hearing things? Are you serious, sir?” a look of disbelief trapped in his eyes.

“I have said it and there’s no taking it back. I’m only asking you to be my eyes and ears. But don’t be jealous, men. You will have your chance at promotion,” he grinned at them with assurance.

“I won’t fail you, sir! I promise not to disappoint,” he could not contain the joy and excitement as he cheered for himself.

“You will be fine, my boy. Don’t get so worked up or you might mess this one up.”

“Right. I can’t be too happy.”

Adrian rolled his subordinate’s clothes, “Okay, men. Let’s play a game.”

“Wh-what are doing with my uniform, sir?”

“Correction—all of your clothes. Dunk your heads under water while I hide them. No peeking, or else I might run a bullet through your brains.”

“It’s not fair, why do you get to keep yours, Adrian?” complained another.

“Because, I am the captain. Any more questions?” he flexed his long-nose gun.

Their shoulders jumped upon this sudden change of air. Seriously, they looked like children banding with the bully. His bareness poked at my eyes as he splayed sets of clothes nearby. One ended up within arm’s reach. When his sights turned their back at me, I pulled it under the bush and left the embroidered name within view.

“Rise up, men! This how it goes,” he strapped in his armor. “I will call your name one by one. Once you find your clothes, you report back to me and head back inside the castle. Got it?”

“Sir, I have a question.”

“I am having none of it. I must remind you, boys, if you cheat, it’s off with your heads,” a piercing yellow light shot up the sky which burst out from the white gun. Clouds separated from their clumped clusters. His men looked at their captain with awe and feared magnificence.

“C-comprehended, sir!” his men shouted in unison.

“Good. We shall begin,” he began calling their names.

There were ten in total, each wearing their bare nakedness. One found it hanging on the nearest branch. Another one found his armor sprayed with the skunk’s scent. The others were either buried or chewed on by wild little creatures. Most of them—thankfully so—wrapped the unpleasantries of their manhood.

“Alright, you can return to the castle. Tell the queen to reserve me for last,” Adrian ordered.

They all saluted him and jogged towards the open gate. Only one was left shivering, still half submerged in the water. His arms covered his shoulders with teeth chattering as jumping ice. He wheezed and sneezed at the foot of his leader. His leader wore a face of disgust mixed with amusement—a horrid view.

“How is the water holding up, vice captain?” he leaned his head in.

“N-not well, I suppose.”

“You must hurry, nightfall is drawing near and my queen awaits my return.”

“Will do, sir,” he drew himself out of the icy cold water and began his search.

He wore that cheerful smile which disappeared as soon as he was in a safe distance from the devil. Muffled groans and complaints walked along the grassy surface. The captain sighed as he constantly checked his wristwatch. This searching young man had his eyes dead set on his goal—those eyes set to kill.

When he stood from where his name tag sat, he reached for it like a hunter intent on his catch. I pulled it before his grasp could reach. Cursing under his breath, he resumed in his pursuit. With the help of the moonless night sky, I concealed myself from discovery and punched his gut out.

He let out a deep groan which I muffled instantly with the size of my hands. Finally, I took his lights out with one end of this advanced weapon. He flopped to the ground, embracing it with his full nudity. I strapped on the armor and wore the gun over my shoulders. I spun around for anything amiss on the suit.

“Vice Captain Ramon, what’s taking you so long? It’s way past my schedule!” Adrian stomped his foot.

I mimicked this young man’s voice as close as I can—a lower register than my usual, “Found it! It’s hard to see in the dark, you know, Adrian.”

“That’s Captain Adrian to you, vice captain,” he replied strictly, insisting on the gap in our positions.

“My apologies, sir. May I ask what the vice captain’s responsibilities are?”

“As I said, you will be my eyes and ears on the sandy domain. The king must not learn about this or he will hang our heads. Do not fret, the king only listens to what I say and no one else. You got that?” he blurred the proximity between us as he whispered behind my ears.

I only nodded and glanced on the shrub where my victim laid bare. Hopefully, this bought me some time to learn what the stronghold was up to. The captain ushered me back to the castle with urgency. He placed his hand over my shoulder and grabbed my ball and socket. Intense huffs burned the night air.

“Is there something wrong, captain?” I asked.

“I’m fine. We need to hurry. I don’t know how much I could hold it.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant about that as he dragged our feet before the grills closed on us. No water surrounded the castle. There was an abundance of trees filtering obnoxious air emanating from the walls. The walls where stale air originated without the knowledge of its ruler. Or was he oblivious?

“Get back in line, boy. Tonight, you man our men and ensure they keep themselves in line. If you see anything or anyone suspicious, you report to me as soon as possible. Each tower has a radio where you can reach me. I’m counting on you, vice captain,” he slammed my back and went inside the castle.

I crawled up the steep ladder and got to one eye of the castle. They reserved the center tower for the captain, but I thought it would be okay if I stood in his place. After all, I was the vice captain.

I toyed with my gun, aimed at trees and bushes, and glanced at the telescope. Through this lens, I saw a naked man bruised and shaking. It was the real vice captain. In my surprise, my hand slipped on the trigger. Bolts of thunder escaped from the gun, toasting his living flesh.

I watched at his crisped body in horror. He was a human like me. I shrunk in my military boots and glanced at the others patrolling the area. They just gasped and resumed their march as if it didn’t bother them. Steamy groans brought my senses back to reality. So that’s what the captain was up to each night.

Moments later, a small bell rang. Women wearing cooking hats brought with them trays of food. Grilled chicken was on tonight’s menu with sherry drink on the side. Then she traveled her fingers across my shoulders. That was when I knew dinner was the side dish.

The main course laid bare in front of me. She handed over an attachment to my embroidered name—a small pin that elevated and made my status known. Her body swayed on mine and placed the pieces of cooked meat on her rawness. Her hands poured rich brown sauce all over her shape.

I used the chopsticks to prepare the clam and my mouth journeyed the exposed dumplings. I never knew I was hungry until the food was served before me. My heart wasn’t in it and left my body to bid its will. Intense heat took over me like a wild beast. Or was it because of the costume I was wearing?

I bit off the grilled meat and shared kisses with her. Her technique melted my mind as I inhaled more of her air. My heated rod surely danced with her body well. She gasped joyfully and played with my mouth some more as we rocked our bodies. She clasped me in tighter and tighter, taking me higher.

An image of Cyrille blurred the unfamiliar face. Her smile beckoned me to reel her in. Arms hoisted, and we rolled, circling the shape of the tower. She pulled my hair, urging me faster, faster, and faster! Flame teased flame, igniting it higher than the curved ceiling.

She groaned and stared directly into my eyes—a captive seduction. The rod hardened, much harder than any stone. I felt a rise in tension as I played with her served dumplings. Her eyes rolled back, then to me, then rolled again. I pulled her into my rein and found release.

Minutes passed, and the intense feeling flew away. When I regained my sensibilities, it was as if another part of me took over. Who was this savage beast that feasted upon this delicate flower? She recovered from her position and left with a kiss on my soiled lips. Was she asking for another so soon?

My body became paralyze as I saw her leave my borrowed post. I could not believe what just happened. She took the beast out of me, using her gestures. It totally blurred all other senses. I shook my head and put my sight into a thousand-meter distance from the castle. What have I gotten myself into?

During this shift, my mind pestered me with wild thoughts on what better to experiment with aside from grilled chicken. I sipped on my wineglass, drowning those thoughts. Suddenly, it reminded me of my true purpose—the true reason I was here. I excused myself from my post and went inside the castle.

Suppressed moans grew in crescendo as I neared its source. Two voices growled like wild animals. I stopped a few feet from the cell. It was Captain Adrian messing with the queen. Was the king aware of this treachery? She brought so much joy to his lover from the sounds they made in the hallway.

My boot slipped.

The captain glared at me with surprise, “Ah, vice captain. Would you care to join us?”

“Don’t mind me. I am only making sure that everything is fine, sir.”

“There is room for another one. I have two slots, you know,” the queen presented me her splendor.

“I had my dinner already.”

“How was it? It was the Captain’s Special, served only to the highest man in the stronghold. Well, next to the highest,” Adrian explained.

“Uhm, it was exquisite, sir. Thank you.”

“If you keep doing your best at work, you might wear my position on your chest.”

“What you do mean by that if you wouldn’t mind me asking?”

“You see, handsome boy,” the queen gestured as if beckoning me to approach. He body wrapped around him, “this man here will take over the throne.”

“What will happen to the king, then?”

“He may as well die in his cell or spend his days wishing he was dead.”

“But the king is old and aging. Surely, you are no younger, Your Highness.”

She gasped, shocked by what I said, “You take that back, young man. That wasn’t a pleasant thing to say.”

“Stand down, boy. Keep your opinions to yourself and never spill to the king or to anyone what you heard here. A soon-to-be captain must learn to keep his secrets,” he hushed the queen using his gentle grip on her shoulders.

“I got the message, sir. I will see you in the morning,” I turned on my heels and headed for the barracks.

“Where were we?” his voice became distant.

“What about the boy?” the queen whispered, but still reached my ears.

“Don’t mind him. He’s a great kid, looks up to me like his own father.”

“Oh, then I would love to be the mother of this child. I will love him the way I love you.”

They continued with their gasping song. Some hallways away from the queen’s chamber stood her human king clinging on the corner wall. His eyes sagged with bags lining under his eyes. His eyes happened upon me as if pleading. I bowed to him and resumed my quest for a place to crash for the night.

He whispered, “Boy, who assigned you as vice captain?”

“I was appointed today by the captain, Your Highness,” I answered as if I claimed it.

“Oh, alright. It must be time for him to retire.”

“I apologize for my ignorance, but may I ask where the barracks is again?”

I recognized the icy cold stare—those of suspicion, “If you cross this hallway on my right, you will see the word Barracks written in cursive bold.”

“You are so kind, Your Highness. I must be on my way now.”

“Could you spare a moment, boy?”

An enormous lump slid down my throat.