Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 16.1 - ERYS

A few moons ago, most mondras had told the story of how they took siege against Ormir. They swarmed the night sky … bringing light amidst the darkness with their fire breath. They burned everything in the fortress—the houses … the people … even the bolt throwers above the towers and curtain walls. They mentioned how Erys’ brother—Vyseri, brought a hell of destruction to the main fort and crushed the raja’s head against the floor. Skull shattered and blood splashed, they said. After their victorious siege, they settled on the fortress and started another war against the humans from the south.

All of these came back to Erys’ mind as he and Forsyr finally stood at the gateless entrance of Ormir. The iron portcullis had melted down from a dragon’s fire as it spread upon the dry road of the gatehouse. Some parts of the white stone walls and high towers surrounding the fortress had been destroyed—while some gave a contrast of black ash and smoke, traced on the light-colored surface. Only a quarter of the burned banners were left hanging above the gatehouse. Ormir Fortress indeed fell into ruins.

The fresh, cool wind from the late-morning air brushed against Erys’ face. He turned around to gaze at the green meadow outside the walls of the fortress. It reminded him of the green forests in Draconos. He missed home already. When he looked up, the skies were not anymore as blue as the ocean. The color of blood slowly blended into the heavens as the Phoenix Comet was approaching. The end game was near, Erys thought.

“Once during your brother’s reign, Ormir was a wasted land filled with fire and destruction,” Forsyr said as he, too, gave a look at the grassy plains. “And now look at it, My King … it turned into magnificent ruins filled with beauty and grandeur.”

Erys nodded in agreement. The sunlight gave more brightness to both the white structures and the green meadows. He blinked a couple of times before turning to Forsyr. “But are you certain this is the right place we should go?”

“We have nowhere else to go, My King,” Forsyr said. “We are indeed running out of time, but we can’t go south with no plans … not to mention the dragon hunters tailing us. This is the only place we know of.”

“But what if there are humans inside?” Erys looked at the gatehouse.

“That’s impossible, My King. Who would be foolish enough to stay in this abandoned and deserted ruin?”

As they entered through the gatehouse, Erys observed how stones had been used by humans to make houses and other structures. Back in Draconos, the dragons stayed in their nests over the trees and mountains of the islands. But in here, it was different. Even the roads and stairs had been built with slabs of stones.

“Your brother was a dire one, My King,” Forsyr said, seeing tons of human bones and skulls everywhere. Broken spears, swords, and shields scattered in their path. It was a dreadful sight.

Erys frowned. He could almost imagine what horrible things happened during the siege by just looking at the surrounding remains. Some of these people could be innocent, but his brother was so blinded by his thirst for revenge for the death of their father.

The fortress was massive that it took them a long time to reach the main fort at the center.

“That’s the highest structure … is that where the human rulers had stayed?” Erys asked, pointing at the highest stone structure ahead.

“I believe so,” Forsyr replied.

The upper ground elevated the main fort with destroyed pillars and shattered roofs. So far, no human was in sight. The two climbed upon the wide stairs made of stone towards the tall entrance.

Everything inside was hollow empty when they entered through the missing doors. Only piles of stone and dust welcomed them.

Erys wondered if Vyseri burned everything in here. But there were no traces of ash and smoke. The properties here might have been taken or stolen by humans after his brother died and all dragons fled back to Draconos.

After a while, Erys noticed tracks of human shoes from the stairs. “Forsyr, have a look at this.”

Forsyr came to see.

“Someone had been here not long,” Erys pointed out. “Do you think this human’s still in this—“

They both turned their heads as their ears caught a faint sound from the upper floor. Human footsteps. Someone was indeed staying here.

They exchanged worried glances and gave each other a nod.

Silently and carefully, the two headed up to the stairs with Erys in the lead. He tried to listen again, opening up his ears. But the sound was gone.

When they reached the second floor, Erys found himself in a wide, open space filled with columns of huge stone pillars. On the far end, a shattered throne of marble stood. This must be where the rulers sit, Erys thought. Rays of sunlight shone through the holes of the broken vault above—with the open arch windows blowing wind to the inside.

Erys could sense someone’s presence on the same floor, but his ears weren’t getting anything. He sniffed in the air and smelled a living being nearby—the scent of sweat and sun.

“Whoever you are—show yourself,” Erys called out, his loud voice echoing around the place. “Or else I won’t hesitate to attack in full force.” 

“Careful, My King,” Forsyr whispered.

A sound of a man’s chuckle came from behind one of the large pillars. “I knew it.” A young man of dark skin, brown eyes, and curly hair stepped out. He wore garments of black and brown, with two sabers locked on both sides of his belt. “You’ve got keen senses for a human, mate.” He twisted a smirk.

Erys narrowed his eyes to study him. The man had no red cape, which meant that he’s no dragon hunter. But that pair of swords hinted potential danger for them.

“Ah, dragon scale armor.” The young man nodded, then he found the golden crown from Erys’ belt. “I smell bounty.”

Erys held his crown closer to him. “Who are you?”

The man crossed his arms. “Why should I? If you ask something from a human, you should offer up something of value in return. Don’t you know that?”

Erys furrowed his brows and turned to Forsyr, before glancing back at the stranger. “I didn’t know that.”

“Cause you ain’t human. Now you know. Everything around us has value, mate. The world revolves in one thing and one thing only—money.”

“Are you a thief?”

The young man’s side lip rose. “Thief is not the right word, mate. A sellsword I am.”

“You sell swords?”

“I sell service.”

“What kind of service?”

“Any service that requires these swords of mine and all.”

“So you kill in exchange for money?”

“Aye, most of the times.”

“And I presume you’re at the service of another human,” Erys said with suspicion.

“As of the moment, there’s none. I’ve only served high and noblemen. But in your case,” the young man glanced at the crown once again. “You can be an exception. What you say, mate?”

“Do you know the quickest way to the south?”

Forsyr suddenly grabbed Erys’ shoulder and pulled him back. “What are you doing, My King?” he said in a low voice. “You should not be bargaining with humans.”

“But we need a human who can take us to the south,” Erys argued. “We can pay him.”

“My king, you should remember what we Lawdras have always told you. Never trust humans,” Forsyr whispered loudly.

Erys sighed before turning back to the young man. “Tell me your name, sellsword.”

“Vahlyr … everyone calls me that.”

“Well Val, I—“

“Vahlyr … not Val.” 

“Vahlyr, I don’t trust you.”

The sellsword’s thick eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. “What kind of scallywag wouldn’t trust a sellsword? It’s the gold that we’re loyal to, not the man we’re serving, mate. And questioning a sellsword’s loyalty is a grave sin.”

“You’re still a human,” Forsyr accused.

“A loyal human,” Vahlyr corrected him.

“But if you’re only loyal to gold, then you’d not hesitate to betray us if someone offered you a greater amount to do so,” Erys said.

“I would … but that crown’s worth is incomparable. So you’d have no worries,” Vahlyr’s brown eyes showed amusement.

Erys took a glance at his golden crown. They needed someone who would help them get to the Emperor’s palace … someone who’s not a dragon hunter.

“My King, you shouldn’t,” Forsyr warned. “As your Lawdra, I advise you not to—”

“King?” Vahlyr pointed at Erys. “You’re it? The last dragon born they’ve been talking about?”

“They? Who’re they?” Forsyr glared at him.

“Those scallywag hunters—the Emperor had put the greatest bounty for your head. You’re at the top of their targets, mate.”

“You see, My King?” Forsyr said. “This human would only take us to the Emperor for the money himself.”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said, old salt?” Vahlyr replied. “The bounty’s only for the dragon hunters. And I’m no dragon hunter. I was a son of a pirate—but no dragon hunter.”

Erys’ head grew confused. He knew they could never go to the Palace alone, knowing that the path to South was filled with enemies. If this man would only serve them for the diamonds on his crown, then he might hire him to help them. But it’s too risky … it’s their lives he’s gambling now. And just as what the Lawdras had said, not to trust any humans. As king, he needed to heed their words, as they had always known what was right.

“I …” Erys’ mouth hesitated for a moment. Finally, he sighed and said, “We can’t trust you.”

“It’s your loss, mate,” Vahlyr shrugged. “Cause I happen to know the quickest way to the south with only fewer people we can meet.”

“Where?” Erys wanted to be convinced.

“Listen, mates …” Vahlyr said. “Those hunters in the east are marching at the Ashfa Forest … and the army in the west is marching at Varana Desert … So we go high above them and between them—the mountain ranges is the best path.”

“That’s absurd. You want to take us between our two marching enemies?” Forsyr argued.

“Aye,” Vahlyr fixed his curly hair backward. “And you might want to decide now … cause they’re here already.”

“Who?”

Vahlyr pouted his lips towards the huge arch windows.

Erys and Forsyr turned around to look. Their eyes widened as they found Akim and another dragon hunter standing at the stone windows. Their wide velvet cape flailed with the blowing wind.

“You thought you beasts could get away from us?” Akim said. He and his companion jumped on the stone floor and drew out their swords. “There’s nothing here for you to blast fire now.”

Erys cursed. They came faster than he expected. He must’ve known they were being tracked this entire time. The other dragon hunters might also arrive soon. But there’s nowhere else to escape, so he had no other choice but to fight.

Forsyr stepped in front of him and said, “Stay behind me, My King. I shall not let them get their hands on you—“

“Hey mate,” Vahlyr suddenly called him. “Let’s make a deal.” He walked forward and pulled out both of his sabers. “After I defeat these two scallywags, you’ll have to hire me, savvy?”