Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 10 - ERYS

The ocean waves carried their boat to the east of Draconos Isles, taking Erys and Forsyr to the lands completely unknown to them. Nightfall came. The stars sprinkled on the blackness of the sky with no clouds giving them hide.

Erys stared at the dark waters. Lots of questions screamed louder in his head as he tried to understand everything that had happened. How could his own Mondramyr betray him? How could his own people betray him? Was he wrong? Was he a terrible king? He tried his best to rule in the path of righteousness. He tried to be better than his father and his brother. But why did it end up like this?

“Your eyes had been on the ocean for hours, My King.” Forsyr spoke as he paddled on their small boat.

Erys didn’t seem to hear, but he did when Forsyr called him again. “Why, Forsyr?” he whispered, his eyes still on the waters. “Why?”

A short moment Forsyr took before he could answer. “Sometimes … what a king does is beyond the current understanding of his people. They did not realize that what you’re doing was for the best of the realm …” he frowned, “If only they were patient enough … they would understand.”

Silence followed, only to be filled with the sound of the waving ocean—along with the salty breeze that sighed on their ears.

Many believed that Erys had been a cowardly king. They thought he wasn’t doing anything. Of course, they wouldn’t understand his struggle of handling the situation at all. They were not kings.

“What shall be our plan when we reach the shores, My King?”

Erys turned to Forsyr, not expecting that he had no plans at all. “I don’t know,” he admitted. He’d never been outside of Draconos before. The anxiety came back to him once again as he remembered he’s about to step into the world of humanity. He feared he would end up just the same as his family. He feared making the same mistakes. But Erys had Forsyr. He’s not alone in this journey. And again, he had to prepare for the worst, waiting for them in the lands. “I’ll only follow what you say we should,” he continued.

Forsyr frowned. “I hate to say it … but like us, the humans would also have no plans but to kill us when we’re recognized … We should do the same.”

“You’re saying we should kill them?” Erys said, recalling how cruel all humans were, as what he had heard from his mondras before.

“Whoever gets the kill first shall live. We burn them down at first sight.”

“I don’t know, Forsyr.”

“Kill or be killed, My King. We’re monsters … beasts … That’s how humans see us.” Forsyr tightened his grip on the wooden paddle. “Remember what they did to my … to us …” His eyes fell down, lips pressed together all of a sudden.

Erys took notice—but he understood whatever loss Forsyr had experienced because of the humans. He was not wrong. All humans were merciless killers. They would always be. He remembered his loving father and his mad brother who never returned—because as what Legad said; they underestimated the humans. But the bigger mistake they had made, Erys believed, was ignoring the words of the Lawdras.

Erys vowed not to make the same mistake. He would never underestimate the enemies, and he would unquestioningly follow whatever Forsyr would tell him he should do.

“We’re close,” he said, finally having the sight of the shores ahead. “We could’ve reached sooner if you’d fly us there, Forsyr.”

“We could … but the humans would welcome us on the shores, My King,” Forsyr said. “It’s safer if we stay small in their form.”

Erys gave a frowned look. He wondered what would happen had Forsyr not gone with him. He would have been captured and killed by now for flying over their lands like a fool.

“If I were you, My King, I’d be more concerned with my crown and jewelry,” Forsyr suggested.

“My crown?” Erys touched it on top of his head.

Forsyr nodded. “You know how tricky humans are with our treasures. Be careful.”

When the sea became shallow enough to stop the boat—the two jumped out, splashing themselves into the warm saltwater. Their feet found the soft sand, and then they walked, with the waves hitting their backs.

Erys glanced ahead, where a forest could be seen. No humans around … only rocks and sand and trees.  

As they entered the woods, the sound of crickets harmonized with the silence of the night. The ground felt rough on their feet—uneven, filled with lumps from the large roots under. Fireflies twinkled amidst the darkness of the forest. Erys didn’t know there could also be dragonflies here. He thought they’re only found in Draconos. Such insects had once been dragons during their past life—but after death, they had been reincarnated into these beautiful creatures by Lord Hylos, all because admired the stars … but he couldn’t reach it. So he turned his people into twinkling stars on land just so he could be with them himself.

“Halt,” Forsyr spoke up. “I hear something.” His mouth glowed brightly, ready to blow fire at any moment. “Is it the humans?”

The leaves rustled, and the branches squeaked above them.

They raised their heads.

“No.” Erys stopped Forsyr. “It’s only an animal.”

A tiny monkey was swinging from the branches, only passing through above their heads.

Forsyr breathed out. “Forgive me, My King. I’m afraid my anxiety is taking over me.”

“I know.” Erys was anxious too. Stepping into the outside world had been the last thing he ever wanted to do. But here he was. The strange air in the environment brought out all the fear inside him. However, he couldn’t turn back anymore. He made this choice, and so he had to take responsibility. “Let’s move.”

The forest gave off a husky, earthy smell mixed with the ocean scent. Despite the trees blocking the moonlight, the two could see very well in the dark with their sharp vision, along with their keen senses.

An hour later, they caught a glimpse of light ahead.

“I smell firewood. Is it them?” Erys asked.

“A village, I presume.” Forsyr slowed down. “Watch our back.”

Erys prepared himself for whatever trouble would come. As the faint voices went slightly louder, his heartbeat began to race. Chills ran down on his back. They’re about to encounter the enemies who had slain their families and had cut their population to half. The humans might have already known … they might be waiting for Erys and Forsyr to come.

“Remember …” Forsyr said in a low voice. “Once they spot us, we shall attack.”

“Wait, we?” Erys stormed his brows.

Forsyr did not give a reply. He continued walking slowly and carefully.

The figure of the village grew clearer as they went closer. Erys swallowed hard. A group of wooden houses appeared from the darkness ahead of them—each was elevated from the ground by four bamboos on the corners.

Erys and Forsyr took an abrupt stop when the door opened—from the closest house to them.

The door revealed a human with long hair and a rounded chest.

A woman? Erys wondered.

“Now, My King!”

Forsyr breathed in, his throat and mouth glowing bright with ember.

Erys hesitated for a short moment, but then he followed the Lawdra.

The human’s eyes grew wide as she seemed to realize what they’re about to do. She immediately closed the door back and shouted for help.

Two fire breaths blasted against the house as Forsyr and Erys blew with their mouths spread open. The darkness of the night instantly flashed with the light of a raging fire. The walls of wooden bamboo slowly burned—then the blaze caught the curtains from the closed window, spreading up to the roof made of a hut.

The flames around the house rose, reaching higher into the night sky. Tiny sparks of ember fell to the grass and expanded everywhere.

“Fire! Help us!” A sharp voice screamed from the house inside. “I have a child!”

A whining cry of an infant had stopped Erys from blowing. He heard it … along with the scream of the women, begging for help.

What was that? He asked himself. Why weren’t they fighting back? Weren’t all humans supposed to kill them? And what the hell was that cry? An infant?

Erys’ hand found Forsyr’s shoulder. “Forsyr, stop.” He said in almost a whisper—but the Lawdra didn’t seem like to hear.

The cry of the child came again from the inside. It pierced through the sound of the screaming women.

The flames grew larger every second, devouring the small house from the outside.

“Forsyr!” Erys raised his voice.

Forsyr stopped and turned his head with confused eyes. “Why did you stop?”

“They’re …” Erys couldn’t form the words. “A baby is trapped inside.”

“A baby who would grow up someday to be a killer like them,” Forsyr said. He breathed in to gather air, but Erys interrupted him again.

“Can’t you hear? They’re helpless, Forsyr. They had no arms and weapons,” he yelled furiously, pointing at the burning house.

Suddenly, other humans came out and gathered around the massive fire. They called out for the women inside who were crying for help.

“Water! We need water!” one man cried out.

The others brought gallons and poured water on the grass surrounding the burning house to stop the spreading fire.

“My King, we have to go now while they’re still not seeing us,” Forsyr said. He started walking … but then he paused and turned around. “My King?”

Erys squeezed his fists as he felt a shot of regret from what he did earlier. They made a huge mistake. He didn’t know there was a child inside that damn house! What had they done? These helpless humans needed their help now.

Erys didn’t need any second thoughts. He caused this mess, so he had to save them.

“No, Forsyr … we can’t turn our back on these people!”

The next thing Erys found was the burning house getting closer and closer as he rushed to save the humans.

Save the humans …

That would probably be the most unexpected thing he wanted to do—now that he’s out in their lands.