Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 20 - ERYS

The sun rose at its peak when Vahlyr told them they should stop for now. They settled at the foot of the Ashfa Ranges to wait for nightfall. He was right, Erys thought. It would be a lot safer for them to climb unnoticed later in the dark.

Erys sat upon the huge rock, watching Mave and Vahlyr spar with their swords under the shade of a tree. In the meantime, Forsyr and Izan continued their share of information, leaving Erys alone with nothing to do. He looked up at the incredibly tall ranges ahead of them, with the clouds almost touching the peak of the mountains. Seeing it made him remember Volcron. Without a doubt, its great height was nothing compared to these ranges.

The growing sound of clanging steels made Erys shift his gaze back down to Mave, who was struggling from Val’s attacks. Her blue eyes hinted a depth of mystery to him. Never in his life did Erys meet a person as cold as she was. He wanted to know her more. But ever since they left from Rath, she had been keeping her distance from him. Too bad, because Erys was very intrigued at finding out why the hell she chose to be a dragon hunter, despite her fear. All he knew so far—was that she’s a cold human with a tragic past, all because of the hyborns.

Hyborns …

Did his father truly burn her village and her parents alive? Erys just remembered that he planned to ask Forsyr about it. He must have known King Sevyrion better than Erys had because the Lawdra had served his father for a very long time.

Erys called out for Forsyr, interrupting his discussion with the chronicler. He seemed to be growing fonder of that Izan compared to Vahlyr. They talked a lot earlier as they took their trails.

When the Lawdra approached and sat beside Erys upon the large stone, he said, “You called, My King?”

“Before I ask, I think you should change the way you call me,” Erys replied. “You can use my name or call me your son.”

He saw how Forsyr’s face changed into surprise. He parted his mouth open as if he had trouble finding the words. “I … I’d be more pleased to do so.” He breathed out. “My son.” His voice sounded old, but delicate. “Forgive me … I’ve never used it for so long that I even forgot how it sounds as I say it.”

Erys gave a sad smile, recalling the three sons of this poor Lawdra. “There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Of course,” Forsyr said.

“It’s about my father.”

“What of him?”

Erys stared at Mave for a moment. “You knew him well more than I did … do you think he could … burn humans alive?” He returned his gaze to the old man.

Forsyr looked at him with furrowed brows. “Not that I can remember … but I know that he never chooses to take the path of bloodshed. He was a man of peace, your father.”

“But what if we say he did a bad thing and actually killed people … why do you think would he do that?”

“King Sevyrion …” Forsyr answered. “I think he would do anything for the sake of the realm.”

Erys turned to look at the golden crown in his belt hidden under the red cape. Forsyr had a point. Every hyborn must have that responsibility to do anything for the good of the realm. And if that’s the case, then Erys’ assumptions might be true.

“Forsyr … I think my father had done it before,” he said carefully.

“Done what, son?”                               

“Razing a village from another country.”

Forsyr blinked. “What is this you’re accusing to your own father? How could you say that to such an honorable king?”

Erys explained to him what Mave had shared about the paper last night. Forsyr looked at him in disbelief after hearing the entire story.

“That’s a lie full of nonsense.”

“I … I spoke with Izan last night. He told me his assumption about the hyborn who burned Mave’s family.” Erys wanted to say it directly, but first, he needed to confirm it. “Before, when the mondras returned to the isles, Mondramyr Legad came back with ill news of my father’s death from the ambush of humans. But he didn’t bring my father’s body. And because of that, I tried to believe he was still alive.”

“Where are you going with this?” Forsyr asked.

“You’ve always known, Forsyr, that every time a hyborn is slain in battle, his body must be returned to the isles,” Erys said. “What if my father didn’t die yet at that time? What if he was captured?”

“I can’t agree with you of thi—“

“What if he was forced by the Emperor to burn villages and kill people?” Erys continued. “You said my father would do anything for the sake of the realm.”

“Careful, son. What that young chronicler told you were only his mere assumptions … I admire him, but his words could be deceiving … Don’t get easily fooled by the surrounding humans.”

Erys sighed as he looked down at Mave.

“Especially that human girl,” Forsyr added as he seemed to notice Erys watching her. “You stay away.”

“But she’s only a girl.”

“She’s a dragon hunter,” he corrected. “It’s good that she’s keeping her distance from us. But it will be better if we do the same.”

“Forsyr …” Erys called just before the old man stood up. “I was thinking of telling Mave about father.”

“Pardon? There’s nothing for you to tell her about because your father had never done it,” Forsyr argued. “Exposing him will also expose your identity as hyborn, which you are never allowed to do.”

“But from what Izan said—“

“To whom do you believe more?” Forsyr cut off. “Those humans or your Lawdra?”

Erys closed his eyes before he admitted. “To you, Forsyr.”

“Remember how your ancestors died because of those tricky humans. Don’t make the same mistake,” Forsyr warned him. “You shall tell no human about this.” He said before turning around and walking away.

Erys clenched his jaws, trying to contain his anger. Forsyr did not understand him at all. He did not even let Erys finish explaining why he thought his father did it. A wise but close-minded man, he was.  

Erys breathed deeply and put everything into thought. So far, he got no relevant clues from Forsyr about his father. The fact that his brother had not been able to bring back the dead body to the isles gave Erys a strong instinct that his father did not yet die. The Emperor could have captured him. Erys remembered what Izan said about the weapons which the humans created from the Orb of Phlareus.

“Anti-shifting weapons?” Erys said, trying to find every reason for him to believe it.

Izan nodded. “More like collar or chain types of weapon … it’s dated back during the Red Century War that helped humans capture more dragons and claim victory.”

“And let me guess, these weapons all came from the powers of the Orb?”

“Without a doubt.”

Erys knew it. They must have used that weapon to force dragons to do whatever they wanted. However, if the Emperor did force his father to do it, why would he give such an order? What was he trying to achieve by burning a village from the cold country of Glacia? These questions kept on circling his head.

In the meantime, he debated if he should tell Mave or not. Lying to her about the hyborns being all dead had troubled him. But if he would think about it, Forsyr was not wrong at all. They didn’t know what Mave would do if she finds out that he was a hyborn. She might plan to take them to the dragon hunters or the Emperor herself.

Forsyr was right once again. But there’s something about the girl that made Erys feel strange—a kind of feeling where he was comfortable sharing everything about himself to her. He wanted to know her better. And until then, he would try to keep the truth of him being a hyborn. That wouldn’t probably hurt her much when she would find out later, he thought. Unless … she was something else.