Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 28 - ERYS

A long silence of regret and despair lingered on the dark chamber until Mave stood up and spoke, “They must be in the third bastion by now.” Her voice sounded weak and still shocked. “They’ll take those three to Ravareth if we don’t go after them.”

“I can’t, Mave,” Erys rubbed his face, “I can’t go.”

“Please, can you just not act stupid this time? Our friends are in danger!” she said.

Erys’ vision blurred as tears filled his eyes. “I can’t go,” he repeated. “Forsyr is gone, and I can’t go on my own without … without him.”

Erys never expected this to happen. Forsyr was the only person he depended on with every decision he made. Separating from him would be the last thing he wanted in this world. But he still did. Erys couldn’t imagine what they did to Forsyr. What if he was killed? He was the only Lawdra left, and Erys would never forgive himself if he lost the last one, after causing the death of the four. Forsyr was the only family he had now.

And Vahlyr … Vahlyr could not have suffered worse than this. Erys felt so bad about abusing him, after how he depended on him on this journey. He was the one who always carried the consequences of Erys’ stupid mistakes. And now this?

The loud slam of Mave’s hand against the wooden table instantly woke him up from his ongoing thoughts. “Can’t you see what’s happening now?” she yelled. “They’re all in trouble and you still don’t have the guts to save them?”

“You don’t understand,” Erys defended.

“So you’ll just stay here and wait for the hunters to return?”

“That’s not what I’m—“

“Seriously, what in the world is your problem?” She pointed at him ferociously.

Erys clenched his fists and said, “Damn it, Mave, I can’t make any decisions right now!”

The chamber fell into silence, only his fast breathing was all he could hear.

“You’re unbelievable,” Mave shook her head, “I was right. You’re still that little beast who always hides and sucks on his father’s teats.”

Erys scowled, but he only pursed his lips. He didn’t want to argue with her any longer.

“You wanna stay? Fine.” She winced as she moved her injured arm to wear the other strap of the backpack. “I was wrong about you after all.”

Erys watched as she strode out of the chamber, leaving him alone in the darkness. He wiped his tears and prayed to Lord Hylos.

“Please, oh Lord,” he said in a hurtful whisper, “Protect Forsyr … protect all of them … my friends … my brethren at war … I’m afraid, My Lord …” He wished Lord Hylos could somehow take away his fear so he could have the guts to go after and save them.

“I just need a sign, My Lord …”

A short moment after, his senses caught some incoming presence nearby. The sound of footsteps rumbling on the ground traveled to his keen ears. Erys quickly rose and glanced through the stone windows. His eyes widened in shock, seeing a group of dragon hunters—no more than fifteen in numbers, marching towards the bastion with their swords at hand. When he looked far beyond the group, more reinforcements were heading this way.

Erys stepped back in fear. Nothing else came to his mind but Mave. He had to go and help her now.

Erys stormed out of the chamber and climbed down the staircases. His heart raced like a stallion, panting hard.

When he reached the gatehouse, he could hear swords clanging, echoing through the long tunnel.

“Yield now, if you don’t want to die here!” one hunter said.

Erys caught a glimpse of Mave outside the second portcullis, fighting against the vast number of hunters. She struggled, blocking their swords as she only had one hand to use her rapier.

“Mave!” Erys called as he rushed through the long, wide gate tunnel. His eyes tried to search everywhere for any chances of escaping … until he found the metal chains at the top of the gate. That could work, he thought.

“Mave!” he called again.

“What?” She yelled, breathless as she parried against the swords. “Go back and hide, you little beast!” She took a hit from her injured arm, causing her to cry out in pain and reel backward.

“Listen,” Erys shouted as he almost reached the gate. “On my signal, you run back here inside!”

“What are you …?” she grunted, intercepting another sword.

“Just do it!” Erys summoned his wings on his back and flew up towards the chains. He tried to break and s***h the metal objects many times with his claws, but it’s too strong. Melting it with fire wouldn’t also help, as there was no time left.

“Come on …” he wondered if there’re other ways he could bring these gates down. This line must be connected to …. Hold on … his eyes traced the metal chains connecting to the gate until he found a lever.

Erys didn’t know if this was the one which the humans used to raise and lower the portcullis, but it’s the only thing connected to the chains. He grabbed ahold of the lever and shouted, “Now, Mave!”

A strong pull of the lever automatically clicked and rattled the big chains. It slid up and down until it finally removed the hook of the gate. The heavy portcullis dropped like an enormous boulder, burying its spikes down through the ground.

When Erys turned to look below, he breathed out in relief at seeing Mave inside the gate. She was breathless from her run after carrying that heavy backpack.

Erys jumped down and took a glance at the hunters who were now stuck outside. They yelled and cursed out in anger, trying to lift the portcullis together, but hopeless it was.

“What now?” Mave complained. “So we just stay here until they find ways to get in?”  

Erys gazed down at his hands. He came to realize it now. They couldn’t stay in here as they would only find more trouble. They wouldn’t find Forsyr and the others if they wouldn’t get out of here. He suddenly recalled the same experience when the dragons attacked Volcron. Erys didn’t want to leave the isles because he was scared of the unknown. But he still did, and he managed to survive until now. So he would do the same thing again here. He might not know what would happen to them or what awaited them ahead, but he must try.

“I’m asking you, stupid beast,” Mave rubbed her face in frustration, “I get it … Why would I ask such questions to someone like you?”

“Wait,” Erys looked at the second gate, blocking the hunters. Their path towards the third bastion was closed. So there was only one way left.

He grabbed Mave’s right hand, pulled her with him, and went upstairs.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked. “I told you, I’m not hiding here with you!”

“We’ll not hide here, Mave,” Erys said as he held her hand tighter. He took her up at the top of the bastion, where the rain had already stopped.

Without a word, he faced her and carried her up with his arms once again.

“What are you doing? You’re not taking me to the skies again,” she said.

“What? No,” Erys looked away awkwardly, “We’re going after them.”

He could see the change in her face as she became speechless.

Erys said nothing after. He flapped his wings, ascending from the stone floor. As they got enough height far from the ground, he whispered, “Hold on tight.”

Then he traveled forward with more speed, hoping they would reach the bastion in time to save them.