Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 13 - MAVE

Mave never thought she would have to waste her time talking to this weird man approaching her. She needed to head on her way now, or else the dragon hunters from Ravareth might arrive to catch her. But here she was.

The sunlight of noon had shone the young man’s blond hair and green eyes even brighter. “I am Izan de Alion.” He offered his hand to her with a warm smile. Although Mave was tall, he stood with more height than her.

Mave only gave his hand a glare, then back to his face. “You’re foreign. Where’d you come from?” she said.

“My lady, I’m from the country of knowledge and wisdom—Celestia,” Izan replied as he fixed his hair, blown by the sea breeze.

“Celestia?” She stormed her brows, trying to recall where she heard the name before.

“Yes … In fact, I’ve come a long way to get here,” Izan said. “And you are?”

She let out a huge breath before saying, “Mave … Mave Snowford.”

“Such a name could never be from Drava, I believe. And those blue eyes are telling me the same.”

“I was born in Glacia.”

“Glacia … the cold country and the northern lands of winter, you mean? Astonishing,” Izan said. “I’ve always wanted to go there. Well, I might after this chronicle I’m worki—

“If you’re only here to chat, then you came to the wrong person. You’re just wasting my time, sir,” Mave replied coldly. She wouldn’t trust this guy. The fact that he traveled overseas gave her the thought that he must have gone to Sunvar City before. She had to be careful. He might have recognized her as one of the wanted criminals in Sunvar and report her to the authorities.

“That’s exactly where I’m going,” Izan said, “You said you’re a dragon hunter, am I correct?”

Mave nodded. She didn’t lie, though. She was actually a dragon hunter but had not slain a dragon yet. That almost did not make sense to her.

“As what I’m saying, I’m working on my first chronicle,” Izan explained. “I myself wanted to discover all about dragons and how they live … how they interact with each other and—“

“And from what that hunter said earlier—that’s ridiculous,” Mave interrupted. “Dragons are only mindless beasts who burn everything alive.”

“I have to disagree,” Izan said. “Because according to an old chronicler, Antonio Gregor, who had not finished his writing about dragons because of his accident … may he rest in peace … Dragons live their own lives just as we humans do. They have their own culture and religion.”

“And why are you basing your make-up facts on an unfinished chronicle?”

“Because it’s based on the chronicler’s actual experiences,” Izan argued, adjusting his round glasses.

“Well, my facts are based on my experiences too.” Mave sounded childish, but she couldn’t help herself. “Those beasts know nothing but death and destruction.”

“That … is what I’m trying to find out.” Izan pointed at her face. “If you let me come with you, I’d finish what Antonio Gregor wrote on his chronicle and prove you wrong.”

Mave snorted. “There’s no way I’m letting you come with me.”

“And why is that?”

A momentary silence filled the air between them.

Mave pursed her lips and glanced at the crashing waves on the shores for a moment. What good would it bring if she traveled with a company? Nothing, she answered herself. She never wanted to go with anyone. She grew up alone … and independent. She had enough people coming into her life already. Faran … she remembered, this guy would only end up like Faran by the time he discovers the truth about her.

“You’ll only be a drag for me,” she finally said, returned her gaze to him.

“I won’t,” Izan shook his head like a kid. “I’ll be extremely helpful. I know quite a lot, actually. I’ve spent over twelve years studying in my country before I started traveling.”

“And so?” Mave raised a brow at him. “Did you really think your knowledge can help me in my hunt for dragons?”

“Absolutely,” he answered with all confidence, “I have a strong foundation of knowledge about dragons from the chronicle of Antonio. Come and test me if you want.”

Mave studied him for a moment. If he knew something about what she’s searching for, then he might prove himself to be useful in her hunt. “What do you know about multiple-headed dragons?” she asked in a more serious voice.

Izan’s face brightened. “Hyborns, you mean?”

“Hyborns?”

He nodded. “Golden dragons with multiple heads … the rulers of their own realm. Why’d you ask?”

“Well …” Mave reached down on her right boot to get the page she stole from the Ardrad. “I have something to show yo—“

The sound of neighing horses stopped her from speaking another word.

They both turned in the direction where a group of mounted hunters just arrived from Ashfa Forest.

Mave spread her eyes open as she recognized the tall man leading them—Estes Amev, the Archon Hunter. He reined his silver stallion to a stop, along with more hunters and a bannerman behind him, carrying the flag of Ravareth.

Mave snapped, quickly turning back to Izan.

“I have to go. And don’t tell them I was here!” she warned in a loud whisper, pointing at his face.

“What?” Izan blinked at her in confusion, “Where are you going?”

With no reply, Mave lowered her head and walked away from the front of the inn. She couldn’t believe she forgot about them. How long had she been talking? She whispered a curse to herself. That stupid Izan! Because of him … she didn’t have the time anymore for a break.

Mave rushed through Yoren Village, passing by house after house. If Archon Estes would ask Izan, then it would all be over. She never trusted the guy, so she needed to hurry.

Mave reached the village market, where all the noise stayed loud and busy. She panted, running through the crowd of people, including the hunters. The air smelled of combined scents from the seafood and meat and flowers. It was a lot harder than she thought, despite being able to hide herself in the busy market.

“Excuse me!” she kept on saying as more people came to block her way.

“Hey, watch it,” an old woman told Mave after bumping her on the shoulder.

“Sorry … excuse me …” Mave continued to plunge through the crowd. Her forehead and her neck drew out sweat under the heat of the afternoon sun.

“Mave …!” A familiar voice called out from a far distance behind.

Mave didn’t bother stopping, as she knew exactly whose voice was that—Izan. That stupid guy again? She cursed in a whisper as she picked up her pace. Izan might be leading the hunters to her by now.

A few moments after all the terrible noise and air in the market, Mave finally arrived in the northern entrance of Ashfa Forest. A fresh and quiet ambiance welcomed her as she entered the green woods, out of breath.

“Mave!” Izan’s voice echoed to a faint behind her again.

Mave ignored. She hasted over the lumpy ground, passing through trees after trees, and careful of not tripping on the roots. Her breath raced through her mouth, which made her throat even drier. She forgot to buy a drink earlier … only because of that stupid chronicler or whatever he called himself. But there was no time.

Mave didn’t stop. She ran and ran … until she sensed a group of hunters ahead of her.

She took an abrupt stop and hid behind a big trunk nearest to her.

“No trace of her here,” a hunter spoke.

“Are you sure she’s not in Yoren?”

“Arch Estes and the others are still asking around.”

Mave tried to catch her breath without making a sound. That was close. Knowing that some hunters were already on the search ahead of the forest, she had to devise her plan. This would be a huge trouble for her. If the path in the north was already scattered with hunters … then she’s completely surrounded. And she couldn’t turn back. Estes and his men were mounted—

“Mave!”

And there it was … another trouble coming …

Mave swore a curse as she heard Izan again from afar.

He slowly appeared from the trees, carrying his backpack. When he saw her, his face fell into relief. “There you are!”

Mave shut her eyes in frustration as she kept on screaming curses on her head. Was he crazy blind? He must not reveal her. She tried to use hand gestures to tell him what’s going on.

“What? Who’s there?” One hunter said.

At first, Izan blinked his eyes twice, shifting his gaze from Mave to the hunters. Then he finally seemed to get it now.

“I mean, there you are,” Izan told them, his green eyes kept on looking at Mave.

“Who the hell are you?” A dark voice behind the tree trunk spoke.

Mave’s heart pounded hard and fast … praying she wouldn’t get caught. Sweat continued to break from her forehead, down to her face, and then to her neck. She was only right at the opposite side of the huge tree to where the hunters could be approaching now.

“I’m Izan,” he said, his mouth kept on cracking open, “Your … your leader was calling for you to go to the village … Didn’t you hear?”

“Why? We’re working under his orders. We only met an hour ago.”

“Uh …” Izan chuckled nervously as he scratched the tip of his nose. His green eyes found Mave. She was trying to communicate with him, pointing at her chest and then towards the village.

“He … uh … he already found her!” Izan nodded quickly as he finally got it. “Yes. You should go there now.”

Mave leaned her head back at the wooden trunk. This guy’s such a terrible actor. But luckily, these hunters were stupid enough to believe him. So she waited … until they were gone before she came out of hiding.

Her face and neck heated. Mave wiped out the sweat from her face and neck when Izan suddenly offered her a bottle of water. “You need a drink?”

Mave took a hard swallow from her dry throat before nodding.

“What did you say to those hunters in Yoren?” she asked after drinking. Her body felt refreshed.

Izan shrugged, adjusting the straps of his backpack. “It doesn’t matter. I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not.” Mave turned and started walking.

“Yes, I am. You owe me a big one, my lady,” Izan followed her, “Or maybe I should go back and tell them …?”

“No.” Mave quickly replied. Did she even have a choice?

“And so?” Izan mocked her from earlier, raising an eyebrow.

Mave gave a tired sigh and said, “Do whatever you want. Just don’t ever think I’d save your ass.” Then she paused and studied him. “Do you even know how to fight? Or you only write and write only for your brain’s sake?”

“Oh, trust me, my lady,” Izan formed an amused smile. “A pen is mightier than a sword, it’s what they say … And it is indeed.”