The Voyage in the Blizzard (BL)

Savior. Part four.

Stepping on the cold stone floor he tried to be calm. Feeling some kind of danger around him, he wanted to take out his sword, he as usual, he forgot it.

Silver who was walking happily next to him said, “Don’t be so serious. Relax. My father won’t kill you. On the contrary he respects you. So don’t worry.”

When they reached the stairs Draken saw someone in the far corner. It was Sirius. His tall and muscular body was covered with a long coat even though it was relatively warm inside of the house.

As they got nearer, Draken’s eyes met with Sirius’ pale eyes. It was like all the life in him turned into an ice.

Then, he politely said, “I am happy to see you here.”

“Master Sirius, I am happy too. And I am thanking you for your invitation and allowing me to be your guest,” Draken said still trying to look calm.

Feeling his cold hand on himself, Draken shivered and expected something dangerous from Sirius, but he only said, “There is no need to act like that. Calm down. I am not your enemy.”

Noticing that this elderly man can not be easily tricked by some sweet words, Draken confessed, “To be honest, I am just a little scared of you.”

Smiling with the corner of his lips, his wrinkles got even deeper but this “less” scary expression lasted only for a second.

“Follow me.”

In the bright spacious room with a round table and soft carpet, Draken felt a bit relaxed.

Sitting right in front of Sirius, he took off his coat. In his simple brown shirt and black leather vest, he looked like a scholar. His reddish cheeks, big eyes, and intelligent expression, made everyone think that it wasn’t a soldier, but a gentleman from a very noble family.

Examining him, Sirius was piercing him with his sharp look, which made Draken uncomfortable again.

Still looking at him, Sirius said, “Draken. I heard many things about your father. He was a real hero. Nowadays, there is no one like him. He was one in a million. I did see him only a few times. Once, I even talked to him. What a great man he was.” Sinking into his thoughts, Sirius lowered his head and Draken could see the sadness in his emotionless eyes. But then coming back to his senses, he waved his hand and the next moment two young soldiers entered the room. They were holding large trays with dishes. After they served the table, they bowed and left the room.

Different kinds of sweet odors hit Draken’s nose. The soup with vegetables, bread, beans with fresh tomatoes and other dishes awakened the hunger in him.

“Please enjoy,” Silver said.

Feeling the exhaustion after a long walk, he began to eat everything which was on the plates.

Observing him, Sirius and his son were silently sitting in their high chairs.

“You have a good appetite,” Silver said.

After a few minutes, Sirius, too, joined him and began to eat. He was taking small bites and after a minute or so, he had already finished his meal.

Leaning back to the chair, Sirius suddenly said, “I think now, it is time to ask you something.”

Now, scared again, Draken lost all his appetite. Looking at him fearfully he took a few sips of water and prepared himself for something awful.

The atmosphere around got tensed again.

A few candles went out and left everything in a gloominess.

Trying to understand Sirius’ serious expression, Draken slightly pushed Silver’s leg but he didn’t react.

Sirius, stood up from his chair. He turned back and now Draken could see how majestic and intimidating he is from behind.

Breaking the silence, he finally said, “Right to the point. Draken, would you like to join my army?”

Choking on water, Draken coughed but couldn’t say anything.

“Draken I see a great talent in you. So, I want you to become the part of my clan. I want you to be by my son’s side and maybe even become his guardian on the Battlefield.”

Not knowing what to say, Draken just looked at Silver who looked surprised too.

“Father don’t embarrass me. I don’t need a guardian.”

“Battlefield is not a proper place for a human. But what can we do if the curse has been laid upon this world and now all we have is a cruel blizzard. And millions of beasts. Draken, to be honest I admire you. As I said before you are just like your father. And what is more important is that I can trust you.” Turning towards him Sirius continued, “For some reason, I saw in you some kind of hope. I don’t know why but I feel like you can change this world. And whenever I see you, I feel calm.”

Silver listening to him with an awe, didn’t even understand his father’s intentions.

“So Draken, would you like to join my army? I promise my clan won’t disappoint you.”

Not knowing what to say, he just sank into silence. He liked this place very much, and the idea that he will be away from Leiandros made him a bit interested in this offer, but still, his heart told another thing.

Without getting a reply, Sirius said, “I’ll give you time to think about it. But tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for your answer.” Saying this, he quickly went towards the small door in the corner and entered the other room.

Silver nervously smiled and took a bite of an apple.

The silence fell upon them.

Still thinking, Draken asked, “What do you think about what your father just said?”

“I didn’t know anything about his intentions. But I feel a little embarrassed. He thinks that I am a fragile and that is why I need a guardian. But it is not like that. Draken, I am sorry if my father shocked you.” Throwing the apple aside, he stood up and said, “Let’s go now.”

When they were outside, it was already night. The fire was burning in several places and everything in the village could be easily seen.

There were no soldiers. There was no one. Just two of them.

Looking back to the Main House, he noticed Sirius’ silhouette behind the curtains.

“Hey watch your step!” Silver exclaimed when Draken almost fell down because of the stone on his way.

“My father doesn’t know that it is not me, but you who need a guardian.”

Pushing him aside Draken said, “I am stronger than you.”

“So you are saying that I am weak?”

Making a snowball, Silver threw it towards Draken but he missed the target.

Draken, widening his eyes, looked at him and the glimpse of the happiness appeared on his face. Making a snowball too, he threw it right to Silver’s face and it perfectly hit the target, leaving some traces of snow on his nose and forehead.

“See? I am stronger than you!” Draken exclaimed and when he was about to make another snowball, he suddenly felt Silver’s heavy body on himself.

Pressing his face to the snow, he said, “So you want to fight with me?!”

Grabbing him by the hood, Draken knocked him to the ground. But Silver was a bit stronger.

Clutching his wrists, he was sitting right on his chest. Lowering his head to Draken’s face, he cunningly smiled, his long silver strands of hair were reaching Draken’s eyes.

“Let me go. That’s enough. You’re too heavy.”

Getting even closer thus making Draken feel awkward, he whispered, “Don’t be so serious.”

Noticing a strange glow in his eyes, he remembered the same look which Leiandros had that night.

So he said, “You should stop. That is enough.”

But Silver didn’t stop. Instead, he even got closer to his face. Draken closed his eyes and moved his head aside. Preparing for something, he tensed his facial muscles and when he was about to open his eyes, he felt the snow all over his face.

Silver threw a large snowball on his face and with a loud laughter ran away.

“You!” Draken ran after him.

Running after him all the way to the forest, he suddenly lost him and now he was completely alone.

The forest with tall trees was making strange sounds. Long and curved branches were moving on the wind. Imagining that these weren’t usual branches, but a beasts’ long hands, he felt a slight fear again.

Feeling a bit cold without his coat, he trembled and shouted, “Hey! Where are you?!”

But there was no answer.

Standing in one place wasn’t a good idea so he went ahead. The narrow path between rows of trees was leading him somewhere. Listening to his breath, he tried to stay calm but being in such a gloomy forest, at night, could even frighten even the bravest human in this world.

“Silver! Where are you?!”

Hearing the footsteps behind he stopped and said, “Silver, I thought that you are well – mannered man. But look at yourself. You left me all alone.”

When he turned around, he thought that he would see Silver but instead of him he saw Storm.

At first, he didn’t recognize him, he even thought that it was Leiandros but then noticing his sword by his side, he exclaimed, “Brother!”

Storm looked around as if he was hiding from someone.

“What happened? Why are you here?”

“Draken, I am just… I must tell you this… Our teacher… He, no, actually, I am here because of you. I was worrying about you. I don’t like this Master of the Third clan. I just felt somehow anxious.”

His voice sounded very strangely it was as if he, himself didn’t know what he was saying.

“You’re crazy. You have made such a long way just because you were warried about me.” Draken broke into laughter.

“Don’t laugh! I am not joking!” Looking angry, he shouted, “I thought you would run away! I don’t want to lose you again brother!”

Draken wanted to embrace him but he pushed him away.

“Brother what made you think so? You really thought that I would run away? I am not a child anymore. I am the part of the First clan now. I won’t run away. I promise. You will never lose me again,” Draken said but the next moment he heard Silver’s voice.

“Draken come here!”

“Where are you? Oh, this guy is crazy,” Draken said but Storm was already gone. “Brother!”

When the night had completely absorbed everything around, the round space between trees lighted up with little lights. These little lights illuminated everything around.

Silver standing next to Draken whispered, “This is my surprise.”

“But how did they, I mean these little lights, who lighted them up?”

“In my clan, there a little magic. Whenever you are in the darkness or lost at night, these little lights will illuminate your way. Let’s say that this is the magical trick of my clan.”

Draken was fascinated by these lights so much that he stopped trembling. “This is amazing. Maybe I should accept your father’s offer and become the part of your clan.”

Silver serious said, “Don’t stay here because of these lights. I know that your heart is longing for something else.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. So now, tell me. Draken, what will we do next? Do you want to see the place where I create my wooden sculptures?”

Excited, Draken said, “Yes!”

Enjoying like this after a long time, made Draken forget about his grief.

But for Leiandros everything was a bit difficult.

Holding sword against someone’s neck, he said, “Don’t you dare to tell about this to anyone.”

And the man who was standing under his swords whispered, “If everyone knows about you and Draken and about what you two were doing that night in the cave, I bet you two won’t be able to enjoy like this anymore.”