The Severaine

Chapter Sixteen Kalia-2

“An Eorthád?” he questioned, not even pausing to wonder how the dragon could know his name.

“What your fables call a dragon knight. Dragons,” the creature snorted, “such naming is nothing more than slander, the unjust tainting of our race. We are wyrms, the race who defended man whilst the dragons threatened to destroy you. Being an Eorthád is a great honour. When your cycle had just begun, before the Gods sealed us away, we selected people to have the honour in joining us in battle, we would grace the skies vanquishing that which you call evil and protecting the innocent, but then there came a man, Kadmos Rosu. His sole ambition was to become an Eorthád, but alas, he did not possess the talent or heart to do so. He pleaded with our kind to reconsider, but when we refused, he began to poison people against us, convincing them we were monsters responsible for all their aliments, for all their misfortunes.

“It was not long before he began to slay our curious young, and the people, following this self-proclaimed hero, believed his words. There were but a few who remained loyal. They were classed as traitors, beaten and tortured until life no longer dwelt within their form. We took all we were able to from harm when we returned to this island, a place no ordinary person can venture, and here we were sealed.

“Those who came with us remained in our presence. There have been generations of humans, elves, and what you people would call half-breeds.” The wyrm paused, releasing a deep throaty growl as it cast its eyes towards the heavens. “Give me until tomorrow to consider your request. As for you,” he turned his attention to Feodor, “you want something completely different.”

“Yes, when this scale is returned to the Grand Master's chest, your curse shall be broken. In exchange I seek your allegiance. Zeus has long been in fear of your power, it was he who provided Cyra and Kadmos with the power to seal you. In time I intend to confront him, and if you give your word of honour to aid me, I will see to it you are never restricted in the places you may venture, never having to obey the limits they try to enforce upon you.”

“We shall discuss this further in private.” The wyrm turned his focus back to Daniel, who was carefully laying the egg down in a space clear from the deep grooves created by those who had stretched out in the sunlight. He gave it careful attention, his hand hesitating upon its surface as he felt the movements from within. “Chosen, I shall have Alessia escort you to a place you may rest.” The mention of another name saw Daniel stand to attention, aware now of the spiralling form descending from above.

The creature's grace was masterful. Its size, like most wyrms, was one-eighth of the colossal form before them. It circled the waterfall briefly before making its descent to land and be eclipsed in the shadow of the Grand Master.

A small shape dismounted from the wyrm's back, landing almost silently, yet still startling them. Despite the words of the Eortháds, they were still surprised to see a human standing before them. On her head, almost lost in her waist-length black hair, was a delicate silver circlet. Silver wings fought their way through her thick hair to emerge above her ears.

Her slender figure was coated in a timeworn silver armour, but its texture seemed unlike any metal they knew. Mounted near the neckline a blue teardrop shaped stone had been embedded. The armour seemed purpose-made, leaving unprotected areas at her shoulders, elbows, knees, and inner thighs, through which the clothes she wore beneath were visible. She slapped her open hand against her chest to cover the stone, in what they thought was a salute until her armour, almost as if made from liquid, retracted into the stone, changing its shades to an ice blue. She watched them study her clothes, her black hide trousers and brown leather-laced top, until their vision rested upon the stone, which hung around her neck on a thick silver chain. She offered them a polite smile, one which failed to reach her brown eyes.

She turned away having completed a critical examination before patting the muzzle of her wyrm. She leaned forwards, whispering softly before it took to the skies.

“You summoned me, Grand Master?” The figure dropped to one knee to give a respectful bow as she lowered her vision briefly to the ground. The wyrm gave a low throaty growl. “Ic ácnæwe,” she stated as she rose to her feet. She turned to study the figures again. “I shall show you to your resting place, and you will join me for food.” It was not a request but an order. “I am the commander of the Eortháds, being from the outside world you may address me as Alessia, I believe that is your custom is it not?” They gave a nod, about to introduce themselves, but further words were silenced as she turned to lead them away.

* * *

Alessia led them in silence, her pace steady, adjusting to the needs of those who walked behind her. The walk to their dwellings would be a long one. Many, if opting not to travel by wyrm, made use of the small fashioned rafts in order to ride the river down to the embankment near their home. It was rare such a method was used, although every few months training and sporting events were held on the waters.

The river's pace was a rapid one but Alessia navigated it expertly, unaware of the discomfort of those who sat gripping the vines that secured the vessel together. She had chosen the sturdier of the rafts. The only one large enough to safely carry them. They had been on the water an hour before she secured the vessel to the riverbank, from here it was a far more manageable walk for her guests.

It was just through a small shielding of forest they laid eyes upon the village. Only Eiji recalled ever seeing another village constructed in this manner, and that had belonged to the travelling tribes he and his master had once spent a month journeying with as he trained. There were three types of buildings, some were made from wooden frames covered with birch bark, others from a bamboo frame and covered by finely weaved grasses, and the smallest and most common, perhaps the ones used for sleeping, were made from bamboo with a woven palm leaf roof. It was only looking upon the multitude of materials used they realised how diverse the plant life was on this island. Most of the small structures were large enough to sit, perhaps sleep, a few people inside, and nothing more.

They followed Alessia as she guided them towards one of the small structures. She slid open the small bamboo door, which had been secured carefully in grooves to allow movement and motioned for them to enter.

“Leave your belongings here. This is the giestærn.” She motioned to the small cabin; it would easily house the three of them. “I trust you find it acceptable.”

“Thank you.” Acha nodded. Alessia allowed them just enough time to leave their belongings within the shelter before she once more began walking. They followed her uncertainly. She seemed to pay them little heed as she went about her business. She stoked the fire, and collected water, whilst refusing all aid of assistance from them. A tall, robust man, with his unruly dark hair secured back, appeared from the nearby shelters and began to add food into the large pot. They exchanged a few words, ones impossible for them to understand.

When the food was prepared Alessia took her position near the serving pot. Without delay she filled three wooden bowls with a serving of rice, before pouring a ladle of the stew upon it. Each bowl was garnished with a leaf which they correctly assumed was in place of a utensil.

“Are you not eating?”

“I am the Ealdor,” she announced as if this should answer their questions. When she realised it hadn't, she spoke again. “I am the Master and Commander; I do not eat until my people have. Wait by my home, I shall join you shortly.” They did as she requested, moving to sit near the place she had gestured. The Eortháds began to gather ready for their meal. Often, they would retire to the largest structure to eat, today however, Alessia had decided it best not to have her people confined with the strangers. There were at least a few who were not pleased to have outsiders amongst them.

As their leader, she would always stand beside the one who served the food, not only to ensure everyone was accounted for, but to allow them to address her with any concerns. Today she had no doubt there would be many. They were suspicious of outsiders, and with due cause. Their generation had never seen anyone from the world outside the seal, and their unexpected arrival here was the cause of much unrest and distrust.

* * *

It seemed as if many hours had passed as they waited outside Alessia's home. The activity, caused by the Eortháds as they went to get their meal, had long died down, but still Alessia had not returned.

Daniel rubbed his eyes as the shadows began their familiar dance, a dance which grew more intense as the sun began to fade from the horizon. He massaged his temples, willing away the dull throbbing that told him he was once again past due to sleep. Since Acha had touched him, none of them had really slept, he wondered if this altered state meant his friends also saw the haunting figures. From their reactions it seemed they did not.

They had walked for days, resting little, in order to reach the mountain, although during their stops his friends had slept a little, they had pressed on with determination. They had been sharing his coffee beans. He looked into the small bag, realising how few there were left in his possession. How he hated that smell now. The very scent turned his stomach, yet still, they were his best defence against the nightmares, the ones which plagued him in his sleep anyway.

Even as he consumed yet another bean from his dwindling supply, he was aware of the sideward glances he received from Acha and Eiji. Perhaps they disliked the fact that he was once again chewing on the beans, but more likely they were concerned about his silence. He dared not speak in case his words betrayed his thoughts. They were in danger here, and he knew it. He kept catching her scent on the breeze as the wind changed direction, betraying her presence as she watched them from the shadows. She was here, of that he had no doubt.

“We should find Alessia before turnin' in.” Eiji stretched carefully, aware of the heaviness he felt since eating. They were all exhausted, Acha had long rested her head on his shoulder, his words and sudden movement startled her from the light sleep which had begun to take her. She leaned up from him, giving a stretch before rising to her feet.

When they saw her, Alessia still stood beside the serving pot. She was deep in heated conversation with a large, unkempt looking man. The firelight cast a warm glow on his balding head, highlighting the areas beneath the straggly, greasy hair which had been styled in an attempt to conceal the large receding area. His bulging stomach extended and thrust forward with his every over-pronounced word.

“…and you dare to waste our food on those elþéodigu, we shall all starve because of you,” he spat. They had clearly been in heated debate for some time, from her posture alone it was obvious that Alessia's patience was wearing thin.