The Dracones

We make it back to the city without incident. Freiah is waiting for us, ready to take care of me. “Where in the name of Slayer have you been?” She demands from Trayvon. “What did you do?” She demands from me.

He waves her off. “I’ll tell you later. You need to look after Kit.”

“No,” She snaps as she pulls me into a standing position. “You need to take care of her Tray. You’re crippling her with your lunacy. So, you made a few bad decisions in your life. It shouldn’t have to cost Kit her’s.”

“You teach her then.” He snaps as he starts walking away.

“Get back here you ass!” Freiah yells, startling me. I’m the one that is supposed to say that. “It shouldn’t be me that teaches her the Dracones way of life. It’s not her fault Nylarth chose her. It is your fault that you’re killing her.”

He turns to glare at her. “You know why I can’t teach her.”

“Just shut up and do it you ass hat. It’s her decision to make, not yours. Teach her or I’ll summon Nylarth’s spirit and demand he haunts you the rest of your days. Your actions are shaming your former teacher Trayvon. I swear to the Dracones Gods that if you don’t I’ll tell Kit everything, and I mean everything.” There is a fire of defiance I’ve never seen in her eyes before.

Trayvon glares at her. “Don’t you dare.”

“Then make her live you idiot!” Freiah lets me go in her anger, causing me to stagger back. Alienis catches me with his snout to steady me. “My uncle would be ashamed of you Trayvon. He’s rolling around in his grave at the thought of you doing this to your charge. You’re to be teaching and guiding her, not crippling her.”

“She’ll have to talk to them if she does Freiah!” He snaps at her. “I’ll have failed and Gracial’s life would be forfeit.”

“So you’re damning her because of it.” She yells back. “Just do it already!”

“I can’t!” Trayvon snaps. “You know what will happen.”

Freiah’s eyes go dark. “I do. A young girl will die because her teacher-who is supposed to be looking out for her-is too selfish to see that his choice costs her her life.”

His jaw goes tight, but to surprise us all Gracial snaps at him. I jump in disbelief, causing me to nearly fall. Alienis catches me with his wet tongue to steady me. He pulls me in a little, so I’ll lean against his snout.

Gracial huffs, smoke enveloping Trayvon for a split moment. “The day you bargained for my life was a wrong one. You should have let me die Trayvon. You must teach Kit to heal, or she will die.”

Okay, I feel like the current trend here is pretty clear. I’m going to die without Trayvon’s help. He can’t teach me to heal, or I’ll end up talking to the Dracones Gods; where I’ll kindly tell them off. Trayvon would fail in his bargain with them, and Gracial’s life would be forfeited as a result. Trayvon is doing what he can to keep that from happening until I agree to be his puppet and say yes. However, Nylarth chose me specifically because he thinks I won’t do what Trayvon wants, which is what he wants. Judging by the way Trayvon is acting, he doesn’t want me to agree to it. Though he’s being a complete ass about it.

Do you know what? I’m just going to figure this out myself. From observing Alienis, Gracial, and Trayvon in order to heal, I know they need to be in a trance. I know fairly well how the human body works, due to my training in poisons, antidotes, and skills in killing/torture. I know the knife wound in my stomach has injured my abdominal muscles, nerves, tendons, and multiple layers of skin. I am lucky that it didn’t penetrate my stomach or intestines. The claw through my leg has damaged muscles, tendons, layers of skin, and nicked some of my femur.

Trayvon interrupts my train of thought. “Gracial, saving your soul will never be a mistake. I will not teach her because she’s not even supposed to be a Dracones. She’s a Northerner.”

Freiah slaps him. “She’s more of a Dracones than you’ve ever been, you selfish piece of dung. She freed all the dragon souls Modain had captured since the set split. She’s protected us and the dragons better than you ever have. She’s willingly given her life to save your hide. Don’t you dare say this woman isn’t a Dracones, because she’s already better than you. Even with you hindering her, she’s done far more than you ever have. If Nylarth were here, he’d condemn you for your actions. I’m ashamed to even be your friend.”

Shock ripples through me as Alienis growls a warning at Trayvon, who has just taken a step toward Freiah. “You need to grow up Trayvon and face the consequences of your choices. Kit will not be paying for it with her life.” Before I can even speak Alienis tightens his tongue around me and takes off.

“Where are we going?” I demand as I hear Freiah and Trayvon yelling at him from below.

“I’m going to teach you myself. You’re not supposed to be hurt.” He dives down into the cavern, and into the cave where he sleeps.

“Alienis, I’ll be okay. I just need to rest.” I breathe as he lays me down. I’m in desperate need of sleep right now. There is a chance I will not wake up. I’m perfectly aware of this, but right now I don’t really care.

“Rest. I’ll watch over you.” Alienis curls around me, using his belly to help keep me warm.

I close my eyes and steady my heart, deciding to give my theory a try. I can’t be any worse off if I fail. I feel every beat of my heart. Every breath I take. I use that to still my mind as I fully picture using a needle and thread to suture each of my wounds close. Repair all severed nerves and tendons. I smooth out the scar tissue as I would a nick in furniture. My muscles weld together. It isn’t long before I’m sweating with the labor going through my mind. I have no idea if this is right, but my instinct is telling me yes. Once I’m finally finished with my wounds I picture the hideous scar on my neck. I imagine it being smoothed away. I finally get it to the point where it looks faint, which I will take.

As I’m pulling away, stars envelop my field of vision. There are glowing white balls of light. Three of them are before me. A woman steps out with a white gown wrapped around her with a golden crown of leaves wrapped around her golden curls. A man steps out of the middle circle. A dragon is etched into his dark skin with a scar on his right brow. A baby dragon is curled up on his shoulder, his neck wrapped around his head. The far-right circle holds a half dragon, half man. He’s standing on two legs as a human but has the neck and head of a dragon. His torso and limbs are human, but his limbs hold dragon claws. The creature’s colors appear to be a mix of all breeds of color I have seen.

“Katarina.” The woman begins.

“It’s nice to finally see you in our realm.” The halfling speaks.

“What brings you to us, other than your need to heal?” The man speaks.

I raise my eyebrow and fold my arms. “I didn’t choose to come see you. What I want to know is why you brought me here.”

The man chuckles. “You’re ballsy.”

“And you’re not,” I huff, showing my annoyance. “Can I go now?” I can sense the deal they want to make, and I’m trying to get them to hate me enough not to offer it.

“Why do you talk to us this way?” The woman demands. “We’re the Dracones Gods.”

“No, you’re profiteers,” I snap. “You give when you get. You show no signs of mercy. You are not my gods, as I have no direct correlation of growing under you.”

“You insolent girl,” the halfling snarls.

“And you’re an ass.” I’m angry and an idiot. Fault me for it. Due to a deal between Trayvon and those three, my life is their stakes.

“Got any other insults?” The man demands. “Or can I kill you now?”

“I’ve got plenty, you conniving, moronic ghouls.” I straighten. “You won’t kill me, or it’ll completely destroy your plans. You won’t punish Trayvon either. That would anger me, and you don’t want that. You will leave Gracial alone.”

“Why you insolent headstrong girl.” Snaps the woman.

“You already said that.” I sigh. “Look, you want to kill me? Go ahead. I’ve been at death’s door so many times we’re becoming friends. You three, however, keep messing with fate and making deals you don’t even want to back. I’m not asking for a deal, I’m telling you. Leave Trayvon alone or Modain isn’t the only ancient thing that is going to die by my hand.”

She snorts. “That’s an empty threat.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but Gods get their power through worship. You get recruited prayers due to your two warriors that you’ve carefully selected. Correct?” I keep going, cutting off their answer. I’m bluffing at this point, but I can’t let them kill Gracial. I will not allow that, but I will not sell myself like a prostitute to keep them happy. Anger is what got me here, anger will be my tool.

“Now when a Dracones dies, they get to pick someone to resume their role. If I refuse to pick one and die anyway, you’ll have no one-and I mean no one-other than Trayvon to protect your precious worshippers. So don’t piss me off, since I’m already there.”

“You will show us some respect,” The halfling orders, his hands clenching in his rage.

“Only when you show it to me,” I retort. “You have zero regard for my life. I’m a pawn to you so you’ll be treated as less from me. I am a person. I am a fighter. I am the best shot you’ve got for keeping your precious Dracones alive. Now, leave me alone and leave Gracial alone.”

The halfling steps toward me, but the middle man grabs him. The man speaks. “You have no knowledge of us, and we have no understanding with you. As for the deeds you have done for the dragons under our care, we will give you our respect. However, you were quick to use your Dracones given power when you had need of it; so you do need us. You need at least Trayvon, who is under allegiance with us; whom I assume taught you to heal. For the price of using his knowledge, you will follow what we say.”

I snort. “Trayvon my ass. I taught myself how to heal. Your little man servant refuses to teach me to heal, or even expand my knowledge. All that I’ve done, was not with your aide. In fact, your actions have been crippling me more than anything.”

The woman pales. “What?”

The dragon on the man’s shoulder lifts his head as he observes me. He flicks his tongue out, as if tasting the air. Surprising us all the dragon hops off the middle man’s shoulder and flies over to me. The little white dragon, with daring green eyes, licks at some of my dried blood. He curls into a ball at my feet and goes back to sleep. Okay…

The man is stiff and they’re all staring at me with shocked eyes. “It can’t be.”

I ignore them, though I feel a completely different air. “So, since Trayvon didn’t teach me anything, he’s under no obligation to you for the healing that I have or will ever do. Right?”

“Where are you from?” The woman asks, ignoring my strongarmed play.

“The north.” I’m beyond irritated with everyone attached to the Dracones bloodline right now.

“You need to leave.” The halfling orders.

“You’ll leave Gracial alone?” I demand, folding my arms.

“Yes. Trayvon didn’t teach you so you’re under no obligation. We will not let this go, however. Now leave.” The man orders but the dragon hisses at him.

I bend down and pet the small scaly thing to calm him. When my fingertip touches him I gasp. My mind is attacked by an image. Me fighting Modain. I lose.

“Now!” They all yell, causing me to vanish.