Bakkian Chronicles, Book I - The Prophecy (38 page)

Outfitted in a pair of khaki trousers and a loose-fitting green doublet, Steve escorted his wife into the heart of the mayhem. Sarah, wearing comfortable travelling clothes consisting of a long-sleeve forest green top and grey leggings (she utterly refused to wear a dress), fingered the medallion around her neck, reassured by its presence. Were all these people awake because of them? The sun hadn’t even come up, and yet it appeared as though the entire castle had been awake for hours.

They rushed through their breakfast, both
eager
to commence this latest undertaking. The sooner they located this maker of keys, the sooner they could return home.

Not surprisingly, they were met outside by the Kri’yans, including a young boy who was using every trick in his arsenal to persuade his parents to allow him to join the troupe. Mikal’s parents, however, were unmoved by his performance. Silencing his son with a disapproving look, the king greeted the new arrivals.

“
I do envy the two of ye the journey ye are about to undertake.”

Steve met the queen’s gaze before he faced the king. “I have to be honest. I’m nervous about all of this. I’m starting to think that maybe we should have a few more members to this party. Like, say, your whole army.”

The king gave Steve a paternal pat on the shoulder. “I spoke with Rhenyon last night and we agreed to send a small contingent of men along. Five were selected to join yer group.”

Both of the Nohrin were nodding appreciatively. Sarah’s eyes were drawn to the queen. Callé was smiling at her.

Did you suggest this?

The queen nodded.

Thank you.

The queen nodded again.
It’s the least I could do.

****

Rhenyon looked up as the clamoring began and grew in intensity. What the blazes was this? People were literally streaming out of the castle, angling straight for them. Was the entire castle now accompanying them on this quest?

“
Ye have got to be kidding me,” one of his men muttered under his breath.

“
Apparently they wish to see us off,” another soldier murmured.

Muted laughter sounded from all directions. Rhenyon turned to face his men.

“
So much for an inconspicuous start.” He sighed heavily. He had not slept well last night, either. Visions of dragons and belching fire kept interrupting his dreams, so he had figured he might as well abandon his futile attempts at getting some rest and opt for yet another check of their gear and supplies.

The captain surveyed the throng of people all heading straight towards them. At the front were the newly famous Nohrin, along with the king and queen. Congratulating himself yet again for being the first person to “discover” the identities of the Nohrin, he nodded his head at the tall foreigner as Steve gave him a two finger salute. He had been quite impressed with how the stranger had handled himself with the ruffians that had attacked them earlier. Personally, he reflected, had someone attacked he and his wife, and he had a jhorun as powerful as Steve’s, there wouldn’t have been any survivors. Yet the resourceful fire thrower had managed to incapacitate three of them. Three!

It had only taken about an hour to crack the three thugs. All of them were more than willing to divulge every detail they could remember, no matter how minute, about their failed plan to kidnap the young prince. However, none of them had been privy to more than just the absolute facts on what they needed to accomplish. None knew who had hired them, only that they had been hired by proxy, and their employer was a powerful man that was feared by everyone in their village. And that was the seaside Ylani village of Arlan.

He surveyed the five men he had chosen, the best of the castle militia. All were loyal to the crown and all were good in a fight. Pheron, his first lieutenant, had an extremely useful jhorun: nocturnal vision. Another lieutenant, Rhein, had a useful jhorun as well: daminalis. More specifically, he could make just about any small creature his familiar for a short period of time. The other three were fairly mediocre: one could persuade pontal to accelerate its growing cycle, a fact that the soldier desperately wanted to keep under wraps; another had the ability to always know which way was north, and the last soldier could actually polish metal to a shine just by touching it once. Needless to say one could not stare directly at him while he was fully dressed for battle in the direct sunlight.

Steve nodded at the five soldiers, all shifting their weight from leg to leg, impatient to leave.

“
Mornin’. Where do we meet Kahvel at?”

“
Far past the outskirts of the city,” Rhenyon answered. “Steve, Sarah, may I present the other members of our group. This is
lieutenant Pheron,
lieutenant Rhein, Jalen, Kern,
and Darius.”
Each soldier nodded as they were introduced.

The Kri’yans approached. The king grasped Steve’s arm and gave a friendly shake. “Good luck to all of ye. Godspeed. May all of ye stay safe.”

The queen took Sarah’s hands. “I will have it ready just before midday. Good luck to ye.”

“
Thank you.”

Much to Steve’s embarrassment, everyone started applauding as they moved off through the southern gate, making their way towards the orchards. The echoes of their cheering could still be heard long after the castle was lost from sight.

“
So what was that all about with the queen?” Steve asked. “What will be ready by midday?”

“
Oh, just a little experiment she thought of that we’re going to try.”

“
Well? What is it? Can’t you tell me?”

“
I don’t want to say anything until I know for certain it’ll work.”

Steve grinned. “Fine. Be cryptic. I don’t care. It’s not like I’m curious or anything.”

“
Good. Thanks, sweetie.”

“
Okay, I’m curious,” Steve confessed. “You’re going to try something with your jhorun, aren’t you?”

Sarah nodded.

“
Just tell me!”

The only response he received was a smack on his arm.

****

The sun was nearing its zenith as the travelers finally left the capital city behind. The northwestern tip of Anakash Forest was visible several leagues away. In the meantime, however, an open expanse of grassy plains was before them, and their tour guide was nowhere in sight.

Rhein turned to the captain. “The dragon was supposed to meet us hours ago. No signs yet. Do we keep going?”

Rhenyon stroked his goatee thoughtfully. “I do not wish to delay any further.” He glanced up, noting that the sun was practically overhead. “We will need to stop shortly for the midday meal. But I would like to at least make it to the forest’s edge before we do.”

“
Aye, sir, we keep moving,” Pheron said, overhearing. “The dragon will just have to catch up.”

The deep bass rumbled directly behind them.

“
Catch up? To bipeds? Methinks not.”

Steve whirled around, along with Sarah and the rest of the company. Standing directly behind them was the enormous gold dragon, staring down at them. If Steve didn’t know any better, he’d say that the dragon was actually smirking!

“
How did you get there without us hearing you?” Sarah asked. “A creature your size would have surely made some type of noise.”

“
Not only did I manage to arrive unnoticed,” Kahvel growled, “I did so before ye passed that last farm and have been following yer noisy progress. No doubt that masked my approach.”

“
Ye were following us?” Rhenyon asked,
incredulous
.

“
Aye.”

“
That’s amazing, Kahvel,” Steve said. “How are you able to move without making a sound?”

“
I have my ways, human,” was the cryptic response.

Rhenyon and his men moved on, angling for a point in the distance where the forest appeared to be the thickest. While they conversed amongst themselves, Steve purposely held back, until he was walking next to the dragon. Sarah also slowed her pace to stay even with her husband.

“
Is it true,” Steve began, addressing the dragon, “that most dragons would never willingly associate themselves with men?”

The dragon looked down at the tiny biped. “Aye, that is correct, human. Yer kind and mine are a poor mix.”

“
So why go on this journey with us then? Couldn’t you have just pointed us in the right direction and not trouble yourself with this? I mean,” he gestured up into the sky, “wouldn’t you rather be flying?”

“
If I did not accompany ye, then ye would not survive traversing through the far north,” the dragon answered.

“
Isn’t it easier for you to fly instead of walk?”

“
Whether I fly or walk, it makes no difference for me. I agreed to escort ye through the domain of my brethren, and escort ye I will.”

“
Has anyone ever ridden a dragon?”

Kahvel snorted. “By that, I assume to mean has a human ever ridden on the back of a dragon? No. Not in my lifetime.”

“
Do you think that-”

“
No, human,” the dragon interrupted, “it will not happen. And do not attempt it.”

“
I- I wouldn’t dare,” Steve sputtered. “Well, honestly, I can’t say I haven’t thought about it,” he admitted, “but I would never attempt it without permission.”

“
Ye do not have it,” the dragon confirmed.

Sarah sighed, shaking her head. Even with a dragon this close, and warning him not to try, the thought had still infiltrated that one-track mind of his.

Those large golden orbs focused on Sarah. “Ye have an opinion, human female?”

Steeling herself, she turned to the dragon. “I will be honest, Kahvel, you intimidate me. I’m nervous walking this close to a creature that my own husband is fascinated with. To tell the truth, I’m worried he’ll do something foolish.”

“
Hon!” Steve protested. “Do something foolish? Give me some credit, will you?”

“
Credit? Fine. Answer me this, honestly. You’ve thought about what it’d be like, riding on his back, haven’t you? Even after his warning, right?”

She looked at her husband’s surprised face.

“
Told you. Case closed.”

“
What human has not thought of riding on a dragon’s back?” Kahvel asked. “Do not chide him for wanting what every human in this kingdom has desired their entire lives.”

Dumbfounded, she again turned to Kahvel. “Are you taking sides here?” She waggled a finger at the huge dragon. “You may be bigger than me and able to turn me into a french fry, but don’t even
think
about taking his side.”

Kahvel snorted, sending plumes of smoke high up into the air. The dragon’s massive head turned to the diminutive human walking next to him. “Yer female, yer problem.”

“
Thanks a lot,” Steve grumbled.

“
My point,” Sarah continued, casting a scolding look at the towering dragon, “is that my husband here will completely ignore his own personal safety if it’s something that really captures his attention or fascination. I just don’t want him going up to a strange dragon and start asking it questions because that’s what he’s used to, with you.”

“
I will make a pact with ye, human female,” Kahvel began.

“
Her name is Sarah,” Steve supplied helpfully.

“
Sarah.” The dragon paused again. “I will make a pact with ye, Sarah.”

Warily, she eyed the massive dragon. “I’m listening.”

“
I will keep an eye on yer mate for ye. If any of my brethren approach, I will make certain that he does not approach them until I deem it safe.”