Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera (6 page)

Vashti approached the huge beast next. “Master,” She motioned Drace forward and he went to her on wobbly legs, nerves strung taunt, “This is Drace MacKinnon.”

Its massive head turned to him and fixed one bright silver eye on him. “He is a little worse for wear, Vashti. You must be careful with humans. They are delicate creatures.”

“Now wait just a damn minute!” Drace stiffened and straightened to his full height. “I am not ‘delicate’. I just didn’t duck!” he exclaimed, defensively. Estelle’s potion had relieved most of the pain and swelling, but the bruises were still vivid.

The dragon sat back so fast that it unfurled its wings for balance. There was a deep rumbling chuckle. He glanced at Vashti. “He is feisty for a human. That is good.”

Drace realized then his fear had faded, replaced by a feeling of another presence in his mind beside his own consciousness. He felt his knees go weak and he was forced to kneel or fall over. He then realized by the intent look in the dragon’s great silver eye that Nimbus had somehow forced him to his knees.

“That is the show of respect that is always due me. Now, please rise, Knight. I am fascinated with your spirit. I believe I have chosen you well.” He came down onto his front legs and lowered his head again. “I am Nimbus, and I am an Ice dragon. I wish to speak with you privately. Will you come with me?”

Drace looked dubious for a second. “Not if it involves flying.”

Again the dragon laughed, “No, no. Meet me on the plains to the north in a short while. I will walk with you.”

Nimbus unfurled his wings again, stood on his hind legs and with a leap, went airborne. The flapping of his wings created a whirling dust storm, like the downdraft of a helicopter, and they all turned their heads.

After the dust cleared, Drace turned his attention back to the sky. The lazy movements of the dragons’ flight amazed him. “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

Later, where the northern plains began, an easy walk from the castle, the dragon strolled leisurely along, the human man at his side. Drace’s head did not even reached Nimbus’ shoulder.

Drace inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of clean, fresh air, the slight breeze tugging at his hair. The grass was well over his knees, and he reasoned that later it would probably be cut for hay. There were few trees in this area, except the immense oak they headed toward. It was the tallest, widest spreading tree Drace had ever seen with the exception of pictures of the West Coast’s redwoods.

The blooms of a vivid yellow flowering plant showed here and there among the grass, attracting brightly colored butterflies. Small brown birds, like sparrows, darted by the pair as they walked. If he had to be sent to a strange place against his will, Drace guessed he could do much worse.
Enjoying this with a dragon who can speak is an intense dream, he mused, but it wasn’t, now, was it?
he mused.

They shared a companionable moment of silence before Nimbus spoke, “I assume you have realized now that this is not a dream? A dragon, that talks no less.”

“How did you know I was thinking that?” Drace asked, surprised.

“Why would you not? That would be a natural response to what you are experiencing, I would think,” Nimbus stated, matter-of-factly. “Please. Come and sit. Let us talk,” he said as he moved to lie down underneath the huge oak.

Drace found a large exposed root for a seat and leaned back against the tree’s trunk. Why he felt so relaxed with the dragon now, which could swallow him in one gulp, he didn’t know, but somehow Nimbus felt like a friend.

“I’m glad you feel that way, Knight. Now do not look surprised. We dragons have all sorts of magic, but that was easy to read on your face.” Nimbus snorted.

Drace did as well. He thought Nimbus looked amusing, since only half the dragon was able to fit under the tree.

“There are certain things that I need for you to do.” Nimbus said. “I will have Lady Ki have an Elvin armorer make you some chain mail and armor. What you came with is not strong enough or worthy of you. You will need to go to Ferndale for it. Also, have armor made for your stallion. This afternoon you will start to train with Lady Ki.”

“But my Lord,” Drace interrupted, as he thought,
Here we go again, someone telling me what I going to do.
To Nimbus, he argued, “I already know how to fight.”

“Has anyone ever fought you with the intention to kill you? Have you ever tried to seriously hurt or kill someone else? This you will need to know how to do, for your own sake; for all our sakes.” Nimbus looked at him squarely. “Your world is not ours. This you must remember.”

Drace felt a cold chill run down his back. He made a motion of confusion with his hand. “I don’t understand why I’m here. Why do you need me? If it’s whipping someone’s butt, I think the Lady Ki can handle it.”

Nimbus snorted again. “Your euphumisms are amusing. Yes, I believe you are right. Lady Ki can whip some…,” he raised an eyebrow, “butt. However, there is a threat from the south brewing. If she goes into it leading her people alone, she will not survive. I know in my heart she must have someone strong to stand beside her. And it must be someone from another plane. The legend insists this.”

“What legend?” Drace questioned.

Nimbus gave a visible shake that rattled his scales. “It was an ancient firedrake legend that had been forgotten by most dragons until recently. I came across an old forest dragon many years ago that was the last to know it. Before she died of her many years, she imparted the tale to me and I became the sole keeper. In the dragon tongue it rhymes, but there is no way to translate it to do the same in a common language.” He paused and put his head on one clawed foot. “It tells of trouble from the south; that men will come with terrible allies and magic with greed in their heart. If not stopped when they first invade, their numbers will flow into these lands. It tells that the Werre must battle, led by a fierce she-lion and she will be saved by a great warrior, he and a stallion both dark and powerful, but not of this plane. The Dark Lord.”

Drace looked dubious, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “And I and my ‘dark and powerful stallion’ are supposed to do what? How do you know that I am even the right guy?”

“You are the Dark Lord, of this I am certain. I have searched with magic for some time now,” Nimbus shifted his weight slightly. “As for what you are to do, the legend does not say specifically, but that you fight together and will only be successful if you do so. The threat is soon upon us and there is not much time to prepare. ”

Drace was thoughtful for a moment. “If I agree to do this, to help these people, after it’s all over, will I be able to go back home?” He sat up straight and looked the dragon directly in the eyes

“If that is what you desire, then yes, you will be sent back.”

“What if I don’t want to help? What if I want to go back now: today? I don’t recall having any say in this matter and frankly, it pisses me off.” Drace crossed his arms over his chest and looked defiant. “I’m really not anxious to spill blood or have someone try to kill me. Dark Lord, my ass. No thanks.”

Nimbus sighed and resigned himself to an argument with a human. “You are the Dark Lord of legend, of this I am sure. I cannot force you to stay, however.”

“Yeah, you can,” Drace returned, irritation clear in his voice, “I can’t get back without your magic, but I can refuse to help.” Even as he said this, he had a mental picture of a war torn land and the suffering of its survivors.

“You will not refuse, of this I am sure as well, for if you look within, you know I do not speak falsely. The Lady Ki would die, for she will fight fiercely for her people, and the Werre’s life, as they know it, would be lost without you. I cannot change their fate,” Nimbus stated patiently.

Drace fumed for a moment in silence, thinking. Finally he asked, “What can one man do that would so drastically change the outcome?”

“You will change the Lady, and
that
will change fate,” Nimbus simply said.

Drace’s anger gave way somewhat to confusion. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Nimbus’s expression was clear: he would not reply, even if he knew the answer.

Well shit!
Drace thought. He couldn’t let the Lady get killed even if he didn’t like her all that much.
Shit, shit, shit!
Drace stood and began to pace. “I have a cat. Who’s taking care of him? And an aunt who’s more like a sister to me. She’s probably called the FBI, CIA, maybe even the SPCA. God knows who.”

Nimbus rose to his feet and began the trip back to the stronghold. Drace hurried after him. “I assure you, your Aunt is well, as is the cat,” Nimbus said. “The time that you spend in this plane will be as only a moment lost in yours. As if you blinked, or as waking from the dream you believe you are having. Unless,” Nimbus stopped and waited for Drace to catch up to him, “You would choose to stay. Then I would make other arrangements, with your permission of course.” He continued to walk with a repositioning of his wings, almost as if shrugging his shoulders.

Drace stood there for a moment, his mind whirling.
Why would anyone choose to stay here when they had running water and microwaves at home, not to mention motor vehicles and air conditioning?

The dragon rumbled with laughter as Drace broke into a jog to catch up. “I wish you would quit! It is really rude to do that without asking,” Drace grumbled in irritation.

Nimbus turned to look at him. “And what is that, my Lord?”

“You know what. That reading minds trick. It’s kind of freaking me out. And that’s another thing; what’s with the ‘my Lord’ this and ‘my Lord’ that? I’m simply Drace MacKinnon.”

Nimbus slowed his walk. “You are of aristocracy, my Lord, although it is so many generations ago, that your family has forgotten, and,” he continued, “You are a Knight. Not just a warrior, but also a Knight. That is a man of means in this world, even if he comes with nothing more than a horse and armor.”

Drace waved that comment off and made a noise. “That’s all pretend. I act the part of a knight to entertain tourists. That’s all.”

Nimbus halted once more and gently touched Drace’s chest with a claw. “I can see into your heart, my Lord, and when the time comes, you will prove that you are very much a Knight; in all ways.”

He took the same claw and scratched his head just behind a massive horn. “Now there is something I should warn you about. Lady Ki was angry when I told her she was to instruct a human. She may not have shown this to you, but she has a short rein on her temper sometimes.”

Drace started walking to the castle. “I’m not afraid of her. What could she do?”

Nimbus’s voice came from right behind Drace and he jumped in surprise.

“She would kill you if she wished, but I advised her against it. Mayhap we should both hope she listened.”

Drace stopped dead, face white. “Ya think?”

WHEN DRACE MET KI on the practice field he was relieved to see that it was only she and her brother, Cearan.

Ki’s expression however, made Drace feel uneasy and more than a little nervous. He felt himself start to sweat.
Suck it up MacKinnon,
he thought to himself, eyeing Ki.

She stood talking to Cearan, her fine brows drawn together and she looked pissed. She returned his look, making him feel like something distasteful under her boot.

Well I’m not all that tickled to be here either, lady,
Drace thought. He walked across the grassless area the size of a football field. He stopped just out the reach of the pair. Cearan wore a faintly amused expression as he held out a long sword and shield forDrace’s use.

Drace had refused the short sleeveless shirt the siblings seemed to prefer. Instead, he wore his only pair of doeskin breeches and leather boots, stripping out of the loose white linen shirt Estelle had found for him. Nimbus’ words echoed in his head.

Ki had not spoken to him yet and the way she was whipping that big sword around as she warmed up made him swallow hard.
Maybe Nimbus does have some grounds for concern.
Drace was suddenly very glad Cearan was there.
What will I do if Lady Ki decides to do me in? I’m not sure, but maybe he’ll at least scrape together whatever’s left for disposal. Besides, he’s a fellow man, and guys stick together.
Drace hoped that was true across planes as well. Cearan handed Drace the long practice sword, the edges blunted, but still capable of causing damage. The leather wrapped hilt fit nicely in his palm. The blade stop angled slightly down the blade. The hilt was unadorned and the blade plain steel. He also handed Drace a round, black painted, wooden shield, helping him adjust the straps to fit Drace’s left arm snugly but comfortably.

Cearan made a final adjustment and slapped the front of the shield. Drace raised his eyes from the sword to see a wink from the other man. “Give it a few swings to get the feel of it, and do not forget to breathe.”

Drace took a deep breath and gave him a lopsided grin. He walked off a few steps and gave a few practice swings. Even for a practice sword, the balance was incredible. He continued to warm up for a moment then turned and approached Ki.

He gave her a nod of his head. “My Lady, I am ready for my first lesson.”

She returned his nod, “Good.” Moving back, she began to circle him. The way she moved, Drace went reflexively into a defensive partial crouch.

Her expression was very serious and not at all welcoming. “First, I wish to see what you know, and then I will teach. Do not expect any special treatment from me.” Her husky voice, with its soft accent, was almost a purr. She continued around him and in the split second he readjusted his weight she was on him. She was fast. He didn’t have time to counter with his sword and blocked with his shield instead.

She came at him again, but this time he was ready. He blocked, spun away and countered with a blow of his own. She expertly blocked and smiled at him. She then began to use harder and more complicated attacks. Twice she nicked his bare chest and blood mingled with sweat ran into the waistband of his breeches. He felt his temper rise, and thinking he saw an opening, attacked angrily.

He woke up a minute later, Ki’s mocking smile above him. “You cannot stop thinking even if you are angry. If you forget this, you will die,” she snidely informed him with an arrogant tilt of her head.

Dizzy, Drace rolled up to his knees in time to see her walk away, tossing her sword to her brother and continuing on to the castle, ending the first lesson.

Drace rested one hand in the dirt, touching the newly forming knot on his forehead with the other. “Shit!” was all he had to say.

D
race entered the armor room by the barracks with a heavy heart. He dreaded today’s lesson, as he had everyday for the past three weeks.

There wasn’t a part of his body that hadn’t seen some sort of abuse except his most personal parts, and it had even been close for those. Today could be the day he’d be gelded, or worse.

Gathering his gear, Drace reflected on the last twenty-one days. With Cearan as his shadow, mornings he schooled horses and the men who rode them. He smiled at that thought. Pride’s exhibit had made an impression on those men, especially Cearan.

Drace’s smile faded as he thought of the afternoon sessions. He was yelled at, poked, punched, and knocked down. His butt had frequent falling miles. By the evening, he was so tired he could barely finish eating.

Yep,
he thought as he picked up his sword and headed for the door,
I’m really not liking her Ladyship. But I better get it over with.
He chuckled in resignation.
Maybe, with any luck she’ll just kill me and end my misery.
He sighed deeply and left the armor room, sword and spirits low.

Ki met him on the practice field, a mocking smile on her lips.

The lesson began as all the others, but Drace found he was meeting her sword easier, quicker, and she wasn’t getting the openings as she had been. He felt a touch of confidence return.

After several moments, she stepped back. Drace took that time to catch his breath.

Ki gave him a moment then said, “Now, you need to attack like you mean it. Be more aggressive.”

Drace nodded and came forward, sword raised and ready.

For ten minutes she sparred defensively. She took a step back, lowering her sword. “Now mean it.”

Drace came at her harder. Dust billowed around them, and his visibility was lessening.

She stopped again. “Mean it. You are pulling your blows at the last.”

“No, I’m not,” Drace said and came at her again. Metal rang for several minutes more. Ki backed once more, “I will not be kind anymore, my Lord. This is not a play for entertainment. This is real. Again!”

Drace gritted his teeth. She was really pissing him off, but he wasn’t forgetting his very first lesson.
Control; keep control,
he told himself.

Ki glanced at her brother and Drace attacked, and then realized too late it was a bluff, and felt his temper rise still more.

Suddenly, she dropped her shield. “Drop yours as well,” she instructed. She made a half turn to the left and when he went to drop his shield she whirled and, left handed, punched him in the jaw.

He staggered but didn’t go down. He brushed hair out of his face and stared at her in disbelief. “What the…?”

Ki stalked up to him, dirt and sweat mingled to run from her temples down her cheeks, leaving streaks on her tanned face.

His height was all that kept her from being right in his face when she spoke, heat in her voice, “You will do this as if you mean it. You will drill until you draw blood on me. Do not play anymore. Be aggressive.” Drace fought the urge to take a step back as she continued, “I will not tell you again. Your punishment will be harsh.”

He looked at her in stunned amazement; he regained his breath.
Punish? What the hell does she mean by that?
he thought quickly, a second before she showed him.

She spun away to her right, took two strides, then spun back and ran at him. Drace could tell by the snarl on her face she meant business. He had to be defensive for a moment and then pressed back. She countered every blow.

Suddenly, he found himself flat on his back and looking into the face of a really pissed off female lion. The lioness roared in his face and held him down, unsheathed claws digging into his shoulders. It roared again, the sound deafening so close up. His gut clenched in fear and he broke out in a cold sweat.

Drace closed his eyes, and waited for the killing bite to his throat, wondering where this lioness had come from. He felt a sudden weight change, feeling the press of very womanly breasts against his bare chest. Drace opened his eyes and looked into the tawny gaze of Ki. He was so surprised that there was a split second he thought his heart had stopped, but it was tripping hard in his chest now.

“Use everything you can to your advantage,” she hissed, and then she really growled, lion like, her lips pulled back to show her canines. A woman glared down at him, her breath moving over his face, causing him to blink, but the roar vibrated through his body and he flinched at the deafening sound.

Drace was so startled he let go of his sword, balled up his fist and without thinking, punched her in the face. He didn’t have much room to use his full strength, but it was still effective, her head snapped back and she released her grip on his shoulders.

Ki rolled off him and was quickly on her feet. She touched the back of one hand to her mouth, looked at it, then at him. She spit blood, and glared at him, a big cat’s hiss escaping her.

Drace clambered to his feet, grabbing his sword as he stood. Ki could tell by his stance he was ready for an attack. He was also rather pale—the lion shape shift had done the trick. She dabbed at her lip again.

She walked up to him. He took a step back.
From now on I won’t be bested.

“Relax human,” she said in a more soothing tone and placed a hand on his sword arm. “You drew blood. You have learned to follow your instincts regardless of who you face. I will tell you when the time comes to pull your blows.”

Drace shook his head as if trying to clear it. His dark hair was sweat soaked and a lock of it fell over one eye. Ki brushed it away for him and he flinched at her touch. She touched his cheek where she had hit him and, although it was tender, this time he did not move at all.

“Have Estelle order you a bath and something for this. You did well today,” she said in a low voice. “I see you wondering. Cearan and I are Lion-kin. We can shape shift at will. It can be advantageous at times. Now go. We will talk more of this and Nimbus’ plans later.”

“So brother, what did you think?” Ki asked Cearan after Drace left.

Cearan looked thoughtful for a moment, rubbing his chin, then he answered, “I think once the scare wore off he was a bit angry.” He turned to look at her. “He looked like he fought well enough. What is your opinion?”

She wiped her lip, which still bled a bit. “I surely was not expecting him to hit me, especially after the shift. The man can actually fight. Right at the end his ire was up and he forgot to pull his blows. I had to really watch myself. I think he will be a great fighter one day.”

She turned to walk to the castle, Cearan at her side. “He is a natural fighter. We have only a seven-day more to work with him then we must ride to Ferndale.”

Stopping, Cearan nodded acknowledgement and then watched her walk away.