The Dracones
Chapter Seventeen

A week later, I am just about to kill myself with boredom. I’d head back to Morningswood, only I don’t know where it is; I’m sure as night not going back into that region blind. Not when everything out there is trying to kill me. I’ve been trying to get Alienis’s help, but he keeps saying no. He won’t even tell me what Trayvon is doing. I can tell that Alienis is depressed. Trayvon is holding something over him, keeping him from me.

There also is a problem of the Adversantem crossing the border. They’re leaving everyone alone; their main focus is on me. It’s bad enough to be at the point that every time I enter a city, I get ambushed, even if no one sees me. One time, while I was hiding underwater in a bathhouse, Alienis informed me that Adversantem can smell Dracones blood; even if there are no wounds. That’s the only help he’s given me throughout all of this, and he’s cut off all communication with me.

I’m making my way slowly south, but I’ve stopped for the day. I’m at the border and resting at a small fishing lake. I want fresh meat for once, but the Adversantem attacks are keeping me from buying supplies. I’ve been forced to wear my black suit just to blend in. These guys are like dogs once they catch a scent. I wear the mask just to keep the smoke from my face. Miny is eating grass, a little upset with me that I have no treat to offer her.

While my fish cooked, I clean my bow; I had gotten it as a farewell gift from Moira. It’s her bow. All black with a white wolf carved into it. Once it’s polished, I check the arrows and find they are in good condition. I clean my knives and add a new dose of my sleeping draft called Bonvi. It’s made of night berries and whiskey.

After I eat, I start banging my head with the heel of my hand. I am so bored, but I have to stay awake in case of an attack. I learned that lesson the hard way. I sigh and kick out the fire. “Come on Miny. We’re traveling a bit more before the sun fully sets. Might as well find out what the south is like on the ground.” And time to get these bastards out of the north.

I pack up and start loading her up again while she waits patiently. Sitting idle was never one of my strong suits. Maybe I should have taken Moira’s offer before I left, and renewed my contract with the Wolves. I wouldn’t be on this path, about to wander into a land that no longer wants me, if I had. Even Alienis, who I know for a bloody fact is ignoring me; because Trayvon gave him orders to no longer communicate with me. His last words to me were “I can’t Kit. Tray has told me not to and I have to do what he says. He doesn’t want to hear about you anymore. He doesn’t want you and neither does anyone else. You’ll have to handle this on your own.”

If it were possible to kill someone mentally, I would have achieved that several times over by now. Why does he do this to me? Why did he kidnap me and take me back, doing everything he can to make sure that I do not return to Morningswood? He has no right to tell me what I can and cannot do. I am not going to remain standing still, waiting for something to kill me. I’m going to fight and I’m going to get my answers, even if I have to disappear again after them.

Two hours later the sun has officially set. I’m on edge because I do not recognize anything, and I hear wolves howling. I get off Miny and start walking her, trying to find a good place to make camp. She’s doing fine and wants to keep going, but I’m tired and want to sleep.

“Kit help!” A roar sounds in my head, completely scaring me.

I jump back and look around, no longer used to the voices in my head. “Alienis?” I ask, feeling slightly stupid at the moment.

“Yes. The Adversantem attacked Trayvon. He’s in the woods alone. Gracial is fighting off their dragons and I’m on my way to help. He’s surrounded.”

“I thought he didn’t want my help,” I mutter darkly in my head, feeling annoyed as night. I’m already getting on Miny though. I’ll save his butt this time.

“He was trying to protect you, Kit. It’s hard to explain. He’ll do it later. If he won’t I will. Just help him.”

“And how did you know I was close?” I am seriously irritated that he can block me, but I can’t block him.

“Kit, just go. Now.”

“Fine, where is the moron?”

“Two miles northwest of your location.”

“Northwest?”

“Just go.”

“On my way now.” What is he doing this far north? I’m just barely across the southern border.

Alienis helps guide me on my way to Trayvon. I can see fire and smell campfire smoke. I also hear metal and enraged cries. I get off Miny and send her off. I get my bow ready and walk in slowly, covering as much noise as I can. I see about six Adversantem standing, four dead on the ground. Trayvon is covered in blood; some his own and some not. He’s breathing hard and barely able to stand. I feel a little justified at this point.

Trayvon falls to his knee, his head low. One of the Adversantem raises his sword, “Die Dracones.” I fire my arrow, the head burrowing into the back of the Adversantem’s head. I load another arrow and fire, shooting another between the eyes. The boys start looking around, trying to identify the threat.

I fire another arrow, killing another and drawing their attention. I chuckle darkly as I step out of the shadows. “Not so fun when you’re the one getting dropped in on, huh boys?” I fire another arrow, killing another and dwindling their numbers to two. I shoot one more before they reach me. I drop my bow as I keep one foot planted and step to the side, turning my body. The Adversantem’s knife misses my middle by inches. I grab his knife and turn it into his body, ducking low so I can flip him. I’m standing with his knife in my hand and he’s on the floor. He rolls to his feet by the time I have turned around. I duck another swing and stand up straight, stabbing his knife into his throat on my way up since he’s five foot five. And now we’re down to none.

I turn around and see Trayvon struggling to his feet. All my anger is back in waves. I walk over to him as he tries on a smile. By the time I get to him, he’s on his feet. I slap him across the face, bringing a sharp echo to his shocked face. “Moron!” I cry while he rubs his cheek. I then high kick him in his chest, sending him right into a tree. “Idiot!”

“Kit calm down.” Trayvon gasps, grabbing his ribs, and trying to stand. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I remain standing where I am, keeping my body contained, but my fists are visibly shaking. “Give me one reason why I should not kill you?” I demand. “Do you know what you left me when you ran off?”

“I was trying to protect you.” He grimaces, eyes closed, and trying to breathe.

“From the Adversantem?” I ask in either disbelief or just for the sake of an answer. “You didn’t think they’d cross into another country to get me or something? They did Trayvon. They’ve been tracking me like a pack of wolves do to a wounded deer. I haven’t had more than ten hours of sleep for a week.”

“I was just trying to protect you.” He rasps again. “Please, help me up.”

“I cannot for I will punch you again.” I look away and close my eyes. I force my breath calm, clearing some red from my mind. Immediately I go straight into survival mode. “And I have to get ready. There are sure to be more Adversantem coming. Since the dragons are busy at the moment, we’re on our own.”

“This was just a scouting party.” He tries to sit up but fails drastically. “I killed the main scout before he left.”

“Fine,” I snap, “but we’re moving out just the same. You are in no condition to fight.” I go and pick up my bow. I blow a sharp whistle, summoning Miny. She comes out of the forest and follows me to Trayvon. I help him get to his feet, but it’s all I can do to keep from hurting him.

I put my hand on Miny’s muzzle and slowly push down. She kneels. “Get on.”

Trayvon shakes his head. “No.”

“If that was a scouting party, there are more following. We need to put as much distance between us as possible.” Reluctantly he gets on. I raise my hand and Miny gets up. I grab her reins and start leading her into the forest.

During the walk, I can feel Trayvon’s eyes on me. I so badly want to hurt him, just like the way he hurt me. He not only showed a lack of confidence in me, but he basically called me useless and weak. He left me in a vulnerable position and gave me no say in his decision, or even grounds to argue. He left me on the ground for Dawn’s sake. He didn’t even leave me a message and gave orders for Alienis to ignore me and cease all communication. Even Gracial.

“Kit,” Trayvon starts.

“Shh.” I hiss, hearing a branch break.

“No, you need to listen to me.”

“I said shut up.” I snap in a hushed voice. “We’re not out of the woods yet.” I pull Miny behind a thick tree. I motion for her to stay and then start climbing the tree. I see torches. Three Adversantem walk below, knives at the ready. Ah, the party reporting since the scouting party didn’t report back. I told Trayvon there would be more. However, I need to lead them away from here.

I get my bow ready and fire, shooting at their feet. At their protested shouts I chuckle darkly and fire another arrow, killing the one in the middle. I jump out of the tree, landing in a crouch in front of them. “Come and get me, boys.” I start running at that point.

The plan worked, and they started chasing after me. My plan is to make it look like I am more north than south. They can already smell my scent so this should somewhat work. Plus, I need to draw out any other parties that are out there. When I lead them back to the camp where I had found Trayvon, I kill them both. An arrow to the heart of one and a knife to the head of the other. When I pull my knife out of the head of the last boy, I hear dragons growling. Time to get moving.

I climb the tree and jump from one tree to another, trying my best to avoid the ground in this thick forest. When it starts thinning out, I take to the ground, hoping that will stall them for a bit. I make Trayvon jump when I pull on Miny’s reins. He hadn’t heard me.

“Kit, will you listen to me now?” Trayvon demands.

“Shh.” I hiss. “I need to hear. We’re still being tracked. I stalled them at best.” We hear a loud crash about thirty meters from us. “Yeah, you need to go.” I smack Miny’s rump as I hand Trayvon the reins. I’m not even in the South for a full day, and there is already death trying to take me.

I walk ahead, staying as silent as I can, my bow drawn. Alienis is down, but so is his buddy. His opponent is dead though. Three Adversantem are heading toward Alienis and the other dragon. One is holding a golden sword, the other a wooden box, and the other a scented oil lamp. Now that can’t be good. I fire, killing the one with the golden sword, and then the one with the box. The one holding the lamp starts running away. I fire a shot, landing in the back of his head.

“Alienis!” I call, running toward him. “Alienis are you alright?” He’s breathing hard, his eyes half open so he can see me. I touch his nose and lean over so I can kiss the top of it. “Of course, you are.”

He snorts, blowing hot air at me. “What are you doing here?”

“Saving your hide, that’s what.” I rub his nose and stand up. “Now where is Gracial?”

“Resting. The dragon you see next to me is the last of the Adversantem dragons. They didn’t send much since there were only two dragons. We each got one.”

“Lucky you.” I walk over and pick up the box. I hiss as many emotions swim through my body and drop the box. It falls to the ground, the lid opening. A flash of green light lights the entire area before it vanishes. “What was that?” I demand.

Alienis chuckles. “That is a spirit box, my dear Katarina. It holds the dragon’s spirit, though that box can hold many. You just released one. The sword is used to kill. The lamp is to guide the spirit and trap it inside the box. Since my opponent was already dead when they got here, they were going after me.”

“Good thing I’m such a snoop then.” I kick the box with my foot. After a little debate, I remove one of the cloaks from the dead Adversantem and wrap up the trio’s tools. “You alright to fly?”

In response, he lifts himself and lowers a wing. I climb on and grab hold as best I could. “Just tell Trayvon to meet us by Gracial,” I say with a yawn. I want to go back to being bored again.

“She’s at Eagle’s Bane Rock.”

I laugh darkly. “Of course, she is.” I hate that place.

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