The Dragon Liberator: Escapee

POV: Fendrel

Fendrel and Fog returned to their companions. Venom was back from hunting. A pile of deer bones was lying beside his red-stained claws.

Fog bound over to Venom. She exhaled a puff of mist on his wounds. Immediately, Venom’s ailments shrunk and disappeared, but the missing scales didn’t regenerate.

Now that Venom had returned, Sour resigned his duty of standing guard and slept beside the boulders. Viper playfully jumped from his head to his back like a mountain goat.

Venom stood. He eyed the full bags as Fendrel threw some plants on the weak fire. Black smoke started to rise, and the flames rose.

Fog brought a bag to Sour and left it by his sleeping form. The floral dragon’s nose twitched, and his eyes fluttered open. “Thanks.”

“No knights yet?” Fendrel walked up to Venom.

“No, but I think they’ll come soon. I caught the scent of horses and metal as I was returning.” Venom lowered himself so he was at eye-level with Fendrel. “The dragon hunters are closer, however, and they have the new dragon with them. We should probably hide and wait for them to arrive.”

As if on cue, a horse whinnied on the opposite side of the valley.

“That must be them.” Fendrel felt energy course through him.

Venom scooped Viper into one of his paws and lowered himself for Fendrel to climb on. They lifted off with Fog trailing them. Sour grabbed the bag—now only half full—and followed, his drowsiness forgotten.

The dragons landed at the top of the valley. Fendrel dismounted and Viper was set down in the sparse grass.

Venom laid down and stretched out his neck to survey the valley. He squinted his eyes. “I see them, they’re trying to get their horses to run faster.”

“And the dragon?” Fendrel came up beside him and crouched. “Is it Mist?”

“No, he’s a floral dragon, a birch mimic. I can’t tell if he’s asleep or if the ropes are immobilizing him.” Venom edged closer to the cliff’s lip.

Fendrel sighed in disappointment.

Fog laid down and leaned over to whisper to Fendrel. “I’ve never really understood what makes a dragon a mimic.”

Glanced at her, then back at the valley. “Floral dragons hatch with the natural abilities and appearance of whatever plant their egg spent the most time touching. The same goes for gemstone dragons and whatever precious stones they touch.”

The hunters were getting closer. One of the hunters was pointing at the fire. He whipped one of the horses, which let out a short cry and sped up.

“When should we go down there?” Fog started to stand.

“‘We?’” Venom squinted at her.

“There’s only two hunters. I want to help.” She sat on her haunches and lifted her front claws, displaying the metal talons she brought along from the Hazy Woods. “I have these for a reason!”

“You brought those to defend yourself, not to run into battle,” Venom looked back toward the cart.

Fog huffed. She flung her wings out in his line of sight. “Please, Venom. Let me help. I’m a healer, I can fix any wounds we might receive if you can’t make it back up here.”

Fendrel shrugged. “I don’t see a problem with it. And she’s right, there are only two of them. Most of the time, the hunters who control horses better are worse at fighting dragons.”

Venom stood firm, his steely eyes pinning Fog where she stood.

“When we were inside, the hunters said that the two who captured the birch dragon were lower ranked,” Fendrel stepped between them.

The dusk dragon sighed. He pointed at Fog with one of his wickedly sharp claws. “Fine. But if you get a single scratch on you, you’ll stay back when the next situation concerning hunters arises.”

Fog nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

The cart was much closer.

“The birch dragon’s eyes are closed.” Venom returned his surveillance to the floral dragon.

Fog swung her head around and gazed at the saddle with a puzzled expression.

“Here.” Fendrel removed it from her back.

“Thank you.” Fog shook out her wings.

Fendrel nodded. He climbed onto Venom’s shoulders without the dragon having to crouch.

“You’re getting used to this.” Venom angled his head to look at Fendrel.

Fendrel shrugged. “It isn’t that new to me anymore.”

With Sour and Viper hanging back, the trio spied on the approaching cart.

The hunters’ gazes landed on the chained humans by the boulders. One of them whipped their horses again. The sudden jolt of speed startled the birch dragon awake as the cart rumbled across the uneven earth.

The captive’s eyes shot around in his skull. He wriggled and squirmed but barely moved. The birch mimic released a forlorn howl.

One of the hunters turned in his seat and whipped the dragon, spooked by his sudden cry.

Fog flinched. “He looks young. He’s probably still a hatchling.”

“You’re right. He is young.” Venom’s ears flattened against his head. His claws dug into the cliff edge. “Let’s go.”

The two dragons pushed off, hurtling toward the cart.

“Fog, fly to the birch dragon. Try to comfort him.” Venom jutted his chin at the birch mimic.

Fog nodded, veering toward the back of the cart.

Venom flew in front of the cart and dug his talons into the earth for a quick landing.

The horses reared up, whinnying. One of the hunters shouted in panic.

Fendrel jumped off Venom’s shoulders and raced for the cart.

Venom ran past him and shattered the wood of the cartwheels.

The hunters stumbled out, brandishing daggers from their belts. Before they could strike, Venom pinned one with his paws.

The second hunter dropped his dagger and dashed away.

Fendrel raced after him, swiping the fallen knife from the ground. He kicked the back of the hunter’s knee and grabbed him, placing the flat side of the blade to his neck.

Chest heaving, the hunter froze. He raised his hands above his lowered head.

Fog cut the ropes around the captured dragon with the metal claws.

He threw off his restraints and stumbled off the cart, cowering behind Fog. Dark blue powder caked his nose.

Fendrel pulled the hunter to his feet and shoved him toward Venom. He noticed the birch mimic’s stained nose. “Give us the knock-out powder.”

The hunter reached into his boot. His hand shot out and whipped toward Fendrel’s face, a small gleaming blade in his hand.

Before Fendrel realized it, he grabbed the hunter’s wrist and twisted it.

Yelping, the hunter dropped his knife.

Venom snapped his teeth mere inches from the hunter’s face. “Rat!”

“Are you okay?” Fog stepped toward them.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Fendrel felt his hands shaking out of his control. He put more pressure on the knife at the hunter’s neck and held his hand palm-up in front of him. “Give me the powder.”

The hunter took a small leather pouch out of a pocket and put it in Fendrel’s hand. He eyed the power, sweating. “Please, don’t. That’ll kill me.”

“Don’t worry.” Fendrel let go of the hunter and untied the strings on the pouch, taking out a small portion. “A pinch won’t hurt you.” He tossed it on the hunter’s face.

The hunter, after Fendrel tossed the dust in his face, slumped to the ground, unconscious. His friend gulped and squirmed under Venom’s paws.

Fendrel took another pinch from the leather bag and sprinkled it into his face.

Venom lifted his paws only after the hunter went limp and his breathing deepened.

The birch dragon took a timid step out from behind Fog. He looked between his three rescuers. “You aren’t going to kill them?”

“If I killed them, I wouldn’t be any better than they are. Besides, those two are just kids, barely even seventeen.” Fendrel stuffed the pouch in his bag. He unhitched the horses from their yoke, and they sped off. “And that’s why we’re not going to tie them up, either.”

“What?” The three dragons stared at Fendrel.

Fendrel shrugged. “They’re low ranked, inexperienced, scared teenagers. They probably didn’t even join the dragon hunters by choice.”

“What do you mean they didn’t join by choice?” Venom’s voice was full of apprehension.

Fendrel sighed. “This goes back to what we talked about inside the base. Some hunters had their families threatened. Others were tricked into thinking the dragon hunters were an elite branch of the royal guard. Some just wanted somewhere they could belong. There’s a very small number of hunters who actually buy into Sadon’s vision for the future.”

“So, some of them don’t kill dragons for fun?” Venom looked as if nothing would ever make sense again.

“Yes.” Fendrel nodded. “And if we’re lucky, these hunters will run away and start new lives as soon as they wake up. They’d be idiots if they decided to stay.”

<~><~><~>

POV: Cassius

Cassius grinned with glee. He had been right, only basic-trained guards remained to survey Sharpdagger’s city. The palace was free to roam without running into Zoricus or his knight companions.

He pushed a set of double doors open into a courtyard bordered by stone brick walls, occasionally notched by torches.

A burlap sack engorged with hay sported a painted-on target on the far side of the courtyard. Weapons were mounted on the wall just behind it.

Spears… I’ve never thought of practicing with spears. Why did I even want to use a sword in the first place?

Because that’s what Zoricus specializes at. You want to beat him at something, anything, he’s good at. Cassius clenched his fist, then shook it out. No, I’m not going to let him deter me from what I want to do.

Cassius threw his shoulders back in an effort to seem confident, like his cousin always looked, but ended up feeling silly. He cleared his throat and trudged over to the spears.

Carefully, he took a spear off its mount and stood before the target. He rolled his shoulders and held the spear in both hands, like he’d seen the guards do time and time again. He thrust the spear and pulled it back. He barely punctured the target.

“You’re kidding me, right?”

He took a deep breath, poised, and thrust again. The spearhead embedded in the target.

Cassius smiled.

I just need to be focused and commit to the action. The prince nodded in assurance.

Before he could ready himself for another strike, the double doors behind him opened.

Cassius froze, then breathed a sigh of relief and smiled when Sadie stepped into the courtyard.

“Good evening, sister.” He sheepishly returned the spear to its holder and turned to face her. His smile dropped.

Sadie’s eyes were downcast. She fiddled with her fingers. The princess’s attendants stood on either side of the hallway behind her.

“Sadie?” Cassius came to stand before her. He took one of her hands, trying to break her focus away from her fingers. “Are you all right?”

The princess finally looked up at him. “I’m fine. I just miss Zoricus. Father is so weak now, and Zoricus isn’t here to help him.”

Zoricus wasn’t helping him even when he was here. I tried to help Father, but all he wanted was for me to spend time with Miss Adila.

He shuddered. “I understand. You feel like your life is going downhill so fast and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” He patted the top of her hand.

Sadie shook her head. “Yes, but why do you understand? You’re getting married soon. Surely your future plans are drowning out all your troubling thoughts.”

Cassius forced a grin to his face. “You’re right. I have been shutting down my unsavory thoughts.”

“Well, speaking of your engagement, Father wants us all to have dinner together now so we can get to know Miss Adila better.” Sadie held a genuine smile, taking her hands away and clasping them in front of her waist.

Oh, great.

“Of course!” Cassius nodded. “Let’s go.”

Silently, they walked side-by-side through the hall to the dining room, Sadie’s attendants walking behind without a word.

Cassius was stiff. He had hoped to not see Adila for the whole day, and now he felt as if the princess’s attendants were burning holes into the back of his head.

<~><~><~>

POV: Thea

“What are we doing here?” Oliver’s hand was clasped in Thea’s.

“We’re going on an adventure of our own.” Thea swung their hands with each step.

“But Fendrel and the dragons are going on a fun adventure too.” Oliver’s feet dragged a bit.

Thea glanced down at him. “I don’t think you would like their next adventure very much, Oliver. For now, just you and me, we’ll have some fun here. This village has a few mages, like me, and they like new visitors.”

Just as she finished her sentence, Thea and Oliver crossed into Wing’s Caress, past the stone pillars attached to the short fence that marked the village’s gateway.

“Other people who do magic live here?” Oliver looked around at the people passing by, smiling or waving at the newcomers.

Thea waved back at a few of them. “Yes, and I’m sure they’d love to meet you.”

“Why?” Oliver asked.

“Well, because… it’s fun to meet new people,” Thea said.

And it would be good for you to meet others who will come to understand you.

She walked toward a small colorful hut with a round door. Thea knocked on the door. “A-a-and, we can see if we hear anything about Mist. Since the people here are a bit friendlier, they might tell us more.”

The door opened and a figure in a hooded cowl stood in the doorway. The man’s magenta eyes twinkled, the only visible features on his face since a black cloth covered the bottom half of it. “Why hello there, Thea. And who is this charming little fellow?”

Thea squeezed her eyes shut, her forehead wrinkling with a headache. She clenched Oliver’s hand tighter. “Hello, Raaldin.”

“I didn’t know you were a frequent visitor of Wing’s Caress.” Raaldin gasped. “Or wait. Have you only come to train an apprentice?”

Oliver looked up at Thea. “What’s an apprentice?”

Raaldin crouched so he was at eye-level with Oliver. “An apprentice is a mage’s student.”

“Raaldin, where is Riva?” Thea peeked over him.

Raaldin stood up. “She’s feeling under the weather at the moment, so I have been overseeing her shop. Did you need something from her?”

Thea began to back away, her stomach queasy. “No, it’s fine. I just wanted to say hello. We should be going now.”

“Don’t be a stranger.” Raaldin waved as Thea dragged Oliver off.

Her headache only ceased after Raaldin shut the door.

“You’re acting weird.” Oliver had a fearful voice.

Nodding, Thea moved to a wooden bench beside a fountain, enchanted to never run out of water. She and Oliver sat.

“I’m fine, I just got a little headache back there.” Thea forced a smile on her face.

“I did too!” Oliver shrugged. “It didn’t hurt very much, though.”

Thea stared at the boy. “You did?”

“Mhm!”

“Oliver…” Thea raised her hand, palm facing Oliver. “Do you promise you’re telling the truth? You aren’t just saying that because I had a headache?”

Oliver placed his palm against hers. “I promise. Why did you ask that?”

“Hold on a moment, just answer me,” Thea dropped her hand. “Have you had strange dreams about people you’ve never met before?”

The boy looked down for a bit. He nodded. “Sometimes they go to places I’ve been, but sometimes they go where I haven’t been. Oh! I had a dream where some of them went to the Hazy Woods, but I had that dream before I even saw what it looked like.”

“And it looked the exact same?” Thea’s brows furrowed.

“Yeah. Do you get those dreams, too?” Oliver smiled brightly.

Thea took a deep breath. “Oliver, if you ever feel like you can’t tell someone something, just know you can always tell me, especially if it’s something very odd.”

“Like… how that man with the weird eyes feels scary even though he talked nice?” The boy looked back at the hut.

“Yes, exactly like that.” Thea tapped Oliver’s nose. “Now, let’s get back to meeting the other mages.”