The two emerged from the hut but they had no idea which direction to go.
“Give me a minute.” said Jared calmly.
“What for?” asked Sarissa.
“Just wait a second.” he replied and closed his eyes. Concentrating deeply he focused on his friend, on all the moments they’d spent together and his need to find him now and surer than anything, he knew the direction he had gone.
“He went this way.” explained Jared.
“How do you know Hycindathaul?” she asked.
“It’s just a trick I picked up as Jared.” he replied. “It’s going to take some getting used to; being two people.” he muttered and they took off through the forest in the direction of Jason, of Roan, of their friend.
It wasn’t long before night struck and they were plunged into a deep darkness.
“Are you sure you can tell which direction he went?” asked Sarissa.
“I’m sure he’s this way and I doubt you have any better ideas.” he retorted. “He’s not far now.
But they were stopped in their tracks. A growl was sounding; there was a beast in the forest around them.
“Wait.” ordered Sarissa. “It’s a lynx.”
“Why does it choose now to attack?” muttered Jared. “It sounded like it was coming from the right.”
“That’s from Hycindathaul, he had very acute senses.” informed Sarissa but there was no time to debate it as he Lynx struck and they had no choice but to kill it; leaving it wounded would be far too cruel and insure it’s death.
Though it was just an animal, it was a fierce animal, and it took both of them to defeat it, Roan might have some difficulty.
“We should hurry!” called Hycindathaul as they rushed forwards at the sound of more in the distance.
“Jason!” he called as they ran. “Jason, where are you?!”
But there was no answer.
They burst into a clearing and found out why there had been no answer.
Roan was surrounded by lynxes in every direction, there were three of them and they were stalking him.
“What do you want Hycindathaul?!” demanded Jason.
“To save my friend, Jason!” he retorted and drew his blade.
“And who is that friend?!” cried Jason. “Is he Jason, or is he Roan?!”
But there was no longer any time for discussion, the beasts were attacking and Hycindathaul rushed forwards.
“It doesn’t matter what I call you!” he cried as he tackled a beast. “What matters is that you’re family! I care for you and I’ll always look out for you!”
Suddenly his sword began to glow a dull yellow, illuminating the clearing.
“Why is that?!” demanded Roan as they continued to fight for their lives, even Sarissa had taken up her blade and fought alongside them.
“Are you stupid or something?!” she shouted. “In this world, Roan was best friends with Hycindathaul and they always looked out for each other. In the other world it was the same for Jason and Jared! The way I see it, no matter what names you go by, your souls are still the same and you’ve always looked out for the other!”
“I will never abandon you!” cried Hycindathaul as he spun on the spot and swung his sword in a wide arc. The glow intensified and suddenly it was aflame, made of fire purer than any flame and steel sharper than any blade.
He raised his hand to his side as he waited for his friend’s response.
“United against all who oppose us.” said Roan as he clasped Hycindathaul’s hand and they shook. “Thanks for coming, Jared, Rissa.”
The three were united against all opposition; they’d grown up together and then met each other. Most circles of friends can’t vouch for that.
By the time they had returned to Tulla’s hut it was much too late to continue the conversation and Tulla refused to say anything other than that.
Sarissa slept easily and Jared was sure she must have practiced for days on end.
Roan was beside him but neither of them were able to sleep after such a big event, they just lay there staring at either their eyelids or the ceiling above them.
“So, say this is all true…” began Roan and Jared nodded. “I’m not saying that it is, but if it were, what name would we go by? I like Jason and all but I also like Roan, they both seem to fit me so well.”
“I know what you mean, half the time it seems so right to call you Roan and half the time it seems perfect to call you Jason.” replied Hycindathaul. “It’s the same for me, sometimes I feel like Jason and sometimes I feel like Hycindathaul.”
“People here seem know us by Roan and Hycindathaul.” added Roan. “If we go by those we’ll probably be more known but it may be confusing. I don’t know about you but I don’t exactly remember everything from Roan’s past, not that I should.” he added quickly afterwards.
“Well you know what I think?” asked Hycindathaul.
“What’s that?”
“I think we should just wait until morning and talk to Tulla a bit more.” he explained. “After he explains the rest we can make a decision.”
Roan agreed but they both still had trouble sleeping and it wasn’t for many hours before they got their first winks of sleep.
In the morning, Sarissa had rudely awoken them, but refrained from yelling; she didn’t want to seem improper in front of Tulla.
Instead she kicked them brutally when he wasn’t looking in order to rouse them and they jumped up sputtering and cursing wildly.
“Well now, what’s gotten you both so riled?” asked Tulla simply.
“Tulla?” asked Hycindathaul. “Oh right.” he said after a moment and he realized where he was. “I’d forgotten where I was for a moment.”
“Would you care for some breakfast?” asked Tulla nicely.
“Definitely!” agreed Jason as he sat down at the table. “I’m starved.”
Tulla and Sarissa prepared a simple breakfast and laid it out for everyone at the table.
They ate in silence, no one seemed to want to start the conversation they were all thinking about; everyone except Tulla who never seemed troubled by anything.
“So, shall I continue from where I left off last night?” he asked after they’d finished the meal.
“Please do.” agreed Hycindathaul.
“Very well.” he said before taking a seat next to the fire. “As I said last night your soul rejoined and became stronger, at the same time the two bodies that had lived separate lives became one and their experiences joined together.
“At this point, there would be one dominant personality; the one that caused the change. That would be Jared and Jason.” he explained casually. “Though there will most certainly be moments when Hycindathaul and Roan become dominant briefly and his experiences take priority, it will be Jared and Jason that are dominant more often than not.
“Over time these experiences of Hycindathaul and Roan will become more and more readily available and you will begin to access these readily. This will be the first sign that the two personalities are merging and soon afterwards they will become one, as they were meant to be.”
“Is there any way to stop it?” asked Hycindathaul. “For me to return to my world as myself and Hycindathaul stay here?”
“Yes and no.” replied Tulla curiously. “There is no way for both to be achieved.”
“Tulla?” asked Sarissa suddenly. “Are you sure you should be talking about this?”
“Sarissa my dear,” he began. “Whether or not Jared is dominant he is still Hycindathaul, it is the truth and even if we don’t tell him, he will remember.”
“Tell me what?” asked Hycindathaul. “What are you talking about?”
“As you can see Sarissa,” said Tulla, ignoring Hycindathaul. “There is no way to casually bat this question aside.”
“Stop ignoring me!” cried Hycindathaul. “Please, what are you talking about?”
“You best be seated somewhere comfortable.” advised Sarissa slightly annoyed.
“Hycindathaul, you were born very far away from here.” began Tulla. “I’m sure you know this, from both parts of your soul but there is something very important that concerns you.”
“And that is?” he asked.
“Have you read that book you carry?” asked Tulla referring to the book he’d received on the first day in the marketplace.
“Only a small amount, I have to translate it to the language in the other world.” he explained.
“And what is it about,” asked Tulla “the amount that you have read?”
“It seems to be a prophecy about a king that will come that wields flame, has a dragon, and possesses the true noble blood amongst other signs.”
“True.” agreed Tulla. “Didn’t I see some fire in the forest last night?”
“We encountered some lynxes.” informed Roan. “Jared’s sword turned to flame as we fought.”
“But sure you can’t mean that I possess the flame!” argued Hycindathaul. “I met a woman, she was going to be raped and I fought off the attackers. She said she was looking for a king and thought it was me but changed her mind after we talked for a moment.”
“The prophecy also told that the king would meet an unmarred beauty soon to be tarnished.” replied Tulla.
“Even if this was the same woman, she didn’t seem to think I was the king!” replied Hycindathaul in frustration.
“Maybe not Jared,” corrected Tulla “because it is after all, Hycindathaul, who is the king.”
Hycindathaul looked at him sternly.
“I thought you said we were both the same person?” he asked sarcastically.
“I did.” agreed Tulla. “But I also said that they both had different personalities and Hycindathaul is much more like a king than Jared as he has lived with this knowledge for a very long time. I’m not sure what kind of life Jared has had but Hycindathaul has had to watch from afar as Mallunun continues to wreak havoc and destroy this kingdom that doesn’t belong to him.”
Sarissa seemed to be shaking with something she could no longer contain.
“Hycindathaul, my brother had to sit on the sidelines and watch a battle he had to fight but couldn’t be part of!” she shouted suddenly. “He has witnessed every single crude act of Mallunun’s and not been able lift a finger against him!”
But Jared wasn’t able to stay quiet and he leapt up; both he and Sarissa standing tall face to face in anger.
“Don’t you dare assume that I’m not against this Mallunun!” he cried. “I know that he’s evil, I know that entire villages and cities are in such horrid states that young women flee with silly dreams to find a king no one has heard of before to fix it!
“I don’t give a damn what you think of me or what Hycindathaul has had to do, what matters is that I want to fix it just as much as anyone else! I just don’t have any sweet clue how to do it!”
“You’re sounding an awful lot like Hycindathaul now.” said Tulla simply.
“Whatever!” cried Sarissa as she sat down angrily, Hycindathaul doing the same.
“As I was saying,” began Tulla to get their attention “There is still a way for you both to get home.”
“Really?” asked Jason quickly. “How?!”
“First, what do you remember after casting the spell and before arriving in this world?” asked Tulla.
“I saw a mirror.” offered Jared. “I collided with my reflection and it disappeared.”
“It was the same for me;” agreed Jason “I remember moving through a mirror lined with gold and smoother than anything.”
“As was expected.” replied Tulla.
“How so?” asked Jared.
“Well the mirror is what you went through to come here.” he replied.
“But we didn’t touch a mirror; we just cast the spell and saw it.” argued Jason.
“But it was by the power of that mirror that you were able to arrive here.” stated Tulla. “Have you ever seen the mirror anywhere else?”
“I saw it once before I think.” replied Jared. “In my sister’s room, there was a mirror that looked identical and had a weird feeling; there was something mysterious about it that I picked up on.”
“And did you ever touch it?” he asked.
“No, I almost did but my sister’s friend Martin interrupted us.” replied Jared.
“That Mirror exists in both worlds.” informed Tulla as he stood up. “You must walk through it if you want to return home.”
“Return?!” cried Sarissa suddenly. “How can they return?!”
“This is not your place to speak Sarissa!” shouted Tulla as he stood. For a little man he seemed to radiate with command. “You cannot control them! It is up to them to decide and they may return if that is their wish!”
“But what about Hycindathaul?!” she cried hysterically. “He’s in there somewhere!”
“He is Hycindathaul!” corrected Tulla as he placed a finger on Sarissa’s forehead and she fell over.
“What’d you do?” cried Hycindathaul as he and Roan leapt up.
“I put her to sleep.” replied Tulla. “She was being hysterical; she was of no use to the conversation at the moment.”
“And because she was passionate you felt the need to knock her out?” demanded Roan.
“I did what I must do and there is something you must do.” replied Tulla batting the question away.
“And what’s that?” asked Hycindathaul.
“You must find a dragon.” he replied.
“A dragon?” repeated Hycindathaul. “You’ve got to be kidding!”
“If you want to find that mirror you need to get a dragon.” stated Tulla simply.
“And where exactly can I find a dragon?” asked Hycindathaul sarcastically. “In my back pocket?”
“In a sense.” replied Tulla as he ushered them towards the door.
“What about Sarissa?” he asked. “We don’t know our way around without her.”
“Nonsense, you’re Hycindathaul as well, it will come to you.” he replied. “You will find what you seek if you travel east to the lands known as the Expanse.”
“And how will we know when we find said dragon?” asked Roan as they stepped outside.
“Most likely when you see a lot of fire and chaos.” replied Tulla with a curious grin before he shut the door, leaving the two appalled and speechless.
They had been walking for hours now, neither knowing if they were even traveling in the right direction.
“How far do you suppose it is?” asked Roan.
“Probably far.” replied Hycindathaul. “I hope we find a town before we pass it.”
“If there’re any towns way the heck out here!” cried Roan.
The two trudged along silently, neither sure what to talk about or even think about; their entire world was head over heels and they were reeling from the confusion.
“So what was this unmarred beauty like?” asked Roan after a long silence.
“Well she was an unmarred beauty.” explained Hycindathaul as he chuckled.
“Really?” asked Roan sarcastically. “I didn’t expect that!”
“She was just a woman who was going to be raped so I knocked out the rapists and escorted her back to the inn.”
“And then what?” prodded Roan.
“Well she got redressed because they had ruined her clothes.” explained Hycindathaul. “And then she came to our room and we started talking. She said she was out looking for a king because her village was destroying itself as Mallunun was such a horrible king.”
“And why did she think you weren’t a king?’ asked Roan.
“Well when she mentioned Mallunun I asked who he was and that was what started It.” he explained. “She said hated that I wasn’t aware of such an evil man and everything he was causing and stormed out.”
“But that wasn’t your fault.” offered Roan. “You hadn’t even been in this world for a week.”
“She didn’t know that.” he replied.
“Oh well…” sighed Roan as they walked. “You never know, you may just see her again.”
As Roan finished speaking the two emerged from the forest and saw a village for the first time in ages. What’s more there was a massive ridge of mountains in the distance and they were sure that it was the Expanse Tulla had mentioned.
“I bet that’s it!” cried Hycindathaul, pointing to the mountains.
“I’m more concerned about the town!” shouted Roan. “That house is on fire!”
He was right; the house was burning. It was made entirely of wood and there would soon be nothing left of it. They prayed there was no one inside but as they approached the heard the unmistakable cry of fear.
“Come on Roan!” urged Hycindathaul as he kicked the front door down and rushed in. He almost ran straight into an elderly woman standing in the middle of her burning living room. There were cats everywhere.
“Come on lady!” he shouted. “We have to get out!” He tried to help he out but she wouldn’t come.
“My cats!” she shrieked. “I can’t leave my babies!”
Hycindathaul cursed loudly as he realized he had no choice but to help round up the cats.
“How many are there?” cried Roan as they ran around the burning house catching the fleeing felines.
“Not many,” replied the woman simply, as though she wasn’t aware the building was burning “only twenty or so.”
Hycindathaul heard Roan curse from the other side of the room and they both met at the front door with arms full of fearful kittens and deposited them outside before rushing back into the house for the rest.
It took three trips to get them all and by the time they had all be saved the building was beginning to fall down. Support beams were dropping all around them and the living room ceiling was sinking dangerously low.
“Hurry up!” shouted Hycindathaul to the woman as he gripped her hand and pulled her out of the building moments before it crashed down all around them.
“Thank the heavens!” cried the woman. “My babies are safe, thank you young men!”
“Not a problem…” breathed Hycindathaul as he struggled to catch his breath.
Someone laid a hand on his shoulder as he was hunched over to catch his breath.
“What a nice thing to do.” said the voice, though it sounded anything but friendly.
“Thanks.” offered Hycindathaul as he stood back up and turned around to face the man.
Except it wasn’t just one man, there were many more than one; probably neat twenty of them.
“Are you new here?” asked one.
“What’s it matter?” replied Roan as he backed beside Hycindathaul. Their hands edged to their sides but their cloaks hid their blades perfectly.
“Foreigners may not know our customs.” explained the man. “For instance, they may not know that we’re in charge here, we own this city and everyone in it.”
“Oh now that’s interested.” said Hycindathaul through a scowl. “May I see the deed for that pebble?” he asked sarcastically.
“And who are you to speak to us like that?” demanded one of the men.
“Someone who believes in freedom of speech.” retorted Roan.
“When we want to take someone out,” began the man who spoke first “we take them out, along with anyone that stands in our way.”
“So I’ve got a simple question for you all.” began Hycindathaul. “Do the people in the back of your group want the same thing?”
“Of course!” cried someone in the back.
Roan smirked at this.
“Well aren’t all the other members of the group standing in their way?” asked Roan. “Sorry but you don’t sound very educated – that means smart” he added jokingly.
“You’ll regret that!” cried one of them and they began drawing blades.
Roan and Hycindathaul drew theirs in that instant as well, taking stances easily.
“I don’t believe we will.” replied Hycindathaul as the thugs began to attack.
It didn’t matter how they looked at it; twenty against two was suicide. Sure they could talk big but they were in serious trouble.
Together they parried the first attack and stepped back in sync. If they backed up too far the old lady would be in danger and losing ground was always a bad thing.
“Come on Roan, don’t get soft on me!” cried Jared.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to keep up!” he replied as they parried the next attacks. This time they took long sweeping gashed in front of them. The enemies backed up and they began to regain their ground.
But soon the enemies were massing at their sides too and they’d be surrounded all too son if it kept up.
“Don’t let them completely flank us!” shouted Hycindathaul as they both leapt backwards to escape the foes momentarily.
They entered battle again, very similar to the last time but with one major difference; they were allowing the enemies to get behind them. They’d block the first few hits and swing their swords in wide arcs to push them all back but this time they were focusing on breaking through the other side.
The enemies were skilled too; they’d only defeated about two each in the battle and the rest were closing in fast.
Just as they were about to break through the other side to stop the enemies from surrounding them the enemies regrouped on that side as they formed their circle.
Cursing loudly, the two stood back to back and faced their attacked on all sides.
“Will you beg for forgiveness now?” asked one as he sneered at them.
“Listen, I’ve got one thing to say before the end of this.” said Hycindathaul solemnly and they all quieted to listen to his “last words”.
“Well, what is it then?” asked the same man.
“This is obviously disadvantageous to us, so I’d like to say one thing.” stated Hycindathaul calmly. “Before I lose, I’ll be taking you out.” he spoke directly at the one who had sneered at him and in that instant he and Roan raised their blades and struck out.
Hycindathaul felt a dagger dig deep into his thigh and he cried out in pain as he continued to fight wildly.
But it was no use, the enemies were closing in and he was getting more and more cuts all over his body. Soon one of them would be fatal and eh was sure Roan wasn’t getting treated like a prince.
The air screeched at something shot past him, and then again. He had no time to figure out what it was as one of the thugs tackled him to the ground, forcing the dagger that was already in his thigh to stab deeper.
He gripped the thug’s wrist as he tried to stab Hycindathaul in the chest. He struggled with the attacker as the rest advanced on him but suddenly there was a screeching sound again and something collided with the attacker atop Hycindathaul and threw him off.
As he leapt to his feet once more, the remaining thugs turned tail and ran.
Turning around he spotted Sarah, the woman he had saved that night in the alleyway. She was holding a pristine bow made of smooth oak that glowed with a green aura. She carried no quiver but he also saw no arrows around him.
“Sarah!” he cried. “What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she strapped her bow to her back. “This is my home and Tulla doesn’t live here.”
“We know.” replied Roan as he approached. “We’ve already spoken to him.”
“Then why are you here?” she asked sternly. “I told you my home was brimming with crime.”
“Is there somewhere I can sit down?” asked Hycindathaul motioning towards the dagger protruding from his thigh.
“Sure, follow
It wasn’t long until they reached her, slightly run down, home. It was one floor and made entirely of wood, like most of the houses in the town.
She guided him to a padded bed where he more or less fell onto while she went to get some bandages.
Together they took the dagger out and mended the wound, disinfecting the cut and wrapping it in bandages.
“You’ll have to stay here for a week or so” she said “until it heals properly.”
“But I’ve got things to do!” he protested.
“We all have things to do but we can’t always find what we want.” she retorted sorely. Obviously she had been looking for her king but to no avail.
“Who were those thugs?” asked Roan.
“Just criminals.” she replied. “They’re part of some gang that moved into town not too long ago. No one is strong enough to stand up to them so they always get what they want.”
“Well that should give them a good scare.” offered Roan, unsure how else he should respond.
“I doubt it.” she retorted. “They’ll always come back, stronger than last time. You’ve mocked them; they won’t let you be until they’ve gotten their way.”
“They sound childish.” added Hycindathaul as he tried to sit up.
“It doesn’t matter what they sound like!” she cried. “No one can stand up to them, they always get what they want.”
“What does the mayor do?” asked Roan.
“That coward?” she asked. “He doesn’t do a thing. He just sits in his desk and quivers in fear all day. He’s afraid of them, everyone is; everyone but me.”
“And that’s why you’re the one that went to look for the king?” asked Hycindathaul but she just nodded.
“We stumbled across this town while we were traveling.” explained Roan. “And the building was burning so we saved the woman and her twenty cats, the thugs didn’t like it and I’m sure you know the rest.”
“I can’t say you’re not valiant and courageous.” she muttered. “Where are you headed?”
“We’re going to the Expanse, do you know where it is?” asked Roan.
She stared at them for a long moment.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” she mused. “Everyone knows where the Expanse is!”
“Well we don’t.” replied Hycindathaul simply.
“We assume it’s those mountains on the horizon.” added Roan.
“Why the heck are you going to the Expanse?!” she cried suddenly.
“Tulla said we need to go there to get a-“ Hycindathaul was interrupted as a man burst into the room.
“Sarah!” he cried.
“What is it dad?” she asked as she faced him.
“The thugs are going to burn down the Mayors house!” he cried and rushed out the door.
“I’ve got to go!” she shouted. “Stay put!”
“We’ll come with you!” offered Hycindathaul but she shook her head.
“You can’t do anything in that condition, stay put!” with that she rushed out.
Roan looked at Hycindathaul and he looked back.
“Well what are you waiting for?!” demanded Hycindathaul. “Follow her!”
Roan nodded before grabbing his sword and rushing out the door after Sarah and leaving Hycindathaul alone to rest.
Roan had just caught up with Sarah and her father as they approached the Mayor’s house.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“They’re trying to take out the Mayor.” replied Sarah’s father.
“He may be a coward but they can’t just kill him!” shouted Sarah as she drew her bow and Roan drew his blade.
“Well are we just going to stand here and watch?” asked Roan as he charged forwards looking for the thugs.
“That idiot!” cried Sarah’s father as they chased after him.
They rounded a corner and all at once they were face to face with a massive group of fifty thugs.
The Mayor wasn’t in his house but instead he was tied up and gagged on the other side of the group; it had been a distraction to lure them out.
Roan let loose and cried out as he struck fiercely and took out three enemies at once but they stormed him.
Sarah fired a barrage of arrows but it was to no avail, they couldn’t stop the entire group and soon they found themselves captured and bound.
“Now we’ll teach you to watch your tongue.” sneered a thug as he danced his blade lightly along Sarah’s neck.
“Back off you pervert!” shouted Roan and the thug reeled on him delivering a kick to the his chest.
“How dare you talk to me like that!” he cried. “Do you even realize what kind of position you’re in?!”
“Of course I do!” cried Roan in return. He hoped he could get Hycindathaul’s attention if he was loud enough. “What kind of idiot would think I didn’t know that I had been captured?!”
Away in Sarah’s home Hycindathaul did here the commotion and was immediately out of bed on his pained leg. He grabbed his blade and went to the door to wait.
They were bringing them somewhere, and it looked like it was out of town. What’s more is they were heading towards the expanse.
He waited, slightly crouched in the doorway until they were close enough for him to pounce.
All at once he charged straight out of the house and through the group at first taking out many of them until he reached the other side and stumbled from his wounded leg.
He spun on the spot as they noticed what was happening and struggled to stand up straight.
“Wounded hero can’t do much, can he?” shot one of the thugs as they attacked.
Hycindathaul was no match with a wounded leg. He defeated a few but the majority of them massed him and he fell easily, being captured and bound himself.
“Why couldn’t you have shouted how many there were?” he asked dryly as he was dragged alongside Roan.
“Well I can’t give you a play by play.” he retorted.
They were dragged through the entire village and eventually towards the Expanse in the distance. They were going to be left for dead in the wilderness most likely, with no food or water and ultimately no chance of survival as they starved to death or were attacked by animals constantly.
With Sarah out of the picture the thugs would be able to operate completely without resistance and their influence would reach out to other towns until eventually they controlled all of Vel Aryth and no one could stop them.
No one as long as Mallunun was in charge.
The king would never bother to stop a gang from rising to power, as long as he found a way to profit from something, he was okay with it.
“What are you even trying to achieve?!” demanded Sarah. “So you’re going to be the ones calling the shots in a lonely town, so what?!”
“Shut yer mouth.” ordered one of the thugs as he smacked her.
“Back off!” shouted Hycindathaul angrily. “Let her be!”
She looked at him with wide eyes of shock. His demeanor was becoming more commanding and resolute, as he had been in the alleyway.
“And who are you to tell us what to do?” asked one of the thugs.
The man leaned down beside Sarah and grabbed her face by the chin while he looked at Hycindathaul. Slowly he reached out his tongue and licked her cheek making Hycindathaul shake with anger.
The thug began to kiss her neck and soon pulled out a dagger to cut away her clothes when Hycindathaul could take it no more.
“Hycindathaul!” he shouted angrily and the thug looked up at him.
“What?” he asked.
“My name is Hycindathaul!” he shouted and the sword at his side burst into flame and his bonds were broken.
He fell to his knees and took up his blade immediately and thrust forwards at the thug.
“Don’t you dare touch her you pig!” he shouted and attacked everyone near in a torrent of ferocity.
They charged him and he charged them, both fighting each other fiercely but there was no way he could beat them all.
But he’d give it his best and take out as many as he could; it was a matter of principle, not of winning or losing. It was about defending her honor and taking out despicable people like them.
They literally dog piled him.
He was forced to the ground by several of them at once and beaten from all sides. They kicked him and scratched him, beating him and cutting him. They drew blood and broke bones but all the while he stared back at them in spite, cursing them until his throat was sore.
When they had tired of the beatings they deposited him on the side of the road and carried on.
He was a broken heap of carnage but he was alive. He was in terrible shape but he was still alive, if only barely.
Unfortunately he was too wounded to remain conscious and slipped away into dark dreams of tormented times.
Roan, Sarah and her father were dragged further into the expanse before the thugs knocked them out and headed back, leaving them to their own devices.
It wasn’t long before they awoke, not even an hour; but it was getting dark regardless.
“You okay?” asked Sarah as she roused Roan.
“Yeah.” he said rubbing his temple. “We need to find Hycindathaul.”
“We’ve got bigger problems.” called her father from the top of a hill.
When they climbed to the top they realized all at once that the town they had left was now completely ablaze.
“The town!” shrieked Sarah.
“They were idiots to leave the mayor’s house unattended!” shouted Roan.
“We’ve got to get down there!” she cried. “We have to help out!”
“But what about Hycindathaul?” demanded Roan.
“He may not even be alive!” she protested.
“That’s no reason to abandon him!” retorted Roan.
“Listen,” she began. “It’s getting dark, we’ll never find him. We should help the town and come back tomorrow.”
“But he could be dead by then!” shouted Roan angrily.
“He could already be dead!” she argued.
“Enough!” cried her father. “There’s more of a threat in the village, they need us more. If this Hycindathaul fellow is smart he’ll find some shelter and wait for us. I’m going to the village; you can do what you want.”
“I’m going with him.” agreed Sarah as she followed her father.
Roan stood there motionless caught between loyalty and morals.
Should he go and look for Hycindathaul? Maybe they could handle themselves?
Of course they couldn’t, what was he thinking? She was an archer; she couldn’t take on so many melee fighters! They needed his help.
How could he choose between Hycindathaul and the others?!
But he knew in his heart what Hycindathaul would want; he would want Roan to help the people for the greater good. It had always been that when they were growing up in the streets of Alsymok; the people always came first.
“I’ll be back soon.” he breathed and rushed off towards the town; every second counted.
Roan, Sarah, and her father exploded into the burning mass of wreckage. Without a single word or conflict they began bursting into houses and dragging people out whether they wanted to or not.
The woman with the mass amounts of cats was once more inside of a burning building with her feline companions but Roan dragged her out first and surprisingly the cats followed suit.
It wasn’t long before the idiotic thugs felt a need to express their superiority and fights began to break out all throughout the streets.
The thugs were torn between rectifying the burning carnage they’d started and retaining their ruthless reputation by defeating Roan and his band.
Seeing Sarah outnumbered, Roan drew his blade and charged forwards. He twirled quickly and brought down three of them before continuing past her to another building they had yet to search.
The stairs were crumbling from the fire and he fought to get to the top with his life. The banister was no use as it fell away the instant he touched it and all he could do was pray that he didn’t fall through the ground as he climbed to the second floor.
There was no sign of any life, save for the dull whimpering he could hear from one side of the building.
It was a whimpering of terror but he couldn’t place where it was coming from in the bedroom.
“Where are you?!” he called but the whimpering only got louder. He edged throughout the room, sampling the sound from different directions and realized in haste that it was coming from under the bed.
He dropped to the floor and looked under, only to find a small black pup, not a year old, cuddled in the corner in pure fear.
He reached behind its head and scratched for a minute before managing to coax it out into his arms.
It bounded into his grip and licked his chin before hiding its snout under his arm.
Smiling, Roan turned to leave the way he came but his face turned to dread as walls began to collapse around them.
A pillar fell across the way to the stairs and the roof began to sink dangerously.
He ran to the window quickly and broke it with his elbow before peering out.
“Sarah!” he called desperately. “Help!”
She had just finished fighting off a nameless thug when she heard the cry but she could find no way to help him.
Her father rushed up with a line of rope and handed it to her.
She nodded quickly and gripped her bow tightly in one hand. She had no arrows; she never did, but she held one end of the rope where the arrow normally would be and drew back the string on the bow.
An arrow made of light materialized in the bow and she let loose; the arrow screeching through the air and plunging deep into the wood frame window Roan peered out.
He nodded to her and placed the pup inside his breastplate as he gathered up a blanket fro the bed. It was burning but not entirely, just enough to be used.
He wrapped it around the rope and held onto the sections that weren’t already burning as he leapt from the window and soared through the sky along the rope.
The burning began collapsing rapidly and the flame was spreading to the rope. It jerked violently as the frame collapsed slowly but it altogether gave way when the rope burned through.
Suddenly, Roan wasn’t sliding carefully to safety; he was soaring through the air on a burning blanket with a dangered pup in his armor.
They landed hard but he rolled immediately to land on his back, making sure not to crush the pup.
“Are you okay?” asked Sarah as she ran over. She tilted her head in confusion when she saw a wet tongue emerging from Roan’s breastplate licking his chin.
“I’m fine.” he said tiredly. “And by the looks of things, so is this little fellow.”
The pup crawled out of the breastplate with determination and bounced happily around Roan’s head.
As he lay lazily on the ground, more thugs began to attack and Sarah was surrounded and he fought to get back up, though he was running out of stamina.
She defeated them easily, but there was one she hadn’t noticed. There was a lonely thug down the street with an armed bow in his hands.
He had her in his sights and was taking aim but she was facing Roan and hadn’t noticed him.
“Move!” he cried as he lunged forwards; knocking her out of the way and drawing his own blade.
There was almost no time, the thug could fire any time and send his arrow straight through Roan; there was almost no time left to do anything.
“Kooriken!” he screamed as he swung his sword upwards from the ground, as though trying to hit something that wasn’t present.
But all at once, his blade seemed to change and the tip detached itself from the rest of the sword and shot forwards on a chain like a whip.
The air screeched as the arrow was let loose from the bow and the tip of Roan’s sword shot forwards.
They slammed together in an instant but Roan’s sword prevailed and continued through the arrow, completely unhindered until it collided with the attacked and defeated him.
He fell to his knees after that; completely out of energy. It wasn’t long before he was laying on his back breathing hard with the pup cuddling into his side.
“You okay?” asked Sarah as she stood overtop of him and he nodded slowly, struggling to get his breath.
Suddenly there was blood pouring from Sarah’s leg and she was on the ground writing in pain; an arrow was protruding from her thigh.
Her father fell next, felled by an arrow as well as a multitude of thugs approached, this time following a leader.
“Run!” was all Roan could say as he urged the pup forwards. There was only a moment of hesitation before the pure black pup took off through the streets, out of harms way and the thugs loomed over Roan.
“I thought you both would be too tired to return.” announced the leader. “I guess I was wrong.”
“Damn straight.” breathed Roan.
A thug kicked him brutally in the ribs and the leader laughed maliciously, his entire face turning into some corrupt form of sadistic pleasure from the burning carnage around.
“And who are you to resist us?!” he screamed as he picked up Roan. “Who could possibly resist our numbers?!”
He began to laugh again and Roan found it sickening.
“Well why don’t you go dig a hole and bury yourself?” he shot angrily at the boss. “No one here even cares if you’re alive or dead.”
“Now now, don’t be
The sky was growing dark and Hycindathaul was stumbling along the rocky pathway, not sure if he was even going in the relative direction of safety.
He was hurt, but that was an understatement; he was beaten almost beyond recognition.
Both of his eyes were swelling rapidly and he was losing vision at an alarming pace. His right arm seemed to be broken and neither of his two legs wanted to support him but he needed to find shelter or else the beasts would easily feast on him.
He lumbered forwards, stumbling and falling to his knees until he came to large hill that required him to literally crawl no faster than a snail, all the way to the top.
When he had finally conquered the hill and reached it’s peak he collapsed breathing heavily and cursing the thugs profusely but delighting in the odd light that lit up the sky preventing darkness from overtaking him.
It was an odd light, half of it was dark like smoke and the other half was bright like fire…
Like fire… he thought.
He lazily rolled onto his side and looked out over the hill towards the town and his eyes grew wide in fear; it was ablaze.
The entire town was burning, it wasn’t just one building, the thugs had lit the entire damn town on fire with their stupidity!
Cursing profusely, Hycindathaul struggled upwards, testing his balance on both legs.
They didn’t want to support him but he needed to get down there, regardless of what state he was in.
The first step he took down the hill was also his last as his legs couldn’t handle the change in elevation and he went tumbling down the entirety of the hill, rolling even further and finally crashing brutally into a rock wall.
He lay still for a very long moment as he caught his breath and then attempted to drag himself up with the rock wall.
He had fallen into some cave; it would be the perfect shelter but his friends needed him.
He cursed once more and started edging towards the exit, knowing that there was entirely no way for him to help even if he were able to get there; but it was a matter of principle none the less.
“Where are you going?” asked a calm feminine voice.
“Who’s there?” he coughed, trying to spin on the spot but falling miserably.
“Oh you don’t need to know that.” said the voice. “Where are you going when you’re that injured? It’s getting dark, you’ll never make it anywhere and the beasts will devour you.”
“I know!” he tried to shout but it came out as a hoarse whisper.
“Then where are you going?” asked the voice again.
“I’m going to town, they need help.” he breathed.
“You will die before you get there.” stated the voice but Hycindathaul ignored him.
“I know.” he said slowly. “But it’s a matter of principle.”
“Pride is the downfall of men.” said the voice sternly. “What good are you to them if you die on the way? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until you’ve recovered before trying to help?”
“It might be.” he agreed. “But there’s a chance I can help, even if it’s by using myself as a shield or giving another my sword.” he had to stop and catch his breath as he collapsed on the ground. “I will not be the man who did not try to help when someone needed me.”
He began coughing profusely and soon tasted blood.
The voice was silent for a long moment and Hycindathaul began to winder if he had even heard it in the first place. He was about to ask if she was still there when she spoke next.
“What is your name?” asked the voice.
“Hycindathaul.” he choked out.
“And why have you come to this town?” she continued. “I can tell you’re not from this town. There’d either be no more criminals or you’d be dead by now.”
“I’m not from this town.” he agreed, feeling slightly better. “I came here with my companion searching for a dragon.”
“A dragon?” repeated the voice.
“Yes.”
“But they’re mythical creatures.” replied the voice. “They don’t exist, don’t you know that?”
“It doesn’t matter.” replied Hycindathaul. “Too many people need me to get stronger. I can’t just turn away without searching; I need to help them.”
Hycindathaul’s sword began to glow once more, illuminating most of the cave but not enough to see the being that was speaking to him.
“Perhaps I can help you, young one.” said the voice as she came closer. “I know a bit of healing magic and I could mend your wounds.”
“No,” he breathed quietly “If you can heal, please-” he coughed up blood again “-please go to the village and help the wounded.”
“I’m not sure I’d like a King who so readily sacrifices himself.” said the voice. “But it’s not my place to argue with fate.” she said and stepped forwards into the light.
She was a dragon.
Her skin was purest of reds, as though she had bathed in the flame itself. Her scales were harder than any stone he’d ever seen and her eyes were deep as pools at
In fact, she looked rather happy, her lips pursed slightly in a smile and a certain light in her eyes.
She bowed lowly, laughing quietly when Hycindathaul tried to do the same, his entire face the epitome of wonder and awe.
“You’re a dragon!” he exclaimed in awe.
“That I am.” she said. “And I think it’s about time I healed you.”
“No.” he said sternly. “If you are going to help me, I pray that you will help me help the town first.”
“Very well,” she sighed after a moment. “But I can’t leave this place without you.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“I’m here to wait for the king.” she explained. “To make me stay here, my egg was left in this cave. I can’t leave my egg behind.”
“Where is it?” he asked and she guided him through the cave towards it.
He was incredibly slow moving but determined none the less and eventually he found the egg and deposited inside of his bag.
“How are we going to get there?” he asked after he managed to catch his breath.
She smiled knowingly at him and lifted him gently with her mouth, setting him down gently on her back.
“We dragons are meant to fly!” she exclaimed and burst out of the cave; Hycindathaul only barely able to hold on in his weakened state.
The air was damp and rank with the smoke and he nearly wretched as they neared the burning town.
“Hurry up you lugs!” cried the leader of the thugs, as he organized some devious plot.
“Can’t even control your own men?” asked Roan in spite.
“Bite your tongue!” cried the thug as he slapped Roan with the back of his hand.
“Why don’t you make me, dog?!” retorted Roan angrily, receiving another slap in response.
“Oh, I will be you fool.” replied the thug. “Just you wait and see…”
Roan didn’t have any time to reply as a quantity of nameless thugs carried him and the other two away.
“What are you doing?” cried Sarah as they literally dragged her away towards the center of town as the rest of the buildings burned to a crisp.
There was a large pile of unburned wood in the center and the three were thrown on top.
“What’s this all about?” asked Roan. “What’s your plan?!”
But the thugs merely laughed in response.
The three were bound to large pillars of wood in the middle of the heap of wreckage as the others stepped back with malicious grins and the leader reappeared.
He held a torch in his hand, fully alight and flaming.
It dawned on Roan that they were to be burned alive and he cursed as the thug drew closer with a face of evil and dropped the torch onto the pile of wreckage.
The fire was spreading slowly, whether or not that was a good thing was debatable.
“Let us go!” cried Sarah.
“You evil heartless idiots!” screamed her father but Roan was silent; pleading would not help and he would not bow to these heartless thugs.
“I’m afraid you’re not in a position to insult us.” retorted the leader and they all began to laugh.
A laugh that was cut short by an incredibly loud and piercing screech from above. The sun was blocked and a shadow encompassed the land, more cries piercing the air and instilling fear in the thugs.
A great and vicious wind picked up and the sound of beating winds filled the air above them.
Something was heading towards them rapidly, increasing it’s speed rapidly.
It was moving too fast to see properly but suddenly it seemed to disappear and reform before crashing into the pile of wreckage.
With a thud Hycindathaul landed on the burning wood moments before it consumed his friends and set them free.
“You!” cried the leader as he drew a longsword.
“Me,” replied Hycindathaul calmly “me and my friends.”
He leapt casually down from the pile of wood and drew his blade, completely undeterred by the massive outnumbering.
“We’re just going to have to beat you senseless again!” cried one of the thugs as they charged him.
His blade turned to flame and he spun in a quick circle, taking out the first wave easily.
His sword left a trail of flame that made a perfect circle and as he finished he stood tall, leaning back and crying out loud.
“Syldra!” he screamed and drew from a pouch a golden egg, holding it high in the center of the flaming circle that would not die out.
The egg exploded in flame, the explosion creating a cloud of smoke engulfing the area and causing everyone nearby to shield their eyes.
After a moment and the dust had cleared, the thugs faltered in their courage at the sight of Hycindathaul, tall and proud with his flaming sword, standing beside a massive red dragon.
“Meet Syldra,” he said calmly “a dragon.”
In the next instant he was off fighting; he wouldn’t just leave all of the work to Syldra, even if she could get it done much faster than he could. He danced around the field dispatching foe after foe and making his way to the awaiting leader who already had his longsword at the ready.
Their blades clashed and they stepped closer to each other, staring into each other’s eyes.
They stepped back and swung again, both dodging the other’s attack and rounding again.
Hycindathaul swung next, a slash from the ground to the sky, designed to break stances but the heartless thug was ready and dodged it before sending his own attack – a sharp and quick stab – straight towards Hycindathaul who immediately fainted to his left and spun on the spot, concentrating on a memory that was forming in his mind.
His soul was reforming itself and he was slowly gaining more of Hycindathaul’s memories and battle experience.
His sword left a trail of flame that formed a circle, parallel to the thug’s face that failed to dissipate.
He slowly stepped behind it so that it was between him and the thug and touched it with his still flaming sword.
“The flame of Justice.” he said sternly and the circle erupted like a cannon of flame, a torrent of heat and retribution that washed over and defeated the thug in an instant.
“And that’s what I think of petty thugs and criminals.” said Hycindathaul boldly as Sarah ran to him.
“You saved the village!” she cried, tears welling in her eyes but Hycindathaul looked around grimly.
“Define saved…” he muttered. “There isn’t much of a town left.”
“But we can rebuild It.” exclaimed Sarah’s father as he approached. “The point is, we’re no longer going to be faced with oppression from those thugs.”
Suddenly Sarah flung her arms around Hycindathaul and squeezed him tightly.
“I knew it was you.” she cried over and over again. “From the moment you saved me in that alleyway, I knew it was you.”
For some reason, Jared’s gut felt like it was going to wretch and he pulled Sarah off of himself.
“Listen,” he said “I’m not who you think I am, and I’ve gotten what I’ve come for. I have to leave.”
He was no longer commanding and cool, he was no longer the calm figure of the hero that had dispatched unwavering justice and cleared the town of misery.
She took a step back from him, holding his shoulders at arms length and stared at him sternly, checking him over as though looking for some sort of bonk on his head.
“Right.” she said after a moment. “I’m going with you.”
“What?” asked Jared suddenly. “Why?”
“Because I want to.” she retorted. “And who else is going to watch your backs in the heat of battle, I don’t suppose you know how many times my arrows stopped you from being ambushed, do you?”
Jared faltered; the thing was, he didn’t know how many times she’d saved him.
“Fine.” he sighed and she hugged him in excitement.
“Just give me a minute!” she said and went running off to gather her things.
Jared sighed deeply, wondering what he was to do with her.
It was late into the evening by the time they had returned to Tulla’s hut, the instant the door was opened Sarissa had landed square atop Jared’s chest.
“How dare you leave me you twit!” she shouted sternly. “And your hurt to boot! How’d you get hurt?! Who hurt you? Where do they live, I’ll make them pay! And who’s this blonde?!”
Jared and Jason had to drag her back into Tulla’s house and force her into a seat before she would even consider stopping for breath.
“Calm down!” shouted Jared suddenly. “Just calm down!”
“Tell me what the heck happened!” she cried angrily.
“We freed a village from oppression!” replied Jason angrily.
“We beat up a bunch of thugs is all!” added Jared.
“And mere thugs did that to you?!” shouted Sarissa. “Some king-to-be you are!”
“I knew it!” cried Sarah happily. “You are the king I was looking for!”
“Oh so this is the unmarred beauty you saved from tarnish?” shot Sarissa sarcastically.
“Excuse me?” she demanded.
“You heard
“Shut up both of you!” cried Jason angrily. “I don’t give a damn who’s done what and where who’s been; just tell me where I go next!”
There was the sound of glass on glass that somehow sounded across the chaos and caught everyone’s attention.
Tulla was sitting in front of the fire place drinking a hot glass of tea.
“Would any of you care for a nice glass of tea?” he asked and most of them nodded while pulling up a chair and settling down.
“Now who doesn’t know the whole story so far?’ asked Tulla, though he knew Sarah was the only one who didn’t.
She raised her hand and Sarissa stared daggers at her but she merely replied by sticking her tongue out.
“Very well my dead.” said Tulla. “What’s your name?”
“Sarah.” she said.
“Well Sarah,” he began “Hycindathaul, or Jared, is a body with two people inside.”
Sarah’s face immediately took on a look of confusion as Tulla explained the predicament once more.
“You see,” he said “when someone is born, they’re born in two worlds at once with one half of their soul in each body. Jared came to Hycindathaul’s world and when that happens, both halves recreate the whole, that’s why both Jason and Hycindathaul, the king, are inside one body.
“Though they are the same person so there is no real danger or any need of action; they will both become one in due time. Until then there will be times in which one of the two is dominant and becomes the ruling personality, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
She nodded quietly.
“That brings us up to why you left.” continued Tulla. “You left to find a dragon, as the prophecy foretells, the king will require a dragon to cross the
“Hold it.” said Jared flatly. “You said I needed the dragon if I wanted to become King or if I wanted to go home. Aren’t you going to ask me what I want to do?”
“No boy,” replied Tulla. “I can’t rush things like that, it’s entirely up to you, but I suppose I should mention that mirror that can bring you back to the other world is on the other side of
“And where is
“
“Why is it called
“Because it is a place of riotous uproar.” explained Tulla. “Underneath Sirth is the boundary between this world, and the Damnation, the world in which the fallen evil is sent. They live as wraiths and cannot escape that lake, that’s why only a fool would willingly attempt to cross the lake with that many monsters attacking them.”
“Fun stuff…” muttered Jared.
“Well, Jared,” began Tulla again “If you haven’t decided, why don’t we follow the path to kinship, that way you can reserve the ability to go back at any point in time?”
Jared was silent for a very long time. He didn’t want to be king, he wasn’t a leader; he was timid and wasn’t strong enough to lead a nation. But at the same time there was a yearning of destiny; he knew he had to become king and he knew he could do a good job and bring peace back to Alsymok.
The war inside of him would not subside any time soon and Tulla’s idea rang true in his mind; rather than deciding now he would leave his options open and at the same time move close to obtaining them, so that when he did decide it would be ultimately easier.
“Okay,” he agreed “Where do we start?”
“First we get you known.” replied Sarissa.
“That’s right,” agreed Tulla “We’ll bring you before the council in Sirth. Tell them your name, show them your sword, and finally reveal your dragon.”
“She’s not my dragon.” replied Jared. “She’s just accompanying me.”
“Very humble of you Jared.” replied Tulla. “But you hold her egg, you are her master at the moment.”
“No,” replied Hycindathaul flatly. “If anything, I’m her protector.”
“Very well Hycindathaul.” replied Tulla. “But will you be presenting yourself before the council?”
“Of course!” exclaimed Hycindathaul. “When are we going?”
“Tomorrow morning/” replied Sarissa. “We’ll rest up and then leave in the morning.”
“Oh joy!” exclaimed Jason. “More walking!”
“And no complaining this time” shouted Sarah as she downed the rest of her tea, an act that surely burnt her tongue.
She immediately stormed off and climbed into a makeshift bed to fall asleep, the others soon following suit.
Hycindathaul decided to help Sarah make her own bed first though, it was the least he could do if she had saved his life so many times like she’d implied; but he had no way to tell and therefore no way to resist.
“There you go.” he said as he patted out her pillow for her. “Nice and comfy.”
“Thank you so much.” she said with tears welling in her eyes.
“It’s no problem, really.” he said quite taken aback. “It’s just a bed.”
“No you dork.” she replied. “For everything back home, thank you.”
“Oh,” he said. “It was my duty to-“
He was silenced when her lips met his and they kissed passionately, her eyes fluttering closed.
They broke apart, Hycindathaul completely dumbfounded, staring at her with a stupefied grin on his face trying desperately to think of something to say and prove he wasn’t the idiot that he felt like.
“Good night.” she said slyly and climbed into her bed without another word.
He merely knelt there, on his hands and knees for a long moment, trying to form at least one singular thought in his head before retiring to sleep but eventually his instincts had to tell him that it was futile and he was forced to go to sleep.
The next morning, Roan was woken by the sensation of something licking his face; which wasn’t far from the truth as there was indeed a puppy sat on his chest, tail wagging energetically, and currently preoccupied by licking Roan awake.
“Hey now,” he yawned as he sat up “you found me!”
The puppy barked happily and tried to pounce on his face; knocking him back into his bed.
The commotion woke Hycindathaul who looked over in confusion.
“You’ve got something furry on your face, Roan.” he said as he stifled a yawn.
“I can see that.” replied Roan through the fur of the pure black pup.
“Where’d that thing come from?” asked Sarissa as she got out of bed.
“He saved it back in my hometown.” replied Sarah, catching Hycindathaul’s eye and questioning look as she sat at the table and stirred up the fire.
He wasn’t sure what he should think of her anymore.
It wasn’t long before Tulla came out of his bedroom and readied more tea for them all and providing a biscuit for the pup.
“What are you going to do with it?” asked Sarissa referring to the dog.
“What do you mean?” asked Roan.
“Well, are you going to kick it out?”
“Of course not!” he exclaimed. “He’s coming with me!”
“You can’t just walk up to the high council to present a new king with a stray dog in your arms!” she declared angrily.
“Then I’ll wait outside!” retorted Roan. “Ashi is coming with me!”
“So you’re just going to stand suspiciously at the entrance to the council while holding a stray dog?!” argued Sarissa. “I’m not sure that’s any better!”
“Then I’ll wait back at the temple in Sirth!” shot Roan. “Point is, I’m not leaving him behind!”
“Just leave him be.” offered Hycindathaul, attempting to calm the stirring flames between the two.
The two finally settled down in an awkward silence that was only broken by the playful barking of Ashi the pup.
“You’ll be setting off then, wont you?” asked Tulla after they had finished their tea.
“I think so.” replied Hycindathaul as he looked over the others.
“Of course we are.” stated Sarissa indifferently as she stood up and stretched. “I’ve been cooped up in here for far too long as it is.”
She didn’t give any of them much of a choice in the matter and they were forced to head out without much more than a quick farewell and thank you to Tulla, who had helped them so much but received nothing in return.
“So what exactly will I do when I’m presented?” asked Hycindathaul as they walked.
“Speak on your own behalf.” replied Sarissa simply.
“About what?” Hycindathaul was growing nervous.
“About everything.” she replied. “Yourself, where you’re from, what you plan to do, your story, everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything.”
“And if I can’t remember all of Hycindathaul’s memories?” he asked and she stopped walking for a moment.
“I’m sure it’ll come to you.” she said but she didn’t seem too sure at all.
“I hope…” he sighed and they continued walking in silence, save for Ashi’s energetic playfulness.
Hycindathaul kept trying to catch Sarah’s eye for some sort of recognition or understanding as to what had happened the night before but she made sure to walk ahead of him, as though she was taunting him playfully.
When he sped up to walk beside her, she would do the same, ensuring that she remained ahead of him and eventually they were well ahead of the rest of the group.
Able to take it no longer; Hycindathaul broke into a run to try and get beside her at least but she started running at the same time and for the briefest of moments he caught a glimpse of a devilish grin on her face.
The path turned back and forth rapidly and soon the rest of the group was lost from sight, secluding Hycindathaul and Sarah.
She turned sharply around a bend in the road but he sped up and grabbed her arm quickly to stop her.
She spun on the spot and made to fall into his arms when he caught her and they ended up a hand span away from each other, looking into each other’s eyes.
“A-about last night.” he stammered.
“Yes~?” she asked playfully, never looking away.
Slowly her hand slid gently across his cheek.
“About last night?” she repeated slyly.
But he had lost all ability to speak; completely lost in the moment, lost in her. Slowly they inched closer; their noses grazing, their breath mingling, their lips gently meeting, opening only slightly, where they stayed for moments, breathing deeply and staring deep into the other’s eyes.
Her eyes fluttered closed and they began to inch closer again.
“What’s going on up there?” they heard Sarissa shout as the rest of the group came around a bend and roused the two from their moment.
They distanced quickly, brushing off their clothing and feeling slightly self conscious as the group approached agonizingly slow.
It was Ashi that arrived first; dancing around their legs and trying to climb up into their arms; barking all the while.
He eventually gave up and lay across Hycindathaul’s feet while licking Sarah’s legs and making her laugh hysterically.
Ashi found this terribly interesting and began chasing her around, trying to tickle her with his wet snout and long tongue and she shrieked with laughter, racing all over the road.
“Well now that’s a sight you don’t see every day.” laughed Roan as he stood beside Hycindathaul and watched the scene.
At that moment, Ashi raced ahead of Sarah foolishly to try and lick her and ended up causing her to trip overtop of him.
She landed with a thud and Ashi leapt up onto her chest as though to proclaim his victory and causing them all to laugh at the scene.
Hycindathaul offered her his hand and helped her rise back to her feet and they continued their long meticulous journey.
It wasn’t long before the evening sky rose above them and they retired to the same inn they had slept in when they had ventured out to find Tulla; and when Hycindathaul had first met Sarah.
Sarissa retired to an early bed and Roan delighted in the pub and restaurant downstairs; it seemed as though none of them expected anything to happen between Hycindathaul and Sarah, who decided to go for a late night walk, rather than disturb Sarissa and risk their lives.
They were wandering the town, their arms interlocked as they crossed the park with the twilight sky alight with countless shimmering stars.
The moon was an omnipresent glowing orb of pale sky, hovering just above them as they walked, delighting in casting mysterious shadows all across the park.
Hycindathaul’s courage was growing and once more he tried to bring a conversation as they walked.
“About last night.” he said slowly and she smiled gently towards him, laying her head on his shoulder as they walked. He was glad, he still had the ability to talk and wasn’t completely lost in her yet; maybe he could finish this conversation.
“What about it?”
But suddenly he realized he hadn’t thought so far and wasn’t sure what he wanted to know about last night. His thoughts seemed to melt away and the conversation drained away.
“I’m not sure…” he said awkwardly and she laughed cutely.
“Didn’t think that far, huh?” she asked slyly.
He nodded slightly, not sure if he should even respond to the question. He’d never encountered a situation like this and he believed he had finally found his greatest weakness; women.
“Do you hear the music?” she asked and he listened.
“Yeah,” he replied. “It sounds like a band playing.”
“A moonlit sonata.” she added. “Would you like to dance?”
“Dance?” he repeated nervously.
“What’s the matter?” she asked playfully. “A king that bests demons and conquers entire villages of criminals with the power of a dragon is afraid of a little dance?”
He shook his head quickly but he didn’t feel too sure.
She stepped closer and embraced him softly, slowly moving her body with the music as he clumsily tried to follow suit.
He was nervous; it was obvious, but that was the fate of all men; to be nervous at times like these.
She gently lulled away his nervousness as they moved quietly in the deserted park under the stars and the moons, with none to know save themselves and the birds.
He fell gradually into sync with her and for that moment, they seemed to become one living entity, wrapped together and bound by fate and love, powerful forces of the universe that could change the face of the world so easily that would use their influence on this seemingly unimportant moment in which two companions danced silently.
This moment when the two were one, dancing slowly to a
“Sarah,” he breathed, barely audible.
“Hycindathaul,” she returned and lay her head gingerly on his chest.
“I won’t leave you.” he whispered in her ear and she smiled as they continued to dance endlessly as one.
The next morning they got up early, still in sync and lost in the speechless twilight they had experienced last night. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Hycindathaul could still hear the band’s sonata, playing even now; just for them.
They packed up before the others were awake and met outside the inn, embracing each other in a kind and gentle hug, leaning in for one kiss before the world would return to its former bustle.
But moments before their lips could meet lovingly, Sarissa and Roan emerged from the inn and they were forced to step away from each other.
Sarissa and Roan were no fools; they knew what was going on long before Sarah or Hycindathaul had known, though they kept silent about it.
The journey to Sirth wasn’t much longer, they were now all used to walking and made good time as most of the journey was downhill and they weren’t wasn’t time.
They arrived at the temple nearing
When he was finished preparing and stood in the center of the large temple foyer, he had the look of a king.
He was pristinely clean, with a perfectly kept brown haircut, a clean and elegant silk white shirt and embroidered vest with black pants. Even his sword had been cleaned, the blood and grime washed away and the entire sword polished endlessly.
He stood tall, his back straight, his face resolute, and his very demeanor, that of a king; that is, until Sarah walked by and his resolute expression changed into that of a stupefied grin
She giggled at his expression and he was snapped back into focus as Roan approached, carrying Ashi.
“I’ll be staying here.” he announced. “Sarissa doesn’t want me to bring Ashi and I can’t leave him here alone, so I’ve come to wish you the best of luck, Lord Hycindathaul.”
He placed his arm on Hycindathaul’s shoulder and patted it once as Hycindathaul nodded to him before stepping out into the
Sarah was with him on his right, and Sarissa on his left, they walked in sync towards the where he would meet the high council of Alsymok and state his plea, his right, and his destiny.
They walked forwards, towards the prominent government building and pushed open the solid oak doors, light pouring inside.
Typically you would need to make an appointment, but the rising of a new king to the throne was a special case, and they would be exemplified from that rule.
They were stopped immediately when they entered, armed guards on either side of them.
“Do you have an appointment?” asked one of them.
“No we don’t.” replied Sarissa. “We have come to fulfill the prophecy and present the new King to the council.”
The guards looked at each other briefly before simultaneously sighing, one of them shaking their head.
“Terribly sorry.” he said. “But we’re going to have to ask you to leave. Imposters are really getting on my nerves; we get about three a day.”
“I’m not an imposter.” stated Hycindathaul sternly, refusing to be herded out the door as the guards waved their arms about like fools.
One of the guards reached down and gripped the hilt of his blade for effect as he nodded his head towards the door to tell him to leave.
“I am no imposter.” he said again and drew out his own blade in an instant, holding it out inches from one of the guards’ throats, preventing either from attacking them.
“What is the first sign in the prophecy?” asked Sarissa, facing the one guard that wasn’t restrained by Hycindathaul.
“That he shall bear a sword of flame!” exclaimed the nervous guard.
“Right.” replied Sarissa and Hycindathaul’s sword burst into flame, the hot blaze licking the neck of the guard.
He pulled his sword back and sheathed it immediately before bowing to them.
“I mean you no harm.” he stated. “But I am Hycindathaul, heir to the throne and my destiny will not be delayed by you.”
They nodded, eyes wide in awe and stepped back, clearing the way for him to enter the inner sanctum.
He pushed the large doors open and entered the dimly lit circular room. He was lucky; there were no meetings being held at the moment that he would have to interrupt.
“What manner of entrance is this?” asked one of the council sitting at a semi circular table that lined the opposite side of the room. “We have heard no word of any meetings or needings of council, who are you?”
He bowed deeply.
“I am Hycindathaul,” he announced “the true king of Alsymok.”
The council was silent for a moment, not sure what to make of this man.
“Do you know how many imposters we get?” asked one of the council.
“Almost all of them are discarded and turned away at the door.” added another. “But we get the odd one that forces their way in.”
“But we just call the guards and have them taken away.” concluded a third voice.
“What makes you different from them?” asked a fourth member.
“I have fulfilled the prophecy.” he replied and drew his blade.
He held it high for them all to see as it ignited and turned to flame.
“Surely a sword means nothing!” cried one of the council. “You could have stolen it or created it with some sort of alchemical science!”
“Allow me to tell you my story,” began Hycindathaul as he sheathed his blade and stepped forwards. “I am of true noble blood that is not tainted as is Mallunun’s case. I posses this sword; a family heirloom from my late father and encountered Roan, a childhood friend.”
His memory was returning to him gradually as he spoke.
“We trained vigorously every day in the ways of upper class society and intense combat. I studied wars and battles, skirmishes and verbal conflicts, all because I have known my destiny since childhood.
“Not long ago, Roan, Sarissa, and I ventured forth into Vel Aryth to find Tulla. During this journey I encountered a woman to be raped in an alleyway by two shameless thugs at the halfway mark. I dealt with them swiftly in a justified matter but did not kill them, thus saving this woman Sarah, from tarnish.
“We met Tulla, and he directed me in my quest; I needed to come into possession of a dragon, which with the aid of my allies I eventually did in the wastelands bordering Alsymok.
“After I had allied with the dragon, we made our way here immediately and now here I stand before you, awaiting your judgment.”
The council was silent for a very long time and when they finally began to speak it was in a hushed whisper amongst themselves.
Finally one of them addressed Hycindathaul.
“You must understand that the only people who appear before us claiming to be the king are those who force their way in with brute strength.” she began. “But a brute would demand the title with no such story as what you have procured. Not only such, you speak well for yourself, as you are no doubt an educated man, I very much doubt you forced your way in and thereby must have found in some way to convince the guards that you are the true King; perhaps you showed them your blade.”
“You have produced for us three immediate achievements that are required for the prophesized king.” added another. “You have arrived, that in itself is one. You have also shown that you possess a flaming sword and claim to have saved an unmarred beauty from tarnish as the prophecy states the king shall. But the final act and thereby the most convincing is that the King shall possess the companionship of a dragon, and that, you have not shown us but merely claim.”
The council was silent for a very brief moment.
“We have heard your plea.” stated one of the council. “Our decision will be made if and only if we are shown this dragon you claim to have allied with. If you wish to continue this endeavor, you may meet Lord Mallunun on the plains of Vel Hollan directly bordering Sirth tomorrow at
“That is all, goodbye.” concluded another council member.
The three bowed deeply and left swiftly.
Sarissa headed back to the temple to tell Roan but Hycindathaul was far too energetic to settle down back at home and decided to go for a walk instead.
Sarah went with him and they walked hand in hand through the busy streets of Sirth in the general direction of Vel Holan.
They weren’t sure exactly where they were going but they decided they were going to investigate the field where they would meet Mallunun the next day and fight, but Hycindathaul didn’t care for that at the moment; eh was far too happy; he was with Sarah, and she was enough to put a smile on his face any day.
They crossed the bridge and descended to the shored of Vel Holan, walking the sands in their bare feet.
“Oh the water is so cold!” she exclaimed and he laughed happily.
“Why don’t we go for a swim?” he asked and she looked at him like he was crazy.
“It’s freezing and you’ll get your clothes soaking!” she protested.
“It’s the middle of summer,” he retorted as he pulled of his shirt and stepped into the water. “I’m sure it’ll be warmer deeper in.”
“Oh it better be!” she laughed as she stepped in herself, shivering.
“Okay, so it’s still cold!” he exclaimed as they were waist deep in cool water.
“I told you!” she laughed and pushed him under the water playfully but he grabbed onto her and pulled her under as well.
They grazed each other’s skin underwater before both rising above the water again.
“That was cruel!” she protested but Hycindathaul stuck his tongue out at her.
“You started it!” he laughed as she pouted and started to chase him.
He dove forwards in an attempt to swim away but she grabbed his ankle and he soon found himself upside down and under the surface of the water.
He opened his eyes and saw her submerge herself and stick her own tongue out at him.
Resisting the urge to laugh he righted himself while still underwater and pushed her to the underwater ground, their fleeting moments of air giving the action an odd sense of thrill.
She lay on the sandy bottom as he was crouched overtop of her, his head slowly dipping down and their noses gently grazing before they both returned to the surface for air.
They laughed at the top, looking into each other’s eyes and smiling genuinely at each other, but little did they know; they were being watched from afar.
Mallunun himself was watching them play in the water, duly noting who his would-be-successor and the woman he cared for were.
He smiled maliciously to himself, the sneer radiating with sadistic intent as he stormed away, leaving them to their fun in the water.
Even if they had noticed Mallunun watching them, they would have ignored him rather than interrupting their fun.
She tackled him but he remained upright, pulling her into an embrace and sinking once more below the surface before letting go and rising back to the top like a triumphant soldier.
But she surprised him by wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him down with her, back into the mysterious world in which they played.
They were so close that time, their lips mere inches as they floated back to the surface separately. They were lost in their fun; eternally lost in each other’s eyes. She dove forwards, wrapping her arms gingerly around his shoulders and pulling them both under the water as they gently drifted along the current.
They held each other lovingly in their arms under the surface in this underwater world of mystery and intrigue, inches away but that distance was rapidly disappearing as their face neared and their eyes closed.
Their lips met and they kissed underneath the water’s surface, as though it was their only source of air in the entire world; this passionate source of life from which they drank.
The kiss was endless, as suffocating as the water itself and soon they had to surface just for air, but their kiss did not end their; they were in a trace, a fixation of passion; locked eternally on the other as they drifted to the edge of the stream.
They crawled out of the river with grins on their faces and Hycindathaul took Sarah’s hand in his as they ran barefoot down the shoreline all the way to the edge.
There was a waterfall here, tall and mighty; the river falling down about them and Hycindathaul pulled her towards it.
They dove into the water once more, side by side brushing up against each other and sending chills throughout their entire body.
They swam underwater towards the place where the water came crashing down and embraced once more, their lips locking and their eyes closing as they allowed themselves to rise to the top while they kissed passionately.
It was in the middle of the waterfall that they emerged, completely lost in each other, forgetting the world and their trials, forgetting Mallunun and their homes, forgetting their fate and everything else, save each other.
“I love you.” he whispered, realizing as he said it, truer words were never spoken, and they embraced once more falling underneath the surface of the water.
The next morning he was ready to go before dawn had struck. He was ready, alongside his love; Sarah, and his companions; Roan and Sarissa.
During their adventurous play at the waterfall, he and Sarah had come across the door to the
Now he knew, and soon he would have to decide where he was going to go; home or to the throne.
But he had a pretty good idea where he was headed with Sarah at the moment and what choice he would make.
“Are we ready to go?” asked Sarissa as she approached them.
“Of course we are!” replied Roan as he and his new companion Ashi joined them.
“You realize you’ll have to fight Mallunun, don’t you?” asked Sarissa sternly.
“Of course I do.” replied Hycindathaul. “And all for the better, he’s corrupt and I will remove him from power.”
“As long as you fight knowingly.” said Sarah softly, as she leaned against him arm in arm.
There was no time to delay and they set out almost immediately, hurrying towards Vel Holan and apparently the final battle of Hycindathaul’s succession to the throne.
The field was barren, save for a lonely figure in black leather armor at the opposite side; Mallunun.
Not even the council were present.
Mallunun was a cliché motif of evil; he was dressed in smooth black leather with a matching cape and black hair.
He wasn’t sure but Hycindathaul thought that the hilt of Mallunun’s sword was also black; this man was obsessed with the shadows.
“Hail, Hycindathaul, and his party!” cried Mallunun from the other side of the field.
“Hail, Lord Mallunun!” replied Hycindathaul as he stepped ahead of the rest of the group.
“Show me,” began Mallunun, his voice carrying easily on the wind, “how you have fulfilled the prophecy.”
Hycindathaul needed no more encouragement and drew his sword, the flame stronger than any instance before. It was
“You are not the only one with a sword of flame!” shouted Mallunun from a distance and he drew his own blade and raised it in the air.
His blade turned to a flame pale as smoke as he raise it high; its light casting eerie shadows across the area.
The world seemed to be darkening rapidly, Mallunun’s blade giving off no light but merely burning like a beacon whilst Hycindathaul’s blade shone with an intense light that gave the surrounding area light and warmth.
“Surely one who claims to be the king of legends would have more than a flaming sword!” cried Mallunun and Hycindathaul knew that this was to be the deciding moment.
“You are wise.” he called out, not yelling, but loud enough to be audible. “I will show you; Syldra!”
The flame of his blade grew in size and he took stance, crouching slightly and taking the golden egg from his pouch; holding its mass in his hand.
He spun on the spot, the arc of his sword leaving a trail of flame that would not die out.
He stood tall suddenly, holding the golden egg high above his head as the circle of flame exploded and a torrent of flame washed out across the plains in all directions, emanating from his direction.
“Syldra!” he cried and the smoke engulfed him; preventing Mallunun and the others from seeing him.
The flame of Mallunun’s flame grew larger but the area did not become any lighter; instead the clouds covered the sun and the area was plunged into a deep darkness far out of place for the time of day.
But in an instant the darkness that had set was destroyed as Syldra emerged from the mist; her blood red scales of flame glowing strong and true in the darkness as Hycindathaul sat atop her back with his flaming sword a beacon of hope.
He locked fierce eyes with Mallunun who merely smirked in return moments before a scream erupted behind Hycindathaul.
He spun on the spot to see what had happened and saw Sarah, his love, fallen to her knees and an unknown man above her.
Anger, worry and pain gripped him and he leapt from Syldra’s back, rushing to get to her, to hold her in his arms and find out what had happened.
He knocked the unknown man away and dropped down to face her.
“Sarah!” he cried. “What happened?”
“My father!” she shrieked. “He’s been murdered.”
The pit of his stomach seemed to drop and dread overtook him at her loss.
“By who?” he asked quietly but she wouldn’t respond.
“By the gods!” cried Mallunun from a distance. “This is no good, we can finish this another time.” he said as he walked away indifferently.
Hycindathaul felt the anger rise in him at Mallunun just tossing the situation and his love’s pain aside and drew his sword angrily.
“We’ll finish this now.” he breathed and began to advance but Sarah caught hold of his leg and held him back.
“No,” she said, tears draining down her face. “It’s not the time, my father is dead you can face Mallunun anytime!”
Guilt took him and he dropped his sword, moving to her side once more.
He took her hand in his, begging the gods for some way to make her feel better; to stop this angel from crying.
If only he could turn back time, to when they had kissed and the world ceased to matter; when she was truly happy as they kissed.
Hoping for the best he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it softly but she stared daggers at him and pulled her hand away.
“I’m sorry.” he stammered. “I was just trying to help.”
“My father is dead!” she screamed in pain and anguish and his heart throbbed at her loss.
He drew her into an embrace in an attempt to cease her pain and drew her face close to his, bringing their lips together but there was no magic this time; no lingering sensation on intrigue and love.
There was only pain and misery.
A crack sounded across the field as she slapped him across the cheek with all her might, making him reel and fall backwards onto the ground.
“My father is dead!” she screamed again. “And you want to get all lovely with me?!”
The tears were streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed harder and harder, her chest rising and falling rapidly in quick succession.
Her face was one of anger; it was the easiest emotion to turn to when someone felt pain.
But she couldn’t believe what he had done, or why he had done it. But he had no time to explain himself, how he wished to take her pain away and reverse time, she probably wouldn’t have listened anyways.
“I must leave.” she breathed and without another word she turned and left, Hycindathaul still on the ground with his arm outstretched as though to stop her but failing miserably.
She had left him; he was alone.
Alone.
He was alone, for the rest of the day, speaking to none. Not even Mallunun, who he would have to fight at some point if he wanted to be king, would show his face.
He was alone that night, with no one to sleep beside and hold, no Sarah to smile with and cuddle or kiss.
This entire world had deserted him, the entire world from the moment he had gotten there was just one big endless challenge filled with wars and battles and pain.
Countless people had already died in front of him since he’d arrive and he couldn’t even remember all of their names; it was never like this back at his home!
Back where he had enough money to happily retire in a nice big home with his family and no worries; that was where Jared, where he wanted to be.
He snuck out that night, and headed straight to Jason’s room, opening it silently and rousing him from his slumber.
He explained nothing but forced him to come with him.
They left in the middle of the night without rousing Sarissa. She would me angered that they left without her but she’d get over it eventually; he hoped.
“Where are we going?” prodded Jason but Jared wouldn’t reply as he led him through the streets of Sirth and into Vel Holan, walking along the shored of the river to a familiar rock wall and waterfall.
“Come on.” he said and stepped into the waste deep river, half walking and half swimming behind the waterfall.
Jason followed cautiously behind him but stopped dead the instant he saw the door.
It was massive; at least twenty feet tall and such an intense black that it seemed to be a deep cavern filled with shadow; but it was not.
All over the door were long bold purple lines that shimmered and flowed, as though they were magical leylines that held the door locked from the outside.
“What are we doing here?” demanded Jason as Jared drew his blade.
“We’re going home.” he stated and thrust the non-flaming blade into the door. The blade itself sunk into the darkness as though fitting into a key hole and as he pulled it out, the bulk of the massive door began to open inwards.
Jason was fearful; there were monsters inside and only a dragon could deliver them safely to the other side.
But Jared was well aware of the fact and already had the golden egg out. There was a silent explosion of mist and Syldra the dragon was in front of them; Jared on top.
She moved her massive lizard head towards Jason and picked him up gently, discarding him on her back as she charged into the darkness.
