Dragon Riders of Etrea 2—Chapter 4

The four of them walked toward the mouth of the cave. After a few steps, Calduin leaped from Henrik’s shoulder and ran to his mother. He climbed on top of her massive head and sat there, watching the humans leave. He flapped his wings a few times, but they were much too small for him to fly yet.

“Well, I think that went well,” Anslie said. “How is your dragon?”

“He has a lot to learn, just as you said,” Henrik said. “He is unable to overpower my mind, and has stopped trying for the time being. I suppose that’s a good thing.”

“He’ll keep trying, until one day he learns to calm himself. Or until he takes over your mind.,” Anslie replied. “The sooner you can teach him to stay calm, the better.”

Henrik frowned. “So, I just found paradise and now I get to go on another grand adventure. Tell me, where is this sword again?”

“To the north, in the mountains,” Anslie said. “In a cave, to be specific. Only our dragons know its location; even I don’t know precisely where it is. Tossyth has told me that she will guide you, and the other dragons, Annasta and Cazeth, will also help.”

“When should I leave?” Henrik asked. 

Anslie thought for a moment. “Tomorrow. No need to rush away so soon, and I’d like to spend another night with you.” She remembered Rasud and Shel were within earshot and blushed.

“I suppose we can leave tomorrow as well, then,” Rasud said. “Perhaps we can try this new magic out to see how it works.”

Shel nodded. “That’s a good idea. We don’t want to wait until the last moment.”

Behind them, Tossyth laid her head down and curled her tail around herself. Calduin remained on her head, watching the humans until they were gone.

“So, how’s your first day as a parent going so far?” Rasud asked.

Henrik chuckled. “He’s a cute little bastard, I’ll say that much. I just hope I can keep him in line.”

“We will all help you in any way we can,” Anslie said. She led them through the narrow passage in the cliff wall, and they walked into the lush valley where she lived.

“I just can’t get over how perfect this place is,” Rasud said. “If you ever need anyone to take care of things while you’re out traveling, just let me know, okay?” He glanced over at Shel. “I promise I’ll wash the sheets before you return.”

Shel just rolled her eyes. Anslie was quickly learning to simply ignore many of the witchman’s comments.

“I think our horses will be sad to leave this place as well,” Henrik said, looking across the broad field, where their horses grazed on clover and grass.

“I know I certainly will,” Rasud said, then turned to Shel. “So, are you ready to try this?”

She nodded. “Let me get my staff.”

“Oh, I must make you one like mine,” Rasud said, pulling his short staff from beneath his robe. “It’s so easy to just carry with me, anywhere I go.”

Henrik followed Anslie into her small cabin while Rasud and Shel continued talking. He had to duck slightly to fit beneath the door frame.

“We’ll fill your saddlebags as much as we can,” Anslie said. “Mostly you’ll need some blankets.” 

Henrik frowned. “How cold is it in the mountains?”

“It depends on how high you go,” she said. “But I can assure you, you’ll be cold. Here, try this,” she said as she handed him a cloak.

It was dark blue in color, like many of Anslie’s things, and the upper section was lined with soft fur. It had a deep hood, which was also fur-lined. Henrik swung it around his shoulders, then went to fasten the clasp around his neck.

It wouldn’t fit.

“I suppose I’m a bit larger than you,” Henrik said with a laugh. He looked down and saw that the bottom of the cloak only went to his knees.

“I can fix that tonight,” Anslie said. “But it’s better than nothing. I have two blankets for you as well; one for you and one for your horse.”

“Thank you,” Henrik said. “So, is there a path or will I be picking my way along the mountain?”

Anslie was silent for a moment. “Tossyth says she will guide you. Cazeth will help to clear a path.”

“Is she going to be flying nearby?”

“You underestimate how strong dragon magic is,” Anslie said.

“What exactly is their magic?” Henrik asked. “And why are your eyes the same color?”

Anslie smiled. “I’m glad you noticed. Tossyth can do many things, but the majority of her strength lies in air and water, and things she can do to manipulate them.”

“I saw you freeze three orcs when you saved our asses a few days ago.”

Anslie nodded. “As I am bound to Tossyth, I gain some of her powers.”

Henrik thought on that for a moment. “So, since I’m bound to Calduin, does that mean I’m going to start spitting fire from my mouth?”

“Not from your mouth, no,” Anslie said. “Although you already have part of your gift. Your temper.”

“Oh, great,” Henrik said. “That one’s a bit of a double-edged sword, though.”

“Yes it is,” Anslie said. “When your temper is in full swing, I’ll wager you can defeat any man in the nation, perhaps in all of the land, in a duel. But each time your temper flares, you take one step closer to completely losing yourself. And if that happens, the entire world will suffer.”

“Fortunately, I’m a capable fighter, even without my temper,” Henrik said. “I have a tight rein on myself. I’m going to be okay.”

She walked over and wrapped her arms around him. “I certainly hope so,” she said as she laid her head against his shoulder. “I just found you, and I’m still learning to love you. I don’t want to lose you, Henrik.”

Henrik wrapped his arms around her and gently stroked her hair. “Since I’m linked to the dragon, do I have any sort of link to you?”

“Yes,” she said. “That will grow with time.”

“How does it grow?” he asked.

Anslie paused for a moment before answering. “The more we are together, the more we love each other, the more our bond grows. When we lie with each other, it grows. When we kiss, it grows.”

As if Henrik needed any more reasons to want her.

“So when we make love, it helps prevent me from losing myself,” he said, clarifying her statement.

“If you care for me, then yes,” Anslie said. “If you don’t, then it will push you in the other direction.”

Henrik shook his head. “This is such a strange thing. I’ve never loved a woman before, not like this. And now I have to learn, and quickly, or everything could fall to ruin.” He looked down at her. “At least you’re pretty.”

She leaned back and looked up at him with a big smile. “You’re not so bad yourself. If it makes you feel any better, it’s not easy for me either. I’ve only known you for a handful of days, and I have to learn to love you.” She leaned her head against his shoulder again. “This helps.”

They heard a shriek from outside. Henrik gently pulled away from Anslie, then rushed through the door, nearly clipping the top of his head against the stone.

Twenty feet away, beneath the shade of an apple tree, Rasud was on his hands and knees. He breathed heavily, and his face looked absolutely horrified. Shel had both hands over her mouth and looked on the verge of tears.

“What’s wrong?” Henrik asked, jogging to his friend. “Are you alright?”

Rasud turned and looked at Henrik. “I think I’d rather get stabbed in the stomach than do this.” He groaned and sat back on his heels, then ran his hands over his hair. “Okay, that was an exaggeration. That dagger in the stomach was horrible. But this isn’t much better.”

“The magic Tossyth taught you?” Henrik asked.

“Yeah,” Rasud said. “By the gods, I wasn’t expecting it to feel like that.”

Shel knelt next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “We don’t have to go through this.”

“I wish that were the case,” he replied. “After all this, Henrik and I will be wanted men in Selfoss. And you, my lovely dear are an orc. They won’t take lightly to you being in the city. Most people hate me, and I’m only half orc.”

Shel helped Rasud stand, then embraced him tightly. It was interesting, seeing Rasud hold a woman like that, with his eyes closed and a faint smile upon his face. He was usually only interested in two things: gold, and what was between a woman’s thighs.

“I guess we’re all learning about love,” Henrik said quietly.

“Looks like it,” Anslie said, standing next to him.

“We have to try again,” Rasud said. “I just wasn’t expecting it to hurt like that. It won’t be as bad this time.” He pushed her away and took a deep breath. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”

Shel squeezed his hand tightly, then released it and took hold of her staff. She began chanting in a quiet voice, calling the spirits of her ancestors into action. 

Henrik was used to Rasud’s magic; the short witchman was highly skilled, and it usually only took him a matter of seconds to get his ancestral spirits to obey him. Shel continued chanting for more than a minute while her two spirits simply remained in place.

Then, they reached out, their wispy hands touching Rasud’s face.

“Gaahh!” he said, then clenched his teeth. 

Henrik’s eyes widened in shock. Wherever the spirits touched, Rasud’s face changed. Each time one of them dragged a hand across his forehead it changed shape. His skin began to fade as well, from the slightly ruddy tone to something more human.

“I’m sorry,” Shel said with tears in her eyes. She went back to chanting and the spirits continued. 

Rasud’s nose changed shape and Henrik heard it break. The short man gasped in pain, but remained in place. His entire body shook as the spirit hands moved to his mouth. His jaw slowly shrank, and his small tusks disappeared. 

It took maybe five minutes, but for Rasud it probably felt like an eternity. When they were done with his face they moved more quickly. Their hands passed across his neck, his shoulders, his arms, changing the color of his skin.

“That’s not as bad,” Rasud said, his voice strained. “Just feels like I’m on fire. Oh hey, hold on—yaaaaah!” He shrieked when the spirit hands went between his legs.

Rasud leaned heavily on the tree when it was done. Sweat dripped from his face onto the ground. He looked over at Henrik. “Well? Please tell me it was worth all that fucking pain.”

Shel reached out and held Rasud. She wiped a tear from her eye and hugged him tightly.

“I can tell it’s you, but only just,” Henrik said, looking closely at his friend. “You look kind of like a human version of yourself. I don’t believe someone else would recognize you.”

“What color are my eyes?” Rasud asked, opening them wide.

“Brown,” Shel said. “Much lighter than they used to be. But they’re still your eyes.”

Rasud sighed and ran his hand over the top of his head. “Well, at least I still have my hair.” He looked up at Shel. “It’s your turn, my dear.”

Shel turned to Anslie. “Please, get me something to drink. The stronger, the better.”

Anslie returned after a moment with a mug of cider. She handed it to Shel, who tipped her head back and chugged the drink. She handed the mug back to Anslie and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“Wow!” Rasud said. “I’ve never seen a woman drink like that. I’m impressed.”

“I just wished it was stronger,” Shel said.

“Even more impressed,” Rasud replied.

Shel closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

“I’ll warn you, I have twice as many spirits as you, and mine are considerably stronger,” Rasud said.

“Just get it over with,” Shel said.

“I’m sorry in advance,” Rasud said as he pulled his small staff from beneath his robe. He held it for a moment, pursing his lips in thought, then placed his thumb on the appropriate rune and began chanting.

His spirits appeared in no time, but they merely stood next to him. He continued chanting, probably giving instructions, Henrik supposed. Finally, all four of them reached out and touched Shel.

They started at the top of her head. As with Rasud, they ran their hands across her sloping forehead and it began to change shape. She cried out in pain, then bit her lip to keep quiet. Sobs burst from her mouth every few seconds as her face began to move.

It was like the spirit hands were shaping clay. They grabbed and pushed at her face, molding it and moving it into something similar yet different. As with Rasud, she began to look like a human version of herself. The hands reached her mouth and she screamed and jerked back.

Rasud made a motion with his hand and his spirits stopped. “I’m sorry,” he said in a quiet voice. “Believe me, the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”

“I’m alright,” Shel said, bending over with her hands on her knees. 

She breathed heavily and looked up at Rasud with haunted eyes. It was strange seeing her like that, with the top half of her face not matching the bottom. One of her tusks was smaller than the other. She glanced over at Henrik and Anslie, standing nearby.

“Please,” she said. “Don’t watch. Give me my dignity.”

Henrik turned and he and Anslie walked back to her small cottage. When they reached the door, Shel began screaming again.