Karn and Hyndla walked through the market, Hyndla hadn’t changed anything about her outfit, Karn though had taken time to change into looser, more comfortable black robes.
“You are aware the robes make you stick out even more than just not being a Dwarf does.” Hyndla said with one eyebrow raised.
Karn nodded “Stealth isn’t the plan. If this merchant has more of these cursed artifacts these robes will help.” To demonstrate Karn poured mana into the robe and it began to glow with swirling draconic symbols.
“Well. at least magic means it doesn’t take me long to change.” said Karn
With a frown Hyndla kept walking through the market, Karn on her heels. Something appeared to be bothering Hyndla but Karn didn’t know what to say, especially since the dwarf seemed to be firmly in the camp of wanting her to be anywhere but here.
Hyndla’s mind was racing, this day hadn’t been anything like she expected. First she gets invited to a feast out of nowhere, then the King walks up with a damn lizard talking about her like she’s his best friend and suggesting cooperation. To make it all worse, the woman’s polite as can be, if people didn’t call her Princess you’d never know she was even nobility. Where was the arrogance and delight in cruelty she’d always been warned about?
With a sigh she made up her mind to at least get some answers “So, why does his majesty treat you like you’re his own kin?” A small smile graced Hyndla’s lips when the dragon seemed to jump at the sudden breaking of silence, then a look that seemed almost wistful graced Karn’s features and for the briefest moment Hyndla found herself lost in those red eyes before snapping herself back to attention
“It happened quite by accident” Karn started with a small laugh “We happened to meet on one of his majesty’s diplomatic visits with my father. He found me in the garden drawing flowers so he just sat down beside me and started talking like we’d known each other all our lives.”
A small flush of embarrassment colored Karn’s cheeks “He began talking about Valla, about the Dwarven people, he taught me the story of Brunhilde and I was enraptured. At that time my father’s reign was still young, King Beowulf’s beard was still brown, and the Draconic kingdom's nobility were still mostly arrogant pricks.”
“My father always told me that we dragons weren’t superior. It took time for me to understand that, but his majesty helped, he opened my eyes to the truth of my father’s words and he started a trend of my father bringing in many tutors of other races to help me understand the world and the people that’re in it.”
“When a dragon reaches their two hundredth year we are sent to travel the world. In the old days this was designed to allow the young a chance to cut loose and release all their childish aggression before coming home to be upright and respectable. My father wants this to be a journey to understand the other people of this world, I’m the trial run and something of a goodwill tour on the side.”
She stopped talking and turned to Hyndla “I’m really sorry for all that rambling on. I tend to get carried away.” Hyndla suppressed a laugh as the dragon’s embarrassed face was just adorable.
Hyndla stopped herself, what was she thinking? A dragon? Cute? Utter nonsense, she shook the thoughts from her head.
“It’s fine, I asked after all. The King was right about one thing at least, you’re certainly an impressive mage.”
Karn’s smile was radiant “I appreciate that Hyndla.” She paused, “Got him, come on”
Karn began speeding up and Hyndla kept pace. Sure enough just ahead there was a stall set up with all sorts of baubles and jewelry, plus a blue feathered avian hawking the wares.
As they got closer Hyndla looked at Karn “Let me take the lead, I have the authority here after all.” She nodded her agreement and they slowly began making their way through the crowds to get a better view.
Hyndla pushed her way through the crowd while Karn held back, her head felt like it was in a vice from the tainted mana.
“I’m Captain Hyndla, King’s Rangers, please state your name and business” she was direct and commanding, yet her deep soothing voice was a delight to listen to, Karn couldn’t help but admire the woman.
The merchant looked nervous as soon as he laid eyes on the ranger; it only got worse as she talked.
“I’m Rall, what seems to be the problem Captain?” The man’s voice was high and testified to his nervousness.
“I’m going to have to ask that you come with us peacefully, we have some questions for you.”
The man’s head was swiveling left and right, his beak opening and closing seemingly unable to form words. He suddenly jumped forward swinging his talons straight for Hyndla’s throat, she jumped out of the way and fired off one of her pistols. The bullet went through the man’s shoulder disabling his right wing in the process.
“Shouldn’t have brought knives to a gun fight buddy.” Hyndla holstered the pistol and drew out two more as the merchant stumbled to his feet, blood running down his arm.
Suddenly his own shadow seemed to shift and he fell back to the ground as it wrapped around his legs. “No one ever sees that one coming” Karn laughed approaching the fallen merchant “Leaves his arms free though”
“That’s where I come in,” Hyndla said, pulling some rope from her pack and binding the man’s arms. “Come on asshole, we got quite a lot to talk about. Karn how much of his stuff is cursed?.”
Karn turned to Hyndla “All of it.” her voice was almost a whisper “All this stuff is cursed.”
Hyndla cursed “You got a solution?”
The dragon nodded, “Yeah, give me a moment.”
She pulled out an old book and pulled words from it, purple energy surged forward and the whole stand burst into flames and quickly turned to ash.
Hyndla nodded “Good work” she then began dragging the whimpering merchant behind her “All right you lot move along shows over. His majesty will put out an explanation shortly I'm sure.”
“So Rall where’d you get all of this stuff” Hyndl asked icily
“Well I got them from a caravan of human merchants working for some dragon noble, I can’t remember his name though.” the nervous bird-kin rambled on for awhile longer but Karn and Hyndla had stopped listening
“Hmm a dragon huh. I’ll contact my father and ask him to look into this” Karn said.
Hyndla sighed then turned to Karn “Sounds like a plan, now do you have anything planned tomorrow?”
Karn blinked and felt her cheeks heat up “Uh no, wh-why?” Hyndla raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“The King wants us to cooperate so tomorrow you’re going to meet me at the barracks and I'm going to put you through your paces, see if you’ve got any skills worth talking about.”
Karn stood silently blinking for a moment then shook her head “Yes, that sounds perfect. I’ll see you bright and early, yes?”
The two shook hands and parted ways.
Hyndla sat in the quiet tavern and sighed into her mug.
“What is my life?” she mumbled.
“I don’t know but the rumors certainly sound exciting.” a feminine voice from behind made Hyndla jump. “Alma don’t sneak up on me, I keep telling you.” she grumbled.
The blond haired clean shaven dwarf laughed as they sat beside Hyndla at the table, “So what’s got you all upset?”
“You mean besides my entire life spinning out of control?”
“Yeah.”
Hyndla sighed and began telling her friend about the day's events, Alma nodded along.
“I have to be honest I don’t really see what the problem is, seems like a good bit of excitement.”
Hyndla shook her head and glared at her friend “It’s the dragon that’s the problem.”
Alma cocked their head in confusion a moment then silently mouthed their understanding.
“Have you thought about talking to ‘you know who’ about it?”
Hyndla frowned “I can’t do that! How can I approach my mother and tell her I’m bonding with a dragon? They’re the whole reason she’s in the Hall of Ancestors and not at home right now.”
Alma nodded “Does your new dragon friend know?”
Hyndla shook her head “No, I didn’t share any personal details besides my name of course. I don’t know how to broach that as a subject you know?”
Alma sat in silent thought for a while, then smiled “I think you’ll just have to do it like tearing off a bandage. Because if you just keep staying silent and refusing to accept your feelings you’ll make yourself miserable.”
Hyndla groaned “Maybe I don’t need to visit my mother, you seem to have the job covered well” Alma laughed.
Hyndla stood up “I really should go see her huh.” Her friend nodded silently, Hyndla walked off shaking her head.
Karn sat in a chair by the writing desk in her room lost in thought, Hyndla was still such a mystery to her, the woman had certainly warmed to her but there was an undeniable tinge of anger and sadness in Hyndla’s eyes when she looked at Karn.
Karn didn’t want to go asking around as that wouldn’t exactly be polite, when Hyndla was ready to open up more she would. Right now Karn was simply content just knowing she would be able to spend more time with the ranger.
A part of her couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of just how much the old guard of dragons would balk at the idea of a dragon in a relationship with a dwarf.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
She shook her head and turned the chair back towards the desk and began writing again when suddenly a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Azalia walked in beaming with towels and bedsheets “Hello your ladyship, I hear you had quite the day.” Karn nodded with a smile “Yes, it was quite the experience for sure. I hope you don’t think me rude for asking but how did you come to live in Valla? Wood Elves need sunlight and all.” Azalia smiled sadly, “I don’t mind the question though it’s not a happy story. I was kidnapped from my village by slavers, eventually a party of warriors from Valla found and rescued me and the others. I was just old enough that I could direct them to my home.” Tears began welling up in her eyes “It was gone, burned to ash by a dragon who led the slavers.”
The Elven maid began to cry and almost fell onto the hard floor but Karn jumped up and caught her easing her onto the bed. “I’m sorry Azalia, nothing I say can fix what was done, just know I don’t look down on you I see you as an equal, and that my father doesn’t allow such vile practices anymore.”
Azalia wiped the tears from her eyes “Thank you Princess. I don’t blame you for what I've gone through, my mother used to tell me ‘bad people are like an ugly paint, don’t let them cover the canvas of your whole world’.”
Karn smiled, “Your mother sounds like she was a smart woman.”
Azalia nodded “She was. Can I ask you a question Princess?”
Karn nodded “Of course, I asked one so you should as well.”
The maid sat silently for a moment then turned to look at Karn, a spark of mischief in her eyes, “What do you think of Captain Hyndla? You spent a good amount of time around her today on your little adventure.”
Karn’s eyes widened and she turned away in embarrassment “Uh well she’s definitely an impressive woman, but I don’t know if she likes me much. She invited me to her barracks for sparring tomorrow but I think she might just want an excuse to beat me up.” she laughed wryly.
Azalia nodded with a laugh “Maybe, but it makes sense considering what she went through.” Karn’s brow furrowed and she looked questioningly at Azalia
“What she went through? I feel like I’m missing something here.”
Azalia’s eyes widened and she frowned “She didn’t say anything? Hmm I guess that makes sense. It’s not really my story to tell, you’ll have to hear it from her whenever she’s ready to talk.”
Karn shrugged “Fair enough, her business is her’s. Maybe we’ll talk tomorrow, maybe we won’t.” Azalia stood up and smiled, “I have to go before someone thinks I'm slacking off.”
The maid left with a wave and Karn sat a moment longer in thought before picking up from where she’d stopped writing.
Hyndla stood on the training field stretching “You really don’t know the meaning of day off, do you girl?” a gruff man’s voice called with humor. Hyndla turned to see an older Dwarven man with salt and pepper hair and an eyepatch over where his right eye used to be. “Commander Skirfir sir!” she said, straightening her posture and placing an arm over her chest.
The old dwarf laughed “At ease girl, what are you doing if I may ask.”
His eyebrows raised when Hyndla looked away looking somewhat flustered “The King’s guest, that dragon, he wants me to take her into the tunnels to see if she can get past the barrier. I want to see what she’s made of, I’ve heard the stories and I know how strong they’re said to be, catching axes, swatting away cannon balls and all that, but well the stories also say they’re arrogant pricks and the girl’s anything but that.”
The Commander nodded with a chuckle “I see. Well you’re in for a show that’s for sure, I’ll have a medic come over.” he winked “Just in case” and as soon as he’d come he walked off.
Karn slowly made her way to the ranger barracks with a map hand drawn by Azalia. She frowned as she got closer to the barracks “I don’t have the best track record with gate guards so let’s see how this goes.” she mumbled
“What are you doing here?” The sneering tone of the guard told Karn that this was indeed going to be a productive conversation.
“I’m here to meet with Captain Hyndla” she replied keeping her voice as neutral as possible praying for the conversation to end. The second guard who’d been silent at first spoke next “Why would she want to meet with one of you? Haven’t you lizards done enough to her!?” the man growled.
Before she could question that statement she heard the sound of feet running on stone and saw Hyndla rushing to the gates.
“So sorry Princess, I didn’t even think about it until just now that I didn’t actually get you an entry pass.” she turned to the two men “You can let her in, we’re going to be doing some sparring and other exercises.”
With a brief glance then shrug between them the two men opened the gate and Karn walked in. Hyndla gave her an awkward smile “Sorry for the trouble, those two are cousins of mine and they sometimes forget I’m not a little girl anymore.”
Karn shook her head “It’s fine really, so what do you have planned today Captain?”
“I mainly want to see how you fight without magic, there’s legends and stories but I’d like to see for myself, you know?”
Karn nodded and followed Hyndla to an open arena-like area with padding on the ground “Alright, I’m guessing you want me to go all out?”
Hyndla nodded and Karn took a deep breath.
Hyndla’s eyes widened as more scales covered Karn’s skin, she grew a long tail, wings shot out from her back, horns burst from her head, a growl escaped her throat as her face grew into a draconic snout.
Hyndla stood in silent fascination for a moment before snapping back to reality quickly when she saw some of the other rangers looking over nervously “Well, quite the show Princess.” she said a smile crossing her lips
Karn rubbed her neck with an arm “Ah yes the shifting must look quite strange, this is the closest one can get to full dragon while still looking humanoid. We tend to hide the wings and tail because they just take up a lot of space and get in the way. I prefer hiding the horns because they bother people but most dragons don’t. So, you ready to dance?” Her voice was deeper and more gravely but Karn sounded as light and happy as ever.
Hyndla smiled wider “One last question. Does it hurt?”
Karn shrugged “Sort of, it feels similar to when you sit on a leg too long then try to walk on it.”
Hyndla winced “Ouch. Well, let’s do this.”
Karn rushed forward in a burst of speed, it took all of Hyndla’s focus to follow her movements and move to counter the punch flying towards her, she swung her right arm just hard enough to knock Karn’s fist off course and Hyndla felt and heard the rush of wind as the fist flew past her ear. Hyndla threw a kick but Karn just took the blow and kept rushing her.
Karn’s right leg flew forward and Hyndla crossed her arms to block but found herself sent flying backwards from the force of the blow.
Hyndla scrambled to her feet as Karn rushed forward again, she reached out and managed to grab the arm flying at her before trying to throw Karn. It turned out less a throw and ended up more so just sending Karn stumbling away.
Karn recovered from her stumble panting as Hyndla fell to her knees with heaving breaths “Guess they weren’t just stories huh? Could have warned me, yeah?”
She tilted her head at the dwarf “Would you have believed me if I told you?”
Hyndla laughed as she got back to her feet “I suppose not. Come on, I'm starving and we worked up a good sweat I think.”
Karn stood silent looking around at those watching “Are you sure I'm welcome here?”
Hyndla stopped moving, Karn sounded so vulnerable and as Hyndla looked back she saw fear and worry in the woman’s eyes. Those who’d watched the fight were whispering among themselves; for Hyndla it all blended into a meaningless buzz but evidently Karn knew exactly what was being said.
“I invited you here.” she spoke to make sure her voice carried “if anyone dislikes it they can say it to my face.” She swept her gaze around the field, the other rangers looked properly cowed, the last thing she needed was some fool attacking Karn.
Hyndla cursed as the thought entered her head, and sure enough as if summoned into existence, one of the rangers ran forward with an obsidian dagger in his hand.
Karn moved towards Hyndla feeling bolstered by the woman’s support, she didn’t see him, her danger sense was useless against a weapon of black volcanic glass. Before Hyndla could say a word the man threw his dagger straight into Karn’s back.
She stopped suddenly and a shocked and afraid expression crossed Hyndla’s face, Karn started to speak but before any words came out a searing pain wracked her whole body, she fell screaming as it felt like her insides had been set ablaze.
The would-be assassin was quickly restrained by two other rangers, Hyndla rushed forward in a panic and knelt beside the dragon, “Can you speak!?” she spoke with fear coloring her voice.
“Just barely” Karn croaked out
Hyndla looked at the wound, it was already inflamed and golden blood poured out.
“I don’t know what to do in a situation like this, can you tell me what to do?” Hyndla was nervous, she wasn’t a medic but there didn’t seem to be one around and no one else was approaching them.
Karn just gasped and coughed up blood. “I need a healer quick! I don’t know how long she’s going to last!” Hyndla screamed.
The Commander came running with two of the dwarven medics at his side, one of them began speaking as they lifted Karn onto a stretcher “We have the means to reverse obsidian poisoning, don’t worry she’ll be fine.”
Hyndla nodded but she felt a thousand miles away, she was pulled back to reality by a hand on her shoulder and she looked up into the concerned face of Commander Skirfir “I’m sorry Hyndla, I suppose really should have had a medic on sight. What fool thought offing a Princess was smart.”
Hyndla looked towards the ranger who’d attacked Karn “Vindalf? What the hell were you thinking? Were you thinking?” as she stood up all her fear and concern was replaced with fury,
“I didn’t think my own brother would be a traitor.” She spat furiously
Vindalf looked taken aback “What? But I did it for you, I couldn’t let another dragon hurt you, not after what they did to mom. I had to free you from that dragon’s control.”
Hyndla frowned “I was fine thank you, I’m a King’s Ranger not a little girl. The sooner our family understands that the better.”
Skirfir approached Vindalf, his face like a cold mask “Take him to the cells, and send a runner to the palace explaining what happened. This is a diplomatic nightmare of the highest magnitude you’ve caused, boy.”
Vindalf was dragged away struggling and shouting and Hyndla just stood there feeling lost, someone she’d begun caring about was almost killed at the hands of her own brother. And to make it worse she was a Princess, her coming to harm was bad for the whole kingdom itself.
Skirfir broke her from her thoughts with a cough “You ok Hyndla?” Hyndla shrugged “I honestly don’t know, I feel lost I guess. I’ve known her for two days but seeing her hurt sent me into a panic like she was my best friend for years.”
Skirfir laughed “I don’t think I can help you there honestly. That’s a bit outside my area.”
A small smile grew on Hyndla’s lip “I suppose you’re right. But I do know someone who might be able to help.”
The Hall of Ancestors was a massive complex of buildings, each family had a massive hall of their own, Hyndla made her way to the Rangvir family hall, it was an ornately decorated stone building full of old art and relics, it was just how the dwarves were that they decorated ostentatiously.
She walked past the many old ghosts of her family exchanging greetings and small talk. She had a destination but being rude to your ancestor ghosts was an invitation for misfortune and they were the best source for finding someone specific; her great-grandmother was kind enough to tell her where her mother Freya Rangvir was.
It was no surprise her mother was wandering the small garden, When her mother saw her she rushed over “Hyndla dear what’s wrong? You look like a mess.”
Despite everything Hyndla felt herself laugh “Thanks mom, that’s what every girl wants to hear.”Her mother just smiled and motioned for her to sit down, they sat in silence simply basking in each other's company until finally Hyndla let out a sigh and told her mother everything that had happened in the last two days.
Her mother listened quietly for the most part, Hyndla could see the flashes of nervousness and concern when Hyndla described the fights with the spirit and sparring with Karn.
“Vindalf really did that?” Freya looked so sad it made Hyndla wish she had anything comforting to say. Her mother looked at her eyes filled with sadness “I wish we could be friends with the Dragons, why should we keep killing each other for events thousands of years ago. I think King Beowulf has the right idea. It’s a vicious cycle Hyndla, death and pain, years of old grudges repaid with new grudges.”
Hyndla smiled “I know what you mean, I think I finally understand. I always hated dragons for what happened, I thought they were all monsters. Then I met Karn, I don’t know how to explain it but things just feel right around her.”
Her mother laughed, “She definitely sounds kind, I’d love to meet the woman who ‘charmed’ my daughter.”
Hyndla’s whole face turned red as hot coal “Mother! I haven’t been ‘charmed’. I just think she’s kind and I hope to be a friend.”
Her mother gave her a smile “I’m sure dear, well just know whatever happens I love you.”
“Thanks mom.” Hyndla stood and sighed “I have to go. I need to know if Karn’s going to be okay.”
“Of course dear” her mother laughed again “Come visit again soon.”
Hyndla smiled and said her goodbyes to her ancestors, making her way slowly back to the ranger barracks to check on her friend.