“What do you mean you are poisoned?” Sweiza says it with some kind of disbelief. Her hands control the helm while she looks down to her mentor whom refuses rest - at least immediately. It was a single entry wound from a knife; how could it be poisoned? Sweiza didn’t remember seeing anything out of the ordinary about it when she pulled it out.

Strife’s arms are crossed. Her left hand does reach down towards the wound to comfort it. She winces as she does so. This journey was going to be rough, but she wasn’t expecting ‘this’. “The ‘Cult of Loki’ wishes to expand their influence.”

Sweiza interrupts her, “What does that have to do with anything? What does poison have to do with expanding Loki’s influence?”

Strife’s eyebrow raise up in slight amusement as she looks up at the girl, “The Cult of Loki has about as much to do with the god of the same name as you do with leading the Valkyrie.”

Sweiza snorts.

“The Cult of Loki is so named due to the small ‘changes’ that they make. Snowball that into an avalanche and you get the idea.” Strife continuously massages the wound.

“What does that have to do with Loki?” Sweiza’s attention focuses outside at a familiar blue orb glowing near the bow of the ship.

“They are well known for poisoning their weapons. Whether it be an enchantment in this instance, I can’t say, nor does it matter. I’m going to take the appropriate precautions.”

“Precautions…” Sweiza says it with disbelief and contempt, “Maybe if you had done so to begin with and not let him into your heart then…”

Strife shoots her a scowl, “Child please. -I- was the one playing him for the fool. When I refused to let him hold it…”

Sweiza recognizes she means the ‘Penchant’.

“…he turned quite unpleasant. I didn’t think he would pull out a knife.”

Sweiza’s eyes roll and she lets up a puff of air at her hair. She turns a bit more light hearted, “Wouldn’t it be possible to simply ‘whisk’ the poison away by putting it in that place that holds all of our stuff?”

“Along with half of my organs no less. Never must a living being be transported or stored, I told you that.” Her left hand still on her wound, Strife’s free hand holds up and flat and a pill appears in it. She tilts her head back as it is popped into her mouth. She winces at the taste.

Sweiza looks at her master in disbelief again. “That was an unusually large pill.”

“Iron tablet. Enchanted of course. While I’m under the influence, that enchantment will knock me out for a few days.” Strife taps her foot idly.

“Don’t tell me that you are going to… I mean yes, it’s well known for rapid healing, but what am I supposed to do without you? I don’t know this area! I need you!”

“There is a map on the table behind us.” Strife points with her right thumb behind her, “And you said you could navigate by starlight yes? We shouldn’t be too far off course at any given time if you keep us angled in the same direction. If all else fails, as long as you are proactive in keeping at eye on the shore…” Strife holds up her hand and a spyglass appears, “…you shouldn’t have any issues.”

Strife lets out a weak smile. Sweiza feels her body droop.

—

It is rather simple. Strife will be roped down to the bed below deck. The effects should last three days whereby she is in an induced deep sleep. In the meantime her body will be forced into a berserkergang to help with rapid healing; one of the blessings of the curse.

—

It is later the next day when Sweiza feels those exact words hit her, “Our journey counts on you at this point. I’ll see you in a few days child. May your watch be as uneventful and rested as my slumber. Goodnight.”

“Why am I always getting caught up in this? Is this Salmira’s doing? Is this why Strife exercises contempt for the woman?” Sweiza scowls and shakes the thought off. She has work to do.

—

Most of Sweiza’s day is spent at the helm. She thankfully has a chair to sit at when her legs get sore. It was Strife’s idea to mix it up a bit, especially since they (but more importantly meaning Sweiza), were not accomplished, nor experienced sailors. At first glance, Sweiza envisions being bored at the helm all day, only being able to leave to ‘relieve’ herself or to eat lunch. It is only an hour in and Sweiza decides to mix it up indeed.

Unfortunately she didn’t bother seeing the star patterns last night due to their ‘mishap’. She wishes Lukas wasn’t a traitor, his sailing expertise would help here. She does chance climbing the main mast; it does have a rather small crow’s nest, but it is more of a flat platform for sitting. Technically this is their ship now isn’t it? Perhaps Strife has some wood ‘on her being’ and she can use that. She’ll have to look into it. In the meantime, she looks around with the spyglass. She does locate the shore of Jotunher towards the starboard side (right side). It is some miles off, but she doesn’t remember how to calculate it with a sextant. She also realizes she can’t really remember the proper way to use mapping. She’ll only be able to use the map for landmarks… except all she sees is rocky cliffs for a good few minutes and finally climbs back down.

When she is finally down, Sprite flies up to her. He lets out several of his distinctive chirps, “I’m hungry!”

“Oh you little shit!” Sweiza says it in dismay, “Help yourself to Lukas’s share of food in the cabin. Don’t go eating all of it. We need it for the next few weeks.” Sweiza waves her hand as she walks by him, she stops a few feet in front of him facing the cabin, “I just wish you could quit being a pest sometimes. I could really use your help about now.”

She walks off in a huff. Sprite just hovers in place with his body bobbing with his slow wing beats.

—

“Dear Diary…

Journal or whatever, I don’t care at this point. Really I don’t know why I chose to go along with her. It seemed like a good idea. I figured it was Salmira’s doing. We met at that point in time. I figured this is what I needed to do to get back to my ‘real’ time. However, I am now deep in the woodwork and am sailing a ship of all things. I never thought I’d see this day. I’m apparently traveling the world with a sick berserker, pest of a sprite, and then a dragon. That last one is a matter I have to deal with later today. All I know is I’m tired of having to relief myself with the use of a bucket. Damn sailors and their stupid ways! I hate it!

…love Sweiza!”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Sweiza has drawn a heart at an angle towards the right of her name.

—

It is towards the elevated platform near the bow of the ship that Sweiza stands tapping her foot with her arms crossed impatiently. She barks out her order. “Surt, show yourself! I know you can hear me!”

Nothing happens.

“Surt! Get out here!” She winces her eyes as she uncrosses her arms and stamps her left foot on the platform.

Again nothing happens.

“Su..! Uh!” Sweiza feels the ship rock slightly and she falls to her hands and knees. She turns around to the dragon’s head and neck near the port (left) side of the ship. However, the ship is in motion and his neck and head soon disappear behind the cabin. Sweiza looks at it dumbfounded. She feels a bit anxious as she suddenly sees the dragon’s head moving up and down in a slight fashion. She can only imagine he is paddling or wiggling his tail to propel himself forward. He is fast! He matches the speed of the ship. His head stops the up and down motion as does his neck as his big horned head turns towards her.

Black scales with a red tinge to them on the outside. Strife had mentioned he was a firedrake (fire breather), but Sweiza had no idea he’d look so deadly, yet so beautiful. He clearly looks like an other worldly thing. For most of her life Sweiza had thought dragons were yellow, green or some variant of red. But according to Strife they come in all colors, even fire drakes.

Sweiza’s hand comes up to shield her eyes from the sun as she looks up at his face. “You look here you big oaf! Strife is out of commission for a few days, that puts me in charge of this entourage. You do what I tell you or else!”

She points an accusing finger at him.

The cat slits in his eyes do not change. Instead they glow a red and orange color. Sweiza doesn’t yield. She steps forward. “My family kills dragons! We’ve done it in the past!”

The dragon’s eye brighten. He says nothing.

“Don’t you give me that silent treatment! Serif’s are well known for being dragon tamers!”

The dragon’s tongue flicks out several times. His tail slowly emerges from the water.

“No tricks! I’m of her kin! She’ll know of it! You owe her!”

The dragon’s eyes suddenly dim to a pale yellow. His head inches towards her. She suddenly feels her body tense up. Her act drops. She starts shaking.

The tip of his tail flicks her from behind her left ankle and drops her backwards. She hits the deck. She scrambles back to her feet. Her hands are on her hips. “That was a nice try, but…” Her eyes jump to the tail again. Again she is on the ground. This time the tail rests on her. She tries to push herself up to no avail, his tail is that heavy or by some force he is that strong.

She pushes and struggles. Her body finally drops in fate as she gives up. The tail suddenly releases just as quick as it came. She looks up from her position. Her eyes are glassing up, she tries to hold back the tears. The dragon is still staring down at her. His head lumbers closer and then over the deck rail. Her eyes go wide as he flicks his tongue out. It is longer than she thought. It scrapes across her face. She feels as if she isn’t frozen in terror for once. The hot breath from his nose is disgusting and humid, but it is a welcome feeling to the cold air she’s felt throughout the morning.

“You taste of her kin.”

Sweiza tries to speak, but nothing comes out. Her body tremors once from a breath of defeat. She looks down at the deck.

Sweiza finally looks up in fear. The dragon’s eyes no longer glow.

“Daughter.”

It is the only thing he says. Does he always give such short responses? Wait, daughter?

Sweiza feels herself break free from her terror. She feels her chance and scrambles to a cross legged position. She simply nods up a the dragon.

His eyes glow orange again and his head cocks straight up. She hears something strange and then sees a glow erupt from his mouth. A fireball? She isn’t impressed.

“Sprite’s hunger is scarier than you’ll ever be!” She points her finger up at him as one of her eyes close.

The dragon’s eyes dim again. His tongue darts out several times.

“I’m familiar with them. The sprite.”

“Don’t eat him, I’m warning you!”

His tongue flicks out again, “Tender morsel.”

Sweiza looks up with her jaw agape. She quickly realizes her give away and closes it. Is this dragon messing with her?

“You’re as bad at your shenanigans as you are checkers!”

This time the dragon’s eyes pulse from orange to red and they glow brightly. Sweiza lets out an audible ‘eep’ as she quickly shrinks in place.

“I was disappointed.”

“What? Why?” Sweiza’s act drops again. Is this dragon friend or foe? She can’t tell.

“She later revealed that she cheated. I was disappointed.”

Sweiza stares up at him. “And yet you are still allowed to live on Mount Surt.”

The dragon’s tail passes over head. It misses Sweiza by just a few inches. She is starting to get the idea.

“I am Mount Surt.”

“You are nothing but a naughty dragon of the worst sort!” She tries her luck.

His eyes dim.

“I protect the area, you serve me.”

Sweiza shakes in anger once. “I am next of kin. I am her legacy and heir to estate. You serve me!”

The dragon’s tongue flicks out. She hears what she can only describe as a rumble from a throat. Is he laughing at her?

“A weakened estate, with dead parents and barely a legacy to match. Start building one.”

His neck pulls away from the railing and with it his head. Sweiza quickly scrambles to her feet. “Wait! Does that mean you’ll help me?!”

She rushes to the railing. She looks over to see his neck submerging. His head is gone.

“Surt!” She blurts out his name. A single bubble emerges from the water. It pops in fashion. Sweiza shakes her head and lets out a grit of disgust. Strife had warned her about him. Sweiza now believes her. He is rather difficult to deal with.

—-

Apparently the firedrake was not as social as his fellow dracokin. He wanted solitude and rest from a lifetime of dealing with their problems. It doesn’t mean he didn’t have them himself. One such example was a certain Valkyrie that guarded the edge of Middle Garden (Midgard). He took up residence in the local mountain (dormant volcano) by the springs. He rested there for a few years until a Valkyrie presented herself at the entrance. She was charged with slaying him. But for all of their poise and strength, a Valkyrie cannot hope to defeat a dragon without special equipment. Instead, the dragon was fascinated at something called a wager over a game. He had a feeling she was deceitful. Still, he didn’t know how to play. All the more fascinating. He didn’t find out until later. Made up rules lead to his demise. He was disappointed. She would allow him to stay and protect the area, “So says I, Valkyrie Strife.” He was not amused at the benevolence of the Valkyrie and rebuked with, “I will allow you to protect this area in my place, so says I dracokin.”

The dragon simply wanted peace and solitude, no shenanigans from fellow dragokin and no humans bothering him. About the only thing Strife ever has to reprimand him for is collecting and hoarding shiny objects - silver and gold being a problem due to the area being so close to Muspell Harbor. Strife will not interfere with him as long as he behaves. He lost, he owes her a debt, it is that simple. The dragon agreed, despite her treachery. They finally hammered out a friendship and an alliance, if not an uneasy one. It is still unheard of for dragons and humans to interact without consequences; let alone for a certain Valkyrie female to have a dragon as her familiar.

Then the matter arose of Alyssa Verdandi’s next of kin appearing due to a certain witch. This was an unexpected train of thought. The debt would have to be transferred to her daughter also. “As a matter of the estate”. Strife is indeed a tricky one - well known in the future for her negotiating style and tactics. Many people despise dealings and negotiations with her, she usually wins; keyword being ‘usually’. However, this is a deal Sweiza would have to make on her own. Sweiza is not her birth mother. She can't believe she is stuck in this mess. May fate and the Goddess help her.

—

Sweiza cannot tell if the dragon was messing with her or agrees with her. It looks like it. She stands at the entrance of the cabin. Her hands go to her hips.

She sees Sprite sitting on the rudder control.

“I don’t care! That thing is hard to move!” The Sprite apparently isn’t strong enough to move it very well, if at all. He had to resort to beating his wings hard to get it to move back and forth, and even then he swears he sent the ship off course. He thinks so anyway. This is difficult. Wait, the dragon woman is here.

Sprite flies up from the helm. His mood and inflection changes as he hovers a few inches from her face, his wings fluttering his intrigue, “Well?”

She looks straight up.

Her eyes dart back and stare straight at him and hard. “He referred to you as a tender morsel.”

“So what? Dragons can’t catch sprite. Too slow and stupid!” He flies away from her and then flies back two feet from her. “Are you a dragon master or not?”

She shakes her head and grips her arms in frustration, “He’s most certainly a rude and difficult one to deal with. This might be the start of my dragon taming days. I’m not sure. I think he bamboozled me somehow; or at least this is how he gets his jollies in. Whatever. I’m hungry. Let’s eat dinner.”

The sprite lets out a chirp of approval as his wing beats slow to just moving rhythmically with bobbing. This is why he hangs out with her. His friend. She always gets into some kind of excitement or trouble. But more importantly, the food!