Chapter 15: Royal Pain

Lyndis was savagely thrown to the ground, crashing with a flash of pain in the cold snow. It had happened so fast; fast enough that she could not even have gotten a shout out. She went to stand, her trained eyes looking for the gryphon that had ripped her out of Stinky's saddle. She remembered the horse's pained cry as the gryphon's talons ripped through its tender hide, silencing it forever.

Feathery bastards. I’ll show them what happens when you mess with an angry half-elf, she pulled out a rapier and held it aloft in front of her as she twitched one of her sensitive ears. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as her grip on the hilt tightened. Within seconds, she heard the flap of wings, and Lyndis bid her time, waiting for the gryphon to swoop down on her before she rolled out of the avian’s outstretched claws. The gryphon landed on the snow with an angry screech. He wasn’t an ugly specimen by any means, with golden fur, white pristine feathers, and black, sharp claws.

Lyndis felt a slight measure of regret for what she was about to do, but such was the way of war. You either hunted, or you became the prey. She didn’t intend to be a hapless doe this day. Her eyes locked to the creature’s powerful body, its sharp claws, and more importantly, the keen eyes that fixed her down with a predatory stare. She gave one of her own right back. Being a rogue, she had been naturally trained to look for weak points on any opponent. A usual human needed thrice, even five times more time to find an opening in the opponent’s defense, while Lyndis needed a mere moment to capitalize on an opponent’s mistake.

“Your move, little elf.” The gryphon started circling around her, waiting for her to make a mistake no doubt. She could hear the sounds of Crimson Sky's roar. Clearly the dragon was struggling with several more of this gryphon’s flock. This little duel with the gryphon could wait, as right now, getting to her friends was way more important.

“See, you probably think you have gotten lucky in your little hunt.” She smiled to the proud bird, “That you got the elf all for yourself. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t mind sharing a few words over a drink, maybe even gawk at your plumage.”

“Really?” The gryphon cocked his head. “Because to me, it seems we’re very much enemies.”

“Temporary adversaries has a better ring to it.” Lyndis put on a smug smile.

“Fancy words. Let’s see how you speak when I squeeze your frail body under my talons!” The gryphon parted his beak to unleash a loud, savage squawk.

Lyndis shielded her face against the droplets of saliva, then revealed her squinted eyes along with a mischievous smile. “I have to tell ya, gryphon boy, that could not be furthest from the truth.”

She flicked her wrist and whispered Mirror Image. Three copies of herself sprung from her body to stand next to her, matching exactly what she was doing. The gryphon gave a screech as it charged at her, talons ready to slash her to ribbons. She sighed as she dodged out of the way. The gryphon had gone for her over the illusions. She chocked it up to a lucky guess as she stabbed down into the gryphon's side, drawing blood before leaping away from the wounded creature.

“Skraaaa. You quick little mink!”

“The more you move, the faster you bleed. Stand down. My quarrel is not with you.”

“Wrong…” The gryphon shook off his wounded hindpaw, drops of blood pelting the pristine snow like water trickling from a pierced waterskin. “You defy our king and expect to go unpunished? You’d better finish me off, half-breed, because I will never stop hunting you!”

“It’s your choice,” Lyndis readied for a second assault. She saw the gryphon twitch as blood was starting to drip in rivulets down his muscular flank. Good. She had hit one of the main blood vessels, and though it knotted her stomach to see the gryphon’s leg spasm with painful jolts, Lyndis drew strength from the rule of any battle. Any advantage you had over your opponent made things a lot easier, for she did not have the brute strength of the dragon, nor the heavy plate of the paladin. All she had was her wit, her rapier, and of course, the ability to weave spells. The gryphon tried to pounce again, this time choosing the wrong copy of her. Its beak snapped at thin air as the bird screeched in anger. She rewarded him with another hit and run, as her rapier struck the other side right under the wing, then she flipped away again to observe the gruesome result of her actions.

“Raawkraaaakkk,” The gryphon fell to the ground. “You’re…the fastest prey I encountered. Seems to me…I am destined to die at the end of your blade.” The gryphon reached towards her with a talon. “I expect nothing of an honor-less rogue, but…at least grant me the mercy of a quick death.”

Lyndis gritted her teeth. She owed nothing to this bird, yet something kept her from plunging her blade through its feathery neck.

“You’re not dying today, runt.” Lyndis rummaged through her pack for a quick healing potion and lunged towards the creature’s drooping head. “C’mon, open this up. You had no problems snapping and tearing at me a few moments ago”

The bird gasped for breath as even more blood dripped onto the ground. “No…what are you…” it struggled in her grasp, still trying to get away…to survive for a few more painful minutes before death took him.

“Something your merciful king never did for my people,” Lyndis managed to crack the bird’s beak open and poured the liquid into the gryphon’s gullet. He started choking, trying to spit the substance out, but Lyndis clamped his beak shut with both hands, watching the bird’s throat attentively. When he swallowed, she let him crash in the snow to quickly patch him up with the little strips of bandage she had in her field kit. She kept a close eye on his limbs and wing, as she very well knew the gryphon could strike back at any moment.

Fortunately, he was smarter than that.

“There,” Lyndis slapped the creature’s back once she stopped the brunt of the bleeding. “Live to fight another day, crow, and when you find yourself in a warm, cozy bed aboard an airship or whatever, let your commander know who spared your life.”

She expected a screech of defiance, as gryphons were proud, loyal creatures, yet close encounters with death had a way to change one’s perception. The golden gryphon dipped his head, a few soft chirps escaping through his beak instead of the violent screech of a warning call.

“I cannot promise they’ll listen, but I promise to never forget this kindness. Run now, matron of mercy. They’re…coming for you.”

As if on cue, she heard several more shrieks, followed by the roar of a dragon. Lyndis waved the gryphon a quick farewell and broke into a run in that direction.

Curses. Why couldn’t I just plunge my blade through his eye and be done with it? They prey upon my kin, destroy our villages, treat us like animals! She curled up her fists at that. She could help Crimson Sky and Arcturus, and instead, she wasted precious time to heal the enemy. Heal him! What would the dragon or any of her people say of such thoughtless deed? Would they consider her weak? A traitor to her own kin, perhaps?

It didn’t really matter. Not now, when half of her mind raced as she tried to formulate a plan. Step one, regroup with the rest of the party. Step two, flee into the forest while they all use magic to aid in their escape. She did not know what spells Merlia knew as a ranger, but clearly they would be of use. She found Arcturus and Crimson Sky relatively quickly, arriving just as the dragon snatched up the human and flew into the sky.

“Follow them closely, and avoid attacking at all costs. I need Arcturus alive, hear me? I want him alive!” Shouted a man clad in black armor that quickly mounted a gryphon and took off. His face was one of surprise and desperation. She knew the expression all too well, as she too was no doubt wearing the exact same one.

Lyndis ducked behind a tree, pulling out the map from her field satchel. She just had to remain calm for now. The dragon was clearly trying to lead the gryphons away from the rest of the group, to a place where he’d snatch an advantage. Most likely he was scared as well, for she had never seen him fly away from a fight.

Lyndis licked her lips and quickly pulled up the map that they had been following before the gryphons had attacked. Her eyes scanned around the various landmarks. She was very close to the location indicated on the map. All she had to do was make it there and pray the magical defenses would help shield her from the gryphons and their armored allies. She could fight off one gryphon by herself, sure, but the whole flock? That was something she did not think she could pull off if they came at her with murder in their minds.

Lyndis hugged a tree once more as she heard the sound of wings. Two gryphons landed nearby, with riders dismounting onto the snow. They wore dark red leathers with gold stitching on the edges. They were both human, towering above the average individual, with muscled, well trained bodies. Their eyes were both brown, and squinted as they were turning their heads back and forth, looking for something.

They’re after me, she thought as she traced her thumb along the hilt of her rapier. That damn gryphon she saved must’ve betrayed her at the first opportunity.

“Come on out, half-elf!” One the men called out in a deep voice, “The boss only wants to talk to you. The dragon is the only one he wants captured.”

Lyndis silently clasped her hands together as if to break an egg. She then placed them on her head and let go as she muttered, “Vonuzez.”

It felt like the yolk of a large egg landed on her head. The lukewarm sludge started to drip down her hair. The feeling worked its way down her head, into her chest, and all the way down to her feet in a matter of moments. She knew that the spell had worked when a cold tinge ran up her spine. She was invisible now. With a grin to herself, she sprinted away from the collected four, towards her destination on the map.

The spell only lasted for a minute. She knew this when she felt a warming sensation flow through her body. It happened just like the previous one, starting from her head then finishing in her feet. She made sure to hug a tree when the enchantment wore off. Lyndis held a hand to her elven ears, listening for anything that could be the sound of gryphons, or worse, mercs. The half-elf waited for several minutes before moving from her spot, thankful for the blessed silence of the forest. It might have meant her companions were having all the trouble while she sneaked away exactly like a selfish rogue, but in war, this was an advantage she had to exploit.

Gather your wits, Lyndis. You’re not the bad gal here. Fock sake, you wasted bandage and potions on one of the king’s winged killers! She frowned at the thought of that same bird inflicting misery upon her people months later, all thanks to her mercy. No! Lyndis scrunched her eyes shut. Focus. I need to focus on what I hear, what I see, what I smell…

Slowly, her eyes opened up. That's when she noticed a pair of boot prints heading off in the direction she was currently aiming at. She might have dismissed them as anyone's at first, but there were clearly large paw prints next to them. She did not know what kind of animal had such a large foot, but she was pretty sure a bear was the most likely outcome. Good. That meant Merlia had made it as well. Lyndis shrugged herself. She figured the ranger had not been as slowed down as she was, and if there was any chance to reunite with her party, this was it.

Lyndis broke into a quickened pace. She followed the path left by Merlia, thinking back to a friend of hers in Drenedar. He would have followed these tracks better than anyone. She scowled as he would wear a smug look on his human face and laugh with those blue eyes of his. How his messy blonde hair would jiggle while he enjoyed his moment of fun. She would punch him in the shoulder for good measure at his teasing, and they would move on. His name was Gerald Wind-chaser, a Pegasus knight of the realm. Oh, how she wished she had his skills right now. It would have saved the whole party the trouble of traveling to Entis, after all.

As she jumped over a log, Lyndis remembered the day she left Drenedar, fed up with how everything had gone in her home. She simply got tired of constantly chasing her parents’ expectations and decided to pursue a life of adventure instead of looking pretty and dancing and wasting her time on art. More than anything, Lyndis craved to go out there and see the world she had only read about in stories. Besides, why should she not? Her parents had gotten the best teachers of the realm, taught her how to fight, how to defend herself, how to weave magic. Wasn’t it a pity, to know such skills, and never put them to proper use?

Lyndis ducked behind another tree, remembering Gerald's sad, lovingly stupid face as he asked her not to go. Deep down, she figured the man had a crush on her, but he had never admitted it. Instead, he provided her with a sending stone that helped them stay in touch; that way, she could tell him if she ever had gotten herself into trouble. She had laughed at the time, “Trouble, Gerald? That's what I am looking, for you silly, silly man.”

Lyndis stopped to listen once more. If she had the chance, she would have told her younger self to practice running for the day when her legs would have to outrun a gryphon’s wings. She scowled, realizing she knew what her reply would have been, “That sounds fantastic!”

The tracks were getting fresher. Or so it seemed. Although Lyndis wasn't entirely sure, she felt she was making progress. However, something odd had happened with the shapes in the snow. It seemed like Ulga and Merlia had split up. She crouched low for a moment or two, trying to figure out which pair of tracks she should follow. Ulga's tracks seemed to head deeper and deeper into the woods, while Merlia's seemed to have gone towards a clearing.

“Merlia, what in the world were you up to?” Lyndis said to herself softly as she started following Merlia's tracks to the clearing.

When she got closer, she heard the dwarf suddenly shout out.

“O, come now, is that the best ye got in yer gut? I ‘ave endured harder hits from me mum!”

Lyndis broke into a run towards the duo. Not to dismiss Merlia's fighting ability, but she figured the dwarf would be happy for some type of help. She made it to the clearing, but stuck to the side, remaining concealed in the shadows of the forest, biding her time to strike. She saw two things before her. One was the motionless gryphon lying in the clearing with an axe beside its body, while the other rested under the creature’s talons, probably snatched from Merlia’s grasp after a bout of close combat. The second thing she saw was the black armored man, his gloved hand dug into Merlia’s neck.

“Oh, come on now, ya can at least put me outta me misery. Tha’ breath o’yers could kill a dragon, it can!” Merlia gasped with a chuckle.

“Nobody has to die today, dwarf. All I want to know is the red beast’s location. Where did it fly off? Tell me!” The man shouted in anger.

“What’s he to ye?” Merlia rasped.

“A thief who stole my best friend, you boulder-headed creature!” The human’s face flushed red with anger. “Tell me now, or I’ll send my chasers all over the forest with an order to capture the enemy no matter the cost. Do you want to get your dragon back in tatters? Hmm?”

“Awww, did dey get away from ye, y’said? And all yer doing is sit here an’ pout? You’s a grown man, lad. Slap dat gryphon o’er the head a few times an’ find the dragon instead of pickin’ on women!” Merlia taunted as the man clearly tightened his grip on her throat.

“I’m interrogating you, lass.” The human brought his angry face closer to Merlia’s scrunched features. “That means I ask, and you answer.”

“Now you’re un BEARable,” Merlia gasped out, her voice barely audible. “I said you’re un BEARable!” She cried out in a weak voice.

“That some kind of code?” The armored man asked as he looked around. “What’s that? TELL ME!”

“Gods damn't Ulga, I said the focken word!” Merlia cried, struggling in the man's grasp.

It appeared she was going to succumb to the man’s brute strength before Ulga emerged from the other side of the clearing to charge right towards the man in armor. The man dropped the dwarf in surprise as he drew an energy crossbow to blast the bear, but she proved too quick for him. In an instant, the crossbow was torn from his grasp, forcing him to back from the angry bear with his sword drawn.

“That how you wanna do it, lass?” he grunted. “Think well before you strike. My blade never misses its mark.”

“Oh, I think today’s just not your day, metal-ass.” Lyndis took this moment to walk out as well. With a rapier held out in the left hand, she lifted her right hand up as if to curl a ball. She pictured an orb of fire resting in her hands, then let it fly towards the man. From her hand, she threw a fire bolt that collided into the man's back. He was pushed towards the bear in surprise, as Ulga swatted him to the ground with one of her paws.

“See, dats dey way, Ulga!” Merlia cried with a hoarse throat as she grabbed her axes. “Nice of ye ta join da fight, lass!” She raised an axe, pointing to the man in armor. “Help me axe him a few tings.” With a dwarven cry, Merlia charged the man.

But he had managed to roll away from Ulga, who was still trying to maul him. Lyndis decided to help as she closed in on the rolling man.

The armored warrior finally stood up. He swung at her first. Lyndis ducked below the blade as she went to stab for his armpit. The man moved quickly to deflect her blow, and instead of his armpit she nicked his forearm. She felt a boot collide with her hard before she could get away like she usually did. Lyndis was shoved to the ground, landing on her backside. The man moved aside as Ulga went to attack him. He side-stepped the bear, then used the momentum to slice deep into Ulga's neck. His sword severed the brave bear’s head from the rest of her body in one clean strike.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Ye wee, clankin’ basterd! Do ya know how long it'll take Ulga ta get better from this?” Merlia snarled as she started swinging wildly at the man with her two axes.

“There’s no coming back from a severed head, dwarf,” The man grunted as he parried Merlia’s frenzied attacks.

“It'll take all afta noon, ya stupid egg suckin, full plate wearin git!”

Lyndis shot up as the two fought. Taking advantage of the situation, she moved in to flank the warrior, who was doing a fine job of holding off the dwarf on his own. In fact, his fighting style sort of reminded her of how Arcturus handled his sword. He was maneuvering well enough that she could never get right behind him.

“You’re going down, lass!”

“Not before ye!” Merlia rasped.

The man cried out in pain as an axe struck his armor at his left shoulder.

“Ha! Guess ya can't handle all of dis dwarven fury!” Merlia shouted in laughter, but it was short lived as he moved his right hand and punched the dwarf square in her face. Merlia fell back dazed onto the ground. Her eyes were closed, but she was still breathing; merely unconscious from the man’s thundering punch.

The man turned towards Lyndis, his face red with irritation.

“It brought me no pleasure to do that, but you’re giving me little choice in the matter.”

“Yeah?” Lyndis raised an eyebrow. “Looked to me like you enjoy cutting things.”

“Only when they attack me first!” The man shouted. “I come to you with questions and orders from my king, and instead of talking, you take off and strike my party back like a bunch of thugs!”

Lyndis scowled at the man. “That tends to happen when you announce your approach with screeches.”

“Gah. I would’ve gotten what I want from the dwarf, but since you’re the only one I have, guess you’ll have to do, half-elf.” He suddenly stopped mid question to stare at her.

“Wait. Have we met before?” He casually asked, holding his great sword out in front of himself.

Lyndis tried to place the face to anyone she had known in her life, back in Drenedar, even when she was exploring. They paced in front of one another for a moment or two. No. She had never seen this man before. Why would he even say something like that in the middle of a fight? To distract her? Throw her focus off-balance?

“What’s it to you?”

“I like to know who I am fighting, miss. And that dwarf over there would not stop yelling at me. “He said, just as his eyes then went wide. “Aye. My memory didn’t falter. I know you!”

*

Lyndis suddenly stopped telling her tale to the dragon and human who listened with utmost interest. Or at least, she thought they were. Crimson Sky kept on taking gulps of wine every few minutes before returning his inebriated stare to her, which only happened after he wiped his snout. He was gasping at all the times she mentioned the fights.

“Did he really know you?” Arcturus asked suddenly. “How is that possible? He never told me anything about a quest in Drenedar.”

Lyndis thought for a moment, letting the paladin's question sink into her mind. Would she tell them at this moment? Or would it ruin the image as to why she was really helping them get into Entis? She figured it could wait for later.

“He knew me from your reports on Crimson Sky. Aye. He read them before coming to get us, the literate bastard. Not often I meet a man with a sword who reads out of his own volition,” She lied, putting on a fake smile and hoping the paladin was drunk enough to fall for it. Perhaps it was because of the wine, but he just nodded.

“What happened next?” Crimson Sky asked, cocking his head to the side, “Did you die? Or wait, that would mean I’m talking to your spirit or worse, an impostor.” The dragon laughed with little hisses before taking yet again another gulp of wine. “Carry on, carry on. Do not mind a drunky dragon’s silly comments!”

So, with a slight laugh, and another swig of wine, Lyndis continued her tale, conveniently skipping over to the good part.

*

There was a growing pit in Lyndis’ stomach when she stared into the man’s eyes. Some silly part of her still hoped he was wrong, and that he only made this up to gain an edge over her, but she had seen those eyes before.

“I never put much faith in Gods, but they certainly have a sense of humor. You’re the princess of Drenedar, are you not?” The man said with a grin, “Well princess, my name is Garroth.”

“Well then, my kind, confused Garroth, I think you may have me confused with someone else.” She said, trying to act indifferent, although she could from his stern face that the man was not buying her lie.

“Nope. I might not trust the Gods to whisper truths in my ears, but my instincts never betrayed me so far. I saw you eight years back, when my crew visited Drenedar.”

“Alright,” Lyndis shuddered. “Let’s say I go with this wild tale you spin, and I am indeed the princess you speak of. What was a brute like you doing in my kingdom?”

“We are adventurers, dear princess. We go where the stream of coin leads us. Long story short, we were paid quite handsomely for a job.” Garroth, grinned at his boast. “My, the Gods do seem to piss their favor out of the heavens. I came out here to capture a dragon, but you can imagine my surprise at how the day has unfolded. I have found not only the dragon, but the knowledge that my friend is, thank the gods, alive. To top it off, I also find the princess that conveniently seemed to have plopped right into my lap! Is this your plan, dear? To get revenge for your kingdom by consorting with that red scaled bastard?”

“What do you mean by that, brute? Elaborate!” She spat out, her face full of hate.

“Oh my. Have you not heard, princess? Your kingdom signed a non-aggression pact with us. The war between our kingdoms is finally over!”

“You mean… my family just gave up the fight? After everything your marauding soldiers put us through!?” She shouted, remembering stories of villages being raided and looted by the Lumarian soldiers.

“Yea, I heard from the king himself that your family decided to see the light of reason, as it were.” The human rested his hands on his hips. “War…such an ugly business. I’ve not a lot of love for either side, but frankly, this pact frees our armies to focus on the real threat, Rothdell.”

Lyndis could not believe the words that came out of that armored bastard’s mouth. He was clearly trying to mess with her head. She never had been interested in politics before, hence why she had left to explore in the first place. However, to hear about a pact of peace with Lumara was more than troubling. Clearly her parents were not in the right state of mind, to get into the same bed with the same vile humans that defiled their lands and spat upon their people. They had always advocated standing up to evil, and Lyndis had no reason whatsoever to believe they would give all that up without a fight.

“My words take roots, do they not? Let me explain myself further. At the beginning of this month, we had to stop a band of Pegasus knights. The bastards were doing hit and runs within our borders. They gave us quite a chase, but the result is the same it’s always been. We stand, they fall.”

“The gods spit on you, vile creature. Answer me one thing before I have your head. Was there a man named Gerald leading them?” She suddenly found herself asking.

“Tall man, blue eyes?” Garroth stroke his chin before a smile crept up his chaffed lips, “Yea, I believe it was him. Last I heard, he and his crew came up north, looking for ya. Had to drop him off to some inquisitors, whose payment is…how should I put it? Enough to turn the other cheek at the distasteful outcome of our mission.”

“You fockin’ bastard!” Lyndis shouted. With rapier in hand, she charged at the black armored monster, striking towards Garroth with the speed and efficiency of a viper.

The human grinned at her mistake and dodged out of the way. He sliced down with his great sword in a flash. She tried to dodge, but her reckless attack had extended her stance too far. The sword managed to cut through her leather and into her side. Thankfully, her attempt at a dodge had stopped it from slicing clean through her. She fell to the snow, her rapier falling from her grasp.

“That was a bad move, princess. I actually don't reaaaally want to hurt you more than I wound my enemies, but if you force me to fight, a fight you’ll get.” Garroth said sternly as he approached her prone form.

“B-bastard,” Lyndis rasped. She crawled towards her weapon, trying to grab her rapier as her other arm held the blood from gushing out of her sliced flesh. Little spikes of pain made her cry out as she inched herself towards the sword.

“No no no.” Her attempts were cut short. Garroth placed a boot firmly on the hilt of the rapier, denying her the weapon. “Come now, princess. You know you can’t win against an armored opponent. Just come with me and we can set everything right. I promise it’ll be easy. You only have to answer some questions about the dragon, and past that, I am sure we can send you home without too much trouble…or the pain you sought by challenging me. Bold move, that, but what can I say? I’ve fought too many battles to be taken by surprise.” Garroth smiled smugly.

If Lyndis could kill him with her stare, she would do it several times over. How she hated that bastard right now. Once she got out of this binding, she would have to check up on everything she learned from his poisonous mouth. It just did not make any sense, for the world to spin in Garroth’s direction. First, the deal with her parents, then Gerald coming to find her with a company of knights? She sat in silence, staring daggers at him.

“This is getting tiresome. Admit defeat. Stop being a sore loser. I am being nice to you right now, which my contract doesn’t necessarily require. I could black you out with a punch, tie you up, then haul you over my shoulder If I wish, but instead here we are, talking like two civilized people, so let’s make this work, shall we?”

“Yeah…” Lyndis whispered. “Let’s work something out.”

Garroth smiled. With her eyes locked onto the human, she grabbed his outstretched hand as she pressed down with her boot firmly against the snow. Hopefully, there was not enough that it would stop it from hitting the ground. What luck! She felt the small click of the four-inch dagger popping out from the front of her boot. Lyndis didn’t think. She suddenly kicked up, the dagger plunging into Garroth's stomach right below the breastplate with a schlick noise.

“Grraaaah!” His eyes went wide as he felt the blade move inside him, then shortly stumbled back, clutching at the now bleeding wound.

“You thrice-damned bitch! Wha’d you do that for?” He screamed out in pain as he wrenched that monstrous sword out of its sheath, holding it high above his head. “I’m going to slice that pretty body of yours in half!”

“Ye know, perhaps you shoulda bought him dinner lass. It’s not good ta slip inta someone without doin dat.” Merlia’s sudden voice paralyzed the armored warrior.

“Wh-what?!” Garroth’s eyes went wide.

Lyndis turned her head to see Merlia holding her bow tight, with an arrow at the ready. “I suggest ya put that sword down, boyo, or I’ll send dis arrow here straight inta ya skull.”

“You think you scare me with your little bow, dwarf? I dispatched you easily.” Garroth spat on the ground. “A single punch was all it took to bring you down, and if you challenge me now, I will make sure the snow turns red with your blood!”

“Tis’ true ya got da better of me, but ya been fightin both of us now. Armor or not, yer growin tired, just like any otha’ man. Also, now ya got a new hole in ya. Me? I am used ta getting pounded in da face, if you tink ya can get ta me before I loose this arrow, then take yer best shot. However, ya best be thinking what dere lass will do with that rapier. I'd be worried meself, is much larger den da dagger she has you squirmin over.”

Garroth looked to the dwarf with fury lit in his eyes, then to Lyndis, who had reclaimed her rapier. She stood up, wincing as her side ached with burning pain.

“I will not be dropping this sword, dwarf. You can pry it from my cold dead fingers before I let it go.”

“Suit yerself,” Merlia loosed the arrow straight into Garroth's knee. The man howled in pain as the arrowhead went straight through the metal plate covering his kneecap.

“How do ya like dat adamantite arrow, ya clankin bucket o’curses?” Merlia chuckled, “Stings, don't it?”

Garroth still stood his ground with a twisted look of pain on his face. Lyndis slowly advanced on him as Merlia readied another arrow. Garroth suddenly pulled a horn from his pouch, pressed it to his lips, then blew as loud and hard as his lungs allowed. The horn gave out a deep vibrating noise that echoed all around them. Lyndis heard the cries of gryphons returning the horn’s call.

Merlia let loose another arrow, but this time the wounded human managed to deflect it with the sword before falling over, grimacing in pain.

Lyndis limped over to Merlia as the dwarf gave Garroth a sour look. “Let’s see how ya can be an adventurer now, ya blasted git!”

“Here lass, dis will help wit da pain” Merlia held a hand to where Lyndis had been struck with the greatsword. She tried not to think about the area now stained dark red with her blood. It would not take too long to solve, thanks to the spell prestidigitation, but it was still irritating.

“Vakraas aruune,” Merlia uttered, her hand starting to glow green. Lyndis gasped as her side started to feel warm. Within moments, the wound started to seal itself. Lyndis stood up once the spell ended, with a smile of relief on her face.

“There. Nothin’ like a cure wounds spell ta set ya straight.” Merlia chuckled.

“What about Ulga?” Lyndis started making their way towards the point labeled on the map at a brisk pace.

“Don’ worry about Ulga. She’s fine,” Merlia pulled out a small white orb of light from her pouch. “Ulga be a spirit dat takes on da form of an animal. So don worry yer head about ‘er.”

Lyndis sighed in relief, “Well that's handy. Where did you end up finding her?”

“Dat be a story for anoder time, lass. Let’s just say it be in a, southernmost of Drenedar.”

“I look forward to hearing about it.” Lyndis grinned.

*

“What forest in Drenedar?” Crimson Sky interrupted, his words shortly followed by another burp from the great beast’s throat. “I want to hear that story, lassie!”

“I am in the middle of a story right now, you drunken dragon. Mind your manners, and maybe I’ll satisfy your curiosity,” Lyndis shot back.

“I for one would like to hear both stories,” Hiccupped Arcturus, who was leaning on the dragon for support.

“See? Arcturus here gets it. We demand two stories! Two! Not one, not three, not five. Two’s a perfect match. Like us,” Crimson Sky dragged the human against his chest with a big grin.

“Let da lass finish da first story before ye get naughty with each other, ye dolts,” Melia said, “Den we can focus on tellin my story, if I want ta.”

“Do you want to?” Crimson Sky turned his head to the dwarf. His tail was starting to twitch.

“Not righ now dragon!”

“Grrawwww!” Crimson Sky groaned as he looked back to Lyndis.

“Come now, Veled…Crimson Sky. You just have to be patient. Good things come to those who wait. Didn’ your mother teach you that?” Arcturus patted the dragon on his scaled back.

“Nice catch paladin. You almost blabbed it out to everyone here!” Crimson Sky hissed.

“I am drunk!” Arcturus cried, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Maybe I should tell them what you paint in your spare time!” Crimson Sky started to chuckle.

“Buildings and landscapes, of course.” Arcturus defended himself. “Wha’ d’ you expect? Naked ladies? I am a paladin of Lumara for light’s sake, claiming no responsibility for whatever comes out of this dragon’s maw. It's not my fault your mind goes to the gutter, you red pervert!”

“LADS, LISTEN TO DA ELF’S STORY OR GODS HELP ME I WILL BATTER YA INTA NEXT WEEK!” Merlia shouted so loud that Lyndis thought she might be part dragon. There was a pregnant pause as Crimson Sky and Arcturus looked to Merlia, then to Lyndis. It seemed their squabble was done for now.

“Can I finish the tale then?” Lyndis asked with a coy smile.

“Yes, Lyndis lass. I am most excited to hear how your tale of unmatched bravery ends,” Crimson Sky said, his eyes casually looking to Merlia before he scrunched up his muzzle.

“You may continue,” Arcturus added at practically the same time.

“Good! Glad you two drunks can still see the same road. So, there we were, once again making our way towards the point on the map...”

*

Lyndis and Merlia had been making their way towards their destination for roughly ten minutes before they had come to a rough landscape littered with rocks, where even the trees had started to recede. Thankfully, they had not heard the screech of gryphons, nor felt their wing beats for a while. Lyndis figured even if they did, Garroth would not be able to keep pace with them, considering the arrow he carried in his knee. Merlia was still chuckling about that incident.

“Imagine what he is gonna say when somebody comes ta him with a contract,” She laughed, “I used ta be an adventurer till I took an arrow to da knee!”

“He is most likely going to find a cleric and get it healed. Beasts like him are used to such wounds. They’ll just stand up, again and again, until you put them down for good” Lyndis sighed. “Although it will of course buy us some time. Good shooting, lass.”

“Ya spoil it, lass. Ya can't let me enjoy his sufferin’, can ye?”

“Oh, by all means, keep making the joke, I enjoyed watching him brought down a peg.” Lyndis became serious. “So Merlia, how much did you hear back there with Garroth? I forgot to ask after all the action.”

“Oh, about how yer actually a princess? I swear on me life I didna hear a word.” The dwarf smirked

“And that doesn't bug you in the slightest?”

“Why would dat bug me lass? I be travelin with a god damn fire breathin scaly hatchie an’ a paladin outta all the humans in Lumara! Why would ya bein a princess affect me in da slightest?

“I…don’t know. I guess I like staying in the shadows.” Lyndis sighed in relief. Even if she felt uncomfortable to have someone know her real identity, at least that was a load off her mind. When people had seen her as a princess, they were always trying to impress her, show off. They always acted like they were walking on egg shells around her, and that had always annoyed the eggs out of her. It was different now. As an adventurer, she could be who she wanted; travel unburdened by the needs or opinions of others.

“I still have a favor to ask. Can you not tell Arcturus or Crimson Sky? I am not ready for them to know the truth just yet.”

“Why are ya hidin’ it? I figure da best way ta have a friendship is ta get everytin on the table. Hidin things only brings pain down da road.”

“I don't want them to treat me like a princess, and knowing Crimson Sky...”

“Aye, dragons and princess. Say no more on dat one, but what about the paladin? Seems like a good lad ta me.”

“Princess of Drenedar? The land his people were fighting with?” Lyndis raised her shoulders. “Benevolent or not, I think he won’t trust me to stay my blade when I get close to that rotten king of his.”

“Well, are ya goin to cut da stem off dat rotten apple when we get dere?”

Lyndis thought this over for a moment, thinking about Garroth's words and how her kingdom had given up. She then thought to Gerald. Hopefully, he would be alive, but regretfully, in the hands of inquisitors, who would no doubt try to torture him for any sliver of information.

“If I had the chance, I think I would.” Lyndis sighed, “Although I doubt we will get that chance. I need information first. Like the location of a friend of mine, and the details about my parent’s surrender. I’d have better luck divining the future in a dragon’s dung than trusting the word of that armored git.”

“A boyfriend?” Merlia asked with a coy grin.

“Just a friend.” Lyndis hissed. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Such a shame. Thought I was gonna hear some juicy details for a moment dere.” Merlia chuckled before holding up her pointer finger at Lyndis, “Well dont ya worry ya pretty head about it, I won't say a word about ya bein a princess, even if I tink ya should tell em yerself.” The dwarf crossed her arms, “Tho’ if you ask me, I’d tell dem soon, before tings get outta hand.”

“Thank you Merlia. I’m in your debt.”

“Fo dis? Dan’t worry ‘bout it lass. Tis no problem keepin yer secret.”

“Ah, well, I still appreciate it,” Replied Lyndis with a shocked smile. She had almost expected the dwarf to go blabbing to Arcturus and Crimson Sky the moment they were reunited. “I will think about telling them soon, like you said. Get everything out on the table. Just not right after I’ve been chased by gryphons and slashed apart by lying mercs.”

The two slowed down to a snail’s pace as they approached one of the rocks pictured on the map. Lyndis had brought it out once again, holding it tight as cold winds swept over them. Despite the generously thick clothes, the wind still managed to cut into her flesh like a knife, making her shiver in its embrace.

“How much farther we got?” Merlia asked, “Is it dat rock, I wonder?”

“Not much, and I figure it sort of looks like that rock.” Replied Lyndis as they walked over to the prominent landmark. They sat there for a moment in silence as nothing happened.

“Do we gotta say a magic word or somethin?” Merlia asked, “Ah lemme try. Open up, will ya?” she grinned. When nothing happened, her cheerful smile turned to a frown, “Well, it was worth a shot.”

Lyndis pulled out the brooch she had stolen from the gang leader, Knives. She rolled it over in her gloved hand, feeling how smooth it was, then walked over to the rock and looked around for a small indentation or something to fit in the brooch. It could be that it activated a hidden door or something. After all, she had seen plenty of hidden doors throughout her many tomb raiding adventures.

“What ya lookin for? I tink it may jus’ be a rock.”

“Wondering if there’s a space I can fit this brooch into...” Lyndis sighed in irritation. “This is a lot harder than it looks like.”

“Well I will try it da way passed down onta me by me venerable ancestors.” Merlia said, “Stand back lass, yer goin ta see ta legendary dwarvin technique of figurin stuff out.”

“If it’s so legendary, how comes I never heard of it?” Lyndis crossed her arms with an amused smile.

“It's because it was passed down from dwarf ta dwarf. So, stan’ back. A half elf such as yerself could not be doin dis.” Merlia’s face grew serious as she suddenly gave the rock a good, hard kick.

“That was the technique? To just hit something?” Lyndis shook her head and closed her eyes.

“Aye, but a wee reminder, lass. I kicked it extra hard.”

“Greetings, mortals,” Came a monotonous voice from the rock that made Lyndis' eyes open wide. She could not believe it; the dwarf’s sudden kick must have truly done something, for standing...well, floating before them, was a spectral dragon made of mists. It stood next to them, a transparent blue color that made it hard to make out among the snow, and it looked roughly like Crimson Sky. It had spikes that lined its spectral back, but no wings. Where Crimson Sky had slitted eyes, the spectral dragon had mere holes. The dragon looked to Merlia, then to Lyndis.

“Told ya it’d work!” Merlia cried in laughter, “I could tell by ya face ya didn belie’e me!”

“You may call me Auron.” The dragon said, “I am the master’s magical guide for mortals that wish to visit her lair. What do you call yourselves, and what is your purpose for coming this far up the mountain?”

“My name is Lyndis Kuxion,” Lyndis held out a hand to shake by instinct. Auron just looked at her hand before looking to Merlia. Lyndis put her hand to her side, smiling awkwardly.

“And you are?” asked Auron, once again in that monotone voice of its.

“My name is Merlia Gallowglar, explorer extraordinaire! Merlia shouted out.

“That is quite a long name to bear, Merlia Gallowglar Explorer Extraordinaire.” Auron replied.

“No, ya stupid ting. My name is only the first part.” Merlia said.

“That is a weird name, Only the first part. Perhaps you have spoken mistakenly?” Auron tilted its spectral head to the side, like Crimson Sky usually did when faced with a conundrum.

“LISTEN CLOSLY YA STUPID, SPOOKY, MONOTONE SPEAKIN, FLOATIN, GHOSTY GIT! MA NAME IS MERLIA GALLOWGLAR!” Merlia shouted, her face turning all red.

Lyndis burst out laughing as Auron just floated in silence for a moment, while the dwarf breathed heavily.

“You did not have to shout so loud, I am not deaf!”

“That’s it!” Merlia shouted, holding up her hands as if to strangle the dragon, but Lyndis held up a hand to hold her back.

“Kind Auron, we are here to meet the silver dragon that resides on this mountain. We were with her son, but our party got separated.”

“I care not for such details, but since you have a brooch, I will bring you to the master’s lair.” The ghostly dragon turned and started to float further along the path. “I suggest you follow me closely. The snow has been known to play tricks on the eyes.”

“Well, it’s not like we have any oder choice, ye spectral basterd,” Merlia shrugged, “Guess we gotta follow your bloated butt an’ hope ye don’ lead us astray.”

“Cheer up, Merlia. Perhaps there will be wine there when we arrive. This bloated butt, as you so eloquently put it, is most definitely a valet to a respectable host. When we tell the ruler of these mountains how valiantly we fought to defend her son, she’ll see us to a most deserving, most proper reward.” Lyndis laughed.

“I can only hope we don’ get da short end o’ da stick, lass. Most dragons I learnt ‘bout weren’t the friendly sort.”

Lyndis and Merlia followed Auron as he led them around the girth of the mountain, though the ghostly dragon did not speak about his master much unless they asked a direct question. He simply gave out simple answers, that she had lived there for quite some time, and was there to protect the mortals. When asked about her current location, the dragon would not answer. He said something along the lines that his master did not like to give out her location to strangers. Lyndis accepted that much. It made sense, after all. In the back of her mind she hoped her companions were safe and sound, although she had no idea how they would find their way back to the rock. She asked Auron about this, but the dragon instead pointed to a cave that they could see in the distance.

“They are inside already,” The dragon said. “You can find the master’s lair in there. I suggest you enjoy your stay until the master can be with you.” Right after he spoke his piece, Auron suddenly vanished out of thin air with crackling noise akin to thunder.

Lyndis and Merlia made their way to the cave with smiles on their faces. It would be nice to see those two again, especially after the hectic time with Garroth and his gryphon riders.

“Dere!”

Lyndis looked in the direction where Merlia pointed at, and her face filled with dread as she saw the large area of blood in the snow, and the tracks leading to the cave.

“Come on!” Lyndis cried, breaking into a run towards the cave. It could not have been that bad, as judging by the tracks, both of them had walked away from whatever happened. Although, with the amount of blood she saw, she did not know how one of them wasn't dead already. A grim image of Veledar appeared in her mind, as only he would have that much blood to smear along the snow on his way to the cave.

Lyndis was most relieved when she walked up to the cave to find that the two were playfully rolling around the cavern floor. She did not even take notice of the table, the torches, or the food. She was just happy to see her party members alive and in good health.