Bands of Truth by Sarah Wylde

Bands of Truth

by Sarah Wylde

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley, nor the curiously red river which runs through it.” Spewed the one who now tightened the chains around me. “Do you know why it runs red?” he asks.

I did not answer. I waited for him to continue his tirade.

“It is not blood as one might think, although plenty of it has been split between its banks. No, it runs red because of the lava flow. The water cannot tame it and together, they make a formidable and almost impassable fjord which no one from the outside world has ever crossed over.

“You mean until now?” I asked.

Snarling he looks down at me. “Oh no brother, we are not from the foreign land you call home. This is your home. This is where you come from.”

“Impossible!” I replied.

Now he shouts at me, “NO! Not impossible!” Pulling my binding shackles towards him, he kneels down and with hate in his eyes says, “Let me tell you a truth. On the day you were born, a mighty earthquake tore open a loud cry within the earth. We were not sure if it was the outburst of the earth, or of our mother as she drew her last breath. Then a terrible rain came down, it was cold, the wind which demanded it pour down upon us had been long foretold.”

I dared not speak for I knew something of the vision, but I never thought it pertained to me.

“Before you were born, our mother labored with you for two grievous days. Our father had been working in the mines and was not aware of her condition. When the rains started to pour there were those among us who wanted you dead because the caves flooded killing many. The heavens continued its assault, and I knew if you were to survive, I would have to take you away from here.”

“You see brother, you needed to be whisked away before the council could have its say. Our father had been below the earth trying to find its precious metals and the cache hoard which only the council of dragons would accept. Our mother’s nurse was aware of our deceit she found a way for us to escape. I was terrified we would not make it across the great river let alone the dreaded fiery mountains. However, the rains quelled the lava flow exhausting its efforts to gain control once again.”

“As we made our way out of the tumultuous valley and across the riotous river, the rains came down relentlessly. I knew I could not care for us both so, when I came to the plains, I searched for shelter. I found a sturdy house of rock built on boulders. The waters lapped at the base of the house, but the house stood. Quickly, I used all the strength I had to be heard over the din of the water and the wind and I left you on the steps. Quietly, I slipped away hiding in the barn waiting for the rains to stop.”

“And when the people came out to assess the work of nature’s breath, I saw you. A couple had taken you as their own and I could see the truth of the revelation resting in your face.”

Angrily, he yanked the fetters and demanded, “Why did you come? Why were you born? Why are you now coming to destroy us?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer him. I did not have the answers he sought. Except for one and it was more of a question, which I asked in a low voice trying to temper my own anger. “Why did you bring me here? I did not ask to come.”

Frustrated, he pulled me to my feet, and he laid hold me battering me about. I wasn’t able to fight back, and his blows were brutal.

My face bloodied, I said with slurred speech, “You call me brother, but you treat me as a traitor. Why?”

Almost weeping he answered, “I knew the day you were born; you were he who would banish us from this land. You would vanquish the dragons and destroy us.”

I did not speak, because I remembered the foretelling. It was something that was taught to me as a child. How could I forget, “He will be born, but unlike his brothers resemble a man. He will arise and set things straight. He will vanquish his brothers and restore that which is right and true. His heart will be like that of a lion, his face will shine like the sun, and his justice will be swift like an eagle.”

“I dared not think it was me. I, Asher, son of Gether, had served all my life in the shrine of Ehyeh. There I was taught many things, but always humility. No matter what I accomplished, there was always a humbling which followed. It is true, in the house, I learned law, how to fight, how to serve, and what was right from wrong. Yet, I could not see a resemblance to this man who now held me captive, except for one thing. It was his eyes. Not the color, but the shape. Could we be related? Why now when I had been promised to Elnar and we are to be wed within a fortnight that I must face this? Why would Ehyeh allow this? What if what this beast of a man claims is true? Then I might discover that these bands which hold me fast are indeed righteous to his cause. And if that is accurate and I am the one who is change this place that begs the question of what am I to do now?”