Dragon War

“ There weren’t always dragons in the valley, “ my grandfather had once told me.

“ There weren’t? “ I had asked, curious.

“ No, “ he’d said with a smile. He looked into my pale grey eyes and stroked my red curls with one weathered hand. “ Before the war they had little to do with humans. Then the goblins came. “

I remember staring up at him from my seat at his feet next to the fire. Studying his face with the thick scar over his left eye, wrinkled and wizened with age. His white hair was cropped short as it had been his whole life. I remember wondering once again where that scar had come from and why he would never answer when I asked about it. Just rub it thoughtfully with a pained look in his eyes. I was twelve when he finally told me the truth.

“ Why? Did they not like humans? “ I’d asked.

“ Well, my Lynna, “ he’d said with a sigh. “ They found us to be a taciturn and fractious lot. Still do often times. Too busy trying to get the upper hand on each other to see the truth of the world. “

“ What truth? “ I cocked my head and fixed my eyes on him.

“ My dear child, “ said Grandfather. With a chuckle he’d gathered me into his arms and lifted me into his lap. “ Most never understand the answer to that question. But I believe you will. The truth is this. We all need each other. Be it human, dragon, fairy or elf. For more than just staying alive, we need each other. To live alone or without understanding that is not living. Just surviving a world you don’t truly know. “

I remember scrunching up my face as I thought over what he’d said. How he had chuckled and smiled at my thoughtful countenance. Grandfather was my favorite person. Especially after my parents died and he’d taken me in. Like them he never treated me like I didn’t understand the things I was asking about. Rather than talking down to me he would answer the questions I asked. He’d been the one to teach me about the Goblin Wars. About how when he was a young man, the mad goblin king had sent his armies out of their mountains to wipe out the humans and the elves who were allied with them. His tale told of how the elves, fairies and most of the Other peoples had stood together as the hordes swept across the lands with bleak prospects. Until the Dragons had come.

“ So the dragons came to help when the goblin war started, “ I’d said thoughtfully. “ Because they didn’t want people to die. “

Grandfather had smiled gently as he hugged me tightly, tapping my freckle dusted nose. “ Yes, my little love. And we must remember that so we may do the same. “

It had been ten years since that conversation with my grandfather. In that time I had done many things. I had grown and trained to live in the world, far beyond what I would need to live in my little village. At my grandfather’s urging I had trained with a few friends of his from the wars who taught me everything I could ever want to know about creatures magical and otherwise. I learned to fight. I learned to mediate. And I learned how to tell which was needed. All of that training could only be put to one purpose. I became a Wanderer.

As a Wanderer I would be a peacemaker. I would help settle disagreements and mediate issues between people of all kinds. It would be my job to keep a simple misunderstanding from devolving into violence when I could. I would also be responsible for resolving things if they did go wrong. Wanderers were intended to help people live side by side in peace. The proudest I’d ever seen my grandfather had been the day I received my pendant showing me to be a fully trained Wanderer.

It had been two years since I left on my first Wander and I had seen much. The world beyond my village was vast. I’d been lucky in my training that the first time I met a werewolf or minotaur had been then and not in the field. Unlike some I was able to keep my calm and be fair with the ease of experienced mediators.

And now I was on my way home again. Having finished my most recent circuit I was to report back to my home Guild and then take the usual two months of leave before accepting another assignment. I smiled as I guided my horse through the town gates. It would be good to see Grandfather again.

I made my way to through the wide streets of the town proper. The town had grown again. Most of the main streets had been cobbled since I’d left last and the noise of horseshoes striking stone was almost rhythmic. The cobbles continued down the center of town to where the street split around the town hall building. Here I turned to the right, stopping in front of the large inn that served visitors to the town but especially served Wanderers.

It was a large, well-kept building of wood with stone based walls. The wood was darkened with age but the windows were large and could be shuttered for the winter or left open for the fresh air in the warmer seasons like now. The posts outside were occupied by three other horses already but there was housing in the stable two buildings down for the overnight guests. For now I tied my big black mare to another post. I could leave my gear since the Wanderer Guild’s emblem was stamped into every piece to show who a thief would have to deal with if they stole anything.

“ I’ll send a groom out to take you down to the stable shortly, Mara, “ I told the mare as I loosened the saddle’s girth strap. Then I rubbed her forehead and smiled. “ Behave for them. None of your tricks. “

The mare snorted and shook her head as if she understood me. I shook my head and fed her a sugar cube before heading inside. Just inside I paused to allow my eyes time to adjust to the light change and used a leather tie to secure my long red braids behind me as I scanned the room. It was the large main room of the tavern, occupied with wooden tables on the main floor and booths along the walls. It was only half full at the moment but that would change in an hour when it was time for the midday meal. Then people would flood in for food and drink. Most would be law keepers or officials from the town hall and court buildings nearby.

As I scanned the room looking for my grandfather one of the maids caught sight of me by the door. She put the tray in her hand back down on the bar top that occupied the center of the room and headed toward me. I returned the smile on her face with one of my own, even when I could see hers was slightly strained.

“ Lynna, “ she said as she pulled away. She looked me over, plucking at the sleeve of my long black leather trench coat. “ Did you just get in? Probably left poor Mara outside too. Take your seat and I’ll get you something. And send Geoffrey out to take that poor mare to the stable. “

“ Thank you, Darcy, “ I smiled back at her.

When she moved away I turned to the booth in the rear of the room right next to the entrance to the kitchen door. It provided me the best view of the room and kept me out of the eye of the room’s occupants. I shrugged out of my coat and slung it over the bench across the table before taking a seat and unbuttoning the leather vest I wore over a long-sleeved white linen shirt. One of the serving girls brought a mug and filled it with chilled fruit juice for which I smiled my thanks. It was a good while before Darcy returned. Time that was spent nodding to those who greeted me and exchanging pleasantries with those who either knew me or knew I am a Wanderer. I had even had time to start an early lunch of beef stew by the time she made her way back to me.

I smiled in amusement when Darcy went to sit and found my coat on the bench. She made a face and picked it up, giving it a quick shake before hanging it on the peg next the door. When she saw the dust on the coat Darcy grumbled and scowled at me before using a small hand brush from her apron pocket to sweep the road dust off then arranged the coat so the large Wanderer Guild’s emblem stamped into the leather on the back of the shoulders was clearly displayed. Only when she was satisfied did she take the seat opposite mine.

“ You didn’t have to clean it, Darcy, “ I said with a sideways smile. “ It wasn’t that dirty to begin with. “

“Perhaps, “ she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “ But it was dirty. And your boots are probably in the same state. “

I looked down at my feet under the table and saw my boots were indeed more brown than black from dust as were my black pants. With a smile I shrugged and returned to my midday.

“ Have you reported in to the Guild yet? “ asked Darcy.

“ Not yet, “ I said as I tore chunks out of the hefty white bread on the table to sop up the gravy in the bottom of the bowl. “ But I sent a message ahead when I passed the gate so they know I’m here. How is Grandfather? “

“ You’ll want to report to the Hall first, “ she said, avoiding my eyes.

“ Darcy, “ I said, waiting until she met my eyes before I continued. “ How is Grandfather? “

For a moment I didn’t think she would answer me. But when I fixed my gaze on someone as I had now it was a matter of time before they told me what I wanted to know. It was something I had always been able to do and had served me well as a Wanderer. Rarely did I use it on family or friends but I needed to know why Darcy was stalling. Finally she sighed forcefully and gave me a frustrated look. I had won.

“ Your grandfather should be in the kitchen yard at the moment, “ said Darcy. She put a hand on my arm as I moved to stand. “ He is… unwell, Lynna. “

I nodded my understanding and left through the kitchen door. Passing through the bustling kitchen I dodged serving staff, cooks and the butcher stationed at the rear door and went out into the garden. Set up in the large courtyard, the garden was surrounded on all sides by the three stories of the inn. The doors of the rooms faced the courtyard and the upper floors had walkways running all the way around with a roof over the uppermost and stairs at each corner.

The courtyard itself had rows of large, raised garden beds from one end to the other. Some held flowers and herbs but most were for vegetables they used in the kitchen. I remembered tending the plants in this garden as a child and helping my grandfather refresh the whitewash on the stone sides of the garden beds every spring. In the center of the garden was a large apple tree that had been there longer than I had been alive. Many days I had spent hours studying under the shade of it’s heavy boughs.

I looked that direction and saw my grandfather sitting in a chair at the base of the tree. As I approached he looked up and a smile lit his weathered face but I could feel myself begin to frown. He was thinner than I had ever seen him with a blanket draped around his bony shoulders and another over his lap. Pillows cushioned the low wooden chair he sat in and most of the white hair that had never even thinned in the years before was nearly gone.

“ Grandfather, “ I said as I knelt next to the chair and took the hand he offered me. “ What happened? “

“ Well, my Lynna, “ he said in a voice as aged as the rest of him. “ I would say old age is catching up to me but I know you are not the gullible kind. “

“ So what happened? “ I asked again. I turned his face to mine so I could look him in the eyes. After a moment I saw it. The slightest reflective shimmer in his eyes. “ Poison. How? Who? “

He sighed and shook his head before looking up at me again. “ It’s more complicated than that, child. “

“ More complicated? “ I asked. I could feel the anger rising in my chest but kept a firm grip on it. “ You’ve been poisoned. And unless you accidentally did it to yourself someone did it to you. What kind of poison is it? Have you notified the Hall that someone has attacked you? “

“ Lynna, “ he said, putting a soothing hand on her arm. “ I have not been poisoned. “

For a moment I looked at him, confused. He had the symptoms. The shimmer in his eyes was a clear indicator of a specifically deadly if slow acting class of poisons. The kind of poisons one didn’t run into accidentally. How could he say he hadn’t been poisoned?

“ You’re going to have to explain, “ I said as I knelt next to his chair again.

“ It’s complicated, “ he said with another sigh. Then he saw the look in my eyes and smiled as he patted my arm. “ But I will try to explain. How much have you learned of dragon bonds? “

“ I know they can form a bond with members of other races, “ I said. I stood and brought one of the garden stools over so I could sit down. “ It’s supposed to be a bonding of mind and spirit that brings them closer to form battle partners. They were supposed to have formed many during the Goblin Wars to help form elite battle groups and commanders that could more easily coordinate the armies. “

Grandfather nodded approval and smiled. He surveyed the garden for a long moment, watching the bees going about their business moving from flower to flower under the bright afternoon sun. I did not press him for his answer. I knew it would come soon. But if my suspicions were right then this was something that linked to his past and his time as a young man in the Goblin Wars. After several long minutes he finally spoke.

“ In the wars, “ he said quietly. “ When the dragons came to help. The best way to coordinate our forces was indeed to take advantage of the dragon bonds. But there was a catch. The bonds are for life. Once established there is no way to break it. “

“ That wasn’t in the records, “ I said quietly.

Grandfather chuckled at that.

“ There are great many things about the dragons that aren’t in the official archives, “ he said. Then he continued. “ But there’s more. The bonds do indeed link mind and spirit. They allowed for mind to mind communication and allowed one to know the heart and intentions of one’s partner. But it’s deeper. A bonding with a human for example, will guarantee good health and rapid healing. But if something unnatural were to happen to either partner, it would also affect the other. If the dragon is injured, the human will feel it as if it happened to them. If the human is killed, so too does the dragon die. Something people don’t know as a general fact. “

For a long moment I was silent thinking over what he’d said. I’d heard rumors of unknown side effects of the dragon bonds affecting people long after the wars were over. But nothing I’d read had ever come close to this.

“ So, “ I said slowly. “ You were one of those chosen to partner with a dragon during the wars. And if you are feeling the effects of this poisoning it can only mean someone has somehow slipped poison to your dragon partner. “

He nodded slowly, his smile grim. “ And in a situation like this if that dragon dies then I will in the same moment. “

“ They’re after your dragon partner then, “ I said firmly. “ If they wanted to hurt you there are easier ways than killing a dragon. “

“ Undoubtedly, “ my grandfather said with a nod. He looked up at me. “ And you need to help him. “

I looked at him in surprise. “ Help him? What can I do? “

“ Lynna, “ he began.

“ No, “ I objected, shaking my head as I stood. “ A dragon is well protected just by being a dragon. Not to mention if he is with humans he’ll be guarded well enough even if he’s only at the Tower in our valley. What would I be able to do that they couldn’t? If someone poisoned a dragon there’ll be entire armies trying to fix this. “

“ Lynna, “ said Grandfather, grasping my wrist. “ I need you to listen to me. “

His hand on my wrist brought me back. I took a deep breath. Collecting myself, I sat back on the stool and settled in to listen.

“ This poison is very specific, “ he said carefully. “ There is only one that can kill a dragon in fact. Their system is very strong and only one plant, when refined correctly, can kill them. “

“ Won’t they know this? “ I asked, brow furrowed in confusion.

“ Yes, “ he said quietly. Then he leaned forward. “ But the cure is just as specific. The refinement process is magical as well as chemical. And when a dragon is bonded to a human they need blood from both partners for the cure to be effective. “

For a long moment we sat in silence while my grandfather allowed me to process what he’d told me. What he was asking of me meant we had to know where the dragon he’d partnered with was now. It also meant trying to get through whatever security he had around him and now it seemed we would have to find a way to get my grandfather there too.

I walked around the garden a few times. Slowly to give myself time to think as I planned the logistics of what my grandfather was proposing. There was no question I would do this. My grandfather had given so much to me. And had taught me well to value life. Even if I wasn’t doing it for him I would still be doing this.

“ Stupid moral compass, “ I grumbled as I trudged back to where my grandfather waited for me. I looked down at him and propped my hands on my hips. “ So I’ll make some arrangements. We’ll borrow a carriage and I’ll get supplies together. All I need to know is where we’re going. “

Grandfather smiled up at me and waved a hand as he chuckled. “ I have been in correspondence with Dharouss throughout the years. He keeps me abreast of his movements so I know where he is currently. Especially since I sent him an emergent message by pigeon when I realized what was happening to me. “

“ What does he say? “ I asked.

“ He sent someone to bring us to him, “ he said with a smile. “ The day he realized he had been poisoned. Our guide should be here any time. “

“ Actually, “ said another voice from the kitchen door. “ I’m already here. “

I turned and saw a young man walking toward us. He was tall. At least six inches over my own five foot eight and well built but not bulky. He kept his black hair tied back in a short horsetail so the sharp angles of his handsome face were plain. Dark eyes were locked on mine as he approached. He was dressed well in a fine linen shirt and brown leather pants with knee high boots stamped with fine scrollwork around the cuffs at the top.

“ My name is Trystan, “ he said. His voice was warm like butter. As he came to stand with us, I noted a small pale scar through the tail of his left eyebrow. Otherwise his darkly tanned skin was flawless. “ Dharouss sent me to fetch you. “

“ Fetch? “ I asked, one eyebrow raised slightly.

“ Forgive me, Wanderer, “ said Trystan with a slight bow. “ I misspoke. “

With a nod I moved to stand with my grandfather, crossing my arms and cocking my head at him as I did. I did not have my sword at the moment but the long knives in my boots would be more than enough if this stranger proved troublesome.

“ It’s rude to eavesdrop on others, “ I said slowly. “ How long have you been here? “

“ I checked into the inn three days ago, “ said Trystan. He smiled. “ I thought it best to keep a low profile until you arrived, Wanderer. “

“ Lynna, “ I said with a sigh. “ If we’re to travel together it’ll be easier to call me by my name. “

“ Very well, “ he said with a nod and a smile. “ Lynna. “

I studied him for a moment to see if he was poking fun or being disrespectful. But there was just an earnest look in his eyes that told me he was just trying to be respectful. I quickly moved on when I caught myself looking into his eyes longer than I meant to.

“ So since you’ve been here for a time, “ I said. “ Have you made any travel preparations? “

“ Yes, actually, “ said Trystan. “ In fact everything is ready when you are. “

“ Good, “ I said with a look at my grandfather. I bent to kiss him on the forehead before turning to the door. “ I have to notify the Guild. We leave first thing in the morning. Where are we going by the way? “

“ Dharouss is a member of the High Council, “ said Trystan with a nod to my grandfather. “ He’s in the capitol. “

“ So we’re going to Hightower, “ I said, my eyes going wide. “ That’s four days travel! And we have to get through the city once we get there! “

“ But you’ll finally meet dragons, “ said Grandfather.

I threw my hands in the air and left. Grabbing my coat as I passed I trudged back out into the street where I paused and looked around. I slipped into my coat and stared at the town hall complex across the road for a moment. There was a headache of an explanation ahead of me if I was going to get them to let me leave long enough to help my grandfather. But it had to be done.