Those Bloody Prices

The cracked, glass window framed a canvas of snow. Within the landscape, the moon shone at its mightiest height. A young lad, Rene, gazed at nature’s painting. He sighed and bit his lip; the sight of the moon saddened him. It didn't need strings to suspend it from the sky. It didn't need someone to adjust its place. It was just . . . there.

Rene, nearing the age of twenty, didn't really have a social position within the medieval town of Liliaan. It was a peculiar town with only one shop of every kind. In the middle of the snowy desert, Liliaan did not have any close neighbors. The shortest distance would take a day on horseback. Above all, the town's climate and battles were governed by Apakoh, a dragon. If Apakoh's temperament was vexed, he'd summon an army of demons to terrorize Liliaan. Recently, a villager tried to steal one of its eggs to sell it. Rene remembered the man's beheading clearly: wide eyes in a bloody shell. It didn't stop there, however. Apakoh had been demanding some type of assurance that the crime wouldn’t reoccur. Until this day, no one could please Apakoh. For now, though, Liliaan could manage the forest assaults.

Rene turned away from the window and picked up the block of wood resting between his legs. With his free hand, Rene wielded a knife. He smiled. His slender hands dug and paved their path through the wood, thrusting away splinters that stood in their way. Not one wooden sword pierced Rene's delicate skin. The knife then began dancing. It waltzed passionately and heatedly throughout the block. Side to side. Up and down. Everywhere. As the final stroke came to an end, the knife elegantly swooped away from the masterpiece. Rene's azure eyes widened. A crescent moon rested in his hand.

As Rene admired his work, the door of his room banged open. Rene froze. His fingers could barely hold the moon. Rene could imagine what his father would do if he saw the carving.

The beast would shatter every bone in his body.

Before Rene willed himself to answer, a small form wrapped itself around his waist. Rene looked down to find his fourteen-year-old brother, Grinai. Rene choked out a laugh.

"Geez, Grinai. Knock or whistle next time."

Grinai grinned, "Is an owl's hoot alright?"

Rene gently peeled Grinai away from his body. His little brother shared the same azure eyes as him. Otherwise, the two were different. While Rene's blond locks fell down his shoulders,

Grinai's hair was a messy brown mane. Unfortunately, though, that wasn't the only difference.

"Anything, as long as it doesn't send me jumping out the window," Rene said.

Grinai's grin grew sillier.

"Now, now. Don't look like that, little brother," Rene said with a deep voice and, “'The

sons of Aragulus shouldn't be smiling, laughing, or happy even.'” Rene puffed out his chest.

“You must be stiff and beastly. That way, you'll get the ladies!"

Grinai fell to the floor in a burst of laugher. "That wasn't what Dad said!"

Rene shrugged. "Well, isn't my reasoning better?"

Grinai merely nodded in the midst of his laughter. Rene couldn't help grinning; his brother crazily sputtered and wiped his tears away. Shaking his head, Rene went to add the crescent in his collection, but Grinai snatched it from him.

"This is your new one?" Grinai asked.

"Do you like it?"

Grinai nodded eagerly.

"It's yours then," Rene said.

Grinai raised the moon above his head. He marveled at the creation, raising it as far as he could. Grinai dropped back onto his feet. Smiling, he declared, "I'm going to be the greatest warrior this town has ever seen. Warrior of Liliaan! Mightier than the moon!"

Rene said, "Yeah, the mightiest."

With that, Grinai dashed out of the room. Rene knew his brother would be the best warrior. There was no doubt in his mind. As Rene slid into his bed, weakness suddenly overcame him. A headache pounded against his forehead. Sweat soaked the tips of his hair and his underarms. He began panting. This was unusual. He hadn't really exerted himself that day. He gripped the bed sheets. Rene searched the past events but couldn't come up with an explanation.

He simply gathered the last of his strength and went to sleep.

*

Ever since the day their mother passed away, Rene took care of Grinai. Their father,

Aragulus, plunged into a dark hole and grieved with beer or rum and the blacksmith business. The business, though, was what really kept him going. It was what also transformed his heart into a forge.

As the son of a renowned blacksmith, Rene was expected to pave the same route as his father. But Rene refused the business. It wasn't that he abhorred the trade. Rather, he couldn't admit he wasn't up to the job; something was wrong with him, but he didn’t know what. Frankly,

Rene didn’t want to find out. As a result, he assumed an apprentice would volunteer. After Aragulus crashed a chair on Rene's head, he swallowed the notion with his beer.

That evening their father spoke and drank with a friend of his. The man was an iron merchant, selling their father's goods to neighboring villages. They sat in the living/dining area around the hearth. From the scent wafting about, Rene could tell they were tearing apart a turkey. Rene's room was a few steps away from their rumbling. They usually discussed prices and business, but today, 'Rene' and 'Grinai' were woven into their words. His father's bellow also seemed angrier than usual.

Rene went up to their door. He stood to the side and tilted his head. They talked about swords and hilts for some time. Rene wondered what he and Grinai had to do with weapons. Neither boy was going to follow the business. So why hadn't Rene seen or heard of an apprentice?

Peering into the room, Rene saw that his father's face was crimson. The merchant said something Rene didn't catch. His father suddenly rose, spilling beer all over the table.

"Rene's not my son!"

Rene clenched his fists. He knew that was true. Rene wasn't Aragulus's son the day he turned down the trade. Rene shuddered and covered his face with a hand.

"Who said that? Grinai is taking over the business," Aragulus said. Rene's hand fell. That couldn't be. Grinai wanted to be a warrior, not a blacksmith. He was going to be a knight for the king and become a hero. Where was that apprentice? Then again, Grinai could be . . . if Rene succeeded his father.

Grinai's dream wouldn't die. It wouldn't. Before his father could say more, Rene barged into the room. The merchant dropped his mug. His father glared at him.

"What are you doing?"

Rene gulped, but he wasn't going down. He had already dove straight into purgatory.

"I'll take over," Rene said.

The merchant looked from Rene to Aragulus. He stood and gathered his belongings. He nodded towards Rene's father and left the room. Now Rene was alone with him. His father was hunched over like a bear. Through the wild beard, his eyes dangerously glowered.

"Four years," his father began, "four years you've done nothing but shove my face

into the dirt."

Rene momentarily averted his eyes. His father came closer.

"And now you suddenly feel like being a blacksmith?"

Rene could now smell the beer. It sickened him. He looked up straight into his

father's face.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking then."

His father burst out laughing. Rene didn't like his reaction.

"Yeah, yeah. You weren't thinkin' for four years."

"I'm sorry."

Rene's father pulled out his belt. The buckle rose for an instant, and then plummeted down on Rene's face. Rene was thrown across the table behind him, knocking down all plates and cups. Rene gasped. A warm liquid trickled down his forehead.

"What do you take me for, boy?!" His father ambled towards him, cracking his whip. At Rene's feet, his father knelt down and breathed alcohol in his face. Rene turned away, but his father grasped his chin and twisted it so the two were face to face.

"What? Can't handle liquor?" His father's hand found a mug half-filled with beer. He grinned, revealing rows of uneven and yellowed teeth. Tightening his hold on Rene's chin, his father shoved the liquid into his nose and mouth. Rene coughed and sputtered. Before Rene could catch his breath, his cheeks were met with the belt buckle. He crumbled to the floor. Everything in the room suddenly seemed off. His vision blurred and reddened. Rene couldn't pass out. He had to convince his father. If he didn't, then . . . Rene struggled back onto his feet. Leaning against the stone wall, he spit droplets of blood. Once he'd regained himself, Rene tried again.

"I won't fail you."

His father replied, "New decisions have bloody prices. “Rene nodded. "I'm ready."

*

Armor came first, and Rene had to succeed. As he prepared himself that morning, an owl called to him. He was confused at first. An owl? Smiling, Rene hooted back.

Grinai barged in.

"Big entrances are still a must?" Rene asked.

"So you know it's me."

Rene pulled on his boots. He kicked them on the floor, ensuring they were secure.

Grinai stared at him.

"Where are you going?"

Rene walked past his brother and ruffled his head. "To work."

"Huh?"

Rene left the room before Grinai could object. His little brother wouldn't pay for his weakness.

When Rene entered the stable, he immediately threw a hand against the wall. The heat was overwhelming. His eyelids drooped. Already, every form was a blur. Rene took in a breath and proceeded despite his body's warnings. At the forging table, his father held a hot iron at the anvil. In the role of an apprentice, Rene was to hit the areas his father indicated with a sledgehammer. Rene avoided his father's gaze as he retrieved the tool. He had to do this right.

Rene curled his fingers around the handle. He could do this. With all his strength,

Rene lifted the hammer. Not a moment after did it crash to the ground.

"Boy!"

Rene wheezed. He waved his hand at his father. But Rene still couldn't get a decent grasp. Instead, he dragged the sledgehammer across the floor to where his father boiled in rage.

"Are you playin' me for a fool?!"

Rene shook his head. "It just slipped."

His father grunted. Still holding the iron, he pointed to where Rene should strike. Striving to even his breathing, Rene clutched the handle with ferocity. Somehow, he raised it. Rene contained a small laugh. He lifted it! Focusing on his father's direction, he steadied for the first blow.

His arm gave in. The sledgehammer dropped onto the entire iron, causing Rene's father to jump back. Rene kneeled and held his arm. The clang screeched in his ears like a dragon. He felt sweat rolling down his face. After that, Rene wasn't sure what exactly caused him to black out.

*

The following two days worsened. Rene continually ruined his father's work and lost consciousness afterwards. Nothing was working. No matter how much Rene was determined, he couldn't even lift a sledgehammer.

On the third day, Rene walked into the stable with wavering resolve. He was already sweating, and nothing had even been accomplished. His father stood near the forge and watched him. Rene ignored his contempt. Once Rene found the sledgehammer, he simply looked at it. His arm limply touched the handle.

“Don’t bother, Rene,” his father said.

Rene grabbed the handle. However, he did not pick it up.

“Girls younger than you could haul that around,” his father grumbled.

Rene shook his head. He was drowning in his own sweat. His trembling fingers wiped his brow. He crouched and prepared to lift the hammer.

“I’m sick of seeing your face in here.”

Rene released the hammer. It fell pitifully to the ground, like a bird without wings. Rene heaved and heaved. There was absolutely nothing he could do. Nothing.

Rene swiveled. His shoulder rose and fell. His head throbbed. Rene gripped the edge of a nearby table, littered with nails. His father glared at him.

“So what now?” Rene asked.

Before his father could reply, Rene interrupted. “You want Grinai? Will he allow the business to prosper? Is he the key to your success?!”

“Watch yourself, Rene,” his father said.

Rene felt the anger build up in his chest. The rage threatened to choke him. Suddenly, Rene sent the nails flying onto the ground. His father rose and grabbed Rene by the shirt. Rene, however, didn’t look away from his father’s demonic eyes. Rene

smiled.

“You’re going to need an apprentice.”

Aragulus punched Rene in the jaw. His head twisted. Rene coughed, but his sputters transformed into a laugh. Blood streamed down his chin. Aragulus grimaced.

“Because neither of us will be yours,” Rene continued.

Another fist connected with Rene’s jaw. Everything blurred.

“Who do you think you are?” Aragulus yelled. He slapped Rene. “What worthless piece of−,” Aragulus clutched Rene’s hair. Their faces were pressed against each other.

Aragulus seethed.

“One more word and you’ll be lying flat in the snow.”

Rene grabbed ahold of his father’s hand. Narrowing his eyes, Rene dug his

fingers into his father’s skin.

“Grinai is none of your concern, and he never was. As for me, I will pay my price,” Rene

said.

Aragulus let go of Rene. Coughing, Rene wiped away the blood on his face. It didn’t vanish, though. Instead, the blood scarred his face. Aragulus slumped into a chair near the forge.

He crossed his arms and waited.

“I will give myself to Apakoh.”

Aragulus’s eyes widened. “You?”

Rene nodded, but his lips rose in disdain. “If Apakoh is satisfied, the armies of demons will decline, and that way, business won’t be too heavy, will it?”

Aragulus vigorously shook his head. “What can a runt like you do? Have you lost

it?”

Rene retrieved his coat. At the threshold, Rene paused. “No. Not yet.”

*

Apakoh’s den was colossal. Its peak extended into the sky. Rene patted his horse and trudged forward. Thankfully, the snow was calm for the moment. Rene felt light-headed, but managed.

Rene stopped at the mouth of the den. His hair billowed around his face, creating a mane. The horse grunted and agitatedly dug its hoof in the snow. Suddenly, the air became colder. Rene shoved his hands deeper into his coat. Apakoh was approaching.

An enormous shadow engulfed Rene. He took in a deep breath.

“Apakoh. Let’s sign a blood contract.”

Suddenly, Apakoh’s head was right before Rene. Rene staggered. Apakoh released a chilling screech. Rene clamped his hands on his ears. The sound forced him to his knees. When

Apakoh stopped, the ringing continued. How’d that man even managed to steal an egg was

beyond Rene.

Once he stood, Rene stared straight into Apakoh’s golden eyes. The dragon’s gaze was powerful. Rene extended a hand and closed his eyes. He sighed.

“For your protection, I have a request.” Apakoh growled, but he did not move.

“Help Liliaan and . . .” Rene opened his eyes. He let out a shaky breath and cried.

“Redirect my father’s wrath away from Grinai.”

Apakoh’s pupils thinned. Cold air shot from his nostrils. Rene rolled up one of his sleeves. Apakoh directed his attention to Rene’s flesh. The dragon waited for a reply.

“I will take all of the rage.”

Apakoh rose to its full height. Rene was in darkness again, the dragon’s deafening screech sealing the contract.

*

A week had passed since that day. Rene became bedridden from exposure to the weather.

His body was bandaged in several areas. One ear had lost its hearing entirely.

During that time, Aragulus did not speak to either boy. Grinai was Rene’s only visitor. As he rested, Rene slowly crafted a figure. Each day, he forced himself to at least make a mark. In the end, a little bird rested in his palm. Its wings were spread out, ready for flight. When Grinai entered the room, he merely stared at the lovely creature.

"Amazing, Rene. I wish I could do that."

Rene smiled sadly. He reached up and touched Grinai's cheek. "Don't wish this for yourself. It comes with a price."

Grinai sat on the bed. "What do you mean?"

"You still want to be a warrior, don't you?"

Grinai nodded.

"Then," Rene continued, "The price for that is training hard and enduring what comes with strength." Rene glanced down at the bird. He traced a finger along its feathers, carefully crafted. He raised the bird in the air and imagined it flying across the sky. No limits. No boundaries. No weaknesses.

Rene stopped the bird from its flight. Shifting, Rene covered his wrists, bound by welts: the sign of Apakoh’s contract. Rene would continually and willingly pay the price for Grinai's freedom. It didn’t matter how much he endured. If he couldn't spread his own wings, Rene could at least ensure Grinai's flight.