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A New Life, an Old Problem

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(Part 2 of Twilight’s Edge)
(Book 4 of the Fantasian Series)

“The fife has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years.” Embyr observed, offering her companion a complementary nod. “For the better, I’ll add – and that was mostly thanks to you.”

Far below the human gratefully tipped his chin, accepting the words with pride that, in turn, filled the Black Terror with optimism.

Two years had passed since Embyr and Sterling had returned from the Dragon Council. The reunion with the village of Stonebridge, until that point, had been a concept nestled uncomfortably between anxiety and fear: they had left, after all, in the wake of Embyr attempting to devour an innocent villager.

Yet their return had been much better than could be expecting – especially considering that, in their absence, the very boy Embyr had desired to kill had become lord of the region. Again facing the man-eater that had nearly taken his life, Kelly had certainly proven to be apprehensive of the dragon’s return; yet, simultaneously, he had been forgiving.

Forging a tentative truce with Embyr, the Lord had agreed not to hunt or pursue the dragon, and to allow Sterling to return to his home within Stonebridge. In return, the black dragon would respect the safety of the populace: she would remain outside of the city walls at all times, and abstain from attacking and harassing travelers going to and from the city.

And, for well over seven-hundred days, the pact remained intact – much to the benefit of Sterling and Embyr. During the spring and summer they would sit just outside of the town walls, happily passing days in conversation; as autumn fell they would slip into the orange and red haze of the forest, reliving the hunts that had so characterized the early days of their friendship; and, as winter swept across the continent, the pair would retreat into the shadows of Embyr’s cave, watching as the snow yet again transformed the landscape and continually basking in the warmth of each other’s presence.

Respectively, Stonebridge’s fife had benefitted from the partnership between dragon and human. Embyr proved remarkably grateful for Kelly’s trust, and in turn attempted to repay the lifetime of favors it would take to make amends for her past actions: over the course of time, various criminals who offered affronts to the fife happened to appear on the roadside, along the path of highway patrols; dams that snapped under the wake of summer rains seamlessly repaired themselves before stone masons arrived; in mid autumn, the roads miraculously cleared themselves of falling leaves.

Kelly rarely spoke to the dragon about her actions; nevertheless, Embyr and Sterling both felt his silent appreciation. Whispers and rumors from the village found their way to them, on occasion – and, less than six months after their return to the settlement, few if any harbored ill will towards the black dragon.

And at length, in the later months of their third spring in Stonebridge, Kelly broke his vow of silence. His request was subtle, sent via soldier to Sterling who quickly passed word to the dragon herself: the Lord sought an audience with Embyr.

She still was not allowed within the city limits – and that much was expected and respected. Yet with hopes for freedom and a permanent truce, Embyr arrived at the village gate, meeting the Lord as he arrived and mounted the wooden ramparts. Together they had set off around the settlement’s perimeter – the dragon’s pace a painful crawl, with the human’s just short of a jog – as the golden rays of pre-dawn fell all around them.

“It helps,” Kelly offered in agreement “that this fife is the only known region of the nation to have draconic protection – and I have you to thank for that, Embyr.”

She dipped her head in humble appreciation.

“We’re the fastest growing region of Surris, too.” The young Lord continued. He gestured back towards the city, emphasizing a bare stretch of ground nearly a hundred yards from the wall – the shadow of the former city limits, before an influx of nearly five hundred new civilians.

Over the twenty-four months, the village had transformed into a city.

“Once again thanks to draconic amnesty.” He added, turning away from the proud sight of his beloved city.

“I suppose I’m a model citizen, then?” Embyr asked, her words accompanied by a laugh – yet, simultaneously, strained with anxiety and eagerness.

Kelly gave a long sigh but did not speak, retaining his silence as they passed the eastern wall and turned north. It was only when they shifted west along the far wall of the city that he again turned to the Black Terror.

“You’re a dragon.” He bluntly observed. “You are capable of terrible things – you have done terrible things, with me as a witness and a victim. And though I am grateful for all that you’ve done, and the control you have demonstrated here, I also know that there is another side to you: one that can be awakened through stress, through time, or even through an accident.

“These streets weren’t made for dragons – this city was not constructed to defend against giants. A wrong step could be the end of a life, or could render someone homeless; and while I know you are careful, Embyr, I also know that even a dragon is clumsy. And even as I come to trust you more, I also come to understand just how dangerous you are.”

“I… understand.” She offered wisely. She could not deny the claims or refute the Lord’s statements in any way – and that fact, more keenly even than the statements themselves, pained Embyr and ate at the hope kindled within her.

“But I didn’t call you here just to break your spirit.” He added quickly, trying to spare the dragon more heartache. “And my current views are not a death sentence for your banishment – perhaps I just need more time to be comfortable with the prospect.”

“Then why am I here?” Embyr asked, her voice hardly hiding the despair in her veins.

“I have three questions – one for the benefit of my curiosity, one for the benefit of my conscience, and one for the benefit of a friend.”

“Ask away,” she implored, doing her best to maintain a polite smile.

“You’ve heard some of the rumors, I’m sure.” He explained, glancing back towards the town as they rounded the northwestern tower.

“Of course,” the dragon consented, likewise turning her eyes towards the once-small village. The dim chatter of the awakening populace hummed like a swarm of insects throughout the boundaries of the walls – and, even then, the Black Terror stopped to wonder how many of the scores of conversations concerned her.

“One of the oldest – which began almost as soon as you returned – is that you and Sterling aren’t just friends… if you catch my drift?”

The dragon’s already slow pace dropped further as she stooped lower. The newly built walls were higher than the original barrier – it was an obstacle that Embyr could no longer overstep with ease, as it now reached her waist – but still she had to bend nearly double to look the Lord in the eye.

“Can I trust you to keep quiet?” she asked. It was not a threat – certainly not a direct threat, at any rate – but her hot breath, so uncomfortably close after Kelly’s close encounter with the huntress, only served to further encourage the nod.

“We are, then.” She admitted, her voice just over a whisper.

The conversation halted altogether as they passed the opening gate, sparing the risk of being overheard. Only when they once again rounded the southeastern tower and turned away from the rising sun did their voices once again rise into the morning air.

“As far as dragon terminology goes,” she went on “we are a ‘mated’ pair. It is similar to perpetual dating… there is no marriage in dragon culture, but love certainly exists.”

“I see…” Kelly mumbled, his voice doing well to hide all but the faintest slip of surprise.

“Who knows?”

“Very few,” she answered truthfully. “Humans, at any rate. Many dragons know – most dragons do, or civilized dragons anyway. And many other cultures know, too – namely the dark elves and the kobolds. But, from your fife? I would say only Sterling’s family… and you, of course. The knowledge could be… harmful, to the wrong ears.”

“Then I’ll ensure it won’t reach them.” The Lord assured her.

“Speaking of Sterling, though,” he went on, his voice still carefully low “I also wanted to speak to you about his… condition.”

Embyr’s eyes narrowed cautiously, the red orbs stabbing into the young ruler like daggers.

“I don’t follow you.” She said after a long moment, giving her companion a chance to explain.

“It isn’t an ailment – just an oddity.” Kelly added quickly. “But I have noticed he isn’t… well… changing.”

“What, like clothes?” she asked, suddenly skeptical.

“No, no, no: HE isn’t changing. Look at me.”

The dragon came to regard the Lord carefully for the first time. He was not the same youth she had attacked nearly three years earlier: he was several inches taller, his form more muscled, his demeanor more dignified. His face was different, too, in that he had started shaving – an annoyance that had only recently entered his life.

“Sterling isn’t like me – isn’t like anyone, here.” Kelly went on, gesturing out towards the humans swarming about the streets below. “His body, his mind… nothing has altered since he returned from your journey – maybe even since you left. I’m nineteen, now, almost twenty – he’s still sixteen or seventeen.”

“Seventeen-and-a-half,” Embyr corrected, her expression fond as her eyes drifted towards the boy’s home.

“Why?”

For the first time since the Lord’s questioning, a truly sincere smile crept to the dragon’s face.

“Again, I ask for your discretion.”

“Of course – what you say is between us.”

“Not even Sterling knows.” She explained, wringing her hands nervously. “And I may want to keep it that way – until it becomes very apparent.

“But love, for most races, is a magical thing. For some humans, emotions are the driving force behind spells – they are, as a friend of mine once said, ‘cast from the heart.’ And, while dragon magic is not contingent on love, there is still a certain… arcane nature to it. It appears in a different way: it ensures that all mated pairs that, provided love truly exists, no physical barriers will keep lovers apart.

“This is seen in many ways. Sometimes, lovers begin to experience traits of the other – limited personality shifts, odd tendencies, and even physical characteristics like hair color or eye color. Predominately, physical pains can be healed – should-be-fatal wounds can sometimes miraculously close, the blind who love the seeing have their vision restored, and at times even lost limbs can re-grow over the decades.

“But draconic love is most renowned for something beyond healing or appearance: it is that it allows even time itself to be overcome. If a younger dragon loves an older dragon, the older will stop aging for the younger to catch-up – and, upon reaching a level with the older, the two will age at the same rate.

“Of course, dragon love is rare – mostly, it lasts less than a decade so fledglings can be born and raised. But, there have been cases over the centuries in which both dragons remain mated for life – and, in these, is seen the power of a magical union. I didn’t know if it would work with Sterling – he isn’t a dragon, after all. And I didn’t know until two years ago – after all, before that time, I was ‘seventeen’ and he was somewhat younger. But now… well, now it is clear that our bond is bound by ancient law.

“You’re observant.” She noted complimentarily. “You were the first to notice. And I appreciate you coming to me about it, first.”

“My pleasure.” He returned, stopping at the gate as they completed their second circuit around the town. Below the city was truly awakening – and, weaving through the dragon’s legs, caravans made their uneasy way below Stonebridge’s guardian.

“Thank you for the chat.” She said – though, in her heart, she knew the exchange had only served to deter her hopes for acceptance. Turning away from the human she started the long walk back to her cave; yet, two steps from the timber ramparts, she once again turned to face Kelly.

“I clarified the rumors,” she said “and ensured the safety of your friend. What can I do for your conscience?”

“Ah,” Kelly recalled, suddenly nervous. His hand scratched anxiously at the back of his neck and, though he went on, he did not meet the Black Terror’s gaze.

“You mentioned other dragons several times.” He said. “How many dragons are there, exactly? At least… dragons that are nearby, anyway?”

“And what if I can’t but your conscience at rest with my answer?” the dragon asked.

“I’m working to protect this city – this fife – from dragons. It isn’t finished yet – I doubt this timber settlement could hope to even stand against you alone. But I have stone masons arriving within the month to begin construction on new walls; I have water-stores erected to douse fires; I have commissioned blacksmiths to design arrows made to pierce scales. But… though that is the case, I would like to know what I’m up against.”

“Well,” Embyr said “before the most recent battle, there were over twenty.”

Kelly’s eyes flashed and his face paled as he looked up in alarm, his heart suddenly racing.

“Our numbers suffered heavily… now there are likely less than a dozen. But, just as with the rest of the world after the great wars two years ago, we are rebuilding. There will likely be at least a score of dragons within an hour’s flight of this place in a fraction of time – less than a year, perhaps?”

“Twenty dragons…” the Lord muttered, sagging against the ramparts.

“It would be easier,” Embyr suggested, her smile faint and her tone bordering of surreal optimism “to defend this city if I could enter it?”

“I’ve given you my thoughts on the matter, Embyr.” Kelly reiterated apologetically. “It will take more than hopeful promises to change my mind.”

“You can’t blame a dragon for trying.” She said with a shrug.

With a casual flick of her tail and a brief wave, the Black Terror turned and started down the road, stepping over a small caravan as she began traversing the well-worn path back to her lonely cave. To those watching from behind the city walls, she was composed and accepting; yet it was only when the judging eyes of Stonebridge could no longer see her face that the first of the tears began to form, welling around red-rimmed, distraught eyes.

And, from the wall, Kelly almost sensed his friend’s despair. He came to see not a monster but an individual; and it only through the whole of his willpower that he did not call Embyr back and revoke his terms.

And yet, as the caravan on the road below began to push its way through the gates of the city, a second pair of eyes turned back to the Black Terror – the owner of which had a much different view. In Alice’s eyes, the dragon was truly a monster, a terror, and a destroyer; and, in that belief, she found hope.
Artwork done by the talented :iconelemtos:
This whole of this book was written with input from :iconphantom131:. He served as an excellent source off of which I could bounce ideas, and he also gave me permission to use a few of his characters over the course of the novel.
I have many flaws as a writer. Firstly, I do not do a good job of reading over my own work, and as such I need your help to be my editors – so please, if you find a spelling or grammatical error, please let me know. Furthermore (as is the case with most writers) I cannot improve my work without knowing what I’m doing wrong: as far as content is concerned, give me feedback on each chapter on what you liked, what you didn’t, and how I can do something better in the future.
Oh... and, of course, don't steal this! I'm working to reserve a copyright for all of my stories at this time.
This story is a continuation of the story of Embyr and Sterling Blade. Their tale begins with The Trial, followed by Shadowdale, and finished with The Final Stand. The links to each of the ‘novels’ are here:
The Trial: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga...
Shadowdale: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga...
The Final Stand: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga...
Twilight’s Edge (this novel): bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga...

I find many things ironic about this chapter. First and foremost, the primary character for this chapter is human - but he isn't Sterling. Oddly enough, Kelly comes into this story and is talking with Embyr before Sterling gets the same opportunity.

The other thing is the name of Kelly itself. Many of you made comments along the lines of the name being a bit "off" for the new Lord of Stonebridge; and, truthfully, it is. A good friend of mine in real life has the same name and, while completely different in personality, he resembles the Kelly here physically. When I started writing this portion of the story, he discovered the rest of the books; and while he generally preferred to make fun of the plot and encounters, he nevertheless managed to finish "his" part of the story at the beginning of Shadowdale. He finished with a single demand: "I want to read the rest of my story!"

Needless to say, he'll get his wish - and the rest of you can enjoy it, too!
© 2013 - 2024 Bowtothedrow
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nickfury123's avatar
let me guess, Alice is a part of the cult from the last part?