The Death of the Lake (2)

The first book of the Lake trilogy. A sample.

The first chapter is in the link above.

Chapter 2: The dragon’s nature

The unfinished map.

Of all the creatures the Foreverold had made, Autumnians were, perhaps, the strangest ones. A dark path they chose and afterward nobody wished to remember their name. 

Once they were called Dragonlings. More ancient than the forests, before the first seed of a Blackwood tree had touched the soil. There, in the lake of Autumna, the wondrous creatures thrived, with fire in their souls. Half-dragons, half-men, Dragonlings could swim as well as fly. Fire and water obeyed their will, and the Foreverold took pride in creating such magnificence. 

The Dragonlings were well aware of their own strength. Tall, dark-skinned with long hair of coal-black and fire in their eyes, they were kings no others could ever compare. They turned to dragons at will, no boundaries could hold them. There was nothing they could not obtain. Dragonlings settled near the Autumna lake, called themselves High kings, and soon enough they deemed themselves higher than anyone and anything.

Their nature became lustful and harsh. The Foreverold took away their power to become dragons as a cost for their vanity. The dragons were gone, but the fire remained. The flame of the dragons lived inside their souls, and once awakened, it would never go out. The fire burned them from inside. The only remedy was pleasure, it fed the hungry flame for a short while, until the fire asked for more. The desperate Autumnians begged the Foreverold to relieve their suffering. He helped by giving them water magic - it would drown their burning urges. With time passing the fire calmed, but the Wizard’s kin still kept it. The fire was both their weakness and strength, it helped them keep the reign over waters, while the other Autumnians had lost the magic. 

Herki swam with the cold autumn wind hitting his face. The water was freezing, but it merely cooled down his burning skin; the fire within him grew daily. The scourging flame took over his soul and his body, and if not satisfied, numbed or cooled down, Herki was in unbearable pain. He began to understand his father’s constant need to either numb his senses or to indulge himself in carnal pleasures. Since the engagement, Herki had spent less time on the sunny island, and more time in Autumna. He had taken on smoking the intoxicating Snakegrass. Despite his father’s constant invitations, Herki didn’t join his court. Still Lord Morten was pleased with Herki wasting his days away smoking and lying in bed pointlessly. It’s the first step, Morten said with a sinister smile all over his face. Poems Herki did not write anymore; his soul slowly surrendered to the fire; the flame left nothing but ashes, no words of love could flourish within it. 

This was the morning of his wedding day. He had spent as little time with Ari as he could. Never did he stay alone with her. Lord Hadrian praised Herki’s integrity; the kind man thought Herki was honouring Ari’s virtue above his own desires. 

He missed the sunny days of innocence with Luke, their childish mischiefs and the pure longing Herki felt for Ulise back them. He avoided Luke - whenever they met, the latter would attempt to talk Herki out of the engagement, but Herki would not have it.

The lake had become his only remedy, his home and his refuge; Herki swam in any weather. 

He dreaded the wedding day and he feared the wedding night. The descendants of Dragonlings made love like dragons, whom they truly were behind the human flesh. Only another Dragonling could survive the brutal mating with ease, but with their own kin dying out, there were no women left to withstand the fire. Autumnian women barely did - Lord Morten had killed his previous wives in the rage of passion. The ladies of his court survived only because of him smoking Snakegrass; it slowed down the flames. But wanting to produce an heir, Lord Morten did not go easy on his wives.  Herki’s plan to protect Ari on their wedding night was such - he would find the time to smoke Snakegrass before going to the newlywed chamber and hope it’s enough to keep her safe. 

It was still early; the dark autumn morning crept from the east with the drum of a distant thunderstorm. Herki swam all across the lake, nearing the Thilia coast. He stopped and frowned - Luke’s boat was swaying in the stormy waters. Strange, Luke never sailed in the storm. As Herki swam closer, he saw a frail figure standing up straight, looking at him. It was Ulise. Her black hair swirled in the wind, the vicious breeze shook her silk gown. Her eyes were swollen and red, and her sight weary. Before Herki could stop the girl, Ulise jumped into the lake. 

He swam to her without thinking, grabbed the girl and made the water carry them to the shore. 

Ulise did not say a word. She wrapped around him. The fire once again rushed through Herki’s blood, but the cool of the water didn’t let it burn the girl’s skin. Instead it kept her warm in the freezing-cold lake. 

“Stop! Let’s stay here! Please!” Ulise whispered.

The moment was perfect; the water held them by Herki’s magic. Ulise wiggled out of her gown, their naked skin touched gently as they wrapped around each other. Nobody would know, nobody would find out. Not a soul was on the Pinewood coast in this dreadful weather. Ulise kissed him. Herki felt the burning urge ripping his chest apart. One more minute, one more kiss and he would’ve given in to desire. Oh, how he wanted her!

Suddenly he realised, his love was stronger than the foolish lust. He shall not disgrace Ulise. Furthermore, he will not disgrace himself by becoming like his father, deeming his pleasure higher than anything. Herki had given his word to Ari and her family. He shall keep it. 

Since that Midsummer’s night he knew the dragon’s nature within him just enough to withstand the flame, at least a bit. Herki gathered all his strength to push Ulise’s body away. He made the lake carry her to the shore. Then the young Autumnian turned his back to Thilia, swimming to Autumna as fast as he could. 

Ulise laid crying and shaking naked on the shore. Luke ran up to her, wrapped the girl in his cloak and asked nervously,

“Did it not work? Did he hurt you?”

“I wish he’d hurt me! Just to feel him near. Now I have nothing. He will be wed today, and I can’t change that!” she cried. 

Luke desperately tried to save Herki from this shameful engagement, but his friend would not listen. When the wedding came nearer, Luke decided to make a risky move. He wrote to Ulise. She sneaked out of the house at dawn, and came to the Pinewood coast. 

“Are you willing to do anything to stop the wedding?” Luke had asked, while both came to his boat, “you must know - he might hurt you. Herki told me about the Dragonling’s flame and…”

“I will do anything it takes. I cannot live without him,” Ulise replied. Luke could see - the girl was pale and her eyes were red from crying.

Now after Herki had rejected her, Luke sat by the poor girl.

“Forgive me! I was sure he wouldn’t resist…” 

Lord Morten slowly paced through the entrance hall, talking to his councillor. The rest of his court followed behind. He knew Herki would come around after his morning swim, and the Lord would not miss the chance to convince the boy to join the court.

“The young Lord would not join the court, sir?” the councillor, a young Snakeling man asked squinting his snake-like eyes.

“Not yet, Merush. But he’ll come around soon; after Herki kills that Thilian slut he calls his bride, if the pathetic wedding takes place, or maybe sooner, if he’s wise enough to call off this joke of an engagement. What a stupid bastard! To propose to a Thilian!”

“Maybe a Thilian woman will give him an heir?” 

“Oh, Merush! I thought Snakelings were known for their wisdom, not stupidity! A Thilian would be lucky if she survives the wedding night,”

“Forgive me, sir! I’ve underestimated the destructive nature of the dragon’s flame,” the young Snakeling bowed his head.

“Speaking of dragons! It’s high time to summon Kitty. She’s been grazing on the North coast far too long. I need her here by noon. I have to make a proper entrance at the wedding,” Lord Morten said idly. 

“Of course, my lord,” The councillor bowed and turned to leave.

“Oh, and Merush! Has there not been a letter from the island today?”

“No, sir! Maybe he presumes you’ve forgotten about the offer after a whole year and four months?”

Lord Morten gave a dark laugh.

“I’ve been patient, have I not? Write to him again! My court is in desperate need of young blood, especially one of such rare blend,”

“Yes, sir,” The young Snakeling bowed once again and went away. The Snakelings were a breed of people living on a small island West of Thilia. They were estranged from both Thilians and Autumnians. Tall, pale and green eyed, Snakelings were granted with great wisdom as well as the ability to become snakes at will. The Wizards of Autumna summoned them for their court as councillors. The last one retired two years ago, so a young man named Merush came to replace him. Lord Morten could not stand aging faces in his court and substituted them with new and fresh ones each year. 

Herki entered the castle, breathing heavily. It burned, oh how it burned! The flame awakened by Ulise’s nearness was more vicious than anything he had felt before. Herki’s guts ached, his skin hurt, tortured by his own fire. The flames became visible; Herki fell to his knees, while his skin glowed with an amber-coloured blaze. He moaned, crouching to the floor.

“My my my! Somebody’s having a hot time! Oh, excuse me, a hard time! Missing your lovely bride already?” Father took pleasure observing Herki’s suffering. He couldn’t answer, Herki fell to the cool stone floor, but it could not extinguish the flame. 

Lord Morten watched his son rolling on the floor, overtaken by pain. The Lord sighed and waved to a servant.

“Bring Snakegrass and wine!”

The servants hurriedly brought a large water pipe, they helped Herki sit up to take a smoke. With his hands shaking uncontrollably, the young man took lengthy smokes, and after some minutes the pain retreated. He drank empty the glass of wine, offered to him. After Morten’s gesture the servants filled it up again. Relieved, the young man sat on the floor breathing slowly.

“Pathetic!” his father concluded.

“And how are you going to explain this to your Thilian bride? She has no idea what it’s going to be like, to have a Dragonling for a husband. But… maybe she will not survive long enough to find out,” Lord Morten shrugged.

“Why… why are you up?!” Herki gasped. Meeting his father early in the morning was an unpleasant surprise, although he did help to ease Herki’s pain.

“I have to get ready for the ceremony. I’m not going to miss my son’s wedding,”

“You’re not invited!” Herki grunted.

“Now now, no need to be rude! Besides, I have some business of my own on the island,”

“You have no business there!”

The Lord swiftly punched Herki’s face. Weakened by the pain, Herki fell down and did not fight back. 

“You are unbelievably ungrateful for a bastard! I should’ve gotten rid of you years ago!”

“Trust me, I hate being your son just as much as you hate being my father!” Herki retorted, getting up from the floor. 

“Sadly, I have no other heir. But, things may change. And very soon,”

Herki did not wish to know what his scumbag of a father is blubbering about. The young man dragged his feet to his chamber. The wedding was to take place in the afternoon. 

Herki laid in bed smoking Snakegrass and thinking. Mustn’t smoke too much! He wouldn’t be able to participate in his own wedding, heavily intoxicated by the herb. Just a bit more, then he’ll get ready and take some Snakegrass with him to Thilia. The wedding night shall take place there, but afterward… Herki had a plan. He convinced Lord Hadrian, that the young couple would better move to Autumna as soon as possible, because Herki was supposed to become the next ruler of Autumna. Ari didn’t mind; she had heard wondrous (and shocking!) tales about the Wizard’s castle, and couldn’t wait to see it for herself. Aurora was madly envious of her going to Autumna. Foolish girls! Herki thought. They had no idea… There was a bigger chance for Ari to survive, if they lived in Autumna - Herki would numb himself with Snakegrass, and if she would insist on them trying to conceive a child, they would make love in the pool of the castle. That way Herki would be sober and maybe the water could cool down the flame, not to hurt Ari. These thoughts made Herki sick to his stomach - father used the indoor pool daily, to bathe with the ladies of the court…

Herki shall treat Ari with respect, but he will not love her, that he knew very well. It seemed the girl didn’t mind; she enjoyed all the attention she got as a bride, leaving the furious Aurora to dwell in her younger sister’s shadow.

Herki got dressed in his wedding clothes. The mirror showed a dashing Autumnian prince, but for some months now Herki felt nothing but contempt looking at himself. The fine crown of silver and amethysts weaved around his head. The colours of Autumna - silver and purple, and black. The dark clothes with silver patterns and the grey cloak matched his hair. He looked perfect going to his own wretched wedding, but it felt very much like a funeral. He shall bury his youth, although… maybe it was high time to do so. His youth had been dead ever since that Midsummer’s night, when the dragon’s flame woke inside of him.

A storm erupted as he went out of the castle. He walked alone. Obviously, father did not really plan to accompany him. He would be late if sailing to Thilia after Herki. Good! Father’s absence at the ceremony would be the best wedding gift he could offer. Herki took the blackwood boat, and made the lake carry the vessel to Thilia. The wind and the rain ripped the surface of the lake apart in foamy waves.

He got out of the boat. Servants from the castle were already expecting the groom. The handsome Autumnian rode to the Thilia castle on a white horse, music was played before him, but the wind drowned down all of the festive sounds. People did not come out of their houses to greet him - the weather was terrible, and he was the son of a villain, feared by all the Thilians.

Herki didn’t pay much attention to the ceremony. Maybe he had smoked too much Snakegrass after all, or maybe his mind resisted the thought of being wed to a girl he hated. Faces and colours blurred, the only thing he could distinguish were the eyes - Lukes blue eyes, sad and desperate, Lord’s Hadrians happy and kind, Aurora’s spiteful stare, and Ari’s gullible grey ones. She indeed was a lovely young bride, and if the groom was in love, it would be a happy day. Although, maybe not. Herki would’ve been even more frightened to hurt his beloved one on their wedding night!

Ulise’s father was also present at the wedding, he was an honourable tradesman.

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, a noise louder than thunder rose from the lake. It came nearer and nearer, until the shocked wedding guests saw its source through the large windows of the festive hall. A dragon flew toward the Thilia castle. Those were rare, and lived far in the North. Though they say, Lord of the Lake had some in his possession on the North coast of lake Autumna. The crimson-coloured beast flew around the castle majestically, then it landed in the nearby meadow. The only ones riding it were the Wizard of Autumna and his Snakeling councillor. The ceremony did not go on, the frightened guests waited until Lord Morten leisurely paced into the festive hall. Nobody dared to stop him, all knew his evil deeds, and none of the Thilians wished to die in a slow and a painful death.

“Wonderful! I’ve made it just in time,” a deep voice spoke idly. The Lord of the Lake walked in, with his footsteps echoing across the dead-silent hall. Lord Hadrian approached him.

“We did not expect you here, Morten. But, since you came, do be civil! Respect your son and his bride, please!”

“Of course! Or did you expect me to burn your little island to ashes?” Lord Morten looked around, smirking.

“Have no fear! I can do it anytime. But not just yet. I would not want to spoil an excellent celebration! My son is to marry a Thilian bride, who would have thought?!”

Lord Morten kissed the brides hand, she blushed. He glanced around at the guests. His eyes lingered for a moment at the sight of Aurora, then moved on. He squinted seeing a Thilian tradesman - Ulise’s father.

“Go on! Business first, pleasure later, as I always say,” Lord Morten waved at the Master of Ceremony.

Herki shook with disgust at the sight of his father. Although the man looked handsome and much too youthful for his age, Herki knew what lurks beneath the flawless surface. The guests stared at the Lord of the Lake both shocked and amazed. The Ceremony went past with Herki barely conscious. Indeed, too much Snakegrass! And yet he thought of smoking some more just before going to bed, to be sure he wouldn’t hurt Ari.

“Your father sure knows how to make an entrance,” Luke said, when Herki was finally left alone after the ceremony. His bride was busy gossiping with the other girls, they stared at Lord Morten, discussing his elegant attire.

“He’s famous for making a spectacle of himself,” Herki mumbled.

“What is it? Are you unwell?”

“Snakegrass. I need more, before the night. Please, Luke, I have to numb the flame before I go to your sister! Could you help me?”

“I will, of course,”

Herki was terribly distracted. He heard people talking. Time flashed by as myriads of unconnected sights. Ari’s smiling while they danced, somebody tapping him on the shoulder, Aurora looking into his eyes shamelessly, Lord Morten discussing something with Lord Hadrian. Then Herki was escorted to his chamber to change clothes and freshen up for the wedding night. On his way out of the hall, he heard an abrupt conversation.

“My offer is more than generous. I’ve been extremely patient. I will not wait long! Now, I must leave before Kitty gets bored. She loves to feast on human flesh. You wouldn’t want me to let her graze on Thilia, would you?” his father said, before leaving. The Thilian celebration was much too prudish for his liking.

“Herki! Herks! I don’t think you need to smoke more of that stuff,” Luke shook his friend. The servants had helped Herki change clothes, now he sat on the bed taking lengthy smokes of the Snakegrass pipe. His sight grew more oblivious by the minute.

“I have to be sure Ari’s safe…” Herki murmured.

“Enough! You already seemed drunk at the wedding. Now is worse,” Luke took the pipe away, and helped him up. Both friends stumbled through the hallway to the newlywed chamber. It was richly decorated with candles, flowers, a table was laid with wine and fruits for the young couple to enjoy. Luke left Herki sitting on the side of the giant bed. He shook his head - Herki fell into the pillows, not able to sit up straight.

“Why did you not listen to me, Herks?! This is madness! What has my stupid sister done to you?! Ari shall pay for her deeds, mock my words! She’ll regret meddling with you,”

Luke went out into the hallway. A pack of bridesmaids with Aurora in front of them, passed him by, the celebration was over and the girls went to their chambers.

Herki blinked slowly, trying to stay awake. He still saw only flashes of sights and sensations around him. The scent of flowers. The sound of the key turning in the door. Somebody undressing him. A pair of hands touching his chest and a pair of blue eyes looking into his. Somebody screaming. A noise of shattering glass. The scent of candles put out. Then he fell into the darkness and saw no more.