For the new readers wondering how did this story begin, I’m adding the link to Chapter 1 below. Thank you for reading!
Chapter 7: The red dawn
For some days now the weather had been extremely cold - the lake was freezing over and Herki had a hard time patrolling around it. Although he could hold his breath much longer than an average human, still it would not be enough. The ice took over the lake and even Herki couldn’t swim under it.
Merush ran into Herki’s chamber with a quiet knock, which both Herki and Ulise didn’t hear.
“Wake up! Wake up, young Lord!” Merush shook Herki.
“What is it?” Herki got up frowning - the polite Snakeling wouldn’t have barged into somebody’s chamber to wake them without a good reason.
“The time has come! Your father is approaching! Hurry, please!”
Herki got up in an instant. Both ran down the hall with Herki still putting his clothes on.
“My spies flew here as soon as they could. Your father has summoned one of the remaining six from the North coast. You have to take Kitty, it’ll make your chances even,” Merush explained abruptly. During winter time, when his snakes were hibernating, Merush used owls to survey the surrounding of Wizard’s castle.
“I’m not sure I stand a chance at all,” Herki grunted quietly.
“No time for modesty, young Lord! If anybody can stand up against him, it’s you. None of us possess the powers you have, none of us can fight him. Our lives depend on you,” Merush put his hand on Herki’s shoulder. The latter gave a short nod.
Kitty was waiting outside the Snakeling town. These weeks she kept close to Merush, grazing on a smaller island nearby with a large population of wild goats.
The Snakelings were all aware of the upcoming danger; they had been waiting for it. Shadow-like they moved through the morning dusk out of their wooden houses into the pine wood. They made no sounds, no bell would ring for danger, still the sense of approaching malice rose in the air. Herki wrapped in his cloak and took Kitty’s reins from Merush. The beast snorted, exhaling clouds of hot air. It greeted the two men with a happy growl.
“The old scum is after revenge, if he took only one of the six. I believe the lake is still safe, unlike us,” Merush pondered, watching the east coast of lake Autumna far ahead.
“Which dragon?”
“Red,”
“The old fool thinks he’s almighty! No one can tame Red!” although Herki shook his head, Merush still noticed a glimmer of fear in his eyes.
“Kitty is stronger than you think. So are you. Have faith! She is smaller than Red, but she’s also loyal to those who take care of her. Unlike Red. Your father is taking a huge risk,”
A red blaze appeared near the very horizon.
“It’s still early for dawn. It’s him,” Merush whispered.
Luke and Ulise ran up to Kitty.
“Go into the woods with the Snakelings! Nobody should be near the coast! No one!” Herki said sternly.
Silently Luke embraced him.
“If I don’t return - hide. Take care of her,” Herki whispered in his ear.
“You will return, my brother,” Luke replied and handed him his sword.
“I don’t think it’ll help, but thank you, brother!” Herki smiled at Luke.
Ulise wrapped around her beloved tight, and whispered,
“You are the Lord of the Lake. Remember that!”
Herki did not answer, he kissed her, burning the girl’s lips.
“It’s time! He’s coming!” Merush rushed him. Herki mounted the seat on the dragon’s back, and flew up, giving Ulise one last look.
“Do you believe he’ll make it?” Luke asked Merush with his voice trembling.
“Faith is all we have left. I believe young Lord is much stronger than he knows. Will that be enough? We’ll find out soon enough,” Merush squinted his snake eyes, “Kitty has an old grudge with Red. She hasn’t forgotten it,”
The lake Autumna was vast, Herki flew quite a while with the freezing wind hitting his face and tangling in his coal-black hair. Herki’s heart pounded - the sight of the one approaching him was both terrifying and majestic. Lord Morten sat in front of the bright-red dragon with its eyes blazing green. The Lord appeared completely calm, the flames burning in his black eyes were the only ones giving out his rage. His beast was large, but Herki saw Red showing his feisty nature already; unlike its rider, Red was restless, it shook and wiggled its head.
It was clear why Lord Morten chose Red out of the six remaining dragons in his possession - Red was the most powerful one, although his strength came with a price. Red hated being rode on, and the rider was in danger of the dragon turning against him.
Kitty gave a shrieking growl - she wasn’t at all happy to see Red. Whatever argument they had, it was not settled and Red was the one to blame. He turned his head away, not looking at Kitty, he didn’t answer her hateful greeting.
“If it isn’t the bastard! Did you finally kill the slut you stole from me? Or did she die herself from boredom?!” Lord Morten shouted.
“Up early, father? Isn’t it funny - you, Lord of Autumna married a Thilian slut, as you always called them!” Herki shouted back. Lord Morten was obviously done with small talk - he made Red fly onward swiftly, shouting, “fire!” in ancient Dragonling tongue. Herki didn’t even need to command Kitty; the clever dragon avoided the flames, her small size gave her an advantage; Kitty was much faster than Red. She herself spat fire at him from the side, and the large beast howled as the flames hit his tale. Red wiggled from pain, nearly shaking off its rider.
“Having trouble controlling your little dragon? I wonder if your poor wife knows it?” Herki flew quickly on Kitty’s back just inches past Lord Morten who indeed struggled to make Red turn in the needed direction. Finally, he regained control over the beast. A stream of fire followed Kitty, but she was much faster. Kitty did a quick loop, and yet again spat fire at Red’s backside.
“I still remember Aurora pining over me for years! I’m glad she found a replacement, at least a small relief!” Herki kept circling his father around and around on the swift little dragon, while the Lord frantically pulled the reins of the stubborn Red. Its tale and backside felt the burn of Kitty’s flames, Red was in no shape to obey. Lord Morten’s goal was to burn the Snakeling town to the ground, but Herki would not let him pass, at least not without a fight.
Finally, the Lord comprehended - he’s not getting anywhere playing fair, so he played dirty. He couldn’t hurt Herki with his magic, but Kitty was a different case. Morten turned his hand toward the crimson dragon as it flew by. Kitty howled and lost orientation; the Lord attempted to disrupt her blood flow. It was hard to do with a moving target, especially with one covered in thick skin and scales, but Morten still was a powerful wizard. Kitty wiggled in the air, Herki tried to direct her away from Morten.
“Come on, Kitty! Come on! Down fail me! Merush and the Snakelings depend on us!” Herki begged the beast. Kitty snorted happily hearing Merush’s name. She flew down, Lord Morten thought the beast was weakened, but alas! As soon as Kitty was under Red’s belly, she spat out a river of flames, hitting the dragon’s most sensitive and vulnerable spot. Poor Red let out a deafening growl, it shook like a lizard burned alive! Lord Morten fell down, while his dragon flew up into the sky. A red dawn was waking in the east, the ice on the lake sparkled with a diamond glow, touched by the rays of the rising sun. Lord Morten fell heavily onto the shining surface. The lake beneath him moaned, awakened by the Wizard’s magic. Morten hit his head, blood oozed from his hairline. Slowly rising he stared at the blood on his hands.
“You’ll pay for it, Herki the bastard!” Morten grunted hatefully. He pointed both hands at Kitty, Herki tried to direct the beast to stay clear from the magic’s path, but his father’s strength was powered by hate. Kitty wiggled around, Herki held on not to fall.
“No, Kitty! No!” he yelled, as the crimson beast growled painfully, her blood flew backward, braking the dragon’s heart. Kitty fell down, the ice cracked beneath her weight, ice shards and water flew into the air. The dragon submerged under the freezing water. Herki could not save Kitty, she was dead. He tried to make the water carry him to the surface like he always did, but something was wrong - the lake would not let him out! Lord Morten stood right above the cracked ice, he wouldn’t let the water release Herki. Poor boy fought like a fish caught in a net. His refuge had become his trap. The more he fought, the more strength he lost, one more moment and he’d been all out of air. Right before giving up, Herki remembered Ulise’s last words. She was right. He gathered all his strength - Herki was the true Lord of the Lake! The Lake Autumna bowed to his will, Herki rose above the surface slowly, defying his father’s power over water. He rose like a true ruler, the freezing ice crystals shining on his clothes, hair and skin in the light of the morning son. Even Lord Morten gasped with surprise.
“I’m not done with you yet! You may have the water, but I have the fire!” he groaned, as he saw Red returning. Morten made the dragon release its deadly flames at Herki. But the latter was not going to have it - the new Lord of the Lake made the water from the cracked ice rise in the air, it extinguished all the flames and shielded Herki. The next portion of the freezing water flew at Red, driving the beast further away; it was not pleased with the icy shower.
“Now, your turn!” said Herki marching to his father. Morten had never seen such determination in his son’s eyes - they burned with pure hatred. A new Lord had risen. The old one retreated step by step. Herki raised his hands - the ice cracked, setting the lake free, the rising water neared Morten. Just before it devoured him, Lord Morten swiftly directed an ice shard to fly at his son. It pierced Herki’s stomach. Poor Herki cried in pain and fell to his knees.
“There can be only one Lord of the Lake!” said Morten, making the water carry him close to Herki. Father picked up a large, handy ice shard; it was time to get rid of the bastard once and for all!
He pulled the crouching boy’s head up by his hair, to look into his eyes.
“I’ll cut your dirty throat and be done with you! Any last words, bastard?” The stare of the black eyes pierced into the amber-coloured ones. Herki held on to the hilt of Luke’s sword at his side - his brother shall be with him till the end.
“I’m glad I’ve known love, unlike you! I will die fulfilled, while you’ll stay forever undone, hated and unloved!” Herki grunted, breathing rapidly.
It was the little word spat at him again, the word that stung his heart coming from Aurora’s lips. This time it made Lord Morten frown and stall, holding the shard at Herki’s throat. A thought struck Morten’s mind - he loved Aurora, but could her cold heart ever love him back?
The split second of hesitation was enough - Herki pulled out the sword to cut Mortens legs standing in front of him, and when father fell to his knees, Herki stabbed Morten’s chest. The wounded Lord fell screaming. Herki straightened above him, leaning on the bloody sword.
“There can be only one Lord of the Lake; I’m him,” he declared. Herki directed the shard out if his wound. Then he raised Luke’s sword above his father’s neck. Morten laid on the ice twitching and moaning from the pain. Before Herki had asked for his last words, Morten moaned,
“Aurora, my love... I never… said, I did… I love her…please, tell her,” tears rolled down Morten’s eyes. Herki could not believe it. Unwillingly, he lowered the sword, sighed heavily and gave a loud whistle.
“Tell her yourself. If you make it back alive,” he said, leaning on the sword.
The red dragon flew into the dawn, with its rider crouching and barely holding on.
***
Merush stood in the Watchtower of the Snakeling castle, holding a spy glass to his eye. He observed the east coast of the lake.
“Anything?” Luke asked. He and Ulise refused to flee into the woods. The old Snakeling lord stood by them; he had nothing to lose, expecting death any day.
Merush took his time, while Luke paced around the tower restless.
“Patience, young Thilian Lord! No need to hurry into death. Each passing moment is a precious gift to be cherished, not wasted in pointless concerns,” the old Snakeling said slowly.
“It looks like you’ve been gifted more than you should,” Luke murmured under his nose - he was scared to death not to see Herki alive again, no well-meant advice could ease his mind. The Snakeling Lord smirked at him.
Merush stopped Luke’s marching.
“What?”
“There’s something. A movement. Yes, it’s the young Lord! But…” Merush went quiet.
“What?!”
“I must call the Elders! He’ll need healing at once!”
“Oh, no!” Ulise moaned.
All of them ran down the tower, then toward the coast.
Luke got to him first. Herki had made the water carry him, breaking the ice before him.
The young Autumnian stumbled upon the shore and collapsed in Luke’s arms.
“Brother! Please!”
Merush followed with the Snakeling elders. They carried him into the castle, and to a chamber, where the Elders began the healing.
It took quite a while. Ulise sat on the floor nervously clutching the hem of her dress, while Luke yet again paced back and forth nervously.
Finally, Merush let them enter.
Herki laid pale and tired, but very much alive.
Ulise embraced him carefully, she sat on the side of his bed holding Herki’s hand.
“Did you kill him?” Luke asked straightforwardly, while Ulise gave him a reproachful stare.
“No, I couldn’t. Though he may not survive still,” Herki replied breathing heavily.
“Why wouldn’t you kill him, Herks? After all he’s done to you! And he’ll destroy the lake, Thilia and Snakeling island!” Luke didn’t understand.
Herki frowned thinking.
“Something he said… I think he loves Aurora,” Herki finally replied.
“Oh! In that case I think the Foreverold has found a very inventive way of punishing Morten - to love Aurora must be a curse,” Luke pondered. Herki had to laugh holding on to his wounded stomach. Even Merush chuckled, but suddenly he went dead serious. Both him and Herki exchanged concerned looks.
“If Lord Morten dies…” Merush began.
“…Aurora could become the sole ruler of Autumna,” Herki finished the sentence.
“Tell me, young Thilian Lord, does your sister crave power?” Merush asked.
“I can’t tell anymore. With her - anything is possible. She has murdered once…” Luke stared through the window at the icy lake.
Later that day Luke was back to his lonesome life on the Snakeling island. Herki needed to rest, Ulise laid next to him. Luke felt like a bother.
The red winter sun shone low in the bright blue sky. Once again Luke missed Thilia with all his heart. He went into the pine forest. There was nothing quite as deafening as a winter’s day in the forest. Snakelings were quiet folk - they moved nearly without a sound, their speaking reminded Luke of hissing whispers made by snakes.
The silence laid heavy on Luke’s soul. He looked at the pine trees above his head - sunlight got caught in the shining frost. Luke sang his heart out; today his song was a soft lullaby sang to him by his mother when Luke was still a child. Tears sprung out his eyes unwillingly, Luke was homesick. The poor boy broke down crying.
“You’re making another strange sound. Though the previous one was quite nice,” a soft voice spoke behind him. Not her again! The blind Snakeling girl stood there with a large load of pine twigs and branches tied up on her frail back and shoulders.
“What do you want? To laugh at me again?!” Luke retorted, hurriedly wiping tears off his cheeks. Although, what’s the point? She couldn’t see him anyway.
The girl turned and went away without a sound.
“Forgive me! I… I’m just a bit sad. Here, let me help you,” Luke ran up to her and lifted the load from her shoulders.
“It’s heavy!” He exclaimed, “why wouldn’t your father help, or your brothers?”
“I have only two sisters. And after the next new moon rises, it’ll be just me,” she explained calmly.
“How so?”
“You Thilians don’t know much about Snakeling customs, do you? My sisters will be married when the new moon rises,”
“And when will you get married?” Luke asked, immediately regretting it. What a fool! It’s clear she won’t get married anytime soon - blind and not very pretty. Good thing she couldn’t see Luke blush!
She smiled.
“I’m forbidden to be wed. Snakelings tend to keep their blood strong. I am believed to have weak blood,”
Luke was surprised at how calm she spoke of it. The girl knew her way around the wood well; Luke tripped a couple of times on the frozen pine roots, while she seemed to know every bump on the path.
“That’s… that’s not very fair, is it?”
She chuckled.
“There’s not a lot of us, Snakelings. If I can serve my people with not producing ill young…”
Luke opened his mouth to object, but went silent. How could he console the poor girl?! All that she said made perfect sense. And even if she would be allowed to do so - who in the world would want to marry her?
Both came to a small shack on the very edge of the town.
Luke carried the load inside. The Snakeling sisters lived poor, but the shack was well kept.
“I would offer you some tea, it’s a cold day. But a High-born like you should probably refuse,” yet again she smiled.
“Oh, not at all! I would like to have some tea, indeed,” he lied, Luke didn’t feel comfortable amongst Snakelings. He was used to beautiful Thilian faces, and found Snakelings unpleasant to look at. Luke felt guilty for his improper stammering earlier.
The girl had no trouble getting around the shack; if Luke hadn’t known, he couldn’t tell she’s blind.
She put two steaming-hot cups of mint tea on the old wooden table. The flames roared and crackled in the fireplace. The silence lingered. Luke didn’t know where to look - the girl’s strange gaze was set upon him.
“What was your name?” he asked just to break the silence.
“Anaish,”
“I’m Luke, well Lukean, but I hate being called that, so Luke,” he spewed out nervously.
“You’re a High-born Thilian. I’m a Low-born Snakeling. To me you’ll always be young Thilian Lord,” the girl said and slightly bowed her head.
“Of course,” Luke blushed again.
“Why did you make that beautiful noise in the forest? Is that a Thilian custom?” Anaish tilted her head wondering.
“Oh that? Oh, no, I sing when I’m sad. I miss Thilia, and… “
“It’s more beautiful than any bird’s song I’ve heard,”
Luke took a sip from the hot tea, burning his tongue.
“They say that Thilians have come from the sun,”
“It’s probably because of the golden hair and the blue eyes,” Luke said, thinking himself to be the biggest of fools - the girl had no idea what “golden” and “blue” was.
“To me the sun means warmth,” Anaish leaned closer to him, “Are you warm like the sun?”
“I’m… I’m like this,” Luke didn’t know any better, he put his large palm on the girl’s small one. Her narrow hand was ice-cold.
“It’s true. You are warm like the sun,” Anaish said smiling.
The door opened, her sisters walked in with a gust of cold air.
“Anaish! What’s the meaning of this?” they scolded the girl.
“The kind young Lord helped me with the firewood,” she explained calmly.
“I apologise, I must be going. Excuse me,” Luke bowed and rushed out of the shack. But he could hear very well, that the sisters still would not settle.
“A man in a maidens’ house, Anaish! Do you want to disgrace us before our wedding? Or to disgrace yourself?”
“Dear sisters, I cannot be more disgraced than I already am. My fate has taken care of it. Can you think of a man wanting to take my virtue? No? Neither can I,”
Sisters murmured something in reply, but Luke did not listen any longer.
He kept thinking about the poor girl all evening and deep into the night, lying restless in his bed. Fate indeed had been cruel to her. She was bound to a life of solitude. If only he could help to ease her burden…
He spent the next morning with Herki. He was recovering quickly. Merush’s spies brought news - Lord Morten wasn’t dead yet, but he was living his last hours. Aurora would not leave his death bed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised, if she helped to end his suffering,” Herki pondered.
In the afternoon Luke went to the pine forest again. He sat on a fallen tree trunk and sang the same lullaby quietly. Though Luke did not see anybody near him, he was certain - she was listening.
***
Aurora listened to Morten’s breathing; it seemed each breath he took caused him pain. A couple of hours ago his dragon landed heavily near the Autumna castle, its rider rolled down on the frozen grass lifeless. The castle physician did his best to help the dying Lord, but he admitted, there was not much hope. Aurora had put on a dashing red dress, expecting her Lord to return victorious, she would have granted him a prize to remember…
Now Lady Aurora stood by the window, the land and the vast frozen lake at her feet. Who would have thought - just some weeks ago she was an old maiden, unwanted despite her beauty, but now… the land of Autumna could bow to her alone! Aurora smirked.
Lord Morten sighed painfully. The poor man! Nobody would blame a merciful wife of relieving her dying husband’s suffering. Aurora slowly paced to him. The bastard was fiercely handsome even on his death bed. She touched his face gently, a brightly coloured cushion next to Morten’s silky, black hair drew her sight. Aurora shook her golden locks and reached for it.
We get a nice mix of well paced action and heroism with Herki in this chapter, as well as some fantastic scenes with Luke. Most importantly, both young men are growing out of their old ways, each stepping further and further from the boys they were at the story's beginning to the different flavors of decent men they each seem set to become. I look forward to seeing how the story ends, especially now that the balance of power has made a serious shift.