The Heiress of the Lake (8)

A dark romantic fantasy

If you’re wondering, how did this story begin, the link to chapter 1 is below:

Chapter 1

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Chapter 8: The venison roast

“Get up, youngsters! Come, gaze upon the Damned land!” Old Autumn woke them up, cheerfully humming a tune. He had never insisted on them waking early. 

All three stumbled out of the shack, still wrapped in blankets. 

“There - the Foreverold has not forgotten this land,” Old Autumn’s squinted eyes sparked with the rays of the morning sun reflecting in them. The sun! Auri could hardly remember the last time she had seen it. It was a clear morning. A thin icy lid had covered the swampland, and the glossy surface reflected the golden sunlight. Every branch, every grass stem, every reed was covered in white frost, shining in the sunlight. Auri and Marcian had never seen such majestic view. Amazed they stepped into the golden shine, with their feet crunching on the ice and the frozen moss. Old Autumn and Magnush stayed behind by the shack. 

“I have witnessed the wondrous nature of the Damned land. Father took me up the tower of the Snakeling castle on sunny mornings like this one,” Magnush remembered.

“Your father has seen better times, has he not?”

Magnush nodded silently.

“Do not despise the Autumnian blood within you. I know how other folk call Autumnians - cruel men, ruthless men. Men driven by dark urges. But… I would say - Autumnians are people of passion, a kind of craving for all the pleasures life could offer,” the old man’s gaze caressed the golden land.

Magnush frowned looking at him.

“Do not deny your nature. I’ve seen the Autumnian fire in your eyes, when you look at her. She has the same flame burning in her Autumnian blood. You are one,” Old Autumn smiled.

“I am a Snakeling! I am wed to her, but not by choice. After I help her get to Thilia, I shall return to the land of my kin and face whatever punishment I deserve,” Magnush said sternly.

Old Autumn shook his head and laughed quietly.

“Stubbornness suites the youth, as well as the lack of wisdom.”

The other two returned to the shack.

“Do you think the frosts are here to stay?” Auri asked.

“Oh, yes. You should begin your journey within three days. Now, let’s go inside. I do not wish to see our princess catch a cold!” Old Autumn led them into the shack. 

The day was cold, but sunny. All of them gladly spent their time outside after staying indoors all the rainy weeks. The men helped Old Autumn chop the firewood for a longer while, Auri carried the firewood inside. Although Magnush objected greatly - a young, frail woman, furthermore a princess, should not carry heavy loads! But Marcian kindly explained - Auri will not listen to anybody if she is determined to do something. Magnush snorted angrily, while the girl smiled passing him by with a load of firewood. Soon enough the fired was chopped, the soup bubbled cheerfully in the pot above the fire and the youngsters decided to practise sword fighting in the sunlight. 

The winter sun lowered above the horizon, the skies turner red and so did the mirror of the swamp. 

“Excellent! Show him, Frogling!” Marci exulted, watching Auri fight Magnush. She had improved greatly, and despite her feminine frame, the girl moved swiftly and her sword sang swinging through the crisp winter air. 

Both fought passionately, but Auri knew just how to get the upper hand. She stared into Magnush’s eyes, and gave him the most unambiguous smile, it took a second of distraction, Auri attacked to win and accidently cut his wrist. Magnush gave a moan, but tried to keep his calm. 

“Oh, I didn’t mean to do that!” Auri dropped her sword and rushed to him. 

“What did you mean to do then?” Magnush retorted, hiding his sword. Before he had objected, Auri grabbed his hand and cradled it lovingly.

“Forgive me, I would never want to hurt you!” her eyes teared up looking at the blood oozing from the cut.

“No need to exaggerate! Our Snakeling warrior doesn’t even consider it an injury, does he? It’s just a scratch!” Marcian rolled his eyes. 

“Autumnian’s right! It’s just a scratch,” Magnush said calmly, but still he would not take his hand away from Auri, while both stood close with their eyes locked in a lengthy gaze. 

Old Autumn called them inside.

Auri insisted on treating Magnush’s injury, and he could not refuse her. Old Autumn gave them a healing ointment, he had made himself, and some clean cloth. Auri treated Magnush’s hand, holding it gingerly, and if it wasn’t for the other two watching, she would have kissed it. 

The day passed peacefully with the three of them preparing for their journey. Old Autumn went away like he always did. 

Auri laid restless. So did Magnush, she could hear him tossing and turning behind Marci. The latter was fast asleep after all the working and fighting in the frosty air. Auri pondered - this might be one of the last nights they spent in the warmth of the shack. Something had to be done. Auri bit her lip, wiggled her feet impatiently; it was clear he would not come. So smug in his cool, snake-like restraint! Auri snorted infuriated. Who does he think he is?! Auri remembered embracing Magnush’s cold body and the feeling of it coming to life from her warmth. 

She got up quietly, crawled around Marcian’s feet and climbed on top of Magnush.

“Auri, what… I… you shouldn’t…” he gave Marcian a quick look and laid barely breathing and staring at the girl with his eyes wide. The flame of the dying embers reflected in her determined sight. 

“Would you stop pretending to be the cold-blooded warrior?! I know you’re the same as me!” she whispered furiously. 

“I’m not pretending! I am a Snakeling warrior. I am resilient to carnal temptations!” Magnush whispered back.

“Liar! I know you want me!” 

Magnush gritted his teeth. A fire ignited in his eyes. He grabbed Auri’s shoulders.

“I do!” he grunted, pulled her close, their lips pressed together hard. A fire rushed through Auri’s body, and she knew Magnush felt the same flame. They didn’t bother about Marcian sleeping near; the whole world could be watching, they wouldn’t care.

A crashing sound shattered the lustful silence, the shack was shaken by a terrible sound of something huge hitting the ground nearby. Marcian jumped up and grabbed his sword. Magnush sat with Auri in his lap, he put her aside gently and got on his feet.

Marci frowned at the two, but there was no time to interrogate them. A beast was howling and roaring outside. Magnush grabbed a burning piece of wood for light.

“Auri, stay here!” Marci commanded.

“I’m not staying behind!” She retorted and grabbed her sword.

The three went outside. A beast was rolling and wiggling on the ground like a giant worm. 

“Is that Red?” Auri whispered, hiding behind Marci.

“No, but it is some kind of a dragon.”

“And a badly wounded one,” Magnush added.

“Then I shall relieve it’s suffering,” Marci went to the beast with his sword raised.

The beast roared and shrieked in pain; one of its wings was torn by a spear, an arrow glared from its chest. A dead deer laid on the ground next to the dragon. 

Marcian swung his sword approaching the beast.

“Marcian!” the dragon growled in a distorted voice - half-human half-beast. 

“It speaks!” Auri chirped.

“Help me!” the dragon roared. 

Marcian stood frowning with his sword raised above the dragon’s neck.

“No matter what witchcraft this is, I shall not submit!” he yelled.

“Marci…!” the beast wiggled, then it shrunk and became an old man, covered in blood. 

“It cannot be! Old Autumn, what are you?” Marcian lowered his sword. 

“It’s obvious, Autumnian! Don’t you know the history of your own people? He’s a Dragonling!”

“But I thought the Foreverold took away the magic to become dragons.”

“No time to wonder now! We must help him!” Auri yelled at the two. 

They carried the wounded man inside. He was barely conscious, moaning in pain.

“I don’t know how to treat injuries as bad as these!” Marcian cried.

“I’ve helped to heal the wounded after our fights with Autumnian soldiers. I’ll try my best,” Magnush assessed Old Autumn’s injuries.

“I’ll need booze, clean cloths…”

“And the ointment he gave us?” Auri added.

“Yes, that too.”

Magnush expertly pulled out the arrow from the old man’s chest, with the poor Dragonling howling. He tried to stop the bleeding, but could not.

“Don’t give up, old man! Please!” Marci begged.

Old Autumn woke up, he raised his own hand above his wounded chest; by some magical force the bleeding stopped, then he fell unconscious again.

“Of course! Dragonlings have power over water, and blood consist of water!” Marci exclaimed.

“My father has this magic too, but I have not inherited it,” Auri said apologetically. 

“Don’t worry, I did not expect you to stop his bleeding,” Magnush consoled her, “the old man hid his magic from us all this time.”

Magnush treated his wounds as best as he could. Old Autumn’s hand was ripped to shreds, his chest was pierced by the arrow, he had many other cuts in his flesh.

“Why didn’t you tell us, old man? Who did this to you?” Marcian pondered sitting by the wounded.

“My guess is, he had been hunting in Hebeny. There aren’t any beasts of this kind in Autumna,” said Magnush.

“The deer? Yes, we have feasted on this game meat in the castle. It was brought from Hebeny,” Auri remembered. 

“He flew a long way,” Magnush frowned thinking, “why did he?”

“For us. For our journey. He said he’ll take care of us,” Marci hung his head. 

They sat by the old man’s bed all night. 

“He took care of us all this time. I think we should stay here until he is better,” Marcian suggested.

“Of course! How could we leave him?” Auri added.

“There is a danger of us being discovered. Not only would we have an easier way of travelling across the frozen swamp, but the Wolfling might use it as well,” said Magnush. Auri shivered. 

“I hate to admit it, but the snake is right. Knowing your father, Auri, he will not hesitate to send legions of soldiers to search every corner of the Damned land. Your blood is too important to him,” Marcian looked at Auri concerned.

“Her blood?”

“We didn’t tell you before - me and Frogling ran away not only because of the forced marriage…” Marci told Magnush about the High King’s plan to revive his wife by using Auri’s blood. 

Magnush listened silently.

“That’s the reason we’re going to Thilia valley; to find Auri’s mother’s kin, to capture one of them and offer his blood instead of Auri’s.”

“That’s not a noble cause, it’s vile!” Magnush exclaimed.

“Don’t scold me about being vile, snake! You betrayed us! You took us to the Snakelings! You married Auri against her will and almost impregnated her!” Marci yelled in his face. 

“I wasn’t going to do it, stupid Autumnian!”

“Stop yelling, both of you!” Auri scolded them, “Old Autumn needs peace and quiet!”

The two went quiet and sat thinking in silence for the rest of the night. 

The old man survived. Auri fell asleep leaning on Marcian. Magnush woke them, because the old man tried to speak.

“The deer… take it… prepare for the journey…”

“Hush, save your strength, sir! We won’t leave you to die,” Auri held his wrinkled hand.

“Oh, golden one… you must escape… I saw the soldiers…” 

All three exchanged concerned glances. 

“Who wounded you?” Magnush asked.

“The Hebenians…”

“Just as I thought.”

“Why did you do it, Old Autumn?” Marcian cried.

“The deer…” he gasped and fell unconscious. 

Magnush sighed heavily. 

“We must take care of the game meat.”

“What do you mean?”

Marcian, the High-born Autumnian and the most dashing young man in the Autumnian court had never skinned a deer. Poor man could not stand the sight of the bloody guts. He threw up behind the shack and went inside without looking back. 

Surprisingly, Auri didn’t mind helping Magnush with the field dressing. He looked at the girl amazed - the princess was standing near him in the pale dawning light covered in blood. Not a single word of complaint escaped her lips, despite the cold and the unpleasant task. 

“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he said smiling.

“Don’t tease me, Magnush!”

“I would never tease you. Auri, you indeed are gold.” 

Despite their dirty clothes and the freezing cold morning, Magnush couldn’t help but pulling Auri close to him. Both looked into each other’s eyes heartily.

“Are you done with field dressing?” Marci stood in the doorway.

The two backed away from each other.

“Nearly done. Now we have to smoke the meat.”

The old man had made a small chamber for smoking meat and fish behind the shack. Despite being the heir of Snakelings, Magnush had knowledge of hunting and smoking the game meat. Soon enough the air filled with mouth-watering scent of the smoked venison. 

“I have never really cooked on my own,” Auri looked at the meat and vegetables before her; it was time for breakfast.

“I do not expect you to do it alone. We will do it together,” Magnush looked into her eyes sitting near Auri by the fire.

“Forgive me, but not if I have a say in it!” Marcian wiggled his way in-between them. 

“I shall cook. I’ve seen Old Autumn do it plenty of times. And since I love to eat - I’ll know how to cook.”

“Go ahead, Autumnian!” 

Indeed, Marcian did well. He made a lovely venison roast, just slightly charred, and a vegetable stew to go with it. 

“I must say - you have a gift!” Magnush tapped him on the shoulder after the meal. 

Marcian smiled proudly. 

He had also made a broth for the old man. Auri spoon-fed him.

“Open up, here comes the… dragon…” she stuttered with the spoon in the air.

“Why didn’t you tell us, Old Autumn?”

“I had to… protect you… the dragon is ill-tempered… unpredictable…”

“Hush! You shouldn’t worry, stay calm!” 

“But I must… turn to dragon… at night…. Or…” the old man took a painful breath, “the fire shall burn my insides…” he closed his eyes exhausted.

“Of course, the Dragonlings had to spend half of their time as dragons or the fire would torture them,” Marcian remembered. 

The three spend the day taking care of the old man, smoking the meat and doing the usual chores around the shack. 

“We shall have to sit on guard - the soldiers might find their way to this corner of the Damned land,” said Magnush.

“Can you sense them approaching?”

“Not yet. Have no fear, Auri! We will protect you.”

As the night took over the land, both men carried Old Autumn outside.

“Won’t he tear his wounds open?” Auri said worriedly.

“Let’s hope not,” Marcian shrugged.

“We must hope for the best. Auri, you should step back. There was a reason he didn’t want us to meet him as a dragon,” Magnush gently pushed Auri toward the shack. 

“Old Autumn, wake up! It’s the dragon’s hour,” Marci shouted and stepped back.

The old man moaned and with a heart-breaking howl his body unfolded and turned into a large pale-red beast. It was badly wounded, but the dragon did not bleed. The monster’s amber-coloured eyes glared in the darkness, his hot breath created steam clouds all around him in the frosty air. The dragon roared at the three furiously.

“Calm down, Old Autumn! We are friends and you shall not dare to harm us!” Marcian said in a loud, stern voice and held out his sword. The beast snorted at him, but it listened. Old Autumn crouched on the frozen ground and stared at Marci. 

“We will stand guard both to keep an eye on our friend and the soldiers. You can go inside and rest,” Magnush led Auri inside. Both lingered looking into each other’s eyes. 

“So, it’s you and me, and the dragon, huh snake?” Marci said as Magnush joined him, standing side by side. 

“Never thought I’d be baby-sitting a dragon,” he added.

“Trust me, neither have I,” Magnush smirked.

“About what I saw last night, snake,” Marci began when the silence lingered, “if you ever lay one finger on my Frogling, I’ll chop that finger off, along with the whole arm!”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Magnush looked at him annoyed. 

“Don’t touch Auri!”

“And what if she touches me?”

“Then you show some dignity and restraint, like an honourable man should!” Marci raised his voice.

“Oh? You’re teaching me about honour? You who visits the ladies in the ruins? I saw enough when I observed the heiress and her friend there!”

“Auri is still engaged to me by Autumnian laws!” Marci retorted.

“She is married to me by Snakeling laws,” Magnush replied calmly. 

“Listen, snake! My Frogling deserves an honourable man, who has no ill intentions. I am not sure about you, so promise me you will not touch her!”

Magnush saw Marci’s concerned face in the light of the burning piece of the firewood he held in his hand. 

“I promise I will not touch her, until you deem me worthy of her. But I cannot promise to deny my wife’s wishes if she…”

“Don’t even go there, snake! Last night Auri probably was half-asleep, not knowing what she’s doing,” Marci objected, “promise!”

“Alright, I promise,” Magnush sighed. 

Strange, emerald-green lights weaved through the night-time skies. All three - two men and a dragon, raised their eyes observing the apparition. 

“My father said it’s a sign - the Foreverold is turning the tides. It means a great shift of power is yet to come,” Magnush said, looking up. 

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Your father must be right. Maybe Morten will finally do the one honourable thing he can - die…” Marci wondered.

“But who wound come instead of him?” 

The dragon turned back to a man at dawn. The other two carried him inside the shack. They found Auri fast asleep near the fire. Marci put her on the place they used for a bed - a spot in the tiny shack’s floor covered in rags, furs, and blankets. 

“Isn’t she the most precious sight you’ve seen?” Marci though out loud, covering the sleeping girl with a blanket.

“She is,” Magnush agreed quietly. 

He treated Old Autumn’s injuries.

“I suppose it would be wise not to make fire during the daytime. The soldiers might spot the smoke. We’ve been lucky enough the weather was windless. Otherwise the Wolfling would’ve smelled the scent of cooked meat.”

Magnush went outside and laid on the frozen ground trying to sense the footsteps of the soldiers. 

“We won’t cook any warm meals today. I hear them coming,” Magnush rushed inside with the grim news. Auri grabbed Marci’a hand. 

“Me and Autumnian shall stand on guard.”

“What about Old Autumn and me?” Auri asked.

“Cover the old man, keep him warm, and hope the soldiers pass without noticing the shack,” Magnush said sternly, “and if the Wolfling is with them….”

“He’ll smell me without a doubt, he’ll get to me, and I know what he’ll do…” Auri’s eyes teared up.

“You will not let him,” Magnush gave her one of his daggers. Auri nodded. They understood what had to be done if both of her protectors should fail. 

“I’d rather let death take me!” she said.

The soldiers indeed went past the shack late in the afternoon. Both Auri’s protectors sat in the bushes watching. The shack was hidden in a thick bush patch, it was made of everything available in the swamp - clay, sticks, mud, reeds, moss. Grass grew on its roof.

The soldiers rode on their low, heavy horses. Grim voices complained about the damn cold weather; the soldiers wished to patrol this corner of the land as quickly as possible and make a camp for the night. Marci and Magnush exchanged relieved sights - the Wolfling was not with this group, the soldiers didn’t notice the shack. Their column rode on until it disappeared behind the horizon. 

“They’re gone,” Magnush said quietly, when the two entered the shack. Marcian embraced Auri.

“Don’t cry, Frogling! We’re safe for now. The snake thinks we shouldn’t make a fire or cook tonight,” Auri nodded, hiding in his embrace. 

They covered Old Autumn with most of their blankets to keep him warm. 

“I hate to say it, but it looks like we’ll have to help you too, snake,” Marcian assessed Magnush’s state. The night was extremely cold, Magnush shivered like a dry leaf in the wind.

“I will not take my clothes off!” he objected with his teeth chattering. 

“Let’s hope you won’t have to,” Marci smirked.

They had cold smoked venison for dinner.

The three ended up lying closely together. Although Auri whole heartedly wished to warm Magnush up with her body heat, Marcian laid between them without a word. 

“But won’t Magnush freeze? Maybe I could… lay next to him, just to keep the poor man warm,” Auri asked innocently. 

“The poor man can hold me close if he feels cold. What do you say, snake?” Marci burst out laughing. 

Magnush gave the most hateful snort and moved away from the two. But after shaking for a couple of hours, he moved his back close to Marcians back and soon enough felt warmer; Marci’s Autumnian blood had plenty of heat for the three of them. 

Later at night they carried Old Autumn outside.

“Just don’t make a big fuss, old friend! The soldiers might notice a dragon blowing fire and smoke in the night,” Marcian begged the dragon. The beast snorted and sat quietly most of the time, looking into direction of the soldiers.

“I don’t think Magnush should stay on guard outside tonight. It’s colder than ever,” said Auri, standing in the doorway. Poor Magnush couldn’t stop himself from shaking once he went outside.

“Alright, you two go inside, but do behave! That goes double for you, snake. Remember?” Marci gave him a meaningful look.

“I remember.”

Auri frowned, but said nothing. She hurried inside - the thought of spending a couple of hours alone with Magnush ignited her senses. 

He laid down, turned his back on Auri and said nothing.

“Playing the cold snake game again, aren’t you? I know just how to warm you up,” she thought, stubbornly squinting her eyes. 

Auri laid down close to him, embracing Magnush tightly from the back. He shivered, but this time not from the cold. 

Still he would not give into her unambiguous hints. Auri went further and kissed his neck slowly. Poor man gave a muffled moan, yet he still held his restraint. After she had been doing so for a while, Auri gave up. 

“What is it Magnush? I know you want it,” she whispered in his ear.

“I do, damn it! But I can’t. I gave a promise to the Autumnian; not to touch you. He does not deem me worthy of you.”

“Oh?” Auri sat up, “and what made you two scoundrels think that you can decide for me?!” she said furiously.

“What are you doing?” Magnush observed Auri grab her sword and march outside.

“You!” Auri shouted pointing the blade at Marcian. 

“Hush, Auri! The soldiers. What?”

The surprized man hardly had time to resist Auri’s swift attacks. Two swords clashed into the night.

“Frogling, if the soldiers hear… stop it!” he yelled at her. 

“How… could… you… decide… for… me….?!” She yelled each word with the swing of her sword.

“What the bloody horsedung are you talking about?!”

“Magnush!” 

“The snake is not worthy of you! He betrayed us! He was willing to impregnate you!”

“No, he wasn’t! And you are as bad as Morten - you decided for me just like he did!”

Auri yelled and attacked Marcian with all her might. But the dragon also wanted to have his say in it. It growled at Auri and blew a stream of fire and smoke at her. Luckily Magnush came out of the shack just in time to push Auri aside. 

The dragon would not settle - it blew fire into the dark skies. There was no chance the fire would go unnoticed from miles around. 

“Calm, Old Autumn, it’s alright! Auri was just playing!” Marcian attempted two soothe the beast. 

“What were you thinking?” Magnush scolded the girl. 

“You two are despicable!” she retorted.

“Auri, that was not wise! We did everything to hide from the soldiers, while your stupid outburst…”

“Are you calling me stupid?!” she screamed at Magnush.

“No, but I’m glad I’m not an Autumnian! We Snakelings deem wisdom higher than anything, while you Autumnians give into your foolish passion, your stupid feelings…”

“At least we are not liars and cowards, too afraid to confess our feelings…”

“Stop it! Both of you!” Marcian yelled at the two, because Old Autumn growled furiously at them and was about to burn them to ashes.

“Damn it!” Magnush exclaimed and kicked a clump of frozen moss, “we might as well make a fire now and welcome the soldiers with the door open!” 

“Do you think they’ll be here soon?” Marci asked, still watching the dragon. 

“They will not travel in the dark, but some hours after dawn, yes!”

“Oh no!” Auri chirped.

“You should’ve thought about it before your childish attack,” Magnush said hatefully. 

Since there was no doubt the soldiers are to be expected, Magnush indeed made the fire and cooked a venison roast for breakfast. He did not look at Auri and wouldn’t speak a single word with her. 

The pale light of the dawning day crept upon the Damned land. A thin stream of white smoke weaved into the blue sky from the shack’s chimney hole. 

“Well, that was the best venison roast I’ve ever had, and a damn good last meal,” Marci concluded after breakfast. Old Autumn ate his share and slept near them. The day was freezing cold and so was the mood in the shack. 

“Forgive me… I…” 

“It’s too late for that, princess Auriani! Now we must prepare for a bloody battle and death,” Magnush interrupted her apologies, whilst sharpening the blade of his sword. 

“But maybe…”

“They are coming. I can sense their horses galloping on the frozen land…”

Auri furrowed her brows thinking.

“If only Old Autumn was better, he could’ve burned them all,” Marci pondered.

“He is still too weak and too slow, they’ll behead him quickly, and we would be busy fighting off others, there’s plenty of soldiers to behead us sooner or later,” Magnush replied.

“Horses galloping on the frozen land…” Auri mumbled thinking out loud.

“I know how to stop them from coming here!” she exclaimed.