Chapter 01: The Journey

Chapter 1: The Journey

 

A year has passed since the fateful day that Lyra spilt ale on Dyorn, therefore introducing them.  Dyorn has made the best of their time together in that year; Lyra quickly got to know him, and a few months later they were officially together, a month ago Dyorn proposed to her.  “Today, Gorec, is the day that Lyra and I are married.”

“I am very glad to hear that, sire.”  Gorec replied, approaching him, his silver cape sliding against the ground as he moved, his frame outlined by the wind blowing on his clothes. “When will the wedding be?”

“Midday.”  Came Dyorn’s answer, a broad smile crossing his face, as he sat in the throne, he looked out through the window, thinking.

“I will be certain that I am there.”

“I am glad.”  Dyorn took a deep breath, and looked towards Gorec his features seemed aged past his years.

“Milord, what troubles you?  This should be a joyous day, not a day surrounded by worries.”

“Yes, yes, this is a joyous day, but something still troubles me, as you have guessed.  How long have we known each other Gorec?”

“Somewhere around eighteen years, why do you ask?  Is it something between us that troubles you?”

“Eighteen years, and in that eighteen years, have you seen that I have made any serious mistakes?”

“Dyorn, in the eighteen years that I have had the honour of being befriended to one of the best men in all of Dragonia, you have made no mistakes, that would be considered serious or dreadful.”

“Might I be making one now?”  Dyorn smiled a bit at his reply, it seemed almost as if he was trying to flatter him.

“What do you mean?”  Gorec looked at Dyorn with a questioning glance, unsure of when, or how, he could have made any mistakes.

“Today is the day of my wedding to Lyra, and I am wondering if I should have slowed down, gotten to know her a little bit better.  Did I rush into marrying her because of the pressures of being King, or did I make the right choice in marrying her?”

“Sire, you know Lyra well enough, and I am not saying that the pressures or being King is not great, but I do not believe that the pressures are not great enough to force you to do something that you do not want to do?”

“Gorec, you always have the counsel that I need, when I need it.”

“That is what I am here for.  Now, allow me to ask you a question, do you love her?”

“Of course!  I love her with all my heart, what kind of question is that?  Besides, who wouldn’t want to spend their life with her?  I mean, she is smart, she is quite attractive, and very talented.”

Gorec chuckled, easing Dyorn’s stress.  “You make quite an argument. To that I say this, if the way you feel about her is as you said, then you are not making a mistake about marrying Lyra.”

“Thank you Gorec.  I knew you would hold the wisdom that I needed, as always.”

Dyorn hugged Gorec.  Lyra stepped into the throne room dressed in a simple gray blouse and skirt.  “Well love, I never knew you felt like that about Gorec.”  A chuckle rose from her, a soft smile was also allowed, figuring out the situation, also proving that she was not serious in her accusation.

Dyorn and Gorec laughed.  “Gorec, go and get you some new clothes for the wedding, my treat.”  Gorec nodded, and walked off.  Lyra walked up to Dyorn, her skirt slid across the floor, following her movements, when she arrived she embraced him tightly, planting a kiss on his cheek.  “It’s not like that Lyra.  He has helped me much through the years, and much more today.”

She smiled.  “I know, I was just teasing you.”  Lyra laughed.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready love?  The wedding is in about two hours.”

Lyra half smiled.  “Yes, I should, but I have a problem.”

“What is that dear?”

“I do not have any good clothes, let alone any gowns for the wedding!”

Dyorn nearly fell over, thinking that she had a real problem.  “Do not fret your mind over that.  Have Emily take you to the tailor.  He will make you the best gown!  I am sure of it.”

“All right, if you know for sure that he will make my gown, than I shall.  I needed to talk to Emily anyway.  Good bye my dear, I shall see thee at the altar.”  Dyorn watched Lyra walk off, noticing that her steps held a little less weight.

Galan ran up to Dyorn, as he sat down in the throne.  “My liege, you have a message.”

“Hand it over.”  He took the piece of parchment from Galan.  “Dismissed.”  Galan nodded, and ran off.  Dyorn unrolled the parchment, and mumbled the contents.  “Sir Andros.  It has been brought to the attention of our counsel that your bride-to-be served as a wench at the Den of Horses.  We are not mocking your choice we only ask for one thing, proof.  Proof that she is capable of assisting you in the great and demanding tasks of Emperor and Empress.  A quest is laid before you, travel to the Lake of the Dead and defeat Brell.  If you succeed, bring proof of his defeat.  We are truly sorry to ask this, but Dragonia must know if they are soon to have a worthy Empress on the throne next to their Emperor.”  He rolled the parchment up, crumpling it in his hand as he did so.  His eyes shifted to a crimson red, while the veins by his temples flared.  “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!”  He mumbled something under his breath, a few curses being heard in his ranting.  “Midday is soon, should I tell her now or should I wait till after the wedding?”  His mind was racing; not a single rational thought would stop long enough to be processed.  With his mind set on bringing the letter up to Lyra after the wedding, he walked off to find the clothes he bought for the wedding, silver silk shirt, black trousers, and a gold cape.

The time went by slowly, not helped by the fact that his mind still pressed on about the letter.  His main question of the letter was who sent it.  Finally, to the disappointment and joy of Dyorn, noon rolled around.  He walked to the Temple of Good Wishes, and dressed there, still questioning every aspect of the letter, until he finally decided to worry about that later he had more important things to worry about for now.  It was time for he and Lyra to start their life together.  The temple filled, members of Dyorn’s family showing up by the dozens, very few of Lyra’s family showed, not having been able to go through the barrier between Dragonia and Entantium, more members of the community showed, showing great support in Dyorn and his decisions.  Gorec entered, and made his way to Dyorn’s side, his esteem rising a bit.  After a few tense moments, Lyra showed up, dressed in an exquisite silver gown, which grazed the floor sweeping from side to side with her steps.  A gold tiara sat atop her head, her hair framing her face, cascading down her shoulders.  She made her way by Dyorn, and the priest, the people of the community all admiring Lyra's beauty as Dyorn did the first day the had met.  “You look very nice Dyorn.”

“As do you Lyra.”

The priest looked to the two.  “Are you two ready to continue with the ceremony?”  They nodded.  “Alright.”  Thus began their happily married life.

The marriage went off without any problems, except a drunk that ran in claiming that Lyra had married him three months ago, but the guards quickly escorted him out.  Time has passed slowly, with Dyorn waiting for the right time to confront Lyra with the letter.  Dusk soon arrived, and found Lyra and Dyorn strolling down the beach, finally Dyorn found the courage to confront Lyra.  “Lyra, my dear, are you happy with how things have turned out, I mean us married.”

“How can you ask that, Dyorn?”  She asked, a bit sharper than she meant.  “You know that I am very happy for marrying you.  I wouldn’t change being married to you for the world.”

“I am glad to hear that my love.”  He smiled at her, and kissed her gently.  “Lyra, there is something that I have to tell you, something that I have waited quite a while to tell you.”

“What is it?  You can tell me anything, you know that.”

“Well, I got a message today, three hours before the wedding.  Someone got news of your former job, and well, in the message it said that we must go on a journey, to the Lake of the Dead, and return with proof of having defeated the sorcerer that rules over the lake, Brell.”

“How insane!  Why would they want us to defeat Brell?”

“As proof that you are capable of assisting me in any task that I face as Emperor.”

“You mean to say that they do not trust your faith in me?”

“It would seem so love, but I also understand their concern, if I were less knowledgeable and in their place I would question myself.”

“I see.  Well, if you have such undying faith in me, I believe we should accept this quest.  Anything to prove to the council that you made no mistakes.”

“You sure you want to?  We could ignore it, and let them think what they want.”

“Yes, very, besides, if we do not accept the quest they will think I am not capable, even when we know that I am.”

“Then we shall leave in the morning.  Let us return home, I still have some business to do, we have a quest to plan.”  They returned home and went straight to Dyorn’s room.  “I love you Lyra, and my love for you is undying.”  He kissed her gently.

“As I you, Dyorn.” She returned his kiss.

 

The night went by quickly, and morning came like an unwelcome messenger.  Dyorn was up long before the sun, and was busy preparing for the journey.  “Good smith, are you sure this dagger does as you say?”

“My liege.  I have tested the dagger myself, well not myself with your permission I tested it on a prisoner until I was sure it worked, why else would I have taken so long to create the dagger?”

“Just a question.  What of the shield that I asked of you?”

“The shield.”  The smith laughed.  “It is the best of the best that I have made for you, sire.”

“Tell me about it.”

“The Golden Shield of the Dragoon is impenetrable by weapons of normal make.  They have to be enchanted to pierce it.”

“What of arrows?”

“Arrows stand no chance against the shield, they will bounce off.”

“Magic?”

“That was difficult good king.  After many remakes, and many tests, I have finally made it to your last requirement.  No magic will penetrate you though this shield.  Any magic will bounce off, and go right back to the one who used it, hitting them instead.”

“Good, good.  I thank you for your services.”

“No, my liege, I thank you for asking me to build your weapons.”

“How much do I owe?”

“You are my king, this is your kingdom.  To think of it, this is your smith.  You owe nothing.”

“Well.”  Dyorn handed the smith one hundred gold.  “For your troubles.”

The smith looked it in disbelieve.  “Thank you sire.”  He bowed as Dyorn left.

When Dyorn returned to his room in Castlelake, he saw Lyra up and dressed simply, a plain gown suitable for travel.  “Good morning Dyorn, and where have you been?”

“Preparing.”  He took out the dagger, wrapped in black velvet.

“What is this?”

“Your wedding gift, something that I strongly believe will help us on this journey.  The Silver Dagger of Souls, I had the smith and local priest work together to build this.  The person hit by the dagger will be frozen in place, work of the priest, a very potent poison will also poison them, and it has the ability to kill any wizard with one hit.  Also, to make sure that I don’t get hurt when you use it, immune from the effects are loved ones and the carrier.”

“Dyorn, love, you didn’t have to do this for me.”

“You will need protection when we are near The Lake of the Dead.”

“Thank you.”  She kissed him.  “How far is it to The Lake of the Dead?”

“On war horse, it is a twenty day ride.  On foot, it is a fifty day walk.”

“We are going by horse, right?”

“Yes, only the best of the war horses in my stable, will take us.  Don’t bother to pack too much, there are only three inns on the way, and only one of them is save for us to stay at.  That is the Inn of the Last Home.”

“Alright.  When do we leave?”

“Well, we still have about two hours before day break.”

“And?”

“And, I think we should spend it together.”  He kissed her gently.

“Ah.”  They went back to their bed, and the hours went by faster than they wanted them to.  Lyra sighed contently, and smiled at Dyorn.  “One last meal before we have to set out Dyorn?”

“Yes.  GOREC!”

Gorec came running, as fast as he could, thinking something was wrong.  “Sire, you called for me?”

“Pack our rations, and get us one last meal before we set out.”

Gorec nodded.  “Yes, milord.”

“And Gorec?”

“Yes?”

“Join us for this last meal.”

“I would be honored.”  Gorec went out and had their rations packed, a few perishables, but mostly travel worthy food.  He returned with four packs filled with rations, and followed by the kitchen servants.  The food was set on a table, and Gorec, Lyra, and Dyorn were seated.  Together, they enjoyed their last meal together for what to each of them would feel like centuries.

“Gorec, remember, you are Emperor in my absence, and if anyone challenges that, show them the letter I have given you.”  Gorec nodded, and Dyorn took Lyra’s hand.  “I shall not see you for a while Gorec, keep a sane mind on throne.  I shall return as quickly as possible.”

“I shall Dyorn.”  Gorec looked to Lyra.  “Milady, though I know you are fit to be Empress, show them the proof that they want.”

Lyra hugged Gorec.  “Thank you for the confidence Gorec, we shall see you when we return, and we shall feast greatly on that day.”  Lyra and Dyorn walked out to the stables, and got on the horses Dyorn had set for them.  Packed and ready to leave, they took one last look at Castlelake before they set out.

 

Ten days have gone by with little or no stops, except for a few bandits.  Dyorn and Lyra were at the end of their rations camping on their ninth night from the castle.  “Dyorn, how much further is the Inn of the Last Home?”

“A few days ride love.  We have enough rations to get us to the Inn.  Trust me, I gave clear instructions for it.”

“Alright, I just wish we could get there sooner.”

“As do I, but this is the quickest way.”  Dyorn sighed, and yawned a bit.  “Get to sleep love, I shall stand guard.”

“Alright.”  She lay down, and closed her eyes, using her pack as a pillow.  Soon all Dyorn could hear, other than the regular noises of the night, were her soft sounds of sleep.  He dimmed the fire, as to not make them any more noticeable.

Later on in the night, around midnight, Dyorn awoke quickly having accidentally fallen asleep, and reached for his Dark Blade, having heard a twig snap.  Someone entered the clearing, and he was quick to get up, quicker than could be seen he restrained the man, resting his blade against his neck.  In a voice deeper than his regular voice, he declared.  “State your name, and who sent you.”

Feeling the cold of the steel against his throat, the man gulped.  “My name is Jace, and I was sent by the Blackturners.”

“Why?”

“To kill Dyorn and Lyra Andros.”

“Well, I give you credit, Jace, you have found the Andros’, though, you also have found the end of your life, unless you want to deliver a message.”

The cold steel of the blade had more pressure applied against his throat.  “I shall deliver your message.”

“Good.  Tell that traitor, Kagain Blackturner, that his attempts to dispose of the emperor, and his wife, have been in vain, and the next time he should send two assassins, one to take the others head back.  You got that boy?”

Jace nodded.  “Yes.”

“Then go.”  Dyorn pushed him out of the way and back into the woods.  “Go before I change my mind!”  Jace ran as fast as he could back to Kagain.

Lyra awoke with a mumble, and looked around, seeing nothing in the blackness.  “Dyorn?”

Dyorn sheathed his blade, and walked over to her.  “Yes love?”

“What was that?”

“What was what dear?”

“I heard a voice besides yours, and I heard Kagain’s name.”

“Yes, it seems that he escaped the same night he was imprisoned.  He sent someone to kill us, but the man was not quiet enough.  I caught him, and threatened him with his life.”

“What happened?”

“The man told me why he was here, and who sent him.  I sent him back with a message.  Nothing to worry about.”

“Alright, but since I am up we should make a start.”

“Yes, eat first though.”  They ate; surprisingly the food they had was still as fresh, as if it was just baked.  They ate their fill of their rations, and started off.

**************

Jace arrived back to Kagain's hideout before daybreak.  "Milord Kagain."

Kagain turned towards him, and not seeing two heads, as he had asked, his eyes turned pure black, though they were already close to that hue in the first place, Jace felt himself lifted from the ground, invisible threads gripping him as Kagain held him over a pit of snakes.  “I do not see the heads of Dyorn, or his wench of a wife.  That could only mean one thing, you have failed me me.  Now, I am torn within myself.  My first instinct is to kill you for not doing as told, but in ridding this world of a worthless rat like you, would cost me my best assassin."  Kagain pondered what to do.

"Please, oh merciful one, I can explain."  Seeing no answer from Kagain, he went on.   "Dyorn was more alert than I thought he would be, I was ready to do my duty and the next thing I new was the cold of steel along my neck ready to kill me. He threatened my life if I did not deliver a message to you."

"What would that message be, and make it quick, my powers are weak as it is, and I do not know how long I can hold you there."  Kagain had not lied, since he had been imprisoned he had been drastically weakened, he had to force most of his now loyal servants to serve him.

Looking down into the pit for a brief moment he went on.  "He told me that your attempts to dispose of the emperor and his wife were in vain, and next time you should send two assassins, one to return the others head."  Jace felt himself falling towards the pit, hoping that Kagain would not kill him.

Hearing this, he set Jace down, not before blasting off three of his fingers, hearing him howling in pain he spoke.  "So, Dyorn still believes he is better than me?  Too good to have my daughter as his wife?"  He grinned, a twisted sinister grin.  "We shall see if he is better than me."  He laughed, an almost demonic laugh, which made Jace shudder more from the sound than the pain.  Kagain removed himself from his throne of Onyx and crept toward his room.  “If Dyorn thinks that my attempts have stopped he has a surprised coming towards him.  Brell.”

A shadow slithered across the wall, and towards Kagain.  The shadow took a solid shape, first the legs appeared surrounded by a black tunic, his upper body was next, the tunic had changed color at his upper body, now red.  His face was the last thing to appear eyes blacker than sin; his other facial features were distorted by age, age beyond count of centuries, let alone years.  Brell, as Kagain knew, was ageless.  He had seen the dawning of Dragonia, and had helped the first Emperor create the passage to Entantium.  He knew all the secrets, and was regarded as a legend.  “Kagain, what do you inquire of me now?  Is it not enough asking me to deal with affairs that do not attend to me?”

“Brell, you know I would not call onto you unless it was urgent.  Lyra and Dyorn have made it to the Inn of the Last home, or shall soon.  They are prepared for you, drastic measures must be taken to stop them, something to throw them off guard.”

“Kagain!  I have told you many times over I do not fret over the affairs of the empire.  I learned my lesson many centuries ago.  Why do you believe that I am not prepared for the likes of Dyorn and Lyra?  You underestimate me Kagain.  For centuries I have examined the emperors of Dragonia, and none have posed any threat.”

“That I understand Brell, but I have reason to believe that Lyra carries a weapon that can destroy you.”

“Destroy me?  Kagain, be not a fool.  I have seen many centuries, and many deaths, yet I still stand before you.  What makes you believe Lyra’s weapon could possibly destroy me!”

“The Silver Dagger of Souls has the power to destroy any magical creature with one single scratch.”

“Impossible, let alone improbable.  It would take a great knowledge of magic to do that, a high priest would have to have forged it.”

Kagain nodded, letting himself have a sinister smile on the inside.  “That is true, Dyorn worked with a priest, a priest of the Order of Merlin sub class of The White Phoenix.”

“Well, then it is probable that I shall meet an end worth meeting.  Thank you, Kagain, for that information.”  Brell, as it looked had a small smile on his face, he melted back into a shadow, and disappeared into the night.

**************

Two nights have passed since Jace had found the Andros’.  Dyorn and Lyra quickened their pace, and in the two nights they were a morn away from their first destination, a destination that would have usually taken five days.  They camped late into the night, and built a small fire the seasons beginning to change, a chill had settled in the night, not strong enough to pierce the heat of the day.  “Dyorn, are you certain that we are going the right way.  It seems as if we are going in circles.”

“Lyra, I have traveled to the Inn of the Last Home many times.  We are going the right way.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very certain Lyra.  The only thing I was more certain about was marrying you.”

Lyra smiled a bit, and kissed him.  “I am glad to hear that, I can’t wait to sleep in a real bed again.  The ground even with all the leaves you laid out, which was a very nice gesture, is still too hard.”

“You get used to it.  Years of traveling, I feel little difference.”  He shrugged.  “But don’t worry dear, this is the last day for a week that we shall have to sleep on the ground.”

“Promise?”

“With all my heart.  Now sleep.  I shall guard again.”  She nodded and lay down, and soon was asleep, her gentle breathing filled the area easing Dyorn’s heart a bit.  Dyorn sighed deeply, and looked over at her.  He had never noticed how beautiful she was when she slept.  He positioned himself on the roughest tree to keep himself awake, but was soon asleep anyway.

The night went by fast, and Lyra was the first one up.  She walked over to Dyorn and kissed him awake.  “Good morning love, sleep well?”

“Yes, but I don’t believe that is already sunrise.”

“Believe it dear, that is what awoke me.”

“Oh.”  He looked at her a bit sheepishly.  “Shall we set off?”

Lyra nodded.  “Yes, I believe we shall, the sooner we get to the Inn of the Last Home, the better it is for us, we have no rations left.”

“I guess I was a morn off of my count.”  He shrugged, with a chuckle and another sheepish grin.  “We shall be all right.”

“Yes, we shall, this will not be the first time I have started a day with out a meal, nor the last.”

“I do know what you mean, dear, I do know what you mean.”  They set off for their last morning before they arrived at the Inn of the Last Home.