Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere (13 page)

This was strange. Why was Talonsphere not trusting him? After all, this was prophecy.

“Wait, why would I do that? I am fated to find you, you know that.”

“Ah yes, someone is fated to find me and bring me to life. That should be you, but you’re not the only one who can do it. I have seen the events in Marithia, and your lands are infected by the sickness of evil.”

“I know this. We will fix it, together.”

Again, a long silence was his answer.

“Talonsphere?”

“So that is what
they
told you, is it?”

“No, actually, I am aware of my sacrifice needed to bring you to life.”

If the weapon was activated by him, Vartan would be sacrificed from his human life, but would be reborn as the dragon, Talonsphere. At least, that was what Karven told him.

“The words of the living have been twisted over time. All of this matters not. But don’t think I don’t know the truth. I lived the first day I was made, so I know everything. Far more than you.”

What is wrong with Talonsphere?
Vartan thought.

“You could just tell me what you know. What do you want from me?”

“If you want to find me, then do it. I await you.”

He wanted to speak, but he flew upward. The next thing he knew, his eyelids opened and he stared at his royal bedroom.

Damn it.

Vartan stared at his reflection in their bedroom mirror. He no longer recognised the man looking back at him. He had so many questions for Talonsphere, but no answers.

Trust in the prophecy.

Faith had gotten him this far and was yet to lead him astray. Wearing his dragonscale armour and resting his helm at his side, he swallowed hard before turning to Helenia. Her eyes were watery, but she shed no tears.

He hated seeing her upset, but more than anything, he wanted to go before he had to think too much about leaving her behind. It was still a thought and decision that tore him up inside.

She approached him and laid a warm kiss on his lips. “My love, we will be separated once again. I know not of the horrors you will encounter. Do you really have to leave today?”

It’s far past breakfast Vartan, we should be on our way
, Keturah said.

Vartan knew Keturah was right, but after everything he had lost, it was a harsh reality to leave Helenia’s side. He swallowed hard and slid on his helm, leaving his faceplate open. “If I don’t leave now, then we delay our war effort. I can’t do that for reasons of my own. I would love to stay here with you. Once this is all is over, I will always be here with you. But for now, I have a duty to all Marithians to see this through.”

He loved the sound of his words, but he reassured himself as much as her. Saying the words aloud helped him solidify the decision to leave.

Why is this so hard?

Helenia nodded, shaking out the same blue dress she wore at the Battle of Greenhaven. She slid it on, twirled, and her smile was captivating. “Do you like it? I wear it to bring you luck.”

Vartan returned her smile and he whispered, “It’s beautiful.”

She looked away from him and opened their door. “Come. Let’s go before we both can’t leave this room.”

Vartan nodded and marched out the door with Helenia by his side. Marithians bowed in his presence as he made his way toward the armoury. It was a long walk; his thoughts travelled further than his footsteps, but when Vartan looked into the eyes of Greenhaven’s people he passed, he saw only hope. When he arrived at the armoury, it was with renewed purpose. He accepted that his gut feeling was to be expected.

Anakari and Yuski awaited him there, both of them in ethereal armour. Yuski wore two hip swords and her belt of daggers. He nodded to them and asked, “How are you finding wearing armour?”

“This material is strange. It’s light, but stronger than steel, and I feel oddly comfortable in it. But most of all, I feel a surge of magical energy when I wear it,” Anakari said.

Yuski slapped Anakari’s back and laughed. “Oh Kari, always showing off her magic. I’m just glad it’ll help stop blades in battle.”

Vartan loved the playful banter between the girls. It reminded him of his childhood with Finn, back at their peaceful farm. Those days were too far behind him now; a fleeting memory of years gone by.

Anakari drew her new sword and weaved it through the air. “Not sure if I can get used to using this, but I guess we’ll just have to see.”

Vartan smiled and put his hand on Anakari’s shoulder. “Believe me, you’ll know how to use it when the time comes.”

He approached Queen Andrielle, who nodded for him to follow her. She spoke to him as they made their way past many racks of armaments. “Everyone else has already prepared, but we thought you should have the choice of weapons left in Makya’s crate, as well as what was moved here from the treasure room and gathered from your things in Veldrenn.”

They reached the end of the room, where a heavily armoured Dryden awaited them. He slid a long silk cover off the last rack, and Vartan’s eyes lit up when he saw the collection before him, but his attention was drawn to one sword in particular. Its hilt had two parallel naked figurines of striking beauty, which sat on the wielder’s hands. Picking up the blade, he whispered, “Where did you find my father’s sword?”

After losing the sword to gain his knighthood, it remained in the possession of King Arman. Many years later, the late king stored it away instead of carrying it around with him. He never understood why, where, or saw it again.

Andrielle’s eyes widened. “This is your father’s sword? Arman always called it ‘Tahlie’, although I never thought to ask how he obtained it.”

Vartan stared at the figurines’ diamond eyes, but felt nothing. “When we were in Trahoterra, my father told me that this was a sword of destiny, but that it would only bind to who it was intended for. I guess that’s not me.”

Andrielle scrunched her eyebrows and stared at the sword. “If it’s a sword of destiny, then Arman must have known for many years that we’d be betrayed by Derian. Why would he have not said or done anything to stop it?”

Vartan placed the sword back on the rack and looked her in the eye. “From what I was told, it doesn’t work like that. If King Arman was really bonded with the sword, it can’t read the destiny of the wielder or anyone who shares their blood. That would include Derian.”

Andrielle went quiet and Dryden spoke up to break the awkward silence. “My prince, it is time.”

The prince’s grin widened as he saw his old enchanted bow, and snatched it, running his fingers along the runes in the wood. “I thought this was lost to me when Veldrenn was attacked. I can’t carry this much.”

Vartan returned his attention to the remaining weapons in the rack, staring at his trusty sword’s hilt. “I just had my sword sharpened and there’s no need to replace it, but Makya’s weapons are another story. Were these from his crate?”

Vartan picked up a pair of strange looking metallic gloves with illegible blue markings along its fingers. He took off his leather gloves and slid on his new ones, noting that they hummed once they were on. He felt the surge of the power within them and it thrilled him.

“Yes, there were some unique weapons among the rest. That is one of them, but nobody knows how to use them. There are also others that you may be interested in,” Dryden said.

Vartan noticed a large circular shield with a gold phoenix on its surface and picked it up. It was too light for its size and he moved it over his head with ease. “Makya showed me many weapons in She’Ma’Ryn, but some of them weren’t for sale. This shield looks good. I want to try it. Dryden, would you be so kind?”

Vartan slid the shield over his right arm and braced himself. Dryden grimaced as he picked up a sword, swung it over his head with both hands, and smashed it into the shield. Its surface roared as flames spat toward Dryden. Vartan barely moved from the impact.

“By the gods! I need one of those,” Dryden said.

Vartan laughed and slid its strap over his shoulder. “There’s only one of these shields, Dryden, but I promise it to you if I have need of it no longer. Is there anything here you like the look of?”

Dryden’s smile dropped, and Vartan tried to hide how happy he was to have obtained such a powerful shield. He gritted his teeth as he wondered what image he wanted to portray as prince.

Dryden shook his head and tapped his swords poking from his shoulders. “I have all I need, but I’ll take your offer of that shield should you change your mind.”

Vartan nodded, then made his way down the rack, picking up a similar shield with a dragon on its surface, and threw it to Dryden. The knight caught it with ease, sliding its strap over his shoulder, and giving Vartan an approving nod.

Vartan smiled, “Looks like there’s more than one enchanted shield. This will do us for now. Let’s go.”

They followed him out, as they looked to Yuski and Anakari, who marched behind Vartan toward Greenhaven’s largest courtyard. Helenia stayed by his side. As they left the safety of the castle walls, Shanka cried out overhead and they looked up to see her gliding from a parapet.

The phoenix descended over the crowd that was assembled in two clear rows, leading to Greenhaven’s lowered gate. Vartan put his arm out for Shanka to land on his shoulder, and they marched through the cheering Marithians. In the distance, through the gate, they saw the King of Dragons and Finn waiting for them. They wore their enchanted armour and stood proud.

Glad you have joined us, young prince
, Karven said, the dragon’s voice resounding in his mind.

Vartan winked at his wife, and she joined hands with him, waving at the crowd. Newly trained warriors lined their path, crossing their swords’ tips to create an archway. Yuski and Anakari joined in to smile and wave at the crowd. Their words spoken to each other were drowned out by the deafening roar. Dragons were perched on the walls of Greenhaven, watching in all directions.

Complacency was weakness.

They emerged through the gate to see Trisa and Leon standing by their dragons. The knights of Veldrenn stood guard by them all. Dryden raised a commanding fist.

Vartan looked into the surrounding tree lines, and he thought he saw shadows move within the forest. Staring at the spot, nothing moved.

The pressure must be getting to me.

The knights spread out around them, proceeding to march Greenhaven’s army out of the gates; the rumble of their movements shook the ground around them. They created a wedge formation, and the general populace followed behind them. The sight warmed his heart as Vartan hadn’t realised that so many people lived in the stronghold, or more to the point, had survived that long.

Vartan pulled Helenia in to lay a kiss on her head, then whispered in Shanka’s ear. The Phoenix squawked and cocked her head, before jumping over to the surprised princess’ shoulder.

“She’ll keep you company while I’m gone. I love you,” he said, smiling.

Helenia patted her new companion. “I love you too, Vartan. Be careful out there.”

“You be careful here,” he said.

Vartan nodded to his companions; they approached the dragons. Karven and Finn lay down to let them climb aboard. The prince smiled at his brother in his majestic dragon form. So much had happened since he died a human death all those years ago. “Finn, you sure have grown.”

Karven smiled. “We have growth spurts, as you would call them, and he is a fine young dragon indeed.”

Vartan reached out for Anakari’s hand and helped her on-board. Dryden and Yuski climbed onto Finn’s back.

So, you’re just going to leave like that and say nothing to your people? Men have much to learn about politics
, Keturah said.

No, of course not.

The prince rubbed Karven’s scales. The King of Dragons appeared to read his mind, and faced the crowd. Vartan raised his hand, and they found themselves surrounded by silence. He hadn’t prepared to say anything and he wished he had thought ahead. Digging deep, he said the first things that came to mind.

“People of Greenhaven. You honour me and should know that your faith is not misguided. We leave today, not in search of vengeance for our fallen, though it would be warranted. We seek out the weapon that will end this war. We will find Talonsphere!”