Dragonbound: Birthrights (Book 2)

That evening, Kiaran found it near impossible to sleep. She sat on the edge of camp, leaning on a tree. Her eyes lingered on the dark sky filled with millions of white speckles.

Nurra sat at her feet, puffing a bit of smoke into the air. He clutched her foot in one of his talons. She wore only her socks, leaving her boots in the grass elsewhere. His little talons gripped her sock as he trilled, trying to coax her into a false sense of tranquility.

“Sorry, Nurra, but I cannot be so easily swayed into relaxation,” she sighed in Draken. Her thoughts wondered back to Davin. How long had he been on his own? It was a fear she never had before, to be alone again. She couldn’t fathom it, but Davin did it on his own will to protect Rishana from his possible dictatorship.

She was trying to distract herself from Torin's words. Each time his admittance came to mind, her face would flush and her heart would ache all over again.

From the corner of her vision, she could see Torin’s figure move through the darkness. Reluctantly, she stood and followed after him. He glanced to her and stopped, waiting for her to reach his side. Nurra raced after them, the grass taller than him, rippling around his body like water.

They remained silent for a moment before Kiaran’s voice came first, nearly too quiet to hear. “You must take the tribe to the north,” she said. He lowered a brow at her words and she said, “Fargo had given me information that no one else knows. Only the leaders of the Zeil will ever know, and now...I am trusting you to remind Kane what I have told him.”

“What is in the north?” he asked lowly.

“The sister tribe. There is another group of Zeil who will assist in time of need.” She brushed some dried grass from her pants as she continued, “War is about to break out. Upon your land and my own. I am trusting you, Torin,” her eyes shot to him. “I am trusting you to take care of the Zeil. Take them, no matter the argument. To the north, past the mountains, you will find a castle. It is old and has no banner, but it is a place of sanctuary.”

He nodded and bowed his head a bit. “I apologize...Kiaran.” She shook her head in hope to leave it in the past. She didn’t want to think about it anymore. It made her stomach weak.

“I am not sending you away, Torin. I am only doing this because it is...necessary,” she ended quietly.

It grew quiet between them, and to her surprise, he was still able to lock eyes with her. She gazed at him for a moment and he sighed, looking away finally. He was hesitant, but took a step back and fell to one knee. In his hands, he gripped his bow, the wood resting across his knee. His hands nearly trembled as he squeezed onto his weapon.

“I do not know how to do this correctly...but I swear my life to you. I find that you are the only one worthy of leadership. I will do as you see fit, and I will only do what you ask of me. Kiaran Krutia, I swear my bow to you. I swear my trust and my loyalty to you. I swear my heart and my mind to you. I swear my life to you, Kiaran.”

Her words were caught in her throat as her heart swelled within it. Blinking away the disbelief, she cleared her throat and said, “Stand, Torin.”

“I will not stand until you accept my fealty,” he said lowly.

“Torin,” she grunted, though he did not move. Inhaling deeply, she stepped to him and knelt as well. She spoke, her voice quiet and deep, wielding her power. “You are not my vassal, Torin. You are my friend.” Then, she said, “Stand. Up.”

His eyes moved to her, her face near his. His ears and back burned as she remained so close. Nodding, he stood with her and he said, “I will do as you ask.” With that, he bowed and walked back to the camp.

Kiaran hadn’t slept for long before a fowl stench filled the air. Her face cringed as she slowly stirred within her tent. Nurra leapt up, his mind slamming into hers with alarm. She tossed her blankets aside and snatched up her sword, darting out of the tent.

The smell grew worse, making her nauseous. Her hand shot to her stomach, feeling as though she were about the vomit. Her eyes moved over the camp, the others leaving their tents as well.

Something dashed across the camp, knocking Kiaran aside. She tumbled, falling to her side with a thud. Several other things shot through the camp. They were small, about half the height of Kiaran--but they were only dark blurs. They were fast, their feet near silent on the ground. Kiaran quickly pulled out her sword as she forced herself onto her feet.

Soon, there were several of them, ripping through the tents and trampling across the fire until it went out. Kiaran squinted, trying to see through the darkness. One neared her and she swung her sword. It dodged the attack and slammed some claws into her side.

She growled as she was flung aside. Her feet dug across the ground until she came to a stop. She was engaged into combat with the creature. It was fast, faster than her sword. She knew her speed would quicken if she was without a weapon, so she dropped it.

Doing so allowed her to quicken her speed and dodge attacks. She spun around it, kicking one of its skinny legs. It stumbled and fell forward. As its hands hit the ground, it flipped forward, kicking at Kiaran’s face. She didn’t get out of the way in time, but the blow wasn’t as lethal, a bruise already spreading across her cheek.

The others fought as well, Torin proving to be a much stronger fighter than when she first knew him. Brick slammed his way through three of the skinny humanoid creatures, however, they were still alive and quick. Davin slashed and struck at the attackers, but there were too many to keep at bay. They would all easily die in only a few, quick seconds.

Suddenly, there was a shout and a bit of light shot above them. Directly above camp, the light expanded into a massive sphere, enlightening the entire area. Everything was lit in a strange white hue, all color seeming to be nonexistent.

The creatures came to a stop, their hairless, scrawny bodies nasty to look at. They had no ears, but had eyes near the size of large coins. Their flesh hung from their pointed, exaggerated bones, smelling like decay.

They grew stunned by the sudden light, scrambling for the darkness. Kiaran snatched up her sword and ripped through one of the creatures. Arrows zipped through the air like little black stripes. The arrows dug into a few of the creatures and the ones that missed littered the ground.

Suddenly, with a command from the darkness, the light seemed to disperse into shimmering strips that zipped through the air, stabbing straight through the remaining creatures.

Soon, they fell dead and the area was pitch black once more. Kiaran blinked several times trying to adjust to the darkness. Brick called out for her and she yelled, “I’m fine!”

“You are not,” a man replied as he made his way toward them. She squinted to see, but she could only hear his arrival. “You are not safe, not here. More are around, and larger ones are coming.”

“What are they?” Torin asked in horror.

“Not safe,” he spat. “Come on!”

They quickly found their belongings and mounted their horses. The man leapt onto his own, a small figure of a child sitting with him. They charged through the wilderness, their horses reluctant to leap over all the fallen trees and thick brush. They were accustomed to roads, not other terrain. However, the stranger’s horse was very much used to this sort of travel.

Several of the creatures darted after them and a few strands of white light shot from the man ahead of them, killing two of them.

In the midst of the attack, Torin and Brick were separated from Kiaran and Davin by several yards, trying to escape the creatures. “Go!” Kiaran demanded. “Go home!” They were reluctant, but unable to argue.

The roan ahead of Kiaran glowed silver under the moon as it dashed through the meadow. Kiaran dug her heals into her own horse, chasing after them. Nurra clutched onto her tightly as not to fly off. Who were they? Why did he have a child with him?

Just on the other side of the meadow was a wide creek. The horses ran through the shallow water, the silver liquid splashing heavily beneath them. Reaching the other side, the roan horse was whipped around suddenly. Kiaran and Davin just passed them, stopping their horses. The child lifted his hands and shouted a word in a foreign language. Light illuminated from the creek’s surface like a glowing, white wall.

The creatures dispersed, instantly darting away from the wall, and disappeared. The smell slowly subsided as the area grew silent. They remained unmoved for several minutes, waiting to see if they would return.

Kiaran’s eyes moved over the area, her breathing heavy. A bit of pain pulsed in her side where the creature’s claws had caught her. Blood soaked her clothing and dripped to her leg. Ignoring it, she faced the strangers and asked, “My friends--will they be safe?”

“They are not after them,” the man answered. “Your friends are likely more safe than we are.”

She looked back to the light wall as it slowly dipped back into the water. It grew dark again and she asked, “How did you do that?”

“It is pointless to explain,” he answered. “You are not safe here. Where do you hail from?”

“That does not matter to you,” she grunted. “I thank you for helping me, but my origin is not your concern.”

“It is,” he replied. “Come.” He turned the horse back around and trotted through the trees at a relaxed pace. They followed after them, ducking under a few branches. “I am Arrimen,” he said, his back still to her.

She refused to give her name, keeping silent. She could make out no details of his appearance, only that he stood somewhat tall and slender. She glanced to Davin who watched in discomfort.

They crossed another, smaller creek and reached a small camp with a single tent and a small fire that smoldered. The man climbed off his horse and helped the child down. He was not very tall, but seemed mature enough in the face to be at least ten years of age.

The little boy found some sticks and fed it to the fire, a few flames flickering once more. Kiaran left the saddle of her own steed, Davin following suit. They stood closely together and he asked quietly, “Can we trust them?”

She shrugged a shoulder. “Probably not,” she replied. “But they saved us. As of this moment, they are not enemies.” They led their horses a bit closer, reluctant to say or do much.

The man removed his coat, sitting it aside with his bow and quiver of arrows. “I’ve dreamt of you for near twenty years,” he said. She lowered her brow at his statement as she came to a stop. Her horse dug at the earth then began eating some grass. “Every detail. Where your camp was, the creatures, your movements, voice, scars, tattoos, hair. All of it. Every, exact detail was in my mind each night I’ve slept for just over sixteen years.”

“A premonition?” she asked.

“Perhaps,” he shrugged. The light waved across his white skin, his black hair long and tied at the base of his neck. His nose was narrow and angled just as his chin, giving him an overly beautiful structure.

A ring was wrapped around his thumb, looking like a very detailed dragon. It was so incredibly detailed, from its nostrils and eyelids down to its smallest scales and claws. Its body wrapped around his thumb, its tail stretching halfway around his wrist. The wings were folded tightly to its shimmering, green body. Her heart skipped as its stomach expanded, breathing in. It was a dragon--he was a Drakeling.

“Are you--”

She was cut off as he smiled, facing her. “I am from Avestitia, yes,” he nodded. “As are you. I know exactly who you are.” She tensed slightly and he shook his head, holding out a hand. “I must know your name, however.”

“My...name? You do not know it?”

“No.”

“Kiaran,” she blurted out and Davin shot her a quick look.

“Kiaran,” he tasted the name. He glanced to the little boy as he fed some more sticks into the fire. He had sandy blonde hair and the brightest, most colorful hazel eyes. “Ryker, won’t you go and find an extra blanket for Miss Kiaran? Maybe one for her friend as well.” The boy nodded and moved into the tent. Looking back to Kiaran, he said, “Your mother. She was a prostitute.”

“Excuse me--”

He raised a finger to interrupt, saying, “Before she was married, she was impregnated by one of the men who paid her for sexual impurities.”

He paused, as if to allow her to soak in what he was saying. “Are you insinuating...”

“She gave the babe to a woman in town who often cared for her,” he continued. “I am your brother.”

Shock washed over her as she gazed at him. Her brother? How odd and completely unexpected. After struggling for a response, she asked, “What are you doing in Trindal?”

“That includes an incredibly long and drawn out story that isn’t of the utmost importance,” he sighed. “Or interest for that matter.” He sat, folding his legs in front of him. Kiaran sat on her knees. “The woman who raised me made sure I always knew where and who I came from. Ritiann, who five years later, turned into the queen. I was near fifteen when I first had this dream...Long story short, I was told to come to Trindal to find you hear. I hadn’t the slightest idea as to why...until five years ago.”

“Five years ago?” Kiaran finally asked, her voice distant. “Why?”

“I have been in Trindal for many years,” he said. “Ignoring the dreams for the first four only made them more vivid and distracted me from everything. Finally, I came here in search for an answer. Having magic, I was sure they would help me uncover the meanings of this dream. The only thing I found was a woman who lured me into her bed and bore me a child. Once he was born, she disappeared.”

Kiaran frowned. “She left?” His eyes strayed to the side. It was an obvious wound that she stepped away from. “So is that your son?” she asked softly, her eyes straying toward the tent as the boy exited.

“His name is Ryker...I might add that he does not know our relationship to you and I ask that you refrain from telling him,” he answered. She nodded and he continued, “He has turned ten years old today. Five years ago, his talents became...apparent. That is when I began to understand.”

“What do you mean by talents?” Davin asked. “Is it that magic? The light?”

He inhaled deeply and smiled. The small dragon on his thumb flexed its wings and sat up, wrapping its tail around it’s body. It blinked its eyes, happy to move again. “Ryker has an amazing ability...One of healing. It is uncommon, and when someone has this gift, it is not nearly as strong as his.”

“He can heal people? Wounds or illnesses?” Kiaran asked curiously.

“Anything,” his eyes met with hers. “He brought a bird back to life when he was seven.”

She was shocked. If that were true, it was impossible to fathom this little boy’s power. “A woman had told me years ago that a boy of greatness will meet with the woman who is to bring greatness to the world.” Ryker handed Arrimen a blanket and rushed back to work.

“What does that even mean?” Kiaran asked.

He laughed, shaking his head. “I broke myself trying to answer that very same question. Finally, I just forgot all about it...But, what I need of you is to bring my son to Avestitia with you.”

“Why?” she nearly gasped. “Our country is on the brink of war with Brinn right now.”

“Brinn?” he raised his chin slightly. “That is unusual.”

“I know,” she said lowly, “Everything is out of the ordinary...” Her eyes slowly drifted to Davin. Everything was out of the ordinary.

Arrimin’s attention moved to Kiaran’s side as the blood continued to drench her coat. “Ryker,” he beckoned his son over. He rushed over, his face dark with shadows. “Heal her side, won’t you?”

He nodded and sat on his knees before Kiaran. Bowing his head, he said, “May I heal your wound?”

She hesitantly nodded and unbuckled her belt. Peeling her shirt up, she revealed two nasty gashes along her side. They weren’t too deep, but they could easily get infected and it’d take weeks to heal completely.

Touching his small fingertips to her side, their skins grew hot and glowed slightly. After a moment, the skin reattached itself and she was fully healed. In shock, she ran her hands over her side, the blood wiping away to reveal not even a scar.

“That is amazing,” she breathed in shock, looking to her nephew.

He smiled a little, lowering his eyes. “Aye, thank you.”

“How incredible,” Davin gawked.

“You shall rest for the night, both of you,” Arrimen suggested. “I will explain more in the safety of my home.”

“I have to go to Urlanai,” she shook her head. “I was told that if I went there, I would find what I needed.”

“You may do so,” he nodded, handing her the blanket. “Find it, and then I will find you once more.”

She nodded, watching him with a confused look. “Shall I stay in Urlanai?”

“It is preferred,” he shrugged, “I will return in a few days, and hopefully your answers will be found by then.”

Shock still washed over her--she had a brother? A nephew? She and Nurra settled near the fire as the other two retired to their tent. Wrapping up in her blanket, she frowned.

She pulled her pack close and rummaged through it until she found a small scrap of parchment. Quickly, she scribbled a note on it and handed it to Nurra. “Nurra, go and see that the others are safe. Tell them that I am fine as well.” With that, the little dragon trilled, touched his nose to hers, and darted away into the darkness.

Davin sat beside her, unable to sleep. He looked to Kiaran who watched him in return. “Things are about to worsen, aren’t they?” he mumbled.

“Much,” she replied uneasily.