The Clan (Book One)

•Chapter X•

•Chapter X•

In a land of the blind,
The one eyed man
Is king

<•••••∆•••••>

I wasn't afraid like the rest of the people were. I could also feel the erratic heart beat of those who's eyes averted in not so hidden fear, refused to even look at him.

I was so mezmorized by his spirit and new form that I almost forgot how to breathe.

He was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
He growled in warning to the men that stood tall instead of casting their eyes to the ground in submission. I never realized how large he actually was when I saw him flying behind the clouds. It was obvious he was a chieftain of the clan not just by birth right but by his obvious strength and power as well.

A deep voice rumbled from his throat like crackling thunder.

"You have defied me more times than I should have aloud this day. I have brought this women for reasons you do not yet understand nor do I need to explain. I am your chief, I am the shadow Lord and you follow my command." He said to the men who stood before him.

They finally cast down their gaze in submission causing the dragon to sit on his haunches, his tail wrapped around himself, and wings folded in as he looked down on them. He sat there patiently for their acknowledgement.

"Forgive us, me lord." One man said making the dragon give a grumble in reluctant agreement.

The Dragon I had cared for was the shadow Lord of this land, the true ruler over these mountains. It shocked me to think that he could have killed me at any given moment. Maybe it was the poison that prevented him from killing me at first, but I was still lucky to be alive.

"Rayna?" I heard someone call to me.

I looked down from my perch and saw an elderly man walking towards me through the crowd. He seemed so familiar to me but I couldn't place him properly in my mind.

He chuckled and said, "Is I, Håigąr." Making my eyes widen in surprise.

"Håigąr? Is it really you?" I asked with a wide smile.

"You know this women?" The man who was fighting for my exile asked.

"She saved my life." He said as he continued on his track towards me.

I ran down from where I was, dog following close behind protectively. I ran to him and threw my arms around him. Håigąr had been the first dragon I had ever seen or cared for when I was a young girl. I had just turned Twelve when I found him wounded by a creek not too far from my cottage. At first he treated me like a wild cat, swiping amd roaring in warning. Once I gave him medicine and bandaged his wounds, he trusted me.
He stayed close to me for weeks, each day waiting for my return and assistance until he fully healed. Eventually we became allies and he even protected me against a slave trader who grew an unhealthy fondness of me. There were plenty of cons being orphaned but that had to be one of my most terrifying memories.

A few days before our last meeting, he revealed his true form and told me his name. I hoped he'd stayed after that but instead, I woke to find him missing with a bouquet of flowers at my door. I always wondered what came of him till now.

He looked so much younger then.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"Well, my dear.... The day you found me wounded was not just from outward injuries. My sons and I were in the middle of a battle between other clans that we had no buisness meddling in. When I returned home, I was told things that made me believe vengeance was the way to right some wrongs. It only resulted in further injuries that a healer could not fix resulting in the Dragon part of me to die so that I may live. Soon after I realized my years were beginning to catch up to me and very quickly I might add." He chuckled sadly.

"Oh, Håigąr. I'm so sorry." I said.

He smiled kindly. "Never be sorry for me, I have lived many decades and seen many things. I've fought in many battles, fathered four beautiful children and have only loved one women. I have lived." He said with vigar.

I chuckled and nodded in agreement before bringing him into a hug once again.

"Its wonderful to see you again..." I said

"You as well my dear." He replied.

"Father."

I turned to see the dragon I had helped walking towards us in human form, followed by the other man who looked very similar to him. I stood tall with no signs of fear as I held onto the feeble hand of Håigąr.

Did he just call him, father?

"How do you know this women?" He asked.

"On my way back here, I encountered a small scouting army employed by the queen. I was already injured and their poison arrows didn't help but I ended up getting away. This one came out of the forest like a little sprout and tended to me." He told the story shortly and nudged me with a smile.

The Dragon and the man who resembled him looked at me with a little admiration as they realized that I not only saved one of them but their father as well.

Håigąr turned to me. "Rayna, these are my sons, Zeth," he said pointing to the look-a-like, "and Octavian." He said pointing to the dragon I had assisted.

His name made bells ring in my head but I couldn't remember where I recognized him and it was beginning to bother me. I already knew him, but how?

"Don't forget about me pappa."

I looked over my shoulder and saw a petite raven haired girl walking our way.

"Ah yes, this is my youngest child. Janina, meet Rayna."

She nodded once in my direction with a sly smile. "I hope the dress fits."

"It's a bit snug but appreciated." I said.

She nodded again. "So you're my brothers long lost bonder?"

"Excuse me?"

"Nina." Octavian warned.

She looked at him with a knowing look and smirked. Her hair was cut short making her look fierce and misschevious at the same time.

"What did you just say to me?" I asked.

She smirked as she looked me up and down. "Sorry Kjæreste, the Shadow Lord swore me to secrecy." She said as she walked around me and to her brothers.

She stood on her tip toes to whisper in Octavians ear. His face went from angry to puzzled, back to angry.

He looked me in the eyes with a clenched jaw before announcing what Janina had said to him.

"It appears we have an army at our gates asking for the 'healer'... Get your iron; you may need it for what may come."

___________________

Kjæreste

Translates to: Darling