Short Stories
Jase flew up over the ridge where Balaan had taken refuge from the future that lay before him. From here Balaan could see the ocean and a vast freedom that could never be his. If he looked behind him he could see far below a tower that stood up above the tree line. A tower in the middle of the woods, surrounded by a tall wall, a tower where he was supposed to be this very moment, to live out the rest of his life.
“Father says if you don’t show up for your apprenticeship today then he will send the guard out after you,” Jase informed him once he’d returned to his mortal form.
“Let him, I don’t care if I die, I can’t live the rest of my life behind that wall.
“You are a descendent of the Great Apophis, his power runs in our blood. You have a calling to fulfill, just as those of our family have done for centuries.”
“Apophis has been long dead-“ A sharp pain gripped his heart as if Jase had reached threw his chest and was now squeezing the life out of him. The pain drove him to his knees and cut off his retort.
“Never speak ill of the Great Apophis,” Jase scolded.
Balaan would have loved to return to his dragon form full time but after all this time and so many failed attempts how could he possibly hope for that existence?
He would have gladly ran away, and abandon his duties completely but on this island there was nowhere he couldn’t be found. As he lay on the ground trying to catch his breath he knew he was defeated. Jase had received far more training in the arts of spells and casting. There would be nothing he could throw at Jase that would not cause serious negative consequences for himself. The best spells he knew he’d learned from Jase.
“I relent,” Balaan panted. The pain didn’t subside instantly.
“Will you fulfill your duty?”
“Yes, I swear it by Apophis.”
Finally Jase let him go. Balaan struggled to his feet hunching over as his muscles protested. Jase clasped his shoulder in a brotherly fashion.
“I wish it had not come to that.”
Balaan didn’t answer, and it took all his willpower not to shake Jase’s hand from his shoulder
“Come little brother, I’ll see you to Balak then I can report the good news to father. All is well once again.”
All was not well, but there was nothing Balaan could do about it. Three days prior he’d publically renounced his relationship to Lord Enzo, his father, effectively severing his ties to his royal blood line. He would now live out the rest of his life behind the walls of the keep with the Sons of None, the order of mages, who like himself, were all the denounced descendants of the Lords before them. He wouldn’t ever take a companion or father any children, there would be no trace that he’d ever lived.
Once they landed Balaan walked briskly next to Jase toward the tall wall that held the order of the Mage’s apart from the rest of the colony. Once Balaan passed through the door he was not likely to see anyone on this side of the wall ever again unless he was called up by the Lord for a matter. He knew from the few times a member of the order had been called to his father’s palace that the Mage’s were all old, if any of them were young like him they were not allowed out. He heard it was because they were still in training, what he did know was he would never see his father again, and if he ever saw Jase again, it would be when they were both too old to recognize each other.
There was no escape…
The girl’s strange eyes bore into mine. Her hands were on my cheeks as she studied them with the same intensity I was studying hers. I’d never seen anyone with eyes so round. It was hard to imagine she could see anything at all through such small spheres. She was just a little younger than me, with straight brown hair and a slender figure. She was taller than me by a few inches, though, and moved with a grace and confidence I had yet to find.
“Cynthia!” Carol, her mother, barked, relaying something I couldn’t understand. The girl looked over at her without taking her hands off my face, replying to her comment. My eyes darted to the woman’s stern face. I didn’t want to cause any trouble for the girl, so I gently pulled her hands away and stepped back. I let the small bit of training I had take over and retreated to the wall to stand unobtrusively. Cynthia didn’t look frightened as she hopped off the table where she’d been sitting and strode toward her mother. She gave Carol a quick peck on the cheek, causing her mother’s stern features to soften before she continued on to her bedroom. Cynthia called to me from her door, waved, and closed it behind her.
I envied the relationship they had. I’d never kissed my mother on the cheek. From an early age, I learned never to show her any affection she didn’t solicit, as it was unwanted by the burdens that were her children—me especially. My older sisters had already been paired off into suitable matches. All except Lavender, mother’s favorite, and until recently, the one with the best chance at a status-climbing match that would put my mother as close to ruling as she would ever get. I’d always been the disappointment. I could only imagine what she thought of me denouncing my birthright and coming to serve Zane Blackskin. She had not spoken to me since I left Greenwing Castle. A relief in many aspects, but part of me feared she was plotting some retaliation that would cause me a great deal of pain. I was a possession to her. The last stone she could throw into the arena of political power to serve her ambitions. But I’d taken that opportunity from her when I’d abruptly left the royal court. Only time would tell what punishment she dreamt up for me.
The hour was late; I had the night shift. I knew Hudson chose me for this job because he didn’t want to spare any of his combat trained guards for such a low-level assignment. I knew he would have hated to be in my shoes, but he didn’t know how content I was to be free of my family. I didn’t want to fight. I didn’t care if it was to save my own life or the lives of my family—not that they deserved it. I didn’t want to bite or claw at another dragon until they fell from the sky. I simply wanted to be put on these so-called low priority assignments and live out the rest of my days. Of course, I would defend Zane to the death. He deserved at least that much from me.
Once all the lights from the rooms went out, and I was sure my charges were asleep, I moved to the fireplace and stoked up the flames, then settled myself on the floor. I pulled a book from my bag that I’d borrowed from the library in the barracks. I suppose in the grand sense of the word, it wasn’t a real library; at least not like the ones I was used to visiting in the various castles and palaces around the realm. Just two shelves in the common room crammed full of books of almost every genre. It was rare that I ever had the opportunity to sit quietly, turning the pages of a book of my choosing.
I was fortunate enough to find a book on The Tales of Minton, The First Dragon. With the alignment approaching, I thought it would be a good read. I was a little less than halfway through the book when a noise coming from one of the bedrooms drew my attention. The door opened and Hunter, the Apophis-made dragon, came out, a thick blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders. He moved slowly with a slight hunch. I stood as he approached, setting my book on the hearth. I wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t seem like he needed my assistance in walking, though his movements were careful and deliberate. He was managing just fine on his own. I hoped he didn’t need anything pressing, because I wouldn’t be able to understand him if he did…