Dragon Riders of Etrea—Chapter 8

Henrik checked the girth strap on his saddle for the third time. Everything was packed and he had plenty of supplies and food. He was as ready as he could be.

“Why Henrik, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were nervous,” Rasud said with a grin as he buckled his saddlebags. They bulged with food; mostly apples and other produce.

“I am,” Shel said. “Actually, no. I’m terrified.”

“You don’t seem like the type of woman to let fear take charge,” Henrik said. 

Shel gave him a flat look. “Chief Torgan will send many of his soldiers to find me at any cost. Also, I’m getting ready to travel into a human city for the first time in all my years.”

“And just how many years do you have, by the way?” Rasud asked.

“Twenty-seven,” Shel replied.

“A fine age,” Rasud said. “Almost as good as twenty-six, though better than twenty-eight, that’s for certain.”

“And how old are you?” Shel asked.

“Well, twenty-six, of course,” Rasud said. “And don’t worry, my dear. There’s nothing for you to worry about as long as you have me by your side.”

“So, you’ll protect me from a hundred charging orcs, all intent on bringing me back to Chief Torgan?” she asked.

“I already have,” Rasud said. “You’ll have to look at yourself in a mirror once we have one available. No one would recognize you. You could walk past an army of orcs, and while I’m sure they would all steal a glimpse of your magnificent ass, none of them would see Shel the witch-woman.”

Shel sighed. “I’m sorry for being negative. I just hope it’s enough.”

“No need for apologies, my dear,” Rasud said. “That’s why you’ve got me. I’ll do my best to keep a smile on your face.”

She did actually smile after hearing that. “You do a good job, Rasud. Thank you.”

“Let’s go see your dragon,” Anslie said.

Henrik nodded, then grabbed his horse’s reins. Together, they walked toward the narrow passage in the cliff, with Henrik pulling his horse behind him. Rasud and Shel had mounted, and followed slightly behind.

“There he is,” Henrik said quietly as they approached the mouth of the cave. 

Calduin was sitting there, watching him. Waiting for him. As soon as Henrik came into view the small dragon visibly perked up. He stretched his wings and flapped them a few times, startling the horse.

“Easy, boy,” Henrik said, placing a calming hand on the horse’s neck. “You just stay here for a moment, okay?” The horse snorted and shook his head.

Henrik approached Calduin with his hand out. He still wasn’t entirely sure how to treat the animal, so he just treated it like he would a neighborhood dog. Hand out, ready to smell.

“So, I’m going to be gone for a while,” Henrik said, then stopped. He locked eyes with the young dragon and tried to send that message to him in a way he would better understand.

“He’ll grow to understand your words soon,” Anslie said. “I’ll work with him while you’re gone. Assuming he’ll listen to me, that is.”

“Well, he’s got his mother here,” Henrik said, giving the dragon a stern look. “And you’d better obey your mother.”

Calduin seemed to finally understand Henrik’s message, and sent back a mixture of sadness and anger. Henrik tried to assure him that everything would be okay, and that he would return as soon as possible. 

The small dragon finally stretched his head out and smelled Henrik’s hand. Immediately after, it opened its mouth to nip at him. Henrik had been anticipating that, so he jerked his hand back right in time.

“No biting!” he said. Calduin made a hissing noise.

“Come here,” he said, reaching down and picking up the dragon.

Calduin protested, flapping his wings but fortunately not clawing Henrik too badly. He quickly settled on his shoulder.

“Shame I can’t travel this way,” Henrik said. “It would be great, having you as a scout.” He reached up and patted Calduin on top of his head. The dragon made a strange noise, almost like a crow. “What do they eat?” he asked Anslie.

“They’ll eat just about anything, but they prefer meat,” Anslie said. “There isn’t much out there that their stomachs can’t digest. Tossyth swallowed a few orcs wearing hide armor. Her stomach handled that just fine.”

“I guess we’ll figure all this out as we go along, right boy?” Henrik asked. 

Calduin made the strange cawing noise again. It seemed to be a happy sound. The dragon sent feelings of longing to Henrik. He didn’t want him to go.

“I’m sorry, buddy, but I have to,” Henrik said. He kept his hand there, gently rubbing the back of the dragon’s neck. “I have to get something important for both of us. But I’m coming back, don’t worry.”

Tossyth’s great head swung around close to them, watching Henrik closely. He felt feelings of approval come from her. Always a plus. He’d hate to see what she would do if she didn’t like him.

“Alright, go to your mother,” Henrik said to the dragon. 

Calduin squawked and leaped from his shoulder, much like a cat. He flapped his wings, but smacked onto the stone ground. With a hissing sound of irritation, he scrambled toward his mother, who lowered her head so he could climb up. Both mother and baby dragon watched Henrik.

“I’m really going to miss you,” Anslie said quietly. She reached out and took Henrik’s hand, then pulled him to her. They held each other tightly for a moment. 

“I’m going to miss you too,” Henrik said, and meant it. Life in this valley with Anslie was simple, but wonderful. He felt like he could hang his sword up for a life like that. Briefly he wondered where he would live once he had all three dragon riders with him. Maybe he’d create a new place for everyone. Well, he’d worry about that when the time came.

Henrik bent down and kissed Anslie softly. She laid her head against his shoulder for a moment and neither of them said anything.

This was a new sensation for Henrik. Many women had shared his bed over the years, but never once had any of them been anything closer than a brief lover. Anslie was different. He truly liked her. 

“Alright,” Henrik said, slowly pulling away from her. “That sword isn’t going to find itself.” He went back to his horse and pulled himself up into the saddle.

Rasud and Shel booted their horses closer. “Stay safe in the mountains, old friend,” Rasud said.

Henrik looked up at the nearest mountain, towering over them. “I’ll be fine. I just have to make sure I stay warm.” He reached back and patted a bundle right behind his saddle, which was the cloak Anslie had given him as well as two thick blankets.

“No worries about that for us,” Rasud said. “Although it’ll be interesting to see the city as a human. A silver coin here and there and people will be calling me ‘my lord’ every other sentence. Used to take gold, before.”

“Stay safe and come back to us,” Shel said. She finally seemed to be warming up to him more.

The way she looked at Henrik was a bit strange. He finally realized that she trusted him, but acted like she was placing her trust in a wild animal. Considering what she had seen, Henrik couldn’t blame her.

“Don’t start any knife fights in the city,” Henrik said.

Rasud laughed, but Shel just nodded as if it was good advice. Well, beneath that pretty face she was still an orc. At least, Henrik assumed. He didn’t know how deep the spell went.

“Ready, my darling?” Rasud asked.

Shel nodded. “At least my spirits can hunt for us.”

“Oh, none of that,” Rasud said. “I have enough apples for the both of us, and pears. Anslie gave me beans, carrots, and potatoes as well. We’ll eat like royalty the entire trip.”

“Enjoy two weeks of Rasud and beans,” Henrik said with a chuckle. He looked down at Anslie and found her smiling up at him. Without thinking, he tried to send her feelings of love and trust, the same way he would a dragon. Surprisingly, her smile deepened.

“Which way?” he asked.

“Down the draw, then east for an hour until you come to a valley,” Anslie said. “I love you, Henrik.”

He smiled at her. “You’d better,” he said with a wink.

The ride down from the plateau was perhaps a bit treacherous for riders, but Henrik trusted his horse. The animal picked his way carefully down, right behind Rasud and Shel.

“Excited to go back home?” Henrik asked.

Rasud ran a hand over the top of his head, smoothing his hair. “I think so. This little adventure of ours has definitely changed the way I feel about several things.”

“Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking about settling down,” Henrik said.

Rasud shrugged. “We have more than enough money. I mean, for all our complaining about spending, between the two of us we’re quite well off. And I have a feeling you aren’t going to have much use for gold in the future.”

Henrik frowned. “Good point. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“How much coin do you have?” Shel asked.

Rasud turned and gave her a flat look. “I could buy us a nice little house with a garden out back and neither of us would have to work for the rest of our lives.”

“That does sound nice,” Shel said.

“And I could do the same for each of our four children, with a bit left over for wine every day.” Rasud continued.

“If you think I’m having four children,” Shel began.

“I guess you’ve been saving a good bit,” Henrik said.

“Well, you forget. I am the best thief in the city,” Rasud replied with a smile. “But yes. For all we like to hand out money on a whim, we both have quite the small fortunes in our respective basements. Certainly too much for me to bring back here.”

“So, what will you do with it?” Shel asked.

“I’ve been thinking,” Rasud said. “Although it will all depend on how you like the city, my dear.”

“Oh, no,” Shel said.

“There is a small house—well, small for that neighborhood—on the north side of Selfoss that I’ve been eyeing for some time.”

“The two story one with the tile roof?” Henrik asked.

“I cannot live in a human city,” Shel groaned.

“Yes, that’s the one,” Rasud said. “Relax, Shel. You’ve never even been in a human city. And while we have spent a good amount of time in the rougher parts, trust me when I say life on the north side is quite nice. Our children would have a safe neighborhood and the best schools in the city.”

“There you go again, mentioning our children,” she said. “Well, on a more serious note, that’s just something I’ve never thought about. Witch-women don’t marry back hom—back in Silverkeep.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing you’re a beautiful human woman now, madly in love with a handsome and wealthy human man,” Rasud said.

“How deep did the spell go?” Henrik asked. “If you don’t mind me prying a bit. Were the changes just on the surface?”

Rasud shook his head. “No, the spirits dug deep. I could feel them burning my very bones. Poor Shel; it was worse for her. As I understand it though, we are now human, inside and out.”

“I feel shame, like I’ve abandoned my people,” Shel said quietly.

“Hmmm, your people that are coming to hunt you down and kill you?” Rasud asked. “And what value did you have back with your people? Other than your magic, of course.”

Shel opened her mouth, then closed it as her cheeks colored. Henrik didn’t know if she was blushing or if it was anger. Knowing her, probably anger.

“Chief Torgan—no! He’s not my chief any longer. Torgan used to have me call lightning from the sky when people disobeyed him. He told them the gods were displeased, and would punish their disobedience.” She sighed. “Outside of my magic, I think I actually had less value than a farmer’s wife. At least she would bear male children. No one touches a witch-woman.”

“I’ll touch you,” Rasud said quietly.

A brief flash of anger crossed Shel’s face, but it quickly melted into a smile. “I’m scared, but looking forward to it.” She nudged her horse closer, then reached out and took Rasud’s hand. “Even this is new to me. I like it, though.”

“I do enjoy touching, so prepare yourself,” Rasud said. 

The path before them began to open up and Rasud turned toward Henrik. “Be well, my friend. We’ll see you in…. Well, I’m not sure. Three weeks at the most.”

Henrik raised a hand. “Take care, both of you. And try not to set the inn on fire when you get to Limestone.”

“Well, at least they won’t have a problem with me now, right?” Rasud asked as he rubbed his chin. “Until we meet again, Henrik.”

And with that, Henrik turned his horse to the east. The animal carefully stepped along the rocky path, surefooted as always. It took a bit more than an hour to round the nearest mountain—it was more of a hill, really—but Henrik soon found himself angling to the north, toward a valley. 

His journey had begun.