Nonlethal Force
First Post
Chapter Thirteen: UNDER THE DRAGON’S CLAW
Inside the cave, Charis could feel a large force of people coming towards the entrance. She noted that they moved quietly for an entire village. At the same time, the sheer number of them could not help but reverberate through the solid ground. Although her ears denied it, her legs and feet told her that a large mass of people had entered the underground passageway and were moving through the mountain tunnel entrance. There could only be one explanation. The villagers had made it.
Charis lifted her oil lamp from the ground and turned the brass knob so that the wick was lowered closer to the oil. With less wick exposed to the air, the light cast from the lamp decreased. The horses at once sensed her caution but one by one she stroked their sides to keep them calm. She knew that it would only be a matter of seconds before the lead portion of the group would approach the entrance to the side cavern in which she and the food had been hidden.
At the presence of the vibration, Darrok looked to Charis for confirmation of what he also felt. He remained bound; but his position on the floor allowed him to feel the vibrations even more accurately than Charis. When he noticed that she lowered the wick so that the light was reduced he knew that his suspicions were right. She was going to be cautious and try to remain hidden. The interesting part of his predicament was that it was likely in his best interest to remain hidden as well. If the vibrations were from the villagers, they would not have pity upon him since he had attempted to ruin their escape. If the vibrations were from some other force it would be likely that they would overcome Charis and he wouldn’t escape. For right now, he had no choice but to put his faith and trust in Charis’ hands.
The noise slowed outside the chamber as confusion began to win over the force coming into the mountain. Charis began to recognize the familiar voices of her long time friends. She allowed the light from her lamp to pass through the chamber and spill out into the main tunnel. She approached the main passageway and allowed the light to intensify in strength. She could tell that the villagers had been slowed by the narrowing of the tunnel with respect to the forest passageway through which they had been traveling. It took longer than she hoped to get the villagers completely inside the entrance.
Charis greeted the villagers once she was sure it was indeed who she expected. “Welcome! It is imperative that you come in down the tunnel as far as possible. For your safety, you must make sure you are out of the range of his fiery breath. Those in the front must continue to push on until all are safe.”
The ability to give orders to these people began to naturally return to her. When she had been the Provenience for these people she had begun to take up the role of domination over them. However, now she desired to lead them without dominating over them. It was a different feeling to be sure.
The crowd moved beyond her until they had all passed her by. As they moved, several of the women gave Charis a hug and said a quick blessing over her. With each embrace Charis returned the greeting and felt her confidence grow. It felt good to know that her people had come thus far safely. Her joy was unsurpassable knowing that her dragon father had finally been defeated after so much time. As a village, they had spent so many years living under the evil lies which originated out of his scheming machinations.
Once the villagers had made it to the mountain passage, Xando allowed the people to enter while he directed the villagers from the rear. As their leader, he wanted to be sure that all made it safely into the tunnels. When they had all moved past Charis and the tunnel he called out for a halt. “That’s far enough, Drakontai. Rest here while I speak to Charis and Ischarus.” Of course, the directions were spoken in their native draconic tongue. It was the only language that all of the villagers innately knew. Some had learned the common tongue of Tongra while others had not.
Charis greeted Xando with a hug. Xando began to cry a few tears of gladness as he embraced her warmly. Once they released, Xando began to look around the secret alcove where the food was stored. He spoke with an intense curiosity. “Is Ischarus not going to greet us today?”
Charis thought that she detected a slight tone of disappointment in his voice. A thin smile fell over her lips. It was the kind of smile that indicated she knew something that he did not. “Ischarus had a separate journey to accomplish. He left some time ago and I honestly do not know when to expect him back. I assure you that he will return. In fact, his return will mark the time that we should begin to prepare to leave into Tongra. He believes he can pave the way to our freedom.”
Xando looked a bit concerned. His eyebrows wrinkled as he tried to think through what Charis was telling to him. “Isn’t Ischarus your protector? Who will protect the people?”
Charis tried to hide her smile. Apparently Xando had forgotten her own skill and the art of combat. “Yes, Ischarus is the one who is most responsible for protection when we travel. But you will be protected by me, my new god, and the magical powers of Semeion combined with Rhema’s enchantments. Besides, not many natural predators of the tunnels will come near a force this size.”
While she spoke, there was a sound of hooves at the tunnel entrance. Charis looked up and identified the rider as she approached. Rhema rode in first followed by a horse with no rider in the saddle. Elistra carried another woman into the tunnels. Charis could only assume this was the new Provenience that had been called on to replace her in that position when Charis was taken from the village.
Rhema spoke strongly, and there was pain in her voice. “We need to speak, Charis. Your voice carries up this tunnel well. We could hear your conversation.” Rhema wasn’t sure how to address the loss of Semeion so she hoped to deflect the issue until it could not be avoided.
Unfortunately for Rhema, Charis picked up on the fact that Semeion was missing immediately. Her face turned pale and her skin grew cold. “Rhema, where’s Semeion?” Her eyes darted back and forth between Rhema and the horse without a rider. Once the horses drew even closer she could tell that it was Thana who went without anyone upon her back. Her lips parted to speak once more but the words would not come.
Xando could only imagine that this story would not have a pleasant end. He was already close to Charis from the hug they had exchange only moments ago. He reached out and embraced her again as Rhema rode up beside her and dismounted. Charis clung to Xando as both Thana and Shauvry drew nearer.
Rhema’s feet softly landed upon the floor as she dismounted Shauvry in a very smooth manner. Looking to the villagers she found a boy that looked keenly interested in the horses. “Xando, would you mind asking that boy to take the horses into the storage cave and put them with Abijou?”
As Xando nodded in reply, Charis added another layer of command. “And make sure he knows to stay away from Darrok.”
The new Provenience was keenly interested in the mention of her father. “My father is here?
Charis ignored the question, but Rhema turned to address the new Provenience. “He is here, but there is much we need to talk about as well.” Rhema looked to Xando and he seemed to understand the glance.
Xando released Charis and moved slowly to where the new Provenience sat atop Elistra. As he moved, he spotted the boy that Rhema had indicated earlier. With a motion and a quick glance he got the boy to follow him. He brought Elistra’s reigns to the boy’s level and explained that he should take the horse into the alcove and return without speaking to anyone. Once the boy understood, Xando helped the new Provenience down the ground and kept a careful watch over her while Rhema and Charis spoke.
Rhema looked to the floor as she began speaking. “I don’t think Semeion will be coming back to Tongra with us, Charis.” It probably wasn’t the best way to approach the topic, but Rhema could think of no better way under the circumstances. Charis could see for herself that Semeion was not present.
Charis immediately began to cry at the words she dreaded hearing. “But, why not? What happened? It was supposed to be a simple mission of retrieving the Provenience that replaced me.”
Rhema nodded and looked into Charis’ eyes. “I know, Charis. I know. The new Provenience has a talent that neither Semeion nor I expected. We are sure she is pregnant with at least one unborn child, and it may well have given her a unique gift. She could breathe fire just like your dragon father.”
Charis continued to cry, but she also returned Rhema’s stare. “Many of my people carry the marks of my dragon father. In many ways even my own gifts are derived from his power. There are even a few among the villagers that we rescued that have such power. But I don’t understand how …”
Rhema embraced Charis in a hug once she realized Charis was trying her best to block the pain and explain away the truth. “The new Provenience was resistant. She was intent on killing us both. Semeion sacrificed himself so that she would be forced to see that the village had been abandoned. He stood on the dragon’s perch and forced her to join him to attack. She breathed out her fire in an attack and Semeion was gone.”
Charis clutched at the immediate hope found in the story. “Perhaps he went over the edge?”
Charis meant to say more but Rhema cut her off. “I thought the same thing when the new Provenience had breathed upon him. I had hoped that maybe he lost his footing and fell. But I looked, Charis. I looked for him and couldn’t see any way out. The mountain face is steep under the dragon’s perch and when it does become less steep it is covered in trees. He would have either hit the rock face or crashed into the trees below. It was easily at least a thirty foot drop to the trees and there’s no telling how much more below that.”
Charis fought back the tears even harder. She bit her lower lip to resist the urge to cry harder as Rhema forced her to accept the truth. “His magic? Could his magic have saved him?”
Rhema shook her head and allowed Charis to bury her head into Rhema’s shoulder. “I don’t know, Charis. I don’t understand magic as well as Semeion did. But have you ever seen him use teleportation magic? I haven’t. I didn’t think he was that strong.”
Charis cried a bit harder now. “No, he could not master it yet. That was one thing he said to me after we visited Fingerdale. He told me that as soon as he was ready then he was going to ask Brandt to teach him a teleportation spell. It never happened. He knew that he wasn’t ready yet.”
Charis continued to cry hard against Rhema’s shoulder. Rhema could sense that she had worn herself out trying to think up new reasons to find hope. Slowly, each possibility had been exhausted. The only truth that remained was that Semeion had caught the effects of the new Provenience’s breath and had fallen to his doom. He must have fallen out of Rhema’s sight.
Xando stood patiently by Charis and Rhema as Rhema recounted the story. The new Provenience seemed deeply moved by the fact that she had directly caused Charis’ pain and Rhema saw that the new Provenience was being deeply affected. Once Rhema could sense that the new Provenience had seen enough, she motioned for Xando to lead her into the alcove to meet with her father.
Xando knew that he would need to restrain her. Darrok would likely be satisfied upon seeing his daughter, but it would be safest to keep him bound as well. Soon enough they would both be free. But the time was not quite ready to bring that possibility into existence.
[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]Chapter Thirteen: UNDER THE DRAGON’S CLAW
Inside the cave, Charis could feel a large force of people coming towards the entrance. She noted that they moved quietly for an entire village. At the same time, the sheer number of them could not help but reverberate through the solid ground. Although her ears denied it, her legs and feet told her that a large mass of people had entered the underground passageway and were moving through the mountain tunnel entrance. There could only be one explanation. The villagers had made it.
Charis lifted her oil lamp from the ground and turned the brass knob so that the wick was lowered closer to the oil. With less wick exposed to the air, the light cast from the lamp decreased. The horses at once sensed her caution but one by one she stroked their sides to keep them calm. She knew that it would only be a matter of seconds before the lead portion of the group would approach the entrance to the side cavern in which she and the food had been hidden.
At the presence of the vibration, Darrok looked to Charis for confirmation of what he also felt. He remained bound; but his position on the floor allowed him to feel the vibrations even more accurately than Charis. When he noticed that she lowered the wick so that the light was reduced he knew that his suspicions were right. She was going to be cautious and try to remain hidden. The interesting part of his predicament was that it was likely in his best interest to remain hidden as well. If the vibrations were from the villagers, they would not have pity upon him since he had attempted to ruin their escape. If the vibrations were from some other force it would be likely that they would overcome Charis and he wouldn’t escape. For right now, he had no choice but to put his faith and trust in Charis’ hands.
The noise slowed outside the chamber as confusion began to win over the force coming into the mountain. Charis began to recognize the familiar voices of her long time friends. She allowed the light from her lamp to pass through the chamber and spill out into the main tunnel. She approached the main passageway and allowed the light to intensify in strength. She could tell that the villagers had been slowed by the narrowing of the tunnel with respect to the forest passageway through which they had been traveling. It took longer than she hoped to get the villagers completely inside the entrance.
Charis greeted the villagers once she was sure it was indeed who she expected. “Welcome! It is imperative that you come in down the tunnel as far as possible. For your safety, you must make sure you are out of the range of his fiery breath. Those in the front must continue to push on until all are safe.”
The ability to give orders to these people began to naturally return to her. When she had been the Provenience for these people she had begun to take up the role of domination over them. However, now she desired to lead them without dominating over them. It was a different feeling to be sure.
The crowd moved beyond her until they had all passed her by. As they moved, several of the women gave Charis a hug and said a quick blessing over her. With each embrace Charis returned the greeting and felt her confidence grow. It felt good to know that her people had come thus far safely. Her joy was unsurpassable knowing that her dragon father had finally been defeated after so much time. As a village, they had spent so many years living under the evil lies which originated out of his scheming machinations.
Once the villagers had made it to the mountain passage, Xando allowed the people to enter while he directed the villagers from the rear. As their leader, he wanted to be sure that all made it safely into the tunnels. When they had all moved past Charis and the tunnel he called out for a halt. “That’s far enough, Drakontai. Rest here while I speak to Charis and Ischarus.” Of course, the directions were spoken in their native draconic tongue. It was the only language that all of the villagers innately knew. Some had learned the common tongue of Tongra while others had not.
Charis greeted Xando with a hug. Xando began to cry a few tears of gladness as he embraced her warmly. Once they released, Xando began to look around the secret alcove where the food was stored. He spoke with an intense curiosity. “Is Ischarus not going to greet us today?”
Charis thought that she detected a slight tone of disappointment in his voice. A thin smile fell over her lips. It was the kind of smile that indicated she knew something that he did not. “Ischarus had a separate journey to accomplish. He left some time ago and I honestly do not know when to expect him back. I assure you that he will return. In fact, his return will mark the time that we should begin to prepare to leave into Tongra. He believes he can pave the way to our freedom.”
Xando looked a bit concerned. His eyebrows wrinkled as he tried to think through what Charis was telling to him. “Isn’t Ischarus your protector? Who will protect the people?”
Charis tried to hide her smile. Apparently Xando had forgotten her own skill and the art of combat. “Yes, Ischarus is the one who is most responsible for protection when we travel. But you will be protected by me, my new god, and the magical powers of Semeion combined with Rhema’s enchantments. Besides, not many natural predators of the tunnels will come near a force this size.”
While she spoke, there was a sound of hooves at the tunnel entrance. Charis looked up and identified the rider as she approached. Rhema rode in first followed by a horse with no rider in the saddle. Elistra carried another woman into the tunnels. Charis could only assume this was the new Provenience that had been called on to replace her in that position when Charis was taken from the village.
Rhema spoke strongly, and there was pain in her voice. “We need to speak, Charis. Your voice carries up this tunnel well. We could hear your conversation.” Rhema wasn’t sure how to address the loss of Semeion so she hoped to deflect the issue until it could not be avoided.
Unfortunately for Rhema, Charis picked up on the fact that Semeion was missing immediately. Her face turned pale and her skin grew cold. “Rhema, where’s Semeion?” Her eyes darted back and forth between Rhema and the horse without a rider. Once the horses drew even closer she could tell that it was Thana who went without anyone upon her back. Her lips parted to speak once more but the words would not come.
Xando could only imagine that this story would not have a pleasant end. He was already close to Charis from the hug they had exchange only moments ago. He reached out and embraced her again as Rhema rode up beside her and dismounted. Charis clung to Xando as both Thana and Shauvry drew nearer.
Rhema’s feet softly landed upon the floor as she dismounted Shauvry in a very smooth manner. Looking to the villagers she found a boy that looked keenly interested in the horses. “Xando, would you mind asking that boy to take the horses into the storage cave and put them with Abijou?”
As Xando nodded in reply, Charis added another layer of command. “And make sure he knows to stay away from Darrok.”
The new Provenience was keenly interested in the mention of her father. “My father is here?
Charis ignored the question, but Rhema turned to address the new Provenience. “He is here, but there is much we need to talk about as well.” Rhema looked to Xando and he seemed to understand the glance.
Xando released Charis and moved slowly to where the new Provenience sat atop Elistra. As he moved, he spotted the boy that Rhema had indicated earlier. With a motion and a quick glance he got the boy to follow him. He brought Elistra’s reigns to the boy’s level and explained that he should take the horse into the alcove and return without speaking to anyone. Once the boy understood, Xando helped the new Provenience down the ground and kept a careful watch over her while Rhema and Charis spoke.
Rhema looked to the floor as she began speaking. “I don’t think Semeion will be coming back to Tongra with us, Charis.” It probably wasn’t the best way to approach the topic, but Rhema could think of no better way under the circumstances. Charis could see for herself that Semeion was not present.
Charis immediately began to cry at the words she dreaded hearing. “But, why not? What happened? It was supposed to be a simple mission of retrieving the Provenience that replaced me.”
Rhema nodded and looked into Charis’ eyes. “I know, Charis. I know. The new Provenience has a talent that neither Semeion nor I expected. We are sure she is pregnant with at least one unborn child, and it may well have given her a unique gift. She could breathe fire just like your dragon father.”
Charis continued to cry, but she also returned Rhema’s stare. “Many of my people carry the marks of my dragon father. In many ways even my own gifts are derived from his power. There are even a few among the villagers that we rescued that have such power. But I don’t understand how …”
Rhema embraced Charis in a hug once she realized Charis was trying her best to block the pain and explain away the truth. “The new Provenience was resistant. She was intent on killing us both. Semeion sacrificed himself so that she would be forced to see that the village had been abandoned. He stood on the dragon’s perch and forced her to join him to attack. She breathed out her fire in an attack and Semeion was gone.”
Charis clutched at the immediate hope found in the story. “Perhaps he went over the edge?”
Charis meant to say more but Rhema cut her off. “I thought the same thing when the new Provenience had breathed upon him. I had hoped that maybe he lost his footing and fell. But I looked, Charis. I looked for him and couldn’t see any way out. The mountain face is steep under the dragon’s perch and when it does become less steep it is covered in trees. He would have either hit the rock face or crashed into the trees below. It was easily at least a thirty foot drop to the trees and there’s no telling how much more below that.”
Charis fought back the tears even harder. She bit her lower lip to resist the urge to cry harder as Rhema forced her to accept the truth. “His magic? Could his magic have saved him?”
Rhema shook her head and allowed Charis to bury her head into Rhema’s shoulder. “I don’t know, Charis. I don’t understand magic as well as Semeion did. But have you ever seen him use teleportation magic? I haven’t. I didn’t think he was that strong.”
Charis cried a bit harder now. “No, he could not master it yet. That was one thing he said to me after we visited Fingerdale. He told me that as soon as he was ready then he was going to ask Brandt to teach him a teleportation spell. It never happened. He knew that he wasn’t ready yet.”
Charis continued to cry hard against Rhema’s shoulder. Rhema could sense that she had worn herself out trying to think up new reasons to find hope. Slowly, each possibility had been exhausted. The only truth that remained was that Semeion had caught the effects of the new Provenience’s breath and had fallen to his doom. He must have fallen out of Rhema’s sight.
Xando stood patiently by Charis and Rhema as Rhema recounted the story. The new Provenience seemed deeply moved by the fact that she had directly caused Charis’ pain and Rhema saw that the new Provenience was being deeply affected. Once Rhema could sense that the new Provenience had seen enough, she motioned for Xando to lead her into the alcove to meet with her father.
Xando knew that he would need to restrain her. Darrok would likely be satisfied upon seeing his daughter, but it would be safest to keep him bound as well. Soon enough they would both be free. But the time was not quite ready to bring that possibility into existence.
[/Sblock]
Inside the cave, Charis could feel a large force of people coming towards the entrance. She noted that they moved quietly for an entire village. At the same time, the sheer number of them could not help but reverberate through the solid ground. Although her ears denied it, her legs and feet told her that a large mass of people had entered the underground passageway and were moving through the mountain tunnel entrance. There could only be one explanation. The villagers had made it.
Charis lifted her oil lamp from the ground and turned the brass knob so that the wick was lowered closer to the oil. With less wick exposed to the air, the light cast from the lamp decreased. The horses at once sensed her caution but one by one she stroked their sides to keep them calm. She knew that it would only be a matter of seconds before the lead portion of the group would approach the entrance to the side cavern in which she and the food had been hidden.
At the presence of the vibration, Darrok looked to Charis for confirmation of what he also felt. He remained bound; but his position on the floor allowed him to feel the vibrations even more accurately than Charis. When he noticed that she lowered the wick so that the light was reduced he knew that his suspicions were right. She was going to be cautious and try to remain hidden. The interesting part of his predicament was that it was likely in his best interest to remain hidden as well. If the vibrations were from the villagers, they would not have pity upon him since he had attempted to ruin their escape. If the vibrations were from some other force it would be likely that they would overcome Charis and he wouldn’t escape. For right now, he had no choice but to put his faith and trust in Charis’ hands.
The noise slowed outside the chamber as confusion began to win over the force coming into the mountain. Charis began to recognize the familiar voices of her long time friends. She allowed the light from her lamp to pass through the chamber and spill out into the main tunnel. She approached the main passageway and allowed the light to intensify in strength. She could tell that the villagers had been slowed by the narrowing of the tunnel with respect to the forest passageway through which they had been traveling. It took longer than she hoped to get the villagers completely inside the entrance.
Charis greeted the villagers once she was sure it was indeed who she expected. “Welcome! It is imperative that you come in down the tunnel as far as possible. For your safety, you must make sure you are out of the range of his fiery breath. Those in the front must continue to push on until all are safe.”
The ability to give orders to these people began to naturally return to her. When she had been the Provenience for these people she had begun to take up the role of domination over them. However, now she desired to lead them without dominating over them. It was a different feeling to be sure.
The crowd moved beyond her until they had all passed her by. As they moved, several of the women gave Charis a hug and said a quick blessing over her. With each embrace Charis returned the greeting and felt her confidence grow. It felt good to know that her people had come thus far safely. Her joy was unsurpassable knowing that her dragon father had finally been defeated after so much time. As a village, they had spent so many years living under the evil lies which originated out of his scheming machinations.
Once the villagers had made it to the mountain passage, Xando allowed the people to enter while he directed the villagers from the rear. As their leader, he wanted to be sure that all made it safely into the tunnels. When they had all moved past Charis and the tunnel he called out for a halt. “That’s far enough, Drakontai. Rest here while I speak to Charis and Ischarus.” Of course, the directions were spoken in their native draconic tongue. It was the only language that all of the villagers innately knew. Some had learned the common tongue of Tongra while others had not.
Charis greeted Xando with a hug. Xando began to cry a few tears of gladness as he embraced her warmly. Once they released, Xando began to look around the secret alcove where the food was stored. He spoke with an intense curiosity. “Is Ischarus not going to greet us today?”
Charis thought that she detected a slight tone of disappointment in his voice. A thin smile fell over her lips. It was the kind of smile that indicated she knew something that he did not. “Ischarus had a separate journey to accomplish. He left some time ago and I honestly do not know when to expect him back. I assure you that he will return. In fact, his return will mark the time that we should begin to prepare to leave into Tongra. He believes he can pave the way to our freedom.”
Xando looked a bit concerned. His eyebrows wrinkled as he tried to think through what Charis was telling to him. “Isn’t Ischarus your protector? Who will protect the people?”
Charis tried to hide her smile. Apparently Xando had forgotten her own skill and the art of combat. “Yes, Ischarus is the one who is most responsible for protection when we travel. But you will be protected by me, my new god, and the magical powers of Semeion combined with Rhema’s enchantments. Besides, not many natural predators of the tunnels will come near a force this size.”
While she spoke, there was a sound of hooves at the tunnel entrance. Charis looked up and identified the rider as she approached. Rhema rode in first followed by a horse with no rider in the saddle. Elistra carried another woman into the tunnels. Charis could only assume this was the new Provenience that had been called on to replace her in that position when Charis was taken from the village.
Rhema spoke strongly, and there was pain in her voice. “We need to speak, Charis. Your voice carries up this tunnel well. We could hear your conversation.” Rhema wasn’t sure how to address the loss of Semeion so she hoped to deflect the issue until it could not be avoided.
Unfortunately for Rhema, Charis picked up on the fact that Semeion was missing immediately. Her face turned pale and her skin grew cold. “Rhema, where’s Semeion?” Her eyes darted back and forth between Rhema and the horse without a rider. Once the horses drew even closer she could tell that it was Thana who went without anyone upon her back. Her lips parted to speak once more but the words would not come.
Xando could only imagine that this story would not have a pleasant end. He was already close to Charis from the hug they had exchange only moments ago. He reached out and embraced her again as Rhema rode up beside her and dismounted. Charis clung to Xando as both Thana and Shauvry drew nearer.
Rhema’s feet softly landed upon the floor as she dismounted Shauvry in a very smooth manner. Looking to the villagers she found a boy that looked keenly interested in the horses. “Xando, would you mind asking that boy to take the horses into the storage cave and put them with Abijou?”
As Xando nodded in reply, Charis added another layer of command. “And make sure he knows to stay away from Darrok.”
The new Provenience was keenly interested in the mention of her father. “My father is here?
Charis ignored the question, but Rhema turned to address the new Provenience. “He is here, but there is much we need to talk about as well.” Rhema looked to Xando and he seemed to understand the glance.
Xando released Charis and moved slowly to where the new Provenience sat atop Elistra. As he moved, he spotted the boy that Rhema had indicated earlier. With a motion and a quick glance he got the boy to follow him. He brought Elistra’s reigns to the boy’s level and explained that he should take the horse into the alcove and return without speaking to anyone. Once the boy understood, Xando helped the new Provenience down the ground and kept a careful watch over her while Rhema and Charis spoke.
Rhema looked to the floor as she began speaking. “I don’t think Semeion will be coming back to Tongra with us, Charis.” It probably wasn’t the best way to approach the topic, but Rhema could think of no better way under the circumstances. Charis could see for herself that Semeion was not present.
Charis immediately began to cry at the words she dreaded hearing. “But, why not? What happened? It was supposed to be a simple mission of retrieving the Provenience that replaced me.”
Rhema nodded and looked into Charis’ eyes. “I know, Charis. I know. The new Provenience has a talent that neither Semeion nor I expected. We are sure she is pregnant with at least one unborn child, and it may well have given her a unique gift. She could breathe fire just like your dragon father.”
Charis continued to cry, but she also returned Rhema’s stare. “Many of my people carry the marks of my dragon father. In many ways even my own gifts are derived from his power. There are even a few among the villagers that we rescued that have such power. But I don’t understand how …”
Rhema embraced Charis in a hug once she realized Charis was trying her best to block the pain and explain away the truth. “The new Provenience was resistant. She was intent on killing us both. Semeion sacrificed himself so that she would be forced to see that the village had been abandoned. He stood on the dragon’s perch and forced her to join him to attack. She breathed out her fire in an attack and Semeion was gone.”
Charis clutched at the immediate hope found in the story. “Perhaps he went over the edge?”
Charis meant to say more but Rhema cut her off. “I thought the same thing when the new Provenience had breathed upon him. I had hoped that maybe he lost his footing and fell. But I looked, Charis. I looked for him and couldn’t see any way out. The mountain face is steep under the dragon’s perch and when it does become less steep it is covered in trees. He would have either hit the rock face or crashed into the trees below. It was easily at least a thirty foot drop to the trees and there’s no telling how much more below that.”
Charis fought back the tears even harder. She bit her lower lip to resist the urge to cry harder as Rhema forced her to accept the truth. “His magic? Could his magic have saved him?”
Rhema shook her head and allowed Charis to bury her head into Rhema’s shoulder. “I don’t know, Charis. I don’t understand magic as well as Semeion did. But have you ever seen him use teleportation magic? I haven’t. I didn’t think he was that strong.”
Charis cried a bit harder now. “No, he could not master it yet. That was one thing he said to me after we visited Fingerdale. He told me that as soon as he was ready then he was going to ask Brandt to teach him a teleportation spell. It never happened. He knew that he wasn’t ready yet.”
Charis continued to cry hard against Rhema’s shoulder. Rhema could sense that she had worn herself out trying to think up new reasons to find hope. Slowly, each possibility had been exhausted. The only truth that remained was that Semeion had caught the effects of the new Provenience’s breath and had fallen to his doom. He must have fallen out of Rhema’s sight.
Xando stood patiently by Charis and Rhema as Rhema recounted the story. The new Provenience seemed deeply moved by the fact that she had directly caused Charis’ pain and Rhema saw that the new Provenience was being deeply affected. Once Rhema could sense that the new Provenience had seen enough, she motioned for Xando to lead her into the alcove to meet with her father.
Xando knew that he would need to restrain her. Darrok would likely be satisfied upon seeing his daughter, but it would be safest to keep him bound as well. Soon enough they would both be free. But the time was not quite ready to bring that possibility into existence.
[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]Chapter Thirteen: UNDER THE DRAGON’S CLAW
Inside the cave, Charis could feel a large force of people coming towards the entrance. She noted that they moved quietly for an entire village. At the same time, the sheer number of them could not help but reverberate through the solid ground. Although her ears denied it, her legs and feet told her that a large mass of people had entered the underground passageway and were moving through the mountain tunnel entrance. There could only be one explanation. The villagers had made it.
Charis lifted her oil lamp from the ground and turned the brass knob so that the wick was lowered closer to the oil. With less wick exposed to the air, the light cast from the lamp decreased. The horses at once sensed her caution but one by one she stroked their sides to keep them calm. She knew that it would only be a matter of seconds before the lead portion of the group would approach the entrance to the side cavern in which she and the food had been hidden.
At the presence of the vibration, Darrok looked to Charis for confirmation of what he also felt. He remained bound; but his position on the floor allowed him to feel the vibrations even more accurately than Charis. When he noticed that she lowered the wick so that the light was reduced he knew that his suspicions were right. She was going to be cautious and try to remain hidden. The interesting part of his predicament was that it was likely in his best interest to remain hidden as well. If the vibrations were from the villagers, they would not have pity upon him since he had attempted to ruin their escape. If the vibrations were from some other force it would be likely that they would overcome Charis and he wouldn’t escape. For right now, he had no choice but to put his faith and trust in Charis’ hands.
The noise slowed outside the chamber as confusion began to win over the force coming into the mountain. Charis began to recognize the familiar voices of her long time friends. She allowed the light from her lamp to pass through the chamber and spill out into the main tunnel. She approached the main passageway and allowed the light to intensify in strength. She could tell that the villagers had been slowed by the narrowing of the tunnel with respect to the forest passageway through which they had been traveling. It took longer than she hoped to get the villagers completely inside the entrance.
Charis greeted the villagers once she was sure it was indeed who she expected. “Welcome! It is imperative that you come in down the tunnel as far as possible. For your safety, you must make sure you are out of the range of his fiery breath. Those in the front must continue to push on until all are safe.”
The ability to give orders to these people began to naturally return to her. When she had been the Provenience for these people she had begun to take up the role of domination over them. However, now she desired to lead them without dominating over them. It was a different feeling to be sure.
The crowd moved beyond her until they had all passed her by. As they moved, several of the women gave Charis a hug and said a quick blessing over her. With each embrace Charis returned the greeting and felt her confidence grow. It felt good to know that her people had come thus far safely. Her joy was unsurpassable knowing that her dragon father had finally been defeated after so much time. As a village, they had spent so many years living under the evil lies which originated out of his scheming machinations.
Once the villagers had made it to the mountain passage, Xando allowed the people to enter while he directed the villagers from the rear. As their leader, he wanted to be sure that all made it safely into the tunnels. When they had all moved past Charis and the tunnel he called out for a halt. “That’s far enough, Drakontai. Rest here while I speak to Charis and Ischarus.” Of course, the directions were spoken in their native draconic tongue. It was the only language that all of the villagers innately knew. Some had learned the common tongue of Tongra while others had not.
Charis greeted Xando with a hug. Xando began to cry a few tears of gladness as he embraced her warmly. Once they released, Xando began to look around the secret alcove where the food was stored. He spoke with an intense curiosity. “Is Ischarus not going to greet us today?”
Charis thought that she detected a slight tone of disappointment in his voice. A thin smile fell over her lips. It was the kind of smile that indicated she knew something that he did not. “Ischarus had a separate journey to accomplish. He left some time ago and I honestly do not know when to expect him back. I assure you that he will return. In fact, his return will mark the time that we should begin to prepare to leave into Tongra. He believes he can pave the way to our freedom.”
Xando looked a bit concerned. His eyebrows wrinkled as he tried to think through what Charis was telling to him. “Isn’t Ischarus your protector? Who will protect the people?”
Charis tried to hide her smile. Apparently Xando had forgotten her own skill and the art of combat. “Yes, Ischarus is the one who is most responsible for protection when we travel. But you will be protected by me, my new god, and the magical powers of Semeion combined with Rhema’s enchantments. Besides, not many natural predators of the tunnels will come near a force this size.”
While she spoke, there was a sound of hooves at the tunnel entrance. Charis looked up and identified the rider as she approached. Rhema rode in first followed by a horse with no rider in the saddle. Elistra carried another woman into the tunnels. Charis could only assume this was the new Provenience that had been called on to replace her in that position when Charis was taken from the village.
Rhema spoke strongly, and there was pain in her voice. “We need to speak, Charis. Your voice carries up this tunnel well. We could hear your conversation.” Rhema wasn’t sure how to address the loss of Semeion so she hoped to deflect the issue until it could not be avoided.
Unfortunately for Rhema, Charis picked up on the fact that Semeion was missing immediately. Her face turned pale and her skin grew cold. “Rhema, where’s Semeion?” Her eyes darted back and forth between Rhema and the horse without a rider. Once the horses drew even closer she could tell that it was Thana who went without anyone upon her back. Her lips parted to speak once more but the words would not come.
Xando could only imagine that this story would not have a pleasant end. He was already close to Charis from the hug they had exchange only moments ago. He reached out and embraced her again as Rhema rode up beside her and dismounted. Charis clung to Xando as both Thana and Shauvry drew nearer.
Rhema’s feet softly landed upon the floor as she dismounted Shauvry in a very smooth manner. Looking to the villagers she found a boy that looked keenly interested in the horses. “Xando, would you mind asking that boy to take the horses into the storage cave and put them with Abijou?”
As Xando nodded in reply, Charis added another layer of command. “And make sure he knows to stay away from Darrok.”
The new Provenience was keenly interested in the mention of her father. “My father is here?
Charis ignored the question, but Rhema turned to address the new Provenience. “He is here, but there is much we need to talk about as well.” Rhema looked to Xando and he seemed to understand the glance.
Xando released Charis and moved slowly to where the new Provenience sat atop Elistra. As he moved, he spotted the boy that Rhema had indicated earlier. With a motion and a quick glance he got the boy to follow him. He brought Elistra’s reigns to the boy’s level and explained that he should take the horse into the alcove and return without speaking to anyone. Once the boy understood, Xando helped the new Provenience down the ground and kept a careful watch over her while Rhema and Charis spoke.
Rhema looked to the floor as she began speaking. “I don’t think Semeion will be coming back to Tongra with us, Charis.” It probably wasn’t the best way to approach the topic, but Rhema could think of no better way under the circumstances. Charis could see for herself that Semeion was not present.
Charis immediately began to cry at the words she dreaded hearing. “But, why not? What happened? It was supposed to be a simple mission of retrieving the Provenience that replaced me.”
Rhema nodded and looked into Charis’ eyes. “I know, Charis. I know. The new Provenience has a talent that neither Semeion nor I expected. We are sure she is pregnant with at least one unborn child, and it may well have given her a unique gift. She could breathe fire just like your dragon father.”
Charis continued to cry, but she also returned Rhema’s stare. “Many of my people carry the marks of my dragon father. In many ways even my own gifts are derived from his power. There are even a few among the villagers that we rescued that have such power. But I don’t understand how …”
Rhema embraced Charis in a hug once she realized Charis was trying her best to block the pain and explain away the truth. “The new Provenience was resistant. She was intent on killing us both. Semeion sacrificed himself so that she would be forced to see that the village had been abandoned. He stood on the dragon’s perch and forced her to join him to attack. She breathed out her fire in an attack and Semeion was gone.”
Charis clutched at the immediate hope found in the story. “Perhaps he went over the edge?”
Charis meant to say more but Rhema cut her off. “I thought the same thing when the new Provenience had breathed upon him. I had hoped that maybe he lost his footing and fell. But I looked, Charis. I looked for him and couldn’t see any way out. The mountain face is steep under the dragon’s perch and when it does become less steep it is covered in trees. He would have either hit the rock face or crashed into the trees below. It was easily at least a thirty foot drop to the trees and there’s no telling how much more below that.”
Charis fought back the tears even harder. She bit her lower lip to resist the urge to cry harder as Rhema forced her to accept the truth. “His magic? Could his magic have saved him?”
Rhema shook her head and allowed Charis to bury her head into Rhema’s shoulder. “I don’t know, Charis. I don’t understand magic as well as Semeion did. But have you ever seen him use teleportation magic? I haven’t. I didn’t think he was that strong.”
Charis cried a bit harder now. “No, he could not master it yet. That was one thing he said to me after we visited Fingerdale. He told me that as soon as he was ready then he was going to ask Brandt to teach him a teleportation spell. It never happened. He knew that he wasn’t ready yet.”
Charis continued to cry hard against Rhema’s shoulder. Rhema could sense that she had worn herself out trying to think up new reasons to find hope. Slowly, each possibility had been exhausted. The only truth that remained was that Semeion had caught the effects of the new Provenience’s breath and had fallen to his doom. He must have fallen out of Rhema’s sight.
Xando stood patiently by Charis and Rhema as Rhema recounted the story. The new Provenience seemed deeply moved by the fact that she had directly caused Charis’ pain and Rhema saw that the new Provenience was being deeply affected. Once Rhema could sense that the new Provenience had seen enough, she motioned for Xando to lead her into the alcove to meet with her father.
Xando knew that he would need to restrain her. Darrok would likely be satisfied upon seeing his daughter, but it would be safest to keep him bound as well. Soon enough they would both be free. But the time was not quite ready to bring that possibility into existence.
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