To Kill A Dragon
A Surela of Valtoor Tale
To Kill A Dragon
A Surela of Valtoor Tale
Surela ducked under the drunken arm of Kellen, pushing him into the smaller of the jail cells.
“You can’t hold me here,” he said.
Surela grinned. “You’re lucky it was I who was passing the inn. King Koma’s guards are at the end of their time here. They’re itching to get back to Kelsh.”
“How does that make me lucky?”
“Matril is Seargeant At Arms with this group. He’d have killed you without a thought in your condition. It would be his right to do so.”
“Oh.” Kellen nodded.
“They leave tonight, at sundown. Atters is due with a new squad of royal soldiers then. Tomorrow, you won’t get killed for the same actions, but you’ll still wind up here.”
“What for?”
“Drinking to excess. Disorderly conduct. Acting like an idiot in public.”
“The last one isn’t a law.”
“No, but it’s one of my laws.”
“It’s what I do sometimes.”
“As long as nobody gets hurt or anything gets broken, I’m fine with that.”
“Yeah, well.”
“When you broke the chair over Essyl’s back, you went too far.”
“How much longer will I stay?”
“Go to sleep. When you get up, we’ll see how decent you can be.”
“Fair enough, my lady. Will you stay with me?”
“Hah. You’re a bold one. No. I have my Champion duties to keep me busy.”
“What if I get hungry?”
“Karyne is here. He’ll take care of your needs.”
“Swell. He hates me.”
“No, he doesn’t. he hates when you get drunk and throw him into the river.”
“Do I do that?”
“Every time you drink too much. You missed him this time.”
“When I looked for him, he wasn’t at the inn.”
“He was helping Sibro carve a large block of wood for the Moons Harvest Festival next month.”
“One of my favorite times of the year.”
“When the Vrillor wine is ready. I’m going to assign one of Koma’s guards to accompany you during the festival.”
“Very kind of you, I’m sure.”
“It’s not kindness. It’s preventing you from having too good a time.”
“So, that’s how it will be?”
“Yes. It’s going to be a regular reaction from me until and unless you stop drinking.”
“I could move back to Ipston.”
“Like they’d ever have you back.”
“No need to be mean about it.” He sat down.
“Get some sleep.”
As Surela stepped outside for some air, a young woman rode up on a brown horse.
“Are you Surela, Champion of Valtoor?”
“Just Surela will do. What can I do for you?”
“I’m from Denaca, to the south of here.”
“The place is familiar to me. I almost got hanged.”
“Mayor Kaswyn wanted to express forgiveness for the treatment you received in the past.”
“Do you need something stolen? I don’t do that anymore. That’s how I ended up in trouble with the previous mayor.”
“No. here, please read this.” She handed Surela a roll of parchment sealed with the mayor’s ring in blue wax.
To Surela, Champion of Valtoor, we know you are the Dragon Mistress, via your God-Shard. Several merchants in town have vouched for your skills in handling wayward dragons.
A Soil Dragon has landed on the roof of our Babrieck temple. This was two days ago. The roof gave way, and the dragon fell to the stone floor. The creature suffered significant injuries and cannot move. It allows no one to approach it or help, despite its obvious pain.
We ask that you come to our village to see if you can help this poor creature. We request you to visit our village to assess if you can help this poor creature. We assure you that our people are willing and committed to doing whatever it takes to support you. We guarantee you will receive full compensation with a fee of your choosing.
Surela looked up at the woman. “What’s your name?”
“Lanny.”
“Thank you, Lanny, for bringing this to me. Tell Kaswyn I will follow you in less than an hour. Did you come alone?”
“Yes.”
“That was foolish. I’ll have an escort ride with you to Danaca. Don’t ride in these parts alone ever again.”
“I won’t.”
Surela smiled. “All right. Go to the main gate. Ask for Willan. Tell him Surela requests he travel with you to Danaca. If he resists, tell him he’ll have to stay here for another hitch after his squad leaves today.”
“I’ll tell him. And thank you.”
“Get going. I need to pack.”
An hour later, Surela sat upon Khelt, her steadfast horse. He’d been waiting at her door when she arrived at her black ice house to pack.
The journey to Danaca would have her arrive two hours before dusk. It was not ideal to meet an injured dragon at night. She had confidence in her God-Shard and its innate ability to work in peace with the dragon.
“Now what have you gotten yourself into?” said Lim as he blinked to her shoulder. He yawned and then belched.
“You’ve been eating rotten fish again,” said Surela.
“My favorite. Din’een started leaving them in the fallow corn field for the vermin so they won’t eat I the new corn.”
“You mean the other vermin, right?”
“Your insults need to be written by someone with wit,” he snickered. “What kind of trouble are we heading into now?”
“We?”
“Well, yeah. We’re partners, even if you’ve got this fancy new job.”
“This job puts a roof over our head. No more bounty hunters. No more running. No more hiding.”
“When you put it that way, it sounds nice.”
“It is.”
“Okay, I’m sold. How much money are we being paid?”
“Why does everything revolve around money for you?”
“Everything is about money to me. It’s how I determine the value of doing anything.”
“I see.”
“Where are we heading, anyway?”
Surela gave him all the details. He groaned at the mention of their destination.
“Isn’t Danaca where we used to live? Where Morbius lives so close you can see his chimney smoke?”
“Yes.”
“And you want to go back?”
“They invited me.”
“The same people who told you to leave, or they’d hang you?”
“They need my help. They have forgiven me for what I did.”
“Forgiven? How interesting.”
As Surela entered Danaca, there were two hours left of sun. A delegation waited for her on the village outskirts. The mayor was obvious in his new clothes and ceremonial staff. Surela moved past them to a water trough. She dismounted and let Khelt have a drink.
“Welcome, Surela,” said Kaswyn as the crowd all turned to face her.
“Mayor Kaswyn. You look well. Last time we met, you were a storekeeper.”
“Time passed, things improved since you were last here.”
“I hope you haven’t lured me down here to arrest me.”
Kaswyn laughed. “No, no. If it weren’t for the dragon in our temple, we never would have given you another thought.”
“I appreciate your honesty, mayor. I’m not the person you knew back then.”
“You’re a Champion now. A Shadow Sheet does not change its nature.”
“I’m no longer a thief. You know it, or I’d not be here.”
“Danaca merchants have reported Valtoor is among the safest villages they visit. I’ll attribute this to you.”
“I don’t allow trouble to start. May we go to the temple? The dragon is in need.”
“Before you go, I’d like you to swear that you’ll not try to steal anything while you are within Danaca.” The speaker was someone Surela didn’t recognize.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Malin. I keep the peace here in Danaca.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’d hope this time the circumstances were better.”
“Well, yes, we’ve heard the stories about you. We can’t afford a Champion, so I volunteered to help keep the peace.”
“You’d still be under my command if the king ordered an army to be assembled.”
Malin squirmed at the reality of his position. “Do you swear to help us without regard to your needs or greed?”
Surela took a moment, locking eyes with Malin. “I swear to devote my time to help this dragon in the temple. Once I deal with the dragon, I’ll return to Valtoor. Satisfied?”
“All right,” said Malin. “We can proceed to the temple.”
Surela moved toward the center of the village before Malin finished speaking. She hadn’t the time to waste talking to a volunteer law keeper. Khelt would stay where he was. He’d join her as soon as the dragon was gone. He didn’t like dragons and stayed away from them.
The temple stood on a small hill east of town, as Babrieck lore dictated. A crowd of two dozen people stood in silence near the entrance. Surela noticed the roof damage. One chimney sat tilted toward the center, while the top of the second chimney was missing.
“She’s here,” someone muttered. The crowd murmured. A few said Dragon Mistress. Others said Tariel, the goddess and the owner of Rmal, the God-Shard in Surela’s possession.
Surela raised her hands as she came to the crowd. The noise dwindled to a few low voices. Then they grew quiet.
“Who can tell me what happened?”
“She can,” someone muttered. The crowd parted as an older woman came forward. She wore a robe decorated with artistic flourishes of green, red, and silver. The fabric depicted faces, plants, skylines, musical instruments, and mountains. She was the temple’s high priestess.
“Do you need to speak to me in private?” Surela asked. Babrieck priestesses and acolytes were averse to speaking aloud to strangers. They never spoke outside.
The priestess nodded. Surela looked around and spotted a blacksmith’s shop. The owner stood out front, watching the crowd. “This way.”
Surela and the priestess moved to the shop. Nodding to the priestess, the blacksmith gazed at Surela. “Are you the one who’s come to slay the dragon?”
“Killing the dragon is not the priority.”
“What else can you do with it?”
“I must know everything that occurred here. Then I will decide.”
“As long as we’re rid of it.”
“You will be, but it will be in the best interest of everyone, including the dragon.”
The smith nodded.
“May we talk in private inside your shop?”
“Go right ahead. I’ll get something to eat.”
“Thank you.” Surela turned, and the priestess nodded and followed her inside.
Once inside, the priestess let down her hood. She was devoid of hair save for a ring around her crown and a long ponytail.
“My name is Zarid. I am high priestess of Babrieck.”
“Surela of Valtoor.”
“You own Rmal, the Dragon God-Shard.”
“Only a few call it that, but yes, it is Rmal.”
“You are the Dragon Mistress. Perhaps we will then all survive this. You are our best chance to avoid the worst of outcomes.”
“They say it’s a Soil Dragon.”
“Yes.”
“A Sun Dragon. We’re lucky. Soil dragons are not dangerous. Can you tell me what happened?”
“As the dragon flew over the edge of town, I paused in my prayers to admire its beauty. Dragons are such amazing creatures. Few others bothered to look at it.”
“Dragons are magnificent, most of them.”
“You must own one yourself, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“What sort, if I may ask?”
“A Marsh dragon.”
Zarid nodded and smiled. “One of the larger ones.”
“Oh, I know. He’s only a year old, and he’s bigger than my house.”
“I should like to see him one day.”
“You are welcome to visit me at any time. I have plenty of room.”
“I thank you. To continue. The dragon neared the center of town when a great flaming stone fell from the clouds. It struck the dragon between the wings, near the neck.”
“It came from the clouds, you say?”
“Yes. I’m certain.”
“What happened to this stone?”
“It bounced off the dragon and landed in the river downstream.”
“What happened then?”
“The dragon fell from the sky. It landed on the temple roof.”
“I see remnants of fresh soil around the temple. It’s pouring from those side windows. The dragon must have been here for some time.”
“Within an hour, the roof collapsed. The dragon dropped into the temple. It’s been two days.”
“And the soil?”
“it’s been pouring from the broken windows for two days. The dragon is up against the windows. The farmers took it. I saw no harm in it. The dragon growled but did nothing hostile.”
“Was anyone present at the temple when the stone struck the dragon?”
“No. We were between services.”
“Has anyone entered the temple since the dragon fell?”
“I entered soon after the dragon landed. Its limbs were thrashing so much I dared not move beyond the doorway.”
“May I have your permission to enter the temple?”
“You are Tariel’s avatar. We are both aligned with the Sun. I know you will respect the sanctity of our temple. May I request to accompany you?”
“I welcome the company. Please don’t approach the dragon unless I tell you it’s safe.”
“I will bow to your expertise. My concern is with the damage done to the interior. There is concern we may have lost our sacred drum and our holy tomes.”
“Let’s exclude the townspeople from the temple. For safety’s sake, and for all of us.”
“I will have the acolytes stand guard at the entrance. Give me a short while to collect an ample amount.”
“Please hurry. The dragon is in great pain.”
“Yes, I will.”
The priestess left, ducking her head to pull the hood over her eyes. Surela stepped forward to see three acolytes meet her at the anvil. Zarid motioned with both hands, speaking softly. The acolytes nodded and moved out of sight.
As Surela approached the temple, a deep moaning came from within. It shook the walls and made the nearby villagers back away. Two large Babrieck acolytes stood at the temple entrance. Zarid joined her.
“I know you have taken an oath of silence outside the temple. Can you nod, correct?” Surela asked.
The acolytes nodded.
“Can you keep anyone other than us from entering? More people will arrive soon to assist you.”
The acolytes smiled and nodded. Surela and Zarid brushed past them and stepped to the door. As she grasped the handle, a large young man in a black robe stepped forward. The robe had gold piping running along its edges. He reached out with one long arm and placed it on the door. Surela spotted the dragon claw tattoo on the back of his hand. The acolytes cowered at his presence but didn’t move.
“Before you enter, I seek an answer from you.”
Surela glanced at the big man. He towered a head taller than she. “It depends. Who are you?”
“My name is Myrunn, a priest of Zaala.”
“Oh, I see.” Surela stiffened. “What’s your question?”
“Why must you alone decide the fate of this dragon?”
“Do you have any experience dealing with dragons?” she asked.
“Dragons are vile creatures,” said Myrunn. “I lead a party who cornered and killed a dragon destroying some land near a village I often visit.”
“What do you mean destroy?” Surela’s anger rose, reddening her face.
“It was digging a big hole in the ground, filling it with unpleasant smelling water.”
Surela fought the urge to kill the man. “You killed a Marsh Dragon?”
“Yes. It had no respect for the land near the village.”
“Were you using the land for any purpose?”
“No. It was scrub brush and rocks. No use to anyone.”
“Do you have any idea what a Marsh Dragon does?”
“No. My knowledge of dragons is meager.”
“Obvious. Before I decide about the temple dragon, you should know of your deeds. Among dragons, the Marsh Dragon is the most harmless. The one you killed was preparing the ground to start a home for its family.”
“Family?”
“Yes, you ignorant dolt. Marsh Dragons create marshland and small lakes, which fill up with fish and game birds. They chose your village to protect.”
“Why?”
“Marsh dragons like people. It chose your village because it sensed you are good people. It would have protected the entire area with its family.”
“How do they protect a village?”
“When a Marsh Dragon, either by itself or with a family, claims an area, it will protect any people within two leagues of its home. They are very strong and fearless. They dislike thieves or renegade soldiers.”
“We do not know of such things,” said Myrunn, lowering his gaze. He could not look at Surela anymore.
“You lost a good friend and a protector. Your village would have been safe from bandits and other criminals for many generations.”
“How do you come by such knowledge?”
“It is her business to know such things,” said Zarid. “She owns Rmal, the God-Shard of Tariel.”
“Goddess of dragons,” muttered Myrunn. He looked at her. “You are the Dragon Mistress.”
Surela nodded and stepped back, gripping a tooth from her belt. “Do you see these?”
“Dragon’s teeth,” said Myrunn. “You have slain two dragons.”
“Not by choice, but yes.”
Myrunn bowed to her. “My apologies to you. I traveled for an entire day upon hearing of the dragon who fell from the sky.”
“Can you tell me about a stone falling from the clouds and striking the dragon?”
Myrunn paused. He averted his eyes. “I know not of such things.”
“Whoever sent the stone to slay the dragon will have a brief life once I uncover their identity. Should I find out you’re here for this person, nowhere in Vareima will offer you refuge. I will find you, and I will kill you.”
“I didn’t make the stone fall.”
“Do you know who did?”
Myrunn shook his head too quickly. “I do not know of this.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“Why don’t you answer the question?”
Myrunn backed away from Surela. “I must return to my village.” He walked away and disappeared into the crowd. Surela watched him leave, shaking her head.
“He’s hiding something,” Surela said. “I wish I could follow him. Maybe we’d find who sent him here.”
“I can send an acolyte to follow him,” said Zarid.
“No. it’s not worth it. You can have your village keep an eye out for anyone with a dragon claw tattoo entering the area.”
“We will.” Zarid looked at the temple door. “We must finish this matter before sundown.” Her words were soft, and only Surela could hear them.
“Of course. You may accompany me, if you like. This is your temple.”
Zarid nodded. Her gaze fell upon the two acolytes stationed at the door. They nodded to her as she opened the door. She entered first, performing a small ritual to protect visitors. Surela stepped into the temple.
“There may be manuscripts to be saved,” said Zarid. “I will be quiet.”
“Most appreciated,” said Surela.
Surela heard the labored breathing of the dragon in the darkened temple. She let her eyes adjust to the dim light, spotting the dragon against the far wall. It lay on its back. The dragon lay on its back with both wings folded underneath at unnatural angles. The dragon’s wings were broken. A layer of dark soil piled up in a ring around the dragon. More soil seeped from between the scales as she approached.
The dragon’s breathing rasped like a stick played along the pickets of a fence. The dragon had something broken inside. Dark blood pooled in a dozen spots along its enormous body. The great digging claws hung at its side, useless.
Rmal, on the pommel of Surela’s sword, glowed with a sharp heat. The God-Shard pulsed twice, and the dragon opened its eyes.
“Dragon Mistress,” he said.
“My name is Surela. Who are you?”
“Ky’Alir of the Yellow Rocks. Thank you for asking.”
“You are due the respect of any intelligent being.”
“Thank you. I prayed someone such as you might come to help me. I prayed it would be you.”
“Why?”
“You understand my predicament more than any other.”
“I do. I grieve for you.”
“Thank you. Happy it is you who will kill me.”
“Has your condition gone so far? Is there any hope you can recover?”
“Consider me a cynic, but my answer is no. I broke my neck and one wing. None of my limbs will move.” Blood dripped from between his sharp teeth. “I landed upon some sharp object. It has pierced a lung.”
“I’m sorry. May I ask a question?”
“Yes.”
“The priestess of this temple says a large flaming stone dropped from the clouds and struck you.”
”Is that what happened? I believed he had forgotten about me.”
“Who?”
“Baron Etryan. Northern Vrillor..” He paused. His words slurred, and his breathing grew more ragged. “A great flood washed away his land. He wanted me to provide new soil for the local farms.”
“It seems like a reasonable proposition. Things didn’t work out, did they?”
“It did at first.” The dragon coughed. An enormous clot of blood sloughed from his mouth onto the floor. “As I flew over the area, I saw another soil dragon. Chained to an enormous stone pillar.”
“Enslaved.”
“Yes. I flew away as soon as I saw her. This broke my contract. The army shot at me. Singed my wings. A dark mage lived in the duchy, rumor had it. Shot a fireball at me.”
“So, this mage may have been the one who hit you with the stone?”
“Yes.” He paused. A shudder ran through him. “I have no more time. My thoughts are unclear. Do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“You may take my upper right fang for services rendered.”
“My faith forbids me from taking a tooth not gained by combat.”
“I’m a threat to the stability of these people. Killing me fulfills the obligation to Tariel. Does it not?”
Surela nodded. “Yes, it will, I’m afraid.”
“Then it’s done. The favor now.”
“Go on.”
“Do not let others pillage my remains.”
“I’ll follow your instructions, but there’s only one sure method.”
“Fire.” Ky’Alir nodded.
“Yes.”
“I realized I’m in a sacred place. It is an enormous imposition to allow a sacred place to be destroyed.” Ky’Alir’s breathing whistled. Tears streamed down his face.
“We can leave the decision to the Zarid, the high priestess of this temple.”
“This is a Babrieck temple. The priests will be nearby, as tradition dictates.”
“I am here.” Zarid stepped into the light. She removed her hood and moved next to Surela. Her silver eyes shone in the fading light.
“Forgive my intrusion, high priestess,” said Ky’Alir.
“Some things cannot be avoided,” Zarid said. “You wish to die with as much dignity as circumstances warrant.”
“A small request, one I can pay for. I have a cache of gold two days’ travel from this temple. If it can help rebuild, you are welcome to it.”
“We are grateful for your offer. Tell me.”
In choking, blood-filled words, Ky’Alir gave Zarid and Surela the gold’s location.
“Thank you,” said Zarid. “I know where the place is.”
“It is but a small obligation on my part. This is a wondrous temple. Such a loss.”
“Another temple can, and will be, built. If that is your last wish, I will grant it.”
“Thank you,” said Ky’Alir. “A thought. I may not have been the sole target of the stone.”
“I don’t understand,” said Zarid.
“Your temple may have been the primary target,” said Surela. “There has always been feuding between Moon and Sun temples, especially with Zaala.”
“Was not the issue settled two generations ago?” asked Zarid.
Ky’Alir noted forgiving certain long-standing grudges can take time.
“It’s worth looking into,” said Surela.
“If you investigate this matter, I will help you.” Zarid smiled.
Surela nodded. “I will find the answers, I swear to it.” She looked at Ky’Alir. “And I will free the enslaved dragon for you.”
“This will give me some peace. I cannot thank you enough.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.”
Ky’Alir wheezed a sigh. “And now to business. Priestess, I would ask if you could stand back at the entrance. I would not like to see your robes covered with blood.”
“We will forever remember your thoughtfulness in our prayers.”
“Thank you.” A shudder ran through Ky’Alir’s frame. “It is time.”
Zarid nodded and moved to the far end of the temple. She stepped behind a column and peered at the dragon and Surela.
Surela drew Blue Bone from its sheath. The deep blue blade vibrated in her grasp.
“Slip the blade between the fifth and sixth scales below my ear,” said Ky’Alir.
“This will hurt. I’m sorry.”
“Not as much as I am already hurt. Thank you once more.”
Surela placed one foot on the dragon’s neck. The sword thrust in with ease. The dragon stiffened in pain despite the broken neck. Dark blood poured from the wound. Blue Bone drank its fill and more. Rmal lit up like the sun. Its light filled the interior.
With a deep groan, Ky’Alir died. The scales flattened as the remaining soil was squeezed out. Surela stepped down, careful not to slide in the pool of blood. She stepped up to the dragon’s head. His mouth hung open. With practiced care, she cut out one of the upper fangs.
Zarid stepped up with a small canvas bag. Surela placed the tooth into the bag. Tooth matched her hand’s length.
“One more thing to do,” said Zarid.
“Do you need help?”
“No. Thank you. When you are ready to help the other Soil Dragon, I’ll be here to help you.”
“I need time to prepare. Vrillor has tight visitor regulations. I’ll get two travel permits through a friend in Kelsh.”
“How long?”
“A month or two.”
When Khelt settled down, Surela climbed into the saddle. The fang hung loose from the saddle horn, bouncing on her right shin. A smaller leather pouch hung closer to her, filled with gold coins paid by a generous Kaswyn.