Chapter 15

Catharina was delighted. It seemed that in Nareena’s society, hand talk as she called it, was a closely guarded secret of the women. No man was ever taught it. Quickly Catharina told Nareena how she had been covered in snow when they had returned her to the cavern. She also told how Antonin had finally accepted his duty, and told a little of the story of how the whole series of events had begun.

Nareena was now fully dressed again, and seemed to have regained her strength, although she was still a little unsteady on her feet. She was young and healthy though, and would soon regain her strength.

“Antonin, it is all right to join us now.” Nareena said.

Antonin came back to the fire and joined the others.

“Well, I think we should make some plans. We seem to be in a strange situation here.” Antonin sat down again on the rocky ledge by the fire, now little more than a flickering pile of embers. He poked some unburnt ends into the coals, the flames rising instantly about the dry wood.

“Nareena,” he said in her language, the circlet pulsing on his forehead. “I will accept what has been thrust upon me. Your friend did not die in vain. Indeed, it seems that his death, the gift he made in death of his cloths, has saved the life of the Dragon Lord. Your quest has succeeded. He has saved me, and you have found me. I would ask that you forgive me. I nearly caused your death, when in fact I owe you my life. Neither have I shamed you by seeing you undressed. You were frozen about with snow when the girls carried you back here, and meanwhile I tended the fire to warm you.”

Antonin’s speech was mostly truth, but the slight flush of red in his cheeks told Nareena that perhaps the snow had not been as thick as he insisted it was. ‘No matter’ she thought, ‘as the weaver weaves, so shall the pattern emerge.’

With some surprise Antonin realized that the three girls were conversing in finger talk. ‘I can’t believe it.’ He thought to himself. ‘I travel somehow to a far country, where on this world I know not, and still the women share secrets. Will I ever understand them?’ His only outward sign was a muffled grunt. All three girls looked at him with that inscrutable gaze he had come to expect.

He cleared his throat. “Well, Nareena spoke of me summoning dragons if I pound the stone walls. It seems I can call up a portal when I least expect it. It seems I speak a language I have no knowledge of. I need to learn how to control these things if I am to be of any use in the coming battle against the forces of Ba’al.” The words died in Antonin’s throat as the howl of the wind outside the cavern suddenly stopped. It just cut off as though sliced with a knife. Nareena was on her feet, mouth open, struggling to get her words out. “No!” She finally cried. “Do not use the name... ohhh, it is too late.” She stood very still. Everyone looking toward the entrance now, expecting they knew not what in the sudden quiet. Finally, as though from a great distance, they heard the deep rumble of boulders and rock moving. A slight tremor shook the ground, and then all noise faded away. Slowly the wind outside picked up again until once again it was shrieking across the crags, and swirling snow in great drifts past the cavern entrance.

“Sorry...” Was all Antonin could say. The girls shook their heads as if to say ‘what are we going to do with this person?’

Sure that the danger had passed, Nareena said. “We should leave this valley my Lord, and find our way to the Blue Tower. It is told that therein lives a person who has lived for all time. This person keeps the secrets of the Dragon Lord until he should return. I only have the old stories as a guide but I believe we can find the Blue Tower, and it’s keeper.”

All the while, Nareena had also been using her hand talk to pass on the same information to the girls.

“I am not a warrior Lord, but I am a hunter, and if it pleases my Lord, I will serve you as long as you wish. Just as your warriors serve you.” Nareena indicated Catharina and Elsa.

Antonin strongly doubted Catharina and Elsa served him in that sense. This was born out by a disbelieving laugh from Catharina.

“We don’t serve the Dragon Lord Nareena,” said Catharina. “We guard and protect him. We stand in his place in danger. We do not serve.” She paused and to soften the words, added in finger talk for Nareena alone. “Mostly we protect him from himself.” And smiled.

Nareena laughed. She would enjoy the company of these strange girls. Truly they were warriors. Hard as iron, yet capable of the gentlest compassion, and possessed of a great good humour. They were sure of themselves, and their place in the pattern being woven about them. They would be good companions.

“We must depart this place my Lord.” Nareena said carefully. “I did not like the sound of falling rock a short time ago. If our path out is destroyed, we could be in serious trouble.”

She wasted no time in gathering up her belongings, and showed Catharina and Elsa how best to fasten the furs about themselves. Nareena explained that she had used this cave as a base for many years, and had collected a good supply of spare cloths and food here. Finally all was ready. Nareena led the way out of the cavern, Catharina next, Antonin then Elsa. The snow storm had abated somewhat and now there was just a cold wind keening across the ice. The landscape as far as the eye could see was white and unreadable under a thick blanket of snow.

The group walked over the hard snow for some distance along the base of the cliff, then started to climb up a steep track that was part fault in the rock and part hand cut. The track was very steep and cut into steps in places, and seemed to continue up into the very clouds that occasionally swirled across the blue of the sky. Nareena stepped onto a wide ledge and rested on her pack.

“We rest here a moment, we are half way.” She said. She was short of breath a little, she was still not fully recovered from her earlier ordeal.

“Look!” She suddenly called and pointed out into the distance. Everyone looked, but could see nothing out of place.

“What is it?” Asked Antonin.

“The mountain pass,” replied Nareena. “It is clear. That must be what we heard. It is very far away, but that gap between those two mountains. It was filled with rock, but is now clear. Truly the Dark One stirs.” She shivered, and not from the cold.

“Come, we must continue. We have a long way to go and we must reach my city. The Lord of the Dragon Armies has returned, and the mountain pass is once again open. The wheel of time is grating into motion once again.” Nareena did not add, that should the ice now melt in the valley as well, the old city would be once again exposed. She turned up the track, giving Antonin a strange look as he muttered “and don’t forget, Lord of the Chamber.”

The small party struggled on, the sun well down on the horizon by the time they finally stood on the level stony ground at the top of the sheer cliff face. All were sweating profusely from the exertion as they stood surveying the vast icy valley at their feet. It was little warmer here on the heights, but there seemed to be less wind. It was still much too cold to remove the furs though, and it soon became apparent that their perspiration would freeze their clothes to them if they didn’t keep moving to keep the heat up. Antonin passed along strips of dried meat, and turned and trudged on in single file after Nareena.

She was obviously on her guard, for all the seeming emptiness of the landscape. Catharina and Elsa’s eyes never rested in their constant scanning of the surrounds. Antonin was careful, but he was deep in thought and almost bumped into Catharina, stopped in mid stride, directly in front of him. He looked back, and saw that Elsa was in a half crouch, her bow half drawn, slowly scanning the rocks and low scrub off to their right, toward the cliff edge. Then Antonin heard it too. A low pitched howl of some animal away out of sight. It barely reached them, but the hair stood up on Antonin’s neck.

“Nareena, what is that?” He whispered.

“I do not know my Lord. I have not heard this animal call before.” She replied quietly. “It is a very long way off though.” As she finished speaking, an answering howl came from the direction of the cliff that they had left some time before.

“I think we should run if we can,” Said Antonin. “I don’t like the sound of that. I would rather be inside a village than out here in the open if we are to face this new unknown.”

They set out at a steady jog. Nareena leading the way through the low bushes and shrubs that dotted the plain. A faint track showed on the stony ground. Occasionally the howling could be heard behind them, drawing steadily closer. Antonin had the feeling that he knew this sound, but could not yet place it. It seemed somehow familiar, like a distant memory.

“Nareena, how far to the city you spoke of?” Antonin asked.

“Not long now My Lord, just a few more spans.” Replied Nareena.

Antonin didn’t think they would make it in time. Whatever was making that noise was drawing closer at an alarming rate.

“We must take up a position on a hill top.” He panted. Jogging in these thick furs was hard work, even for someone as fit as Antonin. There was a small rise over to the right, as yet a little way ahead.

“There, that rise.” He pointed to the low hill. It had no growth at all on it. Bare and gently sloping, with a pile of stone on its summit.

“We must face whatever it is from there.”

The party scrambled up the slope and gained the summit. The sun was well down, long shadows forming from the rocks about them, and casting the low land into gloom. Elsa and Catharina had removed their furs and ignored the biting wind gusting about them. Nareena had removed her furs, and although she was only lightly clothed showed no ill effect. Her hunting knife held in one hand and spear in the other. Antonin stripped off his furs and strung his bow. His sword he swung free at his side by its leather thong. He made ready the chisel pointed arrows at his waist. Together they quickly gathered what fire wood they could from the boundaries of the slopes.

As though sensing that their quarry no longer ran, the howls of the pursuers increased in pitch and frequency, the blood curdling wails a frenzy of blood lust.

Antonin peered into the gloom, straining for a glimpse of whatever it was that was on their trail.

There – flickering through the low scrub. Huge animals like hounds. Great shaggy brutes the size of small horses. White shaggy fur that told of animals built to live in the cold places. They covered the ground in long graceful strides, heading as true as arrows directly at the small group on the hill top.

Antonin looked at the beasts in alarm. there were five of them, and they would be on the hill in moments. He didn’t think arrows would stop these beasts.

Catharina and Elsa stood out at the edge of the stone rubble. They had no fear, and would be the first to meet these brutes whatever they were. Suddenly Catharina took her stance and loosed an arrow at the lead beast, now almost upon her. The arrow buried itself almost the full length of the shaft into the chest of the beast. It didn’t even break stride. Even before the first arrow struck though, both Catharina and Elsa were drawing and loosing arrows faster than the eye could see. The animals were almost on them. All five animals had arrows deeply embedded in them now, and with the huge arrows of Antonin added to these, the beasts faltered. They were upon Catharina and Elsa in a stride though, but simply knocked them sprawling and ran on. They were aimed at Antonin. He loosed one of the huge chisel head arrows he had taken from the dead hunter, and the chisel point almost took the beasts head off as it buried itself between the animals eyes. The animal dropped in its tracks. Antonin shot at the next, with the same effect, and as he did so Nareena leapt in from the side, and her long thin needle pointed spear ran through the third animal. It’s blood chilling cry echoing across the plain. Two still came on, running straight at Antonin. The two girls were back on their feet and launching themselves at the hounds. As the hounds closed on Antonin he thought he was about to die. He had none of the great arrows left, and his sword, now in hand was going to be of little use against two such animals. They stood at least half his height, and their huge jaws would tear him apart in seconds. Whoever had set these beasts on his trail had surely directed them to him alone.

The two girls were too late. Together the animals sprang at Antonin and were within a hand span of closing their massive jaws on him when they disappeared with a roar and a blinding flash of blue light. The golden band around Antonin’s head glittered and twinkled as though a thousand gems moved just below its surface. The very air about him crackled and sparked. Antonin was left staggering about, his head in his hands and his ears ringing. He didn’t know how he had done it, but the destruction of the two beasts had come about at his call, and none too soon. At the last moment he had roared out the word ‘Sha’ in a voice that would have shook mountains. With this word the golden band had flashed out utter destruction on the attacking beasts. Nothing but strange dark motes were left drifting in the air and the unmistakable smell of burnt hair and flesh. There was a faint whiff of sulphur as well. The other three animals lay on the ground, and the girls retrieved their arrows, as well as those of Antonin.

Catharina came across to Antonin. Her chest still heaving with the exertion of the battle.

“A close call my Lord,” she said, watching Antonin. “I heard you cry out a strange word?” The question in her voice told Antonin she wanted an answer.

“Catharina, I do not know what it was I said. Only that it worked,” he rubbed his temples. “And it gave me a headache.” He added.

“Nareena,” he asked. “What do your tales tell you of these beasts?”

“I recall only that they mention the Lord of Darkness had his own hunting pack. Beasts that were nearly impossible to stop, and that once set on a prey would ignore all else in their path.” Nareena was cleaning her spear on the fur of one of the fallen animals.

“These would make fine trophies for the lodge,” she said. “But see, they already rot.” She pointed to the bodies. Even as they watched the corpses were disintegrating.

“Either the Dark One knows where I am,” said Antonin. ‘Or he simply loosed his hounds in response to my earlier use of his name.”

“Let us all hope that it was only that one use of his name.” Said Elsa, dusting herself off with a great show for Antonin's sake. “I don’t like being run down and ignored by animals I am trying to kill. I was just beginning to enjoy myself.” Nareena laughed. The girls were now automatically using finger talk as they spoke, so that all could be a part of the conversation.

It seemed that the Dark One had heard Antonin’s careless use of his name and had simply let loose his hounds when he could not yet be free himself.

The golden circlet held many mysteries it seemed and Antonin would have to learn them as he went.

Nareena had spoken of a ‘keeper’ in a Blue Tower. Perhaps this person could help. Perhaps not. In any event they should continue on to reach Nareena’s village. Whether it was a village or a town or a city was yet to be seen. Antonin could use some hot food and a mug of ale, and he supposed the others were no less enthusiastic about the idea.

Nareena simply gathered up her gear, having already redressed herself in her furs and started down the slope. The others quickly followed. Once again Antonin walking between the two Mare Altan. They had trotted into place, ignoring his looks. Nareena was well out in front. A steady few hours walk brought them to the crest of a low rise, and there before them were the winking lights of Nareena’s village. It looked more like a small city to Antonin. Not quite as large as the one they had left Mei’An and the others in, but a fair size. It was not yet quite dark. It seemed that the twilight in this land lasted many hours.

“What is the name of this city Nareena?” Asked Catharina.

“Su Nan.” Nareena replied. “A village only, really, but it is my home.”

Elsa tried the words. They felt strange in her mouth. This was a strange and unfamiliar language indeed.

The city, or village as Nareena called it, was laid out in a huge square. The streets could be seen to criss-cross it at right angles. The whole place was a series of neat squares, enclosed by a huge wall. The wall appeared to be very thick, and so high that it towered over the tallest building within its walls. The sides were straight and unbroken by window or door. The top was constructed as battlements, and guards could be seen pacing their duty out along its length, coming and going from turrets on each corner of the wall. From the guard houses long flights of stairs could be made out leading down into the city. In the wall facing them stood huge iron bound wooden doors. The timbers looked like single tree trunks shaped to fit together, and sheeted with worked copper that gleamed gold and green in the weak light. The fortifications were impressive. Nothing would easily breech that wall and gain entry to the city.

Already Nareena was leading the way down to the level of the valley floor. It was not long before it became apparent that they had been spotted. There was activity on the top of the wall, and there was a gathering of people in the entrance now that the huge doors stood open. It looked like an armed escort was being sent out to meet them. Strangers were few in these regions and anyone coming from the direction of the frozen wastes would be met with suspicion. The squad of spearmen trotted along the dusty road toward them. Some twenty men in leather armour, helmets with half face visors, long spears and swords by their sides formed a close order rank and stepped in time. It told Antonin and the others that these were not villagers dressed for the occasion, but proper soldiers, and well trained ones at that.

Nareena stopped in the roadway, and held her spear above her head. Catharina and Elsa moved in closer to Antonin. They did not stand relaxed and waiting as Nareena did, but stood tense and ready to defend Antonin, the Dragon Lord, if needs be.

The squad kept coming without pause, and formed two lines one either side of the road. The dust rose from their feet as they halted. Antonin, Catharina Elsa and Nareena stood between the two lines of men. The squad leader barked an order and the soldiers turn to face inward. Their spears were still raised at their sides noted Antonin. Catharina and Elsa looked along the lines slowly. They reminded Antonin of cats. All they needed were twitching tails. At that thought he chuckled, drawing a startled look from Catharina. Her arched eyebrow the only indication that she was trying to sense the source of Antonin’s mirth. Here he was surrounded by twenty armed men, and he was thinking of Catharina’s ... tail. He shook his head and looked along the lines toward the leader. Catharina said something to Elsa and she gave a throaty chuckle. Neither relaxed a muscle though. The men on either side stood motionless. Their faces unreadable behind the iron grill work of their helmets.

The squad leader approached Nareena, still standing with her spear above her head. Antonin understood his command to her to ground her spear. She did so immediately. She was used to obeying these people without question. Her stance must have been a recognised form in her society. Antonin could not hear the conversation between the two now, as they both kept their voices very low. The squad leader seemed capable of soft spoken words when needs be. After a moment he removed his helmet and his continuing quick looks in Antonin’s direction told Antonin that he was the subject. The squad leader took Nareena by the arm, not ungently, and walked along to face Antonin. He ignored Catharina and Elsa as though they weren’t even there. The only thing that stopped the girls reacting was the fact that he had removed his helmet.

He stood within inches of Antonin, and was almost of an equal height. Solidly built, he was every inch a soldier. His head was shaved except for above his ears and plaited into a long tail that hung down his back. The man didn’t say a word, simply looked Antonin up and down slowly with the assurance of someone who well knew his place in the order of things, and well knew his own power.

Finally he said. “You are the Dragon Lord reborn?”

The men nearby in the ranks started and looked directly at Antonin. A barked order snapped them back to a rigid stance. Antonin weighed his options. This man was no fool, and from the look of him would have little tolerance of fools. From the set of his face and his eyes, the man was hard, but not harsh. He did not have the look of cruelty about him. Antonin decided that simple answers would serve him best.

“I am.” This was not a time for hesitation and denial of the obvious.

The guardsman didn’t even blink. He let go of Nareena’s arm and then stepped back a pace. Catharina and Elsa tensed, hands flexing on short spears.

“You will tell your guardians to relax. We will escort you to within the city. There are those who will talk with you.” It was a statement, not a question. Although Antonin was sure Catharina and Elsa, and himself for that matter could put up a good fight, he was also sure that they would all die in the attempt.

“Catharina and Elsa,” he said. “Let us see the sights of this new city. Perhaps there is a comfortable inn where we can rest, and take account of events. Nareena, will you accompany us?”

Nareena looked at the squad leader, then back at Antonin. She was looking decidedly nervous.

“What is the problem Nareena?” Antonin asked casually. He was not about to let Nareena be dragged off by anyone. If he had to fight he would.

“The girl goes with us. She has questions to answer.” The squad leader said.

Antonin looked squarely at the man.

“Nareena.” He pointed casually to her. “She comes with the Dragon Lord. She comes with me.” The other man frowned but said nothing. He looked at the two girls, then back at Antonin. Saying nothing, he stood to the head of the column of men and barked a series of orders. The column turned in the direction of the city and began a fast march, forcing the pace. Antonin was in no mood to pushed about, so he slowed to a casual stroll, the girls following suit, even Nareena who was now by his side. Antonin did not like the idea of appearing at the city gates under escort, whatever the local regulations. The entire squad was forced to slow to their pace, or they would leave them far behind. Finally, in exasperation the leader came back to them. He removed his helmet again and scratched his head. He was clearly unsure of himself now. If this truly was the Dragon Lord returned, he for one did not want to be on the wrong side of him. If it wasn’t, then it would do no harm to treat the party as outland guests. The girl Nareena could be spoken to later. He intended no harm to her, but the law was the law. There was no sign of her companion, and that needed explaining.

“Would you care to accompany me at the head of the column?” He asked Antonin. “Your own companions as well of course.”

Antonin nodded. “I would be honoured to share your company.” He replied. He and the girls walked to the head of the column, which closed up behind them into two well ordered rows. Together they covered the remaining distance to the gates at a brisk pace. It would not do to have the squad of soldiers seen loitering along the road, and Antonin and the others understood this. It was now quite dark, the last smudge of light disappearing from the far horizon. The darkened crags of the mountains loomed briefly in the distance.

Antonin was starving. His stomach rumbled loudly. The squad man bid them wait. He dismissed the guard and rejoined Antonin and the girls.

“Come, if you wish I will show you to a fine inn in the village.” Said the man.

“How are you called?” He asked looking at Antonin.

“I am named Antonin, of the village of Xu Gui, on the Star Field Plain, in the country of Da Altai.” Antonin paused. Catharina looked at him steadily. Antonin was speaking the language of the guard, but she knew the names. Nareena was still translating with finger talk. Antonin shrugged.

“I am also the Lord of the Dragon Armies, King of the Malachites, and ... Lord of the Chamber.” He could not resist adding the last title. Catharina and Elsa both relaxed. Nareena smiled. For a moment Catharina had feared that Antonin might again start denying his duties. The golden circlet was hidden under his long hair and the furs still wrapped about him. It had not yet been seen. The squad leader seemed satisfied.

“I am called Tong Hui, of this village. I am a squad commander,” he paused, then added. “You may refer to me as Tong Hui.”

“And you may call me Antonin. My companions and guards,” he gestured to Catharina first. “Are called Catharina, and Elsa.” Tong Hui nodded to all. Antonin pointed to Nareena. “This is Nareena, of your city. I have the gift of her companions clothes. He died in the frozen wastes. I do not know how he died, for it was there that I found him. You can see why I need Nareena with me.” Antonin waggled his fingers. Tong Hui smiled. It was the first indication that the man was relaxing.

“Yet you speak our language clearly?” Tong Hui said, the question in his voice.

Antonin raised his hands to his head to pull back the fur hood and his hair. “I believe it is a power given to me by this...” Antonin slid back the hood and the glittering gold circle came into view. Tong Hui’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He could read the inscription clearly in the torch light, but even before that the sight of the band was enough. Story and legend passed down over thousands of years had told of a dark skinned stranger coming out of the frozen wastes, wearing just such a crown. The crown of the Dragon Lord. The prophecy of the last battle. Tong Hui was at a loss. They were still on the street. There were people about, and already attention was being drawn to them, and to Antonin in particular. With a startled look at Antonin and the crown, people were hurrying off, all business forgotten. The news would be all over the village in a very short time.

“Quickly, er, er, My Lord.” Tong Hui said, uncertainty in his voice. Even if this wasn’t the Dragon Lord, he was certainly some sort of lord. He possessed more gold in that crown than Tong Hui had ever seen in his life. He also had two warriors with him who were obviously sworn guards and protectors. Tong Hui knew warriors when he saw them. Antonin may well fool some into thinking he was a farmer, but he carried that sword far to confidently. Tong Hui was almost hopping from foot to foot in agitation.

“My Lord, follow me to the inn that I spoke of. I think it would be a good idea to be off the streets. The village elders will want to speak with you. I have no doubt they already have news of your arrival. The inn is just around the corner. The Dog and Girl it is called. They were already walking in the direction indicated.

Antonin stopped in his tracks. “The Dog and Girl?” He said, “The Dog and Girl?” He looked at the others.”How is this possible? That is the name of the inn in my home village.”

“I know not my Lord, but it is the oldest inn in the country. This is the oldest village, even though you refer to it as a city. Our true cities are many times larger than this place.” Tong Hua hurried the small party down alley ways and side lanes. Twisting and turning so many times that Antonin lost all sense of direction in the blackness of the night. There was no doubt that anyone seeking for them would be hard pressed to find them in the maze of streets and alley ways. What little light there was came from lantern lit windows, and the pale light of a half moon high in the sky.

Antonin turned a sharp right corner, the low awning of a stone building throwing deep shadows into the lane way.

Unseen far above them, a dark shape flittered past the distant moon. An otherworldly cry drifted down in the night, almost unheard. Only the lone guards on the quiet ramparts heard it faintly. They shivered and drew their cloaks around themselves. More than one felt that this was a strange night, but none could put a name to the reason.

Antonin stepped into the shadow, hand on sword. Already Tong Hua could be seen further along the narrow lane. Something felt wrong, and the hair on Antonin’s neck prickled. Catharina yelled, almost in unison with Elsa, and together their spears flashed over Antonin’s shoulder at the same instant he was drawing his sword. The scream that rent the night almost froze the blood in his veins. The entire city seemed to pause, as though holding its breath as the scream died away.

A huge beast lurched forward out of the deep darkness by the wall. It stood taller than Antonin, and was covered in thick black fur. Enormous paws with long razor sharp claws at the end of its huge forelegs reached out to crush Antonin. The thing normally travelled on all fours it was obvious, but was raised on its hind legs in attack. A huge head on a thick neck seemed to be half mouth as it roared again in rage and pain. It’s steps faltered. There was a spear embedded in its throat, and another deep in its chest. It still came on though. Antonin backed away from those huge claws. The animal was mortally wounded, but still tried to attack.

Antonin waited, and as the beast made an attempt to claw the spear out of its body, he lunged forward, his sword piercing the beasts heart. It collapsed like a punctured water bag, death rattling in its throat.

The whole event had taken only minutes, yet there was a hue and cry in the city already. The beasts cry had been heard throughout the city. People poured into the lane way from every door and gateway, burning torches held aloft.

They suddenly stopped in their tracks though when they saw Antonin and his companions, and the fallen animal. The guards man was obviously with these strange people. Tong Hui looked at the animal, and at Antonin. “That bear was set upon you only Lord Dragon, else it would never have let me pass. We must get to the inn, only in the next street now. The guards must clear this thing away to the compound.”

Tong Hui drew a short silver whistle from a pocket in his vest and gave a series of blasts on it. Some coded signal Antonin thought, for within minutes the timed tramp of boots at double march could be heard approaching. The crowd fell back, pressed against the walls in the narrow lane way. The squad all carried torches, and some had coiled ropes. Quickly the bear, as Tong Hui had called it, was bound and with the aid of onlookers pressed into service was being dragged off. The crowd remaining behind pressed in closer, although not too close. The two girls had those wicked looking spears held ready for stabbing thrusts, and looked ready to use them. Even Nareena had a white knuckle grip on her long reed thin spear. Antonin wiped his sword on some fallen straw in the street and with the rustle of steel on leather sheathed his sword. At the last second before the sword ran home he stopped. He normally didn’t have to watch what he did, but a quick glance at the sword had him unsheathing it in an instant. On the flat of the blade, right up by the hilt flowed the outline of a dragon. It seemed to be etched in a blue flame. Not part of the sword, yet also deeply embedded in the very metal itself. It could be clearly seen by all though, glowing in the darkness of the night. The golden crown reflected the starlight setting it glittering on his brow. A quiet fell over the crowd in that confined alleyway. There could be no doubt now, not even in Antonin’s mind. He raised the sword aloft, the tip pointing straight up. The dragon seemed to be alive in the steel, the blue lines shimmering and flowing. Fine streams of particles flowed from the sword tip into the night sky, bringing a soft sigh from the crowd. Antonin looked to the sky, his head thrown back he roared “The Dragon is returned Ba’al, the battle comes.”

The thin streams of particles blossomed into a roaring fire stream that shot into the night sky lighting up the faces of all around.

People fell to their faces in the street, or turned and fled on weakened knees. The cry was taken up, “The Dragon is returned.” People were alternately trying to get out of the lane as others tried to press in. No one in the city was unaware now of what had happened. The number of lamps and torches being lit turned the night into day. The prophesies were being full filled, and right before their eyes. Antonin lowered the sword. With a last look at the blue dragon on its blade he ran it fully home in the scabbard.

With a confidence he didn’t really feel, he clapped a hand on the shoulder of Tong Hui. “The inn Tong Hui, please, or your Dragon will be dead from hunger.” Tong Hui sprang to attention, and with a thump of fist to chest, bellowed at the crowd. “Make way, make way for the Dragon Lord.” He soon had a path cleared and Antonin and the girls followed him through the crowd until they finally gained the common room of The Dog and Girl.

There was great uproar in the streets as people rushed to and fro in excitement. The innkeeper was beaming. He had expected a quiet night as the end of a normal working day, and here was his common room full to overflowing with people, and all calling for more ale and sweetmeats. There in the middle of it all was a fairly ordinary looking young man that all told him was the fabled Lord of the Dragon Armies. Returned to lead them into the great battle with the Lord of the Darkness. They had seen the signs with their own eyes. It was true. The end of an age was upon them. Tatha’an, the innkeeper, rubbed his hands on his apron and hurried his serving girls on their way. The Dragon Lord was hungry, and within minutes plates piled high with steaming meats and vegetables filled his table, huge jugs of ale and wine slopped over and dripped through the boards of the table to the floor. Antonin, Catharina, Elsa and Nareena set to with determination, only now realising just how hungry they really were. Nareena, although hungry herself only pecked at the food. Eyes downcast, she wished that her friend was not out on the ice, but sharing this great moment with her. As if reading her mind, Antonin stood and raised his right hand for silence. It came immediately, as all eyes had been upon him. He beckoned Nareena to her feet.

“I would have all know, and let it be proclaimed so,” he added winking at Catharina, “that this girl,” he pointed to Nareena. “Nareena by name is to be from this day forth in the party of The Lord of the Dragon Army, The King of the Malachites, and Lord of the Chamber. It is only because of the friend that Nareena lost, and that friend’s gift to me of his warm clothes, that I survived. Truly, Nareena and her lost love sought me out in the frozen wastes, and together they found and saved me from certain death. In their honour, and as the Dragon Lord, I name them Lord, and Lady in their own lands, and in all lands.” Antonin raised a glass of deep red colour on high. “To their honour, drink.” With that he put the glass to his lips and drank until the glass was empty. In one sweep he hurled the empty glass into the fireplace where it shattered into a thousand glittering fragments. “So that none may drink another.” He said.

Those in the common room were silent for a moment. A heart beat. Those nearest to Nareena rose to her feet. Working people by the cut of their clothes. Oxen cart drivers, porters, smiths, market stall owners and shop keepers.

One called out. “So it is proclaimed, then it is done.” He drained his earthen mug and hurled it into the fire place. “So that none may drink another.” He solemnly declared. Table by table all others in the common room followed suit. Soon the fire place was a mound of shattered mugs and glasses. Antonin watched in silence for it to end. He had already passed some golden coins from his purse to the innkeeper. Breakages had to be paid for. It was the way.

Nareena stood, head bowed and tears streaming down her cheeks. She could barely stay upright. This honour was too much. She was only a simple hunter. A village girl who made her living hunting wild game to sell to the many inns and householders in the village. The city as Antonin called it.

Catharina signalled for Nareena to sit by her. Nareena all but collapsed on the bench beside Catharina, and as Catharina put her arms around her, she buried her head in her shoulder. She sobbed with tiredness and the overwhelming honour both. Her beloved friend had not died in vain.

Tong Hui leaned close to Antonin. “My Lord, perhaps you don’t realize what you have done. No one has been proclaimed Lord and Lady since the last great age. Those living are all descendants of families, direct lines from the last age when – pardon my Lord – err, umm, when the last Lord of the Dragons, your ancestor won victory over the Dark One. To do so now means that Nareena not only must be granted lands and servants, estates and entitlements, but also her lost love. His family will inherit all. Two new lines have been started in the Great Houses. There will be those who do not like this.” There was a word of caution in Tong Hui’s voice and eyes as Antonin watched him speak.

“It is simple Tong Hui. I always find ‘simple’ easy to understand. Those who disagree with me in this do so at their own peril.” Everyone in the room heard him clearly, because Antonin had purposely raised his voice so all around would hear.

“Let all hear and know when the Dragon Lord speaks.” He thumped his fist on the table. The lamps and plates jumped and rattled and the lamps around the walls flared into brilliance, some cracking their glasses with the heat. Men edged away from Antonin’s table, and ducked from the cracking lamp glasses. Fortunately none shattered, and the flames died again to their normal yellow flicker. Antonin had made his point and all present would remember this night and his proclamation. None would dare deny his authority now. Nareena would be given all honours due to her. Any in the city who disagreed would keep such disagreement to themselves. As the tales of tonight’s happenings spread they would gain embellishment and detail as a rumour does. Eventually they would tell of Antonin defeating an army of enraged bears singlehanded, and of strange beings appearing in the inn bearing torches made from droplets of the sun, and of magic happening unbidden. They would tell of chests of gold being found in the stables. All Antonin had done was pass some gold coins to the innkeeper.

“My Lord,” Nareena said. “I must go to my parents. They must hear of this from me. They are old, and I would not have them upset by people.”

“Of course Nareena,” Antonin replied. “Wait, I will arrange escort for you through the crowds.”

“Tong Hui, do you have guards available to escort the Lady Nareena?” Antonin asked Tong Hui.

“Yes Lord, they will be here in a moment.” Tong Hui replied as he went to the door where he gave a series of blasts on his whistle. They were answered and repeated and within minutes a squad of twenty armed guards stood in two rows outside the inn, flanking four runners bearing a closed sedan chair.

Nareena could not believe her eyes. They grew as big as an owls. She looked at Antonin for reassurance.

“I hope you will be able to return on the morrow Nareena?” Antonin asked hopefully.

“You can be assured my Lord, I will.” She said as she tried her best to curtsey. This was not something she had ever done and her furs did not make it easy. She tried a bow, equally unsuccessfully.

“Nareena, no. You must not. You saved my life. It is I who should bow to you. Please, no formalities between us all. I would rather you were my friend. Will you be?”

There was a large crowd about them on the steps of the inn, but Nareena ignored them. She flicked a glance and some hand signs at Catharina and Elsa, then looked directly into Antonin’s eyes.

“Yes I will value your friendship Antonin.” She said.

“Then go now, until tomorrow.” Antonin said. He made to turn. Nareena quickly kissed him on the cheek as a sister – or a friend, does and ran lightly down the steps.

She hesitated only a moment at the sedan chair door, then with a look back at Antonin climbed in and was born away into the night. Antonin turned back into the common room, a thoughtful look on his face and the faintly herbal smell of Nareena in his nose. Catharina flickered finger talk to Elsa. They both chuckled and followed Antonin back into the common room.