Dragon Frost (23 page)

He laughs.

“
Yeah
well you seemed to need It.” he says. I nod. Realizing his words
were true; I did need it and without it I would have died. Now I
feel in debt to this man and I didn’t like being in debt to anyone.
If I can stand on my own two feet than I can most definitely
survive on my own. Still I’ll have to pay him back in a reasonable
way, I conclude.

I was
surprised to know that Lifet had agreed to help me save the women
and my comrades—there were times when I believed he wasn’t the
enemy. It’s strange to see and get to know a different side to a
person—especially when they can kill, easily. I didn’t expect Lifet
to be almost “good friend” he did well at forming a brink of trust
for this plan and that was saying a lot with me. I was the type
never to trust people. It surprised me to know things about him
that I managed to notice over time, like how he tied knots with
such concentration or tapped his foot when he was impatient. “Are
you aware that most of the women could already be dead?” He had
said at some part of our plan.

“
I know.”
Was all I said, there wasn’t much else to say. Later that day we
found our way to the town where my comrades and I were staying.
Lifet had helped me secure a plan with the towns’ people while
pointing out the terrains he knew—which he stated he grew up
around—that was something new to learn. The town Sheriff didn’t
seem too pleased about me bringing in a “known criminal” as he put
it. I surprisingly defended Lifet and this surprised both him and
the Mayor.

Still, I
made an unspoken truce with this man, even though he didn’t know
it. I would have gone against the demons myself but wouldn’t dare
consider it now. It was practically suicidal in my current form.
“This is the place.” he declares and I look at him from where I
kneel on the stone ground the ricks were displayed around a large
stone shaped like a bent thumb. It’s gigantic in size and deep
appears as a good landscape marker. Lifet crawls to me and points
at the direction of the cave opening. “You said it was dry when you
threaded his mind. That’s the only dry place for miles other than
my little condo.”

“
Thanks.”
I say. “You can go now if you want.”

“
Sorry
gorgeous but you can’t get rid of me that easily.” he quips with a
smile, his northern accent more evident in that sentence than the
previous ones. I smile—feeling more confident about this plan.
Still it made me wonder why he is helping me. I had to
ask.

“
Why are
you helping me?”

“
Like I
said before I don’t think you’re my enemy.”

“
What
gave you that idea though?” I ask.

“
I’m not
all sure about it myself but I can tell you this much. If Varden is
the Prince of Zylaria—this world, what does that say about my
higher ups?”

“
Good
point.”

“
Shh,
they’re here.” There we see them assemble demon groups strut the
dirt road, with ease—they appeared very uniform given their nature.
It’s odd to see such discipline in such monsters but then again we
Nephalem live by our laws of discipline it seemed naturally easier
for us to live now I know why that is.

I follow
Lifet through the winding natural stone mazes. Years of erosion had
run through here and I’m surprised at the amount of stones that
created a labyrinth of tunnels, walls and caves. By the time we
reached the mouth of the cave. The demons had already disappeared.
“How long do you think we have?” I ask.

“
Judging
by the demons only arriving now?” his words were cut short by the
ear-piercing screams of the women from within the cave. The attacks
had already started or were attempting to commence, if we were
lucky. I turn to Lifet and his expression is that of fear and
concern. Without another word we run into the small valley. It was
dry and dark. Lifet had already lit a torch and we were on our way,
the screams were silent and I hear the voices. I begin to run again
but only to stop at the mouth of a large cavern where a path led
down to the grounds below filled with cells and demons. I hear the
screams of another two women.

“
Shut
them up!” cries a demon.

“
Easy for
you to say!” growls a demon with a large prominent pig nose. I
glance around and count each head of the women. They all seem to be
there, nothing seemed to have happened to them. I hear Lifet sigh
with relief as we both realise we made it in time.

“
You
grabbed the whores now be done with them!” barks the same scrawny
demon. “The sooner the young ones are born the better.” I glance at
Lifet he’s thinking what I’m thinking.

“
Does
that mean I have to babysit again?” asked a rather gluttonous
demon. His large claw touches his chin in a thoughtful manner; I
follow Lifet as he makes his way towards the cells. I on the other
hand had to be the distraction. I really don’t like this
part. 
Why couldn’t he be the distraction?
 I think slightly annoyed but I do it
anyway.

“
Maybe
not you tubby I fear you’ll eat the children.” I remark stalking
out of my hiding spot before stopping lean against a nearby cave
wall. Their eyes are locked on me, I pretend to not notice and act
as though my nails were more important even though they were
covered in scales if necessary I can call upon them but they would
be dragon claws. It’s not exactly a feminine sight. “What? Wasn’t I
invited to the party?”

“
I
thought you said you got them all!” cried a demon slapping the pig
nosed demon in the back of the head hard enough that he falls
forward. “You missed a whore!”

“
Whoa big
fella . . . no one likes the names . . . ” I say, nonchalantly. “I
prefer the term: “Lady”, if you don’t mind?” I add and the demons
look at me with confusion before returning to their gruesome yet
angry masks, they wore prior to this whole ordeal. They approach
and I don’t bother looking up. I know they are right where I want
them.

“
Fine . .
.
Lady
, take her!”
orders one of the demons and I’m quick to evade. It honestly feels
like a game of cat and mouse the problem being I’m not trying to
run because I know they may not be easy to defeat but I’ve gone up
against many and it’s my experience that aids in my battles not
just my fighting style. I can see Lifet at the corner of my eye.
The majority of the demons are on pursuit to me, I pull out my
crossbow and fire at a few guarding the cages that housed the fear
stricken women as they watch the sight of my actions. I purposely
aim for the demon’s limbs knowing that it’s their anger that causes
them to abandon their posts. I turn my heel and sprint down another
tunnel; this one Lifet said should lead me to an underground
reservoir.

The
demons assemble themselves under where I stand my limbs lodged into
the stone hand-holds and foot-holds taking in half a dozen of
demons I wait a moment longer should another peer out of nowhere.
When no more arrive I drop down. My boots make contact with the
skull of the first demon where its head is smashed into the cave
floor. I continue the flow of momentum and flip over the demon I
had forced to the ground—my legs split before me I kick twice at
the back of the demon’s cranium where it falls to the ground
unconscious. The demons now sense my presence and coverage around
me. I smile.

It seems
like the battle was slow yet it had ended as fast as it had come. I
stand, shaped, turning my head before and behind me I scan the
bodies surrounding my feet their bodies soon disintegrate into ash
around me and remain nothing more than that. The sound of clapping
greets my ears before a familiar voice sings out saying, “You could
have allowed the demons to take the Prince to Golgotha.” Galavin
stands on the still lake of water that leads to the underwater
chasms.

“
Where
the Prince goes, I go.” I sheath my father’s sword and eye Galavin.
My expression impassive, I can’t allow him to read my thoughts, I
can’t allow him to read my features. “Here to keep an eye on
me?”

“
Something, like that,” His fingers are curled under his
shaven chin as his dark eyes bore into mine. “Word of your death,
sprung my attention but I found it hard to believe I had to see it
myself.”

“
I’m very
much alive . . . Messenger.” I mutter the last words slowly only to
see his lips smile. Why he acts so smug is something I want to find
out. The way he holds himself and insists on working for Golgotha
draws me to him like a moth to a flame. Yet there is something more
dark and more sister to this man than I gave credit for previously
but I was right to conclude one thing. This man is someone not to
be trusted nor trifled with should I continue to play this game.
Golgotha must know I’m alive. Or why would he be here?

“
I can
see that I trust you’ll keep your word or I’ll be forced to ensure
you never see the brink of day again. Am I clear?” his voice
soothing yet venomous.

“
Crystal.”

“
Good. We
expect to see him in Midra by the new moon, since I trust you’ll
keep track of time.” I’m alone once more the words of Galavin echo
around the cave like hash whispers. I glace once more at where his
form once was before turning away and returning to Lifet. The women
gather outside in small groups of four. Since them being huddled
together like a football team would only cause difficulty and
protecting them, will be easier, should we be attacked. I know that
I won’t waste all my time playing a game that isn’t in my favor
since I know that it will be wise to hold back and see how things
play out. So I can survive another day. At that thought Lifet and I
lead the women back to the town where Lucinda immediately runs into
the arms of her father with tears.

I don’t
blame her she probably was scared, who wouldn’t be? Following
Lucinda’s example the other women run to their spouses, partners,
lovers and family’s arms. The sight of it is beautiful. I turn from
the sight as a heavy feeling weighs in my
chest. 
I’ll never have that.
 I think. 
Where did that come from?
 I shake my head and return back to my room
where I find Lifet stretched out on my bed, casually looking up at
me with mischief. “What are you doing here and on my
bed?”

“
To see
you,” I couldn’t help but smile a bit at that. “You know you
shouldn’t scowl so much. It’s unattractive.” he states as he rises
from my bed and I quirk a brow, shifting my weight. I place my
hands on my hips. My helmet is on and yet he can still see if I’m
scowling. 
He’s a very observant man.

“
So I’m
to take advice from an Assassin?” I ask and he shrugs.

“
I may be
an Assassin but I’m still a man.” he says and his eyes lock with
mine. I have to admit the way the light enters the room and
outlined his form he was rather handsome but I pulled myself short
at that. He is in the comrade category. That is where I do not
linger.

“
So you
are.” I comment and pull off my cloak and toss it onto a wooden
chair before Lifet. “You’re here why?”

“
The
Prince and your friend wasn’t there.” he says and I remain quiet.
My voice stops all of a sudden, it’s like my mind wants to speak by
my mouth remains sealed at his words. “Do you have any idea where
we should start?” he asks and I regard him with
suspicion. 
Is he really trying to help me or trying to get close
enough to kill me?
 I think but can’t help but debate mentally. I’ve been
known to willingly give people my trust and have only found it was
misplaced. That is a mistake, I’m determined to not make again
regardless of how attractive the person is. That’s their best
weapon.

“
I’m not
sure.” I confess, knowing that he’ll pick up on my lies because
he’s trained to. Silence greets the small zealous room and I glance
out the snow and ice splashed window to see flakes falling down
slowly coating the current flurry around us with another layer of
ice a thought swiftly occurs. “They could have been separated from
the women before the demons entered the cave.” I think out loud and
it catches Lifet’s attention. His eyes watch me as he sees the cogs
in my mind turn. “Did you see which way they came?” I ask. He
nods.

“
West.”
he says glancing out the same window I did. The frozen forest
greets us under a silver crescent moon. Glancing at the moon I
can’t help but feel a tinge of pain in my chest at the sight. Time
was running out and I needed to find Varden alive. Then what? Hand
him over to Golgotha so I can live alone. Aren’t I already alone?
My mind is continuously conflicting with itself but I can’t help
but feel as though I’m walking on a tight-rope? My life high above
the stable ground where I once was—without a net I know if I gaffe,
I’ll die. If Golgotha doesn’t kill me the Chief sure will and I
think he’s the only first in that long line of people I’ve
betrayed.

The snow
parts and outlines the trail our boots have left behind us, we’ve
walked so far and I feel as though we’re walking around in circles.
Still the question does arise: “should I trust him?” I glance at
Lifet who stood beside me regarding the distant frozen and leafless
valley. This is the time when everything is dead and yet I couldn’t
feel more comfortable in this time; feel more comfortable at this
time. We reach the valley with plenty of sunlight to spare knowing
that it’s dangerous to wander the frozen woods with demons
around.