Dragon Frost (3 page)

“
Another
day,” I declare before adding, “Why?”

“
No
reason.” he says and I don’t press. I can tell he’s wary; his heart
rate is erratic in my ears. He is an odd man I knew that much but I
couldn’t exactly deny he has a fair amount of courage. The previous
night’s we had to survive on this forest’s wildlife—taking what we
need—nothing more even within that time he has shown he doesn’t
fear the countless animals I almost had to kill. We continue to
walk for several moments and I find myself stopping before my mind
can even register what my body has done. “What?” he
asks.

“
Keep
quiet.” I urge. I hear him move around behind me and I couldn’t
help but scowl.

“
Did you
hear that?” A brute of a man questions, he scans the proximity
around the camp with their small white tents—there are three—from
what I see, they can hold up to three men each by the size. Taking
into consideration that we may be out numbered I watch Varden, from
behind me, where he stands a few meters back and I never realised I
had crept towards the clearing with a long blade in hand. Several
men stand from where a fire is seen, its crackling flames dance in
my ears and I hear the sound of an unsheathing blade. Then and
there; I knew we were cornered.

“
Drop
your 
weapon
 and
put your hands on your heads.” I glare at the blade at my neck. Not
that I was concerned for me but the package falling into the hands
of these bandits. The fact that this man, weaker than me has
somehow managed to slip past me—I’m disgusted at my lack of
awareness.

“
Commander?” I hear Varden call with a worried voice; he’s
brought to his knees with his hands, behind his head. My hands
bound behind my back as they gawk at me. If they intend to strike
fear into me or overpower me. 
They’re fools.
 One largely built man, stares down at me
with desire painted exceedingly in his grey eyes. His lack of hair
fails to protect his head from the UV rays.

“
Wat’cha
hiding under there?” he peers as he points the tip of his blade to
the lining of my face-plate. The blade pinning the side of my face
enough it draws blood, I hear Varden grunt at the action but ignore
him.

“
Desperate to find out are we?” I question and I’m
immediately back-handed. A metallic taste floods my mouth. The
bitter taste it has creates an un

“
Don’t
speak back to your superior!” he snarls, that action—that need for
dominance—forces my lips to stretch into a dangerous yet mocking
smile that I didn’t feel.

“
You mean
because you’re a 
man
?”
Even on Earth some men still think they rule the universe when
their species is insignificant in comparison to time.

“
Exactly,” I continue to smile. They never hunt alone—always
in a group—always in a pack like a bunch of rabid dogs—like a bunch
of cowards. “Wad’re you smiling at?” His tone grim as his eyes
narrows down on me.

“
Nothing
really, nothing other than your; 
poor
 manner of speech,” I tease and the other men burst
out laughing. I take in the sight of the three other men; one’s
slender like Varden while the others are no doubt built like
Hercules. I frown, I’ll have to exploit their weakness and quick,
the more I sit here, the more time I waste. There is also one main
reason I need to return and quickly—one that doesn’t involve
Varden.

“
Think
you’re smart, don’t cha.” he snaps lifting me from the front of my
cloak effectively pulling me to my feet.

“
Maybe,
pop quiz. What does it take for a woman to be in a high position?”
I ask, catching him off guard. “Strategy,” I effectively draw my
boot in between his legs. He drops me immediately. I round house
sending him into one of the nearby tents stacked around us like a
fence. The fire not too far from me burns with intense desire and
passion.

I
encounter the next three where they stand. I don’t hesitate and
sprint towards them, leaping, I force both my feet to the chest of
the slender built man who falls back at my force. I land on the
ground; air is forced from my lungs. I spring back to my feet once
again and begin to dance a deadly battle of skill as I take on two
of the larger man while Varden continues to order me
around.

“
Round
house!” he calls, “Block! Counter!” I follow his orders as I see
that they were the most effective movements at the time. Sending a
high kick towards the nose of one of the largely built man, his
nose is force back, he stands still for a moment before falling
down to the ground. The next wraps his large arms around me and I
feel the force of his strength crushing my ribs, hearing the
slender man with black hair huff and slowly move to his
feet.

Moving my
head to the side—exposing the man who restrains me, I kick him
three times—with undeniable force. His arms become slack and I head
butt him with the back of my head. He falls to the ground while the
next one—the one I finished earlier—attacks me. He’s quick with his
movements and nimble too.

I find
myself at a quick pace of quick paced martial arts; this world is
different 
yes
 but
that I have to say is what made it more fun. I block his hands here
and there before I find an opening in his defence, stepping in; I
elbow him in the sternum then elbow him square in the face where
blood pools out. The red liquid falls down his face as his white
teeth are lined a brown—crimson colour.

He
’s
amused?
 The thought
of him is utterly annoying.

I punch
him in the Adam’s apple and he gasps for air. Bringing up my knee I
catch him square in his abs, he bends over—his body obviously
reacting to the nerve impulses. I spin bringing my leg up—fast—I
flog it down on the back of his head where he falls to the ground.
I eye the motionless bodies around me.

My hands still
bound.

I turn to
the fire and place my hands before the warm flames, it douses over
my hands and I hear Varden gasp. “Are you crazy?” he questions with
fear and the rope falls from my wrists. “What the . . .” he gapes
staring at me with wide eyes. His blue eyes fill with confusion, a
hint of fear and something else.

I make
for him. “Turn around.” I order, his back, up against the bark of a
large thousand-year-old tree looks oddly uncomfortable. Like the
many others which made the forest what it was, what it is—a natural
beauty. He follows the order I had given, without complaint, to my
surprise. Not that I would admit it aloud. I slice through his
restraints and help him to his feet to stretch his legs. No doubt
sitting on the ground crossed legged would cause stiffness of
muscles.

“
Well
that proves it.” I turn to him with a straight face not that he
could tell.

“
What do
you mean?” I ask.

“
You’re 
scary
 when
you’re 
not
 aggressive. I really don’t want to piss you off.” he
says with humour twinkling in his perfectly pale blue eyes as a
smile curls at the corner of his not too small not too large lips
that sit well upon his broad jaw. Taking a closer look I see that
he’s rather handsome. I push the thought aside as I realise where
my train of thought is leading. “What’s wrong?”

“
We’ve
wasted enough time. Let’s go.” I say, searching the sky I see the
sun isn’t exactly noon. Finding where it had risen from, I head
west knowing, the town is a day away. By the time we reach the
town, it’s sunset, the blazing sunset-orange and calming magenta
gives the sky an artistic mould of colours. Varden didn’t speak
much, after I mentioned bandits roamed this forest. I’m not sure if
he is just trying to keep an eye out for one in order to not repeat
the previous encounter with those brutes—earlier.

The
journey from the bandit’s campsite was long and vigorous, Varden
had asked for a break every now and again. I obliged realizing we
couldn’t waste any more time than we already have. The town of
Alland is full with excitement and noise; as colours decorate the
prospering municipality. I’ve never really paid much attention to
the towns I’ve visited in the past but I can tell that this is
definitely in a celebrating mood. The air is filled with joy and
sweat from a hard day’s work.

I step
skilfully through the crowd, winding my way around the bends of
corners and down the narrow stone streets, where carriages and
wagons pass by. The clamour wraps its need to be recognized around
my head almost making me feel crazy, I can hear the laughter of
children in the park, the clattering of hooves and the
conversations of the riders that sat in the coaches. The growls of
shopkeeper as they scold children for stealing their goods and
animals—ranging from dogs to birds. I lean against a wall. I didn’t
even notice Varden approach. “Are you all right?” he asks, his tone
full of concern and I straighten up.

“
Fine,
just too much to take in.” 
It’s beyond too much.

“
Not a
city person?” he questions with a hint of amusement.

“
You find
that funny?”

“
No. 
Odd
 yes,”
He moves before me, unaffected by it all. He holds out hand with a
smug look on his face. “I’ll look after you.” I scowl, he laughs. I
push myself from the wall and tread past him not even dare
glimpsing at the expression I know playing, across his features.
His high cheekbones compliment his smile which makes me
more—surprisingly—restless. The smell of smoke seals my senses and
I’m drawn back to the sight before me as I move along the damp
stone streets, buildings built with bricks as their roves are that
of thatch. I aim to empty my mind knowing that’s how I solve this
issue, pre-eminently.

“
We best
move.”

“
Why?
Where are we going to go?” he asks.

“
To an
Inn or do you want to sleep in the streets?” I question with a flat
tone not even daring to look at him. He’s still annoying but far
more than before.

“
An Inn’s
good.” he mutters under his breath which I hear perfectly but act
as though I didn’t. He’s seen enough to know that I’m not of his
world. I hear his feet pace fast as he scurries after me as I
manoeuvre through the crowd of people who judge me with suspicion
since my identity is essentially hidden; understanding why they
were wary. “Wait up!” he calls and I continue to speed towards our
destination. I stop standing before a small Inn at the edge of the
town; it is far more peaceful out here and less nosy. With that, I
know I would be able to engross in some well-earned sleep. I enter
the inn pushing open the brown wooden door with an engraved brass
plate, above it, reading: ‘Moonlight Inn’.

The sound
of a bell, hanging above the door, presents our company. The
Moonlight Inn is a simple yet elegant hostel comfortable for
travels of all ages where wooden chairs cater around circular
wooden tables in the small foyer/waiting room. From what I see,
Varden expected someplace else for us to reside—it is—amusing on my
part. I make my way over to the counter where I tap the bell; it
chimes gently throughout the small hall.

The
four-by-four room is lined in dark brown thick wooden beams. A
bookcase stands proudly, behind the counter, while the vestibule
has a succession of passable couches, plain wooden chairs and
coffee tables for the guests to wait. A soft tap of steps makes
their way from the back room and the sound soon greets us—halting
behind the large wooden desk. A familiar woman with red hair and
gentle green eyes smiles at me. “Commander Rodregas. What may I do
the honour of?” Her voice is warm and soft. Her ivory face is
youthful and supple; with her flattering features, I’m surprised
she’s not already married.

“
Two
single rooms please.” She eyes the man behind me and
frowns.

“
I’m sure
your husband wouldn’t mind sharing a bed.” she declares. Varden
apprehensively coughs—I shake my head.

“
We’re 
not
 like
that. I’m working.” I say, leaving it at that knowing I can’t say
anymore. She nods—understanding. I place the required amount of
golden hexagon shaped coins on the table in Gazlin the countries’
currency.

“
Third
floor, rooms forty-eight and forty-nine.” she declares before
adding, “Or would you prefer opposite ends of the hall?” The quirk
of her brow is evident enough she finds this amusing. I fight the
urge to be rude.

“
Honestly
I don’t care.” I manage and she reputes Varden with an indifferent
gaze before smiling, I turn to him to see, he shrugs at my
confusion. That man lately; has been nothing but
that—confusing.

“
Rooms
forty-eight and nine it is.” she confirms before handing the keys
to me, she smiles wider than before. “Enjoy.”

“
Thank
you . . .” I mutter slowly and take the keys. She winks at Varden
before smiling back at me innocently. 
That was odd. Even for
her.
 I brush off
her quaintness and attempt to listen.

“
Dinner
will be available at seven decicons.” I nod knowing that decicons
are that of hours on Earth. She scampers off to where she entered
from, I turn to the wooden staircase positioned right of the
counter. I lead Varden to our rooms. My door, at the end of the
hall, has two digits encased in gold in the centre of the dark
polished wooden door, reading; ‘Forty-Nine’.