Chapter Three

Climbing (A lot of climbing)

“But there’s no such thing as magic!” spoken by two out of three novice wizards right before they blew themselves up.

Not that this has anything to do with the chapter; it’s just kind of a fun thing to say. Besides, I couldn’t think of anything.

Erica stared up at the sky to where the dragon had disappeared with her friend, confused and uncertain. Her friend has just disappeared, probably never to be seen again, and she didn’t know what to do about it. She wanted to say good riddance, and roll up in a ball and cry, and run screaming for help, all at once, but she did none of it. Instead, she walked up that mountain, after a man she wasn’t entirely certain was still her friend. It wasn’t as if anyone else would do it, after all. Truthfully? The universe at large would be better off if she hadn’t bothered either.

That wasn’t who Erica was, though. She wouldn’t leave me, when there was another choice. It wasn’t in her. Neither was climbing a mountain, really, but she was going to do it anyway, even if it killed her…Which it should have, when you think abou it. The girl had no gear, no food, no maps, and no weapon to go after a dragon. I’d call her insane, if that wasn’t my position in the group-as things are, I’m almost willing to resign in favor of someone more suited to the job.

I wonder what went through her mind, as she climbed up that mountain, going after me. Did she worry about my health, or fume about what she was doing? Did she wonder what had happened to her, that she would climb up a mountain without so much as a bite to eat, and without a plan in sight? Or did she simply walk, too tired to think, as the shockwaves of each heavy step thudded up her legs?

She collapsed eventually-I was able to find out that. She fell onto a mountain path, and stayed there, as death stole upon her. I’d like to tell you that the story ends there, for her. That she was allowed to die with some dignity, if nothing else…but it wouldn’t be true, and I started this book to make the truth known; I can’t lie here, not even knowing I’ll never be caught.

She awoke, sometime later, in a moving caravan, exhausted from the clime, the numerous scratches on her body healed. She had done more damage to her system in a matter of hours than most would undergo over the course of weeks-and she survived it all, mores the pity.

“You almost left us,” said a man, hidden in the shadows of a corner.

Erica looked up at him, her face filled with fear, and determination to match. “I’ll be doing just that, in a few seconds.” She probably cursed a bit more, if truth be known-but I can’t say for certain, and I chose to give her a bit of modesty while it’s still an option.

“You’re in no condition to be walking around, missy,” came the man’s voice, thick with exotic accent. He strode forward, a little, letting her get a slightly better look of her-though his features were still hidden.

“Missy!” She sputtered, glaring at the man. “You’re barely any older than me, if that! I mean, for god’s sake, what are you? Seventeen?!”

The man stared at her, startled. “I thought damsels in distress were supposed to be more grateful,” he got out at last.

“One, You read way too many books. Two, what the heck happened to that accent of yours?”

“I-uh-You dare to question the king of the caravan?”

“So it’s king now? And here I thought I was being rescued by the steely eyed, strangely dressed, stranger.”

“Yes, I’m king!”

“And what the hell is king of the caravan?”

He looked at her as if she was dumb. “I lead the caravans as king? Honestly, are you thick in the head, or something? I inherited it from my Father.”

“Dead?”

“What? No! Stop being so morbid; he retired.”

Another man entered the caravan, immediately bowing, though with a hint of red in his cheeks. “My liege,” he said in a tone that was probably supposed to mimic respect.

“Can’t you see I’m with the damsel in distress?”

“I am not a damsel in distress!!”

“That’s strange. I could have sworn you were a girl, from the look I got at you when they brought you in.”

“I am a girl! And define look!”

“And you quite certainly were in distress when we picked you up. Ergo…”

“I’m not in distress at the moment!”

“You hardly seem calm either,” he countered. “You know, you really are quite cute when you’re angry.”

She sputtered for a few minutes, but didn’t say anything more on the topic. “Just help me get up so I can go after the stinkin’ dragon.”

“I’m sorry, did you just say dragon?

“Oh, so now you listen. You boys are all alike…Minute a girl mentions a good fight or adventure, you’re all ears. Try to discuss something meaningful, and suddenly you’ve got a million things clamoring for your attention and not a millisecond to spare.”

“Well, I am rather busy you know, being a king and all…Now, about that dragon?”

“And then, when us girls go and try and help you, you snap at us and tell us how you think we’re idiots-”

“I never called you an idiot!”

“Oh, you haven’t yet. But trust me, you will!”

“Stop acting so idiotic and let me get an edge in-I mean a word in edgewise! Oh, now look what you’ve done! I can hardly form a thought out! I should have you tossed in the brig!”

“You don’t have a brig. And I knew you would call me that.”

“You can’t seriously consider counting that?

“Can, and will.”

“And how do you know I don’t have a brig?”

“Hello? Caravan? Figure it out.”

“It’s not the only one…”

“What are you going to do? Put me in a four sided bear cage, and stop me from tumbling my way out? Or maybe you’d go for something smaller? Perhaps a fox cage, so you can stare at me for hours on end for your amusement?”

“Look, do you want my help or not!”

“Help? From someone who calls himself a king you don’t have much sense…After everything you’ve put me through, I ought to-”

“What are you talking about!”

“I’m-”

“Shut the hell up and listen for a moment!”

Erica did something so shocking, at that moment, it’s a miracle the earth itself didn’t stop spinning: She stopped talking

“I have been nothing but polite since I picked you up, and all I’ve gotten in return is-is-I don’t even know anymore! You’re accusing me of things I haven’t done, yelling at me for things I’m going to do, and practically beating me around the head and shoulders for some reason I will most likely never even begin to understand! I don’t even know why I’m tolerating your presence, yet alone offering to help! I should throw you to the wolves, after everything you’ve said to me!”

I don’t even know what I’m doing, letting you stay here, yet alone making the offer I’m about to make! I should just throw you to the wolves!”

“I-”

“No! Not another word or, so help me, I will throw you out! Now, do you want help tracking down that dragon or do you want to be let off here?”

“Why are you offering to help me?”

“Because-god help me-you’re right: I like adventures! Doing paperwork is boring! I like to take a bit of a break, and your little dragon has a chance of giving me just that. So, do we have a deal? As stated, I shouldn’t even be doing this, except for the fact that you’re right-I like adventures! Paperwork in the middle of a traveling caravan is boring, all right? So, do we have a deal? Yes or no only, by the way. No arguments-I’ve got the army, I make the rules. Now, your answer?”

“Yes,” whispered Erica.

“Good.” and with that, the young king strode from the door in a whirlwind of rustling papers; Erica remained silent.

Time passed, as they journeyed. I’m not sure what Erica did, other than giving some semblance of directions. Maybe she moped over me, maybe she wondered at the king that had such a loud voice. She never really got around to telling me; she never really told me anything, after this was finished. I do know what happened when they finally found us, though.

I was being chased by the dragon, at the time-if chased is the right word. I might have been running for my life, but the dragon wasn’t putting all that much energy into it; just flapped alongside me, an amused look on its face, as it waited for a chance to grab me without causing any permanent harm.

“Come on!” I heard Erica yelled, coming towards me.

“Hold on,” yelled the boy king. “You can’t expect a hero too simply go charging into stuff like this! I need time to get ready!”

“Get ready? The man is about to die, and you want to get ready?”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble…”

“Did you miss the word ‘die’?”

“Honestly, if the dragon was going to kill him I think he’d be long gone by now, don’t you?”

“You willing to test out that theory?” cried Erica, running towards me.

“Well, quite frankly yes….at least at-I mean, until you started running towards it that is! Do you realize how unknightly it is to watch that happen?”

“Oh, get over yourself…” she muttered, ignoring him.

Blustering, the king strode toward the dragon coming between me and Erica. “Stand by good sir, and I shall soon free you from your predicament!”

I wasn’t exactly in any position to answer, what with the dragon choosing that moment to grab me again. She-it was a she- was trying to stop things from getting out of control, I suppose. I kind of wish she had succeeded.

The dragon’s claws raked across my flesh, threatening to puncture my skin at any moment, but never quite doing so, instead raking across the surface until it could form a grip on my sweater. Slowly, but inexorably, the dragon’s wings began to pump, lifting us into the air and away from Erica. Right when the first arrow was launched. With a scream, the dragon let me fall to the rocky ground below, even as it scratched at its face, trying desperately to pull the arrow from its flesh. Another arrow flew from one of the King’s knights, ramming into the dragon’s nose this time and forcing it to flee to the back of the rocks in a hasty retreat. I watched it go, the drops of blood glistening like red diamonds as they fell through the sunlight.

Erica ran towards me, even as the dragon made another run towards us, having sliced the arrow from its flesh. I would have been impaled right then and there, frozen in fear upon facing it, If Erica hadn’t thrown me to the ground and into the narrow opening of a nearby hole. Or maybe I simply would have been captured. Either way, I’m sure the world would have been safer if not for her actions...

The dragon dove past our head, claws sending out sparks as they raked across the rocks above our heads gripping into the hole’s opening. A claw was torn from its socket by the force of the dragon’s passage, unable to break free from the rock in time. Slowly, cautiously, I picked up the claw, turning it and familiarizing myself with its grasp. I had a sword capable of cutting through the dragon’s scales, now. The young king strode forward, prepared to make another stand against the dragon. The dragon wasn’t interested.

With a roar that tore the skies asunder, the dragon charged towards us, bypassing the king entirely in a hunt for its chosen pray. Me. Pushing Erica aside, despite her protests, I stood waiting for it. One kid, against a dragon; no contest, right? You wish; or will.

The dragon’s claw stretched towards me, saliva dripping from its teeth. My eyes took in every detail, unable to look away. The tendons in its wings were strained from the effort to keep itself in the air. The claws, now whole and complete thanks to the dragons extraordinary healing abilities, came towards me, trying to grasp me so that it could fly away again. Erica lunged at it, trying desperately to pull it away from me, only to be tossed aside with a contemptuous look by the dragon. In that moment of distraction, I plunged the dragons own lost claw into its breast, it’s blood squirting all over me as it flew to the skies in defiance of its death blow, taking me with it. Its grip upon me loosened and I fell once more to the ground beneath my feet. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be on solid ground….All I can say is, if you’ve ever been grabbed by a flying monster, and been forced to stab it in order to be dropped to the ground drenched in blood, you’ll understand. Most likely, you’re just going to have to be content with your imagination…I’m going to have to finish this soon. I don’t have much time left…I’m using magic just to make things go this fast.

Erica stared up at me as I crawled over the dragon’s arm, and called over to me, “You’re all right.”

“Yeah…I guess I am.”

“You’re also an incorrigible idiot and I should have let you die!”

“Yeah…I guess so.”

“Is that all you can say?”

“I just got chased by a dragon you know!”

“I just ran up a mountain without a single chance of getting help-”

“which you seem to have done quite well. Congratulations, by the way.”

“-to rescue you! I had to collapse on the ground just to find these people, in the first place! And what do you do when we get here? You risk your life, like I wasn’t even here.”

“Well, I couldn’t let it get you!”

“Did you know he called me “missy”? Nobody gets to call me missy!”

“You are really getting upset about this whole thing…is there a certain thing you want to tell me? Maybe you should go home, and come back up on a different day or something? I mean, if-”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with my monthly cycle, Charlie! Look, I just climbed up-I-I just went against every sane bone in my body to try to rescue someone who had denounced me as a friend, and all you can say is that you guess so? After everything I just went-”

I kissed her, and then she smacked me.

“Ow?”

“What the hell did you do that for!”

“Look, I’m sorry! It just seemed like the right thing to do at the moment.”

“You read way too much fantasy for you own good…”

“All right, I get the picture! I won’t do it again!”

“I didn’t say that. I just said you read too much fantasy for your own good.”

“But I-you-what is it you want again?”

“Idiot boy…” and with that, she kissed me.

“Um..excuse me…but since I did just-well-you see-excuse me!” Broke in a voice. We turned to see a man. The man who had saved me, that is; the young king, though I didn’t know that at the time.

“Oh, yes…um thanks for saving me?”

“Yes, well, there was a dragon to be had, and-well-aren’t you going to introduce me miss-”

“Erica. And drop the “Miss” stuff, unless you want a stomach for a scabbard. And that’s not even the first place I’ll put it, if you aren’t careful…”

“You really aren’t very good at ‘thank you’s, are you?”

“It might help if I knew who I was thanking,” I interrupted.

“Hmm? Oh, you haven’t heard of me then I guess…”

“I think I’d know if I had heard of any boy kings,” muttered Erica.

“Is she always so derogatory when it comes to the male gender?”

“It’s a relatively new development,” I muttered.

“I’ll try to keep that in mind next time I draw my sword, then.”

“You were going to tell me your name,” I cut in, thereby interrupting anything Erica might wish to add to that little tidbit of information.

“Ah, yes…I am king Rutabo!”

“King you-tango?”

“No!”

“Or was it tu-bango?”

“Erica!” I cried. “Don’t antagonize the king who calls people miss! I mean you-I mean Rutabo! He saved my life, and all…”

“He did not! If anyone did anything it was me! I’m the one who climbed a whole bloody mountain to find you!”

“I dear say you should watch your language!” cried the king. I mean Rutabo.

“And didn’t you say that you collapsed? If it wasn’t for him, you might never have reached me. You could therefore say he saved me by proxy…I mean, be a little bit thankful at the very least.”

“Charlie…Do you have to remind him of that?”

“Consider your debt paid, man!” cried Rutabo. “But as for you Erica I fear it’s going to be quite a while before I forgive you!”

As if to belay his words, the dragon chose that moment to wake up. With a roar, it struggled to its feet; we had not slain it after all. In fact, it was only slightly slowed as it lunged for me, trying desperately to grasp me in its teeth. Wanted to use me as a midnight snack, I guessed. But a moment of slowness was all I needed to get out of the way.

Unfortunately, Erica wasn’t so lucky. Even as the dragon missed me, it doggedly continued its passage, no doubt intending to circle around after diving off the cliff. Instead, however, it came across Erica. A little girl like that would have no chance against such a beast, no way to stop it from destroying us…At least, she shouldn’t. But this was Erica-should and shouldn’t had no meaning to her, as you’ve no doubt seen. Not when it came to things like this.

I might say numerous things about her not being an adventurer, and how this wasn’t her life, but the truth of the matter is, when it came right down to it, she was far braver than me.

Erica was willing to give her life. With a leap, she drove herself onto the dragons wings, and gripped them close, yanking at their thin membranes and forcing the dragon to yell out in blinding pain. With its attention diverted, the dragon stumbled falling against the rock and causing the cliff beneath its feet to collapse. They both fell to their doom, Erica still attached to its back. I had no doubt that their fall would lead there, and I continue to have none.

Of course, the fact that she survived belays all of that. I didn’t know that at the time, though. I just saw the dragon fall towards its doom, Erica desperately struggling to hold its wings together even as they both tumbled through the air. I saw the dragon, brilliant red scales flashing even in the dim light of the crevice\, as it turned and tumbled, slamming Erica across the face of the cliff and knocking her unconscious even while it continued to tumble. It’s wings were now free, but the crevice, or ravine, or whatever you wish to call it was simply too narrow to support the full length of its wings, and no matter much it scrabbled at the cliff face it was just too heavy and fast to stop.

Erica, as far as I was concerned, had fallen to the bottom of the crevice, and to her death. But at least she had taken the dragon with her.

If only that assumption had been correct, we might have been better off. At least she would have been…I have no such guarantees for the rest involved. I know I keep on saying these things, but I cannot tell you quite yet what I mean. Trust me-it would ruin things.

As for what remains of the story…I believe I should let Erica tell her tale. I cannot guarantee everything will be as it happened when you read it…I’ve stopped her from telling lies through spell, but I can’t guarantee she will not twist her words. And I cannot guarantee how much sense it will make, for I fear dear Erica was changed by her journey. I must simply let her write her tale and hope for the best. The pen doth lie in her hands now…