Born of Fire: The Dawn of Legend (85 page)

“A Ridgeback,” TarFor declared.

There was a collective groan from everyone as they all noticeably tensed up.

“How many are there, VayRonx?” VoRenna asked, stepping up next to him and smelling the air. “I can only just now make it out.”

“So far all I can smell is one,” replied VayRonx. “But he’s moving with serious intent.”

“Coming for us?” TarFor asked.

“It would appear so.”

“But what can one Ridgeback hope to do to us?” he demanded. “What in the world is that fool thinking?”

“It would seem we’re about to find out.”

They all stood their ground and stared out in front of them, awaiting the first audible footfalls of the oncoming predator that was wasting no time or putting forth no effort to conceal his presence. Several minutes went by when they at last heard the crunching of plants and cracking of branches. Another minute passed, and movement could be seen in the low-hanging branches.

The two DyVorians and OroGon tightened their muscles and bared their teeth, preparing for what could potentially be a sudden and violent confrontation. Ridgebacks, after all, were known for mercilessly attacking convoys and travelers in the wild lands. A small band like theirs, even one made of three big and powerful predators, would not be enough to deter an attack forever.
But why just the one?
VayRonx continued to wonder.

Several more minutes passed, and the sound of someone of considerable size moving through the underbrush could be clearly heard.

“Whoever it is,” said TarFor, “they’re making no attempt to conceal themselves.”

“It could mean they mean us no harm?” suggested VyKia hopefully.

“Or they think we can’t harm them,” her brother replied, leaping off NyRo’s back and igniting his flame.

They had all readied themselves for the worst when, just as expected, a Ridgeback came into view right in front of them, coming to a sudden halt. With curious eyes, he scanned the group silently, as if trying to assess whether they were indeed a threat. After a moment of what could have been described as awkward silence, the Ridgeback curiously asked, “You wouldn’t by any chance be from KaNar, now would you?”

“We are,” BaRone replied nervously.

“Wonderful,” the Ridgeback replied with an unexpected levity. “And would any of you be VayRonx?”

Rearing his head back in surprise, the big TarBoranx replied with a stoic look, “I am.”

“Oh, good,” the Ridgeback said, breathing a sigh of relief. “So I’ve finally found you then.”

“Wait,” TarFor scoffed, “you’re saying you were seeking us out?”

“I am, that is to say I was.”

“How do you know my name?” VayRonx asked, taking a step forward.

“Easy now. I mean you no harm.”

“Told you,” VyKia said, glancing down at her brother.

“Oh, shut it,” he grumbled as he folded his arms.

“We respect the fact that we are beyond the bounds of our territory,” VayRonx said, trying to sound more personable. “But I still demand to know how it is you’ve come to know my name, or why you were looking for members of my tribe?”

“My name is RemoKy. I was told to seek you out and deliver a message.”

“What message?”

“And by whom?” added VoRenna.

“Your ilk.”

“Come again?” BaRone said with a look of surprise.

RemoKy saw out of the corner of his eye the OroGon and VyoNyvora slowly positioning themselves on either side of him. Instinct told him to charge his way through and escape, but he could not leave without fulfilling his duty to repay those young SaVarians for saving his life. With another sigh, he began, “Night before last I came across a young SaVarian, a girl, just west of here; a day’s walk or so. She, however, was not alone.” RemoKy paused for a moment, feeling awkward for saying what he was about to. “She was being held captive by what she said was…a DraGon.”

“What?” VayRonx replied in surprise, jutting his head forward so forcefully that BaRone had to grip hold of his neck to keep from falling off.

“Did you say a DraGon?” VyKia asked.

“DiNiya!” BaRone gasped. “Was she all right? Please, you must tell me!”

“Well, she was alive and seemed to be in one piece. Then again, I do believe it’s more of surprise that I am as well, given the nature of our encounter.” He thought back to that dreadful day, impaled high above the forest and thrown close to a kilometers and left for dead, as if he had been in the wrong for defending his own territory and deeming the girl worthy of his protection.

“Explain,” demanded VayRonx.

“I wasn’t looking for her; rather, I picked up an unfamiliar scent. So I went to discover the identity of the intruder and came across a beast unlike any I have seen in all my years. She seemed to be chasing the girl.” Everyone now fixed RemoKy with intense stares, hanging on his every word as if waiting for a revelation. “I managed to give that wicked creature a lesson in respecting boundaries, and learned from your little friend what happened to your home.”

“So you know, then,” TarFor said.

“Did she say anything else?” BaRone asked desperately. “Anything at all?”

“No, I’m afraid,” he replied suddenly, wincing as a pain shot through one of the healed-over wounds on his chest. The young healer had done a remarkable job of getting him back on his feet; however, he would have to take care not to overexert himself for a time until he was sure he was fully recovered. Ignoring the pain, he looked back up and continued. “She was taken by the DraGon before she had a chance to tell me anything else.”

“What happened? I thought you said you had managed to defeat the DraGon?”

“I would have,” he said sourly, “but I was foolish and let my guard down, and in doing so…paid the price.”

VoRenna had noticed the remnants of his injuries, taking note of their precise location on his body, revealing the deadly accuracy and skill of the one who inflicted them. “Tell me, RemoKy, those wounds on your chest are lethal but have recently healed over. You do not possess the power needed to recover from such serious injuries.”

“Right you are,” he said, glancing down. “I had managed to cling to life long enough to be stumbled upon by a group of children.” There was a noticeable shift in the group now. “There were five in all, one of which was a healer.”

“Is she the one that patched you back together?” VyKia asked.

“Yes. A fair-haired female.”

“AnaSaya,” she exclaimed. “How was she? Was she all right? Speak!”

“VyKia!” VayRonx roared, making her immediately cease her interrogative assault.  “Calm yourself and let him talk.” KyVina clenched her jaw and complied with a sigh and a nod. “RemoKy, please continue.”

“As I was saying, she and the other four found me practically dead and were kind enough to mend my wounds, thus bringing me back from the brink. I owe her my life, and so am honor bound to repay my debt to her, and by association, them as a whole. That is why I am here.”

“Give us your message, warrior,” VayRonx said.

“They wanted you to know that they are alive and well and in hot pursuit of those who took the one called DiNiya.”

The others stared for a moment in silence, anticipating more but slowly realizing that there was not.

“Was that it?” VayRonx asked.

“Yes,” RemoKy replied.

“They must have said something else,” BaRone pressed.

“Afraid not.”

“Something you forgot, perhaps?” added TarFor hopefully.

“No, nothing. I assure you that was the extent of it, and to be honest it didn’t really sound like they wanted you catching up with them.”

“Well, that was obvious enough when they ran away like thieves in the night,” TarFor replied grumpily.

“Ironic since it was the real thief they’re after,” said NyRo.

TarFor gave him a cross look before folding his arms and resigning himself to his irritation. Meanwhile, VayRonx regarded RemoKy with less apprehension, stepping forward and lowering his head slightly. “Thank you for delivering this message to us. It does our flames good to learn that the ones we seek were unharmed at the time you saw them, and gives us hope they can indeed survive the perils of the wild.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” RemoKy said matter-of-factly. “The forest is no place for children raised in the confines of a settlement.”

“I understand your concern,” said VayRonx. “And it is indeed appreciated; however, these children are…special.”

“Oh?” the Ridgeback replied, pulling his head back and blinking quickly. “And how is that?”

They all glanced nervously at one another, unsure how to explain the unique set of circumstances surrounding the five, or even if they should. At last, after RemoKy’s insistent stare became too much for them to ignore, VayRonx attempted to explain. “They all possess flames of an unusually high power.”

“Can’t be any stronger than mine or any of the others in this area. Besides, even if they did somehow manage to slip through the forest unnoticed, they would still have to traverse the plains, which other members of my kind hunt. Not to mention the KarVora herds that graze there are no laughing matter. One in particular is ruled by a bull named MorToff, who, believe me, has a flame that would give even you pause, TarBoranx.” VayRonx snorted indignantly. “Gifted as they may be with whatever talents they possess, they are no match for what awaits them out here.”

“Do not be so quick to trivialize their talents,” said NyRo.

“Especially when one of them is the reason you’re even alive right now,” added VyKia sternly.

“I meant no disrespect. I’m just simply stating the obvious—something you all seem to be unwilling to do.”

“Perhaps it is you who should trust that we are aware of something you are not,” VayRonx declared.

“So it would seem. However, I’m still not convinced what you say is true. Yes, the healer did display extraordinary skill, but that is hardly proof of a uniquely powerful flame.”

“Then come with us,” VayRonx asked. “Help us find them and see with your own eyes what all of the people of KaNar have.”

“A bold offer, alpha, but I must decline.”

“Scared?” TarFor asked.

The Ridgeback shot him a fiery glare. “Hardly, but I did indeed battle with someone who caused a considerable amount of damage to this forest, with seemingly no remorse. I must spread the word that such a threat is about.”

“It’s a DraGon,” said VoRenna. “You can’t ignore that even if you think we are completely mad about everything else.”

“All the more reason to spread the word to all the tribes of the wild. It’s a big place, you know, so the sooner I start, the sooner others can take up the mantel. Now if you’ll excuse me.” With that, he turned and proceeded back into the forest before turning to face them again. “One more thing.”

“Yes?” VayRonx asked.

“That girl and one of the boys…they both had red eyes,” he said searchingly, pausing for what almost felt like effect. “Red eyes mean a red flame, and I’ve only ever heard of one race having one. How can they…?”

“Would you be prepared to believe the truth if we told you?” VayRonx asked. RemoKy gave him a slight nod then turned, disappearing into the forest.

“We should move on,” said TarFor in a hushed tone. “Put some distance between us and this stretch of forest as fast as we can.”

“You don’t trust him?” BaRone asked.

“You know as well as I the nature of his kind. He could very well be the alpha of this area, meaning we’re probably little more than intruders in his territory.”

“Even if that’s true, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to attack a TarBoranx. Especially not an alpha.”

“But what’s to stop him from gathering others of his tribe for an attack against us?” TarFor bellowed.

“Calm yourself,” VyKia shot back.

TarFor looked flustered, tossing his fur back. “I just don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. Not after all that’s happened. To do so would be…well, unnecessary.”

“You’re right,” VayRonx conceded. “I too do not relish the thought of having to contend with an entire tribe of Ridgebacks, let alone anyone else who deems our presence here intrusive.”

“That’s why you asked him to come with us, isn’t it?” NyRo asked.

“It would have been easier to keep any eye on him, but honestly I really did not expect him to agree to it.  Still, he did act honorably by delivering the message that our children are indeed alive.  He could have simply returned to the confines of his own territory, but instead chose to keep his word.  For that I feel he has earned the benefit of a doubt.

The others nodded, before they all resumed their trek through the forest.

Night was now falling on EeNara, and the twin moons shone down brightly on the world below, casting their pale light on the tower as the small SaVarian girl gazed up at them. DiNiya had been walking back forth, to all four corners of the massive platform, peering down below and out to the horizon, looking for some sign of hope. Any sign that someone was coming to rescue her. She had remembered her captor’s words to the others before she was taken: come alone, just the five or else they would kill her. “I wish they
had
killed me,” she said to herself somberly.

“And why is that, pray tell?” came DayKar’s voice from above.

Startled, DiNiya spun around and saw the immense DraGon perched on the stone altar.
I didn’t even hear him
, she thought, unnerved that someone so massive could have crept up on her in absolute silence. Regaining her nerve, she replied, “So no one will have to die for me. Better that I had been killed back there so they wouldn’t be endangering their lives trying to save mine.”

“You don’t think you’re worth saving?” he asked curiously.

“I’m just one person, and there are a lot more lives at risk than just mine thanks to you,” she said, giving him a venomous stare.

“Guilty,” he mused.

DiNiya shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t you
feel
guilty at all? Or feel any remorse for any of the horrible things you’ve done…the people you’ve killed? I mean, you were one of us! You were our friend!”

“I have a better question,” DayKar said, jumping down from his perch. “Why do you hold yourself in such low regard?”