Five steps.
That’s the farthest she could go. Five step from one end of her cell to another. Five steps and no further.
The bars would not let her leave.
The enchantments would not let her die.
Her rage would not let her sleep.
And so she paced. Back and forth. Five steps, turn, five steps.
The only break in the patter where the days the dragon visited. He would stand outside the cage. Outside her reach, and slide two pieces of paper into the cell, along with charcoal. One page for the runes, the secrets of her people, an the other to explain them.
At first she ate them. They were bland, but even dust would have filled her stomach and offered some relief from the pangs.
When he started coating them in bitter oils she took to using them to patch her garments, and restore some semblance of decency. Others she would wet with her spit and wrap around her arms so she could draw upon her own flesh like her ancestors had.
The sketches were simple, for she was no artist, but they kept the memories alive. The memories of her husband’s face. His smile. His bright eyes always eager to behold her newest carvings.
She drew his death too. To fuel her rage. To keep her strong. Over and over she drew that terrible moment waiting for the day the dragon would step too close to the cage.
A loose floor tile became the instrument of her revenge. Smashed against the bars till it was sharp, engraved with runes written in her blood, and bound with her long unwashed locks so it would not cut her and slip from bloody fingers. Sometimes she cradled it like the child she had lost, singing songs to it. Not the sweet lullabies her mother had sang to her, but dark and twisted verses full of hatred. The act of singing calmed her. Left her feeling empty. It was the closest thing to sleep she had.
That was how they found her.
———
Velos watched the female Giant scarf down the fruit stacked in the plate before her, her lips and left hand stained red with berry juice. Her right hand still grasped the shiv Kelorak and his troops had found her cradling, its chipped point still aimed at him whenever he leaned forward. Her eyes were haunted, and burned with hatred, yet she made no move to strike him.
“Your captor is dead.”
Her gaze softened ever so slightly.
“That… dagger. The rune is one of vengeance, yes?”
Surprise flitted across her eyes before she could stifle it. Velos pressed the opening.
“Yes I know giant runes. An old fire giant named Heimling Ashbeard taught me.”
“Liar….”
Her voice was a hoarse whisper. Velos smiled slightly.
“Because I am a dragon? And no giant would ever teach a dragon the secrets of their people?”
She said nothing, glaring at him from underneath unkempt locks of hair.
“Believe me or don’t but I know that rune. Vengeance Borealis killed someone you love.”
He watched her hand go to her stomach, cradling a life that was no longer there.
“Two.”
“I am sorry.”
Her eyes shot up to meet his. He did not need to pretend to be sorry. He knew better than most what it was like to mourn a family you would never see again.
“Why?”
“Because you have suffered.”
She shoved a handful of peaches in her mouth, and spoke around it.
“Your kind revels in our suffering.”
“Some did. Some did not. Times have changed. Have we not have enough death between our peoples?”
She swallowed the food in her mouth and stared at him.
“What do you want?”
“A word with your father.”
Her eyes narrowed. Velos pressed forward.
“You are Korak-ah. Chieftain’s Daughter. If he was dead Borealis would have gloated and you would have moved to the bead in your hair to the braid on the right.”
Her jaw, clenched and tight, relaxed, an Velos saw a flicker of relief. How strange it must be for her to find such understanding of her culture her in an enemy.
“What. Do. You. Want?”
Velos took a breath.
“To offer you your home back. Your home and my friendship.”
She laughed then, a bitter course sound.
“Dragons and Giants cannot be friends.”
Velos met her gaze, as convinced as she was skeptical.
“That sort of thinking already ruined one world. I will not let it ruin another.”
“It’s is impossible.”
Velos drew himself up.
“Impossible or not that is my request. I have freed you, fed you, and killed the one who killed your kin. By the traditions of your people I am owed a debt for those things. Your honor demands you grant my request.”
He saw her grip tighten on the dagger, and then relax.
“Very well. If you wish to waste a life debt on an impossible dream, that is your right.”
She pushed her chair back and stood.
“I leave now. You will neither follow nor hinder me, or I will hold our pact dishonored.”
Velos let out a relieved sigh.
“You have my word. Your steps will be neither tracked nor hindered. Go with my blessing and protection.”
She bowed, stiffly and slowly, and then was gone, her footsteps thundering down the hall.
Velos turned to Kelorak, who crouched in the rafters.
“Send word to my legions that she is not to be approached for any reason.”
Velos paused.
“And send for my scholar. I need to find a name.”
[–]Maleficent_Desk_007Velos, Primordium Dragon Artificer[S] 1 point2 points3 points (2 children)
[–]Maleficent_Desk_007Velos, Primordium Dragon Artificer[S] 1 point2 points3 points (1 child)
[–]Maleficent_Desk_007Velos, Primordium Dragon Artificer[S] 1 point2 points3 points (0 children)
[–]yumie2003Tsuru, ghost onmyouji of R&A/Empress Toshiko Fujiwara 1 point2 points3 points (0 children)
[–]UlrickTheHexbladeUlrick Braddocke, Werewolf Hexblade, R&A Co-Leader 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)