Waking of the White Warrior
few minutes after, Afalon and Drinn gathered enough vines to use as a harness. Drinn tied it at the dragon’s huge body the way he remembered Gleep’s harness was, and then he climbed at the dragon’s back and tied the vine on his waist as tight as he could and then held tight on it.
“Are you sure this is strong enough Afalon?” Drinn said as he examined the vine.
“No I’m not master Drinn.” Afalon replied with a small laugh. “I have chosen the strongest vines I could find, that’s our only choice you can’t walk from here to the dessert. It will take you a day or so. As you said you are in a hurry master Drinn.”
“Very well then, I’m ready!” Drinn answered.
“Hold on tight, and don’t worry I will certainly catch you if you fall master Drinn.” said Afalon and then he took a great leap and flapped his huge wings and started to soar up. Drinn was shaken holding as tight as he could at the vine tied at his waist, and still not trusting that the vine would hold enough for it seems that it is breaking as soon as Afalon leaped.
The wind was on Drinn’s face and his eyes got struck suddenly by the blinding ray of the rising suns. The red sparks of Coltranthum was peering out while the bright white light of Genevier was already ruling the horizon. Slowly the forest where they were before was far below them, as Drinn saw green dragons hovering above the trees, and soon, when they were high enough, Drinn saw the whole island of Kayel. The southern side of the island was a huge green forest and at the center were wide plains and lawns where there were couples of rivers winding and at the edge of the lawn were the grand canyons located in the desserts and far, far north were the vast towering mountains.
“Can you see the island in south master Drinn?” the dragon inquired as soon as they managed a steady flight.
Drinn keenly look at the vague far southern seas and saw a small island and answered “Yes I can see it, why?”
“That island is the land of Neriwonda.” replied Afalon.
“So we’re really too far from Neriwonda.” Drinn said in a voice that is almost a whisper. He held his dove necklace and put it inside his shirt. “Can you show me where the island of Quariumora is?”
“I’m afraid not master Drinn.” said Afalon. “It is a hidden island. I’m sure it was only through Quinlan that you got inside their city, even here in Kayel.”
“Can you see the desserts and the plains? Those are my territories.” Afalon proudly said.
“Territory?” Drinn asked as if he didn’t heard Afalon mentioned it in the forest, and that the dragon was starting to get talkative again.
“Yes my territory!” Afalon said. “I’m the lord of the dragons of plains and desserts. I guess you didn’t know that dragons have different territories. Let me tell you so—black dragons can be found in marshes, swamps, and underground networks. Most of them live behind those mountains where the light is weak. And in those mountains live the red and silver dragons, while the white dragons live in the mountain’s underground icy caves. The green dragons where numerous and live in the forest. Gold dragons live anywhere they like—they are very flexible to their environment. While blue, copper, and brass dragons like me live in temperate and warm desserts.”
“I have other brass dragons under me and we usually fight for territories with the blue dragons.”
“What about the copper dragons, you fight territories with them too?” Drinn asked.
“We share territories with them—they are not as bad as the blue dragons.” Afalon answered. “Hold on tight master Drinn, we’re going to descend now.”
The heat of the ground was apparent as the ground emitted a steam and the humid was very high that Drinn started to sweat as soon as they landed on the highest canyon in the dessert. And when Drinn got down from the dragon’s back, Afalon made a loud deafening roar that it fairly shook the ground, then slowly, copper dragons and brass dragons came out from their caves; one by one they landed on the canyon where Drinn and Afalon were. Some of them seem so old, some were small and some were huge, but none of them matched the size of Afalon. That roar was a call for an important assembly and soon enough, all the dragons under Afalon were gathered on the top of the canyon.
The entire dragon clan’s attention was on Drinn, they knew that Drinn would do something to that important assembly and the fact that no humans had reached their place for a very long time.
“I gather you all for an important message.” Afalon started. “This man standing before you is the one we’re told about, the one in the prophecy brought to us by Quinlan himself. He is the Chosen One on whom Quinlan told us to do everything even if it causes our lives.”
“Now prepare yourselves, you know very well that we are to get the Blade of Quinlan in the territory of white and black dragons as the prophecy states. We are in haste we only have till afternoon to get the sword. Now if you have anything to settle, eggs to hide or caves to secure, now is the time. You have to go back here in as soon as possible and we’re going to have a surprise attack!”
An hour passed by, Drinn and the dragon clan of Afalon were on their way to the northern mountains. Drinn was ridding at the back of Afalon and a sword was hanging at Drinn’s belt which came from the hidden treasures of Afalon and was wearing an old elven chain mail shirt. As they came nearer to the glistening icy peeks, the air was starting to get cold even though the suns were already up high in the sky.
“Behind those mountains are the marshes of the black dragons.” Afalon said. “And be alert every now and then, I wont be surprise if we’re suddenly get attack by white dragons.”
But what Afalon presumed faded for they soon leave behind the icy mountains. And the marshes were scattered below them without a sign of white or even a black dragon, which troubled Afalon for the icy mountains were the white dragon’s territory and they were suppose to attack them as soon as they saw them coming.
“This is not right…” Afalon gravely whispered.
“What’s the matter?” Drinn inquired, but the anxious dragon didn’t respond but kept his intent look at the marshes. And with a blink of an eye Afalon cried. “Get scattered!” for he discerned that the enemies had prepared for their attack and out of the blue, white and black dragons came out of from the swamps and from the clusters of trees as numerous as the bees from a hive. The enemies were scattered and their plan was to surround them.
The sky started to get dark which were the combined spells of the black dragons that the brass and copper dragons had a hard time to see at the sky. Roars of dragons echoed in the air and sudden flashes of fires were all Drinn could see in the surrounding darkness.
“Hold on tight Drinn!” cried Afalon “Black and white dragons can see well in the dark! We will descend; it is safer if I let you go on the ground.”
They were descending in speed from the black spell when Drinn felt a tremendous heat from his side as Afalon made a loud cry of pain, for it was an acid breath attack from a black dragon. They rolled in the air and all at once Drinn felt that he was far behind the dragon falling freely in the air and for a few seconds he felt a strong impact as he fell on the swamp. It was like hitting on a solid pavement that Drinn was unconscious for a moment. Opportunely it was just ten feet high where Drinn fell off of the dragon.
Before long Drinn woke up, he heard a voice whispering “No matter what don’t let go of the sword. Have faith and never let go.” When the voice faded it was altered with a deep voice of Afalon calling his name. The darkness from the ground was not as dark as the sky for Drinn can see the swamp where he was.
“Where are you Afalon?!” Drinn cried.
“Are you alright master Drinn?!” replied Afalon who’s voice was somewhere far from Drinn.
“Yes I am!” said Drinn.
“I’m badly wounded; I can’t get up, just trust your instinct and try to find the cave of the black dragons. There you will find the Blade of Quinlan, its just somewhere around here!”
“How about you?!” Drinn answered back.
“Don’t mind me, I’ll be fine master Drinn!” said Afalon. “Now go, may Quinlan be with you!”
The sky continually sparks with fires shedding light from time to time to where Drinn was going. He was running in fear that a dragon might saw him and it was helpless even if he did have a sword. The swamp where he fell was just knee-high but still it slowed him down, and for a time he was wandering in the swamps clueless of where to go.
Time pass by he was on a plain ground, Drinn was far away from the battle and light slowly opened up, he was tired of running but he was determined to find the sword, and what he just insisted in his mind was that it was not just his sacrifice—the dragon clan of Afalon was risking their lives for him.
“Quinlan!” Drinn shouted from the top of his lungs as he ran, “Why should everyone sacrifice for me?!” he stopped running and then look up on the sky. He saw a vague shape flying and thought that it was a dragon. It was flying and circling on him and then quickly made a nosedive and flew straight when it was about ten feet high. It was an eagle a huge white eagle.
“Follow me!” the eagle shouted.
“It’s you Quinlan!” Drinn realized and he ran once again to follow the eagle in haste. He was running for just a few feet when he suddenly fell, for he saw not that a big crack was a few feet in front of him. He spun violently inside until he fell on the ground. He was filled with scratch and wound and all over the body and his head was bleeding from bumping on a rock but he noticed not the pain for as he looked around, he found out that he actually fell from the cave he was looking for. The cave was filled with treasures, gold, diamond, and most of them were different colors of gems that seemed magical and the Blade of Quinlan was the only sword in there half sunk on the ground. The sword’s guard was shaped like a dragon’s horn and inscribed in an unusual design. Drinn quickly stood not minding his wounds and went to the sword and heard Quinlan’s voice saying “No matter what happened do not let go of the sword, have faith Drinn.” Drinn knew that it was another test so he quickly gripped the sword’s hilt as hard as he could. He almost lost his grip for it was extremely hot as if it just came out of the fire that he almost lost his grip on it. But no matter how hot the hilt was, he held tighter as he screamed in pain and pulled it. The ground started to shook violently as he pulled the sword; rocks were falling all around him and the cave’s crown seems to break and fall on him. The heat of the hilt slowly fades but what mind Drinn was the cave that is about fall. He still pulled the sword out of the ground determined to get the sword even if it caused him his life and the cave fell on him. He closed his eyes as the sword was pulled out of the ground and rocks went falling all over him but amazingly not even a small stone fell on him as if someone covered him as the cave collapsed. When he opened his eyes he saw a bright light covering him and what seemed to be an eagle shaped light was hovering and circling above him. And then the eagle shaped light went inside the sword and Drinn felt a strong force coming from the sword passing through his hands and went all over his body. Light shined all over the place and far from him he could see the battle of the dragons still going on. He looked at the sword and saw a strange language written on the blade, but to his wonder he could read what the mark is.
“Patobulinti šviesos,” Drinn started reading the mark “nušluoti tamsa.”
And the sword suddenly shined as if it was an explosion of a bright light that covered the place. He could see nothing but the white light the sword produced and it shook the ground as he heard the roars of the dragons. It went about for a few seconds and when the light faded, he saw that the black dragon’s spell was no more.
Drinn ran swiftly towards the battling dragons as if he was a new man, with renewed strength and renewed mind. When Drinn arrived at the marshes he killed a great black dragon that attacked him, soon the battle was over and Drinn and Afalon’s dragon clan won the battle, although many of them were killed.
“I can’t say how much I owe you Afalon.” Drinn said to Afalon who was badly wounded lying on the ground. It was an hour after the battle. “I am in debt of you.”
“No master Drinn,” said Afalon, “This is my way of serving Quinlan who saves me a lot of time. And it is our honor to be in the side of the Chosen One in a battle. Soon you are to fight a greater battle; you are to face Vibac and his army.”
“My gratitude is with you Afalon, and with all of you.” Drinn said as his sword spark, he looked at it and the mark has changed. “I guess this is a goodbye. May Quinlan be with you all!” and Drinn started to read the new mark and a bright light enfolded him and he was gone out of Kayel.
Drinn was still looking at the Peiheesa stone remembering the bright light that enfolded him in Kayel which brought him back suddenly in Quariumora. He lowered his gaze and saw Princess Shayna looking at him, she seemed troubled and her eyes were filled with questions that if only she could stop the fight for awhile and asked Drinn what happened.
Drinn held his dove necklace and then put it inside his elven chain mail shirt to secure it. He stood firmly as he calmly stare at his enemy’s eyes, which made Shokurr in burst of anger for Drinn appeared unbothered at all.
The giant Quariumoran warrior raised his battle axe and prepare for an attack determined to crush Drinn on a single blow while Drinn was still, as calm as a dove, and just waiting for his giant opponent to come over and attack him. Shokurr charged on Drinn, and fast enough in spite of his weight and his heavy axe. Drinn quickly leaped on the side as the axe smashed the ground, tiny bits of rocks went flying in the air as Shokurr followed his attacks continually chopping viciously on every side hitting Drinn with rage. Still Shokurr missed for Drinn was quick to avoid his attacks, sometimes he rolled on the ground, and there were times that it was just a few inch or it was Drinn’s end.
His giant opponent stopped from hitting Drinn and step back a few feet, he looks as if he was wondering why Drinn wasn’t using his sword at all. Shokurr was breathing heavy, as he held his battle axe firm with his right arm, never did he face an opponent as calm as Drinn. And it troubled him as Drinn continually stared at him directly at his eyes. The giant Quariumoran warrior smirked at Drinn to lessen the tension and set himself ready for his next attack. Again Shokurr rushed and it was different, for Drinn stood not anymore but charged. And when Shokurr was just a few feet from him he drew his sword and swiftly dive a forward roll beside his enemy. The giant Quariumoran shrieked in pain for Drinn had drew a red line at his right leg, but still Shokurr managed a counter attack as he strike his axe sideward. Drinn leaped back and still Drinn was fortunate for the edge of the axe touched only his chain mail shirt.
Still unwounded Shokurr cried in anger and not minding his wound, he attacked Drinn, and his blows turned into stronger ones. But Drinn has quickly learned his enemy’s movements and avoided each blow. The crowd cheered on Shokurr expecting to hit Drinn any moment, everyone in the arena was standing as the battle became intense. And at last, what Drinn was waiting for happened, Shokurr’s battle axe sunk deep on the ground the he couldn't pulled it at once as Drinn quickly slashed his enemy’s leg. Shokurr cried and fell on his knees, and before he even pulled the axe up Drinn’s sword was pointed at his enemy’s neck.
The crowd’s noise was turned into silence, they were all amazed that Drinn had defeated their champion, and was waiting if Drinn will end Shokurr’s life.
“You’re defeated Shokurr, this fight is over.” said Drinn as he slowly lowered his sword. But then his arrogant enemy can’t accept his defeat, and suddenly moved to pull his battle axe but because Shokurr was on his knees, Drinn managed to strike first with his sword and cut his enemy’s head.
The arena was still silent as Shokurr’s blood started to crawl on the battle ground, and then the Quariumorans burst into a loud shouts and cheers. For it’s been a long time that none had defeated their champion, and it was in fact a human who put Shokurr’s life to end. Princess Shayna quickly ran inside the battleground and embraced Drinn to her joy.
“You have a lot of story to tell me Drinn.” she said smiling. “You really are the Chosen One, and I’m sorry for not believing you.”
“No, it’s alright princess Shayna.” said Drinn. “I won’t believe it too if I were you. But things do happen in its proper time.” And then Drinn saw that king Dunates was already inside the battleground kneeling before Drinn.
“I have made a terrible mistake.” gravely the king said. “Forgive me Chosen One.”
“No your majesty, it’s not your fault.” Drinn came near the king and offered his hand. “Please stand up your majesty, we bow only to Quinlan.”
The king stood and shouted “Tonight we will celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy, and the coming of the Chosen One!” and the crowd burst into a loud cheer.
There was a great celebration in Quariumora that night. King Dunates asked of Drinn to tell his story on how everything starts, where he came from, how did he met Quinlan, and how did he came to Quariumora. And Drinn having a passion in telling stories, told them the full details of his story even the fate of Firolwen and Cuauhtémoc, the friends he met along his journey, and it did gave Drinn a melancholy feeling for he missed his friends so much.
After the whole celebration when it was late at night and everyone seems asleep, Princess Shayna found Drinn who was still at the courtyard. She knew well that as Drinn told his story about his friends his eyes speaks of sadness.
“Why are you still awake Drinn?” the princess asked when she approached Drinn, “You’re supposed to be tired by now, and quickly fall to sleep after your journey, and where you have been.”
“I just can’t sleep…” replied Drinn.
“I know you’re thinking about your friends.” Princess Shayna said then she paused for awhile as if she wanted to ask something.
“The princess you mentioned in your story,” she said, “Princess Meyah, you love her don’t you?”
Drinn smiled at the question, he looked at Princess Shayna and said “Why, what gave you the idea?”
“I just felt it, every time you mentioned her name, there was something in your eyes I can’t explain it, but I know you love her.”
“It’s just that, she was so sad when we departed.” Drinn answered as if everything was flashing in his mind particularly the time Princess Meyah and him departed ways. “Yes I love her, and I don’t have an idea what happened to her and to my friends. I hope they are fine.”
“So it’s the reason why you want to leave at once.” the princess said, and Drinn noticed sadness in her eyes. “I just want to say that I will miss you Drinn.”
“And thank you, you taught me something and even my father a lot. You have such a humble heart. Keep it that way my friend. Even if you’re the White Warrior.” she looked at Drinn and smiled.
“And I have no friend for a very long time. I don’t know why is it that I felt comfortable when I’m with you.”
“I promise I’ll be back Princess Shayna.” Drinn said to comfort the princess. “You are a very good friend and a brave princess. I will see you again soon, maybe after this war with Amarash I will. Or we might see each other again in a battle. Who knows? But I promise I’ll be back here in Quariumora.” Drinn paused for a moment and said, “Just let me know how to come back here in your secret city, after all I can’t still breathe in water.”
The princess had a small laugh and said “Of course we will.”
The next day came, and it was three in the afternoon. The Warriors of the Chosen One started their new journey saving princess Meyah from the poison she got from an orchish arrow. They all got their horse and were already far from the prophet’s temple.
“How’s princess Meyah?” Bribble inquired of Eanna for the princess was ridding with Eanna, still she was unconscious leaning with Eanna.
“I don’t know too Bribble, she just kept on sweating, and sometimes she do whisper a word but I can’t understand it.”
“It might be the effect of the poison.” added the elven lady Sereelien.
“And I hope what I fear wont happen.” she said in a whisper.
“Last night I dreamt of her.” Sereelien continued. “It was a bad dream—I guess it’s telling me something. So we must be in haste.”
“What was your dream about Sereelien?” Bribble said who was trying to get his horse in the middle of Eanna and Sereelien.
“You don’t have to know it by now Bribble.” replied the elven lady, “It’s for your own good.”
“Are we going to pass Firolwen?” Bribble continued asking.
“When will you stop asking Brib?!” Reginleif shouted from the rear of the group.
“Hey, why are you listening to our conversation?” said Bribble who looked at the back. “And did you call me Brib? Drinn’s the only one who calls me Brib.”
“Oh I’m sorry Brib-ble!” Reginleif said in an annoying tone emphasizing his name.
“Will you two stop shouting?” said Eanna. “We’re at the northern woods of Firolwen orcs might be around here in this woods.”
Two days after and they were nearly at Firolwen, they took a southeast turn to avoid passing Firolwen for they knew very well that Amarashans had camped in there. When it was ten in the morning Princess Meyah suddenly woke up to their amazement, and was asking for water, it all made them glad finding out that the princess was getting better. They stopped on a road beside a large cornfield to eat their breakfast for they have none since they can’t stop and eat while they were still near Firolwen.
“How do you feel right now Princess Meyah?” Eanna asked as they ate.
“I just feel quite dizzy,” the princess replied, “What happened, and where are we going?”
“You’ve been hit with an arrow, and with the help of Sereelien,” Eanna said pointing the elven lady, “She found out that you’re poisoned. We’re heading to Lone-Needle Cave to find a cure for the poison.”
“I guess I would be fine now.” said Princess Meyah.
Sereelien quickly interrupted “We don’t really know what the poison can do Princess Meyah. We have to get the cure to make sure you’re safe.” Their conversation ended when Halvene stood up and seemed bothered.
“Silence…” said Reginleif.
“You noticed it too?” said Halvene.
“Yes, there are galloping horses.” replied Reginleif.
“The sound seems it is heading this way!” said Eanna.
“Everyone, hide in the cornfields!” said Reginleif.
It was just a few minutes and the sound of the galloping horses get louder as it approaches their way. They were all hiding in the cornfields when all of a sudden Princess Meyah ran from where they were hiding. Reginleif followed her but it was too late for Princess Meyah was out of the cornfields and was spotted by the approaching group of horsemen, and being sensitive to what just happened, Halvene came out and everyone followed. The horsemen were too many, and were about a hundred soldiers. Eanna put an arrow at her bow determined to die than to be held captive, while everyone held their weapons ready.
The one who seems to be the leader of the army signaled. He waved his hand to his fellow soldiers behind to stop. He was wearing a chain mail and a red silk shirt inside, armor on his shoulder and knees, gauntlets and a knight’s helmet. He came down from his white war horse and walk towards them and he was pulling something from his shirt and it was a necklace, he then take off his helmet and it was Drinn. Princess Meyah ran towards him and Drinn hold her close in an embrace.