The morning sun shined through the wet fields of flowers and grass. The driver was yawning constantly, barely keeping his eyes closed, praying that they were approaching Ale's next destination. As the rose higher to the sky, it's light reached Ale's eyes, he yawned, rubbed his eyes, drank some water, and looked out of the carriage's window. Feeling the morning fresh air on his face while taking a deep breath of the fresh, morning air.
He felt the carriage bouncing up and down, he got up, while holding on to the car's insides, looked through the whip's window and saw him deep asleep. "Poor guy, he was determined to take me there as soon as possible," he let out a sigh, "we don't have much more road left, might as well drive myself."
He threw his hat to the seat and started crawling out of the whip's window, sat down next to the whip, gently took the reins from him and started guiding the horses properly as the whip fell to his shoulder, he tried grabbing his staff from the back, he couldn't reach it and since he started doing worse than a sleeping whip, he let his staff and map back, and hoped for the best.
After a while it was almost noon, the whip woke up anxiously, jumped from his seat just to see Ale driving the carriage. He felt embarrassed and started to apologize before Ale cut him off, "just enjoy the view my friend, after all, you'll do this road again, won't you?"
He smiled, "I believe so, yes. However I hate when I don't finish what I started, and even more when someone finishes it for me."
Ale smiled back, "I understand. Even though I love when someone finishes my work, then I have no worries." They both had a good laugh as they got a glimpse of the town, down in the horizon. Ale jumped from his seat like a little boy, he screamed in relief, with the whip turning red, while trying to calm him down. Ale gave horses a slack and they started to run faster.
Though the town seemed like a joyous one from the distance, entering the town both the whip and Ale felt a strange aura flickering on the air, the whip started sweating while washing it away with his sleeve while the latter started inspecting the surroundings.
It felt as if they had entered a ghost town. They continued railing through the town, in hopes of finding someone. "You shouldn't stay out there in the open!" A woman's voice came from above, not threatening, just a warning. Ale and whip turned their heads to see her standing in front of a window on the second floor.
"Excuse me, ma'am," said Ale, "where is everyone?"
She looked around, "either hiding in their houses, or have fled the town, as we will as well!"
Ale and the whip exchanged looks then Ale turned back to her, "Why so?"
She looked at them both, as a tear ran down her face, "a dragon attacked us just two days ago!"
The men were shocked by the news, "impossible, the dragons across the entire realm had agreed to not attack people ever again, unless . . ." "I apologize for my disturbance ma'am but, could you tell me where to find the governor?"
She nodded, pointed in front of them, "you should continue ahead just the way you are, then turn left twice. He will be surrounded by many people there, you should probably wait." He nodded, "thank you very much so."
Arriving there they witnessed a huge group of people sweating, holding papers with number in it, tapping their feet on the ground and scanning the area as they could blow up at any moment. Ale told the whip to go and park the carriage and stay there, ready for anything, before leaving he grabbed his staff and his cone-shaped hat, and went inside the governor's building. Some of the people tried to hold him back because he cut through the line, but he pushed them away with his mana, the people were stunned for a moment, but when they saw he was a wizard they were relieved to the point some teared up. "Excuse me, good sir," he turned around to see a man with a half burnt face Ale got upset but he chew it down his throat, "were you sent to kill . . . the dragon?"
He looked around then back at the man, he nodded, "I need to ask the governor for directions, that's all." The people erupted in cheers, the cheers were so loud and so unexpected that the governor and the rest of the people inside the building were rushing outside to see what was happening. The governor quickly acknowledged the staff he was carrying, he requested Ale to follow him inside.
"Were you sent by the king, Mr. ?" The governor asked as they walked into his office. Ale got a bitter look on his face before answering. "Call me Ale, and no, I wasn't by the king." "Then we were lucky for you to show up." They sat down across one another. "Where is this dragon located?" "Far north, it would take about 3 days to go by foot, or more, depending the pace, but you'll be there in a day and a half if you go with a carriage." Ale nodded, "do we know why he would attack you? It is very-" The governor's face turned red from anger, "it's an animal, it has no motives, it yearns for blood and feasts on misery. That's what these creatures are, nothing more."
"Mr. governor, please, dragons are not in the same scale as a demon, bear or goblin. In fact dragons are closer to humans than any species. They don't wage war without being intimidated by something!"
"Women and children intimidated that thing? It could end as all right there and then!" He was very close to scream on Ale's face.
"But he didn't!"
"DO YOU WANT US TO WAIT WHEN HE DOES?" The governor screamed at him.
Ale looked down at his feet, "I'm sorry, you are right, it had no right to do such a thing!" He said with guilt on his voice. There was an intense silence in the room, getting more and more irritating. The governor let out a sigh with a sad look on his face, "I apologize also, you are offering help and instead of accepting it I'm pushing you away," he looked around the room before locking eyes with Ale, "we will help you prepare before starting your trip, please wait outside and I'll escort you as soon as possible!" Ale nodded, got up, shook hands with the governor and waited outside in a small bridge staring at the dancing water.
He stood there just staring at his reflection, he took off his hat, and continued to stare, even he himself was unsure what he was looking for. "Excuse me, sir?" Ale looked to see a boy holding a dagger on his hand. "What is it kid?" "Are you the wizard who will kill the dragon?" "I suppose so, why? Why do you want to know?" "It killed my father!" The kid said as he started to flooded his face with tears. Ale got up and approached the kid, patting him gently on the head. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. "I want to make you smile, but I know somethings aren't that easy, if they were . . . nothing like this would happen!" The kid cried silently as Ale held him tightly.
"Please sir, I need to do this!" The kid said after carefully wiping his tears off his face. "I cannot take a kid to this kind of adventure, think about your mother, she would probably kill herself if you didn't return home!" The kid looked down at his old shoes. "She won't worry for me!" He said in a steady voice. Ale took a moment, looking him carefully. "I see . . ." He sat back down at where he was at. "You don't have anyone to take care of you?" He shook his head. "I'm stack in the orphanage!" Ale nodded.
"I can't take him with me, he'll die for sure if I let him come, but then again. What does he have to lose? Nobody will take care of him with genuine care, or at least, it's very unlikely to happen." He let out a sigh. "What am I doing?"
"ALRIGHT!" Ale yelled as he got up and stretched his back. "I'll take you with me!" The kid's face lit up, he held his dagger close to his chest, "thank you sir! It means a lot, I won't fail you!" He said with a determined voice as if he was already a man, "shouldn't had excepted anything less, I also hope I won't fail you kid!"
He saw the governor with his whip and two soldiers walking towards him. The governor gave two guards to keep him company as well as some food to have until they stop and catch something. Ale told the others that the kid would coming with them. They, of course, rejected this dumb idea, however Ale and the kid put their feet down, the rest had to give in, and so they began their road towards the dragon's cave.
The inside of the carriage was too crowdy but they had to deal with it. The kid looked out the window, observing nature while his hand were trembling slightly he held them tight to his dagger, not letting go. Ale got a glimpse, but didn't want to disturb him.
The two soldiers were discussing some ways they could catch the dragon off guard, they were a decade younger than Ale, probably early thirties. Ale couldn't care less about it, he knew that he didn't need help to kill the dragon, if it came down to it, of course. In fact, he was more curious for the reason behind the attack. "The day it attacked," the soldiers and the kid turned their gaze his way, "what had happened that day? Was there anything, different?" The soldiers looked at him with blank expressions before shaking their heads, "just another day from what we know!" The one on the right with golden hair said. The kid, however, didn't speak. He took a quick glance at him before looking away, he didn't care as to why the dragon attacked the fact it did told him everything he needed to know.
The sun began setting down, leaving the moon it's moment to shine. The group was tired from sitting in one place for so many hours, they decided to stop, set a fire and maybe close their eyes a little. They went inside the woods, yet close to the road. Ale got down first, asked who would like to go with him for a hunt. The kid quickly obliged, Ale smiled, "very well," clapping his hands, "the rest of you make sure to start a fire!" The rest nodded as Ale ran away like a kid playing chase, with the kid trying to keep up with his small legs.
"It's ridiculous!" Said the the other soldier with dark hair, "he will get the kid killed!" The other alongside the whip nodded silently, "the was not much to be done, partner. The kid had made his mind!" "Doesn't that seem insane? A kid can't make such a decision, he has all the life ahead of him, that old wizard is murderer!"
The whip took of his hat and scratched his head, "don't say such a thing, Ale is no murderer!" The soldier turned to face him, "you know him?" "He is quite famous among villagers and us town folks, mainly the eastern part." The soldier nodded, "what does he do?" "Travels." The soldiers exchanged looks, "just that?" The other one asked. The whip nodded, "yes! Well . . ." he made a pause to drink some water, "he does jobs for the people." "How kind hearted he his." Said the first soldier in a tone of irony while the whip shrugged. "Take it as you will, he is a good man. Broken, as you yourselves might have noticed, but he has good heart!" "Broken?" They asked, "from what?" He shrugged again, "I don't know, nobody does! Some thinks he lost his son, but I can't grasp the truth, so that's what you can get from me, and everyone else." The soldiers nodded, the dark hair wasn't satisfied by the answer, but he had bigger things to figure out.
Ale and the kid walked by one another, with moonlight showing the way. "What are we looking for, sir?" "Uhmmm . . . whatever we find." The kid looked disappointed, "so what? We have no objective?" Ale shook his head, "we do, to catch something to feast upon, I'm kinda hungry you know," he smiled with his teeth showing, "so what do you say?" The kid smiled bitterly, "I'm hungry too . . ." Ale smiled again, "that's the spirit!"
The continued to make their way through the deep forest without any problems. "Are you always like this?"
Ale turned around, confused.
"What do you mean?"
"This excited, I mean."
"I suppose so, why? If it bothers you, I'll stop."
"No! It's not that, I've never seen an adult act like this before. I assumed that all they do is stay serious and have exceptions when there is something to celebrate!"
"Most are like this, I suppose," he scratched his beard before turning to face him, "did that shock you?"
He nodded, "a little . . ."
Ale laughed to the point he turned red, "well I apologize, it's just the way I am!"
The kid smiled again. Then they heard something from the bushes, the crouched down to the ground and waited. A deer came out, it smelled the place before it started to it. Ale and the kid observed from a distance. "Think you can handle it?"
The kid looked at him over with a confused look. "Do you want me to kill it? Alone?"
Ale smiled, and nodded, "yep! That's right!"
The kid looked down at his dagger, he rubbed it with his fingers, as his reflection was visible thanks to the moonlight. He put a hand on his shoulder, "what's wrong?" The kid looked up, "I'm not sure if I can!"
He laughed, "you came here when you are incapable of killing a deer?"
He blushed, "I, I have to kill it, the deer has nothing to do with it!" Ale raised an eyebrow, "I see, but do you except to kill a dragon just like that?"
He looked down then back up. "Will you help me?" He was taken aback for a moment, "it's been a while since I helped someone hunt, for free at least!" He smiled and nodded, he handed his hand over while opening and closing his fingers, "give it to me!" The kid hesitated, but he lent it over very slowly. Ale took off his right glove, started to brush his hand along the blade of it and whispered something in an ancient language. The blade of the dagger started glowing, the kid was hypnotized by the spark leaving his blade.
Ale handed it back to him. "Here you go!" He scanned through it, "what did you do?" He smiled, "why not try it, and see?" The kid spat to the ground and got up, since he was quite short, he couldn't be visible by the deer. He started to slowly approach it, he looked over his steps closely, his eyes switched up, and down. He breathed very carefully, despite his stress, he managed it perfectly to the point the deer continued eating grass without a single care in the world. Ale watched scene unfold, waiting patiently for the result. The kid took a deep breath, couple steps back, and jumped on top of the deer. Holding on it's belly for it's dear life. The deer started shaking violently, it started to jump around, after a while of the kid not giving up it started to ran fast through the woods. Ale, panicked, began chasing after them.
The kid refused to give up, he started crawling up the deer's body and started wrapping himself around it's neck. The deer stopped, started moving forward and back then it started shaking again. The kid grabbed his dagger, which he held in his mouth, held it tight on his grip for the right moment. He could feel the deer's heartbeat vibrate through both the deer's, and his bodies. The kid fixed his fixture on it's neck. He took another deep breath, as sweat ran down his face from holding on to it's neck with one arm. Extended his other arm, and stroke it right on the deer's neck. It fell to the ground in an instant with it's head, it didn't scream nor felt any pain. However, his eyes remained open. The kid jumped from the deer, trying to regain his breath. He made contact with it's eyes, and quickly looked the other way.
Ale ran up, to see the kid standing next to the deer's corpse, shaking. Ale smiled bitterly, "how did it feel?" He asked. The kid looked up at him, then back down, "terrible!" He said between heavy breaths. He nodded, "does this kind of magic, that you used on my dagger to kill the deer, does it work on dragons?" Ale laughed, not in a mocking way, more like fascinated by the idea the kid had, "unfortunately, no boy! Had they been that easy to kill, they would be extinct long ago!"
The kid nodded, "and you can do it?"
He nodded with a smile, "of course!" He looked down as his smile ran away from his face, "at least I am useful for these sort of things . . ."
The kid looked at him, shocked by the sudden change on his mood. He thought for a moment, scared he would make him more upset.
"Have you done something you're not proud of?"
Ale smiled with his eyes, "many times! Never learnt from them!"
The kid saw his discomfort, he decided to stop as he got up and grabbed his dagger. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business!"
Ale laughed, which lead to the kid making a confused look.
"Don't worry, I enjoy talking to people . . ." he scratched his head, "it's just unusual to talk about this things!"
"Why?"
"Nobody has cared to ask!"
"Nobody? All this time?"
Ale thought for a moment, "well . . . very few, mostly two make the difference!"
"Where are they? Are they dead?"
He shook his head lightly, "let's keep moving, I'm getting hungrier the more we wait!"
The kid smiled, "do you need help carrying it?"
Ale raised his staff and carried the deer on a magic atmosphere, "I can still handle it, thank you!"
They both smiled to one another before fleeing away.
When they finally arrived to the camp, they saw that the rest had already the fire ready to prepare their meal. With the help of the soldiers, they hanged the deer from a tree as the soldiers slowly started to take out it's skin with the kid and Ale sitting next to the fire. The whip was in a mood for a melody, so he began singing. Ale stopped him, pulled out his harmonica which he had inside his cloak, and started the song's rhythm. The whip continued his singing, as the rest listened.
"Once a nameless soul, just another shadow, trying to be seen
As a phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn to a great man.
When the moon falls, he who orders the sun to rise,
Is you, oh my king!
God born amongst us, mortals,
Your courage alone, broke every foe,
You brought us the smiles, we had forgotten,
The savior we knew not we needed.
May millennia fade upon the air,
May we all vanish tomorrow with the dust,
May the entire world burn to ash and stone,
You, my king, shall live on till the end of time!"
The soldiers, who had just finished skinning the deer, and the kid applauded Ale and The whip.
"Thank a lot guys, same time tomorrow!" Ale said grinning as the rest giggled.
"I've heard this song before, but I still don't know what's about. Do you mind if you tell me?"
They all smiled at the kid with the black haired one, who started chopping off the deer's meat, asked him, "do you know much about history?"
The kid blushed, "no, I know some, but not enough."
"This song is about king 'Salo the great'!" The kid nodded, "it was actually written by his teacher, it is said that he wrote it two years after the king's death."
"How did he die?"
The soldier shrugged, "some believe he was poisoned by enemies of the state, whereas others believe he died from a cold." He laughed bitterly, "it's quite funny when you think about it, one of the most important people in history died from a simple cold."
The rest, excluding the kid, smiled to his comment.
"Makes sense," said Ale drinking some water, "we are human at the end, not gods!"
The kid looked confused, "but why does it say that he was a god?"
"He was, to our aunt sisters at least!" The soldier said.
"You have to understand kid," said the blonde one, "he united nations, befriended enemies and combined their efforts for a greater tomorrow."
The kid was fascinated by this stories, he knew how excited his father was to tell them when he'd grew older. It caused his expression to change, the rest noticed as Ale ran his hands through his shoulders.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing . . ."
"Did your dad tell you this story?"
He shook his head, "no, but he told me others. He always said how happy and proud he was to be born on this country."
"You should too," said the whip, "there's a reason he told you these stories and that he was proud for his nation. His and the other innocent souls, shall rest tomorrow!"
The rest of them nodded silently, "WELL," Ale said humping from his seat, while you two finish chopping the dear I'll go find some mushrooms and potatoes." He turned to face the whip, "do we need fresh water?" He shook his head. He excused himself and left. While the rest where still processing the mood swing in the atmosphere, they brushed it off and they understood that he did it to comfort the kid.
It took a while but Ale found what he was looking for, when he returned he saw that they had already put the meat in the pot filled with boiling water. He started to chop and peel them before throwing them in.
The food was ready just in time, as the kid had started to be sleepy. They ate the food while cracking a joke or two, it was close enough to make Ale pass out. After finishing their food they prepared the place where they would sleep, the kid and the whip slept in a hammock, since they weighted the less. And the rest slept on the ground with two blankets each, one on the ground and one to not catch a cold.
Ale, however, couldn't sleep. He kept looking to the sky, lightened by the moon and the stars. He had the conversation from before on repeat, specifically the kid's reaction and that fricking song. The first made him sad, whereas the second infuriated him. "Ahhh, yes, of course. He was a great mentor for the king, he never failed him, he was there for him, didn't abandon it. He was a brave man! Man? No, he was above a simple man. He was a warrior! Because, of course he was." A tear ran down his face, before he knew it, he was sobbing quietly. "I did what I was supposed to, no? I was there for him, listened to him, was patient to him, held him when he thought no one understood him . . . who am I kidding? I never cared did I?" He turned over, to see the kid, fast asleep. He remembered how he acted when he saw him hunting.
The sun was shine in this beautiful summer day, with birds singing and squeaking. Woodpeckers opening their new hotels as squirrels filled their storehouse so they can save nuts for the winter that is to come. While a ten year younger Ale laid down and enjoyed his moment.
A young boy was approaching as if he was a predator, he jumped without a warning nor a single made. Ale simply raised his staff and stopped him mid-air. He wore an arrogant grin on his face, "so close, dear highness!" He said in a mocking tone. The young prince got irritated, "that's not fair, Reemptio! I did Everything right!" Ale smiled again before getting up and putting the prince down. "I'm more interested as to what you are doing here Metus, his majesty was supposed to take you with you today, no?"
He shrugged, "I didn't feel like it."
Ale sighed, "if the shoe fits, I daresay you may wear it!"
He laughed, "you're hilarious Reemptio, why didn't you become a jester?"
Ale felt annoyed, but he let it slide. Not that he could do much more, "I consider myself a much superior to those guys!"
"In what way?"
"Intellectual and physical, of course!"
Metus scratched his chin, "but Reemptio, you barely are any bigger than me. And the only reason for that is because I'm still a child, in five years I will have outgrown you!" He said it in such a normal manner it was impossible for Ale not to be offended by him. He started to swing the boy up and down as if he was a piece of paper, the young prince was enjoying his time laughing without an end, requesting mercy when he didn't want to end. Ale was enjoying it a lot also. When he realized the prince started to feel dizzy, he threw him on his chest falling on his back.
"I GOT YOU!" He said jumping on Ale's chest. Even though it hurt, he was enjoying it. The prince's smile was fulfilling to him. When the prince slowed down he let out: "you know kid, I have best job there is!" Metus smiled. "Because I eat as much as I want!" Metus smile faded quickly and turned his back on Ale, while he was trying to control his laughter. "Come on I was joking, no need for feeling so blue."
"I could have your head cut for that!"
Ale held his laughter while brushing it off, "come on, your highness! I'll do whatever pleases you!"
He turned sightly over, "you promise?"
"Aye!"
He jumped happily from where he was standing, "very well, I want to catch a deer!"
Ale was shocked and tried to shake it off, "your highness, your first hunt should be done by your father, not a random peasant like myself."
"Don't say that! You aren't a random man, you are my friend! I already brought my dagger with me," he said pulling it out from his shack, "it would be shame to waste it like that. Plus, I want it to do it with you, Ale. I requested father if I could, and he gave me the permission to do it."
He handed him a letter with the "king's" signature, Ale realized that it was from Metus but decided to go along. He raised his finger, "on one condition!" He leaned in closer, "you shall use this opportunity to practice your magic!" Metus nodded excitedly, "well? Wat are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Together they searched the woods near the castle, in hopes they didn't have to go far. In their search the prince almost got himself captured by a mimic, thankfully Ale was there to save him. But there was no one to save him. So Metus stayed still watching his teacher struggle to get out of it alone without an inch of help. Of course he had to be scolded, but Ale let it got, since it was the first time he saw a mimic up close. After some more search they saw a deer drinking water from a river inside the wood. It seemed as all it's worries have flown away with the water. Ale and Metus observed him carefully, before Ale turned to him to tell him what he wanted him to do.
"You remember that spell I taught you recently?"
"The one that helps me throw myself as a cannonball?"
Ale nodded, "exactly! You did very good last time you just need to put it in practice." He looked back at the deer and whispered to him, "it has just arrived, it will take a moment before it finishes. Go and take your stance!"
Metus nodded, took some steps back and positioned himself while holding his dagger close to him. Ale, without breaking eye contact with the deer, approached him. "You should hold tight to it. It will fight back, but it will give up eventually."
He looked confused, "will it live even after I've stroked it?"
Ale looked at him, "of course! How else will you kill it?"
He looked down, Ale was confused by his sudden change of mood. "What's the matter?"
He looked up at Ale, "I . . . don't want it to suffer."
Ale sighed, "killing it is moral only if it doesn't suffer and screams in agony, huh?" He smiled and made eye contact with the prince, "give me your dagger!"
Just like that it was morning again, Ale had overslept as the rest were waiting him to wake up. He quickly got up and apologized for his rudeness, while scratching his head. They just pulled him into the carriage and went along in their trip. The day was similar to Ale's memory, as if it was foreshadowing this day, he laughed it off. The black haired one turned to him and whispered to his ear, so the rest wouldn't hear him. "Are you ok?" Ale was confused, "yes? How come this question?" "I saw you tearing up last night." Ale let out a sigh, "of course," said the soldier, "if you don't want to, I won't bother you further." Ale shook his head, "it's nothing, really. I'll tell you when we'll be alone!" He nodded, and threw himself next to the window.
After half the day had passed by, with group chatting with one another to break their boredom. They finally arrived on the mountain where the dragon lived. They all stepped out the carriage, and gathered around the small 'stairs' that lead to the peak of the mountain, it's entrance couldn't be visible from down there. Ale turned to the rest and announced he would be going on his own. They all refused, especially the soldiers, "we were brought here to help you, what do you except us to do? Let you walk to your death?" The blonde one said, even though afraid, he showed that he wouldn't allow his words to fly as just that. However Ale didn't want to cause a conflict, on one hand. Although he agreed on them coming along, he told them they should hurry. He started to jump through with the spell from before.
The rest were shocked at how fast he was jumping, before they realized he had flew away from the horizon. They stood still. Then disappointed and angry that they let him like that. The whip ran to grab his horses, there were two of them, enough for the soldiers to tide in. Just as they were about to follow Ale, the kid stepped in front of them raising his hands high on the sky, blocking their way. The soldiers were annoyed and called him to back off, which he didn't oblige to. They were stack there till they found a middle ground.
Meanwhile, Ale arrived on the peak of the mountain. As soon as his boots hit the ground, a deep voice capable of causing earthquakes. "Who dares interrupt my sleep?" Ale sensed movement in the dark, then saw big yellow eyes, that light up the place. Ale narrowed his eyes till he got used to the view. "My name is Reemptio, I'm a wizard, have come to discuss about the attack in the town outside!"
"Wizard? Do you work for the king?"
Ale shook his head, "no! I do not!"
"Then why are you here?" Even though it seemed as if he was calm, he was anything but. Ale realized from his movement, as if he was trembling very, very little. Taking out his head slightly out, showing his red integument glowing.
"I told you, didn't I? I am here to discuss about your recent attack!" The dragon remained silent, allowing Ale to continue. "So? Why did you? You broke a peace treaty signed by the entire realm between dragons, and I'm aware you are creatures that live through honor. So, why did you attack a town full of innocent people? Knowing the consequences of this action."
The dragon narrowed his eyes, they looked dejected. "You said it best, Reemptio! I deserve whatever punishment awaits me! If you are going to kill me, then go ahead, I promise I shall not dodge the attack, or anything of this sorts!"
Ale was appalled by the dragon's reply, "you will accept it? So easily?"
"Is there a problem?" The dragon frowned. "Or were you thinking ways to take the information out of me?"
"Ways to take information? Does he think I kill for fun?" "I'm sorry, but I cannot fathom the fact the you did such a devious act without a reason behind it!"
"You want reasoning?" He growled. "Tell me the reason behind the contract that was made between dragons and humans!"
"So, that's how it is?" "Because of the multiple conflicts between the two species, which lead to pain inflicted to both sides."
The dragon tilted his head slightly down, "correct! When that was signed there were around an hundred dragons, the number fell to fifty. On this kingdom alone there were eleven . . . now, it's only me!"
Ale stood a moment before letting out a gasp, "they . . . the other ten dragons, were they killed or-"
The dragon interrupted, "now you know the answer to your question!"
He was still trying to process the situation, "how?"
He blew hot air from his nose, "apparently, your king has been killing off dragons, I found out when a letter arrived from one of my acquaintances. I haven't heard from him since. When I found out the royal guards had come in that town . . . I didn't think, my body moved on it's own. Next thing I knew: blood, screams of agony, tears, fire. A once lovely town, turned to ruins, in a blink of the eye!"
A heavy silence fell between the two. They stood locked in each other's gaze as the first glimmer of salt clouded the dragon's eyes. "I . . . I am sorry!" Ale stared into the abyss of his eyes, feeling sympathy for him, but he knew what had to be done. The soldiers alongside the kid interrupted their silence. As soon as their gaze laid upon the dragon's head they instantly froze in place. Fear taking over their body, but the kid. Of course, he was afraid as well, but his rage was the thing that controlled his body. As an idiot he jumped from the horse and started to advanced towards the dragon's direction. Ale saw him, but didn't do anything to stop him. Before the soldiers gained their consciousness back, the kid had already reached the dragon's head, his hands reached for the dagger. "KID! GET OVER HERE!" "DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH?!?" The soldiers called out to him but to no avail. He started stabbing the dragon's head over and over, he screamed, cursed, kicked.
The dragon didn't even blink, what hurt him the most wasn't the action nor the words, but a kid who had no business being there, suffering for the sins of people he will never meet, nor know exist. "If you want to apologize, apologize to him!" The kid stopped to look at Ale, sweating and running out of breath. He looked at the dragon again, "I am sorry . . . I am sorry for killing your father!" The soldiers and the kid stood there like scarecrows, amazed at how casual Ale's tone was, but also, by the dragon's words. The kid felt lost, he didn't know what to do or think. The dragon looked at Ale, "now, will you kill me? Please?" He responded with a salt-dry smile. He advised the others to go back to the carriage. They were shaking but they backed away, leaving Ale and the dragon end their trial.
As Ale raised his staff onto the air, before he pressing it on the ground, the dragon interrupted him, "I told you about my conviction, Reemptio! What are yours?" Ale stared down at him as the strong wind danced with his cloak. "I don't have any!"
The dragon laughed, "everybody does! You shall deal with them, before they deal with you! Otherwise, you will be in no better place than myself!"
"Are you ready?"
The dragon nodded. As Reemptio started to to recite the spell to kill dragons, he blurted out his name. "My name is Moria!" After Ale finished reciting the spell, he opened his eyes and looked straight to Moria's eyes. "I will cherish this moment for a long time, Moria!"
He threw the spell upon Moria, who was left smiling. "I sure hope so!" After a couple moments Moria started to disappear with the air. The rest of the group got a glimpse of the spell, fascinated by this, on the outside normal man, on the inside, a powerful sorcerer. He turned around, and took a look over everything that was in front of him. A breathtaking view, with lots of beautiful trees, rivers, towns, villages and a city or two. Birds thrusting through the sky like falling stars. He sat on the cliff and thought to himself.
The group delivered the news to the town, they were relieved and threw a small party to celebrate it's death and to mourn the one's who were lost. During the party, the dark haired soldier and Ale continued their conversation from where they left off. Ale gave a small insight on his past, no more, no less. He told how he was the now king's mentor and teacher on magic. He praised him constantly. Nothing bad to say, but when then he asked him. "Why did you resign?" Ale looked at his reflection from his cup full of wine. "I realized, I wasn't enough!" He nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. They remained the rest of the party silent, the soldier's respect for him grew. Two days later, Ale and the kid, whom Ale accepted to take care off for the time being, left the town, in search of new places in which they could visit.