《The Warrior's Pride》 Chapter 1: Zyryxa An expanse of white loomed ahead, the dangers concealed within it as cold and endless as the snows. For most, death was all they would find in the ice. The ice was not for them. Zyryxa inhaled the chill as blizzard winds battered the vast tundra with their wrath. Her fingers tensed around the haft of her moth¡­ of her first broodmaster¡¯s greataxe. In the past thirteen cycles of the moon, many dangers died on that edge, sundered and severed apart, broken and beaten into submission, believing that the ice was theirs. Beneath the fallen snows that covered their stripped remains, Zyryxa¡¯s bare feet strode over the unforgiving terrain that had long since claimed the boots she set out with on her sixteenth birthday. Divine Qoryxa¡¯s dust descended, revealing the frailty of those who were not strong while it made a crown of cold atop Zyryxa¡¯s head for the ice was hers. Yes, above all, beneath none, beside only Divine Qoryxa herself, the ice was hers. Or it would be. Zyryxa surveyed this beautiful domain of white and knew that she would be champion of it all. No beast nor monster, no man nor woman, no warrior nor knight, nor even the ice dragons themselves would hinder her ascent to the summit of Monzqora where she would take flight over her tribe and become Ice¡¯s Champion. Yes. All would adore her beauty, love her compassion, and respect her power. Zyryxa had no need for a mother, for she would become mother to all. Then why did she feel this gaping hole in her chest? Why did these tears freeze upon her cheeks? Zyryxa forced a laugh that came out choked. She was too old for this, for thoughts of her fam¡­ of her first brood. She was almost seventeen for Qoryxa¡¯s sake! She needed to let them go three-hundred and thirty-five days ago when the ritemark was branded on her forehead, when she left Loxzua behind with only the clothes she wore and the greataxe in her hands, when Zyrthalla and Abbaz were no longer her parents. Alas, the ice had taken her clothes, but it had not claimed these childish feelings. Zyryxa heaved, stomping through snow that went up to her knee, that soaked through the crude yeti fur that few would dare call clothing. Let them go. Be ice, cold and deadly. Become a warrior, then a knight, and then Champion. Be the best there ever was. Zyryxa breathed in the frigid air, letting it refresh her pride. She could live without Abbaz and his stupid songs and divinedamned history lessons. How he charmed her moth¡­ Zyrthalla, she would never understand. The soft bard never charmed an ice dragon and for that he was a disappointment. Zyryxa could let go of Zyrxine. Teeny Zeeny who always tried to pick fights with her that she could not win. That scrappy little bitch would probably be too stubborn to die during her rite, but she would not be missed if she did. At least not missed too much, nor was it hard to stop thinking of her as ¡°family.¡± Abbacyx had several years until his rite and likely did not have any years after. Zyryxa remembered the sweet, bardish boy fondly. Long ago, she accepted that the ice was not his, and that it would claim him not long after his sixteenth birthday. He was too much of their father and none of their mother. Her mother. She held to memories of Zyrthalla more strongly than the woman¡¯s greataxe. For three-hundred and thirty-five days she had wept and she doubted that three more would see the end to it. No matter how hard she tried to let go, something in her refused. She was not just Zyrthalla, the dragon knight, the rider of mighty Qorzillux, the defender of Loxzua. She was mom. But she wasn¡¯t. Not anymore. No more rides atop Qorzillux, looking over the port city Loxzua and the vast domain of ice and snow beyond it. No more hunts where the thrill of the kill made Zyryxa more like her hero. No more training with every weapon and spending days sweating in the cold as she became as deadly as ice. No more wrestling or sparring matches that left her bruised but braver and better. No more braiding each other¡¯s hair and conversing about the beauty of the world. No more warm hugs. No more ¡°I love you.¡± No more ¡°I am proud of you.¡± No more. Zyryxa sobbed. She dashed through the snow, an icy rage flowing through her, empowering her, guiding her, controlling her. She crashed into a gelubor copse, took the greataxe in both hands, and slammed it into the nearest tree with all her wrath. The axe cut through the white tree in one blow. The gelubor timbered into a patch of fellow gelubor, got hung up, crystalline leaves shattering on impact and raining down into the copse. A pair of white-furred, red-eyed wolves emerged from the snow, blood on their maws from their morning meal, snarling like the ice was theirs.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Zyryxa lifted the greataxe, roared at them, and chased them across the tundra. The slower one was not made for the ice. Her pelt would make a worthy blanket for the evening and maybe a fine cloak for a few days. The meat would make for a nice set of meals for Zyryxa and Dryxl. Zyryxa¡¯s darkscale drake pounced through the snow, skidding to a halt beside the fresh meat. Dryxl was content to eat the rocks and the vegetation that survived in the ice, but he drooled over her kill, thirsting for blood. Well, she would not judge him for that as long as he did not judge the tears frozen on her face. Zyryxa successfully skinned the wolf while failing to forget about how much she loved her mother. She ripped the ribcage open with her bare hands, tore out the creature¡¯s stomach, tossed Dryxl the wolf¡¯s guts, and shook out the blood pooling inside the wolf¡¯s vital cavity. Her bloody hand went to her face, wanting to wipe away this failure, this part of her that refused to be a true dragon warrior instead of a child. Her hand shook with the sobs as she recalled what her mother told her many times and would tell her now. To feel is not weakness, my little champion. To feel is¡­ ¡°to be reminded of what matters. Let these tears be my strength.¡± The frozen tears remained where they belonged, a memorial to what mattered. Zyryxa could never call Zyrthalla her mother again, nor could she be acknowledged as her daughter without violating a core tenet of the Ice Tribe. Yet, for all those rules, Zyryxa dreamt of a future where they could still be together. Zyryxa would ride her dragon, side-by-side with Zyrthalla, and they would survey their domain. They could go on great hunts, vying to determine who could kill the quarry and claim the glory. They could train together, maintaining their dominant edge. There would be sparring and wrestling and bruises galore. Zyrthalla would braid her hair and laugh at Zyryxa¡¯s misadventures. Perhaps, just perhaps, they might share warm hugs, they might whisper ¡°I love you¡± or ¡°I am proud of you,¡± but even if Zyrthalla could not say those words anymore, Zyryxa would see them in her mother¡¯s smile. Zyryxa could not let go, for Zyrthalla would always be her mother, even if in secret. Divine Qoryxa. Champion Vaztyma. Whatever dragon knight or broodmaster she might yet have to serve on her way to the top. None would ever take the place in Zyryxa¡¯s heart that Zyrthalla occupied. Thus, her voice might proudly declare, ¡°I am Zyryxa. I am nobody¡¯s child,¡± while her heart knew the score. There were other ways of quiet rebellion too. She could not remember the last time she saw herself, out here in the wilderness away from the luxuries of Loxzua, away from even the most remote of homesteads where they might possess a treasured looking glass. Zyryxa gathered the gelubor leaf crystals that shattered when the tree got hung up, arraying them until they served as a poor facsimile of a broken mirror. Zyryxa giggled like a giddy little girl, a few more tears escaping her hard shell, and a smile emerging as she imagined how Zyrthalla would scoff at the tangled, messy warren Zyryxa¡¯s hair became over the past moons spent alone in the wilderness. Her mother used to dote on the airy blue tresses and the lone silver streak, saying that she was born to soar in the sky amongst the clouds atop a dragon worthy of her beauty. She would need to wash her face and braid her hair. If she did that, she would feel like her mother was still here, beside her, telling her she was proud. The gelubor leaves might have been a pathetic shattered excuse for a mirror, but they did not lie. Zyryxa was beautiful, even more so than when she left Loxzua last year. Her eyes were a striking blue that made clear skies look dull and colorless. If her mother crafted her braids, it was Divine Qoryxa that sculpted her face to be perfectly symmetrical, with sharp and elegant features that spoke of the draconic power she wielded in her body and the beauty of the divine goddess that was the primordial mother of the Ice Tribe. Her icy porcelain skin was unblemished save for one critical mark on her forehead. The ritemark branded between her eyes was a dull blue, nearly faded to white, marking that her year of solitude was almost complete. Zyryxa felt her mother¡¯s pride, knowing that she spent this year well. Again, the reflection revealed the truth. Zyryxa¡¯s year on the Rite of the Dragon Warrior saw her flourish beyond even what the comforts of Loxzua had given her. Her body reminded her of the ice sculptures in Loxzua. While her muscle tone had enhanced through her trials, she developed flesh in other ways that Qoryxa would approve of, as well as all who worshipped Qoryxa and appreciated beauty as she did. Zyryxa lifted her chin and worked on the braid as Dryxl lapped up the wolf¡¯s blood beside her. She would be like Qoryxa and she would be like Zyrthalla. Powerful. Compassionate. Beautiful. On these three pillars, Zyryxa would climb high, farther than any since Qoryxa herself. Zyryxa breathed in the ice, for it was hers, and soon enough, she would be Ice¡¯s Champion. Volqor Map Some comments on this map: 1) While I do love Lae''zel from BG3, she is not the inspiration for the frozen lake at the southern tip of Volqor. This "Lake of the Dead" was named in 2019, long before I was introduced the lovely Githyanki warrior. 2) Several of these locations also go by more translated names.
Original Translated
Pryxvalliz Valley of the Forlorn
Nix Tezyk Tundra of the Everlasting Blizzard
Silvyzfryz The Frozen Wood
Ezryptz The Molten Peaks
Silvyzsera The Serawood
Igynyx Aytyx The Burning Depths
Antryx Mir The Wondrous Depths
Lazael Lake of the Dead
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. 3) The Frostmelt acts as a bridge connecting southern and northern Volqor. The plateau that the Frostmelt rests on is several thousand feet above the ocean. Chapter 2: Monzqora On the morning of the three-hundred and thirty-eighth and final day of her Rite of the Dragon Warrior, Zyryxa climbed the base of majestic Monzqora, the towering titan at the heart of southern Volqor. Snow fell from clouds beneath Monzqora¡¯s highest peak where the mightiest of the ice dragons roosted. Beautiful Duilahir, the oldest and most magnificent of all the ice dragons, was up there somewhere above the snowfall, waiting for the right dragon warrior to bond her and become her chosen knight. Waiting for Zyryxa. Zyryxa dashed up the slopes, hoping to glimpse her destined dragon. The air thinned as she placed a couple thousand feet between her and the mountain¡¯s base, her warrior¡¯s body not needing to stop as she ascended the untamed slopes. Dryxl padded through the ascension behind her, the darkscale drake huffing to keep up even as he cheated and used his claws to scale the cliffs. Zyryxa herself did not need rest, nor would she admit to herself that the ascent tired her. Of course, it did not. She was Zyryxa and the ice was hers. And the ice was beautiful. Monzqora was not a lonely mountain, but surrounded by dozens of peaks that stretched like spears toward the sky. Ancient gelubor forests of white crystalline trees, shrouded in icy mist, caverns scattered throughout inviting exploration of their stalactite palaces, treacherous cliffs and merciless slopes climbing toward the clouds, even plateaus where arctic flora scattered blues, purples, yellows, and reds across the white rises of the mountain. She saw now why Champion Vaztyma, and so many before her, resided in the Pridefort instead of Loxzua, why Duilahir claimed the apex for her roost, why this place was at the heart of their half of Volqor. The mountain itself had a heartbeat and Zyryxa could feel it throbbing with life. A thunderous boom resounded from above the clouds and an avalanche of ice flooded down the side of an adjacent mountain slope. Ice, rock, and snow cascaded from the heights and reshaped the land with the mighty force of Monzqora¡¯s vindictive rage. One cliff collapsed and fell to the valley below. The mountain was ice, it was as powerful and beautiful as any place in the world. Monzqora was a monument to the goddess that crafted it. Perhaps it was imagined, perhaps the cold sweat chilled her senses, perhaps she just wanted to believe this, but Zyryxa felt closer to Divine Qoryxa than ever before as her hands grasped the cliffs, as her feet padded up the icy slopes, as she climbed higher and higher and closer to the summit. Zyryxa felt a kinship, a love, for this mountain and she would show that love by climbing Monzqora as fast as she could. First, she would ensure she looked good doing so, lest the mountain and Divine Qoryxa think her just a brute. She plucked a purple flower from the slope and embedded its stem inside her braided hair. She could do nothing about her unworthy garments. The yeti fur was more worn than ever after tearing on a gelubor spike while chasing a trio of sabretooths that thought to ambush her and Dryxl in the night. In her rage, there was too little left of the sabretooth pelt to fashion it into a replacement, nor did her wolf cloak last long, falling off her during the chase. She sighed. This would just have to do. The mountain would understand even if she ascended nude. Perhaps the mountain would even prefer that, as would Qoryxa. Alas, Zyryxa did not want to greet Vaztyma¡¯s dragon warriors wearing nothing. She liked being appreciated, within reason mind you, but she did not want her first impression as a dragon warrior to be focused on her beauty at the expense of her power. While she would deny this if asked, even by herself, Monzqora was cold, and she took a shameful comfort in whatever warmth these tattered furs still offered. Dryxl sat on his haunches, his angular draconic face leering up at the high peaks emerging through the gaps in the clouds. Zyryxa wondered what thoughts went through a drake¡¯s mind. The lesser, wingless drakes did not have the intelligence of true dragons, but neither were they lackwits. Much like higher dragons, the drakes also felt their emotions much the way that people did. Power and beauty were not worth much without compassion. Zyryxa scratched his scaly neck. ¡°You are doing me proud, boy.¡± Dryxl licked her hand, his rough tongue slopping saliva on her. Zyryxa sighed and took a step back, wiping it on the back of the yeti fur lest it cause her to lose grip on the greataxe or some handhold on a cliffside. ¡°What do you say we introduce Champion Vaztyma to her successor?¡± The darkscale grunted and bounded off toward the nearest cliff face, likely wishing he had the wings he was denied. Zyryxa conquered the slopes, climbing the steep cliff faces where there were no other options. She leapt across ledges and chasms formed by the eruptions that reshaped the mountain daily. She sprinted over the plateaus, letting her hand run through the flowers. She hurdled over fallen gelubor and hid from the winds as she moved through the white trees. She unleashed her axe on the ice sprites that hid themselves along the mountain¡¯s ice walls and roared at a pack of wolves, sending them scattering. Normally, she would chase one down, but not today. Everything she did was to reach the Pridefort. Everything else was a distraction. The moments passed in a blur, as the sun lifted higher, and then downward. Still, the day did not lack for thrills, for the challenges that shaped one¡¯s spirit. The second thunderous eruption heralded the avalanche that would test whether Zyryxa were truly ice. She slid down the mountainside, giving up a few hundred feet of ascent, racing against the landslide to a lower ledge close enough to the adjacent peak. Braving the multi-thousand-foot drop into the gorge below, she dashed toward the edge and leapt across the chasm. Zyryxa cleared the twenty-foot gap with at least as many feet to spare, though her landing was a less than pretty sight. She rolled another twenty feet before she could stop sliding along the ice, narrowly keeping herself from slamming headlong into the escarpment wall. Alas, the sight of the ice rushing downhill, blanketing everything, coating her face in the debris of its destruction made a memory she would someday tell Zyrthalla. When the snow and debris dissipated, the ledge she leapt from was gone, broken into pieces and become a part of the lower mountain ascent. What remained in its place were huge chunks of icy blue rock. Zyryxa raced to the nearest chunk and heaved it up off the ice. Not unlike the body of a dragon warrior, the volcanic rock was heavier than it looked, and much harder than its beautiful exterior belied. A chunk about the size of her head weighed around a hundred pounds. Zyryxa hurled it at the mountainside. The dense rock smashed into the mountain, shattering the stones of Monzqora¡¯s ascent. The rock itself, qoryxite, the heartstone of Monzqora, bore no chips from the collision.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Grinning broader than the sun shining through the clouds, Zyryxa thought of the damage she could do if she had weapons made of qoryxite. Perhaps this rock alone could be used to forge a pair of throwing axes. With those in hand, she would be able to take out more fleeing enemies before they scattered or set them straight before they came within reach of her moth¡­ of Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe. Dryxl grunted, already climbing the next cliff, his claws scraping against the rock. With a laugh, a shake of her head, and a deep breath of thin, frigid air, Zyryxa set the qoryxite down. ¡°I know!¡± she yelled up at the darkscale. ¡°To the Pridefort!¡± Zyryxa chose to climb Monzqora from the north, rather than the east, knowing that the east side was unhindered by the eruptions, that almost all of the mountain¡¯s trails were over there, and also because her navigation the last several days was off, probably because the sabretooth chase in the night did not help that, but that was not the point. As she reached the mountain¡¯s midpoint just past midday, she was disappointed to find her first footpath winding up the mountain. With a sigh, and a swallow of pride, she marched up the softer ascent, axe in hand, hoping that trails would bring more monsters. Monzqora did not disappoint. A great big abominable yeti stood in the middle of the path around the next bend, an arrow sticking out of its eye, blood smeared all over its snow-white fur. Zyryxa spared a moment to confirm that no other dragon warrior was engaged with the beast, or worse, another aspiring warrior on their rite. If the archer was still around, they did nothing as the abominable charged Zyryxa. The abominable was twice her size in height and breadth, with club-like arms to bludgeon unworthy warriors to death and sharp claws at their tips to scar those too slow. Zyryxa slid beneath its first strike and slammed the sharp edge of the greataxe into its spine. Roaring, she chopped at the back of the stunned, likely paralyzed, abominable¡¯s leg, severing it just below the knee. Cut down to her size, she split the abominable¡¯s skull, spilling its brains onto the trail beside its severed leg. Always late to the fight, but never late to the afterparty, Dryxl lapped up the surfeit of blood before Zyryxa even cleaned the brains off her axe. ¡°Enjoying the feast, Dryx?¡± Zyryxa hoisted the abominable¡¯s corpse over her head. Easy battles like this would not prepare her for Duilahir, for Vaztyma, for whoever else would conjure the thought of triumphing over her. ¡°Qoryxa judge you for trying to battle the future champion of this mountain! May she judge you twice for offering such poor challenge!¡± With a grunt, Zyryxa flung the beast over the side of the trail, and admired its plummet down the mountainside where it crashed into a patch of gelubor. She twisted toward a shattering noise on the slopes further up the trail. A small shape dashed up the hill, hair so dark it was almost black instead of blue flowing down the back of their cloak. Zyryxa shifted, turning away from the figure, not daring to break her seclusion now, where one of Vaztyma¡¯s warriors might report her violation and see her become Scaleless. Zyryxa¡¯s ascent halted, then continued with more ease, like she was out for a sightseeing hike rather than conquering the mightiest mountain. Dryxl strutted at her side, huffing the thin air like he was having the best day of his life. Not daring to encounter the other person again, Zyryxa took in the mile-high view of the tundra below. The sun on the other side of the mountain, she gazed at the homesteads dotting the white landscape broken only by spots of gelubor forestry. White palisade walls to keep out the dangers of the ice. Pens for the yaks that kept them fed and warm. Workshops for the dragon warriors that survived their thirteen years of mandatory conscription in the Champion¡¯s army and who chose to cultivate a craft rather than make killing their calling. Smoke rising from white cabins crafted from the gelubor wood. Inside those walls, blue-haired, blue-eyed Ice Tribe children practiced with training weapons while the retired dragon warriors bellowed criticisms and encouragements. Elderly warriors sat around the fire telling stories of their glory days, exaggerating just enough to aggrandize their achievements without suspending every shred of disbelief. Perhaps they shared a meal of yak¡¯s milk, spiced meat, and cultivated herbs at the table while the warmth of their hearth kept the ice at bay. Zyryxa twisted her neck away from vista into the tundra below. The tears welled up, she fought them for a moment before plunging into memories of simpler days when she did not have to fend alone, when the comforts of Loxzua as the daughter of a dragon knight and a respected, incomprehensibly, bard kept her nourished with the best cuisine available in Volqor. She should have learned how to cook when she had the chance, but that was the craft of Abbaz and not Zyrthalla and all things Abbaz were to be eschewed. Perhaps not all, after all. She did not wipe her eyes. At least, not yet. She pressed her hand to her heart and remembered the good days of her past life. ¡°Let these feelings be your strength, Zyryxa,¡± she told herself. ¡°Let those memories sustain me when it is hard and lonely. Let them remind me of what I fight for.¡± She gazed upon those homesteads, upon the miles of white expanse visible from Monzqora¡¯s midpoint as the sun settled in the west. She would be Champion of every speck of snow-covered land in southern Volqor. The mother of the Ice Tribe, she would be. If she was half the mother Zyrthalla was, she will have done good for her children. The final rays of light of day three-hundred and thirty-eight of Zyryxa¡¯s Rite of the Dragon Warrior shone upon the ancient fortress, a proud fort constructed from qoryxite. Along the pale, icy blue walls that ringed the plateau were too many chipped or charred fortifications, scars from intermittent wars with the Fire Tribe. When Zyryxa left Loxzua one year ago, Ice and Fire were at peace. The qoryxite glistening from fresh flames portended of the ugly changes that happened in Volqor while Zyryxa was secluded on her rite. She wiped her eyes, retrieved the greataxe from its sling, and dashed the final rise to the Pridefort¡¯s plateau. Two shapes circled in the air between the twin peaks towering over the western skies of the Pridefort. Zyryxa¡¯s mouth fell open, appalled by ugliness, astounded by magnificence. The ice dragon was one she had only ever seen in art, as an ice statue, a painting, or an illustration. She heard Abbaz, Matyxal, Dezoq, and all the famed bards attempt to paint her in song and story. Even from several thousand feet away, it was obvious that Duilahir was larger than any other two dragons Zyryxa had ever seen and more beautiful than any artform. Her silver scales composed exquisite patterns that seemed to form and melt in an eternal dance as they shimmered in the pale, dying light. She was a blizzard in flight, with wings unfurled that could have blocked out the sun and drained the heat from all the world. With an ear-sundering roar, Duilahir unleashed her frosty breath at the other dragon. The ice cracked as it split the sky, barraging the smaller dragon that looked like a flaming comet in flight. Nitryx and his rider, Faxiq, were among the mightiest the Fire Tribe could offer. They were no match for mighty Duilahir. The fire dragon fled the skies of Monzqora, gliding beyond the twin peaks out of sight. Duilahir bellowed her pride, circled her mountain twice, roaring and spitting her ice, before she ascended back to the highest heights of the world, back to her roost atop Monzqora. Zyryxa exhaled, her hands untensing on her axe, and the smile lit her face. If there was any solace in the grim reality of this battle, it was that Duilahir was unbonded still. Zyryxa would face Champion Vaztyma knowing that the path to claiming her place was still hers for the taking. Chapter 3: The Gate of Pride This was it. The end of isolation. The end of the rite. The beginning of her life as a dragon warrior of the Ice Tribe. Or it would have been if the Pridefort¡¯s gates were open. Two giant doors of volcanic qoryxite barred Zyryxa from entering into her new life. After watching Duilahir drive away Nitryx, after triumphing for a year over the dangers of the ice, after rising the mightiest mountain in just one day, she wanted to slam her fists into those doors and demand they open, to force them apart, to rip them off their divinedamned hinges and cast them aside. Zyryxa exhaled, unfurling her fist, leaving her hands on her waist and her mouth sealed. She would not show such impatience, such impertinence that she would knock on the Champion¡¯s doors like an entitled child demanding entry into her mother¡¯s chamber. Smoke rose from the fires beyond the wall and she heard gruff voices within the fortress. Zyryxa wanted to scale it and give them a thrashing. Soon, she told herself. Each of them would fall to her in the practice yard before she left those walls. She waited a year for this moment and assured herself that she could wait a little longer. At least, she was not alone in waiting. A girl slouched beneath a gelubor, a faded, white ritemark on her forehead, clutching a bow in her hands as she studied the snow at her booted feet. A broad-shouldered boy towered over her, his hairy torso exposed to the freezing air, boasting of how he would bond Duilahir and take her for a ride. Zyryxa cleared her throat. The girl kept her gaze on the ground, but the man spun toward her. His droopy blue eyes snapped open, pupils dilating as his lips curled into a smug, self-assured grin. Zyryxa suppressed her grin, keeping her mouth a flat line while she appraised the man¡¯s qualities. Of the three things Zyryxa sought in others, he did not lack for power. He was built like an abominable and even taller than Zyryxa. This hulking man wielded no weapons save for his fists. The forecast was cold with a chance of sparring. Hopefully he could provide better sport than the abominable he so resembled. Of the second thing Zyryxa sought in others, the tall man fell far short. He looked like he was born in a barrel of rum and left steeping for the first decade of his life. His long face ended in a chin much too prominent, his eyes drooped like he was permanently hammered, and his nose was crooked as if struck by too many hammers. His cobalt hair puffed atop his head and formed a greasy mullet in the rear that nearly made Zyryxa dry heave. Suffice it to say, he would never be her consort. The ugly hulk¡¯s blood flowed in the wrong direction, likely its standard course judging by the presumptuous grin he wore. He puffed out his hairy chest, flexed his bulging biceps, held his shoulders high, and strutted toward Zyryxa, undiscouraged by her flat-lipped glare. His deep voice slurred as he spoke, like he¡¯d been steeping in the barrel for his entire life. ¡°What a beautiful gift for Pelzyq after so long sleeping cold and alone. Would you like a better view of your future champion, ice princess? Pelzyq always rides on top.¡± Her champion? Rider of her Duilahir? Her with him at all. Her on bottom! Zyryxa¡¯s snowball burst against his groin. Pelzyq stumbled to his knees, groaning like the bottomed-out drunk at the end of the night, and clutched at his sad, lonely, wounded pride. ¡°Pelzyq will only ride me in dreams and he will never be champion while I breathe.¡± Pelzyq rose from his shame and licked his lips, proving himself shameless. ¡°Heh! This one has the ice in her!¡± Zyryxa cracked a smile, against her better judgment. Pelzyq massaged his groin, overexaggerating its reach. ¡°You talk proud for one who managed to hit the world¡¯s biggest target. We¡¯ll see how proud ye are after this target hits you back.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s sigh shattered her smile. Even if he weren¡¯t ugly, she would never lay with this presumptuous boy. What did he take her for? Some lust-starved Leverian ninny? Some submissive girl who was not ice? He presumed too much. Zyryxa was a devout of Qoryxa, the truest ice, the future Champion. She would never consort with such filth. She batted her eyelids at him, placed her hand on his hairy, brawny chest, and felt the hunger for the contest and the challenge yearning to be fed. Pelzyq ate well this year. He would make a fine meal while Zyryxa waited outside the gates of pride. ¡°Come to Pelzyq,¡± he said, grinning like he won the tournament at the Festival of Melding. He placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned in for a kiss. Zyryxa locked her hands around the back of his shoulder, seizing his head and arm, and slammed him to the snow. She squeezed the air out of his head, pressed on his gut and chest with her back, crushing him with her weight. Pelzyq clawed at her chest with his free hand and tried to thrash his way onto his stomach. She buried his face into her armpit, letting him smell the scent of her superiority, letting him come ever-so-close to the glory of tasting her body, forcing him into the snow, disabusing him of all his foolish notions. Yes! Zyryxa wanted to roar, to let loose the restraints on her exhilaration. Pelzyq was strong, he fought hard for his freedom, but she was the strongest. He grunted and thrashed, trying to push her off him by bucking like a wild drake, by hammering at her arms and back with his free fist. He tried to slip his trapped arm through her vice grip, tried to wiggle his head out of the stranglehold. He tried, and he tried, and he tried. How Pelzyq tried to be better than he was! Alas, he was not better than her. His eyes looked up from the bottom, frantic and wide, brimming with tears. Zyryxa mouthed a kiss, part of her tempted to deliver it to his lips. Thankfully, the small part of her that was aroused was suppressed the by the remainder of the disgusted whole. Zyryxa¡¯s words flowed with the lilt of a lover¡¯s tender melody. ¡°Come on, Pelzyq. Ride me. Get on top and give me a better view of my future champion.¡± She winked. Pelzyq seized a handful of her braid and yanked. Zyryxa clenched her teeth, suppressing a cry, channeling it into her rage and tightening her grip on his head and arm until he started to turn blue and purple in the face.Stolen novel; please report. ¡°This is the most you will ever touch me,¡± she growled. Dryxl dashed in, late to the fight as ever, happy to join in now that easy meat was on the ground. ¡°Back off!¡± Zyryxa barked, sending him away before he gorged on jackass blood. Pelzyq panted, fighting for air, trying one last desperate attempt to buck her off. Zyryxa shifted her body, keeping her legs braced for his waning resistance. She roared in his ugly face, ¡°Who is your champion!¡± Just when the challenge of the contest grew wearisome, the stubborn prick went demented with rage. Pelzyq thrashed beneath and behind her, hammering her back with his fist, testing her endurance, her poise, and her strength toward its limits. ¡°Who is your champion?¡± she asked, straining to keep the exertion out of her voice. Pelzyq¡¯s complexion shifted further toward blue as his flails died down and his panting grew more frantic. ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes!¡± Zyryxa roared. ¡°You are stubborn and stupid and not strong enough to afford either!¡± Sighing, she released him. Get used to worshipping the ice beneath my toes, Pelzyq. ¡°Face me head-on, bitch!¡± Zyryxa threw her head back and laughed. She laughed until the cold air hurt her throat. She laughed and laughed, to let it sink in how laughable of a challenger he was to her. Zyryxa did not give him the satisfaction of another word, or even of acknowledging that she needed to defend herself from him. He was so far below her that he was not worth the effort of turning to laugh in his face. She did hunger to throw him down again, to remind him of where he belonged since he seemed unable to retain the simplest lesson taught with the heaviest of hands. Alas, ignoring him was the ticket his presumptuousness purchased. Should he choose to attack her from the back, he would humiliate himself twice more. Once, for his hypocrisy. Twice, for tasting the snow at her feet a second time. She hoped he came for her. He did not. In this, he earned the smallest fragment of her lost respect for him. Yet that tiny fragment struggled to survive as he hurled insults and challenges at her. She tuned him out like she would have Zyrxine after beating her for the thousandth time and still hearing her cringy whining and excuses. Some people were too fragile to admit that someone else was better. Like brittle ice tested by the coolest flames, these people broke beneath Zyryxa¡¯s dominance. Zyryxa strode over to the third aspirant outside the Pridefort¡¯s gates. The quiet girl slouched beneath a gelubor, her blue eyes staying on her feet though her fingers tensed on her longbow. Her midnight-blue hair was nearly black, an extremely rare hue for an Ice Tribe Volqori, and Zyryxa knew this was the person she saw earlier on the slopes. For a creature so timid, Zyryxa tried not to underestimate her, remembering the arrow buried in the abominable¡¯s eye. This girl might not be the strongest, but she was a survivor. Zyryxa extended her hand. ¡°I am Zyryxa.¡± The girl¡¯s eyes darted from her feet, to the hand, to Zyryxa¡¯s face, to the hand, and back to her feet. Her hand trembled as she put it in Zyryxa¡¯s. There was no strength in her squeeze, so Zyryxa kept her grip soft and compassionate. ¡°L¡­L¡­Lexyn,¡± she stammered. ¡°Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°a pretty name. It fits you well.¡± Lexyn¡¯s smile warmed Zyryxa, even if it was aimed at the snow. Lexyn was pretty, without a doubt, even if she was not sculpted like true ice. Cute may have been the most apt word. Adorable? She was at least a head smaller than Zyryxa even if she were not slouched like she expected the world to punt her arse. If you could only have one, Zyryxa preferred sculpted muscles to big breasts but at least Lexyn had the latter, noticeable even beneath her well-maintained yak hides. Her face was soft and somewhat round, lacking the sharp, draconic edges of a mighty ice warrior, and even heart-shaped as if the softness were not evident enough. Still, it was an excellent face with large icy blue eyes, long lashes, defined brows, full lips, prominent cheekbones, and a perfectly symmetrical jaw, all framed by her unique shade of dark blue hair flowing down the sides of her face. She was not without flaws. Her nose was perhaps a size larger than fitted the rest of her face. Her skin bore a blemish on one of her cheeks nor was she the snowy pale complexion of the Ice Tribe, but darker by a few shades. All in all, Zyryxa wanted to care for this lovely, timid creature. She yearned to draw out whatever strength lurked within her unimposing frame, to help her grow into power that would match her beauty, and to learn whether she was as compassionate as Zyryxa assumed. Until then, Zyryxa felt a calling to protect this survivor who endured a rite that only one in three Volqori sixteen-year-olds completed. ¡°Stop ignoring me, ZIE-RIX-ZUH!¡± Pelzyq howled. Zyryxa ignored him. ¡°How is your aim?¡± ¡°D-d-dee-decent.¡± Decent. Zyryxa scowled. The meaning of decent was contingent on the arrogance or humility of the person wielding that word. Zyryxa remembered the arrow in the abominable¡¯s eye and nurtured a suspicion that ¡°decent¡± understated the truth, that this girl wanted to appear less than she was. Perhaps it was her confidence that was subpar? All this conjecture was as useful as the headache it would cause. It was always better to trace the truth to its source than to spin in circles thinking about the possibilities. Partitioning her attention away from Pelzyq¡¯s insults, from Dryxl¡¯s growls at the roaring buffoon, Zyryxa pointed out a stalagmite across the plateau about a hundred yards away. ¡°Can you hit that?¡± Lexyn scrunched her eyes toward the target. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t, uh, don¡¯t like to¡­break my¡­my¡­my arrows.¡± ¡°If you hit the stalagmite, I will buy you an entire quiver after we become dragon warriors.¡± ¡°If I¡­ if I miss?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± Lexyn¡¯s cheeks flushed red. She inhaled, scooped up a handful of snow into her gloved hand, and tossed it in the air, watching how the wind blew it astray. She ran her fingers over her arrows, inspecting their fletching before pulling one from her quiver. The arrow slipped from her grasp. She knelt down, arms and legs shaking like her chest was the epicenter of an earthquake. Lexyn struggled to nock the arrow to her bowstring and Zyryxa¡¯s expectations withered. She held it there a long time, breathing in and out while Pelzyq hollered empty insults at Zyryxa. When at last the arrow sailed over the plateau and smashed into the stalagmite, Zyryxa patted Lexyn¡¯s back. ¡°Decent.¡± Lexyn chuckled. ¡°Thank you.¡± She lowered her eyes back to her feet. Perhaps her fixation was why she managed to keep her boots for the whole year, Zyryxa mused. Even Pelzyq paused his harangue to whistle. ¡°Heh, so she can do something other than stare at her feet!¡± ¡°And yet we have yet to see something you can do besides blather,¡± Zyryxa said. Lexyn snorted. Pelzyq most certainly did not. He puffed out his chest and wagged his finger at her. His ugly face twisted into a horrid snarl. ¡°You seduced me, you fire-loving bitch. A true ice champion wouldn¡¯t ambush me like you did. You¡¯ll never be nothing more than the Champion¡¯s pretty whore.¡± Her fists closed into deadly hammers, his barbed words finally sinking into a soft spot in her hardened hide. She would throttle him until there was nothing left for Vaztyma to play with. ¡°Look!¡± Lexyn yelped, pointing her finger toward the twin peaks overlooking the Pridefort. There was no mistaking Praedax. Equal in size to Nitryx, his enormous dark blue wings flew through the night, cutting the sky beneath a glistening blue, nearly full moon. Praedax heralded his coming with a mighty roar that sent a huge chunk of ice crashing off one of the peaks, fated to shatter in the valley over a mile below the high plateau where he roosted within walls of qoryxite. With Champion Vaztyma¡¯s arrival, the gate of the Pridefort rumbled open. Chapter 4: The Champions Consort A duo of swarthy dragon warriors armored in white dragonscale pushed the gate of the Pridefort open. A man dressed in soft, foreign finery grinned at the three dragon warrior aspirants. Zyryxa recognized the best-maintained goatee in Volqor and the elegant face framed by shoulder-length sapphire hair. She remembered the Festival of Melding, when his eyes met hers while he sang ¡°Frozen Elegance,¡± the curve of his lips rising like the beating of her heart. ¡°Three tonight,¡± Dezoq said, his voice smooth as the silk he wore. He scanned their foreheads and nodded his approval with each faded ritemark. He lingered on Zyryxa. ¡°An excellent yield.¡± Her mother warned her of being sweet with the Champion¡¯s consort. That did not stop Zyryxa¡¯s stomach from dancing a merry tune to Dezoq¡¯s notes. She held her head high and kept her lips flat, reminding herself that he was dragonless, that he belonged to the Champion, and, most importantly, he was a divinedamned bard. Pelzyq strutted ahead, brushing past Dezoq and inviting himself into the fortress. ¡°You have a future champion in your midst.¡± ¡°Thanks for announcing my arrival,¡± Zyryxa said. Dezoq¡¯s chuckle shattered Zyryxa¡¯s icy expression. ¡°If we are to have as many future champions as I have heard over the years, we will be out of dragons before the winter ends.¡± He exhaled. ¡°That is, if the war does not cull them first.¡± War. Divinedamned war. The worry previously trapped in the ice broke free. Faxiq did not act alone nor was the duel of dragons merely Duilahir acting erratic without a knight¡¯s bond to rein in her draconic nature. Suddenly, Zyryxa was a six-year-old crying up at the sky as fire and ice exploded above Loxzua, terrified that her mother might never kiss her goodnight again. The light seemed to drain from the dusky eve and Zyryxa froze, paralyzed by the news as if it were an axe to the spine. ¡°Beautiful. Pelzyq will claim the lives of many Fire Tribe warriors.¡± Zyryxa glared at the big lout. ¡°Fire and ice exploding in the sky above our frightened young in Loxzua. Homesteads of warriors who served their thirteen years, who spent decades building their home, reduced to ash in an instant. The only songs playing in the Frostmelt will be the cries of dying dragons, and instead of Ice and Fire Tribe warriors competing in glorious tournaments, their corpses will pile together in the shameful slaughter of war. If you think that is beautiful, then you are even uglier than I thought.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Pelzyq matched her glare with a vicious scowl. She tensed, her hands forming into fists at her side, ready for the brute to charge her. She hoped he did. Instead, a gentle hand brushed her back. ¡°Well said,¡± Lexyn mumbled. Dezoq cleared his throat. ¡°Wise men don¡¯t want for war.¡± Zyryxa lost the notes of Dezoq¡¯s music, not even caring that the beautiful bard supported her. The gentle hand on her back, the soft voice, the compassion. Zyryxa smiled at Lexyn and, for a few moments, Lexyn smiled back. ¡°Sounds to me like the lot of you are divinedamned cowards,¡± Pelzyq said, his deep voice slurring the words before spittle shot out his mouth. Zyryxa shivered, the sense of touch waning like the light dwindling from the darkening horizon. Dark thoughts swarmed around her, making it harder to breath. She kept her gaze forward, though they saw horrors instead of the qoryxite walls of the Pridefort. ¡°There is a difference between being a coward and between fearing for the lives of people you have vowed to protect. Is there nobody that you care about? Nobody that you worry might have been taken from you this year?¡± ¡°Let the ice take them if they could not save themselves,¡± Pelzyq said. Zyryxa folded her arms over her chest. Her mother was ice. Amongst the Ice Tribe, the only ones that could challenge Zyrthalla were Qorrix, Hatrox, and Vaztyma herself. Against the Fire, Zyryxa wanted to believe that Zyrthalla would triumph over any of them. Yet, Tantix, Faxiq, Bellax, and Syrixza all rode greater dragons too. If two of them caught Zyrthalla alone¡­ Dezoq gestured toward one of the warriors who pushed the gate open. The brawny man offered to tend to Dryxl. The darkscale snarled, but revealed his true loyalty when the warrior offered him a strip of yak jerky. Dezoq led them deeper into the Pridefort, traversing over frostbitten ground free of snow. Beautiful walls of qoryxite with gelubor ladders and stairwells allowed the dragon warriors access to the parapets. Of those warriors, Zyryxa glimpsed no women and the men... Vaztyma had her type. Hopefully she kept Pelzyq. Of d¨¦cor, Zyryxa saw only weapon racks at the outdoor armory and no sign of the works of the master artisans of Loxzua or Ozyeeq or even of distant ports from across the sea. ¡°You may be the last bearing a ritemark that does not know,¡± Dezoq said. He paused, Praedax¡¯s great blue wings blasting them with a mighty gale as he landed in the inner courtyard. ¡°The boy is Pelzyq.¡± Dezoq grinned. ¡°What is your name wise one?¡± She could not channel the enthusiasm to match his. Her name fell out of her lips, her mind remembering Ohenix falling into the sea, but now it was Qorzillux taking her mother down to the depths of the ocean. The charming bard¡¯s eyes widened before they shot down to the frostbitten earth. ¡°Tonight, I will record and sing your names, welcoming you as my new brother and sisters. First,¡± he grinned at Pelzyq, ¡°you must pass one final test to become dragon warriors of the Ice Tribe.¡± Dezoq threw open a qoryxite gate. Beyond the opening, it seemed that the world was painted a blue so dark that the scales seemed to drink the night¡¯s blackness. The ground shook as Praedax touched down and all four of them staggered, Lexyn falling to a knee. Dezoq spread his arms in front of him and went through the gateway, howling over the fluttering of enormous wings. ¡°Champion Vaztyma! I present thee Pelzyq, Zyryxa, and,¡± Dezoq twisted toward Lexyn and grimaced, ¡°and one other!¡± Dezoq gestured to the doorway and stepped aside, offering them to the absolute and only law of southern Volqor. Chapter 5: Champion Vaztyma Even though he was magnificent, Praedax was no Duilahir. In fact, to one who daily saw Qorzillux for sixteen years, the Ice Champion¡¯s bonded dragon was almost mundane. Qorzillux¡¯s snowy white scales were more to Zyryxa¡¯s liking than Praedax¡¯s midnight blue. Further, Praedax bore a demonic resemblance with horns not just at top of his head but also running along the side of his body. He looked like a hundred-foot long, spiked mace. His tail swung behind him, unleashing blasts of frigid air that kicked up dustings of snow and flung them through the dragon¡¯s sanctum. The mighty dragon perched on its haunches, its colossal, spiky head towering above them, its icy breath enveloping their faces in freezing mist that smelt just like Dryxl¡¯s breath after he feasted on the blood of their fallen foes. The Ice Champion vaulted off her dragon¡¯s neck, at least thirty feet above the ground, and landed with slightly bent knees before rising to her full height. Vaztyma¡¯s armor remained undented and unburnt after moons of war. Composed from the bones and scales of her predecessor Marazix¡¯s dragon Thadillux, the shimmering ice-blue armor was as beautiful as it was effective. The same could be said of the Ice Champion herself. Vaztyma was Zyryxa¡¯s height, tall but not towering, and when she removed her horned helm, her features could succinctly be described as Qoryxa-blessed. The Champion was in her early thirties but her age and living amongst the ice of Monzqora only made her look sharper and more exquisite. Her long, slender head, high cheekbones, and expressive almond-shaped, azure-blue eyes were striking indeed. Zyryxa grinned, spotting the imperfections: a jaw that could only be labeled as masculine, numerous subtle asymmetries, a slightly deviated septum, and various small blemishes. Her hair was also too short, ¡°styled¡± in a cliched bun devoid of any semblance of creativity. As far as beauty went, the would-be successor eclipsed the predecessor. If people adored Vaztyma¡¯s beauty, they would worship Zyryxa¡¯s. Praedax roared, blood-scented, ice-tinged breath blasting the three aspirants with the force mightier than any wind. Zyryxa grimaced, standing her ground. Beside her, Pelzyq was driven back, trying to shield himself with his arms. Lexyn was thrown into the air, her back colliding with the qoryxite. The girl stifled her cry and Zyryxa neither judged nor leered at the tears rimming Lexyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°Present yourselves,¡± Vaztyma said, her voice like an icy void. Pelzyq rushed ahead, standing closest to the Ice Champion. Zyryxa stood to his right and Lexyn slouched at the end of the line. Vaztyma carefully inspected them before lingering on Pelzyq. She ran her hand down his shoulder and squeezed his bulging bicep. ¡°I made them for you, my Champion,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Do you like them?¡± Vaztyma stepped back, his words rolling off her like a warm breeze drifting off the ocean and dying in the cold air of southern Volqor. She inspected him, Pelzyq not even attempting to hide his flexing. ¡°Punch me.¡± ¡°What?¡± Vaztyma sighed. She slowed down her speech to a husky drawl that mirrored Pelzyq¡¯s. ¡°Punch me. As hard as you can.¡± ¡°M¡­my champion?¡± ¡°You want to stand where I do? Your pride tells you that you will take my place? Take it then, boy. Knock. Me. Down.¡± Pelzyq stammered more bewildered objections. Thus far, Vaztyma had been gentle as ice, now she became a dragon. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there stuttering at me! Hit me with everything you have, son!¡± The bare-chested brute stood tall, clenched his jaw, and narrowed his eyes. He stood rigid, veins popping in his neck, and glowered at the Ice Champion. The hatred writ upon his ugly face now made his previous angst toward Zyryxa seem kindhearted by contrast. He cocked his fist and roared as it flashed toward Vaztyma. Bones cracked as the fist hammered into the face. Vaztyma stood there, unmoved, no mark upon her face, her lips a flat line of apathy. Pelzyq bent over, clutched his hand, and howled in agony. Vaztyma sighed and shook her head. ¡°You do not stand where I do, do you, Pelzyq son?¡± Pelzyq kept his eyes on his broken hand, trying to hide the tears rolling down his face. Too stubborn and stupid and not strong enough to afford either, Pelzyq remained silent, refusing to even nod his head. Vaztyma seized him, one-handed, by the throat and lifted him off the ground like the huge man was nothing to her. Her voice was pure ice, cold and uncaring, devoid of emotion. ¡°Answer me, son. Are you as strong as I? Do you stand where I stand?¡± ¡°No,¡± he gasped. Vaztyma threw him to the ground. ¡°You are not my equal, no matter how much bigger you think you are than me. Is that clear, son?¡± Pelzyq stumbled to his feet, slouching, he massaged his throat. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Now that you understand our situation, it is time I help you become the best dragon warrior you can be. Tell me, Pelzyq, what is the best part of you?¡± ¡°My giant cock. It is the biggest any of you will ever see. I would be happy to introduce each of you to it.¡± Pelzyq grinned at Zyryxa. Zyryxa rolled her eyes. Her stomach rolled over at the notion of sharing a tribe with this immature jackass who refused to learn any lesson. Her and Lexyn glanced at each other, shaking their heads. Even Vaztyma¡¯s stoic stare devolved into an open-mouthed leer of utter bewilderment. Vaztyma recovered her mask of ice. ¡°Normally, I demand cocky men do this once, but since you have made your claim, three times will suffice.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t wanna share, I can give you three times. Besides,¡± Pelzyq cocked his head at Zyryxa, ¡°I could use the practice before I am with her.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s veins bulged, her hands clenched. ¡°You presumptuous oaf! I would not let you anywhere close even if we were the last Ice Tribe alive!¡± Vaztyma silenced her, raising her hand at Zyryxa. ¡°You misunderstand, son. You will strike yourself three times in your manhood. I want each strike to be delivered with the same power that you punched me with. If you pull any of your blows, you will have to start over until you get it right.¡± The tension fled Zyryxa. She eased, a sudden relaxation settling over her as her fists came apart. She could learn much from Champion Vaztyma, before she took the woman¡¯s place. ¡°Hit myself?¡± ¡°Three times in that proud penis of yours. As hard as you can.¡± ¡°If I refuse?¡± ¡°I will kill you or you will become Scaleless.¡± Pelzyq trembled. He shut his eyes, then obeyed the Ice Champion. When he was finished, Pelzyq was a balled on the ground, bawling, his hands cradling his groin. Zyryxa smirked. Vaztyma affirmed his readiness to obey even the most challenging commands, left him humbled in his rightful place at her feet, delivering a verdict commensurate and complimentary to his arrogance. Ice¡¯s judgment had been rendered, and Zyryxa learned to do likewise when she had to punish the impudent and arrogant. But her smirk faltered as Vaztyma appraised her. The Ice Champion¡¯s gaze lingered on Zyryxa¡¯s hair, recognizing the silvery-streaked sky-blue that marked her as kin to Zyrthalla. She knew Zyryxa¡¯s lineage well, remembering Zyryxa relegated to the child¡¯s table when Vaztyma called upon Zyrthalla and Abbaz in Loxzua. She would recall, having presided over the finals, the girl who won the junior tournaments at the Frostmelt for three years running, triumphing over Syraxyz in the ice versus fire finals six consecutive times. Vaztyma¡¯s hand traced Zyryxa¡¯s hair, then slid down her face. The Champion¡¯s eyes surveyed Zyryxa¡¯s body, her lips never betraying a hint of feeling. ¡°What do you think of yourself, daughter?¡± Vaztyma asked. Zyryxa hesitated. ¡°I try to live true to Qoryxa, to be beautiful, strong, and compassionate.¡± ¡°Your false humility does not fool me, girl. My children will speak to me directly, saying what they believe rather than what they hope pleases me. Answer the question with pride.¡± Zyryxa stalled, not wanting to sound arrogant to the Champion. ¡°Now!¡± ¡°I am superior!¡± Zyryxa answered, the prideful truth flowing from her like drops of water off an ice sculpture melting in the heat. ¡°I am stronger, faster, tougher, smarter, deadlier, prettier. I am supreme!¡± ¡°Supreme?¡± Vaztyma grinned. ¡°Are you more beautiful than I am, daughter?¡± Zyryxa hesitated, knowing there was no right answer to this question. When you could only lose, it was better to do so with integrity. ¡°Yes.¡± Vaztyma twirled Zyryxa¡¯s hair. ¡°If you are not the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, I am the ugliest.¡± ¡°You are not ugly,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°I know that,¡± the Champion said. ¡°I also know that you want to take my place. What kind of Ice Champion would you be, Zyryxa?¡± ¡°I would be like Qoryxa, a perfect balance of strength, beauty, and compassion. I will be the greatest champion Volqor has ever witnessed.¡± ¡°You think you are better than me? Superior? Supreme?¡± Zyryxa¡¯s stomach churned, keenly aware of the Champion¡¯s fingers twirling her hair, unable to look away from the Champion¡¯s flat-lipped gaze. ¡°I will be.¡± Vaztyma smiled. ¡°And what about today? Does Zyryxa exceed Vaztyma today?¡± ¡°No,¡± she lied. The only advantage Vaztyma had over her was her dragon bond. Without Praedax¡¯s mind and strength fused with hers, Zyryxa was better. Or so she believed. Vaztyma seized Zyryxa¡¯s hair and yanked. Zyryxa staggered, struggling to brace herself and maintain her footing. Vaztyma tugged harder, inflicting excruciating pain. Zyryxa clamped her throat shut, stifling the cry desperate to escape. Her choice was stark: sacrifice her hair or her pride. Hair would grow back; shattered pride could cripple her. Zyryxa held firm, grounding her legs beneath her as the Ice Champion dragged her into her toward the gaping maw of Praedax. With the next tug, Zyryxa collapsed to her knees, her hands meeting the biting hoarfrost near the dragon¡¯s gargantuan feet. Moisture gathered at the edges of her eyes, yet she clenched her jaw, refusing to yield her pride. An icy rage welled within her as Zyryxa battled the relentless pull. She summoned her strength, drawing on Zyrthalla¡¯s training, on her faith in Divine Qoryxa, and in her own pride. Zyryxa surged back to her feet, standing tall despite her hair being held hostage. ¡°Even champions may fall,¡± Zyryxa groaned, pushing against Vaztyma¡¯s relentless pull, ¡°but what makes them champions is that they rise again.¡± Vaztyma released her, and Zyryxa crashed backwards onto the ground. The pain of her scalp screamed as if she were engulfed in flames. Ignoring the agony, Zyryxa sprang to her feet. She assumed a defensive stance, determined to keep rising every time she fell.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Vaztyma grinned. ¡°Who was it that said that?¡± ¡°Alexia Leveria,¡± Zyryxa murmured, recalling the Leverian queen, a true champion of peace. Alexia Leveria was one of the few valuable lessons she gleaned from her fath¡­ from Abbaz¡¯s endless stories. Tears welled in her eyes, freezing on her cheeks, but she made no effort to wipe them away. Zyryxa stood resolute, prepared to defend herself if Vaztyma disparaged her for having a heart. ¡°You cling to your pride, my daughter. Pride will be either your greatest strength or your downfall.¡± Vaztyma smirked. ¡°You aspire to soar above all that came before you, but first you must prove that you can fly. Mount Praedax.¡± ¡°Mount Praedax?¡± Zyryxa echoed. The dark blue dragon roared, knocking Lexyn onto her back and forcing Pelzyq to a knee. Zyryxa shielded her face from the blast of. Vaztyma stood in the wrath of her bonded partner, roaring over the dragon. ¡°Do not question me again, daughter! Obey!¡± Zyryxa pushed through the roar. She fought for each step like it was a mile-long march up the slopes of Monzqora. Finally, she grasped a horn on Praedax¡¯s magnificent body. The spikes were sharper than knives. Pride did not let that stop her from rising. The lighter blue of Zyryxa¡¯s blood shimmered upon Praedax¡¯s midnight-blue scales, dripping down his epic frame as she cut her palms and the soles of her feet with each step of her ascension. Once she scrambled to the top, the dragon unfurled his massive wings. stirring up swirls of snow and gusts of icy wind within the dragon¡¯s roost. Zyryxa dashed up his back and seized the central horn atop his head. Dragon flight was no new sensation for Zyryxa who was used to Qorzillux. Alas, Praedax tried to throw her, jerking his neck and twisting his torso as his wings flapped madly. Zyryxa held on. Soon, they soared fifty feet over the ground. Whether driven by Vaztyma¡¯s command or the independent manifestation of Praedax¡¯s will, Zyryxa felt the dragon¡¯s thoughts penetrate her mind. Leap. The fall could shatter her legs ¡­ or worse. There was no soft snow to cushion her landing, only unforgiving hoarfrost upon the hard qoryxite ground. Yet, bound by the Ice Champion¡¯s command and her own pride, Zyryxa refused to beg for reprieve. She hit the ground hard, the shock reverberating through her legs. The leap held a fierce beauty in spirit, but the reality was ugly. Her arms caught the ground, shielding her face from the collision. She fell bloodied, cold, and utterly spent. Despite it all, Zyryxa forced herself to rise again. Standing taller than the Ice Champion, Zyryxa let her actions resound in defiant silence. Vaztyma ignored her. Like the others, the Ice Champion scrutinized Lexyn, her face a mask of deadened emotions. Unlike Pelzyq and Zyryxa, Lexyn cowered beneath the Ice Champion¡¯s gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stammered out apologies. Vaztyma shed her armor, placing the bones and scales of Thadillux on the ground behind her. Pelzyq smirked, craning his neck to get a better view of the Ice Tribe leader¡¯s nude figure. Zyryxa, too, did not avert her eyes. Vaztyma was chiseled and supreme, her muscles densely packed with Volqori might, sculpted and shredded beyond Zyryxa¡¯s own impressive sinew. While Zyryxa¡¯s skin bore neither blemish nor scar, while Vaztyma¡¯s was host to many. While sculpted muscles were more important than ample breasts, at least Zyryxa surpassed Vaztyma on the latter. Given time, she could surpass Vaztyma in strength as well. Zyryxa exhaled, letting go of her rage. Without the mantle of Champion, Zyryxa doubted anyone would choose to be Vaztyma¡¯s consort instead of hers. Unlike Pelzyq and Zyryxa, Lexyn kept her gaze fixed on the ground, trembling with fear, her fingers clenched on her longbow. ¡°Fear me not, my daughter,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°Those two came to me in pride, needing the lessons I gave them. You come in fear. Fear that I will help you overcome.¡± Vaztyma pointed at her own heart. ¡°Shoot me, my child. Know that your Champion will give you her heart until yours grows brave.¡± Zyryxa fought the impulse to admire Vaztyma. Strong and beautiful were already demonstrated. For the first time, compassionate could join their ranks. Only to those who cannot rise to challenge her, she made sure to remember, lest she feel too much warmth for this cold bitch. Lexyn¡¯s fingers reached for her quiver, but they trembled, failing to lift an arrow. The poor girl sobbed and stammered through more apologies. ¡°You are capable of far more than you know, child,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°A year from now, you will look back on this moment with pride. You will see how far you have come and know that you made your shot.¡± ¡°B-b-but I¡¯m w-w-weak.¡± ¡°No, daughter. The strength of a dragon lurks within you, waiting to roar. And when it does, what you fear now will fear you.¡± Shoot the bitch, Lexyn! Zyryxa thought. ¡°You¡¯ve got this,¡± she said. ¡°Make me proud, sister.¡± Lexyn took a huge breath, steadied her fingers, and nocked an arrow to her string. She lifted her eyes and honed in on her target. The arrow slammed into Vaztyma¡¯s chest, the gelubor shaft and stone tip shattering like ice against the Champion¡¯s hardened hide. Vaztyma beamed. ¡°Very good, my child. Very good!¡± Zyryxa froze, her gaze fixed on Vaztyma¡¯s chest, struggling to fathom how tough the Champion¡¯s draconic skin must be to shatter an arrow from five strides away. This, more than anything else, convinced her that she had far to climb to reach the summits Vaztyma achieved. Such was her wonder that she barely heard Vaztyma command them to remain still while the ritemark was replaced with the warriormark. ¡°Rise up! Embrace Qoryxa¡¯s ice!¡± Praedax slammed to the ground, shaking the entire plateau. Zyryxa staggered but hastily regained her balance, digging her feet into the ground. She steadied a stumbling Lexyn before the girl collapsed. Pelzyq dropped to a knee before surging back to his hulking stance. Then, the ice was upon them. Praedax assaulted them with the full force of his ice breath, unleashing a chill unlike any Zyryxa ever experienced. She shielded her face and stood firm, determined not to fall again. Her body urged her to stiffen, to yield to the torrential frost. Zyryxa refused to betray seventeen years of relentless training. Days spent swimming the icy shores of Loxzua, riding Qorzillux through blizzards, battling beasts in five feet of snow wearing naught but her own skin, scaling Monzqora barefoot with a tattered yeti hide¡ªall led to this moment, and to the next, and whatever came further up the ascent. Until she bonded Duilahir, until she claimed the mantle of Ice Champion from Vaztyma, until none surpassed her kinship with Qoryxa and her ice. Praedax¡¯s breath exceeded any cold she had ever faced, but Zyryxa was determined to succeed any challenge. She roared back at the dragon, letting the ice flow through her mouth, into her body, into her very soul. At last, Praedax¡¯s breath ceased. The blizzard dissipated, coating the ground in a thick layer of ice. Zyryxa¡¯s yeti hide was further eroded, the remains blanketed in three inches of frost. Her hair was frozen into clumps, brows and lashes encased in ice. Yet, her numb feet stood proud beneath her. Pelzyq hunched over, trembling, his fingers digging into the ground, his breath coming in rapid, visible puffs. On Zyryxa¡¯s other side, Lexyn shivered, curled up on the icy ground, the warriormark now shimmering white on her forehead where the dull ritemark had been moments before. The mark of the warrior, a white dragon¡ªDuilahir herself¡ªglimmered freshly upon all of them. Zyryxa touched her forehead, sensing the new ice there. Thirteen years marked a warrior, the minimum service before one could settle in Loxzua or establish their homestead in the frontier. Neither path was hers. Zyryxa would be Champion within the next year, if the opportunity to bond the white dragon was granted to her. Vaztyma nodded at her. ¡°Duilahir adorns your pretty face, my child.¡± Zyryxa nodded back. ¡°And I will adorn her back before she fades from my face.¡± Vaztyma folded her arms over her chest, her grin fading and falling further. Zyryxa hid her smirk, twisting away from the Champion to help Lexyn regain her footing. The pretty girl¡¯s jaw rattled, but she rose like a champion herself. ¡°You did it,¡± Zyryxa told Lexyn, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. Lexyn¡¯s teeth chattered, but she managed a nod. ¡°What now?¡± Pelzyq barked. ¡°Now you are dragon warriors,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°Forget the broods of your past. You are now my children and you are brother and sisters. Serve your new family with pride and courage. War is upon us, my children, and you will be the dragon¡¯s claws. Travel to Riverwatch and augment Hatrox¡¯s swarm. Heed his command as if it were my own, and help us avenge our losses.¡± Zyryxa reached for the only anchor she could find in this cold place¡ªLexyn¡¯s hand. Her eyes dove to the ice, seeing naught but memories of fire and ice exploding over Loxzua. Lexyn squeezed Zyryxa¡¯s hand with surprising strength for such a delicate-looking dragon warrior. ¡°Our losses?¡± Lexyn asked, stepping between Vaztyma and Zyryxa. Zyryxa felt Vaztyma¡¯s gaze on her, the cold edge softening and warming. The Champion remained silent, the sanctum filled only with the whistle of the wind. Silence had never been so loud. Zyryxa fought the tears. For once, she lost. ¡°Who fucking cares?¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°I¡¯m off to Riverwatch, my Champion, unless you have other purposes for Pelzyq in the Pridefort.¡± Zyryxa clutched Lexyn¡¯s hand to keep from knocking Pelzyq to the ground. Her moth¡­ Zyrthalla could be¡­ Her mind froze, unable to complete the thought. Lexyn stood closer to her, shoulders touching. Tears flowing down her face, Zyryxa promised herself to never forget this act of compassion from a sister who was almost a complete stranger to her. ¡°You have each endured a great trial this past year,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°Tonight, you may find shelter in the Pridefort and share the food of my table. In the morning, you will be given coin and Valinax will provide equipment suited to you.¡± Vaztyma cleared her throat, channeling more authority, ¡°You are siblings now and this is an opportunity to form your own brood, just as Dezoq, Valinax, and I did when we arrived before Marazix years ago. A true dragon warrior does not go alone, but trusts in her brothers and sisters.¡± ¡°Pelzyq needs no sisters.¡± He snorted. ¡°Only wives. I leave tonight.¡± ¡°Then you have yet to grasp the folly of your pride, Pelzyq son. May Qoryxa bless you with her enlightenment before that pride kills you.¡± ¡°Oh, Qoryxa has blessed me plenty, Vaztyma mother.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s throat burned with insults and threats. She despised this ugly, presumptuous, foolish, arrogant, brute. Her fist closed, itching to confront the jackass. Yet, the path of Qoryxa did not condone fratricide. ¡°Pelzyq!¡± He turned from the sanctum¡¯s gateway, arms opened wide. ¡°Already you want to be my wife, Zyryxa? And here Pelzyq thought you were a just a stuck-up icy bitch who only wanted to play finger and tongue games with her sisters!¡± Zyryxa¡¯s fists tightened, and she pulled away from Lexyn before her fingers became collateral in her battle with the misogynist. ¡°And I thought you were a man who insists on proving his strength through foolish deeds to cover up his vast insecurity!¡± ¡°Hah! Pelzyq is the most secure man in all of Volqor, perhaps in the entire damn world!¡± ¡°Yes, the man who begs for a rematch after he is buried in the snow like a little piss boy is extraordinarily secure!¡± Pelzyq shifted into a boxing stance ¡°We can settle this right here, Zyryxa!¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Travel with us, Pelzyq, and we will all grow stronger.¡± Pelzyq grabbed at his crotch. ¡°I¡¯m already dragging along enough weight.¡± May a wyrm take you! she thought. ¡°Travel safely, brother.¡± Pelzyq pointed at her. ¡°If you make it to Riverwatch, Pelzyq will be waiting for a fair rematch, if you ever find your courage, sister.¡± Zyryxa turned away as he stomped out of sight. She glared at Vaztyma, reproaching the woman for pushing her to make peace with that heartless jackass. Her anger was disarmed by Vaztyma¡¯s softened face, her lightly furrowed brow, and sympathetic eyes. Vaztyma met Lexyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°You asked about our losses. You three may be among the last to initiate the Rite of the Dragon Warrior before the war began.¡± She sighed. ¡°Faxiq defeated Tantix and claimed the title of Fire Champion. His first act was to demand that Syrixza serve as his consort.¡± ¡°What!¡± Zyryxa seethed, wishing Faxiq¡¯s throat was in range of her axe. ¡°Yes,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°Naturally, Syrixza, proud as she was and devoted to Qorrix, challenged Faxiq for the title of Fire Champion.¡± ¡°I saw Nitryx battling Duilahir,¡± Zyryxa said, her heart aching. Syrixza and Qorrix¡ªher parents shared their table each Festival of Melding, and Zyryxa befriended their daughter, even though she and Syra inevitably faced each other in the junior tournament finals. She trembled, hoping that Syra wasn¡¯t another casualty in this divinedamned war. ¡°Faxiq defeated Syrixza,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°She fought to the death.¡± ¡°So Qorrix challenged Faxiq,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Yes. He too,¡± Vaztyma¡¯s voice faltered for several heartbeats, before emerging weak, ¡°is no longer with us.¡± ¡°And the Ice Tribe had to avenge Qorrix.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Vaztyma said. ¡°I couldn¡¯t let him kill one of our own. I couldn¡¯t let him go unpunished for destroying the two people most responsible for our melding.¡± ¡°Faxiq deserves to die,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Instead, others have paid the price.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. Her mother had to be safe. She decided then that she heard enough. Vaztyma disagreed. ¡°There was a battle over Loxzua, many moons ago.¡± Zyryxa didn¡¯t hide her tears. She couldn¡¯t hide who she was¡ªthe silver streak in her hair, the face that mirrored Zyrthalla¡¯s, the memories she and Vaztyma shared. Her voice cracked, ¡°Who?¡± Vaztyma¡¯s eyes welled with tears. Suddenly, the thin air was hard to breathe. Suddenly, her warrior¡¯s legs that withstood ascending a mountain, that rose from a fall from a flying dragon, that held their ground when Praedax blasted her with his icy breath, were weak. Her throat worked no longer. Her vision blurred, but it still saw the dragon falling from the sky and crashing into the sea. Yet, this time it was not Ohenix. ¡°Hatrox slew Gorxine and her dragon.¡± Lexyn¡¯s hand found Zyryxa¡¯s. ¡°Any others?¡± Lexyn asked. Vaztyma nodded. ¡°One more knight.¡± Not Zyrthalla, Zyryxa prayed to Qoryxa. Let it be another Fire Tribe knight. Let it be Gaeliz. Let it be anyone else. Not Zyrthalla. Zyryxa¡¯s wails drowned out the name that left Vaztyma¡¯s lips. She could hear her mother¡¯s voice, knowing that she would never truly hear her again. To feel is not weakness, my little champion. To feel is to be reminded of what matters. Let those feelings be your strength, so they guide you to fight for what you love. Zyryxa would fight, even if what she loved was gone. Chapter 6: Sorrow, Rage, and Love Though the qoryxite walls were beautiful, the Pridefort¡¯s rooms were austere. Two bunkbeds and four footlockers¡ªjust enough furniture for the standard four-person brood, and nothing more. At least the beds offered clean furs and stuffed pillows, comforts that Zyryxa would have savored if not for the feeling that her gut had been torn asunder, her head hammered, her throat burned, and her life stolen from her. Zyryxa peeked out from under the blankets on the upper bunk. Lexyn sniffled and shivered by the crackling fire, clutching a necklace while wrapping herself in a bear hide blanket. Lexyn¡¯s iced garments dried beside her, while she kept her eyes on the flames. Burying herself under the furs, Zyryxa wished she could have maintained her dignity. How many of Vaztyma¡¯s warriors witnessed her tears when Lexyn led her into the barracks, head bowed, failing to suppress her sobs? Vaztyma and Dezoq saw her as a weak child instead of a proud warrior. Was her only broodmate now judging her as weak? Yet, when she contemplated how to salvage her pride, Zyryxa found herself paralyzed. How could she move forward when the one who taught her to move was gone? Zyryxa stifled a sob beneath the white furs. It had to be a mistake. Her mother may have fallen, but she was too strong to stay down. Zyrthalla would not allow herself to die before soaring alongside Zyryxa¡¯s Duilahir. She loved her too fiercely to depart before witnessing her daughter¡¯s rise to Ice champion. Her mother couldn¡¯t be gone. But she was. Her mother and Qorzillux had plunged into the sea. The dragon had surfaced, but not the knight. Zyryxa knew the dragon wouldn''t have abandoned her knight if Zyrthalla could be saved. Worse, her mother¡¯s murderer flew away unscathed. Zyryxa closed her eyes. Instead of her mother¡¯s smile, she saw Saevah, laughing atop golden Auryxion as they fled Loxzua. Tall, lithe, bronze-skinned, with flaming red hair and icy blue eyes stolen from the Ice Tribe. Zyryxa growled, clenching her fists around her pillow until it ripped in half. Curse Saevah! Zyryxa swore to hunt her to the ends of the world and time itself. She would never cease her pursuit until ice¡¯s judgment was rendered and she stood over a corpse riddled with axe wounds. She roared and sobbed, imagining all the ways she could kill the Fire Tribe knight. Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe embedded between her mocking eyes, orange blood splattered on her pretty face as Zyryxa carved her into a hideous ruin, Zyryxa¡¯s mighty hands latched to her throat, thrashing her against a stone wall until her skull cracked into a thousand pieces, until she was as torn apart and broken like Zyryxa¡¯s heart. Zyryxa would take Saevah¡¯s own weapon, her famed twinblades, and drive them right into the damned bitch¡¯s eyes. She would loom over her, telling her that this was justice for Zyrthalla, and witness recognition dawn on Saevah¡¯s face at the dusk of her life, as her own blades stole the last light from her. Her frosted yeti furs and the cold-blooded vengeance encased her in ice such that Zyryxa shivered despite the warmth of the bear fur blankets and Lexyn¡¯s crackling fire. Her last memory of Zyrthalla, of the day she set her free with the ritemark, clung to her. She could not think of her mother¡¯s last words without wanting to fall into the ocean with her and never rise again. The tolling bells of Loxzua echoed in her ears, the ritemark on her forehead stung, the scent of her mother¡¯s perfume flooded her nostrils. Zyryxa remembered the tenderness of her mother¡¯s hands on her shoulders, her proud gaze like a mirror with tears running down her porcelain cheeks. Zyrthalla told her that being her mother was the greatest honor of her life, that she believed Zyryxa would become the proud woman she was meant to be. Her mother promised her that one day, Zyryxa would make the whole world as proud of her as she always has been.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Zyryxa let the tears fall freely and the sobs escape from their cage. How could she ever make the world proud when she couldn¡¯t even save her mother? Where was she when Zyrthalla faced several fire dragons alone, defending the people of Loxzua? Probably hundreds of miles away, wrestling polar bears while her mother was drowning! ¡°No one should be proud of me,¡± Zyryxa whispered. ¡°Least of all you, Mother.¡± I will be stronger, Zyryxa promised herself. I will become the most powerful Champion that ever lived! I will protect everyone I love. Zyryxa vowed to never feel this powerless again. Nor could her pride sustain the blame she gave herself. Zyryxa blamed Faxiq and Vaztyma for their relentless war, for dragging all of Volqor into the dispute when only one man should have paid the price. She cursed Divine Qoryxa for allowing such injustice to happen to her most pious devotees. Even Abbaz, the divinedamned bard, earned Zyryxa¡¯s reproach; he should have had his own dragon and should have been in the air fighting beside his wife. But Zyryxa¡¯s judgment didn¡¯t stop at her father. The final, most agonizing culprit was Zyrthalla herself. You were not supposed to die, she thought. You were supposed to survive, to be strong enough, to fight hard enough to witness my rise. How could you let me down, Mom? How? Zyryxa collapsed, her anguish pouring out in unrestrained wails. The sadness, the utter powerlessness, evoked her rage. Her fists pounded the mattress, smashing through the fluff and splitting the gelubor board beneath. Yet, the destruction did not make her pain smaller. She hugged herself, wishing it were Zyrthalla¡¯s arms wrapped around her, feeling like nothing could make the hurt go away. ¡°I knew Zyrthalla,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°Y-you look like her.¡± Zyryxa peeked out from under her blanket and studied Lexyn, who was gazing into the flames with small, tearful whimpers. ¡°How did you know Zyrthalla?¡± ¡°She was n-nice to my f-f-family. C-came to ch-ch-check on her warriors when we t-tended them.¡± Zyryxa sat up. Lexyn¡¯s darker blue hair and pinkish skin tone, and her softer, smaller body made sense. Lexyn was not distantly blended with the Fire Tribe, as she had assumed. She was something else entirely. ¡°Your parents were Loxzua¡¯s medicans? The woman was from Leveria. Halette and Lexyq?¡± Lexyn hugged herself tightly. ¡°Halette of Meridian, though I¡¯m not supposed to think of her as my mother anymore.¡± Zyryxa sprang from the bed, feeling a surge of energy she hadn¡¯t felt since her world shattered. ¡°And I¡¯m not supposed to care that my mother is dead.¡± She shed her frozen clothes and joined Lexyn beside the fire. ¡°Tell me more about Zyrthalla. Please.¡± Lexyn¡¯s eyes were filled with tears. ¡°I thought the world of Zyrthalla.¡± Zyryxa gasped, overwhelmed by sobs that wracked her body. ¡°She always checked on our patients but never got in our way or tried to tell us how to do our work,¡± Lexyn continued, confidently speaking through her tears. ¡°She respected my mother¡¯s expertise and always ensured we had supplies, food, and even sent her warriors to gather herbs for us when we were short on donations.¡± Zyryxa wept, resting her head on Lexyn¡¯s shoulder, arms wrapping around her broodsister. Lexyn¡¯s voice seemed to have healing powers, her words bringing light back into this darkened world, her compassion bringing more water to Zyryxa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Please, tell me more.¡± Lexyn leaned her head against Zyryxa¡¯s. ¡°She would tell us that she was grateful Loxzua was our home. She was our hero, Zyryxa. I¡¯m so¡­ I¡¯m so sorry she¡¯s gone.¡± Zyryxa struggled to steady her breathing. The love kindling in her heart reminded her that she was still alive. ¡°Thank you,¡± she managed. ¡°I¡¯m grateful you¡¯re here, Lexyn.¡± Lexyn embraced Zyryxa, more strongly than expected. Zyryxa wept, realizing that she had not been held like this since she said goodbye to her mother. Lexyn shared her sorrow, and Zyryxa did not feel alone against the world the way she had moments ago. Nor did her anger dissipate like water into mist as Lexyn¡¯s compassion warmed her. Her rage would be voiced and acted upon, propelling her toward Saevah. Yet, when she lifted her eyes and saw Lexyn there, she recognized the burgeoning sensation of love. She vowed to herself then that she would never allow any harm to come to this girl. Chapter 7: The Champions Quartermaster Few things in the life of a dragon warrior were more satisfying than acquiring new equipment. After a year of painstakingly, semi-incompetently, handcrafting all her gear, stocking up at the Ice Tribe¡¯s most elite armory with Vaztyma¡¯s personal blacksmith tickled Zyryxa with glee. Getting outfitted beside Lexyn made the experience even more joyous, allowing her to momentarily set aside her grief and revel in the simple pleasures of clothing and weapons. Zyryxa meticulously inspected Lexyn¡¯s new garments, checking for flaws while Lexyn smiled bashfully at her feet. The white-furred yeti suit offered superior protection from the slashes and piercing blows of the tundra¡¯s violent denizens, as well as southern Volqor¡¯s most dangerous enemy: the cold. Moreover, the snow-white fur complemented Lexyn¡¯s lighter colors, accentuating the white dragon warriormark on her forehead, her silver necklace, and contrasting beautifully with her dark blue hair. The fit not only flattered her softer figure but also ensured it wouldn¡¯t hinder her ability to draw her bow. Zyryxa nodded approvingly as she studied their reflections in the mirror. Not only did the white yeti suit look splendid on Lexyn, it looked, unsurprisingly, striking on Zyryxa too. Zyrxine never liked dressing up with Zyryxa, preferring rougher, skimpy, colorless outfits that clashed with Zyryxa¡¯s style. Seeing them match, looking beautiful, but also deadly, Zyryxa saw, for the first time, her true sister. She put her arm around Lexyn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I have reached my verdict,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°We look good, broodsister.¡± Lexyn blushed, her smile widening as she glanced at Zyryxa through the mirror. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡± ¡°Definitely not wrong,¡± the blacksmith said, his deep voice filled with cheer. Unable to resist, Zyryxa twirled in her new suit and winked at Valinax. The Champion¡¯s quartermaster grinned broadly from behind his great azure beard. ¡°You two are positively adorable.¡± Leaning on his workbench, Valinax flaunted his massive, impeccable arms. ¡°You almost resemble true dragon warriors!¡± Zyryxa matched his lean, her face drawing closer to his. She fought to suppress a grin. He might have been handsome before some dragon raked his face with its claws, leaving behind two nasty scars. ¡°You look like you probably shouldn¡¯t have fought that dragon, warrior.¡± Valinax smacked his lips together. ¡°That is true.¡± His composure broke into a hearty guffaw. ¡°That was my mistake. Now, before you make the mistake of leaving me, ladies, I reckon you need fresh boots to keep your dainty little feet warm.¡± Zyryxa set her unshod foot upon his workbench and snorted. ¡°These dainty little feet traversed the tundra for eleven cycles of the moon; they climbed the north face of this mountain in less than a day. They have no need for your warmth for they are ice.¡± ¡°Please always stay this humble,¡± Valinax said with a wink, chuckling before turning to Lexyn. ¡°I¡¯ve got drake claw boots that seal out the snow and keep your feet warm on a march or during rest. And,¡± he pulled out several pairs, ¡°the claws could help you kick your way out of a situation if you find yourself prone or latch onto the ice to keep you from sliding over a cliff¡¯s edge.¡± Lexyn took the boots and shot a sideways glance at Zyryxa. Zyryxa seized a pair of boots her own size. ¡°While my feet are ice, I admit these have a certain appeal to them.¡± Zyryxa ran her finger along the drake scales. In truth, they were excellent boots and her feet oft got so cold that they lost feeling. She was not some brutish animal that ran off bare-chested into danger without a brood. Valinax grunted. ¡°What will the tundra and Monzqora think if they are deprived the blessing of your bare feet striding upon them?¡± ¡°Many are deprived the blessing of my stride upon them,¡± Zyryxa said, slipping into a boot with a satisfied moan that was only mildly exaggerated. She had forgotten the feeling of warmth and comfort on her feet. She tested the claws, stamping them into the ground. Dryxl wasn¡¯t the only one able to claw their way up a mountainside anymore. Lexyn stomped beside her, and the two dragon warriors laughed at their newfound draconic power as they clawed their way across the snowy courtyard. ¡°I will teach you to ride a drake,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°and you will catch your own before we arrive at Riverwatch.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Lexyn said, frowning at her feet. ¡°Lexyn.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± she muttered. ¡°You will be a great drake rider, Lexyn. You know why?¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because drakes admire loyalty and compassion.¡± Zyryxa smiled at her. ¡°I bet you could charm Dryxl away from me.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that,¡± Lexyn said, blushing. ¡°I know,¡± Zyryxa clapped Lexyn on the back, ¡°because you are loyal.¡± Lexyn looked up, venturing a glance at Zyryxa¡¯s face. ¡°You really think a drake will let me ride them?¡± Zyryxa let out a guffaw that could have embarrassed even Valinax. ¡°The drake you ride will be honored to be your first mount, sister, because you are going to soar upon dragon¡¯s wings before we are done.¡± Lexyn¡¯s gaze darted back to her feet. She slouched, and Zyryxa wondered if she had gone to far. Her heart said a defiant ¡°No.¡± Her sister needed to be fed confidence until she spat it out from having too much of it. She wrapped her arm around Lexyn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We won¡¯t do it without stocking up though. I owe you a quiver, after all.¡± Soon enough, they were loaded up on gear. Lexyn received her quiver, filled with iron-tipped arrows, and a new wyrm-sinew bowstring. She had lost her blade during the Rite of the Dragon Warrior and now sheathed a sword at her hip. Her old torn-up satchel was traded in for a fresh pack; Zyryxa marveled as she transferred a store of herbs, frostmoss, and gut from the old pack and helped herself to bandages from the quartermaster¡¯s stock. Perhaps most peculiarly, Lexyn stowed a book in her new pack. ¡°Bedtime stories?¡± Valinax asked. ¡°I might just have to tag along with a nice big casket of yak¡¯s milk.¡± Lexyn hid her face behind her pack. ¡°I appreciate a companion who brings along fine literature,¡± Zyryxa said. She hoped Lexyn wasn¡¯t aspiring to be a divinedamned bard. Lexyn opened the pack and showed Zyryxa her book. Notes on Volqori Physiology, Zyryxa read. The name beneath the title caught her eye. ¡°Halette of Meridian?¡± Lexyn nodded. ¡°I like to read it every day, even though I¡¯ve read it from cover to cover a hundred times.¡± Zyryxa grinned. ¡°You must be quite knowledgeable on Volqori physiology.¡± Zyryxa loved her slight blush that colored Lexyn¡¯s adorable pinkish skin. She should have known better. This bashful, caring creature lacked the bravado and self-centeredness that were central to every bard. ¡°I am versed in medica, in herblore, and even dabble in the mixing of potions.¡± ¡°And here I was worried you were going to tell me you wanted to be a bard but you actually know useful things.¡± Lexyn laughed, her smile beaming like an arrow to Zyryxa¡¯s heart. ¡°Bards can be useful.¡± ¡°Not any that I¡¯ve met,¡± Valinax said. ¡°I¡¯m telling Dezoq,¡± Zyryxa said. Valinax guffawed. ¡°Go ahead. What is the worst he can do? Write a song calling me mean names?¡± Zyryxa hollered with fits of laughter. Qoryxa! It felt good to laugh, to be herself again, rather than the shell of who she had been. Then, it hit her. Zyrthalla never did see eye-to-eye with Zyryxa on bards. She was her husband¡¯ staunchest defender, calling him brave for choosing to do something other than wage war in a land where strength was the only source of power.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Lexyn¡¯s hand was quick on the back of her cloak. Zyryxa wished she could hide beneath it right now as she fought to keep the tears away. ¡°Hey, girl,¡± Valinax said, clearing his throat. ¡°I¡¯ve got a special treat for you stowed in the depths of my workshop.¡± Zyryxa pushed her grief down, for now, and forced a grin. ¡°The depths of your workshop? That is the best you could come up with? Really?¡± ¡°Really, really.¡± He lifted a hatch into some hidden cellar and grinned. ¡°Be right back.¡± Zyryxa shared a puzzled look with Lexyn. Lexyn grinned at her, rubbing her back. She felt too good to be real, like a mirage Zyryxa conjured to cope with the death of Zyrthalla. Zyryxa pressed her hand against Lexyn¡¯s forehead to make sure she was warm to the touch and not just the cold Monzqora air. She touched warmth. ¡°A medican, a talented archer, an herbalist, and kindhearted.¡± Pretty too, she added to herself, not wanting to make things uncomfortable while she still puzzled out her feelings for the girl. ¡°Why would anyone not want to have you around?¡± Lexyn let her hand fall and clasped them together as she studied her feet. ¡°B-because I¡¯m a c-coward.¡± Zyryxa didn¡¯t know what to say to that. Fortunately, Valinax returned from the depths of his workshop and slammed his cellar shut. He tossed Zyryxa a beautiful, blue handaxe. She caught it by the handle and nearly stumbled. It had to weigh at least fifty pounds but was well-balanced. She aimed for the nearest target and sent the axe whirling through the air until it smashed right through the fur dummy. ¡°Woah.¡± ¡°Qoryxite,¡± Valinax said, grinning broadly. He dropped a second axe onto the bench. ¡°I figured you for a thrower.¡± ¡°You are a man of refined taste, Valinax.¡± Zyryxa stowed the throwing axe in a loop pre-fashioned into her yeti-fur snowsuit. ¡°I am glad ye think so, Zyryxa. Now,¡± he leaned onto the bench, ¡°hand over the greataxe and I will give you one made of qoryxite with a sturdy dragonbone handle.¡± Zyryxa clung to her mother¡¯s weapon, not wanting to lose this last piece of her. Valinax reached for it, and she shoved him aside. ¡°C¡¯mon, Zyryxa. A strong warrior can snap that axe over his knee and spank you with the handle. I can demonstrate if you want.¡± She shook her head, trying not to rage at him. ¡°Thank you, Valinax,¡± Lexyn said, trying to deepen her voice. ¡°Can you think of anything else we would need?¡± ¡°You have everything you need, my darling, but your drake looks a bit too naked for my liking. Bring him on over.¡± Zyryxa seized the opportunity to get away from Valinax and to keep his hulking hands away from her axe. Dryxl rushed to meet her at the drake pen. ¡°Give him a touch,¡± she told Lexyn. Lexyn went rigid. Zyryxa took her hand and led it to Dryxl¡¯s back. The darkscale drake grunted and sniffed Lexyn. ¡°It is okay,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°He likes you.¡± Sure enough, Dryxl licked Lexyn¡¯s hand. Lexyn tried to pull away, but soon stopped resisting Zyryxa¡¯s guidance. ¡°He really, really likes you.¡± ¡°Does licking mean liking?¡± ¡°Unless you are bleeding out, yes.¡± Lexyn giggled at the repeated caress of Dryxl¡¯s rough tongue. ¡°You can lick him back.¡± Lexyn cocked her head. ¡°Go on, don¡¯t leave poor Dryxl wanting. Give him a good lick.¡± Lexyn narrowed her eyes. ¡°You are playing?¡± Zyryxa kept her face serious while Lexyn studied her. Dryxl sniffed around Lexyn¡¯s feet, legs, and waist. Lexyn glanced down at the top of Dryxl¡¯s head, her mouth hanging open. At last, Zyryxa gave up the game with a chuckle. ¡°While Dryxl might enjoy that, you¡¯d find the experience quite unpleasant. Like licking a salted rock.¡± Lexyn stuck out her tongue at Zyryxa. ¡°I am going to pay for that one later, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Someday, when you least expect it, Zyryxa.¡± The girls laughed their way back to the quartermaster as Dryxl started ignoring Zyryxa to follow Lexyn around. Valinax got to work on Dryxl, the damned traitor, outfitting the drake with a saddle, saddlebags loaded with dried meat, a net for capturing other drakes, and, best of all, an eight-foot wyrmbone lance with a qoryxite tip. Zyryxa mounted him and slew another training target, to applause, hooting, and whistling from the all-male Pridefort garrison. She launched off the drake¡¯s back, performing a double flip in the air and landing in front of Valinax with a flourish. ¡°The fanfare suits you,¡± Valinax said. ¡°Just missing a crown upon my head.¡± ¡°Bah! No, no, no.¡± He ran his fingers along the lines of his facial scars. ¡°What you really need is to get yourself some scars to wear.¡± ¡°No thank you. I prefer to win my battles and looking good. I¡¯m afraid a scar isn¡¯t in my future.¡± Valinax snorted. ¡°I will have you know that all the ladies say my scar adds to my irresistible charm.¡± Zyryxa gestured to the dragon warriors in the courtyard. Besides herself, Lexyn, and Vaztyma, she had yet to see another woman in the Pridefort. ¡°I can tell! I am practically overrun by women trying to throw me out of the way to get to you.¡± He lowered his eyes and shook his head. He struggled to conjure a witty riposte, and Zyryxa raised her hands in victory. But she didn¡¯t stop at simple victory. She kept up the pressure until her foes were thoroughly defeated. ¡°Tell me which dragon did this to you. Did they have any idea what sort of irresistibly charming creature they unleashed upon the poor women of Volqor? I must have a word with them.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Try to restrain yourself. I can¡¯t go upsetting you when you leave and I must remain.¡± Zyryxa sighed. ¡°Besides, Duilahir ain¡¯t one for listening to nothing we¡¯ve got to say to her. ¡°Duilahir? You tried to bond a dragon that has only ever bonded with women?¡± ¡°And yet, hundreds of men have tried over the past millennia. When she¡¯s the prettiest and you¡¯re the most foolhardy and cocky, you think you¡¯ll be the exception. Qoryxa¡¯s Caress! If you announced to the world that you only wanted to bond with women, I bet all the same yak-headed men would come your way convinced they would be the one to fix you.¡± Zyryxa failed to suppress her smile. ¡°Fix me? There is nothing wrong with women lying together. We¡¯ve got to stay warm somehow when we have to serve as dragon warriors until we¡¯re thirty. Besides,¡± she leaned over the bench, ¡°there is no fixing needed,¡± she knocked on Valinax¡¯s head, ¡°except in the skulls of a man who thought he could bond Duilahir. Really, Valinax?¡± He shook his head. ¡°After Vaztyma got Praedax, my only options were little ones or Duilahir.¡± Zyryxa returned his head shake. The audacity to try and bond her dragon. She pinched his cheek and spoke like a mother to her newborn, ¡°Someday you will soar, little buddy. You just have to lower those expectations.¡± Valinax chuckled. ¡°Yer probably right.¡± ¡°No longer bothered by condescending to a younger dragon? You humble old man.¡± ¡°Says the proud warrior.¡± Valinax rubbed the white dragon frozen into her forehead. ¡°What makes you different than the hundreds of powerful warriors who failed to bond Duilahir over the last century.¡± ¡°For one,¡± Zyryxa grinned, ¡°I don¡¯t have a cock.¡± Lexyn snorted, breaking Zyryxa¡¯s composure into a sly grin. ¡°Duilahir don¡¯t understand sarcasm,¡± Valinax said, ¡°or humor. You just might be too damn charming for our Monzqora queen.¡± Zyryxa shrugged, her heart tugging in another direction since last night. ¡°I might go for Qorzillux.¡± The smiles and the laughter drained from Valinax. He knows. ¡°Dragons only feel emotion when they merge minds with their knight. They are driven mad when their knight dies. Yet, the dragon remembers the old bond, because parts of the knight die within them even after they die. Those fragments seek the familiar.¡± Zyryxa clung to his words, hoping some part of her mother still lingered in this world. ¡°Where is Qorzillux?¡± Valinax sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t go disobeying orders and running off.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Valinax winced. ¡°Qorzillux chose to seclude herself in Antryx Mir instead of raging at Loxzua or seeking vengeance on the Fire Tribe. I think,¡± he cleared his throat, his voice wavering, ¡°that was Zyrthalla¡¯s doing. She wanted to ensure Qorzillux hurt nobody who didn¡¯t deserve it.¡± Water welled in the proud blacksmith¡¯s eyes. ¡°A good knight, Zyrthalla was.¡± Zyryxa wiped at her eyes. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°I will be sure to only ignore most of your advice.¡± Valinax shook his head. ¡°Then enjoy your journey on the way to becoming Duilahir¡¯s dainty little dinner.¡± Zyryxa gnashed her teeth. She nudged Lexyn. ¡°Ready to go, sister?¡± Lexyn nodded. Zyryxa sighed. ¡°I¡¯d say it¡¯s been a pleasure, Valinax, but I wouldn¡¯t want you to lose the remarkable humility you¡¯ve gained over the years.¡± ¡°Aye, little sister, and I¡¯d say don¡¯t hit your head on the sky as you leave, but I wouldn¡¯t want to damage that lofty pride of yours.¡± Zyryxa extended her arms and whistled for Dryxl to follow her. The damn drake clung to Lexyn¡¯s side. ¡°Seven days to Riverwatch?¡± ¡°Aye, follow the Everice north to the sea. Bigheads are so top-heavy they are known to run a little faster, especially downhill, but they often crack their skulls falling from the heights. So, maybe six days. Maybe sixty.¡± ¡°Five it is.¡± She turned, breathing in the cold mountain air. Her and Lexyn walked solemnly out of the gates, Zyryxa too proud to acknowledge the whistles from the buff dragon warrior manning the gate. He was lucky she didn¡¯t put him in the ice for calling her ¡°fresh meat.¡± She certainly wasn¡¯t on his menu. ¡°Thanks for coming with me,¡± she told Lexyn once they were through the gates. ¡°I hope I don¡¯t let you down.¡± Zyryxa touched her shoulder. ¡°You have already lifted me up, Lexyn. We¡¯re a brood now.¡± Something tapped her shoulder. Assuming it was the presumptuous warrior, Zyryxa lifted her hand to throw a punch. Valinax caught it before it swung. ¡°Easy, little sister.¡± ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Valinax hushed them and took a few steps further from the gate. ¡°Listen,¡± he whispered, ¡°I try my best to look out for all the new warriors, and I can already see where things are headed for you, Zyryxa.¡± She gestured to Monzqora¡¯s peak, somewhere above the clouds and falling snow. ¡°Those are some good eyes you have, my scarred beauty.¡± Valinax scowled. ¡°No more jokes, girl. We both know who and what you are. But only one of us knows who Hatrox is.¡± He pointed at Lexyn, who glanced at the ground. ¡°Learn from her. Keep your head low at Riverwatch. Try not to draw attention to yourself. Appear less than you are. For you, that¡¯ll be as hard as not breathing.¡± ¡°Humble myself?¡± Valinax nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Thanks for the advice, but I won¡¯t bow my head.¡± He exhaled. ¡°That is what I fear. Please, Zyryxa, if not for me, for Zyrthalla.¡± Zyryxa grabbed his tunic in a fit of wrath. ¡°She¡¯s why I¡¯ll never bow my head for a man. Not you. Not Hatrox. I¡¯ll make her proud of me.¡± She released him and wiped the tears forming in her eyes. ¡°You can be a Champion one day,¡± he said, ¡°but not if he breaks you.¡± With a sigh and a dramatic wave of his bulky arm, he trudged back toward the gate. Zyryxa stared throwing axes into his back. Nobody would break her. Nobody! She turned toward the plateau¡¯s edge and gazed down the mountainside. Down the mountain, to Riverwatch, where she would make her need for vengeance against Saevah known. By impressing Hatrox, her opportunity would come. She would kill the murderer and her dragon, and that would be her path to renown. Vaztyma would have to grant her permission to perform the Rite of the Dragon Knight. Then she would bond Duilahir or Qorzillux and become the Ice Champion. Her mother would be proud of her. Damn Valinax for suggesting otherwise. Damn anyone who tried stop her! Chapter 8: Not Rite The eastern trails down Monzqora were well-worn, cleared of growth, and divinedamned boring. Ice patches occasionally threatened a slip, though rarely near cliff edges. Any monsters they encountered fled from the more intimidating presence of two warriors and their drake companion. And, finally, the ice volcano was dormant on this face of the mountain. The true hazards of the journey lay within Zyryxa herself. Stripped of the distractions of preparation and banter, she was engulfed in a blizzard of grief and fury. Thoughts crashed against her consciousness: the irrevocable loss of her mother and the fury toward all who failed her. Even Valinax, with his divinedamned warning, didn¡¯t escape her ire. Zyryxa didn¡¯t feel like talking and Lexyn wasn¡¯t the most verbose companion. The silence left her turmoil amplified. Dryxl, the traitorous drake, hovered near Lexyn as if vying for her favor. Zyryxa yearned to flee, to fight something tangible, but abandoning Lexyn on the mountainside wasn¡¯t an option. Not even the breathtaking beauty of the Volqori wilderness, sprawling out before her, could dispel her miserable mood. She led them downhill, towards the Everice, impatient to trace the eternally frozen river northward to the sea, where finally she might find worthy targets for her wrath. From their high vantage, they saw homesteads dotting the tundra. Knowing that families lived within their gelubor palisades and cabins made Zyryxa shake with anger at what Saevah and this divinedamned war had taken from her, what the Rite of the Dragon Warrior deprived her of. She forced herself to get to know Lexyn, hoping it would drive away her angst. ¡°So, what are the key differences between Volqori physiology and the other races?¡± Lexyn startled, as if astonished that Zyryxa was still there. Her eyes remained alert on her surroundings, her hand never loosening its grip on her bow. She stayed close to the drake. She was in for a surprise if she thought Dryxl would rush to her defense. ¡°Um, which differences d-d-do you know?¡± ¡°We are superior to the other races.¡± Lexyn frowned. ¡°In some ways, perhaps. A petite Volqori woman might lift more than a hulking Leverian.¡± Lexyn said, growing more confident as she discussed her expertise. ¡°Volqori muscle is dense, granting superhuman strength.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m stronger than Pelzyq. My muscles are denser even though his are larger.¡± Lexyn nodded. ¡°Size matters, but density matters more. The Ice Champion outweighs Pelzyq, despite him being taller and broader.¡± ¡°Strength can be deceiving,¡± Zyryxa said, noting her initial impressions of Lexyn¡¯s frailty. ¡°Absolutely,¡± Lexyn agreed. ¡°Our advantages also lie in our skin and our blood. Those with more affinity to the ice dragons and the cold have tougher skin.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t forget your arrow shattering against Vaztyma¡¯s chest.¡± ¡°Nor will I,¡± Lexyn said, smiling. ¡°Neither will Dryxl forget our first encounter. Eh, Dryx?¡± Zyryxa nudged the drake. The fiend edged closer to Lexyn. Zyryxa glared at him. ¡°And how does our blood differ from the other races?¡± ¡°The rest of the world has red blood.¡± ¡°Red? Really?¡± It was hard to imagine blood that wasn¡¯t blue. Lexyn grinned. ¡°Truly. Ice Tribe blood is thicker, allowing us to endure freezing temperatures that would kill anyone else within moments. The Fire Tribe, in contrast, has extremely thin blood that lets them survive in heat that would cripple us instantaneously.¡± ¡°And it is orange,¡± Zyryxa added, knowing the denizens of northern Volqor to bleed thusly. ¡°Exactly!¡± Zyryxa flexed. ¡°Sneaky, superhuman muscles, beautiful, draconic skin, and thick, blue blood.¡± Lexyn kept her gaze lowered. ¡°So,¡± Zyryxa said gently, ¡°you mentioned we¡¯re only superior in some ways. What strengths does your Leverian heritage give you?¡± ¡°None,¡± Lexyn muttered. ¡°My skin is too pink and isn¡¯t as tough, my blood isn¡¯t as thick¡ªit¡¯s too dark like my hair¡ªand my muscles are small and weak.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Zyryxa paused, her heart aching for Lexyn. She wished she could make Lexyn believe in herself, like Queen Alexia Leveria. ¡°A Leverian once bested both the Fire Champion and the Ice Champion, along with their dragons, at the same time.¡± ¡°The Love Queen was the most powerful cognitive-affectomancer the world has ever known.¡± Lexyn trembled. ¡°I¡¯m nobody. I shouldn¡¯t even be alive.¡± ¡°You survived the Rite of the Dragon Warrior! You are tough, powerful, your hair is beautiful, and your blood is more than good enough. Besides, you are someone to me.¡± Lexyn shook her head. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be anyone to you.¡± Lexyn, eyes misted, lips trembling, she stared morosely at Zyryxa. ¡°I should have died on that divinedamned rite.¡± Divinedamned rite. Zyryxa recoiled. Criticizing the Rite of the Dragon Warrior was blasphemy against the Ice Tribe, against Divine Qoryxa herself. ¡°Without the rite, we might as well try to make arrows from unshaved sticks.¡± Lexyn¡¯s glare burned into Zyryxa¡¯s icy resolve before she turned and continued down the trail. Zyryxa watched her go, Dryxl padding faithfully beside her. Two paths lay ahead: to uphold tradition and condemn the deviant, or to seek understanding of heretical thoughts. Zyrthalla¡¯s teachings urged compassion, to hear the full story before rendering judgment. Zyryxa called after Lexyn, ¡°One day, I will be Ice¡¯s Champion. I will decide which traditions to uphold and which to change. Since the time of Divine Qoryxa and Divine Seraxa, the Rite of the Dragon Warrior has kept our tribes strong. But just because something has always been done one way doesn¡¯t mean it must remain so forever. If you have better ideas, I would hear them.¡± ¡°Volqor will never want to hear what I have to say,¡± Lexyn murmured, continuing down the mountain. ¡°I am not Volqor,¡± Zyryxa asserted softly. ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°Nobody would listen to me.¡± Zyryxa caught up to Lexyn and stood in her path. She took Lexyn¡¯s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, and smiled. ¡°I am listening, Lexyn.¡± Lexyn freed her hand, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°Hyzqar was a talented medican. He was funny, kind, and handsome. He could have matched wits with you just like Valinax. He was my best friend.¡± Lexyn¡¯s voice broke with sobs. ¡°He was my older brother. In Leveria, he would have lived a good life and saved many lives. In Volqor, he died before his seventeenth year.¡± Zyryxa felt the tears freeze on her cheeks. Today, she did not brush them away. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around Lexyn. Words choked in her throat, unable to express the depth of empathy she felt for such profound grief. ¡°Why did he have to die?¡± Lexyn sobbed. Zyryxa struggled for words, grasping for explanations to ease Lexyn¡¯s pain: he was not strong enough for Volqor, Qoryxa wanted him to return to the Ice with her, the tribe needs dragon knights, not medicans. All her justifications felt hollow. Why did such a promising young man, capable of saving countless lives and bringing to joy to others, have to die? Where once Zyryxa looked upon perfect ice, she now saw a crack that she could neither mend nor look away from. Fears for her little brother Abbacyx that she had buried in the snow resurfaced. She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing him too. There had to be a better way. Lexyn pushed Zyryxa away. ¡°I¡¯ll spend the rest of my short life in fear because I had to be forged into your stupid fucking arrow! The rite took a piece of wood that was perfectly fine where it was, that had purpose, family, and a home, and snapped me apart, again and again, into something that will never fly.¡± She buried her face in her cloak, bawling. Zyryxa wanted to banish Lexyn¡¯s pain, to tell her that surviving made her worthy in Qoryxa¡¯s eyes, that she would soar on a dragon¡¯s back. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. Tears flowed freely now, her breath ragged as she wrestled with her understanding of the world. For seventeen years, Zyryxa was told what was right and tried desperately to cling to the perfect ice, but tradition¡¯s justifications did not mend the crack. Yes, the Rite of the Dragon Warrior proved a Volqori¡¯s worthiness to bond a dragon, but was it necessary to send a couple hundred sixteen-year-olds into the wilderness each year, knowing that more of them would die than survive, when there were never more than thirteen ice dragons? Did every Volqori need to be a dragon warrior? Even among those who survived the Rite of the Dragon Warrior, few would ever initiate the Rite of the Dragon Knight, and far fewer would succeed. Instead, the majority that survived until thirty became artisans, craftsmen, homesteaders, parents who never aspired to fly or fight forever. Why did hundreds need to die each year when in thirteen years most ended up doing the same thing anyway? What of the meritocracy? Nations like Kavova and Leveria were constantly at war over family names and inheritances. In these places, prestigious pedigrees were given favor over merit. The Rite of the Dragon Warrior stripped away one¡¯s inheritance and family name. Each person, whether born to a champion or born even to a Scaleless could become anything once they survived the rite. Yet, Zyryxa felt in her own heart the cost she paid. She was not there when her mother died and she was not even allowed to think of her as her mother anymore. Was there not some better way to maintain meritocracy without forcing parents and children to separate and pretend they were strangers? Zyryxa knelt beside Lexyn. ¡°You¡¯re right. There must be a better way.¡± She reached out her hand. ¡°Will you help me find it?¡± Lexyn emerged from behind her cloak with red-rimmed eyes, cheeks covered in frozen tears, iced lashes, and one of the most wonderful smiles Zyryxa ever saw. ¡°You aren¡¯t going to abandon me?¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Never.¡± She chuckled softly. ¡°I don¡¯t think Dryxl would let me.¡± Lexyn snorted, wiped away her tears, and took Zyryxa¡¯s hand. ¡°To making Volqor a better place¡ªfor everyone.¡± ¡°For those like Hyzqar,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°for those like Lexyn, and for those like Zyryxa.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget those like Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn added with a mischievous grin. ¡°Maybe not everyone,¡± Zyryxa laughed. Chapter 9: Moonlight Moonlight bathed the freshly fallen snow in a deep blue glow, casting enough light to travel through the night. Zyryxa¡¯s pride demanded she press on, dreading the thought of Pelzyq''s smug, ugly face greeting her at Riverwatch. Her pride was especially sensitive this eve, having been caught off-guard by a dozen snow sprites at dusk, masquerading as ice packed against the mountain¡¯s snow. She slaughtered them with Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe, turning them into inanimate gems¡ªor as Dryxl would call them, dinner. The drake did the unfathomable, shielding Lexyn from a blast of ice while Zyryxa bore the full brunt of the ambush. Then, the darkscale mustered the courage to devour one of the sprites as it floated through the air toward Lexyn. Zyryxa, on the other hand, finished the fight with frost burns on her cheek. She massaged her cheek, grateful there was neither swelling nor the threat of scars to mar her perfect face. ¡°Thanks again,¡± she said. Lexyn perked up, hugging herself tightly as the wind cut through her layers. ¡°Calidex flower,¡± her teeth chattered, ¡°purple saxifrage ¡­ p-p-perfect for f-f-frost burns.¡± Zyryxa fluttered her eyelids. ¡°My hero. You, my Lexyn, are like moonlight breaking through dark clouds. You are the light in my darkness. The¡ª¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Lexyn said, a sweet blush coloring her lovely cheeks. She was too adorable to tease and too important to freeze. Zyryxa knew Lexyn would stoically march through the night just to keep from letting her down. Zyryxa would not be the one to let her down. ¡°Brrr,¡± Zyryxa said, exaggerating a shiver and chattering her teeth ¡°I need to get out of this wind and get a fire going, or I¡¯ll become a snow sprite myself.¡± Lexyn pointed north. ¡°I sp-sp-spent a few days hiding in the gelubor over there.¡± ¡°Lead the way.¡± Lexyn stalked into a gelubor forest on a lower ridge of mighty Monzqora¡¯s east face. After ducking through clusters of low branches and tracing a small trail, she found her old hideaway nestled in a small clearing within the thicker growth. The place looked ransacked¡ªtrees torn apart and her old gelubor shelter demolished. Large, frosted, drake tracks and claw marks abundant in the carnage.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Zyryxa put her nose to the ground, sniffing for any trace of scent and measuring how much snow had fallen into the prints. ¡°You left this spot about three days ago?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lexyn said, gathering kindling from the remnants of her former shelter. ¡°A coldscale drake came to make sure your fire stayed dead.¡± Lexyn piled the gelubor branches into a small pit. ¡°Creatures of ice tend to feel that way.¡± Zyryxa struck sparks with her steel and lit the kindling. ¡°The coldscale might still be near. I¡¯ll keep the first watch.¡± Lexyn huddled near the heat. ¡°You sure?¡± Zyryxa set a log beside the fire and took her place. ¡°I¡¯m not that tired. Besides,¡± she leaned forward, ¡°I¡¯m not sure I can trust some sex-deprived half-Leverian to watch over me.¡± Lexyn snorted. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t disappoint you there, Zyryxa.¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯d be disappointed?¡± Lexyn lowered her gaze to the fire. ¡°Leverians believe love is a product of having sex enough times to please their Divine Leverith. The Ice Tribe values outer beauty above all else.¡± She lifted her gaze. ¡°What¡¯s so wrong with loving people for who they are? I don¡¯t care if the man I love is some well-endowed, perfectly-sculpted hunk. All I care about is if he cares about me and shares my values.¡± Zyryxa swallowed, hugging herself. ¡°I¡¯m not disappointed in you, Lexyn.¡± She forced a smile. ¡°I want a partner who cares about me and isn¡¯t a total piece of Pelzyq.¡± Lexyn chortled. ¡°Besides,¡± Zyryxa continued, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want anyone too close to being as pretty as me, so you could count yourself as safe from my advances.¡± Lexyn shook her head and laid out her cloak. ¡°Good night, Zyryxa, and thank you.¡± ¡°What for, beautiful?¡± Lexyn looked up at the moon. ¡°For being moonlight breaking through dark clouds.¡± As Lexyn drifted off to sleep, Zyryxa inhaled the moonlight, watching Dryxl curl up beside her. She would have to cuddle herself to sleep for the foreseeable future. Instead of feeling jilted, Zyryxa felt a wave of relief. There was no better moonlight to guide her than having Lexyn as a best friend without the trappings of lust between them. Dryxl, on the other hand, had to be dealt with. Zyryxa examined the claw marks and footprints left behind by the fire-hating coldscale drake. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! She was tired of crying, as yet another beloved memory turned to a dagger of ice twisting in her heart¡­ Chapter 10: Drake Hunting It was a perfect day for seven-year-old Zyryxa. She rode with her mother through endless stretches of tundra, hills, valleys, gelubor forest, and frozen glades, Tyxl¡¯s cold scales glimmering in the sunlight beneath them. Zyryxa was a princess, and her mother was the knight. This princess didn¡¯t need protection; she had her own throwing axes and was determined to catch her own drake today. The knight was there for pleasant conversation and to assuage the concerns of the princess¡¯s parents. Like any devoted knight, Zyrthalla fed the princess¡¯s dreams with unwavering faith in her liege. When Zyryxa found tracks in the snow, Zyrthalla pretended to be surprised and impressed, though she had subtly guided them to the footprints. They secured Tyxl to a sturdy rock and, Zyryxa¡¯s heart pounding, followed the tracks on foot. Zyryxa, gripping her long-hafted throwing axe with a net bound to her back, tracked the drake like an Isihlan shadow¡ªmoving from cover to cover, spending excessive daylight searching for signs of her quarry. Zyrthalla never rushed her. She exaggerated her own stealth, asking the princess to signal her when it was safe to move, using a hand motion they agreed upon. Zyryxa leapt into snow behind fallen gelubor, slid up hills on her belly, lifted her knees high, and set her feet gently to avoid making a sound. She followed the tracks until she spotted the small coldscale. The creature chewed on a rock the size of seven-year-old Zyryxa¡¯s head, oblivious to the little princess clutching her axe. Imagining herself as a dragon knight like her mother, Zyryxa hurled the axe overhead as if battling mighty Duilahir for her rightful bond. It spun through the air and struck the drake¡¯s side, cracking a thin white scale and lodging in the soft flesh beneath. The drake staggered and let out a howl. Zyryxa charged, sprinting like a sabretooth, and rammed the wounded drake before it could escape. They tumbled in the snow, Zyryxa clinging to the coldscale¡¯s body as it fought to get up. Though she had the heart of a warrior, at seven, she lacked the strength. This small creature flung her into the air. She rolled, eating snow, and roared. The princess surged to her feet, determination turning to rage. Zyrthalla called for her to throw her second axe, but Zyryxa knew she had to dominate this beast with sheer will. She charged again, showing the creature which one of them should truly be afraid. The coldscale spat ice stones. Zyryxa dodged the first spray, smashed the second aside with her axe, and let the last one hit her to prove her superiority. The drake charged her, but she spun out of the way, the net flowing into the space where she had stood. Using the drake¡¯s momentum, the net swallowed the monster, and the drake crashed, tangled on the webbing. Zyryxa cinched the net tight, imprisoning the creature. It clawed and gnashed his teeth, but she held on. It struggled, trying to stand, and Zyryxa pulled the net, slamming the beast back to the ground. It flopped like a fish, its cries desperate. Still, the drake thrashed and Zyryxa struggled, her fingers burning, doubt creeping in. Just when she was about to let go, her mother roared, ¡°Hold! Victory approaches, my princess!¡± Zyryxa couldn¡¯t disappoint her. She roared, her high-pitched shriek echoing across the tundra. The drake set its head in the snow, the fight fleeing its body. Her mother taught her how to hum a tune and stroke the defeated drake until it was soothed and submissive. She guided her while she rode the conquered beast, helping each time Zyryxa nearly fell off the unsaddled drake. The princess graciously accepted the coaching, admitting that even if the knight wasn¡¯t needed for protection, her instruction was invaluable. Zyrthalla¡¯s proud smiles, their shared giggles, and the triumph of riding her own drake made Zyryxa feel as if she could climb Monzqora and claim Duilahir. That night they sat on their rooftop, atop the tallest hill of Loxzua, watching the sunset over the sea. The orange and purple sky gave way to the blue moon and an ocean of stars. But Zyryxa only had eyes for her mother, the tall, muscular woman with long blue hair streaked with silver. Ten years later, she could still smell her mother¡¯s perfume mixed with the windblown salt from the sea, still feel her mother¡¯s strong arm around her back, still see those proud blue eyes, and, most of all, hear her voice like a song. ¡°You did well today, my princess.¡± Seventeen-year-old Zyryxa, touching the coldscale tracks in the ruin of Lexyn¡¯s hideaway, choked on sobs, remembering her mother¡¯s love that night. They had recited play-by-plays of her conquest over the drake. When they finished, her mother tossed her in the air and swung her around, pretending she flew upon a dragon. ¡°Fly, Duilahir! To the Frostmelt!¡± the little girl commanded. Zyrthalla grinned. ¡°Duilahir?¡± ¡°Uh huh! We will be guardians of Ice and Fire, keepers of peace, and beautiful champions of ice!¡± Her mother beamed, swinging Zyryxa with more intensity. ¡°And soaring beside Duilahir is Qorzillux and her rider, proud to call Zyryxa her Champion!¡± Back in the gelubor forest, on a low ridge of Monzqora¡¯s east face, Zyryxa curled into a ball and wept for the future fate had stolen from her. She clawed at the snow, wishing she could bring her mother back to life so they could share their promised flight. But the powder slipped through her fingers, just like all her shattered dreams. She couldn¡¯t revive the person who taught her to believe she could do anything.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Zyryxa surged to her feet, desperate to escape this powerlessness that weighed her down and left her feeling weak. She stalked through the night, tracking the drake that demolished Lexyn¡¯s camp. The wind blew into her tear-streaked face, masking her scent, while her snowsuit blended her into the snow-covered forest. She was no longer a child playing princess; she was a warrior, moving low and fast with deadly proficiency. As she closed in on her quarry, memories taunted her: drakes caught, wyrms slain, vistas shared, and warm embraces. A childhood¡¯s worth of the warm, sweet memories that made her love life turned bitter and cold in her hateful heart. She could no longer see her mother¡¯s smile, only her drowned face and the smug grin of her killer. With each step, she drew closer to killing Saevah. The moon had barely shifted when she found the coldscale¡¯s den, a hollow beneath an overhanging cliff. The white drake, the largest she¡¯d ever seen, sat on its haunches, oblivious. For the last three hundred feet, there was no cover. The moonlight worked against her now. The distance was too vast to charge, and she couldn¡¯t risk a chaotic chase across the mountainside. Guilt gnawed at her for leaving Lexyn undefended, but not as much as the memory of her mother¡¯s pride the day she caught her first drake. ¡°Dryxl will protect her,¡± Zyryxa whispered. She dropped to her stomach and crawled toward the coldscale, pressing her face into the snow whenever it glanced her way. It was slow going, but soon she would be close enough to strike. Zyryxa was fifty feet away, preparing to spring, when a grunt behind her alerted the coldscale. For once, Dryxl should have been late. The darkscale male huffed, charging toward the coldscale female. The female spat a cluster of icy rock at him in judgment. The lust-blinded darkscale took more than one hit, and he crashed into the snow. Zyryxa skulked forth while the coldscale was distracted. Her roar was no longer the shrill shriek of a girl playing princess but the mighty bellow of a dragon warrior. She dodged the first cluster of ice rocks, smashed through the second with her mother¡¯s greataxe, and permitted the last batch of rocks to hit her in the side. Her technique remained unchanged because nothing made a drake piss on its claws like knowing that it could neither hit nor hurt this huntress. Unlike Dryxl and most others she had caught in the decade since her first hunt, this proud coldscale did not yield its bladder. Zyryxa stepped aside the coldscale¡¯s charge and drove the greataxe¡¯s haft into the drake¡¯s skull. Most drakes would surrender after such a blow; this freak of nature got angrier and attacked. Zyryxa didn¡¯t see the tail swipe and the spikes broke through her suit and slashed into her shin. The blow only sharpened her determination. Zyryxa slammed into the drake¡¯s side, her legs pumping and her arms pushing the eight-hundred-pound beast until it collapsed. She seized the drake¡¯s legs and flipped it to keep the claws away from her face, then locked her arms around the coldscale¡¯s neck, her body pressing into the beast¡¯s powerful back. The coldscale thrashed, its spiked tail scraping into Zyryxa¡¯s back. She held on, pressing the coldscale into the ground. She headbutted the drake, ears ringing and vision blurring, as she choked the beast. The cold air stung Zyryxa¡¯s exposed, bloody back, and her muscles screamed with the exertion of holding down a beast half again her height and several hundred pounds heavier. She shifted her body, using her leg to pin the beast¡¯s tail as it grew weaker, if not less determined to throw her. The coldscale tried spitting more ice rocks, but only cold air puffed out of its empty stomach. Dryxl mounted the beast. ¡°Divines, Dryx! Get off!¡± Zyryxa roared. The horny beast didn¡¯t listen until Zyryxa¡¯s booted foot connected with his head. Zyryxa¡¯s muscles burned, and doubt crept in as the beast seemed to grow stronger after Dryxl¡¯s mating attempt regardless of suffocation. Just when she was about to give out, Zyryxa remembered her mother rallying cry: Hold! Victory approaches, my princess! Zyryxa hummed a lullaby and nudged the coldscale with her head, praising her tenacity, strength, and beauty. The proud coldscale tried several more times to toss her. Each time, Zyryxa restrained her, continuing the lullaby: Hush now, mighty dragon, lay your head to rest, Glide through frozen dreams, where the snow is best, Hear the winds whisper, in the moon¡¯s blue light, Gently now, oh gently, let your heart take flight. The beast whined. Her thrashes were not gentle, nor did Zyryxa allow the coldscale to make her fly. She sang more of the song her mother used to sing her: Crystals in the starlight, twinkling from above, Feel the cold embrace you, wrapped in icy love, Breathe the frosty air in, let your fears subside, In this world of silence, with the stars as guide. Zyryxa cried, but she held on, singing as if to her mother: Hush, oh hush, my dragon, dreams of ice and peace, In this realm of winter, let your troubles cease, Feel the snowflakes falling, like a soft caress, Sleep now, sleep, my dragon, in the night¡¯s embrace. The coldscale started to soothe. Zyryxa did not let go as the sobs rushed out of her: Tides of Qoryxa¡¯s magic, flow within your soul, Calm the raging blizzard, make your spirit whole, Rest now, mighty dragon, in the land of snow, Safe within this stillness, let your worries go. At last, she felt the coldscale surrender. Zyryxa wept. ¡°You were my whole world, and now,¡± her voice broke, ¡°and now I must live in a world without you.¡± She stroked the proud white scales on the drake¡¯s reptilian head and kissed them, tasting the ice and salt on her lips. ¡°You are like her, the most beautiful, proudest, and mightiest of drakes.¡± Zyryxa smiled and petted the drake. ¡°You even have her colors, blue and white. Zyrxl, I name you.¡± Zyryxa looked up to see Lexyn trying to soothe an agitated Dryxl. There was no small satisfaction that the creature seemed envious. Lexyn beamed at her. ¡°That was beautiful, Zyryxa. You could ¡­ be a bard.¡± Zyryxa hollered with laughter. Zyrxl tensed in her arms, but did not try to run. She soothed the beast again with her mother¡¯s lullaby, Lexyn watching moon-eyed, chin in her palms as she sat beside the darkscale that was now her problem. Zyryxa smiled at Zyrxl, glad to finally have a drake worthy of the proud Zyr name Chapter 11: The Homestead They rode north along the Everice for two days. Lexyn growing comfortable in Dryxl¡¯s saddle while Zyryxa bonded with her wild coldscale. Lexyn¡¯s herbs and medica proved invaluable, preventing infection, reducing pain, and binding the myriad wounds from Zyrxl¡¯s spiked tail during their first encounter. She even mended the gashes in Zyryxa¡¯s snowsuit, revealing her skill with a needle and solving the mystery of how her original clothes from the rite had been so well-maintained. During the day, they made great progress. Zyrxl and Zyryxa ran down aggressors with the wyrmbone lance while Lexyn practiced launching arrows from drakeback. But the nights were harder. The cold bit at Lexyn¡¯s slender, half-Leverian frame, and she grew skittish in the dark. Zyryxa, noticing her shivers, offered to could huddle together, but even then, Lexyn trembled through the night. On the second evening of riding, as the sun dimmed behind clouds, Zyryxa spotted a smoke stack climbing into the sky. Lexyn¡¯s eyes sparkled with yearning, though she never uttered her desires. ¡°Hey, Lex, I wonder if those homesteaders need help. Maybe they could shelter us for the night too.¡± Lexyn suppressed a wide smile. She nodded. ¡°I¡¯m game.¡± ¡°Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa said, her lip curling, ¡°stop telling me you¡¯re game; you¡¯re so much more to me than a piece of meat.¡± Shaking her head, Lexyn grinned at Zyryxa¡¯s sorry excuse of a joke. Their smiles vanished as they approached the homestead. The palisade was cracked, with a broken gate left ajar. Zyrxl and Dryxl pressed their noses to the snow, lapping up viscous puddles of blue blood that trailed from the open gate. Direwolf prints in the snow told a tragic tale. There were dead to avenge. Zyryxa¡¯s grip tightened on the wyrmbone lance. Her eyes traced the tracks, judging them to be about half a day old, their numbers to be around a dozen, heading northeast into the tundra. With Zyrxl, she could hunt them before dawn. ¡°They might have wounded,¡± Lexyn muttered. ¡°Halt!¡± An old woman¡¯s upper half emerged over the white palisade, a readied longbow in her hands. Her hair was graying with bangs hiding whether she had a warriormark or was Scaleless. Zyryxa assumed the latter; no one with pride would hide the dragon on their forehead. ¡°Leave now or find an arrow in ye. Yer choice.¡± Zyryxa bit her lip and took a breath. Her mother had taught her to reserve judgment until hearing the whole story. Zyryxa dismounted, set the lance down, and took a step toward the homestead. ¡°We are dragon warriors in service to the Ice Champion Vaztyma, journeying to Riverwatch. We¡¯re willing to offer our services.¡± The woman drew her bow. ¡°We don¡¯t want ye!¡± ¡°Lower your arrow, Hemza.¡± A grizzled, gray-haired warrior with a burnt face stepped through the palisade opening. Though his hideous face could use some concealment, he at least showed his warriormark. ¡°We can¡¯t trust em, Borz!¡± ¡°I say whether we ken trust em or not!¡± Borz snapped. He offered a half-hearted smile. ¡°We¡¯ve had hard times, warriors. Direwolves attacked before dawn, wounded one and¡­¡± He swallowed, staving off tears. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to have a surgeon among ye?¡± Lexyn¡¯s lips parted and quivered, no words emerging. Zyryxa gestured to her mounted companion. ¡°Lexyn is a trained medican and herbalist. I¡¯ve never met one better.¡± ¡°Bless Qoryxa,¡± Borz cried. ¡°Please, we can shelter ye as long as ye need if ye can help Eiryn.¡± Lexyn nodded, urging Dryxl forward. Zyryxa never took her gaze off the Scaleless on the scaffolding. The woman lowered her aim and looked away, but kept her arrow nocked. Inside the homestead, four small huts surrounded a pavilion. Several scaffolds served as makeshift ramparts, a stack of gelubor lumber leaning against one hut. Faces peered from the openings with more than a few with bangs or headbands over their forehead. Zyryxa dared not disturb their melancholy silence. Two direwolves hung in the pavilion where a boy near rite age tended a huge kettle. The direwolves were hacked apart, their heads were displayed on spikes. A yak lay dead, ripped apart by fang and claw, and more puddles of blood trailed from one of the huts. Borz led them there. He paused outside, lowering his voice. ¡°Eiryn tried to ward off the direwolves, tried to protect her Eiral.¡± His lips quivered as he studied Lexyn. ¡°I already gotta bury a little girl. I dunno know if I ken watch her mother return to the ice too.¡± Lexyn lowered her eyes, her hands trembling. ¡°She will do her best,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°and her best is divinedamned good.¡± Borz nodded and pushed open the door. Inside, a man in his thirties sat beside a woman covered in blankets by the hearth. He didn¡¯t look up as they entered, his gaze fixed on the woman. A small lump lay covered beside the unconscious woman. Eiral. The girl couldn¡¯t have been more than a few years old. Live in the homesteads was hard, such was the Volqori way. But this was a death Zyryxa couldn¡¯t abide. Her fingers tingled, yearning to take her axe to these direwolves. The butchery outside hadn¡¯t gone far enough. ¡°Varrex,¡± Borz said softly, ¡°this warrior is a surgeon.¡± Varrex didn¡¯t look up. He took Eiryn¡¯s hand. ¡°Eiryn. Don¡¯t go yet. We¡¯ve brought help. You¡¯re gonna be okay.¡± He glanced toward the covered body. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be.¡± Zyryxa nudged Lexyn forward. ¡°My broodsister here is better with her needle than her bow, and I¡¯ve never seen a better shot with a bow. She will do whatever anyone can for Eiryn.¡± Varrex gazed at Lexyn, his eyes ringed with red. ¡°You¡¯ll save her?¡± Lexyn retracted the blankets covering Eiryn. Zyryxa had a strong stomach, but she nearly vomited. More than a dozen bites, swaths of yellowed flesh leaking putrid pus, ugly sutures binding her together ¡­ Zyryxa had to avert her gaze. Unless Lexyn was secretly a cognitive-affectomancer, Eiryn lay in her deathbed. ¡°Can you help?¡± Borz asked, his head turned away from the injuries. Lexyn, to her credit, didn¡¯t look away from her patient. ¡°I-I ... maybe.¡± ¡°Maybe?¡± Varrex moaned. ¡°Maybe?¡± He staggered to his feet, tipping an empty flagon over. The big man loomed over Lexyn. ¡°I thought you were the best?¡± Lexyn¡¯s eyes drifted back to her feet. ¡°I n-n-need to open the w-w-wound and cl-clean it. I will d-do m-my b-b-b-best, b-but¡ª ¡°But Eiryn¡¯s body needs to win this fight,¡± Zyryxa finished. ¡°Lexyn is the best at what she does. If anyone can give Eiryn a chance, Qoryxa has brought her here.¡± Varrex clenched his jaw and gave a curt nod. ¡°Eiryn is a helluva fighter. Damn direwolves went for¡­¡± He shook his head and stepped aside. Lexyn opened her satchel and produced tools and herbs. She took out a bowl, mixed an orange herb with snow, and spread the concoction gently over Eiryn¡¯s wounds. Like magic, the wounds bubbled, and the stitching dissolved. Eiryn moaned weakly. Varrex stepped toward his mate. ¡°You¡¯re hurting her!¡± Lexyn flinched. Her hands shook, and she kept her head down. Zyryxa stepped between them. ¡°Are you Ice Tribe!¡± Varrex clenched his jaw and nodded. ¡°Is that a warriormark on your forehead!¡± His eyes narrowed, but he nodded again. Zyryxa pointed to Eiryn. ¡°Do you love her!¡± ¡°Aye!¡± She pointed toward the covered body of Eiral. ¡°And her!¡± Tears fell from his eyes. ¡°Aye.¡± Zyryxa gripped his shoulders. ¡°Then your battle is not in this room, brother Varrex. Retrieve your weapons. We have direwolves to slay.¡± Varrex stood taller. ¡°Aye!¡± Zyryxa set her forearm in front of his. Varrex followed suit, pressing his forearm against hers from elbow to wrist as she had seen thousands of times amongst her mother¡¯s warriors. ¡°Let¡¯s go, sister.¡± He rushed from the hut, greataxe in hand. Zyryxa watched Borz, the definitive patriarch of this homestead. The grizzled old man could¡¯ve taken issue with her seizing command. Instead, he grunted his approval. ¡°I will gather Herrax, and the four of us will put these beasts to death.¡± Zyryxa nodded, letting the man leave the hut. ¡°Thank you,¡± Lexyn mumbled. ¡°Does Eiryn have a chance?¡± Zyryxa asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her concern. ¡°I¡¯ve seen few recoveries more miraculous,¡± Lexyn said, her hands still trembling. ¡°And those were in a sanitary clinic stocked with supplies and medicans more experienced than I.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Don¡¯t discount yourself, Lexyn. We are all she needs.¡± Zyryxa smiled, trying to impart some of her confidence into her anxious sister. ¡°You will do your part, and I¡¯ll do mine. The God of Death will have his due. The lives of every direwolf in the pack for Eiryn; not even Zamael would call that a poorly balanced trade.¡± Lexyn managed a wobbly smile. ¡°Perhaps not.¡± Zyryxa gently tapped her on the shoulder. ¡°Love you, Lex. You¡¯ve got this.¡± Zyryxa took in the scene one last time. A mother who fought like a dragon to defend her little girl. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Zyryxa¡¯s own icy eyes stung with unshed tears. ¡°I love you too, Zyryxa,¡± Lexyn murmured as Zyryxa left the hut. The tears shed themselves now. It¡¯d been one year and three days since she heard those words. Zyryxa wiped the tears away, breathed in the icy air, and drew her mother¡¯s greataxe. Outside, Varrex, Borz, and the pre-rite boy who had tended the pavilion fire stood at the broken gate, weapons in hand. Their faces were set with grim determination. Zyryxa lifted her greataxe high, her voice ringing with fierce resolve that would make her mother proud. ¡°Brothers! By the will of Qoryxa, our blades shall strike true, and Ice¡¯s judgment will be delivered until every last direwolf is returned to the ice! For Eiral!¡± ¡°For Eiral!¡± they echoed, their voices a powerful chorus of vengeance. Zyryxa summoned Zyrxl and Dryxl, and the six of them bounded after the direwolves, the cold air filled with the promise of retribution. ************* Zyryxa fulfilled her end of her bargain with the Divine of Death. Under the blue light of the full moon, eleven dead direwolves lay scattered on the Everice. Zyryxa had slain eight; Zyrxl, Varrex, and Borz accounted for one each. ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes!¡± Borz roared. ¡°You woke the dragon!¡± Zyryxa beheaded the pack¡¯s mother, an enormous beast felled in one hit from a mounted lance. Atop Zyrxl, she had taken three more direwolves before vaulting from the drake and to slay two more with her greataxe. When Verrax, Borz, and Borz¡¯s son arrived, the direwolves scattered. Zyrxl slowed two by spraying rocks, then ripped one apart while Borz gutted the other. Dryxl wrestled with one until Verrax split it in two. The last two shouldn¡¯t have run in a straight line; Zyryxa¡¯s qoryxite throwing axes made quick, gruesome work of them. Holding the mother direwolf¡¯s head aloft, Zyryxa felt a surge of exultation. Yet, she craved more, like a starving soul only given a taste. She imagined the head of a beautiful golden woman, red hair and blue eyes, orange blood flowing from her neck. But Saevah roamed free, flying over Volqor, while Zyrthalla was returned to the ice. The empty trophy felt meaningless. Zyryxa hurled it to Varrex. ¡°For Eiral!¡± Varrex spat on the head, then repeatedly slammed it against the ice. This was his vengeance, not hers. Zyryxa felt teased, deprived, hollowed out with rage pulsing in her heart. She helped Borz and Herrax gather the direwolves, lifting the four-hundred-pound carcasses over her head and tossing them into a pile. All the while, she wished she were throwing Saevah around like a divinedamned doll before tearing her limb from limb and ripping her head from her fucking neck. Zamael had his due, but Zyryxa did not have hers. Zyrxl and Dryxl licked up blood across the battlefield, their feast punctuated by draconic howls at the full moon. Zyryxa found herself staring up at the great shimmering orb, wondering how Saevah could see the same sight and know nothing of her pain. Borz strode up beside her. ¡°The Dark Brother takes his due when the moon is big and blue.¡± ¡°Death comes at any time. Keep your axe sharp and put stock in that instead of superstition.¡± Borz frowned, his hideously burnt face contorting. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a few more Zamael Waxings than you, proud warrior. Death comes more often on nights like this.¡± He gestured to the carcass pile. ¡°Just ask them.¡± Verrax approached, his voice urgent. ¡°We need to get moving. It¡¯ll be damn near dawn by the time we get back to the stead.¡± ¡°No,¡± Borz said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s too late, and the stead is too far. Last thing we need is to get ambushed in the dark and leave Eiryn without her mate.¡± Verrax loomed over Borz. ¡°I¡¯m going with or without you.¡± Drakeheaded men. Zyryxa sighed, the distraction from her vengeance ironically calming her. ¡°I get it,¡± Borz said, ¡°You know I¡¯ve buried a mate. That¡¯s why I¡¯m trying to make sure Eiryn keeps hers.¡± Verrax glared at Borz, gesturing to the pre-rite boy. ¡°And yet you don¡¯t know shit about losing your own kid.¡± ¡°I know more than you think.¡± ¡°Not the same, old man. Not the same at all!¡± Borz shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s worse. You weren¡¯t there when yours needed you. I,¡± Borz swallowed hard, ¡°I turned mine away.¡± ¡°She wasn¡¯t yours no more.¡± Borz gripped the bigger man¡¯s furs. ¡°They never stop being yours! Don¡¯t matter if ye can¡¯t call em yours no more.¡± Verrax pushed Borz off, then the older man rushed him. They grappled, Borz pushing Verrax back while Verrax tried to throw him. Borz kept his feet moving and brought Verrax down beside the carcass pile. Verrax twisted on top of Borz, who threw a punch and kicked Verrax in the groin. The younger man spilled into the snow, howling as he gripped his loins. ¡°Had enough!¡± Borz yelled. Roaring, Verrax surged to his feet. They charged each other again like rutting tarandruxes. ¡°Stop!¡± the boy hollered. Invisible and mute, like most pre-rite children, his input was ignored. He readied to rush into the fray, but Zyryxa put a hand on his chest. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡± She gripped Verrax¡¯s shoulders and flung him into a snowbank, then shoved Borz onto the ice. ¡°Enough!¡± Verrax staggered to his feet, inhaling like an enraged drake, but stepped back from the fight, arms folded over his chest. Borz stomped toward Verrax, only to be knocked back down by Zyryxa. ¡°You done?¡± Zyryxa asked Borz. The burnt man nodded. ¡°Then let us remember that we are friends.¡± Both opened their mouths to protest. Zyrxl and Dryxl stood beside Zyryxa, growling, and the men fell silent. Zyryxa scrambled for a plan, her heart wanting to keep moving but her mind knowing that could be disastrous. She looked at Verrax. ¡°I¡¯m not going to stop you,¡± then she gestured to the boy, ¡°but I¡¯m not leaving a pre-rite youth behind. I suggest you trust in Eiryn and do what she would want you to do.¡± ¡°You know what she¡¯d say,¡± Borz interjected. Verrax¡¯s scowl sagged and he hid his eyes behind his hand. ¡°Fine. But only because Eiral¡¯s avenger is staying.¡± ¡°Get some wood, boy,¡± Borz told his son. Zyryxa wanted to escape these two but dared not leave them alone yet. The boy glanced at her, a twinkle in his eye as his lips curled up. ¡°I could use a hand.¡± She twisted her head and turned her back to him. He was handsome, and she¡¯d seen him haul direwolf carcasses. Still, pre-rite youth were forbidden partners. The only exceptions were when vile dragon champions took youth for themselves, and the bards did not speak well of them. For once, Zyryxa sided with the bards. It was best to pretend he didn¡¯t exist. She didn¡¯t even want to know him as anything more than ¡°boy.¡± ¡°That slaughter worked up my appetite,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°I¡¯m going to carve us some direwolf.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give ye a hand,¡± Verrax told the boy. ¡°Thanks, Verrax,¡± Borz said. ¡°I¡¯ll help the warrior with the wolf.¡± Zyryxa and Borz skinned the hide and then carved the prime meat on the wolf¡¯s back. The four spoke little, communicating only what was needed to get their tasks done well. Zyryxa had been too many firesides, but never one as somber as this one. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the spitting of the meat. The scent of the roast took her far away and long ago, up the Frostrise and onto the Frostmelt. Her fa¡­ Abbaz strummed his lute and told stories of legends like Dual Champion Fortyzma, Queen Alexia Leveria, and the twin divinities, Qoryxa and Seraxa. Syrixza and Qorrix would sit with them, their daughter Syra stealing glances with Zyryxa as they kept quiet. Often, Matyxal, the bard of the partnered Fire and Ice dragon knights, would join Abbaz in song with her inhumanely beautiful voice that could haunt or move you to tears with just a few notes. Memories of peace were disrupted when she recalled that Saevah had shared their fire more than once or twice. She felt a cold the fire couldn¡¯t touch. How long would it take to feel warm again? How long until she stopped crying herself to sleep? Would she feel whole again once Saevah was dead? She glanced at Verrax. His vacant stares into the fire did little to convince her that he felt better now that Eiral¡¯s killers were returned to the ice. Zyryxa startled when the boy offered her a strip of meat. ¡°Did you grow up in the homesteads?¡± he asked. Zyryxa kept her eyes away from him, not savoring the feeling of being rude. ¡°I was raised in Loxzua.¡± ¡°Ah, a pampered princess.¡± ¡°This pampered princess killed eight direwolves.¡± She met his gaze. ¡°How many did you kill?¡± The boy averted his eyes, his pale cheeks flushing. Borz hollered with laughter, and Zyryxa¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°Leave her be, my boy. I¡¯d bet the rest of my unburnt flesh that you¡¯ll be calling this princess ¡®Champion¡¯ when you get your warriormark.¡± Spirits lifted, Zyryxa gnawed at the meat. Tough and gamey, she worked harder to chew the meat than she did to kill the direwolf. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± She met Varrex¡¯s somber gaze. ¡°Zyryxa.¡± ¡°When you become a knight, Zyryxa, I promise Eiryn and I will join your swarm.¡± She forced a grin and nodded. The sounds of jaws struggling with meat joined the crackle of burning gelubor. Zyryxa kept avoiding the boy¡¯s gaze, and his father did nothing to make him stop. Zyrxl and Dryxl tussled over scraps of inedible or uncooked steak. Zyryxa kept thinking of Saevah, her low-pitched laugh after one of her mother¡¯s jokes. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t remember what her mom said, but she couldn¡¯t seem to forget that awful laugh. ¡°Verrax?¡± ¡°Zyryxa?¡± ¡°Does it feel any better?¡± ¡°When I cut through one of them, when I was thrashing the pack mother¡¯s head, I felt like I had power again.¡± Tears formed in his azure eyes. ¡°But it didn¡¯t last. Now I live in a world with thirteen dead direwolves but still no Eiral. Eiryn still fights Zamael, and I am miles away, powerless to do anything to help her.¡± He put his head in his hands and wept. Zyryxa strode from the fire and into the nearest gelubor copse. She wept for little Eiral, taken years before she could become herself. She wept for Eiryn, who fought for her life because she tried to give her daughter a future. She wept for Varrex, who avenged them but found nothing but emptiness in a world without the people that made his world whole. She wept for Lexyn, who carried Varrex¡¯s prayers and held so much of her own pain in her quiet heart. She wept for Zyrthalla, who lived well and died poorly. She wept for herself, who would never live in a world with Zyrthalla again, no matter if she killed Saevah. She wept, wiping at her eyes, looking up at the full moon, praying that Zamael held his end of the bargain. ************* Cheers erupted from the homesteaders as Zyryxa¡¯s hunting party returned, laden with as much of the direwolves as they could carry. ¡°Eiryn!¡± Verrax shouted, eyes fixed on his hut. Lexyn appeared in the doorway, smiling, as the homesteaders rushed to share news of Eiryn¡¯s recovery. Zyryxa exhaled the anxiety and breathed in sweet relief. Lexyn, you beautiful miracle. With tears in his eyes and a broad smile spreading across his face, Varrex pushed through the throng of homesteaders. ¡°Eiryn! Eiryn!¡± Lexyn stepped aside, a little victorious grin on her precious face. Zyryxa gave her a patented semi-stoic nod. Lexyn mimicked the motion adequately. Both laughed and Zyryxa embraced her broodsister. ¡°You saved her.¡± Lexyn closed her arms around Zyryxa. ¡°She saved herself.¡± Zyryxa pulled back, keeping her hands on the smaller warrior¡¯s arms. ¡°Give yourself some credit for once, Lex.¡± Lexyn looked down at her feet. Crushing a sigh, Zyryxa let it go. For now. Someday this girl would see herself for what she was. Until then, Zyryxa would work double to see her as the worthwhile person she was. The homesteaders flowed into the hut to witness the reunion, their infectious cheer lifting Zyryxa¡¯s spirits. She frowned, realizing the joy wouldn¡¯t last once they put Eiral back into the ice. Lexyn¡¯s voice broke through Zyryxa¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Ready to go?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to be the subject of their gratitude, do you?¡± Lexyn¡¯s silence spoke for her. ¡°Very well,¡± Zyryxa said, clapping her broodsister on the back. ¡°On to Riverwatch.¡± They made their way to the drakes, Dryxl¡¯s tail wagging as he rushed to lick Lexyn¡¯s hand. Borz took stock of their direwolf haul near the broken gate, the haggard Scaleless Hemza beside him. ¡°Leaving so soon?¡± Borz asked. ¡°We¡¯re needed on the frontlines of the war,¡± Zyryxa said. Borz touched his face, what little the fire had left of it. ¡°Qoryxa bless you both and leave you unburnt.¡± He set his jaw. ¡°Ride high, Zyryxa, and you too, Lexyn. You¡¯ll always be welcome in our steading.¡± ¡°Thank you, Borz.¡± Zyryxa looked at the Scaleless woman, and felt the unspoken understanding in her wary expression. The woman had failed to pass the Rite of the Dragon Warrior without accepting help, marking her as a shameful disgrace to the Ice Tribe. Zyryxa met her stare, gave her nod, and left the homestead behind. Chapter 12: Sharpening the Sword Zyryxa studied her companion closely as they journeyed north along the Everice. They passed white gelubor copses and vibrant green patches of viridix, which grew more abundant as Monzqora faded from view and the temperature rose. Lexyn had a knack for identifying threats before Zyryxa, her arrows flying swiftly and accurately from her bow, whether on Dryxl¡¯s back or on foot. Rather than draw her sword, Lexyn was quick to fall behind Zyryxa when threats drew near. Her gentle manner won over Dryxl in a way that Zyryxa never could never achieve, and Lexyn handled him with growing competence. Each morning she studied her mother¡¯s manual and spent her days scouting for herbs growing in the tundra. Zyryxa loved listening to Lexyn¡¯s explanations of each herb, glimpsing through the window into the intelligence of this quiet girl. While Lexyn had many strengths, but her weaknesses could prove fatal¡ªsomething Zyryxa could not allow. Compliments rolled off Lexyn, eliciting only a shy smile or a blush that quickly faded as she returned to studying her feet. Zyryxa realized that words alone wouldn¡¯t suffice where action was needed. Lexyn was compassionate, beautiful, and powerful, possessing the potential of a great warrior, much like uncut qoryxite had the potential to be forged into a great sword. In the long silences of their journey, Zyryxa pondered how best to temper this blade that dared not leave its sheath. As midday approached, still many degrees before they planned to stop for meal, Zyryxa dismounted Zyrxl and stretched her tightened muscles. Lexyn pulled up beside her, glancing at the sun and marking its lack of progress. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°All this travel is hurting my conditioning,¡± Zyryxa groaned, exaggerating her discomfort as she lunged forward and stretched her calves. Lexyn narrowed her eyes. ¡°Your conditioning?¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not arrive at Riverwatch deconditioned,¡± Zyryxa said. Lexyn nodded. ¡°You have to keep your blade sharp.¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Zyryxa placed a hand on Lexyn¡¯s arm. ¡°Can you help me?¡± ¡°Me? Help you?¡± Zyryxa flashed her most charming smile. ¡°Would you, could you, Lexyn?¡± Lexyn inhaled, her eyes narrowing as she saw through the misdirection. Zyryxa grinned, knowing the game was over. The blade is sharp; all the better to temper a sword that could achieve an edge. ¡°Please, Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa said more sincerely. ¡°Very well.¡± Lexyn went doe-eyed, raising her voice an octave. ¡°I can¡¯t have you getting deconditioned on me, Zyryxa. Who¡¯ll protect me then?¡± Zyryxa snorted, her cheeks full of laughter. ¡°Who indeed?¡± Maintaining the pretense, though both knew the true purpose of their training, they dashed through the snowy tundra, weapons held, with confused drakes running alongside them. Zyryxa led Lexyn up gelubor and through patches of brush; they leapt off ledges and climbed ridges. Zyryxa feigned fatigue to keep Lexyn¡¯s delicate pride from withering. In truth, Lexyn was more athletic than expected, handling the tasks with a surprising agility. Zyryxa nodded with approval. The blade is swift; all the better if the sword can be trained to strike instead of cower. They hacked at gelubor with axe and sword, Lexyn delivering dexterous blows to branches that fell beneath her might. Zyryxa chopped logs for them and demonstrated how to roll them through the snow, lift them, hurl them, and do it all over again. Here, Lexyn struggled, her breath ragged as she pushed herself past her limits. Zyryxa felt proud, wondering if this was how Zyrthalla felt when she watched her daughter refuse to disappoint her. The blade perseveres; all the better to rely on a sword that refuses to break during times of need.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The sun was now high in the sky, but Zyryxa had one more task for her blade. They belly-crawled through an enormous viridix patch that stretched for miles. Several herds of yak grazed, their dull teeth chewing the green leafy stalks that no Volqori could ingest. It was a beautiful sight and one ripe with opportunity. ¡°I feel almost conditioned,¡± Zyryxa said. Lexyn, soaked in sweat, her midnight blue hair matted to her face, shook her head at Zyryxa. Instead of complaining, she said, ¡°Let¡¯s get you to the finish then, Z.¡± ¡°If you insist, I would have you help me take down one of those yaks.¡± Lexyn started to rise, but Zyryxa set her hand on her back to keep her from reaching for her bow. ¡°No weapons.¡± The color fled her face. ¡°I c-can¡¯t d-d-do th-th-that!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to succeed on your first yak tipping. Just do your best.¡± Lexyn sighed, her face a mask of dejection as she climbed to her feet. She trembled as she stalked through the field. Zyryxa shadowed her. When they were within fifty yards of the yaks, Zyryxa gave her a gentle push. ¡°Run and roar, Lex! Let them know the dragon comes for them!¡± Lexyn hesitated, then let out a soft roar and dashed toward the nearest yak. The brown-furred beast of burden, easily thrice Lexyn¡¯s weight, turned to flee, though its lumbering pace was no match for Lexyn¡¯s swift pursuit. He slammed into its side, arms outstretched. The yak staggered, its stubby legs wobbling as it struggled to regain balance. Zyryxa watched keenly. The blade is not yet forged for brute force; all the better that it will learn to strike wisely rather than overestimate its might. ¡°Grab a leg!¡± Zyryxa bellowed. Lexyn reached for a hind leg, only to receive a hoof to the forearm. She cried out, clutching her arm as the yak bolted away. Her eyes brimmed with tears, a storm of frustration and pain. Zyryxa clenched her fists. ¡°Turn that pain into rage! You are a dragon, Lexyn! A dragon!¡± Lexyn¡¯s growl deepened as she charged the yak again. The beast resisted, dragging her across the viridix patch. She latched onto its leg, but was hauled nearly a hundred yards before her grip gave out. Zyryxa¡¯s voice boomed over the fields of viridix, sending herds of yaks scattering. ¡°Turn pain into rage! Turn doubt into wrath! You! Are! A! Dragon!¡± Lexyn scrambled back to her feet, rubbing her sore knees, and pursued the yak once more. She tackled it, gripping a hind leg and shifting her weight, forcing the beast off balance until it toppled. The yak squealed, kicking wildly and throwing Lexyn off. But this time, Zyryxa didn¡¯t need to shout encouragement. Lexyn sprang back, lunging for the yak¡¯s forelegs as it tried to rise. She locked her legs around the yak¡¯s neck, her arms restraining its flailing limbs. Roaring like a true dragon, she held the beast down until it submitted. The blade, honed by perseverance, shone with newfound confidence. Zyryxa approached, gently extricating Lexyn from the yak and sending the beast away with a spanking. Lexyn¡¯s smile was radiant, her breaths coming in exhilarated gasps as if discovering air anew. The blade is proud; all the better when she believes in herself as I do in her. Smiling, Zyryxa massaged Lexyn¡¯s arm. ¡°You refused to quit.¡± Lexyn snorted through her ragged breathing. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t let me!¡± ¡°Wrong! You could have stopped anytime. Instead, you kept up with me for miles and brought down that beast with your bare hands. You are so much stronger than you know.¡± Lexyn¡¯s gaze dropped halfway, settling on Zyryxa¡¯s waist. Acceptable progress, Zyryxa thought. Then Lexyn shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°I only did it because I don¡¯t want you to think I¡¯m weak,¡± she said, her voice breaking as the tears fell. ¡°Because once you realize how frail I am, you¡¯ll leave me behind.¡± Zyryxa trembled with compassion, wishing she could defeat this unseen enemy within Lexyn. She set her hands over Lexyn¡¯s. ¡°Do you feel my hands?¡± Lexyn nodded, making an effort to steady her breathing. ¡°They¡¯re never letting go, Lexyn. Never.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s tears mirrored Lexyn¡¯s, thoughts drifting to how this girl had held her the night she learned her mother died, how she tended her wounds when Zyrxl¡¯s tail raked her back, and how she was damn near the only source of joy in Zyryxa¡¯s life. ¡°You make me stronger, Lexyn. I promise that if you believe in us, you will be unstoppable.¡± Lexyn gripped Zyryxa¡¯s hands tightly, as if holding on for dear life. Zyryxa squeezed back. ¡°Can you believe in us, Lexyn?¡± ¡°I will try.¡± Zyryxa pulled her into a warm embrace. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too,¡± Lexyn said, closing the embrace. The blade was loving; all the better for when she learned to love herself. Chapter 13: Scaleless Growing up, Zyryxa spent half of her waking hours either in conditioning or weapons training. She informed Lexyn of this as they rode toward the sea. To ¡°keep Zyryxa sharp,¡± Lexyn agreed to help with evening weapons training and morning conditioning during their journey, hoping to continue their regiment at Riverwatch. Lexyn¡¯s technique showed promise. Her dragon warrior father had trained her well in the blade and spear, but left Zyryxa plenty of room to help her improve. The practice was going splendidly until Lexyn shrieked, her face turning ghostly pale as she dropped her sword and scrambled up a gelubor tree, her movements frantic as if the ground were ablaze and she were covered in oil. Zyryxa didn¡¯t remain puzzled for long. She twisted toward a scream. A pale boy with a blue mullet, clad in tattered furs, sprinted over they icy river, four sabretooths close on his heels. His long hair covered his forehead, but Zyryxa imagined a ritemark hidden beneath. He was unarmed. ¡°Help!¡± the boy cried. Zyryxa gripped her axe. Without her help, the boy was doomed, but aiding him would make him Scaleless¡ªa fate worse than death in her eyes. She glanced at Lexyn, who clung to the upper limbs of the gelubor, trembling and hyperventilating, while Dryxl guarded the trunk below. ¡°Help!¡± The boy¡¯s desperate cry tore at Zyryxa¡¯s resolve. Protocol dictated that Qoryxa should judge whether he was fit. Yet, watching another die felt inherently wrong. Zyryxa hesitated, and the sabretooths closed in. ¡°Z-zyryxa!¡± Lexyn¡¯s urgency pierced Zyryxa¡¯s heart. Springing into action, Zyryxa dashed forward with Zyrxl at her side. They closed the distance to the boy, but too late. A sabretooth lunged, tearing into his leg, and the others followed with a frenzy of claws and fangs amidst their feline growls. Blue blood sprayed, painting the air, as the screams of the boy echoed over the open tundra. Zyrxl, spurred by the sight of blood, spat a cluster of ice rocks, killing one sabretooth before they arrived. Zyryxa hurled her throwing axes, splitting one beast¡¯s skull and missing another as it repositioned to engage them. Zyryxa reached the boy first, her greataxe cleaving a sabretooth in half before it could pounce. The last beast fled, but Zyryxa¡¯s qoryxite handaxe found its mark, embedding in its back. Zyrxl bounded after the whining creature, mauling it to death, then slurping up its blood. Zyryxa pulled the dead sabretooths off the boy and suppressed the urge to retch; chunks of him were torn away, his entrails exposed. She retrieved her water skin and pushed his hair out of his eyes and off his forehead. When she saw the scars on his forehead, she dropped the skin on the ice. She had seen her mother carve dozens of foreheads like this one, yet the sight unsettled her and made her feel even more nauseous than the wounds. ¡°Water,¡± it rasped. ¡°You¡¯re Scaleless.¡± Zyryxa shook away her astonishment. ¡°The only thing I should offer you is a quickening to your end, a deed you should¡¯ve done yourself the day you were scarred.¡± ¡°Qoryxa judge you!¡± Zyryxa frowned at the irony. ¡°She judges you!¡± Zyryxa rose, lifting Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe. ¡°But our Goddess is compassionate and I am ever her champion. I can leave you torn apart and doomed to die slowly, or I can end your pain. Which would you have, Scaleless?¡± ¡°Such pride!¡± It coughed up blood, its entrails falling further out of its torn chest cavity. ¡°It is too bad you have none,¡± Zyryxa said, rendering Qoryxa¡¯s judgment. The sound of claws scraping over the ice roused her attention. Dryxl galloped toward the battle, late to the party again but eager to start lapping up sabretooth blood. Lexyn dashed forth, freezing to inspect each dead sabretooth from a distance. Once she finished, she dashed toward the Scaleless, opening her medica satchel. ¡°He is Scaleless,¡± Zyryxa warned. Lexyn shot a glare so murderous that Zyryxa recoiled. When Lexyn knelt at its side, her lips quivered, and her eyes filled with tears. Her hand drifted away from her healing supplies and instead offered her water skin. The Scaleless drank without pride, guzzling it down to the last drop. Zyryxa puzzled at Lexyn¡¯s kindness. They weren¡¯t even supposed to speak to this creature, let alone offer it compassion. Zyryxa felt her mercy had already gone too far in offering to end its suffering. ¡°Why are you helping it?¡± Zyryxa asked, her voice tight with bewilderment and disdain. ¡°Him,¡± Lexyn corrected, anger flashing across her face like a lightning strike. She rummaged through her satchel, retrieving tufts of arctic poppy. The sight of the blue flower reminded Zyryxa that it was used to numb pain, not mend wounds. Lexyn mixed it with snow and helped the Scaleless drink.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Zyryxa slung her greataxe over her shoulder, folding her arms across her chest. It pained her to witness this heresy. At least in Borz¡¯s homestead, she could deny that Hemza and some of the others were Scaleless because she never saw their scars. But here, there would be no justifying this to Qoryxa. Zyrthalla would be ashamed. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Zyrthalla may have even been the one to scar its forehead. Feeling an utter failure, Zyryxa remembered Lexyn¡¯s glare, the disgust when she tried to correct her. She decided to let Lexyn waste her compassion and her arctic poppy, resolving to speak about this later when the girl wasn¡¯t out of her divinedamned mind. The Scaleless had the audacity to look at her. ¡°You judge so swiftly, proud one,¡± it said, coughing up blood. Lexyn ran her fingers through its hair like it was her babe. ¡°You don¡¯t know me,¡± the Scaleless said. ¡°I know you disgraced the Ice Tribe,¡± Zyryxa retorted, her voice unforgiving. It snarled. ¡°Perhaps the Ice Tribe failed me.¡± ¡°The only failure here is you!¡± Zyryxa yelled, unable to bear this foul being¡¯s sacrilege. ¡°Stop being so cruel!¡± Lexyn roared, her entire being shaking with rage. ¡°Stop being so kind! It is Scaleless!¡± Lexyn stomped toward Zyryxa, nostrils flared. ¡°Then stop being kind to me because I should be Scaleless.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s arms fell to her side, her mouth agaoe in confusion. ¡°What?¡± The fury on Lexyn¡¯s face was like a tempest, and even Zyryxa felt a shiver of fear. ¡°Hyzqar didn¡¯t die on his rite. He was made Scaleless for failing, and rather than take his own life, he waited until I was branded with the ritemark. Scarred, tongueless, he followed me into the wilds.¡± Tears flooded down her face, her voice cracking with anguish. ¡°He died protecting me from¡­¡± Her voice faltered, and she pointed a trembling finger at one of the fallen sabretooths. She swallowed heavy and shook her head, jaw clenched. ¡°That Scaleless should be me!¡± Zyryxa¡¯s knees gave way, and she collapsed onto the ice, her gaze locked on Lexyn but seeing nothing. Her mind spiraled into chaos as Lexyn nursed the Scaleless boy. Lexyn¡¯s soft words barely registered with Zyryxa as she eased his passing. The boy¡¯s final words hung in the frigid air. ¡°I pray for you,¡± he whispered, blood flecking his lips. ¡°I pray that you never have to choose between certain death and your precious pride.¡± The wind howled, blasting snow into Zyryxa¡¯s face as she sat in the deafening silence left behind by the Scaleless. Zyrxl licked her cheek, the scent of blood strong on her breath. Lexyn¡¯s sobs reached her ears, mingling with the wind¡¯s mournful wail. Darkness enveloped them, and only the blue light of the waning moon illuminated the Everice. None of it felt real. How could any of this be true? Lexyn couldn¡¯t be Scaleless? ¡°It can¡¯t be,¡± Zyryxa gasped, choking on her sobs. Yet, it was. Zyrthalla would demand she carve the scars into Lexyn¡¯s forehead herself. But how could she do that to this girl who had shown her nothing but love, this girl that she loved more than her own sister? Zyryxa wished they never encountered this Scaleless boy, wished Lexyn never revealed her secret. Zyryxa tried to unhear it, but the truth had been unleashed and couldn¡¯t be forgotten. She could leave her instead of scarring her. Zyryxa would be the only witness, and if she never saw Lexyn again, she could live with the secret. All she had to do was break her promise and abandon the best friend she had ever had. Zyryxa sobbed, torn between betraying Qoryxa and breaking her promise to Lexyn. She sought a way to justify Lexyn¡¯s exoneration. Her breach of tradition had to be an exception. There had to be some justification. Lexyn couldn¡¯t be Scaleless. Desperately, Zyryxa searched for the loophole, while Lexyn wept quietly, hugging herself against the howling winds. If Scaleless weren¡¯t Ice Tribe, and Hyzqar was Scaleless, then Lexyn had never truly received help. Zyryxa clung to this reasoning, refusing to examine it too closely. ¡°Are you ¡­ going to ¡­ l-leave me?¡± Lexyn asked between sobs. Zyryxa moved to sit beside her, her own tears freezing on her cheeks. She wrapped an arm around Lexyn¡¯s shoulders and shook her head. ¡°No. We are brood.¡± ¡°But I should be Scaleless!¡± Lexyn¡¯s voice cracked with despair. Zyryxa shook her head again, more firmly this time. ¡°We¡¯re going to change things, Lexyn. You are no more Scaleless than Hyzqar should have been.¡± Lexyn collapsed into Zyryxa¡¯s shoulder, her sobs wracking her body. ¡°I watched it. I watched the sabretooths tear him apart. He died while I hid.¡± She clung tighter to Zyryxa. ¡°It should have been me!¡± Zyryxa held Lexyn tightly, her own tears falling as she understood the true grief in Lexyn¡¯s words had little to do with the boy in the ice beside them. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t have been any of you.¡± ¡°B-b-but he¡¯s gone, and I¡¯m here.¡± Zyryxa gently rubbed Lexyn¡¯s back. ¡°And so am I. And I¡¯m grateful you are here with me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you down. I know I will!¡± Zyryxa squeezed her tighter, a fierce determination in her voice. ¡°Then you¡¯ll just have to help me rise again.¡± She ran her fingers through Lexyn¡¯s hair, trying to soothe her. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere, Lex, so you better get used to me.¡± Lexyn let out a small, broken laugh before her tears continued to flow. She lifted her gaze to meet Zyryxa¡¯s, the blue moon casting a soft glow over them. Blizzard winds whipped snow around them, and their drakes sat on their haunches, watching with quiet interest. Beneath them, one of the world¡¯s largest rivers lay forever trapped in ice. ¡°You¡¯ll stay, even after I yelled at you?¡± Zyryxa grinned through her own tears. ¡°That was more of a roar. If anything, I¡¯m more attached than ever before.¡± Lexyn wiped at her eyes, her smile returning, wide and beautiful. ¡°Besides,¡± Zyryxa continued, her voice catching in her throat, ¡°I think I might¡¯ve deserved it.¡± Lexyn reached up to wipe the tears from Zyryxa¡¯s face, her touch gentle. Zyryxa cherished that deceptively sweet smirk. ¡°You definitely did.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Zyryxa paused, taking a breath for dramatic effect, ¡°I couldn¡¯t have,¡± she swallowed hard, ¡°reminded you of Pelzyq?¡± Lexyn smiled and shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll just say that for a moment, I thought I saw your eyes drooping.¡± ¡°My eyes! My perfect ice crystals! Never! Perhaps it was your eyes drooping which led you to see such phantoms!¡± They both giggled uncontrollably, their laughter mingling with the wind. Despite everything, Zyryxa felt closer to Lexyn than ever before. She knew it would take far more than this secret to break the bond between them. Chapter 14: The Schism Qoryxa¡¯s Canyon was beautiful and dangerous. The Everice tapered into a narrow schism cutting between two towering ridges. The eastern ridge glittered with white crystals, its dense gelubor forest a sea of frosted diamond stretching endlessly. In contrast, the western ridge was a stark, barren expanse, with hundreds of waterfalls eternally frozen mid-cascade along the canyon¡¯s walls. The last time Zyryxa had traversed the canyon, her mother led an attack to cull a white wyrm that had claimed the narrow byway. With the war and without Zyrthalla as knight of Loxzua, wyrms and their wyrmling swarms could control the pass unchecked. Zyryxa relished the challenge. Abominables, drakes, direwolves, sabretooths¡ªthey were easy prey. A wyrm would be a worthy foe for a future champion like herself. But the decision wasn¡¯t so easy when traveling with Lexyn. Lexyn studied the eastern ridge. The dense forest meant no large beasts and shelter from wind. Plentiful gelubor meant good vantage points, archery perches, and tinder for warmth. It was not Zyryxa¡¯s preferred route¡ª slow and unsteady, going around rather than straight through. Worse, small, annoying creatures could ambush them. Still, it was better to get started than to stare at the scenery, no matter how beautiful. ¡°What do you think of the terrain, Lexyn?¡± Zyryxa asked. Lexyn¡¯s mischievous grin was a warning. ¡°We know the way back is safe, and we know the world is round. Maybe if we turn around, we¡¯ll end up at Riverwatch.¡± Zyryxa laughed. ¡°What if we reach an impasse at southern sea instead?¡± ¡°Then we¡¯d know the way behind us is safe, and we¡¯d travel back here.¡± ¡°And then?¡± ¡°Turn around again, of course.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Zyryxa echoed. ¡°And wander the Everice forever, depriving Hatrox of our charming company.¡± Lexyn¡¯s voice turned girlish, ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± ¡°I like it,¡± Zyryxa said, a part of her wishing life could be that simple. ¡°Me too. Or,¡± Lexyn paused dramatically, ¡°we blast right through the middle because there¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t handle.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be flattering me, would you, Lexyn?¡± ¡°Never!¡± Zyryxa bit her lip to keep from laughing. ¡°Of course. I should¡¯ve known you wouldn¡¯t dare try to butter me up.¡± Lexyn shook her head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t.¡± She fluttered her eyes. ¡°It simply isn¡¯t possible to flatter one so perfect.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Zyryxa grinned like she¡¯d just won a tournament at a Festival of Melding. ¡°If it were possible to flatter someone as perfect as I, you¡¯d be doing it rather well.¡± Lexyn giggled, forcing Zyryxa to bite her lip and suck in her laughter. ¡°Then again,¡± Zyryxa continued, ¡°if I were as perfect as you propose, would I not be above making such wild accusations of flattery? Shouldn¡¯t that very imperfection render this entire scenario impossible?¡± Lexyn shrugged. ¡°I suppose we¡¯re at an ¡­ impasse.¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t fully suppress a chortle. ¡°I suppose it is ¡­ impassable,¡± she giggled, ¡°to decide which way to go or whether you might be flattering me.¡± Zyryxa admired the view of Lexyn¡¯s broad smile more than the canyon. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! She would protect this woman¡¯s heart as if it were her sacred duty. She was breathtaking and anyone that did not treat her how she deserved would get her sister¡¯s boot in the arse. Lexyn sighed, the fleeting humor passing. ¡°Not impassable. I trust you to take us safely through the canyon. Besides, even if you aren¡¯t perfect, you¡¯re closer than anyone I¡¯ve met.¡± Zyryxa choked up, nodded, and led the way into the schism. Their passage through the canyon was marked only by the shifting angles of the sun; there were no tracks, no signs of life. Zyryxa doubted predators could thrive here without food. Yet, as dusk approached, the first stirrings of excitement arose from the western ridge. The clash of a man¡¯s battle cry melded with a chorus of bestial growls, creating a savage symphony in Zyryxa¡¯s ears. What was music without dancing? She glanced at Lexyn. ¡°A proud warrior battles multiple gooras.¡± ¡°Gooras?¡± Zyryxa guided Zyrxl to the canyon wall. ¡°Hulking yeti-like beasts, with hunched, muscular frames and sky blue fur. Grotesque faces adorned with glowing red demon eyes, horns, and sharp, yellow fangs. Their massive clawed hands and feet can rend flesh and crush bones with ease. Agile with powerful legs and arms, they can scale cliffs or jump across canyons. They smell like sulfur and death, and that¡¯s what we¡¯ll give them, Lexyn.¡± Lexyn nodded, her eyes wide as she studied the cliff separating them from the battle. ¡°How in Qoryxa¡¯s name are we getting up there?¡± Zyrxl¡¯s claws dug into the wall as Zyryxa stared up at the sky, holding to the coldscale¡¯s back with one hand and clutching the wyrmbone lance with the other. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± Lexyn muttered. Still, never one to disappoint, she urged Dryxl to climb. Zyryxa grinned from ear to ear, watching Lexyn maintain a death grip around Dryxl¡¯s neck as they ascended vertically. Above, the sounds of battle intensified. The man¡¯s roars were eminently masculine, and judging by the sound of the gooras¡¯ responses, he was putting up a fierce fight.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Zyryxa reached the crest of the canyon, her eyes scanning the scene atop the ridge. The sight of the lone warrior decapitating one of the four hulking gooras with his axe set her pulse racing. She glanced down at Lexyn, sharing a brief, determined nod before urging Zyrxl into the fray. One of the gooras vaulted onto the man¡¯s back. He bent forward and hurled the eight-foot-tall, seven-hundred-pound beast over his head, impressing Zyryxa so thoroughly that she felt flutters in her chest. She¡¯d fight hard to see him survive, to get a better glimpse of this monster of a warrior. The nearest goora barely registered Zyrxl¡¯s charge before Zyryxa¡¯s lance crushed its eye, exploding through its skull. She vaulted from Zyrxl, slamming into another goora, pinning it against the ice. Her fists hammered its grotesque face, but it threw her off. Rising, she drew her greataxe, bracing for the next strike. An arrow from Lexyn hit its shoulder, giving Zyryxa the opening to carve it with decisive cuts. Releasing piteous growls, the beast dropped to its knees and was permanently shortened with a final cut that sent its head rolling through the snow. The man was locked in a desperate struggle with the final goora, hands clasped with the beast as they pushed each other across the ridge. Lexyn¡¯s arrow found its mark in the goora¡¯s side, giving the dragon warrior the edge he needed to throw the beast into the schism. Zyryxa smiled as the goora¡¯s body crashed onto the ice. It was a dance worth remembering. She sought her partner, reminding herself to maintain a dignified distance to avoid seeming overly taken with the man¡¯s remarkable prowess. Then she glimpsed his face and realized that wasn¡¯t going to be hard at all. ¡°You,¡± she spat. ¡°Me,¡± the man countered. ¡°Hello, Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said. Pelzyq beamed at Lexyn. ¡°Lexyn remembers the great Pelzyq!¡± He winked at her. ¡°He didn¡¯t forget your pretty face either.¡± Pelzyq turned toward Zyryxa and opened his arms. ¡°And you, ice princess, are as beautiful as Pelzyq remembered,¡± he drawled, flexing his massive muscles. ¡°You don¡¯t have to admit to Pelzyq, but at least admit to yourself that the little fire in your icy soul was set ablaze by Pelzyq¡¯s battle prowess.¡± Zyryxa wanted to vomit, despising the accuracy of his words. Pelzyq reached for her face, but Zyryxa slapped his hand away. ¡°You dream bigger than Divine Leverith and you¡¯re just as soft,¡± she sneered. Pelzyq grinned, undeterred. ¡°Wrestle Pelzyq, and you¡¯ll see nothing about him is soft, especially when you¡¯re involved.¡± Zyryxa leaned in, her voice icy. ¡°The only way we¡¯re wrestling again is if you¡¯re paying me for lessons.¡± Lexyn laughed, leaning forward on Dryxl, grinning as if watching a divinedamned bardic duel. Well, if Lexyn wanted a show, Zyryxa would give her one. ¡°Pelzyq will pay you,¡± he thrusted the air between them, ¡°with pleasure.¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes. ¡°The only way you¡¯ll ever please me is by closing your divinedamned mouth.¡± ¡°Pelzyq will close his mighty mouth around your lips after he pins you down. Though, depending on the mood, we¡¯ll see which of your lips he¡¯ll suckle.¡± He puckered his full lips and made a sucking sound. Zyryxa leaned in, the stench of his breath and his stupid grin further nauseating her. ¡°Listen, you ugly pervert, I am so far above you that you might as well be buried in the bowels of Antryx Mir while I¡¯m soaring over Monzqora. You will never put your lips anywhere near mine you arrogant, droopy-eyed, mouth-breathing jackass.¡± She smiled with vindictive satisfaction at the hurt in his droopy eyes. ¡°You have me beat only at two things,¡± he spat, raising two fingers. ¡°Beauty,¡± he lowered one finger, ¡°and pride.¡± He lowered the other finger, forming a fist. ¡°And Pelzyq could strike them both away with a few blows from his fleshhammers.¡± Zyryxa pressed her face closer to his, her voice turning to ice. ¡°What¡¯s stopping you from trying? You scared, little boy?¡± ¡°You were both amazing against these gooras,¡± Lexyn nervously interjected. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show your might by smashing all our foes on the journey to Riverwatch? Together, as Vaztyma wanted us.¡± ¡°Look at that!¡± Pelzyq guffawed. ¡°The mouse squeaks!¡± Zyryxa could¡¯ve traded threats and insults with Pelzyq until sundown, but when he insulted Lexyn, the dance was over. She tackled him, fists flying in a blind rage. She landed several blows before he bucked her off. Zyryxa sprang to her feet, feeling Qoryxa guiding her judgment. Pelzyq charged with the grace of a yak. She sidestepped, using his reckless momentum to throw him toward the schism. Before he could rise, she was on him. Zyryxa pressed her pelvis into his, hooked her legs around his, and spread them wide as she pinned his arms against the snow. Tremors of vindictive pleasure coursed through her as he cried out in pain, placed in the exact position he desired. She taunted him by gliding her groin against his, knowing how close yet how far he was from his dreams. ¡°You will respect Lexyn,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°Fuck you!¡± Zyryxa stretched his legs further, his agonized screams a sweet symphony. ¡°I own you, little boy,¡± she howled. ¡°I allow you to open your mouth because your pathetic attempts to rival me amuse me. But if you insult her, I¡¯ll put you right back down where you belong.¡± She released him and dismounted. Pelzyq scrambled to his feet, his face already bruising from her punches. He wiped the tears from his eyes. ¡°Another ambush. All you¡¯ve proven, bitch, is that you have no honor.¡± Zyryxa stomped toward him, causing him to flinch and backpedal. ¡°All you¡¯ve proven, little boy, is that you have nothing but excuses.¡± ¡°Zamael reap you!¡± Pelzyq spat. He retrieved his axe and dashed north along the ridge. Zyryxa opened her arms and shouted after him. ¡°Run, little boy! Run as fast as you can! I¡¯ll always be ahead of you!¡± She grinned at Lexyn. But Lexyn shook her head in disdain. ¡°Too much?¡± Zyryxa asked, her grin faltering. Lexyn couldn¡¯t meet Zyryxa¡¯s gaze as she nodded. Zyryxa felt a spike of annoyance rising in her chest. ¡°That jackass deserves a few beatings.¡± ¡°I was afraid you were going to murder him,¡± Lexyn mumbled. ¡°I needed to teach him that he can¡¯t intimidate us.¡± ¡°I was more afraid of you than him,¡± Lexyn said, trembling. Zyryxa sighed, feeling agitated. All she wanted to do was protect Lexyn. ¡°There is a violent, vindictive beast inside of you,¡± Lexyn continued, ¡°and¡ª¡± ¡°I will never be violent towards you,¡± Zyryxa promised. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be violent toward our allies either,¡± Lexyn said, braving eye contact, her face resolute. Zyryxa turned her back to Lexyn and sighed again, rolling her eyes. ¡°He deserved it.¡± ¡°He was being an asshole,¡± Lexyn agreed. ¡°And Vaztyma made him our brother.¡± Zyryxa had enough of Lexyn¡¯s softheartedness. Pelzyq deserved every ounce of his beating and then some. Without looking at Lexyn, she retrieved her lance, yanking it out of the goora¡¯s shattered skull, and ran north, making sure to take a different route than Pelzyq. She didn¡¯t look back to see whether Lexyn and the drakes followed her. As she ran, Zyryxa¡¯s mind churned. Lexyn¡¯s words echoed in her thoughts, gnawing at her. She wanted to protect Lexyn, but not at the cost of terrifying her. She couldn¡¯t let her anger rule her actions, especially when it endangered the bond they shared. Zyryxa slowed her pace, the realization hitting her with the weight of a thousand regrets. She needed to find a way to control the furious beast within, for Lexyn¡¯s sake. She stopped, ready to apologize and promise to only channel Qoryxa¡¯s judgment toward those who were true dangers, and not just inbred jackasses. Zyryxa didn¡¯t get far before one of those true dangers split the air with a draconic roar. Chapter 15: The Wyrm Zyryxa scanned the sky, her heart pounding with dread. The thought of encountering Fire Tribe dragons on the open expanse of the western ridge sent chills down her spine. Exposed to the sky, she could barely protect herself, let alone Lexyn. But the sky remained clear, with only the steady snowfall in sight. Her fear subsided slightly as another roar echoed from beyond a hill to the northeast. ¡°Pelzyq is in danger!¡± Lexyn shouted from atop Dryxl. ¡°We have to help him!¡± Zyrxl bounded to Zyryxa¡¯s side, sensing the urgency. Zyryxa hesitated, her vindictive nature wanting to leave Pelzyq to his fate. Let Qoryxa judge him for invoking the Divine of Death against her! Zyryxa battled her unforgiving impulses, recalling Qoryxa¡¯s sacred mandate to care for the vulnerable. She couldn¡¯t fail Lexyn again. Saving Pelzyq would not only fulfill her duty but also give her leverage over him, a satisfying bonus. ¡°Zyryxa!¡± Lexyn howled, already ascending the hill. Zyryxa leapt onto Zyrxl and spurred the coldscale after Lexyn. Despite the impending battle, Zyryxa couldn¡¯t help but admire her. Lexyn, who once lived in crippling fear, now charged headfirst into danger to protect a man that had only mocked and harassed her. She was ice, after all. Zyryxa wanted to be worthy of Lexyn¡¯s admiration like Lexyn was worthy of hers. Zyrxl crested the hill, revealing a massive white wyrm. The monstrosity lacked wings but possessed the body, claws, and horns of a true dragon. The forty-foot beast unleashed an icy breath on Pelzyq, immobilizing him in a layer of frost as Lexyn¡¯s arrows shattered against its scales. ¡°Aim for the eyes!¡± Zyryxa bellowed. The creature roared as Lexyn¡¯s arrow pierced its eye. Enraged, it thrashed, its massive body thundering toward the hilltop. Lexyn, undeterred, nocked another arrow. Her hands were steady, her eyes fierce with determination, reflecting the unearthed strength that Zyryxa knew she possessed.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Keep aiming for the eyes,¡± Zyryxa ordered, ¡°I¡¯ve got its heart!¡± Zyryxa roared, kicking Zyrxl into motion. She lowered her head as the beast unleashed a blizzard from its mouth. Zyrxl swerved blindly through the icy mist. Zyryxa shivered, her grip weakening on the wyrmbone lance. Blinded, she tried to aim, but it was like grasping something with thick mitts. The lance shattered against the wyrm¡¯s hardened scales, pain exploding through Zyryxa¡¯s shoulder. She cried out, lost in the blizzard. Zyrxl circled blindly, but the wyrm¡¯s tail struck, sending both the drake and rider flying. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and she forced herself to move, fighting through the agony and freezing cold. Zyryxa struggled to a knee, only to be pinned by the wyrm¡¯s massive claw. She pushed with all her might, desperate to survive, but her shoulder gave out, and the beast pressed her down. Zyryxa roared, trying to summon her icy rage, vividly picturing herself butchering the divinedamned wyrm. But the beast¡¯s thousand-pound claw pressed her into the ice, sapping her strength and hope, leaving her utterly helpless. Tears froze on her cheeks as she groaned. Every breath became a struggle against the wyrm¡¯s unrelenting force. She prayed to Qoryxa for a miracle, vowing to prove her worth and uphold her duty to the Goddess. She glanced at Pelzyq, unconscious and blanketed in ice. I will even be kind to him. I will welcome him into my brood as a brother. I will do whatever it takes! I don¡¯t want to die! Please, Qoryxa, bless me with your strength! The white wyrm cried out in agony, its claw lifting suddenly. Zyryxa rolled free while it was distracted. Powered by Ice¡¯s judgment, she drew Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe and ran under the wyrm. Crying and screaming, Zyryxa drove the axe repeatedly into its underbelly, hacking through layers of scales until she pierced its heart. She freed the axe as the wyrm¡¯s death shriek pierced her ears. Bluish-white blood gushed out of the wyrm¡¯s heart. The blood, colder than anything she ever felt, flooded onto her in torrents, nearly freezing her in place. Zyryxa, teeth chattering, barely stumbled out from under the wyrm before it collapsed. Soaked in the white wyrm¡¯s blood, Zyryxa shivered uncontrollably. Exhaustion and cold overwhelmed her as she fell to the ground, teetering between reality and hallucinations. A draconic tongue cleared the blood from her face, but the cold was in her bones. Zyryxa slumped into sleep, uncertain if she would ever wake, unable to resist the encroaching darkness any longer. Chapter 16: The Knight of Loxzua Zyrthalla soared through the cool night sky, her hair trailing behind like a banner of blue and silver. Below, Loxzua slept, safe under her vigilant watch. She ruled the heavens, a white star, untouchable and serene. Atop Qorzillux, her magnificent white dragon, she was one with the cold, a living embodiment of Qoryxa''s beauty, power, and compassion. Her thoughts drifted to her daughter, as they often did. Knowing Zyryxa was prepared for the trials of the wilderness warmed Zyrthalla¡¯s heart. Tradition dictated she let go, but love left an indelible mark. Their bond was as eternal as the stars, as strong as Duilahir, the dragon Zyryxa would one day ride. Though she might never call Zyryxa daughter again, their love would shine whenever they soared through the night sky together. Suddenly, fire exploded across the sky, igniting the air. Five massive maws unleashed torrents of flame, melting the evening and heralding death¡¯s arrival in Loxzua. Qorzillux roared, sending out telepathic calls for aid to the other dragons roosting in the city. Exedox and Crystalyx would rouse their knights, Gaeliz and Tynzx, if the roars of the fire dragons did not. Despite her disdain for Hatrox, Zyrthalla had Qorzillux send for Coryza and his rider, knowing they¡¯d need him to keep the city safe. Ice and fire clashed in the night like two lovers turned bitter foes because of one man¡¯s unrequited love. Zyrthalla felt tragedy and sadness as she fought against her northern kin. Still, she fought fiercely, driving the flames away and protecting the city and her allies. The moon migrated across the sky, and still, no relief from Riverwatch. Damn it, Hatrox! Outnumbered five-to-three with a city to shield, the battle grew desperate. She intercepted the small red Infyriux descending upon Crystalyx, driving it and its young knight, Rivux, into the ocean. The little red¡¯s flames doused, Rivux had no choice but to flee north. The gambit was costly, leaving Qorzillux exposed. Zyrthalla urged the great white to ascend, avoiding Ferrax¡¯s flames. Suddenly, the stars glowed a millionfold brighter. A golden underbelly shone like a nocturnal sun above her. Qorzillux veered to the side, only to drift from the clutches of one claw into another. The golden dragon Auryxion, with its beautiful rider, seized Zyrthalla and lifted her from Qorzillux.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. She fought against its grip as Bellax, the foulest fire knight, assaulted her riderless Qorzillux atop his red Hydrix. Auryxion ascended, twirling through the sky to evade Gaeliz and his blue Exedox. The gold dragon¡¯s claw dug into Zyrthalla¡¯s armor, clutching her tightly as they soared over the sea. Zyrthalla knew a fall from this height in her armor would mean certain death. Qorzillux¡¯s cries echoed in her mind and in the air as she was bombarded by two fire dragons. She cursed Hatrox and his tardiness as Saevah flew golden Auryxion northwest toward the Frostmelt. If killing was the goal, Saevah could have dropped her into the ocean. Was she to be taken prisoner? To be offered to Faxiq as a prize, a consolation for losing Syrixza and a placeholder for the runaway Syraxyz? Compelled to challenge Vaztyma and end the war? Or, merely to keep the people Saevah cared for safe, including Zyrthalla herself? Whatever the reason, Zyrthalla had no choice but to submit, for now. She released her handaxe and accepted her situation. Zyrthalla, forever linked to Qorzillux, told her to abandon her. Live to fight another day, my beloved. We will¡ª A flash of darkness collided with Auryxion, claw and tooth sinking into the fire dragon. Auryxion spiraled out of control, its claws opening in the chaos. Zyrthalla desperately reached for a handhold but found nothing but thousands of feet of air. She plummeted toward the ocean, panic surging through her bond with Qorzillux. The dragon fought desperately to reach her, despairing as she was struck in the rear. The impact with the water was brutal, driving her to the depths. Weighted by her armor, Zyrthalla struggled to retain consciousness as darkness surrounded her. She reached for the clasps at the back of her armor, unable to free them. She tried to swim, rising foot by foot, exerting herself to the extreme. Zyrthalla screamed through her bond for Qorzillux, knowing the dragon had also hit the water. Qorzillux¡¯s desperation pulsed in her mind, the dragon engaged in battle beneath the waves. Zyrthalla fought against the weight of the water and her armor, yearning to help her dragon, desperately trying to survive, but she sank toward the ocean floor, realizing this was the end. Her eyes flickered as her breath depleted. She saw little Abbacyx and hoped he would find his place in this harsh world. She saw Zyrxine, passionate and angry, and hoped she would channel her energy into greatness rather than destruction. She saw Abbaz and hoped his heart would beat again, that he would become the hero she knew he was. Fighting for a few more moments, she thought of Zyryxa, her dearest, and prayed to Qoryxa that she would always remain compassionate, powerful, and beautiful, forever her champion. Chapter 17: Thawing Zyryxa jolted awake, gasping as though surfacing from a sub-zero plunge. Her skin was slick with cold sweat, her entire body trembling with exhaustion. She felt like as if she had struggled through a storm-tossed sea for an eternity before finally washing ashore. Opening her eyes, she braced for the comforting sight of her Loxzua bedroom, only to be met with disorienting darkness and faint flickers of firelight. This was no bedroom. The absence of her father¡¯s soothing voice, Zyrxine¡¯s whiny bickering, her brother practicing his lute, her mother¡¯s comforting perfume, and the warmth of home made it painfully clear. Instead, she lay under a clear night sky in a bed of flowers that crunched softly as she shifted. Disoriented, she struggled to her feet, falling twice before managing to stand. Several hides and a strange white cloak slid off of her as she rose. Her head throbbed and burned. Had she camped in the hills outside Loxzua and fallen into a particularly groggy sleep? Had she been drinking that nasty stuff the foreign sailors brought into port? Maybe too much fermented yak¡¯s milk? Why couldn¡¯t she remember? Shivering, Zyryxa edged closer to the fire, wincing as her numbed muscles gradually thawed. A massive drake, its blue and silver scales shimmering faintly in the moonlight, gently nudged her. Zyryxa recoiled in surprise. This was not her mother¡¯s coldscale, but a majestic female, larger and more imposing than Tyxl. Why did she not recall this striking creature? Her teeth chattered uncontrollably as she stepped in place, trying to thaw her aching muscles. Cradling herself for heat, she startled again, wondering when those got there. She looked down to admire herself, only to gasp in horror. She was completely naked, her confusion compounded by the sight of scattered furs and undergarments that didn¡¯t belong to her. Panic surged through her. There was no way she broke tradition! Sure, by herself, her bedroom door latched to prevent Abbacyx from barging in to tell her about some new thing he learned. She couldn¡¯t have gone beyond those sacred boundaries. Right? Her head pounded, feeling as if it had been smashed by a hammer. Why couldn¡¯t she remember? How much had she drunk? What had she done? The drake nudged her once more, pulling her gaze toward a shadowy figure across the fire. This was no boy, but a man, his muscular form starkly outlined against the flickering flames. His sculpted pectorals and chiseled abs exposed as his hides were unstrung. His biceps and triceps were loaded with raw power, suggesting that he could scoop a girl up and carry her across the tundra ease. His legs, covered in wolf hide, were powerfully built, made for long nights and late mornings. Her heart pounded harder, her throat constricted, and she realized, with terror, that she could have¡­ She would never drink again. Her mother was going to kill ¡­ her mother was¡­ Tears filled her eyes. Her mother was dead. Sobbing, she looked into the eyes of the man, recognizing his droopy eyes, asymmetrical jaw, and broken nose. ¡°The Ice Princess thaws without a kiss from her prince,¡± the man said, his deep voice resonating as his eyes shamelessly took in her nakedness. Zyryxa shuddered, fury rising within her, hot enough to burn down Monzqora. She covered herself with the white cloak¡ªLexyn¡¯s cloak. Where was Lexyn? The bed of flowers¡ªcalidex and pasque¡ªwas clearly Lexyn¡¯s work, as were the warm poultices scattered over her body. But there was no sign of Lexyn or Dryxl. Turning from Pelzyq, she wiped her eyes and stared down into valley. The remains of the white wyrm snapped Zyryxa back to the present. She recalled the moment she pierced its heart, the rush of its blood, and the ensuing darkness. How long had she been out? The moon¡¯s waning was wrong; it couldn¡¯t have been three nights since that battle. Lexyn must¡¯ve tended to her, but where was she now? Zyryxa needed answers. Instead, she had Pelzyq. He loomed at her shoulder, studying the valley with an annoying air of nonchalance. ¡°Looking for this?¡± he said, thrusting a flask toward her. ¡°Little Mouse wouldn¡¯t let you drink Pelzyq¡¯s medicine while you were asleep. It¡¯ll warm you up faster than Freadal¡¯s breath.¡± Zyryxa turned away from him, making sure the cloak covered her properly. Pelzyq took a swig and hooted, slapping his elbow against his waist. ¡°It¡¯s good dragon spit. Strong enough for Pelzyq. Perhaps too strong for the ice princess?¡± He shook the flask in front of her face. ¡°Eh?¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Where is Lexyn?¡± Zyryxa¡¯s voice was sharp, cutting through the frigid air like a blade. Pelzyq gestured lazily toward the northern hills, where a faint column of smoke twisted into the sky several miles away. ¡°Little Mouse kept squeaking about how you should¡¯ve recovered. She took the black drake to find some help.¡± He grunted, then added with a smirk, ¡°Who¡¯s Saevah?¡± Zyryxa¡¯s rage ignited. She stomped toward him, not caring if the cloak slipped. ¡°You keep that name off your filthy tongue.¡± Pelzyq took a few steps back, raising his arms in mock surrender, his grin widening. ¡°Pelzyq¡¯s filthy tongue lives to please princesses like you. Besides, Pelzyq knows your secret.¡± She pulled the cloak tighter around her, trying to focus, her wit not thawing. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°All that moaning about Saevah? Let¡¯s just say that one filthy tongue recognizes another.¡± He offered the flask of dragon spit again. ¡°Wanna taste?¡± Zyryxa¡¯s stomach churned with revulsion. She couldn¡¯t believe Lexyn would leave her unconscious and exposed to this vile creature. But Lexyn might have gone to a homestead, desperate to help Zyryxa. The whole situation grated on her nerves, her anger simmering just below the surface. She wanted to pummel Pelzyq into the ice for his leering and his demeaning talk about Lexyn. She opened her mouth to tell him to leave but remembered her vow to Qoryxa. The words froze in her throat. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to the fire, her mind a storm of conflicting emotions. She couldn¡¯t let her fury get the better of her, not now. She owed that much to Lexyn, if not this vulgar man. Besides, she lived by Qoryxa¡¯s will and was bound by divine mandate to welcome him into her brood. She shuddered, tendrils of disgust sending spasms through her, nauseated by her attraction to him during her divinedamned delirium. A primal scream erupted from Zyryxa, a raw, visceral cry that tore at her throat. She needed to do something¡ª anything¡ªto channel the explosive anger boiling within her. Zyryxa hefted her mother¡¯s greataxe, the haft eroded where wyrm¡¯s blood had eaten through the bone. The metal head glimmered with a blue sheen, tainted by the icy blood. She grinned maliciously, knowing this would make her blows deadlier, especially against the Fire Tribe. During her unconsciousness, she had been haunted by visions of Saevah and her mother, helplessly reliving the scene where the red-haired knight repeatedly delivered the fatal blow to her mother. She swung the axe, her rage breaking through her torpor. She hacked at the phantoms in her mind, imagining the air was Saevah, and she chopped her into pieces. Her strength did not outlast her fury. She dropped the axe into the ice, sweating and panting, then slumped by the fire. Pelzyq sat across from Zyryxa, his eyes leering at her chest as he jangled his fucking flask. Zyryxa hugged herself for warmth and concealment, determined to ignore him. He sighed, took another swallow of his foul drink, and the fire crackled in the tense silence. Zyryxa¡¯s mind raced. Why hadn¡¯t Pelzyq left after recovering from his wounds? He had been so intent on beating them to Riverwatch and invoking Zamael against her. So why was he still here? Was it just to ogle her while she was vulnerable? ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Her question came out sharper than she intended. ¡°Pelzyq pays his debts,¡± he replied ¡°The mighty Pelzyq admits that he is indebted to me?¡± ¡°To you, Pelzyq owes nothing.¡± ¡°Lexyn?¡± He nodded. ¡°Little Mouse saved us both from the big bad wyrm. For two days, Pelzyq was unconscious, frozen, while she kept me alive. Two days,¡± he put up two fingers, ¡°Pelzyq told her he would do whatever she asked.¡± He grinned lasciviously. ¡°And Pelzyq means to do whatever it takes to satisfy Little Mouse.¡± Divine Qoryxa, Zyryxa tried to control her rage, each mention of ¡®Little Mouse¡¯ spreading the thread of her restraint to its limits. She struggled to keep the vindictive blizzard within her at bay, to honor her vow. ¡°Stop calling her that, you ugly fucker!¡± she snapped, the cloak slipping off her as she rose. Catching her breath, she sat back down, covering herself again. Pelzyq tsked. ¡°Why hide? Qoryxa crafted you in her image so you can be admired. Pelzyq can take some off if you want it to be fair. Pelzyq is more impressive without clothing than you are.¡± She hated that she allowed the wyrm to put her in this damnable position, wishing for anyone else as company. Zyryxa tried to remain civil for Lexyn¡¯s sake, constantly reminding herself of the vow she made to Qoryxa. Pelzyq had honored his word to Lexyn; she would not prove less honorable than this vile man. ¡°Thank you for honoring your words,¡± she said icily through gritted teeth. Pelzyq¡¯s smug grin made her regret the words instantly. He leaned back and inhaled deeply. ¡°What can Pelzyq say? His word is as unblemished as Zyryxa¡¯s skin, as firm as Zyryxa¡¯s breasts, as¡ª¡± The thread snapped. She lunged at him, clawing his face. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± she shrieked. His jaw tightened, and his blue eyes flared with rage as blood trickled down his cheek. She was convinced he would attack, try to pin her down, and force himself on her. If he did, she could justify breaking her oath and leave his body broken. But once again, Pelzyq disappointed her. Pelzyq¡¯s fierce scowl softened into genuine concern as he pointed urgently behind her. ¡°Little Mouse!¡± Bless Qoryxa! Zyryxa thought, relieved at the prospect of company she didn¡¯t want to castrate. She swung around, at first confused, then assuming Pelzyq was distracting her for an ambush. But then she saw. Several pillars of smoke rose in the distance, burning far more fiercely than any bonfire or hearthfire. The homestead was aflame. And Lexyn was there. Chapter 18: Lexyn Daylight was fading. Lexyn¡¯s heart pounded as she stared at the distant smoke rising from the homestead, the horizon still void of the homestead itself. I¡¯m going to be too late, she thought. Even if I¡¯m not, even if they have what we need, I won¡¯t be able to convince them to help. She sighed, overwhelmed by her sense of inadequacy. She was going to let Zyryxa down. Maybe then, if Zyryxa survived, she would finally stop expecting Lexyn to be more than she was. Lexyn¡¯s fingers brushed the handle of her sword, a cold reminder of her shortcomings. If it came to it, she knew she¡¯d fail to wield it. She¡¯d failed yesterday when the goora attacked, leaving Pelzyq to wrestle the monster right after regaining consciousness. As Dryxl carried her down into the valley, Lexyn reminded herself of her past actions¡ªhow she¡¯d shot the wyrm¡¯s eye to give Zyryxa a chance to escape. Yeah, but it was Zyryxa who risked her life to protect me and it was Zyryxa who defeated the wyrm. She¡¯d tended to Zyryxa and Pelzyq, keeping them from dying of exposure. Yeah, but Zyryxa might still die, and Pelzyq had already saved them despite his condition. Lexyn slumped on Dryxl¡¯s back, overwhelmed by guilt and grief. Hyzqar wouldn¡¯t have needed to rely on Pelzyq. He would have roused Zyryxa already. The familiar agony stabbed at her chest. Hyzqar should¡¯ve been the one to live. She could still see the sabretooths tearing him apart while she cowered in the upper branches of a gelubor tree, helpless and ashamed. She wished her parents had taken the family to her mother¡¯s native Meridian, where her brother could¡¯ve lived a long life, where she wouldn¡¯t need to live up to the expectations of the Ice Tribe or to trudge through this frozen hellscape to protect the people she cared about. Still, Lexyn urged Dryxl forward. She had to try. She wasn¡¯t fit enough in body or mind. She couldn¡¯t do the things Zyryxa or Pelzyq could, nor did she want to. They saw Qoryxa as a champion of might, like Gidi, when Lexyn saw the Goddess of Ice and Beauty as a compassionate defender of the weak, who judged those with strength who chose to harm or ignore the struggles of those ¡°beneath them.¡± Though Lexyn would never tell anyone, even Zyryxa, Qoryxa was second in her heart to Leverith. The Leverian Goddess and her teachings that one should seek to understand rather than destroy, that it is better to love your enemy than fight them, were incompatible with every facet of Volqori society. Lexyn might be half-Volqori and half-Leverian by ancestry, but her spirits belonged across the sea. Yet here she was, trying to help the perfect Ice Tribe warrior, someone she could never hope to emulate. As the sunlight faded, Lexyn wallowed in a mire of inadequacy. The homestead still eluded her, the smoke a mirage on the horizon of her despair. She tried to convince herself that she could be a dragon, but in truth, she was a little mouse. Even if she managed to reach her destination, she would squeak out a few words and be dismissed. Heart heavy, Lexyn pressed on, clinging to a fragile threat of hope. Cresting another hill, she finally saw the homestead. Hope turned to ash and movement to paralysis as fires raged in the valley, screams piercing the night air. She froze, the scene below a nightmare made real. Red drakes spewed flame at the homestead¡¯s white palisades while men with fiery hair cut down blue-haired folk attempting to flee their homes. She managed to dismount and shrink into the snow, making herself small. Dryxl lay down beside her, his acute sense of smell likely taking in the smoke and burning flesh more powerfully than Lexyn¡¯s own nostrils. She suppressed the urge to retch, her eyes unable to look away from the slaughter. How could she remain true to the tenet of loving your enemy when that enemy would burn her alive and cut her down without mercy? The laughter of the Fire Tribe raiders echoed in the valley, and Lexyn felt no love for them, no desire to understand their hearts and minds. Qoryxa would demand she judge these raiders with her depleted quiver or even her blade, but fear paralyzed her, keeping her from moving closer as the flames consumed the homestead. Lexyn felt like she was failing Qoryxa, Leverith, and Zyryxa. If Zyryxa were here, she¡¯d have charged down the hill and fought off the raiders with ruthless efficiency. Lexyn¡¯s attention was drawn to a rallying cry from the Ice Tribe. A blue-haired woman shouted into the night, rousing the homesteaders. Lexyn watched as this warrior became a whirling blizzard, cutting through the Fire Tribe with her spear. Despite her remarkable prowess, her allies were falling back. An Ice Tribe woman wielded an axe in one hand while protecting a bundle in the other¡ªa crying babe. An arrow struck the woman¡¯s side, and a blade flashed toward the child. The woman intercepted the blow, her arm and the babe tumbled into the snow, its cries one more horrible noise in the chaos. Lexyn had faced powerlessness many times, but witnessing a red-haired man crush a child¡¯s skull while the babe¡¯s mother howled beside the corpse was among the worst. Her hearted pounded with a mix of fear and fury as she crept down the hill, gripping her bow tightly. The sounds of battle¡ªclashing metal, hissing flames, desperate cries, and mocking laughter¡ªechoing in the valley. She drew an arrow and took position outside the homestead¡¯s gate, overwhelmed by the carnage. When the twins Qoryxa and Seraxa feuded, only Zamael triumphed. Corpses lay scattered, as orange and blue bled alike into the snow.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Fire Tribe men held down two homestead women, including the one who¡¯d tried to protect the babe. The blue-haired warrior fought valiantly, her spear piercing the heart of an axe-wielding raider before she threw it through the throat of another attacker. Her last companion¡¯s head rolled in the snow. ¡°Oxa!¡± The woman¡¯s anguished cry pierced Lexyn¡¯s heart. Her knees buckled, and her hands trembled so violently that she couldn¡¯t steady her bow. She froze, feeling powerless again. The ice warrior drew a second spear and hurled it into the chest of her friend¡¯s killer. Unarmed and surrounded by six men, she dodged their attacks, slipped through their circle, vaulted over one raider, and disarmed another charging at her with a spear. The weapon flashed as it burst through the face of its previous wielder and out the back of his head. She wrenched the spear free and crouched, ready for the next attack. The raiders hesitated, outnumbering the ice warrior five-to-one. One of them called out, ¡°Enough of this, Matyxal! How many of us will you let die while you stand by!¡± A cloaked figure emerged from the burning homestead, moving through the fire unscathed. A woman with a mane of orange-red hair, smaller than Lexyn but exuding power, walked forward with a lute on her back and a sword at her hip. Her voice was haunting, sending shivers through Lexyn¡¯s body. ¡°Stand down, Natazia. Qoryxa is proud of you, but she does not yet want you to return to the ice.¡± Natazia growled defiantly, ¡°Make me, bitch.¡± Matyxal sighed and drew her blade, a masterwork of dragon bone that burst into flames as it was unsheathed. ¡°If I must.¡± The homestead burning around them like a scene out of Zamael¡¯s Hells, the two women assumed fighting stances. Roaring, Natazia charged at Matyxal. The fiery woman evaded with ease, as fluidly as fire consumes gelubor. Lexyn lost count of Natazia¡¯s frantic attempts to strike the smaller woman. At last, Matyxal¡¯s blade flashed, severing the top half of Natazia¡¯s spear. Natazia thrust the now-pointless weapon at Matyxal¡¯s throat. Matyxal stepped into the attack, parrying the blow and sending the spear flying. She advanced, seized Natazia by the throat, and slammed her to the ground. Lexyn watched, shivering in the cold, relieved she hadn¡¯t released an arrow. She was even more grateful that Zyryxa wasn¡¯t here to face this Fire Tribe demon. Matyxal pinned Natazia with a single-handed grip, and the ice warrior¡¯s struggles seemed increasingly futile. ¡°It is over, Natazia,¡± Matyxal¡¯s voice, smooth and otherworldly, said softly as flames ate the walls of the homestead and the Fire Tribe roared triumphantly. ¡°No!¡± Natazia shrieked, her voice breaking. ¡°Freeze you!¡± With a sigh, Matyxal turned to her allies, her freckled face illuminated by the flames. ¡°Take her prisoner.¡± The largest of the red-haired raiders, the one Lexyn watched crush the babe, objected. ¡°That blue bitch took out eight of our men! She is too dangerous to keep alive!¡± ¡°Afraid of a bound woman, Taxim?¡± Matyxal¡¯s voice was laced with disdain. Taxim snarled. ¡°Faxiq gave me the command! Me! I see no reason to spare her!¡± Natazia hammered at Matyxal¡¯s arm, her efforts failing to inconvenience Matyxal. ¡°She is a pretty one and she used to be Hatrox¡¯s pet.¡± Natazia¡¯s pleas grew more frantic. ¡°No! Kill me! KILL ME!¡± Her cries were raw and desperate, and Lexyn wished she could do something¡ªanything¡ªto help. One arrow to Taxim¡¯s throat and then she¡¯d flee on Dryxl. She shook, her heart pounding, her hands slick with sweat. The raiders had drakes, and they were growling at each other over the blood of the fallen. Lexyn wouldn¡¯t even get up the hill before they were on her. If she did, she¡¯d only lead this red woman to Zyryxa and Pelzyq. The fantasy of heroism crumbled beneath the weight of brutal reality. If she was to have any chance of helping Natazia, and the other two women, it was with Zyryxa and Pelzyq. ¡°I already have two,¡± Taxim said, ¡°but three is better than two. Bind the bitch! I want that rope to cut into her ankles and wrists. I want one tied around her neck so tight she struggles to breathe!¡± He seized a captive, who screamed for help and cried out a name¡ª¡°Bax!¡± Taxim¡¯s fist slammed into her gut. ¡°Shut up or I¡¯ll use you until you¡¯re a bloody, used-up piece of meat for the fucking drakes!¡± The woman sobbed, silenced by fear. Natazia¡¯s screams wrenched Lexyn¡¯s heart as the ropes bound her ankles, wrists, and throat. Lexyn¡¯s fists clenched as tears of rage streamed down her cheeks. She felt like a worthless little mouse, powerless to protect those she loved, just as she had felt when she watched her brother get ripped apart by sabretooths. She was a failure, in the eyes of both the Divine and mortals. She had to escape, to get back to Zyryxa, but was paralyzed. Taxim ordered the dead to be burned and the captives taken back to their base. Matyxal sheathed her blazing sword and held her lute as the men dragged their captives by their leashes, Natazia screaming for them to kill her instead. The freckled woman stood amidst the flames where the homesteaders once gathered and played a haunting tune on her lute. A hut collapsed into the inferno as burnt flesh filled the air, and Matyxal¡¯s song wove through the devastation. Each note Matyxal played struck Lexyn¡¯s nerves like thunder, reverberating through her soul. The music¡¯s shifting tones¡ªsomber, then angry, then somber again¡ªcreated a haunting performance unlike anything Lexyn had ever heard. Matyxal¡¯s ethereal voice intertwined with the crackling flames, leaving a melody that lingered long after the last notes faded: The flames burn through my shattered soul, While ice numbs the warmth we knew. Our love, once a blazing, radiant whole Now lies in ruins, cold and blue The joy we built has turned to dust, In fire and frost, our dreams combust. All we cherished lies destroyed, In the blaze and freeze, hope is void. When war has claimed both mind and heart, How do we find a place to start? As the rest of the Fire Tribe departed, Matyxal lowered her lute and wiped her eyes. ¡°Look at what has become of our world, my loves. I sing to an audience of ash and blood, instead of you.¡± The unstoppable bard lowered her head into her hands and wept. Dryxl crooned mournfully, and Matyxal¡¯s teary gaze turned upon Lexyn. Lexyn froze beneath her fiery gaze, urine running down her thighs. Chapter 19: Pelzyq Zyryxa paced around the fire, Lexyn¡¯s cloak barely covering her back. Her sculpted body was closer to perfection than Pelzyq thought possible. Bless Qoryxa she hadn¡¯t discovered the hides Lexyn made for her. Pelzyq hid them well. ¡°Get up! That homestead is burning!¡± Zyryxa snapped, indignant as always. Pelzyq sipped his flask, savoring the burn. The dragon spit dulled his senses just as he wanted. What was the point of awareness in this eternal shithole? He often wondered why he even bothered to exist. He glanced at the distant smoke, wishing he was too drunk to care. Fuck those homesteaders, he forced himself to think. What had homesteads ever given him but misery? Pelzyq shuddered, trying not to think about the man who birthed him or any of the others that threw him out of their precious white fences. ¡°Lexyn could be there right now, you ingrate!¡± Zyryxa shouted. Pelzyq took another swig. Fuck Little Mouse, he tried to believe, unable to shake the warmth he felt for the only person who had shown him kindness in years. Fire Tribe raiders would chase, then murder ¡­ no, this was Volqor. Men who razed homesteads didn¡¯t grant beautiful women like Lexyn the swift mercy of death. She didn¡¯t deserve what was coming for her, but since when did anyone in this shithole get what they deserved? ¡°Little Mouse better be scurrying away,¡± he said. Zyryxa stomped toward him, her chest heaving, muscles tense and magnificent in the moonlight. Pelzyq swallowed his fear. This woman was a force of nature, a beautiful blizzard with a voice like howling wind. ¡°She saved your worthless life!¡± She glared, and he tried to shut down his feelings for Lexyn. Pelzyq caring about someone never did them any favors. Perhaps that was why she was in danger. Whatever vengeful divine decided that everyone Pelzyq loved would suffer was surely laughing right now. ¡°And you¡¯re just going to sit there?¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°You¡¯re a real piece of shit, Pelzyq.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. For once, he agreed with the Ice Princess. He stared into the fire, contemplating throwing himself into the flames and ending it all. He fell out of the biggest and shittiest asshole in this frozen shithole. How could he be anything else? A fist crashed into his cheek, sending him sprawling into the snow. Pain radiated through his skull, dulled by the dragon spit. Zyryxa grabbed her weapons and her drake, dashing toward the smoke. Her cloak flapped in the wind, revealing her unsurprisingly perfect ass. ¡°Run out there naked after a three-day beauty nap, and you¡¯ll collapse.¡± ¡°Like you care,¡± she snapped, her and the drake glaring at him. Pelzyq recoiled. Women used to be his specialty, but years of isolation had dulled his charm. No, he had killed it himself, and even then, it hadn¡¯t been enough to keep Lexyn safe from the curse of his caring. The dragon spit was gone, and he reckoned he¡¯d never needed it more. Zyryxa growled, flawless skin prickling from the cold. Huddling her arms over her chest, she gazed yearningly at him. Pelzyq knew she coveted his cloth, not his cock, but he flexed anyway. Her proud voice was reduced to a whisper. ¡°Give me your clothes.¡± Pelzyq licked his lips. ¡°Pelzyq knew this moment would come. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll never forget it, Ice Princess.¡± ¡°I need the warmth of your clothes, you ugly pervert.¡± Why did it always have to be ugly? Instead of telling her about the clothes Lexyn made, he decided she¡¯d pay for her arrogance. He grinned. ¡°Top or bottom?¡± ¡°Both.¡± ¡°Uh-uh,¡± Pelzyq said, wagging his finger at her. ¡°Would the princess prefer to see Pelzyq¡¯s muscled torso or his great, big cock?¡± She snarled, her fists closing. ¡°The Top.¡± ¡°You would like the top,¡± he said, knowing that this bitch was too proud to let anyone ride her. He tossed her his top, lamenting the loss of the best view in the tundra. The top hung down to Zyryxa¡¯s thighs, concealing all but her chiseled calves. She tore off the excess on the arms and chucked them. With one final look of disappointment, she retrieved her axes and mounted her drake. Pelzyq sighed once she was gone, glad to be rid of her. His face stung, and the dragon spit left him sleepy. He tried to close his eyes, hoping some fiend would stumble upon the fire and kill him tonight while he slept. That wouldn¡¯t be so bad. When he closed his eyes, he saw Lexyn¡¯s pretty face covered in tears, heard her soft voice screaming as a man ripped off her furs. Always, it was Pavinax. Always Pelzyq, powerless to protect the girl he loved. Even in his own thoughts, Pavinax still held power over him. Shaking with fury, too melancholic to cry anymore, he seized his axe and ran toward the smoke. What did he have to lose besides his own worthless life? Chapter 20: Ash and Cinder The light of dawn beamed down upon Zyryxa as she crested the hill and gazed down into the valley. She squinted into the sun, seeing nothing left of the homestead but cinder and ash. She shading her eyes, hoping that Lexyn never went down there. Maybe she saw the flames and fled. Perhaps she hid somewhere, fearing that returning to their camp would lead the raiders to Zyryxa. She clung to that thread of hope. Zyryxa scoured the hilltop for signs of Lexyn¡¯s presence. She didn¡¯t have to search for long. Zyryxa staggered off Zyrxl, her body still weak, hunger and thirst gnawing at her. She couldn¡¯t rest yet. Not when Lexyn could be in danger. Sliding through the snow, Zyryxa¡¯s bare shins burned from the cold. She crawled along the tracks, studying the indentations. She traced them to a point overlooking the valley where Dryxl had perched long enough that his prints went through several layers of accumulated snowfall and where Lexyn had dismounted. ¡°You arrived after the attack,¡± Zyryxa murmured, her eyes following the tracks down the hillside all the way to the burnt palisade. ¡°And still you went down there. Why, Lexyn?¡± Zyryxa sat in the snow, too worn out to cry. As the sun continued to rise, it became clear there were no survivors among the ashes. Lexyn either perished in the flames, was captured by the raiders, or managed to hide, unable to make her way back to their camp. Each possibility twisted a blade deep into Zyryxa¡¯s heart. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! She was tired of losing loved ones. If Lexyn was gone, she had nobody left. A bard father who she couldn¡¯t call dad anymore, a sister that acted like she despised her, and a little brother who would die in the rite if she couldn¡¯t stop it¡ªif they weren¡¯t dead too. Zyrxl nudged her, and Zyryxa pressed her head against the drake¡¯s forehead. The tears finally came. She barely had time to wipe them away before hearing footsteps. Hoping for a miracle, she was cursed with Pelzyq. She didn¡¯t even have the heart to be angry.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. He sighed and knelt by the tracks, his gaze following them to the burnt homestead. ¡°Why¡¯d you have to go down there, Little Mouse?¡± ¡°Stop calling her that! All she ever did was give you chances you didn¡¯t deserve!¡± ¡°Aye,¡± his deep voice cracked with uncharacteristic softness. ¡°Lexyn was a ray of light too bright for this world. She deserved better.¡± Sighing, he crashed into the snow beside Zyryxa. Zyryxa studied him as if seeing him for the first time. There was none of his usual mockery. He looked worn out, broken in his somberness. Zyryxa realized, with profound discomfort, that Pelzyq cared about Lexyn. She couldn¡¯t trust this change in him, but she was too sad to challenge it. Zyryxa overlooked what must have once been a beautiful valley view. Now, it was unbearable. Lexyn had been more than a friend to Zyryxa. She remembered the night they first met, this stranger comforting her as she wept for a woman she could no longer call her mother. Lexyn had known her soul unlike anyone else left alive in this cold world, she shared her dreams of compassion, challenged her outdated beliefs, protected her from certain death, and helped mend her broken parts. And Lexyn was only here because she wanted to help Zyryxa. Zyryxa wasn¡¯t ready to see what might have remained of her. ¡°We will learn what happened,¡± Pelzyq said, his voice slow and steady, with a mighty undertow of rage. ¡°If she¡¯s gone, we¡¯ll kill whoever did this. If she¡¯s alive, we¡¯ll find her and then kill whoever did this.¡± ¡°She can¡¯t be gone,¡± Zyryxa whispered. Pelzyq¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°I know the kind of men who¡¯d do this. Lexyn is not the type they feed to the flames.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s stomach wrenched, imagining the horrible things she might now be enduring. ¡°Then every moment counts,¡± she said, stumbling to her feet. Pelzyq tried to help her stand. She shook her arm free of him, and he stepped back as if bitten. Zyryxa felt a pang of guilt but couldn¡¯t apologize. She wiped her snot on the top she borrowed from him and started downhill. ¡°Careful with my furs,¡± he said humorously. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend you care about me,¡± she snapped. The hurt that flashed in his eyes made her regret her words. But Pelzyq quickly reminded her why he didn¡¯t deserve warmth. ¡°I¡¯ve got no interest in being friends with a bitch like you,¡± he said. ¡°If it were you down there, I¡¯d be marching to Riverwatch with a smile the size of the Everice on my face.¡± ¡°And I¡¯d do the same for you.¡± ¡°Good,¡± he snarled. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with!¡± Chapter 21: The Search The homestead, nestled in a valley between gelubor-covered hills adorned with flowers, had once been a haven of beauty. Outside the palisade, a frozen pond mirrored the sunlight, a rare sight of tranquility in the vicious wilds of Southern Volqor. Zyryxa saw holes in the ice where homesteaders taught their children to fish, smelled the bouquets of flowers once gathered by lovers, and imagined the children splashing in the pond during the summer melts. The pride of the retired dragon warriors¡ªlovers and broodmates¡ªwas palpable in every corner of this place they¡¯d built from dreams and bare hands. Her heart ached, knowing the last story, the last song, the last embrace had been shared here before it was burnt away in one terrible night. Zyryxa clenched her jaw and tightened her grip on her mother¡¯s axe until her knuckles turned white as snow. The images of killing faceless Fire Tribe invaders burned in her mind. She imagined their hacked up remains left to freeze, entombed in ice for all eternity. These monsters would never see their homes again; she would make sure of it. First, she would find Lexyn, so they could right the wrongs together. Scanning the tracks around the homestead¡ªthousands of them, including signs of the heatscale drakes that razed the homestead and melted much of the snow into slush and puddles¡ªshe whispered, ¡°Where did you go, Lexyn?¡± A crash from the burnt huts signaled Pelzyq rummaging through them. Zyryxa tried to ignore him, but dread kept her keenly attuned to his search. She examined the point where Lexyn¡¯s trail from the hill to the homestead ended, studying the deep claw prints left by her drake boots in the snow, indicating she had waited here for some time. Then her trail disappeared. The pattern of Dryxl¡¯s prints brought a lump to her throat. The darkscale had put up a struggle outside the gate, judging by the claw indents that dragged across the snow. Dryxl did not willingly enter the homestead, and Lexyn was likely mounted on him. ¡°Do you see the darkscale?¡± Zyryxa called. Pelzyq looked up, his face somber. He shook his head and returned to rummaging through the debris. Zyryxa followed the Dryxl¡¯s tracks into the homestead, her mind heavy with memories of the past year. He had been her only companion, their bond forged as they cuddled together for warmth and safety on countless nights. Yet, she¡¯d been asleep, when he needed her to protect him. She wished she¡¯d been more alert against the white wyrm and hadn¡¯t put Lexyn in a position where she sought help. Each scrape Dryxl left behind as his feet dragged through the homestead felt claws piercing her pride. Toward the center of the homestead, Dryxl¡¯s tracks were spaced apart in his usual walking stride with no scraping or dragging. Something had soothed a fire-fearing drake dragged in a burning homestead, surrounded by blood-soaked snow and slush. Zyryxa doubted Lexyn could assert that calm over him; she herself certainly couldn¡¯t. Zyryxa followed the tracks out of the homestead, where the Fire Tribe and their heatscales made their exodus. She found no evidence of where Lexyn might have dismounted, been thrown, or dragged off the drake. These signs could have been lost in the slush, or perhaps she was carried. Zyryxa broadened her search beyond Dryxl¡¯s tracks, seeking any indication that Lexyn left the homestead through this gate. The fear of missing a crucial clue or discovering the dreaded truth haunted her thoughts with each step. She puzzled over the clues, trying to arrange the pieces into a coherent story. Lexyn had watched from the hilltop, then descended and waited outside of the southwestern gate. Dryxl was dragged into the homestead, soothed, and eventually followed the raiders through the northeastern gate. Further from Dryxl¡¯s tracks, someone put up a formidable resistance, leaving behind broken teeth and blue blood. However, there was no clear connection from the struggle to Dryxl¡¯s path that confirmed it was Lexyn. Most of the human prints were larger and wider than Zyryxa¡¯s, likely belonging to men, with at least eight distinct tracks she could isolate. She found three sets of smaller prints, probably women, each with signs that they were pushed or pulled at varying points. None of the smaller prints left behind claw marks, indicating that they weren¡¯t wearing Lexyn¡¯s drake boots. Either Lexyn never dismounted, lost her boots, was carried, or never went through the northeast gate. The first scenario seemed preposterous. Lexyn wouldn¡¯t have been left mounted by the raiders, nor did Zyryxa believe she would pursue them alone. The second and the third possibilities were plausible but impossible to confirm without tracking the Fire Tribe. Lastly, if Lexyn never left the northeast gate, Pelzyq would find her remains in the homestead, or she didn¡¯t go through the southwest gate with Dryxl. Zyryxa circled the blackened palisade, retracing Lexyn¡¯s steps back to the southwest gate from the hillside. Instead of entering the homestead, Zyryxa searched the exterior, hoping Lexyn had fled. Hundreds of human footprints, many preceding the raid, frustrated Zyryxa¡¯s attempts to identify Lexyn¡¯s trail. She sought prints smaller than her own with claw indents. Yet, as wind blew snow off the frozen pond and over the tracks, it became clear that the claw indents could¡¯ve filled in if they weren¡¯t gouged. If Lexyn was sneaking away or sprinting, they¡¯d be gone. Adjusted her strategy, Zyryxa reasoned that Lexyn wouldn¡¯t have gone uphill where travel was hard, and her visibility high. If Lexyn were wise, which she was, she would have crept across the frozen pond and sought cover in the gelubor on its far side. Zyryxa dashed around the pond, scanning the ground for prints leading into the gelubor. Each step without finding fresh tracks fueled her anxiety. A hundred yards from the gate and nearly to the forest, she found a trail with drops of blue blood frozen atop the snow beside them. On closer inspection, there were two sets of footprints, one of them a size that could have been Lexyn¡¯s. This girl wasn¡¯t one to abandon somebody in suffering. Could she have gone down to the homestead to rescue someone, helped them to the forest, and tended to them while Dryxl covered her retreat? Hope burgeoning in her, Zyryxa called Lexyn¡¯s name, scanning for movement in the trees. The gelubor remained placid, sunlight reflecting off the crystalline leaves. ¡°Find something?¡± Pelzyq hollered from the edge of the homestead. ¡°Maybe!¡± Pelzyq rushed across the pond and slipped on the ice, landing hard on his ass. Zyryxa covered her mouth to keep from laughing, the spectacle momentarily pushing away her fears that these tracks didn¡¯t belong to Lexyn. ¡°Anything?¡± she asked, needing reassurance that Lexyn was alive. Pelzyq shook his head. ¡°She wasn¡¯t among the dead.¡± ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± ¡°Her necklace would¡¯ve survived the flames.¡± Zyryxa suppressed the urge to hug this cretin. Lexyn never took off her silver necklace, and she doubted these men who¡¯d dragged at least three women away with them would¡¯ve bothered with the necklace and not the beautiful girl it belonged to. Lexyn was alive, and for that, Zyryxa smiled broadly at Pelzyq.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Thank you, Pelzyq.¡± He cocked his head in surprise, then scowled. ¡°Pelzyq did it for Little Mouse. He pays his debt to her, makes passion to both of you, leaves you in tears, and then beats you to Riverwatch.¡± ¡°Every time I start to feel a sliver of respect for you, you remind me who you are.¡± Pelzyq¡¯s gaze scoured her body. ¡°Did you find something or not?¡± Zyryxa gestured to the tracks flowing into the gelubor. ¡°Dryxl was captured by the Fire Tribe, but I think Lexyn helped someone escape.¡± Pelzyq rushed after the tracks without any sense of discretion and shouted Lexyn¡¯s name loud enough to be heard over the next hill. Zyryxa raced after him, glimpsing movement within the trees as they broke the edge of the white forest. ¡°Stay where you are,¡± a man¡¯s voice growled. Pelzyq readied his axe while Zyryxa set her hand on her throwing axe. A stocky man with pale skin and balding blue hair stepped through a gap in the white trees, sporting a nasty cut on his shoulder. When his gaze touched Zyryxa, his eyes widened with recognition. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°The Great Pelzyq,¡± Pelzyq said, ¡°and my beautiful companion is¡ª ¡°Zyryxa,¡± she interjected. ¡°Zyryxa the Greater than Pelzyq. And you are?¡± ¡°Bax,¡± he said humorlessly. He gestured toward the homestead across the pond. ¡°That¡¯s what¡¯s left of my home. If you came seeking hospitality, we¡¯re all out of it.¡± Zyryxa let her hand fall off her throwing axe. ¡°All we seek is our friend Lexyn.¡± Pelzyq strode to Bax, towering over him. ¡°She¡¯s a pretty little woman with hair so dark its like the night sky.¡± ¡°Once we reunite with her,¡± Zyryxa added, ¡°we will deliver Qoryxa¡¯s judgment to the ones who attacked your homestead.¡± Bax frowned. ¡°We¡¯ve seen no one like your friend.¡± ¡°We?¡± Zyryxa asked. A woman marked by the white dragon emerged from behind a thick gelubor, a babe in one arm and a spear in the other. A little blue-haired girl clung to the back of her furs. ¡°This is what remains of our family,¡± Bax said, putting his arm around the fair woman. ¡°Our husband was killed and our two wives were taken. The other children¡­¡± Bax swallowed, his eyes going vacant. ¡°Sorry about your friend. I hope she is well, wherever she is.¡± Zyryxa lowered her gaze, the sight of their grief pressing sharply on her own. She tried not to imagine the pain Lexyn was in right now, or how scared she must be. Her hands closed into fists as she determined her course. ¡°If your wives are still alive, Lexyn is probably with them. I will bring them home to you.¡± ¡°Are you certain you saw nobody else with them?¡± Pelzyq asked. ¡°Just that divinedamned warrior woman,¡± Bax¡¯s wife said, trembling, her knuckles whitening as she clenched her spear. ¡°Warrior woman?¡± Zyryxa asked, dread filling her and like smoke. ¡°Natazia,¡± Bax said. ¡°She was on her way to the Pridefort to seek the Ice Champion¡¯s approval to initiate the Rite of the Dragon Warrior. Her brood¡¯s the reason we think the Fire Tribe found our valley.¡± ¡°How do you know your other wives and this Natazia survived?¡± Pelzyq asked. Bax¡¯s face twisted with disgust. ¡°I listened as Striqa called my name while we hid. I watched as the flames illuminated Valqa, bound at wrist and ankle, a leash cinched around her neck. I did nothing when Natazia shrieked for them to kill her, thrashing against her restraints every step of the way until they were gone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Zyryxa said, understanding the sense of powerlessness he felt, her nightmares overrun by similar scenes of her mother. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting about the one that rode the black drake.¡± Zyryxa perked up, lifting her eyes from the ground. The little girl had spoken. She couldn¡¯t have been more than five years old. ¡°Lexyn rode a black drake.¡± ¡°Tell us what you saw!¡± Pelzyq demanded, the girl¡¯s parents quickly stepping between him and the girl. The little girl sobbed, clinging to Bax. Her parents tried to soothe her to no avail. ¡°Anniqa and I didn¡¯t see this person,¡± Bax said, scowling at Pelzyq. ¡°May I?¡± Zyryxa asked, kneeling in front of them with her hand outstretched toward the girl. Bax and Anniqa shared a knowing look, nodded, and stepped aside. ¡°You can trust her, Xana,¡± Anniqa said. Zyryxa offered her hand to the little girl. She took it. Zyryxa smiled at her. ¡°You¡¯re very pretty, Xana.¡± Xana smiled back at her. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said shyly. ¡°My friend and I defeated a white wyrm up in the hills and¡ª ¡°You killed Old Frosty!¡± Zyryxa nodded, grateful for the girl¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°We did. But me and this scary guy were hurt and my sister Lexyn came to your home last night looking for help. I miss her very much.¡± ¡°I miss my sister too,¡± Xana said, tears slipping down her cheeks. ¡°I miss home.¡± Zyryxa brushed the Xana¡¯s face, tears forming in her eyes. ¡°I know, sweetie. It is alright to feel sad, or even scared. I feel the same right now, but I¡¯m going to be brave for my sister and I¡¯m going to make sure the evil men that attacked your family hurt nobody else ever again.¡± ¡°And you¡¯ll bring back my other moms?¡± Zyryxa nodded. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Anniqa said. ¡°Tell her what you saw.¡± ¡°Momma was carrying me away from our home and,¡± her voice broke, ¡°I was watching our home burn.¡± She sobbed. ¡°The lady on the black drake looked right at me and I¡­¡± Zyryxa squeezed her hand gently. ¡°What did she look like?¡± ¡°She was far away. All I remember was she had a big sword and¡­¡± the girl cried. ¡°Thank you, darling,¡± Zyryxa said, patting the girl¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You were very brave. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Zyryxa stood up, more confused than ever. Lexyn¡¯s sword was not large, but to a little girl witnessing her home burn, it might as well have been Qoryxa¡¯s Kiss. Besides, every piece of the story indicated that there were no women among the Fire Tribe raiders. If Zyryxa somehow missed this person¡¯s tracks, she would have pursued the homesteaders. ¡°Why would Lexyn chase them?¡± Pelzyq asked, a hint of emotion breaking into his deep voice. Zyryxa gazed at him, trying to make sense of the new information. Lexyn must¡¯ve went into the homestead to help any survivors after the Fire Tribe left. Dryxl resisted her at first, but Lexyn managed to calm him. Then, she pursued the Fire Tribe alone. Why? Why risk her life against impossible odds and leave Zyryxa behind? ¡°She wouldn¡¯t dare attack them all,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Maybe she followed them to see where they camped, then planned to double back for us. She could be on her way back here.¡± ¡°Or she could be captured,¡± Pelzyq said, clutching his axe. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°I¡¯m coming,¡± Bax declared, his voice gruff. ¡°I¡¯m not about to send you two to your deaths when it¡¯s my people they hurt.¡± ¡°Bax,¡± Anniqa said softly, her tone packed more meaning than a thousand words. Bax took the baby in his arms and embraced Anniqa. He motioned for Xana to join them, hugging them all, knowing that this might be his last embrace. Zyryxa gave them their moment, Pelzyq was less courteous. ¡°Pelzyq will make sure your daddy comes home, little girl, after his axe cuts through the heads of any raider that even thought about laying a hand on Lexyn.¡± The trees rustled. Zyryxa readied a throwing axe, Anniqa lifted her spear, Pelzyq raised his axe, and Bax positioned himself protectively in front of Xana. Zyrxl crooned happily and padded toward the intruder to lick her hand. ¡°I appreciate that, Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said, a sly grin on her blessed face. Zyryxa crashed into Lexyn, throwing her arms around her and squeezing with all her love. Tears of relief streamed down her face as she clung to her, never wanting to let go. Lexyn held her tightly, and for the first time since she woke up, Zyryxa felt warm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you worry,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°You¡¯d only need to be sorry if you died on me,¡± Zyryxa said, clinging to her for dear life. ¡°Where¡¯ve you been, Little Mouse?¡± Pelzyq asked. ¡°Around,¡± Lexyn replied. ¡°I was heading back to the white wyrm when I heard someone call me by my actual name for once.¡± ¡°Pelzyq still owes you a day and a night until his debt is paid.¡± Lexyn pulled back from Zyryxa and studied Pelzyq. ¡°What¡¯s that in your eye?¡± Pelzyq folded his arms over his bare chest and turned away from them. ¡°The Ice Princess demanded Pelzyq¡¯s top, and the cold stings even the mighty Pelzyq.¡± Lexyn¡¯s gaze went from Zyryxa to Pelzyq, taking in their attire. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you give her the furs I made from the goora?¡± I¡¯m going to kill him, Zyryxa thought. I¡¯m going to chop him up into tiny pieces and feed him to Zyrxl. ¡°The drake ate them,¡± Pelzyq said. Zyrxl groaned in her defense, leering at Pelzyq with only slightly less fury than Zyryxa. Lexyn chose not to challenge him any further. She inhaled deeply and smiled at Zyryxa. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re both okay.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s anger melted away in the warmth of Lexyn¡¯s smile. She¡¯d find a way to get back at Pelzyq, but only in a manner Lexyn would approve. She couldn¡¯t disappoint her with another vindictive outburst; every moment could be their last, and she wanted to cherish every smile between now and the end. ¡°What happened to you?¡± Pelzyq demanded. Lexyn sighed. She sat beneath a gelubor, inhaled, exhaled, and repeated several times, her eyes drifting toward the ruins of Bax and Anniqa¡¯s life. ¡°Have I got a tale to tell you,¡± she began, glancing at Zyryxa, ¡°of how we may have bitten off more than we can chew.¡± Chapter 22: Lexyns Tale Lexyn froze as Matyxal¡¯s fiery gaze locked onto her. The master bard, a deadly swordswoman, raised a finger to her lips, commanding Lexyn to stay silent. The only sound Lexyn made was the slow trickle of urine down her thighs, but Dryxl whimpered beside her. A gruff voice called out from the other side of the flaming homestead. ¡°What in Seraxa¡¯s frozen eyes is that racket?¡± ¡°Quiet, Bozin,¡± Matyxal said, ¡°I¡¯m going to soothe this darkscale and bring him with us.¡± ¡°Can never have enough drakes,¡± Bozin muttered in agreement, but Matyxal cut him off before he could say more. ¡°Quiet,¡± she repeated, her voice sharp. ¡°Stay out of sight. Better yet, start walking after the others.¡± Lexyn crouched down, hiding in Dryxl¡¯s shadow, her hand trembling over the pommel of her sword. Zyryxa had told her to believe in herself, that she was swift with her blade and only needed confidence. Yet, she¡¯d seen what Matyxal did to Natazia. She couldn¡¯t fight Matyxal, but perhaps she could defeat this Bozin. If Bozin saw her, she¡¯d fight for her life, lest she be taken like Natazia. If Matyxal approached, Lexyn clung to a hope that she might let her go if she stayed quiet. No matter what, Lexyn needed to survive; she wasn¡¯t going to leave Zyryxa alone in this harsh world. Matyxal began to strum her lute, her fingers dancing over the strings with practiced ease. ¡°Get out, Bozin,¡± she sang. ¡°Don¡¯t even look at the drake lest you terrify it.¡± ¡°Seraxa¡¯s freezing eyes!¡± Bozin cursed. ¡°I¡¯m fuckin¡¯ leaving!¡± Matyxal sang out in Leverian, a language very few in Volqor understood, ¡°Fear not, child of ice and love. A song for you, my beautiful dove.¡± Lexyn trembled despite the bard¡¯s promise. Her gaze followed the red-haired man as he stomped out of the far gate, giving no indication that he saw her. Her fingers eased off her sword, knowing that her fate was now entirely in this woman¡¯s hands. She remained rooted, aware that running might alert the man and that she¡¯d have no hope to flee Matyxal. Dryxl¡¯s whimpering took on a whiny pitch as Matyxal played a familiar tune. It was a song Lexyn knew well, one she had heard the bard Abbaz play countless times on Loxzua¡¯s stage during Qoryxa Waxing or Qoryxa Waning. But in Matyxal¡¯s hands, The Princess and the Paladin became something more¡ªa haunting, ethereal melody that seemed to wrap itself around Lexyn, drawing her into its spell. Matyxal sang in the Leverian tongue, and the drake¡¯s whimpering ceased as he too became enraptured by the otherworldly voice: In Mirrevar, a farmer¡¯s heir, Elior, tall with auburn hair, By chance of fate¡¯s divine decree, Saved Princess Pelianna, bold and free. Assassins came with shadows dark, He fought with strength, a blazing spark, With Pelianna¡¯s brother, safe and sound, Their hearts were linked, a love unbound. But royal ties and vows so grand, Meant Pelianna¡¯s heart was banned, A marriage planned for Rubinia¡¯s heir, Yet Elior¡¯s love would not depair. The Princess and the Paladin, Bound by love, through thick and thin, With heart and strength, through trials grim, Their love¡¯s light would never dim. Lexyn¡¯s terror began to ebb, replaced by a strange, almost hypnotic calm. Matyxal¡¯s presence seemed more than human; she was a mystical creature with fire for hair, skin, and eye. The scent of burnt flesh and smoke almost forgotten in the face of the music that carried Lexyn far from the burning homestead, far from the danger. The bard¡¯s voice was like a warm embrace, the Leverian words and tune bringing Lexyn back to ancient Mirrevar, before the end of the Leverian dynasty and the Gemstone War her mother left behind. With each verse, Matyxal took another step toward her:The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. A farmer¡¯s son with simple might, Elior challenged Rubinia¡¯s noble knight, The king laughed loud at such a plea, But saw a chance for history. A tournament, a grand display, Held on Qoryxa¡¯s holyday, From lands afar, the lords did ride, To win the Princess as their bride. A mystery knight, the Paladin, Earned the hearts of common kin, With lances broken, valor shown, A strength of heart and soul alone. The Princess and the Paladin, Bound by love, through thick and thin, With heart and strength, through trials grim, Their love¡¯s light would never dim. The bard strummed her lute, her fingers moving along the strings faster than Lexyn could follow. Matyxal¡¯s small frame filled the gateway as the palisade burned around her. Lexyn¡¯s hand trembled on the handle of her sword, fear once again flooding through her in crashing waves as she came face-to-face with a thousand freckles and eyes like infernos. ¡°Easy now, Pelianna,¡± Matyxal said. Her gaze flicked toward Lexyn¡¯s satchel, and her voice softened, a whispered undertow beneath the crashing waves of her music. ¡°Volqor needs you, medican. But I need the drake.¡± Overwhelmed, Lexyn was unable to take her hand from the sword¡¯s pommel. With a smile on her red lips, Matyxal delivered a sudden kick sent Lexyn flying through the air, landing hard on her back in a puddle ten feet away. Pain lanced through her, and Lexyn gasped, thinking this was the end. She would die to the sound of her favorite ballad¡ªa tale her mother told every Telling, a story of love against all odds that now felt like a cruel mockery of her fate. Poor Halette, who would now lose two children to Volqor¡¯s brutality. But Matyxal wasn¡¯t finished. Her voice rose again, cutting through the haze of Lexyn¡¯s pain and despair as she pulled Dryxl into the homestead, her song unwavering: Twelve strikes from Monsoon¡¯s lance, Nearly brought an end to Elior¡¯s chance, The Princess wept, her heart did plead, For Elior¡¯s pain, her love, her need The thirteenth tilt, they both did fall, A melee fierce, the crowd enthralled, With fists of might and a love so bright, The Monsoon yielded, ending the fight. Lexyn forced herself to move, struggling to her feet despite the fear and the pain that shot through her. She couldn¡¯t let it end like this, couldn¡¯t let Matyxal take Dryxl without defending him for once. The drake whimpered as the bard¡¯s song continued, the words weaving their way into Lexyn¡¯s heart: Unable to rise, Elior was done, Even though his enemy was one, The heir of Rubinia declared his win, Yet Pelianna refused to give in. The Princess and the Paladin, Bound by love, through thick and thin, With heart and strength, through trials grim, Their love¡¯s light would never dim. As Matyxal strummed the lute, time seemed to slow. Lexyn¡¯s breath caught in her throat, the world narrowing to the sound of the bard¡¯s voice and the flicker of the flames. The arrow in her hand felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. One shot, she told herself. One chance. She knocked the arrow, her heart pounding in her ears as she took aim. Pelianna¡¯s tears like jewels did shine, She kissed the Paladin with love divine, A healing light from necklace blue, Revived his strength, his spirit too. The arrow twanged and flew toward the bard. One hand on Dryxl¡¯s reins, his resistance subsiding, Matyxal caught the arrow before it pierced her throat. She waved it at Lexyn, smiling as her song continued: The prince revealed, a squire in guise, Helped Elior to mount, to rise, With cheers that shook the land so wide, They rode once more, love as their guide. The heir of Ruby, in the mud, Defeated by one of farmer¡¯s blood, High and low, they all did know The light of true love¡¯s glow. Dryxl, the traitor, wagged his tail and happily accepted Matyxal onto his back. Lexyn¡¯s resolve crumbled, her bow lowering as the realization set in¡ªshe couldn¡¯t fight this. She was no match for Matyxal¡¯s power. The bard rode away, her lute vibrating with a melody that echoed in Lexyn¡¯s ears: The king proclaimed with joy and pride, ¡°Elior, my son, stand by her side, Be her knight, with naught so true, As the Princess and her love for you." The Princess and the Paladin, Bound by love, through thick and thin, With heart and strength, through trials grim, Their love¡¯s light would never dim. Matyxal¡¯s voice lingered in the air, the final notes of her song fading into the night. As she disappeared through the far gate, her voice rang out one last time in the Leverian tongue, a warning that cut through the darkness like a blade: ¡°Stay hidden through the night, rise again with morning¡¯s light. Spread Leverith¡¯s love and live your life, staying far from Zamael¡¯s scythe.¡± Lexyn stood alone in the ruins of the homestead, the buildings collapsing in the inferno. No drake, no supplies, and no support. But she still had her life. She looked out at the icy expanse, at the hills separating her from Zyryxa and Pelzyq¡ªthe only family she had left. She imagined the future they might build together, a life where Pelzyq¡¯s bravado softened, Zyryxa¡¯s vindictiveness yielded to compassion, and she herself found the confidence she had always lacked. Lexyn doubted herself, and her future seemed precarious, threatened by bravado, vindictiveness, and, most of all, her own self-doubt. But she had to try, for Zyryxa, for Pelzyq¡­for herself. ¡°We can still have that,¡± Lexyn whispered, her voice trembling yet resolute. She clenched her fists as the flames flickered behind her, a fierce determination settling in her chest. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure of it.¡± The dying flames behind her were a stark reminder of what she had to lose¡ªand what she had to fight for. The warmth of love, in a world where fire consumed everything, was worth any battle. She would find a way to keep it alive, even if she had to face the Fire Tribe. With purpose and hope fueling her, Lexyn crept across the snow toward the shelter of the gelubor trees. The world ahead was uncertain, but Lexyn knew one thing: she would rise again with the morning¡¯s light, no matter how dark the night might seem. Chapter 23: Zyrthallas Daughter Matyxal. The name weighted heavily on Zyryxa, casting doubt over her resolve. ¡°They must be stopped,¡± Lexyn said, her determination palpable. ¡°Our homesteads will never be safe as long as they¡¯re here.¡± She looked down at her feet, her self-doubts creeping in. Pelzyq puffed out his chest. ¡°The homestead didn¡¯t have Pelzyq,¡± he said, strutting over to Lexyn. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! He was an insufferable lout! Lexyn beamed at him, before casting her light at Zyryxa. ¡°Nor did they have Zyryxa. Combined, you can deliver Qoryxa¡¯s justice, and,¡± she added with that sly grin of hers, ¡°make a full suit of furs.¡± Pelzyq roared with pride, but Zyryxa shook her head, folding her arms. She loved everything about this girl but knew her plan had a fatal flaw. ¡°Do you know who Matyxal is, Pelzyq?¡± ¡°Meat for the axe.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Matyxal has won the Warrior¡¯s Tourney each festival since the last peace. She is far beyond you,¡± Zyryxa swallowed her pride, ¡°perhaps even beyond me.¡± Pelzyq laughed. ¡°You heard Little Mouse. We take this singer two-on-one and¡­¡± he swung his axe into a gelubor, effortlessly splitting it before strutting like he¡¯d just won the Champion¡¯s Melee. Zyryxa watched, mouth agape at the marvel in front of her. The head trauma in his past must have been legendary, yet, she found herself as much amused as much as exasperated. She struggled to keep her lips flat, lest he get the wrong idea.Stolen novel; please report. ¡°Even if you can defeat her,¡± Anniqa said, rocking her rousing baby, ¡°there are still a dozen men and half as many drakes to contend with.¡± ¡°If we free Natazia,¡± Lexyn said, rising to her feet, ¡°and put a spear in her hands, she could finish at least half of their men.¡± ¡°If they haven¡¯t killed or mutilated her yet,¡± Bax added. ¡°Matyxal mourns peace,¡± Lexyn said, ¡°If we strike quick and decisively, she will not interfere. We can do this.¡± Lexyn¡¯s confidence sent chills reverberating down Zyryxa¡¯s spine. Awed by Lexyn¡¯s determination, Zyryxa¡¯s objection that Matyxal¡¯s sword would make music of their screams died in her throat. ¡°If Little Mouse fights, Pelzyq fights.¡± That decided it. She would not be a worse friend to Lexyn than this cretin. Zyryxa gazed toward the ashes of the homestead, snow now burying the dead. ¡°Qoryxa demands judgment be delivered. I¡¯ll fight until their last man¡¯s blood soaks the snows.¡± Bax stepped forward. ¡°If you three are brave enough to fight for us, I¡¯m not going to hide from those who killed my husband and took my wives. I¡¯m in.¡± Anniqa¡¯s face tightened with sorrow, her words piercing Zyryxa¡¯s heart. ¡°Bax¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll bring them home,¡± Bax promised, his voice breaking. Anniqa sobbed, holding her baby close. ¡°I can¡¯t do this alone,¡± she whispered as little Xana clung to her father, crying, ¡°Don¡¯t leave me, Daddy.¡± ¡°I have to try,¡± Bax said, fighting off sobs. Zyryxa felt the shadows of her past looming over her, her mother¡¯s voice echoing in her mind. To feel is not weakness, my little champion. To feel is to be reminded of what matters. She placed a comforting hand on Xana¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Your daddy is coming home, along with your mommies.¡± She gazed at Anniqa through a veil of tears. ¡°You won¡¯t have to do this alone. I promise.¡± Anniqa looked at her through tear-filled eyes. ¡°Then I hope you are as powerful as Zyrthalla was, Zyryxa.¡± Zyryxa nodded, her heart swelling with resolve. ¡°She is her mother¡¯s daughter,¡± Lexyn said, placing a reassuring her hand on Zyryxa¡¯s back. ¡°We will not fail you.¡± ¡°Bring them home,¡± Anniqa said, breaking into uncontrolled sobs as she embraced Bax. ¡°I love you,¡± Bax said, hugging his family tightly, giving them each a kiss before stepping back. Zyryxa mounted Zyrxl, her heart heavy but full of determination. She led the way forward, ready to face whatever awaited them. Chapter 24: Bozin Bozin had lived a good life. As a young warrior in Champion Tantix¡¯s swarm, he had triumphed over the beasts of northern Volqor, seen the phoenix¡¯s death and rebirth, and shared nights with women far prettier than him. Bozin had watched Saevah grow from Tantix¡¯s hatchling into the pride of the Fire Tribe, listened to Zalyx and Matyxal sing, and shared pipes with little Sygavax. He had drunk the bitter coffees of Kavova and tasted the sweet wines of Leveria, preferring the former¡¯s bitterness. Perhaps, he was a bitter man despite the good life behind him? Perhaps anyone would be bitter, dying hundreds of miles from the warmth of home, serving the man who killed Tantix, and being tortured by men determined to kill the last few people you cared about? Bozin had lived a good life. Now, all he wanted was to die a good death. His scream echoed through the frozen woods. The dagger sliced off his nipple, and he wished Qoryxa would just let the ice take him, or at least numb the pain. Two men tormented him. The younger one, somehow shirtless in this frigid hell, was the type Bozin once enjoyed taunting. Strong, but stupid, they were the perfect marks to boost your status in the eyes of the women in your swarm. How he missed his prime, back when he made the polearm an artform. There was no art to this brute¡¯s technique¡ªonly fists that swung like dragonbone hammers. A blow cracked Bozin¡¯s ribs, another dazed him. His vision blurred and everything felt out of place. The older man held the bloodied dagger in one hand and Bozin¡¯s severed nipple in the other. He shouted at him, but all Bozin heard was the ringing in his ears as the bald son-of-a-bitch shoved Bozin¡¯s own nipple in his mouth and forced his jaw shut. The taste of nipple wasn¡¯t as enjoyable when it was your own. For a moment, the pain made him wish he¡¯d taken his turn with the man¡¯s wives last night. No, that was going too far. Surely, his sweet dreams of old flames would be tarnished by such undignified mating. He¡¯d have nightmares! The only thing worse than having the shit kicked out of you and your own divinedamned nipple fed to you was having an audience of beautiful women. The woman who severed his drake¡¯s head watched him with cold interest while her drake lapped up Redhead¡¯s blood. Her bloody axe lay at her feet, beside the rest of Bozin¡¯s left leg. He wished he could have seen her under different circumstances. Her face, sharp and symmetrical, reminded him of Saevah, but her silver-streaked hair and intricate braids set her apart. He glanced at her muscular legs and wished the rest of her weren¡¯t so well covered. If Qoryxa were going to judge him, the least the Divine bitch could do was let him admire something beautiful before the end. The second girl had a cute face and an especially nice set of bouncers. The real torture was the suffocation her furs did to those twin peaks. Back in his prime, this is the one he¡¯d have gone for, not the proud killer that took his knee. But here he was, drooling blood, wishing that if he was going to die, he could at least do so with one of her big tits in his mouth.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Please stop this,¡± she pleaded. Bozin felt no pity for her discomfort¡ªhe expected he was at least a bit more uncomfortable than she was. ¡°Then get him to tell us what we need to know!¡± the older man snapped. The tits retreated, her big blue eyes going down to the snow. She was soft and softness didn¡¯t last long in Volqor. The Ice Tribe had taken his when he was a little boy, barely old enough to wipe his own ass when an ice dragon destroyed his homestead. He slept great last night, on account of he didn¡¯t do anything but pay those Qoryxa lovers back in their own coin. Bozin always did like to mess with girls like her. Why stop now when the party was almost over? ¡°I¡¯ll tell her everything she wants to know,¡± he said, managing a toothless smirk. ¡°You will?¡± the big dipshit asked. Seraxa¡¯s freezing eyes! It pained him that this brick shithouse was getting the better of him. Bozin managed a nod. ¡°As soon as she puts a big soft titty in my mouth.¡± He puckered his lips. His head collided with the ice. He lost count after three but a few more and he could die without betraying his honor. What better end could he hope for? ¡°Pelzyq! Stop!¡± So close, Bozin thought, his head feeling like it had been hammered against rock solid ice and was one collision away from losing the competition to see who would crack first. ¡°Break his skull and we lose whatever value lies within his fetid mind,¡± the proud woman said, stalking toward him with a shiny blue handaxe. ¡°I suppose you will get him to talk,¡± the ogre barked, his voice as deep as Tantix¡¯s but lacking all its authority. ¡°If I must,¡± said the woman. She, on the other hand, exuded command. Bozin found himself suddenly afraid of her blue-eyed glare, his thoughts of grim acceptance and dark humor no longer as easy to summon. ¡°Take off his pants,¡± she commanded, colder than any ice. Bozin tried to grin, but for the first time he didn¡¯t like a beautiful woman making such a request. Worse, if he was being honest¡ªwhich he expected he was about to make a dying habit of¡ªhe¡¯d never managed to remove his pants for a woman this beautiful. The divinedamned irony didn¡¯t provide the relief it was supposed to. He wanted to recover his black humor, to make a defiant jest about her granting his last request. All that squeaked out of him when the big guy ripped his furs off was a whiny, ¡°No!¡± Then he shrieked as his testicles met the snow. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what you need to know!¡± he shouted as the handaxe was aimed at his cock. He spurted it out, at least enough that they¡¯d trust him, not so much that they wouldn¡¯t venture into a trap. Once he finished, he begged for death. The woman sighed and shook her head. ¡°Did you really think you could lie to me? He sputtered objections, begged, squealed. The humor was gone, the defiance snuffed out. She was no brute; she was cold, methodical, and kept him painfully aware of every moment. Bozin had lived a good life, but he did not die a good death. Alone in the snow, far from home, he betrayed the only family he had left. There were no flames to welcome him into Seraxa¡¯s embrace, only the cold ice of a death in disgrace. Chapter 25: Beneath the Furs Confident that she had extracted every secret from the raider, Zyryxa still felt revolted with herself. The man had deserved retribution for what he did to Bax¡¯s homestead¡ªthere was a flavor of Qoryxa¡¯s justice in that. But Zyryxa was not proud. She took her mother¡¯s axe and ended his screams, knowing that this was not the person her mother raised her to be. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± she commanded, wiping his blood splatter off her cheek. ¡°Pelzyq thinks we should¡ª ¡°I don¡¯t care what Pelzyq thinks!¡± Zyryxa snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. The sting of her words was immediate. Pelzyq¡¯s droopy frown filled her with regret. He deserved many things, but not that. This wasn¡¯t her, wasn¡¯t who she wanted to become. Zyryxa took a breath, trying to regain control. ¡°What is it Pelzyq?¡± Pelzyq gestured toward the raider¡¯s discarded furs, still avoiding her gaze. Lexyn, too, gazed down at her feet. Zyryxa¡¯s heart sank, knowing she¡¯d disappointed her yet again. The brutality she¡¯d unleashed was as much for what he could tell them as it was triggered by the way the raider had disrespected Lexyn. Zyryxa needed to be better than this. She had taken the man¡¯s dignity, pride, parts, pain, tears, secrets, and life. The thought of taking even one more thing made her stomach churn, echoing the memory of his screams. Yet, the frozen tundra bit at her exposed legs, and it was embarrassing to walk without pants or boots. She could at least remedy half of that problem. ¡°Pelzyq needs his top back,¡± Pelzyq murmured, holding up the raider¡¯s undersized wolf fur vest against his broad chest. Zyryxa nodded, her eyes fixed on the gruesome remains of the Fire Tribe raider. Bax¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°I lost three children last night,¡± he said, his tone hollow. ¡°None of them had seen their sixth year of life. We did nothing to these people, yet they took everything from us. You did well, Zyryxa. Zyrthalla would be proud of you.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s grip tightened on her mother¡¯s axe. She felt unworthy of wielding it. ¡°Zyrthalla would not have done what I did,¡± she replied quietly, fighting back anger and sorrow that churned within her. How dare he invoke her mother¡¯s name to justify the ugly thing she done? Bax shook his head. ¡°No, Zyryxa, I¡¯ve seen her do much worse than that, back in the last war.¡± Zyryxa stared at him, disbelief and horror twisting her thoughts. ¡°She was noble and just.¡± ¡°She was,¡± Bax agreed, his voice firm. ¡°And sometimes it is noble and just to feed a man¡¯s child to your dragon in order to protect your own.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s breath caught in her throat and she had to hold herself back from charging this liar down. ¡°She would never do that!¡± ¡°She did,¡± Bax said, his gaze steady. ¡°And when she held the man¡¯s next child to the dragon¡¯s maw, she got him to agree to a duel instead of a battle that would have claimed hundreds of lives on both sides. My entire family, and many others, owe their lives to her for that.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Zyryxa¡¯s mind reeled, trying to reconcile the perfect woman she knew as her mother with the one Bax described. Could her mother have traded the life of a child for the lives of hundreds? Bax spoke with such conviction, but how could she believe her mother could feed a helpless youth to Qorzillux? Bax continued, ¡°The information you got from that sick fuck gives us a chance to win this, and for that, I am grateful to you. Like Zyrthalla, you may prove to be my family¡¯s hero.¡± He placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you feel then.¡± Zyryxa remained silent, her thoughts a blizzard of confusion and doubt. She took the man¡¯s pants, trying to rationalize her actions. She despised such ugly calculus, but if her mother would have made the same choice to save the lives of the homesteaders in this region, then perhaps it was Qoryxa¡¯s beautiful justice. The man was going to die; Pelzyq and Bax were already trying to do the same thing with far less efficiency. Last, but not least, the man¡¯s own lack of remorse, his vulgarity toward Lexyn, his complacency with the evil his band of raiders had committed and planned to perpetuate ¡­ he deserved even worse in the eyes of the Divine. Despite what she had done, she was still Zyrthalla¡¯s champion, still a true paragon of Qoryxa. She was still Zyryxa, not some monster. Zyryxa turned to Lexyn, and with a small nod, silently promised to be careful with her justifications and to always try the way of compassion first. As she looked back at the mutilated raider, she vowed not to become the evil she fought. Pelzyq broke the silence, as he usually did. ¡°Let¡¯s see how Pelzyq feels when he is reunited with his top.¡± Zyryxa sighed, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She pulled the raider¡¯s pants on and cinched the belt to fit her hips. Even with half of her left leg still exposed, she instantly felt more comfortable in the cold. Holding the gray top, she shot a meaningful look at the men. Bax caught the hint and turned away, giving her some privacy. Pelzyq, however, was Pelzyq. ¡°No peeking,¡± Zyryxa warned sharply. ¡°You¡¯ve been gawking at Pelzyq¡¯s pectorals all day. Why shouldn¡¯t you return the favor?¡± ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said softly, ¡°please turn around.¡± Pelzyq smirk melted into a genuine smile. ¡°Lexyn asked nicely. For that, Pelzyq listens.¡± He turned, facing Lexyn with an almost reverent expression. ¡°Zyryxa is like Monzqora¡ªhard to look away from but ready to erupt at any time. Lexyn is like the ocean, endless blue beauty with waves that soothe Pelzyq¡¯s soul.¡± Lexyn blushed deeply, her gaze dropping to her feet. ¡°That¡¯s nice of you to say, Pelzyq.¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes, quickly changing into the dull gray wolf furs. ¡°Qoryxa help us all,¡± she muttered, hurling Pelzyq¡¯s top at his back. Pelzyq caught the furs with a laugh. ¡°Pelzyq is sorry, ladies. He knows you¡¯ve enjoyed the view.¡± He winked at Lexyn, who looked like she wanted to disappear. ¡°But all good things must come to an end.¡± Bax sighed, a faint smile on his lips. ¡°Reminds me of my early days with Craz and Striqa, before Valqa came along and brought the brood into balance.¡± He nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You three are going to be just fine when you find your fourth.¡± Zyryxa patted Zyrxl while the drake finished lapping up the last of the raider¡¯s orange blood. The cold realization of what lay ahead settled in as she thought of Matyxal, memories of the woman¡¯s triumphs in the tourneys rushing through her head. ¡°Let¡¯s make a plan,¡± she said, her voice steady but her heart heavy. The weight of what she had done, and what she still had to do, pressed down on her, but she was ready to bear the load and determined to stay true to herself¡ªto be her mother¡¯s legacy. Still, Matyxal¡¯s freckled face loomed in her thoughts and sent tendrils of fear down her spine. She prayed this Natazia was as good as Lexyn said she was. No, she needed to be even better. Chapter 26: Natazia Natazia drifted in the void, seeking refuge in the cold, empty place where she tried to hide from him. In this desolate sanctuary, their insults and touches brushed against her awareness like faint whispers on the wind. She took solace in the numbness, knowing that neither their words, their blows, nor their thrusts could match the blizzard that he was. In this space, time stretched into an eternity or contracted into a fleeting moment. Time marched to its own beat and Natazia was not privy to the song. Far away, on the other side where things could be warm but never were, a melody played¡ªa perfect song that this imperfect world didn¡¯t deserve. You used to love music, she remembered. Once upon a time, a little girl with a shaved head danced by the fire, her spirit brighter than the flames. She heard the rhythm of Jaxton¡¯s drum, the strumming of Zalver¡¯s lute, Quanix¡¯s gentle harp, and Xillia¡¯s chilling voice. She sang along to her parents¡¯ melody, her voice lifting with joy as she felt capable of anything. Where had that girl gone? The memory faded, leaving a void even deeper than before. She knew the answer. Him. That little girl full of life, eager to soar on dragon¡¯s wings, had gone to him. The thought of his name, which she dared not think, loomed in the abyss, pulling her back to the nightmare she couldn¡¯t escape.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. His face emerged from the darkness, a specter that shattered her fragile sanctuary. Pain seeped through the cracks, dragging her back to his domain. He had found her again. He always would. Natazia screamed, another plea unheard among the thousands before. Her body convulsed, every nerve on fire as she fought against invisible chains. Champions with blind eyes, knights too afraid to fight him, warriors too grateful it wasn¡¯t them¡ªthey had all abandoned her to him. She was alone in his hell, marked by his brand, his words cutting even deeper than his blades. You belong to me. She couldn¡¯t escape him; she never could. Nothingness became everything, and everything became him. The sound of his voice, cruelty masked as false tenderness, his overpowering musk, the taste of her own blood from his biting kiss, his dominating touch pressing her into submission again and again¡ªthe face of sculpted ice with the thinnest of smiles as he whispered, ¡°You are nothing without me.¡± Natazia fought him, just as he wanted, but no amount of thrashing and screaming changed her fate. It never did. She would never be more than the frozen nothingness he made of that little girl dancing by the flames, but she clung to the flickering light within her, a fragile hope that perhaps, one day, she could find her way back to the warmth. Chapter 27: The Warriors Pride The blizzard descended upon the hill, its icy tendrils wrapping around Zyryxa, obscuring her sight until she wasn¡¯t able to see past her axe. She crept up the hill, each step a battle as the snow rose above her knees. Though she couldn¡¯t see the white palisades of the hilltop homestead claimed by the Fire Tribe, the faint strains of music guided her forward. She drew a deep breath, tasting the ice, and sensed Qoryxa¡¯s divine presence. Tonight, she was Ice¡¯s Judgment, and the axe she wielded would deliver the raiders¡¯ sentence. Zyryxa reached the palisade, the snow and darkness shielding her from view. The men¡¯s voices were a muffle chorus beneath the master bard¡¯s lute. Ten men, four heatscales, one Matyxal, she counted, chills running down her spine as she crawled toward the twin saplings marking the homestead¡¯s smokehouse. Her ungloved hands latched onto the spiked top of the palisade logs. Pain shot through her palms, but it was insignificant compared to the suffering of the three blue-haired within, and what Bax and Anniqa and little Xana endured. With her blue blood slicking the spikes, she hauled herself up, peeking over the wall. The bonfire¡¯s glow was a dim orange haze through the snow, drunken voices barely audible above the storm. Matyxal¡¯s lute cut through the chaos, as beautiful as ever, playing a somber tune: ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride.¡± Zyryxa vaulted over the palisade and landed silently in the snow. Matyxal¡¯s voice pierced the night, carrying emotion that transcended the storm: In the shadow of the battle, where the cold winds do sigh, I stood tall, unyielding, with fire in my eye. I held fast to my pride, with a heart made of stone, But now in the silence, I find myself alone. The melody resonated within Zyryxa, each note a haunting reminder of lost love and shattered pride. She hoped Lexyn was right about Matyxal¡¯s intentions. If not, she and Natazia would have to rely on their skills to overcome the greatest living warrior unbonded to a dragon. Qoryxa is with us. I am Ice¡¯s Judgment. Her resolve hardened as she peered into the smokehouse, and what she saw only strengthened her determination. Natazia¡¯s deep blue eyes stared blankly, unseeing, even as they pointed toward Zyryxa. Her lean body was a map of scars, the brand of Coryza, the darkest Ice Tribe dragon, marring her breasts. Ice Tribe tattoos adorned her pale skin, but they couldn¡¯t fully conceal the wounds. She was a figure of beauty and tragedy, like the Qione ghosts that haunted the ice plains of Nyx Tezyk. Three men with bronzed skin and red hair crowded around Natazia, her torso and arms bound to a meat rack. Two of the men spread a leg while the third raped her. Yet, Natazia¡¯s gaze was distant, her expression unreadable, as if she had retreated into a place where pain couldn¡¯t reach her. Matyxal¡¯s voice rose again, blending her final words together for a poignant effect: I was wrong. I stood strong, when I wish I let you in. Zyryxa¡¯s last shard of innocence shattered. She no longer carried any regret for what she did to their scout earlier; these raiders deserved every fragment of punishment she could deliver. Her mind seethed with visions of beating these creatures within an inch of Zamael¡¯s grasp every day until the end of eternity. They should be castrated and have daggers rammed up their asses. Yet, she knew she had to temper her rage, to remain ice amidst the flames of her fury. Matyxal¡¯s voice, beautiful yet incongruent with the horror inside the smokehouse, cut through the storm: Now I fall. Yes, I fall, but I give you my all! The rapist stumbled backward, boasting obscenely as he pulled up his breeches. He stumbled out into the blizzard, wrapping his arms around himself and moaning, ¡°Fucking tonic must be wearing off.¡± Zyryxa seized the moment, her mother¡¯s axe silencing him forever. She dragged his gasping form into the snow, his life ending in a strangled whisper buried beneath the blizzard and Matyxal¡¯s crescendo: Will we rise? Rise again? Or is this the end? I was loud, I was proud, when I should have been your friend! Exhilaration mingled with rage as she dispatched him, a swift end too kind for a creature with his crimes. Zyryxa tore his head off, and crushed it between her hands, hot orange blood scalding her face as the skull burst. She buried her face in the snow, soothing the burns and reminding herself to be Ice¡¯s Judgment, not fire¡¯s wrath.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Zyryxa loomed near the smokehouse¡¯s edge. One rapist violated Natazia while the other punched her chest, seeking a reaction. Natazia remained unyielding, her face a void of indifference. The puncher taunted, ¡°Wench has gone cold! Make sure your cock don¡¯t freeze off in that cunny!¡± Their laughter mingled with Matyxal¡¯s lament: The echoes of our laughter, they haunt me in the night, We were bound by the battle, by the glory of the fight. Zyryxa burst into the warmth of the smokehouse, her axe slicing through the neck of the man who struck Natazia. She had to pull her blow, careful not to harm Natazia. The axe caught in the man¡¯s dense muscle, but before she could free it, the rapist seized a spear. Natazia sprang into action, her legs coiling around the rapist¡¯s head. With a swift twist, she snapped his neck, sending him crumpling to the floor. Zyryxa wrenched her axe free, then cut Natazia¡¯s restraints. The scarred warrior dropped to the ground, her body swaying. She steadied herself, snatching the spear from the ground. ¡°Report, warrior,¡± Natazia commanded, her voice a raspy echo of authority. Zyryxa balked at her audacity. Matyxal¡¯s verse echoed in her mind, soothing her pride: But I turned from your tears, let my pride lead the way, And now, my dear friend, there¡¯s a price I must pay. Zyryxa took a breath, and suppressed her wounded pride. ¡°Seven more men and four heatscales stand between us and Matyxal. My brood waits beyond the gate, ready to create a diversion. We are to clear the watch posts and secure the other prisoners in the lodge while my brood dispatches those that investigate the diversion.¡± Natazia¡¯s lips curved into a fierce grin. ¡°Then we take Matyxal together.¡± She extended her hand. ¡°I¡¯m Natazia.¡± Zyryxa accepted the hand, feeling bonded by their shared purpose. ¡°Zyryxa.¡± Natazia nodded, her voice carrying the weight of command. ¡°Follow my lead, Zyryxa.¡± Zyryxa bristled at being ordered, her pride flaring as the older warrior stalked into the blizzard wearing only her spear and the scars on her flesh. Still, the scarred warrior¡¯s presence brought Zyryxa a strange comfort as the next verse of ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride¡± rang out: These mistakes, these bad breaks, they tear us apart, We fought our war, we kept the score, now I bear a heavy heart. I was proud ¡­ Oh, so proud, when I should have been true, We were one, we should have won, now I¡¯m lost without you. Natazia¡¯s spear plunged through the back of the first sentry, Zyryxa¡¯s axe cleaving through his neck. Zyryxa caught the body before it crashed into the scaffold, tossing it over the palisade. Natazia hurled the severed head into the night. ¡°Try to burn that.¡± Now the battles are over, and all have bled, But the war inside me lingers, the words left unsaid. Zyryxa and Natazia exchanged a nod and skulked toward the next watch post. Drunken men attempted to sing beside the fire, only to be deafened by Matyxal¡¯s beautiful, shrill cries: I¡¯ll fight until my final breath leaves my chest, For the chance to put our bond above the rest. Zyryxa felt overcome with grief, the song striking something vulnerable within her icy core like a dragonbone sword enchanted with Seraxa¡¯s flames. She followed Natazia up the next scaffold, poised to fight until her last breath. The post was abandoned, a large orange haze gleaming down the hill. We were one. We were one! And you know we should have won! ¡°Your allies?¡± Natazia whispered. ¡°Yes. They will lure some of the raiders into their trap while we free the other prisoners and finish whatever is left inside the palisade.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Natazia said, staring toward the music and the flickering flames of the bonfire. Fury resonated through Matyxal¡¯s overpowering vibrato as she climbed toward the climax: I will try! I will cry! But, my darling, I won¡¯t die! Not until I give my all to mend! A love that should never end! Natazia leapt off the scaffold and darted around the inner edge of the palisade. Zyryxa raced after her, frustrated with her insistence on leading. The spear struck sentry¡¯s fiery eye. Zyryxa clamped her hand over his mouth, suffocating his screams as the spear plunged into him again. She gently lowered him to the rickety scaffold. He had been a handsome man, and her heart ached for the loss of something beautiful. ¡°Freeze forever in Qoryxa¡¯s ice,¡± she whispered, killing the trace of warmth where she could only afford cold justice. ¡°Five more,¡± Natazia counted, her determination untouched. ¡°Let¡¯s get in position by the lodge and wait for the diversion to catch their attention.¡± Zyryxa nodded, and they crept along the edge of the lodge. Matyxal¡¯s tearful song slowed to a somber crawl that brought a rare silence to her raucous companions. These mistakes ¡­ these bad breaks, We fought our war ¡­ we kept the score. The snow eased, and the homestead¡¯s campfire emerged from the white veil. Zyryxa noticed dozens of scars on Natazia¡¯s back. Her heart swelled with empathy as she recognized the resilience etched into every line of Natazia¡¯s body. I was proud¡­ Oh, so proud We were one, we should have won. Zyryxa felt a powerful urge to offer love and compassion where there had been only pain and hatred. But she remained focused on Ice¡¯s Judgment, waiting for the final notes of ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride.¡± Now we¡¯re two ¡­ now we¡¯re through, And I am nothing without you. The music faded, leaving them in profound stillness. Zyryxa breathed in the ice, sorrow gripping her as she considered the tragedy of extinguishing such beauty. She put her faith in Lexyn¡¯s judgment and hoped that her arrows would soon sing their own tune right into the throats of the other raiders. As the snowfall dwindled, Lexyn¡¯s fire flared beyond the palisade, painting the black sky with its gleam. Three raiders, roused from their solemn stupor, stumbled toward the diversion with a pair of heatscales in tow. Alone at the bonfire, Matyxal kept her back to the lodge, Dryxl at her side. The traitor whimpered softly, and Matyxal patted his head while Zyryxa shook hers. ¡°Ready?¡± Natazia asked, her hand hovering over the lodge¡¯s door handle. Zyryxa nodded, Ice¡¯s Judgment coursing through her as she heard the whimpers within. Together, they burst into the lodge, as shouts from outside echoed up the hill. Chapter 28: The Warmth ¡°This is drakeshit,¡± Pelzyq muttered, glaring at Bax. Women were being raped or beaten while they remained hidden, doing fuck all. Pelzyq could hear their screams in his memory, feeling like a helpless child as Pavinax violated everyone he cared about. ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes, boy!¡± Bax barked, his voice a harsh reprimand that cut through Pelzyq¡¯s thoughts like a jagged blade. It was a phrase and tone he remembered well, one that set his blood to boil. He had heard it countless times in Pavinax¡¯s homestead, a constant reminder that he was a failure in his father¡¯s eyes. Bax could choke on a fucking sausage link. Pelzyq closed his fists, ready to knock the balding cuckold into the snow. The blizzard began to relent, revealing the intensifying gelubor fires. Lexyn worked to keep Zyrxl from charging toward the inferno. Pelzyq couldn¡¯t stand to see her struggle, and for a moment, he forgot about the balding fucker and the atrocities happening above. His feet moved of their own accord, carrying him toward Lexyn. He reached her side just as Zyrxl began to drag her toward the flames. Pelzyq stepped in front of the drake, wrapped his arms around the creature¡¯s neck, and barred its path. Lexyn held with him, her warmth pressing against his side, while she spoke in that warm, smooth, husky voice that he loved more than any other. Her words had a magical effect, calming not just Zyrxl, but Pelzyq himself. When she spoke, the echoes of Pavinax went silent.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Lexyn cocked her head at him, her blue eyes sparkling in the flickering light, and Pelzyq was certain he¡¯d never seen a more beautiful sight than her grateful smile. ¡°Thanks, Pelzyq,¡± she said, her voice warming the very depths of his soul. Pelzyq gave her shoulder a friendly pat, her warmth giving him a rare moment where he didn¡¯t feel like a piece of drakeshit. ¡°Anytime, Sexy Lexy,¡± he said, trying to subdue the pounding in his chest. She crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and scoffed, but he saw the way her lips turned upward. Pelzyq had to be careful here, sensing the heat between them. He knew he was cursed, that nothing good would come of kindling the flames, but he couldn¡¯t stop tossing logs onto the fire. ¡°I mean it,¡± he said softly, wishing he could wrap his arms around her and let her know how much he cared. He wanted to shield her from this shithole of a world they lived in, from the destruction and misery that seemed to follow him and ruin everyone he loved. She met his gaze and took his hand, her touch grounding him. He had never felt so seen or so warm. ¡°I know you do,¡± Lexyn said, her voice a soothing balm. ¡°I¡¯m here for you too.¡± The music atop the hill ceased, the melody replaced by the ominous crackle of the flaming forest. The blizzard continued to weaken, its fury diminishing as the fire gained power. Lexyn gave his hand a squeeze. With a nod, she let him go and nocked an arrow, her eyes fixed on the gate above. Her focus was unwavering, Pelzyq resolved himself to do whatever it took to keep her alive. He drew his axe, crouching beside her behind the cover of a boulder. On the verge of battle, he felt more at peace within himself than he could ever remember. For the first time in years, he had something to live for other than killing his father, and that realization was a warmth that spread through him, igniting a fire that even the fiercest storm couldn¡¯t extinguish. Chapter 29: Steam Rising Fear thumped in Lexyn¡¯s chest as she readied her arrow, but tonight, she promised herself, would be different than the last. She was no longer the girl who had watched a hopeless battle from the perimeter, feeling useless and afraid. Now, she felt the warmth of Pelzyq beside her, the determination of Bax waiting behind the next boulder, and Zyryxa¡¯s presence as she bravely stalked their enemies above. Violence was not the way of Leverith, but Qoryxa demanded she protect the vulnerable from threats like these raiders. The memory of last night¡¯s horrors burned in her mind. Lexyn clutched her bow tightly, vowing to end these atrocities. Still, that old familiar fear left her hands trembling. ¡°You¡¯ve got this,¡± Pelzyq whispered, his deep voice soothing her jitters. His big hand on her back lent her some of his steady courage. Lexyn took aim, tallying her targets: five in total¡ªthree men and two fire-breathing drakes. She breathed in deeply, thankful that Matyxal wasn¡¯t among them. Once it was clear that no more raiders were coming, she released her first arrow, sending it spiraling toward the straggler. The shaft embedded itself in his throat, and he fell to the snow. The other two men struggled in the deep drifts, making easy targets. Her next arrow pierced one through the eye, and she quickly sent two more arrows into the back of the final man as he twisted toward his comrade¡¯s dying gasp. He fell and the heatscales pounced downhill, steam rising behind them. ¡°Zyrxl! Attack!¡± she urged the coldscale. Zyrxl and Bax charged up the hill while Pelzyq stayed protectively near Lexyn. Her next arrow took out a heatscale¡¯s front shoulder, its flaming breath shooting into the snow as it crashed to the ground. Zyrxl spat a trio of ice rocks at the fallen drake¡¯s skull and then mauled the stunned foe.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Bax narrowly avoided the other heatscale¡¯s burning breath, flinging himself into the snow. Lexyn¡¯s arrow went wide as the beast shifted direction, barreling downhill toward her with terrifying speed. Fear gripped her as she desperately launched arrows at the encroaching beast, steam rising in its wake, fire gathering in its mouth. The arrows struck scale but shattered to no avail. The heatscale leapt up, fire streaming from its maw, and Lexyn shrieked as she fell to the snow, covering her head. The heat of the flames soared over her, but neither claw nor maw sank into her flesh. She looked up to see Pelzyq standing over the drake, his axe dripping in sizzling, orange blood that melted the snow around its corpse. He offered his hand, and she gladly claimed it. Pelzyq lifted her to her feet with ease, his gentle strength a soothing balm for her fear. His gaze locked onto hers, and she felt her already accelerated heart thump for another reason. Her eyes fell, but not to her own feet as was their tradition. They lingered on his lips, her heart longing for the warmth of their embrace. ¡°Excellent shooting,¡± he said, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead, sending shivers of desire coursing through her. ¡°Pelzyq has determined something.¡± Smiling, she lifted her eyes to his. She trembled, for once from warmth rather than damnable cold, her belly burning as it fluttered. ¡°Has he?¡± He nodded smugly. ¡°He has.¡± Lexyn rose to the tips of her toes, her hands on his forearms, stretching to close the gap between their heights. Her mouth opened, uncertain whether to kiss or speak her heart. His fingers ran through her hair, and she started to lean in, when shouts uphill stole their focus. Bax was wailing on one of the men Lexyn had shot, the violence snapping her attention back to where it needed to be. She let her hands fall from Pelzyq¡¯s arms and he withdrew his hand from her hair. Zyryxa needed them, and Lexyn refused to let her down, even knowing that the mighty Matyxal waited above. Chapter 30: The Flames of Renewal Zyryxa and Natazia burst through the lodge doors, stepping into a stifling den of depravity. A wave of heat hit Zyryxa, mingling with the rank odor of unwashed bodies and drakes. Her heart pounded with icy fury, Ice¡¯s Judgment burning within her chest. The lodge was a chaotic wreck of liquor bottles, dice, cards, and scattered furs. To her left, a burly man in his undergarments lounged in a chair, sipping from a bottle while two heatscales roused at his feet. To her right, two blue-haired women were bound and gagged to bedposts. One of them was being violated by a lanky Fire Tribe man, her cries muffled by her gag. Zyryxa¡¯s heart twisted with fury. The dishonorable men deserved no mercy. Her greataxe was Qoryxa¡¯s justice, unforgiving and swift. The faces of those she fought for flashed in her mind: Xana, Anniqa, and the babe. She would not fail them. With a growl, she charged the raper, her axe glistening blue with wyrm¡¯s blood. He turned just in time to see the flash of her blade before it cleaved through his skull. The corpse slumped atop the one-armed, gagged woman, his orange blood pooling on the bed. ¡°Kill!¡± the other man bellowed, rising from his seat. The heatscales shimmered in the firelight like molten lava. One charged Zyryxa while the other lunged at Natazia, who leveled her spear at the man with messy blood-red hair and demonic eyes. Zyryxa hurled the rapist¡¯s corpse at the drake rushing her, knocking it into a table. With rapid precision, she swung her axe, splitting another skull. Burning blood sizzled on her blade, dissolved by the white wyrm¡¯s frost. Natazia leapt aside from the other drake¡¯s flame spout, the inferno igniting the wall. Zyryxa hurled a qoryxite handaxe at the beast, burying the hatchet in its throat. It sprawled to the ground with a hideous cry before Natazia jabbed its eyes with her spear. The heat was suffocating, flames licking at the white walls. Zyryxa quickly cut Striqa and Valqa¡¯s bindings while Natazia lunged for the Fire Tribe brute, sword and spear clanging as she screamed for murder. ¡°Come on,¡± Zyryxa urged the prisoners, ¡°Bax is outside.¡± ¡°Bax lives?¡± the two-armed woman gasped, her eyes welling with emotion. ¡°And Anniqa, Xana, and a babe,¡± Zyryxa said, helping the one-armed prisoner off the bunk. ¡°Grab some furs and a weapon, and let¡¯s get the hell out of here.¡± Zyryxa cursed Seraxa as fire turned the lodge into a deathtrap of smoke and heat. The doorway they had entered was now engulfed in flames, leaving the only viable exit at the side of the lodge where Natazia battled the demonic-eyed man.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The man, howling obscenities, took a spear to the shoulder. He stepped into the pain, shoving Natazia back, and dashed out of the lodge¡¯s last remaining doorway. ¡°I¡¯m going to flaming kill you, Taxim!¡± Natazia bellowed, slamming her body against the door, only to be repelled as the brute held it shut on the outside. She pushed with all her might, all her pent-up rage, but the door didn¡¯t budge. The flames encroached, smoke clawing at Zyryxa¡¯s throat and stinging her eyes. Each breath was a labor, each movement a battle against the fire¡¯s voracious hunger. She wasn¡¯t going to fail little Xana and certainly wouldn¡¯t let this horrid brute be the death of her. Cold vindication gave way to flaming wrath. ¡°Out of the way,¡± she roared. Natazia spared one scowl before ducking aside. Zyryxa¡¯s axe split through the door, revealing Taxim¡¯s blood-red, bloodshot eyes. She charged forward with an ear-splitting roar, slamming into the door with the full brunt of her strength. The door blasted off its hinges, but she kept her momentum, barreling into Taxim. The two of them rolled into the snow, her greataxe flung from her grip, and they pushed against each other, vying for footing. Taxim was quicker, sending a punch that laid Zyryxa back into the snow. She twisted, kicking him in the groin as he came for her again. Reeling, he scrambled for his greatsword and staggered toward the bonfire, crying out, ¡°Matyxal!¡± Zyryxa reclaimed her mother¡¯s greataxe, joined by Natazia, naked save for her spear and the tapestry of trauma writ upon her skin. Behind them, Striqa and Valqa called out for Bax, clinging to their furs and a pair of swords. The burning lodge lit the night, sending smoke spiraling up to the dark clouds sheathing the stars. Matyxal rose, unsheathed her famed longsword, the flames igniting as the dragonbone left the scabbard. Memories of valiant tournament battles resonated in Zyryxa¡¯s mind, freezing her in place. Even with the numbers in their favor, she felt like prey being sized up by an apex predator. Her breath caught as Matyxal smirked at her, offering a sly wink, before her gaze shifted toward the gate. ¡°Valqa! Striqa!¡± Bax roared, rushing through the open gate alongside Lexyn, Pelzyq, and Zyrxl. Dryxl howled and rushed back toward Lexyn, Zyrxl, ever the just, growled at him and the darkscale cowered behind his rider. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Matyxal, or reclaim her confidence that melted in the fiery warrior¡¯s gaze. ¡°Surround them!¡± Natazia ordered, and Zyryxa found her feet move into place, mustering a fragment of her courage and resolve. Seven dragon warriors and two drakes formed a circle around Matyxal and Taxim. The indomitable warrior showed no trace of fear, and the hint of amusement, the fire burning in her eyes nestled in a face of a thousand freckles set beneath her flaming hair, was a vision of power and beauty. Nine to two, Zyryxa reminded herself. Yet, the confidence didn¡¯t return. Before, when the blizzard raged it was easy to believe this was Qoryxa¡¯s night. Now, flames consumed the homestead, and it was hard not to believe that Seraxa would prevail over her divine twin. ¡°Kill ¡®em, woman!¡± Taxim roared. She turned on him, her cloak fluttering with the sudden movement. Taxim didn¡¯t have time to react beyond initial bewilderment. Matyxal¡¯s dragonbone sword flew faster than any dragon, clipping Taxim¡¯s throat with just the tip of its jagged blade. He fell to his knees, trying to keep the orange from flowing out, hatred blazing in his demonic eyes. ¡°The flames of renewal shall consume the wicked and from their ashes may Volqor be born anew,¡± Matyxal said, gripping her blade in both hands. Taxim gurgled, gouts of blood erupting from his maw. Matyxal chopped off his head and sent it rolling into the bonfire. Whirling her burning blade and stepping into a fighting stance, Matyxal smiled at them like a dragon about to feast. Chapter 31: The Bereaved Bard Flames punctuated the silence. Their intense heat, the midnight glow of the burning lodge, the inferno raging in the gelubor downhill, the bonfire, and even Matyxal herself cast the night in orange-red and set Zyryxa to an uncomfortable sweat. She clutched her greataxe, praying that Matyxal¡¯s new Volqor didn¡¯t leave them as ashes too. ¡°Y-you d-d-don¡¯t w-want to fight us,¡± Lexyn managed, bow drawn on the bard. ¡°No, darling,¡± Matyxal answered, maintaining her fighting stance. ¡°I¡¯d rather sing your songs than take your lives.¡± Indignation rose in Zyryxa, bursting through her fear. ¡°Then why are you here, Matyxal? Why become a divinedamned raider?¡± She swung her fiery gaze onto Zyryxa. ¡°Zyryxa. You of all people should understand why I would do anything to see the flames of renewal consume the wicked.¡± Zyryxa tightened her grip on Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe, trying not to let the familiarity lower her guard. She knew what drove her, why Saevah haunted her dreams and was never far from her own thoughts. ¡°For vengeance.¡± Matyxal frowned, her freckled face falling into a forlorn sadness that further threatened Zyryxa¡¯s resolve. ¡°For love.¡± ¡°For love?¡± Bax spat at Matyxal¡¯s feet. ¡°I loved my people, my wife, my husband, my homestead. You took them from me! For love?¡± He scoffed. ¡°Just as love brought you here tonight, warrior. What is vengeance, if not love twisted by sorrow and wrath?¡± ¡°My family never did anything to you!¡± Bax roared. Striqa and Valqa each seized an arm, pulling him back to them before he charged. ¡°And all I did to your family was let you, the little girl, the woman, and her babe escape. Then I made sure Valqa and Striqa survived.¡± ¡°You captured me!¡± Natazia roared, Zyryxa feeling the dragon lurking within the scarred woman. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend that you¡¯re innocent!¡± Matyxal frowned. ¡°I kept you alive. Despite your best efforts to die.¡± Natazia gripped her spear, knuckles whitening further. ¡°I should¡¯ve died with my brood!¡± ¡°And never get retribution for their deaths? Every man that hurt them is dead now and you¡¯re still alive to carry on their hopes. You can be mad at me for keeping you alive or you can grow stronger and bring battle to the one responsible for the pain we all feel. If you aren¡¯t wise enough to know the right path, I¡¯ll grant you the death you desire.¡± Shaking, Natazia stepped toward Matyxal. Zyryxa held her back. ¡°Wait!¡± Her voice trembled, her fingers struggling to maintain their grip on the axe. She had no doubts the bard¡¯s chances of killing them all were high. Zyryxa clung to the hope that she didn¡¯t want to fight them, that she had a good reason for being here. Zamael¡¯s Hells! Zyryxa didn¡¯t want to die. ¡°If you want to see Faxiq dead, why are you here?¡± ¡°I lost my sun and my moon, sent away a girl that was my pride and joy, and had to bow to the man who stole them from me.¡± ¡°Spare us your sob story, bard,¡± Natazia said, ¡°Nobody will mourn you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Aye,¡± Bax said. ¡°Nothing but silvery lies to ease your own conscience. You could¡¯ve fought for us when our lives burned right in front of you. But you did nothing!¡± Pelzyq, standing between Lexyn and the surrounded bard, spat into the snow. ¡°You¡¯re the worst sort of evil. The type that thinks they¡¯re the hero.¡± ¡°I¡¯m no hero,¡± Matyxal said, her ethereal voice ringing over the flames as the bunkhouse collapsed beyond her. ¡°I wish I had the strength to challenge Faxiq, but like you, I must check my pride and recognize my limitations.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°You can¡¯t take us all,¡± Bax roared, his wives holding him back, knowing how wrong he was. Between Bax, Pelzyq, and Natazia, Zyryxa felt a constant dread that one of them would fuck this up. ¡°Stay your weapons,¡± she said, glancing at Pelzyq. ¡°I still need an answer, bard.¡± ¡°I understand your pain,¡± Matyxal said to Bax, ¡°for it is my own. Everything I do, is to see Faxiq returned to ash. If I could¡¯ve saved your homestead,¡± she looked to Natazia, pleading for forgiveness, ¡°or your brood without sabotaging my own plans, I promise I would¡¯ve.¡± Zyryxa was maddened with the bard¡¯s circular bard logic. She had no doubt that Matyxal could¡¯ve protected the homestead if she wanted to, could¡¯ve saved every soul that was now ash. ¡°Enough pretty words, bard! I fail to understand how watching innocent folk get slaughtered aids your plans?¡± ¡°She needs Faxiq to believe she is loyal,¡± Lexyn said. Matyxal grinned at her. ¡°Indeed, precious.¡± Pelzyq scoffed. ¡°Keep your bardic charms to yourself, you flaming bitch! Nobody here is falling for your lies!¡± ¡°She¡¯s not lying,¡± Zyryxa said, hoping to lull Pelzyq before he ruined this. It made sense. Even if Matyxal could kill all the raiders on her own, they wouldn¡¯t have lined up for her. All it took was one escaping to sabotage whatever she planned. Now that the raiders were dead, Matyxal was free to work against Faxiq. There was only one reason she would need to get into the heart of southern Volqor. ¡°She needs to get to Vaztyma without Faxiq suspecting her.¡± ¡°Very astute, Zyryxa,¡± Matyxal said, stepping into a fighting stance. ¡°Now, there are three ways this can end. We part ways here.¡± She glanced at Bax and his wives. ¡°You go home and rebuild your lives.¡± She shifted to Natazia. ¡°You undergo the Rite of the Dragon Knight and carry on the memory of your brood.¡± She smiled at Lexyn. ¡°You continue to be a light in the darkness.¡± To Pelzyq she added, ¡°While you continue to protect her with all your heart.¡± Pelzyq growled at her. ¡°And I¡¯ll protect her from you.¡± He gestured to Taxim¡¯s head smoldering in the bonfire. ¡°We know the treachery you¡¯re capable of, bard.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t need trickery to fight us!¡± Zyryxa yelled, so sick of Pelzyq¡¯s persistent stupidity. ¡°And you, Zyryxa,¡± Matyxal continued, ¡°can continue on the path to becoming the future Champion of the Ice Tribe.¡± Natazia balked, shaking her head. ¡°You just expect us to let you go? Vaztyma would kill us herself if we let someone as dangerous as you go unchecked in the heart of her lands.¡± Natazia wasn¡¯t wrong. Vaztyma would be displeased with them, even if she ended up siding with Matyxal. Letting her go wasn¡¯t their choice to make, as appealing as it was to her own fears. Dread stabbed at her core, threatening to break Zyryxa¡¯s composure. She glanced around the fiery scene, noting that everybody recognized the truth. They couldn¡¯t let this demon loose and carry on their lives. ¡°You s-said there were three options,¡± Lexyn managed, her bow shaking in her unsteady grip. ¡°Lower your weapons,¡± Matyxal said softly. ¡°Help me get to Vaztyma. Work with me to end this folly of a war. Do what needs to be done to see Faxiq consumed by the Flames of Renewal.¡± ¡°There is no way we¡¯re letting you keep your weapon,¡± Natazia said, speaking what everybody else felt. Zyryxa was relieved Natazia had the courage to say it first. Matyxal hesitated, the spit of the flames surrounding them seeming louder than ever. Notably, she clutched to the hilt of her flaming longsword. ¡°Option three: we fight. I still climb Monzqora, burning through every attempt the Ice makes to stop me.¡± She stepped into an attack stance. ¡°May Seraxa¡¯s wisdom guide your choice and Qoryxa¡¯s judgment be focused on the one who deserves it.¡± Zyryxa clenched her mother¡¯s greataxe, aware that the glistening blue wyrm¡¯s blood gave her, and probably her alone, a chance to break through Matyxal¡¯s hardened flesh. Yet, there was no will to fight in her. Matyxal wasn¡¯t her enemy. Nor should she be. Her hand laxed on the weapon, willing that Bax, Natazia, and Pelzyq could see reason. Please, she prayed to Qoryxa, please guide them with your judgment. Bax was tense, his wives steadying him as he stood on the edge. Natazia trembled beside Zyryxa, biting her lip and shaking her head in fury. Lexyn pleaded gently with Pelzyq to stay with her, placing her hand over his. ¡°She¡¯s a liar!¡± Pelzyq bellowed. ¡°If she doesn¡¯t give up her weapon, she plans to use it!¡± ¡°Just because a dragon doesn¡¯t let you pull out its teeth doesn¡¯t mean it plans to bite you,¡± Matyxal said, holding her stance. ¡°Swallow your pride, boy. Listen to your Pelianna. She¡¯s by far the wisest one here. If you can¡¯t trust me, trust her.¡± ¡°Please, Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said, tears rimming her blue eyes. Pelzyq shook his head. ¡°I won¡¯t be the reason you die.¡± His jaw tightened; he glanced at Zyryxa. ¡°We can take her.¡± Zyryxa and Lexyn screamed for him to stop. Alas, Pelzyq was too stupid and too stubborn and not strong enough to afford either. He charged Matyxal, intent on being the reason they all died amidst the flames of this forlorn homestead. Chapter 32: Surrender Pelzyq dashed forth, axe readied, roaring like the brave imbecile he was. Zyryxa and Lexyn screamed for him to stop, but he was deaf to their pleas. Zyryxa felt powerless as if she was frozen, watching Pelzyq¡¯s mighty swing aimed at Matyxal¡¯s head. Matyxal sidestepped his attack with ease, slammed the pommel of her sword into his gut, and swept his legs with a swift kick. He collided with the ground, wind rushing out of him. She pinned him with a boot to his groin, making him cry out in pain, and lowered the flaming tip of her sword to his throat. ¡°Enough!¡± she barked, her freckled face aglow in the firelight. Lexyn, shouting Pelzyq¡¯s name, loosed an arrow. Matyxal caught it mid-flight. ¡°Darling,¡± she said with a heavy sigh, ¡°we¡¯ve been over this already.¡± She threw the arrow into the bonfire. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt him!¡± Lexyn yelled. Her ferocity staggered even Zyryxa. ¡°Run, Lexyn!¡± Pelzyq yelled. ¡°No!¡± Lexyn drew her sword. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you behind!¡± Zyryxa¡¯s gaze flitted between them, connecting pieces together that she couldn¡¯t believe. They¡¯re in love. While her estimation of Lexyn¡¯s judgment plummeted, she knew she had to defend her sister¡¯s heart. ¡°Pelzyq! Nobody needs to be left behind, and nobody needs to run away. Tell the fiery bard that you won¡¯t be fighting her anymore.¡± Pelzyq spat into the flames. ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s Seraxa herself. I¡¯d rather burn than let her harm the girl I¡ª¡± His words trailed off, and he swallowed hard, unable to finish. ¡°How noble,¡± Matyxal said dryly, ¡°but I have no intention of harming your Pelianna. Dear Pelianna, help your Elior see sense,¡± she said to Lexyn. ¡°Or¡ª¡± The sword¡¯s edge lowered slightly, pressing on his furs but not piercing. She stepped harder, her deceptive weight crushing down on Pelzyq¡¯s fabled manhood. His furious cry rang through the night, but he remained pinned. ¡°Don¡¯t be a fool, boy,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Tell the bard you¡¯ll behave.¡± Zyryxa wasn¡¯t convinced Natazia planned to behave. The scarred warrior¡¯s stance was taut, ready to strike. She looked more like a direwolf waiting for the warrior to lower her guard than a peacemaker. ¡°I¡¯m not standing down,¡± Pelzyq said. Ironic, Zyryxa thought, considering he was flat on his back. Zyryxa almost admired his stubborn courage, his steadfast devotion. Were he not so misguided it may have even been beautiful. But she wasn¡¯t about to call something that could turn ugly anything other than it was. If this imbecile got them all killed, she¡¯d hunt him down in the ice and kill him again. Zyryxa bit back a series of derogatory remarks on his subpar intellect. She took a deep breath, trying to be Ice¡¯s Champion, channeling compassion for this jackass by remembering the one good thing she saw in him: his care for Lexyn. It still came out sharp, because he was still Pelzyq. ¡°Pelzyq! Nobody else needs to die.¡± ¡°Shut your hole, you divinedamned coward! You were supposed to take her with me!¡± Zyryxa clenched her axe, wanting to cut him down in a moment of fury. She might have lost control, if Lexyn hadn¡¯t stepped forward first. ¡°Pelzyq!¡± Lexyn roared, stepping forward with her blade drawn. ¡°Harm him, and I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Matyxal¡¯s stance faltered. Even Zyryxa was cowed. This was no little mouse, squeaking at the sight of danger. Nor was she a terrified girl leaking urine down her leg. Qoryxa¡¯s blood flowed in Lexyn¡¯s veins, the very blood of the ice dragons themselves. ¡°Listen to me, Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said, her roar softened by a love that didn¡¯t need to be surrounded by flames to see clearly. ¡°The strongest thing we can do is take her prisoner to Vaztyma. Let her render judgment.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll kill you as soon as she has a chance,¡± Pelzyq protested. ¡°I won¡¯t let you die. I can¡¯t.¡± His deep voice broke. This prideful man became vulnerable. Zyryxa never respected his strength more. ¡°Run. Please.¡± Lexyn took another step toward the center of their circle. ¡°No. I¡¯m done hiding when the people I care about fight our battles alone. We¡¯re all getting out of here alive,¡± Lexyn said, taking another step forward. Her blade caught the firelight, glinting as she raised it in an attack stance. Matyxal¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°As I said, I¡¯d rather sing your songs than take your lives.¡± She stepped off Pelzyq and raised her sword to guard herself. ¡°Then surrender,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°I know your heart is good, Matyxal. Let¡¯s go to Vaztyma. Together.¡± Matyxal hesitated, her freckled face somber. Her orange eyes flicked to Pelzyq, then back to Lexyn. Tears glistened, held back by the levee of her indomitable will. She bit her lip, her gaze drifting to Bax and his wives. ¡°Enough lovers have died in this war.¡± ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn pleaded, ¡°stand down. For me.¡± Please, Zyryxa thought. For once in your life, have the strength to admit when you¡¯re not strong enough. After a long pause, Pelzyq exhaled. ¡°Pelzyq has changed his mind. He will escort you to the Ice Champion.¡± ¡°Very well¡± Matyxal said, stepping back. ¡°Pelianna saves Elior.¡± Zyryxa was familiar with the tale Matyxal referenced. It was Leverian, one Abbaz often performed. Nonsense about a pretty princess who needed rescue from a big, strong man, where stupid Leverian class politics created roadblocks for their love, but ultimately redeemed itself when merit and love triumphed in the end. She could only hope for the same ending to all tales. Pelzyq scrambled to his feet, his untrusting eyes never leaving Matyxal. When Lexyn took his hand, he relaxed visibly, as if her touch quelled a great blizzard within him. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t decide which was more shocking: Pelzyq¡¯s newfound sense or the love he clearly bore for Lexyn. She was ready to declare Pelzyq a valued member of her brood but opened up to the possibility that he might not be a colossal piece of shit stuck on the bottom of her boot. Yet, Pelzyq was only one of the problems they faced. Zyryxa shifted her concentration, seeking to be the leader her mother trained her to be. Bax trembled with barely restrained rage, his wives the only thing holding him back. Natazia held a throwing stance, her spear couched in her arm and her legs bent. ¡°Bax,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice gentle but firm, ¡°your departed have been honored, and your loved ones freed. Go home to your little girl and give her the father she needs.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Bax¡¯s gaze wavered, searching his wives for guidance. Valqa and Striqa nodded softly, urging him to surrender his vengeance. They released his arms. Letting out an anguished cry, Bax stepped back. The desire to kill melted away from him like ice on a warm, sunny day. ¡°We¡¯re going home,¡± he said, his voice raw. Matyxal bowed her head. ¡°May you live and love in peace.¡± ¡°Qoryxa bless you three, and those you love,¡± Zyryxa said. Bax, Striqa, and Valqa expressed their thanks, before they retreated. They would return to Xana, Anniqa, and the babe. Their lives, much like Zyryxa¡¯s, would be marked by grief, but they would carry on: beautiful, strong, and full of compassion. Zyryxa took pride knowing that even though a wrong wasn¡¯t set right, she did everything she could to preserve what remained from the ashes, and to render judgment upon those who would burn love with such wanton hatred. First, the direwolves, and then the Fire Tribe raiders. Now, if only Natazia and Matyxal could come to an understanding, so Zyryxa could continue on the path to giving Ice¡¯s Judgment to Saevah. Matyxal stood amidst the flickering firelight, sword drawn and unyielding, facing a circle of four warriors and two drakes. Natazia aimed her spear at the bard that she blamed for letting her live. Zyryxa remembered finding Natazia in the smokehouse and understood why she wasn¡¯t keen to forgive. ¡°Natazia,¡± Matyxal said, her tone caring, ¡°shall you be the candle that continues to burn in the cold winds until it becomes the brightest of flames, or do you still want to die?¡± Natazia¡¯s porcelain knuckles whitened further around her spear as silence stretched. Finally, she exhaled, lowering her weapon. ¡°Hand over the sword, and I¡¯ll see to it that you reach Vaztyma alive.¡± Matyxal beheld her own weapon, a gift from Syrixza and Qorrix. Few weapons were more intricate, with symbols of dragons and lutes etched onto the dragonbone that glowed in the heat of the flames radiating from the blade. The bard stared into those flames, her eyes seeing beyond the sword to the dragon knights she spent the past several years with, a third body in their bed and parent to their daughter. Zyryxa held tight to Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe, not knowing if she could hand the weapon over were the roles reversed. Her heart opened to the bard, feeling her pain as if it were her own. ¡°Sometimes,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°I feel like a part of Zyrthalla is still with me when I hold her axe.¡± Matyxal¡¯s head lifted, her gaze locking onto Zyryxa¡¯s. She studied the greataxe, then the woman wielding it, and memories of shared fires, songs, and lives shaped by love and loss flowed between them. Zyryxa recalled different bonfires, from before their hearts were broken, where a little girl looked up at her mother like she was the center of the world, and where icy Qorrix and fiery Syrixza were the proof that Ice and Fire could meld. Biting her lip to keep from crying out, Matyxal sheathed her blade. ¡°The people who shaped us are not gone when they pass.¡± She removed the scabbard from her furs. ¡°We carry them forward with us, shaping the world around us because of how they impacted us.¡± She clenched her jaw, swallowing a sob. ¡°May we make them proud, and try to restore the peace they cherished, instead of letting our vengeance unmake the world they built, and perhaps worse, erode the impressions they writ upon our hearts. Only then, are we truly without them.¡± She offered the sword to Zyryxa. ¡°Protect it, Zyryxa. Keep it safe until I can take it up again.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s hands trembled as she accepted the responsibility. The warmth radiating from it was fierce. She fastened it to her belt, the heat pressing against her side like a persistent reminder of the promise she must make. ¡°I swear by Seraxa and by Qoryxa, by the peace we shall renew¡ªI will return this blade to you.¡± Matyxal smiled, and Zyryxa felt her lips rising to match hers. Beautiful, compassionate, and certainly strong, she saw why Matyxal was so beloved by Qorrix and Syrixza. Alas, the only thing less attractive than a bard, was a Fire Tribe bard, and Zyryxa wasn¡¯t about to touch fire and get burnt. The bard held out her hands. ¡°I surrender. Bind me, if you must.¡± ¡°We must,¡± Natazia said, wasting no time rushing to find restraints. ¡°Zyryxa will bind me,¡± Matyxal said, winking. ¡°No need to be gentle either, beautiful,¡± she whispered, with too much bardic charm. ¡°I like it rough.¡± Zyryxa couldn¡¯t ignore the flush creeping up her neck. Her mind drifted to the longing she felt on her year in isolation, and dreams that had carried her through those long days and longer nights. She felt thirsty and worked hard to remind herself that the bard wasn¡¯t water but fire. Yet, she drank in the sight of her, knowing that freckles were a weakness of hers, and none possessed as many as this deadly warrior. She cinched the bindings with just enough force to prove she wasn¡¯t to be lulled by sultry words and a pretty face. ¡°You¡¯re going to tell us more about the Flames of Renewal,¡± Zyryxa said, letting her hands fall away from Matyxal¡¯s, ¡°and how you intend to end this war.¡± ¡°Gladly,¡± Matyxal said, inclining her head toward a nearby cabin. ¡°But first, let¡¯s get Natazia clothed, and the rest of you comfortable. Then I¡¯ll sing for you.¡± True to her word, Matyxal guided them to comfort and clothing. Her little cabin offered a crackling hearth with a pot of spiced soup. There was a workbench overflowing with herbs, tools, and alchemical devices. Above the bench, dozens of vials of shimmering bluish-white liquid glinted like molten ice. There was one bed¡ªmassive enough to accommodate all five of them, and a wardrobe that Natazia hastily raided. ¡°These tonics,¡± Lexyn said, picking up a vial. ¡°They¡¯re how you¡¯re surviving the cold.¡± Matyxal nodded as she settled herself on the bed. ¡°My skill with warmth tonics was the only reason Faxiq allowed me into Ice Tribe territory. He sent me with a group of Tantix¡¯s most loyal swarm, overseen by a particularly nasty piece of drakeshit, hoping to both make use of us and get rid of us. I¡¯m convinced he¡¯s receiving some strategic help, because that¡¯s something I¡¯d expect of a cunning, ruthless man like Hatrox, but not a brutish oaf like Faxiq.¡± ¡°What are the Flames of Renewal?¡± Natazia demanded, imperious as any dragon knight, as she finished pulling furs over her chest. Zyryxa would miss the sight of her chiseled torso, but was glad to no longer have her eyes drawn to the myriad scars that traced her body. Pretty, Natazia was, and strong enough. She was like the ice statues of Loxzua, even lacking their warmth to a fault. Zamael¡¯s Hells; Zyryxa felt alone. ¡°We seek to consume the¡ª¡± ¡°Wicked. Blah, blah, blah,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Enough of your poetry, Matyxal. Speak simple truths before I put a fucking muzzle on you.¡± Even bound, Matyxal¡¯s flat scare was a sight of horror. Zyryxa wasn¡¯t convinced the little redhead couldn¡¯t still kill all four of them. The only thing letting her feel any sense of comfort was trust in the bard¡¯s intentions. To her credit, Natazia didn¡¯t show fear. ¡°Is it just you, or do you have some dragon knights on your side?¡± ¡°We are a coalition of warriors and dragon knights who believe this war must end.¡± Natazia leaned toward Matyxal, looming over her with superior height and stature. ¡°So, you work toward those goals by razing Ice Tribe homesteads and killing random broods far from the frontlines?¡± ¡°We do everything we can to thwart the war.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done such a great job so far,¡± Natazia said. ¡°How many dragon knights do you have?¡± Zyryxa said, trying to redirect before she lost her temper. ¡°Two. Our ultimate goal is to kill Faxiq and install our strongest knight so that she can help Volqor be born anew from his ashes.¡± Matyxal placed emphasis on the poetic end to her statement, but Zyryxa latched onto another word she mentioned. She. Unless things changed during her year on the Rite of the Dragon Warrior¡ªwhich they very clearly did¡ªonly one Fire Tribe knight had been woman besides Syrixza. Zyryxa froze, her mind trying to refute what her heart already knew. Lexyn, Qoryxa bless her, was for once able to voice words when Zyryxa was not. ¡°She? Who would you make the Fire Champion?¡± Matyxal took a deep breath. She met Lexyn¡¯s gaze, though Zyryxa felt more like she avoided hers. ¡°The most noble dragon knight north of the Frostmelt.¡± Zyryxa wished for an unfamiliar name, wished for a muzzle rather than a simple truth. She wished many things: that Syrixza lived, and Qorrix never needed to challenge Faxiq. That Vaztyma had been strong enough to refuse to pull the whole nation into war and instead killed just the man responsible. Most of all, she wished her mother lived, that Saevah hadn¡¯t rendered her a corpse beneath the waves. Yet, wishing for something did not make it so. It only made it hurt more when it wasn¡¯t. ¡°If all goes according to plan,¡± Matyxal said, her words measured carefully, almost as if she were nervous, ¡°Saevah will rise from the ashes and restore peace to Volqor.¡± Chapter 33: Stolen Futures Zyryxa surged forward, slamming Matyxal against the wall with enough force to rattle the cabin. The freckled bard didn¡¯t fight back. ¡°That murderer will be champion of nothing!¡± Zyryxa hissed. In her rage, she crushed Matyxal harder into the coarse fur blanket on the gigantic bed. Matyxal didn¡¯t even flinch. The fiery woman¡¯s serenity stoked Zyryxa¡¯s fury. ¡°She¡¯ll¡ªshe¡¯ll¡ª¡± Zyryxa¡¯s words splintered as she screamed, her guttural cry reverberating off the cabin walls. There was no way she¡¯d ever let Saevah be the Fire Champion. No divinedamned way! She¡¯d jump into the middle of the ocean before she permitted such injustice. Her body couldn¡¯t contain her anguish, letting her suppressed cries escape in tremors that wracked her to the core. Lexyn reached for her, as if approaching an enraged wolf. ¡°Zyryxa.¡± ¡°Back off!¡± Zyryxa snarled, cutting Lexyn as sharp as if it were her axe doing the chopping. She barely stopped herself from shoving Lexyn away. Pelzyq stepped between them, but his presence did nothing to Zyryxa¡¯s wrath. She fixed her glare solely on Matyxal, who remained calm and motionless. She wanted to throttle her. Instead, her hands clawed at the edges of her furs, holding on to her to stop herself from shattering completely. ¡°I¡¯ll kill Saevah,¡± Zyryxa growled. ¡°I¡¯ll rip her apart, bit by bit, until she¡¯s nothing.¡± Matyxal exhaled, but it was Natazia¡¯s voice that cut into her. ¡°Are you done yet?¡± Zyryxa whirled toward her, her rage finding a new target. Despite all her scarring, Natazia still had a pristine face. A caved-in cheek might teach her to shut the fuck up. Divinedamned bitch. ¡°As long as Saevah lives, I¡¯ll never be done.¡± Natazia rolled her eyes. ¡°No warrior can defeat a knight. Even if you think you¡¯re better, which you¡¯re not, they¡¯re augmented by their dragon bond. Try as hard as you can, and they¡¯ll always win. Always.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t seen me,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°I¡¯ve seen your kind. Proud little girls like you that thought they were better than everyone else. You know what happens to them? They break. Fragile as ice beneath a dragon¡¯s claw.¡± She leaned closer, her pixie hair catching the light from the bluish-white vials lining the workbench shelf. ¡°And Saevah¡ª¡± her voice dropped to a whisper¡ª ¡°she¡¯ll carve you up with her twinblade before you even swing your first blow.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s rage turned to ice, contemplating how to hurt Natazia as a chill ran down her spine. Her fingers curled into fists as she mapped out the room¡ªa tight brawler¡¯s playground with little space and all the potioneering devices. She¡¯d fucking show her who she was. Pelzyq let out a loud snort. ¡°Divinedamned great! Now we¡¯ve got two proud princesses. Should Pelzyq give you both a good spanking so we can get on with it?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Zyryxa and Natazia snapped in unison, their voices cutting like twin blades. Lexyn flinched at their ferocity. ¡°Please,¡± she muttered, shaking like a little mouse, ¡°we¡¯re all on the same side.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. They scowled at her, then their mirrored glares met. Zyryxa almost laughed, a bitter twist of irony in staring at this mirror of herself. Still, she¡¯d shatter the glass before she yielded. Natazia wouldn¡¯t get the better of her, nor would Saevah or anyone else. Matyxal took advantage of her opening before Zyryxa or Natazia could close it again. ¡°You two were shadows of justice weaving a beautiful synchrony through the blizzard,¡± she said, her voice lyrical but grounded. ¡°You are meant to be broodsisters.¡± Of course, Zyryxa thought, further calmed. Matyxal had known all along that Zyryxa, and later Natazia, were stalking through the homestead. Thinking back, she could time the bard¡¯s singing with their murders. From the start, she¡¯d been helping them. Matyxal sat up slowly, her freckled grin softening her sharp words. ¡°Natazia, you haven¡¯t truly seen Zyryxa yet. And you of all people should know better than to diminish the anger someone feels against the person who caused their pain.¡± ¡°You know nothing of my pain!¡± Natazia snapped, her voice cracking. Matyxal frowned, though her voice was soft as Isihlan silk. ¡°You¡¯re right. I was blessed to serve two dragon knights who built me up with love. But I know enough about Hatrox to see how he writ his name upon your flesh.¡± Her voice grew quieter. ¡°And I know it¡¯s engraved gar deeper than the eye can see.¡± At mention of Hatrox, Natazia¡¯s fierce expression crumbled. Her arms fell limp at her sides, and her hard gaze turned distant. Her entire body trembled as she stumbled toward the door. She didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t look up as she fled toward the ice. Once she was out of sight, a raw, broken cry escaped her lips. Zyryxa¡¯s stomach churned, her anger eclipsed by a surfaced memory bursting up from the ice beneath the surface of her consciousness. She stood triumphant over Syraxyz at the Festival of Melding, huffing and puffing but full of pride at being champion of the junior tournament. Again. Her gaze latched onto an eminently muscular man, shirtless and covered in scars, with a uniquely chiseled face, unable to escape on her own volition. For all his icy beauty, his stare made her tremble, froze her in place. His cold eyes consumed Zyryxa, the smallest of grins breaking his lips. Her mother grabbed her arm and whisked her away before the celebration ended, before Hatrox could close in, and told her to stay far, far away from him. ¡°And Zyryxa,¡± Matyxal said, her soft voice pulling her back to the present, ¡°Natazia is also right. You have the potential to take on anyone, but right now, you cannot defeat Saevah. Nor should you.¡± Natazia stood in the cabin¡¯s doorway. She looked like a ghost. Zyryxa folded her arms, no longer wanting to fight, but not at peace either. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way. I always have. I always will.¡± Matyxal¡¯s smile carried no joy. ¡°I knew Zyrthalla better than most. Long after her girl fell asleep in her lap, she¡¯d tell me about the dreams she had for her firstborn. If she could speak to her now, she¡¯d tell her to focus on protecting Loxzua, Oxyeeq, and all the homesteads north and south of the Frostmelt. Zyrthalla would want her to survive long enough to become Ice¡¯s Champion, to restore peace to the Volqor she loved, and forge a better future for all who live here.¡± Matyxal eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t want her to kill her dear friend. And most of all, she wouldn¡¯t want her joy, her hope, her pride to be consumed by the need to avenge her and lose herself.¡± Zyryxa swallowed hard, her throat tightening. Matyxal was right. She knew it as certain as anything there ever was or ever would be to know. But just because something was right didn¡¯t mean you had the strength to accept it. ¡°Saevah stole my future.¡± Zyryxa clenched her jaw to keep the emotions from rushing out, not sure if she stifled a roar or a whimper. Breathing heavily, she forced out, in broken pieces, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she doesn¡¯t have one.¡± Matyxal¡¯s tears spilled over as she whispered, ¡°Then it will be Volqor, and thousands who live here, that don¡¯t have a future.¡± Chapter 34: Brood The next few days passed by in a wearying haze. Even with Monzqora in the distance, Zyryxa didn¡¯t know where she was headed. Despite Lexyn¡¯s presence, she felt alone. Her cold demeanor increasingly pushed the friendly girl toward Pelzyq. The big oaf avoided her, except to heckle with raunchy one-liners. She let them flow off her, not rising to the challenge. Step by step, day by day, she marched, uncertain if she was moving forward at all. Natazia kept to herself as much as Zyryxa did, offering nothing to rekindle warmth in Zyryxa. Nor did Matyxal¡¯s complimentary flirting rouse her. Once, Zyryxa wondered whether letting the bard use her tongue for something of real value would break her out of the haze. The steamy thought quickly fizzled out, snuffed by the cold that permeated her these days. Most of her companionship was with Zyrxl. They marched together at the front of their line. Zyryxa scanned the cold Volqori wilderness for threats. Of those, they¡¯d faced a few, though none posed enough challenge to spark excitement. Or even came close. Instead, her mind wandered between thoughts of Zyrthalla, Saevah, and now Hatrox too. The more she remembered of that one time his eyes possessed her, of her mother¡¯s warning, of Natazia¡¯s scars, the less certain she was that Riverwatch was the right place for her. Valinax had warned her to stay subtle, but she couldn¡¯t be herself if she had to pretend to be like she was anyone else. Her pride chaffed at the idea of playing meek and weak. She wasn¡¯t merely some bard¡¯s whelp. Zyryxa was Zyrthalla¡¯s daughter. Her mind felt tangled, lost, with little but the endless snowfields and gelubor to distract her. That evening, the scent of steak roasting over their fire kindled memories of days she could never return to. Pelzyq¡¯s constant masturbatory comments about how tasty his meat was made her want to rip her hair out and strangle him with it. Lexyn¡¯s innocent praise of the steak didn¡¯t make Zyryxa¡¯s mood savory. Worse yet, it was good. Divinedamned good. In her entire year in the wilds, Zyryxa had yet to cook any meal that was comparable. Her treacherous taste buds enjoyed every bite. Natazia licked her fingers and leaned back against a rock lined with wolf furs. ¡°Pelzyq¡¯s meat is as legendary as I¡¯ve heard,¡± she said, joining in on the Pelzyq parade. Zyryxa glowered at her steak, wanting to vomit. ¡°Hah!¡± Pelzyq said, thumbing his chest like a goora. ¡°All the ladies love Pelzyq¡¯s meat. Tender, filling, and guaranteed to leave even ice princesses satisfied.¡± He grinned at Zyryxa. ¡°I¡¯ve had better,¡± she said. It was probably true. She hoped. Matyxal crouched beside Zyryxa, deftly helping herself to another strip of steak, despite her bound hands. ¡°Be nice,¡± she whispered, winking at Zyryxa. ¡°Kindness is the antidote to what ails you.¡± Zyryxa let out a sigh. ¡°I nominate Pelzyq for permanent cooking duty.¡± ¡°Hah! The princess wants Pelzyq¡¯s meat every night.¡± Zyryxa shot Matyxal a glare that said, See. I tried. Divinedamned bard with divinedamned bardic words that sound better than they actually are. ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°Maybe you could take a break from meat quips for a bit.¡± She seemed the only one that could have an impact on that degenerate. Pelzyq wagged a finger at Zyryxa. ¡°Pelzyq will cook for you lovely ladies as often as you¡¯d like. Eh, Natazia?¡± ¡°For as long as we¡¯re together,¡± Natazia said, reclining onto her rock. Monzqora towered over the horizon, a giant, jagged spike piercing the skyline. Zyryxa stared at it, her thoughts clouded. Did she even know what she wanted anymore? Bond a dragon. But which one? Always it had been Duilahir, but now her mother¡¯s Qorzillux seemed to beckon to her. Kill Saevah. But could she succeed? Restore peace to Volqor. But what of companionship? Love? She didn¡¯t want to live the isolating life she had during the rite, surviving but never truly living. For all that, she saw where she was headed, sitting around the fire, surrounded by people but still alone, actively driving everyone who might care out of her life. She studied Natazia, wondering whether this cold, scarred woman was her future. If she went to Riverwatch, if Hatrox got his hands on her, would she end up just as hardened? Even if she didn¡¯t trust Natazia¡¯s dour allusions to her time at Riverwatch, she had faith in Matyxal¡¯s wisdom. Was she ready for Saevah? For Hatrox? ¡°You know what everyone needs?¡± Matyxal asked, breaking the silence. Things we can¡¯t have, Zyryxa thought. ¡°Firebomb!¡± Pelzyq declared, producing a jug of looted raider liquor. He popped the cork and took a swig, his face contorting as he barely managed to swallow. He slapped his elbow against his side, laughed, and offered the jug to Lexyn. Lexyn hesitated. Zyryxa met her eyes. You can do it, Lexyn. Nodding to each other, Lexyn took a nervous sip, only to sputter and cough out a spray of the burning liquid. ¡°A sign of good firebomb,¡± Matyxal said with a chuckle. ¡°When we¡¯re finished tonight, you¡¯ll have the hang of it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of,¡± Lexyn mumbled. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± Pelzyq said, patting her back. ¡°Pelzyq will show you how it¡¯s done.¡± He took another long gulp, holding in the liquid and letting it swish around in his throat. He tried to hoot but let out an exaggerated wheeze that drew laughter from the group. The firelight reflected in Matyxal¡¯s eyes as she stood. ¡°Watch this.¡± She strode to Pelzyq, accepting the jug with a flourish. ¡°I have something to say before I show you how the Fire Tribe handle Ozyeeq firebomb: The world is better when the four of you are together. To a better world.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. With a sly grin, she guzzled the firebomb like it was water. When she belched, a small flame erupted from her maw, earning cheers and applause. Bowing dramatically, she passed the jug to Natazia. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t help admiring her style and struggled to look away when Matyxal shot her a knowing wink. Natazia regarded the firebomb like an enemy she had already decided to kill. ¡°We have but one life to live,¡± she said, raising the jug. ¡°May we all have good deaths.¡± ¡°Good deaths?¡± Pelzyq snorted. ¡°Pelzyq will teach you proper toasting!¡± Matyxal grinned, nudging Natazia. ¡°What¡¯s the key to a good death?¡± ¡°Achieving your goals,¡± Zyryxa said quietly, thinking of Zyrthalla. ¡°That¡¯s part of it,¡± Matyxal said. ¡°Anyone else?¡± ¡°A beautiful woman at your side,¡± Pelzyq said, glancing at Lexyn out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Or several,¡± he added with a self-satisfied grin. Hopefully, he¡¯d be the only one satisfying himself for a long time. Lexyn shook her head, smiling. ¡°Living a good life,¡± she said. ¡°Ding. Ding. And ding!¡± Matyxal said, clapping Natazia¡¯s rock. ¡°We have three winners. Pass around that firebomb,¡± she said with a bard¡¯s gusto, ¡°and think about what that means for you.¡± The jug made its rounds, and when it reached Zyryxa, she stared into its depths. What made life good? Battles fought well, as Natazia implied? Having beautiful partners to see you through to the end? Her mother had battles and love. She triumphed in the sky and on the ground. Zyrthalla¡¯s love for Abbaz was everything Zyryxa ever wanted to feel for her partner. She hated to admit it, but her father¡¯s serenades, the way the held each other and smiled like they had found the most beautiful sight in the world ¡­ Zyryxa wanted that for herself. Still, would that be enough for her? Was it enough for Zyrthalla? Or was there some deeper meaning to her life that gave it purpose? What role did she serve in her mother¡¯s life? She herself was living proof that Zyrthalla¡¯s life had been good. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t let go of her vengeance, but life didn¡¯t have to be about vengeance alone. She could fight her battles well, forge beautiful friendships, perhaps find lovers that would look at her the way her mother looked at Abbaz. But, neither of those would be enough if she didn¡¯t try to leave something behind that made the world better. If she didn¡¯t have a legacy, the way her mother had her. She tipped the jug, drinking deeply. The fiery liquid burned her throat, but when she set it down, she felt warmth beyond the liquor. Zyryxa scanned her companions: Lexyn, quiet but brave; Pelzyq, frustrating yet steadfast; Natazia, hardened but experienced. This could be her brood¡ªher new family. If only she didn¡¯t drive them away with her cold. Lifting the jug, she said, ¡°To bonding our dragons together and leaving our marks on the world. To living good lives and leaving things better when we¡¯re gone.¡± She drank deep, long past the point that no more fire reached her. Lexyn. Pelzyq. Natazia. These were the names she would etch into her own heart. Whether the firebomb made this feel poignant, or whether it actually was, Zyryxa felt changed. She felt like she knew herself again, knew where she was headed. Matyxal lit up like a blaze. ¡°Well said, Zyryxa.¡± She paced around the fire, her voice filled with bardic fervor. ¡°Instead of going alone, Natazia, you shall have three worthy companions. Instead of going to Riverwatch, the three of you shall grow too strong for Hatrox to hurt you.¡± Her enthusiasm was more intoxicating than the firebomb. Zyryxa wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, as Matyxal continued, ¡°With your four dragons, we¡¯ll be unstoppable! Nights like these will return to Volqor. Ice and fire laughing, eating, singing,¡± she glanced at Zyryxa, ¡°even snuggling together! You shall be¡ª¡± ¡°Brood!¡± Lexyn shouted, her voice no quieter than Zyryxa¡¯s matching roar. Pelzyq followed them, chanting brood, brood, brood! All eyes turned to Natazia. Her icy demeanor thawed as she broke into a smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t been myself, but with your help, I think I¡¯ll find myself again.¡± Zyryxa extended her arm, in Ice Tribe salute, pressing it against Natazia¡¯s. ¡°Sister, she said. ¡°I¡¯ve lost myself too. Together, we will rediscover who we are, and we¡¯ll deliver justice to every monster in this land, whether their hair is blue or red.¡± Pelzyq raised the jug. ¡°To strong women, who are also beautiful! Especially to Pelzyq.¡± ¡°Who asked Pelzyq?¡± Zyryxa said, earning laughter. Natazia rumbled with laughter, sharing a smile with Zyryxa that made her feel even warmer. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong, though,¡± Natazia said. ¡°No, he¡¯s not,¡± Lexyn agreed. ¡°And,¡± she lowered her voice, though not enough that everybody couldn¡¯t hear, ¡°if we drink enough firebomb, he might even look good too.¡± Pelzyq looked like an arrow had pierced straight through his heart. Covering her mouth, Zyryxa added, ¡°There¡¯s not enough firebomb left.¡± ¡°Ha, ha,¡± Pelzyq said shaking the jug. ¡°You ladies won¡¯t care about anything else once you see Pelzyq naked.¡± He nudged Lexyn. ¡°I know you¡¯ve already had the honor.¡± ¡°What?¡± Zyryxa said, her cheeks flushing, feeling a sting of jealousy. ¡°He was frozen, and I needed to change his furs,¡± Lexyn said, even more flushed, as if racing Zyryxa to see who could be the most giddily uncomfortable. It was a tight contest, but Lexyn took the lead. ¡°I tried not to look.¡± Pelzyq wrapped his arm around her. ¡°Pelzyq believes you did your best, Lex.¡± ¡°But not even you can do the impossible,¡± Natazia said, in a deep voice that emulated slurred speech. Even Pelzyq laughed. Especially Pelzyq. Zyryxa found herself taking another swig of firebomb, feeling better than she had since leaving Loxzua. She set up her furs closer to Natazia, choosing to bridge whatever chasm was between them. ¡°Laugh all you want, ladies,¡± he said. ¡°Pelzyq will shield you from the harshness of this world, protecting your frail, inhumanely good-looking bodies, because he can take it.¡± ¡°My hero,¡± Lexyn said, batting her eyes. The girls laughed while Pelzyq flexed proudly. Zyryxa howled with laughter, grabbing her stomach in part because of nausea, but mostly because the banter tickled her. Matyxal faded into the background with a wink and gave her a patented Zyryxa nod. Zyryxa took the jug from Pelzyq and offered it to Lexyn. ¡°We¡¯re still waiting for your toast.¡± ¡°Toast! Toast!¡± Pelzyq and Natazia chanted. Lexyn nodded, lifted the jug, and said, ¡°To nights like this.¡± They all drank to that. Laughter and comradery were law as they drank more of the big jug than was advisable. When Pelzyq and Lexyn had passed out, and Natazia wished Zyryxa sweet dreams, she nestled into her furs, rubbed her belly, and gazed at the stars and the blue half-moon. She had a family again. For the first time since her world came crashing down, she believed that life could be good. Fate, the fickle prick, seemed set to never let peaceful moments like this last. Zyryxa awoke in the morn to the sound of beating wings and the sight of red scales glimmering in the early dawn light. Chapter 35: The Red Rider No dragon was truly small. Thus, when Zyryxa beheld the smallest dragon she¡¯d ever seen¡ªsmaller even than the white wyrm¡ªit was with the utmost respect for its grandiosity. Fire dragons came in many colors and forms, but this one was pure red fire, with spots of orange dotted along its smooth, spikeless body. It was beautiful¡ªbeyond all doubt¡ªand powerful despite its relative litheness. Unfortunately, it was in the heart of southern Volqor, deep within Ice Tribe lands, during a war. It couldn¡¯t be tolerated. Feeling more excited than afraid, Zyryxa didn¡¯t hesitate to do her duty. Ironic, considering that the tiny woman three strides from her had terrified her far more than this firebreathing behemoth. ¡°Rivux!¡± Matyxal announced, rousing fastest of them all. ¡°He¡¯s the other dragon knight in the Flames of Renewal. If he prepares to assault you, use the callsign, ¡®The fire is out.¡¯ That will get him to stand down.¡± Zyryxa wielded Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe, called to Zyrxl, and mounted. The other warriors were slower to rise, with Lexyn being particularly sluggish. Whether from drink or fear, Zyryxa knew not. Regardless, she felt Qoryxa-called to lead the charge. ¡°Well, look at that,¡± Matyxal said, ¡°Seraxa, shield his flame. Qoryxa, grant her wise judgment.¡± Though a fainter dot in the distant skies toward Monzqora, Praedax¡¯s dark blue was unmistakable. Champion Vaztyma pursued. If they battled, slaughter was the only outcome. ¡°Listen!¡± Matyxal yelled, her ethereal voice resounding with power. ¡°Rivux is among the most powerful allies we¡¯re going to have in ending the war. Preserve him. Please!¡± ¡°Pelzyq, you keep watch on Matyxal, but bring her close to this Rivux to see if she can stop unnecessary battle,¡± Natazia ordered. He grunted, a hungover acknowledgement for the light work. ¡°Zyryxa,¡± Natazia continued, ¡°pursue, and try to wound a wing if it gets close enough. I¡¯ll draw its attention and work the opposite wing. Lexyn. If it attacks us, aim for its eyes. Stay atop Dryxl, and keep out of range of its breath. Let¡¯s disable this red and deliver Vaztyma the Flames of Renewal!¡± Zyryxa chafed at being ordered around, but kept her silence as she agreed the orders were no different than she¡¯d have given. Natazia was the most experienced of them. Let her assume command. For now. If only to keep the newfound peace. Zyryxa was determined to prove herself the mightiest warrior in her brood, to prove to Vaztyma that she was ready for the Rite of the Dragon Knight. Wounding a wing with the Ice Champion as audience, would get her closer to her own dragon, to Saevah, and further from Hatrox. Without neither word nor grunt, she stirred Zyrxl into motion. Her heart drummed hard, eager for a worthy battle. Her soul sang; these were the moments that made life worth living. Tromping over flat snow-covered plains broken by dense patches of crystalline gelubor, Zyryxa anticipated the paths of the two dragons. Above, Praedax continued to close the gap. While the large blue was faster, the little red had substantially better mobility. Rivux twisted in the air each time Vaztyma closed the gap, his adjustments buying him precious moments before the larger dragon could redirect its flight. Several times, they repeated this dance, Rivux proving himself an exceptionally skilled dragonrider. Zyryxa knew that for all his beautiful maneuvers, Rivux¡¯s flight was doomed. Praedax was too much faster, and she personally knew the force of the dark blue dragon¡¯s breath. It was almost tragic, that such artful flight couldn¡¯t go on forever. Inevitably, Rivux and his little red would miss a step, and the dance would end. Across several miles of the icy plains, passing a homestead, and several swaths of gelubor, they flew. Zyryxa was a shadow beneath the two dragons, pushing Zyrxl to keep up. The whole time, her eyes marveled at the crafty flight of the red and took in Praedax¡¯s power with awe. Someday, she would perform maneuvers that put Rivux to shame upon a dragon possessing might that transcended Praedax. Still, she felt a girlish wonder as she beheld the magic of Volqor. It only made her hungrier for her own glory, wanting to steal a fragment of the triumph from Vaztyma and Rivux this day. Rivux could only sustain flawlessness for so long. In the end, Praedax¡¯s icy breath burst from its giant maw, filling the sky with a blizzard of white, and, at last, the little red couldn¡¯t veer away in time. Swallowed in the frost, the red released a pained roar, sounding like a child being thrashed by an angry mother. Rivux ordered his bond down, crashing to the ground to escape Praedax¡¯s breath. This was it. Zyryxa felt her moment rising in her chest. Glory awaited. She howled, kicking Zyrxl into full gallop, aiming toward the exposed flank. As the beast struggled, to unbind its wing, Zyryxa gripped the greataxe, feeling her mother riding with her, Zyrthalla¡¯s roars echoing hers. Starved for glory, desperate to make her mother proud, needing to feel victorious, Zyryxa lost all rationality. She didn¡¯t balk at the intense heat emanating off the dragon. One-mindedly she charged toward the wing as if it were Saevah¡¯s pretty neck. Propelled by Zyrxl¡¯s velocity, powered by her own mighty arms, the axe ripped through wing, parting it from the red¡¯s long torso. The wing fell to the ice, gouts of fire spouting in orange streams from the wound. A man¡¯s voice cried out, dwarfed only by the screeching howls of the red dragon that would never fly again. Vaztyma was on the red in an instant. The beast flailed, fighting to free its neck from Praedax¡¯s maw. The dark blue¡¯s claws brought the red¡¯s body down, and the red rider spilled to the ice. Rivux sprang to his feet, built long and agile instead of thick and powerful, not unlike his red. He let out a battle cry, drew his dragonbone longsword, and charged toward Praedax¡¯s head. ¡°Infyriux!¡± Infyriux lashed out with his tail, blocking Rivux¡¯s rush, even as Praedax raked the red¡¯s scales off with its claws. ¡°No!¡± the red rider cried. ¡°Vaztyma! I come in peace!¡± ¡°You brought a fire dragon into the heart of my domain,¡± Vaztyma roared, over the sound of Praedax thrashing Infyriux, and the weak cries of the little red dragon who looked so small beneath the greater dragon. ¡°Do not speak to me of peace only now when you¡¯ve already lost. Face your judgment!¡± Rivux cried out the name of the being that shared his mind, begging the Ice Champion for mercy. His pain etched itself into Zyryxa¡¯s heart, compassion stoking within her. ¡°Please, Vaztyma,¡± she called, ¡°spare them. Hear him out.¡± Vaztyma glared across the ice. ¡°Last I knew, Vaztyma was Champion of the Ice Tribe. Prove yourself, daughter. Bring down the Red Rider. Make him submit to you, as all of Fire will submit to Ice!¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Praedax¡¯s teeth ripped through Infyriux¡¯s neck, and fire spouted from the wounds, gushing out at the dark blue. Vaztyma¡¯s dragon recoiled, letting out a cry far deeper than the one poor Infyriux emitted. The little red, despite its lost wing and torn throat, bleeding fire from a hundred places where Praedax¡¯s claws raked through scale and carapace, rose to its feet. Zyryxa knew not what thoughts passed through the telepathic bond shared by Rivux and Infyriux, only that it was clear the dragon would die to preserve his rider based on Rivux¡¯s objections. The little red charged, ramming its head into Praedax¡¯s chest, clawing out desperately, lashing with tail and exhaling flames toward the Champion¡¯s dragon. Such love, such devotion, left Zyryxa¡¯s heart heavy. Rivux cried out for his dragon, tears streaming down his face. Infyriux roared, for a few moments holding his own against the far more powerful enemy, fighting to give his rider life. ¡°I will honor you, my brother,¡± Rivux said before letting out an agonizing cry that cut through Zyryxa as sharply as any tooth ever had. Rivux ran toward a nearby gelubor forest. ¡°Pursue him, daughters!¡± Vaztyma roared. She dismounted, leaping from Praedax¡¯s back, drawing her ice and fire dragonbone blades during the forty-foot descent. One-winged Infyriux wouldn¡¯t be long for this world, facing both Praedax and the Champion. Natazia huffed from exertion but set off after Rivux with a quick nod at Zyryxa. Zyrxl was too exhausted from the earlier pursuit to give an honest chase. Zyryxa ordered her coldscale to find Lexyn and Dryxl, before she set off in pursuit. Years of training, particularly during her Rite of the Dragon Warrior, left Zyryxa feeling one with the land. Snowy terrain that often surprised you by sinking you to your thigh, open plains where endless sprinting was broken only by the ice¡¯s attempts to steal your footing, thick patches of gelubor where you needed to crash through the trees to make your own openings, were the trials that had made her one with the ice. Her athleticism was supreme, and her oneness with the ice should¡¯ve made her impossible to escape. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t fathom how a man born in the north where everything was sweltering heat, pools of steaming water, humid jungles, and rivers of fire, could flee her in the cold snows of the south. For all that, Rivux ran like the ice was his. Rivux was fast, faster even than Zyryxa, she was loathe to admit. She¡¯d never seen someone so fleet of foot. His long legs pumped like streaks of lightning across the plains. He leapt over snowdrifts. Instead of slipping on ice, he slipped through gelubor like water through cracked pottery. Rivux scaled cliffsides like his hands were draconic. And he weaved through the environment, never letting Zyryxa predict where he would go next. Met by one who could match her, Zyryxa only grew more determined to catch him. Natazia, already winded from chasing the dragons on foot, was left in their wake. The sun rose higher. The miles of ice and gelubor stretched behind Zyryxa as she struggled to keep up with Rivux. The long-legged man never stopped, never slowed, and Zyryxa¡¯s pride refused to let her lose a step to catch her breath. Heat burned within her chest, not from exertion alone. To be challenged awoke fires within her soul. Zyryxa didn¡¯t know if she wanted to thrash Rivux or mount him. She only knew that she would not surrender. She may have never caught him if Rivux hadn¡¯t stumbled into a pack of ice sprites. They swirled around him, a dozen or so, slowing him in their field of cold. Rivux¡¯s sword hacked through them in quick order, demonstrating a proficiency that only further excited Zyryxa. Not that ice sprites were a worthy foe. The fiery man sheathed his blade and dashed through the dense gelubor forest, breaking free before she could tackle him. Zyryxa stumbled after him, smiling, hungry. Her body was burning, from exertion, from the feelings stirred by the chase. Rivux rushed down a hillside, heading toward a ravine. She read the terrain, determined his likely course, and cut through a thicker patch of gelubor, smashing through the trees to beat him to the opening in the ravine. Rivux raced through the longer, but easier path, unsuspecting of the dragon warrior that dashed along the high ground, forcing her way through the harder terrain, refusing to be denied. She emerged on the ridge just above him. He looked back, his eyes growing wide as she leapt from high. They collided. Rivux and Zyryxa tumbled into the ice, rolling through the snow. She clung to him, trying to overpower her taller, but lankier foe. After several dizzying spirals, Zyryxa landed on top. She pinned him to the ice, though she didn¡¯t need to bind him with force. The resistance drained from him as he took in her face. His mouth fell open. A smile spread across his features. Breathing heavy, Zyryxa admired her captured quarry, yearning to find something beautiful in one who had lit this fierce inferno within her core. Rivux¡¯s face was strikingly distinct. His refined bone structure exuded elegance. Angular jawline, high cheekbones, sculpted as if by Qoryxa herself. Yet, he was marked by Seraxa as one of hers, spattered with faint freckles, making him look almost innocent and boyish. His tousled hair had some brown tint to it as well as red, and his orange eyes shimmered with warmth. Beautiful, Zyryxa thought. ¡°The fire is out,¡± she said, uttering the callsign. ¡°But it burns anew,¡± Rivux answered. His open, smiling mouth could only be an invitation. The fire was too hot to contain, melting away any restraints Zyryxa possessed. Rivux must¡¯ve shared the feeling, for their lips collided with the force of enough pent-up passion to make two storms colliding look tame. She unleashed an avalanche of kisses, sloppy with inexperience and urgency; forceful without a care for anything else in the world. Rivux answered, his warm breath and hot tongue thawing any ice she felt toward him. Zyryxa felt the heat of desire fuse with her compassion for this skilled rider who ran through ice like it was his, for this man who presumably also wanted war to end, to live in a world where ice and fire fused together to create something more beautiful than either. She grinded her pelvis into his, rising and falling with an intensity that would have shattered the hips of a feebler man. She despised her furs, hating the barrier that kept her from truly mounting her consort. Rivux thrust upward, and she felt him taking shape despite the thick layers between them. She wanted more than this but lacked the patience to hold back the avalanche of passion rushing out of her. Rivux ran his fingers down her cheek. ¡°What is your name, goddess?¡± She nibbled his ear and tenderly brushed against him. ¡°Zyryxa.¡± He breathed into her ear, the heat making her quiver. She felt herself nearing the peak of pleasure, his voice more satisfying than any carefully placed touch she ever felt alone in her Loxzua bedroom. ¡°Two-thirds Qoryxa¡¯s name. It only makes sense that you¡¯d possess four-thirds her beauty.¡± Zyryxa knew it was tacky, but his reverence sent her into a passion overdrive. She escalated, grinding up and down the length of him, separated by divinedamned furs, slamming herself at him with every iota of emotion her body could contain. Their hands explored their bodies. Zyryxa cupped his pretty face as Rivux¡¯s hands squeezed at her breasts. She rode him with little grace, darting down this wild, frenetic path toward the destination. Her body lost control, convulsing without her guidance, but certainly not without her blessing. Rivux throbbed beneath her, and she felt a wetness far warmer than snow seep into her furs. They were not quiet as they shared in the wonder of each other. Nor did it remain quiet when they finished, Zyryxa falling into him, nudging his face with her nose tenderly, breathing like this had been the hardest part of her pursuit. The unmistakable sound of applause echoed on the little ridge above them. Matyxal stared down at them, her legs hanging over the ridge, the widest grin on her freckled face. ¡°How long have you¡ª¡± Zyryxa couldn¡¯t bring herself to finish the question. She was grateful that she couldn¡¯t see her own reflection now, for she must have blushed enough to make either of these Fire Tribe look pale. ¡°Long enough for me to get excited,¡± Matyxal answered, resting her chin on her interlocked hands. It was then, her eyes focusing on Matyxal¡¯s hands, that the blinders of lust were ripped off Zyryxa. She was alone in the wilderness with two powerful Fire Tribe warriors. And Matyxal¡¯s restraints were gone. Chapter 36: Until Next Time Zyryxa surged to her feet. Her axe lay between her and Matyxal, closer to the ridge where the bard sat grinning. Without it, she felt naked. It would have been nice to catch this feeling moments ago, and feel the heat of Rivux pressed against her, but now she felt exposed. What if Matyxal had been charming them? What if Rivux cared nothing for her? Zyryxa¡¯s hands hovered near her throwing axes, hoping her suspicion wasn¡¯t warranted. Regardless, it was better to cut straight through things than dance around them. ¡°Where is Pelzyq?¡± she demanded. Matyxal chortled. ¡°Poor guy couldn¡¯t keep up. Vomited a couple times before I left him behind.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t the deal, Matyxal. You agreed to remain bound and in our custody.¡± Matyxal¡¯s grin faded; her eyes narrowed. Then, with characteristic audacity, she ignored Zyryxa entirely. ¡°Rivux,¡± she said, her voice going high, ¡°how did you manage to get yourself attacked?¡± The tall dragon knight brushed snow from his furs. Zyryxa¡¯s gaze was transfixed on the damp patch at his groin, though her fingers remained tense near her throwing axes. ¡°I tried.¡± Zyryxa could hear the tears he didn¡¯t cry for his fallen dragon. ¡°Infyriux communed with Praedax. Several times. Vaztyma refused to believe me.¡± His sorrow melted into fury. ¡°Even after I turned away, even after I promised I wouldn¡¯t burn anything, she came after us.¡± Zyryxa placed a hand on his back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rivux.¡± Guilt tightened around her, like a wyrm¡¯s claws. She regretted attacking Infyriux, but pride kept her silent. The glory of her assault on the dragon¡¯s wing felt tarnished now. Powerful, the deed had been. Compassionate, it was not. She sought to comfort him without confessing fault, her fingers intertwining with his. Rivux squeezed her hand, his grip firm but not crushing. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, their bond felt like more than just physical attraction. ¡°Thank you, Zyryxa.¡± She nodded, unwilling to use words when actions sufficed. Words were the tools of bards, and sometimes even superhumans just needed someone to be human with them rather than shower them with glib-tongued nonsense. Matyxal leapt from the ridge, landing gracefully in the ravine. ¡°I was already here. Two more days, and I would¡¯ve reached the Pridefort.¡± The bard struggled to rein in her frustration. ¡°Why did you come?¡± ¡°You think I wanted to lose Infyriux? That I had a choice?¡± Rivux roared, his voice echoing off the gelubor. ¡°Faxiq.¡± Matyxal spat the name, her face contorted with hatred. The single word refocused Zyryxa, reminding her that their true enemy wasn¡¯t in this ravine. They all wanted the same thing. Faxiq had to be stopped. But he might not be the only threat. Above, a great blue shape roared as it surveyed the landscape. Rivux¡¯s glare turned skyward. ¡°He commanded me to assault the Pridefort. I had to come.¡± Matyxal sighed, turning toward the ridge. ¡°You can come down, Natazia.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s ears perked as her eyes swept the gelubor. Natazia emerged, moving over the ice like a ghost. Zyryxa masked her surprise at having let not one but two warriors to sneak up on her. ¡°So, you¡¯ve caught the red rider,¡± Natazia said, descending into the ravine. ¡°Now we have not one but two unrestrained Fire Tribe.¡± Matyxal stepped between Natazia and Rivux. ¡°I didn¡¯t know if I¡¯d need to talk with my hands, should Vaztyma descend on Rivux again.¡± Natazia tightened her grip on her spear, ready to strike. ¡°You fight Vaztyma, you fight me. Champion! Mighty Praedax!¡± Rivux clutched to Zyryxa. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you safe,¡± she promised, her voice low. He nodded solemnly, his trust deepening her conviction that this man was a good match for her. She would make sure Vaztyma listened this time. Zyryxa felt like a wall of ice collided with her skull. She gripped her head, fighting the pain as a mighty voice roared within. DO YOU HAVE THE FIRE KNIGHT? ¡°Zyryxa?¡± Rivux¡¯s voice was soft, his hand firm around hers. ¡°Praedax,¡± she muttered, recognizing the invader in her mind. Qorzillux¡¯s telepathic presence had been warm, motherly. Praedax felt cold, domineering, self-important. Still, she remembered the day in the Pridefort and knew better than to challenge Vaztyma and her dragon. At least, not yet. I have Rivux and Matyxal, she relayed to the dragon. Both seek Faxiq¡¯s demise and offer their allegiance. She added an image of their location, glancing at the dark blue dragon circling the skies above Volqor. Pride and mistrust radiated from Praedax. Or was it Vaztyma? Good work, daughter, Vaztyma communed. You¡¯ve proven yourself today. The pressure in her skull eased as the dragon¡¯s presence retracted. ¡°Vaztyma will be here soon,¡± she announced. Anticipation settled over the ravine as Praedax circled the forest, searching for a place to land. Lexyn, Pelzyq, Zyrxl, and Dryxl were not so silent. Obnoxiously loud, as Pelzyq tended to be, they crashed down the gelubor-covered hillside into the ravine. Zyryxa contemplated letting go of Rivux, not wanting the extra attention her closeness was sure to bring. Deciding against it, she shifted closer to him, refusing to give way to anything for the sake of Pelzyq and whatever drivel might run through his lips. ¡°Ah, Ice Princess!¡± Pelzyq jeered, chunks of vomit clinging to his furs and stubble. ¡°It takes fire to melt that icy heart of yours! And what a puddle it leaves behind, eh?¡± Zyryxa glared at him, refusing to let go. ¡°And it only takes a little running to upset that tummy of yours. What a mess it leaves behind, eh?¡± Pelzyq cocked his head, his stupid mouth looking like it wasn¡¯t smart enough to breath in air on its own before sprouting into a grin that made him look even dumber somehow. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! How could Lexyn look at this and think, ¡®Sure, I¡¯ll fall in love with this.¡¯ Zyryxa shook her head, biting down before she said something harsh. ¡°Enough!¡± Natazia snapped. ¡°The Champion comes.¡± Again, Zyryxa chafed at Natazia¡¯s command. Yet, again, she grudgingly accepted the truth. They needed to straighten up, and come the Champion did. Praedax hovered over the trees, its wingbeat generating gusts of wind that rocked the gelubor and made each Volqori in the ravine stagger. Unable to find a landing in the dense forestry, the dark blue dragon created one. Dozens of gelubor shattered and fell beneath Praedax, chiming and ringing like bells. Zyryxa¡¯s grip on Rivux tightened. Could she face Vaztyma if it came to that? Letting go of him, she reclaimed her mother¡¯s axe, preparing herself for whatever may come. Even Matyxal showed her nervousness, swallowing heavy and taking several deep breaths. Vaztyma vaulted from Praedax¡¯s back, absorbing a sixty-foot drop without her knees buckling an inch. Her twin longswords glimmered, one wreathed in ice, and the other in fire. ¡°Bind them, my children.¡± Natazia obeyed without hesitation. She threw Matyxal to the ground. The bard gritted her teeth as her face was pressed into the snow, her arms wrenched back, and her wrists bound with rope. Zyryxa stood beside Rivux, willing her trembling to stay hidden. ¡°They come in peace,¡± she said, forcing confidence into her voice. ¡°They seek Faxiq¡¯s demise.¡± ¡°They¡¯re either cowards or traitors,¡± Vaztyma replied. ¡°Neither is worthy of a place in my Volqor.¡± Rivux released Zyryxa, stepping forward and drawing his sword. ¡°I am no coward!¡± ¡°Yet, you fled¡ªnot only from Praedax, but from your dying dragon. If that is not cowardice, then I am no Champion.¡± You shouldn¡¯t be Champion, Zyryxa thought but dared not say. This woman was nowhere near as worthy as Zyrthalla had been. The memory of Vaztyma pulling her hair¡ªand the futility of her own resistance¡ªkept Zyryxa silent. ¡°Bind him, daughter,¡± Vaztyma commanded. ¡°It takes great bravery to rebel against an unjust Champion,¡± she said, feeling that truth like she felt the cold. ¡°Faxiq is a tyrant. Rebellion against him is the will of Divine Seraxa. I believe Qoryxa would stand by their judgment.¡± As should you, she left unsaid. Vaztyma¡¯s expression hardened. She studied Zyryxa, her silence stretching unbearably long. Zyryxa held her mother¡¯s axe, grounding herself in Zyrthalla¡¯s teachings: stand for justice, show compassion, and never let fear keep you from doing what was right. ¡°Surrender your sword, Knight Rivux,¡± Vaztyma said at last. Rivux opened his mouth to protest, but Matyxal cut him off. ¡°We surrender, Ice Champion. In your judgment, blessed by Qoryxa, we trust.¡± The bard glanced at Rivux, her gaze steady. Zyryxa reached out her hand, empathizing with how exposed he was, and how naked losing his sword would make him feel. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you safe,¡± she promised. Rivux inhaled deeply. Stripped of his bond and now his sword¡ªwhat would he lose next? Yet he surrendered his blade, trusting Zyryxa. She felt heat rise in her chest, an emotion she couldn¡¯t yet call love but knew was far more than lust.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°I put my life in your hands, Ice Champion,¡± Rivux said, though his eyes remained on Zyryxa. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Literally! The chill that ran down her spine! The fire that rose in her chest! This fire-born knight was branding himself into her heart like a warriormark. Vaztyma sheathed her dragonbone swords with a smooth, practiced motion. ¡°Tell me why I shouldn¡¯t bind you and deliver you to the Fire Tribe. Why let you breath one more breath of Ice Tribe air.¡± Zyryxa clenched her fists, her control tested. She dreamed of the day she¡¯d challenge Vaztyma atop Duilahir or Qorzillux but maintained her icy composure. ¡°Because we are loyal to Volqor,¡± Matyxal said, ¡°not the stain on her glory that calls itself ¡®Fire Champion.¡¯¡± ¡°Let her rise, Natazia,¡± Vaztyma ordered. Natazia lifted Matyxal from the snow with no courtesy. Her zeal left Zyryxa uneasy. Could she trust Natazia to defy authority when it mattered? Zyryxa doubted it. Despite the rough treatment, Matyxal remained composed. ¡°Faxiq disgraces our traditions for his own vile desires. He sought to make an underage whelpling his consort. She escaped only because I intervened.¡± Vaztyma¡¯s grin was chilling, more sinister than amused. ¡°Where is Syraxyz?¡± ¡°I delivered her to Meridian,¡± Matyxal replied. ¡°I told her to conduct the rite in exile. For all I know, she may not even be in Leveria anymore.¡± Lexyn perked up at the mention of her mother¡¯s homeland, but her gaze dropped again. Zyryxa didn¡¯t blame her. Vaztyma was no mere sabretooth. ¡°Could you bring her to me?¡± Vaztyma asked. ¡°If anyone can, it would be me,¡± Matyxal said. ¡°Rivux and I would serve you better as informants.¡± ¡°Then inform me.¡± Matyxal spoke with fiery passion that even Vaztyma¡¯s cold couldn¡¯t withstand. ¡°Faxiq defies the old ways for his war. He forces whelplings too young for their rites and homesteaders past their thirteen years into conscription. He builds a fortress in the Steampool Highlands. He has even employed Isihlan shadows to assassinate you and your knights.¡± Vaztyma¡¯s eyes narrowed. Zyryxa suspected she had already faced one such assassin. ¡°His sailors search only for his underage obsession,¡± Matyxal continued. ¡°He blames the war on Qorrix, fueling hatred and calls for Ice Tribe genocide. He is a scourge that must be burned away so Volqor can rise anew.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s blood flowed with resolve. She wished Faxiq were here in the ravine, where they could end him now. She studied her companions. Lexyn, and surprisingly, Pelzyq shared her disgust. Natazia, however, seemed indifferent, as if Faxiq¡¯s crimes were trivial. Yet, only one reaction mattered. ¡°I am at war with Faxiq for a reason,¡± Vaztyma said, her voice icy. ¡°Why should I ally myself with you?¡± ¡°Because the Ice is in the right,¡± Matyxal answered. ¡°Rivux and I can help you defeat Faxiq and Bellax. I know their weaknesses. I can spy for you and, when the time comes, fight beside you. I plan to seek a bond with Parvalux. Best of all, I bring a powerful ally.¡± ¡°Saevah,¡± Vaztyma said, her icy stoicism shattering into a triumphant smile. Zyryxa shivered. That name was like steel scraping glass. One monster at a time, she reminded herself. I¡¯ll deal with her too. Matyxal nodded. ¡°She has more reasons to hate Faxiq than anyone. Saevah commanded me to seek you out, to let you know that the Flames of Renewal are on your side.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Vaztyma said, clearly pleased. ¡°I will take you both to the Pridefort. We shall see what you¡¯re worth.¡± Turning to Lexyn, Pelzyq, and Zyryxa, Vaztyma said, ¡°You¡¯ve only just begun to bear the warriormark. Daughter Lexyn, I applaud your ever-growing courage. Son Pelzyq, I take pride in your willingness to go together, rather than alone. And you, Daughter Zyryxa,¡± Zyryxa¡¯s heart pounded fast, hungry for maternal praise, even from this judgmental bitch, ¡°few can claim to have sheared the wings of dragons or captured knights. Your strength¡ªboth in arm and in heart¡ªis undeniable.¡± Despite herself, Zyryxa stood taller, beaming like she¡¯d just won a tournament or a pageant. ¡°Thank you, Ice Champion.¡± ¡°But be mindful,¡± Vaztyma continued, ¡°that your boldness doesn¡¯t cross the border into insolence.¡± Zyryxa clenched her jaw, feeling more insolent than obedient. ¡°Make haste for Riverwatch,¡± Vaztyma ordered. ¡°Hatrox will temper you into the weapons we need to end this war.¡± Matyxal coughed, interrupting before Zyryxa¡¯s insolence could surface. ¡°These three rescued Natazia and defeated several broods of Fire Tribe raiders¡ªformer Tantix loyalists sent under Taxim¡¯s command to wreak havoc. You have a worthy brood here, Champion Vaztyma, and wild dragons in need of bonded riders.¡± Vaztyma hesitated, her expression more annoyed than appreciative. Before she could dismiss the idea, Natazia stepped forward. She bowed at Vaztyma¡¯s feet, perhaps showing too little insolence for Zyryxa¡¯s tastes. ¡°My Champion,¡± she began. ¡°Gaeliz deemed me worthy of initiating the Rite of the Dragon Knight. On our way to the Pridefort, the rest of my brood perished to raiders. I thought I was lost, but I found two sisters and a brother who can help me learn to fly. I¡¯d help them to find their wings too. Please, my Champion, do not send them away from me. H-H-H¡­¡± Natazia¡¯s voice faltered as tears misted her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t give them to him.¡± Vaztyma met Zyryxa¡¯s gaze, her sharp eyes weighing her on some unknown scale. ¡°I cannot grant that request, Natazia,¡± she said, decreeing fate with as little emotion as ice itself. ¡°You have my blessing to begin your trial alone, but they are needed at Riverwatch.¡± Matyxal stepped forward, her voice filled with reverence. ¡°Hatred forges powerful weapons, Champion, but they crack and break in their wielder¡¯s hands. Whether among the tribes or between, tempering hatred will only prolong this war and lead us to the next one, dragging Volqor deeper into ruin. Seraxa and Qoryxa taught us better ways.¡± The bard knelt, her passion unwavering. ¡°I have spent days in their custody, witnessing not only their prowess but their growing love. Together, they will grow into who they are meant to be. Their bond will forge weapons devoted to preserving life but capable of burning away the hatred that plagues our beloved Volqor.¡± Tears streamed down Matyxal¡¯s fiery cheeks, steaming away in the cold. ¡°I implore you, do not to send them to Hatrox to be broken, corrupted, and reforged into their worst selves. Remember the twins, Qoryxa and Seraxa, who set aside their differences and banded together in love to defy the Divine of Death, leaving behind a world where their children could love and thrive. Remember yourself, Champion, and how your love with Dezoq and Valinax forged you into who you are. Let love forge these four into Qoryxa¡¯s Kiss¡ªthe blade that will end this war and carry us into a future where our children can thrive.¡± Sometimes, Zyryxa reluctantly admitted, only to herself of course, bards did serve a purpose. Matyxal¡¯s words filled the ravine with solemnity, settling deep into the hearts of the six who heard her. Zyryxa wanted to be closer to Lexyn, to Pelzyq, and to Natazia. More than ever, she recalled the way Hatrox had looked at her, sizing her up like property during her last time in the Frostmelt. Of one thing she was certain above all else, she wanted nothing to do with him. Nothing at all. When Vaztyma turned to her, she already knew her answer. ¡°Daughter Zyryxa,¡± Vaztyma began, ¡°would you pursue your vengeance against Saevah, or would you help Natazia take to the sky?¡± ¡°I once thought all I wanted was to avenge Zyrthalla, but traveling with Lexyn, Pelzyq, and Natazia, I¡¯ve realized that I something more¡ªa family. I believe in them, Champion, and in what we can become together. I would help all of us take to the sky.¡± Vaztyma frowned but gave a curt nod. ¡°Very well. Rise, Natazia. You will undertake the Rite of the Dragon Knight, with Zyryxa, Pelzyq, and Lexyn as your broodmates. Do you know the five tasks?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Natazia said, determined. ¡°The Qione of Nix Tezyk, the Tarandrux of the Silvyzfryz, the Ice Golem of Antryx Mir, the Vordt of Pryxvalliz, and the Obruox of Lazael.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Vaztyma said, her tone less disappointed now. ¡°Complete the five tasks, then return to the Pridefort for the final one.¡± ¡°Yes, Champion,¡± Natazia replied. Zyryxa had heard stories of the five trials and the prospect of triumphing over the harshest challenges in Southern Volqor filled her with excitement. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder about the final task. Her mother had never revealed it despite her many questions. You will see, when it is your time, my little champion, she had always said. Her time felt closer than ever. Zyryxa¡¯s ascent to Duilahir or Qorzillux began today, without months or years spent proving herself at Riverwatch. Without any further ceremony, Vaztyma ordered the two Flames of Renewal to head for Praedax. Rivux¡¯s orange-red eyes met Zyryxa¡¯s. ¡°I await our reunion, Warrior Zyryxa, with a hungry heart.¡± ¡°Stay hungry, Knight Rivux,¡± she said, smirking. Stay alive, she thought. Give us a chance. She offered the Zyryxa nod, tilting her head ever so slightly. Rivux, a quick study, returned the gesture before turning away. Zyryxa yearned to tackle him again, to stake her claim all over his handsome face with her lips. But Vaztyma wasted no time ushering Rivux away from her. Matyxal lingered, exchanging meaningful glances with the brood she created. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad. For a bard. Thank you,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°for everything.¡± Matyxal winked. ¡°Anytime, beautiful. Beware the warrior¡¯s pride,¡± she said, her tone shifting from playful to somber. Zyryxa nodded, promising to herself that she wouldn¡¯t squander Matyxal¡¯s gift. ¡°Thank you,¡± Lexyn said quietly, ¡°for not killing me.¡± Matyxal chuckled. ¡°I told you I¡¯d rather sing your songs than take your lives. You may not have as much Volqori blood as the rest of us, but you have everything you need inside of you. Believe in yourself, darling.¡± Matyxal¡¯s grin turned mischievous. ¡°And keep taking your shots, especially when you¡¯re scared.¡± Lexyn wiped at her eyes. ¡°I will.¡± ¡°I know you will,¡± Matyxal replied, before turning to Pelzyq. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad yourself. Take care of her, Pelzyq.¡± ¡°On my life,¡± Pelzyq said with no hint of his usual bravado. ¡°Take care of yourself.¡± He barely held tears back himself. Perhaps, Zyryxa relented, there was an ocean of feeling lurking beneath what at first seemed nothing more than a shallow pool. Finally, Matyxal faced Natazia. ¡°I hope you understand why I didn¡¯t let you die.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Natazia said stoically. ¡°Thank you, bard.¡± ¡°Until next time,¡± Matyxal said, offering the Leverian equivalent of ¡®I love you and this is not our last goodbye.¡¯ All four of them answered. Somehow, Zyryxa was sadder to say goodbye to the bard that nearly killed them all than Rivux. Vaztyma took Matyxal and Rivux¡¯s weapons from Zyryxa and looked over her newest brood. ¡°Qoryxa guide you all. May the Ice be yours.¡± The Ice is mine, Zyryxa knew, saying nothing but trying her best to show deference to the woman she would one day challenge. Vaztyma wasn¡¯t bad, but Zyryxa would be much, much better. She met Vaztyma¡¯s gaze, sensing the Champion knew that today marked the next step forward in her own eventual downfall. Zyryxa almost pitied her. Then the bitch opened her mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t let boldness become insolence,¡± Vaztyma said again, in a cold whisper. ¡°Yes, Ice Champion,¡± Zyryxa replied, her words edged with rebellion. Vaztyma¡¯s smirked knowingly. ¡°And remember, pride will be either your greatest strength or your downfall.¡± That earned Vaztyma nothing more than the Zyryxa nod. ¡°They¡¯re yours now, Natazia. Don¡¯t make me regret this.¡± ¡°Yes, Ice Champion!¡± Natazia said, no hint of rebellion in her. With that, Champion Vaztyma turned away. The dragon gripped Rivux and Matyxal in its foreclaws before tearing through more gelubor in its ascent. Neither the knight nor the bard cried out, earning even more of Zyryxa¡¯s respect. Please let them arrive safely. She hoped that this wasn¡¯t a final goodbye with either of them. Until next time, Matyxal, Rivux. Until next time. Praedax disappearing through the dense gelubor canopy, Natazia took command. Ordained by the Ice Champion herself, Zyryxa tried to get used to being ordered around by someone with the same rank as her. Someone she had rescued. It wasn¡¯t going to be easy to let another take charge but thinking of the scars writ upon Natazia¡¯s flesh, Zyryxa knew this was far, far better than serving Hatrox. The words of ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride¡± echoed in her mind, and Zyryxa was determined not to find herself alone. Chapter 37: The Hero of the Hill ¡°Each of us has our own unique talents, and every one of you has a voice in our brood,¡± Natazia said. But you will have the final word, Zyryxa mused, trying and failing not to feel sore that it wasn¡¯t her. ¡°But I will have the final say,¡± Natazia finished. Her completing Natazia¡¯s sentences didn¡¯t sooth the sting. With their destination undetermined, they broke for camp where the ravine met the border of the crystalline forest and a tundra of endless viridix. The vibrant greenery shimmered under the descending sun. Natazia¡¯s orders were frustratingly similar to what Zyryxa would have given. Lexyn, appointed the brood¡¯s quartermaster, gathered herbs and tallied their supplies. Pelzyq made the fire and prepared the meal¡ªa role in which he was undeniably superior. Natazia constructed a makeshift gelubor blind with skill Zyryxa couldn¡¯t match. And Zyryxa herself tended to the drakes, knowing them better than anyone. Zyryxa tried to see the bright side in being led by such a competent broodmaster, but it darkened her mood. If Zyryxa couldn¡¯t be the best leader in a group of four, how could she become Champion of thousands? Zyryxa put on a veneer of icy stoicism, but there were cracks within the cool exterior. Sensing these fissures, Zyrxl nudged her. Zyryxa leaned into the large coldscale, nudging her back. This bond patched some of the fractures¡ªthe loyalty of one creature reminded her that she could still lead, still be loved and revered. ¡°I have to be patient,¡± she murmured to the coldscale. ¡°Beware the warrior¡¯s pride.¡± Throwing her arms around Zyrxl¡¯s neck, she took a deep breath. ¡°Maybe this is good for us,¡± she said, recalling something Abbaz once told her. At the time, she had dismissed it as weak drivel from a bard who couldn¡¯t quite cut it. ¡°To be worthy of leading, one must understand what it means to follow.¡± This was a test. She would prove that her pride could endure the challenge of not immediately getting everything she wanted. Besides, if she couldn¡¯t empathize with those who followed orders, how could she ever give them compassionately? She exhaled deeply, feeling the mental soreness flow out of her. This was good for her. She believed in that now and in the words her father spoke. For the first time in ages, she yearned to hear Abbaz¡¯s voice¡ªthat man who, for all his faults, had loved her. He had done his best. For a bard. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes, she thought, I want to hear him again. Wiping away her tears, she buried her face in Zyrxl¡¯s neck, determined not to let anyone see her cry over a bard. She pulled herself together, promising herself she would visit Abbaz the next time she returned to Loxzua. Natazia corralled the brood toward Pelzyq¡¯s fire, where the scent of roasting meat filled the air. ¡°I place us halfway between Nix Tezyk and Pryxvalliz,¡± she said. ¡°Nix Tezyk will have no homesteads, while Pryxvalliz likely has them scattered throughout the valley. Before we approach either, I want Zyryxa to help us capture two more drakes.¡± Natazia glanced at Zyryxa. Zyryxa returned her gaze with a curt nod. Natazia¡¯s judgment was sound, as usual, and it pleased her to offer her own thoughts. ¡°Consider it done. Nix Tezyk is endless tundra with no cover from its brutal winds. There are no gelubor to create blinds or to use as fuel. Even I chose to only spend a few days there during my rite.¡± She examined her allies. Natazia wore mismatched garments were looted from dead Fire Tribe warriors and was still barefoot. Pelzyq¡¯s gura furs could endure some cold, but not the relentless chill of Nix Tezyk. Lexyn was immaculate, outfitted in abominable furs and drakescale boots¡ªthough it would make little difference with her Leverian blood. Lexyn reached the same conclusion. ¡°We¡¯re not outfitted for Nix Tezyk. We¡¯ll need heavier furs, blankets, reliable heat sources, and at least one tent to shield us from the winds.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Zyryxa can break wind, and Pelzyq can provide heat,¡± Pelzyq said, grinning as he methodically turned the day¡¯s catch over the fire. ¡°If we¡¯re not prepared for Nix Tezyk,¡± Natazia replied, ¡°we¡¯ll save the qione for last.¡± She spoke with such clear relief, the usually somber woman was practically giddy. Zyryxa knew it wasn¡¯t the qione she feared so much as the dragon knight presiding over nearby Riverwatch. ¡°Does anyone know how to find a vordt?¡± Lexyn asked. ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories of broods searching for moons without seeing one.¡± ¡°How hard can it be?¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°I¡¯m sure our great hunter saw some during her rite. Eh, Zyryxa?¡± He offered a friendly smile. Finally, she received a genuine compliment from Pelzyq that had nothing to do with her appearance. Of course, she couldn¡¯t accept it. She offered him a nod anyway, appreciating the effort. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a vordt. I was told that finding them is always either the longest or second longest task of the five. More knight-aspirants never wake from their slumber in Pryxvalliz than will ever lay eyes on a vordt.¡± Pelzyq frowned. ¡°Do you know how to find one, Natazia?¡± Natazia sighed. ¡°Honestly, I didn¡¯t know it was so hard.¡± She bit her lip and shook her head. ¡°So,¡± Lexyn began, ¡°if we cannot endure Nix Tezyk without better provisions, and we risk dying in our sleep in Pryxvalliz without more information, it makes sense that our next destination should be somewhere we can get supplied with both.¡± She smiled. ¡°I can think of only one place.¡± ¡°Loxzua,¡± Zyryxa said softly, thinking of the city by the sea where a little girl once had a mother and a father. ¡°I know where to find drakes along the way. And I know someone who has completed the five trials.¡± Her voice caught on each word, struggling to get them out without crying. ¡°He would tell us anything we need to know.¡± Like he¡¯s always tried to, Zyryxa thought. ¡°The great bard Abbaz,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°I used to listen to him on Qoryxa¡¯s day each span. He is wise and kind. I know he would help us.¡± ¡°The Hero of the Hill?¡± Natazia asked. ¡°I suppose he could. I also have connections in Loxzua that would supply us. Loxzua it is.¡± Zyryxa didn¡¯t register anything beyond the first few words. ¡°The Hero of the Hill?¡± she repeated. ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong. Abbaz isn¡¯t the Hero of the Hill. He¡¯s a bard. He doesn¡¯t even fight.¡± Natazia and Lexyn looked at Zyryxa like she was stupid. Pelzyq just looked stupid. ¡°What¡¯s the Hero of the Hill?¡± he asked. Natazia explained, her eyes fixed on Zyryxa. ¡°Twenty years ago, during a previous war, a Fire Tribe dragon knight wounded Champion Marazix and his dragon, Thadillux, on the Heatrise. Thadillux couldn¡¯t reach Marazix without certain death. Only one Ice Tribe brood was on the hill. They fought through a swarm of one hundred warriors. Only one reached Marazix alive. That hero killed the fire knight and his dragon, then dragged Champion Marazix uphill to safety.¡± ¡°So, he¡¯s almost half as strong as Pelzyq.¡± Lexyn slapped his arm, and he exaggerated his wound like a little sibling trying to get their big sister in trouble. Zyryxa didn¡¯t even take in Pelzyq¡¯s pelzyqism. She knew the song, ¡°Hero of the Hill.¡± She had been enamored with it as a child, getting excited when Matyxal or Dezoq played it during the Festival of Melding. She asked her parents about the unnamed hero. They always said the man was gone and best left in the past. ¡°It can¡¯t be,¡± she whispered. ¡°The Hero of the Hill died. You¡¯ve got the wrong man.¡± Lexyn took Zyryxa¡¯s hands. She said nothing, but then again, she didn¡¯t need to. Lexyn held her, giving Zyryxa that Lexyn look of hers that said, ¡®I know this is hard for you to hear and I love you.¡¯ Zyryxa fought the sobs, her body shaking but the tears not breaking through. ¡°Why didn¡¯t he tell me?¡± Lexyn held her. Her expression saying more than any word ever could. Whatever walls held back the flood cracked and shattered. All her life she thought her father was a pathetic weakling, a man worthy of no respect, a disgraceful match for the mighty woman her mother was. All along, she¡¯d been lied to. Her future with her mother was already stolen, but it hurt just as much that her past with her father had been robbed. She could have grown up respecting him, loving him as much as he loved her. If only she had known. She fell into Lexyn¡¯s arms, sobbing like a weak little girl too stupid to know her father was one of the greatest heroes in Volqori history. ¡°Why didn¡¯t he tell me?¡± ¡°Ask him,¡± Lexyn said, caressing Zyryxa¡¯s back, ¡°while you still can.¡± Pelzyq cleared his throat. ¡°The meat¡¯s ready!¡± he declared in a deep sing-song voice that should never be tasked with singing. ¡°Besides,¡± he added, ¡°if you think not telling you he was a competent warrior is the worst a father can do, grab a log. Pelzyq has a story for you.¡± ¡°Great idea!¡± Natazia said, leaping to her feet. ¡°We¡¯re a family. Let¡¯s get to know each other better. I¡¯ve got the perfect game for us to play!¡± Chapter 38: I Never Natazia poured drinks as she explained the rules of her game. Unfortunately, Ozyeeq firebomb was their only option. Zyryxa tore through a second succulent steak, hoping that it wouldn¡¯t be making a second appearance later. ¡°Any questions?¡± Natazia asked, dropping onto her stump. The rules seemed simple enough. They would take turns declaring something they had never done. If anyone else around the fire had done it, they would take a sip of the burning beverage. Better still, those who drank had to answer a question from the statement maker about it. Zyryxa¡¯s hand shot up. ¡°Can I go first?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Then we¡¯ll go in a circle¡ªLexyn, me, Pelzyq.¡± ¡°Saving the best for last,¡± Pelzyq growled. ¡°You¡¯re the climax, Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa teased, winking. ¡°Pelzyq has heard this before. Usually between shouts of Divine Qoryxa and the occasional Seraxa and Leverith.¡± He shot bedroom eyes at Lexyn. ¡°Maybe tonight everyone will get to hear.¡± ¡°Well, I never,¡± Zyryxa said, grinning at the growing blush spreading across Lexyn¡¯s already pinkish cheeks. That girl was adorable, and Zyryxa couldn¡¯t help but feel a tiny pang of jealousy. Pelzyq was probably close to experiencing something Zyryxa never would. ¡°I think Zyryxa should start the game now,¡± Lexyn interjected. ¡°Right, Natazia?¡± Natazia leaned back, making herself comfortable. ¡°I, for one, am enjoying this. I¡¯ve never seen Pelzyq¡¯s famed meat, and I¡¯m so distracted by its legend that I don¡¯t know if I can bear it much longer.¡± Pelzyq grinned. ¡°Perhaps we can arrange a deal, broodmaster. Pelzyq, however, has already seen everything you¡¯ve got on offer. A simple exchange would not be fair to Pelzyq.¡± Natazia smirked. ¡°A wise bargainer. Why don¡¯t we negotiate after a few rounds?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Pelzyq said, raising his flask. ¡°To us! To the greatest brood these lands have ever seen! Soon enough, you will all be legends too.¡± ¡°To being the best,¡± Zyryxa added, raising her flask. ¡°To flying high!¡± Natazia chimed in. ¡°To making a difference,¡± Lexyn finished softly. They all downed their first sip. Seraxa¡¯s freezing eyes! Zyryxa hated Ozyeeq firebomb. The liquor went down as smooth as a razor blade and didn¡¯t stop stinging once it reached her stomach. This was going to be a long night. ¡°Get us started, Zyryxa,¡± Natazia ordered. Zyryxa grinned. ¡°I never knew that my father was a freezing war hero.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cheating,¡± Pelzyq objected. ¡°We already knew that!¡± ¡°Question,¡± Lexyn interrupted. ¡°Define war hero. Also, how would we know for sure if our father was or wasn¡¯t one? I know my father fought in the last war, but I can¡¯t say if he meets criteria for ¡®war hero.¡¯ And I cannot know what I do not know. You know?¡± She winked at Zyryxa, a sly Lexynish grin blooming on the corners of her mouth. ¡°Sorry, Zyryxa,¡± Natazia agreed, as lighthearted as the others. ¡°You¡¯re outvoted three to one. Rephrase your statement.¡± Zyryxa growled. Fine. She¡¯d make them pay. ¡°I¡¯ve never been in love.¡± Natazia sipped immediately. Pelzyq wasn¡¯t far behind. Lexyn looked at him, hesitated, and then reluctantly took a sip, gagging as the firebomb went down. ¡°Feeling lonely over there?¡± Pelzyq teased. ¡°Not at all.¡± ¡°Zyryxa loves herself so much, she doesn¡¯t need to be in love with someone else,¡± Lexyn said. Catching Zyryxa¡¯s glare, Lexyn quickly added, ¡°I admire that about you. I wish I could love myself like that.¡± Natazia lurched forward. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying, Lexyn, is that Zyryxa¡¯s fingers give her all the love she needs?¡± Pelzyq and Lexyn hooted with laughter, and Natazia¡¯s jubilant smile broke through the ice she usually wore. It was surprisingly charming. Zyryxa¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment but she refused to back down. Dash head-on into the threat. Never show weakness. ¡°Why delegate what you can do better yourself?¡± The others laughed, and Zyryxa felt her own ice breaking. ¡°My turn. Natazia, what happened with your love?¡± Natazia¡¯s laughter died. She sighed, her face hardening back into its usual ice. ¡°The same thing that happened to everything good in my life.¡± Anger flared across her face as she lifted her flask and took several long sips of the Fire Tribe poison. Lexyn reached out, resting her hand on Natazia¡¯s arm. ¡°Hatrox?¡± Natazia nodded, wiping the excess firebomb from her lips. For all the heat she imbibed, she remained frozen, and Zyryxa felt horrible for reopening old scars. She promised to be more careful with her questions. At least for Natazia. She stilled owed Pelzyq for hiding her furs. ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°what was your first love¡¯s name?¡± Pelzyq hesitated, staring into the fire. Not Lexyn, then, Zyryxa deduced. Natazia relaxed a little as the attention shifted to him. ¡°You can tell us,¡± Lexyn said gently. ¡°We all have pain in our past, Pelzyq. We¡¯ll deal with it together. We¡¯ll heal.¡± Pelzyq shook his head. ¡°Every woman I¡¯ve loved, starting with Dalcyx, has found nothing but pain because of me.¡± He looked at Lexyn, his eyes damp. ¡°I¡¯m cursed.¡± The pieces clicked together¡ªthe bravado, the lewdness, the feuding, the running. Zyryxa shifted closer, squeezing Pelzyq¡¯s shoulder firmly. ¡°Then we break the curse, brother.¡± He looked up at her, like a drunk little drake, and offered his paw. Zyryxa took it, gripping hard. They were evenly matched, though she¡¯d still bet on herself to hold the grip longer. ¡°Sister,¡± he said, smiling faintly through wet, droopy eyes. ¡°Zyryxa wouldn¡¯t let you get Lexyn hurt,¡± Natazia said. ¡°And neither will I.¡± She bumped fists with Lexyn. Lexyn blinked away tears. ¡°To breaking curses.¡± ¡°To new beginnings,¡± Natazia said, raising her flask. ¡°To my brother,¡± Zyryxa added. ¡°To you wonderful girls,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°May I never bring you pain.¡± They drank. This time, the firebomb felt less like jagged glass and more like a welcome warmth. ¡°I don¡¯t know about anyone else,¡± Zyryxa said, smirking at Pelzyq, ¡°but I feel secondhand pain every time I look at that fucked up nose of yours.¡± Natazia snorted mid-sip, firebomb shooting out through her nostrils. She scrambled for the snow, rubbing it into her face as she gasped and laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Lexyn howled in response, then glanced at Pelzyq. ¡°I think Pelzyq¡¯s face is just fine.¡± ¡°Just fine?¡± Pelzyq repeated, his outrage teetering between feigned and genuine. ¡°How would you feel if Pelzyq said Lexyn¡¯s face is just fine?¡± Lexyn shrugged, though her expression betrayed a flicker of self-consciousness. Zyryxa leapt to her friend¡¯s defense. ¡°Unlike Pelzyq, Lexyn can and has looked into a mirror without breaking it. She knows she¡¯s an ice-cold knockout, not someone who¡¯s been knocked out ice cold more times than they can remember.¡± Pelzyq¡¯s mouth fell agape. Natazia roared with laughter, still on her hands and knees in the snow. ¡°I think I¡¯m ready for my question now, Zyryxa,¡± Lexyn said, shaking her head with a grin. Zyryxa settled back onto her stump while Natazia staggered to her seat, wiping tears from her eyes. ¡°Why did you hesitate to drink?¡± Zyryxa asked. Lexyn¡¯s gaze dropped to the fire. ¡°I don¡¯t doubt that I¡¯m in love,¡± she murmured. ¡°I¡¯m just scared it might not be felt the same way on the other end. I worry that it might be just physical, or worse, built on pity for the little mouse in need of big strong protector.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ever doubt yourself,¡± Pelzyq said, stepping forward without hesitation. He wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Don¡¯t doubt what I feel for you.¡± Lexyn closed the embrace, leaning into him. Zyryxa looked away, her chest heavy. She did feel alone. She tipped back her flask, wondering how Rivux¡¯s flight to the Pridefort had gone¡ªwhether something real could grow from the wild chase and passionate capture today. How could he love someone who tore his dragon¡¯s wing off? Will we ever meet again? Will I have to watch Pelzyq bond with Lexyn, a woman I can¡¯t seem to stop desiring, while I remain alone? The firebomb burned its way down into her, trying to dull the edge of her thoughts. ¡°How endearing,¡± Natazia teased, breaking the silence. ¡°You¡¯re up, Lexyn.¡± Pelzyq let her go, but Lexyn pulled him back in for a kiss. For several heartbeats, Zyryxa looked away, unable to shake the feeling of loneliness that no fire could reduce to ash. Lexyn took a deep breath as Pelzyq returned to his log, then looked around the fire, nervously. ¡°I never had sex,¡± she said. ¡°Not for much longer,¡± Natazia muttered, earning herself a friendly glare from Lexyn. Pelzyq sipped alongside Natazia. ¡°Sex isn¡¯t important to me,¡± he said, meeting Lexyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°Just knowing you¡¯re here is all I need.¡± Lexyn¡¯s serene smile lit up the firelit space, leaving Zyryxa strangely at peace. ¡°Well,¡± Natazia said slyly, ¡°I thought Pelzyq might offer to fix both Lexyn and Zyryxa¡¯s little problem.¡± ¡°You really, really want a showing of Pelzyq¡¯s cock, don¡¯t you, Natazia?¡± Zyryxa quipped, taking another swig of firebomb to mask her curiosity. Natazia threw up her hands. ¡°Guilty! What¡¯s it going to take, Pelzyq? This secret will tear us apart¡ªor at least tear Lexyn apart.¡± Zyryxa snorted as Lexyn flushed crimson. The unabashed, boyish glee shining on Pelzyq¡¯s face only made the moment more absurd. Let it be known that drinking, even Ozyeeq firebomb, could be fun. Pelzyq tsked and took a dramatic sip. Steam curled from his mouth as he exhaled. ¡°I think the going barter for a glimpse of Pelzyq¡¯s legendary cock is three sets of tits.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. Pelzyq, you clever boy. By demanding all three, he would prove their curiosity. Zyryxa wouldn¡¯t give him that satisfaction. ¡°No deal.¡± ¡°Come on, Zyryxa!¡± Natazia howled, her voice going shrill. ¡°I heard he¡¯s already seen yours!¡± ¡°Without my consent,¡± Zyryxa shot back. ¡°Then he played stupid games with the furs.¡± ¡°Hey! Hey!¡± Pelzyq said, holding up his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t go fighting over Pelzyq. Besides, Zyryxa owes us a drink. Who else saw that massive stain on the fire knight? Took the poor bastard¡¯s dragon, his stock, and won¡¯t even admit she loves him or that they got it on.¡± ¡°Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa cut in, pulling herself out of the fray. ¡°Ask your question.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Natazia interrupted, getting progressively louder with each sip of firebomb. ¡°Pelzyq, surely you have to account for size here. Lexyn¡¯s set is worth at least two sets of standard tits. She¡¯s stacked!¡± ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Pelzyq said, grinning, ¡°but yours are only worth half.¡± Natazia scoffed. ¡°No chance. They¡¯re at least average.¡± To prove her point, she tossed her furs aside. The scars were impossible to ignore, but beneath them, Natazia sported a beautifully chiseled physique. The woman was solid muscle, except for the soft part at her chest. Her ¡°set¡± was at least worth one. Zyryxa kept the thought to herself, biting a little on her lip before taking another sip of firebomb. Unsurprisingly, the hellish liquor didn¡¯t cool her off.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Pelzyq tilted his head back and forth, evaluating Natazia keenly. ¡°I¡¯ll give you three-quarters.¡± Lexyn shook her head, giggling as drunken warmth glowed on her cheeks. ¡°I don¡¯t have any more questions for Pelzyq. Natazia, do you favor men or women?¡± Natazia looked at Lexyn like she¡¯d sprouted wings. ¡°Silly girl,¡± she said, her voice full of mock condescension. ¡°Why would you waste yourself on only half of life¡¯s possibilities? Do you eat just the yak¡¯s meat and ignore the milk? Do you neglect your sword just because you have the bow? Only a fool chooses one when both are abundant and wonderful.¡± ¡°Hear, hear!¡± Zyryxa toasted, raising her flask. ¡°Hear, hear!¡± Natazia echoed, winking before joining Zyryxa in another swig. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Zyryxa¡¯s head spun, and her bladder nagged at her. Everything tingled, an uncomfortably comfortable numb. She giggled, vaguely recognizing that the girlish sound wouldn¡¯t have passed inspection and been released several sips ago. ¡°You two are just weird,¡± Zyryxa slurred, pointing at Lexyn and Pelzyq. She giggled again, realizing she sounded now how Pelzyq sounded before any sips. ¡°You¡¯d go to the best restaurant in Loxzua and only look at half the menu.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Natazia guffawed. ¡°Weird-ass weird people.¡± She burped, tracking some spittle onto her chin. The drool froze onto her face, causing Zyryxa to giggle again. ¡°Its not very Qoryxa of you,¡± Natazia chirped, ¡°settling for half the menu. Psh!¡± Lexyn and Pelzyq exchanged glances, shrugged, and Lexyn grinned. ¡°Only in Volqor would we be the weird ones. Not that anyone here is weird,¡± she added quickly. ¡°We simply are.¡± ¡°Sounds exactly like something a weird person would say,¡± Natazia added with a snort. ¡°Let them be weird,¡± Zyryxa said, taking another sip. ¡°More menu for us, Natazia.¡± Natazia shook her head dramatically, the motion so exaggerated that Zyryxa snorted. This bitch wasn¡¯t so bad! ¡°Not if I don¡¯t get to see some tits and cock,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Come on, Zyryxa! Don¡¯t let me down.¡± Zyryxa saw her opening. Slowly, with great deliberation, she slid off her top furs, folding them and setting them neatly in the snow beside the fire. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down,¡± she said, conjuring a burp that brought up the steak. It didn¡¯t taste as good the second time, but she swallowed it anyway. Might as well chase it with firebomb. When she looked up, she saw several blurry sets of eyes drawn to her, each in varying states of admiration. Zyryxa leaned back, pressing her shoulders together to give a better view. ¡°I think¡­¡± Natazia said slowly, ¡°this is art.¡± ¡°I think¡­¡± Lexyn said slowly, ¡°I might have to pay better attention to the wo-menu.¡± ¡°Pelzyq thinks¡­¡± Pelzyq said slowly, ¡°he¡¯s seen better.¡± The fireside erupted with raucous, drunken laughter. Zyryxa grinned, unshaken. ¡°Is that so?¡± Pelzyq nodded, took another swig, though his eyes never left her. ¡°Oh, Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa sang, ¡°are you going to let Natazia down?¡± Lexyn side-eyed Natazia. ¡°Do you really want this?¡± Natazia¡¯s expression turned somber. ¡°I want us to know each other¡ªinside and out. I want to laugh together, love each other, however that looks, because that is how we¡¯re going to be the best that we can be. And I don¡¯t want Pelzyq¡¯s stupid cock jokes to haunt me for the next year and be left wondering whether there is any verity to them. So, yes, Lexyn, show me your tits.¡± Zyryxa leaned forward, fighting the flutter in her chest. ¡°Lexyn,¡± Pelzyq said as softly as his gruff was capable, ¡°I can fulfill my end of the bargain even if you don¡¯t want to.¡± That fucking grin spreading across his face, he tilted his head toward Zyryxa, ¡°I think she might count for two and a quarter.¡± ¡°Still not the best you¡¯ve seen though?¡± Zyryxa chirped. He ignored her, keeping his gaze on Lexyn. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Maybe we just need a few more rounds. I¡¯ll go.¡± Lexyn lifted her furs. Her skin beneath the abominable fur was even less pale, as if reduced exposure to the Volqori environment kept it more Leverian. She was toned, with clear definition in her abs, obliques, deltoids, biceps, triceps, and trapezius muscles, making it abundantly clear that she was just as Volqori as she was Leverian. As far as ¡°sets¡± went, if Pelzyq was teasing about seeing better before, he didn¡¯t have to anymore. ¡°You must feel pretty lucky, Pelzyq,¡± Natazia said, whistling at Lexyn. ¡°Three sets. Now, one cock.¡± Zyryxa regulated her breathing, forcing her gaze away from Lexyn. Not everything beautiful was meant to be hers. Lexyn was a sister to her¡ªcloser than blood, the best she¡¯d ever have. They didn¡¯t need to be more, no matter what her traitorous eyes said. Speaking of which, thank the Divines eyes didn¡¯t actually speak. Right now, hers would betray every thought she needed to bury. Still, she had new imagery for her lonelier nights. Zyryxa shoved the thought aside, redirecting it toward Rivux. Yes, Rivux. Her fingers would play a ballad for him later, not Lexyn. Maybe Natazia too. Why not order from both sides of the menu? Zyryxa nodded to herself as Pelzyq deliberately undid his belt. He tossed it at Natazia. Their leader put in her mouth and bit down. Zyryxa snorted. ¡°Careful,¡± he said, working his fingers inside the rim of his furs. ¡°Don¡¯t stand too close without protective eyewear. And keep a safe distance from the fire. Pelzyq doesn¡¯t want you to fall in if you faint.¡± ¡°Enough, preamble,¡± Natazia said, tossing the belt aside. ¡°Show us the cock already!¡± Pelzyq¡¯s fingers hovered over the waist of his pants. ¡°Listen, Natazia. We just agreed to break my curse, didn¡¯t we? Pelzyq loves you all¡ªtruly¡ªand doesn¡¯t want any harm to come to you because of him.¡± Zyryxa shook her head, laughing despite herself. ¡°How did I ever despise you? You beautiful bastard.¡± ¡°You said that out loud,¡± Pelzyq said, wagging his finger. ¡°Just so you know.¡± Lexyn¡¯s laugh rang out, clear and soft. ¡°Easy, sexy Lexy,¡± Pelzyq teased, his finger wagging her way now. ¡°Laugh too hard, and you might hit yourself in the face with those. I don¡¯t ever want to be responsible for a single bruise on you.¡± Lexyn shook her head, smiling at him with open adoration. Zyryxa, in turn, couldn¡¯t stop gazing at her. ¡°Enough suspense,¡± Natazia groaned. ¡°Get on with it!¡± ¡°The master has spoken,¡± Pelzyq said, reaching an arm into his pants. ¡°Ladies and ladies, without further ado¡­my cock.¡± Zyryxa wasn¡¯t exactly an expert on male anatomy. Abbaz had been modest, always covered up in front of his daughters. Her little brother was too young to be a worthwhile reference point. The closest she¡¯d ever been to a man was earlier today, grinding against Rivux through multiple layers of furs. But even she knew this wasn¡¯t normal. Not even if she divided it by two to account for her double vision. She blinked, guessing from the speechlessness around the fire that it might go back to a normal size if she opened and closed her eyes a few times. Yet no matter how many times she closed and reopened her eyes, the truth remained. Not one of her cleverer moments, that. ¡°What in Zamael¡¯s Hells am I looking at?¡± Natazia asked, her voice flat. Lexyn, whose intensive training in medica, participation in many surgeries, and years of study on human anatomy offered her expert opinion. ¡°That¡¯s a cock.¡± ¡°That¡¯s like calling Monzqora a hill,¡± Natazia retorted. ¡°No wonder you¡¯re cursed, boy! You must¡¯ve sold your soul for this giganaska. No wonder every girl you¡¯ve loved ends up in pain. Don¡¯t come near me with that divinedamned club.¡± Pelzyq, holding his immense penis in one hand, turned to Zyryxa. ¡°No comment?¡± ¡°Zyryxa thinks¡­,¡± she said slowly, not just for dramatic effect as her stomach roiled, ¡°she¡¯s seen better.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Pelzyq asked, releasing it with a grin. The fucking thing slapped against his thigh with an audible thud. That was enough to send Zyryxa over the cliff. She doubled over, retching, emptying her stomach until she was sure it wasn¡¯t just the two steaks and the firebomb, but her dignity as well. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes,¡± Natazia said, patting Zyryxa on the back as Lexyn rummaged through her satchel. Everything a spinning, whirling blur, Zyryxa plummeted into the snow, feeling like a divinedamned fool. Natazia helping her down, both their chests exposed, was a hammer to her pride. She waited for Pelzyq¡¯s laughter. It never came. ¡°Here, this¡¯ll help Zy,¡± Lexyn said gently, holding out a water skin. ¡°It will be bitter.¡± Zyryxa barely tasted it over the acid burn of vomit. Their commentary became a blur. Sometimes laughter broke up their speech. She just fucking knew it was about her. Never again, she swore. Ozyeeq firebomb could stay north of the Frostmelt. She¡¯d smash the divinedamned cask against a gelubor. Tomorrow¡ªwhen the world wasn¡¯t spinning so much. Lexyn kept handing her the skin, the bitter taste becoming increasingly noticeable. Her stomach settled, her vision spun less, the snowflakes falling on her didn¡¯t piss her off as much. ¡°You with us again?¡± Natazia asked, her tits in Zyryxa¡¯s face as she knelt down. ¡°Yeah.¡± Zyryxa staggered to her feet, and stumbled back to her stump. ¡°All better now.¡± Her head felt like she got dinged with a hammer. Perhaps that was where the terminology came from? Anyway, thoughts were hard, but she didn¡¯t feel like tossing whatever else her stomach could find. ¡°Alright,¡± Natazia announced, her tone firm. ¡°Me and Pelzyq still need to go. I want to ride a dragon, but I¡¯ve never ridden a drake.¡± ¡°Me neither,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to neither.¡± ¡°They used to scare me,¡± Lexyn said, helping Zyryxa put her furs back on. ¡°But I love my Dryxl now.¡± Dryxl pressed close to her, accepting a pat on the head before he started licking up Zyryxa¡¯s puke pile. ¡°No thanks,¡± Pelzyq said, grimacing. ¡°You get two more drakes, I ain¡¯t riding mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll teach you,¡± Lexyn offered brightly. ¡°It¡¯ll help us grow stronger.¡± Pelzyq grunted. ¡°I hope to learn,¡± Natazia said. ¡°There wasn¡¯t much need when I was stationed in Loxzua, and¡­¡± Her words faltered, growing quieter. ¡°¡­I never got the chance at Riverwatch.¡± The mention of Riverwatch snapped Zyryxa to attention. Drunk, her inhibitions on vacation, she blurted the question that gnawed at her. ¡°What can you tell us about Riverwatch?¡± Natazia bit her lip, her usual ice melting into something fragile. ¡°Matyxal saved you,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°Hatrox takes women like you and turns them into women like me.¡± ¡°Women like me?¡± Zyryxa asked. Natazia nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°The strongest, the proudest, the most noble. He rips apart our dreams and turns our lives into a nightmare. Whatever you do, avoid him. Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Her voice broke, a sob escaping. ¡°Don¡¯t become a broken creature like me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not broken,¡± Lexyn said, reaching for her. Zyryxa stared at Natazia, unsure if she agreed. ¡°You are a sweetheart,¡± Natazia said, smiling faintly though her voice trembled. ¡°I used to be like that, too. I loved dreaming. Now, I can¡¯t sleep without fear of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling him.¡± Natazia exhaled, gazing up at the blue moon. ¡°Since I left Riverwatch, I¡¯ve only been able to relax when I¡¯m so drunk that I can¡¯t feel anything. Even now, I find myself looking to the skies, expecting to see Coryza¡ªexpecting Hatrox to throw me to the ground, to remind me that I¡¯m nothing without him.¡± The fire crackled softly as her voice fell to a whisper. ¡°Every time death courts me, a part of me wants to let go¡ªto give in so it can finally be over. An end, once and for all. I just want to rest again, without thinking of him.¡± Lexyn sidled onto the stump beside Natazia and gently wrapped an arm around her back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said softly. Natazia¡¯s lips curled into a faint, broken smile. ¡°I know,¡± she said. ¡°Thank you.¡± Zyryxa stared into the fire, its flickering light dancing across her face. She thought of Riverwatch, of the unforgettable face of Hatrox. She would rest better knowing she wasn¡¯t destined to become like Natazia¡ªafraid to dream, unable to find peace, broken inside. But even as she thought of it, she felt the hollows within herself, the voids left by a mother she¡¯d never see again and a father she¡¯d never truly known. When was the last time she¡¯d gone a night, or even a day, without being reminded of her loss? Her own dreams had been shattered too. She glanced at Pelzyq¡ªpoor, ridiculous Pelzyq, who believed everyone he loved would suffer because he cared about them. Even Lexyn, pure and sweet as she was, carried scars that could not be seen on her incredible body. Zyryxa clenched her fists, the firelight blurring as tears welled in her eyes. ¡°None of us are whole,¡± she said. ¡°When I think of how I will never see Zyrthalla again, never hear her tell me she¡¯s proud of me again, I hurt¡­ so¡­ bad.¡± She gripped her stomach, even though Lexyn¡¯s mixture had eased the nausea. ¡°I will never fly with her. And I don¡¯t know if I can¡ªor even if I should¡ªtry to kill the one who took her from me.¡± Her voice broke, and the sobs came. ¡°I miss her. The person who made me is gone, and without her, I don¡¯t know who I am. I feel¡­ alone.¡± Something warm settled beside her. Expecting Lexyn, Zyryxa glanced up and found Pelzyq instead. He reeked of firebomb, and for a moment, her nausea threatened to return. But then he spoke, his voice low. ¡°I hurt, too,¡± he said. ¡°Pavinax.¡± His hands shook, opening and closing, and his words faltered. ¡°He¡¯s why my face is the way it is. Every day, I dream of killing him¡ªof ripping apart the monster that made me!¡± Pelzyq roared, then broke into sobs, unable to continue. ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa said softly, putting an arm around him. ¡°He did his thirteen years,¡± Pelzyq choked out, the words barely audible. ¡°Then he wandered the wilderness, seeking Scaleless women. My mother was one of them. The only thing I remember of her¡­ is him beating her to death because I,¡± he sobbed, ¡°didn¡¯t put away a divinedamned hatchet.¡± ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa said, tears rushing out of her eyes, ¡°that wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± ¡°Every time I tried to protect one of his Scaleless,¡± Pelzyq continued, his voice ragged, ¡°he¡¯d beat me half to death¡­ and then beat them anyway.¡± He swallowed. ¡°And then there was Dalcyx. I loved her.¡± He took a breath. ¡°I loved that girl even though she belonged to my father. We planned to run away together. When he found out¡­¡± Lexyn and Natazia closed in, encircling him in a silent embrace. Pelzyq cried openly now, years of pain pouring out of him in broken, wracking sobs. Zyryxa thought he shared enough pain, thought that he was done, yet the river didn¡¯t freeze that easily once the ice began to crack. ¡°I thought that things might get better after another homestead took me in,¡± he said, his voice raw. ¡°But I did it again. I fell in love with the leader¡¯s daughter. He threw her out, told her she could die out there for all he cared. She wasn¡¯t his child any longer the moment she pretended to be a woman. He sent me to Loxzua for judgment, hoping that I would be branded Scaleless, get my cock cut off, and sent to Leveria.¡± Pelzyq lifted his swollen eyes to meet Zyryxa¡¯s gaze. ¡°Zyrthalla branded me with the ritemark and told me to find myself in the wilds.¡± Pelzyq looked to Natazia. ¡°Not a day has gone by in my whole life when I don¡¯t think I should just die.¡± His gaze drifted to Lexyn. He whimpered, struggling to work out the pain. ¡°Sometimes I wonder if I¡¯d save you all a lot of pain if I wandered into the ice and never woke again.¡± ¡°Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa said firmly, ¡°my mother had a gift. She saw something in you. You are not Pavinax. You will find yourself. And we will rip Pavinax apart¡­ with hatchets.¡± Pelzyq let out a watery laugh through his sobs. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°And don¡¯t you dare wander into the ice,¡± Lexyn added fiercely. ¡°I love you. The only way you¡¯re continuing this curse is if you do that to me. Do you understand me, Pelzyq?¡± Pelzyq nodded, burying his face in his hands. ¡°I¡¯ll try my best¡­ not to let¡­ you down.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Natazia said. ¡°We¡¯re here for you.¡± She slapped Lexyn on the back, inviting her to share. Lexyn took a seat, inhaled deeply, the exhaled as she stared into the flames. She told the others what Zyryxa already knew. She told them about her brother Hyzqar, how she ought to be Scaleless, how she couldn¡¯t sleep either with nightmares of sabretooths ripping her brother apart while she hid up a tree. ¡°You are no less valuable,¡± Pelzyq insisted. ¡°No less human. No less loved.¡± They turned to Natazia, bracing for her reaction to the heresy. She sat with her hands beneath her chin, tears glimmering in her blue eyes, her expression fragile and lost. ¡°All of us are broken,¡± she said, her gaze flickering from person to person, ¡°but all of us are here now¡ªexactly where we are meant to be, with exactly who we need to be with. Together, we will fly. More importantly, together, we will find ourselves and become whole again.¡± Zyryxa nodded, a flicker of pride kindling in her chest. She felt no lingering resentment toward her leader now. She was ready to learn, to put her pride aside and follow. ¡°I will sleep well tonight,¡± Natazia said, ¡°knowing that I am with you all. I never want to go back to the way it was before we met. I never want to forget this night. And I never want any of us to give up on ourselves. Together, I know we will never let that happen.¡± She raised her water skin. Zyryxa lifted hers in response. What was water, if not ice warmed? Bonded in ice, with love. Together, they would heal the cracks in them. Chapter 39: Loxzua (Natazia) The lone Ice Tribe city nestled against the northern ocean¡ªa place of wonder for a girl who had spent her early days at a homestead far to the south. Little Tazi, as her first broodmasters called her, never saw ocean, nor much beyond the few cabins enclosed by the white palisades that defined her childhood world. Even after nearly a year in the swarm of Knight Gaeliz, Natazia hadn¡¯t lost the sense of awe at the immensity of the life around her. Here, she wasn¡¯t the center of anything but rather a speck of snow in a vast blizzard. This dispersion was a welcome reprieve after Riverwatch. If she could describe Loxzua in three words they would be beautiful, whimsical, chaos. Buildings constructed from stone, exotic timbers from across the strait, or materials from distant lands like Leveria, Kavova, and Isihla, were scattered without any pragmatic pattern. Homesteads were meticulously arranged to for survival in the brutal wilds where nothing could be wasted or without reason. In contrast, Loxzua was like an imaginative child playing pretend with building blocks trying to see how many different colors and shapes they could use. Homesteads, like the one Natazia grew up in, were places where crafters created what they needed to subsist. But Loxzua? It was lined with ice carvings of ancient heroes, dragons, exquisite figures, and fearsome monsters like ulfhedinn. Perhaps its crowning spectacle was a massive two-hundred-foot giganaska sculpture that wound through clusters of homes, markets, and taverns. Dragonbone archways led through the city, their surfaces shimmering with the scales of fire and ice. Loxzua was a paradox, its beauty and artistry standing defiant against the harshness of Volqor. It was, perhaps, the most quintessentially Qoryxa-esque locale in the world¡ªa place of ice and breathtaking splendor. Foreigners, an impossibility in the wilderness, bustled here among the docks and markets. They visited taverns and mingled with merchants before shipping out again. Even embassies from distant lands resided in the city¡¯s sculpture-lined warrens, communing with the dragon knights, merchants, and captains of Volqor. One ambassador, Lyonel Vollonaro, caught Natazia¡¯s eye this year. She dreamed he could take her away from here, back to the jungles of Kavova or the grand metropolis of Sapphirica, which made Loxzua seem as quaint as a homestead. Maybe in such faraway places she could outrun the nightmares and the constant dread of Hatrox. But that wasn¡¯t true, and she knew it. Hatrox had flown to Leveria to track another girl that had fled him. The only reason he hadn¡¯t come for her was that he didn¡¯t want her anymore. He broke her, wholly and completely. Instead of fighting back, she went to a place of cold where the pain was more distant. She laid down, no longer bothering to resist. After a moon of this, he finally let her go, making sure nobody could ever make her theirs, then hitting her only with parting words. Those words followed her, lingering constantly, even though she hadn¡¯t seen him in all this time. If he discovered that she tried to fight again, if he sensed even a shred of joy in her life, she knew he would come back and steal it all away again. ¡°Your orders, broodleader?¡± Zyryxa asked. The immaculate warrior tried to mask her nerves, but Natazia could see the cracks: the slight increase in pitch, the forced, flat stare, trying too hard to maintain posture that it became rigid. It was like staring into a mirror, except, the reflection she saw was superior to her in every way imaginable. She had to remember that this inhumanely beautiful creature wasn¡¯t as perfect as she seemed. None of them were. Natazia dismounted her drake, Xilliax, named for one of her original broodmothers. The drake¡¯s chilling howls brought back memories of Xillia¡¯s singing. Learning to ride the past few days had been enjoyable, like nearly everything she did with these three. But she couldn¡¯t fully embrace the joy they brought her. This close to Riverwatch, she expected Hatrox to appear at any moment to snatch away what little joy Natazia could still fill into her broken vessel. ¡°We¡¯ll split into three groups,¡± Natazia said. ¡°I¡¯ll procure provisions from Gaeliz¡¯s quartermaster. Zyryxa, get information on the tasks from Abbaz. Lexyn, gather medica supplies and brew some warming tonics.¡± ¡°Forgetting someone?¡± Natazia glanced around, twisting her head in a complete circle before settling on Sir Giganaska. His teasing was something she had come to enjoy¡ªa reminder of how life had been before. Pelzyq was much like Zalver had been, always falsely dramatic, always bringing smiles. She let him sweat, already knowing what he would do. ¡°Who would you like to go with, Pelzyq?¡± she asked.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Pelzyq stroked his chin. ¡°Pelzyq¡¯s choice is difficult. Three beautiful women, all so charming and capable...¡± He hemmed and hawed, his lascivious gaze sizing each of them up. ¡°Enough,¡± Zyryxa snapped. ¡°Just go with Lexyn and try not to get lost. I don¡¯t want to spend the next three days scouring taverns and alleys for you.¡± Pelzyq blinked at her. ¡°Pelzyq will not be going with this one.¡± ¡°Zyryxa,¡± Lexyn said softly, ¡°would you like company when you meet with Abbaz?¡± Zyryxa hesitated, then shook her head. ¡°No. I need to do this alone.¡± She met Lexyn¡¯s gaze and added, ¡°But thank you.¡± ¡°Anything he can tell us about the tasks,¡± Natazia reminded her, worried Zyryxa¡¯s emotions would cloud good judgment. Then, knowing that Zyryxa¡¯s pride was as tender as a wounded direwolf, she softly added, ¡°You¡¯ve got this, warrior.¡± ¡°Of course I do,¡± Zyryxa said, spreading her arms as she backstepped into Loxzua. Her huge coldscale followed obediently. ¡°How hard can it be to pull information from a bard? All they do is talk.¡± ¡°As easy as getting a baby to cry,¡± Pelzyq quipped. ¡°Easier,¡± Zyryxa shot back with a sharp smile. She gave her signature curt nod, disappearing into the city. Not only did the three of them watch her, but she drew the attention of every stranger on the path. Zyryxa moved with such charisma that Natazia couldn¡¯t stop the pang of envy from rising up and pulling her down. The free-spirited way she used to attract people by being the loudest, proudest, and most cheerful person in the room was a relic from another life. Just as tattoos couldn¡¯t turn the scars beneath them into something beautiful, no amount of trying to act like the person she once was brought her back. Lexyn tilted her head at her man. ¡°And what do you know about getting babies to cry?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he replied, winking at her. ¡°Before we¡¯re done, I will teach you everything you need to know about crying babies.¡± Lexyn raised a single eyebrow, her cheeks blooming pink. ¡°Let¡¯s take things one day at a time.¡± Natazia cleared her throat. ¡°Meet me at Sapphire of the Sea when you¡¯re finished.¡± ¡°The fucking what?¡± Pelzyq said. Lexyn laughed. ¡°A Leverian operated tavern near the Leverian docks and Sapphire embassy.¡± Natazia averted her eyes. There was a reason she chose a place close to the Sapphire embassy and he was gorgeous with yellow hair and sapphire eyes. Maybe she¡¯d have the courage to say something today. No, she wouldn¡¯t, she knew. Not with Hatrox in the back of her mind saying that she belonged to him, telling her that nobody would want her now, broken as she was. She slapped them both on the back, giving an awkward nod with a wink. Yet, she was neither Zyryxa nor Matyxal. Just the ashes left behind after the flames burnt away a once vibrant girl. ¡°We¡¯ll need to work on that,¡± Pelzyq teased, reaching out to pinch Natazia¡¯s cheek. ¡°Focus on your task,¡± she snapped, slapping away his hand before turning away sharply to hide the heat rising on her face. That girl once believed she was enough. Now, every time she fell short, even over something as trivial as a signature gesture, she heard his voice echo in her mind like steel on a stone wall: You¡¯re nothing without me. Gripping Xilliax¡¯s reins, Natazia strode into Loxzua, her bare feet gliding over the icy streets. She tried to outrun his voice. She always was. And she always failed. Why did she keep fooling herself into thinking this time would be any different? Why couldn¡¯t she accept that the little girl she¡¯d been was dead and gone? All that remained was the woman who was dead inside, who would never be able to create life within herself. A tap on her shoulder jolted her. Spinning around instinctively, she reached for her spear, her heart pounding as her hand closed around its shaft. She barely stopped herself from plunging the weapon into Pelzyq¡¯s throat. Pelzyq took a step back, hands raised in a gesture of surrender. Lexyn stood a few paces behind him with both of their drakes in tow, her expression soft and pitying. She wished she could disappear. What had Pelzyq said several nights ago? Venture out into the ice and never wake. ¡°What?¡± she barked, snarling at them. ¡°We just wanted to say,¡± Pelzyq began, his tone unusually somber, ¡°that you¡¯ve got this.¡± Lexyn nodded, her gaze steady and kind. ¡°Until next time.¡± The significance of those words coming out of the mouth of a Leverian wasn¡¯t lost on Natazia. ¡°We¡¯ll see each other before the day¡¯s done.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°Still¡ªuntil next time, Natazia.¡± For a moment, Natazia stared at them, part of her wanting to go to the numb place where she felt nothing. Then, she gave a curt little nod. ¡°Getting better,¡± Pelzyq said with a sly grin. Natazia growled, but a smiled tugged at the corners of her lips. ¡°Until next time.¡± This time, when she walked away, his voice was just a whisper. Like a speck of snow in a vast blizzard instead of the blizzard itself. Chapter 40: Loxzua (Lexyn) For over a year, Lexyn had wished she could return to a better place and better times. She spent hundreds of nights in the upper branches of gelubor, dreaming of the safety of stone walls. Journeying across expanses of snow and unrelenting cold, longing for the hearthfire in her family¡¯s common room. Carrying the truth of Hyzqar¡¯s death in silence, yearning for the sounds of a forbidden ¡°I love you¡± from her mother, father, and little brother. Even in the past moon, as she found a new family in Zyryxa, Pelzyq, and Natazia, her heart called for the family Volqor said she couldn¡¯t have anymore. She tried to accept the way things must be now that she was a dragon warrior of the Ice Tribe. But accepting didn¡¯t equate to approving. She could accept that her regimented training with Zyryxa and Natazia was honing her into a deadly weapon, but she couldn¡¯t approve of living the life of a discriminating killer when her heart longed to be an indiscriminating healer. Lexyn accepted that she was thrust on the path of Qoryxa¡ªof power, beauty, and compassion, as Zyryxa preached¡ªbut couldn¡¯t approve when it felt like she was straying from Leverith. Seeing Leverith¡¯s sculpture again¡ªa beautiful woman holding a flower¡ªafter three-hundred-seventy-two days made her freeze in her tracks. Now that she was finally home, she didn¡¯t know if she could walk through the doors and face the reality. Would her father and brother acknowledge her? Would her mother blame her for Hyzqar¡¯s death? Would they be ashamed of what she was becoming? By the laws and traditions of Volqor, she didn¡¯t belong at the clinic. These familiar stone walls, the family signpost, even the sculpture of Leverith, weren¡¯t hers anymore. This wasn¡¯t her home; it never would be again. Worse, she knew she didn¡¯t belong in her new family either. Lexyn clung to Dryxl¡¯s reins for stability, feeling crushingly alone. No one without pure Volqori blood had ever bonded a dragon before. Why would Lexyn of all people be the first? She didn¡¯t complete the Rite of the Dragon Warrior without breaking the rules. She couldn¡¯t tolerate the cold as well as her broodmates. She couldn¡¯t face a sabretooth without running for the nearest tree. How could she face a full dragon and convince it she was worthy? She was so far behind, she could never catch up. Lexyn would help her brood with her medica knowledge and her bow, but they¡¯d have to leave her behind when they alighted and she remained grounded. So, this is my fate, Lexyn thought, her hands making fists on the reins of both drakes. I¡¯m destined to be caught between two worlds, never fully belonging to either. The realization cracked her like a warhammer striking down upon an ice sculpture. She would never be the knight or the healer. She would never be enough. She stood there in the streets of Loxzua, breaking inside as cracks that she long ignored spread through her. This broken child who couldn¡¯t be the daughter of Halette and Lexyq gazed at her home of sixteen years realizing all she stared at was the living memory of a past she couldn¡¯t return to. Lexyn couldn¡¯t take another step. Not home, not away, not in any direction. She froze, wishing things could be different, wishing either her family had moved to Leveria before she turned sixteen or that her blood had been pure, that she was strong enough to weather the ice of Volqor. But, alas, she was only herself. Just Lexyn, the girl who watched powerlessly as her brother died. How could she even dare to go into the clinic and look her parents in the eye? How could she keep pretending that she would be good enough for Zyryxa, Pelzyq, and Natazia? Soon enough, she would get them killed too. Then, those that remained would discover her for the imposter she was. And finally leave her behind. A rough hand wrapped around hers, holding gently. Lexyn startled at the sudden touch, her heart pounding as if she¡¯d been ambushed by sabretooths. It took her several moments to recover before she could meet Pelzyq¡¯s somber gaze. ¡°Nervous?¡± he asked. Lexyn wanted to deny it. A part of her was ashamed that she couldn¡¯t appear as indomitable as her other broodmates. But like many other things her companions could do, she couldn¡¯t. A nod and a mousy squeak were the best she could do. Neither felt good enough. ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± he asked, his deep voice was tender. Something he reserved just for her. Lexyn glanced at her feet. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that I don¡¯t belong here.¡± She struggled with her voice, unable to finish. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t belong anywhere. ¡°Ah,¡± he said, as if this eased his nerves, making her wonder what he had been worried about. She had neither the time nor the frame of mind to process that. ¡°I doubt that is true,¡± he said as if it were certain. His confidence infuriated her. ¡°How do you know?¡± she snapped. Well, she snapped in as much as she ever snapped. Not like a dragon, as her companions would, but as a little mouse. Small, squeaky, and quickly losing its anger in the face of danger. Pelzyq looked at her like she was the cutest thing he¡¯d ever seen. She wanted to tell him to stop looking at her like she was silly for doubting herself, but she doubted herself too much to say anything. Lexyn lowered her eyes, only for him to lift her chin, reconnecting their gazes. ¡°Because,¡± he said, ¡°if these people are the ones that taught you to be who you are, there is no way they wouldn¡¯t make you feel like you were coming home.¡± He winked. ¡°I know because for the first time in my life, I have someone who makes me feel like I am home.¡± Like light bursting through a dark canopy, she smiled at him, her hand gripping his tighter. I love you, she thought, speaking the words with her eyes the same he spoke them with his. ¡°You will always have a place here,¡± Pelzyq said, tilting his head toward the clinic. ¡°And here,¡± he said, bringing their hands to his heart. ¡°And here,¡± he said, closing her in a warm embrace. ¡°You belong wherever you want to,¡± he told her. He kissed her cheek. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered, leaning into him. She closed her eyes and dreamt that everything would be okay. She wasn¡¯t alone. She couldn¡¯t be as long as Pelzyq was in her life. Leverith! She felt much better. She knew these feelings would return with the doubts at the next deluge, but as long as she stuck with Pelzyq and Zyryxa, she¡¯d keep swimming through them. Perhaps one day, she wouldn¡¯t need to anymore. Until then, she had to work hard to remember that people believed in her and wanted her. Remembering that, she felt their expectations pressing down on her, knowing she would break at some point. The deluge of doubt returned, as quickly as it had left, convincing her of her own weakness.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± she stalled, shaking. ¡°Beautiful?¡± he said, raising his eyebrows at her until she snorted. ¡°Yes, you are. In more ways than one.¡± It felt good to giggle, to be looked at like you were the most special person in somebody else¡¯s world. It was wonderful. And¡­ and she just knew she would make a mistake at some point. The words rushed out in a panicked wave. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that I will let you down.¡± She bit her lip, trying not to cry. ¡°My weakness will get you hurt, or, or worse.¡± He caressed her cheek. ¡°First, you¡¯re not weak. Remember what the bard said?¡± Lexyn nodded. She recalled Matyxal¡¯s final words to her, her belief that Lexyn had everything she needed within her. ¡°I wished I had as much faith in myself as she did. I wish I could just believe that being half-blooded wasn¡¯t going to get you all killed, or leave me stuck on the ground when the rest of you soar.¡± ¡°You will soar,¡± Pelzyq promised. ¡°I¡¯d bet my life on it, Lexyn.¡± He intertwined his fingers with hers. ¡°I¡¯ve yet to see you give me a reason to doubt you. If anything, you¡¯ve saved us more than we¡¯ve saved you. Where would I be if you hadn¡¯t shown up against the white wyrm. Eh?¡± He held her hand so tightly it almost hurt. ¡°Even when you have a bad day, just know that I¡¯ll do my best to make up for it. Besides,¡± he grinned, ¡°we will always have the Ice Princess to carry us to victory. We can afford to be imperfect.¡± Lexyn beamed. ¡°Because together, we will be enough.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± He put his hands under her shoulders and lifted her up, his tremendous strength making her feel weightless. ¡°We will lift each other up. Remember, my heart, that you¡¯re not carrying it all on your own.¡± He set her down, and pinched her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± she promised, running her hands up his arms. Then, feeling a burst of joy, she lifted him up. Packed with the density of his pure Volqori physiology, he had to weigh four hundred pounds. For all that, she was strong enough to lift him off the ground. Giggling, she set him down, and pinched his cheek. They laughed. How could she feel alone when Pelzyq was near? She realized another thing. ¡°No matter what I discover in there, I know that I will still have a home when I leave.¡± ¡°Divinedamned straight,¡± he said, clapping her arms until she burst into another wave of giggles. Feeling freed, feeling brave, she eyed the entry, where Volqori folk had been coming and going while she and Pelzyq lingered on the street corner. She took the first step, then remembered something that got swept aside in their conversation, but was no less important to her. ¡°Why are you nervous?¡± He snorted. ¡°Pelzyq is not nervous.¡± Her lips curled up into a knowing smile. ¡°Pelzyq only refers to himself as Pelzyq when he isn¡¯t being fully open.¡± He forced a grin. ¡°Pelzyq didn¡¯t know this.¡± ¡°Lexyn did.¡± She took his hand. ¡°Why are you worried, my heart?¡± Pelzyq coughed. ¡°I¡¯ve never been¡­¡± He looked away from her. Lexyn puzzled, remembering the stories he shared at their fires. ¡°You¡¯ve never been too popular with parents.¡± Pelzyq shook his head. ¡°No.¡± He met her eyes. ¡°Look at you.¡± He pulled his hand free and gestured at her. ¡°Why would any parent want a daughter like you to be with a brute like me?¡± Lexyn frowned. Yes, people might judge appearances and say she was too good for him. Yes, they might hear them speak and wonder why the intelligent and caring woman was with a man who seemed stupid and brash. She knew how Zyryxa had struggled to with whether Pelzyq was ¡°good enough¡± for her. Yet, even Zyryxa seemed to be softening toward Pelzyq since the night they sat by the fire. ¡°Listen,¡± Lexyn said, taking his hand back, ¡°anybody who knows us, knows that you¡¯re good for me. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! If they listened to how you just talked me through my doubts, they¡¯d know you¡¯re more than some brute trying to lay me down.¡± Lexyn swallowed, feeling readier each day to be laid down. At this point, she just didn¡¯t want to get pregnant. Bless Leverith, Loxzua had the answer to that problem. Tonight, if the setting and mood was right, she¡¯d see what all the fuss was about. ¡°But they don¡¯t know me,¡± he said. ¡°Then,¡± Lexyn stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure they do. If they choose to see with bad eyes, we can walk out the door and know that home is where our heart is. And you,¡± she hugged him with all her strength, ¡°are my heart.¡± He closed the embrace, thankfully holding back at least a bit. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°Finally,¡± she said, smirking into his shoulder, stealing a glance at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°I said that to you seven days ago, Pelzyq.¡± He snorted. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± she said, leaning back and beaming up at him. ¡°I¡¯ve kept you waiting too.¡± ¡°Have you? As far as I know, you¡¯ve given me everything I ever thought I wanted.¡± He pinched her cheek, which certainly was in bloom right now. ¡°Not everything,¡± she said, fluttering her eyes before dropping her gaze toward his crotch. ¡°Ever heard of nirathra?¡± He puckered his lips and shook his head. ¡°I bet I¡¯m about too though.¡± Lexyn bit her lip. She massaged his thigh. His mouth fell open. ¡°Nope,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you waiting. Seven days should do.¡± She leaned back, then pulled away. Dryxl, ever the king of good timing and good times in general, chose now to try and mount Maxilla again. Lexyn shoved him aside, handing Maxilla¡¯s reins to his reluctant owner. ¡°Maybe Dryxl needs this nirathra?¡± Lexyn shook her head. ¡°Or perhaps Maxilla should be kept by her own keeper.¡± ¡°Blaming the woman for the man being unable to contain his lust?¡± ¡°Never,¡± she said quickly, loving the way he bandied words and made her feel like she wasn¡¯t awkward. ¡°Blaming the father for not protecting his daughter.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± he said, rubbing his chin as he pulled Maxilla away from Dryxl. ¡°And not the mother for failing to train her son not to mount everything he sees.¡± Lexyn sniggered. She was beaten. She couldn¡¯t victim blame her way out of this one. ¡°I suppose we all have things we could do better.¡± ¡°Some more than others,¡± Pelzyq said, leaning in close. ¡°What is nirathra?¡± She leaned in until their noses almost touched. ¡°I love you.¡± Grinning triumphantly, she left him there and fixed Dryxl to a post. It wasn¡¯t uncommon at all to see drakes in Loxzua, but it felt strange for her to be leaving one at her family¡¯s post after years of seeing Zyrthalla and Gaeliz¡¯s warriors do it. ¡°Coming?¡± she asked Pelzyq, who had frozen to the spot where she left him. He could be dramatic sometimes, but only when he thought it was amusing. Fortunately, she thought it amusing too now that she knew from whence it came. ¡°Sorry, I have to stand here for seven days.¡± Lexyn snorted, gripped his hand, and pulled him toward the clinic, making sure to set Maxilla to a post far from Dryxl. For the past year, she didn¡¯t imagine returning home hand-in-hand with a man. Then again, she doubted she¡¯d ever return home from her death sentence in the wilds, let alone as part of a brood that didn¡¯t just survive the Rite of the Dragon Warrior, but were assigned to complete the five tasks. She didn¡¯t know what the future held for her inside these walls, but she knew that the future held something as long as she held on to this wild, dramatic, protective, loving man. Together, they opened the door, entering into a world that was once hers. She hoped she still had a place in it, even if it wasn¡¯t where she needed to be. Chapter 41: Loxzua (Pelzyq) Loxzua was flaming strange. It reminded Pelzyq of the girl that held his hand: softer and warmer than the rest of Volqor. More beautiful too. Despite that, and also like his beloved, this place wasn¡¯t weak or wrong. If anything, it was the opposite. The people here thrived compared to those in the homesteads and could focus on more than survival. They made magnificent sculptures and crafted things that made life fuller. Loxzua was a wonderland straight from a dream. Pelzyq wished he could¡¯ve had a childhood like Lexyn or Zyryxa¡¯s, living in a place where monsters like Pavinax were kept in check by knights like Zyrthalla. Clinging tighter to Lexyn¡¯s hand, he vowed to give their children that future. Unless she wizened up and got rid of him, he¡¯d do his best for her and those little hatchlings. May he prove himself to be nothing like his own father. May he simply be good enough. The clinic door was fashioned not from gelubor, but from some weird brown wood Pelzyq didn¡¯t know the name of. He fought his fears, his hand in Lexyn¡¯s, but they weren¡¯t defeated. He feared Lexyn¡¯s parents more than he did two dragons. Pelzyq craved their approval so badly it chewed his stomach worse than Ozyeeq firebomb. Too many memories warned him that he¡¯d never be good enough for another man¡¯s daughter. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! The thought of his only other time in Loxzua was a bitter taste in his mouth that wouldn¡¯t go away: dragged to the dragon knight by a father who¡¯d throw his own daughter away for consorting with him. Halette and Lexyq would think him unworthy. He just knew it as certain as he knew he would always be a piece of shit fallen out of the biggest asshole in Volqor. Lexyn took a deep breath, then opened the door. A wave of heat rushed out at Pelzyq, stinging his eyes. Several hearths blazed, pushing out more heat than Pelzyq could remember feeling in his life. The heat didn¡¯t help his nausea or his nerves. Neither did the crowd. The main chamber was large, with seating for patients, but right now the open area was filled with men and women beyond their warrior years. Two dozen folk with blue hair, blue eyes, and the icy pale skin of Southern Volqor listened to the only one that didn¡¯t look like them. Halette of Meridian was unmistakable with hair dark as a shrouded night sky, a slight, slender frame draped by a blue and red robe with a blue flame on the back, and skin so tan it looked like she spent every day in the Ozyeeq sun instead of this oven in Loxzua. Despite being the shortest person in the room by at least a full hand¡¯s length, she spoke like she was the largest. These old Volqori, seasoned into their thirties, forties, and even fifties listened to her like kids sitting around a fire as the eldest person in the homestead shared a story. ¡°Once Vaztyma deploys you, you¡¯re often not going to find your freezing patients in a heated clinic,¡± the Leverian woman said. ¡°How will you keep them safe from the terrors of the cold then?¡± Halette awaited a response from her audience, but it squeaked out of a soft voice behind her. ¡°By always keeping a supply of calidex and pasque flowers on hand,¡± Lexyn said nervously. ¡°W-w-wraps made from t-t-the flowers generate heat and the f-f-flowers are ubiquitous around g-g-gelubor.¡± Pelzyq remembered waking in a bed of flowers that made him have strange dreams, dreams where he¡¯d gone back in time and lived as his younger self. He¡¯d awoken and thought Lexyn was Dalcyx before his mind oriented itself. Halette gasped. ¡°Lexyn!¡± She shrieked, the tears in her eyes not from the stinging heat. Nearly every other person in the room flinched, Pelzyq among them. The little woman with a big presence tossed her arms around Lexyn. ¡°My daughter!¡± ¡°H-H-Halette,¡± Lexyn stammered. She looked horrified, her arms at her side and her eyes wide. Pelzyq nodded at her. ¡°Hug her,¡± he mouthed, knowing he¡¯d give anything to hug his mother one more time. ¡°Halette?¡± the Leverian woman said, wounded. ¡°We don¡¯t have to follow those divinedamned rules. You. Are. My. Daughter.¡± The formidable woman broke the embrace to glare across the room, daring anyone to challenge her. At once, their eyes fell to their feet, reminding Pelzyq of how Lexyn had approached every conversation at the start. This woman might as well have been dragon champion in these walls. Of the other older Volqori in the big room, one stepped forward. ¡°It is good to see you again, warrior.¡± Pelzyq wasn¡¯t one to survey and evaluate the male form, but Lexyq was one of those guys that you didn¡¯t need to have a keen eye to know he was a good-looking fellow. Tall, muscular, chiseled face, and eyes and hair of cobalt it was no wonder he¡¯d charmed the lovely Leverian woman. Though Pelzyq couldn¡¯t remember his mother¡¯s face, it was clear that Lexyn came from better stock than he. He made himself small, braced for their rejection. ¡°Good to see you,¡± Lexyn answered, stammering as her eyes darted over the other Volqori in the clinic. Lexyq quickly attuned to his daughter¡¯s needs. ¡°Take the rest of the day, novices. Scout the gelubor beyond the outer district for calidex and pasque.¡± The handsome warrior went on to explain how to locate the flowers, the words lost to Pelzyq as his mind turned inward, freezing on some of the worst moments he¡¯d spent with parents of past lovers. At least this time he¡¯d be rejected with a smaller audience. The clinic swiftly emptied of strangers, leaving Lexyn and her parents. Pelzyq looked longingly after the door after it closed. He did his best to stand strong, hoping they didn¡¯t see his knees shaking like a boy standing before his father¡¯s beating stick after letting in the cold. Halette ignored Pelzyq as she brushed her daughter¡¯s hair and whispered words Pelzyq chose not to overhear. His eyes met Lexyq¡¯s. He braced for a shove, but the man offered his hand. Looking at it hanging in the air far longer than appropriate, Pelzyq finally took it. The man¡¯s grip was powerful, but he didn¡¯t try to crunch Pelzyq¡¯s fingers like Pavinax would¡¯ve. Pelzyq did his best to match his strength, but expected he was the weaker warrior and that the man held back. ¡°I¡¯m Lexyq, medican and co-owner of this clinic.¡± ¡°Pelzyq, dragon warrior and broodmate to Lexyn.¡± Lexyq smiled at him. The man was so charming Pelzyq almost felt his tension ease. ¡°Glad to have you here, Pelzyq.¡± Pelzyq refused to cry, but he couldn¡¯t stop himself from smiling back. ¡°Glad to be here, Lexyq.¡± He didn¡¯t know what else to say. So instead of saying something characteristically rude or stupid, he sealed his troublesome lips shut and hoped that Lexyn could save him yet again. Lexyq broke off the handshake. ¡°Already found yourself a brood, Lexyn?¡± Blushing, she nodded. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve f-f-found a new f-f-family. We¡¯re on the R-r-rite of the Dragon Knight.¡± Lexyq cocked his head, cautiously awaiting his wife¡¯s reaction. Halette sighed, set her hands on her hips, and barreled into her daughter. ¡°Why would Vaztyma send a newly branded warrior on the deadliest set of trials in this frozen hellscape?¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°It is ¡­ unexpected,¡± Lexyq said, clearly in disbelief that his daughter would be chosen for one of the highest honors in Volqor. ¡°It is ridiculous,¡± Halette said. She glared at Pelzyq. He did everything he could to make himself small. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare drag my daughter to some stupid death fighting one of those ice witches in Nix Tezyk.¡± Pelzyq froze, his mouth falling open but nothing coming out. He shivered, terrified of this little woman. There was nothing he could do to convince her he was good enough. He knew it. She despised him because she knew the truth he tried to deny; he would get her daughter killed. It was inevitable. ¡°Pelzyq cares about me, mom,¡± Lexyn said, locking her arm with his, intertwining their fingers. ¡°He¡¯s already saved me during battle with the Fire Tribe.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re fighting in the war?¡± Halette shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time before this place takes you too.¡± She glared at her husband. ¡°Every day we linger here we put our children at risk. We already failed Hyzqar. It¡¯s not too late for Lexyn and Darriq. We need to go. Now.¡± She took her daughter¡¯s other hand. ¡°And you¡¯re coming with us.¡± Lexyn looked to her father for support. ¡°That is a choice we can make for Darriq,¡± Lexyq said, his voice steady. ¡°Champion Vaztyma is¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not letting Vaztyma decide for my daughter,¡± Halette said. ¡°I¡¯m taking her away from here.¡± Well, at least Lexyn wasn¡¯t being thrown away, Pelzyq mused, though this was just a different type of rejection. He¡¯d spent enough of his own time being told he couldn¡¯t decide for himself, that he had to do whatever Pavinax wanted. He supposed this wasn¡¯t as bad, considering Halette¡¯s domineering behavior was a symptom of love rather than whatever in Zamael¡¯s Hells drove Pavinax. Still, that didn¡¯t make this okay. Anxiety and anger battled within his gut, anger emerging from the swell. ¡°Lexyn can make her own choices,¡± Pelzyq said. Both the Volqori father and the Leverian mother turned on him. Halette opened her mouth, only to bite down on her lip. ¡°You¡¯ve prepared her well,¡± he said, hoping to build a bridge rather than burn down any hope for a connection with them. ¡°She has saved me and our broodsisters many times with her knowledge, her aim, and her loving heart. If she wants to go with you,¡± he swallowed. He would not cry. ¡°I will bless her choice.¡± Pelzyq wanted to stop there, wanted to give her the strength to run from this life, to flee from him, but he wouldn¡¯t take her choice away. ¡°If she wants to stay with us, I promise she will not fall while Pelzyq stands.¡± Lexyq nodded, trying not to cry himself. Halette, however, held her furious glare on him. Arms folded over her bosom, she wouldn¡¯t relent. It was happening again. ¡°What happens if you die? You can¡¯t protect Lexyn from everything.¡± ¡°Neither can you,¡± Lexyn said, clinging to both of them. Halette looked like she¡¯d been slapped, then she sighed and her hand fell limp at her side. ¡°I love you, mom,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°And I love Pelzyq.¡± Her dark blue eyes met his. He wouldn¡¯t cry in front of these people. It was getting harder by the moment with that beautiful girl looking at him like he was not only good enough, but her hero. ¡°I¡¯m in Loxzua to make warming tonics before my family travels into the everlasting blizzard,¡± she said, ¡°but I hope that I still have a family here in Loxzua.¡± ¡°Of course you do,¡± Halette said, her stern voice cracking. ¡°You¡¯re my daughter. I love you, Lexy.¡± ¡°Our home is always yours,¡± Lexyq said. ¡°Qoryxa knows we could use your skills. Vaztyma has us training volunteer field medicans and they all remind me of how much I miss you.¡± He laughed, his eyes growing wet. Pelzyq knew their love of Lexyn should¡¯ve made him happy. Instead, he felt sorrow pulling him down again like on so few days since Lexyn came into his life. In theory, loving parents were a good thing. In practice, seeing them just made him long for the life he didn¡¯t get to have. But he wouldn¡¯t cry. Not here. Not now. Not in front of these people who needed to believe he was good enough to take care of their beloved daughter. He couldn¡¯t let them see him with a single fracture to fuss over. He forced out the words, hoping they¡¯d help with the pain. ¡°It is no wonder Lexyn is the beautiful soul she is, seeing how much you both love her.¡± ¡°Lex always made it easy,¡± Lexyq said. Pelzyq nodded, agreeing with that. He had tried not to care about her. Look how that turned out! ¡°She did,¡± Halette agreed, shining with adoration of her daughter. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, girl. Answer one question first, and then we can make those tonics.¡± Lexyq finished it for her. ¡°How did you get placed on the Rite of the Dragon Knight?¡± ¡°We joined the brood of Warrior Natazia,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°After her brood died fighting Fire Tribe raiders and we rescued her, Vaztyma gave us her blessing.¡± ¡°Also,¡± Pelzyq said, ¡°our fourth broodmate is the Ice Princess herself: Zyryxa.¡± Both the medicans nodded at that. ¡°That explains it,¡± Halette said. ¡°That little war machine used to be one of the primary sources of our patients. Now, half of our work these days seems to be patching up the kids that Zyrxine roughs up.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Vaztyma wastes no time replacing Zyrthalla.¡± ¡°She cannot afford to waste time right now,¡± Lexyq said. ¡°War forces everything to move faster. We should know that as well as anyone with how quickly Vaztyma wants us to train her medicans.¡± ¡°Enough talk of war,¡± Halette said. ¡°Let¡¯s go brew, Lexy.¡± Lexyn winked at Pelzyq, letting their hands separate before following her mother to another room. ¡°Well,¡± Lexyq said, ¡°I¡¯ve got no patients right now and my novices are off picking flowers.¡± He grinned. ¡°What say you to sharing a brew of our own?¡± Pelzyq nodded, still afraid to ruin things with his divinedamned mouth. Lexyq clapped his shoulder hard, Pelzyq wincing from old pains. He was so accustomed to constant pain in his burning shoulder that it was just a part of living. The medican cocked his head. ¡°Shoulder pains?¡± Pelzyq nodded. ¡°Old wounds.¡± The man studied Pelzyq¡¯s nose, another old wound that never healed right. ¡°You¡¯ve had a rough go of life, son. Let me take a look at that for you.¡± Pelzyq tried not to cry, but hearing a man call him son for the first time without spite finally broke him. Head down, he tried to hide the weakness. Tears were cause for embarrassment, even if the one that beat him for every tear wasn¡¯t here. He expected Lexyq to point it out, to condemn him as being too soft to care for his daughter. Lexyq guided him to a room with a flat table covered in leather with metal instruments arranged on other shelves. Pelzyq tried to master himself, but found the little boy in him couldn¡¯t bring the crying to a stop now that it started. Pelzyq flinched as Lexyq spoke. ¡°Knight Zyrthalla often came here to visit patients that served in her swarm. These warriors suffered lifechanging injuries: limbs that would never work again, blindness, whatever malady you could imagine a warrior can acquire living in Volqor. Usually they cried when she came because they knew their days of serving her were over. So many proud warriors have wept on this table where they learned their life would never be the same, grasping for lost purpose.¡± He helped Pelzyq sit on the table. ¡°Do you know what she said to them when she found them weeping?¡± Pelzyq shook his head, still hiding his eyes. Knowing Zyryxa, Zyrthalla probably called them soft and told them to be as unyielding as ice. ¡°To feel is not weakness, my son,¡± Lexyq said. ¡°To feel is to be reminded of what matters.¡± Lexyq manipulated Pelzyq¡¯s shoulder prodding for reactions. He got many, but not just for the shoulder. ¡°I care about you, Pelzyq, not because my daughter is sweet on you, or because you try to hide your pain. I care because you feel. Now, let me deal with this scar tissue so your old wounds don¡¯t hold you back from fighting for what matters to you.¡± Pelzyq wept on that fucking table. Not because shoulder surgery hurt like three divinedamned punches to the cock. He cried because he was strong and knew what mattered. He grasped for renewed purpose as function was restored to him. Just because one man had always treated him like a piece of shit, didn¡¯t mean he was a piece of shit. If a better father could care about him, could work to heal him, he could do his best to be a better man. Not just for Lexyq either, or even to prove he deserved Lexyn. He¡¯d be a better man because that was his choice, and he was done letting Pavinax control him. Chapter 42: Loxzua (Zyryxa) Loxzua was wrong. The sculptures remained the same. Roads led to the same old buildings. Even the sea and the breeze it carried into the city hadn¡¯t changed. Nothing looked different, and yet, it didn¡¯t feel the same. Everything was familiar, but this wasn¡¯t where her family lived anymore. This wasn¡¯t her home, but a memory of a place she had once been, of the child she was before leaving, and the mother who would never rise from the sea. That divinedamned memory was tainted, poisoned by Saevah, to the point where something once so sweet turned bitter. And Abbaz. The man that spoke to her with familiarity every day for the first sixteen years of her life had never been true to her. A legendary warrior wearing the face of a pacifist bard. Her anger wanted to scream at him, to beat the truth out of him. Her grief wanted to withdraw from him, to say that not only did she lose the mother she loved, but was never given a chance to love the father she never had. These thoughts raged like a blizzard, leaving her chilled, walking through the warmest place in Ice Tribe lands but feeling colder than if she were naked in Nix Tezyk. People greeted her as she wandered. Most recognized her, citizens of Loxzua noting the silver streak in her hair that would forever mark her as Zyrthalla¡¯s daughter. Of these folks, many expressed pride in knowing they¡¯d see her return to the city someday. The weaver that made much of her childhood attire rushed out of her loom to give her a hug and promise her a new set of Isihlan silks. Zyryxa turned down the soft garments with as much charm as she could muster in her half-absent state. Several others called her by name¡ªfolk she¡¯d shared meals with, played games with, bartered with¡ªnone of them daring to mention Zyrthalla. Each interaction left her feeling colder than the last despite their warmth. Near the docks, soft Leverian or Kavovan sailors whistled at her, promising her a good time¡ªmany of them with colorful, filthy language that Pelzyq could only aspire to¡ªin their languages before their captains berated them. She hated that she liked their attention. Soft men from the lands across the sea weren¡¯t worthy consorts, especially those consigned to sailing rather than being mighty warriors among their own. She kept moving, pretending that she didn¡¯t understand their foreign words, but guiltily cycled through both sections of the harbor fishing for their dirty compliments. Anything to further delay the inevitable. Lexyn¡¯s voice kept crashing into the ice like a pick, telling her that she must see Abbaz while she still had the chance. She kept meandering through the streets of Loxzua, never coming too close to Abbaz¡¯s dwelling. The more she walked, the less she felt ready to talk. She wandered near the Loxzua training grounds where the children of Loxzua learned the ways of warfare. Kids started following her around, begging her to teach them how to fight. She recognized many of them, recalling few of the forgotten names of former acolytes who watched her dominate in the junior arena in years past. To them all, she gave her curt little nod and told them she was in Loxzua on important warrior business. The little wyrmlings had nothing better to do it seemed than to shirk their training and bother her. Their incessant pleading threatened to fracture her icy composure until they said something that she couldn¡¯t ignore. ¡°Zeen hasn¡¯t left the grounds in moons,¡± an older girl said. ¡°But when I asked her for extra training she broke my arm and sent me to the clinic. Please, Zyryxa, I don¡¯t want to die out there.¡± Zyryxa stalled. ¡°What do you mean Zyrxine hasn¡¯t left the grounds in moons?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± a boy said. ¡°She¡¯s there before anyone else and after everyone else too. Nobody¡¯s seen her leave since...¡± ¡°Since Zyrthalla fell into the sea, Zyrxine¡¯s been smacking the sense out of us,¡± one particularly dense girl said. ¡°Not that Xena ever had much sense,¡± the boy said, cringing as he referred to the tactless girl. That little bitch, Zyryxa thought, angry that her once-sister should abandon her father and brother like this. The self-centeredness was on brand, but she never expected even Zyrxine to run away from home just to bully the youth of Loxzua. ¡°One lesson,¡± Zyryxa said, closing her fists, ¡°but I¡¯m going to give it to Zeen.¡± The little sprites expressed gratitude and the truth slowly trickled out. Zyrxine had been trying to wound them in their sparring, sending partners to the clinic almost every day. Zyryxa had sent her fair share to clinic herself, but never intentionally. The little fucking bitch would keep Halette and Lexyq busy tonight. The training grounds were as she remembered them. So many days spent here, practicing with weapons, brood drills, and the obstacle courses while her mother had to attend to her responsibilities. Children as young as three and as old as fifteen gathered here to learn from drillmasters who served their thirteen years and cultivated no craft other than killing but didn¡¯t have what it took to bond a dragon. Zyryxa never respected them much. She recognized plenty of old nasty faces that had tried, and failed, to humble her. Unsurprisingly, they caught sight of her and pretended ignorance. They didn¡¯t need much imagination to achieve such a simple feat. The biggest sparring ring was a hole dug into the ground with a sixty-foot diameter rimmed with stone. Zyrxine fought in the ring, wielding a spear, and battling three other youth while old Tyrix yelled out shitty instructions they were too afraid to follow. Teeny Zeeny had their mother¡¯s sky-blue hair, but lacked the silver streak or the icy composure. She screamed like a deranged Fire Tribe beast as she leapt in, landed a few lightning fast blows, and blinked out of reach before her opponents countered. One girl clutched at her eyes as she squirmed on the ground. Zeen snarled and called her weeping opponent soft as diarrhea and just as easy to pass. Zyryxa fought the urge to hate her. A year later, Zyrxine was still the slender girl with the lopsided face that never stopped yelling and whining. Neither Zyrthalla or Abbaz had ever been able to get through to her and make her ice. Now she spent her days away from home hurting others. Compassion, though Zyryxa¡¯s central tenet, struggled to find a single thing to like about this girl who¡¯d always been an annoyance. It wasn¡¯t long before the other two opponents were on the ground, moaning with eye injuries of their own. Zeen, for all her flaws, was a menace with that spear. If only she could fix her personality, she could someday be worthy of a dragon bond. They¡¯d fought so many times growing up, and each time Zyrthalla had made Zyryxa vow to try to help Zeen instead of give up on her. I¡¯ll try again, Mom. She set down her weapons, determined to only use words in Zeen¡¯s lesson. ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes!¡± old Tyrix howled from his chair overlooking the sparring ring. ¡°All you three had to do was listen and you¡¯d have been able to flank her! How can you hope to resist a true dragon warrior if you act like cowards around a scrawny fifteen-year-old whelpling! And you,¡± he said, glaring at Zyrxine, ¡°how many times have I told you not to go for the eyes? How many times, Zyrxine!¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Zeen glared at him as a dragon did upon a yak. ¡°Why don¡¯t you get in the ring and say it one more time, you old fucker?¡± Thirteen Divines! Zyryxa didn¡¯t miss that nasally voice. She couldn¡¯t imagine that the howls of a qione in Nix Tezyk could compete with this horrid sound. ¡°What did you say to me?¡± Tyrix demanded. Zyrxine waved her spear at him. ¡°Your ears don¡¯t work or is it just your stupid, ugly fucking head? Maybe they¡¯d listen to you if you had the stones to get in the ring with them?¡± Tyrix hesitated. Zeen was right about one thing, Tyrix did have a stupid, ugly fucking head. Like Loxzua, that hadn¡¯t changed. Neither would this man be the one to teach Zeen what she needed to learn. ¡°Zyrxine,¡± she said, leaping into the ring. The smaller girl¡¯s sky-blue eyes flared with familiar resentment. She clenched her teeth, gripping her spear and stepping into a Mahagan empagong stance. She may have reigned over this little arena for the past few moons, but she knew Zyryxa was better. Teeny Zeeny was wise to turtle up against a superior foe, though Zyryxa wielded no weapon. ¡°Ice take you,¡± Zeen spat. ¡°Ice made me,¡± Zyryxa answered, standing without a battle stance. ¡°You make enemies where you should make allies. You scream like a child when you should be composed. It is time to grow up, Zeen.¡± Zeen waved her spear, shifting into a Volqori dragon stance. ¡°Challenge me, bitch. I¡¯ll show you how much I¡¯ve grown.¡± ¡°I challenge you to think of others but yourself.¡± ¡°Be compassionate,¡± Zeen said, mocking Zyrthalla¡¯s articulation of the word. ¡°Where were the great Zyrthalla¡¯s allies when she died? Where were you?¡± Zyryxa tried. Let Qoryxa judge her efforts justly. She sprang toward Zyrxine, intending to hit her so hard that her already asymmetrical face would never pass for pretty again. Zyrxine shifted into wind stance. She leapt over Zyryxa, landing cleanly behind her. Zyryxa spun, an ice¡¯s rage propelling her forward. Zeen shifted back into dragon stance. Zyryxa, composed even when enraged, knew Zeen¡¯s move even before she did. She dodged the first thrust, stepped inside of Zeen¡¯s reach, gripped the spear, and slammed her fist into her once-sister¡¯s stomach. Zyrxine flung backward, crashing into the ring¡¯s wall, her body cracking the stone. Above, a few dozen youth cheered. ¡°Enough!¡± Zyryxa bellowed, tossing aside the stolen spear. ¡°Be better.¡± Zyrxine¡¯s breath came fast, blue veins popping in her scrawny neck. She had always been fast, but if anything had grown in the past year, her acceleration had. Zyryxa didn¡¯t have time to blink before Zeen¡¯s fist connected with her eye. In a half-blinded rage, Zyryxa released whatever restraints she had. Zeen may be faster, but in close-quarters, strength could negate a speed advantage. She grappled Zeen, driving her back with overwhelming strength. The little bitch did what any weaker foe did in this position and sent a knee to Zyryxa¡¯s groin. Unfortunately, for Zeen, the location wasn¡¯t a weakness for her like it was for most she¡¯d need to use that maneuver on. The little bitch tried to make separation, tried to slip away, tried to use claw and fang like a feral wyrm, but Zyryxa kept moving until Zeen slammed against the stone ring. She held her there, binding her arms, pressing her hips in to lock Zeen¡¯s body up. Zyryxa barely moved her head back in time to avoid Zeen¡¯s bite. ¡°Listen to me,¡± Zyryxa growled. ¡°I¡¯m not your enemy, no matter how much you¡¯ve always pretended I am. I want to help you.¡± ¡°I hate you!¡± Zeen spat in her unwounded eye. Zyryxa threw her across the ring. Zeen hit the ground with grace, launching immediately to her feet. She retrieved her spear and shifted into lion stance. If anything, Zyryxa begrudgingly admired her grit. Everything else, she pitied and despised. ¡°You think you¡¯re so much better than me!¡± Zeen shrieked, her voice cracking high. ¡°Momma¡¯s perfect little champion!¡± Zeen roared like a wounded drake. ¡°Even after you left, she talked about you like you were Divine Qoryxa reborn and treated me like a Fire Tribe brat. Don¡¯t try to act like you¡¯ve ever been my sister. You weren¡¯t here when I needed you. You¡¯ve never been here for anything more than to push me down.¡± Zeen bit back tears. ¡°Guess what, Zyryxa? I don¡¯t need you. I¡¯ll be strong enough to take care of myself. I won¡¯t need anyone!¡± Zyryxa wiped the spit off better than she could wash away the sting of Zyrxine¡¯s words. One more time, for the mother who loved them both, she tried. ¡°You can either be angry at me and forever live in my shadow or you can grow up and find your own light.¡± Zyrxine scowled. ¡°Such a divinedamned Zyrthalla thing to say. Fuck you, Zyryxa. Fuck you straight to Zamael¡¯s Hells.¡± Zyryxa wanted to hammer some sense into the stupid little bitch. Instead, she saw a scared little girl who didn¡¯t have any confidence in herself because she could never live up to her. Zyryxa lifted her furs up and tossed her top aside, remembering a similar maneuver that seemed to help another who lacked confidence. ¡°Gather all your anger and charge it into one thrust. Give it all to me.¡± She tapped her heart. ¡°I will take it for you. Because I still love you. I still believe that you can be better, Zyrxine.¡± Zeen gripped the spear, clenching so tight Zyryxa thought it might snap. Feral rage built on her face, distorting her already imperfect features until she lost any trace of beauty. She dashed forward, screaming as she drove the spear into Zyryxa¡¯s heart. The gelubor splintered, cracking, shattering into pieces, leaving behind only the faintest scuff on Zyryxa¡¯s breast. ¡°Let it go,¡± she whispered, reaching in to hug her once-sister, a girl with tremendous potential if only she stopped being insufferable. ¡°Fuck you!¡± Zeen roared, discarding the broken remnants of her spear and lunging forward in a futile attempt to tackle Zyryxa. Beyond frustrated, beyond exasperated, Zyryxa let go. She slammed Zeen to the ground, pinning her arms and legs and keeping far from her teeth. Zeen howled, thrashed, and did everything she could to break free. The only thing she broke was Zyryxa¡¯s heart as she belligerently screamed. So, in turn, Zyryxa broke hers right back. She slapped Zyrxine so hard that she sobbed, then pinned her down tight. ¡°You wonder why mom didn¡¯t love you as much. No matter how many chances we give you, you always do the wrong thing. You¡¯re hopeless.¡± Their audience roared with delight as Zyrxine helplessly flailed. Tears bled from her sky-blue eyes. Zyryxa felt no pity, no remorse. She tried compassion, tried to teach her a lesson. Like always, Zeen learned the wrong thing. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you!¡± Zeen shrieked. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fucking kill you!¡± ¡°You couldn¡¯t even kill me in your dreams,¡± Zyryxa said. She released the whiny little baby, got up, and turned her back on her. Try as she might, Zeen couldn¡¯t harm her. Let her see how hopeless it was. Indeed, Zeen punched her in the back, only to find that her own fingers cracked from the impact with far superior musculature. Zyryxa ignored the blows until Zyrxine cried out in pain, and ran to the edge of the ring. The little bitch sprang up the side and fled the training grounds. She still wouldn¡¯t go home, hopeless as she was. Zyryxa gathered her furs, inhaled, and reminded herself that she too needed to go home and face Abbaz. She wasn¡¯t some whiny little kid that made the wrong choices. Her allies counted on her, and she didn¡¯t need another sister. Soon enough, she could leave Loxzua behind for good. There was nothing here for her anymore. Chapter 43: All That Remains True to history, she heard Abbaz before she saw him. His mournful melody assaulted her ears as she hesitated outside, contemplating how she was going to do this. Abbaz wasn¡¯t Matyxal. Nobody was. But neither was he typically this bad with the lute. Off key, missed notes, no sung verses. A good song was a guilty pleasure for Zyryxa, but there was no pleasure and all guilt in this woeful rendition of ¡°All That Remains.¡± A window groaned open, and a familiar face she never expected to see again looked out. ¡°Zyryxa!¡± Even in excitement, Basyx was quiet. His hair had grown even longer, more appropriate for a girl youth in their society than a boy. Then again, the fact that Basyx was in his room at this time of the day was all the evidence needed to know that he didn¡¯t fit into Volqori society at any level. Her once-brother didn¡¯t leave the house to go training and her once-sister wouldn¡¯t return home from training. Some splendid parenting Abbaz was demonstrating. Still, for all that he didn¡¯t fit, Zyryxa loved this doomed child. She choked back tears, trying not to think about how he wouldn¡¯t survive the rite. Her sweet little brother who refused to hurt any living thing deserved a different world; one where bards or scholars had enough value to exist without also being warriors. Looking at him smiling from his window, Zyryxa felt just how much was not right in this world. ¡°Hi, Basyx,¡± she said, her voice going high like he was still a baby. She approached his window. ¡°How¡¯ve you been, little wing?¡± Basyx¡¯s smile dissipated. He shook his head and gestured for her to climb in. Thus, after over four hundred days since she left her childhood home, Zyryxa returned in the least expected way ever. She¡¯d imagined so many different homecoming scenarios, almost all of them centering around Zyrthalla and most involving her own dragon. She didn¡¯t dwell on it, lest her ability to choke back the tears break down. There was nothing wrong with crying, but she didn¡¯t want to make this precious boy any sadder than he already was. Zyryxa closed the window behind her and then drew his curtains. Left in the dark with nothing but Basyx, his books, and his drums, she wrapped him in her arms and held him tight. For a long while, nothing but the dissonance of Abbaz¡¯s music pierced their ears. She could feel Basyx sobbing, clinging to her with all his might. Which wasn¡¯t much. Zyryxa wanted to assure him, to tell him that it would be okay. But she was too proud to lie. Nothing was okay. Nothing would be okay. There was nothing she could do about that. Mom was gone. Abbaz was obviously broken. Zyrxine and Basyx were hopelessly lost. Basyx sobbed out her name, clinging to her. ¡°Let it out,¡± she whispered back, holding him, running her fingers through his hair. She kept her eyes dry needing to be solid as ice for him. If only Zyrthalla were still alive, she¡¯d make everything better. But their mother was nothing but a memory of better times. All that remained of her was the four broken people she left behind. Zyryxa had to withhold her words, or else she would cry. So, she spoke with her arms, lending Basyx her love. At least he would know that somebody still cared. That didn¡¯t make it all better, but sometimes even making things a little better was worth any effort. One forbidden hug. Let Qoryxa judge her if it was wrong. Right now, she didn¡¯t care about rules or tradition. She¡¯d tear them all down if she could to protect this poor child weeping in her arms. ¡°I missed you,¡± Basyx cried. ¡°I missed you too.¡± She kissed the top of his head. She broke the embrace and took his hands, kneeling down to be at eye level. ¡°What¡¯ve you been up to?¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Basyx shook his head. ¡°Just reading.¡± ¡°What¡¯ve you been reading about?¡± ¡°Everything and nothing.¡± She smiled. he didn¡¯t smile back as he usually did. ¡°No matter what anyone says, I¡¯ll always be your sister. Whatever is on your mind, you can tell me.¡± He nodded, wiping away at his tears and snot. ¡°Zyrxine¡¯s gone.¡± Zyryxa nodded. ¡°I know, little wing. I already talked to her.¡± ¡°Is she coming back?¡± It broke her heart, but Zyryxa wasn¡¯t going to pass off soured milk as sweet. She shook her head. ¡°Zeen is angry. I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll be coming back any time soon.¡± Or ever, she thought to herself, holding back one painful truth. ¡°They fought,¡± Basyx said. From the common room, Abbaz cried out a verse: Time moves on, but still I¡¯m here, Every moment crystal clear. Through the darkness, through the rain, This empty shell is all that remains. That¡¯s only the most depressing thing I¡¯ve ever heard, Zyryxa thought. ¡°They ¡­ fought?¡± Basyx sniffled. ¡°Zeen smashed his lutes. Told him that he was a coward. That he should¡¯ve been the one to die.¡± Zyryxa sighed. How many times had she had that thought? Still, for all the shame it brought, she¡¯d trade them in an instant. ¡°And Abbaz fought her?¡± ¡°Not at first. He told her that he¡¯d trade his life if he could. Then she smashed a lute over his head. She kept screaming at him, kept swinging the lute. I thought she was going to kill him.¡± Basyx sobbed. Zyryxa cradled him again. ¡°Dad was¡­ he was¡­¡± ¡°He finally fought back.¡± ¡°He lost it, Zy. Dad threw her through a wall of solid stone. I thought she was dead. He yelled like possessed by Zamael with all the strength of Gidi.¡± The words fell out of Basyx between sobs. ¡°I was so scared. I stood between him and Zeen.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s fingers closed into fists. ¡°Did he hit you?¡± Basyx shook his head. ¡°He grabbed me and squeezed. It hurt, Zy. It hurt a lot. He roared in my face. I... I thought he¡¯d kill us both. But then, he started crying. He grabbed a broken lute and played. Zeen got up, said nothing, and hasn¡¯t been back in moons.¡± ¡°You were brave,¡± she said, smiling at him as she brushed his cheek. ¡°You probably saved Zeen¡¯s life.¡± Not that her life seems to be worth much, Zyryxa thought. Again, anything that could bolster his confidence and was founded in truth. He smiled back. It was an ephemeral thing, but just because it didn¡¯t last long didn¡¯t make it meaningless. Zyryxa needed that, she realized. All things considered, this wasn¡¯t the wrong way to return home. Giving him a moment of pride felt like redemption for what happened at the training grounds. She wasn¡¯t going to give up on him. If there was a way to save Basyx, she would find it. First, she needed to deal with their father. ¡°I need to speak to Abbaz. When I¡¯m done,¡± she poked his chest, making him giggle, ¡°you¡¯re going to tell me all about everything and nothing.¡± She jabbed him again, poking at him until he fell into a fit of giggling. He got her back by tickling her armpits. Leverith! The familiar play making her feel like she was a kid again. Zyryxa giggled uncontrollably as she countered with her own tickle warfare. Both breathlessly yelping with laughter, they didn¡¯t notice the absence of broken lute chords. The door swung open, revealing the tallest man Zyryxa had ever seen. Face concealed by a thick blue beard, his brilliant azure eyes rimmed by red rings of fire, his furs unkempt, she barely recognized her own father. Then again, she had never known the real him. Clinging to Basyx, she didn¡¯t know if she wanted to know what remained. Chapter 44: A Fathers Tale Abbaz stared at her, wide-eyed, as if gazing upon a ghost. ¡°Thalla?¡± Zyryxa groaned. She knew she resembled her mother, but she snarled in disgust as all the old sentiments toward this man flooded back in. ¡°Try again.¡± His lips twitched. ¡°Zyryxa?¡± He threw his big arms around her, sobbing onto her shoulder. ¡°Zyryxa.¡± Zyryxa knew as well as anyone in the world the loss he felt, but she couldn¡¯t make herself show him compassion. It didn¡¯t matter that he was the Hero of the Hill. She still saw him as a disappointment. Instead of holding his family together, he¡¯d broken them further. Instead of rallying after his wife died, he¡¯d wasted away playing discordant, self-pitying songs. Maybe her parents had been right. The man that fought through a swarm to save a champion was gone. All that remained was this pathetic shell. Sensing the cold, he withdrew with a sigh. ¡°Let me get you something to drink.¡± ¡°No,¡± she said, leading the way to the common room. She was thirsty but she didn¡¯t want anything more from him than she needed. ¡°I¡¯m only here for information about the Rite of the Dragon Knight. Then I must go.¡± ¡°Stay in here, Basyx,¡± Abbaz said, shutting his son¡¯s door. Returning to the common room struck her harder than she was prepared for. This room was a repository of reminders of the life she¡¯d had before. There by that fireplace was where her mother told stories of her youth on Telling, all three children giving her undivided attention as she spoke about growing up in a homestead in the hills near Antryx Mir. Zyryxa could taste the wyrm steaks they ate after she¡¯d helped her mother bring down a blue wyrm, could even see her mother laughing about how Zyryxa had shattered an axe on the beast¡¯s skull. The wyrmbone table they¡¯d made from the creature was empty now, never again to hold that laughing woman. Nor was she sitting with their favorite blanket on the big sofa where they¡¯d often snuggle. She remembered the last time they did that, the evening before Zyryxa left for her rite. Zyrthalla made her review every survival tip she¡¯d ever learned, tested her knowledge of beast lore, or how to start fires or fashion garments while massaging her back. More and more memories demanded recall. Zyryxa had to shut it down before she cried. She wasn¡¯t going to give Abbaz the satisfaction of seeing her pain. Her back to him, she rechanneled her emotions toward the person-sized hole in the wall, smashed through the common room into the master bedroom. Stone and debris littered the scene. As did several broken lutes and all their divinedamned components. The home was broken not because of Zyrthalla¡¯s death, but from Abbaz¡¯s failure to take responsibility and work through the pain. ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes,¡± she cursed, shaking her head. ¡°What in Zamael¡¯s Hells?¡± She closed her hands into fists, letting the anger keep her safe from having sympathy. ¡°Zeen,¡± Abbaz started, his voice catching in his throat. ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± Zyryxa hated the protective tone. Like she wouldn¡¯t wipe the floor with whatever was left of the warrior her father chose not to be. Did he take her for Zyrxine? She wasn¡¯t some petulant child but a warrior that could tear the wing off a dragon and defeat an entire homestead of elite Fire Tribe warriors. Growling, she turned to him, eyes narrowed and tone sharp. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Abbaz gazed at her, open-mouthed like he was too stupid to breathe through his nose. Just another bardic performance. Another lie. ¡°I know,¡± she said, her voice ice. ¡°Tell me why you robbed me of a father I could admire. Tell me why!¡± she roared, the ice shattering. He closed his mouth. Tears coalesced in his already rheumy eyes. ¡°Because the man who could do that,¡± he gestured toward the Zyrxine-shaped hole in the wall, ¡°was no hero that I wanted my children to admire.¡± Zyryxa scoffed, folding her arms in front of her chest. ¡°Like you were worth looking up to as a dragonless bard, as a man that played songs while his lover was surrounded by enemies? Some fucking hero.¡± Abbaz sank into his chair. He strummed another broken melody, a bastardization of ¡°The Hero of the Hill¡± made discordant with two broken strings and a bent box. ¡°The Hero of the Hill stood over the bodies of a hundred neighbors, the corpses of his own broodbrothers, of a noble knight and his dragon, and the thousand more that hadn¡¯t yet died for Marazix¡¯s feud.¡± He lowered the lute, his body going rigid, then lifted his eyes. ¡°And do you know why he killed all those people in the land where fire and ice meld into one?¡± ¡°Because it was your duty to protect the champion.¡± Abbaz snorted. ¡°He didn¡¯t care about things like duty, patriotism, or honor. He cared even less for Marazix.¡± Abbaz shook his head, his body trembling. ¡°He didn¡¯t care about the cost, didn¡¯t mourn his brothers, didn¡¯t even care that it meant the fighting would go on. No, that¡¯s wrong. He wanted the fighting to continue, so that his axe might bleed Volqor dry.¡± He set his eyes on her. ¡°To call that monster a hero is to render the word worse than meaningless. The freezing Hero of the Hill is a savage contemptible enough to slam his own child through a wall.¡± ¡°So instead, you chose to become a coward. And now your wife is dead, you¡¯ve lost both your daughters, and your son is terrified of you. You sit in this broken room playing broken songs on a broken lute.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°The man who refuses to fight when he must is no better than the one who wants to fight when he should not.¡± A flash of fire erupted in Abbaz¡¯s eyes. He bit his lower lip, glaring at her. For a moment, she felt a tingle of excitement that the warrior would awaken, that he would fight for his daughter¡¯s love. Then he slumped into his chair and played his divinedamned lute. All That Remains. ¡°You want to know why I stopped being that fighter?¡± he cried. Her heart hungered for truth, but she wanted to hurt him. ¡°You think I care about your excuses? I¡¯m here for information about the Rite of the Dragon Knight. That¡¯s all I need from you.¡± He strummed his broken lute, his tearful eyes taking her in. Seraxa¡¯s freezing eyes! He smiled at her, seeing through the lie. He changed the tune, to the one he played most often for her. The divinedamned Warrior¡¯s Pride. For all that it was ruined, the music resonated with something deep in her soul, making her feel like a little girl in her gigantic father¡¯s arms. ¡°After rescuing Marazix, I was sent on the Rite of the Dragon Knight. Knowing my barbaric nature, he paired me with the most coolheaded warrior in his swarm. At first, we were like fire and ice. Zyrthalla drove me mad with her talk of control, compassion, and worst of all¡­¡± Abbaz gave a dramatic pause, smiling at her, ¡°¡­critical thinking.¡± Zyryxa snorted, suppressing a more mirthful laugh, and fought back the tears. This was a side of their story she¡¯d never heard. They¡¯d alluded to not immediately falling in love, but Leverith, she¡¯d never known they started so far apart. She¡¯d always imagined her mother not being attracted to him because of his soft bardic ways, but it was the viciousness in him that kept their beginning cold. ¡°I sought to crash through Nix Tezyk,¡± Abbaz continued, ¡°with nothing but my greataxe. I was determined to finish the rite as fast as possible so that I could get back to the frontlines and kill. I also wanted to shut Zyrthalla up, to show her that I didn¡¯t need to think things through. She¡¯d see that I could defeat the trials with nothing but my might. While she was procuring supplies to venture into the everlasting blizzards, I rushed in to kill a qione before Zyrthalla could.¡± ¡°Dumbass,¡± Zyryxa said, thinking of another man that rushed downhill in the dark to win the race to Riverwatch. Abbaz chuckled. ¡°Indeed. You see, Zyryxa, the qione cannot be defeated by a dumb brute. They¡¯re the spectral existence of Qoryxa¡¯s spirit, shards of her very soul from her death in the Divine Fratricide. I knew enough to rush deeper into the cold for they are the blizzard itself. I followed the wind as my body turned to ice. I was so cold I could barely hold my axe when I found the thing.¡± ¡°What do they look like?¡± Abbaz grinned and Zyryxa found herself failing to resist smiling back. ¡°Kind of like you.¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes. ¡°Comparing me to a shard of Qoryxa¡¯s soul to get on my good side? How bardic of you.¡± ¡°Is it working?¡± ¡°Does it ever?¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°What do they really look like?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t lie,¡± he said. ¡°They look like ethereal young women of unmatched beauty made of ice.¡± Zyryxa didn¡¯t mind the comparison, feeling herself soften enough to take a seat across from Abbaz. ¡°However,¡± he continued, ¡°the better question would be what they sound like. The qione has a voice to rival Matyxal¡¯s and uses sweet song, its beautiful guise, and mind-numbing cold to lull and charm. Thus, the unstoppable Hero of the Hill wandered into the depths of an everlasting blizzard to find a maiden of divine beauty with the voice of a goddess.¡± She leaned forward. ¡°You fell under its spell, didn¡¯t you?¡± Abbaz nodded. ¡°I thought myself invincible. Alas, all it took was a beautiful woman to show me how vulnerable I was.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°What did the qione do?¡± He ceased his strumming, wagging a finger at Zyryxa. ¡°Wrong beautiful woman. I was stripping out of my furs when the heroine in this tale arrived. Zyrthalla rode a drake, both she and the beast armored in wind-retardant hides. In my stupidity, I didn¡¯t even see the qione¡¯s minions: a pair of floating orbs of ice with beady little eyes. Zyrthalla bashed them mid-gallop with her shield. They shattered into a burst of deadly ice, but her drake outpaced the explosion. As the qione bent down to kiss me, Zyrthalla¡¯s sword swung for its head.¡± Zyryxa could picture the scene, except for the part of her father being stark naked in the middle of a blizzard worshipping a monster. She sank into the chair, savoring every word. ¡°Figures she¡¯d save your dumb ass. What happened then?¡± ¡°The damned thing disappeared, then reappeared thirty feet away. Thalla tried to chase it down, but it kept shifting each time.¡± Abbaz laughed. ¡°I¡¯m out there, snow swirling so fierce I could barely see my own cock dangling while my breeches are frozen around my ankles, and your moth¡­ Zyrthalla is screaming at this thing to fight her.¡± ¡°Zyrthalla losing her cool?¡± No way, she thought. She wouldn¡¯t hear this slander meant to soften her up. Abbaz nodded. ¡°She was burning hot. Fortunately for her, I was starting to think critically.¡± ¡°Sounds like fiction to me.¡± ¡°Ha! I couldn¡¯t pursue the qione, but I wanted to kill that thing like nothing before. You see, I knew better, once the spell broke. If a qione touches you, it siphons away all the warmth from your body. Believe me, if Zyrthalla was furious, I was enraged, especially after I stumbled cock first into the snow trying to get out of my breeches.¡± Zyryxa hollered with laughter, then cleared her throat as she tried to banish the image of her father¡¯s penis. Of course, it took the shape of Pelzyq¡¯s, and she could feel the color flushing on her cheeks. ¡°Stuck in the snow, my frozen pants binding my legs together, I reached for the only weapon I could find.¡± Please don¡¯t say your cock, Zyryxa thought, not wanting to imagine her young father as Pelzyq. ¡°I took my knife,¡± he said, ¡°waiting for Thalla to miss another slash, then hurled the blade at the creature¡¯s heart the moment it reappeared.¡± ¡°You need to attack it from afar, right after it reappears,¡± Zyryxa said, ¡°and also not fall under its spell or let it touch you.¡± She grinned. Her qoryxite throwing axes or Lexyn¡¯s arrows would prove qione slayers. ¡°But you also need to protect yourself from the cold, and not cluster around the qione¡¯s minions when they burst.¡± ¡°Critical thinking,¡± Abbaz said, beaming at her. ¡°But don¡¯t only focus on the qione either. In Nix Tezyk, you must also beware your sister.¡± Zyryxa frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not threatened by that little bitch.¡± Abbaz shook his head. ¡°She¡¯s not so little that you shouldn¡¯t feel threatened.¡± Zyryxa hated being confused, some of her goodwill disappearing like a qione before a blade struck. ¡°Speak directly, bard.¡± Abbaz sighed. ¡°I speak of the dragon that roosts in the everlasting blizzards: Amarzallax, who has never known a human bond in her seventeen years of life. Lacking a bond, she will be unpredictable.¡± Of course, Zyryxa realized. Her mother used to joke that someday she¡¯d meet her twin. Dragon eggs were created when a bonded rider shared the experience of procreation through their telepathic link. Beyond being able to experience the mental stability that came from being bonded, reproduction was the primary reason dragons chose to bond humans. Lacking the anatomy, they couldn¡¯t procreate on their own. Amarzallax was born of Qorzillux, through the love of Zyrthalla and Abbaz. Zyryxa spent so much time dreaming of Duilahir who¡¯d lived for thousands of years, that she didn¡¯t consider her twin as an option. ¡°I won¡¯t overlook Amarzallax,¡± she promised. ¡°Now, I assume you went for the Tarandrux after you got your pants back on.¡± He snorted. ¡°The cold died with the qione. But it was already too late for me. I¡¯d been hypothermic for too long; despite my rage, I passed out. I woke up several days later, in a tent, lying in a bed of pasque flowers with Zyrthalla¡¯s blankets covering me.¡± ¡°How embarrassing,¡± Zyryxa said, hoping he didn¡¯t see her blushing. That was a story she hoped never got out. Knowing Pelzyq, half of Loxzua probably knew by now. Abbaz chuckled. ¡°Truly, it was. As I said, that beautiful woman taught me for the first time what it was to be vulnerable. I¡¯d never needed anyone before, nor had I thought that I wanted anyone.¡± Rushing for his lute, sobbing, Abbaz played his bonding song. The chords of ¡°Cold Hearts Thawing¡± brought tears to Zyryxa¡¯s eyes. She stared at the fireplace, remembering the echoes of hundreds of performances, seeing them in a new light. Her mother had smiled at him every time like it was the first time she heard it. He didn¡¯t need to finish his story for Zyryxa to know the truth of why he¡¯d changed from a vicious warrior into a pacifist bard. Not just because of Zyrthalla, but for Zyrthalla. Her mother, her hero, preferred Abbaz the bard to the freezing Hero of the Hill. The cold lingering in Zyryxa¡¯s heart for this man started to thaw. She let him see her wipe at her eyes, as he resumed his telling. ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you and say it came easy. There are things I said in those next few days that haunt me now. She didn¡¯t treat me like I was her soulmate, but for the first time, I felt someone else¡¯s compassion, and slowly, the cold heart within me thawed. I started to want to be a better man, but every time I fought, I lost control and became the beast.¡± His music burst with passion as he sped up his tempo. ¡°I¡¯d go into rages fighting wolves or sabretooths or whatever the tundra threw at us on our way to Silvyzfryz.¡± He gazed into Zyryxa¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯d be ripping these creatures apart with my bare hands, long after the fighting was done, and she started singing.¡± Zyryxa grinned. ¡°That helped?¡± Zyrthalla, for all her wonderful attributes, was not a songstress. Her voice could carry authority far better than it could a note. Abbaz beamed at her. ¡°She was horrible, Zyryxa. I think the sounds of two coldscales fucking were more pleasant than your mother¡¯s crooning.¡± They shared a laugh. ¡°But critical thinking prevailed again. Zyrthalla reasoned that if the qione had lulled me with a melody, other music might soothe the monster. And she was right, but not necessarily for the right reason. I started to sing, just to prove I was better at it than she was. So when your mother started singing, I stopped bloodletting, and sang along.¡± ¡°Music became your way to control the anger inside of you.¡± Abbaz nodded. ¡°Like a father singing to his little girl after her sister broke her favorite sword, it calmed the wrath. Not perfectly, but we¡¯re not that far into the tale yet, my darling. You need to know about the five trials, so let us move onto the tarandrux.¡± Zyryxa wouldn¡¯t tell him that hearing her call him darling again made her feel a warmth she thought forever lost. Her mother was gone, but she wasn¡¯t an orphan. Her voice choked as she said, ¡°That would be appreciated, bard.¡± ¡°It is said that the tarandrux were Qoryxa¡¯s favorite creatures, outside of dragons of course,¡± Abbaz added before Zyryxa could object. ¡°The first thing you need to know about a tarandrux is that only an imbecile would attack a herd or strike at their legs.¡± ¡°How¡¯d doing both work out for you?¡± Zyryxa asked. Abbaz laughed, her lips rising too. ¡°About as well as you¡¯d expect. These beasts can rival an elder dragon in size, unless they¡¯re named Freadal or Duilahir, standing on four legs that rise higher than ten coldscales stacked atop each other and are as hard and heavy as qoryxite. Even the best axewoman isn¡¯t chopping those trees down in just a couple hits. ¡°When I tried, they trampled the ground, trying to squish me. The herd ripped through the gelubor, making so much noise that any other predator in the region thought it was a call to arms. An ulfhedinn happened to be in the vicinity that day.¡± Zyryxa pictured her father, armed with a broken lute, trying to outlast not only a herd of gigantic, antlered beasts with impenetrable, enormous legs, but also an ulfhedinn crashing the dance. Her lips twitched, trying to still the laughter within. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sing your way out of that one, could you?¡± Abbaz shook his head. ¡°Having already climbed one of the tarandrux, ripped out its antlers, and leapt off, Zyrthalla tried to pull me out of there, but I was too far gone.¡± His smile faded fast. ¡°I threw my axe, splitting the ulfhedinn open, then I seized Thalla¡ª¡± Zyryxa leaned forward, glaring at him. ¡°You didn¡¯t?¡± ¡°I did,¡± he said, lowering his eyes. ¡°I was a monster, Zyryxa. I don¡¯t know what crazed thoughts I had, but I lifted her over my head and tossed her at the tarandrux¡¯s skull.¡± ¡°Drakeshit,¡± she called, rolling her eyes. Abbaz sighed, his gaze going to the hole in the wall. ¡°The monster within me despised nothing so much as losing. I hated the tarandrux for repelling my cuts, I hated Zyrthalla for already succeeding, then trying to pull me away before I was victorious. So, yes, I threw her, a very muscular Volqori woman, forty feet in the air into the side of the tarandrux¡¯s skull. Turns out that their skulls aren¡¯t as tough as their legs.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Come on. Enough bardic exaggeration. Tell the truth.¡± ¡°The tarandrux toppled, Zyrthalla in its brain. The rest of the herd broke off and scattered through Silvyxfryz.¡± Zyryxa kept shaking her head. She couldn¡¯t fathom anyone possessing such strength. It was preposterous to throw a three-hundred-pound warrior forty feet in the air through the skull of a mythical beast. She wouldn¡¯t entertain it any longer. She climbed out of her chair and turned her back to him. ¡°Target the tarandrux¡¯s vulnerable head or antlers, don¡¯t engage them in groups, use stealth or high ground to ambush one, be aware of furry friends joining the fray.¡± ¡°While I was rampaging¡ªhacking off one of the fallen creature¡¯s legs¡ªZyrthalla was struggling to survive. Still,¡± his voice caught, ¡°I heard her singing.¡± Abbaz moaned, his tears falling in thawed rivers down the blue forest on his face. Zyryxa stalled, her mouth going ajar, stupid like Pelzyq or Abbaz himself. ¡°You really threw her through a tarandrux¡¯s skull?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he croaked. ¡°It was the first time I can remember crying in my life.¡± Zyryxa realized then that the man in front of her was more powerful than her, stronger than the Ice Champion, and perhaps most importantly, mightier than Zyrthalla had ever been. She looked at her own hands, remembering times she¡¯d lost control, went too far. She was as much Abbaz¡¯s daughter as Zyrthalla¡¯s. Within him was a monster, one with insatiable rage. A creature like that which could kill any of his loved ones in a split second was too dangerous to be left unrestrained. She worried the same monster existed inside of her. ¡°That was the day I promised that I¡¯d never hurt her again, that I¡¯d learn to make music,¡± Abbaz said, playing ¡°Cold Hearts Thawing.¡± He focused on the lute for several heartbeats, gathering his composure. ¡°I would learn to control myself or I would forever put down the axe.¡± She closed her fists. ¡°And you couldn¡¯t do it?¡± Abbaz met her gaze. ¡°Never again did I lay a hand on your mother, except in love. I bartered a tarandrux antler for a lute at a homestead, and I practiced every day. I got better, but never enough to be confident that I wouldn¡¯t lose myself again if I fought, particularly if I started losing the fight. Thus, when I performed the sixth trial, and had the choice of becoming a dragon knight, destined to fight but with even more power, I turned it down.¡± His eyes went to the hole in the wall. ¡°When you were born, your mother and I talked about what it meant for me. I needed to be sane for you, Zyryxa. And for Zeen and Basyx. I swore to never fight again.¡± Zyryxa stood up, feeling a wave of emotion battering her. She saw him now, not as a weak man clinging to discordant melodies instead of stepping up, but as a man who¡¯d become something better for the love of his life and his children, who desperately clang to his music to keep from lashing out at his loss. Perhaps it was Lexyn¡¯s influence, or Pelzyq¡¯s, but Zyryxa did something she hadn¡¯t planned, something that previous her would¡¯ve never considered. She hugged her father. ¡°I forgive you,¡± she said. Chapter 45: Ash and Mist ¡°I forgive you,¡± Zyryxa said again, squeezing her father, ¡°but you have to get back up.¡± She pulled away, meeting her father¡¯s teary eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t keep sitting around when we still need your strength.¡± Abbaz nodded. ¡°I know I¡¯m failing,¡± he cried. ¡°How do I go on without her?¡± Zyryxa wanted to slap some sense into him. She settled for gripping his shoulders. ¡°Be the man she¡¯d want you to be.¡± Abbaz shook free of her grip, settling into his chair. He reached for his lute, but Zyryxa pulled it out of reach. ¡°No more songs of sorrow, of¡­of weakness. It is time for you to be strong.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try to be strong,¡± he said. ¡°For her. For you, and Zeen, and Basyx. I¡¯ll try.¡± ¡°Do more than try,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Help me kill Saevah.¡± ¡°No. I won¡¯t do that.¡± Zyryxa scoffed. ¡°You won¡¯t avenge your wife?¡± Abbaz sighed. ¡°If every warrior who lost a broodmate pursued everyone who has killed a broodmate, the fighting would never end. On and on, the wheel of vengeance would spin until fire and ice were nothing but ash and mist.¡± Zyryxa seized his shirt, pulling his face to hers. ¡°Zyrthalla wasn¡¯t just somebody¡¯s broodmate. She was my mother. Your wife.¡± ¡°And Saevah was her dear friend. I promise you, Zyryxa, Saevah hurts enough,¡± Abbaz said, his voice maddeningly calm. Her body shook, holding back the urge to slam him through his divinedamned chair. ¡°You would have me pity my mother¡¯s murderer?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯d have you live a life that would make her proud. Letting blind hatred guide you, and either dying for it or killing a person she loved, and loved her, would break her heart.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t think I can win?¡± Abbaz shook his head. ¡°I know you¡¯re capable of defeating her, or anyone else, Zyryxa. Don¡¯t ever confuse that for winning though.¡±Stolen novel; please report. Zyryxa let him go. She spat on the floor, then paced the room. She¡¯d kill Saevah. Everyone would learn that they couldn¡¯t take away the people she loved and continue to live their lives. Besides, if Saevah truly cared about Zyrthalla, she wouldn¡¯t have killed her. The bitch wasn¡¯t innocent. And her father wasn¡¯t man enough to do what needed to be done. ¡°You¡¯re so afraid of losing control that you make excuses not to fight,¡± she said. ¡°I am afraid,¡± Abbaz admitted, ¡°but this isn¡¯t about fear of me losing control. Trust me, Zyryxa. Trust that I say this because I love you: do not climb this mountain, because you won¡¯t like what you find on the other side, and you can never come back.¡± Zyryxa clenched her fists, wanting to pulverize his damn mouth. Yet, she couldn¡¯t be that monster that had no control. She wouldn¡¯t be like this coward. Like Zyrthalla, she¡¯d have compassion and control over her power. Taking several heartbeats to slow her heart down, taking deep breaths, averting her eyes from the source of her anger, she steadied. ¡°I¡¯ll have that drink now,¡± she said. ¡°And details of the other three trials.¡± His voice followed her into the kitchen. ¡°And you shall have them.¡± ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride¡± played on his broken lute again as she gathered her composure and filled a tankard with yak¡¯s milk. From scent alone, she knew it was sour, not sweet. Like everything in life seemed to be. ¡°Just get the information,¡± she said to herself as the discordant chords of her favorite song stoked her fury. She stood near the door this time. She was gone as soon as he gave her what she needed. She was going to climb the mountain and never look back. That was the least she could do for Zyrthalla. ¡°Antryx Mir was my favorite,¡± Abbaz said, playing ¡°Cold Hearts Thawing¡± on his lute. ¡°There is nothing quite like spending several days in the dark with a person you¡¯re growing to love, following little glowing mushrooms for miles beneath the surface, fighting off hordes of underground monsters, stumbling into a cavern lit by crystals, and finding hot springs just begging to be enjoyed.¡± He grinned. ¡°Zyrthalla and I became more than broodmates in those crystalline caverns.¡± ¡°Tell me about the ice golem,¡± Zyryxa demanded, trying not to imagine a woman that looked like her getting penetrated at a subterranean hot spring by her father but with Pelzyq¡¯s massive penis. ¡°Please.¡± Abbaz laughed. ¡°I am a bard, after all. We performed duets and, for once, your mother¡¯s singing¡ª¡± Zyryxa covered her eyes. ¡°Just. Stop.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Abbaz said, sighing and smiling himself into a memory that was much more pleasant for him than it was for Zyryxa to hear. ¡°The caves themselves¡ª Zyryxa jolted alert as the dragonbone knocker sounded off at their door. ¡°Expecting company?¡± she asked. Abbaz shrugged. ¡°Gaeliz sometimes sends warriors over to make sure we¡¯re still alive.¡± He strummed ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride¡± and forced a smile onto his face. ¡°Let them in.¡± Annoyed with the interruption, Zyryxa jerked the door open, ready to chew out whoever it was. She bit back her remarks, nodding to the newcomer. At least they might stop Abbaz from making fucking sex jokes about Zyryxa¡¯s mother. Chapter 46: Good Enough Gauging by the ice in her eyes, things weren¡¯t going well for Zyryxa. Qoryxa¡¯s princess plastered on a serene expression before offering that maddeningly smooth head tilt. Across the room, the Hero himself played ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride,¡± though his lute was obviously not in good shape and he left the vocals out. Natazia thought of her own once-parents and the many times she had sang and danced along to their ballads. She sighed, knowing those days were past. Somewhere in Riverwatch, the music fled her. She felt a kinship with the Hero as it seemed the loss of his wife took away some of the beautiful music in him. Natazia¡¯s sympathy only made her adore him more. ¡°Abbaz,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice carrying no music either, ¡°this is my broodleader.¡± ¡°Hello, Natazia,¡± Abbaz said. Her heart jumped up into her throat. The Hero remembered her! Even in his grief! Despite his haggardness, the huge man was awe-inspiring and beautiful. She bowed, just as low as she would for Champion Vaztyma. ¡°At your service, mighty Abbaz.¡± Zyryxa frowned at her. ¡°You know each other?¡± she asked. Natazia savored her dismay, though she kept her voice reverent for the Hero¡¯s sake. ¡°I spent many moons in Loxzua last year, in the swarm of Knight Gaeliz. I¡¯m honored to be remembered.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t short yourself, Natazia,¡± Abbaz said, his voice kind. ¡°You¡¯re worth remembering.¡± Natazia suppressed a squeal, bowing to her hero. ¡°Thank you, Hero.¡± ¡°Please call me Abbaz,¡± he said, his voice more stilted. ¡°Of course, H-Abbaz!¡± She felt a fool for making him uncomfortable, which quickly evaporated as if hit directly by the light of the sun. She, the once-daughter of four nobodies, a little girl from the far south who dreamt of someday being somebody, was on a first name basis with the greatest living legend in Volqor. She felt excitement building, echoes of her old self. Then, like being plunged into ice water, she went cold, thinking of him. She tried to shake it off, tried to remind herself that she could be warm here. She was remembered by the Hero of the Hill, the bard of Loxzua, and this powerful, intelligent, beautiful man was a far, far better person than him. Still, she heard his voice stripping her away. You¡¯re nothing without me. Zyryxa took a deep breath, folding her arms over her chest. ¡°Well, perhaps now that Natazia is here, we can get the bard to tell less stories and supply useful information.¡± To talk to the Hero of the Hill like that baffled Natazia. This girl was raised by a living legend, and didn¡¯t realize she was lucky to have not one, but two paragons for parents. Natazia loved all four of her once-parents, but they would only ever play songs about others, not have songs sung about them. Pelzyq¡¯s nickname for her, the Ice Princess, couldn¡¯t be more apt. Natazia¡¯s fingers closed into fists as Abbaz glanced down, sad as his once-daughter ripped the wind from his already tattered sails. ¡°I¡¯m in no hurry,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯d love to listen to your stories, and learn from them.¡± She ignored Zyryxa¡¯s glare, savoring Abbaz¡¯s smile instead. ¡°I¡¯ll keep it short and sweet,¡± he said. Zyryxa scoffed. ¡°Grab a chair, Natazia.¡± She herself lingered near the door. Fucking prissy bitch, Natazia thought. ¡°Gladly,¡± she said, sitting across from the Hero. Abbaz put his lute down and let out a soft sigh. ¡°Antryx Mir is a dark warren of tunnels leading deeper into the depths of Volqor. Monsters who don¡¯t need light reside there, waiting for folks to fall into their traps. Among them, the deadliest are wyrms and worms.¡± Natazia grinned at the wordplay, leaning forward, unable to keep her expression stoic as she sat this close to him. Abbaz could make even the deadliest creatures in the world sound light. No doubt he had no issues in his time in those wondrous depths. Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Enough wordplay, bard. Speak plainly.¡± Natazia glared at her. ¡°Let the story be told properly, Zyryxa, and be grateful.¡± Another scoff, matched with rolling eyes. Abbaz frowned at them. ¡°Avoid patches of acid, for that is the work of a giganaska. Without fighting in light, it is folly to engage one of them. Go the other way, even if you must travel for days to find another passage through the depths.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fight the gigantic acid worm in the dark,¡± Natazia said, grinning at him. ¡°I think I¡¯ll have an easy time remembering that one. Did you encounter one?¡± ¡°I saw the acid. Zyrthalla made us go back, losing days of travel. I¡¯ll admit I wanted to test myself against the beast, but I didn¡¯t want to risk her life for my pride.¡± ¡°You did the right thing,¡± Natazia said. ¡°I¡¯ve always thought so. Though few people have ever defeated a giganaska, and none in the dark, I¡¯d rather have my years with her, than a song.¡± Tears filled his eyes and he reached for his lute. ¡°Don¡¯t talk about her like she was fragile,¡± Zyryxa snapped. Abbaz played a beautiful melody, one Natazia didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°She was the toughest person I¡¯ve ever known, Zyryxa. But, even knights and champions can fall. To risk someone so special for mere glory¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°I went back, and it was one of the easiest decisions I ever made.¡± That shut the Ice Princess up. She gave her irresistible curt nod, finally giving some respect where it was due. ¡°What other dangers should we expect?¡± Natazia asked. ¡°Foul creatures that can swallow light. If your torch goes out, turn around.¡± He laughed. ¡°That one was fun, but I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡± ¡°Noted,¡± Natazia said, leaning so far forward she almost fell out of her chair. ¡°There are spiders down there that are ancient and the size of wyrms, with armies of broodlings with armored carapace. Entire sections of the tunnels belong to them.¡± ¡°Beware the webs,¡± Natazia said. Abbaz nodded. ¡°Also, beware your standard variety of wyrm. There is a wealth of rock and crystal in the depths. They can grow to be a thousand years old and never worry about food sources. Sometimes,¡± Abbaz said, as if from memory, ¡°you may be blessed to see, or more likely hear, two wyrms and their wyrmlings battling for territory ripe with crystal.¡± ¡°Sounds fun,¡± she said, meaning it true.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡°I can agree with that,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°How did you navigate Antryx Mir? If there are so many paths, how do you find the ice golems?¡± ¡°We followed the glowing mushrooms, marking our trails as we went. Thalla and I stopped at every crystalline hot spring we found and¡ª" ¡°And rested up,¡± Zyryxa filled in, rushing to get the words in. Snorting, Abbaz nodded. ¡°It is important to restore your spirits when you wander in the dark for days. These caverns lit by crystal are free of the denizens of the dark and offer every opportunity for relief.¡± Natazia read between the lines, grinning at Zyryxa¡¯s discomfort. What did she expect? Princesses weren¡¯t born from ice, but the passion of the king and queen. Gazing at Abbaz, at the muscle definition, the grandeur, those blue eyes, even that haggard beard¡­ Zyrthalla was a fortunate queen. She twisted her neck, meeting Zyryxa¡¯s eyes. If Pelzyq and Lexyn were paired off¡­ The princess was, after all, even more beautiful than either the king or the queen. Feeling her heart pounding, their eyes darted aside, not daring to cross paths again or meet Abbaz¡¯s slightly upturned lips or the glint in his eyes. Yet, Natazia¡¯s thoughts drifted away, imagining that another person¡¯s touch could be sweet. That quiet ache within her stirred, one sore from being touched too many times in ways that left one bitter and broken. ¡°Even in the dark,¡± Abbaz said, clearing his throat, ¡°it is important to see each other. I saw more of Zyrthalla¡¯s character in those days than I had ever before. I wouldn¡¯t trade a moment of it for easier time spent in the sun. Trials like Antryx Mir can forge chains that will never break. I can only hope that when in the dark, you both find the light in your companions, and see how much they shine.¡± Natazia nodded, promising to keep her eyes open. She forced a smile for the Hero. ¡°The trials are meant to temper our souls, to make us a higher form of Ice. Knowing that I have worthy allies at my side, I¡¯m looking forward to them.¡± ¡°Me too,¡± Zyryxa said, softening. ¡°Natazia is a fierce warrior and has made every right call so far. Pelzyq is brave and loyal. And Lexyn¡­¡± she paused, taking in a deep breath for her favored broodmate. ¡°Lexyn is like raw qoryxite, durable and beautiful with tremendous potential. People like you,¡± she said, grinning at her once-father, ¡°will be singing songs about us for a long time.¡± It was Zyryxa¡¯s alternating arrogance and kindness that made it so hard for Natazia to settle on how she felt for this girl. Well, that and, if she was honest, envy. This was her trial, she was the leader, but it felt like she wasn¡¯t even the main character in her own story. Abbaz beamed. ¡°I hope to be around to hear them.¡± ¡°I hope,¡± Zyryxa said, going sharp again, ¡°there will be new songs about you.¡± She took a step toward the Hero of the Hill. ¡°Songs that make me proud to¡­¡± she hesitated, glancing at Natazia, ¡°know you.¡± Abbaz lowered his eyes to his lute, though he didn¡¯t strum. ¡°Zyrthalla and I spent over a moon in the dark before we found two ice golems. Thankfully, they were together. The fight lasted less than ten heartbeats.¡± ¡°I am sure,¡± Natazia said, ¡°that ten of your heartbeats might be worth more than ten of mine.¡± Abbaz shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Natazia. Every heart beats the same. Whether it bleeds blue, orange, or red. Don¡¯t underestimate the ice golem, but even more, don¡¯t underestimate yourself. You were chosen for this trial for good reason: you¡¯re good enough.¡± Natazia hid her face. She wanted to thank him, but the voice in her head was too strong. You¡¯re nothing without me. She tried to add Abbaz¡¯s voice to her mind, like a song that could play over this one that never stopped. She imagined Hatrox, looming over her, pissing on her as he told her she was nothing. She tried to fight against him, but knew how that had always ended. Even the Hero of the Hill couldn¡¯t change the scars writ upon her, but she promised to remember his words, to try to believe them. ¡°What of the obruox of Lazael?¡± Zyryxa asked. ¡°One more thing about Antryx Mir,¡± Abbaz said, changing his song to ¡°All That Remains.¡± Natazia looked up to find tears in her hero¡¯s beautiful blue seers. ¡°Qorzillux.¡± ¡°Qorzillux poses no danger to me,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice going high. ¡°A dragon bereft of their bond can be unpredictable for many years,¡± Abbaz said, Natazia wishing she could heal the pain she heard in his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve also heard a dragon retains some of the sentience of their rider,¡± Zyryxa said, speaking slowly, trying not to cry. Abbaz said nothing, falling into the melody rendered broken by a pair of missing strings where many of the notes belonged. ¡°Lazael,¡± he coughed. ¡°Lazael is the quickest of the trials, but I promise you it is also the deadliest.¡± Natazia rose from her seat. She paced the room, remembering the frozen lake her once-parents told her to always avoid. No place was more accursed, yet the four of them had chosen to build their homestead beside it. ¡°The obruox are what remains of Zamael¡¯s hatred toward Qoryxa during the Divine Fratricide,¡± Abbaz explained, still playing that melancholic melody. ¡°Forever our Champion, Qoryxa fought against the Divine of Death, fought for us all to have futures. Death met her and thousands of Ice Tribe warriors at Lazael. The obruox are those who perished in the battle. Cursed to live forever without their souls, with the sole purpose of expanding their number. Defeating one proves to Qoryxa that you too will stand against death and corruption. ¡°The monsters persist beneath the lake¡¯s ice, waiting for trespassers to fall through, still trying to swell Zamael¡¯s ranks. You need to lure them out without letting them pull you down into their grave.¡± Abbaz sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Both Zyrthalla and I were nearly drowned, saved only because we watched out for each other. Even though they¡¯re weak above the waters, do not take them lightly.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Natazia promised. ¡°How do you lure them up?¡± Zyryxa asked. ¡°There is only one way,¡± Abbaz said, his voice as much a dirge as the song itself. Natazia was no stranger to the legends of the obruox. For years, they were used to threaten her for any insolence. ¡°They seek what they¡¯re deprived of: life, warmth, souls.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Abbaz said, offering her a full smile. ¡°Very good, Natazia.¡± Her heart pounded with pride. She lowered her eyes, feeling unworthy. ¡°Simple enough,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°How do we find a vordt in Pryxvalliz?¡± ¡°The Vordt were canine pets of Qoryxa, they¡ª" ¡°How do we find them?¡± Zyryxa demanded, hand on the door knob. Abbaz looked defeated, like he¡¯d just lost a ten round wrestling match. Sometimes, Zyryxa really infuriated her. ¡°Fire.¡± Abbaz said. ¡°Like any creature of the cold, they hate fire. If you don¡¯t use fire, they will find you long before you find them and¡ª¡± ¡°We will neve wake up,¡± Zyryxa interrupted. ¡°We know.¡± ¡°How are they in a head-on battle?¡± Natazia asked. ¡°Fast, vicious, and they fight in mobs,¡± Abbaz said. ¡°Isolate them and the pack will fight hard to reunite. You have to be quicker and more vicious to bring one down, or make clever use of fire to disorient them. Kill one and they¡¯ll fight you to the death.¡± Zyryxa swung the door open. ¡°Thanks for the information, bard. He already told me about the qione and tarandrux,¡± she explained to Natazia. ¡°Zyryxa!¡± The Ice Princess lingered at the doorway. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Take care of yourself,¡± Abbaz said. ¡°And remember,¡± he glanced at Natazia, clenching his jaw, then shifted his eyes back to his once-daughter, ¡°that you are loved.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s eyes narrowed, yet she swallowed. She cleared a lump in her throat. ¡°Find your strength, bard. Love yourself.¡± Without another glance, she left, leaving the door open behind her. Natazia, feeling like a snow sprite on the wall, needed to excuse herself. ¡°I have to tell her where we¡¯re meeting up.¡± She bowed, unable to make herself leave. ¡°Thank you so much. For your stories, for your kind words.¡± She met his gaze. ¡°You are good enough.¡± Abbaz frowned. ¡°Perhaps for some,¡± he whispered. ¡°But being good enough for some is never a good enough reason to stop trying to be better.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to change yourself for her approval,¡± Natazia said, ¡°as long as you¡¯re good enough for yourself.¡± ¡°Wise words,¡± he said, though his voice was hollow. Natazia knew wise words usually weren¡¯t enough to change hearts. Abbaz, Gaeliz, Vaztyma, or Qoryxa herself could shower her in wise words, in praise, and Hatrox¡¯s voice would still cut through them all, reminding her that she wasn¡¯t good enough every time he pushed her down. ¡°May we meet again,¡± she said, bowing again. He nodded. ¡°Until then. Take care of yourself and watch out for my ¡­ my Zyryxa.¡± Natazia nodded, then chased after Zyryxa. To the Sapphire of the Sea, she thought. To plan the rest of our rite. Yet, she knew the next step and any excitement she¡¯d built listening to Abbaz bled out of her. For Nix Tezyk, the obvious next step, was within range of Riverwatch. She knew as sure as Zamael claimed them all in the end, Hatrox would find her. Chapter 47: Sapphire of the Sea Despite being the last to know of their destination, Zyryxa was the first to arrive. She remembered this place from years ago, though she¡¯d never technically been allowed to go inside. Little seemed changed, except her. The fires still raged in hearths, though they didn¡¯t burn wood. Some fancy Leverian wizard contraption kept their enchanted stones ever-burning, creating a climate that was much like the Frostmelt, rather than frigid Loxzua. Unlike in their sacred land, this place kept as many foreigners as Volqori. The Leverian barmaids and barmen were still dressed in scanty clothing without any fur, their stomachs open to the air. The men called at Zyryxa, naming her a beauty and vying against each other for her attention. Unlike girlish fifteen-year-old Zyryxa, this different woman took their approaches without a sense of scandal or any giggling. Leverith¡¯s luscious lips, the memory was enough to make her feel a shockwave of shame. Yes, she¡¯d be worshipped upon their altars of promiscuity. Let them pray, but she wasn¡¯t their prey. She¡¯d never truly been intimate, and she wasn¡¯t going to waste her first time with some puny Leverian man with dirty eyes and flowery yellow hair. Her mind strayed to Rivux, wishing they¡¯d had more time to get to know each other beyond physical intensity. That was a man worthy of a first time. Probably at least a second and a third too, just to make sure she got it correct. Yet, he wasn¡¯t here. Neither were her broodmates. Some of Gaeliz¡¯s warriors were, several broods taking up the wooden tables near the stage where a naked man and a woman wearing an undergarment certainly unworthy of a Nix Tezyk blizzard danced provocatively enough that Zyryxa felt her cheeks getting warm from more than the tavern¡¯s heat. Besides the off-duty dragon warriors, there were Leverian sailors, and a few browner-skinned stragglers from Isihla or Kavova. Notably, Mahagan sailors never came to ¡°The Sapphire on the Sea.¡± Those ebony-skinned folks weren¡¯t built like the rest of these lascivious degenerates. She drew plenty of eyes from the sailors, the staff, and Loxzua¡¯s warriors. Keeping her lips flat and her eyes ahead of her, she marched toward the bar. Whether her gawkers saw her as Zyrthalla¡¯s daughter or as a prime piece of meat, she didn¡¯t want to be on either the stage or the menu right now. Zyryxa claimed a stool. She nodded to the Leverian barmaid, a girl with yellow hair and pathetically little muscle definition. ¡°Give me your coldest drink.¡± Smiling, her eyes lingering dumbly on Zyryxa for several heartbeats, the pretty lass finally nodded back. She pulled open an icebox and poured something blue. ¡°First one is free,¡± she said, winking. Zyryxa snorted. They were all going to be free, unless one of her broodmates carried coinage with them. Zyryxa hadn¡¯t thought of collecting any since she left Loxzua last year. The little chips of metal were useless in a fight, and nearly as meaningless at the homesteads where everything was bartered. Hopefully Natazia got some from Gaeliz. If not, she¡¯d deal with that headache later. One headache at a time, though this was more of a heartache. Zyryxa sighed. A cowardly father, a bitchy sister, and poor Basyx left on his own. The whole damn thing was as depressing as Abbaz¡¯s music. Then there was Natazia. Zyryxa thought they¡¯d gotten better, but her ¡°broodleader¡± seemed determined to contradict her in her own childhood home. Pelzyq and Lexyn were still off doing whatever¡ªprobably each other¡ªas a woman squealing and a bed squeaking from the second floor reminded her. Divinedamned Leverians and their lust. Surrounded by people, grouped with allies, she felt no less alone than she did last year on the rite. Zyryxa drank until the whole mug was empty. Strong, but sweet, the cold went down well. If there was anything good about this moment, it was that this concoction was as unlike Ozyeeq firebomb as could be. ¡°Another,¡± she said, offering her most charming smile to the barmaid as she pushed her mug toward her. ¡°One more,¡± she said, ¡°but just because you¡¯re the second prettiest person here.¡± Zyryxa felt like the bitch slapped her. ¡°Second?¡± She would¡¯ve thrown the liquor in her face if she didn¡¯t feel she needed it so much. The Leverian girl giggled, putting up two fingers and walking away as another customer called for her. Shaking her head, Zyryxa scoffed. Second. ¡°I¡¯m second to none,¡± she muttered, before draining her second mug. ¡°Another,¡± she called, wiping the wetness from her lips. She felt light, as if her burdens could just all float away. Well, not the one about her being second. That nonsense ate at her as she waited for the barmaid to return. She twisted toward the stage, where the naked man was swinging his erect cock toward a brood of cackling blue-haired women. A particularly scrawny Isihlan man, dressed in tattered sailor¡¯s garments was pulled onto the stage by a¨C she did a double take¡ªMahagan sailor. ¡°Make sure those sails will hold up in a storm, Quresh!¡± The little Isihlan man took in a deep breath, buried his head into the dancer¡¯s breasts, then blasted them with his mouth, her floppy tits audibly slapping his cheeks. ¡°They¡¯re seaworthy!¡± he called, before blowing into them again. It might¡¯ve been the liquor, but Zyryxa was certain she¡¯d never seen anything so funny. She joined in when most of the bar applauded and hooted with mirth. Yes. She wanted to feel more like this. ¡°Another!¡± she called. The barmaid was quick to find her this time. ¡°No more free honey for you, honey. Let¡¯s see some coin.¡± Zyryxa really, really didn¡¯t like this snarky bitch. She suppressed her violence with a sigh, then forced a smile. ¡°My friend has the coin. She¡¯ll be here soon.¡± The barmaid¡¯s fake smile was enough to make Zyryxa¡¯s fists close and imagine what a bald Leverian girl looked like when her hair was a bloody bundle on the ground. ¡°Then, I guess you can wait until she¡¯s here.¡± ¡°Tazi!¡± Zyryxa twisted to the calls. A younger-looking brood shouted toward the woman in the entryway. Natazia. She waved to the brood, called out a couple of names, then headed toward the bar. Smirking, Zyryxa tilted her head toward Abbaz¡¯s number one fangirl. ¡°The wait is over,¡± she said, enunciating each word slowly and narrowing her eyes at the bar bitch. Wearing a frown that tasted sweeter than honey to Zyryxa¡¯s triumphant tongue, the barmaid filled the mug. ¡°Tazi?¡± Zyryxa asked, swallowing a burp that tasted too much like sour yak¡¯s milk. ¡°That¡¯s my name,¡± she said, sliding into the stool beside her. ¡°Na-a,¡± Zyryxa said, elongating the rest of her name before chortling into her mug, ¡°it¡¯s just the middle of it.¡± Natazia grinned. ¡°Beginnings and endings are overrated.¡± ¡°The middle,¡± Zyryxa declared, she chugged her entire mug, ¡°is where the fun is!¡± Natazia tilted her head. ¡°You¡¯re sloshed. Try not to throw up tonight. Please.¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes. ¡°You have coin?¡± Natazia pulled out a small bag, shaking it in a chorus of clanking. ¡°I¡¯ve got you covered, girl, but I think you should slow down.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Zyryxa burped. ¡°Me? I can handle anything! After all,¡± she narrowed her eyes at the barmaid, who stood at eye level with them even though they sat, ¡°there is no way I¡¯m second anywhere.¡± Natazia snorted, dropping a few bronze coins onto the bar. ¡°Don¡¯t mind Zyryxa,¡± she said to the server, ¡°behind those beautiful, judgmental eyes is a warm soul and a kind heart.¡± ¡°Another,¡± Zyryxa snarled. ¡°So,¡± Natazia said, as Zyryxa drank her fourth mug, ¡°if you¡¯re the second prettiest here, does that mean Pelzyq is already upstairs?¡± Zyryxa blew liquor through her nose¡ªnot an experience she would recommend¡ªand blasted it out of her mouth, some of it splattering onto the barmaid. That she could try again. Wiping the snotty blue fluid off her face, she slapped the bar and exaggerated her laughter until Natazia winced. She snorted. ¡°Pelzyq. Pretty?¡± Zyryxa scoffed. Then, her heart sank. Upstairs. The bed shaking and the girl squealing had ceased at some point. Could it be? ¡°I¡¯ll have whatever she¡¯s having,¡± Natazia said, pointing at Zyryxa. ¡°Lyonel Vollonaro is the prettiest,¡± the barmaid said, pouring Natazia¡¯s drink. ¡°He¡¯s a dream. Blessed by Leverith, he is. I can only hope I get picked next time.¡± ¡°Blessed by Leverith?¡± Zyryxa said, brow furrowed. ¡°Does that mean he is extra dainty?¡± Natazia glanced down at her mug. ¡°It means he¡¯s ¡­ well-built.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°What? Some guy with two names?¡± Zyryxa blew through her lips, trying to mimic what that little Isihlan sailor did to the stage tits. She became aware that her speech was slurring. ¡°Give me any guy with two names and I¡¯ll pin them down before they can spell out all those letters.¡± Natazia sipped her drink. The barmaid shook her head and went down the bar to another customer. ¡°It means,¡± Natazia said to her cup, ¡°that he¡¯s built like Pelzyq.¡± ¡°And I¡¯ve kicked his ass a few times, if you haven¡¯t heard,¡± Zyryxa said. She started telling Natazia about their first meeting outside the Pridefort. ¡°No, Zyryxa, built like,¡± she pointed at the naked man on the stage, his dancing partner treating his manhood like it was a vanilla custard, ¡°Pelzyq.¡± She remembered the girl¡¯s moans and, of course, Pelzyq¡¯s third leg. ¡°Are you saying this Lytle Fullonasshole has a big cock?¡± Natazia drank the rest of her mug. ¡°That¡¯s what the waitress says.¡± Zyryxa snorted. ¡°Should tell Pelzyq when he gets here. Have the Sapphire by the Sea¡¯s first dick-off.¡± Zyryxa sighed. ¡°Besides, I guarantee I¡¯m still prettier. And I¡¯d take him down.¡± Natazia was quiet. She turned her head toward the stairs, her eyes lighting up. Zyryxa had to admit, Ledo wasn¡¯t that bad. His face was sculpted, just as handsome as any of those ice statues outside. Framed by sun-kissed golden-brown hair that fell in waves like the ocean outside the windows at the back of the tavern, his eyes drew hers in. Like sapphires on the sea, his blue eyes were as mesmerizing as any Zyryxa had ever seen. They seemed to promise boundless love, or perhaps that was just the memory of that girl upstairs squealing. His smile drew her own lips up, melting away her desire to be ice. Even his pearly teeth were perfect. Others were drawn to him, eager to share in his aura of charm. The biggest strike against him, and Qoryxa, it was big, was that his form was lean and lithe and Leverian. Then again, couldn¡¯t the same be said of Rivux, of Lexyn? ¡°Leenol is too lee-tle,¡± Zyryxa said, lifting her mug to mask her blush. Then setting it down nervously when she discovered it empty. ¡°Lyonel,¡± Natazia said. She turned from him, eyes toward her mug. ¡°It¡¯s Lyonel.¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± Zyryxa restored her icy expression as the guy winked at her from across the bar. ¡°I¡¯m way out of his echelon.¡± ¡°He¡¯s the nephew of a Leverian king and grandson of one of the wealthiest Kavovan governors,¡± Natazia said, taking on that same pissy tone she did when Zyryxa was speaking to the bard. ¡°He comes from a long line of people who¡¯ve been given things instead of earning them?¡± Zyryxa asked. ¡°I bet he¡¯s here because he worked hard for it,¡± she said, infusing her voice with innocence. Zyryxa chortled, before failing to restrain deeper laughter. Thirteen Divines! She felt light of heart, her shoulders free. Not like poor Vollonassholearo and the hard, hard life of living pampered in a foreign city piercing barmaids with his meat spear. Natazia¡¯s silence would¡¯ve been louder, were Zyryxa¡¯s listening less impaired. It turned out, her hearing was generally impaired, for she didn¡¯t stay alert to Lyonel¡¯s approach. Soft fingers tapped her shoulder. Zyryxa spun, bearing witness to his smug grin, she laughed in his face. This man wasn¡¯t a match for her. He was smaller in every way that counted. There, on his nose, a dusting of freckles. His teeth, perfect from afar but far from perfect, with a slight crookedness. So much for his esteemed breeding. His hair, though not as pathetic and weak-looking as the yellow of the bar bitch, was lacking in the vibrancy native to Volqor. Simply put, he didn¡¯t shine like she did. If this man was a star, she was the moon. She kept laughing, before turning her back on him. ¡°Second,¡± she sputtered at the barmaid between laughs, ¡°give me another one.¡± ¡°You should stop,¡± Natazia mumbled, but she put the coin on the bar. Clearing her throat, Natazia glanced at Lyonel, putting on a smile. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± he said, shifting to the other side of Zyryxa, claiming a stool, and gazing up at her. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you around here.¡± He offered his hand. ¡°Lyonel. Lyonel Vollonaro.¡± Zyryxa glanced at his hand. It wasn¡¯t as soft as she expected. She knew the calluses of martial training, saw the faint lines of a few old scars on his arm. ¡°Maybe you haven¡¯t been looking,¡± Zyryxa said, letting his hand linger in the air between them. ¡°Impossible,¡± he said. ¡°Any man with eyes would never overlook you¡ª¡± he baited, fishing for her name. ¡°Zyryxa,¡± she said, extending her hand after he¡¯d waited the appropriate pause for one very clearly not first among them. His grip wasn¡¯t weak, but she still overpowered him, grinning as he masked his grimace. ¡°Zyryxa,¡± he repeated, shaking out his liberated fingers beneath the bar. ¡°It is my deepest pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are truly first among the beauties I have seen in this beautiful land.¡± He touched the streak of silver in her hair. ¡°Kissed by Qoryxa.¡± Zyryxa seized his wrist. ¡°Do they not teach little princes not to touch things that don¡¯t belong to them? Or do you simply get taught that everything belongs to you?¡± She smiled at him, flashing perfectly straight teeth on her unblemished first-place face. He lifted his hands up, smiling right back. ¡°We get taught how to touch things the right way, how to make them want to belong with us.¡± Zyryxa thought of the girl upstairs, of how the barmaid wanted to slobber on him like the dancers on the stage. Blessed by Leverith, like Pelzyq, but actually pretty. Son of important people with two names. He thought himself so smooth, so perfect, like a god strutting through a village of his devout. She laughed. He cocked his head, still holding that diplomat¡¯s smile on his imperfect face. Zyryxa leaned in. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go find a mirror to kiss, Leto, because if you tried to touch me, you¡¯d break.¡± His one-sided, smug grin made her want to throw him through a table just to see it flatten. ¡°If I didn¡¯t hold back,¡± he said, ¡°you¡¯d break.¡± The drink made her want to giggle like the fifteen-year-old girl would¡¯ve. Fortunately, she was stronger than that. ¡°In the sparring grounds or¡­¡± her eyes drifted to the stairwell. ¡°Yes,¡± he said, winking. She batted her eyelids. ¡°Tell me more,¡± she said, her voice breathy. His mouth opened before he recovered his sleezy grin. ¡°You may be blessed by Qoryxa, Zyryxa, but I¡¯m blessed by Leverith. I could hit you so hard that you¡¯d never feel the same again.¡± That was it. She wasn¡¯t strong enough. She laughed in his face. At first, he let out a chortle, like he was in on the joke. Eventually, he realized he was the joke. He looked like a little lost drake searching for his mommy. She kept laughing, repeating his words, and laughing some more. Zyryxa laughed so hard she rolled out of her stool, then laughed from the floor, not caring who saw her. Thirteen Divines! ¡°Can you believe this guy, Natazia?¡± She sat up to laugh with her broodsister, finding her stool empty. Probably went to squat, Zyryxa assumed, realizing she had to do the same. From her back, she launched to her feet, eliciting a few hoots from the growing audience. Taking a breath, she smoothed out her expression until it was solid as ice. ¡°I¡¯m not your average barmaid, Lego.¡± ¡°Lyonel,¡± he mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m going to be the Ice Champion, and anyone dreaming of being my consort is going to have to prove their worth with deeds, not cocky barroom promises, especially,¡± she took a jumbo shrimp from a plate on the bar, swallowing it in one bite, ¡°about the size of their shrimp.¡± ¡°When you sober up,¡± he said, straight faced, ¡°I encourage you to meet me at the Sapphire Embassy.¡± ¡°You got some pretty jewel collection, Layla? You think you can buy me?¡± He shook his head. ¡°I think I can beat you. My sword against yours. First to three hits.¡± Zyryxa may have never laughed harder in her life. She slapped the bar, shaking the mugs all down the line. ¡°Another!¡± When the barmaid protested that her coin was gone, several dragon warriors volunteered to buy her drinks. Lyonel bowed his head to her on his way out. ¡°I look forward to our duel, Zyryxa.¡± ¡°I too look forward to broken bones, feeling inadequate, and realizing that perhaps I¡¯m not everything mommy and daddy told me I was.¡± Several warriors hooted her name. She sipped her drink, eying the barmaid. ¡°Second best.¡± She blew a raspberry at her. The barmaid poured her several drinks, one for each warrior who volunteered a toast to the future Ice Champion, humbler of diplomats. The evening blurred, her focus snapping in and out, her vision swimming, her body struggling to stay in the stool. She may have danced, possibly on the stage, definitely not showing anything beneath the furs. The little Isihlan guy might¡¯ve told her that he¡¯d picked Lyonel¡¯s pocket on his way out, flashing a purse with tiny little sapphires sewn into it. She couldn¡¯t remember whether Natazia ever came back, nor did it matter to her in the moment. She was light and free, her mind far away from everything that weighted her down. When Pelzyq and Lexyn arrived, she was just lucid enough to grasp how far gone she was. ¡°Time for bed,¡± Pelzyq said, lifting her up with one arm. His other arm was in a sling. She barely registered that such a thing was odd. ¡°I¡¯m not going to fuck you, broodbro,¡± she said, slurring every word. ¡°You think Pelzyq wants to have sex with you just because you¡¯re the most beautiful woman in Volqor? Why would Pelzyq want to do that?¡± ¡°Convincing argument. I¡¯m,¡± she hiccupped, ¡°I¡¯m going to make you my diplomat. Turn you into a bard.¡± ¡°Pelzyq would rather not be useless,¡± he said, his deadpan immaculate. Zyryxa didn¡¯t know if the wheezing noise that came out of her could be called a laugh, but it felt like one. ¡°You could never be useless. You¡¯re too flaming funny. I¡­ I like you, man. You¡¯re family.¡± Lexyn wiped spittle off Zyryxa¡¯s lip. ¡°This is worse than the firebomb.¡± Thirteen Divines! She was so freezing pretty. Even though Zyryxa couldn¡¯t get a good look at her with how much she was spinning and bobbing up and down. ¡°I love you, Lexyn. I freezing love you. You¡¯re my favorite. Sorry, Pelzyq.¡± ¡°You have good taste,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Lexyn is my favorite too.¡± Zyryxa chortled. ¡°See,¡± she said, thinking she was pointing at Lexyn when she was jabbing Pelzyq in the chest. ¡°Perfect comedic timing. And I thought he was an egotistical asshole!¡± Pelzyq dropped her into something soft. Her landing wasn¡¯t gentle. ¡°And I thought you were an arrogant bitch.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± she asked, worried that it might be true. Pelzyq massaged her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re my sister. I love you too, Ice Princess. Sweet dreams.¡± Zyryxa remembered her own sister. Her first sister. His words didn¡¯t heal her worries, even though they were kind. Lexyn rubbed Zyryxa¡¯s head. Leverith¡¯s luscious lips! She had magic touch. It made her think of her mother. Why was she sobbing? She wasn¡¯t supposed to feel that tonight. The drink was supposed to strip that away, to give her just one evening where she didn¡¯t have to remember that the person she¡¯d loved most was gone, that the people she left behind were broken, that there was nothing she could do to fix any of it. ¡°I¡¯m going to take care of you tomorrow,¡± Lexyn promised. ¡°We will talk about Abbaz and everything else you needed to get away from tonight.¡± She hugged her. ¡°I love you, Zy.¡± She lowered her voice, just a whisper in her ear, ¡°From the beginning, you¡¯ve been my knight. Good night.¡± Zyryxa didn¡¯t know how long she cried but sleep eventually brought an end to the tears. Many of her memories of that evening scattered, but one stayed with her. Soft, tender sounds carried through the walls. Even then, in the most profound intoxication of her life, she knew that she went to bed alone while Lexyn and Pelzyq found something she, deep in her heart, longed for. Chapter 48: Sabretooth Lexyn was happy. For the first time since leaving Loxzua last year, she could smile and not be afraid of what the future held. The day was as pleasant as any spent in the Volqori wilderness could be. Sunny skies, the white expanse broken by patches of crystalline gelubor, a warm wind blowing off the northern coast, a lover¡¯s hand in hers. She smiled at Pelzyq. ¡°Looking forward to our adventure?¡± ¡°What¡¯s not to look forward to,¡± he said, puffing out his chest as they walked ahead of Dryxl and Maxilla. After an entire moon in Loxzua, even the drakes were getting along better. Dryxl was as voracious a lover as Pelzyq, Maxilla as enthusiastic a partner as Lexyn herself. They chittered at each other, making cooing noises with their reptilian voices. Yet another reason to feel joy as warmth found a way in the ice. ¡°Good meals,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Good laughs. Good fights. Good¡­¡± ¡°Love,¡± Lexyn finished. Pelzyq winked. The crinkle of his thick eyebrows, the way one lip always rose higher than the other, how the sunlight shone on his broken nose, lifted her as high as any dragon could. People might not see it when they looked at him, but to Lexyn, he was as beautiful as any person could be. Just as it wasn¡¯t Zyryxa¡¯s flawless form that made her beautiful, but the way she would forever fight for what was right, it was Pelzyq¡¯s caring heart that made him gorgeous. ¡°That was definitely what Pelzyq was about to say,¡± he said, the group¡¯s master of dry wit. Lexyn shook her head, but the laughter came out. She didn¡¯t blush as much as she used to, no longer feeling embarrassed about so many things. She squeezed his hand. ¡°Good sex helps too,¡± she whispered, winking right back at him. ¡°Good?¡± She turned, facing him, walking backwards through the tundra, and shrugged her shoulders. Lexyn no longer felt the need to be constantly alert. Something in the past few moons had changed, and it wasn¡¯t just that she could rely on Zyryxa, Natazia, and Pelzyq to protect her. She believed the sword was sharp, the arrow was sure, and the challenges could be met. While Pelzyq¡¯s shoulder recovered, while Natazia ruminated on the plan and made excuses to avoid setting off in the direction of Riverwatch, she and Zyryxa spent the Loxzua days training. Lexyn¡¯s father had taught her how to use weapons, but it was Zyryxa that was teaching her she could use weapons, that she was the weapon herself. A big reason she was happy now, leaving Loxzua at seventeen with the warriormark on her forehead, was that she knew she believed in herself. She wasn¡¯t about to become reckless, but the monsters weren¡¯t things she needed to hide from. They were the ones that ought to be afraid of her. ¡°Good?¡± Pelzyq repeated, feigning a scoff. Lexyn gripped his furs, freezing him on the tundra. ¡°You think good isn¡¯t good enough?¡± ¡°Nothing about you could be merely good,¡± Pelzyq said, running his hands down her arms, his voice as smooth as the silk undergarments he loved to comment on when he flung them aside. She pulled him in, leaving her lips just on the cusp of the kiss. She could feel him wanting to close that final distance, and the tension building as she held him on the edge. ¡°Then I guess we will have to do it again, just to remind me whether or not it is more than merely good.¡± ¡°You will be reminded, my beloved. Pelzyq will make sure of this.¡± She leaned in, leaving her lips open, but not closing them around his. ¡°Good.¡± Laughing, he rushed her. Lexyn who¡¯d spent the moon wrestling with Zyryxa was prepared. The response came on reflex as she caught his rush with a shoulder lock hold, threw him to his back, landed on top, intertwined her legs around his, spread them wide, and pinned his arms over his head. Zyryxa called the maneuver the honeymooner. Indeed, she felt Pelzyq throbbing beneath the furs. He beamed up at her. ¡°Pelzyq likes this. Much better than when Zyryxa did it to me.¡± ¡°Nice honeymooner!¡± Zyryxa called from ahead. She and Zyrxl were leading their formation. ¡°But you can spread them wider!¡± Lexyn spread her legs, placing tension on muscles tight from riding, walking, and not enough daily stretching. Pelzyq yelped. Lexyn couldn¡¯t bear to hear him in pain. She released his legs and arms after a moment, finally giving him that kiss. Everything felt right. This was better than good, greater than great. Practically perfect. She found freedom in his touch, from all the doubts and the fears. Here, she was safe and certain. Even when he ambushed her, rolling her onto her back, it was a laugh that came out. The laugh only grew stronger when Dryxl mounted Maxilla a few feet away. ¡°Enough!¡± Natazia hollered. She and Xilliax rode south of their formation, further from the sea. ¡°It¡¯s time we break inland.¡± The other dragon warriors said nothing, knowing that they would take a longer path to Nix Tezyk if it meant keeping Natazia as far from Riverwatch as possible. Much of the planning over the past month had been Natazia shifting back and forth about whether to do the qione trial first or last. When it came down to it, they needed warming supplies the most for the everlasting blizzard and the only reason to do the qione last was to avoid Hatrox. Met with such irrefutable logic, Natazia eventually committed to the journey. Yet, she hadn¡¯t been herself since leaving. Lexyn wanted to give her a big, warm hug, to tell her that they wouldn¡¯t let him hurt her. Yet, that reassurance only went so far when she tried in the past. She wished she could heal wounds of the mind as easily as those of the flesh. Natazia didn¡¯t deserve to suffer, to fear this monster. She deserved to be happy too. She nodded, falling back into line behind Natazia as she took the lead, thinking of how often she found Natazia crying in the dark, unable to sleep. Lexyn knew what it was like to have a monster in your head. Even with Pelzyq cuddling her, she still woke in the middle of the night as many days as she slept through, certain that a sabretooth was about to kill him, that she wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything but hide up in a tree until they left. The memory of Hyzqar¡¯s death was never far, and the fear that the same would happen to Pelzyq was starting to overtake it. Leverith, Divine of Love and Dreams¡ªthe Goddess Lexyn prayed to just as much as Qoryxa¡ªseemed determined to haunt her as much as she filled her life with love. Or perhaps it was Zamael, Divine of Death and Corruption, waging eternal conflict with Leverith. Someday, Lexyn hoped the nightmares would end. Not just for her, but for Natazia, for everyone with a monster in their mind. Yes, she would do whatever she could to help Natazia find peace. For that was what everyone deserved. She lost herself in thoughts as Natazia and Xilliax rounded the edge of a dense gelubor forest. Then, as if from a nightmare, she heard the monster¡¯s roar. Then, a chorus of them. Just like that, a few moons of training were forgotten. Lexyn was a scared sixteen-year-old high in a tree, looking down as the sabretooths ripped into her brother. She froze, the memory colder than any blizzard.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Zyryxa surged ahead, then drew back, her eyes on Lexyn. Pelzyq gripped her hand. She didn¡¯t see them, didn¡¯t feel them. Her focus snapped to the trees, searching for one with high, sturdy, climbable branches. Finding one, she broke toward the trees, only to be pulled right back. Convinced a sabretooth had her, she fell to the ground, screaming as she awaited the final bite. Instead, strong arms lifted her up. Pelzyq cradled her. ¡°Lexyn.¡± His voice was as soft as his arms were hard. ¡°I¡¯ve got you, Lexyn.¡± ¡°She must fight them,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice sharp. ¡°Come on, Lexyn.¡± Zyryxa reached her hand out. ¡°You are stronger now. They should fear you.¡± Lexyn stared at Zyryxa¡¯s hand, trying to find courage. All she discovered was fear. She felt like her heart would explode, her lungs would burst, that her body would collapse into nothing but bones and flesh without a soul to power them. A sabretooth growled ahead, and Lexyn snapped her eyes shut and screamed. She saw Hyzqar lying in the snow, bloody, broken, unmoving, his eyes open but not seeing. Yet, when she bent over him to apologize for letting him die, it was Pelzyq. ¡°Pelzyq!¡± ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Pelzyq said, holding her closer to his warm heart. ¡°I will always protect you, Lexyn.¡± ¡°She can protect herself,¡± Zyryxa snapped, icy, on the verge of yelling. ¡°Lexyn.¡± ¡°Give us a moment,¡± Pelzyq said. When Zyryxa went silent, Pelzyq added, ¡°Look at me, Lex.¡± Lexyn opened her eyes to see that most beautiful of smiles. She felt a burst of joy, like sunshine breaking through storm clouds. ¡°Leverith,¡± he said, ¡°aren¡¯t you amazing.¡± She smiled, and even the not-so-distant hissing could break that. ¡°Not merely good?¡± she asked, trying not to think about the noises, to see the past or the future. ¡°Nothing about you could be merely good,¡± he said, standing her up. Surprisingly, her legs didn¡¯t give out. ¡°I love you, girl. You¡¯re the best thing that ever happened to me. You know that?¡± Lexyn wiped at her eyes. She nodded, wanting to reciprocate the words but unable to muster the courage through the sobs. He was steady enough for both of them, like a mountain that couldn¡¯t be knocked over by any force. ¡°Do you believe me? Do you trust me?¡± Lexyn nodded again, her heartrate slowing as she focused on his eyes, on the words coming from his lips. Tears in his eyes, Pelzyq gripped her shoulders. ¡°Then trust that I know you¡¯re strong enough, brave enough, good enough to do this. Let¡¯s go kill these monsters. Together. For Hyzqar.¡± Pelzyq reached for her bow, strapped onto Dryxl. Lexyn shook her head. ¡°No.¡± The fear quieting, the feeling buried beneath burst through: a rage so fierce that it felt like her blood boiled. She remembered her brother¡¯s handsome face, the way he used to smile at her, his goofy laugh, the kindness of his touch when he treated her wounds. This was the region where Hyzqar had died, and she didn¡¯t have to imagine that these sabretooths may have been his murderers. She was done running, done hiding. Let her become the sword of Qoryxa¡¯s judgment. Just this once. Drawing her blade, she dashed toward the sabretooths, roaring the name of her childhood best friend, of the man that gave his life so that she might someday have happy days again. Five of the monsters surrounded Natazia and Xilliax, her spear and the drake¡¯s low growl keeping them back. Lexyn felt Pelzyq and Zyryxa just behind her, heard their footfall, and the drakes¡¯ too. It didn¡¯t matter. She was a sharpened blade, she was a weapon, and these monsters were nothing but meat. Two twisted toward her, breaking off from Natazia. One pounced, lifting through the air, fang and claw bared, growl spitting forth. Lexyn stepped into her stance, swept her blade upward. She sliced clean through hide, bone, and into its vitals. The creature fell toward her, dead weight. Lexyn threw it aside, one-handed, pulling the blade free, then lunged toward the second sabretooth. She buried her sword into its open mouth before it could dodge, ripped it out, then severed head from neck. She heard her companions shouting her name, but only felt herself become one with the sword, just as Zyryxa taught her. Deftly stepping aside one sabretooth¡¯s lunge, she split another¡¯s face in half horizontally, then shoved the next aside, keeping its teeth from closing around her arm. Lexyn moved fast, the steps ingrained in her as well as bandaging any wound. She positioned herself to the side of both sabretooths, chopping at the closer one as it came around her. The sword parted the beast in two, carving through it¡¯s back to its belly. She roared, blood splattered all over her face and furs. The last sabretooth spared a moment to look from Lexyn to its bisected brother, then broke for the open plains. Lexyn lifted her sword, took aim, and hurled it after the scared, little cat. The blade buried itself into the monster¡¯s spine. Lexyn was on it in a heartbeat, ripping the sword out, then slashing at the downed beast. Once, twice, thrice, on and on, long after its cries ceased, right until her arms were too sore to lift the blade and the beast was nothing but piles of meat and puddles of blood. She dropped the sword, huffing as the exhaustion caught up with her. Tears stinging her eyes, she remembered her brother, remembered the girl hiding in the tree, remembered the Scaleless boy she couldn¡¯t save, remembered her nightmares of Pelzyq facing the same fate. ¡°Never again,¡± she roared. ¡°Never again will you hurt anyone! Never again will I fear you! Never!¡± The next few moments passed in a blur. Zyryxa and Natazia celebrated her, calling her things like the Sabretooth Slayer or the Loxzua Lioness. Zyryxa boasted about Lexyn¡¯s speed, her skill, the sharpness of her slices as if it were the most wonderful thing in the whole world. Lexyn was proud, was thankful for her sister¡¯s forging of her skills, but she just wanted to fall into Pelzyq¡¯s arms, to climb atop him, and ride him til the sun set and rose again. She picked him up, carrying him into the gelubor until silk undergarments were the only thing climbing the tree branches, ignoring Zyryxa¡¯s sarcastic remarks about how she would happily process what was left of the sabretooths. When the riding was done¡ªand proper homage given to Leverith and Qoryxa¡ªshe fell into Pelzyq¡¯s arms beneath a sunny sky and crystalline canopy, feeling peace. Breathing heavy, covered in blood and sweat, she intertwined her fingers with his. Her eyes locked onto his, their naked bodies pressed together, and connected in more ways than one. ¡°You are too good,¡± she said, kissing his cheek over and over. Lexyn was thankful for him, and for the nirathra herb that let them do this without risking pregnancy. Yet. She knew she held onto the father of her children, the love of her life. In thirteen years, or when they both rode dragons and had clearance from the Ice Champion, she would carry their children. ¡°You¡¯re the best thing that ever happened to me,¡± she told him, knowing today that it was truer than ever. She was prepared for a quip about him being ¡°not merely good.¡± She wasn¡¯t expecting him to break into sobs, to bury his face into her neck, to cling to her like he would die if he let go. Leverith, he was beautiful. Qoryxa, he was more than good. Practically perfect, for her. ¡°I love you,¡± she whispered. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, weeping. ¡°I¡­ I think I might finally be starting to love me too.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Their laughter rang through the gelubor as they wiped away at each other¡¯s eyes. Happy days were ahead. Or they would¡¯ve been, if it weren¡¯t for the real monsters in the world. Natazia crashed into the forest. ¡°Hide,¡± she said, her voice hushed, her breathing just as rapid as Lexyn¡¯s had been before she faced her fear. Natazia lunged for a hollowed-out tree and made herself as small as she could. Cradling herself, she trembled, burying her head into the back of the tree. Lexyn reached for her clothes, pulling her top on before she could find her undergarment. Pelzyq dressed beside her, exchanging a shrug, his brow furrowed. Zyryxa crept toward Lexyn, moving through the forest like a silent assassin. She found Lexyn¡¯s underwear on a tree branch and tossed them her way. ¡°Stay low,¡± she whispered. ¡°Stay quiet.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Lexyn mouthed, sitting down to put on the rest of her furs. Zyryxa looked up, clutching her greataxe. She didn¡¯t shake like Natazia, but Lexyn could read the concern in how tightly Zyryxa gripped to the haft. High above, a dark form eclipsed the sun, casting them all in shadow. Lexyn knew that dragon, a midnight blue, just like her own hair, massive in scale. Coryza. Ridden by the knight of Riverwatch. Natazia cried in her little hideaway, muttering, ¡°Not him. Not him. Not him.¡± Chapter 49: The Knight of Riverwatch Zyryxa crouched in the forest, hiding from the dark shape circling the skies above. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. They¡¯d cut south long before reaching the Everice, long before they should have ventured from Gaeliz¡¯s into Hatrox¡¯s domain. Yet, happened it did. Zyryxa remembered his eyes on her, taking her in, coveting her just over a year ago at her last tournament in the Frostmelt. She didn¡¯t want those eyes claiming her again. Not until she had a dragon of her own to refute him with. She clutched her mother¡¯s axe, knowing it wouldn¡¯t protect them here. Their best hope was that they ducked into the woods before being spotted. Zyryxa¡¯s stomach churned with each passing rotation the dragon made. There was no hope in hiding. She didn¡¯t know how long Coryza had gone unnoticed while they butchered the sabretooths out in the open tundra, but a dragon¡¯s eyes wouldn¡¯t have had any issue detecting movement from so far away. Hatrox was inevitable. Better to go on with it than to remain in fear of it. Natazia cried inside of a broken gelubor, her breathing frantic as she muttered, ¡°Not him.¡± Lexyn and Pelzyq crouched near her, their hands intertwined, gazes toward the shadow in the sky. Beyond Natazia¡¯s whines, the woods were silent enough to make one¡¯s anxious thoughts loud. The mighty blue dragon that was nearly dark as night sky was as quiet as a shadow. But not for long. The dragon let out a roar, sharpening its descent. ¡°No!¡± Natazia shrieked. ¡°Get out of my head! Get out!¡± ¡°Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes,¡± Zyryxa cursed. ¡°The dragon¡¯s telepathy,¡± she said to Lexyn and Pelzyq. ¡°They¡¯ve found her.¡± ¡°Natazia,¡± Lexyn said, a tear in her eye as she glanced toward their leader. She started toward Natazia, but Pelzyq seized her hand. ¡°No,¡± he said softly. ¡°The best thing we can do for her is to face him in her stead.¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Zyryxa said. Natazia¡¯s head right now would feel as if it were being split open by Coryza, while Hatrox¡¯s thoughts crept into the tear like an infection. ¡°I will meet him. The rest of you can stay here.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve survived men like him before,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°I will face him with you.¡± Zyryxa nodded, proud to call this man her brother. ¡°There are no men like him,¡± Natazia whimpered, clutching her head, lips twitching like she was a little girl that had just been slapped by her guardian. ¡°Provoke him, Pelzyq, and you won¡¯t survive.¡± ¡°Then I better go too,¡± Lexyn said, claiming Pelzyq¡¯s wrist. ¡°To make sure you behave.¡± Pelzyq snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll behave.¡± ¡°I mean it,¡± Natazia said, her breath still coming too fast. ¡°He will kill any man that inconveniences him, that gets between him and his chosen toy.¡± Her renewed sobbing made it clear that Natazia knew that firsthand. She buried herself into the hollowed-out gelubor, curled up, and cried. Zyryxa steadied her own breathing, aware of the trembling she couldn¡¯t master. ¡°We have orders from Vaztyma. He cannot change our course. Stay here, Natazia. We will be right back.¡± Xilliax lingered behind with her rider, while Dryxl and Maxilla cowed within the forest. Only Zyrxl followed Zyryxa, Pelzyq, and Lexyn out of the gelubor as the dragon neared the ice. Zyryxa tried not to judge them as cowards for hiding, especially Natazia, but she knew that she¡¯d never be able to look at herself if she ordered her subordinates to go someplace she couldn¡¯t lead them. This man had made Natazia into nothing; Zyryxa swore to never let anyone hold such power over her, especially Hatrox. Coryza¡¯s wingbeat sent shockwaves of force onto the tundra. Up close, it was clear this creature was no smaller than Praedax and larger than Qorzillux had been. The second oldest ice dragon, and the darkest among them with the darkest history. Coryza¡¯s riders had a reputation for being cold of heart and dark of deed. Yet, was that because the dragon was foul or merely fouled by the riders¡¯ blackened souls. Coryza bared his fangs, massive spikes just as large as Zyryxa stained blue with the blood of whatever creatures it consumed. Zyryxa stood her ground, rose to her full height, met the dragon¡¯s dark blue eyes without flinching. Beside her, the wingbeats buffeted Lexyn and Pelzyq, forcing them back several steps. Zyryxa did not give way. Let Hatrox see that she wouldn¡¯t be afraid, that she wouldn¡¯t break. When the mighty creature landed, the ground shook, rattling the gelubor at Zyryxa¡¯s back, causing several of the crystalline branches to break off and shatter. Again, she stood proud, unwilling to show fear or weakness. Someday, she would rule over this beast too, and its knight. Let him see that she wouldn¡¯t be intimidated now or ever. The Knight of Riverwatch vaulted off the dragon¡¯s spiked back. Hatrox wasn¡¯t huge, as Abbaz or Valinax were. Indeed, he was no taller than Zyryxa, smaller than even Pelzyq. He wore furs as white as his soul was rumored to be black. On his back, sheathed in an ¡°X¡± shape were two terrible weapons: a thick, flaming sword wrought from a fire dragon¡¯s bones and an axe crafted of an ice dragon¡¯s bones with the longest and sleekest of hafts. Two throwing axes were sheathed at his waist, qoryxite just like Zyryxa¡¯s, the blades made of some bone that was not dragon, but something far more terrible. This man had met, and defeated, a yasmar, a foul spawn of Zamael. No doubt he thought his little axes a warning to those that thought to oppose him. Zyryxa was determined to see that he was just a man. He was stocky, an indomitable physique cloaked beneath his furs. His face, Zyryxa noted with displeasure, was not displeasing to look upon. Unscarred, unblemished, with eminently masculine qualities. She sought an imperfection. She found none. Those light blue eyes pierced straight into her, sending shivers down her spine, speaking of an intelligence that could rival his might. His hair was also light blue, matching his eyes, adding to his ethereal, yet powerful, appeal. Zyryxa was more intrigued than afraid, at least for a few heartbeats. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. He was every bit the opposite of tall, lean Rivux, and yet was no less alluring. A paragon of power and beauty he was. Zyryxa gulped, knowing that if not for his reputation, for his lack of compassion, she¡¯d see him as a most worthy consort. She tried to kill this part of her that felt a yearning, remembering the scars on Natazia¡¯s body, on her mind, in her soul. This man was a monster, a symbol of everything wrong with a meritocracy built upon raw might. The only thing she ought to covet was his demise. Hatrox took in a breath, sighing, his eyes never leaving Zyryxa. That same possessive grin that she¡¯d experienced in the Frostmelt fell upon her, like she was the finest blade on the rack. Pride and fear warred within Zyryxa. She knew, even with just those few heartbeats, that he¡¯d choose her above anyone else. She felt special, felt like she was seen as more than Natazia, more than even Vaztyma. As she should be. She was better. Superior. Rather than repulsed, she gravitated toward the attention, wanting to prove that she could make it where Natazia had not. She clenched her jaw, determined to fight this impulse, to protect her brood from his meddling. His voice was pure ice, somehow both empty of emotion and full of malice. ¡°Why do you wander like lost wyrmlings looking for their dead mother.¡± Zyryxa clenched Zyrthalla¡¯s greataxe. He knew. Thirteen Divines! He knew. Her voice was harsh, combative. Proud. She didn¡¯t need to kill her desire to be seen by him. He did that himself. ¡°The Champion sent us on the Rite of the Dragon Knight. We seek the qione of Nix Tezyk.¡± He smiled, baring his bloodstained teeth. ¡°So young, so unprepared for a such a trial. Why, you three match the description of the greenbloods Vaztyma was supposed to send to me for honing.¡± He tut-tutted. ¡°Time to come home, little wyrmlings, and to be taught how to become dragons.¡± Zyryxa took a step toward him, ripping out the axe he¡¯d thrown into her pride. ¡°We¡¯ve proven our worth to the Champion. We slaughtered an ancient ice wyrm, defended homesteads from beasts and Fire Tribe raiders. We defeated four broods of Faxiq¡¯s finest, including Matyxal. We brought down a fire dragon, capturing the knight Rivux. We need no honing from you.¡± His smile widened, though his eyes narrowed. ¡°But you do, Zyryxa. If you want to become the Ice Champion.¡± He spread his arms out, stepping toward her. ¡°You will never get there without me. I am the one who will make you great.¡± Zyryxa felt like he had shoved her into a wall, pressed her there, and stared deep into her soul. Him knowing her name, her deepest desire, was confirmation of everything she already believed. And she wasn¡¯t about to let this creep groom her. ¡°I am already great. I will become greater when I complete the trials, when I rise up Monzqora and bond Duilahir. I do not need your help, Hatrox.¡± He laughed. A brief, joyous chortle. Hatrox shook his head, his voice took on a frenetic energy, that was loaded with the sense that he spoke to them as if he were a Divine lecturing children. ¡°Natazia will fail. She always does. From her, you will learn weakness, how to hide, how to freeze, how to quit, how to break before the slightest challenge.¡± He lifted his voice, a boom resounding with command. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Natazia?¡± Natazia¡¯s whimpers were the only response she offered. ¡°See how weak she is! She isn¡¯t worth the drake she sits upon, and I doubt she was the one to capture and tame it. How will you ever bond a dragon, Natazia! You came to me as nothing and you left me as nothing!¡± Hatrox smiled, narrowing his eyes at Zyryxa. ¡°But you are not nothing, Zyryxa. When she fails you, come to me. I will make you into Ice¡¯s Champion.¡± Zyrxl growled at him, moving between Zyryxa and the Knight of Riverwatch. His hand went to a throwing axe, his lip curled with delight. She could see in his eyes that he¡¯d love having a reason to kill, to show them all just how powerful he was. Zyryxa seized Zyrxl¡¯s reins, holding her back before she could charge. ¡°Steady, Zyrxl. He¡¯s not worth it.¡± Hatrox turned his attention to Pelzyq and Lexyn for the first time, taking them in with his cold, calculating stare. Zyryxa felt more afraid now than when he focused on her, her lip trembling as he surveyed her brother and sister. Pelzyq glared at him, his breathing heavy, his hands closed into tight fists. Lexyn stared at the ground, clinging to Pelzyq. ¡°See you soon,¡± Hatrox said, his voice as charming as any Zyryxa had ever heard, ¡°if Natazia doesn¡¯t get you killed like she has every other broodmate that has followed her.¡± Pelzyq took a step forward, but Lexyn pulled him back. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she whispered. Hatrox pouted, squinted his eyes, and wrung his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he said, mimicking Lexyn, his eyes boring into her. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he repeated, his divinedamned grin rising on his perfect lips. ¡°She knows you¡¯re nothing compared to me, boy. She knows you will never be strong enough to protect her. Give it a try though. I could use the laugh.¡± Laughing, Hatrox turned his back to them. Zyryxa reached for her throwing axes, yearning to bury them in his spine as he lingered. For all that, she knew that was what he wanted. This master manipulator pulled the strings on her emotions. If she attacked, he could override Vaztyma¡¯s orders, get his hands on her. Zyryxa wouldn¡¯t play into his hand; she cut the strings free. ¡°Be gone.¡± Hatrox took in a deep breath, turned back toward her, and walked backwards with his arms outstretched. ¡°See you soon, Zyryxa. So very soon.¡± He lifted his head to Coryza. ¡°Feast, my friend. Sabretooth today.¡± He licked his lips, eying the three of them and Zyrxl. ¡°Who knows what Qoryxa will provide for us tomorrow.¡± The dark dragon ripped into the nearest sabretooth. Bones crunched like tiny twigs beneath boots as Hatrox scaled Coryza. Zyryxa turned her back, resisting the temptation to fight. Do the trials. Bond Duilahir. Any further interaction with Hatrox before then was reckless. He called down to her. ¡°Such poise! Well done, Zyryxa. I wonder who defeated the ancient wyrm? Who defended the homesteads from beasts? Who killed the most raiders? Who brought down the fire dragon and captured its rider? I know it wasn¡¯t Natazia!¡± Zyryxa turned to him, roaring. ¡°Go. Away!¡± He tut-tutted. ¡°And yet, Vaztyma doesn¡¯t name you broodleader. Do you know why, Zyryxa?¡± She strode for the gelubor. ¡°She is afraid of you taking her place! I am not afraid of your potential. I will see it realized!¡± Natazia¡¯s whimpers were like a crying baby, they were the worst sound imaginable. Zyryxa wanted to knock her out to make her shut up as Hatrox continued to call after her. ¡°When Natazia fails again, and you kill the qione, Zyryxa, you will wonder, ¡®Why do I follow her?¡¯ At Riverwatch, the strongest leads the swarm. From day one, I¡¯d put you in charge of them, second only to me. I¡¯d forge you into that which Vaztyma fears. So¡­¡± Coryza¡¯s wings battered the forest, sending gelubor shattering and crashing all around them. Zyryxa caught a large treefall, shoving it aside before it could crush cowering Natazia. Lexyn dove beneath another as Pelzyq redirected it. ¡°See you soon,¡± Hatrox finished, Coryza taking off. Chapter 50: Nix Tezyk Zyryxa saw Nix Tezyk from miles away. The land between was barren¡ªno crystalline trees, no tundra flowers, no viridix. No life. It was a dead place ruled by creatures that sought to bring even more death. Most of all, Nix Tezyk was a raging tempest of ice. An unnatural blizzard roared across the tundra, moving like a wall rising from the ground rather than a storm descending from the sky. Beyond her past sightings of the everlasting blizzard, she¡¯d never seen anything like it. From this distance, a sunny sky hovered above the blizzard, yet no light pierced the dense hurricane of snow. The only thing keeping Zyryxa from sharing Lexyn¡¯s open-mouthed wonder were the white wyverns gliding within the storm. Her hand hesitated on the handle of her greataxe as she clenched her jaw shut. Natazia stared into the storm, her face dispassionate¡ªone of its two possible states since Hatrox had descended on them days ago. Zyryxa inhaled the frigid air, hoping to cleanse her resentment. Instead, it seemed trapped within her, unable to escape. Everything she did seemed to upset Natazia now. If Zyryxa thrived in battle, Natazia snapped at her and grew bitterly cold. When Zyryxa made even the rarest mistake¡ªor even when she was flawless¡ªNatazia fixated on it, roaring about how she needed to do better. Should Zyryxa offer a suggestion, Natazia shut it down and did the opposite, no matter how stupid. Zyryxa was sick of her drakeshit, a vindictive part of her wanting to be the one to slay the qione just to prove she was better. Instead of calling out the wyverns circling within the blizzard¡¯s rim, Zyryxa let Natazia lead them into an ambush. Better that than further fracturing the brood with her competence. She glared at Natazia¡¯s back. Ever since Hatrox, she¡¯d been a fragment of the woman Zyryxa had respected. Gone was Natazia¡¯s warmth. No laughter, no smiles¡ªonly bitter commands. No matter how soft Zyryxa tried to be, anytime she spoke, it was like touching a wound on a feral beast. She hoped it would get better, that patience would help Natazia shake off Hatrox¡¯s influence. But each day, the rift seemed to grow. Whether Zyryxa, Pelzyq, or Lexyn tried to share their warmth, Natazia offered only cold. Rather than keeping her eyes forward, Natazia watched the skies¡ªexcept, of course, when wyverns flew overhead. In battle, she made beginner¡¯s mistakes that even Lexyn had grown beyond. Her stockpile of spears thinned daily from bad thrusts or throws. Two days ago, she allowed a sabretooth to pounce on her, needing Lexyn to rescue her. Yesterday, Pelzyq stopped her from walking blindly into a crater. Both times, she shoved them aside, berating them for not staying in line. Zyryxa¡¯s knuckles whitened as she squeezed her axe handle. What drove her maddest was that they couldn¡¯t even talk about Hatrox without Natazia shutting them down. They had to tiptoe around her, like they were in the middle of Lazael and the ice beneath them was cracking. If they could just expose the damage he¡¯d done, they could start to mend it. Instead, Natazia seemed determined to prove the monster right. ¡°Keep moving,¡± Natazia snapped as Zyryxa fell behind. Zyryxa wanted to crack Natazia¡¯s skull open and force her to think straight. Hatrox hadn¡¯t laid a finger on them, yet he¡¯d damaged the brood. Possibly beyond repair. Zyryxa wondered if it would be better to abandon her for Riverwatch. No. She didn¡¯t want to endure whatever had broken Natazia. She certainly never wanted to be this insufferable. Then again, Zyryxa knew she¡¯d never let herself become like Natazia. She was stronger, smarter, more resilient. Perhaps Hatrox¡¯s brutality could push her to greater heights. He¡¯d promised to make her into Ice¡¯s Champion while Vaztyma would always try to restrain Zyryxa¡¯s growth, perhaps even sabotage her attempt to bond Duilahir. No matter how harsh Hatrox was, at least he¡¯d be competent. Zyryxa could lead the Riverwatch swarm as his second and use his power to slay Saevah. If she could protect herself from him, she could achieve everything she wanted. But compassion held her back. She tried to remember the Natazia who had laughed with her around the fire, sharing secrets, fears, and hopes. Friends, sisters, couldn¡¯t give up on each other when it got hard. If Zyrthalla hadn¡¯t given up on Abbaz after he threw her through a tarandrux¡¯s skull, Zyryxa could weather this storm, face the cold, and pull her friend from this abyss. True weakness would be giving up now. Sighing, she tried her best. Zyryxa pointed up at the storm as they neared the blizzard¡¯s edge. She tried to play dumb. No, it wasn¡¯t easy. Yes, it strained her pride. But she remembered the verses of ¡°The Warrior¡¯s Pride,¡± determined not to let this be the end of them. ¡°Some of those snowflakes are huge.¡± Natazia ignored her, but Lexyn and Pelzyq looked up. ¡°Those aren¡¯t snowflakes,¡± Lexyn said, wary. She met Zyryxa¡¯s gaze, her eyes full of insight. ¡°Those are wyverns.¡± Natazia¡¯s focus sharpened like a spear dislodged from ice. Her eyes darted up to the wyverns, her familiar frown disgraced her face. ¡°I was waiting for one of you to notice,¡± she said, her voice like a whip. Drakeshit, Zyryxa thought. She imagined hurling Natazia at the wyverns. It¡¯d likely do more damage to the beasts than Natazia¡¯s spears given the way she¡¯d been fighting the past few days. ¡°They¡¯re small,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Nothing we can¡¯t handle.¡± ¡°Lygian wyverns,¡± Natazia said. ¡°Fast, fierce, with venomous fangs. The poison stings for days.¡± She smiled at Zyryxa. Zyryxa drew her axe. ¡°Orders?¡± Natazia hesitated longer than she would¡¯ve in the past. ¡°Zyryxa will go in first and get their attention. Pelzyq and I will flank. Lexyn, aim for their wings so they can¡¯t take flight.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Zyryxa¡¯s glare said, I¡¯m so happy to be poison bait. Her voice said, ¡°I¡¯ll try to save some for you.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for Natazia¡¯s reaction. With a kick, Zyrxl galloped into the ice. The blizzard wall hit like a plunge into freezing water. The only things colder she could recall were Praedax¡¯s breath and being drenched in the blood of the white wyrm. Her breath misted in front of her as she struggled to make out shapes above. Lexyn¡¯s arrows would be nearly useless in these conditions. Stupid fucking Natazia. The first white-winged beast swooped toward her. Zyryxa¡¯s axe split its underside, carving from jaw to tail. She shifted Zyrxl to the left, dodging another wyvern¡¯s talons. The third took an axe to the wing and crashed into the snow. Zyrxl trampled its spine, ending its struggle. Pain burst in her shoulder as something tore through her furs. The venom¡¯s sting would come later, but Zyryxa seized the offending wyvern by its slender throat before it could clamp its teeth around her head. She squeezed, feeling divine wrath flow through her as if she were Qoryxa¡¯s judge and executioner. The ice was hers and she felt no pain. Only a cold rage that demanded justice. The wyvern spat venom, but she twisted its neck away from her face. Another wyvern dove toward her, thinking to strike while she was distracted. Roaring, she wielded the wyvern in her grip like a hammer, smashing it into the skull of the ambusher, resulting in an explosion of bone and blood. Scanned the storm, Zyryxa spotted her broodmates behind her, their forms faint through the swirling snow, wyverns raining down on them. She kicked Zyrxl toward Lexyn, but the girl was already charging headfirst at one of the wyverns. She veered Dryxl aside at the last moment, her sword parting a wing. Lexyn launched from the saddle, spun through the air, and drove her blade through the creature¡¯s skull. She glanced up, saw Zyryxa¡¯s approach, and howled, ¡°Help Natazia!¡± Zyryxa spun Zyrxl. She saw Pelzyq first, grappling a wyvern, using its skull as a snow shovel. Natazia had either fallen or leapt from Xilliax. She threw a spear at one wyvern, but the beast evaded with ease, spinning free of the attack like a particularly elegant corkscrew. Another wyvern lunged, and Natazia barely deflected the attack with her last spear before falling onto her back. Zyryxa cleaved one wyvern in two as it swooped toward Natazia. Sensing movement, she whipped a qoryxite handaxe through the air, lodging it into the other wyvern¡¯s skull. She retrieved her weapons, cleaned the venomous blood off, fought off shivers, and tried to detect whether there were more wyverns lurking. Most of all, she braced for Natazia¡¯s inevitable outburst. ¡°Get their attention, I said!¡± Natazia shouted. ¡°Half of them came after us! You ruined the entire plan!¡± Zyryxa rolled her eyes. ¡°Some plan! Arrows with this visibility? I charged in, took out half of them by myself, Lexyn and Pelzyq handled themselves, and you needed saving. Again.¡± ¡°I¡¯m leader of this brood!¡± ¡°Leader? You¡¯re not even in command of yourself anymore.¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Pelzyq roared. ¡°We need to get warm before this divinedamned blizzard freezes us.¡± He was right. Zyryxa felt the cold penetrating her furs and seeping into her bones. Lexyn trembled, and Pelzyq wrapped an arm around her as their drakes huddled close. ¡°No,¡± Natazia said. ¡°We need to kill the cold¡¯s source. A qione is near.¡± She searched the ground for her second spear. Zyryxa was too petty to tell her that she wasn¡¯t even looking in the right direction. Let the bitch go barehanded if that was what it took to get her to cut the drakeshit. Pelzyq scoffed. ¡°Lexyn will¡ª¡± ¡°Drink the potion and power through the cold,¡± Natazia interrupted. ¡°All of you, drink.¡± Lexyn produced four vials from her pack and wasted no time drinking the first one herself. Pelzyq followed. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, wiping the tonic from his grizzled face. ¡°Warms me up almost as well as the lovely lady who brewed it.¡± Lexyn nudged him with her elbow and offered another vial toward Zyryxa and Natazia, her eyes pleading for peace between them. ¡°Go ahead,¡± Natazia snapped. Zyryxa flexed her fingers. She could manage the cold. ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± ¡°Drink the fucking potion.¡± Zyryxa was ready to mount Zyrxl when she caught sight of Lexyn¡¯s pleading eyes. She released the reins, stomped toward Lexyn, and drained the vial in one gulp. Pelzyq wasn¡¯t wrong. The drink was sweeter than milk and lacked the sting of liquor. Instantly, her stomach warmed, then the heat spread through her driving away the cold. She felt comfortable even, like she could lie down in the blizzard and take a nap. Not that she was stupid enough to do so nor tired of anything except Natazia¡¯s drakeshit. ¡°Not bad,¡± she agreed, nodding at Lexyn. ¡°Natazia,¡± Lexyn said, waving the fourth vial. ¡°I don¡¯t need it,¡± she snapped. Zyryxa wondered if it had sounded so bitchy when she said it. Lexyn opened her mouth to protest, but Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°Let her be cold,¡± she mouthed. Lexyn frowned but she slid the vial back into her pack. ¡°Not so cold anymore, eh?¡± Pelzyq said. Lexyn nodded, though she still folded her arms over her chest and huddled tight. Pelzyq draped his blanket around her shoulders then put his arm around her. ¡°Let¡¯s go kill this icy ghost.¡± Zyryxa could nod to that. ¡°Quit the chatter,¡± Natazia howled. It stealth was her complaint, she was several magnitudes louder than they¡¯d been. Zyryxa savored Natazia¡¯s shivers, the chattering of her teeth. She tried to let go of this venom, but if flowed through her. Reminded, she glanced at her shoulder. A viscous green fluid bubbled, mingling with her blood. ¡°How should we tend this?¡± she asked Lexyn, not bothering to be quiet. Lexyn spied the wound for the first time. Her mind worked quick, piecing together a treatment plan. ¡°Mundex fluid to disinfect the wound and,¡± she glanced at Dryxl, ¡°we can use a drake to suck out the poison.¡± Zyryxa laughed. ¡°Dryxl is used to sucking up blood after a fight.¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Natazia screamed. ¡°Focus!¡± Her voice echoed through the storm, answered by the beating of great wings. Overhead, a dragon soared just above the raging snow of Nix Tezyk. Its roar trumpeted over the winds. Seizing her axe, Zyryxa tried to discern the dragon¡¯s identity, particularly whether it belonged to ice or fire. Her eyes failed her, the image distorted by the blizzard. Still all became clear when the dragon projected its mind to her, sharing a single thought. Mother? Chapter 51: The Twin Qorzillux? Mom? A lump caught in Zyryxa¡¯s throat. The dragon¡¯s mind pressed against hers, its presence unsettlingly familiar. Was there a piece of her mother still lingering within? If she reached for Zyrthalla, would she be acknowledged? Be proud of her even in death? Or was she chasing a ghost? Worse¡ªwhat if the dragon¡¯s unbonded state left it nothing more than a feral beast, untamed and unrecognizable? What if her mother attacked her? What if? What if? What if? Zyryxa despised the uncertainty, wearing it like an ill-fitting foreign garment that itched against her skin. The dragon¡¯s mind was a storm, a mirror of her own turmoil, swirling with anxiety that fed her own. Are you Mother? The dragon asked, its wingbeats growing heavier as it descended into the blizzard. Lexyn screamed, ¡°Dragon!¡± Natazia cowered beneath her drake, muttering, ¡°Not him.¡± Pelzyq grabbed Lexyn¡¯s arm. He drew his axe, bracing for battle. Zyryxa didn¡¯t attend to them. Why would Qorzillux ask that? Then she remembered what Abbaz had said about the dragon that claimed Nix Tezyk as its roost. No. You¡¯re not the one that made me, Amarzallax transmitted. Your egg was made at my conception, Zyryxa answered. We are twins. Zyryxa¡¯s pulse quickened. She wanted to see Amarzallax, to lock eyes with the one bound to her by creation. ¡°We have to run,¡± Natazia said, shaking as she climbed into Xilliax¡¯s saddle. ¡°No,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°I will see Amarzallax.¡± ¡°Amarzallax?¡± Lexyn said, teeth chattering despite her warming tonic. ¡°Not Coryza?¡± Zyryxa nodded. ¡°I will meet my twin.¡± ¡°No,¡± Natazia snapped. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Before the feral dragon decides we¡¯d make a splendid dinner.¡± Zyryxa clenched her fists. She was so divinedamned sick of this divinedamned envious bitch. She wished she could abandon her here, leave her to the storm while she and her true companions completed the rite. ¡°Pelzyq wants to see the dragon too,¡± he said. ¡°Even though he is happily paired with the beautiful Lexyn, how could he ever forgive himself if he misses his chance to see the illustrious Zyryxa in dragon form?¡± A roar split the sky, sending fresh terror through the drakes. ¡°Sounds just like her,¡± Lexyn said, smiling through her chattering teeth. Are you worthy of me? Are you the one that will end this madness? Amarzallax¡¯s voice rippled through Zyryxa¡¯s mind. The dragon circled through the blizzard, lower and lower, a blurred shadow in the howling snow. Even at just seventeen years, she was massive, her flight faster than Qorzillux ever was. ¡°Anybody else hear that?¡± Pelzyq asked. Zyryxa met his gaze and nodded. ¡°My sister seeks to test us.¡± Natazia¡¯s eyes darted between them. Zyryxa could read her expression like an illustrated book. She didn¡¯t hear the dragon¡¯s challenge. She wasn¡¯t chosen. Confusion gave way to a brief envy. Zyryxa almost felt sorry for her. Then she remembered that she wasn¡¯t worthy. Not unless she changed from this envious creature of the past several days. ¡°I heard it,¡± Lexyn whispered. ¡°She wants us to temper her mind, to bring her sanity through the bond. I wish I could.¡± Lexyn swallowed, her gentle eyes grew watery. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amarzallax. I¡¯m not ready for you.¡± ¡°You will be,¡± Pelzyq said, draping an arm around her back. Zyryxa loved them. She freezing loved them with all her heart. Then there was Natazia. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°Get on your drakes,¡± Natazia said. ¡°We complete the rite first. Then one of you may return to claim this lesser dragon.¡± A shriek pierced the blizzard, so sharp and raw that even the drakes whined in pain. Zyryxa cringed, gritting her teeth against the hideous noise. ¡°I don¡¯t sound like that.¡± Pelzyq chuckled. ¡°Sure, you don¡¯t.¡± Forget what she thought about loving him. He could eat yellow snow. ¡°We¡¯re leaving!¡± Natazia shouted. ¡°Now!¡± Zyryxa repressed the urge to scream at her, to thrash her with naught but her more powerful fists. But what would bother her the most would be to show control, to show that her words had no power. She turned her back on Natazia. She would see her twin. ¡°I am ready, Amarzallax!¡± I will destroy you, sister, unless you are worthy of me. Her anxiety was replaced with cold confidence. Zyryxa knew she was as worthy as Amarzallax. Forged by the same love. Bound by fate. Her brood spoke in tense tones, moved around, but Zyryxa tuned them out as her mind melded with Amarzallax¡¯s. Do your worst. I am ready. The ground trembled as the dragon landed, her sleek, crystalline form emerging from the snow. A crown of jagged ice horns adorned her head, and her body glimmered with layers of frozen beauty. She was magnificent¡ªan ice dragon perfected, born to be the queen of the sky. Zyryxa¡¯s breath caught. Amarzallax was a masterwork of Qoryxa. She had never seen such splendor in another creature, except when gazing at her own reflection. A part of her heart yearned for one that could match her in beauty. But beauty alone wouldn¡¯t prove the dragon¡¯s fit to be the bond of the future Ice Champion. Amarzallax thought to test Zyryxa but the dragon herself would be measured accordingly to her inclination toward compassion and her power. All these thoughts, these feelings, flowed uninterrupted between dragon and human. Amarzallax chafed at being tested even as she basked in the admiration of her aesthetic grandeur. In her arrogance, the dragon craved not only adoration, but worship. Zyryxa¡¯s assertion that she might not be strong enough, stoked the feral dragon¡¯s wrath. Yet, underneath that louder emotion, Zyryxa sensed the loneliness at Amarzallax¡¯s core. She too craved a bond with one who was worthy of her. More than anything, she wanted Zyryxa to be as strong as she believed herself to be. Zyryxa braced. She knew what was coming, knew that she must be ice. A torrent of frozen death engulfed Zyryxa, numbing her limbs, stealing her breath. The cold tried to tear through her flesh, to shatter her bones, to paralyze and kill. Everything burned, screaming with pain. Zyryxa did not yield. Her voice was steady despite the pain. ¡°I seek your blessing, Qoryxa. I vow to embody your justice. I will stand upon the zenith of your power, your beauty, your compassion. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves and destroy those that would use their strength to oppress. I will be your champion. I will be ice!¡± Zyryxa felt Her, a familiar presence that often came to her in battle. Soft hands upon her face. A warmth in her chest. A gentle whisper in her mind. You are worthy. ¡°I am worthy!¡± she roared, as she became ice itself. The change was instant, though she¡¯d been training for it all her life. She felt it in her bones, in her skin, in her soul. Zyryxa¡¯s flesh hardened, growing heavier as if her skin were scale. The everlasting blizzard¡¯s chill became no colder than a summer¡¯s day in Loxzua with a light sea breeze. Amarzallax¡¯s breath was invigorated her. Zyryxa felt Divine Qoryxa embracing her, blessing her with divinity, with ice. Amarzallax ceased the storm, the unrelenting blast of white relenting at last. The dragon loomed over her, sapphire eyes assessing. You are worthy, the dragon agreed. Beautiful. Powerful. For a human. Zyryxa placed a hand on her twin¡¯s neck. ¡°And so are you.¡± She didn¡¯t feel the need to qualify her praise. Amarzallax shuddered at her touch. Feral thoughts that were wild and frenzied grew coherent and calm. This¡­ is freedom? The dragon lifted her head, crystalline horns gleaming. Bond me. I don¡¯t want to lose myself again. Zyryxa¡¯s throat tightened. She imagined a life of pure instinct, ruled by unbridled emotion, lost in the storm of one¡¯s basest whims. To be alone, out of control of yourself, and without love. Amarzallax deserved better. ¡°You are worthy,¡± Zyryxa whispered. Tears stung her eyes, freezing on her face that no longer felt the sting of cold. ¡°And I love you.¡± Tension melted from Amarzallax. Then we will be one? Zyryxa hesitated. To bond a dragon without Vaztyma¡¯s blessing, to bind herself to a dragon not yet strong enough to stand against Praedax¡­ it would be impulsive. Rivux¡¯s Infyriux had been fast and powerful too, but it couldn¡¯t contend with a dragon that had the power earned over the course of centuries. Sighing, Zyryxa knew that the same could be said of her. She herself remembered Vaztyma¡¯s might and knew that hers was the lesser. She had to swallow her pride. For now. ¡°Neither of us are ready,¡± she said. The words tasted bitter. ¡°I must complete the Rite of the Dragon Knight. And I need the Ice Champion¡¯s blessing.¡± The dragon¡¯s despair crashed into her mind. Amarzallax shattered the link. Her tail, a long sleek lance-like whip, lashed out at her. Zyryxa ducked beneath it, drew her axe, watching as the dragon¡¯s jagged, crystalline wings battered the air. With a furious roar, Amarzallax took flight. She stood in the storm, endured another round of Amarzallax¡¯s breath. ¡°You will be bonded soon,¡± Zyryxa promised. Whether with me, Pelzyq, or Lexyn. Zyryxa watched her disappear into the blizzard. ¡°Until next time,¡± she murmured, hopeful that there would be a next time and that her sister¡¯s loneliness would end. Chapter 52: The Heart of the Blizzard Natazia didn¡¯t speak to Zyryxa for the rest of the day as they delved deeper into the blizzard. When they camped for the night, she ordered Pelzyq and Lexyn out of their tent and claimed it as her own. It didn¡¯t matter when Lexyn suggested that sleeping alone was a risk or when Pelzyq boldly called out that she and Zyryxa needed to kiss and make up. Zyryxa shared a tent with the lovers, overhearing their smooching and the lovey-dovey talk that she silently envied. She stared at a corner of the tent, alternating between wishing she could be doing the same with Rivux and reminiscing on the days where it was just her and Lexyn. The most annoying part of the evening wasn¡¯t being ambushed by a horned mammoth after she¡¯d finally fallen asleep, but trying to block out the sound of their sex while she pretended to be asleep. Lexyn tried to stifle those moans, but Pelzyq¡¯s bestial grunting made her wish she could share a tent with two mammoths fucking instead. Thus, Zyryxa woke groggy and grumpy on the day with the highest probability of her life ending (so far) with Pelzyq¡¯s exposed front a foot from her head. She broke the tent down while they still slept so that Pelzyq had to rush out of the collapsing canvas with his cock flopping around in the blizzard. ¡°What the fuck!¡± Pelzyq shouted, shivering wildly as he donned his furs. Zyryxa smirked. ¡°What the fuck, indeed. It¡¯s bad enough I had to listen to you grunting like a gura that was dropped on its head at birth let alone wake up to you trying to poke out my eye.¡± Pelzyq guffawed. Lexyn was less amused, emerging from the collapsed tent with a sour face. ¡°I would¡¯ve appreciated a warning.¡± ¡°Me too,¡± Zyryxa said, her smirk breaking into a true smile. The three of them were laughing, tending their drakes and making sure everything was tucked in when Natazia emerged from her tent. At one look from her, the laughter died. She didn¡¯t meet Zyryxa¡¯s gaze. Instead, she gave them the redundant order to break everything down and pack up. She ordered Zyryxa to break down her tent too. Zyryxa cocked her fist, felt her muscles contract, ready to shove her bitch face into the snow and tell her to do it herself. Lexyn put a hand on her arm and offered to help. Pelzyq joined them a moment later while Natazia looked away, doing nothing. Zyryxa hoped that the qione got Natazia today. Either way, she hoped this was the last day she¡¯d have to follow Natazia¡¯s orders because she wouldn¡¯t last much longer like this without either leaving her or beating her to death. She held tight to Zyrxl while they moved, trusting the drake to sense something in this blurred world of snow before she would. Then again, she remembered sneaking up on Zyrxl when they first met, her cover only blown by Dryxl¡¯s appetites. Even the drakes were struggling to tolerate the cold and Lexyn, with the warming tonic, looked like she would freeze in place before too long if they didn¡¯t kill the source of the blizzard. Natazia had even grudgingly and quietly taken the warming tonic, doing everything she could to avoid Zyryxa¡¯s triumphant sneer. The blizzard didn¡¯t bother her. The ice was hers. Not Natazia¡¯s apparently. A movement ahead caught Zyryxa¡¯s attention. She released Zyrxl¡¯s reins and drew her axe, stepping closer to the mysterious creature. The rest of the party drew their weapons after she did, trying to see into the storm. Natazia¡¯s expression grew taut, her posture weak. Zyryxa lifted her hand, motioning for them to stay put as she stepped toward the beast. Natazia didn¡¯t try to countermand her, either from cowardice or the hope that the creature would rid her of Zyryxa. She took pride in having that effect on the cold bitch. Creeping through the snow, the beast took shape not as a ghostly woman but as a mythical horse than many believed didn¡¯t exist. Zyryxa¡¯s mouth open, she realized she and Amarzallax had a competitor. The legendary Blizzardmane was a majestic beauty. Bearing a body of deep blue fur that struck a perfect balance of sleek and powerful, a glorious mane and tail that looked like blue fire, and a snow-white horn above its icy blue eyes, no drake would ever compare. Sorry, Zyrxl. Not sorry, Dryxl. Zyryxa tried to catch her breath as it fogged in front of her. She needed to tame this legend, suddenly remembering her father singing songs about the creature and promising that if she was a good girl and did her chores and stayed away from boys she would one day ride the Blizzardmane. Zyryxa didn¡¯t know if the tales that being a maiden pure of virtue were true, but she was suddenly grateful that it wasn¡¯t her stuck under Pelzyq last night or licking Lexyn. She whistled to the beast, causing its head to snap her way. The Blizzardmane answered with a soft snort, taking a stride toward her. Waving at the beast, Zyryxa thought her heart couldn¡¯t fill with more love but it did. She reached her hand toward the Blizzardmane. It reared up, standing on its hind legs. Releasing a loud neigh, the Blizzardmane dashed into the blizzard. Zyryxa was left stupefied, wondering where she had gone wrong. She felt like a jilted lover even though she had never been kissed, her dreams of a relationship shattered even though the future had been laid out perfectly. Her lament was disrupted by a woman¡¯s high-pitched shriek. It didn¡¯t belong to Natazia or Lexyn. It certainly didn¡¯t come from her. Relieved that it wasn¡¯t her that scared away the Blizzardmane, Zyryxa drew her axe already furious with the monster. ¡°Form up!¡± Natazia shouted. ¡°Watch for the floating orbs of ice. Remember. Ranged attacks.¡± The blizzard intensified, snow swirling so fast that any ranged attack risked hitting the wrong target if you lost your positioning. Zyryxa lost sight of her companions, seeing only blurred forms in the storm. One of the ice balls shot toward her, a large circular orb of blue with red eyes, no nose, and a huge mouth emitting frost. Zyryxa dodged to the side of it, bringing down her axe as it floated past her, confident that she could endure its dying burst. Cracks spread across the creature¡¯s icy visage. It huffed in the cold, some of the cracks thinning and fading, as it expanded in size. She spared a thought for her throwing axes but hesitated, wanting both to be saved for the qione herself. Zyrxl leapt onto the orb monster, claws raking against the ice, teeth gnashing, forging cracks. The monster whirled in the air, faster and faster, spiraling around Zyryxa while it carried a clinging Zyrxl. The coldscale slipped off, landed hard on the ground, and rolled a few times before clambering back to her feet. Zyryxa took the opening, swinging her axe through the monster¡¯s open mouth as it expanded again. The axe cleaved the creature in two, slicing straight out the back of it. Instead of falling dead, the bisected ball glowed a brighter blue, the air around it distorting. Zyryxa¡¯s bones vibrated as it shook. She only had a moment to react. Diving down, face to the ground, the ball burst with a thunderous boom. Dozens of ice shards pierced into her back, cutting through her abominable furs. She spared a moment to hope that the scrapes wouldn¡¯t leave any scars on her, then sprung back to her feet ready for more. The area around her was surrounded by shards of ice protruding from the ground. She reached behind her, yanking free several that had clung to her. There might be pain later, but now Zyryxa just felt the ice. And the ice was hers. A woman¡¯s voice crooned a soft melody. Zyryxa wanted to go to it, to bear witness to whatever gorgeous woman sang the song. Taking a few careless strides, she followed the voice, needing to see who it belonged to, wanting to feel the cold kiss of the singer, to be locked in an eternal embrace with them. ¡°Pelzyq! No!¡± Lexyn¡¯s scream broke the spell. Zyryxa¡¯s head snapped to her voice instead, no longer bound by the qione¡¯s siren song. She dashed toward Lexyn, shapes moving in the blizzard ahead of her but too indistinct to make out. She found Dryxl immobilized on the ground, frozen in place beside Maxilla. She couldn¡¯t think of them now. Perhaps they were alive, but there was nothing she could do to help until the qione was dead. ¡°Die, you bitch!¡± Natazia screamed, her voice sounding faraway through the blizzard¡¯s howling. Zyryxa stumbled through the snow, tripping on a third drake, Xilliax, when an ice monster crashed into her, hitting her hard in her right flank. Her axe was flung from her hands. She twisted to face the creature¡¯s icy bite and slammed into it, her legs propelling her forward as her arms wrapped around the orb. She tackled it, pressing it to the ground. It resisted, shooting its icy breath into her face, bobbing back and forth with its weird limbless body. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. She clung to it, this ball twice the size of a human head that tried to fly free of her grip. The cold penetrated her gloves. Her blessing was either gone or not enough to negate the cold. She only grew angrier. ¡°Fuck you,¡± Zyryxa spat. With a roar, she slammed to ball to the ground, using it as hammer and the earth as anvil. Cracks spread across the monster, bleeding snow and frost as ice fractured. She slammed it down again. And again. After the fifth time, the cracks glowed, the beast continued to expand. Feeling Qoryxa empowering her, judging this creature as vile, she lifted it up as it continued to gain in mass, now the size¡ªand weight¡ªof a boulder. How this bastard floated would forever be a mystery to Zyryxa. However, it was a ball and float it did. Zyryxa hurled it into the storm, away from her and her allies. She ducked down, making herself into a ball, covering her head with her arms. The creature exploded, as loud as one of the Monzqora eruptions. Sharp crystals rained down into Nix Tezyk, their whistling braced Zyryxa for even more cuts. None came. She lifted her head seeing the barely visible space in front of her blanketed with huge ice crystals jutting out of the ground, the closest one only a handspan away. There was no time for celebration. Lexyn cried out for help. She hadn¡¯t heard Pelzyq say anything since the battle began. Natazia grunted off in the distance, her fighting sounding more desperate and frustrated. The qione continued to sing its melody, a now-horrific sound that was as hideous as it was sweet. She knew who she was going to protect. Lexyn was coated in frost, several inches thick. She stumbled through the snow unarmed. ¡°Pelzyq,¡± she cried, her voice barely louder than a whisper. ¡°Where is he?¡± Zyryxa demanded, laying a hand on her. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! She was cold. Zyryxa was amazed she could still stand. Then Lexyn fell. On the ground, shivering, her teeth chattering, she spoke with her eyes, twisting her neck just enough to guide Zyryxa forward. ¡°I will be right back,¡± she promised. Pelzyq was coated in frost just as thick as Lexyn¡¯s, wearing a huge, ugly smile. ¡°Pelzyq is coming,¡± he said, the words strained but also euphoric. The qione appeared ahead of him, a pale woman, pale even by Ice Tribe standards, with a blue-white aura glowing faintly from her body. She was¡­ well she was busty enough that the word wouldn¡¯t fit Lexyn or Zyryxa anymore. It¡¯s cute baby-like face made her look young and innocent. The only part of her that appeared solid was perfectly-straight sapphire blue hair that trailed down her six-foot frame all the way to the ground. The qione sang, her ghostly hand inviting Pelzyq in as her thick, plump lips made a kissing movement. ¡°Pelzyq is coming,¡± he said again. You stupid ass, Zyryxa thought watching him pull down his pants, venturing toward his death with open arms and a stupid smile. His frozen pants caught around his ankles. He tripped into the snow, landing erection-first into the ice. Maybe he had a future as a bard? The qione glided toward him, its feet floating just an inch above the ground. She bent down for the kiss of death. Zyryxa hurled her first axe. The qoryxite blade coated in fire oil connected with the qione¡¯s breasts¡ªthe divinedamned horror¡¯s easiest target¡ªand passed right through. It let out a high-pitched shriek as the flames flickered out at its chest. Zyryxa had to cover her ears. Zyrxl beside her let out a whine that wasn¡¯t helping with the cacophony. When the shriek ceased, Zyryxa rushed to Pelzyq¡¯s side, slapped him as hard as she could, and shouted, ¡°Get it together, dumbass!¡± He jerked his head, blinking his eyes as if just waking up, and stumbled to his feet, falling again as his ankles were still bound by the pants frozen around them. Another explosion of ice rang out, followed closely by Natazia screaming in pain and pleading for help. Zyryxa hesitated but Zyrxl dashed toward Natazia and Zyryxa wasn¡¯t about to be outdone by her coldscale. Natazia looked as if she¡¯d been stabbed by a dozen knives of pure ice. The front of her furs were torn open, her breasts bare to the blizzard, viscous blue blood trailing down her chest, belly and legs. The qione appeared behind her, materializing from the snow itself. ¡°Behind you!¡± Zyryxa shouted, grabbing her final throwing axe. Natazia lurched forward, rolled through the movement, and sprung. She reclaimed a spear from the ground, twisted, and blindly threw it. Zyryxa¡¯s handaxe whipped toward the qione. This was it. Surely the monster wouldn¡¯t survive their combined assault? A moment before collision, the qione dissolved into snow. The flurries flew with unnatural speed toward Zyryxa, materializing again into the qione. She hesitated, partly from surprise, partly from the baby-like face staring at her with innocent red eyes. She reached for her axe but was too slow. Claws of ice emerged from the qione¡¯s dainty hand, her innocent face twisted into a hideous, hateful visage. The creature ripped through Zyryxa¡¯s furs, tearing into her arm. She didn¡¯t even have time to spare for a worry about having a scar. The cold seeped into her bones, rendering her sluggish of body and mind. Her fingers couldn¡¯t grip her mother¡¯s axe. It fell, clanking against the icy earth. The qione¡¯s other hand twisted into a claw, it went up poised to rake Zyryxa¡¯s face. Natazia¡¯s spear grazed through the qione, into the ethereal form, and out as if it pierced naught but a flurry of snow. The creature let out a hideous shriek, dissolved into snow, and disappeared. Zyryxa nodded toward Natazia, retrieving her axe. For the first time in days, Natazia nodded back. Despite the cold of this unnatural blizzard, despite the icy tendrils of the qione¡¯s essence that still lingered in her arm, she felt something thaw within her. There was hope for them yet. But they needed to survive this day. And that might be too much to hope for. Snow and ice rushed toward them, blowing both women and the drake back. The qione laughed, a haunting, diabolical sound that would make Zyryxa cringe if it were part of a bard¡¯s tale. This entity of pure hate unleashed its judgment upon them. Zyrxl fell first, then Natazia. Zyryxa tried to endure but this made Amarzallax, or even Praedax¡¯s, breath feel like a summer paradise north of Frostmelt. Zyryxa cried out, staggering to a knee. Frost enveloped her, trapping her as it coalesced into ice. She tried to hammer at it with her fists. But how could you beat a weather pattern with your bare hands? She refused to fall, but with each step forward she was blown back three. The qione¡¯s face emerged in the storm, grinning, bursting into fits of laughter. It pushed Zyryxa back, leaving Natazia and Zyrxl as frozen figures on the ground in its wake. Her body felt so weak, so powerless, against such a divine force. She couldn¡¯t move forward anymore, only slow how far the qione forced her back as her body turned to ice. ¡°No!¡± It might have been Zyryxa¡¯s thought. But it wasn¡¯t her voice. ¡°I refuse!¡± Lexyn yelled. Zyryxa swelled with power, feeling as if Lexyn¡¯s arms were around her just as they had been so many times when she felt lost in her grief. Zyryxa¡¯s body felt like it could take on a thousand wyrms, like it could transcend blizzards, and fracture tiny pieces of divinity like this big-breasted demon. She shattered the ice shell that restrained her. The qione hesitated. It¡¯s storm ceased, leaving the area around them clear. Then an arrow burst through its eye, sparks of fire where once was ruby red. Shrieking, it blinked away, snow swirling toward Lexyn. When it emerged, Pelzyq¡¯s axe drove it away before it could strike. The qione dissolved, re-emerging in the center of them all. Howling, the snow around them swirled faster as it gathered power. The drakes, led by Zyrxl, crashed toward the monster, forcing it to release its focus on whatever spell it conjured. It dissolved before Lexyn¡¯s next arrow could pierce its other eye. Zyryxa felt brand new, like she had just woken up with all the energy in the world, more powerful than ever before. There was no pain in her back, even the wound on her arm had closed, leaving no traces that claws had ripped it open. She retrieved a throwing axe, tracking the movement of the snow. It was so much easier now that the heart of the storm had dissipated. Natazia did the same, her spear poised for a throw. When the qione emerged, arrow, spear, and axe were ready. All three connected, the qione¡¯s cacophonic cries louder than ever. Zyrxl was on it within a heartbeat, sucking in the monster¡¯s snowy essence, preventing it from dissolving. Pelzyq was closest, his axeblade glimmered red with the fire oil they¡¯d all coated their weapons with. He swung, two-handed, over the top of his head, bellowing like a madman. The qione burst into flames. It screamed for a few heartbeats while Pelzyq held his axe in its vapory skull. Then it exploded in a bomb of ice like one of its ugly minions. Pelzyq was flung back, landing on his back twenty feet away. When he rose, it was with that ugly smile of his. ¡°Sorry! Pelzyq is not interested!¡± Leave it to Pelzyq to drop a stupid one-liner when they¡¯d all been a hair from death. Still, Zyryxa grinned, looking forward to the years ahead where she could bring up Pelzyq¡¯s cock-first collision with the ground anytime the moment called for it. Needing to confirm its death with her own eyes, Zyryxa dashed toward the qione. Nothing remained except a puddle of blue fluid and its hair. She dipped her axe in the fluid, coating it with something that should give her an edge in battle for the remainder of their journey together, something that could help deliver justice to Saevah. She also claimed several strands, tucking them away in her pant pocket as proof of their triumph. Natazia did the same. They nodded to each other, Zyryxa ready to give her a salute and put this tension behind her. ¡°Lexyn? Lexyn!¡± Pelzyq knelt over the half-Leverian warrior as she crumbled to the ground. With the qione¡¯s death, the temperature rose, but Lexyn was still felled by the lingering cold. Shivering, she curled into a ball, whispering that she couldn¡¯t feel anything. Dryxl, Maxilla, and Pelzyq huddled with her for warmth as Natazia and Zyryxa rushed to create a shelter and build a fire. The celebration on hold, Zyryxa had to face another foe she couldn¡¯t destroy with her axe, feeling more afraid now than anytime during the battle. Chapter 53: In the Shadow of the Battle Zyryxa and Natazia sat outside of the tent, the little fire hissing between them, a cold wind sighing. They didn¡¯t have enough tinder to do much more than slowly thaw the frost from what remained of their ravaged garments. Since the qione died, this region of Nix Tezyk was no harsher than any other in Southern Volqor and the day was better than most for those who liked sunny skies and a little less chill. Lexyn¡¯s cold was one within her. Taking a note from Lexyn, Zyryxa had made a bed of pasque and calidex, using Lexyn¡¯s own supplies. They¡¯d stripped her out of furs soaked from layers of ice and laid her down with whatever dry furs and blankets they still had. Few remained after the blizzard, the qione¡¯s snow and ice finding their way into the drake¡¯s saddlebags. The last thing they could do was offer her their warmth. Pelzyq stripped down, volunteering himself to take on her cold. Zyryxa wasn¡¯t about to be involved in that again, so she left the tent. All there was left to do was wait. And worry. If only the process wasn¡¯t so awkward. Natazia stared into the fire. Every few moments, she¡¯d take out a strand of qione hair and run her fingers through it. She only had one spear left and no trees were within sight. With a sigh, she took the Leverian vintage out of Xilliax¡¯s saddlebag. The label was illegible, but Zyryxa knew it was a Celvine Frostwine. Her mother had shared a drink of it with her on her last day before she turned sixteen. Zyryxa lowered her head, patted the drake named after Zyrthalla. It was a rare moment indeed when a coldscale didn¡¯t avoid a fire, let alone rage at it. Zyrxl suffered the qione¡¯s cold too, or she knew how much Zyryxa needed her right now that the only person she could rely on for warmth was probably freezing to death. Everyone important died. Zyryxa didn¡¯t know how to move forward in a world like this. Natazia uncorked the wine, took a few sips, let out a soft sigh. ¡°I think she saved us,¡± she said under her breath. Zyryxa looked up, tears in her eyes. During the battle, Natazia¡¯s front had been torn to shreds. Now, the old scars remained beneath her tattoos, while the fresh wounds had faded. Her own arm was mended where the qione¡¯s claws had slashed straight to the bone. They¡¯d all found vigor when the cold had all but finished them. Zyryxa didn¡¯t know what Lexyn did, or even if it was Lexyn, but they were alive because of a miracle. And it wasn¡¯t Qoryxa who provided it. ¡°Lexyn is devout to two Divine,¡± she said. ¡°Qoryxa and,¡± for once Zyryxa didn¡¯t feel the urge to gag when she uttered the name, ¡°Leverith.¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Natazia snorted. ¡°We owe our lives to the Goddess of Kisses and Flowers? Not a chance. I¡¯m certain she invoked Qoryxa.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. She knew what Qoryxa¡¯s blessing felt like. She remembered feeling ice¡¯s judgment empowering her. This wasn¡¯t it. It had been Lexyn¡¯s touch she felt as the ice threatened to entomb her. She looked toward the tent opening. ¡°No. It was the Divine of Love.¡± She felt soppy for saying it. Leverith was the softest of the Thirteen Divines. She didn¡¯t like bards in general¡ªin case you hadn¡¯t noticed¡ªbut she always felt nauseated by stories where the power of love and friendship overcame superior strength. That wasn¡¯t how the real world worked. Or was it? What else but love had gotten her this far when her strength would¡¯ve failed her a dozen times? Was it strength or love that kept her moving after her mom died? What about when she herself spent several days in a frozen coma wrapped in flowers? Did her power defeat Matyxal in the burning homestead? It certainly wasn¡¯t what slew the qione. Perhaps the bards were onto something. Natazia took another sip of frostwine. When she came up, her gaze was upon her own feet. ¡°You fought well.¡± She offered the bottle, and far more. Zyryxa hesitated, not sure if she wanted to open her heart to Natazia again. These last days had been a strain and while she was tired of their fighting, she couldn¡¯t trust her the same way again. Not yet at least. Still, what other option did she have? If Lexyn never woke again¡­ No. She couldn¡¯t contemplate that. Lexyn had to survive. Besides, she¡¯d avoided thinking about that frostwine ever since Natazia bought it. She couldn¡¯t taste it again without her grief flooding through the weak walls that held it outside. With Lexyn on death¡¯s door, it was too painful to consider. Even with tears in her eyes, she couldn¡¯t let Natazia in. ¡°I can¡¯t right now.¡± Natazia took a deep breath, then a long swallow of the wine, and turned away from Zyryxa. After that, the only sound between them was the hiss of the flames interrupted by the cold wind¡¯s sigh. Natazia with her front exposed, Zyryxa with her back, but neither one willing to show their vulnerable side. That was the longest day of her life. If only the night weren¡¯t even worse. If only the little hiss of flames was the only sound when darkness fell. The moonlight shining blue fell behind a shadow. At first, she hoped it was Amarzallax. But this shadow wasn¡¯t her beautiful, graceful twin. No. If only. Natazia whimpered, disappearing into the empty tent, muttering, ¡°Not now. Not again.¡± Coryza soared through the night, a blue shadow occluding the moonlight. Hatrox came for what remained of their brood. Chapter 54: Of Monsters and Men Hatrox leapt from dragonback while Coryza glided over their small camp. He landed with such poise that Zyryxa couldn¡¯t help but be disgusted by how much she admired his power. His twin dragonbone axes sheathed on his back, one fire and one ice, he lifted his eyes toward her and she reached for the haft of her mother¡¯s greataxe. Four drakes lifted their tails, lowered their forms, bared their teeth. Hatrox flashed a thin, toothy grin, his blue eyes leering at Zyryxa. ¡°Warrior Zyryxa. I congratulate you on slaying a qione. It must¡¯ve been hard to fight ice incarnate while hauling around all that extra weight on your back.¡± Zyryxa glared at him. ¡°Not that hard. Everybody contributed to our victory.¡± Hatrox¡¯s laughter was sharp with sarcastic cruelty, equally as unnerving as it was intoxicating. Her heart pounded, her palms slicked with sweat, her breathing quickened. Zyryxa hated that he wasn¡¯t as ugly outside as he was inside. She tried to hide it but felt the color rising on her cheeks. He was a perfect ice specimen, exuding untouchable confidence with the power to back it up. She hated this feeling, wanted it to go away, but she couldn¡¯t force down her awe. He approached her, wearing that horrible sneer. She felt like he could read her mind, see into her hidden thoughts, both those of disgust and yearning. ¡°I thought you had more pride than that, Warrior Zyryxa? It doesn¡¯t befit a champion-in-the-making to give credit to those underserving.¡± Qoryxa! She freezing despised this man. And yet, he was so divinedamned alluring. She knew he stroked her ego, but he stroked it well enough that she leaned in, their faces nearly pressing together. ¡°A true champion doesn¡¯t need to tear those around her down in order to prove her own worth. I fought well, but so did my brother and sisters.¡± His smile expanded, becoming even less subtly condescending. ¡°One that relies on others is unfit to be champion. She will be challenged and she will fall.¡± He caressed her cheek sending chills down her spine. ¡°Unlike Natazia, you won¡¯t need others to save you. Come to Riverwatch, Zyryxa, and you will never need to rely on anyone again but yourself.¡± She seized his wrist but she couldn¡¯t remove his hand from her face. Zyryxa strained her muscles to the limit, but his hand wouldn¡¯t budge. She couldn¡¯t recall this feeling, this embarrassment. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back,¡± he said, his voice exhilarant. ¡°You can be better. Show me the champion.¡± Zyryxa roared, channeling embarrassment into anger, drawing on her hatred of this man, pulling on her judgment of one so lacking in compassion. She pushed as hard as she could, unfettered by restraint. His power was tremendous. Moving his hand was like trying to make the world shift. Yet shift it did. Zyryxa¡¯s created just enough separation that his fingers were drawn off her face. Her muscles burning as if in the heart of an inferno, Zyryxa¡¯s strength gave out. His hand reclaimed her, gripping her head. His power was remarkable. ¡°Remarkable,¡± Hatrox said, barren of sarcasm. ¡°You are the one I¡¯ve been waiting for. Come to me, and I will show you how to harness your power. Stay with me, and you will become the greatest champion Volqor has ever seen.¡± His hand slipped from her face. A part of her was hungry to feel it again, eager to impress him. But she refused to give him what he wanted. ¡°A champion doesn¡¯t need to rely on anyone,¡± she said. ¡°I don¡¯t need you, Hatrox. I don¡¯t want you.¡± That mischievous grin returned, lighting his face. Her stomach fluttered. He ran his hand through her hair. More shivers down her spine. She knew this arousal wasn¡¯t good for her, but something about him set her off. She couldn¡¯t repel his confidence, confidence that he could obviously back up. ¡°You can lie to yourself,¡± Hatrox said, ¡°but you can¡¯t lie to me. I can see the color on your cheeks, the sweat on your palms. I feel the quickening of your heart,¡± he traced his finger down her chest, between her breasts. She felt hot inside. Zyryxa tried to calm her breathing, to little avail. ¡°You want me, Zyryxa, and soon enough that want will become a need. I can give you everything you¡¯ve ever wanted. I¡¯m the only one who can. Together, we will push each other to heights that no man or woman have ever climbed to. We will reshape Volqor, the world. You would be a legend revered for millennia, as worshipped as Qoryxa herself.¡± He lowered his hand. She twitched at his absence, catching herself before she reached for it, stretching toward those promises. She did want him: his power, his confidence, even his body. Most of all, she wanted to be the transcendent champion he promised she¡¯d become. She¡¯d destroy Saevah, claim the tribe from Vaztyma, crush Faxiq, destroy Hatrox himself, become the most legendary figure in Volqori history. But at what cost? Would her mother still be proud of her if she went down the road of the one man she warned her to avoid? ¡°No,¡± she said, resisting temptation. ¡°Not happening.¡± Hatrox laughed. He tut-tutted, shaking his head with that arrogant sneer. He shifted his attention to the two tents. ¡°All this time and none of your siblings have come to greet me. I¡¯d almost think they¡¯re afraid.¡± He flashed his toothy grin. ¡°You should leave. Now,¡± Zyryxa said, crossing her arms. ¡°No,¡± he said, flashing his teeth. ¡°Not happening.¡± He winked. Zyryxa took out a strip of yak jerky, sat at the fire, her back to Hatrox, and ate. She wouldn¡¯t give this man anymore satisfaction. Coryza circled the sky above, a dark shadow in the night. Hatrox didn¡¯t take her bait, moving on to weaker prey. ¡°Oh, Natazia!¡± He sniffed the air. ¡°I know you¡¯re here, Natazia! How many of your underlings do you owe your life to today?¡± Natazia didn¡¯t come out of her tent, didn¡¯t even call out to defend herself. She hid, a soft whimper emerging from her hiding place. Hatrox chuckled. ¡°How pathetic.¡± He crouched across the fire from Zyryxa. She turned away from him. ¡°How can you serve under one such as her?¡± he asked, loud enough that anyone in the tents could hear. ¡°Serve those who are weak and you will become weak.¡± Zyryxa twisted her head, met his exhilarant gaze. ¡°She served under you. Makes sense now.¡± His lips rose twisting the grin into a full smile. ¡°The strong cannot forge greatness from one who possesses none.¡± He stood, facing Natazia¡¯s whimpers. ¡°Natazia came to me as nothing. I made her into a worthy warrior but when I pushed her toward the heights, I saw that she would never fly for she had no wings. You cannot turn nothing into something.¡± He leered at Zyryxa. The way he spoke, the magnetism, the charm, like staring into a destructive storm, she couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°But you can make something into something greater.¡± He paced toward Natazia¡¯s tent. ¡°Keep hiding, Natazia. Zyryxa will carry you as far as she is willing, but even she will abandon you once she grasps how weak you are.¡± He turned back to Zyryxa. ¡°I guarantee she has already thought about leaving you. Perhaps she even hoped the qione would finish you today.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s lips twitched, she averted her eyes. But he saw it. Zamael¡¯s Scythe! He¡¯d cut into their division, severing everything he could reach. Hatrox laughed. ¡°We all know who the true leader of this brood is. For if it was Natazia, the rest of you would already be dead. Like every broodmate she¡¯s ever led into battle. Isn¡¯t that right, Tazi!¡± He laughed. ¡°Every. Single. One.¡± He beamed, triumphant. ¡°Is that why the other two aren¡¯t showing themselves? Did Natazia already fail them?¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Zyryxa stormed to her feet, stomped toward him, lifted her fist. ¡°Don¡¯t you talk about them! I¡¯ll¡ª¡± She bit off her threat, catching her rage before it ruined everything. Her hand opened, fell. She glared at him, but knew she didn¡¯t have any bite that could pierce him. ¡°I wonder why,¡± Hatrox said, leaning in toward her, ¡°you protect them, but not Natazia.¡± ¡°I protect everyone in my brood.¡± Hatrox raised his eyebrow. ¡°Your brood? Not Natazia¡¯s?¡± That divinedamned sneer. Zyryxa¡¯s hands closed into fists, but she kept them at her side. Barely. Zyryxa said nothing. He was right. She did see this as her brood. She did protect Lexyn and even Pelzyq more than she did Natazia. ¡°So quiet,¡± Hatrox said, his voice a soft whisper. ¡°You rushed to defend the others but not Natazia? Why do you care about her less?¡± ¡°I care about everyone equally,¡± Zyryxa said, managing to get the lie through clenched teeth. He spread his arms out. ¡°I¡¯m convinced.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Zyryxa spat, ignoring his sarcasm. He chuckled. ¡°You aren¡¯t at all disappointed in Natazia. She never lets you down, never is envious of you, never cowers while you fight her battles.¡± Zyryxa held his gaze, crossed her arms, and refused to let him bully her into saying what they both knew. The fire hissed as he held his ground too, neither of them willing to be the first to blink. Zyryxa held, resolute, until scuffling at the other tent snapped her focus to the side. Lexyn looked out, paler than usual, trembling, but braving Hatrox¡¯s stare. Tears brimmed on the edge of Zyryxa¡¯s eyes. Lexyn is safe. A massive weight fell off her shoulders, she let out a deep breath, ridding herself of this mountain of worry that had dragged behind her all day. Pelzyq appeared behind Lexyn, wrapping an arm around her. He whispered something in her ear, but she shook her head, mouthed, ¡°No.¡± Lexyn wasn¡¯t going to hide from Hatrox, she wouldn¡¯t leave Zyryxa to face him alone. As moved as she was by her best friend¡¯s newfound courage, the worries returned. She didn¡¯t doubt that this man would hurt others to get her. She watched him from the corner of her eye, knew that he saw the wetness rimming her eyes, the relief and the fear. This monster didn¡¯t miss much. His lips arched upward. ¡°Look at you,¡± Hatrox said. ¡°So precious. So pure! You would stand up for Natazia when she would fail you again and again.¡± ¡°Go away.¡± Hatrox laughed at Lexyn¡¯s mousy threat as if he¡¯d just witnessed the most hilarious joke. He laughed into Zyryxa¡¯s face, that sneer saying loudly that he knew where Zyryxa¡¯s weakness was. She clenched her fists, squeezing so hard they hurt. She couldn¡¯t keep her breathing calm no matter how much she tried to steady herself. She looked away from him, trying to ignore him. It would have been easier to ignore a dragon biting for her head. Pelzyq stepped between Hatrox and Lexyn. ¡°Get out of here before¡ª¡± ¡°Before what?¡± Hatrox asked, striding toward them. ¡°What will you do, boy?¡± Coryza roared above. Even though he was shorter than Pelzyq, Hatrox stood taller. Pelzyq slumped, his lip quivered. ¡°What will you do?¡± Hatrox repeated. ¡°I¡¯m waiting.¡± Pelzyq looked away from him. Hatrox snorted. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± He flashed his teeth at Lexyn. ¡°So adorable. I can see why Zyryxa likes you the most. But what do you see in this ugly boy? He can¡¯t even finish his sentences, let alone protect you.¡± ¡°Leave them alone,¡± Zyryxa said, drawing her axe. ¡°There she is!¡± Hatrox said, spreading his arms. She hated that sneer so much she wished she could slice it off his chiseled face. He leaned toward her, daring her to swing. ¡°They¡¯re nothing to me.¡± He left the rest unsaid. The only one I want is you. Zyryxa didn¡¯t release her grip on her axe when he backed away. Hatrox paced outside of Natazia¡¯s tent. Within, her muffled whimpers were incessant. Zyryxa understood that Hatrox was a monster, knew that her mother¡¯s warnings were well-spent, but Natazia¡¯s lack of pride was a disgrace. How could she respect a broodleader that hid and cried when the rest of them were out here facing him? ¡°Last chance, Natazia,¡± Hatrox said. ¡°Prove me wrong. Show your faithful brood that you are worthy of their faith. Come on out.¡± ¡°Face him,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Show him your strength.¡± Hatrox beamed at her. He shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, have we not? She was weak, is weak, and always will be weak. Isn¡¯t that right, Natazia!¡± The glee as he spoke unnerved her. The taste of sadism on his tongue, the fear of others, was arousing to him. His blue eyes burned with ecstasy as he taunted her more. ¡°I¡¯m going to count to ten, little Tazi, and if you don¡¯t come out¡­¡± he left the rest unsaid, letting her use her imagination to fill in the blank. ¡°You¡¯re sick,¡± Zyryxa whispered, clenching her axe. Louder, she shouted, ¡°Face him, Natazia. Show him who is nothing.¡± ¡°Ten. Nine. Eight.¡± Zyryxa felt the last vestiges of her respect dying. Both for Natazia and Hatrox. She was weak and he was vile. ¡°You can do it,¡± Lexyn said. ¡°We believe in you.¡± Hatrox laughed. ¡°No, Natazia. They don¡¯t! They don¡¯t believe in you. They pity you. Pitiful Natazia! So weak that others must pretend there is something worthwhile left inside of you. Seven. Six.¡± ¡°You¡¯re evil,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°A monster. There was nothing wrong with her before you.¡± Hatrox chuckled. He laughed. He laughed so hard he wiped his eyes when he was done. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said with mock sincerity. ¡°Did you say something?¡± ¡°You¡¯re evil,¡± Pelzyq repeated. ¡°Oh. I suppose you¡¯re good then? The goodest boy there ever was! A beacon of morality and wholeness and all things weak! Let¡¯s see how long that keeps you alive.¡± Hatrox hesitated, leaving space for Pelzyq to challenge him. ¡°Five. Four.¡± ¡°Face him, Natazia!¡± Zyryxa demanded. Within the tent, Natazia¡¯s whimpers had grown into sobs. Zyryxa shook her head. She wasn¡¯t surprised. She was just disappointed. ¡°Three! Two!¡± How could she rely on someone who wouldn¡¯t defend herself? How could she trust a person to be there for her when she broke into this pathetic, envious, cowering creature at a word out of this man¡¯s mouth? She couldn¡¯t. So, Zyryxa stood there, doing nothing when the countdown ended. ¡°One!¡± Hatrox tore through the tent barehanded. Natazia lay beneath her blanket, curled up and crying, muttering, ¡°No. No. No.¡± Zyryxa did nothing when Hatrox ripped the blanket away, throwing it to the wind. Coryza roared above, echoing the exultation of its rider. She did nothing when Hatrox seized Natazia by the throat, forced her to her feet, and tore through her shredded furs, leaving her scars exposed. Hatrox¡¯s brand, the mark of Coryza forever burned into her chest. ¡°Open your eyes,¡± he commanded. Natazia shook her head, mumbled ¡°No,¡± to herself, kept her eyes sealed as if not seeing something made it any less real. Zyryxa did nothing when Hatrox pinned her throat in one hand and forced an eye open in his other. Natazia tried to shrink to the ground, gagging as he choked her, trying to shake her head and slam her eyes shut. But Hatrox was too strong. ¡°You see this!¡± he roared. ¡°This is what you are! This is what you¡¯ve always been! This is why you will never be anything!¡± He tossed Natazia aside, throwing her into the snow. ¡°The only time you were ever something was because of me! Without me, you are nothing but an empty husk clinging to a worthless life being carried forward by your betters.¡± He discarded her, turning his maddened gaze upon Zyryxa. ¡°Everyone one of you knows the truth. You know who among you is worthy of leading. Yet,¡± he closed his eyes, ¡°you shut your eyes.¡± He took a deep, disappointed breath, then pointed to Natazia. ¡°Just like her.¡± He knelt by Natazia. Zyryxa held to her axe, but she did nothing. ¡°Do them a favor and die already. Set them free, or,¡± he smirked at Zyryxa, ¡°give them to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not yours,¡± Zyryxa howled. ¡°I¡¯ll never be yours, monster.¡± ¡°Monster?¡± He didn¡¯t betray any disappointment with his voice or face. He grinned, stepped toward her like a dragon approaching a yak. ¡°I¡¯ll show you monsters, Zyryxa.¡± He chuckled. ¡°I think you might even be strong enough to show them who the real monster is.¡± Coryza descended, crashing into the ground beside Hatrox. Pelzyq and Lexyn lost their footing, falling into each other. Zyryxa staggered to the side, clinging to her mother¡¯s axe. Natazia wept. ¡°I bid you all a very good night,¡± Hatrox said, rising up the side of his spiked monstrosity. ¡°Don¡¯t plan on sleeping, though. There are monsters out here, after all.¡± Laughing, Hatrox took to the sky. Chapter 55: The Long Night, Part 1 ¡°I¡¯ll kill him,¡± Pelzyq spat as the dragon flew off, veins popping on his neck. ¡°I¡¯ll tear him apart and feed him to his own dragon!¡± ¡°Not if I get there first,¡± Zyryxa said, glaring at Coryza as it swooped down in the vast distance. ¡°Neither of you can touch him,¡± Natazia mumbled, lying on the ground where Hatrox left her, facing away from them with her top exposed to the elements. Her back was a mess of scars and the various tattoos trying to cover it up. Zyryxa noticed one was a Blizzardmane, though it looked nowhere near as majestic as the real one. Most of them involved musical instruments. Zyryxa breathed, trying not to kick Natazia while she was down. She didn¡¯t want Hatrox to win but she didn¡¯t know how much patience she could have for this bitch. She felt trapped between two unpleasant options but she¡¯d take the lesser of two evils and deal with the wretch rather than the monster. ¡°Maybe not now,¡± Lexyn said, shivering despite the mild weather. ¡°But someday we will give him the ending he deserves. First, we need to complete these trials, then get our dragons. We can do this. We just have to keep moving forward and believing in each other.¡± Lexyn was right. Whether she could count on Natazia or not, she¡¯d rather not face Hatrox without a big dragon at her side. All she needed to do to still her urge to race to Riverwatch was remember how impossible it was to move his hand from her face. Like Vaztyma, Hatrox was stronger. It was a simple fact. That was all there was to it. For now. She¡¯d have to be stupid to think now was the time to strike. That was exactly what he wanted. ¡°No,¡± Pelzyq said, stupidly. ¡°I¡¯m going to Riverwatch and I¡¯m going to kill him.¡± Natazia snorted. ¡°As always, you¡¯re nothing but talk.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s mouth fell open. Natazia wasn¡¯t completely wrong. But she was a divinedamned bitch. Pelzyq stomped toward her. ¡°What did you say to me?¡± ¡°I said all you do is talk. Maybe if you listened you would¡¯ve heard the first time.¡± Pelzyq stormed toward her red-faced and puffed out. Zyryxa wasn¡¯t going to stop him from giving Natazia what she deserved. It was Lexyn that tried to hold Pelzyq back, hugging him from behind. He pushed her off him, sending her tumbling to the ground. She looked up at him, hurt flashing on her face. Pelzyq stalled his charge. He lowered his eyes, but Zyryxa caught a glimpse of his horror before he hid his face. He looked at his hands, turned them over, shaking, then met Lexyn¡¯s tearful gaze. ¡°I¡¯m no divinedamned good. You¡¯ll be better off without me.¡± He grabbed his axe but nothing else but the clothes he wore. ¡°Don¡¯t follow me.¡± Pelzyq dashed into the tundra, running as fast as Zyryxa had ever seen him go. Lexyn shouted after him, begging him to come back. She chased him into the tundra. Zyryxa called out after him to no avail. ¡°Let him go,¡± Natazia said. ¡°He¡¯s useless.¡± Zyryxa bit her lip, but she couldn¡¯t let this one pass. ¡°You keep treating us like drakeshit and you¡¯ll prove Hatrox right. We will leave you.¡± ¡°Then leave.¡± Divinedamned bitch. Instead of throttling Natazia, she and their three drakes chased after Lexyn. Lexyn didn¡¯t get far before she stumbled, unable to keep up Pelzyq¡¯s pace in her weakened state. Zyryxa screamed for Pelzyq until her throat felt raw. He didn¡¯t even look back. He was so far away, he might not even be able to hear them anymore. She looked behind them. Natazia hadn¡¯t moved. She wanted to leave her, to let her face the wilds alone with her last spear, but if Hatrox caught them abandoning her, he¡¯d have the authority to send them to Riverwatch. But if she didn¡¯t leave her, would they lose Pelzyq? Zyryxa hated today so divinedamned much. Lexyn wept, head in her hands. ¡°I hate this,¡± she said. ¡°I hate what he¡¯s done to us.¡± Zyryxa rubbed her shoulder. ¡°Me too, Lex. But I know I can count on you and you can count on me. As long as we¡¯re together, we will be okay.¡± Just saying the words somehow made them feel true. Lexyn wouldn¡¯t leave her, wouldn¡¯t fail her. She could count on her to do her best and her best was more than enough. Lexyn leaned into her hand, setting her head against Zyryxa¡¯s thigh. Pelzyq¡¯s shape grew smaller in the distance. Zyryxa had to admit he was pretty divinedamned fast when he wanted to be. He couldn¡¯t have picked a worse time for a tantrum though. Dryxl licked at Lexyn¡¯s tears. She pushed the drake away. ¡°It was an accident. He wouldn¡¯t really hurt me.¡± ¡°I know he wouldn¡¯t hurt you.¡± Zyryxa sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much longer we can stick with her but if we don¡¯t¡­¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this. We were supposed to make each other stronger.¡± ¡°You have made me stronger,¡± Zyryxa said, rubbing her head. ¡°And you¡¯ve made me stronger.¡± ¡°A lot stronger,¡± Zyryxa said, smirking. ¡°You¡¯re a beast now.¡± Lexyn shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m getting better.¡± Zyryxa sank to her bottom, nestled beside Lexyn, and wrapped her arm around her. She rested her head against Lexyn¡¯s and tried to think of how this could still have a happy ending. Even if she didn¡¯t believe it herself. ¡°Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen. We will sit here until Pelzyq comes back¡ªwhich he will once he realizes he¡¯s being a dumbass¡ªthen we will drag Natazia far from Nix Tezyk, farther from Riverwatch, we will get her drunk, knock some sense into her, and finish the rite without seeing Hatrox again.¡± ¡°You think it can happen?¡± ¡°Certainly. Anything¡¯s possible when you have a Lexyn. Even Pelzyq isn¡¯t stupid enough to leave you. Natazia can get better again, like she was before Hatrox found us, because you are who you are. This is our lowest point, not our endpoint.¡± Lexyn didn¡¯t say anything. So Zyryxa just held her until she fell asleep in her arms. Surrounded by a trio of tense drakes, Zyryxa carried Lexyn back to her tent. She shook her head at Natazia, who was still lying where Hatrox left her, then set Lexyn down inside her tent. She covered her up with a tenderness that helped her feel less angry at life, hoping that the world gave Lexyn a better day tomorrow. That shouldn¡¯t be too much to ask for. How could a day be worse than this one? Instead of her mind finding peace, Zyryxa lingered on Hatrox¡¯s parting threats. She sat in the darkened tent, massaging Lexyn¡¯s sleeping head, while her own thoughts spiraled. He told her not to plan on sleeping, to beware monsters but what could he do other than come back and harass them more? She couldn¡¯t shake the idea of him returning while she slept, binding her up, strapping her to Coryza, and taking her to Riverwatch. Would she ever be able to sleep again? To stop searching the skies for that dark blue shadow expecting to see that sneering madman around every bend and over every rise? Perhaps she could understand Natazia, even if she promised to never be like her. It was probably closer to dawn than dusk when the drakes howled as one. Pelzyq, Zyryxa thought rushing out of the tent with a smile. What she saw instead was a great black-furred beast taller than any two people stacked atop each other. The monster stood on two legs like an oversized hairy man. Long arms ending in vicious claws and a snow-white wolf-like snout warned of the ferocity they faced. Its snarl revealed a mouth full of deadly fangs. An ulfhedinn. A monster deadlier than most. Zyryxa had never seen one alive before. Nor was the beast alone. All across the tundra, monsters stampeded toward them, closing in on their small camp. The howls of a sabretooth pack, shrieking ice wraiths, an abominable¡¯s growl, lygian wyverns cawing, and above all, a dragon¡¯s roar. Zyryxa held her axe, adrenaline kicking in, knowing that she¡¯d have to be a one-woman army to endure this assault. ¡°Lexyn! Natazia! Monsters!¡± The Ulfhedinn attacked with unfathomable speed. It seized Xilliax, lifting the drake up and tearing the head off in one swift motion. Blue blood spraying through the air, it threw the rest of Xilliax into the other drakes, knocking over Maxilla. Zyrxl spat ice at the wolfish monstrosity but it weathered it as if it were no more than flakes of snow. Zyryxa hacked at the ulfhedinn with her axe, missing her first several blows as the creature moved with as much battle grace as Matyxal. The ulfhedinn fled Zyryxa, dashing toward a rousing Natazia on all fours. Natazia held her spear out toward it, preparing to thrust as the beast pounced. The spear snapped in two, swiped aside by the ulfhedinn¡¯s claw as it mauled Natazia. The beast¡¯s fangs on her unarmored chest, it shook Natazia back and forth then spat her out in the snow bloody and torn up. Zyryxa buried her axe in the ulfhedinn¡¯s back. The beast stumbled forth, growling hideously, then darted forward. The ulfhedinn twisted, standing on two legs so that it towered over her, it let out a battle roar so loud Zyryxa winced. Her blood pumped with desperation. Natazia moaned on the ground, grabbing at her bloody torso. Lexyn let out a cry as a trio of ice wraiths hissed at her, Dryxl, and Maxilla, swirling around them and gnashing with their teeth. The sabretooths and the wyverns were closing in. The dragon, Amarzallax, circled above, her wrath palpable even without a telepathic connection established. She needed to dispatch the ulfhedinn immediately or her friend was going to die. Yet the monster was so fast, so elusive, that hitting it wasn¡¯t something she could rush without exposing herself. She couldn¡¯t lose Lexyn. That was a risk she needed to take. Dragon warrior and black-haired monstrosity rushed toward each other, axe versus claw and fang, and Zyryxa didn¡¯t have reach or speed in her favor. But she did have skill. She feinted, stepping under the beast¡¯s ten-foot long arm as it sliced the air. Zyryxa spun, severing the limb clean from the beast¡¯s shoulder. Blue blood spurting from the wound, the ulfhedinn didn¡¯t slow. Baring fangs, it gnashed at Zyryxa coming as fiercely as before. Zyryxa braced, hoping to time her swing to hit the creature¡¯s open mouth before the fangs closed around her. The ulfhedinn was pushed off course, Zyrxl colliding with its flank. The coldscale tore into the beast¡¯s side with her fangs, latching on. The beast swiped Zyrxl aside, leaving her whining in the snow, a trail of blood where the claws pierced her scales. But Zyrxl had done well, done everything she needed to do. The ulfhedinn¡¯s head sailed through the night air, it¡¯s monstrous body collapsing to the ground, blue blood dripping from Zyryxa¡¯s axeblade. It wasn¡¯t enough though. The battle had drawn her away from the camp, leaving Lexyn stranded against an army of beasts. Several sabretooths lay dead around the fire and all three ice wraiths were naught but puddles in Lexyn¡¯s wake. Maxilla and Dryxl were on the ground, barely moving. The abominable pinned Lexyn to the ground, crushing her in its grip while several wyverns pecked at her ¡°This can¡¯t be happening!¡± Zyryxa shrieked, breaking into a sprint. She threw her handaxe, dropping one wyvern. The second axe thumped into the abominable, but the beast kept crushing Lexyn as the other wyverns tore into her furs, seeking the flesh beneath. There was too much space between them, too many monsters, not enough time. Zyryxa went as fast as she could, refusing to accept that it wouldn¡¯t be fast enough. Chapter 56: The Long Night, Part 2 Lexyn tried her best. She had fought so hard to change, to be someone who could one day fly. A year ago, she¡¯d never imagined she¡¯d have made it this far. Three ice wraiths, nasty ice snakes that glided through the air spitting frost, coiling around their victims, and draining all their warmth. She had killed them all with her sword, fire oil on the blade melting them into puddles. Not even she could discount how skilled her cuts had been. Her father would¡¯ve been so proud to see how much she¡¯d grown as a warrior. She¡¯d proven her own worst doubts wrong. She wasn¡¯t caught between two worlds she couldn¡¯t belong to. She could fit into both, bring them together in whatever way she wanted to. The sabretooths had been next. The girl who hid in a tree while her brother, her best friend, had died below managed to slay not one, but four of them. Sure, Dryxl and Maxilla helped. The good boy had found his bravery alongside her, transforming from the timid drake that only arrived after the fighting to one that rushed in to prevent claw and fang from tearing Lexyn down. Yet it was her sword that dealt four killing blows, each one a promise kept to Hyzqar that she wouldn¡¯t waste the life he sacrificed his own for. Half a dozen wyverns. Each rapidly shifting in the air. She¡¯d taken out two with arrows before they arrived, transitioned to the blade with ease, deflected their attacks, killed one more with a return blow. But they¡¯d taken down the drakes. Three of them at once. She needed to keep her focus just to keep from being hit in the back. She dodged and parried, rolled and leapt, doing everything she could just to buy time for Zyryxa or Natazia to answer her call for help. Perhaps it would¡¯ve been enough, if she¡¯d seen the abominable before it slammed into her. Lexyn let out one last cry before it seized her throat. Not for Natazia. Their leader had lost herself. Lexyn believed she¡¯d find herself again, but knew firsthand how long that could take. Nor did she call out for Zyryxa. Her best friend was a force. Lexyn would trust her life to her without hesitation. But in her moment of desperation, there was one person she wanted more than any other. The person she wanted most of all. The man she loved. ¡°Pelzyq!¡± But Pelzyq was gone. The massive yeti clamped down on her throat, crushing her windpipe as its knee pressed on her chest. Lexyn flailed, reaching for her knife she plunged it into the abominable¡¯s side. Once. Twice. Three times. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. The yeti growled, loosening its grip for a moment. While she fought to gather air to her lungs, the wyverns fell on her. They tore through her abominable furs, into her flesh, picking it apart with teeth and talon. Lexyn tried to shake them off, but the yeti pressed her down. She waved her knife at the wyverns, cutting into one of them. It released a high-pitched caw in her ear as the yeti¡¯s massive hand closed around her throat. She swung the knife, but her wrist was caught. The yeti clenched until the knife fell to the snow. Lexyn bucked, but how could she toss aside a creature that weighed a thousand pounds while three other monsters were tearing into her. Even worse than the pain of dying, of being strangled, crushed, and eviscerated, was what she left behind unfinished. Lexyn tried her best. She¡¯d come so far, far enough to believe that she could¡¯ve maybe gone far enough to fly someday. But that day would never come. She didn¡¯t go far enough, fast enough. Amarzallax, the beautiful dragon she dreamt of, the one that had called to her asking for a bond, flew in the sky right now. But Lexyn would never fly with her. She¡¯d never see Natazia reclaim herself, never be there when Zyryxa made it to the top and changed Volqor forever. The last thing Pelzyq would remember of her was the flash of fear in her eyes. He¡¯d live the rest of his days believing himself the problem. The broken, incurable son of a horrible man. But he wasn¡¯t that man¡¯s son. How she wished he could see himself through her eyes. Then he would see that he was good. Her vision blurred, she couldn¡¯t fight back anymore, her arms and legs going limp. She kept her eyes open, clinging to the last resistance she had left. She fought for every moment because she was done being the one who gave up on herself. Even when it seemed hopeless. Colors shifted above her. A flash of movement, a sprinkling of blue against white. Air flooded into her lungs. She fought away the wyverns, the agony of their cuts not dissipating once they detached. Bleeding all over, Lexyn stumbled to her feet. She reached into her satchel and swallowed an antitoxin, hoping it would be enough to keep the wyvern poison from killing her. As her vision stabilized, she lifted her blade, and sought her savior. Zyryxa, she thought. Pelzyq shoved the abominable to the ground, his axe buried in its thick neck. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he hammered the yeti with his big fists. Lexyn burst into tears but had no time to sit with them now. The night filled with howling as even more beasts crashed over the tundra, converging upon them. The fighting had only just begun. But with Pelzyq returned, with Zyryxa tearing through last of the wyverns, and the sword in her hand, Lexyn was ready to prove that her best was good enough. Chapter 57: The Long Night, Part 3 Pelzyq drove his fist into the big hairy beast¡¯s head. Knuckles bleeding, feeling like they were aflame. He kept swinging, not caring about the hurt, hammering until the beast¡¯s skull caved in. The bones in his hands felt broken. Probably because they were. The pain was less than he deserved. If he died fighting tonight, he¡¯d do these women a favor. Do the whole damn world a favor. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a sore sight for sore eyes?¡± Zyryxa said, smirking as she cleaned wyvern blood off her axe, wiping it in the snow. He¡¯d even tricked the ice princess into thinking he could be more than Pavinax¡¯s shitty son. He had to remind her that he wasn¡¯t good before he got her killed like everyone else he¡¯d cared about. ¡°I¡¯m not here for you, Princess.¡± He glared at her. She should¡¯ve lashed out at him, like she used to. The sympathy in her eyes was too much. Pelzyq looked away, feeling more unworthy than ever. ¡°I¡¯m glad you came back,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice soft even as beasts roared and shrieked in the dark, surrounding them. ¡°You¡¯re not fooling me anymore, Pelzyq. You won¡¯t make me hate you. So, don¡¯t try.¡± On the verge of tears, he strode away from her, seeking the next monster to slay. He couldn¡¯t stand it. He hurt Lexyn. He pushed her to the ground in his rage. He couldn¡¯t trust himself not to do it again. He was his father¡¯s son. Worse, he was still himself. He was the little boy that couldn¡¯t stand up to his father as he beat, raped, and killed his mother. Hatrox had shown him that. He paralyzed him without even touching him, making him the little boy watching as his father tormented the women he cared about. Zyryxa deserved a better brother. Lexyn deserved a better lover. He¡¯d kill as many of these monsters as he could, but he¡¯d let them take him once he knew the women were safe. If they didn¡¯t let him die, he¡¯d do it himself. Finally. He¡¯d give them the greatest gift he could: a life without Pelzyq. Lexyn called his name. He couldn¡¯t face her. He wasn¡¯t worthy of looking at that angel¡¯s face, the one he¡¯d put fear into moments after he failed to protect her from a stronger man. He had no right to see those eyes again that looked at him with such love and faith, to see those lips that made him feel alive and whole in their embrace. He didn¡¯t even deserve to hear her voice, her gratitude, her forgiveness. He tried to ignore it, block it out. He rushed toward the coming horde, trying to outrun Lexyn¡¯s love. Roaring to drown it out, his axe carved into the first gura, then the next. He didn¡¯t bother to shield himself, taking as many hits as he could while rampaging through their flesh with axe and fist. The pain felt right. If he had been a better man, he¡¯d have felt this when Hatrox threatened them. But he wasn¡¯t a better man. He was Pelzyq, son of Pavinax, curse to everyone he loved. More and more the monsters came. He charged headlong into the battle, doing whatever he could to ensure Lexyn survived. Yet it was her arrows that kept saving him. Each time he put himself too far in, an arrow brought down the beast at his flank or rear. He couldn¡¯t even die right without his unworthy ass being rescued by the woman he failed. The dead piled around them. Sabretooths, guras, wyverns, direwolves, yetis, wraiths, horned mammoths, sprites, trolls, these scaled beasts that seemed to have dozens of legs little legs and huge antennae, and some monstrous wolf creature that had already been slain before his unworthy ass returned. All while the crystal dragon flew above them, roaring at the carnage below but not engaging. Pelzyq didn¡¯t need to ask where they came from, why they kept coming. Twice already Hatrox and his dark dragon had flown over, swooping down to prove and enrage the monsters. The dragon rallied them to battle with its mind powers, drove them like yaks into their camp with its wrath. Hatrox wanted to break them. Wanted to leave them all dead until the one he wanted was all that remained. Zyryxa was a divine destroyer. Qoryxa incarnate. Her endless wrath carved through the hordes, sundering scales, cleaving heads, leaving little left for Pelzyq and Lexyn. As the battle went on, edging closer to dawn, she seemed to lock in, becoming one with the violence rather than fatiguing. The dead beasts piled up in her wake, while she remained unscathed by claw, fang, or frost. Of the drakes, only Zyrxl fought on. Maxilla and Dryxl down and Xilliax clearly dead. Natazia was nowhere to be found in the carnage. Probably a lifeless corpse among the gathering hundreds. Pelzyq no longer cared. That bitch could rot. He tried to join her, trusting that Zyryxa would succeed to protect Lexyn where he failed. Yet each impossible situation he dashed into, Zyryxa or Lexyn were there to save him. Once, when they had a few moments reprieve Zyryxa seized him by the arm, her mighty grip locking him in place. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Her power was beyond anything he¡¯d ever known. ¡°Stop,¡± she said, giving him the wrath he deserved. He tried to wrench his arm free. Zyryxa was far too powerful, proving his worthlessness. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Stop this,¡± she said, holding onto him. ¡°You will never hurt me more in life than you would in death, my brother. Don¡¯t you dare die on me. On Lexyn. We love you. Get that through your hollow skull and fight for your life.¡± ¡°My life is worth nothing!¡± he roared. ¡°Let me go!¡± She shook her head and the divinedamned tears starting to break through. ¡°I¡¯m no good,¡± he cried. ¡°I¡¯ll only hurt you.¡± Zyryxa shook her head. ¡°No. Not true. You¡¯re a good man. Honorable. Loyal. Protective. Forgive yourself. We already have.¡± He shook his head, crying like a little boy after his mother died, after his lover died. ¡°I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t deserve it.¡± ¡°Wrong again, dumbass.¡± ¡°Pelzyq.¡± Pelzyq sighed. The voice he dreaded most. He wouldn¡¯t look at Lexyn. He¡¯d managed this far to keep his eyes from her, no matter how much he craved to see her beautiful face again. He needed to remember her as she had been, when he¡¯d thrown her to the ground. ¡°You can forgive yourself,¡± Lexyn said. He tried to free himself, but Zyryxa¡¯s grip was too strong. Wolves howled. He wanted to go to them, to let their teeth sink into his heart. That would hurt less than this. Her arms wrapped around him, gentle, loving. She was perfect and he was a piece of shit. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he said. ¡°Now let me go before I do it again.¡± Lexyn clung to him. He couldn¡¯t shove her. Even when Zyryxa let him go, he could bring himself to tear free of Lexyn¡¯s embrace. He shut his eyes, but couldn¡¯t shut the tears in. Zyryxa fought around them as Lexyn wouldn¡¯t let go and he wouldn¡¯t push her off. ¡°You have to let me go,¡± he cried. ¡°Please.¡± ¡°No,¡± she said, snuggling his head. ¡°I¡¯m right where I want to be.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll hurt you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll trust you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get you killed.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll at least have lived.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t live with that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to live without you. I want to fight all my battles at your side.¡± ¡°Please stop,¡± he cried. ¡°I want to hold your hand as we change the world. I want to fly beside you, reaching the top of every mountain.¡± ¡°Stop!¡± ¡°I want to bear your children, and help them learn to love themselves, to believe they¡¯re good.¡± ¡°STOP!¡± ¡°Never. I won¡¯t stop loving you. I¡¯m not going anywhere without you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t be who you want me to be.¡± ¡°You already are.¡± Pelzyq sobbed, unable to form anymore words through the tears. ¡°I love you, Pelzyq. Please love yourself.¡± Zyryxa roared like a dragon, a wolf¡¯s dying yelp quiet as a whisper in comparison. ¡°It¡¯s done. End this, Hatrox! YOU WILL NOT BREAK US!¡± Lexyn twisted Pelzyq¡¯s head. ¡°Look at me. Please.¡± He opened his eyes. In a perfect world, he¡¯d start each day with the sight of this beautiful woman beside him, staring into her boundless love like it was an endless ocean of blue. She didn¡¯t fear him, but he feared himself. Feared what he could do to hurt her. She brushed his face, wiping away at tears. ¡°I¡¯m not fragile, Pelzyq. We will protect each other. From monsters, from men, from ourselves. You make me better. You make me want to wake up each day and take on the world. I want to see you beside me tomorrow. Whatever may come, I know I want to be with you. Do you want to be with me?¡± ¡°I do,¡± he admitted. ¡°I want it so bad. More than I¡¯ve ever wanted anything.¡± She smiled. That was all it took to make him soar. To alight atop the highest peak man had ever reached. ¡°I love you,¡± he said. She nodded. ¡°Of course, you do. I¡¯m your life¡¯s mate. You know what that means, Volqori?¡± He felt his lips rise for the first time since Hatrox landed. ¡°It means we¡¯ll be together forever.¡± Pelzyq kissed her, letting himself back into her life, making a silent promise to never do this again. She deserved a man who remained steady in his love for her, even if he sometimes didn¡¯t love himself. He¡¯d try to learn how to for her, to see himself with her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll never leave you again,¡± he promised. ¡°I know,¡± she said, kissing him. Thoughts burst into his mind, uninvited, disrupting their kiss. He returns, worthy warriors. Prepare yourselves. Pelzyq and Lexyn stared at each other, then up at the dragon Amarzallax still circling the skies. ¡°You both hear that?¡± Zyryxa asked. They nodded. Dread bubbled up in his gut, but he held onto Lexyn. She wasn¡¯t going to let go. Neither was he. ¡°We need to get Natazia up,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Why?¡± Pelzyq was ready to leave her behind, if she even lived. Lexyn gripped his hand, squeezing her fear into him. ¡°Without Natazia, he will make us go to Riverwatch.¡± Pelzyq would never forget the way Hatrox looked at Lexyn. He would hurt her. Unless Pelzyq kept her safe. Chapter 58: The Long Night, Part 4 Natazia drifted in the void, seeking refuge in the cold, empty place where she tried to hide from him. In this desolate sanctuary, the agony of her wounds brushed against her awareness like pinpricks, the howls and the screams naught but faint whispers on the wind. In this space, time stretched into an eternity or contracted into a fleeting moment. Natazia didn¡¯t want time to move forward. Backward, into the distant past, before him, back when things could be warm. Where once upon a time, a little girl with a shaved head danced by the fire, her spirit brighter than the flames. She heard the rhythm of Jaxton¡¯s drum, the strumming of Zalver¡¯s lute, Quanix¡¯s gentle harp, and Xillia¡¯s chilling voice. She sang along to her parents¡¯ melody, her voice lifting with joy as she felt capable of anything. The memory faded, leaving a void even deeper than before. She remembered wanting to impress him, feeling proud that he had chosen her. He was charming, handsome, so powerful. She wanted to be his. Instead, that little girl full of life, eager to soar on dragon¡¯s wings, was gone. Taken by Hatrox. His face emerged from the darkness, a specter that shattered her fragile sanctuary. Pain seeped through the cracks, dragging her back to his domain. Hatrox had found her again. He always would. Natazia screamed, another plea unheard among the thousands before. Her body convulsed, every nerve on fire as she fought against invisible chains. Champions with blind eyes, knights too afraid to fight, warriors too grateful it wasn¡¯t them¡ªthey had all abandoned her to Hatrox. She was alone in his hell, marked by his brand, his words cutting even deeper than his blades. You belong to me. She couldn¡¯t escape Hatrox; she never could. Nothingness became everything, and everything became Hatrox. The sound of his voice, cruelty masked as false tenderness, his overpowering musk, the taste of her own blood from his biting kiss, his dominating touch pressing her into submission again and again¡ªthe face of sculpted ice with the thinnest of smiles as he whispered, ¡°You are nothing without me.¡± She couldn¡¯t fight him anymore, just as he wanted. No amount of thrashing and screaming changed her fate. She would never be more than the frozen nothingness he made of that little girl dancing by the flames. Everything was cold and dark. She would never find her way back to the warmth and light of the fire. Fire seared her, burning away the numbness. Natazia jolted alert, her eyes wide, the afterimage of Hatrox lingering. She blinked him away, finding Lexyn kneeling in front of her, holding an empty syringe. Lexyn smiled at her. ¡°Hi, Natazia.¡± They were inside the remaining tent. She vaguely recalled crawling into here, hiding from the fighting, from Hatrox. She knew the monsters were his doing. Coryza could command them, drive them feral, herd them. Hatrox wanted to make Zyryxa his newest doll. All he needed to do was break her away from Natazia but he wouldn¡¯t kill Natazia directly. Too straightforward. It didn¡¯t inflict enough pain for him. He needed Zyryxa to choose him, to take the first step for herself. Then when she was in his grasp, he¡¯d be able to say it was her choice, her fault. That was how he worked. He never hurt you because it was fun to him. He hurt you because you caused it yourself. And you believed him. Hatrox destroyed people thoroughly, until they were nothing but empty husks. Until they were like her. Lexyn had been speaking, explaining what she was doing as she tended to Natazia¡¯s wounds. Pain receded, after a sting from whatever ointments or poultices she applied. Lexyn draped a blanket around her. Even if it wasn¡¯t just because she didn¡¯t want to go to Riverwatch, even if Lexyn still cared, all Natazia felt was cold. She tried to go back to her sanctuary. Lexyn kept trying to warm that which couldn¡¯t hold heat. ¡°You¡¯re going to be alright,¡± Lexyn said, gently holding Natazia¡¯s hand. ¡°We will only go up from here.¡± Natazia barely heard her. Hatrox would be back soon. Her body went rigid, her muscles froze, her mind so clouded she couldn¡¯t think about anything but Hatrox. She hadn¡¯t been alright in years. She never would be again. There was nowhere else to go. She was too tired to say anything though, so she let out a grunt, and tried to bury her mind before he came back. A sound snapped her into focus. A dragon. The dragon. She¡¯d heard Coryza descending into Riverwatch a thousand times. Each time, the hairs standing on her neck, her flesh prickling with bumps, her heart pounding, not knowing whether he would greet her with a kiss or a fist. Dreading his ridicule while craving his praise. ¡°It will be alright,¡± Lexyn said, foolishly. For one who¡¯d suffered so much in her life, it was amazing Lexyn hadn¡¯t lost that innocence yet. She would soon. Hatrox would claim it. The only thing he despised more than people who were inherently good was people who believed that others were inherently good. He would feast on Lexyn¡¯s sweetness until she became a bitter shell of the kindhearted girl she was now. Natazia felt sorry for her. She did nothing to deserve this. But the world cared little for what people deserved. Hatrox cared even less. Natazia crumpled when the tent flap shifted. She balled up, trying to make herself small. Not like it made a difference. She just couldn¡¯t stop trying to protect herself, even when she knew it was futile. Her body refused to die, even when her mind knew there was no reason to live. ¡°I need you to stand with me,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Once he leaves, we will get away from him. Whether we go back to Loxzua and lay low for awhile or head into the wilderness away from the next trial. We can lose him and start over again, never having to come as close to Riverwatch as we did to slay the qione.¡± Natazia laughed a laugh as empty as her soul. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? There is no escaping him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not giving up,¡± Zyryxa said. Natazia could feel her fury growing. Hatrox would either amplify that until she was as destructive as him or siphon it away until she was meek. ¡°Do you want to die out here alone? Or do you want to survive together?¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. She didn¡¯t understand. She would soon though. Hatrox would never let them go, never leave them alone until he got what he wanted. And she doubted he¡¯d ever wanted anything as bad as he¡¯d want Zyryxa. Her pride, her prowess, her perfect beauty. There wasn¡¯t another girl like her in Volqor. Hatrox needed to break her as much as he needed to breath. And Natazia couldn¡¯t keep doing this. She needed it to end, either through death or through giving him what he wanted. If there was any part of her that still lived, it was the part that clung to survival. All she needed to do was pay the price of freedom. Or rather, Zyryxa did. ¡°Don¡¯t let him win,¡± Zyryxa said, urgently. The beating of Coryza¡¯s wings made Natazia flinch just before the earth trembled from his touch. Natazia shook her head. ¡°He already has.¡± She met Zyryxa¡¯s angry gaze. ¡°He won the moment he saw you. You just haven¡¯t accepted it.¡± ¡°Drakeshit,¡± Pelzyq spat. ¡°You¡¯re giving up.¡± He was right. But insanity was continuing to try to do something that could not be done. She couldn¡¯t keep believing her story might have a happy ending but she could make it less miserable if he turned his eyes to his next victim. Lexyn knelt in front of her. ¡°I know it must feel like you¡¯re in Zamael¡¯s Hells with the Dark Brother himself.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know shit,¡± Natazia spat, turning away from her. ¡°None of you do.¡± But you will soon. ¡°And you can make sure we don¡¯t ever know,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°And we can help you escape,¡± Lexyn added. ¡°And someday kill the devil,¡± Pelzyq finished. Natazia shut down their compassion. They didn¡¯t care about her. They just wanted to save themselves. She curled into a ball, trying to fade into the cold place where she felt nothing. But once she was done listening to them, there was nothing to keep away Hatrox and his power to seize her body, mind, and soul. His voice rang out with that same exaggerated joy that she knew so well, something sweet covering the sourest of tastes. His confidence and charm were sharper than any axe, and his words cut deeper than any weapon ever could. ¡°And, at the end of the long night, our heroes live to see another sunrise! The monsters are dead! But what could have left them in heaps of blood but monsters themselves?¡± The atmosphere of the tent changed, and never had the night felt darker. Natazia didn¡¯t glimpse Zyryxa, Lexyn, or Pelzyq, but felt their dread. They felt but a fraction of what she felt every day, every night, every divinedamned moment that she refused to die. There was nothing she could do to help them now. All she could do was free herself and live in his shadow until the day she finally died. ¡°I wonder who did all this killing?¡± Hatrox asked. Her mind could see his smirk, could anticipate his next words. ¡°I know it wasn¡¯t Natazia!¡± Natazia heard the tent flap open. Her body seized, bracing for the pain. ¡°Go away,¡± Zyryxa said, meeting him outside. ¡°You tried to break us. You failed.¡± Natazia didn¡¯t need to see him. His mouth would open, his expression of boundless amusement, then that sharp, cutting laugh before he called you to question just how wrong you were. It came. A delayed laugh full of mirth. ¡°Did I?¡± No, Natazia thought. He never does. He always wins. ¡°Yes,¡± Zyryxa said, playing right into him. ¡°We are triumphant. Throw a thousand monsters at us and we will slay them all.¡± ¡°Together?¡± ¡°Together,¡± Zyryxa said, firm as a true champion. For now. ¡°Where are your valiant companions, Zyryxa? Where is the great Natazia?¡± ¡°They are fine. She is fine.¡± The laugh, that laugh that tore into your soul. Zyryxa would know that laugh well soon, know to shut her mouth and stop feeding the monster. ¡°Natazia is fine? Natazia?¡± He laughed. ¡°Not only powerful, but hilarious too.¡± ¡°Leave. Now.¡± She knew he would get right into her face. His voice would go low and cold as he withered her confidence with his glare. ¡°I will leave¡ª¡± ¡°Good¡ª¡± ¡°No sooner than you show me how fine your brood is. Until then, it is my noble duty to advise the dragon warriors in my domain.¡± Silence. Natazia tried to imagine Zyryxa¡¯s distress, but she was too far gone from days of being confident, of believing she was good enough to handle this world no matter what it threw at her. Hatrox would be smirking though, pushing her right into his grasp. ¡°Everyone,¡± Zyryxa said, nervously, ¡°come on out and show the dragon knight we don¡¯t need his advisement.¡± ¡°Come on,¡± Pelzyq said, grabbing at Natazia. She slapped him away, pushing herself into the tent wall opposite the flap. ¡°Please,¡± Lexyn said. Natazia shook. She shook everywhere but the only shaking she controlled was the rapid jerking of her head. Sighing, Pelzyq grabbed her. She tried to fight him off, clawing at his face, drawing blood. He was relentless and she was tired. Even like a cornered, dying animal, she couldn¡¯t overcome superior power. Distantly, she was aware of her own screams as he carried her into the night. Hatrox¡¯s glee penetrated her terror, like he¡¯d penetrated her so many times in so many ways. ¡°I see! Natazia looks great!¡± ¡°She¡¯s only like this because of you,¡± Zyryxa snapped. ¡°Everything was fine until you showed up.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, Zyryxa. It¡¯s my fault that your brood leader cannot handle being in command of someone so much better than her. It¡¯s my fault that she refuses to face me. My fault that even when I¡¯m not around, she hides and lets her betters fight for her. My fault that she broke all of her spears, that she is unarmed and dependent on you to keep her alive.¡± That was it! In her panic, Natazia seized upon the solution. Zyryxa and the others would never abandon her unless she did something they wouldn¡¯t be able to tolerate. ¡°Let me down,¡± she said, feeling a sudden peace bloom within her. Pelzyq obliged. ¡°Tell him, Natazia,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Tell him that we are together, that we will conduct the Rite of the Dragon Knight. Tell him that you are in command and that he needs to leave.¡± Natazia¡¯s heart drummed, even as she felt her soul go cold. There was one thing Zyryxa¡¯s pride would never give up, one thing that would get her to break the brood. She just had to say the words, then her suffering would be at an end. Still, it was hard, hard to send someone who saved your life to the place where her life would end, even if she too refused to die. But, in the end, all that was left of her was the part that clung to survival. And she couldn¡¯t survive anymore of this. ¡°I command you give me your axe.¡± Chapter 59: The Axe The tip of the sun crested the horizon, ending the long night. The light hit Natazia¡¯s face. Zyryxa had never seen her look as serious. She stared at Natazia in disbelief. It felt as if dozens of little creatures were crawling all over her body. She didn¡¯t want to go to Riverwatch. She¡¯d heeded the warnings. Valinax. Matyxal. Natazia. Her encounters with Hatrox himself confirmed that she wanted to be far from him. Never under his command. Most of all she recalled her mother¡¯s warning. But she¡¯d rather deal with Hatrox than get rid of the last thing she owned that belonged to Zyrthalla. She¡¯d be able to endure his command. She couldn¡¯t live without the axe. She could only manage one word without bursting with rage and even that came out barbed. ¡°Reconsider.¡± In her periphery, Hatrox¡¯s smirk rose into a glorious smile. Natazia shook her head. ¡°If you want to be in my brood, you will be under my command. I command your axe to me.¡± Hatrox paced between them, exuding glee. ¡°Well done, Natazia. Well done, indeed!¡± Natazia beamed for a moment. Zyryxa¡¯s stomach turned. One moment of praise and she was eager to please. How could she have ever respected this creature? Hatrox inhaled, as if the air itself was the sweetest nectar. ¡°Show her that you are wyrm and she is wyrmling.¡± He flashed his teeth at Zyryxa and she felt as if the creatures crawling over her multiplied. ¡°It¡¯s just an axe, Zyryxa. We¡¯ve got plenty more at Riverwatch. I can give you one that suits your judicious eye.¡± She didn¡¯t meet his gaze, leaving her focus on Natazia. She managed to squeeze the words out without screaming. ¡°You¡¯re giving him what he wants.¡± ¡°Give me the axe,¡± Natazia demanded. Zyryxa bit down on her retort. It¡¯d do no good to threaten parting Natazia¡¯s head because she wasn¡¯t using it. But she felt her rage growing, straining at its binds while they frayed. Qoryxa¡¯s divine judgment flowed through her, the ice rising within. If she wasn¡¯t careful, she¡¯d kill Natazia. ¡°Take my sword,¡± Lexyn said, offering it to the traitor. ¡°I¡¯ll do fine with bow and knife.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t want it,¡± Natazia said. ¡°The axe, Zyryxa. Now.¡± Zyryxa glared at her, connecting the pieces together. The weapon wasn¡¯t important. All that mattered was having dominion over her. ¡°Why, Natazia?¡± After everything she did for her. Saving her from torture and rape in the homestead, helping her forge a strong brood, supporting her when she dealt with her crippling past, to fighting all this night so she could survive. She couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore, anger erupting inside. ¡°Why!¡± ¡°Because I am broodleader.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s mocking laugh didn¡¯t rewrite the cold apathy carved on Natazia¡¯s face. ¡°You aren¡¯t anything more than the shit stuck under my boot. You will never touch my axe. You will never command me again.¡± Natazia sprang at her like a sabretooth. Zyryxa, even surprised, was still quicker. She blocked Natazia¡¯s jab, maneuvered behind her, locked her arms, seized her head, and dominated her. Natazia¡¯s thrashes were pathetic. Zyryxa¡¯s rage swallowed them whole. Then she spit her out, shoving her to the ground. She hit hard with a pitiful cry. ¡°Fuck you, Natazia! FUCK YOU!¡± Pelzyq tapped Zyryxa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Leave the bitch behind.¡± Zyryxa felt empowered by his support, his understanding. The anger abated a bit, but it wasn¡¯t gone. Her throat too sore from shouting, Zyryxa spat on Natazia as she withered on the ground. ¡°Zyryxa,¡± Lexyn said in that conciliatory voice. The one that always urged compassion. It was usually right. But not this time. Her compassion reached its limit. There was none left for this woman she¡¯d once been proud to call her sister. But she was used to being disappointed by a sister. May Natazia and Zyrxine take each other¡¯s miserable lives. ¡°It¡¯s over, Lexyn.¡± Zyryxa steadied her breathing. ¡°We¡¯re done with her.¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Lexyn, tears in her eyes, undid her scabbard and tossed her sword to Natazia. ¡°Until next time.¡± ¡°There won¡¯t be a next time,¡± Natazia mumbled. ¡°Hatrox will¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Zyryxa roared, stomping toward her, rage rekindled. ¡°We will endure what you could not. We are stronger and we will emerge stronger for it. You will regret this for the rest of your short, miserable life, you divinedamned bitch.¡± With a sigh, Natazia laid down, eyes shut. ¡°We¡¯ll see how long that pride lasts.¡± ¡°My pride wouldn¡¯t last giving up my axe to you.¡± ¡°The axe is just a thing. But neither it nor you will endure Riverwatch.¡± Zyryxa wanted to bash in her teeth, what remained of them. But Pelzyq caught her arm. ¡°She¡¯s beneath you.¡± Zyryxa nodded. Wasn¡¯t that the truth? And the problem. Or it was. She turned toward Hatrox, determined to begin the next phase of her life. He¡¯d help her grow powerful and she wouldn¡¯t let him twist her into a creature like Natazia or himself. This would be for the best. Eventually. Better to face it head-on than let fear pull her down. She met his wide smile. He was powerful and good to look at. All she needed to do was retain the compassion her mother instilled in her. That was untouchable. It was hers as much as the ice. ¡°Well done, Zyryxa. You¡¯ve liberated yourself from an unworthy leader. You will rise so far above her that she will never be more than a tiny speck of snow while you are the ice itself. I am very impressed.¡± A chill ran down her spine even while a warmth crept through her legs. This might not be so bad. As long as she could keep impressing him, which, let¡¯s be honest, wouldn¡¯t be hard for her, he could shape her into a destroyer that could take on Saevah and Vaztyma without fear of failure. Hatrox licked his lips, knowing full well the effect he was having. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re doing her a favor. The only way Natazia will ever find her worth is if she stops hiding behind others and learns to fight for herself. If you meet her again, you will both be better.¡± He was right. If Natazia was ever going to quit being pathetic, she¡¯d have to do it on her own instead of being carried on Zyryxa¡¯s back. Zyryxa strode up to him. She never noticed that scent before, that masculine musk. ¡°All you want is what¡¯s best for us.¡± His smirk could either make her run for her life or want to drop everything and wrestle him. She didn¡¯t know which fit here so she stood there, waiting for a cue. ¡°Yes,¡± he said, no hint of sarcasm. ¡°I want you to be strong.¡± ¡°And Natazia?¡± ¡°Her too,¡± he said. ¡°You cannot forge the mightiest weapons without applying tremendous pressure. She broke. You will not. You will be the greatest weapon Volqor has seen since the Thirteen Divines.¡± To be wielded by you, she thought, even as she hungered to be so powerful. ¡°Then apply your pressure, Knight Hatrox.¡± His gorgeous grin made her heart hammer, her legs growing warmer and warmer but her desire for power outpaced everything. She was eager now. This would be good. In the end. ¡°Are you ready?¡± he asked with the barest hint of seduction. ¡°We shall see,¡± she said, flashing her teeth in a smile that said something far more confident. Hatrox chuckled. His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead, glided softly down her cheek. ¡°You will do gloriously.¡± He moved past her, a sudden shift that left her feeling disoriented, even a little jilted. ¡°How about it, warriors? Are you ready to fulfill all your ambitions?¡± ¡°Yes, Knight Hatrox,¡± Pelzyq said clearly, even though his expression was soured by unmasked hatred. Zyryxa needed him not to do something stupid. But Hatrox didn¡¯t hone in on Pelzyq. Lexyn¡¯s response had been inaudible. Hatrox didn¡¯t stomp, didn¡¯t even charge, yet his smooth stride was more menacing than anything more wrathful. His control, his poise, and his confidence were horrifying and mesmerizing. Being around him was like basking in the presence of a god in a way Zyryxa never felt near Vaztyma or anyone. ¡°Try that again,¡± he said, the words lacking the danger his stance carried. ¡°Yes, Knight Hatrox,¡± she whispered. He pinched her cheek as if she were a particularly cute baby. ¡°We¡¯ll have to work on that. When you arrive at Riverwatch, that softness will get you hurt.¡± ¡°Lexyn is powerful,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°Even if she looks soft, I assure you she¡¯s as ferocious as any dragon when the fighting begins.¡± Hatrox¡¯s smile swiveled between them. ¡°Is that so, Lexyn? Is there a yasmar lurking beneath this Blizzardmane?¡± Lexyn nodded. ¡°You d-d-don¡¯t want to see me mad.¡± ¡°On the contrary, my little Blizzardmane, I¡¯d like nothing more than to see your wrath.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t disappoint you,¡± Zyryxa said, trying to get his focus off Lexyn, hoping to keep her safe. ¡°Enough talk,¡± Hatrox said. Coryza, who¡¯d been gliding over the region, descended toward them. The sun was fully over the horizon. Hatrox pointed toward it. ¡°As I said, it is pressure not words that forge mighty weapons. Gather your drakes, ride to Riverwatch. If all of you do not arrive by sunset,¡± he took in a breath of icy air, his smiling gaze fixated on Lexyn, ¡°I will kill one of you.¡± Chapter 60: The Race I will kill one of you. Zyryxa couldn¡¯t comprehend the words. Didn¡¯t want to. How could anyone be so needlessly cruel? It had to be a sick joke. Perhaps a scare tactic? Coryza¡¯s claws hit the ground. Zyryxa braced for the shockwave, gaining familiarity with it now. The icy gale of the dark dragon¡¯s wingbeat blew the rest of them back, humans and drakes. Lexyn and Pelzyq fell to the ground, Dryxl, Maxilla, and Zyrxl¡¯s claws raked the ice as they were pushed by the tremendous force. Zyryxa squatted, covering her eyes with her forearm and leaning into the blast, doing everything she could to hold her ground. Hatrox just stood there. Unmoving. Unrelenting. Unstoppable. He shouted over the howling wind. ¡°Run! Like you tried to run from me!¡± The storm subsided, the dragon¡¯s wings spreading out in their massive wingspan wide enough to block out the rising sun from the horizon line, casting them in darkness. In the center of the dragon¡¯s shadow, Hatrox stood like an ice sculpture, sneering. Zyryxa clenched her teeth, keeping the bitter words within. This was retribution. For daring to evade him when she joined Natazia¡¯s brood. Vaztyma sending them to Riverwatch, her hesitation to divert them onto the rite, it became clear. Hatrox had always wanted her, since that day he first laid eyes on her in the Frostmelt. He¡¯d demanded her from Vaztyma. Now he would kill Lexyn or Pelzyq to punish her for trying to avoid him. Unless they could race dozens of miles on no sleep, across icy terrain, with all of them but her bearing minor wounds from a vicious night of battle, where a second qione or monsters rallied by Coryza would bar their path. It wasn¡¯t just improbable; it was likely impossible. She contemplated fleeing him or trying to seek sanctuary with Vaztyma. Her gut rolled, nausea hitting her like an icy gale, cutting through her core. Would Vaztyma even protect her? Could she? Hatrox¡¯s sinister grin made her shake with fury. He spoke as if he was their best friend, the sarcasm layered on thick. ¡°Don¡¯t even think of running the wrong way. I will be there when the sun sets, no matter where you are.¡± He chuckled. ¡°And don¡¯t ever think of running to Vaztyma. She cannot protect you from me.¡± His gaze fell on her, sickly sweet. ¡°You are mine now.¡± Zyryxa¡¯s hands closed into fists, she shook with rage. He just smiled. His voice singsong and sweet, he said, ¡°What are you waiting for? Run, run, run as fast as you can. Daylight fades and you¡¯ll lose a man.¡± He set his eyes on Lexyn. ¡°Or woman.¡± They didn¡¯t wait for him to climb Coryza. Zyryxa, Lexyn, and Pelzyq didn¡¯t speak. They knew what was at stake, knew the score. But when you are trapped in a game you cannot win, all you can do is try to break it. They mounted Zyrxl, Dryxl, and Maxilla, riding them as hard as they could until the drakes needed rest. Then they took to their feet, letting the drakes follow behind. Zyryxa never got back in Zyrxl¡¯s saddle. When Pelzyq or Lexyn needed to rest, they rotated which of the drakes carried them. Zyryxa had to soothe Zyrxl the first time Pelzyq tried to mount her, but the coldscale sensed the desperation, made the exception, at least this once. They didn¡¯t stop for food. Zyryxa wasn¡¯t even hungry. She felt sick. Not just from the exertion but from the dread. She stole glances at Lexyn and Pelzyq, shaking at the thought of either of them being pointlessly murdered. But she knew it wasn¡¯t pointless. Hatrox didn¡¯t do things without a reason. This was punishment and this was control. She felt him from here, pushing her forward, whispering in her ear that she belonged to him, how dare she try to deny her fate. This message was received, repeated in her mind as she dashed over lifeless tundra that stretched on in a flat plain for as far as the eye could see. He said, ¡°You will do great things for me or I will hurt you. If I don¡¯t hurt you, I will hurt those you hold dear. And if I hurt those you hold dear, it is because you disappointed me.¡± Already she could visualize his mannerisms. He would lean toward her with that vicious smile as if he wanted to kiss her and instead tell her that all she had to do was be better. Then he¡¯d lean back and tell her that it was the only way she¡¯d become who she needed to be. Qoryxa¡¯s divine judgment fueled her. If Hatrox wanted to test her, she¡¯d show him that nothing he did would stop her. She would be the best. She¡¯d show that divinedamned sadist that she¡¯d pass his impossible challenges. Neither Lexyn nor Pelzyq would die today. She raced across the landscape, leading the drakes and her brood north, northeast. Her stamina was unwavering as she left her old life miles behind. Zyryxa only halted to sip from her water skin, and even then, only when the others initiated it. If they were to fail, it wouldn¡¯t be because she let them down. The morning faded without a single word uttered from their lips. Thankfully, it also passed without event. Zyryxa rushed them northeast, aiming a direct line toward where she expected Riverwatch to be. Since this cut more north than their initial route, she dreaded their path would take them through another qione territory where the blizzard would slow them. No blizzard walls appeared on the barren expanse. Hope started to shine within her like the sun in the cloudless sky. No monsters barred their path. No ravines or hills slowed their pace. The only menace was the ever-present shadow in the sky flying at varying heights and distances, never leaving their sight, and they never leaving his. But good fortune was fickle, especially when the game was rigged from the start. The landscape started to slope, forming ridges and ravines alike. Little shelves of ice where footing was more challenging greeted them as they left Nix Tezyk. Dense gelubor forests where beasts lurked in the crystalline white and blue trees, interspersed with evergreens as the climate warmed nearer to the sea. Rolling fields of viridix and colorful herbs masked treachery within their tall stalks. This was the Volqor that Zyryxa loved. This beautiful land of ice and snow unlike any other in the world continued to be a marvel even after traveling it for more than a year. But today it was an obstacle. They needed to make perfect time, with no margin for mistakes. Coryza flew overhead, able to rouse the denizens of this land. It was only a matter of time now that they¡¯d left behind the lands the monstrous dark blue behemoth had emptied in last night¡¯s battle. The first encounter lasted no more than a few heartbeats. Zyryxa cut down a great white bear, then slaughtered its half-grown cub with practiced ease. An easy triumph. But it felt like anything but a win. Hatrox did everything for a reason. The message was plain to all three of them: This was just the beginning. They¡¯d need to fight their way to Riverwatch. No heartbeats came easy after that, nor could hope outmatch the rising dread gnawing at every fiber of Zyryxa¡¯s being. Each stride was another step closer to sunset and not close enough to Riverwatch. The sun had already descended half to setting when Lexyn halted them. ¡°We can¡¯t stop,¡± Zyryxa said, her breath coming hard, the cold filtering into her lungs. ¡°I know,¡± she said, dismounting Dryxl. She opened one of the saddlebags. ¡°But we need all the help we can get. I have a draught that will flood us with energy and dull our pain, but the crash that comes after it will be brutal.¡± Zyryxa felt her exhaustion looming as if it was on the other side of the ceiling and the roof was collapsing. Her whole body was sore and she didn¡¯t know how much longer until she couldn¡¯t hold the exhaustion up. Her legs were heavy, she was sweating so profusely that the cold was turning it to a layer of frost that burned her skin. Pelzyq caught up, Zyrxl and Maxilla trailing behind him. She read that sad look in his eyes. He seemed on the verge of tears every time she glimpsed his face since the bear attack. He studied them both like they were the most precious gems. Lexyn sipped the draught, making a sour face as she finished gulping. Zyryxa didn¡¯t spare time for hesitation. She seized the vial, took a heavy sip, and swallowed the viscous liquid thicker than molasses. The change was instant. She felt power flowing through her, jolting her forward. Her sore legs felt light, like they could damn near fly if she tried. She could run until the sun fell and rose again¡ªor at least until the crash came. She dashed to Pelzyq, waving the vile toward him with frenetic energy. He moved like a snow slug, taking it, those rheumy eyes lingering on the brown fluid, wasting vital moments. ¡°If we don¡¯t make it by nightfall¡ª¡± ¡°Stop,¡± Zyryxa said, tilting the vial toward his lips. ¡°We¡¯re going to make it.¡± Even her words came out jittery, slurring together in their haste to leave her mouth. ¡°With time to spare.¡± The tears started to run slowly down his face. ¡°It has to be me.¡± Zyryxa choked back tears of her own. She shook her head, the motions exaggerated by the tonic. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him before I let him touch either of you.¡± Pelzyq shook his head now, lethargically. ¡°No. You won¡¯t.¡± She refused to believe that, especially with this new vigor coursing through her like a wildfire evergreens. ¡°Then I¡¯ll volunteer myself.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t let you.¡± Pelzyq looked at Lexyn. ¡°I didn¡¯t protect you before, but I will tonight. If it¡¯s the last thing I do.¡± Lexyn rubbed at her eyes, violently shaking her head. ¡°Nobody is going to die. Now drink and let¡¯s keep moving.¡± Pelzyq swallowed the draught with a sigh. Then they returned to the race, his words chasing them across the landscape. Hatrox¡¯s monsters were not subtle. Stirred by the dragon, he pointed them in their direction and they moved as fast as they could without a care for stealth. It felt too easy. Zyryxa and Zyrxl in the lead and Lexyn¡¯s arrows when she was close enough made easy work of the beasts. Zyryxa wanted to scream at the dragon in the distant sky, ¡°Is that the best you can do!¡± But the need to maintain her pace kept her mouth sealed and her legs pumping. Alas, she didn¡¯t give him enough credit. He lulled her into arrogance for when she crowned one hill, she saw the trap he¡¯d laid out. A massive green wyrm closed in on them. The only way to avoid it was to cut south around another hill. Coryza was already in the sky to the southeast, baiting them to take the detour. She wanted to cry. Instead, Zyryxa let out an agonizing roar. The wingless dragon¡¯s breath was toxic and one strong whiff would immobilize, an extended one would kill. They couldn¡¯t afford to carry one of their own, couldn¡¯t risk their lives trying to rush through a battle with such a deadly foe. Yet, she knew running was what Hatrox wanted her to do. It was a trap, she knew he¡¯d probably have something deadly waiting for them on the detour but they couldn¡¯t risk a green wyrm. She felt like an animal in a maze, being prodded and poked at every corner, running into dead ends. If it were just any maze, it would have been manageable but this maze ended in Pelzyq or Lexyn¡¯s death if she couldn¡¯t lead them out in time. The sun was closer to setting than midday. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. The rest of the group caught up, pausing for a brief sip of water. Pelzyq and Lexyn had both been dismounted since drinking the tonic, but they still lagged behind Zyryxa. The drakes hadn¡¯t been given any potion and were even more sluggish. Dryxl and Maxilla who¡¯d barely survived last night looked halfway dead. Zyrxl¡¯s tongue wagged out of her mouth. It was a testament to their bonds that they didn¡¯t abandon this death march. She needed to decide and couldn¡¯t contemplate away their light. Zyryxa led them south around the wyrm, hoping she could cut back after the wyrm overpursued. After all, Hatrox couldn¡¯t redirect the wyrm if he was miles away in the opposite direction. Right? Perhaps if she cut the angle tight, she¡¯d even be able to only head the wrong way for the space of this next hill. Feeling clever, she dashed under the ridge, concealing herself from the green wyrm, her eyes on the next rise over the hill where she could pass the beast and they¡¯d leave it in their rear. Hatrox loomed farther to the southeast, expecting her to take a much longer detour. Would he be upset that she outsmarted him or proud? It didn¡¯t matter. She was proud of herself. With a surge of confidence, she crested the next hill. The green wyrm was behind them and they¡¯d be able to evade it if they kept their pace. But Zyryxa wasn¡¯t more cunning than Hatrox. A white wyrm, if only half the size of the one she¡¯d battled moons ago, awaited them over the rise. Lairing on the middle of a shelf between two fatal cliffs, the terrain gave her three options. The could keep going, fighting through the white wyrm and risk getting sandwiched by the pursuing green, backtrack to the green and get trapped by the white, or retract most of their steps and take the longer detour to the southeast. Feeling stupid and wroth, she wasn¡¯t going to make the same mistake twice. ¡°We need to kill or get past the white wyrm before the green can reach us.¡± Neither Lexyn or Pelzyq complained. They put their faith in her. She felt that responsibility ripping at her heart as the sun drifted to the sky¡¯s edge, painting the horizon red as the sky shifted a darker blue. ¡°Lexyn, aim for the eyes.¡± Zyryxa ordered. ¡°Pelzyq, attack from the left. I will take the right. Damage its limbs so that we can escape its mouth. We don¡¯t need to kill it if we can get past it. If we¡¯re lucky the white and the green will fight each other instead of pursue us. After that, I believe we will have a clear sprint to Riverwatch.¡± This was it. Prevail here and they had a chance of winning the race. The white wyrm charged toward them. Lexyn¡¯s bowstring twanged, her arrows whooshed, whirling toward the wyrm. She hit both eyes before Zyryxa and Pelzyq engaged. Through the monster¡¯s cries, Zyryxa and Pelzyq hacked at the beast¡¯s forelegs with their axes. Zyryxa cut through scale, empowered by Qoryxa and the draught, hacking off a gigantic foot. Light blue blood sprayed from the wound. But Zyryxa learned from her mistakes. She rushed toward the hindleg, axe in hand, before the spray could freeze her. Pelzyq wasn¡¯t doing as well. The wyrm¡¯s fangs lashed toward him, its claw swiping horizontally. He wouldn¡¯t evade both. Pelzyq dodged the maw, exposing himself to the claw. Maxilla intercepted the claws. She faithful drake went down hair, sliced clean through by the razor-sharp claws. The wyrm snapped its head toward Pelzyq, blindly exhaling frost. He withdrew toward the shelf¡¯s edge, edging closer to death. ¡°Watch the edge, Pelzyq!¡± He diverted away from the cliff, needing to go through the cold breath. Zyryxa, in desperation, ran toward the beast¡¯s front. She sliced her axe into the monster¡¯s chest, cracking the scales with several cuts, exposing the heart. The creature¡¯s mouth blindly bit down at her. Zyryxa leapt aside, shouting out, ¡°Lexyn! Heart!¡± Zyryxa parried a claw, stumbling back several steps before, rolling toward the dismembered claw as the wyrm bit down at her. Lexyn¡¯s arrows barraged the wyrm¡¯s heart, filling it, shooting out a spray of blood. The beast kept madly swinging its teeth and claw, missing wildly in its blindness. ¡°I¡¯m out of arrows!¡± Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Zyryxa seized her axe, feeling the need to save her friends. She assaulted the heart, the memory of the last time she did this sounding off like a warning. There was no other way though. It had to be done and it had to be her. Layered in frost, Pelzyq shouted, drawing the beast¡¯s attention as he swung his axe at a hind leg. His distraction gave her the opening she needed. Zyryxa slammed the axe into its heart, keeping her distance, then ripped it free as she leapt back. The frigid blood splattered, but this time she didn¡¯t get drenched. Zyryxa wiped a few drops from her face and rolled free before the wyrm collapsed atop her. ¡°Let¡¯s fucking go!¡± she screamed, lungs burning from cold exertion, the draught still filling her with unyielding energy. Lexyn shrieked. Zyryxa spun, finding the green wyrm had closed the distance, emerging on the hilltop shelf. Pelzyq was cut off, white wyrm and ridge¡¯s end between him and Lexyn. Dryxl and Lexyn were within a cloud of green. Lexyn stumbled forward, coughing and gasping as she emerged from the cloud, her consciousness fading in a series of twitches. Dryxl hacked, forcing himself forward until he collapsed with his head atop a dead Maxilla. Zyryxa shook with a horrible, vindictive rage. She lost sense of time, the race receding behind her wrath. She rushed in, running along the edge of the toxic mist, Zyrxl following her. This monster would die. The beast lowered its head, opened a mouth large enough to swallow Lexyn in one bite, and thumped across the hilltop toward its dinner. It never saw Zyryxa coming. Her axe tore through scale, sliced through dense neck muscle, and shattered bone. Poisonous green blood spilled from the wound, splattering Zyryxa and Zyrxl. The coldscale clawed at the wyrm¡¯s eye, which was as big Zyryxa¡¯s head while Zyryxa kept hacking through the wound, not caring about the poison spraying on her furs and face. She didn¡¯t feel the sting of its acid corroding flesh, only the power of her anger as her axe severed the wyrm¡¯s gigantic head. The corrosive spray hit Zyrxl, and she cried out as she dashed to rub her wounds against the snow. Rage subsiding, Zyryxa rushed to do the same, rubbing her face against the fresh flakes, removing her poison-sodden furs and boots until she was down to her undergarments. She used whatever she could find to clear the poison from her face, then strapped her belt to her waist, leaving behind the torn and poison-riddled furs. Even in her pain, in her worries for Lexyn, and most of all for the distance between them and Riverwatch and the fading light, she thought of what the poison might do to her face. Would it leave corrosive scars? The thought nauseated her. Her stomach, left untended all day, felt like a burning hole within her. She vomited, expelling whatever water and draught were left. A wave of exhaustion hammered into her, and her knees gave out beneath her, until she faceplanted the ice. Her consciousness flickered, vision blurring. The light was fading, but she couldn¡¯t focus her eyes. Strong arms lifted her from the ground. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Here.¡± He set her in the Zyrxl¡¯s saddle. Zyryxa forced her head up, fought to keep her eyes open. She was so tired it felt like holding herself up no less strenuous than lifting a wyrm. Pelzyq nudged Dryxl with his boot. ¡°Get up.¡± The darkscale whined, leaving his head on his dead mate¡¯s. Lexyn was unconscious on the ground beside the two drakes. Pelzyq ripped off her poisoned garments with his knife. He left behind her bow, her knife, her satchel. Everything but Lexyn herself and set her on his shoulder, carrying her in front of him. High above, a dark blue shadow circled. She could feel Hatrox¡¯s glee. He¡¯d tricked her, trapped her, and won. Qoryxa¡¯s flaming eyes! Zyryxa found a surge of energy, digging into the depths of her soul as if a body could be fueled by vindictive judgment alone. Gritting her teeth, Zyryxa bellowed, ¡°We need to go, Dryxl!¡± The darkscale just whined. Zyryxa understood. If she wasn¡¯t so mad, she¡¯d whine with him. He¡¯d gone as far as he could physically, emotionally. The once-cowardly drake didn¡¯t cower in fear, but wept in love, and collapsed in exhaustion from doing everything he could. Until he couldn¡¯t. She understood. And was proud to have traveled beside him for all these moons. ¡°He¡¯s not moving,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°I¡¯ll carry her.¡± Staring at the setting sun, Zyryxa nodded, and kicked Zyrxl into motion. As they traveled, Zyryxa felt at the burns on her cheeks, dreading the pockmarks she¡¯d find. She longed to stare at her reflection, to ease her mind, but she could neither bring herself to pause them or to face her face. She tried to focus on the race, the sun now starting to fall over the edge of the world. But sitting in the saddle left her exposed to her darkest thoughts. Pelzyq did his best to carry Lexyn and keep the pace, but he was only one man¡ªif the best one Zyryxa knew. She tried to ease his struggles, leaping from the saddle and forcing her legs to carry her toward the Everice and the sea. Pelzyq refused to share his burdens until Zyryxa forced Lexyn from his arms and set her on Zyrxl. As they raced to the end, Lexyn reawakened, mumbling atop Zyrxl. The drake slumped, its pace falling behind Zyryxa and Pelzyq. ¡°Can you run?¡± Zyryxa asked. Lexyn rolled off Zyrxl, stumbling several steps before hitting the ground on hands and knees. She tried to rise again, straining, her lean muscles exposed to the cold with naught but her undergarments for cover. Crying, Lexyn shook her head. Zyrxl collapsed. The coldscale fell on her side, tongue out of her mouth. She¡¯d go no further. In the distance, Zyryxa saw the sea. They hadn¡¯t crossed the Everice. Riverwatch needed to be close. She had to find a way to carry Lexyn to the end. The sun was more behind the horizon than above. Zyryxa heaved, trying to lift Lexyn but her arms gave out and she spilled her back to the ground. Shaking with fury, she reached again but Pelzyq set his hand on her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± He hefted Lexyn up, his legs wobbling beneath him and carried her over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve got you, love.¡± None of them said what they all believed was true. It wouldn¡¯t matter. ¡°Come on,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°We have to be close.¡± For once this day, she was right. Just past the next set of forest, the fortress emerged into sight. Sturdy stone walls, dark against the white snow and light ocean. Pelzyq groaned with every step but they picked up speed as they went downhill toward the end. Zyryxa thought of sliding down the slope, but was afraid her legs wouldn¡¯t support her again if she eased up. Tumbling forward, she kept her balance on a slippery sheet of ice. Pelzyq slid over it, shielding Lexyn as he slipped to the ground. Zyryxa limped toward them, offered her hand, pulled Pelzyq up. Lexyn struggled to her feet, her legs buckling but not giving way. Together, the three of them slumped toward the gateway. The sun was almost entirely gone, with just the top of it showing against the horizon. We¡¯re going to make it. Too tired to speak, Zyryxa forced herself to keep moving, keep believing. It wasn¡¯t for nothing. Coryza landed within the walls. They kept moving, kept going. There would be time for rest soon. She just needed to push a little more. Zyryxa slammed into to gate, forcing it open. She stumbled into Riverwatch, finding a garrison equally male and female, fit with everything you¡¯d expect. Two large barracks built of stone that wouldn¡¯t burn if a fire dragon lit them, stations for various camp functions: a mess hall, an infirmary, several smithing stations, stables for drakes and other mounts. Yet none of that mattered now. She barely registered the dozens of eyes on her, even though she was almost nude and her usually perfect face damaged by the green wyrm¡¯s poison. All that mattered was the two warriors, a brother and a sister, stumbling into the fort behind her, the knight awaiting them, and the final few moments of the day before the sun faded behind the horizon. ¡°We did it,¡± Lexyn said, collapsing to her knees. Pelzyq bent over, laughed. He pointed up at the last moments of light. ¡°Just in time.¡± Zyryxa smiled at Hatrox, bearing her teeth in triumph. The smiled faded with the last ray of light in the western sky, when Hatrox shook his head, tut-tutting at them. ¡°Time is up. You lost.¡± ¡°This is all of us!¡± Zyryxa shouted, waving her arms at Pelzyq and Lexyn. His smirk could¡¯ve made her erupt like a volcano, had she any energy left to give. ¡°No. Its barely half of what I asked for. Where, I might ask, are my drakes? I recall three. I see none.¡± ¡°No,¡± Zyryxa said, shaking, her muscles so weak she just wanted to lie down and sleep for days. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask for drakes, and you know it. We made it to Riverwatch before sunset. We fought through your beasts, killed two wyrms, ran for close to a hundred miles. In one day. On no sleep. Because you made us fight all night! We are here! We won!¡± His face was placid as he basked in her tears. ¡°Gather your drakes. Ride to Riverwatch. If all of you do not arrive by sunset, I will kill one of you.¡± He gestured toward them. ¡°Where. Are. My. Drakes?¡± He spun toward his swarm. ¡°I don¡¯t see them! Does anyone else?¡± The Riverwatch garrison was silent, save for one woman who volunteered a loud, ¡°No, Knight Hatrox.¡± He twisted back toward Zyryxa, drew a handaxe. He enunciated each word slowly, imprinting them into Zyryxa¡¯s mind. ¡°So, which one of you is it going to be?¡± Chapter 61: Welcome to Riverwatch [final chapter of Book 1] Lexyn looked at her feet, her entire body shaking, wondering how it came to this. Just a span of days ago, her life had been good. At least good as far as Volqori life could be. A man to love. A sister to rely on. Parents who were still there for her. She had been growing more confident in herself, believing that she could change the world with these people, make Volqor better for those who weren¡¯t among the mightiest. But that was over. She was too mad to look at the monster that had seized her dreams and tore them to shreds, thrusting her into this nightmare. She hated him. Hated him more than she knew it was possible to hate someone. If he were a yasmar¡¯s victim to be methodically flayed, taken piece by piece over the course of moons, that would be a fate too gentle for him. He deserved endless suffering, visceral and mental agony in an eternity in Zamael¡¯s Hells. Hate. Such an alien feeling within her. Leverith taught her to love all, to understand all, but she couldn¡¯t understand what would make a person so cruel. She couldn¡¯t love this monster. Hate was all she could feel toward him. Leverith forgive and understand me, Lexyn thought. They¡¯d come so far, not just in the last day, but ever since she met Pelzyq and Zyryxa outside the gates of the Pridefort. For all that, what she hated most of all was that it meant nothing now. If a hundred warriors watched Hatrox do this to them and not a single one thought to tell him to stop, what could they possibly do? In a land where the only thing that mattered was power, Lexyn was powerless. A yak cowering beneath a dragon, waiting to be devoured. She¡¯d seen who he looked to when he threatened them. For whatever sick reason, Hatrox wanted to kill her. But Pelzyq would try to take her place. He¡¯d die to keep her safe. Lexyn fell to her knees, sobbing, not knowing which was worse. She didn¡¯t want Pelzyq to be like Hyzqar and she didn¡¯t want to die. But she didn¡¯t want to live in a world without Pelzyq, where monsters like Hatrox could be cruel without consequence, where she would continue to be under his evil dominion. All she could do was cry. ¡°I warned you that softness would get you hurt here, girl,¡± Hatrox said. ¡°To feel is not weakness,¡± Zyryxa said, her voice ice¡¯s judgment. ¡°To feel is to be reminded of what matters.¡± Hatrox chuckled as if Zyryxa couldn¡¯t possibly believe that. He wasn¡¯t the only one in the crowd that laughed. ¡°Did you read that in some little Leverian girl¡¯s fairytale book?¡± More laughter from the swarm. Hatrox¡¯s voice became stern enough to make Lexyn flinch. ¡°Strength is the only thing that is not weakness. One cannot be strong on their knees, crying like a babe hungry for their mother¡¯s teat.¡± The harshness slipped into the background, still there, perhaps even more there. Hatrox flashed a toothy smile. ¡°So, cast your votes. Who is it going to be?¡± Riverwatch went silent. Pelzyq set his hand on Lexyn¡¯s shoulder, she could feel him trembling. Zyryxa shook her head, crossed her arms. ¡°Should it be the weakest?¡± Hatrox asked, leering at Lexyn. She averted her eyes, too afraid. ¡°The one you needed to carry? The one who cries and can¡¯t even meet my eyes? Tell me, Zyryxa, would you be rid of her? She will only ever slow you down. Keep you from greatness.¡± Zyryxa drew her greataxe, took a step toward him. ¡°They¡¯re strength has grown mine in ways you couldn¡¯t fathom. I choose myself, Hatrox. Kill me. If you can.¡± Hatrox laughed and more followed his example. Lexyn didn¡¯t know she could hate anyone as much as she hated him. Not even the Fire Tribe raiders. They were a predictable evil. This monster was calculating, inflicting more psychological pain than she knew one person could to another. She remembered Natazia as the caring big sister, the laughter by the fireside, and this man stole her ability to feel joy, to care about others, to even love herself. If she lived, would that be her fate too? Would she become cold? Unable to feel anything but hatred? No joy? No love? How could anyone do this to another person? How could others laugh about it so callously? ¡°What about you, boy?¡± Hatrox asked, pointing his dagger at Pelzyq. ¡°You ran off when they needed you. That drake died to protect you while you cannot protect anyone. You are a failure. A coward. A disappointment. A piece of shit. Should I kill you now and rid us of your impotence or should I kill her because you¡¯re not strong enough, not man enough, to take her place?¡± Lexyn felt Pelzyq¡¯s steady love in the way his trembling hand rested on her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t do it, Pelzyq,¡± Zyryxa warned, her voice low. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡± Pelzyq was as firm as a dragon¡¯s scales, his deep voice harder than meladonite. ¡°You won¡¯t hurt either of them. It has to be me.¡± ¡°No,¡± Zyryxa growled. ¡°Its me.¡± Pelzyq looked down at Lexyn, his eyes drooping from a life of abuse, a day of perseverance, and a future of sorrow no matter how this ended. She couldn¡¯t lose him, lose the future they would have. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she begged. ¡°I love you,¡± he said, before bearing his axe and walking toward the dragon knight. Zyryxa seized his arm. ¡°No, Pelzyq. This is not the time to prove your manhood.¡± ¡°I love you too,¡± he said, shaking her off. Zyryxa gripped him again, holding him back from his own slaughter. ¡°How touching,¡± Hatrox said, vicious, hateful. He leered at them with so much antipathy that if looks could kill, she and Pelzyq would be dead. He despised what they had, this hateful creature who knew nothing but how to make others miserable. ¡°I still need to hear from one more before I claim a life.¡± ¡°No,¡± Pelzyq said. ¡°Let¡¯s end this.¡± Hatrox ignored him. He crouched, making himself eye level with Lexyn. She couldn¡¯t look at him. The tears came faster, sobs escaping as she became just like Natazia. She wouldn¡¯t last, wasn¡¯t strong enough to endure this monster. She was a helpless girl up in a tree watching the sabretooths tear her brother apart. ¡°What about you, ferocious one weeping on her knees? Will you let others die so that you might live? How many more saviors will you have before you run out sacrificial heroes?¡± ¡°D-d-don¡¯t h-h-hurt th-th-them.¡± ¡°Th-th-th-th-th-th-then who should it be!¡± Hatrox roared, mocking her. Others laughed. Lexyn didn¡¯t know if she¡¯d ever felt smaller. He paced in front of them, one hand under his chin, the other on that sinister dark dagger. He smirked at them, licking his lips. ¡°I¡¯m waiting!¡± ¡°Choose me, Lexyn,¡± Zyryxa said. ¡°No!¡± Pelzyq shouted. ¡°It has to be me.¡± ¡°Why not yourself, weak one?¡± Hatrox said. ¡°They¡¯d be better off without you. Can¡¯t you see that?¡± Pelzyq and Zyrxya protested, both defending her, both volunteering themselves. Zyryxa urged her to trust her. Pelzyq insisted he finally be the man she deserved. Hatrox laughed, his horrible voice echoing in her mind. Lexyn couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t sort through it all. She felt like the girl up in the tree, frozen in place, as the monsters tore into the people she loved, people who willingly sacrificed themselves for her unworthy life. It should be her. Lexyn shook her head and cried. She couldn¡¯t say her own name, couldn¡¯t be as strong, as brave, as worthy as her full-blooded friends. Nor could she choose. Urine fell down her thighs, pooling beneath her. It was impossible to make a sound. So, like any Leverian in Ice Tribe lands, Lexyn froze. Hatrox sighed, feigning disappointment even as he beamed with delight. He rose to his full height, his dark dragon behind him, his swarm surrounding fortress courtyard. Nobody intervened. ¡°To feel is to be reminded of what matters,¡± Hatrox said, contemptuously. ¡°It would seem that neither of you matter for she has chosen to let one of you die.¡± Hatrox leveled his dagger at Pelzyq. ¡°I want you to remember that for the rest of your short, meaningless life, boy. Let her choice be a reminder of how little you were loved.¡± ************* Zyryxa had a plan. All they needed to do was volunteer her. Hatrox would hurt her, but he wanted her too much to kill her. That was the only way to get through this without anyone dying. Pelzyq either didn¡¯t see that or wasn¡¯t even willing to let her take the pain. He was an idiot. And he was a good man. ¡°I¡¯ve got this,¡± she groaned, yanking at his arm to keep him from rushing to this death. This exhausted, she knew she wouldn¡¯t beat Hatrox head on. She just had to take the beating. He¡¯d stop as soon as he got what he wanted out of it. But Zyryxa couldn¡¯t even keep Pelzyq contained. Pelzyq tore from her grasp, dashed toward Hatrox, his axe lifted in a two-handed grip. Hatrox¡¯s speed was unreal, quicker than an ulfhedinn. The dagger spun through the air, thudding into Pelzyq¡¯s knee. Pelzyq dropped to his other knee with a pained gasp. He ripped the dagger out of his leg, his bone showing through the wound. Roaring, Pelzyq rose to his feet and threw the axe back at Hatrox. Hatrox grinned that sinister smirk, one lip higher than the other, and caught the dagger midflight. He laughed, sheathing it in his belt. Pelzyq had no chance and Zyryxa couldn¡¯t let him die. She watched, hands held tight on her mother¡¯s axe, waiting for an opening. She¡¯d cut Hatrox¡¯s head off and be done with him. An end, once and for all. Pelzyq just needed to last long enough and to get Hatrox repositioned so he wouldn¡¯t see her coming. The dragon knight didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t show a drop of fear as the bigger man thundered toward him. Hatrox stepped toward him at the last moment, caught Pelzyq¡¯s axe at the top of the handle, shoved him back, ripped the axe out of his hands, smashed Pelzyq¡¯s face with the blunt end of it, snapped off the handle and tossed both handle and head aside. ¡°You¡¯ve got spirit, boy,¡± Hatrox said as blood sprayed from Pelzyq¡¯s broken nose. ¡°It¡¯d almost be a shame to kill you. Take me down and I will let you live.¡± Pelzyq flung a flurry of fists at the dragon knight. Beaming, Hatrox lowered his arms and let him land the blows. Pelzyq¡¯s fists collided with Hatrox¡¯s face and chest. The dragon knight laughed through them as though he was being tickled. He screamed, ¡°More! More! Hurt me more!¡± as the blows rained down. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Lexyn sobbed, stealing glances and averting her eyes at the sight of her lover being embarrassed. Though her arms felt heavy, her legs leaden, Zyryxa¡¯s anger forced her grip to tighten on her mother¡¯s axe. She waited her opening, needing to end this monster¡¯s existence. He thought he was invincible. He hadn¡¯t faced her judgment yet. Pelzyq pushed Hatrox, trying to tackle him down. Hatrox stood there as if the full force of Pelzyq were no stronger than a light breeze. He taunted, his voice booming through the courtyard. ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got!¡± Hatrox caught a fist. ¡°It¡¯s not enough!¡± He gripped Pelzyq¡¯s wrist in his other hand, squeezed and snapped. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to live!¡± He threw Pelzyq to the ground, his arm bone protruding through skin. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to spread your little woman¡¯s legs again!¡± Hatrox lifted him in one hand, tossed him like a doll into the fortress¡¯s walls. ¡°Give me more! More!¡± Zyryxa had a broadside angle at him. Pelzyq struggled to roll to his stomach, to lift himself up with one arm pushing against the ground. He screamed, the noise resonating with Zyryxa¡¯s anger. He might see her out of the corner of his eye, but Pelzyq wouldn¡¯t last much longer. This was probably her best chance. She sprung forth, holding the axe, took aim for Hatrox¡¯s neck, and brought the blade down with as much power as she could muster. The blow landed, striking the target with perfect precision. But, alas, it lacked power. The axe head snapped off, leaving naught but a thin blue line of blood on Hatrox¡¯s neck. The worst of it all was that she had given him everything she had left, and in return, he smiled. ¡°Naughty, naughty, naughty girl,¡± he said, in that facetious friendly way of his, taking a step toward her. Zyryxa backed away, holding the headless haft of her mother¡¯s greataxe, clinging to it as if for life. She tried to swallow her fear, but it was too much. ¡°That was a mistake,¡± he said, running his finger along the small cut, licking the blood off his fingertip. ¡°And you will learn from your mistakes, Zyryxa.¡± He bared his teeth in a wide smile. ¡°I will see to it.¡± Hatrox sprang toward her. Fear seizing her heart, stalling her body, she barely made a movement to shield her face before he ripped the axe handle from her grasp. Hatrox snapped it in half, tossed one part aside, then jammed the jagged end of the other into her eye. Zyryxa fell backwards, but Hatrox caught her before her back hit the ground, seizing her undergarment. He pulled her up, tore her garment off, exposing her top to Riverwatch. ¡°Naughty, naughty, naughty girl! Can you see now!¡± He ripped the jagged axe handle out of her eye, tossing it aside in a spray of blue. In a panic, Zyryxa realized she couldn¡¯t see from her eye. The pain was blinding, her skull in agony as if a fire ran through it. Tears streamed from her other eye, whimpers came from her mouth. He took her by the throat, stifling them. ¡°No crying. Or is this you being strong?¡± Hatrox lifted her, strangling. She kicked at him, but it was like trying to topple a mountain with your feet. She was a mere woman battling a god. A vengeful god full of hatred wearing an exultant smile. Pelzyq rammed into him from the side, knocking him slightly off balance. She saw the glee twist into malice as his grin burst into a snarl. Hatrox threw her aside, tossing her twenty feet into a stack of barrels. She smashed through them, her body feeling broken, shattered, and empty as the barrels. Her pride departed. As departed as her mother, and the axe that was once hers. Zyryxa sobbed, unable to muster the will to move, unable to reconcile this alien feeling of having no confidence, of feeling helpless, powerless. Huffing, Pelzyq squared off with Hatrox. ¡°This is between you and me. Leave her alone.¡± Hatrox spread his arms out, the smile returning like an evil sun emerging from behind dark clouds. ¡°As you wish.¡± Zyryxa sat there, naked on the ground, blinded in one eye, weeping from the other, unable to do anything as she watched a dear friend get humiliated. Over and over again, Hatrox hammered into Pelzyq with his fists, shattering bones, splattering Pelzyq¡¯s blood and teeth across the courtyard. Pelzyq kept rising, kept swinging, more lethargic with each attempt. Hatrox pushed him aside with ease, taunting and laughing. ¡°Just once!¡± he yelled with glee. Pelzyq bent over, leaning against a weapon rack, fighting for air after a heavy blow to the ribs. Hatrox paced in front of him. ¡°Take me down one time and you live! Is that asking for too much? Are you not good enough?¡± He seized Pelzyq¡¯s head, twisted his eyes toward Zyryxa and Lexyn. His face was ruined, unrecognizable. Bones jutted out of his skin in several places, his knee was torn open. Blood trailed down him in lines of blue in two dozen places. Lexyn cried out his name, pleading with Hatrox to stop. She offered to do whatever he wanted. Zyryxa sobbed for her. ¡°Anything I want?¡± Hatrox repeated, mocking Lexyn¡¯s squeaky voice. He lifted Pelzyq¡¯s face to his. ¡°Do you hear that, boy? She¡¯d let me fuck her in the ass just to keep your sorry ass alive. If you don¡¯t knock me down, I might do it anyway. Somebody has to after you¡¯re gone.¡± With a roar, Pelzyq swung at him. The blow wouldn¡¯t have landed on a drunken child but Hatrox took it anyway, laughing as it left no mark behind. ¡°Come on, Pelzyq! Fight for your life!¡± Pelzyq rushed him, wrapping his arms around Hatrox. He squeezed, kept his legs moving forward, as he pressed his weight into the dragon knight. Hatrox stumbled backward, Zyryxa¡¯s eye shooting wide as hope flared. Pelzyq kept driving forward, pushing Hatrox back. He was going to go down! Then Hatrox straightened, broke Pelzyq¡¯s grip around him, seized him by the underarms, and slammed him so hard into the ground that the ice beneath shattered. He lifted his arms over his head, motioning for his swarm to applaud. Zyryxa wanted to vomit when they did. Through her one teary eye, she couldn¡¯t make out any faces in this unwelcoming crowd. Pelzyq would die and leave her with these for brothers and sisters? She wanted to destroy this entire place, raze it to the ground, freeze all its inhabitants, and never return. But she was weak. She couldn¡¯t lift a finger. So, she did nothing as Hatrox seized Pelzyq¡¯s head and forced him to look at Lexyn. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to be with her? Or do you want to leave her behind because you know she¡¯s better off without a piece of shit like you?¡± Zyryxa had but one eye, and even through the tears, she knew which of those men was a piece of shit and which was her brother. ¡°Pelzyq, we love you,¡± she called out to him, trying to rise, and failing. ¡°Then you love nothing,¡± Hatrox said angrily, tossing Pelzyq aside. He wasn¡¯t nothing. Not to Lexyn who loved him with every part of her. Not to Zyryxa who felt responsible for failing him. Hatrox slammed Pelzyq¡¯s head into the ground again and again and again, shouting that he was nothing. With each blow, Zyryxa felt it as her gut tightened, her heart broke, and her pride shrank. She wasn¡¯t ice. She wasn¡¯t a champion. She was just a girl broken at the foot of one so much more powerful than her that she didn¡¯t know if she could ever challenge him. ************* Pelzyq¡¯s whole life had been pain. He¡¯d spent most of his days waiting for it to be over. But now that it was here, he wanted to fight for every last breath. This was his life, and thanks to a few women who didn¡¯t let him push them away, he would live it to the very end because all of this pain was worth it for just a few moons of being loved by them. Pelzyq chose to die as he wished he could have lived, doing whatever he could to make those women feel loved and for keeping them safe. Thus, when the asshole¡¯s boot stomped onto his sundered knee, Pelzyq didn¡¯t feel pain. He felt purpose. He didn¡¯t know how many times his head was smashed into the ice and stone or how many bones were broken. He just knew that he would try to stand as long as he could. He¡¯d protect the women he loved. If he could knock Hatrox down, he doubted he¡¯d actually honor his promise, but he wouldn¡¯t give up like he had every other time in his life. He wouldn¡¯t die Pavinax¡¯s cursed son. He¡¯d die Pelzyq, a brother to Zyryxa, a lover to Lexyn, a good man. One who wasn¡¯t cursed to get those he cared about killed but kept them safe. No matter the cost. Pelzyq strained to get up. Each time it got harder. One of his arms didn¡¯t work at all. His knees tried to buckle with each step. He couldn¡¯t move any of his extremities. He long since lost feeling in his face, only able to see out of one eye. His half-vision was blurry. His ears rang and sound didn¡¯t come through them clearly. Each time he saw Lexyn cringe and cry, it broke his heart. She hid her face, urine and tears pooling beneath her like a little mouse caught in a sabretooth¡¯s grasp. Pelzyq wanted to believe she¡¯d be better off without him, wanted to soften the blow. But he couldn¡¯t. For once, it would be his death that left a gaping hole in someone else. The heartbreak made him angry, kept him focused on swinging at Hatrox. He grasped for a sword from a weapon rack. The piece of shit laughed at him. Yes. All along it had been monsters like Hatrox, like Pavinax, who weren¡¯t good enough, not the ones they howled at and called worthless. Pelzyq could see that now. He would die with his head held high, knowing that he died the better man, a man who left behind traces of himself in the love he gave others. When this asshole died¡ªwhen Zyryxa and Lexyn finished him off¡ªnobody would mourn him. He couldn¡¯t say the same about himself. Not anymore. Pelzyq wasn¡¯t familiar with swords, and his fingers weren¡¯t working right. The freezing thing slipped from his grasp, provoking even more jeering from Hatrox. Pelzyq stumbled on his bad knee, trying to fall into Hatrox and take him down. Instead, he fell on his face as the asshole moved aside. ¡°This is so sad!¡± Hatrox roared. ¡°Have some pride, boy!¡± He seized his head, pulling on his ear. He whispered, ¡°Get back up and finish what you started.¡± Pelzyq tried. He fell, not knowing how it could be possible to get up. This was it. The end. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Lexyn said, her voice low. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Pelzyq. You can stop fighting.¡± ¡°Giving up on him?¡± Hatrox asked. ¡°How fitting as it was your silence that got him killed.¡± Pelzyq found anger somewhere within his destroyed body. He pushed off his broken arm, supported himself on his shattered shoulder, balanced himself on a torn knee. He said that which he wished he¡¯d said so many times in his life, standing up even when it felt impossible, when it would only bring more pain. But, then again, this wasn¡¯t pain. It was purpose. ¡°This isn¡¯t her fault. It¡¯s yours, asshole!¡± Pelzyq swung at him, barely seeing the dragon knight dodge to the side. The back of his head flared with agony, something shattering. He fell, hitting the ice face-first, unable to break the fall any other way. ¡°Please stop,¡± Lexyn whispered. ¡°Stop hurting him.¡± Hatrox shouted, ¡°What was that! I cannot hear you! You need to speak up!¡± Pelzyq mustered his strength. He slurred his words, as he always had. ¡°I don¡¯t hurt,¡± he told her, ¡°because I had your love.¡± ¡°Have,¡± she corrected, shaking as she sobbed, crawling closer to him. ¡°You¡¯ll always have it. Forever.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got this,¡± he said, remembering words uttered long ago. Though he cried, Pelzyq smiled. ¡°Until next time¡­ my love.¡± ¡°Until next¡ª¡± Hatrox¡¯s bellow rose over Lexyn¡¯s small, but far, far larger words. Pelzyq was loved. Perhaps this wasn¡¯t the final end. Perhaps Lexyn¡¯s goddess would reunite them in some shiny paradise in the sky, long, long from now after she lived a life where she changed the world, helping to rid it of many monsters like the Knight of Riverwatch, where her love taught people to care about others, even broken men who tried to push away their happiness. But Pelzyq knew that he had, for a time, been in paradise. And he was glad he stayed. ************* Zyryxa screamed like she had moons ago in the Pridefort. The day that everything changed when she learned that her whole world had shattered, her future stolen from her by just a few words. Hatrox¡¯s boot smashed through Pelzyq¡¯s skull, spraying bone, brain, and blood at Lexyn. The monster hefted Pelzyq¡¯s headless body, throwing it at Coryza¡¯s feet. ¡°Feast, my friend, though nothing isn¡¯t very filling.¡± The dragon snapped its maw around Pelzyq before Hatrox even finished. Coryza crunched through bone, tore through muscle, eating Pelzyq¡¯s heart and everything else that he was and ever would be. He was gone in a few moments, swallowed by the dark blue dragon with the horned head. Coryza let out a colossal roar, beat its wings furiously, and took flight. Zyryxa¡¯s soul felt like an empty place. Where once pride was, she found a hole. In that hole, hate found a home. Hatred toward Natazia who forced them down this path, toward Vaztyma who let it happen, and Hatrox himself. That evil smiling Zamaelspawn. He glided over the icy ground, approaching her as if he owned her. Zyryxa swore to herself that she would kill this man if it took the rest of her life to accomplish. Her fingers closed into fists. She locked her one eye onto him, seeing into the future. He would die for this. The last thing he would hear would be Pelzyq¡¯s name. The last thing he saw: her face. Hatrox opened his arms, beaming that horrific smile. ¡°Welcome to Riverwatch.¡± END OF BOOK 1 BONUS: Hatrox character sheet Hatrox (Level 20 Zamael-Attuned Dragon Totem Barbarian) Stats: 26STR/18DEX/24CON/17INT/20WIS/20CHA/45SPD 331HP/28AC Rolls: +20 Athletics/STR (min = 26) w/ advantage, +17 Intimidation/Deception/Perception/Survival, +15 Investigation, +13 CON Attack: 4 dagger attacks, or 3 heavy attacks, or 2 dagger and 2 heavy. Bonus Reaction (can take two) Traits Coryza Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Bonded Stats: +16STR, +6DEX, +15CON, +3INT, +9WIS, +11CHA. 40/80 SPD, 591HP, 19AC Rolls (proficiency = 7): +24STR Advantage, +14DEX, +23CON, +17WIS, +19CHA Resistances: Immune Ice. Omniresistant. Vulnerable to fire. Legendary: Can choose to succeed saving failed saving throws 4x/day. Dragon Bond Traits: Adv initiative and AOE DEX saves. Lucky (3). Crit on natural 13. Death¡¯s Decree. Attack: One bite, two claws, one tail attack per action Legendary Attacks: 3 actions per round