Greetings Fellow Readers
Apologies for the late update. The day has been crazy. I have a research-heavy book that is difficult to write with all the power interruptions we have had.
Anyway, been a while since I wrote on Fell Dragon, which is annoying because I have all these ideas and no time to sit and write! Oh well, at least that's about 300 pages in the future.
Enjoy today's update! Just a reminder that the italics is Sedeath talking to Jethron.
Jethron couldn’t sleep. Sedeath was muttering in his head, trying to convince him to talk to the girl once more but he was tired. He had not known about Bahn’s wife until he had been at the dining table, and it had hit him hard. She was likely the first to die of the wasting disease and Shannon was also showing signs of it. He was concerned for his nephew’s health, but Sedeath had assured him that the boy truly had nothing more than a cold and was worn out physically and emotionally. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling of his childhood bedroom and frowned. He wasn’t the only one that was awake. He had heard Saita climb up onto the roof earlier. This had been something Danna had warned him of as she did not sleep.
He rolled to his side, carefully avoiding his wing as he spread it out. They were laying their plan into action tomorrow. The Games would start with the strength competition. Saita would be showcased then. Her power would be made known to all. If Edzeeker wasn’t done with her yet, then he would make an appearance between now and the last event.
Edzeeker was a good man!
“And we know what good men do to preserve the future they want.” He hissed.
I did what I had to. It preserved all the races we now have and need. Your mother lived.
“My father died.”
But we lived.
“How is what was done to this girl going to be justified?” he asked under his breath. “Her life is over. She will never get to be what she could have been.”
A farmer on a backward planet? A maid in the castle? What would her destiny have been had she been raised by her human parents when she was little?
“She would have had a choice. Now she has none and she is dying Sedeath. She is in agony every day. Did you see the look on her face when she was finally able to taste food? For God’s sake, she can’t even enjoy food. What kind of life is that?”
The life of…
“Don’t you dare use that phrase on me like you did my mother. Saita deserves better and you know it. You and Edzeeker started this millennia ago and now she is the one paying the price.”
I also started the Royal Guard house but that was before my time as King. This I had no part in. There was never supposed to be a sacrifice like this made.
Jethron kicked the blanket from him and rolled to his back before he sat up in bed. “There is nothing we can do for her is there?”
She will do what she must for the good of the universe.
“And if she doesn’t then her son is next in line, isn’t he? He is a backup to all of this. Edzeeker can travel through time. He likely has one more chance to do what he must, or he wouldn’t have bothered with her having children.”
Sedeath remained silent as Jethron got to his feet to make his way to the window which he opened. It had been big enough for him to leap from and fly as a child but now it would be a tight squeeze. Hugging his wings to his body he crawled from the window and hung on the windowsill before he kicked against the wall and allowed himself to fall a safe distance before opening his wings and flapping. Even among the Dekai, few could fly. All his children could and there were a few from his wife’s family but generally, their wings were just for show. It simply took one flap for him to land on the roof next to Saita who looked at him in shock before saying. “I thought they were just for show.”
“Na, I can use mine.”
“Wish I could fly like that.” She muttered as she looked at the twin moons.
“What do you want Saita?” asked Jethron. “I realise that you have likely never had an opportunity to be in control of anything. What do you want?”
She drew her knees up and set her chin to it before wrapping her arms around the legs. “It doesn’t matter. I will be dead in less than five years. What can I do in that time? Hell, I may have even less if this Fell Dragon finds and eats me.”
“My race has wronged you, wronged the humans, caused a war. What can I do for you?”
“There is nothing you can do for me. My life ends soon, and I have made peace with that fact.” She sighed. “Why are you even making the offer?”
“You fight an enemy of the Dekai, one that should have been dealt with millennia ago but was rather made someone else’s problem over and over and over. I rule the Dekai as Sedeath did before me. As King, I am held responsible for the actions of my people. So, I ask once more. What can I do to make up for what has been done to you and your ilk?”
Saita continued to look at the moons before saying. “I have a son; his name is Aidan. Created without my knowledge or permission. He is the backup to what I am supposed to be, and I fear for him. If I cannot do what is expected of me everything will be placed on his shoulders. He has no idea, and he doesn’t deserve this.”
“My family has thrown me away, but I will not do the same to my son.” She looked at the Dekai. “Can you protect him from what is coming? Can you take him away from danger?”
“I don’t know if I can do that.” Said Jethron honestly.
“Then there is nothing else you can do for me.” She sighed. “The System can’t be removed, and I can’t be healed from the damage. The only other thing I care about is the only creature in this universe that shares my blood, my lineage.”
Jethron sat on the roof with her and said. “I’m sorry that you were the one chosen for this burden.”
“As long as I am the only one that is my only solace.” She sighed. “The moons are beautiful on this planet.”
“They are, no other planet I have travelled to share quite a view such as this.”
“I want to show Aidan this place, at least once before the end comes.”
Jethron looked at Saita’s face and saw that though her voice was heavy with emotion her face showed none of it. “The Saith are wonderful people.”
She looked at him and smiled. “You were lucky to have been found by them and I am lucky to have been here and to be treated so well after everything Karesh did to them and the Kai.”
“I saw Myla handed a letter to Larden for you. Did you read it?”
“I couldn’t bring myself to.” She released her legs and scratched at her long hair. “His last words still hurt so much, even after all this time. I cannot bear to open those pages and find that it wasn’t his anger speaking but what he truly felt.”
“Can’t imagine that it was easy on your King’s, I mean Lord Pura’s part to tell you to leave.”
“I’d like to think so, but it’s been two years since I had to leave home. I miss them but I don’t think I want to go back anymore. There is too much pain there.”
“So then where will you go?”
“The Queen has offered me a position on the Guard. I refused. It is not right but to live here wouldn’t be the worst thing I can think of. It will make Bolx happy if I stay.”
“The boy is somewhat infatuated with you, but do you feel the same about him?”
She only smiled at the moons before adding. “You are not like Edzeeker. You are open and honest. I was scared at first knowing that you would be here but now…now I understand why Saasha and Larden smile when they talk or think of you.”
They continued to look at the moons as the night progressed before Saita said. “I do not need to sleep but surely you do. You should get a few hours before the Games. I’d prefer not to get captured again if you don’t mind.”
“Was that a joke?”
“I try.”
Doran had made up his mind that the Saith Games was exactly like the Olympic games of old. Competitors were mostly of Saith descent but here and there he had seen other species mingled with the crowd. The spectators were a wide mix of species, some of which he knew and others he did not know. A young man with black and red hair came to stand to his left with a bow before saying is human. “Master Doran, I believe.”
“Yes?”
“I will be your translator if you so need one. My name is Truhan.”
“Well met Truhan. My Saith is not nearly as good as my King’s so it would be appreciated. Especially with this.” He held up a program which had been printed in Saith.
“I did tell them to give you my copies.” He rolled his eyes and handed Doran a sheet of paper. “All her events have been circled.”
“Excuse me?”
“Saita’s events. She will be entered in the strength competition, then the day after tomorrow she will be taking part in the riddles, then the coup de gras in the final two days.”
Doran looked the boy up and down before saying. “You are General Larden’s boy, aren’t you?”
“I’m the youngest yes. I have a message for you.” Truhan leaned in closer. “Saita misses you, but she isn’t allowed to say it to your face, so she asked me to tell you.”
“How is she?” he demanded.
“Keep your eyes on the Games Master Doran and you will see for yourself.” Truhan then bowed away to approach Pura and Myla with the same introduction he had given to Doran.
The old soldier looked to the program and indeed all of Saita’s events were circled. There was also a note that explained that the riddle competition was held indoors people who wanted to hear the competition should ask for a headpiece to hear or a data pad to see the competition. He made a note to ask Truhan when he came back. He stood up from his chair and went to the balcony to get a closer look at the competition grounds. They were massive and this was just one of the fields that would show all the main events. All the dignitaries were sitting here with the Royal family.
Saasha was already here and seemed to be in a deep conversation with a dark-haired young man who looked like he had seen better days. She was clearly trying to keep his spirits up but from the conversation that was drifting his way, and what he could understand, there had been a death in their family. Saasha was giving the man advice on being a single father. He immediately turned his attention back to the field in hopes that he could see Saita but none of the competitors were out yet though their planet’s flags were flying. The human flag flew in the centre and Doran couldn’t help but feel a little pride at seeing it there. Saita had survived. Against all odds, she had done it.
“She is quite something.” Sighed someone behind him.
“Bolx, wish you had told me she was safe.” Muttered Doran as the Saith came to stand next to him.
“I kept my word to keep her safe.” The Saith leaned over the balcony. “She is in good hands with Saasha’s family. There were a few unhappy people but once they realised what kind of person she was they backed off and left her alone. She is safe here.”
“And happy? Is she happy?”
“Sometimes I think so, but she thinks a lot of her past.”
“I should have been a better protector to her.” He sighed.
Bolx patted his shoulder. “You did what you could. Now let’s work together to keep her safe.”
Bolx approached Saasha and whispered something to her. The old Queen nodded her head and waved him off before she got to her feet. The other dignitaries around her stopped chatting and the entire stadium fell silent as their Queen cleared her throat.
“Welcome. Three years we have waited for these Games to be held once more. The competitors are rearing to go, and I am short on words today. So, let me say this. Welcome to each and every single organism that could make the Games of Peace. Because this is what this year is all about. The peace that was hard fought for. And yes, I know it is rich coming from an old soldier but that is just what I am, old. I tire of war and to extend a hand of friendship to old enemies is what the old hope for. I welcome all our guests and competitors who were thought of as enemies in the past but as friends now. Those of you that have been here in the past know the rules for both guests and competitors. I will not stand for fighting outside of the ring. If there are disputes you wish to handle this is the time of the year you can put your name down and settle it in the ring. No more than two people per person, I will not have a community ganging up on someone they feel has wronged them. No one is allowed to challenge anyone who is in the last two fights, and no one may challenge dignitaries. Other than that, have fun, make merry and enjoy the games.”
She then simply sat down and continued her conversation with the young man. Brucel stood next and introduced the day’s first set of competitions before handing over to a Master of Ceremonies who introduced the various non-Saith competitors by name and planet. And though there were boos from Saith when the Human representative was called it ended soon as Saasha looked to the crowd. Doran strained to see if Saita would make an appearance but there was no sign of her.
“Likely she is preparing herself for the first competition of the day.” Came a voice from behind Doran.
Doran nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the Dekai standing behind him. Once he had managed to swallow his heart back into place he simply said. “I wish I could go down there and wish her luck for today.”
“I can take a message if you so wish.”
“It is not the same as speaking to her, hearing her voice, giving her an embrace I know she needs.”
“Until your kind decides to reclaim her you will not be allowed to do that. But I can express your feelings to her.” Jethron stretched his wings. “Keep an eye on her, she is about to make her debut to the humans once more.”
And how will these Games turn out? I guess you'll all have to keep reading. Time to ramp up the action as we get to the end of the book!
For those of you just joining us, please note that this the third book in the Fell Dragon series. Follow this link to read the two earlier books:
Fell Dragon Book 1
Fell Dragon Book 2
Start of Book 3 here
As the series continues, it will combine with another book series I wrote. To avoid confusion about what is happening, introductory chapters will be introduced separately so that you don't have to be lost. However, these chapters will contain spoilers. You can find these chapters here:
Races Explained
Banishment
Royal Guard
Saasha’s Direct Family
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Haven't read the other parts yet? Follow these handy links:
Part 33>>You are Here>>Part 35