Chapter 4 - Eyes Wide Shut
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Four
Malkia fumbled backwards, trying to escape from the dragon, without taking her eyes off of it. The crazy man glanced back at her, just as she stumbled on a branch and fell backwards.
Both dragon heads whipped over to look at her and their red eyes stared at her through the darkness. The man raced towards the beast and the heads reared back, preparing for a fight.
Malkia whipped around, searching desperately for a tree large enough to shelter her from the breath of this beast. As she turned, she felt large hands grab her waist and pull her behind a tree. One of the hands stifled her scream and for an instant she thought she was doomed once again.
Quickly she recognized the smell of the shirt she was leaning against. She turned around and smothered Dario, with a hug. He pulled away, placing his finger to his mouth, signaling her to remain quiet. He crouched and peeked around the tree, but returned his eyes wide, as he inhaled a sharp breath.
“It’s coming,” he mouthed to her.
In that moment, they heard a man yell and the dragon growl. There were some groans and a gurgled yelp, before the forest became silent again.
Malkia and Dario both peered around the tree this time, and saw the dragon lying dead, only a few feet away. The strange man was standing next to it with his large knife. He was covered in green liquid and Malkia noticed it oozing from the dragons neck, where the man had slit it.
Malkia was shaking uncontrollably and she stared at the crazy man. “Oh my hell!”
“Hell indeed. You are lucky I was already tracking this beast, lady. This thing would have had you for dinner, if I had not intervened. These are one of the most vicious dragons, but luckily they are senseless as well,” he said, snickering, as he cleaned his knife with a dark cloth.
“I had no idea,” Malkia sputtered, stepping closer. “I never knew these creatures existed. I mean, I have heard stories about them, but in all my travels I have never encountered one, nor have I ever met someone who has seen one. I’m sorry I walked in on your little show, but if I had any idea there was a dragon nearby I would have stayed as far away as I could from this area.”
“Actually, it was a surprise to me this one flew so far. In fact if I did not have my pegasus, I would not have been able to track it. I was trailing him for days, way up North, when he shot up into the air and began his flight down this way. I stayed behind him for almost a day, before he landed,” the man’s brows knitted together, as he shook his head. “I thought I could start tracking him again, but not much later he was in the air again. We landed here no more than twenty minutes ago and you just happened to walk in on our struggle, just a minute or two after I landed. Luckily I decided to land closer to him.”
“Who are you,” Dario asked quizzically.
The man moved around the beast, wiping the remaining remnants from his knife, on the side of his pants, looking at the two heads lying on the ground. He then regarded Dario and Malkia, giving them a wicked smile.
“I am one of the few dragon slayers left in this world. After the sky people came, the dragons disappeared more than they already had and when the wars began they were never seen, as if they never existed. I was out of a job. It has not been until the last few years that they have ventured out of their caves and began terrorizing the towns around them.” He slid his knife into its holder, strapped to his side. “I was a dragon slayer before all the madness began, so I returned to my occupation, and now I am here saving your backsides.”
“And you have no idea why it flew this far? Are there dragons that live down this way?” Malkia asked, still stunned by the recent events.
“Honestly, I don’t know that answer. I have never seen a dragon this far south, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. But flying that long… I have never known that to occur. Sometimes they act out of character and do bizarre things. I’m not sure why this fiend did it, but I’m just grateful it’s dead.”
As he finished his sentence, Skye came running up to the three of them with Curtis a few feet behind her. They were clearly worried and when they saw the dead dragon they skidded to an abrupt stop, just behind Malkia and Dario. Their jaws dropped, as they scanned the grizzly man, their eyes darting to the dead dragon and back to Malkia and Dario.
“Who is this, what is that and what is going on?” Curtis asked loudly, his jaw clenched.
“This man saved my life,” Malkia replied. She pointed at the man and beast. “Dragon slayer, dragon and dragon slayed.”
“I miss all the fun,” Curtis teased, a wary smile surfacing on his lips, as he gave Malkia a soft punch to the arm. His eyes remained intense, attempting to downplay his concern.
“Well, dragon slayer, what are your plans now that your dragon is slayed? Do you intend to return to the north, or are you sticking around this area?” Malkia asked.
“Going home,” he responded, his hands on his hips.
“Us too,” Malkia began, “We are traveling as a group to a new home. What is your name?”
The dragon slayer stepped forward, running his arm over his forehead. “Thanks for asking. My name is Tatum. I have not been back home for nearly a year and it would be great to see my family again.”
“Where is your home?” Dario curiously asked.
“I’m from Domesca, a town northeast from here. Beautiful place, with a wonderful castle, and tall walls for all of us to use as a defense against dragons,” Tatum shot them his wicked smile again.
Malkia’s eyes widened, when she heard him say Domesca.
“What’s wrong?” Tatum asked, eyeing Malkia suspiciously.
Expelling her breath, she said, “Really, Domesca is your home? Our group is heading to your town once they awake.”
“Why?” he asked, his eyes narrowing to crinkled slits.
“We are on the run. There is a large group of savages on our tails and the only safe place I could think of was Domesca,” Malkia chattered a bit too quickly. “The group asleep just outside the forest are my people, and I’m charged with their safety. These savages are horrific brutes.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I visited Domesca last year, and I know we would be protected there. Could you please help our friends and family make it there safely, while we divert these malicious people to the south?”
Tatum stood there eyeing down Malkia. He turned away from the four of them and walked a few feet deeper into the forest. Malkia’s palms began to sweat, anticipating he would leave and tell Jasper to not allow their group to join them. This man had to be on their side.
Tatum turned back towards the four of them, and nodded. “I will do it. I would hope you would be there if the roles were reversed. I will show your group the way to Domesca, and I will speak with Jasper as you have asked.”
Malkia walked over to Tatum and held out her hand to him. He reached for it and after shaking hands, she threw her arms around his large body and gave him a bear hug. “Thank you. You are our angel. You do not know how much I have prayed for someone like you to come along.”
Tatum stepped away from the embrace. “Thank the dragon, sweetheart. If he had not led me here, I would have never met you. But,” he paused, his eyes darting around the group. “I can definitely see God’s hand in this. To land right here in the place where you are walking, it has to be his intentions. I know a short cut from here, back to Domesca. It will cut off over a day in traveling. I will gladly show your people the way. We will have to head east for almost two days, but there is a passage that can be taken after that which will cut straight through the forest and onto the path towards my home town. Do you need us to send someone back to guide you?”
“No, I know my way.” Malkia shook her head. “We will all be on our pegasi, so we will be taking short cuts all the way up. Skye, Curtis, we will no longer plan on meeting you at the stopping point to the east. Go ahead and keep going, until you arrive to Domesca. We will catch up with you either on the road or after you have reached his town.” She turned back to Tatum. “Thank you again. Let’s go ahead and wake everyone else up and prepare for departure.”
The group of them walked together out of the forest and into the camp site. As they were walking towards the center fire, Malkia could see Jayde sitting near the fire in a trance. Her jaw was clenched. Malkia hurried ahead of everyone else, rushing to be there with Jayde.
Jacob walked up, as Malkia sat down next to Jayde. “The pixies should return soon, but it looks like Jayde might have details beforehand. By the way, where were you? The whole group of you disappeared and no one knew where to find any of you.” He ran his hands through his hair, his brows knitted together, as he looked over at the others, and for the first time noticed Tatum.
Malkia glanced up at Jacob and replied, “We ran into this man in the forest.” She pointed at Tatum. “He’s a dragon slayer and from Domesca. Tatum will be helping our families travel through the area to the east and north, and lead them to Domesca. He has also agreed to speak with Jasper and convince him to shelter and protect them, while they wait for us. Tatum, this is Jacob. He will be going with me to the south.”
Jacob leaned forward to shake Tatum’s hand, “Nice to meet you. You say you are a dragon slayer. Is that a joke?”
“Wishful thinking,” Tatum replied, laughing. “No, it is not a joke. Go take a look yourself. I killed a dragon just inside the forest. He was about to eat your fearless leader, before I arrived.”
Malkia was not paying attention. Her eyes were on Jayde’s face, as she came out of her trance and gasped. She looked at Malkia with startled eyes. “Malkia, they are quickly approaching. Faster than I thought possible. It is like they are super humans. They will be here in less than a half a day, if they continue at the speed they are going.”
Malkia jumped up and commanded, “Wake them up. They have to leave now.”
***
“Dario and Skye, are your groups ready to leave?” Malkia asked, racing towards them.
“My group is all ready and waiting,” answered Dario.
“My group is as well,” replied Skye, her inky irises flashing around the area.
Malkia’s lips set in a grim line. “Good. I just spoke to Curtis, and his team is already at the forefront, ready to move forward. If you want to pull your groups together and explain to them what is expected, and let them know you and Curtis are in charge from here on out. They need to follow Tatum’s instructions to the letter in order to make it to Domesca together and alive. Dario have you prepared the families who will be separating?”
“They are as prepared as they can be.” Dario nodded. “They have all teamed up together to make sure everyone is taken care of while they are separated. Everyone is willing to do what it takes to make sure this plan works and keeps the whole group safe.”
“Just so we are clear.” She pivoted to look at Skye. “You will be heading east for nearly two days, instead of three, and then you will be diverting northeast. Anyone on a pegasus must fly out of here, but tell them to stay as low as possible. The less tracks visible, the less we have to cover up. Make sure to stay as upbeat as possible,” she requested, turning to Dario. “Once they are gone, we will lead the tracks to the dragon and make it appear as if there was running in several directions, but in the end we ran for the south. The dead dragon should create some confusion and hopefully distract them from the larger group, entirely.”
Dario and Skye nodded, as they steered their pegasi away, leaving Malkia and Mataya to say their good-byes. Mataya was busy packing her pegasus and did not look up at Malkia.
Malkia walked over to her and pulled her into her arms. “I love you girl. You mean so much to me, and I will do everything in my power to return to you. Please, please stay with Justin and let him protect you. Help with the families who do not have their spouses and parents with them. Please be a beacon to these people we love so much. Show them what you are made of. Be a light to them, and I can guarantee it will make you feel better, as well.”
Tears were streaming down Mataya’s cheeks, and could not respond, as she sobbed, loudly. She hugged Malkia, holding on tight. They stood there in silence, while gripping onto one another, not wanting to separate. It was scary to think of the “what ifs” but Malkia was determined to focus on the plan and not worry about what might happen.
She finally pulled away from Mataya, and looked into her tearful eyes. “Be strong, sister. You and I are made from the same energy. You can do this.”
Mataya smiled softly thinking of her parents. “I will make you proud and I know I will see you soon.”
Malkia kissed both of Mataya’s cheeks and then gave her another quick hug. They separated and Mataya finished packing her pegasus and then mounted her.
Malkia mounted Parowan and held her hand out for her sister. Mataya grasped her hand and together they squeezed each other’s hands three times. It means “I love you” their mom had always told them. They smiled and let go of each other’s hands. Together they rode over to the rest of the group.
***
“Malkia, I think we have covered up their tracks as best as we can. We have flown over several times to make sure they cannot be seen. The pixies have reported they cannot see their tracks, and the hawks have seen the group disappear into the woods. The dragon is the perfect diversion. We have to move out, or we will not be able to fool the trackers,” Dario said, riding up to Malkia.
Malkia glanced over at Dario, as she listened to him. She was ready to depart. She had been ready for a while, but was still anxious about covering up the tracks of everyone else. Everything had to work according to plan. There could not be any mistakes.
“Dario, if you feel comfortable with the work that has been done, then let’s go ahead and leave. It looks like the rest of the group is headed our way anyway,” Malkia said, nodding her head over in the direction behind Dario.
Dario looked behind him and then back at Malkia before saying, “I think it is the best we can do. I won’t be comfortable until we have actually diverted them away from the group, but I feel good about moving on and beginning this journey.”
“Let’s go then,” Malkia replied.
Dario and Malkia directed the pegasi towards the rest of their group and when they met, they all turned in the direction of the south and began their journey. It would be a long couple of days. They needed to make it look like the whole group had escaped this way. They had brought two of the trailers so the trackers would not be thrown off when the wheels just stopped.
It was time for their next adventure.
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Four
Malkia fumbled backwards, trying to escape from the dragon, without taking her eyes off of it. The crazy man glanced back at her, just as she stumbled on a branch and fell backwards.
Both dragon heads whipped over to look at her and their red eyes stared at her through the darkness. The man raced towards the beast and the heads reared back, preparing for a fight.
Malkia whipped around, searching desperately for a tree large enough to shelter her from the breath of this beast. As she turned, she felt large hands grab her waist and pull her behind a tree. One of the hands stifled her scream and for an instant she thought she was doomed once again.
Quickly she recognized the smell of the shirt she was leaning against. She turned around and smothered Dario, with a hug. He pulled away, placing his finger to his mouth, signaling her to remain quiet. He crouched and peeked around the tree, but returned his eyes wide, as he inhaled a sharp breath.
“It’s coming,” he mouthed to her.
In that moment, they heard a man yell and the dragon growl. There were some groans and a gurgled yelp, before the forest became silent again.
Malkia and Dario both peered around the tree this time, and saw the dragon lying dead, only a few feet away. The strange man was standing next to it with his large knife. He was covered in green liquid and Malkia noticed it oozing from the dragons neck, where the man had slit it.
Malkia was shaking uncontrollably and she stared at the crazy man. “Oh my hell!”
“Hell indeed. You are lucky I was already tracking this beast, lady. This thing would have had you for dinner, if I had not intervened. These are one of the most vicious dragons, but luckily they are senseless as well,” he said, snickering, as he cleaned his knife with a dark cloth.
“I had no idea,” Malkia sputtered, stepping closer. “I never knew these creatures existed. I mean, I have heard stories about them, but in all my travels I have never encountered one, nor have I ever met someone who has seen one. I’m sorry I walked in on your little show, but if I had any idea there was a dragon nearby I would have stayed as far away as I could from this area.”
“Actually, it was a surprise to me this one flew so far. In fact if I did not have my pegasus, I would not have been able to track it. I was trailing him for days, way up North, when he shot up into the air and began his flight down this way. I stayed behind him for almost a day, before he landed,” the man’s brows knitted together, as he shook his head. “I thought I could start tracking him again, but not much later he was in the air again. We landed here no more than twenty minutes ago and you just happened to walk in on our struggle, just a minute or two after I landed. Luckily I decided to land closer to him.”
“Who are you,” Dario asked quizzically.
The man moved around the beast, wiping the remaining remnants from his knife, on the side of his pants, looking at the two heads lying on the ground. He then regarded Dario and Malkia, giving them a wicked smile.
“I am one of the few dragon slayers left in this world. After the sky people came, the dragons disappeared more than they already had and when the wars began they were never seen, as if they never existed. I was out of a job. It has not been until the last few years that they have ventured out of their caves and began terrorizing the towns around them.” He slid his knife into its holder, strapped to his side. “I was a dragon slayer before all the madness began, so I returned to my occupation, and now I am here saving your backsides.”
“And you have no idea why it flew this far? Are there dragons that live down this way?” Malkia asked, still stunned by the recent events.
“Honestly, I don’t know that answer. I have never seen a dragon this far south, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. But flying that long… I have never known that to occur. Sometimes they act out of character and do bizarre things. I’m not sure why this fiend did it, but I’m just grateful it’s dead.”
As he finished his sentence, Skye came running up to the three of them with Curtis a few feet behind her. They were clearly worried and when they saw the dead dragon they skidded to an abrupt stop, just behind Malkia and Dario. Their jaws dropped, as they scanned the grizzly man, their eyes darting to the dead dragon and back to Malkia and Dario.
“Who is this, what is that and what is going on?” Curtis asked loudly, his jaw clenched.
“This man saved my life,” Malkia replied. She pointed at the man and beast. “Dragon slayer, dragon and dragon slayed.”
“I miss all the fun,” Curtis teased, a wary smile surfacing on his lips, as he gave Malkia a soft punch to the arm. His eyes remained intense, attempting to downplay his concern.
“Well, dragon slayer, what are your plans now that your dragon is slayed? Do you intend to return to the north, or are you sticking around this area?” Malkia asked.
“Going home,” he responded, his hands on his hips.
“Us too,” Malkia began, “We are traveling as a group to a new home. What is your name?”
The dragon slayer stepped forward, running his arm over his forehead. “Thanks for asking. My name is Tatum. I have not been back home for nearly a year and it would be great to see my family again.”
“Where is your home?” Dario curiously asked.
“I’m from Domesca, a town northeast from here. Beautiful place, with a wonderful castle, and tall walls for all of us to use as a defense against dragons,” Tatum shot them his wicked smile again.
Malkia’s eyes widened, when she heard him say Domesca.
“What’s wrong?” Tatum asked, eyeing Malkia suspiciously.
Expelling her breath, she said, “Really, Domesca is your home? Our group is heading to your town once they awake.”
“Why?” he asked, his eyes narrowing to crinkled slits.
“We are on the run. There is a large group of savages on our tails and the only safe place I could think of was Domesca,” Malkia chattered a bit too quickly. “The group asleep just outside the forest are my people, and I’m charged with their safety. These savages are horrific brutes.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I visited Domesca last year, and I know we would be protected there. Could you please help our friends and family make it there safely, while we divert these malicious people to the south?”
Tatum stood there eyeing down Malkia. He turned away from the four of them and walked a few feet deeper into the forest. Malkia’s palms began to sweat, anticipating he would leave and tell Jasper to not allow their group to join them. This man had to be on their side.
Tatum turned back towards the four of them, and nodded. “I will do it. I would hope you would be there if the roles were reversed. I will show your group the way to Domesca, and I will speak with Jasper as you have asked.”
Malkia walked over to Tatum and held out her hand to him. He reached for it and after shaking hands, she threw her arms around his large body and gave him a bear hug. “Thank you. You are our angel. You do not know how much I have prayed for someone like you to come along.”
Tatum stepped away from the embrace. “Thank the dragon, sweetheart. If he had not led me here, I would have never met you. But,” he paused, his eyes darting around the group. “I can definitely see God’s hand in this. To land right here in the place where you are walking, it has to be his intentions. I know a short cut from here, back to Domesca. It will cut off over a day in traveling. I will gladly show your people the way. We will have to head east for almost two days, but there is a passage that can be taken after that which will cut straight through the forest and onto the path towards my home town. Do you need us to send someone back to guide you?”
“No, I know my way.” Malkia shook her head. “We will all be on our pegasi, so we will be taking short cuts all the way up. Skye, Curtis, we will no longer plan on meeting you at the stopping point to the east. Go ahead and keep going, until you arrive to Domesca. We will catch up with you either on the road or after you have reached his town.” She turned back to Tatum. “Thank you again. Let’s go ahead and wake everyone else up and prepare for departure.”
The group of them walked together out of the forest and into the camp site. As they were walking towards the center fire, Malkia could see Jayde sitting near the fire in a trance. Her jaw was clenched. Malkia hurried ahead of everyone else, rushing to be there with Jayde.
Jacob walked up, as Malkia sat down next to Jayde. “The pixies should return soon, but it looks like Jayde might have details beforehand. By the way, where were you? The whole group of you disappeared and no one knew where to find any of you.” He ran his hands through his hair, his brows knitted together, as he looked over at the others, and for the first time noticed Tatum.
Malkia glanced up at Jacob and replied, “We ran into this man in the forest.” She pointed at Tatum. “He’s a dragon slayer and from Domesca. Tatum will be helping our families travel through the area to the east and north, and lead them to Domesca. He has also agreed to speak with Jasper and convince him to shelter and protect them, while they wait for us. Tatum, this is Jacob. He will be going with me to the south.”
Jacob leaned forward to shake Tatum’s hand, “Nice to meet you. You say you are a dragon slayer. Is that a joke?”
“Wishful thinking,” Tatum replied, laughing. “No, it is not a joke. Go take a look yourself. I killed a dragon just inside the forest. He was about to eat your fearless leader, before I arrived.”
Malkia was not paying attention. Her eyes were on Jayde’s face, as she came out of her trance and gasped. She looked at Malkia with startled eyes. “Malkia, they are quickly approaching. Faster than I thought possible. It is like they are super humans. They will be here in less than a half a day, if they continue at the speed they are going.”
Malkia jumped up and commanded, “Wake them up. They have to leave now.”
***
“Dario and Skye, are your groups ready to leave?” Malkia asked, racing towards them.
“My group is all ready and waiting,” answered Dario.
“My group is as well,” replied Skye, her inky irises flashing around the area.
Malkia’s lips set in a grim line. “Good. I just spoke to Curtis, and his team is already at the forefront, ready to move forward. If you want to pull your groups together and explain to them what is expected, and let them know you and Curtis are in charge from here on out. They need to follow Tatum’s instructions to the letter in order to make it to Domesca together and alive. Dario have you prepared the families who will be separating?”
“They are as prepared as they can be.” Dario nodded. “They have all teamed up together to make sure everyone is taken care of while they are separated. Everyone is willing to do what it takes to make sure this plan works and keeps the whole group safe.”
“Just so we are clear.” She pivoted to look at Skye. “You will be heading east for nearly two days, instead of three, and then you will be diverting northeast. Anyone on a pegasus must fly out of here, but tell them to stay as low as possible. The less tracks visible, the less we have to cover up. Make sure to stay as upbeat as possible,” she requested, turning to Dario. “Once they are gone, we will lead the tracks to the dragon and make it appear as if there was running in several directions, but in the end we ran for the south. The dead dragon should create some confusion and hopefully distract them from the larger group, entirely.”
Dario and Skye nodded, as they steered their pegasi away, leaving Malkia and Mataya to say their good-byes. Mataya was busy packing her pegasus and did not look up at Malkia.
Malkia walked over to her and pulled her into her arms. “I love you girl. You mean so much to me, and I will do everything in my power to return to you. Please, please stay with Justin and let him protect you. Help with the families who do not have their spouses and parents with them. Please be a beacon to these people we love so much. Show them what you are made of. Be a light to them, and I can guarantee it will make you feel better, as well.”
Tears were streaming down Mataya’s cheeks, and could not respond, as she sobbed, loudly. She hugged Malkia, holding on tight. They stood there in silence, while gripping onto one another, not wanting to separate. It was scary to think of the “what ifs” but Malkia was determined to focus on the plan and not worry about what might happen.
She finally pulled away from Mataya, and looked into her tearful eyes. “Be strong, sister. You and I are made from the same energy. You can do this.”
Mataya smiled softly thinking of her parents. “I will make you proud and I know I will see you soon.”
Malkia kissed both of Mataya’s cheeks and then gave her another quick hug. They separated and Mataya finished packing her pegasus and then mounted her.
Malkia mounted Parowan and held her hand out for her sister. Mataya grasped her hand and together they squeezed each other’s hands three times. It means “I love you” their mom had always told them. They smiled and let go of each other’s hands. Together they rode over to the rest of the group.
***
“Malkia, I think we have covered up their tracks as best as we can. We have flown over several times to make sure they cannot be seen. The pixies have reported they cannot see their tracks, and the hawks have seen the group disappear into the woods. The dragon is the perfect diversion. We have to move out, or we will not be able to fool the trackers,” Dario said, riding up to Malkia.
Malkia glanced over at Dario, as she listened to him. She was ready to depart. She had been ready for a while, but was still anxious about covering up the tracks of everyone else. Everything had to work according to plan. There could not be any mistakes.
“Dario, if you feel comfortable with the work that has been done, then let’s go ahead and leave. It looks like the rest of the group is headed our way anyway,” Malkia said, nodding her head over in the direction behind Dario.
Dario looked behind him and then back at Malkia before saying, “I think it is the best we can do. I won’t be comfortable until we have actually diverted them away from the group, but I feel good about moving on and beginning this journey.”
“Let’s go then,” Malkia replied.
Dario and Malkia directed the pegasi towards the rest of their group and when they met, they all turned in the direction of the south and began their journey. It would be a long couple of days. They needed to make it look like the whole group had escaped this way. They had brought two of the trailers so the trackers would not be thrown off when the wheels just stopped.
It was time for their next adventure.
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