The Hero’s Right Hand

According to Elder Zhusthum there was only one dragon in the Ikrali region. At the summit was a hidden entrance to a cave that had long been occupied. Dragonborn in Gromsev avoided flying near it so as to not disturb the beast. Records had disproven the notion that all dragons aligned with evil. Their personalities are as innumerable as those of any other race. Based on the fact that this one hadn’t attacked a town that lived nearby for multiple centuries, I could only hope it was amiable. That was assuming there was still a dragon near Mount Ikrali.

If Elmud had succeeded in their goal, it would be dead and they would be far more powerful. The chance they stayed behind was nil. On the other hand, if they failed, it meant a dragon awaited us. I was unsure we could defeat such a powerful foe. I'm sure the others felt the same way. 

The elder would keep an eye on our carriage during our quest. There was no way to use it to reach the top of the mountain. While we didn't need climbing gear or any specific tools, the paths were too narrow and unpredictable for the carriage to function. Much like midwinter, snow stacked a few inches high. Thankfully it wasn't high enough to hinder a hike. With all our camping gear on our backs we couldn't travel as quickly as we wanted. Even worse was the drop in temperature as we approached the sky. We were advised to wear multiple layers but even then it wasn't enough. I emanated heat to help us stay warm and stop us from slowing down to rest.

I couldn't help but notice that Sariel didn't need to stay as close to me as everyone else. her mind was elsewhere. Something about the region called to her. It was different from when we first met when she avoided speaking to us. Absent-minded and distracted, she trekked in silence. So much so that she failed to notice monsters approaching from afar. Thankfully, the mountain path had little in way of cover, alerting us to the incoming danger.

Corpses of long dead kobolds crept toward us with no issue crossing the terrain. Some dug their boney claws into the wall to engage us from all sides. Having fought enough undead we knew they could only turn us into ghouls if we were incapable of withstanding their strength. With my need to be up close, I was the most likely to take a hit. All the previous attacks I’d encountered trained me to brush these off. Without hesitation I grabbed the snouts of the scaled canines and ignited them. If that wasn’t enough to kill one, I followed up with a fist through their torso. Throwing them off the side of the mountain was ill advised. On the off chance a zombie survived, it could attack Gromsev.

Avant didn’t jump around too much due to the lack of footing. Instead he tackled his opponents’ legs out from under them. Once their vitals were in reach of his talons, he tore into them. It only took a moment to destroy the monsters. Aisha cut down the beasts before they got close by bisecting the very claws that kept them above us. Plummeting kobolds made for easy targets. Vofric had the simplest time as he spoke a prayer before throwing his light hammer at our foes. For its size it was surprisingly devastating. Its heavy end tore through monsters’ faces and disintegrated them in an instant before returning to him.

The entire time we fought the kobolds Sariel was preoccupied. It was nice that she trusted us to handle the enemy but I was worried about if one snuck up on her. Her eyes were trained on the skyline without a care in the world. Or rather, her cares were unrelated to the matter at hand. She awkwardly apologized and started walking before anyone even had a chance to acknowledge it.

“Is she alright?” Vofric asked.

I shook my head. “No idea. I hope she’s not hurt.”

“I think it’s related to her lost memories. Something might be triggering her,” Aisha said. “Keep an eye on her so she doesn’t get hurt but otherwise let her follow her instincts.”

Avant took the instruction in stride and kept pace with our elvish companion. The rest of us trailed a few steps behind them. Whenever Sariel muttered something, the young owlbear would respond with a series of chirps and growls. In turn, Sariel would speak more. To this day none of us understood how they could converse fluently. I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. Though that often faded when matters of importance came about. Avant would always grab my attention if he noticed something.

Much like the fact that the uneven path began to smooth out. Jagged rocks and broken stone melded into slate. So far we’d climbed by using unmarked paths that connected awkwardly. What remained in front of us was a solid spiral that led to the summit of Mount Ikrali. Sariel took a pause and let out a slow breath. Vapor clouded her face as tears welled in the draconic eye.

“Lead the way,” Aisha said softly and patted Sariel’s back.

“I am unsure why but I require time to collect myself. You may go ahead,” she suggested.

I protested. “We’ll wait.”

“Take your time, friend.” Vofric added.

Shakiness accompanied each of Sariel’s movements as she reached up to wipe her face. Never did I think she would look so confused. When she’d shown emotions in the past, it was obvious she understood her feelings. Her mutated half expressing itself was jarring to say the least.

“It took half a century of wandering but I finally have a semblance of what is missing from my mind,” she said.

It felt like the time to address what I saw in Dawncaster and asked, “Did it start when we heard the demon king’s name?”

“Why do you ask that?” Aisha inquired.

“Kargon is always observing us.” Sariel explained, “The simple utterance of his name triggered a sensation like my scales were trying to tear through me. I do not know how it relates to my amnesia but there is obviously a connection.”

“Why not tell us?”

Sariel sighed. “I am still unsure what it meant. The undue stress is better kept to myself.”

“Sharing one’s concerns with friends eases stress,” Vofric said. “But do not force yourself. Do so when ready.”

Sariel looked at each of us slowly and nodded. Without another word we continued towards Mount Ikrali’s summit. Light basked down on us as we reached the peak. From where we stood it was possible to see across the entire continent of Argul. The forests surrounding Neves stretched across the south. I could even see the unsettled waters of Balur. To the southwest was Dawncaster with a high concentration of light particles hovering above.

“I can’t believe Kharim protected all this,” Aisha said softly. “From this high it’s impossible to even see who I’m protecting. Not to mention how much Vethyea’s evolved since Kharim’s time. Am I really supposed to protect more than the first Hero?”

It was obvious to everyone that our leader was overwhelmed. Unfortunately, this was unlike Balur where her doubts were rooted in lies from the elves. Any fears rooted in logic were always harder to alleviate. The Hero didn’t look away from the distant shores as she racked her brain for an answer. I was thankful that some small part of her kept fighting against the encroaching fears.

“By fighting for others, we protect them without recognition,” Vofric said. “I cannot remember everyone I defended during my past adventures, much less during our time in Dawncaster. Many were hidden behind debris or in areas I could not reach. Even so, I held my ground. Every enemy vanquished helped in saving lives.”

Sariel grunted. “The world has always been vast. Assuming it has evolved, you must accept that all creatures have as well. Thus, Kharim would not be enough to protect the current Vethyea.”

Aisha slowly outstretched her arm with her palm facing an unknown city in the distance. Blocking it from view was difficult. Slow waves briefly obscured different parts but never the entirety.

“It’ll take a lot of effort to even protect one place,” she said sadly. “And the chances I fail are astronomically high.”

I held my hand out and blocked another portion of the view.

“You keep saying ‘I’ need to protect the world. Consider that you have a party fighting alongside you to ease the burden,” I said. “You picked us yourself—”

Aisha interrupted, “Avant was your choice.”

“I asked permission.”

Avant chirped affirmatively. He laid on his stomach and outstretched his front paws. Vofric raised his right arm as well. Sariel hesitated, staring at her hands and tried to decide what to do. A slow breath accompanied her extending her draconic left hand.

She sighed. “My bow would reach farther than this.”

“My hammer would not cover even this much space,” Vofric chuckled. “Though, with us working together, protecting Vethyea will be more manageable. Am I correct, Hero?”

Aisha smiled and nodded. “You may have a point.”

She stepped back and looked at the platform we stood atop.

“Where to next?”

Though she asked the group, we instinctively looked towards Sariel. The rest of us had rested our hands and were searching for any clues. With a blank stare, the elf remained to the side. Something peculiar presented itself as she basked in the sun. As if a layer of dust was stripped away, her forest green scales transformed into a shining metallic emerald. Though her pupils were different shapes they glowed the same verdant hue. Teeth grinded against each other as she turned to face us and yelled. A focused swipe of her draconic claw shifted a hidden door in the platform.

The entrance was a small drop into a cave hidden within Mount Ikrali. Sariel was the first one down and immediately continued into the dark. While the rest of us entered, the doorway began to close. Roots normally moved in slow and wild patterns. These, however, were straight rods like the locks of a gate. It wasn’t possible to examine them once they vanished into the dirt but it was doubtful they kept the rigid shape.

Though Sariel led us confidently, she remained cautious. Whoever, or whatever, claimed the cave as a home would be a threat. Elder Zhusthum’s warnings remained at the forefront of our minds. There was little doubt we entered the lair of a dragon.

It wasn’t simply due to her words. Glowing stones embedded in the walls provided dim light. Reflections bounced off melted gold littered on the ground. I was unaware that dragon’s ever parted with their horde.

As we continued further down the winding path it widened. Jewels and coins grew scarce in the huge pathway. I could just barely see the ceiling directly above us.

“How is this structure standing if it gets wider as we descend?” I asked. “It should have collapsed.”

“We’ve seen plenty of bolstering spells. Now shut up! Our voices might alert someone,” Aisha whispered.

I’d almost forgotten about the other possibility we could encounter. Elmud may well be at the end of the tunnel after succeeding in killing a dragon. Or worse, the corpse may have gained new life and was awaiting a meal. I shut my eyes to quiet the flood of ideas. Thankfully, Vofric put his hand out to stop me in my tracks.

Four paths stood in front of us. It was difficult to see where they led. The trail of treasure had run dry. Large gashes in the wall remained where gems were once embedded. Kobolds rested nearby and stared at us. Aisha made eye contact and held up her hands in a sign of mercy. Without a word the creatures returned to their business. They seemed accustomed to the presence of adventurers.

“We could split up,” Aisha said. “Once each of us—”

“No,” Sariel interjected. “This way.”

There was no hesitation in her words or actions. I felt more assured about an even tempered cave denizen. Based on Elmud’s past actions, they would have eradicated the kobolds. And if the dragon wanted to attack us it’s underlings would have at least tried to tire us out. Instead we easily trekked through the final tunnel before arriving at a large chamber.

Only some gems remained embedded in the walls but had scratches near them. Whoever left them did so after many doubts. A few gold coins laid in a pile between us and a huge creature with its back turned. Aisha rested her hand on Valefor’s hilt but waited for a confirmed threat before engaging. Everyone felt assured in their safety. Even Avant’s quick temper hadn’t been triggered.

Though I had wished for a calm dragon, my mind could not accept what sat in front of us. Myriad scales trailed over every inch of its massive body. Claws were stowed under its torso while a jagged tail wrapped snugly around its side. Wings that could block out the sky were folded neatly on the dragon’s back. The light left in the room did not help in discerning its color until it finally moved.

“There is little left I can offer in payment to your clan,” it said in a deep voice that rang in our minds. Its long neck curved outward, carrying its head into view. Forest green scales complimented jewel-like jade eyes. I was surely not the only one who noticed the resemblance to our friend.

“What new knowledge have you acquired?” it asked while scanning each of us slowly. When an individual was in the dragon’s gaze they froze. It felt similar to being a child who was berated by a parent but significantly more frightening.

Sariel stepped forward with her bow drawn. Weaponry could not hide the fear she felt facing the daunting opponent. Shaky legs barely kept her upright while she summoned the courage to speak.

“Did you… do this to me?” she stuttered.

The massive dragon stared soberly at the elf and let out a sound similar to a sharp exhale. Without a second thought the creature morphed. I’d heard of dragons taking a humanoid form but seeing it first hand was unfathomable. There was no logic behind how the creature restructured itself into a high elf. Sariel immediately dropped her bow and whimpered. Tightly shutting her eyes, she turned her head away but remained still.

The dragon approached slowly with both arms raised. With no hesitation he slowly placed his hands on our friend’s shoulders. Something resonated between them as the scars on her body glowed bright emerald again.

“No, Sariel. No, my dear,” the dragon said with tears streaking his face. “No father would hurt his daughter so.”