How nice it is to hear from you. So, that was your name. I do not recall you telling it to me– I recall your heaviness, however. I had not yet had the pleasure of dragging a large man into my cottage. All I heard from you as you slept for days were mutterings of war. Names that were foreign to me. I assumed you had been through a great deal.
I stitched your wounds, and the morning after you finally had awoken, you vanished without a trace. I was certain that gash would have reopened from your hasty departure. I still wonder sometimes if it did. There was a time I almost hoped it had, but… Hah.
It is fortunate the villagers are fond of me. I would not have received this letter. I have moved addresses within the last six years. I welcome you to visit. I live out on the mountain tableau, in the plains tucked away behind Vorlan’s tallest peak.
When I hear the great dragon’s roar, I will know you have come to repay me.
Yours,
Gianne Grenwych.
Alexei rolled the parchment back up, stuffing it in his breast pocket. He had begun to think Gianne hadn’t lived through the war, after all– her response came three months later than he’d expected. He almost felt foolish, for not checking she still lived in that quaint little village. The wind today on the terrace of the dovecote was a cold one, even for mid-summer. Vorlan would be the ideal place to go to escape it– as he descended the stair tower, the commander headed straight for the Queen.
Her duties had brought her to the study she shared with the King, but he was absent in council meetings. Queen Lanfen had been working away at proposed bills for Falhar and Nix trade when he interrupted her, rapping his knuckles on the doorframe.
“Your Majesty,” He began, giving a shallow bow.
“Ser Djolran. What brings you to me?” She raised her regal head, eyes twinkling with curiosity. It was not often her personal guard spoke up, as he preferred to carry her bidding in the shadows. He was just as scarcely-spoken as her husband, as much as they both clashed.
“I have sudden business in Vorlan. I will return hastily. It will not take long– scouting work has been completed. I am asking you to grant it, Your Majesty.”
She thought for a moment. He was true to his word, faithful in his job. No matter the task, Alexei had always delivered to the best of his ability. She wondered if it had to do with his wife– although Lanfen had learned some time ago of her death, she was receptive enough to understand he had quite a bit of loose strings to tie off. She inclined her head, her smile faint.
“Bring me back silverbark essence, and I will grant you temporary vacation,” she reasoned, watching as he nodded and placed his fist over his heart. The salute came without words, but she knew how much weight it carried– it was a vow amongst the dovaaek, signifying their ultimate dedication to a task.
“I need four bottles, and several saplings.”
“They will be in your hands upon my return, Your Majesty.”
She smiled, lifting her hand to wave him off.
“Go, now. I have work to do.”
As he turned his back, Alexei suppressed his soft smile of relief.
He went to his room to gather a pack of provisions and a satchel for the Queen’s request, before ascending the grand staircase to the pavilion. Viseri’ith was sunning his great black wings, turning an intelligent golden eye to him as he approached. The dragon stretched out before he bent down, allowing Alexei to climb his spines and settle into his place.
Unexpected mission we have, do we?
“To Vorlan. Mount Rajnir.”
A day’s time. That is nothing.
The dragon gloated as he took to the skies, and Alexei felt at peace. The wind whistled past his ears, prompting him to tug his hood up. By the time the two suns had sunk below the horizon, they were in the mountain range of Falhar. Alexei did not stop to rest and the dragon flew them both through the night, arriving in Vorlan by the evening. The temperature was better here, the balmy climate almost welcoming.
It was nearing nightfall when the rider saw it, standing so tall it appeared to touch the very clouds. The stars had begun to blink into existence in the darkening sky, and beyond the great mountain peak was nestled a home, the smell of woodsmoke lingering in the air. Its large wooden door opened and a lone figure stepped out, hands on her hips as she watched them land. A warm light illuminated the grass from within her home, making each of Viseri’ith’s scales glitter in its light.
When Alexei’s feet touched the ground, he felt a sense of tiredness descend upon him. Could it be that this place felt more like home than the Storm Mountains themselves, or was it his journey through the night? He shoved that thought aside as he approached her, a grim look set into his face.
“My lord,” She greeted, lifting the apron of her skirts slightly.
“Miss Gianne.” He returned, studying her. She was prettier than he remembered, her long dark hair cascading in curls down her back, tied up by a colourful scarf.
“Come inside, Rider. You look like you need something hot to eat.”
He obliged silently, Viseri’ith watching as they retreated into her house, the door closing behind them. It was time for the dragon to rest, settling his great black head and folding up his wings. Inside the cottage, Gianne spooned a hearty stew into bowls. She handed one off to him and settled in a well-loved chair at the rustic wooden table, where sat sliced bread and fresh butter. The different tuber-roots and vegetables were nourishing, along with the preserved red meat she had prepared from the cellar storage. It was salty, adding flavour to the broth when paired with the bread and stew.
“Tomorrow we shall talk. For now, you must rest.” She pointed to the daybed in the corner beneath a cosy square window, its curtains drawn tight. Fluffy pillows awaited his weary head, and a light summer quilt. It looked handmade. It was probably her work, he noted, as he stretched. Gianne cleaned up the table, washing the bowls in a porcelain basin, with water from a cistern. When she was done she dampened the lanterns and blew out the candles, pausing in the hallway before entering her room.
“A good-night, Ser Djolran.” She bid him, the heavy door closing behind her.
Alexei heard no more noise after that, his thoughts giving way to slumber when his eyelids became too heavy. The sheets smelled clean, like the clear mountain air on a sunny day. It lulled him into a dreamless sleep, and he lay unmoving til the morning.
It was the birds that awoke him, and the cabin windows had been opened to let in the pleasant morning air. Gianne was gone, her woven foraging basket missing from its place by the door; her cloak gone off the hook. Alexei had some time to himself before she returned, climbing onto dragonback and heading to a nearby village for the essence he had promised the Queen.
