bitterborn

BITTERBORN

Her breath condensed in the beginning cold, clutching her shawl tighter. Felicity imagined large snowflakes dropping from the sky and suddenly, there they were, dropping from the air. Her tiny body began to shake, her fingers growing stiffer.

“Warm, warm,” Felicity muttered to herself, stumbling toward a tree. Light snow began to cover the ground as trumpets blared in the distance. Felicity’s head turned toward the noise as the sky darkened further as the snow fell faster. “I want to be warm,” Felicity stomped her foot on the ground. A rush of wind caused Felicity to fall backward against the tree. Her lip started wobbling as her hands dropped the shawl to rub her eyes, a cry escaping her lips.

“Oh dear,” a voice thundered. Felicity rubbed her eyes again, trying to see through the tears. Her neck craned upward and almost instantly her sadness was forgotten as she stared upward in awe.

The small human was only about the size of Uku’s claw. He scoured the trees around, looking for the child's parents. All he heard were the thunderous sounds of hooves and howls echoing off the trees. He cocked his head and was able to make out, “I see footsteps leading this way!”

Uku returned his gaze to the child, who was shaking like a leaf. She had approached him, hands on his claw. “I want to be warm,” her little voice stated firmly, staring up at him.

Uku snorted, lowering his head to eye her, “Do you now?”

“Up!” Felicity held her arms above her head. Uku could feel the ground shake as the others approached. His intuition was telling him to grab the child and disappear. But what would he do with a human? Hounds burst into the clearing, alongside mounted soldiers. There was a collective gasp at Uku, the hounds and horses beginning to back away.

“There she is!” One of the soldiers yelled, pointing toward Felicity. She cowered behind Uku’s foot. “Step aside, dragon. We have no fight with you."

A growl escaped Uku’s throat. He turned, carefully pushing the child behind him to ensure she didn’t end up underfoot, his voice booming, “What do you have against this child?”

The soldiers balked at this question, looking between themselves and stuttered. Uku narrowed his eyes, as he recognized the glitter that covered them as residual magic. When he looked over his shoulder at Felicity, he noticed a similar glitter around himself, trailing toward her.

“She is an enemy of the crown,” a different soldier appeared from behind the others, his uniform decorated with gold epaulets and brandished a sword with a jewel-encrusted handle. Uku sniffed, this was Sir Langley of Kerrigan, captain of the surrounding kingdom’s royal guard. Uku believed the current Kings were Rex and Eric, but he was unsure.

“How is she an enemy? She’s barely old enough to walk,” Uku growled.

“It is no matter, Uku of Black Mountain,” Langley held up a hand. “Hand over the girl and we will take our leave.”

Uku’s tail swished back and forth, before he turned to regard the child once again. She didn’t seem frightened of him, but her gaze switched between him and the guards. Uku sighed, blowing back Felicity’s short hair as she giggled. Her hands returned to the air and Uku knew he’d made his decision.

With one flap of his wings, Uku took flight. As he did, he closed a clawed foot around Felicity, picking up some dirt as well. Felicity shrieked in joy as her stomach felt like it dropped. She was sealed from the outside world as the claw tightened around her. It was comfortable and warm, exactly what she had been looking for.

Uku heard the guards shouting behind him as he soared into the sky, a few spears and arrows bouncing off his scales. Langley’s voice rang out above the rest, “We will not forget this transgression, Uku. You will not be able to keep her safe forever!”

~~

~ Seventeen Years Later ~

Uku’s claws gripped the ledge as he landed in front of the massive cave entrance. He lumbered inside, his wings gently scraping the walls where they had thousands of times prior. It had changed much in the past two decades. What had once held only his hoard, was now filled with knickknacks, pillows, weapons, and books. His hoard had grown as well, with various contributions of gems and gold over the years. Although Uku hadn’t admitted it out loud, it now felt homier. Especially with the houseguest he had been entertaining.

Felicity had grown from a small, wide-eyes child who easily had captured Uku’s heart from the moment he shared his cave with her. She was brilliant and headstrong, danger constantly appearing around every corner. Not that he could blame her. Growing up with such powerful magic constantly put the two in hazardous situations. Uku has quickly learned that Felicity’s magic was unquestionably the reason she was a risk to the crown.

“You’re home!” Felicity sat up straight in her chair, abandoning the book in her hands on the floor. “How was your hunt?”

“Delightful,” Uku’s tongue flicked from his mouth, tickling Felicity’s face. She laughed and pushed on his chin. He moved away even though her strength was little compared to his own, settling down upon his sparkling hoard. “Anything,” Uku paused, his eyes narrowing, “eventful happen?”

Felicity shrugged, a smile dancing on her lips, “Depends on what you consider eventful.” Uku gave her a look and she looked down sheepishly, “Just one tiny garden of flowers.”

“Felicity,” Uku’s tone was sharp.

“I just wanted some semblance of spring,” Felicity mumbled. “The book I was reading made frolicking over a hillside filled with flowers sound lovely.” She looked up at Uku, “I got rid of it after I realized what had happened.”

Uku’s gaze moved across the room, the lingering magic he had seen dispersing further. “Control is the only way for us to remain safe.”

“Every situation I accidentally get us in, we always escape,” Felicity waved her hand. “You always protect me,” Felicity stood and walked toward Uku. She clambered up on the hoard, settling behind side, “You’ve never let me down.”

“I might be around for your entire life, or I might not,” Uku curled his head to keep one massive eye on Felicity. “Your magic is wonderous. If your imagination continues to run wild, you will continue to find yourself in unappealing situations.”

“Not everything I imagine has come true,” Felicity argued. Uku blinked his eye and Felicity sagged against him, “Fine. I’ll continue to work to control it.” Uku hummed in agreement, closing his eye for a nap. Felicity gently stood from her position and slid down the side of the hoard, imaging a few more gems appearing for Uku. It was the only way she knew how to repay him for his kindness.

Grabbing her bow and sword, Felicity exited the cave. A staircase carved into the mountain appeared as she approached. She threw a glance over her shoulder to ensure Uku hadn’t seen. Satisfied, Felicity took the stairs two at a time, trying her hardest not to yell at the freedom she felt.

Animals easily found themselves drawn to her as she patrolled the area for dinner. Felicity’s arrows struck true, picking off two rabbits. After slinging them over her shoulder, Felicity stood still for a moment, practicing keeping her mind clear. She struggled to maintain it, thoughts constantly drifting in that she wanted to explore further. Almost always about her past. She’d enjoyed Uku and living in the wild, but the few humans she had met were interesting. Some dangerous, as Uku would say, but others endlessly fascinating and intricate.

“There’s my favorite person,” a voice called from the other side of the clearing Felicity was standing in. She opened her eyes and smiled, waving a hello after resting her bow across her chest. “As always, I knew just where to find you.”

“Almost like it’s magic,” Felicity teased. Michael laughed, his hand running over a dark beard as he walked forward.

“You never cease to amaze me,” Michael smiled softly, kissing her on the cheek. Felicity looked away, feeling her face heat up. “To the cabin?”

“Let’s,” Felicity answered, her hand intertwining with Michael’s. They made their way forward and within minutes a small cabin with smoke curling from the chimney appeared.

“I tried to find this cabin last week, you know,” Michael said. “I wandered around in circles for hours and yet with you, it takes only minutes.”

“Well, it is my cabin,” Felicity said, opening the door and inviting Michael in. It was a small one-room cabin, with a small two-person dining table against left wall, a cot against the back, and a fireplace along the right. Above the dining table was a small shelf with a few plates, mugs, and utensils. Felicity hung up her rabbits near the door and began to heat a kettle over the roaring fire as Michael settled down at the small table. She also grabbed two teabags, preparing them for their cups once the water had warmed. As she stood beside the fire, Felicity frowned and looked back at Michael, “Why were you looking for it?”

“I wanted to see you,” Michael cocked his head to the side. Felicity scrunched up her nose, pulling off the kettle and pouring two glasses, dropping in the teabags. Michael dropped in some honeycomb and sipped, thanking her for the drink.

“What did you actually want to see me for?” Felicity blew on her cup of tea, eyeing Michael over the rim. Michael reached into his jacket and revealed a folded parchment.

Felicity grabbed it and read it aloud, “Magic users needed at the High Court of Their Majesties, King Rex and King Eric of Iastri.” Felicity paused, chewing her lip, scanning the rest of the parchment. It stated a generous reward for just volunteering and all volunteers were asked to meet at the Iastri Castle in a few days.

“Rumors say they’re needed for a special mission to Noastrum. Something about the Kings needing intel regarding the war,” Michael said. Felicity prodded for further information, but Michael shrugged.

Felicity sighed, “Are you trying to convince me to volunteer?” Michael reached a hand across the table and squeezed Felicity’s. Before he could answer, there was a massive explosion that soon shook the cabin’s walls. Her heart dropped as she stood to look out the window. Dust had flown into the air surrounding Black Mountain, covering where she knew the mouth of Uku’s cave was hidden.

Felicity turned back around to check on Michael, to see he had drawn his sword, pointing it at her neck. Felicity’s hand withdrew from her sword she had instinctually reached for, and cried out, “What are you doing?”

Michael pressed the sword forward, causing Felicity to back up if she didn’t want to be pricked. He moved her out of the door into the clearing in front of the cabin, all the while remaining silent. Any warmth he’d shown to her up until now had disappeared from his face.

Felicity swore, repeating her question. When he didn’t answer, she grunted and pretended to trip, falling away from the blade. This allowed her time to draw her own sword and parry. Her mind should’ve been focused on the fight but instead images of a dying Uku were at the forefront. She fought desperately to keep those thoughts at bay. Slicing his leg, Felicity stood tall as Michael fell to one knee. She then hesitated.

That hesitation was enough for Michael to regain control of the fight, taking a swipe at her arm. It cut deeply, blood spurting from the wound. “It’s not like you haven’t killed before,” Michael sneered. “Should’ve finished me when you had the chance.”

Felicity frowned, opening her mouth to ask what he meant before roars rang through the air. Felicity glanced at the sky, fighting back against Michael. Desperately trying to identify the massive black dragon who had been her guardian and friend of nearly two decades. Instead, the sky was filled with various other dragons descending upon Black Mountain, all shapes and sizes, not regarding her in the slightest. Michael was able to cut her arm once again and slash across her back. She fell forward, her grip on the sword loosening. It slipped from her hands, landing several feet from where she now kneeled.

Uku is alive. Uku is alive. Felicity kept repeating in her head, her eyes closing. She just needed to focus.

“Not this time,” Michael smacked the back of her head with the hilt of his sword, knocking her unconscious. He reached into his jacket, withdrawing a pair of handcuffs. He kicked Felicity over so she was face down, locking her wrists with the cuffs. “It’s safe to come out now,” Michael called, rolling his eyes. Dozens of soldiers appeared from the trees, having surrounded in the cabin, which was now fading in and out of existence.

“Well done, brother,” Langley marched over to Michael, clapping a hand on his shoulder. Langley’s hair had salt and peppered in the years since he had first been tasked with capturing the small child. “Uku and Felicity of Black Mountain have been contained. Their Majesties shall be proud, our heroism knows no bounds.”

Felicity was hauled into an uncovered wagon pulled behind two horses. Michael only slightly struggled to get her on to the wagon, the other soldiers whispering. “What is she going to do to you while passed out?” Michael grunted, heaving her upward. Still, no one stepped forward to aid him. Michael bound her feet and tied a cloth over her mouth, then climbed into the front seat of the wagon. Grabbing the reins, Michael clicked his tongue to start the horses forward.

“Move out!” Langley called, trotting his horse beside the wagon. Langley glanced back at Felicity as well and Michael snorted. “I’m not afraid of her,” Langley defended.

“I think you should be,” Michael’s tone shifted to serious. “Have you heard about the scores of people she has felled? The wealth she can conjure out of nothing? Those she easily wills to her side?” Michael shook his head, refusing to look back at his bloodied and bruised lover. “Their Majesties will easily be able to succeed in the war with her under our control.” There was a beat of silence as each man pondered the thought of finally gaining the advantage over Noastrum. The sky continued to be full of dragons and Michael ventured to ask while gazing at the sky, “Are you sure they have been killed?”

Langley nodded firmly, “There would have been no survivors.”

The other soldiers kept their eyes warily on the skies, but Langley and Michael knew better. None of the dragons would be able to trace this back to Iastri. They couldn’t even see them traveling only a mere five hundred feet below them. Michael had made sure of that.

Felicity awoke soon after they began moving, wildly looking around. She struggled against the cuffs and trying to shake off the gag. Her shoulders and various cuts felt like they were on fire as she was jostled in the back of the wagon.

“Hope you’re comfortable!” Michael called out, seeing her moving out of the corner of his eye. “It’s a long ride to Iastri Castle.” Felicity snarled against the cloth, imaging all the ways he would keel over and die. When Michael continued to whistle and did not explode into stardust, Felicity sighed. She stopped struggling, only moving enough to find the most comfortable position and settled in for the ride. The cloth tasted of dirt and blood, which had been dripping from the wound in her head. It had since clotted, but Felicity still felt slightly dizzy.

Felicity would occasionally shift her gaze from looking through the slats in the wagon’s side to the sky. It was no longer littered in the wings and scales of dragons, rushing to the aid of their kin. The mid-afternoon sun warmed her skin enough to cause her to sweat, and Felicity wished she could remove her jacket. Periodically, the wagon would hit a hole in the road, and she’d have to readjust her painful position, just for it to happen once again a few minutes later.

The forest eventually gave way to cobblestones rather than dirt, revealing the outskirts of a town before it became a bustling city. Felicity knew Iastri Castle was in Carmine Rivera, the capital. Black Mountain was a few hours ride on horseback from the city; on dragonback it was less than an hour. The mountain range Black Mountain was a part of, the Desolate, separated Carmine from the rest of the kingdom.

Felicity prayed to her deity, Iniriam, for protection for her and Uku. Iniriam wasn’t known to meddle in the affairs of humans, but Felicity liked their connection to nature. Iniriam was additionally the patron of dragons, despite dragons not being born of their mind. The real creator of dragons, according to Uku, had forsaken them eons prior and it was considered a disgrace to speak their name or continue to worship them.

So, of course, humans worshiped this deity. It was one of the reasons Felicity hated coming to Carmine. In the center of the city was a massive statue of them, surrounded by offerings and prayers. Felicity’s eyes adverted from the statue, but she saw Michael place a hand over his heart as they passed, and he whispered a thanks for protecting them on their journey. Felicity gagged.

Michael repeated his thanks louder and Felicity noticed they had attracted quite a crowd. Cheers erupted with Michael’s words, “We thank you! We are blessed by Qhetar!” Their words felt like a grater on Felicity’s ears, and she ground her teeth in agony.

Felicity tried to hear past the cheers as she could see people leaning over and whispering as they looked at her, but she was unable to make out what they were saying. She wished lip reading was a talent she possessed. Despite this, Felicity could tell they were either afraid of her, interested in her, or both. She saw repeats of the poster Michael had shown her decorating the walls of businesses and as they approached the castle, there were a growing number of guards patrolling. Each stopped and saluted Langley and Michael, before continuing with their business. Felicity didn’t remember this large number of guards the last time she had visited. It had been some time, she mused, maybe the war had reached its peak.

Wracking her brain for information, Felicity had only heard about the war with Noastrum through rumors. It was being called The Last Stand, that said, had been occurring for years. Noastrum’s border was across the Desolate, several hundred miles to the east. Many of the villages near the border were destroyed, their inhabitants fleeing west to take shelter closer to the Desolate. Felicity had much more frequently visited these villages and towns, finding people much more alike herself. Rugged, relying on the land, and friendly to dragons.

She had come across various units of soldiers crossing the Desolate on horseback, some riding atop dragons. Magic users were scarce in these units, typically high-level personnel or protected heavily. Those with magic were said to be gifted by Qhetar. There was an ever-growing presence of soldiers on the opposite side of the Desolate, creating further concern from the residents. Fighting had grown closer and closer to the range, but locals refused to leave the land for the protection on the other side of the Desolate. Dragons, they said, would aid in their protection, as they would not give up their land to humans either.

Noastrum was said to have partnered with their own dragons. It was much rarer to find a solider in Iastri’s colors astride a dragon than one in Noastrum’s. Soldiers spoke of dragons breathing lightning and shadow, disintegrating their brethren on impact. It had become more difficult for the kingdom to recruit soldiers and they had resulted to taking people by force.

Felicity understood that was most likely what was occurring to her. She was a magic user, and that was the only thing known to be able to fight against dragons with powers Iastri had never seen before. These skills were not surprising to her, having grown up around Uku, an ancient dragon who had participated in his own battles for power in the past. Her chest tightened when thoughts of Uku returned to her mind. She desperately hoped her magic had protected him.

The wagon came to a stop. Michael turned in his seat, regarding her once again. Felicity looked so small, he thought he’d never see the day when she would be at his mercy. It was as if the fire had left her entirely as she stared back, awaiting orders.

“Cut her ankle bonds,” Michael ordered a soldier. They approached and hurried broke the bonds before scampering backward. Felicity moved her ankles to try and return feeling back to her feet, maintaining eye contact with Michael. He leaned down to her face, “Now, I’m sure you already know, but you’re unable to do magic with those cuffs attached to your wrists. So, don’t do anything stupid, we wouldn’t want to kill such a helpful soldier.” Michael barked a laugh and dragged her from the wagon so she landed feet first. She nearly toppled over, but the tight grip Michael had on her arm prevented her from doing so.

Nearly dragging her forward, Michael led Felicity toward the castle. They had made their way past the front gate already. Iastri Castle was surrounded by a stone wall with only two gates present, on the south and west sides of the castle. Archers were stationed along the top of the wall, their bows always at the ready in their hands. The castle itself was also made of stone. It was rectangular, with two towers on either end and one tower in the center, taller than the other two. Felicity could see guards atop each tower, with spyglasses looking over the horizon.

Felicity had never approached the castle, having found it unnecessary. Being inside the walls was never something she had dreamed. It was closer to a nightmare than a dream. Langley led Michael and Felicity into the castle, which was decorated with richly colored tapestries and priceless vases along the walls. Servants and guards scurried around the halls, but not too busy to ogle at Felicity and her companions. Felicity heard one of the maids whisper to another, “I think that’s the Bitterborn.” Felicity frowned, her eyebrows puckering together. That was not something she had ever called herself or had heard anyone else call her before.

The trio soon arrived at double doors that were opened simultaneously. Both Kings sat upon thrones in the room, clearly having awaited their arrival. Felicity was shoved to her knees between Michael and Langley as they bowed. Felicity lowered her head as well, only after Michael pushed her head down.

“Felicity of Black Mountain, sires,” Michael proclaimed loudly. “As you requested.”

“Well done, Sir Michael and Captain Langley,” one of the Kings spoke. He had dark skin, with close cropped hair and a crooked nose. The other King had medium-tanned skin, shaggy blonde hair past his ears and a scar across one eye. Felicity surmised the scarred one to be King Eric, as she had heard tales of his heroic battle against a thunder of dragons who had gored out his eye. That left the crooked nosed one to be King Rex, who had many of his own heroic encounters, including supposedly having taken out a unit of soldiers from Noastrum on his own.

King Eric looked at Felicity and scoffed, “This one is the Bitterborn? She looks incapable of surviving a fight against a chicken.” Felicity opened her mouth to retort, forgetting the cloth in her mouth and only able to produce a few jumbled words. Neither Michael or Langley moved to take off the gag.

“Do not be fooled, Your Majesty,” Langley bowed his head again. “When she was just a mere toddler, she was able to summon Uku of Black Mountain to her aid. As you know it has been my sworn duty to find and return her to you. And now that it is accomplished,” Langley turned to Michael and drew the sword at his side and holding it out to Michael. “I request that I pass my position of Capitan of the Iastri Army to Michael of Kerrigan. He will lead us to victory, now that he has successfully captured the Bitterborn after befriending and then courting her for several years.” This caused Felicity to fight against her bonds, fury returning to her body. Michael smacked her across the face and she fell to the side. Unwanted tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as she grew dizzy once again.

“Do you accept, Sir Michael of Kerrigan?” King Rex continued as if nothing had occurred. Michael nodded, trying to maintain a calm composure, but this had been what he had been working towards since he was a small child. It only took him a few times having run into Felicity to know who she most likely was. Magic hung around her like too much perfume. At first, he just enjoyed her gifts, having assumed they were bought or stolen. Then he realized the position he had found himself in when befriending her. She gradually shared more with him, her cabin, her food, her weapons, and finally sharing her magic. He could not believe the extents of her power, she was limitless. Deitylike even. Michael wasn’t too keen on believing deities had offspring, but Qhetar had one, it would be Felicity of Black Mountain.

“I accept.”

Langley passed over the blade, signaling Michael as the new Captain. The Kings then returned their attention to Felicity, who was struggling to return to her knees. Michael sheathed the sword and pulled Felicity to her feet. His squeezed her arm tightly and she winced as his fingers dug into her wound.

“She’ll be placed in the dungeon, until we can outfit her with the device,” King Eric stated. Felicity’s eyes grew wide, unsure of what they were speaking of. “You can ensure that her friends will not come to her aid?”

“Black Mountain has been destroyed. I and the other mages made sure of that,” Michael said, nodding once. “We won’t hear from Uku or the others, ever again.” Felicity started fighting after that, but she was easily overpowered by the two men and hauled from the throne room. As she fought them, she refused to believe Uku had fallen and wondered who the others Michael was talking about. She had no other friends.

Choosing to believe Uku was alive did put her in a difficult situation. Felicity did not want him risking himself to save her but did not wish to have any device attached or implanted in her. While she was a skilled fighter, she was neither at full health nor had access to a weapon. Most of all, she lacked her magic. Uku had tried to warn her to not become reliant on it, but when anything she dreamt materialized or took care of itself, it was difficult to do so.

Felicity was locked in her own cell, many others overflowing with peasants and various noblepeople who pleaded with Michael and Langley to let them go. While the peasants looked as though they had been here for months and years, the noblepeople looked as though they’d been here overnight. After Felicity was thrown into her cell, she watched as the noblepeople were removed from their cells, crying that they had learned their lessons and wouldn’t speak ill of the kingdom again. She shook her head at their pathetic displays of groveling. As she did so, the gag finally loosened enough for her to spit it out. Licking her lips, Felicity scooted herself to the wall and sat up, leaning uncomfortably against it.

It was dark in the dungeon once Michael and Langley took their leave, removing a torch. When Felicity allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness, she could make out shapes of the people in other cells, moaning in pain and hunger. Shifting eyes kept falling towards her before they quickly looked away. She could hear them whispering about Bitterborn as well.

There wasn’t much she could do as she struggled to stay awake, her dizziness increasing. Eventually, she gave in, gently falling to the side and resting her head on the ground. Darkness consumed her as the whispers grew louder, until they were thundering in her head. There was one familiar voice calling out to her from the shadows, but it kept getting drowned out by all the others who were screaming for help. Felicity tried focusing on the familiar voice, which finally roared with dragon-like fury.

“Not even death can keep me from you, my child, my Felicity. The deities may be using you as a pawn in their game, but I rose from the dead by your command. I will serve you until my final death day.”