Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 14: Alexander

Chapter Fourteen: Alexander

I woke, wary. I glance over at Orph, beside my bed. I hear Danica talking with Summer about things that has been going on, and start to sit up.

“Whoa, Alexander. You’re still injured. You need more time to heal.” Orph tries to get me to lie down, but I refuse to let him.

“No Orph. I’m wasting more time everyday in warning Tom about the destruction bombs the insurrection is threatening to launch. I can’t take any more chances; I’m already risking a lot with the pixie…”

“Hey! You know that fairies hate it when you say that!” Orph snaps.

“So what? Did they care at the Battle of Barsada?” I growl. He winces.

“You miss them huh?” He gazes at me with understanding. “You miss Noble Team don’t you?” I sigh; he hit the nail on the head. Before all of this nonsense with the pixie, Danica Crown, during the war, I was assigned as captain of a group of highly trained soldiers under the Red Hawks, a military group which focused on quality not quantity of soldiers. They were my friends, my closest allies during the war, and now… they’re all gone. At the battle of Barsada, an important stronghold we were defending, all nine of them died defending the fortress, and only I was left, yet I managed to drive away the entire invading fairy forces. To this day, there is not a moment when I don’t think about them, and the sacrifices we all made.

“Yeah. I do. Putting that aside, Orph, I don’t think this is any time to be wasting on recovery. Who’s to say, they may find a way to blame the whole world for what happened to us, and then what?” He stiffly nods.

“But after you warn Tom, what about the fairy? What are you going to do about her? She does know where the isles are now. What if she ends up like Quin and uses the knowledge against you all?”

“Then, Orph, I will have to kill her. I’m not going to put my feelings in front of what has to be done. I don’t like to kill. I hate the concept of war. That’s why I’m even doing this, besides the fact that I’ve been ordered to do so.” I smirk grimly.

Orph gets a questioning look in his eyes. “Who ordered you to do this? I thought the main military doesn’t know what’s going on, Alexander?”

“That’s the point. They don’t. As for whom I work for, don’t ask again. I’m not allowed to speak about them, Orph. I have a hard time as it is to even answer that question.” I snarl, as the wards that make sure I don’t tell anyone about them threaten to bind me. I sigh, and then speak once again. “Orph, some things are your business, and others are not, alright? Can you at least respect my desire to be left to myself? I hate it when people try to pry me open like a clam.”

Orph nods. “Alright, Alexander. I understand. Now how are we going to get into Sapphiriana? It’s not exactly open to travelers without heavy screening?”

I smile. “Who ever said anything about going through the front door?” I wait for his response.

“Uuughhh. We have to go through SEWERS?!” Orph asks incredulously. I nod, and laugh at his face.

“That’s what they’ll THINK we’ll try to do, silly vampire. While they comb the sewers, we’ll sneak around to the backside cliffs, and then…” Orph growls.

“Some times, I freaking hate you, Alexander. I HATE FLYING, OR FALLING!” He snaps at me. I just shrug.

“Ooohh, don’t be a baby Orph. Do I need to get a pacifier?” I cackle. He just glares at me.

“Not funny, Alexander.”

“We’ll be sledding down the cliffs. its winter around here and there’s going to be a lot of snow tomorrow. Ever sledded down a steep cliff? Really, freaking awesome.” Orph groans at me.

“You love danger, don’t you?” He wryly asks me.

“Danger, is my middle name, Orpheus.” I reply.

“Really?” Orph looks extremely excited. I never told him my full name before.

“No.” I cackle again, enjoying the moment of annoyance that flashed across the vampire’s face. What can I say, I love annoying the dorky vampire.