Dragonborn

Chapter 8 ~ Alarming Events

The next week passed with no incidence. She made good on her plan to learn how to use a bow and sword, but hadn't been doing much in the way of daggers. Her skills were improving, at least. She now actually managed to hit the target consistently, if only the outer edges. Gavin had also started taking her on five mile runs before dawn. It was hell, to say the least. Nevertheless, she actually enjoyed it.

Today, she was waiting for Gavin. The woods were silent, as they often were the hour before sunrise, and she was tapping her foot impatiently. She couldn't really hold it against him though. After all, she hadn't been able to sleep and had instead woke up early.

"Hey." He said as he walked up. "I thought I had at least another week before you started waiting on me."

"I'm just up early, it's nothing special." She hissed. Akila wasn't a morning person, nor in a good mood today.

Gavin put his hands up in submission as he took the lead.

As they entered the forest, faint sounds started reaching her ears. A late cricket, or early bird, or even a small animal scuttling through the bushes eager to catch food before its predators rose. It was bliss, especially during the period in which her legs didn't ache and her heart didn't palpitate. That period, much to her horror, didn't last long. And she thought she'd been improving too. At least she was awake, most mornings she would be running half asleep, and then she would trip on a tree root or something.

Looking for ways to pass the time, she decided to start up conversation. "So, tell me more about the Dragonborn Knights."

"Well," Gavin said between breaths, "We are twelve knights who protect the realms, especially from threats like demons. Like most other groups, we have a leader. He or she is called a foredragon."

"Oh, so you mean like Gustav?"

"No, a foredragon has one distinctive feature. Unlike normal dragons, which are about a rideable size, foredragons have a second form that they can change into, this one is much like their normal one, but as big as a mountain."

"Wow," she breathed. "That's huge!"

"Indeed. Also, when all twelve knights are together and they meld their minds, they can collectively change into a drakon. It has the foredragon's body, but is controlled by all the knights. Of course, though, the foredragon gets the most say over what happens in its own body. Likewise, they are the only ones who keep the injuries obtained while in that form."

"That's so cool!" Akila exclaimed.

"Too bad all twelve knights haven't been together since the first ones."

"How did that happen anyway?" She pressed.

"Dammit Akila, I'm out of breath already. Couldn't you have asked for a history lesson while you were shooting arrows?" Gavin said.

That shut her up, the forest's silence soon filled the gap conversation had abandoned. She instead looked around at the beautiful hues of green with new vigor. Flowers were blooming in a final farewell before they submitted themselves to the dry cold. It was even quieter than when they first entered, that happened as dawn grew closer. Already she felt like-

Something jumped out of the bushes, causing her to yelp. Gavin drew a dagger she didn't even realize he had on him. It was a small black creature. It looked just like an imp complete with giant ears and all, besides for a deadly poisonous scorpion tail sticking out behind it. Hissing, the creature got closer to Gavin. He made quick work of it with a well placed slice, but that still didn't put her at ease.

"What is that thing?" Akila asked cautiously.

He shook his head, "A demon. I didn't realize that one had strayed so close, I just hope that it got lost and there isn't a nest somewhere nearby."

The silence was suddenly suffocating. It felt like the longer she succumbed to it, the more powerful her fear got. "Maybe we should head back."

Gavin nodded, "Yes, but I'm sure it was nothing." His brows, though, were creased with worry.

~

Akila was glad when they finally emerged from the woods. At this point, the sun was already up. It was still early though, and so they let everyone sleep and headed to dining room to wait. After a few minutes, Gavin grew impatient and called for Oralia. "Wake everyone and tell them to meet us here."

The maid nodded and scurried off.

"The demons have been rather restless lately." He said aloud while pacing. "But besides them being spotted closer to villages, nothing really has occurred."

"I hope they aren't more of a threat than usual, but that's not the way life works is it?"

Gavin shook his head.

The other knights walked in.

"What is the issue?" Gustav asked. He clearly wasn't awake just yet.

"We found a demon on the property." Gavin answered.

There was a collective intake of breath, nothing gives you a sudden blast of energy like bad news, but Cameron recovered quickly from the shock and said, "It could just be a lone demon."

Allura rolled her eyes, "Sure or they could be coming out of hiding."

Sai replied, "Do you honestly think that the creatures whose only three thoughts are eat, kill, and sleep have been strategizing?"

"It is possible." Gustav considered, "After all, the more powerful ones are quite smart. And if they have been in hiding, and they have been planning, then this is a very dangerous situation we've landed ourselves in indeed."

"What if they have a nest on the property?" Akila asked fearfully.

"Well," Gustav answered, "That just means that we'll need all hands on deck."

"What are you saying?" Gavin asked.

"I'm saying that we need to get Akila her powers."

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