Spirit Fire - Amos

Chapter 17 - Leaving So Soon?

"Cedric!" a woman called. "Supper is ready!"

     Cedric lifted his heavy head from his pillow and looked out the window to his left. The farm, still frozen and barren. The last rays of light filtering through the glass onto the floor.

     He got off the bed and walked downstairs, through the living room and into the dining room where bowls of soup were set on the table. The house smelt of vegetables and chicken broth. Most likely carrot, potato, and bean soup.

     "Would you like help, Lydia?" he asked, but the working mother waved him off, brought in the pot, and set in on the table. He guessed right at what it was. His keen sense of smell never fails.

     Cedric sat down and the rest of the household joined him at the table. He watched Lydia walking back and forth bringing other things in from the kitchen.

     Lastly, she brought in bread and sat down herself beside her husband, smiling as best she could, trying to cover up her exhaustion. She had been working non-stop cleaning, cooking and patching clothes but had left herself little rest in between.

     "Relax," Cedric said, taking her hand in his. "I'll take care of the rest."

     Lydia hesitated and began to object but the look in his eyes made her stop and do otherwise.

     They ate their meal and talked over the table about their days events. When everyone had finished their bowls, Cedric and Alan took everyone's bowls and cleaned up after supper while Lydia went upstairs to their room.

     Once the dishes were away, Alan went outside to grab wood for the fire but Cedric stayed behind. He went upstairs, walked to the end of the hallway, and stood in the doorway to his room. The door was open, and he could see his wife on the bed, sound asleep.

     "Rest well, my love. We shall be together again, and together we shall—"

     "Father!" someone called from downstairs.

     Cedric froze, then relaxed and went downstairs to see Alan at the back door in the dining room. "Yes?" Cedric asked.

     "Umm, where did Aaron go?" Alan asked.

     "I—I don't know. He left a note did he not?" Cedric replied, surprised by the sudden question.

     Alan nodded. "Yeah, I was just wondering if you knew where. That's all." There was silence for a moment. "I'm just gonna go to my room for the night. See you in the morning, Father." He said, starting towards the living room stairs.

     "Goodnight, son." Cedric added as Alan walked by. Once Alan was upstairs, Cedric placed a piece of paper on the table, walked outside and sat on the stairs.

     It was twilight out. Purple, pink and red streaked the sky and the trees below the sky dark green, contrasting against the bright sky.

     "It is time," he said to himself, reaching over the side of the stairway and into the tall grass. He pulled out a bag and stood up. Cedric walked to the stable, retrieved his horses and wagon, threw the bag into the front and climbed on.

     With one flick of the reins, he took off towards the road, heading west. He left silently, the horses hushed along with their hooves. They left the farm without notice and continued down the road.

Some time after midnight, Cedric sat drowsily on the wagon, the reins now on his lap, staring at the brilliant white stars. He pulled up the bag that he had packed for himself ahead of time and opened it.

     Inside, he pulled out clothing, wrapped food, a waterskin, and lastly, chainmail. Then, still in the bottom, two wrapped objects. He pulled out the longer flat object and uncovered it. Removing the red cloth, he revealed a bright silver blade.

     He looked at it for a moment, and then covered it back up saying, "This is not for me to keep." He pulled up a board from under his feet and placed the shortsword in the hidden compartment. "I hope he finds it."

     Then, he uncovered the smaller, round object. A crown.

     Suddenly, there was a deep rumbling up above. Cedric rushed to put everything away, stuffing it back in the bag, and then stopped the wagon. He stood up and surveyed the sky.

     A large figure soared above and only the outline of the figure was visible. The figure rumbled once more, and flew down. It landed in front of the carriage, startling the horses, but Cedric calmed them. It raised itself to look at the man and puffed smoke at him.

     "Linox! I've been expecting you," Cedric announced, arms spread in a welcoming gesture, yet he was still cautious.

     The figure stepped forward into the light and revealed itself, a dragon with scaled as red a blood. It puffed once more and then spoke in its deep, raspy voice.

     "About time, Cedric. I've been waiting almost twenty years for this moment." Linox snarled.

     "Bah! Twenty years is nothing to a dragon."

     The dragon snarled and lunged at the wagon, bringing itself close to the man, with claws rested on the side. "Do not speak as if you know of a dragon's experiences."

     Cedric shifted uncomfortably where he stood under the fiery glare of the elder dragon. He nodded, saying, "Let's not quarrel now when we are so close to permanent reign."

     The dragon eased back off the wagon and listened.

     "Now we must end this life of my past." Cedric stated and then grabbed the bag. He jumped off the wagon and unhitched the horses, sending them back down the road. He looked up at the dragon and nodded towards the wagon.

     Linox smirked as if delighted and began to rip apart the wagon and pushing it on its side, making it look as if the wagon turned too fast and slipped on ice, causing it to fall over.

     Then, Cedric took a lantern, lit in and threw it into the back of the carriage, burning its side. He stood there for a moment, watching it burn, and then turned away.

     "Let us go . . . my throne awaits."

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