Eternal

It was foolish to go out there. The winds were blowing harder than before. I felt bad for poor Phoose out there, but hopefully the horse would be okay. The dim cave flickered with the occasional streamer of light from the fire. Lok-Oblaan-Vul curled up on beside the fire, her eyes flickering closed.

“So, Onik Gein, what is a Witcher like you to spare an old dragon like me? I’ve come to think that this isn’t their wish…” She purred quietly. I sat down on the corner of the carpet. Her icy eyes flickered open once again. I ran my hands along the shaggy rug to distract myself from her stare.

“Well, not really…” I chuckled half-heartedly. The dragon snorted in amusement. A puff of smoke blew out of her nostrils. Tracing small patterns on my legs, I thought back to the camp.

I had another day. I could get back tomorrow. If the storm would let up, I might be able to get back by sundown. However, at this rate, it didn’t look to be clearing up any time soon.

“Ah, you are a vax, a rebel. You go against their wishes, but why?” Lok questioned. I shrugged slightly. Wasn’t that the question of the night? Gathering my thoughts, I struggled for an answer. Meanwhile, my eyes roamed the paintings along the walls. Each tapestry held a new air in the darkness of the growing night outside. A log crackled eerily on the fire.

“Well, you know, I can kind of see that the Witchers are wrong, to some degree.” I slowly spoke, thoughtfully stringing my words together. Just because I was alive now doesn’t mean I could be roasted at the next moment.

“But why, joor? Aren’t the Witchers always right?” She mocked the last part and I winced. Okay, okay, the Witchers weren’t always right. We’re just humans too!

“You’re right, you’re right. We’re not always right. We’re just humans and we screw up…a lot.” I laughed more. She grinned a toothy smile.

“True, true, but why? Why not try to kill me, joor?” She asked honestly.

“Because, you know, sometimes you don’t need to go around killing everything. They think just because you’re a dragon means that you’ve killed thousands…”

“But I have.”

“Or at least, they think you’ll kill thousands more. It doesn’t seem like you’re all bad.” I added sheepishly. Lok-Oblaan-Vul chuckled loudly, a cheery sound that echoed in the tall cavern.

“You have much wisdom, Onik Gein. I wish there to be more Witchers, more people, like yourself.” She sighed. I smiled a little. She glanced over at the balcony area. I looked towards the mouth of the cave.

“I mean, they actually didn’t tell me to kill you, just to come down here and see if there was a dragon or not.” I explained. Her eyebrow arched in surprise.

“Really? I would’ve thought that those heartless firok would’ve forced you to try and defeat me.” She chuckled softly, her voice calm now, despite the words she spoke. I nodded, feeling a little more at ease. Heartless people take and steal things, but I guess killing is one of them.

Heartless people take my best friend and her sister away from their mother.

And that’s when I thought back to Jynx and Sparrow. I gulped down the guilt. While I was sitting here, cozy in a cave, they would be out there, freezing and slowly dying of the blistering cold. She was out there, maybe starving, maybe alone.

“Onik Gein? You seem sizaan ko lor.” She whispered kindly to me. I snapped out of it. Her large eyes lowered down beside mine as she patiently waited for an answer.

“Oh, I was just thinking about my friend, who is stuck in the blizzard.” I sighed. The dragon nudged my shoulder.

“The wards are down. I give you free passage to go, joor. You bested me in the game of riddles so you have earned your passage, although I still advise against it. The winds are too strong.” She whispered cautiously. Standing up, I looked at the mouth of the hallway. It was completely free to go.

I waited and thought. She let me go free, knowing that I could tell the Witchers about her. She knew that I could tell them and they would come to slay her. She would let me go despite this.

But did I really want to tell the Witchers?

Not exactly.

With a sigh, I turned to her and said, “Look, I’ve got to find my friends, but I’m not going to tell the Witchers about you.”

She just stared at me in wonder. I looked her in the eyes and nodded. After a moment of silence, she bobbed her head in return. I walked out of the cavern, going towards the icy world beyond the cozy cave.

I stood at the mouth, where the rope swung wildly in the wind. Snow pelted the sea, searing my bare face. I tugged my cloak closer around my shoulders. The dragon had followed me out.

“Onik Gein, you have shown me more kindness than any joor in a long while. I cannot stop you from leaving, but for your promise of keeping my place hidden, I will return the favor,” Lok started out. I stared at her in appreciation. Slowly, she glanced out to the sea beyond us. “You are willing to risk your life to both hide me and to find your friend. For this, I will do everything I can to find your friend. The vampires know of my existence here and we have peace, for that is all we can afford. I have promised not to interfere in their affairs as long as they don’t interfere in mine. I cannot take your friend away from them and return her to you, but I can make sure she is safe.” Lok-Oblaan-Vul promised. I looked at her knowingly.

She couldn’t rescue Jynx and bring her to me, but she would keep her safe. That’s all I can do.

“How do you propose that?” I asked curiously. She sniffed the wind, her head rearing back.

“The vampires, they are not cruel like other clans. They take care of the feed-subs. If she is with them, she will at least not die out in the snow and be eaten by the worgs and wolves. I will lead the vampires to them and they will take them back to the castle. From there, the vampires will take care of them. Whether you raid the castle or not, that is your choice.” She explained. I nodded. I didn’t exactly like that the vampires would be around her, but it’s better than nothing.

I thanked her as she took off. Like a specter floating among the flakes, she disappeared high in the sky. Not even the most trained eyes would see her. Taking hold of the rope, I looped it back onto my belt. I was immediately flung back by the wind, nearly chucked off the cliff. My rope was strained to the max as I started to climb the stairs. The waves of wind bit at my face, clawing it red.

Phoose whinnied from above.

I reached almost to the top when a sudden gust of wind blew me off the side. There was a moment of freefall where my heart dropped faster than I did.

And there was a jerk as the rope caught me.

But then…

There was a snap.

And the rope shattered in the wind.

I clung to the side of the steps as the rope started to slide off the edge. If it slid off the edge and I let go, there was no saving me. My numb fingers clawed at the rocks desperately. I had been so close! So close! But now I might die.

Right as I nearly let go, ready to be swallowed by the stormy sea, something jerked me up. Wrenching my eyelids open, as they had frozen shut, I looked up to see who had saved me. Who was my guardian angel? Am I dead yet?

No, I’m not dead.

Phoose had the rope gripped between his teeth, snorting heavily in the blizzard. A blanket of snow covered his grey back. He stamped his foot impatiently, as if complaining against my weight.

“Phoose! Good Phoose!” I cheered on the horse as he pulled backwards, helping me up. When I got to the steps, I crawled up the last two to get to the solid ground.

Collapsing on the snow, the horse let go of the rope and came to sniff my side. Rolling over, I patted his neck. I would’ve never expected the murderous horse to save my skin.

“Good Phoose, good, good, good Phoose.” I mumbled half-heartedly. The horse snorted, nudging my shoulder for me to get up. Stumbling to my feet, I brushed the snow off his saddle with my cold mittens. Yanking myself up, I sat heavily on his back.

“Looks like you had a good trip.” A voice chuckled. Looking up, I rubbed my eyes, barely seeing the figures inside the blizzard. My eyes widened even further when I realized that it was Gerard.

“Mostly.” I grumbled. A tightening clenched my chest. I wouldn’t tell them. I wouldn’t tell them. I wouldn’t…

“At least you’re alive. Did you just climb the cliffs back up?” Oli asked. I nodded my answer.

“What’d you find? We heard something this way and came to make sure you were alive.” Frank asked, stepping forward on his horse. I held my head up high, making sure there was a confident twinkle in my eyes.

“Nothing. There wasn’t anything there. Some stupid legend nearly cost me my life, though.” I grumbled. Jordan was the first to laugh.

“You’re a good sport for doing it, mate. Come on, let’s get you warmed up.” He suggested. Phoose followed the procession as we rode back to camp.

I couldn’t help but look to the north, where the dragon had disappeared to. Hopefully, she found the vampires in time.

Notes

Hello, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful week like I did! So, we're getting to the end of this part. The next part of the book will be coming up soon!!!

(Hint, it's called Part Four (or the part in which wounds heal, woman rights are demanded, and Jynx travels to another world.))

Is everyone still liking it so far? I haven't gotten a lot of feedback in the past few chapters. If you still like Eternal, please leave a comment letting me know your appreciation of it!

Thank you and stay beautiful!