DESTRUCTIVE MYTH
Poison

The sun was finally rising, the river he had been following all night was no longer pitch black but begun to lap small purple waves. He looked up to the heavens at the now dark violet sky with peach and red streaks across it threatening to outshine the now hazy stars.

Behind him, thankfully the dense forest was over and all that lay ahead was fields of thick papyrus reeds.

He stopped the marvel the way golden rays filtered through the clouds giving the papyrus an otherworldly glow, birds started hopping to and frow through them ready for the day.

All he wanted was sleep, the night had been challenging, more than once he had been followed by some sort of predator narrowly missing conflict, and more than once was he sure that had he turned around to see what was following him he would have fought for his life.

But with the sun almost fully up nothing seemed out of shorts behind him anymore.

He sat down leaning against a tree plucking one of the fowl looking over the marshland he had half come through, maybe four-square miles he guessed making a small fire and placing a fowl on it, breakfast time.

He watched the reeds and birds in between, it was peaceful here, the way the wave’s role repeatedly in a beautiful slow-motion sending ripples through the papyrus making them sway side to side.

After what seemed for eons, he approached a long wall made out of mud and stone reaching high up going straight into the sea from one side and into the mountains on the other, there was no way to get around it except the guarded wooden gate ahead.

Two guards stood on either side with spears and shields, watching him, studying him.

There was no way he was going to get in without a purpose or invitation, he slowed his brisk walk looking around trying to replace an excuse to get inside, he untried the sack of fowls from his shoulder as he approached.

“Come to sell, birds.”

The two guards looked at each other and stepped forward cautiously, it was clear thugs had tried all types of tricks to get into the town that hadn’t ended well.

“What kind of birds?” The one asked raising his shield.

“The common fowl, caught them this morning in the woods,” Drathis said pointing behind him trying so hard to put a smile on, he threw the sack at the one soldier, who caught it and looked inside straining his neck in case something would jump out and bite him.

“There is hardly enough in here to sell.”

“I just need to sell the few I have to travel.”

“Where are you traveling to?”

“Across the sea, do not be worried, I only want to cross the sea, not make trouble in your town.”

The guards looked at each other still holding the sack.

“Hmm, right, we search you before you enter.”

Drathis took the sack back tying it back over his shoulder, then lifted this shirt up at the side showing the sword.

“I got no amour, just a sword for protection,” Drathis said, despite the show, the guard still patted down his legs.

“Very well.” The other soldier said lowering the shield turning to open the gates.

Finally, he entered the town.

On his left were seven long rows of houses, and on his right were shops all build up next to each other almost sitting on top of one another. The town was full of life, people walking in and out of shops, others on the street deep in conversation, some laughing, others on carts pulled by horses with kids behind playing in the dust or kicking stones in games, for what looked to be a small town was anything but, it was a thriving city.

The best part about it was that no one was paying attention to him.

Drathis loved it!

Less attention drawn to him, less chance of the queen replaceing him.

Up ahead was a wide-open space filled with stalls, stands, and people selling everything they had, there was a huge fountain in the middle and they seemed to circle around it. He passed one last shop on his right, an odd three-story high shop then out into the open space where he expected more markets.

He came to a halt, mouth slightly ajar in amazement.

Instead of stalls was an open sea with a couple of docks filled with massive ships next to them, they were busy loading and unloading some.

You know that Velda, could be really useful stored in a crystal ball, Drathis smiled at the thought.

First things first he needed new clothes, a ship, and more importantly money to get it.

The market was swarming with people, he looked from one stand to another watching the most particular things being sold, wired hats, food, shoes, clothes, cats, dogs, horses, oxen, birds, bears, falcons, pixies, imps, enchanted weapons and a long list of things he was sure you just couldn’t replace anywhere else anymore.

What really drew him in was amour, spears, shields of all different shapes and sizes, and even an odd now and then magical shop.

Walking towards him was a large man dressed in an expensive velvet suit, his belly was large and bounced with his every porky step, he wore a belt but Drathis doubted it had seen the sun since it had been bought. Behind the wealthy man walked his personal guards.

Avoiding people like this was Drathis’s key goal at the moment but the jingle with every step is what had him fixated.

He couldn’t help smiling slightly.

Drathis turned his back to the large man making it as if he was stroking a horse’s neck, it closed its eyes pushing its neck into his palm for more scratches.

He kept his right hand still to his side, waiting.

The velvet man was eating a piece of chocolate cake with pink icing, which was smeared all over his mouth, frowning at any who tried to talk to him, as he passed Drathis, and at that moment his right hand unhooked two full sacks of gold off this belt then ducked into the shop next to him full of multi-colored shirts, jackets, pants, blankets, and huge dresses. The one guard looked in his direction thinning his eyes at the dresses, then carried on.

Drathis out from behind slipping on a black cloak stepping back out into the sun, perfect fit.

“Hey! Hope you paying for that!” A man shouted from the end of the store studying him up and down, “Nice fit by the way.” He said in a softer tone folding his arms walking forward.

“How much?” Drathis rolled his shoulders in it stretching it out.

“Two golden Avon.” He said smiling, Drathis handed him two pieces and walked out tucking the sacks in his new pockets as he lifted up his collar, he breathed in the cold air smiling at the warmth the coat provided he hadn’t realized how cold he had been till then.

Ducking out the crowds towards the docks, passing the fountain in the middle, an old man sat covered with a brown blanket on the edge of the fountain surrounded by a bunch of thirty or so kids, highly interested in what he had to say.

Curiously he went closer to listen leaning on a pole folding his arms.

“… They were miss lead, and through the fog, the pirates of Gnulls saw the soldiers, the ones that kill mercilessly, do you know what they looked like?” The old man asked, hypnotized kids watched him with awe.

“No!”

“What?”

“How?”

All the kids questioned.

The old man jumped up throwing his hands in the air.

“Huge! Bigger than an average man, but you know what? They were not humans, they were black as ash, and made out of oil, full…”

“Oil?” One boy cut in, in disbelief.

“Yes, because they were made in the depths of the Black Maser…” All the children shook at the name as he carried on.

“Oil instead of flesh and blood ran through their veins and lava in their…”

Drathis yawned getting bored, he had been in that dreaded place longer than any and he had never seen such myths, the Goraknights though, those flying bastards were a story the old man should be telling.

His neck twitched recalling the narrow escape, despite them being hundreds of miles away his eyes still scanned the sky expecting them to drop in at any moment for him.

The queen would not stop till she had him back, he needed to remember that.

“On that note.” He whispered to himself walking away towards the docks, it was time to replace a ship out.

On the far right was a captain shouting orders to men rolling barrels on deck. It seemed to be the only ship leaving soon, he started running towards the guy, then cleared his throat, the long-haired man turned around half looking down at Drathis.

“What you want?”

“I need a passage on your ship.”

The guy turned to face Drathis properly, displaying his harsh face, scars, cuts, and a tatted tunic. Drathis looked up at the flag and noticed its dark colors.

“I have gold,” Drathis said quickly trying to avoid a fight, maybe he was being stereotypical but didn’t all pirates love gold.

“You will need, hmm twenty pieces to get on my beauty!” the pirate said his face finally lighted up observing the sacks in his pockets.

“What?! That’s more than average!”

“This ship is more than the average”

“Sixteen.”

“Twenty-one.”

“You going the wrong way.” Drathis laughed at his negotiation skills.

“Well, if you want a lift.” The pirate stated pushing Drathis backward with force, he halfback stepped reaching for his sword, then let go trying to remain calm.

The pirate’s eyes narrowed.

“What are you stone? Any lad would have fallen backward with that kind of push!”

“I have got good balance, fine twenty gold it is!” Drathis started moving on with the awkward transaction.

The pirate smiled.

“You don’t even know where we be going laddie.”

“Maybe, but anywhere off this land is great.”

“Hmm, what you running from?”

“I ask no questions, you return the favor, agreed?”

They both stared at each other a long moment measuring the other up until the pirate turned to walk away.

Drathis sighed clearing his throat to slip the pirate another golden piece.

“I’m not asking for trouble, just a lift across the sea. I just need to get back to my family there is nothing left here for me.” His heart skipped a beat knowing he was about to leave behind his brother’s final resting place.

“Very well then, follow me.”

They walked forward towards the men still carrying things on bored. The deck was darker than he expected, an almost red-black mud in color, it had carvings in it of a woman dancing in a storm with writing all around her.

“Welcome to the Tormaloner.” The pirate said smiling a golden smile, puffing his chest out proud of his ship.

“On the side of the ship, its painted Touraslime?”

The pirate deflated his chest annoyance now in his voice

“Yeah, because the painter at the time was under the influence of our brew, I killed him before I got him to fix the dam spelling.”

They stared at each other again.

“A beauty.”

“Indeed.”

“How long till you set sail?”

“About half twelve, so go kill some time.”

He walked through the crowds aimlessly with two hours to kill, until an intoxicating fragrance drifted his way luring him. He resisted heading to a food stall determined to finally have a decent filling meal, the little snacks and fowl had hardly sated him.

The fragrance drifted past him again, he had passed many stalls selling fragrances and the combination of smells had all fused into one overwhelming blend he had steered away from, but this one, it was so hypnotic so inviting, this scent wasn’t your common flower it was heaven with a little evil.

He paused his search on food following the spellbinding scent to a stand at the far end of the market selling perfumes and potions of every color.

The lady selling them was frightfully ugly, he wasn’t one to judge, everyone had flaws and some couldn’t help it, but this woman.

He did a doubletake at her beady eyes, no wonder she positioned herself away from the crowds; she had at least five double chins, old marked and scared skin with black and shocking purple hair, her eyes were a dark blackish brown and the makeup was so thick around her eyes it nearly ran into her pink blusher on her sagging cracking checks.

Drathis looked around him stunned that such a wonderful scent had come from such an uninviting stand.

He took one step forward hoping the sun had played a trick on his eyes.

“Poor cat” Drathis nodded in her direction at the purple fluff around her neck, she was draped in mismatched fur from neck to toe.

A few giggles came from behind him, Drathis turned to see three young ladies looking at him, and smiling then turning away shy giggling at the opposite stall.

They were beautiful by human standards and defiantly would have men running after them with tongues hanging out, but not his type.

His type of woman was mature, not in age although age didn’t bother him, but mature in mind, a woman who would debate life with him, a woman who could fight alongside him not hide and need protection. A woman that didn’t ask for attention, knew her worth, one who didn’t need a man.

“Think they like you handsome.” The fat lady said from behind him pulling him from this thought, she squeezed a bottle sending off a strong smell of perfume his way, he turned his face away coughing as the purple mist puffed around his face.

She burst out laughing activating the layered neck to jiggle and slap against each other.

Drathis back stepped in disgust, dam the fragrance that had called him here, he wiped his sleeve over his nose trying to get rid of the new scent irritating his nostrils.

He looked at the three girls trying on necklaces close by, one with long brown plated hair down to her waist looked back at him every few seconds, he frowned.

They obviously wanted his attention so why not give it, it would help kill the time.

He walked towards them causally, as they turned to face him bubbling with excitement, he leaned closer to the brown-haired girl.

“Aren’t you a sight,” Drathis said softly less than a breath away from her soft lips, she bit her lower lip releasing it slowly almost willing him to kiss her.

He looked deep into her large hazel eyes and picked up a necklace placing it around her neck, she almost melted in his big arms willing him to hold her.

“There, just for you.” He said looking down from her eyes to the pearl necklace following it to her cleavage then back up into her eyes nearly touching her skin with his nose, she smelt like lavender, defiantly a high born.

She didn’t step back or try to stop his closeness, if he needed to bet gold on being able to kiss and maybe even mess up her hair, he was sure to double his gold.

He caught her nibbling her lower lip again.

Overcome with a sudden desire to grab her, he backed up winking at her as he turned to leave, as much as she was temping, he would not drag her name through the dirt, there was no future for her with him if he did.

He heard her release her breath half-fainting as the others broke out in chatter.

“Can’t decide who found whom more ravishing.”

Drathis turned to face the large woman not in the mood for any more of her potions, his nose still tingled.

“What bottle did you spray at me?” He asked ignoring her statement.

“This one.” She pulled the bottle out from inside her coat a dangerous sparkle in her eyes.

He eyed it suspiciously doing a quick scan of the bottles displayed.

“You won’t replace it there.” She laughed.

Drathis heart skipped a beat, something was wrong, he felt fine but what had this witch done.

“What did you do to me?”

“Nothing, if you do nothing.” He cocked his head sideways examining her, he wasn’t in the mood for riddles.

“What the hell is that suppose to mean, who are you?” He demanded moving towards her.

“My name is Sural, but you won’t know the name.”

His mind raced trying to place her, he had never seen this woman in his life yet her eyes watched him as if they had been for many years.

“Do you know me?” He hissed taking a step closer to her, rage consuming him, he didn’t mean to lose his temper but warning bells were ringing inside him and he couldn’t place where the threat was coming from.

If it was from the Black Maser, how had it gotten here before him?

She laughed watching him with a slow nod. “Yes, Drathis.”

He stepped back, hand on his sword sending his senses into overdrive, none here knew his name.

“Dimas!” He spat the name, knew then she had to be one of the queen’s wizards sent to weaken him for a recapture. All the blood drained from his face as panic took control, his heart started to race.

How long would it be till whatever she sprayed him with took effect?

The velvet man from before had obviously realized two of his gold sacks were now missing for, he was storming all around the market like a hurricane overturning tables demanding it back coming closer by the second trailed by his guards.

Drathis looked from the commotion back to Sural.

“What did you poison me with?” He snapped pulling his sword out pointing it at her ready to decapitate the witch.

She laughed at his threat standing up, steam and smoke rising from her hands. Drathis looked from her hands back to her face, he was no fool as much as she was a wizard he knew his speed was no match for her.

She might know his name, but he was doubtful she had seen him in action.

The velvet man’s voice was getting louder calling out for a thief and a reward for those who found him, now only a few stalls away.

“If you will not tell me, I will behead you and send your disgusting face to Dimas as a warning.” He snarled; time was running out, soon he would have the red-faced tax man behind him

“Do not disrespect my queen.” Sural snapped losing her laughing act, she stood dead still watching him ready for his attack.

“I will ask you one last time.” Clenching his teeth with impatience.

“As I have said, nothing will happen to you if you do nothing.”

“What’s going on here?” A guard asked stopping a few feet behind them, Drathis closed his eyes calming his breath.

All eyes were on them as a handful more guards stopped with a huffing and puffing velvet man. It didn’t look like the ideal setting; he was pointing a sword at what looked to be just a poor old fat woman selling her goods. Sural raised her hands in innocent defense all static magic vanishing from her hands.

She had an evil twinkle still in her eyes, he didn’t trust the situation, he had to bite first.

“This woman has stolen the lord’s gold.” Drathis announced stopping whatever planned excuse she had for them about him. Her eyes enlarged slightly at his accusation about to defend herself.

“Seize her!” The guards were instructed.

“She will replace you soon.” Sural locked eyes with Drathis as they stormed past him to grab her, as powerful as she was, a wizard didn’t cause a scene in front of humans, they would lock her up and the moment she was alone Sural would free herself to report back to queen Dimas.

“I look forward to dismissing her as well.” He gave her one last disapproving look then turned his back on her disappearing through the growing crowd.

Senses on high alert he walked back to the docks watching his back, he had no idea what was coursing through his veins but he needed to get away, Dimas now knew where he was and perhaps even where he was heading.

He came across a smith and after a quick look around ducked inside. “Selling any sheaths?”

“Just a moment.” The smith pulled a red-hot rod out of the fire dunked it in water and walked to the back returning with arms full of different types of sheaths.

“Pick the best fit.” He smiled going back to work, Drathis looked through the pile, they had to be the best designs he had ever seen, even better than the Black Masers, he picked one up looking around then slipped his sword in, the sheath was a hard black reinforced leather with a silver carved tip and the same at the top where the hilt of the sword clicked in, it fitted perfectly.

“Ah, good choice sir, it will work well, nine Avon.” The old man said watching Drathis holding out an eager hand. Drathis handed him the money and slipped the sheath with his sword onto his belt. “Thank you, sir.” The old man said half bowing.

“Sir?” Drathis asked puzzled.

“Well, any kind of man with that kind of sword, is of high importance.” He said smiling.

If only the man knew how important, Drathis nodded back walking away.

Cautiously stepping back out he looked in the direction he had come and there was still a commotion happening around Sural.

He passed several mirrors close to the dock and had to look twice as he came to a halt.

Drathis hardly recognized himself; his hair had grown longer almost touching his broad shoulders, wild, shaggy, and pitch black, he wore a white loose shirt hanging slightly over his new black belt, the hilt of the sword stuck out from the left and his pants were a dark gray almost black half over and half-tucked into his boots. What topped him off was the dark coat that sat perfectly on his body, collar standing up by the neck, and it hung just past his knees. He couldn’t believe it, if he had have pasted himself in the street, he wouldn’t have known it was himself.

He looked closer at his own eyes, there hadn’t been a looking glass in prison, and the places he had been to so far hadn’t given him much chance to see who he was, who he had become.

He stared, there deep in the green he was sure Gareth was looking back at him, Drathis shook the thought and to run toward the Tormaloner.

“Just in time laddie!” The pirate shouted from the deck.

“Go to the back, I always loved watching them people untie the ropes letting us loose.”

Nodding he made his way to the back and looked down at the people now the size of his finger trying to pick up the rope the width of them, throwing it into the sea shouting for the captain to go, the ship took off forward into the open sea.

“I’m so high up,” Drathis whispered to himself getting goosebumps all over.

The marketplace was far off already and everybody looked like ants that had walked through paint, he turned around pleased to face the pirate’s back, looked up at the magnificently aged sails.

Above him was a wooden pole thicker and higher than the rest with a wooden bucket on top and a swinging ladder attached.

“If you don’t mind?” Drathis pointed to the crow’s nest, the pirate nodded his approval.

The mini deck was wide enough to lie down in but not made for more than two people, thankfully he was alone.

Heaven, he thought looking up at the cold clouds covering the winter sun, there was nothing but open water and sky ahead.

He held on to the railing looking at the ship trying to measure its length, it’s had to be at least a hundred or so meters, defiantly a vessel to be proud of slimeball or not, he snorted recalling its miss-spelling.