Curse of the Undead Dragon King (Skeleton Key) (6 page)

I FLY EAST UNTIL
my wings demand a break just as I reach the forests of Fabulum and slowly descend until I see the road. Once on the ground, I turn and find the path leading deeper and deeper into the land.

Going on foot as a dragon is the most difficult way to travel, but my wings ache so I force myself to walk. There is a constant feeling of being surrounded, too many things close by, and I begin to feel like there isn’t enough air. I won’t be able to breathe.

It makes me wonder if all dragons feel this way when walking when they could be flying. But I go on, ignoring the pressure and the senseless headache trying to spread. I walk and walk, knowing this may be the only chance I have at escaping this torture. And if I’m feeling like this after only a few hours, how will it be in a week?

What will I do if I can’t find the wizard? Worse yet, what will Zanta do? I’ve left her in charge of Dracameveo before we even had a chance to get married. I dropped the task on her, knowing I could never let her go on this journey.

I only hope Castel will set aside his feelings of unease and help her. Guide her. Teach her how to be queen. It is no easy task, becoming ruler over any land all in one fell swoop. I should know.

A small whisper of sound, flapping wings, like a hummingbird in comparison to my own movement, catches my attention. Of course my presence will disrupt the fairies’ lives. How could I expect it not to? When dragons visit their lands, they come in human form. These roads would not be used by someone like me.

More and more, I’m beginning to see the disadvantages of being a dragon. Never before has it caused me so much trouble.

“Shift into your human form or suffer, dragon! You break the treaty between your king and mine, and the consequences will be great.” A small—or perhaps regular size, and only small to me—teal-winged fairy appears in front of me, batting her wings as fast as they will move, her spear in my face as she glares, waiting for me to comply.

“Please listen to me carefully,” I begin, hoping she will listen.

“Do not speak. Shift into your human form or suffer,” she repeats.

I try to keep my voice calm and low so as not to hurt her delicate ears with the harshness of my dragon voice. “I cannot shift, but I promise you, I mean no harm.”

“I’d do as Moth says. She can be feisty.”

“I am trying to tell you that I cannot shift into my human form. I am King Aurelio. Please, I mean no harm. I only wish to travel on foot a short distance, and then I will take flight once more.”

“I am sorry, dragon.” The male fairy spits the words. “But if you refuse to abide by the law, we will be forced to take you to see Her Majesty, Queen Calassida, to face the consequences.”

“Very well.” I nod, knowing there is no point in arguing. They aren’t listening, and the queen could be very helpful.

Moth takes the lead while the other fairy flies close behind me as we walk toward the tree castle. The closer we get, the more fairies begin flying beside me, surrounding me, many watching from the safety of their hiding places among the leaves.

Just outside the castle where Zanta and I were only days before celebrating our engagement, one of the guards speaks. 

“You are scaring the younglings. We must know why you travel through our forests as a dragon,” he says, his voice shaking.

“I am King Aurelio of Dracameveo. I cannot fly, and I am unable to shift back into my human form at this time. I mean no harm. I simply wish to pass through your lands and beyond,” I repeat, unable to help the frustration in my tone.

“Your Majesty, what has happened?” Queen Calassida asks, suddenly flying up in front of me, joining the other two. Her brows furrow and she comes a little nearer, looking as if she wishes to comfort me but not knowing how, and a little afraid to be that close to me.

“It is a long story, one I don’t entirely know. I am in a hurry, yet I must travel on foot. Please, Queen Calassida, grant me safe passage through your lands that I may be on my way,” I ask, willing to get down on my knees and beg.

“Of course. You are a friend and trusted ally. We will help in any way we can.”

“Thank you.” I bow my head.

“You are most welcome. Now, what do you need?” she asks.

“A clear path,” I say.

Each fairy moves to the side, disappearing behind the trees. I might not be able to find what I’m looking for if I fly, but at least I can run.

DESPITE FATHER’S INSTRUCTIONS
to stay on the ground as much as I can—though I’m not sure if he meant for the entirety of my journey, or only while in Humestia—I don’t dare stay on the ground elsewhere, but fly, forcing myself to continue pushing on.

The purple leaves of Miraunus are almost gone, the red forests of Humestia beginning to appear down the path. Night has fallen, and only the moonlight guides my way. I don’t dare sleep in the forbidden lands, so before I reach the border, I go off the path and find a comfortable place to rest amongst the trees.

But despite the comfort of leaves padding the ground and the soothing whisper of wind brushing through the land, I can’t find the will to close my eyes and relax. So much worry overcomes me. How has Zanta fared on her first day as acting queen?

I can only hope she’s done better than I have today. I sigh and take a deep breath, forcing myself to be rid of all ill thoughts. I will find the wizard, I will find the answer, and I will find my way back home. This is only temporary. My father overcame this very battle, and so will I.

“I’m going to fix this, love,” I whisper into the wind, letting my words be carried home. I close my eyes and rest.

When the sun touches my face, I open my eyes and stand, stretching all my sore, cramped muscles. I realize I should have packed some food. The grumbling in my stomach wishes I had. But with no one around for miles, I must walk forward and hope that despite the forbidden lands being filled with criminals and outcasts, someone will be kind enough to share a bite of food with me.

I cross over into Humestia, an odd sensation pressing against me as I walk through the invisible barrier keeping the banished within, wishing I could have found the wizard long before coming to this point. But with no sign of him, no one knowing if he even exists, I continue on and hope that perhaps he is here. Any farther and I’ll find myself in the mountains, crossing over to the ocean, and there couldn’t possibly be a wizard in the ocean with the mermaids.

I certainly hope not. I might be able to swim, but not for that long.

An eerie silence rests over the land. With every step, I wish I could turn back, run home, find the answers I need back there. But more and more, I am grateful I did not allow Zanta to take my place on this journey. She might struggle with learning to become a ruler, but at least I know she is safe, and surrounded by people who love her.

I notice the lack of sounds. No flapping of wings or pounding hooves or feet hitting the ground. A small breeze causes the leaves and trees to stir, but only slightly. Anything, anyone could be hiding in the foliage, just waiting to attack me for no reason.

These lands aren’t forbidden for nothing. Only those who have done something unthinkable, unforgivable, have been sent here, cast from their homes to live in a land where only evil could dwell.

A shiver runs up my spine. I can’t let fear drive me. I walk for Zanta, for love. I will make it through this peacefully, and the wizard will fix my problems. I nod to reassure myself.

Something darts across my path, and all that peace drains from me. I take another deep breath and focus, searching for whatever it is that mocks me. But nothing reappears or runs past me again, so I take another step forward. And another. I relax a little, but keep my senses on alert, searching for any suspicious sounds or movement.

A small pond reflects the sunlight, catching my attention. I run toward it, grateful for a place to stop and rest for a moment, and to get a drink. Perhaps I’ll find food as well.

I reach the edge of the water and lean down, gulping up as much as I can. Finally, when I feel like I’m not going to die of thirst, I sit on the ground and fold my wings behind me.

A small laugh catches my attention, and something darts past me. I stand up and turn, searching for whoever is taunting me, but no one is there, at least not visibly.

With an audible “hmph” I continue on, walking around the water and returning to the path. Not ten steps farther down the road, the creature goes running by me again. I reach out my claws and catch him before he’s able to get past.

“What do we have here?” I growl.

“Put me down, you filthy wyrm,” the satyr spits.

“You have been tormenting me since I entered this cursed land. I quite literally hold your life in my hands, and yet you still choose to insult me?” I cluck my tongue.

“You do not frighten me. If I was able to spook you so easily, imagine what something dangerous could do.” He laughs maniacally.

“What is your name?” I bring him closer to my face.

“Why would I tell you? Do you like to know the name of your food before you devour it?” He spits again.

“No, I just like to properly threaten those who bother me,” I say coolly, keeping my voice even and low.

The satyr wipes the sheen of sweat from his brow. “Khende,” he whispers. “My name is Khende.”

“Why are you following me, Khende?” I ask, the look I give him driving more fear into him.

“Humestia’s a nasty place. Those who live here will kill you for sport if they feel the desire. Having so little contact with others can drive anyone insane. I saw a newcomer and thought it would be fun to have a bit of sport. That’s all. Now put me down.” He tries to be commanding, but his gulping makes him appear more comical.

“I am not a newcomer—I’m just passing through. Be on your way and leave me alone.” I drop him and continue walking.

“Would a little company kill you?” He brushes himself off and walks beside me.

“No, but I don’t want it, so go away.” My stomach growls, the pain from hunger becoming more and more unbearable.

“I can get you food,” he says, sounding matter of fact, still keeping up with me.

“Why would I trust you enough to eat whatever food you brought me? You just informed me that those who live here kill for fun.” I don’t know why I even bother responding at this point. Khende isn’t listening.

“If I planned to kill you, I wouldn’t have told you that. Besides, does it look like I have the ability? You need food so that if a real threat gets in your way, you can protect yourself. You are weakened.” He has good points.

I stop walking and think on it. What are the odds that he wants me dead? Truly, I can’t keep going on an empty stomach. Starving myself won’t help anyone. And as a dragon, I’m far hungrier than I am when I’m human.

I look down at the satyr. “Where would you get food for me?”

“Here.” He opens a pouch hanging from around his waist and pulls out a cloth filled with meats and cheeses. He holds it out to me.

I try to take one piece, but end up taking the cloth and all in one bite. “Thank you. But I’m going to need more than that.” I sneeze and cough out the cloth.

Khende looks down at his napkin, thoroughly disgusted. “Of course. This path will take us past the fields where a herd of cattle often grazes. It’s another hour’s walk from here. Can you wait that long?”