The Dragons Egg : Epilogue : Beon : Draft

Beon

The sun was rising in the West and Beon stood before a great crowd of Galgorian soldiers, who were now making their way on board the great ships of Gaul. The harbour was large and bordering it stood the citizens of Gaul city, waving away their sons, husbands and fathers. Beon wrapped the great grey fur about his tall frame and eyed the twenty ships with pride. To his side, the members of his council stood. The great palace of Gaul stood behind them and the city to their left.

“Where is she?” Beon hissed to Lord Bricius, commander of the Galgorian naval ships.

“My Lord did she not say that she would present for today’s events?” Lord Bricius replied smoothly, his grey hair dancing about in the winds.

“Ethla is never late,” Beon returned with a hiss. “She knows the consequences of a late arrival.” Lord Bricius held his tongue as most of the council members did when in conversation about the black witch. Beon knew his own men laughed and teased him behind his back, which he could handle but the thought of Ethla betraying him, he wouldn’t. If she did not arrive today then he would be lost, for her council meant everything to him, she understood his mind, understood his needs and wants and she was above all a great strategist, greater than the men who stood about him now. She understand the mind of a man, understand the intricate lacings of war and she understood him. She had his ear more so than any other Lord or Lady. As the men filled the great ships, Beon looked on with pride, his war against his father would be swift and hard. His fleets had doubled in number and strength, they were made in the image of the great Cacian ships of the south and their strength against the Meerin fleet was great. His borders were guarded by his men, a fleet of ships sailed along the Gaul River in the direction of Meerin Island and soon, very soon he would have the greatest prize of all, Celestine. With Celestine as his prisoner, Beon’s power would deepen and his hold over Meer would tighten. His father was frail, his eldest brother upon his deathbed and his youngest of no threat at all, and his inability to stand up for himself enough of sign of his strengths in war. If all were to go to plan, Ethla would return upon the great dragon of old, Belnun and with such a beast at his disposal soon the last dragons of the north would fall and the line of dragons end. Without his dragons, Galean’s threat was greatly reduced and Beon’s opportunity to gain the throne increased two fold. In the East a rebellion was brewing and despite his growing concerns of Lord Leer’s power, Beon had to focus on gaining the kingdom of Fiar and the high throne before being able to turn his attention to Dulthe. For the meantime, he could put aside the woes of Dulthe and simply concentrate on the schedule ahead. He was sending his fleet of new ships to the island of Summe, Lord Bricius would find the high priest and bring him back to Gaul whilst Ethla would find Celestine before returning to the city and turning her attention to Nuyay.

“My Lord the ships are ready to leave, I must now also make my leave,” Lord Bricius said from close by. Beon turned to the elder Lord, what he lacked in physical strength he made up for in intellect and strategy. The naval commander bowed before the King, kissing his right hand.

“Bring me my prize Bricius and you shall have your war,” Beon said coldly to the naval commander who stood up straight before him. “And be sure to leave behind the mark of Galgor!”

“My King, I shall bring both your prize and victory!” Lord Bricius announced regally as he turned about and made his way down the steps of the naval temple. Stopping before a great statue of the sea god, Mircious, Bricius kissed the feet of the sea God before making his way to his ship. Beon watched as the ships began to pull away from the harbour, a great cry of excitement rippling from the mouths of those who watched on. As he stood before the members of the council a great cry filled the cold air, silencing the mouths of the peasants and sending a thrill of anticipation through Beon’s body.

“My lord the sky!” someone cried out aloud. A great shadow swept over the harbour as the terrifying black dragon swooped down low.

“It’s Belnun my Lord!”

Beon raised his cool blue eyes to the sky and looked upon the great beast and smiled. She had returned and returned with her hands full. Upon the back of Belnun she sat, her long hair dancing behind her and swooped down low over the ships.

“Tu war! (To war!)” She cried out loudly, a great chasm of fire sprouting forth from the mouth of Belnun, causing the peasants of Gaul city to bend down in horror. From the ships, cries of war filled the air as Ethla led the ships across the Black Sea. Beon stood still and watched the dragon fly off into the distance, his cries still piercing the skies. Turning he looked into the faces of his council members.

“And so it begins!” he said loudly with his arms outstretched. “The age of my father is ended, the age of Galgor has begun!”