The Dragons Egg : Epilogue : Galean : Draft

Galean

He heard her cry and with one swift movement, flung himself up and out of his bed, to which he had been bedridden for two months. His mother’s jewel shone brightly and her cried whispered to him. His body was frail and weak, and as he struck his naked feet to the fur rug upon the ground, he felt his balance shake. Slowly he stood up, his hand upon the wooden frame of the bed. Looking down at his naked form he was met with a thin body, all hints of strength faded into his bones. As he stood quietly he could hear a commotion of voices outside in the corridor. Stumbling and swaying, Galean made for his cupboard and, his body still swaying he brought forth his riding clothes. Not only had her heard the cries of Eveline but he too had heard the cried of Aurora and Nuyay, and knew that something horrific had occurred in the dragon caves. The world had changed since his eyes were last open and he too had altered. Tracing his cold fingers over his lips, he smiled. She had found him and with one kiss awoken him from his never ending nightmare. He knew not if it had been a dream, her appearance, knew not if his mind was teasing him, but he was awake and he knew without hesitation that it had been Eveline who had awoken him and now she was in desperate need of him.

With all the strength that he could muster, Galean dressed himself, his ears in constant alert, and the commotion outside causing him to worry. What was going on? What had he missed whilst he had been asleep? Was the Kingdom still standing? Had Beon declared war on Meer? As he pondered the troubles of Meer, the door of his chamber opened wide and a guard burst in, his sword in his hand. Seeing Galean, he fell to the ground.

“You’re awake!” the young man said with shock.

“Your name?” Galean asked as he pulled his chain-mail shirt down over his scar covered body.

“Gidon my Lord,” the guard replied as he brought himself to his feet and simply stared at Galean with gawking eyes.

“Why all the cries Gidon? What is happening outside?” Galean enquired as he slowly walked over towards his swords, picking up a long and short sword. Cautiously he placed them both in his sheaths and turned to the man, running his fingers through his newly washed hair. He stood and felt his eyes widen, his sword given to him by Gabriel was missing. He had thought her appearance a dream, but now as he looked at the missing spot of his sword he felt a smile cross his face.

“My lord the sky! It has erupted into colours!” the guard said quickly, his eyes still in disbelief. “A great light forks through the night sky, aimed towards the West.”

Galean turned at the man’s words.

“The stars have aligned already?” he asked quietly as he tightened his belt.

“Yes my lord, a great comet has thus passed the palace too! And the earth and skies shake my lord!” the guard said with fear in his blue eyes. “The Gods are angry!”

Galean walked across the chamber and stood before the young man.

“Were is my father and brother?”

“They are in the great hall my Lord,” Gidon replied with blinking eyes.

“I need you to deliver a message to them, can you do that?” he asked with confidence, his stomach churning with hunger.

“Yes my lord,” Gidon bowed.

“Firstly is my Lord Loaki and Lady Murtha safe?” Galean enquired with furrowed brows.

“My Lord, My Lady Murtha was murdered but four days past,” Gidon said with sad eyes.

“Murdered? By whom?” Galean said with anger in his voice. He had dearly loved Murtha and she was his betrothed. What had happened to the court?

“My Lady Sebeen my Lord, she killed Lady Murtha during the royal blessing.”

“No that’s impossible, Sebeen would never do such a thing,” Galean said as he strode away from Gidon and lifted his right hand to his face. It couldn’t be? Sebeen was gentle and shy, why would she kill Murtha?

“They say jealousy my Lord,” Gidon replied quickly. “She was sentenced to death my lord, but had escaped the cells and is nowhere to be found.”

“Escaped? How?” Galean asked as he spun around, his head a little light headed.

“It is believed Lord Ada helped his sister to escape, having himself fled from the island,” Gidon said with disgust, the treacherous act dismantling the devotion he held towards the great Lord Ada. Galean knew Ada well, and knew that he was loyal to the crown, he would have indeed sacrificed his sister if she were guilty which made him think. Lord Ada would only ever risk death himself if he knew his sister to be innocent. There wasn’t time to simply assess the situation, he needed to find Nuyay and head West to Summe, Eveline would be there and awaiting his aid. He walked over to his writing table and sat down, taking out his quill and a sheet of parchment.

“I need you to give this to my father, can you do that?” he asked as he began to write with rapid speed.

“Yes my Lord,” Gidon replied.

Father,

I am awake, I know everything. Sebeen would never kill, not even if her life depended on it. There is precious time with which to write. I am bound west to the island of Summe. She has arrived and is in need of my help. Ready the army, man the borders and await my return. War is coming, not just from Galgor. Keep your friends safe, keep your eyes and ears open and do not underestimate the intentions of anyone within the court. Trust only Loaki and Anvin. I would urge you to restrain your anger against the Lord Ada, now is not the time in which to lose his alliance. Try to keep my location a secret. Stay strong for they are coming and swiftly they fly. If you feel unsafe I would council you to make for Tavan along with Loaki.

Galean.

Quickly Galean sealed the parchment and got to his feet. Lifting his cloak, he made for Gidon.

“Take this to the King,” he ordered as he wrapped his dark cloak about him, lifting the hood over his head. “Do not speak of my current state to anyone, on pain of death. Understand?” Gidon took the parchment and nodded. “Good, now leave.” Galean watched the guard leave the chamber and when ready, he exited the chamber, his identity concealed as he quickly made his way through the palace, by passing terrified guards and courtiers. He knew the real scientific reason for the lights, and so was unafraid of their meaning. He passed the doors of the great hall and stood a moment turning to face the throne in which he father sat. Gidon the guard placed the message in his hands. Ballour looked up and caught his gaze a moment. Fearful that he would recognise him, Galean turned abruptly and ran as fast as his weak legs would take him. Finally he freed himself of the palace and was now outside among the gardens. For the briefest of moments he looked up into the sky and was awe struck by the beauty of the lights. His eyes found the great stars of Ungilith, Maglorn and Zuenaye. They had indeed aligned and the light that poured forth from them was incredible. It was a light so pure and transparent that he felt himself touched by its innocence. A bump from a running guard awakened him and without another look, Galean made his way down through the gardens in the direction of the harbour which lay a league away. His legs burned with pain as he ran, but his mind was strong and awake. Running under the tall and ancient trees of Meerin Island, Galean lifted his head.

“Thracht Nuyay! Thracht Aurora! (Come Nuyay, Come Aurora),” he cried out aloud as he zig zagged through the trees. Soon he came to the hidden bridge and stopping, turned about grasping the wooden structure. “Thracht Nuyay! Thracht Aurora!” He looked into the great sky and stood a moment, the harbour was five minutes away. His chest pounding, his legs weak, he heard them. A great shrill of a cry coursed through the sky and with a great thrill of excitement, he saw the outlines of Nuyay the great dragon King and Aurora his mate. Turning he began to run once again, winding his way through the forest until he came to the harbour. Bending over his body, panting wildly, Galean heard his dragons as they swooped down low and met with him upon the harbour. Looking up, Galean caught Nuyay’s angered gaze.

“What is it my boy?” he cried out as he stumbled across the wooden harbour and wrapped his arms about Nuyay’s neck.  They were as he always remembered. Nuyay was as red as fire itself and Aurora as gold as Eveline’s eyes. Beside him Aurora cried pitifully, forcing Galean’s gaze to turn to her. “What has you upset?” he asked with renewed urgency. He looked deep into Aurora’s eyes and searched. Through the murky clouds of grief he saw the egg and stepped away from Nuyay, his face awash with pain. “What happened to your egg?” Nuyay, nudged him and so Galean looked deep into his own eye. From the clouds he saw a figure he recognized instantly. “Ethla?” he turned to Aurora who stretched her neck up high into the air and let out another great howl. “She took the egg?” Nuyay nudged Galean again and turned his own great head towards the West. The sun was beginning to pierce the blackened skies and in the near distance, a great cry similar to Nuyay’s rang out across the North. Galean stood back from Nuyay in shock. She wouldn't have…she couldn't have... behind him Aurora and Nuyay cried in response to the piercing cry that came from the Galgor. “She has resurrected Belnun,” he said quietly, his anger and hatred gathering at a rapid pace. Turning he looked to Aurora. “Go back to the mountains and warn the dragons, tell them to stay put until I return, do you understand?” Aurora nodded her golden head and with a great swoosh of her wings, took the skies above. Nuyay and Galean watched her fly North towards Dragna Mountains. When she had vanished into the darkness, Galean turned to Nuyay, seeing his reflection in the dragon’s eye. “Our business lies in the west, Belnun must not be allowed to live,” Galean said as Nuyay bent down low, allowing Galean access to his neck. With a quick jump, Galean sat atop Nuyay. Finding the hooks of Nuyay’s scales he lightly kicked the dragon and soon they were flying through the night sky. Galean kept his eyes on the horizon. “The witch must die!” he roared to the four winds, Nuyay following suite, his great cry so loud that the cold waters below shook.