Fan Fiction ❯ Spirit of the Dragon ❯ Rapid Flight ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven

The storm came from out of nowhere. Billowing clouds filled the horizon like smoke, and ruptured to release torrents of rain.

Prince Acanthus erupted through the gates on Janus' back. He couldn't wait for the rest of his army now. Not with so much at stake.

Horse and rider tore over the hillsides; a trail of mud sprayed in their wake.

"I told you Gardrothians are nothing but trouble." The spark was an ember now. It had started to infest his body.

What do you want?

"I can help you, Acanthus. Without me, you don't stand a chance."

I will not let you take me over again. I should have learned the first time.

"You can't avoid me forever. I am a part of you now."

You are not a part of me! Leave me alone!!! The ember grew hotter.

Dark laughter. "The more you condemn me, the stronger I become!"

The rain become merciless. It struck Acanthus' skin like needles.

Alright, Spirit! I give in! Do what you will!

An inferno enveloped his soul. It ripped away what was left of his sanity, and he let out a howl.

It was an animal cry that seemed to shatter all barriers of reality. In one single roar there were a million tormented shrieks and sighs. It rumbled across the hills in a wave of sheer animosity.

Janus screamed and reared.

There was a flash of lightning. Acanthus could feel his hands slipping from the reigns.

Another flash. His sword banged against his side as he rolled into a puddle of mud. It filled his lungs. He coughed violently.

Thunder boomed and Acanthus looked up to see that Janus was gone.

The spirit was laughing. "You're so weak, Acanthus. But I will change that."

He crouched with his hands in the mud while the rain beat at his back.

"Sir Prince!" Came a call through the raging storm. "Sir Acanthus!" It was Squire Kaiden. He emerged from the gloom like a white phantom. "Thank the Lioness, I have found you! Are you alright, Milord? What has become of Janus?"

Acanthus turned to him with blazing eyes. "Give me your horse."

The tone in Acanthus' voice chilled him. "But Prince-"

"Give her to me!!!" He rose to his feet. "This is a direct order!"

Kaiden whimpered and slid from the saddle. "I was just…trying to help you, Sir. I just…I think you should wait…until the others arrive…"

"You wait! I have no time!" Acanthus swung himself onto the white mare's back and kicked her in the side.

He remembered Crowe's words in complete clarity. The Gardrothians' plan all along had been to attack the South Coast, a barricade of the strongest cities in Drunesmerre. But to get to them, they needed a diversion to draw the knights out: a threat on the castle. Azalea was always first priority. It had all been ingeniously schemed, he had to admit… Then, of course, after the threat came an army to Coriander. The Gardrothians made a hasty retreat when their leader went down. They headed to plan B. It appeared to be a withdrawal to the East. Village watchmen verified this fact. Then when the Gardrothians disappeared, it was assumed they had fled for the seas. But no: there they had met up with Ronori's army.

"They could only carry out this plan with my authorization." Crowe had admitted with regret. "But at the time…I believed that the first plan wouldn't fail."

"But why?" Acanthus was appalled by the whole thing. "Why destroy me? What purpose would this serve?"

"This would do irreversible damage to your army's morale. We know your knights are good. We needed the advantage. As for why we wish to defeat you here, there are many reasons: money, a powerful reputation, revenge…You know about our countries' histories. We were banished to the swamplands. Forced to live without an economy."

"Will you hold a grudge over what our ancestors did?" Prince Acanthus had taken offense to her words.

"What if you never knew you grandfather, but you knew the man who killed him. Would you hate him?"

"That is beside the point."

"Dammit, Prince, just listen to me! I'm not attacking you! I'm telling you why! Now you need to get to Veridea before they burn it to the ground!" She had gone on to explain how from there they would strike Four Crossings, then Lakewood, followed by Betony…They would come from nowhere, via a hidden trail in the East.

In a fury he had left. And now he was here…

The spirit was furious: "Gardrothians are all the same! Murderous monsters!"

Usually he would argue against such venomous slander, but right now he needed that anger. So he let it poison his veins and blacken his heart.