Chapter 14

Thena and I exited the cave. It was dark out now. We set up some twigs and wood for a small fire while we waited for agnir to finish reuniting with her mom. I explained the important details to Thena in the meantime and then we waited.

I was the first to break the silence, "so who do you think the traitor is?" I didn't know the dawn brigade like Thena did.

She scowled at the fire, "well, I know who I don't want it to be..." She got quiet as she said that. "Right now, the most important thing is that we secure terra first and make sure the dawn brigade doesn't find her." She looked like she was formulating a plan.

"well, I know the Drezir didn't seem to pay her any mind yesterday so she could be safe." I hoped with all my heart that terra was safe. Even though she might not be my actual sister, I still felt that connection to her.

Thena raised an eyebrow at me, "Torin, Declan is a Drezir now... If terra really is the heir to the throne, he likely grabbed her."

I froze, "wait Drezir aren't just mindless zombies!?" My eyes widened as I saw thena's face. A look of despair showed on her face. "But how do you know that?" I asked.

Thena poked the fire with a stick, "my brother was a knight... Even after getting turned into a Drezir he recognized me..." She lifted up her hair to show her ear. It was crumpled and scarred. "He gave me this as a farewell gift." She let her hair drop back down to cover her ear.

"What even are the Drezir?" I asked. It seemed like Thena knew a bit about them.

"they are people who have an uncontrollable need and desire to obey their master. They are still alive but on the brink of death. Frozen by magic to be immortal..." She never broke her gaze away from the fire.

"except dragon fire seems to melt them permanently... Which I won't tell anyone about you being a dragon by the way... Oh and here is your stone, I didn't want to lose it." I held out the yellow transformation stone.

Thena grabbed it with a suspicious look on her face, "you aren't worried that I'm a dragon?"

I smiled, "why should I worry? You've always been very blunt and honest even when you knew it would scare me." I gave a reassuring nod. "Dragons are liars and deceivers... But the two dragons I've met today are some of the most trustworthy people I've ever met." You can trust someone to act how they've always acted before.
I knew Thena was abrupt, blunt, and scary but she didn't lie. Well I've also only known her for a day so could I really tell all that from just a couple hours? "You also saved me from the Drezir..."

Thena gave a shy warm smile. But when I looked at her she turned away. Then she looked alert, "something is coming." She spoke in a hushed voice and stood up.

I stomped on the fire. "Is it close?" It was very dark but I could still see her outline. She nodded but didn't speak. I followed her lead in silence. I was worried about calling agnir back but I didn't speak.

We ducked behind a bush and started to head back towards the cave. Thena stopped me, then signaled for me to stop moving. She pulled out her sword. My heart was racing.

Just beyond our vision we heard a groan.

Ngggghhhh

Something was coming straight for us.

"tor...in..."

A familiar voice? "it's my dad!" I stood up and said it loudly. After all, he could already see me. "He spent the entire day chasing us! Thena run! He is only after me!" I started to head towards the groaning voice.

Declan appeared out of the trees, his eyes were white and soulless, "tor...in..." He stopped walking and pulled his sword off his back. The long great sword was encased in clear ice. Rust had already started to form on the blade. "Watchhh....." Declan put his sword into the ground and stood tall with one arm grasping the blade. He made a motion with his hand that I recognized.

Watch what I do.

When my father taught me something new he always used this signal. It meant he wanted to teach me something. But he was a Drezir now...

"what are your orders? Why are you following me?" I spoke directly to Declan. He was standing still. At first glance he looked relaxed but I could tell that he was ready to move at any moment. If I moved even an inch he would chase me down.

"bringgg... youuuu...wiithhhh..." He still hasn't moved yet, but his guard didn't waver.

"and if I refuse?" I questioned his control and what he really wanted.

"nottt...acceptable...." Then he shook his sword, "fiiight!.... Waaaatch.... Aggniiir" The moonlight was bright enough now I could see him well. He suddenly kicked his sword with his foot so it swung around and he used the momentum to make another underhanded swing moving vertically upwards. Each movement went into another movement. It was beautiful. The problem was that he was moving towards me.

"AGNIR!!" I finally called out to agnir. I held out my hand and concentrated on making a great sword. Agnir's power shot to me instantly and I felt the heavy sword fill my hand. I swung wildly at my father.

Crash!

The sound of crushing ice filled the air. I had hit my father's sword, but it wasn't because of skill. My father had parried my swing. Agnir was flung to the side, still in my hands. Declan instantly made another swing but this time it was aimed for my hand, I let go of agnir since I was not able to lift her quick enough to regain my posture. I stepped back.

"agnir!" I called her again. Agnir shimmered back into my hands. Declan kept swinging with a continuous motion. After each swing upwards it would instantly wrap around and nearly hit me from above. I kept backing up. His motions were too quick. I suddenly backed into a wall, I couldn't escape. I held up agnir and winced for the impact.

Clang!

I didn't feel any pressure on my blade, I opened my eyes and Thena was there, "focus Torin! His orders are to take you with him, he won't stop until you drop your blade. He clearly wants to show you his technique so keep your eyes open and watch him while I buy us some time." Thena was standing between me and Declan. Her sword was glowing from her powers, illuminating the area.

Thena was skilled with her blade but it was obvious my father had much more experience. She swiftly dodged and weaved, keeping her distance from his long swings.

Declan kept doing the same motion while slowly approaching her. A right sided upward swing which flipped into a stab from above. Then the blade swung horizontally as it rotated into a left sided upward swing.

Each swing quickly led into the next step. I watched and slowly started to mimick the actions. Agnir spoke, "Torin, momentum is the key to swinging my blade, don't fight it. Use it to your advantage!" That's right, she would be familiar with how this feels. I started to swing harder and I could feel the fluid motions.

I could see thena was starting to wear out. Declan wasn't slowing down though. I needed to step in now, "ok Thena, I got it!" I stepped in between the two and followed my father's motion in opposition. Agnir clashed with Declan's blade with every swing, but Agnir's blade stayed sharp. Declan's sword was chipping away.

Crash crash

Clang!

The sound of metal hitting metal finally filled the air. The ice disappeared and I was now chopping at metal.

Clang, clang!

Two more swings and Declan's sword broke. The top half flew off and hit a tree nearby. Declan turned towards the blade and started walking towards it.

Thena grabbed my arm, "We have to go now. He is moving slowly. Let's get out of here!" I released agnir and she shimmered away. We started running down the mountain. I looked back at my dad.

Thank you, dad...