CHAPTER FIVE: A TIME TO BUILD...
Under the shadowy darkness of the night, the village of Burg was almost invisible. Only a dim torch or two allowed for any sort of illumination. But Dyne had been born and raised in Burg, and although he had not been back to his native village in two years, he knew his way around like the back of his hand. He remembered every rock, every tree, every building. I guess that’s the advantage of being a quiet little farming village – nothing ever changes around here except the people.
His many years of travel enabled him to silently move about the village. Everyone around here was asleep. That suited him perfectly. After all, Dyne was no longer supposed to exist, and he could still be recognized.
Finally, he found the house he was looking for. He knocked on the door. There was no response. He knocked again, a little louder, but hopefully not loud enough to wake any other villagers. From within the house, he heard voices...then a few stumbling sounds. Then the door opened. A man with flaming red hair and a short beard came out, holding a candle.
“What’s the meaning of this?” he grumbled. “Who are you? What do you want this time of night?”
Dyne smiled. “Your help...Noah.”
The man recoiled. “Noah? How do you know my...?” Slowly, he held out his candle. “Dyne!”
Dyne shook his head. “That’s not my name anymore. Please, I can’t explain.”
Noah nodded. “All right, if you say so. But what are you doing here?”
“Like I said, I need your help.”
Noah motioned for him to come in. “If you’re here on secret business, then we should do it inside.”
As the two of them walked inside, Noah’s wife walked into the living room anxiously. She was an attractive woman with long red hair. “Noah? Is everything all right?”
Noah smiled. “Everything’s fine, dear. Dyne, you remember my wife, Carrie?”
Carrie’s eyes widened. “Dyne? Dragonmaster Dyne?”
“Not anymore. Dyne no longer exists. So that’s going to be the first secret I’m going to ask you to keep.”
Noah nodded. “So what do you need my help with?”
“Remember that day in The White Dragon’s Cave, when Quark told us about our future? About how he said that you would have a part to play in shaping the future of our world?”
Noah looked uncomfortable. “Yeah...”
Dyne saw how anxious Noah and Carrie were, and gave them a reassuring smile. “Relax. It’s nothing dangerous. It’s not even difficult. But it is very important.”
From underneath his cloak he held out a small bundle. It was the baby, cradled in a thick blanket. “I need you to look after her.”
Carrie gasped as she took the baby in her arms. “She’s so beautiful! What’s her name?”
Dyne thought for a second. “Call her...Luna.”
Carrie rocked Luna in her arms. Noah smiled gently, then looked back at Dyne. “Who is she?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. But trust me on this. It’s very important that you look after her and raise her. You’re good people, and I know you will raise her properly and caringly.”
Dyne started squirming in his chair. He chuckled and removed a small bundle from his satchel, this one containing the sleeping Nall. “Oh, I almost forgot. I need you to look after this little fella also.”
Carrie looked at the baby White Dragon skeptically. “What is it? It’s not rabid, is it? I don’t want it getting the kids sick or anything.”
Dyne laughed. “No, he’s not rabid. He’s...special. His name is Nall.”
Noah raised an eyebrow, but then picked Nall up and stroked his fur. “It certainly is an unusual sort of creature. But maybe it will make a nice pet for Alex. Say, you haven’t met Alex, have you?”
“Your son?” Dyne asked eagerly.
Noah nodded. “Only four months old. Do you want to see him?”
“Sure!”
“Honey, you’ll wake him!” Carrie said.
“With all this commotion, he’s probably already awake.”
Dyne looked around. “Really? I don’t hear him crying.”
“He doesn’t cry that much,” Noah replied. “It worried us a bit at first, but the priests told us he’s just quiet by nature, apparently. Here, his cradle’s in our room.”
Slowly, they all walked into the bedroom. Noah gestured to a simple wooden cradle. Carefully, Dyne approached it, trying not to make too much noise, and looked in.
Alex was awake after all. He stared at Dyne with his bright green eyes. Dyne smiled tenderly and tussled the few tufts of hair on Alex’s head, which were red like his parents’.
Suddenly, Luna started crying. Carrie tried rocking her soothingly, but it didn’t help. “Shhh, shhh. Don’t cry. Mommy’s here. Mommy’s got you.”
Noah handed Nall to Dyne, and gently picked up the boy. “Hey, Alex. I’d like you to meet someone. This is Luna. She’s going to be living with us now.”
He brought him over to Carrie and Luna. “Say ‘hi, Luna.’”
Alex looked at Luna, his green eyes wide open, and held out his hand toward her. Noah brought him closer, and Alex was able to take hold of Luna’s tiny hand. Immediately, Luna stopped crying. Her expression became calm and serene. Soon, she fell asleep.
Carrie smiled sweetly at the sleeping infant. “Look at her. She’s a little angel.”
“She certainly is,” Noah said. He turned to Dyne. “We’ll take good care of her. I promise.”
“Thank you,” Dyne said. “This means a lot to me.”
Nall slowly awoke in Dyne’s hands with a yawn. His wings started to flap, and he was soon fluttering in the air. He circled around the room a couple of times before settling down in the cradle, next to Alex.
Alex and Nall looked at each other curiously for a few seconds. Then Nall trotted over to him, sniffing him. Alex giggled and grabbed Nall. Nall squeaked in protest, and wriggled out of his grasp.
“Careful, son,” Noah chuckled. “Nall’s not a toy.”
Nall cautiously approached Alex again. He flew over to him and nestled next to his shoulder. Alex wrapped one arm around him, snuggling next to him. Nall started purring, and was soon fast asleep again. Alex dozed off a moment or two later.
Carrie lay Luna down in the crib next to Alex and Nall. Dyne gazed at the three of them snuggled up together. They look so innocent. So peaceful. If this is an omen of things to come, Lunar has a bright future ahead.
*****
“I guess I’d better take off now,” Dyne said with a sigh.
“Can’t you spend the night with us?” Carrie offered. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Thanks, but I should leave while it’s still dark. I can’t take a chance on being recognized.”
Noah gave an understanding nod. “By the way, since you won’t go by Dyne anymore...what should I call you in case I ever see you again?”
Dyne smiled. “I was thinking about the name...Laike.”
“Laike...my father’s name.”
“I know. He was a good man. He looked out for me when I was a kid. He told some great stories at the Goddess Festivals.”
“And some rather...interesting jokes,” Noah laughed. “Mom was always giving him hell about it.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
Dyne sighed and smiled to his old friend. “I can never thank you enough for this.”
“It’s our pleasure. We promise to look after Luna like our own. And that flying cat-thing too...whatever it is”
Dyne’s tone became stern. “No matter what, you can never tell anyone where they came from, or who delivered them to you. Not even Alex, not even Luna and Nall themselves when they grow up. They’ll learn when the time is right.”
Noah nodded. “You can trust me and Carrie.”
“I knew I could. Otherwise, I never would have bothered you.”
Carrie handed Dyne a small basket with some bread, fruit, and water. “A little something for the road.”
Dyne thanked here and gave her a hug. “You guys take care of yourselves.”
“Where are you headed?” Noah asked.
“I’m going to catch a ship at Saith. After that...I dunno. It doesn’t matter, really. There’s so much of Lunar I haven’t seen yet. So it really doesn’t matter where I end up. But first, I have one more errand to take care of here.”
*****
Quietly, Dyne walked behind Noah’s house, to the top of a small hill. It was here where he had daydreamed so many times about embarking on fantastic adventures, seeing the world, and being a hero. After all he had seen and accomplished, that seemed like another lifetime ago.
He heard Noah walking carefully behind him. “I knew you were going to come up here,” Noah whispered.
Dyne nodded, and drew Althena’s Sword from its sheath. The blade glowed dimly under the night sky. He walked towards a large boulder, and rested the tip of the blade on it.
“I no longer have the power of The Dragonmaster,” Dyne said softly. “But Quark told me that one day, another will be chosen. And when they are ready to claim their title, this will be waiting for them. But until that day...”
Althena’s Sword began to shine brightly as Dyne thrust the blade deep into the stone, as far as it could go. He pulled on it once or twice to make sure it was secure. Then the blade’s light faded away.
“It will be safe here,” Dyne continued, “until a worthy hand is ready to wield it to defend the people of Lunar.”
Noah stared solemnly at the sword, then at Dyne. “I wish you weren’t leaving so soon.”
“I know. Believe me, I’m not too thrilled about it either. But I have to. Secrecy is of the utmost importance here. I don’t want any crazy rumors spreading.”
Noah nodded sadly. Dyne gave him a reassuring smile. “Alex is going to grow up to be a great man. I can tell. Whatever path lies ahead of him, I know that it will lead to a great future.”
Dyne sighed. “I’ve been saying a lot of goodbyes lately. I’m getting a little tired of it.”
“Maybe this isn’t really goodbye,” Noah said. “Maybe your travels will bring you back here some day.”
Dyne grinned. “In that case, let’s just say...until we meet again.”
He and Noah shook hands. “Until we meet again,” they both said.
Dyne carefully walked down the hill. He gave one last wave to Noah, and left the village as quietly as he had come.
Once he was out of Burg, he smiled happily to himself. He felt free, for the first time in years. Being The Dragonmaster was one of the greatest chapters of his life, it felt good to have no cares, no responsibilities, no worries. Althena and Nall were in good hands. Mel, Lemia and Ghaleon would look after Lunar...and there would be other heroes one day to keep things from getting out of hand. Maybe even Alex would take up adventuring some day, just like his father had once.
Encouraged, he headed down the road to Saith, whistling a cheerful tune.
*****
The next morning...
The town watchman of Saith saluted a tall man approaching the gates. “Howdy, stranger! Welcome to Saith!”
The man gave a friendly smile to the watchman. “Thanks. Are any ships leaving any time soon?”
The watchman thought for a few seconds. “I think there’s one leaving in about half an hour. No idea where it’s headed, though.”
The stranger gave the guard a careless grin. “Doesn’t matter.”
The guard looked at him curiously. “What’s your name, buddy?”
“Name’s Laike. I’m a traveler.”
“Have you ever been around these parts? You look familiar.”
Laike chuckled. “I get that a lot.”
The watchman shrugged. “Well, the dock’s at the other end of the village. You can’t miss it. You can get a quick bite to eat at the tavern if you’d like before you take off.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Laike headed to the local tavern and had himself a nice big breakfast. He got a curious look or two, as all strangers do, but nobody paid him much notice. That was fine with him. After his meal, he went to the dock, where a ship was setting sail. He thought about asking where the ship was going, but thought it might be more fun to be surprised. Paying the passenger fare, he eagerly boarded.
As soon as the ship began moving, he immediately headed for the bow. He didn’t feel like being cooped up in his cabin. He just leaned over the bow, stared at the calm water, and remembered. It was on a morning like this, on a ship just like this one, that his life of adventure truly began, when Ghaleon had taken him under his wing. He would miss Ghaleon. He had been a true friend.
A pretty young girl with silky blonde hair and dark brown eyes also came up to the bow. “Wow...what an amazing view,” she said.
Dyne nodded. “Yeah, it is. I never get tired of it.”
“Have you traveled a lot?”
Laike chuckled. “You could say that. Have you?”
The girl shook her said rather shyly. “No. This is my first time. I’m headed for Meribia on business.”
Laike nodded. “I was just thinking about my first time on a ship...traveling to new lands. You never get tired of it. You never get bored with waking up to a brand new place.”
The girl gazed at him admiringly. “I’d like to hear about some of your adventures.”
“It’s a long trip. We’ll probably have plenty of time. Say, what’s your name?”
“Abigail.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Laike.”
They shook hands. “So, Laike,” Abigail asked, “what about you? Where are you headed?”
Laike smiled, as he recalled Ghaleon’s words at the beginning of their first adventure together.
“Toward the horizon.”
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