Dragon Realm
Episode 8

Cabe rethinks his own life. He can't say it's too hard. “Then, why should we fight? Don't we have everything? Can't we do everything?”

Although Simon's face was unreadable, his tone of voice was not. “The illusion of freedom is always like that, Cabe. An illusion. As long as the Dragon Monarch reigns, we will never ascend any further. We'll stagnate and die with them.”

An overwhelming sense of duty swelled within Cabe. His grandfather had given his life for this belief, and Cabe, understanding that belief at least a little, could at least help—especially with his own life at stake. "What should I do? Will you teach me?”

“Maybe later. For now, however, you must continue on your journey. Lord Gryphon awaits your arrival.”

“He's waiting? How does he know about me?”

The witch laughed. "One does not kill the Dragon King without gaining fame quickly."

“But I didn't kill him! There's a glowing shaft! It pierced his body! ”

The witch's eyes turned deep red. His hand pointed towards him. At first, Cabe believed that the shadowy figure would destroy him. He raised the sword, hoping that it would protect him.

Simon lowered his hand. “There is nothing you need to fear, my friend. I'm just checking your story. It's true, what you said. Brown, the ruler of the Barren Land, died by the power of the Sunlancer shaft. These are indeed strange times.”

Cabe lowered his sword. “What is Sunlancer? I feel I know that title.”

“You should. Most likely it is part of your strength. Sunlancer was the elite Dragon Master. Nathan is their leader. They can draw Kylus light and control it with their bows.”

Slowly, Cabe looked up at the sun. If he could control some of it! It's beyond belief. But something is not right. …

“Dragon King died under the Twin Kings. He has chosen that time for my death.”

"Hm. There's a chance that the blood of someone like you will revive the land of the dead. The meeting of the Twins was a time known to those with powers. This increases the potency of any spell that involves sacrifice. Still, Sunlancer needed a day. To make such a weapon at night, one had to use the Twins, and they were not famous for their generosity. They demand payment. I have to investigate. Maybe, by the time you arrive at Penacles, I'll have an answer for you.”

“You left me? But I'll never make it on foot!”

A blurred face might actually reveal a glimpse of surprise. “Walk? No. You're gonna ride this horse. I took it as I realized your suffering. ” Apart from her gloves, the witch flicked her finger. His mount walked up to Cabe and kissed the surprised wanderer.

Cabe stroked the horse, somewhat fascinated by his comrade's abilities. He had lost his mount just a few minutes before.

"I'm grateful for the horse, but what will you do?"

"I don't need it."

Frowning, Cabe looked at the horse. That's powerful. Stronger than others. He turned his attention back to the witch—

—just to know that Simon has left.

He did not question the loss. The cloaked and hooded figure had helped him. It would be better to use that help. The sooner he gets to Penacles, the better.

He drew the dark sword, and he rode it. A quick scan of the area revealed no other avenue other than the one he went through. The forest is too dangerous. Not that the path proved simple.

Keeping his grip on the sword hilt, he left again.

THE NIGHT HAS COME. To Cabe, it seemed like the day had been shortened by half. He had hoped to reach the end of the forest before this, but the path often meandered. A small part of his mind suggested that magic might be involved, as no human would devise such a winding path.

Something was lost in its path. Cabe glimpsed a very feminine figure. A woman screamed. He pulled his horse to a stop, barely losing the body in front of him.

The recently developed reflex caused him to grab the sword.

“Good sir, stay in your hands! We mean you do no harm! ”

Cabe jerked his head towards the voice and looked at the two women. Not an ordinary woman. That's he's sure. They wear thin but full of ornaments. All forest colors. In fact, even their skin—and most look—have a greenish tinge.

The highest of the three stepped towards him. She could have been a fairy, with her narrow face and grain-colored eyes. His smile dared to cast out the darkness that was to come. "Greetings to you, oh sir!"

Men! Cabe held back a laugh. He was of course exaggerating his status. "Who are you?"

“I Camila. It's Magda.” He showed a smaller but more voluptuous woman who was smiling shyly and bowing. His face was almost similar to his sister's, because that was how it should be. Cabe said his greetings stammeringly.

Camilla turned to the woman that Cabe almost hit. “This one here is our younger sister, Tegan, who seems to have to learn to observe her path closer.”

Tegan hardly becomes a woman, but there is an elegance about her that seems to debate her years of experience. Like Magda, she was also almost twice as old as her oldest sister. As he leaned over, his long golden hair fell off his shoulders.

“And, may I ask, what are three beautiful women doing here? Surely, a land filled with danger, like Wyvern, is not the residence of the three of you. Where are your people?”

The firstborn became quiet. “Gosh, my husband is dead. As for my sisters, they never had a chance to get married. However, we are not afraid of forest creatures, as they move away from our homes. My late master believed that there might just be a charm protecting the area.”

The youngest approached his horse and tried to pet it. The animal retreated, as if it had been bitten. Cabe saw that he was breathing fast.

Camilla stared at her mount. “You're obviously tired. Maybe you let us have fun with your company. It is time for more guests to arrive at our home. Being so handsome makes the idea seem more fun. ”

Unaccustomed to compliments that do not end in sarcasm, Cabe almost blushes. “It is an honor for me to accompany you.”

“Then come. It was just a short distance from the road. ”

He beckoned his mount to get off the trail, but the animal refused. The second and third attempts failed to make the horse do more than just move back and forth nervously. Realizing the futility of the situation, Cabe went down.

“It looks like I have to walk, but I have nowhere to keep my horse for a while.”

Tegan stepped up and gently took control of her hand. Up close, she felt a seductive aura that Cabe had not noticed before. It sounds like a siren call.

“Go with my sister, Cabe. I'll meet your animal needs and come back soon. Don't be afraid, he'll be safe in my hands.”

Few, if any, men could resist a voice and face like hers. He nodded and thanked her for her kindness. Camilla and Magda each held her arm.

“You must control us as my husband once did. Today, we are back to being noble women.” Camilla smiled, and Cabe desperately wanted to drown in that smile.

They take him to the forest, the man gets lost in his dreams. Behind him, strangely unwittingly, came the sound of an angry and worried horse.

A moment later, the hiss of larger and more sinister beings merged, but by then Cabe was no longer heard.

A LOT can be said about the diversity of flavors in Dragonrealms. Both humans and non-humans are very different from their closest relatives, and this taste is very clearly seen in the type of residence that each member of each race chooses to live in.

That was what happened with the palace of the three women, Cabe decided.

The huge stone walls were mixed with barriers cut from the ground itself. Some of the houses were made of chopped down wood, but the right side appeared to be formed from a large tree. Plants with strange and strange appearance filled the area around it. Far above, like a manor symbol, a fierce-looking bird prepared to attack all comers. Despite being made of metal, Cabe had to stare at him twice before he allowed himself to be led inside.

The inside of the manor was even more unreal than the outside. While the floor was polished marble, here and there was a place where trees grew. Some passed through the ceiling and so on. Vines trace their path along walls, pillars, stairs, and, of course, trees. It was strange to think that there were people who could live here. He wanted to question the dazzling hostess about her history, but decided to wait until the right moment.

Camilla let go of her arm, letting Magda lead her to the complicated chair. Cabe sat down carefully, as the chair looked so ancient that it would most likely collapse. He was surprised to find that it was actually very sturdy and quite soft. Unaccustomed to such luxuries, he allowed himself to sink deeply. The two women exchanged glances, as if quite amused by his interest in everyday objects.

Magda bowed, giving Cabe a beautiful view of her femininity. He smiled, and the smile was very similar to his sister. “Are you happy?”

It took him a while to realize that what he meant was a chair. With a red face, he nodded. "It's been a long time since I've sat down at something so comfortable."

"Good! We want you to be happy. Do you want to draw your sword? Must be very uncomfortable to wear!”

Cabe, for no reason he could think of, felt a great desire to carry the sword with him. He shook his head and shifted the conversation to something else. “This is the most unusual place. Who built it?”

“Suami my sister Camilla. He is ... a forest man. He could not do so without the presence of the land. We came to love it.”

"I don't mean to be disrespectful."

He leaned closer. “Nothing taken.”

“Magda!”

Hearing Camilla's voice, the woman pulled away quickly. He looked at his sister with fiery eyes. The elder met him with an equally fiery gaze.

“What's up, my dear sister?”

Camilla pointed at the door. “See to Tegan. Make sure he's okay.”

Brother laughed. "That one? No creatures—”

“See now!”

The younger one frowned and left. Cabe watched her go and turned to Camilla. “If Tegan is in danger, maybe I should help.”

The woman took the trophy from the tray she placed nearby. “Don't worry too much, Mr. Cabe. I just meant that he might have a problem with your horse. It was a strong and vibrant horse.” He handed the cup to her. “This enough! My sisters together will have more than enough skills to take care of your horse. In the meantime, I'll do what I can for you.

Cabe almost choked on wine. Never had he met such a hot-blooded woman! Maybe it was because of their isolation from others. It was hard to resist their charm, and he wondered why he did it at all. Most likely, he was afraid of what the other two might do if he showed some help to one of them. They may be beautiful, but they act like a pack of stray dogs, each trying to claim a murder.

It did not escape his attention that the hostess dressed differently. She is now wearing a dress that very definitely fails to do what was designed for most of the — outfits covering one's shape. If Cabe is concentrating…

He doesn't have to bother trying. Camilla, at a shocking speed, sat on her lap, almost making her spill her wine. His arms wrapped around him, and he spoke only when his lips were less than a finger away from his.