The Dragon Realms Saga

Eleven years ago

Dragon Realm Scorch

Avalon stood silent in the corner of the cluttered office. Papers and books had been carelessly strewn about the bookcases and spilled onto the floor. Lanterns swung on thin chains from the ceiling, casting their dim light about the room. The shadows danced playfully while Avalon's rat-like partner, Krew, violently shook a bookkeeper.

“You owe Airenfal a few hundred sendetti and you keep saying it’s been misplaced, is that correct, Carbunkle? Is that the story you want us to tell him?”

Carbunkle's spectacles bounced around the bridge of his bony nose as his body rattled. He swallowed hard, fearful of the quiet stranger in the corner. “I swear I can get it back, please! I know I can get it back!” he said. Beads of sweat dripped down his leathery face.

“Avalon, you’re up,” called out the thug.

Avalon rolled her eyes and sighed. She adjusted her black duster and took out her sword from a sheath inside her coat. She strutted up to the begging Carbunkle as she rested her blade on her shoulder. “How do you want this done, Krew?”

“Give him something to remember us by,” giggled Krew. He flashed the trembling bookkeeper a vicious smile.

Carbunkle squirmed behind his desk to get enough distance - any distance he could from Avalon. “P-please-”

Avalon hefted her sword arm down, slicing the stout wood desk completely in half. Papers and dust scattered into the air as both ends popped up and folded from the impact. Avalon lifted her sword back onto her shoulder. “Get the money to Airenfal.”

“I-I will! I will, please don't hurt me!”

Avalon shot a cold stare at the bookkeeper, a stare telling him to shut up while he still had all his fingers. Avalon turned to Krew. “Let's go.”

Krew danced around in glee, tearing down bookcases on his way out. “It's always so much fun working with you, Avalon,” he snickered. Krew wrung his thin hands and narrowed his

beady eyes. “What do you want to do next? The family man that can't pay his debts? Or should we go to secure Airenfal's cut of the dream powder shipment?”

Avalon ducked a precariously shouldered basket of melons as the two entered a crowded street of vendors and peddlers. “Are you happy with this job, Krew?” asked Avalon as she fixed her passing attention on a display of glinting necklaces.

Krew pushed an elderly man out of his way before responding. “Of course, Avy, I think I was meant for this calling. I mean, the pay could be better, but I can't complain. You?”

Avalon shoved her hands in her coat pockets as a set of children passed her by. “I had a job like this in the past. You get tired of it quickly; it wears you down like grinding two stones together. I'm not interested in repeating my mistakes.”

“So, debt or shipment?” Krew asked again, ignoring his partner's comment.

Avalon shook her head, but spotted a small cafe tucked into a corner. The aroma of vanilla and chai was too enticing to pass up, “Come on,” she paused, “Let’s get lunch.”

Krew gorged on spiced bread and slurped down a large glass of sharp desert wine while Avalon chewed mechanically on a stalk of grapes, her mind wandering off.

“You said you did this all before,” said Krew.

Avalon popped another piece of fruit into her mouth. “When I was younger, it was my entire life.”

Krew brushed crumbs from his scraggly beard. “You were a killer.”

“Excuse me?”

He pointed to the hilt barely visible in her coat. “It's an assassin's blade, ain't it? So you killed people.”

“I've killed people, many people and I'm not proud of that fact. That's why I'm getting out of this city.”

“Where you running to?”

“Jedeoheim,” Avalon mused, half daydreaming. She worked with Krew for a year now. He was the only friend she really had, or at least close enough to feel comfortable to talk about her aspirations with “I've almost saved up enough sendetti to get far, far away from here. I just - I don’t know - got distracted by all this.” She scowled, turning her head to the glass pane to watch the merchants and tourists. “Complacent, really. I used to hate it here, but I have a job now, an apartment…”

“And you think Jedeoheim would make everything you do here disappear? Join the cloth and you think that killer mindset just, poof, goes away? Nah, Avy, you’re a killer for life. Embrace it.”

Avalon pushed aside her plate and rubbed her temples in frustration. This conversation was getting to her. Against her own desires, she shifted the conversation towards her partner, “Debts or shipment?”

Krew smiled, showing his gold teeth. “Debts. I like watching you rough up people in front of their kids.”

***

Avalon woke to a gentle breeze flowing through her seaside apartment. She sat up on her bed, still drowsy from yesterday’s work, and let out a long yawn while she stretched to greet the day.

She rummaged through her cupboards for a block of cheese and a half-eaten loaf of bread, then sat at her table to admire the ocean view outside her window. An urgent knock interrupted the moment.

“Avalon, come on! Open up!”

Krew. He was earlier than usual, which Avalon found odd. She opened the door to let him in, “Get your coat and sword, Airenfal has a job for us.”

Avalon took her coat from a wall hook and reached for her sword in the corner. “He always has a job for us, Krew,” she said flatly.

“Yeah, but this time he has a job that will better suit your finer talent,” he smiled, trying to sound more sophisticated.

“My what?”

Krew adjusted Avalon's jacket collar and slapped the sides of her arms. “You'll see. Let's go, job's on the other side of town.”

***

The beautiful Cascade, reserved for only the wealthiest of slave owners and nobles, was typically closed off to all others. It’s winding mazes of exquisite gardens of rare plants and flowers attracted those with the sendetti, but it was also known for its poisonous ointments. Gentle waterfalls, powered by engraved magic runes, flowed constantly along the labyrinth walls.

The vibrant hues of the plants were straight out of a painting and dazzled Avalon as she followed Krew down the confusing paths. They arrived at the center where a peaceful gazebo stood, decorated as well with deadly plants.

Krew walked under the structure and bowed to three women. The middle woman waved her servants off. She held onto her bronze bracelet tightly, and hid her opal amulet with her other hand. A look of disgust and resentfulness ran down her face.

“Did Airenfal send you to buy my collection again? I keep telling him my pearls are not for sale. He should just give up already, it's beginning to look pathetic.”

Krew rocked on the balls of his feet and looked back to smile at Avalon. He slicked back his greasy hair and clumsily bowed to the noblewoman. “Nah, Lady Zeyla. We ain't here for that.”

“Then begone, your odor is overpowering this garden,” Zeyla commanded.

“We are here for business concerning you.” Krew waved his hand for Avalon to come forth. “Avalon, if you will.”

“I don't understand what we are doing here, Krew,” Avalon said, as she stepped forward scratching her head. Her confusion matched Zyla’s expression.

“Yeah, that's right. Avalon.” Krew rubbed Avalon’s shoulders. “Airenfal wants you to take care of this woman. She refuses to sell, then he's gonna take them pearls. Use that talent you have deep in you. Embrace it.”

Avalon spun so hard on Krew, he was nearly bowled over. “Airenfal wants me to kill her!?” “I told him ‘bout your past, that you’ve been holding out on us. He wants you to step up your

game. Earn some extra coin for that vacation you want to take.”

“Excuse me!?” Zeyla cried. She looked to her two servants. “Ferdie, Samantha, Fetch the guards!”

Avalon growled at Krew. What else did she expect from a thug like Krew? Eventually the life of a criminal would catch up and get the best of her.

Avalon glanced shortly at Zeyla and her two handmaidens. “Leave, now!” Avalon focused her attention back on Krew. “I told Airefal when I took this job that I would not kill anyone.” The weaselly man backed up and nervously pointed at her sword. “Job requirements have been altered, Avy. You’re moving up in the world. Now you run after Zeyla and cut her up real

good. I'll tell Airenfal you didn't hesitate.”

Avalon drew her blade and brought the tip under Krew's pointy chin. “You’ll tell Airenfal that I am not his hound to command. I won't be sicced on his enemies any longer.” Avalon shouldered her former partner as she stormed away. “I’m out!”

“You crossed the wrong man, Avy!” Krew howled and hooted like a lunatic, “You hear me! Airenfal won't let you leave this town peacefully! He'll be coming for you, girl!”

Let him come!