Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Dragonhorn

Tidas and Skye climbed out of the stagecoach to examine the body in the road. The driver stayed back as Tidas and Skye slowly walked towards the man. He wasn’t moving, and they couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not. His back faced them, revealing white-grey hair in a long braid. He was clearly older, but Tidas wanted to make sure that the whole thing wasn’t a trap first.

“Don’t move, Skye,” was all the prince said before he vanished.

Skye was still getting used to her husband’s speed as she jumped a little when he took off. He was only gone a minute before Skye felt a giant gust of wind as Tidas appeared next to her. She gasped, bringing an amused grin to Tidas’ lips before she swatted his shoulder. Not finding anyone in the immediate area, the couple approached the collapsed man cautiously.

Tidas held his hand up to signal to his wife to stay put. He rolled the man over, then immediately yelled for Skye. He was still breathing, but faintly. As soon as Skye landed on her knees, her hands were on his forehead and chest; healing him. Skye could feel something was off with his heart. She remembered reading a book about the origins of the heart symbol, and how it compared the appearance to a real one.

She could remember the details because it’d been so different from the symbol. She’d grown up thinking that the symbol was what a real heart looked like. As she focused on the picture in her mind’s eye, the man begun coughing. He spit up a massive blood clot Skye’d removed from the large vein leading into his heart.

Tidas patted the man’s back, looking to his wife with a panicked expression. She chuckled lightly before nodding with a smile; assuring her husband the man would be fine. The coachman came running over with a pouch of water for the old man. He gagged slightly when he saw the blood, but collected himself quickly when Tidas asked the stranger what had happened.

The old man sloshed the water around in his mouth, spit it out, and said; “Ima not sure.. I was riding me horse to Dragonhorn when me chest began to hurt somethin’ fierce! I thought I died when I fell from me horse..”

.....

Tidas smiled and replied; “No doubt you would’ve, had my wife not healed you.”

The old man looked over to the young woman as she stood up and dusted off her pretty dress. He couldn’t believe her beauty, and coughed again due to his breath catching. When the lass heard him, she’d offered her hand out to him, to help him to his feet.

“Are ye feelin’ alright now, sir? Would ye like a ride? I doubt we’ll find yer horse. Does it know to go home?” Skye asked in succession, with a cheery grin.

“Me lady, I could never ride with such a kind and noble lady like you.. It wouldn’t be proper,” the old man replied hesitantly.

“The only improper thing would be to leave a recovering man on the side of the road! Do not argue with me, sir. As me husband will tell ye, it never works out well for those who do,” Skye stated as she gave a smile that did not match her tone.

The old man looked to the young man and stared at him a moment. He had no idea what to say, and didn’t want to incur the wrath of the nobleman. But Tidas only grinned as he said; “She is rather hard to debate with, so it’s best to just go along with her.”

The prince winked at the old man as he and Skye helped him to his feet. Tidas offered to take the water pouch as Skye took him by the arm, and escorted him to their coach. As the three entered, the prince handed the pouch back to the driver and he thanked him. The coachman bowed to Tidas and said, “However I may be of help, me prince.”

At these words, the old man thought he’d have another heart attack. He looked at the young man as he’d climbed into the stagecoach, and took a seat next to his wife. He wrapped a loving arm around her, then kissed the side of her head. Bringing a soft smile to the beautiful lass’ face. The kindness, the title; it’d finally added up. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out: “By the gods... Yer Titan Tidas! Prince Tidas: the Paragon Pillar!”

Skye looked from the old man to her husband. This had been the second time she’d heard the references, but Tidas had specifically asked to tell her about it later. The whole subject irritated her; seemingly being the only person in the kingdom who didn’t know about her husband. She frowned at Tidas before saying; “I believe now would be a good time to tell me why everyone calls ye that..”

Tidas’ face went deadpan. ‘Damn it, old man! I was literally about to warn her about this part!’ The prince railed at himself inwardly for not getting it out sooner.

Visibly gulping, Tidas flashed a nervous smile at his wife before saying; “I swear to you that it’s nothing bad... I’m just a little famous for the, ah-work, I was telling you about.. Before we met..”

They both looked to the old man before he said; “Forgive me, yer highness! Me name be Jonathan McKurdy.”

“It’s alright, Jonathan. It was rude of us not to introduce ourselves, also. I am Prince Tidas MacArthur, and this is my bride; Skye Moonstone. Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Tidas had smiled and gestured to themselves as he spoke.

Jonathan bowed as low as he could while sitting; his thoughts running rampant. ‘I canna believe I been saved by the kingdom’s great hero! And his beauty of a wife, too! Makes sense she’s his wife; far too beautiful for a simple tryst! Gods be praised! No one will ever believe me!’

The old man beamed with his happiness as he looked to Skye and said, “Thank ye for savin’ me worthless life, me lady.”

“Yer welcome, but don’t say such terrible things! All life has value, so long as ye respect it!” Skye’s tone was a bit snappier than she’d like, but she’d made her point.

Jonathan watched as the prince grinned lovingly at his wife. Her words and sentiments had brought a gentle smile to his face as well. He’d never seen, nor heard of royalty being so kind. He now fully understood why those who’d met the prince, like his son; admired him so.

“I must say, Ima surprised ye don’t know of yer husband’s exploits. He’s known as a famous hero everywhere in Alcon! We common folk love him! Haha! But you’ll see soon enough once we get into the city,” Jonathan’s face had a permanent grin as he’d talked.

Tidas laughed low at the old man’s words, for he was thinking the same thing. They’d be rushed at some point, but he’d been hopeful that they’d get a little looking around in beforehand. If Jonathan wound up making a scene, his plan would become a moot point.

“I would ask you to keep our identities a secret for as long as possible. We’re on our honeymoon, and my wife wishes to shop for trinkets and books,” Tidas squeezed his arm that he still had wrapped around Skye.

Jonathan looked saddened at the request, but nodded and agreed. Skye felt bad for the old man. With how he talked about her husband, she’d understood his disappointment at not being able to share his story. An innocent scheme began to unfold in Skye’s mind as she listened to the old man suggest shops she might find interesting. He’d given a surprised look at the lady’s preferences, but smiled and spoke kindly.

Their ride had been short and pleasant as they chatted the entire way. Jonathan was being dropped off at a small hospital building close to the wall. People could be seen standing in line near the entrance, awaiting their turn. Skye had convinced him to have a doctor take a look at him. He thanked them again before heading for a group of people who waved upon seeing him.

Dragonhorn got it’s name from the large bones that made up most of the outer defense wall. Skye marveled at it every time she saw it. At the highest peak, it stood fifty meters tall. The lowest was about thirty. It looked like it was made of obsidian, but was stronger than steel. She often wondered what it felt like, considering that it looked so fragile.

Skye had tried to research it before. All she could find was basic information on it. Dragonhorn is the strongest structure in the entire Star Continent. The stairways, wall paths, store rooms; everything had been carved out of the bone. It’d frustrated her greatly that she could never find any clues as to how they did it.

When the pre-made, city-like structure was discovered, it’d almost became the new capital. Since it was still on the opposite side of Alcon Forest, the MacArthurs had decided against it, and kept the capital where it stands now. Dragonhorn was one of the main topics she’d planned on researching in the capital for fun, when not studying or training.

After Jonathan had departed, Tidas and Skye circled back to the gate. They’d given the young man on duty a good shock when the prince stuck his head out of the coach window, and greeted him. He’d told the lad he’d be back in a moment, and not to alarm anyone of his presence yet. When the young man had nodded, they’d left. As soon as he saw them again, he’d waved enthusiastically at them; like a small child seeing his birthday cake approaching.

Tidas had gotten the cloaks from under his seat, then tied his wife’s for her. Skye did the same, then smiled and took his hand to exist the coach. The young man stood anxiously waiting as he held the door for them. After he’d closed it; he saluted the prince, then bowed before speaking.

“Ronnie Leon, Sir! At yer service! Whatever I can do, I’ll do it! Ima about to become a new member of the RMC when the trials start up in a month! Ima be honored to be under yer guidance!”

Tidas bellowed at the lad’s enthusiasm. He’d been practically bouncing in place while talking. Skye smiled beneath her hood, but kept quiet and watched. More new information was being shared, and she didn’t want to miss any of it.

‘So Tidas is a trainer also.. I wonder what his rank is? He is a prince, and they keep calling him a Pillar. Ack! I wish that man would tell me everything already! I’d rather know than go shoppin’.. Oh! But that can work to me benefit as well! Just like these last few conversations..’Skye shook herself from her thoughts before she missed anything.

They talked a few minutes about what the boy’s power, which turned out that he was a Tamer like Nicolas. They also spoke on what his physical training was, then Tidas gave him improvement tips. Ronnie beamed at his hero as he gave the lad encouragement. Skye could tell by their interactions that her husband was probably a good teacher.

A man wearing an expensive looking suit of armor came around the corner right as Tidas was asking Ronnie to show him his Alpha. The man scoffed as two others about the same age as the lad, followed behind him. Their sneers matched their friend’s; immediately irritating the group as they approached.

The shiny boy looked at Tidas and Skye, both of whom still had their cloaks wrapped and hoods up. He smacked Ronnie on the shoulder a little too hard to be called friendly, before asking who they were. Ronnie looked down nervously before he said; “J-Just some travelers givin’ me pointers on me magic..”