MakiaVi: The Frozen King - Chapter 4
Likeen was a tiny town relative to the MakiaVi. A few taverns, some blacksmiths and a handful of general stores sat within its walls. In the center sat the town hall, a large stone building that waved the Bravian flag along with the banner of the local lord that protected it. In the square before it, a rally was being held for the anti-dragon group. About a hundred or so people were in attendance. They hung on every word of an older canine in elegant robes. Majority of his fur was grey with cold granite eyes to match. "We cannot go back to cowering in fear of these monsters. As we speak, they gain control of our provinces and influence the lords of our land. I say, enough is enough!" The crowd erupted in cheers for their leader. On the top of a nearby clock tower, Edion, Zan and Bellatrix sat scouting out the crowd.
"How can these people believe this nutjob?" Edion said.
"There is some truth to his words." Bellatrix replied. "Dragons used to rule the entire continent. Only recently has it become more even."
A faint glow came from Edion's glove as Lien spoke. "I too understand their concern. Dragons terrorized millions in my day. It's interesting to see you all advocating for equality."
"Times change." Zan said. "People need to understand that not all of us are evil. We need to work towards fixing our ancestors' mistakes."
The leader continued his speech. "We will spread our message throughout the country! They will know that they are no longer welcome in our lands! These disgusting, horrid beasts must be wiped from the planet!" The crowd cheered his speech. It took everything that Edion had to not go down there and punch his teeth in.
They looked down to see a figure in a black cloak running on the rooftops towards the stage. "It's the reaper!" Bellatrix exclaimed as she jumped off the roof. Edion and Zan followed right behind her and flew towards the stage a quickly as they could. Two of the city guards stood to protect the speaker. The reaper managed to take them both down with one large swipe of his scythe. They did not even slow him down as he charged the stage. The rally leader attempted to flee but it was too late. Without hesitation, the reaper cut the leader's head clean off his shoulders. It rolled off the stage as his body collapsed in a pool of blood. The crowd screamed in horror as they fled the scene. Edion and his team reached the stage and saw the reaper standing over his victim's lifeless body.
"You bastard!" Zan exclaimed. They each readied their weapons and surrounded their opponent. Twenty members of the city guard also came to back them up.
"Give yourself up. It's over!" yelled the captain of the guard. The reaper stood silent. White smoke began to flow from the bottom of the reaper's black cloak. It spread across the entire stage, blinding all of his opponents. The reaper flew into the air out of the cover of his smokescreen. Bellatrix was able to catch a glimpse of his exit and sent a lightning bolt from her sword. The attack caught the killer on the leg. The reaper staggered from the strike but still made his way out of the city's borders. The smoke cleared.
"Damn! He got away." Edion grumbled.
"We'll find him, don't worry." Bellatrix reassured.
The guard captain walked onto the stage to meet the team. He was a middle aged tiger with blonde hair dressed in a full suit of plate armor bearing the Likeen crest of two swords crossing over a red and yellow shield. His tired brown eyes surveyed the scene of the crime. "Well this is a mess. That makes thirteen deaths now."
"Eleven sir." grunted one of the guards the reaper attacked. He stood up with his arm clutching his bloody stomach. His partner did the same. "Don't worry. The wound is pretty shallow. He didn't hit anything important."
"That's a relief." sighed the captain. He examined the team and noticed their tattoos. "Thank the gods the MakiaVi is here. I hope you three know what you are doing."
Bellatrix faced the captain and gave him a salute. "We're on it sir! We'll get this guy. I swear it." Bellatrix relaxed her stance. "Are there any other events the reaper would hit soon?"
The captain thought for a moment. "In a few days there is a march that they are holding down the main roads. I doubt he will show up till then."
"We'll just have to wait." Bellatrix said. The sun was starting to set.
"Where are we going to sleep for the night?" Zan asked.
"Our briefing detailed that we will be staying with a retired MakiaVi member." Edion replied. "He apparently owns a farm just south of the city. If we leave now, we can make it before sundown."
"Be careful out there." the captain warned.We don't have any guards outside the walls." "We have everyone combing through the city."
Bellatrix saluted. "We will captain. Let's move out, guys." she commanded.
The team began to make their way to the farm. They flew high into the orange sky with the sun slowly setting to their side. Below were acres of corn and wheat ready for harvest. Near the fields was a large red barn with a small farmhouse not too far away. The team landed as softly as possible as not to ruin the soil below them. The house looked very worn out. The paint had almost completely peeled off. "Why did he leave the MakiaVi for this?" Zan asked.
Bellatrix sighed. "You were supposed to read the report. He retired after an injury and started a family. Nothing special." Bellatrix knocked at the door. They were greeted by a female red fox with long brown hair wearing a simple white dress.
"Yes? How can I help you?" she greeted.
Bellatrix pointed to her tattoo. "Yes ma'am. We're from the MakiaVi."
"Oh yes. Of course. Durek told me you would be staying. I'm his wife Seline. Please come in!"
The house was quite simple. A crude dining room table with matching chairs sat next to a stone fireplace. An steel longsword stood on the mantle. Various herbs and dried meats hung from the ceiling. "Honey! The MakiaVi members are here." Seline yelled up the stairs.
A dragon with dark green scales and black hair slowly limped down the staircase with a cane. He couldn't have been over forty. Durek looked down at the team as he drew closer. "They sent you new bloods for a job like this? I hope they trained you well."
"Like you wouldn't believe." Zan mumbled.
Bellatrix elbowed him in the side. "Mind your manners." They each gave him a salute.
Durek's face tightened. "I ain't a member anymore, no need for all that formal junk. I left that life behind a long time ago."
"I was actually curious about that." Zan said. "If you don't mind me asking, what caused your injury?"
Durek chuckled as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "I was being reckless on a mission. Dragon slayer got me by the leg and crushed it to powder. I can't fight but at least I get to spend more time with my family. Riza! Come down and meet our guests!" A scruffy dragon and fox hybrid with short black hair walked down the staircase. Her arms and legs were covered in green scales but the rest was covered in brown fur save for a small strip of scales on the bridge of her snout. Short horns sat on the top of her head along with a pair of fox ears. She wore a patched up pair of overalls.
Riza looked at the team in disgust after recognizing their tattoos. "What are they doing here?" She spat.
"They will be our guests for the next couple of days while they investigate the murders." Durek said.
Riza scoffed. "You would think they would want the reaper to take those awful people out."
"Don't say such things child." Durek yelled. "That murderer has raised hell all over the city. He needs to be stopped."
"It's not like anyone will miss his victims. Good riddance I say!" Riza yelled in protest.
Durek stomped his cane on the ground. "That's enough! I don't want to hear another word of this. Go help you mother prepare the table. Now!" Riza stomped off towards the kitchen. She winced in pain from one of her legs.
"Are you alright dear?" her mother asked.
"Yeah. I just hurt myself cutting the wheat this morning. I'll be fine."
Bellatrix gave Riza a suspicious look. "Mind if I help with that Mrs. Rikara?" she asked.
"Sure. Show her where the plates are Riza."
"Yes ma'am." Riza grumbled.
"I would love to hear some of your stories Durek." Edion said.
"Me too!" Zan exclaimed.
Durek let out a hearty laugh. "Of course boys. Come. I'll tell you about how I blew up a dragon slayer sentry tower." They followed him to the parlor.
In the dining room, Riza and Bellatrix began to set the table. "Do you help out your family on the farm often?" Bellatrix asked.
"Yeah. Ever since dad's injury, he hasn't had much money to hire help so I have to pick up the slack." Riza said.
"You must have to use many tools to take care of the place."
"I guess so."
"Ever handle a scythe?"
Riza froze for a moment. "Of course I have. It's how we cut down the crops. Why?"
"Oh nothing. Just making conversation." Bellatrix said with a smile.
Riza let out a low growl as Bellatrix walked away. Seline entered the dining room with a large pot. "Alright everyone. Dinner is ready!" The boys rushed to the table as Durek limped behind them. Riza traded angry glances with Bellatrix throughout the meal while Zan and Edion were busy stuffing themselves. "Have you made any progress with the reaper case?" Seline asked.
"Nothing yet, but I can feel we are getting close." Bellatrix turned to look at Riza. "Your leg is probably hurt pretty bad. I should take a look at it. I know a little healing magic."
"I'm fine!" Riza snapped. "I don't need your help."
"Riza! You will show our guests some respect!" Seline demanded. "Now apologize."
Riza stood up. "Why should I!? They come to our town to defend those bigots! If they truly cared for us, they would be out there killing those bastards!"
"I said enough!" Durek yelled. "You are way out of line!"
"But-"
"I don't want to hear it. You'll only bring more shame onto our family." Riza's eyes filled with tears as she darted across the room and out the door. Durek sighed. "I'm sorry. It's been hard for her here. Since I hurt myself during that mission, money has been tight. She blames the MakiaVi for my accident. I was young and stupid. If I had been more careful, things would be better."
***
Riza sat on top of the barn and hugged her knees to her chest. The moon was her only light as she surveyed her family's farm. "I'm going to be stuck here forever." she whispered to herself.
"You don't have to be." Bellatrix responded. Riza jumped, having not noticed her presence until then. "Mind if I sit?" Riza left her in silence. "Look. I'm not stupid. I know who you are."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Riza mumbled.
Bellatrix smiled. "You have a lot of skill. We could probably use you in the MakiaVi."
"I would never work for them! My father almost died fighting their battles. I'll have no part of it!"
"He did that to protect not only you but the thousands of others that weren't lucky enough to be born on this side of the country. You can protect them too."
Riza looked up to see a faint orange glow in the distance. As it grew closer, they could see it was an angry mob. It was made of the members of the anti-dragon rally carrying weapons and torches. "Oh no. We have to warn the others." They rushed back to the house. Dinner was just being cleaned up when they arrived. "Those protesters are coming to the house!" Riza yelled.
Durek gritted his teeth. "Those bastards. Looks like they weren't all talk."
"We need to take them on!" Riza screamed. "If we don't, they'll burn the house down!"
"No. You stay here with your mother." Durek commanded. He looked at the team. "Let them take care of this. They are trained for this."
"I refuse to put my life in another person's hands." She yelled. "If anyone is going to protect my family, it's going to be me!" Riza rushed out of the house and team a followed her out. She picked up her scythe off the porch and prepared to fight. The rest of them readied their weapons as well.
The leader of the mob greeted them. "We have had enough of you monsters roaming around in our lands!" he yelled.
Edion scoffed. "You come here starting trouble and we're the monsters?"
"You started it when you killed our leader!" Riza's eyes widened.
"That wasn't us." Zan said. "We came here to catch the killer."
"Yeah right." He snarled. "I bet you are just here to check your assassin's progress. Kill them all and burn the place to the ground." The mob rushed the house. Edion put his hands together and shot an ice blast to freeze three of the attackers. He quickly shattered them with a barrage of punches. With a few swipes of his scimitar, Zan shot fire at two of them as they collapsed to the ground. Bellatrix quickly darted past a group of them and left a trail of sparks behind her. They all fell in unison as she sheathed her sword.
Riza battled with the leader of the group. They traded a few glancing blows. Both showed a tremendous amount of dexterity as the dodged each other's attacks. They locked their weapons and stood face to face as they pushed against each other. "I can't wait to put all your heads over my fireplace." The leader threatened.
"Go ahead and try it you son of a bitch!" Riza growled. She took a deep breath and exhaled a purple smoke into her opponent's face. He stepped back, coughing violently. The leader stumbled a bit as he struggled to even stand.
"What the hell did you do to me?" He wheezed.
Riza grinned. "That's my paralysis poison. Pretty soon you won't be able to so much as blink your eyes. You'll be dead long before then though."
"You think this is over?" He grunted. "One day, the dragon slayers will take over this land. Not even your precious MakiaVi will be able to stand to them." Her opponent fell to his knees and could barely raise his weapon.
Riza held the blade of her scythe to the back of his neck. "I look forward to it." She whispered as she pulled her scythe towards herself and cut off his head. Coated in blood, she glared at the rest of the protestors. "Who's next?" The rest of the attackers looked in horror and began to run away. As they retreated, random insults could be heard coming from the group. "Yeah! Come back here again and it'll be your head!" Riza yelled triumphantly.
Edion walked up to Riza. "You did great out there." he said. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
Riza chuckled nervously. "My father taught me. We should check up on them by the way." They went back into the farmhouse to check on Seline and Durek.
When Riza walked through the door, her mother hugged her tightly. "We saw the whole thing. I'm so glad you are ok. Such a strong fighter, just like your father. I'm so proud of you!"
Durek put a hand on Riza's head. "So am I. I know you are not a fan of the MakiaVi but I want you to reconsider joining. You have a lot of talent and there are a lot of dragons out there that could use your help." Riza broke free from her mother's grasp.
Riza sighed. "I can't. Even if I wanted to, they would never allow me to join."
Seline had a worried look in her eyes. "What do you mean?" Riza looked away from her mother. "Riza. What have you done?" She left her mother in silence.
Bellatrix sighed. "She's the one we have been looking for."
"What are you talking about?" Durek asked.
"Your daughter is the reaper."
Seline's face twisted in anger. "How dare you accuse my daughter! You're just looking for someone to blame for the case you can't solve."
"Where is this coming from Bellatrix?" Edion asked. "Sure she has skill with a scythe but tons of people do."
Bellatrix pointed to Riza's leg. "Would you care to show your parents the "cut" on your leg." Riza hesitated for a moment. She sighed as she knelt down to undo her bandages. It revealed a harsh burn wound in the shape of a lightning strike.
Seline gasped. "By the gods, where did you get that from?"
Bellatrix explained. "I struck the reaper earlier today in the exact same spot. Riza has to be the reaper. There is no other way she could get wound like that."
Seline looked to her daughter. "Is this true?" Riza nodded silently. Seline's eyes began to fill with tears. "Why Riza?" she asked. "Why would you do this?"
"Someone had to do it!" Riza yelled. "Those bastards have harassed us for way too long!" The energy left her voice as she began to sob. "I just couldn't sit there anymore. I had to do something."
Bellatrix put a hand on her shoulder. "You should join us then. If you truly want to bring peace, come and help us save the millions of others trapped in the west. I doubt Elise would want your skills to go to waste."
Riza wiped her eyes. "Are you sure they would take me?"
Bellatrix smiled. "We are always looking for new allies."
Riza looked over to her parents. "Is this alright with you two?"
Seline smiled. "Of course. Just please be careful."
Durek laughed. "Yeah! You don't want to end up like me!"
They all shared a laugh as Riza gave her parents a hug. "I will be sure to send the money I make to help with the farm."
"Alright! Everyone get some rest." Bellatrix shouted. We leave bright and early tomorrow morning."