Wind Whisperer

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So, after… Years, I guess? I decided to write a short story in my non-native language. It took a lot of time – I’m working and I have some life duties, so I only have a time to write late in the evening or in the night, And second… My English grammar is hardly bad, so putting all those sentences in a right wat was a big challenge for me. Hopefully it’ll be at least readable for you.

This short is placed in a fantasy realms, featuring Calea as a place of action, and a Corus Tenebrae, my old sona, as the main character.

Enjoy!

Music inspiration – Two Steps From Hell Discography & Olafur Arnalds tracks

C’mon lady… There’s no need to be shy! I’m… I’m a really gently male, I swear to mah… my father’s name. I’ll give you a pleasure that… Mmmh, that you could only dream about… All I need is jussssst a small kiss, nothing more… And my dear friends would be pleased by it too…

-How many times I need to say „no”, before you’ll finally understand? – The red vixen pushed off paw from her shoulder, baring her fangs. – You’re drunk, smelling like distillery and pigsty putted together, and you’ve already gave your sweet talk to every female inside this tavern. You’re the last male that I would like to spend a night with!

Two of three male reptiles, which were standing next to her, laughed loudly. The third of them grunted silently, but there was no way he’ll give up, giving those two a reason to making fun of him.

-Now now, there’s no need to be so rude… – Green dragon muttered, giving a short gaze with his yellow eyes on her muzzle, before lowering them on her breasts, hidden under black, simple dress. – I may drunk a lil to much, I agree… Mhhhh, but that doesn’t mean my moves are out of control… And believe me – I’m both gentleman and beasts, when it comes to the bed things… -his long fingers and claws delved into vixen’s long, brown hairs, suddenly pulling them firmly.

Female Anthren screamed with pain, trying to free her hairs from the dragon’s grip. – You drunken bastard! When I’ll free myself…! – She looked around, searching for other guests help, but none was currently paying attention on her or the dragon. Were they too busy with their own things… Or intentionally ignoring this situation, avoiding of getting involved?

-Then you’ll kill me? – scaled male grinned and laughed. His two friends followed his laugh obediently – You really sounds promising! I love when girl are rough in the bed. Now, let’s take you up to the bedroom and…

Suddenly someone fell on dragon’s back, almost knocking him over. Letting out vixen’s hair and swearing loudly, he turn around to check out who was stupid enough to interrupt him. The red vixen, using a moment of his distraction, quickly withdraw back, resting on the inn’s wall and watching the situation from the proper distance.

The brown wolf, covered with black, worn-out coat, partly wet cause of spilled beer that he was carrying in the mug, was massaging his back. His black mane, covered with few small white fur’s strands, was telling that the canine in front of dragon wasn’t a young one. Wolf’s left cheek was marked with a fur-less, weird blue mark in a shape of lightning. „Old piece of crap„, thought the scaled Anthren. „Why he’s bringing his malfunctioning body here, instead of sitting inside his house and smoking pipe?”

-What the hell, old man?! – dragon shouted loudly, exposing his teeth with anger. Heads of other tavern’s visitors suddenly turned to them, watching two Anthrens with curiosity. – Look what you’ve done! Because of your clumsiness my today’s date got scared and she walked away… And you’ve spilled the best Auria’s beer. That’s a double waste!

-I’m so sorry! – wolf said with embarrassment. – I was just walking to my table and I’ve tripped over someone’s leg. It was not intentional, I can assure you…

-I don’t give a deamn about your assuring! – green reptilian pushed older Anthren on his chest, almost making him fall on the floor. – She won’t be back because you apologized!

-Calm down man – one of his friends grabbed his arm firmly and pulled dragon back. – He’s just an old fart, you can’t blame him for that. Besides, beating him would be quite a big dishonor…

The dragon snorted, calming himself a little. He reluctantly agreed with those arguments. Besides, the night was long. The foxy girl wasn’t the only female around, he’ll surely have his time with another one…

-An old fart, eh? – Brown wolf corrected his coat’s collar, looking on the reptilian’s trio. His muzzle wasn’t expressing repentance or terror. He was calm, except the blue eyes – those were currently showing the cold anger. – And also – beating me would be great dishonor for you? Please… You really should’ve think twice before you’ll say anything to someone you don’t know.

Green dragon smirked.

-And why we even should, you old, domesticated dog? – he threw at old Anthren with contempt. – We’re Reapers from the main branch of Black King’s army, and we don’t honor age or wisdom. The only thing that truly counts is strength and will to spill the blood of your enemy!

Suddenly everyone inside the inn felt silence, looking on the three reptiles and the canine. The red vixen, still leaning against the wall, was staring on her „savior”, unable to say anything. „Just go away… I’m not worth that much”, she thought.

Wolf’s eyes widened lightly when he heard the „Reapers” word. Clenching his paw into the fist, he reached under the coat, placing his fingers on the sword’s hilt. The dragon companions noticed that and they reacted quickly, also reaching for swords, attached to their belts.

-The Reaper or not, there’s no explanation to your shameful behavior towards that beautiful lady you’ve hurt – brown canine growled silently. – You’ve acted like a small, spoiled brat… And that only deserves for punishment.

The dragon snorted, letting out a small cloud of smoke from his long, scaled muzzle… And then he grinned nasty.

-So you’re going to scold me, hm? And give me a lesson, so I’ll behave next time? – he laughed coldly. – Let’s go outside then, old man. I’ll gladly see how you’ll try.

The wolf nodded, and without word he turned around, going to the tavern’s doors, while the three reptiles followed him, talking to each other silently and laughing. Other visitor were stepping aside, whispering to each other. Most of them were talking about canine like he was already on his deathbed, giving him a really small chance to win against a powerful(and drunk) Reaper. The green dragon was well-knows to most of the guests… And they were aware that such a fight will be a show that it couldn’t be missed. When the four Anthrens walked outside, the most part of visitors suddenly jumped up from their chairs, running up to the windows and fighting with each other for better view. The braver one walked outside the tavern without hesitation, just for having a better look for the incoming fight.

Meanwhile, the wolf and dragon stopped on the middle of empty road next to the wooden building of the inn, facing each other in silence, filled with the unpleasant tension. The brown canine calmly took of his coat, placing it on the nearest tree. He was wearing a green, long sleeve shirt and brown pants with a leather belt, fastened with a decorative, silver, tree shaped buckle. His weapon, a long sword, was placed on his back, with blade hidden in brown, simple scabbard.

-There’s still time to throw away your blind pride and walk away, kiddo – he said with a faint smile, standing in front of the green dragon. His reptilian friends stood on the side, whispering silently to each other as they were throwing the wolf a furtive glances. – Just simply apologize to that vixen lady, and it’ll be all over – canine continued, looking into his opponent’s eyes. – There’s truly no need to spill blood just for few words…

-You won’t be the one who’ll decide about spilling the blood around – dragon replied, laughing silently. The expression of his muzzle was currently resembling a madman’s grimace. – You dared to got in my way… And now you’ll pay the price for it.

One of his companions gave dragon a weapon – two long, heavy swords, forged from the dark iron. He took them into his paws with ease, almost like a toys, crossing them in front of him. Drunken, 2.5 m high, young dragon with two weapons and without any limits, not to mention that he was one of a higher ranked Reapers, if his words from the tavern were true… Canine male reached behind his head and his fingers tightened on the sword’s hilt. This enemy won’t be easy to deal with.

Without any warning, the dragon attacked first, running with speed that wasn’t expected in relation with his body build, directly on the brown wolf, tilting his arms back to take a solid swing, directed into the enemy’s neck. He wasn’t wasting any time to play around – his intention was to simply kill the brown Anthren.

But when his attack reached the target, his both blades cut through the air – canine easily dodged them by squatting and jumping on the side. His sword was still hidden in its hilt. That furry bastard… Was he playing around?

In meanwhile, the brown wolf let out a silent sigh, standing up with his blue eyes focused on the enemy. Maybe that giant lizard was a strong one, and directly dealing with his cuts would be troublesome… But still, he was lacking out an attack’s speed, comparing to canine’s smaller and more agile body.

The dragon growled furiously, and flexing all his muscles he charged again on the canine, this time aiming for brown male’s chest. And again, canine dodged that one with ease, deftly jumping aside and pushing away reptilian’s arm his paw in purpose of making him loose his balance.

But this time Reaper was prepared. When canine dodged his attack again, trying to push him away, he cough back his balance quickly, and suddenly he turned around, aiming one of his swords directly for enemy’s ribs. With such a fast response, there was no way to avoid his blades this time. And they were demanding a blood’s flow, same as the dragon.

He was right. There was no time to dodge, and canine knew about it well. He drew his sword from its hilt in the instant, parrying Reaper’s attack. The loud clang of blade hitting against the blade filled the air. Power of impact raised the dust from the road where both Anthrens were fighting. A few loud gasps escaped from the watcher’s muzzles.

-Did he killed him? – small female ferret asked excitedly, trying to jump on the black hawk’s back for better view on battle scene.

-I don’t know… Just shut up already and watch! – hawk replied with frustration, helping the ferret to climb on his arm.

In the same time brown wolf smiled lightly, pushing his katana’s blade against the dragon’s claymore. For the viewers it surely was looking like an easy one, but actually the canine was barely keeping his position. Years of his greatness have already passed away, and his body was also not so durable anymore. Also his enemy’s strength was far greater that he was previously assuming… Either his opponent had extensive experience in combat, or his muscles were driven by magic.

-So, where’s that scolding of yours, you old piece of shitty, stinking fur? – dragon sneered, adding more strength into the push. – Have you finally realized who are you dealing with? And that this fight is already lost for you?

-I think it’s far to early to say that, kiddo – brown canine laughed silently. Gathering all his strength, with the silent growl he pushed away the dragon’s blade with his katana. After that he suddenly crouched and quickly jumped behind the green dragon, swiftly cutting with his sharp sword the reptile’s calf, where his body was less covered with scales.

The Reaper hissed because of sudden source of pain, loosing his balance and kneeling on the injured leg.

– Why you filthy… – he growled, but his words were cut in the middle, while a cold steel touches his neck and the bottom of his cheek. Brown canine was standing behind him, with a calm muzzle’s expression and cold, blue eyes that they were observing the dragon. Both of his companions were impatiently moving in some distance, unsure if they should join the fight and help the injured Reaper.

-This is your last chance – wolf spoke, pushing the blade against Reaper’s neck, ignoring audience’s screams. „Finish that scaled bastard!”, yelled one. „He deserves the worst for what he have done to Auria’s residents!” – screamed another. Canine couldn’t blame them for such a harsh words – long years of Shadow Prince’s tyranny have left bloody marks on everyone’s hearts and souls. – Simply say that you’re sorry for what have you done to that lady, and you’ll walk away without any serious injury.

Green reptilian haven’t replied to him, muttering something silently. One of his paw clenched into a fist, hurting himself with a sharp claws. His blood started to drip on his knee, flowing down on the dried road. „He can’t stand this so much that he’s hurting himself?”, the canine thought, looking on him. He saw something like that some time ago, but he couldn’t draw out that memory from his head’s nooks. And then… It hit him.

„Black Ancient’s Speech, transformation spell… That bastard is changing himself into the feral form!”. Brown canine cursed silently, watching as dragon’s back suddenly started to grow, tearing his cloths to pieces. His arms and legs became more muscled in second, claws growing longer and sharper… Taking a quick swing, wolf tried to cut his head, but his blade only groaned painfully, bouncing off the already harder dragon’s neck. Well, at least it was worth giving a try…

-Grrhhhh… Rrrr… Ssssince you, and all that trash from thisss… Rrrrr!.. Sssshitty tavern is finding an enemy in me… – dragon muttered as his body kept swelling, already free from cloths. Falling on all fourth, he swished with his large, spiked tail in the air. Brown canine jumped away from him, watching as his enemy was gaining more and more of body size, rising his head higher with every few seconds. 3 meters height… 4… Almost five, and the green beast was still going. – Rrrrrhhhh… I’m going to burn a.. Grrrrr! All of you into the ashes! – Every new word that he spoke was hard to understand – it sounded more and more like deep growling and hissing

When the spell finally stopped, brown Anthren were looking on a 10 m (or even above) high green, feral dragon. His deep growling was shaking ground under canine’s feet. Long, spiked tail was swishing in the air, moving the treetops. Long muzzle, partly open, was presenting a sharp teeth with a length same as wolf’s whole arm. Clouds of dark smoke were bursting from his nostrils, showing that the dragon was ready to use his inner fire anytime. His red eyes, filled with nothing more than a wild bloodlust were focused on the wolf.

-So much for the intense, skilled swordsmanship… – Canine muttered, putting his sword back inside the hilt on his back, looking around. Most part of the watchers, scared with a Reaper’s transformation, backed up closer to the tavern, but they were still in danger – a lower, single tail swing, or breath of fire would easily wipe their lives. Their were safe since the large beast was focused on him… But how long he could withstand this enemy’s attacks? He wasn’t so durable as several years ago…

Oh sweet Ancient One… Here he comes!

Big, clawed paw lifted up, and then it aimed directly on the wolf, shredding the ground under it. Jumping backward, he barely escaped from being cut in half with those enormous claws, but he wasn’t fast enough. One of claws’s sharp tips teared through his leg’s fur and skin, leaving a deep cut on it. Brown canine growled as he felt on the road, pushing his paw against the wound that already started bleeding.

But there was no time for thinking about it. Dragon’s large tail swished closely to the ground, easily knocking down the trees on its way. The wolf didn’t have any chance to think about counterattack, or even building up a defense line. Before reptilian’s tail, as large as him, reached canine, he only managed to guard himself with sword, praying in his minds for that it won’t broke because of blow’s power, same as his bones.

For the second time the proper reaction saved his life. His katana guarded his body from the direct hit, but the power of impact threw him away on the ground again, painfully bruising his body and covering his fur and cloths with road’s dust. Standing up once again, he suddenly noticed that dragon’s attacks guided him almost in the tavern’s front… Which he really wanted to avoid. Visitors, gathered in the front doors and windows were looking with horror at him, and then on the large beast, unable to speak a word. Their eyes were begging… They wanted to live.

The green dragon laughed, making two large steps to get closer, imprinting his paws on the ground.

-You are just another trash, like all the others – loud, deep dragon’s voice was shaking the ground under canine, along with his bones inside the body. – And now you should share their fate.

The brown canine knew exactly what was coming. Feral Reaper opened his large muzzle, giving the crowd a good view on his throat that was quickly filling with a warm, orange light. There was no doubt about it – he was going to set everything in front of him on fire.

Anthrens inside the tavern started to scream in panic, knocking out the doors and breaking out the windows, trying to get outside. Canine knew that they won’t make it. Even if they would escape from fire, dragon’s claws and fangs would finish theirs life spans in the instant.

Wolf sighed silently with resignation, wrinkling his muzzle a little because of pain. His leg was bleeding slowly, flowing the red, warm liquid on the dried ground.

– That overgrown lizard… Making me to remember all of those… – he muttered. – I haven’t used it for over 10 years and I was truly happy without it. But it seems that your blood thirst leave me no choice, Reaper’s scum.

Brown canine took a deep breath, calming himself and closing his eyes for a second, he opened them again – they were glowing lightly. Rising katana straight in front of his muzzle with both paws clenched on its hilt, he whispered in Ancient’s Speech:

–Breath of The Wind – Tornado’s Heart.

The spell was cast in the same moment as dragon breathed a large stream of fire directly on the brown male. Suddenly a strong wind rose, lifting up the dust from the ground all around the tavern. When the fire collided with a still building windy dam, it was fighting with it for a few seconds… And then it followed with he wind’s direction, shaping a large, fire tornado with the wolf, running Anthrens and tavern safely remaining inside of it. Few of tavern’s visitors gasped loudly because of the spell’s power and the look of fire being forced to dance as the wind was guiding it.

Being aware of the risk of large conflagration outside the tornado, canine rose up one of his paw up, muttering quickly another spell. The windy vortex pulled away from the ground, taking a fire with it up in the air, far higher then tree’s tops were rising. Another paw gesture, and the fire’s circle teared apart… And disappeared.

-No… This is impossible! – Said the green dragon with his deep voice, taking a step back. – Line of Wind Whisperers ended almost 40 years ago. Our Dark Prince have put big effort in wiping their existence in Calea, killing everyone that they were showing even the slightest signs of being able to use that kind of magic… So how?

-He wasn’t looking good enough – canine replied with a light smile, slowly aiming sword’s blade at dragon. – He forgot about that one Whisperer he banished many years ago, being sure that he’s dead… Well, here I am, feeling more alive than even before, being more than happy to mess up with your Prince’s plans.

Reaper’s eyes widened.

-But.. But that means…. You’re… – he mumbled, apparently being in the large shock. – You’re the old Borea’s prince, Corus Te…

Brown wolf didn’t let the dragon finish the sentence, taking a pose for attack Lowering himself on his legs and moving the sword partly behind his back, canine locked his gaze directly on reptilian’s head. His blue marks on muzzle and left arm glowed as same as male’s eyes.

–Breath of The Wind – The North’s Blow – he cast a spell, making a fast katana’s swing from left side to the right. With a noticeable sound of a swish, sudden strong wind’s blow hit the trees in front of canine, reaching dragon’s chest and neck almost instantly – his big feral body was too slow to react and dodge the attack in time.

As the wind hit his scaled neck, feral Reaper opened his eyes widely.

–This can’t be… -he thought with the sudden flow of panic, clawing the ground under him. – I can’t be defeated like that by just a mere, old mage. I…

In the exact moment his head slipped off from his neck, falling on the ground along with tree’s tops around the beast. Dragon’s body started to swing sideways slowly… And then if felt down too with a loud rumble, shaking the ground and rising the large cloud of dust up in the air.

Two reptilian’s companions, that they were seeing all the fight from close, were standing in place for a moment, unable to move, or speak a word. When a blue, glowing canine’s eyes turned on them, they simply turned around and ran away into the forest’s road. without even turning their heads back. Canine watched them, fighting inside himself with a will of pursuit. In one paw, he doesn’t want to spread the news about him, but in other one he wanted the Shadow’s Prince to know that he’s back on Calea’s grounds… And he’ll fight.

-Well then… I guess that the lady will live somehow without your apologies – Corus said silently, hiding katana back inside its scabbard and sighing heavily, while the glow of his eyes and body markings faded away. He was suffering badly from blood loss through the leg’s cut and smaller injuries, actually barely keeping his current posture. His last serious fight with magic usage was taking place many years ago, so he have forgotten most of his battlefield’s senses. Also his current endurance was leaving much to be desired, specially while using even a small amount of magic.

-The Wind Whisperer… I’ll be deamned… – said someone behind his back. When the brown wolf turned around, he saw the tavern’s guests outside the building. Part of them were looking on the dragon’s body, and another were staring at him, both with the same disbelief muzzle’s expression. Some of them let out a loud „oooooh” when the Reaper’s body suddenly shrunk up to its previous size – a sing that his magic was no longer here.

-We’re owning you our lives – said a black falcon. – If his fire would reach us…

-That was just awesome! – screamed the young cheetah with excitation. – Can you learn me how to do that?

-T… Thank you for your h… help – the red vixen muttered silently, locking her eyes on her legs. – I… I don’t even know if I’ll be able to repay you it…

-That bastard finally got what he deserved – said the bartender without any hesitation, standing behind the wolf and firmly patting his arm. – He was continuously harassing my guests, placing his dirty paws on all those beautiful ladies without any consequences. Many of us were too scared to say anything, being afraid of that he’ll bring his friends to simply cut our and ours family’s throats. You’ve found enough courage to stand against him, but… You are aware about the consequences, aren’t you? They won’t stop until they’ll find you and kill you in the most brutal way…

Brown canine – Corus Tenebrae – rose up his paw, silencing the bartender.

-Let’s enjoy our small victory as for now, shall we? – Wolf replied silently with a light smile, turning himself to the tavern’s visitor. – So, who’s up to the free beer for the rest of the day?

Loud scream of approval were enough to make him laugh. While guests were walking back inside the building, he grimaced lightly.

-If I may… A piece of bed and clean bandages will be quite appreciated… It was a long day – he said, patting the bartender’s back with paw and walking inside the tavern with other Athrens.

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