Three Turns Champion Read online

  Nodding, I recalled. “And you were already on your way to learning magic, so it was simpler.”

  My Seerxi shook her head. “I had a target planted on my head.”

  Having lost my appetite for my quickly made soup, I pushed it away. “What did he do to you?”

  Pain rippled in her expression as she unconsciously hugged herself. I guessed silently. Abruptly, she stood, turning away. “I’m going to change downstairs.”

  Before she could go, I called out. “Then how can you even let me in your house?”

  Reepida paused, before looking over her shoulder, her crimson eyes sparkling unnaturally. “You’re a dragon from the north, right? One day, you’ll slip back into that mecha dragon and fly away. And I’ll never see you again.”

  Chapter 8: Flesh or Metal?

  By dark I cleaned up and was sitting before my prompted up mecha form, staring into my mechanical eyes. I would return, no matter what. Leave this body. What did breathing matter when my heart wouldn’t beat? I placed my hand on the body. God, let me be this ugly beast. You’ve given me everything I asked for. I’ll try very hard not to ask for anything else. Just let me into this form. I became a man on accident, didn’t I? Let me be a dragon! Numbness crawled up through my legs.

  I was sure dawn light was warmly spraying over me, but I didn’t open my eyes. I had to be a mecha dragon. I had to leave. Remember, LoiTar, remember. Every fiber had been wire. I was first a flesh dragon, my soul was that. Then I was mecha dragon. I had had a soul of a mecha and dragon. I would have that part of my soul back. I was hard, impenetrable metal. My heart would hurt in this form. I wouldn’t have a heart as a mecha.

  My legs, they were light as air. The mecha beast stood. My neck was long, clinking chain mail. My mecha head lifted. My sight was a screen, interpreting data. My Seerxi crossed into the gamut of my screen. I looked down at my Lauphai body, which sat cross-legged, hands together on my lap. Reepida had reached me, shaking my body. My hearing, what did everything sound like from this body?

  Then I could hear what she said, like a whisper in the back of my mind. “LoiTar, don’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Don’t leave me.”

  I tried to answer. I have to do this, my Seerxi. It hurts too much to be Lauphai, to be human. I have to take what’s left of me to the mountains and disappear. That would be better, wouldn’t it?

  She didn’t hear me. “Please, don’t leave. You aren’t Lauphai to me now, your LoiTar. I love you because of it. Because not matter what, you never change. You’re not a mecha some Seerxi made. You’re not Lauphai. You’re a dragon from the far north. You’re LoiTar. You’re my champion.”

  I held my breath. My champion? As she is my Seerxi, am I her champion? That’s right. I was a dragon. Not any dragon, the dragon of the north, and I would not give up. On anything. I clenched my fist. I was human again. Catching my breath, I opened my eyes, glancing at Reepida.

  I cracked a smile. “Your champion?”

  She returned the grin, wrapping her arms around my neck. “And don’t you forget it.”

  Chapter 9: Last Feast of the Summer

  I tightened the ceremonial belt around me. I had learned to control my mecha body with ease and we were leaving later to the Feast. It would be the first feast I was actually attending as a man. Luckily, it wasn’t my first time in town. A time before I could move my mecha body, we ran out of food and had to make an expedient trip to town. Then and now I wore goggles that were tinted on the outside but were clear on the inside to hide my violet eyes. After all, they didn’t allow Lauphai to cross into the desert and we didn't want to scare anyone.

  I found a new difference in this human body as Reepida met me in the barn. As a mecha dragon, her feast raiment just seemed a hindrance. As a man, I made different observations. She had unclasped her hair and let it hang loosely around her shoulders. She strapped her goggles on her forehead for the ride. Her new outfit was a loose crimson dress with gold details. Were she red-haired, I would have thought she was a beautiful Rykrinan. How come I notice it before?

  Ignoring my long stare, she passed me. She spoke up. “I made a few differences in your mecha body. See, here’s a seat in the chest, so you don’t fall out. I’ll be here, imbedded in your back, out of the wind. Like it?”

  I nodded numbly, still thinking about how different she seemed now. I couldn’t understand it. How could I not been attracted to her before? She grabbed my arm and pulled me to my seat in the dragon and I shook off the haze. Closing my eyes, I shut the door over me and curled my tail around Reepida, lifting her into my back. Picking the bar up, I started off, flying to the town.

  Soon enough, we were in town, unpacking. People still stopped and awed at me, but more with admiration than shock as I weaved my mecha body through the crowds. I received warm gasps of surprise when I shut off and stepped out on our scaffold. The crowds clapped eagerly. The same elder came to visit Reepida, bringing the questions asked by the crowds to her. “Who is this young man? You never told us.”

  My Seerxi glanced back at me. I came over, shrugging. “I’m a friend from Seerxi. She wrote me that she wanted a friend, so I came over.”

  Reepida’s face softened to a smile, looking over at me. She reinforced my spun tale. “Yes, you did say I should have someone to be with me, Elder.”

  The elder nodded wisely, pleased. “I’m glad to hear it young lady. Ah, I forgot, three young Rykrinans from the temple wanted to see your mecha, but they were such shy little things. Here they are, come on children, don’t be afraid. This is Reepida, and her friend, what’s your name, young man?”

  I grinned. “Actually, I share the dragon’s name, LoiTar.” The children peered up at me as though I was an ancient cedar tree too tall to climb. I suppose I was, but I knelt down, querying. I suppose I had a soft spot for hatchlings even as the fierce dragon I once was. “Want to ride him?”

  Reepida glared at me. “Fly slowly.”

  I winked at her and the children cheered. “Stay right there.”

  I sat into my seat, closing the door. In a moment, I had three little Rykrinans soaring through the air, carefully keeping an eye on them. They whooped and screamed, and I think one ate a bug. I flew them around the town back down to the edge of the town and walked in, letting them stand and brag to the people below. Other children clamored at my feet for a turn.

  Chapter 10: Conversation

  Around midnight I stopped giving rides so the parents and temple priests could take their children home to rest. Several priests stayed around to chat with me. One, a young man, was eager to know how I rode the dragon. He remarked. “I would have sworn it was magic, I was a magic-seeker in the Land War. I could find a magic using Lauphai within twenty miles. But this feels like something else.”

  The other priest, a much older man nodded. “And I remember mecha dragons had souls attached to them. At first, I was skeptical of you, young man. But it didn’t seem like you were Lauphai, after all, Lauphai despise children. There was a chance you were a Berserker, but you lack any magical strength for that.” He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “The Seerxi may not be able to tell your body is Lauphai, but Rykrinans have a much stronger sense of it.”

  I glanced over at him nervously. The younger priest was nodding in understanding. I queried. “Did you turn me in?”

  The older shook his head. “No need for that, we were just wondering if you would tell us yourself. After all, if you aren’t a magic practitioner, no Rykrinan should have a problem. I would rather encourage and guide a Lauphai rather than scare you into magic.”

  The younger joined in. “In the war, I once caught myself causing Lauphai to use magic, rather than not; I’ll never forgive myself because of it. If the Lauphai could stop using magic, then would there never be wars as devastating as the Land War again.”

  The older finished. “Besides, around here, one can’t be too afraid or superstitious as in the north. You are welcome to visit our temple in town if you like. There’s a lot
to be learned from one another.”

  I queried. “Learned?”

  The younger chimed in, putting an arm over my shoulder. “Rykrinans have a fit when there is a couple staying under the same roof that isn’t married. Call us traditional.”

  I raised my brows. “What does married mean?”

  The older smiled. “Now that sounds Lauphai. Ask the lovely Reepida some time. I have a question, who are you exactly?”

  Grinning, I saw Reepida wave me over, and answered as I left. “A dragon.”

  Chapter 11: What Not to Ask

  The flight back was arduous, leaving no energy for questions. With our new supply of food stacked away, we headed off for bed. Lying on the haystacks in the barn, I studied the roof in exhaustion. The conversation with the Rykrinans played repeatedly in my head. I was surprised with their reactions; in fact, I’ve never been more surprised in my life. After all, this was my first real conversation with other men.

  Rykrinans. Quite something. Now I feel a little bad for eating them as a dragon. I could have learned a lot if I had stopped to have a conversation before eating them. But then again, I suppose I had a mind of a dragon. And I suppose dragons were the only non-religious speaking animal there was, and the main topic for Rykrinans was religion. I closed my eyes, letting the world fade from my mind.

  My dreams only brought about fear, anger, and dissonance. I was a dragon again, gliding low to the ground when lightning coursed through me. It wasn’t powerful enough to kill me, but I was stunned, landing gently. The lightning hurt badly, so I curled up to heal.

  The next thing I knew, I was in a white room, facing hundreds of clockwork-faced Seerxi who had chained me down. I want to be free, so I pull with all my might. In the distance, I think I hear another dragon cry and I yank harder. The final time rips the chains from the ground, and I see a smile creak across a Seerxi’s face. I was strong enough for him. That’s when the burning starts. I burn hotter than the summer sun.

  A yank on my shoulder woke me from the nightmare, leaving me sweaty and panting. I swallow nervously. The morning light brightened Reepida’s face and I sighed with relief. Shaking her head, my Seerxi sat next to me. “You usually jog before sunrise, but I didn’t see you out there and…I don’t know. I just…”

  I sat up next to her, grinning. “Are you worried I’ll fly away?”

  Pushing me away lightheartedly, she bit her lip. “I knew you wouldn’t.” More serious, she queried. “Are you all right? You were thrashing about.”

  I shrugged. “I just slept too long. That’s all. Ready to start up the forge?"

  She nodded, keeping a concerned eye on me as we made our way to the ever-burning kilns. After stocking them, we went about our daily chores quietly, until I spoke up, clashing as Reepida started speaking up at the same time.

  Clearing my voice, I offered. "You go ahead first."

  While checking all the iron molds, she queried. "What did the Rykrinans talk to you about?"

  I shrugged, checking the gears in the Seerxi hammer-arm, a device Reepida used for maximum hammering strength. "Nothing much, except they know that I'm Lauphai."

  My Seerxi spun around. "Why didn't you tell me that last night?! How did they find out?"

  Remaining passive, I kept from smiling wider, entertained by her reaction. "They said that Rykrinans are better at detecting even small levels of magic."

  Worry spread over her face. "What are we going to do?"

  I shook my head. "They said they wouldn't turn me over to the authorities since I'm not a magic practitioner. They also said something, and when I asked them something they said I should ask you."

  She seemed to have calm down. "What is it?"

  Replacing a gear, I looked over my work proudly; I was getting more skilled with Seerxi designs. "What's married? They were saying it was unsettling about us living together while we were not 'married'."

  Reepida suddenly became agitated. "Why does everyone have to bring up marriage?! For the last time I'm not getting married ever!"

  Chapter 12: A Choice I Can Make

  I didn't ask her again, and reserved further questions for the Rykrinans. After careful planning, I made a trip to the temples with staffs and urns in tow. Reepida didn't join me this time, busing herself with oiling the gears in her hammer-arm.

  In a short time, I was spiraling over the temples. The children spotted me faster than prey and made a fuss twice as loud. Upon landing, tiny humans gathered around me. The head priest shoveled through to greet me. "You are quite something, young man. Ah, you needn't wear those spectacles here."

  I spoke quietly. "But I'm....Lauphai."

  The children joined our conversation with an argument. The children from the feast argued. "You're not Lauphai, your Rykrinan." They turned to the head priest, trying to convince him. "He's not Lauphai, he's Rykrinan. Master, he's Rykrinan like us."

  I glanced, puzzled. The head priest sighed. "We were just having a history lesson about how Rykrinans came from somewhere far away and were forced to land here, in Llenova. Even young Rykrinans can sense the difference in Lauphai ranks. You’re far below, so your magic content is too slight for us to consider a danger around here. Besides that, the children love you. Were we northern Rykrinans, it would be different."

  The younger priest from the feast came over. He spoke urgently. "I went to bring Sir Benjamin and his disciples some tea, but when I returned, all three of them were gone without a trace."

  I queried. "Who is Sir Benjamin?"

  The head priest answered, smiling, unconcerned with his vanishing guests. "In the Rykrinan temples, there are two individuals that have stood out in our two hundred and eighty years here. The first is An Ren, who brought life back to our scriptures. The second is her grandson, Benjamin, who is both a prophet and a priest with unimaginable powers. He is behind every victory in Rykrina's recent history."

  Curious, I asked. "What did he want with us in the middle of nowhere? I mean, doesn't he have more important things to tend to?"

  The grin returned to the head priest's face. "Actually, he came about a vision about you. He comes to warn you to "never take the life of a Rykrinan, or it will doom you. Save a life and you will be protected." Sir Benjamin seemed very concerned. Ah, I would like to warn you as well, there are rumors in the north that the Seerxi picked up their Mecha Dragon Project, and soldiers may even be on their way there to check."

  I nodded. "I will be careful. But first, why I came here. I asked Reepida and she was angry. What exactly is marriage?"

  The priest scratched his chin, glancing down at the children. "A better talk for the inside. And I have a suggestion after." Once inside and alone, the elder priest began again. "Rykrinans define marriage as a union between one man and one woman before all peoples and righteous before God. We see it as beyond important for couples who live together."

  I sighed. "But if everyone already knows, we are already married, right?"

  The priest shook his head. "No, it's a ceremony that binds you together. It means you should love one another. Reepida has a difficult time because she feels uncomfortable with a man courting her, especially after the Lauphai attacked her. Besides that, her Seerxi upbringing dulls the meaning of marriage. Seerxi seldom marry for love. Rather, they marry for convenience, and this marriage would be inconvenient."

  Folding my arms over my chest, I questioned. "Do Lauphai marry?"

  Taking a sip of his tea, the priest replied. "They have no such word. That's their problem. Their lack of marriage constantly shrinks the number of children, which makes their child sacrifices very scarce, which lessens their powers. That's why a number of Rykrinan and Umbran children disappeared in the war."

  My face paled. Child sacrifices? I heard of dragons eating their hatchlings or the hatchlings of others, but that was only out cruel necessities, never ceremonial reasons.

  The priest consented. "Why do you think we hate magic? Because it screams of the blood of innocents. However, people seldom
talk about it and thus they seldom know about it. May I ask you something?"

  Still stunned, I nodded my consent.

  He continued. "I was wondering if you would like to be initiated officially as a Rykrinan."

  I blinked. "You can do that?"

  He grinned at my continual shock. "Yes. Actually, after the war, even the King of Umbra converted to the Rykrinan faith. And the King of Dragons, you may be familiar with, also initiated into the faith. If you like you can be admitted to both the faith and the people."

  Combing through my ashen hair, I grinned. "In that case, if I could, I want to be Rykrinan. Do I need to do anything?"

  The elder priest seemed pleased. "Just come to the temple before the feast to the temples for a few weeks, and we will prepare you."

  This was what I needed; an official way to renounce this Lauphai body but embrace being human.

  Chapter 13: My First Victory

  I sighed, dusting off my mecha dragon on my return from the temple. I felt proud of myself. I visited the temple so often now I knew all the priests and children by name. And on every return, I learned something new about the world of humans, and more importantly about marriage. Although my initiation ceremony was still weeks away, most people knew me as a Rykrinan man.

  The only one who did not understand my change was Reepida. She couldn’t seem to understand why I visited the temple on days I didn’t need to. The leaders just told me to explain to her the reason when I felt it was the right time. They however, didn’t not explain in detail when this “right time” actually happened, so I normally avoided the topic altogether.

  Today, Reepida grumbled at my arrival. “We have a customer coming in a few hours for the digger, so change back to work clothes.”

  I teased, her, winking. “Now or after you leave?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Have you learned nothing from the Rykrinans? Really, I don’t understand why you spend so much time at the temple. It’s not like I dislike Rykrinans, but there’s only so much religion one can take in life.”