Mated to the Dragon

Chapter 16

Razl's eyes opened to the blistering sun's pounding. The thorns went through his cheek, pulling as he raised then jerked to his feet in fit and rage only to fall into bedded thorns from his forgotten wounds and unbalanced lunge.

Spent and splined with a burning pain in his shoulder.

His left arm limp, unusable. Drenched in blood and his shoulder open and exposed as the metal shredded inward. Laying in sharp pricks that drove through the flesh's layers and bit in various areas pressed into the earth and skin.

Laying he looked into the beyond just passed the thorns glimmered the sparkles of the valley of ice. A moments gaze refueled the desire to continue. Courage built itself up like a ball of energy that propelled Razl to his feet. One handed unbuckling of his armor in a stammer. Falling to padded thorned vines his heavy metal, body shield, shed.

A short whistle brought a Horse Ghost blood white snaked up to Razl in ready to disperse side steps. Razl mounted the Steed and saw above the thicket and briars, the valley of ice.

The blistering sun burned his now half bare flesh and wound. The White horse stepped cautiously from the forest of thorns. Into the slight grade of sheer glass. Desert ice. The mirage of mystique frozen water a deadly trail of slick mingle razor edge glass field. Baked sand for neon's growing a deadly lake of slicing doom.

Horse the color of a red rimmed cloud glided and stepped nervously across the slick trail. Each step a well balanced move. Razl slouched in his sitting, wishing for victory while staring at defeat. The distance between the leader and Razl was growing. The leader not caring his horses fate, lashing for expedence. Thrashing for faster darts across the flat surface areas.

The inevitable in haste is a waste. The Horse of the leader faltered. The crash into the glass surfaced flooring shattered in a ringing sound of breakage. The slice across horse flesh was devastating while the villain rode on the horses side like a sleigh till its downward slide came to a deadly end for the horse. The man darted across the glass a foot with out missing a beat.

The glass raised higher and higher to an almost climb. Each step Ghost horse took brought them closer to the incline. The Horse stopped and gazed back at Razl with questioning eyes. Razl's pains were entrancing with the blistering suns reflective glare beating the life out of him.

The horse turned and wheeled around and started back out of the Valley. Razl came to life and tried to turn the Ghost horse back towards his quest. Ghost horse went another way across the glass slicing heels and under hoof. Jumping in spurts to disobey the rider and making for higher ground. Stammering footing and lunging with out steering. pulled back taught on reigns. Ghost horse scaled the glass incline with a route of several short leaps and over the edge into the bright blue burning sky.

Encircled by the glass valley was the Tower. Stoned oval lighthouse shaped structure of rock. The summit was larger and obviously roomed, housing the purse. The unknown item that was the only thing needed to claim the land by marrying the princess.

"You wish to marry me?" Salandra blurted.

"Yes, I am asking so that I may lay with you in passions embrace unified by the gods grace in matrimony. Is this not your custom?" Razl pleaded.

"Well, yes only here, my father must make a challenge if someone wishes my hand and my life to share. The man I marry will rule the kingdom. It's the curse of having no son my father says," Salandra sighed. "But to prove one's worth to the land and kingdom and be my husband, the new heir to the throne, you must meet the Challenge.

"I will meet this Valentine's Day Challenge," Razl blurted with pride.

"You don't understand," Salandra cried. Pressing herself into Razl as if sensing he could and may run home hither if a hint of the dangers that lie in the challenge for her love. "The race is hard enough ... but the villains sole purpose is to ensure there are no victors."

Ghost horse stood in red pooled stillness for his job was done. There was the tower and there was Villain. Waiting, swinging his sword in playful song and rhyme. Guarding the Tower with fresh and renewed breath. Waiting for a response, will Razl endanger his soul with one arm and bleeding from his skull.

Razl slid from the Ghost Horse leaning into the horses shade for a moment’s peace from the constant grip of the Sun's existence. Stepping towards the guardian of the tower with slow uncertain steps. Then Razl stopped turned and looked at Ghost Horse slowly in follow.

"You remember when Father had you sweep the sheep?" Razl smiled as if victory knocked on his door. Gripping his sword tightly he spun toward Villain. Raised his arms and shouted a rebel yell, charging the guardian of the Tower.

"Sweep the sheep," Razl yelled and the Ghost horse charged at Villain. Bolting around Razl and lunging driving pressing Villain backward. Swinging his sword as Ghost horse reared in a front leg folly. Razl darted to the climbing bricks. Grasping with short jabs from one handed holds to wounded arm assists. Ascending the outer tower toward the shroomed dome.

Ghost horse finally wheeled and bolted away. Villain regained his pride and drive and went to the climbing bricks. Sheathed his sword and began upward after Razl. Razl quickened his pace, but the two handed climber gained altitude fast.

On Razl's heels grasping for a firm grip and pull. Razl kicked at the annoying taunts at his ankles. Driving his foot into knuckles and wrists. Razl's fingers slid and gravity's grip dropped him straight down. The land on solid body stopped Razl long enough to grasp a good hold but the impact jarred Villain to a free fall to a painful landing. Twisted and moaning, laying sprawled and slowly curling inward.

Razl regained his balance and hold. Sure footed pulls brought him closer to the top. Each inch assured him of his victorious quest. The top opened up to a terrace of stone which aided in Razl's grasp to pull himself to the safety of the towers paramount cap.

A solid wood door slatted a sliding board. Removed and opened. A small room housed a stand with a box atop. Crafted with hand carved swirls and golden hinged latched. Razl took the box in hand and slid the latch and raised the lid. A shine and sparkled flashed from a diamond ring. The stone was glorious and bright, entrancing.