Talos and Cyrus

Chapter 6 - The Unlikeliest Pair

There was no telling why the two, a man and a dragon, set off together at noon. It was absurd to think they could be partners, preposterous to assume that the pair could even be friends. Yet, they took care to stray off of the dirt road to avoid being seen by travelers. Talos and Cyrus walked side by side, Flossie keeping behind Cyrus out of fear of the newcomer. They journeyed on for a few more leagues before taking refuge in a tiny cluster of trees a good distance from the road. There, Cyrus started a fire and began to roast his potatoes over the flame. Talos settled down on the other side of the fire, letting out a mighty sigh as he rested his head on the grass. It was quiet.

"Why did you leave Drak?" Cyrus asked the dragon after a while, spinning his potatoes around on a thin stick. Talos huffed.

"I already told you. I did not agree with the king; I did not like his barbaric ways."

Cyrus pursed his lips.

"What's your king's name, then?" he queried, frowning at a slightly burnt potato. Talos was silent for several seconds, his large eyes restless. The dragon lifted his head from the ground and shook it almost vigorously, the large horns protruding from it creating long shadows. Cyrus waited intently, accidentally setting fire to his burnt potato. Then, a noise came from Talos that sounded as if he were clearing his throat. It made Flossie jump.

"His name is Minos." the dragon said at last, his deep voice quiet.

Cyrus' mouth fell open.

"The Deplorable?" he breathed, his eyes wide. Talos snorted.

"Is there another Minos you know of?" he growled irritably. Cyrus hardly noticed his vexation. He shifted where he sat, too many questions to sort out building up in his mind. Soon enough, they all came exploding out like a flock of startled birds.

"Is it true his wings are slashed? Is his hide really as white as bone? Wait, I thought he died from his wounds? How is he still alive? Have you ever spoken to him? Is he really as cruel as the legends say he is? What is-"

Talos snarled loudly. Cyrus' mouth snapped shut. The yellow dragon's eyes bore into his; they looked almost fearful.

"Minos is alive and well, too well," he rumbled. "He's grown malicious, slaying any who defy him. He's bloodthirsty, Cyrus, and I'm afraid that is another reason as to why I'm here."

"What do you mean?" Cyrus said. Again, Talos sat silently, as if searching for the right words. He sat for a long time and soon, Cyrus began to grow impatient. Before he could open his mouth, however, the dragon spoke once more.

"Minos wants to claim Crasmere as his own. He plans to take vengeance on Men for crippling him and taking the lives of so many of his kin. His daughter, Lethe, was struck down during the war, and he never recovered from the grief that had overtaken him. He's gone mad, or madder than he was five hundred years ago. I left to warn your king, King Willard I believe, of the impending war Minos plans to wage."

Silence. Cyrus stared at Talos, absolutely dumbfounded. Words escaped his tongue and his eyes grew dry when he had forgotten to blink. It wasn't until he finally regained himself that Cyrus spoke. His voice was hushed.

"Minos is alive." he began.

"Yes." Talos replied.

"And he plans on avenging the deaths of the dragons killed five hundred years ago."

"And for his slashed wings and lost daughter but, yes."

"So, he wants to declare war upon Crasmere?"

"Yes."

"That means the dragons are returning?"

"Unfortunately, yes."