The Bahawre Covenant: Legends of Aeo, #2

By Chris L. Meyers

Covenants are precarious. For every gain, there is a concession.

 

Book 2 in the Legends of Aeo fantasy series continues the story that started in The Bahawre Legend.

 

A change in power is merely a reminder to others that power can be changed. Will Geoffrey keep his throne? With one assassination attempt thwarted, his path forward appears dangerous.

 

Eyric's nightmares have returned. Will they affect the most important decision of her life? After watching new people react to the island, she realizes her home is even more mysterious than she believed. How much more mystery will accompany the covenant?

Boman's life has been flipped on its head and the island is sinking its claws into him. Will he find a way home or start a new life with the Bahawre heir?

 

Find out in the second installment of this gripping fantasy series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris L. Meyers
• Release date: Dec 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393935476

Chris L. Meyers

Chris L. Meyers is an author, short story writer and software developer. After a decade teaching secondary school and over 15 years writing software, he began writing fantasy stories. His journey into writing began when he complained about the excessive description in the fantasy book he was reading at the time. His wife told him to write his own, so he did. His first novel, The Bahawre Legend, was published in 2017 on CreateSpace and KDP. This was followed by The Bahawre Covenant in 2018. Expect two more books in this series. He published Distraction-Free Writing in early 2018, a result of a challenging time in his life where he learned a lot about minimizing distractions so he could get things done. Chris lives in the Kansas City area with his wife and kids where he works as a software developer and writes in his free time. Apart from software development and writing, he enjoys geekery, gardening, food and tinkering with things.

Book preview

PRONUNCIATIONS

Aeo – ee oh

Bahawre ‒ ba ha ree

Boman ‒ bo man (like a bowman)

Eyric ‒ eye rick

Onor ‒ oh nor

Tyriel ‒ tee ree el

Zille ‒ zeel (like zeal)

Putlag – put lag

Bad Returns

Eyric sat straight up in bed, fists clenched, sweating. The present world slowly came into focus — the bamboo side table, the dome leaf ceiling and a rack of clothes were familiar shadows of themselves in the moonlight coming through the open flap. She was safe in her hut.

She had no trouble remembering the dream. All the memories of her husband’s death came flooding back. It had taken two years for the recurring nightmare to stop. And now it had returned. How many years had passed since her last nightmare? 30? 35? And why would it start again? Why now?

The scream that had awakened her was not the fearful cry from years ago, but a furious rage. She had recognized the dream before it finished and forced her way out of it.

As she stood up and kicked her bed against the wall, she tried to gather her thoughts. No doubt half the village would have heard her scream. Only a moment before someone’s head would poke into her hut.

Eyric sighed. Now everyone would know her nightmares were back. Now everyone would discuss what it meant. She groaned and straightened her covers. No way to avoid it. She would simply try to speed up the process.

She ducked through the low doorway just in time to meet her mother. I’m fine. Just a nightmare.

Her mother’s face relaxed briefly before contorting in concern. Bodu?

She considered lying, but thought better of it. Her mother would needle it out of her either way. Yes. It’s nothing to worry about. Just go back to bed. I’ll be fine.

Of course, that explanation wouldn’t be good enough for the five people approaching her hut. Everyone needed to calm down and go back to bed. Eyric steeled herself, ready to resist all the inevitable needling.

No, she would not recount her dream. No, she did not want to talk about it. No, she did not know what it meant. Maybe it didn’t mean anything at all.

It’s okay, everyone. Eyric took a few steps past her mother. It was just a nightmare. I’m sorry I caused such an alarm.

Her great aunt, Elk, started nodding before Eyric finished talking. I expected this. I’ve seen how you ....

No, Aunt Elk, you haven’t seen anything. There’s nothing to see. I simply had a bad dream. It will be fine. Go back to bed.

Thankfully, Eyric’s great uncle was tired and took his wife by the arm.

Stop tugging on me, Elk snapped. I need to see if Eyric is really okay.

Not in the middle of the night you don’t. His gruff voice reinforced his words. Look. She’s fine. There will be plenty of gossip for you to enjoy tomorrow. Now come back to bed.

Flustered, Elk hesitated before following her husband. We’ll talk about this tomorrow, she called over her shoulder.

As the few remaining spectators returned to their huts, Eyric’s mother took her arm. "But we can talk about it tonight. It might help."

No, Mother. There’s really nothing to discuss. I’m fine.

Eyric ....

No. Eyric pulled her arm away. I’m going for a walk. Alone.

Without waiting for her mother’s response, she started up the volcano path. The muted colors of the shadowy jungle lining the rocky trail faded from her view as she let the nightmare replay.

Rain filtered through the jungle canopy in mixed-sized drops, thickening the night air. A fair distance up the path, but still within sight, Eyric saw her husband, Bodu, rushing to the aid of a young girl being abducted by two men clad in animal skins.

He brought his staff down sharply onto the head of the first man with a sickening crack. He turned to face the second, who swung his sword at him in a wide, clumsy arc. Bodu dodged effortlessly, then planted the end of his staff into the other man’s face.

Go! he instructed the girl, pointing down the path toward the village. After a short hesitation, she escaped just before two more men jumped out of the bushes. Snarling, they came at Bodu, each wielding a rusty sword.

Eyric saw a smirk form on Bodu’s face as he side-stepped and parried the stroke of the one on the left. Then he caught him by the back of the knee with the other end of his staff, knocking him to the ground.

The second man’s bestial yell drowned out the first one’s cry of pain as he jumped over his partner, sword raised high.

Almost nonchalantly, Bodu brought the end of his staff up under the man’s jaw.

As that one collapsed to the ground, the first man struggled to his feet. Bodu circled back to his original position, looking ever more confident.

The injured man approached, drawing Bodu’s attention. Bodu didn’t notice one of the fallen attackers behind him struggling to his feet. Before Bodu could react, the man cut a deep gash into his shoulder and arm.

Bodu roared and turned with a mixture of shock and anger on his face. He struck his opponent so hard with his staff it nearly knocked the man’s head off.

With blood flowing down his left arm and side, Bodu turned to face the remaining enemy.

The man eyed Bodu’s wound and smirked. He lunged with his sword, but Bodu parried it, knocking the sword to the ground. The man turned to flee, but Bodu swung his staff at his right knee, producing a loud pop. Before the man hit the ground, a second stroke crushed his other knee.

Live in shame, Eyric heard her husband say before he turned and stumbled toward the village.

Live in shame, Eyric grumbled. He should have died in agony. She refused to dwell on the resulting infection and failed attempts to heal Bodu. More importantly, she could not allow these stupid dreams to haunt her again. How did she manage to turn them off before?

She groaned. Of course, now everyone wanted to talk about what her dreams meant. She didn’t know the answer.

Probably too much time spent with Boman. He had conducted a full week of training and she had attended each session. It was amazing how quickly he had changed in a week’s time — from old man to prime of life. She grimaced. He caught her staring on multiple occasions. And even though she didn’t want him to think anything of it, her own interest in his opinion annoyed her.

Eyric growled and stomped, squashing any hint of hope for a relationship. She didn’t want it.

Putlag’s voice interrupted her thoughts. So the dreams have returned. Different this time?

Eyric nodded. Curiously, she wasn’t offended by the dragon’s intrusion. In fact, his voice seemed more soothing than she ever imagined it could be. His drawn out s’es and and f’s seemed to add a sense of empathy to his voice.

Are you angry because the dream returned or because you don’t want to admit what it means?

Eyric’s anger flared, but she suppressed it. She couldn’t find the words to reply. Putlag had nailed it.

There is nothing to be upset about, Eyric. It’s natural. He’s an honorable man close to your age — and new. It doesn’t mean you’re in love. But part of you has awakened to that possibility.

Eyric groaned. This is exactly why I didn’t want to talk to my mother. Now I’m getting it from you instead.

Would you rather hear it from her?

No. I’d rather not hear it from anyone.

Putlag chuckled — or coughed. She still wasn’t sure what his noises meant.

You’re right, though. Eyric shook her head. And it makes me angry. Why can’t that part of me go back to sleep?

It’s already been asleep far too long. It can’t stay that way.

Eyric huffed. I don’t need a man. I know you and my mother probably disagree, but I don’t.

Putlag groaned and Eyric heard his massive form shifting through the trees. Young people. Of course you don’t need a man anymore than I do. But you can’t expect the part of you that wants a mate to lie dormant forever.

Eyric sighed and put her hand on her hip. So that’s what you think the dream means?

It doesn’t mean anything. It’s merely a side effect. Another part of you has healed — or is healing — and it’s starting to wake up.

I don’t want that part to wake up.

Hmm .... The dragon shifted his position so Eyric could see his face better. He nodded. Truly, I understand. A female of my kind, no matter how objectionable, would awaken the same thing in me. It doesn’t have to mean anything. In fact, you should be careful about deciding anything just yet. For or against. Like picking up a staff after many years, you’ll be clumsy at first.

Eyric nodded. You’re right. Surprised by her own words, she wondered what it was about Putlag that she allowed him to dissect her. Maybe because he could eat her if he wanted to.

You have enough on your mind without worrying about this. I know you already have a difficult decision to make.

Yes, she did. A blood covenant with the dragon would change her life forever. If she chose to do so. How could she not? The island needed a leader and Caedmon was ready to ... what did he call it? Retire.

She looked at Putlag. Even in the dark, his iridescent sea blue scales reflected the moonlight. She marveled at how a moment before, he was invisible in the jungle. Taking advice from such a creature seemed insane and obvious at the same time. So I should allow that part of me to wake up, but avoid acting on it just yet?

Putlag nodded. That’s what I would do. Not that I’m always right, but I’ve been around for a long time.

Despite the serious conversation, Eyric giggled. That you have. Time to end this topic. I think you’re right. One major decision at a time is enough for one mind.

Putlag chuckled. Since neither of us is sleeping anyway, would you like to come with me to the top of the volcano? I’d rather not risk frightening someone. Perhaps I can answer more of your questions there.

You may have to wait a bit for me to get there.

I thought you might want a ride.

In her surprise, Eyric fumbled for words. You mean ... ?

Putlag nodded.

But I thought you didn’t ... well, you said it wasn’t ... uh ... comfortable.

That’s true, but not the whole story. Before she could complain about all the mystery, he held up a claw. Would you eat a whole meal in one bite? You have much to learn and I can’t give it all to you at once.

Eyric shook her head. She was beginning to understand why Caedmon was so mysterious. Fine. So how do I ....

Putlag turned up a clawed hand as a step. I’ll help you. Put your left foot in my hand. Then your right foot just above my wing. From there you should be able to straddle my neck.

Eyric followed his instructions and her first awkward attempt to mount a dragon succeeded — more or less. She found no secure position, but Putlag clearly expected this.

Now you’ll find acceptable hand holds two scales back from my ears on either side. That should be enough to stabilize you.

After a little feeling around, she found them. One scale on either side of his neck stuck out more than the others and provided excellent hand-holds — almost as if they were designed specifically for humans.

Before she could give it more thought, Putlag shifted his weight downward. Now hold on.

The force of the dragon’s leap into the air pressed her hard against his neck and made her feel lightheaded. She could tell from his extra flapping it wasn’t one of his usual leaps. Would she have survived one of his usual launches? She felt distinctly flimsy. But the feeling was quickly overridden by a view of the island she had never before experienced.

The western end was a crescent that nearly completed a full circle. While its use as a harbor was obvious from ground level, it looked much more like a former volcano from up in the air. A path ran east from the harbor up into the jungle where several clearings could be seen from this distance. Only because Eyric knew they were there could she detect the dwellings and gathering spots.

As they approached the active volcano to the east, Eyric gazed up. Wow! The stars are so clear from up here!

Indeed. It still amazes me how small distant suns and worlds can appear from our vantage point.

Eyric frowned. "I’ve always wondered. We must look like a spec in the night sky. How many other worlds