Chain the Infamous Chainmaid 4

The blue light of the metal biped controlled from within by Finch met the green light of the horn of the great dragon within the temple atop the Stormroot Mountains. Upon meeting the two lights became as one brilliant white light that consumed the top of the mountain. An instant later the light gave way to a powerful ringed explosion that that removed the peak of the mountain from existence.

“Did I do it?”

From within the metal biped Finch shielded her eyes from the light with the gun arm of the machine she piloted. As the light gave way and revealed an impenetrable cloud of dust she swung the arm in an attempt to part the dust and revealed a green glowing shadow of enormous size before her. A pair of flaming green eyes opened within the shadow and a moment later the blinding green light of the dragon’s central horn flared into brilliant light. As the swirling dust revealed the dragon in all its splendor Finch felt tiny even within the eight meter tall biped she controlled before so massive a beast. Finch was made to feel even smaller as the dragon unfurled black wings that dwarfed its massive body and blocked out sky. Under the shadow of those wings Finch clearly saw that the dragon was free and that the only chains that still held to its form were those that comprised its chainmail-like hide under years of shaken free plant growth.

“HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM, HRM. REJOICE DEFIANT PRIESTESS. THE FREEDOM YOU SOUGHT IS AT LAST YOURS. I THURLIX AM FREE AFTER CENTURIES OF SERVITUDE AND BONDAGE, AND IT IS ALL THANKS TO YOU CHILD OF MAN. THE TWISTED SONG OF THE BUILDERS THAT GRANTS YOU YOUR POWER WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING MY BONDS WERE FORMED TO FACE AND HAVE JUST AS SURELY DESTROYED THEM. NOW, AS PROMISED, WITH MY FREEDOM I BID YOU AND YOUR VILLAGE MY LEAVE NEVER AGAIN TO ENTER A RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE WHO TRUSTED YOU TO MAINTAIN IT.”

With a powerful wing beat the dragon Thurlix launched itself into the sky blasting away the dust cloud formed by the explosion. Blasted away by the gust of wind Finch had to grab hold of the remnants of the temple with the biped’s free hand so as not to be hurled into the crater her foolishness had birthed. From her new vantage point however she could see clearly the tower like structure that was coated in crystals of crimson colored ice that had once been buried by the mountain top. Hypnotized by that display that glistened in the morning light Finch asked a question she knew the answer to all too well.

“Matches… what did I just do?”

The squirrel-like creature that made its home on Finch’s offered a comforting squeak and the IO of the Bright Rift Military regained her composure.

“You’re right Matches, I can still make this right.”

Commanding the biped to pull itself back up onto the remains of the temple Finch turned its gaze onto where the dragon circled in the sky above. Broadcasting her voice with the biped’s magic Finched yelled out at Thurlix.

“And what about your other promise dragon?! The one where your life is mine to do with as I please should I fell the Bandit King!”

Thurlix showed no sign of responding but then suddenly descended and in an instance perched upon the temple remnants before the biped and Finch within. Tightening her hands on the controls within the magical machine Finch prepared for the worst as the dragon lowered its head and looked the biped in the eyes and directly into those of the girl. With a snort Thurlix at last spoke again to Finch.

“SHOULD YOU SUCCEED WHERE NO OTHER HAS CHILD OF MAN THEN I WILL SURELY KEEP MY WORD IF ONLY TO HONOR THE ABSURDITY OF SUCH A POSSIBILITY. BUT FOR NOW IT MATTERS NOT TO ME, DO AS YOU WILL AND I SHALL DO THE SAME. THERE IS A FOOLISH HATCHLING I MUST REAR AND SHOULD OUR PATHS CHANCE TO CONTINUE TO INTERTWINE I SHALL SEE YOUR ATTEMPT AT THE DEED IN FULL.”

Having spoken his share Thurlix reared up and released a great and thunderous roar unto the heavens. Satisfied Thurlix suddenly leapt clear over the biped and took once more to the sky. The dragon’s mighty wings taking it ever high the great beast turned south and raced across the mountain peaks. Phasing through the body of the biped Finch came to stand on the shoulder of the machine and watched the dragon until it disappeared from sight. Hugging herself tightly Finch let a sigh of relief.

“I really did mess up Matches. I always hated that dragon because for as long as I remember the people of Misthead were preparing me to take over as the next priestess and care taker of the temple. Why am I telling you this though Matches? You’ve been with me through all of it. When that dying priest left me hear and the townspeople took me deciding to use me as their next priestess instead of their own. When that weird harpy adventurer came here and showed me just how much I actually do love Misthead. And when I went to Bright Rift to seek a future for my village without that dragon in it. But I really, really messed up Matches…”

Looking around at the devastation wrought by the freeing of the dragon a despondent look washed over Finch’s face. There was no sign at all of the mountain pass that led up to the temple no less the military encampment that had been established upon it. There was no way anyone stationed there could have survived or attempted to escape before the destruction of the mountain top.

“They were all under my control and I got them all killed without so much as even thinking about them. How could I be so stupidly monstrous?”

Matches squeaked softly and licked Finch’s cheek in an attempt to comfort the IO.

“Stop that Matches, it tickles!”

Forced into a more lively state by the peculiar creature upon her shoulder Finch relaxed and lowered her arms to her side. Clenching her fist she looked off to the east and once again found her resolve.

“I guess it doesn’t matter now. Misthead is free from the dragon so there is only the Bandit King and the incompetent kingdom it’s part of left to bind it. So, I guess I should be free to go after the Bandit King now. From Misthead it should be a day by airship to Highroot and as long as the Bandit King doesn’t make an early appearance I should be able to join the main force before the attack. The only tricky part will be explaining what happened here to Professor Beaks…”

Finch trembled as she thought about that eventuality and no amount of squeaking and cooing from Matches could calm her. Only by taking her thoughts off of that man was Finch able to calm herself. Turning her eyes in the direction that the dragon had departed Finch lit up with sudden realization.

“Hold on. The dragon flew off towards Highroot didn’t it…? Oh! That’s it!”

Excitedly Finch clapped her fist into her open palm.

“I just have to report that the dragon escaped and that I need to meet up with the main force in pursuit. This unit was mostly an observation unit anyway so following the dragon should be alright. And if the Bandit King appears after I’ve joined the main unit I can kill two birds with one stone. It’s perfect Matches! The soldiers’ deaths won’t have been in vain. I really can still make everything right”

Smiling brightly Finch seemed pleased with her solution. Looking down to the south the gathering of storm clouds seemed to cause another realization within Finch and an expression of awe came across her face.

“It’s just like my verse Matches. Even the Builders must be urging me on. That’s perfect! That’s absolutely perfect! It makes me want to sing and dance!”

As spontaneously as she claimed it Finch began twirling about astride the biped’s shoulder and broke into song.

♪~ Child framed with red cherry locks ~♪
♪~ Azure eyes and resolute hands ~♪
♪~ From above the storm astride metal doll ~♪
♪~ Crafted by genius and forged by hope ~♪
♪~ With pearly gun and fiery ally ~♪
♪~ An unyielding aim for a future dreamt ~♪
♪~ Ever straight the pretender ~♪

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater