Cursed Dragon Sword
A peaceful, unnamed settlement, hidden away in the rocky hills, consisting of barely 100 people. Set within a few days’ travel from a nearby Order base, it was safe enough from monsters, but was not significant enough to warrant any attention from regular visits of Order missionaries. The people got on well enough from harvesting crops and hunting small game. Some even thought it was a blessing to be free from a nobleman’s authority, where they might have to give up their harvest. Until the day the people were
Philip opened his eyes and groaned. His body felt hot and tired, he was laying on the floor of his bedroom. “Hello there darling. How do you feel?” He gave a start, and saw there was a woman laying next to him, arms wrapped around his waist. He took one look at her face, long red hair cascading over her shoulders, eyes and cheeks bot glowing the same shade.
“Who are you?” He demanded.
“Awww, don’t you remember? Maybe this will jog your memory”. She leaned in close and kissed him. She moaned loudly, as if it was the most pleasurable thing she’d ever felt. Certainly the best kiss he’d ever gotten. She parted, breathless. Philip’s memories began to return, of preparing for work that day, when there was a small panic just outside the arrangement of homes. A woman striding forward, from the direction of the nearby Order settlement. She grinned wickedly, bringing her sword down on the frightened denizens, making deep cuts that drained them of their spirit energy. She opened his door, and stalked toward him, taking a swing.
“And then you…” he looked down to see they were both completely naked, his clothing in tatters.
“Ravished…” she finished his sentence. “Such a wonderful feeling. Much better than cutting someone. I don’t need anything else but you”. She snuggled up to him, pecking his cheek again.
“I’m sorry, but I really have to see if everyone is alright''. He sat up, attempting to separate, but she clung to him, glaring as she pushed him down on the floor. “Hey, come on, won’t you let me go?” She finally relented, letting him get up and put clothes on. But she held his arm tightly, following closely behind as he stepped through the hole in the wall. He surveyed the small settlement. It seems everyone had recovered from the assault, but the few houses were badly damaged, as the woman had smashed through doors to reach the occupants. “Hey, Ann!” He called out to his friend.
“Oh, Philip! You’re alright, everyone else seems to have recovered too-”. There was a frightened look on her face as she stepped back.
“Ann what’s the matter?” He turned to see the woman behind him, staring daggers at Ann. She clutched her sword, preparing to swing at the young woman.
“Hey wait, you can’t hurt Ann, she’s my friend!” She looked back at Philip, then at Ann.
“She was making advances on my husband”.
“No, she was just happy to see me. Really, she’s not a threat”.
“Hmph. Take care not to get too close next time”, she responded, looking scornfully at Ann, who went silent and scurried off before he could say anything else.
---
“Philip. It’s not our first decision. But we’re going to have to ask you to leave”. Philip was seated in one of the remaining houses, listening in shock as the village elder handed him their verdict. His companion, whom he learned was called Arna, was standing behind him, hands on his shoulders and staring silently at the other man.
“What? But don’t you need all the help rebuilding? And harvesting? Surely I haven’t done anything to deserve this?”
“It’s not your fault. But your companion”, he gestured at Arna, “Has been making things too difficult for us. She threatens anyone who tries to get near you. It’s putting everyone on edge. We’ve decided that this is the best way to deal with her. Leave for a time, and if she changes, we will welcome you back. But I’m afraid we can’t bear to have you any longer”.
“Ssh, darling, you don’t need anyone else but me. I’ll take care of you”, she said softly.
Philip packed all his belongings along with some supplies, and left the village behind, Arna following him. He hadn’t even managed to say goodbye to Ann, who wouldn’t risk inciting his partner’s wrath. “Darling, are you really so sad to leave this little place behind?” Arna asked.
“Yes, actually”, he sighed. “This was my home. I had friends here.
“I’ll give you more than enough attention to replace them”, she murmured.
For weeks they traveled across the hilly terrain, further into the mountains. Philip had never been outside his home, so he had no idea where the nearest settlement might be. Arna was content to follow behind, catching squirrels for him to cook, and providing him with immense pleasure at night. As they cleared a rocky pass one morning, the cliffs stretching high above them, they heard a terrifying roar. A huge green dragon emerged from behind the cliffs. Arna drew her sword, as Philip could only stare in awe at the great beast. It landed, flapping its wings, before exhaling fiery breath that swirled around them. Arna cried out, trying to protect him, but the fire dissipated and where the dragon stood, was a woman. She stood tall above Philip, green wings stretching out behind her, a large tail attached to her rear and great green claws on her feet and hands, covering parts of her body in tough green scales.
“Trespassers, begone! I am Excedria, and this is my domain. You are not welcome here!”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. But we just wanted to pass this range to try to reach the next human settlement”.
“I do not care for your excuses!” Leave or suffer the consequences”.
“Well, I guess we’ll have to-” Philip turned to look at Arna, and saw that she was poised to attack. “Arna, we have to go”.
“Absolutely not. I refuse to let this overgrown lizard boss us around”.
“Insulting me? Then you have only yourself to blame”. Excedria returned to her dragonic form, spitting flames at Arna, who leaped over them to bring her sword down on the dragon’s head. But the dragon swiped her tail, knocking Arna back. Philip watched the two fighters, before running back near the rock face nearby, trying to get as far away from the fight. Arna was sent hurling into the wall, groaning in pain as she dropped to the ground. She’d left a small crater in the wall. Excedria returned to her human form. “Kneel before me and apologize. Perhaps then I will allow you to go free”.
“No!” Arna stood up and ran forward, ready to strike her opponent. Excedria caught the blade with her claws. Arna tried to push back, but her advance was halted by her opponent’s strength.
“It appears you are new to this body. Your attacks are sloppy and easy to counter. You give yourself no defense. You are clearly outmatched, yet you charge in anyway. I will make you regret challenging me.” The dragon gave one final push, knocking the woman on her back. She then stepped over to Phili, who was trying and failing to escape. Excedria swayed her hips, puffing out her chest and smirking at him. “Young man. What is your name?”
“Philip”, he replied timidly.
“Philip, you will make an excellent addition to my hoard”. She pulled him against her chest, wrapping her tail and wings around him.
“NO!!!!” Arna had recovered, staggering toward them.
“I told you I would make you regret challenging me. Now I will take your mate, whom you are not even strong enough to protect”. Arna tried to strike her again but Excedria caught it with one claw, the other arm wrapped around Philip. “Give up. This man will become mine”.
“Please! Don’t take him from me! He’s the most important thing in all the world. It is my job to serve and protect him. I couldn’t bear to be separated”.
“Then how do you explain those pitiful attempts at fighting?”
“Excedria, please. Don’t take me from Arna. She’s...caused me some problems. But she cares for me, and I don’t think I could abandon her either. Didn’t you want to be left alone? Can’t you let us go?”
“Absolutely not. I cannot allow anyone to believe that they can trespass on my domain without retribution. I can assure you that I’ll take good care of him”. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
“Isn’t there anything else you can do? Could you take Arna with you?”
“I will not tolerate another woman in my home”. Suddenly her eyes lit up as if she’d thought of something. “Unless...perhaps that will work?” She turned to Arna. “You, stay here. I am going to depart with Philip. But I will return. I have something that I believe could help our situation”. Arna looked up, her face streaked with tears. It made Philip want to go over and comfort her, but he was still held in Excedria’s grip.
“You promise? You’ll come back?”
“I will”, she replied, and took off, carrying Philip in her arms. They ascended to dizzying heights, and arrived in a large cave entrance that was carved into the side of the cliff. She set Philip on the ground, and led him through a passage into another cavern, this one filled with gold, jewels and other treasures. Philip couldn’t help but stare at all the valuable things piled on the ground, but Excedria stepped forward, picking up a small box. “This is all we need”. She led him back out to the mouth, where she hugged him against her chest, flying out into the air and down to the ground. Arna was kneeling where they’d left her. She stood up and rushed over, hugging Philip as Excedria beckoned for her to come nearer.
“I thought I’d lost you forever!” She said, squeezing Philip. Excedria’s wings surrounded them both.
“Do you truly care for this man?”
“Of course! I’d do anything for him”. Excedria opened the box, revealing two bottles of pink liquid.
“Then drink this. I will consume the other. I received these from another man years ago, who gave them to me in exchange for allowing him to escape. I do not know what it will do. He told me they would help me settle a dispute with another monster over a man. Arna accepted the bottle, taking off the cap and drinking it. She gasped as the sweet liquid warmed her body and overwhelmed her senses. Excedria looked at her curiously, before drinking her own share. Her face went flush, and her legs buckled. “What is happening?” Philip sat, sandwiched between the two beautiful women who appeared to be losing their minds. He couldn’t escape their grip as they began to glow. He shielded his eyes. The light faded, and he looked around. Now there was only one woman holding onto him. He looked around in panic, as it seemed that only Excedria was left.
“Where is Arna?” He demanded.
“She is, oh. Oh my”. Excedria shuddered, and shot into the air. She carried Philip to the cave immediately, bringing him to her treasure cave. She lay him down on the pile of gold, shredded his clothes, and banished all his concerns of Arna, with nothing but her frantic lovemaking occupying his mind.
---
Philip opened his eyes and groaned.
“I feel like I’ve been here before”. He was laying on top of Excedria, who was cuddling him tightly to her as she lay on the pile of gold, fast asleep. “Excedria?” He said softly. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him gently, in a way that reminded him of how Arna had smiled.
“Husband. Was that as good for you as it was for me?”
“Um, yes, but I’d really like to know where Arna went?”
“Right here darling!” Arna’s voice echoed, and he jumped.
“Arna? Are you ok?”
“Better than ever. I’m right in front of you, silly”. He looked down on the ground, to see the sword Arna carried. It was clutched in Excedria’s hand.
“I don’t understand, what happened?”
“When we drank that potion, it fused both of our bodies together. I’ve been confined to this form. But don’t worry darling. I can sense everything that Escedria did, and I have to say, what we experienced last night was lovely”. Excedria cradled the sword in her arms.
“Arna my dear, I’m so terribly sorry for what I tried to do. I didn’t realize how important Philip was to you. But I’ll cherish our relationship with him from now on”.
“I’d like that. Now no one can beat us”. Philip was starting to get a better look at the woman before him. She had all of Excedria’s looks, wings and tail and claws and short blond hair, but her scales were black and red in the same color scheme as Arna’s armor has been. She held the sword that Arna had wielded, now the vessel for her spirit.
“Well, what should we do now?” Philip asked.
“Whatever you like, dear”, Excedria replied. “We can stay here. Or we can travel. Whatever you please”. She had taken on Arna’s deferential nature.
“I’ll tell you what. We could travel the whole world! But there’s one place I’d like to visit first”.
---
Excedria soared over the land, carrying Philip in her arms as she crossed the ground they had previously covered with Arna in just a matter of hours. She descended to the ground, landing just outside his home. People turned to see who was dropping out of the sky, and when they saw Philip, there were some murmurs. The village elder was called, and he looked at Philip and the strange draconic woman behind him.
“Philip. I did not expect to see you back so soon. Who is this? What happened to your former companion?
“Sir, I encountered another monster in our travels. She has merged in body with the one you speak of, and we are here to make amends.
“Sir, I apologize for my partner’s previous hostility. Both of us hope to fix our relationship so that Philip can return to his home if he wishes”. The village elder looked at her.
“Hmm. Merged in body? Perhaps you found a more cooperative partner. Previously, you would not allow us to approach him, let alone speak to us. It seems that you have undergone a change, but I will leave it to everyone else as well”. The rest of the crowd seems to be satisfied with the elder’s decision, but there was one person above any other that Philip wanted to see. He led the two through the center until they reached Ann’s home. He knocked on the door.
“Ann? Are you there? Please come out”. The door cracked open, and Ann peeked out.
“Philip? Are you alone, or is that other woman with you too?”
“Ann”. She jumped at the sound of Excedria’s commanding voice. “I am here with the woman you speak of. I would like to apologize for how Arna treated you, and she is here to apologize as well”. Ann opened the door further.
“Ann, I’m really sorry about how I treated you. I understand now, you were a friend who Philip cares about. Would you be able to forgive me?” Ann looked at the sword where Arna’s voice was coming from.
“I see. It seems you have changed. And Philip. I’m glad to see you again”.
“Ann, I’m so glad to see you again. We’ve accumulated a great amount of treasure, we can use it to help everyone here!”
“Oh! Well surely everyone will appreciate it. Will you stay here? Or are you leaving?”
“We’d like to help however we can. But then we’re going to leave. We’ll be back to visit”.
“Then I look forward to your company. And yours”. She said, looking at Arna and the other woman before her.
“I am Excedria. And it is a pleasure to meet a friend of our husband”.