The Dragon Gate (The Dragon Gate Series Book 1)

by Randy Ellefson

  “They know who you are not,” corrected Lorian, slanted eyes watching him, “but only two of them, who would have discovered your charade on seeing you. It is important that such individuals be told the truth and cautioned to remain silent, else they might remark upon it aloud in front of the wrong company.”

  Eric nodded, remaining standing while all but Lorian sat. “And the wrong company would be everyone, except elves?”

  “Elves who knew them, yes, and some dwarves.”

  “Dwarves?” Matt asked. What else was on this planet? Despite the danger that would get closer by the day, his curiosity was rising even more.

  Lorian replied, “Yes. Elves and dwarves are likely to remember the details of the champions’ appearance better than humans. Four years is long enough for your kind to forget, and it is not unreasonable to mistake you for them, considering the similarity of your appearance.” He looked at them one by one. “I must say, the resemblance is remarkable, as you’re each the same basic height, build, hair color, and have similar features. You are nearly the same age, a bit younger. This is undoubtedly why they chose you. Only those with whom they’d spent considerable time are likely to discover the deceit, and on most worlds, they acted very much alone.”

  “Chose us?” Ryan asked, looking like he hadn’t thought of that before. Neither had Matt, who had assumed this was all some sort of accident.

  “Yes,” said the elf, leaning against a chair. “Those you impersonate. I’d very much like to know why the four of you have appeared in their place.”

  Ryan glanced at his friends. “We were hoping you could tell us that.”

  Lorian’s slender, blond eyebrows arched. “You do not know? Didn’t they tell you?”

  “Who?” Matt asked, fingering his staff. “This Soliander and the others? You think they sent us?”

  “Of course,” answered Lorian. “How else would you come to be here in their place?”

  “We don’t have the slightest idea,” replied Ryan in frustration.

  The elf asked, “They didn’t tell you?”

  “No,” answered Ryan. “We’ve never even heard of these people until we showed up in the court. We certainly haven’t met them.”

  Lorian looked from one to another, measuring them. “Then they didn’t send you.”

  “No,” answered Matt, realizing Lorian didn’t know what was going on any more than they did. “Not that we know of, anyway.”

  “And you haven’t met them.” Lorian paused, eyes troubled. “Then you do not know their whereabouts?”

  “Right,” said the wizard, sobered by the elf’s reaction.

  The elf sighed. “I was hoping we’d finally know where they’ve been since we last saw them.”

  Anna asked, “Are they missing or something?”

  “Essentially, yes.” He looked at them as if something had just occurred to him. “You say that you’ve never heard of them. How is it that possible?”

  Matt glanced at the others, but no one answered. “Why is that surprising?”

  “There must be some connection between this world and yours,” started Lorian, “for the summoning spell to have brought you. Their existence must therefore be known there, and they are a legend on every world to which they are known. You therefore should have heard of them.”

  “Well, I don’t think anyone’s heard of them back home.” Matt was tempted to make observations about the lack of magic and knights and all that, but decided not to get into it. He wondered how the champions could have ever been to Earth, not to mention recently. Magic, had it ever existed, had died out centuries ago. Then again, that was pure speculation as much as anything else. Maybe people secretly practiced it. “Are all these worlds they go to places of magic, knights, castles…elves?”

  “Yes, of course.” Lorian paused. “Is your world not such a place?”

  Ryan snorted. “No. There’s nothing like this on Earth.”

  The elf asked, “Earth? Is that the name of your world?”

  “Yes,” Anna replied more politely, frowning at the knight.

  Lorian looked at the big man. “This would explain your disbelief that I am an elf?” Ryan nodded, and the elf looked at him curiously. “But you say elves don’t exist there and yet you’ve heard of what an elf is.”

  Eric said, “Yes, we have heard of elves, dwarves, dragons, and magic, but they aren’t real in our world.”

  Lorian spread his slender hands. “But then how could you have heard of them?”

  A long pause followed that. Matt figured that the likely reason was that storytellers and authors had invented them, but elves were real on Honyn. How could they be real in one place and an invention of the mind in another, and yet be so similar? They had to be the same, which meant that somewhere on Earth, at least in the past, elves, dwarves, dragons and all manner of fabled beings had really existed. And maybe still did.

  He remarked, “That’s a good question, especially considering we were clearly summoned by magical means from Earth. Magic must work there after all.”

  “I don’t know about that,” disagreed Anna. “The magic was performed here on Honyn. Besides, it could’ve just been technology we don’t understand, remember?”

  Eric shook his head. “Whatever it was, I assume it had to work on both sides, so if it was magic here then it was magic there. You know, if magic works on Earth, people could hide that fact as long as they avoid doing it in public, but elves, dwarves, and dragons would be hard to hide.”

  Lorian suggested, “The dragons could have been banished from your world as well.”

  Matt perked up. “That’s true.”

  Nodding, Eric admitted, “Yes. And technically, dwarves exist. There have always been little people on Earth.”

  Anna nodded. “They don’t act like that, though, living underground, the long beards, being grumpy.”

  The elf smiled at her and turned toward Ryan. “But no elves?”

  The big man spread his empty hands as if to apologize. “‘Fraid not.”

  “There are a lot of deep forests that are seldom traveled,” Matt started, “so they could always be hiding in there.”

  “I don’t think that’s so true anymore,” Eric said, “but anyway this is all beside the point.”

  Lorian nodded. “Another thing I want to know is where you were when summoned.”

  “A place called Stonehenge,” said Matt. “It’s an ancient monument thousands of years old. No one knows what it was really designed for.”

  “Describe it, please.”

  “It’s a circular monument in an open field, with giant monoliths of stone standing upright, some with other stones on top, connecting them.”

  Lorian seemed to think he’d said enough. “It sounds like a Quest Ring. Most look roughly the same, being circular monuments, similar to where you found yourselves upon arrival. Champions are summoned to a Quest Ring on every world and is usually the place from which they depart for home. Magic words are embedded into the material from which the Ring is made—usually stone.”

  Matt glanced at the others. That sounded a little too familiar. “There were words in the stone, but they usually weren’t visible.” He described what happened when the words of fire erupted and they vanished.

  The elf gazed at him thoughtfully. “Interesting. That suggests they were on a quest on Earth, but you were sent back instead. Maybe they’re still there.”

  Eric asked, “Do they need to be in a, uh, Quest Ring, to be summoned, like we apparently were?”

  “No,” said the elf. “They could be anywhere, be separate from each other, even on different worlds. The spell brings them together, delivering them to the Quest Ring of those summoning them. However, the summoning spell would fail if they were engaged with another quest. It may have been coincidence that you stood at that particular Quest Ring when summoned.”

  Matt absorbed that in silence like the others before the elf broke this thoughts.

  Lorian said, “Something of more i
mmediate concern is that Cirion of Ormund and his mercenaries spoke with each of you last night, probably to glean information.” Matt saw blank looks on everyone’s face except Anna’s. She looked startled. Lorian elaborated. “Cirion danced with Eriana while his young wizard, Raith, spoke with Soliander at some length. Nola, an exceptional warrior in her own right, targeted Korrin and nearly succeeded with some design, from what I understand.” His eyes met Ryan’s and the knight flushed. Lorian turned to Eric. “Andier was not a target except as Cirion could get you distracted, as your predecessor’s ability to spot trouble is legendary. A parade of lovely women sought your attention at Cirion’s behest.”

  It was Eric’s turn to look startled, then a little embarrassed, even angry. Maybe resentful. Then something seemed to occur to him. “The dashing man who danced with Anna?”

  “Yes,” said Lorian.

  “Who is he?” Anna asked. “What does he want?” She blushed after asking and Matt knew what she was thinking because he’d watched them. Cirion couldn’t have been more obvious about one desire and he stifled a smirk.

  “One of this world’s would-be heroes,” began the elf, “who try to earn a name with quests. He hides his questionable ways well, understanding appearances. Others of his ilk have demonstrated their misguided attempts to reach the Dragon Gate, which is no doubt his aim as well. Cirion’s mercenaries arrived hours before you and were no doubt unhappy with your arrival, for it should have signaled the end to their aspirations, but it seems they were intent on interfering with you in some way.” He looked at Korrin pointedly.

  The big man looked uncomfortable. “But I thought she just…” He trailed off and then flushed, seeming indignant, then angry. Matt had never seen the big guy mad before. He looked especially dangerous standing there in that golden armor, a sword on one hip. Matt knew he was a gentle giant, but if Ryan could learn to put on that face on purpose, that and Korrin’s reputation might stop some people from messing with him.

  Anna asked, “What happened? Did I miss something?”

  Ryan and Eric exchanged a look, making Matt wonder what passed between them.

  “She lured me to her rooms under the guise of…” Ryan hesitated. “Of making me feel better about having killed that man, but Eric stopped me at her door.” Anna let out a slow breath through her nose. Ryan heard it and met her disapproving eyes before looking away. “I’m sorry for wandering off,” he said sincerely. “I know we promised to stick together. It won’t happen again.”

  “It had better not,” Anna replied quietly.

  Rescuing the knight, Matt changed subjects. “That wizard was asking me how to manipulate the gate, but I didn’t know anything to tell him even if I’d wanted to.”

  “Cirion wanted to lead us to the castle,” said Anna, “but I refused him. He also said he’d been inside, not long after the, uh, champions left, but he couldn’t get by some sort of maze. Do you know what we might run into?”

  Lorian nodded. “Mostly Dragon Cult members. I suspect Soliander’s traps have been dispelled by whoever opened the Gate. If not, the way will be harder.”

  A nearby bird call prompted an elf to enter from the balcony, exchange a look with Lorian, and return. “Attention has begun to focus on your presence here,” said Lorian.

  Chapter 7 – Wizardry

  As he always did, the dark elf hesitated three strides from the richly carved mahogany door of his master. Fantastic scenes of dragons, knights, and wizards doing battle graced its surface, but none were more heart-stopping than what he had personally seen in the room beyond. Daunting forces had been summoned by the wizard within, and despite the ferocity of each, whether it be demons, wraith lords, or even minor deities, the wizard had commanded obedience. The thought reminded the elf not to falter in his devotion, for an urgent message had arrived at the black, looming castle.

  He was a dark elf, so called to distinguish his kind from wood elves, those beings of light and goodness, the very thought of which made his lip curl in a sneer. There was power to be had in darkness, and it was his kind that sought to harness it. Long ago they had given themselves up to it and found their skin turning nightmare black, the hair whiter than the palest moonlight, eyes of blood red staring from their now sinister features. The same delicateness of wood elves remained, but what passed for a tender, supple nose there gleamed sharp like the blade of a dagger here. So, too, with their grace, no longer like a breeze through the trees but like a knife sliding into flesh. Dark things were their province, and yet what lay beyond the door was darker than anything his kin sought. All seemed still at the moment, but that could change in an instant.

  Steeling himself for the unknown, he quietly rapped on the door, which opened silently, orange firelight washing over him from within. As he entered, a quick glance confirmed no magic was afoot, though the dark granite floor bore the residue of powdery markings inside a circle of still-flickering candles. Bookcases full of ancient tomes lined two walls, vials, jars, and jugs of every shape filling another. Bright flames roared in the hulking stone fireplace, and an enormous black desk seemed to cast a pall over the room. Behind it sat a slim figure in a dark robe, unremarkable in its lack of adornment, and yet anyone trained in magic would have taken notice of the man at once. The reek of power coming from him struck like a blow.

  The sorcerer bent over a large tome, his features lost in the shadows, a dark orb of swirling colors on a small stand beside him. The room was far too dark to read, but the words and drawings were written in light. The dark elf waited for what seemed like an eternity, a line of sweat trickling down his back while he fought to remain still and silent. Only a fool reminded the wizard of their presence. Finally the wizard favored him with a glance.

  In a quavering voice, the dark elf said, “My lord, I have important news.”

  The master commanded, “Speak it.”

  “The Queen of Alunia on Honyn attempted to summon the great Ellorian Champions.”

  The sorcerer interrupted in derision. “She’s hardly the only one. Even children attempt this.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the dark elf answered, knowing it was a common fantasy of children, “but she was successful.”

  The wizard’s head snapped up. “What?”

  “She was–”

  “I heard what you said,” the robed figure interrupted. “What do you mean? Be specific.”

  The elf steadied himself. “The four champions answered the summons and are embarking on a quest.”

  The wizard frowned inside the hood. “Four? Not three?”

  The elf felt confused, wondering at that but knowing better than to ask. He’d seen those who didn’t know their place burned to a crisp or frozen and then shattered on being toppled to the floor. “Yes, four of them.”

  “And they claim to be Eriana of Coreth, Andier of Roir, Korrin of Andor, and Soliander of Aranor?”

  “Yes.” The elf paused, then ventured, “There has been no suggestion in Olliana that they are imposters.”

  Only silence greeted this, for the dark magus was not one to share his thoughts. “What is the quest?” he asked, fingers touching on a newly fashioned amulet of priceless, bluish steel, made from a rare material that the dark elf knew no one else had ever possessed.

  “To banish the dragons again. The device holding them–”

  “Yes, yes, I know what happened.” He waved a dismissive hand.

  The elf wondered how the dark magus could have known, but he was often aware of things transpiring far away.

  “When did they embark on the quest?”

  “They have yet to do so.”

  “Leave me.”

  As the dark elf turned toward the door, his eyes darted to the rosewood cabinet in one corner, where no one dared go. Those with magic power could sense the foreboding protection around it, and those without power just felt unwell the closer they got. He suspected a demon guarded it, for he had a bracelet that pulsed when one was near and had discreetly tested it just by wearing it
into this chamber. He knew better than to even look too long, for he’d seen a man killed for that. But this was the first time he’d been in here in some days and he had the unmistakable impression that the cabinet had been disturbed. As he closed the door behind him, he risked a glance at the wizard and saw glaring eyes on it, lips set in a resolute grimace.

  In the azure sky high above Castle Olliana, the white wizards’ tower drew hopeful eyes to it like none other, for the tower’s residents were known to practice their art from its highest reaches, creating fantastic displays for anyone lucky enough to be watching. Those within had a rare sight to behold, too, for the topmost windows provided view of the swaying green treetops of the Great Honyn Forest and the jagged, snowcapped peaks in the distance. In the last fortnight, Sonneri had spent many hours watching those peaks for dragons. Even with magical vision enhancements that put telescopes to shame, nothing unusual had appeared to magical watchers like the one he now stood instructing for a different purpose.

  “I want you to discreetly follow them,” said the wizard to the black crow, whose impassive black eyes stared back with unusual intelligence. “It’s imperative you not be detected. The rogue is likely to be just as alert as the stories say, and the elves are wise to such surveillance.”

  “Of course,” squawked the bird, impatient. This wasn’t the first time it had spied on people.

  Sonneri fixed it with a serious stare, used to more respect. “Keep your distance, for the wizard’s magical sense is formidable and extends farther than you’d ever imagine. Change your shape each time you come near them.”

  The crow became a robin, then a mockingbird, and finally a peregrine falcon, and he nodded, satisfied.

  “Report back often and don’t dawdle in the elven lands.”

  The falcon bobbed as if bowing and turned on the pine perch before launching itself through the open window. Sonneri stepped to the window, reaching out for its bronze handle. A loud brass fanfare rang out far below and he peered down into the teeming courtyard, where a throng of people cheered. It seemed the Ellorian Champions were leaving.