by C E Johnson
Emily thought Xena was right. “Are you able to communicate with your scales?”
Luce nodded. “Mainly emotions and feeling are relayed through our scales.” His voice was harsh and guttural. “We still use our hands and voice to talk, but as you can tell, our speech is more limited than yours.” Luce placed his hand on a white door along the hallway. “I want to show you something. “He slowly pushed his way in. “This is a nursery with hatchlings and some of our lizard-young.” The temperature in the room was overpowering. “Sky-lights have been built into the roof to allow appropriate heat and light for a form of basking to stimulate growth.”
Luke studied the newborns. “Do you have a dragon in your city?”
“Dragons visit our realm, but they don’t stay because they aren’t comfortable with our underground tunnel system and our halls that occasionally flood with sand.” Luce led them out of the nursery and they continued to plod downward. He ushered them into a meeting hall where several hundred warriors from the pack had gathered. Several of the pack had bondsmates: a desert bird which looked like a small elf owl, and coyotes were common links. The lacerta carried beautifully crafted swords with gemstones in the hilts and had equally finely crafted daggers on leather belts on their waists. The weapons were all enchanted, with faint orange auras.
A warrior at Emily’s side pointed to his armor. “Our armor is made from rough leather, along with the outer shells of the desert-dragons.” He gestured to a wall, “We use the thick fluid-like material inside the desert-dragon eggs for both food and building materials.”
Luce went to the front of the gathered Lacerta and gave a speech telling of the ambush by the desert-dragons and of his rescue by Emily’s group. When he was finished, the pack let out a shrill war cry and their frills went up from a folded position along their heads and neck, exposing oranges, yellows, reds, and pink. The frill looked like a colored hood making their heads three to four times larger in size.
Calling Emily to stand next to him, Luce kneeled beside her. “I am Luce Levi Laadah. I thank you for saving my life and the lives of my pack. Before the dragons of Acacia, I will never knowingly harm you or one in your group, and I will always aid you in your time of need to the best of my ability.”
Emily felt blue and orange magic stir in the air with the magical moment as she bowed in thanks to Luce and the assembled Lacerta. She spoke softly to him, “I hold a dragon-oath as a sacred honor, a blessing. I will treasure the gift you have given me.” Steadily the other Lacerta who had survived the battle came forward and gave her their dragon-oaths.
When they finished, Dr. D stepped forward and addressed the assembly. “I want to thank all of you for being allowed into your tunnels. It was an honor to battle with your warriors, but I bring grim news. War is approaching. I’m raising an army to battle Samil, an arch-mage who wants to end the rule of dragons on this planet.”
Frills began going up and down and scales were changing colors as the Lacerta began to talk amongst themselves. Luce stepped forward. “The dragons don’t affect us, but we respect your courage. If you want our help in the future, we will be there for you.”
C H A P T E R 2 7
The Return
The remainder of their trip across the desert was relatively uneventful. The sands changed into rocky, barren foothills and then vegetation returned. The band of weary warriors arrived at the outskirts of Castle Dalton in Haran, the capitol city of Angkor, early on a gray day. Dark clouds were blotting out the sun, only allowing scattered rays to break through the shrouded sky. A chill wind bit at their exposed skin.
I think you should remain camouflaged while we talk with Ladon, Emily suggested to Ammolite while urging her stallion forward. I’ll attempt to discover if Ladon is an ally or a foe to the multi-colored dragons.
Somehow, I believe Ladon will be on my side. There was mirth in Ammolite’s voice, but she didn’t argue with Emily, seamlessly blending in with the storm clouds.
The battle-tested and travel-hardened group rode up to the high walls of the outer gate. The guards looked down upon their group, challenging Dr. D from their towers that flanked a closed passageway that was blocked by a great oak portcullis bound with iron and bronze. “Where are you headed?” The towers were large structures made of white limestone with a flat area on the top surrounded by a low protective wall of square sawtooth blocks. There were notched openings between the stones, where archers could sit, along with loophole slits for shooting missiles during a conflict. The small squad of soldiers perched on the towers had crossbows ready.
Before Dr. D could answer, Emily’s ki spoke to her, Ladon. She pointed to a great shape coming into view, “The dragon Ladon approaches.” The brown dragon torpedoed downward and landed on an open space on one of the towers. The stone shuddered with the force of the impact. Roaring in anger, the massive old dragon of Angkor, looked with disdain at the guards. “Fools, don’t you recognize your king and princess, King Andrew Dalton and his daughter, Princess Emily, daughter of the elf queen, Elaina? Your rulers have returned!” His voice was loud as thunder, and it echoed through the valley.
The guards stared with wide eyes at Ladon and then apologetically at the royalty returning to the castle on their shift. They quickly came to attention with the captain saluting profusely. Heavy chains began to creak as the stout portcullis was winched open.
Ladon spread his wings wide, jumped from his perch, and with unimaginable grace glided from the guard tower to land gently near the travelers. “It’s good to see the Daltons back to visit their castle. By your appearance, I get the feeling you’re on a mission and you might not stay for very long.”
Emily knew that hiding the truth would not help her with the intelligent dragon. “We’re preparing for the approaching wars, Ladon … dragon wars.”
Ladon’s golden eyes looked her up and down. “You’ve changed, my young blue magician. Your aura is different, your powers are increased, and I can tell you’ve formed another bond, one of incredible power.”
“Perceptive as always.” Emily couldn’t suppress a smile. “I’ve definitely changed, but I’ll never forget my friends.” She rattled her shield, Soulshielder, which was made of Ladon’s old scales, eliciting a dragon-smile from the venerable beast. “My new bondsmate wants me to ask you a question that’s vital to our future. Who will you fight with when the dragon war begins?”
Ladon slowly recoiled his substantial neck like a great snake reassessing a situation. “You hurt me with your question.”
He’s teasing you, Ammolite whispered with a laugh in Emily’s mind.
Ammolite was right, Ladon really didn’t look upset. He gave Emily a large wink while flashing a full row of his dagger-like teeth. “Is there so little trust between a great arch-mage and an old dragon?” Ladon threw out his chest and spread his wings, posturing like a great statue. “I stand true to the old guard, to the multi-colored dragons of Angkor.”
Emily grinned back happily at the great creature. Dr. D stepped up to Ladon and placed his palm on one of Ladon’s chest scales. Many hues of brown colors splashed outward with his contact, like paint spread across a canvas. “I’ve missed you, my old friend.”
Ladon inclined his head in Emily’s direction, and she stepped forward to also run her hand slowly over the scales by the brown dragon’s mouth. She thought she could see a faint blue and violet color swirl deep within his dark scales. Ladon appeared to bask in the attention. “I was once quite admired by Princess Emily Dalton, but unfortunately I sense she may have a new favorite dragon.” Ladon lifted his head and looked off into the distance before returning his eyes of gold to examine Dr. D. “I’ll always regret the day of the attack on your Sky Castle. I wish I could have done more to protect your children.”
“Where were you?” Emily found herself wondering what might have happened differently if Ladon was at the castle when Drogor’s assault occurred.
Ladon turned the brightness of his golden eyes upon her. “I was called tha
t day to counsel with Tiamat. She wanted to discuss you and your brother. Tiamat thought you might be a part of a prophecy that may determine the fate of the dragons on Acacia. She wanted my advice on what to do with you two.”
“What did you advise?” Emily felt an inner sadness as she thought of how much trouble this prophecy had caused.
“I told her that I supported protecting your family. Tiamat then informed me that she had heard of Drogor’s plan to eliminate or control the Dalton half-elf children, and she asked me to use the information as I saw fit. I returned and found the battle was already finished and you were all on the run. I did what I could to ensure that you and your brother escaped unharmed.”
“Thank you, Ladon.” Emily inclined her head.
Ladon beat his wings above the ground, looking strong and regal. “I will fight with the Daltons and with my queen, Tiamat, in the upcoming conflict. This may well be my last battle on Acacia.”
Emily had her mind-link fully open with Ammolite, sharing Ladon’s words with her dragon. I’m coming to you, Ammolite whispered.
“Then let me introduce to you my bondsmate, Ammolite, your dragon princess.” Emily turned to face the sky. Ammolite ended her camouflage and approached with rays of sunlight piercing the clouds to give her scales a colorful halo. The multi-colored dragon sped through the sky and landed close to Ladon. Xena came running full tilt out of her leather cave beneath Ammolite to greet the brown dragon.
“Welcome to Angkor, Ammolite, daughter of Tiamat,” Ladon stammered. This was the first time Emily had seen the stately dragon at a loss for words.
“I’m glad to hear you’ll fight with my mother,” Ammolite spoke softly, “but I already knew where your heart lies … my mother told me.”
A curious faint hint of pink appeared in the scales of the old dragon’s face at Ammolite’s words, and Emily remembered a painting she had seen in her father’s castle of Ladon and Tiamat flying together. Is Ladon your father?
That is a long story for another day, Ammolite whispered.
Ladon inspected Ammolite with his golden eyes, assessing her with a pleased expression. “I have never been far from your mother’s side. We need to talk, dragon-princess. Fly with me.” The two dragons spread their impressive wings and Ladon roared to the guards, “Announce the arrival of the Daltons.”
As Emily and her group continued onward to Haran, warhorns began to boom and drums to beat. When they crossed the castle drawbridge, trumpets were added to the din, drowning out the clatter of their horses’ hooves.
C H A P T E R 2 8
Ogres
Droth stared at the first rays of the sun peaking over the mountaintops outside his window, glistening brilliantly on the permanently snow-covered peaks. The Prime Portal base camp was in a mountain range known as the Sierra Madre Del Sur, which extended over six hundred miles, with one of the tallest peaks housing the cave network of Samil’s Prime Portal. Samil’s stone-mages had labored tirelessly on the area to make a stunning stone dwelling. They had even constructed several helicopter landing pads out of the very rock of the mountain. The beauty surrounding the Mexican safe-house did little to quell Droth’s inner concerns. He sighed and sorted through the papers covering his desk.
“Finally, our time to leave Earth is almost upon us,” he whispered to Xander, one of his three Dobermans who lay at his feet. Xander opened his eyes lazily, before shutting them again slowly. Droth closed his own eyes and debated if he was forgetting anything. After the battle with the Blacksky agents in Washington D.C., he had become even more careful than before, if that was even possible.
Although Emily had the aid of hundreds of federal agents, she definitely was the one who found me. Droth sifted through his papers to bring up a photograph of her. I will not underestimate her again. Samil is no longer the strongest arch-mage I’ve been around. There was a knock on his door and he set aside the picture. “Enter!”
“Did you review Samil’s latest directives?” Marcus Tate asked as he strode into the room. He was wearing a yellow wool tunic with a black dragon emblazoned on the chest, and he wore a longsword in a scabbard on his belt. “Samil wants to make sure you finish coordinating the formation of several new Earth identities for allies connected with our future Earth campaign before you leave this planet.”
“I’ve finished creating them.” Droth rose, handed Marcus the completed paperwork, and walked to the window. He left his back to Marcus, attempting to ignore him as much as possible.
Marcus Tate walked over to stand too close to Droth’s side, invading his personal space. “You must be happy to be going home soon, General.” A mocking smile played on Marcus’ lips. “I’ve heard Rumanovah is scheduled to be on Acacia when you return.”
Droth turned from the snowy visage to regard the man coldly. “That’s correct.” He pulled out a stone dagger from a sheath at his side and flipped it in his hand, allowing himself to daydream for a minute over Rumanovah’s astounding beauty as the weapon twirled in the air.
“Is Project Blackbarb finally complete?” Marcus’ eyes focused on the dagger as he asked his question.
“It’s ready.” Droth caught the dagger and sheathed it in a smooth motion. He made a subtle signal with his hand and his three male Dobermans abruptly rose to their feet. They moved silently to stand at attention next to him.
Marcus took a step backward. “Will it work?” He moved away from the dogs to the corner of the room where he stared at the carefully organized pieces of the intricate machine Droth was working on, all stacked in crates with the lids open.
“It will work.” Droth spoke succinctly, without emotion. He had disassembled and reassembled Samil’s invention multiple times, and he was certain he could perform the correct actions in a seamless manner. “Once I take it across, I’ll teach Samil the details of the construction process. Together we’ll probably have the device operational in several minutes.” He was now, at long last, ready to get his reward from Samil, his long awaited bondsmate. He wanted his prize before something else threatened his dreams.
Marcus gave Droth a measured look. “Your last task is to take the invention across the portal with the help of a team of half-deads. Are you certain there’s no metal in these components?”
Droth bristled at Marcus’ impertinent question, but he vowed to remain calm, patiently explaining his methods, “I contracted a mobile C-arm image intensifier and x-ray tube to radiograph each component to ensure there’s no metal shards remaining in the device. It will be fine.”
Marcus stared at Droth as he fingered a component in the top of a crate. “One explosion from an imprecise piece and you could die on your return to Acacia.” His eyes were glowering as he spoke. “Your reward is so close.”
Droth walked over to Marcus and pulled the piece away from his hands. He packed up the last components of the unassembled device in the cases, all devoid of plastic or metal. His body was taut with irritation. A group of four half dead ogres lumbered into the room, also wearing yellow tunics with Samil’s black dragon embroidered in dark thread on the sleeves. “So now I have five ogres in my room in matching uniforms,” Droth teased dryly, “a perfect basketball team.”
Marcus whirled to face Droth, anger burned in his eyes. “What will you do once Samil no longer requires your assistance, old fool?”
“I’m not sure,” Droth gave Marcus a twisted smile. “Perhaps I’ll ask Samil if I can have a nice yellow tunic that I can parade around in front of his real workers.”
Marcus flushed a deep red and his hand drifted to his sword hilt. “Are you attempting to insult me?”
“I wouldn’t think of insulting you,” Droth smiled broadly while mocking Marcus. “Please take these to the Prime Portal, my good man. I’ll meet you there.” He placed one of the heaviest cases in Marcus’ hands. “Ogres, Marcus will direct you.” Droth moved toward the doorway with his Dobermans at his side.
“Good luck with the war.” Marcus spat while locking his jaw defiantly. His eyes
had turned ice cold. Droth could hear the contempt in Marcus’ voice. “Brytam and I will keep Earth in good order until you return.” Marcus directed the massive ogres to load the heavy objects.
I’m never coming back to Earth, Droth vowed.
A young vampire was waiting for him just outside the doorway, wearing black leather armor without any sigils. The vampire bowed, “Are you ready, sir?”
A half-dead to take me home, Droth thought with disgust, he hated half-deads. He sighed and nodded while signaling his dogs to stay close to him. The vampire walked with him through the vast network of passages. Other half-deads and magicians from Acacia inclined their heads in his direction in a gesture of honor as he passed. No Earthlings were allowed in this sector. Even the helicopter pilot was an Acacean.
Droth arrived at a last series of rooms adjacent to the Prime Portal. Dark Rejuvenators immediately rushed forward guiding him to a healing room to ensure his energy was fully replenished. “Thank you for your service.” Droth inclined his head politely once he was recharged.
“Are you ready to continue our progression, General?” A faint smile was tugging at the young vampire’s lips, exposing his pointed teeth.
“I suppose,” Droth answered, regarding the confident half-dead with suspicion. He followed him down several more corridors. The magicians in this area were seasoned warriors, and they also bowed to the Acacean general. They must have read of my military campaigns when I was younger, Droth thought to himself with pride. They’re showing such respect.
Droth stepped into the last room, anxious to finally return to his birthplace, and hopefully his bondsmate. The ogres were waiting for him. Marcus wasn’t present. Droth inspected their cases one last time. “Follow me,” he instructed the ogres.
Using the keys Samil had entrusted to his care, Droth opened several of the last doors himself. The keys were identical to a set Samil carried, made from diamonds and hematite and intricately carved with black dragons imbedded in the stones. Opening the mage-locks, he exited the last door to reveal a small plateau on the mountaintop. The wind was chilly, but his senses were so dulled the cold didn’t register. Several helicopters were tethered down on landing pads, preventing them from sliding to a sheer drop-off on the sides. The stone portal stood before him. As Droth, his dogs, and the ogres approached, black auras began to extend from the portal which was tucked into an alcove near the edge of the cliff, helping it blend in, making it invisible to passing planes. The whirls of black were lovely, shimmering like an oil painting. Droth reached out to touch the stone, running his fingers over the inscription.