Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  Forcing herself to look away once more, not wanting him to see her pain as she prepared to lay her soul bare to him. Something that should come so easily to her, yet it didn’t. Jaxe and Obe knew as much about her as Morgan had told them. But that wasn’t all, and Ember knew that. She wasn’t sure if these dreams she had been having were true to what had happened to her people, or was she foreseeing a battle that would end in an inferno and the lands destroyed?

  It was known that the dragons hated hybrids. It was why Caspa had been formed. The dragons had yet to find them, but if they ever did find them then all that she knew would be taken from her once more.

  “Ember, will you please tell me what is going on? Or do I have to go and get Jaxe to come and force it out of you? You know he has his ways,” Obe said, though Ember didn’t miss the truth in his threat. Obe wasn’t joking, he would get Jaxe if he needed to.

  “Okay I will tell you, but you have to promise me that you won’t get angry at me.” She made him promise, turning slightly so she could look him in the eyes, more so to be sure that he would keep to his promise. Obe simply nodded, not saying a word. Ember sighed deeply, reaching up to run her hand through her short silver hair. She kept it short, finding it too much of a hassle when long, especially when hunting or practicing her combat with the others. She often wondered how the boys manged to keep theirs looking so perfect all the time.

  “Ember! Stop disappearing on me! Or are you putting off telling me the truth? The fact that you won’t even look at me suggests that you are trying to avoid talking to me. You know I won’t leave you alone until you speak. So I suggest your hurry up and spill so we can go back to bed.”

  “I am sorry Obe. I just know that it is going to hurt you that I haven’t told you of this before,” Ember admitted, finding herself moulding into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.

  “Do you want to carry this on inside? It is much warmer. We can sit and talk in front of the fire,” he suggested.

  Ember shook her head in reply. She needed to be outside, needed to feel the cold. “This last week my sleep has been plagued with the same nightmare. I thought I had got rid of them. I haven’t had them for years and years. But they have come back with a vengeance and it’s always the same thing. There is a white dragon, he is burning our home, I hear our people screaming as his inferno rips through Caspa. And I am always running, I don’t know where I am running too, I just know I am running. He is following. Those violet eyes never leaving me, watching my every move…” She trailed off, shuddering not from the cold but from the image of the dragon’s eyes never leaving her. Stalking her like he would his pray.

  “And you are only telling me this now? Why would you not mention this, Ember?” Obe snapped slightly, pulling from her.

  She felt guilt wash through her as she looked into his eyes, so much hurt was held in them and she couldn’t blame him. He had always been there for her, had told her so much of his past. Things only she knew. Yet she had not shared this with him. “Obe I am sorry. I didn’t want to worry you. As I said that hadn’t happened for so long, I thought they had gone. Then when they came back to me I didn’t know what to do. I did think about speaking to Morgan. Maybe he would know what they meant. But I backed out of that idea. I wish I hadn’t now, I am getting a little sick of sleepless nights,” she joked, though her smile faded at the look on her love’s face. The silence that settled over them unnerved her slightly. Yelping as Obe’s large hand gripped tightly round her slender wrist he pulled her to her feet. Planting herself she ripped herself from his grasp.

  “What in the gods do you think you are doing? You can’t just snatch me up like that without say anything. Well, not unless you plan to take me to bed, which I assume you are not by the look in your eyes. So, do you want to tell me just what your problem is Obe? I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but you don’t need to get so mad at me,” Ember snapped, her own fire coloured eyes burning with anger to match Obe’s. He had never been so rough with her outside of the bedroom. He held her glare with his own steady one, yet he didn’t come closer to her, clearly he knew that he had gone too far.

  “I am sorry, Ember. I shouldn’t have been so rough. In answer to your question we are going to find the other two. I think they need to hear this. And you are right, Morgan is the only one that can make sense of it. But I can assure you, they will not be about you keeping something like this from them.” Ember rolled her eyes as she followed Obe towards Jaxe’s hut.

  The huts in Caspa weren’t much. Made from the wood of the Carcon tree, its power having the ability to keep warmth within, despite the harsh winters. That mixed with the soil from the land, and Morgan’s elf magic, these small humble homes withstood most things. But they would not withstand dragon fire. Nothing could withstand dragon fire.

  “Of course, you would have told them through your mental bond. You know it’s very rude to talk about me like that,” Ember pointed out, ignoring the glare that was shot in her direction.

  The way Obe stalked towards the others, coupled with the deathly silence, ensured that she knew he was mad at her. It was going to take a lot of making up to him, not that she was really complaining about that. She would show him just how sorry she was.

  The door was flung open so violently that Ember was worried it was going to come off its hinges. Jaxe stood in the doorway, pure rage written across his features. These two needed to chill out, it wasn’t that much of a big deal. They were just nightmares that she was sure meant nothing. Here was hoping that Morgan would be a little more forgiving. The figure of the Elf appearing behind Jaxe, his teal eyes narrowed at her, told her that was not going to be the case. She had succeeded in upsetting all three of them, something she hadn’t done for a very long time.

  “Can I at least have a chance to tell my side of the story? Obe shouldn’t have said anything to you. It was my thing to say,” Ember defended herself, pushing past Jaxe and Morgan.

  The cold had suddenly hit and she found herself in desperate need of warmth. As she was not going to be getting that from any of her hybrids, she figured she would seek out the fire. Sinking down onto the deer hide rug that lay in front of the burning flames, she stayed silent as she allowed her body to warm up. She could feel all three pairs of eyes fixed coldly on her back, and it was starting to annoy her.

  Growling in frustration she spun round to face them. “Will you all just get over it. I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Maybe I was hoping they would go away again like they have before. Now, can you please tell me what exactly Obe told you through your private bond.”

  Morgan’s face softened then, causing her to smile slightly as he came to join her on the rug. She knew that he would be the first one to come to her. She focused on him, ignoring the two hot- headed creatures that stood by the door still. At least Jaxe had had the sense to shut the cold out.

  “Obe just said you had been having reoccurring, dark nightmares. He didn’t elaborate. The reason we are so angry is because you kept this from us, Ember. We are supposed to be a team. To share each other’s burdens. Don’t worry about those fools behind us, they will get over it. Now tell me about this nightmares.” Morgan said, flashing her a reassuring smile.

  Ember felt herself relax, like she always did whenever around here soulmate. “Morgan, are you sure you know nothing of what happened to me before you found me?” Ember asked him, though she knew that the answer would be the same that it always was. Yet she still needed to hear it.

  “You know I don’t, Ember. I would have told you by now.”

  Ember nodded sadly at his answer, fixing her eyes on the flames, she watched them dance as they devoured the wood. “I know, Morgan. I guess I just wanted to hear you say it. This dream, it is the same every night. A white dragon comes, destroys our home, and then comes for me. Only he never gets me because I always wake before he gets the chance. It makes me wonder if this has something to do with my past. Or am I seeing something that is going to
happen in our future?” Ember told him, aware of the other two joining them on the floor. Jaxe was never one to have furniture in his home. He was a simplistic creature. It bothered Ember at times that there was nowhere comfortable to sit.

  “Have you any idea what any of this means, Morgan?” Jaxe’s gruff voice questioned. The hope Ember had for answers faded just as quick as it came with the shake of the elf’s head.

  “No, I don’t. But I will figure it out. I just need time and permission to know more of these dreams, Ember. I want to know every detail you have. The white dragon is a myth. They are so rare. I need to find out more about their history. About your history. It will mean travel though,” Morgan explained.

  “Travel to where?” Obe questioned.

  Morgan gave them an uncertain look, Ember shifted slightly, she didn’t like that look.

  “I will visit the elves. I will visit Doterrian. I will be gone a week at the most, but they will have the answers we need. Before you protest they won’t harm me. They have always been our allies, Ember. They have no battle with the hybrids you know that. They’ve been generous with supplies, I’m certain I will be welcomed to use the library of knowledge,” Morgan assured her.

  Ember nodded, he was right. The elves had been nothing but kind to the hybrids. “Okay, when will you leave?”

  “I will leave come dawn. Whatever this is, we need to know. If this is the future you are seeing we need to be prepared.”

  Chapter 7

  It had been two days since the fae king had visited Ustrina, and it shamed Ash to admit it had taken him that long to heal fully from his father’s beating. Izzeris had been sure to have hit him in his weakest spot. When he was a youngling Ash had suffered a nasty injury to his ribs in a flight drill. He had been injured by hunters from Temero, their archer had hit just above his left rib, the most exposed part of a dragon, luckily, he had missed Ash’s heart but the damage the metal head had caused would not be cured. He would suffer with it for the rest of his life. The archer had been caught and had been tortured to death for his crime. But the damage was done. His father had known just where to attack him. Ash supposed he couldn’t blame him really, Izzeris had wanted to get his point across, and although Ash would still carry on with his plan, he was more weary of his father.

  Making his way through the castle grounds towards the old run down hut that sat nestled amongst the woodland that led out into the hunting land, he wanted to speak with the royal mage Oburas. He had been Ash’s teacher in not only the importance of the magic of a dragon and the history of their race, but also in the understanding of maturing into the dragon prince he was.

  Oburas had been more of a father then Izzeris had ever been, and Ash loved him dearly. He didn’t know how old Oburas was. He had asked him once when he was younger. Oburas had refused to tell him, instead replying that he was old enough to know better but that didn’t mean he always did. The reply had been said with much mirth, and had left Ash wondering just what type of life the old mage had led before he had taken a vow of loyalty to the dragons. He just hoped that Oburas would understand Ash’s plea and be truthful with the darker side of history.

  There were so many more lands that Ash knew nothing of. He wanted to know, he wanted to know them all. The light and the dark. The powers each race wield. Dragons were known to be the most powerful of all races, but what if that was just a myth? What if there was another race out there that people didn’t know of or that were underestimated. If there were such a race it would be them that Ash would hunt down.

  Ash knocked gently on the door before pushing it open, finding the place unusually quiet. The hut had just one main room that housed a fire, some basic furniture and a large bookcase filled with manuscripts that were written in old languages Ash didn’t know. He didn’t care to anyway. Oburas had tried many times over the years to teach him the old tongue, but it had never stuck with Ash. Beyond the simple room was a smaller room that had just a bed.

  Ash shook his head slightly as he made his way out into the land behind the humble home. He wasn’t sure the old mage slept much, it would be the only explanation of the basic amenities.

  The back of the hut was vastly different to the grounds he had just left. The woodland was filled with so much life. Ash envied Oburas and the freedom he had to live this type of lifestyle. To be constantly surrounded with nature, to be able to step out of the confines of four walls, and not have the worry of having to fill the shoes of the current king.

  Walking deeper into the woods, he allowed nature to fill his senses and sooth his mind. Ash took note of how the seasons were changing the leaves. The greens now turning to the colour of fire. A mixture of oranges, reds and browns. The crisp sound as his boots trod over the blanket of leaves on the floor shattered the peaceful silence. It had been a long time since Ash had visited the mage’s spell chamber. Oburas didn’t come out here often, it was only Ash and Blaze that knew of it.

  A large Oak tree loomed ahead as Ash turned a corner. To the outside world it looked normal with no need to give it a second thought. Yet behind the thick set trunk was a secret only a few knew of. Reaching the tree, Ash lifted the palm of his hand up to lay it flat against the middle of the trunk. He felt a rush of power surge through him. His dragon magic connecting with that of nature. It was as if the tree was coming to life. It’s great branches moved, causing Ash to duck slightly to avoid getting his head taken off. He was sure to keep his palm firmly against the tree, if he moved it the magic would be broken. He watched in awe, as he always did, as the roots lifted themselves from the ground to make a gap big enough for him to slide into.

  Pulling back his hand, sending a silent thank you to the tree, he slipped into the gap, sliding down the dirt slope to land smoothly on the soiled floor. The tree roots moved back into place, plunging Ash into darkness. Reaching for a thick branch, tearing a piece of his shirt, Ash wrapped it round the top of the wood, and blew a small bit of fire from his mouth to light a torch. The light allowed him to see the path that lead to a wooden door at the end of the tunnel. Reaching it, he lifted his hand to knock. Before he could make a noise, a voice called out from the other side.

  “I have been waiting for you, Ashran. You can enter. You should know you don’t need to knock,” Oburas called out, the door opened by itself to allow Ash entry.

  Stepping into the room, he found the old mage settled at his desk with a large ancient book opened in front of him, but his grey eyes were focused on Ash, arms folded in front of him on the oak surface.

  “When you say you have been waiting for me, is that in the sense you heard me coming? Or have you been expecting me long since now?” Ash questioned him, taking a seat opposite Oburas, shifting slightly under the gaze of the old man.

  Ash wasn’t sure how old Oburas was exactly, but he had been the mage to his family for decades. He had seen so much, fought in battles long since passed, and it was this reason alone Ash had come to see him.

  Oburas chuckled pushing the huge book towards him. “Both, but I know you have many questions. The appearance of King Axis has unsettled you, and I’m sure you will not be surprised when I tell you that it is not the first time the dark king has been in this castle.”

  Ash didn’t say anything, instead he turned the book round so that he could look at the open page properly. What greeted him just confused him. The language was in the old dragon tongue, he couldn’t understand a word of it. Lifting his eyes up and fixing them on Oburas, his tone waa clipped as he spoke. “Why are you showing me this? You know that I cannot understand any of this. If this is your way of getting me to take the lessons you have been trying to force on me most my life, well it won’t work.”

  “Always quick to jump to the wrong conclusions, Ashran. Your temper will be your downfall one day if you do not learn how to control it,” Oburas chastised him.

  Ash dropped his gaze. The old man was right, he really did need to learn how to control his fuse. Blaze often told him the same thing. He wished he
could be more like his best friend.

  For a dragon Blaze was laid back and calm in the face of most things. It took a lot to cause the red dragon to lose his head, and Ash didn’t envy anyone who would come to witness it should Blaze ever let rage take control.

  “I am showing you this book because had you learnt the ancient tongue, you would be able to understand what it is telling you of the past. This books holds what it is you are seeking. But as it is written in a language you don’t know, I am going to have to translate it to you.”

  “So you do think that there is something more sinister going on that just meets the eye?” Ash interrupted the mage, ignoring the disapproving look that was flashed his way at interrupting him. Ash felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he wasn’t over thinking things.

  “Yes, Ash, I am certain there is something else going on. It is why I have been spending more time than normal down here. I have been trying to see if there was something I had missed, but I can’t find anything. There is, however, a race that we don’t know much of. A race that was banished many years ago, your people wiping out many of them. The hybrids. They are hidden in a far land and I think that they could be the key to helping us,” Oburas explained.

  “Helping us? Helping us with what exactly?” Ash questioned.

  Oburas shrugged in response. “That I don’t know. But be assured I am listening to all that is going on in both our land and the Fae land. I have my spies.”

  “Where do these hybrids live? Do you know long it will take for me to get to them?” The questions came out fast as Ash’s mind began to run with just one plan. He would seek this forgotten race out and hope that they would provide him the answers he so desperately needed.

  “I know the name of their land, I know it is the furthest north you can get. But I don’t know how long it will take for you to get to them. You will have to cross through King Kelak’s land to get there. That will be your biggest danger, having to pass him without being detected. The necromancers hate us more than the fae, and I would not trust them either with the power they can wield. The others you must pass through will not bother you so long as you respect them and their rules,” Oburas replied.