United Dragons

by Calista Lambrechts

  “Thorelnius?”

  For a moment I was hesitant, gulping. I stared at him with an involuntary tremble, “W-What?”

  Imperion passed over my remark with no reaction. Instead he turned his head back to the gigantic window, his eyes looking out across the valley of snow and mountains. His eyes sparked with a sense of longing.

  “So long it has been. I have been waiting. You are here, though I do not see you. Why? Why reside within this mortal? A being of temporal structure, so fragile.”

  I was struggling to understand. Thorelnius? Dragon of Life? For a moment I thought back and heeded Adrian’s past words. He had once told me that I might have some sort of link with the dragon. At first I thought it to be nothing more than childish poppycock, but now I see that I might have been wrong. The fact that Imperion said that he resided within me was baffling. I tried to wrap my head around this, but the damned dragon just wouldn’t explain. Instead it looked as though he was talking to a ghost or had gone mentally cracked and talked to himself.

  “Dead. I saw you die. Yet, here you are. If it is truly you… speak.”

  I felt lost. I had no idea what this guy was talking about, but I swear if this was a joke… Either way, I couldn’t shake the strange tingling feeling I felt inside of me. A shiver made its way from my feet to my heart. Ignoring the strange feeling, I jumped straight to an objection, “What the hell are you-”

  For some reason I couldn’t get out the rest of my words, almost as though I’ve lost all breath. For a moment it felt as though I was choking, but no sound escaped my mouth. I was struggling, but I had no idea why. It almost felt as though the strange feeling exploded in my heart. I gasped and my eyes turned into white flames. From there on my actions were unclear. My mind drifted away. To Imperion my eyes were of white flames with the shadow of a dragon within the mist of the flames. To me I could see nothing more than darkness. All I could hear were the echoes of a noble voice, talking to Imperion.

  “Brother. I have not yet abandoned our kin. Rest assured, stay true. There is still hope. I do not reside here. I am imprisoned. I will be released when the time comes. For now I ask you to obey this mortal, though as small as she may be, her heart is eternal.”

  With that the voice faded away and disappeared. I choked on some air and coughed. My gaze came crashing back to reality. I fell to my knees, coughing up some blood. I can’t lie if I say that the sight of me coughing up large amounts of my own blood really startled me. It pooled around my fingertips. I was puzzled. I was anxious.

  “What in the name of Tarauntis just happened?!” I asked, almost completely out of breath.

  Imperion remained nonchalant, shooting a single glance my way.

  “Thorelnius broke through his chains, possessed your being, but you shouldn’t let him do that.”

  Without a word I raised my gaze to meet him eye to eye.

  “Each time he manages to break through his bonds, communicating through you, it kills you. It kills him. He knows it is suicidal, but he takes the needed steps, the steps of a leader. Now I know my faith will stay strong. As long as you don’t go ahead and get yourself killed.”

  Through all of this, no matter how dire the matter may actually be, Imperion remained calm – too calm for his own good.

  “You mean- you- I- he…”

  “Yes. Thorelnius is imprisoned in your soul. Whatever happens to you, happens to him. Whatever harm you wreak upon yourself is directly transferred to him. All that you see, all your emotions is linked to those of his. He feels what you feel. He sees what you see. For the time being he is part of you.”

  “So there’s a dragon inside of me?”

  “Inside your soul, young one.”

  There was a moment of calming silence as Imperion paged through his thoughts.

  “You said you were sent by Tarauntis. What are your intentions? Why do you seek audience with me – lonely dragon of the mountains?”

  “I-I have come to claim your fire.”

  Imperion’s eyes widened, his back sparking with a shock of blue, probably his source of fire and a warning that I might become a frozen popsicle at any moment now.

  “What for? Is this some kind of cruel joke?”

  “No!” I was quick to object, “No… I need it to play a vital part in destroying Thorodan for good. The Artemilis cannot be broken without it.”

  “The Artemilis… You break into my home and you ask for my fire. You, a mortal. I do not know if this is courage or ignorance.”

  “Please! I can’t save Ysellian without it!”

  “I have seen far into the Rocky Mountains beyond the snow. Your words carry truth.”

  Though as hesitant as he was to give me his fire, he knew it to be for a very good cause. It was clear that he knew of Zeldin and Thorodan and of their intentions. All I asked was for him to cooperate and give me the flame.

  “Very well. I shall give you my fire, but I sense something else… something else on your mind.”

  I was tempted to ask if he could go and freeze Yoldrig, but I knew better than to play with the powers of such a great being.

  “Yes. I was wondering why Tarauntis sent me to you. He never told me the purpose of my visit. Only that I should speak with you.”

  Imperion sighed, looking out across the mountain range, staring far off into the distance. The scaly fella was lost deep in thought.

  “Tarauntis... I am fine.”

  This dragon was freaking mental! Speaking to Tarauntis as though he was there…

  “I do not need help. I am who I am. I cannot change. I cannot free myself from solitude. I appreciate you wanting to help me, I appreciate all you do for me, but I am fine, my friend. Depression is just another obstacle in my life. I will conquer. Do not worry, my friend. I am fine…”

  There was an unsettling silence. I was too scared to ruin the moment, but at some point I had no choice.

  “So, uh… are you done there, or should I give you another moment?”

  Imperion gave me no reply. Instead he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Steam escaped his gigantic nostrils and his back shone with that same blue light. With a gentle blow, pure white fire escaped Imperion’s mouth, rolling together as a swirling ball of frozen flames in mid-air.

  I was completely lost in awe. It was beautiful, but I soon snapped out of my daze. Acting quickly I dug into my satchel and retrieved one of the containers. I opened the lid, though it was as tight as these of a pickle jar. It took me a few seconds of struggling and pulling and biting until I finally managed to get the thing open, holding the jar out in front of me as Imperion blew the ball of swirling fire into the jar. It swept through the air, leaving a trail of white mist to follow. It gently entered the jar and I could close it with the same accursed lid. I couldn’t stop looking at the amazing sight of dragon fire, but more important business knocked on my door. With a wondering smile I stuffed the container back into my satchel, looking up at Imperion.

  “Leave. You must take my fire to Elimor the quickest you can. I can help you no further.”

  My grin of wonder and amazement dropped as quick as it came. I frowned.

  “I can’t afford to waste another six hours trying to find my way back down the mountains again. I need your help to get down quicker.”

  “Then I shall take you back myself, but I must warn you: Being the Dragon of Air, I am the fastest dragon in all the lands. You will need some aid to help you… some equipment.”

  Without another word and a swipe of his tale, Imperion sent a skeleton shooting my way, crashing into the wall, still mostly intact. I cocked my head at the skeleton’s strange clothing. I approached it with caution, crouching down beside it to investigate. It wore a jacket with woollen edges and a little cap with woollen padding to fit. It was brown with two little flappy ears. There was also a pair of big round goggles attached to its eyes. Underneath the jacket was a shirt that read: Kiss the Pilot. Not to mention the backpack. I knew it well. It was a parachute.

 
; “Pilot?” I asked myself. “Imperion?” I asked, looking up at him with inquisitive eyes.

  “I myself do not know who or what this person was. I believe him to be one of those from the other dimension. Many years ago I saw the portal of this dimension opening in mid-air. This man shot out, tried to work the parachute, but failed and crashed into my lair before he could save himself. I believe these so-called ‘pilots’ are to be men of the air. Air men.”

  His explanation seemed good enough as any other.

  “I want you to use that equipment. It is still in working condition. Only this way I know your flight will be safe.”

  “This ‘Kiss the Pilot’ his attire speaks of,” I started, still pondering on my own questions, “I think I know this story, give or take a few words.” I reached out, my fingertips touching the shirt.

  “This man must’ve been turned into a pilot and he needed a princess – a princess to kiss him and set him free!”

  I looked up at Imperion, wondering what his opinion was on my little realization. Imperion gave a slight smile and a little huff, returning his gaze to the window.

  “My guess is as good as yours.”

  I gave a sweet little smile as I pulled the shirt over mine and put on the jacket, arm-by-arm, muttering, “Yeah, that’s probably it.”

  I was satisfied.

  It wasn’t long until I put on the funny little hat and strapped the goggles to my head. It wasn’t yet time to wear them properly over my eyes.

  “I cannot take you from here. Return to the cliff and I shall escort you from there. All you need to do is call my name.”

  “How will I be able to go back? I hope you’re aware of those slimy creatures living in your basement!”

  Imperion didn’t reply. Instead he shot his gaze at the solid wall behind me.

  From nowhere came a sudden ting. I whipped around at the sound, only to find two rocks sliding open as some sort of door. It was an elevator, built into the mountain. My eyes widened alongside my frown. “How did I miss that?” I asked myself enquiringly. These mountains just kept on becoming stranger and stranger.

  “Go,” Imperion gestured, “I will arrive at your call.”

  I shot my new buddy a quick wink and a grateful smile. I threw the parachute backpack over my one shoulder. I was ready and well on my way, taking my first step into the rocky elevator. I shot one last look at Imperion as the doors closed, my gaze wandering the elevator aimlessly. I was still in deep question… An elevator? Seriously?

  It was only a matter of seconds before the soothing feeling and creepy elevator music stopped and the doors slid open with another ting. I stepped out with a wandering gaze, wondering where I might have ended up, but I soon realised it to be the place near the entrance of the cave. I was back where we started.

  Surprisingly, I found Yoldrig to be sitting on top of my elevator boulder. His legs were crossed and he was busy tuning his lute, completely unaware of the entire elevator thing. My guess to why he’s up there? Well, I think my goblin story might have scared him more than I thought it did at first.

  It wasn’t until I stepped well into sight that when Yoldrig exclaimed, “Master, you have returned!”

  Someone sounded happy…

  “And you’re alive!” As though it wasn’t enough he tried to kiss my boots, he started to sing.

  Oh the master she returned,

  her glory held up high.

  Escaped cold dark caverns!

  I bow down to thy!

  You carry your courage

  Escaped the cold, she flit,

  through darkness and beyond

  Though she smells like bat-

  “Shut it or you’ll wish I wasn’t!” I warned with a scolding finger. Yoldrig nodded with a slight bow.

  Wow. It seems that I have ranked from peasant to master during my absence and his cowardice.

  “Have you found what you have been looking for?” Yoldrig asked cautiously. I shot him a little sinister smile and withdrew a glass jar from my satchel. I held it into the air, bright white light gleaming around the swirling flame. It was spectacular. So spectacular that Yoldrig came up close, staring at it with a gaping mouth.

  “Y-You did it. The fire…”

  “Yep, I’m awesome.” I just had the urge to brag a bit.

  Yoldrig was still stumbling over his own words at the magnificent sight of the flame in its purest form. It wasn’t until I put it back in my satchel that when he finally snapped out of his daze, stuttering, “W-What are you going to do now? You have the flame. You have the answers. What is your next step?”

  “Well, my dear Yoldrig. I think our business has come to an end.”

  “An end you say?” For a second there, Yoldrig looked craftier than the offspring of a fox and an insurance merchant.

  “What about my reward?” I shot him a questioning glance.

  “Reward?” Yoldrig’s unsavoury nature started to shine once again.

  “My pay. I haven’t come all this way just for nothing!”

  “Yes,” I said, “I should’ve known that in Ysellian no business is done without benefit on both sides of the bargain. Your pay then…”

  Yoldrig looked rather eager, listening intently. I took a quick moment to think this through before carefully answering. My posture was held straight and proud as I said, “The privilege of not being killed… and this little, uh, what’s this? Meat?” I searched my satchel as I spoke, but seemingly as Yoldrig declined my generous offer of meat, I had no more to offer.

  “Meat? Are you kidding me? There has got to be some coin in there!”

  I shook my head, not actually caring as much as he might think me to.

  “I’m sorry, but I have nothing to offer. Spent the last of my money on Johansen’s little shop.”

  The wind started to pick up and blew my hair to the side, sweeping over my face.

  “As much as I like to stand and talk about you not getting what you want, I’m afraid it is time for me to go.”

  Yoldrig looked baffled and he looked even more so the moment I yelled, “TAXI!”

  With a powerful gust of wind, a pair of great white wings came soaring towards the cliff, landing on the edge with an explosion of rock and snow. As all became clear it revealed a great big white dragon. Yoldrig was breathless, his heartbeat racing. He clearly never saw a dragon before.

  “But- I- What?”

  “I bid you farewell, my rogue.”

  My voice was loud and proud. I pulled down and adjusted my goggles with my one hand, giving Yoldrig a big toothy smile. Imperion bent down, lowering his wing as a ramp for me to get onto his back. I climbed on with speed and seated myself on his upper neck, having a firm grasp on his two small horns. Yoldrig stopped me right before I could take off.

  “Wait. You’re not going to leave me here, are you?” We had to shout over the winds and the height between us.

  “You can find your own way back since you know these mountains so well! And frankly, there’s only room for one!”

  “But there is plenty of-”

  “Hush, my dear idiot.”

  That seemed to have done it. Yoldrig was speechless, giving me the perfect chance to give him one last clear goodbye.

  “Fare thee well! Oh, and please do look out. It’s goblin season!”

  I swear I could hear his gulp all the way up here. Yoldrig was seven shades whiter and his hair stood on end. The man was petrified.

  With that settled and another soul scared into submission, Imperion took off with numerous flaps of his gigantic wings, the wind forcing against Yoldrig at every turn. I held on for dear life as Imperion lifted into the air and shot away with great speed – like a strike of lightning through the air.

  It felt as though my lips were being pulled back and my grip slipping, my skin almost slipping from my very body.

  My goggles pressed against my eyes like two big suction cups and my little woollen hat was threatened of being relieved of duty. Imperion’s tales were not exa
ggerated. Not at all, I tell you.

  He was as fast as light itself and shot through the air like a dart shot straight from a crossbow.

  “Your destination is approaching fast. I cannot stop to let you down safely. Indeed I do come to a sudden stop, I’m pretty sure it will rip a hole in space-time continuum itself!” Imperion yelled over the powerful wind.

  “What are you proposing?” I shouted back.

  “I think you know!”

  With that my eyes broadened with realisation. I have been through this before, but not at this great of a speed. My heart skipped a beat and I felt like shouting before he could even do it.

  “Damn, no!” I yelled, my grasp tightening. I wasn’t ready to die yet!

  “It is the only way! Good luck, my Drachem – my friend!”

  Well that was touching. Yet, it still didn’t make up for what he did to me. He did a quick spin and flew on. Of course it being so fast, my grip failed me and I was sent falling a few thousands of feet through the air, absolutely wet-yourself petrified. At least this time I had a parachute, but still!

  “Can’t you dragons just have a decent alighting method?!” I yelled, though it’s most likely he couldn’t hear me anymore. With the wind still forcing back against me, I tried to reach for the strange ripcords whirling about in the air. I pulled them the soon as I did and was pulled back with a forceful tug. Before I knew it, I wasn’t falling anymore. No… I was soaring! I gave a joyful laugh. Glad to be alive! The adrenaline coursed through my veins and I felt alive.

  Hear that mom?! I feel alive!

  I laughed frantically, my eyes finally able to sweep across the whole of Ysellian. I was up pretty high and the scenery was astounding. I had never seen anything more outstanding than the sight of Ysellian from up here.

  Too bad my sightseeing was short-lived the soon as I closed in on the ruined rooftops of Elimor, hidden within the trees. Like a fluent piece of music composition, my laughing turned into a petrified scream.

  “No no no! WHAAAA!”

  I crashed through the branches of the trees and plummeted straight through the gaps, getting tangled in the ropes of the parachute. I crashed all the way down. It all happened so fast and my vision was vague. It didn’t take me long before I fell through the rafters. Just as I thought I was about to hit the ground in the form of a painful death, the ropes caught in the branches and rafters stopped me.