Something Wyverian This Way Comes

by Jeffrey M. Poole

  “I’m going to have to lower her,” Sarah gasped out. As strong as her jhorun was, it wasn’t strong enough to keep a creature the size of a dragon in the air for an extended period of time.

  “How much longer can you hold her?” Steve asked as he pulled several of the power crystals from his sword’s scabbard. He handed the mimets to Sarah.

  “It’s hard to say. It feels like I’m depleting my jhorun faster than I can replenish it. If I were to guess I’d say another twenty seconds and then that’s it. I’m sorry!”

  Steve faced the angry glares from the twin black dragon heads.

  “You must be this female Zweigelan that we’ve heard so much about.”

  Chapter 13 – The Gang’s All Here

  “How dare you!” the female Zweigelan’s left head screeched in an abrasive, high pitched voice. “Release us at once! You have no right to restrain us!”

  “And who do we have the pleasure of addressing?” Steve asked in the most condescending tone. “What are your names?” He pulled out two more of the crystal power discs and handed them to Sarah, who was showing definite signs of strain. Beads of sweat were starting to trickle down her forehead. “You should set them down. Just don’t let go of them.”

  Sarah gratefully lowered the female Zweigelan to the ground with a solid thump. Just as soon as contact was made with the ground the red Zweigelan frantically scrambled towards the safety of the trees. Black wings flapped uselessly as neither wing nor claw could make any purchase.

  Growing angry, Steve blasted several jets of fire up into the air. When he saw that his flames were being ignored he directed a jet over to one of their black wings. Roaring in pain, the Zweigelan snapped both her wings closed and twisted about in midair until she found the person responsible for her singed wing.

  Steve smirked. “That got your attention, didn’t it? Dragon scales may be some of the toughest materials I have ever encountered, and quite fireproof, but your wings don’t have those scales. Remember that. Now, why don’t you sit down, zip your lips, and listen to what we have to say, okay?”

  The female’s left head eyed Steve with more malice than he would have thought possible. The right head was directing its own evil glare at Dirgath and Tirgath. Then it noticed another of its kind watching quietly just behind the silver Zweigelan.

  “What are you two doing here?” the left head screeched. “Stop acting like the sniveling little worms I know you are and do something useful! Destroy them! Now!!”

  Steve glanced worriedly at Syrreth and Ferreth. The last thing he needed to worry about was whether the green Zweigelan would switch loyalties. One look at the firm resolve that had appeared on both Syrreth and Ferreth’s faces confirmed he didn’t have anything to worry about. The look of disgust on Syrreth’s face spoke volumes.

  “We need to break this curse,” Sarah said after she snapped her fingers a few times to get the female’s attention. “You have grievances with the dragons. That’s understandable. However, this curse is targeting not only the dragons but you Zweigelans, too.”

  Two sets of eyes sunk in pitch black faces swiveled to stare at Sarah.

  “Impossible!” the right head screeched.

  “Liars!” the left head accused.

  Steve and Sarah shared a glance.

  “I’d say that proves Ms. Congeniality here wasn’t trying to double cross the other two,” Steve commented.

  Right Head briefly glanced at Steve before refocusing its attention back on Sarah.

  “The filthy wyverian population must be punished. Every dragon should be made to suffer as much as we have.”

  “What suffering?” Steve sputtered. “So the Dragon Lord called you guys a name. While I agree he shouldn’t have done that, it doesn’t mean all dragons should suffer. Besides, Brainiac, you three are suffering the same fate as them.”

  “Believe that, we do not,” the red Zweigelan’s left head snapped.

  “What are your names?” Steve asked as he deliberately walked away from where Pravara was still lying, crouched in the tall grass.

  After a few moments the left head finally answered.

  “Yamira.”

  “And your cohort?” Steve prompted.

  “Lamira.”

  “We’re not your enemies, Yamira,” Sarah pointed out. She let out a little gasp and sat down on the closest rock.

  “You okay?” Steve asked her in a hushed voice.

  His wife nodded and patted his hand reassuringly.

  “I’m burning through the mimets like crazy,” Sarah whispered to him. “Hand me some more. I’m out. These crystals may be restoring my jhorun, but not my stamina. I’m feeling beat, like I’ve used all my reserves. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

  “Stay seated,” Steve told her. He handed her several more charged crystals. “Conserve your energy.” He turned to look back up at Yamira and resumed his questioning. “Aren’t you curious why you can’t spit fire anymore?”

  “We can spit fire,” Yamira insisted.

  Bewildered, Steve looked at Sarah, who shrugged. “That doesn’t make any sense. If you could’ve burned me to a crisp then you would have done so by now.”

  “We have no need to,” Lamira told them as she looked down her nose at the humans.

  Steve smiled. “Prove it. Spit fire. Give me a single flame and I’ll believe you.”

  “If we spit fire now,” Lamira snidely told him, “then you would not survive.”

  Steve ignited both hands and generated a chaser. Tossing the fireball back and forth between his hands, he smiled.

  “Don’t let that stop you. Go on, do it. Try to light me on fire. You can’t do it, can you? You know you can’t. We know you can’t. Stop pretending otherwise.”

  “We choose not to,” Yamira told him condescendingly.

  Steve wasn’t fooled.

  “Yeah, sure you do. How about flying? Let’s see how well you take to the air.”

  The third Zweigelan kept their noses skyward.

  “We don’t like flying,” Yamira informed them.

  “Prefer the ground, we do,” Lamira confirmed.

  “Are you that pig-headed?” Steve asked, incredulous. “Look around you. Look at the other two. Syrreth and Ferreth are at the second stage. They can’t spit fire or use the Collective. Poor Dirgath and Tirgath are at stage three. No more flying for them. If you can still spit fire and fly then that means you haven’t been affected by this curse and more than likely you’re trying to make sure you are the last Zweigelan in existence. Are you trying to drive your species into extinction? Is that what you want?”

  A soft squeak sounded from Dirgath and Tirgath’s direction. Nearly a dozen set of eyes, wyverian and human alike, turned to look down at the young dragonlet, who had just poked her head up and over the tall grass. Even Lamira had turned to look at the dragonlet.

  “What is it, Pravara?” Steve asked as he cast a worried look over at the young dragon. “Are you okay? Your mother should be here shortly. I hope.”

  Steve watched Pravara edge away from her hiding place in the grass and hesitate. It looked as though the young dragon was truly afraid of Yamira and Lamira. Steve grunted quietly. He couldn’t blame her. This Zweigelan was easily the angriest and meanest of the three. Both heads were now staring at the dragonlet with such hatred that Pravara had retreated to Syrreth and Ferreth’s side. Both of the green Zweigelan heads had noticed how frightened the dragonlet had become and had instantly adopted a protective stance. Syrreth bared his fangs and added his growl to that of Ferreth’s, eliciting a flinch from the red and black Zweigelan, who quickly tried to cover it up. Steve caught Ferreth’s eye.

  He gave Syrreth a look, as if to say, is Pravara okay?

  Syrreth returned his gaze and shrugged.

  “What’s on your mind, Pravara?” Steve asked the dragonlet. “Why did you make that sound?”

  “Why are you being so mean to them?” Pravara timidly asked as she looked over at him.

&n
bsp; Yamira and Lamira’s eyes widened with disbelief.

  “We are not being mean to her,” Sarah patiently explained. “We are trying to figure out why she has brought about this curse.”

  “Out of curiosity, what made you say that?” Steve asked the dragonlet.

  “Father says that we should never force anyone to do something against their will.”

  Yamira grunted while Lamira scoffed loudly.

  Sarah laid a comforting hand on Pravara’s shoulder.

  “Honey, we aren’t hurting her. We’re just talking to her.”

  “You are holding me against my will!” Lamira snapped out. She was all but quivering with rage.

  “Only because you hold the key to breaking this curse,” Sarah reminded her. “Just calm down and give us the talisman and you’ll be free to go.”

  “We do not know what you’re referring to,” Yamira told her, albeit a little too quickly. She, too, seemed to be trembling uncontrollably.

  Sarah looked up with alarm. She held out a hand to Steve.

  “I need a mimet. Quick! I don’t know how she’s doing it, but she’s fighting my jhorun. She’s breaking free! That must be why they’re shaking. Hurry!”

  Steve’s hands flew to his sword’s scabbard, where he kept the surplus power crystals. He unsnapped one of the pockets and pulled out a mimet but before he could get it to Sarah the last ounce of her jhorun was expended trying to keep Yamira and Lamira immobilized. Wordlessly she tipped over backwards on the rock she had been sitting on and landed in the soft grass.

  Roaring triumphantly, the red Zweigelan rose to her full height and lunged at Sarah’s still form. Steve ignited both hands and blasted twin jets of fire, hoping to slow the Zweigelan down enough so that he could get to Sarah. His stomach sank as he realized he wasn’t going to make it.

  “Over here, you creep!” Steve called out as he waved his lit hands, trying frantically to get Yamira and Lamira’s attention.

  The problem, Steve knew, was that the female dragon was aware that only one person was capable of immobilizing her and that was Sarah. They most likely wanted to be certain that it couldn’t happen again. Generating a chaser in each hand, Steve cocked an arm and prepared to throw one of the fireballs. Just as he was swinging his arm forward a green blur swished by him and snatched Sarah from the ground.

  It was Syrreth and Ferreth. They withdrew to a fair distance and gently placed Sarah’s unconscious form down into the tall grass. Steve nodded appreciatively. Ferreth nodded back. A loud commotion from behind caused him to spin around. With both hands still blazing, Steve saw that the female Zweigelan had chosen to attack Dirgath and Tirgath. What should have been an even fight between the two Zweigelans was turning out to be anything but.

  Yamira and Lamira were quicker, stronger, and more motivated to win this fight. Dirgath and Tirgath were trying to claw the female whenever she got close, or else take a hefty bite out of anything within reach but the red and black Zweigelan proved to be too cunning. Yamira and Lamira were clearly the better skilled fighters and it was becoming all too clear that this fight would be over in moments.

  Steve ran over to Pravara and placed himself directly in front of her. Together they watched the Zweigelans fight amongst themselves. Steve noticed that the scene of the battle was increasing in size. He gently herded Pravara farther and farther south, almost to the point of forcing her to enter the forest. After guiding Pravara right up to the forest’s edge Steve noticed the noises from the battle had become eerily quiet. He risked a glance at the fighting Zweigelans. Steve paused. Both of the Zweigelans had completely coiled themselves around the other, like a snake would when it would try and overpower its prey. The red Zweigelan was wrapped so tightly around the silver Zweigelan, or vice versa, that the two dragons almost resembled an oversized Christmas goodie. The dragon-sized candy cane writhed in anger and rolled back and forth on the ground as each Zweigelan tried to find something for one of their two heads to bite onto. After a few minutes of fruitless attempts of trying to harm the other, the battling dragons would return to their wrestling match and continue to roll about on the ground.

  Steve could see Pravara staring at the battling dragons with wide, unblinking eyes. The little dragon kept trying to say something to Syrreth but it was lost over the roars from each combatant. Suddenly, and without reason, Pravara darted around Steve and raced towards Dirgath and Tirgath. Steve yelled a warning, but couldn’t make his voice heard over the ruckus the Zweigelans were making. Syrreth and Ferreth, unfortunately, had chosen that exact moment to glance over to make sure Sarah was still alright.

  This isn’t going to end well, Steve thought with alarm as he raced toward Pravara and the fighting Zweigelans. Where was Pryllan? Why hadn’t she arrived yet? If she didn’t get here soon then they were going to wind up with a casualty on their hands. There was no way he was going to be able to prevent Pravara from reaching the Zweigelans.

  Desperate, and with no other recourse, Steve pressed a finger to each of his temples, in the proper telepathic manner, and tried to get Pryllan’s attention.

  Pryllan! If you’re nearby we could really use you right about now! We have a problem!

  A speck appeared in the sky and rapidly increased in size. Steve stared in shock as Pryllan’s familiar green form descended from the sky. There were no attempts at stealthiness in this landing. She hit the ground so hard that nearby pine trees lost most of their needles due to the excessive shaking.

  What is going on?

  Where’s Rinbok?

  He will be here at any moment. I heard your call and had to abandon him.

  You ditched the Dragon Lord? That can’t be a good thing.

  What choice had I? I sensed your urgency. Where is Pravara?

  Pryllan looked back at the direction she had flown in from. The Dragon Lord would most definitely not like the fact that he had been deserted.

  That’s why I called. She bolted from her hiding place. I think she’s trying to help Dirgath and Tirgath.

  Pryllan’s head snapped around and stared at Steve, who instantly pointed towards the two fighting Zweigelans. Pryllan looked where he indicated and her jaws opened in shock. Her precious baby, her one and only offspring, had just rushed to a friend’s defense and was now circling the tightly coiled Zweigelans growling just as loud as she could. Pryllan leapt forward, intent on reaching her baby as quickly as possible.

  Unsure what help she could give, but still knowing help was needed, Pravara darted in to bite the tip of Yamira and Lamira’s black tail. Pravara knew the tip of her own tail was incredibly sensitive and could only hope other wyverian tails were the same.

  They were.

  Yamira and Lamira roared in pain. Within seconds the two Zweigelans had ceased their wrestling match. Dirgath and Tirgath limped away as fast as they could. At the same time Yamira had located the young dragon nearby and was advancing. Pravara fearfully looked up at the angry female Zweigelan and did her best to frighten it away. The little dragon bared her short fangs and growled another warning.

  Yamira and Lamira bunched their muscles and prepared to lunge at the dragonlet. In its rage it didn’t see Steve quickly approaching from the west. Before they could launch themselves forward two blasts of fire snaked through the air and headed straight towards the female Zweigelan’s leathery wings.

  Yamira saw what was about to happen and folded both wings flat against its back. Lamira smiled maliciously as both she and her twin watched the fire jets miss their targets and blast harmlessly away to the east. However, Yamira’s smile vanished a few moments later as she saw that the twin jets of fire had just curved unexpectedly and were now circling around for another attempt. Nudging its twin, Yamira tried to dodge again, but this time the jets dipped low and slammed into both wings.

  Both black heads roared in pain. In her fury, Lamira saw that Pravara was still within range and again tried to attack the young dragon. A silver wing with jet black stripes suddenly appeared and viciously swe
pt the ground, knocking everything before it violently backwards. That included Pravara, who was knocked off her feet and was sent tumbling into the tall grass. The third Zweigelan refocused its efforts on Dirgath and Tirgath, who was now standing directly in front of the patch of grass where Pravara was hiding. The injured silver Zweigelan was trying to slowly back away from the advancing female while keeping Pravara shielded from sight. Fortunately for Dirgath and Tirgath, Yamira and Lamira’s luck turned for the worse.

  Pryllan.

  The huge green dragon had finally made it to her offspring’s side. In the blink of an eye she had located her baby in the grass and coiled her long tail around her, lifting her bodily up and out of harm’s way. She stretched out her tail and dropped her as far away as she could. Once she was sure Pravara was safe, Pryllan turned back to the red and black Zweigelan and roared her challenge.

  For a few seconds it looked as though Yamira and Lamira might possibly back down from the fight as Pryllan easily out massed the two headed dragon. With her claws ripping into the grass-covered valley floor as she crouched low, Pryllan readied herself and prepared to attack. Just as she surged forward the red Zweigelan all but disappeared. Surprised, Pryllan looked left and then right. The red and black female had practically vanished right under her nose.

  “Watch out!” Steve shouted. “She’s right behind you!”

  Pryllan whipped her head around to check her flank. There was a loud scraping sound and a brief flash of pain as Yamira and Lamira darted in for a quick bite, damaging several scales in the process. A split second later the female Zweigelan was gone.

  “You need to be on your guard!” Steve called out. “She’s moving way faster than you are!”

  Pryllan growled ominously as she jerked her head left and then right as she tried to locate her foe. Another clang sounded from her right as the black headed red Zweigelan had appeared long enough to take another bite and damage several more of her scales. Catching sight of a black-tipped red tail disappearing into the nearby trees, Pryllan rushed to the forest edge. She tried to grab the rapidly receding tail but it vanished before she got too close.