by Jay Lynn
Giving her head a good shake, Isabelle blinked several times. “What do you mean by ‘prince’? Alec is from Zerrok. Could someone please explain what manner of amusement this is, because I don’t comprehend it?”
“It is no falsehood,” Alandra said, coolly lifting her chin. “Alec is in fact my elder brother, Prince Alakaid.”
“How…how is that possible? I thought the Prince perished.”
“Indeed. We all believed it to be so.”
“We can focus on Alec’s miraculous survival another time,” Malcolm interjected. “Saving his life is of greater importance.”
“Agreed,” Kalvin said rolling his shoulders. Releasing a long breath he stared at an invisible spot on the blanket. “To do so will be difficult.”
“We need to harness some of his magical energy to give him a chance to heal,” Malcolm muttered tapping a finger against his cheek.
“What are you thinking?”
“An old and possibly forgotten spell.”
“Hmmm, but what would we use as a vessel? Dragon’s magic is different than a normal wizard’s aura.”
“Perhaps a dragon?” Isabelle offered while everyone else frowned as they listened to the vague conversation. “You plan on employing a mana draining spell, correct? If my understanding of the enchantment is right, then some of Alec’s power will be siphoned off and placed in another living creature. None of us would be able to handle his energy, but shouldn’t the dragons be able to?”
The older sages peered at each other, a silent message seeming to pass between them.
“Very resourceful, Isabelle,” Kalvin praised. “You have the makings of a great master.”
“Indeed. You were wasted as Jerric’s student,” Malcolm remarked.
Clearing his throat, the headmaster pulled the conversation back to the issue at hand. “This is a risky spell, are you sure Malcolm?”
“It’s our only option.”
“Then we are agreed.”
“Wait a moment,” interrupted Zachary. “What is it you are seeking to do? I cannot allow you to put his life in any more danger.”
“His life is already in danger,” the Cunning Sage replied bluntly. “If we do nothing, then Alec stands no chance of surviving this. The dragons are our only hope.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Edmund questioned, stepping closer to the bed. “Leona, pray summon the guards to aid me,” he instructed, gently sitting Alec up and draping an arm about his shoulders.
Striding forward, Zachary moved to Alec’s other side and placed his nephew’s arm over him. “There is no need. We should hurry.”
With Alec hanging limply between them, the two nobles moved as quickly as they could down the corridor. One guard rushed ahead and by the time they reached the stairs, Kayla and Garth were waiting with a stretcher. The soldiers took over, swiftly carrying Alec out of the castle and across the gardens. Nearing the back of the lush, well-manicured space, their steps slowed to a tentative crawl.
Rising to their full heights, a magnificent green and a fiery red dragon watched those approaching intently.
“Ardys!” Isabelle squeaked racing to the dragon’s side. Beaming, she reached out and patted his head as he lowered it to greet her. “By my word, what are you doing here?”
“You know this dragon?” Edmund questioned with raised brows.
“But of course. Alec and I met Ardys in Zerrok. He was the one to help us escape.”
“How do you know his name?” Malcolm inquired watching her closely.
“Oh, well…I mean he…I guess we kind of made it up. We couldn’t very well just call him ‘Dragon’, now could we?”
“Wait,” Jade started thoughtfully. “How would you know he is a male? I mean Cassidy is female…”
“You knew,” Malcolm concluded quietly. “You knew Alec could talk to dragons and kept his secret.”
Isabelle’s sudden silence was confirmation enough. It was so unlike her she might have had the words guilty written across her forehead.
“Your loyalty is impressive, for a human,” Cassidy suddenly said drawing everyone’s attention. Eyeing Alec lying on the stretcher, she got right to the point. “He’s getting worse, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is,” Malcolm answered with a nod. Standing in front of the dragons the wizard gazed at one then the other. “We need your help or I fear Alec will not live through the night.”
A low rumble sounded from Ardys as he exchanged a glance with Cassidy. Her eyes narrowed.
“What can we do?” she asked carefully.
“The dragon’s magic is exceeding Alec’s ability to control it. His body needs time to heal and adapt to the sudden increase in power. In order for him to do so, we plan on removing some of his magical energy. Just enough for him to recover,” the wizard added as he heard a distinct growl.
“Why seek us out?”
“The required spell is a transference. The energy has to go into another vessel and since it is dragon’s magic—”
“You need a dragon to complete your spell,” Cassidy finished for him glumly.
“Correct.”
There were a few seconds of uneasy silence. Still standing beside Ardys, Isabelle’s gaze darted between the mighty creatures. Are they going to say no? She knew the dragons didn’t readily trust humans. Ardys went through years of torment just as Alec did. Who knew what sorrow befell the green dragon, but this wasn’t the time to be dwelling on the acts of a few evil souls. Alec needed them.
“Pray Ardys, we really need you. Alec needs you. Everyone here truly cares for him. I understand you have no reason to trust humans, but you can believe me. Alec is my best friend. I kept his secrets, stood by him in the arena and I would never betray him. I beg of you, help us.”
A stream of smoke expelled from the red dragon’s nostrils. Bowing his head, he gave Cassidy a sideways look.
“Are you sure?” the green dragon received a low rumbled response. “Very well.” Turning to gaze at the humans she nodded. “Tell us what we need to do.”
“Thank you,” Isabelle whispered rubbing the side of Ardys’s neck.
Malcolm motioned for the soldiers to bring Alec closer. Laying the stretcher right in front of the dragons the men quickly backed away. Malcolm and Kalvin took positions on either side prior to addressing everyone present.
“Once we begin the spell no one is to touch Alec or the dragons until the enchantment is complete. You may feel strange,” Kalvin added looking up at Cassidy and Ardys. “The extra magical energy will give you heightened senses and may have other side effects until it dissipates.”
“We are going to need some space and privacy,” Malcolm told the small group gathered at the back of the gardens. “Isabelle can remain here in case we need another sorcerer. For the moment, I ask everyone else to move back towards the garden.”
Gazing at Alec, Jade gripped her hands together. Do not make me leave, her heart seemed to shout at her. Opening her mouth to protest, she felt someone loop an arm around her own.
Flashing Jade a brave smile, Alandra stood beside her. “Do not fret. The sages will have him recovering shortly. Let us give them the space they require.”
Biting her lip, Jade could only manage a curt nod.
Edmund, Zachary and Garth, along with the present soldiers, set about blocking off the area and ordering the staff gathering by the edge of the space to return to their work. Trying to soothe Jade’s sudden shaking, the princess, Leona and Kayla walked with her down a nearby path and away from the sight of the ritual.
Looking at Isabelle with a serious glint in his eyes, Malcolm told the younger sorcerer, “Not many sages, even among the masters, know of this spell.”
Eyes widening, her gaze darted to Kalvin and back.
“You must understand,” the Cunning Sage continued. “Taking another sorcerer’s mana is dangerous. If this spell ever fell into the wrong hands, it could be a destructive force.”
“I understand Master Malcolm.”
>
“Good.”
“We should proceed,” the headmaster said.
Holding their hands above the injured sorcerer, the two master sages spoke in perfect unison.
“Surgeon.”
A large white magic circle formed directly over Alec’s chest.
“Sumonno virtus mana-alom. Rasolee er lumina sancdamor.”
As they recited the enchantment in Elan, Alec’s body was encased in a golden-orange light. Like a thick swirling storm of stardust, glowing specks rose up through the magic circle, lifting into the air as they gravitated towards the dragons. Continuing to climb, the light absorbed into the jewel on both Cassidy and Ardys’s foreheads.
Holding their positions, Malcolm and Kalvin stood rigid for an intense few seconds before lessening the flow of energy. Once the last few sparkles seeped into the dragons, the glow surrounding Alec’s body faded and the magic symbol dispelled.
“Do you think it was enough?” Kalvin questioned, his gaze traveling between the magnificent creatures beside them and the prince.
Exhaling sharply, Malcolm lifted his shoulders. “Time will tell us. We couldn’t risk syphoning anymore of his power. Not when the magic is linked to his life force.”
Suddenly, Cassidy dipped her head and lightly touched Alec on the shoulder. A faint gleam passed between them so quickly that the sage was almost convinced it was a trick of the light. A soft groan reached his ears. Sinking to his knees, Malcolm leaned over the stretcher.
“Alec? Can you hear me, my boy?”
Peering through thin slits, Alec gently shifted his head to look at the sage. “Malcolm?”
“You gave us quite the fright. How are you feeling?”
He released a soft bark of laughter. “Oh, wonderful,” Alec told him sarcastically.
Malcolm’s shoulders sagged. If he’s making such comments then the spell must have worked.
“Cassidy? Ardys?” the warrior murmured glancing at the dragons towering over him. “What’s going on? And what are you doing here, my friend?”
“You’re beginning to sound like Isabelle,” Kalvin teased. “I know you have questions, but perhaps now is not the best time,” he advised as Jade rushed across the grass towards them.
Alandra and Zachary trailed behind. Their dark brown heads were bent towards each other as they spoke in heated, hushed tones. Shooting her uncle one final glare, the princess quickened her pace.
Managing to sit up, Alec was nearly knocked over as Jade dropped to her knees and flung her arms around his neck.
“Do not dare frighten me like that ever again,” she whispered in his ear.
The one corner of his mouth pulled back. In reply, Alec looped his arm about her and squeezed back before they put some distance between them.
“I’m so glad you’re alright!” Isabelle cried pouncing on him from behind. Alandra didn’t bother waiting for the sorceress to finish hugging Alec prior to wrapping her arms around him as well.
Eyes wide, Alec peered at the men standing beside the stretcher. “Did I miss something?”
“You almost died,” Isabelle informed him, releasing her tight hold.
“After all the time we’ve spent together, how is that new?”
Scowling, Isabelle swatted him with her hand.
“You did have us quite worried,” Alandra admitted, her gaze lowering to the ground.
Raking his fingers through his hair, Alec sighed. “Forgive me, Princess. I…I didn’t hurt anyone did I?”
Zachary shook his head. “Fortunately no. The greater concern was for your well-being.”
“Quite so. Luckily, Duke Stafford sent word to us at the East Circle when he dispatched a rider to Marcia.”
Alec tried not to groan at the sorceress’s words. Only bits and pieces of the event were surfacing, but it must have been dire for Edmund to summon Leos.
“No doubt my father will be on his way once he hears of this. I don’t wish to trouble him.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed as he saw the tightness around Alandra’s mouth. When their gazes connected, she looked away.
“You cannot blame him for being concerned,” Jade soothed placing her hand over his. “He cares greatly for you.”
The corners of Alec’s eyes crinkled as he shifted his sight to the noble. A reply wasn’t needed. Conscious of those lingering close by, Alec slowly rose to his feet.
“Why don’t you try to get some rest?” Zachary suggested. “There shall be plenty of time to discuss everything later.”
“His Highness is correct. Besides, you do look a bit pale as of yet, my boy,” Malcolm agreed.
“Alright, alright,” Alec grumbled half-heartedly. “Only as long as everyone quits behaving as if I rose from the dead.”
“You pretty much did, ‘Prince Pouty’,” Isabelle mumbled, earning her a quizzical frown. Flashing Alec a too bright smile, she wrapped her arm around his and led him towards the back of the castle. “Shall we go inside? I’m famished.”
Shaking his head, Alec glanced down at Jade who was closely guarding his other side.
Hands tightly clenched in front of her, she lifted her shoulders with a graceful shrug.
Saying nothing more, he allowed the small group to escort him back to his chambers.
Remaining with the dragons, Malcolm and Kalvin watched the others as they disappeared into the gardens. Eyes shifting between the sage next to him and the spot where Alec was last seen, the headmaster shook his head with a sigh. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked at Malcolm once more.
“I do believe you’ve grown too fond of him, my friend.”
The great sage frowned, turning to peer at the other man. “Oh? Am I supposed to dislike my students? Perhaps I should treat them as Jerric does?”
Lifting his hands, Kalvin slowly twisted his head from side to side. “That’s not what I mean. Alec is a good man. You’ve taught him well, but I worry how you shall cope once the time comes for the prophecy to be fulfilled.”
Malcolm’s brows lowered. “What do you speak of? I have no intention of abandoning him during the event.”
There was a long pause where Kalvin opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Malcolm…you know he’s going to die.”
Stiffening, his eyes grew wide for a split second. The sage’s gaze then narrowed to slits. “What would ever possess you to say such a thing? Alec is not only my student; he is the Crown Prince of Malyndor!”
“As I well know,” Kalvin returned reasonably. “This has nothing to do with his position or my personal feelings. This is about the prophecy. I’m certain you know the meaning of those words better than even I, Cunning Sage. Your fondness of him is blinding you.”
“I am not the one in need of a better grasp on his perception,” Malcolm said sternly. Turning on his heel, he stormed across the grass.
“‘Once to its owner, the magic returns, a new light awakens, strongly it burns.’ A new light awakens,” Kalvin called, reciting words from the prophecy. “Not an old one changed or strengthened, but a new light.”
Malcolm’s steps slowed as the other sage spoke until at last he came to a complete halt.
“We both know what those words mean,” the headmaster continued. “In order for something new to be born, the old must first be extinguished. It is a law of not only magic, but life itself.”
Clenching his hands, Malcolm stood with his back to Kalvin. “I refuse to believe he was only born as a vessel meant to be sacrificed for the sake of magic…for the sake of peace. Hasn’t he suffered enough already?”
“If there was another way I would gladly seek it, but his power…his life force are linked together. When his magic returns to the dragons, Alec’s spirit will be gone as well.”
“There must be another way,” Malcolm insisted spinning around. “Magic is capable of great things and not even the future is written in stone. We could be misguided by this prophecy.”
Kalvin glanced at the dragons. His eyes locked on Cassidy, silently asking for her
help.
A wisp of smoke escaped her nostrils as she closed her eyes and exhaled. Lowering her head, the dragon quietly said, “I was not yet hatched when Emperor Draco and Empress Shiori blessed your ancient King with a small part of their own magic. However, the story is passed down to every youngling. That is how I knew Alec was the marked one after we first met,” Cassidy’s eyes darted over to Ardys. “During my last journey to Ellfraya, the ritual that Alec will perform, was mentioned. All I can tell you is both Emperor Draco and Empress Shiori expect their magic to be returned to them, and when that happens…”
Bowing her head, Cassidy wasn’t able to finish the words.
“So, even the dragons believe this to be his fate.”
Malcolm scowled at the other sorcerer. “It changes nothing. Fate has proven time and again to be a mysterious force. There is still much we don’t understand. A thousand years ago, no one would have believed a human child could be born with the power of a dragon. I’m not giving up.”
His words laced with determination, the wizard strode away from his friend and allies a second time. They might deem the prince’s days to be numbered, but Malcolm knew magic itself could not always be bound to the rules man judged it to have.
Chapter 12
Stretched out on the cool tiles of the highest rooftop, Cassidy and Ardys suddenly stiffened. Dusk was upon them. Though bright fires lit the castle and surrounding battlements, they could not lessen the inky blackness of the star dotted sky. Nor could they reveal what was hidden out above the woods. Four dark dragons were heading straight for Stafford in a diamond formation.
“It appears they came after all,” Ardys observed dryly.
“So, there were members of the Iron Scales Clan hiding in Malyndor,” Cassidy growled.
“We must dispose of them quickly. We can’t risk any of them reporting Alec’s whereabouts to the rest of the clan.”