Secicao’s ultimate goal was to spread across the planet and destroy all other life except the immortal dragonpeople who thrived on it. And Finesia lived inside the secicao and had a similar goal.
Due to recent circumstances, both Taka and I had become more susceptible to her will. I already was a dragonwoman and could transform into an almost impervious dragon if I so wished. But to do so would be to tap into one of Finesia’s ‘gifts’, which would surrender part of my soul. Piece by piece, she’d gradually take control of my mind.
All this is why it was so important for Taka to behave himself and to follow orders. Finesia had found a way inside his head through a mind-altering drug named Exalmpora that had been forced on him at such a young age. If Finesia took control of his mind, then I wouldn’t only have to battle Alsie Fioreletta – Finesia’s ruthless right hand – but also Taka.
Doctor Forsolano studied me through his glasses for a moment, his hand on his chin.
“Very well. I’ll keep an eye on the boy. I’ve not seen much of him lately, admittedly. He’s always keeping to himself that young man.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Doctor.” I stood up to leave.
“Try to get me a new shipment.”
“Affirmative,” I said. And I made a mental note that I’d have to get more cyagora before those thirty days were up. There was no way I was letting Finesia back in my head. Not after I’d seen what had happened to Charth...
After visiting Doctor Forsolano, I went to visit my oldest friend in the whole wide world – Velos. I’d vouched to spend more time with my dragon recently. For a while, after the fall of East Cadigan Island, we’d kind of drifted apart.
I found Velos in his stable, tucking into a trough of secicao. Over his natural coat of blue scales, he wore his dragon armour, which didn’t have its usual shine to it. Instead, it looked grimy, as if it hadn’t been tended to for weeks.
The armour itself was a combination of plates arranged on top of each other. It had hard metal seats on top for seating three riders. Two Gatling turrets jutted out from either side, which could target enemies with pinpoint precision. A more recent addition was a large slot underneath Velos’ belly that could house a twelve-foot cannon, but this wasn’t connected right now and instead lay on the floor to one side of the stable. This cannon could bring down an automaton in one shot, searing a hole right through it. The disadvantage was that it was incredibly slow to charge.
Velos didn’t even turn to me as I approached. There was once a time he’d at least heed my footfalls and raise his head to me and croon. But he kept his snout in the trough, munching down on the food as if there was nothing else more important in the world.
I sat down next to him and stroked the scales on the back of his neck, but I received no response. I tried singing a dragonsong, but it came out flat. Defeated, I let out a lengthy sigh, which caused Velos to finally turn his head and look at me. But his expression seemed to say, ‘why the dragonheats are you disturbing me from my meal?’.
“It’s not my fault I became a dragonwoman.” I felt at the bullet scar on my belly. “It was either that or die. And it’s not my fault that Finesia is now in my head and I need to block her.”
Part of me wanted to cry. But, because of the numbing effects of the drugs, no tears flowed to my eyes.
Velos lowered his head to me as if he understood. But did he, really? I couldn’t sense what he was feeling anymore, and he couldn’t sense what I was feeling either. Our link was broken, and this left me with a sense of emptiness. I’d grown up with Velos, and now circumstances had forced me to push him away.
“You know, there’s another way.” The voice of Gerhaun Forsi, my dragon queen and long-time mentor resounded in my head. “You can learn to control it without the drugs. It just takes discipline.”
Her voice was ever so faint, but still strong enough to make out the words. But I could only hear her because she was such a powerful source of the collective unconscious. And I worried that if the effect of the medications got much worse, or perhaps as she edged closer to death, I wouldn’t be able to hear her in my head at all.
Then, they might as well stop calling me a dragonseer, because I’d be useless. All my latent abilities stripped away because of some stupid drug. A drug I had to take – I had no choice.
“Gerhaun,” I replied. “We’ve been through this. I can’t be trusted. We thought we could trust Charth, didn’t we? I don’t want to turn out like him.”
“Charth had continually and stubbornly tapped into Finesia’s gifts, despite me advising him not to. You already proved your strength at East Cadigan Island. You can resist her charms, Dragonseer Wells. You have the ability.”
I shook my head. “We think that now. But who knows how I’ll behave in the future. No, as much as I hate this, it’s what I have to do.”
“But I’ve not got long left in this world, and I worry that I won’t pass on all that I can. While I’m still here, I can help you master your mind. You can’t keep taking these medications forever.”
“And why not?”
“Because the world needs you to be strong, Dragonseer Wells.”
I snorted and kicked at some dirt in the ground, creating a shallow hole. Then, I felt guilty for marring Velos’ stable, and I filled the hole back in using the side of my foot as we continued the conversation.
“Gerhaun, we’ve not seen action for a whole year. The immortal dragons are doing their own thing in East Cadigan Island and haven’t been seen since our last battle. And who knows what King Cini is up to right now.”
“But these forces shall rise again. After grand battles, fleets and armies need time to build. We can never assume we’re safe forever.”
“The world doesn’t need me. They need dragons and soldiers and sailors, the brave souls who fight for us. We have General Sako, and Admiral Sandao. And we have other excellent military personnel like Lieutenant Talato. Why the dragonheats do you need me?”
“Do you really need me to answer that question?” Gerhaun said. “As one of the few in this world with the power to control dragons, you underestimate yourself.”
“But if the cost of me being at my best is to turn the dragons against us… What if I did something that got them all killed, Gerhaun? What if I destroyed them all?”
“Which is exactly why you should train to prevent that. Strengthen yourself while you have time.”
“No,” I said. “I should prevent Finesia from ever reaching me. It’s the safest way.”
There was a long pause. I took some time to look up at the sky, and the secicao clouds rolling in. When I’d arrived at Fortress Gerhaun, you couldn’t really smell them here. But now, their sulphuric tang permeated the air.
Because I’d become a dragonwoman, I could probably breathe the gas without dying. If the clouds closed in, I might be the only human that survived. Taka might also survive if he’d passed further over to Finesia’s side than we realised. But that would probably involve accepting her gifts and losing control of our minds.
“You know I can’t force you against your will,” Gerhaun said. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying to convince you. I just hope you see sense before it’s too late.”
I’d had similar conversations with Gerhaun many times before. And I knew, as if with a nagging grandmother, I’d have it many times again. And every day, I’d reserve the right to change the subject.
“How’s the little one?” I asked.
“Getting closer to hatching every day. And her father keeps coming to visit, laying branches of secicao in offering at the egg’s base, which I have to keep cleaning up. I can’t have them spoiling my treasure room.”
I laughed. Anyone who didn’t know Gerhaun might wonder why she needed to protect her treasures so meticulously. But the trove she guarded funded entire military operations, which, in turn, helped us win battles.
“He certainly knows how to keep a lady happy.” I looked up at Velos, kind of hoping for at least a croon.
But without the connection to my feelings in the collective unconscious, there was no way he could understand any of this.
“I worry,” Gerhaun said. “I want the egg to hatch before I pass on. But you know it’s only a matter of time.”
“You’re not gone yet. Doctor Forsolano still says you have plenty of time ahead of you.”
“Doctor Forsolano is new to dragon medicine, and he’s never treated a dragon queen before me.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to be hearing how my mentor and recent benefactor would soon leave this world. What would we do here without her? What would I do? Meanwhile, some children giggled outside the doorway to the stables. They pinwheeled flamboyantly through the corridors as they passed. I turned away from them, trying not to think of how having to vacate might suddenly affect their lives.
“Everything will be okay,” I said. I had to believe it. “You’ll see.”
“It will happen eventually,” Gerhaun said. “And when it does, you’ll need to be prepared. I had a think who to seek refuge with. And you might want to try Castlonth.”
Castlonth was one of the seven other dragon queens. Gerhaun had mentioned her name a few times.
“But how would I go about doing that?” I asked.
“When the time comes, you will find a way.”
And my heart felt heavy in my chest. Gerhaun was the kind who didn’t provide answers to puzzles, but gave hints to help solve them at propitious times. Usually, her approach worked. But it didn’t make it any easier to be constantly confused.
“I guess I’ll have to,” I replied.
“Trust me, you will.” Gerhaun said. “Now, if you excuse me, I need to be taking a nap.”
“But you’ve only just woken up…”
She didn’t hear me. Because, just like that, her voice cut out of the collective unconscious.
I sighed, then looked up at Velos. But he turned away, as if I’d disappointed him, and returned to his food. I felt so alone here now. Missing not only the natural connection to my dragon, but a healthy state of mind.
But in all honesty, the medications also helped me forget who I’d lost…
Sukina, a good friend and mentor who’d taught me so much about what it is to be a dragonseer. She’d sacrificed herself at King Cini’s palace to Alsie Fioreletta, so Taka, Faso and I could escape.
Then there was Francoiso, who also was killed by Alsie Fioreletta. I was forced into a betrothal to him, and he hadn’t been a good man until his very last moment, when he also helped Taka and me escape.
And Charth. Dear old Charth, Sukina’s betrothed. He had survived much longer, tapping into the power of Finesia whenever he needed to protect us, until Finesia ended up taking his soul. Alsie Fioreletta again had coerced him into using the ultimate gift that caused Charth to lose his mind.
Alsie – always there to stir up trouble; always there to make things worse.
A commotion coming from the doorway interrupted me from my train of thoughts.
“Pontopa, Pontopa, come quick”. Faso came flailing through the door, his arms aflutter, his face red and his rich pinstripe suit looking kind of crumpled. On his shoulder stood Ratter, his six-legged ferret automaton that glared at me with unsettling red glowing eyes.
“What’s the hurry?” I replied.
“It’s Taka, you’ll never believe what he’s just gone and done. Come quickly.”
And before I could get another word in, he was rushing back out of the room.
I sighed and then turned back to Velos. “I’m sorry, old friend,” I said. “But I’m afraid that I’ll have to help my other comrade, Faso. Although I still much prefer you.”
And Velos didn’t even turn his head to see me go.
3
Taka was waiting in the courtyard, Faso towering above him, glaring down at the boy. Six armed guards in olive-coloured uniforms surrounded the boy. Whatever this was about, I hadn’t expected it to be a military matter.
As I approached, I noticed two automatons on the floor. One of them was Ratter, stalking in a circular motion around the second machine. This was a disabled Hummingbird – an airborne commonplace automaton used for a variety of tasks from reconnaissance to stunning dragons in flight, hence removing them from the sky.
I hoped that I hadn’t been summoned to endure another of Faso’s lectures on the benefits of technology. I walked over to the Hummingbird and kicked it gently with my toe to check whether there was any life in it. But it was like kicking a rock.
“What the dragonheats is this about?” I asked.
Faso reached into the inside pocket of his suit and took out a small vial of green liquid, with black speckles of something swimming within. “This, I found Taka taking off the automaton here. If it weren’t for Ratter, the thing would have got away.”
I turned to Taka, who averted his gaze as soon as I met it.
“Taka… Look at me when I’m talking to you.... What is this?”
The boy gazed upwards through red-rimmed eyes, and a tear fell from his cheek.
“Faso, let me have a look at that.” I snatched the vial out of the inventor’s hand. It was warm, and black speckles danced within and glowed slightly in response to my touch. “Taka, answer me. What is this?”
Taka, now staring at the floor, said nothing.
I folded my arms. I couldn’t say I was angry as such. With the cyagora numbing my emotions, I rarely had the capability for anger. But I knew how to fake it when I had to.
“Fine,” I said. “Going to give me the silent treatment. So, at least tell me this. How long have you been taking it?”
Still not a word.
“Suit yourself. Then I shall destroy this and every vial that comes through from this day. And you’ll remain grounded until you’re ready to talk.”
I looked over to one guard as if to indicate I was about to give an order. Then, I pulled back my arm and prepared to smash the vial on the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Faso flinch, but he didn’t step forward.
“Wait,” Taka said. “Auntie Pontopa, it’s…”
I turned my head to Taka slowly and kept my hand hovering in the air. “I’m waiting.”
“It’s…. I don’t know. This automaton… It put me in touch with a man called Travast Indorm. He said he had something that would make me powerful and help me save the world. That’s what Chantel wanted, right? To save the world?” Chantel was Sukina’s and Taka’s native word for mother.
I raised an eyebrow “He what? Taka... How long’s this been going on?”
“I just want to help, Auntie. I can see that you’ve not got your strength lately. Something’s happened to you… Someone needs to be a dragonseer here.”
I wanted to reach out and ask Gerhaun if she knew anything about this, but she was fast asleep. Meanwhile, Faso let out a quick whistle, and Ratter scurried up the inventor’s shoulder, along his arm, and buried himself in Faso’s widened left sleeve.
I wasn’t going to let me or the boy get distracted. I turned back to Taka.
“Taka, do you know what addiction is?”
“Uh huh. I’m not a toddler, you know....”
I frowned. “But you don’t really know it until you’ve admitted to yourself you have a problem. And Taka, whatever this stuff is, it sounds like you’re addicted to it.”
“I’m not, I can come off it at any time.”
“Fine. Then you won’t mind if I just destroy this then.”
I pulled the vial back even further and this time I really wanted to smash it on the floor. Faso took a step forward, but honestly there would be no way for him to make it in time to stop me. But Taka moved at lightning speed and pinwheeled forward, catching my arm in his hands before I had even moved it an inch.
Taka’s block wasn’t supple, but as hard as wood. He had a hunger in his wide eyes that I recognised all too well. I’d felt the same hunger for Exalmpora multiple times. A hunger to hear the voice of Finesia and tap into her powers. “No, Auntie Ponto
pa. I need that.”
I snatched back my arm, and Taka didn’t stop me, although I guessed whatever was in this concoction gave him the strength to do so.
“Taka,” I said again. “What is this stuff? You shouldn’t be able to move this way.”
“I don’t know, Auntie Pontopa. I just know it makes me feel good...”
I sighed, and then I handed the vial to Faso. “Take it to Winda and find out what it is.”
Faso nodded, checked the stopper on the vial, and then put it in his inside pocket. “I intend to do just that.”
“And don’t destroy it,” I said. “Make sure your tests don’t alter that stuff. We might need it.” I gave Taka a curt nod.
Faso put the vial in his pocket and folded his arms. “Why the dragonheats would I destroy something that could be of valuable scientific importance?”
I ignored him and turned back to the boy.
“Young man, you must trust us.” I took hold of his hand. “Now come, we must go and see Doctor Forsolano.”
“I’m coming too,” Faso said. And somehow, I knew already that the boy wouldn’t like that idea. Faso wasn’t a dragonseer, and he’d dismiss many of Doctor Forsolano’s theories as mumbo jumbo, just because he didn’t understand we were physiologically different to normal humans.
“I think you’ve got your work cut out for you, Faso,” I said. “Plus, this is something I think Taka and I should handle alone. It’s a dragonseer matter.”
He crossed his arms. “Fine. I guess I want to know what’s in this stuff as quickly as possible.” And he stormed off towards the lab.
Meanwhile, Taka was looking up at me with wide eyes beneath his sandy haircut. Something certainly seemed different about the boy. If this drug was the same Exalmpora that had been forced upon me multiple times, it could alter his physicality even further than merely changing his sex. We had to do something, and we had to do it fast.
We reached Doctor Forsolano’s clinic a couple of minutes later. Taka had surprisingly come without resistance. Which suggested he might not be as far gone as it had first seemed. Maybe he realised that we were less likely to destroy the drug if he could demonstrate that he could live without it. Taka was a smart boy, after all.
Dragonseers and Airships Page 60