Serpent in the Mist

by Cleave Bourbon

  “She asked this of you?”

  “Aye, she did. And I showed him to her, and she named him Melias before she died.”

  King Amarantus did not look pleased. He stood only inches from Morgoran’s face. “You knew all this, and you dared to bring him in front of me?”

  “Aye, Your Grace, I did. What I did not anticipate was you exposing him like this. I had foreseen that we would talk about it in private. Apparently that vision was wrong as well. Melias is the perfect protector for Devyn as he can detect Dramyds from far away. He can sniff out Drasmyd Duil even when they are in disguise.”

  The king held up his hand to stop Morgoran. “My clerics cannot help you. Devyn is too far gone with the essence sickness.”

  “I feel fine, though,” Devyn spoke up. He was still reeling from the revelations he had just heard, but he wanted to make sure they understood that he was not seriously ill.

  The dragon king looked at Devyn gravely. “It isn’t an illness of the body, I am afraid. What you have is a magical affliction of the mind, brought on by using essence. Wielders of old cured it in the young early in the training. By this rigorous training, the young apprentices built up a tolerance to it. But you,” he shook his head, “are of sufficient age to be of concern.”

  Melias, who had wisely remained silent, spoke. “Your Grace, perhaps the elves of the Great Forest could help. They are skilled of such matters since they use a nature-based form of essence wielding. They may be able to cure the boy.”

  “Aye,” Amarantus began, “I do believe you are correct.” He avoided looking directly at Melias. “I could send you there. This chamber is the same enchanted stone used to make Lora Daine. No one can access it but me, and certainly not in this form.” The king began to change and transform. “I wish you to be from my sight as soon as possible.” In moments, he filled the chamber from top to bottom as a great golden dragon.

  “Wait a moment, Your Grace,” Morgoran stated, now clearly alarmed. “We have others in our party that are not with us. I know you are upset with me in particular, but we need to think this through. Sildariel may not be too happy to see us either.”

  “Why should she balk at your visit, Wielder?”

  Morgoran looked helplessly at Devyn. “I am sorry for this, my lad.” Devyn could feel essence being drawn. Why was Morgoran concerned for him?

  “You dare draw essence here, Morgoran Cleareyes?”

  “As you can see, Your Grace, my eyes are not clear anymore!” He hurled what appeared to be a huge magical net at the king, and it covered the dragon and then disappeared—the great dragon was frozen in place. “Listen to me, great dragon. The boy must not go to the woodland realm. I have foreseen that his dreams haunt him of a wood elf maiden.” He glanced at Devyn. Finally Devyn understood. Morgoran knew about the girl in his dreams. The wielder had foreseen something.

  The dragon king easily broke free of the restraint Morgoran had cast upon him. “So much the better,” he roared. “Your predictions so far have been less than concerning to me,” he said with fire bellowing afterward out into the upper chambers from his great maw.

  Morgoran grabbed Vesperin and Devyn and turned them around. “Run for the doors!” Melias did not move.

  The king spoke in a great booming voice. “Those doors will close!” The doors slammed shut. “I should kill you for your crimes to my kind and drawing essence against me, but I made a promise to de Silva-Lora long ago. Be gone from my realm!”

  Morgoran spun around. “Your Grace!”

  “You helped my daughter and her unborn son as I am now helping you get the help you seek. I am not sure why you are so frightened,” his dragon voice boomed.

  Devyn spontaneously started laughing. He found it somehow comical as to why a huge, sharp-teethed, golden-scaled dragon was not sure why they were frightened. Morgoran stopped and stared at Devyn, who laughed even harder at the old wizard’s face. “Did you know that you’re going bald?” Devyn blurted out. The room was spinning. Devyn suddenly didn’t feel very good. He saw Melias run to him, and he was somehow in his arms. “Did I fall?” Devyn asked.

  “You see,” the dragon boomed. “He is reacting to my dragon magic, and I am not drawing essence. You have to go to the isle even if Sildariel is successful.”

  Steban braced himself against the walls of the chamber.

  Morgoran clinched his fists. “Your Grace, the Great Forest is too far for a Lora Daine! Even one this size used by the king of dragons. You’ll kill us!”

  “Then you will die. It’s better than letting him free with essence sickness.”

  “Wait, I have to tell you about Trigoth. I know where to find . . .” Morgoran let the words die on his lips and looked down at Devyn, who was looking up from Melias’s arms. Morgoran’s expression dropped. In a flash of light, Morgoran disappeared. Another flash of light, and Devyn was staring up into treetops. Very familiar treetops.

  KING AMARANTUS CHANGED back into his human appearance. Steban ran up to him from the throne.

  “Your Grace, you killed them!”

  “No, of course I didn’t. Old fool telling me it was too far. What does he know?” He winked at Steban. “I did want to take some of the starch out of that arrogant son of a goat, though.”

  “Where did you actually send them?”

  “Oh, I really sent them to Sildariel. She will help the boy and take care of my kin.”

  Steban took a relieved breath. “Foreshome. You sent them to the Great Sythian Forest. What if Morgoran was right? Sildariel will not like it.”

  “She will get over it. She always does.” He hesitated. “Steben, Morgoran mentioned they left someone behind. He was talking about Amadean’s new knight, was he not?”

  “Aye, he was. The first female dragon knight and Bren, First of Amadace.”

  “Excellent, take me to them.”

  “Aye, Your Grace. I am curious, Your Grace. Why did you send Morgoran away and not help the boy? I am certain our clerics could have cured him.”

  The king took a deep breath. “I owed the bastard one.”

  “Your Grace?”

  The king regained his composure. “But he did help Dianora when she asked it of him. I can’t ignore that.”

  “Your Grace?”

  “Never mind, Steban. Take me to this new female dragon knight.”

  “Aye, Your Grace.”

  Chapter 12: The Talon Order

  “This is nerve-racking. I don’t know what is wrong with me.” Kelle put her hand to her forehead.

  “I’m sure you will be all right. You have already met with the great dragon once before,” Bren reminded her.

  “I remember. You have told me about fifty times.”

  “Oh, and remind me to get another personal Lora Daine while we are here. I loaned mine to Ianthill.”

  “Do I get one?”

  “I am sure you do, just remember to ask Amadean.”

  As soon as the pair of dragon knights entered the chambers of Amadean the Blue, they were greeted by a radiant woman dressed in all white. She appeared to be no older than Kelle in visage, but she modeled a full head of beautiful snow-white hair. Deep green eyes accented a slightly pale complexion.

  “Greetings, and welcome to the home of Amadean the Blue and his siblings.”

  Kelle stopped and bowed, following Bren’s lead.

  “I am Bren Halla, and this is Kelle Valloney Alemele.”

  “Ah, yes, the blue armor of Amadean. She is his knight. The first female dragon knight.”

  Kelle blushed and immediately became angry with herself for it. “So I am told.”

  “I am Delanora.” She paused as if Kelle and Bren should recognize her name.

  “Pleased to see you again,” Bren said.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Kelle followed.

  Delanora led them to a couple of divans immediately inside the main chamber. “Amadean will be with you shortly.”

  Glancing around the room, Kelle did not see much she co
uld recognize from her vision with the dragon. The walls were covered in tapestries of dragons that Kelle assumed were family members. The smooth floor appeared to be marble with elaborate carpets arranged under each piece of furniture. As with most of Draegodor that Kelle had seen, the lighting was soft and low but bright enough to see everything clearly. It emanated from somewhere up above, unseen. A nice fire burned in an enormous fireplace on the opposite side of the room.

  “Ah, here you are.” Kelle recognized the voice of Amadean. She also expected a dragon, but a man came strolling out. Both Bren and Kelle stood up to greet him. He circled around the furniture, followed closely by Delanora. Kelle was awestruck immediately by his beauty. He was as radiant as Delanora, except he wore jet black hair and had deep blue eyes. He was dressed in black leathers with a deep blue cape. He reached for Kelle’s hand and kissed it. “My lady knight.” Kelle bowed her head in acknowledgment. “My lord dragon.”

  “Amadean, my lord dragon, it is good to see you again,” Bren said.

  “And you, broodlord. How is Amadace the Red?”

  “As wonderful as ever.”

  “Of course. Ah, here is my sister Delanorasylva. You remember her, I take it.”

  “Of course,” Bren said. “How could I forget?” He kissed Delanora’s hand. “I trust you are well, Shadesilver?”

  Kelle’s mind went wild with recognition. This beautiful woman was Shadesilver—the white dragon that had come to her rescue before the battle at Brightonhold Keep! She was Amadean’s sister!

  “I didn’t expect Kelle to recognize me in this form.”

  Kelle spoke up. “I must admit, I didn’t. I am so sorry.”

  “No need for apologies. You have never seen me in this form as Bren has.”

  “Forgive me, but you are dragons. You are so beautiful in your natural forms. Why do you not appear that way now?”

  “Careful,” Amadean said. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Kelle thought the comment was a bit awkward and even a bit silly. “I tell you what,” he gestured to the divans, “sit down and I will explain a few things to my newest knight.”

  They all took their seats, and Amadean sat on the edge of his seat, leaning in toward Bren and Kelle. Delanora sat back and rested her arm on the back of the divan.

  “We find that when meeting with our knights informally, it is easiest to speak in this form. Our natural state is unnecessarily intimidating. It is a bit uncomfortable for us to remain like this for too long, but I thought it might be a good idea meeting you like this for the first time in person.” He looked at Delanora. “Kelle, have you ever heard of the Talon Order?”

  Kelle thought for a moment before shaking her head.

  “What about you, Bren?”

  “I have heard rumors. I am not sure what it’s all about.”

  Amadean clasped his hands together. “It’s an exciting order that some of us dragons have been working on. In the old days, dragons were the guardians of man. Simply put, the Talon Order is reviving that promise. We are also dedicated in bringing together all the magical races and creations of Fawlsbane Vex. We feel that in order to accomplish this, we need to root out the evil that Toborne created in our world. We have even been gathering up users of wild magic in a secret location in Ishrak.”

  “The dragons are joining in the fight to take back the Blight? That’s great news!” Bren said.

  “Well, no, not exactly. Only the dragons in the order. Officially, the dragons of Draegodor will continue to exercise neutrality. In fact, you might not want to mention it to any other dragons. Amadalea has joined us as of yesterday, but the others are still contemplating it, and King Amarantus hates the idea.”

  “Won’t he do something about it then?” Kelle asked.

  Shadesilver grinned. “We think we can bring him around eventually. He knows about the order, of course, but he is choosing to ignore it at the moment.”

  “Before we discuss the order any further, I think we had better clear something else up.” He took Kelle’s hands in his. “Kelle, I have brought you through the trial of fire. You are a dragon knight, but Shadesilver and I have talked it through, and we agree the first female dragon knight should be the first knight of a female dragon. You are bound to my service and cannot be unbound. You can however, be rebound to the blood of my blood. If you agree, you will become Kelle Alemele, First of Shadesilver the White.”

  Shadesilver beamed. “You would actually be my first knight ever. I am only now considered old enough.”

  “All right, Delanora, don’t get too excited,” Amadean cautioned.

  Kelle could only think of her blue armor and how funny it would look with a white dragon. That is not a reason to say no, she told herself. Besides, it would be so much more comfortable to be the knight of a female. She would understand the needs of a woman much better. “Of course I accept,” Kelle blurted out.

  Shadesilver handed her hands over to Kelle. “We are going to learn all this together, Kelle,” she said. “I will honor you always.”

  “And I, you,” Kelle responded. Kelle almost pulled back when she felt a strange tingling sensation enter her fingertips from Shadesilver, but the dragon shook her head.

  “Don’t pull back; just relax. Trust me.”

  At first, Kelle thought Shadesilver was somehow bonding her, but as she watched her concentrate, she realized something else was happening. Little by little, Kelle noticed her armor was changing from blue to white. Not only was it changing in color, but it was growing and shaping in places. The masculine lines of the armor were becoming more feminine and lacy. Sharp, masculine edges became sensuous female curves. Pieces that were previously uncomfortable for the female form settled in to become form-fitting and comfortable. Frilly patterns emerged on the breastplate and pauldrons.

  “Do you like it?” Shadesilver asked with excitement. “Come over here.” They both stood up, and Delanora led Kelle to a mirrored wall.

  Kelle had never seen armor more striking. It was still in the dragon scale tradition but now looked and felt feminine and sensual. “I love it! I thought I was going to have to get used to the blue armor, and I was almost sad to see it go until now.” She hugged Shadesilver. The dragon went stiff. “I’m sorry, Shadesilver.” Kelle pulled back.

  “No, it’s just that I have never felt that embrace before. I am not sure how to react.”

  “Here.” Kelle helped her. “Put your arms around me like this,” Delanora mimicked what Kelle was showing her, “and squeeze.” Delanora squeezed her tightly. “Yes, just like that. Only, I am glad I am wearing armor, or you may have just crushed me.”

  Shadesilver let go. “Oh, I am so sorry.”

  Kelle chortled with glee. “You will get the hang of it.”

  Steban entered the room, surveyed it, and then moved back toward the door.

  “The king is here,” Shadesilver whispered to Kelle. “Don’t forget to bow. In fact, just watch me.”

  Steban bowed slightly and extended his arms out. “His Majesty, King Amarantus.” Everyone in the room bowed, and Kelle followed Shadesilver’s lead.

  The king entered. “You may all rise.” He went straight to Kelle. “Ah, splendid. Look at you!” He glanced at Shadesilver. “Nice job on the armor, Delanora.” He spun Kelle around by her hand. “A very pleasing representation of the first female dragon knight,” he paused, “and your first knight, Delanora. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Shadesilver said before genuflecting.

  “Welcome, Kelle, to the ranks of the dragons. I know you must have many questions.”

  “Aye, Your Grace, I do.”

  “Well, we will do all we can to train you as soon as possible. I like to meet each new knight personally and give them all the same bit of advice. May I?” He held out his hand for Kelle. She placed her hand in his. He cupped his remaining hand over hers.

  “The free peoples of the lands have many misconceptions about the relationships between dragons and their knights. Let m
e dispel some of them right now. You are considered an equal, not a slave. Dragons do not have knights as pets, nor are we some race of magical steed for our knights to ride around upon. The relationship is based on mutual respect. Keep in mind that we often use magic to take the form you see before you now, but that is usually for the benefit of visitors, in order to make them feel more comfortable. Many times, when you return to Draegodor, you will most likely see us in our true forms. Delanora is responsible for your training. Any questions you have will need to be addressed to her.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  The king smiled and nodded.

  A knight in golden armor entered the room and stopped in bow. “Your Grace, I present myself, Sir Oberan, First of Amarantus.”

  “Certainly, Oberan, my friend. It’s good to see you back.”

  “It is good to be back, Your Grace.” He motioned to the door, and a man dressed in green and black leathers entered. “I found this man wandering the great hall. He was unsure of where to go.”

  “Ganas!” Kelle cried out. She immediately covered her mouth.

  The king laughed loudly. “I guess he is safe, Oberan, show him in.”

  Ganas bowed before the king. “It is an honor, Your Grace.”

  “What can we, the dragons of Draegodor, do for you?”

  “I was sent here by Theosus Fiderea of Trigoth. He tossed this to me.” He showed the blue Lora Daine.

  “Steban, Oberan, look at this stone. Who does it belong to?”

  Steban held out his hand. “May I?” Ganas handed him the stone. “Yes, I believe this is the azure magic of Brendlewyre the Blue.” He handed the stone to Oberan.

  Oberan turned the stone over in his hand and then closed his eyes for a moment. “Aye, this is the azure stone. This is the Lora Daine of Brendlewyre the Blue.”

  Oberan handed the stone to the king, who squeezed it tightly. “Well, Morgoran knew exactly where to find him. That’s what he was trying to tell me. I thought he was just trying to stall. I would send you to retrieve Brendlewyre, Oberan, but he is long gone by now.” The king slapped his forehead. “I was so worried about helping the boy. I was so afraid of his essence sickness. Morgoran knew—he could have told me when he first arrived.”