by TJ Reynolds
“Our mission,” he reminded her.
Rhona nodded again, some of the distress returning to her gaze. “Of course,” she said at last. “Well, travel safe and kill a hundred monsters for me. See you when you get back.”
He shoved down his emotions as he watched her head up the stairs of the tower. There was no time for such distractions, after all.
So Kai kept himself busy. The fields won’t plant themselves, he thought, repeating a saying his uncle loved to throw about.
The memory of his past life didn’t make him upset for once.
Kai thought fondly of the simple people who’d sacrificed so much to raise him. He promised himself he’d return one day with a bag full of gemstones.
They certainly deserved it.
Then he turned to the tasks ahead.
Kotsi and Sora had brought a dozen warriors. Six Cobalt Axes and six Crimson Spears would be coming along for the journey.
Ban filled two large packs with provisions and helped the warriors resupply.
The kobolds all wore much finer armor than before. Chain mail made up the greater part of the defenses, but Kai had encouraged a few select pieces of plate mail to complement.
The creatures wore steel helms and breastplates as well as plate greaves and bracers.
Kai’s Earth Core devised clever backpacks the kobolds could fight in without being hindered. They were small and clung to their backs.
Only large enough to hold water and a few basic supplies, the packs still allowed the squad to travel much further distances between resupplies.
Kai transformed and flew up to call the dragonlings down from their roost.
During Kai’s lengthy study of dragonkind, he’d learned much about their preferred roosts. So he’d asked his Earth Core to accommodate the dragonlings even before they’d taken to wing.
Ban had crafted seven roosting poles in all, thick oak logs where the dragons could wrap their clawed feet around like birds.
Behind each was a large nest made of woven vines, padded with everything from strips of moss the dragonlings had scavenged from the walls of the chasm to large feathers stolen from beasts they’d hunted.
Only four of the seven eggs had hatched, unfortunately, but they’d decided to keep the others as a symbol of hope.
Surely somewhere out in the great world, other eggs might be hiding.
And worst case, if these four grew to adulthood, they would be able to mate.
Kai landed on his own roost pole, much larger than the others and situated in the center so the dragonlings rested all around him.
He endured their thrilled screeching for a few minutes. These scaled creatures were essentially children, and all kids needed to express their emotions, regardless of how much it bothered their elders.
Kai sent out a firm thought, insisting they should be quiet and wait for him to speak.
The dragonlings ignored him, and the Azure even took to wing for a time. It circled around Kai twice before landing again
Then the Mireen reached over and bit the Orondi.
This is not working, Kai groaned mentally. Well, I suppose they’re not exactly like children. There’s one way to shut them up for sure.
Kai silenced the little beasties with a roar.
Focusing his mind, Kai attempted to communicate in this primitive and ineffective way.
He started by showing them images of flying away together, a common image he used to rouse them up for a hunt. Then he sent them an image of tunnels, adding the intention to go inside and to walk instead of fly.
This, of course, resulted in a great deal of confusion.
The dragonlings fell to squawking and flapping about again until he roared a second time to call their attention into focus.
After trying to speak with the group for ten minutes, the Azure tipped its scaled head up and screeched an assent.
Seeming to understand Kai at last, the dragonling sent him a ball of tangled emotions.
Excitement, rage, and hunger struck Kai’s mind, along with the intention to follow him and kill whatever Kai thought needed to be killed.
Good enough, Kai thought before wheeling down and landing at the base of the tower again.
He couldn’t wait for the creatures to reach their next ascension. Kai could speak with them using thoughts, but they didn’t react to words.
Rather, he found himself sending images and emotions mentally. The worst part was that the strange conversation was nearly one-sided. Only occasionally did he receive a direct mental response. And even then, it was often confusing for him to interpret.
I’ll bet the dragons of old didn’t struggle so hard with this. Must have come naturally to them.
Considering the concept from a different angle, he remembered that he had never been a dragonling. As a half-human, he’d been raised as a human, and couldn’t speak for years.
These were full dragons, and oppositely, wouldn’t be able to take a human form until they matured.
Dismissing the futile mental discussion, Kai landed and headed over to where he’d laid out his equipment.
Kai dressed and pulled on his armor and equipment.
Being able to turn into a dragon didn’t solve all of his problems. Since Kai was to be working with the kobolds as well, having the ability to speak aloud was more valuable than raw strength.
Plus, though he could still command his spells with great force in dragon form, he lacked the precision to do so safely around allies.
After Kai had inspected the kobolds’ ranks twice over, he searched for Greg. “Kotsi! Have you seen Greg anywhere? It’s nearly time we get going?”
The door to the dining room burst open and out stepped a terrifying creature.
The monster opened its mouth, and, of course, out came Ban’s voice. “What do you think, Kai? I think I’ve found a way to surpass Greg’s glory at last!”
Kai shook his head, eyeing the newly enhanced Greg.
Wearing a set of thick plate mail, the champion’s stout body was largely unchanged. Greg didn’t seem quite as tall, however, and even with the heavy armor, he seemed more lithe and graceful.
What was truly terrifying, however, was the pair of arachnid legs that sprouted from Greg’s back.
Curving up and over his shoulders, each leg was tipped with a thick blade.
The leg blades had curved, one-sided edges, almost like glaives if not shorter.
Greg’s face had also changed.
Ban hadn’t been able to shut up last night about how terribly the daldrim had depicted his champion.
Somehow, the sensitive Earth Core had managed to make things worse.
Greg’s forehead was now filled with a cluster of spider-like eyes, several of which were shielded by bony growth to protect them.
His mouth was unchanged, but a pair of pincers jutted out from the champion’s cheekbones. The pincers stretched to nearly a foot long, and clicked occasionally in front of Greg’s mouth.
Kai sighed. “He looks fierce, Ban. Truly a terrifying specimen you’ve cooked up.”
As Kai feared, Greg shook his big, scary head. “I know that! But what of his appearance? Is this version of Greg much more handsome?”
Kotsi came to Kai’s rescue.
The war chief laughed and slapped his belly. “That is a beautiful monster, Ban. We are honored to fight at Greg’s side!”
Seeing a six-limbed dungeon champion blush and turn its head away coyly turned out to be more than a little amusing.
Kai suppressed a laugh. “Very good, Ban, but we need to get going soon. We have a long way to go.”
Suddenly, Greg’s eyes became blank, and Ban spoke in Kai’s mind. Not quite yet! I have one more surprise, and believe me, Kai, it will be worth the wait!
Okay, Kai replied, knowing his friend wouldn’t waste his time for anything less than amazing. What did you think up this time?
Four pillars of blue ether flared to life before Kai. Slowly, their shapes became discernible.
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Kai gasped in shock when he recognized what he was staring at.
That is my absolute favorite human response, Ban said ecstatically. I have been trying to replicate it, but you and Rhona are so much more convincing.
“Ban!” Kai said, ignoring the Earth Core. “Are these what I think they are?”
Indeed. The only hard part will be how to get the monsters to try them on.
Kai shook his head, knowing they were in for a struggle. But one glance at the intricate plate armor, designed perfectly for each of the dragonlings, convinced him it would be worthwhile.
The sets of armor came with what amounted to a helm and face guard. These shaffrons each had distinct shapes to complement the varying types of dragons.
Made with built-in nostril and ear holes as well as wide eye slits, the shaffron that would allow the creatures to function normally. The steel would protect their vulnerable temples and the flat expanse of their upper skull, however.
A series of hinged plates swooped down in the shape of a dragon’s neck in a dragon version of a crinet.
Ban had crafted this section with holes out the top to allow the spiked scales that rose up along the crest of their neck to jut out.
A similar section of plate would protect their tails. This would allow the dragonlings to lash out without fear of injuring themselves, since the armor came with a thick steel spike that completely surrounded the tail.
The middle portions were hard to recognize at first, but Kai discerned a sturdy petral to protect the dragonlings’ chest and forelimbs and a skirted crupper to cover their hindquarters.
As always, Ban’s design went far beyond any expectations.
The steel was thin and even flexible, and when Kai picked up a portion, he found it to be extremely light.
An hour later, Kotsi and Sora stood far away from the dragonlings, both sour as week-old milk.
Ban had healed them several times during the process.
Losing a few fingers—and once on Kotsi’s part, an entire forearm—hadn’t made either of the kobolds happy, though.
Kai ignored them and inspected each of the sets of armor as he walked down the line of dragonlings.
Cast in a deep cobalt finish, the Azure’s armor glinted in the morning light.
Ban had given each dragonling set of armor a hue that corresponded with the type of species: forest green for the mireen, a deep gold for the Orondi, and pearlescent white for the Ananri.
“How did you make the metal so light?” Kai asked, still baffled by the construction.
Greg puffed up his chest. “Inspect the items and see for yourself.”
Kai shrugged and inspected the Orondi’s armor since it was standing the closest to him.
Mithril Alloy Crinet of Flight
Defense: + 25 Armor
Protection: Face, Head
Quality: Masterwork
Properties: Significant Weight Reduction, Increased Agility, Increased Flight Speed
“Ban! This is amazing! And you found mithril? Why didn’t you tell me?”
The Earth Core spoke directly into Kai’s mind. More information I gleaned from Imogen. And it isn’t quite mithril. I found trace amounts of a rare metal called mithrium. I lacked the proper components to make true mithril, but this is nearly as good. It isn’t as strong but even lighter, which suited our purposed nicely. I figure when they have grown, I can make a suit of armor with harder, more durable metals. For now, though, this will do nicely.
Kai thanked his friend, then reminded Ban it was time to get moving.
The dragonlings were looking irritable, as were the kobolds.
At last, Kai gave Ban a farewell.
He called out for Greg to follow along, and the kobolds started off toward the newly discovered Earth Cores.
The following days were a grind, consisting mostly of endless travel.
The dragonlings were given a chance to fight with several packs of monsters, however, so they weren’t difficult to deal with.
Intermittent attacks by roaming spiders or other delving monsters gave their party an added source of food as well. This came in handy, as there was no way they could have carried enough food to last the dragonlings for such an extended trip.
Kotsi led their party directly to the weaker of the two dungeons.
It was closer, so that gave a good excuse to do so.
If truth were told, Kai also was reluctant to push the dragonlings too far.
On the morning of the fifth day after leaving the Sunken Keep, they at last arrived at the dungeon.
The tunnel had opened so wide it felt as if they were walking outside at times. This odd sensation was heightened by the vast array of glowing vegetation that led up to the dungeon’s entrance.
It almost looks on fire! Kai exclaimed, confused by the different color of light spilling across the stone threshold.
Then he looked up and realized where the second source of light was coming from.
A rift shot up through the bedrock of the mountain, leading into the outer world a hundred feet above their heads.
Kotsi came up to Kai and grunted. “The old dragon must have used this shaft to come and go as he pleased.”
“Seems like it,” Kai responded, noting the too-smooth walls of the shaft. “Only an Earth Core could create that.”
Kai took a deep breath but held back a moment.
He grasped Kotsi by the shoulder and stared into his reptilian eyes. “I know you want your warriors to gain experience, but these dragonlings must grow quickly. Can I enter first with the dragonlings, and you and your warriors follow behind in support?”
Kotsi nodded. “Of course, Dragon Kai. As you wish.”
“Thank you. I promise we will alternate, but if it’s possible, I’d like the dragonlings to ascend on this journey.”
Kotsi offered no further comments or arguments, so Kai called the four dragonlings forward with his mind.
They scrambled forward on all fours, eager to engage whatever monsters they might find.
As Kai walked into the dungeon, he thought again how wonderful it would be when his underlings ascended to Amber. Jakodi said it was an extremely important ascension for dragons as it allowed them to speak with their minds.
They would each choose a name, and at last, could even accept a spell scale.
Kai didn’t have enough of the precious items for each dragon, but anything he could give them would help immensely.
At Golden, the dragons would finally be able to make their own Earth Cores and take on a human form if they so desired.
That might not come for months or even years, so Kai pushed the thought from his mind.
A descending path led straight down to a circular chamber. Nothing was in it, but the walls were decorated with intricate patterns and images.
Kai studied them briefly, noticing the image of a dragon standing protectively over a sphere held upright in a dais.
It’s as if this Earth Core wrote out its own creation in picture form, Kai mused. I wonder if Ban would ever do something like this.
He almost called on Ban to re-enter his champion. Greg strode quietly just behind the dragonlings, so it wouldn’t take too long to do so.
But then his instincts were nearly overwhelmed with a thick and tangible sense of danger.
Where is that coming from? Kai wondered as he listened for any sounds that might give away what he was sensing.
Only silence answered.
The ether in the air was thicker than it had been out at the dungeon’s entrance. But other than that, nothing came up as he stared into the dim doorway leading deeper into the dungeon.
Maybe it was the stillness itself that bothered him.
Only sure that he meant to keep on his toes, Kai pressed forward, heading into the adjoining chamber.
It didn’t take long for Kai to discover that, as usual, his instincts were spot on.
5
A Master Most Strict
Kai
; The first thing Kai noticed was a strange squelching sound repeating itself too many times to count.
A series of plopping noises followed. Loud splats, like wet mops smacking the ground, sounded all around him. In the dim light, Kai could only just make out the outlines of dozens of odd creatures as they fell from the ceiling.
Each was roughly the size of a hound, but they seemed flatter, almost like frogs.
When Kai caught a glimpse of one clearly, he inspected it.
Yumdarts
Predatory Amphibian
Amber 1
Their low level and diminutive size made Kai think the rabble would be easy to defeat, but there were so damned many of them.
Kai sent a series of images to the dragonlings, urging them to attack in formation.
He wanted the Azure in the front with the Mireen and Orondi to either side. The Ananri would pull up the rear and act as support.
The dragonlings received his messages and acted immediately.
Unfortunately, they completely ignored any concept of order.
The Azure rushed forward and left the others behind. He leaped onto a group of yumdarts, crushing a few of the beasts beneath his body and another between his jaws.
The Mireen and Orondi split off in opposite directions, leaving the Ananri alone with Kai.
Kai growled in anger. “If you get your arses kicked, don’t blame me.”
Sure enough, a large sum of monsters were quickly dispatched, but the undisciplined dragonlings were soon swamped from all sides.
A dozen yumdarts charged the Azure first.
Long tongues exploded from their mouths, slamming into the plate armor that protected the dragonling.
There must have been a barb or perhaps a bony growth on the tips of their ten-foot tongues, because the armor clanged loudly as each attack landed.
Three found the blue dragon’s flesh, however.
The Azure screeched in pain and swung its powerful tail. This knocked two yumdarts away, but the fight was far from over.