The Legend- Revealed

by Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

  No words were spoken for several heartbeats. Zelspar’s hand flew up to pull across his long face as he stared at the items exposed. Rynik drew his face within inches to the objects, his heavy breath making them shift on their soft cushion. His eyes full of questions looked up to Starleira and then to Zelspar. He took a hard seat on the granite bench.

  Finally, Zelspar spoke. “I must talk to the Ancestors. What does this mean? Rynik, you were with the birth mother, this cannot be correct.”

  “Yes, I was there to help deliver Kaida. I gave the strange orb to Starleira for safe-keeping. She has not altered it, how could she? The talon you see there is gold, as is the snip of scale. We have never known Golden Dragons. There is only one thing that makes sense, it came from her father.”

  The Queen nodded a soft agreement. Zelspar declared, “By all that is Dragon!”

  Both the Queen and King of Mursei replied, “Yes. By all that is Dragon!”

  Starleira, finally free to speak of the unusual findings picked up the third item to hold in front of them. “I did not know what this was for a long time. I was finally able to get it to shift.”

  She held a small thin square not much larger than a pebble, made from some sort of flexible metal. “I was curious as to what this piece was and why it was in the orb. I discovered quite by accident when I had to place some snippets from the heritage box into the packet we gave you, Zelspar, so you could make her potion, like you did ours. I placed the metal down next to the items as I was searching through to select bits to put in Kaida’s packet. A few on her nail clippings landed on the small square. It unfolds to become almost the size of my hand. There are writings on it that I cannot read but this I am sure of, it holds Kaida’s legacy … from her mother and father.”

  She scooped up pieces of Kaida’s nail and gently placed them onto the small square. Without the nail clippings flying off, the metal unfolded beneath itself. As it did, the only sound that could be heard in the still room was the pounding of three hearts. After it reached its full size, Starleira lightly tipped the clippings to the deer hide and cradled the metal in her hands. There, in shimmering symbols were what they recognized but could not read. The metal was separated into two sides, each side showed a list of symbols that grew from the top to the bottom. They each had something similar in their descending order but not made in the same way. This looks to be Kaida’s ancestral line. In symbols showing all her Ancestors.”

  The quiet in the room was deafening. Slowly, Starleira took the pieces and placed them back into the orb. The metal retracted into its more portable size where she picked it up and slid it back into its home. She closed the orb and looked at her companions. After a moment she softly uttered, “Perhaps this explains why she is so adept at Dragon Magic.”

  Her companions remained silent, at a loss for words and in the deepest of thoughts.

  Zelspar paced. He stopped and looked at the orb and paced again. Each time he opened his mouth to talk, it snapped shut quickly. When he could stand it no more he muttered, “This is unheard of. What this … this orb suggests cannot be, we have no records of something like this taking place, ever!”

  Starleira could see the wise White Dragon trying desperately to make sense of what was inside the orb. She approached him slowly and said, “You are correct. We have no record of this but as we all are aware of now, her mother and father are from another place. Their ways and records are not ours. We only know of our Hails, of these peoples on Urthe.”

  “By all that is Dragon, you would think the Great Ancestor would know! I must seek council.”

  Rynik touched Zelspar’s shoulder. “My friend, we do always seek help from our Ancestors but think on this, they are our Ancestors. Perhaps they do not know….”

  Zelspar, in his frustration, slung his staff down and proceeded to stomp in a back and forth motion, causing his bushy brows to catch the breeze he was making. Then, he abruptly stopped. “The Historian! He should know. He is the keeper of all Histories.”

  “Of course,” Rynik answered. “He would indeed have knowledge of … these distant peoples and the unknown Dragons. We should find the Historian.”

  Quickly, Starleira responded. “Not now. You have only just returned. There is no urgent need for answers. What has it changed? She is still the Legend foretold. She is still our little Dragon, only now the bonds are truly closer, can’t you see that? Our knowledge only helps us understand how very unique she is and why she is the Legend. What better person to bridge the gap between peoples and Dragons but the one who carries the bloodlines of both?”

  “Yes, yes … I suppose you are correct,” Zelspar answered as he slowly sat down. “We will have time enough in the future to learn more.”

  “Agreed,” said Rynik.

  But there could be no denying, as Starleira looked at her companions, their minds seemed to have drifted a million miles away.

  Chapter 31

  Perthorn said, “You saw the spell and converted it into action. Well done.” Perthorn tapped a bony finger against his head. “It’s all in there. All the spells, the magic, the murmurings … but knowing is not the same as doing. It will take much practice for the Magic to become second nature and that my boy, is what will make you a Master Magician in due course. Levitate again and this time follow through with your ascent and descent. See it, then do it.”

  Kiel risked a quick sigh before making another attempt. His eyes focused on the wall behind Perthorn and he lifted from the ground. A slow but steady ascent before he descended, lightly touching the cave’s rocky floor. He knew he was flawless, he felt it deep within, the feeling of flow, where body and mind were one. A smile creased his youthful face.

  Perthorn’s eyes flashed Kiel a pleased look. Compliments didn’t fall from the Master Magician’s mouth often, but a particular look was hard to disguise. It was enough for Kiel, that look was as good as a pat on the back. Kiel’s smile deepened.

  “Now Kiel, do it again and this time I want you to conjure a fireball in your hands as you levitate.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  Perthorn was idly braiding his mustache under his chin. “I would not have said it if I was not serious. Do you know how to conjure a fireball?”

  “Of course I do,” he replied with a snort.

  “I don’t have to ask if you know how to levitate, as you’ve just shown me. To be even a good Magician, you must be able to do multiple spells at the same time. We started your training by learning individual spells. You have practiced each until they are written,” he tapped on Kiel’s head and heart, “there and there.”

  “I know, but….”

  Perthorn stared deeply into Kiel’s eyes and placed his hands firmly onto Kiel’s arms. “If you think I work you harder than any others I have trained, you are correct. I won’t apologize for it or lessen the intensity of your training. You are my chosen apprentice. The apprentice to the Master Magician of the Vale of Valdross. That in itself is enough … but,” he said with a glint in his eyes.

  “But?” Kiel asked.

  “But, your future holds much more than that.”

  “What do you mean? That I someday will be a Master Magician?” Kiel’s face illuminated with the thought.

  “My dear boy, that is a given. I would not have made you my apprentice if that had not been what I wished to occur. No Kiel,” Perthorn said as he wore a faraway look in his eyes which seemed to swirl with mist as he spoke, “your future will cast my works into the shadows. That is why I work you so hard, why you must be better than any other Magician ever known.”

  Chill bumps rose up across Kiel’s arms and crawled up his neck, making his hairs stand at attention. Even the rhythm of his heart skipped beats. He did not know what to say and when he tried, his mouth grew dry and his tongue clung to the roof of his mouth.

  “What … what future,” he stuttered in question.

  “The Book of Days has only shown me glimpses, but this Time was foreseen. It was determined that we
would leave our Inner Urthe and return to up above with the Uplanders … and the Dragons. This is the Time for great Changes. We were chosen to be here, to be part of it all. Whatever that leads to, I cannot say with certainty but this I do know: the Book has written that from you, the greatest Magic shall come. From you, from your bloodline, the greatest Magician shall be borne. It is my responsibility to train you, to prepare you and I will not shirk from that task.”

  Kiel’s jaw lost its hinge pin and flopped open.

  Perthorn rubbed a weary brow. Thunder and Lightning, I’ve said too much! How will I ever get him to train now with such a burden to carry?

  As Perthorn’s mind flowed to different streams of thought, he felt Kiel start to rise and he removed his hands from the apprentice’s arms. Kiel rose and as he did so, his right hand conjured a green fireball and in his left hand, a yellow fireball. He continued to rise and then, in a calibrated pace, touch ground again, clapping his hands to a thunderous pop! as the fireballs were extinguished.

  A steely resolve danced across his eyes as he looked to his Master. Both wore the traces of a smile that took hold and spread.

  The Master Magician studied the apprentice with a new appreciation. He said, “Again.”

  Before Kiel could do as asked, their attentions were diverted to outside where they heard the sound of the ground shake. Eyes widened. A shadow fell across their entrance.

  “G’morning Perthorn and Kiel. I thought we might share some time together, exchanging Magic spells and learning,” Zelspar said as the two gathered their hearts from their throats.

  “Zelspar, friend! Good to see you, come in, come in,” Perthorn said only slightly stumbling over his tongue.

  “Better yet, I’m inviting you to our practice session. I’m on my way to get Zlemtec and Kaida and I thought this would be a good time for us to all come together.”

  “Ahhh, yes. I think your idea is a splendid one. We would be delighted to join you, won’t we Kiel?”

  “Yes, what an opportunity to learn the Dragons ways of Magic. I’ll just grab a few things and we’ll meet you … where?”

  A toothy grin met Kiel,“We’ll come back here shortly. Then, I’ll take you to our training rooms.”

  Perthorn and Kiel exchanged looks as Zelspar walked away, a tinge of a chuckle working its way up from his belly.

  By the time Zelspar made his way to the dwelling of his new friends, Molakei and Flower Bird, their morning fire was drifting out in the gentle breeze. He heard the sing-song laughter of Kaida as she explained the nuances of Dragon language to them. He paused, breathing in the moment, hearing their little Dragon happy once again. He couldn’t stop the onslaught of thoughts and worries regarding Kaida’s future. The picture of the new peoples they met one their way home, the ones who looked like Kaida, the ones who searched for her mother. I’m afraid, Ancestors. I don’t want us to lose Kaida again, he thought. He stepped away from the side of the mountain and stood in front of the cave’s entrance.

  “Zelspar!” Kaida called out full of joy. “What brings you out this beautiful morning?”

  He was flooded in joy. Kaida had that effect on those around her, as if she carried the spark of the sun in her soul, resplendent in her love of life. “G’morning all. I have come in search of my students with whom have been away from their lessons too long.”

  A quiet echoed through the cave, until Molakei broke through it with a hearty laugh.

  “Another thing that we peoples share in common with Dragons. Ongoing training!”

  “I stopped by to alert Perthorn and Kiel, they will be joining us for today’s Magic lessons, would you and Flower Bird like to join us?” He was looking at Molakei awaiting an answer.

  “Zelspar, my friend, we thank you for the invitation but unfortunately we had already made plans on visiting King Togar and his Solteriem folk. We know so little of those who live in the world under us, we wanted to become better acquainted and share stories.”

  “A grand plan, my friend. Learning has many paths and sharing stories is a key to understanding and forming deeper bonds. Please take them my well wishes,” Zelspar stated. “Zlemtec, Kaida, are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Kaida glanced at Zlemtec, “aren’t we?”

  A soft sigh escaped his lips, followed by a thin trail of smoke wafting up front his snout. “Yes, I guess so. I wanted to stretch my wings some, but it can wait.”

  “Indeed it can Zlemtec, as we have guests joining us for our training session today. Why don’t you and Kaida fly on up to our training rooms, I’ll go pick up our guests. I’m sure they are ready by now.”

  “Come on, Zlemtec! Let’s fly!” The excitement shining on Kaida’s face brought Zlemtec up and out of the cave where he leaned down to allow Kaida to climb upon his scaled back. She leaned forward, her arms on his neck and roared, “We fly!”

  Left behind, Molakei and Flower Bird looked on. Molakei leaned closer to Zelspar and quietly spoke, his words filled with wonder, “I never tire of watching them fly. It is always the same as it was the first time I watched them fly, there is a peace, such a wholeness and unbridled joy unlike any other time I have spent with them.”

  Zelspar looked on and nodded. How could any Dragons or peoples think of this as wrong? You only have to watch them to know, at least for the two of them, they move as One, he thought. Zelspar said his goodbye and launched away to meet Perthorn and Kiel.

  “If it’s all the same to you, Zelspar, we’ll walk to your training rooms,” Perthorn said as his eyes displayed a nervous twitch.

  The apprentice combed his fingers through his hair. He had a smirk on his lips that he tried to hide from the Master Magician. He thought, Imagine, the mighty Master Magician afraid of Dragon flight. I think it’s fantastic moving above the ground, feeling the power of the Dragon beneath me carrying me along. I could get used to this, with a willing Dragon to be my friend like Kaida has….

  Zelspar chuckled and pat Perthorn’s shoulder. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t work as our training rooms are high up the mountain. You’re not afraid are you, after all the distance we have traveled?”

  A coughing fit came from Perthorn. “Afraid? Thunder and Lightning, a Master Magician is not afraid of many things and … and, I’ll have you know I was only thinking of not being a burden on your back.”

  Zelspar’s eyes danced and glimmered brightly. “Not to worry, the two of you cause me no strain. Climb up and let’s join Kaida and Zlemtec.”

  Kiel clamored up a little awkwardly and leaned over to give Perthorn a grip on his arm. The great Magician from the Vale of Valdross wriggled his long mustache, took Kiel’s arm and launched himself up onto the back of the white Dragon, muttering something incoherently.

  Leaning over, Kiel told Zelspar they were ready at which the old and Wise Dragon took a few enormous gaits and powered off to the sky. The wind whipped through Kiel’s hair making his lips spread into a flashing smile. Behind him, Perthorn hung onto Kiel’s sides, his Magician’s hat crumpled between his grip on Kiel.

  Sometimes, the old Dragon got a hair up his snout and this was one of those times. He dipped low to the ground skimming the surface before shooting straight up into the sky causing Perthorn to give Kiel a death-grip as he looked wildly at the disappearing ground beneath him, certain he would fall to his death. His apprentice on the other hand was in sheer ecstasy, grinning and hollering the higher Zelspar flew.

  A mighty roar boomed through the air as Zelspar circled the caves below and turned and headed to the training rooms. A broad yellow-toothed grin split his powerful jaws open and he showered the sky with a burst of lightning flame. He glided down to the platform outside the cave and caught hold. Turning his head up to his riders, he said plainly, “Here we are, just a short easy ride.” He heard Perthorn grumbling and that caused his belly to jiggle with repressed laughter. It is a good day to be a Dragon, he thought with a gleam in his eyes.

  The training room was well lit from the wide entrance and the transl
ucent crystal-covered openings high above the chambers. Zlemtec and Kaida went to meet the others at the front of the cave.

  Zlemtec looked at Perthorn and asked, “Are you feeling alright? You look a bit pale.”

  “I’m fine,” he gruffed, snapping his hat to shake out the deeply embedded wrinkles caused by the death clutch during his Dragon ride. “I’m simply not accustomed to shooting straight up into the air waiting to get pitched to the ground and having all of my bones shattered!”

  Four others in the room did their best not to burst out laughing, with Kaida clutching her sides hard to keep the laughter from traveling up and out into the open. She turned to the wise Old Dragon and said, “Zelspar, you didn’t?”

  Kiel spewed out, “He did and it was great, my heart was hammering so hard I thought it would fly right out of my mouth.” Kaida started to chuckle but caught sight of Perthorn’s stern look and stifled it.

  With a cough of smoke Zelspar looked around and said, “Welcome to our training room.

  Today we will do a bit of Dragon Magic. Zlemtec, why don’t you start.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Go invisible.”

  “Aww, that’s easy,” he said as he thought of the Invisibility Magic and vanished from sight.

  However, the effect was dazzling to watch for the Magician and his apprentice. Kiel gasped as Perthorn rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

  Kaida gave a resounding ‘hmpff’ before she added, “That’s not fair, only Dragons can do that.”

  “Is that so?” Zelspar said raising an eyebrow. “You try it now, Kaida.”

  “But I can’t, you know that,” she pouted.

  “Have you tried?” asked Zelspar, knowing the answer.

  “No, I haven’t but I know I cannot do Dragon Magic.”

  “And you know this, how?” Zelspar scrunched up his chin and peered into her eyes.

  “I don’t even know how to begin!”

  “Ahhh, yes. Well, of course the way you begin is at the beginning. Quite so, am I right?”

  “I … I guess so but I don’t even know what that means.”