Tension ran high. They flew the first few hours on high alert, eyes scanning in all directions to notice any signs of trouble. They took their first landing break not far from the place where Kaida now lived. As the Dragons clustered around the rocks of the mountains, each quickly found a light meal to keep their energy up. Zelspar made his way to the Queen and King.
“Starleira, Rynik,” greeted Zelspar. “I wish to move to the back of formation so I can drop down from our stronghold as we get closer to Kaida. Undoubtedly, the Urthe peoples will come out when they hear us flying overhead or our shadows obscure their light. I know they will be alarmed. I have prepared for a long stay, however long it takes to get Kaida alone.”
The King replied, “Yes, Zelspar. You make good sense, as always, my friend. We will fly high, perhaps minimizing the look of a threat the peoples are likely to perceive. With any luck, we may pass by unnoticed.”
“Zelspar, I shall designate a few Dragons to stay with you, to be your scouts as you wait,” the Queen said.
“No. It is better you have all the Dragons as you breach the mountains into the lands held by our nemesis. One lone Dragon can hide more effectively than several,” Zelspar stated.
The Queen huffed and a tendril of smoke escaped her nostrils. “You old Dragon! Let me do what I can to protect you.”
“Starleira, dear girl. You already are. You are taking our legions of Dragons into battle. That is the way you protect me and those left behind. I did not get to be this old by being unwise,” Zelspar offered.
The Queen Mursei replied, “I hear your words, and although I disagree in regard to you staying behind without scouts, I understand. I do not have to stress to use every precaution for yourself and Kaida.”
"I could not do otherwise. Much is at stake. All will be well. I will accomplish this task for Kaida and return home, awaiting your return. But first, you must take the stone boxes I prepared for you. These will help you when you locate the portal. I used one to close the portal on Verlaunde. Once placed, you must leave quickly!”
She took them and tucked the boxes inside her side pouch. “Thank you. I am sure these will help us tremendously.”
The King clapped Zelspar on the shoulder and said, “May our ancestors watch over you and protect you.” He grabbed his leather bag and started calling the Dragons to get ready for flight.
The Queen took a moment with Zelspar. “I hope to see you again, dear friend.”
The old White Dragon rubbed his whiskers, saying, “I have no true Vision to say it will be so, but my heart tells me we will see one another again. Go with that knowledge.” He placed his weathered hand over hers, winking.
“Until then, dear Zelspar,” the Queen said, squeezing his hand gently.
She strode to the front of the legions of Dragons, and lifting her head up to the Ancestors, she asked for their protection and guidance. She turned and faced her brave Dragons, wondering how many would return after battle. She glanced up and down their lines, very proud this day to be a Dragon.
She called out to them, “Fly fast! Fly direct!” leading them off to the unknown future. “By all that is Dragon, well shall prevail!” she spoke into the wind.
The throng of Dragons started flying higher as they came across the winding stream that flows down from the mountains. A cluster of trees were near and scattered out-dwellings dotted the sides of the stream. The land where Kaida now dwelled. The Queen’s heart felt tight under her scales. How she wished to see her again. She hoped for Zelspar’s visit to be safe.
The Queen flew up above the clouds, moving quickly from the land where Kaida and the Urthe peoples dwelled. As they all flew, one lone Dragon broke rank.
Zelspar circled and flew high above the rock outcroppings near the place where the Urthe peoples found Kaida. There was a sudden burst of activity when the peoples ran out of caves pointing to the sky. They were pointing at the last view of the vast passage of Dragons and yelling at them in fear.
Out of one of the wooden out-dwellings burst a young girl, hurrying to catch sight of her family. She screamed words the peoples did not understand. She yelled, “Zlemtec! Family! Come! Come!” Tears streamed down her face as people clustered around her. The strange arms reached out again to try to calm her, to contain her and she kept swinging her thin tanned arms in circles, to keep them away.
She spoke to the Wind. “Lift higher!” and she began to slowly rise from the ground. The peoples yelled and pointed, shock and fear spread like fire across dry grasslands.
Her tears continued as she said over and over, “Higher! Higher!” She had made it up above the heads of all the peoples at least two or three times higher, when she felt all wobbly, as if her legs were failing to hold her up. Loud cries went up to meet her ears.
A flash of white soared up and slid under her as her legs gave way. “Zelspar!” she cried as she locked her arms around his neck. He quickly darted over the boulders and flew further back towards a high cave along the mountains, where he knew they would be out of sight from the Urthe peoples. He landed and went into the opening of the cave as Kaida slid down his back and hugged him tightly.
Kaida fought back her tears of joy, “You came! Oh, Zelspar! I’m so glad they sent you to come and take me home. I’ve been so lost without everyone. What happened? Did Zlemtec get hurt? He told me to stay put and...”
“Kaida. Come here and sit by this old Dragon,” Zelspar said softly. His heart hammered against his chest and throat. It was good to see this blonde-haired hatchling. His own tears threatened to cascade at any moment. He had to think of something. The necklace, the one Zlemtec made for her. That ought to catch her attention as he searched for the words to explain why she must stay.
“I brought you a present from Zlemtec,” Zelspar started when Kaida’s eagerness burst forth.
“Why did he not come? Is he okay?” Her words rushed over themselves, not waiting for an answer.
“Silence Kaida. You must allow me the time to answer!” He meant to sound commanding but little Kaida saw the twinkle in his old eyes and giggled.
“Do you wish to see what I brought to you?” he asked as he raised one brow.
“Yes, please Zelspar,” she squealed in delight. “What is it? What is it? Zlemtec sent it for me? Oh, show me!” Her excitement was overwhelming and contagious.
Zelspar grinned and reached into his bag, keeping his eyes on Kaida as his hand fumbled inside until he felt the prize. He lifted it to dangle in front of Kaida’s face.
“Oh!” she exclaimed. What a beautiful thing.” She reached out tentatively and allowed her fingertips to graze the edges of the golden claws locking the flashing stone in its grasp.
She shouted, “I know this stone! This is the very stone Zlemtec found when his foot crushed a rock.” With her voice near a whisper she said, “It is his special stone.”
“Well Kaida, he wants you to have it.” Zelspar smiled at her. “Here, let me slide it over your head. That way you can wear it and keep that special stone close.” He gently slipped the necklace over her head. Kaida reached up to hold it in her hand, slowly closing her eyes and breathing deeply for the first time in longer than she could remember.
She turned the stone over in her hand, it made her feel so many things---safe, wanted, and something more. Its warmth spread through her hand. Suddenly, she felt at home. She could not wait to thank Zlemtec for such a wonderful gift. She wondered, how he always knew what she needed.
She beamed an enormous smile to Zelspar. “Oh, thank you very much for bringing this to me, Zelspar. It will make the journey home go by so fast and then I will be able to thank Zlemtec, too.” She lunged forward, almost knocking Zelspar off balance as she took hold of his neck in a hug so tight, he had to catch his breath.
“Kaida. Do sit a moment,” he said patting the stone ledge next to him. “I will tell you all about Zlemtec and all about why you saw so many Dragons pass by. After I tell you these things, we must quietly return to the area you were foun
d. Shhh, shhh, first things first! Remember, I’ll finish telling you the rest as we return to the place where the Urthe peoples found you.” Zelspar gave her a mischievous wink as if to say, “There is a secret.”
Kaida sat down close to the old White Dragon. Her fingers never once stopped touching her gift, pressing it tightly in her palm. It felt so warm and inviting, like it held a world of smiles in it. She would never take it off! Well, she thought, that is unless Zlemtec wanted to hold it or wear it.
“Do tell me everything Zelspar. I will sit still and listen before I ask questions this time.”
Zelspar could not keep from letting a small chuckle escape his throat.
“Alright Kaida, I’ll tell you everything from the time Zlemtec hid you in the bushes.” He began the story with Kaida’s eyes fastened tightly onto his.
The Queen of Mursei waved her force of Dragons to spread out wide as they crossed over the mountain top, allowing room to maneuver from attacks. She signaled for her Hail to use the Invisibility magic. The formation of outstretched wings covered the sunbeams, as the great mass of Dragons crested the mountains.
Down below, reigned chaos. Smoke, fire and the stench of death permeated the air. A bloody battle was already in play between the Jodrugs and the De Dezertico Hails with screams of war echoing through the air with thunderous bellows.
The Queen quickly called for an attack, knowing they had but a brief wingspan of time to catch them unaware. The legions of Mursei and Allies dove closer to the battle and engaged.
A swift rally of Ice, Fire and Lightning hit the battle below, causing sudden alarm and hundreds of their foes to plummet down, wings flailing as they crashed into broken heaps.
A small section of the Jodrugs and De Dezertico Hails opened up, as the Queen saw a swarm of Dragons appearing off to the side, through a towering rock which had been chiseled through the ages. A portal. They must reach the portal! She called for the King of Mursei and Galdean.
“Here!” she said as she handed over the bag of the strong magic boxes of destruction Zelspar had given her.
She pointed to the portal saying, “Head to the portal and destroy it, quick before your Invisibility wears off! We will engage in battle all along your side, blocking those already fighting. Quickly, go!”
Her most trusted and tried Dragons, the very ones she could count on, she sent into the sea of incoming Dragons and into the gravest of dangers. Then, she turned her attention to slashing a clear line around them.
“Grrrr!” Her jaws opened wide and screamed a primal cry of war. Teeth shone sharply for one split second before they clamped down ferociously on a De Dezertico’s tail.
The Qyrdrom Hail made use of their magic of Lightning blasts to cut down the swarm of Dragons and moved through a line of the De Dezertico’s as the Mursei spewed forth their killing Ice flames, providing an opening for the Queen’s Bonded One and Galdean.
The Queen repeated the protection chant in her mind while circling the King and his loyal friend. To her left, the Svendelar Hail brushed against the jutting edges of the mountains, seeking hidden threats, with the Tendryl Hail flying overhead, pointing out any adversaries which quickly became fried in their concealed locations.
A massive clutch of Jodrugs were flying straight towards the middle of her Dragons, which meant straight towards the Mursei. She called her Hail, telling them to rise above and attack as they approached the center of their mass. It was a tricky call, but since the Jodrugs could not see the Mursei, they thought they had found a weak battlefront. As they approached, they were attacked by all the forces of the Allies working together to reign terror against the Jodrugs. As soon as they became engaged, the Mursei blasted them from above with their deadly Ice flames, sending them spiraling to their death.
A loud explosion ripped the air, shooting rocks, fire and Dragon limbs skyward. The portal! They had blown up the portal! The Queen turned her attention to the area around the portal. There were no longer any Dragons around the portal area. None to be seen whatsoever. Her keen eyes searched the area for Rynik and Galdean.
She whipped her head above and across her ranks but could not spot them. She peered down below and, there they were! Two Blue and Gold Dragons, their colors brightly showing, were in the midst of torn apart Jodrugs and De Dezertico Dragons, hundreds of them.
She had to get closer. She called her Second in Command to take her spot as she veered off to see if she could help the King and Galdean. As she landed, she immediately got her answer. A loud cry of anguish and fury ripped from the deepest wells inside of her. The body of her Bonded One, her King, lay over the body of Galdean. They were covered in the torn fragments of Dragons and blood. Her whole body trembled as she made her approach.
She roared out her beloved’s name, crying, “Rynik! Rynik!” Hastily, she descended to him, throwing herself against his body. Heaves of pain racked her body. She felt a small movement beneath her and sprang backwards, softly calling, “Rynik?” A barely audible moan touched her ears. She gently reached under his head to turn it. He opened his eyes. By all that is Dragon, heavens be praised!
“Rynik, can you move? Are you hurt?” the Queen asked.
He answered shakily, “I don’t know. We were flying and Galdean gave me some boxes for the portal. I had gotten close to it when a group of De Dezertico’s surrounded us. I cast the boxes at the portal and then there was another explosion. It must have knocked …” His eyes shot wide open as he looked beneath him. “Galdean!”
Crumpled underneath him lie his lifelong friend. His chest was caved in and wings shredded. Then, he remembered the sudden threat of the group of De Dezertico’s approaching. He had blasted the portal. Galdean yelled for him to fly high. He quickly thought Galdean meant he should attack from overhead. It all happened so fast.
He didn’t realize they were visible again. He saw the cluster of Dragons quickly flying towards Galdean when a blast hit him, and he started falling. Galdean must have thrown one of the special boxes into the cluster of De Dezertico’s. He had been too close to the explosion! He had been hit by the impact of the explosion and fell to the ground upon the layers of their enemies.
The King held his friend’s head in his hands and roared until even the ground shook around them. He called out to him but there was no answer. The King pleaded with him to open his eyes, but they did not. He searched for breath, even the feeblest of breaths. He found none. His body shook with pain and rage. His green eyes flashed with vengeance as he got up from the ground.
Without another word, he flew off. The angle of his wings showed the Queen that he was headed straight into the line of battle. He gave out a battle yell that sent shivers to her soul. She quickly fell in behind him, joining the Dragon’s blood curdling yell. They would fight!
The Queen caught up with the King, watching for any signs of hidden injuries, but other than being a little less quick, he seemed to be of sound body. She saw the aggression in his darting green eyes. He was not only returning to battle, sought revenge for what happened to Galdean. They were still several wingspans back when the King rolled his head from side to side, shooting Ice flames at the beasts that may have just as well reached inside his ribcage and ripped out his heart while still beating. He was consumed with rage.
The Queen glanced over her Hail and the Allies; there had been losses. Not as many as they were killing, but any loss was felt. It seemed the hardest hit was the Brodokks. She turned all of her attention to bringing down every last Red or Black Dragon she spotted.
Her Allies responded by forming a circle around their adversaries. They started tightening the circle to get them closer together for the kill. And kill they did! The sound of roaring Dragons in battle and the screams of dying Dragons shook the land. Craters pocked the Urthe where Dragons fell. Trees were snapped and the landscape covered in the dead or dying Dragons.
The battle against the Jodrugs and De Dezertico Hails had been won! The portal was obliterated. No more Dragons would enter their doma
in. She signaled for the Mursei and the Allies to fly to the mountains’ edge, where they could find rest and recover before their journey home.
Chapter 6
Zelspar traced lines in the dirt, as he finished telling Kaida the story of Zlemtec, Galdean and King Mursei. The story of when the Urthe peoples found her, the story of the Legend. Through it all, she sat very still, mesmerized by the tale.
“Now Kaida,” he began, “It is time for me to bring you to your future. There is much you have yet to learn.”
“But Zelspar, I don’t want to live with them! I miss my family. Please take me to my true home.” Tears collected along the rim of her blue eyes as she said, “I promise I will study twice as hard and learn the peoples’ ways by you. You’ll see, I will make you proud.” She rubbed her sniffles and fallen tears with her thin arm.
“My dear Kaida, you always make me proud. You were born with a fiery spark within you. You will always do your very best. You were born to be a leader, a teacher, a diplomat. Learning everything you can from the source is vital. Chin up my little Dragon. I have a special magic for you.”
Kaida looked up into the Old Dragon’s eyes and could only nod; any words would threaten more tears to flow. She was learning that being a hatchling and a peoples was hard. She felt the weight on her small shoulders she had not known before. She tried to sit erect, to carry the added weight by using an inner strength.
“What magic, Zelspar?” she managed to ask. “Will it let me fly like other Dragons?”
“Well Kaida, it’s a magic better shown than told. First, we must fly back to the place Zlemtec had you hide. Are you ready?”
“I guess so, if we really need to. Zelspar?” She asked with her blue eyes still in tears.
“Yes?” Zelspar replied.
“I’ll always be a Dragon, won’t I?” Her lips trembled as she asked.
“Yes, my little Dragon, you will always be of the Dragons. But now, you will become even more. You will become the best of the Dragons and the peoples,” Zelspar explained gently.
The Legend of the Dragon Child Page 8