“I would think so,” Simon told her. “But it's gets worse. If he was telling the truth about that, he might have been telling the truth about something else too.”
“What else?” Aeris asked hesitantly.
The wizard shook the mirror to cancel the spell and put it down on the desk. He pushed back his hair and stretched, feeling several stabs of pain from a half-dozen cuts and bruises.
“Pyrathius told me that he had found a way to allow his subjects to procreate, to produce more red dragons. It might have been a lie, but as we've just seen, he was truthful about them surviving his death, so...”
“So he might have been telling the truth,” Aeris said flatly.
The three elementals looked appalled.
“But that means that there is no stopping them, not for good at least,” Ana said. “Even a lesser dragon is a fearful thing. To have to deal with hundreds, possibly thousands one day? How can humanity survive?”
“Damned good question. I wish I had the answer, but I don't. And right now I don't even want to think about it. I have to call Tamara and the others and let them know what's happened. I think that we should focus on the fact that the primal is dead. We can worry about the aftermath later.”
“Not too much later, my dear wizard,” Aeris said ominously as Simon picked up the mirror again. “I'm quite sure that those red dragons are angry about the death of their leader. They may want revenge.”
Simon focused on Tamara and cast the communication spell.
“Yes, I'm sure they do.”
Tamara, Sebastian and the others were thrilled to hear about the death of Pyrathius. Their good mood didn't last long when Simon told them about the survival of the lesser red dragons. And they were horrified by the idea that the dragons might have the ability to procreate.
They were all gathered in the meeting room to talk. Simon elected to remain at home and use the mirror. He was just too tired to Gate again that day.
Everyone sported a multitude of cuts, burns and bruises. Even the fighters had been singed by hot ash and splashing droplets of molten rock.
After meeting for at least an hour, it was Liliana who finally asked the most important question.
“So what do we do now?”
Everyone went silent and Simon felt his stomach tie itself in knows as all of his friends looked at him.
“Hang on, guys. Why are you looking at me?”
“Who else can we look at?” Tamara said reasonably. “You've been at the forefront of the fight against the primals since the beginning. Well, they're all gone now, so congratulations. But things may actually still be just as bad as they were, if not worse. The red dragons could be at our doorstep before the day is out. And at yours too,” she added with a grim look at Simon. “Plus we have the queen to worry about. A creature that is not only ridiculously powerful but may also be insane.”
“Yeah, so now that our friend has laid out the details, you can just tell us what to do, Simon, and we'll get on with it.”
The wizard gaped at Malcolm and then had to chuckle as the big man grinned at him.
“Wiseguy,” he said. “Okay, look everyone, I'm as unsure of our next move as you are. We'll have to depend on our wards for now to at least blunt any airborne attack. Remember, dragons don't cooperate naturally. They are vicious, solitary creatures when they aren't following the orders of a primal. Well, there are no primals anymore and my guess is that the red dragons will scatter to the four winds and begin to stake out their individual territories. Personally, I think it's a whole new ballgame. I think that our future battles with dragons will be against one at a time. We might confront two dragons working together if they are a mated pair, but I'm guessing that's about it. As for the queen...”
Simon shrugged and looked at each of them helplessly.
“I don't have a clue. She's a distant threat for now and may be for a long time. We'll try to set up some sort of surveillance system to keep on eye on her and her whereabouts. That's all I can think of for now. Anyone else?”
“You see?” Malcolm said and smacked Aiden on the shoulder. “Told you he'd have the answers.”
His partner just elbowed him back, but he looked at Simon gravely.
“I think that your advice is sound, my friend. We need to be vigilant, continue our training and bolster our defenses. And maybe then we'll at least have a chance to get on with our lives.”
“I second that,” Sebastian said briskly. He stood up and looked around. “And I think we should start now. I'm going to get some sleep. The rest of you should get your wounds tended to and do that same.”
His sister gave him a fond glance and stood up as well.
“I think that means that this meeting is adjourned. Simon, thank you for everything you did today. Without you and your elemental friends, we would have be finished.”
Tamara began to applaud and, one by one, the others stood up and joined her.
Simon felt his face turning red and looked down, too embarrassed to catch anyone's eye.
“Guys, stop. Please. It was a group effort and honestly, I didn't have a clue whether Aquamastis would help us or not. We were lucky and that's the bottom line. If you want to thank anyone, thank lady luck, not me. I'll be in touch in a day or two. In the meantime, if you need me for anything, don't hesitate to call. Right?”
He waved at the group and canceled the spell.
Thank God that's over with, was his relieved thought.
“They are right you know, master,” Kronk said. “You do deserve recognition for all of your efforts.”
Ana nodded briskly and Aeris winked.
“Oh come on. Not you too. I'm just one member of this team. You three, Aquamastis, Kassus and Incendus, among others, deserve as much praise as I do. More, frankly. Not to mention the elves and their contribution. If you want to thank me, let's forget about it and try to get back to a normal routine, okay?”
“As you wish, master,” the earthen said, not sounding very convinced.
“In that case, sir wizard, I shall begin my service by checking the local ground water. I may be able to draw more moisture to the surface, since Aeris has informed me that you have increased the size of your garden.”
“Thanks Ana, that sounds great.”
The water elemental smiled and slipped across the table, down to the floor and out of the room, leaving a trail of wetness behind her.
“Well then, since you are looking for a sense of normalcy, shall I make you some tea?” Aeris asked archly.
Simon smiled at the obvious teasing.
“That would be wonderful. Thanks.”
Aeris disappeared and the wizard was left staring at Kronk.
“Anything else?” he asked when the little guy remained standing in place, silently watching him.
“Perhaps, master. If you would forgive my impertinence, I believe I know you better than anyone alive today, except perhaps your good friend Daniel.”
Simon sat back in his chair and folded his arms.
“I can't argue with that. And?”
“And I think that you are holding something back. It is not my place to question you, master, and I am not. But I thought you should know that. And if you want to talk about it, whatever it is, I am always here for you.”
The wizard closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck, massaging the soreness there.
“I know you are. I know. And maybe you're on to something. But if you are, I can't talk about it right now. Thanks for the offer though. One day I may hold you to it.”
He opened his eyes again and watched the little guy bow and tip-tap out of the room.
He's so perceptive, Simon thought. I wonder how long it will take him to figure it out.
He stood up and stepped over to the window, staring blindly out at the darkening forest. He'd been surprised that none of the mages had put two and two together. Maybe they thought that he was more powerful than he was. That could be it. But he knew the truth. He should have died toda
y. The explosion that killed Pyrathius ripped through his shield like it was paper and tore the diamond skin off of his body. Yes, he should be dead, but he wasn't.
They'll figure it out one day, he thought.
And then what will you tell them, wizard, a voice bubbling up from deep inside of him asked
The truth, I suppose. What else?
Really? And how do you think they will respond when they learn that you've merged with a creature that they have come to hate above all others?
Go back to sleep, Esmiralla. It's been a long day.
The End
The Dragons of Argent and Silver
By
J. J. Thompson
“Watch him, closely. Something's not right with Simon.”
- Keiko Mihashi, mage
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 1
“And I'm telling you, there is something wrong with the man. He's different!”
“You're imagining things. He's just under a lot of strain; we all are.”
“That's not it. Damn it, open your eyes. He's...I don't even know how to explain it. But Simon is not the same person he was a few months ago.”
Malcolm Deschamps, Changling and warrior, was annoyed. His partner, Aiden Shen, also a Changling and a warrior, would not accept facts. And the fact was that their dear friend, a wizard named Simon O'Toole, seemed different somehow. The big man couldn't quite put his finger on it, but whenever he was around Simon these days, he felt uneasy. And he didn't like it.
The two warriors were in the courtyard of Nottinghill Castle, sparring. It was a late spring day and the air was just crisp enough to keep them from melting inside their suits of armor. The men's weapons were padded to keep them from injuring each other and they moved so quickly in their attacks and ripostes that the guardsmen watching from atop the walls stared down at them in awe.
“How can someone so big move so fast?” one of them asked another as Malcolm, his braided hair swinging around his face, smashed Aiden's mace aside and leaped in with a powerful attack of his own.
“Damned if I know,” the second guardsman replied. “Aiden's almost as big and they both move like bloody greased lightning.”
Down in the courtyard, the warriors continued their argument, barely out of breath even though they'd been practicing for almost an hour.
“I'm not saying he's suddenly decided to side with the dark gods,” Malcolm told Aiden in exasperation as he blocked an overhand attack. “What I'm saying is, I'm uneasy. That's all.”
His partner stepped back and lowered his mace. He hung it on his belt and removed a glove to wipe off his forehead.
“Okay, so you're uneasy,” Aiden said with a frown. “But why? Is it something he's said, something he's done? What exactly is it about Simon that is bothering you?”
Malcolm nodded toward the side of the courtyard where they had left their things and both men walked across the paving stones toward the pile.
“That's just it,” the big man said. He reached down and picked up a jug of water. “I don't know. I think that's the most frustrating part about it. If there was a specific trigger for my uneasiness, then I could analyze it, figure it out. But there isn't.”
He gulped down some water while Aiden grabbed a towel and dried off his face. He accepted the jug from Malcolm and took a few swallows.
“Thanks. Well then, I can't help you. The last time we saw Simon, what was it, last week? I felt nothing from him but goodwill, as always. Either I'm less sensitive to whatever it is you're feeling, something that I find hard to believe...”
He grinned as his partner stuck out his tongue at him.
“Or you're imagining it. And before you get mad, I don't believe that. You just aren't given to flights of fancy and you never have been. So I'm stumped.”
Malcolm had begun unwrapping the leather padding on his sword and sighed loudly.
“So am I. Tell you what though; Liliana's supposed to be visiting later today and I'm going to get her opinion. If anyone can sense darkness or hostile magic in others, it's a paladin.”
“Careful,” Aiden warned him. “She and Simon are close. If you aren't delicate when you bring this up, you might offend her. And offending that woman would be a very bad thing. You may be the biggest, baddest black man on the planet now, but that lady could take on you and me and not break a sweat.”
Malcolm snorted and sheathed his sword. He picked up his things and watched as Aiden grabbed his own.
“I'm well aware of what she can do. I didn't say anything about Simon becoming evil. But if he's under the influence of a hostile enchantment, Liliana will know. And I'll have you know that I can be very diplomatic when I want to be.”
They began to leave the courtyard and Aiden glanced at his partner.
“Really? Since when? And where I have been during these flashes of 'diplomacy'?”
Malcolm glowered at him but held his tongue. There was something wrong with Simon, damn it, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. With or without Aiden's approval.
Later that day, just after noon, the paladin arrived for a visit. Liliana Travnikov, once a citizen of Moscow, former middle-aged wife and mother, strode through the front gates of Nottinghill Castle. She had Changed, like all surviving humans, into something different since the dragons had returned to the world.
Her armor gleamed like silver in the midday sun, clean and flawless as if freshly polished. Her head was bare and her blond hair, braided to keep it off of her face in combat, hung down behind her to the small of her back. Her features were heavy but handsome and she exuded an air of quiet competence.
Liliana paused just inside the open gates, nodding to the two sentries on duty, and looked around the inner courtyard of the castle. She liked to admire the cleanliness and general order of the place. Tamara, the erstwhile leader of the castle, insisted that everything be kept tidy, which meant that the walls were kept in good repair and the cobblestones regularly swept. The paladin approved.
She adjusted the straps of her shield, settling it more comfortably across her back, tapped her sword hilt absently and began walking again.
Across the courtyard, the main entrance to the castle beckoned and Liliana walked toward it. She passed several of the residents who were going about their business and smiled and nodded to each. Everyone looked reasonably healthy and content and she stopped a few times and chatted with some of them.
Apparently Tamara and her brother Sebastian, both of whom were mages, were having some sort of argument and the paladin was advised to be diplomatic when she met them.
She thanked those who warned her and kept walking. Tamara was always a bit touchy and Liliana, who had faced dragons in battle, wasn't overly concerned about the woman's mood. But she would, of course, try not to poke the bear.
Inside the main hall, people were coming and going in an orderly fashion. Everyone seemed to be busy and there was a genial bustle in the air. The paladin found the nearest guardsman and asked for Tamara's location.
He looked at her with wide eyes and answered in a hushed voice.
“She's in the gallery with Sebastian. Malcolm and Ai
den are there as well.” He lowered his voice even more. “There's a full-blown row going on.”
“Keiko isn't with them?”
“No. She's quite ill with the flu and has been ordered by our cleric to stay in bed for a few days.”
He paused and added, “Be careful in there, lady.”
She raised an eyebrow but thanked him for his information and headed toward the gallery.
Liliana had lived in the castle for several months before deciding to find a home outside of the settlement. She didn't like crowds and these days any gathering of more than a handful of people felt like a crowd to her. But she remembered the grand gallery and enjoyed wandering through it whenever she dropped by to visit. It was often used for meetings or social get-togethers and apparently it was being used for such today.
The castle was a maze for those who were new to it. Hallway after hallway, room upon room, the place just seemed to go on forever. But Liliana had no problem finding her way to her destination and entered the gallery after a few minutes.
The room was huge. Its arched ceiling rose up twenty feet above her head and the wood-paneled walls were covered with medieval paintings of long dead nobles and warriors. Shelves filled with books, delicate tables covered with nick-knacks and other assorted oddities made the room a fascinating place to spend some time.
Liliana only had a moment to look around before her attention was drawn to Tamara, who was loudly berating someone in the center of the gallery.
“I am not going to start distrusting our most valuable ally because of a feeling!” she exclaimed, her strong voice echoing around the large space.
The paladin walked forward quietly as she took in the scenario.
Malcolm was standing in the center of the room where the sunlight was beaming in through the stained-glass windows. He had his hands on his hips and towered over the mage. His steel armor gleamed in the multicolored light as he frowned down at her.
Tamara, wearing a pale green robe, with her dark blond hair cut short around her ears, looked angry but not furious. She was obviously making an effort to keep her temper. She had a wand hanging on her belt and fiddled with it unconsciously.
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 41