“Are you sure that he's still out there?” he whispered to Kronk, who was standing a few feet to his left.
“Oh yes, master. He is there.”
The little guy pointed straight ahead and down at the unseen visitor.
“Okay then, let's shed some light on this, shall we?” Simon said.
He tapped the butt of his staff on the stone and two more mage lights popped into existence. With a wave of his hand, the wizard sent them straight out from the gate and their illumination increased as they went.
The ground in front of the wall was bathed in white light and Simon felt his stomach clench with fear as he spotted the figure wearing shining silvery armor.
If he didn't know that it was the argent dragon, the wizard would have half believed that he was looking at a statue.
“Hello Argentium” he called out. “It's good to see you again. Can I help you?”
“Ah yes. Simon O'Toole,” the dragon replied, his voice vibrating with power. “I am pleased to see you alive and well. I had heard that you endured much tribulation at the hands of the wretched goblins.”
Did you now, the wizard thought. From whom, I wonder?
Simon hesitated, not willing to speak about those horrific memories again.
“It happened,” he said shortly. “And now it's passed. But I thank you for your concern. Now, what can I do for you?”
“We need to talk, young wizard,” Argentium said, his tone becoming stern. “Face to face.”
“This is a very bad idea!” Aeris hissed as Simon carefully climbed down the ladder from the top of the wall. “If you leave the protection of the wards, you'll be defenseless.”
The air elemental had waited until the wizard had walked off of the archway to join him, but he had obviously heard everything.
“Yeah, thanks Aeris. I know that.”
“Master, I must agree with him,” Kronk said with great concern.
He hopped down the ladder as Simon reached the ground, and tugged on the bottom of his robe.
“The argent dragon is not like any other of his kind, master,” the little guy told him. “His powers are substantially greater than almost all others, and he is blessed by the lords of Light. If he chooses to turn on you, I fear that not even your magic will be able to save you.”
Simon stopped and stared at both of their concerned faces. The night winds had picked up and his light globe was wavering in the breeze, making all of their shadows dance and sway.
“Don't you think I know that?” he asked Kronk as he shook back the hair from his eyes. “And I doubt that my wards would save us even if I stayed inside of our wall. But if I step outside of their protection, I am demonstrating a level of trust in Argentium's good intentions and in his honor. And whatever else you may think of him, the dragon is an honorable person.”
Aeris continued to scowl but Kronk stroked his chin in thought.
“Ah, I believe that I understand your strategy, master. You think that he will not attack you if you show that you expect him to deal with you honorably. An interesting plan.”
“It's suicidal, is what it is,” Aeris said bluntly. “As far as I'm concerned, that dragon's supposed honor was negated when he took those damned eggs. I'm not even sure that he is rational any more.”
Simon walked toward the front gate.
“Yeah, thanks for the pep talk,” he said over his shoulder. “I feel so much better now.”
The elementals followed him glumly, a pall of gloom making the night seem even darker and more threatening.
The wizard slipped the bolts open and unfastened the locks on the gate, and Kronk and Aeris pulled them back when he was finished.
“Stay here, both of you,” he told them. “Whatever happens, this shouldn't take long.”
“But master...”
“No Kronk, please don't argue. I'll be fine. Just stay inside the wall with Aeris and stand guard.”
The little guy nodded reluctantly, while the air elemental just forced a smile and gave Simon a thumbs-up.
“Be back soon,” the wizard said and walked out into the darkness beyond the gate.
Simon had dismissed his extra mage lights when he'd finished speaking with Argentium from the top of the wall, so now he summoned another one and sent it ahead to light up the blustery night, keeping his first globe floating a few feet above his head.
The argent dragon had walked away from the gate and was now waiting for the wizard near the center of the field that led to the dark mass of the forest. His armor flashed and shimmered as the mage lights began to reflect off of it.
Simon reminded himself with a nervous shiver that Argentium's armor was actually a manifestation of his scales and that the wizard was not about to speak with a mortal man. The fact that the dragon was at least eight feet tall reinforced that fact.
When he was about ten feet away from the glittering humanoid, Simon stopped and planted his staff on the ground.
The towering figure bowed slightly and the wizard returned it.
“I am pleased at your show of confidence in me,” Argentium said in his reverberating voice. “Not many humans would trust a dragon in a face to face meeting.”
“You are an honorable person,” Simon replied levelly. “No matter what has happened or what will happen between us, I don't believe that has changed.”
“Thank you. It has not. Now, let us get right to it. You have been looking for me, I believe?”
Simon looked up at the dragon's handsome face. His long platinum hair barely moved in the wind, as if he was somehow untouched by the world around him. He was expressionless and the wizard couldn't tell what his mood was. It made him even more nervous.
“I don't deny it,” he admitted. “Your actions have left me with little choice.”
“I see. And I do not need to ask why, do I?”
“No, I don't think you do.”
Argentium looked up at the sky. The thick clouds that had obscured the stars were thinning now. The points of light in the heavens danced as they were revealed in all of their timeless beauty.
“Did you know that in all of the universe, among the countless stars and the worlds that circle them, that the only dragons that exist, exist on this planet? It's true. The gods that created us, both Chaotic and Lawful, saw fit to only bring us to life on this world, which your people call Earth. And now, because of your actions, and the actions of others, there are only seven of us left.”
He looked down at the wizard.
“Seven dragons, in all of the worlds in all of the universe. And you, mortal, would wipe out five of us. Five children.”
“So the eggs have hatched then?”
“Oh yes, they have hatched. And they are growing rapidly, as only young dragons can. Even now you would be hard-pressed to defeat one of them on your own, sir wizard. But they are still younglings, still vulnerable. And you would slaughter them based on what? Their parentage? Dragons are like humans when they are born; neither good nor evil. They become what they are taught to become, what they are shown. I am teaching them, showing them, what they need to know about the world. Understand that these dragons are not under any evil influence. Their twisted mother has not corrupted them, and the dark gods cannot reach them. I have taken them to a place where all such connections are impossible. And by the time that they are fully grown, which will be sooner than you might think, any influence that the gods try to assert upon them will not change their natures.”
Simon stared silently at the dragon, trying to measure his sincerity. It certainly seemed like he was being honest in his belief that the young dragons were not a threat, at least not yet. But how could the wizard tell if that was true? Could Argentium be deluding himself? Of course he could. There was really no way to know, until the dragons were unleashed upon the world. And then it would be too late.
“What would you have me do?” Simon asked as the wind whipped his hair across his face. “You say that your people are few in number? Well, so are mine,
Argentium. We went from billions of humans to a mere handful. Thanks to your kind. And the few that are left are ill-equipped to fight back against you. Fortunately, I am not. So tell me, please, if our situations were reversed, what would you do?”
The dragon lowered his heavy head and stared at the grass that was waving and flowing around his feet.
“I cannot say, Simon O'Toole. Perhaps I would do as you are doing, but I prefer to believe that I would judge my potential adversaries on their deeds, not on baseless fears.”
He looked straight into Simon's eyes and the wizard felt a jolt of energy at their impact.
“But I will make you this vow, young wizard. I swear that if any of my charges turns to evil, I will kill them myself. You have my word, for whatever it is worth.”
Simon pushed back his hair as he considered the dragon's statement. If the New Earth had taught him anything, it was that honor was in short supply and that evil came in many guises. But he had to draw a line in the sand against his cynicism somewhere, didn't he? Besides, wherever the argent dragon had hidden the young dragons, Simon couldn't find them. So did he really have a choice after all?
“Very well, Argentium. As I said, I know you to be an honorable person, so I will answer your vow with one of my own. Until I have evidence that the young dragons are a danger to me and mine, I will wait and not seek them out, However, should that change, I will defend my people to my utmost ability. Is that satisfactory?”
“It is. Ah but it is good to speak with you, Simon. You are a reasonable man, and that is a worthwhile quality.”
Simon chuckled, feeling more at ease. At least a little bit.
“I don't know about that, but thanks. I'm glad that we've come to an understanding, although I doubt that all of my people will agree with it.”
Argentium smiled for the first time.
“It would be surprising if they did. People are people, I suppose.”
“True. Now, before you go, I think I should tell you about another development. I don't know if it affects you, but it's a mystery and might interest you.”
“I am intrigued. Tell me.”
Simon told the dragon about the mysterious woman who had visited the tower while he was imprisoned, and about the 'gift' that she had left behind.
Argentium listened closely, his expression unreadable. When Simon finished, he nodded thoughtfully.
“That is...troubling. Your elementals reported that she mentioned the godling Lacertus? And the Void? Well now, a new power has risen, it seems. I wonder if this was a subtle way of sending me a message?”
“You? Wait a second; do you mean that she was correct?”
“Somewhat. I know nothing of this Lacertus character, beyond his nasty reputation, but I do have a certain influence over the Void that other dragons have never had.”
Simon looked at him in amazement. The Void was what magic-users entered when they used the Gate spells. It had always both fascinated and frightened him.
“So that is where you are keeping the young dragons,” he stated softly.
Argentium's look was piercing, but he smiled slightly.
“It does no harm to admit it, I suppose. After all, no one, not even you, can travel to my private abode in the Void without my guidance. So yes, that is where my adopted children are living. The dwarves have sensed it, did you know? How frustrating for them that they cannot reach it. Time moves much faster there than it does in this realm and so my young charges growth and education is accelerated. Your mysterious visitor may have wanted me to know that she is aware of this.”
“I wonder why?” Simon mused. “What good would it do? Oh well, I just thought that you should know about her.”
“Thank you. I will give this information some thought. And now I go. Take care, my friend.”
“Good luck with the kids,” Simon told him with a grin.
The dragon looked startled and then he laughed, a clear silvery sound.
“I appreciate the sentiment. They are unruly at times, I must admit, but they are also a joy to be with. I hope that one day you will meet them and agree with me.”
“So do I, Argentium. So do I.”
The dragon nodded and faded into the night. There was a sound of massive wings flapping above his head for an instant and then it was gone.
Simon looked up for a few minutes, staring at the distant stars.
“And now, we wait and see,” he murmured.
He had been right; Tamara and the others were not pleased at his 'deal' with the argent dragon.
“Are you nuts?” was the first thing she had said after he'd called and broken the news. It went downhill from there.
The leadership of Nottinghill Castle had gathered together at his request, during daylight for a change, and he had told them all via his Magic Mirror exactly what had happened during the meeting with Argentium.
When he had finished and the uproar had settled down somewhat, he looked around the conference table with a rueful grin.
“And this is why I decided to talk to all of you long-distance instead of Gating over to the castle,” he told them.
“Chicken,” Malcolm said with a smile.
He at least wasn't all that bothered by the deal with the dragon. For all of his bluster, Malcolm had a fairly pragmatic view of the world around him. Aiden's feelings were similarly muted.
“Tamara, what exactly would you rather have had Simon do?” he asked the angry mage. “Attack Argentium then and there? I've never thought of our wizardly friend as suicidal, which that course of action would have been.”
She glared at Aiden, who returned her look calmly.
“No, of course not,” she snapped. “But to agree to adopt a wait and see attitude like that, I...”
She shook her head and looked at the image of Simon where he stood near the fireplace.
“I just don't trust Argentium, that's all.”
“To be fair, sis, you don't trust anyone,” Sebastian told her.
“That's not entirely true,” Tamara argued. “I trust everyone in this room, Simon included.”
“Then trust me now,” the wizard urged. “It wasn't out of fear that I agreed to adopt a 'wait and see attitude', as you call it, toward the young dragons. It was because, recent actions notwithstanding, the argent dragon is an honorable creature. He believes that his charges are going to grow into good people, and I think that they should be given that chance. And to be quite frank about it, I don't know that I could have killed children for even the most altruistic of reasons, whether they were dragons or not. Could you?”
The mage slumped back in her chair.
“Probably not. All right, Simon, we'll do it your way. But I pray that you're right. Your battles with the original five primals will have been for nothing if these new dragons become a threat in the future.”
“I know, Tamara. Thanks for understanding. I don't have all the answers, God knows, but I'm hoping that I'm right in this case. Talk to you all again soon.”
Simon broke the connection and set down his mirror. Kronk and Aeris were standing on the desk in front of him and had watched quietly during the meeting.
“That went better than I had expected,” Aeris said with some surprise. “Tamara was the one most upset by your deal with the devil.”
“Will you stop calling it that?” Kronk asked him. “Master and I get it; you don't agree with him. Fine. Now move on, would you?”
Aeris sniffed and ignored him.
“If this comes back to literally bite you on the ass, I hope that I'm there to say I told you so before we are all burned alive,” he told both Simon and Kronk.
“Before you and I are burned alive,” the wizard responded wearily. “Kronk is fireproof, remember? And why are you so against this anyway? Would you prefer a battle that I'm fairly sure we'd lose?”
The air elemental ascended to eye level and frowned at Simon.
“Certainly not. But after the wild goose chases that you sent me and the others of my ki
nd on, it turns out that our efforts were all for nothing.”
“Oh, I get it,” Simon said in surprise. “You think that you wasted your time. But isn't that one of the hazards of scouting? Not finding what you're looking for?”
“Of course. But now what? With this new wait and see attitude of yours, what am I supposed to do with myself? Poke around this tower all day and dust the corners?”
“He hates being bored, master,” Kronk observed wisely.
“Well then, you're in luck,” the wizard told Aeris. “I have another scouting job for you. And you can take Brethia and Orriss with you for good measure.”
“You do?” the elemental asked excitedly. “Fantastic! Hey, wait a minute. Is this just a make-work project to keep me busy?”
Simon stood up and stretched, his back stiff from too much sitting.
“I think I'm going to have small aches and pains for the rest of my life from being shackled by those damned goblins. Lovely. And no, Aeris, it isn't a fake assignment.”
He sat on the window ledge behind the desk and folded his arms, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight on his back.
“We need to find the dragon queen, before she finds us. I know that she's insane, but that just makes her even more unpredictable and dangerous. You and the others know where you last saw her. Go down there and try to track her down. If you do, report back to me and we'll schedule a rotation between the three of you to keep a permanent watch on her. It will reassure the folks over in Nottinghill, at least. And me too, actually.”
“Ah, now that is a good idea,” Aeris replied enthusiastically. “I'll go up and tell the others. Are you sure that you don't want one of them to stay on the roof as a lookout? Dangerous times and all that.”
“No, it's fine. Kronk? Ask one of your friends from the perimeter patrol to head up there later and keep watch, would you? Tell them that it's just a temporary assignment.”
“Yes master, I will do that.”
Aeris seemed reassured.
“Okay then, I'm off. Call me back if you need me.”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 154