Guardian Dragons

by Catherine L Vickers

  ‘Is that it?’ Breathless, she could not believe that was all he had to say. ‘Was I not brave pappa?’

  ‘Do not confuse bravery with conceit my dear.’

  ‘Oh dear, do you think so pappa?’ Her eyes widened at his response. ‘That will not do. Mother will be disappointed in me if I’m being conceited. I had better shut up.’

  ‘Heather, you have always accepted your fate as the Changeling.’ Heimarl took on his more formal voice. ‘Never have you shied away from your destiny. I trust you my daughter to develop in your own time. But you must know that someone who is not experienced in this magic could end up becoming whatever they have Changed into, permanently.’

  Heimarl rose slowly from his chair and teetered around the table to pat his daughter lovingly, on her silky head of golden thick curls.

  ‘I would like to keep my human daughter if you please, just a little longer anyway. Do we agree that you will receive more guidance?’

  ‘If you insist, pappa.’ Heather sighed heavily, feeling suddenly at a loss. She sensed her inexperience. ‘I suppose I have no choice, but how hard can it be, I’ve already done the deed?’

  ‘Yes daughter, but you have not Changed for any length of time. The longer you are another creature, the less your chances of Changing back to your self, unless you learn how to control the deep corners of your spirit so that your soul does not lose itself when you become another. When you are well schooled with this skill, you will Change into many creatures for long periods of time, when the need arises. We serve to protect, it is not a game but an honour little one. Let me tell you the tale of the Guardian Dragons and the ancient powerful Mage Saurlton Barronz.

  Jumping from her seat to join her father, they walked together in the heavily scented garden. Approaching an old, mossy stone built well, they both perched on the edges of the cool, coarse sandstone. Her father began one of his charming tales.

  ‘Let us not forget that the dragons are the guardians of the Magic Wall that shimmers with warm violets, peaches and apricot colours. It reaches from land to sky and can be seen at the very top peak of the highest mid-mountain range of Ginnung that stretches right around the middle of Aarabassa. Not only does this mountain range serve to separate the Dark Lands from the Light Lands, it also keeps evil from good.’

  Her father could not endure the hardened surface of the well’s wall on his aching limbs, so he stood and meandered along the sandy yellow path that would take him to the ornate petite wooden bridge that he was so fond of. Heather followed, eager to hear more.

  Chapter 18 Tale of a Mage

  ‘Many centuries ago a powerful mage known as Saurlton Barronz was born with the Changeling ability. He could alter his form to replica any creature, other than that of the dead whose souls have moved on from this world.’

  ‘Why would he wish to be a dead creature anyway?’ Heather was curious.

  ‘Ahh, you see little one, much you have been taught in your education but much more there is to learn. You know little of the monshaads.’

  ‘I do too pappa. I know that they are foul.’

  ‘They are also dead. It’s believed by some scholars, that they have no souls. This I can’t quite comprehend. I think they have their souls but it cannot pass to the Realms of the Dead. It’s just stuck in limbo, somehow.’

  Turning the winding path, passing the scented yellow rose blossoms perched proudly on top of long thin trunks, Heimarl lingered, to savour the sweet aroma.

  ‘I cannot see how any creature can be without a soul, but then what is the soul I ask myself,’ he mumbled, more to himself than to his company.

  Heather’s eyes were blinded to the beautiful display of brightly coloured roses, she listened intently to her father and pondered over this befuddled question.

  ‘Saurlton travelled the world of Aarabassa, taking the form of whichever race he visited,’ her father continued. ‘In the very same land of the dragons, he came upon a family group of ape-like people who had found an orphan human baby girl and taken it upon themselves to feed and raise her as one of their own. He Changed into a young male ape to understand the nature of this situation and decided that the little girl was as happy as any other child he had witnessed in his observations of humanity. He did not interfere but promised himself he would return later, to see the evolution of this unusual bond.

  Then Saurlton became involved with the Serpent Battles for many suncircles. We know that the Emperor Morte-Bielz led his armies of evil serpents against the Light Land dragons. Indeed, we believe that the Emperor and the ancient mage are possibly brothers. They both originate from the same human tribe and it is deemed that one brother followed good magic and the other followed a darker path. In the end good prospered over evil and Saurlton used his powerful magics to create the Magic Wall as a barrier. He had, in effect, imprisoned the creatures of the Dark Lands. But, the elements must balance and for the world to sustain the miraculous barrier and maintain its natural stability, the Emperor was able to create another magical being which we know to be Vellar, a fire breathing creature. We have not yet found the scribes that teach us of his powers. It is known that this great beast is buried deep in the hot sands of the Merpell desert. The how or the why it got to be there is not too clear but it is believed that Saurlton burried him there. This would mean he was born in the Lightlands, well so we think. So, you see a Changeling is a powerful tool.’

  Breaking for a rest they finally reached the ornamental bridge where Heimarl sat upon a brightly painted wooden bench. No water ran under the bridge, instead thousands of tiny shells twinkled in the sunlight. This was a place where he could think fondly of all his children. Each of his tender daughters had personally crafted individual clay ornamental animals, which had been assembled near to his bridge. They made a grand display that any father would be proud of. Here he could sense their company, minus their din, which was inevitable when they were together.

  ‘Pappa, whatever happened to the human girl with the ape people?’

  ‘There is lengthy gap in the writings as if he did not visit them again for a while, but he did return and he found instead a more developed tribe of ape people who called themselves the abapes. They were, and still are, a gentle race that stands tall with long shaggy hairy bodies, except for their smooth hairless gentle apelike faces of dark leathery skin. They’d developed a new language as well. Time had passed through many generations since he had met that little girl. She had lived and grown, loved and bred and passed on to the Realm of the Dead. Her bloodline now ran deep in the tribes, leading to the development of a more advanced race. Saurlton led them to the new ruling Guardian Dragons, for both these races their numbers had dwindled because of the wars. Together they became stronger companions and in our time, every dragon has an abapion carer.

  ‘I have heard of the dragons but never of these strange abapions.’ Heather thought she knew all of the different races.

  ‘As I said before my daughter, you still have much to learn.’ Gently he took his daughter’s hand and placed it between his warm, strong palms. She was comforted with his protective love. He continued.

  ‘They care with deep respect and love for their Masters, the dragons. In return the dragons look upon the abape as constant companions that they love and need to protect, long have these two races bonded as carers for each other.

  ‘So what happened to Saurlton?’

  ‘Well, it was hard to keep track of him as he could Change to so many forms so no-one ever knew where he was and no-one ever knew when or even if he had died. To this moonwake, the end of his tale remains a mystery.’

  ‘But pappa the Serpent Wars was over a hundred suncircles ago,’ Heather knew this from her lessons. ‘That war lasted about a hundred suncircles, and he was around before then. He is probably aged about three or four hundred suncircles.’

  ‘No my dear, he is aged thousands of suncirles, as is the monshaad Emperor of the Darklands. No one really knows as few written records have been found and dec
iphered as of yet. Our historical scholars work hard on this, but these things take time.’

  ‘Do you believe he is still alive pappa?’

  ‘Yes I do child. This is why you must know how treasured your magic is. Your bloodline is rare and you too, could live thousands of suncirles. Well, that is if you stay around long enough to learn your art correctly,’ Heimarl cautioned.

  ‘That would mean there are two Changelings upon Aarabassa. Can this be?’

  ‘Your Changing skills are to be used to protect all innocent creatures of the world my daughter. We are Guardians of the Innocent, along with the Guardian Dragons. Do you see how you fit into this world now? I believe that the ancient mage rests while his Magic Wall protects us, but he lives on while ever his brother balances the magic of evil. We all grow fat on our own prosperity. We should never take anything for granted and should be ready for the powerful Emperor at all times, he is after all equally as powerful as his brother, Saurlton.’

  ‘I can do it pappa,’ still Heather spoke earnestly but with such angelic innocence. ‘It’s simple. I’m always happy with new situations. I like to think that change will always bring about good outcomes.’

  ‘Dare I say it my child,’ her father rebuked, ‘you have yet to face the evils of this world. Had you not been born the Changeling then your life would have been as undemanding as it will be for your sisters. But, for you Heather, life will not be so. You will have many choices to make and many battles to fight. Already you think for yourself and I have always encouraged that in all my daughters. But you must seek to further your knowledge upon your own skills.’

  ‘I will always trust you pappa. If you say this is so then it is. I will work hard and you will be very proud of your eldest daughter.’

  Ah, how could this small creature face the evils of this world? Heirmarl sought to break the discussion and allow his daughter to face the realities of the here and now.

  ‘Of this I have no doubt. Now then, your mother will need to know of these plans for your future education, go seek her out and let us move forward. Go, go.’

  ‘Yes pappa, but I still think I did the right thing by practicing my skills. Life should be lived on impulse not by silly rules. You must understand the magnificence of my day.’

  Heather rose from the place by her father’s side. He let go of her hand and smiled fondly at his daughter as she left as quickly as she had appeared. Deeply he worried, at the lack of caution to the impetuous rules that she lived by.

  Chapter 19 Courting Memories

  His watery blue eyes passed over the lush green velvet grass and he thought to himself that it must be almost time for the rains. Perhaps he would take some time to seed a few herbs and watch them nurture. Or, maybe, he should just leave that to the Herb Gardeners to do what they do best and not interfere. What was the point of him forcing the rain when it was not yet needed? He knew all too well, how to live by rules. His daughter would need to live by the same set of rules that all mages follow, those of caution.

  He was aware her mother Minnah would not be pleased at his little talk with his daughter. She knew her only child was a Changeling but this did not lessen her protectiveness as a mother. Yet how like Minnah her only daughter had turned out to be.

  Closing his eyes to the bright sun, he relaxed his muscles, as much as the hard wooden bench would allow. In his old age, he was fond of his memories. Unlike a Healing Mage or a Changeling, his life would not be extended. Slowly he drifted into an old man’s peaceful nap. Reminiscing he recalled when, as a youngster, how energetic he had been as a young enthusiastic heir who would succeed his father in the role as Head Mage. Aahh, blissful days .....

  Swallowing a mouthful of light Madeira wine from a silver goblet, the young handsome man patted a small spill on his chin. He had spent half the moonwake considering the hindrance of the insufferable problem he had been presented with; it was absurd that the Head Mage was expected to be married, if he was to rule. Being unattached at only nineteen suncircles was not uncommon yet this situation had become such a setback, nonetheless, it was necessary for Heimarl to choose an appropriate wife, and quickly.

  Minnah Barronz, who had just passed her seventeenth suncircle, was his first and only choice for a bride.

  Since catching a glimpse of her, whilst she was gathering the youngest of students together in the academy’s central courtyard, he had fallen madly and deeply in love with this graceful white slender swan that fluttered amongst the children. She wore silky golden locks plaited down her long arched back and her lips displayed the sweetest cherry smile.

  He had then sought more information of this delicate maiden, he had learned from the Principle Head of the academy that her family name was ‘Barronz’. Not many carry this name and it meant that her lineage was that of the ancient mage Saurlton Barronz, thus linking strong magic in her bloodline. Her parents were well respected within their trades, but hardly royalty, her father Ryan a poet and her mother Nealther a healer. As a traveling family, her parents had secured her with a good apprenticeship as nursemaid within the academy. Already he sensed that she would make a worthy mother to his first child. The worst aspect the investigation had uncovered was that her mother had married twice and that her first husband had been a drunkard who was killed in a bar brawl. As this was before Minnah was born and this husband had not been her natural father, he determined no reason why she could not be his first wife. He would report to his father bearing the good news.

  Minnah had been receiving sumptuous gifts of beautiful wild orchids and sweet scented bouquets of the spectacular pink blossoms of the Almond tree, on a regular basis. She was overwhelmed with delight at the thought of a secret admirer. As a shy gentle character, she did not share her joy with others, but that did not mean that others had not noticed. Curiosity surmounted her companions within the shared quarters of the apprentice maidens. In their eagerness to learn more about her, they coveted her friendship. Minnah, on her part, patiently endured their silly chatter, but secretly waited to discover the true fan of her affections. She had accepted her role in life as nursemaid within the Scholarship Academy, until recently when she had experienced strange dreams of pure happiness within her soul.

  Seeking the shade of a large matured palm tree and the solace of reading a scroll of pretty poetry, Minnah was convinced that no one could locate her in the third garden of the Academy College. Turning her head to listen to a chanting canary, she noticed a handsome young man under the archway, surveying her every move. This had to be her devotee. A stirring emotion, deep within her heart, revealed her own passion. Was this the one she had foreseen in her strange dreams? Gracefully she smiled at the canary’s enchanting song and when her eyes again scanned the archway, he was gone.

  Returning to her studies with a resigned sigh, she stayed in the gardens. Towards the end of the moonwake she rolled up the scrolls and tied them with a red silky ribbon. Just as she was about to leave, a servant approached her as she stood up from her garden seat. He introduced himself as belonging to the Head Mage’s household and promptly handed her a simple white parchment. She unravelled the good quality paper and read an invitation to attend a late supper, that very moonsleep, at the Head Mage’s abode. She wondered if this was anything to do with her anonymous admirer. It certainly could not be the Head Mage, he was too old to take an interest in an apprentice nursemaid. Who was this strange character that had sought her attention for so long? At last, she may resolve the mystery and discover the identity of this person.

  Thanking the finely dressed servant, she pleasantly accepted the invitation, explaining that she would attend when she had dressed herself appropriately.

  Once back in her chambers she searched for her finest silk gown of pale peach with white lacy sleeves, pulling over her shoulders a pale-rose silky laced poncho. She sensed that her entire future was hanging on a thin thread of hope and chance. A vision of the tiny delicate canary bird she had listened to in the garden came into her mind. Like the fra
gile little canary, she felt vulnerable and unprotected, wishing her parents were close by.

  Using the short sea path walk to the mage’s house, Minnah observed the clear warm blue sea slapping against the cliff rocks, forming white frothy waves that billowed up trying with all their might to climb to the top of the cliff face. The residential quarters for the High Mages were on the outside block of the academy. Each had fenced gardens but the Head Mage’s had a high walled garden with a tall black iron gate. Closing the gate behind her, she noticed a house servant approaching down a long narrow red stone path, to greet her. He bid her welcome and she followed him to the row of terraced buildings that formed the outer wing of the Scholarship Academy. Entering through an ornate pair of heavy thick wooden doors, carved with intricate dragon heads painted in bright reds and golds, she found herself standing alone, feeling like a tiny bug invading a huge hallway. Craning her neck, she gazed up at a high ornate golden ceiling intricately carved with the full forms of brightly painted flying dragons. She sat herself down on a rich red velvet padding, covering a dark wooden bench and admired the splendid interior of the tall reception area. The floor was equally spectacular with tiny mosaic tiles of multi-coloured marble, creating an array of shimmering colours that produced a pattern of unique beauty.

  The Head Mage Hyfer arrived in the hallway to greet her. This man, who was equal to none other than the King, yet here he stood before her simply attired in a cream cotton robe to his ankles and goatskin sandals. Attempting not to look too awe inspired at his presence, Minnah stood and curtsied genteelly and held out her hand as a gesture of greeting. He received her fingertips gently and brushed his lips lightly on the back of her dainty fingers.

  ‘My dear child,’ Hyfer began, ‘You must be perplexed at this obscure invitation? If we were not so pushed for time then things could have been done differently. I would have sought your parent’s advice before the initiating of this Primary Union. But, I grow old and senile and my son must take my place as soon as he is ready. To do this he needs a bride and that is where you come into the equation.’