Guardian Dragons

by Catherine L Vickers

  The Guardian Dragons from the Light Lands. Their counterparts, the cold serpents, are from the Dark Lands. Both have lived by this measure of time longer than any other creature on the world of Aarabassa. Dragons and serpents have lived through battles that are long forgotten, and never recorded. The most recent is the Serpent Wars, which marked the beginning of the trusted bond between dragons and humans. Before this great battle there existed no Magic Wall to separate the Light and Dark lands, so all creatures could travel around the world freely.

  It is said that the Battle of the Serpents began as a consequence of a misfortunate romance. The King of the giant serpents, from the icy waters of the Archaroneon Oceans on the Dark Side, captivated the heart of the Queen of the dragons who dwelled upon the Light Side. The young that she spawned from their mating, grew quickly to adult hood. As arranged by their cunning father, they murdered their doting mother the Queen dragon, then attempted to kill all the dragons of the Light Lands, with their acid breath. The dragons had been deceived and many suncircles of battle between the dragons and the serpents nearly led to the extinction of the dragon race.

  The new Queen Thimat is one of the largest females and one of the oldest of the dragon race who now live in the mid mountains of Ginnung. Her scales shimmer of a rich golden yellow with a striking contrast of deep red bloodlines outlining each and every scale. Female dragons are generally smaller and more slender than the males but when her wing span spreads in flight, she is a magnificent sight to behold. With eyes of huge deep ruby red pools, her muzzle is long and slender ending with large nostrils at either side that can breathe out the deadliest of burning fires. The dragon’s tail is a deadly weapon in battle, as are the huge razor teeth and the strong metallic claws. The Fire Breathing Dragons are true opponents in any battle and better to have them as an ally than an enemy. Having ruled with King Apsle since the end of the Serpent Wars, she has lived to see many changes in the world. This bitter war was the nearest she had witnessed in her lifetime, where the dragons were nearly no more.

  Her devotion and gratitude to the ancient mage Saurlton Barronz, as the saviour of her race, is immeasurable. She has vowed to protect his people for as long as she rules. His Magic Wall now separates the serpents from the dragons. Yet dragons are able to pass through the Wall as are Changelings. Thus, the Light Land dragon and any existing Changelings, became the Guardians of the Light Side of the world.

  Each full suncircle the Guardian Dragons prepare to pass through the magic barrier. They venture on their mission to detect any unusual occurrences that might indicate the creatures of the Dark Side are once again stirring.

  Queen Thimat was to lead the next faction. Keeping the group numbers to a minimum, so as not to raise any agitation, they hide their presence as best they can. For the most part, they are usually gone for thirty moonwakes and return tired but content that all is well.

  The dragon King Apsle would normally lead this mission but he had left on a journey, some sixty moonwakes ago. His long journey to meet with Queen Bodice of the Myeaz antoid creatures, to investigate a rumour brought by migrating birds that Vellar the fire giant is beginning to stir. Vellar was ensnared and imprisoned by the ancient mage at the end of the Serpent Wars, and then sent drifting into a magical slumber deep beneath the hot sandy Murpell desert. The dragon King would be gone many more moonwakes yet, so Queen Thimat had decided to continue with the ceremonial trip to the Dark Side to ensure that all was as it should be.

  Deep in the tunnels of the mid-mountains Queen Thimat wondered upon the rumours of the powerful Vellar. Should he awaken then the world will truly be in dire danger. Emperor Morte- Bielz, through the balance of magic, had been able to create the fire giant as an Opposition Spell to the creation of the Magic Wall. Vellar would have proved a mighty foe against the dragons with the deadly gasses he breathes. Fire breathing dragons are immune to all fire but their bodies will easily burn in the gasses of Vellar’s magic breath. His poisonous breath kills all who are capable of magic. She hoped in her heart that her King would return home shortly with news that Vellar sleeps, still. There should be no reason for his awakening.

  ‘My Queen,’ a male dragon interrupted her thoughts, ‘we are ready to pass through.’

  ‘Yes, yes Ramdon,’ the Queen replied a little agitated. ‘Let us begin the passing. I will go through first.’

  ‘As you wish, my Queen, but it would be preferred if one of us could take the first risk.’

  He bowed his huge head until his nostrils touched the sandy cool floor within the Passing Cave. The route they took led them to a place within the belly of the mid-mountains where the dragons can access the Dark Lands in secrecy.

  ‘Nonsense, I would not hide behind another.’ Queen Thimat knew that Ramdon was a good solid soldier and merely wanted precaution for his Queen. She looked into the eyes of her Leading Commander and knew her King would be displeased should she place herself at risk.

  ‘Very well Ramdon,’ she graciously gave in, ‘you do well to remind me. I grow old and forgetful and sometimes too complacent. I shall pass through once you have opened the way.’

  ‘I thank my Queen for her wisdom.’

  Ramdon’s head disappeared from view as he passed through the foggy haze that appeared to block the large exit from the chamber. Queen Thimat observed the spectacle of a huge male dragon without a head as an amusing image. Cautiously the remaining parts of his body pushed forward as he continued to pass through into the Dark Side. Once he had completely disappeared, Queen Thimat followed, hoping that the dragons behind her would not think of her as a headless body. She tried to put her long neck and head through at the same time as her front legs. A childish image she realised but nonetheless an image that kept her mind on a humorous note. Worrying was for Ramdon. She had lived far too long to allow her mind to fret over what should be a normal routine check upon the creatures of the Dark Side.

  The cavern was identical on both sides of the hazy barrier with the exception of the freezing coldness of the Dark Side. They followed their known route through the large tunnels until they arrived at the open mouth of the cave. The bright white snow reflected in the bright reaches of the large silver moon and appeared as a sparkly covering over the tops of the mid-mountains of Madzren. The dragon’s were ever fascinated with the sheer size of the moons on the Dark Side. They appeared on a larger scale than on the Light Side. Dayloon, clearly distinguishable covered in curious dark shadows that appear to create deep grooves upon its silver glittering surface. This moon, some races believe, carries the spirit of all that is good. Whereas in contrast Nytloon pulsates with a mysterious orange glow and blood red veins that appear animated. This moon, purportedly, represents all that is darker.

  The dragon’s took flight immediately, while the climate was calm, but they were ever prepared for the sudden chilled gusts that could easily divert them from their course. Even a giant dragon could not fight against the strong winds on this side of the world and would be forced to land if the winds picked up. From high in the dark clear skies, they carry the guise of any other group of flying serpents. It was not unusual to see serpents in flight over Madzren, no creature would be too suspicious of them, if they were to be spotted.

  Chapter 25 A Discovery

  The ghosts of Madzren take no interest in the moving shadows of the Light Land beasts as they pass over, through the dark skies. These desolate souls merely wander in total oblivion of their surroundings. Such pitiful spirits, are all victims of the powerful monshaads, who have mercilessly ended their mortal lives just to imprison their living souls in the bleak dark mid-mountains of Madzren. Many races deem that once a mortal life ends upon the world that the soul does not die but passes on to the Realm of the Dead in the Kingdom of the gods. If a living soul is forced to linger upon Aarabassa it will still experience physical pain, but only through the lingering images of memory, which cannot be erased. It is the nature of a monshaad to exploit the weaknesses of any living force. Through their skill
s of mind power, they enhance the belief of fear and pain that the spirits remember, and then destroy any hope that the confused wretched soul may have had. Equally, when a monshaad chooses to devour the lingering essence of a soul, there is still no release, it is further bound within the dark domain of the monshaad’s mind and still cannot pass on to the Realms of the Dead. It simply is no more, until released from the entangled depths of its captor, which would mean the death of the monshaad, but this has never been known to happen.

  Monshaads, it is understood, descend from an ancient human tribe, probably the first humans upon Aarabassa. It is not known from whence they came but these humans were enriched with the powers of magic. As the race advanced so too did the power of their inherited skills of magic and some chose to study the darker more sinister paths, giving them immortality, but not in their human forms. Such beings have abated to form an essence of foul gasses that feed upon the energy of living souls, never satiating their hunger for power. They cannot die because they are already dead. They are without a living soul, though some believe they have a dormant soul. They cannot be eaten by a serpent because they have no substance. They have no blood for the vamplins to drink. Some are weak and foul, others are stronger but still foul. Morte-Bielz is the strongest and the foulest. Few know the secret of how to rid Aarabassa of these evil entities.

  There was little that happened within the Dark Lands that Emperor Morte-Bielz did not know of. Unknown to the Light Land Dragons, when they embarked upon their visits the Emperor was indeed aware of their presence but chose not to interfere, instead he observed through his own network of spies. What use were a few more serpent bodies to him. He had bigger and stronger serpents in his oceans. Let them believe that all was peaceful in the Dark Lands. Very soon, they would know the thoughts of his mind. Very soon they would know of his true power.

  Their flight for this part of the journey was brief. They flew over the mists of the lost ghosts and left behind the mid-mountains of Madzren. In the distance they could see a dark cloud speedily approaching, growing ever larger as it neared them.

  My Queen I suggest we make our landing Ramdon Mindtalked, conscious of what looked to be dark storm clouds heading their way.

  That is not a storm Ramdon. I know not what approaches but it is no storm? Queen Thimat turned her keen eyes curiously towards the strange dark cloud in the far distance.

  We are above Dygore, an old abandoned vamplin layer, Ramdon reminded his Queen. We can make a landing and shelter whilst we wait out the passing of this cloud.

  Yes, Ramdon, that sounds reasonable. I see the retreat below she agreed.

  Leading the group of dragons down, so they could shelter, Ramdon smelt the air for a clue of what the ever-growing cloud generated. It was now moving rapidly towards them. He hoped they would make it in time and get under cover before the dark moving cloud was upon them.

  Head for the level that holds the landing bays, he Mindtalked to the other dragons. This was a section that had accommodated the landing of the huge flying basca.

  Once he was sure his Queen was under the protected roof, he also landed and entered the strange warren of the vamplin lair. Giant black granite crags form strange phenomena upon the lands of the Dygore. In times gone by the vamplins had claimed them as homes and tunneled throughout to create chambers and corridors. Probably up to ten families could live within one lair. He had never been able to venture far within this run down den, because of his size, but he was aware that it had been left empty because it was too close to the mid-mountains. After the Serpent Wars the vamplins did not feel safe so near these mountains that neighboured with the Light Land dragons, whom they consider bitter enemies.

  Ramdon kept his body in the shade but peered out at the encroaching cloud. It was beginning to take shape and now separated as a mass of little dots. The dots were moving individually. They had wings.

  That’s most certainly not a cloud, he thought.

  ‘They draw nearer,’ he mumbled to himself.

  ‘They. Did you say they? Ramdon,’ the Queen asked, hearing his mumblings.

  ‘Yes, Queen Thimat. I can make out the shapes now and we have an army of vamplins riding upon their bascas. It is as well that we sought cover when we did. It would not do to confront them,’ Ramdon replied to his Queen.

  ‘Indeed Ramdon,’ she agreed. ‘We would be accused of spying and death can be the only punishment for such a crime in these wicked lands. They would never understand that all we seek is peace in the world.’

  The dragons spoke no more, nor did they Mindtalk, lest the vamplins detect their signals.

  One basca steered and left the group as it began its dissension to swoop down to the old lair. Upon it’s back sat a tall slender vamplin female. Her heavy fur cloak lifted up with the wind as she maneuvered her huge white beast in a downward motion towards a landing platform above the opening that the dragons had entered. They heard a thud as the creature landed. Moments later another thud indicated that more than one had sidetracked from the passing group. Had the dragons been detected?

  ‘Why have you landed Lady Vatara?’ a gruff voice could be heard as the vamplins communicated.

  ‘My basca tells me that a wretched monshaad creature has frozen one of her wings,’ the female vamplin replied. ‘She has bravely brought me this far but I fear she is tiring with such pressure on only one wing.’

  ‘I am relieved at this opportune moment my Lady, to speak with you alone. I overheard your discussion with my Lord.’ The tone of the male voice shifted as he dismounted and moved towards the other vamplin. ‘I fear your brother does not truly support the Emperor’s innovative thinking. You though, Lady, seem to understand the sense in sacrificing only a few so the majority of our people can develop and grow strong. We must accept the Emperor as our leader in this coming battle against the Light Land creatures, for the sake of our survival.’

  ‘Yes, I know Sherat,’ the female said, concerned. ‘I too am disheartened with my brother’s archaic beliefs, but he does care for his people and he too wishes only for our survival in the coming war.’

  ‘Should you need a commander, Lady, know I am at your call,’ he bowed his head respectfully. ‘Will you take a place on the back of my basca, then your beast can rest and take off when she is ready for flight?’

  ‘I hate to leave her in this place of such solitude. I know there are only ghosts haunting these parts but with a damaged wing she could not defend an attack.’ The female vamplin Vatara was undecided in what to do.

  ‘She needs to rest her wing until she has full use of it again,’ Sherat explained. ‘I will come back for her, once you are safely returned. By then she should be ready to take a slower flight back.’

  ‘Would you do that Sherat? You must be tired from our mission, how can you come back for her?’ Vatara pointed to the sinking Dayloon, realising that it would soon be time for the vamplins sleep.

  ‘I will return with Nytloon. I am a commander of many warriors, my Lady. I care not which of the moons is in the skies. Now come before your brother, Lord Fiendrac, realises you have strayed.’

  The vamplins said no more words. Soon they were in flight leaving behind the injured basca who had already accepted the opportunity of sleep.

  The dragons broke their silence using Mindtalk but still they remained motionless.

  They spoke of a battle with the creatures of the Light Lands. What do you think the Emperor is plotting? Queen Thimat was concerned at the words she had just overheard.

  We must return with haste my Queen and go on no further. This is grave news. We need to prepare and warn the leaders of our lands

  Yes, Ramdon, but we need not unsettle the peace just yet. There is one I must seek out before we can assess how real this threat is. We also need to communicate with our King, we cannot act without the instructions of my partner.’

  Let us leave as quietly as we can and not waken the sleeping basca. The vamplins must not be alerted of our presence

  T
he huge dragons gracefully alighted themselves, one at a time, from the landing platform where they had sought sanctuary. The injured basca slept on, dreaming she could hear the rhythm of pounding air, like wings in flight. She briefly stirred and attempted to open her eyes but the magic spell upon her wing weighed heavily. Exhausted still, she soon returned to her dream and remained in total oblivion to the noiseless dragons, who listened out for her possible cry of warning. If she were to waken, they would have had to kill her outright. Dragons do not kill unless they are in danger or need to feed. Soon they would be out of her sight and she would pose no further danger to them. She could sleep on in ignorant bliss.

  The party of four dragons returned to their homeland without incident and soon reconciled themselves back in their own lair.

  Chapter 26 An Ancient Mage

  Queen Thimat was not to rest for long. Upon the next moonwake she embarked on a new flight to seek the advice of the Wise One, in the deepest of caverns within the Ginnung mid-mountains further north. It was another long flight but Thimat did not want to delay her news. Ramdon set off to find the dragon King and request his speedy return.

  The dark peaks loomed below, reflecting the rolling shadow of the Queen dragon’s movements. She passed over incisive sharp jagged spikes on the edges of towering basalt tops that fiercely threatened to stab at her fragile wings should she tire and fly too low. Deep ravines and gorges furrowed in the breach between the mountains creating long plummeting voids for one who was too weary to stay aloft. The air was aberrantly thin at such a high altitude, but she must push herself and continue this journey as rapidly as her strength could tolerate. It would not end for another three moonwakes.

  Resting for only one brief moment upon a large protruding crag hanging on the periphery of a grey-slated mountain, she looked up to observe which of the moons hung in the sky. Nytloon looked down at her with a radiant reddish twinge on a mellow yellow body. She was tired and longed to sleep but her urgent quest motivated her to stir and continue onwards. She must seek out the Wise One and convey the conversation they had heard between the two vamplins. If he also considered this a serious threat to the Light Side, then all the divided realms needed to prepare.