“Interesting,” Kronk said. “I do not understand this merging, master, but I do not see how the silver dragon could just,” he gestured vaguely, “come and go at will.”
“Me neither. Add that to the list of things I don't understand about this whole situation.”
He began pacing yet again, lost in thought.
“Master, if I am understanding you correctly, you think that Esmiralla may have subtly coerced you into allowing this connection?”
“She might have, yes.”
“Then the most important question has to be...why? What could she possibly hope to gain from this merging?”
Simon stopped again, walked back up the steps and sat down heavily next to Kronk.
“That is the one thing that keeps stopping me from completely accepting that she might have tricked me. What could she gain from being trapped inside this,” he slapped his narrow chest, “skinny, adolescent body? Wouldn't she rather remain as herself? I'll tell you, her draconian body was awesome and powerful. So what has she gotten out of this merging with me?”
“Freedom perhaps?” Kronk mused. “She has been released from her chamber where she was trapped for eons, master. That might have been worth paying any price.”
“No, she already had that,” Simon told him. “She visited Liliana at least once. In fact, I saw her myself that one time in Moscow. I thought I was seeing a white dragon, but it turned out that it was Esmiralla.”
“Was it, master? How do you know?”
The wizard looked at Kronk in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that the silver dragon is very old and, as you said, has powers we cannot even guess at. How hard would it be for a being like that to cast illusions to make you believe you are seeing something that you are not? Master, remember the primal red dragon? Remember how it created a copy of itself above this very tower,” Kronk pointed straight up, “to distract you while it took control of Nottinghill Castle? Could not Esmiralla do the same thing?”
There was a long pause as Simon considered this surprising idea.
“Maybe that's it,” he whispered, wide-eyed. “Maybe I was her only way out. Oh my God, Kronk! What have I done?”
“Done, master? You have done nothing. The silver dragons were created by the gods of Justice. They died fighting against the forces of evil. Whether she tricked you or not, Esmiralla is still a good creature and I am sure that she had her reasons.”
Simon looked at the little guy incredulously.
“Did you hear what you just said? There is never a good reason to use people against their will. Never! If we're right, she should have asked me, not tricked me.”
Kronk lowered his head and stroked his chin, making a rasping sound of stone on stone. He began to nod slowly.
“Yes master, you are correct. If the silver dragon was as pure as I would like to think, she would have honestly asked for your help.”
He looked up at Simon.
“But now what, master? If we are right, what could Esmiralla be planning?”
The wizard's irritation drained away and he shrugged.
“I don't know, my friend. I really don't.”
The wizard stared across the yard again, thinking hard.
“You know what makes me even more anxious? It's this rite, ceremony, whatever it is that she's planning. I mean, what's with those ingredients? Blood from the dragon queen and from a drake. A dragon egg. What the hell is that about? That isn't magic, Kronk; that's voodoo. It's primitive and savage and I don't like it one bit.”
He stood up.
“Let's walk, my friend. I'm feeling restless.”
“Certainly, master.”
The two of them left the steps and began to walk around the tower. The warm breeze ruffled Simon's hair and he smiled at the beauty of the day. Worried or not, he loved his life and his home and had a natural optimism that not even the direst of circumstances could completely put aside.
“Still no word from Aeris,” he told the little guy. “I was expecting him to at least check in and tell me how things are going.”
Kronk laughed, a low rumble.
“You know him, master. Once he becomes focused on a mission, it sometimes consumes him. He knows how important getting the blood of the dragon queen is and I would guess that he is working very hard to achieve that end.”
Simon waved up at one of the earthen who was patrolling the outer wall. The little figure waved back cheerfully and continued on its way.
“Are you worried about him and his single-mindedness?”
“No master, not really. Aeris also has a rather well developed survival instinct. I doubt that he will put himself or his fellows in harm's way. If fact, that could be why it is taking so long for him to report back; he may be waiting for just the right moment to obtain his prize.”
“Let's hope so.”
They reached the back gate in the outside wall and Simon opened it. The two went out and stood looking across the field toward the little lake behind the tower.
His three horses, Chief, Tammy and Sunshine, along with the foal Sunbeam, were grazing together along the edge of the water. A half-dozen cows ambled contentedly across the pasture, heading for some fresh grass to feed on. The cattle were almost twice the size of the horses but appeared placid and gentle, which they were.
In a far corner, a dozen balls of wool, sheep, were huddled together to munch on the rich grass. The chickens were kept in a coop inside the wall next to the stable, to keep them safe from predators like foxes or hawks.
“The livestock seem quite happy today, master,” Kronk said with genuine affection in his voice. “Are you going to be getting a dog soon?”
The little guy was very fond of all animals and had been asking Simon on an almost daily basis about acquiring a dog, ever since the wizard had first expressed an interest in finding a pet.
“I'm sorry, bud, but until this whole situation with Esmiralla is resolved, I can't even consider searching for a dog. I have to remain focused on the task at hand. I hope you can understand that?”
The little guy sighed but smiled up at Simon.
“Of course, master. I understand what your priorities are at the moment. It is just that...”
The wizard abruptly held up a hand, cutting Kronk off, then quickly touched his lips with a finger.
“I can feel her coming back,” he whispered and the elemental nodded his understanding.
“I have to clean out the stable and the chicken coop, master. I will see you later.”
Simon nodded at the little guy as he headed back through the gate, then continued to watch the animals pensively.
The silver dragon's presence was almost suffocating as she returned from wherever she had been. The wizard couldn't wrap his head around the entire situation and did not intend to ask Esmiralla about her travels, however she managed to leave his mind and return. But the fact that she could do that, and didn't mention it to Simon, made him even more suspicious of her.
Apparently the dragon couldn't hear his thoughts unless he was specifically talking to her, which was a relief. And at the moment he had no wish to speak with her unless she spoke first.
But except for the weight of her presence, Esmiralla made no attempt to communicate with Simon and so he simply moved back to lean against the wall and watch the horses graze, thinking dark thoughts.
Simon's mood hadn't improved very much later that day when he was standing on the roof of his tower, surveying the forest that encircled his home. Usually an air elemental was stationed up there, keeping an eye on the skies in case of a dragon attack, but the wizard had sent off all three of the air elementals who worked for him to try to get a sample of blood from the dragon queen. The earthen on the walls were being extra vigilant to make up for the gap in security and Simon hoped that it would suffice until the others returned.
The tower was higher than any of the surrounding trees and the sun gleamed off of the thick sea of green and brown
leaves that made Simon feel like he was looking out over a jungle. Strange cries and mysterious scents filled the air, evidence that the world was still Changing and that plants and animals were mutating, thanks to the dark gods.
Simon found the new world ever more exciting and frightening at the same time. His powers were growing as the New Earth evolved, reflecting the changes around him. It added to the frustration caused by his situation because he couldn't focus on exploring his new capabilities while Esmiralla lurked in the depths of his mind. It almost felt like she was a creepy stalker watching his every move and he had grown to hate it. It certainly made using the outhouse and bathing a bit uncomfortable for him.
His gloom was forgotten as a distant rumble of thunder echoed across the sky.
Simon straightened up attentively and listened closely. Was he about to get a visitor?
The tower shook as a second rumble, both louder and closer, confirmed that he was correct and the wizard gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes, knowing what was about to happen.
A flash of blinding light and an ear-numbing blast of sound staggered him and Simon shook his head as his ears rang painfully.
Air elementals, he thought irritably. Always going for the big entrance.
A man-shaped figure floated just above the roof, slightly bigger all over than a human, and watched him with an amused smile on his semi-transparent face.
“Wizard, I have returned,” Aethos said in a voice as wild as the north wind.
“Yes, thank you, Aethos,” Simon replied as he rubbed his ears gingerly. “I heard.”
“Ah, I do apologize. The appearance of my kind can be a bit....ostentatious.” The elemental shook his head. “Thank our ruler for that. He does enjoy his dramatics.”
“I've noticed.”
Simon leaned back against the parapet, his head still throbbing a bit.
“So how was your trip? Did you find what you were looking for?”
Aethos' smile widened and he lifted his chin proudly.
“If I had not, I would not have returned, sir wizard.”
The elemental rubbed his hands together and a glow engulfed them. Simon watched, fascinated, as the glow increased to an almost painful level. Then with a final flash of brilliance, something appeared between Aethos' hands.
It was large, dark and misshapen and it took the wizard a moment to recognize what the elemental was holding.
“Oh gross,” he said in disgust as he stared into the dead eyes of a drake, which seemed to be staring back at him.
“Hmm, yes, I suppose it is. But you asked for a drake's blood and a drake's blood I have found,” Aethos said with obvious satisfaction.
“I thought it best to ascend high enough to freeze the thing before I brought it back,” he continued. “Less messy that way, don't you think?”
“Thanks, that was very thoughtful of you.” Simon continued to stare at the grizzly trophy. “Could you, um, leave it downstairs in the basement? It's cooler down there and I should be able to draw some blood off of it with minimal mess once it thaws out.”
“Of course, sir wizard. Is there anything else you need from me or should I return home?”
“No, that's fine, Aethos. I am very grateful for your help. I doubt that I would have been able to get a drake's blood on my own.”
The elemental chuckled.
“Oh, I think you would have found a way. You are quite resourceful. Farewell then, sir wizard. Do call if you need me again. You've kept my life interesting as of late and I find that I am enjoying our collaborations.”
“I will, Aethos. Thanks again and take care.”
The elemental bowed slightly and disappeared with a loud bang of imploding air.
'So, one ingredient down,' a voice said from inside his head.
“One down, two to go,” Simon answered the silver dragon out loud.
'Good. I know that you are as eager as I am to sever our connection.'
“I am. I didn't realize that I was being that obvious. But I'm sure you want your freedom back as much as I want my privacy. No offense.”
Laughter bubbled through his mind.
'None taken. You are correct. Patience, young wizard. We are getting closer now.'
Before he went to bed that night, Simon performed the distasteful task of draining some fluid from the drake's remains. Kronk joined him in the basement and watched silently as the wizard managed to fill a glass jar with stinking green blood.
Not only did it smell like week-old roadkill, it was slimy as well and Simon was surprised that he managed to seal the jar and wash up without vomiting. But he did, barely.
Kronk took the head away to bury it deep somewhere and the wizard washed the basement floor clean of the last bits of drake's blood. Unfortunately, the smell would linger for days.
The next morning brought Simon his second visitor in as many days.
The day was warm with only a few puffy clouds chugging across the sky and, for a change, Simon had thrown on a pair of old shorts and a ragged old t-shirt that was the size of a tent on his slim torso. It had fitted him back in the old days and was a reminder of just how much he had Changed physically since then.
He sat on the front steps of the tower, closed his eyes and leaned back, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Kronk skittered around the corner from the back of the tower and made his way to the bottom of the steps. He stared up at Simon and seemed to be reading the shirt.
“What does that mean, master?” he asked as he pointed at the faded design on the t-shirt. “A Night at the Opera?”
Simon looked down at his chest and then grinned at the earthen.
“It was the title of an album by my favorite band back in the day; Queen. An amazing bunch of songs and not a dog in the lot. Blew me away when I first heard it as a teenager.”
“What is an album, master?” Kronk asked curiously.
Running his fingers through his hair, Simon frowned as he tried to think of a way to describe old records.
“Well, let's see. It was a way to record music by artists that could then be played back by people whenever they wanted to hear the music again.”
The little guy's red eyes widened.
“Oh, I see, master. That is very clever.”
“I suppose so. It was primitive compared to the digital stuff we used just before the world came crashing down around us. It's one of the things that I miss the most from those days, you know; music.”
“But you hum, master,” the little guy told him. “You do it all the time when you are working around the tower.”
He grinned and winked up at Simon.
“It drives Aeris crazy, by the way.”
“Does it? I'll have to remember that. Yeah, I guess I do hum but that's all I can do. Even in this new body, I can't sing worth a damn. A shame but you can't have everything, I suppose.”
A blast of heat made Simon scurry back up the steps on his heels and elbows, holding up a hand to shield his face.
Kronk was blown backwards and rolled several feet, rumbling a protest.
“Ah, oh my. I do apologize, sir wizard,” a voice like the hissing of embers said with some embarrassment.
Simon wiped sudden sweat out of his eyes and looked blearily at the writhing, shimmering outline of Incendus, who was hovering an inch above the ground and withering the grass beneath him.
“Perhaps I should have announced myself as those pompous airy ones do,” he added with a touch of condescension.
The wizard pushed himself up to a seated position, irritated and amused at the same time. He glanced down at Kronk, who stood up and walked back to the steps, giving the large burning figure a wide berth. The little guy nodded at him reassuringly.
“That's okay, Incendus,” Simon told the fire elemental. “No harm done. Did you find it?”
From the center of his essence, surrounded by flames, the fiery being pulled out a pale ovoid, the size and shape of a large watermelon.
“I did indeed.
One dragon egg, as requested.”
He set it down on the ground below the steps and steam began to rise from the earth beneath it.
“Don't touch it for a few minutes; it's quite hot.”
“I can see that. Any problems getting it?”
Incendus snorted a laugh, twin jets of fire shooting from his nostrils.
“Well, the parents weren't pleased with me, I can tell you. Fortunately I'm quite a bit faster than they are, so I was able to snatch the egg and leave before things got too,” he grinned widely, “hot for me, as it were.”
Simon chuckled at the pun.
“Good. Well done. I very much appreciate the favor, Incendus.”
The burning figure made a dismissive gesture.
“Not at all, not at all. The hunt was rather dull, I will admit, but capturing the egg made up for it. Now, what else can I do to assist you?”
Simon was staring at the egg in fascination. Its leathery, skin-like surface was both interesting and disgusting at the same time.
“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all,” he said as he looked up at the elemental. “I am beyond grateful for this, but you are quite free to return to the realm of fire whenever you wish.”
“As you have never tried to command me, sir wizard, I am always free to do that, am I not?”
Incendus bent over and took a last long look at the egg.
“Ugly thing when you get right down to it, isn't it? Well, whatever you intend to do with it, good luck. I must tell you that I believe the red dragons are reproducing at an alarming rate. You might want to keep that in mind going forward.”
Simon narrowed his eyes and focused on the elemental.
“What makes you say that?”
“The fact that there were a half-dozen of these things in that one nest. If that is typical, and if the several hundred red dragons that exist are mating, then I invite you to compute the total of new dragonets. Now, I don't know how long it will take for those young dragons to mature, but even if it is a decade, you may only have that length of time before those several hundred become several thousand.”
The Dragons of Argent and Silver (Tales from the New Earth #6) Page 5