The Dragons of Argent and Silver (Tales from the New Earth #6)

by J. J. Thompson

  Simon smiled at her tone but his mood quickly became somber.

  “And then the dragons came.”

  “And then the dragons came,” she repeated with a nod. “And my lovely little boat along with that jewel of a town, Camogli, went up in flames. And I Changed from a frumpy, middle-aged sailor to this,” she looked down at her tall, muscular body, “amazon. I must admit that I don't mind this part. I was always fighting the battle of the bulge back in the old days, plus my breasts were...less than impressive. Now these babies...”

  She patted her chest and Barnaby turned to look at her, rolling his eyes.

  “Will you please stop admiring those things in public, captain? It's a rather vulgar habit, you know.”

  Simon bit his lip to keep from laughing, while Deborah looked down her nose at the mage.

  “I'll have you know that, unlike yourself, there are some people on board this ship who appreciate a nice pair of t...”

  “Movement to starboard!” a woman shouted from the lookout tower.

  Captain Martelli was suddenly all business.

  “Where away?” she shouted as she ran toward the right side of the ship.

  “Go after her,” Barnaby told Simon. “I have to stay here and keep the Defiant moving. It was nice to meet you.”

  “Same here. I'm sure we'll talk again soon.”

  Simon raced after the captain, Kronk and Aeris right behind him. He'd forgotten his queasiness entirely.

  “Directly to starboard, captain,” the woman shouted. “A mile out and closing.”

  Simon joined Deborah at the railing and she pointed out to sea. He looked in that direction and felt his jaw drop.

  “What the hell is that?”

  “That, sir wizard, is a turtle.”

  He gasped and stared at what appeared to be a wall of water that was racing across the ocean toward them at break-neck speed.

  “A turtle? Are you serious?”

  “Do I look like I'm joking?”

  The captain pulled a small gem out of her pocket and shook it. It began glowing a cool blue color and Simon looked at it with interest.

  It was obviously magical but he had no idea what it was for. He soon found out.

  “All hands!” Deborah shouted at the crystal. “Battle stations!”

  Her voice was magnified and echoed loudly throughout the ship. It actually made the metal deck under Simon's feet vibrate.

  Now there's a spell I've never seen before, he thought as he watched the captain slip the gem back into her pocket.

  “Come along, wizard, and watch the show,” she said to him.

  They ran forward toward the bow as the massive sea turtle, still barely visible as it plowed through the water, continued to swim toward them.

  Dozens of people came boiling out of doors and hatches, spreading out across the deck. Simon saw two other magic-users, robes fluttering in the wind, race ahead of them toward a rather odd-looking machine.

  The captain joined them and the wizard stayed back a few paces to that he wouldn't get in the way.

  Deborah and the mages, a man and a woman, spoke quickly while a group of people worked on the strange contraption.

  The machine was made of metal, dull iron and shiny steel, and basically looked like an enormous tube on wheels. It resembled a cannon but the tube was simply a metal framework, open and exposed. It was about fifteen feet long with six of those feet stretched out over the side of the ship.

  Behind it was a pile of round, spiked balls, each about two feet in circumference. As Simon watched, two men wearing iron gauntlets picked up a projectile and eased it into the machine, grunting and cursing. The thing was obviously very heavy.

  “I don't care which one of you takes the bloody shot,” the captain said, her voice rising above the babble of conversation around them. “Just fire the damned thing!”

  Simon saw one of the mages, a striking young woman with streaming black hair and a blood-red robe, step toward the strange weapon and raise her hands. They burst into amazing silver flames and she laid them on the machine.

  “It's ready,” she barked at the men behind the weapon. “Aim true and tell me when to fire.”

  Deborah stepped closer to the mechanism and stared out at the attacking monster.

  “To the left a bit,” she barked and the sailors swiveled the weapon, following her directions.

  Simon realized that the cannon was attached to the deck with a round housing that allowed it to be turned to the left and right. He also noticed, amid the chaos, that there was another of the strange weapons further down the deck. The other mage had hurried toward it and was going through the same motions as the mage in red.

  “That's got it,” the captain said loudly. “Fire away!”

  “Firing!” the mage yelled and pulled her hands away from the cannon.

  It blazed with the same silver flames that had engulfed her hands and then with an ear-splitting roar, the weapon fired the spiked ball.

  It shot directly at the wall of water that was now only a hundred yards away. Simon could see a solid dark form in the center of the wave but he could only take the captain's word that it was some sort of monstrous turtle; he couldn't make out any details.

  The ball shot true and smashed into the attacker with the force of a battering ram. A gout of red exploded at the point of impact and the wave collapsed with a huge splash.

  There was no sign of the turtle, just a large red blotch that spread out across the rough surface of the water.

  The crew cheered and Simon looked at Deborah to see her reaction. Surprisingly she was scowling and turned to impatiently motion for her men to reload the cannon.

  “Why are you reloading?” he asked and nodded out to sea. “You hit it.”

  “Aye, we hit it,” she snapped. “And we succeeded in surprising it, but that's about all we can do against something that size.”

  She saw Simon's confusion and walked away from the men who were rearming the cannon, motioning for him to follow her.

  “This has happened a few times before,” she said in a low voice, looking around to make sure no one overheard her.

  “The sea turtles are the worst. We can kill or drive off the serpents and the great whales, but the turtles? I don't know. They're stubborn or something. Once they start to attack, they keep going until they are killed, or have killed whatever it is they are attacking.”

  “I don't understand. You said you've gone through this before, right?”

  “We have, but the creatures have always been small enough to handle. Phoenix, the mage wearing the red robe, was on watch last night. Our mages take turns using their magic to spy out the waters surrounding the Defiant. She spotted this beast heading straight for us and kept watching it all night, hoping that it would turn away or that we could evade it. It didn't and we haven't. It wants this ship, wizard. And unless we kill it, it is going to have it.”

  “Damn. That's so weird. How big is it?”

  “Over a hundred feet from nose to tail. If you do the math to figure out what it weighs, well...old Defiant here doesn't stand a chance against it.”

  She looked around again and lowered her voice even more; not necessary really. Everyone on deck seemed to be speaking as loudly as possible.

  “That's why I sent out a call for help to Tamara. And that's why you're here. We need you to help us kill it.”

  “Me?”

  Simon stepped back and stared at Deborah.

  “What on Earth makes you think I can help?”

  “You've killed dragons, haven't you? At least that's what Tamara tells me. Compared to that, what's one measly sea turtle?”

  His expression must have reflected his disbelief and the captain laughed roughly and slapped him on the shoulder.

  “So do whatever it is that you do, wizard, and help us. Please. Because if you don't, a lot of people are going to die today.”

  She began to walk toward the cannon, stopped and turned back.

  “And do
n't bother talking about evacuation. The Defiant is our home and we're not leaving her. If we have to, we'll go down with our ship, I promise you that.”

  “It's making another run, captain!” the lookout shouted.

  “Right,” Deborah yelled back and trotted toward the cannon.

  “Well, this is a lovely pickle, isn't it?”

  “Yes. Thank you, Aeris. You're always so good at stating the obvious,” Simon said absently.

  The elemental was floated to the right of the wizard, watching things with interest. Kronk was staying close as well, but kept quiet.

  How the hell am I supposed to kill a giant sea turtle, he wondered silently. And why was the monster so intent on destroying the ship anyway? Did it consider it a threat? A rival? Was it horny? Or had the dark gods put the thought into the beast's head?

  Well, the reasons didn't matter. It was attacking and it had to be stopped. But how?

  “Mortis de Draconis,” Simon said firmly and held out his hand.

  His staff appeared instantly and he felt some relief to have its reassuring weight in his hand again.

  “Wise, master.”

  “Thanks. But the staff needs to channel a spell and I'll be damned if I know what would work on a sea monster.”

  He walked quickly back to the railing and looked out to sea, searching for the turtle.

  “I don't see anything,” he said to Aeris. “Where is it?”

  “Hang on a second,” the elemental said and shot straight up to take a look.

  Simon squinted upward, watching him. Aeris spun in a circle and pointed in the same direction that the turtle had attacked from before, maybe a little to the north.

  “It's coming back that way, but slower,” the elemental called down to him. “It's not pushing a wave in front of it.”

  He descended until he hovered at head height again.

  “It's almost like it's trying to be sneaky,” Aeris said. He seemed amused. “Imagine a beast that large thinking that it could sneak up on its prey. Ridiculous.”

  “It may be silly,” Kronk said sternly, “but it is hardly a joke, Aeris. I think you are taking this whole thing too lightly.”

  “Am I? Well, that's because I know our dear wizard will save the day. He always does, does he not?”

  “Shush,” Simon said irritably. He saw several of the crew watching him and realized that they must know that he was a wizard. He wondered if they were waiting for him to 'save the day' as Aeris had said.

  Yeah, no pressure, guys, he thought nervously and walked away from the cannon to get a little privacy.

  The captain was directing her men to reset the weapon and get it ready for a second shot. The other machine's crew signaled that they were prepared to fire when the captain ordered it.

  “That will buy you some time to come up with a solution,” Aeris told him with a nod at the pair of cannons. He sounded more serious now.

  “Great. The problem is that I don't have any spells that will affect something that large. Lightning and Fire-based spells would be neutralized by the water. Ice spells might freeze the water, but the damned turtle won't even notice. It will just plow right through. And it's salt water; probably wouldn't work anyway.”

  What do I do? What the hell do I do?

  His thoughts began running in circles and he was getting nowhere when a tug on his robe got his attention.

  “Might I make a suggestion, master?”

  Simon looked down at Kronk. The little guy met his eyes with his fiery gaze.

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “Just this, master. Remember what your strength is. You are an elementalist. Use that to your advantage.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment and the sounds around Simon seemed to become muted. Something clicked in his mind and he nodded at the earthen with a grateful smile.

  “Thanks Kronk. I might have panicked just a bit there. You're right; it's time to go with my strengths.”

  He moved even further away from the cannon to an area on deck of relative quiet. Kronk and Aeris lagged behind to give him some space.

  Simon raised his staff and focused his thoughts on what he needed. Then he cleared his throat and brought the butt of the staff down firmly on the deck. The deck plates rang dully and Mortis de Draconis began to glow with a gentle blue aura.

  “Anaposus, I need you,” he said in a firm voice.

  A damp wind slid by his face and a dense patch of foggy vapor suddenly appeared and swirled on the ground in front of him.

  It coalesced into a humanoid figure made of water about a foot tall. The elemental was graceful and delicate and her body rippled as it moved. The features were feminine and quite beautiful.

  She looked around with interest and smiled at Kronk and Aeris.

  “Sir wizard, you summoned me?” she asked with a low bow.

  “Hello Ana. Thanks for coming. How are you?”

  “I am very well, thank you,” she replied politely. “And how are you, lord?”

  Simon sighed. He hated being called that but, just like Kronk's habit of calling him master, he'd given up trying to convince Ana to stop saying it.

  “I'm actually in a bit of trouble here, Ana, and I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor.”

  “A favor? Yes, of course. You honor me, my lord.”

  “Don't say that yet,” he told her. “I need a name.”

  Ana appeared perplexed. She looked at Aeris and Kronk but they both seemed confused as well.

  “A name, sir wizard? Whose name?”

  “I have no idea. I need the services of a powerful water elemental. Not as powerful as Aquamastis, obviously; he's one in a million.”

  “That he is, my lord.”

  “But I need one who is as powerful as it is possible for me to summon. And I need that elemental to want to come and help me; I refuse to force any of your people into servitude. Oh and I need that person right now.”

  Ana was caught off-guard.

  “Now?”

  “Now. This ship is about to be smashed to pieces by a very large turtle and I'd really like to stop it. There aren't enough of my people left in this world and I don't want to lose a hundred of them in one attack.”

  “I see.”

  Ana's attention was drawn to the busy groups of crewmen working on weapons. They were almost ready to fire and Simon and the others turned to watch as well.

  “Are you both lined up?” Captain Martelli bellowed at the crews.

  “Aye captain.”

  “Fire!”

  Both cannons blazed with silver fire and belched their missiles toward the attacking monster. Simon held his breath. He couldn't see the turtle from where he stood on the deck and waited for the captain's reaction.

  “A hit and a miss! Gods damn it!” she cursed vehemently.

  “But it's turned aside, captain,” one of the crew called to her.

  “For now. I think we've just pissed it off. Reload! If we hit it enough times, maybe it will veer off for good.”

  She didn't sound very optimistic.

  “I see the problem, sir wizard,” Ana said as she returned her attention to Simon. “This ship's weapons cannot stop the creature.”

  “Exactly. So I need a better weapon. Can you help me?”

  “Hmm.”

  The water elemental looked vaguely at the agitated crew. She appeared to be deep in thought and Simon held his tongue and waited.

  “My lord, I am a minor member of my race,” Ana said after a moment. “Most elementals at my level of power do not associate with those of greater strength; both of my friends here can attest to that.”

  She motioned at Kronk and Aeris.

  Before they could confirm her statement, Simon nodded his understanding.

  “I know that. But you knew Aquamastis, one of the most powerful of your people. I have a feeling that you are, perhaps, a bit more socially active than most elementals of your station.”

  She stared at him for a moment and
then smiled demurely.

  “You are a very observant man, my lord. I do have a rather large circle of friends that I have gathered over the millennia, it's true. And there is one that I am acquainted with, quite powerful, who could be amenable to your request. But she might be a trifle...irked by my giving you her name. She might see it as a betrayal; certainly she would be insulted.”

  Simon squatted down so that he was closer to eye level with the elemental.

  “But Ana, I know from my friends here,” he nodded at Kronk and Aeris, “that your kind gets bored over time. Immortality can be a double-edged sword. Perhaps something new, like saving a group of humans, might appeal to your friend?”

  “You make an excellent point, my lord. Yes, that sort of thing might very well be interesting to her. I think it is worth risking her displeasure. But she is one who will not bend to your will, sir wizard. Please try not to offend her.”

  Simon stood up and smiled down at Ana.

  “I wouldn't dream of it. Now, the name, please. We are running out of time.”

  Ana hesitated and then pushed back her shoulders and took a deep breath.

  “Her name is Vepolas, my lord.”

  “Thank you. Okay, everyone stand back and give me some room. Let's see how this goes.”

  The three elementals retreated as Simon moved closer to the stern of the ship, where there were no people except the mage, Barnaby. Behind him, the captain and crew were frantically reloading the weapons and he knew that the clock was ticking.

  He grounded Mortis de Draconis, tried to calm his breathing and looked at an open point on the deck.

  “Vepolas, I summon you,” he said firmly.

  Power flowed from the core of his body, down his right arm and into the staff. The weapon vibrated and tilted forward until it was pointing at the deck. Its tip rotated in a small circle, faster and faster.

  A dense fog billowed up from the metal deck, as thick as smoke, and began to swirl in time with the staff. Faster and thicker, the fog threw off water droplets and the deck was quickly soaked with liquid. This was sucked back into the vortex and it grew taller until it towered over Simon.

  The fog was almost black when it finally coalesced and stopped spinning. It dissipated like smoke and standing in its place, sending out rainbow rays of color, was a water elemental.