Dralin

by Carroll, John H.

  It began rumbling in anger. As the sound grew louder, more dust began to fall. The girls felt as though their bones were being shaken from the inside out. When a keening shriek began to run over the rumbling, they covered their ears the best they could. The creature’s fists were balled at its sides and its throat was turned toward the ceiling.

  When both the rumbling and the shriek ended, the girls were crying again. Even the magical sense of calm had been shredded by the sound. Then the most miraculous thing happened. A metallic tear slid down the creature’s cheek from the rapidly swirling eyes. From the cheek, it fell to the ground and turned into a silver dragonfly. The insect flitted about the hallway before flying away.

  “I . . . I’m sorry I . . . I couldn’t s . . . save him,” Pelya stuttered fearfully, feeling sympathy for the terrifying creature. “I . . . I really d . . . did try my best.”

  It looked at her. Then it looked at the door behind the girls. Thin, rust colored tendrils spread throughout the silver eyes for just a moment. “Let us go into the library.” The tendrils disappeared. “I want you to tell me everything you saw. He is still alive, yes?”

  “Yes,” Pelya answered swiftly. “He was weak and sad though. I think they’re draining his energy.”

  The information caused the creature scowl and rumble angrily again. Pelya really wished it would stop and judging by Ebudae’s shaking hand, she did too. “Open the library,” it told Ebudae who reached down with her free hand and picked the keys up. They turned back to the door and the wizardess’s hands shook violently as she tried to find the right key. Pelya helped to steady her and they managed to get it open.

  The creature picked up the lanterns and followed them in. The orange lights came down through the door and ran along the top of the ceiling, lighting the room further. They were different from the orbs around the child dragon’s cage. Those had been milky and swirling. These were translucent and looked like they had little bolts of lightning dancing around inside.

  Pelya and Ebudae walked around to the other side of the table while the creature studied the room. “A . . . are you really a dragon?” Ebudae asked, her first words coming out trembling.

  It focused on her. “Yes. I am a dragon.” It looked back and forth between the two of them. Gesturing with its hand, the dragon caused the door to shut, making the girls jump. “In my natural form, I am too big for these forsaken tunnels underneath your accursed city.” The dragon’s voice was quieter, but still had an ominous hissing quality. “Human form is convenient for many things in these ruins. It does not fool the wards which keep dragons and others out of the city, else I would have destroyed the towers of those silly wizards over the last month in my search.” It put its hands on the table. The girls gasped when its talons pierced holes into the stone top. “Now tell me everything you saw,” it commanded Pelya.

  She began describing the details of going into the basement and the secret passage. Then Pelya told what she remembered of the child dragon in its cage. After that, she described what she remembered of the room.

  “I am pleased that you use words with truth in them, but there are many details missing.” The creature drummed the clawed fingers into the holes it had created. Pelya wondered how it knew she was telling the truth. It stopped drumming and moved around the table in a blur. “I need to know those details.” The dragon in human form enclosed Pelya’s head with clawed hands and began speaking words of magic. Her words sounded like multiple ghosts of voices dancing gracefully through the room.

  Ebudae made no move to help her friend because it could have killed Pelya. The warrior girl wouldn’t have noticed either way. She felt her mind open and become colorful. There was no other way to describe it. Her memories were like rainbows she could slide on and she felt weightless.

  “Now tell me exactly what you saw,” the dragon commanded. Pelya stuck her hands into the pretty rainbows and began playing. She heard herself talking, but hadn’t a clue what she was saying.

  After an unknown amount of time, the rainbows went away. Pelya was disoriented as the dragon released her head. Ebudae caught her when she stumbled to her knees. Everything felt like it was tipping to the left and she couldn’t get her balance. Then she threw up all over the floor.

  Chapter 21

  “Pelya . . . Pelya! Wake up!” Ebudae’s voice came from somewhere far away. Pelya couldn’t pull herself free from castoff rainbows that had lost their color. They were mush and stuck to the walls of her mind. “You need to wake up now, Pelya,” Ebudae insisted. The sound pulled Pelya out of the grey rainbows, but she still felt sticky. A groan bounced around in her skull. She was angry at whoever was making the noise. “That’s it. Come on. Wake up.”

  She opened her eyes and instantly regretted it as the dim orange light in the room spun around. Another groan sounded and she realized it was her own. As Ebudae put an arm around Pelya’s back and lifted her into a sitting position, everything tilted to the left again and she felt the nausea threaten to remove whatever might be left in her stomach.

  “Drink this. It’ll help.” Ebudae lifted a bottle to her lips. Pelya turned her head and weakly fought off her friend.

  “You can take it from your friend or I can hold your head still with a claw and force it down your throat until you choke on it, child,” the dragon said irritably.

  Pelya saw it standing nearby, still in human form with its arms folded. The dragon was spinning in the opposite direction of the room, making Pelya even sicker. When the bottle was put to her lips again, Pelya drank it all. She knew the dragon would make good on its threat.

  The effect was amazing. Pelya could feel the thick, cool syrup slide down her throat. As soon as it hit her stomach, the nausea stopped and energy flooded her veins. The best part was the fact that the puddle of monochrome rainbows at the bottom of her mind washed away and she could think clearly again.

  Ebudae helped her to stand before putting the bottle on the table. She held Pelya’s arm and examined her with concern. “Are you alright?”

  Pelya nodded slowly. “Everything feels funny, but I think I’ll be alright. What was that stuff?”

  “A special healing potion Hezzena had me give to you.” Ebudae jerked her head toward the menacing visitor.

  “Hezzena?”

  “It’s not my true name, but it will do for your simple human minds,” the dragon interrupted testily. “For the last few hours your little friend and I have been going over everything you told us. It is time for you to listen to the plan.”

  “Plan?” Pelya questioned blankly.

  “I worry that this one is not bright enough to perform her task,” Hezzena told Ebudae.

  “You stirred her mind like you were making butter in a churn!” Ebudae protested. “She’s smarter than anyone I know and more decent too! You be nice to her!” The wizardess treaded forward and jammed a finger up into Hezzena’s chest before remembering she was talking to a dragon. When another low rumbling growl shook the room, Ebudae stepped fearfully back to Pelya’s side.

  Pelya positioned herself so that she would be between her friend and the dragon. “The plan is to rescue your child, isn’t it?” Pelya asked, hoping to deflect any violence.

  The rumbling died down and Hezzena’s expression softened. “You two protect each other in the face of death. I almost don’t hate you as I hate every other human at this moment. Yes, child. You are going to save my son, Rizzith, as you may call him. I have devised a plan with the help of your crafty little friend there, but she’ll kill herself with foolishness if you don’t do your part.”

  Ebudae blushed and stared at her feet when Pelya looked at her questioningly. “What is she talking about?” Pelya asked.

  Hezzena answered the question instead. “Human children aren’t capable of handling magic. Your bodies are developing and magic can stunt that development, even deforming a child.” Purple tendrils appeared in the dragon’s eyes, much like the rust colored ones from earlier. “I can already see that small damage
s have been done to the juicy parts inside her bones and both her livers. If she continues, she’ll die when she reaches maturity.”

  The danger to her friend horrified Pelya. Ebudae had tears in her eyes as she desperately grabbed the young warrior’s arm and pleaded, “Please don’t make me stop. I love magic so much. I can’t live without it, Pelya.”

  “And it will kill you if you continue,” Hezzena stated irritably. “That is of no matter to me right now. You must rescue my child.”

  Pelya turned to the dragon, flaring in anger. “And what if we refuse?”

  Both of their heads were instantly held in claws. The tips pierced skin where they touched. “Then you will die!” Hezzena hissed. She released them quickly and stood back, claws forming back into the taloned hands. Pelya’s stomach twisted at the feel of blood trickling from the small piercings in her head. “If you do not accept this task, you will die. If you begin this task but do not finish, you will die. If you run away, you will die. I have means to see to it even if you’re in the city where I can’t reach you.” Pelya and Ebudae clung to each other, both nodding fearfully while Hezzena rumbled, shaking loose more dust. Then the dragon’s expression changed, softening. “However, if you give me your word that you will attempt to rescue my son in good faith, I will not implement those means.”

  The girls exchanged puzzled glances before looking at Hezzena in confusion. “If I could have, I would have saved Rizzith already,” Pelya told her. “If you had just asked me, I would have done so again gladly. I’ll still do it because I think it’s the right thing to do.”

  Hezzena stared at her for a minute and then hung her head. “I am ashamed by my behavior, child. My treatment of you is unacceptable, yet you still act with great honor. Please forgive me.”

  The sudden change in behavior surprised the girls. Pelya stared for a moment then ran and gave Hezzena a hug. Ebudae stared at them both, but rushed and joined the hug too. The dragon looked at them in shock, but wrapped her arms tightly around their shoulders. “Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me and thank you for helping to rescue Rizzith.”

  “Of course. There’s no way I would miss it!” Ebudae said enthusiastically as they separated. “I know we can do it now that you’ve told me everything you did.”

  Hezzena pointed a finger at Ebudae. “You are not to do anything I’ve forbidden you.” The sharp tip circled warningly in the young wizardess’s face. She moved it in front of Pelya. “I will tell you those things. If you don’t prevent your friend from doing so, she will die from the casting.” Pelya nodded while Ebudae crossed her arms stubbornly.

  “I’ll make certain of it,” Pelya agreed, glaring at her friend who stuck her tongue out.

  “Good,” Hezzena said with a nod. “The first problem we have is where to meet once you’ve rescued my son.” She began pacing in a very human way. “The wards you described on the secret hallway will prevent me from coming in that way. They were made specifically to keep me, or any dragon whose help I might enlist, from sensing my son or coming through. However, it is the only way to get my son out since he cannot be brought up through the city. Once you get past the door, I need you to meet me.”

  “That sounds like a good plan, but I don’t know how to get through the door,” Pelya replied thoughtfully.

  “That’s the easy part,” Ebudae said. “The problem is figuring out how to get to the ancient city from that room. Then we need to figure out how to alert Hezzena and get her there before something eats us so she can rescue Rizzith from the cage, which is the hardest part, one that I’m not allowed to do.” The wizardess folded her arms and stubbornly glared at both of them.

  “I don’t know where the passage will let out,” Hezzena explained. “I can protect you against everything, but only if I can find you in time.”

  Pelya rubbed her stomach. It hurt from throwing up and the potion wasn’t really settling well. “I can show you the general area.”

  They stared at her. “How can you do that?” Hezzena asked suspiciously.

  “Part of the training in the Dralin City Guard is knowing where all the sewers are. I like studying the maps, so I know them really well. They’re great for practicing all the memorization I’m going to have to do as I advance. If we can find one, I should be able to get you close to Lord Uylvich’s estate.” She smiled enthusiastically. “I’ve been wanting to explore them anyway, but I’m not allowed in them.”

  “Aren’t the sewers above the runes that protect the city?” Ebudae asked.

  “I don’t know for sure,” Pelya said, holding her arms out to the side. “But there are a lot of levels and the lower ones should be below. I don’t have all of them memorized, but I really think I can get you close.”

  “Then we go now.” Hezzena grabbed Pelya’s wrist and pulling her to the door.

  “Wait!” Ebudae protested. “The sewers are dangerous and we’ll have to go through the ruined city to get to them, which is even more dangerous.” Hezzena just stared at the wizardess, her face expressionless. Ebudae thought about her words for a moment. “Oh . . . wait . . . you’re a dragon and probably more dangerous than anything else . . .” Hezzena gave a single nod. “Alright. I’m ready,” Ebudae said cheerfully.

  The dragon rolled her liquid eyes, a neat trick, and led them to the door, still dragging Pelya by the arm. They exited the library, giving Ebudae a moment to re-lock the door. The girls left their lanterns inside, deciding to rely on Hezzena’s light orbs.

  After a few steps, Pelya turned toward the wall and threw up again. A single rainbow with feet on each end marched across her mind, crashed against the inside of her skull and turned into grey goop. “Pelya!” Ebudae grabbed her again when the warrior’s knees turned to mush.

  “You humans are so weak.” Hezzena let go of the arm. “Especially when you’re young. We don’t have time for this. You have to save Rizzith!”

  “She’s not doing it on purpose!” Ebudae yelled at the dragon. “It’s your fault!”

  Luckily, the dragon didn’t rumble that time. It didn’t stop her from tapping a foot in annoyance though. Through the sparkly fog that was beginning to develop in her mind, Pelya got the impression the dragon was rapidly swishing its tail even though she was in human form.

  Hezzena squatted, took Pelya’s head in her hands and looked deeply, making Pelya even dizzier than before. “I’m not a White, but I should be able to fix it a little bit.” The dragon reached into Pelya’s mind and tried to put things right.

  Pelya wailed pitifully as the creature crashed around in her head like a mad bull. “Stop it!” Ebudae screamed, beating on the powerful creature. “Stop it! You’re hurting her!”

  After a moment of making everything worse, Hezzena did stop. “I hate healing!” she exclaimed in a growl. Pelya sank to the ground against the wall. She could barely see anything but blurry outlines. Her mind felt wrong -- worse than the rainbows. Things were cracked and she couldn’t move her arms or legs. Ebudae knelt over her and took Pelya’s face in her hands. They were much smaller and more pleasant than the dragon’s had been. “Pelya! By the Gods, what have you done, you beast?!” the wizardess screamed over her shoulder at Hezzena.

  Pelya tried to reassure her friend, but couldn’t speak anymore. She realized she was probably going to die. It was very disappointing.

  “Don’t close your eyes, Pelya!” Ebudae used her thumbs to hold Pelya’s lids open. “Stay with me.” Turning back to Hezzena, she demanded, “She’s dying! Fix it!” Hezzena snarled at Ebudae and flashed her claws, but the little girl wasn’t daunted. “You did this! She tried to help you and you killed her!”

  Pelya internally objected to that statement. She wasn’t dead yet and wanted to say so out loud, but nothing worked. It occurred to her that she would be dead in a moment, but that was beside the point. A shadow on Pelya’s left caressed her neck in comfort while one on her right ran its fingers through her hair. They let her know she would go somewhere safe when she died. It made her feel be
tter about her fate.

  “Move aside,” Hezzena ordered. “I’ll fix it.” When Ebudae glared at her suspiciously, she said, “You don’t have any other options, now move!”

  Ebudae did so, but continued glaring. Hezzena took her place kneeling over Pelya. She pulled out a shining white tooth from some unknown place. Then she gripped Pelya’s jaw. “I’m doing this because I did make a mess of her head and she’s going to die soon if I don’t, but also because I need her to save my child. I’m angry and hungry and it’s causing me to make mistakes.”

  Pelya was beginning to slip away, feeling as though she was falling into whatever hole the rainbows had slid through. A white-hot burst of pain in her chest abruptly brought her back to the hallway and she screamed in agony. Ebudae’s horrified scream mingled with it as she watched Hezzena drive the tooth into her friend’s heart.

  Instead of killing Pelya, the tooth healed her mind entirely. The warrior child stood when Hezzena did. Everything felt perfect, or even better. Her mind was sharp and she could see every detail in the room better than before. Hearing, smell and taste were also heightened. In addition to that, she felt well rested, free of hunger and thirst, stronger than ever before, and completely healthy. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “What was that?” The tooth was gone and there was no injury.

  “That was amazing!” Ebudae responded in awe. “I thought you were dead!”

  Hezzena put taloned fingers under each of their chins. “That was a white dragon tooth. It dissolves into the blood and cures nearly anything. It is forbidden to tell anyone that under penalty of death.” She looked pointedly at Pelya. “It is also one of the rarest and most valuable items of magic in the world. I’m fairly certain one has never been used on a human, let alone a child.” Hezzena turned in disgust and began striding down the hallway, mumbling to herself. “It’s my own fault for being careless. Everything is my fault. I’ve done everything wrong and it’s all my own fault. I deserve to die.” Ebudae and Pelya exchanged worried glances. Then they took each other’s hands and hurried along.