Dragons Shining

by Michael Sperry

  “That’s great news, Tom. I bet the other harvests will be fine this year too, and I am always honored to be on the team!”

  Chapter Two – Briana’s Lessons

  Low on the southern slopes of the Horn Mountains is the small trading village of Ivory Horn. It sits on a flat ridge over a mile wide that formed a semicircle around part of the First Mount. This ring plateau had been carved in ancient times by dwarf miners hunting Gold. The dwarves left the mountain slopes long before the Humans started to mine them on occasion, for Star Metal. The dwarves still came and went in the area because nearby was one of their main tunnel entrances to the underground cities. The town healer, Salece lived around this plateau ring to the NW of town, between First Mount and the edge of the Elven Forest that climbs the mountain not far past the small cabin where she lived. Travelers and townspeople, both Elf and Human, often visited her. Even Dwarves sometimes came out of the mountain entrance within the Elven forest to seek her healing ointments or advice. It seemed that a particular young Elf girl took a liking to Salece, the healer. Briana was often seen in the neighborhood. She was a very pretty young Elf, with long blonde hair always with a flower in it, large amber eyes, a slim body and promising young breasts, long legs and arms and with long, supple fingers on delicate looking hands, tall for her age.

  In truth, although no one could have guessed, Salece spent every possible moment with Briana that she could safely spend, teaching her healing first and many other lessons including high magic, knowledge a simple “healer” could not possibly know. She left it to the elves to teach the girl swordsmanship and martial arts. It was an early spring morning, crisp and chilly, and no visitors were near. The morning birds were singing everywhere, raising a cacophony of sound. Early flowers scented the air, and Coffee was brewing on the old wood stove.

  “So I have a twin brother?” asked Briana, who was now thirteen years old.

  “He is not your brother, dear, but closer still”.

  “Closer than a brother? How can that be, Salece? First I learn I am not really an elf, but some sort of Vampire Dragon, a blue an white one I have discovered, yet not really a blood needing vampire. Then I learn that an army of awful dark creatures, of whom I have seen none, is hunting me. I have learned that there are fourteen of us and that one other is a Vampire Dragon like me, a twin, but a boy. My parents in the village have taught me many elven things as well. One is that only siblings can be twins. So what gives?”

  “Oh goodness, I have said too much now haven’t I? Well I might as well go on. I doubt he knows this yet. His name is Owen. He is a part of you, and you are a part of him. You are closer than mortally possible. I hesitate to explain further except you at least need to know. We were instructed to keep you apart until puberty. Well that has already happened has it not?”

  Briana blushed crimson. “Yes”.

  “Well you know I have helped you see what you are and have delved as deeply as I can safely go. Because I have long had an interest in such things, never mind how long, I know more about vampires than any other, except them.” She pointed up at Heaven.

  “The common vampires are no more. They have all been killed at least on Cotera, or so I thought. I have heard rumors from the dwarves recently that make me wonder. Common vampires were those with a diluted bloodline. There is little real vampire in them. They have grown so weak genetically that they must drink blood. They crave it and will die without it over time. There is only one absolutely pure source in the vampire line. “Her” name is Vaness, one of the elder Gods, or “His” name if you will, is Van. Vaness can be either male or female, or a combination of both. It can procreate without assistance, or with a male or female partner. It does not though as a rule, from what I have been told. It has always had to kill its children when they challenge it, or the line becomes so diluted that bloodsucking monsters like the common vampire procreate uncontrollably. It has been sleeping for millennia, inhabiting the nightmares of mortal men. One of its self-created children was known to have had a daughter with a human male before Vaness killed her for practicing dark sorcery. That granddaughter, Morganna, was taken by Satan and became his wife. It is said she is pure darkness, and a powerful match for the Dark Lord. She bore him a son, Belaros, who despises the Maker’s law. It is said he will escape Hell and try to make slaves of all on Cotera. He is our enemy and must be destroyed. But let’s get back to Vaness. I believe she is your mother, and that you and Owen are like a her/him split taken into divided souls and two bodies by your father’s seed. You are the same entity, so to speak, that can split into two. Who your Father is I cannot imagine, except we know he has dragon blood and is immensely powerful. Another thing; Angels are ascended dragons. I bet your adoptive parents never told you that!”

  Briana’s jaw dropped. “I am the female half of an offspring of a Goddess who often kills its children, and of an ascended Dragon?”

  “As close as I can tell, yes. But then you really are who you are and no one different than that, here on Cotera. This is the Maker’s world, and bound by his natural laws. Until you meet Owen, anyway. I don’t know exactly what will happen then. You are innocence, Briana, with a heart of gold and love for all. You are as far from darkness as it gets. I see that in you as clearly as through spring water. Here, that’s enough for one morning. Have some Coffee while I go and meet the Dwarves who will be here soon. Can’t you sense them?”

  Briana had not been paying attention except to Salece, so she cleared her mind and broadened her senses. As she expanded her awareness, she saw in her mind’s eye the living spirits of the birds, bees, a deer nearby, the mountain lion stalking her, a hawk overhead, and then six more brightly shinning Dwarves slugging up the mountain toward Salece’s cabin. There was another faint glow, being carried on a stretcher she knew from looking out of the Hawk’s eyes. A dead Dwarf she realized. She peeked in one’s mind a little since he was not guarding it, and withdrew quickly.

  “There are six, and they carry a dead dwarf. They wish you to advise them on this death. It seems he has been drained of blood as well as his being chewed somewhat. Eck.”

  “Very good, Briana. But the one you entered knows you were there, a General no less. You can bet he knows how to block his mind, but he let you in anyway. And the Magi with them sensed your revulsion like a beacon in the night sky. He was expecting me, not you. At least he thinks you are an Elf. Please be more careful!”

  “Yes mam. Sorry. Guess I might as well stay then?”

  Salece sighed, “I guess so. Just keep quiet and they may not take much interest in you. Oh... not likely.”

  They finished two cups of Coffee while Briana got a blistering repeat lesson on passive surveillance, before the Dwarves came knocking.

  Salece opened the door and said “Greetings, Honorable Magi Dohb, General Grox, noble warriors Flenx, Jax, Uhlax and Rodof. Please forgive my lack of your honorable surnames, which I cannot pronounce in any case. To what do we owe this visit, as if I didn’t already know?” She glanced over at Briana before stepping out on the porch.

  “Sad tidings, healer, or should I say high Sorceress Salece?”

  “Hush, Dwarf Magi. The woods have ears!”

  “Alright then. I know a bit of what you are hiding here and will say no more on that. You can go ahead and invite her out here though. The Elf might can help with this, yes?”

  “Do you really think looking at this will sit well with one so innocent, Dohb?” She was remembering how some dwarves could really piss her off.

  “Are elves so tender then, Sorceress?”

  “Briana, if you wish, you may join us. Guard your stomach.”

  Briana joined the group on the veranda. She eyed the covered corpse on the stretcher nervously. She could feel the dwarf magi try probing her harshly, and she shut her mind on him like a steel trap.

  “Umpf”, exclaimed Dohb, in pain. “Typical Elf.”

  “General, are all Dwarves as rude as this one?”

  “I apologize, Briana
”, said Grox. “Stuff it Dohb. I know this is your cousin Dagart lying there, and you are in a foul mood. But don’t take it out on these two. We need their help.”

  The four warriors gave Dohb a meaningful stare.

  “Alright, alright, I am sorry. Look here ladies. Look closely and tell me what you find.” With that, Dohb unsnapped and pulled the cover off of Dagart. “There were four others that all looked much the same, but we only brought Dagart here.”

  Briana covered her mouth and looked away. She sensed more than her sharp eyes had seen in a flash even through her glamour, but she remained silent and kept her mind closed tight. She noticed Dohb staring at her.

  Salece move close but put a handkerchief over her nose and muttered a smell-killing spell. Briana did so as well, but silently. No danger there. All Elves were somewhat adept at magic, some more than others.

  “Half eaten and drained of blood. One attacker”, said Salece.

  “How can you tell there was only one attacker? He is ripped up so badly”, asked Dohb.

  “You know what I am and ask that?” snapped Salece.

  “Vampire Ghoul”, said Briana meekly.

  All looked at her puzzled, even Salece.

  “Just a guess, Briana?” asked Dohb.

  “No. Not a guess at all”. Briana turned and went inside to sit staring at her empty coffee cup.

  “How could an Elf know that for sure?” Both Dohb and Grox asked at the same time.

  “You came here for an answer”, said Salece. “For the sake of all that is light, just go, and take your answer with you. Say nothing except that I told you this. Say nothing of the Elf. Do you hear me Dohb? Do the rest of you? Swear to me on your mother’s souls, or I will turn you into plant holders!”

  The air around them hummed with power and Dohb’s wards shattered. The sorceress could melt the ground beneath their feet, or turn their bodies to mulch if she wanted to. The dwarves stepped back or tried to, but they could not move. Dohb strained against her power, but she was much too strong. He felt like a trapped bug under foot.

  “I will not harm you if you swear!”

  One by one, they swore to her in their minds on their mothers’ soul, and she heard them.

  So, she let them go.

  Grox seemed unperturbed but the others backed away slightly. “How can we kill it?", he asked.

  “Get this rude Magi to create spears of living wood. Drive one through its heart or take off its head. Oh never mind. Briana. Can you handle this for them? Living wood is an Elf specialty I believe?”

  “I will ask Father”, said Briana as she asked for his audience with her mind. He was only a few miles away in their village. “Father, may I disturb you?”

  “Any time Briana”, answered Onadath, her father. “You are with Salece again. Let me see.”

  Briana gazed around the room and walked back onto the porch.

  “Oh, how could she subject you to this? The Dwarves must be desperate.”

  “It’s ok, Father. They need a favor. They need about a dozen spears of living wood. Can’t you make them?”

  “The Vampires are all dead are they not, Salece?” He had queried her directly, patching her into this mental conversation.

  “I think there is a source in the deep tunnels, Onadath. Something has come through already.”

  “Alright then, Briana. We have been preparing for this. Tell the Dwarves to come by the village in three days. They will have one hundred living spears and one thousand living arrows as well. They will need pruning over time. Briana, come home. You’re Mother and I wish to speak with you.”

  “Come to the Elven village in three days ready to carry one hundred spears and one thousand arrows. Come with Magi who will be taught how to keep them active.” With that Briana went back inside to once again stare at her empty cup.

  Grox glanced at Briana, as the others hastened to depart. “I hope we have not upset her too greatly, Sorceress. We follow the light in our dark halls, and do not wish to see such brightness dimmed.”

  With that, the Dwarves picked up their burden and retraced their steps.

  Salece entered her abode and closed the door. “What did you see Briana?”

  “You are right about my bloodline, Salece. I sensed the blood in the saliva that Vampire left. I sensed the relation. It is foul and dark, an unclean monster. That’s not like me, oh Maker please.” She laid her head on her arms and cried.

  Salece took her in her arms. “No, Briana that is not you. You are as far from this darkness as can ever be. But you cannot let its existence create a stain upon you. You are the brightest of days to the darkest of nights. Remember this Briana. You are meant to keep Owen on the path of light. He and the Dragon Lords to be are the only ones who can destroy these monsters once and for all. You cannot be stained and help him stay in the light, for if Owen is dragged into darkness by them - all will be lost. When the time comes, you must protect his soul in every way you can, although he will think he is protecting you. You must keep him on the path, and then he will do the same for the Dragon Lords as their King. And some day you must join with him in a way only you and he will understand, to obtain your true Power. You must do this to finally vanquish our enemy. Nothing else can.”

  “I will do my best, I swear.”

  “I know you will, and that will be enough. Go on now, your parents wish to speak with you, right?”

  Briana nodded, gave Salece a hug, and began her descent to Grenasholt, the Elven village just a bit over two miles from the healer’s cabin. She was about halfway to Grenasholt, crossing a small field of harvested wheat when she felt a great weight upon her mind. A magnificent presence she somehow knew would someday confront her. Then a great shadow passed overhead, and giant wings fanned the air above her. She froze as the huge female blue dragon banked sharply around to land facing her. She had never been this close to another dragon. She was not scared, even as the great horned head snaked to within yards of her, and so she walked closer. She could detect only a few small animals nearby. The birds and larger animals had fled in panic.

  “I have sensed your presence for some time now. Thou art not elf, as is your seeming. Art thou somehow my kin?”

  Briana started at the power of this mind, yet answered in kind, “I am Briana, and I share your blood.” With that she pulled her one-piece smock over her head. She cast a quick spell of protection upon the clothes and changed.

  Now the old dragon matriarch took a pace back. Her name was Zana. In her many thousands of years of life she had never seen such a transformation as this. A young blue and white female dragon stood before her. She had blue wings with razor sharp leading white edges and white tips. Her four legs were blue from the mid joints down to white tufts around her oversized talons. As the little one spread her wings she could see they were differently shaped than most dragons, mostly at the tips with an added section at a more acute angle. Tipped upward slightly and a larger wing to body ratio. Her neck was shorter and her tail as well. The tip of her tail scales were bright blue with long white tipped spikes a little further out. Her snout was long and thin, with upper and lower fangs protruding prominently from her jaws. In other words, a Vampire Dragon just like Zana, except one that could change into an Elf. An ancient memory came bursting forth. “Know the shape shifting Dragon Queen by her blood and by the blood of her mate, the Dragon King, and by the undying fealty of their Lord Shepards. They will rise to battle darkness and slavery where no others might prevail, save there enter Hell upon all the land.” And there was more to this prophesy that came bubbling up from her ancient past.

  “So the prophecy unfolds. Where is your mate, little one?”

  “Who are you to question me so, except such a beautiful old dragon I wish to know better?”

  For her part, Briana saw a much larger, once all blue version of herself, nearly decrepit with age. Her blue scales were split in places and turning gray. There were gaps in the old dragon’s wings, and her muzzle was gray also. It’s dar
k gray eyes were now crinkled in mirth. There was also pain in those eyes. Briana’s every fiber resonated with empathy. She felt an unremitting compulsion to take that pain away, and make this dragon whole again.

  “I am Zana, little one. When I was young, Kragon was Dragon King, many thousands of years gone by. His was more darkness than light, and his passing was a judgment. He is what your mate will become if you do not guide him. He will be a plague upon the land, instead of savior. Only you can guide him, Briana. I sense you cannot find him, but you must now that you are of age. There is no danger since you are blooded; I can smell this upon you.”

  “Why safer now?” All of this very recent information had not come home to her quite yet. It seemed that old minds all around her had suddenly opened the flood gates. “I have not even met Owen, and am already mated to him, at thirteen?” she was thinking.

  “Anyway....”

  She moved closer to Zana, feeling much stronger than she ever had before. Her confidence soared beyond reason. "It is worth trying", she thought. In her Elf form she would not be able, but now....